Author’s note: There will be some overlap between this chapter and the next two.

“Okay, Snow, just rest here for a little bit.” I didn’t complain as Buff sat me down on the hatchstep of our new sky carriage, courtesy of Amber Bernstein. It was a wondrous machine which, through the multitude of talismans adorning its hull, allowed one or two fliers to carry ten times their number. Or so Amber claimed anyway, since we hadn’t left the ground yet.

Love the blue flames along the side, very symbolic, but did she have to sneak the Bernstein Conclave symbol onto the wheel spokes? Yeah, that’s right, I saw it.

Lazily raising my head, I looked back out into the dwindling procession of Lethbridle citizens making their way out of the south gate. The initial surge had slowed to near a trickle now, and guards were shouting out the number of people to come through. It wouldn’t take long before everybody was out, and then Rockhaunch would trigger the explosives.

Lethbridle would be sealed shut, with the Plottawans and Raiders trapped inside.

Grimacing, I shook my head, as fast as my drained muscles would allow. There were other concerns now. Peanut wouldn’t dare make an attack with this many armed people around. Now was the time to focus on other matt-

“Get out of the way!” The harried command was punctuated by a heavy, jingling case being shoved unceremoniously into my grasp. The weight of the container put me on my back, driving the wind from my lungs. Before I could recover, a pair of hooves grabbed my hind legs and rolled me further back into the carriage.

Taking a moment to suck in some precious oxygen, and to rub at the welt where the tumbling case had caught my temple, I glared at my assailant. “What the hell, Cassie?”

The pegasus utterly ignored me, and was facing back out of the carriage door. She had hold of one end of Breeze’s stretcher, with Naiara and Cept lifting the other end into the carriage. Undertow’s aquamarine telekinesis helped to steady the frame.

Never had the younger pegasus appeared so unlike herself. Before, whenever there was a spare moment, she would have a gadget or tool in her hooves, tinkering and tightening. As she lay there, taking small and soft breaths, a swath of healing bandages around her slashed torso, it was hard to reconcile the difference.

“Easy,” Cassie hoarsely warned the other bearers, as they guided the stretcher to the farthest corner. “keep her supported.”

As I set down the heavy case, Cassie finished securing Breeze for the ride. Leaving her with Naiara and Cept, she hustled over to the door, barely glancing at me as she hopped back out. I watched her head straight for Wings, motioning for the two of them to head for the carriage’s reins. “Come on, we’re taking Breeze to a doctor.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bosco stir and take a step towards them, face greasy and sweating. Almost instantly, Schwarzwald’s hoof landed on his shoulder, holding him in place as he opened his mouth. Still pale and queasy, the colt nevertheless managed to collect himself. A flash of regret passed along his brow, and he simply shut his mouth again.

Wings was less ambivalent, nodding immediately. “I’ll get the others.” Cassie’s only response was to buckle herself into the flier’s harness. The griffon flapped over to where Schwarzwald, Bosco, and Amber stood. “We’re heading out. You comin’, Bernstein?”

The others had been watching, and I had to shuffle back into the interior of the carriage as Buff directed Undertow, and a puzzlingly guilt-faced Lo, inside. My hoof brushed each of their shoulders as they passed.

So glad you all got out of there. That was way too close. The memory of the wind demon rampaging throughout the city brought on a full-body shudder. Tricking the creature had taken all my strength, and only bought us time. I still had no idea how to hurt it, let alone kill it.

The magic ice storm I’d conjured had left me with the worst ache behind my eyes, and I gladly collapsed back against Buff. I wonder if there’s time for a nap while we’re flying? I feel like I could sleep for another two hundred years.

Sadly, even my drowsy state picked up on the change in the background voices outside. The crowd had quieted the moment the chief had raised his tone. “Hold it right there, Bernstein. You’re not going anywhere just yet.”

The buffalo chief had placed himself between the business mare and the sky carriage. Amber seemed to be feeling the events of the past few days as well, as her carefully crafted mask of detached neutrality had given way to open frustration. “Whatever grievances you have against my efforts, Chief Rockhaunch, I must remind you that one of Lethbridle’s heroes is in urgent need of medical care.”

The chief was unmoved. “I’m not stopping her, Bernstein. I’m stopping you.” He jerked a cloven hoof from Wings to the carriage. “Get yourself gone, Blue Fire. You’ve got our thanks, but Bernstein’s not going with you. She and I need to talk.”

Before Wings could say a word, Amber raised her voice. “Schwarzwald, please have my staff move my things to the carriage, and then get aboard. I would advise that you do the same, Bosco. I do not wish to delay your trip any longer than I have to, and will join you in a few minutes.”

While I could only see the corner of Rockhaunch’s mouth, I was surprised to see it turn up at Amber’s words. You’re all about keeping order, Chief. You’re really gonna let her talk to you like that?

“You think it’s that easy, Bernstein?” For the first time in days, Rockhaunch seemed at ease. His chin tilted up as he spoke as much to the crowd as he did to Amber. “Inviting the Raiders here was bad enough, and we only just managed to contain them with the loss of the northern quarter. That was a bad wound to our city, but we might have survived it.”

“BUT,” He interrupted. “you went behind the backs of me, my guards, and even Blue Fire to bring in Plottawan slavers. You forced a total evacuation of the city. These good people are homeless, Bernstein!”

Rockhaunch refused to be outdone. “And if that wasn’t bad enough, you also set all those monsters free!”

“I saw it!” Called out a melodic female voice, unseen on the edge of the crowd. “Bernstein brought in Red Ice too!”

“Yeah,” This was a stallion with a dumpy tone, from somewhere in the center. “Red Ice was the one who done brung that scary ghost thing!”

“Why did you call Red Ice and the monsters here, Lady Bernstein?” This time it was a frightened little filly, just out of sight behind the front row.

“Well?” The chief challenged. “Why should these people follow you, with all that you’ve done?”

Amber had moved to put Schwarzwald between herself and the crowd, but wasn’t quite ready to concede just yet. “It was the only possible option to save the city. If you wish to keep your lives, you have no other choice.”

With the worst possible timing, the explosives went off. This triggered the collapse of the south gate. Lethbridle was a city no longer.

Now, it was a prison for the slavers and Raiders trapped inside. A labyrinthine deathtrap, with enemies and beasts around any corner, and not a scrap of food or drink within its walls.

I was just close enough to overhear the chief’s words when he sidled up to Amber, relaxed and sure of himself. “I told you I wouldn’t let you have your way. These are MY people, Bernstein, not yours. I don’t think you ever understood that. Caps can only go so far.”

Amber didn’t look at him, instead keeping her eyes on the crowd. “A fair point, Chief Rockhaunch, but please remember that I am well versed in exactly how far caps can go.”

“Come on!” Cassie bellowed from the front of the carriage. “We are moving NOW! I will not let Breeze be caught up in your squabbles! Wings, get over here and strap in!”

Schwarzwald stepped between the chief and the business mare. Ignoring the buffalo, she leaned in close. “She is right. It is time we left, dahling.”

“Your reward is still with my belongings. I believe that Snowflake has already received her ten thousand, but the others have not yet been loaded.”

Rockhaunch moved faster than Schwarzwald did, stepping past both mares and towards the crates embossed with the Bernstein Conclave logo. “Mighty kind of you to donate towards our rebuilding efforts, Bernstein.”

Without another word, Bosco and Schwarzwald ponyhoofled Amber into the carriage.

Reclining in the corner of the carriage, all I could see from the windows was the murky backdrop of the cloudy sky. As used to it as I was, staring at nothing for extended periods of time never lost its dullness.

Ngh, let’s give moving another try. Friggin’ Peanut, then friggin’ Windigo, then friggin’ Peanut again. My heart rate had slowed down now that I was safely away from Lethbridle and the monsters within, Peanut included, but the rest of me had slowed down too. Keeping my eyes open was getting gradually more difficult, and having Buff as my leaning post was crucial to keeping me upright.

You didn’t get out without a scratch either, did you, little brother? Eyes roving downwards, I glanced at the matted fur where his Pipbuck had been. You’re gonna feel that loss, Buff. When things are quiet, and you’re trying to relax. It’ll sneak up on you at the worst times. Nuzzling into Buff’s side, and feeling him breathe in and out gently as he dozed, didn’t seem enough, but I had nothing else.

Quiet rest seemed to be the order of the day in our corner, but the others in the carriage were more active. In the centre of the room, taking up the majority of the space, Naiara and Cept were tending to Breeze. Both looking equally unpractised in their newfound role, with Cept openly aggravated by that fact. Whenever Breeze shifted in her sleep, his hooves shot in to steady her. Any beads of sweat on her forehead had lifespans you could measure in seconds, and he had to visibly restrain himself from bothering Naiara when she checked and changed Breeze’s bandages. Neither could afford to pay mind to anything but their injured charge.

Beyond them, in the opposite corner to Buff and I, Schwarzwald and Amber were talking quietly. The mercenary mare wore the same easy smile she always did, as she absentmindedly explored her new cuts and scrapes. ‘Lady Bernstein’ clearly had her attention elsewhere. The Conclave leader sat ramrod-straight, fussing over a pocket pad as the two quietly conversed. Amber set the tablet down, vexed, before a comment from Schwarzwald made her pick it back up with a nod, her frown disappearing as she did.

At the hatch, Bosco had his cheek smooshed against the glass. Judging by how he was sweating, and doing little else besides breathing slowly and taking regular sips of bottled water, he was after the feel of the cool glass.

Where the heck’d you find a straw for that drink, Bosco? I’d ice it for you if I could, but I’m a little konked out right now. A yawn was the only thing that came out when I opened my mouth to tell him to try sleeping it off.

The last two passengers took up a third corner, and were completely adorable about it. Lying perfectly still, Lo was near cross-eyed as he looked up at Undertow, who was balanced gregariously on his back and shoulders. She couldn’t seem to sit still for even a moment. She tugged at his horns, rubbed at his fur, and leaned over so far she was almost hanging upside down as she spoke to him.

Suddenly, I realised that what I originally thought had been background noise from the flight was in fact Undertow’s voice. She was talking more than any time since we met, and Lo seemed to be having trouble keeping up. His responses were half-smiles and single syllable chuckles, at best.

“LISTEN TO ME, PLEASE!” Reaching up and back, Lo’s cloven hooves snagged the filly. He brought her down and held her eye-to-goggles.

Still exuberant, Undertow hardly seemed to mind being held like a doll. “What’s the matter, big brother?”

Setting her down, Lo mashed his hooves into his eyes, shaking his head despondently. “...It’s that. That’s the matter.”

Keeping my eyes open was the last of my rapidly growing list of worries at that moment.

The buffalo didn’t take his face out from behind his hooves. When he spoke, his fur muffled the words, but not enough that we couldn’t hear them. “Undertow… you’re really sweet, and you obviously care about Snow a whole bunch. When we met, I could tell just how important you are to her, but she’s been our sister all our lives and, well…”

His limbs dropped away from his sunken cheeks. “In the city, when you got shot and they dug the bullet out, what I said wasn’t fair to you.”

Bottom lip trembling, Undertow reached a hoof up towards Lo, and gasped softly when he pulled away. “But you c-c-called me ‘little sister’.”

If anything, Lo looked utterly terrified at the hoof she held at him. “Yyyyeah, I did. I’m sorry, they had to get the bullet out, and I thought it would calm you down. I’m so sorry. I want to, but I just… don’t see you that way yet.”

The elder Doublehorn sighed. “This isn’t what anybody wanted, Snow, but we can’t change how we feel.”

No, you don’t get off that easy. “And you think it’s okay to lie to her? To me? To take this away from her?”

My hoof ripped across my mouth in a ‘zip it’ gesture. “I don’t want to hear ‘but’s! This is way over the line. I can’t believe you two would do this!”

Tottering unsteadily, I held out a hoof to Undertow. “Come here, xilia. It’ll be okay.” You’re damn sure gonna have at least ONE sibling onboard.

Openly snuffling, Undertow faked a smile. “It is okay, big sister. I will… go help Bosco with his upset stomach.” She nodded at each of our brothers in turn. “Sorry to bother you, Sir Lo, Sir Buff.”

Without a backwards glance, she turned and marched the short distance to the charcoal colt, plopping down on the deck without looking back.

Our spat had gotten even the zebras’ attention, and the stares weren’t kind.

“Dick move, Lo.” Bosco was glaring at the boy as Undertow ran a cloth across his brow. “Dick move.”

Cept muttered something to Naiara in zebra tongue. Too quiet for me to hear, but she didn’t disagree with whatever it was. Sorry you both had to see that.

Pointedly ignoring Schwarzwald and Amber, I tugged both buffalo back to the corner.

“Blegh.” Bosco choked back his stomach contents. “Those two need to work on their landings.”

Glancing out the window, I was greeted by the welcome sight of the gates to Sprinkles Supplies. Guards were gawking in awe at the carriage. Good call. Boss’ll fix Breeze up no problem.

Wrenching the hatch door open, Cassie bounded into the cabin. “Is Breeze okay? She wasn’t hurt when we landed, was she?”

Naiara and Cept were already waiting with the stretcher. “She’s fine. Let’s get her out.”

Undertow rolled upright, and made for the door. “I’ll get Mo… Boss,” she corrected, indecision rolling over her face as she glanced at the Doublehorn boys. “Boss. I’ll get Boss.” She disappeared through the opening without another word.

“Great, now she’s worried about that too.” Muttering didn’t make the situation any better, but it didn’t make it worse either. I raised my chin. “Boys, go find Al.”

The two of them had been staring at the doorway, where Undertow had been, but snapped out of it upon mention of their missing sibling. Buff’s eyes lit up, and Lo even managed a small smile. Both headed outside.

“Remember that this is Lexi’s place, you two!” I called after them, as I set about gathering up the few possessions we’d managed to load before the mob at Lethbridle drove us away. “You listen to her while we’re here!”

“Gently now, gently.” Cassie drifted backwards, directing Bosco and the two zebra as they helped carry her sister out of the carriage. Her eyes never left Breeze’s face.

Amber went next, gathering her now-wrinkled wrappings around her. “I look forward to meeting Fedexi Lexi. It was a pity that she declined my invitation to the ball.”

“You too, Bernstein,” I warned. “Lexi is Boss here, not you. I won’t let you run over her like you tried with Rockhaunch.”

“I don’t have a cap to my name at present, Snowflake. What influence could I bring to bear?”

“Don’t even try. You won’t get in the door without Undertow or I vouching for you, but that’s all we’re willing to allow. Lexi’ll tell you herself that she’s not running a hotel here. If you want food, and a place to sleep, you’ll work. Boss will decide how you go about it, not you.” I realised my horn was causing the air around us to crackle and cool, quickly quashing the magic before it got out of hoof.

With an aside glance at Schwarzwald, the Bernstein leader pointed outside. “Do you expect an adverse reaction to our visit, Snowflake?”

Amber had paused at the threshold, and wore a wry expression as she looked back at me. “A pity indeed.”

Chuckling, Schwarzwald finished strapping her battle saddle on, but did not load her weapons. “Subordinates. Good joke, dear Amber.” She pushed the bemused businessmare outside, but gave me a final wink. “Very forceful, dahling. Your ‘boss’ would be so proud.”

Suddenly I was alone in the cabin. Making the most of the quiet, I gathered the rest of the supplies we wouldn’t need for now, and prepared to leave.

Two claws braced themselves on either side of the door frame, and Wings stuck her face in. “Hey, you comin’?” Her feathers and plumage all wind-tousled.

For someone who just dragged ten people and a big damn box miles through the air, you have no right looking that fresh. “Yeah, I’ll just—”

Lexi’s bellow froze me in my tracks. Visions of Vorbis and Contego’s deaths ran through my mind. “...stay right here.”

Cocking her head to the side, Wings looked out at the commotion, and then back to me. “Wha?”

They got torn apart, and the Overmare just ran. “I’m, uh, asleep, okay? If anyone asks. I’ll stay here and sleep.”

Her claws moved from the door frame to the deck, and she pushed herself halfway inside. “But your brothers are all gonna be together. Don’t you wanna be there for that?”

Not moving from my spot, I shush’d her. “I know, I know, but just until Boss takes Breeze inside.”

Blowing some air out of her cheeks, Wings smiled for a second. “Alright. I’ll run interference if anybody comes along. At least until Lexi deals with Breeze.” She swung around and leaned against the fuselage, claws behind her head.

Standing in the clearing, Cassie gripped the case of ten thousand caps in her teeth, and slung it at Lexi’s hooves. “Payment. Heal my sister.”

Making no move to take the case, Lexi’s frizzy orange mane flopped around as she looked over at the unconscious filly, then back at Cassie. “Watch yer tone, girl. Y’want somethin’ from me, y’ask fer it!”

Shaking and turning red in the face, the pegasus didn’t give in. Her twitching hoof shot forward, fixing on the case. “There are ten thousand caps in there. Is that not enough, you crook?”

Jumping in between the two, Undertow snagged the case in her aquamarine magic, bringing it up to eye level. “Boss, please don’t get angry. Cassie is just worried about her sister. She wants you to help her get better. I want you to help Breeze get better. Can you please take the job?”

Lexi frowned at Cassie’s now-glistening cheeks. After a few moments, her magic took the case from Undertow. “Bring ‘er inside, quick now. Follow the signs. We’ll get started in a minute or so.”

Relief blossoming across her entire form, Cassie rushed to Breeze, grabbing one end of the stretcher. Naiara took the other end. The two of them motored inside, as fast as they safely could.

Cept made to follow, but Bosco stepped in front of him. “Hold on there, guy. I need a word.”

Even as Cept’s eyebrows bunched, Lexi ignored the two of them and gave Undertow a big hug. “Good t’see yeh, babygirl. Where’s yer big sis?”

I ducked back into the cabin, just before either of the two could look my way. Don’t come over here, boss! I can’t tell you what happened yet. I need more time!

“She’s just over th-... huh?” I heard Undertow shuffle about. “Um, Wings, where is my sister?”

A slight gust washed over me, as Wings’ feathers moved. “Shhhh! Not so loud, Undertow.”

“She needs her rest,” Wings responded gently. “She went through a lot in Lethbridle. It took a lot out of her.”

Facing away from the doorway, my smile went unseen. You did as much as I did, Wings. You should be resting too.

It took all my willpower not to tense up as a hoof touched my neck. The smile was a distant memory. Lexi’s unseen hoof stayed where it was for a moment, before moving up into my mane, gently brushing it away from my face. Not the worst result, but please just go help Breeze, boss. I don’t want to tell you that I let you down again.

The hoof came to rest just above my horn. “Get yer rest, darlin’. Yer doin’ fine.”

I felt, as well as heard, Lexi move away. The crunch of her horseshoes on the gravel told me she was moving back into the compound. “Awright, anypony who’s comin’ in best get to it. Ah’m closin’ the gates in five minutes.”

Amber’s restrained tones sounded out first. “Until we meet again, Schwarzwald. I shall contact you, should I require your services.”

“Behave yourself in my absence, Amber-dahling.” As always, an undercurrent of mirth laced the mercenary mare’s words.

Cept’s stoicism came across strained. “Please move aside, Bosco. I am going inside.”

“You’re coming with us to Neighlway. You’re the only of us who’s been before, except for Snow, but she was a prisoner. We need you to guide us.”

“Will be fine with Naiara watching over her, Cept. You trust your clanmate, don’t you?”

“After today, I won’t have to be. I’ll apologise all anypony wants after that.” I couldn’t hear any apology in his voice yet. “If there’s nothing else keeping us here, Wings, then can you—”

My eyes had popped open as I heard Al thunder out of the gate, and I hopped out just as he slammed into Buff, headfirst. “Eyyy!”

This went on a few more times, as the three of them laughed and jostled. “I’m so glad Snow found you guys. I was worried!”

“You?” Lo chortled, as the brothers exchanged heavy pats on each others’ shoulders. “We were totally stressed out! Until Snow told us you were okay, we thought you were all alone.”

“Well, I did get a little help, but I’ll tell you about it later. Right now, I’m just glad you’re both okay!”

Buff joined in the embrace as I moved over and sat next to Undertow as she stoically watched the three Doublehorn brothers roughhouse. Without taking my eyes off them, I reached out with my magic. Easily finding the connection, I pumped as much love and good feelings as I could through our link. She sent some sensations back herself, to let me know she’d felt my touch.

All smiles, Al disengaged from the huddle. “Alright now, guys, where’s my sister?”

They both pointed over at me, and I waved back, but didn’t move to join them. This is their moment. I already had mine with Al.

Beaming even wider, Al bounded straight at me. Even after years of dealing with my little brothers, the sight of the exuberant buffalo motoring towards me still raised my heart rate.

The slight apprehension blossomed into full-on confusion as he veered off at the last second.

With barely time to “EEP!”, Undertow found herself swept up in a crushing hug from Al. “Good to see you again, little sister!”

Both Buff and Lo’s jaws dropped, as did mine. “But, I, what? I didn’t tell you that she was-”

Al was spinning around, with the stunned filly holding on, as he answered. “I know, and I can’t believe you, Snow. Why didn’t you tell me we had another sister? And she’s so cute!”

“Heh… hehe…” Al’s excitement was breaking through Undertow’s confusion, and it finally seemed to sink in that one of the Doublehorns was happy to be her brother. “Heeheehee… faster, big brother! Faster faster!”

“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Flipping Undertow up onto his broad back, Al began spinning and bucking, with the girl dissolving into wild giggles as he did so.

When it became clear that his younger and older brothers weren’t joining in, Al ground to a halt. “Guys, what’s up? Why aren’t you celebrating? Our own little sister!” He reached a hoof up, which was gleefully grabbed by said little sister.

“How can you be okay with this just like that, Al?” Lo’s shame was visible. “We don’t know her at all.”

“Pfft.” Utterly uncaring, Al just shrugged. “I know that, but all it means is that we’ve got more work to do. Come on guys, this was always the plan. We just need to tweak it a little.”

“Plan?” I cocked my head to the side as I whispered to myself. “What plan?”

Al was still talking to our brothers. “Didn’t we always say that we’d take care of Snow someday, instead of her taking care of us?”

“Well, now we take care of Undertow too! Come on guys, she’s our little sister!” Al’s boundless energy was almost physically pushing Buff and Lo back.

As for me, I was trying to keep my chest from bursting with pride. Al, you’re so great.

“Yo, we’re going. Save it for when we get back!” Bosco’s hollering shattered the moment entirely. The colt was waving from the open hatch. Wings was already hooked up, and both Cept and Schwarzwald were already aboard.

“Aw,” whined Al, before reaching up and plucking Undertow from atop his head. “Sorry, little sister. Your bros have to stay here for a little while, and you’ve gotta go with Snow. You be safe, alright, and look after Snow for us, too!”

Grinning from ear to ear, Undertow reached forward and kissed him on the forehead. “Heeheehee, okay! We’ll be back soon, big brothers!”

Even if their faces still showed their discomfort, Buff and Lo didn’t correct her.

Breeze’s safety assured, the second leg of our flight proved less tense. Simply knowing the pegasus was in very capable hooves seemed to lighten the atmosphere. It must be a little weird for Lexi to be fixing Breeze up, at Undertow’s request no less, after Cassie nearly killed me earlier. The ex-raider was pressed up against me as we flew, giddy with the prospect of having a brother who already thought the world of her. You were awfully quick to jump to Breeze’s aid, little sister. It’s a good sign. Weird, but good, and I don’t think Lexi’ll do any less than a full heal on Breeze, since you were the one who vouched for her.

And Al’s vouching for you with Buff and Lo. “Your brother was pretty happy to see you, huh?”

A contented sigh was her answer. Her attention wasn’t in the cabin. The sky outside was reflected in her goggles’ lenses.

While Undertow was off in her own little world, I noted a change in the overall mood of the compartment, which was facing a situation that I hadn’t come across in a while.

“And you are sure that Wings can lift us all, in here, without another flyer?” Cept’s grousing was entirely focused on Bosco. The zebra was apparently still displeased he was forced to come along.

Which, at the time, had been the will of our formerly only colt. When are you gonna try being gracious or grateful about that, Bosco?

“Dear Breeze would know. You should ask her when we return, dahling.” Schwarzwald reclined at the front of the cabin, where a small window showed the outside air, and glimpses of our pilot’s beating wings. “Wings does not seem to be having trouble.”

His frown didn’t shift. “I could ask her sooner, if you had not stopped me, colt.”

Bosco returned the expression. “Cry me a river, Cept. You’re the only of us who’s been inside Neighlway without being a prisoner, or blackmailed. I need you to lead us to whichever part of the complex we’ll find the fog creatures.”

We all stirred at that. Still watching the zebra stallion, Bosco corrected him. “Actually, these ones are silver.”

His golden eyes sharpened instantly. “There are two?” Cept was muttering to himself, then found the charcoal colt again. “Perhaps yours was the right call after all.”

Staring back evenly, Bosco was stoic. “I’m sure I’d care about whatever little nugget of Atesh’s schemes just changed if I wasn’t in a hurry. That’s for later. Now, we’re focusing on getting me into and under Neighlway. I want my Orb back.”

Head resting on my shoulder, Undertow piped up. “Maybe Cept can tell us something about the Silver Fog creatures. He knew about the Gold Fog.”

Good idea, Undertow. Atesh knew about the Gold Fog when they first took you and Bosco, and I’d rather not walk into another meeting with these things blind. “Well, Cept? Care to share?”

“Just forget it for now, Bosco.” My teeth were already grinding at his behaviour. “We’re focusing on Neighlway, remember?”

Souring, he said nothing, but did give a small nod. No longer cornered, Cept mirrored the action, equally surly. His frustration was obvious. It was through his goodwill that he was helping Bosco and, being the better-trained and more-athletic fighter, he could have decided against it at any time.

Hell, Wings wouldn’t even know until we landed. Bosco’s running out of leeway with all of us on this. It NEEDS to end today.

Moving away from the front window, Schwarzwald plopped down with the four of us, one hoof wrapping around Bosco’s shoulders. “So tell us, Boss Colt, what is the plan when we reach Neighlway? Steel Rangers are fearsome foes, and we charging into their lair.”

Giving up after trying, and failing, to remove the offending appendage, Bosco produced his knife. “We’re not gonna start trouble if we can help it, since we’re really trying to get under Neighlway, not into it, but if it comes down to it, we’ll deal with any Rangers we come across.”

Bless him. Points for trying, I guess. “You’re going to take on Steel Rangers…”

“What’re you laughing about?” Bosco’s cheeks puffed up and, for a moment, he looked his age.

First time in weeks. “Ever fought a Steel Ranger, Boss Colt? They don’t go down easy.”

“Uh, yeah!” I pointed to myself. “Red Ice over here. Anypony who’s taken down a Steel Ranger, raise your hoof.”

While mine was the first up, two more joined it. “Well, Cept’s no surprise. I saw him knock out two Rangers. Still didn’t kill ‘em, though.”

“I could have. It was not hard to beat them, but I had a mua leija filly to rescue.”

“Pft.” I scoffed, not taking the bait. “Been a long time between then and now, Cept. I’ve learned a few tricks. Like blowing a hole in MY dead Ranger’s helmet, then scooting a Cryo Serpent through the hole. Froze him solid in his shell, took maybe half a minute.” A thought occurred. “That’s not a bad idea for the future, actually. Metal gets brittle at low temperatures. I might be able to crack the armour if I pour it on. Might not even need to kill ‘em.”

The zebra’s smug grin had vanished, replaced with a calculating thoughtfulness. The one plastered on the face of the other hoof’s owner, however, hadn’t. “Ah, but I did kill mine, dahling.”

Undertow’s head was bounced up and down by my shrug. “Guess that’s not really a shock either. How’d he die?”

“Smiling.” Our quizzical expressions only made her grin grow wider. “His armour was in a pile on the floor.”

As he stammered and spluttered, Schwarzwald and I raced to be the first one to huggle the adorable joker, laughing all the while. At least I hope it was a joke, Undertow. Bosco’s still too young for that, like you.

Bosco’s discomfort became a prolonged sigh, twinned by Cept, as Schwarzwald showed the benefits of coming in second in our race.

Undertow, Schwarzwald and I held each other tight, as Wings divebombed us towards Neighlway. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Cept and Bosco were surreptitiously leaning into each other too. Somebody was screaming. It might have been me.

I know we need the element of surprise, Wings, but can you slow down a little? Through the small window at the front, I could see the dull grey rooftops of Neighlway growing larger at an unfriendly pace. “Oh, this is gonna suck !”

“How can you be smiling?!” None of us had to look to know who Bosco was referring to.

“I have never done this before, dahling, and might not get another chance. I am going to enjoy myself.” She clutched us closer, eliciting a pair of whimpers.

Wings drifted us north, further out from the centre of the city. Not that it mattered much, as all the buildings were made of rough grey stone, and sported metal protrusions wherever there was a free square metre. “We'll never fit on one of those roofs, not with that crap all over them.”

“It's okay,” Bosco grunted over the G-forces. “Wings said she knew a quiet area to set down.”

Risking a glance, even if it drained colour from the world for a second, I took stock of Bosco's mood. The colt, though pressing himself against Cept and acting like he wasn't, barely blinked. His eyes never left the small window opening, and his lips were curling back in anticipation.

Blindness set in momentarily, as Wings whipped the sky carriage around in a vicious turn. Considering it also had us all pinballing around the cabin, loss of vision was the last thing I wanted.

When the shadows of the buildings fell on us from the windows, I realised I could see again. “Urgh, I'm gonna kill her.”

“Later, dear Snowflake, because...” The carriage's wheels rasped on stone. “...we have arrived.”

Recovering miraculously, Bosco was already at the door. “Everybody out! We've gotta move.”

Wings met us outside, looking pretty pleased with herself. “Did you see me when I pulled that last turn?”

We sprinted down an uneven row of jagged metal piles, rising high on either side. “What is this place?”

“I know it's where we landed,” I snapped back. “but what's it supposed to be?”

“It's really a landing area. I flew over it a few times when Cassie and I were trying to get Breeze back when we thought they had her. Asked a scribe about it, and he told me that it was for their vehicles. Only they didn't have any, so now it's a dumping ground.” She gave a hiss as a protruding pipe nicked her thigh. “Hence all the crap. Thought it'd be useful to stash the carriage. Less likely they'll come looking for it way in the back here.”

Well... alright then. Bosco, Wings and I scampered the rest of the way in silence, until we met up with Schwarzwald, Undertow, and Cept. The zebra was on point, and was poking his head around a rusted, gutted cooling unit.

Looks just like the ones I backed up in the Stable. Cept held up a hoof, and we all crouched low and still. His golden eyes roamed the area ahead for a few seconds, before the hoof dropped again. We followed without a word when he slunk around the corner.

Cept led us to a small access door, which was locked with a heavy, grimy padlock. Wings, Schwarzwald, Undertow, and I played lookout, as Bosco and Cept worked on the door. “I don't suppose you can pick the lock, can you?”

“What, really? Uh... cool.” Seemingly at a loss for words, Bosco stayed silent for a few seconds. “Who taught you to do this?”

Cept had a bobby pin in his mouth, and spoke around the tool. “Naiara. She shaid it would be usheful one day. It sheemsh today ish 'one day'.”

“Mhm.” Bosco lapsed into silence again, took a glance around, then dropped his voice to a conciliary tone. “Sorry, for dragging you along on this. I know you wanted to stay with Breeze.”

“Yesh, I did.” Cept wasn't hostile, just stating a fact. “But you were right. Naiara will keep her shafe. And your hashte in thish matter is apology enough.... there!”

The lock clicked open, and Bosco caught it before it hit the ground. Setting it silently aside, the two stallions nodded at each other, and then slipped through the door. A hoof waved the rest of us through a second later.

We were in the back of a stockroom. Random musty boxes lay spread around, some open and empty, while others were taped shut. Numeric codes were written on them, but they meant nothing to us.

As I gingerly eased around a stack of crates, a faded arrow on the walkway caught my eye. “Guys, this way.” I crept along the path, following the barely-visible directions, until a door loomed from behind a row of shelves. Pressing my eye to the frame, I eased it open a crack.

“Firing Range,” I hissed back. “We'll be sitting ducks if they catch us.”

Sighing, he drew his pistol. “Great.” He took point as the rest of us readied our weapons and magic. “I'll take a look. If one of those walking tanks is in there, give him everything you got.” Opening the door just enough to squeeze through, the charcoal colt dropped to the floor. Shimmying along on his belly, he disappeared through the gap.

It was a long ten seconds before we heard “Clear,” from within. Letting out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding, I followed the others through.

Inside, Bosco was looking around in confusion. “Where's the rangemaster? Look, there're training pistols on the shelf there. Any rookie idiot could come in and kill themselves.”

“C'mon, Bosco,” Wings scoffed as she looked at the targets down range. “We haven't been spotted yet, but we're not that lucky.”

“Everyone, over here.” Undertow was poking her head out of the door. We hustled over, but stumbled over each other as she stepped fully out into the corridor.

“Are you nuts?” Bosco bit down on her tail and dragged her back. “You could have been seen!”

Rubbing her tender tail, she frowned at the colt. “There's nobody there, Bosco. I'm not stupid.”

Still frowning, he spat out a turquiose hair, then stepped out into the corridor himself. “Alright, let's keep moving. I don't trust this quiet.”

We joined him in the corridor, and followed his gaze to the far wall. On it were written several signposts. To the left, it read 'BARRACKS', whereas it read 'OFFICES' on the right arrow. An arrow pointing behind us read 'MEDICAL/TRAINING'.

Bosco wasted no time. “We're going right. There might be a map in one of the offices. Best we stay away from the barracks, since clerks'll be easier to kill than fighters.”

The dingy halls weren't any better in the office wing. Oxidised metal and stained stone reminded me of the less-frequented portions of the Stable. Apparently Steel Rangers aren't much for paperwork. Colour me unsurprised.

Rounding a corner, Bosco almost ran into a unicorn scribe. The Steel Ranger was walking with his head down, a sheaf of papers hung in front of his eyes. Eyes wide, Boss Colt backed up a few steps, then charged shoulder-first. With the papers obstructing his view, the scribe didn't have time to react as another pony's weight was suddenly added to his own. The two went down in a heap, with Bosco struggling to keep his hooves over the scribe's mouth, and the scribe trying to use his telekinesis to push the charcoal colt away.

Stepping in to help, Cept's hoof slammed into the hooded pony's temple. He went limp immediately.

Rolling off the prone pony, Bosco pointed in every direction at once. “Find an open office, quick! Cept, help me with this guy.”

Given each office's regimental identicalness, it was luck of the draw to find one that wasn't locked. The first two I tried were, but the third one clicked open without trouble. “Over here!”

Dragging the unconscious scribe between them, Bosco and Cept were the last in. After shutting the door, Bosco opened it again and darted out. He was back a few moments later, with the sheaf of papers. “Get his clothes off.”

“Ooh, Boss Colt. How naughty.” Schwarzwald already had the scribe's robes up over his head.

“Just give 'em here, Schwarz. It'll be easier for me to get around with those on. So long as I keep my head down, and carry these,” He pointed to the papers the knocked-out clerk had been carrying. “I'll be fine. As soon as scope out the Elder's office, I'll be back.”

Struggling into the robes, Bosco barely seemed to be listening. “It's close. I saw a sign on the wall.”

“Why didn't they hear the fight?” Undertow glanced at the door before taking a step further into the office.

“I grnf stopped the ush scribe from shouting. They'll think he just tripped or someth-what's wrong with this thing?!” The robes were fighting back against Bosco's attempted abduction.

“...Ah.” Wings wrenched the cloth around the right way, as Bosco stood like a statue, while the rest of us nickered lightly.

Gathering up the sheaf, Bosco headed for the door. “You guys stay here, and watch that guy. If he comes around, knock him out again. Or kill him if he starts trouble.”

After he left, Cept looked down at the scribe impassively. “This one is no warrior. I will sedate him.”

Wings fluttered her feathers. “Yeah, sorry about that. Bosco's not usually this kill-happy. He's just trying to get back something important to him.”

Glancing at me, and then at my horn, Cept nodded. “I understand. Still, he should calm himself. There are still warriors to fight here.”

My hoof rubbed at the spot over my inner pocket. Atesh isn't getting it back, Cept. I can't trust him with anything to do with King Sombra.

We all amused ourselves as we waited. Wings and Schwarzwald checked their guns, while Cept watched over the now-snoring scribe. Undertow and I took turns freezing and unfreezing water drops on our hooves.

The door banged open. Alarmed, we all readied for battle, but Bosco was the only one standing there. His face was a picture of frustrated detachment. “Come on, all of you.”

“What happened?” I was trying to look past him, into the corridor, in case his theatrics had brought unwanted attention.

“Nothing happened. There's nobody here. No guards outside the Elder's office, no Elder IN the office, and no grunts around either. I checked the barracks too. They're cleared out. The beds aren't just empty, they're in pieces. There were only six left.”

Looking somewhat put-out, Schwarzwald finished fastening her battle saddle. “But where did they go, dahling?”

Frown deepening, he turned and beckoned for us to follow. “Maybe they sprouted wings and flew away? We'll figure it out later, but we're still here for a reason. We want to be under Neighlway, not in it. Let's head back to the Elder's office. We might find a map or something.”

“They will not find him.” Cept slipped a gag, containing a damp rag with a cloying smell, around the scribe's muzzle. “He will be asleep for hours.” The zebra stallion finished by pushing the Ranger clerk behind a desk, out of sight.

In the Elder's office, we spread out to look for something to help. The room was sizeable, with a circular desk on a raised platform in the centre. There was a terminal on the desk, which Wings was tapping away at to find a passcode. Bosco and Cept were checking the adjoining chambers, Undertow and I were looking through filing cabinets, and Schwarzwald was watching the door.

The information in the files was dull, and ultimately useless. Inventory checks, historical Ranger records, and reports on readiness. Most were months or years old.

“Got it!” We all looked up as Wings hooted in triumph. “Heh, what a traditionalist.”

“'True Aim'.” Means nothing to me. “I don't get it. Why's that traditional?”

“Some guns nuts won't use scopes or aim assists.” Free of the scribe's robes, Bosco re-emerged from the other rooms. “They say it ruins the soul of the shot, or whatever. They'll only use what's molded onto the weapon itself, because that's 'true aim'.”

“And what's the Elder's name?” Wings had closed the password screen, and was looking through the unlocked files.

“Oh please,” Clearly enjoying herself now, Wings pressed on. “like she's never heard that before. Hell, she's old enough to have seen her fair share, ain't you, Undertow?”

Pulling her head out of a drawer, the former Deep Diver clearly hadn't been listening. “Huh?”

“Too bad, so sad,” I whispered jauntily to the griffon. “You don't get to be a bad influence today.”

“Day's not over yet.” Folding all but one of her talons in, Wings turned her attention back to the screen. “Well, here's something. Hey, Bosco, check this out.”

Hopping up onto the central platform, he glanced over the information. As he read, his smile grew and grew. “Perfect. That's just what we needed.”

“Okay, here it is.” Bosco tapped the map printout against a solid metal plate on the floor. “This leads to the sub level.”

Giving it the once over, Wings looked back at him. “You sure? I don't see any handles or anything. It's just a solid plate.”

Teeth gritted, Bosco turned in a circle. “Look for a button, or terminal, or something.”

I put my ear against the metal, and rapped on it with my hoof. “It sounds hollow, at least. Not too thick either.” Inspiration struck, and I fired up my horn. “Let me try this.”

Focusing on the centre of the panel, I poured on the cold. A dot of ice appeared, soon spreading outwards into a half-meter wide coating of thick ice. Setting my jaw, my will halted the crawling frost, and focused it inwards. The circle stayed the same size, but the metal beneath began to groan louder and louder.

One more push oughta do it. The edges of the circle shot up into spikes, biting down into the metal beneath. Cracking, it held out for a second, before the circle plummeted down into the darkness. Whoops.

Undertow's horn lit up, but a splash sounded from below before she could do anything.

Giving me one heck of a stink-eye, Bosco approached the hole in the floor. My horn was already drawing the ice off, leaving an opening big enough for all but Schwarzwald, with her bulky battle saddle, to fit through. Nothing but blackness could be seen beneath.

“Snow, 'tow, one of you get down there and see if you can open it from the other side.” The way we'd come held all of Bosco's attention.

“Why us? We don't know what's down there.” There could be Hissyflits! Or Molar Bears!

Without looking at us, Bosco raised the map in his hoof. “It's a hydroelectric generator, which means there's water. We just heard it. You both can use that, plus you've got built-in light sources coming out of your foreheads.”

She was already halfway through the hole. “Too late, big sister. Be careful if you are coming through. These edges are sharp.”

With the others covering our backs, I stuck my head in the hole, and followed the aquamarine glow of Undertow's horn as it moved about. “Do you see anything?”

Her hooves clanked as she walked. “The walkway here is steady enough, and I think I see a wall box. Let me check...”

With a clunk, the floor hatch began sliding aside. “Oh, shit!” Yanking my head out of the hole I'd made, I just managed to avoid getting crushed.

Below the now open door, Undertow stood at the bottom of a stairwell. “I think that was it.”

We all made out way down to where she was standing, and took in the situation. The walkway we stood on was affixed to the wall of what turned out to be a massive cavern, stretching out into the black. It was a good hundred metre drop to the bottom, where the shadows of heavy duty machinery lay half hidden in the gloom. Out of sight, the sounds of flowing water could be heard.

“Come on,” Bosco pushed to the front of the group. “we're heading down.”

He got a few steps before the slight shaking of the walkway stalled him. Looking back, I caught his nervous grin in Undertow's horn light. “Uhh... maybe we take this a little slower.”

It was a tedious few minutes of slow steps, and deliberate movements for five of us. Wings had skipped the entire effort, and lazed in the air beside the scaffold.

Setting hoof on the cavern floor below, I almost slipped. “It's damp. Watch your step, guys.”

“And smell that?” Wings landed solidly next to me, sniffing. “Mold. I don't think the Rangers come down here much.”

“The air is full of moisture,” Undertow supplied. “It might affect their armour.”

“If we are lucky, they will not disturb us until after our task is complete.” Cept was staring warily at the generator apparatus.

As was Schwarzwald, though hers was a more violent expression. “Should we do some damage while we are here, dahlings?”

Bosco stepped in front of her, face set. “Only after. We're still looking for the Silver Fog for now. Nothing else, got it?”

His stance did not have the desired effect. “Ooh, such a firm hoof, Boss Colt.” Schwarzwald's grin was anything but nervous.

“And what will he do with that firm hoof?” The voice, playful and light, had come from out of the darkness.

Tensed and on guard, the six of us looked around in the shade for the source. As we searched, the cavern itself began to grow brighter. Litchen on the walls gave off a pale glow, which brightened in real time. Soon, the entire cavern had become visible. Though not bright, it was enough to see most of the features of the grotto: The walkway behind us, the generator and pumps, the river and three boats moored on the near bank and, finally, the small tunnel across the water.

Leaning against the wall of the tunnel was a familiar figure, who casually waved as we gaped.

Cept found his voice first. Taking a few steps towards the water, he passed a hoof over his eyes before speaking tentatively. “Aqua Breeze?”

Her blue-and-white mane swayed as she snickered into her chest. “Hey there. Haven't seen you in a while... probably.”

That last word caught our attention. The five of us spread out around Cept, Wings and Schwarzwald to the left, Undertow and I to the right, and Bosco putting himself between Cept and the pegasus.

Still mildly stunned by the developments, Cept's weak attempts to push past Bosco were ineffectual. “What do you mean, Bosco? She is standing there.”

“It is not the first time that the Silver Fog has shown themselves as Breeze, dear Cept.” Schwarzwald wasn't angry with the apparition, despite being a victim of 'Aqua Tease' in the false forest. She was, however, staring with rapt attention.

As Cept's confusion grew, the faux-pegasus sighed, and heaved herself off the tunnel wall. “You bring us a new playmate, but don't indulge our games? You all aren't much fun anymore.” Flashing one more mocking grin, she turned and began walking further into the tunnel. “Are you coming or not?”

“Stay where you are, evil lie!” Golden eyes hard and wide, Cept knocked Bosco's warding hoof aside, and jumped in one of the boats. Pumping the oars hard, he powered across the water.

“Hey, Cept, wait up!” Wings took flight, gliding over to his craft. “Calm down and wait for the others!”

“She is not for them to play with. Breeze is her own and only her own!” His muscles were tight as he propelled the vessel towards the tunnel.

Half way across the river, something slammed into the boat from below, toppling Cept and Wings into each other. The griffon recovered first, grabbing the sides of the boat with her claws, and peering into the dark waters. “The fuck was that?”

Before his hoof could reach the tool, a three-pronged tusk burst through the hull, snapping the craft in half. Wings and Cept were dumped into the drink.

“Wings! Cept!” Bosco, Schwarzwald and I raced for the other two boats, while Undertow donned her re-breather and jumped straight into the water.

Ahead, Wings and Cept resurfaced, gasping for air. Cept swished round in place, looking for the assailants. The griffon was not doing as well. Her wings were beating to keep her above water, but the feathers were sodden and heavy. She thrashed with her claws, retching out any water that went down the wrong pipe. “Help! I can't swim!”

“Hold on, I'm coming!” Schwarzwald and Bosco were working the oars, and I was at the prow. “We'll get you out.”

A dark mass shot around our boat, swinging in towards Wings. A huge burst of water sent her skywards, rammed by a colossal denizen of the deep. Pinned against its thick scales, Wings couldn't dislodge herself, and was dragged under.

Kicking off from the prow, I dove after her, calling out to the two left in the boat. “Get Cept!” The water swallowed any reply as I disappeared beneath its cold surface.

In the murk, I caught sight of Wings just as the beast plowed into her from the side, ragdolling her towards me, bubbles exploding from the force of the impact. Forming an ice stand beneath my back hooves, I braced myself and grabbed her. Slashing wildly with her talons, she barely missed my eyes before realising I wasn't her target. Expanding the ice under us, I let it buoy us towards the surface.

As we neared precious air, I felt Wings tugging at my shoulder. The creature was coming around for another charge, its trident tusks pointed straight at us.

Positioning my hooves in front of me, I lined them up. Have this, you jackhole. The improvised sights aimed true. A hammer-rod of frozen water shot out from my hooves. Gullet open, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, the beast didn't even try to dodge. The two attacks met head on, and the river dweller went straight backwards.

The ice rod snapped the one massive tooth clean off, and shattered the scales around its jaw as it forced the brute back into the river wall. Bloody chunks of pulp leaked out of the cracks in its armour. Broken, the convulsing thing sank out of sight.

On our now-floating ice island, Wings and I sucked in needed oxygen. When the grey cleared from my vision, I saw a second huge fish get rocketed out of the water by a swirling geyser, and splat into the wall by the tunnel. It hit the ground and weakly flopped for a few moments, before going still. A moment later, the ice tilted as Undertow popped up from underwater. “Are you two okay?”

Belching out another lungful of liquid, Wings managed a shaky nod. I leaned back against the cold raft, bonelessly. “The others?”

“Over here.” Schwarzwald beckoned with her hoof from the far shore, near the tunnel, as Bosco helped Cept purge any of the river still in his throat.

Not in much state to hurry, the three of us hoof- and claw-paddled our float over to their side.

Clapping greeted us as we emerged from the tunnel. We found ourselves in another cavern, still voluminous but only half the size of the last one. Reclining on a rock at the far end was Aqua Tease. “That was dramatic.”

Wings was still knocking water out of her ears, and wringing her feathers. “Was it really necessary?”

“Mmmyes and no.” The false pegasus lazily waved a hoof back and forth. “The Poseidoceros'...”

Slapping the back of my hoof into the palm of the other, I glanced at Undertow. “Knew I'd seen those things somewhere before.”

Miffed at the interruption, I was treated to a pointed stare from the doppelganger. “Yes, well, as we were saying: They make useful watchbeasts, discouraging the Rangers from spending too much time on our side of the river.”

Breath still heavy from the battle, Cept glared unwaveringly. “You knew they would attack, but did not warn us?”

Switching from prone to lying with her head resting on her hooves, Aqua Tease waved his concerns away. “Don't be scared, playmate. We would have intervened if they proved too much for you all. We had faith, however.”

Bosco stomped in between the two. “Can we PLEASE skip to the part where you give me back my Memory Orb?”

Pointing enthusiastically, the fake Breeze smiled at him. “Now that's a better question. But you're getting a little ahead of yourself, Bosco. First we need to determine just exactly who the Memory Orbs belong to.”

Confused glances were exchanged all around. The first objection came from Undertow. “You stole them from Bosco. We know exactly who they belong to.”

“Not so, waterwitch.” Spreading her wings, Aqua Tease rose from her rock. “Your Wasteland would say that they belong to us, because we were able to steal them away from you. You might say otherwise, that they must belong to you in order to be stolen in the first place.” Weighing up the options with her hooves, she mimed dropping both. “These are recent developments. We're more concerned with before that.”

“You shouldn't ignore the now to focus on what has passed, Silver Fog.” Schwarzwald revved her minigun. “What is to stop us from simply attacking and taking the Orb?”

“Courtesy, courtesan? We have not attacked you. Oh, and the fact that we have no pockets to hide the Orb.”

“I am telling you that it is not...” Aqua Tease ran her hooves over her body. Every inch of her body. “...here.”

“Allow one of us to double-check,” Schwarzwald purred. “Cept perhaps? He is so fond of dear Breeze.”

Immediately, Cept rounded on her. “That thing is not Aqua Breeze.” His golden eyes were molten.

For several long seconds, Schwarzwald just smiled back. “No, it is not. But OUR dear Breeze is a lucky girl, dahling.”

“Oh, I just love how we keep getting off-fucking-topic!” Bosco's eye twitched rapidly. He reached for his knife. “Enough games, Silver Fog. Why did you bring me here, and where is my Orb?”

Aqua Tease unfurled a wing, and held it up so only her eye could be seen through the gaps between the feathers. “Are you feeling uncomfortable, Bosco? Is it similar to how you felt in Whinniepeg?

“Yes,” the doppelganger intoned. “It is. It feels similar, doesn't it? When you and the waterwitch were taken, you felt something. Something you couldn't understand.”

Blinking tersely, and shaking his head back and forth, Bosco kept pacing with his head down. “W-what of it?”

Changing wing-veils, the false-Breeze pressed on. “And when Lethbridle was under attack, you felt it all then too, didn't you? The fear.” Her one visible eye shifted yellow. “The anger.” Then red. “The worry.” Blue, before finally shifting to black. “And the hate. It only increased when the Windigo appeared.”

Her feathers dropping away, a kind expression graced Aqua Tease's face. “You don't like it when your friends fight, and love it when they're pleased with you, and each other, right?”

I stepped up on the other side of the colt. “Who doesn't?” I challenged. Bosco, what's happening?

“E-everypony's unhappy when their friends fight.” Bosco's voice was a far cry from his usual youthful tone, and shook erratically.

A nauseous gag emerged from Bosco's mouth as he dropped his knife. Schwarzwald, Wings, and Cept jumped in front of him, ready to fight, while Undertow and I sat him down on the cave floor.

“Why won't you just give back the Orb and leave him alone?” Brow creased, Undertow's shrill shriek echoed off the walls.

“If he wishes to have it back, he may take it. It has served its purpose already.” The fake pegasus signalled to someone out of sight.

“And what is its purpose?” Cept's stance was rock solid, hooves poised to defend or strike.

Folding her wings in, the clone made no move to guard herself. “A trail. Signposts to lead him.”

Revolvers out and cocked, Wings was taking no chances. “Where are you trying to lead him?”

“And what makes you think we'll let you?” Leaving Undertow to watch over Bosco, I joined the line, legs squared and horn blazing.

Our adversary held a hoof over her heart. First she looked at Wings. “Be at ease, hero.” Then at me. “You too, villain. The trail was meant to lead him to us. To lead him...”

“Six years you've held those Orbs, Bosco.” Her voice was morphing away from Breeze's brash pitch, into something fuller. The words rolled off tongue, filling the air around us. “Do you remember where you got them?”

When his only response was silence, she continued. “Before those six years, where did you live? Who took care of you when you were just a child? Why weren't they there, when you woke up in that strange place, at the start of those six years? Where was your home?”

“I...I...” His quaking was uncontrollable now. “I don't understand. How do you know this?”

She reached out to him, eliciting a harsh cry as he slid back. “We know this, Bosco, because we...”

Another Silver Fog creature congealed in the air to her right, shifting into a twin of Undertow. When it spoke, it shared Aqua Tease's voice. “...are here...”

Another apparated through the cavern wall on the other side of Breeze's clone. It imitated Wings. “...to welcome you...”

Two more appeared, coalescing into copies of Cassie and Naiara, flanking Aqua Tease. “...home.”

Eyes covered against the glare, I heard Undertow's desperate shout. “Bosco, don't move! We'll keep you safe!”

When the green flash faded, and no attack came, I blinked a few times to clear my eyes.

Schwarzwald's minigun revved up again. At the exact same moment, Cept barked something in zebra, and Wings yelled out. “WHAT IS THIS?”

Of course! Of course that's what they are. That's what this has been about the entire time! Flashes of the memories in Bosco's Orbs played out behind my eyes. I had my suspicions, but seeing them up close...

“Stay away from Bosco, you monsters!” Water tendrils raced out of the tunnel, swirling around Undertow's horn before shooting out at the five non-ponies. The quintet took to the air, their uneven gossamer wings flittering, as the water splashed down where they'd been standing. The creatures' lips began drawing back, revealing pointed fangs, as they readied to dive.

Nononono! “CHANGELINGS!” My howl reverberated around the entire cavern, freezing everyone in their tracks.

At least five pairs of eyes turned to me. “You're Changelings! You're not Silver Fog, you're shapeshifters!”

Looking at each other, the chitinous quadrupeds slowly backed away, landing on the rock where we'd first seen Aqua Tease. The middle Changeling shifted back into Breeze's form. “Yes.We're Changelings. The Memory Orbs contain Changeling memories.”

“Changelings can create Memory Orbs like ponies can?” Schwarzwald was not revving her weapons anymore, instead she was intensely scrutinising the carapace-covered, insectile beings.

Aqua Tease affected a smirk. “Creating a way to put ourselves in other bodies? Somehow we managed.” Bowing, she put a perforated hoof around the shoulder of the closest Changeling. “We can teach your friend to do what we can do, in time.”

“Heh... hehe... hah!” Guttural laughter cut in from behind us. Turning, I saw a bloodshot-eyed Bosco stagger to his hooves.

“That's how you knew about Whinniepeg and Lethbridle! All that nonsense you tricked me with before!” He danced back and forth, manically shoving himself in front of each of us in turn. “They almost convinced me!”

“Bosco...” Undertow tried to grab a hold of him, but he'd already danced over to Cept.

“Glad you came along now, buddy? You couldn't get this sitting at Breeze's bedside.”

Head tilted slightly away from the profusely sweating colt, Cept raised an eyebrow. “Are you well, Bosco?”

“I'm just fine! Better than fine, in fact. I'm a pony, not a Changeling.” Wagging a hoof at the Changelings on the rock, he rolled his eyes. “You all must be pretty bummed, huh? Went to all this effort to find me, and it turns out they've got the wrong guy!”

I caught Wings' eye, and she mirrored my concern. “Um... maybe you wanna sit down for a sec, Bosco?”

Suddenly calm, Bosco winked at me. “Can't stop now, Snow. I still need my Orb back.” His head dipped, and he chuckled into his sternum. “Imagine, thinking I was a Changeling?”

“You ARE one of us, Bosco.” Aqua Tease and her companions weren't smiling now, instead looking on with furrowed brows. “You have to accept that.”

“I don't have to accept shit, especially not a lie.” He tapped his sides, and his forehead. “See? If I were a Changeling, I'd have those creepy wings, and a horn on my head. Besides that, if I was a Changeling, would I be able to—”

He disappeared in a burst of green flame, then reappeared as the scribe from the Neighlway offices.

Undertow's hooves flew up to her mouth, Wings' jaw was on the floor, Cept stopped blinking, Schwarzwald choked on her own spit, and I yelped inarticulately.

“What?” The nameless scribe was looking around, jovial. His voice was high, reedy. “Guys, you look like you've seen a... a...” Hoof slowly reaching for his throat, Bosco finally looked down.

Seeing the body of another pony underneath him, Bosco opened his mouth to speak. Nothing came out. He tried again, and managed a pitiful mewl.

Spittle flying, he tripped over himself spinning to face the Changelings. “What did you do to me?” He cried, as he fought to untangle another pony's limbs.

Aqua Tease hopped down from the rock. “We didn’t do anything, it’s just you-” One of the other Changelings cut her off with a grunting hiss, nodding his head at the tunnel. “We have to go. Bosco, we’ll see you again.”

Without another word, all five burst into plumes of Silver Fog, and dissipated into the walls and ceiling.

“HEY WAIT!” Undertow found her voice again as they retreated. “COME BACK AND FIX BOSCO!” Her water whips chased after them, but burst fruitlessly against the stone.

“Dahlings, they left in a hurry. Perhaps we should do the same?” Schwarzwald already was moving towards the exit.

I know what you're thinking. You want to talk to Watcher about this. Probably a good call. “She's right, guys. Let's get out of here for now, and figure out the rest later.”

“Yeah, okay.” Wings holstered her revolvers, then moved to help Undertow with Bosco. “Come on, kid. Let's get you out of here.”

Unresponsive, but back in his own body, he dumbly allowed the two to walk him towards the tunnel. Undertow held tight to steady his balance. The walk through the tunnel was completed in silence.

It was short lived, however. We were only a few steps into the main cavern before a robotic bellow sounded from above. “INTRUDERS SPOTTED. OPEN FIRE!”

Gunfire and explosives rained down on us from the walkway, where five figures stood. Four were in the heavy armour of the Steel Rangers, while the fifth was a teal unicorn in a labcoat.

A wall of water leapt from the river, just in time to turn aside the barrage. Muffled explosions ran through the liquid, but didn’t make it through.

Undeterred, the Rangers loosed another volley, sending their rockets in wide arcs to confuse and circumvent Undertow’s defenses.

“Back into the tunnel!” I ordered. We scrambled into cover just before the barrage hit. The shockwave sent us all rolling, as stone slivers nicked and scratched at us.

“Wait a minute, I know that voice. Hold fire!” This was a different Ranger than the first.

Probably the one without armour, since it doesn't sound like he's speaking around his own-

Son of a bitch. “Oh fantastic, I was hoping you'd died when my Raiders took you Rangers on, you old pervert.” All of the others, sans a still-stupefied Bosco, were staring incredulously at me. I waved an angry hoof. I know, I know. “Doc, can't say I'm happy to see you again. How's the wife?”

If he was angry about my waging war against him and his friends, it didn't come across in his jaunty voice. “Just fine. She was so disappointed she didn't get to meet-and-greet. Maybe we should take advantage of this second chance?”

Tittering rang down from the walkway. “Hmm, yes, straight through our half-concussed scribe, in fact. Are you sure I can't coax you out of your little hole?”

So you can stick me back in that magic-less cell? “Gotta be honest, Doc. My first impression of you wasn't great, and I'm not looking for a second date.”

Mock indignation laced his words. “Oh that cuts me deep. It cuts me deep in my chest, Princess. Oh well, missed connections and all that.”

I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, when Happy Pills spoke up again. “Paladin, collapse that tunnel.”

“FUUUCK!” We tore out of the tunnel just before the rocket hit. Stone slammed straight onto where we'd hunkered down.

“What now?” Wings was taking potshots at the Rangers with her revolvers, but they didn't seem to notice. “We're trapped down here!”

I felt a tingle at the base of my horn, and opened the link to Undertow. Glimpses of her planned spell filtered through, enough for me to get a vague sense of it. Works for me, little sister! “You heard her! Everybody in!”

“Mua leija.” Cept's deadpan contribution reached my ears just before he and Schwarzwald flopped into the water.

I wasted no time, sprinting and cannoning into Wings, dragging us both into the drink.

Undertow's connection instantly strengthened when we in the water, with only our heads above board, and she pulled us all in towards her. Automatic fire rained down around us, but the river was flowing too fast. Once we were all together, another signal flowed down our link. It was the arcane equivalent of shouting “NOW!”.

Allowing her to guide me, I froze six-inch thick shell of water a metre around us, while at the same time she pushed all the water between it and us out, leaving cold air, and six sodden bodies.

I finished closing the shell up, then turned to Undertow. “Do you know where this thing goes?”

She shook her head. “I know it goes somewhere, from the speed it's flowing, and it has to be better than here.”

I could only just make out some blurry shapes through the ice shell, before we disappeared under the water and stone.

Then it rose a lot faster, as the river dropped away beneath our shell. We all reacted badly, but Wings was worst. Griffon instincts kicked in, and her wings unfolded to take flight. She slammed into the top of our shell.

Then slammed down on top of me, as we hit the bottom of the drop. All the air left my lungs, but her weight didn't. Black spots danced in my vision as the ice shell shattered around us.

Groans sounded all round, before a pair of wood-brown hooves hauled Wings off me. “Dahling, you cannot rest now.”

“No.” Schwarzwald was uncharacteristically hurried. “You must go to the sky carriage. Bring it here before the Rangers find it.”

As I followed her flight, it dawned on me as to where we were. “La Buque? The river carried us that far?”

Undertow's voice drew my attention. “Bosco? We have to get moving. It's not safe here.”

“SORRY?!” Gnashing his teeth, he shoved her hard in the shoulder. “What do you have to sorry about? You're not the one who—” Emerald fire flashed around him, and in his place stood another Undertow. “—does this!”

I checked that Undertow hadn't been hurt when he pushed her over, and then grimaced at him. “And we'll help you figure this out, but we can't do it here. Just stay calm and listen for a second. La Buque's not safe, and we have to get back to the others!”

I stomped a hoof at his antics. “You don't know that ! Now stop yelling at the people trying to help you! If you fall apart, it’ll delay us getting back. We won’t figure this out here, and we need to check on Breeze.”

Naiara became Breeze's sister, with tears running down her face. “You sound like Cassie! Well guess what, both of you, I don't know what the hell’s happening to me, and I'm not gonna find out sitting around at Sprinkles Supplies!”

Spreading 'her' wings, Cassie lifted off. Unused to the sensation, Bosco's flight was anything but smooth, but she kept at it, rising higher and higher.

“No, Bosco, come back!” Undertow's plea went unanswered, and all we could was watch as he disappeared around a valley bend.

Perks gained:
Frigid Fortifications - Snow’s ice magic reduces effectiveness of metal armour and barriers.

I’m sure plenty of you saw that coming, but at least I did the reveal well… right?

I have to give a Massive, BROBDINGNAGIAN thank you to Kyts, who not only helped me with pre-reading, editing and story ideas, but also made the latest cover art for Old Souls, which can be seen here. I seriously cannot show my gratitude for everything that Kyts and all of the others have provided for our work here. It’s humbling.

As always, a big thank you to Kkat, Y1, Auramane, Cascadejackal (he did the original cover art, which is still on the Fallout Equestria wiki), Shunketsunoponi and you, the readers. Please read and comment, and pass the word along if you like the story.

That’s all for now, folks. Please keep reading, commenting, and spreading the word on Old Souls. I really appreciate your feedback, and welcome back.

Fallout Equestria: Old Souls

by Pillbug

Fallout Equestria: Old Souls - Chapter 24: Vicarious Liveability