Her!

Early Friday morning, Riki finishes getting dressed. He’s ready for today and quite excited to help Vinyl with the club. Vinyl hasn’t told Riki how long they will be there, but he’ll bring some clothes with him. He grabs his backpack and walks out of his room, heading to Liz’s room. He needs to discuss a few things with her. Riki knocks on her door, “Oi, Liz, you up?”

Riki knocks on the door a few more times, getting louder and louder. It stops when the door opens, and Riki accidentally hits Liz in the forehead, “Fuck, I’m up! You don’t have to hit me, you ass.” Rubbing her forehead, Liz cursed under her breath. Riki can't help but chuckle at the situation.

“Sorry,” Riki said, trying to hide his smile.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Liz mumbled, “Riki, why are you up so early? The sun isn't even up. What time is it.”

“It’s 5 o'clock. And I’m leaving to go to Canterlot.” Riki answered, “And there are a few things I want you to do. Clean the house, buy some food, and I think there's something wrong with my stereo.”

Liz sighed as she rubbed her eyes, “Okay, but Riki, I have a bad feeling about today.”

“...Really, I’m not getting anything. But just for you, I’ll keep an eye out for anything bad.” Riki hugs Liz. “I’ll see you and Louie later.” Makes his way downstairs. As he was about to leave, Riki saw the Fifty Shades of Grey book, his ex-girlfriend. He thought he had gotten rid of the book. Well, he would deal with it later.

I made my way to Vinyl’s place. I never noticed how quiet Ponyville can be. I should wake up early more often… Nan, sleeping until noon is fun. Knocking on the front door a few times, it opens and reveals Octavia. “Oi, morning. Didn't expect you to be up so early, Octavia.”

“Morning to you too, Riki. Come inside.” Octavia replied. Walking inside, I see that Octavia and Vinyl’s place is pretty nice. “I just made some green tea. Do you want some?”

“Umm, yes, that will be nice.” I said, “It’s funny,”

“What is?”

“Back home, I wasn’t really a big tea drinker.” I chuckled. “ So, where is Vinyl?”

“She should be in her room getting ready,” Octavia answered. “Can you go check on her? Room is to the right.”

Finishing my tea, I say, “Yeah, I’ll do that.”

Heading to Vinyl’s room. I knocked on the door a few times, not wanting to accidentally hit her in the face like Liz. I can hear things falling over as Vinyl comes to the door. “Octavia, I told you I’m up!” Vinyl shouted as she opened the door. “Just give me a-oh! Riki, it’s you. I thought you were Octavia. Anyways, come into my room.”

“I bet you're dying that you finally got me in your room.” I quipped, “Be gentle.”

Vinyl playfully hits my leg, “Oh, shut up. I’m almost done packing up the equipment.” Vinyl’s room is a mess with music stuff scattered all over the place. A few empty cans and a bunch of dead glow sticks. “I usually have to carry this stuff, but now I have you.”

“You don’t carry your shit. You use magic, which is lazy and cheating. So, how long are we staying there?”

“Today and Saturday. Then we leave Sunday morning.” Vinyl answered.

My foot hit something, moving the stuff off it. I’m surprised to see a purple glass bong. Holy shit, they have weed. Picking it up, I say, “Oi, weed is legal here?”

“My bong, I’ve been looking for that,” Vinyl said as she took it from me. “Yeah, it’s legal, why wouldn't it be… Do you think I have time to hit one?"

I shake my head as I pick up the bagged equipment, “I don’t want to drag your high pony ass around. C’mon, we have a train to catch.”

“Yeah, yeah,”

“Liz, wake up! We have stuff to do.”

“...Louie, what time is it?” I grumbled, pulling the covers over my head.

As Louie begins to pull the covers, he says, “It’s 10 in the morning. Now get up, lazy ass!” Pushing the covers off, Louie gets thrown off the bed. “Meow!”

“Fine… Just let me get ready, Louie.” I lazily rolled out of bed, grabbed a few things, and then made my way to the bathroom. I took a shower and brushed my teeth and hair. Going back to my room, I put on my clothes. I noticed something. “My pants…”

“What’s wrong with your pants? Oh! I can see your ankles.” Louie said as he pawed at my pants, “Did you shrink your pants again?”

“No… Well, I don't think so.” I said, pulling on a shirt over my long sleeve. “Louie, I think I grew an inch or two.”

“It looks like you're going through a growth spurt,” said Louie. “Do you think you need new clothes?”

“I thought I reached my adult height. Shit, we should go to Rarity’s place. I need new clothes. After that, we’ll go shopping for food, and when we get back, we can clean the house.” I picked up my backpack and began to leave. “Let's go, Louie.”

“Yeah!”

As we make our way to Rarity, I realize that Louie being able to change size is so fuckin’ cool. I just love riding on my giant cat's back. I wonder how big Louie can become. I wonder what other stuff he can do.

When we finally reach Rarity, Louie shrinks down and jumps on my shoulder. Walking inside, I see Rarity working on a dress with Sweetie Belle in it. “Hey guys, I hope I'm not interrupting you two.”

“Oh, Liz, not at all.” Rarity said as she adjusted the ruffles on the dress. “I'm just working on a dress request.”

“I'm helping as her model.” Sweetie Belle said. She went to take a step forward, but the dress was a bit too long, and Sweetie Belle fell over. “I’m okay.” She gets out of the dress and runs over to Louie, giving him a pat on the head.

Rarity quickly makes her way to me. Looking up and down at me, she says, “Darling, it looks like you grew an inch and a half.”

“Whoa, you're good, Rarity.” I'm amazed she can just look at me and know what’s going on. “Well, that's the reason why I'm here. I need new clothes. I can wear my old ones, but it will be uncomfortable.”

Rarity uses her magic to grab the measuring tape and begin to take my new measurements. “Oh, this is going to be so much fun, Darling!” Rarity lets out a joyful giggle. “Sweetie Belle, can you get me my sketchbook.”

“Sure thing!” Sweetie Belle replied, running off to get the book.

Rarity backs off and says, “Liz, I have many fabulous designs. I'm working on this lovely sundress for you. All the ponies will be jealous; even Princess Celestia will be.”

“Nothing too flashy, okay?” I mumbled. “I just want some casual clothes… Oh, but most importantly, I want overall.”

“Can I put gems on it?” Rarity asked.

“Maybe a few.”

Sweetie Belle comes back into the room with the sketchbook, “Rarity, here you go.” She flips through the book, stopping on a blank page. Rarity begins to draw all the outfits she wants to see me in.

Looking over the drawings Rarity did, I'm still surprised at how good she is with human clothes. “Oh, I like that one,” I said, pointing at an outfit. It’s overall shorts with gems replacing the buttons. A nice-sized chest pocket, too.

“What color do you want, Darling?”

“...How about gray with a black zigzag?” I said. Rarity nodded as she sketched in the zigzag. “Yeah, like that. How long will it take?”

Rarity takes a moment before saying, “I can get it done in an hour or two, but I still need to finish the dress I was working on.”

“Take your time, Rarity. I have some shopping to do.” I replied, “Come on, Louie. Louie?” I look around for my cat, only to see him with Rarity's cat. What was the cat's name again? Opalescence, yeah.

“Oh, my Celestia, Opal and Louie! You two look so lovely.” Rarity cooed. Opal nuzzles against him. Louie pushes her away. “Louie, what’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong!?” Louie shouted as he got away from Opal. He jumps on one of the closest mannequins, but Opal just follows. “She’s what’s wrong.” Opal lets out a few meows. “Don’t be surprised. You know what I mean.” Louie then becomes the size of a tiger, trying to scare Opal off. But Opal just wrapped herself around Louie’s tail.

“Oh yeah, you can still talk to animals.” I said, “I forgot all about that ever since you started talking… Well, I’ll get going. And I’ll leave you here, Louie. Play nice with your new friend.”

Opal climbs on top of Louie’s head and purrs. “C’mon, don't leave me!” Louie cried.

“Love you,”

“Move it over here, Riki!” Vinyl said, sitting on the stage. Picking up the big speaker, I moved it a few feet. I see Vinyl gestures to keep moving. I let out a groan before moving it a bit more. “Yeah, that’s it. Right, there is good.”

We have been in this nightclub for a while. Setting up and testing the equipment took 3 hours. We could have been done a bit sooner if the owner hadn't been trying to hit on Vinyl… and me. I’m just happy the pay is good. Rubbing the back of my head, I say, “Alright, done on my end. What about you? Are you done with everything up there?”

“Yeah, everything is set up here,” Vinyl said, looking over her equipment. She hops off the stage. “We can come back here later tonight before the party starts to do the final sound check.” As we head out of the club, Vinyl lets out a yawn, “I’m going back to the hotel to get some rest. I don’t want to fall asleep at the turntables.”

“I’m going to walk around for a bit,” I said as I gave Vinyl the room card. “Don't lock the door.”

“You got it,” Vinyl said, going back to the hotel.

Walking around, thinking about what to do next. My stomach begins to grumble. Damn, I didn’t really eaten anything ever since I woke up. Lookin’ around to see where to eat is really making my head. Fuck, I want a burger! A Smashburger with two beef patties, honey mustard, spicy mayo, grilled red onions, lettuce, swiss cheese, mushrooms, and a fried egg. With a side of sweet potato fries. God, that is what I want. It's one of the few things I miss from my world.

“Hey, Riki!”

Turning around, I see Feathers, Bebop, and Specs. “Oi, guys! Good seeing you.”

“Riki!” Bebop smiled, hugging me. “This is some good luck! We were about to go to Ponyville.”

“Really?”

“That’s right,” answered Feather. “We all have the day off, and we want to see if you want to hang out.”

“But seeing you here, we don’t have to do that.” Specs added. “If you don’t mind me asking, why are you here?”

“Oh, I’m here on a job with Vinyl.” I replied, “She is DJing at a club. We just finished testing the equipment.”

“Wait, what’s the club?” Bebop asked.

“The Flickering Rainbow, yeah, that’s the name.” Both Feathers and Bebop lets out a gasp. “You guys know this place?”

“Of course we do!” Bebop shouted. “Feather and I have been trying to get into that club for weeks!”

“The lines are so long; by the time we get there, the sun is up. Fleur de Lis said it was one of the best nightclubs she had been to. Well, that’s what it said in a magazine I read,” added Feather. She looks at me and smiles, “Oh, Riki, we are very good friends, right?”

“She wants something.” Specs interjected. “Every time Feather wants something, she pulls the good friend card.”

“Oh, shush, Specs,” Feather replied. “...But you’re right. Riki, is it possible to get us in the club?”

I cross my arms and tilt my head, “...I think I can do that.” Feather and Bebop lets a squeal of excitement. “What you, Specs? You coming?”

He pushes up his glasses, saying, “Not really a party pony. I'll probably go back to my room and read.”

“That’s boring!” Bebop yelled at Specs. She then smush his face with her hooves, “You are not doing that! Riki, Specs is coming. Even if he doesn't want to, we’ll drag him.”

“I’m happy to do this for you guys, but there is one thing I want.”

“What is it?” asked Feather.

“Can you guys take me to get something to eat!” I begged, “I'm so hungry!”

Specs let out a small chuckle, “I should have expected that.”

“I-I haven't eaten anything! Please!”

Riki, Specs, Bebop, and Feather are eating at an outside table. Bebop and Feather both got mac and cheese with cauliflower. Specs had mushroom and garlic spaghetti. And Riki, well, he asked for the biggest baked potato they had. They gave him six baked potatoes and told him not to ask for more.

The group has been talking for a while. Specs put down his drink and said, “I don't want to ruin the great time we are having. But, Riki, has the princesses or the captain got in touch with you?”

“No, about what?”

“...Wrath and La-la Lu.”

This caused Riki to stop eating. “No, why?” Riki replied, sounding a bit worried. It had been a while since he had thought about them. His last encounter with them was him pulling the roof down on them. Those two are tough. He would have thought if you hadn't done that.”

“Well, there were sightings of them.” Specs said.

“Huh! Where!?” Riki shouted, almost knocked over the table.

Specs continues, “Las Pegasus. The two were spotted by a few guards a few days ago. The guards when to go apprehend them, but…”

“What?”

“Four in critical condition… One dead.”

Riki sits there in silence, looking at his food. His head only fills with what Specs said. This is the first time Bebop and Feather have heard about this. Feather breaks the silence, “So that’s what happened to them. I thought the mafia did it.”

“How do you know about this?” Bebop asked.

“I overheard Captain Shining Armor and Vanta Nightfall talk about it.”

Riki slams his hands on the table, cracking the wood. “Why didn't they tell me!?” His voice causes all the ponies around them to look at them. Riki ignores the ponies.

“If they told you, what would you do?” Specs asked Riki.

“I-I would go looking for them, then kick their ass!” Riki loudly replied. “Once I get some free time, I'm going to go there and give them a piece of my mind.”

“Is that a good idea?” Bebop asked. “I know that you’re upset about this, but…”

Riki rubs his head, “I don't know. I should calm down and just think.”

Hopefully, to change the subject, Feather looks around to talk about it. Luckily for her, she sees someone. “Hey, isn't that the journalist? Razzle Snap?”

Riki looks over and says, “Yeah, that's her.” He then finishes his potato.

“What’s wrong?”

“It just… Razzle asked me out, and I said no.” Riki mumbled. “...I wonder where she's going?”

Three of them are shocked.

Before they can say anything, Riki stands up and says, “I don't want to hear anything. I think it's time to go. I need a nap before the club tonight. I'll see you there.” He then walks away.

“...So who’s paying?” Bebop asked. She and Feather both look at Specs.

He lets out a sigh, “Fine, but the three of you own me.”

Back at the human household, Liz finished pulling up the food. She was about to go back to Rarity and pick up her new outfit and Louie, but she was home and might as well fix Riki's stereo; it wouldn’t take that long.

Sitting at the kitchen table, Liz is soldering the loose wires back and munching on peanut butter and chocolate chip granola. “Damn, did Riki drop this thing off the fuckin’ roof?” Liz stops when she hears a few knocks on the door. Putting the soldering iron down, Liz makes her way to the door. “Rarity, Louie. Sorry, I just wanted to drop the food off and got distracted by Riki's stereo.” Liz opens the door and sees it’s not Rarity or Louie. “Oh, sorry, I thought you were someone else. Why are you here?”

“Rarity, you were supposed to only make one outfit,” Louie muttered, adjusting the bag full of clothes on his back. “You made a crap ton.”

Walking beside Louie, Rarity says, “Darling, I was on a roll making all those fabulous clothes for Liz. I couldn't stop the ideas from flowing. This is only half of the outfit for her.”

“Liz is not a doll, Rarity.”

“I know, it’s just… Making clothes for her and Riki really pushes my creativity.” Rarity smiled. “Oh, we're here!” The two finally arrived at the house. Rarity opens and says, “Liz, you didn’t come back to my shop, so we’re here!”

Nothing

“...Liz, are you here!?” Rarity shouted, “Hello…?”

Louie stops and sniffs the air. “There’s a faint scent … Wait, no!” A familiar scent made Louie's eye widen in fear. “Nonononononono!” He drops the bag of clothes and runs to the smell, and Rarity follows. Rarity is about to ask what’s going on but stops when she sees Liz’s body on the kitchen floor.

Rarity lets a blood-curdling screen.

They rush over to her body and flip her over. Both of them are shocked to see that Liz’s face is red and swollen. “What’s wrong with Liz!?” Rarity asked worriedly, “Is she breathing?”

Louie's ears flicker. “Liz is barely breathing. I've seen this before when she accidentally ate something with strawberries. Liz is having an allergic reaction! I’ll be back.” He then runs out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

“L-Liz, it’s going to be okay. We’re here, w-we got you.” Rarity’s voice trembles as she begins to cry. She rubs Liz’s head, hopefully to calm herself down. Let her know that she is here with her. Liz’s hand, covered in hives, slowly reaches out to Rarity's hoof. “Louie…!”

With all the strength, Liz has left, and mumbles, “R… R-R…”

“Louie, Liz needs you!”

Louie comes back with an EpiPen in his mouth. Spitting it out, he says, “Take the cap off and stab her leg!”

“What!?”

“Just do it!”

Rarity grabs the EpiPen and stabs Liz’s leg. “What now!”

“We go to the hospital, fast!” Louie said, growing in size and putting them on his back. He then busts down the front door. Running full speed into Ponyville, Rarity is holding on tight with Liz in her hooves. “Stay with me, Liz! You’re not dying... Who the hell did this to her!"

Author's Note

The Character Bio has been updated. Also, feel free to ask questions.