Author's Note

Sorry for the long wait, bit of a long chapter. 21k... Mad!

Chapter 4 - My Little Secret.

Chapter 4

Joel’s eyes fluttered open from unconsciousness as his sight was blurry, just seeing smudged colours muddled together. Rubbing his eyes from his dreamless sleep, his sight eventually came into the frame as a bright white ceiling blinded his eyes, definitely not his house. He groaned as he covered his eyes with his arm, blocking the unbearable light. Where is he? Why does his head hurt so much? Why does he feel like shit? Last thing he could remember was football and the next thing he knows, he’s on the canvas for the count.

Oh… Oh yeah, he remembers now, he remembers getting kicked the fuck out off by Rainbow. hell of a kick, he’d give her that, wouldn’t be surprised if she left a dent in him for the rest of his life. He had a small suspicion that she wasn’t actually going for the ball, controversial claim but, could you blame him. He did wonder what score it was at the end, did blue team end up scoring? Did red team pull it off after all that? He hopes so, he didn’t just put in a shift in just to fucking lose, Joel literally put his body on the line.

“Yo, Joel! Your finally up! If you was asleep for another minute, I would have ended up doodling on your face.” someone said to his left. Leaning up and turning to see his intruder, Joel saw Spike sitting at a table at the end of the room, with a book in his hand and a smile. Sitting across from him was Fluttershy who looked back with solace, her face lighting up as she placed her book down that she was reading and walked over with haste.

“I’m so happy your awake! How are you? How are you feeling? Please tell me you're alright!” Fluttershy said, dragging Joel into a unwanted hug. The fuck is this? The first thing he gets when he gets up is a pair of tits in his face? He could get used to that but, right now he needs a smoke, Something more stronger than Blue Sterling this time… Weed maybe?

“Fluttershy… can’t breathe… Get off!” Joel struggled to say, Fluttershy squeezing him to death.

“Alright, alright, That’s enough Fluttershy. You're going to kill him, and we don’t want that to happen to him, now would we?” Spike chuckled. With a lot more resistance than Joel should have put in, Joel finally riddled himself from Fluttershy's grasp. Jeez, you think she missed him?

“S-sorry, I am just happy that you're awake. The doctor said you just passed out as you got the wind knocked out of you. I was so worried for you when I didn’t see you get up, I expected the worst.” Fluttershy sniffed, tears appearing as she rubbed her eyes with shame.

Joel sighed seeing this, why is she so worried about him more than herself? Is she incapable of looking after herself first than others? Honestly, she is like the female version of N’Golo Kanté, humble, lovable and soft-hearted to a tee. Spike, however, his gears were turning as he watched with a solemn frown, crossing his arms and eyes concentrated like he was waiting for something. Why was Spike so sceptical all of a sudden? He looked like Garth Bale glaring at the back of Zidane’s bald head when he took over at Real Madrid.

Joel didn’t waste any time pondering as he wrapped an arm around Fluttershy in a soft, warm hug as he laid back down. His head throbbed as he tried to think straight. He tried to remember the last time he had someone like this, he remembers this warm feeling deep inside his heart, a part of him never wanted to let go of her otherwise, the whole world would come out to get her, like a white rabbit in the forest. Rubbing her back softly, he could smell the distinct scent of flowers coming from her silk, long hair that was like satin as he stroked her softly.

He had a look around the room, it was a private room with a tv on the wall in front of him, a digital clock and a glass of water on the singular sideboard next to him, posters of the insides of a human body were displayed for guidance on the wall, hospital equipment like tools, heart monitor and such, and a window with a ray of sun shining peacefully through the blinds. Oddly enough, it was boiling hot like.. summer in Dubai hot. When did it get so hot? he was roasting under this quilt. Taking a second look around the place, some things are out of place too. Other than Fluttershy sobbing on top of him and a fan blowing fresh air as it rotated slowly, everything was silent. He would expect to here noises outside the room. A teacher walking passed, students chatting or the sound of a metal locker closing with a slam, maybe a car driving by and honking from the window .

Silence.

It kind of freaks him out; Joel was so used to hearing the world around him that it makes him paranoid when the world was silent like something was going to happen. Joel would rather hear gunshots than bask in this torturing stillness, at least he would know what the hell was going on but this, he was ignorant and he didn't like it one bit.

His bewilderment didn’t end there; posters of war and recruitment, and service uniform clothing were neatly folded on a chair next to his bed, on top of the material was a shining glint of a balled-up, sleek, curved metal nameplate with a name written on it and other stuff for identifying reasons with flickering blood staining it, the smell of iron in the air as he soon realised he wasn’t in the infirmary in school. No, but… He’s been here before. He’s sure of it, but where? Softly, Fluttershy started pushing away from him as she gently wiped her eyes, crouching so she was level to Joel.

“Sorry again, I don’t know what got over me.” Fluttershy sniffed, her smile coming back as she looked into his eyes.

“Don’t worry about it, we’re friends after all, aren’t we?” Joel smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Joel’s smile grew as he could see her full, beautiful face with the eyes of an angel. An angel with wings. Joel picked something up, it sounded like muffled whispers, it slowly got louder and louder until Fluttershy could hear it too. Joel looked over Spike to see if he knew but, Spike just sat there with his hands over his face and his foot tapping like crazy. Why is Spike acting so strange? What’s he doing? As the hwisprian got louder, it only then hit Joel that sounds were coming from Spike.

“No no no no no NO!” Spike said in a low growl, his whole body trembling as his fingers twitched unnaturally each time he spoke, his own nails scratching his own face until blood leaked. “NO NO NO NO NOOO!” Spike roared at the top of his lungs in pain as he dug at his own face. Joel was too stunned to move or say a thing as his friend clawed himself. He gashed, peeled and ripped off his own scaled flesh until he was a mangled mess, the scorching blood of a dragon spilling down onto his hoodie, muscle tissue hanging on by a strand of skin, he even scratched his eye out, the piece of wired flesh keeping it attached. Fluttershy and Joel just stared at him with their jaws agape and eyes wide, just horrified at the spectacle. It felt hours had went by until, he just stopped, heavily panting as he slowly turned to stare at Joel directly, a dead, tired look in his eye. They just stared like that for awhile until the silence was broken by Fluttershy.

“S-Spike… Are you o-”

*click, BANG!*

Time froze for a moment as Joel felt Fluttershy’s blood and brain matter splat onto his face as she keel backwards onto him like a rag doll, his eyes never leaving Spikes as Spike’s never left his own, the revolver in Spike’s hand held there with the barrel smoking. Gingerly, he found enough intrepidity to leisurely look down to come face to face with Fluttershy’s colourless, dull eye that stared up at the ceiling with a thousand-yard stare. The other eye was nonexistent, just a black hole with crimson grime pouring out of the back of her head as she laid lifelessly, a dead corpse like many he has seen before. But this, he only felt like this two times in his life. Veins popped through his skin, and the bones in his hands clicked. Unconquerable, raw turmoil that his face seethed with hatred. Spike, he must be the one, the killer, the one that started all of this. It’s him, it’s him, ITS HIM! HE'S THE ONE THAT KILLED ROSETTE, THE ONE WITH THE ORDER! KILL… JOEL HAD TO KILL HIM NOW!!!!! Joel snapped his head towards Spike with eyes of daggers, ready to kill as he held Fluttershy.

“Why… WHY DID YOU DO THAT!!” Joel roared, gently pushing Fluttershy to the side as he got up, his fist ready to kill. Spike just sat there, glaring back, unaffected by his hatred.

“Why? Because you never learn.” Spike said calmly, looking over his weapon, and feeling the rough edges. “You never learn, Skipper.” That name… How does he know that-

*Click, BANG!*

Before Joel could finish that thought, Spike quickly turned his revolver to the side of his head and pulled the trigger, chunks of his head flying across the room as the white walls were stained red as he slumped to the side of his chair, dead. Joel just stared blankly at a dead corpse of the killer. That was it… Is that really it? a twisted smile slowly reached his cheeks as eventually, he started to chuckle — the chuckle then turned into full-blown laughter that he just couldn't hold in. It was the funniest thing to him, watching the bastard he has been looking for this whole time blow his own brains out just to escape from him. It was hilarious how he was standing in a room with two dead bodies inside, and he was the only one left alive — a human — if someone walked through that door and seen him standing there with a crazy smile, no lawyer in the world could save him. It was so, so funny that Joel could not stop laughing as he held his belly, howling into madness.

“W-well, Spike… You surprised me.” Joel finally said, his laughter dying down but his demonic grin apparent. “I would never of thought you were the killer, but you indeed surprised me. I let my guard down, I trusted you.” Joel said to the remains of Spike, Standing over his body. Noticing the revolver clinging from his hand, Joel picked it up and inspected the model. It was a 350 hunting revolver model with a 3-inch iron sight barrel and black rubber grip. It looked nice, a very attractive gun and very comfy to weld. It’s one of his favourite side arms to use, and that’s why he has one himself.

“Now… I have nothing left… again. You… you took that away from me… murdered the people I cared about, AND YOU THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY FROM ME!” In an instant, Joel's insanity changed into boiling fury as Joel held the barrel of the gun to his own head. “I’LL SEE YOU IN HELL AND I WILL KILL YOU OVER, AND OVER, AND OVER, AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL YOU BEG THE DEVIL TO WIPE YOUR SOUL FROM EXISTENCE, YOU BASTARD!!!”

*click*

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!”

*BANG!*

“You never learn.”

Joel’s body spasm back alive, his body drenched in sweat as his eyes stung from the saltiness. His heart hammered in his chest, and he breathed heavily, greedily taking as much air as he could find as he laid on his back, wide eyed as he stared at the ceiling. Thankfully, it’s the typical ceiling of school’s infirmary he loathes, but deeming the nightmare he just had, he was glad he was anywhere but there. What was that place? Why was it so familiar? Like he was actually been there before from many years ago, but when?

Breathing in from his nose and breathing out from his mouth, Joel tried to calmly get his breathing under control as his muscles relaxed. Once his breathing was stable, Joel felt warm from under the blanket and pillow his head rested on. His body felt light; rejuvenated as his mind was fresh. Despite the nightmare, for once in a while, he felt good — no, he felt amazing. He didn’t feel drowsy, the weight he felt around his eyes have lessened, it’s like he could see clearly in a new light, like the world around him was more vivid. Joel felt like a new man, in a stronger body. If this is what happens when he gets knocked out, he should try this more often, He actually feels ready to take on the world.

Leaning up, Joel wanted to check the room just in case his head was still playing tricks on him. Rows along rows of beds were neatly lined against the wall, with five beds on each wall waiting to be used, the quilt and bedding folded. Curtains were folded in, revealing most of the room, cabinets of paperwork and medicine locked with a padlock, at the end of the room where the only window — that a tawny light shined through — was is a desk with a computer and a monitor, the seat was empty of Nurse Redheart oddly enough, a young lady that would usually attend to him when he ends up in this room. Shock horror, she didn’t take pleasure in doing so. Yep, this is the room alright. The only room in this school that he felt safe in, a room he comes to when he wants to get away from all the students and the stress. Nurse Redheart wouldn’t bother him, she doesn’t have the time of day for his shit, she would just look at him before attending to someone else or she would sit at her desk and do whatever nurses do on computers.

Mild breathing was heard to his side, interrupting his scan of the room. He spun his head to see her… Fluttershy snoozing on a table at the other far end of the room where the waiting room is. Her arms cushioned her head as in her hand loosely hung a pencil with a book underneath her, there was also a grey tray with a cheeseburger that had a single bite out of it and a rinsed see-through, plastic cup on top of it. She… She was alive, alive and well? It was too good to be true. the nightmare, it felt too real not to be real. Maybe this is another trick, his insanity teasing the him with a carrot in front of him. But maybe, just maybe…

Joel pulled himself from the comfortable bed, thankful that the only thing that was removed from his attire was his shoes while he was away in his severely mentally disordered mind. He walked quietly to the asleep pegasus, not really sure what the best way to wake her up is. Does he shake her awake? Call her name? Or does he just leave her there and wait? She looked peaceful sleeping there, perhaps he should just wait. Continuing his walk, Joel didn’t see the pair of crutches leaning against one of the bed frame as he kicked the bottom making a clanking sound against the cream, marble floor.

“Huh, what…?” a drowsy and now awake Fluttershy said unintelligibly, the sudden Sound sending her into a panic search, drool hanging from her chin and her hair was unkempt, she looked more adorable as strings of hair got in the way of her eyes.

“Or not.” Joel murmured to himself, cursing the misplaced crutches. When her lethargic eyes finally landed on Joel’s, she eventually relaxed, making her shoulders slump and eyes soften as she huffed.

“Oh, you're finally awake, are you okay?” Fluttershy said in her euphonious voice. Joel didn’t reply, he didn’t even hear what she said, he was having a hard time trying to talk as he felt something lodge in his throat. As clear as his thoughts were, for the life of him, he didn’t know what to say, what do you say to someone you thought died not minutes ago? Fluttershy waited patiently, resting her head back down on her arms. He swallowed the lump in his throat and spoke the first thing that came to mind.

“Hey…” Joel said huskily, as he continued to gawk stupidly. A cute giggle escaped her mouth, amused by his expression.

“Hey, are you okay? Nurse Redheart did say you would be disoriented after passing out like that so, take it easy, please.” Fluttershy said, her eyes half-lit as she wore a small contempt smile. “Are you hurt? Maybe light-headed?”

“No… No actually, I… I feel amazing, I haven’t felt this energetic in a while.” Joel admitted, looking down at his hand as he tensed and released his fist to feel his strength, he wasn’t happy with the muscle mass he had but, that's what he'll work with. Joel looked back up to his company and saw a tear run down the side of her nose as it traveled all the way to the other side of her cheek, sniffling while she still wore a smile. Joel opened his gob to speak, but thought it best to say nothing. Instead, he sat opposite her and did something bolzy — yet again — Joel took her hand in his own and with his other hand, he started to play with the inside of her palm and fingers, his four fingers tracing and massaging every rough mark of her hand. He would press his fingers against hers and with the tips of his fingers, he would delineate slowly down to her palm where he would tickle patterns on her gnarled yet smooth palm.

Fluttershy was lost in her thoughts as she waited for Joel to wake up and had a lot of time to think by herself, with no ones opinion or advice to guide her. She was scared, angry and happy all at the same time. She was over the moon that she had the chance to make friends with a human, a decision that she still believes is the right choice but… She was angry, at her friends, she was furious with the school, she was fuming at the political laws that discriminated the human race. it was dishonest, it was unjustified and is extremely xenophobic. She hated it, she hated that there was no justice for the humans, no rights, no future. She hated the way it all rivalled what she represents. The Element Of Kindness. However, with kindness comes accountability, and with accountability comes sacrifice… that’s what she was most afraid of. She had already sacrificed her friends for someone she barely knows, she paid the ultimate price of throwing away her friends to be with a person that deserves to have her kindness the most. But… It wasn’t really the sacrifice she was scared off — no, the gut wrenching fear she had is failure. Failing to change the world, failing to cure the cancer that is racism, failing to making equestrians all over the world see that humans are one in the same if given the chance to live as equals, as companions, friends, lovers, a family. That’s all she wanted, and she wouldn’t stand the thought of anything less than that. But, all that negativity, the muddled thoughts were washed away in an ocean of calm as Joel explored her hand, her hand tingling that shivers ran down her spine and wings rustled with excitement. Despite the situation she had on her hands, she was enjoying this moment.

“My ma used to do this to me when I was younger, y’know.” Joel said strangely, he hadn't heard himself speak like this in forever. “She used to take my hand like this when I would start to cry, and she would draw lines on my hand with her fingers as gently as possible. She told me that I would always fall asleep in minutes.” Joel murmured, proceeding with his walkthrough of her hand but, progressively, his wandering fingers climbed higher and higher, hitting the sensitive inside of her arm. “But it wouldn’t work all the time, sometimes I was just too much of a stubborn crier. So, if the hand massage doesn’t work, slowly, she would make her way up my body from my arms to my face, all while she sang to me with her sweet, motherly voice that I can still remember like it was yesterday. She would tell me she would love me and wouldn’t let anyone hurt me no matter what. But, at the time, I was only little, init. I didn't know what she was talking about, I didn’t take anything she said to heart because I was too innocent, y’know. I didn’t fully understand how dark and cold life can be, life hit me so hard when I was young that I didn’t know what to do with my life, I didn’t know where to start.” Joel muttered, his voice cracking as he tried to keep it together.

“But my ma, she was the only person that truly stuck with me every day and night of my life. She gave me opportunities in positions I couldn’t have pictured myself in, chances that gave me a life outside of crime. In the financial poverty we were in, we couldn’t afford a lot of stuff we needed but somehow I still ended up with dinner money in my pocket; somehow, she always wore a smile that would always make me smile. She’s the strongest and yet, gentlest person I know. *sniff* She would wake me up for school, she would make sure I would wash my face and brush my teeth, she would always cook *sniff* me breakfast every morning first before hers and it would always be bacon, egg and sausage on toast, my favourite. After that, she would always *sniff* make sure to pack my Ben 10 lunch box with butties, cookies, fruit, anything *sniff* really and she would walk me to school, she would kiss me on my forehead and tell me she loves me as we went our separate ways. Funnily enough, she worked at the school too as a cleaner so we were never too far away. After school, she would always have a sweet for me, walking home on her shoulders. *sniff* When we get home, I remember always telling her how my day was with my friends and what we did in school and that, she would always listen with a tired smile. After *sniff* that, it was tea time. We would always have tea while watching movies, a blanket between us as I’d always get *sniff* close to cuddle up to her as she was always warm. Then for bedtime, she would took me in and sing me the same song every night.” Joel couldn’t hold it in anymore, tear after tear poured out like a crumbling dam, the evocation of his mother too much to handle. But he needed this, he needed to let this out. He couldn’t bare this pain any longer. He needed let someone decent enough to listen about the strongest woman Joel knew and the beautiful song she sang to him every day.

“When you walk, through a storm, Hold your head up high, And don't be afraid of *sniff* the dark~.” Joel began to sing shakily. the song, the rhythm, the tempo, he could remember every endearing words that came from her lips. “At the end - of a storm, There's a goldddden sky, And the sweet silver song - of a lark~.” He tried to sing, but he kept sniffing and he made an effort to dislodge the lump in his throat with each swallow, he felt pathetic singing in such a state, he wanted to sing it with purpose in honour of his mother that meant the world to him. “Walk on, through the wind; Walk on, through the rain, For your dreams be tossed and blown~. Walk *sniff* on, walk on, With hope~ in your heart~, And you'll never walk alone~, You'll never walk alone~ Walk on, walk on, *sniff* With hope~ in your heart~, And you'll never walk *sniff* alone~. You'll never walk alone~.” Joel finished, utterly in tears as his soul was finally out. The big bad Frank turned Into a broken boy as he spilt tears over his mother.

Fluttershy couldn’t help it, her tears came down freely as she listen to the poor boy pour his heart out to her, to tell her the story of a wonderful human being that has been there for him through his ups and downs. Fluttershy stood up with purpose and took hold of him, sobbing as they cried together, the two intertwined in a heartwarming hug as Fluttershy held his head in the crook of her neck, stroking his brown, messy hair softly. This boy… This boy with a heart of gold and a mother with a good soul has seen the worst society could offer, hiding the pain with each day that passed. It killed her to see him like this, so weak and fragile. She wondered how he hadn’t snapped into disdain at the world for being so cruel, for putting his mother through the struggle of raising a child with no help and treating her like garbage, like an outsider, Fluttershy could tell by how tightly he held her. Eventually, his sobbing got soothed into minor hiccups, sniffing as he tried to get his breathing under control. He pulled away, a slime of snot, tears running from her shoulder to his nose.

“Sorry about that, I just rambled on, didn’t I? Crying like a baby. It has been awhile since I thought about her, I can’t believe I had forgotten about her.” Joel said, rubbing his eyes in remorse. He couldn’t believe he told her about his mother, spilling his negative thoughts into Fluttershy like a sponge sucking in dirty water, but she listened to his every word and felt what he was feeling inside, Joel couldn’t think of a better person to tell. Fluttershy wiped her own tears.

“There is nothing to say sorry about, Im happy to listen about your mother. She sounds like a loving mother.” Joel’s frown deepened.

“Yeah, she was…” he muttered as the room went silent, the two cleaning themselves of their tears and Joel’s snot. In that time of silence, the school bell rang.

“Well, that’s school done for today.” Fluttershy said, implying to the ear-bursting bell. Finishing cleaning herself up, she went into her bag and pulled out a note. “Here, before I forget, me and Spike wanted to hand this over to you.” Fluttershy said, giving the note to Joel who visibly flinched at hearing Spike’s name, a quick image of Spike’s mangled face coming to the forefront of his mind. How could he forget about that? Taking the note and opening it, two phone numbers were written on it with Fluttershy’s and Spike’s name over there own number. Joel blinked, expecting a death threat or an insane poem about murdering people or something along them lines, he wasn’t expecting his number. Joel looked up to see Fluttershy waiting at the door.

“Also, Dr hooves wants to see you for putting a hole in his wall. He wasn’t very happy about that earlier.” Fluttershy added before twisting the knob.

“Wait!” Joel suddenly said, surprising himself at his desperate tone.

“Yes?” she stopped, looking back quizzically. Joel was stumped, he didn’t know exactly why he told her to wait, speaking first before he thought.

“I… I just… I just wanted to say thank you, for being a good friend. We haven’t been friends more than a day and you’ve already seen me cry.” He said dustily, a small frown on his face. Fluttershy just smiled sweetly.

“No problem, have a nice evening — and don’t forget to see Dr Hooves.” She said before walking out, looking left and right before leaving, closing the door to leave Joel to his peace. So many emotions ran through Joel like rush hour, but in the end he leaned back in his seat, looking at the ceiling and closing his eyes, holding his hand out onto the table as he remembers the ways she would tickle his hand with a smile on his face.

“Ma…” he spoke to his sacrosanct guardian. “I made a friend today…” his body was lighter than ever as he sat, immune to the strain of life as he was in a heavenly bliss but, Joel knew if he didn’t open his eyes now, he never will. So, with a dreading sigh, he opened his eyes again.

In Dr Hooves classroom, Joel was severely scolded for the hole in the wall and was given an hour of detention after school. Joel was lucky to have that punishment alone, a light-hearted penalty considering he was a human. Dr Hooves must have been in a good mood to just to slap him on the wrist. Unfortunately, his luck ran out as Feather Bang in all his cunting form also had an hour’s detention for swearing in class. Honestly, he’d rather have Rainbow or Sunset in with him as he just wouldn’t shut up. He would whisper insult after insult, using slurs that the most privileged person would be envious off, and to top it off, he would constantly throw anything solid at the back of Joel’s head with every chance of Dr Hooves not looking.

Feather bang is one of the most annoying cunts Joel knows and that’s why he is up there on Joel’s Cunt List in third place, Just behind Rainbow Dash for kicking the shit out of him.

Bored of getting a lack of reaction out of the human, Feather bang pulled out his phone as he leaned back on two of the legs of the chair and his shoes on his desk, Feather Bang noticed the Harmony Girls and the Wonder Colts were speaking via group chat.

Pinkie: Sunset, your hair is literally bacon, macaroni and cheese. I don’t want to hear it!!😤

Flash: I can defend that... 👀 tastes different downs stairs tho.😈

Sunset: You two shit up!😡

Sunset: Shut up*

Flash: peaches. 🍑

Rarity: Darlings, could you all please keep from using crude and vulgar language? Some of us don’t want to hear it!

Cheese: BOOOOOOOO! 😪

Pinkie: FUCK! 😁

Applejack: 😑😑😑

Rarity: PINKIE! 😠

Hoity: How risqué, Pinkie! Show some decency!😠

Pinkie: Sorry, had to let that one out. 🤪

Twilight: Has anyone seen Spike? He hasn’t come home yet. 😣

Soarin: Don’t know, don’t care! 🥱 fuck him!🖕 next time I see that bastard, I’ll kill him for going off on my Dashie💀

Dosh: After what we did to him, you won’t see him for a while.😜

Cheese: Yeah! Didn’t you see him and the human?🤮Fucked him up real good for that!💪

Pinkie: Nope!😕

Hoity: I can’t believe he stooped that low.🧐 Classless!👎

Caramel: Had you in his back pocket tho, Flash.😏 imagine being quiet the whole game by a human lover.😂

Flash: Eat the fattest dick!🖕

Caramel:😂😂😂🤣

Cheese: 🤫🤫🤫

Twilight: THIS IS SERIOUS!!

Dosh: How about you come round tonight, Babe?😉 I'll take your mind off that rat. 🐀

Twilight: IM NOT JOKING!!!!😫

Sunset: I’m lost… Spike is a human hoover?😨

Flash: Hoover?😆

Sunset: Hoover*

Sunset: FUCKING AUTOCORRECT!!!!🤬 LOVER!!!

Flash: 😂😂😂

Pinkie: 😂😂😂

Feather: 😂😂💩

Soarin: 🤣🤣

Rarity: LANGUAGE!!!😠

Applejack: We saw Spike talking to the human at halftime, doesn’t mean their friends.😒

Hoity: It's true, mud blood.🥱Why else would Spike start a ruckus with Rainbow Dash?🧐

AppleJack: What did you just call me!?😡🤡

Caramel: Spike was seen talking to the human in the changing room too.😐

Twilight: WHAAAATTTT!!!!!!!!!!😱😱

Feather: Yeah, he said he would rather be friends with a human than us.😤

Dosh: Spike told us that he doesn’t care about you or us anymore, Twilight.😥

Sunset: HE SAID WHAT!!!!😡😡

[Twilight offline]

Pinkie: Poor, Twilight.😔

Rarity: indeed, we need to cheer her up.😔

Pinkie: I know!😁How about we take her out to the Nightdale Night Club!🥳🎉🎊

Flash: and get absolutely hammered!!😃 count me in!!👍

Sunset: Don’t you girls think that’s a little too much… we have school tomorrow.😐

Flash: Come on, Sunset!😩 you’ve been studying so much lately, I think you need to freshen up!🎉

Feather: Flash is right, we all need this, I reckon!🥳

Sunset: I mean… It has been stressful lately.😣

[Dash online]

Dash: hey guys.

Pinkie: Yo!😁

Rarity: Hello, Darling.😃

Flash: Sup.👋

Soarin: Sup babe.😘

Applejack: Howdy partner.🤠

Dash: don’t talk to me, Soarin. I’m still mad at you!

Cheese: Oooooooo😮

Soarin: why????😐

Dash: you know what you did, Celebrating your goal by blowing kisses and winking at other girls. Not cool!

Applejack: Yeah, even I thought that was too much.😤

Feather: It's not that bad, he was just in the heat of the moment.🤔

Dash: I don’t care!

Soarin: Babe, your overreacting again.😪 by the way, we’re was you for last lesson? I was lonely without you.😈🥵

Dash: Fuck off, Soarin!

Flash: someone has a mood on, is it your time of the month again?🩸

Dash: Bite me, Flash!

Sunset: Don’t wind her up, Flash.😒

Rarity: what’s the matter, Darling? Sounds like you're not having a good day.

Dosh: Do you know Rainbow Dash? She’s always pissed when she doesn’t win a game of soccer.🤭

Dash: I’m fine, Rarity.

Pinkie: Are you sure??? My pinkie sense is saying that you’re not happy.☹️ plus, you usually use emojis.🥺

Dash: I said I’m fine!

Feather: Did anyone else notice that Fluttershy had disappeared for most of the day, barely saw her at all.🙄

Flash: Nope!🥱

Soarin: Nah, bro.🤔

Caramel: Did see her in science but that’s about it, dude.👍

Dosh: I did see her watching us play soccer but, she didn’t look happy with Twilight and Rarity.🤨

Hoity: Fluttershy had a bitch fit with Twilight and Rarity, I was there when it happened.🩸I think she’s on her period too.

Sunset: Fluttershy had a falling out with us over something awhile ago, it was our fault and she kinda hates us.😔

Cheese: Damn…😳

Feather: What did you do to her to piss her off!😠

Pinkie: long story short, we left her in a deep depression for what happened months ago.😣

Flash: That’s cold…🥶

Caramel: Fluttershy? Depressed?🤔 Fluttershy has always worn a smile every time I saw her.🤥

Rarity: actually, girls. We spoke to her about it earlier and, apparently, Rosette’s passing has nothing to do with her sadness.🙁

Applejack: really? Then why doesn’t she want to be friends with us anymore then?😐

Rarity: I have no idea, It was for some different reason entirely.😫What did we do to her to make her hate us!?!?!?😩

Dash: She doesn’t hate us, it wasn’t our fault entirely.

Sunset: What do you mean by that?🤨

Rarity: Have you spoken to her recently? Do you know more about what happened?🙏

Pinkie: How is she? Is she okay? Is she still mad at us for whatever we did?

Sunset: Dashie? Still there?

Dash: Sorry, gtg.

[Dash offline]

Feather: that was odd.🤣

Pinkie: Not funny!😠

“Feather Bang, get off your phone this instant and do the work I assigned you!” Dr Hooves shouted from his desk, slightly looking up from his glasses. Muttering some adultery curses, Feather Bang reluctantly put his phone back in his pocket and went back to annoying Joel.

After the hour was done, Joel was ready to risk it all and stab Feather Bang as many times he has thrown shit at Joel’s head. But, knowing that will blow his own cover, all Joel could do is put Feather Bang second on the Cunt List. Congratulations, you fucking cunt!

“Alright. It’s time to go boys. Hand over your papers and then you can leave.” Dr Hooves murmured plainly as his eyes were glued to his paperwork. Feather Bang didn’t waste any time in getting out of his seat, fast walking to the front desk and placing the paper rudely in front of him. Dr Hooves waited for the familiar second pair of footsteps but, it never came, just the rushing sound of scribbling. He looked up to see the human face down into the paper, stopping to think for a moment. He was stuck; tapping the pen to his chin in marvel. Then, he seen Dr Hooves staring.

“Sir… I have a question.” Joel stated, leaning back on his chair with his arms crossed. The human surprised the scientist once again as his head perked up.

“Yes… Ask away.” The doctor said, putting his pen down and taking a relaxed posture.

“Have you ever heard of a human that could use magic?” Joel asked ostensibly, a question that has in fact been asked of him by another inquisitive student of his and the answer is the same.

“I have not, humans are completely immune to magic. from birth, human babies are born with no core to store that energy. From a scientific standpoint, a human can’t weld magic at any degree. They can’t levitate objects or cast spells, they can’t fly or control the clouds and pure dedication in the gym will only get you the strength of an average earth equestrian. Why? What’s with the sudden question?” Dr Hooves explained, squinting his eyes in curiosity. Joel didn’t flinch away as his pen now tapped his lip.

“Nothing, just a question that I always had on my mind. I just find it ironic that not everyone had developed magic after the magical discharge. Doesn’t it make you think why those were left human? Joel blankly said, a sigh coming right after.

“Listen, kid… Like I said last time. Magic is an unsolved mystery that science hasn’t even brushed the surface off. You never know, the sky is the limit and now beyond the galaxy for opportunities yet to come because of this new ear of magic. It seriously wouldn’t surprise me if one day, the world finds out how to plant a seed of magic within a human. Then maybe… Just maybe-”

“-The world could finally see humans as more than dumb animals.” Joel finished for him, a small raising smile forming. Dr Hooves replicated his grin.

“Exactly.” He replied. With that being said, Joel finally stood up with his bag on his back and paper in hand. He walked over to the desk and handed over his work.

“See you around, teach.” Joel said before walking out the door. Dr Hooves just sat and stared at the empty doorframe for a couple of seconds. That human… I need to know his name was Dr Hooves last thought as he went back to his work with a grin. Finally, some hope for the human race.

When Joel turned the corner of the room, he immediately lost his smile as a frown reappeared on his mug. He wasn’t going home, not yet. He had something to do before he left. He had been out most of the day; it was time to see what he can find. But first, he had to wait. It wasn’t safe to do his private routine after school.

So, as he sat there in the toilet stalls with the lights flickering above, waiting for the signal, he mind went back to what happened an hour ago. Joel didn’t know how long he sat there glaring at the cubicle door as if he was going to rip it off its hinges. He was pathetic, weak and soft. How blindly had he spoken his mind? About his mother nonetheless. Joel generally couldn’t remember the last time he had cried in front of someone like a child. It's rare for him to show any emotion at all, never mind just crying. He shouldn’t have broken down that easily, not that fast. To tell Fluttershy about his mother too, to let his guard down, to let his emotions get the best of him. What made him do it? The years and years of hurt and pain? Desperation to be heard? To remember the times when it was just him and his mother, when life had little meaning to a young lad? He didn’t know why but, that won’t happen again. Not for Fluttershy, not to his mother, not to anyone. He can’t afford to show weakness, not now.

*putt ting!*

Joel's phone buzzed alive as the screen lit up with a notification popping up. It was the signal, the message read: ‘you have 5 minutes’ by an unknown contact, but Joel knew who this was and didn’t waste another second to mull it over. The clock was ticking.

In this school, many cameras are installed down each corridor, cafeteria, staff areas and off-limit restricted areas; all of them are activated 24/7 and all recording at all times, all of them being the FLEXIDOME indoor dome security cameras. They are very reliable and flexible camera that can adapt to the night and day environments. With a lens being up to around 3 to 10mm, this camera can catch footage in HD. Not a camera Joel wants to fuck with himself. Now though, that camera is just a decoration on the ceiling thanks to his… Business Partner let's just say for now.

Almost missing his turn down one passageway to another, Joel scanned through all the names on the lockers, attentive to search and find the certain group of boys' lockers as every second was precious. There! Near the middle, he saw Flash’s locker locked up with the school’s issued padlocks. Lucky for Joel, years of being a human have taught him how to pick lock a standard lock like this. It’ll only take him around 10-15 seconds to unlock it, no sweat. With a bobbin pin and a screwdriver inserted, Joel worked his magic, and just like that, the locker was unlocked. Flash is a big lad at 5’11, the rosy, cream-skinned pegasus had blue ocean eyes that went well with his dark blue, gelled back hair. Flash wore a black leather jacket with red and white stripes going across the chest area, underneath that he wore a red jersey. Down below he had sky blue jeans with a branded black, white striped trainers. Joel didn’t know much about Flash, hell, he didn’t know much about any of the boys other than their personalities and traits. Flash was a standard high and mighty, sports guy. Loves playing football and loves winning, a true football player in the making with great potential but, that’s all the good prospects about him end. He has an ego bigger than this school, he gets a cob on when things don’t go his way, and he’s that guy who can give but can’t take. He’s just a whinging, a narcissistic brat with a wealthy family. Yes, his father (Becks) is a retired footballer and a very successful one. With insane numbers like 146 goals and 252 assists to his name, he was an icon to the sport, a real legend to his club and country. Unfortunately, that club was the Red Devils, and Joel didn’t like them at all because they were the rival team to the Liverbirds, the team that Joel supports. So like father like son, they both support the same team so that’s why Flash is 4th on the Cunt list. Fucking mancs. Joel couldn’t see Flash being the killer, not in any sense of the word, but he couldn’t count him out for that slightest possibility that he was involved.

Looking inside his locker, he didn’t take long in skimming through what he had. He didn’t have much to interest the human. Football magazines, porn magazines, and school books aligned the back of the locker with a packet of condoms and a crumpled-up piece of paper that was his maths homework. With that all he could see, he locked Flash’s locker and moved on to the next one.

The next one he saw was Hoity Toity’s locker. Hoity, the earthbound millionaire was around 5’9, around Joel’s size. With his dark grey skin and wavy slicked back with long side quiff white hair, Joel didn’t know his eye colour as he always wears purple shades with everything he wears. Now, trying to describe his attire is always difficult to Joel, so he will just illustrate his pride and joy he nearly wears every day. The Canali suit must be framed from pure yarn and it’s structured shoulder made to be broad, the full lining for a commanding and refined fit. It’s an Dalian design, characterised with flap pockets, gently structured shape, and chalk white stripe finish down the suit. Underneath the blazer, he had a white buttoned-up T-shirt. The pants where the same as the suit and he shoes were black, clear nose picker shoes, if you get what Joel means. Yet again, the lock was piss easy, the lock unclasping itself with a satisfying click. Like he said before, he doesn’t know much about the boys other than what was in front of him, Hoity Toity though, he was an open book. Snotty, bold and affluent, those would be the three words to describe the very popular student. From birth, Hoity Toity was blessed with wealth to be loaded for the rest of his life. With money like that, he was destined to be a prick. Fucking tories. Hoity isn’t a tory but, he might as well be one with the way he looks down on everyone he meets.

Looking inside, Joel’s eyes widened as the first thing he saw was stacks of 50-note bills covering half his locker. Joel couldn't believe it, who the fuck keeps thousands apon thousands of doe in his locker!?!? Is this his fucking lunch money? Joel could live off this much for the rest of his life! Fucking rich cunts! Looking left and right down each end of the corridor. Joel quickly zipped open his bag and started shoving in the bricks of cash in like it was a heist. What was he thinking leaving this much in his locker, doesn’t he think a certain human wouldn't take all this? Fucking moron! Doesn’t he know that Joel wasn’t just a human, but a scouser? Shoving all 5 heaps of notes in his bag, he briefly glanced inside to see what else was inside, nothing that caught his attention, just school books, photos of Rarity and other girls in bikinis. Nothing too suspicious.

Next he saw was Caramel’s locker — same shit lock, different locker. Caramel is a big, earthbound boy with a size of 6’2. The tanned coloured boy had short, frizzled brown hair which makes his sky-blue eyes stand out the most. He wore casual clothes, he wore a plain light orange shirt with a cream, light yellow, wool jumper underneath. His trousers were just brown trousers with his shoes being the same colour as his shirt. Caramel is most physically strong out of them all, not just because of his earth strength but, because he does the most physical labour out of the rest of them as he works on a farm, growing crops and working with farm animals. He actually has a talent for horse riding. Partaking in rodeos and winning a few, of course it caught the eye of Applejack, if anything, their relationship with one another is the one that mostly made sense to him. But yet, like the rest of the boys, he has his downfalls. He has this arrogance about him where he just takes things out of proportion. Sly comments, lack of empathy in serious situations and has a bit of an ego himself, not like Flash but, enough to know it’s there, but with all that, he’s thick as pig shit, the dumbest out of the lot of them. Joel could see Caramel being the killer but it’s unlikely, not the figure he would imagine being the killer.

Looking inside, he saw something out of place in the locker. Something that didn’t belong in his locker. It was a large book; an old, bucolic book that looked to be hundreds and hundreds of years old. Joel picked the book up and immediately noticed something was off as he felt the brown leather cover; it felt heavy for it’s size. Looking at the front cover, Joel was surprised to see it was one of the Little Women series, written by a human women by the name of Scarlet Silver. Joel didn’t know he liked reading, never mind a humans work. It was a series written about his experience as a young human woman growing up. Joel had heard about it, everyone loved the tale of a young girl growing up until they all realised by the third book that she was human, some kept reading it and some slandered her work. The famous book series lost to hate. Joel never read her work, but was sure that he could relate to her daily struggle. Opening the book out of curiosity, Joel frowned as the weight of the book finally made sense. Instead of seeing the introduction of the book, he saw the last thing he would see. Hundreds of pages were neatly carved out to outline a handgun and sitting there comfortably in it’s carved shape was a black, Beautiful Beretta 92FS model. This model has 4.9-inch barrel and can hold up to 10 bullets a clip, the bullets being a Cal.9mm. A gun that was originally made in Italie… Interesting. Joel picked up the weapon in awe, checking the safety switch and checking the magazine for ammunition which was fully loaded, he took in it’s magnificence physique. Never has he ever held or used this type of pistol before, he always wanted to try one but, he could never get his hands on one. Joel’s heart started racing of the thrill of firing it. I think I’m in love, Joel thought, packing his new precious in his bag of cash. Placing the book back, he noticed something else that caught his attention. It was a phone, a flip phone that is so out of date that Joel is surprised that Caramel knows what one is. Picking it up with his suspicion rising drastically, he flipped open the phone and immediately went to contacts for any name that were shady or new. Looking down the list, he noticed it was all girl names from his age group like Trixie, Fleetfoot, Adagio, Aria, Sonata, Lightening Dust, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and last but not least, the name he was looking for… Her name is dialled in this phone. Why? All of a sudden, Caramel was looking awfully wary. The fucks she doing his contact number? Why are these girls specifically in this phone and not his smartphone? Joel couldn’t be throwing fingers just yet, even with this evidence of being in contact with Rosette and having a gun, it still doesn’t prove that he’s involved in anything but, he will keep Caramel in mind for now.

Looking for the next Wonder Colt’s locker, he came across Soarin’s. At a solid 6’0, Soarin is a paled turquoise pegasus who has navy blue hair and lime green eyes. He wore the school’s footy jacket and shoes which is dodger blue with two yellow lightening bolts around the jacket’s sleeve and the side of the shoe. Underneath the jacket is a yellow plain shirt and his pants is white. He didn’t like soarin one bit, he’s the biggest, and the hardest fucker in school. With a carefree attitude and being a pegasus athlete, he became one of the favourites with the girls, that’s when he met Rainbow. With Rainbow by his side, he’s been out of control ever since. Being a sex addict and being a total pleb, He’s been a bad influence on the Wonder Colts more than anyone. he stood out the most so it was only natural that the rest conformed to him and his disposition. It all started with him, now that they had picked up his traits, he just hangs back like a lord letting his minions do the work.

Breaking inside, Joel wasn't surprised that there were nudes of Rainbow Dash displayed inside, honestly, he would be more surprised if there weren't any. But other than that, nothing caught his eye. There was a red, satin ribbon balled up which was strange and School books but, that was it. Nothing that screamed killer. So with that being that, he moved on.

Dosh’s locker, Dosh it about 5’10, the second shortest out of the bunch. He is a deep blue unicorn, the only unicorn out of the Wonder Colts. His golden hair was pulled back into a pomp mohawk with a bit of golden stubble around his jawline, chin and neck, which brought out his emerald eyes. He wore a Valentino style of clothing, with a black woolly jumper underneath a varsity, faux leather sleeves bomber jacket. For his bottom half, he wore a expensive suit navy blue trousers with white trainers. If his accent didn’t give it way, his outfit sure screamed Italie. now Joel was feeling antsy, mainly because he knew the least about him. He was cold, calculated and rarely shows any real emotion. He was an unknown and he didn’t like that but, all he did know was he was rich and he was from Italie. If Joel had to judge based on appearance alone, Dosh would be the killer without a second thought.

Looking inside, there was nothing… Literally nothing. No books or anything, just dust. He hasn’t used this locker at all.

*putt ting!*

His phone when off with another message saying:

‘1 minute left, times up, kid!’

Slamming the locker door in frustration and locking it, he wanted to get through all the boy's lockers in one go but, that’ll have to do for now. Cheese Sandwich was the least likely to be a killer and Feather Bang doesn't have the backbone to kill. So with that being done, he was happy about what he had and what he found out. Heading back to the toilets, he waited for a minute to end. Counting to a minute, he left the toilets like nothing had happened now that the cameras are now functional, the red light confirming it. He was in the clear as he walked out the exit door, a brush of fresh, chilly air whooshing by, a little whisper in his ear. Breathing in and releasing firmly, Joel walked down the steps as his next destination was his house.

Joel walked on through the tawny afternoon, crossing roads and stopping at the red, stoplights. An in uneventful walk despite the glares that were thrown his way, mutters about being human and how they haven’t died out yet. Ignoring them was the best thing he could do, standing up for himself would only be a lose, lose situation. Instead, he was thinking about tonight. He needed to find clues, a hint in the right direction and not kill them outright. He knows very little about The Order but, he knows enough to know what he is up against. His chances were slim to none, and he knew he wouldn’t get out of this alive but, he had to try. His whole life, he hasn’t backed down to anyone, the moment they fucked with his loved ones was the moment he got involved.

The Order was divided into 3 districts of Canterlot City. Joel didn’t know their exact locations but, from experience of bumping into each group, he had a rough estimate. In the southeast region of Canterlot is a very dangerous mob of perilous people that held the area in captivity with their power, fear and respect being the source of their control. These individuals are known as the Italia Mafia. Not the biggest gang out there but, they most witty gangsters by a mile. Taking over the area for their own gain but also giving something back to the people. Money, drugs and a chance to be one of their own. Kids over there look up to the Mafia like fictional superheroes. It’s strange to think that but it’s true. To them, being a gangster was better than being the president of Equestria. Even some from outside the area come just to be a part of them. Growing up, it meant being a somebody in a neighbourhood that was full of nobodies, the Mafia wasn't like anybody else, they did whatever they want. They can double park in front of a hydrant and no one would give them a ticket. In the cigar store, there would always be a patch the finest pushed aside just for them. Gambling, drugs, deals, any little crime did by the Italia Mafia will go unheard of as no one would snitch. Being in the Mafia meant you can go anywhere, you can do anything, you would know everybody and everybody would know you if you had their ring. For the kids down there, it was about being something more, being treated like an adult and learning how to score a dollar there and then. It was like living in a fantasy. Behind the scenes, not many knew what happens mainly because everyone that did know dies but, Joel knows, he knows perfectly what happens. Anyone that was on their bad side, well, let's just say that they don’t make it out without a scar or their life.

In the west coast, many abnormal things has happened over there. People disappear just to come back a few days later like nothing happened, graffiti of ecclesiastical murals around the site, and the crime rate has drastically reduced by a big margin. It was spooky, not longer ago, riots were kicking off because of the lack of government support but now, everything is calm and silent even with being isolated by the regime. Unusually enough, the day that happened a church started its construction. The people there are up to something, and Joel desired to know what that was. Joel never looked much into it but, there was something Joel did know, it’s was that the St Silia’s Church is a part of The Order.

This next group Joel deeply hated the most, The Coyotes. Somewhere in the middle of Canterlot where women and children have been going missing almost every night. Without warning, without mercy, they take the life of young women and their kids and sell them off to the highest bidder, trading for weapons, ammunition and money. The younger, the more expensive. Joel tried his best to stop these deals from taking place and has done countless times but, he can’t be everywhere at once, many women and children have been beaten, raped and sold many times by thugs and criminals in this area and Joel knows this, so it is with a heavy heart he keeps moving forward and hopes the previous will be the last. In this group of disgusting people is his target, and Joel wished to find that person and kill him, that was his only goal before he was hunted down and erased.

There is one more group, a group from beyond Canterlot in the far north in the eternal snowy mountains. Joel has no idea who they are or what they do but, last time he seen them, they were packed with rifles and winter camouflage uniforms. The only explanation is that it must be the military, if so, why are they so far north? Expedition? Training? Conflict? God knows but, seeing the Equestrian Army convert to The Order, Joel didn’t like it one bit. For now, he’ll call them Winter Company.

All these groups have a connection to The Order, how does Joel know this? The Order’s Cross. Everyone with the black cross around their neck and the brand on their sleeve is associated with this organisation and they are deathly loyal to the one called The Boss, especially the ones from Italie, they would lay their own life down for him, torturing them is pointless. They are called The Wops, The Boss’s secret services that are all from Italie, no outsiders are not allowed to see his face other than them. Gangs that are followers fear him which is fitting, not one of Joel’s victims out of the three gangs in Canterlot would tell him a thing about The Order, they would rather die than face The Boss’s wrath. he is said to be absolutely egregious, and cold-blooded to the point that he is believed to have no heart and yet live, some say he’s mad as a hatter and some say he’s perfection to the point where his followers had second thoughts on their own sanity. He had his ways to bring the best and the worst out of people at will, he could make a man, women or child wear a bomb vest and send them to die, he could make his own men fight to the death for entertainment. Joel didn’t know this was true but, this is all rumours, a fairy tale for those who wish to impose on his work taking over Equestria.

The Boss has two sons and two daughters, they are all unknown to Joel. Between them all, they are separated into these gangs, each one leading their own batch at the willingness of their father.

That’s it, every hint he got wind of for months, every man and woman he slaughtered and tortured for little bits of information like this. He needed names, he needed faces, he needed to approach this differently other than asking questions otherwise he’ll have an early grave before he gets his chance for any sort of move. He needs to be there, in plain sight or maybe…

Honking snapped Joel out of his deep thoughts as he realised he had crossed the road on a red light. Quickly, moving out the way, Joel looked back to see a certain earth boy was following him as he stood on the other side of the road, looking casual as he looked everywhere but at him. Cursing himself for being too lax, Joel carried on walking, intending to loose Feather Bang around this corner. Impatient to wait for the lights to switch, Feather Bang dashed as soon as the light turned green. Fucking human, he couldn’t lose him now, once he finds where he lives, there will be no place to hide for him, and he'll make sure that the human will regret staying at his school.

Turning the corner, Feather Bang was stumped momentarily as there was no sign of the human, where was he? He had just lost sight of him for just a second! Looking around as he walked down the pavement, he looked passed the cars and into the steady stream of people walking every which way, trying to spot a brown-haired, short human. He gritted his teeth in frustration, the sudden disappearance of the human riling up the Feather Bang. How hard can it be to find one, dirty, mud blood?

“Where is this rat?” he muttered to himself, promising a beating once he finds him. A rash sound of a glass bottle smashing beside him made the zoned-in earthbound Feather Bang spin with a jump, the dim alleyway’s ambience uninviting as the ray went no further, the darkness keeping the shadows within at bay. his whole body shivered despite the sun, as something or someone was waiting for the young boy to step into its territory, and it might be the last thing he’ll ever do. Who was it? Gangsters? Druggies? Humans? Frank? He didn’t know, all he could see is a dumpster to one side and a glimmer of a glass bottle. Stepping away to the edge of the curb, Feather Bang nearly fell from the rim of the path, knocking the young man out of his trance and quickly catching his balance.

“M-maybe I should call it quits for today, maybe tomorrow.” The spooked teen said, continuing his walk as he would now and then look over his shoulder as the murk peaked back with its menacing eye. No one steps into those tenebrous areas without purpose, even Feather Bang knew that unwritten rule. He had no business meddling in something he was not prepared for. So as Feather Bang walked away, the lid of the dumpster slightly opened as a green eye peaked. Seeing the coast was clear, Joel hopped out, brushing himself of the waste. Not the first time he jumped in a dumpster to get away from someone. You would think to check inside but, apparently not. Guess equestrians would rather let them get away than get germs. Happy with his appearance, Joel was going to walk off but, Joel froze and snapped his neck to his side, unbelieving of what he saw at the corner of his eye. It was brief but he spotted it. Behind the dumpster was a portion of graffiti, it was a black tip of a sword, but that tip is only one of four corners of a cross, The Order’s Cross. Quickly, Joel moved the dumpster out of his way, revealing the symbol that has haunted him. Touching it and smothering his finger all over the mark, pulling it back, his eyes widened as his finger was completely black. This was done recently, that must mean…

Without hesitation, Joel jumped back into the dumpster, with every intention of ripping every black bin bag apart. This is big, no, this is huge! This could be his lucky break, this could be a temperamental answer to his problems, a clue in the right direction to his next step of figuring out The Order and its leaders. Ripping bags apart, linging plastic bottles, cans, and bottles of glass out the dumpster behind him, bystanders looking down the alley as they all stopped and cringed in revulsion of the sight of a human scavenging through trash, taking pictures and calling him terrible names. Joel didn’t care though, he didn’t even know they were there as he went from bag to bag in search of something. Then he saw it, a small bright dot blinking in and out of sight in the dark. A bomb? A GPS? He picked it up and attached to it with a rubber band was a envelope, a envelope with no name but the cross symbol of The Order. This is it, the one thing that could make his life easier to find the killer is right in his hand. He opened it carefully as to not rip it and flipped open the letter. Joel’s eyes widened and a frown slowly shaped. The letter is written in a language he couldn’t understand. It read:

‘Ci vediamo al magazzino delle macellerie abbandonate al tramonto, fratello. nostro padre ha qualcosa di cui discutere. non fare tardi.’

What… What is this load of shit! Joel mentally screamed as he wanted to rip the paper into pieces, but he sighed, ripping anything into pieces isn’t going to help him at all. He just needed a translator but, this letter might not even matter in the time he does find a translator. Slowly, he slides down the inside of the dumpster as he just laid there in the rubbish as he closes his eyes. He felt useless, he felt numb, he felt like laying the whole night and never leaving. He felt it was fitting since he was nothing but a human, the lowest of the low, The Boogeymen that parents tell their kids to say away from, the problem is the humans. They are probably right too, Joel was a killer and he hasn’t finished high school yet. Joel kills and kills and kills and for what? He didn’t have to kill so many people, he didn’t have to kill them as they pleaded for mercy, the look in their eyes as their life flashed before them as he ended their life. Why…? How could he stare into the eye of his victim and kill them without a blink? For sport? Entertainment? Joel knew why, he knew why it was so easy to spill enough blood to fill his own bath, he knew how he could look and stare into a man's eyes the way he does and feel nothing. He’s seen so much death in his time that it would make the reaper blush with envy. Joel was cursed to be the inevitable fatal cancer that eventually kills everyone around him. It is so easy because it doesn’t matter if they die or not, death lingers on his shoulder like a pet. If he doesn’t kill them, the raven will.

“My oh my. Kid, how have you just stolen around 50k from some kid’s locker and a pistol and still hit rock bottom? You, sir, have issues.” a lofty man murmured in susurration, the quick flicks of a lighter apparent. Joel groaned.

“Why? What would you do with 50k... A gun… And 10 9mm bullets in a magazine?” Joel listed off, generally interested with his answer. There was a pause as the man took his time to mull that question, exhaling as smoke was blown over the dumpster.

“Well, don’t get me wrong, kid. Guns are cool and all but, 50k… the scent of that pure green cash… That’s where the fun starts, my friend.” He said, a human leaning over the top of the dumpster with a ciggy in between his fingers and a smug grin. This is Leo, Joel’s business partner in crime. The fellow that disabled the cameras at the school while Joel snooped about.

Standing at 6’1, the man wore a black hoodie with a grey, zip up windbreaker jacket over the top, underneath there is a black cotton sweater that is cleverly marked for the winter and prepared for any situation as he had a tan green, military type backpack. For his trousers, he wore an dark grey electrician’s work pants, extra pouches and pockets to store his supplies. As Leo looked down upon Joel, Joel could only see his brown eyes as black face paint shadowed his eye as he wore a rose red baseball cap with his hood covering the yankee and a nicely shaped, grey snood, covering the bottom of his facial features. His hands were also covered with white boxing wrap around the base of his hand, stained with old grime. This man was the definition of a grey man; blending and hiding in with his surroundings, his stealth was on a whole other level. Excelling not just in plain sight but also in the shadows, a perfect assassin if he had the balls to pick up a weapon. instead, he worked for the Grey Coats, an anonymous organisation based around hacking and getting their hands on information. From cracking into tough programmed codes to spying, these firm of hackers have the world by its balls. But, with all this power, all this potential to wreak havoc on Canterlot, Leo, the head of the nerds instead would rather get paid for causing chaos around the world, hens his love for money, and with this 50k Joel has, he won’t be going anywhere any time soon.

“50k is a lot of money… I think I would have to start by making myself flashy, a 5k suit maybe? Something that says that I’m that guy, something that adds character to my presence, enough for people to start asking questions about the mysterious man. After that, maybe get some jewellery from Denver, some rings on my fingers and a stainless steel watch on my wrist for around… 20k, maybe 30 if I’m feeling lucky that day. Then, I show up at the Highlander Bar and splash the cash in front of the most stunning lady there. Show her what a real man looks like and treat her like royalty all in one night. That’s what I would do with 50k, cash like that you just got to have fun with.” Leo envisioned as he looked distant. Joel smirked, never would he think he would ever see a human who has a taste for the rich culture. “So, tell me, why are you being such a miserable cunt again?” Leo said, looking back down to Joel pulling down his snood to reveal his short, scruffy beard as he took a puff of his cancer stick. Seeing no other reason not to hide the note, Joel lifted up the slightly crinkled note. Leo’s brow raised, humming as he took the note, Scrutinising the note as he looked closely.

“It’s in Dalian’s Latin, an old language people in Italie use to speak back in the late 18 hundreds. It has The Order’s Cross printed on it too, this is a serious letter, you know. Not something you want to meddle in.” Leo muttered as he rubbed his chin. Joel lit up from the dumpster.

“You know this language? Can you translate it?” Joel asked, almost head-butting Leo as he stood up from inside the dumpster, a bit of hope raising. Seeing this, Leo smirked.

“I don’t know… What’s this note worth to you, little guy?” he said, resting his arms on the dumpster, leaning forward as he wore a smug grin. Oh, this guy and his money.

“5k for this note and I’ll give you 5k for deactivating the school’s systems, that’s a generous 10k if you ask me.” Joel bargained, his arms crossed with all earnestness. There’s no way Joel would let Leo rip him off.

“10k for the note,” Leo replied, a challenging look in his eye.

“No way, lad. 5k is more than enough. This shouldn’t even be 5k, I should be giving 5 bucks just to translate this shit, bro so just take that 5k.” Joel snarled.

“11k”

Joel sputtered, the rising of his offer catching Joel off guard.

“What!? What do you mean by 11k? You're taking the bloody piss now, 5k is enough!” Joel blurted out.

“12k”

“Did you just not hear me, or are you fuck-”

“13k”

“FINE! FUCK SAKE!” Joel roared in Leo’s smug face, gritting his teeth as he zipped open his bag grabbing two stacks of cash and pulling out 3k. “There! 17k just for you, dickhead!” Joel sneered, kicking the inside of the dumpster with a metallic twang. Leo grinned happily, taking a big, long whiff of the dollar bills as he savoured the smell.

“Happy to do business with you, kiddo.” Leo beamed, stuffing his share into his pocket. Joel just grumbled some vulgar words under his breath. How could he let himself get ripped off like that, 13k just to decipher what was said on the note? This better good otherwise he’s going on a rampage tonight. “Now, let's see what we have here.” Leo said, reaching in for his pocket as he pulled his phone out, he tapped the screen a couple of times and took a quick photo of the note in his hand. Joel raised a brow at this, how is a photo going to help with anything?

“Meet us at the abandoned butches warehouse at dusk, brother. our father has something to discuss. do not be late.” Leo said plainly.

“Huh?– wait, what? What did you just do?” Joel asked, befuddled.

“I’ve got a translation app on my phone, which really does come in handy in tricky situations like this.” Leo said, handing over the note as he walked away deeper into the alleyway with his grin never leaving. A-a app? He used a app to find out what its says. Joel could have done that, why didn’t he think of that?

“That’s… That’s not fair! You can’t just play me like that! That’s such a cunt move!”

“Let this be a lesson for the next time we meet, kid. Nothing is free when you speak to me. Everything has a price.” Leo spoke before fading into the shadows, a two-finger salute the last thing Joel saw.

“Fucking bastard,” Joel growled, his excitement for tonight and his plans overshadowed by his pissed-off mood. Nonetheless, what's done is done. Money shouldn’t be the biggest concern right now, tonight is going to be a big night and will determine whether he gets closer to the identity of the killer. So with that on his mind, he once again hopped out if the dumpster and brushed himself off. Before he leaves, he needs to put everything back in the dumpster and leave the letter behind, can’t let the person who is going to retrieve know that the letter has already been seen. Once everything was thrown back into the dumpster with the letter in the envelope inside the dumpster, Joel decided to linger for a bit, he was curious about who was going to retrieve it. Surely enough, someone did come. Two bin men with there truck came and collected all the rubbish, one of them shoving the envelope in his inner pocket. Clever, very clever and very concerning.

Continuing his walk back home a bit faster than before, his mind was wandering back to his thoughts on the warehouse and what he had come to expect from the meeting. Joel had a basic understanding of a warehouse's layout. A wide open space area with machinery, forklifts, handling equipment, storage racks and crates of what he could imagine is meats of different varieties. Of course, it’s been abandoned so he wasn’t expecting everything he listed to be there but, it's good to be prepared. There will be complications which might be substantial if he was really unlucky, but, the main problem is that The leaders of their own organisations are Italie, the language barrier will be a massive problem. If the bosses start speaking in their homeland speech, there will be no reason for him to be there, he could capture one of the guards and force him to translate but, that would be highly unlikely due to their fear of the boss himself, Joel could only hope that they don’t use their old tongue. Sentries, the member of The Order’s guards will be scattered around the region. Joel didn’t know how heavily the guards will be armed but, with the shady deals going in behind the scenes with The Order and The Winter Company and in the black market, he’d expect the patrols to have rifles, grenades and traps laid out for unwanted intruders, maybe a sniper if he is unfortunate, these sentries won’t be like the rest he has faced before with their military-grade weapons, armour, training and equipment. Joel would have to be careful about this, this isn’t going to be child’s play. This is big, not many opportunities come around like this, he had to play this safely. This is a meeting, all the leaders of the gangs are going to be there with their own support. The way Joel saw it, if he was spotted in anyway, the whole operation will be blown and if worse came to worst, Joel won’t make it out alive. He was prepared for that, he wouldn’t let death be an option. Not until he gets what he wants.

“Yo, Joel!” a lad’s voice called out to him, once again snapping him out of his thoughts. Looking up, he saw Spike, sitting on the last step of his house with his purple hood up. Joel’s wariness raised substantially as he couldn’t help but picture the disfigured face of Spike, grinning back with no sanity left within him. No! That was just an nightmare, it was all just in my head! My fucked mind! Joel mentally scolded himself.

“Hey…” was Joel’s reply, still trying to convince himself about Spike. Spike got up to meet Joel halfway but, immediately took a big step back with his hands over his nose.

“Bro! What have you been doing? Did you come back from the sewers? You honest to Celestia smell like shit, and I don’t mean any normal type of shit, I mean green baby shit. You reek like, it’s not even funny!” Spike said with his hands covering his nose. Joel paused, did he really smell that bad? He took a whiff of his jacket and hummed. He’s right, I smell like shit. Looking back at Spike, he had one hand leaning on next door’s iron fence and the other on his knee as he leaned over, gagging and spitting as if it would take away the smell. “You need a shower… Like, right now. That’s fucking horrible.”

“Jeez, it’s not that bad of a smell.” Joel shrugged walking pass Spike as he hugged the fence with a cringe.

“Drakes have a distinctive sense of smell, dumbass. I could smell that shit before I saw you.” Spike explained drastically. Joel just chuckled, unaffected by Spike’s glare as be walked up to his stairway. When Joel was about to put his house key in his lock, Joel just clocked that Spike knew where he lived. He slowly turned with a narrow gaze, which Spike spotted.

“Hey… How do you know where I live?” Joel said slowly with scepticism. That made Spike shut up real quick about the smell as he scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile.

“Well… The funny thing about that is-”

“You’ve been stalking me for a while, haven't you.” Joel deadpanned, the nervous laughter giving away the fact. Joel sighed. “Unbelievable, just… Wow! I really hope you don’t do this type of stuff to Rarity too!” Joel exclaimed, not too pleased with the shocked Spike.

“You know about Rarity!?”

Joel just rolled his eyes as he processed to unlock his door, opening and stepping inside as he took his shoes off.

“Look, I’m sorry dude! I was just-”

*SLAM!*

Joel banged the door shut in Spike’s face, does the kid know anything about privacy?

“Joel… I’m sorry that I stalked you, I have no excuses other than curiosity. It was wrong of me, I should have kept my nose somewhere else. Could I come in…? Please?” Spike whined behind Joel’s door, his words slightly muffled.

“Go away, Spike. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Joel said, locking the door and throwing the keys on the countertop before walking away.

“Please, wait! I just want to talk!” Spike shouted desperately, banging on the door. Joel growled to himself, can’t he get the hint? Marching back to the door, picking up the key and unlocking the door, Joel was going to give Spike a piece of his mind. Swinging the door wide open, he opened his maw to yell but, he didn’t utter a syllable as he froze. Spike’s hood was down and he had clearly taken a beating while Joel was asleep. On his tired face, his face had patches of black bruises, with his eye slightly closed with a black eye, and his eye was bloodshot. His lip was busted as an old, red stain path led from his lip down his chin. His nose was worse for wear, and a new trickle of blood ran down his nose, Spike quickly sniffed and rubbed the runaway. Spike was a sorry mess, a miserable bastard who finally understood the gravity of his situation. So flimsy, so powerless to the life he has chosen. Why was he here? To plead for his life back? It is too late for that, no matter what Spike did to Joel. His life was over the moment he was caught. Joel softened his features, a look of understanding written all over his face. Spike took Joel’s silence to finally speak.

“Everyone knows about you and me, things have gotten worse when you was in the clinic. I got the full treatment of a human and more. I don’t want to go back home, I don’t want to face Twilight, not like this.”

“So what are you trying to say?” Joel asked, his arms crossed as he leaned against the doorframe with his shoulder.

“Can I stay here for a couple of nights, I don’t have a lot of money for rent but, I can help around the house. I can do the cleaning, laundry, cooking, sorting books out, anything! I just need a place to stay until I can sort myself with my own apartment. Please, Joel, I don’t want to sleep on the streets.” Spike begged, but Joel didn’t waver. He was against this idea for a matter of fact. Joel didn’t know Spike well enough to trust him. Inside his apartment is Frank’s mask and his apartment is messy the last time he checked. Spike is smart enough to put two and two together, if that happens, it’s game over. Not for Joel however, if Spike ever found out about his secret, Spike would have to pay the ultimate price; with his life. But… Joel now has a responsibility to keep his friends safe, to make sure they live long enough to see the next day. Spike has seen and now felt what it is like to be treated like a human, and now he is here, before Joel for safety. Once the word has been scattered across the streets about Spike, nowhere will be safe, even under Joel’s protection. Is Spike worth the risk? Is he to be trusted? He doubts it but, until he truly knows the the world he lives in, Joel guessed it wouldn’t hurt him to let Spike stay here. He just has to cover up a lot of stuff first. Looking over his shoulder, Joel saw that the hallway didn’t look so bad in fact, the carpet looked like it had been hoovered up, the shoe rack have been organised along with the coats and jackets on the hangers, and the mirror on the hallway have been polished. Joel guesses his guest has outdone themselves. Happy with what he saw, he faced Spike again.

“Okay, I’ll let you stay, but no snooping around through my stuff, take your shoes off on the mat, no taking anything without asking and for the love of God, use air spray when you use the shitter. Other than that, make yourself at home.” Joel said, opening the door wide enough for him to walk in. Spike visibly brightened over this and headed in without another word. Joel closed the door and locked it once again.

Joel’s house wasn’t too big, a two-story flat with all the essentials a house should have. It wasn’t too fancy but, it was old-fashioned. Paintings on the wall that Joel had no idea about, and there was a cream-coloured carpet in every room in the building, in the hallway, the living room the kitchen and even in the bathroom. in the kitchen, all the cabinets are honey oak coloured, a design that Joel had no choice in. On the walls were dark wood panels lined up neatly, each plank being lighter or darker than its neighbour. The insides of the building screamed geriatric, the former owners being an elderly human couple who mysteriously died. The RPD quickly skimmed through their deaths and confirmed their deaths as a ‘natural passing,’ having not found anything to say otherwise. That’s what he heard anyway. Honestly, he hated looking at the same damn walls every day, it made him feel drained and old, the rooms too mature and wise, the dust and stains shrouding its lavish atmosphere. But now, he was looking at the hallway in a new light as everything was squeaky clean and the dull smell was replaced with a pleasing scent. He almost thought that he had wandered into someone else’s apartment by accident. Was this truly his home? As both Spike and Joel walked down the hallway, they looked around in awe until Joel heard muffled music playing in one of the rooms. It was a dance tune, very upbeat and bassy. Once Spike caught on, he looked to Joel in confusion.

“Did you leave your radio on or something?” Spike asked, the music getting louder with each step.

“Nope.” Was Joel’s simple reply, opening the door to the living room at the far end of the hallway. Inside the living room, like the hallway, everything was pristine. The books on the shelves were standing side to side instead of leaning on one another in the right order of A to Z, and there was no longer any empty bottles laying around on the coffee table, on the floor by the couch or even in the corner where he throws his glass bottles once he’s finished with them and the fireplace was actually ablaze for once, and there, on the floor scrubbing the rug was the one behind all this. Spike’s jaw was agape of who he saw in the living room.

“Derpy!?!?!?” was the shocked response of Spike, standing at the doorway. Ditzy didn’t seem to notice, listening to the music more than anything as she hummed to herself, Ditzy wore the same clothes as yesterday, everything dirtied and torn. She scrubed away with a soapy sponge and a bucket at her side. Joel sighed softly as Spike stared back at him in confusion, Spike knew someone was missing at lunch break but never got the chance to figure that out as the Wonder Colts visited him. Why as she here? Why wasn’t she working? What’s her connection to Joel? Joel walked over to the radio on the countertop and lowered it down slightly, catching the grey pegasus off guard as she quickly spun onto one knee, almost knocking over the bucket of water. Ditzy met Joel’s eyes and her shoulders slumped, Joel looked back into Ditzy’s own worn-out eyes, the bags under her eyes could almost be mistaken as a black eye, Ditzy didn’t look like she slept at all last night. Joel couldn’t blame her, the girl was traumatised by all that had happened last night, the physical pain of being violated against her will, witnessing death right in front of her eyes and the dawning thought of her little girl being taken away from her; Ditzy was only running of on fumes and paranoia at this point.

“I… I’ve almost finished cleaning, I… I did the hallway, I did the kitchen and the bathroom. I… I’m almost finished, I just need to keep cleaning. I… I need to finish!” Ditzy said desperately as she struggled to stand, almost falling back down as her legs gave out, she pleaded like she was afraid, afraid for many reasons. She is afraid of him, a man that killed right in front of her, she was afraid of his gender, of his race, for so many reasons. Joel has seen this many times from many people, he was like this at some point too. Fear. It drives everyone crazy to the point that the dreams aren’t safe anymore, so you don’t sleep, you work and work and work until their fingers start oozing blood from their fingernails, they become self-destructive with their irritability, angry outbursts or aggressive behaviour, they have trouble focusing as the wander into the dark depths of their mind, they become easily startled by the littlest things around them. Yet, as they work for countless hours, the only thing that they think about in their senseless laps of work is their deepest fears, it haunts them like a virus in the brain, controlling their every move so they wouldn’t fall asleep. Sleep and what hides at the back of their own minds is what they fear the most because the moment they do finally sleep is the moment they relive their darkest hour. It breaks most people to the point that people will look themselves in their own room as a quavering husk and starve themselves to death. Mentally, this is the ultimate torture for a person as innocent as Ditzy.

“I need to keep cleaning, please. I… I, uh… I need to fix your mirror, in the bathroom, it’s smashed, I… I need to fix it. I… I… I have money! Yes, I have money! I can give you money so I can keep cleaning, fixing, whatever… Just… Just don’t hurt me, please.” She implored as her fearful eyes spilt tears, unconsolable sobs filling the room.

“Spike, go to the next room,” Joel said with all seriousness.

“B-but, Joel. She-” Spike was cut off by Joel’s warning glare, his green eyes promising more than just a beating if he didn’t comply. So with that, Spike left the room, shutting the door behind him. Joel’s features softened as he faced Ditzy, breaking down on the floor as all the stress and anguish poured out like a fountain. Joel moved over to her and kneeled down to her level, not daring to touch someone as unstable as she is. Instead, he whispered sweetly to her, trying to calm her down.

“Hey, hey, hey. Calm down, love. There’s no need to worry anymore. I’m here now, no one is going to hurt you, I won’t let anyone hurt you or your daughter, I promise I won’t. You know why, hun? You two deserve nothing but the best. You deserve to live a good life with lots of friends and family around you. You deserve to watch your little girl grow up like any other mother should without worrying about the bad people that hurt you. I promise I’ll set you free. I promise that the next time you walk the streets at night, you won’t have to worry about them men. I promise you from the bottom of my heart. I promise.” Joel promised, a vow deep within his heart. Like lightning, Ditzy shot for Joel in a bone-crushing embrace, loudly sobbing into his chest.

“I’m so scared,” Ditzy said in a shaky voice, her whole body trembling as she tried to hide within Joel. Joel hugged back softly, stroking the back of her head and back as he listened. “I’m so scared to move, I’m scared to breathe, I’m scared to make decisions, I’m so scared to look out the window, I’m scared of my own shadow. I’m scared of everything. I tried so hard to make my little muffin happy, but I’m terrified that I’m not enough. I wake up every day terrified that my little baby girl is going to grow up hating me because I’m not enough! Last night, my daughter was almost taken away from me and I was so helpless to do anything about it because I’m not enough! I am never enough! I can’t do anything right! I can’t fucking live like this any longer! I can’t! I hate it! I hate it so much! I can’t take it any longer. I just want to die. I wish I had just died in that alleyway. I wish my little girl had a better mother. I wish I never existed. I give up.” Ditzy said, completely exhausted as she slowly slipped from his body, going through all the negative emotions as she yelled. She was broken, and completely lost faith in herself as she just slumped on her knees, her head down in misery. She stopped crying, leaving the cracking frames to be heard.

Just like this, Joel remembers the day he was just like this as he felt he was lost in a world of pain beyond comprehension, traumatised to the point that he had favourite scars. But this women, this incredibly strong mother still has a chance, a future to raise a child and grow old enough to watch her little girl grow up and live a happy life. Joel was no therapist by any means but, all this women needed is people to support her with each step she takes, and he will be the first to volunteer.

“Look at me.” Joel said with resolution, the silence broken as Joel waited for Ditzy. She didn’t move, she didn’t want to move anymore. She wanted to stay still, she wanted the world around her to swallow her up, she just wanted to vanish. She spasmed suddenly when she felt someone raise her head from her chin, fear racked her body as dark thoughts came back with full force, the beating, the way he had his way with her. She suddenly felt so small but, when she looked into the eyes of the human that saved her life, her trembling body went still, her eyes widened despite her tired state and she was in awe as she stared deeply into the human's eyes that were filled with determination and passion, eyes like no other she has ever seen.

“Ditzy… You are an amazing person, your so young and yet you have a beautiful, bright little girl to look after. Not many your age would have upheld that responsibility, and that’s the sad truth about it, but you, with all your elegance and grace gifted a little girl a gift called life. You put up with so much shit from the students in school that I’m surprised you haven’t snapped. You are so selfless and so strong to take such a responsibility, you are blessed with a heart of gold and a strong will that love couldn’t hold a candle to what you give. That little girl of yours will love you for the rest of your life, she’s incapable of hating you because of everything you have done for her. so please, don’t lose hope, and don’t let the world define who you are because you deserve everything and more.” Joel said with contentment, a rare genuine smile reaching his cheeks.

Ditzy’s heart started to race as her face was so close to his own, feeling his breath with each word he said softly, everything he said warmed her heart but, it felt wrong. How is she amazing? She is a clumsy girl with a eye disorder, she was anything but amazing. A heart of gold and a strong will? What a joke, does this human know her at all? She deserves everything and more? She wished she had everything and more so she could give it all to Dinky, she means more to her than anything in the world. It was nice to hear all them kind things he said, no one has ever recognised her responsibility and the life she has sacrificed to keep her daughter. She could’ve be in school still, maybe in Canterlot High School, studying to be a food technician and maybe start her own business as a baker. Doing something she loves to do and maybe call the bakery ‘Ditzy Doo & U,’ a dream come true. But… Maybe she had regretted some life choices but, with all the struggles of being a mother, Dinky was never one of them. She dedicated her time and focus into her life to grow up healthy and strong, she wanted to see her baby girl grow up and live a life she never had, she wanted her to have a handful of friends, she wanted her to go out when she’s old enough and party like never before, she wanted her to find love and make love and maybe break up. She wanted her to experience life to the fullest, travel world, learn new things with each step, laugh and cry with friends and family. She wants nothing but the best for her little muffin, and she wants to see her smile forever.

She didn’t know how long she stared into his compelling eyes, she didn’t know how to feel at that moment, everything was muddled up in a mix of sadness, hate and conviction. That conviction coming from the boy right in front of her, a human that she has seen around the cafeteria that is a killer. She found it ironic that a murderer is comforting her but, this kid… He wasn’t evil, he wasn’t like every other human she had come across. Call her insane but, she would trust this boy than any other equestrian in Canterlot. Then, she spoke her mind.

“What’s your name?” she asked, looking eye to eye as she tried to find something within them.

“Joel. What’s your name?” He replied. She smiled briefly for a moment but quickly frowned.

“It’s Ditzy, Ditzy Doo.” She said, looking away slightly with a bit of a blush. Ditzy Doo, he mulled that name over in his head. It sounded nice, Joel didn’t know anything about Ditzy but, knowing by experience, equestrian names normally represents their personality or characteristics 9 out of 10 times. Ditzy is commonly used to call someone silly or scatterbrained, meaning she isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, maybe not the brightest but, she means well. Joel smiled.

“Ditzy… Ditzy Doo… that’s a lovely name, Ditzy.” He said making her cheeks rosier.

“T-thanks..” she said awkwardly, not quite sure what to say about his complement.

“Well then, I think it’s time you get some rest, okay?” Joel said, reaching out for her hand. Ditzy visibly freaked out of the concept of resting, her mind went in overdrive as she backed away.

“I… I can’t rest. I can’t! I need to finish cleaning up! It’s the least I can do for saving my life. Just… Just let me finish. I’m not done cleaning.” She said in a panic, turning back around as she accidentally knocked over the bucket of soaped water on the rug and carpet. “Oh no, I didn’t mean to, I promise I will clean-”

“Stand up, stand up, you're going to rest. You didn’t sleep one-bit last night, did you? You look awful.” Joel interrupted, concerned as he saw her wobble as she backed up. Joel quickly held her by her shoulder to stabilise her, looking deep into her fearful eyes. “You need to sleep.”

“I can’t, I… I had a horrible nightmare last night, I… I was back in the alleyway and they… They…” she said in a hysteria, panting heavily as her eyes started to dart around the room as the terror of sleep deprivation took effect. Joel quickly and forcefully grabbed the side of her head, making her face himself.

“Look at me, Ditzy. I’m gonna tell you what my dad told me when I was just a little lad. I use to wake up every night when everyone was asleep, ballin my eyes out because of the monster under my bed. One day, my dad had enough. He yelled and yelled and yelled that there was no monsters under the bed but, the next thing he told me will always stick with me forever. He told me that fear… is not real.” Joel said with confidence, the bold statement making her sit still. “‘The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the past, present and future. It is a development of our own fiction that is causing us to fear that is not at present or may never exist. That is near madness. Don’t miss understand danger with fear, danger is very much real. But fear, is a choice.’ I didn’t really understand what that met at the time but, looking back now, it’s as clear as day. I don’t expect you to understand what I’m talking about, I was raised to fear no one but, in my moments of weakness, I was taught to face my fear with a smile on my face. So, smile. Give me a big smile, Ditzy.” Joel murmured, giving his best cheerful smile in response. Ditzy was speechless, flabbergasted by the human's perspective.

“But… I don’t want to go back there… I don’t want to relive that moment ever again.” She replied quickly, tears forming again.

“You won’t, I promise.” Joel said, stroking her tears away as she sniffed. Giving her a few seconds, Ditzy nodded and gave a little smile as they both stood up, Ditzy leaning on Joel for support. Joel guided her to the closed door as she nodded off a few times, the thought of sleeping settling in. Opening the door and walking out, Joel noticed Spike at the far end of the hallway, leaning against the wall as he looked in deep thought. Hearing Joel and Ditzy walk out, he immediately looked up.

“Joel, is she okay?” Spike asked, pushing himself off the wall and walked towards him.

“She’s fine, she just needs to sleep. That’s all.” Joel replied as he didn’t stop carrying Ditzy up the stairs. “I’ll meet you in the living room, we can talk about your situation then. There are some things I want to talk to you about too.” And with that, Joel disappeared up the stairs, leaving the drake scratching his head.

Going up into Joel’s room and flicking the light on with Ditzy in toe, he walked her to his bed and sat her down, folding the quilt over. Ditzy eyes drooped suddenly as she felt the mattress underneath her, yawning like she was roaring and before she even knew it, she was laying down with her head resting on a pillow and quilt over her body. Her eyes closed automatically and felt her whole body relax in the heat. But… she was still afraid.

“Goodnight, Ditzy.” Joel said, about to walk away when he was finished tucking her in until Ditzy reached out for his hand, stopping him in his tracks.

“Wait…! can… can you, umm… Can you sleep with me…? I don’t want to be alone, not again.” She asked, staring desperately as her heart hammered in her chest. Joel didn’t have to think much, as a victim of being isolated, Joel knew that affliction more than anyone.

“Of course. Let me just turn the lights off and I’ll be right with you.” Joel said, softly breaking free from her weak grip and started taking his bag and jacket off as he walked to the switch. Flicking the light off and walking back to the bed, he went to the other side of the king-sized bed and slid in with the bed frame creaking from the weight of a second person in bed, a weight that the bed hasn’t held in years. It felt strange to share the bed with someone, he couldn’t remember the last time he had. So close to someone with the heat from the blanket, it feels nice to have someone close to him but, it also felt awkward as they just stared at each other. He wondered how she was fairing with it, last night she was beaten, defiled and was in the brink of death, the next day she is in the bed with a killer. Is she that lost in fear?

Ditzy’s heart was going nuts, she was freaking out for so many reasons. In her mind, she was screaming. How was she so bold? Asking a boy, a human, a murderer to join her in bed. She felt like he could turn any minute now and turn into a savage. Her heart however was inspired on how Joel portrayed fear, he would never do that, it was just fear just wriggling in the back of her mind. He saved her life twice, losing a finger for her troubles. She didn’t know a lot about Joel but, she trusted her heart, she trusted him. He’s done so much for her in two days than others have done in years. This boy, despite being that killer all over the news deserves her trust. Joel said he would protect her and her daughter, how far will he go? At what extent can she trust him with her daughter’s life? To trust him fully, she has to know why he does what he does.

“Joel…” Ditzy croaked tiredly, seeing the outline of Joel’s short, wild hair on a separate pillow.

“Yeah…?” he replied, staring back at her golden eyes as they slightly wandered off.

“Why do you smell like you just came out the sewers?”

Joel blushed under the sheets, he suddenly felt self-conscious as he felt a strong urge to spray a whole can of deodorant on himself. “Sorry, that’s a long story.” He apologised.

“I want to know your story.” She said, her eyes slowly closing. Joel’s frown deepened as Joel knew she wasn’t talking about how he stinks like shit.

“Maybe another day… Maybe never. You have a good heart like I said, the last thing I want is to ruin how you look at me. Now sleep, I’ll be here by your side, and remember this when you sleep, Frank is your friend, he’ll protect you in your dreams.” Joel softly enchanted in her ear, stroking her cheek faintly. She just hummed in reply as sleep took her away in her own mind. Joel just laid there for a minute, listening to her calm, slow breathing. It felt surreal watching someone sleep, their rhythmic pattern with each breath, the rise and fall of their chest, the slightest twitch when a person falls asleep but, what surprised him the most was the fact that she asked him to stay with her so she wouldn't sleep alone. Joel found it odd, he had killed people right in front of her and here she is, laying in his bed while he continues to stroke her cheek with his thumb. Shaking off the thoughts, Joel slowly got out of bed, the bed creaking as his weight disappeared from the bed. Picking up his jacket and backpack, Joel left without a peep.

Quietly closing the door behind him, Joel sighed in relief as that was one thing taken care of as he turned to walk down the stairs. A flushing sound and small, bare doorsteps were heard from the bathroom door he passed, stopping him. The door unlocked and the handle was pulled down, the door opened to see a light purple, little unicorn. She looked left and right of the door, her yellow eyes landing on Joel. She quickly closed the door with a gasp, frightened was the little girl. He couldn’t blame her, with what happened yesterday, he was just happy she wasn’t screaming her lungs off. Joel hastily went downstairs, leaving the kid alone.

Heading back to the living room, Spike was seen waiting on the sofa, his feet up on the table as he had his arms crossed, his eyes glued to the tv as the Equestrian News Podcast was on.

“…the situation is getting out of hand; people are frequently missing, murder is becoming a norm in Canterlot and the mayor isn’t doing anything about it. Months this is being happened now and somehow, young lives are still being taken.” A pink, pegasus man said raucously, sitting at the end of a table with a microphone in front of him. Joel sat next to Spike, seemingly invigorated.

“Thunder, I’ve said this over and over again, it’s them fucking humans. I know you think I’m overreacting but, I’m looking at the statistics here and I’m not liking what I see. In just 3 months, humans have butchered 62 equestrians and 36 of their own kind. That’s *beep*-ing unacceptable! 3! Months! And now, theirs two more added to that tally, another young student dead and a human dead!” Another man fumed, this time a cyan unicorn with black shades on.

“Jinx, I know you hate humans as the next person, I don’t particularly like humans myself but, the mayor has to take responsibility and take action. Humans and even some of our own kind thugs and gangsters are growing brave enough to kill and get away with it, especially that Frank character. He slaughtered, tortured, and defiled men, women and children. He is absolutely evil without a doubt, one of the worst killers I know to date. He needs to be stopped before anyone else gets hurt. Install more CCTV cameras around Canterlot, more patrols day ’n’ night, arm the Royal Police Department with military-grade weapons and armour and shoot the mother*beep*. I don’t care what the mayor has to do to get these thugs and criminals off the streets, I have a son at home, I don’t give a *beep* about some human. The mayor can order an execution on all the humans and equestrians that want to act like humans for all I care. Call it cold-blooded but, at the end of the day, I don’t want to keep worrying about the idiots out there while I have a son. He’s 14 years old and I worry that some *beep* will turn around one day and kick the living *beep* out of him. If that day ever happens, I swear, I will be going to federal prison for at least 10 years.” Thunder replied passionately, drinking a cup of water at the end. Suddenly, the screen went black.

“Sorry you had to watch that, Thunder normally is a fair person to humans but, with everything going on, it’s hard to say.” Spike said, putting down the remote back down.

“No, no, it’s fine. I understand the concern but… ‘Order an execution on all the humans,’ that’s taking it a little too far.” Joel wearied, his foot tapping as something else was on his mind, something else thunder said. Defiled children? If only they knew what was happening around them.

“What do you think about that killer, Frank? After all these months, he’s the one that is said to start it all.” Spike inquired. Joel opened his mouth to speak but quickly closed it, he reconsidered.

“He’s awful, all the things I’ve heard him do is unbelievably perverse.” Joel said, meticulously in an odd way which Spike caught on to but, shook it off. “Anyway, I need to speak to you about your situation. You're not getting off-free while you live here.” Joel quickly changed the subject.

“Oh, of course. I don’t have money but I can-“

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, I don’t care what you can do, you just follow my rules in my house.” Joel cut in, making Spike stutter in disbelief. “Rule 1: well, you should already know what rule 1, 2, 3 and 4 is. No looking through my stuff, that’s my personal shit, no shoes on in the house, no taking without asking and use air freshener after you shit, all that should be done without being said but, it has to be out there.” Joel insisted as he ranted.

“Is that all?” Spike asked.

“No, of course not, they are just the ones that piss me off the most. Rule 5: no climbing or jumping on furniture, my shit is old; my bed can barely hold me never mind two people. Rule 6: knock on closed doors, I don’t want you to walk in the bathroom while I take a shit or when I’m getting changed in my room, I don’t let that shit fly so if you do that, I’m kicking your ass. Rule 7: throw your shit in that trash, my house was a shit hole before I left this morning now it’s the cleanest I’ve ever seen it thanks to Ditzy so, clean after yourself or I’ll twat you. Rule 8:-”

Spike raised his hand.

“What?”

“Okay, first of all, who’s Ditzy?” Spike asked as Joel stolid, sighing as he pinched his nose.

“Ditzy is a person that works in our school cafeteria which everyone calls Derpy.” Joel retorted as the realisation slowly hit.

“Oh shit… So I’ve basically been calling her-”

“A retard, yes, yes you have.” Joel confirmed.

“Fanculo! Sono un tale fottuto idiota!” Spike yelled, making Joel’s brows shoot up in surprise.

“Excuse me?” Joel said with intrigue.

“Sorry, I tend to blurt out different languages when I get angry or scared, it just happens, one of the cons to learning different languages.” Spike Shrugged as he sighed. “I can’t believe I’ve been calling her Derpy this whole time, I thought that was her name, I’m such a fucking idiot!” Spike moaned, scratching his head vigorously.

“What language was that?” Joel asked, his whole body turning to face Spike.

“Oh that, it’s an old language that people use to speak in Italie, nothing special honestly.” Spike waved off but, Joel could only stare in disbelief. If there was one person he needed more than anyone, it would be someone who could speak different languages because honestly, Joel couldn’t keep track of the number of times Joel couldn’t understand people when he tries to get answers.

“So… You speak Dalian, a lost language. How? Why?” Joel asked. Spike smiled sheepishly.

“Well, I haven’t fully learned the language so that’s a bit of a stretch. I learned it from one of Twilight’s books in her library and as for why… Let’s just say Rarity isn’t just into rich guys, I heard she’s a sucker for erotic guys. So, what’s more erotic than a dragon that can speak the sexiest language other than prench? I also tried learning other languages but, none of them really hits me as smoothly as Dalian.” Spike explain, slightly rosy in embarrassment. Unreal, Spike could speak Dalian and other languages, he was the answer to the language barrier of the Italies. Joel was reluctant to get Spike involved in his plans, Joel could end up getting him killed if he wasn’t careful. But, if Spike doesn’t want anything to do about it and knows Joel’s secret… Joel had to try, this is too good of an opportunity not to. He can’t let this pass him, he can’t let camaraderie get in the way of his goal. His mind has to be strong than his feelings. Whatever happens, happens. Before Joel spoke, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a box of ciggies. He held it out for Spike but he shuck his head. Shrugging, Joel popped one in his mouth, resting on his lips as he lit the end.

“Spike… I… I need your help.”Joel inquired extremely, his blood rushing as he couldn’t look Spike in the eyes, exhaling the smoke with a deep sigh.

“Sure, Joel. What’s up buddy?” Spike asked, optimistic about him admitting to needing help.

“There are some things you need to know about me before you help me, things I think you won’t like one bit.” Joel turned to him with a stone-cold face, Spike quickly got the message. “I want to give you a fair warning, once you know these things about me, there’s no going back,” Joel cautioned, Spike only grinned.

“I can’t be anymore balls deep as it is, and besides, you're my friend, I’d be an asshole not to help you, bro.” Spike said confidently.

“This isn’t a fucking joke, Spike!” Joel quickly barked, making Spike loose his smile. “I can’t stress how much you need to think about this, this is far beyond being friends with a human.” Joel said grimly, the look in Joel’s eyes says it all. Spike really had to think about this in more than the literal sense. Why had he become so tense, what had gotten him so serious? He was just talking about languages and now, Joel was asking for supposedly dangerous help. Spike tried to search in Joel’s eyes, trying to find a hint to what Joel was hiding. Spike didn’t stare long, he didn’t like what he saw. Something dark stared back in them couple of seconds.

“Joel… I-I don’t know what to say, I don’t understand what you mean. You said that if I know, there’s no going back… what’s going on that you need my help?” Spike asked with concern. He didn’t like the way Joel was acting, he was far from the person he was talking to at school, and he is being too sketchy for his liking.

“Have you decided?” he asked expectantly, Joel’s face expressionless as he waited for an answer as he took another puff. Spike gulped as his mind raced. Joel was scaring him now. When Spike thought he had him figured out, Joel pulls something like this. Spike sputtered as the option was too heavy. He wanted to help him, that much was evident but, with that warning he gave him, Spike wasn’t too sure anymore. Spike had a nagging feeling in his gut that whatever Joel needed help with is something beyond himself but, as much as Spike didn’t like the feeling, he wanted to help him despite the warning. It didn’t feel right but, he didn’t care.

“Okay Joel, I’m in.” Spike said with grit, stubbornly staring back, fidgeting a bit.

Joel expected as much. Joel closed his eyes and leaned back until his head was facing the ceiling on the couch. Joel liked this kid, a bright kid with a bright future ahead of him... Well, that future was thrown away the minute he decided to be his friend. Lives are always ruined when people come across Joel, it’s like he’s cursed to bring pain and suffering to those who deserve it and those that are innocent. It’s an endless cycle. Maybe Joel should have done more to stop Spike, he should have beaten some sense into him, he shouldn’t have given up so easily for this purple drake. He’s now ruined the lives of two students, and maybe a mother and her daughter if he wasn’t careful enough. Theres no going back now, what’s done is done, if Spike really wants to help so badly despite his warning… Then fuck it.

“Come with me.” Joel said suddenly after a few second of contemplation, rising from his seat and walking out the room.

“Hey, wait!” said Spike, hurrying after him. Joel didn’t go far as he waited at the side bottom of the staircase where a padlocked door was built in.

“How much do you want my trust?” Joel asked, stared at the pealed, polished door in front of him, an unreadable look on his face.

“I have reasons to be your friend, Joel, and I don’t want to fuck that up now. You don’t have to trust me right off the bat but, what ever happens between now and what’s going to happen, I won’t change my mind.” Spike said with determination.

“One more thing, do you trust me?” Joel said lifelessly like the words he spoke had no meaning, no feelings behind them as he took another puff.

“Trust goes both ways, so of course I trust you.” Spike spoke, his mind racing about what this is all about. Joel nodded slightly and like being on autopilot, he pulled out a bunch of keys on a key chain. He found the right key and unlocked the door. Behind the door was another stairway leading down into the abyss where light was forbidden. Without a word, Joel walked down without light, the creaking steps the only thing Spike could hear as Joel slowly faded into the darkness. Not too long later, Spike could hear a door open and close. Then silence.

A reluctant Spike stood in the door frame, staring down with a gulp. Spike didn’t have nyctophobia but, the dark did unnerve him to some degree. For him, it’s always the presence and the unknown it lies low within its black wreathe. Regardless, Spike put one step down with the other following in the next step as the darkness devoured him.

With each mentally draining step, Spike felt increasingly wary as a cold chill ran down his spine. he was hearing things, faint voices right next to his ear, making him look over his shoulder with a jump into a tremor. He was also concerned about feeling the creaking wood under his feet near from caving in. He couldn’t see what is in front of him anymore, he put his hand in front of him, but he is as blind as a bat, never knowing when the stairs will end.

Eventually, he reached the bottom where he stumbled at bit as the last few planks gave out with a crack, dust airing all around him as the flimsy wood snapped in two. He also saw an indistinct flickering light underneath the door but, once more, his blood froze as he saw the state the door was in, it was an old, decaying, oak door like every door in this house but, the sight of a bloody handprint on the door and the knob, it’s dry grime dripping down. All of a sudden, Spike didn’t want to walk in, his legs trembled of the thought to see what was behind this uninviting door. Settling his mind and taking deep breaths, despite his hammering heart, he twisted the knob and opened the door.

Opening the door with a heavy heart, expecting to see worse inside. He was absolutely right. He gasped in pure horror has the first thing he saw was the pair of chains with metal cuffs, hanging in the middle of the room as it eagerly waits to be used. A sickly crimson stain was smothered everywhere on the stone floor, underneath the chains as the candles around the room showed its gore. Spike felt sick to his stomach, every instinct in his body told him to run for his life, but he was frozen on the spot as the whiff of iron filled his sense of smell, hypnotising by the rapidly growing uncontrollable fear.

“Come in, Spike.” a familiar human voice said nonchalantly, only then did Spike realise that Joel was standing at the far end of the room, facing away from Spike with his arms crossed as he looked at something on the wall in front of him. He had changed clothes too, just a grey hoodie with his hood up and some sort of dark camouflaged pants, clothing that looked familiar but he didn’t know where from.

Dubiously, he ended up stepping inside seeing more of the room. On the left wall there were two tables carrying rows among rows of surgery tools, scalpels from different sizes, Kelly curved scissors from different sizes and all types of different stuff that doesn’t belong there. Sledgehammer, large nails, saws and even an electrical grinder and a jackhammer, every single one of them covered with blood. Above the table of was the blueprints to the structure of the skeletal, muscle and organs within someone’s body. Spike could only imagine what Joel needed that for.

On the right side were two more tables, lined against the wall next to each other with weapons neatly organised in various classes and equipment. Armour, attachments, knives, handguns, grenades, it was all on the table. Above the tables, rifles, shotguns, submachine guns, snipers, he had it all stacked up on the wall, nails protruding to keep the guns up. Spike was kinda in awe, not seeing any guns up close like this made him forget about what he saw for a second, just a second.

“Spike, you wanted to help, you wanted my trust. This is it, Spike. My little secret.” Joel said, his tone more muffled than before. Spike turned to Joel but, Spike went pale at the sight. A bullet of panic rises in his throat as his stomach flips. Sweat prickled over his skin as he was paralysed by fear, paranoia racking his body as he trembled. Joel… Spike wasn’t looking at Joel, he was staring eye-to-eye with a masked man. He was staring back at Frank.