The Alpha's Rescue

by Rainwatch

Rosy Cottoncloud. Handsome Rowdyfoot. Snickety Fastclaws. Eternal Snowymoon. And Juniper Bravebelle. They're all unique Jammers, with their own thoughts, beliefs and values. But after a vicious Phantom attack, they all volunteer to help the legendary Alpha's Guard fight back against the Phantoms — and in doing so, find themselves caught up in a tangled web of darkness and danger.

21. Twenty-one - Snickety Fastclaws

"Why would I ever help you?" Juniper snarled.

I figured she'd be like this.

"Juniper— maybe it's my fault, and you're right," I breathed. "In fact, it probably is. But there's one thing I know for sure: Rosy's not the same. She's... she's basically a scammer now."

"I'll— I'll—" Juniper screamed, slamming her hoof against the ground. "You horrible, rotten—"

"Juniper," I said. "You have to trust me."

"Why would I ever trust you?!" she shouted, and there was a fire ablaze in her eyes. I took a deep breath, remembering why I came here.

I was concerned about Rosy. About how she didn't want to help other Jammers. Really, that was how I used to feel, but it was wrong. And she felt that. I couldn't have that, knowing I had caused it. Knowing that I had made Rosy Cottoncloud into a monster.

"You can trust me because sometimes it's what you have to do," I told her calmly. "Sometimes you need help. Sometimes a person you love has made you in pain, and you have to trust someone you thought you never would trust." I looked her in the eyes. "Juniper, please. You know what to do."

"I will never help you!" she growled. Behind her, Handsome cleared his throat.

"If I may, Juniper, you just promised me that you would do whatever you could to get Rosy back," he hinted, grinning.

"So what?" she fumed.

"Well, I'm no mind-reader," Handsome said, shrugging. "But I think Snickety wants the old Rosy just as much as you."

The fire in her gaze melted away to smoldering coals. "I— you— but Snickety—"

"Juniper," Handsome said gently. "Snickety is not the bad guy."

This seemed too overwhelming for the horse. She plopped onto the ground, sighing as the dust billowed around her./div

This was what I had feared. This was always the worst-case scenario: Rosy that monster of herself, Juniper unwilling to trust me, my main source of gems completely out of the window… And somehow I was the one everyone hated. Rosy was mad because I wasn't agreeing with her anymore. Juniper was mad because of what I used to be. And Fang and Handsome… I wasn't sure if they were mad at me. But I certainly wasn't their favorite person. Why have friends if they would just leave you?

I blinked. So that was it.

My world was crashing down on me.