I'm Morning Glory, and I'm heading towards Trotland to meet up with my friends again and try to fix things.

When I was at home, I couldn't help but think about my past during the first days I moved to Harmony Kingdom and the first friends I made—Sunflower Swing, Citrus Cascade, Cornflower Cantilena, and my supposed 'marefriend,' Sunrise Serenade.

Almost all of them are junkies except for Sunrise. I used to be the one who drank the most; I never liked drugs but I was willing to sell them to earn some bottle caps.

I betrayed them, and it makes me feel like shit to think about what I did to them, but I felt like our friendship was just about us all sharing an addiction. I wanted to convince myself that they would have done the same thing if they had the opportunity.

But I know they're good ponies who can give me a second chance. That's why I'm heading towards Trotland in my Velkswagen that I stole from those assholes. I wasn't in the mood to fly, and I also wanted to give this wonderful vehicle some use.

I'm going to change things. It will depend on them if they give me the opportunity. I just hope they don't try to kill me or something similar.

It's a dark past I wanted to forget, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape it. Because of all the shit I've done, I was very immature at that time and didn't think about what I was doing. Just because I had broken up with Blackjack and wanted to break any ties with her, I let anger take over me, bringing out my worst side. I got into trouble thanks to that. According to my mother, I hung out with the "wrong ponies," but I liked being with them. They knew me from watching the show and understanding my turbulent situation with Blackjack.

I was heading towards Edanburgh, the capital of Trotland. They all live there. I wouldn't say it's a paradise, but I'd say the drugs screwed up not only the ponies that inhabit the city but also the city itself.

I was sure that with my improved combat skills thanks to Linus and Comet, if a dangerous situation arises, I'm sure I can deal with it. In this case, if Sunflower tries to kill me with a knife, I think she's the last pony who would want to see me. She's very violent, and her anger problems always made me afraid of her. She could kill a pony for the most trivial reasons you can imagine—like not laughing at her jokes, not inviting her out for a drink, or contradicting her in anything. That's enough to make her think about killing you.

I'm also worried about Sunrise. Sometimes she sends me messages saying she wants to see me. Our relationship is... confusing, to say the least. It all stemmed from a misunderstanding.

And of course, there's Rampage, or Arloste as she prefers to be called. Unfortunately, I haven't seen her in months, but I still remember the last time I did.

I felt a small earthquake that scared my cats, shaking the pictures on my walls and several pieces of furniture. Luckily, nothing broke.

When I went outside to see what caused it, there was Rampage, using her technique 'Henge Ryūsei (変化流星)'—whatever that means—to transform into another pony. She appeared as a pegasus with a green coat and pink mane, sometimes surrounded by electric sparks. Rampage isn't a common pony like Blackjack and me; she's an experiment, a blend of zebra and pony. Blackjack and I met her a long time ago when we lived in Hoofington.

I wasn’t surprised, knowing Rampage could manipulate electricity and shoot energy beams from her hooves. She's powerful enough to destroy the planet if she wanted to, but she values life too much to do that.

I approached Rampage to help her get up, assuming she still wasn’t fully used to her powers despite having them for years, since she was born.

She carried her teddy bear with her, called Omega, and she never separated from it. She even considers it a living being. It always seemed weird to me, but I never dared to question her about it. I know it’s because of her dark past that she doesn’t like to talk about. I understand that. Rampage is like another sister to me.

I extended a hoof to Rampage, and she took it. I helped her up. She wasn’t too hurt, just bleeding from her mouth with her mane all messy. She just had a bad landing, and it wasn’t the first time it had happened.

"Come to my house, Arloste. You'll be safe there," I told her, still holding her hoof. She shook off the dirt from her body, luckily not destroying the road, just leaving a small crack.

"Thank you, Glory. I appreciate it very much," Arloste said with a tired sigh. This happening from time to time worried me a lot. Since the slavers discovered the potential of the Superleiters, they've wanted to enslave them for their destructive powers.

I took her to my house, and even though Arloste could trot perfectly well, I didn’t let go of her hoof. I hadn’t seen her in a while, and she had to hide, pretending to be other ponies and isolating herself from society.

I wanted to feel her, her soft coat against mine. I’m not in love with her or anything like that, I just want Rampage to come back to us. I can’t stand the idea of her being separated from the group for so long. She doesn’t deserve that.

I had left the door open, and we both entered. I closed it before proceeding, hoping that little landing didn’t attract too much attention. It was ten at night, so I assumed it would only alert a few ponies, but not enough to cause a riot.

I took Arloste to the kitchen and offered her a seat so she could be comfortable, then I let go of her hoof. "You had a fight with another Superleiter, I imagine. You can tell me what happened."

Arloste went to one of the chairs. Very carefully, she took it with one hoof and sat on it. Being a very strong pony, she could have destroyed it just by sitting down. I assumed she was calm and had no reason to have so much energy accumulated in her body.

I don’t know exactly how the Superleiters' bodies work, but they can control the energy inside them for simple daily activities without destroying everything around them. It’s something that at least Arloste learned after she destroyed many things. I still remember our first fight. She had just touched my toy and squeezed it, breaking it into pieces. I was very angry about that, I don’t deny it, but that’s Rampage. That’s what happens when you’re friends with somepony extremely strong.

Arloste's mane began to sway as if a gust of wind blew through my house, and electric sparks crackled around her. She struggled visibly to contain her anger.

As I tried to speak, her body emitted a bright glow, a swirling red and black aura tinged with electricity illuminating my kitchen. "Arloste, calm down!" I exclaimed in shock, not just for my home and my cats, but also fearing Rampage might accidentally harm me in her state.

"I'm glad I killed him! I'll never forgive him!" Arloste's eyes were wide and devoid of pupils, giving her a frightening appearance. I needed to find a way to calm her down, and food was the best idea I had.

"Arloste, you're going to destroy my house!" I shouted, attempting to approach her despite the intense light. "How about I prepare some food for you? Would that help?"

"Food? Where?!" Arloste exclaimed, her aura dissipating, her pupils returning to normal, and my house ceasing its trembling. The ordeal she just went through, coupled with what must be an empty stomach, seemed to have triggered her anger.

"I've got plenty of food—fruits, cheese, bread, milk. Would you like me to get that for you? And I can cook something for you while you wait," I offered. I had been planning to make Ramen for myself tonight, with enough ingredients left over for the week, but I wanted Arloste to enjoy it instead.

"Yes! Yes! I'm super hungry! Give it to me!" Arloste eagerly replied, her demeanor now resembling that of a young filly. It brought a smile to my face; this simple approach seemed to be effective in calming her down—a good meal.

Unlike regular ponies who traditionally eat three times a day, Superleiters like her need about twice as much to feel satisfied. I wasn't thrilled about possibly giving her nearly everything, as it might leave me short and needing to shop again soon, but she's a friend, and I need to help her.

It saddened me to think that she had to resort to eating giant ants and radroaches just to fill her stomach. Ugh, just imagining it made my stomach turn.

I went to the cabinet where I keep my fruits. I had three apples, five bananas, and four strawberries. I took the fruits and placed them each on different plates to organize the food. Sure, it meant I'd have to clean more dishes later, but it was all for my friend. I had to do it for her. She’s sacrificed so much to protect me and Blackjack; I needed to thank her in some way.

After arranging the fruits, I quickly flew to the table where Arloste was sitting and placed the plates in front of her. As soon as I set down the last plate with the strawberries, she started devouring the bananas and apples at lightning speed, both chewing and swallowing. I’m used to seeing her eat like this now. It used to surprise me, but I've come to understand that she’s different from me and Blackjack. Despite those differences and the incredible things she's capable of, I still love her like a sister.

To drink, the only thing I had left was milk. I had already finished the orange juice. Combining milk with fruit might seem unusual, but I was sure Arloste wouldn't mind. I took out the milk carton and placed it on the table in an organized manner next to the plates. As Arloste ate, she set the plates aside and grabbed the milk so quickly that I didn't even feel her take it from me. Her reflexes were truly from another world.

She once told me she could fly using the Henge Ryūsei, transforming into a pegasus and reaching speeds over a hundred times that of light. If I started quantifying it, I'd quickly get exhausted. She could probably traverse all of Equestria in the blink of an eye with that kind of speed. However, she also mentioned preferring to explore nature and find excitement in being with animals rather than simply skipping through the beautiful scenery, in her own words. So, she only used that ability when necessary.

"By the way, Arloste, a couple hours ago the power went out all over Marechester and probably the entire Harmony Kingdom. Did you have anything to do with that?" I asked, flapping my wings, hovering above the ground.

Arloste paused, hitting her chest with a hoof to swallow the food. "I think so. I mean, to defeat that Superleiter, I used the Denki-dama. It's a very powerful but slow technique that absorbs all the electrical energy on the planet." She continued drinking milk.

"I understand. Try not to use it too much, though. I was dying of heat in here," I told Arloste with a smile. I wasn't worried about the Denki-dama's (電気玉) ability to absorb energy but more about the fact that it caused blackouts. I really hate it when there's no power.

"I'm sorry, Glory. Our fight was intense. The Denki-dama was the best I could think of. Besides, I can't think clearly while fighting at high speed, and my opponent didn't give me a chance to think of better strategies," Arloste said, crushing the milk carton with her hooves like it was nothing and tossing it into the garbage can from her seat.

Thinking about it now, I realized it’s understandable why she used that attack. I've never seen Superleiters fight up close; I've only witnessed the effects of their battles, like earthquakes and energy explosions from a distance.

"It's okay, Arloste. I'm just worried about the damage the Superleiters' powers can cause," I said, my voice soft but firm. I didn’t like being brutally honest, but she needed to know my concerns.

"That's why me and Omega are gonna go somewhere far away," Arloste said. Could it be because of what I said earlier? I don't think so; her tone didn't sound hurt.

"Where you going?" I asked. Maybe she had this planned for a while and came here for more than just food.

"I can't tell you. You'll surely come looking for me. I'm doing this to protect you and Blackjack. I don't wanna put you both in danger," Arloste said, her tone shifting to a more serious one. Her smile faded into a neutral expression as she focused her gaze on Omega.

"So we'll never see each other again?" I asked, my body starting to shake with nerves. I couldn't believe she was saying this. I don't want her to be isolated for the rest of her life. She deserves to be with us, to have support and love. She shouldn’t be alone. Despite her power, she still has mental health to take care of, just like any other pony.

"I'm not sure. The Superleiters always find a way to track me down. The forest didn't work, and seeing those poor animals die... I'll go somewhere far where our fights won't cause harm," Arloste sighed, then looked at me. "When I can, I'll visit you. I don't know when exactly, but I will come back," she said, determined. She was sure of her decision.

"And there's nothing we can do? I mean, I wanna be by your side in case they attack us. I know it's dangerous, but I could help," I pleaded desperately. The words spilled out without much thought; I just wanted to find any way to keep Arloste from leaving.

"No, even if you know how to fight, use weapons, you won't be able to do anything to them. You can shoot them, throw missiles at them, be protected with armor, but the only way to hurt a Superleiter is to be a Superleiter or possess very powerful magic," Arloste explained. She shifted back to her original form, feeling that she no longer needed to maintain her shape-shifting technique.

I sighed, looking down at my hind hooves and the wooden floor, searching for any alternative to convince Arloste to stay. She seemed resolute in her decision, but I wanted her to stay with me for just a few more hours or days. That would be enough for me. I didn't want her to leave right after getting a full stomach.

I racked my brain for options, avoiding memories of simpler times in the past when adult life wasn't so burdensome; those memories would only distract me.

Then it struck me. "Maybe you could stay the night and leave early in the morning. That way, you can be with your best friend before being alone again for a long time," I suggested, hoping she might consider it.

Arloste leaned back in the chair, propping her hind hooves on the table as she thought it over. "I think... it could work, but what if they attack us during the night when we're off guard?" she asked. It was a valid concern, considering that no matter where she goes, they always seem to find her.

"You can leave early in the morning, around five," I suggested. Even though it was risky, I was very concerned about my friend's mental health. This wasn't the first, second, or last time she had to isolate herself to protect me. I wanted to give her some support and love before she left, so she wouldn't be deeply affected by loneliness.

"I think I can make an exception this time. Can you wake me up at that time? I don't usually get up early," Arloste asked. Despite the seriousness of the situation, I couldn't help but smile, remembering that Arloste is a sleepyhead. Superleiters rest three times as much as a normal pony needs.

"Of course! As long as we're together a little longer, I have no problem getting up early," I said, giving her a thumbs up with my wings. Pegasi often use their wings for gestures, signs, or grabbing things—usually tasks that can't be done with hooves.

Arloste smiled back. "Alright, it's a deal then. Let's make the most of tonight."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. At least for tonight, we could share some semblance of normalcy.

Seeing that Arloste had eaten everything, I told her I'd start preparing the ramen for her. I was determined to make the best ramen in the world.

Ponies often say I'm a terrible cook, but that’s not really true. Among all of us, I'm actually the best at it.

To prepare the ramen, I needed the following ingredients: ramen noodles and dashi, which would be the base of the ramen. I'd add water, kombu seaweed, and shiitake mushrooms to ensure the broth had a deep flavor.

Soy sauce would give a salty touch to the broth, while white miso would add a more complex flavor. There is yellow miso, but I generally prefer using the white one.

The toppings, vegetables, and condiments were very important. I’d use spinach, bamboo shoots, sliced mushrooms, tofu cut into cubes (without frying), nori seaweed, and finally, a bit of sesame oil.

With these ingredients, the ramen is ready.

With the bowl in my hooves, I headed towards where Arloste was. I didn't like making her wait, but preparing this type of food takes time.

Arloste, being Arloste, didn’t even give me a chance to hoof her the hashi so she could eat properly. “Arloste, wait!” I called out, but she started eating the ramen with her hooves. She didn’t listen to me, and although I didn’t like the idea of her eating with dirty hooves, I was sure that with a body as resilient as the Superleiters', nothing would happen to her.

Hours had passed, and I was washing all the dishes I had used. Arloste offered to help me wash, not wanting to feel like she was taking advantage of me or something similar.

I told her there was no problem and that I would never see it that way. I see her as incapable of doing something like that. But Arloste insisted on helping me wash the dishes. I didn’t continue to refuse; some help wouldn't hurt me at all. It showed what a good friend Arloste is.

It was midnight, and she and I were in my room, sharing the same bed. I already knew how this would end.

We talked about our past, reminiscing about the day we met and our journey together, avoiding the topic of Arloste's past. We spoke about our current lives and how circumstances were leading us to separate. I always hated the phrase “nothing lasts forever” because of how true it is.

We didn’t forget Blackjack. Even though she often behaved like a stuck-up bitch, we still considered her part of our group. Tensions between us had been rising, so neither of us was in the mood to see her face here. Arloste told me that I had to be the one to tell Blackjack that she’d be gone for an indefinite period.

I knew that Arloste would be gone for a long time. Although it wasn’t exact, I wanted to give her something special that she almost couldn’t experience due to the hard life of being a Superleiter. I planned to make love to her.

She likes it too, although she doesn’t usually talk about it that often. We’ve only done it twice. Arloste says she enjoys every second and wishes she could love another pony one day. But the fact that she’s in danger every time she's chased prevents her from having a deeper relationship.

The room was dark, lit only by my night lamp. All the windows were closed, and the air was cool—a perfect setting for this moment. I wanted to make sure Arloste was comfortable, at least for this moment. I couldn't bear to think of her living in a forest, full of mosquitoes and noisy animals.

I licked Arloste's face, making her blush. The idea of dominating somepony as powerful as her excited me. I had to admit, she looked sexy with her zebra stripes and long mane, a warrior image that captivated me.

Arloste smiled, still blushing. "You tickle me, Glory," she said, holding her front hooves together like a cat, showing her adorable side.

We kissed, our tongues exploring each other's mouths, while I gently caressed Arloste's vagina with a hoof. I was a little cold, covered with a sheet. Arloste didn't need one; no matter the temperature of the air conditioner, she never seemed to feel cold.

Even though I was just a normal pony, I was happy to give her affection and love. Facing a Superleiter was like a fight between a tank and an ant, but knowing I could provide love and companionship to Arloste made me feel less useless. It was something valuable for anypony.

I took one of Arloste's hooves and guided it to my vagina. She wasn't an expert in these things; she spent more time fighting and training in space than anything else. Of the few times we've had sex, I'm sure she doesn't remember any of them.

Without saying anything, I began teaching her how to please a mare. We continued kissing, our tongues entwined, while I worked to make her cum so she could feel some pleasure and happiness before her departure.

I loved her like a friend, a sister. Even if we wanted to be together, we couldn't. It was more about a friendship with benefits. I was willing to give my body to Arloste.

After touching each other, I asked Arloste to lie face down and lift her ass so I could lick it. She likes being dominated, especially by me.

Hearing Arloste moan and express her desire for me to continue filled me with joy. It was a clear sign that I was pleasing my friend.

"Arloste, you deserve this and more... I'll always be here to give you all the support you need. I hope you never forget this intimate moment between us."

"I will never forget it. You are the best friend somepony like me... could have," Arloste said, barely able to speak because of the wave of pleasure that surrounded her entire body.

We stayed like that for a long time until finally, Arloste couldn't hold on anymore. She came all over my mouth, and I opened it and swallowed all her fluids. It had been a while since I'd done this.

I then taught Arloste how to please me. I told her to lick my vagina and put one of her hooves inside me as if it were a dildo, making sure she knew not to squeeze too much. I didn't want her to destroy my clitoris with her overwhelming strength. It was a legitimate concern, but I trusted Arloste to control her power.

This reminded me of the time she destroyed the bed while we were having sex. The bed broke into little pieces when Arloste was cumming on me, ruining the orgasm. Though I have to admit, it was kind of funny.

Our bond grew stronger with every passing minute. Arloste swallowed all my fluids, and for having so little experience, she did incredibly well. She made me moan like a bitch.

It was two in the morning. Had we spent two hours having sex? It took longer than I thought, which would only give Arloste three hours to rest. I didn't think it would be a problem for her—she could literally reach any part of Equestria in a second with her speed, and she had no trouble sleeping in the forest.

"I hope to see you again soon, Arloste. I'm going to miss you a lot," I said, turning to look at her. We were both staring at the ceiling.

"Me too. I don't like doing this, but I don’t want to see you caught in the crossfire. I want to protect you, nature, and the animals," Arloste said. Those were the last words I heard from her that day. She was determined, and I wouldn't try to change her mind anymore. I didn't know where she was going, and I wouldn't have a way to communicate with her. All I could do was hope for the best.

Take care of yourself, Arloste. You’re the strongest mare I know. Don’t let them capture you. You’re one of my best friends, and I hope you’re well wherever you are right now.

Welcome to Drugland

Back in the present, I had just arrived in Trotland after a five-hour trip. There was no way I was going back to Marechester the same day—I hated driving for long hours. I planned to stay in a hotel or at the house of one of my friends.

This city... I wouldn’t dare say it’s the best place to be. Just seeing pregnant prostitutes smoking, drunk ponies in the streets, easy targets to be run over, and buildings that look like they’re going to collapse at any moment doesn’t exactly make me excited about this place.

As far as I know, only one balefire bomb fell here. But despite that, the city does its best to maintain itself.

I found myself wandering through the Bridgefountain neighborhood, a place where I had met all my old friends. We used to skateboard together—both the traditional kind and the newer hoverboards—but almost all of them ended up falling into drugs. It was there that our friendships deteriorated, bit by bit.

I never liked skag. Fuck that. I knew alcohol was harmful in large quantities too, but at least you don't become an addict like you do with drugs. Once you enter that world, it's damn hard to get out.

I'm worried they could end up like Dewdrop. She died of an overdose, and her apartment was a mess—her kitten shitting and pissing everywhere. I think Dewdrop was also infected with toxoplasmosis. If the drugs didn't kill her, that infection would have. Just hearing its name makes my skin crawl.

The first signs that Dewdrop wasn't well appeared when I visited her apartment. I was worried about her malnourished kitten, but even more so about the hours she spent watching the porn video her coltfriend Kirin had recorded.

"Hey Glory, d’ye want tae see this video o’ me and ma boyfriend fuckin'?" Dewdrop asked, holding the CD in her hoof. She said it like we were about to watch a movie, not something so private.

"Again? We've already seen it like four times," I replied. Her frequent requests to watch that video deeply worried me. I wanted to help her, but it’s so hard to find a fixer these days. Doctors exploit the situation to get as many bottle caps as they can. It’s no surprise that one of the main causes of death in this city is overdose.

"Aye, but it's the only thing I have tae remember him," Dewdrop said, turning her back to me and contemplating her reflection in the CD.

"But don't you think that by watchin' that video, you're torturin' yourself by rememberin' somethin' you'll never have again?" I asked Dewdrop. I flew towards her, patting her back to try to calm her down.

"I've been thinkin' about it, but I don't want tae have another boyfriend. He knew how tae please a mare. I don't think I can find another handsome Kirin like him, who knows how tae make me happy," Dewdrop said, taking several steps towards the player and placing the CD inside.

She was very dependent on her boyfriend. Her view of relationships was different from most of the wasteland's inhabitants. If your partner left, you simply looked for another replacement or had prostitutes at your disposal. Dewdrop was one of those few ponies who only fucked with their partners and didn't dare to do it with anypony else, like it used to be in ancient Equestria before all this shit started.

Dewdrop sat on the couch and turned on the telly, motioning for me to sit next to her by tapping the couch.

I shook my head slightly, looking at the ground in disappointment. No matter how much I tried to help Dewdrop, nothing seemed to work. I simply did what she asked of me, feeling a glimmer of hope for her.

As I flew over, I glanced to the left and saw her skateboard, unused and missing a tire, with its front part broken. It spoke volumes about Dewdrop's waning interest in the sport.

"Ohh, that cock, when I see it, I can't help but think of all the times I put it in my mouth," Dewdrop said, running a hoof over her face.

I sat next to her and put one hind hoof on the couch to get comfortable. We sat there as if watching an afternoon movie. "I guess you had a lot of fun that day," I told her, offering some positive words in an attempt to help Dewdrop somehow.

"Aye, that was the day we had sex for the first time. We decided tae record it tae have as a memory, and now it's all I have," Dewdrop leaned back, settling better on the couch.

"And when you're alone, what do you do with that video, do you still watch it or do you do something else?" I asked her, directing my gaze to her momentarily before continuing to focus on the screen on how Mint Shine was fucking Dewdrop.

"It's somethin' private, but I masturbate while watching the video" Dewdrop said, placing a hoof on the edge of the couch and leaning her head on it. "I love this part. This is where he begins tae penetrate me. I wanted ye tae see my face o' pleasure and his when he penetrates me. There's naethin' else that makes me happier than that." It is sad for me to see, how Dewdrop drowns her sorrows by watching this video every day for hours, I was sure she must have it memorized, taking into account that this video lasts one hour and forty minutes.

"I know you really like kirins, but do you know there are plenty of them out there? You don't have to focus only on Mint," I told Dewdrop, expressing my sincere opinion. I felt it might be futile; after all the times we've watched this video, Dewdrop seemed determined not to forget him.

"I'm nae like you or the others who sleep with anypony. I only sleep with Mint. Nae other kirin's gonna change that," Dewdrop said, firm in her decision.

"But you're single. He could be shagging other mares right now while we're talking," I pointed out. I understood Dewdrop's traditional view on relationships, which still surprised me. Sometimes I wondered if she feared judgment from others, though it's something many do without being judged.

"That doesn't matter, he's the only one I can fuck. I dinnae think I can do it with anypony else. I'm not a slag, ye get me?" Dewdrop told me, raising her voice a little. She seemed on the verge of frustration whenever I mentioned the possibility of finding somepony else.

"Yeah... I understand. And what do the others think about this? Cornflower told me you took them to Leum Ailleim to enjoy the fresh air," I asked. Sometimes we used to go to those mountains to escape the city's shit. It was also Dewdrop's favorite place, with no radiation or mutations, making it safe.

"My so-called mates? They don't gie a toss. The only one who showed the slightest bit of concern was Cornflower. Citrus can get tae fuck, and Sunflower an' all, fuckin' wankers... you're the one I can count on right now," Dewdrop said, crossing her front hooves. I should have known Cornflower would be the only one to help Dewdrop.

Of all of us, apart from Dewdrop, Cornflower is the one who cares about everypony and has a heart of gold, even more than I do. Despite being a junkie, she's still a good friend.

It was sad seeing Dewdrop there, trying to recreate that intimate moment with her ex-boyfriend in the video. I had already told her there was no chance of him coming back to her. It was clear Mint had moved on with another mare, I saw it myself.

"Yae know, Glory... I've been thinkin' maybe we could take out the bitch who's with Mint... what d'ye say?" Dewdrop's tone held a mix of concern and desperation, which worried me coming from her. She'd never think of hurting an innocent pony. Mint's new girlfriend might be a bitch, but I doubted she'd done anything to deserve being murdered.

"Doing that would just make things worse... How about we hit up a nightclub and meet some other kirins you might like? Screw Mint, you deserve better," I suggested to Dewdrop, holding onto the slim hope she might agree. The sounds of Dewdrop's moans of pleasure from the video provided a stark contrast to our serious conversation, but I'd dealt with worse situations, so it didn't faze me.

"I dinnae know, Glory... I think if we off her, he might consider comin' back to me," Dewdrop replied, frustrating me with her rejection of all the help I was trying to offer. Damn it, Dewdrop, why do you have to say that?

"Do you know what'll happen? First, he might just run from you. We could get in deep shit for offing a pony who ain't done nothing. There's no justice system out here, but we could get hounded for taking out innocent ponies. I wanna sleep sound, and I'm sure you do too," I warned Dewdrop, knowing that such a move would only stir up more trouble, much like Sunflower and her anger issues – she could barely step outside without ponies tryin' to string her up.

"But nae one has to notice, we can use a sniper and take a shot at her from a distance." Dewdrop leaned forward, her hooves close together, looking at me with desperate eyes.

"We could still be discovered, Dewdrop... Why don't we look for solutions that don't involve killin'?" I asked. Dewdrop looked down, thinking for a few seconds. She was totally destroyed, and despite my best efforts to help her, she was making it increasingly difficult.

Dewdrop was straight, only attracted to males, so she wouldn't sleep with me as a way to cope with her suffering, which left me even more limited in how I could support her.

I couldn't help but feel some anger towards Mint Shine for breaking up with Dewdrop and leaving her shattered. His reasons? He just got bored of her. They were too different. Dewdrop is more traditional, while Mint wants to sleep with whoever he pleases, like most of us. I already suspected that something good couldn’t come from such different beliefs.

Dewdrop looked at me again. "How about ye buy me some skag? I know ye don't use it, but could yae buy me some... or tell Citrus to get some for me. I don't know much about business, contacts, and all that shite. I just want some skag."

I didn’t like it. I didn’t like that option at all. Although it wasn’t violent, it put my friend's life at risk. Once she starts injecting that shit, it would be almost impossible for her to leave that world, like the others. Dewdrop wouldn't be an exception.

I hadn't said anything, just staring at the telly, trying to figure out what to say to Dewdrop. I settled into the sofa, resting my other hoof on it, feeling exhausted because Dewdrop was leaving me speechless and without options. My head drooped to the right as if I couldn't keep it upright anymore.

"The other lassies prance 'round like it's the ultimate fix, I reckon it's a lot better than shagging. Maybe gettin' high and seein' things can help me forget about Mint," Dewdrop said. Her words lacked enthusiasm; they came out desperate, but there was a smile on her face.

I took a breath and let it out, the only sound that escaped my lips was a low "Hmm."

Dewdrop, noticing my lack of agreement, grew frustrated. "Don't be a cunt, Glory, I ain't a fuckin' foal. Get me the skag," she demanded, slamming the sofa with both front hooves. I still didn't respond. I was at a loss for what to do in this situation, desperately searching for a way to envision Dewdrop alive and well. But it seemed like there was no way out. What else could I possibly do?

What could I do exactly? Let Dewdrop die slowly or get herself in trouble for trying to murder another pony? No matter which option I chose, she wouldn't come out of this alive. I've heard that mares who kill innocents are usually raped when they're captured and slowly tortured. I don't want Dewdrop to go through that shite.

"I'll talk to Citrus," was all I could say, without showing any kind of enthusiasm for my decision. An overdose is better than emotional and physical trauma combined. Dewdrop doesn't deserve that. She was already doomed, there was no turning back. If the others didn't do anything, and I'm doing everything possible to help her but she doesn't cooperate, we're screwed.

"When ye come back, if there's enough, bring me cigarettes an' beer," Dewdrop said. She had gone from being the cleanest pony I ever met to being completely determined to enter this world. I wasn't going to refuse; she was sure of what she was doing. If I tried to persuade her, that would only cause her to become frustrated and hold something against me.

I started gathering the bottlecaps that were scattered all over the couch. She didn't even bother to help me. I don't have magic, so I knew I'd be collecting these for a while.

My eyes unconsciously drifted to the screen. It was heartbreaking to see Dewdrop enjoying the moment with her ex-boyfriend, happily swallowing his cum. Now, she was frustrated and sad, having lost one of the reasons that motivated her to move forward.

She doesn't even remember that she has a kitten... The kitten was a gift for Mint, who obviously rejected it. I wasn't sure if I could gather enough bottlecaps to buy her food. I'd left my own bottlecaps in my apartment, so I'd have to fly there to buy something for the poor kitty.

Reluctantly, I reached out to Citrus to get some skag for Dewdrop.

Weeks passed, and each time I entered that apartment, it seemed more and more decrepit. The paint peeled off the walls, the place reeked of cat shit and urine, and Dewdrop slept on a mattress on the floor since her bed had fallen apart. Beer cans littered the corners, and cigarette butts were strewn everywhere.

Her telly had finally given out from watching that video incessantly. Celestia help us, I knew it would end like this, but it's what she chose. Dewdrop had lost all will to live.

All I could do as her friend was bring her skag, collect bottlecaps, and care for her kitten. It was the least I could do. I couldn't bear seeing her in that state.

She lay there, smoking away, draped in a chocolate jacket to ward off the cold. Despite the chill, she neglected to close the windows, her unicorn abilities rendering such tasks effortless. But it seemed her emotions had dulled her motivation, leaving her unwilling even for such basic tasks that required little effort and time.

Her skateboard, now stripped of its wheels, languished in its usual corner. "Are you still skating, Dewdrop?" I inquired, hoping to spark some activity beyond her day of idle consumption.

"Nae, I gave up on that sport long ago," Dewdrop replied, the cigarette dangling from her lips.

"And what about playing pool?" I pressed, recalling how she used to enjoy it with Cornflower during our bar outings.

Dewdrop exhaled smoke slowly. "Nae, all I do now is sit here all day, smoking and taking skag. I don't do any of that stuff anymore."

To me, those were the words of somepony spiraling towards their own demise, a pony on a path of self-destruction from which there would be no return. I resolved to stand by Dewdrop's side until her final days, emotionally preparing myself for the inevitable moment when I would return to her apartment and find her gone from this world.

No matter what I said or did, Dewdrop was determined to meet her end on her own terms. She understood the risks of drug use, and my attempts to persuade or convince her fell on deaf ears. Her heart remained fixated on a pony who no longer reciprocated her feelings, and she seemed unable to let go of the past, fixating on one who did not cherish her in return.

I couldn't decide whether to blame Mint for indirectly causing Dewdrop's downfall or to fault Dewdrop herself for clinging to a love that was no longer there, refusing to see that there were other ponies out there who could bring her happiness.

Dewdrop often reminisced about her love for Mint, recalling fondly the times we spent together at bars and skateboarding across the city. Those moments seemed to be the pinnacle of her joy—being with friends and her boyfriend, before everything changed.

"At least tell me our friends are visiting you," I flew towards Dewdrop and settled near her, but her gaze remained distant, fixated only on her cigarette. She didn't react or acknowledge my presence.

"Cornflower drops by wi' some grub now 'n then, and we shoot the breeze. It's nae bad havin' her 'round. But Sunflower, she just hides 'ere, avoidin' trouble. There's ponies after her for all the fights 'n killings she's been in. Can't stand her moanin' about the reek in the flat," Dewdrop said, coughing between sentences before taking another drag from her cigarette.

I felt a flicker of relief knowing Cornflower cared about Dewdrop too. It eased the burden, knowing I wasn't alone in supporting her.

"And what about Citrus? Has she visited at all?" I asked, wondering if there was any compassion left in Citrus, who herself had faced tough times, losing her parents and her foal due to addiction, which could've made her less empathetic towards others.

"That cow only cares about bottlecaps and skag. She couldn't give a shite about my situation. I dinnae want to see her," Dewdrop replied, her hooves trembling slightly as she took another drag, the smoke waftin' towards me where I sat beside her.

What a group of friends we have. Everything was better before when we were just a bunch of skaters havin’ a blast doin’ wicked tricks on the streets of Trotland. But now… everything's changed. Drugs, past traumas, and emotional problems have destroyed this group.

I’d love to help Dewdrop and the others overcome their addictions. But despite my medical knowledge, there’s no way I can help them. I’d need my own clinic and a lot of tools that I just don’t have. Medical supplies in good condition are hard to come by, which is why I haven’t dedicated myself to curing addicts. It’s tragic, really, that this city and others are basically just storing corpses at this point.

"What d’ye want? Go away." Dewdrop's kitten put her paws on Dewdrop's right cannon, lookin’ for some attention. I usually saw the kitten in corners or on top of furniture, but I’d never seen Dewdrop even caress her.

"Leave me alone." Dewdrop lifted her hoof so the kitten couldn't reach it and leave. Dewdrop wasn’t in the mood to care for the kitten. It’s a shame that something as cute as a kitten doesn’t help Dewdrop feel better either.

I couldn't stand seeing the kitten suffer. I had the idea of feeding her myself, and when Dewdrop perishes... maybe I'll keep her. Dewdrop may not care about the kitten, but at least it serves as some company for her, being alone here every day.

I headed toward the kitchen and opened the drawer where I kept the cat food. The kitten followed me excitedly, looking like she hadn’t eaten in weeks. I could even see her bones from how malnourished she was.

I cleaned the cat bowl in the dishwasher and wiped it with soap. I wanted it to be very clean so that the cat could eat comfortably.

After drying the cat bowl, I placed it on the floor. Once I made sure it was completely dry, I took the cat food with both front hooves and poured it into the bowl. The kitten began to desperately eat as soon as a piece of food fell in.

It made me a little happy, knowing that at least the kitten will live if I continue to take care of her this way. Dewdrop just stays lying on that mattress, doing nothing except getting high. But then, an idea occurred to me.

I flew back to Dewdrop's room. She was still in the same position, with the same expression, putting the cigarette in her mouth.

"Why don't we go to Leum Ailleim and get some fresh air?" I asked, flapping my wings to stay in the air. I didn't want to step on the floor; it was dirty, and who knows what other strange things I’d find there. Sometimes I would clean the apartment for her, but there comes a time when I give up because it gets dirty again, and it feels like I'm not doing anything.

Dewdrop let out smoke from her mouth, hitting my nose directly, but I ignored it. "Alright," Dewdrop said with little enthusiasm, like somepony finding out they have to take a very difficult exam.

At least she didn’t refuse. I didn’t want her to be locked up here all the time. Maybe visiting her favorite place might help her in some way.

We took the train to the mountains, heading to the most peaceful and relaxing place, perfect for getting away from the city’s crap for a few hours.

It was a flat expanse full of grass, with mountains visible in the distance. At sunset, the view was wonderful, accompanied by a relaxing silence. Winter had already passed, so the area was more accessible, and there was no risk of an avalanche.

The highest mountain in Leum Ailleim wasn't that high; we could easily climb it by flying or just trotting. From there, the entire Leum could be seen. It was our favorite spot, and we were going to trot there.

This time, I decided not to fly and instead trot alongside Dewdrop. Her kitten perched on my head, playing with my mane, seemed to take a liking to me, which brought a smile to my face.

Dewdrop and I set off towards the highest mountain, the air chilly around us. I was dressed in my black suit, white shirt, and red tie, a throwback to our old days when we used to dress up for outings, giving off the appearance of having plenty of bottlecaps even though we were broke as hell.

Dewdrop sported a similar suit in dark blue, with a pink shirt and black tie. We trotted closely together, though she never let go of her cigarette, and she carried a bag full of beer. There was no point in trying to stop her now; I just hoped that in her constant consumption, she could find some semblance of happiness.

The sound of our hooves striking the grass and occasionally a path of asphalt was the only noise in this serene place, reminiscent of our first visits here when our friendship was still... decent, to say the least.

"Can I have an Inni Gunn?" I asked Dewdrop, adjusting my sunglasses to shield my eyes from the midday sun. I didn't just want her drinking all the beers herself, potentially speeding up her demise. I also needed something to help me relax.

As I pondered whether I should let Dewdrop's suffering end sooner or let her live a bit longer to experience some fleeting moments of joy, the question nagged at my mind relentlessly.

But I had already made up my mind that she should live a while longer. I had noticed she enjoyed, at least to some extent, my company and probably Cornflower's too.

"Aye," Dewdrop grunted, pulling the can from her green mane and giving me the Inni Gunn. It bore the logo of a pony galloping at full speed, its red and white colors were familiar and comforting. It was my favorite beer from Trotland, the kind that might just become your favorite too when you visit.

I opened the can with my wings, using them like claws, just like griffons do. It was more comfortable that way for me.

Dewdrop also grabbed a can of beer, this one labeled Cromarten, green with a logo resembling a lightning bolt cutie mark.

"Do you remember the first time we came here?" I asked, trying to break the silence. I not only wanted to spend time with Dewdrop but also get her to talk. I was sure that alone in that apartment, she must have been silent, forgetting what her own voice sounded like.

"Aye, it was when we planned tae run away fae hame 'cause we had aw failed the exam," Dewdrop replied, taking a swig of her beer like it was water, refreshing after the exercise. "We were mair focused oan skatin' than oan school," she said, letting out a satisfied sigh after her drink.

Yeah, I still remember that. My mother wanted to beat me to death after I told her the truth. I was still living in Marechester back then. It was a several-hour trip from my house to school, but I was willing to make that sacrifice for our friendship and being together.

"Then some adult ponies came and kept askin' us why we were alone in the mountains. I think it was a couple that came to visit this place. They were super worried," I said, smiling while I continued drinking my beer. It felt so good and relaxing, it took away my stress at least momentarily.

"Tae tell the truth, they were baith a bit annoyin'. We wanted tae escape, and they were ruinin' our brilliant escape plan," Dewdrop said, laughing and being sarcastic. Despite it being a basic emotion, it was something difficult to hear and see from her.

"We were cunts nuggets if we thought that plan would work," I chuckled at my own sarcasm. How could I not? Thinking we'd survive alone in this shitty world? Without adult help? We'd probably end up whorin' ourselves just to get by, the typical tragic fate of female ponies.

We'd probably starve to death too, in any scenario. None of 'em we'd have made it without our parents' help.

"I imagine your mother was pure raging when ye told her 'bout that F on yer exam," Dewdrop said, savoring her beer. The mountain we aimed for loomed closer as we trotted, not exactly breaking any speed records.

"She was gonna kill me. But I think what pissed her off the most was that we were plannin' to escape," I replied, swirling the can of beer before taking another sip.

"My maw didnae react like anypony'd expect. She jus' told me she was worried 'bout me an' that she doesnae care what grade I get, that these things happen," Dewdrop said, reminiscing. I couldn't help but envy her having a mother like that. Compared to mine, who could be bitter at times, her father's situation had her in a bad mood.

"You were lucky. I think Sunflower had it worst," I sighed, feeling sympathy for Sunflower. She'd endured ongoing physical abuse, which had twisted her into the psychopath she was now—enjoying others' suffering. We'd tried everything to help her, but some scars run too deep. She avoided talking about her family, especially her parents.

"Aye, her parents are pure violent. It explains Sunflower's attitude. She gives me chills sometimes. Like she might kill me if I beat her at pool," Dewdrop chuckled darkly, the wind tousling our manes. Dewdrop, having tired of just drinking, pulled out another pack of cigarettes, lit one up, and started smoking while sipping her beer.

"Yes... she scares me too; do you know why she almost killed me? Because she told me about the time she slept with a shemale, hahahaha!" I had to say it, every time I remember it, I can't stop laughing. I nearly choked on my beer and started coughing.

"Hahahaha! Oh, fuckin' Celestia, how can I forget that? Sunflower bangin' a fuckin' tranny? Sounds like pure shite, but when ye realize it was a mistake, that's what makes it hilarious," Dewdrop managed to say between fits of laughter. Unlike me, she wasn't gasping like a muppet, but she was laughing just as hard.

"And I couldn't help myself, I knew I was playing with fire right then, but guess what I said when she spilled her guts about that experience?" I said, trying to build up the suspense, though it was genuine surprise that nearly got me killed by Sunflower.

"What did ye say to her?" Dewdrop said, a smile tugging at her lips as she levitated her beer with her magic. She hadn't bothered with her hooves for a while now; I'd say she's gotten lazier over time, but I'm just glad she's willing to trot along with me.

"I told her, 'Who'da thought, Sunflower, the transie fucker!' Hahahah!" I burst out laughing, struggling to keep my balance. I nearly dropped my beer, hastily steadying myself with a hoof on the ground.

"Ye were really gunnin' for death right then, huh? Ye know how she gets when ye poke fun at her like that," Dewdrop remarked, pausing as she watched me nearly collapse in laughter.

"I had to, I just had to," I managed to say between coughs, trying not to let my laughter get the best of me and stain my suit.

"She's a fuckin' psycho, but I get why ye couldn't resist throwin' that jab. Sometimes, she's a real pain in the arse," Dewdrop said, tossing her empty beer can with a flick of her magic and grabbing another one.

I hurried to finish my beer, knowing I needed another one to keep up with Dewdrop. I couldn't let her drink it all by herself.

"Like, the only reason she shows up at my flat is to hide from all the shit she stirs up, with her bar brawls and the ponies she's offed over trivial crap, like 'distracting' her in a game of pool," Dewdrop said, as we continued trotting towards the mountain. We were almost there; just a bit more to climb.

"She's been crashing at mine for the same reason. Ended up looking after her like she's my own daughter, but she'd just laze about, never helpin' with the cleaning, leaving trash all over the floor," I said, brushing my hoof over my suit to wipe off any dirt that might've clung to it.

"Aye, but she's a mate, what can we do? Can't just ditch her like that. We've been through too much together. Wouldn't sit right to tell her, 'I don't wanna hang out with ye no more,' y'know what I mean?" Dewdrop replied, taking a drag from her cigarette. At this point, I reckoned her insides must be as battered as a wrecked airship from all that smoking.

"I know what you mean. Ever since high school, we could tell something wasn't right with her," I said, understanding the tough upbringing Sunflower had. But that don't justify her killings and all those fights, just to let off some steam and feel something.

"Skag's our demon. Wouldn't surprise me if the others end up dead from it too. Remember when she used to say, 'I ain't touchin' that shit, fuckin' chemicals'll ruin ya'? Now look at her, hooked like the rest... 'Cept you. She and Citrus were the first to bring that crap into the crew." Dewdrop took another swig of her beer before she went on. "Skag's tearing us apart. But when I shoot up, I forget it all. Don't gotta think 'bout Mint's escapades with other mares, 'specially not me."

"I wish I could do somethin' to help you, makes me feel worse than a doc who can't heal," I said, standing on two hooves as we prepared to climb the mountain upon our arrival. The kitten clung to my mane, a bit painful but bearable.

"No need to blame yerself for any of this. Just bein' here with me is enough," Dewdrop replied earnestly. "I know I'm gonna die, stuck in this world of drugs no matter how hard I try. I've already chosen my fate. Without Mint, life ain't worth much." Her words came from the depths of her heart, a painful truth she was facing head-on.

Mint... That pillock. I can't stop thinking he's the indirect cause of my friend's death. I had to justify things without blamin' Dewdrop. It's natural, you know? I've got a stronger bond with Dewdrop than with Mint. Never knew him well enough to feel anything for him.

I was desperate, wanting to blame him to justify his murder, but I realized that wouldn't solve anything. Still, the thought lingered. I didn't want Dewdrop to leave this world, but if it weren't for him, she'd still want to live.

We reached the mountain. Dewdrop simply teleported to the top using magic, which disappointed me a little. I thought she wanted to climb with me. "What happened, Dewdrop? Don't be lazy and climb with me!" I shouted, the distance from the base to the top considerable but climbable without equipment.

"I'm no' in the mood to climb, Glory, but I'll be waitin' patiently for ye here," she said, tossing another can of beer and taking another. She sat on a rock to continue drinking and smoking.

Damn... I wanted her to put in some physical effort, like when we were skateboarding. But she's become lazy, only thinking about consumin' and consumin'. I've done my best to help her and make sure she's healthy so she can live longer, but the way things are, she might be dead by next month.

I climbed the mountain myself. I could've flown, but I felt the need to climb. One hoof after the other. I also had to be careful not to make any sudden movements so the kitten wouldn't fall. She was holding onto my mane tightly, which relieved me a bit.

The wind blew through my mane, and small rocks fell as I moved my front hooves, placin' them on the protruding rocks that served as holds to climb the mountain easily.

I held the beer can in my mouth, so I couldn't talk to Dewdrop at the moment. She lay on the rock as if it were a bed, in the same position she usually took on her mattress.

"Why don’t ya fly? Ye’d get here faster," Dewdrop asked. I thought I could at least convince her to accompany me climbin', but with that question, the possibilities dropped to zero. Not many things motivated her anymore, just passin' her last days with her friends.

I continued climbing. It wasn't that high, about the same height as a bar mezzanine, so with a little effort, I reached the top.

And I did it. Was it difficult? No. Did I have any problems while climbing? No. And I didn't feel tired or ready for bed either, which speaks to how healthy I am.

Dewdrop had left her can of beer next to the rock where she was lying, just smoking her five-hundredth cigarette... I can't imagine how rotten her internal organs must be.

When I reached the top, I got back on all fours and wiped my hooves on my suit, cleaning off any dirt that may have gotten on me while climbing. Dust was also present on the mountain.

I looked around. It wasn't the tallest mountain in the world, but it offered a nice view. I could see the whole way we had traveled since getting off the train. From Dewdrop's perspective, it was a fairly long way. Maybe she was very tired, which is why she lay down on that rock?

"How you feelin', Dewdrop?" I asked, slowly trotting towards her and positioning myself on the right side of the rock.

"Miserably happy," Dewdrop said, staring into the sky, observing the patterns of clouds that were difficult to decipher.

Dewdrop Veil... I'm gonna miss ya so much. I hope you find happiness in the other world. You were a great friend, always wantin' the best for us.

It makes me real sad how Dewdrop used to be clean from drugs. She really liked sports and bein' healthy, but now none of that matters to her. That Dewdrop from before ain't never comin' back, no matter how hard I try. I did everything in my power; I can't force her to change her mind. If that's what she wants...

I caressed her soft green mane. I wanted to feel her before she goes to the other world, as a way of sayin' goodbye early. It's impossible to be sure when she'll die, but I wanted some physical contact, 'cause that'll never be possible again.

It made me real sad when I started to notice Dewdrop's deterioration. She only responded with 'Aye' and 'Nae' to my questions, without addin' anything else, as a way of showin' she's not interested in talkin' to anypony. Her obsession with that porn video of her and her boyfriend got so bad that the telly could no longer stand bein' on for too long, basically forcin' me to buy her skag.

Since she abandoned her skateboard and this poor kitten, I've been present from the beginnin' of Dewdrop's self-destruction. But when she dies, I can't help but blame myself, thinkin' there must've been somethin' I could've done to prevent this. If there was a time machine or some unicorn who mastered the magic of time travel, I'd wanna go back and stop this from happenin' somehow.

Dewdrop turned her head towards me, letting the weight of the movement do all the work. She looked me straight in the eyes. I know that look.

"Glory, do ye have any bottlecaps? I spent it all. I have nothing left. I'd like tae buy skag," Dewdrop said, her eyes pleading with a desperation I couldn't ignore. Refuse? No... I can't. If I refuse, she'll get frustrated and look for desperate ways to get bottlecaps.

I've heard rumors that in Lontrot, there's a serial killer who murders her clients and steals their belongings and vehicles... I wouldn't want Dewdrop to end up that way, getting into more trouble and suffering something worse than an overdose.

I checked my pockets. The sound of the bottlecaps echoed as I passed my front hoof inside. I took out everything I had. There were around fifty bottlecaps. Dewdrop usually asks me for them to buy skag; that's why I brought 'em. I already knew she'd ask me the same thing this time too.

I took out the fifty bottlecaps, and Dewdrop grabbed them with her unicorn magic, putting them in the pocket of her suit. "Thank you, Glory, ye are the best mate in the world," Dewdrop said, smiling before looking away from me and continuing to smoke.

"No problem," I said quietly, my voice betraying the sadness that gnawed at me. I felt a strange combination of sorrow and relief. Sorrow that Dewdrop would one day succumb to this poison, and relief that, at least for now, she found some semblance of happiness in it.

Since that day, I couldn't visit Dewdrop again. We had a great time and fun together in the mountains, reminiscing about the past. We were there for two hours until Dewdrop got bored and wanted to go back to her apartment and then talk to Citrus and get her skag. I was sure that Citrus wasn't interested in the fact that Dewdrop was dying little by little. Citrus only cares about bottlecaps and consuming crap.

Despite whistling dixie, believing she'd live forever, my mind searched for denial, thinking Dewdrop would continue to live thanks to my visits. But while she's alone in that rotten apartment, what is she most likely to do? Inject that shit. That's what she does, and no matter how many times I try and what I do, one day I'll find her dead. And that's how it happened.

I went to visit her again after being away for a while. I had family problems that I had to attend to and couldn't come to Trotland for a few weeks.

I headed towards Dewdrop's apartment, sighing several times. I needed a miracle, so Dewdrop would respond and open the door. But not everything lasts forever.

"Dewdrop, are you there?" It was the third time I called Dewdrop and she didn't answer. I tried to stay calm. She must just be sleeping, right? She used to get tired very quickly. Should it be just that, or maybe, just maybe, she started playing sports again and gave up drugs?

I didn't want to believe that... no, she's still breathing, I have to take it easy.

I tried another alternative, simply knocking on the door. I tapped it with a front hoof, but there was no response. Could it be that she's just not in the mood? Maybe Sunrise made her angry or something, though I don't understand why she'd ignore me.

"I brought you more bottlecaps so you can buy more heroin!" I said in a poor attempt to get her attention. After waiting several seconds and not hearing any hoofsteps, I figured something was going on in there, and I had to find out no matter what. If my offer didn't motivate her to get up, something was definitely not right.

I didn't even have to force the door open. With a small push, it creaked open, and a horrible smell hit me—like the sewers mixed with the stench of a dead rat. It was a smell you want to avoid at all costs.

I covered my nose, unable to stand the odor. When I looked at the walls, they were crawling with groups of cockroaches. Thanks to Celestia, they weren't Radroaches, as I didn't bring any weapons or anything to defend myself, which I now realize was a mistake.

There were dead rats on the floor, likely the work of the kitten, since Dewdrop didn't feed her. The poor kitten had to find her own way to survive. The floor was also littered with cat shit, mouse shit, and cat urine. Ugh.

Fucking hell, that's disgusting. I decided to fly, not wanting to set my hooves in this filthy place. I wondered how Dewdrop could live in a place as revolting as this. Maybe she had moved and didn't tell me?

I looked to my right where the room was; there was clearly nopony. My head filled with questions that would never be answered. I tried to deny the reality of the situation, needing to do so to face this problem without my heart breaking into bits.

How could I not? My friend was dead. Her body had mice slowly eating her, and flies buzzed around, looking to feed on her rotting body. It seemed Dewdrop had been like this for weeks. That explained the horrible smell.

Fucking shit... Dewdrop, why did you leave? Why didn't you want to stay at least a little longer? My goal wasn't just to support you; I also did what I could to make you live longer, like inviting you to eat healthy food, going outside to trot together. But while you were injecting yourself with skag, I knew that one day you were going to die.

It wasn't the skag that killed you; it was your obsession with Mint. You were incapable of loving another pony. What did he have that others couldn't give you? Being very focused on helping her, I was never able to ask her that important question. To me, he was just another pony. To you, he was like a salvation... somepony who gave you happiness that others never could. But I wonder, why? What exactly?

I would've known all that if I had known him more deeply, but I couldn't. The only thing I knew was from our meetings, where Dewdrop talked about him as the best boyfriend in the world. She even canceled our plans to be with him. If Dewdrop was willing to do that, it was because she loved him deeply, to an incomprehensible level.

At this moment, I don't give a shit about the smell or the rotten body of my friend. I'm going to go up to her and give her a hug, even though she can't respond to me, can't react, can't do anything.

I flew to the mattress where she lay, in the same position as always. Nearby, there was another cigarette and more than twenty cans of beer piled up. Dewdrop had her eyes closed, and the cigarette she was holding had dropped when she died.

I extended both of my hooves, lifting Dewdrop's lifeless body. As I lifted her, I noticed a vomit stain where she had lain. The smell was unbearable, especially without having my nose covered, but none of that mattered.

I hugged my friend's corpse and started to cry. I couldn't contain it any longer. I hugged her with all my strength, my clothes getting dirty with red stains and small worms, but I didn't care.

"Dewdrop... I'm going to miss you," I whispered through my sobs. "I hope you find happiness in the other world. In this shitty world, it's so hard to find happiness, and those who do lose it in record time, just like you. All the times we spent together since we met, I will treasure them in the depths of my mind."

The tears flowed freely, and I held her tighter, as if by doing so, I could somehow bring her back. The room, filled with the stench of death and decay, seemed to close in around me. The reality of Dewdrop's fate was too much to bear.

I looked around at the squalor she had lived in: the roaches on the walls, the dead rats on the floor, the cat urine, and the filth. This was her final resting place, and it broke my heart. How had it come to this? The Dewdrop I knew loved sports and staying healthy. She had been full of life, full of dreams. Now, she was just another casualty of this cruel world.

My mind raced back to happier times, trying to hold onto those memories before they were tainted by the present. I remembered our skateboarding days, her laughter, the way she always pushed herself to be better. That Dewdrop was gone, replaced by a shell of her former self, consumed by addiction and despair.

I wished I could have done more, could have saved her from this fate. But deep down, I knew that once she had chosen this path, there was little I could do to change it. Her obsession with Mint, her need for skag, had driven her to this end. And now, all I had left was her lifeless body and the memories of a friend I couldn't save.

I cried harder, the sobs wracking my body. "I'm so sorry, Dewdrop. I tried... I really tried." My voice was barely a whisper, lost in the overwhelming sorrow that filled the room. "I hope you find the peace you couldn't find here. I'll never forget you, and I'll always cherish the moments we had. Goodbye, my dear friend."

My tears mingled with the dirty and torn clothes that Dewdrop wore, intensifying my pain more than the stench that was growing increasingly unbearable.

I started to cough, choked by both my sobs and the rotting smell invading my sensitive nose. Despite this, I held Dewdrop’s body for a few more seconds, needing to cling to her for just a moment longer before I had to leave and notify her mother of her death.

She deserves a decent funeral, and I'll do whatever it takes to be there. I’ll cancel all my plans to make sure I'm present for her. My presence is essential in a moment as hard as this. Dewdrop's mother will need all the support she can get, and I know she’ll appreciate it.

With a deep breath, I steeled myself for what I had to do next. I stepped away from the mattress, my hooves hesitant as they left the side of my friend. The tears kept coming, blurring my vision as I made my way out of the apartment. Each step felt like a leaden weight, the reality of her death pressing down on me.

As I opened the door to leave, the sunlight outside seemed a cruel contrast to the darkness within. I knew that Dewdrop’s mother had to be told, and I dreaded the moment I would have to break the news. The thought of seeing the pain in her eyes was almost too much to bear.

But I had to do it. For Dewdrop. For her memory. She deserved that much.

The world outside continued to move, indifferent to the pain that wracked my heart. But I would make sure that Dewdrop’s story wasn’t forgotten. She deserved to be remembered, not for the way she died, but for the vibrant soul she had been before the darkness took over.

Remembering that moment made tears well up in my eyes. I wiped them away with my wings as I drove.

Back in the present, I realized I had arrived at the Saeghton Skatepark, where we first met. Seeing this place brought back so many memories. Like when I did my first benihana jumping off a ramp. I stopped the car to contemplate this place, perhaps for the last time.

I remembered Dewdrop doing a McTwist without using magic. After school, this was our spot, our sanctuary where we had fun and talked about becoming the best skaters in all of Equestria. Even if we couldn’t make a living from it, it was always about the fun and the dream.

It's a shame that dream shattered when heroin entered our lives. Watching the foals skateboarding with their parents and the young adults having fun, competing to see who could do the best trick, took me back to simpler times. Times without the heavy burdens and personal problems that only adulthood brings.

But it made me smile, too. If we couldn't fulfill that dream, at least others would. Life throws unique obstacles and challenges at each pony, depending on circumstances and the decisions we make.

Looking out at the park, I remember the time Sunflower fell off her skateboard. You had to hold back your laughter, 'cause if not, that was enough reason for her to get angry and want to hit you with her skateboard like it was a baseball bat.

Citrus had laughed at Sunflower's fall, and she did not react in a very friendly way. She was about to hit her until Cornflower, with her calm and peaceful attitude, stepped in and stopped the fight, managing to calm Sunflower down.

Sunflower's anger issues have always been a problem for the group, but at least we had Cornflower to keep her in check. It wouldn't be mature of me to talk about favorite friends and stuff, but I'd say the ones I enjoyed being with the most were Cornflower and Dewdrop.

Speaking of Dewdrop, after her funeral, I started thinking about what to do with Citrus and Sunflower. Their attitudes were starting to annoy me, especially at such a difficult time.

Hard Decision
After Dewdrop's funeral, the rest of the group and I headed to an abandoned apartment. This was where we used to meet to be 'ourselves' without being disturbed. It wasn’t just about the heroin; they also stole. I'll admit, I participated in a robbery once. It wasn't my best decision, but we really needed the bottlecaps.

The place was disgusting. The furniture was non-existent because they didn’t need it. They’d just lie on the floor while hallucinating whatever was in their minds. They needed the space to manufacture drugs. Besides hiding it, the place served as a lab. The only thing I did there was get drunk or take care of Citrus's baby. I’m sure the baby had more appreciation for me than her own mother, who didn’t take care of her because she spent hours lying on the floor, consuming that crap.

Citrus being a bitch and Sunflower being another bitch but psycho—were they going to listen to my warnings? Never. They wouldn’t. They were more concerned with their own satisfaction than anything else.

The sad thing is that Cornflower was also part of this world. Sometimes, she was so high she didn’t know what she was doing. She’d sometimes kiss me and touch me without my consent. I understand she was on drugs and didn’t know what she was doing, but I felt forced to reciprocate so she wouldn’t feel bad. I like her more when she's aware of what she’s doing. Even though Cornflower is attractive, sometimes I just didn’t feel like it, you get me? Even though I like sex, it doesn’t mean I think about it all the time. Sometimes I’m in the mood, and sometimes I’m not.

When a pony is high, that doesn’t matter at all.

How did I feel? Frustrated. Not only did I have to play mother to a baby that wasn’t mine, but I also had to deal with the effects of the drug on Cornflower. At least sometimes she didn't come onto me. Sometimes she went after Citrus or Sunflower instead, having sex right in front of the baby while I was lying on the floor drunk, dealing with my family problems and my turbulent relationship with Blackjack.

That was the most chaotic scenario that could be seen in this apartment, which also had the added bonus of no privacy. It was so old that it had multiple holes in the walls separating the rooms.

And why did I stay with them? Simple. I really liked Cornflower and Dewdrop. They had a great connection with Sunflower and Citrus. I was the last one to join the group since they knew each other from way back. Let’s just say if I was friends with one of them, I had to be friends with Sunflower and Citrus too.

Citrus wasn’t always an apathetic piece of shit. She used to be different, way different. It wasn’t the skag that changed her forever. It was an even more serious mistake she made, something that made her have difficulty feeling empathy for other ponies.

The sad thing about this was when I didn't drink and I only dedicated myself to taking care of Citrus's baby, the baby was only two years old, although she wasn't mine, I didn't want to see her suffer, she wanted attention, to play, to be fed and to change her diapers, poor filly... having a drug-addicted mother at only two years old must be very painful.

Citrus thanked me deeply, it made me feel good about myself and strengthened our bond, but even though I told her that she is a mother, and that she should not be playing with her daughter's life, her preference for skag is stronger than her love for her.

Being in this deplorable apartment, I was devastated by Dewdrop's death. I sat in a corner, staring at the ground with my front hooves crossed, not wanting to see anypony. Cornflower was beside me, sitting and patting me on the back to cheer me up, which I must admit worked. But considering how Sunflower and Citrus acted after the funeral, it was what irritated me.

Sunflower was over there drinking beer and smoking, cannot miss her with those two things in her hooves. "Ye say ye ken somepony desperate for skag, willing tae pay o'er ten thousand bottlecaps fer it?"

Citrus was at the door, leaning against it, sippin' on her beer. "Aye, if we get skag, we could sell it tae them for twice what they're offerin'," Did they forget we just came back from a funeral?

"I got nothin' left in me pocket, ya got anythin'?" Sunflower asked, though it was clear she wouldn't. She spends everythin' on that shit, poisoning her own body.

"Nae, I spent all I had, got nothin'," Citrus replied. The situation didn't look like it was getting any better for them. But who cares? I'm more focused on me friend's death than skag. At least I don't feel so alone in this; Cornflower's feeling the loss of Dewdrop too. They were like sisters.

Sunflower sighed and squeezed her beer can tight. "Well, one o' those two's gotta have some bottlecaps, Glory or Cornflower. I dinnae care what they say, I know they gotta have somethin'. We cannae waste this chance to rake in a load o' bottlecaps." Her tone got more aggressive, like she was tryin' to force us to hoof over all our savings.

"I don't have anythin', Sun, I swear! I only got thirty bottle caps... I was gonna use 'em to get me ma a gift, but ya can take 'em if ya want," Cornflower said, her hoof still on me, trembling with fear. She's got a deep fear on Sunflower. I think we're all scared of her 'cause she's so unpredictable and aggressive. We gotta be real careful with our words around her.

Sunflower stepped closer and pointed a hoof at Cornflower. "Thirty bottle caps... That's not enough for shite! We need at least a thousand."

"Not even the most desperate skaghead would pay a measly amount like that," Citrus said, backing up Sunflower while sipping her beer and taking the whole situation real calm-like. I still can't believe she's so unfazed, considering we just came from a funeral.

"Are ye sure that's all ye got? Yer not lyin' to me, are ye?" Sunflower asked, takin' out a knife from the pocket of her gray suit. With her wings, she held the knife while balancing her beer can in her mouth and her cigarette in a hoof.

"I swear, that's all I have! I got nothin' else!" Cornflower pleaded, putting her front hooves together, practically beggin' Sunflower for her life. I couldn't stand seein' Cornflower havin' to beg for her life to a friend. It wasn't a kidnapper, a torturer—it was her own friend!

That's why I never liked Sunflower. Even though she's part of the group and I get that she suffered physical abuse since she was a filly, it don't justify her actin' like a nitwit all the time.

"Leave her alone, Sun. I think she's tellin' the truth, but Glory must have somethin'. Of all of us, she's the one who's clean," Citrus said. Motherfucker, why'd you have to mention my name? Now, with that, Sunflower's not gonna believe my lie that I got nothing either, 'cause I got no reason to give you two a damn thing.

Sunflower put her beer can on the ground so she could talk. I knew it when I heard the clink. "It's true, ye must have somethin' for us, Glory. There's no use denyin' it. Ye've never bought skag, so ye must have a lot of bottlecaps saved somewhere," Sunflower said, leanin' her face toward mine. As I kept my head down, Sunflower grabbed my cheeks with her front hooves, forcin' me to look at her.

"Wait, Sun! Don't hurt Glory!" Cornflower backed away, raising her voice, trying to calm Sunflower down.

Sunflower's unsettling gaze sent shivers down my spine. She knows, and I know, that if I don't give her what she wants, she's gonna kill me right here, in front of everypony. Then they'll all have to go to another funeral, raid my place, and sell off everything I got.

I know that's exactly how it'll go down.

"Shut the fuck up!" Sunflower jabbed her left hoof toward Cornflower, silencing her. Cornflower covered her mouth with both hooves; she can't stand violence or conflict, especially among us. Without her, this group would've split up long before I joined 'em.

Sunflower took a drag from her cigarette, exhaling the acrid smoke right into my face. She pressed her hoof against my cheek, denying me the chance to even cough. "Ye better bring two thousand bottle caps by next Wednesday, understand?" Sunflower threatened, her voice laced with menace as she took another drag.

Unable to speak with her hoof crushing my cheek, I could only nod in compliance.

With contempt, she released my cheek and turned away, indifferent to everything—our friendship, Dewdrop's death—nothing mattered but those damn bottle caps!

And Citrus? She did nothing, calmly sipping her beer. Best friends in the world.

"Come on, Sun! Don't be so rough on Glory, maybe she ain't got much either," Cornflower interjected, adjusting her trademark green sunglasses. She crouched down, placing a hoof on my back in a comforting gesture. I appreciated Cornflower trying, but I doubted she could do much now. When Sunflower wanted something, she got it, or else she'd likely kill us all.

"I told ye to shut yer fucking mouth! I'm sure as hell she's got enough for skag, and if she doesn't bring it, I'll kill her," Sunflower spat, jabbing her hoof angrily as she grabbed her beer can.

Cornflower stood behind me, as if shielding herself from an imminent attack. Fear was palpable; I could feel her trembling against me.

What could I do in a situation like this? Say no? If I did that, Sunflower would come after me and kill me. She knows where I live, so it wouldn't help to hide at home and hope everything blows over.

Better to give her what she asks for... Son of a bitch, I can't believe my two thousand bottle caps are gonna be wasted on that crap. Though, it doesn't matter what it's spent on, nopony likes being forced to hoof over their bottle caps for no good reason.

I have a plan to get revenge on Sunflower and Citrus. I can't stand either of them anymore, and I hope this plan works. I'm gonna accompany them to that drug deal and take it all when everypony gets distracted or lets their guard down.

"I can't believe we're talkin' about this shit when we just came from a funeral! Didn't you feel anything when Dewdrop died?!" I asked desperately. I no longer cared how the others would react. I had to get it out of my system. Since they got here, they haven't said a word about Dewdrop and her sad end. Anypony would expect to remember the good times, how they met Dewdrop, even funny moments with her, but none of that is being talked about here.

"What the hell are ye talkin' about? Of course Dewdrop's death makes me sad, but the skag is useful for dealin' with her death," Citrus said, throwing her beer can on the ground despite a trash can being right near her. It's the stupidest explanation I've ever heard. You're only interested in your own satisfaction. When Dewdrop was depressed, you didn't do anything to help her!

"I dinnae give a shite about her death. She was obsessed with that fuckin' arsehole who must surely have the smallest todger in the world," Sunflower said, laughing at the top of her lungs. It's nice to see her smile sometimes, but this wasn't the time for jokes like that. I don't find it funny at all. Of course, Citrus tried to laugh but couldn't manage it. I heard her attempt a laugh too.

And Cornflower, she stayed silent with her eyes wide open, standing against the wall, unable to believe what her friends were saying.

Damn, every day these mares get worse, but I'll have to do it. I can't stay with empty hooves. I might leave a little for Cornflower; she never hurt anypony.

"Fuck you..." I muttered under my breath. The insult slipped out instinctively. I wasn’t just sad, I was raging at these two daft whores. They were testing my patience, making me think about that shite.

All the more reason. Maybe this’ll teach them I ain’t their servant who’s gonna hoof over bottlecaps all the time. If they need to get high, let 'em steal or prostitute themselves. Being a mare makes it easy when you can’t earn resources any other way than selling your body.

"What did ye say, Glory? I didn’t hear ye," Sunflower asked, placing a front hoof near her ear and leaning towards me. Lucky for me, she didn’t catch that. Otherwise, we’d already be brawling right here.

I don’t consider myself an expert in martial arts and hoof-to-hoof combat. Whenever I have the chance, I always dodge conflicts... I guess that’ll have to change someday.

I don’t just hate being treated like a sexual object; I also hate being treated like a weakling incapable of defending herself.

I'm not scared of this fucktard... "Nothing, I'll get what you asked for." Not true, to be honest, she terrifies me. Knowing how many ponies she's killed, I realize that I'm 'friends' with a psychopathic killer. Trying to escape from her would be going around in circles because I wouldn't get anywhere. Cornflower still considers her a friend despite everything. I guess she's the reason I'm still here, but even if I wanted to escape, I couldn't.

"That's how I like it, ye better keep yer word," Sunflower said, basically threatening me like she always does. She likes to intimidate and have everypony be afraid of her. I guess the reason I still put up with her is because of her violent past that makes me feel bad for her, but that doesn't mean I'll tolerate any shite she does.

Sunflower turned around and headed over to where Citrus was, clinking their beer cans together, both of them taking a swig at the same time. "We're gonna split the profits equally. Neither of us will have more than the other, and whoever tries to steal from me, I'll cut off their clitoris and feed it to the dogs," Sunflower said sarcastically with her twisted humor. Although I'm sure she meant it. It seems the only one who shares laughs with her is Citrus. I wouldn't be surprised if after making the deal, there's a deathmatch to see who gets to keep it all.

"I would never steal from my friends, I'm incapable..." Cornflower said trembling, putting her back against the wall and her two front hooves fixing her sunglasses.

"I don't care about ye, I'm talking about the others" Sunflower said with her confident smile, trying to intimidate us, the truth is that I'm a little scared of what she's capable of doing, if she could kill a pony using a fuckin' book, I can't imagine what she'd do to me if she caught me stealing the profits.

I'll have to hide far away where she can't find me.

Just imagining how pissed she's going to get when she finds out that I stole from her and that she was left with absolutely nothing, made me smile and burst out laughing in my head.

I was still sad about Dewdrop's death. The momentary silence in this place made me lie on the floor on my side, imagining the good times we had together.

The fact that only Cornflower showed any sign of empathy for the situation and that she’s the only one who truly cares about Dewdrop’s fate breaks my heart into little pieces.

Not only did my friend die in a disgusting, rotten place, but even after her death, she’s insulted in a cruel way, as if all these years had meant nothing to Citrus and Sunflower.

I’ll have to make them pay for this. They’ll be left with nothing. Motherfuckers, they’ll see how each one will survive, because Cornflower and I will be left with everything.

Sunflower finished the last drops of her beer, drinking and smoking as if it were any ordinary day. Her calm demeanor, as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening, struck me. Either she had completely forgotten where we were, or she was just too engrossed in her own interests, much like Citrus.

She tossed the empty can on the ground and burped loudly, not bothering to cover her mouth or apologize. Manners and Sunflower clearly don’t mix. “Let’s go get some fresh air. I’m done with this place.”

“Sure,” Citrus replied, and they both started heading toward the exit. Citrus glanced at me, still curled up in my fetal position, and noticed that Cornflower was staying by my side.

“Ye gonna stay here?” Citrus asked us, showing a hint of concern. At least Citrus seemed to have a bit of heart, recognizing that we’re still grappling with Dewdrop’s death. This small bit of empathy made me contemplate my plan to steal from them even more seriously.

With Sunflower, there’s no hope. She’s a lost cause, incapable of any reason.

“I think so. Glory’s still upset,” Cornflower said, sitting beside me and placing a hoof gently on my wings.

“Pshhh, she’ll get over it,” Citrus said dismissively as she followed Sunflower out. Is that all she has to say? Forget what I said earlier; this bitch is a lost cause too.

It’s disappointing, but honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from her.

It seemed like Citrus and Sunflower were still gabbin' as they walked outta the joint, but I couldn't quite catch their convo anymore. I thought maybe I'd hang around for a spell, reminiscing 'bout the times I spent with Dewdrop in this dumpster fire of a place.

We spent more time stuck inside this hellhole than we ever did bombin' down the streets on our boards, pullin' sick tricks like the old days. I miss those times—they'll never come back.

That sonofabitch skag... I'll always blame it for the destruction it caused among my peeps. I know they had their reasons, but I can't stomach the idea of kickin' the bucket from an OD and fuelin' our addictions.

Celestiadammit, Dewdrop... I hope you ain't watchin' this mess from the great beyond. I betcha you'd be pretty pissed off to see how your buddies are handlein' your loss, or even remember who you truly were.

But don't sweat it, I won't forget you, and I reckon Cornflower won't either.

"Hey, Cornflower," I called out quietly.

"Huh?" she murmured, her hooves shaking a little. She knew exactly what would happen if we pulled off this job, and she was worried about Sunflower's response, but I needed her support, and I felt like she deserved a piece of the action.

"Whaddaya say we swipe the bottle caps from those two? Keep the rest for ourselves?" I suggested, sittin' tight where I was, my gaze locked on the wall in front of me.

Cornflower paused, her voice waverin' as she asked, "Ye mean it?"

"Yeah... We gotta rip 'em off, I can't stand either one of 'em no more." I stated confidently, not givin' a rat's ass about Sunflower's plans. If she wanted to square off, then let her come at me.

"I dunno 'bout this, Glory," Cornflower said, chewing on her lip nervously. "Sunflower's gonna murder us, and she's my mate, I couldn't live with myself if we robbed her, nor Citrus."

Her loyalty was commendable... I must admit, it was hard for me to comprehend given that they'd known each other for years before I joined their circle. "Yes, I know... But witnessin' the manner they've acted and the lack of regard they showed for Dewdrop has made me furious. Besides, they're practically making me hoof over my bottle caps for drug money!"

"I don't bloody know, Glory," Cornflower replied, bringing her forehooves together, torn between agreement and hesitation.

"We'd be in deep shit if we got caught," she added, her voice filled with uncertainty.

I understood her reservations, but I couldn't shake off the anger coursing through me. These so-called friends of mine were treating Dewdrop's memory with disrespect, and I wasn't going to stand idly by while they continued to exploit me.

“Listen, why don'tcha just do what they're askin', eh? Saves us both a heap o' bother," Cornflower said, her eyes hidden behind those dark glasses, but I could feel her gaze on me.

“Not happening... I can’t let them get away with it.” I paused for a moment before continuing, “If you don’t want to help, that’s fine. Even so, when I finish my plan, I’ll leave you some bottle caps in a bag hidden in the bushes near your house.”

"I jus' don't wanna see ye hurt, y'know? When Sunflower gets mad, she turns real nasty, specially when it comes to drugs. I mean, I ken she's got issues, but..." Cornflower said. I’d never seen her so serious and worried before. It was good to know she genuinely cared, but I had to do this.

“Just don’t tell them about this, can I trust you with that? Act like we never had this conversation,” I said to Cornflower. I already assumed I couldn’t count on her help, but keeping her mouth shut was the least she could do. Those bitches have to pay no matter what, even if it means I’ll have a psychopath chasing me all over Harmony Kingdom.

"I dunno, Glory. What if we're caught? I dinnae fancy dyin'," Cornflower exclaimed, her voice rising in alarm as she expressed her discomfort with the idea of stealin' and turnin' on each other. She understood my motivations, I was certain of that; it was a petty act of vengeance for today's events, and if I let it slide, they'd continue exploiting me for their own gain.

"I'll take the heat, Corn. Tell 'em I threatened to kill you or summat like that, so you keep you gob shut about the plan. Say I even planned for you to be part of it, so they wouldn't suspect you," I explained, feeling confident in my course of action, despite the fact that all the blame would land squarely on me. I wasn't doing this for myself, to feed my ego or somethin'; I was doin' it for Dewdrop above all else, and I believed she'd approve of my actions.

"Ye're askin' me tae lie, Glory?" Cornflower queried, rarely did she resort to dishonesty, the last time she fibbed was to her mother ages ago, before I joined this group.

"Yeah, you need to, or Sunflower'll have your head. I hate havin' to involve you in this, but I need your help, and I can't be too sure of your response if I don't ask first," I reasoned, feeling a twinge of guilt for dragging Cornflower into this mess.

As I watched her shake her head vehemently, placing both forehooves together, I rose from the frigid ground, took a seat, and moved closer to her, attempting to soothe her agitated state.

"If you don't, she'll kill ya. You know what you gotta do if they start sniffin' round. Tell 'em I plotted everything as retaliation, and I'll threaten to kill you if you don't keep your trap shut."

With a deep breath, Cornflower leaned back, swallowing hard, rubbing her neck anxiously. "All right, Glory, I'll do what ye say."

"Brilliant, thanks," I muttered under my breath before fixing my gaze on the wall ahead and remaining stationary for a spell before heading back to my mum's abode.

All systems were go, I simply needed to bide my time until the opportune moment arrived to exact my revenge. May Sunflower and Citrus rot in hell, I couldn't abide either of them any longer.

With their stash pilfered, they'd be sans drugs for quite some time, and if they wished to retrieve what they'd lost, they'd have to resort to less convenient methods - ones I was positive neither of them would relish undertaking.

And to top it all off, they wouldn't even possess sufficient funds to purchase a ticket home, merely contemplating their flushed, irate visages brought forth fits of silent laughter within me. This was going to be fun, trust me, you have no clue.

However, I couldn't help but feel a smidge guilty regarding poor Cornflower, left to suffer through their dramatics. Knowing Sunflower's temperament, she'd undoubtedly wreak havoc wherever she went, causing Cornflower considerable distress.

I pray that the chaos doesn't escalate and involve innocent parties unrelated to the predicament, I solely wish for the brunt of the repercussions to fall on me and for even a pony like Citrus to bear the brunt of Sunflower's wrath whenever she discovers the theft.

My scheme paid off, no doubt about it! Though I hadn't witnessed it personally, I was convinced that Sunflower had been seething over my actions and thus far has failed to track me down - it's been several years since that fateful day.

Of course, I made a swift exit and hightailed it back to Marechester posthaste, utilizing the loot to adorn my fresh digs, serving as my sanctuary till this very day. On the surface, I kept things minimalistic to avoid unwanted scrutiny, but beneath the facade lay a cozy nest tailored to my liking.

Despite my best efforts to banish the nagging suspicion that Sunflower might eventually locate me, particularly given my gig at the radio, I reckon she's clued in by now. Yet, I've managed to conceal info that could expedite her pursuit, keeping my cards close to my chest for the time being.

Whatever transpires, I'm prepared - after all, Comet and Linus have honed my skills in firearm skirmishes and hoof-to-hoof combats. At present, I harbor nary an iota of fear toward Sunflower; she can kiss my ass.

That day during the skagdeal, Sunflower seemed unusually composed, almost serene, which struck me as peculiar considering our history. Perhaps her satisfaction stemmed from the fact that I'd followed through on her orders, avoiding any bloodshed.

Not only had I fulfilled my obligations, but the transaction itself ran smoothly, free of treachery or attempts on our lives. No cunning assassins lurked in the shadows, waiting to swipe the contraband, unlike in those Applewood films. It was flawless.

The drug dealers had showered us with a mountainous pile of bottlecaps in return for the merchandise, and naturally, they desired to commemorate the occasion somehow. How fitting, then, that they chose to get blitzed out of their minds!

Sunflower's tranquil countenance during that period occasionally caused me to question whether continuing with the plan was wise, as my thoughts whispered lies that she had mended her ways and would steer clear of future misadventures. Alas, I was sorely mistaken, as the ensuing events at the watering hole left no room for second thoughts...

We settled into our seats at the humdrum bar in Trotland, sipping drinks cautiously, with sobriety being paramount for me due to my impending plans.

This particular establishment wasn't renowned for its excellence, yet it served as the nearest option to our rendezvous point. Conversation revolved predominantly around the distribution of bottlecaps, and it struck me then that Dewdrop had vanished from everypony else's memory save for Cornflower, who spoke fondly of her longing.

The vacant chair beside ours seemed to echo Dewdrop's absence, as if it had been reserved specifically for her. Our quartet felt incomplete without her presence, yet to the rest of the group, Dewdrop was inconsequential.

Such callousness infuriated me beyond measure, fueling my disdain for drugs and the coldhearted morons they created. Fortunately, the crowd was thinner than normal, even during midday hours, reducing the likelihood of encounters with troublemakers such as Sunflower.

I reached into my suit pocket, pulling out a letter from my 'marefriend' Sunrise. I'd been too preoccupied to read it yet, but now seemed like the perfect opportunity. Nervous butterflies swarmed within me, despite the fact that Sunrise wasn't present and our relationship remained undisclosed. For some strange reason, I found myself terrified to open the letter. Curiosity gnawed at me, but I felt compelled to read it to ease the burden weighing on my mind.

Maybe if I eavesdropped on my "mates'" chatter for a minute, I could gather enough courage to tackle the letter head-on.

My sweet Celestia... What the hell did Sunrise write to me? I prayed she hadn't grown lonely during these past weeks without my visits, but I couldn't deny feeling frightened. Our relationship might appear improper, leading to further complications in my already precarious situation.

"So, what are ye plannin' tae do with the eight grand, Cornflower?" Citrus queried, downing another bottle of beer like it was water. By now, she'd polished off half a dozen bottles in less than an hour.

"Probably git maself a new telly, tickets tae the Amber Aura concert, an' a wee bit o' claes," Cornflower responded nonchalantly, puffing away at her cigarette. Despite her abstention from alcohol, she seemed content with her nicotine fix. I gritted my teeth against the nagging irritation of the smoke, determined to remain silent. After all, it was all for Corn.

"Jist that? Aren't ye goin' tae geeked wi' us? It's pure hilarious watchin' ye act like a fuckin' hound when ye're high," Citrus taunted, reclining in her seat with a smirk on her face.

Cornflower flushed at the reminder of her uninhibited behaviour under the influence, not to mention the unwanted advances she made when she was high – including attempting to perform oral sex on me when I wasn't in the mood. But I tried to push those unpleasant memories aside; I figured witnessing her happiness was worth it.

"Na, honestly, I've been thinkin' 'bout it an' I don't reckon I'll be takin' any... at least fer now," Cornflower admitted, maintaining eye contact with her cigarette and the clouds of smoke billowing forth.

"Can't bleedin' believe ye waste the caps on shit like that, Cornflower. Ye should hoof 'em over tae me instead," Citrus sneered sardonically. I wasn't sure whether she meant it seriously or was merely jesting with Cornflower.

"Well, at the end o' the day, it's ma profit, an' I can bloody well do what I like with it, innit?" Cornflower replied quietly, careful not to come across as too harsh towards Citrus.

Citrus snorted derisively, glancing around the room. "Psht, I'd invest 'em in somethin' canny like placin' bets an' makin' a fortune, buyin' the poshest shite in the shops an' more drugs," she boasted arrogantly.

"Bets? Yeh ken fine well that Ah dinnae understand that crap, Ah'd end up gettin' fleeced every time," Cornflower quipped, exhaling a cloud of smoke straight into Citrus's face playfully.

Undeterred by the smoke, Citrus drained her beer and relished its taste, apparently indifferent to the smoky environment surrounding them. "Aye, it'd be a cinch tae steal every last penny frae ye, coz ye cannae even grasp basic principles. All ye ken is how tae get wasted an' fuck."

"Hey, that ain't cool, Citrus. Why are you sayin' nasty shit to Cornflower?" I interjected, stepping between them. I'd been waiting for an opening to speak up, and this seemed like the moment. I hated the thought of her pal talking to her like that.

"Don't be such a softie. That's how we roll. It's been like that fae ages, even afore yer arse showed up in Trotland," Citrus retorted, grinning arrogantly whilst nursing her drink. It seemed like her words didn't seem to affect Cornflower's self-worth in the slightest.

But speaking of Cornflower, she stood silently, gazing at the floor with a stoic expression. On the outside, she appeared composed, but I knew deep down her heart was shattering into a million pieces.

"Is that so? Well then, lemme share a little joke about your shitty mom skills," I shot back mockingly, though I admit it was petty of me. With Cornflower's predicament on my mind, I felt compelled to take action, no matter how immature.

The tension in the room grew heavy, revealing the weight of the past struggles.

"Don't even dare bring that up, ya little twat. Mention it once more an' I'll crack yer skull open wi' this bottle," Citrus growled menacingly, slamming the glass onto the table with force. Unlike Sunflower, I wasn't intimidated by this arrogant cow.

"Don't be a softie, it'll be a laugh," I persisted, continuing to poke fun at Citrus. She wouldn't dare harm me - where else would they find more bottlecaps for their drugs? Thanks to me, we were practically rolling in dough compared to her.

"Fuck you, Glory! One more word an' ah'll slaughter ye!" Citrus snarled, pressing her forehooves together. To be honest, it was gratifying to see her lose control like that, giving her a taste of her own medicine. I imagined that's how Cornflower must feel inside, or perhaps she was just sad, watching her friend belittle her as if it were nothing.

Cornflower shivered with apprehension, taking note of the escalating conflict. Unable to bear the silence any longer, she intervened. "Lassies, let's no' fecht, can't we juist enjoy the heap o' bottlecaps we hae? Nae need tae argue at a time like this."

"Whit aboot ma deid bairn, Glory? How could ye no' ken that would set me aff? Mockin' ma weans that's gone, that's no' on." Citrus stomped her hoof, flaring her nostrils in anger.

"No, Citrus, you've got it all twisted. Ain't mockin' your foal, but your shite parenting, stop twisting my words!" I matched her posture, staring daggers at her. This wasn't solely about defending Corn - now Citrus was misrepresenting my motives to portray me as the insensitive mare here, while she was the actual source of contempt at our table.

"I ain't twisting nuthin'. Yer shitty joke was aboot ma dead foal, fer certain!" Citrus snapped, baring her teeth in fury. Our foreheads collided, and I opened my mouth to respond, but Cornflower intervened swiftly.

With extended hooves, she separated us, "Settle doun, both o' ye! There's nae point in arguin' bout this anymore. Let's jus' carry on enjoyin' the brews, an' I apologise for yer loss, Citrus. I reckon Glory didnae intend tae offend ye wi' that."

Stepping back onto two hooves, I spread mine wide apart, signaling surrender. "Cornflower's right, there's no point in continuing with this. Let's leave it at that, alright?"

"Go tae hell, Glory. I'll calm doon, jus' for Corn, but next time, I swear, I'll smash yer fuckin' heid in wi' ma hooves." Citrus settled back into her seat, grinding her teeth together, crossed legs facing left.

You're defending Corn now? Go fuck yourself, a minute ago you were makin' jokes about her lacking brains. Now you're crying about bein' a shitty mother, neglecting your own filly to chase drugs instead.

This ain't about who said the worst stuff, I know Citrus ripped Corn's heart to shreds with her words, but she won't show it, she'll remain quiet.

Still, I can't sit idly by while Citrus talks shit about Corn's lack of intelligence. It only fuels my desire to rob her blind, leaving her wallowing in misery. Then she can wonder why the fuck I did it. Cornflower and I'll keep all the bottlecaps!

"Whatever, bitch. Your threats can kiss my ass," I retorted, settling back into my seat. I wasn't keen on continuing the fight, but I was tired of the constant threats, especially after dealing with Sunflower.

In that moment, I realized I'd disrupted the friendly chat between Citrus and Cornflower regarding their plans for the profits. But maybe she appreciated that I stuck up for her – that's what I chose to believe anyway.

Truthfully, I doubted Corn enjoyed Citrus remarks, nopony likes to be spoken to like that. Despite feeling like I'd done the right thing, it was difficult to gauge Corn's thoughts. All I knew was that she didn't want us to fight, and I intended to honor that wish, as long as Citrus didn't push my buttons too far.

Citrus remained silent, focusing on drinkin' to quell her anger. The way she gripped the bottle suggested she might hurl it at me any second. On the contrary, Cornflower carried on smokin', her gaze drifting towards the table. I scooched my chair nearer to her, avoidin' Citrus' glare and Sunflower's vacant seat.

It struck me as odd that I hadn't spotted Sunflower in a spell. She mentioned comin' back later, but she never showed. My gut told me she might be causin' trouble in the alleyway.

The tense silence began to weigh heavily upon me. I'd put down the booze hours earlier, only polishin' off two bottles. Without somethin' to distract myself, the unease coursed through my veins. In desperation, I recalled the letter Sunrise wrote me... Damnit.

If anypony found out about our secret romance, I'd probably wind up raped, tormented, and buried alive till I died. That's why I tried to erase her from my memory, but it seemed like she truly loved me. What the hay am I gonna do now?

I thought I'd moved past it, but the memories still lingered, half-buried beneath layers of guilt. Those days, I became a living embodiment of sorrow, hidin' my pain from Mama and Lucent, who'd never forgive me if they learned the truth.

As for me, I'm confused. I don't know if I should admit my feelings for Sunrise, I honestly don't know. Every interaction with her triggers an emotional tsunami within me, and reading her letters leaves me breathless.

But I gotta shake off this burden. I'll read her words carefully, savoring each sentence before glance around the bar, pretending everything's normal until I finish the letter.

Deep down, I trust myself to handle this. As long as I stay cool-headed and remind myself that she hasn't shared our secret yet.

Celestia, can't believe readin' a goddamn letter's turned into such a hassle. Got it right here in front of me, all I gotta do is read it silently, not like I'm gonna announce it to the whole bar. Been at this since I got it, and I still haven't managed to read a single sentence. First line starts with "Dear" followed by my name. Can't be that bad, right? Clear as day that it's meant for me. Who else would it be for?

Alright, let's dive in.

First sentence goes, "Don't worry, my love. I haven't told anypony about our secret." Sigh of relief as I read that part. At least Sunrise hasn't spilled the beans about us. Still, my life's hangin' by a thread.

Says not to worry, easy for her to say. Ain't like she tosses and turns at night like I do, spendin' weeks dealin' with the fear they'll take me out.

"Know you must be swamped, but when are you coming back to see me?" Truth be told, I dunno. With our precarious circumstances, I'd love to catch up with you, but I need more time to sort things out. This ain't easy for me.

"Miss you so much, Glory." Same here, but when ya write stuff like that, it jumbles up my feelings even more. Stuck in limbo, can't find a way out no matter how hard I struggle.

"Swear on yer sweet life ya'll come back one day." Not sure about that. Makes me feel a little bit pressured. Sunrise can't grasp the severity of my current predicament. Frustratin'. But considerin' she can act childish at times...

I reckon once I finalize my scheme, I'll high-tail it outta Trotland to dodge Sunflower. Stayin' here'd be askin' for trouble. Think the best move is pen a letter detailin' my messy business with these supposed friends of mine.

Before grabbing that bag, I figured I oughta snatch it all. Coulda settled for my portion, but I didn't give a flying fuck about leavin' scraps for Citrus or Sunflower.

Each word I read sent my hooves shiverin' like I was frozen solid. Despite Sunrise keepin' our secret under wraps, the possible repercussions still hung heavy.

Not entirely certain if I should carry on reading the letter. Made progress beyond what I initially anticipated.

Once the tension eased, Citrus and Cornflower picked up their chat again—probably a decent sign. Figured I'd hold my tongue unless one of 'em reached out to me first.

Truth be told, that letter wasn't exactly lengthy; I could've read it in under sixty seconds flat. Yet it felt like it took forever to complete such a trivial task.

Gotta face facts: I acted like a selfish biotch, jumpin' into bed with whoever without thinkin' twice. Hell, how was I supposed to know any better?

Whatever, can't reverse history now. Damn it.

"Keep safe, Glory. See ya soon." Thanks, Sunrise. Seems like you don't have jack shit to sweat compared to me. Believe me, growin' up ain't nearly as rosy as you picture it. Alongside worryin' 'bout our relationship, I gotta juggle these meddling ponies.

Sunflower's gonna track me down after this, while you're sleepin' peacefully like a foal in its cradle, without a worry in sight. Sometimes I wish I could swap places with you.

Slipped the letter into my suit pocket, felt lighter knowing I'd read it all. Now I just had to push forward with this mess.

Pondering where the hell Sunflower disappeared to. Haven't caught wind of her relentless cursing or her obsession with screaming 'cunt' in every other sentence.

Glanced to my left, saw nothing but peaceful ponies sippin' brewskis while gabbing about ordinary matters. No trace of Sunflower anywhere. Strange indeed.

Might have to quiz 'em, "Anypony seen Sunflower around? I said she'd pop back soon, but she ain't shown her face yet." Don't particularly care where she is, just don't fancy her stirring up drama, given her erratic nature. Might land us in hot water if she causes a ruckus.

"Drinkin' with her mate," Citrus replied casually, setting down her empty glass.

"Her mate? Thought she only hang around with us…you know, considering she's a psycho," I questioned, cocking my head back.

"But dinnae forget, that doesnae mean she cant mix wi' othir ponies, fae all I ken, she seems tae hae a grand time wi' Candy instead o' us," Citrus pointed out, lifting a foreleg and gesturing towards the pair.

Huh, never heard that name before. Turned around, spotted Citrus' signal, and noticed Sunflower sipping drinks with the mysterious Candy.

Okay, not only the revelation that she's got other pals takes me aback, but the peculiar scene unfolding between them leaves me baffled. Sunflower's pouring booze on Candy while locking lips with her in an intimate manner.

What the actual fuck is going on here? They seem to be indulging in some kinky antics right in front of everypony. Surprisingly enough, the mares kept their distance, but the stallions appeared to be quietly appreciative of the spectacle.

"So we're just gonna ignore it then?" I queried, resting my left hoof on the top rail.

"Nah, I don't fancy dyin' today," Citrus retorted sarcastically, polishing her sunnies against her suit jacket.

Turned to Cornflower for support, but she merely shook her head disapprovingly, mouthing a silent "No".

"Come on, isn't it wrong for Sunflower to be acting like that in public?" I prepared to rise from my seat, but Citrus halted me with a wave of her forehoof, indicating for me to stay put.

"It's her way of havin' fun, leave her be, Glory. If ye start hassling her, don't complain when she smashes a bottle in yer gob," Citrus seemed somewhat concerned about my wellbeing, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that she was only trying to collect more bottle caps by keeping me nearby.

True enough, when Sunflower's soused, she becomes even more volatile and unpredictable. Watching her engage in a wet and messy play display in broad daylight left me utterly astonished

Tried my best to steer clear of their raunchy show, but found myself drawn in, telling myself that it was only pony nature to take notice of unusual occurrences. After all, curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back.

Decided to concentrate on both their actions and conversation, grateful that the clamor from other patrons remained minimal, allowing me to hear their heated exchanges clearly. It was almost surreal witnessing them lose themselves in their passion, seemingly oblivious to the fact that they were in a crowded bar.

With a swift flick of her horn, Candy conjured another bottle, drenching Sunflower in booze like she was conducting an alcoholic baptism. Sunflower reciprocated by shaking her ass provocatively, giving Candy a prime view of her booty.

Watching this X-rated spectacle unfold in public left me torn between disgust and intrigue. Rationally, they should've scurried off to the bathroom for some private action, but they seemed blissfully unaware of their audience.

Not a soul dared intervene due to Sunflower's intimidating rep, and I hadn't the faintest clue about Candy beyond her name. But hanging out with a nutjob like Sunflower implied she was certifiably crazy too.

While I strive to avoid judging ponies based on surface impressions, the vibe I picked up was that palling around with a lunatic demanded a similar screwball mentality.

"Keep it aw up, Candy, it's bloomin' brilliant!" Sunflower crooned seductively, taking no notice of the dampness spreading through her suit.

"Du Hure, du machst mir absolute Lust," Candy sneered, drowning Sunflower in waves of ale.

To be honest, observing Sunflower losing herself in her joy was uplifting, but I couldn't help but question whether there had to be such an ostentatious exhibition. Couldn't they just sit back and enjoy a couple of ales like the rest of the ponies did?

Of course, the female patrons gradually dispersed, leaving only Citrus, Cornflower, and myself behind. Considering the mounting turmoil, it seemed only natural that we would end up being the lone survivors.

I shifted my eyes away from Sunflower's escapade, finding Citrus and Cornflower engrossed in their casual banter as if nothing out of the ordinary was occurring. Initially, I assumed they would react similarly to my own shock, but apparently not.

Although I couldn't fault Sunflower for letting loose, it struck me that perhaps this wasn't her first rodeo. Goddammit, I was only just coming to terms with this reality now.

Determined to refrain from disrupting their discussion, I bit my lip, contemplating whether asking about Candy might lead to another argument among us. Nevertheless, my curiosity bubbled to the surface, and I posed the question, "Both of you, do you know Candy?"

Upon hearing my query, Citrus and Cornflower froze mid-conversation, swiveled their heads toward me, and fixed me with piercing gazes. "Aye, a wee bit, all ah ken aboot her is that she hails frae Maremany an' she enjoys tearin' apart pubs wi' Sunflower," Citrus explained, propping her hooves on the table, which was strictly prohibited in bars, but since Sunflower was present, we held a certain level of privilege. Despite this, I didn't desire to exploit our position unduly.

Cornflower shot me a nervous glance, exhaling a plume of smoke directly into my nostrils. With a swift movement, I fanned my wings open to disperse the irritant, muttering under my breath, "Aye, I dinna ken her verra weel either, but I'd prefer tae steer clear o' her. Ah dinna ken whit she's capable o'." Cornflower's suspicion of Candy was warranted, given her wild conduct.

Regrettably, I was light on details, hence I committed myself to keeping watch over the proceedings. All I hoped was that neither of them would create a goddamned disaster within the bar, although anticipating decorum from Sunflower was a tall order.

Fixated on them yet again, my gaze bore deeper, and I witnessed Sunflower and Candy engaged in a heated kiss, their tongues entwined eagerly, both dripping with booze. It seemed as if they were indulging in some sort of sensual exchange, relishing each other like connoisseurs savouring top-notch spirits.

With hoof wrapped around each other, their tongues met once more, swapping saliva liberally. Sunflower slid her hooves across Candy's genitals, clad or not, it was obvious they were participating in a form of public sex play.

Sunflower had stopped kissing Candy, but her hooves continued to explore Candy's pussy, her lips trailing soft bites along Candy's neck. "Oh, das ist unglaublich, keep treating me like a bitch, Sunflower!" Candy moaned, her voice a mix of pleasure and command. It was clear they were made for each other...

Watching this scene stirred something within me, a sensation I couldn’t quite put into words. I felt an unexpected surge of arousal at the sight of these two mares, undeniably attractive, entangled in their intimate display.

The longer I watched, the stronger my desire grew, a need that was hard to ignore. I found myself fighting the urge to touch myself, my body betraying me as saliva dripped from my mouth, making me appear almost wild, as if I craved a mare to satisfy me immediately.

But I know I can control my impulses, I believe...

My front hooves stayed perched on the top rail of the chair, trembling like they had a mind of their own. I swallowed hard and brought one hoof to my neck, trying to steady myself.

Sometimes, I’d lean back a little, adjusting my black tie, like my body was on autopilot. These gestures, they just happened—probably ’cause I was doing everything I could to keep my urges in check.

I know I’m a pervert, and I’ve already proven it with my whole mess with Sunrise and my desperation to find a ‘replacement’ for Blackjack. But that don’t mean I’m gonna start pleasuring myself right here in front of my friends.

It’d be helpful if I just looked away, but I couldn’t. Curiosity was eating at me. I wanted to see what was gonna happen as these two kept having their ‘fun.’

Sunflower was on top of Candy, moving back and forth like she was trying to penetrate her. She had one hoof on Candy’s butt, and with the other, she was giving Candy a drink in a way that was way more sexual than anything else.

Candy looked back, opening her mouth suggestively, letting drops fall to the floor. When I glanced down, I noticed the floor was soaked, a mess of mixed beer pooling together.

It wasn’t much of a surprise to see the counter piled high with bottles and cups, stacked up like some kinda mountain. It told me all I needed to know—they were completely drunk, lost in their own world... May Celestia save us.

I knew the situation could be a whole lot worse, but for now, things were surprisingly calm. Nopony was hurt, and at least Sunflower hadn’t blown up over something stupid yet.

I guess if things keep going like this, nothing bad’ll happen, and the situation won’t spiral outta control... Even though they’re both all dressed up, I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up going down on each other right here in front of us.

One thing I gotta admire about Sunflower, despite everything, is how she manages to find happiness. Her foalhood was pure torture, like stepping into hell every time she walked through the door of her own home. But she found refuge in her friends, and thanks to them, she’s still here.

And now, look at her—laughing, drinking, having a good time. Even if I don’t agree with how she’s doin’ it, she’s still finding a way to smile. It’s not all anger inside her after all.

And me? Well, a sea of bad decisions washed me up where I am now.

I don't even know if joining this group was a good idea. How was I supposed to know? Things were so different back then. Everything changes—sometimes for the worse, sometimes for the better.

I don’t know, I can’t predict the future, and what’s the point of tryin’? If I knew everything that was gonna happen, life would be boring. Like they say, life’s full of surprises. I guess that’s what makes it fun, right?

My eyes landed on Sunflower and Candy again. They were still dancing provocatively.

Sunflower wiggled her butt at Candy. “Take off yer clothes, Candy. I want to have sex with ye.”

Candy burped loudly, like she didn’t care who was around. That was pretty gross, ugh. She couldn’t even think straight with her brain so soaked in booze. “If you want some of zis,” Candy purred, caressing her own butt, “first you’re gonna have to fight me!”

Sunflower wobbled, barely keeping her balance. “Really? I don’t wanna fuck ye if yer covered in bruises!”

Candy laughed, clutching her stomach with her front hooves as she hiccuped. “Before we make love, I want some action first! Come on, try to hit me!”

What the fuck is goin’ on? Don’t tell me... they’re gonna fight? They’re gonna wreck the whole damn place! Sure, the bar owners are hidin’ behind the counter, too scared to get involved, but that don’t mean we can just go destroyin’ a business that probably took years to build. And the worst part? It doesn’t even seem like this is the first time it’s happened.

"If ye want a good beating, put on my favorite song first, ye ken, for inspiration!" Sunflower tried to keep herself up by standing on the edge of the counter, pointing her front hoof towards the jukebox.

Oh no, we're fucked... Well Citrus doesn't care, Cornflower is used to this, not that her opinion is going to change anything, but still, they'll make a fucking mess here!

I can't do anything either... About candy I'm not sure, I don't know her, but from what she says she seems to know how to fight, that could be a sign that she could be just as dangerous as Sunflower.

Candy, by putting a bottle cap in the jukebox, had put Sunflower's favorite song, Crapage.

That's her idea of fun

Citrus and Cornflower stopped talking the moment they heard the intro to Sunflower’s favorite song.

Cornflower turned around, placing a front hoof on the top rail of her chair as she sipped her beer. “Nae again…” she muttered, and from the way she said it, I could tell this wasn’t her first time witnessing Sunflower wreak havoc in a bar. Makes me wonder just how much chaos I missed since I left for Marechester.

“They’re gonna destroy the whole fuckin’ place… I just hope they don’t accidentally throw a bottle at us,” Citrus said, her voice tinged with worry as she got up from her chair. “Let’s get outta here. This place has already turned into a boxin’ ring.” She grabbed the bag full of bottle caps...

FUCK, FUCK, FUCK! That could’ve been my chance to swipe it and get the hell outta here! Why didn’t I think of this sooner? Damn it! Now Citrus has the bag, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to try takin’ it from her.

Okay… okay, don’t stress out. Maybe later, back at the hotel where we’re stayin’, I can steal it while Citrus and Sunflower are fast asleep. I mean, both of ’em have been drinkin’ too much—maybe I can snag the bag without either of ’em noticin’.

If I tried stealin’ it now, Citrus would probably do whatever it takes to stop me. It wouldn’t have worked anyway. And even if Sunflower’s drunk, she could still chase after me.

Okay, it was just a momentary stress attack. Thinkin’ about it clearly, that plan wouldn’t have worked. I’m feelin’ a little calmer now—was about to smash my face into the wall outta rage.

"Aye? And how the hell am I supposed to trust that when ye walk out that door, ye’re not gonna leg it wi’ ma bottle caps?" Sunflower was up on two hooves, and I feared the worst—that she’d come charging at us, ready to kill.

"We'll just be outside, right close tae here. Calm the fuck down," Citrus said, extending her front hooves towards the exit, pointing to a bench near the bar. Looked like she wanted to sit there and keep chatting with Cornflower.

Sunflower whipped a knife out of her suit pocket, pointing the tip right at us. "None o’ that shite! One o’ ye is stayin’ here, tae make sure ye don’t rob me!"

"I’ll be outside, near the window. You can see me from there," I said, playing it cool. After all, I was the one who paid for everything—how could she suspect me? It’s thanks to me we’ve got all these profits, and I’ll “sacrifice” myself to stay close to the impending disaster.

I couldn’t help but smirk, thinking about how Sunflower’ll react when she wakes up and realizes her beloved bottle caps are gone. She’ll never suspect it was me who nicked them.

"Okay, Glory, stand right where I can see ya, or I’ll cut your fuckin’ wings off!" Sunflower threatened, pointing her knife at me as I made my way to the exit. I positioned myself in front of the nearest window, which was wide enough for Sunflower to keep an eye on me.

Was I scared? Not really. I just had to follow this psycho’s orders—it’s the only way to keep her calm. Don’t contradict her, don’t open your mouth, just do what she says.

Citrus and Cornflower headed over to the bench across the street, fully visible from inside the bar. But I wouldn’t be shocked if Sunflower was so drunk that she didn’t realize how close it actually was.

"Are you done talkin’ to your bitches, Sunflower?" Candy slurred, leaning against a column to stay on her hooves, hiccuping all the while.

"Aye, game on!" Sunflower tucked the knife back into her suit pocket. She and Candy started squaring up, ready to brawl.

Sunflower and Candy stared each other down, both struggling to stay on their hooves, but with so much booze in their veins, all they were doing was messing each other up, especially now that they were supposed to be fighting.

Thanks, Sunflower, for makin' my job of stealin’ from you even easier, you crazy bitch.

Sunflower lunged at Candy, swinging a hoof at her face, but Candy ducked just in time and stepped back.

Undeterred, Sunflower tried a roundhouse kick, even throwing in a jump, but Candy leaned back and grabbed Sunflower’s back hoof mid-kick.

Candy used her magic to yank Sunflower towards her, pulling her right into her face—specifically, into her crotch. Even with their clothes still on, Candy started licking Sunflower’s vagina, making her moan as she pleasured her. Then, Candy shoved her to the side, sending Sunflower crashing into the table where she’d been standing before.

"WHAT THE HELL!" Sunflower yelled, before smashing down onto the table, breaking it to pieces and sending glasses crashing to the floor, spilling the leftover drinks everywhere.

I hope Candy gives you a good beatin’, ‘cause you damn well deserve it.

"Always ready for another start, always goin’ for another round!" Candy sang Sunflower's favorite song while spinning in circles, though her hiccups made it sound awful.

Sunflower whipped around and stood up in one swift motion, grinning as she wiped the blood trickling from her lips. "You! You’re perfect all the time," Sunflower slurred, pointing a hoof at Candy as she slowly advanced. "You gotta please the public line!"

They were both singing “Crapage,” all while fighting and having sex. What kind of twisted fun is this?

Well... now that I think about it, I should probably keep my opinions to myself, considering I used to do BDSM with Blackjack, and believe me, I loved whippin’ her.

Right now, my biggest worry is how this poor bar’s gonna end up. The owners must be hidin’ somewhere—I haven’t seen ‘em in a good few minutes.

Sunflower aimed a sidekick at Candy, but even though Candy seemed distracted, she managed to dodge by crouching and jumping back.

Candy countered with a hook punch, but Sunflower quickly extended her front hoof to block the attack. With her other hoof, she struck Candy square in the chest.

As Candy staggered back from the blow, Sunflower seized the opportunity and delivered another powerful kick. This time, Candy was sent flying across the bar, crashing into the wall. The impact shattered a picture hanging there and left a small crack in the wall, causing debris to tumble to the floor.

Sunflower started laughing as she watched Candy fall to the ground, like this was some kind of comedy show where characters take ridiculous tumbles. "HAHAHAH! Git up, Candy, it's no time tae sleep!" Sunflower burped, leaning against the counter.

She dropped her face onto the wooden surface, fighting the urge to vomit, swallowing back the food that nearly came up.

Candy, still lying face down on the floor, slowly lifted her head. Seeing Sunflower struggling with the effects of the alcohol, she couldn’t help but laugh too. "If you puke, you can forget about getting any pussy," Candy joked, still chuckling as she slowly began to recover.

"Shut yer geggie, Candy, I can hoofdle it!" Sunflower snapped back, pushing herself off the counter. She was still wobbly, but it was clear she was determined to get Candy's attention.

I can’t help but wonder what it is that draws Sunflower to Candy. Is it because they both share this love for bar fights and chaos? The idea of Sunflower feeling love for anypony seems strange to me, but if she’s after Candy’s ass, I guess it’s because they’ve got a lot more in common than I thought.

At least the bar was empty now; the ponies who realized things were only getting worse had cleared out.

Not even the bar’s owners dared to intervene. Who wants to deal with murderous or combat-experienced ponies? I guess Candy must be feared too, considering she's the only pony here, battling Sunflower, and somehow she’s even managed to befriend her.

Candy used her magic to levitate a broken glass bottle that was lying nearby. "Then try to dodge this, schlampe!" she shouted, hurling the bottle directly at Sunflower.

Sunflower dodged it with a quick tilt of her head. If that bottle had hit her, it could’ve caused some serious harm, given the speed with which Candy threw it.

I don’t want Sunflower to die; I just wish she’d rein in that violent and explosive attitude of hers. It’s not just dangerous for her, but for anypony she associates with.

Sunflower glanced back at the shattered bottle, realizing how close she'd come to serious injury if she hadn't dodged in time. "What the hell was that? Were ye tryin’ tae kill me?" she snapped, turning her glare back to Candy, who still wore that defiant smile.

Candy finally got to her hooves, brushing the dirt off her clothes with a casual air. "I don’t know, maybe?" she replied, dripping with sarcasm.

Sunflower brought a hoof to her mouth, fighting the urge to vomit that was creeping up her throat. "Mmmm, we can both play that game." She gripped a nearby table with both front hooves and hurled it at Candy.

With a quick backflip, Candy launched herself into the air, dodging the table with ease. The table smashed into the wall, splintering into pieces.

Candy charged toward Sunflower on two hooves, moving at high speed. But just before she reached her, Candy leaped into the air, aiming to land a punch right in Sunflower’s face.

Sunflower looked up, spotting Candy mid-air. With an impressive move, she slid to the right and kicked Candy square in the groin, sending her flying.

"Heilige Scheisse!" Candy cried out in pain as she hit the floor, landing in a puddle of the various drinks they’d spilled since entering the bar.

Candy lay face down, and Sunflower licked her lips provocatively, approaching her slowly. "Stay right where ye are, don’t move," Sunflower murmured in a low, erotic tone.

She crouched down behind Candy, tearing at her clothes with raw strength until the fabric over Candy’s crotch was ripped away. Sunflower didn’t hesitate—she plunged her tongue into Candy’s vagina. "Mmmmm," she moaned.

Candy let out a moan of her own, though it was clear she was still trying to recover from the blow. Despite the pain, she was enjoying the cunnilingus.

At this point, I’m wondering, what the hell am I even watching? This goes way beyond what Blackjack and I used to do. Who in their right mind thinks it’s exciting to mix fighting and sex like this?

I guess only in the twisted heads of these two ponies.

Sunflower, having grown bored of licking Candy’s vagina, shifted her focus quickly. She grabbed a mouthful of Candy’s mane and yanked it back hard, positioning herself on top of Candy and mimicking a thrusting motion.

Candy gritted her teeth and winced in pain. "Shit, Sunflower! That hurts… I think I like it..." Despite the pain from Sunflower's harsh grip on her mane, Candy’s flushed cheeks made it clear she was enjoying it.

Sunflower reveled in the control she had over the situation, her expression a mix of dominance and satisfaction. "Shut yer fucking mouth, conversations are over," she snapped, her confidence radiating.

As for me, there’s no way I’m sticking around to watch this any longer. I’ve had enough—fuck this.

I turned away; it was too much for me. Watching Sunflower and Candy was more than I could hoofle.

Damn Sunflower. Even though Candy seemed to be enjoying herself, I couldn't shake the feeling of pity. The pain in her eyes was clear—mane pulling like that must hurt like hell. I haven’t experienced it myself, but just watching it, I could imagine the agony.

I crossed the street, looking both ways before making my way. I wasn’t even in the mood to fly.

All I wanted was to sit with Citrus and Cornflower. They were sharing a cigarette, and Cornflower lit it before taking a drag. She held the smoke in her mouth for a moment, then exhaled it right into Citrus’s face.

Citrus closed her eyes with a smile, then opened them as Cornflower handed over the cigarette, now smeared with her saliva. Citrus took it and settled down on the bench, puffing away as she stretched out.

“What’s up, Glory?” Cornflower asked, hearing my hoofsteps and seeing my shadow hovering over her.

“I couldn’t keep watching. Sunflower was basically torturing Candy, and she was... enjoying it,” I said, sitting down next to Cornflower. She shifted to the right, closer to Citrus—she knows my friendship with Citrus is, well, not exactly solid.

Cornflower, who was used to Sunflower’s antics, wasn’t surprised, as usual. “Aye, I get ye. Best tae just leave her be, let her do what she wants.”

We were like Sunflower’s lackeys. Candy was right all along—nopony dares to mess with her. It just gives me more reason to take this bag and get out while I can.

“Someday she’ll land us all in deep shit,” Citrus said nonchalantly, taking a drag from her cigarette. “She’s like a bloody time bomb, ready to go aff at any moment, and we’re always in the blast radius.” She exhaled a cloud of smoke, clearly frustrated with Sunflower.

"I agree, but why don’t we just leave her behind? Let her deal with her own messes?” I asked the question that’s been haunting me. Cornflower knew I’d been toying with the idea of leaving Sunflower to her fate for a while now, ‘cause she’s been asking for it.

She doesn’t stop killin’ ponies, one after another. Sometimes she’s got her reasons, but most of the time it’s over ridiculous stuff, like somepony distractin’ her in a game of pool or just ‘cause she felt like it. If she messes with somepony who’s got power and connections, I wouldn’t be surprised if one day they came after us—kidnapped us, or worse. And with everything goin’ on with Sunrise, I can’t even remember the last time I slept easy.

“Ye’ll never understand, Glory,” Citrus said, shaking her head. “We’ve been together a long time, and I ken Sun better than anypony. If we leave her, she’ll come after us, pick us off one by one for abandonin’ her. We’re like the only family she’s got, even if it doesn’t seem like it.” It was clear we were stuck. Once you’re in this group, there’s no gettin’ out. I can’t tell if that makes me the unluckiest pony around.

“Aye… I wouldn’t be comfortable with leavin’ her either,” Cornflower added softly. “She’s been through too much.”

I felt a pang of sympathy for Cornflower. I know the real reason you’re still stickin’ with this group, and I’m nopony to judge.

We were trapped in an invisible prison, one we couldn’t escape from, no matter how hard we tried. It was a choice between sacrificing our mental health and safety or facing the certainty that a relentless murderer would hunt us down until our bodies were piled up in a heap.

It’s an impossible decision, but I can’t take it anymore. I think I’ll take the risk—I’ll steal everything from Sunflower and Citrus. I’m sorry that Cornflower’s caught up in this, and I understand why she is, but even so, if anything happens to Cornflower, I’ll never forgive myself. Never...

I can only hope her loyalty to me is stronger. Please, Cornflower, don’t betray me. Don’t tell them about our plan. All you have to do is spin a little lie when they figure out I took what’s theirs.

I need to get ready for tonight. When everypony’s asleep, I’ll make my move. Maybe I’ll take a quick nap right here, just to build up the energy I need to finally end all this.

I managed to pull it off; everything went according to plan. But now, I have no idea what happened to Cornflower. I don’t know if she’s alive or dead. Maybe if I head over to her apartment, I’ll find her there—alive, getting high, or dealing with the fallout from the group’s breakup. I really don’t know.

But before I go looking for her, I have to make a stop at Sunrise’s place. She’s been missing me, and I haven’t reached out in a while. It’s only fair that I visit her first.

I tried to stay hopeful, to believe that Cornflower might still be alive. She doesn’t deserve any of this; she’s never hurt anypony. Sunflower, if you did anything to her, I swear I’ll kill you.

I did my best to focus on Sunrise, but with all this shit happening at once, it wasn’t easy. Still, I had to try. Maybe Sunrise’s kisses and caresses would lift my spirits. I’ve been talking to myself the whole way here, just trying to hold it together.

Finally, I arrived at Bridgefountain, the neighborhood where Sunrise lives. Her cream-colored house stood out with its neat, well-kept appearance. The garden in front was filled with sunflowers, a rare sight of beauty in this devastated world. It’s been a while since I’ve seen something so peaceful.

I parked the vehicle, turned it off, and stepped out, closing the door behind me. Instead of flying, I trotted slowly toward Sunrise’s house. I couldn’t wait to see the look of happiness and joy on her face when she saw me again. I just hoped everything was going well for her and her parents.

My heart was racing as I approached the door. It wasn’t fear or nerves, just the weight of what could happen if my relationship with Sunrise ever came to light. Even though things between us are mostly positive, I couldn’t shake the thought of the trouble that would follow if anypony found out.

But I knew I had to keep a level head. I needed to talk to Sunrise about everything, to explain the stress and how being caught up in all this mess has taken a toll on me mentally. She’s immature, just like me, but something inside me said she’d understand if I laid it all out clearly—without anger, without making her feel like I might abandon her.

I just really hope things don’t keep spiraling out of control.

Author's Note

Thanks to Irvine Welsh for writing Trainspotting/Porno. This chapter is a tribute to one of the best books I have ever read.