Intermission: Tale of two brothers

How did we have come to this? The one million bits question. I ask it myself so many times that I had lost count. I know I may have sounded like a cruel dog who only thinks about his benefit but this was just an act. A sort of mask that I was using to help me carry out that dirty job I had to do. And also to help my brother to carry through it. He had always been the softie of the family. But I really didn't want to do that and wanted things to turn out differently. So, like a pathetic mutt, I cannot help but to look at my entire in the foolish hope to find the answer to my question.

The first thing you need to know about Diamond Dogs is that we love gems. But I mean we really, really love gems. Why do you think we had choose that name for ourselves? But what everybody ignores is the reason why we love gems that much. Well it's a little embarrassing even if when I was a cub, I found it perfectly normal. The truth is there is no real reason. We just want them for the simple goal to have them. Yeah, I know it is pretty dumb. But try to be in our place. gems are just wonderful. They are like colors and light that were made into solid form. Don't tell me you would not want to hold them in your hands, to make that beauty your own. But if I had to give the true reason, then I suppose that is because our quality of life is... hum, not that great. We do are living underground. It's not very salubrious, there is not a lot of space and our only food are bugs and roots. Sometimes we take food from the surface but rarely. We are very mistrustful of other species. Like ponies. Or buffalos. Or other packs of Diamond Dogs. So guess that why we love collecting gems so much. Accumulate them. Because more we have and more we can convince ourselves the our lives are better and that we have more happiness in our pockets.

Anyway, I am getting off track. As I had said, hunting for gems is the main objective of Diamond Dogs and so, we all become miners from a very young age. That was also the case for me. I am still a puppy and yet here I am, using my strong arms for digging the earth and tearing apart rocks with my fellows both young and old. When you are ready to mine, your age no longer matter, we are all equal. That why I got my collar, the proof that you are a true Diamond Dog.
Today is the same thing as usual. We are working on expanding a tunnel and to find more of those buried treasure. It is not as easy as he sound as we cannot dig in any way, we have to make sure the tunnel does not collapse on us.
So I do as I always do, putting dirt out, finding and putting occasional precious stones into to rolling cart when by chance, ooooh... there, just right there, I have unearth not any common gem but a diamond, a diamond shining with all the color that you can imagine. You cannot find a better discovery.

‘’Pretty. Oh she gonna love it.’’

We have a strict rule. Once you find gems, you have to put them in the cart who will then later be redistributed equitably among all the pack. That's why to make sure that nodog keep the gems they have found for themselves, that act was considered a great offense to the pack and was seriously discouraged.

It doesn't work by the way. Everydog was doing it all the time.

So I discretely hide that diamond on my person. After a few hours, the time for work is done and it's time to go home. There is a dog whose job is to search us to make sure we have no gems on us. When it is my turn, he had found nothing. But once I got far from it, I can't resist making a smirk and I pull out the diamond that I had hidden under my tongue. Ha. After all this time, it's like they have learned nothing. I put it safely in the pocket of my jacket and get ready to go home when it was then that I heard some weird chanting at the distance.

‘’Wimp, wimp, he is such a wimp.’’

‘’He is bigger than us yet we are stronger.’’

That meant only one thing.

‘’*sigh* Again. When they will learn? And when ‘he’ will learn?’’

I go to the cavern where I found two puppies of my age who are cornering another one to the wall. This one has the double of their heights but regardless, he was cowering against their verbal assaults, looking miserable and on the verge of crying and he just doesn't understand that acting weak like that will give them even more the urge to harass him.

Oh and did I'd mentioned that this cowardly dog was Dust, my little brother.

Diamond Dogs, contrary to normal dogs, are not know for altruism. It is every dog for himself with us. However... family, is, sacred.

‘’Look at him, he is so afraid. It's so funny.’’

‘’Dust not a true dog. Dust not a true dog.’’

‘’Oh it looks fun. Can Dirt join you?’’

The two bullies, surprised, turn around and see me. Me and my smile full of pointy canines. Now, they look far less confidant.

‘’Ha, it's, it's Dirt.’’

‘’This not what Dirt think. We were just playing with Dust.’’

Like I would believe them. It is not the first time it happens and each time I had to intervene and protect Dust. Let just say that with time, I had acquired a reputation that when my brother is involve, I always mean business.

‘’Ple, please don't hurt us. We will go away, we promise.’’

Gone is my smile and instead it change to become a feral expression.

‘’Move.’’

And with that simple word, they got scared and run-away, tails between their legs. I had a lot of practice to make terrific faces. Now I don't even have to fight against them. Not that it will change anything. I always win.

My brother had quickly changed of attitude once he saw me and once they were gone, he pulls me one of his bright smiles. Him, he knows how to brighten the mood without making effort.

‘’Thank a lot Dirt. I don't know what I would have done without you Aye!!’’

I chomped him on the head. Because once again he had learned nothing.

‘’Idiot. ...Idiot idiot idiot idiot.’’

‘’Aye aye ouch aye, heh please stop!’’

‘’Why do Dirt must always protect little bro. Little bro is strong. Stronger than Dirt. Stronger than them. Little bro could beat them easily. Then they will leave you at peace.’’

‘’Dust know big bro. But even if they are mean to me Dust afraid Dust will hurt them too much.’’

Dust was not a dog like others. Nature had made him with the gift of a colossal strength. We are all strong but Dust could easily surpass us all. Hell, he is my younger brother but he is already far more higher than me. But paradoxically, he was born without a once of aggressiveness. The only thought of fighting and hurting someone scares him. Yup, a bona fide gentle giant. And I understand well why he was always being picked on. To be on top on somedog who have more strength than you must be such a boast for the ego. So that why I have to be always at his side. But that what big brother does.

‘’*sigh* What Dirt will do with little bro?’’

‘’I'm sorry.’’

‘’Stop saying sorry to everything Dirt say! Gezzz.’’

‘’I'm sor... oh right.’’

‘’Ah forget it. Get up. We are going home.’’

I help him to go on his feet but he was still moping. What an idiot he can be sometimes.

‘’Hey, no sad face. We don't want to show that to mom. Took that away.’’

‘’... Yes big bro.’’

‘’You better be. Stop being sad and think of the gift Dust will give mom. This should make little bro happy.’’

‘’Gift?! What gift... *gasp*!!!’’

Dust search his pockets and to his surprise, find a diamond shining with thousands colors.

‘’Dirt! That gem... you have...’’

‘’Don't think too much about it.’’

That was irritating but even if I couldn't see my brother behind me, I could still tell he was smiling to no end.

We open the wooden door that lead to the cavern that is our home. It is simple but comfy, with a lot of candles to light the room.

‘’Mom, we are home.’’

‘’SO SLOW. You took your damn time. The shift is over from long, why sons are not here earlier?’’

‘’Hum, stuffs happen.’’

‘’What stuffs?’’

‘’Stuffs, alright.’’

‘’So annoying. Why do sons always keep secrets from mom? Anyway, dinner is ready. Don't complain if it is cold.’’

That noisy dog with the ugly hairbun and the ugly mascara is my mother. Her name is Gravel. Don't be mistaken by our banter, this is how every Diamond Dogs families speak to each other. We might be rough on the edges but we are unite. In our own way at least.

‘’Seriously, after all the work mom do for you I thought sons would at least make things easier for mom. My bones are becoming brittle you know.’’

‘’Brittle as my nerves.’’

‘’What was that?’’

‘’Nothing nothing!’’

I quickly go to my chair and my bowl of subterranean centipedes. Don't look at me like that, it's delicious and no one make them as good as mom. As I roll them around with my fork I notice that Dust just stay sit, his eyes down on his bowl. *sigh* That idiot has already forget. Must I do everything myself.

I kick him in the leg to remember him.

‘’Aye! Oh yes yes, hum mom, Dust... Dust have a little something for you.’’

‘’Heh!’’

Dust took the diamond and give it to mom. The face she is doing is just priceless.

‘’For me! Really!’’

She is just speechless. And I swear to you, her eyes were shining even more than the diamond.

‘’But how Dust you get your paws on this? Dust not yet a digger.’’

‘’Oh hum, Dust... was lucky and Dust find by chance.’’

‘’By chance hummm.’’

Mother turns her eyes at my direction. Why is she looking at me that way?

‘’Mom see. Mom seeee. Well if Dust say he just found it then it must be true. After all, there is no reason why Dust would lie to me.’’

And she said that with a strange tone.

‘’What does that mean?’’

‘’It means mom know her sons pretty well.’’

The day after came and I have no work to do. Since I am still young, it means I have least shifts than more grow-up dogs. But it will change once come next year. So since I have now a lot of free time I have decided to just randomly wander in the caverns and tunnels that are our home. Not that there is a lot to see. Everything looks the same. So boring. So I had decided to bring my brother with me to tag along. He does not like to be alone anyway. Oh well. At least I have a tasty roasted spider on stick to help me occupy my time.

‘’So, *munch**munch* so as me was saying, some adults had found out that a bunch of mutts were often swimming secretly in the cistern. And so adult have forbidden its access to all diamond dogs. Can little bro believe that? That thing could be our own personal pool and nodog should swim in it! Dust want some?’’

‘’Hum, no no thank. Never been a fan of roasted spiders. As for the cittern, well, all our water comes from there and Dust is not sure that anydog would want to drink in what somedog had swum. Would Dirt want a goblet of water full of the fleas of our neighbor?’’

‘’Yeurk! Okay okay, Dirt see their point now. ... Hey! Why they all running?’’

Before us was a bunch of Diamond Dogs who were all running at the same direction. But the strangest part was they were all looking panicked. Curious, I quickly finish my spider, throw the stick and walk to the closest dog and ask him:

‘’Hey, what happening?’’

‘’One of the tunnels had collapsed. Heard that one of us was gravely injuries. Diamond Dogs must hurry, Diamond Dogs may still help him.’’

Then he quickly went to follow the other. As for me I was intrigued. We do our best for that the tunnels stay solid but still, accidents happen. Regardless, we are known for being tough. But at his tone, it seems to be pretty serious this time.

‘’Did Dust hear that? Somedog is injured.’’

‘’That sad. What Dirt think we should do?’’

‘’Dirt kinda want to see that. Let us follow them.’’

We did the same as all the others and went to their direction. At that time it was nothing more than a curiosity. I was neither eager nor dreadful to see who was the one injured. But then...

Even... even today I cannot explain how it happens... but a nameless fear came to me and took a grip at my heart.
Before I realized it, I fastened my pace, leaving my little bro behind. And more and more I was walking, more and more my fear grew and I went to running faster and faster because I quickly went to go there. So to finally confirm that my fear was unfounded.

I had found my destination. So many Diamond Dogs were reunited at the same place looking at a tunnel. But I did not stop there, I pushed my way among the crowd without slowing down and when I climbed up the corniche and saw the entrance to the mining tunnel, two dogs came out, holding a stretcher in their paws. And there was somedog on it. A blanket was covering that dog and I could not see his face because the damn dogs before me were blocking the view. Go away, go away right now so I can see that I was dumb to be scared the whole time.

One of the dogs asks to the rescuers:

‘’Who is it?’’

‘’It's... it's Mrs. Gravel.’’

‘’!!! ... ... Mom! MOMMMM!’’

I push them away like a mad dog and before me was the final proof that my nightmare was no longer a nightmare.
There she was on that stretcher, trembling and in panic and I was not sure that she could even see what was in front of her. I too could not see what was in front on me because the tears were making all blurry.

‘’Mom! Mom please don't go away, mom have to stay!’’

‘’Di, Dirt? You here?’’

Mom took my arm with violence and took me closer to her.

‘’Li, listen mom well. Dirt, Dirt must promise mom that you will take care of your brother. Dirt have too.’’

‘’But mom//

‘’Promise mom.’’

‘’Dirt promise mom. Dirt... *sniff*... Dirt promise to mom.’’

They push me away and took her to the infirmary. As for me, I just stay there, crying like I haven't done in a long time.

She... did not make it. She never came back. The medical expertise of Diamond Dogs have never been that great. Still, we were tough and solid. We are used to being crushed by great weight and still turn out fine.

But turnout... but turnout she was not kidding when she was saying her bones were becoming brittle.

I no longer want to talk about mom.

I quietly open the door to the bedroom of my little brother. Or more what left of it. It was a mess. All was on the floor and some furniture were smashed to pieces. It may have been the very first fit of rage of Dust. Well, all that rage was long gone because he was now a poor kid crying in the middle of this wreckage. I am not even sure he had noticed I was here. And I think... he takes it even more bad than me.

It is so painful seeing him like this. I know I should say something but I was never good to... well talking and even less saying comforting words. Regardless, I can't use that as an excuse and I know I must at least try something.

As I come closer, I put my paw on his shoulder. His crying diminished but he doesn't look up. As for me, I take a great inspiration.

‘’Hey. ... Look, Dirt... *sigh* Dirt understand well that... it sucks that... that mom is gone and that she will never come back and... now Dirt think Dirt could have said it better. (Way to go, dumb-dumb. Take that seriously.) But even if... mom is not here, what Dirt want to say is that Dirt is still here and Dirt will not go anywhere. Dirt know... Dirt know it may not sound like a lot but... but we have each other. And as long we have each other we... we will be alright. It has always work that way, it will continue to do the same. You know it's true. Dust?’’

I am glad that I at least manage to stop his crying. Though he still doesn't want to look up.

‘’Dirt swear to you little bro, big brother will make things work fine. You know big brother a capable dog. We will always stay together, there is nothing that can separate us. Big brother will not abandon Dust and Dust will never be alone. Big brother won't break promise to mom. So... so...’’

I was wondering what might be the sentence, what might be the words that could end his sadness. As silly as it sound I was really hoping that such magic words could exist. And then, I thought I had found them and say:

‘’Leave everything to Dirt. As long as Dirt is here, Dust will have nothing to worry. So come on, no need to be sad. Go and make one of your stupid smiles that Dust know so well to do.’’

To encourage him and to make him laugh, I use my fingers to stretch my smile to make it the goofiest possible. Even though I want so much to cry too, I hold back my tear. I have to be strong. But it was worthwhile, because Dust at last gave a small chuckle. I'm glad.

‘’Ah, now I find you back little bro. Now come on, it's time to sleep. What do Dust say we clean your room tomorrow and you come sleep with me?’’

‘’O... *sniff* okay. ... ...Mom was used to tell me a story before Dust go to sleep.’’

‘’Oh, then... then Dirt will do it.’’

After that I would not say that days were easy but we had managed to go across them. To make sure the bulling on Dust stop, we had become inseparable. We never go anywhere without the other. We have even worked hard for that Dust can quickly become a digger and go to work on the same shift as me. That right, he even has a collar just like all of us. And then we had just spent years doing the same things. Going to work. Accumulate beautiful gems. Spending relaxing time at home. I can proudly say that as us two we have managed to go back to a happy and normal life. The many years after mom dead were pretty uneventful so I won't bother you with them.

Instead, I will go straight to the time when we became young adult dog. The time when everything we knew crumbled.

Even though nodog could have seen that coming.

Today, my brother and me have to work at a tunnel who is just at a few steps from our cistern. Oh by the way, did I have told you about our cistern. It may look like a simple oversize natural spring but in truth it is an artificial water reservoir that had been built by our great-grandparents. When we first established those caverns, the first thing to take care of was, of course, giving drinking water to all the pack. There is an underground river flowing near our home. Our ancestors had dug a little tunnel so that a stream of that river can flow into that dog-made basin and so, we can all take water to our habitations while the cistern get refills itself. But I have heard that the first attempt as been disastrous. The first tunnel had been too big and so it was not a stream but torrents that came out. So much that all the caverns had been flooded. We are lucky that all Diamond Dogs all know instinctively how to swim.

They had to seal off the waterway to stop the inundation. You can even see it from there. Here, at the bottom of the cistern you could see clear as day an entryway blocked by tons of wooden planks put there in a hazardous and precarious way. Yayyy, we Diamond Dogs are known for a lot of things but not for being thorough in our work.

Let not get distracted. As I had said, we working to expand a tunnel. Me, my brother and other dogs are using our long arms to tear apart the rock as easily as if it was made of clay. Without bragging, I confidently say that at us two we are forming one the best duo there is. We have lived so much time together that we can understand each other without using words. And in our specie, that is all an exploit. Our synchronicity and teamwork is just unequal.

‘’Hey Dust, could little bro please give me the little pickaxe. This section might be fragile.’’

I can tell from here that he doesn't even have to turn around. He just toss it behind its back. I do the same and catch it by simply extend my paw. All the other look at us like if we were bragging. Well I say, suck to be them.

It seems I was right. I hardly struck the stone that a crack form and spread all to the roof, dislocating a rock, making it fall right toward my head. That if Dust hadn't snatched it in mid-air.

‘’Fiouf, thank a lot bro. I can always count on you.’’

‘’Let not exaggerate. This boulder would have barely made a bump to Dirt thick skull.’’

‘’Dirt know that, what does Dust imply by thick, but it was more about my cap that Dirt was worried. The poor could have been flattened and ruined.’’

‘’Seriously, your silly hat again! It is just a piece of cloth.’’

‘’It is call style little bro. Dirt is giving himself an image.’’

‘’But, Dirt should know that nodog care about that hum... ‘fashion’ Dust think you call it.’’

‘’Well Dirt is not any kind of dog. By the way, Dirt remembering Dust that the gems whom Dust lay eyes first on, Dust call dibs on them.’’

‘’Again! Stingy. Dirt miss the time when we had a conjoining stack.’’

‘’Don't look at me, Dust is the one that never share. Dustt always took and eat my favorite roots in the pantry. Roots that have my name written on them.’’

‘’Sorry sorry but they are so good. Can't big bro not share a little with Dust.’’

‘’Find your own.’’

‘’But Dust don't know how, my nose is not as good as your.’’

‘’Ah fine, fine, stop whining. Tomorrow Dirt will show Dust how it is done. Sometimes Dirt wonder what little bro will do without me.’’

‘’Not much probably.’’

‘’Guess Dirt am stuck with you no matter what.’’

I said while giving just, but just a little pickaxe hit at the wall.

A hit that had changed everything.

‘’???... Hey Dirt. Dust may be wrong but Dust... Dust think Dust hear a strange sound.’’

‘’A strange sound?’’

I was not sure what he meant. But now that he mentions it, yeah I do hear a weird sound, a sort of ‘pisssh’ noise. Like if there was some sort of gas leaking... !!!

‘’(Oh no!)’’

It's... it's as I fear. From where I had used my pickaxe, the noise is definitely coming from here. Which means//

‘’Gas! GAS IS COMING OUT! WE MUST RUN AWAY NOW!’’

A subterranean gas deposit. Can you imagine the rotten luck? There must have been one next to us and I must have accidentally created an opening. They are undetectable but super rare to find and the chances to stumble into one in a lifetime are practically of zero. So why why why, why does it at to happen? Why it must be me who accidentally put us all in danger. This gas must surely be toxic, who knows what it will do to us. I quickly cover my mouth and muzzle and hurry to my brother.

‘’What little bro doing standing there, hurry hurry, we must go away and we must not breathe it.’’

I shake him like a rag doll but he doesn't give any reaction. Instead he just... chuckle!?

‘’Hihi, hihi. You know, big bro really look weird with that hat. Hahaha.’’

‘’What! IT IS NO TIME TO JOKE. GUYS, HELP DIRT... guys?!’’

I look at the others and what the hell are they doing!!! One of them flipped his arm like if they were bird wings and even went to make chirp sound just like one. Another went to dance like a ballerina, with a big lack of grace. That was not a pretty sight. Another one went to tap on his head like if it was a drum while puffing. What is happening to them? Wait, is it the gas! It is the thing that makes them act like idiots. Then I must go away the hell out of here and go searching for help but when you think about it, they really look like they have fun then maybe I should just get loose and do the same as them. Oh yes yes, I want to play, to run, to jump and//

I'm sorry for this blank. But I am really not capable to tell you what had happened.

My head hurt so much. Like if a hammer was hammering my brain. And my furs and clothes are disgustingly wet. When I open my eyes, the first thing I see is that I am in the cistern carven. Though you could nearly never tell. Because the cistern was no longer a cistern but a lake flooding all the place and even the tunnel leading to the dwelling caverns. I was on the only dry ground, the entrance of the mine because of its higher position. My little bro was beside me on the ground, also drenched, still not having wake-up. But I was not alone. There was a bunch of other dogs circling us. And they were looking at me with anger, no not anger, rage in their eyes while silently growling.

Towards me. And the wet wooden plank resting on my paw.

‘’This is Dust fault. All this mess that we are in is because of Dust. OF DUST.’’

I can tell. This is not just something he is saying. It is something that all the dogs around think.

The catastrophe had been more severe than I had thought. The plank that was on my paw was coming from the makeshift barricade from the cistern. All that was needed was just one, one single plank to be pulled out for the whole thing to come apart. The water level had risen in record time, flooding all the caverns. If some Diamond Dogs had not rushed and fix the barricade, things could have been much worse. Lives could have even been lost. Now, all are working hard to expulse all this damn water. The bigger had been done by digging makeshift tunnels to send it elsewhere. But still, our caverns were still well wet and it will take days of works to completely get rid of it.

It seems in our delirium caused by the toxic gas, one of us had dived in the cistern and had taken apart one of the planks. Why? There was probably no reason. It must be because it might have seemed fun. And since the three others were still in the mining tunnel and they were dry and that I had the plank, there is no question that I am the culprit. As much I would like it not to be the case. But it is. And I have to deal with it.

Once the other dogs had found me, they had quickly seized me, brutally, and took me to a cell. Then once the cleaning was done, they took me again and throw me in the middle of the biggest cave where all the pack can see me.

I will confess... I am... afraid. Never be so much afraid in my life. All the dogs in the pack are so furious and they will need a culprit. Somedog to vent all their frustration. Diamond Dogs are not known for their empathy. Not at all. Everywhere I look are eyes looking at me with a feral anger and disdain. The only dog looking at me with sympathy is of course my brother Dust. Don't tell him but it's sure is a big comfort to me. One of the dogs comes forward and speak to me with barely hide hostility.

‘’Dirt, because of that stupid act, Dirt have put us all in danger. We nearly could have no place to live.’’

‘’Wait wait. This was not my fault//

‘’it is Dirt who have torn apart our dam. Will Dirt dare deny it?!’’

‘’Well, okay yes, Dirt did the deed but... but it could not be my fault. It's the fault of the gas. It made my head all loony. Dirt was not normal, Dirt... Dirt had no control over Dirt actions. None of us that were in the tunnel had. It's not like Dirt wanted to tear apart the dam. Dirt don't even remember doing it.’’

‘’And who was the one that had free that gas and made all the diggers hallucinate. That gas could have been poison.’’

‘’But... but that not fair. There was no way Dirt could have known there was gas. Nodog could. All Dirt did was a little tap, that all. Should Dirt really be blamed for that?’’

‘’But it doesn't change that Dirt did this to us. How do Dirt expect to correct this mistake? Have Dirt any idea of the damage Dirt have caused?’’

Dogs from the audience came to cry their indignation.

‘’Yeah, like he said. My house where Muddy had lived all my life has become a wreck. Muddy can no longer use it and Muddy had to build another one. My neighbor is in the same mess too.’’

‘’The water also went into our food reserve. Half of it has been spoiled. All the pack will be on tight rations by your fault.’’

‘’My two children could have drowned in their room if Rumble had not saved them. My childs are still shaking in fear right now.’’

And more and more dogs went to scream at me what the water did to them. This is even worst that I had thought it will be. They were not just indisposed, they had really been in a lot of hurt. Oh mom, what will happen to me. I go on my knee and beg for their forgiveness.

‘’Dirt is sorry, Dirt is so sorry, Dirt did not want to do it, Dirt swear. Dirt will find a way. A way to redeem myself. Let Dirt fix this//

‘’Fix this? FIX THIS! No way we will let you near us. What if Dirt cause another disaster. No, we won't tolerate to have such a troublemaker in our ranks. DIRT IS BANISHED FROM THE PACK.’’

... ... ... At that moment... I have forgotten how to breathe.

They, they can't be serious? We are not a very nice race but still they would not go that far?

‘’No. no no no no, Diamond Dogs can't do that!’’

‘’Yes, and that what all of us have decided. Dirt will leave those caverns and Dirt will never come back. And if Dirt dear came back, then we will have no mercy on Dirt.’’

‘’But... where Dirt will go? How Dirt will live?’’

‘’We don't care. This will be a fitting punishment for Dirt.’’

‘’Punishment! ... .... PUNISHMENT! But for what Dirt supposed to be punished! All Dirt did was took one plank and the whole thing came apart. This would never happen if dogs who had built it had didn't do such a crappy job.’’

‘’You blaming dogs now!//

‘’And Dirt have never decided to take that plank. It was Dirt delirium brain who had decided for me. And it just happens that Dirt was the one to relapse the gas when it could have been anydog. Anydog could have been in the same position that Dirt is right now. Dirt did nothing wrong, Dirt was just... unlucky. Will pack really banish me just because Dirt had the bad luck of a lifetime?!’’

But nodog answers me. I am not sure that they even care. And just like that, all my fears disappear and was replace by... disappointment. We are not nice and I don't really trust my own kind but this... this is a new kind of low. What they are saying is not logical but they are too blind by anger to see it. After all the hard work I had done for them, they will just discard it and treat me as trash just for one little mistake. That repulsive. They are repulsive. I am feeling sick to be with them and if before I was scared to be abandoned by them, now my only wish was to be the farthest possible from them.

‘’Fine. Fine. So pack no longer want me to be around. Pack want me gone. Then that what Dirt will do. Dirt leave and pack won't have to force me. But let me say something. It is not pack that throw me away but me that throw pack away. If pack is so dump and so unfair then Dirt don't see why Dirt should stay and tolerate you? No, it will be a pleasure to never see your ugly mutts again. So pack want me gone, then pack will never see me again. Cause pack can make sure that Dirt will never come back.’’

So there I was, now completely alone. Walking alone on the surface in this arid region with only just rocks and a few vegetation to see. At least the sun is covered by clouds today. I was so eager to leave that I didn't even take the time to take some luggage. That was not very smart. And it was now that it did dawn on me. I was now all alone. No one to help me, to support me and I will have to now live on the surface which was an environment unfamiliar to me. I realize now that surviving will be hard for me and that was making me anxious.

But don't misunderstand. I don't regret to leave them. They have just disappointed me too much and it was not like I enjoyed their company in the first place. Except for Dust of course. Plus they will have banished me anyway so I had to make it so I had least a little of pride left. There is no way I will come back to beg for their forgiveness. I don't need those traitors. I don't need the security of the pack. I don't need their gems.

And I certainly don't need their stupid collar.

Without even taking it off, I grab it and tear it from my neck. Then I throw it to the ground like the garbage it is. I didn't feel any regret doing it. But alas, it didn't also make me feel better as I hoped.

‘’*sigh* Best to no longer think about them. Alright, now Dirt need to find food. Okay but where?’’

My stomach was already starting to growl. And also I need to find a new place to live. I cannot travel the rest of my life. I had heard that there was not far from it a little village of ponies who were worshipping equality. Whatever that mean.

Ponies! Urrk. I am not that desperate. Anyway, I will find nothing here so I guess the only thing I can do is go forward.

As I prepare to continue my journey, my hears pick-up a weird sound. It was like a voice. A voice calling me!

‘’Diiiiirt.’’

I turn around and you can't imagine my shock to see that it is none other than my little bro.

‘’Diiiiirt, wait for Dust.’’

‘’(No! No no no no no no no, what that idiot had done!)’’

Dust caught up with me and he was out of breath.

‘’*pant**pant* Dirt, thank the gems Dust find you. Dust was afraid that you were too far gone//

He didn't finish because I slap him on the face.

‘’Ouch! Hey what Dust have done.’’

‘’Dimwit, what are Dust doing here?’’

‘’Dust is coming with Dirt. Dust have decided to leave the pack and to share your exile.’’

‘’!!!! You idiot. How can little bro do such a thing! Go back right now.’’

‘’It's too late. Dust had said what Dust think of them and that Dust will never come back. Now they must hate me as much as big bro.’’

‘’But... Dust, have Dust any idea of what Dust have done?’’

‘’Yes and Dust have took the right decision. Dirt were right, what they did to Dirt was so unfair. Dirt expect me to live with them when they are making me so sick. Dust don't think so.’’

‘’Living will now become so hard. Have Dust thought of that?’’

‘’Dust don't care, there is no way Dust will leave big bro alone. And, and Dust don't want a life without Dirt. We are brothers, we are supposed to stick together.’’

‘’But... but what about your stack of gems.’’

‘’Dust don't need gems, Dust need you.’’

And like for sealing his statement, he does the same as me and tear apart his collar for then throwing it far away.
I had said it once, I will say it again. Diamond Dogs love gems above all else. So to hear one say that he needs somedog more than gems is... unthinkable for us. What I have done to deserve such a brother?

‘’You fooool.’’

I turn my back to him and use my arm to hide my eyes full of tears. I don't want him to see me like that.

‘’Oh fine. Since little bro need me so much, Dirt let Dust accompany me. But Dust be better be useful or Dirt leave Dust alone.’’

‘’Ahaha, of course brother, of course. And Dust promise you, Dust won't let you down.’’

‘’Yeah... it's like Dust say. We... we will find a way together. We always do.’’

If I finish the story right here, we would have quite a happy ending. Unfortunately, the truth is far from that.

Two weeks have passed since our exile and things are not looking great. The biggest problem is of course food, manly, we are not finding a lot. We are made to live underground, we usually find our food there. We are not good hunters and we don't know what plant is comestible. I had once eaten bad berries and that had made me very sick. Oh I prefer to forget that episode. We principally took roots from the surrounding trees but those are not very nutritious compared to those found deep underground.

And there's the cold too. The temperature had dropped a lot. Enough to even make furry creatures like us shivering. We are right now in a forest in the dead of the night. I am working on making a fire. Or more I'm trying, for I don't know how long. I don't know how to do that, nodog had taught me. I rub the pointy extremity of a stick on a bunch of wooden debris as fast as I can. I am on the verge to give-up when a little trail of smoke came. I blow on it with the energy of despair and there it appears, a little fire. We all stretch our shaking hand toward it to get a little heat. It's not a lot but it's better than nothing.

I realize that I am failing as a big brother. Dust never complains but I can see that he is starving. He has already lost a lot of weight. If I want to protect him, I need to swallow my pride and start being rational.

‘’Listen little bro, we... we have to open our eyes. We cannot live on our own. We had tried and it just doesn't work. If this continues, we will die of hunger.’’

‘’Oh it's not so bad.’’

And to show it was agreeing with him, his stomach did a long, loud and embarrassing growl.

‘’Dare to say that again.’’

‘’Okay yes... yes Dirt is right. Sorry, Dust was just... too afraid to admit it. So, what are Dirt thinking? Going to another pack?’’

‘’Huh? Oh no no no, it's not even worth trying. You know Diamond Dogs even hate other pack of Diamond Dogs. No, Dirt... Dirt had thought for days and... Dirt think it will be better if we live among the ponies.’’

‘’The ponies!! Are you serious?’’

‘’Look, listen to me. Dirt know our specie has often looked down on ponies for being annoyingly nice and cute. But then Dirt realized, our own kind has betrayed and abandoned us so why should we care about what Diamond Dogs consider repulsive? Compared to them, those ponies don't seem so bad.’’

‘’What we will do with them?’’

‘’First, we will find jobs. They don't live like us. They are using money, 'bits', Dirt think it is called, to live. If we want to survive, we will need money. Dirt don't think it should be a problem. After all, we are strong, we the best diggers and we know a little how to build stuffs. There is a lot we can do for them.’’

‘’It sounds nice. Do Dirt think they will accept us?’’

‘’Yeah for sure. Ponies are known for being peaceful and tolerant. We have often mocked them in the past but today, I am sure we will feel right at home with them. (Hey! Hey hey hey wait a minute. Does that mean that my brother will no longer have to play tough? Little brother never felt at home with us but maybe with them... this banishment could be a blessing in disguise.)’’

‘’Big bro... really sure? We could find another place to belong?’’

‘’Yeah, it will be even better than our old home.’’

‘’You know... say like that, Dust begin to be impatient to meet those ponies.’’

‘’Tomorrow morning, we will go to the nearest town to find a job. But we cannot meet them as how usually are. We will have to be extra polite if we want to make good impression. But I know it won't be a problem for Dust. Dust will see, everything will work out.’’

A pegasus work clerk is working on her cash register when a shadow fell on her. Curious, she looks up to see what causing it and she jumps back in fright.

The cause of the shadow is of course me and Dust. We are showing our humble smiles while I am holding my cap near my heart.

‘’Oh, did we scare you? We are very sorry, that wasn't our intention. Dirt is *couft**couft* sorry I mean, please allow me to present myself. My name is Dirt and this is my little brother Dust. We are here because of the poster on your window saying that you were seeking help to organize your store and back-store. We will like to postulate for the job.’’

‘’Ah you wa wa wants to postulate fo fo fo for the job. Oh, well, that, well, hum, thank you. Well, I will sure keep you in mind. The problem is just I had already had many applicants so there's a lot to choose for me, so it will take me time to, hum well you know, find the good ones. But I will sure take seriously your offer.’’

‘’... Oh. Oh I see. Well in that case we will not disturb you further.’’

‘’That swell of you. Just give time to think and I will contact you on... on that.’’

During the whole time she had that awkward smile and it was easy to tell that she was uncomfortable with us. She even went to gently push us outside. But me, I was still desperately trying to get her sympathy.

‘’We thank you a lot to have given us a little of your time.’’

‘’No thanks to youokaybye.’’

And she quickly closes the door. I put my cap back on my head.

‘’*sigh* Let's go Dust.’’

‘’Dust think we//

‘’Speak like a pony, Dirt.‘’

‘’Oh right. You think we have a chance//

‘’No forget that. She had lied to us. I had seen her put that poster only just this morning. Plus, how can she contact us. I think she was afraid of us.’’

‘’Oohhhhhh... ...’’

I see he has lost o lot of morals. Me too. But I shake my head to chase my blues.

‘’Hey no time to mop. It just means we must work on making an even better impression. Let us practice so that we look like distinguished gentlemen. Then they will see we are good persons.’’

Unfortunately, reality was far more cruel. We had tried to find work so many times that I had lost count. When we realize that a town will offer us nothing, we go away and try another one. But the reaction when they see us is always the same. I thought ponies were kind and tolerant. I was not quite wrong but they are also quite fearful of what they don't know and what looks scary. At first I thought that our kind did not have a good reputation but it turns out that the majority didn't even know that we exist. So when they see us for the first time, they see strange creatures, bigger than them, with claws and pointy teeth and a gruff appearance. That their first impression no matter how much we try to look good.

And oh Celestia know we have tried to be presentable. You may have noticed but the language of Diamond Dogs is rather simplistic compared to the one I have today. Me and my brother have practiced for weeks and weeks to make our speech more distinguished. So much that I think that we have forgotten how to speak our usual way. I had even tried to use their expressions. But it had changed nothing. The ponies want nothing to do with us. Not by hate but by fear. They always shoo us away in a very polite and respectful way. I am not even able to be mad at them not matter how much I want it.

‘’Dirt! Dirt, look at what I have. Oranges. Three juicy oranges.’’

‘’Hey wow! Where did you find them?’’

‘’Hum, it's, well, it's not really important//

‘’You have stolen then, didn't you.’’

‘’I!! I'm sorry, I didn't want to but you have eaten nothing for days and//

‘’Stop. It's... *sigh* it's alright. Let us just go somewhere else, before we get caught.’’

‘’Please sir, you should not be afraid of us. I assure you if you just give us a little chance then you will see, heh! You... you really won't change your mind. Alright, I... I understand. We are sorry to have bothered you.’’

‘’Damn those ponies and their weather system. Dust, did you find a shelter from this damn rain?’’

‘’Yes, I found something. Looks.’’

‘’That!! Dust, this is a cardboard box. You cannot be serious.’’

‘’But... but I found nothing better.’’

‘’Oh fine, guess we can't complain. (This so humiliating. How low have we sunk?)’’

We are walking into a plain full of snow. The cold winter wind sap us of all warm. But we don't even have the energy to complain. Or to care. And the road is still long. That if, we manage to make it.

‘’Dirt... I'm hungry.’’

‘’I will soon find something to eat.’’

We now have lost all dignity. Because it had come that we are now digging into garbage to find something to eat. Even if it is spoiled food, there must still have some nutriment left, right. Right? Anyway, it is not like we have the luxury to choose. The emptiness in our stomachs had become painful.

We are now in another town though this time I did even take the time to know how it was called. It is a beautiful day with a clear blue sky. And I hated it, I feel like the weather is mocking me. As I nearly dive into a garbage can, pushing all the rotten stuffs like if I was some sort of scavenger, wait, I suppose I had become one, my brother is looking at me all miserably. But this time I found no comforting words for him, it had now become so normal to me. I finally found something: a big tomato full of black moss. Making a big sigh, I take a bit of this tomato.

‘’You know, even if you two are in such a bad shape, I am sure that you deserve better than that.’’

I spit tomato juice from my mouth. I didn't expect somepony to speak to me, especially at this embarrassing moment. Scared, me and my brother turn around to see who is behind us.

I had said that the sky was a clear blue. That was wrong. There was just on single cloud in the sky. On the alleyway that we were, the side leading to the main road was blocked by a pony of gray color. And it was on him that the cloud was casting its shadow. Only on his person. Like if he was a stranger in this bright scenery.

‘’Who are you?! Go away pony, there is nothing to see. Leave us alone.’’

‘’Leave you alone! But it seems that you are in desperate need of help.’’

That gray pony had white-cyan hair with a bang covering half of his face. He had on his neck a necktie scarf with a beautiful blue gem on it. He doesn't move or go forward. He just tilts his head and looks at us with curiosity. Not one filled with disgust or pity but just a genuine and innocent curiosity. But I don't care who he is, I do not trust him. After being rejected for so long, I don't trust anyone. And his smile creeps me out. It looks like it is frozen on his face. I am getting frustrated that he does not listen to me, so I growl and show my canines to scare him away.

‘’Grrrrrrr. You are deaf or what? I had said GO AWAY.’’

‘’If you are hungry, I know a nice place that serve the best grub. I could invite you with me. And course I will gladly pay all.’’

‘’We don't need your charity. You know nothing about us.’’

‘’I know you have been through a lot. That you are in dire need of food since your skins is on your bones. The lack of luster and color on your furs shows me that you are not in good health. And the heavy bags under your eyes is a clear indicator that you did not have slept well for days. If you want my honest opinion, I am not sure you will last the day.’’

I was taken aback. Could it be that we were in such bad shape and I did not notice it. Dust is looking at him like if he is some sort of savior. But me, I just want run away from that weird pony.

‘’I know it is hard to trust others when we are in such pain. But come on, you will not tell me you will say no to a free meal?’’

All my pride went away by those last two words.

Like he has promised, he had invited us to a restaurant and has allowed us to take everything we wanted. Seeing that as our biggest chance, I think we have took nearly all the menu. It was damn good, even though I am not sure to remember what we have swallowed. I can tell, everyponies were looking at us bizarrely. Even that gray pony was a little embarrassed by the mess we were making.

‘’Oho, I see that you really needed it.’’

‘’Oh yes, I had nearly forgotten what was the feeling to have a full belly.’’

Now that I have finished, I put aside my empty plates.

‘’But now that we are full, now it is time for the important question. Why all that generosity?’’

‘’Dirt, it's not polite to be suspicious of somepony who has treated us with such kindness.’’

The gray pony did a small chuckle.

‘’You should not blame your big brother, he is right. Don't be mistaken, I did genuinely want to help you and to satisfy your hunger. But it is also true there was a second reason.’’

‘’I knew it. Then go on, tell me.’’

‘’I am just very curious about you and I want to know more. That is all.’’

‘’Oohhh I see, it's because we are Diamond Dogs.’’

‘’No it has nothing to do with your specie. No it is more... what is in your eyes.’’

‘’Huh what now?!’’

‘’Haha, sorry sorry, allow me to explain. We are in Happy Town, a place where ponies veneer happiness and so, all the ponies here are perfect examples of joviality. But you see, I don't think like them. I consider instead that pain and sorrow are much more beautiful. More true, more powerful. It is clear that you have seen a lot and that's the reason why I consider that, ironically, you shine way more that all those boring ponies.’’

‘’That hum... that very strange.’’

‘’Mister Dirt, you will not find more stranger than me. So, would you mind telling me your story? Who knows, it might even be a weight off your shoulders.’’

I had said I didn't trust him and it still true now. All my instincts were telling me not to be involved with him. And yet... It's really weird. I don't know how to explain it but I got the feeling that this strange pony might be the best to understand me. So I went to tell him everything about us. Our childhood, my mistake, my banishment, our hard time at the surface. I even told him about my mother, something I was certain I would never tell to a stranger. He even lost his smile and appeared genuinely apologetic. Though it was just for a short time. He was right. Talking about all that really did make me feel better. Once I was done with my story, the pony went to tell his. He had told us that he was called Melancholia, that he was an artist and that because of his unusual taste he had, he had been socially isolated all his life. I admit, I did find something to relate with him.

‘’That was quite the tale, mister Dirt and Dust. I see that we are more similar than I thought. Me too I know what it is to lose family.’’

‘’It's alright, we have gotten over it.’’

‘’But I must say you had it worse than me. Struggling to survive. It is sad to say but you had a disadvantage right from the beginning. Like you say, ponies are generally welcoming but our biggest flaw is that we are quite fearful of what is never seen before. So even if it is not their intention, they are often avoiding toward... immigrants.’’

At that word, the ears of Dust went straight up.

‘’Immigrants! But we were born and raised in Equestria!’’

‘’I know but you see, it might be like you are in a way. Take the griffons for example. They are part of our country... or instead live in a country inside a country, this part has always been nebulous, but the point is I not sure ponies would consider they are like them and that, because how different they look. As for you Diamond Dogs, well it is even worse since many don't even know you exist and their first impressions would be that you are uncanny and fearful creatures. A little like the zebras. ’’

‘’But... that unfair!’’

‘’You are right, it is unfair. A consequence of the innocence of ponies.’’

‘’So you are saying that they will never accept us? But... but what will we do then?’’

‘’Do not despair mister Dust. On that, I might lend a hoof. You had said that you were incapable to find work. In that case, I would like to hire your services.’’

Dust was overjoyed to hear his generous offer. I could tell he was telling himself that our rotten luck had finally turn-around. But I was still suspicious. I have to be for both of us.

‘’Now stop there. Why would you want to help us? Just because you find we are similar?’’

‘’There is a part of that but that not the only reason. You will find me crazy but... but I think that fate has brought us together. That he has reunited us, three outcasts, so that we may be at last be heard.’’

‘’You're right, it's crazy. And what kind of works do you have in mind.’’

‘’Let us not sugar-coat things. It is not legal work.’’

Me and my brother had become speechless. So much that I dropped my fork on the floor where she made a piercing clattering sound. That was the only thing I could hear because for a moment all the noises of the restaurant had become deaf to my hears. That how much I was in choc.

‘’Surprise that I had said that, hunnn.’’

‘’Well, I never//

‘’Expect to hear a pony say that. But it exists no race that is truly homogenized. All that have a heart has the power to deviate from the norm. It happens that I have a, hum... artistic project that I want to realize but I could never accomplish it without help. What I want is for you to accomplish some dirty deeds for me and to basically be my henchmen. Iiiiih that's such a nasty word.’’

‘’... ... And... let just say that we agree... what would be our reward?’’

‘’All my bits. Every single coin. Which is quite a lot. Enough for both of you to have a lot of comfortable years.’’

‘’Wha wha, whaaat!!!’’

‘’But only once my project is done, not before. But I know that you are in dire need of money right now. So as a little bonus to show you my good faith, I will provide you with a place to sleep and I will make sure that the citizens of Happy Town give you work. Right now they are afraid of you, but if a pony spread the word that you are reliable and trustworthy handymen, then it will be a whole new story. They do not have a good opinion on me but still, I am good law abiding citizen. If I tell them good things about you, they will trust me. And like that, you will have revenues to live. Before come the big price.’’

I am hearing things?! It can't be true, there as to be a catch.

‘’Y, y, you are mocking me, I'm sure of it. This is//

‘’An offer too good to be true. But that how much I want my vision to see the light of day. I am ready to pay any price. Now the question is: are you?’’

I... don't know what to answer him. He sure is crazy, that is undeniable. But there was something in his voice. Something that's telling me that every word coming from his mouth was nothing more than his sincerest thoughts. I look at Dust for guidance but he was as torn apart as me if not more.

‘’Dirt, I am really uncomfortable with this but... but if you think it is the best decision, then I will follow you one-hundred percent.’’

This does not really help me. It just gives me more pressure. I am thinking like never before. I lower my cap to block my vision and I tap my fingers on the table. His offer is really temping. At last we could stop to always be cold and hungry. But what he was asking us was to be criminals. What to do, what to do?

‘’You are hesitating mister Dirt! You mean you care about those who had rejected you? Then I guess I am impressed. That you are still able to feel empathy regardless of all your difficulties and responsibilities.’’

At those words, everything came back to me in vivid flashbacks. My own kind that has banished me for a stupid reason. All those ponies who had not shown kindness to us just because of who we are. The promise... I had made with mother.

[You, you, have to promise me that you will take care of your brother. You have too.]

That right! That, right. This is not just me. I have to take care of my little brother. And I did an execrable job until then. Why should I sacrifice his well-being for those ponies who have not made life easier for us? I put back my cap up. And my eyes are cold and determined.

‘’Very well, we accept your offer. To get a better life, to get out of this misery, we will become your henchmen.’’

‘’I am glad to hear that. Seriously, my dream could never be realized without your help. I give you a thousand thank mister Dirt and Mister Dust. As for me, I will make my promise to fulfill my end of the bargain. Let us work to a nice cooperation.’’

‘’Yeah. Let's, mister Melancholia. Now I want to hear all the details.’’

‘’Very well. First thing first. Tell me, what do you know about six ponies know as The Bearers of the six Elements of Harmony?’’

‘’Big bro, here.’’

‘’Excellent Dust, this will be a perfect hiding place.’’

We are right now in the second floor of an apple farm call Sweet Apple Acre. It is the middle of the night and like the boss had said, nobody is at home, not even their dog. Dust, with his tools, tear apart one extremity of a plank from the floor and lifted it to show me its underside. As for me, a put the gray device that Melancholia gave us on it and it stays glue to it like a charm.

‘’There, it is in place. They will never know it's there. They will not even notice our work on that floor, it will be like nothing was disturbed.’’

‘’But those devices are sure strange thingies. They look like gems but made of plastic. Dirt, did the boss ever tell you what they do?’’

‘’No and I am not interested to know. The more we are ignorant and the better we can sleep.’’

‘’I understand your point. But I am not sure I can share your sentiment.’’

‘’Tough it up bro. Until then, all the illegal stuffs we had done were only minor things. Besides, think about it, how nasty those fake gems can be?’’

How wrong I was. So, so, wrong. And now here we are. Here was the whole story of how we got here. Here how we are found ourselves in this creepy forest, me watching powerlessly my little brother being miserable as he watches powerlessly those mares being even more miserable than him.

It sounds very absurd say like that. I guess the boss, I mean the ex-boss, was into something.

‘’(No no no NOOO! I won't let my stupid bro of mine have his way, I won't let him ruin everything, not after all we have done.)’’

I go to him and forcibly grab him by the shoulders.

‘’Now I have enough of you acting like a brat, so you will listen to me and//

‘’TAKE YOUR DAMN PAWS OFF OF ME.’’

Dust violently hit me on the stomach and I fell on the ground. Wait! He did what!? My soft, trustworthy and caring little brother had been violent to me!

‘’Dust!!!’’

My brother is towering over me, very agitated and crying.

‘’Do you realize of what we have done? Do you want me to be blindly oblivious that it is because of us if those mares have been thrown into hell? It's our fault and you know it.’’

He rubs me the wrong way and this makes me angry so I get up and push him.

‘’You think I am an idiot? You think I did not know that what we have done was bad? I already knew it was bad even before we kidnapped them. But we needed it, we had to do it if we wanted to at last have a decent life because should I remember you that those damn ponies REFUSE TO GIVE US A CHANCE.’’

‘’NOT THEM. Not them. Those mares never did anything against us.’’

‘’Well... okay yes, they were completely innocent ponies that had nothing to do with our torment, there, I say it. But even if what we did was unforgivable we were pushed into a corner, it was them or us.’’

But this only serves to make my brother more hysterical and he was gesturing wildly.

‘’But it does not change the fact that our future peace and tranquility will be now built upon the pain of those innocents.’’

‘’I know, I know. But it was the price to pay.’’

‘’But now we will never forget what we have done. I know the guilt will always follow me even if we get peaceful days.’’

That idiot is making me as hysterical as him. I no longer can control my actions and I grab him furiously.

‘’And that why I told you not to watch that stupid screen.’’

‘’And I told you it would have only made things worse. It doesn't change that we did it. And now you expect me to live my days while ignoring this crippling guilt? How I am supposed to enjoy those peaceful days if I always feel I don't deserve them. And I know you feel the same way too, you're just too stubborn to admit it.’’

‘’SHUT UP, SHUT UP! I won't let you make all that for nothing.’’

‘’But it already is. Don't you see what we have done? There are no winners. Not them and not us. What was the point if we can't profit of our peaceful days? ... What... was the point? There was none, is it not.’’

... ... ... No words come to me. I have lost all strength and just fall on my knees.

‘’I am staying here big bro. You can go if you want and collect that money. I no longer want it anymore. Me, I am going to watch all the pain throw at these mares, all until the end. It is my fault, the least I can do is to be witness of their torment without adverting my eyes like a coward. It's my responsibility.’’

He sits back before that mini-screen.

... ... ... What I am suppose to do after that speech? How can I go without him? That the thing I cannot do. Mom, tell me, what I am supposed to do? Did I really pick the wrong choice? Well of course it was wrong but I had to do it for him because... because...

‘’It's starting again big bro. The accursed show of Melancholia is starting again.’’

Author's Note

And that was the background story for the brothers Dirt and Dust. I at first didn't planed those two in my original draft. But I realised it would not be realist for Melancholia to do all his scheme alone and so I had came with the idea of those two henchmen. But it seem I hate small roles because their stories had quickly bigger and bigger until they had also become main characters. More work for me, but it was so worth it. I proud of those two brothers and I found other fanfics don't talk enough of Diamond Dogs.

Next time, the game will begin once again. This time, it will be Fluttershy turn.

*Good new everyone. I have at last changed the ugly cover that I made for a much better one. Hip hip horray. That cover was made with the help of the artist Pridark, a thousand thanks to Pridark and her hard work.