Guitar Strings and Dragon Wings

Metal in Equestria : Chapter 11

"ARGH! SHIT!" Jiggs fell to his back, which only seemed to intensify his pain. "AHH!" Then something odd happened. His shoulders began to broaden and his jet black shirt ripped along his arms. "DAMN IT!" he yelled in furious pain. He flipped over on to his front, leaning on his forehead. His shirt was tarnished in dirt and his hair had turned a brownish haze of color, mixing with his already black hair. He screamed once more.

And then it stopped, out of nowhere and under no outside influence.

His friends were startled, rendered utterly speechless.

Then Jiggs simply stood up and wiped the dirt off his shirt and patted the dirt out of his thick hair. "Well that sucked." he said. Catching a glimpse of his arms he began to touch and investigate them. They seemed foreign in comparison to how they were mere minutes before. "I'm fuckin' ripped!" he concluded. He sneaked a peak under his shirt. "And I got a fucking six-pack? No freakin' way!"

"Damn," said Packie, "Now I'm jealous."

"Why all of that fuss?" Twilight asked.

"Oh…" he attempted to find the right words, "It was excruciating… and it felt like I was having a heart attack. Then my arms hurt and I couldn't control what they did. Every muscle in me just flexed as hard as possible. Hopefully that's all though." Jiggs was visibly afraid that it might happen again.

"So you freaked out for no reason?" asked Packie.

"Well it hurt like shit! So get off my case!"

"Fine fine… let's go now." This day had been unpredictable so far for Packie. "We're going to get coffee, right? I can't take much more of this."

"Definitely!' said Wallace, "cuz Cupcake said she makes the best coffee. So how do we get there Highlight?"

"Just follow me," Twilight started walking towards Ponyville. Hopefully that would be the last interruption. "Anthony, do you want me to tell the Princess what happened to you?"

"Nah I ain't a pussy. I'll get over it. She probably knew better than to tell me that would happen." His breathing slowed down, but Jiggs could still feel his body changing. He clasped a part of his shirt and pushed on his chest; there was some dull pain still.

The walk back was less arduous and was by far more pleasant. Sunlight gleamed on their face as it rose over the eastern mountains. It was even possible to get a slight glimpse of Canterlot from Ponyville. Warmth revitalized them as the grass itself seemed to perk up towards the sun. The town was buzzing with activity when they arrived.

Packie was used to this kind of climate. "I think I'm gonna like this town. There's just enough noise to keep you awake and if you need quiet it's within walking distance."

"Exactly," said Twilight, "It isn't a fancy town but it has everything you'd ever need."

"Including coffee?" asked Wallace.

"Yes, of course. We're almost there if that's what you're trying to ask." She said, perceiving his next question.

Wallace unscrewed the lid on his jug and held it upside down. Not a drop fell out. "Yeah, that's what I meant. So… tired. So little sleep…"

The group approached the doorsteps of Sugarcube Corner. Twilight knocked on the door three times; there was no answer.

"How come there are 3 candles on the roof?" asked Packie.

"Just for decoration I suppose." Twilight never noticed that before either. "But where's Pinkie Pie, or the Cakes for that matter?"

The two upper halves of the pink door burst forth, presenting a joyous Pinkie Pie.

"Hey guys! Hey Wally! Gimme a sec! I'll let you guys in! Just a second!" she closed the doors and reopened the entire mass of both doors, after fumbling with the locks. "I made the best coffee ever today! It'll be just perfect I promise!"

As everyone walked inside Packie had a look around. Cupcakes sat on several counter tops and candy stickers lined the walls. The wooden frame of the front counter extended to the ceiling and everyone stood on a large green circular welcoming rug. It all felt very homely.

Pinkie came out of the back room balancing a large pot of coffee. Her pink hair bounced all around. It was a small miracle that no coffee was spilled.

"I got it." Wallace took control of the pot using his power. Pinkie let him take it and he took full command of the coffee and his jug. The pot tilted and the black fluid started to fill his jug.

"THAT'S AMAZING WALLY!" Pinkie took a moment to observe his technique. "I just knew you could do it!"

"Yeah ain't nothin' to it." he gloated.

"Me next." said Packie. Wallace lowered his hand and Packie grabbed the pot out of mid-air. Wallace could now break his telekinetic grip at will.

"You're advancing pretty quickly." Twilight openly noted.

Wallace took a sip from the green fountain. "Nice and scalding." Pinkie hopped in circles around him.

"It's just the way you like it! Isn't it?" she gleefully got close to his face.

"You bet your sweet ass. Nice brew." His words had a strange effect on Pinkie. She took everything he said in stride.

"I do have a sweet ass! And some sweet coffee! Here let me get you some sugar!" But before she could run off she was stopped by an invisible field. It was gentle to the touch and she barely noticed as she hovered off the floor.

"That's quite alright Cupcake. Oops sorry!" Wallace loosened his grip on her and she gently landed on her hooves.

"You can pick up other ponies now?" mentioned Twilight.

"I suppose I can."

"Do it again Wally!" Pinkie was eager this time to be picked up by his invisible touch. "Um maybe later… it kinda hurts my brain." He placed a hand on his forehead and raised his eyebrows in discomfort. Let's walk outside.

"Well someone got serious all of a sudden." Jiggs smirked.

"No no, just need some air." Wallace opened the doors with his right hand, so as not to incur any more pain from his head. The sun further heated up his black shirt, radiating warmth though his chest as well. The outside air was calming however and his lungs greatly appreciated it. "Much better." he quietly said to himself.

Pinkie would have followed him but decided he might need some time to be alone. "I hope he's alright." she said.

"He'll be fine, Cupcake." Jiggs walked out as well and had a chat with him. He went out to smoke as well but he made up another stupid reason.

"Got any donuts?" Packie asked.

"Oh, of course!" Pinkie cried excitedly. "Be right back!" She zoomed towards the kitchen.

Twilight was able to see that Packie actually did her a favor. "You tried to make her stop worrying about him, didn't you?

"Well yeah, she really doesn't need to worry though. Wallace is fine, honestly."

"I'll take your word for it." In a strange turn of events Twilight was the one who needed reassuring.

*OUTSIDE*

"My head doesn't hurt so badly now."

Puff* Exhale* "That's good… were you trying to get some sympathy points?"

"Don't be stupid man. She's a pony anyways. It really does hurt if I use it too much."

Puff* "Well yeah, the Princess said it'd be like a muscle. Just like my power actually works WITH my muscles. Packie will have the same trouble when he figures out how to fly."

"Does that seem ironic to you?"

Puff* "What? You mean the wings on Packie?"

"Duh."

"I guess it's kind of ironic. You think that means something?" Puff*

"No I guess not…"

There was a brief silence between them.

Puff*… Exhale* Jiggs stomped out his cigarette in the dirt. Ponies who passed by gave them more odd looks. "I don't know if I'll get used to them looking at us like that. I thought they would appreciate what we did."

"Yeah I know what you mean." Wallace crossed his arms. "Definitely will take some getting used to. We'll get to em' eventually. They can't be nervous around us forever." He simply repeated what Jiggs had said.

"Y'know what this place needs?" Wallace tried to finish this conversation.

"Um… chicks?" Jiggs guessed.

"Damn! You're good at guessing this stuff." Wallace ran his fingers though his dirty brown hair.

"Ha. My second guess was a bar." Jiggs broke a half-smile.

"Yeah, that too."

They bumped fists.

Packie and Twilight opened the door and the outside bell rang. Pack was carrying a bag in his right hand and donut in his left; half-eaten.

"Feeling better?" asked Twilight.

"Yeah." replied Wallace, "I just wish everyone in town would stop looking at us so weirdly. It's bugging' the shit out of me."

"Ditto." Jiggs nonchalantly added

"Someone's paranoid." said Packie. His mouth was full of donut.

"Maybe," said Jiggs, "but that doesn't mean we gotta be treated any different."

"Maybe it's our black shirts? Or your rockin' body, Jiggs?"

"Patrick has a point." noted Twilight.

Wallace started strolling down the dirt road. "We should probably get the rest of our stuff from the van, and get new shirts."

"Wait up!" said Packie. The rest followed suit behind him.

"My friend Rarity might be able to help you out with some new outfits!" Twilight excitedly spat out.

"I suppose we could do that too, meet someone new. Who knows?" Jiggs added.

"And maybe I can learn to fly?" chimed in Packie.

Jiggs and Wallace exchanged glares with Packie as they walked. Wallace quickened his already brisk pace. Jiggs followed suit and so did Twilight. Twilight wanted to keep up with them partially out of fear that they might get into trouble. Packie slowed down his pattern to a light tempo.

Then Packie heard a quiet, soothing voice.

"I might be able to possibly help you out slightly…" he turned around just in time to see her land. Her yellow wings folded down to conform to the shape of her body. "… again that's only a maybe though."

"Hey Shy… that'd be a big help."

Packie was relieved to see her.