Things are now just starting to heat up; a fast friendship has developed between Cindy and Eli. They act as though they've known each other since they were hatchlings; even though they only known each other for a day. However, Dante isn't getting along with Rory due to them both being boys and that Rory wants to protect Diana from him. Diana hates that her brother and new friend aren't getting along; but, she finds it nice that he wants to protect her. The teenaged threehorns are having a talk at the nest.
"All right, Dante; you can be friends with Diana; but, no funny stuff," Rory snarled.
"Okay brother dearest; I will be good to her," Dante retorted.
Diana cleared her throat.
"Boys; I'm right here; if you have something to say about me, say it to my face," Diana sneered.
The boys turned their attention over to the black female.
"He started it," Dante protested, pointing to Rory with his paw.
"I don't care; I know never to talk about people behind their backs; especially the females," Diana claimed.
Moments later, Dante looked over at a threehorn couple making their way back to the nest.
"Who is that other black threehorn? She looks just like your dad despite the fact that she has green eyes," Dante pointed out.
"She's my aunt Celine; Dad's twin sister," Diana answered.
"Wow! Who was that with her?" Dante wondered.
"My uncle Nigel; Dad has another twin; my aunt Rita and her mate is my uncle Isaac," Diana explained.
Dante smiled.
"I wish my family was alive; living out in the Mysterious Beyond is tough when you're just a young teen and orphaned; luckily that me and Cindy helped each other out before finding the Great Valley yesterday," Dante explained.
Diana laid her paw on Dante's paw and looked into his eyes. Soon enough, Rory started glaring at her. The teen female rolled her eyes and glared back at her brother.
"Oh! Grow up Rory," Diana snarled.
"Yeah; Diana was just trying to comfort me over the loss of my family," Dante replied.
"Yeah; so there," Diana said, blowing a raspberry at Rory.
Meanwhile, Topsy met up with his sisters and brothers-in-law at the Thundering Falls.
"Nigel and I noticed that Dante and Rory don't get along; we overheard some of their conversation," Celine told Topsy.
Her mate nodded in agreement.
"Yeah; we also heard the part about Dante wanting his family to be alive and Diana was just trying to comfort him; but, Rory took it as her trying to flirt with him," Nigel added.
Topsy nodded.
"What is this about Dante and Rory not getting along?" Rita asked.
"Rory seems to think that he has the right to control Diana; he was mad at her just because she laid her paw on Dante's paw and looked into his eyes; that was just her way of comforting him," Celine told Rita.
Rita nodded.
"I'll see if I can convince him that Diana is a big girl who can choose her own friends; I may have been protective during our teen years; but, I never overreacted whenever you girls wanted to choose your own riends," Topsy told his sisters.
Rita and Celine thought back to when both of them and Topsy were just teenagers. Then, they nodded in agreement.
"Since the problem is with the three of them; you should include Diana and Dante in this as well," Celine pointed out.
"You're right; as usual," Topsy said.
After a few moments, Topsy made his way over to the teenaged threehorns. He saw that Diana was frustrated with Rory; all she wanted was to choose her own friends; and that one friend is Dante.
"Hey Dad; would you please tell Rory that I'm tired of him bossing me around?" Diana asked.
Topsy sighed.
"I was just about to talk to you kids about that," Topsy answered.
After a brief moment, Topsy laid down on the ground and got comfortable.
"So; what is this about you not liking Dante?" Topsy wondered.
Rory shrugged.
"Can't a brother protect his sister?" Rory asked.
"I find it admirable that you want to do what is best; but, there are times when you shouldn't interfere with Diana's decisions; if she wants to be Dante's friend; you should let her," Topsy explained.
Rory was starting to get frustrated.
"No; Dad, girls need protection from a potential heartbreak; losing a friend is just as hurtful as losing a girlfriend or a boyfriend," Rory said.
"How would you know, smarty pants? You've never even had a girlfriend," Diana sneered.
Dante chuckled at that remark.
"Shut up, you!" Rory snarled.
"Don't tell me to shut up, asshole," Dante retorted.
"Dad!" Rory protested.
Topsy shook his head.
"I agree with him; you're acting like an asshole," Topsy claimed.
Diana smirked at her twin. The black male teen was really angry now.
"Hey, Diana; wanna hang out with me?" Dante asked.
"I thought you'd never ask," Diana answered.
Something inside Rory snapped. He tackled Dante to the ground; however, Dante managed to pin Rory on his back. He laughed out loud in his face and then turned around and kicked dirt at him. Then, he and Diana walked away. Topsy was surprised by the strength Dante had; but, he was angry at Rory for starting the fight.
"You're not going anywhere for the next week; picking a fight with Dante was uncalled for; I'm just glad you two didn't get hurt; apart from the fact that Dante pinned you despite the fact that you're bigger than him," Topsy pointed out.
Rory lowered his head in shame. Topsy hated having to punish his children; however, it was all a part of being a parent.
"Getting in trouble doesn't make me love you any less; you're my son; but, please remember that Dante has had a hard life and Diana just wants to be his friend; later today; I expect you to apologize like you mean it," Topsy said.
Rory nodded.
Moments later, Topsy left Rory alone to think about what he did wrong. He made his way back to the Thundering Falls; the expression on his face was readable to his sisters; but, not their mates.
"Let me guess; Rory picked a fight wih Dante," Celine responded.
"How'd you know?" Topsy wondered.
"Just call it a wild guess; besides, me and Rita know you too well, so don't try to lie to us," Celine sneered.
"You got me; anyway, Rory has been punished," Topsy stated.
The other threehorns nodded.
"Well, I'm glad Rory's stunt wasn't left unpunished," Rita said.
Topsy nodded.
Later that night, Rory was apologizing to Diana and Dante; he was glad that they have forgiven him. He has decided to drop to overprotective act and let Diana be friends with Dante. He also started becoming friends with him. Topsy and Elaine were watching from a distance and nuzzled each other.
A/N: As I have mentioned; Elaine is Topsy's first mate; she is a light grey threehorn with green eyes. More OC's are coming within the next few chapters.