Over the next course of days, with Albert crafting the Winter gear with Giblet, making the Durium armor set into a artic winter gear was somewhat tricky, mostly as the Durium wasn’t designed for the winter. Thankfully Giblet, despite loving to smash things, held the needed knowledge to assist with other sets of materials for Albert to make it more arctic-like. Mostly replacing the cloth underneath the metal to exchange for the fiber Albert tends to use for his own works.

And while that was being done, Shadow had to go in a long, long discussion with Jerry. Mostly with Spree entering the herd made him heavily questioned back to Shadow, mostly since he knew Spree was in love with Shadow. The thestral assured him heavily that things won’t change too much, even more that Spree would help ensure things will be more stable. Even adding on Spree position as a technical second mare, but not officially.

While Jerry was willing to listen and slowly accustomed to it, Shadow made sure to assure that Spree was willing to compromise, and promise things will work out as the thestral knows that things will be slightly awkward at first. It came as a slight surprise for the others in the herd, but Shadow knew things would be slightly better as time progressed. But she did have to talk Jerry over Sky issues, specifically with her needing to see Glint. Jerry was conflicted as he partially didn’t mind Sky nature...but also knew that Shadow was right.

So he compromised on letting Sky get the professional help she needed, which Shadow then brought up to Albert on getting Sky to Glint when he’s able to.

However things took a slight turn when the Ruffed Raft came along in the Twilight’s Cyclops ‘Harmony's Song’ , as once the six mares of the former bearers and Magic arrived on the shores of the island? Were they given a slight surprise of the utter change of the island.

---

Looking over the land a bit as far as he could tell, Magic saw the once former molten lava filled landscape and smog filled skies to be..peaceful?

The stallion partially wondered when this happened, as he saw countless Minions moving supplies and objects that were being delivered by the shore and transported by foot as the stallion commented. “It seems the Overlord made a change of scenery on his lands. He probably got bored with molten lava and harsh landscapes that he wanted it to look pleasant like.”

“Wait, you’re saying this is new?” asked Rainbow Dash, as she heard from the rumors the other mares told, that supposedly the Overlord island was filled with smog, darken clouds covering overhead, and nowhere near a hospital for any sane pony to live.

“Supposedly, yes. I can guess the Overlord needed land for whoever lived in his domain. Can't feed hungry mouths off of raided food forever.” replied Magic.

Moving along and glancing to the small habitat on the beach that was there just for changing, Twilight spoke, “well, I’m glad that it’s changed then. Part of the reason we’re here is to give Rainbow some room before her Cabin Fever got to the point we’d have another Pyro.”

“Hey, I wasn't that bad!” Rainbow half shouted with her wings flaring.

“You almost caused a severe accident while rushing down a hall, Rainbow.” Rarity pointed out. “Some of those ponies almost had severe concussions from that, I think Twilight’s right about you getting a little out of hand.”

“Yeah! And unlike you, I prefer to use my bombs to cause mayhem on purpose!” told Pyro, giving a wide grin as he jumped up by Magic as he went on to look at the moving Minions. “Which reminds me, I never did figure out if a Minion could be used for a bomb before.”

“Try not to cause the Overlord a problem.” sighed Magic as it was bad enough he had to babysit Pyro for now-- but even worse he couldn’t bring along Zealous or one of the clones while working. Thankfully he wouldn’t need to watch the earth stallion forever as he was told. “I doubt he’ll like it if you messed with his Minions without asking.”

Applejack looks at the countless Minions moving and carrying things as despite being small, they seem to handle carrying large equipment as she whistles. “Hard little workers aren' they? I thought with them bein’ so small, they’d have trouble t’ carry heavy things. Or there being so many of them.”

“They most likely have much more dense body mass, Applejack.” Thought out Twilight while watching the minions. “Densely packed muscle and bone would let them do what they’re doing. Even more if they have any magic for pure strength like an earth pony.” An observation that Magic further agreed on.

“She is right.” spoke Magic as he went on. “Would make partial sense for most Minions to sink is their denser mass. Well, except for the Blues of course.” recalling his time with Mortis on questions about Minions and scanning a bit from the Blue. Looking from the Minions to the mares as he added to Applejack. “As for them to be so many? This is the Overlord domain. My best guess is that these Minions are just stand-ins for others who go out in the field.”

“Now, we should be having some sort of--” Pausing to notice one red pony missing from their group. “Damn it Pyro.” Let out Magic a small curse to see Pyro talking to a Blue.

“So you say that you’ll give anything for the Overlord. Would you be willing to put my bombs on you and rush out to be killed in an explosion?” asked Pyro as the Blue let out a hum as the Blue minion replied.

“Would rather have the Reds to do such an act-- or Browns. Having Reds do it would enact their love of burning things. Browns wouldn’t care if you strab bombs on them.”

“Oh~, something to ask--- OW!” nearly shouted Pyro as Magic horn glowed, ear pulling the earth stallion back as he spoke. “Owowowowowo~, Magic! I was in the middle of something important!”

Magic held a flat look as he told in unsympathetic. “We do have important business to attend to.” then look to see Albert by the habitat, as he bid his farewell to the six. “If you pardon us, we have to go. Business to attend to. I’m certain you all will be directed to where you will be staying temporarily.” turning to walk with the red stallion as to attend the reason both stallions were here in the first place and away from the Citadel-1.

While the girls look to see the two leaving, Twilight tells them. “Come on girls, lets get changing.” smiling a bit as she went on. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing where we’ll stay until we’re back in the citadel.” already heading to the changing room with the other's.

---

Looking about the place as it was, with it’s slowly growing stone-like town-structure and its ever growing farmland? Twilight had to admit that Jerry had a nice setup starting up. She gave it a few years before the place possibly bustled with life much like some small cities she’d been to. Possibly even more if things went well.

And the Castle itself, while a little intimidating, also added a certain air of power as if it was watching over the growing community that was coming into being. Granted there were still only so many, but with ponies and most definitely Caribous taking up a large portion of residence here in the town itself? It almost gave Twilight a bit of hope things would smooth out later on.

Nearing the front gates, and being greeted by semi-official looking Minion guards, Twilight smiled, “hi Shadow, it’s nice to see you again.” Easily recognizing the thestral. “How have you been?”

Smiling herself, the thestral told. “Well, I’ve been better since Jerry came along.” looking to Twilight and the other 5 mares, she went on. “But it's good to see you all again. It almost felt like a lifetime ago for all of us.”

“Ya’ll can say that again, Sugarcube.” agreed Applejack, as she looked at the growing stomach as she added. “And congrats.” Shadow giggled a bit with a hand moving over her lips.

“Thanks,” then motioned with a hand. “Come on in girls, I’ll show you around.”

“Mistress, we follow!” told one of the Minion Guards as Shadow rolled her eyes and told them.

“Don’t you need to stay here and guard the gate, Gop?”

“Mistresses always need guards!” told the other Minion Guard as Shadow pat the helm of the other guard with an amusing look.

“I got loads of guards around me, Geep. I’m sure I’ll be surrounded by the other Minions.” then told. “Now just stay in your post boys.”

Both Minions grouch, but obeyed as they stood in their place.

Pinkie giggled out as she said. “Wow, these little guys sure are grumpy of not following you.”

Shadow rolled her eyes as she led them inside and told them. “Yeah, Minions tend to ‘follow the leader’, be it me or Jerry. Or another Minion that's smart enough as a elder.” then told in a sheepish tone. “Although girl’s words of forewarning? Don’t expect too many modern things in this place, this place is so medieval, it makes the Crystal Empire look simple.”

With a slight nod to that, Twilight spoke, “that’s nice to know ahead of time.” Giving a glance back to add, “we did just come from a highly sophisticated and advanced sea base.”

“I don’ know about you, Twi, but I’m more than happy t’ not have to go five feet without havin’ to wonder what some doohickey in the whole place does.” Spoke up Applejack. “I ain’t no stranger to some things, but that place down their? Jus’ a whole bunch of complex.”

“You’re telling me.” Agreed Rainbow Dash while taking to just fluttering in the air. “Bunch of egghead stuff down there. Congested. Hardly any space--” continuing a few complaints off the top of her head.

Lowly, Twilight told Shadow, “Rainbow Dash was starting to get a little stir crazy down there.”

“I understand her situation.” told Shadow in a low tone back to Twilight, as she knew what it was like down there without flying. The thestral spoke a bit loud to Rainbow. “You can fly around, just not too high, as while we managed to remove some of the smog? Residues of it are still around. Especially with the volcano still partially active.”

“Wait,” started Rainbow as she asked. “You mean to say that the mountain on the far side of the island is a volcano? And active?” looking to Shadow as she asked. “How come you or the other ponies didn’t try to plug it up or make it stop?”

Shrugging, Shadow admits. “To be honest, the Reds deal with the volcano. Plus beside the bits of volcano activity we got around here, they like to use it for whatever those Reds do.” Knowing that to the Reds, the volcano and its lava was the same thing as a bath for most everyone else.

The six stare at her as if she just told them something crazy, but Shadow only shrugs and says. “That's the least strangest thing we've gotten used to around here.”

Blinking at a thought, Twilight asked, “are there any Minions I could talk to about their behaviors and thought processes?” At first she was given odd looks by her friends, but it was easily figured when Twilight perked up. “We know so little about them, I thought it would be nice to maybe compile notes for a small biography concerning minions and their behaviors!” Then added on with a shy smile, “also, this is a good chance to do some stress-free project.”

Shaking her head, Rarity sighed, “only you would think a study project would be relaxing, Twilight.” Feeling partially amused by this.

Laughing in slight amusement, Shadow said. “Never change Twilight.” then shake her head as she thought on it, thinking before she told with a rolled hand. “Well, there's a few elders.”

“Elders?” asked Pinkie with a tilt head. “I thought the only elder was that Gnarl guy!”

Snorting in amusement, Shadow said. “Technically yes, but Gnarl hasn't been seen around lately…” Then shake her head to explain more. “but when I mean elders? I mean some Minions who lived for a few years, give or take. There's Grubby, our Minion Smith. There’s Quaver, but I don’t know how much he knows. There’s Mortis who’s been talking up Gnarl slack of looking after the Minions.” thinking a bit more as she went on.

“There’s about a few others, like Zappy, or Zig-- or even Yip. But if you want a Minion that knows all the Tribes? Then Mortis is your Minion. Just expect him to be so dreary all the time.”

“Aw, that doesn't sound fun,” said Pinkie with a frown, then brightened as she asked. “Think we can get him happy and cheery with a party?”

Snickering, Shadow told with a wide smile. “You can try, but Mortis doesn’t brighten that easily.”

Pinkie pricked her ears to that, and the exuberant mare called out, “do you know what this means?!”

“Oh boy.” Sighed out Applejack with a roll of her eyes.

Hand up high, Pinkie said, “this calls for a party, stat!” Then locked onto Twilight saying, “can I come with Twilight? Please,please,please,please-- I need to know what to plan for Mortis!”

Waving her hands, Twilight said, “calm down Pinkie, I’m sure it’ll be fine if you visited him with me.

“Just make sure you let him come to you, since his place is where most of the Minions reside.” warned Shadow, she soon however suggested. “How about I call for him once we get closer? We should be reaching in the upper levels soon enough.” the seven mares passing by various minions as they roam over the halls and doing whatever tasks that were set before them. Either cleaning, or moving objects around.

“Oh, oh, can we go to the dining area?” asked Pinkie. “I’m sure we can make a party easily and get something to eat beside sea plants!”

“Well, I was planning to head to the dining room in the first place, I’m feeling a bit peckish.” admit Shadow, she turn her attention to one of the passing Minions to say. “Can you get one of the cooks ready a small snack? Some peaches with ice cream would do.”

“Yes Mistress.” bow the Red as he scurry off, with Shadow looking back to tell Pinkie and Applejack with amusement.

“I think you two could enjoy working with the Reds in the kitchen, they make great cooks if taught right.”

Shaking her head to that, Applejack spoke, “well, I can try. But no guarantees. I hear those little guys are a bit too happy playing with fire.”

An idea sparking in her mind, Pinkie spoke, “ooh~ I wonder if I can teach them how to flambé food! Think they’d like to learn?” And for a moment, Shadow had one too many images of a kitchen with even more fire than normal. And with reds, there was a lot of fire during those ‘normal’ times.

“Just...make sure you have some sort of protection.” told Shadow in a bit hesitant tone. “Let just say that the Reds have lots of fire in the kitchen.” already considering warning some of the other's staff in the kitchen to exit out if Pinkie ever teaches the Reds on flambe food. She was hoping she could install some anti-fire wards if things got too hot in the kitchen by the time Piknie was done teaching the Reds on flambe food.

“Things might be exciting then, darling.” said Rarity as she glanced around, trying to figure on what to say of the lack of design. But for the life of her she saw nothing too big.

Shadow glance to Rarity, as she noticed it was odd for the unicorn fashionista to make notice of how dull things were in terms of designs here. She wanted to ask if there were any changes of Rarity since that Town, but she didn’t want to ruin the good mood yet.

When they reached the dining area, Shadow saw a few ponies and caribous eating, as well as Minions moving with plates and trays as the Servants were doing their jobs. The thestral headed to achari, with a Servant pulling it out for her, once she sat in it, the Servant pushed in the chair, with another bringing up a tray of peaches and ice cream. “Thank you.” told Shadow, as she turned her head to tell the six. “Come on and sit down, one of the Servants will bring you something to snack on.”

She then took in a breath as she turned her head to call out. “MORTIS!”

Fluttershy winced to the shout and asked. “Was it necessary to shout that loud, Shadow?”

“It's faster to get a Minion to come than asking another Minion to get that other Minion.” explain Shadow, and within moments, Mortis did arrive as the Blue came before Shadow with a bow of his head.

“You call, Mistress?”

Nodding, Shadow explains. “Yes Mortis,” motioning a hand to Twilight. “Twilight here was curious about the Minions, so she’s hoping to have an idea of you all.” then added in mild amusement. “And Pinkie will try to make you smile.”

“Oh.” he spoke with a dull tone. “How exciting.” Mortis then turned his attention to Twilight, moving up by her spot with a bow of his head. “Greetings.”

With a long look, Pinkie smiled, “you remind me of my Sister Maud!”

Giving a stare under his hood, Mortis said. “I do not know who this ‘Maud’ is, but I feel she is an unusual case.” then turn his focus back to Twilight as he continues on. “As you have known, I am Mortis. Minion Resurrector and one of the Minion Elders for the Master. What questions may I answer for a scholar, Twilight?”

Smiling, Twilight said, “well, I was hoping to go over a number of topics about the minions individually, and as a whole.” Making Mortis tilt his head. “I don’t know much about your kind, or their relation to Jerry as the Overlord, your history-- anything of huge value besides what jobs you all perform on the most basic of levels. So I was hoping that while I was here, we could go over a few topics and I could maybe make a biography about minions as a whole?”

Staring at Twilight, Mortis looked at her and soon spoke. “I can allow such topics to be spoken, as there is much to be learned of Minions, Twilight. However there are certain topics I am not allowed to speak of, mostly to ensure no one could exploit the Master later on.”

“Oh come on, short stuff,” said Rainbow dash with a roll of her eyes. “Do you really think Twilight would do anything like that?”

To which Mortis raises his scythe to correct. “I do not believe Twilight would hold such intent, I am talking about the rest of the pony kind, or others who would wish to harm the Master by reading the biography. Knowledge is power after all and power corrupts.”

While it wasn’t something Twilight liked to think of herself, she could see where Mortis was going with this. She didn’t need to even explain to the other’s how much Jerry was in mixed light with everyone. Some didn’t want Jerry around, and others were fine with him.

Even those of the Equestrian Island were split, those of the former Resistance leadership being very leery of Jerry, while most of the Royals were fairly fine with him at the moment. Herself included-- even if she didn’t agree with all of Jerry’s actions. The point stood, there were possible ‘enemies’ to Jerry around here.

So, Twilight nods her head. “I promise that I won’t make any note about anything you feel like shouldn’t be put into a book.” And while she hated the idea of doing such a thing? It was for the benefit of Jerry at the moment. Maybe she could make some personal notes-- but only at such a time where possible Battles, wars and betrayal we're not at such an all-time high.

Making a hum, the Blue Minion nodded his head as he told. “I will accept the compromise.”

“Yay!” told Pinkie as she suddenly brought Mortis up and hugged him. “I’m so happy we get to spend time with one another!” Mortis had a flat facial expression as if he was saying, ‘I am displeased by this’.

Snickering, Rainbow asked. “What's the matter? Can’t handle Pinkie, Bluey?”

“I can handle her hugging, as I am used to being hugs by Minions.” then added towards Pinkie. “However I advise to not hug any Green. As Greens give off a stench of the dead and trying to remove it is harder than you think.”

Shadow nodded to this one while she ate a peach. “Oh yeah, Greens stench is harder to get rid of the moment you hug one of them. It sticks with you for a week at best.”

Scrunching up her nose, Rarity spoke, “that sounds… repulsive.” Having a familiar look that reminded Shadow of how Rarity used to be. “Don’t they take baths or showers or… something?”

Snorting, Shadow told. “Oh believe me, I tried. But trying to get a Green to bath? Is near impossible. They refuse to shower, or get water on them to clean. They rather jump into a pit of trash than shower.” shaking her head as she went on. “To be honest I gave up trying to make them clean, especially when there’s so many of them now, impossible to get them all at once.”

Shadow however amended. “well….except for one…” it gained the other mare's attention, as Mortis nodded his head and said.

“Yes, a Green name Odd.”

“What's so odd about being clean?” asked Twilight in curiosity.

“He is called Odd, because he is not only the first Green to like being clean, but to develop a habit of cleaning things, of ensuring that everything is nice and tidy. From what I have gathered he likes to clean, but as sneakily as possible.I ask him why, but he mentions that in order to, and I quote, ‘to train body, soul and mind, I will scrub, pick up, and clean all I can-- whilst being unseen.’ Unquote.” shaking his head as Mortis added.

“I believe Odd is taking this seriously, is due to him finding too many ‘ninja comic’s during all the raids the Master has done. Which is odd itself for a Minion to enjoy.” he then added to Pinkie. “May you let me go now?”

Pikie only pat his head, “Oh fine, but only if you smile~”

Staring at her, he told her. “I refuse to smile.”

Holding him in one arm now, Pinkie said, “then I will find a way to get you to smile, one way or another!” Then put him down to tell, “I do have a while to do it! So be ready to use those cheek muscles, you’ll be using them when that turns upside down!”

Giving her a look, Morits could only ask Shadow. “Mistress, she is like Quver, isn’t she?”

“Oh so much more than Quaver, Morits.” told Shadow, Mortis shook his head as he soon turned to look at Twilight to tell.

“I will be away temporarily, as I am needed elsewhere.” giving a bow of his head, before turning to scurry off.

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Wow, someone reeaal busy.”

“Well you’re not wrong. Ever since Gnarl disappeared, Mortis has been picking up the slack of keeping an eye on the newborns.” Comment Shadow.

Fluttershy perked this and asked. “Oh, newborns? You mean babies?”

“Well….no. Minions are more...magical creatures, so when I mean ‘newborns’? I mean, newly made Minions.” then Shadow admitted with a shrug. “I honestly don't know if they can actually reproduce or not…”

Thinking to that, Twilight spoke, “something I can ask Mortis later on.” Figuring to find out more on that front before letting Fluttershy go down to meet the newborns. She doubted they would be as ‘cute and cuddly’ if they were magically made.

Which made her recall something. “Shadow.” Began the young alicorn, “where's Jerry at the moment?” A little curious on what the Overlord was up to.

“Training.” told Shadow. “He’s down in the Dungeons to train with Spree. He might be an Overlord, but he still needs to keep his skills up.”

“Hey, think we can get in on watching him?” asked Rainbow with a grin, as Shadow shook her head.

“Not really, let just say the Dungeons aren’t a place most would go to, and for good reasons.”

---

For some reason, training felt more tense than before. Jerry tried to focus on just using the training blade and sparing Spree, but his mind felt oddly… conflicted on how to feel about this situation. Before, it was more simply as ‘we are friends’, in a loose sense. Before, it was just him, Spree and the training she pushed on him so he wouldn't die.

Now, it was him and a very, and highly likely, herdmate that he might be seeing a… lot more of. Both in person, and possibly in bed if things went down that road. And he wasn’t sure how he should feel about it. Nevermind the entire ‘Spree is in love with Shadow’ situation. That was a whole other little dilemma that made him feel half antsy and guarded.

This whole tension probably didn’t help that Spree was being a bit more… harder on him than normal. Jerry was pushing himself to not get thwacked by her and the training sword she had. More than once Jery found himself beating some hasty retreat before having to continue. The mare nearly pointed out each little problem there was.

It was the same, but also more tense.

Jerry figure she was having her own issues about this, being tense herself as Jerry had to pull back as he was almost hit in the face again with the wooden blade. At this rate with how we train? She might accidentally do more than bruise me. thought Jerry as while he knew it would be a long while until he could fight well-- with how Spree was going at it, things might be more tense.

Even more so with his own feelings of confliction of how he should push during the spar.

Although with how the situation was for both….Jerry had to stop the spar as he told. “Arlight. Time out.” lowering his sword down as he soon looked at Spree and told her. “Spree, we need to talk.”

“About what?” She prodded, slinging the wooden training weapon over her shoulder. “Because if it’s about how you’re not pushing back as much as you should, then I think it’s because you’re not really putting your all into this.” Hoof tapping away in possible frustration.

“Well there's that-- but it’s also the elephants in the room.” replied Jerry as he placed the wooden sword over his own shoulder as he went on. “Like the fact you’re joining the herd.”

“So?” Was the almost snippy question. “What about it?”

“Spree. You’re tense. Frustrated. And I’m tense and this whole thing is awkward for the both of us.” dryly told Jerry as he went on. “If we’re going to be both sparing and seeing each other a lot more-- might as well get this awkward situation over with, right?”

Hand up, Spree said, “let me stop you right there, Jerry.” Oddly cutting off whatever thoughts of compromise he had brewing in mind. “This isn’t a simple, ‘get over it’ thing. I’m joining a herd, that’s a big thing.” Which had him minorly confused. “Am I going a bit hard, sure, maybe.” Then pointed out, “but you nearly died a near week back. It’s telling me I need to toughen up on you. And this pansy-footing because you don’t know if you should hit me or not isn’t helping. So yeah, that frustrates me a bit.”

“It also doesn’t help that I knew you were in love with Shadow for a long time.” added Jerry as he went on. “I may be stupid at times-- but even I can put two-to-two together. So while I sorta appreciate the training? And also you going hard for me to survive more will be good in the long run...I just have to ask since this is bothering me since I found out.” Putting the blade down as he gave a serious expression on her and asked.

“Why? If you did love her so much, why didn’t you try to persuade her back before she made her choice? Why did you let her choose to stay with me? You could've had an opportunity to let her go with you in the Resistance-- and before you say it didn't feel right?” giving a flat look on his face. “I think we both know how head over heels you are over her. We both know you do anything for Shadow. It would’ve been easy back then. So why?”

Having a slightly annoyed twitch under her eye, Spree said, “What, you think I didn’t try?” Giving a slightly defensive glare. “Yeah, I’m in love with Shadow bad. Congrats on figuring that out. If you paid attention, maybe you would know why I couldn’t just drag her away from the Resistance. It’s obvious I love her, I’m pretty sure everyone had figured that out.” Rolling her eyes while she did.

Oh I think it’s obvious since Gnarl would betray me… thought Jerry as he knew that Spree and Shadow could tell Gnarl was good at manipulating others-- even Jerry before the man knew. Still...from all his time back home, seeing his older siblings...it just didn’t make sense. “But back then, you could have persuaded her easily. Even more with how I was back then. It was obvious that it would be a lot easier to cut losses with me, you taking Shadow and Jasmine to the Resistance. Hell, that would anyone sane enough would do.”

“Jasmine would have run off.” Spree simply told, “I could have taken her with, but the kid latched onto you. She felt safe only around you-- not a bunch of strange ponies. And she was dealing with the Toad because we all knew he was trouble.”

Huffing out, Spree got out, “and you have no idea how much I wanted Shadow to come with me, really. You have no idea how much.” Then looked at him with a mixed look. Eyes filled with a conflicting emotion that the man couldn’t pick out. “If I took her with me, I’d just hurt her worse.” Which… confused Jerry.

“...okay now you lost me.” finally said Jerry as he was trying to wrap his head around that.

Sighing and running a hand down her face, Spree eventually looked back to Jerry and told, “Thestral traditions, Jerry. Shadow, and most thestrals, have these traditions they grew up with. It means the world to them, just as much Luna does as their Night-Mother.”

Pointing to him, she told, “they got this tradition for getting husbands, wives-- whateve’. You just happen to do something that would have amounted to the same, so when you did whatever that was and rutted her? In her head, in her traditions, you were her Alpha. Her mate.” Then half grumbled while looking away, “the thing I wanted to be when I had the chance, but I didn’t because of those bastards that came and invaded us.”

Giving a thoughtful look, recalling back a year, when he found that creepy plant thing...and killed it with fire? He recalled Shadow's position, looking up to him as he just took her in...and in a sense showed her what he did for her. Granted he did had sex with her later on-- but from what Spree mentioned, the moment they both had sex it was final. Being silent for a good while, he finally said.

“It..would explain a lot…” sighing out with a shake of his head as he admitted. “I was...fully prepared when we met the Resistance, that you all would leave. I knew that it would have been safe for all of you to stay away from me back then. Mostly because...I knew what things might happen next in the future.” recalling what the Eyes of Fate wanted him as back then. An Overlord.

“It wouldn’t have worked.” It was said with a level of displeasure, as Spree looked to the ground, hand on her hip. “Shadow would have clawed, bit and fought me once she figured out she was abandoning her Alpha. And the Resistance would have worried she was some sort of Pink and maybe put her down.” A very real concern there.

Looking up to the man, Spree went on, “sure… Shadow and I… we had sex in the past. Long before you came around, but you know the difference? We were just dumb kids getting frisky and experimenting around. I didn’t do anything to go into that Thestral Challenge their traditions had and never did the real deal of showing I was alpha. That never got to happen. So when you showed and I saw what was going on..”

Heaving a very deep sigh, Spree said, “sure.. I could have stolen her away. But that’s the thing, I’d have to steal her away. And that ain’t fair to her, or to you. I’d have her, but what then? Let her just be with me and always feel like shit that she allowed me to take her away from her Alpha?”

The two were quite for a moment, Spree grunting out, “you have no idea how much it hurt, ya know.” It was enough for Jerry to look at Spree, the yellow mare having a slight scowl. “To grow up with Shadow. Know everything about her. Share my first time with her. Feel my crush turn into love. Have my heart ripped out when that bastard from school got to rape her in front of me. Then when I see her next time, she’s a ga-ga bimbo for some strange male that supposedly saved her, and nearly later get almost raped by the same guy because of his stupid-kiss-up-toady advisor?”

There was a clear spite there, a sort of repressed anger. It made a few tingling warnings go off in Jerry’s brain, even if Spree never struck at him. “I can’t… tell you how much that hurt. To finally hear her say a polite ‘no’ to never be with me. I can’t tell ya how much that… ripped my heart out. Tore it really…”

Hands clenching and unclenching, the earth mare took a few shaky breaths and Jerry had a feeling… she was on the edge of actually crying. But she powered through it. “I could have just dragged her along. But I couldn't. I loved her too much. And it wouldn’t have been fair. So I… I just let her go.” Giving a smile that was both forced and confused. “Let her go and had to just… just trust she’d be fine. Be the mature adult I am and… and move on?”

The laugh was not in any amusement. “Not like I could. Head-over-heels, right? It was like… impossible to do that.” Then looked up, eyes glistening. It was between a glare, and just uncertainty. “You’re decent, Jerry. I’ll say this. But decent or not, I’m joining because Shadow asked me. I can never have her like I wanted, but I’d be damned to sit on the side and do nothing if she asked for my help, even if I will never get to have her love. Love doesn't work like that. I have to be willing to just… just give what I can, even if I never will have the same given back.”

Jerry was...silent. Looking at her as she was right. He would never understand how hurt Spree was...but he knew enough that if he wasn’t in the picture and if the Caribous didn’t show? Spree would be with Shadow right now. Jasmine would be with her sister, and there would be no need for him to be here. But he was here. He was the first to ‘take’ Shadow, and Spree is joining because the thestral asked her to...because Shadow cares enough for her friend to at least give something to the mare who she grew up with.

Although he did had to ask. “Say Spree...Shadow mentions something about you technically being the ‘real Beta’-- I’m guessing that’s a thestral tradition, right?”

Taking a moment to try and clear her eyes with a hand, Spree half composed herself to tell, “yeah...yeah… it’s a old thing…” Breathing in to further calm herself. “You see… Submissive and dominant thestrals got this… position. If your submissive, you serve whoever your dom is. You’re… well, you’re a dom. You show dominance. Shadow is a sub. And I’m a dom…”

Stopping to settle herself, the yellow mare breathed out, “to put it simply Jerry, I can dominate Shadow is sex, or in any situation. So, normally in a Thestral herd, I’d be seen as the first mare, if I challenged Shadow to that. But, well… this goes further. She’s your Queen, the overlady. If I did that… then I’d be seen as queen instead. Again, Thestral traditions. And… I didn’t want to do that to Shadow. I can’t do that to her.”

“...because if you did that, you hurt her more.” said Jerry as he figured out why Shadow, or at least another reason why Spree was joining the herd. Sure Spree could take over the herd as the first mare...but won’t because of Shadow feelings and trust in the earth mare. Even more the complications it could have for everything, even Jerry himself.

Nodding and blinking any tears away that were left, Spree told, “in the bedroom, when there’s sex and no one’s around to see? I’m the Beta. I’m the real Head mare. Besides you, I call the shots. If I want to bang Shadow silly in sex? I could. If you wanted first picks in making her a moaning mess, I move aside and let you. That’s.. Just Thestral dynamics.”

“But outside of that, Shadow’s positions the same.” Eventually nodded the yellow mare. “And I can live with that. Being a guard, a soldier… that was what I grew up to be. Not a… queen.” Going quite for a moment before going on. “And since I’m the real Beta, means any mare decide to try and change pecking order by Thestral traditions? Well… they got to go through me first, and Shadow can stay safe and keep her place. I’m first, and foremost, her guard.”

Thinking a bit more...Jerry slowly nodded as he figured out why Shadow talked with him about this. He could see the advantage this was as shadow would be safe in both public and if some mare attempted to stake claim...He looked to Spree and remarked. “That explains a lot. Although it still feels awkward that we’ll be seeing a lot more. Not everyday a friend will be part of the herd.”

Then amended with a slight shrug. “Or at least...with me.” he then thought...and asked with caution in his tone. “What about the whole...relationship thing then? Since it’s admittedly...really, really awkward for us both, even more since I don’t know if you’ll be sleeping with us or...near the bed room. Or use the showers.”

Breathing in, and apparently curbing her feelings, Spree told in a thankfully controlled tone. “Let me make this straight, Jerry. I ain’t your mare yet. I might be part of the Herd, mostly because Shadow asked me.” then placed her hand over her chest, half squishing her firm breast enough it caught Jerry’s eyes. “These ‘girls’?” she said with a half emphasis with a little squeeze, “and my plot?” removing her hand to tap at her hip. “You’re not seeing, or even touching them, until I say so. I’m not like the other’s. I don’t bang a guy, until I think he’s worth it.”

Jerry was almost afraid to ask what that entailed. “But, you’re a decent guy.” She told on, “a dork and a bit of an idiot, sure. But decent enough I’d give you a chance. Only fair enough.” Then looked at him. “But this pansy-footing isn’t gaining you points. Toughen up, spar with me for real.” Then paused in thought, “and treat me to a dinner or something.” saying it in a somewhat demanding tone.

Staring at her, he couldn’t help but laugh a bit. He held up a hand and said. “S-Sorry, sorry just,” laughing a bit before trying to calm himself down. “I’m sorry it just...you reminded me of my sister for a moment.” trying to calm himself down as he managed to take deep breaths. “Wow...that was a near perfect response from her…” then looked at Spree as he held a smile. “But yeah...I think I can accept those terms fairly.” then relaxed as he held up his blade with both hands.

Moving his stance a bit as with assurance from Spree, he felt like he could go all out like before and take things seriously. “Well, back to training, right Spree?”

“Expect bruises.” Spree remind before they went at it. All the while, some Blue’s sitting around a table half listened into the progressive beating training that was going on. Until the Master squeals for help-- they would just sit by and keep playing poker.

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