Roots, herbs, spells, and potions can only go so far. Sometimes the best medicine is forgiveness. And the best revenge is to have a good life.

-Wild Thyme

Two years before...

Ledgers and binders, bills of sale and of purchase, and an old computer all occupied the desk. Of all the tools mightier than the sword, none were so powerful as the pen, or in this case the quill and inkwell. Perhaps a lack of recent use dulled desire and familiarity, but never removed their necessity.

With deft twitches of his jaw, and jerky turns of his head, Shadow drew the quill over the paper, twice signing a messy signature. Shiny Platter adjusted her glasses, then took the paper and read over it, nodding slowly. “Wait, you sure you don’t want a few more days? As much as we’ll miss your help, you haven’t taken a day off in...a long time.”

“I think it will be fine.”

“Alrighty young stallion, well, you be sure to call right away if you want a little more time, ok? I’m sure my brother would approve. I do say, all you young fellows work too hard these days, or at least the ones he sends me. It gives me hope for you folk.” The old yellow mare did her best to smile charmingly.

“Alright.”

“So what are you off to go do, if it isn’t too much for me to ask? I don’t suppose you’ve found a nice mare?”

“Just some family business, nothing much.”

“Oh? Well do tell the folks hello for me, will you?”

“Of course.”

I probably don’t need all of this.

The saddlebags that Ray had provided never really seemed to run out of space, and after shoving in two days worth of field rations, water, and a very large bag of bits, they weren’t any heavier. Hell, they were lighter than the ones he had kept his books in back in college. Meh…

Throwing the clasps shut, Shadow hefted the bag and turned to leave his room. It was a second room...and a second home. Buying an apartment with money from his cover job was a requirement, as was living there most of the time. However, having a room fifty paces away from the briefing room was a plus, and the food ‘borrowed’ from the palace kitchen was free. There was only one good reason to stay in his own apartment.

“Oh hey, Hunter!” And that reason was Wild Wind. “You’re sure all packed up real early in the morning. Where you headed to?”

Shadow shoved his way past the larger pegasus, pulling the door shut behind him. It was especially important that Chaff would be ignored this morning. That meant turning tail, and just walking away. With whatever scraps of luck still existed in the world, Chaff would wouldn’t follow him this time, and would just go away after being ignored.

“You’re not getting away that easily. Come on, start talking. How about I call in some favors, huh?”

“That would have worked, were I the one of us owing favors, not the other way around. I’ve saved your life four times now, and you’ve returned the favor once.”

“That’s because you’re the sniper, not me, you wuss. Saving my rump is your job, so I’m not sure it merits favors. I’m talking about setting you up with Marigold. Oh, and spotting you drinks last friday when you forgot your bit pouch.” They walked down the hall, the smaller stallion standing up stiffly and looking forward as if dead to the world. Chaff was not fooled. “And since I’m such a nice guy, I’ll call both even if you know the correct answer to this question: Where is Hunter going this weekend?”

“Nowhere.”

“I would believe you, except the roster says you’re taking leave, and that bag of coins in your saddlebags is big enough for a good time even if it were only full of pieces. Though judging by the sound it made when I shook it, you skipped both bits and pieces, and went right to crowns. Several thousand bits is a lot to be spending in one weekend. Didn’t Dad ever teach you to be responsible with your money?”

Shadow gritted his teeth as Chaff continued.

“I may not have a fancy degree like you types with those moons on your collar, but I don’t think you’re going furniture or chariot shopping, unless of course you’re going furniture shopping with Marigold...I didn’t think she had tastes quite that expensive.” Oh please don’t. “But who am I to judge? I suppose if I were a lonely virgin with way too many bits like you I’d also be doing whatever it took to get into her bed.”

“It’s not like that Chaff.” No...don’t let this happen again.

“Ahh...well if you swing that way, I should just advise you that both Crash and I are already married to the mares of our dreams, and Savage doesn’t swing that way. Even if he did, you can’t do that with a subordinate.”

“The fuck are you talking about?! You know I’m not a colt-cuddler! Just because I don’t like the prissy mare you shoved on me does not mean I’m gay. It could be possible she’s a bitch, in which case you made that night hell on me. If you can, use your superior experience and thinking powers to mull that over for just one minute.” Shadow bit down on one of the clasps on his bag open, and nosed through until he found two crowns, which he promptly spat at Chaff’s hooves. “And there is all you spent on me and more. I owe you nothing. Fuck. Off.”

“So...will you tell me if I ask nicely?”

The base exit slammed in Chaff’s face. That particular passage led to the far side of Mount Eternity, a sheer cliff face opening to a high altitude view of jagged peaks. In other words, the only place deserted enough to slam a concealed door. That’s exactly what Shadow did, with enough enthusiasm to cause an echo to ring out from the surrounding mountains.

Those jagged rock faces still lay in the dark under a blue sky, the sun not yet having crested the eastern range. A slight tailwind followed as Shadow ploughed a path south through the air, wings beating furiously and a scowl on his face.

High noon found a much sweatier Shadow in the moist air over a vast savannah. Staying aloft was easy, but moving forward had become far more difficult. It didn’t help that the scenery was boring. Tall, tan grass stretched out in every direction, save for a vast green jungle on the southern edge of the horizon. Somewhere in the reaches of that rainforest lay a small village where his contact was waiting. Somewhere. Zebras had never consented to have their lands mapped by Equestrian cartographers, leaving Shadow with a crude mouth-drawn map and some hastily scrawled directions.

Find the lake that looks like a swan, land on the eastern shore,

Follow the hoof path for five minutes into the forest,

Once you run into the village, you want the last house on the left.

The air grew drastically wetter as the edge of the trees passed below. The already chilled air of two thousand lengths above the ground grew suddenly colder. A drop of sweat on his face froze into place as the temperature rapidly changed. At least it was easier to see the lakes this far up--all of them. There had to be hundreds, small and large, in every shape and size. It was worse than trying to gaze at clouds as a colt, because this time he couldn’t afford the luxury of going to do something else. Stopping to hover, he pulled out the map, and then spent the next twenty minutes trying to match the forest below to it.

When he finally found it, none of the savannah remained in his sight. That doesn’t look anything like a swan. True to the directions, a well worn path wound into the trees by the shore. Sweat fell like rain from every point of convergence on his body as he landed, the stifling heat assailing his body. The rich thick mud of the forest floor ate up on his hooves, making him sink to his knees. Down on the ground level, the trees kept most of the light out, leaving the way forward in darkness. After a moment’s hesitation, he followed it.

Inside, the mess of low-hanging branches and vines formed a tunnel through the rainforest. Dead leaves, branches, and other plant matter squelched underhoof. For how dark it had looked from the outside, numerous shafts of sunlight filtered down, leaving more than enough light to see by. Before long, the path opened up to a clearing, in which a few dozen huts in all shapes and sizes filled the center of the open space. Zebras young and old were spread throughout the clearing, toiling in gardens and tending to fruit trees. A few looked up as Shadow walked into the village, but most just ignored the smaller creature. The entire settlement lacked any discernible order. Finding the last hut on the left would have taken a while, had not a zebra with an arrow glyph mark walked over.

“Good day, you are here to see the shaman, yes?”

Craning his neck back, Shadow gazed over the zebra’s face. “Yes.”

“Well you follow Hesh-katiah then!”

And so Shadow did. That very quickly turned into a straight walk through town. As they passed by the humble dwellings, the interiors came into came into view. Far from being primitive living spaces, they contained all kinds of modern Equestrian technology, clashing with traditional Zebric implements. Steel knives lay on shelves beside cooking gourds, spell-based music players were placed beside wood flutes and clan masks, and traditional farm tools hung next to computer terminals. Where do they get the power for those?

Hesh-katiah led Shadow out of town, and the path led back into the woods on the other side. But a few lengths down the next trail, Hesh-katiah turned sharply to the left, and shoved some low-hanging vines aside. There, hidden behind the foliage was a much more spacious home, boasting several rooms and a second story. A garden of plants bearing fruits and pods in shades of purple and blue lay alongside the house, fenced in with simple wire. Vines creeped up earthen walls; crimson berries hanging in clusters from every point the vines split.

“He is home! Hope he help you!” Hesk-katiah left Shadow in front of the open entryway. Immediately inside was a traditionally decorated Zebric home; masks hanging on the walls next to drying herbs. It would have had an exotic feel to it, if it weren’t for the brushed aluminum refrigerator in the corner. No noise came from within, save for the humming of the refrigerator condensor. The strong odour of smoke came from inside.

“You came a long way from home, pony. Are you not going to come inside?” The voice was calm and smooth, but didn’t cause Shadow to relax.

“Are you Thar-Aru?”

“That I am.” A tall zebra stallion walked into view. Scattered tufts of gray still lingered in his white mane, contrasting with the charcoal gray eyes that stared with a burning intensity. “And as pleasant as your conversation is, it is a social requirement in both of our cultures that unless one is a door-to-door salesmare, leaving a guest outside is rude. As is ignoring an invitation from your host. I have a pot of rooibos boiling, and it wants sharing.”

Sighing and taking a reluctant step inside, Shadow soon found himself in the kitchen, seated on a soft rug and holding a large mug of steaming red tea. Rooibos was not a common part of the Equestrian diet, even though cuisine from every part of the world could be found close to their borders. Having never had such tea before, he found it to be sweeter than the black tea normally offered at home. Though, I could be mentally projecting the color onto the flavor...sure smells different, though.

“I know your kind likes to skip the pleasantry in favor of business, but forgive me if I wish to know a bit more about my guest.” Thar-Aru sat facing Shadow, slowly sipping on a mug of his own. “I would have you do the same of me.”

Uhhh…. “Every zebra I’ve met before rhymes, but you don’t.”

“That’s just...what you might call a lifestyle choice. Those who enjoy appearing mysterious do so, and I understand that as such they might make more money around your kind.”

“Oh.”

“Quite so. Now, how about you introduce yourself? Tell me your name, something about your family, where you are from, and what you enjoy doing with your time. And as you declined to ask such things of me, I will answer mine for you. I am Thar-Aru, son of Eldrah-Aru and Mina-Ara. My father was a grain farmer, and my mother taught me the arts of alchemy and medicine. I have lived in this village three and seventy years, but when I was younger I traveled the world to learn the ways and languages contained therewithin. For my own pleasure I tend to my garden, and visiting my foals and grandfoals when I am able. And now, what of you?”

“Well...my name is Shadow Wing; my parents are Dive Skyward and Sure Splint. My father is a clerk and my mother is a doctor. I was born in Canterlot, but I grew up and went to school in Seaddle. I work as a waiter, and when I am not at work, I enjoy lifting weights and singing.”

Thar-Aru simply stared in silence after Shadow stopped speaking. First for a few seconds, then a whole minute he looked straight forward. Those gray eyes never wavered, seemingly reaching out for something deeper than sight. He took a long swallow from his mug; the noisy slurp seeming to come out of nowhere into the silence of the room.

“Ah...so your mother is a unicorn and your father is a…?”

“A pegasus. How did you know that?”

“One can see many things if he looks close enough. Tell me, do they not make the medical workers in your kingdom swear an oath to do no harm?”

“They do, why do you ask?”

“Then why did your mother curse you?”

No… “I do not understand.”

“You really do believe those lies, don’t you? As much as I enjoy your company, I know your kind is always on a timetable, and you came here for a reason. My contact in Manehatten told me a pegasus by your name would be coming soon to have a problem fixed.” Thar-Aru set his cup down and stared Shadow in the eyes. “I have cured hexes and curses to earn my bread since three decades before you were born. I know my art.”

The ancient zebra stood up, finished his tea, and walked across the room until he was forced to crane his neck down to look at Shadow, who was trying to force himself to remain still. After a few moments, he continued the examination. “Yes...you bear a curse of silence. Things you have been forbidden to say. This curse has been with you most of your life...and was bestowed without your consent. That is good; it will be much easier to break. Now, it seems you are lying to me about your father, or this pegasus you mention is not your father and you are unaware of it.”

“How...did you know?”

“The spell was cast by both of your parents. Either your father is a unicorn, or he is not your father. Something you said was a lie, intentionally or not. Would you like to explain now?”

There was no use in pretending further. It wasn’t as if Shadow could lie to himself, and he had traveled far and waited a very long time to be told the words that were washing over his ears right then. “My parents...are not my birth parents. I was taken in by them after my old parents c-c-c-ck-kk!”

Cracking a gentle, reassuring smile, Thar-Aru sat down. “And it would seem that there is very little creative about this spell too. Strongly cast, but so very crude. We can get it removed in about ten minutes, though it make take you a few hours to overcome the physical and mental shock of having it removed. This spell has been an integral part of you for many years, and while I can’t quite liken it to any other healing you know of, this cure will take a toll.”

Coughing at first, the nervousness cleared from Shadow’s chest as he began to laugh. “I’ve probably been through worse.”

“Probably, but you’re more than welcome to stay here afterwards until you are well enough to travel home. Now, how do you plan on paying me?”

Reaching into his saddlebags, Shadow drew out the sack of coins. “At least I have an honest answer for that. That’s two thousand, nine hundred and sixty bits in crowns and some change. I know your agent said you would tell me how much it would cost after examining me. I hope this is enough.”

“Thar-Aru laughed deeply, looking up to the ceiling and then back down at the sack. “That’s more than I would charge for six with your condition.” He paused to grin. “The needed potions and runes took me half a day to prepare, and I grow all of my own ingredients. Those bits you give me go to buy the niceties for my village.”

“Ah, then keep the rest as a promise to not speak of our business.”

“I never speak of such things unless given permission. Keep your gold.” The zebra stood up slowly, and motioned for Shadow to follow him into the next room. Inside, a large mahogany platform stood, looking for all the world like a dance floor that was covered in chalk dust. Along the sides of the room, a half-dozen stone cauldrons simmered over wood fires, filling the room with a haze of smoke. Thar-Aru gave a flick of his foreleg, and the smoke shifted. Suddenly, a gust of wind rushed from the door behind them, blowing the smoke out through an open window. Once the room was clear, he made another flicking motion, and a second gust blew the chalk from the platform. With a satisfied smile, the ancient zebra pulled an earthenware jar from a shelf, and ladled a generous amount of the contents of the largest cauldron into it. Shadow took the proffered jar, and examined it before swallowing. A light blue liquid with the consistency of water gazed right back.

“Once you finish drinking, we can begin.”

Shadow held the jar tentatively. Oh come on. I flew five hours to get here, and I already gave him my bits. I’ve only waited all my life for this, so why don’t I want this? Drink it, you little filly! Forcefully, he put the jar to his lips, and swallowed. It went down quickly, making his throat tingle like a leg gone to sleep. As the first drops hit his stomach, it seemed to empty and feel hollow, as if he had not eaten for days. Strangely, no pangs of hunger followed. Thar-Aru took the the jar, and set it on a shelf. Nodding in satisfaction, he led Shadow to the center of the floor.

“Wait here, and move not.”

“Alright.” Shadow knew he should be alarmed, or at least cautious, but it was all he could do to force out the slightest bit of curiosity. “What did I just drink? And what are you doing?” The words seemed to come out slowly.

“What you just imbibed was a magical sedative. It will keep you calm, so you do not break the spell circle, and in turn the ritual. Also, if there is an energy backlash from breaking the spell, that energy will be absorbed by the potion, rather than destroying your body.” Thar-Aru returned from the edge of the room with a bucket of fine white powder. He dipped one forehoof in, and drew a circle around Shadow. “As for what I am doing, I am drawing a shape opposite to the one within you.”

For the next ten minutes, Thar-Aru traced lines, shapes, runes, glyphs, and sigils onto the floor. By the time he was done, Shadow could barely hold his head up. Darkness licked the edges of his vision, and the light seemed to be fading from bright to dark over and over again. Only a small part of the floor appeared to be used, but it was really hard to get a concrete idea of how much space there really was.

“I’m ready, are you?” The aged voice seemed to echo around the room.

“Yes…”

“Very well. Whatever happens, do not break the circle.” Candles flared up as Thar-Aur held them one wick to another, and set them around the outer ring. Every muted thump of a hoof-fall blended into the rise and fall of the echoes until the noise was that of a churning sea. No more tip or trough, yet hundreds of peaks and valleys one after another washed over his ears. Above those waves, Thar-Aru’s voice rose.

The words seemed to have no meaning or order, but they spoke to Shadow. They told him to listen, and he did. They told him to follow, and so he went. Those words built upon the waves like ships upon the sea, a barrage of gentle but firm threat against what lay within. The pitch of the chant changed, again and again, but the first phrase still hung in the air, forming an overtone. It held power; no joy, no sorrow, no passion or anger, just a firm insistence that he be free once again. The waves crashed upon him, until one voice stood above the rest.”

“I bid you to speak!”

Forced by the command, a howl rose in Shadow’s throat, drawn by the ritual and fueled by two decades of rage. With a vengeance it tore from his lips, harsh and animalistic, sustained until the last wisps of air were gone from his lungs. A wind blew upon the candles, their flames flickering toward the edge of the circle before blowing out. The chalk followed, blown into a fine dust. Then darkness claimed him.

Waking up with the feather flu was always a painful ordeal. The aches, cramps, headache, and sore throat made it suck to wake up, and impossible to go back to sleep. Right now though, Shadow was feeling the raw throat, and the headache, but none of the rest. Focusing on keeping his breathing steady, he explored his feeling of touch. Something soft lay beneath him, and there was a pillow placed under his head. HIs legs and wings were not bound, and so he chanced to open his eyes slowly, without moving his head.

The room before him jumped back with a suddenness that jogged his memory. Shadow sat up and rubbed his forehead with a foreleg. From his place on a mat in front of the desk, Thar-Aru turned to face Shadow.

“Ah, you're awake! And how are you feeling?”

“I…” rasped Shadow, his voice dry and clicking. “I’m a bit sore in the throat, but otherwise alright. Did it work?”

“Perhaps you will desire a few sips of this this before you find out for sure.” Thar-Aru passed Shadow a jar of something that smelt like tea and was still steaming. “To know, just try to say what you couldn’t before. I will leave you be; I suspect they are words you do not wish for another to hear.”

The tea was good, though that could have just been the sore throat begging for warm liquid. By the time Shadow had finished drinking it, Thar-Aru had long since left. In his absence, Shadow looked around, then reached for the pillow his head had been resting on. He inhaled, and then pressed it into his face. Here goes. Words slipped from his lips, and a low whisper rendered silent by the pillow, but he knew.

“It worked!”

“That is indeed comforting to hear. I am truly glad for you. Freedom of the tongue is the difference between a slave and a free pony. Are you well enough to travel?”

Pfft. “I’ve dealt with worse. I’ll be fine.”

“I wasn’t asking about your body. You appear to be quite hardy to me, but I wanted to know if you’ve decided on what to do with your new freedom.” Shadow shook his head. “Ah...I thought so. Do you desire my aid in that decision?”

“No.”

“Very well.” Thar-Aru picked up the bag of coins off a nearby table, and dropped them on top of the saddlebags. “You’ll find that I took no more than I promised I would. I hope that we meet again someday, and that when we do, nothing is troubling you. Safe travels, and may the wind rise to meet your wings.”

The bits secure in the sack, and the sack secure in the saddlebags, Shadow swung them over his back. “Perhaps. Thank you.” Stepping outside into the faint light of the jungle floor, he retraced his steps out to the path, and followed it back to the clearing. The open sky above called him home, and he took to it. He’d need every minute of it to deal with the new questions crying out in his mind.

‘The Break Room,’ as it was so dubbed, was filled with whatever items the Timberwolves could pilfer when the Royal Guard threw their toys out. Two sofas, old and sagging lined the walls, and an old television that Ray had somehow found time to fix occupied a coffee table at the end of the room. A coffee machine, worn from a great deal of love sat on a counter next to an old refrigerator. Sprawled out on the cleaner of the two couches with one wing hanging lazily over the side, Shadow lay with his eyes, open, staring into the ceiling.

He’d rushed so fast into getting the curse lifted, or at least as fast as he could without being obvious. After the issues of something being wrong with him as a colt had been discovered, Dive had tried to get it fixed. No doctor or mage, military or not, could seem to do so. That was about the time that Shadow made up a sob-story about his parents being killed, and, Sun bless him, Dive ate it up. He had bought it all that Shadow was just stuttering and locking up because the memories were traumatic, and that the curse was so difficult to remove because there never had been one to begin with.

If only that were true. Shadow had made sure to keep tabs on his birth family discretely. They certainly were alive, well, and getting along just fine without him. That certainly went both ways. He could go on his merry way of being a killer of evil creatures and getting paid to blow things up, and his parents go on living their lives thinking he was dead, and this siblings thinking they never had an older brother. Everypony wins. Except that, it was entirely possible that he could put all that to a halt. Not that Dive would enjoy one of his covert operators going forward with such news, but he might just permit it. And what would happen then? There would be no problem with evidence, as Shadow was alive and kicking to prove it. He’d be made to drink truth-potions and testify, and when they argued that he was just insane, the same would be done for his parents. That would be that, and under the law of Celestia and Luna, they’d be stripped of their wealth, titles, and land, and it would be given to him while they were locked away or perhaps executed.

It technically was his right to all those things, but would it really be justice? For the parents sure, but his brother and sister would suffer. That brother had inherited all of those lands, titles, wealth, honor, and the list went on. But he sure didn’t rest on it. He’d also joined the guard, and Shadow had run into him on a few occasions. While promoted quickly, it seemed to be on merit, not just an important name. And somehow, that success didn’t even really go to his head. He was also wedded to a reputable mare, and while the marriage would stay, they’d have very little left to live on afterwards. The sister was another matter entirely. She was independently successful, if not very wealthy. Having not inherited anything, she wouldn’t lose wealth or livelihood, but the loss of her parents could be terrifying. She had done nothing to deserve that.

And then there was the matter of what to do with all of the aftermath. Shadow would be expected to take the seat of the house, but there was no way he could do that and still work with the Guard. The idea of a pegasus leading an old noble house, and a stallion to boot? That was just laughable. Right was one thing, respect was another. And I can’t do this without casting the sins of the mother upon the daughter. Can I really be the one to do that? I don’t want to be the one to withhold justice, but I can’t give it without causing more harm. There has got to be a middle ground. Perhaps I could stop by and talk to them? But what would be the point? They would beg, plead, and apologize out of fear of reprisal and nothing more. And I can’t go spill this...if I do, somepony else will start deciding what needs to be done instead of me. Why can’t there be a ‘right’ solution?!

“Hey, Hunter, you got a minute?” Oh Sun above! Can’t Chaff leave me alone for five fucking minutes!?

“Yeah sure, whatcha got?” Shadow lay still, staring at the ceiling.

“Well…” Chaff sat down across from Shadow with a huff. “Just wanted to clear up any bad blood between the two of us from this morning, you know? I was just being curious and trying to have a little bit of fun. I don’t mind a few bits either way, they pay me plenty, I just wanted to see you with a good mare, ‘cause maybe she’d make you happier. All of that was with your best interest in mind, and so what I wanted to say was…

What the hell is he still yammering about? He can’t be serious. Ok, he’s still going at it, and looks like he’s pleading...shit he is serious. He seriously thinks I’m still mad about this morning? Wow. That would be all kinds of petty after everything else today. Chaff was still talking, and Shadow realized he’d totally lost track of the monologue.

“...and Dive would be happy too, then, and--”

“Hold on now, Chaff.”

“Look, Shadow! I’m just trying to say I’m sorry!”

“I know Chaff, so don’t worry about it. I lost my temper too quickly this morning, and that’s about all there was to it. No harm, and it’s behind us now.”

“So do you forgive me?”

Shadow gave Chaff an exasperated glare. “Seriously? Alright, well if you really need me to say it, I forgive you.”

Chaff’s face brightened, and Shadow felt some of the tension evaporate. That’s really all he wanted? Well damn. On pure instinct, Shadow blurted something he’d never said before.

“Hey Chaff, you know I’m adopted, right?”

Chaff stopped in the middle of thanking Shadow and grinned. “Pffft, yeah? Who wouldn’t have guessed?”

“Wait, really?”

“Well, Dive is tall, Mama Wolf is tall, you aren’t really colored like either of them, and you are a little too formal around your ‘parents’ for it not to be totally obvious. I don’t have any problem with that. Some scrappy orphan colt like you probably was destined to grow up tough. Why do you ask?”

“Oh no reason…” Well, uh…damn.

“Excellent. Well, since you have your worrying done, and I have my begging for forgiveness done, I can go back to annoying the hell out of you.”

“Heh,” mumbled Shadow as he grinned contentedly and closed his eyes. “Bullshit.” Thoughts were running one way and then the next in his mind. An old family, a new family, one that tried to kill him, one that he went killing things with. Getting revenge really wouldn’t help anypony, that he was now sure of.

“Oh really? Because I found your clop stash.”

“That’s nice.”

“I don’t think you heard me right? I found where you keep all of your porn in your datapad! Aren’t you at least a little mad?”

“I would be, if I had a clop folder for you to find. Some of us don’t need one to get by, you know. Maybe I should tell your wife that you’ve been looking for porn?”

“Huh...that’s funny then...I could have sworn this was yours from all the musician mares and Wonderbolt pinups…”

Shadow sat bolt upright.

“...oh wait...this isn’t your datapad, it’s Savage’s! My bad!”

As Chaff was reading the name on the back of the pad, Shadow lunged forward and seized it from his hooves. On the front was the image of a yellow and orange pegasus mare licking her lips and posing on her hind legs with a surfboard at the beach. Shadow tried to ignore the sudden rush of hormones that came with seeing the pin-up, and flipped the pad over to see the words set in the back: SGT. RAZOR WINGS. That datapad got tossed for a second time as Shadow threw it onto the couch, and tore into the hall, with his yell echoing for all to hear.

“Savage, I’m going to fucking kill you!”

Chaff chuckled quietly as he picked up the datapad and deleted the folder labeled ‘misc.’ While he was doing so, Crash walked out from behind the door, and tossed a small drawstring bag, which landed with a clink next to Chaff.

“Guess you were right, Chaff. He really is hot for her.”

“Told you so! There was no way he’d be hiding it after something like that.”

“Speaking of which, don’t you think that we should go explain that you planted those files before somepony gets hurt?”

A roar and a yell echoed through the doorway, followed by crashing.

“Naw. I’m sure it will be fine.”

Author's Note

Second to last chapter done. This one has also been bouncing around in my head for a long time, and been in my notebook for over a year. With life picking up a lot, I'm sure I'll get the final chapter done, and then figure out where this will go from there. As you could probably guess, this chapter is pure character development (or 'sequel fuel' for the more cynical crowd).