Author's note: As stated last chapter, there will be some overlap between Chapter 24 and this Chapter 25. Maybe a tiny bit of Chapter 26 too.
Chapter 25: Underground Derail Road
[When all the truth does is make your heart ache, sometimes a lie is easier to take...]
The thoroughly disagreeable doctor finally took Amber's dirty caps. “Bring 'er inside, quick now. Follow the signs. We'll get started in a minute or so.”
Not trusting my words, I fought against the impending breakdown by channeling all my suddenly unleashed energy into carrying my sister's stretcher. Naiara grabbed the other end.
You blessed girl.
Even Cept was forgotten as she and I rushed Breeze through the gates of Sprinkles Supplies, across the courtyards, and into the headquarters proper.
“Signs, signs, she said signs, WHERE ARE THE SIGNS?” I started to slightly panic as my wings flew out to ward off any ponies brazen enough to bar my sister's path to health, I still couldn't see these mystery markings of which Fedexi Lexi seemed so sure. “If she lied to me, just to get the caps, then so help me...”
“Turn left here, Cass.” From the back end of the stretcher, Naiara tugged me to one side.
I dug my hooves in, stopping in my tracks.“How do you know?”
Pivoting smoothly around my centerpoint, Naiara switched our positions so that she was leading. “Look up, Pegasus.”
I am not exactly staring at my own navel, Zebra! Still, I humoured her, angling my eyes skyward.
A trio of pink butterflies was painted on the ceiling, at the end of a prominent left arrow.
“Oh.” Am I going blind? I need my eyes! They keep Breeze safe!
Setting the pace, Naiara glanced back as we moved off. “When was the last time you slept?”
“A few hours on that first night in Lethbridle. Nothing since.” This time I did look down, as I knew what she would say next.
“It's showing, Cassie. We need you sharp for whatever comes next. Lethbridle wasn't the end of it. Latvi got out.”
Her rebuke was less jagged than I had anticipated. “I'll sleep when Breeze is out of danger, no sooner.”
“And no later,” she pressed. “Our backup is on their way to Steel Ranger city. We need to be at our best. There's only us to watch over Breeze.” Grunting, she dropped a hoof extra hard on her next step as she looked over my shoulder to the corridor we has passed. “And Cept, whenever he decides to show up!”
Mercifully, we reached the medical bay, only to find it unoccupied. “Moreso than Cept,” the volume of my words rising with my blood pressure, “where is that Doctor?”
My legs shook as we settled Breeze in. “Oh, I knew coming here was a bad idea. What was I thinking? I should have taken Breeze to somewhere more trustworthy!”
Naiara laid a hoof on my shoulder. “Hey, c'mon, she's done good work in the past. She healed up Snow after you shot her, didn't she? Both times?”
I shrugged her off. “That was then. After all the upheaval in the region, Fedexi Lexi might not have enough supplies anymore. Maybe Amber bought them all up...” Those shelves don't look nearly full enough!
“Or there hasn't been time for sterilise the equipment they do have...” What if something gets into Breeze's system?
“And she doesn't have the right information about Breeze! She doesn't know what she can and can't be given!” Do they have safe blood for transfusions? WHERE IS CEPT?!
Spots forming in my vision made me aware of my body's desperate desire for new air. Doubling over, I held my head in my hooves as I took several deep breaths.
While I sucked in oxygen, Naiara softly rubbed my back. “You really need some sleep. We'll stay just long enough for Lexi to give Breeze the okay, and then I'm putting you to bed, alright?”
My reply was barely a grumble. “I am perfectly fine.”
Any further argument was abandoned as Lexi entered from the corridor behind us, the case full of caps floating in her purple magic. Without Lexi taking her eyes off Breeze, the case was deposited in Naiara's lap while medical equipment began to lift from their stations. “Ah'm workin' here, girls. You need to keep out of the way.”
Sufficiently recovered, my argument with Naiara was the farthest thing from my mind. “What can I do to help?” I could wash cloths, or prepare bandages, or wipe her brow, or... whAT IS SHE DOING?!
To my horror, Lexi's magic was twisting Breeze's front legs this way and that, seemingly at random. Lexi's frizzy mane bobbed as she jerked her horn around, in an attempt to remove Breeze's greaves. “The hell're these things? Tryin' ta fix a girl up, and she's covered in armour? Let’s get it off already.”
With a sudden SHNK!, and an accompanying yell from Lexi, Breeze's hidden blade popped out. As she reared back, I took the opportunity to dash in and trigger the greaves' release. The two accessories clattered to the floor.
Anything but happy with the surprise, Lexi pointed at me, then the greaves, then the door. “Get that garbage outta my medical bay! This is a place o' healin', not fightin'!”
Feathers ruffling, I placed myself between her and Breeze's creations. “Garbage? You dare to mock my sister's work?”
Unimpressed, Lexi's horn lit up, brushing the greaves and I aside. “I'm tryin' t'save yer sister's life. I don't care about her work, or yer pride. Right now, neither should you!” Telekinesis pressed harder. “Get out, and let me help her.”
Overbalanced from the magic shove, the last sentence hit me the hardest. I would have fallen, had Naiara not been there to support me. “Come on, Cass. Try to calm down. Let Lexi do her work. We'll be right outside.”
“I... mhm.” Hitting the retract on the hidden blade, I stashed both of Breeze's gadgets under my wing, and followed Naiara out.
Lexi's words followed me out. “Ah'll do all I can.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The clasps snapped shut, pulling out a few hairs in the process.
Worth it, I thought, around my pained hiss, now they're safe until Breeze wants them back.
Matching my front-leg bracers, I now had Breeze's greaves on my hind legs. It was the only way I could think of to guarantee their safety, until Breeze was healthy again.
“Looking good,” Naiara stepped around me, appraising, “now you're double the trouble.”
My hoof wiggled until the pins-and-needles faded. “Hmm, perhaps, but even I don't know all that they can do.”
“Really?”
A smile graced my lips. “Yes. Breeze is never satisfied with these things. She'll change the entire setup on a whim, often without telling me.” I managed to utter a small chuckle. “I used to joke that we spend more caps on her parts than we do on food or shelter. I've never tallied it, but I don't think I am far wrong, either.”
Sitting down against the far corridor wall, Naiara waved a hoof across my a-greaved limbs. “So what all has she put in them, over the years? Is it all weapons?”
“No, she often makes space for small tools. The less that goes into saddlebags, the better in her opinion. Not that I can blame her.” My feathers flexed. “They can restrict the wings, you understand.”
Nodding, she tapped her heel on the floor. “I getcha. Same with me and horseshoes. Can't sneak with 'em, and they're better suited to Cept's style than my Stompeii Emboli.”
My eyes found the medical bay doors. “You beat Breeze with that style, back when the two of you first met.” My sister was very impressed, after the bruises faded.
Chuckling, Naiara rubbed the back of her neck ruefully. “Heh, I'd forgotten about that. Seems like a long time ago.”
“Many things do.” It wasn't so long ago that I wouldn't have even considered travelling with this many others. A contemplative silence fell over us.
It didn't last long.
“I can't believe you just let her go like that, right after we all found each other again.” The reproach came from one of the Doublehorn triplets, rounding the corner. I couldn't tell which one was which. This one had a softness to his rumbling baritone.
“Snow knows what she's doing!” Another shot back, sharper than the first. “She's been out here longer than us, and she knows how to take care of herself. She damn near tipped Crush, who's bigger than you, when I met her. She's really getting the hang of her magic.”
The third buffalo spoke up now. His was the calmest, lowest voice of the three. “That doesn't mean we should have let her go alone into the Steel Ranger capital. We all saw what those ponies' armour and weapons are capable of. Snow shouldn't be doing something this dangerous without help.”
“She has help. Or did you miss the five people who went with her? Snow's got more friends out here than we do!”
I'm reasonably sure that one is Al. Naiara and I shared a look, but stayed silent to listen as the three took up the entire corridor to argue.
“We don't know anything about any of those guys. Are they even fighters?” This was the younger Doublehorn, Lo. “Snow's never been in a fight in all her time in the Stable. She's still new at this.”
Rumbling in this throat, Buff waved his Pipbuck-less hoof. “We all learned fast, Lo, and we've heard the radio broadcast. Snow's not as new at this as we might like.”
“Exactly!” Al confirmed, but Buff cut him off before he could go any further.
“That being said, there will be a lot of Steel Rangers in Neighlway. She and her five friends are flying into grave danger.”
“You mean four friends and one sister.” Al didn't back down against his brothers. “Undertow and Snow will watch out for each other.”
“He knows what he said, Al,” Lo replied testily. “Snow, her friends, and whatever Undertow is, will-”
“'Whatever Undertow is'? She's her sister! SHE'S OUR SISTER! What is the matter with you two?”
Several heads popped out of doors, to see what the cienna-furred buffalo were yelling about. Al and Lo didn't seem to notice, but Buff made a 'quiet down' motion. “Undertow is a stranger to us, Al. We don't see her that way.”
“Snow does! How is this any different than how we got our first sister? Tell me.” Unblinking, Al turned back and forth between the two. Buff was stoic, while Lo's lips were tightly pressed together.
It was Buff who replied first. “I don't have anything against Undertow personally, Al, but the situation isn't the same this time around. It's complicated.”
“No, it's not.” Lo sulked. “Snow's ours.”
This took Buff, Al, Naiara, and I all by surprise.
Lo's brothers replied in sync. “What?”
“Snow's ours.” Lo moaned again. “She's been with us for our whole lives in the Stable. She's always been there for us and we've always been there for her. Now she's only out here for a month or so and she's replacing us! New friends, new family, new magic...” He swallowed as his voice shook. “...she's changed, guys! Why has she changed?”
Buff and Al looked on in stunned silence. Lo's stout hooves scrubbed at his moistening eyes. He sank down onto the floor, blubbering. “I want my big sister. I wanna go home. I want Snowflake!”
Defeated by Lo's helplessness, the other two Doublehorns sat down with him. Al spoke first. “Listen, Lo, I get it. When I lost you guys, it was like losing Snow all over again. But I did what you're doing now. I expected her to be exactly the same as she was in the Stable, and got upset when wasn't. I hurt her with that, bro.”
“But she should-” Lo half-wailed, before being shut down by Buff.
“No, she shouldn't. Al's right. We can't expect that of her anymore. She's been through a lot out here. She's been changed by it. WE have probably changed too, even if we don't notice it right now.” He laid a strong hoof on Lo's horn. “Like it or not, things are different now, and we have to do everything we can to help each other get through it.”
“Sorry, Lo.” Al knocked his horn against Lo's free one. “I'm scared too. About a lot of things, but I've spoken a lot with Lexi about Snow since I've been saying here, and we've gotta have faith in our sisters to come back safe and sound.”
I felt something stir in my chest when neither Lo nor Buff challenged Al's use of the plural. It's hard waiting around to know the ones you love are okay, the lights shining through the gap in the medical bay doors seemed a little warmer at that moment, isn't it?
Gathering my hooves under me with a sigh, the words out of my mouth were not what I'd expected to say anytime soon. “Excuse me, you three? If you'd like, we can tell you all about what your sister is like, ever since leaving the Stable.”
“Cassie...” Naiara's warning was coupled with her rising too.
“My grievance is with her, not them.” I whispered out of the side of my mouth. “They are little ones. I will be mindful of that.”
Still frowning, Naiara relented after a few moments. Creased brow easing into a smile as she turned to the boys, good cheer was injected into her words. “Let me tell you about how I first met your sister. It all started with this jackhole gate guard...”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“So there Snow and I am, standing on top of this shack by the lake, and the rope goes slack. We look up, and Bosco's following us down, quite a bit faster than we got there too.”
Naiara, in full storyteller mode, was spelling out the scene with her hooves. We sat in the Sprinkles Supplies bar. It was empty aside from us, which allowed Naiara to hold court as she regaled the boys with tales of their sister's adventures. Each was taking up a booth by themselves, while Naiara moved and gestured on the floor. From my perk on a bar stool, it was the audience that held my attention, rather than the performance.
Closest to the door, Buff sat calmly with a barely touched glass of water by his side. The eldest buffalo brother smiled at the appropriate moments, but never seemed to lose himself in the story.
Nearest to the bar where I sat, Al chugged on a Sparkle cola, guffawing openly as Naiara yelled “MY BALLS!” in a reasonable facsimile of Bosco.
In the centre booth, Lo had stars in his eyes as he sucked brahmin milk through a straw. He might as well not be blinking. He devoured the tale of how Naiara, Bosco, and Snowflake crashed at Undertow's place without a word of interruption.
There was a way to tell that he was enjoying himself, however. While Buff smiled, and Al laughed, Lo blew bubbles in his milk. That's actually rather sweet. I wonder if there are any cookies around here? He's being good now that the crying's stopped.
A mix of satisfaction and sadness nipped at the back of my throat. Too bad MY stories about Snowflake wouldn't be so enjoyable for them.
“Hey, birdypony, ya in here?” Lexi's arrival in the bar put an abrupt end to Naiara's retelling, not in small part to my running her over to meet the doctor just inside the door.
“How is she?” Hopping to see behind Lexi, in case Breeze was with her, I didn't immediately notice her expression. When I did, it stopped me cold.
When we landed at the gates, she'd been angry, but now her eyes were soft and her lips curved down. “She's gonna be okay...”
The world brightened around me.
“...eventually.”
And dimmed again. “W-what?”
Lexi rubbed my shoulder. “Yer sister's hurt bad, girl. Real bad. From what I hear, all of yeh've been busy for days straight now, and it's caught up with her. If there was time, Ah'd suggest you all get some rest, but that don't seem likely.” Lexi looked Naiara over too. “Stress'll eat away at a body if it ain't given time to relax. All o' ya could use some time off. I'm guessing y'all were in Lethbridle these past few days?”
Not by choice, but... “...yes.”
Air blew out of the side of the doctor's mouth. “Thought so. Lotta fightin', lotta enemies, lotta strangers. Breeze, well probably all o' yeh, were running close to ragged 'cause o' it. The buildup didn't help when she got hit. Whatever got her,”
“A Raider's axe.” I supplied limply.
“Right, well, it woulda done plenty just by itself, but catching her when it did has left her real weak. Ah can heal her up, but it's gonna take some time. She's gonna have to stay asleep and in bed until then.”
No! “You can't let her wake up?”
“Not unless you want her bein' in a lot o' pain.” Lexi drew back, and her face turned slightly bitter. “It's the same deal as when Snowflake got hurt bad. At best she'll be up for a few minutes at a time. Y'gotta wait until she's back to full strength. It can't be rushed. Recovery time is important to make sure a patient ain’t been permanently damaged by a pony hittin' her when she ain't lookin'.”
“Was that a shot at me?” I tried to growl, but it paled in the face of Lexi's counter-hiss.
“Only fair, after you takin' a shot at her.” She walked around me into the bar proper, nodding to Naiara and the Doublehorns. Her words were still directly at me, however. “Don't think ah've forgotten about that. Now I'll let you look in on your sister in about an hour or so. After that, we gotta discuss arrangements.”
Trying to avoid the glances I was getting from all four of the others, it didn't immediately become clear to me what she meant. “Arrangements?”
“Arrangements. Now, yer caps will cover the girl's treatment, as well as a bunk for you while she's healin', but Ah ain’t gonna have non-employees walkin' around Sprinkles all day gettin' in the way. Y'wanna stay? Then get t’work. Ask Al about that 'fore anything else happens.” With that, she strolled behind the bar and began mixing herself a drink.
“You can't drink that!” Wings flaring, my hooves left the ground in preparation to knock the beverage out of her hooves. “You're still healing my Breeze!”
“Didn't I just tell you that y'can't overwork yourself?” Taking a long draught, Lexi appraised the cocktail, before adding another ice cube. “Healin' takes time, fer both of us. Her body's gotta do its fair share o' the work, and for that it needs fuel. Ah got 'er on a drip, t'get her body ready for the next step. Gotta do it in stages, that Raider axe hit her near the base o' her wing. Ah ain't worked on many Pegasi, but plenty of griffons've got themselves hurt and paid fer healin'. Y'should know this as well as anybody, but Ah gotta do this slow an' steady so she don't end up grounded.”
My own wings failed me at the thought. “Breeze might never fly again?” But she loves flying! This can't be happening!
“Ah don't think it's as bad as all that, but do yeh really wanna take the chance?”
I crossed my hooves in front of me frantically. “No, no, of course not. I can wait as long as it takes. I'll be right by her side the entire time. Just... make her whole again. Please?”
Setting down her half-empty glass, she leaned on the bar counter for a moment before responding. “That's better. Y'don't always have to go fightin' e'rybody over every little thing for yer sister. Sometimes, y'need ta have a li'l faith. Good feelings can do as much as any doctor if yeh let 'em, like how Undertow asked me t'help, even after yeh shot 'er sister.”
There was a cacophony of clatter as water, milk, and cola all hit the floor. “YOU WHAT?!”
Naiara darted in between myself and the three Doublehorns. Well... they're quite large after all, aren't they?
The zebra was hopelessly outmatched, but she still tried to defuse the situation. “Boys, now I know what you're thinking, but if you just—”
“How can you possibly know what we're thinking? She shot our sister!”
“And your sister has tangled with my clan!” Naiara's rebuke was powerful, and set them back slightly. The girl's jade eyes bore into them. “I trust your sister, and I trust Cassie, but sometimes things get complicated!”
However, it only dulled their fury, rather than douse it. Lo bit clean through his straw. “Complicated is figuring out what's safe to eat out here, Naiara. 'Don't kill your friends' is simple wherever you are.”
“Oh really?” I jumped in. I'm rather less than willing to be demonised by this particular family. “Even when this 'friend' goes Raider?”
“Better than full assassin!” Buff snorted.
CHK-CHK!
The cocking of the barrel stopped us all cold. Now on this side of the bar, one hoof pressing on Al's shoulder, a shotgun and half a cocktail in her telekinesis, Lexi inserted herself into the standoff. “Now, Ah'm certainly not sayin' that I condone what Venatici here did to Snowflake, but she’s right that the circumstances were not ideal. Yer sister's no saint, boys. She's tryin' her hardest t’be a good gal, but she doesn't always do so well at it.”
The shotgun spun in a lazy circle, sending us all ducking and diving. “That being said, this is MY place, and Ah ain't havin' y'all scrappin' while yeh stay here. This can be hashed out when YOUR” she nodded at the Doublehorns, “sisters get back, and YOUR” then at me, “sister's back on her hooves. Until then, all o' yeh cool it, else mah friend here will be making another appearance. Got that?”
I didn't speak, nor did anybody else. Keeping my eyes on the loaded weapon seemed like the safer bet at present.
“GOOD—”
Five different yelps, mine included, sounded out as we dropped to the floor in tandem.
“—EVENING, EQUESTRIA! This is DJ Pon3, coming to you live with a special report. Big things are happening up north, fillies and gentlecolts, and you'll hear it here first.”
Eyes shuddering from pressure in my chest, I levered myself up into a booth alongside Naiara, who was taking rapid and shallow breaths with a hoof over her eyes. If I ever meet this DJ, I will break his jaw.
Playing from Lo's Pipbuck, DJ Pon3 continued his broadcast. “You know what they always say, my little ponies: I've got good news and bad news, which would you like first? Wait, I can't hear you, let me flip this bitfor instead. What's a bitfor? For flipping, silly. Might not be worth much to a trader, but at least this bit can settle arguments. Okay, here we go... and it's good news first. Okay then. The good news is that a lot of the problems that the northern region has been having with Raiders and slavers have been solved in one fell swoop. 'How?' you ask? Well, that's the bad news.”
Looking around the room, a menagerie of facial opinions were on display. Lexi quirked an eyebrow, Al stared unblinking at the device, Lo blanched, Buff grimaced, and Naiara snorted. Wordlessly, the youngest Doublehorn turned the volume up.
“The bad news, dear listeners, is that the ponies of the northern region took care of their Raider-and-slaver problem by building a giant cage to trap them in. A giant cage by the name of Lethbridle. That's right, folks. In order to get rid of the slavers and Red Ice's goons running around in the region, the leaders of the biggest city in the province decided to turn said city into one big ponytrap. Now, on the one hoof, that is actually pretty hardcore, to seal of the city with the baddies inside, but on the other hoof, well...”
“Here we go.” Lexi closed her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
A slightly more melancholy tone crept into Pon3's words. “See, the thing is, a lot of people made their homes in that city. Not just ponies either, there were griffons and buffalo too. To keep the Raiders and slavers locked in, they had to lock themselves out. That is a LOT of homeless guys, guys. Doesn't help that Lethbridle was the only major settlement in the region, the rest are small scale. Still, some refugees are heading to the different smaller towns in the regions, and this is where it gets into a mix of good-and-bad news.”
Lexi looked out of the window, as if expecting a great horde of displaced families at her doorstep.
“Some folks are heading up to the border town of Cefar, but not many. It can't take many. A good chunk are heading to Vanchoofer, being lead by the former head of Lethbridle's guard force, Chief Rockhaunch. Nice party town, Vanchoofer, but probably not best for a prolonged stay. Others are making the long trip south. Who knows, maybe we'll even see them around Tenpony. If you've got anything to spare for 'em, ponies, then make them feel welcome. But back to it. The city's griffon population are mostly heading back to Gull Gulf, and the buffalo are heading west, to Grindstone. They've got the good sense to avoid Neighlway, with its oh-so-warm-and-cuddly Steel Rangers. Nobody's going there to get AWAY from their troubles.”
A collective sigh of relief went up around the room. I can take or leave Snowflake, but the others, Undertow-included, don't deserve to be hounded by the very people they saved in Lethbridle, just for being in close proximity to Red Ice.
“Lastly, some VERY brave individuals have, thanks to information provided by the Bernstein Conclave, learned the locations of the Raider bases around the region. They seem to have decided to house-swap with the Raiders who are now trapped in Lethbridle. Can't say that bunking in a Raider ghetto would really appeal to this DJ, but I guess they don't have a lot of options.”
A chuckle escaped Naiara's lips as she lay in the booth. “Oh, Undertow's just gonna 'love' that. More people in her lake.”
“We should be more worried about these refugees finding Hoofshine Harlots.” I reminded.
That got her to sit up. “Oh, crap. My room! My pretty dresses!”
“And all our supplies.” I reminded again.
“I... hold on a second folks,” Sounds of shuffling and muttered words came through Lo's Pipbuck as we waited for the DJ to continue. “Well now, this is a surprise. I'm getting a live call from Plottawa. Looks like Peanut wants to weigh in on this. After his, in this pony's opinion, rather stupid comments when last we spoke, this should be good. Gimme a few seconds to set up the connection.”
“What the heck?” Confused looks were exchanged all round.
“Wasn't Peanut in Lethbridle?”
“Yes, he was.” Buff rubbed his fur where his Pipbuck had been. “The bastard jumped me and took my Pipbuck, but we sealed the gate after Snow and I left. He was stuck inside.”
“Then who's calling from Plottawa?” Naiara's question was answered as a rich, mature voice came through the speaker. One that rendered her completely still.
“Good evening, DJ Pon3. My apologies, but I am not Peanut.”
“Naiara...” I looked over to the girl. I know that voice.
Her jade eyes had shrunk to pinpricks. “Elder Atesh?”
“Who's Atesh?” The Doublehorns remained clueless.
“The leader of the zebra fought against Crush and his buffalo,” I fixed Al with a level stare, “when we first met.”
Atesh's statescolt-like speech resumed. “I can provide an update on the situation around Lethbridle, if you will let me.”
“Uh... sure?” Pon3 seemed as confused at this as we were.
“Thank you. My followers and I are currently in control of Plottawa. As we have no need for slaves, we are willing to negotiate the release of any and all ponies present. From what we see, they have been treated well in their captivity, and are of fit mind and body.”
“And, if this is true, what do you want in return?”
Atesh almost sounded apologetic. “Caps are always welcome, but our true prizes are the Raider leaders, Red Ice and Latvi. Should both be brought to us, we will free all slaves immediately, and leave Plottawa open for any and all to shelter in. We will no longer need it after that point. That is all.”
“Wait a minute, you never gave your-” An audible click sounded on the DJ's end. “Okay then. So a mystery group claims to be in control of Slaverville North, and wants the Raider leadership. What a ride this has been. That's all I've got for you right now, my little ponies, so I'll just tell you the same as always. Keep fighting the good fight, and be kind to each other. I'll keep bringing you the truth, no matter how bad it hurts.”
As the single devolved into static, Buff and I stared at Naiara, while Al and Lo seemed to be trying hard not to. The zebra herself was still frozen, hooves gently tapping against each other as she sat with unfocused eyes.
“Naiara,” Lexi ventured from the bar, “Ah had two ponies from one of my runs caught an' taken to Plottawa. Think there's a chance your Atesh'll give 'em back?”
“I... yeah, a chance. Can't say more than that. I really don't know what Atesh is thinking with taking Plottawa like this.”
Lexi wasn't dissuaded. “Good enough. If you see the opportunity to bring it up with him, please do. Ah don't want Vorbis and Contego sittin' in there any longer'n they have ta.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I found Naiara doing exactly what I expected of her. I watched, leaning against the barracks doorway, as she sat checking the pockets of her cloak. “So when are you leaving?”
A petty, not-as-small-as-I-would-like part of myself was satisfied as she jumped in fright. It was quickly squashed, however. I wasn't there to guilt-trip her.
Judging by that face, you're aware of how this looks, Naiara.
The zebra turned, a tight ball of knotted muscle, on the bed. “Cassie, I... look, I want to be here with Breeze, but-”
“I know,” She quieted at my gentle interruption. “you have to deal with your clanmates.”
“I... yeah.” Shrugging, Naiara fidgeted with some zebra contraption in her hooves.
Inhaling for several seconds, then letting it out, allowed me to remain composed. “I owe you an apology, Naiara. I am fighting the impulse to shout and scream at you for abandoning Breeze, but that's not fair.”
“I'm not-”
I held up a hoof. “I know you're not. Breeze is MY whole world, but she's only a part of yours. And that's...” Every adjective I knew ran through my mind to finish that sentence. In the end I just gave up. “...okay. I know you love Breeze, and have proven it over and over. Having more than her in your life does not diminish all that you are to her.”
Still tensed, Naiara silently waited for me to get my words out.
Why did nobody tell me it would be this hard? Oh, that's right. I don't have anybody to tell me that. “Your clan is important to you, and should be. You were right in the forest. We don't do enough to help you with the goals of your zebra compatriots. We should do more, and that's why I'm here to tell you that you don't have to feel guilty about heading to Plottawa.”
“I just have to find out what Atesh is thinking!” Naiara stuffed whatever she was holding back into a pocket with vigour. “This is totally new ground for him.”
I nodded. “the more we know how to deal with him, for good or ill, the better. Still, not just in the forest, but I remember what you said in Lethbridle too. When Breeze first got hurt.”
An ear flick went well with her clueless expression. “Uh.. what'd I say?”
The smile this drew from me couldn't be held back. “You demanded that we look after each other when going about our missions, to guarantee that Breeze wouldn't be alone when she woke up. You stopped just short of telling us all that you'd cripple us to make sure we were safe for when Breeze wakes up.”
She mumbled into her hoof. “...didn't want her to be hurt and alone.”
“And I love that thought process.” Crossing the room, my hoof tapped her in the sternum. “That being the case, I trust that you won't complain if I accompany you to Plottawa? I have to ensure that YOU stay safe for her, too.”
Her head cocked to the side. “But that won't solve anything! We'll both be gone, and Breeze won't have anybody around when she wakes up!”
“We'll get to that, don't worry. Please, just let me help you with this. You, and Cept, and…” a bitter taste caught in my throat as I continued, “...most of the others have been nothing but welcoming to Breeze and I. She's reciprocated, but I'm starting to realise that I've been too focused on her.” A tight smile flittered across my lips. “I still want to spend every waking moment making sure she's looked after and content, but our group has grown larger than just the two of us. You, Schwarzwald, Wings, Bosco and yes, even Undertow, have done much more for us than I have done in return.”
“What about Snow?”
Her question was ignored. “Breeze has given back, with her friendship and her technology, but I haven't. I want to start making good. You all deserve more from me. I can do better.”
“Cass, nobody's keeping a scorecard.”
“I am.” I set my jaw. “I can't simply coast on the sidelines, that's not friendship. You all must be satisfied that I am truly on your side, and not just as Breeze's plus-one. The least I can do is show you and your clan that you have my support in whatever enterprise you wish to undertake.”
“But what about Breeze? She'll still be sitting in that bed by herself.” Naiara had, loyally seized upon that point. Be at ease, friend. I have a plan.
“Yyyes, well, I was actually hoping you would help me to convince the Doublehorn brothers to watch over her while we are gone. They would most likely refuse if I asked, but have no reason to distrust you.”
“Well, except for conspiring with you, perhaps?” This time I was the one to jump, as Buff stepped through the doorway, followed by his two brothers. All three were stone-faced.
Let's find out. Rounding on him, I matched his stare. “And was I correct? Had I asked, would you have agreed?”
The buffalo's big face shifted slightly. “You were correct that we wouldn't have been happy about it, but no, we wouldn't have refused.”
Surprising. “Oh? Why is that?”
“Because your sister's not you.” Lo piped up. “'sides, Undertow stumped for the two of you, and we actually like her.”
“Same with Lexi,” Al supplied. “she agreed to heal her up, probably because she WASN'T the one who shot Snow. We trust their judgement on this.”
Buff lowered his head until it was right in front of mine. “That doesn't mean that there won't be a reckoning when you two, and Snow's group, get back. We won't just let this go.”
I doubted you would. “That's fine. This is hardly one-sided. I would caution you against assuming the best of Snowflake beforehoof, as a courtesy.”
Naiara waved a hoof between the two of us. “Ookay, don't ruin it after they've said yes, Cass. Come on, I don't want this taking any longer than it has to. We'll work things out, and be back before Breeze wakes up. Sound good?”
“Agreed.”
“...fine. Now what do you want us to say to Breeze, when she wakes up?”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“But did I really have to have my communicator off the entire way?”
“Yes, or else you'd have been stopping every hour to check in. We're on the clock here, Cass.”
Grumbling, I put the small device away, and followed Naiara through the forests east of Lethbridle. We'd made good time, but it was still long enough for me to run through several cycles of regretting leaving Breeze, rationalising leaving, hating Atesh and his machinations, and hating Snowflake in general.
The forest itself was withered and failing, with a moderate dusting of snow in the weak trees. Still, Naiara found us paths to follow, with only one sheer hill face requiring us to backtrack. I had offered to lift Naiara, but she vetoed it, saying I should save my strength for Plottawa itself.
Mimicking Naiara's movements as she moved through the forest was an exercise in futility. How does she balance like that? The best I could do was to simply try to move WHEN she did, rather than how.
Following this pattern, when she dropped straight to the ground, I did the same, before wriggling on my belly to where she lay. “What is it?”
“Patrol, stay still.” She whispered back, without moving her head. Her cloak was flicked back to cover my more vibrant coat, and we did our best to blend in with the landscape.
Soon, the crunch of hooves sounded through the trees, coming closer. From what I could hear, there were three of them, and they were talking amongst themselves.
“We seriously don't have the guys for this. Peanut took too many of us to Lethbridle.”
“Oh come on, that's not fair. He had no way of knowing Plottawa would be infiltrated. I mean, who'd be stupid enough to attack our headquarters? Generally, ponies try to avoid us.”
“Well, there's the rub, isn't it? Damn stripes don't think like we do. I don't know what they're after.”
“Doesn't matter. They can't hold out forever, even if we're running a ghost unit. We just need to keep 'em busy until the boss gets back from Lethbridle, with a fat stack of new Raider slaves in tow.”
I jerked, earning a kick from Naiara. They are trying to enslave the Raiders? Madness!
“Hell, they might as well just sic those lunatics on the zebras. They'll take care of them in no time.”
“And wreck half of Plottawa in the process, not to mention all the slaves we've already got in there? Raider slaves are a niche market, for those deathring types. Anywhere else, they cause more damage than they'll cover in payment. You might be broke, but I got some good stuff in my locker.”
“I know, that picture of your cousin.”
“DO. NOT. I'm already worried enough about her. She stayed behind to catch up on paperwork. If those zebras have hurt her...”
“Don't worry, dude, we'll get her. The stripes were just trying to scare us when they killed those unicorns from accounting, uh... Shoestring and Flip. They wouldn't just kill all of the support staff. No way they can keep the slaves in line without them.”
Naiara stirred in front of me at the mention of zebras slaughtering non-combatants. I tapped her back hoof with my bracer as comfort.
“'sides, the lieutenant'll think up a plan soon enough. She's devious, that one.”
“Yeah, whatever. Come on, let's get back. I wanna get those bastards out of my home.”
After a long few minutes, until she was absolutely sure they were gone, Naiara lifted the cloak and stood. I followed suit, brushing dirt and leaves from my haunches.
“Well, that was interesting. The Plottawans are down to their dregs. Good to know their teeth were pulled in Lethbridle. It might have been worthwhile after all.”
“Mhm,” was Naiara's distracted reply. “Come on, let's keep moving.”
“One moment, Naiara.” I shucked the last of the foliage off my gear. “Let me ask you: How does this end?”
“I don't know.” She shook her head. “Atesh has never had us do anything like this before. It's much more overt than we usually are. He doesn't pick fights like this without reason, and certainly doesn't trap himself and the clan in one place. It doesn't make any sense.”
“I'm worried about that 'lieutenant', too.” I glanced in the direction that the patrol had gone, my eyes just picking up their movements. “Peanut might be in Lethbridle, but if he trusted his second-in-command enough to leave her in charge here, she might be formidable in her own right.”
She waved that off. “One thing at a time, Cass. We need to get to Atesh, first.”
“I agree, but the Plottawans are between us and he. Any ideas?”
A wry smile appeared. “Yeah, I did use this one trick on my first trip here. All you need to do is find an open space, and wait for a patrol. Then, when I start, be ready to jump in.”
The smile was just the wrong side of unnerving. “What? What am I doing?”
In response, she led me to another clearing, and had me lay half-hidden behind a fallen tree trunk. “Keep those blades out of sight, but ready to use.” Then she was gone, blending into the trees in a way that made her near impossible to track, even for my vision.
Wonderful. I act as bait for slavers. How fun. If they come anywhere near me with a collar...
Quietly fuming, it took several minutes for me to pick up an approaching slaver patrol, and several more for them to notice me. I played the part well, limping dramatically as they approached.
“Well, well. What do we have here?”
“Yo, are those wings?”
“Hot damn! A Pegasus?”
“Easy on the eyes too. She'll fetch a bundle.”
“Please, no,” I 'whimpered', inwardly smiling at managing a flutter in my voice.
“Just come along quietly now.” The lead slaver, an earth pony mare, fished a collar from out of her supplies.
Before she could take another step towards me, Naiara dropped onto her two colleagues, knocking their guns away, before striking out with a hoof to the back of each's head.
The mare, startled, whipped her head around towards the zebra in shock. “What the—”
Was as far as she got before I buried Breeze's and my hidden blades in her back and neck, respectively. As she fell, I moved to help Naiara.
She didn't need it. She was a dance of devastation. I watched as a slaver swung a powerful hammerhoof straight at her head, only for the blindingly fast zebra to bend backwards, the attack sailing over her head. As the slaver's movement reached its end, she grasped his hoof, and in one swift motion struck at his back knee with all her weight. A sickening crunch and yell accompanied her as she used the created momentum to sail towards the second raider, delivering a two hoofed kick straight to his midsection.
The surprisingly tough second raider managed to keep his balance, his resilience fading fast in front of the thorough beating he was receiving. Naiara came spinning from the skies once more, this time delivering a vicious crane-kick with her front leg, before catching herself and landing in a crunching pirouette on his neck. The bone snapping was audible.
The first slaver, a unicorn stallion, got his rifle off the ground in a telekinetic haze, before my whip wrapped around his horn and yanked. Off-balance and off-focus, the rifle twisted in mid-air, smacking him in the jaw. Dazed, he fell long enough for my blades to finish him off.
Panting at the exertion, I sheathed the blades in bracer and greave. “What was the point of all this?”
Already stripping the bodies, Naiara tossed me a helmet. “Camouflage.”
Sniffing at the headgear, I pulled a face. “Joy.”
“Not the first disguise I've worn, probably won't be the last.”
“Hooray.”
Still, it did the job. While we made sure to steer clear of most Plottawan patrols, and we couldn't avoid seemed content with a simple wave of acknowledgement and counter-acknowledgement as we moved along. Soon enough, we found ourselves near the back wall of Plottawa itself.
Shucking off the foul trappings, I relished the feeling of stretching my wings again. “I wish we didn't have to do this again on the way out.”
Piling snow and branches atop the uniforms, Naiara just shrugged. “You gotta do what you gotta do. It'll be quicker than going without. All for Breeze, yeah?”
The things I do for love. “All for Breeze. What's next?”
Jade eyes turned to the wall before us. “Gimme a lift?”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The other side of the wall was not the secluded spot we hoped it would be.
“Is that a Pegasus?”
“Another one of those filthy stripes too!”
“Bitchwing traitor, how can you work with the zebras?”
Hunching my shoulders against the slaves' shouts, I concentrated on gently lowering Naiara onto the correct side of the slave pens. So their spirits haven't broken, at least. That's... good.
“What'd we do?” Naiara muttered, legs dangling.
“We were born with stripes and wings. Apparently that was wrong.” I let her go as we dropped to a metre above the ground. Crouching, she barely kicked up dust on impact.
Naiara's head jerked towards some boxes. “Behind there, before my clan comes to investigate what's got 'em all riled up.”
We barely had time to get out of sight before Naiara's prediction proved true. Two zebra, armed with the same rifles that all the Plottawans carried, slunk into the courtyard.
One of them pointed their weapon at the pens, demanding an explanation in broken Equestrian. The slaves responded by hurling abuse at this new target.
The other made a token attempt at looking around, but soon lost their patience with the captives. Growling in zebra, barely heard above the jeers, he directed his friend back inside.
When they were gone, I carefully peered over the top of the boxes. “What did the second one say?”
“Basically? 'To hell with these guys, it's cold out here'.”
“Eloquent.”
“Well, y'know, it loses something in the translation.”
“Of course. Lead the way?”
Naiara wriggled some warmth into her shoulders. “Let's see what I can remember from my last time here.” A small grin appeared. “And if I'm still the stealthiest zebra in my clan... even with a clodstomping pony slowing me down.”
“'Clodstomping'? How very dare you!” I held a certainly-clod-free hoof to my breast. “I'll have you know that no equine is lighter on their hooves than a pegasus.”
“Tell that to Breeze. If she leans the wrong way, she jingles when she walks.”
“That is not...” always “...true. She just likes to carry her materiels when she travels. If you'll remember, we don't have a home base to stash our extras.”
Canting her head to the side, Naiara shushed me slightly before responding. “Me neither, but I still know how to travel light.”
Folding my wings in, and tucking loose mane strands behind my ears, I stuck close. “And that's why I trust you to get us through undetected, svara.”
Emitting a noise halfway through a groan and purr, Naiara flashed me a smile. “Flattery, my only weakness. You honey dripper, you.” Her grin faded as she took stock. “Okay, no more jokes. We're at the ballroom now. Big open space, very little cover. Good for a fight, bad for sneaking. Easiest bet? Stick to the wall, get ourselves through in one dash. Got it?”
Silly to spy in no time at all. Nicely done. Nothing more would be said until she gave the all clear, but my muscles tensed for whatever would bar our way.
One step in, Naiara changed her mind. She pointed at me, then pointed up, then flapped her hooves.
“Fly?” I mouthed back. At her nod, my wings spread. The reason for the change soon became apparent: Solid wood parquet covered the entirety of the floor. Any hoofsteps would echo through the entire area. Naiara might have been soft enough to mask her sound, but I was better off airborne.
“Still think I could have walked,” I grumbled at the other end, before following Naiara down a hallway. We had passed the impressive stage that almost the entire length of one wall, the long-emptied bar where Naiara mentioned Snowflake had been flustered by Peanut, and the wide central area itself, where slavers had danced and mingled.
Turning the corner, we found ourselves in an office, with several rows of cubicles. A doorway at the other end caught my attention and, with a nudge to Naiara's shoulder, we made our way across the thick carpet. The rug absorbed all sound caused by my hooves, and a little thrill went through me as I imagined, for a moment, that I was as talented an infiltrator as Naiara.
My daydream shattered a moment later, when I snaked around a cubicle and found myself face-to-glyph with a zebra guard looking the other way. Breath catching in my throat, my mind screamed for Naiara as my body locked up. Oh no. Nonono. Not now, we're so close!
I almost screamed as a hoof wrapped around my muzzle. Glinting green eyes identified her as the one zebra I wanted to see, even with her expression fixed in a grimace. With a mountain's slowness, we marched, one hoof at a time, around the corner of another cubicle. The unfamiliar zebra, engrossed in a flickering terminal display, did not turn around before we were out of the far doorway.
“Please tell me we are close.” Wheezing the words out, my body battled to remain quiet but still suck in all the air it had forgone in the other room.
Naiara was much cheerier. “Just up those stairs.” Barely ten metres away, at the top of said stairs, was a door of flawless oak.
Creeping our way up, a voice from inside grew louder as we ascended. “-ernstein has no power left, the agreement is void.”
“Atesh?” Naiara responded to my whisper with a nod.
If anyone responded to Atesh, I didn't hear them. He continued talking regardless. “I do possess this Plottawa which, once sterilised of the ponies outside the walls, will be a valuable commodity, for those seeking shelter OR slaves. I am free to bargain with any who ask, now that the fortune of the Bernstein is in the hooves of the Lethbridle chieftain. This 'Rockhaunch' is no schemer. He will not uphold her deal.”
“What deal?” Naiara and I chorused.
The door was open a crack, to which I pressed an eye. Inside, Cept sat in a high-backed chair, tapping at his chin. “The only remaining question is if Cept managed to reach Naiara.”
On the wall of the stairwell, the slightest of shifts drew my attention. Looking round and past Naiara, I felt my jaw drop as two more zebra emerged from under their Stealth cloaks.
Atesh's inflection shifted. “Won't you tell me, Naiara?”
Wooden-limbed, Naiara stood and marched into the office, with the two zebra and I following. “Elder.”
“Welcome home, scout.” Atesh clasped his hooves in front of him, peering imperiously over them at the two of us, as the cloaked zebras took up station on either side of the door.
Shaking her head, Naiara pointed at the wall. “This isn't home, Atesh. I wouldn't be surprised if you could still see the imprint of my face from the last time I fought Peanut here.”
Tired hazel eyes barely flicked in that direction. “Much has changed since then, Naiara. Possibly everything.”
“Like our clan being slave traders now?” Naiara shot back.
“Naiara!” One of the door guards barked at her. “Roga tok amarin!”
Atesh raised a hoof. “Please, it is alright. Naiara has been away, and she does not know all that we have seen and done in her absence. She may speak her mind, in Equestrian, for the sake of our guest.”
Dirty looks were sent my way from the guards, but they said nothing more. How is it MY fault that we speak different languages?
Emboldened, Naiara took a step forwards. “Elder, what deal did you make with Amber Bernstein?”
Leaning back, he regarded us both with level eyes. “The Bernstein wished to remove the Raiders and Peanut as players in the region. She used Lethbridle for this purpose. Did you see the Plottawans arrive in the city?”
“We saw them appear out of nowhere, and attack the Raiders.”
“You are close to the truth. The Plottawans had a secret tunnel into the city from here. I am told that it was used to move slaves out of sight of the guards. An arrangement with the Merchant's Guild, if I recall correctly.” Atesh's laugh was nasal, mocking. “No matter. The Bernstein asked us to collapse it behind the Plottawans.”
“Why us?”
I gave Naiara a curious glance at 'us'.
“She offered payment of supplies and information, and we accepted as the natural choice. We are skilled in the ways of stealth. It was not difficult to follow the Plottawan army on its way.” A burst of outside gunfire cut through the conversation for a moment. “Still, we had hoped to trap ALL of the slavers.”
“Is that why you took Plottawa? To kill the rest of the slavers?”
Atesh shook his head. “No, we were only asked to collapse the tunnel. We are here because the opportunity was there. The slavers outside were on patrol when we breached these walls. Now, we have supplies, weapons, and the means to further my goals.”
“What means?”
Atesh leaned forward again, onto his steepled limbs. “The slaves. There are many unicorns among them. We will test them. Perhaps among them is one of sufficient power to wield the horn.”
Oh, dear. Twisting my back hoof ever-so-slightly, I felt the slight shift inside Breeze's greave. A surprise, in case this rapidly collapsing conversation went even further downhill.
Naiara wasn't any happier about the direction it was going either. “The horn is still dangerous, Elder! We don't know all that it can do, or all that it will do.”
“And that is why a pony will take the brunt of the effects. Whoever we choose to wield the horn will only do so at my order. They are as much a tool to be used as the horn itself.”
Naiara put her hooves on the desk and leaned forward, nose to nose with Atesh. “And will it truly get you home, Elder? Will you be accepted back, even though your beliefs have not changed?”
The two guards gasped at the same time as Atesh's expression soured. “Watch your tongue, Naiara. It is starting to sound like you do not support our efforts.”
She didn't pull back. “I want the best for this clan, Elder, and-”
“I decide what is best for this clan, Naiara. The horn will bring us glory, the means to revive our entire nation. Belief will not matter, for we will be NECESSARY.” He rose, mirroring Naiara's stance. “My goal is still to have Latvi wield the horn. His magic is useful, but he himself is weak. If I cannot have him, then we will take another suitable unicorn, either one who is known to be susceptible to the horn's power, or are themselves powerful in their own right. Even without the slaves, Latvi is not our only option.”
My heart skipped a beat, and meeting Naiara's gaze confirmed my suspicions. He's going after...
Beseeching, Naiara stepped back and genuflected. “Elder, please. Not them. They won't help you.”
Gathering his crimson robe around him, Atesh provided no comfort. “We do what we have to, scout, for the good of our kind. Any and all will be used for that goal.”
“No, they won't.” I triggered the greave, and squeezed my eyes shut.
Even from inside my eyelids, the glare was visible. Thank you and your explosives, Breeze. All four zebra were crying out in pain as the flash grenade went off. Trusting in hooves and my memory, I reached out in what was hopefully Naiara's direction, grabbing tight to the first body part I came across.
“My mane! Ow, let go!”
Success! “Naiara, come on. We're leaving!” About-facing, I knocked aside the reeling guards without resistance.
Taking the stairs with my eyes shut, and a zebra in tow, proved far more difficult, and painful. Still, the adrenaline was pumping. It allowed me to pick us both up from the bottom of the stairs where we'd fallen, and keep going.
“NAIARA!” Atesh thundered from Peanut's office. “RETURN TO ME AT ONCE! THIS HAS GONE ON LONG ENOUGH! YOU WILL NOT BETRAY THIS CLAN!”
“Notyourfaultnotyourfaultnotyourfault...” I chanted as she gave a choking sob.
Far enough from the flash, I could open my eyes. With no more thought for stealth, we rocketed through Plottawa's halls, offices, and ballroom.
One pair of zebras leapt out to bar our path, but I slung another of Breeze's grenades at them. It exploded in a concussive wave, launching them back and away. They lay groaning as we rushed past. We were in the pens, and over the wall, before any more of Naiara's clan could catch up.
Hastily dragging our Plottawan uniforms back on, we ran into the dark forest.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In the forest, all the trees began to blend together. “Naiara, which way?”
Several seconds passed with no answer. I looked over at her. Her eyes jittered as she ran, and she mouthed to herself. “I can't believe Atesh would go that far. It's... it's...”
“Naiara!” My shout seemed to reach her, as her head rose for a moment. “Which. Way?”
“Right, right. It's, uh...” Blinking, she shot me a sheepish smile, before pointing to our right. “That way.”
“Okay!” No time to get angry now. We have to get out of here. “You know there was nothing you could have done, right? It wasn't your fault.”
“I don't know whose fault it is, or even who's wrong.” Naiara stumbled over a thick root. “Atesh... Atesh has never been like this before. And it's all because of Lethbridle.”
“That was Amber's idea, not yours,” I reminded her.
“We helped!” she snapped back almost going over another root. “We broke Lethbridle on Amber's orders, turned the people homeless, and screwed up a lot of other people's hopes, including my clan!”
“We also stopped the Raiders, and crippled Peanut's slaver operation. Nobody made Atesh take Plottawa afterwards. His job was done after the tunnel collapsed.”
“Amber never paid up on that!”
“Blame Rockhaunch for that! He took her caps.”
“He had reason.”
“No, he has a kleptomaniac streak. Regardless of the outcome of Lethbridle, that money was not his to take. He threatened Bernstein. In essence, he mugged her at gunpoint. Well, crowdpoint.”
Naiara halted in her tracks, spinning and glaring at me. “So, what? We're just supposed to pretend that this is all okay? Everybody does whatever they want?”
My wings shifted uncomfortably inside the uniform. “No, of course not. We can't say that this is how we wanted things to turn out. It is, however, how things have turned out. Things are going to change after Lethbridle. A lot of people will do things they never thought they would do, for reasons that wouldn't make sense to them a week ago.” Like listen to Undertow. “We can't bury ourselves in the mistakes of others. We can only recognise that we might have to react to them. Whatever Atesh is doing now, it is not in the same 'best interests' of your clan as a week ago. The change is in him, not the clan. You saw that in Peanut's office. He is the one who has strayed, not you. If you want to help, help him realise that. Don't bow to his wishes if they don't make sense any more.”
We held each other's gazes for a few seconds more, before she turned away, resting her forehead against a tree. “Oh, what's Cept gonna think? He's closer to Atesh than I am. Hell, he's closer to the clan than I am these days. He should be told. He'll know what to do better than me.”
“You see? That is a sensible course of action. You can work with Cept to find the next step, and help each other to get there. Your clan is still your clan, and they still need you, Naiara.”
Breathing in slowly, Naiara lifted her head from the tree trunk. “When did you get so good at pep talks?”
“I've got a little sister who is occasionally... moody,” was my sly remark.
Despite herself, she smiled. “Yeah, okay. Let's go see her too.”
We turned back to the right path. “Wonderful choi-” My words died on my tongue.
There, through a clearing in the trees, silhouetted against the cloud cover, was the shape of a Pegasus.
“BREEZE!” I didn't even question it, just took off straight for it.
“Cassiewaitno!” Naiara's cry was left behind with her.
She's okay! She's... she's flying! The wind stung at my eyes as I sped up towards her. Laughter threatened to bubble out from between my lips, but some impish desire squashed it down when I saw that she was looking away from me. I'll sneak up and spook her, it'll be hilarious!
Then the pegasus in the sky half-turned, enough for me to make out a few features, even in the low light.
Her Plottawan uniform.
The unfamiliar lines of her face.
Her Pipbuck.
The laughter within me morphed into anger. She still hadn't seen me, and twisted unnaturally when I blasted up behind her. “WHO ARE YOU, AND WHY AREN'T YOU BREEZE?”
The stranger Pegasus' voice was clipped, sharp. “What? Who's Breeze? Who're you?”
“Who am I? I was the only other Pegasus around for miles. Why are you here, why are you wearing a Plottawan uniform, and why do you have a Pipbuck?”
Her sneer grew. “Why is any of that YOUR business? Why are you wearing a Plottawan uniform?”
My judgement was not the best at that moment. “To blend in with the Plottawans in the forest. What does it matter? Who ARE you?”
Running a hoof down her face, she folded her front legs across her chest. “This is getting us nowhere. If you want to know who I am, introduce yourself first. You're not the only one here who's surprised to see another Pegasus. I was given to understand that we're something of a rarity these days.”
Oh. I see. The world began to slow down and make sense again. “You're from the Stable, aren't you?”
Shock flittered through her eyes for the smallest of moments, before she quashed it beneath a smug smile. “That's correct, I am a Stable pony. I suppose the Pipbuck gave me away?”
“Among other things.” I rubbed at my hoof, where a Pipbuck would have been, were I from the Stable. “You are not the first dweller from Stable 61 who I have come across.”
“Hmm, so the Doublehorns survived then? Excellent. They always were... wait.” Her look was calculated, guarded. “No, not the Doublehorns. You've had the misfortune of meeting Snowflake, haven't you, my dear?”
I didn't say anything, but she continued as if I had. “Even now, that girl manages to cause me grief. Even out here. You wouldn't think it possible outside of my Stable, yet here we are. She has been a thorn in my side since the day she was born.”
“Your Stable?” Words from the Doublehorns, down in the Lethbridle bunker, came back to me.
“Indeed. I am no mere resident of Stable 61. I am its leader, its guide, its Overmare.” Her chest swelled with each declaration.
“Oh? I heard 'former'.”
My challenge dropped her self-adulating awe into a sneer. “I am past, present, and future. I will lead the Stable until I die. Not even Snowflake's actions can disrupt that, regardless of what that buzzard, Roc, believes. Even out here, leadership finds me. Plottawa will give me back my Stable, and I will open its doors to this land of opportunity.”
“Land of opportunity,” I took in the pervasive cloud cover, the dead forest, and the miles and miles of inhospitability around us, “...really?”
“Doubters such as yourself will be disproven, dear Wasteland Pegasus. On that topic, I still don't have your name.”
It was my turn to give a smug grin. “I'm the mare who played you for information, Willow Wisp,” she twitched at the name, “and all without telling you who I am.” I popped my hidden blades. “Now then, since you have already revealed your intent to hand Stable 61 over to Plottawa, which I can't allow, I'll be taking that Pipbuck from you, Overmare.”
Fruitlessly attempting to hide the device behind her, she backed off a couple of metres. “What good could my Pipbuck possibly do you?”
This is a lot like the first time I met Snowflake. Talked about Pegasi, Pipbucks were gonna change hooves, they both suck at hiding things... “I know somepony with an affinity for gadgets. She'd be thrilled to her hooves on it.”
Willow Wisp moved further back as I approached. “Hmm, this 'Breeze' no doubt. You are aware that, by doing this, you are making an enemy of Plottawa, and Stable 61?”
Yes? My heart, she weeps at the thought. “It was bound to happen sooner or later.”
Her grin turned feral, but it was still there. “Why do you say that?” My poker face failed me, and she seized the opportunity. “You called me the 'former' Overmare, and you have been utterly nonplussed about Stable 61 and Plottawa. The Doublehorns told you of my current status, no doubt, but they would not have been so blasé about the danger. Yes, I see now. I know why you even know of the Doublehorns at all. Snowflake wasn't met in passing, was she? You know her personally. She's an acquaintance, perhaps even a friend?”
I couldn't stop myself. “Not a chance.” Damnation, Cassiopeia, you foolish filly. Why not just tell her that you're travelling with Snowflake while you're at it?! The victorious smirk she wore confirmed that I'd said too much.
Throwing caution to the wind, and to ensure that I gave nothing more away, I charged her. She couldn't react fast enough to dodge, and we grappled.
It was a short fight. Every move she made was to avoid my blades. Every move I made was to get the Pipbuck. After mere seconds, I managed to trigger the release of her personal computer, and it slipped from her wrist.
Both of us dove after it, shoving and shouldering, but it was too late. The Pipbuck reached the tree line...
...and was snagged by the cloaked zebra waiting there.
No! That's just as bad! The Overmare forgotten, I divebombed the zebra.
Lips curling, they gathered their stealth cloak around them and the Pipbuck with a flourish, and disappeared.
Roaring, I turned to take my vengeance on the Overmare, but she was already winging away towards the other Plottawans, drawn by the commotion. “Another time, my dear!”
Impotent, I could do nothing but take flight back towards Naiara. Towards safety.
I was so close!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Emerging from the forest into the dawn light, Naiara broke our silence. “So what was that back there?”
“What was what?” I groused, knowing full well.
“You just took off mid-sentence. Cassie-lass, what did your pegasus eyes see?”
A quick glance over to her showed that she wouldn't let it go. Sighing, I ground out the words. “I saw another pegasus, and foolishly assumed it was a somehow-healthy Breeze. It wasn't. My hopes overrode my eyes.”
“So there's a third Pegasus around, then? Who was it?”
My reply was incredulous. “Snowflake's Overmare.”
Cackling in disbelief, Naiara slowed down. “You're kidding.”
“No, I am not. Also, she apparently hates Snowflake almost as much as I do.” That, at least, is a development worth pondering.
Blinking to herself, Naiara lined up her questions. “Is she with the Plottawans?”
“Yes.”
“Because of Snow?”
“No. She believes they will give her back her Overmare status in the Stable.”
“Really?”
“Indeed, but...” My hoof tapped the underside of my wrist, at the strap of my bracer. “She may find it more difficult now that her Pipbuck is in Atesh's hooves.”
This time, Naiara stopped cold. “What? How did that happen?”
Ego on my part, combined with a generous portion of bad luck. “I tried to take it from her, but we dropped it in the confusion. One of your clan was waiting in the treetops.”
“Well... shit.” Kicking at the dirt, Naiara started jogging again. “I'm not sure I like the idea of Atesh getting into that Stable, at least as he is now.”
Nor do I. “We'll have to deal with that when it comes. For now, Atesh's attention seems to lie elsewhere. Let us hope it stays there, and at least it will keep Willow Wisp busy in attempting to retrieve the Pipbuck, rather than any other action.”
“So she'll keep going after my clan?” Face falling, Naiara turned round eyes on me.
“...Yes. Sorry, but I think it might be the best thing for the moment. They have a stalemate at Plottawa, and the longer it goes on, the longer the Plottawans are not gathering new slaves, or selling off the ones they have. The same goes for your clan. We couldn't have removed either side without the other gaining control of the compounds again. For now, they need to be stuck with each other for the slaves' sake.”
“Mua leija.” She groaned. “This has not been a good trip.”
There was no real way to debunk that. “My apologies, I did not mean for things to turn out as they have.”
A raspberry blew from her lips. “'snot your fault. Well, maybe that last part, but there's plenty of bad to go around. Let's just get back to Sprinkles Supplies. I need to see Cept, to tell him about Atesh, and to see Breeze, to make sure she's okay.”
I've already been cheated out of seeing MY Pegasus already, I'm not waiting any longer. “Could not agree more. Let me check to see if the others are back yet.”
Fishing out my communicator, I flipped onto my back. After stabilising it on my belly, my hooves flicked the power on.
The speaker crackled before I could key the mic. “...is Amber Bernstein, broadcasting again for Cassiopeia Venatici and/or Naiara. Please respond. Over.”
We exchange raised eyebrows, before responding to the businessmare. “Amber? Why are you contacting us?”
Impatience oozed from the speaker. “Excellent, you finally respond. I have been asked to transfer you through to your allies the moment you are on the line.”
“What about?” Neither Naiara nor I could do more than shrug.
Amber didn't bother to explain. “Patching you through now.”
I notice you aren't signing off, Bernstein, not that it matters with your little spies in Breeze's system. I can assure you that that will change soon.
The next voice on the line was more familiar, and somewhat more welcome. “Hello? Naiara? Cassie?” Undertow's watery words were washed out, blowing winds in the background muffling the sound.
Both of us managed a smile at this. The times, they are a-changing. “We're here, Undertow. Amber informs me that you wish to speak with us. Is everything okay?”
“No,”
I gasped along with Naiara. Please not Breeze.
“It's Bosco.”
Relief at Breeze's safety went to war with this new concern. “Bosco? What about him? He is with you, yes? Is he hurt?”
Silence followed for a few seconds. I landed next to Naiara, both of us crowding in close to the speaker. Naiara affected a gentle plea. “Undertow, please speak to us. What's happened to Bosco?”
“It's... um... it's complicated.”
“'Complicated'? I repeated.
“Mm.” If she were in person, I had no doubt that Undertow would have been speaking with her chin resting on her chest. “We found the last Memory Orb underneath Neighlway, but... we also found something else. Or Bosco did, at least.”
“What did he find?” My heart rate was rising again.
“The Silver Fog creatures. They were there. They... did something to Bosco. He... panicked.”
“Panicked how?” Naiara cut in, frowning.
Another crackle came through the receiver. “He ran away. We couldn't catch him before he was out of sight. We don't know for sure where he is now, but we have some ideas.”
“Hoofshine?” I ventured.
“Yes,” Undertow's speech became slightly more bubbly. “we think he might go there, or back to Sprinkles Supplies. We want to check those two first, before we look anywhere else.”
An internal groan threatened to deafen me. I know what you're gonna say next, Deep Diver.
“Cassie, your wings can get you to Hoofshine Harlots much faster than any of us. Could you check there, and Naiara tries Sprinkes Supplies?”
“And, of course, Wings is all tied up with the sky carriage and can't go, yes?” The caustic nature of my reply couldn't have been mistaken, even through the radio.
“Um.”
“You know this is keeping me from my sister, when she needs me the most?” Recognise what you are asking of me, Undertow.
From the timidity of her response, she did. “Yes. I'm sorry, but this is for Bosco. You are the only one who can get there fast enough.” Her bubbliness diminished. “Cassie, he's... he's all alone, and scared. Terrified. He needs you. Please help him.”
Naiara's doleful jade eyes pressed the point home. “Breeze is safe. You know that. It sucks, but Bosco might not be. She won't blame you.”
There's really only one answer I can give. You know that, and I know that. Make no mistake, though. I AM going to be unpleasant about this, all the way back to Breeze's side. “Naiara, why are you still here?”
Her head cocked to the side. “Huh?”
My jaw and lips set firm. “If I find out that neither of us were at Breeze's side when she woke up, I will visit such pain unto you as you have never known.” I switched to talking into the mic. “Undertow, the same goes for Cept. If he is not there for Breeze in my stead, I will strongly consider castration. Without anaesthetic.”
Shocked silence won out from all sides.
Oh, for the love of— “NOW!” I ordered.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“No, no, Atesh. Unicorns are certainly the ponies you should be coveting. All that magic must make them so very useful, yes? Too bad not a one of them has invented a 'get off your voluminous flank and actually do something useful' spell. That would have been just wonderful, but instead they leave it all up to the other ponies. Earth ponies do the heavy lifting, and Pegasi are there for the long-range. Truly, Unicorns are the pinnacle of ponykind, Atesh. Truly.” Clamouring at the injustice of the situation had become my way to distract myself from the injustice of the situation.
While I couldn't deny that I was the only one who could make the trip in such little time, it did not dull the sting of flying away from Breeze second after second.
Ugh, making friends is hard work. So much... compromise. Hopefully Naiara is near Sprinkles Supplies. If she has been dawdling...
The thought wasn't fair to her, or worthy of me, but I was not without my own limits. Travelling to Plottawa had taken hours. We had passed midnight, and now dawn, and still I was separated from my sister. Finding Bosco quickly was paramount. Whatever was wrong with him would be taken care of, but hopefully it could wait until we rejoined the others.
I wonder what happened to you, Bosco. To come this far north, you must have been running full tilt for hours. What could have scared you so badly?
A sudden brisk squall had me shivering. I descended to a few metres above the barren landscape, trying to draw what little warmth I could from the dust and rocks. If there was a change, it was marginal.
Complaining about it got me the rest of the way to Hoofshine.
Touching down in the snow outside the brothel, the crunch audible in the biting air, I took in the situation. Hmm, the door is on the other side from the wind, so no hoofprints to show Bosco has been here. I'll just have to check inside.
Perhaps help myself to some tea, too.
Keying 'Cefar' into the pad, the door unlocked. Knocking my hooves against the door frame, to dislodge the snow, I headed inside.
It wasn't warm, what with our being absent for several days, but it was more hospitable than outside. The bright and summery colours did much to give at least the impression of warmth.
I took a few minutes to brew some coffee, judging it a better choice than tea, given the flying I still had to do, and strolled down the halls to my room.
Looking in, I found it quite... empty. Everything I owned was either strapped to my legs, or in mine or Breeze's bags at Sprinkles Supplies. Given that Snowflake was the one who had gifted us these rooms, I hadn't felt comfortable leaving anything here.
Wait a moment...
I was mistaken. I, or more likely Schwarzwald, had left on the floor a few dried drops of something that caught the light from the hall.
Blushing, I fetched a wet rag from the kitchen, scrubbing at the floor until I was sure that the... spillages had been removed. I'll have to be more careful about that.
Breeze's room was in much the same state as my own, but I spotted a few nuts and bolts kicked into a corner. I couldn't help but smile at them. Even when you're supposed to be sleeping, eh, sister?
Naiara's room, and her dresses, lay undisturbed, as did all the other ground floor rooms. That only left the master bedroom under the bar. It, too, yielded no Bosco. The bathtub was still drained, the bed was made, and the stores showed no evidence of recent use.
Returning to the bar, I pondered what to do next.
If Bosco isn't here, I should head back. The others should have arrived by now. That sounded great to me, as I was looking forward to returning. But, before I could even take a step, another thought slithered its way into my mind, unbidden. He could have gone to Cefar, and I'm closer than any of the others. Another trip this far north would take a long time. I could make it there in a few hours, verify if Bosco is there, and THEN head back. It would save a second trip, at the cost of a few hours more away from Sprinkles Supplies.
I sighed heavily. Decisions, decisions. Except to leave now would be leaving the search unfinished, and Bosco is still out there, as Undertow said, alone and scared. Could I leave him by himself, just to get back to Breeze a few hours sooner?
What would you say to me about that, Breeze?
“...Sometimes you irritate me so much, sister.”
Washing my coffee cup and rag in the sink, I headed back out of the building. After resetting the pass code, the ground was left behind.
The treetops on the way to Cefar were fuller than those near Plottawa. They didn't look completely healthy, but they did have some foliage buried under the dusting of snow. If I flew just above them, my wings would kick up tiny flakes to be sucked into my wake. Pretty, but not what I'm here for.
Rising higher, there was a slight thinning of the air, and my speed increased. Half an hour passed like this, and I began to have hope that I would see Cefar in my sniper's eyes any moment.
Instead, I got an eyeful of frost as a sudden rush of snow barreled into me, carried on strong winds. The flurry halted almost all of my momentum, and I had to shield my face to even see a short distance in front of me.
Beating my wings thrice as hard for a third of the gain, I wheeled around to look for a place to land. Splashes of pastel colour drew my attention to my right. There, roughly one hundred metres away, lay the half-covered remains of some unnatural structure.
Having no other options for getting out of the wind, I headed for it. Just as I was coming in to land, one lucky snowflake got passed my guarding hooves, and hit me square in the left eye. Grunting at the sudden sensation, I blinked rapidly to melt it away. Unfortunately, this still took up enough of my attention for my hind leg, with its greave-widened diameter, to clip the top of something metal, twisting me over and down. The snow cushioned my fall, but my back and wings still felt the impact.
Groaning, I opened my watering eyes to see the miniature blizzard dying away. Excellent timing, as always. Tilting my head back, I looked at what had caught my hoof.
The metal sign, faded by legible, read “Welcome to Snow Pegasus Park”, with a guideline of 'ages 4 to 12' in smaller lettering underneath. Around the words, pictures of happy foals clambered atop colourful apparati.
“A... play area? This far out?” Flexing the snow from my wings, I stood up and took stock.
Snow lay piled on top of everything, to one degree or another, but there was a long plank of wood, with red hoof holds at each end, and a pivot on the middle base, also in red. Further along was a green triangular frame, from which hung yellow seats on chains, which swayed gently in the fading wind. In the centre was a blue circular device, big enough to fit several foals, again with several bars to hold on to. Finally, off to the side, was a large orange cube made to look like a house, with a spacious hole where the front door would be, to allow access to the presumably hollow inside.
In another situation, it would have been a lovely place to visit, but at that moment I was utterly unconcerned with the visual appeal.
Several hoofprints remained in the snow in front of the playhouse.
Shrinking back behind the metal sign, I ran through the options for my next move. Only one set of prints, I could take them. Unless they have backup... A quick circle spin showed no other prints in the snow besides my own. Just one then. They haven't attacked yet, either. Better yet, they might have seen Bosco. I think I can risk it. “...Hello? Can you hear me?”
“C-Cassie?” The voice was young, very young, but still reminiscent of...
“Bosco?” Jumping around the sign, I rushed up to the playhouse. “Bosco, is that you?”
A very pregnant pause descended, before the distorted voice finally responded. “I... don't know.”
Undertow's words came back to me. “The Silver Fog creatures. They were there. They... did something to Bosco.” I tapped one hoof on the playhouse roof, but didn't look inside. “Bosco, are you hurt?”
“I don't know.” He responded, more coltish than ever.
Not a good sign. “Undertow told me that something happened. What—”
“I DON'T KNOW!” The voice from inside rose several more octaves.
“Okay, okay,” Trying not to press, I backed off and sat on the pivot game. “I'm right here. It's just Cassie, nopony else. Will you please come out and just... talk to me?”
“...nopony else,” Even with the foalish voice, the melancholy was blatant, “Alright, I'm coming out. Please don't freak out.”
A pair of slate grey hooves emerged first, followed by a mop of charcoal mane, and finally the rest of the tiny, shaking colt came after. Shivering, the little thing stood across from me, one eye covered by his hair.
Several thoughts ran through my mind at the sight. That's not Bosco. Oh my, that is Bosco. He's so little! He's so cute! WHAT HAPPENED?! “I... I...” Had nothing, petering off into silence.
Stubby legs shuffling slowly, he walked towards the seesaw. “I didn't want anyone to see my like this.”
Finding my voice, and resisting several inappropriate-but-adorable urges, my leg swung off the beam, so that I was standing in front of, and also over, him. “Bosco, you look... so young. How? Did the Silver Fog cast an age spell on you?”
His sad smile threatened to break my heart. “No, Cass, no they didn't. Um... I did this.”
“But... you can't cast spells, you're an Earth pony.”
Sniffling, and brushing at his eye with a teeny hoof, he moved around me and sat down on the seesaw. “No, I'm not. I'm not a pony, Cassie.”
More concrete doubts began to press at the back of my mind, but I pushed them back. “What are you saying, Bosco?”
His head dropped until it was resting on the handle. Whatever meager adulthood was left in his voice vanished as he squeaked out “Cass, I'm a Changeling.”
My jaw dropped. You poor thing. “Bosco, I... didn't know.”
He laughed. It was a veteran's laugh, half-death and half-resignation. “That makes two of us. Those things under Neighlway knew, though. The whole time. Six years I travelled by myself, just me and those Orbs, and they didn't even tell me.” The squeaks turned to cracks. “Why didn't they tell me, Cass? Why did they do this to me?” And then to sobs. “Why didn't they help me?”
“Oh, Bosco, come here.” Wrapping my hooves around him, I pulled the quaking little ball of pony-Changeling into my lap, and let him cry it out.
I had little to offer him except my warmth, and my hoof stroking his unruly mane, until he calmed enough to continue. “The Silver Fog... Changelings told me that I'm one of them, but I don't know what that means. I don't have any idea how to be a Changeling. I just...” moisture soaked into my coat again, “...I just wanna be Bosco again. Go back to before all this happened. Changeling aren't good guys, Cassie. I don't wanna be a bad guy!”
His words hit me deep inside. I'd whispered them to myself over and over, night after night, quietly so as not to wake Breeze, for years after I learned the truth. I can't imagine what you've been thinking, out here all by yourself. 'Scared and alone' doesn't even come close. But... you don't have to be scared. “Bosco, let me tell you about Breeze and my parents.”
And I told him, everything that I'd told Undertow: The separation between Breeze and I, what had happened to our Pegasus parents, how much it hurt in the quiet moments, and everything in between.
He listened, curled up in my lap, without a word of interruption. Only when I was done did he speak up, in a voice much closer to the one I knew. “Wow, Cassie, that's... wow. So you and Breeze are—”
“Raiders by birth, yes.” I booped him on his itty-bitty snout. “And that's the point, Bosco. We're Raiders by birth only. Everything after that, has been what Cassie and Breeze decided. Breeze can do more on technology with her hooves than any Raider can do, or even any Unicorn can do with magic. I am, to toot my own horn, as far from a slavering sadistic monster as a pony can be. Our Raider blood does not define us, nor does our pegasus blood. Nor does your Changeling blood.”
Considering this carefully, he shook his head. “But what am I supposed to do about this, Cass? I don't know how to be a Changeling. I only know how to be Bosco.”
“Then that's all you have to be.” I replied, emphatic. “Being a Changeling doesn't take away your choices. In fact, in this case, being a Changeling gives you more choices. If you want to be a new pony every day, you can do that. If you want to be the same colt I know every day, you can do that too. It is entirely up to you. The only thing you HAVE to be, is Bosco. Just like the only thing I have to be is Cassie. Even staying as Breeze's sister was a choice, one that I have never regretted, not really.”
He studied his grey hooves intently. “But which is the better choice? I don't even know where to start.”
I laid my hooves over his. “I know. Having too much choice can be even scarier than having no choice, I'll wager. Whatever you choose, that will be you choosing to be the Bosco you want to be. There's freedom in that, and in being a Changeling. And no matter what, you won't be alone. I'm sure will be right there to help you out, but I can tell you for certain at this very moment, that I will be by your side for as long as you want or as long as you need. I won't let you be alone in this. I know how much that would hurt, and I don't want that for you.”
Curling his hooves around mine, he snuggled back into my chest. “I... still don't know anything: Why this happened to me, who I was before those six years, and what Changelings really are.”
“I'll help you find them. I promise.” Holding him around the belly, I spread my wings. “Now then, do you think you can stay like this for a while? A little fuzzball like you should be small enough for me to carry back to Sprinkles Supplies.”
He jerked in my grasp. “Like this, but the others-”
“...don't have to see this.” My cheek nuzzled against his. “I'll take us down a little ways out, and you can try your Changeling magic to look like whatever you want. I'll wait and help until you get it right. Right now, though, I really wanna see Breeze. She might have woken up by now.”
Eyes still wide and grip still tight, Bosco managed a nod. “I... okay. Let's go see Breeze. I want her to see her okay too.”
Planting a kiss on the back of his head, I kicked off into the sky. “Thank you, Bosco. One last thing, if you wouldn't mind. The things I told you? Undertow knows, but can you please keep it a secret from the others. I'll tell Wings, Naiara, and Schwarzwald when I'm ready, but I won't tell Snowflake, and I CAN'T tell Breeze. Ever. Will you keep this between us, and Undertow?”
A hint of his usual bashfulness returned. “Not my secret, Cass. Wouldn't dream of it.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Level Up!
Perks gained:
Stuck In The Middle With You – Auxiliary abilities are boosted across the party.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Author's note:
I guess we're gonna have a little overlap in the next chapter too. My bad.
This is the first, and probably only, chapter to not feature Snowflake outside of a reference point. Wasn't so bad. I'll get yelled at by my editor for it, but what are you gonna do. Not my fault she got stuck in La Buque... wait…
As always, a big thank you to Kkat, Y1, Auramane, Kyts, 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.