The Emerald Servant

by mysterypen12

Years have passed, The mane six finally split up, leading their own lives. Spike decided to continue living his life in ponyville, a quiet life. that is until he has a chance encounter with Trixie and an interesting arrangement, letting her live at his place. this leads to them battling once untouched personal demons and the once small and quiet town opening up to them.

21. Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Outskirts of the everfree

Frozen, hooves dug into the soft mossy ground. Movement wasn't something that even crossed the pair's mind. The beast drawing ever closer took up too much of that space. Especially for Rose, horrified at the predicament. Feeling as if this was some kind of omen. A nightmare sprung into life. At Least Trixie still felt the urge to blink. Rose couldn't even bring herself to that. Her eyes were shot completely open. Water streaming from them uncontrollably. Unable to tell whether they were tears or the result of strain. Neither conclusion mattered, the feeling was still the same. Trixie wanted to comfort her but feared a voice would attract the beast. However, she grew tired of the waiting. Looking towards the next course of action.

First things first, a read on her environment. Starting with sound, listening for small details or changes. Something quickly struck her slightly odd. The lack of sound coming from the ursa. No sniffing, paw steps, not even a growl. Yet, the beast didn't disappear. Its blue shadow was still covering them. Lack of movement was something that particularly stuck out. Like the ursa was waiting for them to make the move. Or, could this beast potentially be friendly? She's not even 100 percent sure how close it is. Only making a judgment based on the color currently surrounding them. Facing it, making a movement, that's the best solution. Or, well, at least the start to a solution. Rose would most likely not approve of it. But trixie was quickly growing tired of waiting around.

Yet her hooves were still dug into the ground. Her heart was still pumping with nervous energy. She was desperate to move but her body was fighting it. Wanting to say in her current bubble of safety. Her lack of movement would save her. Taking the same stance as her paralyzed friend. She never feared an ursa in her life. Always thinking they were the most beautiful creatures. However, that appreciation was quickly changing. She hated it, being tied to the ground, unable to do anything. Her eyes were constantly glancing at her friend. Her shell shocked\ fear feeding into her own. Remembering she's the one that caused that unshakable fear. The memory she is probably reliving. That realization was hurting her at first. But then it quickly did something else. It built up a sense of anger. Just the idea of wanting to start anew. It felt as if it summoned the beast. I'm She was sick of it, sick of the world holding her hostage. For a split second, her moves became automatic. No longer caring what happens to her.

Her hooves lifted from the mossy ground. Steps are deliberate in order to avoid jolting the ursa. Something that became worthless when she faced the giant. Its eyes were focused directly on her. Her bones went cold but her anger was still hot. Fueling ability to stand her ground. Staring right back at the ursa, not flinching for a second. Said focus drowning out the energy of her frightful out various important details. The ursa looked… dissolved. Fur matted and messy, bags under its massive eyes. Its stance looked a bit weary. Yet, its expression radiated curiosity. Like this is the first time it's seen a pony. Her heart was surprisingly starting to soften for the big guy. Not enough to wave away her fear. But enough to calm her boiling anger.

"It's… it's scared…."

Trixie thoughts were echoing, sharing empathy with it.. She now became curious as to what happened to this ursa. Enough to make it not recognize the form of a pony. Then, she noticed something concerning. Looking down to its left foreleg. She noticed a small cut, fresh and bleeding. Blue droplets falling to the ground. The breathing of the ursa was ragged, obviously affected by the pain. Maybe it was this continuing curiosity or stupidity. But Trixie's fear quickly grew to concern. Taking a small step forward, wanting a closer look at the wound. That step, its noise jolted the ursa. Scaring it, quickly turning and running away. Each paw to the ground creating its own earth shattering rumble. Trixie was still stunned by the display. Staring at the emptiness that the ursa left behind. Leaving a small, blue stained piece of grass. TRixie gaze was focused on it. Unable to stop her mind from focusing on it. Pain, such a simple and common feeling. It felt silly to think so but she didn't believe it was possible for something that massive to feel pain.

"T…trixie?!"

Rose was finally awakened from her stupor. Shouting the name of her unicorn friend. Her voice was broken and shaky. Dashing for her and full force. Turning what should have been an embrace into a full on tackle. Both of them tumbled to the floor. Rose's forelegs wrapped around trixie's neck. Maybe the tackle was a little much. But she did appreciate the hug. The softness was quite pleasant in the most platonic way. The quiet led to trixie hearing sniffles. Feeling the warm but tears hitting her coat. Realizing the amount of fear and worry the poor mare just went through.

"Hey, hey i'm ok rose, it's ok…" Trixie said, her voice soft and comforting.

"I… I can't…" Rose's cracked voice was pushing out.

"Can't what rose?" Trixie replied, puzzled but still understanding.

"I can't accept your return to stage magic"

Her voice was cracked, sentences barely being stringed together. But those words were clear and concise before fully breaking into tears. The light blue mare was stunned, unsure how to react. Her eyes were pinned to the sky, watching the stars illuminate the night sky. Trying to piece together how to respond. Hearing her friend sob, tears damping her coat. It was frankly heartbreaking. Her mind was already reconnecting her passion to misery again. However, before she could quickly fall into it. Something inside her stopped that train from moving. Just as Rose couldn't accept her stage magic. She was uninterested in moving backwards. Weary of moving around as half a mare. She let out a labored sigh, unprepared for her next set of words.

"And i can't ignore myself, not anymore"

Her response was simple but still softly toned. The words held a sense of confidence on the outside. One that shocked rose to break from her sobs. Lifting her head from trixie's coat. Looking her directly in the eyes. A level of closeness that felt odd for the two friends. Even so, all that rose saw was a warm but small smile. It didn't change her mind, not one bit. But beyond the water caught in her eyes. She at least saw that Trixie felt strongly about it. A conviction she hasn't seen in her for a long time. It was fascinating to her, she was frozen in it. However, trixie's voice quickly broke her pause.

"You know I'm straight… right?" trixie commented jokingly.

"Oh shut up!" Rose replied, chuckling for the first time in a while.

The off color joke lightened her melancholic mood. Breaking her deep gaze and embrace of trixie. Stumbling onto her hooves, allowing her friend to do the same. Rose was practically ready to move on, her attention drawn to the carriage. One particular question in mind.

"How did none of this wake him up?" Rose asked, annoyance covering her tone.

However, her voice was slightly tuning out for trixie. focus drawn to the blue stained piece of grass. That striking blue refused to leave her mind. It was out there, in pain, running away from something. The fear reflecting in its eyes, it truly concerned her. Where could that ursa have possibly come from? Before that thought process could go on any longer. A loud but deep yawn broke her from said thoughts. Directing her attention to the same palace rose's was.

Talce was finally starting to wake up. His lanky arms stretched high into the sky. Loud cracks following the outreach of his arms. Clicking his tongue after finishing his yawn. The girls gaze was so directed. He could practically feel the presence of it behind him. Immediately connecting it to something wrong. Fearing the consequence of paying them attention. He delayed turning back, if only for a few seconds. Internally, he sighed, not daring to make it audible. Finally deciding to face the two. Trixie seemed, well, her head seemed to be elsewhere. Not even that focused on him in the first place. Rose, however, her look struck the lanky dog right in his heart. A deep disappointment was worn on her face. Something that he's been used to seeing lately. That wasn't what truly affected him. It was the light shudders of her body, the freshy dried tears on her cheeks. Eyes redded, most likely due to said crying. She didn't need to say a word, his failure cut deep enough.

"Rose…"

Trixie's voice was soft but it immediately grabbed Rose's attention. Her head quickly whipped around to face the unicorn. Her expression slightly softened at her sight. Yet, she could help but slip a quick few glances at talce. Thoughts of what could have occurred rushed through her brain. Fueling her brewing disappointment and frustration at that dog. Wanting to desperately defuse her upset friend. She motioned her head towards the carriage. Hoping this would be enough to get the point across. For a moment, rose was frozen in thought. Pondering if she had anything to say to him. Quickly coming to the realization that none of it would have mattered. She ripped her half gaze away from the dog, letting out a tired sigh. Walking to the carriage and retreating inside of it.

This left Trixie to deal with the aftermath. A dejected and empty looking talce. Sitting in front of the carriage. Overlooking the mass cliffside, the bright white of the moon painting him. Her own small biases started to return. Thinking how odd a forlorn diamond dog looked. Quickly shaking that thought, she approached talce. The sound of her hoofsteps gaining the attention of the dog. He reacted slightly, his neck quickly craned to face her. However, as quickly as he turned, his gaze returned to its original place. Lacking the emotion to even let out a sigh. His look laid empty onto the endless plains. As trixie reached her goal, deciding to sit right next to him. She faced the emptiness looking directly at him. Relating to it a little more closely then wanting to admit. At first, she did nothing but face the same view he did. But before she could even speak, he beat her to it.

"I'm sorry… for not being able to…" his voice drifted, unable to put it all together.

"It's ok, seriously, not even you could take on an ursa" trixie replied, replying to his sentiment.

"I'm supposed to, us dogs are meant to be trained hunters" he replied with an immediate clarity.

"Really, I thought you were just gem hoarders?" Trixie asked honestly.

"Well, for the most part. But no treasure is earned without some conflict" He replied with a slight chuckle.

"Don't tell me.." before trixie could even finish the thought.

"There are worse things to fight then a pony, i promise you" talce clarified.

"Phew!, just had to make sure.."

"If it makes you feel any better, i never had to nerve to hurt a fly"

"Nerve, are you implying some kind of weakness?"

"My dad thought so, bringing shame to my clan…"

And just like that, the mood of the conversation dropped once more. Trixie was close to celebrating the success of lightening it. Although, this dip felt understandable. Living as an outsider from her own kind. Due to her own actions but still, it hurt all the same.

"When trouble came, the bigger guys did all the fighting, i secured the gems"

His tone was dismissive of such an important role, focused on what most would consider bravery. Going toe to toe with beasts and coming out un-scavered Yet she could already tell the importance of what he did. Remembering what could have potentially been forgetting. Something that she was all but ready to point out to him.

"Well, what's a diamond dog without a diamond huh?" Trixie replied in a joking tone.

"It was an excuse, nothing more nothing less" Talce was quick to reflect any positivity thrown at him.

"I call that smart thinking, prioritizing what matters"

"I call it cowardice, the same that could have got you two killed!"

"Or we all would have shared the same fate, now drop it!"

Matching his intensity, talce couldn't help but stand down. Not really sure why she was so adamant on defending him. Was she trying to swallow her fear and comfort him? Resenting him in the quiet, already tired of his whining. Any but to admit that she was legitimately sticking up for him. The silence after that outburst allowed him to think this way. Waiting for the unicorn to come up with some response. A heavy sigh broke this small period of silence. You could practically see the air travel up and leave her body. Talking to him seemingly being a stressful ordeal. Something he was quite capable of understanding.

"Sorry… it just sucks you know?"

Her voice softened, apologetic in tone. The switch took the dog off guard. The statement felt more like a question of relation. Her inquiry was genuine. Her relaxed body language hid an anxious energy. One only her eyes were capable of expressing. Wide but slightly darting from him to the ground.

"Sucks?" He replied, simplifying her sentiment to ask for clarification.

"Living up to standards, ponies, dogs, all of it" She replied, her thoughts more clear.

"What's your impossible standard?" Talce replied in a sarcastic tone.

"Being a good mare, whatever that means" She replied in a slightly dejected tone.

"So as far from yourself as possible, if you relate to me" He replied, a sardonic bent to his words.

"More a past version but you're on the right track" Trixie replied with a slight chuckle.

That chuckle felt as if it held an echo. Creating a small but meaningful silence between the two. Looking out onto the vast horizon in front of them. The moon was slowly falling into the clouds. The once bright and white light sleeping away. Sign that daybreak was soon to occur. To trixie, it was quite a peaceful sight for the mare. However, talce didn't feel the same at all. Trixie could tell based on the silence breaking tapping of his clawed foot. Before she could even ask for the source of this anxiety. Talce provided the answer for her.

"We're running out of time…" He said, voice slightly shaky.

"Something to do with the heist?" trixie asked, regretfully seeming to play dumb.

"Look out towards the horizon, do you see a campfire?" Talce asked, his boney finger pointing out.

Trixie's gaze followed the direction of his finger. Looking for the fire he was referencing. It didn't take long for her to spot the flame. A small gathering of tents peppered around it. It was the best she could make out at the current distance. Seeming to be a little closer to their goal then she expected. She quickly nodded in response to his question.

"When that fire dies, our clan moves camp, losing out only shot" Talce finished, a sense of urgency in his voice.

"Alright then, we should get moving then" Trixie replied, a yawn escaping at the end of her sentence.

Talce nodded in agreement and lifted himself from the ground. Securing himself to the harness. Securing the belt, a nice click affirming his efforts. Swaying his neck side to side, an audible crack following each movement. Once his preparation was complete, trixie made her move. Lifting herself and making her way back inside the carriage. As she was closing in on the sheer curtains of the vehicle. Her gaze drifted towards the dog, still looking slightly forlorn. Better then before but still carrying conflict. She stopped in place, having one last thing to say.

"Hey, this whole heist, what's the risk for you?" Trixie asked, catching him by surprise.

"Uh… banishment from my clan but that's the least of my problems…" He replied, not really needing the reminder of risk.

"So, why then, all that risk, for what?" trixie asked genuinely.

"Cause it's not right, stealing from an older mare or any pony" Talce responded with a sense of confidence. His principles are the most clear in his mind.

"You're not a good dog or pony, you're just good in general, take pride in that" Trixie replied, leaving him with that before retreating into the carriage.

Before talce entered his process of lifting it. He took a second to sit with that statement. Being good in general, what does that mean to him? Could he potentially separate himself from all expectations? Even if he wasn't confident in the idea now. He'd at least give it an honest shot. He lightly nodded to himself before lifting the carriage. A rougher breeze then usual hit his thin fur. The scent of the air became much more earthy. A smell he usually connected with oncoming rain.

"A storm?... could be useful.." Talce thought to himself before carrying on with the journey.

Outside of diamond dog camp

The once subtle wind change became much more pronounced. The fabric of the curtains violently rustled. The sound made it impossible to sleep for both mares. Restless, eyes fixated on the ceiling. Rose was unable to talk for a while. Her focus was mostly directed towards the oncoming mission. Or perhaps that was an excuse to avoid addressing their biggest problem. Rose spared a quick glance at her friend, darting back to the ceiling before she could catch her. The distance and silence was only broken by howling winds. Making the descent towards camp take a little more time.

Rose was slightly more patient with the dog. Not envying his current position at all. Not only trying to operate during this weather. But risking his entire livelihood for this mission. Allowing her to walk towards the path of forgiving him for being asleep during the ursa encounter. As soon as that thought popped into her head. The carriage stopped moving. Without even having to look out the curtain, she knew they arrived. Trixie noticed the pause in movement as well. But before she could move towards the curtain, Rose nudged her. Immediately receiving the hint, she became frozen in place.

"Woah dude, now this is impressive!"

A mysterious but excited voice muffled through the carriage. They were officially going through a check in process. Something that rose was quite prepared for. Both of them paid close attention to the exchange. Success determines the reality of actually pulling something like this off.

"Any gems inside, otherwise, totally worthless" the dog's excitement immediately leveled towards neutral tone.

"Nah, but i wouldn't say it's totally worthle…" before talce could finish, the other dog interjected.

"You've been out for days and this is all you bring" A light chuckle escaped the stranger.

"And how are you supposed to be the judge of that?" talce asked, replacing his nerves for a tone of indifference.

"It's literally my job, what's your job, sitting back and watching us do all the hard work!"

The guard's voice quickly became tense and confrontational. Worrying rose, not knowing if talce could respond to it. For a second, it seemed to be the case. A lack of response from either side didn't provide confidence for the mares. However, after what sounded like a deep sigh on talce's end. He finally responded, starting with a base in his voice neither of them expected.

"My job is to make sure none of you miss the most obvious things, like the 20 rhinestones boss had to recover last week…" Talce started, getting the guard to snarl.

"I counted, cause someone has to, while you were busy fighting a timberwolf you irritated in the first place.." before talce could finish his cocky victory lap, the guard had to interrupt.

"You snot nosed…" however, talce quickly regained control from the brute.

"No, you listen, maybe boss, oh wait, you call him that, i call him father, should he have a word with you about my worth?" Talce asked, confident attitude unwavering.

There was deep silence between the two. Rose wasn't a fan of the overplay of his hand. Trixe, however, wanted to scream in utter pride. Something that her friend had to prevent with a hoof over her mouth. Desperately hiding from the sheet curtain, attached to the carriag wall next to it. The silence was utterly horrifying to the candy colored mare. She wasn't quite ready to get ripped apart by a group of diamond dogs. Then, in a miracle of all miracles, the guard responded.

"Ugh… whatever, just place it in the back daddy's dog!" he replied in utter frustration and defeat.

"Thank you" Talce huffed, holding in his confident demeanor.

With a small hitch, they made it past the checkpoint. Talce wheeling away towards the junk pile they call the treasure hoard. Located behind a massive tent housing their much feared leader. A massive campfire, loud snapping logs dominating the soundscape. Being the main centerpiece of the camp. A group of small logs, peppered but organized behind the fire. Enough to seat a small camp of 30. Not cramping what was actually a pretty large camping area. Various tents peppered the area dogs called home. But none dare approach anywhere near the boss's tent. Symbolic of his stranglehold of the area.

The girls were remarkably still, hearing all the voices circling around the carriage. The scraggly and deep voices of his clan are quite distinct. Making the light differences that talce held more distinct. Both were quite proud and excited for the dog. But Rose seemed more puzzled about where something like that could come from. Happy he stood up but confused at where the legs came from. Trixie did not share that same surprise. Her grin was ear to ear, almost like taking pride in a school project. It put the mare off, enough where she had to comment on it.

"Where did that backbone come from?" Rose whispered to her close friend.

"Me and him talked earlier, so proud of him!" a quiet but passionate whisper came in response to her.

"Oh… really…" Rose replied, hushed but audible disappointment in her tone.

Once she heard that shift in tone, trixie knew exactly what that was. She experienced it, she's felt it once before. And it made her wanna laugh like crazy. She might be able to help talce with two different wins today. Well, if both she and him play their cards correctly. Well, it's more up to him then her but now her thoughts are getting messy. The carriage soon came to a full stop. Both mares were unsure whether to move. Voices were dulled but they would only move at the word of talce. The silence was broken by pawsteps. A lanky shadow passed through the carriage wall. Still, unsure whether to trust it, their bodies refused to move.

"Are you sure this is gonna take him down?" a mysterious voice asked.

"I wouldn't put you at risk for a maybe" A voice clearly connected to talce responded.

"I… I know, what about the ponies, do you trust them?" The stranger asked.

"With my life" he replied, not a stutter in his voice.

When both of them heard that, they shared a different reaction. Trixie was neutral but relieved. They just met yesterday, so nothing but a small gratitude was necessary. Rose's reaction was quite different. First, for a red colored mare, a wild blush grew on her cheeks. One that her friend noticed quite quickly. Desperately holding in a filly like giggle. However, those flustered emotions quickly turned to something different. Guilt started flushing through her. Throughout all the yelling and frustration. Even during the planning phase of the mission. Even with talce risking his entire way of life for it. Still held that amount of trust in her. It could make a lady cry, an emotion she thought was long abandoned. She quickly shook those regents away, not wanting them to distract her. This was the endgame, her mind needed to be clear. Apologies could be issued at a later time.

"Never heard you that sure in your life… alright then, coast is clear ponies!" The stranger exclaimed.

"Jeez!, try and be a little more quiet" Talce replied in anxious frustration.

"Sorry bro…" the once boisterous voice lowered to a timid squeak.

With coasts being officially cleared, it was finally time for action. Atleast, that's what was on Trixie's mind. The simple announcement of action made her current space confining. Most of it was excitement, small part nerves. Having to quickly fight those nagging nerves in real time. All they could possibly do was slow her down. locking her mental state together, she focused on the excitement. Pulling off a heist, exploring a location she's never been to before. Taking a deep breath, a mass exhaust of air left her mouth. Said air gained the attention of her candy colored friend. Responding with a light chuckle, grounding rose in the current moment.

"You ready lulamoon?" Rose asked, a cocky grin plastered on her face.

"As i'll ever be" Trixie replied, short and straight to the point.

Even with safety being assured by the two dogs. Both mares moved with caution and diligence. Slowly detaching themselves from the cherry wood of the carriage wall. passing through the sheer curtain at the same careful pace. Feeling each fiber of the curtain grazing their coats. covering their faces for only a second. Yet, it still didn;t prepare them for the bright, multicolor sheen that would harshly greet them. Needing a moment to adjust to the assault of bright colors. Both mares used a spare hoof to rub their slightly irritated eyes. With a couple blinks, they were able to finally process what was around them.

The blurry bright shapes became various piles. filled with gems, coins, diamonds or anything remotely shiny. They were not color coded or even type organized. But at least placed in sequential but small piles. With the carriage being smack dab in the middle of it. The space was rather small and simplistic. A black tarp covering the area, allowing the color of the treasure to pop. The space was obviously starting to cramp. Truly it was nothing special but it was the shine. That shine could activate any ponies foal like wonder. For a collector like Rose, she needed a moment to take it in.

"wow…" Rose uttered aloud, a wondrous joy in her voice.

This entire trip was a rather stressful endeavor. Never really feeling like she had a true moment of respite. Her dreams were racked with fears and stress. Worsening ever since they encounter that ursa. Moments of levity occurred but it was barely enough to relieve her stress. But in this one oddly picked place, she found her peace. Trixie found it quite rare to see her this way. Always holding a cynical guard whenever they talked. However, for talce, this is the mare he knew. The mare he snuck out to help during late nights. The mare he's currently risking his family status for. The mare he truly and utterly fell for. Seeing her engaged this way was blissful for him. To an almost distracting degree.

"Pretty impressive, huh?" His less tactful brother asked.

"Yeah, I hate to admit it but… yeah" She replied, her wonder unbreaking.

His brother loved to brag. The hard work he managed to put into the pile meant something to him. Honestly earned without taking a dime from a pony. That didn't matter to talce though. His current mental state blinded him from that truth. The comment shook him out of his wonder for the mare. Quickly turning to worry. Worry that what he considered a corrupting force would come for her too.

Talce didn't need to say anything about this. His brother could tell simply by the discomfort he was trying to hide. A low but noticeable snort passed by his ears. The dog desperately wanted to say something to him. But now wasn't the time. Everyone needed to be a united front. Whether his brother was sure or not.

"Alright, let's get down to business then!" Talce stated in a jovial tone. Quickly shaking his discomfort l.

"Right then… Everyone huddle up!" Rose said in a low but passionate tone.

The group followed her command. Creating a tight square. Talce and his brother on the front end of the shape. Rose and Trixie inhibited the back end. It wasn't tactically necessary to do such a thing. Rose just felt more confident knowing she had a team. Feeling honestly shaky at the moment. Surprised they managed to get this far. She needed a second to breathe, just one. Maybe two, ok, the time was quickly adding up.

She knew the plan, it was burned into her brain at this point. Yet, the words were struggling to come out. Then, almost like she was reading the fear in her silence. She felt a soft coat brush against her side. It could only be trixie. Offering a supportive smile and nod. Her head tilted towards the direction of the group. The support gave her a feeling of warmth. One that melted away her creeping fear. Allowing to finally speak up to the awaiting group.

"Ok, we're splitting this whole operation into two…" Rose started, not a single shake being present in her voice.

"Talce and I will head for his father's camp, Trixie and…" Rose was stunned for a quick second. realizing she didn;t have a name for the talce's brother.

"Rubble, the name's rubble" His brother stated, jovial to put his name out there.

"Rubble… really?" Rose asked, the silliness of the name throwing her off.

"I know… been meaning to change it…" Rubble replied with a tone of embarrassment.

"Come on bro, it's not that ba…" Talce tried to cheer up his brother, derailing Rose's train of thought a little more.

"Ok… shoot!, where was I at?" Rose asked aloud, fully losing that train.

"Something about the role I'm gonna end up playing in this" Trixie stated, adding a light chuckle in amusement of her clumsy friend.

"Right!, SImply put, You'll be on carriage watch duty with rubble" Rose quickly regained her thoughts. quickly answering trixie's inquiry.

"Carriage watch? So I'm just gonna be here the entire time?" Trixie asked, a slight whine in her voice. Obviously disappointed in her role.

"I wanna keep you safe, plus, the role is more important then you think, '' Rose replied, attempting to reassure Trixie about the necessity of her role.

Trixie was silent on her reasoning, hating the idea of being inactive. needing protection was another wild one as well. But if she couldn't even take on a wild fashion designer. There may be a valid point on her end. She rolled her eyes in annoyance but quickly recentered them towards her friend. A silent nod was the only response she could muster for the mare.

"Good, with that… looks like we're ready to go" Rose responded matter of factly.

As they were disbanding the felt a rougher paw rustling through her mane. It wasn't a pleasant feeling but it didn't cause any harm either. She looked above her to see the new dog she was paired with. His features were more rugged then his brother's. A squared off jaw was the first thing she noticed. A jet black goatee hanging off the end of his chin. A light fuzz was present under his lip, some would attempt to call it a mustache. That jet black color was matched by his eyes, which did complement him well. Finally and surprisingly the last thing she noticed was a scar. A dried red slash starting on the bottom of his eye and ending at the bottom of his left cheek. She was curious but it was best she left that curiosity unfulfilled.

"Guess we both ended up as leftovers huh?" Rubble asked with a rough chuckle.

"You could say that again… but don't, it'll break my heart" Trixie replied with her own snark. humoring his attempt at an icebreaker. Both breaking into a small fit of laughter. Walking towards the carriage.

Rose and Talce were watching from a distance. Delighted that they managed to get along so quickly. Especially rose, admittable harboring guilt over sticking her with a boring job. Talce let her bask in the moment for a while. Ok with just watching from that same distance. But seeing his brother happy like that. It comforted him, hoping all of them could be happy. Basking in a new life, no longer diamond dogs. But maybe even that was a small fantasy. An excuse but dwelling on that would distract him from what he had to do.

As those thoughts were swirling in his mind. A harsh wind, crashing against the tarp of the tent. Quickly broke him from his drifting mind. Feeling like a timer has officially been set by the duo. Not by themselves but nature itself.

"We gotta go rose, once the fire goes out…" Talce was gonna start but just before he could finish...

"I know, I know!" Rose interjected, cutting the dog's worries off.

With that, the both of them walked out the tent. Slightly fighting the harsher winds. Hoping they would at least calm slightly the closer they were to his father's tent. But that wind would be the least of their worries. The sky was turning a messy gray. Not a single cloud was present in the sky. Even if the winds were going to stop. A torrential rain was going to soon follow. Complicating the matters ever more.

Diamond dog camp: Mere feet away from Grahpite's tent

The trip to the tent was a mostly silent one. Slinking through the multiple torches placed in front of the tents. Careful not to be seen in the light or cast shadows from it. Sometimes it was hard not to be tempted by the bright and warm hue. With the winds ramping up in their speed. The temperature dropped along with it. Rose's coat barely protected her from that chill. Neither did talce, all that hard skin and it held no use. That fact made him laugh internally with each shudder he made. There were a couple close calls. Dogs who never cared about him before, came to him impressed. Word of him standing up the entrance guard was spreading fast. Turns out, he didn't have a fair share of fans.

Rose always managed to hide whenever a fan was threatening to approach. She wanted to cheer him on for gaining their respect. But she wasn't even sure if that was what he would have wanted. Looking slightly discomforted, even annoyed at the praise. Something that she planned on asking him about at a later time. Because after all that, they were finally facing the tent.

The place was imposing. Probably on purpose but still, a fact is a fact. It was the tallest tent in the entire camp. If you scouted this place from a fat, it'd be the first location you'd see. The tarp was colored a deep, blood-like red. A black, non transparent tarp acting as a door. locking out any sense of natural light. Anything like that would come from the spotted orange hue barely visible through the tarp

"Isn't that a fire.." Before Rose could even ask the question…

"Do you know exactly how many times I've told that dog the same thing" Talce interjected with a light chuckle.

For the first time during the entire walk through the camp. Talce spoke to her, hell, even told a joke. Slightly taking the mare off guard. She could picture the talks he had in her head. Finding humor in his statement but still reeling from the surprise she felt. Talce, not really expecting to even say anything. Treating his light trial with humor as an accident. The slight smile that formed from his laughter quickly lowered. Closing his eyes tight and letting out a calming sigh. Opening them to see the same gaudy red tent he called home. Facing him for what he intended to be the very last time.

"Are you ok?" Rose asked, harboring concern for the dog.

"i.. i'll be fine, after this is all over" He replied, his statement frank and grave in tone.

She desperately wanted to push the issue but there was no time. They had their opportunity to slip in. Talce moved towards the entrance first. Peaking his left ear through the black tarp. Checking if any of his clanmates were there. Never such a thing as being too careful for him. This is his father's big night, it wouldn't be a reach for him to be talking to anyone. Fortunately, they managed to luck out. All he could hear was his father's breathy whistle. Attempting to be on tune but never managing it. He couldn't help but feel a small bit of nostalgia. Warm summer nights, being lulled to sleep by roughly put together tunes.

"Alright, when we pass through the entrance, on your right should be my room…" Talce started to explain. But while that was being delivered, something stuck out to her.

"Wait… you sleep here?" Rose asked via interjection. Keeping her speaking volume low but maintaining an intense tone of surprise.

"Technically… but that's not the point, what's more important is why i pointed it out…" Talce both half answered the question and attempted to regain conversational dominance.

"I hide there, you deal with papa… right?" Rose asked in a heavily sarcastic tone.

"Ugh, whatever, come on!" Talce replied, not willing to admit how right she was, validating the smarmy tone she took.

Rose adored her ability to push those buttons. Harboring a light smirk formed by stifled chuckles. She followed the dog through the black taro. shutting her eyes to protect them from the thick form of cloth. Roughly transitioning her from the dark, windy and moody outdoors. To the bright, gaudy nature of the tent. She should have at least expected something close to this. But even then, it still fell way below her expectations .

That same blood red colored the inside of the tent. From the walls, to even the felt carpet beneath them. It should have felt at least decent but the material was massively worn. Dirt muddled what should have been bright red. Said dirt also gave the carpet rough texture. Her hooves felt like they were on top of the felt rather then melting into it. The tent was split into two distinct sections. On the right, a small cylinder walkway leads to a circular room. Small would be an understatement. Unable to even see what's inside due to a barely lit lantern. The carpet below them was a straight line to the main room. The rest of the tent was unpaved, pure green grass. Giving the feeling his son's room was bolted on. Even the main room the carpet was leading to had another black tarp entrance. A father and son, living in the same tent. Yet his father was the only one that held that barrier. Talce's little room had no such door. It was completely open, accessible to anyone.

"Ok, I hate to do this to you, but you're gonna be fumbling in the dark for a minute" Talce stated in a hushed tone.

"I'm not a foal, i can handle the dark, besides, doesn't seem like there's a lot to bump into" Rose replied, matching his hushed energy but throwing back a level of sarcasm.

"Ok smart mare, there should be a small cot on the floor, left corner of the room, out of sight if anyone passes by" Talce replied, a small chuckle managed to break out after his response.

"Talce…" Rose's tone was low but he managed to hear the call.

"Yeah" A simple but effective response to her call of attention.

She didn't even know why his name left her mouth. Or why a heavy level of concern dripped from her tone. But hearing that chuckle, his small but present smile. Seemingly breaking from the amount of conflict he was internally dealing with. Something told her, he needed someone, anyone to ease a fraction of that pain. They weren't far apart, but there was a small gap between them. Side by side, even still she closed that small gap. Bumping him with her body, getting him to face her. Talce was always taller, looking down on her. Physically, that's the case but emotionally never. Whenever she looked into his black eyes. A sense of vulnerability radiated from them.

"Don't lose your head in there, ok?" Rose said, not breaking contact for a second.

"Course not, who do you think i am, now get to that cot" He replied, flashing a weak grin.

She had to simply accept that fact. It's exactly what she intended on doing. So then, why was she still standing there? Also, why was talce the same amount of frozen? What was compelling them to stay there. Time was not a luxury for them. So, in a very impulsive move, mostly due to her height disadvantage. She reached out and gave him a small peck on the neck. Immediately flustering the poor dog.

"wha… what was…!"

Before talce could even stumble together a response to what occurred. The spot next to him that once inhabited a mare was now empty. Barely catching the mare dash into his room. An insane amount of questions were swirling inside his head. But he had a job to do, no time to reflect on his feelings for the mare. As he was walking towards his dad's black entrance. He placed his paw where a pair of lips previously resided. The redness was taking over his cheeks again.

"They were… surprisingly soft…"

The thought quickly drifted in and just as quickly left.

Meanwhile: Camp treasure tent

The tent was filled with bright laughter. Barely beating out the snapping winds attacking the tent. The two managed to get along pretty well. Swapping stories with each other. Trixie found out this held a lot of nostalgia for her time on the road. She had tons and tons of these stories. Of course she cherry picked, she had to look good. But still, telling these stories was a semi healing process. Reminding her that not all of her magician's career was filled with mistakes. Rubble ended up quite impressed with her exploits. Even showing interest in seeing her perform. Once again, this warmed his heart.

Then there's rubble, an interesting case for her. Whatever story he told, it mostly ended up being about his brother. Disregarding or even minimizing his part in it. They were connected by the hip it seemed. The mare was able to pick up on some of his personality. His sense of humor was goofy, stupid puns and such. Surprising, based on the stories he told of his exploits. He was a hard worker and adept at defending himself. Judging by the story of how he and his brother took on a group of timberwolves. While reassuring talce was the brains of the operation. He ended up admitting to ripping apart those wolves when the herd was thinned out. To engage in that level of violence and still find a simple flank joke is the funniest thing in the world. It held its charm and he wasn't even immune to such immaturity. There was still one thing missing in her assessment.

His true feelings on talce's plan. His mindframe about being a diamond dog. Judging by his tone and look. Talce hated what he was and is ready to burn it down. Yet, rubble didn't seem to hold that same hatred. Honestly, this was more of a guess on her end. His excitement when asking about the shine of the gems earlier. There was current lull between conversation. Rubble was admittedly transfixed by the rustling tarp. Smaller waves swinging and swaying with the kick of the wind. Now was definitely the time for her to talk.

"Hey, what do you even think about this whole plan?" Trixie asked quite bluntly.

"Oh…" Was the word he was stuck on.

Taken by surprise was his first response. The question jolted him out of his current activity. If you really wanna call watching a tarp an activity. But after that came the pause, pondering his answer. Burying how he felt in order to be more effective. He couldn't keep a mare waiting for this long. He thought maybe he'd start with something simple.

"I trust my brother's judgment" He replied, simply with a jovial tone. Hoping it'd be enough to suffice.

"Not exactly what I meant" Trixie replied, pushing for something a little more specific.

"What else is there to say?" Rubble replied, acting puzzle but admittedly aware of her point.

"Maybe what the consequence of this all means to you?" Trixie asked, her tone a bit more stark then earlier.

"I… I trust.." Rubble couldn't even finish his sentence before…

"Enough about your brother, what about you?" Trixie interjected quite harshly.

"I… I don't have much.." Rubble was trying his best to quickly build his defensive walls.

"Horse manure!" Trixie exclaimed, roughly breaking through his wall.

The ferocity of the interjection even surprised trixie. Feeling a slight bit of guilt for how she came off. But the more he dismissed himself, the heavier that frustration grew. Rubble didn't mind the language or slight ferocity. It was a shock to his system. A successful break into his barrier. Trixie couldn't even face the dog. Letting the quiet allow her to silently reflect on her tone. Why did it matter so much to her?

Before she could ponder it for too long. She felt a raged paw ruffle her hair. Claws getting entangled in her hair. Small strands snapping at each lift of the paw. Her body recoils the smallest bit after every snap. Her head turned to face the dog. Harboring a shaky smile, discomfort still present inside him.

"Sorry about…" Trixie started to apologize, forcing out the words, coming out stilted in tone.

"No.. your right, it was horse manure" Rubble interjected with a light chuckle.

She didn't expect the reaction he gave her. Unable to truly react to the tone he threw at her. She stayed quiet, hoping he'd have something to say. For a while, it didn't seem to be the case. The silence spoke louder then any words. He didn't really look at her when giving his reply. His gaze wasn't on the ground but it wasn't facing her. Looking straight ahead but not really focused on a particular thing. Distant, unfocused would be how she'd describe his current look. At least, externally that was the case. Mostly because everything rubble had was channeled inside his head. Thinking about what he could possibly even have to say. All he knew was nothing but honesty had to come from him. He let out a labored sigh, turning his eyes to the mare. FInally ready to speak his mind.

"Talce thinks… we're nothing but monsters" Rubble stated, his tone grave and detached.

"What makes you think that?" Trixie replied, her tone warm, ready to understand.

"He hates the fact that we steal from innocent ponies, same as me" Rubble plainly responded. Detachment still present in his tone.

"So what makes your point of view different then?" Trixie asked, genuinely puzzled by the problem.

"He thinks it's a poison that comes with being a part of this clan. i… I remember when things were different…" He replied, a level of emotion returning to his voice. Nostalgically fond of times long gone.

"We weren't petty thieves, we were hunters! Taking on the strong to gain our bounties!" Rubble exclaimed, a little too into the fantasy. A small bit of energy returned to him just thinking about that reality.

The quick bit of passion made the mare smile. It made sense to her, reminding her of stagecraft. unsatisfied with a simple party trick. Always looking to grow her craft, looking for greater challenges. In that, their minds held a similar definition of fun.

"Can definitely relate to that" Trixie replied, her mind wistful of her own days of old.

"You've hunted before?" Rubble asked, curious as to her meaning.

"Nah, believe it or not, stage magic gives me the same feeling" Trixie replied with a light chuckle. humored at the idea of her hunting anything.

"Unless you fight mighty beasts on stage, how so?" Rubble asked, his curiosity genuine. Focused locked directly onto her.

"Well… like all things, magic is a skill. Painting skies in neon or creating mini firework shows. It all takes effort. Now, audiences can be satisfied with the same thing. The bits roll in and I can rest on the same old trick. But, I never wanted to just make ponies content. I wanted to amaze them, show them something they've never seen before. Earn my right to be cocky, ya know?"

Trixie finished her breathless explanation. Passion dripped from each word she spoke about the matter. It was heartening and even inspiring to the dog. However, as he tried to soak in the same level of joy for his craft. A harsh reality started gnawing at him. Subtly but slowly his bright demonor lowered slightly.

"At this point, all we are is a souped up gang. no matter how many dogs agree with me. damage is damage, no matter what i do, it's all he'll see" Rubble replied. Reality fully shook him from his dream.

Hearing this from him felt like a mirror. Reflecting her own conflict at the moment. Making it impossible to give him a strong set of advice. With nothing to say, silence was all she ended up offering. Unable to even rely on a calm wind. Loud and thrashing at the tarp. The oncoming storm was growing closer and closer. No matter what happened today, the weather will still grow ugly. Skies will still darken and the rain will always follow with it.

She turned to rubble and noticed something. While she was always scared of the rain. Bothered by the thunder. A light shudder during each and every thunderous boom. He was quiet, still, almost like it calmed him. She noticed the same thing when he watched the tarp snap and move.

"This doesn't bother you?" Trixie asked, desperate to distract from the raging winds.

"Nah, never has, it used to though" Rubble stated, humored at the grown mare fearful of a tough wind.

"Still makes me uncomfy, I used to scream like a filly during my teen years" Trixie replied, chuckling at the silliness of that reality.

"I would have loved to see that," Rubble replied, chuckling right alongside her.

"Seeing one tree fall was enough to get me dashing to the nearest shelter" Trixie replied, a light smile plastered on her face.

"Wanna know a trick that keeps me grounded?" Rubble asked the mare, getting a nod in response to the question.

"You can't control the weather, the ponies in the sky do that. But you can choose your response." Rubble replied, acting as if he was some kind of wise sage.

"But what if it's wrong?" She asked, her greatest fear in it all.

"You can't see after the storm, you're in it. Better then just letting it take you…" Rubble said, passive in his tone.

Yet, when those words left his mouth. It's almost like both of then saw something in it. At first, they're gaze was still in space. Unfocused, thinking about the nature of the sentiment. Connecting it to a fraction of their lives. Trixie remembered what she said to her friend. Needing to live her life, do what she loves. No matter what her friend feels about it. Rubble couldn't put together his problems in the same exact way. But the contemplation was just as strong on his end. It was all up to who'd speak first. The quiet ended up being broken by trixie. Still staring straight out but still having something to say.

"We're in a storm rubble, we gotta stop whining about it and do something already!" Trixie stated, cutting straight to the point.

"Great minds think alike," Rubble replied, immediately following her.

Those words were the bolt of inspiration needed. The two, once sitting alongside the side of the carriage. Stood up for the first time their entire experience together. Trixie had a bit of a small struggle. Her hooves falling asleep for being on the ground for so long. Her flank felt a lot weighter then she liked it. Each limb woke up slowly, helping her carry that weight up. Fully boosting up by the 4th limb waking up.

"Ok then, what exactly are we doing?" Rubble asked, realizing that inspiration might have come without a plan.

"Good point… let's look at what you wanna do" Trixie stated, puzzling the dog.

"Huh? what's that even mean at this point?" Rubble asked, the bewilderment clear in his tone.

"I have a feeling you wanna stay, so what does that mean for you?" She asked in response to his question.

"I… I want my old clan back, nothing more. I love my brothers but I hate what were doing" Rubble answered simply.

It was reliving to finally voice a sentiment long in the making. Talking to his brother felt like a no go. He gave up on the clan's improvement a long time ago. Or, he didn't care either way, a distinction without a difference in rubble's mind. Voicing it aloud to his fellow brothers, no matter how loyal, was risky. It took only one vocal member for a statement like that to reach a superior. After that, celestia knows what his father would do. Question is, what could he possibly do with this truthful expression?

"No more stealing, conflict with ponies, done deal, right?" Trixie added, making sure she wasn't co signing troublesome behavior.

"Of course, not, unless you pick a fight, which literally never happens" Rubble answered, his reply quick and certain.

The answer was reasonable and enough to plan action on. Her brain was running like a wildfire. Taking to account what she observed about diamond dog behavior. Status driven, prideful, warrior like in their initial creed. As she was locked in her thoughts. Visual focus drifted towards the shine around them. A massive pile, rare and colorful. Just one harbors a rare and life changing amount of bits for a sale. But that fact didn't matter to the clan. Most of this is viewed as a simple treasure. Kept in a tent, more like a measuring stick of achievement.

Pride… that word refused to leave her head. Mostly aesthetic but that virtue meant everything. No matter what the clan was doing or did before. Weakness breaks that simple virtue. In combat or more specifically in leadership. Another word, leadership, the pieces were slowly starting to connect. Then, just like that, Trixie had a pitch. A risky but if done correctly, could be very effective in both their goals.

"Last question, if given the opportunity, would you lead this clan?" Trixie asked, praying for the answer she desperately wants.

"I would do anything for the chance" Rubble replied, the answer playing directly into Trixie's hand.

"Then get ready, you and I are about to put on a show" Trixie replied, a wicked smirk plastered on her face.

Rubble was admittedly unsettled by the expression. But it also showed confidence in whatever scheme she created. For some reason, it allowed him to trust her. Sharing a nod of confirmation with her. Prepared for whatever wild ride they're about to embark on. Just as their plan was kicking into a gear. The weather followed suit. Drops of rain started to fall with a higher level of intensity. Assisted by the thrashing of higher winds. A threat to what should be an easy escape.

Returning to: Graphite's tent

Talce hasn't made contact with his father in awhile. Distant would be the best way to describe their relationship. A passing glance, hello and goodbye, that's all it amounted to. So, when passing that black curtain, seeing his father felt surreal. More surreal was viewing the state of his personal quarters.

The edges of the tent were covered in a sparkly blue garland. Hung scrappily by what looked to be thumbtacks. An idiot choice to make for a tent but that's a small thing. On the left side was a very professionally made oak bed. King sized, wood carvings on the side bearing the tales of some legendary pony. Talce wasn't really focused enough to ponder what tale it was telling. The mattress looked soft, white as pure winter's snow. While everyone else had to make due with hay piles or even the floor. His father was allowed to sleep like the royalty he felt like. Mere feet away, directly in front of the dog. Was another well crafted three stacks high dresser. A medium sized portable mirror placed on top of it. Three dressers, and he's never seen him wear anything but a red waistcoat. Talce assumed that might be a good place for rose to search. Or maybe, in the very right edge of the area. A large chest, a combination lock holding it together. Looking at it, he might need a second to guess it. That information would not be something he'd just tell him.

Talce finished his scan of the room. Unwilling to admit it was all a ruse to buy time. Time that he didn't have to be messing around with. He focused his gaze on the figure in bed. Tall, a bit bulkier then most dogs in the camp. His beard was well trimmed, a perfect square design. A dark black colored the hair on his face. Not a single stubble could be seen from Talce's distance. Grooming was never his problem, even when they were younger. His sense of fashion, now that could be a bit negotiable. A hacked together pair of brown lounge pants was the only thing attached to him. Literally looking like he fished them from the garbage. Without a shirt to match, he looked like a fancy homeless dog. Laid out on a bed that was stolen to begin with.

He looked at this dog, this seemingly goofy dog. Whistling off tune with his eyes closed. Lost in whatever world was behind his eyelids. This creature was the bane of talce's existence. Yet, no matter how much he tried to repeat this mantra. That damn whistle, ported him back to a lighter childhood. He hated it, complicating what should be simple to him. Shaking his head violently, refocusing himself on what needed to be done. Talce took his first step away from the entrance. Not caring to sneak, it wasn't the point of this at all. Each step drawing him closer and closer to the dog's bed. His steps couldn't be loud, grass doesn't work that way. But, soon as he drew closer to the bed frame. His father's eyes shot open. A slight redness coating them, sign of nightly irritation.

"t..talce?" He asked aloud, rubbing his eyes, disbelief ridden in his voice.

"Hey… dad" Talce responded, the disgust of that being case clear in his tone.

"Whaddya want kid" Graphite replied, deciding to match his son's tone.

What did he want? He needs some type of reason in order for this to make sense. Their commonalities at this age were short. Asking him for anything was completely out of the picture. There was nothing the old dog could give him. The silence was speaking more then he ever could. Graphite was used to it at this point. It was either silence or the casual insult when it came to him. In his mind, undeservingly so, but still. It bothered him, not having his son on the same page. Either way, he was tired of the silence. Something quickly came to mind, gossip spreading in the camp. Hopefully it was enough to break the ice.

"So I heard you showed up the entrance guard," Graphite stated, hoping for a clarification from his son.

"Ugh, I shouldn't be surprised you heard about that," Talce replied, rubbing his arm in discomfort.

"Didn't it feel great though?" Graphite asked, a wry smirk on his face.

"I.. I guess it did" Talce tried to hide but was unable to deny the truth.

"Next time, you'll be the one they fear," Graphite replied with a light laugh, holding that same smirk.

He said the right thing, he had to. His father encouraged him in the same way. Yet, his son still looked guarded around him. It frustrated him, not like he wasn't trying to connect. Talking with rubble was way easier. Less of a headache for the old dog. Didn't need to teach him anything about being a diamond dog. They didn't talk much but nothing made him assume they were not ok. As his thoughts were drifting away from the current conversation. His son finally had something to add to his comment.

"I...i don't want to be feared" Talce's voice was shaky but his statement quickly became clear.

"There's nothing wrong with being feared son" Graphite replied, half hearted but confused at his son's sentiment.

"Respect is what i'm after, a bit better then fear…" Talce replied, distant in tone.

Talce didn't even know why he was making the effort. The results always seemed the same. The conversation is repetitive. It's not even like he wanted to be anything like him. It felt wrong to not have a parent see you. That's the best he could come up with. The idea that truly made the most sense to him. He didn't seem to be winning that battle today. His father still held that confused look. Befuddled at the idea of this creature being his son. The look disturbed him, eye contact became impossible.

"And you think some fluffy ponies will ever respect you?" His father replied, a light chuckle following his response.

"I.. it's not about them.." Before he could finish his cobbled together response…

"They still run, cower, don't they…" Graphite quickly cut off his son's stutter.

It initially seemed like the same exact story. Droning on ponies and his weakness. Lack of real spine, be more like your brother. Reading his father was the easiest thing to time, this time felt different. His tone held something different to it. Like pain, it was buried, but still, it was very much present. He didn't know how to respond to it. Mostly because he didn't know where it came from. Graphite took the silence as confirmation. Allowing him to continue his current train of thought.

"And what, you think, if you're good enough, obedient enough, it'll change?" Graphite asked, a growing frustration at his voice.

Talce hated even opening himself up to that possibility. Yet, he couldn't deny the stray thought in his mind. Beating himself up for mistakes he made with rose. Reserving pockets of his personality to come off less scary. But was it wrong to care about how others viewed him? Is that worth the frustration being thrown at him? What's the alternative, pretending to be tough? He's not, he never truly was, never enjoyed it. As he was swimming through all of that. Another bout of silence was seen as more confirmation for his father.

"It's a waste of time, for ponies who'll never give you theirs... "

His father's words caught him off guard again. He trailed off in an odd way. Almost like he was drifting into a painful memory. Even what he said, it sounded like previous experience. It clashed with what was supposed to be a teaching moment. Talce couldn't help but be curious about that. Graphite wasn't looking at his son at first. Once he faced him, that curious expression was painted on his face. He didn't want that level of curiosity on him. Quickly shaking away from that memory. He let out a heavy sigh and continued like he felt nothing at all.

"Anyways, fear is a currency here, a lot easier to earn then respect" Graphite finished, hopefully burying his leaked emotion.

He couldn't argue with his father. Hating that his questions made him think. A click of the tongue was the only response his son could offer at the moment. The sound surprised his father. It implied something he said got through. Atleast, that's his hope. Would lessen the loop that becomes the conversations they have. As his father was ready to relish in this small victory. An actual response came from his son.

"Easier isn't always better…" Talce responded, his tone still passive.

"And better isn't always obtainable…" His father quickly retorted

Even though the response was unexpected. The dog was quick to fire off his own line of defense. Like he's heard that idea before. His entire life is haunted by the easy not being better. Whenever that line of thinking creeped by. He shook away from it violently and quickly. Lacking the time or patience to look backwards. Maybe he played his paw a little too hard. His mental state is a little too transparent. A silence was quick to follow after this response. Both dogs in their own line of thought.

Talce was taken by surprise with his answer. Was this his father admitting to yielding to the difficult? A hidden pressure that his son was now becoming aware of. For the first time in a while during their conversation. He glanced at his father, a small one but still. He saw a pose similar to his own a minute ago. Head down, lost in his own repetitive thoughts. For that moment, he saw… himself. Lost, always so lost in whatever was around him. No matter where he was or how he tried to fit in. He was always lost in the noise, the clashing tones and worlds. Sometimes, talce questioned if that conflict could ever end. Was his dismissal of the clan a symptom of fatigue. Fatigue of this endless fight with himself. It all circled back to him. The frustration at that fact made him clench his paw tightly.

His father looked towards talce. Seeing how tightly wound that paw was. He didn't know what to do. He was always at a loss with his son. How could he fix him when the parts broken were the same model as his. His only solution was to ignore it. But, if that happened, he'd end up as miserable as him. Miserable? Why, why did that word pop up in his head? He's the leader of a clan. No dog would dare step to him even if they wanted to. He lives in the luxury of goods he obtained. There's nothing for him to be miserable about. He started to boil, something that always tends to happen when he's around his son. There's no time for such sad and pathetic pity. He slammed his paw on the soft mattress. Holding enough force to jolt the dog sitting with him.

"Enough of this! What's wrong with you?!" The old dog exclaimed, directed at his surprised son.

"What's wrong with… what are you… ugh?!" Talce was puzzled but attempted to match his father's energy.

"No matter what I say, it's all about how others see you!" He continued, frustration heavy in his tone.

"And that's not important to you!?" Talce asked, throwing that same frustration back at him.

"Of course it is! I just don't obsess over it like you do!" His father held the same ground.

"I just wanted… shut up!" Talce had a response, but he was desperate to hide his intent at first.

"Wanted someone, anyone to like you for you… pathetic"

His tone was dismissive. He couldn't care less about such a weak ideal. Yet, he looked at his son with pure disgust. The complete opposite of emotional detachment. The look and response was disheartening. To talce, it felt like saying the quiet part out loud. Refusing to see his son for who he is. But then, what was he trying to be? A pony, A dog or something in between it all. All this thinking led to a quiet from the dog. His face looked empty, unresponsive to his father's comment.

Graphite made the assumption that it was over. There was nothing left to say on his end. Even so, it didn't look like his son could handle anymore. The venom he felt in his dismissal. He wasn't entirely sure if it was aimed at him. Once before, interacting with him was always a pain. He saw… a more naive dog. A dog the old man abandoned in a ditch long ago. As he was contemplating that, he remembered. Preparations needed to be made for his big day. However, right now he needed space from this. The dog slinked out of his comfortable bed. His feet hitting the ground with a delayed thud.

He stood for a moment, looking at his empty looking son. He couldn't help but feel a slight bit of responsibility. But how in the world could he correct him? Was it even possible for him to adjust to this life? Stuck between two different sides of the forest. In his mind, he was simply protecting him from a harder life. But in the end, it's his choice. It'll always be that and nothing could change it. The distance was quickly closing between him and his son. He had to pass him in order to leave the room. For a moment, he paused his constant movement. Looked directly at him and finally saw it. A dirty mirror, reflecting what used to be him.

That hatred and venom he spit earlier. A desperate maneuver to change the future. A time that has long since disappeared for him. If he were self aware, he'd consider it unfair. Connecting the discomfort and anger with that. The thought crossed his mind of course. But, at this point, he was too far ahead to entertain it. His mind was set, the world was completely chosen. Talce looked up at him, that emptiness was still present. Faced with it, he had to say something. What would he say to himself in this situation? To that little puppy, isolated and rejected by the world. A simple phrase entered his mind. One that got him this far. He let out a light sigh and said the following.

"Stop caring… it'll save you the headache"

He attempted to hold the same passivity. But a small bit of emotion leaked out of his statement. Talce could be mistaken but it sounded like empathy. Graphite didn't stay long enough to study his facial emotion. Like a ghost, he phased through him. He passed through the black tarp, barely making a sound. He heard another pass but intended on waiting for a second. One, to make sure the coast was clear for rose. That time was also necessary to process what was said to him. It felt like a call to drop his emotions. For consequence to no longer matter. That was an impossible ask for the young dog. But at the same time, it would shut the voices down. Each side seemingly not being a fit for him. Too clumsy for the ponies, too soft for the dogs. Dropping the act, throwing caution to the wind. Seemed like the easiest way out of the mess in his mind. This back and forth left him locked in thought.

Rose was waiting with baited breath. Hear ears perked, picking out every slight change in sound. She was stuck listening to someone she cared about fight alone. These fights were never something the mare was present for. She only heard stories and rumors of graphite terror. But this upset her more then any of those tales. She couldn't dwell on that yet. Her attention needed to focus, hearing steady. Each pawstep, drawing ever closer to talce's room. Rose held heard breath, thinking even the air could alert him. Cursing the idea when his steps halted right in front of the room. The pony did not waver in her dedication. Desperately attaching herself to the closest dark corner. She waited, shutting her eyes closed in concentration. The gesture made the mare feel protected for some reason. A sigh was utter by the dog outside. It was a heavy exhaustion. Frustrating rose, thinking he had the nerve to feel any type of weary. A minute ended up feeling like an hour. The old dog finally moved and she heard him pass the final tarp of the tent.

Her body went from locking up, stress ridden. To being energy filled and objective driven. Springing out of her dank hiding spot and ready to dash. Dash towards a friend that seemingly desperately needed the help. However, as her body entered the fire lit hallway. Reality quickly snapped in her mind. Danger is literally everywhere, being reckless would help no creature. She hit a hard brake, almost slippin in the dirt. Her hooves are almost buried in the brown stuff. Looking around making sure her coast was perfectly clear. Nodding to herself at the successful check. She made a deliberate but decently fast stride to the back room. A simple black tarp protecting her from the dog she cared for. As she grew closer to the room. quickly noticed the sound in the room completely leaving. The strong sway of wind being the only thing present. For some reason, this fact made her nervous. Now, of all times, right during the endgame. It frustrated the mare quite heavily. Kicking a bit of dirt with her hoof. The action actually satisfied the mare quite well. It was small but that action allowed her nervous energy to disperse. With that, she passed through the tarp, being greeted by her frozen friend.

He was still standing but seemingly his lights were off. It was staring off but not paying any attention. It concerned her, could the old dog have broken him? Anyways, she needed some proof of life from him. Walking closer to him, her proof was quickly given. The mare's presence must have triggered his own switch. His neck quickly snapped to the mare approaching behind him. Having nothing to say at first, he just stared. Another action that confused the mare. Their distance was still fairly spaced out at this point. So it felt more like a yard long stare.

"Oh… hey...:" Talce said, his tone harboring a sense of distance.

"Are you… ok?" Rose asked, nothing else coming to mind.

He didn't respond, looking away from the mare. His gaze hit the ground. To Rose, this seemed like all the answer she needed. With that, she walked closer to the dog. Eventually landing right by his side. She sat down, hoping the dog would mimic her action. Talce quickly glanced at her, her closeness. Deciding to entertain her and sit. For a minute, this is all the pair did. Quiet, one thinking more then the other. Rose knew their mission was growing time sensitive. Yet, she didn't want to rush him down. At this moment, she was ready to be caught if it meant supporting him. A reckless and stupid move but one she was willing to make. Luckily it only took a minute for talce to speak.

"Why does it still hurt? it shouldn't hurt anymore…" Talce said, frustration echoing in his voice.

"He's your dad, why wouldn't it?" Rose asked in response to him.

"I walked in here, ready to burn it all, and I still feel this… weakness" He replied, bitterness still bleeding in his tone.

"You're not weak, you just like…" Rose's tone was light, warm. Attempting to reassure her friend.

"Like what, what exactly am i?" Talce refused the attempt, stuck in his self pity.

Rose was admittedly stuck on the question. Not really sure what the dog wanted her to say. What he truly wanted to be, if anything at all. The feeling must be tough to deal with. Rose couldn't lie and say she's been there. Cause if there's one thing she was, it was sure of herself. Mostly because noise around her didn't account for anything. It'd be a distraction, like she didn't have enough already. Then, just like that, she thought her way around the answer. Staring at the dog, her response was simple.

"Your you" Rose replied, her tone still warm but her face held neutral.

"That's not an answer…" Talce was ready to reject it, confused at the meaning.

"You have to let it go, hitching yourself to one horse" Rose regained her footing in the conversation. Ending at a thought provoking point.

Hitching himself, is that what he's been doing? Her words were enough to make him pause. Both sides echoed a piece of the solution. His father cares for none of the damage he leaves. If it works and makes him successful, it's all good. Yet, his sentiment, not caring, there was something to that. Another voice echoed in his mind. Trixie, words she uttered earlier in the day. He's neither a good dog or pony, he's just good in general. So desperate to fit, like he's a misshapen puzzle piece. Simply put, he was in a shape all of his own. Untied to any separate art or puzzle. His head slowly turned towards rose. Eyes warm, grateful for having a kind voice. Ready and able to pull him out of this funk. Rose smiled, hopeful her words had some sense of impact.

"You know, carriages need horses to move, your analogy is kind of lacking" Talce replied in light humor. A chuckle just as weightless following after.

"Look, all that matters is my point was made… it was made right?" Rose asked, insecurity suddenly hitting the mare.

"I'm more then a simple identity, that about right?" Talce replied, a light smile beginning to grow.

"Exactly! Now let's find the gem and get outta here!" Rose said in a burst of excited energy.

Her movement was so fast and energy filled. The mare almost looked as she was flying. Impressing the dog, who decided to use a more leisurely pace. As he tried to move, a part of him was still stuck. He had a hard pill to swallow. Having a parent have no interest in understanding you. It sucked, technically, he's the only one in his life. SImply, he had to let it go. One last, breathy sigh should do the trick. He filled his stomach with the outside air. Weirdly, it harbored a taste in his mind. Stale, that was the most generous wording in his vocabulary. Made the second part of his task ever more satisfying. Letting it go, exhaling the dirty air around him. It pained him still but the process was starting. Quite freeing, no longer needing to prove himself. To the world or his father.

Turning, he saw a little red rocket. Blasting and rushing through any area she can check. Her limits were the dressers. She refused to mention this fact. The embarrassment would be too much to bear. So talce did his job, Opening each dresser he could get his paws on. Each contained a various assortment of shiny junk. Some gems were present, calling out whenever one was found. Raising the glass like treasures in the air. Rose glanced at the rocks, rejecting each one. The frustration grows ever more at the fruitless struggle. The final drawer held a significance to it. Harboring no gold, diamonds or anything of the sort. Only a single picture, a polaroid to be specific.

What looked to be a younger dog and pony. Sitting next to each other, the backdrop being a lake. The colors on the picture faded with time. But the blue of the water really stuck out. Both of them were smiling of course. It shouldn't have been a mystery who was in this picture. Denial can sometimes be a creature's best friend. The concept seemed unbelievable to the young dog. Yet, here it is, his father, friends with a pony. He looked at the bottom of the photo. Bffs in a weakly colored red ink. He was tempted to keep it, a positive look at his father. But it was in the drawer for a reason. Refusing to take something that had emotional significance to the dog. He couldn't take his eyes off the photo though. It interested him, a portal to a different dog.

"Hey!, I think I got something!" Rose exclaimed in a surprisingly low tone.

It was enough to gain talce's attention. Snapping him out of his deep photo analysis. He was met with a familiar sight. The locked chest, a traditional combination lock attached to it. Seemingly only accessible to creatures with claws. No pony could put together something like this. The details on it are too precise, even for magic to replicate. He walked closer towards the chest. Rose gave him some space to study it. He held the rough. metallic object in his hand. It slightly chilled his paw, a feeling that would dissipate quickly. On the bottom there were four small dials parallel to each other. He rolled the first one, starting from zero. The count ended at 9, it felt unnecessary to check the rest. While holding it, he saw a small insignia on it. It looked to be a dragon's head. No name, not detailed enough to be recognizable. That, to him, solved the creation question. He let the lock go, folding his arms.

"What are we looking at chief?" Rose asked, her tone light and humored in nature.

"4 digit combo lock… without any idea of the combination…" Talce replied, frustration echoing in his tone.

"And we don't have all day to crack it…" Rose replied, Talce frustration spreading to her.

After this, they pondered and tried multiple solutions. From a simple ordered countdown to specific dates. For a solid 3 minutes, they were stuck on this lock. The pressure was quickly building on the two. Having no idea when Graphite would return to the room. For a moment, both of them paused the effort. To sit, really think it all through. Talce sat next to the dresser, arms folded once more. An exhausted sigh escaped his mouth. They got this far, no way this is where it ends. His gaze hit the drawer again. Opening the bottom, compelled to view that polaroid. Grasping the bottom with his unsheathed paws. Always holding it gently, with so much care. Not wanting to lose the happiness of that dog in the photo. Rose made pace towards the dog. Sitting down right next to him. Seeing him hold the photo but unable to see the contents.

"Where'd the photo come from?" Rose asked, curiosity fully peaked.

"Oh, it was in the bottom drawer, the only thing in there…" Talce replied, passively, his attention robbed by the photo.

"Could I see it?" Rose asked, harboring the eyes of a pleading filly.

At first, he was hesitant to offer a glance. Protective of this simple image for some reason. One that even eluded the dog holding it. But he knew Rose, her curiosity was insatiable. Even if he refused, it would continue to be a topic of discussion. So with a light nod, he agreed. Lowering the picture to her eye level. She slid closer, her body leaning against his. Her soft coat present on his rougher skin. Rose barely paid attention to the details. Her attention was robbed by the photo. Talce was unfortunately unable to do this. His heart started skipping rapidly at the contact. He tried to slow it down, focus on anything but her.

"You think this is your dad?" Rose asked, her eyes still locked on the photo.

At first,she noticed the growing silence. This is what led her to finally pay attention to the dog. The one she was seemingly snuggled against. His skin was coarse, fur being quite thin. Yet, she still felt an undeniable comfort and warmth. Feeling flustered, she looked down, face a bright red. This was dumb, they had no time for this. Yet, leaving wasn't even on her mind. Something else started coming to mind as well. Didn't she, like earlier, kiss him? The heat of personal embarrassment was furiously growing.

"Uh.. rose?" Talce was the first to speak, stilted, but the words managed to come out.

She nodded in acknowledgement. Unable to manage words in response. She was always confident, it's kind of her thing. But right now, she felt like a dumb school filly. Rose desperately needed something else to think about. Her head quickly turned back to that picture. Picking out the nice river in the background. Seemed familiar, probably a place she's been before.

"About that…"

He's going to bring it up. She knew it, wasn't there something more important to discuss. Right, the picture, she continued to search through it. The little colt, yeah, never seen him before. Not like she looks that fondly at her childhood. Too much distraction, she needed to pull it back a bit. Rose found the marking on the photo quite endearing. The words held a shaky quality to it. She imagined the pony insisting on doing it. As her thoughts were about to drift towards their backstory. Something hit her like a full speed carriage. It seemed a little crackpot but worth a shot regardless.

"I got it!" Rose exclaimed, conveniently interrupting Talce's coming question.

"Really, what you got!?" Talce replied, putting what he was about to ask on the backburner. This definitely held more importance.

"The letters, bffs, what if they line up with…" Before Rose could even finish her theory…

"Already ahead of ya!" Talce's excitement was palpable. Springing up and rushing back to the lock.

The idea was simple, each letter connecting to a number. Rose already had each digit placed in her head. Two of the letters were doubles and the other two unique. Talce already had the first one ready. B being the 2nd letter in the alphabet. He turned the metallic dial until it reached the number. Next was f and before he could even finish counting, Rose already called it out. Two 6's were the next to roll down. The final number is where they ran into their first bit of tension.

"14, that's… that's too high" Rose admitted, at a loss for solution.

Both of them were quickly feeling that pressure. Unable to tell how little they had before the old dog returned. Looking for the prize he'd show to his clan. They needed to think of something quickly. Talce was quick to cycle through everything. Perhaps some subtraction, maybe how the letter looks? Both of those sounded a little too smart for his father. He needed to slow it down a bit. What would come to his mind, something he'd think would be clever. The letter to numbers would sound smart… until he got to the last one. Number is too high, he already got this far.

"4, maybe it's 4?" Talce asked, still unsure in his tone.

Rose nodded, accepting any kind of solution. Each click of the dial felt like a beat of pressure. Talce's focus is robbed by the singular piece of metal. Finally hitting the destination, there was only one action left. With a decent amount of force, he gave it a yank. The pop of the lock allowed them to internally celebrate. They were supposed to be doing this secretly after all. Talce gently placed the lock on the grassy ground. Lifting the hood of the chest.

Inside was a various amount of knick knacks. Detail rich wooden statues, no bigger then his paw. Various creatures were mixed in the displays. Timberwolves, ursas and even a couple ponies. They were amazing, pieces unable to be created by hooves. Were they made by the same mystery dragon? He wanted to pick it up, inspect it for the same insignia. But, time was not on their side. He drew his focus away from the small works. Scanning for anything that shines. It didn't take long to finally see the sought after prize. In a chest filled with nothing but wood. The thing stood out like a sore thumb. A bright blue, deep as a clear ocean. Perfectly cut in a circular shape. It stunned the young dog. Almost seeing the appeal of swiping something like this. He aggressively shook his head. Rejecting even a sliver of that base feeling.

"A true work of art… isn't it…"

That voice, familiar and gravely in nature. It sent a shiver down his spine. The room suddenly held an unmistakable chill. Refusing to turn, thinking it would delay the truth. But that quickly wasn't an option. Another noise struck him familiar but horrifically mangled. It wasn't the words, seemed impossible for her to speak. Each attempted word was canceled out by an ugly choking sound. Like each made attempt was a fight for air. The shivers he held were quickly replaced with anger. His attention quickly whipped to the source of the noise. Met with exactly what he feared seeing.

His father held an empty expression. Expecting this type of move from his son. Willing it to happen, no, but expecting it. The violence he was currently engaging in. Hoisting rose in the air. His arm throttled her throat. Leaving a gap just wide enough for her to barely breath. But tight enough where wiggling free was not an option. Besides, he didn't intend to just kill her. This could be a learning opportunity for his son. Loss, helplessness, it could bring what he wanted out of him.

"Let her…" Talce attempted to be threatening…

"Any sudden move, she snaps like a twig" Graphite cuts through his son's idle request.

Needing to show he was serious. He gave the mare a small squeeze. Letting out a heavy gurgle followed by a dry cough. This was enough for talce to settle down a bit. Rage is still present but tamed to protect his friend. The old dog saw the barely tamed rage. Almost looking like a real, bloodthirsty diamond dog. For the first time in a while, he felt pride. Could there possibly be something to salvage from this?

"There he is, I knew you had it in you!" Graphite exclaimed, a false jovial tone attached.

"Hiding behind a mare, really cowardly for a commander" Talce replied, venom bleeding from his voice.

"That's rich, coming from the dog who was gonna steal from me" Graphite replied, lightly chuckling at the hypocrisy.

"I'm just returning stolen property.." Talce replied, entertaining his attempt at banter.

From the outside, that seemed to be the case. But talce's focus wasn't anywhere near his dad. The mare he was holding stole his attention. Each struggle for freedom paining his heart more and more. But, her eyes, not a single tear left them. They were locked on his. Not a single sign of fear was present in them. A bravery that rivaled the strongest in their clan. That gaze signaled a sense of trust. Trust that they were leaving together. If she couldn't gain her freedom yet. A trust was put into him to obtain it. He subtly nodded to her, affirming her trust. Making his only goal at the moment to keep him talking. Burn time til he can come up with something.

"Like you'd care if it weren't because of her.." Graphite responded, tightening his grip on who he was referring to.

"I always cared, this has nothing to do with her," Talce replied, frustrated at the suggestion.

"She's cute, I'll give you that, not worth throwing your life away but still…"

"Shut your mouth!" Talce wouldn't even let the dog finish his thought. His anger allowed him to present a small fang.

"Hey now, remember who's in control here" His father responded in a cocky but threatening growl.

He tightened the grip he held on the mare. Not letting up until he heard a small wheeze in response. The noise leashes whatever violence Talce had in his tone. That violence was still present in his eyes. It was impossible to push it down that far. The young dog hoped it was enough to keep his friend alive.

"You're lucky I'm not throwing you to the clans, having them deal with you…" Graphite's tone held a sense of threat.

Yet, when talce heard the dog say this. The idea of being exposed didn't really register. Mostly because he knew how clans worked. Presenting strength is what mattered most. Sure, they'd probably get ripped apart. Especially talce, being a traitor to his clan. Still, his father wouldn't be off that hook either. Matter of fact, letting any of this happen would bring shame to his leadership position. The dog started growing a confident smile. He had a position of attack. A mental one, one to keep his friend alive.

"And what would you tell them exactly?" Talce asked, wielding his confidence in a cocky tone.

"A thief, traitor to his own, attempted to r…"

"You're leaving out a few things, your son and his pony friend, but continue…" Talce quickly robbed his father's momentum. Still harboring that confidence in tone.

"I.. I caught you, just in time…"

"Really now, who's still holding the gem, but, once again, continue weaving this story…" Talce continued to interrupt, taking his father's momentum away.

His father was surprised, frustrated at his son's new confidence. His smug tone attached to a facial expression with that same tone. He hated it, hated admitting there was a bit of struggle. The position was a tough one. No matter what direction he takes it, embarrassment will follow. A confident dog would face it. Care only about justice, ridding the threat. But his image, that hard fought image, mattered more. For a moment, that one moment, he was stuck. Forgetting the pony he was currently holding. His grip started to loosen every so slightly.

Rose wasn't sure if escaping was her best move. Any slight move could put her life at risk. But a good, honest shot at attack, could secure her safety. Her entire body was telling her to break free. Sick of the musk of this old dog. The restriction, her life being in the paws of someone else. Then, she happened to look at talce. His stance is unwavering and strong. A smile, bright and confident in his speech. Truly was a surprising sight to see for the mare. Rose, by her own nature, is a risk taker. So even putting into question the idea of making such a choice. The mare shook that tinge of doubt out of her head. An opportunity was given to her and she was gonna take it.

Talce was watching her the entire time. Eyes darting between her and his distracted father. He knew if she did what was appearing in her mind. The window of attack would be very small. Fighting his father was gonna be tough. But, facing him in this was inevitable. Violence was the only language he seemed to listen to. Plain talk stopped working a long time ago. He subtly but hardly dug his feet in the ground. Keeping his paws sheathed, not fond of drawing blood. His breathing started to unsteady a bit. He needs to control it, slow it down. An illusion of mental control is what got him here. He used the grounding held to control his stress. Feeling the dirt in his nails. The cool, rough texture repeating as an image in his mind. It helped but he knew it was just a temporary band aid. Talce locked his gaze on the dog who raised him. Ready to face whatever the next couple seconds would bring him.

Then, as all these plans were laid out. A loud crack was heard outside of the tent. Followed by a longer whizzing sound. Talce knew what that sound was. An emergency flare, meant to rally the clan for an attack. Graphite's head immediately whipped to the direction of the sound. Puzzled at who would be bold enough to stage it. All clan members, one meeting spot, it'd be too obvious. Unless this was some kind of joint effort.

"Stupid pony!" A huskier voice belted out from afar.

Once Rose heard this, her heart sank. Not only is she stuck in the arms of a dog. She couldn't even protect her friend that she put at risk. None of them, not even talce. All because she wanted to do the right thing. Roping a good dog into the mix, getting all of them killed. Her head became weightless in graphite's arms.

"What a foolish effort, trying to catch one as great as me!"

That arrogance was instantly recognizable. It's a persona the mare hasn't heard in a while. It sounded boisterous and energetic. She sounded free, free from all her misery. A feeling she could relate to. One she ignored when trixie tried to express her desire. A regret she'll hold for the rest of her short life. Rose's hopelessness was talking for her. Taking the driver's seat while ignoring the obvious.

"Damn it… we'll finish this later!" Graphite uttered in frustration, dropping the mare.

As soon as she hit the ground, talce scrambled to her side. Holding her close to his chest. Hearing every wheeze and cough she made. Regaining her airway with each and every cough. Graphite looked back at the display. Seeing how much his son actually cared for the mare. Some would even call it love. A foolish and doomed emotion to have for a mare in his mind. He clicked his tongue and rushed out of the tent.

This just left the two of them. Taking a moment they didn't really have time for. Rose silent for a moment, looking up at talce. Their eyes interlocked, refusing to stray. An image of each other mirrored in their eyes. Talce couldn't help but swim those pools of blue. Transfizing in almost any scenario. Rose loved the attention, some who cared that deeply. Never meeting somepony who looks at her like he does.

"Sorry I took so l…"

Before he could finish his sentence. Rose lunged forward and locked her lips with his. The mare always seemed to love her surprises. This time, Talce just let the moment hit him. Fading into her gesture and the warmth that followed. They could have spent forever in that moment. Talce mesmerized by her softness. Rose explores the rough by dry warmth in response. But time, time couldn't allow this. As they pulled apart, it was slow, lingering. Making sure they savored the little moment they made for themselves. Their eyes were filled with a newly formed energy. Finally letting go of an emotion they both felt for each other.

"So, um… were gonna talk about this, right?" Talce asked, lightly chuckling at the thought.

"O..obviously yeah…" Rose replied, a furious blush on her face.

As quickly as their bubble was made. Reality broke it with the realization about their friend. Rose quickly wiggled away. Stumbling to her hooves, ready to rush outside. Do something, anything to fix her mess. Then, something clicked in the mare's mind. The line, trixie tone when running from the dog. It all became bright but stupid level of clear.

"She… she's putting on a show" Rose's tone started to lighten ever so slightly.

She wasn't sure exactly how to feel about it. Not fond of the risk she was putting on herself. Did the trickster even have a plan after this? At that moment, she realized a flaw with her thinking. Her friend wasn't a stupid mare and Rose was projecting her as one/ All due to her growing lack of trust. Not in trixie lulamoon but… the great and powerful trixie. Rose isn't a typically fearful mare. Facing a variety of things her entire life. But what she's about to do at this moment. Scared her more then any choice in her life.

"We have to get to the carriage!" Rose exclaimed, the suggestion surprising.

"What about…" Before talce could finish the ask, Rose interjected.

"I have no idea what she's planning, but we have to trust her," Rose replied, getting an unsure but trusting nod from talce.

With that the duo dashed out of the camp. Unsure as to what would meet them. But they're didn't seem to be a better option. All their faith was being balanced onto the back of this one unicorn. One crazy, seemingly megalomaniac unicorn.

An; IT'S NOT DEAD. hey y'all it's been a minute. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I've been through a decent amount. And slowly but surely, I've been working on this story. So what, now we wait another half a year for the next one? Well here's the next great piece of news. The scale of what I wanted to do for this chapter in its original state expanded. So I took what was once a massive chapter and sliced it in two. So by next week, ya'll getting another chapter!

Ok, so then what about the next one. It took so long for me to satisfied with the ending of this arc. I worked on the next chapter while finishing this one. So expect that one by the end of this month! Thank yall so much for sticking with it. This detour was ambitious and tested me a lot. So i hope you see that effort on the page.

Thanks

Mysterypen