Into the Void
Chapter 6
When Ponies Drink
You notice the sly grins returning your own and feel your question has been answered. You grab the cork to the bottle of rum which slides off with an audible **Thunk** noise. Your nostrils are immediately bombarded with the smell of alcohol and apples. You take a big whiff of the concoction and immediately regret it, between the burning hairs in your nose and the incredibly strong smell of pure alcohol you almost become light headed.
“Hahahaha wow easy there partner. That’s pure home brewed apple family alcohol you just inhaled. That stuff’ll knock you out cold if you ain’t careful.” AJ states laughing as she walks back over to you and the girls with a tray of wooden mugs.
“Jesus AJ what’s the concentration of this. I feel like I’ve already had a drink or two.” You state grabbing a mug.
“About 80 proof, but that’s what makes it great. It packs a heck of a punch but wait till ya’ll taste it.” She states after handing a mug to the rest of the girls.
Rainbow Dash fly’s over to you and slams her mug down on the table. “Would you two stop talking and pour the damn drinks already.”
“Don’t get your feathers in a twist Rainbow, sides me and you still have a little score to settle.” AJ states cracking open the top of the barrel of hard cider.
“Girls please, this party is for Anon. Can’t you settle this some other time?” Twilight states looking between AJ and Rainbow.
“I agree, it is completely un-lady like to simply drown yourselves in alcohol just to see who the better drinker is.” Rarity states fluffing her mane.
“Wait what’s this score you too have?” You ask while pouring yourself a mug full of the rum.
“Rainbow here thinks she can beat me in a drinkin game. We tried to settle this once but ended up runnin outa alcohol and had to call it a draw.” AJ states filling her mug with the hard cider.
“Oh come on AJ, we all know I woulda won if the bartender hadn’t cut us off.” Rainbow states filling her mug with the golden liquid.
“Well then I suppose we should settle this for real this time.” AJ states glaring at Rainbow.
“Well whatya waitn for, let’s do this.” Rainbow responds glaring back 7/14/14at AJ.
You drag the barrel over to the nearby table and set up two chairs on either side. “Well if you girls really want to settle this here you go. Rainbow you sit on the left side and AJ you sit on the right. You girls go drink for drink, not getting up until one of you admits defeat. Last mare still conscious wins.” You state grabbing the girl’s drinks and setting them on there sides of the table.
“Anon please don’t encourage them, this isn’t the time.” Twilight says standing up and walking over to you.
“Oh come on Twilight, it’s just the eight of us here.” You lean in close to Twilight. “Besides it seems to me like neither of them are going to admit defeat until they both pass out. Plus it’ll be funny as hell listening to them yell at each other back and forth.”
Twilight thinks this over for a moment and a smile slowly creeps across her face. “Well they do both have an incredibly active competitive side to them. Plus seeing them stumble is going to be quit funny.” She states stifling a giggle.
You stand up and notice that AJ and Rainbow has already started their little competition and are slamming mug after mug back like they where water. You walk over to the stage to where Vinyl is still manning her table. “Hey Vinyl why not just put a couple of tracks on and come have a drink with us. Not fair for you to be up here by yourself.”
“Sure why not I could go for a drink.” She states setting up a couple of tracks on low volume and hoping down from the small stage.
You and Vinyl walk back over to the girls who have finished pouring each other drinks. “Hey you girls mind if Vinyl joins us?”
“Not at all darling. Even though I prefer a nice glass of wine, it’s always nice to mix it up now and again.” Rarity states levitating you and Vinyl a mug full of rum.
You grab your mug and take your seat at the table between Twilight and Vinyl. You raise your mug in a toast type fashion. “Here’s to you girls. Seriously you guys have made me feel more welcome here than I was back where I came from and I can’t thank you all enough. You’ve all done so much for me and what have I done nothing. So a toast to the best friends I’ve ever had.” You turn and face Rainbow and AJ. “This goes for you two girls.” But they are too focused on there competition to be paying attention. You and the other girls at the table bang your mugs together and you all take a heavy swig of the rum.
You down almost half your mug before you come up for air. “Wow this stuff doesn’t even have the slightest taste of alcohol.”
“That’s what makes it so yummy, you can drink and drink and drink until your about to pop.” Pinkie enthusiastically states finishing her entire mug and pouring a second.
You finish off the rest of your mug and watch the girls do the same. You’re still not feeling anything yet but then again you’ve only had one drink and from past experiences you know it likes to creep up on you all at once. You stand up and start to make your way over to the jug, after about two steps it finally happens and you grab the table next to you.
Twilight notices your fumble and a look of concern dawns her face. “Anon are okay?”
“Yeah I’m good; just hit me all at once.” You state with a smile as you fill up your mug a second time. “Refills anyone.” You yell out as a plethora of mugs are slid in your direction.
6 or 7 drinks later
You down your mug and slam it back on the table. Your head feels like an ocean constantly swaying back and forth. You look behind you and see Rainbow and AJ still going at it, they finished off one barrel and are almost half way done with their second. Neither one admitting defeat yet even though there drinking speed has slowed significantly. You turn your head back around and notice that most of the girls are just sitting there. “Hey you girls wana play a game?” You ask slurring the last word.
“OOH OOOH me me, I wana play a game, pick me.” Pinkie states in her over enthusiastic manner.
“Sure why not sounds fun, wait what’s the game?” Twilight asks standing up and stumbling over to your side of the table.
You stifle a giggle at seeing Twilight attempting to walk and only assume she doesn’t drink a lot. “It’s a simple game called beer pong but I guess here it could be called cider pong. Anyone have a ping pong ball?” You ask aloud and notice Pinkie reach under the table and somehow retrieve a ping pong ball from nowhere. She hands you the ball with a large grin. “How the hell di, never mind anyway what we do is we break up into two teams. We set up 10 full mugs of rum or cider on one end of the table in a bowling type manner. Next each team takes turns bouncing the ball across the table and try and land it in one of the mugs. If your team makes the shot your team gets a point and the next person on the opposite team that has to go drinks the entire mug of alcohol you scored in. The team with the most points wins. So you girls wana play?”
They all seem to think it over for a moment, most likely trying to wrap there heads around the game itself. All of the girls except Fluttershy and Rarity shake there heads yes. “Ahh come you guys it’ll be fun, sides we can’t play without you two since those two are still going at it.” You state pointing behind you to the table occupied by a completely smashed AJ and Rainbow.
“No I refuse to play such a barbaric game. Even in my current state a lady must have restraint. “Rarity states fluffing her messy mane after she fell over backwards in her chair earlier.
You are about to try and talk her into it but someone beats you to the punch. “What’s the matter Rarity, afraid your gona lose? Oh well guess the rest of us can just play if you and Fluttershy are just to chicken.” Twilight states with a sly grin.
Rarity and Fluttershy both look at each other and dawn serious looks. Rarity turns to you and Twilight and slams her hoof on the table. “Oh it is ON!”
“All right then Twilight, Vinyl and I vs. Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rarity then.” You state standing and filling the mugs with rum and cider and setting them up in the correct manner. You move everything else off the table and stand at the opposite end of the mugs. “Ok I’ll go first, then Rarity, Twilight, Fluttershy, Vinyl, and lastly Pinkie. First team to 6 wins, everyone ready.” All the girls nod in agreement. “Then let’s get started.”
About a 30 min. and a tie score later
The score tied up at five to five and since there was only 10 cups on the table you had to set up one final cup in the middle. Both teams have gone through all there members twice but no one has hit the final cup yet. Through out the game you managed to get one point for your team while Twilight and Vinyl picked up the slack each scoring two points. Your opponent however has mainly been Pinkie, scoring three points for her team which meant you had take three drinks. Rarity managed to get the other two where Fluttershy hasn’t been able to hit a single mug yet. Twilight is surprisingly good at this even after having to drink where Vinyl hasn’t had to take any and is probably your best shot at winning. All you have to do is survive unti **bloop. **
You look up and see the ball floating in the top of the mug. “Damn Pinkie you are just to.” But you notice it’s not Pinkie but Fluttershy who scores the winning point for her team. “Well well well, nice shot Fluttershy. Guess that’s it Fluttershy and her team win, Vinyl the last mug is yours.”
Vinyl levitates the mug of rum over and downs the entire thing in one go. “Ahhh finally, was starting to sober up there for a minute.”
You look over and see that Twilight has a look of defeat across her face. “What’s wrong Twilight?”
“It’s just, I really wanted to win. Fluttershy doesn’t make a single shot the entire game but finally makes the winning one. Humph.” Twilight states in a pouty manner.
You reach out and wrap your arm around her shoulder. “Ahh come on Twilight we had fun didn’t we? Besides it‘s not all her fault, I only made one shot the entire game. Pinkie man she is way to good at this game especially it being her first time.”
Twilight leans into you. “Yeah you’re right it is your fault.” She states closing her eyes.
“Hey that’s not fair, I had to take three drinks while you only had to take one.” You state looking down at her but notice she seems to have passed out leaning up against you.
You look around and notice Pinkie is sprawled out on a bail of hay in the corner snoring up a storm. Rarity passed out on the table with her head in her hoofs. Fluttershy is leaning back in her chair quietly sleeping. Vinyl crawled up on the stage and is sleeping on her back next to her quite instruments. AJ and Rainbow are passed out on the table each still holding a mug of cider but completely unconscious. Sleep starts to take you as the quite snores fill the once loud barn, your eyes begin to grow heavy and before you know it you drift off to sleep.
You open your eyes knowing all too well where you are. This time it seems you’re already in the old ruins; you look around but don’t notice or see anything you recognize from the night before. You stand up and notice you where leaning up against an old book shelf filled with dusty old tomes and scrolls. Suddenly you hear hoof steps again and a faint blue glow can be seen from a doorway on the other side of the room. Luna emerges from what you can only assume is a hall and makes her way towards you.
“Luna what are you doing her? What’s going on? Why did you ignore me last night?” You ask walking towards her. But like the night before she just ignores you, you reach out to try and get her attention and too your surprise your hand just phases right through her. “God damn it, not again. What’s going on, how is it that I’m here but Luna can’t see or hear me?”
You suddenly notice it’s getting darker again and turn to see Luna exiting the room. You chase after her knowing even if you yell for her to wait she won’t hear you. You emerge in another long hallway, adorned on both sides of the passage are old suits of what you can only assume are pony armor. Like being in an old castle and seeing armor standing in decorative fashions. You continue to follow Luna down the hall until you both come to a large wooden door. Luna’s horn glows its midnight blue color and the door opens slightly. She steps through with you following close behind until you realize that you emerged into what looks like an old courtyard. There are old dead trees surrounding the courtyard and roots growing up the walls of the castle. In the center there is an old fountain with a half broken sculpture in the middle that looks like it used to be a crescent moon upside down with a sun and its rays surrounding it.
You look over and notice Luna making her way to a small corner of the courtyard. You make your way over to her and notice her using her magic to clear vines and roots from something jutting out of the ground. As you get closer you notice the object is actually a tombstone once Luna has cleared away the old roots. You can’t read most of what’s inscribed on the tablet but there are a few pieces you can still make out on the old weathered stone. “Here lies Melvin the.” But you can’t make out the rest of what it once said. You hear quite sobs next to you and look over to notice Luna sitting on her haunches crying. “Luna who’s Melvin, was he your lover or something?” You ask but know she can’t hear you.
“Oh Melvin, I’m so sorry. You where one of the first friends I ever had and I betrayed you. I know what I did is unforgettable but I want you to know how sorry I am. I just wish I could take it all back, even though Nightmare Moon is gone I still continue to ruin everypony’s life. Even one whom I care dearly for has lost his life because of me. That’s why I refuse to see him; to see how much I’ve hurt him would only make this more unbearable. That’s why I’ve decided to live here in the castle from now on; I destroyed this place long ago. It’s only proper that I live in such a place, far away from everypony so that I can’t hurt them anymore.” Luna stats as tears fall from her face.
You walk over and try to embrace Luna in a hug but your arms only phase through her. “Luna please don’t think like that, you have no idea how much better my life is here. God I wish you could hear me, that way I could thank you. Luna please if you’re just ignoring me and using some spell that doesn’t allow me to touch you please stop, please Luna just answer me please.”
Ano….wak….up
“No not again, I won’t leave until you answer me Luna. Luna please stop ignoring me and just listen to me.” You state in a panicked tone but suddenly feel your body go limp and fall backwards. Suddenly your eyes shoot open and you almost jump up again but are quickly stopped. You look to your right and notice Applejack standing next to you with a look of concern. “Oh hey AJ, did I wake you?”
“Don’t worry about me sugercube are you all right, I heard you mumbling in your sleep?” She states putting a hoof on your shoulder.
“Yeah I’m ok just another dream. What happened last night? And why does my head feel like I got hit by a truck?” You state grabbing your head and looking around the barn. The rest of the girls are still sleeping away where they passed out last night.
“I’d say we had a might too much cider, last thing I remember was seeing the bottom of my mug and before I knew it I was out like a light. I just woke up a couple a minutes ago myself. You sure your ok though, sounded like something was wrong?” She states gathering up the mugs and placing them on the table.
“Yeah I’m okay, my head is pounding but nothing I don’t deserve after drinking that much. By the way thanks for that, I needed to kind of unwind after everything that happened. Plus that was the best alcohol I’ve ever had and man did it pack a punch. Also do you know what time it is?” You ask trying to get up until you remember Twilight sleeping beside you.
“Well I’m glad yall had fun, and as for the time.” She states looking up at a clock by the door. “It’s about 7 AM why do ask?”
“Oh god it’s early. I still got a little time before I gota be at the train station. Speaking of time how are you up already AJ god you had more to drink than the rest of us?” You ask grabbing your head in pain.
“Hahaha, it takes a lot more than a couple of drinks to keep me down. Sides I got a coupla years of practice. What yall doing at the station anyway?” She asks sitting back down next to you.
“I’m going to Canterlot today to speak with the Princess about my dreams I’ve had the last two nights. I thought it was nothing but after last night I don’t know. I gota be at the station by 11 to catch the train.” You state trying to think of anything but your pounding headache.
“Ah see, well I’m glad you’re at least going to have it checked out. You seemed mighty worried about somthin while you where asleep. Now why don’t you take Twilight home. You might have to carry her since I doubt you’re going to be able to wake her up after last night. She doesn’t normally drink and I recken she’s gona need all day to recover. I’ll take care of the other girls before I start on my chores. Hope you had a good time and don’t hesitate to come back anytime Anon.” AJ states as she makes her way toward the door.
“Hey AJ” You ask catching her before she exit’s the barn.
“Hmmm” Is all she retorts with turning to face you.
“Thanks again for last night I really appreciate it, and for waking me up before I woke the rest of the girls up.” You state with a smile.
“Don’t worry about a thing sugercube, I’m sure the Princess will have you fixed up and back in Ponyville lickity split. Now if you’ll excuse me I got things to attend to.” She states turning back and exiting the barn leaving you and the rest of the sleeping mares.
You hold on to Twilight as you stand up and push your seat back, doing your best to try and not wake her or any of the girls up. After your finally on your feet you keep one hand behind her neck and put your other on her back just above her take and pick her up and place her head on your shoulder like a baby. She stifles a few grumbles and even moves her hooves and wraps them around your neck like a little kid but somehow doesn’t wake up in the process. Once you’re sure she’s secure you exit the barn and make your way towards the library, Twilight embraced in your arms. She’s actually really light from what you where expecting a pony to actually weight, luckily for you though since you’re starting to feel the hangover hit you. You continue your march towards town, once you finally reach the town you notice there aren’t a lot of ponies around but you decide to take the side road with little to no one on them to avoid waking Twilight. You pass by a few ponies that only seem to stare at you with concern but once they catch a whiff of the alcohol emanating from you, they only smile noticing the sleeping Twilight.
You finally reach the library and quietly knock on the door, you hear Spike yell “Coming” from the other side of the door. A few seconds later the door opens and Spike is standing there trying to figure out the situation in front of him. He looks to you then to Twilight and back to you and is about to open his mouth until you place one of your fingers to your mouth in a shhh type manner. He steps aside and allows you to enter and quietly closes the library door behind you. You make your way up the stairs with Spike close behind and point towards Twilights room. Spike takes the hint and opens the door for you and makes his way over to the bed. You follow close behind and after Spike draws the covers back you gently lay Twilight down on the bed. She stifles a few grumbles and turns over so she is facing the wall. You pull the covers back up and follow Spike out of the room closing the door behind the two of you. “Sooo what exactly happened last night after I left?” Spike whispers.
“I’ll tell you in a few minutes, I’m gona go get washed, I smell like a bar.” You state heading towards your room. After you grab some fresh clothes you make your way to the bathroom and disrobe. You set the shower to an acceptable temperature and climb in letting the water cascade down your head. After about a 20 minute shower you decide you better get out and make yourself some food. After getting dressed and cleaning up the bathroom you make your way back towards the kitchen. Emerging from the hallway you see Spike standing on a stool over the stove. You make your way over to him and notice he is frying up some eggs.
Spike notices you standing next to him. “Hey Anon, figured you could use some breakfast, plus I’m starving. They should be ready in a minute; hey could you throw some bread in the toaster?” He asks flipping the eggs over.
“You are the man or dragon Spike, you have no idea how much I need this right now.” You state making your way over to grab the bread and toss a couple pieces in the nearby toaster.
“Well I figured after the way you looked when you got back. Hey you think I should go wake Twilight up?” He asks turning off the stove.
“Nah man I’d let her sleep, she drank a lot last night. She’s most likely going to sleep all day so I’d let her be until she wakes up.” You state grabbing some plates from the cupboard.
Spike could only giggle at knowing he has the entire day off or at least until Twilight wakes up to do whatever he wants. “Hey Anon can you bring the plates over here, the eggs are done.”
You grab the now toasted bread and throw it on the plate and make your way over to the stove. After you retrieve your eggs you and Spike sit down at the table as you recount what you remember from last night. Spikes favorite part was when Twilight called Rarity a chicken saying it was completely unlike her. After breakfast you help Spike clean up the kitchen, you look at the clock and realize you guys talked longer than you expected as it read 10:17 am. You head back to your room and pack up all the remaining clothes you have in the back pack that Rarity graciously made for you. You head back down the hall and notice Spike just hanging out in the library reading what looks like a comic book. “Hey Spike what are you reading?”
Spike look up from his book. “It’s the latest issue of the power ponies comic I read, I’m about halfway through it and it’s by far my favorite one yet.” He states with a smile.
“Power ponies, what’s that.” You ask making you way over to where he is sitting.
“It’s about six ponies, all with incredible powers, that ban together against evil villains that try to take over Maretropolis.” He states looking at you with a determined look.
“Huh kinda sounds and even look like the power rangers from where I was from. It’s amazing how there are something that are almost identical but just have a different name. Anyway I gota head to the train station. Tell Twilight I’ll see her when I get back.” You say heading for the door.
“You want me to go with you Anon?” He asks closing his book.
“Nah its ok I still got some time before I have to be there. Besides you should stay here in case Twilight wakes up. Oh word of advice Spike, stick a trash can near Twilights bed.” You state exiting the library. To be honest you don’t remember exactly where the train station is, you only remember that it was somewhere near the park so you head that way in hopes of spotting it.
20 min. later
Yep its official, you’re lost. You have walked around the entire park and past by the center fountain about five times and still can’t find the station. Which seems almost impossible considering that this town isn’t very big. You where about to give up and head back to the library so you could ask Spike for directions when you heard someone. “Excuse me, but do you need help?” You hear come from behind you.
You turn around and come face to face with a dark pink unicorn standing slightly taller than most with a light blue mane with green eyes and had three red hearts as a cutie mark. “Uhh yeah, sorry I’m trying to find the train station. Could you possibly help me?”
She eyes you up and down a few times. “Yes of course follow me.” She states walking ahead and gesturing for you to follow her. “I’m Chrysie by the way.”
“Oh I’m sorry where are my manners, my name is Anon. It’s nice to meet you Chrysie, thanks again I just hope I’m not late.” You reply scratching the back of your head.
“It’s quit alright; it’s a pleasure to meet you Anon. I apologize and please don’t take this the wrong way but what exactly are you?” She asks looking at you with a curious face.
“Oh I’m a human, I’ve only recently arrived in Equestria so it’s no surprise you haven’t heard of me. You state with a laugh.
Chrysie returns the laugh with her own. “Ahh now I see, I’ve heard of you but had no idea what you looked like. So where are you headed once you get to the station, if you don’t mind me asking that is?”
“No not at all, it’s the least I could do after showing me the way. I’m on my way to Canterlot to visit the Princess; she’s going to help me with something. While I’m there Luna or sorry Princess Luna is going to show me around, at least I hope she will.” You state looking at the ground.
Chrysie gets a sly grin on her face. “Have a crush on our beloved Princess do we?”
Your cheeks begin to turn slightly red. “Nnoo its just she was the first pony I met and I haven’t seen her since I got here.”
Chrysie continues to give you the grin. “Uh huh, so you have feelings for the Princess. Don’t try to hide it; I can sense that you have feelings for her. Don’t worry I wont tell anypony, so have you told her yet?”
Your face continues to redden but you try not to show it. “Nno like I said I don’t have feelings for her. Anyway how could you sense something like that if it where true, which its not.”
Chrysie laughs at your stammering. “Hah see there I knew it you do. Call it a sixth, I can tell when love is in the air. Think of it as smelling something tasty, just a gift of mine. Well anyway we have arrived at the station.”
You look up and notice the two of you are standing by the stairs leading up to the platform. “Wow so I was this close the entire time? Anyway thank you so much Chrysie, I really appreciate it. The next time we bump into each other let me treat you to lunch or something.”
Chrysie waves at you as you make your way up the stairs. “I’ll hold you to that Anon. By the way I highly recommend letting her know how you feel, you’ll both feel a lot better after words.”
“I told you it’s nothing, anyway I gota go see you later and thanks again.” You state rounding the corner of the platform and heading towards the ticket counter. You approach the counter and the pony manning it takes a double take looking at you. “Hello sir my name is Anon, I think there’s supposed to be a ticket here for me.?”
The pony behind the counter stares for another moment until he seems to recall something. “Ahh yes it arrived just this morning. Here you are sir; the train is on the platform. Just give this ticket to the conductor and he will show you to your seat.” The pony states handing you the ticket.
“Thank you, appreciate the help.” You state taking the ticket and heading for the platform. You find the conductor standing near the train looking at what looks to be a pocket watch. “Excuse me, but could you help me find my seat?” You state holding out the ticket. The conductor looks up and like the pony behind the counter takes a double take.
After a few seconds he takes the ticket and looks it over. “Ahh you must be the special passenger I was told was coming. Please right his way sir.” He states walking towards the front of the train and entering the forward coach. The sign above the door reads “First Class” and you make a mental note to thank the Princess once you arrive. He leads you to a small door and opens it. Inside you see a small sofa on the left side and a bed on the other, there’s even a door that leads to a small bathroom. “Here you are sir, the drink cart will come around about 10 min. after we leave the station and we should be arriving in Canterlot around 12:30 pm. If you need anything please don’t hesitate to ask me or any of the other staff.”
“Thank you, and please you don’t have to call me sir, Anon is just fine.” You state setting your bag down on the bed and taking a seat on the sofa.
“Oh well Anon it’s nice to meet you, like I said if you require anything please don’t hesitate to ask.” He states closing the door and making his way back towards the platform.
After another couple of minutes you hear the conductor yell “All Aboard” and the train lets out a bellowing whistle. Next you hear the sound of grinding metal as the train departs from Ponyville station bound for Canterlot. You watch the beautiful Equestrian landscape pass by, between the mountains, rivers, forests and everything else it reminds you of something out of a movie.
You also start to recall the conversation you had with Chrysie on your way to the station. Did you really have feeling for Luna? “I mean she’s really cool, and she seems to like me but could I really date a pony. I mean that’s unthinkable where I’m from, I just can’t see myself dating an animal but then again she isn’t just an animal. God this is all so confusing, I just don’t know.” You say to yourself as the landscape continues to pass by outside your window.