Skipping a Couple Thousand Feetby Hotshot VantasChaptersChapter 1: Nick's JourneyChapter 2: Playing the PartChapter 3: Meeting OctaviaChapter 4: Gleaming ShieldChapter 5: Prep WorkChapter 6: Sucker PunchChapter 7: Thrown For A LoopChapter 8: How Fast?Chapter 9:Thunderclouds OverheadChapter 10- All's Well That Ends...Chapter 1: Nick's JourneyI slipped on my parachute. We weren't even off the ground yet. Call me a coward. I just don't like planes. The lurching feel as you take off...the popping of your ears...it's too much for me. Speaking of which, I'm doing so right now.... My buddies Jake and Dan had convinced me to come skydiving with them. Why I agreed, God knows why. Jake, Dan and I were riding up to our jump spot. This was my first time skydiving, and Jake and Dan knew it. "Come on, you're being a wuss!" Jake had joked. "No, I just want to stay alive!" I countered. And from there, and entire argument escalated. Long story short, I gave in. And, well, here we are. "ALL RIGHT, WE'RE COMING UP ON THE DROP, GET READY TO GO!" Our pilot shouted. With one last feeling of solid ground, I made sure my parachute was tight. Dan opened the door. "123GO!" He yelled, and pushed me out the door. Gripped by terror and the sensation of free fall, I froze. I just froze. The ground was hurtling towards me at a million miles per hour. Jesus Christ, this is terrifying. I'm not a religeous man, but if there is a God, please get me down! I'm gonna die up here! Realizing I'm deciding my own fate, I snap to my senses, and control my fall. Feeling a bit like a daredevil, I decide to pencil dive through the air. I was overwhelmed by the speed. I yelled in pure joy and elation, but not hearing any sound come out, I saw a black outline. And I was hurtling straight towards it. Trying to glide away, I stopped as something took me by surprise. It wasn't a bird. It was something else...and I couldn't figure it out. SMACK!!!! Next thing I know, my head is ringing, my face is in immense pain, and I feel cool grass on my face. Grass? But I was in the sky... "He fell over here!" I hear someone shout in a southern drawl. This isn't making any sense. I'm not from the south! "Hotshot? Hotshot! Are you okay?!" That time it wasn't a southerner. Hotshot? That's what my friends call me, sarcastically. But I've never heard this person before. This grass feels so nice...I could just lay here forever. "Come on, we've got to get him to the hospital!" The non-southerner said. Okaaaay. Am I hurt that bad? I don't hurt anywhere. "Get him up. His left wing's hurt bad." Southerner. Wings? But I'm a hu- Before I could finish that thought, something on my back EXPLODED into pain. Unlike anything I'd felt before. "Go, Dash! Get him to the hospital! Hurry!" The southerner called. I blacked out before I could figure it out. I slowly drift back into consciousness, but still can't open my eyes. I can hear the beeping on a heart monitor. The steady Beep! Beep! Beep! is a comforting noise. I must be semi-unconscious. This should give me a little time to think. Okay. I was skydiving with some friends, and I saw this black shape. A strange black shape. I tried to avoid it. It hit me, and next thing I know, I'm laying in the grass, even though I was still a few thousand feet above the ground. Okay, here's the logical explanation. That shape hit me in the head, and I got knocked unconscious. I must have reawakened on the ground. Still. That leaves a couple things unexplained. What was that shape? Why did those people call me Hotshot? Why was there a southerner in Wisconsin? Who is Dash? As in Rainbow Dash? From the My Little Pony cartoon? Why? Why? Why? There was a lot of questions going around in my mind. None of which got an answer. Creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeak. I know that sound. The sound of a wooden door. "Hmm...he still seems to be out." Holy shit. I know that voice. "Come on, man. You've taken a worse beating after a night of drinking with me, you dolt colt." Holy shit. I was not. No way. "Look at me. Talking to somepony who can't even talk back." Oh my Christ. Vinyl Scratch is in my room. I'm in Equestria. How is this possible? "I really hope you get better soon, Hotshot. The club misses you. Your turntables miss you....I miss you." Vinyl's unmistakable voice whispered. Okay, this Hotshot character must be a DJ. Up and at em, mate. Your favorite pony is in the room. After about a minute of trying to wake, I felt my eyes open. Everything had a cartoon-y outline. I WAS in Equestria. Just in the corner of my vision, I saw a dark blue and neon blue outline. Holy SHIT. IT IS VINYL. "Huh? You awake?" Vinyl's tail flicked out of my vision. "Y...yeah. I'm up." I sat up, and feeling a headache come on, put a hand to my hea... What the hell. It was flat and hard. That's what she said. Must be a hoof. "Dude, you took a massive fall." Vinyl had a smirk on her face. "How far?" I felt something on my back, like as if I had a really thick and moving plate on my back. I'd assume they're wings. "I'd say...maybe 400 feet." She shrugged. Okay. Only four hundred. Much better than the 4,000 that probably I was falling from before. "Okay. I have a little bit of amnesia, so you're going to have to tell me about my life." I played it off. "Suuuuuure you do. You just like hearing the story of your life." She stood, and put her glasses on. Such a familiar purple shade. "Seriously, Vinyl. I don't remember." Maybe I'm not playing it off as smoothly as I thought. "Alright...well, you're a DJ with me at our club...." She started. I sat, and listened, very eager on how I was supposed to fit in Equestria. Chapter 2: Playing the PartAfter a brief talk with Vinyl, I'd gathered the following information. Hotshot was 35 years old. He was a DJ. He was smart, but acted dumb, probably how he got into the accident that brought me here. And from the feeling I got, he was naturally protective of the ones he cares about. I keep saying "was" because I'm not Hotshot. I'm just in his place. Sooner or later, somebody...wait, no. SomePONY was going to find out. The day that comes is probably not a good day for me. "Alright, come on. Help me get out of bed." I tried to move over from the bed, but found it difficult. "Easy there, tiger." Vinyl rushed to my side, and helped me walk. "Okay. There's a mirror over there. Can you get me over to it? I want to see how bad my wing is." I slowly walked towards it, Vinyl supporting me every step. I got over to it about ten seconds later. What I saw confirmed my suspicions. I was indeed a pony. It was a pony with dark gray fur, two wings, one of which was heavily bandaged, with a little blood in the bandages. He had piercing green eyes that, I swore, could burn a hole through you just by staring at you. A brown mane ran along his head, and his tail. I guess I could have turned out worse. All of a sudden, my vision darkened. I was passing out again. I tried getting a word out to Vinyl, but my mouth was numb and couldn't move. The world faded as I felt myself fall into her side. I awoke again a few hours later, as the clock told. There were a few doctors nearby, and I called out for one of them. A mare came up, with white fur, and a light pink mane. I'd assume she was the nurse. "Yes, Hotshot? What can I do for you?" She spoke with a gentle tone. Just hearing it made me more relaxed. "When am I scheduled to get out of this bed?" I returned a smile she flashed, and I felt genuinely calm and collected. "Well, if all goes well tonight, you should be getting out tomorrow, but you'll have to stay off your wing." She went up to me, and checked a few things on the equipment monitoring me. "Why? What's happening tonight?" I suddenly got a bit more curious, and admittedly, apprehensive. "Nothing's happening tonight, it's just that most of our Pegasi patients like to go on...nighttime adventures." She kept smiling, and that relieved my apprehension. "Well, you're not going to have to worry. I'm staying right here." I grinned, and closed my eyelids. Sleep had started calling my name, and it'd feel good not blacking out to sleep. "I hope you will." I heard her whisper. Then, I felt myself slowly drift off. The next morning, I woke very blissfully. I was still pissed that I woke up, but oh well. I sat up, stretched with a yawn, and looked out the window. Wow, the sunrise in Equestria was something else. I guess it's from Celestia's abilities. "Sleep enough, sandstallion?" Vinyl's voice called from outside my field of vision. "Yeah, why are you here so early?" I yawned, and turned to her. "Dude, it's not early. It's sunset." She stood, and used her magic to pull off my hospital bed covers. "Oh. Well, I guess it's time to get out then." I stepped out of bed, and naturally fell down onto all fours. "Yeah, come on. Let's get something to eat." She walked with me out to the front desk, and out the door. We walked for a while, and eventually came to a little cafe. "You've got to keep your strength up for tonight." She ordered for us, which was a bit of a relief, as I had no idea what anything on the menu was. "I don't remember what's happening tonight." I looked out at the evening crowd outside, which was very few ponies. "We've got our concert, remember?" That one line got my attention. "Oh, right! Our concert! Right." I managed a smile, although I was really nervous inside. "Hope your wing won't keep you from DJing." Thankfully, our food was ready then. I really didn't pay much attention to what Vinyl was eating, only to what my own food was. A daffodil sandwich. I guess that's what ponies eat, then.... I took a few bites, which was admittedly good, and by that time, Vinyl was finished. "You want the rest of that?" She asked, her mouth half full. "Nah, go ahead. Take it." I slid the plate over to her. She ate in in about two seconds. "You're a great friend, dude." Well, there goes my theory of us being together. "Come on, we've got a concert to play." We walked to a place that looked like a picturesque club. She took me in through the back door, and she taught me how to DJ in a nutshell. It's easy, really. All you have to do is make sure one song cleanly transitions into another. "Hold on, Hotspot." She laughed, and slid some glasses onto my face. They turned everything a shade of red. "Can't go on without your glasses." She reminded me. I smiled back at her, and we stepped into the booth together. "Aww, yeah! How's everypony doing tonight?" Vinyl called out, her glasses on as well. She was answered by a chorus of cheers. "I'm DJ PON-3, and with me as always is DJ H8TY7!" Another chorus. H8TY7. Alright..that's okay. With that, we began. After about two hours of DJing, I looked out to the crowd who were there for Vinyl and I. I noticed a few ponies. Lyra Heartstrings, Bon Bon, and the like. But then, something stood out to me. A neon blue tail. I followed it to a mare's body. White fur. A unicorn. Simply put...the most beautiful mare I'd seen in my time at Equestria. My eyes widened, and I felt my wings flush open, which was accompanied with a laugh from Vinyl. "Dude, put those away!" She kept laughing. I didn't hear that part, though, because I was already gone, running down to find her. Suddenly there was a knot in my stomach. I felt her staring at me, and I stared back. After about a minute, I ran to the bathroom, and vomited into the toilet. Holy hell. I just fell in love with a mare. Chapter 3: Meeting OctaviaAfter sitting in the batroom for a few minute, I decided I should probably get out, or ponies would start to get suspicious. I walked over to the sink, and stared into my reflection. So, this is the new me. I splashed a bit of water into my face, shrugged off the though, and went back outside. Ponies gave me a passing glance as I walked (trotted?) back to my place as a DJ. Vinyl, however, was a different story. She was PISSED. "Seriously, Hotshot! What buck is wrong with you?! You just up and left in the middle of a song!" Jesus, the fandom never wrote her like this. "Um...n..nothing. Just some stuff from the hospital, I guess." I went back up to my spot, and the next two hours went off without a hitch. The thought of that mare never left my mind. After everypony left, Vinyl and I had started packing up our gear. In that time, I realized that Hotshot couldn't do math. If his DJ name was H8TY7, implying 1987, that would make him 27 years old. Not 35. Anyway, Vinyl had become her normal, lax self. As I carried a large speaker (a tradeoff traveling DJs must make), she stopped me. "So. Who was that mare?" She rested an arm on the speaker. "What mare?" I realized she knew, and tried to play dumb. "Hotshot, I've known you since the cradle. When you're in love...I can tell. Plus, your wing boner hit me in the face." Her magenta eyes saw right through me. "Okay..I don't know who she is. All I know is, call me a Romeo, I've fallen for her. Hard." I breathed a sigh of relief and defeat. "She looks a lot like me." She semi-accused me. "Really? Uh...I wasn't paying much attention." Completely honest. I hadn't even noticed. "Right, because you were too busy thinking about that flank, weren't you?" She bit her lip, presumably to stop her from laughing. "No! Shut up, Vinyl!" I felt my face practically get MS Paint'ed red, and my wings tried to come up, but I kept them down. "You were! You totally were!" She fell to the ground laughing. "Whatever." I picked up the speaker, and carried it over to Vinyl's house. A few trips later, we'd gotten all our stuff back. "Thanks, Hotshot. You're a pretty good hauler, ain't ya?" She set down the last of get stuff. "Not to toot my own horn, but, beep-beep-ba-beep." I joked. Then I realized. I didn't know where Hotshot lived. "Ya know what, just stay here tonight. We're both tired, and it's not like anypony's gonna think anything of it, right? I mean, you're pretty much already my little brother." She yawned and opened the door. "Thanks, Vinyl." I smiled to her, and stepped inside. A piece of wood was crackling on the fire. That's weird...if Vinyl left like four or five hours ago, why was there a NEW log on the fire? "Oh, hello, Hotshot." A familiar classy voice called. Huh. So I guess Vinyl and Octavia living together wasn't just a bad fanfic. "Hi, Octavia." I greeted her. I wasn't too sure how Octavia felt about me. "How was the concert?" I had to admit, she looked...different in the firelight. "Flankface McGee over here found a mare to chase." Vinyl walked in, and sat in the living room. "Vinyl...how many times do I have to tell you not to phrase it like that?" I complained. "It's true, though." Vinyl countered. "I'm going to have to agree with Vinyl on this one. You're not the most...gentlecoltly." Funny. Tavi gets on my nerves even in Equestria. "Shut up..." I was tired of arguing at this point. "Do you know who she was?" I started to wonder why Tavi was so interested in this mare. "Not a clue..but all I know is she looks a lot like Vinyl." I started to try to piece it together. "Well, Shining Armor looks like me." Vinyl commented. "Yeah, but last I checked, Shining Armor is a stallion." It was NOT Shining Armor. No way. There was not a snowball's chance in hell that I fell in love with Shining Armor. Besides, he's married to Princess Cadence. Not that I'm into stallions. Right? "Well..since you're done with the concert..I'll get some wine." Vinyl left the room, leaving Octavia and I alone. "You know..Hotshot. If you'd let me, I could turn you I to a refined, classy stallion." She offered. "Octavia, I know you mean well, but no. I like the way I am" Damn, what was taking Vinyl so long?! "Are you sure?" She seemed a bit surprised. "Yes, Tavi." At this point, I was so tired I couldn't think straight. "Alright. Whatever you say." She shrugged and Vinyl came in with the wine. "Wow, man. You look beat. Come on, let's go." She set down the glasses, and took me upstairs. "I really appreciate it, Vinyl." She directed me to a room, presumably the guest room. "You'd do the same for me." She pulled back the covers, and stepped out of the way as I got in. "Want to bet?" I joked. "Never too tired for a joke, huh? Well, good night." She closed the door, leaving me alone. "Night...." I pulled the covers over and slowly closed my eyes, sleep's seduction overtaking me. Chapter 4: Gleaming ShieldI awoke blissfully from a good dream. I asked the mare from last night out on a date, and she said yes. The only part that irked me was that I woke just as she was about to tell me her name. Tough luck, I guess. I'll probably never see her again. Thinking that made my heart hurt, cheesy as it sounded. I saw it two ways. I could stay here in bed and waste away, or I could try and find her. Choosing the ladder after about a minute of consideration, I stood, stretched, opened the window, and tried flying. Even with my injured wing, I could fly. The view was nothing short of spectacular. It's like seeing the world through a bird's-eye-view camera. Except you could feel the wind, everything! It was the greatest thing I'd ever felt. My wing, however, started to hurt. Then I remembered what Pegasi can do. I flew up to a cloud, and laid down on it. It was like laying on a blanket that's just gotten out of the dryer, but twice as soft. Dear Celestia, it was WONDERFUL! I looked over the cloud and saw a pink mare. Wait...that's Princess Cadence. I flew down to her, and bowed. "Hello, Princess Cadence." I greeted. "Hello, Hotshot." She smiled. Two things: It was weird that she knew Hotshot, and where was Shining Armor? I decided to address the Shining issue first. "Excuse me, but may I ask where Shining Armor is?" Don't cross the line...Don't cross the line... "Oh, Shining's been...out. Last I heard he was out clubbing last night." Definitely odd. Never took Shining for the clubbing type. "Did he say what club he went to?" I hoped he was, Shining was a cool guy. "Uh..." She looked to the side. "...sorry, Hotshot. I have to go." She ran off to the side. Who was she going t- Oh my god. It was her. The mare from last night. Cadence was talking to her. I had the chance to talk to her. Don't screw up. I walked up, paused, took a deep breath, looked confident, and kept walking. "Hey! You! White mare!" She looked at me, her eyes widened, and she ran, Cadence tailing her. I followed. She ran to the library...the house of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Odd. She knew Cadence and Twilight. I walked up calmly, and knocked on the door. Twilight answered. "Oh, hello, Hotshot. The usual?" With a smile, I replied, "Actually, no, Twilight. I just saw a white mare run in here?" Twilight stifled a laugh. "Oh, you mean my cousin, Gleaming Shield." Gleaming Shield. "Um...Is she here?" She stepped aside. "Gleeeaming! Come on in, Hotshot." I heard her stepping down the stairs. Keep your cool, Nick. "You!" She noticed me, and tried to run back upstairs, but Cadence blocked her. "Gleaming, right? Look, I just want to talk." I wanted to talk alright... "No! I don't want to talk!" She tried to run, which got a death glare from Cadence. "Okay, what do we talk about?" "I saw you at the club last night. I was the DJ." I took a step towards her. "Oh, okay. H8TY7. What do you want?" She seemed really defensive. "I..just wanted to...see if you wanted to go out on a date." Here we go, man. Moment of truth. "Um...!" She tried to get out, but Twilight AND Cadence stopped her. "Come on, GLEAMING, it'd be a learning experience for you." Twilight nudges her. "Mmnnmm...all right." She sighed, sounding defeated. "I'll go with you. What are you planning?" "Maybe dinner? If you're okay with that..of course." I smiled. "All right, fine. Pick me up here at 7 tomorrow." She looked unhappy. "I'll pick you up then." I smiled at the three mares, and stepped outside. BUCK YEAH! I DID IT! I flew into the sky, and cheered as loud as I could. I did it. Chapter 5: Prep WorkI flew up to a cloud, and stuck my head through it. My neck felt strange, lodged in a cloud. Oh well. I climbed up through it, and looked up to the sun. Celestia sure did a good job, maintaining everything. it put me at peace, and I laid on my back. I could get used to this. Looking up in the sky, I had a lot of time to think about a lot of things. First off, Gleaming. Who exactly was she? I'd never heard of Twilight and Shining having a cousin. She looked a lot like Shining. And's it's odd that Cadence and Twilight were pushing her to go on a date with me. I guess I'd have to cross that bridge when I got to it. Next, home. The human world, I mean. What was Hotshot bucking up? If I ever made it back, what'd have happened? Would I be in jail? Injured? Was I...dead? Okay, now's not the time to think like that. Third. How was I going to take Gleaming out on a date if I didn't have money, let alone know where I live? Too many questions that I didn't have the answers to. Maybe if I talked to somepony, and asked if they wanted to hang out...Vinyl! That's a..no, wait. I've got to get a suit or something for the date tonight. I'll ask Rarity to come over in like an hour to get the sizes and whatever. I love my mind sometimes. I flew down to the ground, and paused for a moment to actually start to appreciate my surroundings. There was a small filly and some friends of her playing in the square. The sweet aroma of..well...sweets drifted from Sugarcube Corner. I could hear a stallion and a mare in the house I was by talking about having foals. The cobblestone streets felt firm, but somehow soft under my hooves. I could get used to Equestria. I really did like it here. Oh well, enough sightseeing. I walked my way down to Carousel Boutique. It practically screamed fashion in my face. I didn't like it. Before I even got to the door, Rarity opened it. "Oh. It's you, Hotshot. Forgive me, but I have things to do, unlike....whatever it is that you do." Damn, that's colder than Hoth. "Okay, but I actually am here on business." I took a step forward. "You can't really call that stunting of yours-" She began. "No, not stunting. I have a date tonight. I need a suit or something." I quickly cut her off. "Really? A date? Miracles can happen, it seems." She rolled her eyes, and stepped aside for me to come in. "Hilarious. I thought you were the element of Generosity, not Laughter." I joked, and stepped inside. So much for having her over. She seemed to dislike me anyway. "Now, you said you needed a suit?" She closed the door behind me. Carousel wasn't that great of a place, but it certainly wasn't shabby. "Yeah, a suit. I don't know my size or anything." I stood, not sure of what to do. "Not a problem. I'll just measure you." I heard her horn activate it's magic, and I saw a tape measure..thing float over to her. "Okay, hold still." She took a few measurements, including my wing length and width. "Okay." She said, in the midst of her measuring. "Who's the victi-I mean, lucky mare?" I resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably. "Did Twilight ever tell you about her cousin?" Rarity raised an eyebrow. "What cousin?" "I'm not the only one who hasn't..her name's Gleaming Shield..but she looks a lot like her brother." What if..nah. That's not possible. "And her name sounds a lot like Shining Armor.." Rarity stopped for a minute. "Maybe it's actually another sister." Yeah...that's it. Just a long lost sister. "I hope so." There was a long silence. "Why do you always give me such a hard time, Rarity?" She sighed, and set the measure down. "Well, I suppose it's because we just aren't alike. Two ends of the poles." "I suppose that's fair. But..ya know, we could try to make it work. I mean, look at Vinyl Scratch and Octavia. Their music and personalities are opposites, but they make it work." I turned to her. "Why can't we at least try?" "I suppose we can try." She took her final measurements. "Okay, I've got it all. I'll deliver it by your house in...say, two hours?" "Yeah, that'll work." I smiled and nodded to her. "Excellent. I'll see you then." She smiled and nodded back. I exited and thought of what else I had to do. Suit, check. Etiquette. Octavia. I flew over by Vinyl's house, and knocked on the door. Octavia answered. "Oh, hello, Hotshot. Vinyl's not home." I shrugged. "I know. I came to see you. I need to learn how to dine elegantly in less than two hours." She sighed. "Why change? You said you were happy." I looked behind me, because I felt my stomach knot again. There was Gleaming, doing Celestia-knows-what. "I've got a date. Just...don't ask. I need to know how to dine to impress." Octavia stepped aside. "Two hours isn't much time, but I can try." I stepped inside, and was fretted by classical music playing somewhere in the house. "Well, just teach me what you can." "Okay, take a seat at the table." I started to walk. "No, stop." "What did I do wrong?" My mind wandered to Gleaming..I had gotten distracted. "You need to walk like a gentlecolt." She corrected my stance. "So..like the classy guys in movies?" I didn't walk until I got a picture. "No idea what a movie is, but sure. If it works for you." She nudged me, to go. I took a minute to think about how they walked, and walked as such afterwards. "There you go. Now, if they act a certain way, act like that." She encouraged. "Okay." I slid out the seat opposite me, Octavia sitting there in lieu of Gleaming, and I pushed the seat back in. "You're doing wonderful. You might not even need me." She grinned, and I sat opposite her. Was she...blushing a little? "Okay, now. How do I eat?" I rolled my eyes. "Don't say, 'With your mouth.'" "Just try to eat in small portions, and be courteous to the mare." She kept smiling. Seriously...why was she blushing? I wasn't hitting on her. "Thanks, Octavia. You've been a big help." I stood, and started to walk out. "Put your imagination to rest, Octavia. This doesn't mean anything." I gave her a quick thank-you kiss on the cheek, and left. Okay. Suit, check. Classiness, check. Still had an hour to spare. I went on a walk through Ponyville, and found Vinyl knocking on the door of a house. I walked up to her. "Heya, PON3." She turned to me, and laughed. "Well, this explains why you're not answering the door." Vinyl found my house. "Yeah, I've been out." I opened the door, which was unlocked. "What were ya doing?" She stepped inside, and handed me a note. "This was on your door." Go upstairs. "Just..prepping for a a date tonight." I looked upstairs, and went up really quick. Hanging on a door was my suit. I slipped it on, and it fit like a glove. Rarity even cut slots for my wings. How nice. When I went back downstairs, Vinyl's jaw was on the floor. "You have a date?!" "Yeah, with that mare from last night." I adjusted the tie. "Why didn't you tell me, numbnuts?!" I couldn't tell if she was happy, angry or upset. "Because I've had to get ready." I looked at a clock. "The date's in 20 minutes." She opened the door, smacked my flank, and pushes me out the door. "Good luck, Shot." "Not gonna need it." I spit in my hoof, ran in through my mane, and walked to the library. Chapter 6: Sucker PunchI took one step to the door, took a deep breath, and started my strut. Vinyl stopped me at the door. "Look, Hotshot, I'm happy that you have a date, but if it's with Gleaming Shield.." I immediately turned cold on her. "Vinyl, step off. now. I'm warning you." Vinyl slapped me. "Damn it, Hotshot! Just listen! Gleaming isn't who you think she is!" I stared at her, murder coming from my eyes. "Step. Off. Right now." My head started to feel heavy, and the world got dark. Shit, I'm going to pass out. Not here! Not now! Please, any time but now! She looked at me with sad eyes. "Dude...are you okay? You're looking like you've seen a ghost..." "No...I'm gonna..." I fell onto her, and slowly drifted out of consciousness. I felt something on top of me when I woke up. It felt thin, like a sheet. I didn't know what to think of it. And there was heat. It was really warm. I didn't think fur could trap this much heat. I moves my arm, and felt the sheet thing slide up and down. I sat up very quickly, and realized I was back in the human world. I felt everything to make sure it was real. It was. That didn't explain why it was so hot. I turned to the source of the heat...and there was a woman there. Had Equestria just been a dream? Had I gotten really drunk last night, scored, and just dreamt Equestria? I don't know what to feel. This woman...who is she though? I moved her hair out of the way, which was blue. I wonder if Hotshot had something to do with this... Her face gave no details. She was softly snoring. I guess she was okay for the potential future moth- She opened her eyes, which were a lush magenta. I had about a second to appreciate them, before she punched me in the nose. "Ow! Jesus Christ, why would you do that?!" I held my nose, and looked at her. She slightly resembled Vinyl. "Who are you? What are you? What am I?" Her voice was exactly like Vinyl's. "Vinyl? Is that you?" My nose was definitely bleeding. "Hotshot? What are you? Why are we in bed together?" She sat up, and thankfully the sheet stayed over her. "Okay, don't call me Hotshot. My name is Nick, and this is my world. The human world." I grabbed a box of tissue I kept by my bed (Don't assume that. I have allergies.) and compressed my nose. "Humans? As in the tall, two legged things with hands?" What a sleuth... "Yes." My voice was a bit more nasal than usual. She nervously looked down at her hands. Then....the sheet fell off. I didn't really look before...but we were both naked. That's a little awkward. "Vinyl...you're naked. Just..I'll find some pants, and get you some clothes my ex-girlfriend probably left." I stepped into my closet, got myself some underwear and pants. It was okay for me to walk around without a shirt. I mean, I wasn't RIPPED, but I certainly wasn't fat. "Ho...Nick! Can you hurry?" She called. Obviously being like she was was making her uncomfortable. "Yeah, just wait!" I looked around for anything. I noticed, in the corner, probably the only set of clothes Sarah had left. A blue tank top, jeans, and underwear. For once, I'm actually glad we broke up. "Seriously, dude! Hurry!" I threw her the clothes. "Uh...what's this?" She held up the bra. "You'll figure it out." I walked out the room, and I thought I saw a hint of a blush on her cheeks. After about five minutes, Vinyl came out, fully dressed. "Nick? Mind explaining something?" I turned to her. "Yeah, what is it?" "Why do you have a poster of me in your room?" That's why she was blushing... "Oh...well. In my world...Equestria is part of a cartoon. You're part of that cartoon, and...yeah." Please don't freak out.. "That's hard to believe." She flopped down on my couch. "You're taking this human world thing remarkably well." God..she was hot. Wait. What did I just think? "I figure this is just a dream. It won't last long." She picked at her nails. "Yeah..alright." She had a point. I might be dreaming this. "It's just my BASS CANNON!" My phone rang from on the table. "Seriously?" Vinyl looked over to me. "Um...uh...shut up." I felt the blood rush to my face. I answered the phone. "Nick! How you doing?" It was my brother, Dylan. "Oh, hi, Dylan. I'm fine." I sighed. "Fine? Dude, you scored a perfect 10 last night, and you're just FINE?!" I heard his familiar cackle. "Shut up." I hung up. Vinyl walked up behind me. "Uh..." I turned to her. "Yeah, Vinyl? What is it?" She looked away. "Dude, I can't help it. I'm attracted to you in this body." I bit my lip. Dylan was right. Looks like anything can happen. "Vinyl, I don't know if we should..but if you really want me to.." "Just shut up." Censored actions..... After a minute of just silence, Vinyl finally talks. "This is real, isn't it?" I just nod. "Never speak of this." "Lips are sealed." I say with a grin. "You enjoyed it, didn't you, you lovable fuck?" She smiled. "That's kind of the point." I joked. "Come on." That comment made me laugh really hard. "Grow up." That kept me laughing. "Dude, come on! You're making this too hard!" At this point, I was dying. After laughing for about five minutes, we'd composed ourselves, and we went back out. "So...what's my role in this world?" "No clue." I poured myself a drink. It was early to be getting drunk, but fuck it. "Mind pouring me some of that?" Vinyl sat across from me. "You like wine?" I poured her a glass. "I have a feeling it doesn't matter." She took a drink. I walked over to her, and sat next to her. "You and me...the old Hotshot. Were we ever a thing?" I took another sip. "No, we weren't. He was practically a little brother to me." She sighed. "You work just as well. I could never tell." "Thanks for that." I grinned. "Not a problem. Any idea how we're gettin back?" Vinyl finished her glass "Nope." I sighed. "My world is a cool place, though." "Really?" She slid the glass to the side and turned to me. "Yeah, check this out." I went back to my bedroom and booted up my Xbox 360. "Oh. Cool." She just watched. "Here, take a controller." I tossed one over to her. "Okay..." She gripped it. "No idea how to use this." "You'll find out." I grinned, and activated Mortal Kombat. Later.... "Sindel wins. Flawless victory. Fatality!" I heard for the third time. Vinyl was one of the best Kombatants I'd ever met. And that wa saying something, because I'd been crowned "King Of Kombat" in high school. I also became the president of my high school's Video Game Club. "Nick....come on. It's not that bad." Vinyl giggled. "No. This is not okay." I said, close to giving up. "One more?" She giggled. "Fine. One more." I sighed. About two minutes later, I heard what I had been waiting for. "Scorpion wins. Babality!" It was so gratifying. I suppose I owe that win to a guy called Tyler. He was part of the Video Game Club in my freshman year. He was the King before me. I took him on in March, and took the MK9 title from him. Sophmore year, I'd take his MK: Armageddon title from him as well. I wrecked anyone who stood in my path. Vinyl was something else. "Fina-fucking-ly." I sighed. "Nick, it's like 10 PM." Vinyl kneel-walked over. "Yeah? Oh...I guess it's time for bed." I shrugged. The world started to blacken. "Nick, you okay?" She looked concerned. "Take my hand, Vinyl. We're going back to Equestria." I smiled when I felt her hand and passed out. I then woke up and looked over to the calendar. Two days had passed. Fuck. I missed my date with Gleaming. My life is over. Chapter 7: Thrown For A LoopMy life is bucking over. I'm bucking done. I missed a date with the most beautiful mare I've ever met. No way would she give me another shot at it. I laid around the house for...days? Weeks? Months? Years? It was all a blur. All I knew was that Vinyl had left. Gleaming Shield, the most perfect mare I'd ever met, who I blew a date with, would never talk to me again. There was no point in even getting up any more. I'd just go through the rest of my god-forsaken life in Equestria alone. I guess this is it. Total soli- Knock! Knock! Wonder who that could be. I haven't told anypony to come over... "It's open!" I yell. The door opens, and I see a lot of ponies standing there. Rarity, Vinyl, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and...I think Derpy in the back. "Hey. I don't know if you noticed, but I've not left the house in a while." I sighed, and repositioned myself on the couch. "It's been twenty minutes, Sunspot. Geddit? 'cause he's not that bright...?" Vinyl attempted to make a joke. I have to giver her credit for trying. Can't say it didn't make me feel a LITTLE better. "Nice try, Vinyl. Come on in, you lot." I sighed, which I seemed to be doing a lot of. The five walked in, all taking a seat on some furniture I had. There was a long silence. Rarity was the first to break it. "Hotshot, darling, we know that your date with Gleaming was important to you." "No, really? I couldn't tell." I don't think I should have been getting mad at her, I mean, she was just trying to help. "Regardless, you've helped us five in some way, and I wanted to remind you what you're living for." She smiled at me. "Really?" I sat up. "Well, you had my interest before, but now you have my attention." They were silent for a moment. I had to take into consideration that Hotshot may have done something in these two days that I didn't know about. Applejack was the first to speak, "Well, since nopony's gettin' their head outta their hindquarters, I guess I'll go first." She cleared her throat. I couldn't believe it. I did something nice for her...and she was repaying me. "Hotshot, last applebuck season...and the one before that..and before that...ya did something nopony could have ever asked another to do. On yer own, while the rest of us were sleepin', ya went out, and bucked as many apple trees as you could. When I asked you, you said you didn't do it, but I know ya did. I could never ask for a better friend." I looked to the ground. I spent all this time thinking Hotshot was a self-centered pony. That he was, by all definitions, a douchebag. It turns out I was wrong. He was a kindred spirit. Derpy's hoof shot up, and in the process, uppercut Rainbow in the jaw. "Why you little...!" Dash started a lunge at her, but stopped. "You're lucky that I'm trying to be non-violent." Derpy looked a little shaken, but started her story. "Well...I'm sure you know that I'm not the most graceful mare..and ponies treat me different for it. You, on the other hoof..." My eyes widened. Hotshot was even nice to ponies like Derpy, who had serious mental issues. Not that I'd ever judge someone on a disability; I had a friend in high school called Irene who I think had Down's, and I was one of the very few people who treated her with respect. "...you've never said anything to hurt me, or done anything. You treat me like a normal pony, like my strabismus doesn't exist. And I have to thank you for that." She smiled a goofy smile at me, which lightened me up. Rarity cleared her throat. "Well, I suppose I should go next. To be quite honest, darling, I never really have liked you. But when you came to my boutique the other day, and treated me with respect, and asked for us to begin again...I saw a side of you I'd like to know. Your mature side, the one who's not afraid to admit he's wronged a lady, and wishes to make up for it. Plus...I think that your date with Gleaming was just a stepping stone in your life. Even if you missed her, I know you'll find another mare." She finished, her words actually starting to tug at my heart strings. Even RARITY, the pony I couldn't stand a few days ago, was admitting that we were friends, and she enjoyed my company. Dash sighed. "You guys talking all mushy. Seriously, Hotshot, it's ONE mare. Grow a pair and find another." I scowled at this. I thought those five were here to help me, not to make me feel like a horse's ass. Applejack nudged her. "I don't think that's what we're here to talk about, sugarcube." Dash rolled her eyes and sighed again. "Fiiiine. Hotshot, we've known each other since flight camp. I know you and you know me. Gleaming Shield, she wasn't good for you. You'd last maybe a week. When I was trying to make a Sonic Rainboom for the first time, who was my main competitor?" I took a stab at it. "Me?" Dash raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking me? But yes. It was you. You were always the one who drove me to be more than I thought I could be, whenever I doubted myself, you were always there." I couldn't believe my ears. Rainbow Dash was telling me, of all people, ME that I was the one who always motivated her. How could I respond to this? Dash was always a favorite, and I couldn't express ,my joy over hearing her. Which left Vinyl. Everypony knew that she had some deep things to say about me, and I was anxious to hear they were. Vinyl looked me in the eyes. "Hotshot.You and I have been together since high school. Ever since then, we've been an inseparable pair. You've taught me so much, and I have taught you a lot too. You're like a brother to me. We've gone on plenty of adventures together, and then some, and I've enjoyed every minute of it. If you let Gleaming overtake your mind, you're going to end up killing yourself. And I can't stand that. Which is why I set you up with another mare." She handed me a picture, and I looked at it, amazed at how the mare looked. "Wow...Vinyl...I just...I don't know what to say." I kept staring at the picture, captivated. "So, how about it, buddy? Want to go out for a drink?" Vinyl smiled. "Her name's Thunder Flicker, by the way." "Thunder Flicker..." I repeated, associating the name with the face. "Hello? Equestria to Hotshot?" Dash waved a hoof in front of my face. "You gonna come out for some cider or gonna sit there and make goo-goo faces at that mare?" "The ladder doesn't sound too bad." I joked. "All right, I'm kidding. Let's go, I could use some cider." We all stood, and I set the picture of the picture of the mare down. Then they all walked out the door, and I took one last look at the picture before closing the door. Thunder Flicker. Chapter 8: How Fast?I owe a lot to these mares. They pretty much just saved my life. And Vinyl setting me up on this date with Thunder Flicker, I had the best friends a stallion could ask for. I figure I'm never going to go back to the human world, but I was there one last time, so I guess I have some closure. But now's not the time for sadness. I need to get myself out of the dumps and celebrate. After a brief walk with the five, we came to a bar...thing. I don't even know, everything looks different in Equestria. We all walked in, and I trotted up to the bar. The stallion behind the counter gave me the impression that barkeeping was even his talent, not just a job. I'm gonna see if he's really that good. "One Robert Palmer." I orderer, taking my seat. "Robert Palmer. Got it." He went and started mixing some Red Bull and iced tea. It was my favorite drink for a while before I could legally drink. He finished mixing and set on the countertop. "You're not looking 100%. Something up?" I shook my head. "Nah, no worries. I missed a date with a beautiful mare, but I've got another one." I took a drink, and damn, did that thing have some kick to it. "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention." Barkeep laughed. "I put a bit of vodka in there." That would explain it. After quickly disposing of the rest of it, I nodded at him. "Best drink I've ever had." The door to the bar flew open. "Hey, numbnuts!" A stallion yelled. I turned to look, not so much for the numbnuts part, but for who this stallion was. What I saw was a powerful looking black stallion, with a black/red mane. Barkeep sighed. "What do you want, Dead Ink?" Dead Ink trotted up to the counter. "Hotshot. You and me. Drinking contest. Now." I raised an eyebrow. "Really, Dead? You think you can take ME in a drinking contest?" Barkeep gave him one RP to even the count. "'course I can, numbnuts." Dead scoffed. I cracked my neck. "I thought I was the hotshot here. But I'll oblige." Relatively 19 shots later.... I bit my forehoof. Jesus motherbucking Christ was I drunk. Dead wasn't looking so well either. "I'll..I bucking will *hic* tell you.." I groaned. "I'm gonna..win faster than two jiggles of a *hic* jackrabbit's ass.." I realized immediately after what I said. That was the last words I ever said to my buddy Eric. I told him that I'd be "over quicker than two jiggles of a jackrabbit's ass", and when I got over to his house....he was gone. Vanished. Without a trace. Gone. Dead looked very surprised. "Two jiggles of a...?" He then collapsed. I was so concerned for him, I didn't even care that I won. All that mattered was getting this poor stallion somewhere safe. I draped a hoof of his over my shoulder, and started walking him back to my house, where he could at least sleep it off. When we arrived home, it was already dark. I carried him up the stairs, and laid him down on my bed. "Sleep well, Ink." I smiled and put a blanket over him. Then I walked down the stairs and passed out on my couch. I woke up the next morning to the sound of bird chirping. It's like one of those scenes where you can hear the birds chirping, and there's that soft music playing in the background. Except for the hangover. Oh dear god, the hangover. I slowly rolled off the couch, falling onto the ground. "Ow..." I said, to no one. After laying there for about fifteen minutes, I slowly got to my hooves. Who'd be coming down the stairs, but Dead. "You can can it with the pony act. I know it's you, Nick." Dead sighed. "What? How did you...who are you?!" I stepped back. "'Two jiggles of a jackrabbit's ass.'" Dead looked me in the eyes. "Oh my god..." Dead was ERIC. How was this possible? Eric was supposed to be dead. By all means. "Yeah. It's me." Eric walked over. "Took you long enough to get here." "You mean you've been here since the night you disappeared?!" I was probably panicking a bit too much. "I have." Eric nodded. "It's been four years." I shook my head. "Time is half as fast back in our world than here. It's been two." Eric shrugged. "Potato shmatato." I just couldn't believe it. "But...you're supposed to be dead. They found an old corpse they assumed was you." Eric sat next to me and laughed. "You know what happens when you assume." At the same time, we both said "It makes an ass out of you and me." At this point, I knew it was Eric. "It is you." He rolled his eyes. "Of course. Think, would you have helped me out if you didn't feel something different about me?" I hadn't considered that. I just wanted to make sure he was safe. Maybe I did feel a..say..duty to get him to be safe, but I didn't really say anything about it. "I guess not." I sighed. Eric and I spent the rest of that morning getting me ready for my all-important date with Thunder. It very well may be one of the most important day of my life. I put my suit back on (which Hotshot had thrown on his bed...what a slob) and looked in the mirror. "Not too bad...right?" Eric smirked. "Dude, you're worrying about nothing. If Thunder is as cool as Vinyl makes her out to be, you'll do just fine." I bit my lip a little bit too hard, tasting my own blood. "I know, it's just that I'm a little nervous. After my failed date with Gleaming, I'm just a little apprehensive about dating." Eric put a hoof on my shoulder. "Nick..when that girl broke up with you freshman year, how long did you mope?" "I didn't." I looked down at his hoof. "How early did you try to get back into a relationship?" He moved my head so I was looking into his eyes. "Three hours later." I stood a little taller, feeling a bit of pride. "And how long did she trail you on for?" Eric started getting louder and louder, as did I. "Three months!" I yelled. "Now, who deserves to be happy?!" We actually started sounding like we were arguing. "I do!!!" I yelled at him. "Who's gonna get laid tonight?!?" He yelled back with a smirk. "Probably not me!" I yelled back, and we looked at each other and burst into laughter. Eric wiped away a tear. "Oh man...I should mention. I dated Thunder a while back. Based on what I know, you guys would be a good fit." I shrugged. "Hey, that's what dates are for." "Dates are for eating." He punched me in the shoulder. "Now, get your ass out there and make a mare happy." I cracked my neck and stepped out the door. "Hey, Eric?" He looked at me like a proud father would look at his son. "Yes, Nick?" I smiled before closing the door. "Thanks for everything." This was it. If I could nail this date with Thunder, the rest of my life would be so much happier. It was my last shot. Chapter 9:Thunderclouds OverheadI went through the same song and dance to make sure I was prepared as I had two days before. Etiquette. Check. Classiness. Check. Making sure I didn't smell like shit. Check. I cracked my neck, and walked to the fanciest restaurant in town with a pocket full of 200 bits. Unless Thunder was a huge eater, that should be enough. Like a typical guy, I'd wait for her to order, and then I'd order something cheap. Don't want to spend all my bits right away. As I approached, the place REEKED of classiness. It made me sick to my stomach. I never was one for white-tie gatherings, but there was a mare waiting inside for me. Shouldn't keep her waiting. I walked up to the attendant, I guess you could call him, and put on a confident smile. "I'm here for a blind date...the reservation may be under Hotshot or Flicker." The attendant flipped through the book. "Ah, yes. Mr. Hotshot.Your date has arrived and is waiting for you. Allow me to show you to your table." I nodded, and followed him through the restaurant. They even had LIVE classical music. I guess I should just deal with it. Octavia was on cello, and she sent a wink my way. I responded with a smile. "In here, sir." The attendant was stepped beside a door. "We get a lot of dates booked...so we have individual rooms for each party." She smiled and opened the door. "Thank you kindly, ma'am." I nodded to her, and stepped inside. There was one table, and the room was illuminated by candlelight. Very romantic. There was one issue. Thunder wasn't sitting at the table. Nervously, I sat down, unsure if Thunder had bailed on me or not. The candlelight provided a luminous effect...not even the entire room was light. "Oh...you're here." I heard the door open before the words were spoken, and I saw the silhouette of a mare in a dress. Her voice was smooth, like the fabric of her dress (presumably). I instantly wanted to hear more, as if I'd fallen in love with her, just from her voice. "Yes, I just got here." I squinted against the hard contrast of the light of the normal restaurant and the darker room. Thunder closed the door and walked over. "Thunder Flicker." She held out her hoof and I shook it. "Hotshot." I smiled, stood, and pulled out her chair. "My, a gentlecolt." Thunder giggled and sat down, as I pushed the chair in. "Just because I'm a professional DJ doesn't mean I can't be proper." I softly laughed, and sat down. "How do you know Vinyl?" Thunder seemed like a nice enough mare. "I went to one of her raves once. I enjoyed myself, and well...long story short, I'm kind of bisexual." That didn't faze me at all. I never have judged LGBT, in fact, I was in full support of their rights. "Interesting. I'm personally straight myself, hence my being here with you." I shrugged, as our waitress entered. Thunder ordered something very elaborate, something I couldn't even follow. I just order something straight off the menu, Everfree herb spiced. Even though it was the cheapest thing on the menu, it was still 40 bits. "So..." Thunder turned her attention back to me. "You're a DJ? Professionally?" I nodded. "I'd say I was world-famous, but I won't for two reasons. One, I don't know if I'm THAT popular, and two, I'd probably be lying." My honesty and always speaking what's on my mind are my best traits. Of course...that can lead to disputes. Thunder nodded at me. "I never really have been 100% into the techno scene, but that's okay." I shrugged. "Hey, it's your taste in music. I'm not gonna try and change that." Even if I disagree with it... Our food arrived shortly. They must have like super-pony chefs or something. First thing you need to know about fancy restaurants.... They make everything with small portions. I once heard of a guy who got his wine in a shot glass. While we ate, Thunder looked up at me, and gave a soft giggle. That piqued my interest. "What? Have I done something wrong?" I worried. Thunder shook her head. "No...I just wasn't expecting somepony like a DJ to be able to fit in around here...and to actually eat like a gentlecolt." I rolled my eyes. What I thought was, "Sterotypes." What I said was, "Maybe I'm that one in a million who's unpredictable." Thunder squinted at me. "What is our EXACT location on the planet, in degrees?" I looked up at her, and without even having time to process the question, replied, " 44° 35' 0.47" N, 89° 54' 33.9" W." Thunder's eyes widened. "I guess that compass cutiemark of yours isn't just for show." I rolled my eyes. "Mind telling me why yours is a flaming heart, then?" Thunder smiled. "I'll have to show you after dinner. I require another pony to be able to do it." God, this mare was an enigma. Never a straightforward answer. The rest of dinner went off without a hitch, and we got to know each other a little better. For example, Thunder had a younger sister, whose name was Peach. They were identical twins. That kind of made me wonder...was I with Peach or Thunder? She grabbed my hoof, and looked into my eyes. "Ready to see why I have a flaming heart?" I nodded, blushing a little. She then flew up, dragging me with her, as I was barely able to keep up. Thank god she was holding onto me. After quite a bit of a climb, she stopped, looked down, and smiled. "Here we go!" We dove at a breakneck speed, and I was sure we were going to die. I closed my eyes in fear. There was an ear-splitting boom, and when we had reached the ground (thank god), I looked back up. There was a flaming heart in the sky. Thunder kissed me, and walked home. "Good night, Hotshot." Those three words stayed in my mind through the entire night. Good night, Hotshot. Chapter 10- All's Well That Ends...I awoke the next morning feeling great. My date with Thunder had gone off without a hitch, and I felt we truly may have a future together. Maybe I even had a chance of marrying her. But that’s just me being a hopeless romantic as usual. I hopped out of bed with a little spring in my step. I was supposed to be meeting up with Vinyl today. We had another big concert tonight. With our skills, I suppose we might end up hosting the biggest rave the world has ever seen. I cracked my neck, and looked at my DJ glasses. I never really went out as H8TY7. I guess there’s a first time for everything. As I stepped out of my house, I saw everything in the familiar shade of red I saw when I met… I shuddered at little at the thought. But that’s the past now. I’ve moved on, and I’m in a good relationship with a mare. Good times. A few ponies stared at me, my glasses and custom headphones with compass marks on them obviously attracting attention. I noticed Lyra staring at me, mouth agape, so I slid my glasses down on my muzzle, and gave her a little wink. I have never seen a mare react more spastically. She had pretty much a mini seizure, and then got a wide smile on her face. I’m such a lady killer. I'm smooth as glass. I slowly approached Vinyl’s house, and knocked on the door. Vinyl opened it. “Well...look who got dressed up. Come on in, Nick.” She smiled and stepped aside. “Thank you ve…” I paused in mid-step. She just called my by my human name. Vinyl raised an eyebrow. “Is there an issue?” I slowly turned to her and shut the door. “You just…” She nodded. “I called you Nick. Is that a problem?” I bit my lip. “Well...Vinyl...to tell you the truth, I don’t feel like Nick anymore. I don’t think that’s who I am anymore.” Vinyl sighed. “I get you must miss your old home...and I really shouldn’t have opened up stitched wounds by calling you that.” I shook my head. “It’s fine. I do miss my old world. But what’s there for me?” Vinyl rolled her eyes. “Fingers? Toes?” I laughed and stepped in a bit more, changing the subject. “So...what’s the deal with you and Thunder?” Vinyl blushed a deep red and began to stutter. “I...um..we…” I put a hoof on her shoulder. “Vinyl Scratch...I’m going to ask you a question, and I want you to answer honestly. Know that I will NOT judge you.” Vinyl slowly nodded. “O...okay.” I looked her deep in the magenta eyes (god, they were beautiful.) and asked in all seriousness, “Are you a lesbian?” There was a long silence between us, and she looked away. “Well….yes and no.” I kept looking. “Then, you’re bi?” Vinyl answered with a slow nod. “It started with harmless experimentation with Thunder...and then it got serious…” I hugged Vinyl. “Seriously, PON-3. Don’t worry. I still love you like a little sister. Come on, let’s go out for a drink.” Vinyl shook her head. “Can we just stay here?” I shrugged. “I guess. For the next hour, I just sat in Vinyl’s living room, her head in my lap, with the fire crackling. “Vinyl…” I started, not sure how to phrase this. “Yeah?” She sounded relaxed...calm...like someone who really enjoyed my company. “I don’t mean to open up old wounds either...but about Thunder…” I gently stroked her mane. “Hotshot, I’m not a cat.” Vinyl moved away. “Right...sorry.” I shook my head, and stared into the fire. “...I really feel like I have something with her. I don’t know any women like that on Earth. I want to stay here.” Vinyl looked up at me. “Well, what’s stopping you? You just need to have one of your fainting episodes, and you could go back for as long as you wanted.” I sighed. “I want to marry her, Vinyl. I want to have kids. We’ve only been on one date...but it just feels right.” Vinyl smiled. “Nick...if she’s making you feel that loved, why not?” I looked down to her. “You know what? You’re right. But tonight...I need to be here with you.” I looked back into the fire, burning any regrets I had about staying here. Two years later…. I trotted home, a huge smile on my face. Tonight was a big night. Thunder had been my marefriend for two years, and it was clear she was ready to take the relationship to the next level. I’d been at that point for two years. I walked inside, and called for her. “Hello? Thunder, you home?” She walked down the staircase, the same radiant mare as ever. “Yes, sweetie. I’m home.” “Come with me….” I smiled and walked into the kitchen. The ring in my saddlebags felt heavy, as if it was gaining weight with every step. “Sweetie, what’s going on?” She raised an eyebrow, but followed. I set the saddlebags on the table. “Thunder, how long have we been together, now?” “One year, eleven months, twenty seven days.” She said, without hesitation. “And I know you want me to take our relationship to the next level.” I put the ring under my wing, still in its box. Thunder raised an eyebrow. “It’s that clear?” “Yes.” I softly smiled, and walked up to her. Her eyes widened. “Are...are you okay with it?” I nodded and knelt down. “I’ve been okay with it for two years.” Her eyes widened even more and she started blushing severely. “A..are you…?” I slowly nodded, and reached behind me for the ring. “Thunder Flicker….will you marry me?” She gasped as I took out the ring and held it out to her. “Yes! Yes, of course I will!” She hugged me tightly. I smiled and stroked her mane, which she loved. Later that night, we’d gotten together with some friends, to celebrate. We were all having a good time, and everypony was laughing. We were all absolutely hammered. Big Mac was trying to show off...which was unusual of him. He pointed at me. “You think yer such a Hotshot? Live up to it!” He set up his hoof for a hoofwrestle. I put up a hoof against his. “Worker pony...such a big title for such a little stallion.” I cracked my neck and we tried to get each other out. After a long two minutes, Mac started to look tired. I was still going. “Buck it, you win!” He let go. I smiled and flexed, even though it was mostly the alcohol acting. I then looked over at Shining and saw a familiar sight…. Gleaming Shield. These two years….and Vinyl was right. Shining was Gleaming. And it took me being drunk to see it. I smiled and walked over, stumbling a little bit. Shining turned to me, a look of suppressed shock on his face. I put a hoof on his shoulder, and whispered, “You owe me one hell of an explanation….Gleaming Shield.”
Chapter 1: Nick's JourneyI slipped on my parachute. We weren't even off the ground yet. Call me a coward. I just don't like planes. The lurching feel as you take off...the popping of your ears...it's too much for me. Speaking of which, I'm doing so right now.... My buddies Jake and Dan had convinced me to come skydiving with them. Why I agreed, God knows why. Jake, Dan and I were riding up to our jump spot. This was my first time skydiving, and Jake and Dan knew it. "Come on, you're being a wuss!" Jake had joked. "No, I just want to stay alive!" I countered. And from there, and entire argument escalated. Long story short, I gave in. And, well, here we are. "ALL RIGHT, WE'RE COMING UP ON THE DROP, GET READY TO GO!" Our pilot shouted. With one last feeling of solid ground, I made sure my parachute was tight. Dan opened the door. "123GO!" He yelled, and pushed me out the door. Gripped by terror and the sensation of free fall, I froze. I just froze. The ground was hurtling towards me at a million miles per hour. Jesus Christ, this is terrifying. I'm not a religeous man, but if there is a God, please get me down! I'm gonna die up here! Realizing I'm deciding my own fate, I snap to my senses, and control my fall. Feeling a bit like a daredevil, I decide to pencil dive through the air. I was overwhelmed by the speed. I yelled in pure joy and elation, but not hearing any sound come out, I saw a black outline. And I was hurtling straight towards it. Trying to glide away, I stopped as something took me by surprise. It wasn't a bird. It was something else...and I couldn't figure it out. SMACK!!!! Next thing I know, my head is ringing, my face is in immense pain, and I feel cool grass on my face. Grass? But I was in the sky... "He fell over here!" I hear someone shout in a southern drawl. This isn't making any sense. I'm not from the south! "Hotshot? Hotshot! Are you okay?!" That time it wasn't a southerner. Hotshot? That's what my friends call me, sarcastically. But I've never heard this person before. This grass feels so nice...I could just lay here forever. "Come on, we've got to get him to the hospital!" The non-southerner said. Okaaaay. Am I hurt that bad? I don't hurt anywhere. "Get him up. His left wing's hurt bad." Southerner. Wings? But I'm a hu- Before I could finish that thought, something on my back EXPLODED into pain. Unlike anything I'd felt before. "Go, Dash! Get him to the hospital! Hurry!" The southerner called. I blacked out before I could figure it out. I slowly drift back into consciousness, but still can't open my eyes. I can hear the beeping on a heart monitor. The steady Beep! Beep! Beep! is a comforting noise. I must be semi-unconscious. This should give me a little time to think. Okay. I was skydiving with some friends, and I saw this black shape. A strange black shape. I tried to avoid it. It hit me, and next thing I know, I'm laying in the grass, even though I was still a few thousand feet above the ground. Okay, here's the logical explanation. That shape hit me in the head, and I got knocked unconscious. I must have reawakened on the ground. Still. That leaves a couple things unexplained. What was that shape? Why did those people call me Hotshot? Why was there a southerner in Wisconsin? Who is Dash? As in Rainbow Dash? From the My Little Pony cartoon? Why? Why? Why? There was a lot of questions going around in my mind. None of which got an answer. Creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeak. I know that sound. The sound of a wooden door. "Hmm...he still seems to be out." Holy shit. I know that voice. "Come on, man. You've taken a worse beating after a night of drinking with me, you dolt colt." Holy shit. I was not. No way. "Look at me. Talking to somepony who can't even talk back." Oh my Christ. Vinyl Scratch is in my room. I'm in Equestria. How is this possible? "I really hope you get better soon, Hotshot. The club misses you. Your turntables miss you....I miss you." Vinyl's unmistakable voice whispered. Okay, this Hotshot character must be a DJ. Up and at em, mate. Your favorite pony is in the room. After about a minute of trying to wake, I felt my eyes open. Everything had a cartoon-y outline. I WAS in Equestria. Just in the corner of my vision, I saw a dark blue and neon blue outline. Holy SHIT. IT IS VINYL. "Huh? You awake?" Vinyl's tail flicked out of my vision. "Y...yeah. I'm up." I sat up, and feeling a headache come on, put a hand to my hea... What the hell. It was flat and hard. That's what she said. Must be a hoof. "Dude, you took a massive fall." Vinyl had a smirk on her face. "How far?" I felt something on my back, like as if I had a really thick and moving plate on my back. I'd assume they're wings. "I'd say...maybe 400 feet." She shrugged. Okay. Only four hundred. Much better than the 4,000 that probably I was falling from before. "Okay. I have a little bit of amnesia, so you're going to have to tell me about my life." I played it off. "Suuuuuure you do. You just like hearing the story of your life." She stood, and put her glasses on. Such a familiar purple shade. "Seriously, Vinyl. I don't remember." Maybe I'm not playing it off as smoothly as I thought. "Alright...well, you're a DJ with me at our club...." She started. I sat, and listened, very eager on how I was supposed to fit in Equestria.
Chapter 2: Playing the PartAfter a brief talk with Vinyl, I'd gathered the following information. Hotshot was 35 years old. He was a DJ. He was smart, but acted dumb, probably how he got into the accident that brought me here. And from the feeling I got, he was naturally protective of the ones he cares about. I keep saying "was" because I'm not Hotshot. I'm just in his place. Sooner or later, somebody...wait, no. SomePONY was going to find out. The day that comes is probably not a good day for me. "Alright, come on. Help me get out of bed." I tried to move over from the bed, but found it difficult. "Easy there, tiger." Vinyl rushed to my side, and helped me walk. "Okay. There's a mirror over there. Can you get me over to it? I want to see how bad my wing is." I slowly walked towards it, Vinyl supporting me every step. I got over to it about ten seconds later. What I saw confirmed my suspicions. I was indeed a pony. It was a pony with dark gray fur, two wings, one of which was heavily bandaged, with a little blood in the bandages. He had piercing green eyes that, I swore, could burn a hole through you just by staring at you. A brown mane ran along his head, and his tail. I guess I could have turned out worse. All of a sudden, my vision darkened. I was passing out again. I tried getting a word out to Vinyl, but my mouth was numb and couldn't move. The world faded as I felt myself fall into her side. I awoke again a few hours later, as the clock told. There were a few doctors nearby, and I called out for one of them. A mare came up, with white fur, and a light pink mane. I'd assume she was the nurse. "Yes, Hotshot? What can I do for you?" She spoke with a gentle tone. Just hearing it made me more relaxed. "When am I scheduled to get out of this bed?" I returned a smile she flashed, and I felt genuinely calm and collected. "Well, if all goes well tonight, you should be getting out tomorrow, but you'll have to stay off your wing." She went up to me, and checked a few things on the equipment monitoring me. "Why? What's happening tonight?" I suddenly got a bit more curious, and admittedly, apprehensive. "Nothing's happening tonight, it's just that most of our Pegasi patients like to go on...nighttime adventures." She kept smiling, and that relieved my apprehension. "Well, you're not going to have to worry. I'm staying right here." I grinned, and closed my eyelids. Sleep had started calling my name, and it'd feel good not blacking out to sleep. "I hope you will." I heard her whisper. Then, I felt myself slowly drift off. The next morning, I woke very blissfully. I was still pissed that I woke up, but oh well. I sat up, stretched with a yawn, and looked out the window. Wow, the sunrise in Equestria was something else. I guess it's from Celestia's abilities. "Sleep enough, sandstallion?" Vinyl's voice called from outside my field of vision. "Yeah, why are you here so early?" I yawned, and turned to her. "Dude, it's not early. It's sunset." She stood, and used her magic to pull off my hospital bed covers. "Oh. Well, I guess it's time to get out then." I stepped out of bed, and naturally fell down onto all fours. "Yeah, come on. Let's get something to eat." She walked with me out to the front desk, and out the door. We walked for a while, and eventually came to a little cafe. "You've got to keep your strength up for tonight." She ordered for us, which was a bit of a relief, as I had no idea what anything on the menu was. "I don't remember what's happening tonight." I looked out at the evening crowd outside, which was very few ponies. "We've got our concert, remember?" That one line got my attention. "Oh, right! Our concert! Right." I managed a smile, although I was really nervous inside. "Hope your wing won't keep you from DJing." Thankfully, our food was ready then. I really didn't pay much attention to what Vinyl was eating, only to what my own food was. A daffodil sandwich. I guess that's what ponies eat, then.... I took a few bites, which was admittedly good, and by that time, Vinyl was finished. "You want the rest of that?" She asked, her mouth half full. "Nah, go ahead. Take it." I slid the plate over to her. She ate in in about two seconds. "You're a great friend, dude." Well, there goes my theory of us being together. "Come on, we've got a concert to play." We walked to a place that looked like a picturesque club. She took me in through the back door, and she taught me how to DJ in a nutshell. It's easy, really. All you have to do is make sure one song cleanly transitions into another. "Hold on, Hotspot." She laughed, and slid some glasses onto my face. They turned everything a shade of red. "Can't go on without your glasses." She reminded me. I smiled back at her, and we stepped into the booth together. "Aww, yeah! How's everypony doing tonight?" Vinyl called out, her glasses on as well. She was answered by a chorus of cheers. "I'm DJ PON-3, and with me as always is DJ H8TY7!" Another chorus. H8TY7. Alright..that's okay. With that, we began. After about two hours of DJing, I looked out to the crowd who were there for Vinyl and I. I noticed a few ponies. Lyra Heartstrings, Bon Bon, and the like. But then, something stood out to me. A neon blue tail. I followed it to a mare's body. White fur. A unicorn. Simply put...the most beautiful mare I'd seen in my time at Equestria. My eyes widened, and I felt my wings flush open, which was accompanied with a laugh from Vinyl. "Dude, put those away!" She kept laughing. I didn't hear that part, though, because I was already gone, running down to find her. Suddenly there was a knot in my stomach. I felt her staring at me, and I stared back. After about a minute, I ran to the bathroom, and vomited into the toilet. Holy hell. I just fell in love with a mare.
Chapter 3: Meeting OctaviaAfter sitting in the batroom for a few minute, I decided I should probably get out, or ponies would start to get suspicious. I walked over to the sink, and stared into my reflection. So, this is the new me. I splashed a bit of water into my face, shrugged off the though, and went back outside. Ponies gave me a passing glance as I walked (trotted?) back to my place as a DJ. Vinyl, however, was a different story. She was PISSED. "Seriously, Hotshot! What buck is wrong with you?! You just up and left in the middle of a song!" Jesus, the fandom never wrote her like this. "Um...n..nothing. Just some stuff from the hospital, I guess." I went back up to my spot, and the next two hours went off without a hitch. The thought of that mare never left my mind. After everypony left, Vinyl and I had started packing up our gear. In that time, I realized that Hotshot couldn't do math. If his DJ name was H8TY7, implying 1987, that would make him 27 years old. Not 35. Anyway, Vinyl had become her normal, lax self. As I carried a large speaker (a tradeoff traveling DJs must make), she stopped me. "So. Who was that mare?" She rested an arm on the speaker. "What mare?" I realized she knew, and tried to play dumb. "Hotshot, I've known you since the cradle. When you're in love...I can tell. Plus, your wing boner hit me in the face." Her magenta eyes saw right through me. "Okay..I don't know who she is. All I know is, call me a Romeo, I've fallen for her. Hard." I breathed a sigh of relief and defeat. "She looks a lot like me." She semi-accused me. "Really? Uh...I wasn't paying much attention." Completely honest. I hadn't even noticed. "Right, because you were too busy thinking about that flank, weren't you?" She bit her lip, presumably to stop her from laughing. "No! Shut up, Vinyl!" I felt my face practically get MS Paint'ed red, and my wings tried to come up, but I kept them down. "You were! You totally were!" She fell to the ground laughing. "Whatever." I picked up the speaker, and carried it over to Vinyl's house. A few trips later, we'd gotten all our stuff back. "Thanks, Hotshot. You're a pretty good hauler, ain't ya?" She set down the last of get stuff. "Not to toot my own horn, but, beep-beep-ba-beep." I joked. Then I realized. I didn't know where Hotshot lived. "Ya know what, just stay here tonight. We're both tired, and it's not like anypony's gonna think anything of it, right? I mean, you're pretty much already my little brother." She yawned and opened the door. "Thanks, Vinyl." I smiled to her, and stepped inside. A piece of wood was crackling on the fire. That's weird...if Vinyl left like four or five hours ago, why was there a NEW log on the fire? "Oh, hello, Hotshot." A familiar classy voice called. Huh. So I guess Vinyl and Octavia living together wasn't just a bad fanfic. "Hi, Octavia." I greeted her. I wasn't too sure how Octavia felt about me. "How was the concert?" I had to admit, she looked...different in the firelight. "Flankface McGee over here found a mare to chase." Vinyl walked in, and sat in the living room. "Vinyl...how many times do I have to tell you not to phrase it like that?" I complained. "It's true, though." Vinyl countered. "I'm going to have to agree with Vinyl on this one. You're not the most...gentlecoltly." Funny. Tavi gets on my nerves even in Equestria. "Shut up..." I was tired of arguing at this point. "Do you know who she was?" I started to wonder why Tavi was so interested in this mare. "Not a clue..but all I know is she looks a lot like Vinyl." I started to try to piece it together. "Well, Shining Armor looks like me." Vinyl commented. "Yeah, but last I checked, Shining Armor is a stallion." It was NOT Shining Armor. No way. There was not a snowball's chance in hell that I fell in love with Shining Armor. Besides, he's married to Princess Cadence. Not that I'm into stallions. Right? "Well..since you're done with the concert..I'll get some wine." Vinyl left the room, leaving Octavia and I alone. "You know..Hotshot. If you'd let me, I could turn you I to a refined, classy stallion." She offered. "Octavia, I know you mean well, but no. I like the way I am" Damn, what was taking Vinyl so long?! "Are you sure?" She seemed a bit surprised. "Yes, Tavi." At this point, I was so tired I couldn't think straight. "Alright. Whatever you say." She shrugged and Vinyl came in with the wine. "Wow, man. You look beat. Come on, let's go." She set down the glasses, and took me upstairs. "I really appreciate it, Vinyl." She directed me to a room, presumably the guest room. "You'd do the same for me." She pulled back the covers, and stepped out of the way as I got in. "Want to bet?" I joked. "Never too tired for a joke, huh? Well, good night." She closed the door, leaving me alone. "Night...." I pulled the covers over and slowly closed my eyes, sleep's seduction overtaking me.
Chapter 4: Gleaming ShieldI awoke blissfully from a good dream. I asked the mare from last night out on a date, and she said yes. The only part that irked me was that I woke just as she was about to tell me her name. Tough luck, I guess. I'll probably never see her again. Thinking that made my heart hurt, cheesy as it sounded. I saw it two ways. I could stay here in bed and waste away, or I could try and find her. Choosing the ladder after about a minute of consideration, I stood, stretched, opened the window, and tried flying. Even with my injured wing, I could fly. The view was nothing short of spectacular. It's like seeing the world through a bird's-eye-view camera. Except you could feel the wind, everything! It was the greatest thing I'd ever felt. My wing, however, started to hurt. Then I remembered what Pegasi can do. I flew up to a cloud, and laid down on it. It was like laying on a blanket that's just gotten out of the dryer, but twice as soft. Dear Celestia, it was WONDERFUL! I looked over the cloud and saw a pink mare. Wait...that's Princess Cadence. I flew down to her, and bowed. "Hello, Princess Cadence." I greeted. "Hello, Hotshot." She smiled. Two things: It was weird that she knew Hotshot, and where was Shining Armor? I decided to address the Shining issue first. "Excuse me, but may I ask where Shining Armor is?" Don't cross the line...Don't cross the line... "Oh, Shining's been...out. Last I heard he was out clubbing last night." Definitely odd. Never took Shining for the clubbing type. "Did he say what club he went to?" I hoped he was, Shining was a cool guy. "Uh..." She looked to the side. "...sorry, Hotshot. I have to go." She ran off to the side. Who was she going t- Oh my god. It was her. The mare from last night. Cadence was talking to her. I had the chance to talk to her. Don't screw up. I walked up, paused, took a deep breath, looked confident, and kept walking. "Hey! You! White mare!" She looked at me, her eyes widened, and she ran, Cadence tailing her. I followed. She ran to the library...the house of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Odd. She knew Cadence and Twilight. I walked up calmly, and knocked on the door. Twilight answered. "Oh, hello, Hotshot. The usual?" With a smile, I replied, "Actually, no, Twilight. I just saw a white mare run in here?" Twilight stifled a laugh. "Oh, you mean my cousin, Gleaming Shield." Gleaming Shield. "Um...Is she here?" She stepped aside. "Gleeeaming! Come on in, Hotshot." I heard her stepping down the stairs. Keep your cool, Nick. "You!" She noticed me, and tried to run back upstairs, but Cadence blocked her. "Gleaming, right? Look, I just want to talk." I wanted to talk alright... "No! I don't want to talk!" She tried to run, which got a death glare from Cadence. "Okay, what do we talk about?" "I saw you at the club last night. I was the DJ." I took a step towards her. "Oh, okay. H8TY7. What do you want?" She seemed really defensive. "I..just wanted to...see if you wanted to go out on a date." Here we go, man. Moment of truth. "Um...!" She tried to get out, but Twilight AND Cadence stopped her. "Come on, GLEAMING, it'd be a learning experience for you." Twilight nudges her. "Mmnnmm...all right." She sighed, sounding defeated. "I'll go with you. What are you planning?" "Maybe dinner? If you're okay with that..of course." I smiled. "All right, fine. Pick me up here at 7 tomorrow." She looked unhappy. "I'll pick you up then." I smiled at the three mares, and stepped outside. BUCK YEAH! I DID IT! I flew into the sky, and cheered as loud as I could. I did it.
Chapter 5: Prep WorkI flew up to a cloud, and stuck my head through it. My neck felt strange, lodged in a cloud. Oh well. I climbed up through it, and looked up to the sun. Celestia sure did a good job, maintaining everything. it put me at peace, and I laid on my back. I could get used to this. Looking up in the sky, I had a lot of time to think about a lot of things. First off, Gleaming. Who exactly was she? I'd never heard of Twilight and Shining having a cousin. She looked a lot like Shining. And's it's odd that Cadence and Twilight were pushing her to go on a date with me. I guess I'd have to cross that bridge when I got to it. Next, home. The human world, I mean. What was Hotshot bucking up? If I ever made it back, what'd have happened? Would I be in jail? Injured? Was I...dead? Okay, now's not the time to think like that. Third. How was I going to take Gleaming out on a date if I didn't have money, let alone know where I live? Too many questions that I didn't have the answers to. Maybe if I talked to somepony, and asked if they wanted to hang out...Vinyl! That's a..no, wait. I've got to get a suit or something for the date tonight. I'll ask Rarity to come over in like an hour to get the sizes and whatever. I love my mind sometimes. I flew down to the ground, and paused for a moment to actually start to appreciate my surroundings. There was a small filly and some friends of her playing in the square. The sweet aroma of..well...sweets drifted from Sugarcube Corner. I could hear a stallion and a mare in the house I was by talking about having foals. The cobblestone streets felt firm, but somehow soft under my hooves. I could get used to Equestria. I really did like it here. Oh well, enough sightseeing. I walked my way down to Carousel Boutique. It practically screamed fashion in my face. I didn't like it. Before I even got to the door, Rarity opened it. "Oh. It's you, Hotshot. Forgive me, but I have things to do, unlike....whatever it is that you do." Damn, that's colder than Hoth. "Okay, but I actually am here on business." I took a step forward. "You can't really call that stunting of yours-" She began. "No, not stunting. I have a date tonight. I need a suit or something." I quickly cut her off. "Really? A date? Miracles can happen, it seems." She rolled her eyes, and stepped aside for me to come in. "Hilarious. I thought you were the element of Generosity, not Laughter." I joked, and stepped inside. So much for having her over. She seemed to dislike me anyway. "Now, you said you needed a suit?" She closed the door behind me. Carousel wasn't that great of a place, but it certainly wasn't shabby. "Yeah, a suit. I don't know my size or anything." I stood, not sure of what to do. "Not a problem. I'll just measure you." I heard her horn activate it's magic, and I saw a tape measure..thing float over to her. "Okay, hold still." She took a few measurements, including my wing length and width. "Okay." She said, in the midst of her measuring. "Who's the victi-I mean, lucky mare?" I resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably. "Did Twilight ever tell you about her cousin?" Rarity raised an eyebrow. "What cousin?" "I'm not the only one who hasn't..her name's Gleaming Shield..but she looks a lot like her brother." What if..nah. That's not possible. "And her name sounds a lot like Shining Armor.." Rarity stopped for a minute. "Maybe it's actually another sister." Yeah...that's it. Just a long lost sister. "I hope so." There was a long silence. "Why do you always give me such a hard time, Rarity?" She sighed, and set the measure down. "Well, I suppose it's because we just aren't alike. Two ends of the poles." "I suppose that's fair. But..ya know, we could try to make it work. I mean, look at Vinyl Scratch and Octavia. Their music and personalities are opposites, but they make it work." I turned to her. "Why can't we at least try?" "I suppose we can try." She took her final measurements. "Okay, I've got it all. I'll deliver it by your house in...say, two hours?" "Yeah, that'll work." I smiled and nodded to her. "Excellent. I'll see you then." She smiled and nodded back. I exited and thought of what else I had to do. Suit, check. Etiquette. Octavia. I flew over by Vinyl's house, and knocked on the door. Octavia answered. "Oh, hello, Hotshot. Vinyl's not home." I shrugged. "I know. I came to see you. I need to learn how to dine elegantly in less than two hours." She sighed. "Why change? You said you were happy." I looked behind me, because I felt my stomach knot again. There was Gleaming, doing Celestia-knows-what. "I've got a date. Just...don't ask. I need to know how to dine to impress." Octavia stepped aside. "Two hours isn't much time, but I can try." I stepped inside, and was fretted by classical music playing somewhere in the house. "Well, just teach me what you can." "Okay, take a seat at the table." I started to walk. "No, stop." "What did I do wrong?" My mind wandered to Gleaming..I had gotten distracted. "You need to walk like a gentlecolt." She corrected my stance. "So..like the classy guys in movies?" I didn't walk until I got a picture. "No idea what a movie is, but sure. If it works for you." She nudged me, to go. I took a minute to think about how they walked, and walked as such afterwards. "There you go. Now, if they act a certain way, act like that." She encouraged. "Okay." I slid out the seat opposite me, Octavia sitting there in lieu of Gleaming, and I pushed the seat back in. "You're doing wonderful. You might not even need me." She grinned, and I sat opposite her. Was she...blushing a little? "Okay, now. How do I eat?" I rolled my eyes. "Don't say, 'With your mouth.'" "Just try to eat in small portions, and be courteous to the mare." She kept smiling. Seriously...why was she blushing? I wasn't hitting on her. "Thanks, Octavia. You've been a big help." I stood, and started to walk out. "Put your imagination to rest, Octavia. This doesn't mean anything." I gave her a quick thank-you kiss on the cheek, and left. Okay. Suit, check. Classiness, check. Still had an hour to spare. I went on a walk through Ponyville, and found Vinyl knocking on the door of a house. I walked up to her. "Heya, PON3." She turned to me, and laughed. "Well, this explains why you're not answering the door." Vinyl found my house. "Yeah, I've been out." I opened the door, which was unlocked. "What were ya doing?" She stepped inside, and handed me a note. "This was on your door." Go upstairs. "Just..prepping for a a date tonight." I looked upstairs, and went up really quick. Hanging on a door was my suit. I slipped it on, and it fit like a glove. Rarity even cut slots for my wings. How nice. When I went back downstairs, Vinyl's jaw was on the floor. "You have a date?!" "Yeah, with that mare from last night." I adjusted the tie. "Why didn't you tell me, numbnuts?!" I couldn't tell if she was happy, angry or upset. "Because I've had to get ready." I looked at a clock. "The date's in 20 minutes." She opened the door, smacked my flank, and pushes me out the door. "Good luck, Shot." "Not gonna need it." I spit in my hoof, ran in through my mane, and walked to the library.
Chapter 6: Sucker PunchI took one step to the door, took a deep breath, and started my strut. Vinyl stopped me at the door. "Look, Hotshot, I'm happy that you have a date, but if it's with Gleaming Shield.." I immediately turned cold on her. "Vinyl, step off. now. I'm warning you." Vinyl slapped me. "Damn it, Hotshot! Just listen! Gleaming isn't who you think she is!" I stared at her, murder coming from my eyes. "Step. Off. Right now." My head started to feel heavy, and the world got dark. Shit, I'm going to pass out. Not here! Not now! Please, any time but now! She looked at me with sad eyes. "Dude...are you okay? You're looking like you've seen a ghost..." "No...I'm gonna..." I fell onto her, and slowly drifted out of consciousness. I felt something on top of me when I woke up. It felt thin, like a sheet. I didn't know what to think of it. And there was heat. It was really warm. I didn't think fur could trap this much heat. I moves my arm, and felt the sheet thing slide up and down. I sat up very quickly, and realized I was back in the human world. I felt everything to make sure it was real. It was. That didn't explain why it was so hot. I turned to the source of the heat...and there was a woman there. Had Equestria just been a dream? Had I gotten really drunk last night, scored, and just dreamt Equestria? I don't know what to feel. This woman...who is she though? I moved her hair out of the way, which was blue. I wonder if Hotshot had something to do with this... Her face gave no details. She was softly snoring. I guess she was okay for the potential future moth- She opened her eyes, which were a lush magenta. I had about a second to appreciate them, before she punched me in the nose. "Ow! Jesus Christ, why would you do that?!" I held my nose, and looked at her. She slightly resembled Vinyl. "Who are you? What are you? What am I?" Her voice was exactly like Vinyl's. "Vinyl? Is that you?" My nose was definitely bleeding. "Hotshot? What are you? Why are we in bed together?" She sat up, and thankfully the sheet stayed over her. "Okay, don't call me Hotshot. My name is Nick, and this is my world. The human world." I grabbed a box of tissue I kept by my bed (Don't assume that. I have allergies.) and compressed my nose. "Humans? As in the tall, two legged things with hands?" What a sleuth... "Yes." My voice was a bit more nasal than usual. She nervously looked down at her hands. Then....the sheet fell off. I didn't really look before...but we were both naked. That's a little awkward. "Vinyl...you're naked. Just..I'll find some pants, and get you some clothes my ex-girlfriend probably left." I stepped into my closet, got myself some underwear and pants. It was okay for me to walk around without a shirt. I mean, I wasn't RIPPED, but I certainly wasn't fat. "Ho...Nick! Can you hurry?" She called. Obviously being like she was was making her uncomfortable. "Yeah, just wait!" I looked around for anything. I noticed, in the corner, probably the only set of clothes Sarah had left. A blue tank top, jeans, and underwear. For once, I'm actually glad we broke up. "Seriously, dude! Hurry!" I threw her the clothes. "Uh...what's this?" She held up the bra. "You'll figure it out." I walked out the room, and I thought I saw a hint of a blush on her cheeks. After about five minutes, Vinyl came out, fully dressed. "Nick? Mind explaining something?" I turned to her. "Yeah, what is it?" "Why do you have a poster of me in your room?" That's why she was blushing... "Oh...well. In my world...Equestria is part of a cartoon. You're part of that cartoon, and...yeah." Please don't freak out.. "That's hard to believe." She flopped down on my couch. "You're taking this human world thing remarkably well." God..she was hot. Wait. What did I just think? "I figure this is just a dream. It won't last long." She picked at her nails. "Yeah..alright." She had a point. I might be dreaming this. "It's just my BASS CANNON!" My phone rang from on the table. "Seriously?" Vinyl looked over to me. "Um...uh...shut up." I felt the blood rush to my face. I answered the phone. "Nick! How you doing?" It was my brother, Dylan. "Oh, hi, Dylan. I'm fine." I sighed. "Fine? Dude, you scored a perfect 10 last night, and you're just FINE?!" I heard his familiar cackle. "Shut up." I hung up. Vinyl walked up behind me. "Uh..." I turned to her. "Yeah, Vinyl? What is it?" She looked away. "Dude, I can't help it. I'm attracted to you in this body." I bit my lip. Dylan was right. Looks like anything can happen. "Vinyl, I don't know if we should..but if you really want me to.." "Just shut up." Censored actions..... After a minute of just silence, Vinyl finally talks. "This is real, isn't it?" I just nod. "Never speak of this." "Lips are sealed." I say with a grin. "You enjoyed it, didn't you, you lovable fuck?" She smiled. "That's kind of the point." I joked. "Come on." That comment made me laugh really hard. "Grow up." That kept me laughing. "Dude, come on! You're making this too hard!" At this point, I was dying. After laughing for about five minutes, we'd composed ourselves, and we went back out. "So...what's my role in this world?" "No clue." I poured myself a drink. It was early to be getting drunk, but fuck it. "Mind pouring me some of that?" Vinyl sat across from me. "You like wine?" I poured her a glass. "I have a feeling it doesn't matter." She took a drink. I walked over to her, and sat next to her. "You and me...the old Hotshot. Were we ever a thing?" I took another sip. "No, we weren't. He was practically a little brother to me." She sighed. "You work just as well. I could never tell." "Thanks for that." I grinned. "Not a problem. Any idea how we're gettin back?" Vinyl finished her glass "Nope." I sighed. "My world is a cool place, though." "Really?" She slid the glass to the side and turned to me. "Yeah, check this out." I went back to my bedroom and booted up my Xbox 360. "Oh. Cool." She just watched. "Here, take a controller." I tossed one over to her. "Okay..." She gripped it. "No idea how to use this." "You'll find out." I grinned, and activated Mortal Kombat. Later.... "Sindel wins. Flawless victory. Fatality!" I heard for the third time. Vinyl was one of the best Kombatants I'd ever met. And that wa saying something, because I'd been crowned "King Of Kombat" in high school. I also became the president of my high school's Video Game Club. "Nick....come on. It's not that bad." Vinyl giggled. "No. This is not okay." I said, close to giving up. "One more?" She giggled. "Fine. One more." I sighed. About two minutes later, I heard what I had been waiting for. "Scorpion wins. Babality!" It was so gratifying. I suppose I owe that win to a guy called Tyler. He was part of the Video Game Club in my freshman year. He was the King before me. I took him on in March, and took the MK9 title from him. Sophmore year, I'd take his MK: Armageddon title from him as well. I wrecked anyone who stood in my path. Vinyl was something else. "Fina-fucking-ly." I sighed. "Nick, it's like 10 PM." Vinyl kneel-walked over. "Yeah? Oh...I guess it's time for bed." I shrugged. The world started to blacken. "Nick, you okay?" She looked concerned. "Take my hand, Vinyl. We're going back to Equestria." I smiled when I felt her hand and passed out. I then woke up and looked over to the calendar. Two days had passed. Fuck. I missed my date with Gleaming. My life is over.
Chapter 7: Thrown For A LoopMy life is bucking over. I'm bucking done. I missed a date with the most beautiful mare I've ever met. No way would she give me another shot at it. I laid around the house for...days? Weeks? Months? Years? It was all a blur. All I knew was that Vinyl had left. Gleaming Shield, the most perfect mare I'd ever met, who I blew a date with, would never talk to me again. There was no point in even getting up any more. I'd just go through the rest of my god-forsaken life in Equestria alone. I guess this is it. Total soli- Knock! Knock! Wonder who that could be. I haven't told anypony to come over... "It's open!" I yell. The door opens, and I see a lot of ponies standing there. Rarity, Vinyl, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and...I think Derpy in the back. "Hey. I don't know if you noticed, but I've not left the house in a while." I sighed, and repositioned myself on the couch. "It's been twenty minutes, Sunspot. Geddit? 'cause he's not that bright...?" Vinyl attempted to make a joke. I have to giver her credit for trying. Can't say it didn't make me feel a LITTLE better. "Nice try, Vinyl. Come on in, you lot." I sighed, which I seemed to be doing a lot of. The five walked in, all taking a seat on some furniture I had. There was a long silence. Rarity was the first to break it. "Hotshot, darling, we know that your date with Gleaming was important to you." "No, really? I couldn't tell." I don't think I should have been getting mad at her, I mean, she was just trying to help. "Regardless, you've helped us five in some way, and I wanted to remind you what you're living for." She smiled at me. "Really?" I sat up. "Well, you had my interest before, but now you have my attention." They were silent for a moment. I had to take into consideration that Hotshot may have done something in these two days that I didn't know about. Applejack was the first to speak, "Well, since nopony's gettin' their head outta their hindquarters, I guess I'll go first." She cleared her throat. I couldn't believe it. I did something nice for her...and she was repaying me. "Hotshot, last applebuck season...and the one before that..and before that...ya did something nopony could have ever asked another to do. On yer own, while the rest of us were sleepin', ya went out, and bucked as many apple trees as you could. When I asked you, you said you didn't do it, but I know ya did. I could never ask for a better friend." I looked to the ground. I spent all this time thinking Hotshot was a self-centered pony. That he was, by all definitions, a douchebag. It turns out I was wrong. He was a kindred spirit. Derpy's hoof shot up, and in the process, uppercut Rainbow in the jaw. "Why you little...!" Dash started a lunge at her, but stopped. "You're lucky that I'm trying to be non-violent." Derpy looked a little shaken, but started her story. "Well...I'm sure you know that I'm not the most graceful mare..and ponies treat me different for it. You, on the other hoof..." My eyes widened. Hotshot was even nice to ponies like Derpy, who had serious mental issues. Not that I'd ever judge someone on a disability; I had a friend in high school called Irene who I think had Down's, and I was one of the very few people who treated her with respect. "...you've never said anything to hurt me, or done anything. You treat me like a normal pony, like my strabismus doesn't exist. And I have to thank you for that." She smiled a goofy smile at me, which lightened me up. Rarity cleared her throat. "Well, I suppose I should go next. To be quite honest, darling, I never really have liked you. But when you came to my boutique the other day, and treated me with respect, and asked for us to begin again...I saw a side of you I'd like to know. Your mature side, the one who's not afraid to admit he's wronged a lady, and wishes to make up for it. Plus...I think that your date with Gleaming was just a stepping stone in your life. Even if you missed her, I know you'll find another mare." She finished, her words actually starting to tug at my heart strings. Even RARITY, the pony I couldn't stand a few days ago, was admitting that we were friends, and she enjoyed my company. Dash sighed. "You guys talking all mushy. Seriously, Hotshot, it's ONE mare. Grow a pair and find another." I scowled at this. I thought those five were here to help me, not to make me feel like a horse's ass. Applejack nudged her. "I don't think that's what we're here to talk about, sugarcube." Dash rolled her eyes and sighed again. "Fiiiine. Hotshot, we've known each other since flight camp. I know you and you know me. Gleaming Shield, she wasn't good for you. You'd last maybe a week. When I was trying to make a Sonic Rainboom for the first time, who was my main competitor?" I took a stab at it. "Me?" Dash raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking me? But yes. It was you. You were always the one who drove me to be more than I thought I could be, whenever I doubted myself, you were always there." I couldn't believe my ears. Rainbow Dash was telling me, of all people, ME that I was the one who always motivated her. How could I respond to this? Dash was always a favorite, and I couldn't express ,my joy over hearing her. Which left Vinyl. Everypony knew that she had some deep things to say about me, and I was anxious to hear they were. Vinyl looked me in the eyes. "Hotshot.You and I have been together since high school. Ever since then, we've been an inseparable pair. You've taught me so much, and I have taught you a lot too. You're like a brother to me. We've gone on plenty of adventures together, and then some, and I've enjoyed every minute of it. If you let Gleaming overtake your mind, you're going to end up killing yourself. And I can't stand that. Which is why I set you up with another mare." She handed me a picture, and I looked at it, amazed at how the mare looked. "Wow...Vinyl...I just...I don't know what to say." I kept staring at the picture, captivated. "So, how about it, buddy? Want to go out for a drink?" Vinyl smiled. "Her name's Thunder Flicker, by the way." "Thunder Flicker..." I repeated, associating the name with the face. "Hello? Equestria to Hotshot?" Dash waved a hoof in front of my face. "You gonna come out for some cider or gonna sit there and make goo-goo faces at that mare?" "The ladder doesn't sound too bad." I joked. "All right, I'm kidding. Let's go, I could use some cider." We all stood, and I set the picture of the picture of the mare down. Then they all walked out the door, and I took one last look at the picture before closing the door. Thunder Flicker.
Chapter 8: How Fast?I owe a lot to these mares. They pretty much just saved my life. And Vinyl setting me up on this date with Thunder Flicker, I had the best friends a stallion could ask for. I figure I'm never going to go back to the human world, but I was there one last time, so I guess I have some closure. But now's not the time for sadness. I need to get myself out of the dumps and celebrate. After a brief walk with the five, we came to a bar...thing. I don't even know, everything looks different in Equestria. We all walked in, and I trotted up to the bar. The stallion behind the counter gave me the impression that barkeeping was even his talent, not just a job. I'm gonna see if he's really that good. "One Robert Palmer." I orderer, taking my seat. "Robert Palmer. Got it." He went and started mixing some Red Bull and iced tea. It was my favorite drink for a while before I could legally drink. He finished mixing and set on the countertop. "You're not looking 100%. Something up?" I shook my head. "Nah, no worries. I missed a date with a beautiful mare, but I've got another one." I took a drink, and damn, did that thing have some kick to it. "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention." Barkeep laughed. "I put a bit of vodka in there." That would explain it. After quickly disposing of the rest of it, I nodded at him. "Best drink I've ever had." The door to the bar flew open. "Hey, numbnuts!" A stallion yelled. I turned to look, not so much for the numbnuts part, but for who this stallion was. What I saw was a powerful looking black stallion, with a black/red mane. Barkeep sighed. "What do you want, Dead Ink?" Dead Ink trotted up to the counter. "Hotshot. You and me. Drinking contest. Now." I raised an eyebrow. "Really, Dead? You think you can take ME in a drinking contest?" Barkeep gave him one RP to even the count. "'course I can, numbnuts." Dead scoffed. I cracked my neck. "I thought I was the hotshot here. But I'll oblige." Relatively 19 shots later.... I bit my forehoof. Jesus motherbucking Christ was I drunk. Dead wasn't looking so well either. "I'll..I bucking will *hic* tell you.." I groaned. "I'm gonna..win faster than two jiggles of a *hic* jackrabbit's ass.." I realized immediately after what I said. That was the last words I ever said to my buddy Eric. I told him that I'd be "over quicker than two jiggles of a jackrabbit's ass", and when I got over to his house....he was gone. Vanished. Without a trace. Gone. Dead looked very surprised. "Two jiggles of a...?" He then collapsed. I was so concerned for him, I didn't even care that I won. All that mattered was getting this poor stallion somewhere safe. I draped a hoof of his over my shoulder, and started walking him back to my house, where he could at least sleep it off. When we arrived home, it was already dark. I carried him up the stairs, and laid him down on my bed. "Sleep well, Ink." I smiled and put a blanket over him. Then I walked down the stairs and passed out on my couch. I woke up the next morning to the sound of bird chirping. It's like one of those scenes where you can hear the birds chirping, and there's that soft music playing in the background. Except for the hangover. Oh dear god, the hangover. I slowly rolled off the couch, falling onto the ground. "Ow..." I said, to no one. After laying there for about fifteen minutes, I slowly got to my hooves. Who'd be coming down the stairs, but Dead. "You can can it with the pony act. I know it's you, Nick." Dead sighed. "What? How did you...who are you?!" I stepped back. "'Two jiggles of a jackrabbit's ass.'" Dead looked me in the eyes. "Oh my god..." Dead was ERIC. How was this possible? Eric was supposed to be dead. By all means. "Yeah. It's me." Eric walked over. "Took you long enough to get here." "You mean you've been here since the night you disappeared?!" I was probably panicking a bit too much. "I have." Eric nodded. "It's been four years." I shook my head. "Time is half as fast back in our world than here. It's been two." Eric shrugged. "Potato shmatato." I just couldn't believe it. "But...you're supposed to be dead. They found an old corpse they assumed was you." Eric sat next to me and laughed. "You know what happens when you assume." At the same time, we both said "It makes an ass out of you and me." At this point, I knew it was Eric. "It is you." He rolled his eyes. "Of course. Think, would you have helped me out if you didn't feel something different about me?" I hadn't considered that. I just wanted to make sure he was safe. Maybe I did feel a..say..duty to get him to be safe, but I didn't really say anything about it. "I guess not." I sighed. Eric and I spent the rest of that morning getting me ready for my all-important date with Thunder. It very well may be one of the most important day of my life. I put my suit back on (which Hotshot had thrown on his bed...what a slob) and looked in the mirror. "Not too bad...right?" Eric smirked. "Dude, you're worrying about nothing. If Thunder is as cool as Vinyl makes her out to be, you'll do just fine." I bit my lip a little bit too hard, tasting my own blood. "I know, it's just that I'm a little nervous. After my failed date with Gleaming, I'm just a little apprehensive about dating." Eric put a hoof on my shoulder. "Nick..when that girl broke up with you freshman year, how long did you mope?" "I didn't." I looked down at his hoof. "How early did you try to get back into a relationship?" He moved my head so I was looking into his eyes. "Three hours later." I stood a little taller, feeling a bit of pride. "And how long did she trail you on for?" Eric started getting louder and louder, as did I. "Three months!" I yelled. "Now, who deserves to be happy?!" We actually started sounding like we were arguing. "I do!!!" I yelled at him. "Who's gonna get laid tonight?!?" He yelled back with a smirk. "Probably not me!" I yelled back, and we looked at each other and burst into laughter. Eric wiped away a tear. "Oh man...I should mention. I dated Thunder a while back. Based on what I know, you guys would be a good fit." I shrugged. "Hey, that's what dates are for." "Dates are for eating." He punched me in the shoulder. "Now, get your ass out there and make a mare happy." I cracked my neck and stepped out the door. "Hey, Eric?" He looked at me like a proud father would look at his son. "Yes, Nick?" I smiled before closing the door. "Thanks for everything." This was it. If I could nail this date with Thunder, the rest of my life would be so much happier. It was my last shot.
Chapter 9:Thunderclouds OverheadI went through the same song and dance to make sure I was prepared as I had two days before. Etiquette. Check. Classiness. Check. Making sure I didn't smell like shit. Check. I cracked my neck, and walked to the fanciest restaurant in town with a pocket full of 200 bits. Unless Thunder was a huge eater, that should be enough. Like a typical guy, I'd wait for her to order, and then I'd order something cheap. Don't want to spend all my bits right away. As I approached, the place REEKED of classiness. It made me sick to my stomach. I never was one for white-tie gatherings, but there was a mare waiting inside for me. Shouldn't keep her waiting. I walked up to the attendant, I guess you could call him, and put on a confident smile. "I'm here for a blind date...the reservation may be under Hotshot or Flicker." The attendant flipped through the book. "Ah, yes. Mr. Hotshot.Your date has arrived and is waiting for you. Allow me to show you to your table." I nodded, and followed him through the restaurant. They even had LIVE classical music. I guess I should just deal with it. Octavia was on cello, and she sent a wink my way. I responded with a smile. "In here, sir." The attendant was stepped beside a door. "We get a lot of dates booked...so we have individual rooms for each party." She smiled and opened the door. "Thank you kindly, ma'am." I nodded to her, and stepped inside. There was one table, and the room was illuminated by candlelight. Very romantic. There was one issue. Thunder wasn't sitting at the table. Nervously, I sat down, unsure if Thunder had bailed on me or not. The candlelight provided a luminous effect...not even the entire room was light. "Oh...you're here." I heard the door open before the words were spoken, and I saw the silhouette of a mare in a dress. Her voice was smooth, like the fabric of her dress (presumably). I instantly wanted to hear more, as if I'd fallen in love with her, just from her voice. "Yes, I just got here." I squinted against the hard contrast of the light of the normal restaurant and the darker room. Thunder closed the door and walked over. "Thunder Flicker." She held out her hoof and I shook it. "Hotshot." I smiled, stood, and pulled out her chair. "My, a gentlecolt." Thunder giggled and sat down, as I pushed the chair in. "Just because I'm a professional DJ doesn't mean I can't be proper." I softly laughed, and sat down. "How do you know Vinyl?" Thunder seemed like a nice enough mare. "I went to one of her raves once. I enjoyed myself, and well...long story short, I'm kind of bisexual." That didn't faze me at all. I never have judged LGBT, in fact, I was in full support of their rights. "Interesting. I'm personally straight myself, hence my being here with you." I shrugged, as our waitress entered. Thunder ordered something very elaborate, something I couldn't even follow. I just order something straight off the menu, Everfree herb spiced. Even though it was the cheapest thing on the menu, it was still 40 bits. "So..." Thunder turned her attention back to me. "You're a DJ? Professionally?" I nodded. "I'd say I was world-famous, but I won't for two reasons. One, I don't know if I'm THAT popular, and two, I'd probably be lying." My honesty and always speaking what's on my mind are my best traits. Of course...that can lead to disputes. Thunder nodded at me. "I never really have been 100% into the techno scene, but that's okay." I shrugged. "Hey, it's your taste in music. I'm not gonna try and change that." Even if I disagree with it... Our food arrived shortly. They must have like super-pony chefs or something. First thing you need to know about fancy restaurants.... They make everything with small portions. I once heard of a guy who got his wine in a shot glass. While we ate, Thunder looked up at me, and gave a soft giggle. That piqued my interest. "What? Have I done something wrong?" I worried. Thunder shook her head. "No...I just wasn't expecting somepony like a DJ to be able to fit in around here...and to actually eat like a gentlecolt." I rolled my eyes. What I thought was, "Sterotypes." What I said was, "Maybe I'm that one in a million who's unpredictable." Thunder squinted at me. "What is our EXACT location on the planet, in degrees?" I looked up at her, and without even having time to process the question, replied, " 44° 35' 0.47" N, 89° 54' 33.9" W." Thunder's eyes widened. "I guess that compass cutiemark of yours isn't just for show." I rolled my eyes. "Mind telling me why yours is a flaming heart, then?" Thunder smiled. "I'll have to show you after dinner. I require another pony to be able to do it." God, this mare was an enigma. Never a straightforward answer. The rest of dinner went off without a hitch, and we got to know each other a little better. For example, Thunder had a younger sister, whose name was Peach. They were identical twins. That kind of made me wonder...was I with Peach or Thunder? She grabbed my hoof, and looked into my eyes. "Ready to see why I have a flaming heart?" I nodded, blushing a little. She then flew up, dragging me with her, as I was barely able to keep up. Thank god she was holding onto me. After quite a bit of a climb, she stopped, looked down, and smiled. "Here we go!" We dove at a breakneck speed, and I was sure we were going to die. I closed my eyes in fear. There was an ear-splitting boom, and when we had reached the ground (thank god), I looked back up. There was a flaming heart in the sky. Thunder kissed me, and walked home. "Good night, Hotshot." Those three words stayed in my mind through the entire night. Good night, Hotshot.
Chapter 10- All's Well That Ends...I awoke the next morning feeling great. My date with Thunder had gone off without a hitch, and I felt we truly may have a future together. Maybe I even had a chance of marrying her. But that’s just me being a hopeless romantic as usual. I hopped out of bed with a little spring in my step. I was supposed to be meeting up with Vinyl today. We had another big concert tonight. With our skills, I suppose we might end up hosting the biggest rave the world has ever seen. I cracked my neck, and looked at my DJ glasses. I never really went out as H8TY7. I guess there’s a first time for everything. As I stepped out of my house, I saw everything in the familiar shade of red I saw when I met… I shuddered at little at the thought. But that’s the past now. I’ve moved on, and I’m in a good relationship with a mare. Good times. A few ponies stared at me, my glasses and custom headphones with compass marks on them obviously attracting attention. I noticed Lyra staring at me, mouth agape, so I slid my glasses down on my muzzle, and gave her a little wink. I have never seen a mare react more spastically. She had pretty much a mini seizure, and then got a wide smile on her face. I’m such a lady killer. I'm smooth as glass. I slowly approached Vinyl’s house, and knocked on the door. Vinyl opened it. “Well...look who got dressed up. Come on in, Nick.” She smiled and stepped aside. “Thank you ve…” I paused in mid-step. She just called my by my human name. Vinyl raised an eyebrow. “Is there an issue?” I slowly turned to her and shut the door. “You just…” She nodded. “I called you Nick. Is that a problem?” I bit my lip. “Well...Vinyl...to tell you the truth, I don’t feel like Nick anymore. I don’t think that’s who I am anymore.” Vinyl sighed. “I get you must miss your old home...and I really shouldn’t have opened up stitched wounds by calling you that.” I shook my head. “It’s fine. I do miss my old world. But what’s there for me?” Vinyl rolled her eyes. “Fingers? Toes?” I laughed and stepped in a bit more, changing the subject. “So...what’s the deal with you and Thunder?” Vinyl blushed a deep red and began to stutter. “I...um..we…” I put a hoof on her shoulder. “Vinyl Scratch...I’m going to ask you a question, and I want you to answer honestly. Know that I will NOT judge you.” Vinyl slowly nodded. “O...okay.” I looked her deep in the magenta eyes (god, they were beautiful.) and asked in all seriousness, “Are you a lesbian?” There was a long silence between us, and she looked away. “Well….yes and no.” I kept looking. “Then, you’re bi?” Vinyl answered with a slow nod. “It started with harmless experimentation with Thunder...and then it got serious…” I hugged Vinyl. “Seriously, PON-3. Don’t worry. I still love you like a little sister. Come on, let’s go out for a drink.” Vinyl shook her head. “Can we just stay here?” I shrugged. “I guess. For the next hour, I just sat in Vinyl’s living room, her head in my lap, with the fire crackling. “Vinyl…” I started, not sure how to phrase this. “Yeah?” She sounded relaxed...calm...like someone who really enjoyed my company. “I don’t mean to open up old wounds either...but about Thunder…” I gently stroked her mane. “Hotshot, I’m not a cat.” Vinyl moved away. “Right...sorry.” I shook my head, and stared into the fire. “...I really feel like I have something with her. I don’t know any women like that on Earth. I want to stay here.” Vinyl looked up at me. “Well, what’s stopping you? You just need to have one of your fainting episodes, and you could go back for as long as you wanted.” I sighed. “I want to marry her, Vinyl. I want to have kids. We’ve only been on one date...but it just feels right.” Vinyl smiled. “Nick...if she’s making you feel that loved, why not?” I looked down to her. “You know what? You’re right. But tonight...I need to be here with you.” I looked back into the fire, burning any regrets I had about staying here. Two years later…. I trotted home, a huge smile on my face. Tonight was a big night. Thunder had been my marefriend for two years, and it was clear she was ready to take the relationship to the next level. I’d been at that point for two years. I walked inside, and called for her. “Hello? Thunder, you home?” She walked down the staircase, the same radiant mare as ever. “Yes, sweetie. I’m home.” “Come with me….” I smiled and walked into the kitchen. The ring in my saddlebags felt heavy, as if it was gaining weight with every step. “Sweetie, what’s going on?” She raised an eyebrow, but followed. I set the saddlebags on the table. “Thunder, how long have we been together, now?” “One year, eleven months, twenty seven days.” She said, without hesitation. “And I know you want me to take our relationship to the next level.” I put the ring under my wing, still in its box. Thunder raised an eyebrow. “It’s that clear?” “Yes.” I softly smiled, and walked up to her. Her eyes widened. “Are...are you okay with it?” I nodded and knelt down. “I’ve been okay with it for two years.” Her eyes widened even more and she started blushing severely. “A..are you…?” I slowly nodded, and reached behind me for the ring. “Thunder Flicker….will you marry me?” She gasped as I took out the ring and held it out to her. “Yes! Yes, of course I will!” She hugged me tightly. I smiled and stroked her mane, which she loved. Later that night, we’d gotten together with some friends, to celebrate. We were all having a good time, and everypony was laughing. We were all absolutely hammered. Big Mac was trying to show off...which was unusual of him. He pointed at me. “You think yer such a Hotshot? Live up to it!” He set up his hoof for a hoofwrestle. I put up a hoof against his. “Worker pony...such a big title for such a little stallion.” I cracked my neck and we tried to get each other out. After a long two minutes, Mac started to look tired. I was still going. “Buck it, you win!” He let go. I smiled and flexed, even though it was mostly the alcohol acting. I then looked over at Shining and saw a familiar sight…. Gleaming Shield. These two years….and Vinyl was right. Shining was Gleaming. And it took me being drunk to see it. I smiled and walked over, stumbling a little bit. Shining turned to me, a look of suppressed shock on his face. I put a hoof on his shoulder, and whispered, “You owe me one hell of an explanation….Gleaming Shield.”
