Chapter 24

The Punch Bowl, Ponyville

Cheerilee stared at the half-empty glass of ale before her. This was her fifth…or was it the seventh? She honestly had lost track of how many pints she had. Being an earthpony meant that she could drink quite a bit before getting seriously drunk. Right now her mind swam with a pleasant buzz, but she still retained her ability to think. She gulped the rest of the ale down with a hoof-full of peanuts, tapping the bar for another drink.

“Berry another pint please!”

Berry frowned. “Miss Cheerilee, you’ve already had ten so far. If you drink anymore you’ll start to get sick.”

Cheerilee’s eyes narrowed. “What do you care? It’s my bits and I can spend them however I want.”

“I’m not telling you how to spend your bits, but I’ve seen enough ponies to know that you’ve got a problem. And that problem ain’t gonna be fixed with booze.”

Cheerilee slammed her hoof against the countertop. “PROBLEMS? Why does EVERYPONY want to stick their snouts in MY PROBLEMS!? Why can’t they just let me be?”

“It’s because most of us here in Ponyville care about you. You’re a wonderful mare that deserves as much. Now I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that you’ve got a problem that begins with a stallion.”

“You’re right…at least partially.”

Berry wiped the counter. “Go on, talking about it will make you feel better.”

Cheerilee sighed. “It wasn’t that I had a problem with this particular stallion. He was kind, intelligent and thoughtful. The perfect gentlecolt really…”

“So then why are you so upset?”

“He told me that he liked me, but there was another mare. We had a nice date but he apparently had said some terrible things to her and was distracted the whole time. So in the end he chose the other mare. I guess I shouldn’t be so upset since we really didn’t do very much. It still hurts though…to be cast aside like that.”

Berry whistled. “Oh boy if I had a bit for every heart breaking story I’ve heard, I’d be the new princess of Equestria. Heh I like the sound of that: Princess Punch.”

Cheerilee glared at her. “This is serious!”

“Whoa whoa calm down. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’ve heard those kinds of things a million times over. My advice is to stop drowning in ale and concentrate on finding another special somepony.”

“You make it sound like it’s so easy. Do you know how hard it is for a nerdy mare like me to find a stallion?”

Berry sighed. “You’re plenty pretty enough and I don’t think being nerdy is really that bad. At least you’ve got plenty of stuff to talk about.”

“Yeah plenty of boring stuff. Stallions always want a mare they can impress, which usually involves showing how much useless information they know.”

“Hmm well maybe you should stop looking for a stallion.”

Cheerilee huffed. “WHAT!? You just got done telling me I needed to start dating again.”

“I said you need to stop looking for a stallion, not to stop dating. Maybe what you need is to start looking for a mare.”

“W-why would you even suggest that? I’m not really sure I even like mares that way. I mean yeah I did some experimenting in college but everypony did that.”

Berry munched on some peanuts. “It’s simply food for thought. I’ll get you some water. Maybe that will help you clear your mind a bit.”

Cheerilee dejectedly began to chug down the bottle of water Berry gave her. Yes, she defiantly remembered that night during her college days when she did a bit of “experimenting”. The magenta mare had been invited to a party and of course like everypony else, she partook in some recreational drugs.

One thing led to another and she had a night of mind-blowingly awesome sex with a spunky pegasus named Frostbite. Sure it was fun for all involved, but she hadn’t really loved Frostbite. It was just a one night stand, nothing more. Cheerilee was about to take another swig of water when the doors to the bar burst open.

“GREETINGS CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE! YOUR PRINCESS HAS COME TO CONSUME ALCOHOL!”

Cheerilee groaned. “Princess Luna certainly knows how to make an entrance.”

Since the bar was almost completely full, Luna couldn’t really find a table to sit at. While scanning the room she found that the bar itself had a vacant seat. She saw that Ponyville’s resident school-mare was drinking some…water? Perhaps the teacher was only here for the food. It was not Luna’s place to judge a teetotaler. Luna plopped next to Cheerilee and gave her a sparkly white smile.

“Greetings Ms. Cheerilee, are you enjoying your evening?”

Cheerilee felt a surge of nervous energy creep into her gut. She wasn’t prepared enough to meet a hobo right now, let alone royalty. Cheerilee was sure her eyes were bloodshot and her mane an absolute mess. No doubt she reeked of alcohol too. The teacher tried her best to summon a smile.

“Why hello your highness. Going out for a night on the town?”

“Please call me Luna; I’m not really a fan of formalities. Oh and to answer your question, yes I was in the mood to do some drinking.”

Cheerilee laughed nervously. “Aha yes I heard you say so as you walked in the door.”

Luna blushed. “Damn it! I used the Canterlot voice again didn’t I? Tia is always telling me that ponies of this era aren’t used to hearing it anymore.”

Cheerilee tried her best to stifle a gasp, considering she just heard a princess swear. “Don’t worry about it Prin-Luna, it was just your way of making an entrance.”

“Thank goodness! I thought that I had frightened you. Bartender I would like a glass of your finest sherry please.”

Berry nodded. “Comin’ right up princess.”

“So…were you busy in Canterlot today?”

Luna sighed. “Not as busy as I would like to be. It seems my sister is so used to handling the daily affairs of Equestria, that she hardly needs me around. I often find myself craving excitement…it’s rather pathetic isn’t it?”

“Sadly, I know that feeling. My job keeps me busy for most of the year, but leaves my social life lacking. I haven’t really done anything exciting in years…at least not since my college days.”

Luna levitated her wine glass. “Ah lamenting the glory days. I can certainly toast to that. Oh wait, how rude of me. You’re abstaining from alcohol right now. I’m terribly sorry if I offended you.”

Cheerilee waved her hoof. “No need to worry yourself Luna. I already had ten beers; I’m trying to sober up right now.”

Luna giggled. “Such is the nature of earthpony stamina. Well then, I hope that your recovery is swift. You know I’m actually surprised you were willing to talk to me. Most ponies would be extremely intimidated by my presence. Perhaps this means we could be…friends?”

Cheerilee’s stomach tightened. “Oh well it’s not that big of a deal really. You looked like you needed somepony to talk to. We’re all ponies right?”

Luna flared out her wings. “THAT’S PRECISELY WHAT I’VE BEEN…trying to say all along. Sorry I tend to use the voice when I get excited. None of citizens of Equestria realize that underneath all of our royal trappings, we want some of the same things they do.”

“Well then, I’m happy to extend my friendship to you Luna.”

Luna wrapped Cheerilee in a tight hug. “Huzzah! I’ve finally found another companion!”

“Luna…you’re…choking…me.”

“Oh hehehe sorry, I’m just so happy to meet a new friend!”

“I don’t mind hugs at all and I’m happy to be your new friend. However, I really must be getting home so I can get some rest.”

Luna smiled. “Of course, please feel better. Oh and might I ask you something before you go?”

“Certainly.”

“If you’re still looking for something to do tomorrow, I was planning on visiting Empress Cadence. It has been quite some time since I’ve seen her and the Crystal Empire. Are you interested in going?”

Cheerilee shuffled her hooves. “Well…I suppose that could be fun. You know what, I’ll go. It’s been ages since I’ve had a proper vacation. Count me in!”

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Cheerilee’s house, Ponyville

Cheerilee awoke feeling like processed pony shit. Her head felt like it was hit by a solid block of concrete and her mouth tasted and felt like sand. She trudged out of bed towards the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. As soon as she got some caffeine in her system she felt ready enough to eat some breakfast. After munching on a bowl of Daring Do’s signature “Golden Treasure Cereal” she took a quick shower.

The teacher poured herself yet another cup of coffee and began to read, as per her usual morning ritual. She very nearly choked on her coffee when she heard somepony knocking at the door. Cheerilee opened the door to find a bright-eyed and busy tailed Luna staring back at her.

“Good morning Cheerilee!”

Cheerilee rubbed her eyes. “I didn’t think you were much of a morning pony.”

Luna laughed. “Usually no, but I was so excited that I came over early. This way we may start our journey as quickly as possible.”

“Wait…when you said you wanted to go on a vacation, you meant today?”

“Indeed. Is that a problem?”

“No, it’s just that I figured you’d want to plan it out first.”

Luna waved her hoof. “But I already have. This trip was planned months ago. Cadence already knows that I am to arrive today.”

Cheerilee chewed her lip. “What about packing? Surely we need to do that.”

“No need to worry, Everything shall be provided for once we arrive.”

“Ok…so are we taking a train or an airship?”

Luna grinned. “Neither! We’re teleporting.”

Cheerilee suddenly felt queasy. “B-but the Crystal Empire is so far away.”

“Yes I am aware of this. But do not fear, for my magic is extremely powerful. We should have no trouble getting there in one piece.”

“Umm well if you insist, I mean you are an alicorn after all.”

Luna’s horn was bathed in a dark blue aura. “Just one moment, it has been quite some time since I’ve used teleportation. Hmm…that’s not good.”

“What’s not good? Is there something wrong?”

“Oh it’s nothing. My memory of the Crystal Empire is a bit foggy. Let me concentrate for a moment.”

Cheerilee was about to put her cup away when her hoof caught on the edge of a floorboard causing her to trip and drop her coffee cup. This in turn startled Luna enough to break her concentration, setting the teleportation spell off prematurely. In a flash of sapphire light, both ponies were gone.

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A snowy plain, somewhere near the Crystal Empire

Cold. It was terribly cold. Then came the feeling of vertigo. Cheerilee spilled the contents of her breakfast onto the freshly fallen snow, struggling to keep on her hooves. Spiting the remaining bile from her mouth she looked around, trying to find Princess Luna but couldn’t see her anywhere. The only thing she saw was snow, countless miles of snow. Worse yet, the wind began to pick up sending a chill through her already weakened body. Cheerilee knew that if she didn’t find shelter soon, she would freeze to death.

“LUNA ARE YOU OUT THERE!?”

After waiting about three minutes, there was no response. She realized that the princess wasn’t going to answer her. So began her long trek to find somewhere to hunker down, until help arrived. As the mare wadded through the dense blanket of snow she began to feel even weaker. All of the calories that would have sustained her were lost when she threw up. Her hooves started to feel a bit numb, which was not a very good sign. She felt so sleepy. Sleep, yes…sweet, delicious sleep. Just a quick nap wouldn’t hurt right?

“I think I’ll take a nice rest. Celestia knows I deserve it. Yeah nice and quick…”

As Cheerilee began to close her eyes she saw something strange. She squinted, trying to figure out what was standing in front of her. It looked like a…stallion? He was absolutely beautiful. The stallion stood almost as tall as Celestia herself, but with a shimmering bluish-white coat. His mane was much the same color as the snow. Those piercing icy blue eyes stared right into her soul, his voice as soft as the breeze.

“Do not worry little lost lamb, for I am your shepard.”

Cheerilee stared into his eyes. “You’re here t-to save me?”

“Yes, but you need to keep moving. If you lay your weary head, all you shall find is eternal slumber.”

“But I’m…so…tired.”

The stallion brushed her cheek with his hoof. “Follow me. I shall provide for all of your desires. All you need to do is walk.”

Cheerilee felt her chest tighten. “All…of…my…desires. Yes, that sounds good.”

“I sense the hunger in your eyes. Worry not for I can satisfy your hungers, be they of the feast or the flesh.”

Cheerilee felt hot tears stream down her cheeks. “I just want somepony to love me…”

The stallion grinned. “Then my love shall be the last thing you experience.”

Unbeknownst to Cheerilee, the stallion’s eyes had started to glow as he approached her from behind. His mane began to flow wildly behind him. The stallion’s advance was halted by a bolt of lightning, hurtling him several feet away. Cheerilee turned around to see Princess Luna. The alicorn’s face was beset with rage, the very air around her crackling with power.

“Stay away from her beast!”

The stallion floated off of the ground, glaring at Luna. His once beautiful façade was now demonic and fearsome. He screeched in rage, flying towards Luna with fangs barred. A torrent of frost spewed from his mouth, in an attempt to freeze the princess solid. Luna, however, was savvy enough to erect a barrier. She expanded it rapidly so it would slam into the oncoming creature.

While the creature was temporarily stunned, Luna concentrated magic into her horn and blasted him with all her might. The beam cut through him as if he were made of paper. He slumped to the ground with a strangled cry…then there was silence. Luna rushed over to Cheerilee and held her close.

“Cheerilee are you alright?”

“Luna…is that you?”

Luna stroked her mane. “Shh don’t try to talk too much. You need to conserve your strength.”

“Feel…so…weak.”

“You’re experiencing hypothermia, so we need to get you warmed up quickly or you’ll die. I’m going to give you some of my magic to sustain you until we find shelter.”

Cheerilee rested her head on Luna’s shoulder. “Shelter…ah yes a bed would be nice. Sleep, I need sleep.”

“You can rest all you want I promise, but you need to be strong. You need to stay awake.”

All Cheerilee could do was smile as she welcomed the sweet embrace of darkness.

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Fluttershy’s cottage, Ponyville

The entire ordeal in the Everfree left Ariadne feeling utterly exhausted. Sheep were not the greatest practitioners of magic so any kind of activity generally left the user fatigued. In her case it was coupled by the fact that she had extremely powerful magic to work with. At least they had retrieved the poppies, which Fluttershy was busy grinding up at the moment. Ariadne yawned loudly and trotted off to the kitchen to find the buttery pegasus.

Shy hummed to herself. “Oh hello Ariadne, I’m almost done with the medicine. Mr. Beaverton will be so happy. I can’t stand to see the poor little guy in so much pain.”

Ariadne bit her lip. “Hey umm Fluttershy can you promise me something?”

“I suppose I can but I need to know what I’m promising in the first place.”

“Well it’s about my magic. You have to promise me that you’ll keep it a secret between the two of us. No one else can know about it.”

“I don’t know why you’d want to keep that wonderful voice of yours a secret but I promise I won’t tell anypony about it.”

Ariadne gave her a quick hug. “Thank you for being so understanding.”

Fluttershy blushed. “I understand. You’ll talk about it when you feel comfortable.”

The sheep’s stomach let out a loud gurgling noise, giving voice to her hunger. She blushed heavily burying her face in her hooves. “I guess with all the excitement going on, I forgot to eat.”

Shy giggled. “You know I’m a bit hungry myself. Why don’t we head into town and get a bite to eat?”

“B-but I don’t have any money…”

“That’s not a problem; consider it a thank you for saving my life and helping all of my animal friends. What kind of food do you like to eat?”

“I’ve always been rather partial to spinach and apples. A salad would be nice.”

Shy smiled. “That does sound pretty good right now. Just let me get some bits and we’ll be on our way.”

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Golden Wheat Café, Ponyville

Fluttershy and Ariadne had been seated easily enough, but not without drawing a few looks. Sheep were uncommon to Equestria so it was highly unusual to see one anywhere. However, most of the ponies went about their business once they got a good look. If nothing else Equestrians prided themselves on being open minded towards other species. Shy had decided to order a pasta salad, while Ariadne ordered spinach and walnut salad complete with raspberry vinaigrette. The two ate in relative silence, simply enjoying each other’s company. This went on until Ariadne noticed a suspicious looking patron dining across from them.

Ariadne’s ears perked up. “Fluttershy don’t you think that guy over there is acting a bit shifty?”

Shy looked over and saw a cloaked stallion eating a bowl of soup. That in of itself wasn’t unusual but it was strange that he was wearing sunglasses indoors. She swore that every time that she would look over, he would look away and eat his soup.

“Hmm he is a bit odd…but I don’t think he’s doing anything wrong.”

“He’s making me nervous.”

“Do you want to get a to-go bag? We can eat back at the cottage if you feel that uncomfortable.”

Ariadne shook her head. “No…it’s fine. But if he starts to act really strange, then we’re leaving.”

“Ok, but for now let’s try to enjoy our meal.”

Shy daintily ate more pasta salad but still managed to get some on her muzzle. She was so intent on eating, that she failed to notice the mess she made. Ariadne saw it and began to giggle.

Shy scrunched her nose. “Why are you giggling? What’s so funny?”

“Oh nothing…”

“It most certainly isn’t nothing or you wouldn’t be laughing.”

Ariadne licked the pasta salad off of Shy’s muzzle, making the mare squeak in surprise. Fluttershy turned beat red and ducked underneath the table. Meanwhile, Ariadne couldn’t help but think that her little display was the most adorable thing she’d ever seen.

“Oh…my. T-that was…you shouldn’t have…urrgghhh I don’t even know what to say!”

Ariadne grinned. “I was just teasing you. Your reaction was totally worth it.”

“Well don’t do that again without warning me first.”

“I noticed that you didn’t say ‘Don’t ever do that again’. Does that mean you liked it when I licked you?”

Shy’s wings rustled. “I…might have I-I don’t know!”

“If it makes you feel any better you can pay me back for it later.”

Fluttershy pouted. “Fine, but you better watch your back. I can be really sneaky when I put my mind to it.”

As the pair finished their lunch and trotted back to Fluttershy’s cottage, the cloaked stallion quietly exited the café as well. His eyes darted back and forth, making sure that no one was around. He pulled out a small mirror from his cloak and put down his hood, revealing him to be a ram not a stallion. The mirror hummed to life as he spoke the word to active it.

“This had better be important viceroy; You have interrupted my sleep.”

“Lord Chancellor, I have exciting news. I have found your daughter!”

“Excellent.”

“Should I capture her?”

“Not yet, that would arouse suspicion. We need to corner her when she feels the safest.”

“What do you suggest milord?”

“Hmm has she befriended any of the Equestrians? Certainly she couldn’t have survived this long without aid.”

“I might have a lead on that. She was at a local café with yellow pegasus. They seemed to be very cordial with each other.”

“Good, we can use the pegasus as leverage. Keep up the good work viceroy. For now just continue to monitor them and make sure she doesn’t go anywhere near the commander.”

“As you command milord.”