Chapter 2
…...Neigh Orleans Train Station...
It was mid-afternoon when three friends stepped off the train into a world that seemed alien to them. Neigh Orleans was the third largest city in Equestria. It was famous for three things: Parties, being the home of the Marefia, and being the largest port in Equestria. This city was different than anywhere else in Equestria, even the air was different. It was thick and hot, like breathing in some kind of tainted steam.
Pinkie Pie was bouncing in a circle around her friends, "Can you guys believe it?!? We are in the party capital of Equestria! I mean this city has entire CITY WIDE parties for just about everything! They even have a week long party devoted to the celebration of sin and debauchery."
Applejack frowned, "Why do they celebrate sin and debauchery? I mean tha' don't seem friendly, if you ask me." She looked around her, watching everypony lazily walk along on their business. They sure didn't seem like the kind of people Pinkie was describing.
Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, looked quite excited, "Yeah they also have some really great cider here! Or so I've heard. I've only had some once in Cloudsdale, and it was some of the best I've ever had." She licked her lips slowly, drool forming at the prospect of getting some more.
AJ frowned at that, "As good as Sweet Apple Acres cider? Wait, that don't matter. We ain't here on vacation, we're here to find ma aunt. First we need to find a place to stay... Come on." She hitched up her saddlebags and started walking down the street.
About an hour and six inns later, they were all looking somewhat grungy and dejected. Pinkie's hair was beginning to droop, AJ looked annoyed and Rainbow looked downright mad that they couldn't find anywhere to stay.
Rainbow groaned, "What's the bucking deal with all these places being full?" She flopped over onto a nearby bench.
Pinkie nodded, "Yeah it's like they are having some great big secret party and nobody invited us." She frowned and sighed, her hair drooping a bit more.
"What are three pretty ladies such as yourselves lookin' so dejected for? You're in the party capital of Equestria!" The three friends looked up to see a stallion standing not too far away. He had a red coat, which contrasted sharply with his silver mane. He wore a white overcoat that covered up his cutie mark, and a pair of silver shades which covered his eyes. "Are you ladies having trouble finding a place to stay?"
AJ looked at the rather oddly dressed stallion, "Well yeah, we are. ya wouldn't happen ta know a place to stay would ya Mr..."
He grinned at the little orange mare, "Names Ace High. Just Ace to you pretty ladies. Yeah I know someone who might give y'all a roof to crash under as long as you need it and toss a few bits her way." He turned and called over his shoulder, "Follow me."
The three friends looked at each other before nodding and following the strange fella. He led them down some streets and stopped in front of a old Plantation-style house that looked like it had seen better days. He pushed open the gate and walked up to the front door, pushing it open. "You still alive in here old mare?"
The three girls frowned and AJ walked towards Ace, "That's awful rude shouldn' ya be nicer?"
A loud bawdy laugh echoed through the house, and floated out the front door where the mares were standing, "So you brought somebody with manners with ya did ya, colt?" A rather large and chubby Zebra Mare stepped out from the kitchen. "Where's ya manners boy? Making those poor girls stand out on the porch when you brought 'em by?" She scolded the young stallion like he was no more then a colt.
He just grinned at the old zebra before turning to the group of friends, "Come on, ladies, let me introduce you to the love of my life." He led the girls into the kitchen behind the old mare. "Momma Nack this is.. is.. Well damn, I done forgot to ask your names ladies... Ow!" The old zebra had smacked him upside the back of his head with a large wooden spoon.
"No cursing in my house, boy, or you'll be feeling my spoon across yer backside. I didn't teach ya to say them things. Ya probably get from that good fer nothing yer momma married." She scowled at the Stallion sitting in front of her. He only grinned sheepishly up at her like a kid who'd been caught doing something bad.
"Why don't you ladies introduce yourselves?" He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
Pinkie Pie grinned and waved spastically at Momma Nack, "Hi! My name's Pinkie Pie! I like parties! Maybe I could throw you a party one day! Maybe a 'We met Momma Nack' Party! Yeah!!!"
Momma Nack burst out laughing, "I like this one, she's got spirit. Maybe one day Baby Pie" The old zebra turned to the next girl.
Rainbow Dash smiled, "My name's Rainbow Dash and I'm the fastest flier in Equestria and a future Wonderbolt." She puffed out her chest proudly, making Momma laugh again.
"Well she sounds just like you when you were a young'un Ace," She grinned and Ace shifted nervously.
The awkwardness of the motion made Rainbow stare, “You're a Pegasus?"
He shifted again, "Yeah I just hide my wings under my coat. Anyways... moving on," He motioned towards AJ.
Applejack had been watching everything with interest, and smiled at the old zebra, "Ma name is Applejack, it's nice to meet you Miss Momma Nack."
"Well now, since we all know each other, why don't ya tell ol' Momma Nack what ya brought these pretty things over for?" The old zebra leaned against the counter, watching the four young'uns in front of her.
"Well you see Momma Nack. They needed a place to stay while they are in town and you got all this extra room." Ace scratched the back of his head and looked at the old zebra, who just sighed.
"Boy ya don't fool me one bit.” She shook her head before smiling, “Fine, these girls can stay. Ya git now, boy, ya momma's bar well be openin' up soon and ya got ta go do your little thing." She turned back to the sink, resuming washing a sinkful of potatoes.
Ace looked up at the clock on the wall and jumped up, "Well, gotta go, bye! You girls should come by the bar later. It's called The Sour Cider Room," He turned and galloped out of the house at top speed.
The girls just stared after him for a moment, frowning slightly. The old zebra just smiled, "That boy has way to much on his plate for one so young." She sighed, "To think it was only a short time ago I was bandaging his scraped legs and telling him stories about faeries." She turned to look at the girls, "So what brings three good girls like y'all to the city of sin?"
Applejack sighs and sits delicately on a chair, "We came lookin' fer my aunt. Her and my Granny had a fight years ago and she left to come here." She looked down and sighed, "But we have no clue where to look, or even how to begin."
Momma Nack smiled, "Well why don't ya start by telling ol' Momma Nack here her name, maybe I know her." She faced the young mare, waiting patiently as Applejack rummaged through her saddlebags and pulled out the old photo.
"Her name is Sour Apple. This is a picture of her." Applejack showed her the photo.
The old zebra took the photo gently and looked at it. Momma Nack nodded and began to laugh, "Child ya already found her." She wipes her eyes as the three at the table looked at her in shock.
Pinkie piped up, "What in Equestria are you talking about Momma Nack?" All of the girls watched the zebra with curious faces.
Momma Nack grinned and smiled, "Ace, the boy who brought you here, is her son. His momma runs The Sour Cider Room, like he said. She ought to be there tonight."
The three mares looked at each other with renewed shock.
"Well girls, looks like we ARE goin' to a bar tonight." Applejack stood up to hug the old zebra, "Thanks Momma Nack."
Momma Nack walked with them upstairs, showing them to the spare rooms, “Y'all take your pick.” The old zebra smiled and headed back to the kitchen. As she turned to begin chopping potatoes, she smiled to herself, “That boy may finally get a real family after all."
…...Later that night outside The SCR (Sour Cider Room)...
The girls walked up to the door. Applejack sighed and tried to relax "Well this is it y'all." They walked into the bar as a blue mare stepped onto stage.
"OK colts and fillies! Up next is a song from our favorite stallion here at the SCR- Ace High!" She moved off stage as Ace stepped on stage. He grinned and stood on his hind hooves, moving the mic stand closer.
"How are you tonight SCR?" He called out to the crowded bar.
The bar roared with cheers and the stomping of hooves in response. The girls made their way to a table near the bar, and took a seat. They began to watch Ace work the crowd. "Well then lets get this party started! Hit it!" He began to dance as the band started up the music.
"I was just a colt workin' for the mare for the first time
she said 'Listen boy, you'd better hear my advice:
Treat 'em like dirt, they'll stick
forever to the bottom of your shoe
Oooo
I said "Ms. Mare, that ain't nice
You gotta treat a filly right
Take her out, wine and dine her, always be polite
'Boy, all good- just do you but soon you'll see
she don't want no goody two shoes”
A few mare back-up singers danced onto the stage around the silver haired performer and began to sing as well.
“Boy, you're just a goody two, goody two shoes
You're just a goody two, two shoes!”
Ace spun the mic stand and continued to dance, the words flowing out of him,
"You got style, you got grace
But boy you try so hard
she just laughs in your face
Yeah you're a nice stallion
With the wrong attitude
She want a bad boy
(bad boys, bad boys, all we want is bad boys!)
I treat her bad, she loves me good
And I just hate to have to tell you
Cause you're a nice stallion
But that just won't do
She want a bad boy
(bad boys, bad boys, all we want is bad boys!)”
Ace danced, the crowd raving and probably believing he was truly as the song portrayed him.
“Listen boy, you hear them sirens comin' for me?
But when I get downtown she will already be
postin' bail in her favorite dress
Smilin' at me because I'm no good.”
He grinned and pulled off his shades, revealing striking silver eyes. He smiled and winked at a Mare in the audience, making her swoon as he gyrated and danced across the stage.
“You can buy her everything she likes
And I'm sure she'll be obliged to let you steal a kiss,
maybe even spend the night
Boy, all good-just know that
She'll be thinking of me even when she's with you
Boy, you're just a goody two, goody two shoes
You're just a goody two, two shoes!
You got style, you got grace
But kid you try so hard
she just laughs in your face
Yeah you're a nice stallion
With the wrong attitude
She want a bad boy
(bad boys, bad boys, all we want is bad boys!)
I treat her bad, she loves me good
And I just hate to have to tell you
Cause you're a nice stallion
But that just won't do
She want a bad boy
(bad boys, bad boys, all we want is bad boys!)”
He held his mic towards the crowd.
"Whoa, alright now
Single mares (yeah)
I'm gonna need your help now
(Tell us what ya want us to do now)
I need help girls
(You're a bad boy)
I say I need help now (help now)
So bad (so bad)
So good (so good)
So bad (bad)
Good (good)”
He grinned and jumped down into the crowd, singing the last bit of the song while flirting with different mares all over the bar.
“God damn, you got style, you got grace
Kid you try so hard
she just laughs in your face
Yeah you're a nice stallion
With the wrong attitude
She want a bad boy
(bad boys, bad boys, all we want is bad boys!)
I treat her bad, she loves me good
And I just hate to have to tell you
Cause you're a nice stallion
But that just won't do
She want a bad boy
(bad boys, bad boys, all we want is bad boys!)
Boy, you're just a goody two, goody two shoes
You're just a goody two, two shoes!”
With the last line he jumped back onto the stage, and bows. "Thank ladies you have been great tonight!”