Three females stood in the cereal aisle of the local supermarket. Each one surrounding a certain brand with a happy-go-lucky leprechaun mascot. While they have each been surrounding the item, each one took it in differently.
The human female seemed calm and had an easygoing expression as she wondered about the taste of the cereal. She groaned as she repositioned Octavia on her back. Only moments after the pony breathed in the smoke, she turned into a vegetable. Barely responding to words and wearing an indifferent expression. She was too big to fit into the cart ,so the only option was to hold her. Unfortunately, Vinyl was of no help. Once the smoke got in her system, she became erratic and paranoid. She checked every box that was put into the shopping cart out of precaution. Stared down every customer to get them to back away. On a couple of occasions, she would light her horn, ready to fire.
"Guys...we gotta help this little fellow," The unicorn whispered, "He needs our help...those kids won't leave him alone."
"Vinyl, for the eighth time: he's not real. Just a drawing on a cereal box." replied Anastasia.
"Oh...that explains why he can't hear me," Vinyl realized, grabbing the box and holding close to her chest, "...but what about the tiger, Ana?"
"Also, a drawing. I didn't know letting you all smoke would be this bad. Least Octavia is alright. More or less." Ana sighed while looking at the Earth pony, who simply was existing, "Alright ,you two, we have everything we need. Let's get out of here."
With a force filled push, the packed cart slowly rolled forward. It had enough food to keep Mason's house stocked for a while. Well, it had enough to feed the six occupants until they could returned to the store, which would probably been within another couple of days. Another problem was the price. While she had no problem paying for Mason, she had always been a pennypincher. She would have to just find a way to cover the difference. Perhaps she'd just deduct it from his performance checks from her club. Little by little in amounts he would never notice. This would likely be the best course of action since he doesn't pay attention half the time.
Vinyl cautiously walked alongside the buggy. Every noise that entered her ear, she would turn in the direction of its source. The leprechaun would be protected at all costs. Even if he wasn't real. Besides, how did Anastasia know he wasn't real? She could be secretly working for the Captain of Crunch to kidnap the tiny green fellow, trying to get Vinyl to lower her guard, so they could attack when she's most vulnerable. Would that mean her lover was one of themtoo?
The unicorn nonchalantly sidestepped away from her group, she no longer trusted them. Though, she kept her cool as to not let them on what was going on. She continued to walk up the aisle until she spotted him. The dreaded scorn of the milky seas. He and his army of clones were looking directly at her from their cardboard ships. At that moment , she knew she had no choice but to escape with her green friend. Sadly, she was surrounded.
Octavia, slowly coming down from her high, was regaining some of her control back. Honestly, she was there the whole time-mentally. She just wasn't able to control her bodily functions until it was too late. She noticed Vinyl slowing down and scanning everything. She had the same look on her face from that time she shot magical blasts everywhere. Octavia knew what was about to go down, yet she couldn't prevent it. The only thing she could do was barely whisper, "She's about to snap," in Anastasia's ear.
"She's about to wh-" Anastasia began to repeat.
"GET THE BUCK AWAY FROM ME!" Vinyl warned, her horn igniting with magic, "Y-you won't take my friend away!"
Ana looked at Vinyl for a moment, squinting her eyes and uttering, "The fuck are you talking about?" After Octavia whispered more on the subject at hand, Ana acted quickly, "Calm down, Vinyl. Like I said earlier, it's just a drawing..."
"That's what you want me to think, right? So you and cap'n here can steal my friend and run away! You even got Octy in on it!"
"No...no. You just smoked some very strong mare-ijuana, "Ana laughed to herself as she stepped closer, " Just calm down."
Vinyl shot a magical burst at the human's feet, causing her to jump back and almost drop the Earth pony she was holding. Both human and Equestrian locked eyes. Time slowed, slower than it already was to them. Their breathing synced as though the stalemate made them become one. The air in between both parties seemed to vibrate as they became more and more focused on their next move. An elderly woman passed through the group carrying box of bargain raisin cereal, simulating a tumble weed.
"I got to get Mason..." Vinyl whispered to herself as she bolted away, disappearing around a corner.
"Dammit! Why is she so quick?!" Ana asked herself as she sat Octavia down on the floor," Stay here while I try to catch her. I don't need Mason breathing down my back about a lost pony...or the police. You wouldn't happen to know anything that can help?"
Octavia sighed before opening her mouth. Nothing came out but a raspy sound. She smacked her lips and spoke lethargically, "She won't leave the store. Just chase her around for a bit...and bring duct tape."
"Chase her? Come on...there has to-
"Just do it!"
"Aye Aye cap'n!"
Ana, nodding her head at Octavia, was filled with determination. She stood up proud, breathing in the cold store air. Once she breathed it back out, she ran forward to her target. Though, she made a quick stop to the tool section to get herself a roll of duct tape. From there, she went searching. Fortunately, it wasn't hard. The sound of magical blasts and pony screaming could be heard across the store. Mentally preparing herself(and coming down from her high) Ana ran into battle while a certain Earth pony struggled to wiggle her big toe.
"Ma'am, please calm down...or else I'll have to call security, "squeaked a young employee.
"You're one of them, aren't you? " Vinyl questioned, a glass jar of pickles held tight in her magic, " I won't let you take him!"
At that moment, everything in the aisle was grabbed by Vinyl's magic. The unicorn pointed her finger directly towards the her enemy before hurling everything at the young man. He barely managed to dodged before everything hit the spot he was just standing at. The items exploded once they made contact, leaving behind a less than favorable mixture of processed foods.
From behind, Anastasia had witnessed the display of power and wondered how she was going to match it. All she had on her was duct tape. Even if it was the best brand, it still stood no chance against the raw magic of a high unicorn. No matter the odds, she promised Octavia she would help. Besides, the worst that could happen would be a stain on her outfit. Possibly disfiguring cuts from shards of glass.
"Alright, Vinyl, that's enough," Ana said, stepping from around the corner, "You had your fun, but now it's time to leave."
Vinyl turned to face the human female. A sigh of annoyance escaped her snout as she placed the cereal box behind her back, hiding it. She knew this person was trying to hurt her friend. And she thought this person was her friend. Funny how things turn as time moves on.
Vinyl eye down Ana before speaking, "Leave... or I'll have no choice but to act."
"Look pony, you had some stuff that was too strong for you. That's my fault. Now, it's time to calm down..."
"I can't calm down when you all are harming my friend!"
"Friend...I bet you don't even know his name!"
Vinyl opened her mouth to speak, yet nothing came out. She thought and thought, yet no answer came. She looked down at the box, examined it, and looked back at Ana.
"Lucky?" Vinyl guessed.
"You had to look at the box, which proves that this situation you created doesn't exist."
Vinyl stopped, thinking. Perhaps she did make up the situation. Perhaps everything was in her head. Perhaps she was making a fool of herself. She looked at the cardboard box once more to see the smile of her small, green friend. His happy face pleaded for her to help. It was that reassurance that let her know she had to keep going.
Anastasia saw the break in Vinyl's resolve and took this opportunity to step closer. With one hand out of sight, she began to peel the duct tape. All this was to assure whatever Octavia was planning, would work.
Then, a stinging sensation went through Ana's left arm. She dropped the tape and grabbed her wound. It was tender and red, yet didn't seem serious. After her check, she looked towards the source to see Vinyl and her glowing horn with a look of confidence and paranoia. And also a grey earth pony crawling into the area.
"Stay back! I won't let you hurt Lucky!" Vinyl yelled, her horn glowing brighter.
"He's a cereal mascot for fuck's sake!" Ana roared back, yet once she saw Octavia sake her head as she struggled to stand, she regained her calmness. Another look towards the earth pony and Ana knew that Octavia would need some time, "Okay...I'll play your game! Prepare to taste the wrath of Cap'n Crunch!"
Anastasia threw her hand out with force. She then pointed towards the last ketchup bottle standing on the shelf. With a couple of breaths, she began to concentrate on the item. She even began to move her fingers in the ways magicians would do when they would perform. She didn't chant words as she thought that would have been overselling it.
Vinyl stared, filled with curiosity. She always thought there was something different about this human. Especially since see somehow connected her Bass-cannon and got it to work. The machine ran off of magical energy, so to get it work is no easy feat for a human. Though, to be a human working for the Captain, nothing is short of possible.
As Vinyl watched, she soon realized that nothing was happening. The bottle wasn't moving. Ana was simply playing her as some fool. Was she mocking her? Making fun of her unicorn abilities...could she stoop that low?
"You're not even doing anything. Try as you may, you won't move it." Vinyl spoke.
"What...I'm just getting warmed up..." Insisted Anastasia. She concentrated harder on the bottle, taking quick glances at Octavia, who was now holding herself up against a shopping cart...barely. Ana kept the act up.
"Please stop, you're only embarrassing yourself..."
"Trust me...I'm about to do something amazing!"
"I doubt..."
At that moment, something caught Vinyl's tongue. Nothing came out of her mouth again. Maybe it was a trick of the eye. Maybe it was her imagination, but she saw the bottle twitch. She also felt something from that human girl. Some aura, yet it was so miniscule, she was not sure if it existed. Though, she didn't want to find out it was real or not. She just wanted to get Lucky out.
Vinyl lit her horn, ready to fire an ending shot towards Anastasia. "I'm sorry ,my dear. Enough games. This is where it ends...for you."
"Okay...no more weed for you...ever!"
Anastasia prepare for the worse: to be blasted into a million pieces. Her only regrets being not having children or collecting Mason's debt. She closed her eyes and waited. Though, nothing ever came except a choking sound. She opened her eyes and let out a sigh of relief, for Vinyl was held tight in Octavia's grasp; her horn being held at its base by Octavia.
"Thank god, Octy!" cheered Ana, stepping to them, "I would have been dust."
"No problem...and actually, the spell would have simple put you to sleep...for a long time. Essentially a vegetable."
"Oh..."
Octavia nodded slowly before pointing towards the duct tape. Ana nodded, got the tape, and returned to wrap the struggling unicorn. Multiple time around the torso and one small patch around the mouth. Yet, the horn was left un-taped. Ana went to ask, but once she saw the ecstasy filled looked from Vinyl; she knew the horn holding was enough.
"Let's live this place. I think we've done enough."
"Yes,"
Ana and Octy carried Vinyl to their shopping cart and then placed her on top of their groceries. They walked towards the checkout before the manager along with two guards blocked their path. All three seemed unhappy.
"We can't allow you to leave without paying for everything you destroyed...including store damages," said the manager.
"I'll pay for the items in my cart and send you an address to bill...Edison send the amount for my groceries and Mason's address to the fine man in front of me," Ana replied, she then looked to Octy and whispered, "Prepare to run..."
Once the transfer was complete, Ana sprinted, followed by Octy and the cart, barely missing the manager and the guards. Ana hoped they didn't give chase. She sure didn't feel like a car chase.
(Mason's POV)
I sat there, touching up on the song I had been working on. It was far from done, but for one day, I had made a lot of progress. I would be much further if that man hadn't of interrupted me. His offer sounded nice, but messing with big companies meant losing my identity. I worked too hard to lose that.
As I continued to work, there was another knock on my door. Getting annoyed, I stood to answer it, yet I got a pleasant surprised when it opened itself. There before me was Ana, a tape covered Vinyl, and Octy, who was carrying a lot of store bags. All of them seemed to have a mellow stare and a slight smile. I knew what they had done and I felt a bit jealous that they let me out. Though, my history with the plant was not a good one. Still, it hurt.
"I could of sworn I said no smoking with the ponies..." I said, noticing her, " The hell happened there?"
Ana walked up to me and wrapped her arms around me. Then she put her index finger on my lips and spoke,
"Mason...buddy...shhhhhhhhhhh. There's nothing wrong with a little plant. Though, I think what I gave them was a bit too strong. Anyway, the only reason we're like this is because woke up and blasted the second joint as I went to throw it away."
"Second...blasted...and still your arm."
"It's a long story...now if you'll excuse me..."
Ana passed out onto the floor with a comical thump. Before I could do anything, Vinyl walked towards me, all cautious like. She handed me a box of cereal and winked. I didn't know what she meant, but she too passed out onto the floor. I looked towards Octavia, who I expected to pass out too, yet she remained standing.
"You okay?" I asked her, yet received no reply. She simple existed. I sighed before accepting what I had to do. I couldn't just leave them there; I had to place them somewhere comfortable until they worked the drug out their system. Unfortunately, with my body not in top condition, this comfortable place would have to be the living room set.
I went to Octavia and loosened her tight grip on the bags. I sat them on the ground and walked the pony to the couch. (I guess you could say I led the horse to water.) Once there, I eased her onto the couch, which then she brought me into a tight embrace. Through the pain, I hugged back. She then whispered something about how Ana was great and amazing. I simply agreed before wiggling out the hug.
Next, I picked up Vinyl. She was pretty light so carrying her wasn't a problem. Well, it wasn't too bad. While I carried her, she mumbled something about Cap'n Crunch and Ana's magic. At that point, I had began to wonder what exactly happened at the store. Millions of questions stormed my head, but I knew I would get any answers anytime soon. So, I laid her down...and placed the cereal box back into her arms.
Lastly, I grabbed Anastasia. I could help feeling some way to her. I was a bit angry that she exposed the ponies to that sort of thing. I guess part of me wanted them to stay those innocent ponies I saw on TV, but I knew deep down they weren't that at all. They were like me or any other human...just ponies and magical.
I lowered Ana on the couch, treated her wound, and gave her small peck on the lips. Turning to walk away, I looked at Vinyl and Octavia. Both of their eyes were half open and their faces filled with slight jealousy. I didn't know why, but I went to give them pecks of their own. First, to Vinyl who let out a small smile after and then too Octavia who turned her head at the last second. Our lips made contact; I pulled away quickly.
"Bad Pony!" I spoke, yet she pretended not to hear me, "Okay...we will talk when you wake up..."
I sighed before walking over to the groceries. Looking through each bag, I simply nodded and carried them to the kitchen to be put away.
"47 Boxes of pancake mix again...this is why I don't want her shopping while high..."