Most of the time people and ponies like to be proven right. Although there are certain times when being proved wrong is pretty awesome. This was one such time, when you believed life couldn't get any freaking better it did. A curious pony had walked into the shop and she had this... feel-good vibe to her. Her coat was green and she had these sick looking dreadlocks.

“Hey dude, Butterscotch told me to swing by this place since I was visiting. Said this seemed like my kind of place.” She cast her gaze around the shop taking in the décor. The myriad of bright colors and posters seemed to make a positive impression. “I have to say I like the aura of this place, really laid back.”

“Glad you like it. I was kind of going for a chill atmosphere but with a little bit more energy ya know? So you said you were visiting Scotch?”

“Yeah he and I met at the gala we totally connected. He had such a kind and beautiful aura. With his connection to nature we were bound to be friends. We keep in touch by writing but this is the first time I visited. He was telling me about this alien type guy he let crash at his place and got together with. Seeing you and your aura now I can tell he has good taste.”

This pony was awesome, she is the stereotypical hippy and that's hilarious. The half lidded gaze an nonchalant attitude about everything is contagious. It is for that reason that you ignore the fact that she sort of just hit on you.

“Did he tell you what I sell here?”

“Yeah, he said you sell a special herb that helps ponies chill out and stuff. The way he explained it the world becomes brighter and more vivid. What that means for each individual is up in the air.”

“Well I can take an educated guess there. I'm guessing that you meditate?” She nodded her head. “Of course, well based on your personality and habits this will probably just be a shortcut to a meditative state for you.”

Her eyes widened just a little bit and they seemed to be shimmering. “That sounds rad. Can I try it out?”

“Sure dude anything for one of Scotches friends.” Except for Elusive, pretentious prick. “Come on we can go for a nature walk while we smoke.” Leading her out the back door you find a trial into the woods and start walking side by side at a leisurely pace. The air was crisp, birds were chirping, and the sun pierced through the canopy. All of the sights and sounds were relaxing. They brought you a simple joy that was hard to explain.

After a deep breath you pulled out a joint, lighting the end and inhaling the world became even brighter that before. Passing it to... you never even asked her name, dick move. “Yo, sorry but I never caught your name.”

She looked up at you with her content smile. “No worries dude, it's Treehugger.” Really... how apt. Passing it to her she eyed the stick of burning foliage curiously before taking a drag. Her eyes lit up as she took in her surroundings again. She smiled a little wider this time.

“Wow Anon, you were like, totally right. I can feel the world around me. Everything is just like I was meditating for hours... this seems a little like cheating.”

“Heh, it kind of is but meditating gives you a sort of calm that can't be matched by anything. Think of this as the instant version, quicker and a lot more convenient but not quite the same.”

“I can see why everypony is talking about this stuff, it's rad.” The walk continued until you were only left with a roach. At this point Treehugger had stopped and started to stare at a weeping willow. She had a tear in her eye as she went up to the trunk and started to pet it.

“There there, no need to feel sad. Look around you, there may not be any willows but there are others. You don't need to feel alone.” She went on like this for a good ten minutes. It was kind of funny until it started to get a little creepy. Treehugger lived up to her namesake then left the willow alone. She looked downtrodden on her return. Kneeling down you placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I'm sure the willow appreciates the kind words. You probably just made her feel a whole lot better by just talking.” She smiled and hugged you and you hugged back. Physical contact really wasn't your forte, unless it was with Scotch, but you endured it for her sake. While it didn't last long, from Treehuggers expression it did the trick.

“So you wanna head back to the shop? We can chill there while I order some food.”

“Sounds good to me.” The trip back to the shop didn't take long and neither did the pizza delivery pony. She chatted for a minute and it turned out that their shop had been getting business like crazy recently, a few thank you's later she had to leave and make more deliveries. It was nice knowing that other shops were benefiting from your business as well.

The rest of the day was spent chatting with Treehugger about this and that. She talked of meditation and her travels. You mainly talked about Scotch and the shop. By the time the sun had set Treehugger had to catch her train out of town. It was kind of a bummer that she wouldn't be staying any longer. The two of you got along well but such is life.

After locking up the shop and starting the trip home something occurred to you. Scotch didn't stop by even once today. While it wasn't unheard of for him to do that it usually came with a forewarning. Picking up that pace you made it to the cottage in a few minutes. Panic started to set in. All of the lights were out, Scotch wouldn't shut off lights unless he left or was in bed. Seeing as it was only seven he couldn't be asleep.

Bursting through the door there was no noise at all. The usual bustle of critters running around was absent. What in the absolute fuck is going on? No animals in the house was strange as all hell. There were always a few birds at least or Angel. This was starting to become terrifying, what if something had happened to Scotch? As fear was clawing at your heart you sprinted up the stairs to your room. On the bed was a lump completely covered up. Angel was at the foot of the bed with his ears down and a frown on his face. He looked at you and shook his head.

Looking at the covers you gently pulled them down to reveal Butterscotch curled into a tight ball. The sheets around his face were soaked with what could be assumed as tears. His eyes were bloodshot and had a distant look in them. He didn't seem to notice you until you tried to touch him. Violently flinching away he snapped from the daze and looked at you... that look tore you apart.

He was terrified of you, fresh tears streaming down his cheeks. His breath was quick and shallow. The way Scotch was shaking he should have been outside in a blizzard. “Scotch, love, what's wrong?” You asked in the most gentle voice you could manage.

He opened his mouth then closed it. Choking back a sob Scotch tried to calm down enough to talk with no success. “Love, just come here and tell me what's wrong.”

Reaching out to him your hands were swatted away. Looking on with shock and hurt you didn't think possible he actually started to yell. “Don't call me that! All of the things you said and did were just lies! I trusted you and loved you and... and you don't even love me back. I tried to give you anything you wanted but that wasn't enough was it? I turned out to be too boring for you so you jump on the first opportunity to get someone more like you. I guess I'm just that worthless aren't I.”

What did he mean? Did you do something? “Scotch, I have never lied to you and I still love-”

“Just, leave Anon.” The finality in that statement cut deeper that any knife could. Whatever happened he was torn up about it. Turning around and walking out you heard him mutter under his breath. “I guess Elusive was right...”

After making it outside you just walked with tears streaming down your face. Mulling over his words just made them hurt that much more. When the sobbing started it was to much of a chore to walk so you sat down and just cried. There would be no laughing this time. Other times the pain was trivial and laughing at it was easy. This was a completely different beast. This was sorrow like you've never experienced before. The one person who made this world so great, who made this a world worth living in... couldn't bear the sight of you. The more and more you thought the more a certain name came to mind. “Elusive.”

Sorrow was soon mixed with rage. He had something to do with this and you were going to find out what that was by any means necessary. Standing up with newfound purpose you made your way into town. If that smug waste of space was the driving force behind this he was going to PAY.

Author's Note

Hey people, sorry for the relative shortness of this chapter but the stopping point was solid in my mind and stretching out the middle bits made it feel awkward. Anyway what do you think Anon will do with his newfound rage? What will Scotch do about his feelings? All this and more in the next episode of DBZ! Sorry I've been watching super and if you haven't checked that out you totally should. That aside peace out and have a wonderful day/night.