Pitch black darkness, the underground cellar which the team has entered lacks any light source. The distant, barely audible noise from the war above adds tension to the unlit room. Everyone fidgets uncomfortably.

A small light comes into flame, struck up by the lieutenant. She holds a match in the tips of her left claw, providing just enough light to barely see around. Everyone notes that they're inside an empty square room with rock walls as infrastructure. There's no path or access point anywhere, this place seems like a dead-end. "This way," she says heedlessly, walking towards a wall at the far end of the room. Everyone follows quietly behind her and stays close. Once at the wall, the lieutenant uses the knuckles on her left claw to press it lightly. It clicks, mechanisms begin to work and the wall is lifted upwards.

"I assume that this hidden path leads to the old White Tail silver mine," Snowfall states.

"That would be correct," the lieutenant confirms, stepping into the secret entryway. They are greeted with a mine shaft that breaks into many directions. The lieutenant waves the match to put it out, no longer needing it as the shaft has lamps containing elderly flames. There are pieces of old mining equipment scattered about, sounds of creaking wooden structures, and crumbs of ore littered across the ground. "Pass through, I must close the entryway behind us lest the Sleeping Talons become wise to our escape." Everyone follows her orders and enters the ancient, dreary mine shaft. She faces the fake wall and presses a small steel button on the wall to her left, causing the chunk of rock to come back down and conceal their exit.

"This place gives me the creeps," Fawl comments. "Safe to say there's business down here since those lamps are still on, right?" he asks, looking towards the lieutenant.

"It is of no concern to you," she says as she begins to walk, prompting everyone to follow. "We will be able to exit through the main entrance at the base of the mountain."

"Really? Wow!" Tawl says in amusement. "Ponies must have dug for years if they made a path inside the whole mountain!"

"Almost a decade," Swirl states seriously. "Mining silver was responsible for one of Equestria's biggest economic booms before Celestia's coronation."

"OoOoh... I never knew that," Tawl puts the tip of her finger at her beak.

"Of course you didn't," Fawl reciprocates, "we both don't know a damn thing about Equestrian history."

"Makes three of us," Crimson adds. "The more I can learn about it, the better."

"Then why don't you try, I don't know, mmn," Banter pauses to fake a musing air, "reading a book?"

"Well ain't that a swell idea, partner. I'll just skim my eyes across an alphabet I don't understand."

"You don't know how to read Ponish?" Swirl asks with a hint of curiosity.

"Not one bit."

"Odd, considering you speak it just fine."

"Yeah, it don't make much sense to me either. I'm sure it won't be too difficult to learn, considerin' we've got the same vowel system 'n such. Hey, think you could give me a lesson some time, Swirl?" he asks playfully.

"... No," she says after a moment of thought.

"Aaaww," Strix hums, "there's no reason to be rude, Swirly~"

"I am going to end your life if you call me that in public."

Snowfall sighs, "I'm sure you don't mean it, but easy. Don't make yourself an accomplice."

"... Yes, captain," Swirl submits.

"Aah! Fuuckin' A!" Bulletpoint suddenly groans in anger.

"What is it?" Snowfall glances towards him.

"The balloon! Forgot all about it! Aagh, it's right fucked. Prolly popped 'n looted. We lost a week's worth'a shit, cap'n. Consortium ain't gonna be too happy 'bout this."

"We're not going back up the mountain, B.P, not with the enemy overtaking the outpost. Consider it forfeit, nothing of value was lost. Our higher-ups will understand. And if they don't, too bad. I'm not about to risk my troops for replaceable materials."

"That is not the case," the lieutenant says languidly. "The Sleeping Talons are raiding, not overtaking. They are wiser than to stay at this fort even after they claim victory over it. Were they ever bold enough to stay and hold this location, they could never defend it against the Black Horseshoes' forces. They are only killing and taking, if only to send a message and prod at the Featherline strength. Every base of operations they possess is hidden and unfound. They choose to keep themselves this way as they know full-well the Black Horseshoes would quell them effortlessly if they were found."

"Still, we'll cut our losses," Snowfall restates. "We need to report to Canterlot as soon as possible. There's a lot Celestia needs to know."

"So," Fawl glares at his ex-lieutenant, "how long is it gonna take to get through this cave?"

"Estimated an hour."

"An hour!?"

Banter starts with annoyance, "We are walking down an entire mountain. No shit it'd take an hour."

"I don't like your tone, dickhead," Fawl turns his head to squint at him.

"Yeah? What're you gonna do about it, prick?" They both nearly stop moving to grit at each other.

"Lock it down, both of you," Snowfall commands. Fawl turns his burning stare to her bitterly, finding distaste in being ordered. ... But his eyes trail to just behind her, towards Crimson. Crimson is staring at him seriously, a silent, sympathetic expression that suggests the best for him. Fawl's riled temper slowly simmers down and he sighs lightly, looking forward again without saying a word. He doesn't see it, but Crimson smiles slightly at his wise decision. Banter also returns his gaze forward, easing off through Snowfall's order.

"Weeell," Tawl begins, "since we're gonna be walking for a while... does anyone know any travel songs?"

"No," Banter, Swirl, and Fawl all say simultaneously. Tawl bites her tongue despondently at the quick collective put-down.

"Oo! Oo! I know one!" Strix suddenly blurts with a big smile. "Oooh, there once was a hero named Britty the Bold, who came riding to Detrot from Palomino~"

Everyone who complained earlier sighs in annoyance, but Crimson puts his hands in his duster pockets and smirks.

Tawl's gloominess is replaced by a giddy smile, "I know this one! I know it! Let's sing it together! From the top!" Strix and Tawl both clear their throats and inhale.

‎

---

‎

With the caution of a wary thief, Moonlight peeks her head in the grand archway that leads into the Royal Research labs. A constantly-shifting shadow shrouds her face, cast onto her by the huge gyroscope that endlessly turns. It's still there at the end of the hallway, standing in front of a huge window pane, just as she remembers it. She enjoys the familiar sight, but doesn't stop to admire it right now. Her eyes shift from left to right under her navy-blue hood, scoping out for any signs of life. She doesn't see or hear anyone, which is quite odd since she assumes there's at least two researchers here.

She slowly steps in, internally hating the clop of her hooves on the marble flooring. It's difficult to be sneaky when your movement apparatuses cause such a conspicuous sound. Luckily, she doesn't see anyone yet. She begins to think that no one is currently here, possibly due to royal business.

A plan strikes up in her head... she can go to Swirl's desk and leave the mini-ANA there, and write a note detailing how to properly make use of it. Moonlight wouldn't have to talk to anyone AND she'd get the mission accomplished as well. It's a perfect plan.

She feels a tingle in her chest as she trots quickly towards Swirl's office. She enters and looks around, attempting to find out where her main desk is. She remembers that Swirl's working method is similar to hers in that she doesn't have a main desk, she just uses them all according to steps or processes. Moonlight moves to the closest lab table to the entrance, making sure it's at an unmissable location when walking in. She levitates the mini-ANA from the inner pocket of her Scribe robes and sets it down on the table. She then helps herself to a single sheet of parchment from a stack and a quill, one that was already sitting inside an ink-pot.

She flips off her hood from her head and begins printing an explanation, following a set of steps into the parchment in a rather needlessly perfected fashion, stopping occasionally to see if she has made an error. Once she has everything written down and feels satisfied, she returns the quill into the ink-pot and smiles wryly at her note. She makes her exit from Swirl's lab, keeping her eyes turned to the powered-off mini-ANA as she does.

"Gnh!" "Goh!"

Moonlight had moved her head forward after exiting the archway, just to bump her muzzle into something, and that something whimpered back at her. Luckily it was fairly soft and didn't cause any real pain, neither did she accidentally stab it with her horn. She quickly takes a step back and nearly trips on her robes, looking towards a silver and blue stallion that furrows his brows incredulously. He holds what appears to be boxed lunch in his silver-colored aura.

"... Huh!" he gasps as his eyelids break open. "... Mu-Muh...!"

Moonlight's face quickly reddens at the sight of Magnifying Glass, and likewise his in the presence of Moonlight. Magnifying's magic spittles before it fades abruptly, dropping the box of food. Moonlight's second-nature kicks in and she catches the box in her magic before it hits the ground. They both stare at each other in a weighty silence, with no one else around to break the tension. At the very least, the huge spinning gyroscope's constant whooshing and humming makes the environment not completely silent.

Moonlight turns her eyes left and right before leaving them on him again. She swallows a block in her throat, wondering why he isn't saying anything. This is exactly the reaction he had the first time they saw each other, but now, Swirl isn't here to viciously snap him out of his trance.

She notices that she is still holding onto his lunch, deciding to levitate it towards him and hold it near his face, hopefully to divert his attention to it. She gets her intended effect. Finally, he breaks eye-contact with her to glance at his box of food. He smacks his lips once and shakes his head before he chuckles awkwardly, "Mu-M-Moonlight, you-- eheh... hi!"

"Hel-" Moonlight clears her throat, "hello, M-Magnifying Glass."

"You-You saved my lunch, Moonlight! Ah-I'm eternally grateful!"

"It-It was no problem, ehehe," her blundering chuckle forces itself from her mouth.

"It's suh-- so good to see you back, Moonlight! It... It's been lonely here today!"

Moonlight scans his face with slight unease. "... Are you the only one here?"

"Yuh-Yup! Only one! Swirl's out doing stuff with the Royal Guard again. The rest of the team's in Las Pegasus!"

"O-Oh. ... I'm very sorry."

"Suh-Sorry for what? You didn't do anything wrong, Moonlight!"

"... You're all alone."

"Hey, that's okay! The loneliness and lack of social interaction does wonders for the progress in my latest project!"

Moonlight's ears perk up slightly. "Oh! W-... What are you working on?"

"A ring that mutes magic!" Moonlight's expression wavers terribly. Magnifying quickly clears his throat and giggles nervously, "It-It's a little strange if I say it outright, b-but in context, it makes sense! See, an old earth pony tradition has been making waves around Equestria lately. As a morale booster, the Consortium is looking to incorporate it as an official yearly event!"

"Earth pony tradition?" Moonlight echoes.

"Indeed! In broad terms, the tradition is a set of games that teams play competitively! This newer incorporation the Consortium is planning adds activities for every race of pony! Fun for the whole family! But, in order to ensure fair-play, spectators mustn't hamper with the players. Unicorn magic has a very notorious standing with under-hoofed play, so every unicorn spectator must have their magic suppressed while they watch!"

Moonlight pouts her lips, nodding at the clear reasoning. "When does the Consortium plan on hosting this event?"

"Nu-Not anytime soon, I would think! This isn't even public information yet! They are still getting the details scratched in, and one of them is that magic suppression ring. The sooner I can get it worked out, the sooner the games can begin!"

"The ring does sound much less malicious in context," Moonlight smiles, receiving an earnest chuckle from Magnifying.

"Context is always important! -- Which reminds me! I'm at a cross-road with my progress. See, I studied the report you wrote about reverse enchanting magic."

"The... the one I wrote nine years ago?"

"The very one! Do you remember your section on magic absorption and redistribution?"

"O-Of course."

"Well, I figured I could compose this nullifying ring using that same principle. Instead of outright halting the flow of magic in a unicorn, which can prove very dangerous for the unicorn's health, the ring could absorb any charged magic and use it to make the ring glow."

"The ring would glow because it's discharging magic passively, correct? Perhaps with a closed circuit?"

"Right on the dot! Gh-Gosh, you're so intelligent, Moonlight!"

"Oh?" Moonlight's cheeks redden again, she's unable to keep her eyes focused on him without feeling worse. "Thankyou." It's very apparent that she was never good at handling praise. She takes a second to accept the compliment as best she can, let the strike of embarrassment run its course, then returns to pondering. "... That all sounds completely feasible. What's wrong with your process?"

"I don't know! That's what I'm currently attempting to solve! I suppose the context in which you wrote it eludes me. I tried several iterations of magic absorption, but none of them can keep a closed circuit! ... I... accidentally gave Swirl a headache when I asked her to be a tester for a prototype. The magic she channeled just... shot right back into her! Right through her horn!" Moonlight cringes and lowers her ears to her head. "I tested another on myself, and the ring nearly combusted! It was so hot, it almost melted and stuck onto my horn!"

"Uck," Moonlight clenches her teeth as she digests the uncomfortable imagery. She shakes her head repeatedly, "Th-That all doesn't sound right, the redistribution shouldn't be causing those kinds of reactions. ... Could... could I take a look at what you have currently?"

Magnifying's brows raise high and his eyes beam. "Ye-Yes! Of course, Moonlight, I-I would be honored! Right-- Right this way!" He trots frivolously to his office, and Moonlight walks with a tiny smile behind him.

She feels a small notch of familiarity in the air, as if she remembered what it was she used to do here. She fixes herself on the idea that all of her lingering anxiety will fade away once she reattains her rhythm. Despite how long she had been gone, her passion had always remained here.

‎

‎

Moonlight has been studying Magnifying's notes very carefully for the past twenty minutes, occasionally asking him for help from his sloppy penmanship. She reads intently, adjusting her glasses every so-often...

... and Magnifying admires. He doesn't really realize it, but he's kept his eyes plastered on her the whole time. He can't find it inside of him to look away, it would hollow him out if he did. The simple act of resting his gaze on her soft face makes him feel warm and complete. He even adores her nervous antics of stroking the locks of her mane or shifting her glasses, the very same ones she did when she was younger.

It's starting to fully dawn on him that she's here. Moonlight is really here, sitting but feet away from him. He could reach out and touch her, and he'd feel her. That glistening coat of hers. Her perfectly-kept mane that shines every light thrown its way. Her small muzzle, the harbor for that heart-stoppingly cute sneeze she does when working with powdered material. And her lips, so delicate and charming. The way they move as she is speaking to him...

... the way they move as she is speaking to him.

"Glass!" Moonlight repeats for the fourth time.

"Eh-Yeh-Aah-- Y-Yes, Moonlight?" he staggers and chuckles crookedly.

Moonlight realizes that he wasn't listening, and her expression glooms slightly. "... I'm... I'm not boring you, am I? I-I know I have a habit of ranting, so please, if I--"

"NO!" he shouts, causing Moonlight to reel a bit. "N-- No no, Moonlight, not at all! I'm-- I'm just... ehehe... w-what you were saying earlier was so enlightening as a matter of fact, it caused me to think in overdrive! I-I, heh, maay have missed what you just asked me because of that," he lies through his teeth, giving her a large, guilty smile.

"Oh! Well, um... I was just asking you what type of material you used for the enchanting object. It doesn't look like you wrote that down anywhere."

"The rings...?" he halts for a second to recall. "Platinum! Platinum for the first one, then steel for the second one."

"... You switched material?" Magnifying nods. "... Why?"

"Um, uuh... w-what do you mean?"

"Why would you switch the material? That causes another inconsistency with the results of the experiment. ... You do know that enchantment spells have adverse effects depending on the material you use, correct?"

"... They do?"

Moonlight smiles trepidly and nods, "I even wrote about it in that same reverse enchanting paper of mine you read..."

"..." Magnifying becomes flushed and he face-hoofs with force. "I'm such an idiot! That must have been the missing context!"

"Nu-no, it's okay, you're not an idiot! I-I must have written it strangely. I was very young when I wrote it. I completely get it if you didn't understand that part."

Magnifying nods sheepishly and chuckles the same way. "T-That might have b-been it," he states wobbly, extending the truth quite a bit.

"We-Well... next time, Magnifying Glass, please use the same material for the same enchantment. I was unable to pin-point the cause of your experiment's undesirable outcomes, but I'm certain you will garner more valuable data if you keep running tests... without another inconsistency in the mix."

"W-Will do! Certainly will do! Hohowow, amazing advice! You're amazing, Moonlight!" Moonlight's lips curl to a small smile while she bashfully looks away.

... And now he finds himself ogling her again, at that tiny little blush on her blue cheeks. He draws bewilderment from her presence again, finding it incredible that she's right there in front of him. He almost feels the need to hit himself just to make sure he isn't dreaming. After so many years apart, countless festering emotions, and suppressed drama, this certainly feels like a dream.

She's staring at him now. The two share quiet eyes with one another. Moonlight purses her lips, feeling a bit anxious that Magnifying is just staring and staying quiet again. She can't shake the feeling that he's judging her... seeing everything she has done wrong just by looking. She tries to find something that might divert his attention again, and she finds the box of food that he left at the end of the table they sit at. With a clearing of her throat, she leans to the side and points at the lunchbox. "D-Did you plan on eating that?"

"... Huh?" His expression restores its cognition and he looks to where she is pointing. "... Oh! Right! My lunch. I completely forgot about it. Uuuh... did... did you want it?"

"Oh, um, n-no, that's not what I was asking. It just feels like I was interrupting you from eating..."

"No, no! It's no problem! I-I wasn't even that hungry earlier. But it-it's probably cold now, I'll go heat it up again."

Moonlight nods sheepishly, "I'll get out of your mane then. I'm certain you're going to be very busy."

"Busy? ... Busy! Right, with the, uh... experiments." He feels a clot building in his throat. Moonlight is about to get up and leave the labs. He wants to... ask her something before she does, but it's proving extremely difficult.

"It was-- ... it was nice seeing you again, Magnifying Glass. I'm sorry if I was a little... bumbly... I'm still getting used to being in Canterlot again."

"Yeh-- Yeah..." It still won't come out. A blockade has formed in the back of his mouth and his chest is on fire. Moonlight is getting up from her stool, readying to leave, and he can't get it out.

She turns towards the exit and walks. Her horn gleams with its pink aura as she takes her hood into her magic, unwrinkling it so she can throw it on. She steps under the archway and prepares her hood... the moment he's waited nearly a decade for is here. It's about to slip. She's making her exit. Nine years apart...

"... Moonlight?"

She comes to a halt and turns her head to look back at him. "... Y-Yes?"

"Ou-Out of... curiosity... uuh..." he swallows a rock, "wo-would there, by chance, be a..." Moonlight furrows her brows in concern as he fumbles his words horribly. "In... In the odds that you're free... would... would you like to... get d-dinner... with me? Tomorrow night?" Moonlight's eyes widen at his request. She stands stumped for a moment as her brain tries to cope with the question. Magnifying can feel his stomach digesting itself from her silence.

"... T-That sounds... nice," Moonlight trepidly replies.

Magnifying's pupils dilate and he sits up completely straight. "R-... Really!? Wuh-Well-- ... g-great! Great, ahah! Th-Then, I'll see you t-tomorrow night, Moonlight! I-I'll s-stop by your room!"

Moonlight's legs begin to tremble, but it's hardly noticeable from under her robes. Lacking the fortitude to verbally reply, she nods with a quivering smile. Trying her best not to trip over herself, she walks out of the labs.

Magnifying watches her leave. Once she does, he turns on his stool to stare at his notes. He stares at them, but fails to actually look at them, all while his pupils tremble and his heart flutters. "... She... she said yes. Moonlight..." He then looks up, staring forward at nothing. A wide, opened-mouth smile grows on his face as he internalizes what just happened. He breaks into a wild laughter of joy and he rocks his stool left and right. "SHE SAID YES! HAHAA! SHE SAID YES!"

‎

‎

After what seemed like an eternity of walking, Moonlight enters her room and shuts the door behind her. She pulls off the hood of her robes with her magic and she stands completely still. Her body autonomously holds its posture as she cycles what she just did. She agreed to eat dinner with Magnifying. She agreed to something she didn't even give a grain of thought to. She was so crippled with embarrassment that her mouth spoke on its own.

She doesn't want to leave the Castle, and she most definitely doesn't want to enter the city. She already knows that he's going to take her there, probably to a soup and noodle joint that has been the Royal Researchers' hangout for generations. If not there, it'll be some other restaurant in the shopping district, a place that's always full of wandering tourists and city-folk.

Her body's heating up. She can't stand the robe anymore. She pulls it off with her magic, shaking her head to get it through the collar and leaving her mane slightly muddled. She folds her robe quickly and sets it on a shelf next to the door. The creeping tinge she is feeling is starting to get worse every passing second. She doesn't want to cancel on Magnifying after she agreed to his offer, but the city...

"... Note! A note! I-I'll send him a note." She turns her gaze left and right across her lab tables. She spots the writing materials required at the desk closest to the staircase and hastily trots towards it. She sits down on a stool and begins levitating everything simultaneously. "He'll still be in his office. I'll just teleport the scroll to his desk. It'll be fine, it'll be fine! No need to worry, Moonlight... no need to worry."

She begins scribbling down a needlessly formal letter to Magnifying Glass, using very ambiguous terms that describe she doesn't feel very well and would prefer not to go into the city. She instead asks if the dinner could be held in her room.

The whole time she is writing the letter, she bites her lower-lip and strokes the left lock of her mane, hoping that she isn't being a nuisance to him. As the guilt wells up inside her, so do formerly suppressed emotions...

It's beginning again...

‎

---

‎

"Pleease," Banter groans. "Please, just shut up already. I beg of you."

"Seriously," Fawl concedes. "One or two songs would have been fine. You two've been singing for over half an hour. Give it a fucking rest."

"Hehey, it's not my fault Strix knows so many good songs!" Tawl laughs merrily.

"Oh!" a thought strikes Strix, "do you know the one about the apple farmer?"

"Ooo. Could you teach it to me? Pleasepleaseplease?-- ... Hnh!?"

Tawl interrupts herself when the ground begins to vibrate. Everyone halts and darts their eyes around quickly.

"What in tartarus was that?" Banter questions tensely.

"Floor went 'n shook," Bulletpoint squints.

"What's going on?" Strix asks as she steps in circles.

"... I sure hope it ain't what I think it is," Crimson mutters. Eyes shoot to him due to his statement, signaling for his wisdom. "... Dynamite. Probably gelatin. More potent than black powder. Used it all the time when I worked back in an ol' mine. Reckon them Sleepers up there already won the fight 'n are bombin' the remains."

"Indeed," the lieutenant agrees without emotion, "I fear that this is the case. If we do not hurry, the entire shaft will collapse on us."

The ground trembles violently again, this time, disturbing the infrastructure by breaking pebbles off of the ceiling and walls.

Snowfall grits her teeth, "If we're not too late already! Double time!"

Everyone kicks into high gear, tunneling down the dimly lit shaft as tremors from above continue to disturb the stability of the tunnels. Rocks of increasing size fall and tumble around the group as they move, causing them to swerve and maneuver around to avoid being struck. Their path begins to diverge into many forks, most of them with only two break-offs. The lieutenant does well to guide them through the progressively-confusing maze that this shaft is becoming.

They keep running and running through this seemingly endless web of rocky paths with no clear indication that the exit is approaching. Fawl is starting to become restless, driving his eyes to the lieutenant at the front. "How much farther till the exit!?" he asks in a shout.

"We are three-fourths of the way there," the lieutenant replies with a raised voice, but without tonal shift. "If we continue at this rate, we should be greeted by the exit in--"

A massive explosion that can be heard even this far into the mountain thunders off. The shaft can no longer hold, and many sections begin to crumble down completely. It happens from behind them first, the upper-levels of the shaft are the first to fall in ruins. With beating hearts and panting breaths, the group hastens their speed, running towards another fork in the path. But the fork becomes unstable as soon as the lieutenant draws near...

"SHIT!" "IT'S COMIN' DOWN!" Both Bulletpoint and Crimson cry out. The lieutenant sees a shadow encompass her; by the time her eyes turn upward, a mass of rocks fall down upon her. Her vision flashes, and it all goes dark.

...

A brief silence overtakes the ambiance... it seems that the structural collapse from the grand explosion has ended... for now.

"CRIMSON!" Strix's muffled voice is heard shouting from the other side of the collapse.

"CRIMZ'N, MATE! CAN YOU HEAR US!? ... FUCK!"

He hears them, but it's a little hazy. Not including the solid wall of rubble that separates him from the rest of the group, their voices are a bit difficult to hear. His ears are ringing for some reason. He slowly lifts his head with a grunt, taking a moment to assess his surroundings... and he recalls it quickly.

He looks down, seeing the lieutenant in his arms. He sits on the floor of the mine, resting his back against the wall. He holds the lieutenant's head against his chest, and just as he expected, she's unconscious.

As the mass of rubble fell from the ceiling upon her, he dove forward to catch her low to the ground. He shifts his gaze to see the gnarly skid-marks on his left arm where he slid across the ground, effectively shredding his duster sleeve. While impact-resistant, the duster sure didn't fair well against friction.

Crimson's dive for the lieutenant saved her, but unfortunately, one of the rocks from the falling rubble hit her in the head just before the rest came down. She was already knocked out before she knew what had happened. At least she's still in one piece. Had Crimson not dove and tackled her out of the way, she would have been crushed by the worst of it.

He feels a pulsing pain on the back of his head, accompanied by the ring in his ears. Though the dive was good enough to save her, he put a little too much power into it and it caused him to skid across the rock ground, halting only by smacking the back of his head and shoulders against the wall of the shaft. ... No matter. His target was rescued successfully, and the impact didn't cause any boulders to come down on him. A headache is a small price to pay.

He can still hear the shouting voices of his teammates from across the rubble that separates them... he feels like he should respond soon.

"IF YOU DON'T RESPOND IN THREE SECONDS, WE'RE MARKING YOU AS KILLED IN ACTION!" Swirl shouts intensely.

"Oi!" "Swirl!" Bulletpoint and Strix reciprocate angrily at her.

"... Yeah, 'm here!" Crimson finally calls back. A pile of relieved sighs come from the other side.

"Crimson!" Tawl and Strix both call emotionally.

"What got into you, you crazy fuck!?" Bulletpoint shouts angrily.

"Is the lieutenant still alive!?" Snowfall asks with pure composure.

Crimson briefly looks down, hearing uneasy, quick breaths emit from the unconscious griffon in his hold. "... Yeah!"

"Good! We don't exactly know the way out of here! We're assuming that the detonations are over, so we're going to scout around for a way out! Hopefully we're not cut off from this side! Don't stray, understood!?"

"Got it!" Crimson acknowledges.

"We'll be back for you, Crimson!" Tawl announces warily. Her concern for him brings a small smile to his face. He then hears them speak among each other, probably formulating a course of action. He can't understand them if they're not shouting so he decides to take it easy for now.

He looks back down at the steely lieutenant... it almost seems like she's trying to run from a fever. Her breathing is terribly uneasy and her body is moving slightly. Crimson's expression hardens in apprehension. It's very likely that she has suffered some degree of brain damage and now her body is autonomously reacting to the impairment.

... He isn't sure it'll work here. He hasn't ever tried it with something like the brain. ... Maybe it's the same thing? ... He hopes it is.

With uncertainty and slightly-wavered focus, he furrows his brows. His eyes sheen with radiant gold and he holds the lieutenant firmly.

"... Nrh," Crimson clenches his teeth. As he channels to give himself up to her, he quickly realizes that this is possible, but costly. The damage done to such a sensitive, practically irreparable part of the body demands more of him than any other wound. Though he isn't about to let that stop him. He briefly loosens his hold on her as he reaches his left hand to lift his right sleeve up to his bicep. He reattains hold of her... and gives it what he's got.

"Rrh!" The skin on his right forearm begins to die and split open, it feels as if a spinning buzz-saw was being applied to his flesh. Blood quickly drips from his fresh wounds, but he doesn't relent. His resolve is supported through the lieutenant's reaction, he can feel her stabilizing. He continues to transfer his cells into her body, letting his intelligent gift rearrange his molecules into the DNA pattern belonging to her. The golden orbs travel through her blood-stream and up into her head, where they bond to the damaged grey-matter, consume it, and take its place as if it were never damaged.

"Hn, nh-nnh..." the lieutenant moves her head slightly and her browline furrows. Her eyes remain closed, but her breathing returns to a regular rhythm. The random flinching stops and she relaxes against him. She's still out cold though.

Crimson's eyes cease their glowing as he reaches to pull down his right sleeve. He examines what it costed him, eyeing the quick dripping of his blood from his forearm onto the rock floor. He deems it trivial and yanks his sleeve right back to his wrist.

He supposes he should let go of the lieutenant now since she's no longer prone to death... but it'll be amusing to witness her reaction to being held, if any, once she wakes. From the sounds coming from the other side of the rubble, or the lack thereof, the team has gone off to look for another route of escape. He figures he'll sit tight for now. He avoids resting the back of his head against the wall behind him as it still hurts, and judging from the odd dampness on his hair, he's probably bleeding there from stopping his slide with it. It just gives him an excuse to continue looking down at the lieutenant.

He lets his mind run amok, riding him across random tangents for a length of time.

A month in already. Just over a month. He's been in this land some time now, yet many things still come as a surprise. He feels as if he hasn't even scratched the surface yet, and he's probably right. The surreal nature of the situation he's in is clamping down on him as he moves his eyes across the emotionless griffon's face. Her silver and white coloration is simple but appealing. Her feathers are preened and shiny, save for a few small parts that are pink, featherless, and scarred, possibly due to her history. She definitely looks like the battle-hardened type.

Oddly enough, her unconscious form is much better at displaying emotion than her conscious one. She looks practically lifeless while awake. She probably does it on purpose. There's gotta be a reason behind the act.

"... Hmh," Crimson hums subconsciously through his muse. Something that he had completely forgot about returns to mind... or rather, someone.

"Mmnnh..."

Crimson's brows raise at the lieutenant's emission. He returns from his thinking, realizing time had skipped him by. The lieutenant seems to be coming to, her eyelids close tightly and tremble. Her slightly hung mouth grits its teeth but remains open. She might be going through some remnants of pain, all flooding back to her as she returns to the waking world.

Her vision is a terrible blur as she opens her eyes, it feels as if everything is shifting diagonally. She lets her eyes adjust before she bothers looking around. Silently and without much movement, she takes in her surroundings. With an ounce of effort on her face, she lifts her head to look up at the creature who holds her... and she stays staring at him with her uncaring expression.

Crimson isn't sure what he was expecting, but he supposes this fits. She doesn't appear to be getting angry, but she looks far from pleased. Her eyes reattain the sharp, steely look they are known for.

"Good to see you awake," Crimson says with a wry smile. She doesn't reply, she only stares. Her eyelids slowly fall and raise for a condescending blink. "... You, uh... you feelin' alright?"

"No. Though, I am still alive. I presume you are the reason for it."

"Yeah."

"The foretold human of great capability. Now I see that you are more than a mere fable."

"That's oddly kind of you to say."

"There was no compliment in my words, I speak only the truth. No worthless creature could have saved me from my burial under stone... and I assume you did this because you require my assistance."

Crimson raises his left brow. "Nah," he shakes his head, "I did it because you were about to die. Wasn't about to let that happen."

"... How quaint," she mutters lackluster, obviously not believing him. "You work for the Equestrian Royal Guard. I can only infer your actions were decided by that fact."

"Quite a lot of assumptions yer putting me up against. You know what they say about assuming, Silvershade." The lieutenant... squints at him. Crimson lights up with amusement at this, the very first semblance of emotional reaction she has displayed.

"It is not assumption, it is fact. I will now demand that you release me at once."

"I don't think that'd be a good idea."

"I am not your toy."

"You're still alive right because of me holdin' you," Crimson states his... half-truth. She doesn't have to continue making physical contact to stay alive, but she'll definitely feel horrid without it.

"Your statement leads me to believe that your hold is maintaining my stability. Preposterous."

"But it is! Ch, alright then. Wanna find out yerself?" The lieutenant nods firmly. Crimson exhales deeply and sits himself up, shifting his legs so he rests on his knees. He holds the lieutenant up like one would a housecat and he smirks at her.

"... Your humor is wasted. Unhand me." Her voice is becoming low and growly... Crimson feels that if she wasn't currently weak and exhausted, he wouldn't be getting off with just words.

Crimson does as she says and lowers her down to the ground, her feline hindlegs are the first to rest lazily against the rock as her body comes down. He sits her down on her flank but keeps his arms under her armpits for a moment longer, making sure she is properly seated. No dropping, no throwing, no tricks. If she can sit on her own, this is the time for her to prove it. Crimson lets go.

"... Mnh!" The sensation she was taking for granted disperses when he removes his hands. The shock of reality hits her without remorse, causing her left abdomen to arch inward instantly. She keels forward, landing on Crimson's legs. She clenches her beak in frustration, her body doesn't respond to the commands she gives it. Only then does she realize that her entire form is numb, and while not impossible, moving is proving very difficult. She gives Crimson a begrudging stare once she understands that what he said might have been true.

"Told ya'."

"... Yes. You did." She lowers her eyes to his chest, biting her beak in resignation.

Crimson smiles a little, respecting the fact that she at least knows when its best to give ground. He reaches forward and takes a hold of the lieutenant to bring her back towards him, her eyes open a little in surprise as he does.

She didn't expect to be reattained by the human, much less forgiven. A wave of tranquility embodies her as he pulls her in, the same sensation that she previously ignored. Just as before, he rests her against his body and keeps his arms wrapped around her.

"This is not necessary," she utters quietly, "... and highly inappropriate. I could not ask that you--"

"Just roll with it fer now."

"I've suffered through more alone. I am not succumbing to weakness by allowing you to cater to me."

"But you're not alone right now. I'm here. Now quit fussin', you need to get your energy back."

"..." the lieutenant squints, but keeps her eyes lowered to the ground. "... You are very difficult to understand."

"I get that a lot."

"You are apart of a different faction. You recklessly endangered yourself to rescue me. My own kind would struggle to do such a thing."

"Listen, I'm not officially listed with the Guard. I work alongside 'em, not as one."

"... But then, we have not been acquainted for longer than an hour, yet you still acted upon my jeopardy."

"Yeah?" Crimson questions, knowing already that he's heard this before.

"I cannot comprehend your motives."

"I already told you what they were. 'F you don't wanna believe me, that's yer prerogative."

The lieutenant's fixed and serious stare slowly returns to its stoic nature. She begins to think... and think. "... What business does the Royal Guard have with you if you are not apart of them?"

"Not sure I'm free to talk about that."

"If you are unable to speak about it, then you are under contract. You are apart of the Guard, human."

"I'm not. I only reckon it ain't a great idea to yammer on about shit that don't specifically pertain to me."

"Then allow me to rephrase my question. What business do you have with the Guard?"

"I'm lookin' to find out what's been causin' some sorta disturbance in Equestria lately. Ain't sure if you've heard of it, but apparently some 'magical anomalies' are causin' a mess of trouble."

"I have heard. I have yet to see any of these alleged anomalies, as well as any Featherline scouts. I conclude that they are non-existent."

"That's not a very smart thing to conclude, Silvershade."

She lifts her head to eye at him. Crimson smirks slightly in return. "Then you have seen them, since you claim they exist."

"No, I haven't seen 'em, but I'm not waitin' around until I do. Whether you believe it 'r not, there's some shit out there that's gonna grow into a big problem if we don't stop it. If I don't stop it."

"A fruitless endeavor of chasing shadows," she states coldly.

Crimson sighs, stopping himself from trying to argue further. "Sure. Believe what'cha want."

"So you do not deny that they possibly do not exist." Crimson remains silent, keeping his tired expression faced somewhere away from hers. "Have you not considered that the leads you are given by your pony overlords are erroneous? You would waste your time, energy, and potentially your life for a cause that would end in nothing, all because of this pony-rumor? Is this what you are telling me?"

"Yeah."

The lieutenant gazes at him in silence, tilting her head slightly. She moves her eyes across his front, examining his details from close up. She is attracted to the scar that runs across his face, from the corner of his right lip to the top of his right ear. "... Your resolve is admirable." Crimson turns his eyes back to her, staring boredly. "The possibility of your task being for naught does not deter you from completing it. You would make a very good addition to the Featherline power."

"If I wasn't intent in joinin' the Royal Guard, what makes you think I'd be green with joinin' yer gang?"

"I already assumed you would deny the offer... but it still stands. You would add much-needed cohesion to the Featherlines."

"Not interested."

"Then what is the purpose of your endeavor if not to facilitate a faction's strength?"

"The purpose? I want this world to be safe. Safe for those that I care for. This ain't some sorta political trick, and as a matter of fact, politics can go straight to hell. This is about us," he gently squeezes the lieutenant's shoulders. "You. Me. We, who inhabit this world. It don't matter what flag yer wavin', if it's the one that aims to keep everyone free and alive, you're on my team. I ain't gotta join a 'faction' fer that."

"How naive," the lieutenant hums. Crimson drives a bitter stare towards her... but... he sees a very, very slight smile on her beak. A smile that looks so out-of-place in her air. A smile that looks... appealing. "... But noble. Your words cause me to reminisce at my youth. ... Like many Featherlines, I was born into their ranks. From the day I broke free from my egg, I was a Featherline. I did not understand many of the ideals that we held, but we were always told that we fought for freedom. At some point, we did. Many decades ago, when my kind was oppressed under its old king in Griffonstone, many of us turned to each other for safety and strength. The early remnants of the Featherline were created due to this struggle, but we could never gather enough strength to overthrow the king. After several pioneers returned from Equestria with word that pony-kind was willing to sign a truce with our forming militia, several families migrated to Equestria to begin a separate stronghold. It was with this new generation of freedom-fighters that we were able to gather the strength to rebel against the old king and overthrow him."

Crimson listens intently.

"After Griffonstone was free from the old king's reign, our land became hospitable again. It was a grand era for griffon-kind. Though many griffons returned to the homeland after the civil war concluded, quite a number of us remained in Equestria. After a prominent organization here heard about our victory, they offered to take us in under their harbor. We were required to assimilate to their instruction, but we could not refuse their aid in such a resource-limited time. It was an era of true freedom and flourish. Our young could be brought into a world without fear or oppression."

"And I reckon them 'Black Horseshoes' helped y'all out after yer war."

"They did. ... The way you spoke their name. You harbor resentment towards them, yes?"

"... Nah. I don't really know 'em... least, I don't think I do. But, back to the Featherlines. Call it a hunch, but the group yer tellin' me about don't sound like the same group I saw earlier. Y'know, the one that was necking prisoners."

She nods slowly, "Correct. What you witnessed is the Featherlines as they are today. Conclude what you will, this is necessary, and I will continue to do what is necessary. The Featherlines were much different many decades ago. I was not alive to witness that age, but the stories are ingrained into all of us. It is why I am currently telling all of this. The words you spoke reminded me of this futility. When I was younger, these stories gave me hope. They gave me a reason to believe that we were the allies of the world, that our goals were noble." She turns away... and smiles very slightly again. "... I was naive. I know better now."

"You were naive, huh? In yer youth? ... What was it like growin' up fer you, Silver?"

"... Refrain from using my name," she says with seriousness... which doesn't hold up forever, "... if you please. I do not want to over-go the story of my youth. It is of no importance now. ... But, you have done well to appease to me. It has been quite some time since I have spoken to someone in such a manner as this."

"You could change that, y'know. The hard 'n serious attitude you've got, you can turn it over fer one that leaves you more approachable."

"... Your input is noted, but misguided. I choose to keep myself this way, and that's how I will remain. It is nothing personal to you. That being said, I will boldly shift the attention of this conversation from myself to you." Crimson raises his left brow. "The mission you have set out for yourself is, in my own words, foolish and pointless. Though, I see that you are willing to commit to this decision without falter. If this mission is to be accomplished, I believe you are the one to do it. I care not for who can accomplish a mission, but for who will. You have done well to earn my trust with not only your words, but your actions. The act of saving my life solely because you cared for my health is one proof, but the simple fact that you successfully saved me is another. Your kind is rare, those who are unconditionally generous, and most importantly... competent. ... Be cautious that your disposition is not taken advantage of."

"It won't. Not anymore."

The lieutenant keeps his eyes on him for a moment longer before she looks down towards the brown messenger bag that is still at her hip. Crimson glances between her and the bag, getting the hint to turn her over. He turns her to rest against his left arm, keeping her belly up. The lieutenant clenches her beak as she demands that her body moves. She succeeds at raising her arm towards the bag, unclipping it and reaching in to pull something out.

Crimson sees that she takes out a scroll of parchment, the same scroll she rolled up at her desk before retreating into the cellar. She gives it weakly, offering it to Crimson. He takes it with his right hand, holding it by the top end to fling it open. Of course, he can't understand a word of what's written, so he looks down at the lieutenant. "What's this?"

"A lead."

"Hm?"

"You see, the relic your captain was after pertained to a set. I did not lie to her when I said all possible leads to it were lost... but I refrained from telling her that a lead to another relic in the set was found. This letter details everything that there is to know. It is a written report that I have to deliver to my commander, but... it was destroyed during the confrontation with the Sleeping Talons. Yes?"

"... Yeah," Crimson nods once.

"Present this to your captain. I do not care if you admit this was my doing or not. ... No. As a matter of fact, I'd prefer that you kept my aid to you confidential."

"How come?"

"I ask of you this simple request. Do not fail me."

"..." Crimson looks at the scroll a little longer. He rears it down to his thigh and rolls it up with one hand, moving to stick it into the inner chest pocket of his duster. "I won't."

"... Then, may I ask one more favor?"

"Shoot."

"Your name."

"Crimson," he states with a smile. "Now you do me a favor 'n keep that name to yerself."

"Understood."

"Thanks. ... It's a pleasure to meet you, Silvershade."

"... Likewise."

Both of them suddenly turn their attention to incoming voices, called out from their side of the shaft down the tunnel. It seems there in another part of the web, but they've found a way around.

"Crimson!" Strix's voice draws closer.

"You around here?" Snowfall calls after.

Crimson looks down at the lieutenant, and her up to him. They still hold each other closely. "So, uh," Crimson begins, "I lied to you about needin' to hold me. You'll be fine on your own, if you want me to put you down."

"... A lie, hm?"

"A half-lie. You'll feel worse if I can't hold you, but you'll live."

"I believe it is appropriate that you compensate me for your distastefulness."

Crimson's lips curl to a cheeky smile. "Fair enough. I'll carry you. How's that sound?" She nods once with bemusement... maybe just on the outside. "Just pretend you're passed out, it'll make things a little less awkward."

"Not necessary. Make nothing of this."

"... Right."

Next Chapter: Self-Preservation is a Mustn't Estimated time remaining: 21 Hours, 39 Minutes