Coltcuddler

It had been exactly two weeks, three days since Dream Chaser had left home.

Dream Chaser hadn't been keeping count, of course. He hadn't been able to. But when he awoke to the sound of raucous festivities outside, he knew exactly what day it was. The Summer Sun Celebration. He used to count the days until the celebration. That was before he found more important things in life.

He slowly picked himself up, and staggered over to an open window. Outside, he could see the festival procession flooding through the streets. Burning floats passed by, Celestia's likeness illuminated in flames.

Dream Chaser closed the window, and stumbled back to the group. Grubs was awake, and was methodically cleaning a large wound in his thigh. 'Hey, Chase. What's going on out there? Riot?'

'Summer Sun celebration.' Dream Chaser sat down, bored. 'Everypony out in force to worship the dictator.'

Grubs chuckled. 'Figures. Gregor was looking pretty pleased this morning. He's probably busy snatching coin bags right now.' He cursed, pulling out a few of his feathers.

Dream Chaser stared at the gash. 'That looks seriously fucked up, Grubs. I can take you to a hospital.'

'No hospital.' Grubs grunted, pulling out more feathers, further exposing the extent of the damage. 'I'll be fine. I've done worse. Still, maybe I'll get lucky and this one will kill me.'

Dream Chaser hated it when Grubs spoke like that, but he knew challenging him would only upset him. Instead, he stood up and began to wander around. There was nothing in particular he was looking for. It was too early to get high, and too loud outside to sleep. He just wanted to keep his mind occupied.

'Chase?'

Dream Chaser didn't turn around, merely kept staring into space. 'Yeah?'

'You going out today?'

Dream Chaser considered this. 'Yeah, probably.'

'Do me a favour and grab something... I don't know, nice.' Grubs slid a small bag of bits towards him. 'I want to apologize to Gretel for last night. You know, wine, or chocolate, or... stuff like that.' Dream Chaser picked up the bag and weighed it in his hoof.

'Sure.' Privately he doubted a bottle of wine would make up for slashing her across the face in a drunken stupor. On the other hoof, Gretel was pretty much willing to put up with anything Grubs dealt out, so maybe he was being pessimistic.

The next two hours were fairly routine. Most houses were empty for the Summer Sun celebration, so gaining access undetected was easy. In the end, Dream Chaser made a little over a hundred bits, and a few trinkets which would be (he hoped) worth almost as much. That should last him another week.

At first, he had disgusted himself. A thief and a drug addict. But those feelings faded quickly. He either did this, or he starved. He could handle going hungry. But that wasn't the only kind of starvation he felt.

Oak had been a good teacher before he'd been busted. But Gregor had been one of the best. And he had been a natural. Dream Chaser could walk into a room and immediately spot the best - and most likely - places where valuables could be hidden. He was quiet. He could fit in places where Gregor couldn't. And, of course, he didn't stand out as much as the others.

In the end, he got Gretel a bottle of wine, as well as some antiseptic for Grubs. Normally, he wouldn't have bothered, but on the odd chance he did die, he didn't want to have to be the one who moved him.

The store clerk was cute, even if Dream Chaser was pretty sure he was disgusted by him. He was definitely starting to look like a drug addict. A few weeks without showering didn't help.

Gretel had returned by the time he got back. Her reaction to the gift was as over-the-top as Dream Chaser had expected, all tears and gratitude. Still, if she felt loved, Dream Chaser supposed that was all that mattered.

He couldn't wait anymore. Collapsing on the ruined couch, he rummaged around in the bottom of his saddlebag, pulling out a bag of pills. Placing two on the edge of his tonuge, he closed his eyes and felt himself float away.

The effect was much weaker now. He had considered increasing the dose, but he had been warned against it by Grubs. He no longer lost consciousness, but time slowed, his senses heighted, and new colours and sounds danced in front of him. But best of all was the peace.

He didn't need to think about what he'd done. He didn't worry about his family. He didn't worry about his future. There was just bliss.

For the next few hours, he sat there. Time alternately s l o w e d and spedup, as he watched the room go by. He slipped in and out of consciousness. He lost and regained control of his body.

Finally, he felt himself surfacing. He blinked slowly, focusing on the huddled couple in front of him. They had clearly gone under together. Besides them laid an empty bottle of wine.

It was dark outside, but the streets were still illuminated. The revellers outside continued their party, flaming decorations marching down the street like a river of living fire.

Where was Gregor? He should be back by now. Maybe he-

A sharp knocking at the door caught his attention. Gregor didn't knock. Ever. Dream Chaser hesitated, then called out into the darkness. 'Who's there?'

'Me. Open the door.' Gregor's voice sounded out.

He's not alone.

'Anyone with you?'

A moment of silence. Then - 'Yes. A... friend.'

Dream Chaser relaxed. Trotting over to the door, he wrenched it open, to be greeted by a griffon he'd never seen before.

He was certain of it. He could never have forgotten a griffon like this. He must be three times his size, with jet-black feathers and searing amber eyes. Gregor pushed past him. 'Let's get this over with.'

The griffon strode into the room. There was a regality to his step. He nodded towards Gretel and Grubs, a look of disgust focused upon the slumbering pair. 'Be that them?'

Gregor shut the door, an unusual deference to his voice. 'Yes, they be. Just do it already.'

The griffon growled. 'You disgrace our kind. For a griffon to shelter a traitor... I would kill you where you stood if not for our agreement.'

With that, he strode over to the pair. It barely took him two steps to cross the room. He waited for a second, as if contemplating them. Dream Chaser watched, silently. What the-

It happened in an instant. The griffon seized Grubs by his neck, and, with one swift movement, tore his head off his shoulders. Blood flew across the room, and a spray struck Dream Chaser, who found himself rooted to the spot.

Gretel opened her eyes. 'Wh-'

That was as far as she got. The griffon's claw came down on her throat, and the room was filled with the sickening sound of her neck breaking. Then, there was silence.

The griffon stood up. There was a look of immense disgust on his face, as if he had just crushed a cockroach. 'Be it done.' He turned back to Gregor. 'Consider yourself pardoned. Hail the King.'

He strode out, not giving Dream Chaser a single glance. The two of them were left alone.

Gregor closed the door behind him. A look of shame was on his face, yet marred with conviction. 'I'm sorry you had to see that.'

Dream Chaser felt tears well up in his eyes. 'W-why?'

Gregor grimaced. 'Grubs was a - a runaway. A deserter. Used to be a lot more, guys who abandoned their post in the last civil war. The Knights have been hunting them down for a long time. I knew that... that if I turned one in, they'd give me a pardon. So...'

He gestured to the pile of corpses in the middle of the room. 'There you go.'

Dream Chaser fell on his flank. 'But... Gretel?' He whispered softly.

'Ever heard of fraternization?' He shook his head. 'You wouldn't get it. You're just a pony. Back in the Kingdom, this is how they do things.' He gave a chuckle. 'Besides, I knew it wouldn't be long before one of them turned me in. Consider this a pre-emptive measure.'

Dream Chaser felt his head spin. This was... wrong. Grubs... Gretel...

'I need... I need a pill.'

Gregor nodded. 'Sure, Chase. I owe you that much.'