Friends

CHAPTER 1: AZEKAHH

For the fourth night in a row, I walked out of the local bar. I smelled like beer, and looked like Celestia herself wrecked havoc on my soul. I live in a town not far away from Ponyville. Actually, it’s right between the royal castle and Ponyville.

“Ugh... Pluto sure is a fun planet...”

I have a tendency to... well... say things that don’t make sense. At least when I’m drunk. When I’m sober, which isn’t too often mind you, I try to be sophisticated and smart. But what good does it do? I stay cooped up in my bush all day, and the bar is my second home.

I suddenly had the urge to turn around, and say something to the bar. But I stopped myself. Even though I was drunk, I wasn’t stupid.

Then it happened.

I started walking home. Of course, being in depression, I had a tendancy to drink a lot. This means, I was at the HOLY SHIT level of being drunk. Just as I started to put a shaky hoof in front of the others, I lost my balance and fell. This happens a lot, even when I am sobered up. But this time, I managed to hit somepony on the way down. I knocked him down with me, so I stood up quickly to check on him, but fell down again. I stood still that time, ‘cause I felt a pain that time from hitting my head, but then I realized the other pony was giggling. I moved my head in his direction to see him fine, laying on the grass and watching me.

I then got a good look at him. He was one of the most captivating ponies I had ever seen. He was a magnificent unicorn that had a dusty gray coat, and somewhat dark green eyes. But his most outstanding feature was his mane. It was long, and was a deep jet black. It seemed to glow in the moonlight as it flowed and rippled with the wind. I swear to Luna’s ass, I turned gay for a split second. He then proceeded to amaze me farther by talking. His voice was a fairly young voice, just about as old as me. In fact, I later learned we were the same age.

“A little drunk, are we not?” he humorously and calmly said.

“Uhh... I think so...” Dear Celestia, I can be a douche when drunk.

“Well, I like you. I dunno why, but I like you.”

“Do I take that as a... uh, a compliment, or an insult?”

“Both.” He then gave a mischievously mysterious grin. “What’s your name?”

“Core. It’s a bit strange, but I am just that... A strange pony."

“Well, my name is Azekahh. I’m glad to meet you. By the way, please call me Aze for short.”

I halfheartedly laughed.

"Well that wasn't the BEST laugh. Is something wrong?”

“Well, yeah. It’s a looong story, I wouldn’t want to get into it. Besides, why would you care? No one does...”

Azekahh looked a little shocked. “What? Why not?”

“I dunno... I’m just that type of pony really... I’m not the most likable type. Friendship and having a social life isn’t exactly my thing.”

“Well... You certainly seem like a unique pony, no doubt. But you seem to also be very nice.”

“Mostly cause I’m drunk.”

“Oh. Regardless though... Where do you live?”

“Those bushes over there.”

“Oh! Haha, are you a comedian?”

“No.”

“Wh... Oh.”

There was a long pause after that. He didn’t realize I was homeless. I mean, what did he see in me? I had a ruffled brown coat, a light red mane, and deep brown eyes. All my cutie mark was was a spiral. No, it was impossible. And yet I felt a connection with him... Or was it the alcohol? No. It couldn’t have been. It wore off a little bit.

“Well... You wanna live with me?”

I was completely taken by suprise by this. “Huh?!”

“Well, I have some empty rooms, and I’d be glad to have some company.”

I have no idea what possessed me to ask, or why I did.

“Why?”

“Well, you truthfully seem like a good friend. You just need the chance. And that, my friend, is what i am giving you. So?”

I looked down, and thought. But then I immediately lost balance, so I looked back up. I gave him the best smile I could; a rare occurance in my world. “I’d love to. Where is it?”

“Ponyville.”

"What?! Ponyville? You'd let me live with you there??"

"Gladly."

I was stunned. The mixture of shock and alcohol made me black out instantly...

I awoke some time later. It was day. At least I got a good night’s sleep.

“Hello?” I said, getting nervous.

“HI!!!”

“What the hell?!” I then proceeded to fall out of my bed. Where was I? Instantly, a pink pony jumped on top of me, with a huge smile on her face. She had darker pink mane, full of curls, and the cutest eyes you have ever seen. Ever.

“My name is Pinkie Pie! What’s yours?!”

“Wait. You are Pinkie Pie?”

“That’s me!” She then got up and bounded around.

“I’ve heard so many stories of you... You seem to fit the description.”

She stopped bounding almost instantly, and then raced up to me, a huge smile on her face.

“ Wherewherewherewherewherewherewhere?!?!”

“...the bar.”

She then lost a bit of her wide smile. “Oh... why would they talk about me in there? Those places are dumps!”

“Yeah...” Then, a sudden realization came to me. “If you are Pinkie Pie... does that mean I’m in Ponyville?”

“Yeah!! Me and my pal Azekahh brought you here after you passed out! You are in his house now. Apparently, you are staying here too, and this is your room! I layed in bed with you, cause I know you feel lonely!”

“Really? That’s swell.” Throughout the conversation my expression was unchanging; a sad, half-frown and a face that just said 'go die in a hole'. But now I was starting to feel happiness. I can’t even remember the last time I felt that.

“So! You never told me your name! What is it, what is it?!”

“Uh... Core...”

“Really? I’ve never hear that type of name before,” she said with a quizzical look, “but I still love it!”

Then, a voice came from the doorway. “Why hello, Core.”

A smile came to my face; another rare moment. “Azekahh! Is this really your house?”

“Indeed, but THIS is your room.”

I then got to finally look around at it from the floor. It was white, with some very nice furniture in different places. It was a fairly small room, though.

“Like it?” He said.

“Yeah,” I responded, ”it’s really nice. Thank you so much for taking me in, by the way.”

“No problem at all, friend. Pinkie, mind if I have some alone time with Core here?

“Uh huh!” And with that, Pinkie bounded out of the room.

“Now, Core.”

I stopped looking around and faced him.

“Yes?”

“Why don’t you tell me what has happened that seems to have made you miserable.”

“You mean the whole story?”

“Indeed.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure.”

“Well... it started like this...”