The years passed, life flowing like a river, twisting and turning unexpectedly with its ups and downs.

Anthony now lived in a spacious house, one that had the potential to be elegant but felt more homely and modest in practice. There were no ostentatious luxuries, just functional furniture, simple decorations, and scattered family mementos on shelves and walls. It was night, and tranquility had settled over the neighborhood.

Anthony lay back on his old but comfortable couch, a glass of wine in hand, his eyes fixed on the TV. A football game played on the screen—one of his games from a few matches ago. The commentators praised a standout play Anthony had made, but his expression, typically animated when reliving such moments, was now somber.

The doorbell shattered the quiet.

With a low grunt, Anthony set his glass on the table and leaned on a cane, limping slightly as he got up. The injury to his right leg, sustained in his last game not long ago, was a constant reminder of the sacrifices he'd made. He approached the door and opened it, finding a man in a uniform standing there.

The man seemed oddly uncomfortable, his gaze lowered. A cap covered much of his face, and an exaggeratedly large mustache—clearly fake—hung awkwardly on his lip. His voice, when he spoke, was forced and raspy, as though mimicking a cartoon character.

"Mr. Anthony, I’m here to install your new TV," said the man, adding an unnecessary bow for good measure.

Anthony raised an eyebrow but stepped aside to let him in.

"Alright, go ahead. The box is in the living room."

As Anthony turned to lead the way, he felt an unexpected thud on his back. He spun around quickly, stumbling slightly from his limp, and saw the supposed technician holding a pillow with a mischievous grin.

"Felix!" Anthony exclaimed, finally recognizing his younger brother.

Felix removed the cap and mustache, revealing his familiar face.

"Surprised?" he asked with a smug smile. "I saw your installation request at work and asked to take it. Cost me a few extra hours, but here I am."

Anthony, still taken aback, let out an incredulous laugh.

"Weren’t you working as a chef’s assistant at a restaurant last month?"

"Yep," Felix replied. "But you know me. Now I’m into installations—always trying new things."

After clearing up the confusion, they both settled into the living room. Felix noticed the game on the TV and couldn’t resist making a joke.

"Are you seriously watching one of your own games? Don’t you ever get tired of hearing the commentators praise you?"

Anthony shot him a look that would normally be a mix of irritation and humor, but this time, there was something different. His expression carried a strange melancholy. Felix noticed but chose not to bring it up just yet.

As they chatted, Felix became aware of Anthony's limp.

"What happened to your leg?" he asked, gesturing toward it with the head.

Anthony waved it off dismissively.

"Nothing serious. Just a little injury from the last game. No big deal."

Felix could sense the evasion and decided not to push. Instead, Anthony, perhaps buoyed by his brother’s presence, suggested, "Hey, it’s been a while since we did something together. How about a little outing?"

"Sure, after I set up your TV. What do you have in mind?" Felix asked, raising an eyebrow.

The answer came in the form of bats and balls. They found themselves at a batting cage, a space filled with nets and pitching machines. Felix looked around in surprise.

"Baseball? Really? I thought you’d drag me to toss around a football or something." He inspected a bat with mild curiosity.

"That’d be too predictable, don’t you think? Besides, this place is quiet—perfect for chatting. And who knows, you might discover you’re a baseball prodigy," Anthony replied with a lopsided grin as he adjusted a batting helmet.

Anthony took the first turn, walking into the batting cage with a mix of confidence and the awkwardness brought on by his injury. He raised the bat, planted his feet firmly, and waited for the first pitch. The metallic crack of bat meeting ball echoed through the space. Though not a perfect hit, the ball flew forcefully into the net.

Felix watched intently, studying every movement—from the grip on the bat to the twist of his shoulders.

"Not bad for a guy with a limp," Felix teased, earning a look of mock indignation.

"Get in here and show me what you’ve got," Anthony challenged, gesturing toward the cage.

Felix stepped up, gripping the bat awkwardly. Anthony, standing outside the net, began shouting tips on how to position his feet, balance his weight, and time his swing.

The first pitch sailed past him, and Felix grimaced in frustration. The second hit the bat with a weak "clink," barely making it a few feet. But on the third attempt, Felix connected solidly, sending the ball flying farther than anyone, including Anthony, had expected.

"Not bad at all!" exclaimed Anthony, smiling with genuine pride. "Though you’ve still got a ways to go to catch up to me."

Felix set the bat aside, shaking his sore hands but with a satisfied grin.

"Not too shabby for someone who spends his life bouncing between random jobs, huh?"

The two sat on a nearby bench, sipping water and letting the sweat cool off. It was one of those rare silences that wasn’t awkward. But Anthony broke it suddenly, staring at the empty batting cage with a serious expression.

"Felix, have you ever wondered what you want to be?"

The unexpected, direct question caught Felix off guard. He set his water bottle down and looked at his brother with a furrowed brow.

"Where’s this coming from?" he asked cautiously.

"Just answer me. What do you want to be?" Anthony insisted, his tone more earnest than Felix was used to hearing from his older brother.

Felix leaned back on the bench, letting out a deep sigh as he stared at the ceiling of the batting facility.

"You know me," he said honestly. "I don’t know. I’ve tried a bunch of things, explored every option that’s crossed my path, and I still don’t have an answer. And honestly, I think I want to try everything. I don’t want to pick just one thing and stick with it forever. I don’t know how you do it—choosing one thing and just going all in."

That last comment made Anthony look down, his face hardening slightly. Felix noticed and quickly added:

"Though I have to say, I’ve always admired you. Everything you accomplished at such a young age—being recognized for your talent, living the dream that so many wish for—that’s not easy to achieve. You should be proud of that."

Anthony let out a brief, humorless laugh as he fiddled with the cane he had brought along.

"That’s what I thought at first," he admitted. "That it was all worth it, that it was what I wanted. But… I don’t know if I’m happy."

Felix looked at him, surprised, unable to hide his confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Anthony sighed, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Football was one of those ‘pick something and live it’ decisions. And I did. I gave it my all, and at first, it was thrilling. But as the years went by, it started feeling more like a burden than a passion. It’s like I got trapped in something that stopped making me happy, but I couldn’t escape. My leg injury was the last play, literally. It took me out of the game, and now I can’t stop thinking about what my life might’ve been like if I’d had the courage to try different things, like you. I’ve always envied that part of you, Felix."

Felix hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. Finally, he spoke with genuine curiosity:

"So… what do you want to be?"

Anthony looked up at the night sky, the stars reflecting in his eyes like a mirror of his thoughts. A faint smile curved his lips before he answered:

"This is going to sound ridiculous, but sometimes I imagine working on a farm. Growing something—it doesn’t matter what—pears, strawberries, apples. I picture myself plowing the fields under a warm sun, in a silence so pure it almost feels alive. It’s the complete opposite of the roar of a packed stadium."

Felix couldn’t help but chuckle and gave him a playful nudge. "You? A farmer? In a quiet place? You can’t even stay quiet for a minute!"

They both laughed heartily, but the laughter soon faded into a moment of understanding. Felix added sincerely, "But seriously… that sounds nice. Peaceful, calm."

Anthony nodded slowly, as if savoring the thought, before continuing. "Yeah, but that’s not the only thing I dream of being. And this is going to sound even more ridiculous..." He paused, as though searching for the right words.

"A guard."

Felix raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

"A guard? Like a police officer or something?"

Anthony shook his head slightly, his gaze distant as if lost in some corner of his past or imagination.

"No. I mean a guard like in medieval stories. A royal guard protecting the innocent. Someone who stands firm, defending what’s right. I know it sounds silly, but to me, that idea is a thousand times more exciting—more noble—than being a football player."

Intrigued by the seriousness in his brother’s voice, Felix asked, "Then why don’t you try it? If it’s something you really want, why not go for it? You’ve told me yourself there’s nothing wrong with following what you’re passionate about."

Anthony let out a deep sigh, his expression turning solemn, as though he were carrying the weight of something invisible.

"That’s the problem," he said quietly. "Making decisions isn’t hard, Felix. The hard part is living with them. Every choice you make becomes a path you can’t escape. And sometimes… I’m not sure if I have the courage to face what comes next."

Felix opened his mouth, wanting to respond, but the words got stuck when he saw Anthony close his eyes and lean back against the bench. The water bottle slipped from his hand, and a soft snore broke the silence.

"Seriously? You fall asleep right after getting all philosophical?" Felix muttered, a mix of fondness and frustration in his tone.

Carefully, he helped his brother up and walked him back home. He settled Anthony into his bed, removing his shoes and ensuring he was covered with a blanket.

Before leaving the room, Felix paused at the door. He watched Anthony as he slept, his face relaxed and free of the worries he had shared moments ago.

"Decisions aren’t that hard..." Felix murmured to himself, repeating his brother’s words as he softly closed the door.

We kept walking along the route marked on the map. Initially, Maud led us at her usual calm, methodical pace, but it seemed her natural speed—or lack thereof—got on Flashing’s nerves. He took charge again, pushing the group forward at an unforgiving pace.

According to the map, we were making our way through the forest near Rockville. Normally, this forest looked like something straight out of a dark fantasy tale: twisted trees with gray or dried-out leaves, elongated shadows, and an ever-present air of desolation. Sure, there were exceptions with a few healthy trees, but the overall atmosphere leaned more toward gloomy than inspiring.

However, as we moved forward, something strange began to happen. The landscape started to transform. What was once drab and lifeless became vibrant and full of life. Lush green trees towered around us, and towering mountains emerged in the distance, enclosing us. It was as if we had crossed a portal into a dreamlike fantasy forest.

This should have thrilled me. This was exactly what I had hoped to find since arriving in this world. But instead, I felt a twinge of skepticism. I knew Rockville, and this wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. This had to be another case of “planning,” likely orchestrated by those illusionary crystals like the one from the previous trial.

So instead of marveling, this view only reminded me that what surrounded me was a constructed fantasy, while my reality remained gray, monotonous, and dry. I scowled, feeling a fresh wave of disappointment. Again.

Flashing’s brisk pace didn’t help at all. Each step made my hooves ache. Still, we pressed on until we reached a narrow gorge between the mountains. Our progress halted when we encountered a colossal boulder with traces of minerals blocking the only path through.

"And now what?" I asked, more annoyed than I intended.

Flashing examined the map with his usual air of indifference. “There’s a rock symbol here. This must be it. I guess we’ll have to climb over it.”

I stepped forward with theatrical confidence and a sly grin. "This is nothing for the Pies. We’re rock farmers, after all. Watch and learn—we’ll turn it into gravel." With dramatic flair, I pretended to roll up imaginary sleeves.

Maud and Pinkamena looked at me approvingly, clearly believing I could do it.

I approached the boulder, took a deep breath, and, with all my strength, delivered a direct punch. I fully expected it to shatter under my mighty blow.

The result: a soft puff in the air.

The silence that followed was so awkward it could have been sliced with a knife. My face fell as my sisters avoided eye contact with me. Then Flashing broke the tension with uncontrolled laughter.

"Ha ha ha! Who would’ve thought? You punch like a filly. Well, it makes sense, seeing as you are a filly… which makes it even funnier!"

Tears streamed down his face as he staggered from laughter.

I looked at him with all the seriousness I could muster. "Did he just say what I think I heard?"

My sisters reacted instantly. Maud’s eyes widened slightly—a detail anyone else would miss, but not in our family—and she immediately clamped a hoof over Flashing’s mouth with surprising strength. Flashing was left stunned, emitting muffled protests.

Pinkamena, meanwhile, approached me carefully. "Uh… of course not. He didn’t say what you think."

"Then what did he say?" I asked, my tone bordering on disbelief.

"He said… he said… Oh, look! The rock grew eyes!" Pinkamena pointed with exaggerated enthusiasm.

"Please, Pinkamena. You’re obviously changing the subject because you know—" I froze mid-sentence.

Two enormous eyes, a deep brown, suddenly opened on the boulder.

I instinctively stepped back, as did Pinkamena, as the giant rock began to rise, kicking up a cloud of dust that momentarily blinded us. When the dust settled, a colossal figure made entirely of stone stood before us. It was a bipedal creature of intimidating proportions—a stone golem.

Pinkamena leaned toward Maud and whispered, “That was close.” Maud simply nodded.

The golem towered imposingly, blocking our path like a living wall. Its eyes glowed faintly as it observed us from above. I blinked a few times, trying to process its sheer size; it was easily as tall as a two-story house.

A golem! A real, honest-to-Celestia golem! Now we’re talking epic. This is next-level stuff. Mythical creatures you usually only see in RPGs and fantasy adventures. I have to admit, each day of this event surprises me more with its magic and wonder: unicorns, pegasi, that illusionary crystal… and now, a golem.

Wait a moment. Come to think of it, I’m noticing a pattern. I get excited about every new magical thing that appears… and it always ends in disappointment. I looked at the golem with a mix of anticipation and resignation. “Don’t let me down, stone giant,” I thought as I planted my hooves firmly.

Wow, they really didn’t hold back on creativity for these trials. Who’s organizing this, anyway? The government? The royalty? Or maybe some educational institution? Whoever it is, they’ve got style. But now’s not the time to get distracted. Focus, Echo.

The golem silently observed us for what felt like an eternity before slamming down to the ground with an earth-shaking thud. A cloud of dust rose around it, making us cough as we tried to regain visibility.

Then, to my complete disbelief… the golem coughed.

Flashing was the first to react. He took a few steps forward, craning his neck as he inspected the surroundings, probably looking for a crack or alternate route. Finding nothing, he looked up at the golem.

“Hey, we need to get through. Why don’t you move? The great Flashing has to get to the other side as soon as possible,” he said with his usual arrogance.

The golem coughed again, but this time, it spoke. Its voice was slow and deep, exactly what you’d expect from a living stone creature.

“I will move… of course. But first, I want something in return. You must give me…”

“Oh, come on. Fine, whatever it is. Just say it—what do you want?” Flashing interrupted impatiently.

The golem raised one of its rocky stumps to what might have been its chin, adopting a thoughtful pose. Then it shrugged, as if to say, “I don’t know.”

There was an awkward silence before Pinkamena, Maud, and I started guessing.

“A special rock?” I suggested.

“A rare mineral?” Maud added in her monotone voice.

“A blanket?” Pinkamena offered without much enthusiasm.

With each suggestion, the golem slowly shook its head.

Finally, we huddled in a circle to discuss our options, keeping a respectful distance from the massive living stone. Maud and I couldn’t help but let our gazes wander to the intricate layers of rock making up the golem. Each fissure and embedded mineral spoke to us in a language only geology enthusiasts could understand.

“It’s fascinating,” I murmured, leaning slightly toward the golem to examine a shimmering vein in its right shoulder. “See that, Maud? It looks like mica, but it has a more intense sheen. Maybe a mix with feldspar.”

Maud nodded slowly. “Yes. There are also quartz inclusions in the lower limbs. But what interests me most is the core. Its chest seems to have something like a geode… probably amethyst. That could explain the internal glow.”

“Amethyst? I didn’t notice that. It might be the source of its energy,” I replied, my words spilling out as my mind worked overtime. “And those formations on its hands—they look more recent. Maybe additions to reinforce its structure. I’d guess calcite by the texture, though that’s more fragile than I’d expect on a golem.”

Flashing, ears drooping, sighed and muttered, “Is this normal? Seriously? We’re standing in front of a golem that could crush us, and you two are discussing its design like it’s a gala dress.”

Before I could respond, Pinkamena leaned over and whispered to Flashing, “Completely normal. They always end up like this. Start with a rock, and it spirals into a full geological debate. If I had a bit for every time Maud and Echo talked about textures or mineral veins, I’d have enough to buy a mountain… made of schist, of course.”

Maud, without taking her eyes off the golem, added, “It’s not that complicated. Rocks are very interesting and exciting. Observing them, you can learn a lot. Echo understands that.”

I nodded, half-smiling. “Exactly. Every mineral, every layer of rock has meaning. For example,” I pointed to a rock near the golem, “the Golem might become interested in a rock if we present it to him like that granite over there has magnetite inclusions. It's rare to find such a pure specimen in this region."

Maud approached the granite, evaluating it with a firm tap. “It’s a good idea. But we should also look for something more symbolic. That rose quartz at the base of the ravine might be more suitable. It’s a mineral associated with harmony.”

As we discussed our observations, Flashing finally lost his patience. “By Celestia! Are you going to offer it half a mountain or what? Maybe it just wants us to pass quietly.”

The golem fixed its glowing gaze directly on me—or more precisely, on my necklace.

“That…” it rumbled in its deep voice, pointing with a weathered stone stump. “That interests me.”

I froze for a moment. “My necklace?”

The golem nodded, slow but deliberate. “Give it to me, and I will let you pass.”

Flashing wasted no time, immediately blurting out with a hurried smile, “Perfect! Just give it your necklace, and we’re done. Problem solved.”

Instinctively, I clutched my necklace tightly to my chest.

“Wouldn’t you want something else?” I asked, trying to sound reasonable while my mind raced for alternatives. “We’ve got saddlebags full of stuff. Surely something in there catches your interest.”

The golem shook its massive head, the sound echoing through the narrow pass.

“Seriously, nothing? We’re rock farmers! We could find you something special. Maybe quartz, or—”

“No” it rumbled.

"I can also offer you a piece of my fluffy tail... I'd just need to find something to cut it with," I said thoughtfully.

“No,” he said again, the finality in its voice making me swallow hard. “The necklace or nothing.”

Flashing stepped forward, clearly irritated. “Didn’t you hear? It’s simple! Give up your stupid necklace, and we can move on. This is getting ridiculous.”

“It’s not stupid!” I shot back, raising my voice with palpable indignation. “This necklace is possibly a Pie family relic. We found it in a cave that had been lost for generations! I’m not handing it over just like that.”

Flashing clenched his teeth, visibly losing the last shred of patience he had. His tone shifted from feigned cordiality to something much sharper.

“Oh, please! It’s just a piece of metal with a star-shaped gem. Stop acting like a martyr. There are more important things than some dumb necklace—like, I don’t know, finishing this trial already!”

“It’s more than just a piece of metal!” I insisted, my hooves digging into the ground in frustration. “It’s likely tied to my family’s history—maybe even a fascinating one! You can’t just ask me to give it up like it means nothing.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. ‘This is part of my family’s legacy,’” Flashing spat, his mocking tone now completely unrestrained. “Maybe you’d like to write a poem about how meaningful it is while we sit here wasting time.”

His aggression caught even Pinkamena and Maud off guard, both raising their eyebrows at him.

“Flashing,” Maud said calmly, though her voice carried an unusual edge, “that was unnecessary.”

Flashing seemed to realize he’d crossed a line. His expression shifted immediately as he attempted to backtrack.

“Alright, alright,” he muttered, regaining a more conciliatory tone. “Look, I’m just saying we need to find a solution soon. There’s no point staying here all night.”

Before I could reply, Maud spoke again, gesturing toward the golem. “Did you notice that?”

We all turned to face the creature, whose movements had grown sluggish. Its massive stone jaw opened and closed with an almost… thirsty motion?

“I think it’s dry,” Maud observed, pulling a canteen from her saddlebag. “We could try water.”

“Water? That’s it?” Flashing frowned, crossing his forelegs like the suggestion was an enormous inconvenience.

Without responding, Maud calmly approached the golem and poured some water into a crevice that appeared to be part of its structure. The golem emitted a deep sound that resembled a sigh of relief, though its body remained largely unchanged.

“It’s not enough,” Pinkamena noted, her expression brightening with understanding. “Maybe it needs more?”

Silence fell over us as we exchanged uneasy glances. Sacrificing the group’s water supply wasn’t an easy decision. But after a few moments of hesitation, each of us began emptying our canteens into the golem’s crevice, one by one.

Finally, the creature straightened with a smooth motion. Its voice echoed again, now softer: “You may pass.”

I let out a breath, though it wasn’t entirely one of relief. I glanced at our saddlebags, now significantly lighter.

“Well, that was easy,” Pinkamena said, flashing a smile at Maud.

“It always is, when you pay attention,” Maud replied, unfolding the map to point out the next stretch of our journey.

As we resumed walking, Flashing brushed past me, deliberately bumping his shoulder against mine. He said nothing, but his message was clear: the tension between us wasn’t over.

I decided to ignore it, though my ears flicked back slightly in annoyance.

Author's Note

In the past, years have passed, and Anthony has achieved success in football. However, it’s not the dream life he envisioned. During an unplanned visit from Felix, the brothers share a heartfelt conversation where Anthony asks, “What do you want to be?” and opens up about his unhappiness with the path he chose.

In the present, the group reaches the second trial, where a massive stone golem blocks their path.

After an animated discussion between Echo and Maud about the golem, they learn that the only way to proceed is to surrender the star-shaped gem Echo carries. Echo refuses, unwilling to part with the mysterious item.

Tensions rise between Echo and Flashing, leading to a minor clash. However, they successfully complete the trial when Maud realizes the key to pacifying the thirsty golem is to provide it with water.

The tension between Flashing and Echo continues to simmer as they move forward.

Fun Facts:

• Echo’s suggestion of cutting off a tuft of his fluffy tail to offer to the golem instead of the star is a playful callback to the second chapter, where Rarity was known for dramatic sacrifices.
• The growing tension between Flashing and Echo sets the stage for deeper conflicts and character development in the upcoming chapters.

Thanks for reading!