//------------------------------//
// Ch.11 The Lion Sleeps Tonight 
// Story: To Mend A Broken Heart 
// by Tiberia Silverfang 
//------------------------------//

	Over at Strawberry Swirls, Fang, Indigo, Mise and the girls were sitting in the booths eating ice cream as Fang said “Well at least something good came out of today's job.” Fang said as the girls and Mise agreed as Indigo was a bit quiet as she had a lot on her mind as Mise spoke “Indigo? Everything okay? You seem kind of quite?” Mise said as Indigo looked up and nodded a bit and spoke “Yeah…. Just thinking is all.” Indigo said in a low tone as she stared back at her ice cream as her thoughts were marching in formation preparing for a civil war ‘FOR THE BRAIN!!’ One side shouted as the other side shouted back ‘FOR THE HEART!!’ The two screamed as the charged at each other. As Fang spoke “Alright then, anyway we need to find somewhere where we can do our next job but….. I'm pretty much drawing a blank here man.” Fang said to Mise as he nodded a bit and scratched his bandages “Hmmm, well I got a few ideas but those would take a few phone calls and time we don’t have between now and tomorrow.” Mise said as Fang nodded in agreement as the front door chimed “Hello and welcome to Strawberry Swirls, what can I for you missy?” Strawberry asked as everyone turned to see Fluttershy with a small stack of flyers as she spoke “O-Oh nothing really….. Just if um…. Not to bother you, but can I hang some of these flyers up?” Fluttershy asked as Strawberry nodded giving her permission to hang the flyers up as Fang called out to her “Hey Fluttershy, what’s up?” Fang asked as Fluttershy jumped a bit but soon calmed down “O-Oh hello Fang, Mise and Indigo what are you three doing here?” Fluttershy asked as Mise spoke “We were just grabbing some ice cream after helping the local girl scout troop. It's a lot more painful that than when my cousins were in it.” Mise said gesturing to the bandages.

Fang nodded in agreement as Fluttershy was a bit scared by it as she then asked “W-What happened?” Fluttershy asked worriedly as Fang spoke “Mise was fixing his tank and he got injured, don't worry he is all fixed up and everything.” Fang said as Indigo looked at Fluttershy but with a small glare as she spoke in her head ‘Watch your step girl…’ Indigo thought as Fang spoke “Anyway, we are trying to figure out what to do next for community service.” Fang had said to Fluttershy as she light up a bit “Why not help at the zoo, they are short handed and need help tomorrow…. If that is okay with you?” Fluttershy asked as Fang and Indigo thought about it for a minute as Fang spoke “I don’t know Fluttershy, I mean it's nice but I don't kn-” Fang was cut off as Mise put his hand on his mouth “excuse us for a minute.” Mise said as he pulled Fang and Indigo aside and spoke “Ok, there's your next project. You two are going to go to the zoo, I don’t want to hear any complaining. Got it?” Mise said as the two sighed and nodded as they turned back to Fluttershy as Fang spoke “We will come in, what time do we need to be there?” Fang asked Fluttershy as she spoke with excitement “Well tomorrow morning at 9am will be perfect, the zoo keepers will be there to help you out.” Fluttershy said as the two nodded as she handed them the flyers. She hung up a few flyers then left the building as Fang said “Well at least we got something to do tomorrow, hope fully nothing bad happens.” Fang said as Indigo nodded in agreement as the civil war in her mind raged on.

Time Skip: The Next Day…..

        Indigo was waiting outside her house as she still had a lot on her mind as she spoke in a quiet tone while no one was around “The casualties are mounting, both sides suffering heavy losses, at this point I have no idea which side will win. We aren’t getting much sleep, our forces are weakening, if we don’t get some kind of intervention soon, it will surely end in catastrophe Signed Private First Class Indigo Zap” Indigo said as she narrated the battle in her head as she was tapping the side of her helmet as she then looked down on it a bit thinking back when Fang gave her the helmet as a bit of a gift as she then heard the similar noise as always, it was Fang driving up on his motorcycle. Fang soon stopped in front of her and spoke “Hey Indigo, you ready?” Fang asked as she nodded and got on the bike and drove off as she spoke in her head “Would you idiots finish your goddamn battle already! I can’t take much more of this!” Indigo screamed at the legions of tiny Indigos fighting in her mindscape. Soon enough Fang had made a turn and spotted the zoo and pointed “There is the zoo! It looks to be about a few more blocks from here.” Fang said as he revved the throttle a bit more making the bike jump a bit having Indigo latch on tighter as she was a bit angry at Fang for doing that but also did not mind much about it at all. Fang drove past a few more cars as they were very close to their destination but for some reason a pack of ducks then flew by as Fang asked “Where the hell did they come from?” As he looked to his left to see that Swift had fell in a pond and Pinkie fell in after him trying to get him out of the water, but both were laughing as Fang just shook his head a bit but knew one thing ‘Love is the one thing that makes this world go round.’ Fang said in his head as the two reached their destination.

        Outside of the zoo was Fluttershy as she waved a bit to the two as she spoke “G-Glad to see you two here… the zoo keepers are waiting for us, so please follow me.” Fluttershy said as Fang nodded and took his helmet off as Indigo was reluctant but soon got off the bike to let Fang park it as she spoke in a quiet tone “A new enemy had arrived, an outside force from the north, we sent in our cavalry to drive them out, the only thing we can do now is wait till they return. Signed Private First Class Indigo Zap” Indigo monologue as she walked in towards the place as Fang parked his bike near the wall and locked it as he ran after Indigo who was mumbling to herself as he then spoke “Wait up Indigo, jeez…. Anyway we should follow Fluttershy.” Fang said as Indigo nodded but only one thing on her mind ‘I must prevent her from getting to you.’ Indigo thought as she walked in with determination in her heart as the two walked along and saw the many animals in the park as Fang spoke “Damn Fluttershy, this place is huge….” Fang said in awe as Fluttershy spoke “Oh yes, it is such a lovely place and all the animals are so very kind.” Fluttershy said as the three walked around a bit as one of the zoo keeper walked up to them “So you must be the two Fluttershy was telling us about.” The man said as Fang and Indigo nodded as he spoke “Well that is good to hear we are a bit short handed so we are glad you two can help, alright so your first job is over there with the giraffes.” The zookeeper said as he pointed to the area with the giraffes as he then said “Your job is to feed them the leaves in the buckets, the reason why is that is where their medicine is to keep away any nasty diseases or anything, like how you kids would take medication when you're sick.” The man said as the three nodded and grabbed the buckets filled with leafs as the zoo keeper let them into the area through the gate and closed it behind them.

        The group saw the giraffes roaming the area as Fang spoke “It's just like in those nature documentaries I used to watch.” Fang said as the two looked at him as Indigo asked “were actually feeding giraffes, and you’re talking about a TV show!? Dude, were in one those scenes!” Indigo said as Fang chuckled a bit and spoke “No i’m talking about when I was younger and watched them in school… heh I always liked watching the wolves and lions, they were just like my pets.” Fang said with a bit of a smile as he walked towards the giraffes with the buckets of leaves as Fluttershy spoke “I never knew that, well I think we should get a move on.” Fluttershy said as Indigo nodded but had a small glare on her and if someone was close could hear a small growl coming from her as she followed behind as Fang petting a giraffe a bit as he spoke “I always wanted to pet a giraffe, kind of crazy huh guys?” Fang asked as Fluttershy giggled a bit at the scene as Indigo growled a little more as one of the giraffes leaned down and nuzzled her hair trying to get her attention as Indigo turned around a bit to see the giraffe leaned down a bit as Indigo held the bucket out to let the animal eat as Fang spoke “Aww Indigo you made a friend.” Fang said as Indigo spoke “S-Shut…. Up….” Indigo said as she looked away with a small blush on her face as she then patted the giraffe a bit as Fluttershy spoke “Very good Indigo, you are a natural with animals.” Fluttershy said with a smile as Indigo just ignored her a bit as Indigo spoke a bit “Yeah, it's like second nature….” Indigo said as Fluttershy nodded a bit with a smile still as she walked over to another group of giraffes with a few more buckets as Fang spoke “I’m going to go feed the group over there Indigo, have fun with your new friend.” Fang said as he walked to a different group of giraffe as Indigo spoke in a low tone “Target spotted, awaiting further orders….what are you looking at? You never seen a girl guarding what's hers?” Indigo said to the giraffe looking at her as the giraffe leaned down a bit and nuzzled her a bit more and walked towards the rest of the group.

        Indigo was curious on this as one side of her brain had then spoke “He’s not worth it, cut your losses” the side fighting for her brain said as the side for her heart said “Never! He’s the only one! He must be had and made our own!” They said as Indigo was conflicted on what to do as Fluttershy came back and spoke “Well it looks like all the leaves are gone, that means are job here is done…. She we get Fang?” Fluttershy asked as she pointed to Fang who was playing with the giraffes in a game of fetch with a ball as Indigo nodded a bit but felt something pull on her as a voice spoke in her head ‘He looks so happy….’ Indigo thought with a slight smile as Fang soon threw the ball one last time as he said “Alright last time okay?” Fang asked as he threw the ball and the giraffes went after it as he turned to the group and spoke “Did not know they liked playing fetch or that they are really friendly.” Fang said with a shrug as Fluttershy spoke up “Well this job is done, we need to talk to the head zoo keeper for our next job.” Fluttershy said as Fang nodded and walked from the group as Indigo and Fluttershy followed suit with him as the zoo keeper spoke “Thank you very much with the help kids, the giraffes love playing ball, alright now for your next job is to take care of the lion cubs.” The man said as he lead them to the area where they kept the lion cubs as Fang spoke “Aww they are so tiny, and cute.” Fang said with a slight smile as the two looked at him as he said “What? I like cute creatures.” Fang said as he spotted a large rock in the middle as Fang got an idea as he quickly scooped up one of the lion cubs and climbed up the large rock and began to sing as he held the cub above his head “AHHH ZIBENYA AMA ZEE BABA!!!” Fang sang as everyone just looked at him like he was crazy as Fang then climbed back down and set the little one back down as he asked “What? It was tempting not to do it.” Fang said with a smirk as the three just chuckled a bit as he the man spoke.

        “Alright, your three`s jobs are to feed them, play with them and groom them a bit, kind of like taking care of a household cat.” The zookeeper said as he left and closed the gate as Fang was already playing with the one he picked up as it latched onto his hand trying to bite his hand a bit as he just chuckled at the little one`s actions. The two giggled at the scene as Indigo`s heart began to thump a bit faster as she had a thought cross her mind ‘Maybe I don’t hate him as much as I thought…’ Indigo thought to herself as one of the cubs started to paw at her leg as she looked down at the little one and picked her up and spoke to the little one “Well are you just adorable...ahem I mean, you are really cool looking…” indigo said before the two heard her show her feminine side that was until the little lion cub extended her paw and booped her on the nose and let out a small meow as Fang spoke “Aww, look Indigo she likes you.” Fang said as Indigo turned away a bit “why does that have to be so adorable…?” Indigo said under her breath as Fang was then overrunned by the cubs “AH! Help me, i'm being snuggled to death!” Fang said between laughs as the two girls just bursted out laughing at the scene as Fang said “Screw you guys……” Fang said as the pile got bigger and his hand disappeared under the cubs. Indigo just sat back a bit as the lion cub was sleeping on her lap as she petted her a little bit when Fluttershy spoke “Do you think we should get Fang out of there?” Fluttershy asked as the cubs were sleeping on top of Fang who was know unconscious or sleeping no one could tell as Indigo shrugged “Eh I don’t know, I say we just leave em there…oh wait hold on” indigo said pulling out her phone and taking a picture. Fluttershy looked at her with a confused looked as she asked “Why did you take a photo? If you don't mind me asking.” Fluttershy said as Indigo looked her and spoke “I plan on showing all our friends and putting it on facehoof. #thelionsleepstonight.” Indigo said laughing as the lion cub began to wake up a bit as Indigo petted her a bit more to calm her down as she then turned to Fluttershy and spoke “Stay away from Fang, he’s mine.” Indigo said bluntly as Fluttershy looked at her and spoke “W-What do you mean by t-that? Y-You like Fang?” Fluttershy asked as Indigo spoke again “Yes! I mean no! I mean-just back off, and there won’t be any problems.” Indigo said harshly as Fluttershy spoke “B-But Fang is one of m-my friends, as well…. I already h-have a boyfriend.” Fluttershy simply stated as Indigo was taken back by this a bit.

        “Oh...well...nonetheless, I still got my eye on you, come one let's get him up so we can get something to eat.” Indigo said simply as she set the cub on the grass and got up as Fluttershy spoke “Do you really like Fang?” Fluttershy asked as Indigo was having a bit of mixed feelings as she spoke “I...I...I don’t know ok, but him talking to other girls is….its just messing with the war raging in my head right now. So let's just move on…” Indigo said as Fluttershy stood in front of her and spoke “I can tell for a fact that you like him, Fang is very sweet and he would really like to be with someone like you, don’t let your doubts cloud your judgment.” Fluttershy said to Indigo who was taken back by this as she never saw her like that as Fluttershy spoke again “S-Sorry about that Indigo.” Fluttershy said as Indigo spoke “it's fine fluttershy, at least I have 1 person I can cross off the list.” Indigo said smiling softly “Now let’s get the nerd up and get some grub, i’m starving.” Indigo said reverting back to her tomboyish ways as Fluttershy just giggled a bit as the two walked over to the huge snuggle pile of lion cubs on top of Fang as they found one of his hands poking out of the pile as Fluttershy said “Well it looks like the cubs had fun today.” Fluttershy said to Indigo who was trying to not laugh at the scene as Fang`s hand began to reach out a bit for something until he moved his fingers and touched Indigo`s shoe and tapped it a bit as his hand shot up from it as the pile began to vibrate a bit as the lion cubs began to wake up and jump off Fang as some were still on him as he then raised his top half up with a funnel in his mouth as Indigo spoke “Where did you get that funnel….?” Indigo asked as Fang raised up his bag and took the funnel out “I’m always prepared, normally I carry this if someone forgets how to eat.” Fang said with a slight smirk as Fluttershy spoke “Oh like that time Treble forgot how to sit?” Fluttershy asked giggling as Fang nodded “Mhmm, though that day was so funny…. Warhawk threw him at so many chairs.” Fang said trying not to laugh as Indigo was confused “Wait, what do you mean he forgot how to sit? How do you forget how to sit? Thats basic human instinct!” Indigo said extremely puzzled as the two shrugged.

        Fang then got up and threw the funnel into the garbage as he said “It was getting old, as well it was melting.” Fang said as the three walked out of the gate as he then asked “Alright next order of business….. What do we get for lunch?” Fang asked the two as they began to ponder it as Indigo spoke “Why don’t we see what the staff lounge/break room has? Surely the workers have lunch breaks.” Indigo said as the two nodded in agreement as the two walked towards the staff lounge but found it to be as well part of the aquarium as it was in the same area of the seal and orca exhibit as the three spread out to get something to eat as Fluttershy found some fruit, Fang made a sandwich with some tuna fish that the seals wanted some as Fang tossed a bit out to them, and Indigo was eating a tuna fish salad with some fruit as Fang spoke “This is nice as well….. Its relaxing you know?” Fang asked the two as they nodded in agreement as Fang took another bite out of his sandwich as Fluttershy spoke “Looks like they want more of your sandwich.” Fluttershy said while giggling a bit as the seals came up to Fang wanting more of his sandwich as he just chuckled a bit and gave them more of the tuna he used to make the sandwich as Indigo had a few thoughts go through her head ‘Our forces have successfully driven back the invaders from the north, the rest of the battle looks to be swift and easy. Hopefully this’ll all be over soon. Signed Private First Class Indigo Zap’ indigo said in her head as Fang was being overwhelmed by the seals trying to get to his sandwich after he ran out of tuna to give to them as Indigo had a funny idea as she then snuck up on him and pushed him into the water as Fang soon resurfaced and spoke “Indigo! Why the hell did you do that for?” Fang asked as he was floating in the water as she spoke “Because I can, and it was too tempting to resist.” Indigo said laughing as Fang grumbled a bit until he began to move a bit and looked down to see he was sitting on a orca as he tried to speak “Uh guys! I'm kind of leaving here!” Fang yelled as the two saw that Fang was being taken to the stage area of the aquarium as Fluttershy spoke “We better get to the stage area before something bad happens.” Fluttershy said as the two ran for the stage area.

        Both Fluttershy and Indigo had reached the bleachers of the stage area to find that both schools had arrived for a school field trip as Mr. Snow spoke “Huh? Indigo is that you? How come you are here and not at school?” Mr. Snow asked “Because first of all it's a saturday, and i'm here with Fluttershy and our friend Tiberious for community service.” Indigo said as Mr. Snow nodded as Mise and Octavia were sitting in the bleachers as he spoke to Octavia “I wonder who’s going to perform with Poseidon?” Mise asked with a hint of excitement as the aquarium worker spoke “Alright everyone, the moment you all been waiting for I present to you…. Poseidon!” The worker said as she had the spotlight hit the water as Poseidon came out of the water with something on her back as it spoke “I AM NEPTUNE! KING OF THE SEA!” The person yelled as everyone saw it was Fang riding on the back of Poseidon as she crashed back down in the water as everyone said at the same time “WHAT IN THE NAME OF FUCK!?” Everyone yelled as Mise said “FANG! YOU ARE TIBERIOUS! CHICKEN OF THE SEA!” Mise said as everyone laughed as Fang resurfaced with Poseidon and spoke “You maybe king, but you ain’t king of these waters!” Fang said as Poseidon shot water out of her blow hole lifting Fang up into the air as he laughed “Why would I want to be king of fish pee!?” Mise said as Fang responded “Why would I want to be king of the land of drunks!?” Fang said with a smirk as Mise retorted “I may be king of the drunks, but at least I don’t have Aqua Man living in my kingdom!” Mise said as Fang spoke back “Well for one thing we can kick his ass out, for we are vast and have a larger kingdom than your land kingdom!” Fang said as Mise was about to speak back Indigo shouted “Blow it out your blow hole! King drunkanitis and King Bubble Sucker! SHUT UP!” Indigo said as Fang then fell into the water and resurfaced on the edge of the pool “Okay…. Sorry….” Fang said as he then got out of the pool and went to go get a towel as Mise spoke “good show out there man! You really know how to keep the ball rolling.” Mise said as Fang just nodded and snickered a bit and said “That was not planned, but it was fun as hell man!” Fang said as he dried his hair.

        Indigo watched the two as she just shook her head a bit as she spoke under her breath “i’m surrounded by idiots….” Indigo grumbled as Fang came back in less wet clothing as he asked “So did you two enjoy the show?” Fang asked with a bit of a cheeky grin at Fluttershy and Indigo as Fluttershy spoke “That was so very exciting!” Fluttershy said as she let out as small ‘Yay’ as Indigo looked at Fang and spoke “You are not King Neptune, King of the sea, you are King Fang, King of the dorks.” Indigo said smirking as Fang began to chuckle a bit as the head keeper walked in and spoke “There you three are, come on you got one job left for today.” The keeper said as the three followed him to the last area they needed to work at today as he said “Your last job is to watch after the snow wolf pups.” The keeper said as he opened the gate as the three walked in as Fluttershy spoke “T-This must be the new part of the zoo.” Fluttershy said as she saw some of the pups sleeping or playing as Fang sat down against the wall as a single pup walked up to him. The little pup began to pat his pant leg to get his attention as he looked down to see the little pup as she was smaller than the rest, Fang then picked her up and spoke “Well hello little one, how are you?” Fang asked as she sniffed him a bit and leaned in close then licked his nose, Indigo saw this as she spoke “Well looks like i'm not the only one who made a friend.” Indigo said to Fang as he was laughing a bit and said “True, she is very sweet…. Hmm, I wonder….” Fang said in a quiet tone as he whispered something to the little pup and set her down as she went up to Indigo and yipped a bit as Indigo looked down and picked up the little one and asked “What do you want?” Indigo asked kneeling down as the little pup yipped again and licked Indigo`s face a few times, then jumped into her jacket that she was wearing as she began to freak out a bit until the pup stopped moving as she looked inside her jacket to see the pup was sleeping soundly nearing Indigo`s heart as she spoke in a quiet tone “let your heart lead the way…” indigo said as she felt her heart melt as she looked up to see Fang was sleeping a bit as she got up and walked over to Fang and sat down next to him as Fluttershy was tending to the little pups as she was surrounded and was giggling.

        Indigo looked into her jacket and saw the pup still sleeping as she began to feel tired herself as well, she then rested back against the wall and let sleep overtake her.

Time Skip: Two Hours Later……

        Indigo began to wake up a bit as her senses came back to her as she looked around, Fluttershy was petting the little pups, the little pup was still sleeping in her jacket, and she was latched onto Fang as they slept…… soon enough it all clicked in her head as she saw that she was latched onto his arm as she spoke in her head ‘Oh my god…..I do like Fang….’ Indigo thought to herself as Fang began to wake up as she quickly unlatched herself from his arm as he looked around a bit and then at Indigo as he spoke “Huh….? Oh hey Indigo, what happened?” Fang asked as Indigo was trying to speak until Fluttershy spoke “You two were very tired, so I was taking care of the pups and let you two sleep.” Fluttershy said with a small smile as she saw what happened when the two fell asleep. Fang then nodded and got up from the wall and extended his hand towards Indigo reluctantly grabbed his hand as he helped her up to her feet, as the little pup woke up and poked her head out of the open area of the jacket as Fang spoke “Well look at that, looks like you got a passenger there Indigo.” Fang said with a small chuckle as Indigo looked away a bit and spoke “Y-Yeah, I guess I do…” indigo said as Fang just chuckled a bit as the head zoo keeper came in “Well your three`s jobs are done, you can head home…. Now…. well I'll be, you got her to meet with other people.” The keeper said as the three were confused as he spoke more “That there little pup was very nervous and scared around others since her parents had past, she does not have a name but….. The  way I see her with you two begs the question….. Would you two like to adopt her?” The man asked as Fang and Indigo were shocked by this as Fang spoke “A-Are you sure sir?” Fang asked as the man nodded “I've seen quite a bit in my life…. And you two right here are prime examples of what that little one needs, so what you say?” He asked as Fang looked at Indigo as she thought about it for a minute as she then spoke “Yeah sure, we’ll take her.” Indigo said as Fang jumped for joy as the man chuckled “Alright then, I will get the papers ready, you two be good parents to her, alright?” The man asked as the two nodded as Indigo looked at the little pup and asked “You hear that? I'm going to be your new mom and the dork her is going to be your new dad!” Indigo said nuzzling the pup when no one was looking.

        Fang walked up to the two and spoke “Well, we need to give her a name…. How about Snow Paw?” Fang suggested to Indigo as she thought it over then spoke “I think that's an awesome name!” Indigo said as Fang nodded “Then it’s settled, little Snow Paw.” Fang said as he scratched her head a little bit as she yipped in joy. Soon the head Zoo keeper came back with the papers and spoke “Just sign the papers and she is in your care.” The man said as Fang nodded and grabbed the papers and pen and began to sign the things necessary and handed them to Indigo who signed the rest and handed them to the man as he then looked them over “Snow Paw, huh? Well it’s a sweet name, good luck you two, and we will miss you Snow Paw.” The man said as he then left the area as Fang said “Well this day went pretty well, if you ask me.” Fang said as Indigo nodded in agreement as Fang`s phone went off “Huh? Hello? Oh hey Applebloom what’s up? Uh huh….. Uh huh, alright we will be right there.” Fang said as Indigo looked at him with confusion “What was that about?” Indigo asked, Fang looked at her and said “Well for one thing, Applejack overtired herself again and needs help tomorrow.” Fang said as Indigo nodded in agreement and spoke “Alright, it’ll be a good chance for me to work out some.” indigo said as she thought ‘And a chance for you to take off your shirt…..wait, what did I just say...oh boy…’ indigo said in her head as she had a small blush as Fang spoke “Yeah, it would be nice as well it would be on the countryside so which means we will be out in the open, a nice sunny day.” Fang said as Indigo nodded as the two walked towards the front as they grabbed their helmets as Fang spoke “We could also bring Snow Paw as well, let her run around a bit and play with Winona.” Fang said as Indigo spoke “Yeah that would be great!” Indigo said as Fang agreed with her as the two put on their helmets and got on the bike as Fang spoke “You might want to tighten your jacket a bit and close it, for Snow Paw’s safety.” Fang said as Indigo agreed and closed the top part and tighten the jacket a little keeping Snow Paw snug against her as Fang started the bike and drove off from the parking lot and towards Indigo`s house.