Don't embarrass yourself I said.

I have to make a good impression and show them I am pro I said.

It was that embarrassing moment I knew one hundred percent that discord cursed me and laughing his ass off, for all of my years I never had this kind of luck... until he took me away.

No matter how many time I blamed him, the mistake was made and my face dug deeper and deeper into my hooves as I waited for my review.

Where was I? I was sitting on a bench beat the shit out of myself in an empty room which had two doors facing one another, the first door I came from leads to a long hallway filled with infinite of doors -it was a castle after all- each led to rooms where some celebrities and hungover ponies who partied too hard, and the other door led to the record room.

If there is something I learned from DJP0N3 reaction is that she was laughing her ass off in the room explaining the fans how I barged in into the party and humiliated myself, at least Octavia -the happy all smiles and my fav- wasn't there in the party for she showed a new dialogue of "how rude" and "you don't say" it was a moment to be proud of who I was.... sarcasm if no one caught it.

If that wasn't painful enough I remembered that I didn't write a message to Cheerilee about my whereabouts... I knew the moment I return back home I will get lectured infinitely from her.

As I waited for the laughs to die down, the hallway door opened and welcomed a very interesting person I didn't expect to see in my lifetime.

It was a griffin, a bald one -was it an eagle?- with signs of someone who went through shit for he carried scars all over his body, he wore what it felt like a mix of cowboy and post-apocalyptic attire, brown dust jacket with a cowboy hat, and to add edgy to his looks his right eye had a huge scar with a faint glow comes from it.

Behind him walked red maned black fur earth horsie who had a mark of a red sun rising, and he was naked... how uncouth.

My humiliation slightly washed off for I had a bad feeling about them, for they looked at me with a grim look and the way that horsie saw me didn't bode well.

Being a naive kid I was I decided the proper way to finish this awkward silence staring contest by saying "Hello, do you have a review like me?" in which the Griffin shook his head in an emotionless way with his pal looking at me up and down... I needed an adult.

The Griffin sat to my left where it led to the hallway, the creepy horse sat to my right where the podcast was.... red alert, RED ALERT!!

I was getting sweaty and motionless from this act, looking left and right hope there is a prank, or they simply waited for their turn or anything, I hoped that DJ would finish her news and call for me.

The Griffin, humoring my silly side decided to introduce himself.

His name is Ethan Eagle -Called it!?- a contestant on the Twisted Metal contest and the driver of a car by the name of "Dreadnaught" and his gunner old pal, Red Dawn who replied back with a friendly grunt.

He explained how he was shocked at how a scary cat such as me would go this far... makes him 'worried' how much he pain will put me when we encounter in the next fight.... next fight?

Well apparently there was another thing passed from the bald eagle's head, he forgot to mention he was paid extra from a stallion by the name of BlueBlood... that Blue balls wanka.

In case anyone forgot -or didn't pay attention- I encountered Blue Balls back before I obtained Road Kill, I had to look in every company under the hope they would allow me in, Blue Balls was one of the ones who refused me in the most disrespectful way which resulted in me say 'mean words' which by the looks of how I sat in between two mercs I knew he didn't forget.

They explained how BlueBlood got pissed on how far I survived, at first he wanted to record my death and watch it everytime he wants to sleep -dark!- and make me an example to anyone who crosses his way, but thanks to me moving up to the important part of the turnoment BlueBlood gave a strict order to every driver works under him to go after me, there was a certen pickup truck who was supposed to snipe my head off but decided to make me last, but failed miserbly -that round was filled with poeple who wanted me dead I see- and because of it BlueBlood set up a bounty on my head... did I mention I was sweaty?

The Griffin explained that the next round will be my last, for the majority of the contestants were sponsored by BlueBlood and he will do anything to make sure you won't make far, his pony friend was giving me silent stare expect me to do something rash... I was expecting it myself too.

I asked him why is he telling me all this? was it a strategy to make me screw up, or to give up?

It was the latter, but his reason is not what I expected to hear.

"Listen, kid, I am many things, but killing a pony who survived purely in luck and a shitty car is a low blow even for me. I don't want you to continue, cause the ones who will fight the next battle will either target the weakest or let the strongest do this to use his ultimates, Give up while you still can, for if you give up not only you will live and fight another day, but also you will avoid BlueBlood's trap."

I had doubts that he indeed wanted me to screw up badly when he finished, for he looked at me as weak. I appreciated how he cared about my safety but my reply will be always the same to anyone who wants me to back up from this contest... I can't for I have no choice.

I couldn't give them my answer to their offer for they woke up and decided to exit themselves, but before they left the Griffin gave me a glance of 'word from the wise."

"You don't need to give me an answer here, do it in the podcast and let everyone in Equestria know what you truly will do and want...pick your words wisely" and just like that, with his friend's growl they were gone, and I was alone... and like the cliche stories DJP0N3 decided to call me now.

It's show time.

I will be honest, I think I did well on the review despite the threats.

DJP0N3 kept asking me questions about my name, my favorite color and such while trying to piss me off, apparently, she wanted the rage me to do the talking instead of the gentleman good old me, at least Miss Octavia liked my speech for I spotted a smirk and a raise of impress brow from her.

I didn't let DJ press my nerve even though she recollects every mistake I made in the previous contests, thankfully I stored a soda can and drink it everytime an annoying question comes up.

"You must've been scared for the last contest you released a load of pies all over the dirt for us to see."

first sip

"It was my second time fighting, the first I was scared endlessly. Nothing wrong with that right?"

"Do you have a relationship with the gunner, a couple maybe?"

Another sip

"No, our relationship is that I am a driver and she is a shooter. Business partner in short."

After many attempts which rare ones managed to pass up, DJP0N3 showed signs of disappointment for she wanted to begins this podcast with a laugh. I agreed to Discord to do the review, but I never agreed to be a joke in this review, let them see me as a boring horse for it may let the contestants who hear my review would turn it off and continue with their life.

Seeing the conclusion of this rodeo between her friend and me, Octavia, an earth pony with dark gray mane and tail, a light gray coat and light purple eyes, -and she rests a purple shade on the microphone assuming she isn't fond of it- decided to ask me a question which risen eyebrow from her partner.

"We will go straight to the point mister Couch Potato, what is your wish if you win and are you aware of the rivels you have risen?"

Straight to the point, she was meant to be the host.

"My wish is to go back home, and yes... I am aware seeing the difficulty I encountered in Apple loosa."

"Going home? could you elaborate?"

"I can't tell you the full story, let's just say 'someone' kidnapped me away from home, he used me in a horrible way and I had to run and hope I could find help, I looked everywhere and no one had the way of home I wanted to get... till the contest came."

"Is your home that far that you had to join the fight?"

"I can't tell you fully, but my home is... special, and only Discord can return it back to me."

"I see... to my next question: Did you hear the review between my friend Vinyl and miss Fluttershy?"

"I am afraid so."

"Then you know what I am about to ask you, what is your reply to her statement on how you should give up and let their attempt at capturing Discord be easier?"

It was now or never.

"Dear miss Fluttershy: I appreciate your concern for my health and safety, but I am afraid to decline your offer for my only way to return back home is through this contest, pretty much I put all of my bits on the table and have two doors, I either win and get my wish or die here and now-"

It was dark and my hosts looked at me with shock and worry, but hopefully, this supports me for my next speech.

"-instead I wish this tip implies to you and your friends, but for a different reason."

This is getting heavy by the second.

"I fully understand you want to save the pony kind, to avenge the princesses, and defeat Discord once and for all... but know that a lot of creatures from all over Equestria joined this contest and want to grant the wish they worked day and night to get it, you coming in putting you in a bad light. Stop here and fight another day, both my partner and I have peaceful intention with no harm will cue, you can threaten me, you can harm me... but no matter what happens I will not yield, you either do everyone in this contest a huge favor or get marked for death from everyone."

I sat heavily on the chair and breathed heavily in pain, the message was sent and the messenger took rest, now I wait for the reply.

"O-okay that was an interesting message, well I guess this is all we can ask for the time review is nearly over do you have anything to say mister CouchPotato before we end the podcast?"

"I just hope the main six listen to my request and ease everyone life."

I wonder if this gentleman act I made is enough to be marked away from few of the contestants.

"Well, that was quite intriguing, I guess this is it for now... I would like to thank everyone for listening and apologize to my partner Vinyl from taking the seat from her but until then we will-"

Before she could end the podcast she got stopped by her friend who interrupted her in an abrupted way, a sign of urgency could be seen on her face.

"Hold it there Octy, it seems there is an announcement from the host of the contest Discord himself."

I was as shocked as everyone in this podcast but for a different reason, I didn't expect him to fulfill his promise this instance.

"The message goes like this: Dear fighters of the great contest Twisted Metal, its quite seems that I overlooked some mistakes in the papers... mostly due there were some hot chocolate stains on it-"

right... whatever

"-and after some discussion with the council we agreed to do the following: Cause of the how one of the matches majority drivers are sponsored by a company by the name of Prince Blueblood's royal palace which could be used as an unfair plan to work together, the council decided to shuffle the names again in the lucky lady wheel and see where each will be sent to."

....Is this what he meant when he said "your life will be hell if I don't do the review?" was he planning to let entire bounty hunters go after my head? that animal accident had me in his strings the whole time.... well no reason to be in a rage for I already fulfilled my deal.

"and a message will be sent to everyone in where they will go next so no need to visit TW headquarters every day to see if the paper is out, so no need for anyone to get scared of missing the day of the announcement... and that is all."

The deal has been sealed and BlueBalls goons won't go after me for now... at least the majority of them I hoped.

After the podcast ended I was thanked by the hosts for my arrival, I headed to the door plan to get myself a ticket to Manehatten and get myself an armor for whatever waiting for me.

Miss Octavia decided to help me to go to the train for the racket I made back in the party she knew there will be paparazzi waiting for me outside and she knew a shortcut to the train station."

Being to her word she took us to the alleyway where the sounds of ponies screaming on who will review me and taxi drivers screaming at them to go elsewhere instead of the damn streets, made me thankful on how I didn't go edgy and decline her offer.

As we trotted under the moon, Octavia apologized to me for her friend Vinyl's rude behavior, for she was doing her job as an entertainer and a host of a famous podcast. She hoped that her friend didn't press any of my nerve in the review.

I accepted the apology for there was no major damage occurred from it, and thought to ask her some questions about how they ended the way they are in.

"Oh! well, I suppose I should tell, hopefully, will help me ignore the stench of this place: Vinyl and I used to live in a village by the name of ponyville, and yes I am aware of its state in which I don't need to be reminded of thank you-"

A sign of disturbance slipped off her noble side, I assume she got accused a lot from her peers to the point of losing patience.

"O-oh! My apology, it just these ponies don't understand what happened back there to understand what we did to save the ponykind, I understand some of them misunderstood thanks to my friend's choice of words and how most of the news involves this damned contest."

"What did you do to save the ponykind?"

"Vinyl and I weren't in ponyvile when Discord released his wrath on the ponies of ponyvile, being a celebrity has its annoying side of moving around a lot and we bearly go back home without the door rings for another demand from our manager. When the news got out Vinyl shut her DJ tools and ran to the nearest train to help the ones who appreciated her music, I tried to stop her which resulted in me jumping on the train without knowing, we headed to our home against my will... and in complete honesty I am glad I did."

"I assume you arrived late?"

"Kinda, the elements couldn't stop Discord, but my friend jumped in to stop him from doing his finish blow, we didn't know how to stop him but tried to help, Vinyl used her music in hope to wake up the mane six and distract Discord while I try to sneak ponies away to the train to go anywhere but here, Vinyl's music was effective somewhat for something clicked in Discord's head.... literally."

We walked passed in an alleyway where was another road led to noble restaurants where I saw Bold Eagle bargaining with the cashier over the price of the meal, thankfully his attention didn't convert to mine making my day less awkward, I could have sworn his partner sensed my existence and was planning to turn to me... thankfully he didn't.

"He stopped the battle with a snap of his finger, he was missing around the entire time with Vinyl and everypony who joined in the fight, he pulled me from the crowd along with her, he congratulated us in the attempt of saving the ponies, he liked the enthusiasm we bought in this battle, our yell of battle cries and promise of safety, how we are quite charismatic... he gave us a deal."

A whistle of the train signed to me that we got close.

"The deal was: He will let the ponies of ponyvile who survived the fight leave at peace... if we promise to work under him as a news reporter podcast entertainer telling the news of everything, including the TW contest without any disrespectful remarks to him... I don't know if you noticed but Vinyl to this day is too still pissed how in that day the mane six didn't defeat Discord, but still... I think the we did the right thing...
for we saved the ponies of Ponyvile, we warn ponies from all over Equestria when a certain contest will get near them to prepare themselves... and we hope our podcast would motivate someone to fight the good fight, for a wish which could save or at least ease us from this curse."

"What about those with selfish... or despicable wish?"

"It's a double edge hope... but a hope none the less... and we are here."

and she was right, we arrived the train station, back in Manehatten I asked for a go and return ticket so I already secured my seat, I could have wait till the actual date of train arrives but with the power of this VIP ticket and the TW card, I was already secured a good... That and I didn't want to have another encounter with them mercs so the sooner I leave the better.

I entered the train and took the last glance to Miss Octavia who was waving a goodbye, I waved her back and say this:

"I guess I myself made a decision I am glad I did, doing this review and meet a cheerful person who brightens my day. Tell your friend I am sorry for the cold shoulder, and the puke part pissed me off."

She gave one last smile before she disappeared among the crowd, it almost made me feel like she was a retired assassin of some sort

and just like that, I headed back to Manehatten with a pain lifted off my chest.

...

...

At least until I come back home and get welcomed by my friendly partner of mine.

Author's Note

Although the chapter is short it had some storytelling I guess?

Oh! and Ethan Eagle along with Red Dawn are an OC's of a pal of mine Damien Martino So here ya go old pal

so back to bed now