Coco Pommel was learning new things every day.

While they certainly were not things that most ponies would have been made to memorize painstakingly in school and spend countless sleepless hours on doing last-minute studying, those things were proving to be quite interesting and useful given the circumstances. For example, Zigotons only pronounced another's name without the -ton suffix if they were family.

On one hoof, she learned that there were many profound differences between the two tribes that she had faced so far- The Zigotons, much unlike the rounder version, (and this was something she never thought she would have to describe) interestingly resembled a colony of steampunk bees.

Guessing from the unstoppable flow of chatter coming from the two irrepressible twins, instead of waking up in the morning to birdsong like Coco would have expected in a world like this their lives were filled with the rhythmic clanking of machinery and the hissing of boilers and pistons.

Being hunters (novices, something else Coco pieced together), however, meant that whatever they reported to her was a fraction of what most other more urban Zigotons experienced.

Something else she noticed was that Zigotons tended to be workers and not leaders. They could be amazingly, uncomplainingly focused and were some of the most loyal creatures around- indeed, they even tended to take on the traits of their rulers (or generals) as was evidenced by the time that they started selling their souls (Coco thought that this was at least somewhat dodgy) simply because their queen had done it first.

On the other hoof, she learned that she was a little biased. "You have a... sister?"

"'Course, miss, can't do nothing without her being quite a capital young lass she is as well, stiff as a crank spring, wot."

"Keep your horrible grammar the other side of the river, sonny, and let me explain it to the madam- she's being the bestest mechanic and toolwhacker a Zigoton could scarcely fathom of dreamin' of, ain't she, eh, Rei?"

"Uh huh. She'a tough Zigoton." Reiton was still clinging fiercely onto her leg and would not be dislodged even if Coco tried (she didn't, being too polite).

"And she's also wonderful with animals- a blisterin' rare old trick in this sort of society, sure you'd like her, miss, being a horse and all- see, she actually managed to tame Slick-" this appeared to be the name of the snow salamander ominously slithering along with them-" and even this Uko thing here, can't you imagine."

"Aye, and the hardest trick of all trades was trying to get this pickled conker to obey a single blimmin' word anyton said."

"No hard feelings, I was only being fair and truthful, lad."

"It sounds like you two like her a lot," Coco said, trying to stop them arguing (an ultimately futile thought) and deflect her embarrassment from the fact that she had actually believed there were only males genetically possible in this dimension.

"Where else d'you think we're going, madam?" Ukoton said happily.

"Fine old gel, she is, wot."

"She' nice."

"Well, if you're so enthusiastic about it-" She self-consciously started to fiddle with her mane which had not seen a brush for the duration of her time spent here and adjusted her sailor's-collar to boot. "I wish I was a little more presentable. I hate to burden you, but.. do I.. do I look alright?"

"Rest assured, you look wonderful, miss."

"Making the blinkin' snow look gray, you do, madam."

"Certainly there isn't a single creature this side of the land with such an amazing- um, complexion, ain't it?- complexion, miss, no there isn't."

"Pity there ain't noton to give this lady a medal for existing."

"No bloomin' contest between this fine young marm and that brumby thing that Ryuton was welding a saddle for, d'you you remember that?"

"That's because it was a gelding and old as the flippin' hills to boot- probably went out of service when Pommelton was born."

"You look reall' pretty," Reiton summarized.

"Beg pardon, madam, but why are you named after the stick bit on a saddle?"

"Oh, that's just how my parents-" there was an unnoticeable falter here," - decided to name me, like how they named you Uko and Udo and Rei."

"Fine name you got there, if I had a gel I would certainly call her Pommelton too."

"You can go about being a brainless lead rod, I'll call her Cocoton instead, no offense meant to your beautifully radiant last name, madam."

It was possible that they would go on arguing until the end of time, had Reiton not softly called out, " 'llo, Haru."

"Haru?" Ukoton said.

"Haru?" Udoton repeated.

"Haru- Haruton?" Coco amended. She had barely noticed that they had come to the edge of the forest with the snow turning thinner and more trampled and the trees becoming sparse. An empty white hill lay out in front of them, and on the horizon Coco could see what could have been mistaken for a smaller and much less imposing early Manehatten surrounded by a fortress if she hadn't been paying attention.

"That's my name- don't wear it out, buddy." The newcomer's voice was mature, bemused and unmistakably female and caused the snow salamder (from who Coco was careful to take distance from) prick up the crystals adorning it's blunt head.

Coco looked down to see that there was a new Zigoton standing in front of her, one that was more or less indistinguishable from the three brothers apart from being taller and having somewhat thinner limbs.

There was a stocked dark (it could have possibly been a another colour, but it was hard to tell because it was midnight) leather tool belt that she was wearing and she wielded a somewhat evil- looking wrench in one hand.

Reiton detached himself from Coco's legs and then attached himself to Haruton's side. "Hi."

"'Hi'? You disappear without warning me, you little rascal, and all you have to say is 'hi'?"

"Yeah."

Without any further ado, Ukoton and Udoton immediately leaped forwards, seized one of her hands apiece and started to pump it up and down energetically is if they hadn't met for years.

"Haru! How absolutely wonderful-"

"How pleasantly surprising-"

"How completely fabulous and unexpected-"

"How corking it is to see you-"

"I swear, you two are going to be the death of me someday!" She extricated herself and addressed them severely. "When was the last time I told you to tell me first before going out like this? And taking Rei with you at the middle of the night! Don't you just stand around and shuffle your feet like that, or I'll whack you hard enough with this wrench next time to leave a dent that Gong could use as a helmet!"

While this Zigoton had the same frenetic and somewhat overwhelming speed of speaking, she didn't insert the same words as the twins did in her sentences.

"Aw, no, not in front of the lady!"

"Can't you spare a chap a lecture and his dignity?"

"Look at this beauty we've found for you!"

Coco shifted nervously as she was given a once-over by the somewhat intimidating Zigoton, who kept tapping the head of the wrench against her side indignantly. Slick joined her in watching over the pony haughtily as if she was otherwise too beneath his notice.

Ukoton elbowed her in the ribs. "And it can talk too! I mean, of course, she can talk too, pardon me, madam."

"Hello." Coco said politely.

Immediately, without further ado, Haruton started flitting around her like an overzealous bug, inspecting various places as if Coco was some sort of new species of plant and talking apparently to herself.

"This is a one of a kind model we've got here, some kind of hybrid cross between a horse and a deer-" she parted her mane to look at her clip better," - seems to be someton's exotic pet, look at all these gidgets it's got and there's a brand on it's flank as well, definitely not some kind of birthmark..."

Pommel felt as if she was being studied by a pushy physician and her head followed Haruton skittishly as she lifted one of Coco's forelegs and examined her hoof. "Not in a good condition, brittle hairs and weak follicles, some uneven fur growth on her undersides, thin legs, ears need cleaning, hooves are soft (though that could just be the species), ribs are easily felt- have you been lost in the wild for some time, young lady?"

The pony blinked, not used to her alternating between treating her like a show dog and like a sentient being and feeling her pride somewhat rubbed raw by her bluntly stating the facts. "I- y-yes, I believe I have."

"And- and-" All of a sudden something seemed to dawn on her. "And you two," she said, abruptly changing tack and whirling around to face her twin brothers, " are hunters?"

"Well-"

"And hunters hunt animals for food?"

"Last we checked-"

"And how," she gestured wildly to the pony awkwardly standing in the snow while pointing the wrench at them accusingly, "are we supposed to eat that?!"

This had not occurred to them. Ukoton and Udoton both looked blankly at the pony, who looked alarmed by the word 'eat', and then each other, momentarily lost for words. Their salamander looked as if he had thought of the idea first, hissing and rushing it's tail around the flattened snow condescendingly.

"Er," Udoton began awkwardly. "We were, ah, thinking maybe, um, we shouldn't..."

"Then what was the point of you going out at midnight in the first place?!" Haruton threw her wrench up in the air in frustration and then stormed off before adding furiously over her shoulder, "I'm never talking to you again!"

They awkwardly watched her leave, Udo and Uko shuffling their feet while Rei appeared serenely unconcerned, playing with the ends of Coco's mane, having escaped the blame. With a somewhat derisive hiss the snow salamander flicked it's tail and then went slithering after her, leaving the four to stand there in the snow.

She looked at them worriedly. "Shouldn't you go after her?"

They shrugged in unison, Ukoton picking up the wrench with obvious forlorn expressions on their faces.

"She's your sister, and it seemed as if she was worried about you two leaving with your little brother at this time of the night," Coco pressed boldly.

"Well, ah," Ukoton said halfheartedly.

"Dunno," Udoton muttered. It was obvious that they had been expecting a warmer welcome than the scolding they had just received. Coco studied their downcast faces, noting that apparently her approval meant a lot to them- something that Coco knew she could relate to once upon a time.

"How about I go too?" Coco suggested finally, trying to break down her objections as much as possible. "I may be only a horse, but I can also possibly help comfort her by being somepony she can confide in."

They brightened up immediately. "Why, what a capital idea!"

"Absolutely splendid! Nothing less expected from such a bright young missus, no it ain't."

Reiton tugged on her hoof. "Come on, make Haru 'appy."

Coco obediently let herself be led by the young Zigoton. "Alright, there's no need to pull my leg like that if you please, Reiton."

__________

They ended up not having to delve deep into the fortress itself, which made Coco Pommel feel somewhat secretly glad- it felt like such an imposing structure and, although she could not see them (as being heard but not seen was the norm for them), she could almost feel red eyes following her like a crowd watching a parade float.

The walls of the outside were made with some sort of reddish- brown stone, and was perfectly smooth- there was no space to slide a knife in- and very methodically well- built. There were triangular flags flittering from the peaks of the fortress and from every guard tower (which seemed empty, but Coco knew better by this point).

Passing through the fortress and the pony saw to her surprise that there was pretty much nothing for a while except for cobblestone streets. However, there was something like thick fog lying over everything like a gauzy blanket (which reminded Pommel of the Plateau) which limited her sight and didn't allow her to see very far off, making her rely heavily no the Zigotons to guide her.

After a spell of walking, with structures starting to appear on their sides something loomed out in front of them- some kind of workshop. It was the size of a bungalow, somewhat rickety and patched looking with pipes that drew off the rain from the roof along the top and shale tiles lining the roof itself. It reminded her almost painfully of some other house a long time ago and she watched it wistfully as they skirted around it.

I wonder what they make in here? Most possibly weapons.

She was then led up to the back where the structure was indented with squares the size of a bathroom at regular intervals. Each had an exhaust fan implemented in it and some had manhole covers in the floor and the occasional trash bin.

The twins proceeded to pull out a large chunk of the wall just big enough for Coco to crawl through and winked at her in unison. The pony studied the dark inside doubtfully and then looked at them, inclining her head for them to go in first(there seemed to be unspoken assent against making any sound) prompting them to roll their eyes and clamber inside.

The passage seemed to dip underground for a moment before pointing straight up, allowing Ukoton in the front to straighten and push open a sort of trapdoor.

Relieved, Coco Pommel climbed out of it and let out a breath, slumping on the stone floor and puffing at a strand of mane that flew into her face, being reminded of the remarks Haruton had made about her health. Oh dear, there doesn't be to be a single mane conditioner in this entire land and I don't have the courage to request for essential oils (if they have any)...

As with a clang Reiton shut the door behind hm Coco then took her time to look at her surroundings. Some sort of dim yellowish light possibly coming from a hidden lantern illuminating the place with a faint glow.

It was fairly messy- there were unmade bunks lining the sides of the walls and desks with mismatched chairs. The walls were scribbled on and there were these boxes with arrows that were pushed against it at irregular intervals along with bows being hung by nails.

She turned to see the three of them looking at her expectantly, their eyes flitting towards the metal door at the end. "Oh, right," Coco whispered, feeling a tide of doubt curl inside her as usual- a familiar feeling that always arose whenever she had to go greet the guests. "Oh. Yes."

She cantered up uncertainly to the door and then looked back. Uko, Udo and Rei all nodded enthusiastically. Coco looked from them tot he door again and put her hoof on it.

Then awkwardly she put it down only to repeat the process, feeling the sensation of three people glaring at her exasperatedly.

Coco took a deep breath and forced herself to creak it open.

This room reminded her of the Armoury (which made her feel a pang of guilt) crossed with somepony's large cluttered suburban garage.

There were all kinds of half made machines everywhere with sacks of screws and other little nuts and bolts of various sizes carefully labelled and set alongside the walls as the arrows had been in the previous room.

Hammers and screwdrivers and some other strange tools she couldn't name were set on tables, lying on creations, or hanging on the grey stone wall, and there were at least four things that were most probably lamps that she could spot in the room. It was like a scene from one of those complicated hidden- objected games.

But the star of the place was some sort of machine was apparently meant to move, as it had spiky red wheels, and looked something like a large upgraded skateboard with a big lever at the back and a bigger weapon that was most possibly a cannon. Seated on a stool and facing away from her was Haruton, who was banging away at a dent on one of the bars.

Coco may have not known the difference between a nut and a bolt until recently, but she knew enough to know that one was not supposed to hammer on something with a wrench.

Her legs kept stopping suddenly every few steps nervously as she approached the banging Zigoton.

"Lamp," she said shortly.

Coco obediently scuttled around the floor and carefully retrieved one of the things, meekly setting it down next to her with such delicacy one would think that it was going to explode.

"Screwdriver."

"Screwdriver..." Coco mumbled, placing a little one with a wooden handle and balanced it precariously on one of the thin iron bars. To Coco it looked pretty much alright, but she guessed that it was probably much different for someone with the eye of a mechanic.

Haru focused on twirling it in the socket, watching the pony fidget timidly out of the corner of her eye. Coco started when she let out a deep sigh and finally turned to face her full on. "They set you up to this, didn't they?"

She nodded and then shook her head.

"Honestly-" she started banging on the contraption again, making Coco flatten her ears and wince, "- if they'd just own up by themselves..." she trailed off into mutters, apparently forgetting the pony existed until she yawned. "What, are you tired?"

Coco nodded and then shook her head. It would make me uncomfortable, I don't want to be a burden on anyone. Oh, I managed to say 'anyone' for once-

"Try?" Haru offered a sort of wooden cup, with a glint of mischief in her eye that Coco naively missed.
The pony peeked inside to see that she was looking at something that somewhat resembled coffee, and at the thought of coffee her ears pricked in anticipation. Oh, I didn't know they had that here! It's been so long that I've had my latest drink... Eagerly she took a little dainty sip.

It was most probably a very fortunate thing that Coco had a conscience that was quick to act which prevented her from spitting it back out as her gag reflex triggered, making the pony choke on the small mouthful instead. It tasted like the strangest thing Coco had ever put in her mouth, and its innocent coffee appearance was certainly just as misleading to an extreme.

It had the consistency of melted wax, tasted like apple juice and that intense scent of gasoline, with all of these sharp fizzy bubbles that bit into the roof of her mouth and her sensitive throat as she forced it down audibly.

Hoping to high heaven that this wasn't something Haruton had made herself to avoid all of the impolite things she had implied, Coco croaked, "It's welly oonique..."
She swallowed again, feeling her sinuses block up, and the (even more than usual) nasally quality of her voice made her want to die of embarrassment. "Unhgg...'thorry..."

Fortunately in terms of cheering the Zigoton up it seemed to do the trick- Coco hadn't heard such a high pitched laugh for what felt like ages and grinned ruefully in spite of herself. Last time I met a sadist... when was the last time I met a sadist? Was Ragewolf a sadist? I'm not good at spotting sadists, or maybe everyone is a sadist- I think I've worn out the word 'sadist', I forgot what it means now...

"I- your- you-" Haru finally choked out. "I'll be honest, I was really trying to hate you- but whatever you did, I couldn't- and this-" she silently pantomimed what must have been Pommel's expression before dissolving into more fits of laughter.

"I'm glad I coulb thange your mind," Coco said, feeling her nose begin to thankfully clear up and dabbed at her eyes. feeling as if she had always taken breathing for granted. "What the.. what even was that?"

"Eh, just a thing or two," she dismissed. "You must be really tired if it's not having any effect on you, though. Or maybe it's just because you're a... whatever the hell you are... hey, come here, look at this."

Coco trustingly (even after all of that) went forwards and peered at the tank catapult thing. "What is it?"

"This is Ziggerzank," Haruton announced proudly and with considerable emphasis. "I mean, not the actual thing-" she leaned on her elbows and huffed," I'm not that important yet- but managing to come close to the original even if it is the old version and not the one with the laser... it's real impressive, don't you think?"

"I remember..." Coco frowned, ducking her head and putting a hoof on it absentmindedly. "I remember..." she said slowly, trying to drag it out- she knew something about this, but it wasn't forming properly as some elements didn't make sense.
"Um, there was one of these that helped the Patapons went they were attacking..." Pommel pushed her head against the tank. "...Sushi... Sushi Gate?"

"Sokshi," Haruton corrected, watching with with newfound keen interest. "How do you know about that?"

"Ehm, my cousin told me stories," she said vaguely, trying to skirt the painful stabbing memories.

"Woodland creatures being told stories of Ziggerzank? I thought I'd heard the strangest things when the twins started speaking in full sentences."

Speaking of the twins reminded Coco of her initial mission. She had cleared the first step, and now had to mend the broken bridge between the family. Coco determinedly said, "Um, about the twins-"

"You don't to ask if I've forgiven them," Haruton interrupted, banging on the dent again. "It's impossible, I can't stay mad at them for more than a day no matter how much I damn well need to- I mean, how many times did you ever say 'I'm never talking to you again' to your own older sibling, huh?"

"How did you..?"

"Eh, your face."

"We-ell, at least once a week or two," Coco said.

"You must have gotten along well."

There wasn't anypony to get along with after.. the thing. "I guess- he's a bit of a, um, fancy pony," Coco said, as usual not willing to voluntarily speak ill of one of her more likable family members. "He's even a noble now and he always has these other ponies around him who always change their opinions to whatever he says."

"It's like having even more Ukos and Udos and Reis tail you everywhere then, huh? What a nightmare." She raised the wooden cup to the gleaming lantern. "A toast to a brave brother, willingly enduring such trials..."

Coco had no idea where all of that fizzy stuff went or even how, but had no idea whether or not she was allowed to comment on such a thing and kept it politely to herself.

________________________________________________________

The pony hadn't had this kind of fun for a very long time- it was much different from what she experienced back in the forest near the Hideout. Such simple company was one of the things that Coco Pommel had always unhappily wished for the most (until she convinced herself she was being ungrateful to her circumstances) and now that she was given it she certainly did not relinquish her grip for quite a while.

Or at least until finally her eyes were flickering like the lantern as she lay her head on the tank copy's side, the image of Haruton still talking animatedly becoming like watery paint and the only words her throat was able to force out being 'uh huh' or 'nuh' (her mind being past caring about politeness).

" 'Aru?"

"And it hit him- literally- right on the- eh, what, Rei?" She swiveled around to a rather discombobulated young Zigoton solemnly standing near them and scrubbing his eye sleepily.

"It' th'ee. In th' mornin'."

"...Eh? What?" She looked to Coco for reassurance.

It couldn't be given as Pommel had fallen asleep, taking advantage of the momentary silence.

"Traitor," Haru mumbled. "Uh, what am I supposed to do with this now?"

"Pick 'er up," Reiton stated as if it was obvious.

"She's a horse and I have limits, buddy."

"I pick 'er up wi' you." Rei scuttled over and managed to get Coco into some kind of carrying position. "Come on, 'elp."

They ended up carrying her as if she was a very large football. "This horse is way too light. I swear, if I let her go, she'd go and float away when I breathe."

"Then, don' breath'."

"Can't, I'll die."

"Okay."

When Coco finally came to, she was laying on something that felt like a beanbag stuffed with marshmallows and wrapped in cat fur. Murmuring contently she nuzzled deeper into the substance, flicking her tail.

"Oi, that tickles! Waaugh, there's a blimmin' horse on top of me- save me, I'm being blinkin' flippin' bloomin' crushed to death- don't just standing there rolling around grinning like daft ducks you bloody pair of spikeheaded antbrained wafflewalloped worthless excuses for rotters-"

"Do us a favour, marm, and could y' just crush him to death faster, mate? I mean, just look at the thing's vocabulary, could teach Rei a lesson in choice words- cover your ears, sonny boy."

"Oh, I'm sorry- I-I didn't know I was top of you!" Coco scrambled off before he could spew any more curses, her tail fluffing up and her ears turned back. She hoped that she hadn't somehow caused him any permanent damage, as it would be a very poor repay for their hospitality.
Her (groundless) fears were quickly reassured. "Er, beg pardon, miss, didn't see it was you there, ha ha, ehm, this chap didn't think, happens in the mornings y'know, death by suffocation due to horse-"

"Shut him up before we're all swimming in his bally words!" Coco ducked as something sailed over her head and hit Udoton square in the eye (which wasn't saying much as he was mostly composed of an eye) managing to knock him over flat.

All of a sudden something seemed to click in Coco's mind as if someone had flicked a switch on and she bounced up to her hooves excitedly, her eyes only focused on one thing. "Oh! Oh! Bring that over here, please- I know what that is!"

Ukoton looked at her with some puzzlement before retrieving the thing that he had thrown and held it out for Coco's inspection. The pony was practically hopping excitedly on on the tips of her hooves, feeling the same flood of energy from back when she used to listen to these stories-come-to-life fill her like fizz. "Ooh, oooh!"

"Pray tell, what's all the fuss about?" Udoton queried, popping back up. "Oh, that thing?"

What Ukoton was holding was shaped pretty much just like descriptions Coco had heard about the original Hero's mask, except for two major differences- it was dark red and with a brighter heart in the middle and looked somewhat dirty and scuffed. "It's that- that mask!"

Udoton scratched his head. "Well, yes, it's a mask. Found in these ruins, didn't we, Uko?"

"Pawned it off to Haru because it looks something embarrassing- don't want to be seen dead walking around with that thing on my face, wot."

"No, no, you misunderstand!" Coco said hurriedly. "You aren't supposed to wear it yourself! It's a mask!"

"Eh, hadn't noticed. Thanks for the reminder."

"It's a Hero mask! No, I think it's called a Komupon... oh yes, It's a Komupon mask! It's meant to come to life- but ..." Coco deflated.

"Explain?" Reiton offered, having been silent so far.

"You see, for the Patapons one day they met somepony- I mean someone called Hero-"

"No, no, skip that, we know that already," Ukoton dismissed.

"Well, there was more than one Hero because for Patapons there's more than one dimension..." She started to become confused herself. "Well, Hero and the Almighty could access these other dimensions- you do know what the multiverse is, right?"
They all nodded in unison. "They could access these and fight with these other Heroes called Komupons- wait, there are multiverses in the Patapon universe itself? Or was the Patagate only a gate to other select... I mean, nevermind all of that! The point if that it's another variation of Hero except coming from a different universe- no, that's confusing..."

They waited patiently for her to get to the point. "This is a Hero from another universe much like yours, but different in some ways," Coco finally finished.

Udoton appeared to do some thinking. "Excuse me, miss, we can't be ignoring the certain logical complications about this mask here- for example, why isn't it also an Uberhero mask and how'd it end up in this bally universe in the first place?"

"I don't know," Coco said.

"Capital."

"But the most important thing is... Komupons respawn after a while and this one obviously hasn't for quite a long time... I don't why that is..." Coco frowned and squinted at the heart on the mask, her tail bristling with frustration, feeling as if she had had a brilliant dress brainwave in her dreams and then woken up only to have vague memories of it.

They all sat down in a circle, Coco on her haunches like a cat with her head buzzing like a nest of bees, each insect representing a thought. "Hmmm..."

"Hm." Ukoton repeated.

"Hm." Udoton echoed.

"I'n't there a t'ee?" Reiton voiced thoughtfully.

"What kind of tree do you mean?" Coco asked gently.

"Mater."

Coco blinked. "Mother?" she translated. "There's a mother tree?"

"No. Mater t'ee."

It finally dawned on her . "Oh, the Mater Tree! Reiton, you're a genius!" She popped up to her hooves again like a spring. "Of course, why didn't I think of that!"

"Eh, hold your horses-"

"Hold yourself," Ukoton corrected.

"- could you explain to a pair of poor chaps with nothing but flies in their head as to what the dickens you're hooting about?"

"The Patapons have a Tree of life-"

"We know," Udoton interrupted.

"We can bury this at it's roots and it'll surely come to life then!" Coco said confidently, for once optimistic. It'll be so amazing, I'll finally be able to truly see the Hero that I was told about at last!

"Wonderful," Ukoton said. "Let's go, then."

"What-?"

"Let's go, then," he repeated slowly.

"Now?"

"'Course." Udoton adopted an official, businesslike tone. " Are you afraid of getting caught or somethin'? Noton would be awake at this blinkin' time of the morn, wot."

"We'll pop out, bury your mask, pop in, all before breakfast- slick plan, innit?"

Reiton had been watching Coco's expression and voiced her unspoken question. "'Aru," he said simply.

"Haru's not mad anymore," he waved it away.

"We'll be back in a flash of the madam's tail, can't you trust your own brothers?"

"Tail flash t' fast."

"It's an expression."

"But why are you just going all of a sudden?"

"We're doing it for you, yes we are."

"Nothing about the spirit of adventure and the thrill of the hunt, nope."

Coco wasn't used to making split-second decisions- hers were always made after a long time of pacing and deciding even if it was buying pink or white flowers that day. She looked very unsure, her henlike concern for these young three evident. "But-"

"If you're having so many doubts, miss, why don't you go with us? Save us a lot of trouble, and whoever this Hero chap is-" he tapped the mask and scrubbed it haphazardly,"- he'd be most partial to such a calm, sweet young filly just in case, right lads?"

"Sure thing, what a marvelous sparklin' creature and all that."

"Noton'd hurt you."

It didn't take as much convincing for Coco to finally decide to accept in the end as it normally would have done to make her go somewhere, but the circumstances and the constant nag of her conscience finally pushed her out of the trapdoor Reiton shut behind them, briefly blocking all light.

"So does anyton know where this Mater thingamabob is?" Udoton asked.

"Uh huh. Thr' here." Reiton cut across a swathe of pines into what appeared to be some sort of shortcut blocked by dead gorse which took a while to dig up (Coco helping the most). It led into a tall ravine, with the sides of where an ancient river cut a path through the blocky beige cliffs towering over them.

The snow was deeper here and at some point Coco was forced to carry Reiton who, being the smallest, had difficulty trying to traverse as it swallowed him by half. She let in to her temptation and took a couple of mouthfuls of the stuff, wondering why frozen water was better than it's normal liquid form.

"Pretty," Rei pointed out, making up for the unusual silence of the twins. He was referring to some kind of vine that had little fleshy round-petalled flowers resembling the dawn horizon that was growing along of the chipped ledges.

"You're right, it is really pretty," Coco replied longingly, wishing she had the time to stop and memorize them. It could do so well if it was embroidered on a dress, one that's flowing, yes, with the gradient at the bottom...

That path climbed steeply after that as the trees started to change, looking somewhat like acacia trees,which didn't make much sense due to the type of climate. Well, it must be something unique to this land, Coco decided.

"Over there," she whispered, her ears pricking forwards. She could see the mossy black remains of what looked like some sort of stage. Patapolis...?

"Hmm, not in so much of a good shape, eh?" Ukoton murmured, inspecting some sort of altar that was actually relatively intact. Coco perked up when she saw the chipped white symbol on it- a circle with a bent line underneath. Yes... I can't believe... this feels like I'm visiting an actual spot in those Daring Do novels.

She stared at the stage. I remember... Coco then turned her head to a spot where she knew the previous Obelisk to be, but found to her dismay that there was nothing there anymore. Whatever's left of it is in the Hideout- the Hideout... It must not be too far from here...

Immediately she remembered- 'I'll try'- and started to feel very, very guilty. I was being expected back soon, but I didn't come all night and forgot like such a heartless thing- they must be so worried about me!

"Here, heeeere!" Reiton called out, bringing their attention to the reason they had come in the first place.
He was standing next to a dark plant that could loosely be described as a tree, with these sort of branches that didn't branch out, but smoothly curled into spirals at the end with two in the middle being the largest- one curling high over itself, dotted with glowing white orbs, and another somewhat smaller and facing the other direction.

"Pretty," he and Coco said at the said time. Then the pony shook her head, flicking her ears, as something dawned on her. I can write a message for them here! They must visit this tree often, because they need to be revived after battle, I remember Kan telling me- "Wait, I need to do something!"
Without further ado, to ease her conscious, Coco cantered forwards and started to etch message in the dirt, erasing some bits and rewriting others until she was satisfied.
Still, I'm such a horrid friend.

"Alright, so pass over the mask and let's do the thing," Udoton said bossily.

"You have the mask, don't joke around with me," Ukoton replied.

"No, I can most certainly remember giving it to you, pal."

"If this is some sort of joke, you'd best be advised to cut it out, lad."

"I'm not joking!" he said loudly, and then turned to Reiton. "Do you- ?"

"No."

"Er, miss-?"

"I don't have it either- oh no, we forgot it?" Coco said with horror.

"Ah..." The twins quailed.

"Isn't it too early to be going out for a walk?"

The four all jumped. Standing behind them, leaning casually against the tree, tossing the mask into the air and then catching it was Haruton, who must have heard their plan despite their efforts to be discreet and was the last person any of them wanted to see (excluding Reiton, who was as serene and preoccupied as always).

They stared at each other for a while, and immediately Ukoton pointed to Udo. "He did it."

In turn he instinctively pointed to the one next to him. "It was her idea."

The fur on Coco's back prickled. "No, she- what?!"

She started again when Haru burst out laughing. "Geez, you all are like kids." She gestured for Udoton to hand over the shovel he was lugging around and began to dug the icy earth herself. "I admit, I really want to see what this is going to do."

"And... what if nothing happens?" Ukoton asked hesitantly.

"Then hell hath no fury like a Haruton," Coco mumbled nervously, something she wouldn't have said otherwise.

She patted down the earth over the red mask and then took a step back. They watched the tree expectantly, Coco praying that something would happen for the sake of the twins.

A minute passed.

Birds started to twitter. Two minutes passed. Please please please please please please please please please...

Finally, something began to happen. With the shiniest noise Coco had ever heard two glowing bulges started to form at the tips of the two biggest spirals and travel smoothly downwards and they gained speed the father they went and then conjoined at their base and it reached the one thick branch that wasn't curly and passed through-

Thump.

Coco and the Zigotons stared.

It was a Patapon, but it was donning the red heart mask and seemed to be reborn with it's full set of weapons and armour- a steel helmet, an iron shield and an iron sword, not really anything too fancy. He looked pretty dizzy, or maybe he was just pretending to stave off the discomfort that the situation gave.

Pommel didn't really know what to say now that their goal was achieved. Should I say, 'It's alive!' or something like that? (No, it makes me look like a mad scientist.) Should ask his name, or make small talk? Um, um, this is so awkward- no, it must be even more awkward for him, he was brought to life all of a sudden and now he's being stared at by four Zigotons and a pastel pony...

"So, um, where will he go now?" Coco asked uncomfortably, not liking speaking as if he wasn't there- but she couldn't help but treat him like some sort of strange new species of frog or something for the moment.

"Er," Udoton said, obviously not having thought so far ahead.

"Well," Ukoton tried to pick up the thought in vain. "Ahaha..."

"I guess you can say that this was kind of my fault," Haruton admitted, seeming embarrassed, fidgeting on the spot.

"He's not some wild animal that we can simply let go and expect to fend for itself," Coco argued quietly, feeling like a foal who made a huge irreversible blunder.

"Wanna keep 'im," Rei insisted, tugging on Haru's hand.

"Rei, it's not some sort of dog, he's a Patapon," Haruton muttered. "What if some Kacheek decided it wanted to keep you with himself forever? Wouldn't you be sad?"

"Kacheek don' take Rei, they don' like Zig'tons," he said dismissively.

"Smart kid," Ukoton mumbled.

"Our problem still stands, chaps and misses," Udoton pointed out. "Er, no, pardon, it's sprawled on the floor."

They all started in unison as all of a sudden someone cleared their throat. Coco and the Zigotons had their attention diverted once more to the Patapon, who had now managed to stand up weakly, leaning against his shield which he had planted into the ground like a cane.
("Eh, nevermind. It's standing now.")

"Ahem," he said feebly. "Hello."

He failed to continue what was obviously supposed to be a much longer speech and drooped. Without thinking, her caring side coming into effect and cancelling out her shy protests, Coco Pommel trotted forwards and offered him her side to lean against. "Hello. I'm Coco Pommel- I hope you're feeling well, you do look a bit dizzy."

He stared.

Coco winced. "Oh. Um, I'm a talking pony. Thought it would be fair t-to warn you..."

"Oh, give me that." Haru pushed forwards and then unashamedly stuck her hand out. "S'up?"

"Of course, I had also noticed how wonderful a day it is, and especially with someone as fine as you to brighten it! My name is Kabon, and I sincerely hope you are well, my lady...?" He took a bow.

The two stared at the instantly rejuvenated Patapon. "Haruton," she said, taking a step backwards. "Um, I'm... fine so far."

"Nothing pleases me so much as hearing that," he replied flamboyantly.

"Okay, bye."

"Eh? Wait-"

"Here, talk to the horse," Haru offered desperately. While being a blunt Zigoton, she wasn't really one to be outright rude to anyone- but this time she decided the best course of action was distracting this person.

"Is this a metaphor?" he asked mournfully.

"Hello," Coco tried again.

"Oh, how cruel- spurned once more-"

Udoton appeared next to Haruton. "Oi, laddie buck, mind laying off the fancy talk-"

"And our sister-" Ukoton popped up on her other side.

"I'm Reiton." The according brother peeked out from beside Coco Pommel.

The Komupon knelt down to be at his level. "It's nice to meet you too, Reiton- call me Kabon." He was somewhat quieter with the young Zigoton.

"What're you gon' do now?" Rei shyly shook his hand.

"Hmm? Oh, but of course- do the very thing all Patapons feel the great yearning to, deep in their souls-"

"Oh, stow it, you great windbag, he's six."

"Can't understand half a bloomin' word you're saying."

"Erm, right." He scratched the back of his head in consternation. "Well, it's every Patapon's dream- to reach Earthend!"

"Oh!" Coco perked up. "You're going to Earthend too?"

"Why, yes, of course!" Kabon reacted with surprise and immediately stopped ignoring Coco. "It's every Patapon's dream!"

"We hadn't noticed, thanks," Ukoton muttered.

"You see, I have to go to Earthend because that's where I can go home," Coco said animatedly, happy to find someone who sympathized with her. "It's very important for me to return, as I have a career and some friends there."

Something pulled in the middle of her stomach when she mentioned returning, but she quickly dismissed it.

"It's rather strange to meet someone who also wishes to visit Earthend who happens to be a mare. Though a very fine one, I can assure you." He took another bow.

Coco smiled gently. "It's also a little out of the ordinary for me to meet a Komupon, but I think it's nice as well."

"Say, I've had just about the most brilliant idea! Why don't you and me go together? A woodland nymph and a dashing warrior- what a fine image, don't you think?"

Coco tilted her head on one side, and then the other, weighing out all of the good and the bad. She had already taken a liking to the gaudy Hero, who didn't seem to be very bad company- in addition to him being able to fight- and it was probably prudent to have someone with her who knew where they were going, as for the past few days all she had been doing was wander around. "It seems wonderful."

"Cocoton leaving Rei?" The Zigoton asked somberly.

Haruton was quick to explain. "It's just like what I told you before, Rei- wouldn't you also be sad if you were kept away from your home? We have to let her go."

"Eh, what?"

"We ain't going with 'em?"

"Wh- who said anything about going?" she snapped. "I'm a Zigoton, you're a Zigoton, we're all Zigotons and where Zigotons belong is at the furnace and with a hammer and it can never be different no matter how much you want it to! Do I have to explain this to you?"
She, as Coco had first seen her do, promptly turned away and went off in an exasperated huff, not once deigning to look back.

Apologetically the three brothers hovered around Coco. "Ehm, shame she thinks that way, madam."

"Wouldn't mind spending time with such fine fun young miss, no I wouldn't."

" 'Least she knows her priorities."

"Er, is it just me, was the old lady seeming somethin' wistful?"

" 'Can never be different no matter how much you want it to' and all that."

"Well, gotta say our goodbyes here, miss."

"Hope we can see you again, yes we will, madam."

"Same for you- you two were really nice," Coco said sadly.

"Don' wan' Cocoton t' go," Reiton said bluntly.

"Sorry, we got to, mate."

"Come on, lad, we have a dragon that needs placating." They took a hand and then started heading off in the same direction that Haruton had went.

Coco watched them unhappily until they had completely disappeared. "You certainly do seem to be very popular," Kabon remarked.

You have no idea, Coco thought.

____________________________________________

And so it was official- Coco Pommel was going on an adventure. For once in her life she had the plug pulled out and became incredibly talkative, which was certainly a startling change from her usual anxious, eager-to-please gentle incarnation.

Picking through an unremarkable rainforest filled with flowers and vines and humidity as rainforests do and following Kabon's instincts ("I was not actually lying about it being in a Patapon's soul..."), Coco chattered on interminably, occasionally gesturing or turned her head to look at her new partner.

"I never really imagined that I would going on an adventure like this, you know? Or going on a hike, travelling in the old fashioned way. Usually, it would make me very nervous, seeing as I'm the kind of thing that most animals would like to make dinner out of, but maybe for once it would pay off being all optimistic like my friend Pinkie Pie. She's one of the reasons that I'm going to Earthend- I wish I could make you a cupcake like she does, but I can't make anything other than a cake, and even then it needs instant mix because my mother never really taught me- however i did learn to make some things on my own- do you think I would have the opportunity to show you on the way?"

"Mm hm."

Coco turned to look at him concernedly. "Oh, did I wear you out? I'm sorry, you should have told me to stop- I don't mind it."

"Mmmh? No, constant... walking..."

"Here, you can sit on my back. That's what Patapons usually do to horses, right?" She helped him clamber up gracelessly as if she was a haystack. I thought Komupons were usually made of steel and iron, or something like that- this shows that I shouldn't create stereotypes, though.

"You're letting me...?"

"We're going to travel together now, so it's best that we establish a good bond," Coco explained. She added quietly, "And some time ago I learnt that it's not meant to be everypony for themselves. Oh, you're sleeping... I, ah, hope you don't fall off..."

She had to be careful with her walking, feverishly hoping that he wouldn't tumble from her back due to the uneven motion when she walked. Coco recalled that he had said that there was supposed to be some kind of little establishment near.

"We can able to go and ask for sustenance from them," he had finished.

"So they'll just let us in, because we're travellers?"

"Ah, yes," he had said, and scratched the back of his head (something he usually did when confused or consternated). "They always seem to do it in all of the adventure books, don't they?"

Coco had decided not to comment.

In her memories, Kabon had said something else next which Coco couldn't recall as she hit the trunk of a tree snout first- with a wounded yelp she tottered backwards, her ears flattening and her eyes beginning to water, automatically raising a hoof to her muzzle. "Ooohhh... my nothe, I'm dying..."

"Well, then, die a little quieter, if you don't mind."
She was answered by a completely phlegmatic, impassive sounding voice that her ears couldn't find the location of due to the din of animal noises echoing through the wet forest.

"Uhwha- who's dere?" Coco pranced around with her back passed to the tree trunk, her fur bristling as something that sounded like a monkey (one cannot really tell in this world) screeched.

"Nobody. Go away," came the answering monotone. Coco understood by the words, if not the tone that the first half was meant to sarcastic while the other was not.

"Oh, alrighth," Coco demurred. "I wonth be a botheh t'you-" she turned around wildly, searching for the direction she had been going in only to find that brilliantly she had lost it. Something- somethin about moss? Um- moss points south- or was it north- how can moss even point anywhere, it's a plant! "Ehm..."

She stopped in her whirling suddenly and started as she came face to face with one of the stranger creatures she had met (which was saying something) presumably staring at her patiently- a fact she couldn't verify as it was wearing a mask.

"Oh, are you the one who was speaking?"

"No."

That is also sarcasm, Coco noted.

He pointed at her bruised snout. "Your nose," he said slowly, "is bleeding."

"Bl- bleeding?" Coco touched her nose to confirm that what she had thought was a symptom of a runny nose was actually indeed blood. "Wah! M-Make it stop!" Panic overcoming at the sight of what of meant to be inside of her and she started to turn in circles again (it was only a miracle that Kabon did not manage to fall off).

The masked thing reached out and firmly pinched her nostrils shut, forcing her to come to a halt again and then awkwardly try and stare at her snout rather than him, which would make her even more uncomfortable.

Finally he delicately let go of her nose, completely unruffled as if horses got nosebleeds frequently and, embarrassed, Coco tried to wipe away any residue with her foreleg. "Thank you."

" 'Thank you'?" He pronounced it like a foreign thing.

Coco was at a loss on whether or not she should explain what 'thank you' meant. "Uh, yes. You helped stop my problem when all I was doing was panicking." The pony looked around, discomfitted by his unrelenting stare, still holding her foreleg over her muzzle. "Is there anywhere I could wash my face?"

The masked thing pointed to the very wide trunk of the offending plant.

"That's a tree," Coco said.

"It's not," he said.

She looked from him, to the tree, and back again doubtfully. "Alright, it's not a tree..."

He came up to the not-tree and then promptly opened it's trunk with a creak, revealing a staircase inside the apparently hollow trunk.
"Oh, I see now," Coco said. "It was, uh, a little narrow-minded of me to believe it was a tree at first without seeing it."

He stared.

"Okay. Should I... come in?" Coco tugged at the tie of her sailor's-collar.

"I'm inviting you, aren't I?"

More sarcasm. If Haru was a sadist, he's sarcastic. She obediently placed a hoof on one of the light brown wooden steps.

"Who is that?" he asked boredly, pointing to the unconscious Kabon on Coco's back.

"Oh, he's Kabon the Patapon," Coco said.

"I dislike him immediately, then," was the deadpan reply.

"You shouldn't just judge a book by it's cover," Coco chided gently. "I mean, I don't know why you dislike him-"

"He's a Patapon."

"- well, maybe you'll like him if you get to know him. What if I treated you impolitely only because I didn't like your looks? Would it be fair to you?"

Coco had the feeling that her motherly fussing was received with dry exasperation.

"Okay, I'll keep it to myself," Coco felt her tail duck in embarrassment. Really, it's not my job to lecture a stranger about behaviour!

Tired of the conversation he tugged at her to make her move forwards, and Pommel, ever acquiescent, obligingly started to climb the stairs.

It went much farther than she thought it would go, feeling it a little uncomfortable to be twisting and changing directions all the time as she rose further and further into the air inside the wooden tunnel, which had holes in it to let in light and air. The part of her that was always diligent to her studies (except for the important things, such as where moss pointed) wondered about exactly how something hollow and apparently structurally deficient could be so tall (or possibly it was just her underestimating the tree).

She finally came out into the light and saw that she was practically on top of the world- this particular tree seemed to reach higher above than the others, allowing Coco to see over the gently rustling leaf blanket that was the canopy. The rainforest seemed to stretch on until it met the horizon, where the setting sun looked like a broken egg yolk surrounded by fire and turning lighter as the sky went on until it was murky white.

The place she was standing on was a large round circle consisting of wood planks the same material as the stairs with one of those black houses that Coco had seen as ruins along the way to Patapolis- somewhat like the Bonedeth, but different in subtle ways such as orange triangles instead of green ones.

A butterfly, something like a glittery swallowtail soared past her nose then changed it's mind mid-flutter, did a ninety-degree turn and landed on her nose, leaving the mare cross-eyed.

The scent of something like a baked carrot made her turn and prick her ears, the butterfly flittering away. She trotted over, curious, to where the masked thing was inexpressively stirring something on a fire on a stump in a cauldron with a long ladle. Ignoring the risks of using fire when you lived on something made completely of wood, surrounded by wood and sixty feet up Coco peered over his shoulder with interest.

" Try adding some basil," Coco offered.

He did the perfunctory stare, neglecting the pot.

"Right. Keep my nose out of other's business." She started to back away when he cooperatively added the herb and then looked back up the mare expectantly.

"Oh, well then, judging from the ingredients and the creaminess, I think you should add some mushrooms- these little button ones should be fine. And it needs a little less water, so you're going to have to keep at it for a while and remember to stir gently or else the carrots will get liquefied (carrots? Why carrots?). This dry leaf thing here- may i try it? It's rather spicy- you should put in two or three or else it could turn out too bland."

When she had finally exhausted her stream of advice, she was given a scoop with the ladle to taste and accordingly sipped it cautiously. "It's... like nothing I've ever had before," she admitted. "Ooh, can I have another?"

"Why not?" the masked creature said boredly.

At that moment, still on her back, Kabon began to stir. "Wh...?" he then tumbled off of Coco's back.

"Oh, are you alright? Have some of this," Pommel offered, then stopped. "Er... how about you take it yourself? I have no idea where exactly it's supposed to go..."

He drank it a little too fast. "C-Capital!" he hiccuped. "On par with- hic- with the most royal of- hic- king stews!"

"I wish I could hiccup so attractively," Coco noted. "I mean, I sound like a fr..." She wilted under the two's stares. "Oh, I-I didn't mean to say that out loud..."

"I admire a, um, mare that speaks from her- hic!- heart!"

"Just hold your breath for ten seconds," the masked person answered flatly.

They all quietly sat with their bowls of stew, with Coco being the farthest from the edge- among many other things, she did not particularly favour heights, being afraid she would somehow fall off into the void and end up as a pancake one way or another. She was beginning to feel drowsy, always having been an early sleeper- and all of that walking contributed to the drain of her energy. "I never really asked- what's your name?"

"Hiamen," he said shortly.

"I'm Coco Pommel," she replied courteously, stifling a yawn, and then waited. She had to nudge Kabon who was currently too busy with his food.

"Eh, what? Oh, I'd be Kabon, the most skilled sword wielder in the land, having cut down many waves of ferocious enemies and had many deeds sung through the land (especially by maidens)!"

"It's a little hard to take someone with their heart on their face seriously," Hiamen deadpanned.

"...Is that a metaphor?"

"That's the longest sentence I've heard you say so far." Coco mumbled thoughtfully, rubbing an eye. "Wah, did I say that?! I- I mean- no- not being rude-"

"That's not rude."

"I'm still sorry..."

"What a sweet young lady," Kabon commented. "No, horse. Should I differentiate between the two?"

"I've been called both equally frequent," Coco replied, her voice growing fainter. "I'd really hate to, um, impose myself on you, but if it's okay, can you try not to call me 'horse'?"

"Okay."

"Why, it would be no trouble at all! No need to fret, I would certainly become somewhat weary of being called 'the Patapon' all of the time as well!"

"You're either tipsy or slightly mad," Hiamen muttered.

"I'm not mad. What is there to be mad about?" He looked to Pommel for supplication. "Oh, she's sleeping."

"I'm not!" She opened an eye, flicking an ear. "Uh, is it lonely... living up here by yourself?"

"No. I'm coming with you."

"That's nice," Coco said, and then really did fall asleep.

Author's Notes:

"That's a tree," Coco said.

"It's not," he said.