Outbreak

I yawned and leaned against the wall of the tower, idly listening to Misty Fly and Thunderlane talking about the weather.

It had been a week since I’ve arrived here and I’ve pretty fallen into a pretty decent pattern. Guard duty during Monday through Thursday, helping out in the fields Friday and Saturday, resting on Sunday, have daily breakfast with Twilight and the other elements along with Cloudkicker, Thunderlane and Spike. Flitter and Cloudchaser occasionally joined us.

I have a whole new respect for earth ponies. Plowing land is hard. Golden Harvest had thought seeing me slip face first into the dirt multiple times was hilarious. Stupid pony. She should know by now the strong and powerful Trixie doesn’t back down from anything.

“Hey Trixie,” Cloudkicker landed next to me with a smirk. “Whatcha up to?”

“Not jack shit. You?”

“Same. Twilight told me ask if you were down for a group dinner tonight again,” Cloudkicker kicked a hoof against the wood and leaned closer to my ear. More closely than I would have liked. “There’s gonna be alcohol.”

Now that was a surefire way of getting my attention.

“I see. I’ll be there after I’m done here. We got about six more hours till our reliefs come,” I said and stretched. “I’ll nap till it’s time.”

“Bet!”

We watched her fly away and I took another sip of my coffee, grimacing slightly. I had gotten more used to the awful taste of black coffee.

“So what’s being a Wonderbolt like?” I asked Misty curiously as she shrugged.

“It was nice. I became a Wonderbolt to make the fillies and colts happy, not to be rich or set records like some who have came and gone like Wind Rider. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve set a few records in my time but they all got beaten by Dash,” Misty said as she and Thunderlane shot a sad look at the shed where the rainbow maned pegasus was locked up. Or well, what remained of her. I’d been in there once and it was enough to make me have nightmares. Half her coat was falling off and bloody. “It was the best feeling ever. Being a fellow performer yourself, you must understand where I’m coming from.”

“I do.”

“Excuse me,” a voice said and we all looked down at a colt with a multi colored coat staring up at us with a yellow filly next to him. “Miss Trixie?”

“Yes?” I asked curiously and he shifted on his hooves, the yellow filly next to him nudging him forward.

“My birthday is next month. Could you show me some magic tricks please?” The colt asked and I tensed up, feeling the two Wonderbolts burning holes in my back with their eyes.

“I’m sorry but no. I don’t do magic shows anymore. I don’t have an assistant or any of my supplies. I had to leave my wagon behind,” I explained before leaning close to Thunderlane’s ear whisper in it. “Who in Equestria is this?”

”Pipsqueak,” Thunderlane whispered back. ”Was friends with Rumble and Button Mash. The filly is Sunny Daze. Normally runs around with Dinky.”

”Oh,” I mumbled before I sized the colt up. “We will see. I’m sure I can come up with something maybe. Times are difficult shall we say.”

“I understand,” Pipsqueak kicked a rock aside and I sighed. “Sorry to bother you, Trixie.”

“I’ll do it, okay? Just give me time to figure something out.”

I didn’t necessarily know what I would do. Magic supplies and fireworks were a bit lacking these days but I guess I could throw together a batch of homemade explosives.

“Thank you,” Pipsqueak reared back on his hind legs before he and Sunny Daze ran off to whatever it is kids do these days.

“That was nice of you,” Thunderlane commented as I sighed and shrugged. “What’s wrong?”

“This will be the first show I’ve done without my assistant.”

“How’s life here so far?” Spike asked me as I shifted on my chair in Twilight’s living room. Cloudchaser and Flitter sat across from me with Thunderlane and Twilight on either side of me.

“It’s okay I guess.”

I stared down silently as the others talked quietly. I wasn’t really feeling like conversating too much, if I’m being honest. I get these mood swings occasionally. Some days I love to see others and other days I don’t want to be disturbed. Today, I’m a mix of both.

“Are you feeling okay?” Thunderlane asked me quietly and nudged me.

“I’m fine, I guess. I just get these moods where I’m not really happy,” I answered and looked away. “Plus, depression and all is a bitch.”

“When did you get diagnosed?” Twilight asked and I sneered at Cloudchaser.

“After I got ran out of Ponyville and lost everything. But it’s okay. Haven’t had my medication in months because of well, you can put two and two together,” I relaxed my angry expression and looked away. “It’s hard to fight against the thoughts without it. And I always used to think medication was for the weak. Guess I’m one of them, huh?”

“That doesn’t make you weak. It just makes you one of us,” Twilight rested a wing on my back. “Depression isn’t anything you can control. There is nothing wrong with having issues. Cloudchaser?”

“Yeah Twilight?” The pegasus asked and set down her beer.

“Go to the pharmacy next to Berry’s. See if you can find Trixie some anti depressants please. I don’t want to risk losing anypony, especially to something as preventable as suicide,” Twilight glanced at her and Cloudchaser nodded. “After you’re done eating, of course.”

“As you wish. Maybe Flitter and Trixie can hang out? Flitter has anxiety. Might be good for the two to spend time together,” Cloudchaser suggested and Twilight nodded thoughtfully before looking to me. “Up to Trixie and Flitter, of course. I’m not about to force decisions upon two grown mares.”

Flitter and I looked at each other. Neither of us really knew each other. But if they were even willing to go this far to help with something as simple as medication, I suppose I should give it a shot, right? She gave me a small smile and I returned it.

“Yeah, sure. And thanks. For everything.”

Twilight rubbed my back with a wing and I shuddered slightly at the touch.

“Anytime.”