Author’s note: There will be some overlap between this chapter and the next.

Chapter 24-1: Vicarious Liveability

[I returned to a world of darkness and incredible pain.]

“Okay, Snow, just rest here for a little bit.” I didn’t complain as Buff sat me down on the hatchstep of our new sky carriage, courtesy of Amber Bernstein. It was a wondrous machine which, through the multitude of talismans adorning its hull, allowed one or two fliers to carry ten times their number. Or so Amber claimed anyway, since we hadn’t left the ground yet.

Love the blue flames along the side, very symbolic, but did she have to sneak the Bernstein Conclave symbol onto the wheel spokes? Yeah, that’s right, I saw it.

Lazily raising my head, I looked back out into the dwindling procession of Lethbridle citizens making their way out of the south gate. The initial surge had slowed to near a trickle now, and guards were shouting out the number of people to come through. It wouldn’t take long before everybody was out, and then Rockhaunch would trigger the explosives.

Lethbridle would be sealed shut, with the Plottawans and Raiders trapped inside.

That’s gotta be enough to finish off Peanut, right?

Grimacing, I shook my head, as fast as my drained muscles would allow. There were other concerns now. Peanut wouldn’t dare make an attack with this many armed people around. Now was the time to focus on other matt-

“Get out of the way!” The harried command was punctuated by a heavy, jingling case being shoved unceremoniously into my grasp. The weight of the container put me on my back, driving the wind from my lungs. Before I could recover, a pair of hooves grabbed my hind legs and rolled me further back into the carriage.

Taking a moment to suck in some precious oxygen, and to rub at the welt where the tumbling case had caught my temple, I glared at my assailant. “What the hell, Cassie?”

The pegasus utterly ignored me, and was facing back out of the carriage door. She had hold of one end of Breeze’s stretcher, with Naiara and Cept lifting the other end into the carriage. Undertow’s aquamarine telekinesis helped to steady the frame.

Never had the younger pegasus appeared so unlike herself. Before, whenever there was a spare moment, she would have a gadget or tool in her hooves, tinkering and tightening. As she lay there, taking small and soft breaths, a swath of healing bandages around her slashed torso, it was hard to reconcile the difference.

“Easy,” Cassie hoarsely warned the other bearers, as they guided the stretcher to the farthest corner. “keep her supported.”

As I set down the heavy case, Cassie finished securing Breeze for the ride. Leaving her with Naiara and Cept, she hustled over to the door, barely glancing at me as she hopped back out. I watched her head straight for Wings, motioning for the two of them to head for the carriage’s reins. “Come on, we’re taking Breeze to a doctor.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bosco stir and take a step towards them, face greasy and sweating. Almost instantly, Schwarzwald’s hoof landed on his shoulder, holding him in place as he opened his mouth. Still pale and queasy, the colt nevertheless managed to collect himself. A flash of regret passed along his brow, and he simply shut his mouth again.

Wings was less ambivalent, nodding immediately. “I’ll get the others.” Cassie’s only response was to buckle herself into the flier’s harness. The griffon flapped over to where Schwarzwald, Bosco, and Amber stood. “We’re heading out. You comin’, Bernstein?”

The others had been watching, and I had to shuffle back into the interior of the carriage as Buff directed Undertow, and a puzzlingly guilt-faced Lo, inside. My hoof brushed each of their shoulders as they passed.

So glad you all got out of there. That was way too close. The memory of the wind demon rampaging throughout the city brought on a full-body shudder. Tricking the creature had taken all my strength, and only bought us time. I still had no idea how to hurt it, let alone kill it.

The magic ice storm I’d conjured had left me with the worst ache behind my eyes, and I gladly collapsed back against Buff. I wonder if there’s time for a nap while we’re flying? I feel like I could sleep for another two hundred years.

Sadly, even my drowsy state picked up on the change in the background voices outside. The crowd had quieted the moment the chief had raised his tone. “Hold it right there, Bernstein. You’re not going anywhere just yet.”

The buffalo chief had placed himself between the business mare and the sky carriage. Amber seemed to be feeling the events of the past few days as well, as her carefully crafted mask of detached neutrality had given way to open frustration. “Whatever grievances you have against my efforts, Chief Rockhaunch, I must remind you that one of Lethbridle’s heroes is in urgent need of medical care.”

The chief was unmoved. “I’m not stopping her, Bernstein. I’m stopping you.” He jerked a cloven hoof from Wings to the carriage. “Get yourself gone, Blue Fire. You’ve got our thanks, but Bernstein’s not going with you. She and I need to talk.”

Before Wings could say a word, Amber raised her voice. “Schwarzwald, please have my staff move my things to the carriage, and then get aboard. I would advise that you do the same, Bosco. I do not wish to delay your trip any longer than I have to, and will join you in a few minutes.”

While I could only see the corner of Rockhaunch’s mouth, I was surprised to see it turn up at Amber’s words. You’re all about keeping order, Chief. You’re really gonna let her talk to you like that?

“You think it’s that easy, Bernstein?” For the first time in days, Rockhaunch seemed at ease. His chin tilted up as he spoke as much to the crowd as he did to Amber. “Inviting the Raiders here was bad enough, and we only just managed to contain them with the loss of the northern quarter. That was a bad wound to our city, but we might have survived it.”

“As I recall, you agreed to-”

“BUT,” He interrupted. “you went behind the backs of me, my guards, and even Blue Fire to bring in Plottawan slavers. You forced a total evacuation of the city. These good people are homeless, Bernstein!”

Eyes narrowed, Amber drew herself up imperiously. “If you think-”

Rockhaunch refused to be outdone. “And if that wasn’t bad enough, you also set all those monsters free!”

The crowd was stirring now, and they didn’t seem happy.

“I saw it!” Called out a melodic female voice, unseen on the edge of the crowd. “Bernstein brought in Red Ice too!”

“Yeah,” This was a stallion with a dumpy tone, from somewhere in the center. “Red Ice was the one who done brung that scary ghost thing!”

“Why did you call Red Ice and the monsters here, Lady Bernstein?” This time it was a frightened little filly, just out of sight behind the front row.

“Well?” The chief challenged. “Why should these people follow you, with all that you’ve done?”

Amber had moved to put Schwarzwald between herself and the crowd, but wasn’t quite ready to concede just yet. “It was the only possible option to save the city. If you wish to keep your lives, you have no other choice.”

With the worst possible timing, the explosives went off. This triggered the collapse of the south gate. Lethbridle was a city no longer.

Now, it was a prison for the slavers and Raiders trapped inside. A labyrinthine deathtrap, with enemies and beasts around any corner, and not a scrap of food or drink within its walls.

The crowd went nuts.

“Lethbridle is dead!”

“Bernstein destroyed our home!”

“All our caps were in there. We’re ruined!”

“How dare you trick Blue Fire like that, Bernstein bitch!”

I was just close enough to overhear the chief’s words when he sidled up to Amber, relaxed and sure of himself. “I told you I wouldn’t let you have your way. These are MY people, Bernstein, not yours. I don’t think you ever understood that. Caps can only go so far.”

Amber didn’t look at him, instead keeping her eyes on the crowd. “A fair point, Chief Rockhaunch, but please remember that I am well versed in exactly how far caps can go.”

“Come on!” Cassie bellowed from the front of the carriage. “We are moving NOW! I will not let Breeze be caught up in your squabbles! Wings, get over here and strap in!”

Schwarzwald stepped between the chief and the business mare. Ignoring the buffalo, she leaned in close. “She is right. It is time we left, dahling.”

“Your reward is still with my belongings. I believe that Snowflake has already received her ten thousand, but the others have not yet been loaded.”

Rockhaunch moved faster than Schwarzwald did, stepping past both mares and towards the crates embossed with the Bernstein Conclave logo. “Mighty kind of you to donate towards our rebuilding efforts, Bernstein.”

“I-”

“For the last time. GET. IN!” Cassie was already lifting off.

Without another word, Bosco and Schwarzwald ponyhoofled Amber into the carriage.

~~~~~~

Reclining in the corner of the carriage, all I could see from the windows was the murky backdrop of the cloudy sky. As used to it as I was, staring at nothing for extended periods of time never lost its dullness.
Ngh, let’s give moving another try. Friggin’ Peanut, then friggin’ Windigo, then friggin’ Peanut again. My heart rate had slowed down now that I was safely away from Lethbridle and the monsters within, Peanut included, but the rest of me had slowed down too. Keeping my eyes open was getting gradually more difficult, and having Buff as my leaning post was crucial to keeping me upright.

You didn’t get out without a scratch either, did you, little brother? Eyes roving downwards, I glanced at the matted fur where his Pipbuck had been. You’re gonna feel that loss, Buff. When things are quiet, and you’re trying to relax. It’ll sneak up on you at the worst times. Nuzzling into Buff’s side, and feeling him breathe in and out gently as he dozed, didn’t seem enough, but I had nothing else.

Quiet rest seemed to be the order of the day in our corner, but the others in the carriage were more active. In the centre of the room, taking up the majority of the space, Naiara and Cept were tending to Breeze. Both looking equally unpractised in their newfound role, with Cept openly aggravated by that fact. Whenever Breeze shifted in her sleep, his hooves shot in to steady her. Any beads of sweat on her forehead had lifespans you could measure in seconds, and he had to visibly restrain himself from bothering Naiara when she checked and changed Breeze’s bandages. Neither could afford to pay mind to anything but their injured charge.

Beyond them, in the opposite corner to Buff and I, Schwarzwald and Amber were talking quietly. The mercenary mare wore the same easy smile she always did, as she absentmindedly explored her new cuts and scrapes. ‘Lady Bernstein’ clearly had her attention elsewhere. The Conclave leader sat ramrod-straight, fussing over a pocket pad as the two quietly conversed. Amber set the tablet down, vexed, before a comment from Schwarzwald made her pick it back up with a nod, her frown disappearing as she did.

At the hatch, Bosco had his cheek smooshed against the glass. Judging by how he was sweating, and doing little else besides breathing slowly and taking regular sips of bottled water, he was after the feel of the cool glass.

Where the heck’d you find a straw for that drink, Bosco? I’d ice it for you if I could, but I’m a little konked out right now. A yawn was the only thing that came out when I opened my mouth to tell him to try sleeping it off.

The last two passengers took up a third corner, and were completely adorable about it. Lying perfectly still, Lo was near cross-eyed as he looked up at Undertow, who was balanced gregariously on his back and shoulders. She couldn’t seem to sit still for even a moment. She tugged at his horns, rubbed at his fur, and leaned over so far she was almost hanging upside down as she spoke to him.

Suddenly, I realised that what I originally thought had been background noise from the flight was in fact Undertow’s voice. She was talking more than any time since we met, and Lo seemed to be having trouble keeping up. His responses were half-smiles and single syllable chuckles, at best.

“...and then I pulled all the water into one big ball…”

“Uh huh. Hey, listen-” Lo winced as Undertow bounced around.

“...Bosco tried shooting me but I stopped the bullets…”

“He shot at? Nevermind, I have to-” The boy’s smile wavered even further.

“...and then Snow used her horn to freeze my ball solid…”

“Undertow, you have to-” Mouth and brows dropping, Lo gulped.

“...we rolled it into the lake and it floated away!”

“LISTEN TO ME, PLEASE!” Reaching up and back, Lo’s cloven hooves snagged the filly. He brought her down and held her eye-to-goggles.

As Buff stirred, several pairs of eyes turned to my youngest siblings.

Still exuberant, Undertow hardly seemed to mind being held like a doll. “What’s the matter, big brother?”

Setting her down, Lo mashed his hooves into his eyes, shaking his head despondently. “...It’s that. That’s the matter.”

Keeping my eyes open was the last of my rapidly growing list of worries at that moment.

Undertow’s smile faltered. “I-I don’t understand.”

The buffalo didn’t take his face out from behind his hooves. When he spoke, his fur muffled the words, but not enough that we couldn’t hear them. “Undertow… you’re really sweet, and you obviously care about Snow a whole bunch. When we met, I could tell just how important you are to her, but she’s been our sister all our lives and, well…”

His limbs dropped away from his sunken cheeks. “In the city, when you got shot and they dug the bullet out, what I said wasn’t fair to you.”

Bottom lip trembling, Undertow reached a hoof up towards Lo, and gasped softly when he pulled away. “But you c-c-called me ‘little sister’.”

If anything, Lo looked utterly terrified at the hoof she held at him. “Yyyyeah, I did. I’m sorry, they had to get the bullet out, and I thought it would calm you down. I’m so sorry. I want to, but I just… don’t see you that way yet.”

“You WHAT?!” Standing wasn’t so hard now either. “LO!”

Squeaking helplessly, Undertow looked to Buff. “B-big brother?”

He gave a rumble deep in his throat, but said nothing and looked away.

“BUFF!!”

The elder Doublehorn sighed. “This isn’t what anybody wanted, Snow, but we can’t change how we feel.”

No, you don’t get off that easy. “And you think it’s okay to lie to her? To me? To take this away from her?”

“Of course not, but-”

My hoof ripped across my mouth in a ‘zip it’ gesture. “I don’t want to hear ‘but’s! This is way over the line. I can’t believe you two would do this!”

Tottering unsteadily, I held out a hoof to Undertow. “Come here, xilia. It’ll be okay.” You’re damn sure gonna have at least ONE sibling onboard.

Openly snuffling, Undertow faked a smile. “It is okay, big sister. I will… go help Bosco with his upset stomach.” She nodded at each of our brothers in turn. “Sorry to bother you, Sir Lo, Sir Buff.”

Without a backwards glance, she turned and marched the short distance to the charcoal colt, plopping down on the deck without looking back.

Our spat had gotten even the zebras’ attention, and the stares weren’t kind.

“Dick move, Lo.” Bosco was glaring at the boy as Undertow ran a cloth across his brow. “Dick move.”

Cept muttered something to Naiara in zebra tongue. Too quiet for me to hear, but she didn’t disagree with whatever it was. Sorry you both had to see that.

Pointedly ignoring Schwarzwald and Amber, I tugged both buffalo back to the corner.

“You two are SO grounded.”

~~~~~~

The landing threw us all of our hooves.

“Blegh.” Bosco choked back his stomach contents. “Those two need to work on their landings.”

Glancing out the window, I was greeted by the welcome sight of the gates to Sprinkles Supplies. Guards were gawking in awe at the carriage. Good call. Boss’ll fix Breeze up no problem.

Wrenching the hatch door open, Cassie bounded into the cabin. “Is Breeze okay? She wasn’t hurt when we landed, was she?”

Naiara and Cept were already waiting with the stretcher. “She’s fine. Let’s get her out.”

Undertow rolled upright, and made for the door. “I’ll get Mo… Boss,” she corrected, indecision rolling over her face as she glanced at the Doublehorn boys. “Boss. I’ll get Boss.” She disappeared through the opening without another word.

“Great, now she’s worried about that too.” Muttering didn’t make the situation any better, but it didn’t make it worse either. I raised my chin. “Boys, go find Al.”

The two of them had been staring at the doorway, where Undertow had been, but snapped out of it upon mention of their missing sibling. Buff’s eyes lit up, and Lo even managed a small smile. Both headed outside.

“Remember that this is Lexi’s place, you two!” I called after them, as I set about gathering up the few possessions we’d managed to load before the mob at Lethbridle drove us away. “You listen to her while we’re here!”

“Gently now, gently.” Cassie drifted backwards, directing Bosco and the two zebra as they helped carry her sister out of the carriage. Her eyes never left Breeze’s face.

Amber went next, gathering her now-wrinkled wrappings around her. “I look forward to meeting Fedexi Lexi. It was a pity that she declined my invitation to the ball.”

“You too, Bernstein,” I warned. “Lexi is Boss here, not you. I won’t let you run over her like you tried with Rockhaunch.”

“I don’t have a cap to my name at present, Snowflake. What influence could I bring to bear?”

“Don’t even try. You won’t get in the door without Undertow or I vouching for you, but that’s all we’re willing to allow. Lexi’ll tell you herself that she’s not running a hotel here. If you want food, and a place to sleep, you’ll work. Boss will decide how you go about it, not you.” I realised my horn was causing the air around us to crackle and cool, quickly quashing the magic before it got out of hoof.

With an aside glance at Schwarzwald, the Bernstein leader pointed outside. “Do you expect an adverse reaction to our visit, Snowflake?”

“Not if you remember who runs Sprinkles Supplies.”

Amber had paused at the threshold, and wore a wry expression as she looked back at me. “A pity indeed.”

Chuckling, Schwarzwald finished strapping her battle saddle on, but did not load her weapons. “Subordinates. Good joke, dear Amber.” She pushed the bemused businessmare outside, but gave me a final wink. “Very forceful, dahling. Your ‘boss’ would be so proud.”

Why’d she say it like that?

Suddenly I was alone in the cabin. Making the most of the quiet, I gathered the rest of the supplies we wouldn’t need for now, and prepared to leave.

Two claws braced themselves on either side of the door frame, and Wings stuck her face in. “Hey, you comin’?” Her feathers and plumage all wind-tousled.

For someone who just dragged ten people and a big damn box miles through the air, you have no right looking that fresh. “Yeah, I’ll just—”

“WHAT’N THE HELL HAPPENED?!”

Lexi’s bellow froze me in my tracks. Visions of Vorbis and Contego’s deaths ran through my mind. “...stay right here.”

Cocking her head to the side, Wings looked out at the commotion, and then back to me. “Wha?”

They got torn apart, and the Overmare just ran. “I’m, uh, asleep, okay? If anyone asks. I’ll stay here and sleep.”

Her claws moved from the door frame to the deck, and she pushed herself halfway inside. “But your brothers are all gonna be together. Don’t you wanna be there for that?”

Not moving from my spot, I shush’d her. “I know, I know, but just until Boss takes Breeze inside.”

Blowing some air out of her cheeks, Wings smiled for a second. “Alright. I’ll run interference if anybody comes along. At least until Lexi deals with Breeze.” She swung around and leaned against the fuselage, claws behind her head.

Smiling gratefully, I crawled up to the hatch, and peered around her.

Standing in the clearing, Cassie gripped the case of ten thousand caps in her teeth, and slung it at Lexi’s hooves. “Payment. Heal my sister.”

Making no move to take the case, Lexi’s frizzy orange mane flopped around as she looked over at the unconscious filly, then back at Cassie. “Watch yer tone, girl. Y’want somethin’ from me, y’ask fer it!”

Shaking and turning red in the face, the pegasus didn’t give in. Her twitching hoof shot forward, fixing on the case. “There are ten thousand caps in there. Is that not enough, you crook?”

Lexi’s eyebrows disappeared into her frizz. “CROOK?!”

Jumping in between the two, Undertow snagged the case in her aquamarine magic, bringing it up to eye level. “Boss, please don’t get angry. Cassie is just worried about her sister. She wants you to help her get better. I want you to help Breeze get better. Can you please take the job?”

Lexi frowned at Cassie’s now-glistening cheeks. After a few moments, her magic took the case from Undertow. “Bring ‘er inside, quick now. Follow the signs. We’ll get started in a minute or so.”

Relief blossoming across her entire form, Cassie rushed to Breeze, grabbing one end of the stretcher. Naiara took the other end. The two of them motored inside, as fast as they safely could.

Cept made to follow, but Bosco stepped in front of him. “Hold on there, guy. I need a word.”

Even as Cept’s eyebrows bunched, Lexi ignored the two of them and gave Undertow a big hug. “Good t’see yeh, babygirl. Where’s yer big sis?”

I ducked back into the cabin, just before either of the two could look my way. Don’t come over here, boss! I can’t tell you what happened yet. I need more time!

“She’s just over th-... huh?” I heard Undertow shuffle about. “Um, Wings, where is my sister?”

A slight gust washed over me, as Wings’ feathers moved. “Shhhh! Not so loud, Undertow.”

“Um?”

“She needs her rest,” Wings responded gently. “She went through a lot in Lethbridle. It took a lot out of her.”

Facing away from the doorway, my smile went unseen. You did as much as I did, Wings. You should be resting too.

It took all my willpower not to tense up as a hoof touched my neck. The smile was a distant memory. Lexi’s unseen hoof stayed where it was for a moment, before moving up into my mane, gently brushing it away from my face. Not the worst result, but please just go help Breeze, boss. I don’t want to tell you that I let you down again.

The hoof came to rest just above my horn. “Get yer rest, darlin’. Yer doin’ fine.”

I felt, as well as heard, Lexi move away. The crunch of her horseshoes on the gravel told me she was moving back into the compound. “Awright, anypony who’s comin’ in best get to it. Ah’m closin’ the gates in five minutes.”

Amber’s restrained tones sounded out first. “Until we meet again, Schwarzwald. I shall contact you, should I require your services.”

“Behave yourself in my absence, Amber-dahling.” As always, an undercurrent of mirth laced the mercenary mare’s words.

Cept’s stoicism came across strained. “Please move aside, Bosco. I am going inside.”

“No, you’re not,” the colt replied, matter-of-factly.

“What did you say?”

“You’re coming with us to Neighlway. You’re the only of us who’s been before, except for Snow, but she was a prisoner. We need you to guide us.”

“But Aqua Breeze-”

“Will be fine with Naiara watching over her, Cept. You trust your clanmate, don’t you?”

Terse silence was Cept’s reply.

“Good, so it’s decided.”

Bosco, I know you’re frustrated, but—

“Don’t be a dick about this, Bosco.” Wings finished my thought for me.

“After today, I won’t have to be. I’ll apologise all anypony wants after that.” I couldn’t hear any apology in his voice yet. “If there’s nothing else keeping us here, Wings, then can you—”

“BUFF! LO!”

“...Dammit.”

My eyes had popped open as I heard Al thunder out of the gate, and I hopped out just as he slammed into Buff, headfirst. “Eyyy!”

He turned to Lo, and headbutted him too. “Eyyy!”

This went on a few more times, as the three of them laughed and jostled. “I’m so glad Snow found you guys. I was worried!”

“You?” Lo chortled, as the brothers exchanged heavy pats on each others’ shoulders. “We were totally stressed out! Until Snow told us you were okay, we thought you were all alone.”

“Well, I did get a little help, but I’ll tell you about it later. Right now, I’m just glad you’re both okay!”

Buff joined in the embrace as I moved over and sat next to Undertow as she stoically watched the three Doublehorn brothers roughhouse. Without taking my eyes off them, I reached out with my magic. Easily finding the connection, I pumped as much love and good feelings as I could through our link. She sent some sensations back herself, to let me know she’d felt my touch.

All smiles, Al disengaged from the huddle. “Alright now, guys, where’s my sister?”

They both pointed over at me, and I waved back, but didn’t move to join them. This is their moment. I already had mine with Al.

Beaming even wider, Al bounded straight at me. Even after years of dealing with my little brothers, the sight of the exuberant buffalo motoring towards me still raised my heart rate.

The slight apprehension blossomed into full-on confusion as he veered off at the last second.

With barely time to “EEP!”, Undertow found herself swept up in a crushing hug from Al. “Good to see you again, little sister!”

Both Buff and Lo’s jaws dropped, as did mine. “But, I, what? I didn’t tell you that she was-”

Al was spinning around, with the stunned filly holding on, as he answered. “I know, and I can’t believe you, Snow. Why didn’t you tell me we had another sister? And she’s so cute!”

“Heh… hehe…” Al’s excitement was breaking through Undertow’s confusion, and it finally seemed to sink in that one of the Doublehorns was happy to be her brother. “Heeheehee… faster, big brother! Faster faster!”

“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Flipping Undertow up onto his broad back, Al began spinning and bucking, with the girl dissolving into wild giggles as he did so.

When it became clear that his younger and older brothers weren’t joining in, Al ground to a halt. “Guys, what’s up? Why aren’t you celebrating? Our own little sister!” He reached a hoof up, which was gleefully grabbed by said little sister.

“How can you be okay with this just like that, Al?” Lo’s shame was visible. “We don’t know her at all.”

“So? Snow does, and we know we can trust our big sister, right?”

A warm lump began to form in my chest.

“...Undertow isn’t from the Stable.” Buff ventured.

“Pfft.” Utterly uncaring, Al just shrugged. “I know that, but all it means is that we’ve got more work to do. Come on guys, this was always the plan. We just need to tweak it a little.”

“Plan?” I cocked my head to the side as I whispered to myself. “What plan?”

Al was still talking to our brothers. “Didn’t we always say that we’d take care of Snow someday, instead of her taking care of us?”

“Well, yeah, but…”

You boys think about stuff like that?

“Well, now we take care of Undertow too! Come on guys, she’s our little sister!” Al’s boundless energy was almost physically pushing Buff and Lo back.

As for me, I was trying to keep my chest from bursting with pride. Al, you’re so great.

“Yo, we’re going. Save it for when we get back!” Bosco’s hollering shattered the moment entirely. The colt was waving from the open hatch. Wings was already hooked up, and both Cept and Schwarzwald were already aboard.

“Aw,” whined Al, before reaching up and plucking Undertow from atop his head. “Sorry, little sister. Your bros have to stay here for a little while, and you’ve gotta go with Snow. You be safe, alright, and look after Snow for us, too!”

Grinning from ear to ear, Undertow reached forward and kissed him on the forehead. “Heeheehee, okay! We’ll be back soon, big brothers!”

Even if their faces still showed their discomfort, Buff and Lo didn’t correct her.

~~~~~~

Breeze’s safety assured, the second leg of our flight proved less tense. Simply knowing the pegasus was in very capable hooves seemed to lighten the atmosphere. It must be a little weird for Lexi to be fixing Breeze up, at Undertow’s request no less, after Cassie nearly killed me earlier. The ex-raider was pressed up against me as we flew, giddy with the prospect of having a brother who already thought the world of her. You were awfully quick to jump to Breeze’s aid, little sister. It’s a good sign. Weird, but good, and I don’t think Lexi’ll do any less than a full heal on Breeze, since you were the one who vouched for her.

And Al’s vouching for you with Buff and Lo. “Your brother was pretty happy to see you, huh?”

A contented sigh was her answer. Her attention wasn’t in the cabin. The sky outside was reflected in her goggles’ lenses.

While Undertow was off in her own little world, I noted a change in the overall mood of the compartment, which was facing a situation that I hadn’t come across in a while.

Two young males, not on the best of terms, in an enclosed space. With no exit.

“And you are sure that Wings can lift us all, in here, without another flyer?” Cept’s grousing was entirely focused on Bosco. The zebra was apparently still displeased he was forced to come along.

Which, at the time, had been the will of our formerly only colt. When are you gonna try being gracious or grateful about that, Bosco?

“Dear Breeze would know. You should ask her when we return, dahling.” Schwarzwald reclined at the front of the cabin, where a small window showed the outside air, and glimpses of our pilot’s beating wings. “Wings does not seem to be having trouble.”

His frown didn’t shift. “I could ask her sooner, if you had not stopped me, colt.”

Bosco returned the expression. “Cry me a river, Cept. You’re the only of us who’s been inside Neighlway without being a prisoner, or blackmailed. I need you to lead us to whichever part of the complex we’ll find the fog creatures.”

Cept looked over at me. “Did you not already find the Gold Fog days ago?”

We all stirred at that. Still watching the zebra stallion, Bosco corrected him. “Actually, these ones are silver.”

His golden eyes sharpened instantly. “There are two?” Cept was muttering to himself, then found the charcoal colt again. “Perhaps yours was the right call after all.”

Staring back evenly, Bosco was stoic. “I’m sure I’d care about whatever little nugget of Atesh’s schemes just changed, if I wasn’t in a hurry. That’s for later. Now, we’re focusing on getting me into and under Neighlway. I want my Orb back.”

Head resting on my shoulder, Undertow piped up. “Maybe Cept can tell us something about the Silver Fog creatures. He knew about the Gold Fog.”

Good idea, Undertow. Atesh knew about the Gold Fog when they first took you and Bosco, and I’d rather not walk into another meeting with these things blind. “Well, Cept? Care to share?”

“No,” he stated without preamble. “I must talk with my Elder first.”

Barking out a harsh non-laugh, Bosco turned away. “Fucking cop-out.”

“Just forget it for now, Bosco.” My teeth were already grinding at his behaviour. “We’re focused on Neighlway, remember?”

Souring, he said nothing, but did give a small nod. No longer cornered, Cept mirrored the action, equally surly. His frustration was obvious. It was through his goodwill that he was helping Bosco and, being the better-trained and more-athletic fighter, he could have decided against it at any time.

Hell, Wings wouldn’t even know until we landed. Bosco’s running out of leeway with all of us on this. It NEEDS to end today.

Moving away from the front window, Schwarzwald plopped down with the four of us, one hoof wrapping around Bosco’s shoulders. “So tell us, Boss Colt, what is the plan when we reach Neighlway? Steel Rangers are fearsome foes, and we charging into their lair.”

Giving up after trying, and failing, to remove the offending appendage, Bosco produced his knife. “We’re not gonna start trouble if we can help it, since we’re really trying to get under Neighlway, not into it, but if it comes down to it, we’ll deal with any Rangers we come across.”

Bless him. Points for trying, I guess. “You’re going to take on Steel Rangers…”

“...with a knife?” Cept finished flatly.

“If I have to.” Iron determination showed across his entire body.

I couldn’t help myself, and snickered.

“What’re you laughing about?” Bosco’s cheeks puffed up and, for a moment, he looked his age.

First time in weeks. “Ever fought a Steel Ranger, Boss Colt? They don’t go down easy.”

“Oh, and you would know, would you?”

“Uh, yeah!” I pointed to myself. “Red Ice over here. Anypony who’s taken down a Steel Ranger, raise your hoof.”

While mine was the first up, two more joined it. “Well, Cept’s no surprise. I saw him knock out two Rangers. Still didn’t kill ‘em, though.”

“I could have. It was not hard to beat them, but I had a mua leija filly to rescue.”

“Pft.” I scoffed, not taking the bait. “Been a long time between then and now, Cept. I’ve learned a few tricks. Like blowing a hole in MY dead Ranger’s helmet, then scooting a Cryo Serpent through the hole. Froze him solid in his shell, took maybe half a minute.” A thought occurred. “That’s not a bad idea for the future, actually. Metal gets brittle at low temperatures. I might be able to crack the armour if I pour it on. Might not even need to kill ‘em.”

The zebra’s smug grin had vanished, replaced with a calculating thoughtfulness. The one plastered on the face of the other hoof’s owner, however, hadn’t. “Ah, but I did kill mine, dahling.”

Undertow’s head was bounced up and down by my shrug. “Guess that’s not really a shock either. How’d he die?”

“Smiling.” Our quizzical expressions only made her grin grow wider. “His armour was in a pile on the floor.”

Of course it was.

“...Are you going to try that method, Bosco?”

As he stammered and spluttered, Schwarzwald and I raced to be the first one to huggle the adorable joker, laughing all the while. At least I hope it was a joke, Undertow. Bosco’s still too young for that, like you.

Bosco’s discomfort became a prolonged sigh, twinned by Cept, as Schwarzwald showed the benefits of coming in second in our race.

She’d just gone ahead and glomped both of us instead.

~~~~~~

Undertow, Schwarzwald and I held each other tight, as Wings divebombed us towards Neighlway. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Cept and Bosco were surreptitiously leaning into each other too. Somebody was screaming. It might have been me.

I know we need the element of surprise, Wings, but can you slow down a little? Through the small window at the front, I could see the dull grey rooftops of Neighlway growing larger at an unfriendly pace. “Oh, this is gonna suck!”

“How can you be smiling?!” None of us had to look to know who Bosco was referring to.

“I have never done this before, dahling, and might not get another chance. I am going to enjoy myself.” She clutched us closer, eliciting a pair of whimpers.

“...We're all gonna die.”

Wings drifted us north, further out from the centre of the city. Not that it mattered much, as all the buildings were made of rough grey stone, and sported metal protrusions wherever there was a free square metre. “We'll never fit on one of those roofs, not with that crap all over them.”

“It's okay,” Bosco grunted over the G-forces. “Wings said she knew a quiet area to set down.”

Risking a glance, even if it drained colour from the world for a second, I took stock of Bosco's mood. The colt, though pressing himself against Cept and acting like he wasn't, barely blinked. His eyes never left the small window opening, and his lips were curling back in anticipation.

Blindness set in momentarily, as Wings whipped the sky carriage around in a vicious turn. Considering it also had us all pinballing around the cabin, loss of vision was the last thing I wanted.

“SISTER!”

“UNDERTOW!”

“GUYS!”

“BINN TUSAA!”

“WHEE!”

When the shadows of the buildings fell on us from the windows, I realised I could see again. “Urgh, I'm gonna kill her.”

“Later, dear Snowflake, because...” The carriage's wheels rasped on stone. “...we have arrived.”

Recovering miraculously, Bosco was already at the door. “Everybody out! We've gotta move.”

Wings met us outside, looking pretty pleased with herself. “Did you see me when I pulled that last turn?”

“I didn't see anything when you pulled that last turn!”

“Aw, you were supposed to be watching.”

“No, I mean I really didn't-”

A slate grey hoof pushed against both of us. “On a schedule here, ladies.”

We sprinted down an uneven row of jagged metal piles, rising high on either side. “What is this place?”

“Landing area.” Wings called back.

“I know it's where we landed,” I snapped back. “but what's it supposed to be?”

“It's really a landing area. I flew over it a few times when Cassie and I were trying to get Breeze back when we thought they had her. Asked a scribe about it, and he told me that it was for their vehicles. Only they didn't have any, so now it's a dumping ground.” She gave a hiss as a protruding pipe nicked her thigh. “Hence all the crap. Thought it'd be useful to stash the carriage. Less likely they'll come looking for it way in the back here.”

Well... alright then. Bosco, Wings and I scampered the rest of the way in silence, until we met up with Schwarzwald, Undertow, and Cept. The zebra was on point, and was poking his head around a rusted, gutted cooling unit.

Looks just like the ones I backed up in the Stable. Cept held up a hoof, and we all crouched low and still. His golden eyes roamed the area ahead for a few seconds, before the hoof dropped again. We followed without a word when he slunk around the corner.

Cept led us to a small access door, which was locked with a heavy, grimy padlock. Wings, Schwarzwald, Undertow, and I played lookout, as Bosco and Cept worked on the door. “I don't suppose you can pick the lock, can you?”

“I believe so. One moment.”

“What, really? Uh... cool.” Seemingly at a loss for words, Bosco stayed silent for a few seconds. “Who taught you to do this?”

Cept had a bobby pin in his mouth, and spoke around the tool. “Naiara. She shaid it would be usheful one day. It sheemsh today ish 'one day'.”

“Mhm.” Bosco lapsed into silence again, took a glance around, then dropped his voice to a conciliary tone. “Sorry, for dragging you along on this. I know you wanted to stay with Breeze.”

“Yesh, I did.” Cept wasn't hostile, just stating a fact. “But you were right. Naiara will keep her shafe. And your hashte in thish matter is apology enough.... there!”

The lock clicked open, and Bosco caught it before it hit the ground. Setting it silently aside, the two stallions nodded at each other, and then slipped through the door. A hoof waved the rest of us through a second later.

We were in the back of a stockroom. Random musty boxes lay spread around, some open and empty, while others were taped shut. Numeric codes were written on them, but they meant nothing to us.

As I gingerly eased around a stack of crates, a faded arrow on the walkway caught my eye. “Guys, this way.” I crept along the path, following the barely-visible directions, until a door loomed from behind a row of shelves. Pressing my eye to the frame, I eased it open a crack.

Uh oh.

“Well?” Bosco asked, by my ear.

“Firing Range,” I hissed back. “We'll be sitting ducks if they catch us.”

Sighing, he drew his pistol. “Great.” He took point as the rest of us readied our weapons and magic. “I'll take a look. If one of those walking tanks is in there, give him everything you got.” Opening the door just enough to squeeze through, the charcoal colt dropped to the floor. Shimmying along on his belly, he disappeared through the gap.

It was a long ten seconds before we heard “Clear,” from within. Letting out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding, I followed the others through.

Inside, Bosco was looking around in confusion. “Where's the rangemaster? Look, there're training pistols on the shelf there. Any rookie idiot could come in and kill themselves.”

“C'mon, Bosco,” Wings scoffed as she looked at the targets down range. “We haven't been spotted yet, but we're not that lucky.”

“Everyone, over here.” Undertow was poking her head out of the door. We hustled over, but stumbled over each other as she stepped fully out into the corridor.

“Are you nuts?” Bosco bit down on her tail and dragged her back. “You could have been seen!”

Rubbing her tender tail, she frowned at the colt. “There's nobody there, Bosco. I'm not stupid.”

Still frowning, he spat out a turquiose hair, then stepped out into the corridor himself. “Alright, let's keep moving. I don't trust this quiet.”

We joined him in the corridor, and followed his gaze to the far wall. On it were written several signposts. To the left, it read 'BARRACKS', whereas it read 'OFFICES' on the right arrow. An arrow pointing behind us read 'MEDICAL/TRAINING'.

Bosco wasted no time. “We're going right. There might be a map in one of the offices. Best we stay away from the barracks, since clerks'll be easier to kill than fighters.”

“They are called 'scribes'.” Cept supplied as he started after Bosco.

The dingy halls weren't any better in the office wing. Oxidised metal and stained stone reminded me of the less-frequented portions of the Stable. Apparently Steel Rangers aren't much for paperwork. Colour me unsurprised.

Rounding a corner, Bosco almost ran into a unicorn scribe. The Steel Ranger walking with his head down, a sheaf of papers hung in front of his eyes. Eyes wide, Boss Colt backed up a few steps, then charged shoulder-first. With the papers obstructing his view, the scribe didn't have time to react as another pony's weight was suddenly added to his own. The two went down in a heap, with Bosco struggling to keep his hooves over the scribe's mouth, and the scribe trying to use his telekinesis to push the charcoal colt away.

Stepping in to help, Cept's hoof slammed into the hooded pony's temple. He went limp immediately.

Rolling off the prone pony, Bosco pointed in every direction at once. “Find an open office, quick! Cept, help me with this guy.”

Given each office's regimental identicalness, it was luck of the draw to find one that wasn't locked. The first two I tried were, but the third one clicked open without trouble. “Over here!”

Dragging the unconscious scribe between them, Bosco and Cept were the last in. After shutting the door, Bosco opened it again and darted out. He was back a few moments later, with the sheaf of papers. “Get his clothes off.”

“Ooh, Boss Colt. How naughty.” Schwarzwald already had the scribe's robes up over his head.

“Just give 'em here, Schwarz. It'll be easier for me to get around with those on. So long as I keep my head down, and carry these,” He pointed to the papers the knocked-out clerk had been carrying. “I'll be fine. As soon as scope out the Elder's office, I'll be back.”

I double-took. “The Elder's office? Iron Sights' office? Are you nuts?”

Struggling into the robes, Bosco barely seemed to be listening. “It's close. I saw a sign on the wall.”

“Why didn't they hear the fight?” Undertow glanced at the door before taking a step further into the office.

“I grnf stopped the ush scribe from shouting. They'll think he just tripped or someth-what's wrong with this thing?!” The robes were fighting back against Bosco's attempted abduction.

Cept just stared, deadpan. “The back is on your front.”

“...Ah.” Wings wrenched the cloth around the right way, as Bosco stood like a statue, while the rest of us nickered lightly.

Gathering up the sheaf, Bosco headed for the door. “You guys stay here, and watch that guy. If he comes around, knock him out again. Or kill him if he starts trouble.”

After he left, Cept looked down at the scribe impassively. “This one is no warrior. I will sedate him.”

Wings fluttered her feathers. “Yeah, sorry about that. Bosco's not usually this kill-happy. He's just trying to get back something important to him.”

Glancing at me, and then at my horn, Cept nodded. “I understand. Still, he should calm himself. There are still warriors to fight here.”

My hoof rubbed at the spot over my inner pocket. Atesh isn't getting it back, Cept. I can't trust him with anything to do with King Sombra.

We all amused ourselves as we waited. Wings and Schwarzwald checked their guns, while Cept watched over the now-snoring scribe. Undertow and I took turns freezing and unfreezing water drops on our hooves.

The door banged open. Alarmed, we all readied for battle, but Bosco was the only one standing there. His face was a picture of frustrated detachment. “Come on, all of you.”

“What happened?” I was trying to look past him, into the corridor, in case his theatrics had brought unwanted attention.

“Nothing happened. There's nobody here. No guards outside the Elder's office, no Elder IN the office, and no grunts around either. I checked the barracks too. They're cleared out. The beds aren't just empty, they're in pieces. There were only six left.”

Wings looked at the scribe. “Well... here's one, at least.”

Looking somewhat put-out, Schwarzwald finished fastening her battle saddle. “But where did they go, dahling?”

Frown deepening, he turned and beckoned for us to follow. “Maybe they sprouted wings and flew away? We'll figure it out later, but we're still here for a reason. We want to be under Neighlway, not in it. Let's head back to the Elder's office. We might find a map or something.”

“Or the other five guys looking for this one.” I reminded.

“They will not find him.” Cept slipped a gag, containing a damp rag with a cloying smell, around the scribe's muzzle. “He will be asleep for hours.” The zebra stallion finished by pushing the Ranger clerk behind a desk, out of sight.

In the Elder's office, we spread out to look for something to help. The room was sizeable, with a circular desk on a raised platform in the centre. There was a terminal on the desk, which Wings was tapping away at to find a passcode. Bosco and Cept were checking the adjoining chambers, Undertow and I were looking through filing cabinets, and Schwarzwald was watching the door.

The information in the files was dull, and ultimately useless. Inventory checks, historical Ranger records, and reports on readiness. Most were months or years old.

“Got it!” We all looked up as Wings hooted in triumph. “Heh, what a traditionalist.”

“What do you mean?” I wandered over to look at the screen.

“See here?” Wings' talon tapped at an underlined phrase.

“'True Aim'.” Means nothing to me. “I don't get it. Why's that traditional?”

“Some guns nuts won't use scopes or aim assists.” Free of the scribe's robes, Bosco re-emerged from the other rooms. “They say it ruins the soul of the shot, or whatever. They'll only use what's molded onto the weapon itself, because that's 'true aim'.”

“And what's the Elder's name?” Wings had closed the password screen, and was looking through the unlocked files.

“'Iron Sights'. I get it. Full of himself, isn't he?”

“Big office, big desk, big ego, little-”

“Little sister in the room.” I warned.

“Oh please,” Clearly enjoying herself now, Wings pressed on. “like she's never heard that before. Hell, she's old enough to have seen her fair share, ain't you, Undertow?”

Pulling her head out of a drawer, the former Deep Diver clearly hadn't been listening. “Huh?”

“Too bad, so sad,” I whispered jauntily to the griffon. “You don't get to be a bad influence today.”

“Day's not over yet.” Folding all but one of her talons in, Wings turned her attention back to the screen. “Well, here's something. Hey, Bosco, check this out.”

Hopping up onto the central platform, he glanced over the information. As he read, his smile grew and grew. “Perfect. That's just what we needed.”

The others had joined us as he was reading. “What is it?”

“It's a map of Neighlway, AND what's under it.”

~~~~~~