//------------------------------// // 01 — Every Journey Has a Beginning // Story: No Heroes: Beyond the Everfree // by PaulAsaran //------------------------------// Verity Fine Crime prided himself on his top-notch organizational skills. He was bombarded with a deluge of information on a daily basis, yet he knew the general location of nearly every file or report by heart. Even Princess Luna was hard pressed to match the state of total order and cleanliness with which he conducted his affairs. But today, none of that applied. Indeed, it hadn’t applied in months. His desk was covered in unread messages, the trash bins he set on the side were overflowing, his filing cabinets stood with half-open drawers and random sheets of paper poking out wildly. Under normal circumstances, Fine would have been disgusted at the state of his office, to say nothing of the chaos that had befell his office back home. Yet at this very moment, he didn’t care about anything but the file opened before him. A creature that defined the word ‘ugly’ stared up at him from the top page, a nasty thing with a misshapen face only a mother could love. He’d read the file a half-dozen times, looking for flaws in his logic. He scaled the pros and cons of the plan he’d devised with his second-in-command. The odds weren’t appealing, but still far better than anything else they’d conjured up so far. He found it hard to believe that after seven months of searching, this foul thing was their best option. A tall, pale-pink unicorn sat opposite him, ignoring the mess of papers all around as she sipped her tea. “So,” she said, her tone carefully neutral, “that’s it, then.” “I’m afraid it is.” Fine sighed, his mottled brown hooves rising to rub his rosewood eyes. “What time is it?” “Late morning. Eleven, I think?” He grunted his acceptance and took a swig of his hot cocoa. He eyed the near-empty interior of the mug with a grim frown. “It’s days like this that I wish I hadn’t quit alcohol. I can’t believe this is the plan.” “You want some more?” She asked, already half-standing from her cushion. “Nah.” He waved her back to her seat. “I’ve had enough. I don’t see the point in wasting any more time. I’ll report our findings, then get some much-needed sleep.” He brushed his black mane from his face. A flash of red informed him that the dye was starting to wear out again. “You deserve it,” she said with a kind smile. “You’ve been working far too hard lately, Fine.” He chuckled half-heartedly. “When none other than Fleur de Lis tells me I’m working too hard, I know I’ve hit a stopping point.” Fleur’s smile broadened. “You’re the one who taught me the importance of taking a break every now and then. I’d think you wouldn’t need me to teach you one of your own lessons.” “You’re right, I have been working too hard since the disaster.” He snapped the file closed with his magic. “Maybe I’ll take a few days vacation.” Fleur choked on her tea, sputtering and hacking. Fine leaned forward in alarm, but she waved him off with a hoof while she caught her breath. “You, going on vacation? Fine, I didn’t know that word was in your dictionary!” He cocked his head at her outburst. “What? I’ve taken days off.” She shook her head firmly. “A vacation means at least a week off, Fine. Minimum. You take a few hours off sometimes, but to go a full day without work? Without a legitimate, important event as a proper cause?” He sighed and gestured to their messy surroundings. “Yeah, well even I can wear out after a few months of this.” “Things will settle down,” Fleur assured him. “The flow of refugees has dropped to a mere trickle, and the princesses have settled the diplomatic hurdles with the other nations.” “Have they?” Fine shook his head. “Not a chance. It’s not even been a year since Riptide crushed more than half the world. An apocalyptic near-miss is not something ponies get over quickly. We've only seen the beginning. How long before the griffons decide their meager share of the emergency supplies isn’t good enough, or the Nildian mystics conclude that this really is the beginning of the end? The minotaurs might have agreed to a treaty now, but there’s no way they won’t invade at least one neighbor when their reserves inevitably run out.” Fleur’s lips locked into a thin line. “Maybe if those blockheads weren't so proud they'd have accepted the fact that they have almost no farm-able land left and accepted Bovaria's offer to give them their excess grains.” “But they didn’t, and they’re going to run out of food in a decade. Then it’s just a matter of whether the princesses can make them see reason or not.” Fine let out a long yawn. “And that’s just the icing on the cake. We’re not out of rough times, Fleur. They’re only just beginning, and that means a ton of more work for us Archons.” “All the more reason for you to take a vacation.” She took another sip of tea, her expression regally calm. “It won’t do to have our fearless leader burning himself out.” “Oh, I don’t have to take this from you,” he countered, words dripping with sarcasm and a wry grin on his face. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe you are my protégé.” “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe I graduated from that role years ago, boss.” “You’re still a ‘little miss’ to me.” He stood and, using his magic, stuffed the file into a manila envelope. “I hear you have a new ‘little miss’ nowadays.” Fleur offered a warm smile. “You have a thing for fillies, don’t you? If I didn’t know any better, I’d think it creepy.” “Har har.” He walked about the desk and approached the door. “If there’s nothing important left, I have a report to make.” “Just one thing.” Fleur set her tea down and turned to him, her face set to neutral. “Do you know who will go on the mission?” He knew that tone. “I haven’t decided yet.” Fleur nodded, her voice carefully controlled. “I understand. It’s a very important mission, after all.” He looked back at her. She watched him, as neutral as ever, but he could see she was tense. He mulled over the subject, having long known what Fleur was after. She finally dared to provide the hint, though, which was exactly what he’d been waiting for. “You take over the selection. I expect five names by the end of the week, and make sure I give my approval before telling any of them.” The smile she offered was so faint that he almost didn’t catch it, but there was no way to hide the sparkle in her eyes. “It will be done.” As the door closed, Fine could almost see her jumping for joy. With a chuckle, he trotted through the busy halls of the palace. Ponies darted to and fro, all of them on some kind of important task. Canterlot Castle had always been a hive of activity, but with the events of the last year that buzz had kicked into overdrive. Fleur said things were calming down, but based on the amount of weaving Fine had to do just to take a walk? He doubted it. He didn’t make his way to the throne room, where Celestia was currently holding the day court. Nor did Fine aim his hooves towards the Nocturnal Wing, where Luna was sleeping. No, today he walked a less common route, aiming for an entirely different destination. The large double-doors leading to the Canterlot Royal Garden stood open, letting dozens of eager ponies and other assorted creatures travel freely. He grimaced as the morning sun hit his eyes with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. He growled and cast a simple spell, causing the brightness to dim to more acceptable levels. His eyes went to an unpleasantly cloudless sky. “Laying it on a little thick today, aren’t you, Princess?” He ignored the questioning glances of a few ponies and trotted deeper into the gardens. It wasn’t long before Fine was walking the outer perimeter of the garden’s famed hedge maze, around which a plethora of statues stood. He’d come to learn the names of every creature immortalized in this garden, from the eastern general Wow You to the Griffon poet Vastly Catnip. There was only one statue he was interested in though, and it was both an old face and a new arrival at once. Fine turned a corner to find himself in a large courtyard outlined by small statues and stone benches. In the center of it all was his destination: a tall, mismatched piece of art that stared upon its viewers with an expression that combined deadpan with an underlying anger. Fine was not at all surprised to find that Discord wasn’t alone. A large picnic blanket had been set upon the grass at his mismatched hooves, complete with a basket, a trio of paper plates and some ponies engaged in light conversation. They noticed Fine’s approach and waved. Upper Crust was the first to greet him, rising to give him a warm hug that he gratefully returned. “Always nice to see you, Fine.” “Likewise. Visiting Jet?” “M-hmm.” She sat back at her corner of the picnic blanket. “But I thought it would be nice to enjoy some time with my friends in the process.” “Hey, Fine.” Nye Stone brushed back his blonde mane and offered a white hoof, which Fine bumped. “How’s our fearless leader?” “That’s Octavia’s job now,” Fine reminded him. “I’m busier than any pony has a right to be. What brings your lazy flank to Canterlot?” Nye struck a haughty pose, muzzle high and a hoof to his chest. “Does a gentlecolt such as I need a reason to spend time with such fine mares as these?” Fine chuckled at the show. “Keep it up, flyboy. We’ll see what Rainbow Dash has to say about that pronouncement.” “Ah, she knows I’m wrapped around her hoof,” Nye replied with a blush and a laugh. “Would you care to join us, Fine?” Fine turned to the third pony in the group, his lips curling into an automatic grin. “I would love to.” Fluttershy’s pleased smile left a giddy feeling in him, one Fine was growing increasingly familiar with. “I thought you would,” she said, patting the picnic basket. “I made an extra sandwich just for you.” His smile slipped as he stared first at the basket, then at her. “Really?” “Good thing you showed up when you did, too,” Nye interrupted, “ ‘cause if you didn’t I would have taken yours for myself.” Fine sat, trying to process what he’d just heard. “But… how did you know I’d be coming today?” “I learned to think a little like you,” Fluttershy replied, her smile turning mischievous. “You know everything about us, after all.” “You probably know what Nye had for breakfast this morning,” Upper Crust added with a smirk. “Two eggs, four slices of hay bacon – not including the one he stole from his brother’s plate – one-and-a-half slices of toast and two Cherrychanga Fizzlers.” All the attention turned to Nye, who was staring wide-eyed at Fine. It took the earth pony a long time to respond. “It… uh… was three eggs. How the buck do you do that?” Fine smirked. “Magicians don’t reveal their secrets.” Fluttershy pouted. “And here I thought I was being impressive.” “You are,” Fine corrected, mentally kicking himself. “I really would like to know how you knew I’d be here.” Her pout didn’t fade, but she continued anyway. “I knew you keep close tabs on us, so I knew you’d know we were coming to visit Discord today. That’s all, really.” Her slouch was like a punch to Fine’s gut. “Well, consider me impressed.” Fine offered her his best smile. “I had no idea you were trying to learn from me like that.” Upper Crust patted Fluttershy’s shoulder even as she gave Fine a sympathetic look. “It’s a good start, dear. You’re certainly more observant than I am.” “Yeah.” Nye elbowed Fine in the ribs and waggled his eyebrows. “And with how much time Fine spends with you, it’s no wonder you’re starting to pick up on his methods.” Fine swatted the elbow away, his cheeks burning. He turned back to Fluttershy, who had a smile that made him feel weak. “W-well, let’s try that sandwich, huh?” Nye had never wanted to hit Fine Crime before, but today he was sorely tempted. The longer he watched the stallion fawn over Fluttershy, the more he wanted to scream “Just kiss her already!” Fluttershy wasn’t much better, proving painfully ignorant of the attention. Nye wasn’t about to hit her, of course, which meant that Fine would have to take a pretty big wallop to make up for the frustration. Sadly, Nye didn’t think he had the strength for that powerful a hit. Maybe if he got his brother Jimmy to do it? He’d done it for Nye, surely he could do it for Fine too. As the last of the plates disappeared into the picnic basket, Upper Crust stood. “This has been lovely, everypony, but my husband should be getting home from work soon.” Fluttershy nodded. “Thanks so much for joining me, Upper Crust. It’s a long ride from Ponyville without somepony to talk to.” Nye hesitated before climbing to his hooves. “I better join you. I’d love to see how Jet’s doing.” “Nice seeing you again, guys,” Fine said. “I should be coming back to Ponyville soon, maybe we can do this again later.” “That would be nice.” Upper Crust shot him a warm smile before turning it on the statue. “Discord. Sorry I haven’t come by to visit more.” “Behave, you two.” Nye shot Fine a smirk. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Fine countered with a grin of his own. “That gives us a lot of options.” “I know.” Nye’s eyes twitched to Fluttershy and back, and Fine’s face abruptly grew pink. Fluttershy merely cocked her head at the two of them. “See you guys.” He cast one last wave to Discord’s stony visage before trotting after Upper Crust. As soon as they were out of sight, Upper Crust shot him a look that was half amused, half lecturing. “You are cruel to him.” Nye grinned and added a little bounce to his trot. “It’s his own fault for not speaking up. I’m just offering a push so he can take that first step.” Upper Crust was silent for a time. Her smile faded and her eyes narrowed in thought. They had just passed through the garden’s outer gate to the city when she finally spoke up. “I’m not sure it’s a step that should happen.” “What?” Nye peered at her. “Why? He’s obviously smitten.” “And it could end up slapping him in the face,” she countered. “Don’t they seem rather incompatible to you?” Nye shrugged. “Would you say that Rainbow and I look good together on paper?” He regretted it as soon as he said it, for Upper Crust’s gaze immediately fell upon him. It was a studious look, and he could feel her mind taking in his pudgy, unimpressive form. A bead of sweat ran down the side of his head as she finished her uncomfortable visual inspection. Her head whipped forward. “Touché.” Nye bit back the heated counter on the tip of his tongue; he’d invited it, hadn’t he? Still, he couldn’t let that go without comment. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” She gave him a cocky grin. “Anytime.” The smile faded as soon as it came. “But still, I worry about Fine. What happens when Fluttershy finally recognizes his attention for what it really is? What if she rejects him? Worse, what if she wants to but can’t bring herself to do so because she’s too nice?” “I think—” Nye barely stopped himself, a guilty feeling creeping over him. “No, you’re right to worry. I’ve got no room to tell you not to worry.” That caught her attention, and she paused in the middle of the street. “Nye?” He stopped to look back. “Yeah?” At her worried expression, he sighed. “Yeah.” “You said you came because you wanted to ask me and my husband something.” She stepped forward to set a hoof to his shoulder. “Forget Fine and Fluttershy for now. What’s bothering you?” He rubbed a hoof through his mane and avoided her gaze. “I kinda wanted to ask you both.” When she didn’t take her eyes off him, he winced. “Alright, fine. I just… what’s it like being married?” Upper Crust blinked, her jaw hanging slightly open. After a moment she pulled him aside, away from the crowded street and into a secluded alleyway. “Nye, are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?” Nye couldn’t resist a small smile. “I think so, Cranium, but I’m not sure that Princess Luna wearing a yellow tutu would give her an edge in the trade negotiations.” “This is no time for jokes.” She held him by the shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “Nye, are you thinking about proposing to Rainbow?” His cheeks burned. He still couldn’t look her in the eyes. “We’ve been dating for a long time now.” Her eyes softened. “So what’s stopping you? You’re not afraid she’ll say ‘no,’ are you?” “Nah, that’s not it.” Nye thought on that answer, then shook his head. “Well, maybe I am. A little. But that’s not the real problem.” He glanced behind him and immediately felt foalish. It wasn’t as if Rainbow was going to pop up right behind him, in the middle of Canterlot, now. He caught Upper Crust studying him and turned away. “It’s just… Rainbow’s a star. She’s gonna be a Wonderbolt. She's already an Element Bearer. She wants to live big, y’know?” “I fail to see how this relates to you asking her hoof in marriage.” He rubbed a fetlock across his face with a groan. “She’s famous. She’s gonna wanna do things, go flying in the big leagues. You know, famous pony stuff. I don’t… I don’t wanna be an anchor.” Upper Crust stood beside him and offered a smile. “Nye, being married to Rainbow isn’t going to keep her from doing all that.” “It might.” He stared at his hooves as shame washed over him. “What if she thinks she has to stick around boring little Ponyville and her ground-bound husband? I want…” His cheeks burned at the thought. “I want foals. With her. Foals require a lot of work. They'd chain her to the ground, and I can't do that to her.” His ears perked to the sound of giggles. He peeked up in time for Upper Crust’s forehead to press against his. His cheeks burned a little more at the unusually close contact, but he didn’t pull back. “Oh, Nye, you really are a silly little colt.” She patted him on the head. “You seem to think marriage is a one-way street. It’s give and take. If you go through with it, then yes, she’ll have to give up a little bit of that freedom, but not all of it. You’ll also have to accept it when she goes off to fly with the big ponies.” He fidgeted. “Those big, hunky, athletic ponies.” “Now don’t start that.” She poked him in his far-from-muscular chest. “You know Rainbow likes you just the way you are.” This time Nye smiled. “Yeah, but I like to hear her say it.” Upper Crust giggled and pulled back. “Can’t blame you for that, I suppose.” She tapped her chin, studying him. “You know how I live in Ponyville, but Jet lives in Canterlot?” He nodded. “Did you ever wonder why we do that, even after we made up?” A second nod. “Of course. It’s kinda why I wanted to ask you about it and not, say, Rarity.” “Oh, Goddess, don’t tell her!” Upper Crust threw a leg over her face in a decent imitation of Rarity’s damsel-in-distress pose. “You’ll never know peace. She’ll torment you and Rainbow until you finally make a move. I bet she’d even call Rainbow in for measurements of a wedding dress prematurely.” “Yeah, I figured.” Nye said, and they shared a chuckle. Upper Crust sobered, though she still held a kind smile. “Jet Set is still in love with Canterlot, and his work is here. I… don’t care for the lifestyle anymore. I’ve come to love Ponyville, and it’s where I work now. But Jet and I, we’re still in love.” She pressed a hoof over her heart, her smile broadening. “So we make sacrifices. We settle for long visits between work.” Nye’s brow furrowed as he took that in. “Sounds… inconvenient.” “It’s worth it,” she replied, her smile not the least faded. “If I had to live here again, I’d go crazy. If he had to live in Ponyville, he’d be miserable. So we came to a mutually agreeable plan. It’s not perfect, but we put up with it for each other.” “Hmm…” He rubbed his chin, her words winding their way through the cobwebs of his brain. “So what you’re saying is that, for this relationship to work, Rainbow has to accept being grounded every now and then, and I have to accept her going off to be independent sometimes? That sounds a lot like what we’re already doing.” “There you go!” Upper Crust nodded her satisfaction. “You two are there already. You have nothing to worry about.” His blush came back. “But what about, y’know… foals?” She laughed and patted him on the head once more, earning a scowl. “That’s for you to decide together. If I had to guess – and that is my special talent,” she added, swaying so her vase-and-measurements cutie mark was visible, “I’d say that Rainbow would be alright having children, but you would have to wait until she’s good and ready. Just another deal to be made when the time is right.” Nye raised an eyebrow. “You make it sound like a business partnership.” “Marriage is the most important, complex, frustrating, demanding thing two ponies can do together,” she replied. Her confident smile reinforced the spark in her eyes. “But it is worth it, Nye. If you trust nothing else I have to say on the matter, trust that. It is so worth it. You want my advice? Go for it. Go for it and never look back.” He smiled at her unusual enthusiasm. He had to admit, it was a little contagious. “Oh, and one more thing. Come on.” She grabbed his hoof and pulled him back into the street, leading him along at a prance. He followed once she’d released him, eyes shifting to the road for her Canterlot home… which they weren’t taking. “Uh, where are we going?” Her backwards glance revealed a grin. “If you’re going to propose to Rainbow, you need a promise band! And I know the best place in town to get one.” Nye’s legs nearly froze up, but he forced them to keep going even as his heart began running laps in his chest. Fine’s mind began to stumble the moment he was alone with Fluttershy. It was a stupid reaction and he knew it. How was being alone with her now any different from all the times he’d been alone with her in the past? But it was different, because now he was aware of her. As her attention shifted to Discord, his eye drifted to her flank only to snap back to the statue an instant later. He gave himself a silent lecture; he’d never been one to stare at a mare’s flank, and he wasn’t about to start now! How had she snuck up on him so? All his life, Fine had never been interested in romance. It was a flighty thing, intended for those with more time and less blood on their hooves. He had acknowledged Fluttershy’s beauty long ago, but that had been all it was: an acknowledgement. Ever since the Silma incident – and that horrible, wonderful dream – she’d had his attention in all new ways. But the Fluttershy in his dream wasn't the one standing with him now. Right? “Is something wrong, Fine?” Fine gave a start, realizing only now that he’d been staring at her mane. He blushed furiously at her curious expression. “N-no, nothing wrong. Just lost in thought, that’s all.” “Hmm.” She turned her eyes to the statue, her expression concerned, then back to him. “So… have you found anything out?” Glad to have a distraction from her… distraction, he relaxed and grabbed the manila envelope he’d set aside in the grass. “Actually, I have.” “Really?” The way her ears perked and her entire face lit up almost stopped Fine’s heart. “Y-yeah, really.” The pages fluttered out of the envelope as he fumbled with it. “Err… hold on.” He picked them back up with his magic and quickly reorganized them in their folder. “Part of the reason I came here was to give Discord the news.” He looked up to the statue, not the least unnerved by Discord’s glower. “That’s wonderful!” Fluttershy floated up to hug the statue by the neck. “You hear that, Discord? I told you there was a way.” Fine coughed. “Well, it’s not a guarantee. I mean, we have something, but we won’t know if it works until we try it.” “It’s better than the nothing we’ve had to go on for the past several months.” Fluttershy perched on Discord’s shoulder. “Well, go on! Tell us what you’ve found.” “Right.” Fine pulled out a page and scanned it, making sure his information was correct before speaking. “Apparently there was a special potion created by an ancient alchemist named Rockabell Pie. No, I can’t say for certain if there’s any relation to Pinkie. Rockabell made a potion referred to as the Saximirabile, or ‘Stone Miracle,’ which could purportedly cure any form of petrification, magical or otherwise.” “That sounds wonderful!” “It sounds potent,” Fine corrected grimly. “The potion was said to also melt rocks, so we need to be absolutely certain it works before trying it on Discord.” Fluttershy’s enthusiasm dimmed, but only a touch. She reached up to rub Discord’s cheek. “Don’t worry, we’ll be extra careful.” Her cyan eyes, filled with hope, turned on Fine. “So when can we try it out?” He dropped his gaze to the folder and tried to think of anything other than how beautiful her eyes were. “That’s a big part of the problem. The potion looks easy to make, but the ingredients are… hard to come by. One in particular is going to be a lot of trouble. We’re not even sure it exists anymore.” “Oh, no!” She dropped from Discord, fluttering down to land by Fine and look at the page hovering before him. “What is it? Some kind of exotic plant?” Repressing a shiver as her delicate feathers brushed against his side, Fine took a self-conscious step away. “No, n-not that. It’s—” Fluttershy gave a curious ‘hmm.’ “What is that?” She pressed the tip of her hoof against the picture of a grey beast snarling at the photographer. “I’ve never seen anything like it before.” A chuckle was inevitable; only Fluttershy could look at a face that ugly and not be immediately repulsed. “That is an alpha gargoyle.” “A gargoyle?” She peered at the creature. “But there haven’t been gargoyles in Equestria in centuries. Or any of the known lands, for that matter.” “Exactly.” Fine snapped the folder shut, his gaze going up to Discord. Fluttershy’s eyebrows rose. “You mean the Archons know where some gargoyles are?” Fine sighed and shook his head. “We… have a lead. It’s little more than a rumor, really. The source is reliable, but even she admitted it was only hearsay.” “But if there’s even a chance, we have to try.” Fluttershy pointed to Discord. “He deserves that much.” “I agree with you, Fluttershy.” Fine offered a weak smile. “But the lands that need exploring are dangerous. We’re putting together a volunteer team right now to take the risk.” “Volunteer?” She hesitated, ears folding flat against her skull. “What if nopony volunteers?” Fine shrugged. “Then I’ll just order some ponies to go.” “And if they die?” He took in her worried gaze and averted his eyes. “That would be unfortunate… but it’s the risk we take.” “The risk we take…” Fluttershy chewed her lip, slowly turning to face the statue. Her wings gave little twitches as she pondered his words. “Where will they have to go?” Fine raised an eyebrow. “Outside the known world. West, beyond the Everfree.” She winced, but otherwise offered no response. Fine sighed and patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Fluttershy.” “I’ll go.” He froze, mind jarred. It took him several seconds to process what he’d just heard, and even then… “Come again?” “I’ll go.” She turned to him, brow furrowed with determination. “I’m volunteering.” “What?” He shook his head, then rubbed his ears. “What?” Fluttershy heaved a deep sigh and nodded. “I’m going. Tell me where to go.” “I… you… You can’t be…” Fine shook his head a second time. “No. Not a chance in—” “Discord is my friend!” It wasn’t quite a shout, but it was enough to shut him up. “What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t try?” She flew up to Discord’s frozen face and looked into those stone eyes. “I was the one who convinced him to give friendship a try, and what was his reward? This.” Fine fell to his haunches, mind still unable to accept what he was hearing. “F-Fluttershy, that doesn’t make you responsible for this. You weren’t even there!” “Neither were any of the ponies who would go otherwise,” she countered, not taking her eyes off Discord. “The ponies whose lives you were going to risk for a cure that might not exist.” “But you… You’re…” He raised his hooves as if to grab her from the air, lowered them again. He groaned. “Fluttershy, what are you doing?” She smiled down at him, then gave Discord an intent look. “I’m setting an example. Discord sacrificed everything. It’s only fair we risk the same.” “You can’t be serious.” He shook his head forcefully. “I won’t allow it. This isn’t a job for—” “For what?” She landed before him, expression so firm it knocked the words from his mouth. “For what, Fine? A doormat, maybe? I know I’m not the most qualified pony to do it, but I have to try.” He threw up his hooves. “But why?” All Fine’s frustration and anger evaporated when her hoof touched his cheek. She stared into his eyes, her expression as soft as her touch. He thought he might melt at the sight of those glorious orbs. “Fine Crime, you mean well,” she whispered with a soft smile. “I know you do, I can feel it. But you're even newer to friendship than Discord is. Think of this as a friendship lesson for both of you. I’m standing up for my friend, and I’m not going to let a bunch of unwilling ponies take that risk in my place.” She trotted away, leaving Fine to stare after her with wide eyes. Only when she had passed the corner did he realize that she’d taken his folder. He stared at his hooves where it had once been, trying to think of when she’d grabbed it. When he failed to remember, he burst out laughing. “I am a really bad influence on her!” He sobered almost immediately as he realized what just happened. He turned to look up at Discord, and he could have sworn he saw a look of warning in that chiseled glare. “Yeah, I know.” Fine sighed and turned back to the castle. “There’s only one thing to do.”