"So, how do I look?"

Jest was resting in the bed, her hooves handcuffed on each side. She had just got done with a very taxing procedure. Her eye was covered with an eye patch. I wanted to call her a pirate and laugh but...as much as she would like that, I felt responsible for this. She smiled at me, expecting an answer. I stared at the beautiful zebra, wondering what she may be thinking.

"It helps if would say something you know. Thats kinda of how conversations work..." Jest teased, she tried to lift her hoof. She laughed, noticing her predicament, she looked over at me with her coal black...eye." If you would be so kind to relive the pain on my eye, I'd be extremely grateful Silver."

"Y-yes...," I walked over to her. Her black eye followed me. Her stare was accompanied with a smile that never seemed to go away. It wasn't creepy or annoying. Her lips were always in a nice, inviting smile. I guess thats what made some inmates nervous, including the guards. I placed my blackened hoof on the zebra mare and rubbed her sore spot. She flinched and smiled again. It was cute, to see her in pain like that. Dammit, I cost this mare her eye and all I can think of is how sexy she is. I turned her face to mine. A confused look on her face made me shiver in excitement.,"Jest...I'm sorry. Your eye..."

Jest smiled, almost ear to ear," Silver, really? You think i'd blame you for this? You want to know who gave me all these scars you see on me?"

"Jest, I..."

"I'm fine. I've been through a lot of shit honey, this isn't so bad..." The mare stared into my eyes,"...so, are you going to kiss me or are we playing a game?"

I pulled the zebras face in and kissed her. She laughed in her throat as we wrestled each other with our tongues. I couldn't think of anything else to give her but that...She might believe that what she sacrificed was acceptable loss, but i'm not sure I agree. She gave something up, I want to show her I appreciate that...Unfortunately this kiss is all I can offer. There are things that I need to set in motion if I want my mares to not only survive, but control this place. If I fall asleep...if I were to black out...I need to secure there future. I fear that something might be sapping my energy...

" *pant* *pant* Shit Silver, thats good..." Jest licked her lips. Her chest rose and fell with ever breath she exhaled.

"As much as would love to reward your sacrifice Jest, I haven't the time. Just be ready, when your back in Black Lable i'll have things in motion. Just follow my ponies lead alright." I kissed her sore cheek.

"Yes...ok. Next time though..." Jest smiled and watched as I left the room. Cherish, Stomper and Val lay in hospital beds adjacent to hers. They had all sacrificed something...

Outside the infirmary I ran into Mending Hoof. I stopped her and pulled her aside," Thanks again for allowing them to be treated here..."

She smiled," Sure Silver, i'm not comfortable with having Black Label here but...There here when you need to talk to them. By the end of the day they'll be transferred back."

"Thank you," I kissed the mare on her cheek and headed towards the court yard. I wasn't sure how long i'd be able to stay awake but I needed to make sure that everything would't fall apart. My vision started to double, I stopped. I could barely stand, whispers started to soothe me as my legs began to buckle. I struggled to keep moving but...

"Chica? You ok...?"

"Breaker...i'm not sure whats happening...I need you to get every pony to the picnic table." Breaker nodded and flew off. I hand't known that i'd be so weak at the moment.

It took me a wile but I got to the picnic table. I waited for everyone to take there seat before I would begin. My ponies looked tired, but better than me. I tried my best to keep my composure and inform them of our situation. I took a deep breath and began," Listen, we have finally taken out Malorie. It wasn't easy, and we lost a majority of the ponies that wanted to help us. But, it isn't over...With Malories death, comes the fall of everything she put together. The gangs she had working together will clash. The pull she had over the economy in the prison is dead. This removes an element that kept this place, bearable in some ways. Witch means that come the following year, they'll be a new problem. I would like to squash it before it grows..."

"What could that be?" Swipe asked raising her eyebrow," What is a bigger problem than Molorie?"

"Every pony she stepped on to get to where she was. the Heavy Weights, the Sinister Sisters, The mares with the ominous face paint. The connections in Black Lable and Night Gale. That and so many more. Malorie took control of the bigger gangs and made smaller groups pay tribute. Once words out that I killed her, theses groups will be owned by no pony...."

Tangy raised her hoof," Um, Silver? Isn't that a good thing? I mean, they won't be bullied anymore...so they shouldn't be a problem right?"

"....No. They will be...they will either want her spot, or they start fighting with the other groups. What i'm getting at is I need you all to maintain steady control over the gangs here..." They all gave me looks that suggested I was insane. I chuckled a little, it was a lot to ask but I know they can do it...

"Look, Silver, I'm down for anything but, getting in-between a power struggle. Thats way to risky..."

" Your right Thread it is...I'm not telling you to do that though. I want you to talk with some of the other mares. Get with Cutter, she'll help you get to the other cell blocks. Theta and Iron will help you along as well..." I looked over to Butter. She had a look on her face that made me pause...

"And what about Upper Management....? When were you going to tell us about her crazy ass being apart of this?" Butter glared at me, waiting for an awnser.

I wasn't ready for that. I didn't have time for this. Butter had just died for me not long ago. I owed her that much. What a horrible time though...I...I..."Silver!" Breaker yelled as I fell to the ground. I blacked out and like that I was out...Whispers echoed in my mind. I could her a little filly giggle. She was calling me something...Then I heard a popping noise, a neck breaking. I was sitting in a black void as the noises came and went....the whispers stayed though. A constant theme in this state....

"Of courser she'd have to black when you ask something important," Lion laughed. She was picking me up. Beaker had my other hoof. I could see them...barely. I opened my eyes and groaned. Damn, I hit my head pretty hard...

"She's back, give her some room...." Cutter commanded. Breaker and Lion put me up against the tree in the court yard. I could see every pony including Jest and Cherish and a few Slashers.

"Silver, wants going on...?" Cutter asked in a low tone. I could barely hear her. I just wanted to dose off again.

I smiled at them and tried to sit myself up. It felt impossible but I managed to get comftable. I cleared my throat and began to talk," I'm sorry guys...I haven't been completely open with you all...I don't have a lot of time to talk..." Breaker tried to say something but Cutter stopped her,"...I'm tired...I can't do much right now. I don't know why or how but I feel like my body is shutting itself down. Trying to use less energy...So, i'll try and make this as quick and as painless as I can. I made a deal with Upper Mnagement...Cutter and me were the only ponies aware of it. Although, when I had her step in against Malorie, in person, it was obvious that I had something going on. She needed bodies, I needed Malorie delt with...For the other half of that deal I got a little gift. Thats a big bomb to drop on a later date..." My head fell to the side, I couldn't lift it. Cutter came and lifted my head back up. She faced me toward her...She was worried but listened...evrey pony was quiet, every pony listened...," I...don't have the time to go into details, I'm sorry evey pony. Sorry Butter...the next step is crucial..."
I stood up and dragged my hooves until I was in the middle of the court yard.

"Silver..." Cutter helped me along, putting my hoof around her neck. I remember the first time she did that for me...," Don,t go walking on you own like that...I got ya..."

"Thanks...The next step, I need all of you to listen. Black Lable needs to be mine, Jest. I need their support. The Slashers have done a lot for me, but I still need you. I need you to be the muscle behind my mares when we start knocking on doors. We need to make sure we start getting more on our side. Malories mares are still a big force and those face paint mares are just as strong in numbers...We have to maintain our strength in this court yard and in the cafeteria. Then we'll...we'll push forward and...Once you all can...," I trailed of, feeling something warm surround my body. I felt tendrils wrap around me in a caring almost cradling embrace. I shook my head and the feeling went away,"...Breaker and Mouse will be taking over when i'm out. Cutter, I want you to help them in whatever way they might need it..."

Cutter nodded," Yeah, I can do that..."

I let her go, I stood on my own when I noticed Missy and the jade mare come from the double doors. They were weary of coming through when they saw us all waiting for them. Slashers quickly flanked them as the approached. Missy had a sheepish smile on her face. The jade mare looked hurt, emotionally. She took her blades off and lay them in the dirt. Her pink mane covered one eye, but I could see she was suffering in some type of way. " I apologize for the intrusion. And I know we aren't welcomed here...Its just, Night Gale told us to come to you and...we have nowhere else to go. Malories mares see us traitors. Please...Silver, will you accept us...?"

"Whats your name...?" I asked the jade pony putting my hoof under her chin. I stared into her pink eyes. " I've always wondered why no pony has ever said it out loud. You've been a very busy pony, attempting to kill Lion, me. I should kill you right now...Maybe Missy too." I looked over at the diamond dog. She whimpered a little.

The jade mare held my hoof to her neck," Ok, I get it. I'm not the pony you want to see right now. Just leave the mut out this. If your going to kill me..."

I slammed her to the ground and pressed down on her throat with my hoof. It took more energy than I wanted to use, but I needed to show them I wasn't weak. I'm not going to let a little sleep slow me down. I pressed even harder on her throat. She gagged and choked. I could see her eyes water as I pressed down harder, I smiled....The diamond dog was unsure if she should help, the jade mare didn't seem to struggle. I leaned down and kissed the mare, she accepted. I could feel her struggling and it turned me on. I wanted to rip her head off, swallow her whole, taste her flesh. I had to be smart about this, I took my hoof away as I helped her up. She gagged and coughed a few times. I needed some pony like her, and the mut...I could manage that...

"....My, name...Sparkling Emerald...you can call me Emma." The jade mare stood up straight and bowed her head," I apologize for...trying to harm you Silver...and your ponies. I only come here and hope that you can forgive me..."

"Silly pony...I already accepted you. I just don't think you've suffered enough. Butter will let you know when that time comes. In the meantime she'll be getting a few shots at you. As for missy, i'm sure we can sort you out. From now on you two are mine, you belong to me." I scowled at the two, they nodded." Butter, save them for me, I want to explore them more when I wake..."

"Wait, what?"

I fell to the ground in front of Emma and Missy. I couldn't hold it any longer. I wasn't sure if I got them prepared enough, I had hoped that just giving them an outline of what I wanted was enough. Hopefully they can fill in the blanks for the rest. My body felt heavy...I can't believe this. I passed out right in front of these two...shit!

I couldn't hear much, the sounds from the world I left grew muffled. Then muted. I could only hear whispers...a warm feeling covered my body. Apendages wrapped me in a motherly grasp. I heard so many whispers...so many voices...

"Silver...I've been waiting..."