On The Rocks 1-9

Fluffy Pony Grimdark Story

On The Rocks, Part 1

Quick interlude, putting down the Neckbeard and the Fluffy Armada story for a day or two for this, simply because Fluffy_Writer’s ‘Abandoned’ story made me sit back and think.

We’ve got plenty of animals that live feral in our own towns and cities...what about Feral Fluffies living in the City? How do they survive? What do they face day to day? How do they see the world?

>The sun is not up yet, but the Herd is up and moving.
>You all need to get out of Underground before sun comes up, go to the park and eat as much grass at the park before mean munstas come and chase you away.
>The Safe Place, Haven, is a long way from the Park and it's all-important grass, but Fluffies that try to sleep in park are hurt by the Munstas.
>Most never come back, and those that do tell stories of horrible things, of the swarms of Rat-Munsta scrambling out of the Underground to eat the Herds alive, of Cat-Munstas chasing and picking off the weak and the small in a Herd, and of worse things still......
>No-Lips leads the Herd. He’s tough, mean too, but he works constantly to not let Fluffies wander away or get hurt. The Fluffies who have been a part of the Herd longer than you say that No-Lips is Mean because some Fluffies are dumb or selfish and put the whole Herd in danger.
>A Two-Legged Munsta tried to hurt No-Lips when he was a foal, used a sharp owie to cut his lips off. His lips are completely gone, exposing his teeth constantly like he is snarling, and it makes him look like No-Lips is always furious.
>No-Lips says he fought Munsta off and fled to the Underground, then found other Fluffies, and made them his Herd.
>You're scared of No-Lips. He likes to kick other Fluffies that don’t do what he says, doesn't let Fluffies play except in the Safe Place, and always wants the Herd to be quiet.
>Most other Fluffies call those who argue with No-Lips or make him angry Bad Fluffies, and won’t give Hugs. Sometimes the 'Bad' Fluffies annoy so many Fluffies in the Herd they are not allowed into the Hug-Pile when the Dark-Time gets very cold and dark.
>Fluffies need to be in the Hug-Pile when Sky goes black and the Dark-Time comes, it's often too cold to sleep alone. You remember listening to the 'Bad' Fluffies whimpering, their teeth chattering as they cowered outside of the Hug-Pile, sobbing that they would be good.
>The No-Lips Herd sticks to narrow alleyways as they creep to park, being as quiet as they can so that the Munstas can't see or hear them.
>The Herd found a pile of fresh, wet poopies that the Toughie Friends said came from a Dog-Munsta, and No-Lips bullied the Herd back the way they had come, circling around several Hoomin Safe Places, the buildings of this city, before he declared they were far enough away from the Dog-Munstas to keep going forwards towards the Park.
>A Cat-Munsta glared at them from inside a Hoomin Safe Place, behind one of the impenetrable Clear-Walls, but No-Lips and his Toughie Friends pushed the Herd onwards. So long as the Clear-Wall was unbroken, the Cat-Munsta could not harm them...or so they promised the Herd.
>More-than-you-can-count Rat Munstas chattered, skittered and squealed beneath the drain under your hooves, and your Fluff rippled in disgust. The most numerous, and horrible Munstas in the Underground, gathering in Herds of endless numbers and sweeping over Nummies and Wa-Wa's and Fluffies alike and gnawing and clawing till whatever they attack is gone.
>None of those Munstas quite so bad as Two-Leg Munstas, also called Hoomins. They hurt Fluffies just because they can, and nothing a Fluffy can do can hurt them. No-Lips says they can be hidden from and Fluffies can sometimes run away from them, but Fluffies must never call a Two-Leg Munsta's attention to them, or the entire Herd could be tortured to death.
>”Stawp!” No-Lips barks, and the whole Herd freezes in place, just a few feet from the end of the alleyway and the broad road you have to cross to get to the grass.
>”Why stawp, tummeh haf owwies!” “Need nummies, pwease!” “No-Lips, why stawp, Baybehs need nummies, Mummas need gwasses.”
>”Need Stawwions gu fiwst, check dat nu Munstas hidin' in bushes.” The older Fluffy growls, sniffing the air cautiously. “Wittles, Honey, Blue-Horn, Zodd, yu go.”
>No-Lips glares over his shoulder at you. You flinch as his eyes, two hard, angry orbs staring right through you.
>”Yuu gu tu, New Fwuffy. Yuu wiww eawn yuu pwace in Herd, or yuu wiww gu tu Bad Fwuffy Pit!”
>You don’t want to leave the Herd. You don't want to end up in the Bad Fluffy Pit!
>You can’t go home, Daddy hit you with a shoe, made your leg hurt, then he said he have to get rid of you.
>You ran. You'd seen how he got rid of everything else that broke, his toys were thrown into the garbage or crushed into little boxes or thrown out the window.
>Your heart hurt more than your leg. You had loved Daddy more than anything in the world, you had just wanted him to know that, you hadn't meant to draw all over his Special Papers, you just wanted to make him something nice .....
>No-Lips and his Herd are right, you just didn't know it at the time. Hoomins are Two-Legged Munstas, and you must keep away from them at all costs.
>”Fwuffie be guud. What No-Lips wan' Fwuffie du if see Munsta?” You ask as you limp through the Herd, trying to keep the weight off your injured leg.
>Some are looking at you sadly. You know why. With you injured leg, if a Munsta does see you ... there's no way you can get to safety.
>Most, however, are too busy complaining in small voices that they are hungry, that their hooves are cold.
>”Yuu jus' gu, waste nu moar time, Sun be up soon, Munstas be out.” No-Lips kicks you as you go by, just missing your sore leg. “Stawp wastin' time and gu! Foals hungwy!”
>Crying at the pain as you force your sore leg to walk, and carry you across the road faster, you limp across the road and immediately walk into one of the bushes that scatter the Park.
>No Munstas here. But it’s dry under the branches. It doesn't smell pretty, but nothing smell pretty anymore.
>You stick your head out from under the bush and grin back at the Herd.
>It’s safe. You open you mouth to shout this at them, and then everything goes wrong .....
>The Herd is charging across the road in a panicked stream, screaming in terror.
>Rat Munstas must have followed you from Underground, a silent, black wave of sharp little teeth and whiskers and sharp, scrabbling claws.
>You see a Purple mare go under a wave of black, biting, meany Rat Munstas, squealing for help before she is completely covered in scrambling, clawing Rat Munstas.
>Fluffies get across the road, sobbing and crying, and the Rat Munstas don’t seem too interested in chasing them, content to form a bigger and bigger thrashing pile where the Purple Mare once was.
>They’ve got their food now. You can't find the words to explain how horrified you are, so you just rush over to the Herd with tears in your eyes.
>The Herd cries and hugs each other. Some are pooping in fear. They were so careful, so quiet ... how? HOW did the Munstas find them?
>There is a young pegasus foal with light-purple fluff bawling her eyes out, trying to go back across the Road, but No-Lips is hugging her, stopping her from going back across the road. There are tears in his eyes too.
>”Mumma! Mumma!” The foal is crying, flailing her legs at the pile of Rat-Munstas, her wings flapping desperately.
>”Mumma gone. Mus' eat Grass! Two-Leg Munstas be hewe soon!” No-Lips says softly, pushing her head to the ground to graze, but the foal keeps crying and won’t eat.
>You shuffle over and nuzzle the foal. Poor, poor baby....
>"Nu cwy, yuu safe, Fwuffies wuv yuu." You whisper, before No-Lips suddenly shoves the foal to you, his expression one of great distress and frustration.
>”Make her haf gwasses-nummies. EVWY FWUFFIE! Mus' haf gwasses-nummies now, fiw tummehs, make miwk-nummies fo' baybehs!” No-Lips grunts at you, gazing sadly at the sobbing, light-purple Foal, before turning to shout at the Herd.
>”B-buh, Bun-Bun haf Biggest Owies!” Somebody cries, setting off a new wave of tears and crying.
>”Eat! Eat an' make Miwk-Nummies, or baybehs an' Foaws wiww haf Wurst Tummeh Owies an' sweep fo'eva!” No-Lips replies, stomping into the Herd, bumping those still hugging each other with his head until they let go. “Empty tummehs nu make miwk-nummies. Nu miwk-nummies, Foaws gu hungwy. Nu Foaws means Herd not last. Now haf gwasses nummies fo' Munstas come!”
>Whimpering and crying, the Herd disperses to graze, and you whisper to the pale purple pegasus Foal ”Mus' haf Gwasses-Nummies, stay stwong an' wive.”, grazing next to the shaking foal as No-Lips walks around and through the Herd, yelling at the Fluffies to eat faster.
>”Munstas huwtin' Mumma!” The foal whimpers, curling up into a ball, still crying. “Munstas gif Owies tu Mumma! Why No-Lips nu gif Owies tu Munstas?”
>It’s a good question, but No-Lips is looking at you with narrowed eyes, a few half-chewed leaves of grass spilling out the sides of his lip-less mouth.
>”Nu ask dat, nu make No-Lips angwy. Eat, haf Gwasses-Nummies, grow up big, be fast, so yuu nu get caught by any Munsta.” You find some of the younger blades of grass, softer and more delicious than the older ones, and place them in front of the foal. “Wive for Mumma.”
>The foal whimpers, but drags a bit of the young grass to her mouth and sucks on it.
>She has no teeth. If she has no teeth, she can't chew up the grass, and it's too big for her to swallow it whole ....
>You remember seeing on Munsta-Daddy’s Magic Picture Box that some animals chew up food for babies.
>You grab some of the young leaves, chew them up, and try to dribble them down the young foal’s mouth.
>She cries, but she gets the idea and swallows them. It's awkward and cumbersome and horrible, but it's the only way you can think of giving her the Grass.
>”Yikky.” The little Lavender Foal says, forcing herself to her feet.
>”Very Yikky, but an nu Mawe. Haf nu Miwk-Nummies fo' Foaw.” You apologise, giving her a bump with your nose. “We gu see Mawes, see if dey haf Miwk-Nummies?”
>The little lavender Pegasus whimpers but nods. You graze along the way, as she’s very slow, and feed her more chewed-up grasses.
>You know one Mare who lost her foal a few days ago. Her teats are still full of milk, and she has been giving away her Milk to any Foal who asked.
>A Bright-Peach-coloured Unicorn, very friendly, always happy to give special hugs.
>But she looks at the Lavender Foal, wrinkles her nose and says “Nu. Nu gif Miwk tu Bun-Bun’s Foaw. Bun-Bun awways tewwin' Peach wat tu dum buh Bun-Bun was stuuupid. Bun-Bun say No-Lips wike her more than Peach, then she become Nummies fo' Rat Munstas. Nu want get Stuuuupid fwom Foaw.”
>The foal is devastated, curling up into a ball on the ground and sobbing pitifully, and you’re horrified.
>Grab the foal by the scruff of the neck and carry her away, and Peach shouts at you that you should leave the 'Stuupid Foaw' in a bush to die.
>All the other Mares either have their own foals or have no milk. They tell you “Sowwy, nu can hewp, Foaws so hungwy.”
>Tell the little Lavender Foal you’re sorry.
>Chew her up some more young grass, then spit it down in front of her and graze for yourself.
>She licks it up, still crying from what Peach-Coloured Fluffy said.
>The other scouts have returned to the Herd. Most found nothing, although Zodd seems to be dragging something.
>Wittles says he found nice dry place Herd can spend day, inside Park. No-Lips says he think it over, Wittles to graze now and stay strong.
>Honey say there be another Herd on other side of Park, maybe Herds meet and play? No-Lips smacks him across the face with a hoof.
>”Stuuupid, Hewd need many gwasses fo' tummehs. Other Fluffies dumb, they think Two-Leg Munstas friends.” No-Lips yells at Honey.
>Honey runs away, squealing about his new Owies.
>Blue-Horn, one of the few Unicorns in the Herd, says he found a new tunnel to the Underground.
>No-Lips says this is good thing, as Rat Munstas waiting for them across road.
>Blue-Horn pees and runs away. No-Lips yells at him for making grass taste bad.
>Zodd is the biggest Earth Pony you’ve ever seen. He's also very dumb and, to you at least, as scary as any Munsta. He hurts Fluffies, even when trying to be nice. And when he's trying to be scary ..... no, don't think about that.
>He’s dragged back a big white thing, full of lumps that smells terrible.
>Says it’s full of treasure.
>No-Lips tells Zodd he is best Fluffy, and may have any Mare he likes for Special Hugs.
>Zodd grins, trundles over to a dull-green Mare with two small white foals nursing from her while she grazes, and starts to Special Hug her.
>”No wan', no wan', Foaws stiww hungwy!” She cries, trying to scramble away, but Zodd has her held tightly with his front legs.
>Zodd is a meanie and doesn’t listen. He's got that 'Stupid' look on his face, tongue sticking out the side of his mouth, grunting 'Eeenf eeenf eeenf' as he thrusts back and forth with enough force to make the dull-green Mare shake and stumble.
>The Mare can’t hold both herself and the big Earth Pony up, and falls to the ground, becoming buried under Zodd's great bulk.
>Zodd still doesn’t stop special hugs. You can see the Mare's head pressed onto the ground under Zodd’s chest, face pressed into the grass and tears flowing down her cheeks.
>She’s crying so much, complaining she can't breath. Her Foals are crying they are hungry, and for Meanie Fluffy to stop hurting Mumma.
>You can’t do anything, Zodd is so much bigger, and No-Lips said he could have special hugs with anyone he wanted.
>No-Lips has stuck his head in the white thing and is pulling stuff out.
>You see strange things coming out, then .....
>”Ham-bug-gher!” You yell, pointing a soft hoof at one of the treasures.
>Before Munsta-Daddy hurt you, you remember he gave you a bite of a hamburger.
>No-Lips pulls his head out of the white thing and yells at you to shut up. He is sorting treasure, does not need No-Name Not-Herd Fluffy telling him what things are.
>Between feeding the little lavender Pegasus foal and yourself, you have no more time to talk. She’s eating slowly, but at least she has stopped crying.
>”Why nobody gif Owies tu Munstas?” She asks softly as you both walk towards a new patch of grass, one hopefully nobody has peed on.
>”Munstas so sharp, so huwty.” You try to explain. “Fluffies mus' awways wun. Hooves tuu soft, teef nu shawp, Fwuffies nu can gif Owies tu Munstas.”
>”Nu faiw.” She whispers.
>”Is nu faiw, buh Fwuffies mus' do wat No-Lips say. He haf so many Toughie Fwiends, we be kicked out of Herd if we nu du what he say, an' haf to wive wit' de Munstas.” You try to explain it to the little foal.
>You’re scared of being kicked out of the Herd. Almost as much as you are of going into the Bad Fluffy Pit. You remember your days before No-Lips Herd found you and let you tag along.
>You spent days on your own, eating garbage, getting chased by Dog Munstas, getting kicked and chased by Two-Legged Munstas.
>A Herd is safety, security. Fluffies give you Hugs when things are scary, show you safe places to eat, to sleep, to drink.
>Herd must be good place to be, better than Munsta-Daddy at least!
>And then ...
>”Fwuffies! Sun! Sun is coming, Bwight Time is almost hewe!” No-Lips shouts, rearing on his back legs and glaring at the dawn.
>Already, a faint pink line is showing between the towers of the city.
>”Hewd nu can gw back! Rat Munstas waiting!” Peach cries.
>Zodd is grazing next to the poor Mare he was giving Special Huggies to. She’s crying, lying on her side so Foals can have milk.
>There’s blood on the grass, but nobody dares to give her Hugs to feel better with Zodd right there. If somebody made Zodd mad, he could give terrible Owies before No-Lips made him stop. If No-Lops made him stop.
>”Wah, Munstas!” “Fwuffies stay in Park? Haf Gwass-Nummies an' pway in Bwight Time, then gu tu Underground?” “Hide in bushes!” “Hide under benches!” several Fluffies begin to babble.
>”NU!” No-Lips yells, silencing everyone. “Blue-Horn, whewe yuu be?”
>”Hewe! What No-Lips need?” The Unicorn yells back, scrambling out from under a bush, his lips stained dark brown.
>No-Lips stares at him for several seconds, then says “Take Hewd tu Tunnel. Hewd mus' gu back tu Unner'gwound.”
>There is some crying at this. Some Fluffies are terrified of the dark, and many haven’t seen the Sun for days.
>”Nu cwying! Wan' tu see Two-Legs stomp on Foaws? Wan' tu see Cat Munstas gif Wurst Owies tu Fwiends?” No-Lips yells again, glaring at the loudest complaining Fluffies.
>”Nu, nu Owies, nu Saddies!” the reply comes from every throat.
>”Then Hewd gu back tu Unner'gwound! Evewy Fwuffy mus' gu! Now!” No-Lips commands, leaping onto the white thing Zodd dragged back.
>”Zodd, grab tasty tings out of Bag. Wittles, Honey, yuu cawwy what he tell yuu tu.” No-Lips starts to bark, ordering the Herd into movement but then Wittles rushes up, an excited expression on his face.
>”Buh No-Lips, Wittles finds dwy place, safe place!” Wittles pipes up, pointing a hoof deep into the bushes around the Park’s lake. “Herd can stay on Overground aww day, haf gwasses-nummies, dwink cwean Wa-Wa's.”
>There is silence for a few moments.
>”Is Wittles de Smawty Fwiend now?” No-Lips asks in a very gentle voice as every Fluffy Head turns to look at the two Flufflies.
>”N-nu! No-Lips Smarty Friend! Wittles jus'...” The younger Fluffy Pony whines as No-Lips stalks up to him.
>”Is Wittles sayin' No-Lips nu can lead Herd? Is Wittles being bettah Smawty Fwiend den No-Lips?” the disfigured older Fluffies asks loudly as he circles Wittles.
>Wittles is shaking if fear now, lying down on the grass, face pressed to the ground.
>”Nunununununu...” he’s whispering to the ground.
>”Guud. Wittles guud Friend. But yuu nu Smawty Fwiend.” No-Lips says, then turns around and bucks Wittles straight in the head. “Now do wat No-Lips says, Sun here soon, Two-Leg Munstas hewe soon, all Foaws die, BECAUSE WITTLES IS STUPID FLUFFY!”
>Wittles lies there, clutching his head and whimpering.
>Every other Fluffy has gone silent and is looking at the ground.
>Nobody wants to look No-Lips in the eyes. Nobody wants to look like they are trying to be Smarter than the Smarty Friend.
>The Herd starts to shuffle off after Blue-Horn, but you notice that the Mare that Zodd was Special-Hugging is having trouble getting up.
>”Foaw, fowwow Fwuffie pwease.” You ask the little Pegasus, shuffling over to the Mare with your head down low.
>”Weggies oh-tay?” You ask softly, going behind the female to put your head under her belly and push her up.
>”Weggies haf Owies, but Cwovah can walk.” She says, going “Owies” as she stands.
>She’s limping, but she’s not too slow.
>”Need hewp wit' pwobwem....” You ask.
>”Nu, pwease, tu Huwties, nu can gif Speshaw Huggies, No-Lips wan' Hewd gu back to Unner'gwound now.” She starts to shake in fear, staring at you with fear in her eyes.
>”Nu, Nu Speshaw Huggies! Fwuffie need hewp wit' Wittwe Foaw. Is Bun-Bun’s Foaw. She haf wittwe gwasses-nummies, buh she need Miwk-Nummies!" You ask as the Green Mare's two white Foals and the little Pegasus toddle after you both.
>The two foals are crying for more 'Miwk-Nummies'.
>The little Pegasus is whimpering and calling out for ‘Mumma’.
>”Cwovah nu can gif much, but wiww hewp.” The Girl-Fluffy agrees. “But Fwuffies mus' gu faster, Hewd is weavin' Fwuffies behind!”
>”But Foaws nu wawk fast nuff'! Wook, Foaws being weft behind!” You say with alarm.
>In their rush to get back to the relative safety of the Undergeround, some of the Mares have forgotten about their Foals, who are being buffeted around by the other members of the Herd and are falling behind.
>”Cwovah know twick, lie down.” The Clover demands. You’re confused, but she’s a Mumma, she must know what she’s doing.
>In moments you feel three weights on your back.
>”New Fwiend wiww cawwy yuu, Baybehs. Howd on, an' no poopies.” She is saying to the Foals.
>You stand up, and now both of you are moving much faster. Both of you, and some of the other Mares, are going around picking up the Foals and putting them on each other’s backs.
>”Is Smawtie idea.” No-Lips says, making you flinch. How did he creep up on you?
>”Wish ... wish Herd nu haf tu be so scawed.” You venture.
>Silence.
>Oh no what have you....
>”No-Lips wan dat tu. Buh Cee-Tee nu wite fo' Fwuffies. Cee-Tee is mean an' scary an' hard an' sharp.” No-Lips gives you a sad look, and you realize he’s so old, his fur is going grey at the roots. “No-Lips wish Hewd couwd stay in Wittles' Safe Place, pway in shawwow Wa-Wa, eat grasses tiww nu can muv, sweep undah Sun an' be wamm an' happy an' fat.”
>The disfigured Smarty Friend turns to look at the slowly rising Sun, and his wistful look turns into a hate-filled glare.
>”Buh No-Lips nevah fow'get. Nu fow'get Two-Leg Munstas nu can be twusted. Nu foq'get wha' happens when Fwuffies get wazy an' pway aww day.”
>”No-Lips nu fow'get Fiwst Hewd. Now, all Fwufies wit' Foaws on Backs, yuu get to haf sleepies in Papers tonight. Yuu are Guud Fwuffies.” No-Lips says loud enough for the rest of the Herd to hear, and there are dismayed cries when some of the Mummas realize they have left their Foals behind.
>The Tunnel to the Underground is small, only just big enough for a single Fluffy to walk down.
>It’s very, very dark.
>Blue-Horn uses his magic to light the way, but the Fluffies at the back of the Herd have to bite each other’s tails to make sure they don’t get left behind or walk into each other.
>Zodd comes in last, dragging something behind him.
>He’s so big, his fluff is dragging on the hard, dirty walls of the tunnel.
>It’s a long walk to the Underground, and nobody recognises where they are now.
>”We wost!” Somebody yells, and the whole Herd starts to cry.
>”Who say sat! Yuu is Bad Fwuffy!” No-Lips yells back. “No-Lips knows Unner'gwound, knows where aww Tunnews gu. We gu weft, then .... weft then ... wight, then stwait. Hewd gu back to Haven, nu be siwwy Fwuffies!”
>Nobody wants to believe they are lost.
>Nobody wants to get bucked in the head.
>Everybody follows No-Lips as he leads them along the edge of a sewer.
>Water smells terrible, and there are many terrible things floating in it. Poop, broken Hoomin Toys, even Dead Fluffies sometimes.
>Rats swim in it, but Rats are dirty Munstas.
>Sewers open up onto big, big tunnels.
>This is scary part of the Tunnels. Well, the scary-est part.
>Big things go whooshing past on metal things on bottom of tunnel. Long Metal Snake-Munsters that make lots of noises and hold many, many Two-Leg Munstas inside them.
>Fluffies who touch metal things don’t get up and won’t play anymore. Many of them start to turn black, and if you try to pull a Fluffy off the metal rails on the ground, you often not moving as well.
>Everyone is telling Foals to hold on tightly, scrunching up and grabbing hold of each other's tail again.
>You feel foals trembling, they are biting your fluff and clinging tightly to your back.
>You hope it’s enough. The Long Metal Snake-Munstas are terrible fast, horribly loud and can drag Fluffies away without even touching them......
>It seems like forever, but No-Lips was telling the truth.
>He does know the Underground. You recognize this place, the markings on the walls are familiar.
>You see Fluffy Markers, little piles of stones with sticks or drinking straws pointing the way to Haven.
>Then, the dreaded noise.
>The screeching, grinding noise of the Snake-Munsta's legs as it runs so very, very fast along the Meanie Rail.
>Everybody flattens against the floor and the wall, clinging desperately to each other, and you roll onto your side to squash the Foals between your back and the wall.
>You hope it will be enough .....
>Big Metal Snake-Munsta goes whooshing past.
>Your eyes are closed, but you hear somebody scream.
>"Nuuuuu, Gweeny!"
>You open your eyes to see a Grey-Green Fluffy from further up the line get sucked up by the Big Metal Thing, tumbling through the air like one of the Hoomin's 'Balloons', his fluff catching all the fast air that Big Metal Snake Munsta and dragging him into the air.
>"Why Twicks wet gu of Gweeny! Save Gweeny! Hewp! Twicks! Nuuuuu!" He shrieks, flying away behind the Big Metal Snake-Munsta! "Pwease nuuuu! An Guud Fwuffy! No-Lips, hewp Fwuffiiiiiiiie!".
>He hits the ground, hard, and rolls away silently.
>He rolls so far, bumping into the hard grey stone of the middle of the tunnel for yards and yards.
>The Herd is crying and hugging each other.
>The foals have wet themselves on your back.
>You’ve wet yourself too.
>It’s just not fair.
>You do nothing to Big Metal Snake-Thing. You can do nothing to it.
>Why is it so mean?
>”Mus' keep goin'!” You hear No-Lips shouting from the front. “Hewd be at Safe Pwace soon! Haven safe!”
>The Herd is sobbing with fear and relief.
>They only lost two Fluffies today. Yesterday they lost four, the day before, five.
>But their tummies are full of grass, and Haven is warm and safe and has clean Wa-Wa's for when they get thirsty.
>Dry places to sleep, plenty of room for the Fluffies to move about.
>Safe places for Foals to play, filled with rock-balls and the shed fluff of the Herd to keep the ground soft and warm.
>Slowly, everyone gets back on their hooves and keeps on walking, following No-Lips.
>The Herd is so happy, some Fluffies start hugging each other when they finally take a smaller tunnel off the bigger ones that the Big Metal Snake Things use, and they can hear voices.
>Fluffy Pony voices.
>It’s Haven! The Safe Place is so close!
>Everyone is running now.
>Small, glowing mushrooms grow out of the old Poop that gets pushed into the tunnels.
>The Glowing Mushrooms taste very bad, smell very bad, keeps everything away, even the Rat Munstas.
>Then ... Haven.
>Herd left their Old Fluffies behind. Two-Socks, One-Eye, Gnaff, All-Mumma, Some-Legs.
>The Old Fluffies found a smaller Herd in the Underground, they say as the Herd shuffles around to give hugs to the Old Fluffies and give them grass that the Herd managed to stuff into their fluff.
>The Smaller Herd's Smarty Friend got lost and led them down a wrong tunnel, wouldn't go back, wouldn't accept they were lost.
>And then Two-Leg Munstas found them. Grabbed some of their Herd, pushed some of the Stallions into the Water and laughed as they drowned in the filthy Wa-Wa's.
>The Smarty Friend of smaller Herd is sitting in corner, his Fluff is all tattered from his Herd pulling on it, his ears are bleeding around the edges where they bit him, his lips are all puffy where they kicked him in the face.
>New Friends saying they want to join No-Lips Herd. That they do not want to follow a Dumb Friend.
>No-Lips say this is good, but they must do something first.
>They babble they will do anything.
>No-Lips points a hoof at the Dumb Friend.
>”Dumb Fwiend nu can teww otha Fwuffies, otha Hewds, how tu find Haven. Too many Fluffies, and Haven be found by Munstas.” No-Lips declares loudly, but his eyes are closed. It's hard to say without his lips, but he sounds .... tired.
>But how do they stop him?
>”Dumb Friend mus' nu tawk. Mus' nu muv. Mus' nu weave Haven 'gain.” No-Lips replies, his voice sounding so tired, before he opens his eyes and stares directly at the New Fluffies.
>”Yuu mus' push Dumb Fwiend into Bad Fwuffy Pit.”
>Everyone in your Herd flinches.
>Bad Fluffy Pit is where you go when you put whole Herd in danger.
>Nobody has ever gotten out. Nobody can. There's only one way out of the Bad Fluffy pit, a tunnel that leads into the Deep Underground, and that place never has any light or grasses, just dark, dank tunnels and slimy, dirty water..
>”Smawty Fwiend is nu Dumb Fwiend! Youngah den scawy-wookin' Fwuffy! Pwettiew den Owd Fwuffy!” The Dumb Friend shouts, stalking up to No-Lips and shaking with fury. “Smawty Fwiend keep Hewd safe! Find boxes tu haf sweepies in, push ovah Twash-Cans sy Hewd can haf Hoomin Nummies! Why Bad Fwuffies caww Smawty Fwiend a Dumb Friend!”
>A chorus of “Dumb Friend wead Hewd tu Two-Legs!” “Dumb Friend awways haf Guud Nummies, nevag gif Fwiend de Guud Nummies!” “Nummies awway taste yikky, wan gwasses!” greets him from his former Herd-Mates.
>”Bad Fwuffy Pit ovah dere.” No-Lips says, pointing a hoof to a darkened corner of Haven.
>Other Fluffies have built a little wall to keep curious Foals away from the Bad Fluffy Pit, but it’s only made of stones, and about an inch high, but everyone knows what is beyond that wall.
>Dumb Friend puffs out his cheeks at his Herd.
>His Herd puff out their cheeks at the Dumb Friend, and start to advance on him.
>”Nu, wait, Smawty Fqiend sorry, Smawty Fweind hewp, Smawty fwiend hewp new Hewd!” The Dumb Friend begins to babble as his former Herd begins to push him towards the Bad Fluffy Pit.
>When he starts to panic and fight back, they bite him. They kick him in the tummy and face, poke him with their horns and call him a Bad Fluffy.
>It’s only ten meters to the Bad Fluffy Pit from the entrance to Haven.
>It takes ten minutes for the New Friends to push the Dumb Friend to the edge of the Bad Fluffy Pit before they shriek and run away.
>You’ve heard about what lives in the Bad Fluffy Pit.
>A Dragon. A Human would call it an Aligator, and a wretched, stunted one at that.
>It can’t climb up the walls, but it can swim through the water, and can swallow a Fluffy in a single bite, and lives in the Deep Underground, swimming into the Bad Fluffy Pit to gobble up Bad Fluffies who put the whole Herd in danger.
>The Dumb Friend has seen the Dragon.
>He’s lying on his side, shivering, having peed himself with fright.
>No-Lips gives the New Friends a stare, and they cower on the ground.
>”Wan join Hewd, but Munsta su scary!”
>”Dwagon scawy, buh tu see Foaws an' Baybehs haf Wongest Sweepies, to watch Hewd get Owies an' haf Wongest Sweepies, is scawy-er.” No-Lips replies softly, nuzzling each of the New Friends. “Gu tu Hewd, yuu is Hewd-Fwiends now.”
>Crying “Tank Yuu.”, the New Friends crawl over to the Herd and are given Hugs. Everyone is watching, Old Fluffies, Herd and New Friends, as No-Lips slowly walks over to the crying, shivering Dumb Friend.
>”A Smawty Fwiend must be Smawt.” No-Lip shouts, his voice echoing in Haven. “Mus' do Smawt Tings, even if scary or make Hewd sad. Cee-Tee is cwuel tu Fwuffies, an' Hewd mus' be able to twust dere Smawty Fwiend, know dat aww he do, is tu keep Hewd safe.”
>He stands right behind the Dumb Friend, looking over him into the Bad Fluffy Pit.
>”No-Lips was nu awways No-Lips, nu awways Smawty Fwiend. No-Lips fowwowed other Smawty Fwiend, when was Young Fwuffie. No-Lips watched as ‘Smawty Fwiends’ let Hewds get hurt su dey could play. No-Lips saw Smawty Fwiends weave Foaws behind fo' Munstas tu huwt tu save Toys. No-Lips have be Smawty Fwiend, because othah Smawty Fwiends nu so Smawty aftah aww.”
>No-Lips is silent for several moments.
>”An' Smawty Fwiend mus' awways be wee-spon-see-bell for wong tings he do!” So saying, No-Lips turns around in a neat circle and bucks the Dumb Friend right in the middle of the back.
>Dumb Friend squeals in pain, and then fear, as he is pushed off into empty air.
>It only takes a few seconds for the Dumb Friend to hit the bottom. It seems to take forever.
>There is a splash, and a yelp of fear.
>”Wah! Smawty Fwiend nu wike! Pwease! Wet out, wet out, Fwuffie be guud, wet out wet out wet out!” The more the Smarty Friend panics, the worse his speech becomes.
>There is another splash.
>A dull, coarse hissing noise.
>”W-wat dat? Wat down hewe! Why rock mo-*”
>There is a scream of primal terror.
>Am answering, booming roar from the Dragon.
>Then, silence but for the lapping of the water in the Bad Fluffy Pool.
>No-Lips turns to face the Herd, the pale pink light of the Dawn filtering down through the holes between the Overground and Underground.
>”A Smawty Fwiend mus be weady to do even bad tings for the Herd.” No-Lips says softly in the silence, as the Dragon returns to the depths of the Bad Fluffy Pit.


Part 2

>The Herd has settled down, mostly, from the death of the Dumb Friend. Foals are playing in the middle of Haven, running around and playing chase with each other.
>You have laid down on the Papers, hoping to give your sore leg a rest.
>The Papers is the warmest, driest part of Haven, away from the grate that lets sunlight and air in, but under an overhang of concrete.
>The Herd constantly adds more Paper to this part of Haven as Bedding, throwing away the Paper that goes bad or smells into the Tunnel that leads to Haven, along with the Poop, so that the Glowing Mushrooms will grow big and strong and keep the Munstas away.
>The Mare with the two white Foals is pushing bits of Paper around to make a shallow nest for herself before lying down next to you, as are several of the other Fluffy Mummas.
>Clover lies on her side, and then pulls your head towards her chest and holds it there, thanking you again for your help getting her Foals back to Haven.
>It’s nice to have a Hug.
>You haven’t felt this safe and loved in .... forever. Fluffy Mummas give off this scent that just makes you feel so ... warm. Safe, even.
>She’s hugging your head to her chest as she dozes while the Lavender Foal and Clover's two White Foals nurse at her teats.
>She’s very warm, very soft, makes you feel all warm and fluttery inside even as you nose fills with that wonderful warm scent that all Fluffy Mummas make.
>You vaguely remember your own Mother felt the same way. You can remember how good it felt to bne completely wrapped in Fluff that smelled so good and was so warm, and a sweet voice telling you how much you were loved.
>............ No-Lips is having an arguement with Zodd and Blue-Horn. You can hear the disfigured older Fluffy yelling loudly at the two Toughie Friends ....
>You’re just so tired ....

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>”Zodd nu be su Mean tu Hewd-Mawes!” No-Lips snarls, stamping a soft hoof hard on the cold concrete ground. “Dat Fwuffy Mumma had tu many Owies to wawk! Had to haf No-Name Not-Hewd Stawwion hewp hew get up!”
>”No-Lips say Zodd haf any Mawe fo Speshaw Huggies. So Zodd haf Guud Speshaw Huggies.” Zodd leered in return, eyeing the Mares dozing in the Papers with naked lust in his eyes. “Zodd wike Speshaw Huggies wots. Fwuffy Mummas smeww guud, nu wun 'way when Zodd gif dem Speshaw Huggies.”
>”No-Lips nu haf Speshaw Huggies nu moar. No-Lips is tu owd tu haf dem. No-Lips fow'get?” Bluehorn added, stepping closer to Zodd. “No-Lips maybe fow'et how guud Speshaw Huggies feww?”
>The disfigured older Fluffy glares at the two males, a harsh, angry growl coming from deep in his throat.
>Bluehorn flinches and takes a step back, and even the large and powerfully built Zodd shrinks back a little bit.
>”No-Lips wemembah Speshaw Huggies. Wemembah how wamm an' happeh it be to haf snuggles an' Speshaw Huggies wit' Speshaw Fwiend in Cowd Dawk Time. No-Lips wemembah how happeh No-Lips feww when Speshaw Fwiend haf Baybehs, dey wook wike No-Lips, caww No-Lips 'Daddy' an' pway wit' dere Daddy.” The words come out of the Old Fluffy in short, angry bursts. “No-Lips wemembah how much No-Lips wan die when Speshaw Fwiend haf Wongest Sweepies, but stayed stwong fo' Baybehs, and fo' Zodd. Zodd wemembah dat No-Lips Baybehs cawwed him 'Brudda' after Zodd's Mumma also haf Wongest Sweepies, or did Zodd 'fow'get' dat tu?”
>”No-Lips wemembah when his Baybehs aww haf Tummeh Owies, an' many haf Wongest Sweepies, because Meanie Stawwions haf Bad Speshaw Huggies wit' Mawes who haf miwk-nummies an' make dem cwy and wan die tu. No-Lips wemembah dat No-Lips had tu make Meanie Stawwions gu into Bad Fwuffy Pit so Zodd an' other Baybehs couwd wive.”
>No-Lips glares at the two younger Fluffies, both of whom are shuffling their hooves and looking down at the ground.
>”We nu gif Bad Speshaw Huggies! Mawes awe nu tu be made saddies! Dey haf Baybehs, who gwow up to be Hewd-Fwiends! Nu Baybehs, nu new Hewd-Fwiends, an' Hewd wiww aww haf Wongest Sweepies.” No-Lips said loudly enough to make the closest members of the Herd look up at him. “Yuu can be Guud Fwuffy when yuu wan be, Zodd, buh yuu fow'get. Yuu fow'get yuu is Big Fwuffy! Yuu fow'get dat yuu suppose to be Toughie Fwiend an' be Fwuffy dat Hewd wuvs, nu Meanie Fwuffie dat Hewd is scawed of!”
>”An' Bluehorn fow'gets No-Lips nose stiww wurk. Yuu find Sweet Nummies in Pawk, buh yuu nu shawe wike Guud Fwuffie shouwd!” The Smarty Friend turned his glare to the pale-blue Unicorn. “Owd Fwuffies stay behind tu guawd Haven, keep Bad Fwuffies out! Sweet Nummies couwd haf been tweat fo' Owd Fwuffies, Bluehorn be Guud Fwuffie who couwd haf any Mawe fo' Speshaw Huggies, sweep in Papers, buh nu, Bluehorn had be Gweedy Fwuffie.”
>No-Lips spits on the ground and glares at Zodd again. "Now, Bad Fwuffies Zodd an' Bluehorn wiww sweep owtside of Fwuff-Piwe, nu sweepies on Papers! Maybe den yuu boff 'wemembah' tu be Guud Fwuffies!"
>”Waaah! Nuuuu, Wan haf Sweepies in Hug-Piwe, wan be on Papers! Zodd is Guud Fwuffy, is Guud Fwuffy!” Zodd bleated, seeming to shrink in upon himself. “Zodd dwag Tweasuwes tru Unner'gwound an' tu Haven aww awone! Guud Fwuffy!”
>”Zodd is Meanie Fwuffy who gif Owies tu Fwuffy Mumma!” No-Lips shouts back. “Bluehorn is Gweedy Fwuffy who nu shawe Nummies wit' Hewd! Yuu spend Dawk Cowd Time out of Hug-Piwe, off Papers!”
>No-Lips snarls one last time and stomps away towards the Foals.
>Bluehorn waits until No-Lips is far enough away before bumping Zodd’s shoulder with his horn.
>”No-Lips is Owd Fwuffy. Smawty, buh nu funneh, awways wan Fwuffies du wat No-Lips wan, nu wat dey wan do.” Bluehorn whispers to Zodd.
>Zodd is sniffling. Zodd is big and strong and tough, but he's not too bright. Bluehorn knows this because he is a Unicorn, and thus much smarter, so should be Smarty Pony but dumb mean old Fluffy Pony not get eaten or drown or wander off.
>Zodd is very big though ....
>”Zodd nu wan make No-Lips angwy, nu wan be Scawy Fwuffie! Zodd jus' .... fow'get dat Zodd so big...” The huge Fluffy sobs, his head dropping low in shame.
>”Zodd is Guud Fwuffy, buh No-Lips is Meanie Fwuffy. Awways make Zodd gu wook fo' Munstas. Awways haf Zodd cawwy nummies an' tweasuwes.” Bluehorn whispers again, moving close enough for his breath to tickle Zodd’s ragged ears. “No-Lips is nu Fwiend tu Zodd. If Zodd be Smawty Fwiend, Hewd awways haf Foaws an' Baybehs. Zodd's Baybehs. Big, Stwong, happy Foaws who wuv Zodd an' can pway wit' Zodd an' nu get Owies o' Huwties.”
>The giant Fluffy’s ear twitches, either at Bluehorn’s words or the tickle of his breath.
>”Zodd ... be Smawty Fwiend?” Zodd whispers to the concrete, his eyes wide and seeing something only he can see.
>”Zodd be Smawty Fwiend, haf many Speshaw Fwiends, haf best Nummies, awways haf sweepies in Papers, awways be in wammest pwace in Hug-Piwe.” Bluehorn whispers as he moves away from Zodd. “Buh Zodd mus' wait. No-Lips haf be vewy Mean befow Hewd can unna'stan' dat Zodd is Best Fwuffie an' shouwd be Smawty Fwiend.”
>Zodd nodded slowly, and Bluehorn grinned.
>Zodd was a very big Fluffy. But he was not a very Smarty Fluffy like Bluehorn was.
>Bluehorn snickered to himself as he shuffle off to find a warm place to claim for the night, his mind full of images of himself leading a Herd of Unicorns once again as a Smarty friend.

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

>Be No-Lips, the Smarty Friend of your Herd. You should feel angry after yelling at stupid Bluehorn and Zodd, but you just feel ... hollow. Empty. Like nothing matters anymore.
>Greeny died today. He was a Good Fluffy. And Bun-Bun .... knowing she died so horribly makes you feel so cold inside you want to just lie down and ... and not-be. But the Herd depends upon you, and you know a Good Smarty Friend does not abandon the Herd.
>You shuffle over to where the Foals are playing with the rock-balls, smooth, shiny rocks you found many, many moons ago, giggling and skittering about as they bump the glass marbles around with their noses. Bun-Bun's Foal is playing, her voice sounding happy, and you feel a measure of warmth enter your heart. Perhaps all is not lost, after all.
>”Wittwe Foaw.” The little purple Pegasus jumps as you speak to her. Her little wings spring out in surprise, and her legs go rigid with shock.
>She falls over with a squeak, then jumps up and goes "Meep" in shame as the other Foals laugh at her.
>She is so cute. Like her mother.
>Your chest hurts. Bun-bun was a Good Fluffy. She was smart, did not need to be told what to do all the time, looked after other Foals when their Mothers needed time alone and didn’t run off from the Herd to chase butterflies or to find toys.
>Greeny was also Good Fluffy, but he was unlucky. Tricks is a Good Fluffy, but Tricks was too small to hold Greeny down when the Metal Munsta came whooshing past.
>”No-Lips! No-Lips!” The Foals cheer, bouncing over to nuzzle you. Your chest does not hurts so badly now. The Foals, at least, love you. Most of the Herd understands that to survive, they must be aware of every danger that exists around them, but it's .... hard. Hard to remember exactly what to avoid and what to keep close to you when there are so many, many dangers and monsters everywhere.
>The little Pegasus creeps over, her head down low, her wings tucked in tightly.
>”Wittwe Foaw, did yuu Mumma, Bun-Bun, gif yuu name?” You ask, dropping your head down to try to meet her at eye-level.
>She looks down at the ground, trembling.
>”Nu. Mumma say Foaw nu can haf name tiww thwee Moons owd.” The Pegasus whispers, closing her eyes and shaking as she begins to cry.
>Your chest hurts again.
>You had started that rule so Fluffies would forget Foals who died too young. So that the Herd would not be crippled by guilt and sorrow, and could move on.
>”Yuu awmost owd 'nuff. No-Lips tink Bun-Bun nu mind if yuu haf name soonah.” You take a step forward and nuzzle the little foal’s head. “Bun-Bun was Guud Fwuffy, Hewd miss hew, No-Lips miss Bun-Bun vewy much tu.”
>”D ... dat nu-twuff.” The little foal whispered as the other Foals run around, shouting happily. “Peach say Mumma was Stuuupid Fwuffy.”
>Peach ... oh. Peach-coloured Fluffy. You remember her. Nasty Fluffy. Bites Fluffies who she doesn’t like, kicks Foals when they make not-pretties on Paper.
>”Peach is Stuuupid Fwuffy. Nu is Guud Mumma wike Bun-Bun, gif huwties tu Baybehs, haf fites wit' Hewd aww time. Onwy keep Peach awound 'cause Peach gif Speshaw Huggies, onwy ting dat Peach is guud at.” You explain to the little Foal. You see so much of Bun-bun in her, in her Fluff, her face, her mannerisms.
>The little Pegasus Foal looks up at you for the first time with pale blue eyes and a hopeful look.
>”No-Lips wemembah how Bun-bun awways so nice, so kind. Awways find guud paper fo' Haven, awways happy to hewp Foaws an' gif Huggies when Fwuffies haf Scawedies.” You say, sitting on your hind-quarters and putting a hoof over the little Foal’s shoulders as you draw her into your lap. “Bun-bun aqways wan be Mumma, an' she haf so many Happehs when Bun-Bun know she haf yuu in hew Tummeh. Was happiest No-Lips evah see Bun-Bun, so No-Lips know, know dat Bun-Bun be vewy sad if Wittwe Foaw get Owies fwom Wat-Munstas tuu.”
>The little Foal sighs and leans against your chest, and you feel a wetness. She’s crying.
>Hugs for the Foal. Hugs so she feel better.
>”M-miss Mumma.” She whispers from inside your hug.
>”No-Lips miss Bun-Bun tu.” You reply. You miss Bun-bun greatly.
>She was the last of your Foals. The only one who survived all the nightmares and horrors the City throws at you on a daily basis.
>As the Foals all gather round and bury you and the Little Lavender Foal in a Hug-Pile, you chest still hurts, but you can't cry.
>You are the Smarty Friend. You can't show favouritism to any one Fluffy. And soon, you'll have to move away and leave the Little Foal behind to go comfort Greenie's friends.
>Just like you had to leave Bun-Bun behind to help the other Foals who were orphaned so long ago.

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


>You are No-Name, the newcomer to the Herd, waking up some time later, still being hugged by Clover ... and other Fluffies.
>The Foals came over for naps. Can feel them hugging your Fluff, the warm tickle of their breath through your Fluff.
>You have Clover’s two foals asleep on you.
>They’re not too heavy, you don’t mind.
>But where is Bun-bun’s Foal?
>You look around, feeling a little bit panicked.
>No-Lips asked you to feed her, you feel like you are responsible for the little Foal, but then you catch sight of her.
>She is riding around on No-Lips's back as the Smarty Friend consoles several crying Fluffies, helping him give 'Sorry Hugs' to the unhappy Fluffies.
>No-Lips looks sad and very, very tired. You’ve never seen him look so ... old. So small. It makes you feel nervous, because for so long as you've known him, No-Lips has been a relentlessly tough and brave Smarty Friend. To see him looking like this is unnerving.
>You gently get up, letting the Foals slide off your back and onto the Paper, and pick your way over the sleeping Fluffies.
>Hooves reach out for Hugs, but you dodge them, saying “Sowwy” and “Need make poopies.”
>The entrance of Haven is where No-Lips tells everyone to make poopies.
>The smell is terrible, but it keeps the Munstas out, even the Rat-Munsta who swim in the sewers don't like the smell here.
>Wittles is there, whining as rubs his face with a hoof where No-Lips struck him earlier, muttering about 'Meanies' and 'Jus' wan pway ...'.
>The cheek is all swollen up, almost squeezing shut one of his eyes, and there's traces of boo-boo juice at the corners of his mouth.
>”Wittwes head haf owies?” You ask as you squat near the biggest pile and wait for poop to come.
>”Yes. Big owies, meanie huwties dat nu gu 'way.” Wittles whimpers. “Wish No-Lips nu be so mean! Onwy wan Hewd nu haf gu back to Scawy Unner'gwound.”
>”No-Name wan dat tu, buh No-Lips is Smawty Fwiend, weads Herd, makes wuwes.” You reply sadly, then step away from the pile. The worst of the smell comes from the poop, but the mushrooms have their own smell, a horribly sharp, burning scent that makes your eyes water. “Maybe Owd Fwuffies know way to make Huwties gu 'way? Dey is vewy Smawty!”
>”Wittwes hope so. Is Big Owies.” Wittles says sadly as you both trot towards Old Fluffy Corner.
>Where the Papers is littered with the remains of newspapers, food wrappers and other bits of paper, Old Fluffy Corner has the few pillows the Herd has managed to scrounge and pieces of Cardboard used as walls, where the Old Fluffies spend most of their days.
>Most are too old to run fast enough to keep up, so the Herd leaves them at Haven to stand guard over Haven so other Fluffies and Fluffy Herds don't try to take it for themselves.
>Only two Herds have found Haven before. First time, their Smarty Friend was beaten by No-Lips, and their Herd joined his herd.
>Second time, the Other Herd came when most of No-Lip’s Herd was out.
>Old Fluffies tried to shoo the Other Herd away, but the Other Herd hurt Old Fluffies and tried to make them have the Longest Sleepies. Swift-Legs became Some Legs and Bufflie became One-Eye. But the Old Fluffies were crafty, and scared Other Herd into Bad Fluffy Pit by yelling at the top of their lungs.
>Haven make bad noises if the Fluffies inside it are too loud, but the Other Herd did not know this and thought that Horrible Munstas were coming when the echoes became so loud, running away from the Old Fluffies and ran right into Bad Fluffy Pit.
>No-Lips said wall should be built after that in case Herd get scared and run into Bad Fluffy Pit, said he did not want Good Fluffies to go into the Bad Fluffy Pit, ever.
>Gnaff, a balding pale-blue Fluffy, stares at you with watery eyes as you approach Old Fluffy Corner.
>Gnaff gets very cold, so No-Lips often ask Foals to sleep in Old Fluffy Corner with him. Gnaff looks scary with his patchy fluff and gap-toothed grin, but he’s very gentle, doesn’t speak.
>”Hewwo Gnaff. Fwiend Wittwes haf Owies. We speak tu aww-Mumma?” You ask the Old Fluffy.
>He nods and waves at you from his pillow to enter.
>You stop before going in and pull the blanket off the ground and back over Gnaff’s patchy back.
>Wittles nuzzle’s Gnaff’s head and tells him Gnaff is looking better.
>Gnaff doesn’t speak, but his eyes light up, and he smiles a little bit.
>Old Fluffy Corner smells of bad cabbages. Farts and unwashed fluff and drool, but mostly bad cabbages.
>You don’t mind so much. The Old Fluffies are very nice, always happy to see other Fluffies, always ready to give advice to younger Fluffies.
>Some-Legs and Two-Socks are playing game with round rock, pushing it back and forth. Two-Socks is being Nice Fluffy and only using one front leg, so Some-Legs can play too.
>One-Eye is snoring and farting in his corner. He tells good stories, but lately he keeps forgetting stories in the middle.
>You don't mind. It still fun to listen to him tell stories about what he and the other Old Fluffies used to do when they were Young Fluffies like you.
>All-Mumma lays on a faded pink pillow at far end of Old Fluffy Corner, muttering to herself.
>She was once very very fat, but her skin is all loose and wrinkly now, hanging down over pillow and almost touching the ground, her Fluff very long, but white and whispy, so pale and thin her skin is easily visible.
>Other Fluffies say All-Mumma has had many Foals, been a part of many different Herds, and is even Older than No-Lips or the other Old Fluffies.
>”Aww-Mumma?” You ask, lying down in front of her pillow and waiting for her to notice you.
>Wittles does the same, his tail half-lifted with hope.
>It takes a few moments, but eventually her eyes focus on you.
>”Wat No-Name an' Wittwes wan'? Aww-Mumma was tinking' of Pawk. Miss gwasses. Miss bein' wamm unda Sun.” She sighs, shifting awkwardly on her pillow.
>”Wittwes mouf haf huwties!” Wittles whines, scooting forwards and turning his head so the Old Fluffy can see the injury. “No-Lips buck Wittwes in head when Wittwes ... when Wittwes be Siwwy Fwuffy.” The grey Fluffy mutters the last part.
>”Hmmpf. Wittwes is Siwwy Fwuffy, pwob'wy need dat buck to head! Buh Aww-Mumma haf wook. Come hewe.” The Old Fluffy snorts, then pokes Wittle’s cheek and head with a worn, ragged hoof, mumbling under her breath as she does so.
>”Aww-Mumma fix Owies?” Wittle asks hopefully.
>”Nu. Buh Aww-Mumma know how Wittwes can make Owies gy 'way.” She replies, tucking her leg back under her folds of loose skin. “Wittwes put head on Gween Waww an' haf sweepies. Gween Waww is Guud-Cowd, make Owies gu 'way if weave Owies on Gween Waww fo' wong time.”
>The Green Wall is near the Bad Fluffy Pit, a section of old copper water pipes that runs along a wall and then branches up into the ceiling, long corroded and covered in moss but still used to carry water to the run-down buildings above the abandoned storage chamber the Herd calls Haven.
>”Nu otha way?” Wittles asks, fear in his voice. “Dwagon maybe stiww hungwy. Dumb Fwiend nu dat big, nu be 'nuff fo' Dwagon's tummeh.”
>”Dwagon nu get out of Bad Fwuffy Pit evah, nu gu get owt jus' to eat Wittwes. Fwuffie stawp being big wuss an' gu put head on Gween Waww, an' wet One-Eye haf poopies-damn sweepies!” One-Eye grumbles from his pillow.
>”One-Eye gu back tu Sweepies, Fwuffies come see Aww-Mumma, nu One-Eye.” All-Mumma says tartly, turning her head towards the other Old Fluffy. “One-Eye needs tu west fo' Stowy Time, leave Owies-Fixin' tu Aww-Mumma.”
>Turning back to Wittles, All-Mumma gives him a warm smile. “One-Eye be Gwumpy Fwuffy, buh he wite dis time. Dwagon nu can cwimb out of Bad Fwuffy Pit. Skittwes stay on Safe Side of Bad Fwuffy Pit Waww, an' Skittwes be oh-tay.”
>”Fwuffie be Wittwes.” Wittles says, looking confused.
>”Dat Fwuffie tu.” All-Mumma replies calmly. She’s so smart, you’re in awe. You always thought that the Green Wall was just place where Fluffies went to eat Nasty Green Stuff if they can’t go out for Grass or Munsta-Food, when the Underground was so unsafe the Herd couldn't risk going to the Underground Lake.
>Never thought that the Cold Things on the Green Wall could be good for fixing Owies!
>Follow Wittles over to Green Wall, but stop as you watch the Foals play with No-Lips.
>He’s rolling the rock-balls to them with his Hooves, and the Foals scatter and bump into each other, chasing after the brightly coloured, perfectly round marbles, shouting “Bawws!”
>Little Foal has caught a Rock-Ball and is rolling it back to No-Lips with both her front legs, shouting "Wook! Wook! Foaw caught Wock-Baww! Wook, No-Lips!"
>She sees you and waves a hoof at you.
>You wave back, and then stop when you see No-Lips staring at you.
>There’s nothing else in Haven for a few second but you and No-Lips.
>You wave at him too. Maybe he felt left out? He's mean and scary, but the other Fluffies tell you it's only because he's seen so many Fluffies be silly and get themselves and the rest of the Herd into trouble.
>No-Lips gives a little laugh and waves back.
>No-Lips is a strange Fluffy sometimes. One moment he's all growly and serious, the next he's hugging along with everyone else, then he's rolling Fluffy Mummas around like he was just another Attendant.
>If you get that old, will you be that strange?
>Wittles is yelling at you to come help him find clean place to lay down next to Green Wall. The shed fluff that litters the floor of Haven is strange and bad-smelling in this place, the fluff having gone damp and yikky, so you have to kick it away to expose the dirty stone floor.
>It takes some time, but you find a place where the ground isn’t too dirty, and Wittles lays down on his belly, putting his sore cheek to wall.
>”Wah! Cowdies!” He says, before forcing his head back against the wall.
>You wonder if the Green Wall can fix your leg too. If your leg stops hurting, maybe you'll be more useful, and No-Lips might think you're a Good Fluffy after all, and let you have a Herd-Name.
>You lie down facing Wittles, putting your sore leg as much against the wall as you can.
>”Waaah! Cowdies!” You say, and Wittles laughs a little.
>”Wittwes jus' say dat. Yuu is vewy siwwy, No-Name.” He chuckles.
>”No-Name nu tink it be dat cowd!” You reply, blushing in embarrassment.
>But All-Mumma was right. You can feel the Owies going from your leg.
>It’s not fun being near the Green Wall, but Owies even less fun.
>You’ll have to remember this, it's very useful.
>You made yourself remember what Fluffy Markers looked like after getting separated from the Herd a few days after you joined. It took a while, but you remembered where sticks point is way to Haven.
>No-Lips said it Smarty Thing to do, but you were No-Name Not-Herd, so you did not get Hugs for that.
>But he let you sleep in Papers. Does that mean you are No-Name Is-Herd now?
>You’ll ask No-Lips about that later. Now, you just want to see if Green Wall can take Owies away completely.
>Wittles is asleep and drooling.
>You can see Zodd near the wall of stones that separates the Bad Fluffy Pit from the rest of Haven. He seems to be talking to the Wall.
>Can’t see Bluehorn.
>No-Lips has left Foals to go visit Old Fluffy Corner.
>Some of the Mares and Fluffy Mummas from Papers have gone over to the Entrance of Haven to build up the Pile some more.
>Clover is walking over to you, her two Foals and the little purple Pegasus Foal following.
>”Why No-Name haf sweepies at Gween Waww? It cowd, it diwty. Come bawk tu Papers, it wamm dere.” She says, giving you a funny look.
>”Aww-Mumma teww Fwuffies dat de Cowdies in Gween Waww make Owies gu 'way.” You reply. “If No-no's stiww haf huwties, maybe Gween Waww can take dem tu?”
>Clover looks at you, then at the wall, then at the Foals. All three are happy now, and there are traces of milk on all their lips.
>Little Foal will live. Makes your chest feel so big.
>Clover turns around and presses her rear against the wall, shivering and saying “Cowdies! Cowdies on No-no's!”
>A few moments pass before she exclaims “Owies goin', goin' 'way! No-Name is Smawty!”
>”Nuuuu, Aww-Mumma is Smawty. No-name jus' wisten.” You tell her, trying not to laugh at the expression on Clover's face as she presses her No-no's against the cold Green Wall. Wittles doesn't bother, and just starts giggling.
>Foals are touching their noses to the Green Will and giggling about how cold it is. Then they start touching you with cold noses and make you yelp.
>It’s a new game. Everybody is touching everybody with cold noses, and there is lots of fun.
>“ No-Lips wish Hewd couwd stay in Wittwes' Safe Pwace, pway in shawwow Wa-Wa, eat gwasses tiww nu can muv, sweep unda Sun an' be wamm an' happy an' fat.”
>You remember what No-Lips said. Is this what he meant. Just being with Friends, with Foals, playing games and not being scared or sad?
>It’s a very sad thought, and you try to think of something more fun, but you can’t get sad words out of your head.
>If No-Lips always having to remember sad things so he can remind Herd and not let Foals die, no wonder he so strange all the time.
>You remind yourself to ask him about it later. Other than Foals, you not see many Fluffies giving No-Lips hugs or playing with him.
>That makes you sad. No-Lips is mean sometimes, but he is also the Smarty Friend who lead the Herd past Munstas without everyone being eaten, he looks after the Foals but never seems to get any thanks.
>As the little Pegasus foal climbs onto your back and starts to hide from the other two foals, you wonder what it is like to be a Smarty Friend for so long.


On the Rocks, Part 3

>The sunlight that was filtering down through the grate in the roof of Haven is starting to come in at an angle again. It's early afternoon, and everyone is full of nervous energy.
>Soon, you, No-Name the Grey Earth Fluffy, will be sent out with the other young stallions to raid.
>Hate Raids, the very thought of them makes you feel terrible and sick inside, but No-Lips says that the Herd must Raid once again.
>The Stallions must bring back Mares from other Herds back to No-Lips Herd, make No-Lips Herd strong again.
>Your Herd has lost so many Fluffies this past week. Cat Munstas, Rat Munstas, Train Munstas, all have taken their toll.
>Herd is now only thirty strong, where last week, it was over forty.
>Mares of the No-Lips Herd cry. They don't like the Raids either, it's never good to leave your Herd behind, whether you go willingly, are driven out or stolen away. Some of them are Mares who were taken during Raids and get scared as they remember.
>But they also know that No-Lips does not let his Herd suffer needlessly. He's scary and tough, but not wantonly cruel or selfish like some of the other Smarty Friends.
>Clover is crying and leaning her head into your chest, sobbing and whispering for you to take care, to not be mean to the Mares.
>”Pwease, Clowver nu haf sad Wa-Wa's, No-Name nu gif Owies, pwomise. Pwomise tu find Mawes dat nu happeh wit' dere Hewds, an' bwing dem back.” You promise her, nuzzling her mane to try and cheer her up.
>”Clover miss hew Mumma, miss hew Brudda, Waid was soooo scawy, Fwuffies yewwin' an' kickin' an' dwaggin' otha Fwuffies away!. No-Lips say No-Lips Herd only haf room fo' Fiwwies an' Young Mawes now.” She whispers, staring at her foals. “Pwease nu be Meanie Fwuffie! Pwease, Clover haf so many Chest-Owies if Mawes awe scawedy an' huwty.”
>You give Clover the best not-Special Hug you can. She’s a friend, a good friend who is helping you keep Little Foal alive. You wish you could make Clover happier, but No-Lips's orders are absolute.
>No-Lips is waiting for all the young stallions at the entrance to Haven. You, Wittles and Honey are the last three to arrive.
>”Young Mawes!” No-Lips shouts, glaring at you all. “No-Lips Herd need onwy Young Mawes. Nu Foaws, Nu Cowts, Nu Owd Fwuffies, onwy Mawes!”
>”No-Lips know dat Raids is scawy. Know dat Guud Fwuffies feew Biggest Saddies when dey gif otha Fwuffies Scawies an' Huwties.” He continues, marching up and down the line of stallions, all of whom are totally focused on him. “Most Smawty Fwiends awe Dumb Fwiends! Wun away an' weave Hewd behind tu swave own Fluff! Wet Foals haf Saddies so dat Dumb Fwiends can haf toys an' nummies! Nu shawe de Guud Nummies wit' Fwuffy Mummas!”
>”Yuu wiww bwing back Young Mawes tu No-Lips Herd! Owr Hewd wiww cawe fo' Mawes, make dem happeh, gif guud nummies, shawe wit dem safe pwace to haf Foals!” No-Lips turns and stares you right in the eyes. “Nu gif huwties tu Mawes is nu haf tu! Dumb Friends wiww nu cawe if Mare go wit’ No-Lips's Stawwions. Smarty Friends wiww be angwy wit' Fluffies if Mares go wit’ yuu, dose awe Fwuffies yuu can gif Huwties tu.”
>”We weady, No-Lips!” Honey boasts, puffing his chest out with pride. “Honey bwing back Mares, keep No-Lips Herd stwong!”
>”Zodd weady. Fight Smawty Friend, take aww Mawes fo' owr Hewd.” Zodd rumbles, baring his teeth in what could be a smile or a snarl.
>”No-Name weady!” You pipe up. “No-Name find Mawes who haf saddies, an' bwing back tu No-Lips!”
>The other stallions start making promises as well, and Haven echoes with their boasts. It’s scary, but there’s a part of you that’s excited too.
>No-Lips Herd is the strongest Herd in Underground, mostly because of Haven, which is hidden from the other Herds and is protected against anything short of a Two-Legged Munsta.
>Some Herds try to find Haven, but never get past the Munstas that swarm through the tunnels.
>Rat Munstas eat them, a seething, chittering, scrambling tide of wet, black fur and sharp, gnawing teeth that devours Fluffies whole.
>Big Metal Munstas drag them down the tunnels and crush them, sometimes dragging whole Herds to their death ......
>And in the bigger tunnels, Two-Leg Munstas snatch up the Fluffy Ponies and take them away to places unknown. Mostly everyone agrees, it's to be eaten, for what else could a Two-Leg Munsta want with a Fluffy Pony, that they hate above all else?
>”Den Waid stawts!” No-Lips yells, trotting to the side and waving a hoof towards the twisting passageway between the piles of old Poop and Papers, and the glowing Mushrooms. “Yuu wiww bwing back at weast one Young Mawe, or yuu nu come back at aww!”
>Zodd gives an excited cry and charges, and you find yourself giving chase.
>Something deep inside you enjoys this, a rush, a thrill of excitement surging through your body, even as you mind clings to the sorrow ahead of you.
> More excited than when you first got to play with the shiny Rock-Balls. More excited than when you were first allowed to give Special Hugs to Peach. This feeling inside you ....
>You feel indestructible.
>Everyone follows the way the Red Straws are pointing on the Fluffy Markers as the Stallions charge through the sewers, sticking to the ledges and walkways and keeping a wide berth from the edge, and the filthy, sludge-like waters of the Sewers.
>The Red Straws point in the direction of Stinky Waters, a run-down garbage dump, where most of the Fluffy Herds go at the end of the day to hide from the predators.
What little water that can be found there is dirty or has a film of oil or grease on top of it, and the many empty car and truck tyres creates a breeding ground of mosquitoes, but it's relatively safe from the Two-Leg Munstas, and the twisting and turning 'canyons' of garbage keep the Rat Munstas from easily finding the Herds that sleep there.
>It's a very long way, several hundred meters from Haven, the abandoned storage room where the No-Lips Herd has built their 'Haven', but the Stallions need only run. There are no rails this way, no trains to drag them away, no maintenance workers to capture them or drown them in the filthy water.
>The Fluffies glance at the daylight drifting down to them from the grates and drains of the roads above. The sun-beams are moving faster now, drifting to the side. The Sun is setting. Soon, it will be the Cold Dark time, when the world becomes black and scary and even more dangerous.
>For No-Name, he thinks that the Sun must get very angry in the morning and the afternoon. He think's that it must, because it makes light turn an angry red colour.
>And the smells in the Underground are getting worse. While the Underground never smell's good on it's best day, but closer Raiders get to 'Stinky Waters', the worse the smells gets.
>Worse than Fluffy Poop. It smells of rancid water and rotting food and a hundred other things that not good for Fluffies.
>Finally, after one last turn, the Tunnel opens up and the grimy, rubbish-canyons and valley of the 'Stinky Wa-Wa's' are before them.
>The Sun is hiding behind the big tall things that the Two-Leg Munstas call 'buildings', glaring angrily at Raiders as it slowly sinks down past the horizon.
>You are No-Name once again, lifting your head and swiveling your ears eagerly. It's very faint, but you can hear the babble of Fluffy Ponies in the distance. There must be a sizeable Herd nearby, but with all the high walls of garbage and refuse around, they could be a few twists and turns away or on the other side of the garbage dump.
>Zodd stops and sniffs the air, and you only just swerve aside in time to avoid running flat into his broad rear.
>Several Fluffies who could not stop in time run into the back of him and bounce off, saying “Owies!” and “Why Zodd stawp!”
>Wittles bounces off Zodd, clutching his muzzle and whining about “Nose haf Boo-Boo Juices!”
>”Zodd smell Munsta?” You ask as you peer around nervously, coming up to stand at Zodd’s side. If there is a Munsta, Zodd might be the only one who could stop it.
>”Nuuuuu, Zodd smell Mawes.” He rumbles, grinning evily as his No-No’s start to stop hiding and come out.
>Zodd's No-No's scare you. No-no’s aren’t supposed to be that big, no wonder poor Clover had such bad Owies.
>But now that Zodd mentions it, you can smell it too, now that you’re out of the Underground, a faint, delightfully musky fragrance...
>Peach and a few other Mares were making that scent when you first joined No-Lip’s Herd. Made your No-no’s be naughty, and you were so desperate to be good so No-Lips would let you stay, but Peach waved her rear in your face till you couldn’t take it anymore and gave her Special Hugs.
>Now that you think about it, Peach let a lot of Stallions have Good Feels that day, so many that even No-Lips couldn't say who the father of her Foals were.
>Most of the other Stallions are sniffing the air, grinning and babbling to each other about "Mawes!" and "Be bawk at Haven soon!".
>”We haf Speshaw Huggies, den take Mawes back tu Haven?” Wittles asks hopefully, looking around to the other Stallions for support.
>”Maybe.” Zodd grunts, looking back to the tunnel with a strange expression on his face. “No-Lips say dat Hewd need Mawes ... Nu say dat Fwuffies nu couwd haf Speshaw Huggies.”
>”Aww Fwuffies!” Honey shouts, drawing attention to him. “Is Waid! Fwuffies wemembah wat dey is do?”
>A few shake their heads, confused. You're grateful you remembered this time, it would be so embarrasing to have forgotten already!
>”Fwuffies mus' bwing back one Mawe tu Hewd, or nu an gu back to Haven!” Honey says, Fluff puffed out. “Two Mawes is Bestest, buh One Mawe be oh'tay. Nu pwayin' wit' Otha' Hewds. Nu tawk 'bout Haven tu Otha Fwuffies! Yuu get Biggest Owies if yuu ....!”
>”No-Lips say nu Foaws, nu Stawwions!” Zodd rumbles, pushing Honey aside with a hoof. “Zodd nu wan heaw Honey haf tawkies nu moar, Zodd gu get Mawes an' haf Speshaw Huggies!”
>And so saying, Zodd trundles away, his large No-No's swaying under him as he walks, shouting for 'Mawes!'
>In ones and twos, the Raiders drift away, following their noses as they seek out the source of that wonderful scent.
>Honey and Wittles trot off together, babbling about having Special Friends all their own and not having to share with Zodd.
>Blue-Horn gives you a withering look and runs off on his own as well.
>You’re on your own. It makes you feel decidedly less confident, but perhaps that's for the best. Clover begging you to be nice to the Mares fills you vision for a moment.
>Yes, perhaps it's for the best. You can find Mares who are unhappy and ask them to come with you, but you doubt the other Stallions would care about that.
>After some deliberation, involing rushing up one path, then back down and into another, you finally settle on following a small, barely wide-enough-for-you path through the Stinky Waters.
>The water is very bad here, covered in a multi-coloured, oily film that makes you sneeze repeatedly and makes your eyes water up like you were crying.
>Lots of piles of strange things, almost as big as Tall Things surrounding the Park. Fridges, Toasters, wrecked furniture of all kinds, piled one ontop of the other and left to rot and rust away.
>You wander amongst the canyons of garbage, leaving special hoof-marks to mark the way you came by dragging your hoof through the dirt and make a ‘V’ shape to point way back to Underground.
>You are making another special hoof-mark when hear voices. Loud, angry, Fluffy Pony voices.
>You shuffle forwards nervously towards where you think they are coming from, following a branching path in the maze of garbage, and crouch down behind a rusty pipe, peering under it to stare at the source of the shouting.
>It’s a small Herd of your kind. You can only see ten Fluffies, and there's no Foals at all. Eight of the Fluffies are sleeping or watching the other two Fluffies, the source of the angry shouting.
>Two male Unicorns are arguing bitterly, one with a Pale Green coat of ragged fluff, the other has a Bright Yellow coat of fluff slicked down with sweat and grime.
>”Wime is Smawty Fwiend!” Pale Green says angrily, puffing up his cheeks at the other Unicorn. "Yuu is siwwy Fwuffy, nu wisten to Wime!".
>”Yuu is Dumb Fwiend! Swun is Twue Smawty Fwiend! Dumb Fwiend nu wet Hewd haf sweep in Pawk!” Bright Yellow replies, just as angry, and responds by puffing up his cheeks as well. "Haf guud nummies, nu haf Bitin' Tings keep Fwuffies up aww Cowd Dawk Time!".
>”YUU IS DUMB FWIEND!” Pale Green shrieks, jumping up and down on the spot, his fluff sticking straight out. “DUMB FWIEND KNOW PAWK NU SAFE PWACE FO' FWUFFIES TO HAF SWEEPIES!”
>”NU CAWW SMAWTY FWIEND DUMB FWIEND, YUU DUMB FWIEND!” Bright Yellow screams back, also jumping up and down with rage.
>The majority of the Herd is watching this conflict with awe. A pair of Fluffies, however, are closer to you. One of them, with dark, earthy-brown Fluff, is so round her feet barely touch the ground. The other has a coat of Bright Red Fluff and is nuzzling her face and trying to rub a patch of that green slime off the Round Fluffy’s neck with a hoof.
>You creep closer to inspect them as the shouting match between the two Unicorn Smarty Friends gets louder and more intense.
>They are both screaming “DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMB!” at each other as loud as they can, their horns making coloured sparks that fly back and forth at each other.
>You can see the Round Fluffy is a Mare, she is with foal, her eight teats all swollen and protruding from her fluff.
>The second Fluffy smells like a Mare, sounds like a Mare, but you can’t be too sure. It is getting very dark, after all ....
>”Nu wan’... nu wan haf baybehs in Stinky Wa-Wa's. Nu wan Baybehs smeww bad an' haf Meanie Smawty Fwiends ...” The Round Fluffy groans, her pale brown fluff matted with sweat. “Wan’ baybehs tu haf happies, nu haf saddies.”
>”Gween yikky stuff nu gif Bwun's Fwuff huggies nu moar.” The second Fluffy murmurs, scraping her hooves on a nearby rock before having another attempt at wiping the slime off the Round Fluffy. “Bwun be pwetty 'gain soon.” .
>”Wed be Guud Fwiend.” ‘Bwan’ sighs as the Argument continues. Now the Unicorns are just squealing in high-pitched, incoherent rage at each other.
>There’s a few more hidey-places between you and this Herd. A ripped towel hanging off a jagged piece of scrap-metal, an empty milk-crate, a fridge lying on its side with the doors open and a TV case, all of which you scuttle up behind as you inch closer towards the Herd.
>You don't want to scare the Herd or have to fight the Unicorn Smarty Friends, but the Fluffy Mumma says she's unhappy ... maybe, if she will come with you, you can keep your promise to Clover and still make No-Lips happy with you?
>Sneak up beind ‘Wed’ and tap her tail with your nose, and smile your best 'I'm a friend!' smile at her as Wed turns to look at you, mouth open.
>”Nu yeww, pease! No-Name nu scawy, is Fwuffie, wike yuu!” You whisper, holding a hoof in front of your muzzle. “Bwun nu wike Hewd? Wan' gu to Guud Hewd whu nu wive in Stinky Wa-Wa's? Maybe Wed nu wike Hewd tuu?”
>”Wed ... nu wike Hewd, Smawty Fwiends awways haf fites now.” Wed admits, crouching down next to her pregnant friend and looking at you with a curious expression. “Nu see 'No-Name' b'fowe. Wat Hewd yuu bewong tu?”
>”No-Lips's Hewd.” You admit proudly, puffing out your chest. “No-Lips is nu wike dose Dumb Fwiends.” You point a hoof at the two Unicorns, who have stopped bouncing up and down in rage and have collapsed onto the filthy ground, shaking from exhaustion, but still yelling insults at each other. “No-Lips keeps Hewd safe, pways wit foaws, is nu scawy when he nu haf tu be. No-Lips is Bestest Smawty Fwiend.”
>”Buh ... buh dis is Wed’s Hewd. Wed be part of Herd fo' ... Wed pawt o' dis Hewd since Wed was Baybeh.” Wed whispers, looking at the small Herd with undisguised fear and confusion.
>”No-Lips nu huwt Fwuffy Mummas?” Bwun asks, staring hard at you, her legs moving softly to prop herself onto her distended belly. “Fluffy Mummas wuved in No-Lips Hewd, gu in Hug-Piwe an' haf Fwiend who woww dem? Onwy Wed hewps Bwun now, soon, Bwun tu big to wun, haf be wowwed. Smawty Fwiends onwy cawe 'bout nummies an' who is Smawtiest Fwiend now.”
>”No-Lips is guud tu his Fwuffies. Wooks afta' Owd Fwuffies, pways wit' Foaws, nu huwts Fwuffies unwess dey make Hewd be in Biggest Twouble.” You promise, shuffling over on your belly to whisper as softly as you can to the two Mares as the rest of their Herd mutters and whimpers.
>Behind Bwun, the two Unicorn Smarty Friends are glaring daggers at each other, slowly rising to their feet even as they wobble with fatigue.
>Pale-Green’s face has a few black spots on it that still smoulder. So does Bright-Yellow’s face. They were so angry at each other, their sparks were so hot that burned each other.
>”Hewd nu need Two Smawty Fwiends.” Pale-Green snarls, lowering his horn to point at Bright-Yellow’s throat.
>”Dat wite! Yuu gu, o' Swun gif yuu Biggest Owies!” Bright-Yellow yells back, also lowering his horn.
>Both horns are glowing with magic, sparks flying out furiously.
>”Bwun gu wit' No-Name to his Hewd.” The pregnant Mare says suddenly, rising to her feet with a great amount of wobbling from her belly, which protrudes out from between her legs and out behind her rear like a balloon under too much pressure.
>”Buh is Hewd. Owr Hewd. We weawy haf gu?” Wed asks, tears in her eyes as she stands up and shifts her eyes from the whimpering Herd to the two Smarty Friends, howling in pain and hate as they shower each other in sparks that makes their coats of fluff smoulder and smoke, and her friend Bwun, who is slowly, painfully lumbering away.
>”Bwun haf 'nuff o' Stupid Meanie Smawty Fwiends. Tiwed of Unicowns makin' spawks dat make Oiwy Puddwes haf Bwunies when Swun an' Wime haf fites.” The Pregnant Mare replies, shuffling past you and back down the way you came, snuffling the ground. “Nu wan haf Sweepies where Bitin' Tings can make Bwun's eaws aww isshy. Nu wan Bwun' Baybehs get stomped 'cause Smawty Fwiends nu can teww who is Daddy.”
>”Wed, come wit No-Name and Bwun.” You beg, reaching out with a hoof to touch her own hoof. “Nu safe fo' Yuu o' Bwun. Dis Hewd is tuu wittwe, nu haf 'nuff Toughies! Smawty Fwiend nu cawe 'bout dere Fwuffies, onwy wan be Smawty Fwiend.”
>Wed sniffles, but follows after Bwan, and you follow after them, telling them to look for ‘V’ shapes on the ground.
>”Smawtie Ting.” Bwan complements you, back-tracking from one of the branching passages after you call her back and explain the marks again.
>You only hope the other Stallions are having as much luck as you as you hear the Herd behind you shriek in alarm as the bright lights shed by Lime and Sun's horns grows brighter and more terrible behind you...

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

>Honey and You, Wittles the Toughie Friend, are about to Raid a Herd. You’re excited, your heart is bouncing around in your chest so much you can't keep still.
>”Wittles, weady?” Honey asks, straining against the Hooman Thing on top of the mountain, making it rock and creak alarmingly, but then, the whole of these mountains and canyons of garbage do that every time the wind blows the wrong way ...
>”Wittles weady, Honey!” You whisper back and help, pushing your head against the Hoomin Thing and grunting as you strain, your hooves slipping and sliding on the pile of garbage beneath you.
>Both you and Honey have played this trick before, as it only works in Stinky Waters, but it's very, very effective.
>It starts by pushing something heavy down one of the garbage-mountains near a likely Herd. Once pushed, the Heavy Thing will make lots of noises on the way down and scare the Herd witless, making most of the Stallions run away.
>The Mares almost always stay with Fluffy Mammas and Foals to protect them and try to stop the Fluffy Mummas having Scaredy Fits. Squashing the Fluffy Mummas under several Mares keeps them from puffing up and going 'Fwoooph' .... most of the time.
>All but the bravest of the Stallions will run away, shrieking in terror at some large, scary, half-seen thing tumbling into the middle of their Herd in the with loud, horrible noises filling their ears.
>You feel the Hooman Thing start to give, then it slowly rolls down the ‘mountain’, picking up speed and knocking more Hooman Things off the mountain, rolling and tumbling and bouncing down to where the Herd is trying to sleep.
>The portable radio crashes down like a thunder-bolt in the middle of the Fluffy Head, narrowly missing a Dark-Yellow Pegasus, who responds by releasing both an ear-piercing scream of terror and his bowels before bolting for the nearest opening in the garbage.
>Predictably, most of the Herd scatters, bumping into and scrambling over each other, trying desperately to climb the surrounding ‘mountains’, only to fall back in more miniature 'landslides' of trash or fleeing in shrieking terror down the narrow 'gulleys' of dirt between the garbage-canyons.
>A handful of stallions and mares have remained behind to guard the pregnant mares, but the avalanche of cans, empty CD cases and other refuse has rattled them, you can hear it in their voices.
>"NUUUUU! Munstas!" "Fwuffies be Guud! Pwotect Mummas!" "Mumma scawed! Whewe babies, WHEWE BABIES AWE?"
>Give Honey an evil look. It's the part of the Trick where Honey does his best impression of a Scary Munsta.
>Honey returns the look, the takes a deep breath and starts shouting as loudly as he can.
>”Munsta wan haf Stawwion-Nummies! MUNSTA WAN HAF AWW STAWWIONS FO' NUMMIES!” He roars at the top of his lungs.
>The Stallions start to pee in fright, but they don’t abandon the Mares. Must be their Special Friends .....
>”Du 'gain, buh moar scawy!” You egg on Honey, staring down at the Mares. They look so pretty! You want One, no, Two Special Friends!
>”MUNSTA WAN STAWWION-NUMMIES! STAWWIONS WUN, DEN MUNSTA NU CAN CATCH, NU CAN EAT STAWWIONS IF DEY WUN!” Honey gives a second bellow.
>That’s it for the Stallions, as they start to squeal in terror and buck at anything that tries to grab them.
>Something just came crashing down and sent half of their Herd running away in pooping terror, and now some hideous 'Munsta' in the dark is going to eat them if they stay.
>Kicking the Mares that are trying to give them Hugs to make them brave, the Stallions all race away, squealing in terror.
>You can hear the Mares sobbing in fear even as they squash down on the Fluffy Mummas, hugging each other and the Fluffy Mummas to try and protect the Fluffy Mummas and their Foals from the Munsta.
>Is time. Time to be Brave Fluffies now, to 'save' the Mares from the 'Terrible Munsta'.
>Run down the back of the mountain with Honey right at your heels. It’s harder than climbing, especially since the Sun is almost completely hidden behind now, making the shadows longer, to the point you almost can't see where the safe places are to put your soft hooves.
>Rush around the base of the mountain, panting with the effort to move to the Mares as fast as you can before some bright spark realises that the 'Munsta' has gone, to see the Mares hugging the Fluffy Mummas desperately, promising them that they will protect their foals to their dying breaths.
>One of the Fluffy Mummas was so scared, she started to poop, judging from her screaming about 'Big Poopies!'.
>No, not poop, babies! The Mares are squeezing her so tightly her Babies are coming out!
>That's bad timing. No-Lips was adamant, no Foals, only Mares.
>”We hewp!” Honey says, tail waving in the air. “Guud-Bwave-Pwetty Stawwions take Mawes an' Fwuffy Mummas tu Safe Pwace, hide fwom Munsta!”
>”Nu can take Foaws!” You add, shooting Honey a look. “We sowwy, nu Foaws! Nu can take Foaws!”
>Terrified, the Mares rush over to hug you, sobbing about being left behind, about being so scared. The Pregnant Mares, the Fluffy Mummas, waddle over as well, begging to go to the Safe Place.
>The Fluffy Mumma who gave birth is cuddling and hudding her babies, whispering to them that they are very good, that Herd will love them. You're pretty sure the World could end right now and she wouldn't notice.
>There are three Mares and four Fluffy Mummas, not counting the one that just had her babies.
>Maybe three Mares be your Special Friends?
>No, wait, then who will Honey have for his Special Friend?
>Two Special Friends for you, One for Honey then.
>”Fuh’wow Wittles an’ Honey!” You shout, leading them back around the mountain. “We gu tu Unner'ground, gu tu No-Lips Hewd. Safe! Wamm Safe Pwace fo' Fwuffie Mummas an' den dey can haf dere Baybehs in peace.” You promise.
>Crying with relief, shaking with fear, the Mares follow, helping the Fluffy Mummas along as best they can, with Honey bringing up the rear, rolling the fattest Fluffy Mummas along with the Mares.
>By the time the New Mother thinks to look up to ask the other Fluffy Mummas about what they think of her Babies, everyone is long gone, leaving behind only the echoes of their babbling and the fading shrieking of her Herd.
>She curls up around her Foals, shaking from the fear and the cold as the half-blind, damp Foals nurse and cling to her belly-fluff.
>Her Herd is scattered and terrified. They might not come back tonight. It is very hard to stay warm without Hugs in Stinky Waters, and her constant shivering is upsetting her Foals, making it hard for them to cling to her warm, milk-filled, life-giving teats.
>”W-whewe fwiends?” She whispers, tears falling down her face as the babies whimper and whine as her shivering threatens to dislodge them from their perches. “Why nu-nu-nuu t-take tongs-s-s-s wit'? Tong i-s-s-s-s Guud Fwuffy, haf Gu-gu-guud Baybehs ...”
>Slowly, over the course of an hour, most of the Herd trickles back in, covered in muck, mud and pee, whimpering and crying and shivering with fear and cold.
>The Stallions, spotting the Fluffy Mumma and hearing the whining of her Foals, rush over to give her hugs, surrounding her in a Hug-Pile to keep her warm, whispering how sorry they are, how beautiful her babies are, how much they love them.
>Then, panic from their Smarty Friend, the Dark-Yellow Pegasus that almost got crushed beneath the radio.
>”Where owr otha' Mawes?” He shouts, running around the Herd’s favourite sleeping ground. “Whewe Mawes gu! Why nu come back!”
>”T-Tong tink dat Fwiends hewp Mawes an' Fwuffy Mummas gu tu Safe Pwace.” Tongs replies, happy to be Hugged and warm again. “Wittles an’ Honey take Mawes to safe pwace.”
>The Pegasus looks at her for long seconds, then starts to scream with frustration, running around and head-butting the remaining Stallions, scaring everyone and forcing every last member of her Herd around the sole remaining Mare.
>”Evewy Fwuffy is DUMB!” Smarty Friend screams, stamping his hooves on the ground and grinding his teeth.
>”W-w-why? Why Smawty Fwiend gif Owies tu Fwuffie?” One of the Stallions whines, nursing a sore leg.
>”Because Hewd haf NU FWIENDS CAWWED WITTLES AN’ HONEY!” The Smarty Friend yells back.
>Most of the Mares are gone, there's only four left, including Tongs the Fluffy Mumma, and there are no Foals in the Herd. He was counting on the Fluffy Mummas to resolve that issue!
>If he chases after the thieves, he could lose the rest of his herd to predators, or maybe one of his Toughie Friends might try to rebel and take over the Herd for himself.
>If he stays, there are only four Mares, and close to twenty Stallions. The Mares will be badgered non-stop for Special Hugs, get depressed and maybe try to run away, meaning he'll have to assign more Stallions to watch over them and less to finding food and fighting off Rival Herds.
>The Herd might have to disband and join other Herds if they lose all of their Mares, and a Former Smarty Friend would never be allowed into another Herd unless he grovelled and abased himself before the Smarty Friend of that Herd, and maybe not even then ...
>Screaming his frustrations to the night sky, the Pegasus flaps his little wings as hard as he can and run around the Herd in circles, shouting at the top of his lungs.
>"WIWW FIND YUU! WITTWES! HONEY! DOSE WERE MY MAWES!"

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

>Be Zodd, the Biggest, Strongest, Bestest Fluffy in the whole world, or so your friend Bluehorn tells you.
>”Gum is Smawty Fwiend! Gum say who gif Speshaw Huggies tu Mawes!” The annoying Pink Fluffy is screaming at you, bouncing up and down and spitting in rage.
>Don’t care, you have a Mare. She's squealing about Bad Huggies an' No-No's Owies, but she's silly, Special Hugs feel good!
>And you're far too big for the Silly Pink Fluffy to hurt anyway.
>At least, you thought so, but then his kicks you on the nose. It's just a tap, but it surprises you!
>"OWIES! Nose haf Owies! You babble, rearing backwards with your front legs flailing, releasing the Mare and holding both front hooves up to your nose. Feel her pull away, and then your No-No's is no longer warm and happy.
>And that makes you very, very angry.
>”Big Fwuffy is Big, buh Smawty Fwiend stiww can make Boo-Boo Juices come!” The Pink Fluffy yells again, puffing out his cheeks at you. “Yuu gu 'way! Dis Gum's Hewd! Dese Gum's Mawes! Dese Gum's Toughie Fwiends! Nu scawed of One Fwuffy!”
>”Dose are Zodd's Mawes now!” You shout back, standing up and advancing on this ‘Gum’ with fury snapping in your eyes.
>You’ve got several inches on him, not including the Fluff. And this time you're not distracted by a wonderfully soft Mare wriggling underneath you.
>He goes to kick you again, rearing back on his hind legs and flailing his front hooves at you.
>You stand up on your back legs, and he misses, and you see his eyes go wide in panic as his attack fails.
>Then you fall down again, your hooves smacking onto the top of his head and slamming him down into the ground with an audible thump.
>Jump on his head a few times to make a point.
>”ZODD IS NEW SMAWTY FWIEND!” You roar at the Herd, who are holding each other and whimpering. “Aww Mawes wiww come wit' Zodd, or Zodd gif Biggest Owies tu aww Stawwions wike Zodd gif dem tu Gum!”
>Your No-no’s are throbbing, demanding the Good Feels again. The Mare you were special Hugging has run back to her Herd and is being given Hugs, crying and staring at you with a horrified expression on her face.
>Smarty Friend is wobbling back to his feet, blood leaking from his mouth and ears.
>”My ... Hewd! Meany Fwuffy ... gu ... way!” He grunts, staggering around to bump ineffectively against your leg.
>”Pink Fwuffy is weak! Smaw! Nu Smawty Fwiend, just Dumb!” You grunt back, kicking him in the shoulder and making the Smarty Friend's forward half collapse back onto the ground.
>You walk around him, glaring at the recaltant Mares, and see his hind-quarters still in the air, wiggling as this 'Gum' tries to stand up once again.
>No-no’s still throbbing. You didn't get to have the Good Feels before, thank to this Stupid Smarty Friend ...
>But maybe he can help. No-Lips won't care if you give 'Bad' Special Hugs to a Stallion who is not a part of your Herd? And how can Special Hugs be bad when they make you feel soooo good?
>You decide this is a Smarty Thing to do, just like Bluehorn tells you!
>”WAAAAAAAH! Nuuu! Owies! Gum nu wike! Pweeeeeeease!” He squeals as you mount him, thrusting ineffectively until your No-no’s find the right place.
>Feels different from a Mare. Not bad different, just different-different. It still feels good, and your No-No's is happy and warm again!
>Gum’s Herd is watching, stunned, as you give Bad Special Hugs to Gum, grunting and straining and panting as the little Pink Smarty wriggles and claws at the dirt under you.
>”Gum nu wuke dis! Pwease! Gum’s Poopy-Howe Haf Huwties! Nu wan Poopy-Owies!” He whimpers, but Gum isn’t big enough to push you away. “Gum nu Smawty nu moar, Zodd is Smawty, ZODD IS SMAWTY! Pwease nu moar, Gum sowwy, Gum sowwwwyyyyy!”
>You feel ... powerful. Gum is as big as No-Lips, but you've make him do what you want.
>He even made you the Smarty Friend of his Herd! Maybe Bluehorn was right ... maybe you are destined to be the Smarty Friend of No-Lips's Herd.
>You finish, have the Good Feels, and then roll off Gum. Gum curls up into a ball, crying and whimpering and shaking, but you're done with him. It's time to take the Mares back to the Herd!
>Glare at the Once-Gum's-Now-Zodd's Herd, who are staring back at you with big, frightened eyes, hugging each other and whispering to each other in small, terrified voices.
>”Mawes wiww come wit' Zodd NOW, or Zodd gif Speshaw Huggies to evewy Fwuffie!” You threaten, puffing up your cheeks and making your Fluff stand on end.
>At that point, half the Herd shrieks and runs away, or tries to, and the other half just howls in terror and forms a hug-pile with their Foals in the middle.
>The runners are bouncing off each other, hitting each other with their hooves as they try to scramble up the walls of garbage and then falling down, half-burying themselves in garbage.
>Their yelling is making your ears hurt. Your heart won’t stop beating so fast. Your No-No's throb, demanding more Good Feels.
>You have to make the screaming stop, it's making your ears hurt!
>You lash out at a Fluffy Mumma who tried to run past, hitting her in the neck with a hoof.
>She squeals and falls over, begging for help, but she's not able to run away anymore.
>This gives you an idea. It's Mean, but that's what a Herd of Bad Mean Loud Fluffies who won't obey their New Smarty Friend deserve!
>You charge into the panicking herd, biting, kicking, headbutting.
>You are Zodd the Smarty Pony!
>Zodd the Big Fluffy!
>Zodd the Unstoppable!
>Stallions turn to face you, afraid to turn their rear ends to face your wrath, and you stomp on their faces, crushing them into the dirt and the scardey-poopies left by the rest of the Herd.
>Foals scream in pain as you trample over them to give Special Hugs to the Mares.
>The Mares hold each other and cry out for help as you give them Special Hugs before kicking them over and bawling into their faces how bad they are, you are their new Special Smarty Friend, you give Good Special Hugs!
>By the time your heart has stopped pounding, the Herd has mostly fled, leaving behind a mess of churned earth and poop, crushed foals and the dead and the crippled of their number.
>Your heart sinks.
>It happened again.
>No-Lips will be so angry ... You didn't mean to! You just ... just ...
>Wait, what did Bluehorn say?
>”Zodd is Guud Fwuffy, buh No-Lips is Meanie Fwuffy. Awways make Zodd gu wook fo' Munstas. Awways haf Zodd cawwy nummies an' tweasuwes.” Bluehorn had whispered in your ears, so No-Lips couldn't hear and yell at you again. “No-Lips is nu Fwiend tu Zodd. If Zodd be Smawty Fwiend, Hewd awways haf Foaws an' Baybehs. Zodd's Baybehs. Big, Stwong, happy Foaws who wuv Zodd an' can pway wit' Zodd an' nu get Owies o' Huwties.”
>Maybe Bluehorn was right. He is a very smart Fluffy ...
>And this is not only Herd in Stinky Waters. There are many, many others, and surely there's a Herd or two out there Good Enough and Smart Enough to understand how lucky they will be to have you for a Smarty Friend!
>Stepping on the crying form of Gum, who looks at the shattered remains of his Herd with a look of horror and self-loathing etched on his face, you stride out into the canyons and mountains of garbage looking for another Herd to claim.



Part 4

>You are Bluehorn, the Smarty Unicorn.
>You found a Herd, but it’s quite big. You know if a Herd is this big, it's probably got a lot of Toughie Friends to keep order.
>Fighting a Smarty is one thing. Fighting a Smarty and a dozen of his Mean Friends is something else altogether!
>Over fifty Fluffies all crowded around a ragged-looking king-size wooden bed-stand covered with rags and bits of paper, with about twenty Pregnant Mares, the Fluffy Mummas, sleeping on the rags.
>You can see this Herd’s Smarty Friend.
>He’s a big black-fluffed Earth Pony Fluffy.
>He’s having an argument with a couple of other Fluffies.
>”Coal nu cawe wat Stuuupid an’ Stuuuuupid wan’!” He is yelling, glaring at the two other Flufflies. “Coal is dah Smawtie Fwiend! Coal say onwy Fwuffy Mummas can haf sweep on Sof' Bed!”
>”Buh tummeh’s cowd!” The second fluffy, a small grey mare, whines, shivering furiously. For some reason, all the fluff is missing from her belly and backside.
>”Wan’ haf sweepies wit Special Friend!” The third, another Male Earth Pony Fluffy with a bright green coat, grumbles. “Cowd! Wan’ Hugs so feew wamm!”
>”Hug otha Fwuffies den, Stuuupid!” Coal says, loudly enough several of the other Fluffies in the Herd that are sleeping or hugging each other nearby the argument mutter and try to move away. “Hewd need more Fwuffies, Fwuffy Mommas can make more Fwuffies fo' Hewd! If aww Fwuffies gu on Sof' Bed, den Fwuffy Mummas get Squished, nu can bweave!”
>Other Fluffies have started to get in on the argument. It seems this 'Coal' isn't a popular leader...
>”Meany Smawty Fwiend! Tummeh cowd! Hoofsies cowd! Wan Sof' Bed!”
>”Wan sweepies wit Sis!”
>”Fwuffy Mummas get aww dah nice nummies! Gingar get nu nummies! Tummeh haf big owies!”
>This could be your chance.
>More and more of this ‘Coal’s’ Herd are ganging up on him. If he doesn’t make them back down, he’ll have to let them sleep on the Soft Bed.
>But there are other Fluffies going to stand behind Coal now. More Stallions. They are all puffing their cheeks up or blowing raspberries at the Herd.
>”Coal is guud Smawty Fwiend!” They shout back, stomping their hooves and jumping up and down. “Coal make Hewd stwong, many Baybehs, many Baybehs fo' Hewd sweepin' in dose Fwuffy Mummas!”
>A chorus of pitiful whines greets them. “Cowd!” “Hung'wy!” “Wan’ Huggies!”
>If there is a time to move, to drive this Herd to distraction so you can steal some Mares, it’s now or never.
>You wonder idly if you could take over this Herd as you creep forwards, easily slipping into the back row of the Herd, where the lower ranked and less-confident stand and shout their demands at their Smarty Friends and Toughie Friend.
>Stupid Earth Pony Fluffies, they make terrible Smarty Friends, but Coal's stubborn insistence that only Fluffy Mummas can sleep on the Soft Bed gives you have idea.
>You push your way into the middle of the Herd, bumping Fluffies aside with your horn until you’re in the middle of the herd, then start shouting.
>”Smawty Fwiend is a Meanie! Smawty Fwiend wait tiww Hewd haf sweepies, den he haf sweepies wit' Fwuffy Mummas, be suuuuu wamm an' safe whiwe Fwuffies aww be cowd!” You yell, keeping your head down as much as you can so your tell-tale Horn doesn’t show. “Smawty Fwiend haf sweepies wit' Wamm, Safe, Smeww-Guud Fwuffy Mummas, whiwe Fwuffies aww haf sweep on cowd, yikky diwt!”
>”Who say Nu-Twuff! Yuu is Bad Fwuffy!” Coal shouts, seriously angry now. So long as you keep your head down, he shouldn't be able to tell it was you. You're just another angry voice in his Herd ...
>”Sweepies wit Fwuffy Mummas?” Somebody asks loudly, blinking in surprise. The Fluffy had probably forgotten how warm, soft and nice-smelling a Fluffy Mumma is.
>”Fwuffy Mummas su sof', su wamm.” You shout, shuffling your way to the back of the Herd, grinning as every Fluffy starts to babble that they also want to sleep on the Soft Bed, be warm, be safe, have cuddles with the Fluffy Mummas.
>"NUUUUUUUUUUU! Sof' Bed fo' Fwuffy Mummas! Yuu nu haf baybehs in yuu tummeh, yuu nu get tu haf sweepies on Sof' Bed!" Coal screams furiously, both the Smarty Friend and his Toughie Friends bouncing up and down like demented ping-pong balls now.
>The Fluffies around you are muttering, flicking their ears back and forth and stomping their hooves.
>It’s dark, scary and cold. They are hungry, dirty and now very, very angry, convinced their Smarty Friend is being Mean just so he and he alone can sleep with the Fluffy Mummas.
>Fluffy Mummas are safe, warm and cuddly. Everyone remembers getting hugs from Fluffy Mummas, being wrapped in Fluff, safe and warm and loved unconditionally.
>Those nearest Coal and his enforcers are still arguing with Coal about wanting to get on the Soft Bed and be warm, but the majority of the Herd is starting to shuffle towards the Soft Bed, chanting “Sof'. Wamm. Fwuffy Mummas.”
>The Fluffy Mummas are starting to wake up, babbling about the shouting.

>”Fwuffies wan Huggies?” They ask the Fluffies starting to climb up onto the Soft Bed, reaching out with hooves.
>”Nu! Nu Fwuffies on Sof' Bed!” Coal screams in alarm, trying to push past the members of the Herd still arguing with his Enforcers. “Onwy Fwuffy Mummas!”
>The first Fluffies to climb up onto the Soft Bed immediately start hugging the Fluffies Mummas, babbling about how soft and warm they are.
>The second row want Hugs too, and try to force the first once away by pushing with their hooves and their muzzles, blowing raspberries and complaining loudly.
>"Wan haf Huggies tuuuuuuu!" The Second Wave yells unhappily, pushing and shoving and butting the First Wave. "Muv, Stuuupid Fwuffies!".
>Squabbles errupt, Fluffies being told find other Fluffy Mummas as the First Wave tries to dig in their hooves and stay with their Warm, Soft Fluffy-Mummas-turned-Pillows.
>Pushes turn to kicks, Fluffies yelling at each other and the Fluffy Mummas squealing in fear, and then pain, as stray kicks and head-butts hit them as well.
>More and more Fluffies are climbing up onto the bed, yelling they want “Wamm!” and “Huggies wit' Fwuffy Mummas!”
>The Fluffy Mummas, the pregnant mares, are squealing in fear and pain now, getting caught up in the fighting. You see one take a headbutt to the belly, curling up and yells “BAD OWIES!”, clutching her distended belly.
>Other Fluffy Mummas are desperately trying to roll off the Soft Bed now, digging their hooves into the covers of the bed and dragging themselves towards the edge, landing on the hard dirty ground with whimpers of pain and distress.
>Several land on top of the first few to come out, and you hear the ones underneath scream in pain and fear, yelling about “Bad Huggies!” and “Owies nu guud fo' Baybehs! Pwease nu Owies, Fwuffie is Guud Mumma!”
>The yelling gets louder and louder. Fluffies are now grappling either each other, treading on the Fluffy Mummas and wrestling for position, biting each other on the nose and ears and throat.
>Coal and his enforcers are running up to the Soft Bed, yelling at the top of their lungs and bucking those still on the ground, making them squeal in pain and cower, but more and more blow raspberries and climb onto the bed themselves, desperate for the warmth and safety that a Fluffy Mumma represents.
>”Dummy Fwuffies! Sof' Bed onwy fo' Fwuffy Mummas!” He bellows, crawling onto the Soft Bed, grabbing a brawling Fluffy by the scruff of its neck and tossing it to the side of the Soft Bed, letting his Enforcers drag it completely off and stomp on the Fluffy. “Bad Fwuffies! Wook! Wook wat yuu doin’ tu Coaw's Fwuffy Mummas!”
>Some of the Fluffies stop fighting and listen to their Smarty Friend, gazing with dawning horror at the scene.
>Fluffy Mummas still on the Soft Bed are crying, lying in sickening puddles of blood and shit and dead foals.
>All the stomping on them pushed the babies out of them prematurely, and the Fluffy Mummas hold their squirming, dying children to their chests, crying and whispering to their Foals.
>"Pwease, baybeh, Mumma wuv yuu ... pwease, see, Mumma gif Huggies. Pwease ..." One Mumma whispers to her cooling offspring, the malformed premature Foals twitching and spasming as their bodies begin to fail, away from their mother's safe womb and life-giving connection to her placenta.
>Most of the Fluffies are still fighting though. All the frustrations are pouring out of them as they fight. You see one Stallion pulled to pieces by his fellows, two are holding legs in their mouths, the third has the dying stallion by the throat and is shaking him, grunting unintelligibly around the nearly-corpse in his mouth.
>Other Fluffies are rolling around on the now-soiled Rags, complaining they are still “Cowd” or yelling about their “Owies”, legs and ears and faces that were bruised by the other Fluffies.
>You didn’t think it would be this bad, but it doesn’t matter, this is not your Herd.
>You run around the other side of the Soft Bed, which is shaking furiously with the fighting going on, and start looking over the Fluffy Mummas.
>No-Lips said only Young Mares, but a Fluffy Mumma will have Foals sooner, and thus should have been the primary choice. More Foals, to raise as your own, to teach to follow and listen to Bluehorn the Smarty.
>But then, No-Lips is a Dummy Earth Smarty Friend like Coal. He doesn't think Smarty, not like you!
>The Fluffy Mummas that rolled out first are barely moving, crying loudly or gazing sadly at lumpy shapes under the Soft Bed.
>Oh ... their Foals got squeezed out when the first Fluffy Mummas got landed on by the ones who came after them, you realise. What a waste ... these ones are no good to you, so you ignore them and keep searching.
>See the Fluffy Mummas you want. Two Unicorn Fluffy Mummas, one bright yellow, the other a pale orange. Honestly, they could be Poop-Brown and you'd still take them. They are Unicorns, that's the most important thing!
>”Come wit Bluehorn!” You whisper to them as you get behind the Bright Yellow Unicorn and start to push her away from the Soft Bed. Pale Orange follows after you in a panic, her belly not quite so big, so her legs can drag her along the ground. “Nu safe fo' Fwuffy Mummas hewe, Coal is Bad Dumb Fwiend!”
>”Wan Sissy!” Bright Yellow whines, waving a hoof at the Soft Bed, where another Bright Yellow Unicorn is butting a Dark Blue Pegasus in the eye with her blunt little horn.
>Don’t want to risk getting caught by Coal or his friends. Earth Fluffies Dumb, but they Strong.
>But not be able to roll two Fluffy Mummas all on your own all the way to Haven ... and this 'Sissy' is cute. It would be best to have Foals of your own, after all! They will be Smarty like you, unlike the Other Foals, who will be Dummies like most other Fluffies are.
>”Bluehorn gu get Sissy.” You promise. “Fwuffy Mummas stay hewe an' be quiet! Bluehorn an’ Sissy come back!”
>You run back to the Soft Bed as quickly as you can, but things are not looking good for you.
>Coal is in a screaming frenzy, his Enforcers have all finally climbed up onto the Soft Bed, and are beating the hell out of the Herd.
>Stallions are getting held down and having their No-no’s stood on, Mares are getting kicked in the tummy and rears.
>Coal is screaming at the top of his little lungs, flailing his front legs in wide circles in the air to attract the attention of his rebellious Herd. “Bad Fwuffies! BAD FWUFFIES! Look wat Bad Fwuffies do! Dead Baybehs! Dead Foaws! Dead Fwiends!”
>You climb up on top of a sobbing Pegasus Fluffy Mumma, ignoring her “Nuuu, bewwy haf Owies! Nuuuu!” and grab hold of the Yellow Unicorn’s tail with your mouth, then jump back.
>She yelps in pain and surprise, falling back over the Soft Bed and bouncing off the Fluffy Mummas to land next to you.
>”Sissy come!” You say with as much force as you can as the Yellow Unicorn struggles to her hooves and glares at you. “Sissy come, hewp woll Fwuffy Mummas away fwom Bad Smawty Fwiend!”
>”You nu Brudda!” She hisses, dropping her head and making her horn start to glow. “Daisy nu haf Bruddas! Onwy Sissy!”
>”Bluehorn nu yuu Brudda!” You snap, taking a half-step back as the first few sparks fall to the mud and are extinguished. “Daisy’s Sissy ask Bluehorn tu bwing Sissy tu Daisy!”
>That makes her stop fighting. You can hear Fluffies screaming for help, for hugs, where did the Mummas go, why are the babies not moving anymore.
>”Sissy! Sissy nu haf Owies?” Daisy asks, a look of hope on her face. “Fwuffies huwt Mummas, Daisy twy make Fwuffies weave Mummas awone, buh Fwuffy Mummas wun away, get Owies when dey weave Sof' Bed!”
>You point your horn to where the two bloated mares wait, waving their legs impotently and bleating for ‘Sissy’.
>”Daisy woll Sissy and Friend ova dere.” You send a single spark from your horn to where you first stumbled across the Herd, a narrow space between two broken TV’s that the Fluffy Mummas will only just squeeze through. “Bluehorn take Mawes tu Safe Place. Take Mawes tu Haven!”
>Wether or not Daisy understood you, you don’t know, she’s already trotting over to her sister and friend.
>You can hear Coal and his enforcers yelling at the remaining Fluffies that they are Bad Fluffies. Whatever ire you may have stirred up in this Herd's soul is dissipating fast as the Stallions and Mares take in the poop-smeared hell they've made of the Safe Place.
>They’ll start to check on the Fluffy Mummas soon. Dead Babies will be taken away and placed far from the Herd, and the Smarty Friend will do a hoof-count, and come up short.
>You’ll be discovered. You're not a Herd-Friend, so you'll be beaten within an inch of your life at best ...
>Time to show why you are a Smarty Fluffy, why you should be the Smarty Friend!
>”Waaaah!” You scream, pointing to a Fluffy Mumma who is bleeding out of her nose and mouth at the base of the Soft Bed. “Fwuffy Mummas haf Wurst Owies! Which Bad Fwuffies gif owr fwuffy Mummas Wurst Owies!”
>The cry goes up, and everyone starts to wail and scream in terror. Stallions start to struggle against the Herd, desperate to find their Special Friends, while younger Fillies and Colts wail and tangle up other Fluffies as they call out for their Mothers and Aunts to no avail.
>”Who did, who did?” A older Unicorn stallion whimpers, poking the Fluffy Mumma with boo-boo juices in her mouth with his hoof and crying. “Speshaw fwiend nu muv! Why nu muv, Lance wuv yuu, pwease, tawk tu Lance!”
>”Bad Fwuffies!” Coal bellows, trotting to the middle of the Soft Bed and pushing aside a dead Foal. “Yuu aww is Bad Fwuffies!”
>Lots of crying as the Herd desperately starts hugging Friends who can’t, or won’t, get up.
>Everyone is so upset, full of sorrow and guilt, looking for a reason that this tragedy happened.
>It must be now.
>”Coal is de Bad Fwuffy!” You yell, standing behind the older Unicorn, and sending a spark up onto the bed. You don’t see where it lands, but there is a yelp of pain. “Nevah wet Fwuffies haf sweepies on Sof' Bed! Nevah wet Fwuffies haf Guud Nummies!”
>”Who say dat! WHO SAY COAL NU IS GUUD FWUFFY?” You can hear Coal roaring with anger now, running around and around on the Soft Bed, churning up the filth and dead foals with each lap, the Fluffy Mummas squealing as their 'Babies' are tormented even further. “Coal is Bestest-est-est Smawty Fwiend! Gif Owies tu wyin' Fwuffies! Gif wurst Owies to Bad Fwuffies who nu du wat Coal say!”
>The Enforcers are trying to give the remaining Fluffy Mummas on the Soft Bed comforting hugs. Many of them probably lost Special Friends tonight too.
>Coal is alone, enraged and furious in the center of a Herd that just rebelled against him, who just 'lost' their children and many of their Fluffy Mummas.
>The Fluffies who Coal and his Toughie Friend hurt are beginning to stand up, feeling very sore and cold, complaining that they are Good Fluffies, why was Coal so mean to them.
>Fluffies on the ground are whining they want back up on the Soft Bed, jumping on each other to get back onto the Soft Bed, making those beneath them angry at being used so.
>Fluffy Mummas who can still move are trying to climb back up those who can’t to get back onto the Soft Bed, whimpering that their Babies need to be loved.
>”Coal is Wurst Bad-Bad Smawty Fwiend!” You whisper into the Unicorn’s ear, sending another spark up onto the bed, a glimmer of light that illuminates the rage-contorted face of the Smarty Friend as he performs another lap of screaming insults, leaving poop and fluff and a half-formed Foal flying in the air behind him.
>”Coal is Meanie ... Fwuffies jus' wan be wamm. Coal gif Owies tu Fwuffies ...” The Unicorn whispers, staring at his dead Special Friend with unseeing eyes.
>His mane bristles with anger. He's listened to your words and now believes that Coal is the one who killed his Special Friend.
>”Coal is BAD FWUFFY!” The Unicorn bellows, climbing up onto the Soft Bed and yelling insults, horn glowing furiously.
>You can hear him tackle Coal, as the Smarty Friend's screaming bitch-fest ends with a startled "Meep?!" and a thud.
>Other Fluffies on bed are yelling in fear, or yelling for “Lance” to give Big Owies to “Meanie Coal!”
>The Enforcers are moving to help the Smarty Friend, but they are hugged by the Fluffy Mummas, who beg them to protect their cold, hardening stillborn 'Baybehs'.
>The Herd is moving to help Lance, pouncing on the few Toughie Friends not grappled by the Fluffy Mummas, and you see the air above the Soft Bed lit up by sparks as the Unicorns in the Herd begin to fight the best way they can.
>You have to go, now, while this Herd is busy fighting it's Dummy Friend!
>As you run back to where the three Mares are waiting, you throw a quick glance over your shoulder.
>The Soft Bed is shaking furiously, Fluffies climbing up the covers, fighting each other for position, Fluffy Mummas trying to hug each other for comfort and safety, but their bellies are too big, and other Fluffies keep bumping into them and knocking them away from each other.
>Lance and Coal are standing on their hind legs, snapping at each other's faces, ears and throats, front hooves locked against each other's chest.
>There’s blood on Lance’s horn. He’s missing an ear, and Coal is screaming about “Eye owies!”
>More and more Fluffies scramble up onto the Soft Bed, screaming at the top of their lungs.
>"Wan be WAAAAAAMM!"
>"Kiww yuu, Coal! KIWW YUU!"
>"Whewe Mumma's Baybehs? Whewe dey gu, whu took Mumma's Baybehs?!"
>"Nuuuu, why gif Owies! Fwuffie is Guud Fwuffie, nu gif Owies!"
>Of the Fifty Fluffies and Twenty Fluffy Mummas originally, now perhaps Sixty survive, and almost all of them are on the Soft Bed.
>”We gu, we gu now!” You urge Daisy and two the Unicorn Fluffy Mummas. Daisy is rolling her Sissy along just fine, but it takes you a few precious seconds to get the Pale Orange Fluffy Mumma moving, but once she does, it’s harder to make her stop, actually.
>Manage to get your Mares to the exit of this little canyon in the garbage when you hear a horrible cracking sound.
>All four of you turn to look at Soft Bed, the source of the noise, and watch with slack-jawed horror as it all happens at once.
>The Bed couldn’t support all the Fluffies, not when they were fighting and shaking the Bed around so much. The constant exposure to the weather and the dampness of the Garbage Dump rotted the wooden frame.
>Bits of wood snap up from under the rags and papers as the support splinter and break, driving up into the melee.
>You see a long bit of wood with sharp teeth jump out from under the rags and spear through both Coal and Lance, pinning them together in a perverse mockery of a Hug.
>The legs of the Soft Bed are collapsing, one after the other, even as the Bed's middle sags and folds in upon itself.
>Fluffies are screaming in fear, most of them hugging each other instinctively as their world comes crashing down around them.
>Other Fluffies are trying to push past each other to get off Soft Bed, but they keep sliding on the blood and shit and dead Foals, and trip up the other Fluffies or get Hugged.
>The whole thing collapses with a groan louder than all the Fluffies screaming together can do.
>All the mares you liberated from the Soft Bed Herd are crying. Daisy and Sissy are holding each other, the Pale Orange trying to turn around and crawl back to the Soft Bed, whining for her ‘Speshaw Fwiend’.
>”Why happen?” Daisy’s Sissy whispers through her tears as you urge them to keep going.
>”Earth Fwuffies nu make Guud Smawty Fwiends.” You reply bitterly as you slowly push the Pale Orange Unicorn Fluffy through the gap.
>If a Unicorn Fluffy had led Herd, this would not have happened. You know this because you are Bluehorn Smarty Fluffy, soon be Smarty Friend of your Herd.

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

>How did this happen?
>Tricks had said he had found a Small Herd asleep in a small box-canyon.
>No Stallions or Foals, just Mares, deep asleep, without any protectors or scouts to keep an eye out for Munsters.
>Tricks, Spots and You all creep up on Herd, and poke the undefended Mares with your noses, nuzzling them and telling them that you're here to help them.
>So many Mares! No-Lips will be estatic when he sees how many you bring back to the No-Lips Herd! You'll never have to sleep outside of the Papers again!
>Mares look at you and smile sleepily. ”Who yuu?” One asks as you nuzzle her head.
>”Fwuffie is cawwed Berry.” You replied happily. The Mare was very cute, after all, and you'd be bringing her and all her Mare-Herd home with you ...
>But it was Cold, and Dark. You wondered if maybe you shouldn't take the Mares back to the Haven in the morning, when the Stinky Waters wasn't so scary and cold and dark.
>Then you had Terrible Owies in your tail! Something had bitten you!
>"Waaah! Munsta!" You squealed, turning around to try and kick at the Biting Thing, when you saw a dirty, disheveled-looking Stallion glaring at you around his mouthful of your tail!
>Poopies! There were Stallions here! Tricks is a Dummy Fluffy!
>”Why gif owies?” You whimper, squirming around on the ground as the Meany Fluffy drags your tail towards him. “Berry is Nice Fluffy, wan be fwiends!”
>”Yuu is nu Hewd!” Another Fluffy shouts, bursting out from the ground from under a piece of paper! These two Stallions were hiding in holes in the ground, covered so that you couldn't see them.
>And then you hear the garbage moving, the rattling, slithering clatter of cans and toys and broken machines ...
>Even more Stallions were sleeping in the garbage, hiding. They must have watched you walk right in and known exactly what you were trying to do ...
>You can hear Tricks and Spots squealing and running away back the way you came.
>You friends left you behind ... No! You can still get out of this!
>”Fw-Fwuffie wan' join Hewd! Wan be yuu fwiend!” You whimper as more Stallions come creeping down to glare at you. You're completely surrounded.
>”Wat do?” One grunts, kicking you in the back of the head with a hoof, making you squeal and fall to the ground, clutching your head between your hooves. “Fwuffies is nu pawt of Hewd. Nu know of any 'Berry' in Hewd.”
>”Swave?” Another asks hopefully. “Hewd need more Swaves tu dig Howes an' take Poopies 'way!”
>”Nu!” The one that grabbed your tail shouts. “Berry fo' Nummies! Aww Fwuffies come haf Nummies!”
>Nummies? This Herd have food? You’re so hungry, the grass you ate this morning is all gone!
>Owies! Wait, what are they ...
>Why are these Fluffies pulling your fluff!
>OWIES! Now they're holding you down, tearing at your belly-fluff with abandon!
>They pull it right off, making your skin have Boo-Boo Juices! So much Owies!
>”Nu wike!” You scream, but more Fluffies are being mean now! Even the Mares!
>”Bewwy gif Guud Nummies!” The Mare you were being nice to says happily, grinning.
>Her teeth are all black and jagged. You have a moment of lucid thought, that she's not nearly as pretty now as she was before, before she sinks those black, broken teeth into your face and starts to wriggle her head back and forth, pulling on your muzzle!
>”Nuuuu! Berry’s nose, nu weave Berry! Nu wan Owies!” You squeal as her teeth grind and tear through your flesh. The pain is like nothing you’ve felt before, you can feel the flesh of your face tearing off.
>From his position, Crump watches the feast. He ate foals today from another Herd, he’s not hungry, but Crump’s Herd is still hungry.
>The Fluffy keeps kicking, crying, as the Mares and Stallions rip his Fluff off and start biting at his skin. Most draw blood, and walk away with a mouthful of flesh. Others push their way in to get their turn, and in a few minutes the intruder is pulled open, his hot flesh exposed and dozens of small mouths filled with short, blunt teeth tearing and ripping as the intruder’s legs paw weakly in the air.
>"Buh ... Berry is nu ... nummies ..." The intruder mewls pitifully before the Mare comes back for another mouthful and buries her head into the opened chest cavity, pulling back with a mouthful of viscera and starts to walk backwards, pulling out loop after loop of gut.
>It takes a long time to chew flesh, but it does strange things to Fluffies. Poop smells funny, and then it becomes even stinker than before, so stinky that even the Rat Munstas stay away.
>Tummeh hurts sometimes, and some Fluffies never seem to get better, or have sickies and die, but inevitable, the survivours .... change.
>No longer so slow. No longer so afraid. Flat, blunt teeth become sharp, owies-giving Munsta-Fangs.
>You can hear the two other intruders wailing away as they run. They are being far, far too loud.
>Stupid Fluffies. The Rats will find them at this rate.
>You don't like Rats, they taste terrible.

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

>”Nu wan scawy Fwuffies in Hewd!” You yell over your shoulder, hoping Spots can keep up.
>Your name Tricks. You do funny things, walk on front legs, sit up and beg. It was how you made the Old Hoomin happy.
>But the Old Hoomin did not move after a while. And the Young Hoomins did not want you, threw you out of the Old Hoomin's safe Place, yelling about who would have 'house', who would have 'car'.
>You miss the Old Hoomin. No-Lips says you can't talk about Hoomins, say they are nice, as most are not, and the Foals have to know it's better to run away from a Hoomin than to trust one.
>But you and Spots left Bewwy behind. Makes you sad, but that Herd was not small at all. In fact, the Herd was very big, it's Stallions very scary.
>”Spots haf chest-huwties!” Spots complains, lagging behind. “Nu Mawes! How we gu back, how we gu tu Haven wit' nu Mawes?”
>”Otha Hewds in Stinky Wa-Wa's.” You gasp, slowing to a walk, your own chest burning as you pant for breath. “Tricks an' Spots find, find thwee Mawes, wait fo' Berry at Unner'gwound Tunnew.”
>”Guud pwan.” Spots gasps, plodding up to your side. “When Berry come? Now?”
>”Tricks nu know.” You concede, feeling scared exposed. Stinky Waters is a terrible place for Fluffies, but it's also the only place many Herds can go for shelter when the world goes Dark and Cold.
>The Bad Fluffies did not challenge you when you found them. They did not chase you away. They wanted you to come into their middle ... and you can hear Fluffies shouting, and something wailing, a thin, high-pitched noise that makes your fluff stand on end.
>Those were very Bad, Mean Fluffies. Maybe it is for the best that you did not take their Mares....
>Hear noises that make your ears perk up, and your heart hammer in your chest.
>Skittering, chittering, squeaking noises, somewhere behind you.
>You and Spots share a horrified look. You both know that noise. It's a Munsta-Noise.
>Both of you turn around slowly, knowing that to move to quickly is to invite an attack. It is a Rat Munsta, but only one of them.
>It’s crawled out from one of the strange Hooman things, sniffing the air, it’s dirty black whiskers twitching, red eyes glinting.
>You try to hide, but it's no good, it sees you.
>Two Fluffies, One Rat Munsta ... You can win, right?
>Rat Munsta glares at you, stands up on it’s hind legs .... and makes a strange, loud noise.
>Hurts your ears, makes both you and Spots whine and try to cover your ears. The strange, loud noise just goes on and on and ...
>There is silence, and the Rat Munsta is down on all fours, glaring at you again.
>”Rat Munsta nu scawe Fwuffies!” Spots whispers to you as you both start to trot away. “Rat Munsta small, nu haf more Rat-Fwiends!”
>More chittering. More skittering.
>"Yuu jus' had tu say dat..." You whine at Spots as you stare at the black tide pouring out of the garbage.
>Hundreds of Rat Munstas, pouring out of the Hooman Things, running down the canyon walls, sniffing the ground.
>As one, hundreds of small, sharp heads turn towards you, glaring with hundreds of small red eyes and baring hundreds more sharp little teeth.
>”WUUUUUUUUN!” You scream to Spots, running as fast as your little legs will carry you.
>Don’t care that your chest is full of burning-owies.
>Don’t care about your Fluff, all muddy and sticky and stinky.
>Don’t care if Berry is not coming anymore.
>Turn a corner and risk a look.
>Canyon is full of little black Rat Munstas. It’s like they are Bad Dirty Water running down the canyon walls and chasing after you like rain does sometimes in Underground.
>Spots is only a few steps behind you, gasping for breath, eyes wide and panicked.
>You're both totally lost now, you just charge down whatever paths you can find, desperate to get away from the Rat Munstas.
>You can hear Spots sobbing and whining that his legs hurt. Idiot! Save your breath for running, whine later!
>The Rat Munstas have even shorter legs, surely they must tire first!
>Then, you hear Spots yelp in fear and pain! But you keep running!
>Keep Running, no matter what!
>No you don't want to die, like Bun-Bun!

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

>You are Spots, screaming for help, but Tricks just runs faster and leaves you behind!
>You thought he was your friend! How can he leave you behind?
>Meany Rat Munsta jumped out of wall and is hanging off your ear!
>Owies! It hurts so badly, and you slow to shake your head, trying to dislodge the Rat Munsta and his sharp, sharp teeth from your ear!
>Then Rat Munstas hanging off your tail. More crawl over your legs and back. Still more leap from the walls of garbage to land on your head.
>They're too heavy, and you can barely stand, let alone run, as the Tide of Rat Munstas catches up to you ...
>Last thing you see before Rat Munstas clawing all over you is Tricks running around the corner, a few Rat Munstas still chasing him.
>Why? you ask yourself in the brief moment before the world goes dark, and then explodes into countless points of small, gnawing pain.

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

>Be Tricks again, sobbing as your heart makes Bad-Owies when Spots screams again, a terrified, warbling cry that goes on and on ...
>He's dead, he's dead, he's dead, you chant in your mind. No-Lips says that any Fluffy caught by a Munsta must be assumed to be dead.
>As you run around the corner, your shoulder clips a piece of rusted metal, ripping out a big piece of Fluff and making your stagger, but you manage to keep rushing on, desperation giving you strength.
>Look over your shoulder, even though you know you should watch where you're running.
>A small group of Rat Munstas have stopped and are tearing at the Fluff you left behind, squealing and chittering.
>”Sowwy Spots. Sowwy Berry.” You whimper as you keep running. You know where the majority of the Rat Munstas are now, because Berry has stopped screaming.
>Running and running. Endlessly. Lost in the Stinky Waters, with no Herd, no Friends, and no way out.
>It's dark and scary, and when you call out, to Bluehorn, to Wittles, to Honey, and even to Zodd, the only response is the taunting of cruel Fluffies who make same words you do, never answering you back.
>You don't like Raids so much, anymore.
>Sniffling from pain and heart-owies, you trudge through the muck, not caring where you go.
>”Tricks?” A Fluffy Voice asks softly, and you jump in surprise!
>You know that voice!
>It is No-Name Not-Herd, and he has two Mares with him!
>One is  very fat. Other looks normal. Pretty-Normal.
>”Whewe Fwiends? Whewe Spots? Whewe Berry?” No-Name asks softly.
>”B-b-bad Fwuffies caught Berry.” You sob, trudging towards No-Name and his Mares. “Rat M-munstas gif Wurst Owies tu Spots. Twicks is Bad Fwuffy, nu hewp Fwiend, jus' wun. Awways wunnin'.”
>”Rat Munstas eat Fwuffies.” The Fat Mare with No-Name says sadly, wobbling as she walks up and gives you a Hug. “Tricks be Smawt Fluffy, wunnin' saves Fwuffies, nu fite Munstas, they tu mean.”
>”Tricks come wit' No-Name, Wed an' Bwun.” No-Name says as both he and the other Mare walk up and nuzzle you. “Gu back tu Haven, weave Stinky Wa-Wa's.”
>”B-buh No-Name, Tricks nu find Mawe! No-Lips say Stawwions nu can come back tu Haven wit' nu Mawe!” You blubber.
>”Siwwy Stawwions.” The Fat Mare mutters, but she still gives you Hugs.
>”No-Name hewp two Mawes, dey nu wike their Hewd, wan come tu No-Lips Hewd.” No-Lips explains. Fat Mare is Bwun, other Mare is Wed. “Bwun gettin’ tiwed, su Fwuffies woll Bwun. Tricks hewp No-Name an’ Wed woll Bwun to Unner'gwound, gu back to Haven wit two Stawwions an' two Mawes.”
>It sounds like a good plan, but would No-Lips accept that?
>You all flinch as the wind carries the sounds of Rat Munstas chittering and skittering in the Cold Dark.
>”Whewe Tunnew tu Unner'gwound is 'gain?” You ask, shuffling to Bwun's side to start rolling her along.
>The sooner you get out of Stinky Waters, the better.



On the Rocks, Part 5

>Hear Fluffies ahead. Sounds like .... No-Name and Tricks? Hooray! Tricks is Good Fluffy! No-Name is Smart Fluffy!
>Look at Wittles and give a happy little yell. "Honey heaw Fwiends!”
>”Wittles heaw dem tu!” His tail is up in the air, waving happily as well. “New Fwiends, Fwuffies haf gu in Unner'gwound soon. It Dawk, wittwe bit Scawy, buh Safest Safe Pwace is in Unner'gwound.”
>”Haven soon? Weggies tiwed.” One of the Mares asks hopefully, taking her muzzle away from rolling one of the Fluffy Mummas to ask.
>”Haven nu tuu faw, buh is wamm, safe, smewws pwetty.” You promise. You’re at the back of the line, helping to roll the Fluffy Mummas when the Mares get tired.
>Fluffy Mummas are so warm and soft, they smell like love and safety and sweet, sweet milk. When Wittles called for stop after Mares got tired last time, you nuzzled them all and told them that the No-Lips Herd will love them so much.
>So soft, so warm. You could hug them for hours, and they really like you too! They called you a Good Fluffy, groomed you while the Attendant Mares rested, made you look Pretty!
>Finally, You and Wittles lead the Mares and Fluffy Mummas to the tunnel to the Underground, where the Mares start to get upset. Tunnel scary first time you see them too, look like a Big Munsta’s mouth.
>”Wah! Scawy!” One of the Mares pipes up, taking a few steps away from the group as she eyes the tunnel with fear.
>”Weawwy haf gu in Dawk Scawy Howe?” One of the Fluffy Mummas whines, legs twitching for the Mare that stepped away. “Wan Hugs, Fwuffy Mumma scawed!”
>”Wittles an' Honey wait fo' Fwiends, then we aww gu togetha, be safe, Fwuffy Mummas nu haf be scawed den.” Wittles says, turning around to give the Fluffy Mumma a Hug.
>All the Mares and Fluffy Mummas want Hugs to be brave. Wittles is getting Hugs from all the Mares.
>You ndo't mind. Fluffy Mummas smell so nice, so warm, their Fluff is very soft on their bellies, and you're in the middle of four of them. So warm ......
>Fluffy Mummas give better Hugs than Mares, you think.
>You ask everyone to get closer, because it's getting cold, you need to form a Hug-Pile to keep the Fluffy Mummas warm.
>Wittles tells you is Smarty Idea as you start to pull the Fluffy Mummas who were hugging you around to the entrance, putting them up against the concrete wall and then telling them to stay still.
>Next come the Mares, Wittles and yourself, hugging the Fluffy Mummas and forming a wall of warm bodies and soft fluff that keeps the cold wind off the Fluffy Mumma's distended, vulnerable bellies.
>A Hug-Pile is nice for everyone, though. Your back is cold, but your tummy and sides are nice and warm due to all the hugs.
>Like being back at Haven. Almost.
>A Fluffy Mumma is licking your face, telling you “Honey is Guud Fwuffy.”
>Wittles is being silly. He’s supposed to be Hugging Fluffy Mummas, but he’s trying to Hug Mares instead.
>”Wah!” One of the Mares squeaks as Wittles gives her a big Hug, till their heads are resting side-by-side as the two Fluffies sit on their bums, legs gripping each other’s sides.
>”Nu wan Speshaw Huggies now!” She complains, but her legs won’t let go of Wittles no matter how much she asks. “Wan be wamm, den haf Speshaw Huggies! Weggies! Wittles! Wisten tu Fwuffie!”
>”Mawe smeww suuuu Guud, is suuuu pwetty!” He says happily, trying to jump up and down while hugging the Mare, making her squeak and go “Wah!” again.
>Wittles is a Silly Fluffy. But then, Special Hugs are a great way to be warm. So long as they remain part of the Hug-Pile, nobody will complain too much.
>It takes forever for the other stallions of No-Lip’s Herd to arrive. You hope they also have Mares....
>No-Name and Tricks are rolling a Fluffy Mumma between them, while another Mare walks along behind them, giving encouragement and the occasional push. Hooray! Tricks and No-Name!
>You're not sure how you heard them ahead of you, when they arrive after you. Stinky Waters is a confusing place!
>Bluehorn comes next. He seems surprised that everyone else found Mares too. Bluehorn has two Fluffy Mummas and a Mare. All are Unicorns too!
>Bluehorn’s Fluffy Mummas and Mare are all crying. Babbling about ‘Sof' Bed Munsta’ and ‘Hewd needs Huggies!’.
>Bluehorn tells them to be quiet, taking to new, better Herd. That makes them cry more. They wanted to bring their other friends too.
>A few more Stallions trickle in, heads hanging low without a Mare or Fluffy Mumma at their side.
>You see Stumbles with his ear half-torn off and several large tufts of Fluff missing. Drip is limping heavily and bleeding from the mouth.
>No sign of Berry or Spots or Snook or Waggs.
>Only half the Stallions came back ...
>”Back tu Haven!” Bluehorn commands, lighting his horn and trotting into the Underground tunnel. His Mare is trying to push both Fluffy Mummas, but she’s too small. How come Bluehorn is not helping her?
>”Buh Bluehorn, Fwiends nu come back yet! Mus' wait!” No-Name says, looking back over his shoulder with concern. “Zodd nu back. Bandit an’ Wumm-wumm an’ Kook nu back yet.”
>”Onwy Stawwions wit' Mawes can gu back tu Haven!” Bluehorn replies angrily, turning and pointing his horn at No-Name, who flinches. “Nu Mawes, Nu Haven! No-Lips wiww be angwy wit' Fwuffies who nu do wat Smawty Fwiend say!”
>”Buh, dere more Mawes den Stawwions!” Tricks pipes up, waving his hooves in the air. “Shawe! Den evewy Fwuffie can gu back tu Haven!”
>Stumbles trots over to you and Wittles, and Drips shuffles over to Bluehorn, who shoots sparks at Drip, making the other Unicorn squeal and run away.
>You’re sad to see Fluffy Mummas give Hugs to other Stallions, but then you are given Hugs by the grateful Stallions.
>Yay! Hugs for everyone. The Mares are very happy that there's no Fighting too.
>”Gud Fwiends.” The Fluffy Mumma brought by No-Name and Tricks says as No-Name and the red-coloured Mare roll her up to the other Fluffy Mummas while Tricks runs around trying to give the squealing Drip a Hug. “Fwiends nu shouwd fite. Bwun wike New Hewd.”.
>”Bluehorn nu shawe! Dese Bluehorn's Mawes!” Bluehorn growls, pointing his horn and shooting sparks at the other Stallions who try to get close. “No-Lips say dat Stawwions mus' bwing back Mawes, nu shawe dem! Yuu is aww siwwy! Gon' teww No-Lips dat yuu nu doin' wat he teww yuu!”
>That makes Stumbles cry, and one of Wittles’ Mares rushes over to give him Hugs and lick at his torn ear.
>That must be big Owies. Big tear in the skin, bad owies-wawa dripping onto his Fluff.
>Why are Wittles cheeks puffing up like that? Stumbles is a  Good Friend, and he has terrible Owies!
>It takes some arguing between Bluehorn and his Mare, but Bluehorn gets his Mares and Fluffy Mummas moving down into the Underground, their horns glowing and lighting the way.
>You don't think that the Yellow Mare likes Bluehorn at all, but she wants to get her ‘Sissy’ away from ‘Bad Pwace’.
>You don’t like Stinky Waters either. Herds are Stupid or Mean, the water smells bad, and there's no food you can see.
>Wittles and Tricks ask other Fluffies to wait for the rest of their friends, but the big White Stone is getting so high in the night sky. It’s getting very, very cold, soon the Fluffies have to go to Underground or find a Safe Place to sleep out here.
>Looks are shared, hugs given and whispered prayers uttered. No-Name is asking for Friends to wait just a ltitle bit longer, because Snook and Waggs are not back uet. Surely Wumm-Wumm, Bandit and Kook cannot be far away!
>”Nu can wait nu more, No-Name.” You say, walking away from the Fluffy Mummas to bump No-Name back to the small group of Fluffies. “Honey nu wan gu, buh Fwuffy Mummas need be wamm an' safe.”
>”Nu can wisk Rat-Munstas find Fwuffies hewe. Fwuffy Mummas need to be in Haven.” Wittles whines sadly. “Drip can pwease make Hown wight? Make Unner'gwound wess scawy fo' Mawes!”
>Nodding, Drip shuffles ahead and makes his Horn light up, the occasional spark splashing against the cold concrete, and the small group of Fluffies starts to move again, slowly, as it takes time to roll the Fluffy Mummas, and they keep getting caught on other Fluffies and each other.
>You take up the rear. You worry that the other Fluffies maybe fall behind, get lost and confused in the cavernous, twisting tunnels of the Underground. No-Name offered to take the rear position, as befits a New Fluffy of the Herd, but he had only just joined the No-Lips Herd two weeks ago.
>”No-Name take cawe of Mawes an' Fwuffy Mummas. Honey is Brave, Honey nu mind be weaw-guawd.” You told him, nudging him back up to the rest of the small Herd.
>No-Name sighed, but said you were the Best Fluffy. Then he ran back to the group and tells everyone that Brave Honey will be guarding the back of the Herd.
>You got lost once, a long, long time ago. It took No-Lips and the Herd a whole day to find you. Sitting alone in the dark and the damp, unable to drink the water because it was bad, nothing to eat, and hearing Rat Munsta scurrying around in the dark.
>So Scary. You wanted to move, but your Legs were too scared.
>”Weggies be guud fo' Honey.” You whisper to them. “Weggies muv, Honey stays wit' Herd, oh'tay?”
>They don’t answer back. Hopefully they’ll listen this time. If you fall behind again ... no, just thinking about it threatens to make you freeze up in a panic, so you focus on the Fluffies ahead of you and think Warm, Safe Thoughts.
>Fluffy Mummas in middle of group, rolling along with pushes from Stallions and Mares. Making lots of noise about how dark and scary the Underground is.
>After some whispering between the Stallions, Tricks starts to walk on his front legs and make funny faces for the Mares and Fluffy Mummas.
>Hooray! Tricks is Smart Fluffy! Fluffy Mummas too busy laughing at Tricks now to be scared.
>No-Name, Stumbles and Wittles telling Mares about the Papers, how it is the bestest warm, dry place to sleep for the Mares.
>Telling the Fluffy Mummas about All-Mumma and other Old Fluffies. About how All-Mumma had so many foals, how she’s so smart she knows how to fix many Owies, even without Hugs!
>How No-Lips keeps his Herd safe, how he can sometimes be scary, but loves his Herd very much. They warn the Mares that No-Lips got his name because a Hoomin Munsta cut away No-Lip's cheeks and lips, so he always looks like he's snarling and angry.
>Peer over your shoulder to the Tunnel Exit. It’s now just a small circle of pale light, little more than a faint hint of the Overground.
>Still no sign of your Friends. No more Fluffies coming are back to Haven ....
>You feel sad. Wumm-Wumm is a good Fluffy, Bandit was a strong and brave Toughie, and Kooks was ... well he was Kooks, and that was what was important.
>Then you see No-Name grabbing bits of his own Fluff, biting them off, and spitting them on the ground. Why would he do that? That has to hurt, Big Owies!
>”Nu, dat bad! No cwean Fwuff wike dat!” A Fluffy Mumma cries, waving her hooves at No-Name in a futile effort to stop him.
>”No-Lips nu twy cwean Fwuff, No-Lips twy tu make twail fo' Fwiends tu fowwow!” He grunts around another small mouthful of fluff. “Fwiends know dat we come dis way, know dat we gu to Haven, dat dey nu haf wait fo' us in Cowd Stinky Wa-Wa's.”
>It’s a Smarty Idea. An Owie Idea, but also a Smarty Idea. Fluffy Eyes don't see too well in Underground without a Unicorn to make Horn-Light, but the Fluffy Noses work just fine.
>All the Stallions start taking little bits of Fluff off their shoulders and chests and leaving them on the concrete. Spit on them too so they stick and don’t roll away.
>Maybe it work, maybe not. You hope it does work. You miss your Friends already.

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

>You are Kook, a Good Fluffy!
>Bandit and Wumm-Wumm and you found a Herd, finally, after the Sun went away and the Big White Stone appeared in the sky! It has a  Smarty Friend, a small, loud Unicorn.
>This Herd only has six Fluffies. The Unicorn Snarty Friend and two other Stallions, and three Mares. No Fluffy Mummas, but everyone snuggling in old washing basket until Bandit went over and poked them with his cold nose.
>The Small Smarty Friend demand you all join his Herd immediately upon waking up. Said that he wants Strong Fluffies to help him become the Biggest Toughest Smarty Friend of the Biggest Toughest Herd in Stinky Waters, and he even offered you Special Hugs with his Mares.
>His friends don’t look too happy about that, frowning at their Smarty Friend, and theMares started to cry, saying they were hungry and cold and tired, they don’t want to have Special Hugs now.
>”Nu wan join yuu Hewd. Kook an’ Bandit an’ Wumm-Wumm already haf Hewd.” You explain, sighing as Bandit and Wumm-Wumm roll their eyes and snigger at this tiny Unicorn wanting to be the 'Biggest and Toughest'. “We pawt of No-Lips Hewd.”
>Now the Mares get excited, whispering happily to each other, and start to try to jump out of the Washing Basket without much success. Smarty Friend and his Stallions are giving you funny looks, their eyes narrows and their lips pressed tightly together.
> “Hub know No-Lips!” A small, pale grey Mare yells as she manages to hook both legs over the low rim of the basket. “Wots o’ Fwuffies know No-Lips! Bwave Smarty Friend! Guud Fwuffy wit' Scawiest Face! Big-Big-Big Hewd!”
>”We wan join No-Lips Hewd! Wan be safe, wan be wamm!” Another cries, stepping on one of the Stallions to get out as he tries to give her Hugs.
>The Unicorn Snarty Friend does not like this at all. His cheeks puff up, his horn starts to glow, and he grabs a Mare by the tail and yanks her back down into the basket, making her squeak in pain and surprise, then jumps out of the washing basket with a surprising display of strength, his Fluff standing on end.
>The he is so Mean! The Unicorn Smarty Friend runs up and gives Wumm-Wumm bad owies with his Horn, ramming Wumm-Wumm in the shoulder with his Horn!
>Oh no! Wumm-Wumm's Fluff making bad smells! Smoke! Wamm-Bad-Huggies in his fluff!
>Wumm-Wumm shrieks in pain, then points his own horn at the Small Smarty Friend and shoots sparks into his eyes, making everyone flinch as the sudden brightness stings their eyes.
>Every Fluffy shrieks “WAH!” and covers their eyes. So bright!
>The Small Smarty Friend runs around and around, his eyes closed and making sad wawa’s as he squeals about 'Eye Owies!', till he run into a big white hard thing on the other side of the little clearing in the trash with a loud bang and goes very quiet. He’s not moving anymore either. There’s a dent on the big white hard thing where he gave it owies with his horn, and his horn has shrunk back into his forehead.
>Then Bandit turns around and asks if the Stallions are also Smarty Friends, making his wings stand up and puffing out his chest and cheeks. You run up to his side and start bouncing up and down with your cheeks puffed out.
>They plead that they are not Smarty Friends. They're not very good Brave Friends either. They pee in their bed, hug each other and babble “Nu wan Owies!”
>The Mares say that they want to come with Bandit, Wumm-Wumm and you, they want to be with Brave Fluffies, and they blow raspberries at the two shivering, peeing Stallions as you lead the Mares back towards the entrance to the Underground.
>The Small Smarty Friend is still not getting up. Maybe he's very tired, or perhaps he's trying to make himself die to escape his heart making big owies because his Mares are leaving him?
>You feel bad for him, but No-Lips said that it was only Mares, and young ones at that. You still remember when Greeny brought back five Fluffies after a raid on the Old Shopping Center, bringing back not just Mares but a Smarty Friend too.
>No-Lips was so angry, he started pulling Greeny’s Fluff off and spitting it back into the mortified Fluffy's face. But those New Friends promised they be Good Fluffies. Their Smarty Friend said he would follow No-Lips, learn to be Good Fluffy too.
>And now the Mares are giving you Hugs! Raids are Fun! New Mares, New Friends! The No-Lips Herd will grow big and strong with these Mares!
>Wumm-Wumm lights up Horn and leads way back to Underground Tunnel. Unicorn Magic makes everything bright, makes Stinky Waters less scary and dangerous, so that Fluffies don’t step in Bad Wa-Wa's or bump into Sharp Things.
>Soon you all hear a Fluffy voice scream.
>The Mares cry out in alarm, trying to run back to their Old Friends. "Nu, dat Shingle! Shingle, Hub sowwy, HUB SOWWY!"
>You and Bandit block the way. You can’t lose them! You want to go home! Back to Haven, with your Mares.
>”New Fwiends, stay wit Fwuffies!” You beg as a Mare tries to climb over you. “Stinky Wa-Wa's nu safe fo' Fwuffies! Yuu Hewd tu smaww, nu 'nuff Fwuffies!”
>”Buh dat was Shingles, he sound sooo scawedies...” The Mare whispers before an angry voice booms through the canyon of garbage, making everyone jump and shriek and Hug each other.
>”Whewe Mawes? Yuu stawp hidin' Mawes, or yuu haf Bad Owies!”
>You poop a little. So does Bandit and Wumm-Wumm. The Mares squeak and stop climbing over you and hug you in terror instead.
>You know that voice. Zodd.
>He's a Scary Fluffy. Zodd Hurts other Fluffies, He gives Owies and Huwties to Mares, Foals, Stallions, anyone ... except No-Lips.
>Only No-Lips make him be Nice Fluffy, and No-Lips far away right now!
>”Nuuuuu, dis bad!” Bandit whimpers, looking at Wumm-Wumm with horror on his face. “Zodd gif Bad Owies tu Mawes!”
>”Nu! We haf take Mawes back tu Haven! No-Lips onwy Fwuffie who can stawp Zodd fwom bein' Bad-Meanie-Nasty Fwuffie!” You protest, trying to bump one of the Mares back towards Wumm-Wumm and his Light.
>”We haf gu, we mus' gu! Mawes mus' fowwow Wumm-Wumm! Bandit an' Kook fowwow Mawes an' make suwe dey nu faww behind!” Wumm-Wumm demands, making his horn give off more light and even a few sparks. “Bad Fwuffy is behind us! Fwuffies need No-Lips tu make Zodd be Guud Fwuffy 'gain! Mawes mus' fowwow, pwease!”
>You and Bandit herd the terrified Mares after your Unicorn friend, panting with fright. You hope Wumm-Wumm remembers the way to the Underground, Stinky Waters is much, much scarier now that Zodd is looking for Mares!
>There’s the tunnel to the Underground up ahead! Small Yellow Light shows the way, blinking above the Tunnel!
>But no other Fluffies! Why? Why! They are still looking for Mares? They haf already gone Home? Did the Rat-Munstas eat them?
>”Whewe Fwiends?” Bandit wails, rushing to the entrance and sniffing the air. “Friends gu back tu Haven awweady?”
>”We weawy haf gu in dere?” A Mare whines, shuffling her hooves on the dirty ground as she stares into the dark Tunnel.
>”Nu ... nu wan gu!” Another whispers, leaning on you for comfort. “Nu wike Stinky Wa-Wa's, buh dis pwace su scawy!”
>”Haven in Unner'gwound.” You explain to the Mares, trying to soothe their fears. “Unner'gwound be Dawk an' Scawy, buh Haven safe fwom Bad Fwuffies, an' be Wamm an' Safe fwom Munstas tu.”
>”Bandit can smeww Fwiends!” Bandit says happily. “Wumm-Wumm bwing Hown-Wite! Kook an' Mares, fowwow!”
>Why did your Friends not wait...why? You would have waited for them!
>But maybe they heard Zodd too? Even Bandit would have run away if he heard Zodd!
>The tunnel is dark and scary, but Bandit is right, you can smell other Fluffies. It takes some time to get the Mares to move, but sandwiched between you and Bandit, the Mares feel a little bit braver and are willing to be herded into the Underground.
>Then patches of Fluff start to appear. You all stand around the first patch and sniff it curiously.
>”No-Name.” Wumm-Wumm states after a long period of thinking. “Smeww wike No-Name.” And then he kicks the patch of fluff into the Bad Water of the Underground. Fluffy Markers are too complex for most Fluffies, but a patch of Fluff is a dead giveaway that a Fluffy has passed by recently.
>More patches of fluff, smelling of other Stallions. Leading deeper into the Underground.
>”Why fwuff on gwound?” A Mare asks, snuffling a piece of pale orange fluff tentatively before Bandit picks it up and throws it as well into the Bad Water.
>”Maybe Stawwions haf fite ova who nummies? Shingle and Smawty Fwiend awways fighting ova dat.” Another Mare offers, shivering.
>”Wittles an' Honey Nice Fwuffies. Tricks an' No-Name tu.” Bandit turns and nuzzles the shivering mare. “Maybe Stawwions haf Owies? Nu can see Bluehorn or Berry or Spot's Fluff.”
>”Maybe. Buh' Fwuffies mus' keep muvin' fastah.” You whisper, butting the Mares in their hind-quarters. “No wan Zodd find Mawes, wan dem be safe an' wamm, nu sad or owies.”
>That gets Bandit and Wumm-Wumms moving, and together you manage to get the Mares moving and following the trail of fluff.
>It will be a long trip back to Haven, and Zodd was always the fasted Fluffy in the Herd.

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

>You are Zodd, and you're getting pissed off!
>These Stupid Fluffies do not have Mares either! And that stupid Unicorn refused to answer you, no matter how much you yelled in his ear or kick him in his Naughty Place.
>The two stupid Earth Fluffies said that their Mares had already abandoned them to be with three other Fluffies. One had a black mark across eyes and small wings, another had Pink Fluff and a glowing horn, and the third has a Fluffy Mark like a Wave.
>Bandit, Wumm-Wumm and Kook. Wusses, one and all.
>You'll steal their Mares. They are all too small, too weak. They don't deserve to have Mares or get Special Hugs.
>Stomp on the Stupid Unicorn a few more times, to show him and his stupid Earth Fluffies that they should respect you, then trudge down the canyon. The two scaredy stupid Earth Stallions have climbed out of their Safe Place and are hugging their friend, asking why he won't get up, why he didn't protect them with his Spark Magic.
>Not really sure where you’re going anymore. Stinky Waters is soooooooooo confusing, so many canyons for Fluffy to walk down, and they all look the same to you.
>Your Fluff is all yikky now. All the Water you could find has green slime floating on top of it that tastes so bitter and bad you want to throw up. But you’re so thirsty you drank it anyways, no matter how much it burned on the way down, or how dizzy you became afterwards.
>You juust want to find some Mares, and then go home. Many Mares, so the Herd can be big and strong, and maybe then No-Lips will let you sleep in thePapers again. That will show No-Lips that Zodd is the Best Fluffy again, he won't want to yell at you anymore.
>But you're finding it harder and harder to find any decently-sized Herds. Most are small, no more than a dozen or so Fluffies in each, and almost all of them are Stallions.
>You have to fight all the Stallions, but the few Mares you found just run away into the darkness screaming when you demand they come with you afterwards.
>You even found a big wooden owie nest, mares inside, stallions inside, lots of Fluffies that did not move. Lots of crying and begging from inside the big wooden owie nest, Fluffies begging for Zodd to help them.
>You tried to pull a Mare out, but it only make her cry and pee on you. You tried to pull bits of wood out of the way to get to her again, but they were far too heavy, even for you. You even tried to dig her out, but dirt here is too cold and hard for your hooves to move.
>Besides, there were dead Foals everywhere in the big wooden owies nest. Dead Fluffies, Fluffies whimper that Coal be bad Smarty Friend and try to give Hugs to not-moving Fluffies from within the big wooden owies nest, but nobody could move.
>The two Stallions on top of big wooden owie nest still hugging each other, even though a big piece of wood sticking through them.
>Bad Herd. A Very Bad Herd.
>You're sure now that the entrance to the Underground is ahead. You’ll chase Bandit down, beat him and his friends, take their Mares and then No-Lips will have to let you sleep in the Papers again.
>You turn the corner ... and see two small Herds in a small clearing in the garbage-canyons, huddled on either side up against the canyon walls, crying and hugging each other.
>Two Unicorns are shooting sparks at each other in the middle of the clearing. One is Green, the other is Yellow. They’ve been fighting. Smoke is drifting up from their faces and shoulders where sparks found dry Fluff.
>Nobody has seen you yet. Every Fluffy is too focused on the Fight and a idea starts to form in your head.
>Why go back to Haven? Stinky Waters might not be so bad, maybe it will be better when the Sun comes up.
>No No-Lips to tell you're a Bad Fluffy. Always telling you can have Special Hugs, but then telling you're a Meanie Fluffie who gives Bad Special Hugs. Always making you drag Treasures down to Old Fluffies, always at the back of the Herd when going back to Haven.
>”Stuuuupid ... Fwiend” The Green Unicorn grunts, sending a stream of sparks at the other one, a Yellow Unicorn, who yelps as the magic sparks bounce off his nose and face. “Nuuuu ... take Mint’s Hewd!”
>”Swun’s Hewd!” The Yellow Unicorn shouts back, throwing a stream of sparks back that leaves a trail of smoking dots along the Green Unicorn’s flank. “Mint is Dumb Fwiend! Mawes wun 'way 'cause Mint suuuu Dumb!”
>”Swun is Dumb, nu Mint! Mint is twue Smawty Fwiend! Mawes nu wan Stuupid Speshaw Huggies wit' Dumb Swun!” The Green Unicorn shouts, charging the Yellow with his horn lowered.
>So noisy, those two Unicorns make your ears hurt, but wait, both Herds have Mares.
>One ... Two ... Four Mares.
>Both Herds are calling Unicorns Meanie Fluffies, yelling that the want to sleep with their Friends again.
>Unicorns are ignoring their Herds, their Horns locked together, struggling and straining against each other in the mud.
>Sparks fly everywhere as the Horns grind and clash against each other. The Fluff on both of the Unicorns is making lots of smoke, and they are screaming in pain as much as rage.
>Maybe .... maybe if you defeat the Unicorns, you can be Smarty Friend of both Herds! New Herd for Zodd!
>But you do not know Stinky Waters at all ...
>Maybe you can make the other Fluffies show you where the Nummies and Clean Water are kept? You are bigger than they are, they would want to do what you say, right?
>Be Zodd the Smarty Friend!
>You charge the two Unicorns, who are so busy trying to hurt each other with their Sparks and Horns that they don’t see you till it’s too late.
>You headbutt their horns. Hear a sickening cracking noise and the yells of surprise of the other Fluffies.
>Your head is making lots of Owies now. Maybe that was no such a Smarty Idea after all ....
>But you remember Wumm-Wumm made lots of squealing when you hit his Horn once. Bluehorn does not like his Horn being touched either.
>Both Unicorns scream and fall to the mud, still locked together, legs churning in the dirt and the mud.
>”Zodd stawp Meanie Fwuffies!” You roar, standing up on your hind legs and waving your hooves at the two Unicorns. “Stuuuuupid Friends be Guud Fwuffies an' stawp fite, or New Smawty Fwiend gif Owies tiww yuu do!”
>”Nuuu, Mint’s Hewd! Dis is Mint’s Hewd!” The Green Unicorn screams back in defiance, trying to stand up, but for some reason, Yellow Unicorn is stuck to his horn, and he can only get to his knees.
>”Hown haf Owies! Stuuupid Mint! Wat Mint do tu Swun?!” The Yellow Unicorn yells, scrabbling onto his feet and trying to tug his horn away, provoking more yells of pain from the Unicorns as the Yellow Unicorn drags the Green one to his feet.
>Every other Fluffy just stares at the scene. Even you can’t turn your eyes away. You've never seen anything like this before!
>Somehow, when you hit their horns, the two horns squished together. There's bits of bone sticking out, lots of boo-boo juices trickling down their faces. The Horns are no longer straight ... and you can’t tell whose horn is whose anymore.
>Both Dumb Friends are shaking their heads, crying about ‘Owies’ and calling each other Dumb.
>”Mint, yuu Dumb Fwuffy! Now Big Fwuffy gon' steaw Swun’s Hewd!” The yellow one shouts, tugging back, trying to pull his horn out of the mangled mess without much success.
>”Swun is Dumb Fwuffy! Mint gif Owies tu Big Fwuffy when Swun wet gu of Hown!” The green one retorts, trying to toss his head, which only results in a series of loud, sickening crack noises, and another surge of pain for both Unicorns.
>”Zodd is New Smawty Fwiend!” You yell, ignoring the bickering Unicorns. They're no threat to you anymore. “New Fwiends come wit' Zodd, show Zodd whewe de Cwean Wa-Wa's awe, show Zodd dah nummies! Zodd be Guud Fwiend tu Hewd!”
>”Zodd nu know whewe Nummies an' Wa-Wa's are? Why Zodd be Smawty Fwiend den?” One of the Stallions demands, trotting over to you to sniff your fluff. “Why Zodd smeww Aaaagh!”
>You headbutt the Stallion and stand on him as he lies on the ground, glaring down at him.
>”Zodd Stwongest Fwuffy. Zodd be Guud Smawty Fwiend. Stuuupid Fwuffy nu make Zodd gif Owies!” You demand before stepping down off the Fluffy, who immediately curls up and starts sobbing.
>”No wan Owies! Jus' wan' Meanie Fwuffies nu huwt an' scawe Hewd nu moar!” he cries, shaking furiously with his fear and his crying.
>A few stallions carefully inch over to you, whimpering that they are ‘Guud Fwuffies’ and ‘No wan Owies.’
>Then the few Mares of the Herd come over, hesitantly at first, but when you don’t give them Owies, with more confidence. Then the remaining stallions come rushing over, all crowding around you, chanting “New Smawty Fwiend!” and “Big Fwuffy pwotect Hewd?”
>”Wan be wamm.” One of the Mares whispers, tears in her eyes, as she gently nuzzles you under your chin.
>She's the first Mare who has willingly touched you in ... forever. It is GOOD to be the Smarty Friend.
>Your New Herd leads you to a Safe Place, while the two Dumb Friends stand locked together, glaring at each other.
>”Wan ... Mint .... Die .....” The Yellow one gasps, legs trembling both from pain and exhaustion.
>”Swun ... hate ‘ou, Swun.” The Green one hisses back, blinking blood out of his eyes.
>You don't care about them anymore. They are small, weak, and without their Horns working, of no use to the Herd.
>Stupid Fluffies. Why do they just not let go of each other? But they make you think of Bluehorn, and that makes you sad.
>You miss him. Bluehorn was a Unicorn too, but he was a Nice Unicorn, a Good Friend to you, always explaining things for you so the rest of the Herd did not think you were Dumb.
>The New Herd shows you their Safe Place. You would have walked right past it if they hadn’t shown it to you.
>Yet another Hooman trash-thing. It has a big rectangular opening on one end, but it looks solid and warm and does not smell bad at all. Smells like ... Fluffies. Warm, safe Fluffies.
>You stare at the long, low cupboard with awe. One door is missing, but the inside is dry and covered with old Paper.
>Stallions try to rub muck off your Fluff with their hooves. It does not help much, but some of the muck is coming off.
>They tell you that they want to be your Friend. That they don't want Owies, that they will show you where the water and nummies can be found in the morning.
>It is Good to be the Smarty Friend.
>Tomorrow, they will show you were Herd gets their food and water. They ask if maybe, just maybe, Zodd can be big enough to fight other Herds’ Smarty Friends for best nummies?
>Other Fluffies trudge into Safe Place as the Stallions finish cleaning you, yawning and saying they are happy to have One Smarty Friend again.
>Glad to have Zodd. Zodd be Brave Fluffy.
>Makes you feel funny. Nobody ever tell Zodd he Brave Fluffy before. The No-Lips Herd would rarely tell you that you were a Good Fluffy, would often complain that you were a Scary Fluffy or a Bad Fluffy, but nobody ever said you were a Brave Fluffy.
>Go in last, and curl up to go to sleep. The warmth and the smell of the other Fluffies fills the Safe Place ... it’s almost like being home.
>The Nuzzling Mare from before is waiting. Crawls towards you and then curls up against your tummy, mumbling about Sleepy-Hugs.
>It's the first time a Mare willingly came to sleep next to you without No-Lips ordering her to.
>Your chest feels fluttery and light again. Maybe ... maybe this good. Leave the No-Lips Herd, and stay as the Smarty Friend here, where the Fluffies actually like you.
>But this place, Stinky Waters, it's not safe ....
>Haven is Safe though ....
> .....
>Zodd need Biggest Hewd. You think to yourself as you drift off to sleep, the Mare curled up against your chest. Zodd make No-Lips an' Dumb Hewd weave Haven, den Zodd an' New Herd can haf' Haven an' be Safe!

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

>Raid are not Fun anymore. Your Raid-Partner, Waggs is a very Stupid Fluffy. Waggs should have listened to Snook, but he was inflamed with lust, wanted a Mare to Special Hug right now and then take her back to Haven.
>Waggs had finally found a Herd after hours of fruitless searching, but it had so many Smarty Friends!
>You had said that Waggs should have found another Herd. Smaller Herd! Too many Smarty Friends, far, far too many Toughie Friends!
>Of course, Waggs was listening to his Naughty Place and not you, and jumped the first Mare he found ... who promptly shrieked and drew the ire of the Many-Smarty-Friends Herd down upon Waggs, while you stayed hidden and watched.
>”Who steaw Egg's Mawes! Marwes say dis Bad Fwuffie wan dem weave Egg's Hewd! Who make Stawwions do dat? Which Smawty Fwiend is Bad Fwiend?” One Smarty Friend yelled, glaring at the others, his small blue wings flapping angrily. There were seven Smarty Friends! Some Pegasus Fluffies, some Unicorn Fluffies, some Earth Fluffies.
>”Nu Smawty Fwiend twy tu steaw Egg's Mawes!” Another shouted back, stomping her hooves onto the ground to make her look angrier. “Eggs mus' twust otha Hewds, or dis mean no'ting!”
>”Eggs twust other Hewds when Eggs Mawes nu gettin' stowen!” Eggs replied unhappily. “Is Stupid idea, Weaves! Herds nu suppose tu haf Hug-Piews wike dis! Hawd tu teww whewe Eggs Hewd stawp and otha Hewds stawt!”
>”If Eggs was Guud Smawty Fwiend, Eggs know dat.” Another of the Smarty Friends snickered.
>”Smelly is stuuuuupid. Nu know dat Smelly’s Fluffy Mummas aw join Smoke’s Hewd today!” Another Smarty Friend, this one a unicorn with a black-and-grey Fluff pattern, taunted the snickering Smarty Friend.
>”Wah! Gif dem back!” Smelly, a sickly green Pegasus, said in alarm. “Smelly need dose Fwuffy Mummas! Smoke haf soooo many Fwuffy Mummas awweady!”
>You have snuck over to the very edge of the Fluffies, who had started to ignore the Smarty Friends as they descend into squabbling over who has too many Fluffy Mummas.
>It's possibly the only chance you'll have to recover Snooks and get out of here before the Herd pays attention to you again.
>”Wah! Why Snooks give owies?” He whined as you crept over and gave his tail a quick pull. The Smarty Friends were so busy arguing about the stealing of Fluffy Mummas that the had seemingly forgotten about Snooks.
>”We mus' gu! Nu stawp fo' Speshaw Huggies dis' time, yuu Stuuuuupid Fwuffiem or Smawty Fwiends wiww gif Biggest Owies tu yuu!” You hissed back at him, backing away from the squabbling Smarty Friends. Waggs followed reluctantly, whining under his breath about not having Good Feels, but together you managed to get into the sleeping Fluffies before the shouting happened.
>”WHEWE BAD FWUFFY GU?” Smelly roared. That got every Fluffy up and babbling.
>”Who Bad Fwuffies?” “Wah! Why Smawty Fwiend angwy?” “Wan sweepies!” “What touchin' Naughty Nwace!” “Waaah! Poopies!”
>Not good. Waggs is a Stupid Fluffy, as soon as he gets scared, he starts to cower on the ground with his hooves over his eyes. You can't hide that way ... and if he lets the Meanie Smarties know who you are, you'll have the Biggest Owies too!
>You most certainly don't want Owies. You just want to go back to Haven, but to do so, you must have a Mare with you! But how? Waggs is completely useless, and these Mares are stubborn and silly and do not want to leave their Herds.
>And who ever thought of Herds sleeping together? How do these Fluffies know who to follow when they wake up, all mixed together like this?
>But as you creep through the babbling, confused Herds, it makes a sort of sense. So many Fluffies together, everyone can be warm, and surely no Munstas would be brace enough to attack this many Fluffies.
>But so many Smarty Friends ... you can hear them arguing as they search the Herds for you and Waggs. Smelly and Eggs are being quite rough, and the other Smarty Friends are yelling at them to stop giving Owies to the other Fluffies.
>Then Waggs is caught. You sigh and keep creeping away. He's a Dumb Fluffy, and you're not risking your tail for him a second time. If he wants to lie there and hide behind his hooves, that's his problem now.
>You hear his scream of terror as Eggs dragged him out of the Herds by the tail, and the horrible noises as the Smarty Friends jumped up and down on him, tore out his Fluff and bit his ears.
>”Why steaw Mawes?” Eggs screamed, standing on Wagg’s tail.
>”No-Lips say Hewd need Mawes! Waggs onwy wan' one Mawe, so Snook can gu back tu Hewd!” Waggs whined, hugging himself desperately. “Snook? Wan Snook, Snook pwease save Waggs 'gain!”
>”Snook? Snook? Who is Snook?” The female Smarty Friend asked loudly, pushing the other Smarty Friends off of Wagg’s body. “Snook is Bad Fwuffy’s Fwiend?”
>”Waggs an’ Snook gu! Nu more Owies! Gu 'way tu Haven, nevah come back tu Stinky Wa-Wa's 'gain!” Waggs promises.
>Oh no .... Nobody is every supposed to talk about Haven to other Smarty Friends!
>Images of Fluffies crowding into Haven, crushing the foals, the Fluffy Mummas, pushing your Herd and each other into the Bad Fluffy Pit, fill your mind.
>Waggs is talking about Haven, how it's dry, it's safe, he only wanted one Mare, so many Fluffies, Smarty Friends not share just one Mare?
>You do not want Owies. But you can't let Haven be taken away either, just because Waggs is a coward!
>Your heart is thundering in your ears. No-Lips was very clear, nobody is ever to tell another Smarty Friend about Haven.
>Biggest Owies if you do. And No-Lips is not here ...
>You charge out of the milling Fluffies of the Herd and push your way into the Smarty Friends.
>Surprised at this display of aggression, they fall back, bleating and flapping their wings or making their Horns glow, and you grab Waggs and drag him towards the nearest pile of Garbage.
>You spotted it on the way in ... a horrible pile of sharp white owies, all brittle and smelling badly.
>”Who yuu! What yuu doin' wit' Bad Fwuffy?” Eggs yells, trying to right himself off the ground.
>”Snook! Snooks come tu save Waggs!” Waggs cheers, blowing raspberries at the Smarty Friends until you stop dragging him, just before the pile of Sharp White Owies.
>”Waggs is Stuuuupid Fwuffy! Yuu nu tu teww any Fwuffies 'bout Haven!” You hiss through a mouthful of Wagg's tail-hair. “Stuuupid Wags! Nu can wet Bad Fwuffies know 'bout Haven!”
>”Whewe Haven! Teww Smawty Fwiends!” Smelly demands, advancing on you both, Horn lowered and glowing.
>”Whewe! Wan Fwuffy Mummas tu haf Safe Pwace! Wan dem be wamm!” The Female Smarty Friend shouts.
>”We teww, we teww, nu Owies!” Waggs screams before you kick him in the ribs, making him cough and splutter before he can talk.
>The Many-Herds Herd has surrounded you. A sea of angry, puff-cheeked faces, a rumbling din of threats, curses and angry demands.
>You’ve been lynched before, you still have the network of scars under your Fluff, patches of skin that never regrew the Fluff, legs that always hurt, legs that never quite worked right again.
>Never again. No-Lips let you join Herd, even though you were sick and weak. No-Lips let you join, and his Herd helped you to walk again, to run and play and live again.
>Waggs is a Stupid Fluffy. He only cares about himself, about where his next meal is from, about how he can avoid pain.
>You buck him, right in the side again, before he can start talking again, and slam him up against the pile of the broken sharp things.
“Owies! Nu wan'! Why, Snook! Waggs nu wan' Owies!” He screams as the jagged pieces of glass from the fluorescent lights start to jab into his flesh, sliding through the Fluff easily. "Jus' teww dem 'bout Haven! JUS' TEWW DEM 'BOUT HAVEN! Waggs nu wan' Owies!"
>”Nu! Tawk! 'Bout! Haven!” You shout with each kick, as each kick drives the broken sharp things deeper into Waggs. He gets quieter with every kick, and the pile begins to shake, bits of glass falling and breaking on the ground.
>The Herds are getting panicked now. They’re seeing a Fluffy killing another Fluffy right before their eyes.
>Smarty Friends don’t know what they should do. Broken Sharp Things are dangerous, they want to get you and make you talk about Haven, but they’re scared of Owies too.
>A last image of Haven fills your mind. Old Fluffies telling Foals stories of Happier Times, No-Lips leading the Herd back after grazing at the Park, your Mother and your siblings, waving to you as you went out with your father to find food ...
>You leap over Wagg’s twitching body and buck the broken sharp things directly.
>Your hooves! So much pain!
>A strange tinkling noise. Sounds pretty...
>You look up just as the broken fluorescent tubes come crashing down on top of you, and the world explodes into pain, then nothing at all.

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

>There is silence for precious moments. The Punishment Pile has been destroyed, bits of Owie-Stuff lying everywhere around the two strange Fluffies.
>Eggs is whimpering, a piece of Owie-Stuff caught him on the nose and blood is pouring out of the cut.
>The Herds are muttering and shuffling back, crushing up against each other and squabbling for space.
>”Why ... why do dat?” Smoke whispers, staring at the pile of broken glass, many now stained red with the blood of the two Fluffies.
>”Nu! Tawk! 'Bout! Haven!” The White Fluffy has shouted as he kicked his friend into the Owie-Stuff of the Punishment Pile.
>”We find dis 'Haven'.” You say, the other Smarty Friends looking at you in surprise. “Fwuffy gif Biggest Owies tu his Fwiend, den gif Biggest Owies tu himsewf. Mus' be vewy Safe Pwace fo' Fwuffie tu du dat.”
>Mutters of surprise, and agreement. Even Eggs and Smoke are nodding.
>”Smawty Idea, Leaves, vewy vewy smawty idea.” The chorus goes up.
>Every one of the Smarty Friends goes to sort out their Herds, to calm the Stallions, soothe the Fluffy Mummas, console the Mares.
>Not you. You stare at the pile of broken glass, and the spreading pool of blood under it, and chew on the inside of your cheeks as you think.
>No-Lips.
>Now there's a name you have not heard in some time. Thought he must be dead, after all those months. He must be very old now, yet he's still the Smarty Friend of his Herd.
>That doesn't surprise you.
>No-Lips the Smarty Friend. Perhaps the best Smarty Friend you ever had, but he left you behind, left you alone in the Park because you did not want to go back into the Underground.
>It's a terrible place where the Sun seldom shines, the air smells terrible and the Rat Munstas number beyond counting. Yet No-Lips carved out a sanctuary in that horrible place.
>If only you'd paid attention! You could have taken your Herd there so long ago, worked together with No-Lips, or maybe ... but that's all wishes and dreams now.
>You never could find Haven again. You tried so hard to forget about it. Tried to be Best Smarty Friend you could be.
>But if the No-Lips Herd is coming into Stinky Waters ... maybe you can find No-Lips again.
>But you're not sure if you would fight him, or try to be his friend again. So many bad things happened to you, after No-Lips and the Herd abandoned you in the Park, but No-Lips always looked after the Herd first, and the individual Fluffies second.
>But maybe ... you can challenge No-Lips, become the Smarty Friend of two Herds, and take Haven for yourself.
>A warm, safe, secure sanctuary for the Fluffy Mummas and Foals, while your two Herds gather food and treats to bring back to the more vulnerable members.
>But you have to find No-Lips first, before the Other Smarty Friends decide to take Haven for themselves.

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

>”Wait! Wait! Fwuffy Mummas suuu tiwed!” No-Name shouts, grabbing onto Drip’s tail and trying to stop the Unicorn.
>”Waaaaah! Taiw Owies!” Drip complains, but stops. Drip complained when you told him he have to stop, then run away, screaming he want to go back to Haven right now.
>Why does no Fluffy ever listen to Wittles? You yell and yell, but nobody ever listens!
>Behind them, the Mares and Fluffy Mummas are crying because Underground is dark and scary. And because they are worried their little Herd is now lost.
>You found the Fluffy Markers, but Fluffy Markers were destroyed. Stones knocked over, sticks and straws scattered everywhere.
>So now you are all having to follow hoof-marks from Blue-Horn yellow Unicorn, and roll-marks of Fluffy Mummas to find way back to Haven.
>But it's hard, Drips is tired, he can’t make Horn glow forever, and you can't follow the tracks without his light. His owies are draining his strength, and soon he'll need to sleep to recover.
>But what smashed the Fluffy Markers? Rat Munstas sometimes knock over the Fluffy Markers, but never like this ... they just knock some pebbles loose, or chew on a stick or straw.
>Honey and No-Name are being Very Good Fluffies, trying to rebuild Fluffy Markers, making sure the sticks point towards the way they think leads back to Haven, point red Straws back the way they came, but they have to leave the Blue Straws out.
>Blue Straws point way to Under-Lake, where Fluffies go for Nummies when Park is not safe, and neither No-Name or Honey can remember the way there exactly. And it's a Bad-Bad Thing to make the Fluffy Markers point the wrong way.
>Bad Fluffy Pit worthy Bad-Bad Thing.
>You all have to find Haven, and get No-Lips to make Fluffy Markers Right.
>Without the Fluffy Markers, only No-Lips knows all the right routes through the Underground. Without the Fluffy Markers, Your Herd will starve and die in Underground, wandering in darkness and despair as the Rat Munstas pick them off one at a time, or they walk right into the Two-Leg Munstas and get gobbled right up.
>The other Stallions are whispering to each other, trying to figure out what to do next.
>”Nu make Haven.” Drips sighs, tears dripping from his face. “Drips tuu tiwed, nu can make Hown Gwow fo' long.”
>”Buh ... buh mus' find Haven!” Honey demands, stomping a hoof angrily. “Make pwomise tu Mawes an' Fwuffy Mummas! Dey mus' nu tink we Bad Fwuffies!”
>”Nu can see Fwuffy Mawkers in Dawk, nu can fowwow twacks eitha.” No-Name says, looking back at the New Friends. “Fwuffies mus' find Safe Pwace fo' Mawes, gif dem Huggies tiww Sun comes up, den take dem tu Haven.”
>”Nu Nu Nu Nu Nuuuuuu!” Stumbles says, jumping up and down angrily. “No-Lips an' Hewd gu tu get Nummies by den! Tummeh suuuu owies now! Mus' take Mawes back tu Haven, su Fwuffies nu miss Nummies!”
>”Buh Fwuffies nu .... wait! Hown Wite!” Drips shouts, pointing a hoof down the tunnel.
>Everyone turns and looks. Yes, there's a faint, flickering light coming your way, shedding sparks ...
>Unicorn Magic!
>”Fwiends!” You all shout with delight! It’s Wumm-Wumm, Bandit and Kook! And they have Mares!
>That’s good, you’re down to One Special Friend already.
>They’re crying, upset. Asking why Fluffies break Fluffy Markers.
>Explain Fluffy Markers were broken when you found them, but you've been fixing the ones you have found, and then ask Wumm-Wumm to take the lead.
>You and No-Name walk at his side, watching the ground for hoof-marks and roll-marks.
>New Mares help to push the Fluffy Mummas, and you're finally moving at a decent pace now!
>Everyone is babbling about how scared they are as the Stallions stop to rebuild the Fluffy Markers as best they can.
>Finally, Fluffy Voices....
>The terrible Smell of the Mushrooms and Old Fluffy Poop.
>Push Mares past to barriers of Glowing Mushrooms and Old Poop, ignoring their complaints and promising them that Haven is right behind the Smell-Bad-Go-Away-Munstas barrier. Roll the Fluffy Mummas into Haven too.
>Fluffies are shouting, calling out to each other and being very loud, which is strange, as No-Lips generally does not like Fluffies being loud in the Underground.
>But No-Lips is standing over Bluehorn, shouting at him, and the two Fluffy Mummas and Unicorn he took with him into the Underground are crying and holding each other.
>There’s a great shout of joy from the Herd as Wumm-Wumm's Horn Light finally gets their attention, and they rush out to greet you.
>Mares and Fluffy Mummas are given Hugs and pushed towards the Papers, promised that they are safe now, they can be warm and happy in Haven.
>You are given so many Hugs! Everyone is so delighted to see you again!
>No-Lips growls something at Bluehorn, making the Unicorn flinch and cower on the ground, then trots over to you.
>”Many Mawes! Dis is Guud, owr Hewd wiww gwow stwong wit' dese Mawes!” He says loudly, his tail wagging slowly. “Fwuffies see wha' bweak owr Fwuffy Mawkers?”
>”Nu, sowwy No-Lips, No Fwuffie know. Fwuffies su scawedy, scawed dat we get wost in Unner'ground.” You hear Honey whine. “Fowwow Bluehorn’s hoof-mawks, fowwow Fluffy Mumma’s woll-mawks.”
>”Bluehorn is a Bad Fwuffy!” No-Lips replies, loudly enough for the nearest members of the Herd to turn around and glare at the Unicorn, who is lying on the ground and scowling at No-Lip's back. “Bluehorn shouwd nu haf weft otha Stawwions behind. Fwuffy Mummas haf Big Scawedies, get Owies fwom Rat Munstas. New Yewwow Unicown scawed Rat Munstas away wit' Hown Spawks, buh Bluehorn wun away fwom Mawes an' Rat Munstas!”
>He did WHAT?
>All the Stallions look stunned.
>You never ever abandon the Mares. Never ever ever! Without the Mares, the Herd will die.
>Everyone starts asking if Fluffy Mummas alright, how did she not go Big-Puffy-Foooomph, are her Babies okay?
>Bluehorn looks very angry. Turning from No-Lips to Yellow Unicorn Mare and whispering something under his breath.
>”Is bad ting Bluehorn du.” No-Lips grunts, glaring back at Blue-Horn. “Mawes be vewy impow'tant. Nu Mawes, den we haf nu Foaws, and dere be nu Hewd.”
>”Now ... who had tu haf Mawes shared wit' dem?” It's hard to tell without his cheeks, but you could almost swear No-Lips is grinning, judging from the way the scarred remanents of his face pull and twist.
>Oh crap ... Stumbles and Drip look down to the concrete and shuffle their hooves.
>”Next Waid, Stumbles an Drip fowwow Fwuffies who bwing back Mawes.” No-Lips says, giving them his very best ‘I am disappointed’ look. “Do wha' dey do, get Mawes of yuu own next time.”
>”Mawes of ... No-Name un unna'stan.” No-Name pipes up, looking at Mares and Fluffy Mummas then back to No-Lips. “Wat No-Lips mean?”
>No-Lips turns and looks at No-Name with raised eyebrows. “No-Name nu know? Find Mawes on Waid, bwing dem back tu Haven, dey yuu Mawes. Dey be yuu Speshaw fwiends now.”
>No-Name is making funny choking noises, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open.
>You wonder if he's trying to catch flies with his mouth open like that.

Part 6

>You ... have Special Friends? Wed and Bwun are your Special Friends? Nobody said this was part of the Raids! You're only No-Name, you're not even sure if you're actually part of the Herd!
>Look around at the other Stallions, but they are all trotting off to their own Mares and Fluffy Mummas.
>No-Lips is giving you a strange look, then shuffles up to you and whispers in your ear.
>”No-Name nu wike Mawes?” He whispers. “No-Name wike Stawwions? If yuu do, is oh'tay, Mawes can be Speshaw Fwiends of otha Stawwions.”
>”N-nu! No-Name wike Mawes a wot, buh No-Name ..... No-Name is haf wook after Wittwe Foaw! No-Name is Fwiends wit' Clover an' hew Foaws, an' No-Name stiww nu know if pawt of Hewd yet!” You stammer, rocking back and forth on your hooves.
>”Pfffft, yuu is pawt of Hewd, buh yuu nu haf Hewd-Name yet. Yuu is a Guud Fwuffy.” No-Lips says, then laughs. “Clover is a Funneh Fwuffy. No-Name haf much head-owies when Clover heaw dat No-Name haf two more Speshaw Fwiends now. Buh Mawes nu mind more Speshaw Fwiends if dere Stawwion is a Guud Fwuffy.”
>Wait ... but ... you aren't Special Friends with Clover, she's just a friend! Right? RIGHT? NO-LIPS?!?!
>”Wan haf Speshaw Huggies!” Wed yells at you from the Papers, lying down next to Bwun, waving her front hooves at you. “Speshaw Huggies an' sweepies wit' Gwey Speshaw Fwiend!”
>That got your attention. It's been so long since you had some Special Hugs. You take one last look at No-Lips and give an awkward grin as he looks back at you over his shoulder.
>”Mawes weawwy nu mind?” You ask loudly, shuffling away towards The Papers, and your new Special Friends.
>No-Lips gives a bark of laughter, then trots away to Old Fluffy Corner.
>Special Hugs! You had some with Peach several days ago, but she’s a Meanie Fluffy. After what she said to Little Foal, you don’t want to give her any Hugs at all now.
>The Papers is almost full, with all the Fluffy Mummas and new Mares, but still room enough for you and a few more Fluffies.
>You go to give Hugs to Wed, but Clover is there too. She has her legs held out as well, a worried look on her face.
>”Clover wan be yuu Bestest Speshaw Fwiend!” She insists, grabbing you and dragging you away from Wed. “No-Name is Guud Daddy tu Clover's Foaws, Clover wike No-Name suuuu much!”
>”No-Name haf Baybehs wit' Clover?” Wed asks, a peculiar glint in her eyes as she grabs your other side and starts to tug you back towards her.
>”Nuuu ... dey nu No-Name’s Foaws, buh he Guud Fwuffy, he Guud Daddy tu Clover's Foaws!” Clover admits nervously as she pulls you back against her again.
>You have no idea what’s going on! Why are they hugging you back and forth like this! This is not Special Hugs!
>”Wed haf Foaws wit’ No-name den, an' be Best Speshaw Fwiend!” Wed says triumphantly, snatching you back off Clover and hugging you tightly. She’s trying to roll over and pull you on top of her, but Clover has a mouthful of your Fluff and is trying to drag you back.
>”Owies! No-Name need Fwuff!” You complain loudly. Clover lets go to apologise, and you roll right on top of Wed, who starts to giggle and wriggle under you.
>All through the Papers, similar scenes are playing out. The Stallions that returned are getting pawed and nuzzled by the New Mares and the Herd Mares alike.
>Honey is hugging a Fluffy Mumma, and Wittles is trying to mount two Mares at once. Stumbles is already having Special Hugs with a Mare, while another one sits impatiently at his head and complains that she wants Special Hugs too.
>Clover has scooted over to you and Wed and is saying she loves you, don’t leave her, nuzzling at your neck and sniffling sadly.
>”No-Name wike Clover tu!” You manage to get out before gasping as Wed wiggles underneath you again, bumping your naughty place against hers. “D-dis is nu Speshaw Huggies!”
>”Pink t’ing! Pink t’ing!” Wed is singing to herself as she wiggles underneath you. You can feel something smooth and warm pressing against you, and your naughty place is getting very warm ...
>”Clover wuv No-Name!” Clover whispers, her face contorted with sadness. “Clover wan No-Name! No-Name Guud Fwuffy! Nu gif Clover Owies, wuv Clover’s baybehs!”
>”No-Name ... wike Clover!” You grunt as Wed’s wiggling gets more intense, making your naughty place feel very funny. “Buh Clover get big Owies fwom Zodd. Nu can haf Speshaw Huggies, Clover haf tu many Owies an' Huwties.”
>”Nuuu, Clover nu haf Huwties nu moar! Gween Waww fix, No-Name see?” She turns around and lifts her tail, presenting the evidence right in your face.
>Something snaps inside you. With the young Mare underneath you, and the desperate Fluffy Mumma pressing herself into your face, you go wild.
>Pulling away from Wed, heedless of her complaints, you turn and mount Clover, connecting with a low groan. Clover gives a startled ‘meep’, but starts to mewl and rock beneath you.
>”Why No-Name gif Speshaw Huggies tu dat Fwuffy? Wed wan Speshaw Huggies, Wed is Young Mawe, gif Guud Speshaw Huggies!” Wed whines, butting your rapidly pumping rear with her head, but you’re lost in a fog of lust and hormones.
>”C-clover wuv No-Na-a-ame!” Clover grunts beneath you, gasping and panting as you move desperately back and forth behind her, your front legs desperately grabbing her hips.
>It’s over all too soon. Clover mewls happily, and you let go, dropping onto your backside and gasping for breath, watching with a sense of satisfaction as Clover awkwardly rolls up into a ball to lick her Naughty Place clean.
>”Guud wurk, No-Name wuvs us!” She says to the Naughty Place happily, with one hind leg lifted up into the air.
>You’re trying to collect your breath, when you feel a sharp tug on the back of your neck, and you fall onto your back with a muffled “Waaah?!”
>It’s Wed! She must have yanked on your Fluff, and is staring at your Naughty Place with a very intense look on her face.
>”Why No-Name gif Speshaw Huggies tu dat Owd Mawe an' nu tu Wed!?” She asks, nuzzling your tummy and sniffing your Naughty Place. “Wed is yuu Bestest Speshaw Fwiend! Gif yuu Guud Speshaw Huggies, haf Guud Baybehs, Bestest Baybehs!”
>Then she turns and gives a nasty look to Clover, who has turned to nuzzle her Foals, and Little Foal, who have all wandered over, whimpering that they’re hungry, and the other Fluffies are making too much noise.
>”Owd Mawe stiww haf Foaws! Nu can gif yuu more Foaws tiww dose ones gu 'way! Yuu onwy gif Speshaw Huggies tu Wed! Yuu is WED'S Speshaw Fwiend!” She insists, nuzzling your Naughty Place and making the blood pound in your ears again.
>You can’t agree. Special Hugs with Clover felt ... like nothing else. Peach was your first real experience with Special Hugs, but having Special Hugs with Clover made you feel warm in the heart too.
>Then Wed climbs on top of you, and you can’t think of anything at all.

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

>Your face hurts. No-Lips is old, but he mean. Bucked you right in the head, but it’s not your fault! Told Stupid Fluffy Mummas to be quiet, but they won’t stop complaining!
>”Is dawk! Is scawy!” One had complained loud enough to make echoes that bounced back to the Mares and made them even more upset!
>”Wan gu back! Wan hewp Speshaw Fwiend!” The other had shouted when Sissy had tripped, and the Fluffy Mumma had rolled forwards on her own and nearly fallen into the dirty water.
>”Quiet!” You told them “Nu be woud an' cwy, Rat Munstas heaw us!”
>That only set all three to wailing louder, and the Yellow Not-Mumma called Sissy had tried to force him to take them back.
>But if they went back, they would have seen the ruined Fluffy Markers. And they would have asked questions, because they are Unicorns, and thus Smarty.
>With no Fluffy Markers, the other Stallions would wander around, get lost, fall into the Dirty Water or get eaten by the Rat Munstas.
>You, and maybe the Old Fluffies, would be the only Stallions left in the Herd. Without his Stallions, No-Lips would have to be nicer to you. Without them, No-Lips would have to start deferring to you, as you were younger, stronger and most importantly, Smarty-er than any Earth Fluffy alive!
>You know the way around the Underground, although you don't tell the rest of your Herd that. No, it would be best to keep that in reserve. You are Bluehorn, the true Smarty Friend after all, but they also Unicorns, the three Mares would also be able to figure it out, and they would tell No-Lips and Herd, and then you get Biggest Owies!
>And it was only a tiny little Rat! You had run back to ‘Check fo' Fwiends’, but in truth to knock over the Fluffy Marker in hopes of the other Stallions getting lost.
>If you were the only one to come back, you’d be the only Stallion who went on the Raid to come back with Mares. You would have proven once and for all that Unicorns alone should be Smarty Friends.
>But no. The stuuuuuupid Fluffy Mummas kept on squealing and whining, and dirty Rat Munsta had leapt out of the dirty water and bitten one on the ear before Sissy had startled the Munsta with a stream of sparks from her horn.
>You couldn’t tell No-Lips that you were knocking over the Fluffy Markers. He would have demanded the Herd push you into the Bad Fluffy Pit and be fed to the Dragon on the spot!
>Now those Stupid Fluffies were sleeping in the Papers, hugging each other and the other Mares, and you can see stupid Earth Fluffy No-Name with two Mares fighting over him.
>You were the only Fluffy to come back with three Mares. You were the first back as well. And two of the Mares were already Fluffy Mummas, so they’d have foals sooner.
>But No-Lips made a big fuss over one little owie, and then a bigger fuss over the other Stallions. Made you sleep outside of the Papers, and wouldn’t let you take your Mares with you so you could stay warm.
>Why No-Lips nu haf Wongest Sweepies yet? You ask yourself, shivering from the cold as you hear the low murmur of excited ‘eenf!’ from the stallions and the happy babbling of the mares. If No-Lips nevah wake up, Bluehorn couwd be Smawty Fwiend wike Bluehorn suppose tu be! Bluehorn is Smawty, shouwd wead Hewd. Hewd be suuuu stwong if Bluehorn was Smawty Fwiend.
>You’ve waited and waited, but No-Lips just won’t lay down and die like an Old Fluffy should. He’s too smart for the Munstas to catch, and still too mean to fight on your own if he has Stallions to back him up ....
>But maybe he’s not too fast to outrun ....
>Closing your eyes, you dream of ways to take your rightful place as the Smarty Friend of the Herd.

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

>It is still Dark and Cold when No-Lips came out of the Old Fluffy Corner and started kicking Fluffies awake. You’re sandwiched between Wed and Clover, and both have their hooves over your chest and tummy, hugging you tightly. Clover keeps mumbling ‘No-Name’ in her sleep.
>Bwun is asleep at your head, Clover’s Foals and Little Foal deep asleep and buried into her Fluff so only their hooves are poking out.
>It makes you smile. You miss being so small that your Fluffy Mumma could do that. Miss being wrapped in Fluff, and that sense of complete love and trust that made everything alright.
>”Aww Fwuffies, get up! Time fo' Nummies!” No-Lips barks, bumping Mares with his nose and kicking Stallions who don’t get up quick enough. “Mus' get up! Hewd mus' haf dere Nummies 'fore Sun gets up!”
>There’s a lot of complaining. A lot of Special Hugs last night, but a lot more tummies are empty and making owies.
>Foals are nuzzled awake and given a chance to feed from their Mothers, then hustled over to the entrance of Haven and told to make Poopies. They cry, because it’s cold and dark, but eventually they do as they’re told.
>”Fwuffy Mawkers wewe bwoken between hewe an' Stinky Wa-Wa's!” No-Lips yells to the Herd as they assemble behind the barrier of old Poop, Old Paper and Mushrooms. “Bluehorn show dat he is Guud Fwuffy, an' make dose Fwuffy Mawkers pwetty 'gain. Drips, Stumbles, yuu boff gu tu. Eat Nummies at Unner-wake, den gu back tu Haven an' guard.”
>Blue-Horn looks unhappy but nods. Drips and Stumbles whine, but a harsh glare from No-Lips makes them be quiet.
>”Herd haf new Mawes! New Fwuffy Mummas! Aww Hewd hewp, show way tu Pawk!” No-Lips commands as the Herd starts to get ready for the daily trip to the Park. "Nu Fwuffy weave Hewd wit'out tewwing No-Lips, Bandit, Honey or Wittles! Nu safe tu be awone!"
>The smallest Foals are put onto the backs of their mothers, and the Fluffy Mummas who haven’t given birth yet are rolled into the middle of the Herd for safety, and the whole group starts to move out.
>”Cowd! Why haf tu gu fo' Nummies so eawy! Sun nu up yet!” Wed yawns, shuffling along at your side. Clover is just behind you, her two foals asleep on her back, half-buried in her Fluff, and Little Foal is trotting along at her side, excited for some reason.
>”Get nummies now, Meanie Two-Wegged Munstas awways haf Sweepies when Sun nu up in sky.” You explain as the Herd starts to pick up speed, the Fluffy Mummas rolling faster and faster as their momentum picks up.
>Thankfully, the Fluffy Markers here are undamaged, a fact that No-Lips seems to find comforting, as he stops and sniffs, then marks, each Fluffy Marker before rejoining the Herd.
>Soon, the air in the Underground does not smell so bad, there's even traces of the smell of trees and grass and clean water. It’s also getting slightly brighter, pale bands of light shining through the grates and man-hole covers above your head.
>”Pawk soon, pawk soon.” You hear some of the other Fluffies chanting as they run, and soon every Fluffy is saying those words as they run, pushing the Fluffy Mummas around the corners so they don’t roll into the Dirty Water, until finally ....
>It’s a Tunnel to the Overground, a different tunnel than the one the Herd used the day before.
>Another one of No-Lip’s rules. Never use the same tunnel twice in a row. Two-Leg Munstas are prone to setting traps for the Herd if Fluffies are lazy.
>No-Lips starts telling Stallions to go out and check for Munstas. You get called, and start to go when Wed starts crying and pulling on your fluff.
>”Nuuu! Nu wan’ Speshaw Fwiend gu!” She squeals around a mouthful of your fluff, digging in her hooves so you’ll have to rip the fluff out to get away.
>”No-Name! Huwwy!” No-Lips shouts, obviously unhappy. “Fwuffy Mummas mus' haf Nummies, Hewd need Nummies now!”
>”Coming! Wed haf No-Name's fwuff!” You shout, then turn and ask Wed as nicely as you can. "Wed pwease wet gu! No-Lips be suuuu angwy if No-Name nu gu!"
>”Stuuuupid Fwuffy!” One of the other Mares grunts, and bites Wed’s ear, making the younger Mare squeak and let go. “Stawwions gu fiwst, make suwe dat Hewd nu haf Owies.”
>You run up to the front as quickly as you can. No-Lips is giving you an unhappy look.
>”Nu is No-Name's fauwt! Wed nu wet gu of No-Name’s fwuff!” You explain, feeling ashamed.
>”No-Lips tawk tu Wed water. Now gu!” He commands, giving you a not-so-gentle push with his head. Oh poopies, he looks so unhappy with you!
>Other stallions are sniffing the alleyway the Tunnel to the Overground leads to.
>Like most of the other Alleyways, this one is full of bad Smells. Parts of it Smells like Rat Munstas, but the Smell is old, some days ago. There are also the pungent, wonderful Smells of Two-Leg Munsta food and water and mushrooms.
>You peer under the big metal boxes Two-Legs store their food in, and see plenty of dirty water and dirty paper, but no Rat Munstas.
>”Nu Munstas hewe! Is Safe fo' Hewd!” You hear Wittles say loudly, and the call goes back amongst the Stallions and is repeated down the Tunnel to the Herd.
>No-Lips leads the Herd up and out, and the Stallions stay at the front of the Herd with him.
>This Tunnel does not lead directly to the Park like last one. The Big Ugly Things that the Two-Legged Munstas live, eat and play inside of are everywhere. Full of Noisy Things, Shiny Things, Cold Things. Two-Leg Munstas leave lots of Things lying around too, that Fluffies are not above using themselves, given half a chance.
>”Whewe Pawk?” “Nummies?” “Waaah, hoofs haf cowdsies!” The Mares being to whine, looking around nervously.
>”Pawk ovah dere.” No-Lips declares loudly, pointing a hoof between two of the same big ugly things on the other side of the road. Between the two run-down buildings, there is an old fence with a hole big enough for two fluffies to squeeze through together, and beyond that.
>The Park. Grass. Nummies.
>But it’s not that simple. It's never that simple.
>Sometimes, Metal Munstas on the road. Have bright eyes that can stun Fluffies, big nasty black hooves that hurt Fluffies, make lots of Boo-Boo Juices come out of Fluffies.
>No-Lips, Honey and Wittles have to head-butt some of the over-eager Mares back into the Herd when they start to rush over to the Raod.
>Feeling bad that you made the Herd wait, you step forwards and move several meters up the road to watch for the Munstas, earning a happy grunt from No-Lips.
>”See! Guud Fwuffies do Guud Tings fo' Hewd, make suwe it Safe fo' Hewd!” No-Lips is saying as the other Stallions follow your lead and position themselves to watch the Road. “Guud Fwuffies know wat tu do, even if No-Lips or Toughies nu say.”
>Thankfully, today doesn’t seem to be bad. There's no Munstas on the Road, and there's no noises in the air except a distant Dog Munsta barking at something.
>Like a packet of cotton wool balls scattered across the floor, the Herd shambles across the road, apologising to the Fluffy Mummas as their soft bodies are rolled across the hard, sometimes pointy Road before being bumped up and over the curb.
>You’re the last one across when you hear the dreaded noise. Brmmmmm ....
>”Munsta!” No-Lips hisses, his fluff standing on end. “Make Hug-Piwe fo' Mawes an' Foaws! Mus' keep dem safe!”
>The Stallions leap to obey, throwing themselves on top of more vulnerable Mares, Fluffy Mummas and Foals as the Munsta comes past.
>It's an Angry Road Munsta, it’s glowing eyes shining down onto the Road, looking for Fluffies to give Owies to. It must have seen the Herd, because something came flying at the Herd, bouncing off Wumm-Wumm and making the Unicorn yelp with pain.
>But the Angry Road Munsta keeps on going, and everyone sighs with relief. Sometimes the Road Munstas stop, and Two-Leg Munstas climb out of them, try to catch Herd with their cruel, club-like fingers and their impossibly tough nets.
>You don’t understand how Two-Legs can be inside other Munstas, but apparently it’s the truth.
>The Herd has bottle-necked at the fence, several Fluffies arguing over who should go first. All are claiming to have the biggest Tummy-Owies, and that they should be first.
>No-Lips forces his way through the Herd and starts kicking Fluffies aside, yelling at them to stop being Silly Fluffies. He yells that Fluffies must line up, two at a time, to get through the hole.
>Grumbling, the Herd tries to comply, but some Fluffies try to stay between other Fluffies to stay warm, so sometimes it’s three trying to squish through, but the pressure of the Herd forces them through, although with a lot of complaints.
>Fluffy Mummas have to be rolled through on their own. You wave to Bwun as she goes rolling through, and smile as you hear her shout “Gwass! See Gwass! Yeeek, Cowd Gwass!”
>Clover and Wed pass through, glaring at each other, with Little Foal trotting at at Clover’s heels. Clover has to duck down to get through without scraping her Foals off, and Wed gives her a little bump with her hip before running off onto the Grass.
>You don’t understand why they don’t like each other. No-Lips say Mares not mind Special Friends ...
>Finally, after several fights and then make-up Huggings, the Herd squeezes through, and the grazing can begin.
>But it's not time for the Stallions to have Nummies yet. The Herd lost Zodd, lost Snook and Waggs, lost Bewwy and Spots during the Raid. Maybe they will come back, maybe not, but until then, the Herd needs new Scouts.
>So you check in bushes, under benches, behind trees. Anything that smells even remotely dangerous is to be reported to No-Lips, Honey, Wittles or Bandit, and they will decide what the Herd will do about it.
>But it seems as if it's going to be Good Day! No Munstas that you can see! You sniff around the bases of the Trees, looking for Fluffy Scents, but there’s too much dirt and Squirrel fluff to tell.
>You’re about to turn back and see if you can make Clover and Wed get along when you spot it under a half-dead bush.
>Hamburger!
>Mouth watering, you advance on it, sniffing cautiously. Smells alright, does not smell rotten or 'bad' like some of the Two-Leg Munsta nummies you've had.
>A small bite would not bad, right? You're just checking ...
>Tastes sooooo good! You swallow the heavenly mouthful, and then grab the paper the hamburgher is resting on and start to drag it back to the Herd.
>Tasty, tasty Nummies for the Herd! No-Lips will beso happy, maybe he will forgive you for not being quick enough to be a Scout earlier?
>Grabbing the Hamburger, you slowly start to drag it away to where the Herd was when you first left to scout, grinning to yourself.
>Good Nummies for the Herd! You might even be lucky, and this Hamburgher might have tomatoes inside of it!
>Red, like Boo-Boo Juices, but sooooo tasty.
>Takes a long time to take the Hamburgher over to the Herd, but No-Lips looks impressed, and immediately insists that the Hamburgher be pulled apart and shared with the Herd.
>The meat patty is dragged away, Kook complaining that it tastes too salty, but the vegetable-nummies inside still taste good, even if they are a little wilted, and almost everyone gets a bite of the bread.
>Because you found the Hamburgher, No-Lips lets you take a third of the bottom piece of bread, and you drag it over to your Special Friends.
>Clover happily ate her piece, while Wed took her portion and scowled, mumbling unhappily.
>"Wed Bestest Speshaw Fwiend, shouwd haf fiwst bite ..." She mumbled unhappily, glaring daggers at Clover as the Older Mare turned and called to her Foals to stop playing on the grass and have so 'Miwk-Nummies'.
>Bwun took the last piece and ate it carefully, spilling only the smallest of crubs before asking you to come closer so she could hug you.
>She's even bigger than last night now, her Legs only just reach the ground. There's no way she could walk on her own now ...
>Babies soon, if the other Fluffy Mummas you've seen are any indication. If not the-day-after-the-next-day, then maybe the day after that.
>So you shuffle around, ask if anyone has seen any Clover-Nummies for Bwun, she's a Mumma, she needs Mumma Foods, and some Fluffies show you where they found a patch of Clover.
>... There's not much left, but you manage to scrounge a mouthful or two, stuff it into your fluff and shuffle back when you see No-Lips talking with Wed.
>Well, maybe it would be better to say No-Lips is talking to Wed, who is too busy being scared of No-Lip's scary face to do anything more than squeak every now and then.
>Drop the clover off for Bwun, who giggles as Little Foal lifts up hoof-fulls of the Mumma-Nummies for the heavily pregnant Fluffy Mumma to chew on, while you shuffle over to nuzzle Clover and her Foals and wait.
>No-Lips will call you over when he wants to speak to you, and you don't want Wed to get into any more trouble than she already is.

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>Be Bluehorn, the once and future Smarty Friend. Today ... that irritatingly Bossy Earthy, No-Lips, demanded that you 'fix' the Fluffy Markers that some Munsta broke the night before as punishment for 'abandoning the Mares you brought back from the Raid.
>You didn't abandon them! But you couldn't very well tell No-Lips that it had been you knocking over the Fluffy Markers to ensure the Dummies he called his Toughie Friends couldn't come back to Haven!
>No-Lips would have thrown you in the Bad Fluffy Pit on the spot, and the Dragon would have devoured you alive!
>So you have to pretend to be ashamed and apologetic. At least No-Lips said you could have help ... but then he assigned Stumbles and Drips, the only two Stallions who were not able to bring back Mares of their own to assist you.
>Stumbles and Drips are completely useless Fluffies.
>They don't know how to build Fluffy Markers, when it's as simple as piling pebbles on top of each other!
>They don't know which straws are supposed to point which way, and they keep getting the colours mixed up.
>Stumbles is Earth Fluffy, he’s supposed to be dumb, but Drips is a Unicorn Fluffy like you, but he’s dumb too.
>After you rebuilt the Fluffy Markers that pointed the way from Haven to Stinky Waters, with Stumbles and Drips looking on in boredom, all three of you shuffled to the Under-Lake for nummies, as overhead the light of the Bright-Ball is seeping into the Underground at sharp angles, through the grates, beams of pale yellow-red light.
>Soon, the Sun will be out from behind the buildings, and the Two-Legged Munstas will be out in force, and No-Lips will be leading your Herd back to Haven.
>The Under-Lake is cold, wet, and to you, a bad place, but it's also the only reliable place for the Herd to get clean water and some decent food when it's unsafe to go up to the Overground at all.
>Moss grows everywhere, on the walls, on the rocks, on the pipes. Grates overhead let plenty of sunlight and trash through.
>Lots of rocks block off several tunnels, fallen from the ceiling and walls when the City trembles with what the Old Fluffies call 'Qwuakes'. Leaking pipes on the walls dribble dozens of streams of clean, clear water to drink that collect at the far end of the ancient, crumbling 'nexus' of tunnels, forming the Under-Lake itself.
>There's also a thick layer of dirt and decomposed garbage down here too. Where there’s not moss, there is grass, although it never tastes good, it's always yellow or even grey and makes Fluffy Pony bellies churn and gurgle unhappily.
>And there are things in the deepest, scariest part of the Under-Lake. Small black wriggling things in deepest waters, that stick to unwary Fluffies that go too far out, and the little Wriggling Things make Fluffies sick, make Fluffies leak Boo-Boo Juices when they fall off.
>Two-Leg Munsta things everywhere. Small white things with strange waters inside, where Herd gets some of the Straws for the Fluffy Markers.
>Stumbles and Drips are busy eating now. Eating moss off the walls. Disgusting ....
>”Bleh! Taste yikky!” Stumbles grunts unhappily, spitting the complaint out around a mouthful of the moss.
>”Wan gwasses! Mauwz yikky!” Drips, that failure of a Unicorn, agrees loudly.
>Yet they both keep going back and tearing mouthfuls of the moss off the wall, only to utter the same complaints moments later.
>Stupid, stupid Fluffies.
>Your Great Plan needs work, you did not think Drips could be this stupid. You knew he was stupid, but not this stupid! He's a UNICORN, for Poop's sake.
>Only SMART Unicorns for your Herd. Smart Unicorn Fluffies that will know how to survive, how to eat, how to play, how to raise their Babies to be Smarties, just like you.
>Maybe you'll let some of the No-Lip's Herd's Pegasus Mares stay around to give Special Hugs to your Smarty Unicorn Toughie Friends when the Smarty Unicorn Fluffy Mummas are too bloated to be able to have Special huggies, but no Dummy Earth Fluffies, no Dummy Pegasus Stallions, no Dummy Unicorn Stallions will be allowed to stay.
>But the two idiots No-Lips saddled you with are finally distracted. Stumbles and Drips are too busy eating and complaining to pay you any attention, and you've waited all morning for this chance.
>You are looking through the sickly grass and moss-covered stones of the Under-Lake for something specific. You saw it a few days ago, when you and some of the Herd went out to gather Moss for the Fluffy Mummas to suck on to get water and then have as nummies, and it nearly scared you to death.
>But it didn't, couldn't move, even after you sprayed it with your Horn-Magic. It's a Two-Legged Munsta toy, and as such, so scary just thinking about it makes your fluff stand on end, but perhaps it is the key to finally making No-Lips die, like an Old Meanie Dummy Fluffy should!
>Finally, you see it behind a jagged, moss-covered rock, still rolled up into a loose circle like how you found it.
>It’s a rubber snake, badly faded by the elements, with deep cracks and splits in the hardening rubber body.
>Grab the snake, still half-expecting it to come to life and give you Biggest Owies.
>Stuff it into an empty plastic bag, and load the bag up with bits of moss and straws, packing them in so the Not-Snake is covered as much as possible.
>Perfect, the Not-Snake is now perfectly hidden. Stumbles and Drips are too stupid to notice, busy as they are drinking the Not-Wa-Wa's out of the Two-Legged things.
>Idiots. The Not-Wa-Wa's might taste great, but they make Fluffies act like they are Stuuupid. And you're not keen to see how much more Stuuuupid these two can get!
>You tell them you are taking moss-nummies back to the Old Fluffies for nummies, an excellent cover-story for what you're really up to.
>Stupid Fluffies, drinking the Not-Wa-Wa to get the horribly bitter taste of the moss out of their mouths. Stupid stupid stupid Fluffies. Not-Wa-Wa's makes Fluffies too loud, too friendly, and then too sick.
>Drips is trying to hug Stumbles, saying he wants to play the wrestling game, but they are both jumping around too much now, unable to sit still after drinking so much stale cola and cold coffee dregs.
>”Pwaypwaypwaypwaypwaypwaypwaypwaypway!” They are shouting, eyes wide and frantic.
>Last time you saw Fluffies like this, they ran around and around, then Special Hugged anything in front of them, then fell over and were sick.
>Back to Haven. You've no desire to see two Stupid Dummy Stallions have frantic Special Huggies.
>You’re tempted to knock over a Fluffy Marker and blame it on a Munsta, just to see if the two idiots can get back to Haven on their own, but No-Lips is very angry with you right now. He's unhappy you didn't wait for his Dummy Stallions, and you want to sleep in the Papers tonight.
>And frustratingly enough, Zodd did not come back from the Raid. That annoyed you to no end. You are the Smarty Fluffy, you had been grooming that Big, Ugly, Stupid-as-Poopies Zodd to fight No-Lips, kill No-Lips, then you could tell Zodd he was a Bad Fluffy for giving Owies when you only 'meant' to teach No-Lips a lesson.
>Zodd is so stupid, he'd believe it too. You could have told him to go jump into the Bad Fluffy Pit afterwards for being so mean to No-Lips, and he'd have done it, blubbering the whole way.
>You had hoped that maybe you could make him be your Friend, like No-Lips did, and get him to serve you until it came time for No-Lips to die and you to drive out all the Dummies from the Herd.
>But it's too late for that now. That too-big Idiot probably stood still while the Rat Munstas ate him and complained about his owies as they gnawed him to the bone.
>Patience. Your old plan failed, but the New Plan cannot! This time, you are relying upon nobody but yourself, so how can you fail, when you are the Smartest Fluffy Unicorn in the Underground?
>No-Lips is a very Old Fluffy. He's slowing down, and like all Old Fluffies, he doesn't like getting shocked or scared. You overheard him complaining to Wumm-Wumm once that when one of the more adventurous Foals got too close to the Bad Fluffy Pit, No-Lips got so scared that it made his chest have bad-owies from fright!
>If the Not-Snake cannot scare him to death, maybe you could ask him to push the Not-Snake into the Bad Fluffy Pit, and offer to help.
>And while you're over there, push No-Lips into the Bad Fluffy Pit while the Herd cowers at the far end of Haven.
>Other Fluffies are easily scared, and most of them are Stupid.
>From the other end of Haven, hugging each other and peeking through each other's fluff, they won't be able see you push the Not-Snake and No-Lips into the Bad Fluffy Pit, they'll just see him topple over.
>Then you will be the Smarty Friend once again, and your Plan will go into action!
>First, you'll kick out every Earth Fluffies and Pegasus Stallions. Oh, and the Dummy Unicorns too.
>Then you can have all the Smarty, Beautiful Mares to yourself and those Unicorns you feel are Smarty Enough. A Smarty Herd, where nobody will be dumb or get hurt by the Munstas, or get you hurt by being Dummies.
>No Stupid Fluffies who will draw the Munstas' attention to you and the Herd.
>No Stupid Fluffies eating all good nummies before you or hogging all the rock-balls.
>No Stupid Fluffies giving you Owies for being the Smarty Friend.
>Grinning around your mouthful of plastic bag, you drag the load back to Haven, ignoring the excited cries of Drips and Stumbles as they play and wrestle at the edges of the Under-Lake.

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

>You are No-Lips, Smarty Friend of the Herd, and you're so furious with yourself right now.
>The Sun is peering at the Herd from behind the Tall Spires of the Two-Legged Munsta's city, a pale, yellow-pink glow that makes the fluff on your body prickle with alarm.
>Too long! You were so focused on talking to each of the New Mare personally so they knew the rules of your Herd, focused on letting everyone get a full belly and a chance to play on soft, clean grass that you let time slip away!
>Cursing yourself, you turn to your Herd and begin to shout at them to get ready for the trip back to Haven.
>Predictably, a few of the Newer Mares complain, saying they want to stay on the Overground, to eat and play more, that the Underground is scary, can't they have five more minutes to graze?
>Thankfully, their Special Friends, your Stallions, rush to explain to them that it's unsafe to stay on the Overground when it gets bright.
>Don't they remember the Two-Legged Munstas? How they would chase and torment the Fluffies they found eating the grasses or trying to get nummies out of the tall metal bins?
>Bandit is at the forefront of this effort, hugging the confused or frightened Mares and promising them that they can be safe and warm in Haven once again, where they can cuddle babies again, play chase-the-tail and kick the rock-balls around without a care.
>Annoyingly, the Red Mare, this 'Wed' is still squabbling with Clover, and surprisingly enough, her friend Bwun, but at least the young Mare is moving as she and No-Name start to rolled Bwun back into the Herd.
>She's .... going to be a problem. Still, you've tolerated worse Fluffies than a silly young Mare who thinks her Naughty Place makes her Smarty Friend of the World, and made them useful, if not likeable, members of your Herd.
>Peach, for example, is a terrible mother and a snide little dingleberry, but her Foals are always healthy, so the other Fluffy Mummas are happy to help them have nummies or hugs, especially if their own Babies have gotten lost or died.
>And Peach isn't choosy about who mounts her. She's handy to keep around for Stallions without Special Friends, so the squabbling between your Toughies is kept to a minimum.
>If this 'Wed' doesn't start to fit into the pecking order soon, she'll rapidly find herself torn away from the soft hooves of No-Name and given to Peach to train to be a Huggies Mare. Then she can have all the Babies and Special Hugs that she could ever want.
>And if she doesn't want that, well, you can't let her leave and tell other Herds about Haven. It will be the last option, but the Bad Fluffy Pit always has room for one more Fluffy ...
>"Huwwy! Make suwe dat aww Baybehs wit' dere Mummas!" You urge loudly as the Herd slowly, almost painfully so, assumes the proper formation, big Stallions at the back, smaller Stallions at the front and sides, with the Mares without Foals forming an inner ring, and the Fluffy Mummas, those with Foals in their bellies and those with Foals riding on their backs, in the very center, the too-fat-to-walk Fluffy Mummas at the back so the Mares and Big Stallions can roll them along.
>You join the Herd last, flicking your head around, ears and nose twitching furiously as you look for danger, for Monsters who might have taken advantage of your lapse, but if they are there, they are hiding very, very well.
>A younger Smarty Friend would feel they were lucky. A dumber Smarty Friend would believe that they were safe.
>You have seen enough to know that's not the truth, the City is just too busy destroying the happiness of something else to focus on your Herd right now.
>As you leap down from the bench and lead your Herd back towards the Underground, a different tunnel to avoid getting trapped, you grit your teeth and try not to think about that undeniable truth.
>More cruel and dangerous than the Monsters, even the Two-Legged Monsters, the City is alive. It is made of cold, unfeeling stone, hard, unyielding pipes and sharp, unforgiving metal, but it is alive.
>And it hates everything. It pits everything against each other, all the Munstas, and the Fluffies, to amuse itself like the Two-Legged Munstas watch the Dog Munstas, or even their own, fight each other to entertain themselves.
>There is no way to 'beat' the City. But it can be cheated, for a time.
> ... and you've been cheating it of it's horrible boo-boo-juice soaked amusment for a very long time. And in your heart of hearts, you know that something has to give soon.
>"Fwuffies, mus' take wong way back tu Haven, nu wan..." You start to explain to the Fluffies at the front of the Herd when you hear the most horrible sound ... "Hide! Fwuffies hide! Nu behind hoovsies! behind twash, behind bins, huwwy!"
>The Herd scatters as one, Families huddling together behind whatever shelter they can find as the horrible noise gets louder and louder ...
>Finally, the source of the noise comes past, howling in terror as it staggers down the alleyway you were about to lead your Herd down.
>It's a Dog Munsta, all ragged hair and snapping jaws, but it's terrified, you can hear it in the high-pitched whining as the Dog Munsta clatters and bounces off trash cans and the walls of the alley-way, always looking over it's shoulders at somthing.
>There's terrible injuries all over the Dog Munsta, ragged holes in it's normally impenetrable skin and fur that dribble and spurt boo-boo juice onto the ground and walls of the alleyway.
>And a few heartbeats after the Dog Munsta passes, you hear another noise, one that makes you feel sick with terror.
>At first, it sounds so soft, you almost missed it as the City starts to wake up. Hissing, chittering, squealing ...
>A swarm, five times the size of your Herd, of Rat Munstas flows past your hiding places, chasing after the Dog Munsta, their small, narrow muzzles blood-stained and lifted to the air as their give vent to their fury, and their victory, as their tiny, claw-tipped legs propel them ever closer to the wounded, panicking Dog Munsta.
>Nobody moves, even as the Sun climbs higher, until the Dog Munsta gives a panicked yelp! from further down the alleyway, and the low-pitched squeals of the Rat Munstas fade, to be replaced by the sounds of more bangings, and a multitude of wet ripping noises.
>"Mus' gu back to tunnew we used befowe!" You hiss to your Herd as you rush out from your hiding place, bullying the Families back into the Herd, your Toughie Friends nervously helping as you try to both silence the crying Fluffies and get them to move back the way you came. "Dis way nu safe! Mus' gu back to Owd Tunnew!"
>"B-buh No-Lips! Yuu awways say dat is nu guud!" Honey whispers as you both scan the alleyway, looking for a Fluffy that might be hiding too well, and not be willing to leave.
>"Dere is nu otha way." You whispered back as you both shuffled backwards out of the alleyway and began to lead the whimpering, shivering Herd back to the old tunnel. "Dat Dog Munsta was skinny. Smaww Dog Munsta, wots an' wots of Rat Munstas. Yuu tink dat many Rat Munstas haf 'nuff nummies fwom dat one Dog Munsta?"
>At that, the other Stallions up near the front with you and Honey go pale under their fluff. If the Rat Munstas are still hungry ... they'll be able to pick up your scents if you hang around too long.
>To have gained so many Mares, and assured the Herd's survival, only to die the very next day? It's just too cruel!
>Two more tunnels you'll be unable to use! It could be days, or worse, weeks before the Monsters move on to new hunting grounds when your Herd doesn't return! There's only so many tunnels that lead to the Overground, so close to the Park, and you're slowly running out of options.
>Once more, you've cheated the City out of it's fun ... but for how much longer can you keep your Herd from the inevitable?
>As the Herd shuffles down the tunnel into the Underground, the Stallions whispering nervously to each other, alert to the slightest hint of danger, you grind your exposed teeth and wish that there was some way to win this endless fight.
>But it's hopeless. Nothing can trick the City for long. Not the Rats, the Cats, the Dogs, the Cars, the Trains, or even the Humans can get through their lives without the City hurting them in some form or another.
>And especially not the Fluffies ...

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>You are No-Name ... and you're very afraid. Afraid for your Mares, afraid for Little Foal and the White Twins. Afraid for your Herd.
>It feels like a very, very long walk back to Haven. You know that No-Lips never does this. Fluffies never go back to Haven exactly the same way, but it looked like that was exactly what No-Lips had planned.
>But then he took aside Wittles, Honey and Bandit and they had a whispered conversation, and then ...
>The Herd had to split in two. Bandit and No-Lips would lead one half, and Wittles and Honey would lead the other, and everyone would meet back at Haven.
>That was scary, but thankfully, Wittles and Honey let Clover, Wed and Bwun come with you.
>So you're helping Wed to roll Bwun, while Clover walks just ahead with Little Foal and the White Twins on her back, but worryingly out of sight.
>Bwun is so big now. It's impossible to see over her, even when you're on your hind legs, rolling her along. You're completely dependant upon Clover and the others in front of you to tell you when to turn left or right, or when to grab Bwun's fluff and make her stop rolling ...
So many Mummas in your part of the Herd ... so many that even the Stallions are having to roll them, and that leaves the Herd unprotected.
>Share a nervous look with Wed as you round a corner, only just barely tripping onto Bwun as you push on your side hard, while Wed grabs one of Bwun's legs and hold on, making the pregnant Mare squeak in protest as she swings around the corner.
>This is bad. Dangerously so. But No-Lips is the Smarty Friend, and he's a Good Smarty Friend. He's scary, but only because he cares about the Herd, and because he's always thinking about the Munstas that want to eat the Fluffies who trust him to lead them.
>Finally ... you can smell it, the bitter, disgusting smell of the glowing blue Mushrooms that guard the entrance to Haven, and you sag with relief.
>Home. Safety. Shelter.
>Winding your way through the twisting passage of old papers, dried poop and the strange, poisonous blue mushrooms that light up the walls around them with their faint blue light, feeling so relieved.
>Two-Socks is waiting for you, his happy greeting replaced with a cry of shock as he sees how few have returned.
>"Wha' happen!" He demands, shuffling over, his two bad back legs slowing him down, dragging on the floor of Haven. "Whewe No-Lips? Whewe west of Hewd?"
>"Hewe soon!" Wittles shouts as the Old Fluffy grabs him in a hug and shakes them both, demanding to know what happened. "Rat Munstas gif Biggest Owies tu a Dog Munsta on way back! No-Lips had tu take Hewd back down tunnew dat Hewd used be'fowe, su No-Lips say Hewd go twu diff'went ways, so any Munstas get confus' an' nu can find Haven!"
>"Is oh'tay, Two-Socks, No-Lips be home soon, nu wuwwy! Is No-Lips, he suuu Smawty, he be fine." Honey adds, trying to prise the Old Fluffy off his friend. "Mus' get Mummas tu the Papers su dey can haf sweepies, gif mowe miwk-nummies tu dere Baybehs!"
>Whatever Two-Socks was going to say was lost as the other Old Fluffies came out, clamouring for news as the Fluffy Mummas were rolled to the Papers, and those Mares with Foals lay down to cuddle their precious children and give them another feeding of their milk.
>You were spent, physically and emotionally, but Clover begged you for help. Several Foals were being very naughty and trying to steal Milk off the otherwise immobile Fluffy Mummas.
>The easy part was grabbing the Foals and carrying them away from the Fluffy Mummas.
>The hard part was trying to stop them from coming back to try their little tricks again, and then dealing with their irate mothers once the Foals began to sob and cry after being scolded.
>"Wat yuu doin' to mah Baybeh!" One irritated Mumma demands, shoving a hoof into your chest as you tried to carry her yelling Foal over to the outside of the Papers. "Yuu bein' Meanie tu Baybehs?"
>"Nuuuuu, wuv Baybehs!" You protested, grunting around the scruff of the squirming Foal. "Baybehs bein' bad, steawin' Miwk fwom Fwuffy Mummas! Pwease hewp!"
>"Nuu, Baybeh nu bad, yuu is bad, yuu is Mea ... why Baybeh haf miwk-nummies on face?" The Mumma began to shout angrily, shoving you back and making the Foal swing alarmingly from it's scruff.
>And then it burps, then peeps in alarm, trying to cover it's milk-stained muzzle with it's hooves.
>The Mumma lowers her head to stare, squinty-eyed, at her Foal, who is desperately trying to squirm away from it's mother's scrutiny while covering it's mouth with the front-legs, trying to hide the stolen milk on it's muzzle.
>"Yuu is goin' ova to steaw Miwk-Nummies? Yuu ... yuu is bad Baybeh!" The Mumma growls unhappily, and the Foal squeaks again as you place it down on the papers and shuffle back.
>Before the Foal can get onto it's hooves and try to run, however, the Mumma bumps it around with her nose so it's back is facing her, then grabs the Foal by the scruff of it's neck, still scowling.
>"Yuu is Bad Baybeh! Miwk nu fo' yuu, yuu haf Miwk-Nummies aw'weady!" She grunts angrily as the Foal begins to cry, shuffling over to the far corner of the Papers with her bawling child held aloft by the scruff of it's neck. "Does Miwk-Nummies fo' otha Baybehs! Bad Baybeh! Nu steaw Miwk-Nummies!"
>Whew. Too close. The Fluffy Mummas can get scary when they think their Foals are being bullied ...
>"Nuuuu! Miwk fo' Mumma's Baybes! Nuuuu!" A Fluffy Mumma wails from somewhere at the back of the papers, and you groan. Why are the Herd's babies being so naughty?
>Oh no, it's Bwun! Two of the Foals you've been chasing away from the other Mummas have decided to steal their nummies from a Mumma who litterally cannot push them away, and you, Clover and Wed all rush over to grab the yelling, raspberry-blowing Foals as they try to grab hold of Bwun's swollen, milk-heavy teats.
>"Bad Baybehs! Yuu aw'weady haf Miwk! Yuu make Bwun's Baybehs haf tummeh owies!" Clover scolds them, holding one of the Naughty Foals in between her hooves while the Foals' Mumma pushes the other one down into the thickly padded floor of The Papers and paddles it's backside with her free hoof. "Yuu make yuu Mumma haf saddies! Nu steaw Miwk-Nummies! Yuu haf nummies aw'weady!"
>"Wan nummies! Fwuffi wan moar nummies! Yuu smewwy, yuu siwwy, gif nummies!" The Naughty Foal complains, blowing a raspberry at Clover before his Mumma roughly grabs the Foal out of Clover's hooves and proceeds to paddle her second Foal, the first gingerly waddling away, squeaking every time her tail falls down over her bruised backside. "Nuuu, Mumma, wan Mi-waaaha! Owies! Mumma, Fwu - Baybeh sowwy, BAYBEH WAAAAAHA POOPIE PWACE HAF OWIES!"
>"Bad Baybeh! Nu du dat, yuu know is bad ting fo' Baybeh tu steaw miwk-nummies!" The Mumma grunts with each smack, a tap really to even a Fluffy Pony, but to the Foal, each blow falls with the emotionally crushing weight of his mother's disapproval. "Nu Baybehs steaw yuu miwk-nummies, why yuu do dis? Yuu make Mumma sad, make otha Mummas tink Fwuffie is Bad Mumma, nu gif hew Baybehs aww hew miwk!"
>"Phew!" You grunt as you hug Bwun, your Fluffy Mumma Special Friend trying to yell through your fluff that her Babies will need all her milk! "Why Baybehs be suuu naughty? Nu dis naughty befowe!"
>Clover just looks at you and laughs.
>"Nuuu, dese nu Baybehs nu moar, dey Foaws now! Dey stawt tu haf teefs, den dey stawt tu be naughty, wan' pway aww time, wan haf miwk even if nu hungwy, wan pway wit' wock-bawws an' nu shawe." She chuckles as she nudges Bwun's teats with her nose. "Aww miwkies stiww dere, Bwun, Foaws nu take any."
>"Buh ... Foaws an' Baybehs awe guud! Wuv'wey! Nu steaw nummies befowe." You retort as Bwun slowly stops yelling, then starts singing to her Foals, promising them lots of yummy milk so they can grow up big and strong.
>"Aww Baybehs be naughty when dey become Foaws. Dey aw'ways do dis, den dey get yewwed at by Mumma's an' towd how tu be Guud Foaws, wike dey wewe towd how tu be Guud Baybehs." Clover replies with a small smile as she nods in tune to Bwun's song. "Is how aw'ways been, Clover was same when Clover was Fiwwy, an' aww Baybehs an' Foaws Clover haf been Mumma fo' haf been same. Yuu nu wemembah bein' naughty tu? Yuu Mumma nu gif yuu bottom-owies fo' steawin' toys an' bein' siwwy?"
>"Nu. Nu can wemembah Mumma. Jus' ... wemembah wamm fwuff dat was suuu wamm, an' guud smeww, an' wemembah feew safe ..." You reply softly, staring up at the grate that lets the air and sunlight into Haven. "Nu can wemembah No-Name's Mumma. Nu can wemembah if she weft No-Name behind owr if Daddy-Munsta took No-Name fwom Mumma ... owr maybe No-Name was Naughty, an' wan away an' fow'got 'cause No-Name miss his Mumma tu much."
>You stare out the grate for some time, silent as you struggle to bring up a memory of your mother, but remember nothing but warmth and the feeling of being secure, before Clover breaks your silence with a hug, pushing you into Bwun's chest, who hugs you as well.
>You're crying, but as your two Special Friends hug you between them, you grab hold of that hollow, bitter feeling and crush it back down into your heart.
>Bwun's Babies ... you will do all in your power to see that they never have to feel that horrible emptiness that gnaws away at you whenever you think of your mother.

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

>It's almost mid-day before No-Lips and Bandit's part of the Herd comes back, but they are all safe, although very worried.
>Everyone hugs and sobs with relief, filling the space at the entrance to Haven as Special Friends rejoice, Children and Parents are reunited and the Herd is counted by No-Lips several times before he finally declares that everyone is back at Haven, safe and sound.
>Everyone cries with relief at this news. Almost every day, somebody has a close encounter with danger, if not lost to the Monsters themselves.
>No-Lips, for his part, looks very worried, and insists on everyone going back to the Papers to hug and be happy while he goes to the Old Fluffy Corner, Two-Socks dragging himself behind No-Lips, muttering nervously.
>The Herd cannot know that there are only a dozen tunnels and passageways up to the surface that are still 'safe' to use.
>It might be possible to use one of the older drains or storm-water channels to go up to the surface, but the Old Fluffies, who guard the Herd's history, who protect it against being lost by the frantic scrabble for survival pushing those memories out of mind of the younger Fluffies, slowly cross off that list as they discuss with No-Lips which Monsters were found in which areas.
>It's a bleak picture they paint. The Rat Swarms are growing ever larger, surging from somewhere to the east, spreading throughout the Underground. The Train Tracks provide a natural barrier, but eventually, the Rats will find a way over or around those death-traps.
>The Dirty Two-Legged Munstas that live in the Alleyways are also becoming more numerous, and much, much more aggressive, sometimes even lying in wait for the Herd to come out so they might snatch up the fattest Fluffies to eat.
>And the small Herd that appeared a few days ago, whose Smarty Friend No-Lips pushed into the Bad Fluffy Pit is not alone. The Old Fluffies say they heard the distant sounds of Fluffies running, shrieking in the nearby tunnels, but they remained quiet and hid, and the Other Fluffies never found Haven.
>No-Lips sags over in the relatively shelter of the Old Fluffy Corner, eyes closing as he shakes with frustration.
>"Nuffin' we can do." Gnaff whispers softly, as All-Mumma painfully shuffles over to No-Lips, her long, loose skin and whispy white fluff dragging on the dirty floor before she hugs No-Lips to her and rocks them both back and forth. "Mus' twy to use Owd Tunnews, owr mus' use New Tunnews an' hope dat Munstas nu wive dere."
>Some-Legs rubs at the stump of his front left leg with his remaining limb, frowning in thought, while One-Eye stands guard at the entrance to the Old Fluffy Corner, the grizzled Old Toughie watching to make sure the younger members of the Herd do not disturb, or more importantly, hear this discussion.
>"Do ... do any Owd Fwuffies wemembah ... when Fwuffies couwd see gween-pwace?" Some-Legs asks suddenly, looking at his stump with a wistful smile on his face. "When Fwuffies couwd dweam of weavin' dis City, an' gu wive 'way fwom de Munstas? May'beh ... may'beh Hewd twy tu find way out of City 'gain?"
>"If Fwuffies keep goin' tu whewe try to come up at fiwst Bwite-Time, Hewd might find gween-pwace 'gain." Two-Socks begins, then frowns. "Buh is baaaaad pwace dere. Many Two-Wegged Munstas, dat whewe dey wive, make dere ugwy Safe Pwaces ovah Gwasses an' make it Baaaaad Pwace fo' Fwuffies. An' Two-Wegged Munstas keep Dog Munsta's an' Cat Munstas. Even if Hewd onwy muv when it cowd an' dawk, de Munstas can see in de dawk."
>"May'beh. May'beh." No-Lips grunts, giving All-Mumma a gentle squeeze before pushing away to stand on his own again. "Buh fo' now ... Hewd wiww use New Tunnews. Den we use Owd Tunnews, Owdest Tunnews, whewe Munstas fowget dat Fwuffies evah whewe dere."
>The scarred, aging Fluffy turned to his oldest companions, comrades and friends who had, like him, survived for years in the City, had endured, escaped and cheated the Greatest Monster's many cruel and wicked torments.
>"Buh No-Lips mus' ask Owd Fwuffies tu twy an' wemembah way bawk tu Gween-Pwace ... an' we mus' nu teww Hewd tiww we is aww shuwe of which path is best fo' Hewd." He turns his eyes to a gap in the cardboard walls of the Old Fluffy Corner, where the light and the noise of the Herd hugging and playing on the Papers can be faintly heard. "Dis is de onwy Safe Pwace many of dem haf evah known. If we weave Haven ... many Fwuffies gon' haf Wongest Sweepies. De weak, de babies, de sick ... de owd. Owd Fwuffies, wike us."
>Everyone sighs and reacts in their own way. One-Eye grunts unhappily, but remains stone-faced and stoic, Gnaff and All-Mumma sob and hug each other, shaking together, while No-Lips, Some-Legs and Two-Socks share a meaningful look and nuzzle each other before No-Lips shuffles out to tend to the Herd.
>To leave Haven is to risk everything. To Stay is to lose everything anyway, eventually. Their own lives are coming to an end, but there are few Fluffies in the Herd that possess the attention-spans necessary to remember all the many secrets and lessons that the Old Fluffies have gathered over their long lives.
>And today drove home the fact they are running out of time. The City, the Greatest Monster, is slowly closing in on them, on their Herd, their Family, and their options are running out.



On the Rocks, Part 7

>Be No-Name, and after this morning's near-brush with disaster, you'd have thought that everyone would have settled down.
>Hah, no such luck.
>"Gon' wuv Baybehs suuuu much." You hear Bwun whispering to her own bloated belly, her front legs hugging her uppermost belly and teat as two other Mares rock her gently from side to side, making her teats sway in a slow, hypnotic pattern.
>The Mares say the 'Wockin' Game' helps the babies inside go to sleep, just like being cuddled in their Mother's hooves, but you don't know.
>In an effort to stop Wed's continous complaints and bickering with both Clover and Bwun, you agreed to spend some time with her, which almost immediately turned into having Special Huggies.
>Told her you needed to make Poopies first, and then found Clover and explained yourself.
>To have Clover disappointed in you, to make her think you didn't love her, filled you with such a panic. Clover and Bwun were willing to both be your Special Friends, but Wed ... she is never happy unless she was the only one you were playing with or paying attention to.
>No-Lips wasn't right. Mares do not like Stallions to have many Special Friends.
>Clover wasn't happy about it, but she hugged you and told you it was for the best, and thanked you for telling her about it first.
>"Wed is a siwwy, angwy Fwuffy. Baybehs may'beh make hew happeh ..." Clover had mumbled as you hugged quickly, hiding from the young, angry Mare behind a sleepy-pile of Fluffy Mummas. "Speshaw Huggies funneh ... buh yuu haf cuddwes wit' Clover afta? Nu need Speshaw Huggies, jus' wan' No-Name tu be wit' Clover."
>So you're now nuzzling Wed as she pulls you over into a small depression in the Papers, who is giggling and wriggling underneath you, her legs wrapped tightly around your body.
>Special Huggies are a lot of fun, and you feel your heart pound as Wed starts to move beneath you, and that wonderful, enticing scent Mares with their Hot-Feels-Need-Huggies time seem to make fills your nose.
>"Guu' Speshaw Huggies, show No-Name dat Wed is yuu Bestest Speshaw Fwiend!" Wed giggles, burying her face in the fluff of your chest as you start to move as well, and your blood thunders in your ears.
>Warm, soft, smells so good, feels so great.
>Special Hugs really are the best.
>You both grunt and groan and strain for what seems like forever, and then Wed spasms beneath you, squeaking eagerly, and then you have the Good Feels too.
>Still hugging Wed, you roll over onto your side, both of you panting heavily.
>For a short while, the whole world became nothing more than the thunder of your blood in your veins and the feel of a Mare underneath you, but now you feel ... dirty.
>Clover is looking at you, smiling sadly, before she turns back to play with her Foals.
>You want to go over and cuddle her, like you promised, but if you go right after Special Hugs, you'll smell naughty, and Wed will start to complain and pick fights with Clover and Bwun again.
>So you lie there, cuddling Wed but not really enjoying it, feeling soiled somehow as Wed giggles and rubs her cheeks against your chest, and wonder just how you can resolve this feud between Clover and Wed.

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

>Be Wed, the Bestest Mare in the world.
>If only No-Name could see that ....
>You're young, healthy, pretty and funny. Oh, and you give the Best Special Hugs too!
>But he was always cuddling with that stuuuuupid older white Mare, Clover, or fussing about Bwun being so fat and vulnerable, never spending as much time with you as he should.
>Not what you thought being a Special Friend would be at all. You didn't play all day, or have Special Huggies till you fell asleep, and he doesn't bring you nummies, but it's not his fault.
>It's Stuuupid Clover, and the Meanie Scary Half-Faced Smarty Friend No-Lips, who make it so that No-Name is never with you long enough to be a proper Special Friend!
>You remember seeing No-Name as he had snuck into your previous Herd's Safe Place, promising a safe place, a place where you wouldn't have to put up with the endless bickering and squabbling of Lime and Sun, the two Unicorns who both claimed to be the Smarty Friend.
>You were intrigued, of course, and Bwun certainly seemed eager to leave, but you were more interested in No-Name, young, grey-fluffed and bold, like a shadow in the night come to bring you to a better place.
>But that bitch Clover had already gotten her hooves into him first!
>Making him be the Daddy for Foals that are not his! Making him cuddle and snuggle with a older Mare! Making him be so busy he can't spend time with you, and know just what a Special Friend is supposed to be like!
>And Bwun! She was your friend first, but she sides with Clover on just about everything! Is she really so desperate to curry favour with this new Herd that she'll follow the lead of an old, saggy-teated Mare like Clover!
>You knew she was worried about the babies sleeping inside her, with Lime and Sun fighting all the time, screaming at each other and throwing their sparks at each other at the slightest provocation.
>Both Sun and Lime had had Special Huggies with Bwun ... first Sun had had the Special Huggies, then Lime had jumped ontop of Bwun immediately afterwards, shouting that he would give better Special Huggies than a puny Stallion like Sun could give.
>Then the next day, Lime had given Bwun Special Huggies again, and then Sun had shouted that he would give bestest Special Huggies and grabbed Bwun from behind.
>You knew that one of the other Fluffy Mares had had babies after getting Special Huggies from both Lime and Sun, and when she had babies, they were the colours of both the Smarty Friends.
>Lime tried to claim the babies as his, but then Sun screamed that they were his babies, and then they started to struggle over the babies.
>The poor Mumma, too bloated to move, crying as her attendant fled the fighting and left her behind, the two Smarty Friends snatching up her babies as soon as they came out, screaming at the top of their lungs and making her precious babies squeak and squeal in pain and alarm.
>Bathing the babies in their sparks as they squabbled and fought over who was the father, tugging them back and forth until the babies broke into pieces or stopped squeaking and just hung between the tugging, shoving hooves of the Smarty Friends limply.
>You didn't want Bwun to have to go through that either, but she's betrayed you to suck up to Clover and this Herd...
>But it's all alright now. No-Name has had Special Huggies with you, and you worked extra hard to make them the Bestest Special Huggies. You're exhausted, but it's worth it, to know you showed No-Name who his Bestest Special Friend is!
>Lying in the papers, hearing No-Name's heart beating as you lean your head against his chest, snuggled together, it's wonderful.
>No Clover to have to share him with, no Bwun to nag you about your duties to this new Herd, no annoying little Foals that belong to Stuuuupid Clover to ask if you want to play with them when you're trying to be a Good Special Friend ....
>The only problem is this ... funny feeling in your stomach. It almost feels like a stomach ache, but there's no pain, just a funny, itchy ... bubble in your tummy.
>You wish you could focus on hugging No-Name, he's so nice and warm and fluffy and strong, but this feeling is ... really getting to you.
>Oh no, he noticed your squirming, and now he's breaking the Hug to look at you strangely! Noooo! Hugs with your Special Friend are over!
>"Wed haf make poopies?" No-Name asks, his face ... blank. "Yuu wigg'win' a wot, nee' No-Name wet yuu gu."
>"N-nu, nu wan stawp huggin' No-Name, jus' Wed's tummeh bein' siwwy, haf funneh feew in tummeh." You babble, reaching for him again. Why won't he go back to hugging you? You don't need to make po ... why the poopies is she here?
>Clover has shuffled over, a concerned look on her face. Stuuupid Mare, you gave No-Name the Bestest Special Huggies! No-Name will love you the most now!
>"Wed say haf funneh feew in tummeh? Wike yuu eat bad nummies, haf owies in tummeh?" Clover asks, eyeing you with ... concern?
>She doesn't care, she just wants to know if you give better Special Huggies than she does!
>"...Yah, buh nu haf owies. Wike dere is bub'buw in Wed's tummeh." You reply softly, glaring at the ground under Clover's hooves. Bitch.
>"Oh! Oh, dat is wunnafuw!" Clover says, sounding so happy. "Yuu is gon be Mumma, Wed! Yuu haf baybehs in yuu tummeh! Is wat dat feew means, it means dat No-Name put baybehs in yuu tummeh! Wed haf baybehs in tummeh!"
>You blink a few times, trying to make sense of why Clover is so happy that you are having No-Name's babies.
>Wait, that's not important right now!
>No-Name's babies ... you're the first of his Special Friends to have his babies! You've finally proved your his Best Special Friend!
>"Hu-HUW'WAY! WED IS GON BE MUMMA!" You cheer, grabbing No-Name's front leg and hugging it tightly, squealing for all you're worth!
>You're finally going to be a Mumma! You're finally going to show No-Name you're his bestest Mare!

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

>Be Bwun, the Fluffy Mumma, watching with all-consuming interest as you oversee Clover and several other Mares creating a shallow nest for you to lie in.
>No-Name didn't lie. This is a Good Place. A Herd that cherishes their Mares, a Smarty Friend who cares for his Fluffies, and strong, loyal Stallions to protect you.
>So happy. You're safe here, even if the Herd only goes out for nummies once a day, and brings back grass and other nummies stuffed into their fluff for the Herd to snack on during the long wait for the next morning.
>This 'Haven' is very, very secure though, not like Stinky Waters at all, where your old Herd was always exposed to the rain and the cold and the dark. Cold, stone walls on all four sides and a cold stone roof with a sturdy metal grate overhead to let in light and fresh air, with only one way in or out, guarded by walls of old, dried poop and those strange blue mushrooms.
>The other Mares told you the mushrooms were Bad Nummies. Eating them made Fluffies very sick, spit up lots and lots of white foam at best, at worst, have the Longest Sleep and become a Mushroom Mumma, have dozens of the Blue Mushrooms grow out of you during the Longest Sleep!
>And ... there's the Bad Fluffy Pit, but that's behind a wall of stones, so you don't have to worry about it.
>"Nee' moar papews hewe." A Mare grunts eyeing the depression with her face all screwed up in thought. "Nee' moar papews fo' Fwuffy Mumma tu be comfy, nu wan Fwuffy Mumma wie on cowd stones!"
>"Whewe we get papews? Nu haf 'nuff hewe ... may'beh take papews fwom' faw end of Sweepies Pwace?" Another asks, looking confused. "Buh den otha Fwuffies haf cowdsies!"
>"Nuuu, Fwuffies haf pwenty of papews, jus' nee' to hug moar in Dark Time. May'beh ask No-Lips if Hewd can gu scwoungin fo' moar papews next bwight time?" Clover points out as she shuffles over to the far end of The Papers to grab a relatively clean piece of newspaper to pad your nest with.
>Your nest. In Lime and Sun's Herd, Mares had to make, and defend, their own nest from anyone or anything that wanted it.
>Other Mares who were too lazy to make their own, other Fluffies who wanted to sleep in a place that smelled of a Mumma, so they could remember being loved and feeling safe while they slept, sometimes even the Smarty Friends wanted the nests, to prove their dominance over the Herd.
>But here ... Fluffies help each other. It's more than a Herd, it's an extended family. Yes, there's squabbling sometimes and there are Fluffies who really don't get along with each other, but everyone shuts up and knuckles down to help the Herd survive.
>"Is guud Hewd." You say with a smile on your face as the other Mares all stomp and fold the newspaper sheets into a shallow depression and roll you into it, tugging you this way and that until you finally find a truly comfortable place to rest. "Pwease, can Bwun gif huggies? Fwiends suuuu nice, wan gif Guud Fwiends huggies fo' hewpin' Bwun."
>"Huw'way, huggies!" Two of the Mares cheer, while Clover looks on with a smile. The hugs are firm but gentle, no uncomfortable pressure placed on your belly and the precious Foals you carry, and the other Mares babble soothing words to you as they do so.
>"Pwetty Fwuffy Mumma gon' haf boo-tee-fuw baybehs! Yuu is gon' be Guud Mumma!"
>"Wuv Bwun, yuu so nice, Tink happeh yuu be fwiend!"
>Eventually, the huggies have to stop, but you're now lying on your side in a comfortable nest, warm, safe and loved.
>This is a wonderful Herd ... your babies will be safe here. No-Lips might look scary, but he's not mean. Harsh, but only because his Herd lives in such a dangerous place.
>He's too old to have Special Huggies ... you've never seen a Fluffy so old before, and there's a whole corner of the Safe Place where other Old Fluffies sleep and talk, passing down the wisdom of their long lives to the younger members of the Herd or telling stories to the Foals to entertain them.
>Oh, Clover's having huggies with you now ... but she looks so sad, like she's trying not to cry.
>"Why Clover haf saddies? Bwun du some'tin wong?" You as, hugging the other Mare as best you can in your current state. Clover's been such a good friend, even when you and Wed became the Special Friends of her mate, No-Name.
>"No-Name ... haf tu gif Speshaw Huggies tu Wed. Bwun knu why Wed su siwwy, why she aw'ways ang'wy at Clover? Why she nu wan shawe No-Name?" Clover asks softly, and you can hear the despair in her voice. "Is Clover's fauwt? Wed tink Clover nu wan shawe, 'cause Clover beg No-Name tu be hew Speshaw Fwiend when he come back fwom Waid wit' Wed an' Bwun?"
>"Nu, nu dat, Wed aw'ways tawk 'bout dweam, 'bout haf Speshaw Fwiend whu su Speshaw, who gif nummies an' guud Speshaw Huggies an' pway wit' hew aww bwite time." You tell Clover, then sigh heavily, closing your eyes.
>Stupid, stupid Wed. Maybe if the world wasn't so mean, and Fluffies didn't have to spend every day scrounging for food and hiding from the monsters ... but that's just a dream that every Filly has, but Wed's not a Filly anymore.
>"Wed aw'ways wan dat. Wan a Speshaw Fwiend dat wouwd wuv hew bestest of aww. May'beh she gwow out of it, Bwun used to tink, buh she nevah do. She stiww Fiwwy in her heawt, stiww tink dat hew dweams be twue." You try to explain to Clover as best you can. "She tink dat nummies be evwy'whewe, dat Fwuffies nu need find new Safe Pwaces, Wed nu unna'stan' dat Fwuffies haf tu wowwy 'bout what happen next Bwite Time, or haf hide fwom Munstas. An' is Bwun's fauwt, Bwun aw'ways twy tu make Wed happeh, twy tu keep hew safe, wike Bwun pwomised Wed's Mumma, buh Wed ... nu wisten if she nu wike wat she heaw. Bwun nu couwd make Wed wisten, an' Sun an' Lime spoiw Wed, 'cause she pwetty an' yung an' gif guud Speshaw Huggies."
>Now Clover sighs as you hug each other, giving you a tight squeeze before going back to just hugging.
>"No-Name ... he gon' gif Wed Speshaw Huggies, su Wed nu compwain dat he nu spend 'nuff time wit' hew." Clover whispers softly, so only you can hear. "Clover tink dat, may'beh Wed stawp bein' siwwy an' be a Guud Fwuffy if she haf Baybehs tu wook afta an' wuv."
>"Baybehs guud ... buh' Clover haf saddies?" You ask as Clover sighs once more and gently breaks the hug. "Baybehs guud, Wed be guud Fwuffy Mumma, pwomise!"
>"Clover hope su, baybehs nee' guud Mumma su dey can gwow up an' be happeh ... buh is nu wat Clover wowwied 'bout." The White mare says as she gives you a sad smile. "Clover wan' tu be Mawe who gif No-Name baybehs fiwst, make him suuu happeh. Baybehs fo' Clover an' No-Name, su dat No-Name know dat Clover weawwy wuv him, nu jus' wan him be Speshaw Fwiend su Clover's foaws haf Daddy."
>You lie there, silent and stunned, as Clover shuffles off to watch No-Name and Wed cuddle after their loud Special Hugs, your front legs reaching down to gently stroke your swollen belly absently.
>Clover wanted to have No-Name's babies first, to prove to him that she really did love him, but she's willing to give that dream up so Wed will have it instead.
>But Wed ... you know her, you've known her all of her life.
>It won't be enough, not nearly, for Wed, who believes that Filly's dream of a Special Friend and a Perfect World.
>So you lie there, singing your Mumma-song to the Babies inside your belly, and pray to whatever will listen that this Herd you are now a part of will continue to be good, and help Wed's precious Babies, because if No-Name does not abandon you and Clover to be with her alone ... she will get even meaner and nastier.
>Wed was always a sore loser.

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

>The light coming in through the grate in the ceiling of Haven is not only turning redder, but has changed directions, meaning that the Dark Time will soon be upon the Herd.
>The moss has been rationed out to the Fluffy Mummas and Old Fluffies alike, the rock-balls have been played with, and what grass and other nummies the Herd could find in the park has been devoured.
>Now ... it's time for the Herd to post sentries at the entrance to Haven to keep watch, and for No-Lips to inspect the Herd.
>Flanked by Bandit, Honey and Wittles, the greying, lipless Smarty Friend wanders through the Herd, talking quickly with some Fluffies, but letting his eyes wander over everything.
>Fluffy Mummas are examined, their bloated stomaches carefully patted and No-Lip's ragged ears placed on their stretched-tight skin to listen to the heart-beats of the Foals inside them.
>"Five baybehs, may'beh six, many tump-tump noises." No-Lips murmurs softly as he lifts his grizzled head from a Fluffy Mumma's bloated belly. "Yuu nee' moar nummies ... buh yuu tuu big now. Tomowwow, yuu Speshaw Fwiend wiww gu tu Unner'wake an' get yuu moar mauwz, Hewd bwing yuu gwasses an' Mumma-nummies."
>"Dat mean ... baybehs soon?" The Fluffy Mumma's Special Friend asks with hope in his voice, cuddling his mate from behind. "We haf baybehs next Bwite Time?"
>"If nu den, den next Dawk Time." No-Lips replies tiredly, his lipless face unreadable. "Next Bwite Time, yuu woww yuu Speshaw Fwiend tu Owd Fwuffy Pwace, ask All-Mumma fo' hewp, she hewp yuu haf safe baybehs-owies-time, teww yuu how be Guud Mumma fo' baybehs."
>"Yaaaay, wuv All-Mumma! She suuu nice!" The Fluffy Mumma cheers, but No-Lips is already back to his inspection, flanked by his most trusted Toughies.
>Foals are asked to open their mouths, and teeth are counted, and the ages of the foals are confirmed by the mothers, and possibly the fathers as well, before No-Lips tells the Mumma to start weaning her foals or not.
>Stallions are asked if they have injuries, and if so, those aches, pains or actual wounds are inspected, licked and cleaned or, in the case of an older Stallion with an infected cut, sent to the Green Wall with his Special Friends to press the injury to the wall overnight, each of the Fluffies carrying a sheet of newspaper from The Papers area to place on the ground as a form of bedding.
>Throughout all of this, Bandit, Honey and Wittles watch No-Lips constantly, asking questions, very curious about why something is done one way and not another, or how No-Lips knows these things.
>No-Lips asked them to come along and watch as he inspected the Herd, but they don't understand why. Still, it's No-Lips asking, so there must be a reason!
>For his own part, No-Lips watches the three Toughies as much as his Herd. Bandit seems to be most interested in the wellfare of the Foals, Honey was almost unable to tear himself away from the Fluffy Mummas and Wittles seemed most interested in the injuries the other Stallions had accumulated.
>They are your best Toughies, and you've watched them for a long time now ... but now, you must move faster.
>Any of them could make a good Smarty Friend, although Honey's love for the Fluffy Mummas' does strike you as a little perverse.
>Wittles likes giving Owies a little too much, in your opinion, and Bandit is always running around Haven, never sits still, always wanting to go somewhere and do something.
>But they are your best Toughies. Bluehorn ... has come to disappoint you, with his cowardice and his abandonment of the other Stallions on that last raid, and most of the other Stallions are too focused on themselves or their mates to be of use.
>No-Name flashes through your mind, but he's too nice to be a Smarty Friend. He lacks that certain spark of ... practical cruelty that a Smarty Friend needs, that willingness to use force to keep a Herd moving as a whole, away from the dangers that lurk everywhere in the City.
>And then there's Bluehorn, having a loud, screeching arguement with his Special Friends.
>Seems the two Yellow Unicorns, one a bloated Fluffy Mumma, the other still without babies, and the Orange Unicorn, are calling Bluehorn a Bad Fluffy.
>"Haaaaah." No-Lips sighs heavily as he shuffles over to settle the arguement, when he hears the dreaded phrase.
>"NU WAN BE YUU SPESHAW FWIEND!" The Yellow Fluffy Mumma squeaks angrily, flailing her legs at Bluehorn, who is sitting there with a look of pure fury etched into his face. "Yuu stuuuupid, yuu meanie, yuu nu wuv us! Nu wan be yuu Speshaw Fwiend, nuuuuu!"
>"Wan gu baaaaaaaawk! Miss Speshaw Fwiend, wan hewp Speshaw Fwiend, he stiww unda Sof' Bed!" The Orange Fluffy Mumma adds, great big fat tears sliding down her face. "Wan' Speshaw Fwiend tu see his baybehs, wan Speshaw fwiend tu see baybehs we made tu'getha..."
>"Yuu teww Mawi'gowd dat we gu tu Safe Pwace, buh yuu weave us an' wet Mawi'gowd's Sissy get owies fwom Rat Munsta!" The yellow Mare, 'Marigold', snaps angrily, placing herself between Bluehorn and the Fluffy Mummas, bracing herself as if ready to fight. "Yuu nu Guud Fwuffy, yuu is meanie, yuu onwy wan' Mawes tu keep yuu wamm, tu buwwy when yuu get towd yuu is Dummy Fwuffy by Smawty Fwiend!"
>"Bluehorn is Bestest Stawwion in Hewd!" Bluehorn retorts, his horn glowing ominously. "Stuuuuuuupid Mawes wiww nu say Meanie Tings tu Bluehorn, or Bluehorn gif owies an' teach yuu tu be Guud Mawes!"
>"Bluehorn is a WUSS dat weaves Fwiends an' Mawes behind!" Wittles roars angrily, his fluff standing on end, as is the fluff of Bandit and Honey and several other Fluffies near the fight.
>You're angry as well, but for a different reason. Bluehorn was once one of your choices as a replacement, but his arrogance and selfishness meant he was at best a Toughie, nothing more.
>"Dat is 'nuff!" You shout as the nearby Fluffies begin to shout insults at Bluehorn, who sputters with rage, and fat sparks begin to spit and hiss from his horn, splashing dangerously close to the Papers.
>Most times, a Unicorn's sparks aren't nearly hot enough to make anything other than a Fluffy's fluff burn, but get a Unicorn angry enough, and for a brief period of time, they can make the hottest of sparks that can set other things on fire.
>You can't risk Bluehorn accidentally setting the Papers on fire, the Herd would be roasted alive as the flames spread from here, the outer edges of the Papers, towards the back, where the Fluffy Mumma sleep in the warmest, safest place.
>"BLUEHORN! Yuu nu make spawks at de Mawes, dat is bad ting!" You shout over the grumbling and snarls of the Herd, making eye contact with the troublesome blue Stallion and glaring into his eyes until he blinks and lowers his face. "Mawes, Mawi'gowd an' ... Fwuffy Mummas, yuu nu wan be Bluehorn's Speshaw Fwiends?"
>Three angry voices utter "NU!" all at once. Bluehorn scowls, but even that arrogant Unicorn has realised the entire Herd hasn't forgiven him for leaving the other Stallions behind and letting a precious Fluffy Mumma get bitten by a Rat Monster.
>"Den yuu nu be Bluehorn's Speshaw Fwiends fo' four bwite-times! No-Lips haf spoken!" You say loudly, glaring at Bluehorn as he lifts his head to protest. "Yuu know Ruwes, Bluehorn. Mawes who nu wan be Speshaw Fwiends can ask Smawty Fwiend tu hewp."
>"Fo' fouw bwite-times, Bluehorn nu awwowed to gu neaw yuu, an' if he du, Toughies awwowed to gif him owies." You explain to the new Mares, never taking your eyes off of Bluehorn, who all but vibrates with fury as he glares at the ground in front of your hooves, his fluff standing on end. "If at end of fouw bwite-times, yuu stiww miss Bluehorn, an' tink he be guud Speshaw Fwiend, yuu can gu back wit' him ... buh yuu is nu awwoed to haf new Speshaw Fwiend, nu Speshaw Huggies eitha, tiww after wast bwite-time. An yuu can nevah weave dis Hewd."
>"Wook awound yuu." You say loudly over the whispers of your Herd, sitting on your rump and extending your front legs to point to the far walls of Haven. "Dis pwace is speshaw, a Safe Pwace dat nu Munstas can find, tanks tu Fwuffies who wurk hawd an' be guud tu each otha. No-Lips haf neva seen anotha pwace wike it, an No-Lips an' Owd Fwuffies haf been aww ova de City. If otha Hewd know 'bout Haven, den Hewds wiww fight each otha an' gif big owies tu each otha."
>"Fwuffies wiww come fwom aww ovah de City tu take Haven fo' de own Hewds, an' bwing de Munstas wit' dem, an' Haven nu Safe Pwace nu moar. Haven be twap den, fo' de onwy one way in. Fwuffies be twapped, wit' nu way out buh Bad Fwuffy Pit, an' dat is nu guud pwace fo' Fwuffies." You finish, taking your eyes off of Bluehorn to look around, trying to meet the gaze of every fluffy you can. "Is hawd, tu weave owd Hewds behind. No-Lips wisten when Owange Fwuffy Mumma tawk 'bout owd Hewd's safe pwace bein' su mean, an' huwting hew owd Hewd. No-Lips is sowwy, buh if Safe Pwace du dat ... den owd Hewd is aww hafin' Wongest Sweepies."
>For a few seconds, the Fluffy Mummas are silent, then begin to sob, heartbroken, and even Marigold looks stunned. A few more seconds pass before the rest of the Herd rushes forwards to hug the Mares and comfort them, promising that they will love and cherish them and their precious Foals, and keep them safe as best they can.
>Bluehorn scowls at you, naked aggression writhing across his face for several heartbeats before he stalks away to the wall of stones that separates the Bad Fluffy Pit from the rest of Haven and makes his sparks fly out into the pit.
>You sigh and shake your head, disgusted with him. You had such high hopes, once.
>And any hope you had of getting your reliable Toughies to pay attention to your lessons is gone too, they're too angry with Bluehorn and too focused on making his former Special Friends happy again to give you their full attention.
>"Nu! IS WED'S SPESHAW FWIEND! MIIIIINE!" You hear a voice squeal angrily from somewhere near the back of the Papers.
>Ugh, it's going to be a long dark-time ...




Part 8, On the Rocks

>Be Bwun, the Brown Fluffy Mumma.
>Waking up in the warmth of a Hug-Pile, with your friend Clover's two white Foals and the little pale purple Foal that No-Name is looking after sprawling on your back, you smile and stretch out as best you can.
>Not that it's a very big stretch. You're so big with the babies inside you that only your legs listen to you now, and even they can't make your body move anymore.
>Have to be rolled to the Poopie Place, have to be rolled to Nummies, have to be rolled to your nest.
>It's annoying to be rolled sometimes, but you know the other Fluffies don't mean to roll you over sticky patches of gum or the sharp black pointy bits of the roads.
>It's the third day of your life in this new Herd, led by the ancient and, to you if not the rest of the Herd, the very scary No-Lips.
>The day before yesterday, your Special Friend, No-Name, found a Hoomin Treat and brought it back to the Herd, where No-Lips divided it up for the Herd to have a piece each, and then you were all brought back to Haven to rest and hide from the Monsters.
>Then Wed, your friend from the Old Herd, started to act up.
>First she was delighted to be carrying No-Name's babies, but then she demanded to be rolled everywhere.
>At first, everyone laughed, thinking she was being silly on purpose. She had only just had the 'Funneh Feew' that all Mares get when they have Special Hugs and have babies put inside them by the Stallions.
>But she insisted on being rolled long after it was funny. Poor No-Name, he was so ashamed to have to roll a Mare who was perfectly able to walk around the Papers, and Wed suffered too, because she wasn't fat enough to roll, so her legs banged and bumped into every loose pebble and crack in the floor.
>Clover and the other Mares were decidedly unimpressed, scowling and whispering angrily to each other.
>No-Name got scolded by the Smarty Friend for being stupid, and Wed got hustled away to the Old Fluffy Corner to speak to a Mare called 'All-Mumma'.
>When she came back, she was crying and shouting she wasn't silly, and refused to join the Hug-Pile, instead choosing to sleep on the cold stone floor away from the rest of the Herd.
>That makes you sad, and nervous. Wed is being very silly, this Herd is very good, there are a lot of Fluffies but they all take care of each other. Why can't she see this?
>Something pressed against your side ... oh, it's okay.
>You had a horrible feeling it was Sun, or Lime, come to take you back to their small Herd, to be fought over like they did everything else.
>But it's Clover, waking up and nuzzling you before she slowly gets up to sniff her two white Foals, and Little Foal.
>"Baybehs, come fo' Miwk Nummies." She whispers softly, nudging the Foals until they wake up enough to understand her, and then No-Name is on your other side, hugging you.
>"Mawnin' Bwun. Mawnin' Clover. Nee' hewp wit' foaws?" He whispers, smiling weakly at Clover, who sniffs at him, but nods.
>"Yah, pwease howd Wittwe Foaw, nee' tu gif Foaws miwk, den Wittwe Foaw haf miwk, den Baybehs nee' gu make poopies." Clover replies, then gives No-Name a weak smile of her own. "No-Name oh'tay? No-Lips yeww at yuu a'wot."
>No-Name sighs and nods slowly, his eyes closing and his cheeks colouring in embarassment.
>"No-Name oh'tay. Wed was siwwy Fwuffie, No-Name jus' ... jus' wan stawp hew bein' Meanie Fwuffie." Now your Special Friend opens his eyes and with a voice heavy with worry, asks. "Wed haf No-Name's baybehs inside hew now, wike she wan' ... why she nu be guud? Why she stiww be Meanie?"
>Clover has no answer to give, and looks miserable, and your heart clenches with pain.
>Wed is your friend, you've been by her side since the day her Mother gave birth to her, but Clover and No-Name, they give so much to help you, even though you only met them a few days ago.
>You can't see Wed, she's still somewhere outside of the Papers, still sulking, but you know she's nearby.
>She had the Funny Feel in the tummy, right after Special Hugs, meaning she now has babies inside her, yet she still chose to sleep in the cold, which is bad for the babies.
>You wobble awkwardly, trying to get your hooves under you and trying to not make sickies-water in your mouth as the babies move inside you and make your own tummy do flip-flops.
>I am sorry, Wed. I am so, so sorry.
>"Is nu yuu fawt." You whisper as No-Name reaches across your back to hug Little Foal to his chest, while Clover's two Foals slide down your flanks to nurse from their mother. "Wed nu wan shawe, nevah. Wed nu wike dat she haf' shawe Speshaw Fwiend, tink she shouwd haf Speshaw Fwiend onwy fo' Wed."
>You see Clover's face twist into a frown, but No-Name looks ... stunned. And horrified.
>The poor Stallion. Clover, you and Wed are his first Special Friends, and he's floundering trying to keep you all happy, and Wed's not trying to get along at all.
>But by now, Fluffies all over the Papers are waking up, yawning, asking other Fluffies to move out of the way so they can make their morning not-pretties, babies and foals asking for nummies or for five more minutes to sleep and be warm, Fluffy Mummas asking if their babies are ready to come out yet ...
>Oh, there's the Smarty Friend coming over, yawning and saying "Mawnin'!" to the Fluffies that are getting up, and poking those that are not with his hooves.
>"Mawnin'. No-Name, yuu gon' be stuupid 'gain?" No-Lips asks softly, but his eyes are ... hard. Angry.
>"Nu, Smawty Fwiend, No-Name nu du dat 'gain. Wed nu woww tiww she big an' wound, wike a Fwuffy Mumma." No-Name replies in an equally soft voice, eyes downcast.
>"N-nu is No-name's fauwt, Wed is siwwy Mawe!" You begin to protest, but No-Lips puts a hoof on your shoulder and you fall quiet.
>"Smawty Fwiend knu dis. Buh No-Name is hew Speshaw Fwiend." No-Lips points out, louder this time. "If No-Name can nu make Wed be Guud Fwuffy by end of dis bwite time, den Smawty an' Toughies haf' tu teach hew. Den, No-Name nu haf Wed as Speshaw Fwiend nu moar, Wed be Speshaw Huggies Mawe tiww 'notha Stawwion cwaims hew."
>"Nu, NU! Wed haf No-Name's baybehs inside hew! Nu can be Speshaw Huggies Mawe, baybehs nee' wuv an' huggies an' No-Name, baybehs nu guud wit' Speshaw Huggies!" No-Name gasps, shuffling around you and Clover to throw himself at the Smarty Friend's hooves. "Pwease, No-Name wurk hawd, make Wed wisten, make hew be Guud Fwuffy, No-Name's baybehs be guud, nu make dem be Speshaw Huggies Baybehs!"
>No-Lips stares down with an inscrutable expression at the young Stallion lying at his feet, while you and Clover shiver with fear.
>Being a Special Huggies Mare is the very lowest rank a Mare can hold in a Herd, where not only does she have to do all the chores that are dirty or tiresome, but she must accept a mount from any Stallion, whenever they want it, and is only freed from that duty if she is heavy with Foals.
>It's effectively being so worthless that all you're good for is Good Feels, and the entire Herd often mocks you for it.
>The nearby Fluffies are murmuring as well, looking concerned or, in the case of several Mares, grim. No-Lips has moved fast on this, but Wed has been warned once already, at the Park the day after she joined the Herd, now she has gone to see the All-Mumma, and then preferred to sleep outside the Hug-Pile rather than make up with her friends.
>The Herd must stand together, or everyone is at risk. Better that Wed learn this now the hard way than her foolish actions bring the Herd to tragedy!
>"De baybehs nu nee' wowwy 'bout Speshaw Huggies fo' fouw an' fouw bwite times. When Wed nu can wawk, den she nu haf tu gif Speshaw Huggies." No-Lips assures the sobbing Stallion. "An' baybehs stiww be No-Name's baybehs, buh Wed nu awwowed tu keep dem after she haf' dem."
>Now No-Lips stares at all three of you, his eyes flat and hard. "Aww of yuu teww Wed dat. She nu stawp bein' Meanie Fwuffie, nu stawp fite'in wit' Speshaw Fwiend an' otha Mawes, she nu get tu keep hew baybehs, nu get tu stay Speshaw Fwiends wit' No-Name."
>"Dis is hew wast chance. Hewd nu can haf Mawe who nu tink of otha's, who make Fwuffies angwy an' make hew Speshaw Fwiend act siwwy. Teww Wed wat No-Lips say, wiww nu say it 'gain."

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

>Be Bwun again, lying in the Old Fluffy Corner, with All-Mumma prodding you gently, your teats, your belly, your naughty-place, going hmmmm to herself as she does so.
>She's so old! Her fluff is so thin and fine you can see her skin, and that's old and saggy, some of the saggy bits from her sides and belly so long they drag on the ground!
>A few minutes after delivering his warning, No-Lips was back with three of his Toughie Friends, telling them to put their ears on your belly.
>You thought he might have been punishing you somehow for being Wed's friend, but he explained that he was actually asking his Toughies to check on your babies!
>You never thought of listening to your belly ... were your Foals singing your song back to you?
>But ... you can't bend that way, not when you're so fat and bloated with your babies. Tried and tried, but it just doesn't work, you just wobbled and made your teats jiggle around painfully.
>No-Name asked if he could try, and when he put his ear to your belly, looking confused, and then awe-struck.
>"No-Name can heaw wotsa tump-tump-tump noises? Wat dat? Is dat Baybehs pwayin' in Bwun's tummeh?" He turned and asked the Smarty Friend excitedly, all his fear and worries pushed aside for a few moments.
>"Is baybeh's, yah. Bwun be Mumma vewy soon ... she stay hewe, wit' Crunchy an' his Speshaw Fwiend, nu can wet baybehs come out 'way fwom Haven, nu safe fo' dem out dere." No-Lips replied in a warm, happy voice, his eyes crinkling into what you think was a smile, and then No-Name was back, lifting Clover's foals and Little Foal to your belly, so they could hear the babies.
>The Smarty Friend called No-Lips confuses you. One moment he is being very scary, the next he is being so nice, and then he's being gruff and unapproachable. You've never seen him yell except when that meanie Unicorn, Bluehorn, abandoned his Mares to the Rat Monsters.
>And then he let those three Unicorns leave their Smarty Friend! You've never even heard of such a thing! Back in Sun and Lime's Herd, there was no such thing as a Special Friend, Stallions just had Special Huggies with whoever they wanted, whenever they wanted.
>It's one of the things that Wed's Mumma told you had changed after Sun and Lime had taken over the Herd after pushing the Old Smarty Friend into a puddle and held him down till he stopped blowing bubbles.
>"Guud, guud, wotsa miwk ... Bwun, yuu eat weww, mus' make miwk fo' baybehs when dey come out." All-Mumma wheezes, down at your No-No's. "All-Mumma mus' make yuu No-No's weady fo' baybehs ... is gon' huwt, buh is betta dis way."
>"W-why huwt? Bwun is guud Fwuffy, pwease, nu huwties!" You protested as loudly as you could, but then Gnaff, balding all down his back and head, was there to hug you as All-Mumma ever-so-slowly shuffled up to talk to you, face to face.
>"Bwun nu see baybehs get cauwt in dere Mumma's fwuff? Baybehs come out, dey be smaww, nu can muv', nu can see, nee' get huggies an' wuv an' miwk-nummies fwom dere Mumma suuuu fast." All-Mumma explained it to you slowly, while Gnaff hugged you and promised it would be the best thing for your babies. "All-Mumma gon' puww wittwe bit of fwuff 'way fwom yuu No-No's, su baybehs nu get cauwt, su baybehs can be gif tu yuu tu cwean an' wuv an' gif miwk-nummies."
>"Bwun ... nu see baybehs haf huggies fwom dere Mumma afta baybeh-comin'-owies. O-onwy see Wime an' Swun gif baybehs biggest owies when dey fite ova who is de Daddy." You explained, still trembling, but with anger now, not fear. "Dumb Fwuffies make Hewd suu mad, huwt baybehs, make dere Mumma haf big heawt-owies, buh dey make spawks an' make Hewd haf big owies tiww Hewd fowwow dem 'gain."
>Now All-Mumma is hugging you too, and on the other side of the Old Fluffy Corner, this 'Crunchy' and his Mate hug each other and weep for those poor Foals.
>Outside, Two-Socks, One-Eye and Some-Legs are standing guard, watching the entrance to Haven ... you met them only briefly, but they were all so old.
>You've never heard of a Fluffy being old before...
>One-Eye, with his empty eye-socket and greying fluff, yet still so tall and strong and proud, Two-Socks, with his front legs pale white against his otherwise brown fluff, two white legs that creak and make popping noises whenever he gets up, and Some-Legs, whose back legs don't work after getting hurt by a group of Bad Fluffies a while back, and has to drag himself everywhere.
>Here, Fluffies do not abandon the weak or the injured ... All-Mumma is so old, but she's been so kind, telling you about what a Baby needs to be happy and to grow up strong and healthy.
>"Wiww weawy be bestest fo' baybehs?" You ask in a squeak as Gnaff's hugs get a little bit too tight for comfort, and All-Mumma bops him on the nose with a hoof to make the old, balding Stallion let go. "Bwun gon' wook siwwy wit' nu fwuff on No-No's. Nu wan No-Name tu waff at Bwun."
>"Nu take wotsa fwuff, just unh, may'beh tuh bits." All-Mumma promises. "Jus' 'nuff su baybehs nu get tangew in fwuff when dey aww wet an' smaww an' nu can see."
>You lay there, hugged by Gnaff with the ancient All-Mumma gazing down at you fondly and think about how good the Herd has treated you, and your babies.
>Here, they will be loved. Cherished, as Good Fluffies should be. With a wise Smarty Friend to guide the Herd and strong Toughies to keep them safe.
>"Bw-Bwun say oh'tay. If All-Mumma say it fo' bes', den Bwun say oh'tay." You finally say, firmly. "Wan' baybehs tu be happeh, wan baybehs tu be safe."
>All-Mumma nuzzles you, then shuffles down and ... ouch! It's not a bad pa-OUCH!
>Okay, the second mouthful of fluff pulled off your No-No's hurt ... but All-Mumma is back, carrying a large ball of your fluff in her mouth.
>"Hewe." She grunts, placing the bundle by your hooves. "Take dis an' put in yuu nest. Yuu get Speshaw Fwiend an' Cwover tu make yuu pwetty, an' den put aww yuu fwuff in nest, su nest smeww wike Mumma, an' baybehs nu wan weave it if nest smeww wike dere Mumma."
>So your nest smells like you? Line your nest with your loose fluff, that would normally fall out on it's own?
>It ... makes sense, of a sort. It'll also make the nest softer for your babies!
>"Ca ... can Crunchy gif' fwuff tu Speshaw Fwiend's nest tuu?" The expectant father asks shyly, as his Mare nuzzles his cheek. "Wan hewp, wan baybehs tink Fatha-smeww is guud an' safe tuu."
>"Dat oh'tay. Mowe fwuff make nest softa, an' baybehs weawn Fatha-smeww tuu." All-Mumma replies with a smile on her face. "Gnaff, hewp Bwun woww tu otha side of Owd Fwuffy Cowner, den hewp Crunchy woww Bounty ova hewe, Aww-Mumma haf' tu make shuwe dat Bounty weady tu be Mumma tuu."
>You hug the balding Fluffy before he starts to slowly roll you out of the way, excited to know you're 'ready' to be a Fluffy Mumma, and eager to see what All-Mumma says about the other Mare.
>For the first time in ... forever, you feel hope for the future.

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

>"Speshaw Fwiend nee' any'ting ewse?" Wed asks in a cold voice, staring above your herd, her mouth a thin, angry line.
>You are No-Name, and you sigh heavily and say "Nu. Wed, yuu ... nu, nu wowwy. Haf gwassies an' Cwovah nummies, gif owr baybehs nummies."
>Her eye twitches as you say Clover, but she remains calm, nods and stomps away from you, to the other side of the Herd.
>Wed did not take the news well. She's not friendly to anyone now, not even you, but at least she's not picking fights with anyone anymore.
>You just don't know how to resolve this. You had no idea that No-Lips would make Wed and Bwun your Special Friends, or that Clover felt that way about you.
>But Clover, and Bwun too, hold a special place in your heart, but Wed, with her fussing and her fighting, isn't so special to you.
>But the babies ... it breaks your heart. Do they know that their Mumma and Fatha are unhappy with each other? Are they crying right now, inside Wed, wondering if it's their fault.
>At least Wed's not making any problems, so hopefully No-Lips won't make her be the Special Huggies Mare with Peach ...
>No-Lips said that Bwun had to stay behind today, her babies are coming soon! That makes you so happy ... and so nervous! You're not doing too well as a Special Friend, how are you going to cope as a Fatha?
>At least Clover knows how to help. She, her two white Foals and Little Foal are gathering as much clover-nummies as they can find and are stuffing it into each other's fluff, so that Bwun can have lots of nummies so she can make lots of milk for her babies.
>Today was a new route up to the Park, an entirely new series of tunnels that the Herd had not seen before, yet there were already Fluffy Markers ... strange ... and there's another Herd nearby!
>Their Smarty Friend and a pair of Toughies came out and waited, mid-way between their Herd and yours, and then No-Lips, Wittles and Honey shuffled out to meet them.
>You stopped to talk to Wed, to try and make her understand, but she's being difficult and stubborn ... so you keep grazing in a circle around the Herd, like Bandit told you.
>If you don't eat and eat till your belly hurts, you won't get any more food till the next nearly-bright time ... and that's a long, long time away!
>And too-much nummies owies isn't nearly as bad as not-enough nummies owies!
>Bite a mouthful of grass off the ground, look up and look outside the Herd for danger, try to hear for anything strange or new, and then move forwards till you can swallow the grass and repeat.
>No-Lips and the Other Smarty Friend aren't bouncing up and down and shouting, so you hope everything is alright.
>There's a strange feeling amongst the Herd, everyone is muttering about it, a tingle they feel behind their ears and an itching in their hooves. Everyone feels restless and nervous.
>Something is coming ...

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

>"Yuu is shuwe, Brick?" No-Lips asks softly as the four Toughies look on with expressions of concern. "Gum's Hewd is gone? Say dat Big Fwuffy huwt dere Mawes an' Foaws an' Stawwions? Wook wike Zodd?"
>"Gum's Hewd gone. Dose we find say dat it was Zodd. Nu many Fwuffies dat big, nu in City." Brick replies sadly, shifting from hoof to hoof. "Yuu ... nu teww Zodd tu gif Big Owies tu Gum's Hewd? Otha Smawties wowwied, tink may'beh No-Lips twy to take ova Stinky Wa-Wa's!"
>"Nu, neva du dat, Hewds nu cwose, buh Gum was Guud Smawty! No-Lips send Stawwions out tu get mowe Mawes, buh nu teww Zodd to kiww otha Fwuffies!" No-Lips barks angrily, and the other Smarty cowers slightly. "Zodd nu come back ... Zodd haf weft Hewd! Mus' teww otha Smawties, Brick, mus' teww dem dat Zodd giffin' owies on his own! Nu pawt of No-Lips Hewd nu moar!"
>"Buh, wat Fwuffies du! Stawwions say he gif Poopie-Pwace-Huggies if Toughies make him angwy, stomp on baybehs an' foaws!" One of Brick's Toughies whines unhappily, looking over his shoulder to his own Herd, where small, brightly coloured Foals wave at him from the backs of two Mares.
>"Zodd is Dummy Fwuffy. He big, he stwong, he fast, buh he stuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupid." Wittles offers to the nervous Toughie. "Jus' teww him dat Bestest Nummies be some'pwace ewse, den Hewd gu hide, take nummies wit' dem. Zodd suu stuuuupid dat one time he took a wock-baww an' put it up his ..."
>"An' he big an' meanie an' gif Owies if twicked! Wittles, be quiet, Smawties tawkin'!" No-Lips growls, and the Toughie squeaks in alarm, looking down at the grass with his face reddening with shame.
>"Zodd is dummy, yes, buh he awso big an' stwong an' fast an' mean. No-Lips make Zodd behave by tewwin' him off, wike Foaw, buh may'beh dat nu wurk nu moar." No-Lips says out loud, pacing back and forth. "Brick, yuu haf teww Hewds, if dey see Zodd, nu make Stawwions fite him, gif Sowwy Poopies an' wun. Zodd can kiww Fwuffies wit' kicks, wit' Meanie Huggies. No-Lips twy tu make him Guud Fwuffy, buh Zodd tu stuuupid to wisten, nu tink dat wat guud fo' Zodd nu guud fo' otha Fwuffies. Su Hewds mus' wun. Zodd is Dummy, he get eaten by Rat Munstas or Cat Munstas, he tu big tu hide, tuu woud tu, buh Hewds mus' wait tiww Zodd get Biggest Owies."
>"Dere ... otha tings nee' tu tawk 'bout." Bricks murmurs, shooting a look of his own back to his Herd. "Hewds goin', No-Lips. Big Hewds, wittwe Hewds, Waida Hewds ... aww gu, an' nu can find dem! An' Smawty's Mawes awe sick. Vewy sick. Nee' ... Brick nu knu wat wong. Brick nee' No-Lips hewp, nu knu how tu hewp Mawes, an' dey be suuuu sickies."
>"Take No-Lips tu Mawes, twy tu hewp." No-Lips says without batting an eyelid, then turns to his two Toughies. "Gu bawk tu Hewd an' teww dem No-Lips nu be wong. Get Hewd weady tu gu back to ... Safe Pwace. Bwite-time aw'mos' hewe, nu can stiww be hewe when Two-Legged Munstas wake up."
>Chastises from before, Wittles immediately shuffles back to the Herd, and Honey follows, although he looks worried.
>No-Lips is alone, being escort to another Herd ... He's old, and despite his fearsome appearance, smaller than the average Stallion, although his constantly bared teeth and jagged, scarred mouth makes him look intimidating.
>Brick, however, has other things on his mind than eliminating another Smarty Friend. His Herd mutters and whispers as No-Lips calmly pushes his way through the Herd to where three Mares are lying together, panting and moaning in pain, separated from the Herd.
>One is a Fluffy Mumma, and as No-Lips and Bricks approach, both are struck by the horrific stench that surrounds hers, a foul, caustic flavour that sours the air and makes both of them taste bile at the back of their throats.
>All three are hollow-cheeked, their fluff lank and plastered to their body with rancid sweat, and pale green mucus slides slowly out of their mouths and nostrils.
>No-Lips groans with despair as he braves the terrible stench and inspects the Fluffy Mumma, already suspecting the cause as he passes her teats, and sees the same terrible green mucus oozing out of the swollen glands.
>"When dis happen?" No-Lips asks loudly, then gags as the befouled air causes his old lungs to spasm. "Whewe Mawes get bad nummies fwom?"
>"W-we get nu*hack*nummies fwom Nice Hoomin at Sketti Pw*hack*Pwace! Fwuffy Mumma nu eat guud nummies fo' so wong, Nice Hoomin say he hewp, gif Sketties fo' Fwuffy Mumma." One of the sick Mares splutters, splattering the grass in front of her with spit and mucus. "Nice Hoomin gif Sketties fo' *hack* fwiend, say make baybe*hack* baybehs big an' stwong tuu."
>"Speshaw Fwiends have bad sickies fo' ... twu Bwite Times now." Bricks mutters sadly at No-Lip's side, staring at the sickly Mares with an agonized expression. "Speshaw Fwiends make suuu much sickies fwom mouf, fwom No-No's, fwom Poopie-pwaces ... dey huwt su much, buh nu can hewp dem, dey nu can keep nummies inside dem nu moar."
>"Nu otha Fwuffies eat de Nasty Sketties den? Onwy dese thwee?" The grizzled, lipless Fluffy asks loudly, inspecting the Herd for a few seconds before shuffling up and sniffing the oozing teats of the Fluffy Mumma, then the other two sick Mares. "How much yuu eat? Yuu eat Nasty Sketties, how much? Wittwe? Wot?"
>"N-nu eat much, gif most tu Fwiend, wan' hew baybehs be ha *hack* happeh." The other sickly Mare responds weakly, her whole body convulsing with her coughing fit. "Just haf wittwe bit, jus' one bite, when Fwuffy Mumma say she *hack* fuww an' can eat nu moar."
>"Yuu, yuu, yuu an' yuu, take twu Mawes, gif dem wotsa Wa-Wa's, wite now." No-Lips barks, pointing a hoof to four of the burliest Stallions in this Herd. "Mawes mus' dwink Wa-Wa's, dwink tiww dey haf sickies fwom mouf, den dwink 'gain tiww haf moar sickies, den twy tu gif dem nummies. Sickies mus' weave Fwuffies, mus' weave way dey come in, fwom mouf."
>The four Stallions look from the despairing Brick to this infamous Smarty Friend barking orders, and rush to grab and carry the sick Mares away to one of the many ponds in the Park, ignoring the weak protests of the Mares as they are taken away from their fellow Special Friend.
>"Brick. Brick. Brick, nu time fo' saddies!" No-Lips then turns to the other Smarty Friend, poking the younger, larger Stallion on the shoulder with a hoof when the other Smarty takes too long to respond. "Nee' Brick gu down tu Speshaw Fwiend's No-No's an' teww No-Lips wat come out."
>Brick shakes, looking around as if waking up, and shuffles mechanically to the other end of his Special Friend, glancing between No-Lips and the dirty, mucus-flecked hind-quarters of his Mare as No-Lips walks up to the Mare, and puts both front hooves on her distended belly ....
>And starts to push. Hard.
>Fluffies all around the three of them begin to mutter and whine about this being bad for the babies, but the twin, angry barks of "HUSH!" from both Smarty Friends silences them for a short while.
>For her part, the Fluffy Mumma merely lies there, gasping for breath and dribbling green mucus, staring at her belly as No-Lip's hooves sink in to her distended middle up to the ankles, her infected teats dribbling green pus onto the grass as the pressure forces their contents to squeeze out.
>"Wat ... comin' ... out!" No-Lips grunts, the terrible smell growing stronger as the pus is forced from the Mare's teats onto the grass right under him. "Baybehs? Pee?"
>"Ju-jus' moar Gween Sickies. Why Gween Sickies ... why onwy Gween ... " Brick's voice gets higher and more frantic, and several Fluffies squeal in horror as they see an ever-growing pile of thick, viscous green mucus slowly squeezing out of their friend. "WHY GWEEN SICKIES COME OUT OF NO-NO'S! Onwy suppose be Baybehs in dere!"
>No-Lips stops pushing on the sickly Fluffy Mumma and stumbles backwards to land bum-first on the grass, panting as the terrible smell that clings to this Mare tries to drive the air out of his lungs, and gives the other Smarty Friend a haunted look.
>"Brick ... baybehs ... baybehs haf wongest sweep." No-Lips finally manages to say, his eyes half-closed from the pain of saying those words, and the nearby Fluffies begin to sob and wail.
>"Wat yuu ... nu, nuuuu, dese be Brick's fiwst baybehs! Pwease, nu, twy 'gain, twy 'gain, mus' hewp!" Bricks shouts desperately, rushing over to bump the sagging, scarred old Fluffy franticly with his muzzle. "Pwease, hewp owr baybehs!"
>"Nu can hewp ... wit' Mawe, owr wit' Baybehs. Baybehs ... gon'. Fwuffy Mumma ... tuu sickies. She haf owies inside, haf sickies evwy'whewe." No-Lips replies softly, sadly, his eyes locking with Brick's. "No-Lips see dis be'fowe. Two-Legged Munstas wie tu Fwuffies, say dey be fwiends, gif nummies ... buh is wie. Two-Legged Munstas put 'phoy-sun' on nummies, make Fwuffies suuu sickies, haf suuuu many owies ... mus' dwink an' dwink, make phoy-sun weave fwuffies in sickies."
>"Fwuffy Mumma had suuu much phoy-sun-nummies ... she nu can get wid of sickies now. Brick ... yuu is Smawty. Yuu mus' hewp Speshaw Fwiend nu haf owies nu moar, mus' hewp Speshaw Fwiend haf Wongest Sweep, nu moar Owies."
>Brick blinks, then looks from No-Lips to his Special Friend, and then to the pile of thick green mucus that was squeezed out of the Fluffy Mumma, and seems to crumple in on himself.
>"Mumma ... huwties." The Fluffy Mumma whimpers, trying to get up, but she's still so big and bloated, just with sickies now, not babies. "Baybeh ... nu feew dem *hack* muv nu moar! Mumma so- *hack* sowwy, nu mean be Bad Mumma!"
>"Is nu otha way." Brick says in a dead voice, gazing at his sick Fluffy Mumma. It's not a question.
>"Nu. Nu, dere nu otha way. No-Lips twy, All-Mumma twy, buh nu otha way. Speshaw Fwiend wiww haf owies, wiww suffah, tiww she haf wongest sweepies. May'beh next bwite-time, may'beh many bwite-times ... buh wiww haf owies an' sickies an' nevah get betta." No-Lips answers in that same, soft, apologetic voice as Brick slowly, painfully gets to his hooves and shuffles over to his Special Friend, nuzzling her sticky, stinky snout as tears flow down his face.
>"Nu hewe. No-Lips ... No-Lips hewp Brick take Speshaw Fwiend tu twees?" Brick asks as his Special Friend tries to hug him before spasming in agony as another coughing fit overtakes her. "Wan' Speshaw Fwiend be ... safe, safe fo' Sweepies."
>Together, the two Smarties manage to drag the Fluffy Mumma over to the nearest copse of trees and bushes, the rest of Brick's Herd trailing several meters behind, crying and hugging each other as the news spreads amongst them over what will happen.
>Finally, they reach the foot of one of the trees, and together No-Lips and Brick arrange the Fluffy Mumma so she's as comfortable as possible, Brick sitting with her head in his lap, his face scrunched up as he tries not to cry, when a small Mare shuffles forwards, a daisy clutched in her mouth.
>"Pwetty fwower fo' fwiend ..." She whispers, leaving the flower on Bricks lap and the running back to the Herd, sobbing loudly.
>The Fluffy Mumma nuzzles the flower, and cries herself. "N-nu can smeww ... pwetty fwower nu moar. Evwy'ti *hack* ting smeww wike sickies."
>"Den wemembah wat pwetty fwower's smeww wike. Wemembah guud tings, happeh times." No-Lips suggests, and the Fluffy Mumma stops, looks up at her Mate's agonized face, and smiles wanly, sniffing the flower ... and then buries her face in his fluff.
>"Hhh-hhhuuu ..." Brick sobs as he places his hooves around the Fluffy Mumma's head, holding her muzzle to his skin, surrounding her muzzle with his fluff, and then sobs again as the Fluffy Mumma's legs rise up to grip him and pull her deeper, hard up against him.
>And then, all too soon, her legs slowly slide down through Brick's fluff, her body relaxing, almost deflating.
>"Is done. She haf nu owies, now owr evah 'gain." No-Lips says softly, walking over to Brick's side, as the younger Smarty Friend bends over almost double over the dead Fluffy Mumma.
>"Auuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! AUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" He screams in his grief, tears falling from his face to drip onto the still-warm fluff of his mate, and No-Lips lifts his face to the sky, to watch as the pale pink light grows brighter and brighter as Brick's Herd gathers around their grieving Smarty Friend.



On the Rocks, Part 9


>Be Bandit, the Blue Pegasus Toughie with a band of black fluff across your eyes.
>It took some time for No-Lips the Smarty Friend to come back from the other Herd, and he looks sad and tired, but your Herd has filled their bellies, the Foals have had a chance to play on the grass and everyone has pooped under a bush.
>It's time to go back to Haven ... and the sky is turning a funny colour. Where the Bright Ball is rising, everything is a pretty shade of red, yellow and pink, but on the other side of the sky ...
>Most Fluffies don't pay much attention to the actual sky itself, just the colour of the light around them, but Pegasus like you are always looking up into the sky, wondering if now might be the time to that the Winds favour you, and you can finally fly ...
>This morning wasn't your moment ... but you did notice a large, ugly grey smudge in the distance, and now that smudge has grown into a thick layer of cloud that's rapidly covering the sky, blocking out the light of the Birght Ball.
>When you told No-Lips, he looked shocked. He looked up, blinked in surprise, and then scowled, cursing himself out loud for being silly, and rushed around telling the Fluffies to get ready, they had to get back to Haven right now.
>It takes a while to locate the right Tunnel back to the Underground, because No-Lips kept on rejecting the nearby tunnels, and he kept on getting more and more frantic when he couldn't find the right one.
>"Dis unh Hewd use twu bwite-times gu."
>"Dat one haf Box-Hoomins wivin' in awwey, nu safe fo' Hewd!"
>"Dat tunnew gu thwu Twain-Munsta wands, nu guud, baybehs an' foaws gu fwyin' 'way fwom Hewd."
>And then he led the Herd down a tunnel that nobody else had ever seen before, a small, narrow drain hidden behind a bush that was almost entirely hollow inside.
>The tunnel itself was so cramped that Foals too small to walk, that would normally travel on their mother's backs, had to be carried down by the scruff of their necks, peeping in a panicked fashion if they were too young to have proper words, or whining about the painful pulling of their fluff.
>Fluffy Mummas had to be dragged and pushed down, rather than rolled, and they weren't very happy about it, but No-Lips had been adamant that they had to use this tunnel, as all the other nearby ones were dangerous or the Herd had already used them a short while ago.
>The tunnel opened up into a small, dank chamber with several ruined grates, and No-Lips had to stop and think again before he could remember the right way back to Haven.
>"Honey haf' neva seen dis tunnew be'fowe..." Honey whispered in amazement, staring at the flickering globes in the roof, surrounded by fluttering Moth-Friends trying to get to the light. "No-Lips wead Hewd tu new tunnews ... Honey thought dat he knuw aww tunnews!"
>Now the Foals have been returned to their Mother's backs, the Herd slowly, cautiously shuffles their way back down the small, dimly lit storm-water drain, sniffing in disgust as the smell of rancid water and filth wafts up to them.
>And then ... you hear it. The feeling that has been making them nervous all morning finally has a name, a physical presence.
>It's mid-Autumn ... and now the first patch of rain the city has seen for months has come, heralded by the soft drumming of the oily, dirty rain-drops that come pelting down from the sky, splashing off road, building and car, trickling down into the sewers.
>The Herd finally reaches familiar ground when the first panicked shout comes from one of their own. You turn to shout at them to be quiet, but then you see the dirty, sludge-like waters of the Underground move.
>The filth and water in the sewers is churning like a living thing as rain-water is diverted by the storm-water drains and grates, pouring down into the Underground in shallow waterfalls and rivers.
>No-Lips scowls as he stares at this new hazard, but the grizzled old Smarty knows that wet fluff is incredibly heavy, and while the Fluffies might be able to easily ford these pitiful 'streams' that now criss-cross the narrow walk-ways of the Sewers, the additional weight of their soaked fluff, coupled with their bellies full to bursting with grass, will slow the Herd to a crawl.
>Eventually though, the Herd has no other option, with every route they find either blocked off by fast-flowing 'streams' from the Overground that move so fast the Fluffies would risk having their hooves swept out from under them, or large, shallow swaths of water that risk the Fluffies becoming so water-logged they will be too burdened to move.
>You, Honey and Wittles all suggest different routes back to Haven, but each time you try one of the routes, there's a torrent of rainwater or a deep puddle blocking your way, and No-Lips looks so frustrated, he keeps scowling at the water and muttering under his breath.
>With the sky turning grey, it's impossible to tell how long you've been at this ... Nobody's hungry, or had to poop, but without the bright light to judge time ... it feels like forever since you left Haven!
>Finally even No-Lips has to admit that there is no dry routes left open to Haven, and thus the Herd back-tracks, with much whining, to the safest obstacle in their path, a large, shallow 'swamp', where the rain from above has mingled with the dirt and grime that coats the narrow walk-ways of the sewers.
>"Nu wan gu dis way! Nu wan be diwty, nu pwetty!" Honey whines, gazing at the 'swamp' in alarm, and many of the Fluffies echo the sentiment.
>"Dis is best pwace now! Wa-Wa's tuu fast, tu mean, hewe nu tuu much Wa-Wa's! Mus' cwoss now, 'fowe mowe Wa-Wa's come, an' Hewd nu can get bawk tu Haven!" No-Lips explained, loudly over the din of the Herd's complaints and the soft drumming of the rain that echoed throughout the sewers like a hundred hearts beating aloud.
>The prospect of spending the entire day outside of Haven, trapped in the Underground with the rising waters and Rats lurking in every shadow quickly silences all complaints.
>By now, the combination of water, dirt and filth has created a slimy muck that sucks at their hooves with each step, draining their meager strength and slowing the Fluffies down even further as their fluff absorbs the filth and water, growing colder and heavier, the wet fluff in turn dragging on the muck with each step, further slowing the Herd as Fluffies need to be dragged out of traps made of their own dirty, wet fluff.
>As one of the stronger Stallions, you carry some Foals on your back so their Mothers can struggle on without worrying about their children, and you smile as you see No-Name struggling across the mud with Little Foal and Clover's two white Foals holding on tightly to his back, Clover following in his wake and whispering encouragement.
>Tails are grabbed in the mouths of the Fluffies behind them, the stronger Fluffies helping to pull their weaker Herd-Mates across, while the Fluffy Mummas are rolled cautiously and at a painfully slow rate as their bodies sink deep into the muck, their attendants so focused upon ensuring the heavily pregnant Mares' heads come nowhere near the mucky mud that one mis-steps and falls, her hooves slipping on the muck and sending her spinning out towards the edge of the ledge!
>"NUUU!" The unlucky Mare screams, her legs flailing wildly and throwing clods of muck into the air as the Fluffy Mumma and her fellow attendant squeal in alarm, alerting the rest of the Herd to the danger.
>The entire Herd turns as one, babbling in a panic, several bold Fluffies stepping forth to try and help the Mare, when the slick muck and her own flailing causes the Mare to slide over the edge, and for a dozen heartbeats, there is silence.
>Then the ominous splash of water overpowers the echoes of the Fluffies' panic, followed by several more smaller splashes and the frantic glub glub glub sounds of the Mare tries to call for help while her sodden fluff drags her down.
>You see No-Name turn to stare at the Mare's demise, his face working with horror, while the other Stallions of the Herd curse or cry at the loss of a precious Mare and Herd-Friend.
>Those Fluffies who turned to aid the Mare freeze or begin to sob in frustration and loss, knowing that sound all too well.
>The horrible sound of a Fluffy coughing and spluttering water is a death sentence, and within moments ... her splashing, coughing fight is over.
>It is a slow, wet and sad walk back to Haven, as the Fluffy Mumma who lost her Attendant, and friend, weeps and hugs herself as best she can as she is rolled relentlessly home, softly cursing herself for not being able to grab her friend before she slid away.
>You keep the Foals on your back, telling them it's alright, you're nearly home, as the sewers slowly fill with rain-water and debris, the waters rising higher and higher ... and then, Haven!
>But as the Herd cheers and picks up the pace, their relief at being home fades as they see a mucky stream flowing out from the wall of dried poop and glowing blue mushrooms.
>The stream comes from within Haven ...

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>Yet the sudden, freakish Autumn storm is not without it's blessings. Rats skitter and retreat to the dryer parts of the sewers, abandoning hundreds of their nests and squirming, blind offspring to the flood, many hundreds of the adults drowning as their staggering numbers works against them, causing the massive swarms of rats to bunch up at the openings to higher, drier ground and are slowly drowned by the rain as they bite and claw their way through each other to get to safety.
>The grass and shrubbery of the Park eagerly drinks in the life-giving water even as it breaks down the waste-matter that the Fluffies left behind, ensuring that in a few days, the Park will be overflowing with rich, green grass for the survivours.
>But for No-Lip's Herd, the greatest gift is that the rain flowing down into their home washes away the tracks they left in the muck and the mud, and partially floods the sewers on the other side of their territory, creating a dangerously high 'swell' within the channels as the rain-water flows into the sewers, the lowest point in the city, from the Garbage Dump that the Fluffies of this City call 'Stinky Waters'.
>Today, the timid, nervous scouts from the Garbage Dump flee the sewers, screaming in terror, drenched to the skin and babbling about "Bad Wa-Wa's comin' outta tha wawws!" claiming scores of their friends.
>"Is onwy wain. Yuu wait tiww wain stawp fawwin', yuu twy 'gain!" Leaves commands, bopping a sobbing stallion on the nose with a hoof, while the other Smarty Friends give their own scouts a dressing down, or in the case of Smoke, punishing the lone surviving scout from his Herd by publicly taking his Special Friends away and adding them to his already massive harem.
>For her own part, Leaves stares in the direction of the sewer entrance and frowns as she thinks back.
>No-Lips only ever took the Herd out for food when the sky started to lighten, and not a moment earlier. And he would bring them back when the sky turned from pale pink to the bright yellow of the Bright Time.
>Surely, that was enough time for the Scouts to find Haven for the All-Herd, and then report back?
>But the Scouts said they only found patches of fluff, and piles of stones scattered over the cold concrete floor ... no Fluffy Markers.
>And now, the rain has washed away any tracks that No-Lips's Herd may have left behind ...
>Soon, the Scouts have given what information they have, and grieving Fluffies are consoled as best they can be when Special Friends, children or parents never returned, and the Smarty Friends of the All-Herd meet to discuss their next move.
>"Dis is Poopies!" Eggs snaps angrily, the splotchy-blue Pegasus's wings all but vibrating with his fury. "Wost fouw an' one stawwions! Wain Wa-Wa's dwown dem, an' stiww nu Haven!"
>"Wost thwee stawwions ... guu' Fwuffies." You sigh and add as Smelly and Smoke mutter they lost a number of stallions each as well. "Guu' fwiends dat nu come bawk. Haven nu can be foun' tiww Wain Wa-Wa's gu 'way, buh dat mean dat No-Lips nu can come tu Stinky Wa-Wa's eitha."
>"Leaves shouwd haf known wain comin' ... buh is onwy Mawe, nu can tink wike Stawwion." Smelly sneers at you, the sickly-green pegasus radiating mockery, and you feel your anger rising ... and for the first time in weeks, let it keep on rising. Smelly does not acknowledge a Mare can be as smart as a Stallion, or that they're worth anything other than to produce more Fluffies for the Herd.
>And he wonders why Smoke has such an easy time convincing Smelly's Mares to defect to the Black-and-Grey Unicorn's Herd.
>"Did Smelly know wain comin'? Did any Fwuffie know?" You snap back, meeting Smelly's scorn with your own rising fury, your contempt and anger loud and clear in your tone. "DID ANY FWUFFIE KNOW IT STAWP BEIN' HAWT AN' DWY AN' BE COWD AN' WET? ANY FWUFFIE?"
>Dozens of good, strong, loyal Stallions, dead, drowned or lost in the Underground, in a frightening maze of cold stone and dirty water, and all Smelly cares about is trying to lay all the blame for the lost Stallions and the grieving Herds at your hooves, because you're a Mare?
>"Du yu even CAWE, Smelly? Guu' Fwuffies haf wongest sweepies, neva come bawk tu Safe Pwace, gif dere aww fo' Big-Big-Hewd an' twy tu find Safe Pwace fo' aww owr Fwuffy Mummas, an' aww yuu wan' du is twy tu teww Smawties dat yuu tink yuu Smawty-Pawts in yuu Speshaw Wumps!"
>You don't even realise you're advancing on Smelly in a fury before Eggs and Smoke have checked your advance with their own bodies, staring at you with a mixture of concern and surprise.
>Smelly, for his part, has backed up to the ring of Fluffies watching the confrontation, and there's the bitter tang of pee in the air.
>"Leaves! Smelly nu wowth it!" Eggs says loudly, pushing you back a half-step, the belligerent Smarty placing himself between you and the now frowning Smelly. "Fwuffies nee' gu tu high gwound, Stinky Wa-Wa's nu safe wit' Wain! Smawties tawk next bwite time, tawk 'bout what du next!"
>"Dat wite. Get Fwuffy Mummas tu dwy pwaces, off gwound, 'way fwom Wa-Wa's." Smoke adds with panic in his voice, turning to his Harem, over thirty Mares in total, many of them starting to bloat or already round and fat as Fluffy Mummas.
>It's going to be an absolute nightmare to get all those Fluffy Mummas up, off the ground and away from the rain, and to try and find some-place comfortable for all of them ...
>Fluffies are going to have to be squashed under the Fluffy Mummas to ensure they and their precious unborn foals, the future of the Herds, are not hurt by the often sharp pieces of trash that make up the mountains and canyon-walls of Stinky Waters.
>And that's just Smoke's Fluffy Mummas. There's at least another sixty Fluffy Mummas in the rest of the Herds, plus hundreds of Foals, some able to walk on their own, most still utterly dependant upon their parents to shelter and carry them.
>"Den dat wat Fwuffies do. Buh Smelly, yuu du dis 'gain ... Leaves an' Leaves-Hewd gu. Take my Fwuffy Mummas, my Stawwions, my Foaws an' Cowts an' Fiwwies an' owr shawe of de Nummies an' Toys, an weave Stinky Wa-Wa's." You shouted, harshly, letting the stunned, and in some cased, furious stares of the Fluffies standing in ranks three or four fluffies deep around the Smarties bore their way into Smelly for added impact. "Leaves nu gu wet Hewd haf saddies an' put up wit Meanie Dummy Stuuuuuupid Smelly, who aw'ways pick fites an' be Meanie! Leaves take aww hewr Mawes dat hewp otha Fwuffy Mummas, aww hew bwave Stawwions who stand guawd when sky goes dawk ... can Smelly spawe Stawwions, owr wiww yuu Mawes wun tu Smoke owr Eggs?"
>And as you march back to your Herd, head held high, you feel the anger settle in your heart as Smelly begins to screech insults at you, and then the other Smarties as he's left alone in the damp, foul earth of Stinky Waters.
>But it's the truth, and you can see the understanding dawning in the eyes of every Fluffy as you pass. Whispers follow you as your Herd begins to slowly clamber up the nearest pile of garbage, full of sad noises, angry noises, frightened noises.
>You kept Eggs, Smelly and Smoke from killing each other when they were fighting over silly things like who had the most, or best, Mares, whose Foals were the smartest, whose Toughies were the strongest, whose way of leading was best.
>You were the Smarty who organised for, at least at first, your own Herd's Mares to play the role of attendants for the Fluffy Mummas of other Herds, so that every Fluffy Mumma could have somebody to play with her and keep her happy.
>You were the one who dealt with all the smaller Herds who pledged themselves to the Big-Big-Herd, taught them the rules, eased them into their new life, where the customs and beliefs of dozens of Herds met and meshed, and not always comfortably.
>But it hurts you deep inside, to know that the Big-Big-Herd is falling apart. You dedicated months of your life to this plan, time you could have spent having babies of your own, of enjoying the life of a Mare rather than enduring the duties of a Smarty Friend, and now it's all going to hell because the other Smarties won't stop fighting with each other over, won't stop trying to beat each other, won't stop trying to prove themselves at the cost of the other Smarties.
>Eggs, who would always get his back up and refuse to budge when one of his ideas was voted down and would then try to sabotage the other ideas.
>Smoke, whose lustful possession of nearly every last Mare in his Herd drove his Stallions to seek Special Hugs from any available Mare, even if they had Special Friends already, causing considerable friction between the various Herds.
>Smelly, whose treatment of Mares left him with many Stallions and only a scant dozen sad, hollow-eyed Mares that his toughies guarded night and day and drove him to try and steal Mares from the other Herds.
>And you know ... you have to leave the Big-Big-Herd first. Smelly won't let your insults linger for long, that arrogant Smarty will try to crush you before too many Fluffies of his Herd start to wonder if his way of leading really is the best. He has to prove his power, or else he will either be challenged, or wake up one morning to find himself sleeping alone, his Herd having left him in the night.
>And as you climb up after your Herd ... scores of Fluffies break away from the whispering, mumbling sea of Fluffies and climb up after you, while others still climb up after Eggs, others still after Smoke, and a smaller number made up solely of young, unmated Stallions shuffle over to Smelly, who is still sitting in the dirt, shrieking 'Dummy Mawe!' and 'Onwy guud fo' Baybehs an' Speshaw Huggies!' at the top of his lungs in a frenzy of hate.
>And so, as the Garbage Dump's paths and ditches fill with water, the Herd of three hundred plus Fluffies divides itself into four nearly equal piles and waits out the storm, sentries at the boundaries of each hug-pile watching each other nervously, with sympathy, or angrily, as their nature dictates.
>The Sundering of the Big-Big-Herd has begun.

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>Be No-Name, shuffling in with Little Foal and one of Clover's White Foals on your back, the other one riding on Clover, who is right behind you.
>Everyone is whispering or muttering as they wend their way through the walls of poop and glowing blue mushrooms, the old poop not dry anymore but wet and sagging.
>Whole sections of the walls have crumbled, and Fluffies have to walk over wet poop. It's disgusting, and with all the muck in their fluff already, heart-breaking to the Mares who are no-longer 'Pretty'.
>But you are more worried about the slow-flowing 'stream' coming out of Haven. Did the Sky Wa-Wa's hurt the Fluffies the Herd left behind? Are they cold and wet? Is Haven flooded?
>Is Bwun safe? That question haunts you, and makes you push on, shoving the Fluffies ahead of you urgently, telling them to move faster, Bwun is in Haven, she might have Wa-Wa owies!
>Finally, you're out of the press of wet, dirty, unhappy Fluffies, charging past them into the Papers with the Foals clinging to your back!
>"Bwun! Bwuuuuuuun! Whewe yuu be? BWUUUUUN?" You shout, looking around desperately, No-Lips and Clover's Foal also shouting out her name, when No-Lips walks up and kicks you in the bum!
>"Stawp shouw'tin! Munstas heaw yuu, an' den Hewd be deep in da Poopies!" He scolds you all, looking very tired and annoyed. "Wook! Papews is jus' wittwe bit wet, jus' haf Sky Wa-Wa's comin' in through howe an' weave through Poop-Wawws! Bwun be wit' Owd Fwuffies, wistenin' tu All-Mumma, wemembah?"
>Ashamed, you hang your head and mumble an apology. Little Foal sobs and hugs your fluff, while Clover's Foal whines that he misses his 'Otha Mumma'.
>"Sowwy, Smawty Fwiend, jus' su wowwied. Bwun nu can muv now, No-Name tink she be in Sky Wa-Wa, aww cowd an' wet ... maybe wike Mawe who faww in mud." You whisper, cheeks burning with shame.
>You froze when that poor Mare screamed and fell over the ledge. You had Little Foal and Clover's Foals on your back, but in truth, you froze because you were afraid for you.
>And the knowledge that you couldn't save a Herd-Mate because you were unwilling to risk yourself hurts worse than any kick No-Lips has given you.
>No-Lips is silent for a moment, staring at you as the rest of the Herd filters into Haven, muttering about their dirty fluff, some of the Mares shuffling over to the Papers and snatching up some of the dirtier pieces of damp paper on the outskirts of the Herd's sleeping area, trying to rub the muck off each other's flanks and bellies with mouthfuls of damp newspaper.
>"Yuu feew bad 'bout Mawe." He says, but it's not a question. "Dat guud, No-Name. Shouwd nu fuh'get Hewd owr Fwuffies in Hewd, shouwd huwt in chest when Fwiends get owies owr haf Wongest Sweepies. Buh yuu haf Foaws on yuu bawk, yuu nu couwd hewp dat Mawe. Nu Fwuffy couwd, she gone soon as she stawt tu swide tu Diwty Wa-Wa's, Fwuffies who gu tu hewp hew den gu fo' Wongest Sweepies tuu."
>His words make you feel better, but you know the real reason why you froze.
>And as you lift your head to thank No-Lips, you think you can see in his mangled face that he knows too, and the shame returns even stronger, pulling your head back down to the ground again.
>"Yuu get cweaned up, den gu tu Bwun, buh nu moar yewwin'! Munstas nu wike Sky Wa-Wa's eitha, nu wan dem come wunnin' tu Haven 'cause dey heaw yuu makin' noises!" No-Lips scolds you one last time before shuffling over to the Mares with the newspaper and ordering the Herd to line up to be cleaned.
>Little Foal says she's sorry for getting you in trouble, but you mumble back that it's not her fault.
>You thought you were a brave Fluffy, one of No-Lip's Toughie Friends! You brought back two young mares, and became Special Friends with three mares that very night! You were a brave scout for the Herd, but now you know ... you're just a coward. You're only brave some of the time!
>So you let Little Foal and Clover's Foal climb onto Clover's back, nuzzle your Special Friend and tell her she's a Good Fluffy, and shuffle to the back of the line, ignoring Clover's questions about why you don't stand with her. You ignore Wed's angry glare, and her muttered comment about you being a Bad Special Friend as you pass her in the line too.
>You have a lot to think about, and waiting for your turn to be clean and pretty again will hopefully give you time to come up with answers.
>About Bwun and her Foals, soon to come into this world. About Clover and Wed's feuding. About the babies inside Wed that must be crying about their mother and father fighting like this.
>And about how you might try to be brave, so you don't have to see that look of regret and contempt on No-Lips's face again.

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

>Be No-Name again, being a good Fluffy and helping out by grooming other Fluffies.
>You want to talk to No-Lips, apologise for being a coward and ask him how you can be brave like he is, but ... you're afraid. Afraid No-Lips will think you're too cowardly, that he'll take Clover and Bwun and Wed away from you.
>You'd be all alone, and Bwun and Wed's Foals would have no Fatha of their own.
>So you try to be good, and right now you're grooming Tricks with a mouthful of damp newspaper, scraping off as much of the muck as you can before trying to use your hooves to refold the newspaper and using it again.
>The Papers have ... shrunk. A lot of dirty, wet, unhappy Fluffies who needed to be groomed, but at least the Fluffy Mumma nests are untouched. That's good, there's at least two Fluffy Mummas just about ready to let their babies out.
>And one of them is Bwun ...
>”No-Name! No-Name! NO-NAME!” Little Foal finally yells loudly, making you jump in alarm, dropping the wadded up paper onto Tricks.
>You look at Little Foal in shock, feeling your heart beating wildly in your chest. You were so focused on thinking about everything you must have ignored Little Foal!
>"Suh-sowwy! No-Name sowwy, Little Foal, nu mean tu nu wisten ..." You begin to apologise, when Little Foal grabs you by the hoof with both her front legs and tries to tug you away from Tricks.
>"No-Name mus' come! Bwun hafin' baybehs soon! Bwun wan' Speshaw Fwiend!" She peeps eagerly, straining to drag your hoof towards the distant corner of the Papers, where the Fluffy Mummas are resting in the driest part of Haven.
>”Bwun ... haf baybehs now? Now-Now?” You ask, stunned. So soon! The Herd only came back to Haven a little while ago!
>"Gu, No-Name! Baybehs, mus' be thewe fo' baybehs!" Tricks says, then laughs. "Yuu gon' be Fatha! Huw'way fo' No-Name!".
>You hear the cheers of the Fluffies around you, congratulating you on being a Father, and you blush, feeling elated and giddy as you pass the wad of newspaper to a nearby Colt, apologise to Tricks for leaving the task unfinished, and shuffle as fast as you can in the scrum of dirty Fluffies to the back of the Papers.
>Every Mare that has belonged to the No-Lips Herd for a long time is there, forming a wall between the back wall and the Herd itself, sitting on their rears, pressed shoulder to shoulder.
>”Bwun thewe, No-Name! Clover pwaying wit Foals, Fwuffie gu get Clover!” Little Foal chirps happily before scooting off, leaving loose bits of Paper fluttering in her wake.
>Bwun is your Mare. You went on that ill-fated Raid, brought her and Wed back to Haven, away from the Herd led by the two bickering, angry Unicorn Smarty Friends.
>Her Foals are your Foals. You want to be there for you Foals ... even if you are a coward!
>Bwun's Foals are not your Foals, but still your Foals. You didn't put them inside her, or wake them up, like some of the Stallions tell you happens when Special Hugs happen, but Bwun is your Special Friend, and they are her Foals.
>Makes your head hurt thinking about it, so both you and Bwun decided that it would be best for the Foals that you both say that they are Your Foals.
>Shuffle up to the wall of Mares sitting around the groaning Fluffy, and poke one in the back with your muzzle.
>”Is Bwun oh'tay? Is she haf baybehs soon?” You ask softly, partly because you're so nervous, partly because you don’t want to scare anyone.
>Everyone is sore, tired, and sad from getting all dirty, but mostly from losing the young Mare on the way back to Haven.
>A couple of Mares give you inscrutable looks, then shuffle out of the way, letting you see Bwun lying on her side, groaning, her stomach flexing.
>It’s strange, but the mere sight of her in this state fills you with a sense of panic and awe. You want to run to her side, you want to drive away the other fluffies, you want to run away yourself, you want them to help Bwun and stop the owies!
>Mares tell you to try to make her feel better as you stand there, shuffling from hoof to hoof, and you babble your thanks, rushing forwards to stand directly in front of Bwun, before a Mare smacks your rear with a hoof.
>"Nu dere! Gu sit behind Fwuffy Mumma!" A Mare tells you sternly, and you're so nervous that you can only bleat and rush around Bwun, making Bwun giggle and the Mares sigh.
>"Gon' be one of dose Fatha's." An older Mare sighs exageratedly, causing the Mares around her to roll their eyes or groan "Oi." in resignation.
>As Bwun's owies seem to come faster and faster, your nervousness turns to fretting, and you lean down to lick Bwun's head and mane to try and make her feel better.
>”Bwun be Mumma soon. Bwun be vewy guud Mumma, No-Name know yuu be.” You tell her, putting one hoof on her and rubbing it back and forth.
>”No-Name ... guud Speshaw Fwiend. Wu-UUUUUU-uv Bwun, Wu-UUUUUUUUUH-HEEEEEE!” Bwun begins to say, then squeals in pain, and a strange smell fills the air.
>”Wah! Wah! Wah!” The assembled Mares chant, rocking back and forth, the line reformed and blocking off all view of the rest of the Haven.
>”Baybeh is Guud!” One says loudly, before ducking down to the tail-end and doing something. You can hear her licking something wet, and then ....
>”N’aaaaaaaw!” A tiny little voice cries out.
>You want to rush down and see the foal, but Bwun looks so tired and scared so you give her a gentle hug and hold her till the Mare shuffles up to Bwun with the Foal dangling from her mouth.
>”M-mah baybeh...” Bwun whispers, tears in her eyes, as the Foal is placed in front of her.
>You let go of Bwun to move around and sniff the foal with her, your muzzles bumping each other as you both sniff and nuzzle the damp, chirping newborn as it hangs from the scruff of it's neck in the attendant's mouth.
>You feel like you would remember this smell no matter what. The little Foal’s eyes are closed, and it's head weaves back and forth like it is very tired, but it’s so cute, so fragile, it makes your heart feel so big like your heart will burst!
>”Wook, Bwun, wook at yuu boo-tee-fuw baybeh.” You whisper as Bwun gathers the Foal up to her chest in an awkward hug, tears in her eyes. “Bwun is bestest Fluffy Mumma, Bwun haf wunnerful baybeh!”
>”No-Name wuv Bwun’s baybeh.” Bwun coos happily, then groans again, the baby squeaking as it's mother's arms press it deep into her thick chest fluff.
>”Wah! Wah! Wah!” The Mares chant again, doing their strange dance, and again a Foal is brought up for Bwun to cuddle.
>You get a quick cuddle of the foal, holding it awkwardly in your hooves and sniffing it all over as the tiny little baby whimpers softly, clutching at your muzzle.
>”Wunnerful baybeh...yuu be guud Fwuffy, be wuved, Fatha pwomise yuu.” You whisper as one of the Mares tells you to put the baby on one of Bwun’s teats, then tells you to go back to Bwun’s head and stay there.
>Three more times, Bwun goes into labour, and soon there are five small, damp Fluffy Foals clinging to her much-smaller belly, suckling happily.
>The fifth baby, the Mare watching Bwun's No-No's had to stop and double-check that the baby was indeed a 'Good' Baby, but you don't understand why ... it's bigger than the other Babies! Not much bigger, but still!
>”Oh, Bwun, yuu haf so many baybehs, dey all wunnerful.” You tell your Mare proudly, nuzzling her neck and face, your aches and pains forgotten. “Dey so soft, so cwute, so teeny.”
>”Bwun happy No-Name wuv owr baybehs. Bwun scawed, tink No-Name nu wan be Bwun's Speshaw Fwiend nu moar t'anks tu Wed bein' a Meanie, den Bwun haf no Speshaw fwiend tu hewp wit baybehs.” She replies, tired but sounding so satisfied.
>”Bwun is a Fwuffy Mumma!” Little Foal says happily, shuffling through the papers to nuzzle the Foals, her eyes trailing to the heavy, milk-filled teats with obvious hunger on her face.
>”Little Foal nu haf dat miwk, dat miwk fo’ Bwun’s baybehs. Little Foal haf Clover’s miwk if she hungwy.” Clover chides the little purple Pegasus softly, her own two foals trailing after her and chattering loudly about how they haf ‘teefs’ now and can eat gwasses like a big Fluffy.
>”Clover, Bwun be Mumma now, jus' wike yuu. Buh dese Bwun’s fiwst baybehs.” Bwun sighs as the Foals press on her with their soft little hooves, drawing more milk out of her large, swollen teats. “Bwun ... wisten tu Aww-Mumma, buh su much tu weawn! Can ... can Clover hewp Bwun wemembah how tu be Guud Mumma?”
>”Is oh'tay, Clover hewp, Clover haf thwee wots a baybehs, many tawks wit' All-Mumma.” Clover points out, walking over to you to give you a quick nuzzle, before lying down in front of Bwun, covering the newborn foals in a double-layer of fluff. “Clover teww Bwun wat do, how carry baybehs, how make dem do poopies outside Papers.”
>You sit there with Little Foal leaning on you and listen as Clover explains to Bwun all the things that a Fluffy Mumma has to do.
>It’s a lot of work, a lot of things a Fluffy Mumma has to do to take care of her Foals. Your head spins at how much work Foals are for their Mummas.
>Have to feed them many, many times a day, but you also have to think about how much milk you have left, and remember to make sure that every Foal gets not only enough milk, but the same amount of milk, so everyone can have nummies.
>Have to teach them to do Poopies where you want, not when they feel like it, so the Papers doesn't get fouled, and the Babies don't have to sleep in yikky not-pretties.
>Have to teach them to not steal milk from other Fluffy Mummas, and have to make them understand they have to be gentle with each other.
>So many, many things that you realise now that your own Mumma must have told you and made you do so often that it became a part of you, not something you consciously thought of doing.
>You want to be a good Fluffy Fatha, even if you are a coward, so you stay and listen, even when the other Mares shuffle off to help Crunch's Special Friend have her own babies.
>You must be the very best Fatha for your Foals. And you will talk to No-Lips about how to be brave.
>Your babies demand nothing less.

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>Be No-Lips, in the Old Fluffy Corner, crossing off tunnels with the help of your Old Fluffies.
>The Rainy Seasons has come ... and far, far too soon. Nobody expected it to come for a while yet, there was surely at least one more turning of the moon, some time to tell the Herd what was coming, and what to expect?
>What changed? Why has the Rainy Season come so soon?
>That means the tunnels that head to the south and east are worthless to you now, and that's bad. Those tunnels were the unused tunnels, the ones you had been counting upon, but they are also the tunnels that lead to the Deepest Wa-Wa's, and right now are probably flooded right up to the ledges, if not more.
>So now it's a question of which of the tunnels you have used are safe, and that means finding the ones that were used the longest time ago ... and it's a nightmare.
>Tunnels in the Underground intersect, weave over and under each other and are connected by thousands of smaller tunnels that a Fluffy can just squeeze through.
>Or a Swarm of Rat Munstas can use to spring a trap on the Herd.
>One of the Mares taken from Stinky Waters during the last Raid was lost too, and that's a bitter blow. Lost before she even had a chance to live i her New Herd, and she'd had the 'Funny Tummeh Feew' right after joining the Herd too.
>All-Mumma and Some-Legs tell you it's not your fault for not watching the sky, you were helping Brick the Smarty Friend and watching the Bright Ball, not the sky behind you.
>Two-Socks points out that without Bandit, nobody would have noticed the coming storm, and the Herd might have left the Park too late and not made it home at all.
>One-Eye gives you a hug to tell you he doesn't blame you, while Gnaff goes over the fading map on the wall one more time, whispering the directions to the next set of tunnels you will use over and over and over again until he can repeat them to you tonight without needing to pause to double check, and then you'll repeat them with him until they are locked into your mind.
>But there is good news. The Old Fluffies think they have remembered which tunnels lead to the Far Green Place, or at least run in that direction.
>Something to give you hope, at least. But if the Rainy Season has come early, then that means the Herd will be locked out of over half it's normal territory in the Underground for the next three or four months.
>That means tunnels will have to be used and re-used, you're going to have to take greater risks, and there's only so many ways you can combine the tunnels to make different paths up to the surface before one of the smarter Fluffies in the Herd puts two and two together and realises the truth.
>On the other hand, the Rainy Season will wash away much of the filth in the Underground, as well as drown the sprawling nests and vile offspring of the Rat Munstas, and will make the grass of the Park, and even the Underlake, grow thick and healthy, so the Fluffies will have plenty of food and more clean water than they will know what to do with.
>You're about to ask Some-Legs and Two-Socks if they have any ideas on how to push deeper towards the Far Green Place without clueing in the rest of the Herd when you hear the soft schwap scwhap of a Fluffy's hoof scraping on the cardboard walls of the Old Fluffy Corner.
>"No-Lips? Smawty Fwiend No-Lips, baybehs awe hewe!" A Mare says loudly from outside. "Smawty Fwiend come an' wook at Baybehs, make suwe dey Guud Babehs?"
>The next few moments are a blur as the Old Fluffies immediately squeak "Baybehs!" in delight and hug each other.
>"Y-yah! No-Lips be dere soon ... yuu gu, No-Lips be dere soon!" You yell back to the Mare, chagrined. Well, it looks like there will be no more planning for a little while.
>All-Mumma and Gnaff are hugging each other, laughing with joy, while Two-Socks and Some-Legs are rushing for the exit, well, rushing as fast as a three-legged Fluffy and a Fluffy with two 'dead' back legs can rush.
>One-Eye gives you a bashful look after his decidedly un-Toughie squeals of delight, but also shuffles out of the Old Fluffy corner.
>For your own part, you just sigh, then chuckle. The Old Fluffies and you will go and check on the babies and the new Fluffy Mummas for a while, and then check the map of the tunnels again.
>It takes a while to leave the Old Fluffy Corner, as the cold, damp air that the Rainy Season brings makes your legs ache, but it takes longer to push your way through the crowd of Fluffies around the two new Fluffy Mummas.
>Everyone is so happy to see these Foals. It's been almost two weeks since somebody gave birth, and the adorable little newborns are just what the Herd needed to smile again after all their losses.
>Crunchy is beaming with pride at his Special Friend, her head resting on his lap as he strokes and smooths her mane with his front-hooves, while seven large, fat Foals knead and suckle at her teats, silent but for the occasional peep and the soft schuu schuu schuu of their drinking.
>All-Mumma has already moved on to Bwun, but if she wasn't waiting for you, then these babies must be fine.
>Still, it doesn't hurt to double-check, and the attention gratifies the new Mother, that the Smarty Friend thinks well of her and her new babies.
>Earth Fluffy, Stallion, Earth Fluffy, Mare, Pegasus, Mare, Pegasus, Mare, Pegasus, Stallion, Unicorn, Stallion, Earth Fluffy, Mare.
>Four future Mares! And a Stallion of each type of Fluffy! They're all healthy, no lumps where there shouldn't be, no legs missing or broken. In a month's time, they'll be Fillies and Colts, able to run and fight and have Special Hugs, and the Herd will prosper again.
>"Dese be guud baybehs. Yuu shouwd both be vewy pwoud, dey wook stwong, happeh tuu." You comment loudly so that the nearby Fluffies know you approve of the newborns. "No-Lips say dat dese baybehs be pawt of Hewd. Dey unda No-Lips pwo'tek'shun, an' any Fwuffie who make dem huwties owr saddies answa' tu de Smawty Fwiend an' Toughie Fwiends!".
>Jealousy can be a terrible thing. Some Mummas or Special Friends go a little strange after their babies are 'bad' Babies, born too small to survive or with deformities.
>Or they're taken by the Monsters. Or they get sick from the cold or the damp or any number of simple things that should not hurt Fluffies.
>By verbally declaring your support for the Foals, hopefully any Fluffy who might be twisted inside enough to steal a Foal to raise as their own will think twice.
>It works, most of the time ... those that steal a Foal are made to give it back and banished from the Papers until they accept what they did was bad. Those that refuse to accept what they did was wrong after being 'banished' for several days, or keep trying after getting caught, are sent to the Bad Fluffy Pit.
>Crunchy and his Special Friend are, of course, absolutely delighted to have the pledged support of their Smarty Friend to protect their children, and the nearby Fluffies all nod and smile and cheer, although a few look sad or disappointed.
>If a Mumma isn't fit to look after her Foals, or there are too many Foals for a Mumma to be able to care for, then the Foals are given out to other Fluffies who are known to be good parents.
>Raising a Foal not your own can make the heart-owies of losing your own go far, far away, at least for a time.
>It takes a few more minutes to do the right thing by Crunchy and his Special Friend, introducing their Foals to Some-Legs and Two-Socks, who took much, much longer to get through the crowd than you, and then mentioning again that the newborns were under your protection, before you felt you could go to the next Fluffy Mumma without leaving hurt feelings in your wake.
>Bwun, the Special Friend of No-Name ... a good Mare, even if her Stallion is a bit too soft to be a good Toughie Friend. Still, he's a decent enough Scout and a friendly Fluffy who doesn't make waves on his own.
>You do wish that No-Name had been smart enough to leave Wed behind, but then again, she came with Bwun, who almost immediately tried to intergrate into your Herd. One troublesome Mare that came along with one nearly-perfect Mare ... you've had worse results from a Raid before.
>But Bwun's foals come from another Smarty Friend ... you're feeling a bit unsure about that, but with No-Name, and more importantly, Clover helping to raise them, you're sure the Foals won't grow up to be Bad Fluffies like their Father.
>Fathers. Two Fathers if Bwun's story about getting unwanted Special Hugs from both Smarty Friends of her old Herd is true. Or maybe three Fathers, if you count No-Name.
>Bah, it's making your head hurt just thinking about it.
>The second cluster of Fluffies is a little harder to get through, and there's a lot of murmuring and whispering going on.
>That ... alarms you. Was there a Bad Baby?
>But surely the Mares who were attending the Birth would have taken it away, either to the Bad Fluffy Pit if it was a Munsta-Baby, or out into the sludge-like waters of the Underground if it was just a Runt.
>Finally shoving your way through the crowd, you find the rather curious scene of No-Name and One-Eye standing between All-Mumma and Bwun, while Clover is holding her three Foals, including Little Foal, tightly too her belly, looking obviously nervous.
>All-Mumma and One-Eye are glaring at each other, scowling, while No-Name seems torn between the two, throwing agonized looks at his Special Friend, who is lying with her back to All-Mumma, a pointed insult.
>"Wha' da Poopies is goin' on hewe?" You shout, drawing the gazes of every Fluffy. One-Eye and All-Mumma keep glaring at each other, but at least their cheeks aren't starting to puff out anymore. "One-Eye! All-Mumma! 'Spwain wat happen!"
>"Dere some'tin diff'went 'bout Bwun's big baybeh." All-Mumma spits out angrily, still glaring at your oldest, most trusted Toughie Friend. "Tuu big fo' baybeh dat jus' come ouwt of Mumma, have tuu many tings on it, couwd be Munsta-Baybeh, buh One-Eye bein' siwwy, nu wet All-Mumma take baybeh 'way."
>"Is Speshaw Baybeh! Nu take 'way tiww No-Lips haf wook!" One-Eye snarls back, the normally silent and stoic Stallion baring his teeth and snarling with such anger that All-Mumma actually flinches.
>"Baybeh is speshaw, dat aww! Speshaw baybeh!" No-Name protests, shuffling up to stand next to One-Eye and gives the wispy-fluffed All-Mumma an agonized look. "Pwease, baybeh is jus' speshaw, dat aww! Pwease nu take baybeh fwom Mumma an' Fatha!"
>"Buh baybeh is diff'went! Mus' nu be Fwuffy, mus' be Fwuffy-Munsta-Baybeh! One-Eye, yuu know Wules, nu Munsta-Baybehs, Hewd haf tuu many saddies when dey get sickies an' haf wongest sweepies, Mummas nu wan wiv nu moar!" All-Mumma protests, shuffling from hoof to hoof and obviously eager to assert her role as the dominant Mare in the Herd, but she's not going anywhere near One-Eye when he's this angry.
>To be honest, you haven't seen One-Eye like this since ... since the day the Old Bad Smarty Friend gave Bad Special Huggies to One-Eye's Filly when she wouldn't give up her rock-ball.
>One-Eye is dangerous when angry, and as old as you are now, you doubt you'd be able to pull him off All-Mumma before he gave her a lot of Owies.
>"'NUFF! Smawty wiww wook at baybeh. All-Mumma, if Smawty say baybeh is oh'tay, yuu hewp Bwun wook afta it. One-Eye ... if baybeh is Munsta ... yuu mus' wet No-Name take it 'way fwom Haven." You yell loudly over the mumbling Herd, glaring from All-Mumma to One-Eye until they nod.
>No-Name keeps pace with you, whispering that the Baby is good, it's just special, a special baby, a lucky baby, but you tune him out.
>You remember what it's like, to hold your very first baby in your hooves and feel your heart swell with love. For the first time in your life, you are ... complete. And you'd do anything to protect that beautiful, precious child.
>It's what it means to be a Father ...
>Bwun looks both terrified and furious as you shuffle around to look at her belly, where the Babies are buried deep into her fluff, peeping in fear and hugging their mother's teats for comfort.
>Too young to know what words mean, but they do understand the tone of the voices around them. Anger, fear, confusion, all of which is upsetting to them.
>"Smawty Fwiend haf' tu wook at Big Baybeh." You say in your kindest voice, looking into Bwun's eyes as No-Name finally gives up on trying to sway your opinion and goes to sit by Bwun's head, chewing hard on his bottom lip. "Mus' decide if Baybeh is a guud baybeh owr a Munsta Baybeh. Nu fite, No-Lips nu wan huwt Mumma owr Baybehs, buh nu can wet Munsta-Baybehs huwt Hewd."
>"Is nu Munsta ... All-Mumma bein' meanie! Baybeh is boo-tee-fuw!" Bwun replies angrily, but doesn't do much more than begin to sob as you start to part her fluff with your hoof.
>One baby, two babies, three, four ... ah, there's the ... Fluff on fire, that's a big baby.
>It's not possible, is it? They were all wiped out by the Two-Legged Munstas ...
>With great care, you reach out with both front-hooves and gently pull the Big Baby out of Bwun's belly fluff, marveling at how heavy it is.
>It's almost as big as a baby after a few days! And such a pretty yellow colour! There are two wings, still bare of feathers, but it's a big Pegasus baby!
>"Dere! Wook! On baybeh's head!" All-Mumma snaps, leaning over to the side to glare past One-Eye's hulking form. "Is diff'went! Nu wike any baybeh All-Mumma evah haf' owr seen b'fowe! Mus' be Munsta-Baybeh, nu bein' Meanie, twyin' tu hewp Bwun su she nu haf saddies afta!"
>Hardly daring to breath, you gently turn the baby over, cooing to it softly as it peeps and cries in distress ... and you gasp, so surprised you almost drop the baby.
>A Horn ... a small, stubby horn, jutting up just before the beginnings of a firey mane.
>"Wingy ... howny ... wingy an' howny ..." You say out loud in wonder, and then look up to your Old-Fluffies.
>All-Mumma is looking at you like you've gone crazy, but One-Eye is grinning broadly, almost maniacally.
>If you still had cheeks, you'd be doing the same.
>"Is a Wost-Hewd Baybeh!" You shout in delight, making the baby squeal in protest, and you loose precious minutes trying to calm it, and it's panicking parents, as the rest of the Herd breaks into arguements and shoving matches, while All-Mumma yells at you "Wat is Wost-Hewd Baybeh?" and One-Eye dances on the spot, laughing again and again.
>"Bwing aww Fwuffies tu Owd Fwuffy Cowner! Aww Mummas, aww baybehs, ev'wy Fwuffies mus' come!" You say loudly, handing the heavy baby back to Bwun and rubbing her side with your hoof. "Yuu wunnafuw, wunnafuw Mawe! Yuu haf wucky-wucky baybeh! No-Name, yuu hewp Bwun wook after Wingy-Howny Baybeh, mus' wiv! Mus' wiv, even if yuu mus' haf Wongest Sweepies!"
>You and One-Eye grab All-Mumma and drag her back to the Old Fluffy Corner, babbling excitedly to each other like young Colts while the aging, sagging Mare bleats in alarm at your rough treatment, as the rest of the Herb, a babbling, confused mob, trails slowly in your wake, rushing to roll Fluffy Mummas to the foot of Old Fluffy Corner, the two New Mummas giving each other stunned looks as their Special Friends help them get their babies ready to move.
>All-Mumma is extremely annoyed, but as you burst into Old Fluffy Corner, Gnaff is hot on your heels.
>"Did a Mumma weawy haf' Wingy-Howny baybeh?" He asks excitedly, the balding Fluffy all but dancing on the spot. "Is twue? Is weawy twue?"
>"Poopies! No-Lips! Teww All-Mumma wa' da poopies yuu on 'bout!" The saggy Mare snaps, now more irritated than worried. She's accepted you're going to let the Baby stay, but she's also annoyed at being undermined by both you and One-Eye. "TEWW ALL-MUMMA WAT IS GOIN' ON, YUU DUMMIES! Biggest Dummies!"
>"Wiww teww, wiww teww All-Mumma wit' west of Hewd, wouwd take tuu wong if teww twice!" You babble, rushing around the Old Fluffy Corner as you, One-Eye and Gnaff try to talk and laugh and hug all at once.
>All-Mumma takes one last look at the giggling, hugging, babbling trio of Old Stallions, mutters something about 'Dummies' and shuffles out to join the rest of the Herd.
>"WINGY-HOWNY BAYBEH!" The three Stallions cheer from within the Old Fluffy Corner before they start to huddle and help each other remember everything they can about the Lost Herd.

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