The Lion and The Unicorn

That day, at the tearoom, Onyx walked, ears perking up as she heard a familiar two unicorns speak about her about something. Out of curiosity she listened into Dapple and Jasper’s conversation before shrugging it off, knowing they were talking about her doing different things. It was not really any of their business, was it? She then eyed a giant box nearby that held something that Alphabittle ordered recently that got delivered his tearoom. It was huge and there for anyone to take, he said so since he didn’t have any use for it. Izzy might have taken it already if she still lived in Bridlewood, but in Maretine Bay she would have access to such huge boxes anyway. This might not be the best disguise to hide a lion, but at least she can crouch and pretend to be a box whenever somepony was nearby, hopefully that wouldn't attract any curious pony. Her ears turned into the direction of Dapple again, hearing him mention her once more.

”Onyx really has been acting weird lately. Like she’s been… Hiding something…” Dapple said. Sighing and looking at his tea, he sounded a little concerned. “The only other thing she hides from me is what happened that night when- Oh, actually, she hides a few small things from me. But I dunno about this.”

”I agree…” Jasper nodded. “She’s been sneaking around..” He noted. “You’ve noticed, right?”

”Like, she is suddenly interested in fish like she had gotten a pet cat, I already asked her ans she said it wasn’t exactly a cat, also i had seen her been more stuck in thought and seemingly avoiding talking about thief-monster and how they want to capture it. Sure it’s last attacks were two nights ago, but we will capture it eventually, right? She doesn’t usually worry so much about this kind of stuff.”

“Maybe it's trauma…” Jasper sadly said, which Dapple agreed with as he put his tea down. There was one thing Onyx never liked talking about and would usually avoid the question, change the subject and act a little weird after. He wasn’t sure what it was, but if effected her.

”Yeah, that’ could be it…” He said as he looked down at his tea just as Onyx came over.

“You’re talking about me.” She stated with a monotone voice and expression.

Dapple suddenly looked at her, not even realising she was nearby. “Oh, yeah. Just worried, that’s all. Has everything been okay, lately?” He asked.

”It’s been fine…” She said bluntly before walking away, he put a hoof to his chin. “What I’m hiding will only be revealed in due time. But I assure, it’s not crime.”

“You sure there isn’t anything you need to tell us?”

”No.” She paused. “Not till time is right, anyway.” She bluntly responded, grabbing the large cardboard box that was there to be taken. ”Later.” She said softly as she passed the duo, just making Dapple more suspicious.

“Yeah, she’s onto something…” He started to brainstorm. “She’s just revealed hiding something- like a secret, or has a surprise for one. She never was into surprises so I think it’s the former.”

”Or maybe she just wants to ge alone.” Jasper suggested. “You know, alone time?” He asked as Dapple watch Onyx drag the giant box out the doors.

“Yeah, but why?”

That night, Onyx took a giant stuffed teddy bear from a cupboard and put it on the couch she was still sleeping on. Tucking it in as the lion cocked her head in confusion. It took one glance before she realised she needed to explain. “I Uh- Dapple won it for me at the previous Maretime Bay Day…” She said, petting tue goofy bear on the head before realising that was not what was puzzling the lion. “Oh, I’m just saving by place, that’s all,” She informed before grabbing the large box and putting over the lion who made a slight purring noise. It was rather a chilly night, it was also drizzling a little, so Onyx quickly put on a dark coloured cape Izzy gave her, it was velvety in texture and the buckle was what gem she was named after, onyx. She never really had any use for it, but now it seemed convenient, harder to see her in the dark. Also, some protection from the wt and cold, she didn’t hate the rain, but it sure would be freezing. After putting it on headed to the door, whispering to the lion. “Follow my lead. If a unicorn spots you, the thief rumours will come worse.” The lion made a confused sound but obeyed, following Onyx the best she could, deeper into the woods.

They walked to the small clearing that was rather a walk away from Bridlewood, she was right, no pony was around. She carefully took the box off the lion. “Stay close,” she warned as the lion looked around then pausing as a firefly flew close yo her. She growled as she backed up, the fallen moist leaves getting crushed under her paws and she growled. Not noticing that she was a little amused at her reaction to a firefly, watching her swat it, only for more to come towards her and chase her in circles. Onyx smiled slightly as she watched on, the lion let out a warning roar and stopped in place, turning around and getting in her hind legs, doubt the best she could to try and fight them, only to fall on her back as they all landed on her.

”They're just fireflies.” Onyx said with a slight smile. Watching as the lion managed to trip and roll down the hill, scaring hidden fireflies that proceeded to soar in the air after she passed by, like she left a trail of small lights in her wake. She gazed up at them as they flew by, shimmering and shining like stars while the lion tried to chase them, now seeing they were not a threat. She leaped, ran and skidded, landing on the ground with a thump, wagging her tail slightly as she held down her paws on the grass, soon removing them to see no fireflies anywhere, unaware there were a few of them making a smiley face on her butt. It was nice to see her with some energy, but it didn’t last long before she slowed down, looking ill and she slummed into the grass, fireflies starting to calm down, leaves crunching under her hooves as she started walking over, lifting a hoof to touch her, only to be growled as in a warning way till she dropped it.

“Yeah. You don’t like being touched.” She said, soon changing the subject. “Those fireflies all together like that was pretty sweet, right? Anyway, You hungry? The fishing pond is nearby, if you want some fish.”

The word ‘fish’ made the lion jump on all fours and look at her with wide eyes. “Food?”

”C’mon then.” She said before leading the way amongst some trees, heading a little deeper till a large pond was seen. Surrounded by rocky cliffs and a waterfall, sparkling in the moonlight. This particular pond was not really much of a pond, it was attached to the river. But the water traveled to it underground. Crystals glittered nearby, making it look rather magical, too. Thankfully there were no mosquitoes to be seen, Onyx had forgotten about them, to be honest.

She and the lion stood on the ledge, looking into the water. “Unicorns like to swim here, but it’s a little cold for swimming now and beyond the agreed fishing hours. So you’ll be fine…” She said, soon noticing the lion was gone, she looked around with confusion and concern just before the lion dashed to the ledge, Onyx’s eyes widening in surprise as she ran to leap off. As a result, accidentally knocking her, who lost her footing and into the freezing water below,shock going through her entire body on impact. She could feel the chill enter her body as she surfaced, trying to cough up the water she already swallowed, doggy paddling through the ice-cold water. It was certainly not pleasant to be swimming on a cold autumn night. She could feel her soaked cape weighing her down with all the water soaked up, she wasn’t used to swimming with accessories on, besides her hat and scarf after an accident, on more occasions than she’d like to admit. But a wet cape was a little harder, especially in the bitter cold.Nearby the lion was eating fish, she could hear her eating, probably not noticing her struggle. She started to choke on the water, trying to swim out, it was hard to see in the darkness. She managed to swim to the end only to swim to a a ledge, slipping back in when she tried to climb out. She was seemingly pulled under. She whimpered as she struggled until something seemingly went under her and pushed her above the surface, the next thing she knew she was holding onto the lion as she carried her outside of the water onto a low ledge, a metre or two away. Flopping onto the stony ground, shivering slightly “You saved me…” She said, the lion licking her in the face. She put her hoof up, when the lion put her head on, her eye widening in awe as the lion allowed her to pat her, she happily pat her soggy, but soft head as she nudged her. She was finally allowing her to pet her… “Guess we are even…” The lion chuckled then noticed Onyx shiver, she licked her in the face, moving to her body, trying to dry her. “Ugh…” Onyx groaned as she slowly got up. The lion nudged her away from the water as she watch her shiver. “R-ready to head back?” She asked before the lion nodded.

Back at home, Onyx threw off her soaked cape and rubbed herself with a towel, trying to dry herself as much as possible, while the lion looked at her with concern. Nudging her away from the couch and towards the bedroom, it took her a while to understand, but she went there, still shivering. Eventually climbing into bed for the first tome in ages, under her warm blankets, still feeling rather chilly until the lion laid onto her. With the warm sensation, she looked up at you. “Wanna do that again, sometimes? Minus the freezing water, of course.” She asked, slowly feeling tired. The lion let out a noise as if to agree. “Anyway, you should have a name. I don’t think i can keep calling you ‘the lion’” She paused. “What do you think of Tufty?” The lion let out another noise as if she liked it! “Tufty it is.” She started to doze off, petting Tufty softly, feeling her warmth taking away her coldness. She didn’t want this to go away, she was a hoofful, but there was something special about her. Even if she was currently snelling a little funky. Her heart ached at the thought of saying goodbye to her when she went to the savanna. She had no idea where it was, but Tufty should. She feel asleep to the warmth, thinking on how Tufty got here and why…

“If you are calling me ‘Tufty’ what should I call you, Beret?”

Onyx opened her eyes and glanced at her, drowsy and slightly confused. “Beret?”

”Okay then.” Tufty nodded as if she was approving of something and put her head down, leaving her to just doze off.

“Alright Tufty.” Onyx said as she entered her home one afternoon with a box, it didn’t seem as big as the one she brought home, she only carried it in one hoof. She stopped in her tracks after she closed the door, looking around. Seeing Tufty dash past her and skid to a stop before turning around, looking rather excited. She had thought she’d act cat-like not dog-like, but whatever. As soon as Onyx told her the box was for her, it was ripped from her paws. “W-wait-“ She gasped as the lion shook the box around in her jaws, throwing it across the room, narrowly missing a vase, hitting the ground, which she dived for and ripped it open with her teeth and paw holding it down. Revealing four large bottles of cat shampoo, Onyx had to quickly grab them before she bit them. “Not food, or a toy. You need a bath, I know you’ve been playing in mud recently, too. It literally gave away that you sneaked out again last night…” She said, gesturing at some dried dirt that was swept up, formerly muddy prints from Tufty playing in the mud last night. Her fur was still rather muddied and she still smelt rather gross. “C’mon…” She lad leading her into the bathroom.

The bathroom was roomy, the floors were stone, covered with a white bathmat. On one side was the shower and on the other side as the bathtub that Onyx recently cleaned out, she never used it much so it just gathered dust and got filled with random junk. But now it was all clear and ready to go. She put an old towel on the towel rack and put the bottles on the sink near the tub, soon putting the plug in and turning it on, using her hoof to make sure it wasn’t too hot or too cold as Tufty watched on curiously. Onyx puzzled her, she trusted her, but there was things she did she didn’t understand, like how the day before she walked I on her doing something called ‘poetry’ which was weird, she sounded dramatic when she was doing it, was she okay? Once Onyx filled the tub halfway and turned off the tap, she saw this as her time! She wasted no time to leap into the tub, creating a big splash, sending water flying, soaking Onyx’s legs and belly and leaving a puddle on the floor. ”Ugh, I’m getting all wet…” She said before looking at Tufty who seemingly chuckled. “Guess I shoulda expected that.”

”How mich longer until I am healed enough?” The lion growled.

Onyx paused as she grabbed a bottle of the shampoo, looking down at it and back at Tufty. She had gained a little bit of weight back, but mot enough. The wounds were gone, however, which was nice to know. ”A while. You need to be the ideal weight and have the energy you need. I don’t even know where your habitat is, you are that far from hone.” She paused and started scrubbing the shampoo on her fur. “C’mon, wanna smell funky bad or funky good?” She asked, not wanting to forget about saying goodbye, she was starting to see why ponies like having pets.

“Sure?” The lion grumbled, feeling something was off about her today. To change the mood, she started pawing at the water playfully, to see if she’d respond, which she didn’t. It was time for extreme measures it seemed, luckily she got an idea when Onyx was finished scrubbing soap on her other side, grabbing a hose that was seemingly attached to the tap that would shower water on her, as soon as she was seemingly finished rinsing her, she

“I don’t need a bath.” Onyx said, shielding herself as she turned off the tap, watching “You are cheeky.” She said as she lowered her hoof, unprepared for Tufty to gave her whole body a huge shake, sending water flying everywhere as Onyx tried to shield herself again from the incoming water. “Ugh!” She groaned a bit before looking at Tufty head for the door, she quickly grabbed the towel and hurried after her as she stood in the lounge room. She quickly threw the towel on top of Tufty’s head who shook her head all about to try and shake it off. “Nope, not running around, wet.” She responded before the towel hit her, as soon as she picked it up, she looked around, seeing Tufty was gone. Puzzled on how she vanished in such a short tome, she looked around for ny trace of her, unaware of the predator stalking behind her, ready to pounce, soon doing it, shoving her to the ground and gently pushing her down with a paw. Her heart was racing as Tufty pushed her down, only to push her down again as she tried to get up. “Get off..” Onyx said, trying to stay calm. “Ow!” She exclaimed then sighed. “I’m not a fan of playing rough..” She said, which only resulted in being bombarded with large wet, slobbering licks. “Neither am I your cub…” She said, her wards making Tufty pause and look out the window with worry. Onyx could tell by her body language that she was now rather sad. Her reaction softened as she spoke. “You are a mother?” She asked, her ears drooping at the thought of her poor cub… Poor fella must be feeling lost without her, she couldn’t imagine how it would fell, even if she herself had a similar experience. “I too, lost my- I mean.” She took a breath and paused. “I’m sure your cub misses you too…” She said as she sat down, worriedly looking out the window, a feeling in her gut as she thought about that poor cub… But also thinking how Tufty was a mother, how motherly she was being after she realised Onyx was no threat. It made sense. Maybe she could ask her about the cub, but she didn’t want to be too intrusive… She had another question to ask, anyway. ”How can you talk?”

”Made a wish…”

”A wish?”

Tufty nodded, not wanting to share the reason why she made the wish. But she knew time was running out, hopefully she would never need to reveal the reason. She didn’t need to seem like a wimp, making a wish she could talk long enough for somepony to help her. Because some pathetic pony caught her and took her far from home. “Why do you even care, Beret?”

”Just curious, I think… Also, why do you keep calling me by the name of my hat?”

”You implied you were okay with me calling you that last week.” She admitted, it had been a week already.

“I was half asleep.” Onyx paused. “Name’s Onyx…”

Tufty glanced at her with slight confusion, looking all over her then right at her. “Right…” She paused. “Onyx’s aren’t blue-grey. They are black…”

”I know.”

It was one late afternoon when Onyx was on her way back home, feeling like something was different. She held a fish in her hoof, taking it out of a bag she had with her, not a pony suspecting she had a fish. But perhaps they wouldn’t be too suspicious seeing her get fish, she could give them the excuse of taking care of an animal, right? Unicorns may not really do it often, but she heard plenty of ponies take care of pets while their owners are away or something! She walked to her home and walked inside, feeling like something was going to happen, but what could it be? It was soon revealed the second she walked in when a familiar unicorn jumped in behind her, catching her by surprise, but she kept her cool, not showing it. “Aha! I knew you were hiding something!”

“Like?” Onyx shrugged, eyeing the stairs, wondering if Tufty was up in the kitchen stealing her food again, and back at Dapple, hoping Tufty would not reveal herself just yet.

“C’mon! You think I wouldn’t find out eventually?” Dapple asked, looking around the lounge room. “So, what is it? He asked, feeling a little puzzled when Onyx put a hoof up so he wouldn’t take another step as a low growling sounded nearby, “Uh… What was that?” He asked, eyeing the stairs, taking a step back.

“There’s something I need to tell you. But it has to stay in between us.” She said, seconds before Dapple shouted in fear, seeing Tuft come out the stairs, who proceeded to roar at him, moving stealthily and looking as big as she could. He grabbed a nearby broom in his magic, noticing the paws, tails and eyes resembling the thief in many of the rumours, also the fact that Onyx claimed it was a lion. His heart was racing as as their eyes met.

“Get back!” He shouted, trying to be brace, but his legs were shaking. His heart skipped a beat as the lion ran towards Onyx. “Get away!” Dapple cried pushing Onyx to move her away, only to push her to the ground as if to protect her from some kind of attack. He stood over her, looking for Injuries, he gulped. “It’s in your house, Onyx.”

”I know- I-“ She was interrupted.

He let out a scream as the lion pounced on him, pinning him to the ground, he gulped and shouted. Smacking the lion in the head with a broom “Onyx, get help!” He cried loudly as she got up. Tufty raised a paw towards him, only for him to swat it back with the broom, managing to get free and start running around the living room the feat, the lion blocked his way out the front door, so he ran towards the bathroom, only to get pinned against the ground again, he screamed loudly as he saw the sharp claws, which was soon engulfed in Onyx’s magic aura.

“Stop!” She whisper-yelled out, unable to seemingly raise her voice. Both unicorn hearts were racing, Dapple was even sweating slightly. “Get off him.”

”Wh-what?” Asked Dapple. As Tuft backed off him, obeying orders and letting Onyx put herself between them. She looked at Dapple first.

“Your mistake was pushing me to the ground before I could explain anything. So she must have seen you as a threat who was trying to attack me.” She paused and then looked at Tuft. “And you jumped into conclusions, I think you should know that Dapple is my closest friend… I’ve spoken about him near you.” It was clear Tuft didn’t like to be scolded. She slumped on her rump with an annoyed growl as she eyed Dapple.

“Onyx, are you crazy!?” Dapple exclaimed as he got up. “Do you know what that is!?”

”She’s a lioness, far from home. She need to stay low so Bounty doesn’t get her. So she can start her journey home…”

”Well yeah, but she’d been stealing things at least weekly!” ”How long have you’ve been living with her?” He asked, shaking slightly.

”She’s just trying to survive. She’s been here for about seven weeks…” She said before looking at the lion. “What did I say about sneaking out and creating chaos?” She asked, the lion letting out another low growl, feeling ashamed of herself. Dapple watched in in slight confusion and horror, he got up and started sneaking towards the door. “Dapple, where are you going?” Asked Onyx.

”Oh! I uh… Realised that I'm eh- Late! For my… Baking?”

“You don’t bake?”

“Uh, yeah, gotta go, bye!” Dapple exclaimed before running off, galloping towards a certain location, where Bounty was staying in a tent. He could finally track down the monster, it may appeared to be a lion, but lions attack ponies! Must be some sort of siren in disguise, there is no way Onyx would befriend a lion, she’s not Hitch or Fluttershy! His heard was racing as the tent came I view. “Bounty!” He yelped before tripped onto a branch and groaning, he got ip and looked around, it appeared Bounty wasn’t here at the moment. “Bounty?” He questioned as he walked ahead, past the tent, having peeked through the window on the way past. He looked around for any sign of him, but soon saw him walking away, looking around suspiciously. Dapple raised a brow as he followed him from a distance, something wasn’t right, was it? He stopped when he stooped, backing behind a tree and looking on, both ears pointing straight at him.

”No, I haven't found the lion just yet, but I will let you know when I do, okay? I just can’t wait to taxidermy such an animal!” He exclaimed softly, causing Dapple to gasp and back up before being seen. He watched, concerned as he slowly understood of what was happening. He gulped, understanding why she was keeping that lion in her house, she was keeping her safe from such an inhumane practice! He quickly galloped back to onyx’s home to warn her, bursting through the front door.

”Onyx I-“ He said before pausing, cocking his head in confusion at the site before him, Onyx laid on her belly on the couch, much of her fur damp as the lion licked her head like how a mother cat cleans its young. “What are you doing?”

“She insists ob giving me her idea of a bath before I have my idea of a bath.” She paused. “I’m weaker than her.”

”Huh?” Dapple cocked hus head and slightly smiled, “Maybe that’s a little adorable, right? Like a mother lion and a baby! Wait- Does she know about…”

”No she does not.” Onyx said, glaring at Dapple. “Also, it os not adorable…”

”Oh.” He said before smiling, Watching as the lion let go go, her body damp as she stood up, fur standing in different directions. He smiled a little at the sight. “She really likes you.”

”I guess she does…”