[Fleur’s POV, 7:00 p.m.]

Ozzy, Shiny, and I went straight to a good restaurant away from Vogue to grab a bite to eat after a hectic afternoon. During dinner though, the three of us didn’t talk much, if at all. Ozzy looked out of it after the incident, and Shiny was as concerned about his condition as I was. The scariest thought I’ve ever had before was of losing Shiny after Solar stabbed her, probably more so than being the target myself, but now, I can’t imagine how Ozzy was feeling at that moment. He isn’t strong like an earth pony, doesn’t possess magic or flight, he’s vulnerable to pretty much anything around here if he doesn’t know how to defend himself. He’s just as helpless as a foal. Then there was what happened in the break room. That may have been the first time I’ve ever seen him cry since he moved to Equestria. He looked so vulnerable, frightened, and possibly ashamed of himself for selling himself like that. I felt guilty myself for thinking he was sacrificing his virginity for my sake when that may have been the safest way to get out of the situation with minimal damage in his perspective.

Once we paid for our meal, we went back to the hotel room to settle inside for the rest of the evening.

“I’ll go first and try not to take too long inside,” Ozzy said.

“Oh don’t worry about it, dearie,” I replied with a wave. “Take as much time as you need.”

Ozzy nodded before he grabbed his nightwear and went inside the bathroom, leaving Shiny and me by ourselves, across from each other on the beds.

Oh gosh, where do we even start? There’s so much I want to talk about, but I don’t know where to begin.

“… Oz seems really down, huh?” Shiny asked while looking to the side.

“I can only imagine,” I followed along. “I wish there was something we can do for him. For something Ozzy has experienced... I may not know how often that occurs back on his world, but something like that could make anypony terrified.”

“That’s not the only thing that concerns me,” Shiny commented as she looked towards me. “Remember when I said how I apologized so many times for kicking Oz?”

“Yes?”

“At one point he said it wasn’t as bad as the last couple times he got hurt.”

The air suddenly felt heavy, at least to me, as everything inside just dropped after hearing Shiny’s comment. “I-I’m sorry. I thought you said it wasn’t as bad as the last couple times he got hurt when we’ve only seen him get a black eye from that stallion last week.”

“I meant what I said, Fleur,” Shiny replied with her ears folded as she looked to the side. “I can’t say for certain myself, but I think he’s been in more fights back on Earth, life-threatening or not, than I’ve come to realize.”

“Y-you mean to tell me there’s more to his previous life back on Earth that we don’t know?” I asked with a shaky voice.

“Pretty much,” Shiny replied.

He did mention about starting fresh in a new environment when we first met. I think I’m finally starting to understand why.

“Do you think that… he might not want to see other mares after experiencing everything today?” Shining asked, which perked my ears from how she even thought about his social life, especially romance.

“I’m… Not sure Shiny,” I answered. “If anything, I’m worried if he’ll even stay in Equius if he keeps running into mares like Mascara, or at least thinking he might. It makes sense considering this has occurred often enough for him to think that way. Why do you ask?”

“Fleur… There’s something I should probably, no, I need to tell you because I’m still not exactly sure about this myself, and I need your opinion on it,” Shiny requested as she looked at me directly.

She looks pretty serious about this… wait, is she?

“Alright. What do you need to tell me?” I asked.

She looked hesitant as she tried to come up with the right words. There was a slight blush on her face as if this may be something really awkward or embarrassing to confess while she looked to the side. “So… I’m not sure about this myself yet, but I may… like Oz as more than just a friend.”

My eyes widened before blinking in shock. “Y-you feel that way for him too?”

“Too? Don’t tell me—“

“I’m afraid so,” I finished for her as I looked to the side with my cheeks slightly heated. “I may have something for Ozzy myself.”

“Fuck… when was the last time something like this happened?” Shiny asked while looking to the side and scratching her head.

“Back in Junior High I believe,” I answered. “We turned getting one colt for ourselves into a competition until he ended up seeing somepony else.”

“And that was when we made our pact should something like that happen again,” Shiny added in before she looked down with ears folded. “I don’t know about you, but I’m more concerned about whether or not Oz will get over his insecurities for us mares than trying to go out with him.”

“Same here,” I sighed as I followed Shiny’s gesture. “He’s the sweetest person I’ve ever met, and I want him to be as happy as he made me ever since he came to Equestria.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Shiny added in. “Even after all the shit I’ve put him through, he’s still patient and kind to me. I owe him a lot for how much he’s helping me change myself for the better…” She looked up to me with concern. “Should we just… hold off on dating Oz until he’s comfortable with the idea?”

“That may be the best option right now,” I answered with a nod. “We’ll discuss what will happen when we get to that point. Right now, we’re the only mares in this world Ozzy can trust, and he needs us to help him get through this hard time.”

“This wouldn’t be so difficult if Mascara hadn’t assaulted Oz like that,” Shiny commented as she gripped her fists tightly. “Somehow I don’t see stallions so bad now considering we mares aren’t any better. What if she raped others in the past and they were too ashamed to report her? How often do mares take advantage of stallions when they’re in heat? How do they fare with other mares? It’s just…” She started to shudder as her eyes welled up in tears. When I sat next to Shiny to give her comfort, she broke down crying right there. I didn’t say anything and just comforted her as much as I could while she let it all out. I couldn’t help but break a few tears myself.

Once we started to calm down and used up many tissues to clear ourselves up, Shiny fixed her glasses after cleaning them. “I don’t care how long it takes, and I’ll figure out my feelings later. All I want to do is help Oz get through this and do what I can to be a good friend to him. I’m sure that’s all he wants from me right now.”

“That goes double for me,” I agreed. “It’s the best that we can do for him right now.”

[Ozzy’s POV, 7:30 p.m.]

I took a little longer in the bathroom so I could scrub off the filthiness on my body, and cleaned my mouth of any taste I still had from that awful kiss. No matter how hard I tried, or how many times I did it, I still felt completely disgusting. The images from the incident that kept playing back in my head didn’t help at all either. I haven’t felt this awful about myself since the last time I saw Robert. Sure, that may have been completely different compared to what happened today, but that uncertainty and shame in myself is still the same, somehow.

After I brushed my teeth for the third time, I gave up and left the bathroom to join the girls in my nightwear. “Bathroom’s open,” I said. “Also… I’m sorry, but could I not show myself tonight?”

The girls’ eyes widened in shock before Fleur answered. “You don’t have to do it Ozzy. In fact, don’t worry about it until you’re comfortable enough to reveal yourself. Take all the time you need.”

“Thanks,” I replied.

“I think I’ll go next. Be right back,” Shining said before she got up, grabbed her nightwear, and went to the bathroom before I took her spot next to Fleur.

“How are you feeling?” Fleur asked.

“The water was nice, but I still feel like shit,” I replied while I rubbed my arms. “My mouth tastes awful, I can’t clean whatever she rubbed off on me, and I can’t get those damn images out of my head.”

“Ozzy,” Fleur said with her ears folded.

“Why does this keep happening to me, Fleur?” I asked. “I was never this popular with girls back on Earth, I wasn’t the most social person compared to others, and I don’t think my body looks all that great. What the fuck is it about me that gets some of those mares to lust after me?

“It’s funny actually. I’ve acquainted a couple guys back on Earth who’d practically crave this kind attention from girls, especially my brother Robert. I swear, he became a bigger douche as soon as he had his first time, and somehow the girls back home just swoon over it. He doesn’t even keep one girlfriend for more than a month because he either gets bored with one enough to drop her, or starts seeing someone else even before that. If he saw me right now, I must look like quite a pussy in his eyes.”

“Ozzy, please don’t degrade yourself like that,” Fleur said. “Nopony’s first time is perfect, and it’s normal to be a little scared when you’re at that point in a relationship. From what I’m hearing about your brother, it sounds like he doesn’t see the value and beauty of sex like you do. Am I right?”

“I guess,” I answered. “I rarely thought about how I want my first time to go before now.”

“Why don’t you talk to me about it now?” Fleur asked.

My eyes widened at the question Fleur just put out as I gazed at her. “Like… right now?”

“Yeah,” she answered with a shrug. “I think you already know how open and comfortable I am talking about this kind of this thing by now, so why not? I’m kind of curious to what your imagination can come up with as well.”

“I’m not sure, Fleur,” I answered. “I have mixed feelings talking about this sort of thing.”

“It could help you keep your mind off of what happened earlier, and I won’t tell it to anypony else,” she added in before she made what may be the most adorable puppy dog eyes I’ve ever seen while quivering her lower lip. “Pweeeeease Ozzy?” She asked before blinking her eyes.

Oh god the adorableness! It’s too wrong and painful to watch! Will fading… resistance to ‘d’aww’ crumbling… can’t… hold out much longer…

“Alright alright fine! Just please stop it with the cuteness before I die from a heart attack!” I pleaded as I looked away.

“Yay!” She cheered while clapping happily.

Dear god that was horrifying. I better watch for anything else if I don’t want her using that again.

I sighed in defeat before I looked up in thought. “Alright, where do I even begin?” I asked.

“If you have trouble with it, I find closing my eyes to visualize a nice way to start,” Fleur commented.

“Okay,” I replied before I did what she suggested. “Let’s see… I don’t think I want anything too fancy and complicated. Since there’s a good chance I’ll be with someone who’s not a virgin, I just hope she’s patient enough with me to take it slow, maybe help walk me through it so I won’t feel like I have no idea what I’m doing and look like a complete idiot.”

Fleur giggled a little from that comment. “That’s understandable. What else?”

“Uh…” I took a moment to visualize my ideal setting before answering. “Having it taken place in a bedroom seems simple enough, not expecting much except how comfortable the bed is. Whether we start it off with or without clothes doesn’t really matter. I’m sure whoever I’d be with is the most beautiful person in the whole world to me no matter what she’s in. I heard girls take longer to, uh… orgasm than guys do. So I’d give her much attention to warm up a little after a few minutes of good kissing. I would take my time to explore every place on her body that makes her feel good, probably tell her how beautiful someplace looks, how great it feels, maybe how cute she looks when she reacts to the touch. Hopefully she’s willing enough to guide me where those good spots are that I’d be more than happy to provide such ministrations.

“I don’t know how willing she’d be to return the favor, but I’m not going to worry about that for now. Once we’re warmed up enough though, I’m okay with whatever position she’d like to do for the actual thing since I’m still new to it. If I had to choose, probably something where she’s on top, and we can change positions at any point we see fit. And… I guess we keep going until we’re tired out—hey, do you smell something?” I asked before I took a few whiffs.

Strange… This is the second time a scent has come out of nowhere. It’s different, but somehow it has some sort of sweet flavor like the last one.

I opened my eyes before I looked over to Fleur. Her whole face was red enough to overcome her white fur as she gazed at me with shrunken irises.

Crap, did I somehow go into too much detail?

“Fleur? Are you okay?” I asked.

“H-huh?” She asked before blinking. “O-oh, I’m sorry, I’m fine… just… lost in thought for a bit there.”

“Was that description weird?”

“No no! It’s fine! It’s… very well thought out… beautiful even.”

The two of us sat there in silence for a moment before Shining came out of the bathroom with her nightwear on.

“Bathroom’s ready—“

“ThanksShinyI’llberightback!” Fleur interrupted before she quickly got her clothes and dashed to the bathroom.

“Did I interrupt something?” Shining asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I’m… not sure,” I replied before I got up, and opened the window to air out the strange smell.

I then took my seat back on the bed where Shining sat next to me. “So what did you and Fleur talk about?” She asked before fixing her glasses.

“I was… explaining how I want to have my first time with someone,” I answered while looking down with heated cheeks.

“Oh… how’d that come up?”

“It was something to keep my mind off of earlier. I’d rather not repeat it again since I somehow made things awkward between Fleur and me.”

“Of course. Do you want to talk about something else?”

“Do mares get aggressive around stallions often?” I asked.

Shining paused before she looked down with ears folded. “I’m… Not really sure myself Oz. There are different scenarios of sexual harassment and rape that could happen, and as far as I know, cases where mares act out on stallions are the most condemned in this country.”

“Mares on stallions?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. “What about the other way around?”

“It may be about the same, but the former seems to grab more attention because there are fewer stallions in the population, and we need them in order for us mares to bear foals.”

“And that’s why herds are accepted in this world?” I asked.

“That’s right,” she answered. “Some ponies may want monogamous relationships, and that’s just as accepted, but with more mares sharing one stallion means more foals to bear, and more ponies to help populate Equestria. Sadly, with us in heat it’s more likely for us to get pregnant, and since that can only happen once every two to three months, it may take us a while to really grow. Then there’s cases where stallions aren’t ready to have foals, and mares being more aggressive when in heat will make rape happen more often.”

“Fuck,” I swore. “And Mascara wasn’t even in heat when I was in the room. I can’t fathom how things may have turned out if she was.”

“Well it’s not like every mare wants foals so badly they’d resort to rape to get them,” Shining added in. “Heck, even if I was still able to bear foals right now, I’d much rather wait for that special somepony before I would want to go that far. With that said, it’s harder for us to control our urges when in heat no matter how much we don’t want to bear foals.”

“And that’s why you have that ‘flower symbol thing on doors’ law, right?” I asked.

“Correct,” she answered. “This is so mares can stay in households and not risk getting pregnant when they don’t want to, while it warns male passersby so they won’t get victimized… unfortunately, that’s not always the case.” She then looked down with her ears folded. “Stallions have those urges as well and probably want to have a good ride, but don’t want to hold the responsibility of fathering foals. So when those stallions go into a mare’s home while they’re in heat, that’s when things start to get complicated, and that’s part of what ticks me off about stallions sometimes. I guess I was so focused on that, I didn’t think about other scenarios like what almost happened today.” She looked over to me with a concerned expression while placing a hand on my shoulder. “I just want you to know that you aren’t the first guy to have something like earlier happen, and there are reasonable mares out there who want to have a healthy relationship as much as you do. I understand you’ll need time to get somewhat comfortable with mares again, and Fleur and I will do whatever we can to help. All I ask is that you don’t lose all hope in seeking a relationship with us because you deserve to be happy with somepony you love as much as anypony else.”

Wow… I don’t know how I can respond to that except…

“Thanks,” I replied before a phone rang.

It sounded like Shining’s as she picked up her phone from the nightstand. “Hello? Oh, hey, Toffee, what’s up? Yeah, today’s been rough for all of us. We’re planning on going back home tomorrow… Hold on a second.” She covered the bottom of her phone before turning to me. “Toffee wants to know if we could have lunch with them before we leave tomorrow. Would you like to go?”

“Lunch sounds good,” I answered.

“Yeah we can come for lunch tomorrow,” Shining continued on her phone while Fleur came out of the bathroom with her nightwear on. “Uh huh? 12:30 at Tortellini’s? Sounds good, we’ll see you then. You have a good night too. Bye.”

“Who was that?” Fleur asked.

“Toffee,” Shining answered. “She and Bubbles want us to join them for lunch tomorrow before we go home.”

“How lovely,” Fleur commented.

I yawned before I set my glasses on the nightstand and rubbed my eyes. “I think it’s about time for me to hit the hay,” I said before I got under the covers. What I didn’t expect though was Fleur and Shining taking each side of me on the same bed and got comfortable. My face couldn’t help but warm up a little from this sudden moment.

“Is it alright if we join you Ozzy?” Fleur asked.

“Uh… sure, I guess,” I answered.

This may be the first time I’m fully aware that the girls are sleeping with me before I fall asleep. All the previous nights since we got here I just took as accidents. I didn’t think they’d actually be this willing, especially Shining. Are they doing this for my comfort? Is this normal for friends to do in Equestria? It’s strange, but I feel a little more relaxed now than I was earlier. It’s… kind of nice.

After Fleur turned out the lights with her magic, she and Shining snuggled up to me. I was glad it was dark enough for them to not see me blush, because I felt their breasts pressing against me from both sides, their tails coiling up my legs, and I could smell the same soaps they used on their fur the last couple times we slept. I felt trapped like this morning, but in a good way somehow.

“You comfortable Oz?” Shining asked.

“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” I replied.

“Let us know if you need to move, okay?” Fleur asked.

“S-sure…” I closed my eyes and adapted myself to this new, comfortable position I was fully aware of compared to the mornings before. “Good night.”

“Good night,” they both said before the room was silent.

As I drifted off to sleep, an uneasy feeling I haven’t had for quite some time was coming to me, unaware that what happened next was very different compared to other nights.

[Time unknown]

I was on my way back home from the grocery store, carrying a couple bags of groceries I need to cook dinner for the girls and me. It was a nice day, I was relatively calm, possibly relieved to start settling down after a long day being the girls’ secretary.

As I was a couple blocks away, there were brown and white stallions in golden armor running past me in the same direction.

“Come on everypony we gotta move! We have a hostage situation in our hands!” One of the guards said, which had my heart racing in panic.

No…

I dropped everything before sprinting the rest of the way back home, only to be greeted with a crowd of police officers and bystanders gathering around the front of Fleur’s house. There were also a few guard carriages parked along the street as well. Among the crowd, I saw Bubbles, Toffee, and Fancy together with looks of despair on their faces.

“What’s going on?! Why are there so many ponies here?!” I asked in a demanding tone.

“A human has taken Fleur hostage,” Toffee answered with tears streaming down her face.

“He has a knife ready to cut my poor sister’s throat,” Fancy added in with grief. “He said he won’t let her go unless I trade a million bits for her.”

“LET ME IN THERE YOU BASTARDS!” A familiar voice screamed.

I turned to the source, and saw that it was Shining struggling to break free from a few guards’ grips on her while tears were slowly streaming down as well. “MY BEST FRIEND IS IN THERE! YOU HAVE TO LET ME IN!”

What kind of human would want to get ahold of Fleur just to get some freakin’ bits? Doesn’t matter. I need to see who the hell would even do this to one of my friends, and I’m not going to stand around and do nothing this time.

“Bubbles, cover for me,” I said.

“Huh? Oz, what are you—“

POW!

I gave one of the guards closest to me a hard punch to the jaw that was unprotected by their helmets, enough to loosen their grip so Shining could break free and knock the other one out.

“COME ON, LET’S GO!” I screamed before Shining and I went under the police tape, ignoring the demands for us to stop as we sprinted to the door.

Shining didn’t even bother taking the house key out as she just kicked the door down before we barged inside. What I saw next left my whole body cold, shivering, and sweaty.

Behind a frightened, crying Fleur who was tied to a chair with rope, was a guy with a military cut hairstyle in a lighter shade of brown than my own, light olive skin, green eyes, a tank top, and jeans. He had a large army knife against Fleur’s neck while he was gripping her mane tightly upwards.

“Well well well… if it isn’t Shnoz, my little baby brother,” the guy said snidely.

“ROBERT!” I yelled. “Get the fuck away from my friend you bastard!”

“Th-this is your brother?!” Shining asked.

“OZZY!” Fleur screamed while sobbing. “Help me! Please!”

“SHUT IT HORSE!” Robert yelled while yanking Fleur’s mane up, making her scream in pain.

“DON’T HURT HER!” I yelled. “Why are you even doing this?!”

“I thought I’d start anew here with the money to trade this bitch over, but the plans have changed,” Robert answered before he gritted his teeth. “You took everything away from me, you little snot! I was living the big time before you fucking ratted me out! Now that it has come to this, I don’t think I’ll need that money anymore. I’ll just take everything away from you before I finish what I started years ago! Starting with this whore right here!”

Everything seemed to slow down as my heart raced exponentially high, and I tried to rush in to stop Robert from slitting Fleur’s throat while Shining followed. My screams were silent as I tried to beg him to stop, my hopes quickly deteriorating as I felt I was too late to save Fleur…

“THAT. IS. ENOUGH!”

A new, female voice exclaimed at the loudest volume I’ve ever heard, freezing all of us in place. My whole body besides my eyes were frozen by a light blue aura as I saw everything around me, even Robert himself being warped and faded out until there was nothing but dark blue skies riddled with stars everywhere I looked.

Off to the corner of my eye was a soft, light blue glow radiating from a dark figure’s horn as she flew in my direction. At a close enough distance, I could see it was a mare with a midnight blue coat, and a mane and tail gently blown to the side by a nonexistent breeze that resembled the night sky itself. She had a black crown, necklace with a crescent moon at the center, slippers on her hooves, and a silk dress that hugged her figure in the right places. Once she landed gracefully before me, I saw that she was very tall compared to most ponies I’ve seen so far, yet her female features were just as good, maybe better in proportion than regular mares. She folded her large, majestic wings behind her, and the glow around me diminished before I fell flat on my face.

I groaned in pain before I got on my knees, and looked up to the regal mare in front of me who was like an amazon from where I was sitting.

“So I take it you’re… Princess Luna?” I asked.

“Indeed I am,” she replied. “I must apologize for not coming here sooner, as your nightmares weren’t like most I’ve come across. It was a bit of a challenge breaking my way inside.”

“So this is a dream… figures considering how messed up that was,” I commented while rubbing my head.

“And I came at the best time as well,” she added in.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Your nightmares have become so great, it actually bled into the dreams of your dear friends because of how close in proximity they were with you back in the real world,” Luna explained, making me wide-eyed in response. “Because of this, Fleur de Lis, and Shining Star have witnessed everything that has happened here, and are still present at this very moment.”

I quickly got up, and checked around, and like she said, Fleur and Shining’s bodies were enveloped in her magic, frozen in their designated positions from the dream earlier, but only their eyes were locked on me while tears were streaming down their faces.

“Had I not come here sooner, I can’t fathom what might have happen to them,” Luna continued with a look of dread on her face.

“Is it possible if you could have them join us here?” I asked. “Since they’ve already seen it, I’m sure they have a lot of questions, and it’s about time I explained everything to them like I should have.”

Luna gave a small smile in response. “I was hoping you would say that.” Her glowing horn got brighter while she closed her eyes, and waved her hand over Shining and Fleur who were enveloped in that same light blue aura. In one motion, the girls were able to move again, and they each took a breath while they sat on the ground. Before too long though, they practically tackled me to the ground while they sobbed into my shoulders and squeezed me tightly.

“Oz, you fucking jerk! Why did you held this out from us?!” Shining exclaimed.

“What the heck was that?!” Fleur added in.

“A doozy of a nightmare apparently,” I answered as I had my arms around the girls. “The ones I had before were different compared to this. They were more like memories that got out of hand, really, but no matter what, it was always about me and Robert. They stopped appearing long before I came to Equestria, but they came back after that fight at the jazz club a little over a week ago, and I guess the stress from today added into this one.”

“THIS STARTED AGAIN LAST WEEK?!” Shining exclaimed before she pulled back. “Why didn’t you tell me when I asked you about anything I should know about back at the gym?!”

“I was… afraid of what you might think of me once I told you how I got these nightmares in the first place,” I answered. “But since you’re here now, I guess it’s about time I come clean about my own past. You two deserve that much after everything you’ve done for me.” The three of us then stood up from the ground, the girls wiped their eyes while I straightened my shirt before I turned to Luna. “Princess? You think you can help me out? I think it’s probably better if I show than tell.”

Luna nodded before she placed a hand on my back, focused her magic, and everything around us was spinning. When everything slowed down, the setting changed to a city that was smaller than Manehattan, but still urban all the same. The streets were busy with locals and cars passing by our intangible bodies.

“Where are we?” Shining asked.

“This is my hometown back on Earth three years ago,” I answered. “Peoria, Illinois, in the U.S. We’re starting off here because this is the time when everything started going downhill for me. There I am, over there,” I said as I pointed to my younger self who was walking along the sidewalk.

As I was on my way back home after another long day at work, I spotted something in a shaded alley. Upon closer inspection, it was two people finishing some deal by trading a plastic bag of white powder with a bundle of money. Once they parted ways, I followed the dealer from a safe distance, as he looked somewhat familiar to me.

Once I reached the dealer’s hideout a couple minutes later, I followed him to the room where all of the drugs were being made. The dealer pulled back his hood, revealing a familiar guy with a military haircut.

“Drug deals were a popular thing back then,” I commented as we watched. “There was one type of heroin in particular that was stronger compared to regular ones, and it was a big hit; however, there were many reports of people dying from consuming this drug, and police were tracking the suppliers to take them down.”

“Did the suppliers and dealers know about these deaths?” Fleur asked.

“I’m pretty sure they did, but they didn’t give a crap about it,” I answered. “All they cared about was making big money by means that require a lot of planning, but little physical effort to achieve.”

“I suppose your brother actually worked for such a foul group during the time?” Luna asked.

“Yep, and when he didn’t, he either did whatever he wanted with his buddies, saw other girls, or had a good time by making my life miserable,” I answered. “When I found out what Robert was doing, I’ll admit, I was hesitant on calling the police at first, because I was afraid of what he might do to me if abusing me both emotionally AND physically on occasion wasn’t bad enough, but it was a chance for me to finally get back at him for everything he had done to me, and get his just desserts.”

“We got a bundle!” Robert exclaimed as he slammed the money he received earlier onto the table. The people in the room cheered for his accomplishment in making the big hit as I watched from an unseen spot.

“Yo, man, that’s how we do it!” One of the guys said as he high fived Robert. “We are selling these bitches like hotcakes these days! We’ll be living like kings at this rate!”

“Hey man, we got a report that three more guys died from overdosing this shit,” another person said. “Narcs will be catching up sooner or later if we’re not careful.”

Holy shit, are these guys the suppliers?

“And that’s why we’ll be relocating a few days from now,” one person who I assumed to be the leader said. “Robert, you’re the finest of our dealers, and we’d be honored if you’ll join us…IN MEXICO!” The room was filled with cheers once more. “Once we cross the border, nothing will stop us!”

“Hey, with you guys? Especially my baby girl here? How could I say no?” Robert asked before the room cheered once more, and he made out with I could only guess was his 100th girlfriend, if he wasn’t past that already.

Not if I have anything to say about it.

I quickly made my way out of the hideout as quietly as possible before I ran out of the property. I called the police and told them what was going on along with the location of the hideout, then power walked my way home.

I made it to my messy, smelly, poorly kept apartment building a couple minutes later. On a chair was a chubby, medium-short haired man with a stubble beard, a messy tank top, boxers, and a couple of empty beer bottles and cans lying around him as he watched T.V. in the living room.

“Hey Dad,” I deadpanned as I walked past him.

“Mm,” he responded.

“That's your father?!” Fleur exclaimed.

“I know, the resemblance is just so uncanny, isn’t it?” I asked with sarcasm.

“Fuck, he actually makes Solar Flare from back then look clean. No offense,” Shining said.

“None taken,” I replied.

I started making dinner for Dad and me once I settled down. I was quite proud of myself for my actions. Not only had I done the right thing in calling the cops to arrest the suppliers of that special heroin, but my own brother would be taken in as well. Finally, he’d be out of my hair as he’d serve his time in prison, and I’d move out after I got my schooling done. Things were slightly calm before the door slammed open, making me and Dad jump in surprise. At the door was Robert in his tank top and jeans, sweat pouring all over his body, eyes filled with rage as he glared at me.

“YOU!” He yelled. “You fuckin’ called the cops on us!”

“Wh-what’s going on here?” Dad asked.

“Called the cops on you?” I asked with as much innocence I could act out. “What are you talking about, Robert? What would I even call them for in the first place?”

“BULLSHIT!” Robert yelled. “I know you called the cops on us for drug dealing you fucking prick! I saw you leaving our hideout before I bailed!”

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, admitting defeat for not getting Robert to fall for it. I then stared him down, mustering as much intensity as I could. “You’re going to get what’s coming to you Robert. Many people have died from the heroin you were dealing, and you never showed a shred of guilt for being a part of it. It’s about time you get what you deserve.”

“If you think I’m going to let you get away that easily, you’re dead wrong Shnoz!” He exclaimed as he pulled out an army knife. “If I’m going down, you're coming with me, you little shit!” My whole body was trembling as Robert charged me. Out of all the times he and I fought, this was one where only one of us would walk away with minimal damage. This wasn’t one I could run away from. This was where I need to fight back no matter what my brain said otherwise. I gripped the kitchen knife I used earlier, and dodged Robert’s attack.

“KYAAAAAAAAAH!”

SHUNK!

Robert froze and dropped his knife while mine punctured just at the bottom of his ribs. Before he could respond, I quickly pulled my knife out, and knocked him down to the ground. I then sat on top of his injured torso, and began my flurry of punches to his face.

“WHO’S THE PUSSY NOW, ROBERT?! YOU LIKE PLAYING ROUGH?! YOU LIKE THIS, PRICK?! HUH?! THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR PUTTING ME THROUGH HELL, YOU FUCKING BASTARD!” I kept screaming as I whaled on him. There were moments where he tried to retaliate, but at some point he just stopped and lay there as his face kept getting covered in shades of blue and red.

Once I tired myself out and wheezed from lack of breath, my logic and reasoning came back to me, and I was horrified at what was before me. I raised my trembling, bruised fists, and saw Robert’s blood coating it. I quickly got off of his unconscious body, and I sat against the wall while I hugged my legs and trembled.

“Oh God… What have I done? What the fuck have I done?” I kept asking myself repeatedly while Dad stood there with shock in his face. The heavy, silent air was suddenly replaced with loud sirens while red and blue lights were lighting behind the front door before it was knocked down by the police, yelling the two of us to freeze.

“Having a lot of bouts with him taught me a few things about defending myself,” I commented as Shining and Fleur watched with despair written all over their faces, while Luna’s was one with close observation. With the memory finished, the entire room faded out, and the four of us were back in the cosmic-like realm of the dreamscape before Luna moved her hand out of my back. “One thing I learned that I’ll always remember is that if you want to live another day, you have to win by any means necessary.

“Robert was quickly taken to the hospital while the police took Dad and me to the station for questioning,” I continued as I just stood there while looking at the starry ground with dread. “Robert was still alive. Once he was released from the hospital, he was sent to prison with his associates for dealing drugs that caused the consumers’ deaths, long terms of physical and mental abuse, and attempted murder. I was sentenced to weekly appointments with a psychologist for two months to get my mental health checked, and somewhat recovered. It was during that time that my nightmares began to occur three times a week, showing times of my brother and me fighting in different occasions, but most of them were what we’ve just seen that could have cost one of us our lives. It got so bad I had to take antidepressants so I wouldn’t feel so… anxious. Once my probation was over, I packed my things and moved out of state as far away from home as possible. Dad and I shared few words during that time, and I haven’t seen or made contact with him again ever since I left.

“I got a new job and transferred to a new community college to get my degree. The nightmares were slowly coming less often until they stopped altogether, and I’d just been living on my own with a roommate for a while until news broke out about a new world being discovered. I was thankful they still let me pass after what I went through, but…” I dropped to my knees, and tears were streaming down my face as I kept looking down. “Even now, I’m still not sure if I should even BE here, and to have such great friends like you two after what I’ve done. I mean I almost killed somebody! My own brother at that, and he was sent to prison while I got a slap on the wrist! I… I feel like I’m as bad as Solar Flare for doing what I did!”

“YOU STOP THINKING LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW OZZY!” Fleur yelled.

I looked up in surprise and confusion, and was met with Fleur and Shining looking like complete wrecks while Luna had only sadness written on her face. Fleur and Shining came up, got on their knees, and embraced me tightly from both sides.

“You are nothing like Solar Flare Ozzy, and I know that firsthand,” Fleur continued. “Don’t even think that what you did then makes you a bad person, or that you don’t deserve to be here with us.” Fleur pulled back, and turned my teary-eyed gaze towards hers. “When I first looked into your eyes Ozzy, I could tell you went through great struggles and sadness to get here, but I also saw kindness and hope that glimmered. I wanted to know more about you since then, and even now, I couldn’t be happier to have you with us today.”

“That goes double for me,” Shining sniveled as she wiped her eyes with a small smile. “I can’t imagine where Fleur and I would be right now if you hadn’t come around Oz. You’ve helped me in ways I didn’t think any stallion would, and even after knowing what you’ve gone through, the only thing that matters to me is how things are now, and you aren’t somepony I want to let go so easily, whether you’re our secretary or not.”

I chuckled a little as I wiped my dried up tears. “Thanks girls… But there’s one thing I need to be sure of,” I turned to Luna who was standing before us with a stoic expression. “Princess Luna, does learning this now affect my residency in Equestria?” Fleur’s and Shining’s expressions turned to worry as they just realized Luna could probably send me away for being a potential threat to her subjects, along with every other human that’s in Equestria.

Luna closed her eyes in thought, trying to come up with the right words to say. “Your nightmares have certainly brought my attention, Ozzy Shore,” she said. “Seeing a glimpse of the human race’s darker side has also left me with concern; however, I know my sister and I had to take drastic measures at the last minute ourselves during our time of ruling before my banishment. My sister has changed her ways of ruling our subjects after sending me to the moon, making decisions that led to current events today after 1000 years.” She opened her teal eyes to gaze upon me once more. “I understand you did what you had to do, and though it was traumatic, it was fortunate that no lives were taken that day. It seems however the incident has you questioning yourself, perhaps regretting the actions you took against your brother no matter what he had done to you. Is this not correct?”

“That sounds about right, yeah,” I replied.

“While I have to admit I’ll need to confide with my sister about such cases in the human world, yours doesn’t seem like something I would go so far as sending you back to Earth considering your current condition,” Luna continued. “I will however recommend seeing somepony about the nightmares you’re having, and I’ll check in from time to time to see your progress if that is alright.”

“That sounds reasonable. Thank you,” I answered before Fleur and Shining hugged me tight once more while sighing in relief.

“One more thing I’d like to say before we finish things up here,” Luna said before she got on to one knee, and held my chin up as she gave a small smile. “Don’t let your past hold back your path to happiness, as everypony deserves a second chance for it. Though we cannot change our actions back then, the best we can do is learn from them, forgive ourselves, and move forward to a brighter future. Take it from somepony who has gone through this before. Does this make sense?”

I nodded with a small smile in response. “Yes. Thank you Princess.”

Luna then nodded before she stood back up once more, flared her wings open, and took to the air. “I will see you again soon, Ozzy Shore. Fleur de Lis, Shining Star, I wish the both of you the best of luck.” Fleur and Shining looked to the sides with a hint of red on their cheeks as they were speechless to come up with a response.

Wait, what? What does she mean by that?

“Until next time, farewell everypony,” she bid before she flew backwards, and everything around me blacked out.

[7:15 a.m.]

I opened my eyes groggily to the room that was slowly lighting up, with a familiar force pressing against me from both sides before they shuffled and groaned. As I sat up to rub my eyes, Fleur and Shining followed suit with wicked bedheads.

“Oh god… What time is it?” I groaned.

Shining picked up her phone from the nightstand, and squinted as she checked the time. “7:15.”

“Ugh, I don’t want to get up so soon after that dream,” I said before I glanced to the girls from each side of me. “You two remembered that right?”

“Yep.”

“Uh huh.”

“Are we still friends?”

“We’ll have much to discuss, but you’re crazy if you thought we weren’t,” Fleur answered.

“And you’re still our secretary as well,” Shining added in.

“That’s a relief… You mind if we slept for another few hours?” I asked before the girls lazily pulled me back down by the arms. They snuggled themselves on both my sides, grasping my arms against their breasts, getting hugged from both sides, and their tails wrapped around my legs. They sighed in content once they rested their heads close to mine (Fleur being careful with her horn), and closed their eyes. “… I’ll take that as a yes.” I then let myself get heavy, and closed my own eyes as the comfort of my two friends won me over. Before I fell asleep, Fleur mumbled something in her sleep.

“Please don’t ever leave us… Ozzy,” Fleur said.

I smiled a little before I hugged her and Shining closer, making them hum in happiness. “Not in a million years,” I whispered before I fell asleep, not letting the sun’s rays breaking through the curtains bother me and the girls.

Author's Notes:

So there we have it! Ozzy finally comes clean with his nightmares, Fleur and Shining still accept him for who he is while they put their feelings for him aside to provide moral support, and Luna will be helping him with his nightmares from now on while he still stays in Equestria. Shit, was there a lot of drama in this chapter. It even went into something dark too... wonder if I should add a 'dark' tag to this story?

Anyway, next chapter we're going to take a step back from the action and see what goes on with the trio's lunch with Bubbles and Toffee before they head back to Canterlot. What does the married couple want to talk about? What's in store for Ozzy and the girls when they arrive home? We'll take a look in the next chapter.

This is Dudeler, signing off.

P.S. Do not underestimate the power of Fleur's puppy dog eyes if you want to live.