Significant Inconvenience

“Hey Tavi?”

“Yes dear Vinyl?”

“You ever feel like you’re forgetting something important and it’s on the tip of your tongue.”

“I’d say so,” Octavia peered at her marefriend over her menu. “Presently it would be attempting to remember what I was going to order.”

“Yeah well it’s definitely something here.” Vinyl spun the straw of her drink with her magic. “Like walking through a door and forgetting why you were going that way.”

Octavia cocked an eyebrow, “Most likely that is what occurred to the waitress, yes?”

“Exactly!” Vinyl pointed the straw at Octavia, flicking lemonade droplets into her mane.

It had been awhile, especially since they had ordered their drinks. Their waitress had delivered them with a parting promise of return. Yet, several minutes later, there was no sight of their presence.

In fact, the whole establishment seemed to be void of ponies.

Octavia hummed in contemplation, “I suppose there is quite a lack of patrons here. It might be because of the Princess’ wed-“

A crash of glass in the background interrupted Octavia. Before she could continue a bright orange pony ran out from the back crying, bursting through the entrance door.

“Food poisoning?”

“Vinyl!”

Before Octavia could continue her berating a black coated unicorn with some sort of oriental wings came in tow of the running pony. Skidding to a halt at their table, they raised their hoof and opened their mouth to-

"Hey, we've been looking for somepony." Vinyl interrupted the waiter, who reared back in confusion. "Are we gonna get any service around here? This is getting a bit ridiculous, especially whatever was up with that other pony."

"Ssssorrry," The unicorn looked like they were stuck, unable to compute the situation. Strange, ignoring their unusual appearance, even their demeanor was off-putting. "We are closssed for now, ssseee you laterr."

In an instant they were outside the restaurant, crashing and boisterous noises resumed on the inside. The streets were almost empty, save for a few ponies running around and an abnormal amount of other ponies that looked like the waiter. A couple buildings were blackened with soot, crumbling around them.

Octavia hummed, "There is certainly many of these different ponies around here. Could they be from out of town? We rarely encounter different creatures from outside Equestria often, how interesting!"

"Eh, they're probably from out east." Vinyl shrugged, "Like that griffon that runs the kebab place on fifth street."

The couple continued along the street, taking in the sights. It had been decided they should attempt to see the Princess' ceremony if possible. Considering it looked like most stores were closed, and ponies were predisposed with watching as well. Their end of day activities had been decided for them before they even knew it.

"I knew Canterlot was all about their parties, never thought they would go all out as much as this." Vinyl commented, her head swiveling back and forth to look at all the debris littering the street. "Best in my hometown was some houses to teepee. Respect Tavi."

Octavia's brow furrowed in concern, "I knew the larger events could get rambunctious, yet the green laser show in the day is somewhat guady."

"Yeah," Vinyl agreed, tilting her head up at the sky littered with green lasers. Occasionally different colors would dot the mass, only to be overshadowed by more green lasers. "It's kinda rad though, gives me some good ideas for my next gig."

"I suppose they are eccentric in their choices." Octavia commended, stepping over what looked to be a sleeping pony. They must have been run ragged preparing for the wedding, even so it was rude to sleep in the street.

It was understandable, considering who knows when last had been a wedding of an Equestrian princess. Though, in respect to that, Princess Cadence was the only princess on record that actually had been married. The event was almost like they had planned it to revitalize Equestria's economics.

At least, all the merchandise that flowed through the streets once it was announced pointed toward something of the sort.

"We're almost there anyways," Vinyl shrugged, continuing down the street. "Let's just ask whoever the pony in charge is."

Shortly after, the musicians had made it to the last stretch before the castle. An almost unending set of stairs awaited them before they could reach the castle. The amount of lasers and small explosions had increased since they first noticed the lightshow.

"Quite concerning that the explosions are happening so close to the castle." Octavia commented.

The light show was a marvel of modern pony lightshows, especially since they could be substituted for fireworks in the daytime. It could be some sort of new show, which wouldn't be surprising when there was a once in a lifetime event occurring.

Vinyl sighed, making the first step toward their long endeavor of climbing the stairs. "Listen Octavia, I might not be the best at magic. But I do know show theatrics, and that sounds exactly like pyrotechnics."

"If you say so dear," Octavia replied, walking in step next to Vinyl. "I must say, it is quite loud. Our orchestra is bounds more couth if you ask me."

They had made it over half way before another instance interrupted their stroll.

First an explosion stopped their conversation. Second, a dark object flew over the top of the stairs and landed next to them. Upon closer inspection it was an exact copy of the pony that they had seen at the restaurant, this time smoking from likely a stray laser.

"Hm, these guys all look the same."

Octavia smacked her in the side, "Vinyl, you can't say that!"

"What?" Vinyl said, "That's not like bullying or anything, that's an astute observation!"

"Something does not seem right." Octavia replied.

Vinyl straightened, "Alright, let's figure out what's going on."

The unicorn took the lead, rushing up the stairs. Immediately, she stopped at the top and turned around to face Octavia.

"Hey Octy."

"Scratch?"

"I think we're being invaded."