Pinkie Pie's BFF

Rainbow Dash shivered as she entered Pinkie Pie's kitchen to look for some heroin. It had been 12 hours since she had a fix and the withdrawals were really starting to kick in. The kitchen was neat and tidy but there were a lot of cupboards and drawers. Rainbow Dash began to root around. She had heard Pinkie Pie singing in the kitchen when she cooked up the drug so Dash was convinced it was in here somewhere.

"C'mon, c'mon! It's gotta be here somewhere."

Dropping to her knees and groaning, Dash opened the lower cupboards one by one. Frustrated, she slammed each unsuccessful door until finally hitting the jackpot in the cupboard under the sink. An almost empty bag with some white powder sat next to a box of syringes, a big tub of similar white powder and various cleaning products. Pinkie had said that she needed to purchase some more heroin soon so Rainbow Dash correctly assumed the bag was the one she wanted.

"Bingo!"

Dash had never prepared heroin before but assumed it was a simple process. She took out the remnants of the white powder and placed it on the counter along with a syringe. Returning to one of the cupboards she had looked in earlier, she took a glass tumbler before opening the cutlery door to retrieve a spoon.

The pony's hooves shook as she scooped up the last of the powder with the spoon and poured it into the cup. Pinkie had mentioned letting the liquid cool off, so Dash ran the sink tap until the water was tepid and let a few drops into the glass to mix the heroin into a milky paste. Impatiently, Dash stirred the liquid with the spoon before deciding it was good to go. Pinkie Pie would have been having a fit over Rainbow Dash's lax approach to preparing the drug.

Dash used her mouth and hooves to open the wrapper of the syringe, pop off the cap and dip the fine point of the needle into the fluid, drawing it until the syringe was full. Holding the loaded syringe between her teeth, she looked for a vein with which to inject the drug but to her dismay as she brushed the fine fur in the crook of her arm, only old pin-pricks could be found. The withdrawal cramps were becoming very distressing and Rainbow Dash suddenly felt the urge to throw up. Turning to the sink, she retched but nothing came out. The syringe fell from her mouth and for a second Dash thought the needle would break spilling the last of the drug but to her relief it simply clattered into the sink. Picking it up again with her mouth, Dash growled in annoyance.

The frustrated pony trotted into the living room, looking for something to tie around her arm and force the vein to show. Pinkie's dressing gown was thrown over the back of a settee; it had a belt to allow the wearer to tie the gown closed. Dash pulled the soft velvety belt from it and commenced to tie it around the bicep of her right arm whilst trotting back into the kitchen.

Tensing her arm, she saw with relief a vein she could use and with a painful prick she used her mouth to push the needle in. Without checking if she had hit the vein correctly, she pressed the needle down and felt the familiar rush travelling up her arm, stopping at her tied bicep. The anticipation was unbearable and Dash quickly pulled on the dressing gown belt which unravelled, letting the heroin flow up her shoulder and into her system.

"Ahhhh… wow…wow!"

Dash groaned and rested back against the kitchen counter as the drug gripped her system, all her withdrawal symptoms fading away. It felt much more intense than any other dose she had taken. She felt a sharp pain behind her eyes and a flutter from her chest before her knees buckled and Dash collapsed to the floor, cracking her head on the corner of the kitchen counter. With the needle still in her arm Dash lay splayed across the kitchen floor unconscious, her wounded head dripping blood onto the linoleum.

Gilda swooped over Ponyville and began her descent to Sugarcube corner. That rotten pink pony had turned Rainbow Dash against her. She had to tell Dash how she felt, how much she missed her after they had fallen out at the party. She regretting killing Pinkie Pie. Dash might be upset if she found out but the horrible pony had been so mean; she had completely lost her temper.

Fluttershy squeaked as she saw Gilda gliding by and changed direction, deciding to hide in Carousel Boutique rather than head home just yet. A charming golden bell behind the door rang as it opened and Fluttershy quickly stepped in.

Rarity poked her head out from behind the changing room curtains; she was wearing her expensive designer glasses and looked a little stressed but happy.

"Fluttershy! How are you darling? I'm just finishing up with Colgate and I'll be right with you."

A sky blue arm and hoof waved over the top of the modesty curtain.

"But Rarity, Gilda is back! That big mean gryphon! Oh and umm, I'm sorry, hello Colgate."

A tailor's measuring tape was magicked from the shop counter to behind the curtains.

"Now, Fluttershy, we should feel sorry for Gilda and not judge her. She made a real fool of herself last time. She is welcome to come and go as she pleases, as long as she behaves."

"But Rarity, what if she is here to cause trouble? You know what a horrible temper she has."

Outside, Gilda landed gracefully on the balcony of Sugarcube Corner. Mr and Mrs Cake did not hear her paws thump on the wooden decking as they worked away in the bakery downstairs. The gryphon peered through the window into the living room of Pinkie Pie's first-floor apartment, looking for signs of her friend. She was not sure Pinkie Pie was telling the truth but hoped she could at least find some more information about Dash's disappearance.

Fluttershy watched Gilda's suspicious behaviour from the window of Carousel Boutique. What in Equestria was that mean gryphon doing?

Gilda's pushed the side of her face against the glass window and scanned the room. Her powerful eyes noticed the unmistakable tail of Rainbow Dash poking out from an open door in the far corner of the room. Gilda tapped the balcony door window with her talons.

"Dash! Is that you? Rainbow Dash! It's me; I need to talk to you!"

The tail did not move and Gilda tapped again. Gilda considered asking the owners of the shop if Rainbow Dash lived there but as so often happened, her short-temper got the better of her.

"Right, that's it!"

Gilda punched through the thin segment of glass closest to the handle and reached through to unlock the door. Mrs Cake heard the noise and asked her husband if he too noticed it. Fluttershy gasped as she watched from afar.

"Oh no, Rarity! Gilda just broke into Sugarcube Corner!"

Rarity took off her glasses and closed the cash register.

"I think we should get Twilight and investigate. I hope she hasn't come to fight with Pinkie. Colgate dear, would you mind terribly closing the shop for me? Your smashing new frock should be ready by Tuesday."

Rarity handed Colgate the keys and left with Fluttershy.

Gilda rushed into the apartment and headed straight for the kitchen to find her friend lying on the cold floor. Dash was sweaty, eyes closed and her chest was rising and falling very slowly. A little gurgle was coming from her mouth as she expired, drool hanging from the corner of her lips.

"Jeez, Dash. Are you awake? Can you hear me?"

Gilda sat on the floor and touched her friends face, looking for a reaction. Dash's coat felt cold and clammy. The gryphon slapped Rainbow Dash's cheek, trying to awaken her.

"C'mon Dash, what's wrong with you? Wake up!"

Rainbow Dash let out a groan but did not open her eyes. Her right arm twitched and Gilda saw the syringe still hanging out of her.

"Drugs, Dash? What were you thinking? Urgh. C'mon we gotta get help."

Gilda picked up Rainbow Dash and hugged her, the pony's face buried under the feathers on Gilda's chest. She could feel Dash's breath and knew there was hope to shake her friend out of this malaise but she had to ask the ponies for help. Rainbow Dash groaned again and opened her eyes before throwing up a little drool and water on Gilda. For a moment, Rainbow Dash awoke and her dilated pupils looked up at Gilda.

"What's… going on G?"

"Dash! What have you taken? Try and stay awake, dude. We need to get you some help!"

Gilda's eyes welled up and holding her friend with one arm, she tried to use her talons to pinch the wound on Dash's head and stem the blood flow.

The apartment door opened and Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy galloped into the room, followed by Mr and Mrs Cake. A tearful Gilda was standing in the middle of the room with a bloody and semi-conscious Rainbow Dash in her arms. Twilight gasped at the scene and her horn lit up, readying a spell.

"What is going on in here? Gilda, what have you done? What in Equestria is Rainbow Dash doing here?"

Gilda sobbed and sat down on the couch, nestling Rainbow Dash in her lap and stroking her rainbow locks from her sweaty brow.

"I don't know dude, she was just in here all drugged! Pinkie Pie's done something weird to her!"

Rarity snorted and banged her hoof on the floor in disgust.

"A likely story! You've really done it this time, Gilda!"

Fluttershy cleared her throat and stepped forward.

"Um, girls. I don't think Gilda would hurt Rainbow Dash. We should get Rainbow Dash some help and find out what happened later."

Gilda was surprised that a pony she had been so mean to in the past would give her the benefit of the doubt. Rainbow Dash coughed and was sick again on Gilda's wing. Rarity noticed the syringe in Dash's arm.

"Drugs? Gilda, you have a lot of explaining to do. I knew you were no good the moment I set eyes on you!"

Gilda looked hurt and was about to reply but Rainbow Dash muttered something and kicked her hind legs. Twilight Sparkle took control of the situation.

"Girls please, we need to keep calm. Fluttershy is right; this situation is too weird to figure out right now. Gilda, you're the best flier here. Take Rainbow Dash to the infirmary behind the library and let Nurse Rose see her. We'll be over there right away."

Twilight opened the balcony window and Gilda rose from the couch, carrying Rainbow Dash in her arms. She wiped the tears from her own eyes and hopped over the balcony railing, freefalling and then opening her wings acting as an air ambulance for her friend. Twilight turned to the remaining Pegasus who remained strong despite the worrying circumstances.

"Fluttershy, could you please let Applejack know what has happened? Pinkie Pie too, where is she? Rainbow Dash will need her friends."

Fluttershy nodded and trotted quickly out of the apartment. Twilight looked at the trail of blood leading to the kitchen and turned to the landlords of Sugarcube Corner who were very upset.

"Mr and Mrs Cake, would you mind if we have a look round? We might be able to get some answers as to what happened here."

Rarity objected.

"Darling, we should head over to the infirmary right away! Rainbow Dash needs us!"

Twilight understood her friends concerns but felt as the two smartest ponies of the group, they should investigate at once.

"I understand Rarity – but we won't be allowed in to see Rainbow Dash for quite a while. If she stays ill, we need to find out what is wrong with her so we can help the nurse ponies cure her."

Rarity knew Twilight was correct. She was just upset. Rarity placed her hoof on Twilight's shoulder and nodded in agreement. Mrs Cake looked around the room – she had not been in the apartment since renting it to Pinkie Pie.

"Please feel free to look around, both of you. This whole situation is very disconcerting... Oh, that's strange."

Mrs Cake pointed up at the ladder leading into the attic. Its wide steps were perfect for pony hooves.

"That wasn't there when we rented it to Pinkie. There's nothing in the attic except dusty old boxes. Why would she want to go up there?"

"Thank you Mrs Cake, Rarity and I will investigate."

Mr Cake comforted his wife and the couple went back downstairs leaving Rarity and Twilight alone. The room felt very quiet now the drama had died down.

"Do you think Rainbow Dash will be alright, Twilight? Was Gilda telling the truth?"

Twilight followed the blood trail into the kitchen and saw where Rainbow Dash must have lay down. The last of the heroin was still in a bag on the kitchen counter and the cupboard under the sink was still open.

"I don't know Rarity. But we can either sit in the infirmary waiting room, hoping for the best or be pragmatic and try and find out what happened here. Gilda can be mean but I'm not convinced she would hurt Rainbow Dash."

Rarity followed her into the kitchen and dropped to her knees to investigate the open cupboard. Lots of syringes and a tub of white powder were next to the usual kitchen cleaning products.

"Oh my. Darling, look at all this."

Twilight looked and shook her head.

"You know, that is rather suspicious. Did Gilda put that in Pinkie Pie's cupboard? "

Twilight had found a pink diary on top of the stove. It contained no information apart from a number neatly written for every day for the previous six months. The number gradually increased, starting at '10ml' and gradually rising to '30ml' which had been written as the entry for the previous day.

"Hmmm, I guess 'ML' means millimetres. I'm beginning to get worried Rarity. Has Pinkie Pie been using drugs? Why was Rainbow Dash here though? She was supposed to be globe-trotting. "

Rarity placed the syringes and Pinkie's cocaine stash on the counter.

"It doesn't make sense dear. If only Pinkie Pie were here, she might be able to shed some light on all of this."

"We should have a look in the attic. Mrs Cake seemed very surprised Pinkie would want to go up there."

The two ponies left the kitchen and climbed the steps to the upper balcony. Looking up into the attic, Rarity smiled wryly at Twilight.

"Would you mind, darling? You know how phobic I am of dust."

Twilight nodded. Over time she had begun to accept Rarity's irrational fears as one of the many charms that made her who she was. Twilight stepped onto the ladder and climbed into the attic.

The attic was spacious but quite dark. An oil lamp hanging from the ceiling was the only source of light. A double bed took up most of the space with a bedside cabinet close by.

"What can you see, Twilight?"

"It looks like someone has been sleeping here for a while."

Twilight picked up a grooming brush from the bedside cabinet. It contained many multi-coloured hairs. Rainbow Dash had clearly been here for a while. Twilight replaced the brush and peered into the waste bin next to the bedside cabinet. It contained many used syringes. Opening the cabinet, Twilight took out a photograph which lay face down. Turning it over, Twilight was surprised to see an explicit image of Rainbow Dash seemingly sleeping, a syringe hanging out of her arm and a Pink hoof pushing a carrot into Dash's most intimate part. Twilight was convinced.

"Rarity, it looks like Gilda was telling the truth."

"What is up there, Twi?"

Twilight stepped down the ladder and Rarity held her hoof to assist her.

"A bed and more drugs, Dash has definitely been sleeping there for a while. Plus I found this."

Rarity looked at the photo and gasped. It was shocking and sad to see Rainbow Dash in that state.

"Oh Twilight, this is horrible. I guess Gilda was not lying – Pinkie really was drugging Rainbow Dash, amongst other things. Please, put that horrid picture away!"

Twilight magicked the photo back up into the attic.

"Let's go and see how Rainbow Dash is doing. We might find Pinkie Pie too, she has a lot of explaining to do."

Gilda was sitting in the waiting room of the infirmary, staring at the marble floor. She had not had a chance to clean Rainbow Dash's blood and vomit from her fur and feathers. The waiting room door opened, Twilight and Rarity entered the room. Gilda looked at them wearily, hoping they had not come to attack or question her. Twilight nodded at Gilda.

"Gilda. I'm sorry we doubted you. It seems Rainbow Dash had been living in Pinkie Pie's attic for quite some time."

The gryphon did not react apart from looking down at the floor again. Rarity trotted up to Gilda and was about to touch her on the shoulder but the vomit and blood stains made her think twice.

"She'd been drugging her and doing… odd and wrong things to her. I'm sorry Gilda. We should have realized and helped her. All the time she was right under our noses in Ponyville."

Twilight sat beside Gilda and touched her taloned hand. Gilda shivered but did not object, turning to Twilight and speaking in almost a whisper.

"She's dead, dude. Rainbow Dash. She never woke up. I never got to tell her…"

Rarity gasped and dropped down to her knees. Not saying anything but tears streamed from her eyes and splashed onto the cold marble floor. Twilight Sparkle put a hoof to her own mouth.

"Oh no.. no no no… Rainbow Dash…"

Twilight leaned against Gilda and began to sob uncontrollably. The gryphon too cried and rested her wing against Twilight as Rarity moaned on the floor.

"Rainbow Dash… you were so young… oh please no, she can't be dead!"

Hearing the commotion, Nurse Rose stepped out from a door marked 'private' and handed out tissues to Rainbow Dash's friends. It took an hour before Nurse Rose could console them enough to be able to explain what had happened.

Nurse Rose told them how Gilda had stood beside her bed as Rainbow Dash had swum in and out of consciousness. Briefly, Rainbow Dash had been able to ask Gilda where Pinkie Pie was before quickly falling unconscious again. A little while later, Dash's heart had stopped and despite the medical staff's best efforts, they had been unable to revive her. Nurse Rose assured them that Rainbow Dash had not suffered.

Applejack and Fluttershy arrived at the infirmary soon afterwards to be told the devastating news. Nurse Rose allowed the four ponies and Gilda to see Rainbow Dash before the Royal Equestrian coroner arrived.

They all spoke to Rainbow Dash, telling her how much joy she brought to their lives and how sorry they were that this awful situation had happened. Rarity groomed Dash's hair making sure she looked very beautiful and Fluttershy had visited the deceased pony's home to retrieve her elemental necklace. Twilight and Applejack had used very light layers of Rarity's makeup to cover the wound on their friend's forehead. Once groomed and prepared, Rainbow Dash looked very much at peace.

Pinkie Pie did not return to Ponyville that day, most likely for the best as word had spread around the town about what she had done. She lay in the Everfree Forest, her remains chewed and ravaged by various carnivorous fauna.

Fluttershy kindly invited Gilda to stay with her that night as the funeral would not occur for a few days and she was sure Gilda would not want to stay in Rainbow Dash's empty home. Gilda accepted and stayed up with Fluttershy, talking about Dash, how they had met and what it was like growing up as a gryphon.

Eventually, Fluttershy grew tired and went to bed. Once Gilda was sure Fluttershy was sleeping, she wrote out a note confessing to Pinkie Pie's killing, described the location of her remains and told all who read it how she could no longer face life without the one pony she loved. She finished the letter by saying she hoped to meet Rainbow Dash in the afterlife.

Gilda took a rope from Fluttershy's garden shed, looped it around the ceiling beam in the living room of Fluttershy's cottage and tied a knot forming a noose. She placed the note on Fluttershy's mantelpiece and put a chair under the noose, stood on it and pushed the noose over her head and down to her neck. After a moment's contemplation, Gilda stepped off the chair and with a crack her neck snapped, killing her quickly. Her body twitched as though still alive as she hung and her bladder gave way dripping urine all over the floor of Fluttershy's living room. Finding Gilda dead in the morning distressed the shy pony greatly.

Three days later, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Gilda were buried just outside Ponyville. The funeral was a welcome closure to one of the darkest events in the town's history. Three had died in related situations; a talented and beloved Pegasus, a fun-loving but damaged earth pony and a brutal yet lovelorn gryphon.

The remaining friends; Rarity, Twilight, Applejack and Fluttershy held a wake in Carousel Boutique and began to rebuild their lives. A letter to Princess Celestia from Twilight Sparkle told how the girls hoped the two lost elements of harmony would one day return to bring joy back into their lives.