Canterlot's Hydra

When the sun rose the next day, I was excited to get in some more practice with flying. Now that I had at least a little bit of experience under my belt, I was more confident to fly without singing, meaning that I wasn't alone.

Gilded Spear followed behind me, our wing beats the only noise around us, beyond the occasional bird song. We passed by clouds, which reminded me of how pegasi in the show could just walk on them.

Testing this, I decided to glide my way through a cloud, fully prepared to not make contact. Though, instead of phasing through, my hooves made contact with solid and fluffy cloud instead. Tentatively taking a few steps around it, immense joy filled my mind.

Gilded landed right behind me on the same cloud, giving no strong reaction.

"I can't believe Pegasi just do this." I proclaimed ecstatically, gesturing to the cloud with a bright smile on my face.

My happiness must have been infectious, since Gilded smiled back at me, "Is this your first time on a cloud?"

"I was an earth pony before I ascended. I never even dreamed I'd be able to sit on a cloud, let alone fly." I said before looking down at all the ponies wandering around on the ground. They looked like ants from up here.

"Just be careful not to fall down, that's an awful long drop." Gilded warned.

"Absolutely, wouldn't want that to happen. Besides, we're loving this view." I responded, before my smile faded in an instant and a serious look took over my face.

"I see you've been hanging out with Princess Luna, came to you in a dream, I take it?" Said Gilded, but I was too lost in thought to respond.

Who's we? I wasn't talking about Gilded was I?

"Sorry... I'll do better." I said softly to myself more than Gilded, before I began flying again, all hints of joy gone.

"Aurum, what's wrong?" Gilded said as he began flying after me.

"Nothing, everything's fine." I faked a smile, despite knowing that he can't see it from behind me.

With his experience in flying, I wasn't surprised when he swooped beneath me and appeared in front of me, and thanks to me being self-taught, there wasn't enough momentum built up for me to crash into him.

"Aurum, Princess Celestia told us not to pry, and I won't," He said with a wave of his hoof, "I was planning to go get a few drinks after my shift. Would you like to join?" Hope filled his eyes.

A moment of hesitation passed, "This better not have anything to do with what was said yesterday." Came my reply, eyes narrowed.

Alarm took his features, "No, I was just..." He looked away from me and cleared his throat, "I was just offering, is all."

There was something he wasn't telling me. Honestly, though, I wouldn't mind a drink.

"You know what, sure. I'll... wait," I suddenly remembered, "I don't have any bits, nevermind."

"Oh, no worries, drinks are on me, food too." He said, almost too energetically.

"The guard pays that well?"

"Yeah," He said with spread forehooves before his enthusiasm wilting, "Well, I've been saving for a while." He seemed embarrassed.

"Well..." I didn't like feeling like I owed him money, but if I stick to the cheaper options it should be fine, "Alright, I'll give it a try."

A smile exploded onto his face, "Great. Once my shift ends, we can go."

"How do you feel about going now?" I asked, seriously.

He blanched at me, "I'm... not allowed to drink while on duty."

"If say, I ordered you too..." I left the sentence hanging, hoping he would pick it up.

"Oh... well, I am sworn to your service," He seemed like he didn't want too, "Want me to— lead you there?"

"Please," He started flying slowly down towards the street, "Although, If you'd prefer, we could do it later."

"No, no, I don't mind." He seemed like a different stallion now, back to being happy again. This is the second time I've seen his emotions shift so rapidly.

I followed him down to the streets with wind rippling past us, although, I was almost positive I saw him throw some litter down onto the street, and would've said something to him, but I didn't think he'd be able to hear me. I'd talk to him once we're inside.

We landed on the sidewalk in front of a nondescript building. There were no markings, nothing to distinguish this building from any other, it almost seemed to blend in with the surrounding buildings. The windows were opaque, as well. Gilded opened up the front door and gestured for me to follow him inside.

Wood flooring was what met me, and I was thankful to find the place mostly empty, only around four ponies inside. The bartender was the only person who acknowledged me, only with a nod. She was an older mare, dressed in a white tuxedo, her grey mane slicked back, and her eyes obscured by a pair of sunglasses.

I was led into the back of the dining area, "Where are we going?" I asked quietly.

"I rented out one of the V.I.P rooms." He answered in kind, and I would've argued, but he kicked a wall before I could say anything, and to my surprise, the wall rose up and a door was revealed. Without wasting any time, he led me into what I presumed to be the V.I.P room, an absurdly marvelous room. Dark stone flooring and walls, a swimming pool complete with waterfall, a stocked bar to one side of the room, a walled-off alcove with a fireplace burning nearby, and in the middle of the room was a table with two cushions.

It was my turn to be in awe, "Damn." I said, causing Gilded to gasp before letting out a childish giggle.

"Did you just swear?" He asked me incredulously.

"Right, guess I shouldn't have said that, sorry." I apologized.

"Oh, I don't mind." He responded, and the two of us walked over to the table, seated poolside.

"This must have cost a fortune," The cushion was comfortable, to my surprise. "And it's so dark in here."

The room was lit only by the pool, which bathed the both of us in a greenish blue light.

"Celestia mentioned how much you preferred solitude, and here, it's just us, and the barpony."

I looked towards the bar, but couldn't see anyone. While I was looking back, Gilded pulled out two menus and set one down silently in front of me, much to my surprise.

He's pretty quick... what's his game? To get me drunk enough to sleep with him? To get information? To extort me? I wouldn't know, but as always... If things go bad...

What if I'm too drunk to sing, though? ...It's been too long since I've had a drink.

"How often have you been here?" I asked, just to make casual small talk.

"In this room, or the bar?"

"The bar."

"Oh, I stop by once a moon... What would you like?" He asked, gesturing to the menu.

Picking the menu up in my magic, I looked it over. Neatly organized boxes were displayed on the menu, most of what was served was alcohol, and the amount served was astonishing.

'Angel Blitz', 'Calm Bear' ' Cappuccino Torrent', 'Cherry Bubble', ooh cherry bubble sounds nice.

"I wouldn't mind trying this cherry bubble drink, actually." I couldn't hide my excitement.

"I could go for a cherry bubble myself." He waved towards the bar, and a unicorn mare with pinkish purple fur carried over two tall glasses of a dark red, bubbly liquid. The smell of it reminded me of cherry soda, with the unmistakable aroma of alcohol in it.

Gilded took a measured sip of the alcohol and scrunched up his nose at the taste.

"It's got a bit of a kick to it, cherry bubbles is actually pretty high on the alcohol-per-volume scale."

"I didn't see a price on the menu, it's not too expensive, is it?" I asked before downing the glass's contents with a few large gulps.

It was sweet, cherry-flavored, with a cotton-candy aftertaste. Pony liquor is weird, but enjoyable. Warmth filled my stomach and as I looked at Gilded, he was staring me with shrunken eyes and a squirming mouth.

"Uh... is it... expensive?" I asked again, nervousness in my voice.

He shook his head and smiled at me while waving a hoof to the bar again, "Not at all, the drinks are complimentary with the room."

"You're pulling my leg." I said, as the mare brought me another tall glass of cherry bubbles. I tilted it back just as fast.

"You... you sure can drink, huh?" He asked, nervously.

"I haven't had a drink since I got to Canterlot. These don't taste like anything you can get back home." My drink was quickly refilled, and I chugged back another glass.

I smiled at Gilded, "Thanks for bringing me out here, Gilded."

"Uh, no problem, Aurum. Feel free to order any other drinks or food you'd like from the menu." He said, calming down as he got used to me finishing glasses quickly.

My drink was refilled again and I downed it just as quickly as the first two. I could've sworn I saw Gilded move over and shrug somewhere behind me, but I was having trouble caring at the moment.

"Are you still technically... on duty?" I said, slowly.

"Yeah, I'm not off until nightfall." He said, looking at me with an either nervous or excited smile, I couldn't tell.

"You're free to take off your armor, if you want... We won't be attacked." I uttered in a wistful tone.

"T-thanks, Aurum." Gilded began to remove his armor and place it against the wall separating this room from the fireplace alcove.

For the third time, my drink was refilled, and I knocked it back, "This... stuff is good." I rubbed the empty glass with a hoof.

"It's also really strong." He replied with an awkward expression.

"I remember back home... I used to... uh..." My drink was refilled and I downed it again, "I used to go to a store... bought... Bailey's. I don't think Canterlot has those." I leaned forward onto the table.

"It's the first time I'm hearing of it." I noticed he wasn't drinking any more, he flip-flopped between concerned and happy expressions.

"Like... whip cream, caramel, deliciousness... burned in your throat and chest." I let out a concentrated breath, mimicking how a dragon would breath fire.

"Uh-huh." Gilded had his head held on his hoof, as he smiled at me.

I shook my head as my drink was refilled... I couldn't stop myself, "Tell me a bit about yourself, Gild."

His head shot up and he wasn't smiling anymore, "Oh I... I've lived in Canterlot my whole life." He explained.

"You like it here?" I asked, slurring my words as my drink was refilled for the sixth time.

"Oh yes, It's a beautiful city." He nodded happily.

"Tell me about it," I hiccuped as my drink was refilled for the seventh time, "Even your sewers... are..."

My mind blanked.

What were we talking about?

What was I talking about?

"I shouldn't have come here." I said, staring at my glass as I downed another one.

"What do you mean?" I heard.

"Should've... shoun't..." My glass was refilled, bubbly cherry deliciousness awaited my tongue, and I had to drink. "Shouldn't have come here.... Place... here, bar."

"We could leave, if you wanted." Gilded offered me, rising from his cushion.

"No... too late now..." My drink was refilled for the ninth time. "Can't go... putting genies back in bottles once... they're out."

"Right." Gilded agreed with me happily, because he knew I was right.

A Pitcher of dark red, bubbly liquid was brought over to the table, and a low whistle escaped from my mouth and swindled around the table like a spider's web.

"I think I'm... in love with thisssss," My face blanched as it neared the table, "Place... already."

Lifting the pitcher in my hooves, I placed it drunkenly near my mouth and got most of it inside. I began to chug the alcohol, even as the drink poured out of the sides of my mouth and dribbled down onto my chest and hooves.

"Having fun, my Prince?" I heard someone ask.

"...Sorry..." I said finally, letting the pitcher drop onto the floor when it was empty, my hooves weren't feeling sturdy.

A honey-colored blur on the other side of the table appeared to be talking to me, "Don't be sorry, drink as much as you like."

"Hah... ain't gotta tell me tw-twice..." Another pitcher was brought over and I drunkenly downed it as well.

It was noon, and Gilded and I were sitting in the swimming pool, I had been consistently drinking for the past few hours. It was becoming a serious problem, and I knew I needed to stop, but...

"Why is all... Eques-Equestias... alcohol... Bailey's?" I asked in a daze.

"I know, right?" Gilded responded, because clearly I had said something profound, "Aurum, you always seem to know exactly what to do and say."

I laughed and smiled giddily at Gilded's wisdom, but as I thought about it, I realized that I was only ever right once.

"No." I said darkly, and a few seconds later, I had another drink beside me.

"You're okay, Aurum. Everything's okay." I heard someone mutter comfortingly.

"I was only right once... when I start... started to sing." I splashed at the wall indignantly.

"Sing? I didn't know you were a singer, Aurum."

Ha! That's the thing, nobody can know!" I practically screamed, and drunkenly rose from my seat in the pool.

"Aurum, calm down, everything will be okay." Gilded tried to sooth me.

"Nobody can hear me sing, Gilded. Nobody should... either..." I drunkenly wobble back down into a seating position before grabbing my drink and downing it quickly.

When I finished drinking, I found Gilded Spear sitting beside me.

"I'd like to hear you sing, Aurum." His green eyes stared back at me, and I could feel a warm hoof on my back.

Something had started to hurt... something inside.

"Got... gotta song... won't... do nothin'." I rambled out, "Just... cover my mouth when... when it's... too bad."

Lost in time, a forgotten race I began singing, trying my best not to sound too drunk in my recitation.

Aliens of old, in an eternal... space

Gathered 'round a campfire in the cosmic sky

Their consciousness trapped... No way to say goodbye

I expected a hoof over my mouth, and hesitated, but none came, so I kept going.

Millennia gone, but their presence remains

A ghostly fire that forever burns

Never wanes

Whispers in the wind, their tales untold

Memories locked in limbo, a story to unfold

I splashed a drum beat softly into the water.

Eternal flame

Burning through the night

Lost souls united

Their spirits taking flight, In the void

They exist without a name

Forever bound by the campfire's eternal flame

I reached over and began downing another glass of cherry bubbles as soon as I finished singing.

Something smaller leaned onto me without consequence, "That... was incredible."

When I looked back, I saw something new.

Staring back at me was the most handsome stallion I'd ever seen, leaning against my side. His hoof rubbed gently over my chest.

"You have a beautiful singing voice." He said softly, smiling happily at me.

"Thanks for... letting me sing." I said as I wobbled softly.

His head was resting on my chest.

"Are you... okay with this?" He asked.

"Huh... oh, yeah... just don't... do anything... sexual." I said in a daze.

"You prefer mares?" He asked.

I huffed as another glass was brought to me. I swear, if a doctor examined me, they'd find blood in my alcohol stream.

"I don't know." I responded.

"If you want me to stop..." He left the sentence hanging, hoping I'd pick it up.

"Nothing. Sexual." I replied darkly, "Please, I'm not..."

"No, it's okay, I understand... Nothing sexual." He responded, as I turned to finish another glass. "Maybe just a hug, though?"

"Yeah... I'd... I'd like a-"

Hush now, sleep tight, mind takes flight

Gilded got off of me and went to get out of the pool, the both of us were confused.

"What? I'm not... I'm not singing."

Darkness creeping in, shadow figures in sight

Something felt off around my neck, and as I looked around, I noticed my neck was longer, and started to feel stretchy, and numb. Turning my head, my eyes widened in fear.

Another neck was coming out of my body, and my head was sitting at the top of it, my human head, anyway, now horribly deformed and colored a cherry red.

My other head's mouth was wide open in song, elongated teeth hanging out of it in a horrific view. The holes where my eyes were, laid empty. Blackened holes, slick with... something, were all that remained. Thick, bulbous veins poked from the other head and neck, as it smiled grotesquely and sang my song.

I sang in chorus with it, as I ripped the table me and Gilded were sitting at earlier.

Specters move slow, driftin' like smoke

THWACK!

I smashed the table into the other head and cringed in pain. It's nervous system was attached to mine.

It didn't respond to my attack, and kept singing, much to my dismay.

I would have to get rid of this thing, quickly and quietly, but where could I possibly go?