Spike strolled through the streets, slowly coming upon his place of employment. The old wooden building clashed with its newer brick and concrete neighbors. The old door squeled its protest as he entered.

"SPICK!" screamed the pony crossing the store. Spike sighed as he turned to look down at his superior. "Late again it seems" Filthy stated smugly. Spike glanced at the clock above the counter, seeing it was 8:05. "Sorry sir, i'll get to work."

The sweaty pony walked away as Spike began to sweep. "See that you do." Filthy said as he entered his office. The day passed slowly as ever, the hours crawling by as Spike worked, with not a single pony entering the store.

He grunted as he lifted the fifty pound bag of hay onto the shelf. He turned as hoofsteps behind him announced the arrival of his boss. Filthy looked at Spike, then the freshly stocked shelf, then back to Spike. He turned around and bucked the metal shelf. Spike simply stared agape as bags fell, bursting on the floor and spraying hay everywhere.

"You'd better get on that, if you want to get home to that useless princess of yours." Filthy said with a sneer. Spike punched Filthy.Hard. He fell to floor as blood dribbled out of his muzzle. Spike ripped the apron from his form and threw it on the ground as he walked towards the door.

"YOU FUCKING BASHTERD!" Filthy screamed in rage. "YOU JUST MADE THE WORSHT MISHTAKE OF YOUR LIFE!" Filthy's furious tirade faded as Spike left the store.
Spike fumed as he walked. He could take Filthy's shit on a daily basis, but just couldn't contain himself when his family was insulted.

"At least I don't have to deal with that shit anymore" Spike said as he realized his job there was forfeit. As the castle neared, he cut down an alley, heading into west Ponyville. Several dirty alleys later, and Spike saw his destination ahead.

The squat, broken down warehouse filled him with a sense of comfort. He walked to the door, an image of some grapes and a strawberry etched into the wood. He stuck his arm through the broken portion of the window next to it and unlocked the door.

As he stepped inside, the familiar smell of wood smoke assaulted him. He walked over to one of the many crates stacked against the far wall, and began to pry it open. He'd been breaking into Berry Punch's distillery for the better part of a year, and he could always count on it's contents to make him feel better.

The lid popped of with a loud crack, and Spike shoved his hand into the crate and pulled out a bottle. A smiling Princess Luna on the label proclaimed this was triple X moonshine. He replaced the lid and left, locking the door behind him.

Spike tucked the bottle beneath his wing as he retraced his path through the alleys. Once again at the main road, he walked a few feet towards the castle, before turning and heading across the street. Walking uphill, past the homes and businesses of the town he called home.

Reaching the top of the hill, he pushed open the cast iron gate to Ponyville cemetary and closed it behind himself. Popping the top off the moonshine, he took a long swig, relishing the burn as it hit his throat. Walking up the hill towards the most cared for section of graves, he downs another mouthful as tears begin to roll down his face. He stopped, crying out loud now into the warm summer night as he stared at what had caused his life to come to this point.

Five graves, one next to the other.

Author's Note

Chapter 2 finally up!!
I need to work on chapter length though.