//------------------------------//
// Three's A Crowd? 
// Story: The Napoleons: The Confessions & Revelations Of The Greatest Mafia Family 
// by Bluecatcinema 
//------------------------------//

'And now we move on to Manslaughter Lucky "Slot" Napoleon. After Salt, Slot was always the biggest hothead of the bunch. If you have ever met my second to youngest brother, you would see that he is easily the quickest to anger. He wasn't always so angry, though. He was abrasive, sure, but he only started having rages after Caboose came along. I've long suspected that the source of his anger was resentment toward Caboose for taking his place as the youngest of the brothers, but I never felt it necessary to talk to him about it.  Also, he is not one to wait around for us to make a plan. No, he would rather go big or go home, and to make it short, he would always go big.'

'While this has caused trouble for us in the past, it does not make the fact that he is truly an excellent assassin any less relevant. Having received some tips from our distant great uncle 47 (why he had a number for a name, I do not know), he had racked up a impressive kill quota in so little time. If someone was on our hitlist, Slot would almost always go and take him out by the end of the week (unless the mark is out of the country, then two weeks top). While as an assassin, he is silent as the night, he prefers to get up close and personal, slicing him or her to ribbons with his weapon of trade, knives.'

'His skill with knives was so great that none of us were surprised when it turned out to be his special talent; His Cutie Mark manifested after he won a knife-throwing contest with a Russiaddlan that made a comment about our mom's promiscuity. Slot scored the trophy, and threw a knife into the Russiaddlan's leg for good measure. His other talent lay with games of chance. He really lived up to his middle name, scoring win after win at every casino we ever went to. Whenever we were low on funds, we'd just take Slot to the nearest gambling establishment. He never failed to rake in some much-needed cash.

'Turning to the more mundane side for a moment, Slot had a thing for music. After this rock festival rolled into Roam when he was a kid, he loved listening to a good tune.For a hobby, he plays a really mean guitar. Despite having not much time to play on one, he is pretty damn good. Rock and metal music were his favorites, with Slot having no time for any of the softer stuff, often writing them off as all mushy and not his 'speed'. However, there was this one time when he was called in to take out a famous violinist...'

Slot sneaked into the concert hall of Saddle Arabia's capital. He climbed into the rafters above the stage, readying his knife for the hit shot. His hoof was covered in a glove, to prevent him being identified via prints. His target was the top violinist, Satin Strings. She owed a lot of money to some associates of the Napoleons, and had chosen to flee rather than pay them back.

As per usual for all brothers when they went on missions, Slot had a ham radio strapped to his back when suddenly, Grim's voice rang in.

"Slot, are you in position?" Grimm asked.

"Yes." Slot sighed. "Seriously, you don't need to check up on me every few minutes. I have been doin' this for a while now."

"Don't get complacent." Grimoire scolded him. "Even a pro can mess up if he lets his guard down."

"Not this pro." Slot smirked.

"Just make it quick and clean." Grimoire growled.

"Yeah, yeah." Slot groaned. "Jeez, you're worse than mom..."

The crowd applauded as Satin walked on stage. She was a powder blue Earth Pony with brown eyes, a silvery mane, and a Cutie Mark of some sheet music.

Slot readied himself.

"Your concert's about to be cut short." He smirked, readying the knife.

Satin began playing her violin. Just as Slot was about to throw the knife, he stopped. The music emanating from the stage was beautiful, wondrous. It set his soul aflame.

"Wow..." He gaped, lowering the knife. "What a talent..."

Unable to throw the knife, Slot chose to continue listening to Satin's concerto.

When Satin finished, the crowd applauded once more.

"That was incredible..." Slot smiled.

"Hello, Slot? Is Satin dead yet?" Grimm asked through the radio.

"Huh?" Slot snapped out of his stupor. "No, not yet."

"Not yet?" Grimm's surprise was noticeable, "Slot, what's the hold up?"

"Well, uh..." Slot mumbled. "Maybe we don't have to kill this Satin gal."

"What?!" Grimoire snorted. "Why?"

"She... she is pretty good at her job." Slot admitted. "Maybe she'll earn enough to pay us off. Besides, it seems like a shame to kill such a great musician..."

"I didn't think you were into that kind of music." Grimoire remarked.

"I'm not." Slot shook his head. "It's just..."

"Look Slot, I see what you're getting at." Grimoire sighed. "I know all about how good a music Satin is. But she crossed us, and has to pay the price. It's your duty as a Napoleon to ensure she does, regardless of personal feelings. Do you understand?"

"...Yeah, I guess." Slot bowed his head.

"Good." Grimoire declared. "Now, do what you have to do."

"Here goes..." Slot frowned.

As Satin took a bow, the knife flew into her head, killing her instantly.

"Sorry, Ms Strings." Slot sighed. "A job's a job. Too bad, though. You had some real talent..."

As the crowd gasped and panicked in horror, Slot nonchalantly made his out of his hiding spot.

'A near-miss, you might think. Out of all the hits he carried out, this was the one that Slot did not take joy in doing. Slot may seem like a thug at times, but we sometimes forget that even the toughest stallions have the softest spots. This wouldn't be the last time Slot would be entranced by a musician. He met Vinyl Scratch, a top DJ, and romance blossomed. But an unforeseen event threatened to ruin that romance. As with Sonny's chapter, a certain subject matter might be considered a tad risqué for the more prudish readers. Bear that warning well, as we move on to...'

Chapter Twenty-Four: Three's A Crowd?

Over in Canterlot, Slot had been dragged by Vinyl to a fancy gala. Slot was in his best (and most itchy) suit, uncomfortable and out of place. Vinyl, on the other hoof, was in her element.

"Hi!" She waved to her adoring fans. "Great to see you!"

"This blows." Slot scowled.

"Please don't complain, sweetie." Vinyl frowned.

"Hey, I never wanted to come to this dumb thing!" Slot pouted. "Would have been better if we'd just had a nice night in together..."

"But then you wouldn't  meet my old friend." Vinyl smiled. "We were in college together, totally inseparable..."

"Oh, you were, were you?" Slot scowled, jealousy forming. He looked away angrily.

"Yep." Vinyl nodded. "We even lived together for a while. Perfect partners, we were. We went our separate ways a while back, but we still keep in touch..." She spotted her friend in the crowd. "Ah-hah! Get over here, you!" She ran over to pull her friend out of the crowd.

"I swear, if this 'friend' of yours tries anything, I'm going to kick him in the ba..." As Slot turned, Vinyl showed him her old friend...who was none other than Octavia Melody. While no longer in her prime, the gray coated mare still carried herself with an elegant, refined air. The minor age lines on her face only served to make her look more sophisticated and debonair, while her eyes still sparkled with with an artist's passion. "-dacious flanks?!" Slot swerved, stupefied.

"Slot, this is my old friend, Octavia Melody." Vinyl smiled. "Octavia, this is Slot."

"At last, we meet." Octavia smiled. "Vi's told me a lot about you."

Slot was still spellbound. Octavia's voice was as gorgeous as her face.

"Meet to great you." He mumbled, holding out a hoof. "I mean, great to pleasure you! No, I meant... a pleasure to see you! Yeah, that's what I meant!"

"My, so articulate." Octavia joked. "You're a lucky girl, Vi."

"Don't I know it." Vinyl chuckled.

"So, er... you two were at college together?" Slot asked.

"Oh, yes." Octavia nodded. "We met on our very first day. Things just 'clicked' between us, and before we knew it, we were doing everything together."

"We even lived together for a while in Ponyville." Vinyl recalled. "We couldn't agree on how to decorate the house, so we decide to split it right down the middle."

"Though mine was better." Octavia joked.

"We were the best of friends." Vinyl smiled. "We had some pretty wild nights together. Oh, the stories I could tell you..."

"Go on..." Slot urged, dry-mouthed with deviant fantasies.

"Ah, that's old news." Octavia declared. "Let's stick closer to the present. How are things, Vi."

"Pretty great." Vinyl smiled. "How's your career going?"

"Wonderful." Octavia smiled. "I just did a concert at Whinnyapolis."

"Great!" Vinyl smiled. "Octavia's a cellist, you know."

"Really?" Slot asked. "How nice for her. You know, I knew this violinist once."

"You don't say?" Octavia smiled. "What happened?"

"It... ended badly." Slot admitted. "It was a real shame. She was pretty good..."

"Hey, what did you just say about old news?" Vinyl asked. "Let's talk about the present, already! All of us."

"Of course." Octavia smiled. "I want to hear more about your handsome coltfriend."

"Happy to oblige." Slot smiled.

The three of them spent most of the night talking. Slot could barely take his eyes off Octavia the whole time.

"So, that was it for my tour of Aerovis." Octavia declared.

"That sounds incredible." Slot smiled.

"How were all those griffons audiences, anyway?" Vinyl asked.

"Oh, they were wonderful." Octavia smiled. "If a little... flighty!"

The trio all laughed, Slot a lot louder than the others. He didn't know what was wrong with him. All he knew was that Octavia was an amazing mare. She was so beautiful, so witty, so fun to talk to.

As the night came to a close, Slot and Vinyl made to return to Ponyville.

"It was great seeing you again." Vinyl hugged Octavia.

"You too, Vi." Octavia beamed.

"It was... nice talking with you." Slot admitted.

"Thanks." Octavia smiled. "Maybe we can get together sometime and... wag tongues. if you know what I mean."

"I, er... huh?" Slot gaped, confused.

"Bye." Octavia waved, as she climbed into her personal carriage.

"Smooth, Casaneighva." Vinyl smirked.

"Say what?" Slot asked.

"I saw the way you looked at her." Vinyl told him. "Got an eye for the refined gals, have you?"

"N-no!" Slot spluttered. "It's not like that, babe!"

"Please." Vinyl said teasingly. "You were drooling over her all evening."

"No way!" Slot insisting, trying to convince himself along with Vinyl. "I've only got eyes for you, Vi."

"Sure you do." Vinyl smirked. "Now let's get home. Seeing Octavia has made me nostalgic. I've got some old memories I want to relive. And you can help with me."

"With pleasure." Slot smirked.

They returned home, and had an... exciting night. But over the next few days, Slot found he couldn't get Octavia out of his head. Unsure of what to do, he decided to consult Salt and Murray while they were at lunch together at Ponyville's local cafe.

"I don't know what to do, guys." He frowned. "I can't get this Octavia chick out of my mind."

"What's the big deal?" Murray asked. "It ain't a sin to think about another mare every once in a while."

"But that's it!" Slot groaned. "It's not 'every once in a while'! I think about her all the time! Gawd, it's like I'm mentally cheating on Vinyl..."

"Relax, bro." Salt told him. "You're not cheating on Vi."

"Salt's right." Murray nodded. "This thing with that Octavia gal is all in your head. You just have to try and stop thinking about her, that's all."

"That's all?" Slot frowned.

"Yep." Salt nodded. "Just put her out of your mind, and you'll be back to normal in no time."

"Well, I guess I could give it a try..." Slot sighed.

"Shouldn't be too hard." Murray smirked. "Not thinking is kind of your speciality."

"Watch it." Slot growled.

"Good luck, bro." Salt declared. "You can do this."

"Yeah, show that brain of yours who's boss." Murray encouraged him. "Whatever going through your head, it's just thoughts. You can just ignore them."

"Right." Slot nodded. "I can do this. Just don't have think about her, that's all..."

Slot returned home, determined not to let any thoughts of Octavia enter his mind. But fate had other ideas...

As Slot entered the house, Vinyl came to greet him.

"Hey, handsome." She smiled.

"Hey, hot stuff." Slot grinned.

"Guess what?" Vinyl asked. "You got an invitation to Octavia's next performance."

"...What?" Slot gaped.

"Oh, yeah." Vinyl nodded. "She's holding a recital over in Canterlot. She sent over a personal invite for you! With a backstage pass, even! Guess she really liked hanging out with you last week..."

"I, er... can't go." Slot claimed. "I'm not really into the 'classical music' thing. Why don't you go instead? Take my invite, have some fun!"

"I can't do that." Vinyl smiled. "The invite has your name on it. Octavia wants you to come."

"But-" Slot started.

"Come on." Vinyl urged. "It won't be so bad. Besides, it'll be good to know that my stallion and my best friend are connecting. Surely you can stand one night of classical music? For me?"

"...Okay, I'll go." Slot caved in. "But just this once."

"Great," Vinyl hugged him. "You're gonna love it. Trust me!"

"That's just what I'm worried about..." Slot said under his breath.

A couple of nights later, Slot, once again dressed in his itchy suit, was at the Canterlot concert hall.

'Okay, Slot. Just remember what the guys said.' He thought. 'It's all in your head. Just ignore whatever it is you're thinking. Listen to the recital, make some small talk, then head back to Ponyville, and Vinyl. The mare you love. Just her. Nopony else...'

Slot took his seat alongside several well-to-do ponies and music enthusiasts. The curtain opened on the stage, and Octavia emerged, he trusty cello standing ready. Slot did everything he could not to think about how beautiful she looked under the spotlight.

'Just focus on the boring music she's about to play.' He told himself. 'The boring, boring music...'

The mare began to play. It was a wondrous tune, even more soul-stirring than the one Satin Strings had played.

'Whoa...' Slot thought. 'That's... that's incredible.'

Octavia continued playing, her recital edging into the highs and lows, conjuring feelings of passion and heart in every chord.

Before long, Slot was crying silent tears.

'Unbelievable.' He thought, his head swaying to the music. 'I've heard rock metal ballads that didn't stir my soul as much as this. She... she's amazing...'

With one last, passionate chord, Octavia finished her song. The crowd stood up, cheering and stomping their hooves in applause. As Octavia bowed, she cast her eyes on Slot. With a nod of her head, she silently urged him to come backstage.

'Maybe I should just drop by for a minute or two...' Slot thought. 'Just to congratulate her for that amazing performance.'

Tentatively, Slot made his way backstage, heading to Octavia's dressing room.

"Hi." Octavia smiled as he entered.

"Hey..." Slot said awkwardly. "Great job out there. That was some fine... celling."

"Oh, you're just saying that." Octavia said modestly.

"No, really." Slot insisted. "Honestly, I've never liked this 'classical' stuff. And that performance of yours still really got to me. You are some kinda wonder, lady."

"Thanks." Octavia smiled. "Good to know I made a believer out of you. By the way, Vinyl told you're something of a musician yourself."

"I play guitar a little." Slot shrugged.

"Maybe you could show me?" Octavia offered.

"I would, but I didn't bring it with me." Slot scratched the back of his head.

"That's okay." Octavia opened a trunk, from which she extracted a guitar. "I came prepared."

"Oh, right." Slot took the guitar. "I, er... don't think I have time to-"

"Just one little tune?" Octavia asked, her eyelashes fluttering. "Please?"

"Okay." Slot gushed, unable to refuse such a face. "It's been a while, but..."

Slot strummed the guitar, playing one of his favourite tunes. It was a wild, frenzied melody that personified him perfectly. He was worried (and also hoping) that it would be a little too wild for a mare of Octavia's refinement. But once he finished, Octavia started to applaud.

"That was marvellous!" She smiled.

"Really?" Slot gaped. "I didn't think it'd be your thing."

"Oh, you're not the only one with hidden musical tastes." Octavia declared.

"...How about that, huh?" Slot shrugged, his admiration for her growing.

"Vi really did net herself a wonderful stallion." Octavia smiled, moving in closer. "Strong, talented, handsome..."

"Well, now that's out of the way, I should really be going..." Slot gulped, her attention making him nervous.

"So soon?" Octavia frowned. "But you only just got here."

"Yeah, but... y'know, Vi's waiting..." Slot said feebly.

"I'm sure she won't mind you staying a little longer." Octavia smiled. "She always was the patient sort... Now come on, I have some lovely wine from Minostan I've been saving for a special occasion. It's not right to have nopony to share such a vintage with."

"Well, all that guitar playing has made me thirsty." Slot admitted. "And it's not every day I get to drink Minostan wine.... I guess one drink wouldn't hurt."

"That's the ticket." Octavia smiled. She poured a couple of glasses for them.

"Okay." Slot raised his glass. "Here's to... new friends!"

"And old." Octavia nodded, clinking her glass against his. "If it weren't for Vi, I wouldn't have met you. And that would have been such a shame..."

"Yeah, I guess..." Slot blushed, noting that Octavia was gazing alluringly at him. "Well, down the hatch."

Slot downed the wine in one gulp.

"Whoa, that's good." He smiled. "Vinny's wine just got some competition..."

"Another?" Octavia offered.

"...Yeah, why not?" Slot nodded. "Like my old dad used to say, 'Any wine worth drinking is worth drinking twice'."

"Your father was a very wise stallion." Octavia grinned, as she refilled their glasses.

"Boy, this must be the life." Slot smiled after downing his drink. "Vi's on the road a lot with her DJ thing, but she doesn't have things nearly this swanky. We just hang out in the tour bus. Never seen a dressing room like this before."

"Classical music brings with it classical tastes." Octavia shrugged. "Anything less just doesn't seem right."

"Lucky for you, huh?" Slot chuckled, the effects of the wine starting to get to him. "How about one more for the road?"

"Coming right up." Octavia giggled, she too starting to experience the beginnings of inebriation.

Despite his claim, Slot stayed for more and more wine, talking with Octavia about her career, and her friendship with Vinyl.

"So, you and Vi, huh?" Slot smiled. "Sounds like you guys were pretty close."

"Oh, we were." Octavia nodded.

"So, why'd you split up?" Slot asked.

"Well, we just had different goals." Octavia sighed. "Our careers were really starting to go places, and we had to take our own paths to get there."

"That's too bad." Slot sighed. "Do you regret your choice?"

"Sometimes." Octavia admitted. "But Vi and I still stay in touch, and see each other when we can, so it's not such a big problem."

"I kinda see where you're comin' from, though." Slot declared. "Me and my brothers don't see each other as much as we used to. It wasn't easy at first. Having ponies you were once so close with, be apart from you..."

"Wow." Octavia grinned. "You are not what I expected. Vi told me you had a sweet side, but she also mentioned you had something of a temper to you."

"She did?" Slot growled. "...Well, she's kinda right. I do blow my top a lot. I just... can't help myself sometimes. A lot of things just get me so darn mad! You probably think that's dumb, right?"

"Not really." Octavia smiled. "Passion is the spice of life, and you clearly have it in spades. I like that in a stallion."

"Oh... thanks." Slot blushed.

"I envy Vi, you know." Octavia sighed. "To have a coltfriend like you. If only I were so lucky..."

"You don't have a coltfriend?" Slot asked.

"Nope" Octavia shrugged. "Never really found the time."

"That's too bad." Slot said sympathetically. "You're a real sweet gal. Any colt'd be lucky to have you."

"Thanks." Octavia smiled. "You're sweet to say that."

"No problem." Slot said awkwardly, not liking the smile she was giving him. "Um... more wine?"

"Coming right up." Octavia nodded.

Slot quickly down the wine, and asked for another. His head began to swim...

The next morning, Slot woke up in some kind of private hotel suite, with a pounding headache.

"Urghhh...." He groaned. "You just had to have more wine, didn't ya? Ya never learn, Napoleon..."

As Slot's eyes adjusted, he realized he wasn't in his usual bedroom.

"Where the buck am I?" He frowned.

Just then, Octavia came into the room, in the midst of putting on her bowtie, much to Slot's horror.

"No, no, no..." Slot said softly.

"Oh, you're awake." Octavia smiled. "Good morning."

"...What happened last night?" Slot asked, deeply concerned.

"Oh, nothing much really." Octavia shrugged. "We had a little too much to drink, and you were afraid of getting mugged on your way back to Ponyville, so I let you stay here at my suite."

"So nothing happened?" Slot smiled. "Whew, for a moment there, I thought..."

"And you were absolutely marvellous in bed last night, Slot." Octavia grinned. "Vinyl was right about you. You really do put your aggressiveness to good use."

Slot gaped at her in horror.

"Well, I trust you can see your way out, Slot, dear?" Octavia asked. "I already told Vinyl about you staying over, so you should be good there." She nuzzled him on the cheek. "See you around."

Octavia left the room with a sultry sway. As soon as she shut the door, Slot clutched his mane and let out a horrified scream.

"AHHHHHHHH!!" He yelled, utterly horrified.

Not too far from there, Caboose and Daring were sitting in their living room, when Slot's scream filtered in through the open window.

"AHHHHHHHH!!"

"So it's a shouting match you want, is it, Canterlot?" Caboose frowned. "Well, game on!" He started yelling out the window, matching Slot's continuing screams. "AHHHHH! AHHHHH! I'm beating you!"

"Oh, boy." Daring cringed. "Not again..."

Slot rushed back to Ponyville, still in a state of shock.

'You idiot!' He berated himself, as he sat on the train. 'How could you betray Vinyl like that, you lousy slimewad!'

As he entered their home, Vinyl came to greet him.

"There you are." She smiled, kissing him on the cheek. "So, how was the recital?"

"It was... an eye opener." Slot declared.

"Yeah, Octavia always been a real virtuoso." Vinyl smiled. "What about after the recital? How did you two get along?"

"We got along... fine." Slot declared. "We drank, we talked, then we went to her hotel room... where she let me use the bed for the night, while she slept on the couch."

"Really?" Vinyl frowned.

"What's so weird about that?" Slot asked defensively. "I was her guest, after all."

"I guess that does sound a little like her." Vinyl shrugged. "Now, aren't you glad you went?"

"Yeah, sure." Slot nodded. "But I'm more glad to be with you again."

Slot embraced Vinyl in a strong kiss.

"Whoa, what's all this?" Vinyl asked.

"I just... really missed you." Slot declared.

"I missed you too." Vinyl ruffled his messy mane. "You're just in time for lunch, you know. Turf tacos, your favourite."

"Yum." Slot smiled.

As Vinyl walked into the kitchen, Slot's smile dropped off his face. He knew he should've told her the truth, but he couldn't bear to. He didn't want to break her heart. Instead, he met up with Murray and Salt at the first opportunity, and confessed everything.

"You what?!" Salt said angrily. "How could you do that?"

"I know, I know." Slot groaned.

"Do you?" Salt asked. "Do you really? You cheated on your marefriend! That's inexcusable!"

"I said I KNOW!!" Slot roared. "Don't you think I hate myself for it? Because I do!"

"Well, you should!" Salt spat.

"Back up there, Salt." Murray frowned. "Look Slot, I'd be lying if I said I was thrilled about this whole 'cheating' thing, but maybe you should think of it as a good thing."

"Say what?" Slot frowned. "How is this a good thing?"

"Because it could be your chance to hook up with a classier mare." Murray smiled. "That Octavia gal's into you, right? Maybe you should trade up!"

"Oh, real nice, Murray." Salt scowled. "Are you saying you'd 'trade up' on May if you had the chance?"

"Hey, that's different!" Murray growled.

"Doesn't sound like it." Salt spat.

"I'm just saying, Slot has the option!" Murray defended himself.

"The option to dump his marefriend?" Salt growled. "What is wrong with you?"

"Don't get all high and mighty with me." Murray glared. "You've traded up yourself. Remember when you ditched that Saffron gal in favour of that mare, Hyacinth?"

"I was young and foolish back then!" Salt declared.

"What do you mean 'back then', you big hypocrite?" Murray shot back.

"Oh, that's it!" Salt lunged at Murray.

The two began wrestling, arguing all the while.

"You take that back!" Salt yelled.

"You first!" Murray snarled.

Realizing his two older brothers were of little help, Slot left, utterly despondent. Then he thought of one other pony he could turn to. He rushed over to Grimoire and Zecora's place, only to find a note on the door.

"To whom it may concern: The stallion and mare of the house aren't in at the moment. We've gone to the beach, and won't be back until dusk. And to any burglars, please note that there is a well-trained Timberwolf inside. Enter at your own risk."

'So much for that idea...' Slot thought. 'Nice time to take a day off, Grim.'

That evening, he found himself unable to so much as look Vinyl in the eyes.

"What's wrong, Slot?" Vinyl asked, as they lay in bed together. "Come on, you can tell me."

"I can't..." Slot frowned.

"Oh come on, why not, buddy?" Vinyl said with a playful tap, "You can tell me anything."

"Trust me, babe, you don't want to know." Slot shook his head, "It's just something you wouldn't understand... sorry."

"You'd be surprised at what I can understand." Vinyl declared. "Try me."

"No." Slot said firmly.

"Why not?" Vinyl pushed.

"Because I said so!" Slot yelled. "Now butt out!"

"...Okay..." Vinyl frowned, visibly upset at this remark, but didn't bother showing it. "Well, if you want to be that way... fine, I can take a hint..."

Vinyl rolled over, sleeping with her back against him. Slot frowned as he stifled a groan.

'Way to go, Napoleon.' Slot told himself bitterly. 'The point in not telling Vi was so she wouldn't be hurt. Well, you just hurt her right now. You cheated on her and you snubbed her... Faust, I really made a mess of things.'

The next morning, Vinyl gave Slot a positively sub-zero shoulder, barely even looking at him at all. Slot figured she was either upset at him for snubbing her last night or just plain angry, but either way, he couldn't bear it. Slot walked out into Ponyville, hoping a walk could clear his mind.

'I can't keep doing this to her.' He thought. 'Vi deserves better than this. She's always been there for me. Always supportive, always looking out for me, always helping me through my rages, always giving me lots of fun nights... She's stuck with me even when I was at my worst. She's been a better marefriend than I deserve.' He took a deep breath. 'There's only one thing to do. I have to put Octavia completely out of my mind. The only way I'll be able to get past this if I don't see her ever again. And I will have to tell Vinyl the truth someday. May as well be today...'

Slot's walk continued, as he gathered up the mental fortitude to apologise to Vinyl. Saying he was sorry had never been Slot's strong suit. Deciding words might not be enough, Slot bought a bouquet of violets (Vinyl's favourite flower) from Daisy.

Slot returned home, hiding the bouquet behind his back.

"Vi?" He asked tentatively.

"Yes?" Vinyl grunted, still peeved.

"I'm sorry I've been ignoring you." Slot declared. "I've just... got a lot on my mind right now. And I had no right to take it out on you like I did last night. You didn't deserve that. Never in a million years. I've never been good at apologies, but they say it's the thought that counts." He pulled out the bouquet. "Forgive me?"

"Oh, Slot..." Vinyl smiled, taking the flowers. "My favorites."

"I know." Slot grinned. "I would never knowingly hurt you, Vi. I'm sorry. Like I said, I've got... something on my mind."

"And what exactly is on your mind that you would be so...distant?" Vinyl asked.

"I... I can't tell you." Slot sighed, looking her in the eyes. "But I have a good reason. Just trust me, you're better off not knowing. I know it's not easy, but do understand that I care a lot about you... okay?"

"...Okay." Vinyl nodded. "I trust you, Slot."

"Thanks, babe." Slot kissed her.

"It's hard to stay mad at you when you make gestures like these." Vinyl grinned.

"Lucky for me, huh?" Slot smirked.

"Maybe later, we could do a little make-up activity in bed later?" Vinyl purred.

"You got it." Slot grinned, embracing his marefriend.

It seemed like Slot was going to come out of that whole mess on top. Unfortunately, that though only lasted a day. The next morning, there was a knock at the door. Slot opened it to see Octavia there.

"Hi." She smiled.

"...Oh, buck." Slot cringed.

"Hey, Octavia!" Vinyl smiled. "What brings you here?"

"Just thought I'd drop by." Octavia grinned.

"And we're so glad you did." Vinyl beamed. "Aren't we, Slot?"

"Oh, yeah." Slot smiled falsely, trying his best to not panic. "Sure..."

"I'll go make us some drinks." Vinyl declared. "Slot, you keep Octavia entertained."

"Yay..." Octavia purred.

As Vinyl entered the kitchen, Slot and Octavia entered the living room, where Slot instantly rounded on Octavia.

"What the buck do you think you're doing?!" He growled.

"Um...visiting my best friend and her handsome coltfriend." Octavia smiled awkwardly.

"Oh, is that it?" Slot asked angrily, "You are some piece of work, lady!"

"Pardon?" Octavia frowned.

"Don't play dumb!" Slot spat. "Ever since I met you, you had been comin' on to me! You seduce me with that damn sexy voice, those flanks, and your siren music! Because of you, I cheated on the one mare that I cared about who actually loved me back!" At this point, Slot was trying his best to not break down in tears, "Look, Octavia, you're hot and everything, but I love Vinyl, and now, I betrayed her, because you just couldn't let me be!"

"Hold the phone." Octavia held up a hoof, "First off, thank you for your compliments. Secondly... I did nothing of the sort. True, maybe I was flirting with you a little bit, but it was you that was coming on to me that night. You wanted my body against yours that night... and well, I obliged."

"Liar." Slot snarled, "I am in a happy relationship with Vinyl. I wouldn't..."

"Well, you're wrong." Octavia shot back. "Going to bed together was your idea. We were both a little drunk that night, and you were going off about many things, like how you were angry at Caboose for taking your place as the youngest, how you regretted killing Satin Strings, and how you like everything about me. despite having just met me."

"I really said all that?" Slot cringed.

"Oh, yes you did. In fact... when you and I were doing it... you told me that you were falling in love with me... and Faust be damned, you are one heck of a kisser." Octavia explained.

"Wha..." Slot felt that his head was going to explode. "No...no, this cannot be. I love Vi..." Slot shook his head and then snarled. "That's just not true!"

"Isn't it?" Octavia asked.

"Of course not." Slot spat. "I would never, under any circumstances, say I love you to somepony else other than Vi-"

Octavia suddenly grabbed Slot and kissed him. Slot was shocked, and even terrified, given how Vinyl was in the next room. Slot tries gripping Octavia's shoulders and pulling away, groaning and grunting in protest...

'No, no!' Slot thought. 'I can't let this happen! Can't let her do this! Though she is a good kisser...'

Soon, the tension in Slot's body dissipated as he gave into the kiss. The hooves on Octavia's shoulders began inching down, riding down the sides of Octavia's body, nearing her flanks.

'What a body...' Slot thought. 'Such amazing curves. Just like-'

"Ahem."

Instantly, Slot snapped back into reality and pushed away from Octavia, only to see Vinyl glancing at both of them.

"Am I interrupting anything?" Vinyl asked.

"Gah!" Slot stepped back, horrifed. "Vi... I, I..."

"Yes?" Vinyl asked, glaring at him and Octavia. "I'm listening."

"I... I..." Slot's lip quivered for a moment, then he burst into tears. "I slept with Octavia!"

"You did?" Vinyl gasped.

"Yes!" Slot wept. "After the recital, we had some drinks, then I woke up in her bed. We... we... I'm so sorry!" He throw himself at her hooves. "I'm a lousy, cheating piece of scum! A immoral, slime-sucking toad! I'll understand if you never want to see me again!"

"There, there." Vinyl comforted Slot. "It's okay."

"It's not!" Slot sniffed. "I've ruined everything! I betrayed you!"

"Well, I can't really blame you." Vinyl declared.

"You can't?" Slot gaped. "But I slept with Octavia!"

"Of course you did." Vinyl smiled. "Just look at her!"

"I am quite a fox, aren't I?" Octavia struck a sexy pose.

"Why are you taking this so well?" Slot asked. "I just told you I cheated on you with your best friend. Aren't you angry?"

"I am a little angry, I'll admit." Vinyl frowned. "But I know how alluring Octavia is. In fact, that's how I ended up sleeping with her in college."

"Then you know what I've been tho-wait, what?!" Slot spluttered. "You two actually...?"

"Oh, we did." Octavia smirked. "Remember those 'wild nights' we mentioned?"

"But... you both slept with me." Slot gaped. "So you can't be-"

"Truth be told, we're a little of both." Vinyl grinned.

"We went out for a while, before we decided to remain friends and I moved to Canterlot." Octavia explained. "It was such a wonderful time. We were so close. We would go for walks together, snuggle on the couch, and some nights, we'd just lie in bed together, holding each other."

"Those were my favorites." Vinyl sighed.

"Seriously? Unbelievable..." Slot gaped. "But... but... I still cheated on you, Vi."

"Yes, you did." Vinyl nodded. "But maybe this is a good thing."

"How can it be a good thing?" Slot asked, a little dumbfounded by how well she was taking things.

"Well..." Vinyl trailed off, as a blush appeared on her cheeks, "You see, I kinda been hiding stuff as well. It's just seeing Octavia after so long, it stirred up some... old emotions."

"Old emotions?" Slot raised a brow.

"Well, me and Octavia were room mates for a long time, even when I was in my 'mute' phase. I didn't want to say anything because I know how jealous you can get... but seeing how things are now..." Vinyl rubbed her head. "I've been fantasizing about getting with Octavia again ever since that night."

"Aw, I knew you still thought about me like that." Octavia grinned.

"Wait, so let me get this straight... I seem to have the hots for Octavia. You still have the hots for Octavia. Octavia has the hots for me... and we have the hots for each other..." Slot was trying his best to not overwhelm himself. "...Um, oh geez, this is a lot to take in..."

"Well, might I offer a suggestion?" Vinyl smirked.

"Sure, why not?" Slot groaned, exasperated.

"Since we both feel the same way about Octavia, as you gladly pointed out, maybe we could... share her, if you know what I mean." Vinyl suggested with a grin.

For most stallions (Slot included), what Vinyl was suggested was the ultimate bedroom fantasy. But Slot was just dumbfounded. This was something that would happen to his other brothers back in the days, but to happen to him now...in real life?

"...Share?" He gaped. "You mean like... the three of us? Together?"

"That's the general idea." Octavia nodded.

"But... how would that work?" Slot asked.

"We won't know until we try." Vinyl told him.

"But..." Slot started.

"Do you want Vi to leave you instead?" Octavia asked.

"...No." Slot murmured.

"Then lets give it a shot." Octavia smiled. "Besides, you look hunky enough to share..."

"Tonight, we'll all go out to dinner." Vinyl declared. "A little three-way date. We'll see how things go from there."

"Okay..." Slot gulped, feeling as if his world has just been turned upside down and inside out.

"And I promise, no matter what happens, I'll still love you." Vinyl nuzzled Slot.

"Save it for tonight, Vi." Octavia chuckled.

"Oh, I will." Vinyl chuckled. "Gotta have enough for both of you, you know."

"Oh, I do." Octavia grinned. "You were always a great kisser."

"Wanna help me with the snacks?" Vinyl asked. "I could use a helping hoof."

"With pleasure." Octavia nodded.

The two mares walked into the kitchen, each throwing Slot an alluring glance. But the temperamental stallion was too overwhelmed by his situation to fully acknowledge them.

"What the buck just happened?" Slot yelled to nopony in particular.

That evening at the Golden Horseshoe restaurant, Slot sat between Vinyl and Octavia, still comprehending what was happening to him right now. He had never felt so awkward in his life. While some stallion boasted about having mares on both sides (Murray and Salt included), he wasn't one of them. Heck, with his track record regarding mares, he didn't think it would happen to him. Yet, here he was, between two pretty mares who were on a date with him.

'This can't be happening.' He thought. 'One guy, two mares... it's like some lousy sitcom!'

"So, how was your little romp with Slot?" Vinyl asked Octavia, which prompted the mentioned stallion to stiffen for a bit.

"Amazing." Octavia sighed. "He really is a goer."

"Don't I know it." Vinyl grinned, "I don't care what the other mares say about the other brothers, Slot just got 'it' going for him."

"Ah-heh-heh, thanks." Slot smiled weakly.

"Slot, relax." Vinyl told him. "I know this is a little weird, but there's nothing wrong with what we're doing."

"I dunno." Slot frowned. "It feels... off. I mean, I'm dating two hot mares after admitting to have cheated on one of them who is my marefriend. It all seems so unlikely. Even a little... crazy!"

"Oh, really?" Octavia rubbed his chin with her hoof. "Does that feel better?"

"Well, kinda..." Slot chuckled.

"How about this?" Vinyl nibbled his ear.

"Oooh..." Slot purred.

"You really are a handsome one." Octavia nuzzled against him. "And I love your mane..."

"Try tousling it." Vinyl instructed. "You won't be disappointed."

Octavia complied, running her hoof through Slot's mane.

"I love a stallion with wild hair." She whispered in his ear.

"And I love that accent..." Slot said in spite of himself. "It's incredible."

"You're incredible, baby." Vinyl nuzzled Slot's other side.

"Isn't he?" Octavia grinned.

Both girls planted kisses on Slot's cheeks.

"Wow..." Slot sighed, blushing madly.

"Does this still feel 'off' to you?" Vinyl purred.

"Not so much right now." Slot said dreamily.

"You see?" Octavia asked. "This isn't so bad. In fact, it's better. Two of us means twice the fun."

"True." Slot nodded, putting a hoof around each of them.

"And twice the love." Vinyl kissed him on the lips.

"Hey, don't hog him." Octavia pulled Slot into a kiss of her own.

"Maybe... maybe this could work after all." Slot admitted, before frowning. "But I think you should know, Octavia, I'm not the friendliest guy around. And then there's that temper of mine..."

"I already told you." Octavia placed a hoof on his lips. "I like a stallion with passion."

"Besides, we haven't even gotten to the best part yet." Vinyl chuckled, hugging Slot.

"Wait until we get you home, mister..." Octavia grinned, hugging Slot as well.

His brain now functioning perfectly, Slot immediately lit up with glee.

"Check, please!" Slot held up a hoof.

"Done so soon, sir?" The waiter asked.

"Not exactly." Slot smirked. "I just have a... late-night gathering to attend."

"You sure do." Vinyl grinned.

"Be sure to pick up the leftovers." Octavia teased. "You'll need the energy..."

"Don't I know it." Slot chuckled.

The trio rushed out of the restaurant as fast as they could, returning to Slot and Vinyl's home for the "main event", so to speak...

A couple of weeks later, Salt and Murray were at the café, drinking glasses of cider. Disappointed in how their last talk went, Salt and Murray hoped that Slot would had figured out his problem regarding his infidelity... however, they hadn't seen Slot since they last spoke. They called up Grim, only for him to have no ideas as well, and their brothers in Canterlot, to the same results. They even made a long-distance call to Bitaly to ask Gregory and the others if they seen him. Yet there was no signs of Slot, or Vinyl for that matter, anywhere.

"You know, I am getting worried about Slot." Murray frowned. "We haven't heard from the guy in two weeks."

"Maybe something's happened." Salt frowned. "Something bad..."

"You don't think Vinyl found out about him cheating on her and... killed him, do you?" Murray fretted.

"Kill him?" Salt shuddered, before shaking his head, "No, Slot is a pro. He wouldn't let anyone best him... but then again, he might had killed Vinyl in self defence then himself to deal with the grief of his infidelity and killing the one he loved..."

"Gosh, we gotta stopped speculating." Murray sighed, "I'm sure Slot is just fine...I mean, no news is better than bad news, right?"

"I guess." Salt murmured, "I just hope he's okay."

Suddenly, as if on cue, none other than Slot came into the café.

"Slot!" Murray and Salt gasped.

"Hey, guys." Slot greeted, "How it's hangin'?"

"Slot, where the buck had you been the past two weeks?" Murray demanded.

"Yeah, we thought something bad happened to you." Salt glared.

"Sorry, guys." Slot apologized, "I just been taking time to sort things out, you know, concerning the whole cheating thing."

"Where exactly did you go?" Murray asked.

"Las Pegasus." Slot said nonchalantly.

"...You cheated on your marefriend, and your definition of 'sorting things out' is gambling?" Salt deadpanned. "Dammit, Slot, you cheated on Vinyl with her best friend. This isn't going to help your relationship."

"If there is any relationship left to save." Murray added. "Slot, did you and Vinyl..."

"Break up?" Slot asked. "Well..."

"That's too bad." Salt sighed. "Such a shame."

"Actually..." Slot started.

"Yeah." Murray agreed. "But hey, at least now you have a chance to trade up to that Octavia gal."

"Funny you should mention that..." Slot smiled.

"Seriously, Murray?" Salt scowled.

"Hey, I'm just saying." Murray shrugged. "Vinyl was nice, but she was exactly the prettiest mare on the block."

"Hey, you're no prize yourself, Murray."

The two older brothers perked up in shock as Vinyl Scratch joined Slot's side.

"Vinyl?!" Murray and Salt gasped at once.

"What the... Vinyl... you're still..." Murray stammered.

"But... wait, if Vinyl's here." Salt assumed, before smiling a bit. "Does that mean you two actually worked things out?"

"Oh, we did more than that." Vinyl chuckled,

"But... but... what about Octavia?" Murray asked.

"Did someone mentioned me?" None other than Octavia asked, as she flanked Slot's other side.

"What the..." Murray gaped.

"Buck?" Salt finished, equally surprised, wiping the smirk from his face.

"What's going on here?" Murray asked.

"Yeah, Slot." Salt glared at me. "What's the deal here?"

"Let's just say I've been keeping busy." Slot shrugged. "But an introduction is in order: guys, this is Octavia Melody. Octavia, these are my bros, Murray and Salt."

"A pleasure to meet you." Octavia smiled.

"Same here..." Murray floundered.

"Ditto." Salt said awkwardly.

"So, er... what exactly were you doin' in Las Pegasus, Slot?" Murray asked.

"And why are both Vinyl and Octavia with you, sticking to you like magnets?" Salt followed up.

"Oh, I was just getting to that." Slot smirked, "You'll see...and you better brace yourselves..."

"For what?" Salt asked.

Slot and the two mares smiled as then, they revealed two gold rings, one on Vinyl's horn, the other on Octavia's hoof.

"We all got married!" Slot announced.

Salt and Murray dropped their glasses, their eyes pinpricked.

"You... married... both these mares?" Murray spluttered.

"Yep." Slot nodded.

"You... eloped... with two mares." Salt repeated.

"That's right." Slot smirked.

The two older brothers were left speechless for a moment... emphasis on the word 'moment'.

"How did you...?" Murray asked.

"Why did you...?" Salt gaped.

"Easy, guys." Slot smirked. "Try to breath."

"You married them... both?" Murray gasped.

"Oh, yeah." Slot nodded.

"Isn't that... illegal?" Salt asked.

"Not in Las Pegasus." Octavia grinned. "A little something I learned during a tour there."

"It's completely legit." Vinyl added.

"Oh... okay." Murray said flatly.

"...Congratulations, I guess?" Salt said awkwardly.

"Thanks, bros." Slot grinned. "Well, I would love to stay and chat, but we just came for the coffee. Then we're headed back home for a little... exercise, if you catch my drift."

"Oh, Slot." Vinyl chuckled.

"It should be quite a workout. Octavia grinned.

Murray and Salt gazed, utterly dumfounded, as Slot and his wives picked up their order and exited the coffee shop.

"...Did that really just happened?" Murray asked weakly.

"If by that, you mean our little brother, who lacks our skills with the mares, just entered a polygamous marriage with two mares...then yeah, that just happened." Salt nodded.

"...Well, at least he solved the problem." Murray gave a small but rather limp shrug.

"Yeah..." Salt murmured. "A pretty elegant solution, I gotta admit..."

The two continued staring off into space, their minds swimming from what they had just experienced.

"...Motherbucker." The two stallion exclaimed at once.

'So... that happened. And before you say anything...no, I have no idea in all of Equestria of how this could have happened. But it did. As I write this, Slot and his two spouses are living together in Ponyville. When the rest of us had heard from Murray and Salt about this, we were all stupefied. Lars tried to calculate howit could have happened, only to end up stumped. Sonny actually fainted from shock. Vinny thought he had drunk a bad batch of wine when he heard. And Caboose, well... he just thought Slot had gotten a "two-for-one deal" on the wedding. Regardless of how unexpected this was, it was safe to say that Slot was now living the stallions' definition of the 'dream'. Having been married twice, I personally cannot fathom how one stallion can be married once to two mares simultaneously. Heck, some of us keep saying that Slot's marriage wouldn't last... but despite my own objections regarding polyamory, I believe Slot hadn't been happier in a long time, even with Vinyl.

'And as the saying goes, if Slot is happy, then I am happy for him. Not to mention it should make our next family get-together infinitely more interesting...though when I talked to Slot the other day, I did feel that something was off with the world today... like something... froze over.'

Meanwhile, down in Tarturus, the entire place was covered in ice.

"It's f-f-f-freezing down here!" Twitch shivered. "What happened?"

"How am I supposed to know?" Tirek scowled. "This has never happened before."

"But it c-c-can be fixed, r-right?" Twitch asked.

"Do you have any idea how long it takes to get the pilot lit down here?" Tirek sneered. "Don't hold your breath, shorty."

"Oh, g-g-g-great." Twitch shuddered. "Just when I thought things couldn't get any w-w-worse..."

'That's it for now. See you next chapter. And rest assured, the shocks are far from over...'