Chapter 14

“And so if we open another trade route between Appleloosa and Manehatten, our shipments would be able to arrive quicker and more efficiently,” Mr. Rich said to a couple of other businessmen in his office.

“That may be true, but can we afford the manpower? The trip between the two towns isn’t exactly a short one,” one of the businessmen said.

“You let me worry about that, if you pay the right price, anyone would be willing to work any kind of job,” Mr. Rich argued.

I stood in the corner of Mr. Rich’s office as his business meeting continued. About a week has passed since he hired me and things have been pretty mellow so far. When I told Moon and Twilight about my new job, Moon was happy for me but Twilight seemed a bit hesitant about the idea. She told me that Mr. Rich was known to be a friendly fellow to the residents of Ponyville, but also seemed to hide things from time to time. Not to mention that his wife and kid were a couple of jerks, yet I haven’t met either of them.

My job today was to watch over a meeting Mr. Rich had called with some of his partners which was a pretty simple enough job. During the week of my employment, I was able to stop by Rarity’s so she could fix my beanie. I was happy to hear that she’d fix it in a few days so I would have to remember to drop by her boutique to pick it up. Another funny thing that happened was when I came back from her boutique and Spike barraged me with questions about the young fashionista woman. It doesn’t take a genius to know that the poor kid was more love sick than he cared to admit. I just didn’t have the heart to tell Spike that Rarity might be a bit out of his league. As the meeting went on, I noticed one of the men kept glancing at me which Mr. Rich seemed to notice.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Sky Meadow, but may I inquire as to why you keep glancing at my associate like that?” Mr. Rich asked.

“Apologies, Mr. Rich, but with all do respect, I do not see as to why he has to stand there while we discuss business,” Mr. Meadow said, eyeing me again.

“I’m more than capable of stepping outside while you guys talk about your businesses,” I said.

“No, I have explained many times during this meeting, Mr. Rickert is my personal assistant. He has every right to be here as the rest of us,” Mr. Rich said sternly.

“Mr. Rich?” I said, making him turn to me. “I honestly don’t mind. I’d hate for you all to not get any work done because I was too distracting.”

“Oh but Axel, you are anything but,” Mr. Rich said genuinely.

“I appreciate that, Mr. Rich, but if your associates think otherwise, I’ll see myself out,” I said as I made for the door.

“Good riddance, peasant,” one of the men mumbled under his breath, thinking I didn’t hear him. Before I left the office, I pointed my finger at his ass and fired a tiny bolt of electricity, making him yelp in painful confusion.

I chuckled to myself as I left the office and headed to the main room of Mr. Rich’s mansion. It bummed me out a little that I wasn’t taken seriously yet as Mr. Rich’s assistant but I wasn’t one to hold a grudge, most of the time. I eventually made it to the main room and saw that there was already someone there. A younger girl, probably about 13 or 14 years old, sat on one of the chairs and was painting her nails. She wore a pretty light pink frilly dress that went down to her knees and her hair had a two tone look to it, light amethyst with a white streak running through it. On top of her head was a tiara and it had small diamonds encrusted on it. Standing next to her was the butler Randolph who for some reason had a tired frown drooping his face. The young girl looked up to me and arched a brow.

“Who’re you? How did you get in my mansion?” The girl asked in a snooty tone.

“He’s your father’s new personal assistant, young miss,” Randolph said.

“He is? But he looks like a mere peasant!” The girl huffed as she stood up and walked over to me. She was as tall as just below my chest.

This little bitch must have something shoved WAY up her little ass…

Dante, be nice.

The girl stood before me and scowled at me. I already knew her type and judging by what Randolph said about her father and the fact that she called this place her mansion, this kid was Mr. Rich’s daughter. Now, I could act like a total dick and tell her off, but that would just set a bad example on my part and I’d be reprimanded by Mr. Rich. Since she was just a snotty kid, maybe I could try and get on her good side so she wouldn’t be any trouble for me later on.

…

I smiled as I bent down on one knee and bowed to the young girl as I held out my hand. “I apologize for my abrupt entrance, young mistress. I am called Axel Rickert, I was hired by your father as his aid.”

I glanced up at the girl who smirked down at me and daintily put her hand on mine. “Well, so long as you know your place, I will allow you to stand back up,” she said, making me hear Dante snort in annoyance in my head. “I am Diamond Tiara, daughter of Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich, and since you work for my daddy that means you also work for me as well.”

“As you say,” I shrugged as I stood back up.

Dude, the fuck are you doing? She’s a little shit, slap her!

Oh yeah, that’ll certainly go over well. Slap the daughter of my employer, who is a freaking minor by the way, and risk getting fired or worse.

“So why did my daddy hire you?” Diamond Tiara wondered.

“You could say I have some special skills,” I said vaguely.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Diamond questioned.

“Young miss, with all do respect, but I believe that is personal business between Mr. Rickert and your father,” Randolph tried to say.

“Silence, Randolph! If I want your opinion on something, I’ll ask for it!” Diamond snapped.

“Randolph, it’s okay,” I said, waving my hand. “I apologize for inconvenience, young mistress, but Randolph does have a point.”

“Oh yeah? And what makes you think you can go against what I say?”

“Your father, that’s who,” I stated in a calm yet serious tone, “He gave me strict orders not to show too much to the wrong people who weren’t a part of his affairs. Don’t get me wrong, if I had free roam to do what I want, I would allow you to bear witness to what I am capable of. Alas, I’m under your father’s directions and cannot show you any of what you wish to see.”

Diamond Tiara was about to retort and complain but held her words, seeing as how I must’ve made a solid point she backed down. “Fine, then I want you to do something for me.”

“Sure, anything you want.”

“I want you to escort me somewhere,” Diamond said with a confident smirk.

“Seems simple enough, where-”

“While carrying me.”

“Uh…come again?”

You’re a moron.

I know…

No, a moron would actually have common sense. You’re more of a bonafide idiot.

I know, okay?

Do you? Cause where I’m standing, it doesn’t seem like it.

“Walk more prominently, servant! I want everyone to see how much higher I stand above them!” Diamond scoffed.

“Yes, young mistress…” I groaned.

Like I said, idiot…

Of all the tasks I’ve had to do: be present during a meeting, run a few errands, deliver a message, voice my opinion when asked for it. Why…why was this of all things somehow on that list? As per Diamond’s request, I was told to carry her through town. I thought it would be something cute like a piggyback ride, but no. Oh no, this was much more, shall we say, degrading…This little entitled brat made me carry her princess style while making me wear a bright red cloak that had the words Diamond’s Servant embroidered on the back. I could feel all the stares and judgemental glances everyone gave me as I walked past them to who knows where. Meanwhile, Diamond had her arms crossed and a prideful smirk on her face. It was like she wanted to convince everyone that I was working personally for her and she was somehow already better than everyone.

“Erm…young mistress?” I said in a kind, yet now very forced, tone.

“What is it?” Diamond asked, peeking up at me.

“May I ask where it is we’re headed to?”

“We’re going to the park!” Diamond proclaimed. “I want all the other kids to know who’s working for me so they can be jealous.”

Jeezus, what a goddamn narcissist!

“Sure, whatever you say,” I shrugged.

I carried Diamond over to where the park was. I had seen the park a few times before and it was near the school house that Diamond attends. As we were walking, I thought I saw a few men eyeing me off to the side but when I looked to see them, they quickly looked away like they weren’t staring at me in the first place. I thought that was an odd occurrence, but I didn’t really think anything of it so I just brushed it off as my imagination. We eventually made it to the park and there were already some kids playing around it. One of them spotted us and smiled and quickly ran over. She was a little girl, around the same age as Diamond, and she wore a pair of glasses and a purple top and pink dress.

“Hello Diamond,” the girl in as much of a snooty tone.

Joy, another one…

“Hello Silver Spoon. Servant, you may put me down now,” Diamond commanded.

“Yes, young mistress,” I said as I gently set Diamond down.

You’re an idiot.

How many times are you gonna say that?

As many times as it takes so that you don’t pull this kind of shit again. Or I might just keep doing it whenever you’re around this little bitch.

Dude, she’s only like 13.

Still a bitch, I can only imagine what she’ll turn out like when she gets older. She’ll probably get you to walk on all fours as she rides on top of you, if she hasn’t done so already.

Ugh, just shut up, please? I can at least assure you that this won’t be happening again any time soon.

Yeah, we’ll just have to see about that.

“So who’s this guy,” the glasses girl asked Diamond, gesturing to me.

“It’s nice to meet you, my name is-”

“I don’t remember giving you permission to speak,” Diamond said, giving me the stink eye.

Oh, I’ve got plenty to say about you, you little-

Damnit Dante, SHUT IT!

“But I guess you can introduce yourself,” Diamond said as she flicked hair over her shoulder.

“Thanks, I’m Axel Rickert, by the way,” I said with a polite curt nod. “I have just recently been employed by Mr. Rich as his business associate.”

“So you’re the new butler?” The girl asked.

“That’s not-”

“Pretty much, yeah,” Diamond interrupted me.

“Well that’s nice, I’m Silver Spoon, and since I’m Diamond Tiara’s friend that means you gotta do whatever I say too,” Silver Spoon said with a smirk.

“Uh…”

“That’s right, Silver Spoon, it’s so nice to have a servant to do whatever you want for you,” Diamond giggled.

“Bump bump, Sugar Lump, bump!” They both said as they did a little handshake.

Fucking hell, that had to be the dumbest shit I’ve ever seen…

“So Silver Spoon, you wanna get something to eat at Sugarcube Corner?” Diamond asked her friend. “Rickert here can pay for it with his allowance.”

“But I don’t-”

“Okay! I could use a few donuts!” Silver Spoon said.

“You hear that, Rickert? Now you have to carry both of us!” Diamond leered at me with a shit eating grin.

Hey Axel.

SHUT THE FUCK UP! I KNOW, ALRIGHT?! I’M A FUCKING IDIOT!

I reluctantly bent down so both girls could climb on me and sit on my shoulders, Diamond sat on my right shoulder while Silver sat on my left. I raised my arms so I could balance them and stood up while holding my arms out like a T-pose. The girls giggled as I was pointed in the direction towards Pinkie’s place. As we walked, I saw Diamond eyeing the chain around my wrist and my Amp.

“Hey Rickert, why do you have this chain wrapped around your wrist?” She asked.

“And this weird thing strapped to your back too,” Silver added. “It kinda looks like it’s made of gold.”

“Gold? This thing? Please, there’s no way something this ugly can be made out of gold,” Diamond scoffed.

“First of all, please don’t call my Amp ugly. Second, to put it bluntly, I use them for self-defence,” I said tiredly.

“You use things to fight people?” Silver asked, surprised.

“How do you use a chain and whatever this thing is to defend yourself?” Diamond wondered.

“Maybe one day you’ll be able to see for yourself,” I shrugged. “And for the record, yes, my Amp is made of gold.”

I ignored their shocked expressions of disbelief when we finally arrived at our destination. The girls seemed to snap out of their dazes and were looking at the building with anticipation. I wasn’t looking forward to using my earnings to buy this little brat and her friend a snack, but I wanted to believe that maybe she’ll ease up as time goes by. As we walked through the doors, I glanced over my shoulder and thought I saw some men following me again, but I brushed it off as my imagination since I assumed they were also customers as well.

Inside the shop were a few people at tables enjoying their treats. At the counter was a woman wearing a nice summer dress and an apron. Her hair was all pink swirly and reminded me of raspberry sorbet. Behind her was a lanky looking man with short orange hair and wearing a button up shirt, jeans, and a smock as he looked to be preparing more pastries. When the woman looked up at me, she smiled at the girls on my shoulders and giggled.

“Why hello, Diamond Tiara,” the woman said in a warm tone. “And Silver Spoon as well.”

“Hi Mrs. Cake,” both girls said.

“And who might you be, dearie?” She asked me.

“I’m Axel Rickert, ma’am, it’s nice to meet you,” I introduced myself.

“Axel? Ah yes, Pinkie Pie told us about you from her trip in Canterlot. My name is Chiffon Swirl, but I go by Mrs. Cake since I’m married to my husband Carrot Cake back there.”

“Nice to meet you, sonny!” Mr. Cake called out.

“So what can I get you today?” Mrs. Cake asked.

“We’d like a dozen donuts!” Diamond said. “And Rickert here is paying since he works for my daddy.”

“Very well, just give me a moment,” Mrs. Cake said. “That’ll be 12 bits.”

“Rickert, you may put us down now. Silver Spoon and I will find a table so we may enjoy our snack,” Diamond said.

“Okay,” I said as I set the girls down and reached into my pack.

I pulled out a sack of coins and placed 12 of them on the counter. I walked over with the girls and stood by them as they talked amongst themselves. Despite being talked down to, I would like to imagine Diamond would pass along to Mr. Rich how much of a good job I did making her and Silver Spoon company as they enjoyed their little snack.

Axel, heads up. Dante said, making me perk up a bit.

What is it?

Other side of the store, there are some men eyeing us. More specifically, I think they’re eyeing little miss entitled.

I glanced around to see some men sitting in the corner. They all were dressed rather formally but I could tell that they were glancing at us while trying to pretend not to be noticed.

What are you thinking?

I don’t know, but it can’t be good news.

“Here you are, dearies,” Mrs. Cake said, walking over with a pink box.

“Thanks, Mrs. Cake, we’ll be taking that to go,” I said as I took the box and she left with a smile.

“To go? But we just got here,” Silver inquired.

“I’m sorry, but I must insist that we make our leave now,” I said.

“Rickert, I am also your superior and I say we should stay,” Diamond huffed. “Unless you want me to tell daddy that he has no need for you?”

Alright, fuck this little bitch.

I glared at Dimond, making her flinch, and leaned in close to whisper to her. “You listen to me right now, I was having a good day before you dragged me on your stupid little playdate with your snotty friend over there. I could give two shit’s in a handbasket what you tell your dad, cause I’m willing to bet that my word would mean twice as much as yours. And in case you misunderstood, I don’t work for you, I’m not some babysitter who you can boss around just cause I work for your dad. You even remind me of someone I used to know many years ago and let me tell you, it ain’t a pleasant memory. Now you can either pick your annoying little ass up and walk out of here with me, or I will carry you again, but this time, it’s over my shoulder with you kicking and screaming. So what’s it gonna be?” I sneered begrudgingly.

Diamond Tiara was shocked beyond belief at my words, just as much as Silver Spoon, but my face told her that I could give less of a shit what she thought. All Diamond could do was nod blankly at me. I scoffed as I turned to the door and the girls got up from their seats and followed me.

“Come again soon!” Mrs. Cake called out.

I smiled over my shoulder and waved to her while subtlety glancing at the men who still pretended not to pay attention to me.

You know what comes next, don’t you?

Yep, not a doubt in my mind.

Want me to take over?

No, I got this, I need something to vent out on anyway.

Very well.

Both girls were silent the whole time we walked back to Mr. Rich’s house. I was in a foul mood no thanks to Diamond and Silver but I didn’t really care at the moment. As much as I wanted to just go back home, I couldn’t leave Diamond on her own. Especially with those goons who are no doubt following us. I pretended to look back at Diamond, who was hanging her head and frowning along with Silver Spoon, and noticed the men from earlier behind us before I turned back around. There was no mistaking it, they were after Diamond and no doubt wanted to try and nab her. I tried to make an attempt to lose them by cutting down a street to make a shortcut, only once I did, a man dressed like the goons was waiting for me. He was smoking a cigarette and leaning against a wall, when he looked up at me he took one last puff from his cigarette and flicked it away. I stopped walking and narrowed my eyes at the man as he approached me. Diamond seemed to notice him too so I raised my hand in front of her in a protective manner.

“Afternoon,” The man said with a fake smile.

“Can I help you?” I asked warily.

“You can, as a matter of fact, I have something to ask that girl behind you,” he said as he pointed at Diamond who cowered behind me. “Her father is an old acquaintance of my employer, you see, I would just like to ask her some questions in private.”

“Kinda creepy for a grown ass man to want some alone time with a young girl like her,” I accused. “Plus, if you have business with Mr. Rich, I can set up an appointment for you.”

“You work for him?” The man asked and I nodded. “Then that makes things easier. Why not ditch the old fart and work for us?”

“Us?”

The man looked past me and I looked over my shoulder to see them men from before. A couple of them had wings and I noticed the one in the middle had glowing hands which meant he could use magic.

“You see, our employer cares about her employees and makes sure that they are well compensated for their services. Look at us, as you can see, we wear fancy clothes like this because we’re living it big at the moment. You can live like us to, you know, you can make twice as much as Rich is paying you and our boss would even throw in a little extra if you hand the girl over,” the man said.

I looked down at Diamond and Silver who were both trembling and looking up at me in fear. “Y-You won’t let them take me, will you?” Diamond asked in a shaky voice. “L-Look, I-I’m sorry I was so mean to you before! I promise I won’t boss you around!”

“Is that what she did? Then you must have more of an obligation to give her to us,” the man said more confidently.

“It’s true,” one of the other men said. “We both heard and saw everything she and her little friend did to him. They treated him like a total door mat that they could wipe the crud off their shoe on.”

“She’s a little bitch, and you know it,” another said. “Give her to us, and we’ll definitely make it worth your while by putting in a good word for you to our boss.”

“So what’s it gonna be, old chum?” The man in front of me wondered. “Is she worth all the trouble she’s caused you?”

…

“She has to be the most annoying, most entitled, and spoiled little brat I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting in the 25 years of my life,” I stated coldy, making the man smirk. “But…” I flicked my wrist and let the chain fall down and grabbed it as I glared at the man. “To answer your question, yes, she is, because I am her servant for the day and I will do all I can to protect her.” I glanced down at Diamond who looked up at me in surprise and smiled.

“Hmph, you’re gonna regret that,” the man scoffed. “Take care of him, and take both the girls.”

As the men walked towards me, I turned around to face them and activated Smoke. Black trails of smoke wisped around my body and lit my chain up as I started spinning it around. The spectacle made the men pause and look at me in surprise, but I just continued to glare at them.

“No one touches the girls,” I hissed as I spun the chain around, making small cinders fly through the air.

“What the fuck are you fools waiting for?” Their leader barked. “He’s just one guy, get him!”

The magic human raised his hand and went to fire a spell blast at me. I whipped my chain around and swung it forward, meeting his blast head on as I swiped it away. I then raised my other hand and fired a couple cinder shots his way, hitting him in the stomach and head, making him fall down unconscious with scorch marks on his face.

“Next?” I taunted.

The two winged humans unfurled their wings and flew at me. I ran towards them and whipped my chain around and swung it at them. They dodged my swing and one went on the offensive to try and hit me. I managed to block and dodge some attacks but he was able to get some hits on me. He faked me out by slugging in my nose, leaving me dazed a bit. When he went in for another punch, I barely had enough time to dodge as I quickly wrapped my chain around his arm. I swiped my leg under his feet and made him fall as I then activated Electricity and electrocuted him. Sparks of bolts danced around my arms and chain as the goon cried out in pain until he lost consciousness and went limp. The remaining winged man tackled me off the other, making me lose my grip on my chain. I spun around on my back and raised my arms to block his punches. Thinking fast, I covered my arms in electricity and made him shock himself, making him yelp in pain as he briefly stopped punching me. I took the opportunity to coat my fist in bolts and slammed my fist into his jaw, sending him flying off of me and against the wall. I wiped the blood dripping from my mouth when I heard a high pitched yelp, making me snap my head around. Diamond was in the leader’s grasp and Silver Spoon was on the floor, shaking like a leaf as she clutched her face and the box of donuts littered the ground.

“Don’t move!” The leader snapped. “If you want to see this little bitch in one oiece, you’ll stay down! The boss wants her to get back at Filthy Rich, and I plan to give her just that!”

“H-Help me Axel!” Diamond cried, calling me by my name for the first time.

“SHUT IT! You’ve become more of a pain in the ass than we thought!”

“You’d threaten a little kid? Just how low can you get?” I spat.

“I don’t care! You should’ve taken my deal in the first place, then we wouldn’t be in the mess!”

I glared daggers at the man as I sat on my knees. I glanced at my chain that was still coiled around the other man’s arm. I still had my Amp strapped on my back, but I was afraid of what he might do to Diamond. I then got a crazy idea, but it could maybe end very horribly.

Dante.

Yeah?

I need you to take control halfway.

Halfway? What do you mean?

I’ll try and talk him down, you take control of my hand and blast him when the time is right.

We’ve never been halfway before.

First time for everything, just do it!

Dante did as I asked him to as I felt his consciousness take over. It was such a strange feeling as half of my vision blurred and the left half my body felt numb and I could see in the corner of my eye my left hand moving on its own.

I can’t hold this for long, so I’ll try and make this quick!

“You don’t wanna do this,” I said, buying Dante time to aim.

“Ha! What makes you think I don’t want to do this?” The man scoffed, not seeming to notice that my left eye was red instead of green.

“Do you honestly think you’d get away with the girl? I know your face, and even if you manage to get away, you can be damn sure I will be hunting you down until I find you,” I threatened him.

“I honestly would prefer if you did,” the man said as he started to back away. “My boss can be very brutal to those who go against her, and you and especially this kid are no exception!”

How much longer Dante?

Give me a minute!

“I don’t even know who your boss is. Who is she and why does she want Diamond?” I asked.

“All you need to know is that she’s got a very big grudge against your so-called boss!”

“Big enough to send goons like you to threaten a kid?”

“I ain’t no goon! I’m a loyal follower of Miss Sam Spade!”

The man’s eyes widened and I smirked, knowing I caught him in a trap. “So your boss’ name is Sam Spade?”

“Damn you!” He shouted as he raised his fist to hit Diamond.

DANTE NOW!

Dante pointed my finger and fired a bolt of red lighting at the man’s head. It hit him square in the face, making him cry out in pain as his brain seemed to fry as well as he fell backwards. As I regained control of my left half of my body, Diamond tore herself from her captors grasp and ran over to me with tears in her eyes. I thought she was gonna hit me but instead she jumped into my chest and wrapped her arms around my neck and cried her eyes out.

“Waaaaaah! Thank you! You saved me!” Diamond cried, burying her face in my shirt.

Silver Spoon managed to shake herself out of her shock and also ran to me and jumped on me. I soon had two crying girls hugging me close and bawling their eyes out. I sighed, knowing the craziness was over and gently wrapped my arms around them and held them close.

“I-I’m sorry! I’m so sorry for how I treated you!” Diamond Tiara wept.

“Me too! I didn’t mean any of it!” Silver Spoon added.

“Hey come on now, you two are safe and that’s all that matters,” I said softly. The two soon calmed down a little and looked up at me. I noticed a bit of a bruise on Silver’s cheek which made me frown. I raised my hand to lightly cup her cheek and used my power to heal her. She winced a bit but once I pulled my hand away, the bruise was gone. “There we are, good as new.”

“Thank you…” Silver whispered with a small blush.

I heard groaning beside us and noticed that the one I shot with my Smoak power was coming to. I released the girls and stood up straight and walked over to the man trying to pick himself up. I grabbed his shirt collar and hoisted him up and slammed him against the wall

“You still conscious?” I asked and he nodded. “Good, now you’re gonna listen to me so you can live a little longer. I just kicked you and your buddies’ ass and I’m willing to keep going until my message of you never coming near Mr. Rich’s daughter gets through. Whoever’s the bitch you’re working for, you can tell her that as long as I’m around, she won’t EVER get what she wants. I’m here for the long run, so if she’s got a problem with it, she can tell me herself. So you take your buddies, take my message to your boss, and get the fuck out of dodge before I get more pissed than I already am, clear?”

“Y-Yeah, we’re clear…” he said nervously.

“Now kindly fuck off,” I said quietly so that the girls wouldn’t hear me cussing.

He nodded and I shoved him aside. I walked back over to the girls and smiled and gestured to them to follow me. We walked back together, side by side, until we finally made it back to Mr. Rich’s house. We walked through the doors to see Mr. Rich in the living room enjoying a cup of tea. He looked up to us and smiled as he set his cup of tea down.

“Ah, Diamond Tiara, so good of you to return home,” he said in a warm tone.

“Hi daddy,” Diamond said quietly.

“Hello, Mr. Rich,” Silver Spoon said.

“And hello to you to, Silver Spoon,” Mr. Rich said to the glasses girl. “Randolph told me you had taken my daughter out for a little playdate with her friend.”

“We did, I took them to get donuts at Sugarcube corner. We would have brought the box home, but I accidentally dropped it from tripping,” I lied, sounding sheepish.

“I see, well no matter. I will be sure to reimburse you for your troubles.”

“It’s alright, Mr. Rich, Diamond and Silver enjoyed their outing so that’s all that matters.”

“Your humbleness seems to show more and more as time goes on, Axel,” Mr. Rich smiled.

“Daddy, Silver and I wanna go play in my room now,” Diamond said.

“Very well, and you are also done for the day, Axel,” Mr. Rich nodded.

“Sure, thanks,” I said.

Before I could leave, Diamond walked up to me and gestured to me to bend down at eye level with her. I knelt down and took off the cloak and held it out for her. “I think this is yours?” Diamond stared at the cloak then quickly wrapped her arms around me and hugged me again.

“Thank you, big brother Axel…” she whispered in my ear, surprising me.

She took the cloak and scurried away with Silver Spoon. I blinked for a moment then smiled as I stood up straight and walked out of the house after saying goodbye to Mr. Rich. As I walked home, I couldn’t help but keep smiling the rest of the way.

“Heh, this world seems to get more interesting each day.”

Author's Note

Another satisfying day for our hero, but what other dangers has he brought upon himself?

Hope you enjoyed!

~WurkyWilk has left the building...