Author's Note

Original unfinished Cover

Grove (Bottom-Left) and Venom (Bottom-Right) drawn by: CrimsonRose97

A New Life

Sunny Skies, a yellow mare with curly shoulder-length cyan hair, drove up to an abandoned building overrun with vines. She wore a white crop top with a deep v-neck that exposed part of her C-cups and shorts. She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes.

Tresemme left the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, before she dropped it as she stepped up to her dresser. Sunny looked up to glance at her boss' naked body. Tresemme eyed her and smiled.

"Perhaps, you'd like it if I stayed naked?"

Sunny smiled. "I wouldn't be against it, ma'am..."

Tresemme climbed atop her and leaned in close. "You have been a wonderful assistant, Sunny. But, I feel like you're wanting more... Am I wrong?"

Sunny blushed and bit her lip. She looked the mare in the eyes and felt her heart rate increase. "I... I know I like being around you. Even before all this happened. Now, that you made me your assistant... I never wanna leave your side."

Sunny opened her eyes and sighed deeply before she pulled out a gun and left her car. She made her way over to the front entrance of the lab. This place was designed to run on all sorts of power sources like wind and sun and had backup generators upon backup generators to ensure this place never ran out of power.

Sunny reached into her pocket and pulled out a New Horizons Level 1 Access card and swiped it. The card reader made a beep and slid open. She ducked under a vine and entered. Inside was dark, but the lights came on as soon as she stepped inside. She made her way down a long hall, with rooms off to the side, until she came to an elevator. Stepping in, she rode it all the way down from 1 to B5.

When the doors opened, the lights came in and illuminated a shorter hallway that ended at a locked door. On the door read Level 1. Sunny was able to use her card to open it and enter the room. It was a laboratory with test tubes and various tables and machines. In the test tubes were failed genetic experiments that have all died. She made her way past them all to a few holding cells at the back.

“Where are you?” She wondered aloud, until she found a cell with a plaque that read VENOM.

She smiled and stepped up to the window, peering inside. The cell was faintly lit and the light kept flickering. She couldn’t see any movement and was becoming nervous. She let out a deep sigh of frustration.

“Shit, they moved her.”

Suddenly, a figure lunged at the door, making Sunny jump back. Staring back at her through the window was a dark purple mare with slits in her cheeks, implying her mouth opened wider like a snake’s. Her white eyes were fixated on Sunny.

“Oh,” the yellow mare sighed, stepping back up to the window. “You’re still here. And alive.” The mare inside responded by opening her mouth, her cheeks splitting down the slits, as she stuck out her long 18-inch tongue and licked the window.

Sunny reached over and swiped her card in the reader next to the cell door. When it opened, the mare inside burst through, knocking Sunny on her back with a grunt. Before she could get up, the dark purple mare was on top of her. The mare had large G-cups and long, black messy hair that probably went down to her ass.

“Hey, Venom,” Sunny smiled. “Miss me?” The purple mare creature licked at the yellow mare’s face, making her giggle. “Wanna help me kill someone?”

2016
PONYTROPOLIS

"You think this is over?" the Mane-iac asked, coughing. "When I get out, and you know I will... I'll be coming for your Midnight. And your friends." She looked over at Chrysalis. "Then I'll go after your wife. You'll all pay for this, I swear..."

Twilight stopped moving, eyes on the door. She could see Midnight standing outside with Pinkamena and Rainbow Dash. Images of Aqua and Tech flashed through her mind. How Tech's death affected Flora also ran through her mind. Letting out a shuddered breath, her grip tightened on her gun. She exhaled deeply and slowly before she whipped around and shot Tresemmé in the head.

"NO!" Sunny exclaimed, staring in horror. "Tressy!"

Spitfire jumped back. "What the fuck?! What the fuck have you done?"

"I saved my friends," Twilight said with tears in her eyes. "My family."

Spitfire shook her head and pulled out handcuffs. "This is over, Twilight!" She yelled, trying not to cry, too. "You're too unpredictable! The mayor will not let shit like this slide, so now I have to take action... and arrest you!"

"You can't. I-I still have work to do..."

"You are not fit to be out in public! If you run, you'll be on the most wanted list by morning, I guarantee it!"

"Twilight?" Chrysalis asked, getting the mare's attention. The changeling had a few tears in her eyes, as did Fluttershy. "Just, stop."

The purple unicorn shook her head slowly. "I can't." She then looked at Spitfire again. "I'm sorry." Before anyone could react, Twilight disappeared in a flash of light.

Twilight stood on the bridge leading out of Ponytropolis. "Good-bye, everyone." She wiped tears from her eyes. "I'll be back someday. I promise."

She then turned and walked away.

1 YEAR LATER...
BALTIMARE

Twilight walked down the sidewalk of Baltimare, her hair now down to her butt as she hadn't cut it in a while. She wore a purple sweater with the hood up to hide her identity. With her hands in her pockets, she made her way down an alley to a seedy strip of tattoo parlors and hair salons, often used by gang members or those on the run from the police. Making her way to a salon, she entered and sighed. The place smelled of cigarette smoke. Making her way to the counter, she placed a wad of cash in front of the brown stallion.

"Black streaks," she said plainly.

The stallion eyed the cash and then the unicorn. "The extra, I'm assuming, is to keep your visit here hush-hush?" Twilight nodded. The stallion took the cash and held his hand out towards a hall of rooms. "Take one that isn't occupied."

The purple mare nodded and turned, making her way down the hallway. She eyed the doors, each one with a sign above the doorknobs to indicate whether it was Vacant or Occupied. So far, all seemed occupied. The last one on the left wasn't. Opening the door, she saw an empty room with a styling station at the back, shampoo station on the right and a hair dryer on the left. It was a small room, but it had everything needed to style hair. She closed the door behind her and went to sit in the chair.

After a moment, she heard the door open. Looking in the mirror, she saw the door open and a female timberwolf walked in. She had short, dark green fur and her arms, legs, and ears had wood coverings like her feral quadruped ancestors. She also had intentionally messy, long brown hair and a long brown tail. She wore a sleeveless black shirt and black shorts. Twilight looked over her shoulder at her, mouth slightly agape.

"What?" The wolf asked in a mature, raspy voice as she lightly kicked the door shut with her foot. "Never seen a timberwolf before?"

"Um... Uh... Never one like you before. Usually, just the ones on four legs."

"Yeah..." the wolf sighed, walking towards the mare. "My kind are rare. We're typically looked down upon, which is why most of us take up this lifestyle." She then walked around in front of Twilight and leaned back against the counter. "So... black streaks? That's all?"

"Well, the last time anyone who knows me has seen me, my hair stopped at my shoulders," Twilight explained. "So, longer hair with black streaks should help. I also plan on getting my ear pierced and some tattoos."

"Tattoos, huh?" the wolf asked with a smile. "I could do that for you. After we're done here."

Twilight tilted her head. "You do tattoos, too? Like, for real? Or are you one of those discount tattoo artists who do it for cheap and later I'll realize I now have some sort of skin disease?"

The wolf said nothing as she kept her eyes fixated on the mare's as she reached into her short pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. Taking one out, she put it in her mouth. Putting the pack away, she pulled out a lighter from the other pocket and lit the cigarette. Putting the lighter away, she inhaled a little. Taking the cig out, she blew a smoke ring at Twilight's face, making her cough.

"Alright..." Twilight said with another cough. "I take it you were offended. I was only kidding."

The wolf left the counter and circled around behind Twilight, running her fingers through the hair. "I'm actually a professional artist. I can do skin... or fur... And you're right. I don't charge as much. I can also pierce your ear, too," She added, replacing the cigarette in her mouth.

"Well, aren't you full of surprises," Twi replied with an impressed smile. "I might take you up on that."

The wolf chuckled and walked around front again, holding out her wooden fist. "Grove."

Twilight lightly tapped it with her own fist. "Twilight."

Grove entered her run-down apartment near the salon she worked at. "This way," she said, leading Twilight inside. The room itself was fairly big with a bed on the right, tv and bathroom on the left. There was a dresser on the left side of the bed that had a bunch of stuff on it that Twilight believed was used for make-up, hair care, and other similar stuff. There was also what was probably a tattoo kit. Aside from all that, the wallpaper was peeling and there were some cracks in the ceiling.

"I know it's not much," Grove said as she headed towards the dresser. "But,
at least there's hot water."

Twilight walked over to the dresser where Grove stood and looked at herself in the mirror. Smiling lightly, she ran her fingers through her hair. “I really do love this new look.”

“As you’ve said,” the wolf chuckled, setting up her tattoo kit. “Now, do you plan on getting your face tattooed?” She asked. “Or, you want it somewhere else on your body? Because, if so... you’ll need to take your sweater off.”

Twilight blushed and gripped her collar. “Uh...”

Grove looked over her shoulder at her. “What? Are you not wearing a bra?”

Twilight blushed harder and shook her head. “It was too hot, so... I decided to go without it...”

Grove chuckled and turned to face her. “Oh, you’re cute,” she said with a smirk. “Tell you what... I’m not wearing a bra, either. If it helps, I’ll go topless, too.”

Twilight’s eyes fell on the wolf’s D-cups. “Uh... Oh, wow,” she muttered, rubbing the back of her head. “A year ago, I would’ve jumped all over you for asking that... Fuck, I miss my pets,” she sighed, sitting in the bed. “I had the best girlfriend, best pets... the best life...” She let out a chuckle and folded her hands. “I practically fucked everyone I met... and yet I’m having trouble taking my shirt off in front of you.”

Grove thought for a moment before taking a seat on her right. “What happened?”

"This white bitch took over our city," Twilight explained. "Even though I killed her, it wasn't over. More and more of this deeply thought-out master plan revealed itself. I knew there was more going on than it appeared, but I was the only one willing to do what had to be done to keep everyone safe."

Grove knew something bad was coming but she wanted to hear it. "What did you do?"

Twilight took a deep breath. "Well, this hair care mare went berserk and threatened my team. She was far too dangerous to be taken to prison, so I... shot her... Even though we had already captured her."

"Oh..." Grove said in descending volume. "She was defenseless?" Twilight covered her eyes with her hands and hung her head. "Wow, you really fucked up," the wolf chuckled, before her smile faded. "Um... So, you said you fucked everyone you met?" The unicorn tilted her slightly to eyeball the wolf. "What?" Grove asked, playfully bumping the mare with her elbow. "Just trying to lighten the mood. Besides, I'm curious as to whether you used a strap-on or if you actually have a dick."

Twilight hesitated before placing her hands on her knees and sat upright with a deep exhale. "I have a dick. That I created with magic. So, it isn't technically real. Though, it acts like a real one."

“No shit,” the wolf said as she smiled. “I have a real one. Most of my kind’s females have dicks. Something to do with our magical properties.”

This seemed to peak Twilight’s interest. “A canine cock? I’ve only ever seen them on ferals. And, in books...”

Grove grinned. “Wanna see?”

Twilight’s surprised look turned to excitement. “Oh, yeah.”

Grove nodded and stood up before turning her back to the unicorn. Gripping her shorts, she started pulling them down. They seemed to be stretchy as they had no problem getting over the wooden portion of the legs. Twilight now has a good shot of the wolf’s butt, the tail wagging back and forth. It seemed like a wonderfully squeezable butt.

Grove then stood up and turned around, showing her sheath and balls. Unlike like the rest of her chest area, there seemed to be a thin layer of fur on the balls and sheath.

“Oh, just like a feral wolf,” Twilight observed. “The dick is inside?”

“Yes, though it needs some stimulation,” Grove explained with a wink.

The unicorn winked back and scooted closer. Reaching out, she slowly started to rub the balls. Liking how they felt, she leaned in to rub her cheeks against them. So soft. As she did this, she saw the red canine rod start to emerge from the sheath. When it was fully visible, knot included, it was a good foot long.

“Damn,” Twilight muttered as she gripped the red rocket in her hands. “You even have the knot, too.”

When she started rubbing the knot, Grove let it a low growl before grabbing Twilight by the shoulders and shoving her back on the bed. She then jumped on top of the unicorn, their faces inches apart.

“Holy shit,” Twilight gasped with a chuckle.

“Sorry,” Grove said softly and deeply. “But it’s been far too long.”

Twilight’s smile faded as she nodded in agreement. “I know the feeling...”

The green wolf leaned in closer. “Then, let’s help each other.” She then pressed her lips to Twilight’s and slowly pushed her fat, canine tongue inside her mouth.

Twilight went wide-eyed when she tasted the tongue of the wolf and felt it almost fill her mouth. Grove soon broke the kiss, making the unicorn gasp, saliva from both running down her chin. “Holy shit.”

“Like that?" The wolf asked.

The unicorn chuckled and nodded. "Who said stop?"

The wolf smiled and leaned in for round two.

PONYTROPOLIS

Midnight stood on the roof of the Elementals' hotel, looking out at the city. The air was a bit chilly and the wind was slightly messing up her hair. But she didn't care. All she cared about was where Twilight was. She was so focused on her thoughts that she didn't hear the roof door open. Cauliflower stepped out and faced the black mare. Collie only wore a white nightgown, which made her shiver from the cold.

"M-Mistress?" She asked.

Midnight gasped softly and looked over her shoulder. "Oh. Collie. Hi," she said as she turned around. "About that."

"About what?" Collie asked as Midnight approached her.

The black mare stopped in front of her with a light smile. "I think it's time we find you three a real home."

"Wh... What?" The white mare asked, confused. "What do you mean?"

Midnight put her arm around the mare and led her back inside and closed the door. As they walked back to the room, Midnight stayed silent, which only made Cauliflower more and more curious. When they got back, they found Azure and Diamond laying on the couch and watching TV.

"Announcement," Midnight called out, making Azure mute the television. "I would like to get you girls into real homes."

"What?" Diamond asked. "Did we do something wrong?"

Midnight chuckled and brought Collie over to the couch. "No no, nothing like that. I just... After what happened with Twilight... I... I don't think I can..."

Azure reached out and gently took the black mare's hand. "I think you need us more than ever, then."

Midnight gave her a smile and then noticed Collie deep in thought. "What about you?" She asked, getting the mare's attention. "You seem like you're thinking about something."

Collie smiled lightly and eyed the floor. "I am grateful for... Twilight not killing me... But I do kinda miss having my own place."

Midnight pulled her into a hug with her right arm. "We can get you back out there if you want."

"I'd like to stay," Diamond said, getting a nod from Azure.

"You two can stay, if you want. Tomorrow, I'm getting Collie her own place."

Spitfire let her head fall forward, her forehead hitting her desk just as Fleetfoot entered her office. "Troubles?" The blue pegasus asked.

Spitfire sighed heavily. "No lead on Twilight. You?"

Fleetfoot shook her head and approached the desk. "No, ma'am. But we're still looking. She may not even be in the city."

The orange mare chuckled and picked her head up. "No, she probably fled to Manehattan or Fillydelphia. Maybe even as far as Baltimare or Appleoosa."

Fleetfoot nodded. "Should we search Manehattan?"

"Not our jurisdiction," Spitfire pointed out. "But I can make calls. Get other cities keeping an eye out."

"Why haven't you?" Spitfire eyed her but said nothing. Fleetfoot suddenly understood. "You don't want to find her."

The chief of police groaned and leaned back in her chair. "It's my job to find her, and I want to give Midnight closure... but then she'll have to face punishment. If I never find her, Midnight will never know what happened to her... but she'll have a chance to live her life out elsewhere. Maybe she'll even come back on her own."

"You've grown too attached to them, ma'am."

"Agreed. What I can tell you is that if she ever does come back... I'll have no choice but to arrest her."

THE NEXT DAY

Midnight sat in her car with Collie, parked next to an apartment building. The black mare then held out a wallet, which Collie accepted. “Everything you need’s in there. There’s, um… a few stores nearby looking for help, so…”

Collie leaned over to hug the mare. “Thank you.” Midnight smiled and hugged back. When Collie pulled away, she wiped her eyes. “I think I’m gonna miss you guys.”

“We’ll miss you, too. Just promise me one thing?”

“What’s that?”

“Don't join a gang. All it does is make things worse. Just look at Twilight. Friendly, compassionate, and adorably naive when we first met. Now?”

Collie nodded. “Right. Well, I’m done with this craziness, anyways. But if you ever decide to form a search party, gimme a call.”

Midnight smiled. “Sure thing, Collie.”

The white mare smiled back before she opened her door. “I’m sure she’s okay. She seemed pretty tough.”

“She was. Is. I’m sure she’s okay, too. I just wish I knew where she was so I could go see her.”

“I’d be careful about that. If you find her, you could lead the cops to her.”

Midnight sighed deeply and let her head fall on the steering wheel. “You’re right.”

Collie gently rubbed the black mare’s back. “You know, the gang life can’t be all that bad. It brought you and Twilight together. And made you a better pony.”

Midnight smiled. “Thanks.”

Collie nodded before she left the car. “Keep in touch.”

“Will do.”

Collie closed the door and made her way into the apartment building. Midnight watched the white mare disappear inside before she drove back to the hotel.

Spitfire stretched as she entered her office, where Fleetfoot was waiting for her. “Any word of Twilight or Sunny?”

“Nothing yet, ma’am,” Fleetfoot replied as she held out a coffee.

“Oh, thanks,” Spitfire said as she accepted the drink. “Any other disturbances?”

“None, aside from the usual break-ins and muggings.”

“Is it just me, our have those increased?”

Fleetfoot shrugged. “I mean, Twilight’s gone. I’m sure every gang in our city knows that now. It’s only a matter of time before they all start coming out, right?”

Spitfire dropped into her seat with a heavy sigh. “Good thing we have a damn good team who can handle it, then. Besides, if we need the extra help, we still have Midnight.”

"She does seem more reliable than Twilight, Even if she was once our enemy."

Spitfire smiled. "I guess, when it comes to big city life... anyone can be anything. Doesn't make our job any easier."

"That's an understatement. Most of the Elementals were the enemy once, if not all of them."

The orange mare sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Celestia and Luna never ordered her crew to hurt anyone. They would usually steal from crimes in progress led by another gang."

"That's still a crime, if they kept the money."

"True. But they're an asset I'm glad to have. And with Midnight running things, they should be more stable."

"What if they get out of control again?"

Spitfire thought for a moment before she let out a deep sigh. "Then... in that case... we'll have no choice but to arrest them. Or kill them if they resist."

"That drastic?"

"That's what the mayor said. I just hope it doesn't come to that."

Twilight opened her eyes and sat up, rubbing her head with a groan. She looked around and remembered she was in Grove's apartment, the both of them naked, and that they just had sex. Twilight looked down at the timberwolf before she laid back down. When she did, the wolf's eyes opened.

"Hey," Grove muttered. "I didn't cut you, did I?"

"Cut me?" Twilight asked.

"My wooden limbs can sometimes... rip the bed sheets," Grove explained.

"Well... I feel fine and uncut."

"Good." Grove then rolled over to face the unicorn. "So, what're you gonna do now?"

Twilight exhaled through her nose as she thought. "Well... I need money. And a car. And a new gun."

"A new one?"

"I ditched my old one since it could lead the cops back to me. Which means I need I'd also need to buy a car from somewhere other than a dealership."

"You're really off-grid, aren't ya?"

The unicorn nodded. "I really messed up. And the worst part is, I don't think things in Ponytropolis have settled down. I need to get back but... I can't. I might not ever get to go back. At least, not without being thrown in jail."

"Well, you can stay here for now. Be nice to have some company."

"You usually alone?"

Grove just stared at the unicorn for a few seconds before talking. "My kind is looked down upon, remember?"

"Right..." Twilight muttered, feeling bad for forgetting.

The timberwolf shrugged. "I'm glad there aren't more of us. Would probably be an... uprising of some kind. Would get messy."

"Well... I think you're hot."

Grove smiled and playfully bumped the mare with her fist. "I see why your pets liked you. I wish everyone else thought that way."

“You wish everyone thought you were hot?”

The wolf chuckled. “No. I just wish my kind was accepted.”

"Maybe one day," Twilight said as she rubbed Grove's belly. "Now... do you know of any places hiring?"

Grove shook her head. "None that'll pay you what you need. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

The wolf bit her lip in hesitation. "There's... a gang."

"A gang?" Twilight asked, sitting up. "I'm not looking to be a criminal, Grove. Are they like the Elementals, or..."

The timberwolf pulled the covers off and sighed in annoyance when she saw a couple tears in the bedsheet. She then slid out of bed and stood up. "The leaders own a night club downtown. You'd like it. There's strippers. As far as I'm aware they don't do anything too bad, but it's not like I hang out with them, or anything."

Twilight slid out of bed and stretched her arms. "I might look different now, but I don't wanna draw any attention. Especially not from the cops."

"Understood." Grove started to pull the bed sheets off. “But if you want a big payout…”

Twilight sighed. “For some reason I just can’t seem to escape from gangs.”

“I can at least set up a meeting with them, if you want?”

Twilight rubbed her face with her hands. “I can’t believe I have to do this.”

“What if we… took a walk?” Grove suggested. “Take a little time to think it over?”

The unicorn nodded. “You own a shower?”

“In the bathroom.”

“How about we clean each other up before we head out?”

Grove smiled as her tail wagged a little. She then went wide-eyed and reached back to stop her tail. “Damn.”

“That’s cute. Care to explain?”

Grove chuckled lightly. “Well… let’s just say that no one’s ever wanted to get close to me. And definitely not as much as you do.”

Twilight slowly reached out and ran her hand down the wooden arm. “You’re a timberwolf. That means you should have some magical properties. I’m wondering if you’d be able to remove the wood and regrow it when needed.”

Grove scoffed and crossed her arms. “That would be fantastic. Then I wouldn’t rip my bed sheets anymore.”

“Exactly. But for now…” Twilight cooed as she gently took the wolf by the hips. “How about that shower?”

Grove smiled and led the mare into the bathroom where she then started the shower. When it was hot enough, she stepped in, followed by the unicorn. When Grove was about to pull Twilight in for a hug, she stopped and looked at her wooden hands.

Twilight eyed the wolf’s hands before she dropped to her knees. “Let me,” she said, before she leaned in under the canine cock and started licking.

Grove moaned out and placed her right hand on the wall. “Oh, that’s the spot. Oh, fuck, yeah.” She went to place her hand on Twilights head, but stopped. She began to feel upset from wanting to touch the mare and not being able to. Not without hurting her. As she held back tears, Twilight looked up at her And could tell what was wrong.

She pulled back and stood up. “You can touch me. Just be careful.” Grove hesitated as she started to reach for the unicorn’s hips. “Like when we had sex a few hours ago.”

“I didn’t touch you, remember? You pretty much did all the touching.” She then gently rested her wooden hands on the mare’s hips. “How’s this?”

“Fine. A little itchy, but fine.” Twilight then gently rubbed the wolf’s breasts. “Have you tried sanding your wooden limbs down a little? Make them smooth?”

“Have you tried sanding down your skin?”

“So it hurts?”

Grove’s ears dropped. “I honestly never tried. I always figured it would hurt.”

“I can help. If you want.”

The timberwolf smiled. “Sure.”

Twilight reached down to grip the wolf dick. “Now, fuck me,” she moaned. She then turned around and placed her hands on the wall.

Grove didn’t hesitate to push her meat inside the mare’s wet pussy. Both let out a moan as Grove’s thighs slapped Twilight’s butt. The wolf then started moving her hips, her hands on the wall next to Twilight’s so her tits pressed up against the unicorn’s back.

“Oh, fuck, yes!” Twilight grunted with a loud moan.

Sunny opened a locker with Venom’s name on it and pulled out a black, metallic collar. “Remember this?” She asked the purple mare as she turned around to face her.

Venom was squatted on top of a nearby table, watching. When she heard the question, she smiled and nodded. “Remember,” she replied in a raspy voice.

“Good,” Sunny said as she approached the mare and gently put the collar on. She then reached down to gently cup the dangling G-cups. “I sure did miss you, V.”

Venom looked down at her breasts and then back up at the mare. “You like?”

Sunny nodded. “Yeah, I used to fantasize about… sucking on your nipples.” She smiled and headed back to the locker to fetch a remote, before closing the door. “Alright, I got the…” She stopped when she turned and saw Venom holding her right breast and sucking on the nipple. Venom suddenly stopped when she’d been spotted. She then let her tit fall and slap her chest loudly.

“I wanted to… try it,” the purple mare replied.

Sunny chuckled and held up the remote device she pulled from the locker. “Remember this?”

Venom went wide-eyed and opened her mouth all the way again. This time, sharp teeth filled her mouth as she hissed angrily. Sunny quickly waved her hands.

“No no, watch,” she said, before she crushed the remote in her hand. “No one will ever shock you with that thing ever again. Okay? Not while I’m here.”

Venom slowly closed her mouth as Sunny tossed the pieces away. “Now,” Sunny began. “How about we get out of here?”

TO BE CONTINUED