The purple mare walked down a filthy, deserted alleyway, head hanging low but still on the alert for signs of danger. Finding nopony there, she turned around and kept walking down the quiet streets. She traveled deeper into the heart of the city until she found what she was looking for. It was a seedy, loud neighborhood that practically screamed danger, especially to a smart, sheltered pony like she was, or had been, at least. She fought with her own fear and fatigue, determined in her mission to find a particular kind of pony. The kind that walks in shadows, who can slip away easily if trouble pops up; the kind with no roots to speak of. Twilight's roots had recently been torn out from under her, and it was all because she was trying to help somepony. It had backfired horribly, and now she was dealing with the consequences. And though she realized her faults in the matter, she couldn't quite believe that her entire life, which she had built with her own hard work and sacrifice, could end so suddenly. She was still alive, but she had lost everything. Nopony in town would hire her because of her transgressions; her parents and friends were not allowed to give her any help. Even Spike had left to join a dragon clan. She had no money and no place to live. Her world had been scrubbed clean of friendly faces, and all that was left to her was darkness and despair, guilt and anxiety. She was determined to remain alive, however; she would not let these circumstances be the death of her, and maybe if she waited long enough, she'd be given another chance. Her only recourse at this point lay in Coltsburg; a run-down, tired city that served as the crime capital of Equestria. Everypony there was so wrapped up in their own wrongdoings that they wouldn't bother worrying about hers. She could blend in and be forgotten by all who had known her. As she walked, she stifled a sob at the thought that she may never see her parents again. They had been disappointed but understanding; Twilight thought it would have been easier if they had just disowned her on the spot. She was jolted from her thoughts by a nasal voice coming from the darkness:

"Hey there, baby, you come here by yourself? How bout some Pegasus dust to liven up your night?"

"N-no thanks, I'm just looking for someone."

She quickened her pace slightly, but could still hear the stallion's hoofsteps following her.

"Yeah, who you looking for, baby? I know everypony in this city, it's no trouble to help out a beautiful mare like yourself. You got a boyfriend at home, honey?"

"Yes. His name's…Big Mac."

"Big Mac, eh? I bet I could take him on; I'd fight anyone to get a piece of your flank, honey."

Twilight broke into a quick trot, but the stallion kept alongside of her, talking non-stop.

"Your boyfriend isn't here, though, is he? If I was him I'd keep a close eye on you. Come back to my place, sweetie, my old lady ain't been home for two weeks, and I'm getting real antsy."

"Please", she gasped. "I don't want—"

He leaped over her, turned around, and faced her directly. She could see that he had slightly torn wings and a disheveled mane, and that he smelled like cider.

"Ain't nobody get what they want these days, sugar. Now shut up and do what I tell you."

Twilight tried to focus on the teleportation spell, but her mind was filled with the smell of cheap cider, and fear, and then the feeling of bristles on her face-

"HEY!" somepony yelled; the sound broke through the chaos of Twilight's mind, and she teleported several yards away from the drunk stallion. She opened her eyes, which had been shut tightly, and she saw a grey-black earth stallion with a matted mane glaring at the pegasus.

"What do you think you're doing, High Flyer? Taking advantage of some lost mare because your wife's gone and left you? You think that's the answer?"

High Flyer stared down, chagrined. When he spoke, his voice was whiny and choked with sobs.

"I dunno, man. I just miss her and…this one's so pretty…and she was all alone…she shouldn't be alone out here..."

"The next time somepony says no, you listen and leave them alone. I don't care how drunk you are, or how horny."

Twilight blushed at the use of this word, which she had heard so rarely in Ponyville.

"Now go home and sober up. If I ever catch you trying something like this again—"

"No, no, I'll never do it again. I'm sorry. Good night, miss," he said, bowing his head towards Twilight before trotting away. To her own amazement, she bid him good night as well. She breathed an enormous sigh of relief and turned to the stallion who had saved her, but he had already galloped away into the night.

"Wait!" she cried after him. "Don't leave, please!" She ran after him, unable to see where she was going because so many of the street lamps had gone out. After a few minutes of chasing, she collided into him and they were both knocked to the ground.

"Ugh, I swear to Celestia," he muttered in disgust, standing up and shaking out his mane.

"Watch where you're going, dammit! Why the hell are you following me, you stupid kid?"

"Please…I just wanted to thank you. For saving me back there, it was—"

"Yeah, yeah, I should be getting a medal any day now. Is that all?"

"Well…you're the first pony I've seen in this city who…"

"Doesn't want to rape you? Yeah, it's not my thing." He took a good look at Twilight, who had fallen silent. He spoke softly to her then. "What are you doing out here, kid? You look like you come from good breeding…though you look a little worn out now…hell, you're a unicorn, so that puts you ahead of most other ponies…hey, what's wrong?"

Twilight had started to cry, first a soft sobbing, then a loud wailing as she pressed her hooves to her eyes.

"Shut up, somepony'll think I'm killing ya." He extended his arms and awkwardly held her close to him as she continued to sob into his chest. After a few minutes, she gained control and explained herself. "I'm really sorry about this. I used to live in Ponyville and work as a student under Princess Celestia…but I was banished. No one will hire me or give me a place to stay, so I came here to…find someone…"

"Hang on, did you say you were Celestia's student? As in, you actually knew her personally?" His voice was filled with wonder and incredulity.

"Yes, but…I'm not allowed to have contact with her ever again…"

"Geez, kid, what'd you do?"

"I…I don't want to talk about it right now. I just need someplace to stay, and for that I need money. Do you…know anyone who…"

Her voice trailed off and she turned away, looking very pained. The stallion stared at her, eyes narrowed.

"Did you come here…so you could find a pimp to work for?"

Her eyes filled again with tears. "I figured no one here would care what I had done…it's the only way I can survive…I feel so worthless."

He smiled slightly and lifted her chin with his hoof. "You aren't worthless. You're very brave, doing whatever you need to survive." He sighed heavily. "I may regret this, but…come stay at my place for the rest of the night, and we'll see what we can find in the morning."

Twilight looked up at him with hope swimming in her eyes. I may not have my life back, but at least I found someone here I can trust.

"What's your name, kid?"

"Twilight Sparkle. Yours?"

"Jack. Jack Nimble."