Welcome to Hotel Nebula

Let's face it, we've all done things we've regret. As children, we may have stolen from the cookie jar. We could've cheated on tests we never studied for. We threw stones and accidentally broke a window. We even stayed up to late to see if the Slendermane was real. We've done stupid things we end up regretting later. And right now was one of those moments. Shortly after my speech and convincing the town, as well as my friends, that the Hotel Nebula was in no way evil, I transported myself, Midnight Rider, and Water Lily to the lobby for an impromptu tour of the place.  Rubbing my eyes to clear out the blinding light, I glanced about, once again in the pristine white and red hall of the lobby. Now, I wasn't completely used to the teleportation yet, but I had some experience, my friends, however, did not. Water Lily kept massaging her head with her hooves, wincing at a minor headache, while Midnight stumbled about in a dizzied state. Eventually, the two got their bearings, and gazed in wonder at the interior, eyes wide and jaws dropped.

"Wow." Midnight said. "This place is HUGE!"

"Oh, this is but a fourth of the actual size." I said, waving a hoof. "Fifty stories in height, a total of 275 floors per floor. A total of twenty-five floors rest in the reception and lobby alone."

"Incredible." Lily mused. Her eyes narrowed, raising a hoof towards the roof. "Hey, what's with the flags?" I followed her hoof, and saw the various flags and banners from across the various universes hanging limply from their poles.

"Those," I explained. "Are the Flags of Unity, as Guardian called them. They belong to the universes that have Gates connecting to the Hotel. These aren't all of them, just the more frequent customers, so I'm told."

"And who is Guardian?" Water Lily asked.

"My boss, the one who hired me." I said. "Nice guy, a little vague on certain details, but genuinely kind." The tell-tale sounds of claws scratching on the floor signaled to me that we were no longer alone. Knowing full well that the Skritt Bellhops were nearby, I was about to announce their presence, but they beat me to it.

"Uh... Tabs," Midnight asked, tapping my shoulder from behind me. "What are these... things?" I turned about, and saw Midnight gawking at a pair of gray furred Skritt, their ears twitching about and beady eyes staring curiously.

"Those are Skritt," I explained. "A sort of rodent people from the world of Tyria. They've been employed as Bellhops and cleaners." One of the Skritt, one with a black spot over his left eye, stepped forward, his twiddling his claws in nervousness.

"Uh... Mr. Boss-Pony," The Skritt said. "Are we open? Why other ponies here?"

"Relax, my furry little friend," I said, placing a hoof on the poor fellow's shoulder. "They're friends of mine, and I'm giving them a tour." I leaned over to both my friends, each staring wide eyed at the bizarre creatures before them. "They get a little nervous around other species they've never seen before. Just don't show them anything shiny."

"Why?" Lily asked, carefully eyeballing one of the Skritt who was, ahem, digging for gold.

"Think Diamond Dogs, but for junk." I said. The two Skritt, of which I have decided to call Spot (for the black fur patch over his eye), and Fleabag (for the fact he was constantly scratching himself), walked up to Midnight and carefully eyed the pegasus' wings.

"He got wings." Fleabag said. "Boss-Pony has horn. Why other pony have wings, not horn?"

"Because I was born that way." Midnight grunted as Spot decided to tug on his wings.

"Cool. Flappy, flappy, flappy." Spot said, playing with Midnight's wings like a little child. I chuckled at their antics, but knew the tour would never get on with the tour if they continued to tug on my friend's wings. So, I reached into my suit pocket, pulled out a shiny rock, and tossed it down the hall. The effect was instantaneous, the two Skritts heads whipped about, gawking at the shiny object of their desire.

"SHINY!" They cried out, scampering away from Midnight and wrestling over who got the rock. My pegasus friend chuckled at their antics, flexing his wings and un-ruffling his feathers. Lily kept watching the two Skritt wrestling, so I decided to join her.

"Interesting to see creatures from another world, isn't it?" I asked. "How different they look, how they act.... How badly they smell, it's really amazing." Whilst the two of us began chatting about the creatures from beyond, I didn't notice Midnight Rider sneaking off to do something else. Then I heard him laughing and the sound of clanking metal.

"Dude, these are the freakiest looking metal statues I've ever seen!" He loudly laughed. I quickly whipped my head around, and saw he was hovering face to face with one of the security. And it was staring back. Oh no. "I mean look at it! It's like someone stuffed an ape in a diver suit. And look at that creepy drill! It's like something outta a haunted house!" He tapped his hoof on the rusted drill, a small clanking sound echoing off the metallic monster. "Seriously, what kinda statue is this?"

"That's not a statue." I deadpanned, my eyes wide with fright. My flying friend turned about, a confused look on his face.

"What?" He asked.

"That's not a statue," I repeated. "That's the security." Almost on cue, the drill mounted on the Big Daddy's arm began to rotate, and the yellow lights on the helmet turned an ominous red. Midnight yelped like a filly, diving away from the angry monster as it swung its drill and flew behind me. It loomed over me, its large hand and drill towering like a demented dentist and hungered for my friend's blood.

"Relax, Mr. Big Daddy," I shakily said. "He's just a guest. He's not going to cause trouble," I shot Midnight an angry glare, the pegasus cowering behind my and Lily. "RIGHT?" He nodded his head furiously to the point I though his small brains would be knocked loose. Knowing the threat to be no more, the Big Daddy's lights turned yellow, and with a whale-like moan, it lumbered off back to its post. Once Midnight calmed himself down (and suffered from hiccups due to irregular breathing), Lily stormed up to me with angry eyes.

"What in Celestia's mane was that thing?!" She shouted. "It nearly killed Midnight!"

"A Big Daddy," I explained. "And keep your voice down." I pointed a hoof at the aforementioned guard. "They don't like loud noises." Lily took a deep breath, calming herself but still keeping that irritated look.

"Okay, but what exactly is it?" She prodded, a little quieter this time.

"I'm not sure, myself," I admitted. "I think they're robots, but there's something... oddly sentient about them. Guardian only gave me a little on the matter, saying they're from some underwater city. For the meantime, let's just leave it at that." Another one of Midnight's hiccups redirected my attention. "Here, let's go to the bar and pick up something for you, pal." His eyes lit up like street lanterns.

"There's a *hic* bar here?" He excitedly asked. I rolled my eyes with a small nod. The response I got was a backflip in midair and loud cheering, accompanied by hiccups.

I led the way to the Void Vineyard, the bar of Hotel Nebula, and found it almost packed with off-duty Skritt. At the front of the room, right in front of the glass wall of on display brews, was Yigvar Beerbelly and some unfortunate Skritt, drinking heavily while those attending shouted "go" continuously. A loud clanking sound of a wooden mug now empty blasted across the room as the bartender finished his drink, yellow foam dripping off his beard. His opponent, instead, fell off his stood and passed out on the floor. The large Nord raised his arms and bellowed what I could assume to be a victory shout of some sorts, while the audience cheered onward.

"I am the greatest!" He shouted.

"Greatest at sampling his own products, that is." I said, making my way to the bar stand. Yigvar immediately redirected his attention to me, taking his place at the bar and cleaning out the mug he drank from.

"Aye, I was participating in a friendly little drinking competition." He quickly explained.

"Yeah, friendly..." I heard Lily mutter, staring at the drunken Skritt still collapsed on the floor.

"We're opening in less than half-an hour, Yigvar!" I said, tapping my hoof on the table. "Try and stay sober until we close for the night!" He merely grumbled as he slid the clean mug away before moving onto the next one. "Midnight, Lily, this is Yigvar Beerbelly, the bartender of this establishment." The Nord's eyes drifted to my friends, furrowing his brow and raising a fat finger.

"You there, winged one," Yigvar said.

"Name's Midnight Rider, pal." Midnight said.

"How can you handle your drink?" He asked, a mischievous look glinting in his eyes. The same look I saw reflect in Midnight's. I placed a hoof upon my face and groaned in irritation.

"Better than you can, I bet." Midnight gloated. And here he goes with his ego. Yigvar chuckled ominously, putting up two metal tankards and pouring the contents of a red bottle into the drinks.

"Black-Briar Mead, a strong brew from my own home of Skyrim." He said, sliding the cup to my friend. "Can you handle it?" The two locked eyes, while Lily and I took opposite seats next to my friend. In one quick swipe, Midnight drank the entire contents of the brew in two gulps. Setting the tankard down with a relaxed sight, the black upstart of a pegasus once again glared at Yigvar.

"That was nothing." He nonchalantly stated. "What else ya got?" Shocked for an instant, Yigvar grumbled before producing a ceramic jar and poured out a purple brew.

"Junniberry ale, an exotic drink from the land of Elona." Yigvar stated. "Very hard to acquire, as the country is now dominated by the dead." Once again, Midnight took the drink in his hooves and drank it all, not once even flinching.

"Nice taste, but I bet you're holding out." Midnight goaded. Grunting again, Yigvar produced a metallic and futuristic looking canister and poured the fruity pink contents into the now empty cup.

"Tarisian Ale, brewed inside the fermentation glands of a Tach monkey and stewed in Juma Juice alcohol for three weeks." Yigvar said. "Not recommended for lightweights." The simple repeat of Midnight drinking went full circle yet again.

"Mmm... Fruity." Midnight said, licking his lips. "Kinda like peaches dipped in cider." Starting to take a liking to his challenger, Yigvar pulled an entire barrel from behind his stand and poured a yellow and green elixir into the cup.

"Rakk Ale Surprise, a standard Pandoran brew with a small bit of venom of the flying beasts for an extra kick," A sinister glint shimmered in Yigvar's gaze. "Relatively harmless to only those with a true beer gut." Without so much as a second thought, Midnight drank the entire cup in three gulps, only swaying slightly.

"Little spicy..." Midnight slurred a bit. "And I'm getting a head rush, or somethin'."

"Must be the venom." I muttered. "Look, Yigvar, I've got a tour to continue, so let me just get Midnight out of here before you end up poisoning him with another brew of yours."

"One more drink, sir," Yigvar objected. "I want to see how your friend Midnight can handle the best brew in my inventory." I turned to ask Lily for her opinion, only to find he lost interest a while ago and was standing in front of the jukebox. Rolling my eyes, I allowed Yigvar to continue this drinking game. Quickly the Nord pulled out a small vial from his pockets, a rose-red liquid sloshing within.

"Oh, come on! That's your best stuff?" Midnight complained, his wings fully extended. "I think the Rakk Ale stuff is better." Without saying anything, Yigvar produced a shot glass and filled it a quarter of the way with the mysterious brew, and pushed it towards Midnight.

"Try it." Yigvar ordered. Slowly and surely, Midnight took the shot glass and drank it all without a second thought. He smacked his lips for a few seconds, trying to get a feel for the taste. Finally, he concluded with a satisfied grin... then promptly fell on the bar stand, completely asleep. While Lily and I tried to find what was wrong with Midnight, Yigvar was loudly laughing his large behind off.

"What did you give him?!" Lily shouted, staring daggers at him.

"Sanguine's Rose, a drink made by the God of Trickery and Debauchery himself!" Yigvar laughed. "No living being has ever been able to handle more that a quarter shot of that! And he drank it without a second thought!" As he collapsed on the floor roaring in laughter, Lily and I continued to rouse him from his sleep. Whatever was in that drink sure did it's job right. He's going have a massive hangover when he wakes up. Luckily for us, a certain head of maintenance robot was passing by and overheard the commotion.

"Dear me!" Fix-It exclaimed, hovering over to me and my collapsed friend. "What happened here?!"

"Midnight Rider here had one too many drinks," I explained. "Do you have any robot things to wake him up?"

"As a maintenance Mr. Handy model," Fix-It explained. "I am equipped with a high voltage welding torch, but I can possibly repurpose it to give him a little shock, I suppose."

"I don't care if it can bring back the dead, just zap him!" Fix-It made a sort of groaning sound, pushing Lily and I aside with one of his arms, while one of the other appendages started to glow a light blue. He tapped the electric claw on Midnight's still breathing chest as his robotic eyes lit up.

"Clear."

*FFZZZZZZZT*

With that single jolt of amplified electricity, Midnight's eyes shot open, his pupils shrank to pinpricks, and he blasted off the floor and began colliding with the walls. Eventually, he crashed into a chair, his face frozen in shock. After a few seconds, his wings extended and a dopey grin encompassed his face.

"Pop them all, yeah I'm sweatin'!" He exclaimed. "Whoo!"

"He's fine." I said, helping my buzzed up friend off the ground. "Now, I think we should get some food before the Gourmet is overcrowded." As Fix-It waved off, and Yigvar remained laughing on the floor, we left for the Gourmet, the grumbling in my belly and the pounding of my headache driving me to finish this insane tour, I only just realized how hard it would be to put up with this on a daily basis once those doors open to the public.

One Short Trot Later....

"Why are all the rooms in this place so big?!" Lily exclaimed, gawking at the massive hall that is the Gourmet. The white clothed tables dotting the red walled room were all neatly lined and set with silver platters and utensils, ready for hungry customers. I can't help but feel pride in seeing such a place under my careful watch. Well, Chef Moogaroo runs the restaurant, but I'm his boss, so it sort of makes sense. And as his boss, I get free meals whenever I want (but I still leave some money to avoid getting a knife in my chest. Seriously, for a little whale person, he's got one mean temper!). I figured now would be a great time to take advantage of that and treat my friends.

"At least the acoustics are great." I said, putting my friends at a nice table for three. "I'm going to speak with the Head Chef about getting something to eat, just sit down and keep comfortable." The two agreed and picked up the menus on the table as I trotted into the kitchen. I found the little blue Quaggan standing atop a stool, trying to reach for a box of salt on a shelf, his short arms sadly too short to complete the task. Imagine the look on his face when he saw the box envelope in my red magic and drop itself into his stubby hands.

"Coo... Quaggan knew Quaggan could get this infernal box!" Moogaroo cheered, wobbling on the stool. He eventually lost balance, and slipped, but I quickly caught him with my magic and gently sat him down. "Oooh... Thank you Mr. Keeper. That must have been yooOOOuuu who got Quaggan's box of salt, then?"

"Indeed it was, my friend." I said. "Just trying to help out." Moogaroo chuckled and straightened his comically large hat. "Listen, I have a favor to ask you."

"Unless its for blood, Quaggan will help any way Quaggan can." Moogaroo said, as though someone asked for his blood before. I wonder if they're vamponies... err... vampires where he's from.

"Okay, I've got two friends with me," I explained, pointing out the serving window. "And I'm giving them a tour, and I would like to request some food for us. So... please?" I ended with a wide and hopefully not pathetic smile. Moogaroo raised a small hand to what I presume to be his chin, and let out a small sigh in pondering. Eventually, his wide eyes curled into a smile as he waddled over to a chopping table.

"Coo! Quaggan will take this challenge to make pony food!" He declared, raising a cutting knife. "For a friend of Quaggan's boss is a friend of Quaggan." With that, he began chopping up lettuce and other vegetables with the speed of lightening. Content with the kindness and devotion of my employees, I trotted out of the kitchen and joined my friends at the table, both of whom still musing over their menus.

"I really want to try the Zebrican Lettuce salad," Lily said. "To be open to other cultures, but the Canterlot Carrot Soup looks just like the one they serve in Canterlot."

"Where's that on the menu?" Midnight asked, analyzing his menu from all angles. "All I'm getting are fast hay foods and flower sandwiches I get at vendors. I thought this place was a fancy restaurant!"

"It is," I explained, lifting a menu in my magic. "These menus are telepathically linked to the reader to display whatever cuisine they're used to. In my case, I see a standard assortment of salads and flower sandwiches, plus some special dishes the Chef prepared for me on my first days here." I leaned over to Lily and whispered into her ear. "Might I recommend the Quaggan Seaside Salad for exotic?" Lily shrugged and put her menu down, as did Midnight as we all agreed on what to eat. Soon enough, a Skritt dressed in a waiter uniform (at least the top half) passed by, took our orders, and jolted into the kitchen.

Ten or so minutes later, after a long conversation of reminiscing on memories past, the doors to the kitchen swung open, and a tall white chef hat was pushing a cart filled with our food. No wait, it was Moogaroo pushing the cart. Atop the cart were two finely decorated salads, and a small tray of fast food. As the cart came to a halt, all it took was one look and Lily squealed at the sight of the Chef.

"Eeeeeeeeeee! He's so cute!" She proclaimed, sweeping up Moogaroo in her forehooves and holding him close to her chest. The little guy was absolutely terrified. "It's a fish baby in a chef's hat! Are you the head chef's child?"

With a bemused face, Moogaroo responded. "No, Quaggan is Head Chef Moogaroo, and is a fully grown Quaggan who desires to be put down. NOW." Surprised at the deep voiced aquatic creature, Lily dropped Moogaroo to the ground as he neatened his hat.

"I probably should have mentioned her cuteness magnet." I whispered to the irate chef. With a loud harrumph, he clapped his hands and a Skritt skittered up to the cart, lifting the assorted foods.

"First, we have the Quaggan Seaside Salad for Mr. Tab Keeper," Moogaroo explained, taking on a dignified restaurant tone of professionalism. "Consisting of Krytan lettuce, Eda Farms apple slices, shredded Quaggan seaweed, cubed Ascalonian carrots, and drenched in hand-made dressing." My favorite dish made by Moogaroo. Only three days and he knows me so well. Midnight looked over at the well crafted salad on my platter, then up at me with a confused look.

"Seaweed?" He asked. "You put seaweed on this?"

"Hey, don't knock it until you try it." I said, taking a bite off my salad fork. The Skritt reached out and grabbed a fancy looking salad topped with various berries and flower pedals.

"For Ms. Water Lily, we have prepared a Fillydelphian beet and lettuce salad," Moogaroo continued. "Topped with wild daisy pedals, blackberries, and sprinkled with Neighponese lotus leaves." Lily looked at the appetizing dish before her, staring wide eyed with amazement. With a cautionary motion, she picked up a fork, took a piece of the salad, and chewed it slowly. Her eyes lit up with every munch, her lime green eyes widening extremely. She made a "yummy" sound, and sped up her eating, practically demolishing the meal. I looked at Moogaroo, the small Quaggan's face showing a mix between shock and joy.

"I think she likes it." I joked. Moogaroo gave a small smile, which quickly faded as he moved onto the final dish, Midnight's.

"And lastly we have..." He visibly shuddered at the last meal. "A Hay-burger with a side of potato fries with extra onions and mustard," I could've sworn he shot my black coated friend a hateful look. "For Mr. Midnight Rider." The plate dropped in front of Midnight unceremoniously, but he clearly didn't care.

"Alright! I'm starving!" He exclaimed. And with the same gluttonous antics we saw at the Vineyard, he dove muzzle first into his food and eating it like he had been literally starved for months. Bits of fried potatoes, shreds of wheat buns, and baked hay splattered all over the table, fearful of the monster we had just unleashed. Once the entire plate was cleaned off and Midnight's ravenous hunger was sated, he finished off with a loud resounding belch that shook the foundations of the hotel. All of us, especially Moogaroo, where shocked.

"Mother of Mellaggan...." He murmured. Midnight turned towards the Quaggan chef, his wings fully flexed and mouth in a wide smile.

"Dude, that was the BEST hay burger I've ever eaten in my entire life!" Midnight praised. "The taste, the texture, the aroma, the other fancy food things I don't know names of!" I glanced at Moogaroo, worried the Quaggan would go berserk, but instead, he was BLUSHING!

"Oh... Really? You think Quaggan's hay burger is good?" He asked.

"Heck yeah!" Midnight shouted. "I'd come here every day for lunch just to get another one of those. I don't think I can go back to the Burger Joint after that delicious meal!"

Moogaroo chuckled, cleaning off his hat of foodstuff. "Well, truth be told, Quaggan really thinks that fast food is nothing but poorly made garbage sold to consumers just to make an extra couple of coins. Quaggan wanted to brutally stab at something with a cleaver while making it, but the customer is always right. Quaggan might consider adding it to the menu." His chipper face vanished for a second, an almost feral look taking over. "MIGHT." Once that subsided, Moogaroo and the Skritt began pushing the cleaned off cart off back to the kitchen. "Enjoy your meals, they're on the house!" Once Moogaroo was out of sight, I leaned on the table and looked at my two friends.

"So, what do you think?" I asked. "Isn't this place something?"

"It's something, alright," Lily said, picking up another piece of her salad. "It's something that isn't normal."

"It's a Hotel for things from other worlds, Lily," Midnight said, raising his hooves. "Of course this place isn't normal." He tapped on the table with one of his hooves, staring wide-eyed at Lily. "And that's what makes it awesome."

"See? 'Night gets it!" I said, throwing a foreleg around my dark coated friend's shoulder. "But I just want you to understand how important this job is to me, and still to apologize for ignoring you two back in Ponyville."

"I don't think it's a safe job!" Lily exclaimed. "The security guards have arm mounted drills, the bellhops are rats, the bartender served venom in one of his drinks, and the chef openly admitted to wanting to hurt Midnight! I just..." She looked down at the table, her face dropping into a frown. I looked at her, concerned for whatever she thought.

"You just what?" I asked, leaning over to her. She looked up at me, her eyes wide and moist.

"I just don't want you to get hurt." She admitted. We locked eyes, and I could feel how much she cared for me. And I'm pretty sure she saw the same in mine. I put a hoof to her shoulder, giving her the best and most comforting smile I could muster.

"Lily, I promise you," I cooed. "I will not come to harm working at Hotel Nebula. I trust the staff with my life, as they do me. Not to mention I know a few skills to keep myself safe." She chuckled for a bit, looking back at me.

"I don't think Advanced Telekinesis will help against something like one of your security guards." She chuckled. We both shared a laugh, before my face turned serious once more.

"I promise I will be safe." I assured. Slowly but surely, her face brightened as she gave me a confirming nod. Our peaceful moment was broken, however, by the sound of a certain pegasus groaning.

"Are we done with this sappy moment," He groaned. "Or can we get done with this meal?" Rolling my eyes, Lily and I returned to our seats and continued our meals. The rest of the time was set in silence, eating our meals and enjoying our time together. The silence was broken when the feedback of a microphone echoed across the building.

"Attention, madames and monsieurs," Said the voice of Commodore Legs through an intercom. "The Hotel will be opening in less than five minutes! Positions, the whole lot of you!"

"Oh, great!" I groaned, dropping my fork. I stood from my seat and turned to my friends. "I'm sorry, but duty calls, and it is the opening day." Lily and Midnight smiled at me, the lime-green mare waving a hoof.

"Go on, it'll be fine." Lily said. "We'll talk some more after you're done." I beamed at my friends, bowed my head, and quickly took off for the Lobby. Inside the place was filled with ready Skritt, a few Mr. Handy robots, Big Daddy guards watching the place, and even Yigvar, all standing firm and proper. I took my place at the front of the group, straightening my tie and putting on the best smile I knew. It was here, the moment we had prepared for three days, finally coming to pass. The doors slowly cracked open, denizens of Equestria slowly milling their way in. All that was left was the line I had rehearsed for hours on end. I took a deep breath, raised a foreleg, and beamed at the guests.

"Welcome to Hotel Nebula!"