>Be Aux as you lift a hoof up and knock on the door of your best friend Hekesuh’s house.
>Today is his birthday and you are ever so excited to be spending this special day together.
>You wait at the doorstep with the gifts you’d brought in your arms as a large, gruff looking figure slowly opens the door a crack.
>Hekesuh’s father glowers down at you from between the doorframe and you begin to wilt in front of his eyes.
“I-I-is Hekesuh here?” you stutter.
>”Hekesuhhh, yer friend’s here.” he yells Retreating back inside the house leaving the door open a crack.
>Again you wait as you hear the galloping of hooves coming closer through the house as a small blue haired stallion appears.
>“Aux! You came to celebrate my birthday with me!” he exclaims grabbing you in a tight hug.
>You wrap your forelegs around Hekesuh’s back in return as he squeezes you tightly.
“Happy birthday Heke” you manage to cough out from inside his strangling hold.
>As he releases you his face shines brightly with happiness, mouth wide open in a toothy grin.
>”Come inside we can hang out in my room” he says as you both step inside the house. 
>The rank smell of old cigarette smoke hits your nose as the pair of you walk past a pile of dirty dishes down the hallway to Hekesuh’s room.
“I brought you some presents” you say handing Heke a brightly coloured package .
“Oh bat!” Hekesuh exclaims as he takes the package and excitedly tears it open to reveal a large bunch of bananas clustered on the stem and some candy.
>“Bananas and a candy necklace, my favourites!” Hekesuh screes happily and stretches the colourful sugar ringlets on an elastic string overtop his head to wear on his neck.
>Sliding his muzzle underneath the necklace he stetches the elastic into his open mouth. With the necklace now cutting into either side of his cheeks he begins to suckle on the sweets.
>“Oh Aux, you’re the best!” Hekesuh says in between suckling slurps as he grabs you in another crushing hug.
“No problem bat bud, after all birthday’s only come once a year” you manage to wheezily choke out.
>The two of you sit down on heke’s bed and begin pondering what to do.
>”Hey look at what my parents got me for my birthday” Hekesuh says eagerly as he pulls out a cardboard box from underneath his bed.
>”They’re called Seamonkeys! You put water into the aquarium home and then you add the eggs and within minutes they will grow and start their own civilisation!” Hekesuh quickly exclaims speaking a mile a minute and slurring his words as he shoves the box into your face.
>Eyes adjusting to the sudden cubic assault you look at the colourfully detailed box with a smiling pink anthropomorphic sea monkey family on it and begin to read.
>Always clowning around, these frolicsome pets swim, stunt and play games with each other. Because they are so full of tricks, you’ll never tire of watching them! Raising Sea Monkeys is so easy, even a filly can do it without help. Sea Monkeys eat very little, and they keep their water so clean. They require only minimum care although they LOVE attention. Anyone who enjoys the company of pets will ADORE Sea Monkeys. Best of all, we even show you how to teach them to obey your commands like a pack of friendly trained seals! What a way to surprise your guests!
>After reading the description your eyes scroll back up a couple of sentences.
“Teach them to obey your commands” you mumble.
>”Yeah we can teach them to do our homework!” Hekesuh shrieks loudly in such excitement that he begins to vibrate, grinning from ear to ear.
“Maybe Florence will finally notice me if I can impress her with the Sea Monkeys!” you say, catching Heke’s vibes.
>”You open the box and I’ll go get some water!” Hekesuh says as he dashes off knocking over a shelf.
>”Hey keep it down out dere I’m tryina sleep!” you hear his father yell as Heke gallops through the house in a frenzy.
>Franticly you open the box as visions of all the marefriends the Sea Monkey’s will get you flash through your mind.
“Maybe Florence will marry me” you think as you slide the plastic Sea Monkey home out of its package and onto the carpet as Hekesuh breathlessly returns panting with a pitcher of water in his mouth.
>Sitting down you both begin to examine the contents of the Sea Monkeys Magic Castle. 
“This is the coolest thing ever! You’re so lucky Heke!” you blurt out in sheer wonder at what your eyes beheld.
>Grinning Hekesuh begins erratically pouring the pitcher of water into the Sea Monkeys Magic Castle and water splashes in every direction onto the floor.
>With your fangs you tear away at the celluloid package containing the eggs, wanting to be of some help as Heke finishes pouring the water with his less than stellar accuracy.
>Eagerly you give heke the package of eggs and he pours them into their new home as you both begin feverishly waiting in anticipation. 
>Seconds pass and the two of you begin to bounce up and down screeching in impatient excitement.
>”Why isn’t anything happening?” Shrieks Hekesuh in frustration. 
“I don’t know...th…the package said!” you shout as you recheck the piece of paper with the instructions on it and then proceed to gaze intently at the plastic container filled with water.
>Frustration begins to pressure up inside of you like a can of soda that’s been shaken by the hands of an infant with parkinsons.
>Dreams of becoming a popular stallion begin to fade away from your mind. No first kiss with Florence, no climbing to the top of the social ladder. The Seamonkey’s offered you your dreams and then took them away with their filthy pink webbed fingers and false smiles.
“Why can’t anything work out good for once?” you sob as tears begin to well up inside your eyes.
>”I don’t know Aux, I just don’t know…”  Hekesuh laments with his face now sticky and stained in colourful candy muck.
>The door to the room is suddenly opened as Hekesuh’s father steps in, his eyes bloodshot. 
>”Da fuck you doin?” he shouts. 
>”It’s the damn SeaMonkey’s fault!” Hekesuh stammers a reply.
>“No I don’t give no fuck bout no shit monkeys! I can’t get any sleep with you two mango brained idiots  making all this noise. I don’t want any of yer friends in this house.” He says glaring at you. 
>”B…But!” Hekesuh whines.
>”Make a move Hekesuh” his father says sternly.
>”Cmon Aux lets go” heke says as you get up and begin walking out of the room but not without giving the Seamonkey’s Magic Castle a quick hate filled glance. 
“Fuckin colts” Hekesuhs father mumbles under his breath as you leave.
>You and Heke take refuge underneath an old willow tree on the lawn as you begin wondering what to do for the rest of the night.
>The colours outside seem a little less bright as you stare mindlessly off into the distance. Slightly relieved to be out of Hekesuh’s house and away from his father who kinda scares you.
“So what do we do now?” Hekesuh asks as you lay down together on the grass.
“I’ve got a few bits left we could walk to the convenience store and buy some snacks” you reply nonchalantly as you lay on your back looking up at the stars feeling like a small worthless speck in the great universe.
“Sure might as well…” Hekesuh mutters and lazily picks himself up.
>You follow behind him and begin slowly trudging to the Hollow Shades store as you see other batponys flying around enjoying the night.
“Looks like everypony’s having fun tonight except for us” you grumble.
>”I’m sure something interesting will happen, it’s a nice evening out.” Hekesuh says optimistically as you reach the store. 
>Overtop of the door is a large flyer with the outline of a pony DJ behind a set of speakers with the headline “1st Annual ScreeFest” in big letters on top.
“Hey Aux this looks fun why don’t we go check it out?” Hekesuh says with sudden renewed enthusiasm as his eyes begin to twinkle.
“I dunno Heke, there’s going to be a lot of ponies there.” 
>”C’mon Aux don’t be such a stick in the mud maybe you’ll find a pretty mare to dance with.” Hekesuh says with a giggle.
>A chance to dance with a mare…That would sure be nice. You think struggling to make a decision.
“Well okay I don’t see why can’t go check it out for a couple minutes” you say with apprehension in your voice.
“This is going to be so fun!” Hekesuh says fluttering around you and screeing with excitement. 
>Taking to the air you fly with him through the forest to where the party was supposed to be.
> Eventually the sound of music is picked up by your sharp ears as you near the location.
>You see a large steel stage has been set up in a small clearing as you and Heke land in front of the gated entrance of a fence that surrounds the perimeter.
>Nervously you look around at the large cluster of Batponies who are crammed together on the inside of the fence.
“I don’t know about this Heke. There has to be atleast 500 bats here.” You whisper while lining up with the other attendees outside.
“Oh Aux this place looks like a lot of fun I’m sure we’ll be fine” Hekesuh says his face now lighting up in elation.
“Well okay…but let’s not stay too long.” You softly whimper. 
>“Yeah, yeah okay can I borrow some bits from you?” Hekesuh says as you proceed to the doorbat to pay to get inside.
“Here this ones on me as it is your birthday after all.” you say in a low voice as you give Heke the three bit cover fee and proceed inside.
>It looks as if half of Hollow Shades has shown up here as you uneasily look around at all the bats.
>Hekesuh on the other hoof looks to be immensely enjoying himself as he happily hops around amongst the congregation.
“Maybe we can find someplace a little quieter.” You yell to Heke through the loud music that’s playing.
>”What? I can’t hear you Aux.” Hekesuh replies 
“I said maybe we can find someplace a little quieter to go!” You yell into his tufted ear and point with your hoof to a spot in the corner that looks a little less crowded.
>”Oh…okay” Hekesuh says apprehensively as he looks back at the pile of dancing batponies.
>You proceed to the quiet spot in the corner to sit down when Hekesuh gives you a tap on the shoulder.
>“Aux let’s get ourselves a drink!” he screes joyfully.
>You realise you had brought him to the liquor garden as you look at all the bats with drinks in their hooves.
“Sure why not.” you croak walking over to the bar as you stumble over your hooves and hear the sound of giggling around you.
>”Two Fuzzy Navels please!” Hekesuh woops enthusiastically as you notice the bartender holding back a smirk.
>Your drinks arrive in full colourful glory as Hekesuh grabs his and takes a loud slurp. 
>Taking the wedge of mango that’s on the rim you slowly begin to nibble on it as Heke nears finishing his drink.
>Not wanting to be outpaced you take a large chug and feel the liquor burn your throat as you begin to cough.
>Hekesuh chuckles as you struggle to stop coughing and glow beet red in embarrassment.
>Struggling to take another sip you begin to feel the liquor warming your belly.
>The crowd begins to cheer as the DJ unicorn makes her entrance. 
>”Aux lets go dance!” Hekesuh shouts as he slams the rest of his drink and runs off towards the stage.
“Heke wait up!” you yell as he disappears into the throng of bats.
>Gulping you stare at the half empty drink in your hoof as you begin to feel a buzz. 
>Eyes closed you force the rest down and chase after Hekesuh.
>You begin sweating profusely as you run up to the edge of the dancing crowd in search of your friend.
>A Stallion in full bat boogey mode bumps into you a he flails around in some strange dance.
>”Hey watch it.” He shrieks into your face.
“I..I’m sorry have you seen a small, long blue haired stallion anywhere?” you ask.
“Yeah he went BAT WAY.” The stallion laughs and turns away to continue dancing. 
>You shudder at the awful pun and proceed into the crowd to continue your search as the music picks up to a lively dance beat and the DJ shouts “Drop It”. 
>The effects of alcohol begin to work their wonders on your lightweight ass as the pace of the dancing ponies intensifies.
>Stumbling through the crowd trying not to fall over you attempt to join in on the dancing as your body starts to feel warm and fuzzy.
“Maybe this isn’t so bad after all.” You think as you begin to awkwardly shake your body to the beat.
>A dark gray mare with a red mane appears next to you while you struggle to dance. 
“She sure is getting close to me.” you think as she slowly edges herself closer and closer to you.
>Smiling she begins to grind her flanks up against your body near your groin.
>Your heart begins rapidly beating up into your throat as you stare down at her butt with a martini glass cutiemark that’s now rubbing up against you to the beat of the music.
>Gasping in shock as she bats her eyelashes you take a big step back into a couple of dancing ponies and bump into a mare.
>The mare’s coltfriend glares at you angrily and gives you a heavy shove as you fly through the air hitting the dance floor with a loud thud.
>You look up to see the red headed mare laughing at you with a smirk on her face as she turns around and fades away into the crowd.
>With liquid courage coursing through your veins you pick yourself back up and continue your search for Hekesuh.
>Turning your head this way and that looking around for the small stallion you sway through the ponies. 
>Hope beginning to fade you suddenly catch a glimpse of a blue mane through the endless throng of ponies.
>Now peaking from the fuzzy navel drink you start elbowing bats out of your way as they scree at you in displeasure.
>Moving closer you confirm that it is in fact Hekesuh and he’s being pinned down underneath a large stallion whose grinding his sheath into his flanks.
>His tail pointed downwards attempting to cover his last bit of modesty Heke looks up and sees you. 
>”Aux help me! This guy thinks I’m a mare!” He cries to you in horror.
>With the lightning quick reflexes of a drunken sloth you take a flying leap at Hekesuh and tackle him away from the randy stallion  as the DJ yells “Thaaank you Hollow Shades and goodnight!”
“Thank Celestia it’s finally over and we can leave” you think as you grab a hold of a now drunken Hekesuh.
>”It was horrible Aux! He kept rubbing himself up against my butt.” Hekesuh slurs choking back tears
>”Cock between my flanks is not the kind of birthday present I wanted.” He continues as the music takes a change in genre and drums begin to pound through the speakers.
“Heke you’re drunk and we gotta get out of here.” You yell as a voice cuts through the sound system. 
>”Are you ready to Rock?...Well rock on!” 
>A bass begins playing alongside the drums as the crowd cheers and you start pushing Hekesuh away from the now thrashing Stallions as suddenly all the Mares are nowhere in sight.
>Hekesuh laughs, falls over and you struggle to pick up his limp body.
 >Rolling him over onto his back you look into his face to see his eyes are now glassy and pupils dilated in some strange trance.
“What the hay is happening to you?” You ask showing concern for your friend whose face now looks like a blank mindless slate.
>”The music…is weird…” he drawls out to you.
“This is not good.” You say under your breath, reaching underneath Hekesuh’s armpits. You begin dragging him across the floor as a mass of Stallions begin slamming themselves into each other around you.
>Hooves, elbows and heads pound into you from the frenzied stallions as you pull the dead weight of Hekesuh away from the dance orgy of sweat and blood.
>Your vision begins to spin as you stumble nearer to the exit, the music blaring in your ears.
>”It used to be that loving you was easy, unrestrained, and now I’m only bleeding. But loving, only pain.”
>With one final heave you pull Hekesuh out and head exhaustedly towards the exit.
>Once outside you collapse onto a soft spot of grass, panting.
>Hekesuh still drunk but mostly recovered from whatever that music did to him lies down and cuddles up against you wrapping an arm around your shoulder.
>“I love you, Aux.” He says as you begin drifting into sleep
>”You’re my best bat friend forever.”