Protection
Cobalt Strike stands in front of his new college at 8:15am, away from his home in Trenton, New Jersey. Entering inside, the hallways crowded ponies everywhere. Wearing all black and keeping on his hood from his black hoodie and sunglasses, he keeps his head down for no pony to see him. He enters the lunch room, sitting at a table by himself, placing his head on it covering himself. 5 seconds later, he feels a tap on his shoulder. Slightly looking up to his, he sees a blue 20 year old filly Pegasi with a black shirt with a bedazzled silver diamond in the middle and Levi jeans sitting next to him smiling. Before she speaks, Cobalt quickly gets up, walking off. She looks back at him walking away, confused. The bell rings at 8:25 for a 5 minute warning, making all ponies currently in the hallway run to their class to not be late. Already knowing his schedule, Cobalt walks into his new class, seeing every pony seated. Finding a spot in the back of the class room, he ends up sitting next to the blue filly Pegasi who tried greeting herself earlier. Before she speaks, again she’s interrupted by the teacher walking in, greeting herself and writing on the chalkboard.
“Perhaps some of you know me from last year Writing and Composition. For those of you who don’t know or remember me, my name’s Cadence.” Cobalt looks at her confused and surprised that she was a princess being a teacher of a college. The blue filly leans over to Cobalt, whispering to him.
“I know. I also had a “what the hell” moment when I found out she was a teacher, but is a princess of Ponyville as well. There are more around here…also a prince. For 3 years, I’m still wondering why a prince and princesses, are teachers.” Cadence looks over at the blue filly Pegasi whispering to Cobalt.
“Is there something you’d like to share, Rainbow Dash?” Rainbow Dash sits straight up in her seat.
“I was just telling the new guy here about our studies of this class.” Cadence looks towards the back of the class, not realizing Cobalt was there.
“Oh. Forgive me for not realizing you were there.” She moves over towards her desk, looking at the attendance paper. “Cobalt Strike.” You must be new to this school right?” He doesn’t respond, keeping his head down. Rainbow Dash responds to Cadence for him.
“He’s a little shy. Not much of a talker.” A student from the front of the class laughs, making a joke to embarrass him.
“He’s probably sad that mommy couldn’t stay with him cause she couldn’t change his diaper in the middle of school.” Most of the class laughs at the joke, until Rainbow Dash quickly stands up on her desk, yelling at the class.
“EVERYONE SHUT UP!!!” Everyone immediately stops laughing, paying attention to her. “Are you all kidding me right now?! That comment was completely unnecessary, and that was funny to you?! You don’t even know his life, but it was a joke?! Knowing you all from last year, I can make a joke about every pony in this room about your personal secrets.” She looks back at Cobalt, not seeing him in his seat anymore. Looking towards the door, he walks out. “Nice one guys.” Rainbow Dash rushes over towards the door, walking out seeing him head towards the stairs. Catching up with him before he’s halfway down the hallway to the exit, she runs up in front of him stopping, leaning down to catch her breath. “One sec Cobalt.” 3 seconds later, she stands up straight, placing both hooves on his shoulders. “Cobalt, c’mon. It’s your first day. Flash Sentry’s a jerk, and he’s always been one. Don’t leave already.” She takes his hoof, smiling. “For me.” The headmaster comes out to the hallways hearing Rainbow Dash’s voice.
“Rainbow Dash.”
[!] “Mrs. Cheerlie…hi. I can explain with a logical-”
“I don’t care. What’re you doing out of class?”
“I was helping him.”
“With what?”
"Bullying. Nobody has the right to bring up someone’s past and use it as a joke to the class for embarrassment.”
“Though I understand that’s a very unacceptable situation, I’ll deal with that. But being this far out of your class, is unacceptable as well. So you’re gonna be the one to blame for-” Cobalt interrupts.
“No. This was my fault from the beginning. I’m the first who walked out of class. You can check the cameras if you don’t believe me. I’ll take the blame for her.” Headmaster Cheerlie looks at Cobalt, confused.
“What’s your name?” Cobalt removes his hood, making eye contact with Mrs. Cheerlie.
“My name’s Cobalt Strike. I moved here from Trenton, New Jersey by force.” Mrs. Cheerlie looks at them both, nodding.
“Alright, one time pass for both of you. Back to class.” Rainbow Dash watches Mrs. Cheerlie head back to her office, sighing in relief when he's longer in sight.
“Thank you so much Cobalt.” She looks back in the middle of her sentence, not seeing him. “I thought I was…hm?” She looks back again, seeing walk back to class. She catches up with him, hugging from his side. “Thank you so much.” He moves her arms off of him placing his hood back on, walking towards class. She stops, confused and slightly surprised.
“…that was a onetime thing. Don’t expect any more favors from me.” He exits through the stairway doors, heading upstairs.
“(I don’t think he’s shy. I think he’s just…scarred.)” For another 55 minutes of Writing and Composition class, the bell rings. The hallway gets crowded again from every pony in the school moving to there next class, with Cobalt coming out last not in a rush. Rainbow Dash catches up next to him, looking down. “I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable back there. I just never got protected from getting out of trouble before…and you were my first.” Interrupting Rainbow Dash’s sentence, a 17 year old colts arm quickly moves in front of her by the wall. Cobalt stops as well, cracking his neck. “Get lost Soarin. I already said no. And your little friends Spitfire and Flash Sentry back there behind you…can kiss my flank.” She tries to walk passed until she’s stopped by Flash Sentry and Spitfire, making her walk back to her place in front of Soarin holding her. “Hey, you can't do this. This is clearly harassment.” Struggling to get out of their grasp, Soarin smiles, stroking her hair.
“I don’t really think it is. Nobody said you couldn’t leave.”
“Obviously it is since you signaled your friends to hold me down, I can’t leave. They’re blocking my path and holding my back.”
“Then this gives us enough time to talk about…us.”
“Soarin, you know I hate to fight.” When the word “fight” came up, every pony in the hallway stopped looking at the situation. “I said no, and that means no.” He places his hoof on wall on the other side of her.
“I don’t think you have a choice in this situation. You know me, I don’t bite.” Cobalt drops his bag, calling over to Soarin.
“Hey fish bait…I do.” Soarin looks over at Cobalt, moving away from Rainbow Dash glaring at him.
“What did you just call me?”
“You’re not deaf. Let her go.”
“And if I don’t?”
“…I’ll make you.” Soarin cracks his neck, putting up his hooves ready to fight.
“Alright then…let’s rumble.” The crowd of students make a ring around the two. Soarin takes off his shirt, slowly moves closer to Cobalt with his hooves up in a boxing stance, as Cobalt places his hooves behind his back. Soarin starts striking when he’s 3 feet away…only except that Soarin keeps missing from Cobalt dodging each swing. Soarin keeps fighting, as Cobalt keeps doing the same as usual. Seeing a clear shot, Soarin goes for one…but is quickly blocked by Cobalt holding out his left arm, then goes for a strong right swing, hitting Soarin right in the face, knocking him out. Blood slowly runs out of his nose, as he looks at the other two holding down Rainbow Dash quickly letting go and running off. Cobalt walks over to her, holding her hoof up, checking her wrist, seeing imprinted marks of Spitfire’s and Flash Sentry’s hooves.
“They held on pretty tight. I’ll be fine. Thanks…again.” He looks at his watch, seeing that they still have 1 ½ minutes left to get to class. Cobalt and Rainbow Dash are the first to run off, with every pony else in the hallway follow their lead, heading towards their classes.
[Immediate Algebra]
Both Cobalt and Rainbow Dash make it to class right on time when the bell rings. The teacher looks over at them both smiling.
“I’m surprised you’re late Rainbow Dash. This is a first, even from last year.”
“What? We’re right on time.”
“You remember that saying I always used? If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time-”
“You’re late, I know Luna.”
“I’ll let this one slide.” She looks over at Cobalt, then back at Rainbow Dash.
“Who’s your boyfriend?” Cobalt face plants, as Rainbow Dash answers.
“His name’s Cobalt Strike. We’re…still getting to know each other.” One student from the class includes in the conversation.
“So you’re still getting to know each other…but you’re dating. There’s no sense made in this current situation.”
“Said by Braeburn who never got to bat with any teenage filly due to the all out, “T-bag,” situation from freshman year? Ya remember that right?” One student from the class looks over at him chuckling.
“Who doesn’t?” The rest of the class laughs, until Luna looks back, doing a loud and 3 second long whistle, causing every pony in the class cover their ears…besides Cobalt.
“No bullying.” She looks back, seeing Cobalt with his arms crossed. “A jocky huh? Alright. Rainbow, find a desk.”
“What about Cobalt?”
“Don’t worry about your boyfriend. He’ll be fine. I’ll be...gentle.” Rainbow Dash walks by, turning back and mouthing to him.
“Don’t freak out.” Luna turns back walking inside grinning.
“Come on in, Mr. Strike” He walks in, standing 5 feet away from Luna, dropping his back pack. “Knowing I’m a princess of Equestria…I’m also the hardest math teacher you’ll ever meet.” She gets up, writing on the dry erase board. “Solve this, jocky.”
8+2 (x-4) =16
Cobalt takes the dry erase marker on the board, writing the answer.
X=8
Luna looks at him as a challenge.
“Alright, let’s battle. Solve this.” She writes another equation on the board.
2 (a-3) + 4b-2 (a-b-3) + 5
He writes the answer again, seeing Luna’s eyes widen in shock.
6b+5
“Alright, last one.” She writes a hard and long one on the board, walking back, sitting on the side of her desk. “Try me.”
M= (y2-y1) / (x2-x1) = (2- -1) / (-1- -1) = 3/0
He looks at the surprised equation, scratching his head in anxiety.
“What’s wrong? Too hard for you? You can give up if you want to.” Cobalt starts to breathe hard, not wanting to lose this challenge. Rainbow Dash stands up, calling out to him.
“Cobalt, don’t give up. You can do this. Remember your past from your other hard questions you’ve taken. This is no different. Your past is your current present…make the future.” He slowly inhales and exhales, studying the problem for 10 seconds. Quickly grabbing the dry erase marker, he solves it step by step, getting to the answer.
X=-1
Luna’s jaw drops when looking at the board. She turns towards Cobalt, seeing him hold up the marker in front of him…dropping it in front of him. The class gets up and yells out, “Mic drop!” cheering for Cobalt, as Rainbow Dash runs up to him, with her and Cobalt holding tight together.
“I knew you could do it. I knew it. You psyched her out.” A loud whistle comes from Luna, making everyone cover their ears again.
“Everyone sit down right now!” They all quickly sit down, as Luna gets up walking towards Cobalt and Rainbow Dash glaring at them. They let go, seeing Rainbow Dash step in front of him.
“Face it Luna, you lost. He psyched you out. Ya want another challenge to give him?”
“…just take a seat. Both of you.” Both Cobalt and Rainbow Dash take one in the back of the class, until the schools intercom calls for them both 10 seconds later.
“Cobalt Strike and Rainbow Dash report to the dean’s office immediately.” Both look at each other in anxiety, as Rainbow Dash whispers.
“I think it’s about the fight.” They both grab their back packs walking out, heading towards the office. She places her arm around him, holding him. “It’s cool man. It won’t be that bad.”
[Dean’s Office]
They both walk in, seeing Spitfire, Flash Sentry, and Soarin, holding a paper towel over his nose. Cobalt chuckles, as him and Rainbow Dash take a seat. Shining Armor walks in taking a seat behind his desk, staring at both in disappointment.
“First day, new school…and you already get in a fight.” Rainbow dash speaks for him.
“Technically it wasn’t a fight. Soarin threw a lot of punches, and he only threw 1, knocking him out. Speaking of which, how’s the nose Soarin?” Soarin looks over glaring at her.
“Bite me.” Mr. Armor interrupts, stopping the instigation from continuing.
“Both of you, knock it off. Mr. Strike, why are you trying to cause trouble already?” Rainbow Dash stands up placing her hooves on Mr. Armor’s desk, staring at him in disgust.
“Trying to cause trouble? He was protecting me. He saved me from that situation.”
“I would call that instigation from the beginning-”
“I would call that-” She slams her hoof on the desk in the middle of her sentence. “-bull crap!”
“Rainbow Dash, remove your hooves off my desk, and sit down…now.” Still glaring at Mr. Armor, she removes her hooves from the desk, sitting back down. Flash Sentry chuckles, whispering over to Spitfire.
“Some pony still has anger issues.” Rainbow Dash quickly gets up, walking towards Flash and decking him within a foot distance. Flash Sentry falls, as Rainbow Dash moves down lower, pelting him. Spitfire tries to pull her, but Rainbow Dash punches her from behind knocking her away. Cobalt quickly gets up, wrapping his arms around Rainbow Dash pulling her off.
“Come on Flash! I’m not finished with you! Fight me like a grown stallion you bi-” Cobalt quickly does a dim mak pressure point before she finishes her sentence, making her sleep. Picking her up by her legs and back, he walks out of the office, heading towards the school nurses office.
[School Nurse Office]
Cobalt walks inside, not seeing anybody around. A nurse comes out from blinds towards the other side of the office. She looks over at Cobalt carrying Rainbow Dash.
“Cobalt Strike. The new guy right? What happened to your girlfriend? Wait, I can probably guess this one…dim mak pressure point?” He starts slowly nodding, confused of what just happened. “Follow me. Oh and I’m nurse Redheart.” She leads him towards the other side of the blinds, seeing two teenage colts and a filly all on hospital beds resting. Redheart finds an open bed, pulling off the blanket, as Cobalt sets her down. Redheart sets the blanket down over her, taking and writing on a clipboard from the desk next to her bed. “She’ll just need to rest for a while. It’ll take time for her to wake up. Especially with that kind of pressure point.” Cobalt takes a knee besides her taking her hoof, giving it a small kiss. Slowly getting up, he walks back towards the dean's office, seeing Spitfire holding onto Flash Sentry walk past heading towards Nurse Redhearts entering back inside. Taking a seat back at the deans office, Mr. Armor starts nodding his head with his eyes closed.
“…I'd like to see you after last class at 1:05. You may head back to class now.” He walks off, heading back to class…but seeing Soarin leaning on a wall next to the stairs where Cobalt was supposed to go. He's stopped at the door by Soarin standing in front of him holding a knife up to his neck.
“If you ever, in your life, embarrass me like that in front of my friends and the school again…I’ll cut your heart out.” Cobalt smiles, moving his hoof with the knife in it away, pushing past him heading back towards his math class. When entering, all other students look up at Cobalt smiling. Luna smiles as well walking towards him.
“Alright class. I know it’s good to see him, but times ticking on that pretest.” Everyone gets back to work, as Luna stops in front of him. “Cobalt, I wanted to apologize for my unacceptable beha-” He smiles, placing his hoof on her mouth, making her stop talking. Shaking his head, her cheeks turn red as he slowly removes his hoof away, throwing her a wink. Luna goes back to her deck on her computer. As Cobalt finds a seat in the back, a student in front of him passes back a paper. Looking over it, it’s a pretest of what you currently know about Intermediate Algebra. Finishing 40 minutes later, the bell rings as he steps in a quick paced line of turning in the test, walking out the class. Heading towards his next class, an unexpected filly runs up to him walking beside him. Ignoring her company, she tries to start a conversation with him.
“Look, I know I hurt your friend…and I’m sorry for that. Flash Sentry wanted to pass that message as well. I know this isn’t an excuse, but we were just following orders. We hate to get on Soarin’s bad side. That’s why we’re around him all of the time. To protect him. I know I should be apologizing to her first, but I wanted to specifically see you first. Two reasons. First, I wanted to tell you how hilarious it was when you "One Punch Man" Soarin at the end of fight…well, somewhat of a fight. Second, I find you very…attractive. More than Soarin.” She slips a small piece of folded paper in his hoodie pocket. “Soooooo, if you ever wanna give me a call so we can…hangout. Wink wink, nudge nudge, you have my number.” She taps his flank before walking down a different hallway. He heads towards the lunch room, sitting at a table by himself, placing his head on it covering himself. Seconds later, he feels a small rumble on the table. Slightly lifting his head up, he looks to his right, seeing Rainbow Dash smiling at him. Lifting his head up, he smiles…until he gets decked by her, falling out of the table. Holding his nose, she helps him to his feet still smiling.
“That’s for knocking me out with that pressure point while I was kicking the crap out of Flash Sentry.” Helping him to his feet, she quickly brings him in, kissing him and holding him for 5 seconds. “That’s for defending and helping me.” Unexpectedly, Spitfire was 10 feet away from them beside them, holding up a camera. Rainbow dash looks over at her with a “really?” facial expression.
“Oh continue don’t mind me. I’m just recording.”
“5 seconds Spitfire.” She runs off, hearing Cobalt chuckle, not seeing her anymore. “C’mon, let’s go for a walk. I wanna talk.”
[Front of College]
They both sit in the grass, looking at the mountains.
“So why don’t you talk much? The question came to mind when I tried to hug you and you blew me off. I thought you were, scarred for some reason. He sighs, answering her.
“…my mother died when I was only 5. Growing up with my father was hell being an alcoholic. He abused my little brother Leo and my little sister Crystal over the littlest things. When he was pissed off at something else…he’d take it out on us. Little of the times when he was drunk, which was surprising to me. With Crystal being so scared one day…she ran away only being 10 years old. He looked around the house for her, not finding her anywhere…then called Leo and I downstairs. We slowly walked down, seeing him holding a full bottle of alcohol sitting on the couch. He asked us where my little sister was. I stepped in front of Leo, telling him the truth. He started breaking everything in the house screaming at us, about why we let her go. I moved my brother back, telling him how I felt about it. I told him…she deserves to be somewhere else with more caring parents. He turned back glaring at me, then stormed over towards me with his bottle, taking a swing…until my little brother moved me out of the way, taking the hit for me." Tears start to run down Cobalt’s face.” The bottle shattered over his head. I thought he would just need to go to the hospital and he’ll be fine. I ran over checking his pulse…feeling nothing. Sobbing on my brother’s stomach, my father was in the kitchen, calling the ambulance, as I ran out the door crying. He tried to come after me, feeling terrible for what he did and yelled out…I’m sorry. Being in track in the 8th grade, I out ran him. I hid in an alley when it started raining, bundling myself up and sobbing. A minute later, I felt something lick my elbow. I looked up, seeing a police dog. Then the cops came over, helping me. Worried about why I was in the alleyway,
I told them about the incident about my father, who was immediately arrested and was charged with 1st degree murder. He’s in there for life. A cop let me live with him until I was 18. That’s when I moved here. I heard from my sister 5 years later, hearing that she was alright and that she got adopted by the perfect family in her words. She was 15 when I last heard from her. I have no idea how’s she’s doing now.” Rainbow Dash quickly slides over to him, hugging him, with tears coming down her face. “Don’t cry for me Dashie. I’ll be fine. I’m here now.” She slowly let’s go, wiping the tears from her face.
“It’s just so hard hearing about your past.”
“Since you came into my life…it feels like it never happened.” She blushes, as he kisses her, holding each other. “Ya hungry? I’ll buy.”
“Let’s get some chili cheese fries.”
[Foreign Language]
Finishing their meal and entering into his next class, they both of course, find a seat in the back of the class…but seeing Soarin in the same class. The teacher stands up from her desk, walking over to the dry erase board, writing 3 different sentences in 3 different languages.
“Most of you I don’t recognize. My name is Celestia. I’ll be your foreign language teacher for this semester. Before we begin anything else, all of these sentences are in a different language. Can anybody pronounce or translate it?” She looks around, seeing a lot of ponies in the room scratching their heads. 1 student in front of the class raises his hoof. “Yes Soarin?”
“I think the guy with the black hood and the sunglasses in the back could pronounce all 3. I’ve heard him speaking different languages before in the hallway around other fillies. I think it’s pretty impressive. (Good luck stiff. Try to pass this one.)” Celestia looks back at , seeing him standing up walking towards the front of the class. Taking a dry erase marker from the ledge of the board, writing and translating the sentences under foreign language sentences. At the end of each translated sentence, the writes what language it’s pronounced in. Placing the marker back on the ledge, the whole class and Celestia’s eyes widen staring at the board, as he walks back to his desk, sitting down smiling. Soarin’s jaw drops, shocked of the situation. (How in the…what?!) The class applauds and Rainbow Dash gives him a wink, as Celestia looks over at him smiling.
“I never had a student to know all 3 of these languages at once. How’d you learn these?” Soarin speaks out of turn again, trying to embarrass Cobalt.
“Oh don’t worry about him. He’s a little too shy to say any-” Cobalt interrupts, countering Soarin’s verbal battle.
“I learned a little in my high school back at New Jersey. I’m alright at it.” Celestia looks at him surprised.
“Alright? You knew 3 foreign languages with no hesitation. That’s more than alright. I’ll talk to you later.” Celestia looks up at the rest of the class. “I expect you all to pass this class. You’ll be broken equal separate groups. Each group will be assigned a specific language. Don’t care if you don’t like. If you hate it that much-” She points her hoof at the door. “The door’s right there. You can leave anytime you want. Now you all see I have 3 tables with a laptop and a label on the back of it, showing assigned languages. There are 24 of you, so if this isn’t equal, we’re gonna have a problem. If you have friends but they’re at a different table…too bad. Everybody look under your desk, and you’ll find a paper with the language you’ll be assigned too. There’s a work sheet on the back of it. Fill it out. Once you find your table, use your assigned laptop to start studying. There’s an assessment on the page once you power on your laptop. This assignment won’t be graded. This is just to see what you can do and what you know. Finish the worksheet first, then talk with your friends later.” Everyone pulls out a paper from under their desk, immediately heading towards the assigned tables from what language they have. As he heads towards his table, Celestia call him up. “Cobalt, come over here for a second.” He walks up, looking around, seeing the tables get filled up. Looking back up at her, she holds out her hoof. “Hand me your paper.” He does as told, seeing her rip it in half. “You’re gonna be the mentor of this classroom this semester. If anybody calls, you know what to do…that is, if you wanna take this responsibility.” He smiles, nodding and walking away, heading towards the Spanish group where Rainbow Dash was. Also Soarin. Sitting down with the group, Soarin logs on the computer, as Rainbow dash places he hoof on Cobalt’s, holding onto each other. One mare from the group looks over at them, smiling.
“Are you two…?” Rainbow Dash starts nodding placing her head on Cobalt’s shoulder. “Have you two…ya know. Wink wink, nudge nudge." She looks up at Tyler who’s talking to another mare, not paying attention her conversation talking to another mare at the table. She looks back at the mare, mouthing the word “Tonight” to her. “Oh you naughty mare.” Cobalt looks over at Rainbow Dash hearing the comment. Before he speaks, Rainbow Dash places her hoof on his mouth, keeping him from talking.
“Shhhhhhhhhhh.” You’ll find out soon.” Soarin breaks up the conversation, turning the computer facing Cobalt.
“If you two lovebirds are done now, we need to get this done.” A stallion from the table looks over at Soarin confused.
“Dude, what happened to your schnoz?” Soarin looks down at the stallion, glaring.”
“…I fell. Let’s get back to work.” He turns towards Cobalt, scooting the computer towards him. “Alright mentor, teach us.” Cobalt looks at the computer, studying it.
“Alright, some of these words are pretty simple, but it’s gonna start getting harder along the way. This does includes sentences as well-” A mare from the group quickly speaks up surprised.
“What? Some of us barely know any words. How’re we gonna know any of that?”
“I can help with that.” Soarin leans back in his chair, grinning.”
“Oh really Mr. Strike? Can you?”
“Soarin, tell me something. How much of this do you know?” His grin drops and his eyes widen, surprised and embarrassed of the question. “Better question, ¿Cuántos otros idiomas sabes cómo hablar? That was Spanish, which meant how many other languages do you know how to speak?” He freezes, looks around the table, all staring at him.”
“I…know nothing about this.”
“Good, then it’s time for you to learn.” Everyone in the group besides Cobalt pulls out a pen, getting ready to write. “Let’s begin.”
[Front of Campus]
Cobalt and Rainbow Dash walk out towards the parking lot, hearing her groaning and holding her head.
“That was the longest hour of foreign language class ever. I think my brain cells are multiplying too fast.”
“Oh c’mon Dashie, it wasn’t that bad. Hey, I was there with you. Think of that.”
“My head just hurts so much.”
“Need me to kiss your boo boo?
“Screw you.” Unexpectedly, the dean comes out of the building, stopping Cobalt.
“Mr. Armor.”
“I’m gonna contact your parents and let them deal with your behavior.” Cobalt chuckles, looking away. “What so funny Strike?”
“2 things. 1: you’re really gonna contact my parents? That’s so 8th grade punishment. 2: Go ahead and contact my parents. One’s in jail for life, and the other's dead. Jokes on you.” Rainbow Dash looks over at him confused.
“Then…where do you live?”
“Oh I’m homeless. I live in an alley way.”
“What?!” Cobalt covers his ears from the pain of her voice.
“Neh my ears.” Rainbow Dash quickly removes his hooves from ears, staring at him in anxiety. “Yeah, I’m homeless. Why I have money and get nice stuff like these clothes... I steal. I’m a thief. I survive by the store, and mostly the trash when I don’t have any money.” He looks away, placing his hoof on his chin smiling. “The food in the trash really isn’t that bad though.” Rainbow Dash quickly turns his attention towards her, holding onto the sides of his face.
“You’re gonna live with me, alright? I don’t care what my parents say, I don’t care what my brother-”
“Pause and rewind…brother?”
“He’s harmless, trust me. He makes threats he doesn’t keep. Please, come with me. I don’t wanna see you cold and empty on the streets. It’s already devastating to see like this. Please…I’m begging you." Cobalt places his hooves on hers smiling and nods. “Thank you.” She takes him to her car, seeing them drive off. “Trust me Cobalt, my family will love you.”
