Chapter 22-2: Fracturing Faces

The vines released their death grip on my limbs and retreated back into the bush.

As I looked around, my temper quickly flared. “Are you serious? You drag me away from Undertow just to dump me in another patch of identical FUCKING FOREST?!”

“-all the way to the roots!”

I barely had time to look up before the descending body crushed me to the ground. “Orrrrrrrgh." I could only groan and try to push the lump off.

“The hell’ve I landed on? Oh, Snow!”

I kept groaning as my bruised form was grabbed and roughly hauled upright. “You had to land on me, Bosco?”

The charcoal colt grinned sheepishly. “Wasn’t really my choice.” His smile slipped slightly, and he looked around. “Just us? I was hoping they’d bring Naiara too.”

My focus sharpened. “Naiara? They got her?”

He grimaced. “Yeah, they got all of us.”

“Damn. Undertow was just with me before, too, but they separated us.”

Frowning as he surveyed our new clearing, Bosco began circling the edge. “Any idea who ‘they’ are?”

“None. You?”

His hooves probed the green barrier. “Not yet, but they spoke to me just before they split up me and Naiara.”

That made me double-take. “They spoke to you?”

He nodded. “Something did, anyway. Said we weren’t done here just yet.”

Fucking wonderful. “Lovely.” I deadpanned. “Did they happen to say what this was all for?”

“No, they neglected to provide that info.” He exhaled sloppily.

“It is not yet time for that,” We both froze as the voice reverberated around the clearing. “but why not show you something beautiful?”

Pretty sure we differ on the definition of beautiful, freak. My alarm was reflected in Bosco’s grey eyes.

We watched, shoulders tense, as a cluster of leaves pressed together across from us, before slowly spreading out. In the centre of the leaves, a translucent film ran across the widening gap. The film was a mess of shifting colours, that slowly resolved themselves into an image.

Through the ‘window’ we saw another clearing, very similar to the one we were standing in. In the clearing were two figures, writhing on the ground.

“Wings!” She was clearly suffering.

“Undertow!” She’s in pain!

“What happened to them?”

~~~~~~

“ARGH!” I yelled as I clutched my beak. “Fuck, kid, what is your horn made of?”

Undertow’s hooves were wrapped around her horn, but she still seemed to glare through her goggles at me. “It’s growing out of my skull, what do you think it’s made of?”

“Well thank you so much for charging into me skeleton first!” How does Snow put up with you?

“Me? You ran into me face first. You could have taken my eye out with that beak!”

I noticed something shining on the edge of her goggles. “Are you crying?”

“NO!” She hastily rubbed at her goggles. “You’re just seeing things.”

“Pft. Brat!”

“Blind old bird!”

Why you insufferable little… I bristled. “I’m not your sister, filly. I won’t take that crap from you.”

“My sister wouldn’t try to lie about running into someone!”

“Your sister lies all the time!”

“Not for small stuff!”

She sat scrunching her nose at me, while all I could manage was to stare open-beaked. Then the laughter came.

“Eheh… eheh… ehahaha… ehAHAHAHA! You know, that’s totally true.” She does save her lies for the big stuff.

As her disgruntlement shifted to confusion, I let the good cheer continue, speaking between chuckles. “Eheheh, good to see you’re okay, Undertow.”

“Uhhh… you too?”

I looked over her shoulder. “So, where’s Snow?”

“We got separated. The vines took us.”

Damn. “Same for Schwarz and me. Guess we just keep going until we find the others, now that we know they’re in here.”

Undertow blanched, but still fell into step with me as I began walking. “That isn’t much of a plan, Wings.”

“Nah, not really. I’m open to suggestions if you’ve got any.”

She winced and rubbed the base of her horn. “Perhaps when the swelling goes down.”

I rubbed my beak in response. “I better not wake up tomorrow with a dent the shape of your scooter badge on my face.”

She gasped, and fumbled for the badge. “It didn’t break, did it?”

Aww, how cute. “It’s fine. I’m sure Snow’ll bring you another one soon enough. I’ll tell her you like those little gifts.”

Sighing in relief at the intact badge, she re-affixed it with a smile. “I really do, and not just because they’re from my sister.”

“Oh yeah? Then why?”

Even while looking slightly unnerving with her expression-less, goggled eyes, her smile still managed to light up her entire face. “When Snow brings me back a trinket, it means she came home safely. It means she’s okay, for one more day anyway.”

Damn if you don’t lay it on thick, kiddo. I opened my mouth to tease her, but another voice interrupted.

“Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

We both started at the confident tones. Our heads whipped towards the newcomer: A unicorn, standing there with a smirk, bold as brass.

“Sister!” Undertow scampered towards her.

“Snow?” I quickly scanned our surroundings. Where’d she come from?

“Good to see you guys are safe.” Still smirking, Snowflake stepped straight past Undertow, bringing the younger unicorn up short, and stopped right in front of me. “I was worried about you.”

Me? I looked over Snowflake’s shoulder at Undertow, who was equally confused at this. “Uhh… what about Undertow?”

I near-flipped out when Snow made no move to check on Undertow, who’s smile had vanished, and instead batted her eyes at me. “She’s fiiine. Now then,” Orange eyes roved over my form, “are you? Maybe I should check.”

The heck? “Snow, are you okay? Did whoever caught us do something to you?” I leaned back slightly.

She leaned forward slightly, eyes glinting. “I’m fine, though maybe YOU should check ME over if you’re worried?”

“Um… Snowflake?” Timidity outlined Undertow’s entire being as she hesitantly called out to her sister. “Did you see where you went after we were separated?”

“No, Sweetie.” Snow replied curtly, not taking her eyes from me.

“Are you sure you’re good, Snow?” I was checking her out for signs of trouble.

She noticed, and batted her eyes. “So thoughtful, Wings, but I’m fine.” Her voice dropped to a husky whisper. “Just like you.”

Ho-ly damn! My face burned. I flicked my eyes repeatedly towards Undertow, hoping Snowflake would get the message and knock off the act.

Spinning on her heel, which meant her tail ran softly along my cheek, Snowflake turned and began walking. “Shall we go find the others?”

With mirroring looks of utter cluelessness, and my cheek tingling, Undertow and I began walking after her. I made sure to manoeuvre Undertow between Snowflake and I.

The older unicorn noticed, and pouted at me. “Why so cautious, Blue Fire? Everypony knows you like ‘spanking my flank up and down’.”

AAAHHH!!!Wait a second...

~~~~~~

“What am I doing? WHAT AM I DOING?!”

Bosco was watching the display in open-mouthed amazement. “Looks like you’re hitting on Wings to me.”

“Why am I hitting on Wings?”

“I know.” Awe ran through Bosco’s words. “I mean, Undertow’s right there.”

“Why am I hitting on Wings when Undertow’s right there?!”

“Well, I dunno but you’re really going for it.”

“BOSCO!” I shouted at the colt, spittle flying.

He held up his hooves in defense. “What? It’s not my fault.” He couldn’t contain his smile. “But it is kinda funny. I didn’t even know you thought Wings was pretty.”

“Of course she’s-that’s not the point, Bosco!” I rounded on the forest. “Why are you doing this?”

“It will be very informative.”

“Informative for what?” I growled, incredulous.

“Snow, the picture changed!” Bosco was still rooted to the wispy window.

“What? No!” I Crowded in beside Bosco. “Turn it back to that fake right now!”

~~~~~~

“I got you!” With a diving leap, I managed to catch Cassie before she hit the ground. “Couldn’t get those wings ready in time, huh?”

“I… yes.” Scrambling off me in an attempt at dignity, Cassie brushed herself down. “Good to see you, Naiara. Is Breeze with you?”

Good question. I watched the shrinking hole that Cassie had come through, until it closed completely. “Apparently not. I was with Bosco before, but this place split us up. Was Breeze with you?”

Cassie had been watching the hole too. She nodded without looking away from it. “Indeed. I was hoping that we would be brought to the same place.”

“Dang. Sounds like we’re getting the run around. You think the others have ended up jumbled too?”

Tiredness crept into her words. “I don’t know. We won’t know for sure until we locate our comrades.”

“Don’t worry,” I pressed, trying to cheer her up. “we got this.”

The pegasus craned her neck deliberately, and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, they weren’t kind. “Got what, exactly? At what point did it seem like we were in control of this situation?”

I huffed at her accusatory behaviour. “What’s eating you?”

Cassie just carried on as if I hadn’t said anything. “At what point did it seem like we were in control of anything? Even before we got trapped here, we were barely managing to avoid trouble for even a few hours at a time. Time and time again one of our group has landed us in danger, so why, in the name of all that’s decent, do you persist in acting like nothing is wrong?”

“So somehow this is my fault?” I groused. You picked the wrong day for this, Cassiopeia.

“You tell me, svara.” The word came out like the worst insult. “It wasn’t so long ago that we were at the mercy of your clanmates. It was only through that lummox, Crush, and his gaggle of idiots, that we got out of that situation. Now my sister is sweet on Atesh’s loyal bloodhound, and I don’t know if I can trust this Cept or not!”

“For your information, that ‘lummox’ that allowed us to ‘get out of that situation’ also killed six of my clanmates. Thanks for proving me right about you guys not caring about them, or how I feel about it. And by the way, I’ve known Cept far longer than I’ve known Breeze, and certainly longer than I’ve known YOU. I trust him explicitly, and Breeze is lucky to have him!”

“But you don’t trust her explicitly.” She pointed out.

“That’s not what I meant!”

“What did you mean, Naiara? You have been a great friend and comfort to my sister since we began travelling together, however Atesh, and Cept, and your clan are matters that we can ill-afford to ignore. They have meddled in our affairs, and will continue to do so. Where will your allegiances lie when the time comes to resolve this?” The bracers on her wrists shifted ever-so-slightly, as the muscles beneath them tensed.

“My ‘allegiances’ lie with EVERYONE I care about. I’m not gonna let anything happen to Breeze, Cept, Atesh, YOU, Bosco, Undertow, or the rest. BUT… I don’t plan on letting any more of my clanmates get killed either.”

Cassie scoffed. “Oh, what a wonderful non-answer.”

Teeth grinding, I took a purposeful step forward. “Listen, you POMPOUS-”

“Now, now, girls. Don’t fight over little ol’ me.”

Both our heads snapped towards the source of the interruption, hearts lightening as we did so. “Breeze!”

Puffing her bang out of her eyes, Breeze’s cocksure smile stayed up. “Glad to see my two favourite equines are okay.”

Cassie was gently checking her over. “Where did they take you?”

Bruskly removing her sister’s roaming hooves, Breeze cocked her head further down the path. “Not far from here. I walked for a little while, then heard you two chatting. Thought I might have heard some of the others, but I can’t be sure.”

My eyes were drawn to Cassie, who’d gone stiff. “You… you are not sure?”

Shrugging, Breeze beckoned for us to move off. “Hey, nopony’s perfect. I might have heard something, and I might not have. Let’s go find out!”

I moved to follow Breeze, but stopped when Cassie stayed in her spot. “Come on.”

Her face was expressionless, but she started walking robotically nonetheless.

~~~~~~

“Hey! Heyheyhey!” Bosco yelled at the greenery. “What was that? Was that really Breeze, or just another fake?”

A ripple ran through the leaves. “You would need a philosopher to truly answer that.”

“Oh, screw off, you damn ghost!”

“This is pointless!” I interjected. “What possible benefit can this bring you?”

“Keep watching.”

~~~~~~

“I gotta say, I didn’t expect that from Cassie. I mean, first off, I didn’t think she swung that way, and I never suspected her of looking at you that way.” Seriously, I didn’t see it coming.

Chuckling wistfully, Schwarzwald good-naturedly shook her head. “I do not believe it is as you say, dahling.”

I blinked. “What do you mean? Seems pretty cut-and-dry to me. You’d hit anything with a pulse, and Cassie seems into you. What am I missing?”

“Do not be jealous, Breeze-dahling, it is unlady-like.” It would have been clear to a blind Hissyflit that she didn’t believe what she said.

“Cassie’s the lady, and she went to town on your flank with a whip. Kinda think the definitions are getting muddled.”

“Hmmhmmhmm, perhaps. But what I meant was that you should not be so quick to choose the lewd option. Cassie’s actions were not about sexual release, at least not on her part.” Her toothy grin deepened. “I can hardly be blamed for enjoying myself.”

I cocked my head to the side, lone bang swinging down past my cheek. “So Cassie just wailed on your plot, with the whip I made for her, for no reason?”

“You can be so cute and naive sometimes. No, not for no reason. I only said that it wasn’t for sexual release. Dear Cassie was simply relieving some stress. I took advantage of the situation.”

“What’s Cassie got to be stressed about?” I wasn’t fond of the idea that something was bothering my sister.

Schwarzwald’s humour remained, but it was overlaid by a patronising expression. “Perhaps our growing number of friends and enemies? For every new member of our group, we seem to gain two foes.”

And she couldn’t talk to me about this? Had to go beating on your flank instead? “Well, yeah, but we’ve known about all that for a while. It’s not like it snuck up on us. Cass and I made the decision to stay involved with Snow even after we found out she was Red Ice.”

An unfocused, faraway look crossed her eyes for a moment. “Sometimes it is that which does not surprise us which is hardest to deal with. If we know it will come but cannot escape it.”

Speaking from experience, old mare? I shrugged, and rubbed my greave. “I’m not saying I want Cassie feeling like this, ‘cause I don’t, but it’s not like I can stop her from doing the stuff that gets her down, y’know?”

“Go on.” Sharpness returned to Schwarzwald’s forest-green eyes as she waited for me to continue.

Guess I’m not getting a history lesson today. “We are dealing with some crazy shit, and I spend half my time wondering if it’d be better to just take Cass and Naiara and just bolt, but I know they wouldn’t go for it. They like the rest of you guys too much.”

“And you do not? Oh, I am hurt.”

“I don’t mean it like that, Schwarz, it’s just… well, besides Cass and Naiara, I’m not really all that close to any of you. Cass is friends with you and Wings, and seems to like Bosco, and Naiara’s buddies with Snow, and Undertow, and Bosco again. I just kinda go along with what those two say. I can’t call the others my friends, and I’m sure they wouldn’t either.” Undertow wouldn’t, no matter what Cass thinks. A-and it’s not like I’m sure I want her to, either!

“You do not think you are valued?” Her normally husky voice had shifted to a drier tone. “It is because of you that we are all together at all.”

Huh? “Huh?”

She produced her communicator, and tapped it against my greave. “You build things that none of us can even dream of. You are a Pegasus, yet you hold magic in your hooves. If we are separate, we can always talk with each other, thanks to your radios. Nobody considers you an outsider here.”

“So they don’t like me, they just like what I can make for them?” I bitterly griped.

A painful jolt sparked through my forehead. “Ow! The hell?”

Stashing the communicator she’d just bopped me with, she tut-tutted. “Do not be difficult. Your creativity is a vital part of you, and none of us take it for granted. We do not believe that your virtue makes up all of you, but it might be all that you choose to show. If you open up more, I do not think the others will complain.” Her disapproving pout morphed back into her easy smile. “You can be so cute sometimes, and you do not see it.”

“Ah, go headbutt a wall, dirt pony.” Still, I found myself smiling back involuntarily. “Since when are you doling out the feel-goods?”

Mischief sparkled in her eyes. “Laughing at sad children is not as fun as laughing with cute little ones.”

“Yeah,” I jibed. “because you really struggle to laugh, Schwarzwald.”

“What can I say? It is my nature.”

“Be careful of that nature, sister. I’m sure it could get you into all sorts of trouble.” Pushing her way through the foliage, Cass emerged into the clearing, looking as prim and proper as ever.

“Cass, you’re okay!” Embracing her tightly, I enjoyed the sensation of her red and black mane rubbing over my eyelids.

“It is good to see you safe, Cassie-dahling. Have you found any of the others?” Schwarzwald playfully joined the hug. I didn’t care, and happily wrapped a hoof around her.

Cassie broke away to answer. “Not yet, Breeze and I were separated, but I didn’t see any of the others. I was hoping to find Wings or Bosco, but I would have settled for any of the others, even Red Eyes, or her sister.”

I popped back and began walking. “Well, come on! With the three of us, we’l-” Wait, hold on, did she say…? Fuck it, don’t care right now. “We’ll find the rest, and get the hell out of here.”

Schwarzwald tightened the straps on her battle saddle, grinning all the while. “One down, and only five to go.”

~~~~~~

“The tests are progressing well.” The voice was distracted, musing.

“What tests? What. Do. You. Want?” I stamped my hoof, some icy mist shooting from my horn. So sick of this crap!

“Seriously.” Bosco agreed, twitching his knife. “You guys are just wasting our time now. We’re not your playthings.”

“Do not pout because you are not the toy currently being played with, little colt.” The voice sounded affronted now. “When your friends’ tests are over, then you will be in play.”

“LEAVE THEM ALONE!” Bosco and I yelled together.

“It is almost time. The final test should determine the next step.”

“If you do anything to them-”

“Anything such as what is shown currently, perhaps?”

“Currently? Oh, hell…”

Bosco and I could only watch helplessly as the scene unfolded before our eyes.

~~~~~~

“How much farther, Breeze? Where did you hear the others?” Naiara and Cassie trailed behind the technophile, impatient and pensive respectively.

“Just a little further.” Flashing a smile, she bounded on ahead, disappearing around a thick clump of foliage.

“Breeze, don’t run ahead!” Cassie chastised, speeding up to follow. She and Naiara hustled around the corner, into a larger clearing. Still overcast by vines and leaves, it spanned a radius of a dozen metres.

Breeze was standing in the centre. She held up a hoof. “Just wait for a little while, you two. You’ll like what comes next.”

That brought the two up short. Exchanging a quick glance, they stared questioningly back at her. “What do you mean, Breeze? What is coming?”

Breeze didn’t have to answer, as three more bodies emerged into the clearing from a far bush cluster.

Snowflake was first, strolling backwards effortlessly. No trace of nature stained her coat.

Wings was less lucky, as wet green streaks ran along her feathers. “We couldn’t have taken two seconds to find a path to get us-” She broke off abruptly as the scene before her registered.

Following Wings, Undertow pushed an oversized leaf out of her way, before spotting the others. “Naiara! Cassie! Breeze! You’re here!”

“Guys!” Wings found her voice. “You’re okay!”

“And you as well.” Cassie’s body language had utterly shifted. The rigidity was gone, and she openly embraced Wings and Undertow in crushing hugs.

“Ooh, me next!” Snowflake hopped forward towards them.

“Stay right there!” Warned Wings, talon pointed accusingly.

“Aww, don’t be shy.”

“No. Bad Snow!” Wings was going red again.

“Gonna spank me again?” She winked at the chocolate-and-cherry griffon.

The others watched the exchange with open mouths.

Undertow looked queasy.

Naiara was astonished.

Cassie was frowning, and looking between Snowflake and Breeze.

And then Cassiopeia Venatici walked into the clearing.

Following behind her, Breeze and Schwarzwald froze as they took in the scene. Slowly panning across everyone gathered, Breeze managed to croak out one word: “...What?”

“Aqua Breeze?” Said Cassie.

“Cassie?” Said Breeze.

“Cassiopeia Venatici?” Said Aqua Breeze.

“Breeze?” Said Cassiopeia Venatici.

Schwarzwald was half-smiling, but spinning up her weapons at the same time. “Well, this is interesting, isn’t it, dahlings?”

Undertow sidled closer to Wings, as did Snowflake. Naiara wouldn’t stop looking back and forth between the two pairs of twins.

Snowflake leaned on WIngs’ shoulder. “Exciting, no?”

Flinching at the contact, Wings’ sapphire eyes flamed. “YOU!”

Before she could do anything else, one pair of twins moved as one. Hidden blades popped out of their wrist armaments, and slashed at their closest ‘sister’. The attack targets took wing, and flapped over to an empty section of clearing, landing beside each other. The attacked Cassie smiled at the attacking Breeze. “What’s the matter, sister?”

The attacked Breeze mirrored the action, towards the attacking Cassie. “Yeah, sis. What’s wrong?”

Both attackers kept their weapons pointed, glaring at the grinning girls. Cassie spoke quietly, but firmly. “You are no sister of mine.”

Breeze, keeping her eyes on the smiling pair, slowly walked towards Cassie. “What she said.”

The attacked Breeze gasped dramatically, making a show of clutching her heart. “How could you say such a thing? Don’t you love me anymore?”

All emotion vanished from Cassie’s tone. It was cold, hard, and devoid of warmth. “You are not Breeze. Breeze never mishears anything.”

Breeze came to a stop beside her sister, glaring at the mirror of said sister. “And I didn’t hear wrong from you either, fake! Snowflake isn’t Red EYES, she’s Red ICE.”

“She’s also not HERE.” Wings tried to draw her revolver from its holster.

Snowflake moved like a snake, slamming a hoof down on her claw. It, and the weapon it held, were pinned in the leather. “Think before you do something you regret, Blue Fire. I really am Snowflake.”

“No, you’re not.” Wings’ wings spread out wide, pushing back with powerful swings. “Lie again, and I’ll put a bullet between your eyes, imposter.”

“And here I was hoping to have some more fun before this all came out.” ‘Snowflake’ leered eye-to-eye with Wings, who glared back. “I guess I’ll just have to settle for this.”

Without another word, she leaned in and met Wings’ beak with her lips.

~~~~~~

In the image, Wings froze in shock. I spluttered incoherently, looking to Bosco for help. His gormless expression offered none.

WHAT AM I DOING?!?!?!

~~~~~~

“MmHMPH!” Pushing the doppelganger away, Wings slashed at her with her free claw. It passed through empty air as ‘Snowflake’ melted into the forest floor. A rustle surged across the clearing, coming to rest at the hooves of the false twins. The imposter unicorn climbed out of the solid ground like it was air.

The three tricksters seemed utterly unfazed by the weapons and spells now readied. ‘Breeze’ took a low, mocking bow. “Well, that’s our show, ladies.”

‘Cassie’ curtsied. “We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did.”

Snow raised her hooves for the final curtain call. “It was just a small performance to remind you that we can always meet again,” the unicorn’s usually orange eyes rainbowed ominously. “if we need to.”

~~~~~~

“Did you have fun, little ones?”

Surprised, Bosco and I shared a look. The colt scowled at the unseen puppeteer. “That’s it? All that, capturing us, splitting THEN jumbling us up, all just to lead us back together again? What was the point of it all?”

“It was necessary to be certain about your friends’ sensibilities. They had to prove themselves.”

“Prove themselves for what?” I argued. “What more are you planning?”

“And why the song and dance for them, but not us?” The frustration present in Bosco’s demand was clear.

Laughter rippled through the trees, unnatural and somehow both reverberant and flat all at once.

Guhrhr. I shuddered. Don’t do that again.

“It was not necessary to test you two. You were known qualities before being taken. Your comrades were the variables to be quantified. Now that they have been studied, the next step can proceed.”

“You keep talking about that,” Bosco’s hoof rubbed the hilt of his knife, “but what makes you think we’re in the slightest bit interested in doing what you want?”

Smug satisfaction laced the very air. “Because the payment is something YOU want, colt.”

“Come again.” He replied sarcastically. “Nothing is worth this hassle.”

Something thudded into the ground at his hooves. “Is that so?”

We both looked down. My eyes widened. ...Shit.

Stunned into silence, the charcoal colt’s tremble-laden fumbling could barely scoop up the Memory Orb dropped by the voice.

“Why do you have this?” I challenged on my friend’s behalf.

“A signpost for the trail you are now on. You know there is one more to recover, and so long as you do as instructed, its location will be provided for you.”

“Listen, Bosco,” I began placatingly.

“No.” He cut me off. “I know what you’re going to say, but I’m going to do this regardless. I don’t care if it’s a trap. I want my last Orb, so I’ll play their game. You will too, since we already agreed that we’re all in on this.”

“Well, yeah, but we’re not gonna be stupid about it!”

“Why not? That’s how you handle all your business.” Ignoring my displeasure, he addressed the forest. “Where’s the last Orb?”

“Under the place you call ‘Neighlway’.”

Bosco’s lips and cheeks sucked in on themselves. “...Shit.”

I’m sorry, which of us was the stupid one? “Neighlway? Steel Ranger city? How in the hell did you get it in there without them noticing?”

For once, the voice remained silent, either unwilling to answer truthfully, or mocking us with its reticence.

“Well, we definitely need to slow down and think up a plan now. Storming the place is not going to work. We’ll be gunned down before we get inside the walls.” Changing tac to avoid another confrontation, I softened my tone. “Bosco, this isn’t the time to be rash. You’re right, I run into things too much, but you’re always the one who tells me not to. You need to be that guy now, to take the time and come up with another plan. You’re good at that.”

“Do not take too much time, colt.” The voice broke its silence in a pointed roar. “You have one week to reach the third Orb, or you will find yourself in a place very similar to this forest.”

I glowered. “Fantastic. Anything else?”

“Yes, one more thing.” As the voice faded out, the forest around us began to shimmer and unfocus. “The radio DJ’s accounts of your work are very entertaining. Keep it up.”

Smug prick. The forest had deteriorated to a green glow, and even that was fading into...silver fog?

Bosco saw it too. “Son of a bitch. I don’t believe it.”

The last of the forest disappeared, and the Silver Fog creatures soon disappeared into the twilight sky. With no appropriate words, the two of us stood mutely.

We both jumped as hoarse voices called out from behind us. “Bosco? Snowflake?”

I know that voice! Spirits lifting, I started to turn.

“More fakes?”

Nope, really us this time.

“GET ‘EM!”

Oh no. I completed my about face just in time to get dogpiled by two of my friends, who immediately began punching me in the face.

“OW OW OW! KNOCK IT OFF!” Throwing my hooves up as a shield, I noticed that Bosco was in a similar predicament, with the twins laying into him. His pained cries of realness went ignored.

A wet smell reached my nostrils. I knew it well, and would have been happy to smell in it almost any other situation. “Undertow, get off me! I’m not a fake this time!”

Naiara, the other weight across my body, replied first. “Liar! How else would you know about the fakes?”

“Good point, keep punching!”

OH COME ON!

“We OW were OW watching you OW!” Bosco was valiantly pleading his case despite the Pegasus aggression. Schwarzwald’s hooting laughter in the background wasn’t making me feel any better about the situation.

Bosco pushed on. “The Silver Fog creatures WERE the forest! They snagged us all, and want us to go get my last Orb!”

“Aha! I knew they were fakes! Bosco only has ONE Orb.”

THWACK!

“Ow, damn it, that’s enough!”

“Hold on Breeze, I see an Orb here. Maybe they’re telling the truth.”

“...”

THWACK!

“BREEZE!”

“Sorry, but come on, can you really blame me?”

She’s not sorry at all!

Grumbling promises of extreme retribution, Bosco pushed Breeze off him and rolled to his hooves. Naiara, having climbed off me, gave him a hoof.

That still left one weight on my chest, however. Said weight’s voice was uncertain as it spoke. “So it’s… it’s really you, big sister?”

“No, it’s Crush the buffalo. Of course it’s me! Now get off!” I never liked to be short with Undertow, but her punches had hurt!

She didn’t though. She decided to exacerbate my bruises by clinging to me in a strangulating hug. “Snowflake! I missed you! I didn’t like that other Snowflake, she was… weird.”

I gingerly returned the hug. “The other Snowflake, right. She… oh...uh…”

Moving Undertow long enough to get to a sitting position, I caught sight of another member of our group. She had been even more troubled by the false Snowflake. Standing beside Schwarzwald, Wings hadn’t said anything since the forest vanished. When we locked gazes, nothing was said, as we both instantly blushed and looked away.

Schwarzwald’s raucous laughter redoubled.

~~~~~~

“Okay okay okay, how about this one? Ready? ‘Aqua Tease’.”

“Oh that is so perfect.”

“I know, right?” Hoof-bumping each other, Naiara and Breeze dissolved into giggles.

Bringing herself under control, Breeze tapped her chin. “Hmm, so we’ve got ‘Snowfake’ and ‘Aqua Tease’, that just leaves one for Cassie’s clone.”

Crossing her hooves, Naiara closed her eyes and concentrated. “Hmm… ‘Vena-sneaky’?”

Breeze waved her off. “Nah, doesn’t rhyme.”

“Um…” Undertow raised her hoof.

Both girls blinked at her. “You wanna try?” They looked at each other. They looked back at her. “Alright. Go for it.”

“...‘Cassi-FAUX-peia’?”

A two second pause followed before both Breeze and Naiara extended a hoof.

“Nailed it.”

“Very nice.”

Beaming, Undertow double-bumped the hooves.

Naiara clapped decisively. “Alright, now we gotta think up names for any potential clones for the others.”

“No, you don’t gotta do that.” Bosco had been checking Wings over for injuries, while I did the same for Schwarzwald. Neither Wings nor I were really up to the thought of physical closeness right now, and purposely avoided glancing in each other’s direction.

“What we gotta do is get moving. According to the voice of the Mysterpons, we’ve only got one week to get my 3rd Orb.”

“A week? What happens after a week?”

He flicked the Orb into the air and caught it. “If it takes longer than a week, we wake up in another forest.”

Naiara and Breeze bounced a little. “So we might get to name the other clones?”

“WE’RE NOT WAITING FOR MORE CLONES!”

“WHY DON’T YOU LIKE FUN?”

“YOU SUCK!”

“YOU SUCK!”

“May I interject?”

We all jumped at this, looking around in panic at the unseen voice, feminine but distorted.

Wings shot into the air, drawing her revolvers. “Are they back?”

“Everyone stay together!” I barged Undertow towards the middle of the pack, with Bosco, Naiara and Schwarzwald crowding in close. Breeze and Cassie were in the air too, grenades and sniper rifle at the ready.

“Anyone see them?”

“Where are they?”

Bosco ground his teeth around his combat knife. “One week my flank!”

“I am not the Silver Fog.” The voice replied, sounding mildly amused.

“Oh, fantastic.” He muttered. “Another damn delay.”

“Then who are you?”

Yeesh, Breeze, you’re like 10 metres up. How are you hearing that so clearly?

“You would be Aqua Breeze, correct? Delighted to make your acquaintance. I have been looking forward to talking with you for quite some time.”

All eyes went to Breeze, who blanked. “Do I know you?”

“No,” Schwarzwald revved down her minigun, and reached for a pocket. “but I think I do.” She produced her communicator. “Amber-dahling, is that you?”

“Schwarzwald,” Amber confirmed. “as always, it is a pleasure. However, today I call on business that cannot wait.”

Three thuds sounded as our fliers landed, the danger having passed. Schwarzwald turned the volume up so that we could all hear Amber’s words.

“Do tell, dear Amber. Why are you in such a hurry?”

The Bernstein leader launched into her explanation without preamble. “There are two griffon mercenaries, from McCoy’s Monsters, heading to your position at this very moment. I want you to wait for them where they are.”

I felt like my heart jumped into my eyeballs. “What? They’re coming here? How did they find us?”

“I told them where you are.” Even through the communicator, Amber’s detachment was jarring.

“Amber-dahling,” An edge crept into Schwarzwald’s voice. “you know that we are not friends with McCoy’s squad. I do not like the idea that you have given them our location.”

“Calm yourself, Schwarzwald. They are not coming to fight. In fact, they are not aware that six of your eight will be present at all. You are one of the two they are aware of, Schwarzwald.”

Various puzzled sounds scattered around the group. How does she know how many of us are here?

Nobody looked any happier after her elaboration. “Amber,” The dropped ‘dahling’ was immediately noticeable. “who are they coming to see?”

“They have business with Wings.”

Everybody turned to the griffon, who looked as lost as the rest of us. She, in turn, sent a questioning look towards Schwarzwald.

The older mare grimaced. “How do you know this, Amber?”

“Because it is part of a deal I made with them. The details of which I will not reveal at this time.” Her voice seemed to be challenge Schwarzwald to try pressing further.

Blinking slowly, Schwarzwald’s expression gradually morphed into the first hints of her regular easy-going nature. “Amber, you realise that neither Wings nor I have made any such deal. We have no reason to meet with these griffons.”

There was no surprise in Amber’s response. “I do realise that, and I will personally pay you each twelve thousand caps when I next see you. Two thousand for the meeting, and another ten for the next business I have with you. Said business will come in the near future.”

Wings’ eyes bugged out, and Schwarzwald raised an eyebrow at the hefty payment. “That is a lot of caps, dahling. What job pays so much?”

There was no response for several seconds. “Amber, are you there?”

The speaker crackled. “Yes, Schwarzwald. I cannot reveal anything at present, but wish to make it known that the ten thousand caps for participation is available for all eight of you.”

Bosco half-choked, Naiara hissed, the twins whistled, Undertow’s jaw dropped, and I sucked in a ragged breath. What’s so important that she’s willing to toss eighty thousand caps our way?

“Regardless,” Amber continued. “the two griffon are expecting you and Wings to be present. No others were mentioned. Perhaps you can use that? Either way, I ask that you listen to them. Part of the deal was that there would be no violence. From what I hear of griffons in general, and McCoy in particular, he is loathe to tolerate broken contracts from his tiercels. There should be no danger.”

Silently, Schwarzwald looked to Wings. The griffon’s claws had curled in on themselves, and her eyes were dark, but she gave a nod. Placated, if not satisfied, Schwarzwald spoke into the receiver. “Very well, Amber. Wings and I shall meet this griffon. We will not attack them without cause. However, I will not tell you more than that.”

“A prudent response.”

“AND we will discuss our future dealings when we next meet. That conversation may not be quiet.” Though her tone stayed light, the slight tremble in the hoof holding the communicator told a different story.

Sounding resigned, Amber spoke a final time. “I understand. I will only say that I do not squander valuable connections, nor endanger them without cause. The griffons will be at your location within two hours. I suggest you make your preparations. Until we meet again, Schwarzwald, Wings, Aqua Breeze.” The communicator static’d, then went dead.

Without looking up from the device, the mare uttered seven words. “You six should remain out of sight.”

~~~~~~