//------------------------------// // Mango Leaf vs. Rachis Barbule - Winner: Mango Leaf (by Vote) // Story: OC SlamJam - Round Two // by OC Slamjam //------------------------------// Mango Leaf vs. Rachis Barbule - by Mango Leaf's Author Rachis Barbule levitated the map up to hover next to his head and looked from it to the sign, then back to the map before he rotated it 90 degrees, only to frown and rotate it again. "Huh." He looked to the busy streets of the city and nodded to himself. "I think I'm lost." He could imagine a miniature Gillette, standing on his shoulder shaking her head sadly. Already her voice was echoing in his head. Remember to get a tour, Rachis, Gillette's voice lectured. Don't go exploring on your own the first day! You always get lost! It didn't help that she had decided to go explore on her own, and that the heat was unbearable and that he had forgotten his water bottle back in his room. But, he was here now, might as well spend some bits and get something to cool down and figure out where he was exactly. He made his way down the single street, enjoying the myriad voices and walking among the locals. The best part of visiting a place away from Canterlot, was definitely the opportunity to smell the food, feel the breeze, and simply enjoy the culture around him. So different from his own, and yet, somehow similar. Maybe it was the language, mixed with words he did not understand, yet still his own for the most part, or maybe it was just having seen a mane salon along the road, or the familiar posters of an upcoming Wonderbolts show. He noticed a wagon off the road, where several locals had gathered. Surprisingly, it wasn't the regular shaved ice that he had tried the day before when he had arrived in the island of Haywaii, but rather frozen yogurt. And it seemed to be doing well. "So what do you want in the Fro-yo, auntie?" the unicorn behind the window asked his customer, who was apparently his aunt. It was weird, how ponies here had so many cousins, uncles and aunts. Families must have been huge all over Haywaii. "Oh, just throw da kine on it, Mango!" the customer said. "You know I don't care!" Mango nodded and added three different things to it. Rachis tilted his head, trying to figure out what the ingredients were. He could only recognize the strawberries. The customer picked up the cup with the fro-yo in it and happily made her way into the city. "Oh, hey!" Mango called, smiling at Rachis. "You're not from around here, are you, cuz?" Rachis frowned. "Are we related?" Mango laughed. "No, no, sorry! I tend to go native when I stay here for a few days, we call just about anypony here 'cousin'. We're all a big family, you see." "Ah!" Rachis nodded, as comprehension dawned on him. "So it's not that you have huge families!" "That too," Mango said. "But it's a cultural thing, you'll get the hang of it." Rachis nodded. "Well, yes, I'm a regular world-traveler, once I get some hints of how a culture works, I master it in no time!" Mango grinned amiably. "I do detect a Canterlot accent," he said. "Are you from our dear capital?" Rachis nodded. "Yes, me and my business partner, Gillette, decided to come visit Haywaii, now that winter is setting down in the main land." He blinked. "Oh, I'm sorry, my name is Rachis Barbule. I run a stallion's mane and tail salon in Canterlot." "Pleasure to meet you," Mango said, extending his hoof out of the window and shaking Rachis' energetically. "Mango Leaf, fro-yo vendor at your service! And speaking of which, what can I get for you today?" "Well, I'd like a yogurt with... what was it? Da kine on it? It looked good!" "Da kine?" Mango Leaf blinked in confusion, then opened his mouth in realization. "Oh, you mean the strawberry, kiwi, mango mix I put on the one from earlier? Sure! That'll be five bits, please!" Rachis nodded and reached for his saddlebag, and paused. His eyes widened and he twirled around, confirming his fears. His water wasn't the only thing left in his room. "Oh. Oh no. Mr. Mango? I'm afraid I'll have to cancel that order, I left my bits in the hotel room." Mango shrugged and finished serving the fro-yo. "Here. On the house. Or on the wagon, whichever you prefer." "Oh, but I simply couldn't—" "Just try it," Mango interrupted. "You'll change your mind, I guarantee." Not wanting to insult the vendor, Rachis nodded and tried the fro-yo. Once more, his eyes widened. An explosion of flavors waged war in his tongue. The sweetness of the strawberry, the tart flavor of the kiwi, the balancing effect of the mango, all combined in the amazing goodness of the yogurt's natural flavor, smooth and rich. Before he knew it, he was already trying another spoonful and humming in appreciation at the flavors. "This is amazing!" He finally exclaimed, turning to look at Mango Leaf in awe. Mango's grin hadn't left his face at all. "And that is what makes selling fro-yo worth it! That expression, right there!" "You should mass-produce this!" "I'll let Candy Cane know." Mango chuckled, watching Rachis finish the rest of his fro-yo. "So, how do you like Hoofululu so far?" Rachis finished licking the bottom of the cup and nodded. "I like it! It's a beautiful city with... did you say Hoofululu?" Mango nodded. "But... I walked here from my hotel." "I don't see how that's much of a problem," Mango said, tilting his head curiously. "We like to walk places here." "But my hotel is in the island of Haywaii," Rachis explained. It took a moment for Mango Leaf to process what he had just heard. "Wait, hold on. How exactly did you walk from another island to here? Did you cast some sort of spell?" "No!" Rachis shook his head. "I didn't even notice any water on the way here!" Mango slowly closed his mouth and pondered. "Wow, when you get lost, you get lost for real, don't you?" Rachis opened his mouth to complain, but had to grimace and nod. "No wonder I couldn't find this city in my map!" "Do you know..." Mango arched an eyebrow. "How to get back?" "No. Well, yes! Actually, I do! I just walk back." Rachis replied, nodding firmly. He slumped. "Across the ocean." Mango Leaf chuckled and nodded. "I'll help you out, cuz." He pulled inside his wagon, closing all the windows before walking out and folding down the bar and stools. "Anyway, since we're going makai, let's get some food. I'm starving!" Rachis gave Mango a look. "I told you I left my bits in the hotel... I don't mind joining you for some food, but I'd rather not just watch you eat." "Hey, you can pay me later, no worries," Mango said, waving his hoof. "Like I said, I'm going native. I need some Canterlot talk or the next time I'm in Ponyville or Baltimare I might call one of my friends 'auntie'. Won't that be confusing!" Mango said, taking the lead. "Anyway, how does a loco moco sound to you?" "Questionable?" "Perfect! I know the best place!" "Soggy Patty!" Mango called, dragging Rachis into a small hut with several tables outside. "Two loco mocos!" The bulky earth pony behind the counter nodded. "Coming right up!" he shouted back, throwing two patties onto the grill. He stared at them for a moment, then glanced over at Mango. "Cuz! You sure you want this hot as pele? Or should I freeze it for you?" "Sure, the next time you want your fro-yo warmed up!" Mango called back. His only answer was a laugh. Rachis looked from the cook to the unicorn across in confusion. "But who would eat warm yogurt?" he finally asked. Mango shrugged. "The same ponies that'd order a frozen loco moco." When he noticed the bewildered expression still on Rachis' face, he relented. "It's a joke at my expense: ponies think I only eat food that's either cold or frozen." Rachis arched an eyebrow. "Do they, now? Why?" "Because I think some things can be better served cold." Before Rachis could reply to that, two steaming plates full of rice with a patty, gravy and an egg on top were placed in front of them. He looked at the plate in surprise and slight confusion. "This looks more messy than Soarin's wings after the gala." "It does?" Mango asked, looking down at his plate. "I guess it might? I only read about it in the paper, and they didn't have pictures." "I had to clean them." Rachis groaned at the memory. "I'm sorry to hear that," Mango said shrugging. "But, hey, at least you seem to be on a first name basis with a Wonderbolt." He grinned. "I'll still bet that this tastes better than Soarin'." Rachis rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay, I'll try it. I'll have you know that, having experienced dishes from all over Equestria during my travels, I've developed quite the palette for foreign food." Conversation ceased as they both ponies dug into their dishes with gusto, enjoying the contrasting flavors and consistency of the ingredients as they cleaned their plates. The silence, broken only by munching, continued for a few minutes until at last, both unicorns pushed back and released a sigh of contentment. "So! Whatja think?" Soggy Patty called from the grill, giving them both a confident grin. "Broke da mouth!" Mango called back, rubbing his belly. Rachis' eyes widened. "Oh, my! Does it hurt that much?" "You can stop laughing now," Rachis grumbled, glaring at Mango Leaf. "And don't deny it. I can hear you chuckling." "Sorry, sorry," Mango put up a hoof in surrender. "It just took me by surprise you misinterpreted that one." "Well, excuse me for worrying." Mango shook his head, but continued walking until they cleared the forested area they had been walking through. Rachis stared in wonder. They were overlooking a lagoon, where the gem like quality of the water met powdery sand and then, as if that were not enough, all of it was surrounded by lush, vibrant green vegetation. "This is beautiful!" "It never gets old," Mango agreed. "As much as I love travelling the world and taking fro-yo to the ends of Equestria, coming back home to sights like these is something I will always cherish." He pointed down to the other side of their vantage point, where Rachis could now see a small harbor. "Let's go down there, buy da kine to drink, and set out to your correct island!" The pair made their way down a beaten path, with Rachis admiring the plumage of several birds he spotted. "What did you say that was called? An Orange Bishop?" he asked rhetorically. "Look at those colors! I wonder if I could make up a spell to imitate them?" Mango chuckled. "You're really into the wings, aren't you?" Rachis shrugged, studying the gray, black and yellow wings of another bird. "It's how I found my talent," he said. "I even invented a few spells for taking care of feathers and preening. Not that anypony cares." "Hey," Mango said, looking up at him with a serious face. "You should always do what you love, and I'm sure the pegasi you take care of do care." Rachis laughed, nodding. "They do," he agreed. Soon, they reached the beach, and walked to one of the small huts close to the beach. "Hey cuz," Mango greeted a green-coated pegasus. "My friend and I would like two lava flows and a ride to Hawaii." The pegasus blinked. "You know, Mango, my fishing boat is not a ferry service. And I know you don't want to pay for the trip." "Ah, but that's because I have something better than money!" Mango chortled. "You have that big date with auntie Alani tonight, right?" The pegasus frowned. "Yes?" "Well, wouldn't you want to look amazing for her?" Mango asked, pushing Rachis a bit forward. "My friend Rachis happens to be an expert at preening! I'm sure he could give you some pointers so that you look maika`i!" The pegasus stole a glance at Rachis. "He doesn't seem to enthusiastic about it." Mango elbowed Rachis. "I have to admit," Mango said as the coast of Hawaii approached slowly. "I have never seen my cousin looking that presentable. Whatever magic you used, Rachis, it was a work of art." "Thank you, Mango," Rachis said with an acknowledging nod. "Although next time, please tell me in advance you intend to use my skills as a form of payment." Mango laughed. "But your expression was worth it!" Rachis rolled his eyes and started sipping his third Lava Flow of the night. "Damn, it's getting too soggy." "Here," Mango's horn flashed and the cold consistency of the Lava Flow returned to it. "I specialize in fro-yo, but I can cool drinks like a pro." Rachis was about to reply when he spotted something on the beach and paled. "Oh no." Mango blinked and followed his gaze to the beach, where a female pegasus hovered angrily over the sand, staring in their direction. "What, you know her?" "That's Gillette, she's my business partner I told you about earlier, remember?" Mango looked pensive. "But you never mentioned she was pretty, or that she was a mare at all." Rachis blinked. "Let me grab another Lava Flow," Mango Leaf said with a nod. "That filly needs a drink! And I need to get to know her better!" Rachis watched with some detachment as Mango Leaf offered a drink to Gillette, just as she was about to make her way towards him. The pair talked for a moment, with the pegasus making motions in Rachis' direction, until Mango seemed to finally convince her to accept the drink. Once Gillette had calmed down and stopped waving in Rachis' direction, she and Mango kept talking a little bit, and she seemed suddenly a bit shy. For a moment, he wondered if she was simply going to fly up to him and punch him, but when Rachis saw Gillette land, he knew Mango had somehow gotten through. "Hey, Rachis!" Mango called, turning and sliding a hoof comfortably around Gillette's shoulders, who did not complain. "We're hitting the bar scene, want to come?" "I will, but I'll head to the hotel first," Rachis shouted back, looking at the building in question, just a few blocks in. "Need my bits, after all!" "Okay!" Mango said, starting to walk Gillette away from the boat. "Catch you later!" Rachis nodded, finishing his Lava Flow before jumping onto the pier and starting to walk back to his hotel. A few minutes passed and he slowed down, blinking in confusion. "Wait. Where did the real lava come from?" He pulled his map out and looked at it, then at the flowing lava, then back at the map. "Huh." He put the map away and looked around him. "I think I'm lost." The End Rachis Barbule vs. Mango Leaf - by Rachis Barbule's Author ---------(-<@>-)--------- Gather around, little zebras, and I'll tell you a story. It's time to learn history, your ancestors’ glory! -----<@>----- You all know the tale of the Dark Thousandth Year, When Kingdom and Princess were bested by fear. ---<>--- For two decades more the Sun hid her face, Until the six Elements restored her to place. ---<>--- But the story I tell you today is more common. I speak of a zebra, Zecora the Shaman. ---<>--- One night the Moon said she was guilty of crime, The details of which have been long lost to time. ---<>--- The dungeons of Nightmare were dark and quite cold, And too many ponies within it grew old. ---<>--- But she did not complain and she did not despair, Zecora brought comfort to cold prison air. ---<>--- She helped the poor inmates, gave them sound, good advice, And helped them feel happy as they payed out their price. ---<>--- Two such poor souls came together one night, Servants the Queen had sent out of her sight. -----<@>----- One was named Mango Leaf, a preparer of treats, Who so loved to freeze things he hated hot sweets. ---<>--- His passion was Yogurt, a more recent invention For which the Dark Queen would spare no attention. ---<>--- Her passion was Coffee, served fresh every night, Which Mango thought wasn’t entirely right. ---<>--- Weary grew Mango of serving drinks hot, So one night he concocted a drink-cooling plot. ---<>--- Unfortunately he forgot his Empress required Her coffee be warm, and fresh from the fire. ---<>--- But on Mango went, chilled the drink with a smile. “Iced Coffee!” he called it, with flourish and style. ---<>--- Needless to say, Nightmare Moon was fair cross! Poor Mango straight into the dungeons was tossed! -----<@>----- The other new inmate had once served his Queen By using his magic to keep her wings clean. ---<>--- This poor unicorn’s name was Rachis Barbule, And he’d gone to great lengths to procure the best tools. ---<>--- He had combs, he had brushes, and spells well-prepared. Her wings were his life, no expense had been spared. ---<>--- But one day, after applying perhaps too much oil, The Queen met a spark, and his career met a foil. ---<>--- The Moon’s flaming wings were a breathtaking sight, But in truth they caused Nightmare no lack of sheer fright! ---<>--- A charge of high treason found Rachis thereafter, And he thought he had met with the end of his laughter. ---<>--- But his hope was rekindled, alongside Mango Leaf. The kind words of a zebra put an end to their grief. -----<@>----- One night both woke sweating, and sat up in their beds. Both had had Nightmares, dark dreams in their heads. ---<>--- They went to Zecora, who was known to make sense When the Empress of Dreams a message dispensed. ---<>--- The Nightmare was wont to create fearful dreams For her prisoners, for she loved the sound of their screams. ---<>--- But Zecora had found that much could be gleaned From the nature and features of every such dream. ---<>--- To some the Queen gloated, and laughed at their luck. Others she yelled at and tortured and struck. ---<>--- But in dreams, it would seem, you meet the true pony, And the Queen of the Dreamworld could sort true from phony. ---<>--- These she would pity, it seemed from their visions, As soon after waking they were frankly forgiven. ---<>--- And Zecora could tell, once a dream had been told, If the dream was a pardon, a mock, or a scold. ---<>--- So when the moon rose up high and the inmates awoke, To Zecora the two disgraced serving staff spoke: ---<>--- “Dear zebra, please help us and give our minds peace. Are the two of us fated for early release?” ---<>--- “Calm yourselves, ponies! Speak one at a time,” Zecora began, unerring in rhyme. ---<>--- “Tell me your dreams, but first tell me your crimes. Your fortune may sink, but let’s see if it climbs.” -----<@>----- Rachis went first, telling tale of his life, And how his profession was the cause of much strife. ---<>--- “The Queen was to meet with a King, old and grand, The ruler of Haissan, a large far-off land. ---<>--- Now the preenist before me was jailed just as I. His only crime? Failure! I just had to try! ---<>--- It was a special occasion, so I pulled all the stops. I used my best oil, and squeezed six extra drops! ---<>--- By the end of my session, the Queen’s feathers shined! The light off her wings near left me half-blind! ---<>--- It was really quite something, the best I could do, And though I shook in my horseshoes, I hoped that she knew. ---<>--- But she sat at the head of the table that night, A little too close to the hearth’s heat and light! ---<>--- Or maybe a candle she carelessly brushed That took issue with oil that made her wings lush. ---<>--- Regardless of cause, her wings took to flame! An assassin's attack? Was poor Rachis to blame? ---<>--- She accused me of treason, enchanting the oil, To dethrone the tyrant, or bring war to boil! ---<>--- I should have plead innocent, it was none of it right! But fear of the Empress kept my mouth shut tight." -----<@>----- "That's how I got here, now on to my dream. In my sleep, wings of pegasi did I preen. ---<>--- How they shined! How we laughed! Oh, this had I missed! I’d forgot just how much my old job brought me bliss. ---<>--- These years have I served her, and no one but her, How I hate her black feathers, black hooves and black fur! ---<>--- In my dream I was free to serve whom I chose! To my shop came the Wonderbolts, standing in pose! ---<>--- They promised me bits, and I sat them all down, But behind them came Nightmare, through Canterlot town. ---<>--- She asked me to serve her, so I gave her a chair, And told her that once I was done, I’d be there. ---<>--- But she would not wait! It had to be then! She told me to abandon the Wonderbolt Ten! ---<>--- I told her I couldn’t, their business was good. She ordered my service, but her voice I withstood. ---<>--- I helped all the Wonderbolts, no feather astray, But to my sheer amazement, they flew off without pay! ---<>--- The Queen sat there waiting, as upwards they flew. They gathered an army, a great bloody coup! ---<>--- I sobbed as I watched my dear Canterlot burn, And the whole while the Nightmare watched beside me, astern. ---<>--- ‘This whole thing might just not have happened, you know,’ She whispered as ash fell from high, just like snow. ---<>--- ‘If you had just served me, and never looked back, Your world would have order, and your life stayed on track.’ ---<>--- I whimpered and groveled, as flames swept around me, And promised I’d serve her my whole life, quite gladly. ---<>--- It was then I awoke, and I came when I could. Now tell me please, zebra, does my outlook look good?” ---<>--- Zecora sat silent, and watched him with pity. Too many, she thought, like him in this city. ---<>--- “I would not fear too much, my dear humble stylist. Of the dreams I have heard, yours is by far not the vilest. ---<>--- In your case, you may have a pardon in store, If you question the Empress’s rule here no more. ---<>--- I may not agree with the choice that you made, But it may be what causes her anger to fade.” ---<>--- Rachis hugged Mango, and started to cry, And from that moment onward did his spirits fly. -----<@>----- Then Mango Leaf turned to the kind, wise Zecora, Still beaming from sharing in Rachis’s aura. ---<>--- “Oh zebra, please tell me my fate is the same! My crime was much milder, involving no flame. ---<>--- I served the Queen coffee, night in and night out, I spent all my time pouring it black from the spout. ---<>--- The kitchen staff is prone to Her Majesty’s vex, And we all questioned constantly whom we would lose next. ---<>--- We worked very hard to keep the Queen’s favor. In case we might bore her, we’d try out new flavors. ---<>--- My coffee was average, I feared, not the best, And only got worse as my nights there progressed. ---<>--- My own little changes were met with distaste, And Nightmare Moon told me ‘Improve it, posthaste!’” ---<>--- I despaired for my life, and my poor coffee skill, And I longed for my old job, of making things chilled. ---<>--- My talent was wasted on brewing hot coffee! I’m born for froze yogurt, iced tea, and cold toffee! ---<>--- I needed a way to twist talent to need. In desperation, I followed my one simple lead. ---<>--- I’d serve her cold coffee, though my life might be ended! It’d taste beyond better, be beverage transcended! ---<>--- My powers with cold stuff left other cooks wanting. I knew if she’d try it, the Queen would be fawning! ---<>--- But that was the trick, as my shaking attested, When I knocked on her door, my hope in hoof rested. ---<>--- She stared at the mug, and its sad lack of steam, The ice cubes held within, and the layer of whipped cream. ---<>--- ‘What callest thou this?’ she asked, o’er my tray, And I felt all my confidence melting away. ---<>--- ‘Iced coffee, Your Highness,’ I stammered in fear. ‘I’ll gladly explain, if you’ll lend me your ear. ---<>--- ‘The coffee I make, as you surely have noted, Is hardly redeemed by the stuff in it floated. ---<>--- ‘My talent, you see, is more suited to freezing. When I’m forced to brew hot, my skill is left wheezing. ---<>--- ‘But when left to brew cold, as you’ll see if you taste, My talent can shine through, and not go to waste! ---<>--- ‘I promise this coffee, though cold and on ice, Is the best that you’ve tasted, and brings out the spice! ---<>--- Well, that’s what I would say, if only I could, But I was arrested as soon as she stood. ---<>--- So that’s how I got here, now on to my dream. Dear zebra, please tell me, am I also redeemed?" -----<@>----- "In my dream I was home, Hoofolulu restored! The sun shone down brightly, and I was happy once more. ---<>--- I sold treats from my cart, to the young and the old, Gave relief from the heat with a snack that was cold. ---<>--- My family was there, and my friends all as well, All the faces I think of as I sit in my cell. ---<>--- I cried as I served them, for I knew in my heart That in the waking world Nightmare Moon kept us apart. ---<>--- And just as I thought this, the Sun sank down low, and the Moon took its place with a far colder glow. ---<>--- A chill filled my bones that did not come from ice, And my loved ones all scrambled, like cat-fleeing mice. ---<>--- I followed, not wanting to be left alone, And we locked ourselves into my old family home. ---<>--- We waited together, our spirits quite dire, And tried to keep cheer as we sat round the fire. ---<>--- I tried to serve yogurt, but no one was willing. Without the sun, no one had want for my chilling. ---<>--- I went into the kitchen to clean up my mess, And cried by myself for unbearable stress. ---<>--- When I came back to the fire, to my outrage and anger, My family was gone! In their place sat a stranger! ---<>--- An old nag, as dark as the space between stars, Who gave out a sad wheezing that rattles and jars. ---<>--- She cackled at my protests and grinned at my scowls, And I gagged at the spittle that flew from her jowls. ---<>--- ‘What’s wrong, boy?’ she asked me. ‘Do you not like the night? Do you not love the respite from the sun shining bright?’ ---<>--- ‘Not really,’ I answered. ‘Each night it grows colder. Can we not have it back, ere I grow too much older?’ ---<>--- ‘I’m afraid we cannot,’ the nag said with a leer. ‘You’ll learn not to miss it, inside of a year.’ ---<>--- ‘But my friends and my family have all gone away, And my home is now darkened and cold without day.’ ---<>--- ‘If it’s home that you want, I think I can find A place you’ll be useful, with others of kind.’ ---<>--- ‘Oh please, not to coffee,’ I begged the old housewife. ‘A life without passion is not hardly a life.’ ---<>--- ‘Are you sure you’ll not do it, and give it your best? I promise you good work, you’ve not failed your test.’ ---<>--- I stood there and pondered, my hoof to my chin, Of chances and changes, and favors to win. ---<>--- Suddenly on top of the mantle I saw In a mirror, a cup with a mango and straw. ---<>--- My Cutie Mark! My very own talent and passion! My whole reason for living! My soul, in a fashion. ---<>--- I turned away from the Nightmare, for Nightmare she was, And bucked her right out of my dream, just because. ---<>--- I woke straight away, and I came straight to you. Now tell me please, zebra, will I go free too?” -----<@>----- Zecora was crying, as all free folk should, When they meet such a pony, so valiant and good. ---<>--- But her crying was bitter along with the sweet, The air grew so tense, she could hear her heartbeat. ---<>--- She smiled and she sniffed, and she rubbed at her eye, For she knew she would soon have to bid him goodbye. ---<>--- This wasn’t the first time she’d heard such a dream, With such courage and passion and love in its theme, ---<>--- And every last pony a dream like this had Was gone the next day, to a fate that was bad. ---<>--- The Moon would not stand for defiance, not a bit. Not even in prison, in the darkest of pits. ---<>--- In court, she passed sentence, or so it was claimed, But true judgment came after, in the dreamscape she tamed. ---<>--- The Nightmares decided the fate of each soul, From the most hardened criminal to the freshly-born foal. ---<>--- The nighttime brought darkness, o’er land and o’er life. And under, dark feelings in the world had grown rife. ---<>--- Zecora knew, more than most, what was wrong with the world. That is why she could tell how these things would unfurl. -----<@>----- She told Mango his fate, but she told him with pride, For no matter his end, he stayed on the right side. ---------(-<@>-)---------