“Brother, are you sure about this?”

The Canterlot streets were mostly empty. Only a couple of royal guards were still outside, due to the heavy downpour today.

“Yes, sis. I don’t think I’ve ever been more motivated in all my life.” came from the white Unicorn stallion, his mid-length white mane with royal blue zig-zags, almost like lighting bolts, blew in the storm’s wind as he tried to reassure his twin sister. He looked fairly young, probably in his early 20’s. However, he was one of the finest guards Celestia had ever recruited. He took down down the five ‘Master’ ranked guards single hoofed, and led the Celestial army to victory through countless battles. His skills were almost unmatchable! Almost...

“Look sis; I’ll defeat and bring back the asshole, and I’ll still be in one piece.” He smiled to his sister, something he never did when he was away from her.

“That’s not what I’m worried about at all!” She said with a stern look on her face. They matched each other in appearance almost entirely, but she had a wild, unkempt mane, while her brother’s was straight. Her hair was lacking his blue marks.

“Lieutenant Scratch, everything is ready for your mission! Celestia has given you full permission to leave!” hollered one of the royal guards that was near the exit gates.

Storm looked deep into his sister’s red eyes with his royal blue ones, both being filled with the affection only a twin brother and sister shared.

“I’ll be fine, I promise... I love you, sis, and I’m not going to leave you any time soon either.”

“I love you too, bro!”

The siblings hugged, holding each other with such an embrace as many of the guards felt teary eyed at the heart warming scene. They’ve been through everything together, the good and the bad. Especially the bad. They only had each other, and it was rare to see a bond come close to as strong as theirs.

The two separated, as it was time for Storm to complete his search,

“See you later, Vinyl.”

“See you soon, Storm.”

Storm parted with his sister, regaining his stern, emotionless look, and hate filled eyes. The only time he showed any sign of emotion was when he was with his sister. The guards backed away from his path, while giving a salute, as they knew not to get on his bad side.

‘And please don’t do anything stupid!’ went through the mind of the worried Vinyl as she watched her brother near the exit.

The guards opened the gate for him, as he made his way forward.

“Have a safe mission, sir.” One of the guards spoke up.

“Hmph, who do you think you’re talking to?” responded Storm.

Storm entered through the gate, which lead to a cliff. Canterlot was on the side of a mountain, so there are two sides needed to exit; the side that lead down the mountain for the non-flying creatures and land-driven carriages to enter and leave from, and the side for the Pegasus and other winged creatures, also where the Pegasus-driven carriages landed and took off. Storm decided to take the latter, as he figured was much quicker to exit from.

‘I’m coming for you, Red.’

Storm jumped from the ledge, falling at an incredible speed, as he dived nose down. No one was surprised or concerned. Storm was the best after all.

Or so they said...

*****************************************************************************************************************

Crimson had finally made it to the entrance of Ponyville. It was a rather lovely town, and it looked simple, which Crimson liked. The town look better then many of the other towns he was kicked out of; Manehattan was much too crowded, Trottingham had many ponies with too thick of an accent to make out what they were saying, Appleoosa, Dodge Junction, and Las Pegasus were too damn loud and, well, you get the idea.

There were pony folk of all breeds, shapes and colors walking around the streets. It was no bother, he figured he’d probably never leave his house anyway. He wasn’t a social pony by any means.

‘So this is Ponyville, huh?’ Crimson thought to himself.
As soon as he took the first step, a quick, pink pony was suddenly approaching him. It was a mare...

‘Maybe she’s just passing by, at a really fast speed... Maybe she’s in a hurry. Yeah, that’s it! She’s in a hurry to see somepony that isn’t me! I pray that’s the case. I want to keep away from any social interaction as much as-’

“Hi there, new guy! My name's Pinkie Pie! What’s yours?!”

‘-possible... And why can’t I finish any of my thoughts today?!’

“That’s none of your concern.” answered Crimson in his usual dull tone.

“Oh, but it is!!! My name is Pinkie Pie, And I am here to say! I’m gonna make you smile and I will brighten up you your day!~” sung the overly energetic pink pony, now known as Pinkie Pie. She had a nice voice, he had to admit. She was quite the looker too, she had a beautiful hot pink coat, an even pinker, poofed-up mane, and sparkly light blue eyes. But still, he didn’t want to be anywhere near her.

Crimson put his hoof to her mouth in an attempt to make her go quiet.

“Fascinating. Now, if you wouldn’t mind, I have something very important I have to do. So go awa-”

“Really!? What is it you have to do?! Huh, huh, huh?! I bet I could help! Are you new!? Do you want to buy a house?!?!? I could definitely help you with that!!! I haven’t been this excited since my friend Twilight first came to Ponyville!!! I was all like *GASP*, but she said it doesn’t make much of a good impression, so I haven’t been doing that anymore! You have a cape! Does that make you a superhero?!?!?!? Are you Batcolt?!?!?! That would be SO COOL!!! Well, not as cool as Rainbow Dash anyway! By the way, I don’t think I ever caught your name! What is it, huh, huh, huh! Is it... Black Snooty!? How about Dark Cape-y!? No no no, Mystery Mane, MYSTERY MANE!!! Is that it!? No?! Well then what is it, What is it, WHAT IS IT?!?!?!” she managed to say without so much as taking a single breath.

Crimson was getting irritated at this point, she even called his favorite cloak a cape! However, he decided to keep his cool. He sighed angrily; he knew he wasn’t going to get out of not telling Pinkie Pie his name, so he thought he might as well get it over with.

“If I tell you, will you promise to stop asking?”

“Okie Dokie Lokie!” she replied.

“My name is Crimson Rays, alright?” He snorted, trying his best to calm down. He was hungry, tired, and getting very, very annoyed. The pink pony before him seemed to not even notice.

Pinkie Pie squealed as she bounced around Crimson in a small circle, giggling as a thought crossed her mind.

“What’s so funny?” Crimson sighed.

“I just had a thought! Your name is Crimson, right? And that’s kinda boring. Can I call you Magenta? Or Maroon! Ohh! Ohh! I know! A cooler, SHORTER name! Like.... RED! Yeah! That’s your new name, Red! Red, Red, Red, Red, Red!”

Crimson’s eyes grew, his pupils dilating in horror. It was that name. The name only his closest friends and loved ones called him. The name that Bright Star used to call him...

Crimson fell to his knees and held his head with his hooves, the memory too horrifying to remember, the remorse too much to bare.

“H-hey, what’s wrong!? Are you okay!?” asked the concerned pink pony.

“Just shut up!!!” shouted the colt, tears threatening to leave his eyes. “What makes you think you have the right to call me by the name, huh?! Mind your own fucking business and leave me alone!” Crimson shouted again, as he broke down in front of her.

“I... I’m sorry...” Pinkie Pie whimpered, fearing that she’d gone too far. She... she was just trying to be friendly...

As he looked at her, he noticed tears streaming down her face. He also noticed that her hair went straight, and she became a slightly darker pink. Her voice even lost some of it’s high pitch as she continued to apologize through her blubbering. Crimson felt extremely heart-broken at the sight, knowing it was his fault she was the one breaking down now. If he had only one good quality in his body, it was that he hated to see others cry.

Crimson quickly gathered himself together, calming down as he tried to help the mare.

“Look, I’m sorry I-” Crimson was cut off by a voice in the distance

“Pinkie Pie? Hey Pinkie, wait up, I- …GIRLS, SOMETHING’S WRONG WITH PINKIE!!!”

‘Oh no...’

That was the right thought, Crimson knew he was screwed.

“Pinkie, what’s wrong!?” asked the very concerned lavender Unicorn mare. She had a neat, clean cut dark colored mane and tail with a single violet and rose stripe going down both, and violet eyes.

She was accompanied by four others, all mares. The first was an orange Earth pony with a blond mane in a pony tail, along with her actual tail, emerald colored eyes, and a stetson. The other was a white Unicorn with a fancy, curled indigo mane and matching tail, and azure colored eyes with plenty of mascara and appeared to be wearing a lot of make up. The next was a cyan Pegasus with a messy, short rainbow colored mane, a matching, longer tail, and rose colored eyes, she could also almost pass herself off as a colt with her tomcolt-ish appearance. The last was a light yellow Pegasus with a long, pale pink mane that slightly curled to the side of her face, a matching pink tail that hung to the ground from it’s length, and graceful teal eyes.

“Hey, Pinkie, what’s up? Did this bonehead do something to you? I bet he did, didn’t he!” the rainbow maned Pegasus shouted, riling herself up for a fight.

“I didn’t mean to do this to her, I’m sorr-”

“So it was your fault!!!” She charged at him, but the orange Earth pony managed to caught her tail with her mouth before she could get to him.

“Why you little dyke! Don’t you dare try to fight me, I’m-”

“You’re what? Huh?” the lavender Unicorn butted in.

Crimson noticed that all of them were starting to look at him quite angrily.

‘If I get in another fight, I’m going to get my ass kicked out of another town. I have to get out of here.’
Crimson snarled in anger, and darted away from the ponies, four of the mares galloping after him while the light yellow Pegasus stayed back to check on Pinkie. The rainbow maned one was catching up very quickly, so land travel wasn’t going to cut it.

He decided this was the time, as a pair of black wings popped out of his cloak as he took to the air. Yes, Crimson’s a Pegasus, but his wings are almost never in use, as he always wears his cloak to hide them, among other secrets he held.

“You wont get me kicked out of another town!” Crimson shouted back as he was still being chased. However, he seemed to lose them... other then the rainbow maned Pegasus, who was still dashing after him at great speed.

‘Are you kidding me?! How fast is this mare!?’

“You may have lost the others, but you won’t lost me, you emo prick!” yelled the mare.

‘I hate you so much...’

They kept the chase up for a while, dodging every obstacle in their path as they kept low to the ground. However, up ahead was none other then the lavender Unicorn! She charged her magic, and, not knowing what was going to happen, Crimson tried to bolt away vertically. With his momentary loss of speed, she easily managed to catch him in mid-air, and he fell and skidded through the dirt. She lifted him up, a rosy aura now around his body, and brought him back to the other four mares, who managed to finally catch up.

“But how?! You couldn’t have gotten ahead of me unless-”

“Unless I knew a short cut though the town? I’ve lived and studied here for over a year now, I think I’d know where to go if this situation ever came up!” said the Unicorn, priding herself as Crimson struggled in her grasp.

“Dammit!” Crimson shouted. ‘Guess I have no choice.’

As he was about to pull something out from his cloak, he suddenly spotted a speeding pink blur headed their direction.

“Stop! No! Nononononononononono! Stoppit! Let me explain what happened!” shouted Pinkie Pie as she finally caught up, breathing hard, with only a sniffle every now and then.

“Ah think we know enough to know what happened here, sugercube!” said the orange Earth pony with a noticeable country accent.

“No, you don’t know what happened, it was my fault!” said the saddened pink Earth pony, her color and mane were the same as before.

“HUH?!” came from everypony’s mouths, Crimson’s included.

“Yes it was my fault.”

“But we saw what this... monster did to you, darling. Surely you’re mistaken.” the white Unicorn, who spoke with a fancy, posh accent, tried to clarify.

‘Heh, monster. Now where have I heard that one before?’ Crimson thought sarcastically, chuckling to himself.

“No, you’re wrong, and please don’t call him a monster! Look, if I’d just stopped bugging him like an Annoying Annoyerson when he asked me to, and hadn't called him that nickname like a Rude-y McRuderpants, then this never would have happened,” the pink pony explained with a sniffle and a frown.

‘Is she actually... defending me?’ Crimson was honestly shocked. After what he did to her - whether or not she deserved it - she was still defending him. This mare had a heart of gold, which made him feel even worse.

“Pinkie, are you sure-” the lavender Unicorn tried to get in.

“Yes I’m sure, Twilight! I just said I was, didn’t I?!” shouted the pink pony, which quite frankly surprised everypony.

“Okay okay, sorry!”

The lavender one, now known as Twilight, released her magic hold on the colt as he landed on the ground on his fours. She didn’t like it, but she trusted her friends, and she knew better then to doubt Pinkie Pie by now.

“Well, what are you waiting for?! Get out of here!” the cyan one growled. Crimson’s eye twitched.

“Rainbow Dash!” Applejack scolded, even though she felt like saying the same.

“I was going to, brat!” Crimson responded. ‘Damn it, I need to keep my emotions in check! But I can’t help it, that one drives me crazy!’ She seemed to infuriate him the most, which she seemed to be happy about. “...I’m sorry, Pinkie.” With an amazing burst of speed, Crimson’s body suddenly flickered and vanished into thin air, leaving some very confused mares behind.

“Did he just... vanish?! He’s no Unicorn, so he couldn’t have used a Teleportation spell! Maybe he...” Twilight rambled on to herself, trying to figure out how this could possible make any sense.

“How fast is this guy?! What if he destroys my chances to become one of the Wonderbolt?! No way, everyone knows I’m the fastest, coolest, most awesome pony in Equestria! And besides, he’s never performed the Sonic Rainboom! Heh, what was I worrying about?!” Dash bragged to herself, as the orange Earth pony seemed to roll her eyes at the Pegasus’ sudden change in morale.

“...Come on, Pinkie... I bet some sweets at Sugercube Corner will cheer you up. I mean, if that’s okay with... you...” said the pale yellow Pegasus, trying her best to be more assertive and help her friend.

“Thanks guys, but I think I’ll just go to bed for the night.” Pinkie responded morosely.

This left her friends very shocked. Not only did Pinkie Pie just deny sweets, but it was only three o’clock in the afternoon! They didn’t know what to do, it was usually Pinkie cheering others up, not vice versa. She even sang about it once! It’s all that stupid colt’s fault, hopefully he already left, then he wouldn’t be a nuisance to their lives anymore!

Little did most of them know however, that they’d meet that mysterious colt again. Sooner then they had ever hoped...

*****************************************************************************************************************

After the events from today, Crimson was left feeling depressed. When Crimson gets depressed, UNSPEAKABLE THINGS HAPPEN!!! Nah, he just gets drunk off his ass! Now don’t get me wrong, Crimson isn’t an alcoholic, it’s very rare when he drinks actually. He just does it when life’s got him really down. Luckily, he isn’t near bars or liquor most of the time he is, or he’d have died from alcohol poisoning by now.

It had been about 2 hours since the big chase, in which he had spent most of that time in a bar called ‘Appletini’s’. Rumor has it that it has not only many exotic drinks, but many exotic people have visited this bar. I guess we can chalk Crimson up to list, huh?

“Sir, don’t you think you’ve had enough to drink?”

“Don’t tell meh whan I’ve hod en-*hic*ough alright!”

Our protagonist everybody...

“Sir, you’ve already had three shots of whiskey, and a shot of vodka!” the attempted convincing from the bartender pony continued.

“Mind ya own damn business! Now, Ah think I’ll hove dat Afterburner thingie!” Crimson drunkly proclaimed.

“But sir, I-”

“Ma name’s not ‘Sir’!” The drunk Crimson reached over the bar and held him by his uniform. “Now bring me that drink, now!”

To put it mildly, the bartender pony looked like he was going to piss himself.

“I-I’m sorry, si- I mean, we r-ran out of one of the ingredients for that one!” At the look in Crimson’s eyes, the bartender got panicked. “Oh, pleasedon’thurtme!”

“Is this what you’re looking for?” The voice belonging to the pink hoof that slid a glass bottle of Tabasco sauce on the counter.

“YES!” said the suddenly overjoyed bartender. “That’s the ingredient! Thank you so much, ma’am! I’ll get right on it! And would you like a drink on the house, miss?”

“No thank you, I’m fine.”

Crimson looked out the corner of his eye, to see that the mysterious voice was none other than Pinkie Pie. He noticed something different about her. Her hair was poofy again, but not quite as poofy as when he met her, she still didn’t seem to be the right shade of pink either. But what really caught his eye however were her reddened, tear-stained cheeks, which looked recent too. Crimson felt like taking a sword to the heart.

“You seem to be the first of my friends to like hot sauce.” She said with a gentle smile.

“Look, Ah’m sorry fer what happened a while ago.” said the sincere drunk.

Pinkie giggled at how he tripped over his words, but her smile faded as she remembered her guilty feeling.

“No I’m sorry...” responded the sad pink pony.

“Fer wat! Ah’m da one who was actin’ like an asshole!” Crimson protested.

“I’m the one who wouldn’t shut up when I should have!” Pinkie Pie responded.

“Ya didn’t know any*hic*thing! Plus, ya were jus’ tryin’ ta be mah friend!!” Wise words for a drunk.

“I... Thank you.” she finally surrenders.

“No prob*hic*lem!”

They conversed for hours, giving Crimson time to finally sober up a bit, not completely, but enough to correctly form sentences.

“Elements of Harmony, huh?” said Crimson as their conversation went on. They decided to learn more about each other.

“Yup, all six of us!” answered Pinkie, who looked much happier then earlier after finally making amends. Hair back to normal, normal shade of pink, and tear stains nearly invisible. She was returning to her good old self again, one Crimson missed seeing.

“And you actually managed to defeat Nightmare Moon AND Discord, the god of chaos?” Crimson asked, slightly shocked at the fact that six mares could actually take down not one, but two feared creatures that can easily be considered deity status.

“Yes Indeedie Tweedie!” responded the energetic mare.

“Though, Princess Luna doesn’t like being called that anymore. Well, maybe exclusively on Nightmare Night! He he!~” giggled Pinkie as she reminisced on the event of the last Nightmare Night.

“Well, I have to say, I’m a bit impressed.” Crimson finally admits.

“Aw, it was nothing! I couldn’t have done it without my friends! We all did it with the power of friendship!” Pinkie proclaimed, not realizing how cliche her words sounded sometimes, but she meant it with all her heart. She almost fell off her stool before placing her forehooves on the bar again.

“Heh, sorry, I don’t think I can relate.” admitted Crimson, not noticing how weighted his words actually came out. Pinkie frowned a bit.

“So I told you a little about me, now for you!”

Crimson was shocked by the question, but honestly couldn’t say he didn’t see it coming sooner or later. Though, he wished it was later.

“Okay, promise you won’t tell anypony else?”

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” chanted Pinkie, who also made motions as she did it, such as putting her hoof over her eye.

‘...I really hope this doesn’t bite me in the ass later, and get me thrown out again.’ Crimson took a deep breath and sighed as he got ready to explain.

“Alright. You see, my life has pretty much sucked. I’m an orphan. My parents died in a chariot accident when I was five. And I ended up being abused at my old orphanage.” Crimson frowned and took another swig of Afterburner, the hot sauce tingling his throat.

“That’s awful!” Pinkie symphathized.

“Eh, I’m over it. Sort of...” he mumbled under his breath.

“Anyway, after running away at 13, and after... certain events, I was offered a job when I was 18 years old too, putting it lightly, “get rid of” ponies I was told to.”

“How’d you do that? Did you throw them a party to distract them?! I love parties!!!”

‘Is she serious?’ he thought, astounded by her naivety.

“Not exactly...”

“Did you make them go to sleep?”

“...Close...” Crimson said. ‘You don’t know how close you were, kid.’

“Did you bake them a cake? Oh, I love cakes! Pinkie rambled. “Especially Chocolate! Do you like cake?! ‘Cause if you do, I help run a bakery called Sugercube Corner that makes the BEST cakes!!! All kinds of pastries actually! I totally-”

Crimson rubbed his forehead with a hoof. “Do you wanna know or not?”

“Oops, sorry! Go on, continue!” Pinkie said with a blush and an innocent smile across her face. Crimson sighed, he knew what was going to happen next.

“I... I was stupid. I got in a lot of fights. Always angry. Not many friends to speak of.” He looked Pinkie in the eye, and what she saw scared her. “You might look around and see a perfect world, but... When you’re fetlock-deep in a pool of blood, you know. You really know about everything out there. I’ve spilled blood for money. I made ponies die. Didn’t matter whether they were good or bad. What Boss said was law. Boss says kill, I ask how and where. Never why.” He took another gulp. “I’ve started asking that recently.”

Pinkie looked at him in horror. “You... you... blood... kill... why..?” It was too much for her. She couldn’t cope with this, not when she was all about fun. She fell off her stool and landed on the floor with a crash.

A couple ponies turned their attention to them, as they witnessed the scene.

“Nothing's wrong here, everything’s absolutely fine over here! She, uh, just had too much to drink.” Crimson explained nervously, but the ponies were too drunk to make it their business and everypony’s focus wandered back to what they were previously doing. Crimson sighed in relief. ‘How did they believe me? They probably didn’t, but from the events Pinkie told me happens here, they’ve most likely seen weirder.’

“Looks like I’ll have to get you home.” He hoisted the party pony onto his back, paid for his and her drinks, and stumbled out of the bar.

After finally finding Sugarcube Corner, he felt Pinkie shifting on his back, a wordless groan escaping her lips. “Ohhh... What happened?”

“Sorry, Pinkie. I... think I said too much.”

Pinkie started sniffling. “You... killed ponies.” It wasn’t a question. He didn’t answer. “Doesn’t... don’t you ever feel bad?”

“Sometimes,” he admitted, “but not most of the time. Once you’ve lived a life like mine, guilt is something you don’t have time for. Also, have you ever heard of... the Crimson Shadow?”

“Hmmm.... no, can’t say I have.” she answered.

That felt like a buck to the nads. ‘Wow, I heard this town was segregated, but... just wow!’ It hurt the colt’s pride, but at least he won’t be recognized here.

“Anyway, that’s all sounds really horrible, but I don’t know enough about you, so I can’t exactly judge yet.” Pinkie’s honest, you have to give her that.

“Thanks. And if it makes you feel any less horrified, I quit the business a while ago.”

“How long ago exactly? A few years ago? Not long after you joined maybe?” She tried to guess.

“Six months ago.”

He could have sworn Pinkie’s jaw hit the floor.

“Months! You’ve been doing that long?! Wait, how old are you anyway?”

“Twenty-two” Crimson said flatly, trying to hide his irritation from his face.

“You’ve been doing it for four years!!!”

“Yes, four years. Look, when you’ve got nothing going for you and you’re all alone, you’ve gotta drop all of your morals and fend for yourself any way possible. I only had two choices. Be a dead pony, or a pony with ‘deaders’. Now can we drop this please?” Crimson sighed. He didn’t tell her the full reason, but he knew it wouldn’t have been a smart idea.

‘Loves to fight, angry at the world, and hates everything with a passion’ are details that wouldn’t help his case one bit. Crimson Rays is a cold, quiet, ruthless, stubborn, tempered, fearless, bold, sadistic, and emotionless (mostly) young twenty-two year old colt. He's dealt with hardships most ponies would never even come close to having to go through, but it had given a more solid, calm demeanor for it. His near genius IQ, strong, fast, and agile body, and analytical mind made him what he was. However, his detachment to the world around him has made him a very antisocial, hateful, and a dark colt as well.

“Alright, we’ll drop the subject,” Pinkie surrendered. ‘For now anyway...’ She looked at him, head cocked to the side. “But there’s still one thing I wanna know.”

“And that might be?” he asked with dread in his voice.

“Why did you melt down when I called you ‘Red’? Red’s a color right? Do you not like the color red, ‘cause if you did that’d be ironic, what with you wearing so much red and all! And-”

“You’re getting off topic again.”

“Sorry!” apologized the once again embarrassed pink pony.

“Okay. I’m not going to go quite into detail, but I’ll let you know what matters.” said Crimson.

Pinkie nodded her head in agreement, she didn’t want to make him upset again.

“You see, back when I had friends, that was sort of my nickname. But it was also the nickname a little filly I thought of as my sister called me.”

“Aww, that’s sweet!” exclaimed the pink pony.

“Heh, yes, it was. However, she was also my last “hit” I was assigned to perform as well.” Pinkie Pie gasped with horror, and then horror screamed. Pinkie didn’t feel like screaming, so she just let horror have its moment.

“You see,” Crimson continued, “her name was Bright Star, and my employer assigned me to execute her because of her magic ability. It was an inherited ability in her family, it let her access a key to untold power, power many ponies with black hearts would love to get their hooves on. I can’t exactly tell you what it is, I was never told. What I can tell you however, is that many people wanted her. Either to take her power, or kill her. Most of her family was slaughtered already, including her parents. So, she was an orphan like me. She was alone. She was like me.” His face drooped into a frown as his eyebrows furrowed. “Just like me.”

Pinkie was completely quiet, focused on hearing the rest of this story.

“I ended up saving her instead, which was a foolish idea on my part, knowing how much trouble I could have gotten into. I never told my boss, either. We ended up creating a bond as though we were like brother and sister. One day, he found out that I never actually finished the job. I pleaded, but he gave me three days or he’d kill me himself. I almost considered letting him, but I knew that if he did, Bright would have no where else to go. She’d just be hunted again, and meet an even more terrible end. And worse, she’d die alone. I knew no matter where I hid her, she’d be found and meet her end. Every way I thought of ended up with her end. So...” Crimson put his head down. “I decided to do it myself. Worst mistake I’ve ever made.” Crimson’s voice started to get shaky. “She woke up. Dammit, if only she’d just stayed asleep...”

Pinkie was still silent.

“Killing kids always made me feel the most guilt. But I pretty much killed my sister. I’ve never felt more remorse in my entire life. I wasn’t able to sleep without a nightmare once, I couldn't live with myself, the guilt was unbearable. I decided to quit. Let’s just say my employer didn’t take that too well. He tried to persuade me to stay with information very valuable to me. I lost my cool and tried to get it out of him by force, which was a big mistake. He... kicked my ass.” Crimson cringed at that last part. “I managed to escape, take what I needed and go. The problem with that was that I had nowhere to go. The hitcolt business offers you to live at the headquarters. So I’ve been jumping around villages and towns, trying to find a place to stay. A place to retire, and leave the past behind me. Another problem however, was that I have a enormous bounty on my head just to have me executed, ordered by Princess Celestia herself.” Crimson decided to leave out how much that bounty was.

“So, I’ve been to and been chased out of every place I could find, found Ponyville, got chased by four angry mares, and here we are now.” he finally finished.

Pinkie Pie was really being quiet now. Crimson looked to see that she had tears streaming down her face.

‘Great, I made her cry AGAIN.’ thought the miserable colt.

“Hey, come on now, please don’t cry! Let’s change the subject, alright? How about we talk about how much you love pastries?” Crimson attempted to cheer the once again miserable pink pony up.

Pinkie Pie simply nodded. “Sure, I guess...”

*****************************************************************************************************************

“Gah! How many towns do I have search before I find you?!” yelled the frustrated white Unicorn.

Terrorize might have been the better word for it. He interrogated everyone in sight, even left a few severely injured to achieve his goal. At least most of them gave straight answers, as they hated his target more than they hated him. Now he was just in a wasteland, no town in sight for miles. Free to let his emotions rampage.

“I’ve searched EVERYWHERE! Las Pegasus, Manehatten, Trottingham, Baltimare, even Hoofington and Appleoosa! Where else could you possible be?!”

Storm let his magic loose, his horn becoming coated in sparks. He formed a mass of electricity in his hoof and shot it at a nearby bolder, coming out as a powerful beam of lightning. After making a miniature explosion, where the bolder once stood was nothing but a fairly large crater in the ground, as it disintegrated from the blast. Storm sighed in frustration, not feeling one bit satisfied.

“Keep it together, Storm. You’re gonna go insane if you keep this up.” he said to himself, bringing a hoof to his face.

“It’s just two more towns anyway, I can bottle my rage in ‘til then. First Fillydelphia, then Ponyville.” Though he highly doubted he’d be in such a segregated like Ponyville, it was almost nonexistent and the population was small, he’d stand right out.

“I’ll find you, Red. You won’t escape your Divine punishment.”

*****************************************************************************************************************

Crimson and Pinkie both shared an ominous shiver.

“Wow, my Pinkie Senses have never done that before!”

“Heh, Storm’s coming.” Crimson chuckled.

“But, I swore the Pegasus ponies said that it was going to be clear skies for the whole next week!” Leaving the bubbly mare confused.

“It’s nothing. Anyway, that wasn’t a bad talk, but I think it’s time I head out.”

“Oh! Do you have to?” the energetic pink pony asked.

“I gotta find a place to sleep.” He looked at the clock mounted above the dresser in Pinkie’s room.

“But, it’s almost midnight...” He sighed, knowing that he’d just have to ask. “Can I stay the night, Pinkie?”

“Ohmigosh, yes! Even if you were a meanie killerpony, now you’re just a meanie sad pony! And I’m gonna help you cheer up, or my name isn’t Pinkamena Diane Pie!”

Crimson snorted. Then, when he saw the face Pinkie was making, he full out laughed. He hadn’t laughed like that since... well, he didn’t want to think about it. Without even thinking about it, he drifted to sleep on Pinkie Pie’s floor, with Pinkie humming a happy tune to herself as she got cozy in her bed.

“Hey, Crimson?” Pinkie shook him, trying to wake him up. He had only slept for maybe an hour.

“Yes?” Crimson grumbled.

“I’m not sure if it’s a good idea if you stay here anymore. I mean, it’s nothing against you, it’s just that the Cakes already have so many things to take care of, like their new twin foals, that they have enough on their plates as it is.” Pinkie explained with a sad look.

“It’s alright, Pinkie. I understand.” he responded. He took a glance at the clock on the wall, 12 am.

“You still need a place to stay, huh.”

“Yeah. I’d like to find a house for sale.”

“Well, I think I can help you there!” Pinkie smiled. “I don’t think the Cakes will let any more people stay at Sugercube Corner, they just got kids, and it’s been a real crazy few months since, but I think I have a friend who has more then enough room!”

‘Please tell me she’s not-’

“My friend Applejack runs a huge apple farm called Sweet Apple Acres, I’m sure you could-”

“Out of the question. If it was one of your friends that I met, then they won’t let me take a step near their property!” Crimson pointed out.

“Applejack is the most inviting, friendliest pony I know, I’m sure she’d let you stay once I convince her! And besides, you have nowhere to go, and she’s probably your best bet.” Pinkie reasoned.

“But I- *sigh* fine.” he said, once again admitting defeat.

“Woohoo!!! Pinkie bounced around him. “This is gonna be great, my new friend, hanging out with one of my best friends! Like a slumber party! Maybe you’ll even become best friends and-”

“I wouldn’t get your hopes up- wait.” He stopped in his tracks yet again, “Did you just call me... a friend?” Crimson interrupted.

“Of course! Unless.. you don’t feel the same.” A sad look forming on her face.

“No, no, it’s not that!” he reassured, trying to prevent more water-works. “It’s just that... I’ve never had many friends, at most five. But... most of them kind of hate my guts.” he tried to explain.

“Aw, why would you say that?” asked the concerned Pinkie Pie.

“I... don’t wanna talk about it.” he simply stated.

“Oh, okay then.” She said, sounding a bit disappointed. “Well, don’t you worry, I’m your friend, and if I can get my friends to warm up to you, then they’ll wanna be your friend too! We are friends, right?” asked the hopeful mare.

“Yes, Pinkie Pie, we’re friends.” he answered, showing a gentle smile, something he hasn’t shown anypony for a really long time.

Pinkie Pie flashed a smile from ear to ear, the biggest smile he’s seen her reveal yet.

“Yes!!! Yesyesyesyesyesyes!!! You even finally said my name!!!” She dashed towards him and wrapped her arm around him in a rib breaking hug. This probably would have hurt most ponies, but Crimson was built solidly of muscle, honed from years of fighting.

Crimson’s face now matched the red in his hair, he wasn’t the touchy-feely type, especially with mares. He was terrible with them, probably why he’s never had a fillyfriend. That, and he thinks “love” is a waste of time, as it was something he’s never experienced.

He gave up and awkwardly wrapped his arms around her, completing the hug. Eventually for what felt like forever to Crimson, Pinkie Pie broke the hug and hopped off.

“Come on, we gotta get to Sweet Apple Acres, remember silly?!” she excitedly shouted, not feeling the least bit embarrassed.

“Huh? Oh yeah, right, coming!” Crimson said as he awkwardly ran to catch up to Pinkie as she giggled at him.

‘Heh, so this is what it’s like to have a friend again.’

*****************************************************************************************************************

It was 12:30 am, and just as Applejack finished applebucking the trees before she went to bed, until she heard the unmistakable springy sound of Pinkie Pie coming her way. Following close behind the pink mare was a cloak-clad colt, cautiously cantering across the field towards the apple grove AJ was currently in. “Gah’sarn’it... Wha’s he doin’ here?”

She trotted forward to meet Pinkie, and the colt.

“Um... hello-”

Right as he said that, she lunged and tackled the colt to the ground. Just as she was about to bring her hoof to his face, the colt spoke up.

“Waitwaitwait, I can explain!!!”

“Best ya start fast! An’ ya’ll better have give me a good reason why I shouldn’t shove mah hoof up yer-”

“Hi Applejack!” the carefree pink pony popped her head in between the farm filly and the cloaked colt.

“Pinkie, what in tarnation-”

“This is my friend, Crimson Rays! But you already met once! What’cha guys doing now, wrestling?”

“Something like that.” the colt spoke sarcastically.

“Quiet, you!”

Applejack finally got off Crimson as it was Pinkie Pie’s turn to explain.

“Ya better have a darn good reason for this, Pinkie!”

“I do actually! You see, he doesn’t have anywhere else to go, and we made up at a bar you see! He’s a really good pony once you get to know him!” Pinkie said enthusiastically.

The orange pony just glared at him. ‘Is she really being serious?’

‘So this is Applejack.’ Crimson thought to himself, ‘Should have guess, what with her having three apples as a cutiemark and all. Not that I was looking there, but... nevermind.’ He watched her sigh, turning her attention back towards Pinkie.

“So why exactly did ya bring him here?” asked the confused farm mare.

“I was wondering if he could stay with you for a while until he finds his own place to stay!” Pinkie responded.

“Absolutely not!” she shouted.

“Told you.” Crimson deadpanned.

“Please Applejack, would you really let another pony lay in the street and starve?!” Pinkie reasoned.

“Well, no but... what ‘bout lil’ ol’ Apple Bloom?! Are ya sure he wouldn’t try to do nothin’ to her?!”

“Are you insinuating that I would... what the hell is wrong with you?!?!?!” yelled the insulted Crimson.

“What’s wrong with me? Look what ya’ll did to Pinkie, are ya really as good of a pony as she says ya are?!”

“Applejack, I already told you what happened! It wasn’t his fault!” Pinkie tried to explain.

Crimson sighed, “No Pinkie, it really was my fault.” Crimson admitted, shocking both the mares as he went on. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you to begin with, you just wanted to be my friend. It’s my fault, and I’m owning up to my mistake.” Well, it's a start.

“But ya, Ah... Ah...” Applejack was almost speechless, shocked at the level of maturity the colt showed her, but she sighed and tried to gather her words. “... Fine.” she gave up. “I guess I’ll let ya stay for a while.”

“Thankyouthankyouthankyou, Applejack!” Pinkie ran up and hugged her, knocking the wind out of her.

“No *wheeze* problem, sugercube.” As she was being hugged by Pinkie, Applejack managed to throw one last mean stare at Crimson.

“Alright, I guess my job here is done!” Pinkie proudly stated and got ready to leave. “I’ll be back tomorrow to see how you guys behave! Bye guys, and have fun!” Pinkie shouted as she bounced home.

“Yeah, fun.” The two said in sync. They waved until Pinkie was out of sight,
.
“Alright, now shut up an’ follow me to yer room.” she said bitterly.

‘Yeah Pinkie, she’s real friendly.’ Crimson sarcastically thought to himself.

Just as they where heading back to the barn, Crimson noticed a rustling in the bushes.

“Um, Applejack was it? There seems to be someone out here watching us.”

“What in tarnation are ya-” she stopped, shocked to see he was actually right. She sighed yet again. “Come on out, Apple Bloom.” she demanded.

A little filly, with a pale yellow coat, orange eyes, and a red mane with a big pink bow in it stumbled out of the bush.

“Apple Bloom, what in the world are ya’ll doin’, spyin’ on us like that?” Applejack asked the filly. “When’d ya get down here, anyhow?”

“...about the time ya tackled him to the ground.” said the filly. Applejack put a hoof to her face and sighed.

“Well, I heard screamin’, so Ah came out to see what was wrong!”

“It’s alright, Apple Bloom, just get in an’ get ready for bed, okay? Ya got school tomorrow.” Applejack said.

“Aww...” Apple Bloom whined, until she noticed the colt standing next to her big sister. “Who is he, anyway?” she innocently asked Applejack.

“He’s nopony!” she angrily answered. “Just stay away from him, okay?”Applejack trotted off, with Apple Bloom and Crimson following behind her. As he was walking, the noticed that the filly reminded him a bit of Bright Star.

‘Damn it, Thinking like that will be the death of me! Gotta stay stop thinking about her, but.. am I able to?’ Crimson argued with himself, not noticing that they were already inside the barn. It actually looked pretty nice on the inside, like a regular home for a nice family.

“Night, sis! Apple Bloom yelled, hugging her sister tightly. Applejack did the same, as the sisters shared a heart warming ‘good night’ with each other. It reminded him even more of Bright...

The little filly ran up the stairs to her room, leaving the two alone once again.

“You best not try anything, ya hear?” Applejack warned. “Stay out of mah room while Ah’m asleep, or ya’ll will be sorry!”

“Oh will you give it a rest already? You’re like a broken record, I swear.” Crimson said in a dull tone of voice.

“I just know how most colts are.” Applejack responded.

“Yeah, well I’m not like most colts. I’ve never even had a fillyfriend before, I’m still a virgin-” Crimson put his hooves over his mouth, but it was too late. Both ponies just stood their with a noticable blush on their muzzles. He also said that a bit louder then he should have.

“...Ah didn’t need to know that.” Applejack said, flustered.

“Applejack, what’s a virgin?!” called Apple Bloom from the top floor.

“GO TO BED, APPLE BLOOM!!!” yelled the orange pony. They heard tumbling as Apple Bloom ran back to her room for her life.

“Nice one.” Applejack growled. “Now keep yer mouth shut an’ follow me.” She demanded, as Crimson rolled his eyes.

They finally made it to the spare bedroom upstairs. It was surprisingly roomy, and it had a bed! Crimson couldn’t even remember the last time he slept on a bed.

“Here’s your room, now go to sleep.” Applejack said bitterly.

“... thank you for letting me stay here, Applejack. Good night.” Crimson said softly to her.

Applejack was again surprised at Crimson’s behavior. ‘Gah! He’s jus’ TRYIN’ to make me feel bad, ain’t he!’ Applejack sighed. “Yer welcome, Ah guess. Night.” she said as she shut the door behind her. She felt guilty treating him like that, but she still didn’t trust him just yet.

*****************************************************************************************************************

‘Still haven't found him yet.’ the Unicorn thought bitterly to himself.

‘Oh well, at least the only place left to check is Ponyville. But it happens to be the farthest town from me at the moment. Goddess damn him to Tartarus, this is going to be a long walk...’

*~*~*

Editor here! Just wanted to say that while this was one huge confusing pile of awesome, it wasn’t that hard to edit. There were some holes that needed filling, but thanks to the wonders of Modding, I just created a bottomless stack of cobblestone, and filled it all in nicely. Well, enough about Minecraft! This fic is great, Wolfie! Can’t wait for the next installment! What’s gonna happen? Will Crimson ever find a home? Will he ever gain new friends? Will I ever stop asking questions? Will Crimson EVER get laid?!?!

… The answer to the last two questions are probably no, but... we’ll find out in the next chapter of.... What was I doing again? Why is this camera recording me? Hello? Hello?!

~Super Big Mac I’ve been sick. Deal with it.