All the fillies and colts were gathered in a shaded area of the forest, where a larger map was laid out. Tough took out the one he had been sent and spread it across the ground with his hooves. All around there were little markers, each with a number. To the right side, the numbers had things, like seashells or seeds. Using his magic, he rolled it up and set it into his satchel. Getting all of this done by himself was going to be impossible.
Most of the others had paired off and while tough thought it might be wise to go his own way, he knew better. Together was smarter! Scanning the group left the phony feeling oddly empty... Alone. He stepped from hoof to hoof awkwardly, wondering if he really ought to have left by himself. Then he spotted her.
He only knew of Lightening Strike thanks to Chocolate Orchid who had introduced his half-brother to his children. It was a little weird, Tough had thought, that these young phonies were his nieces and nephews. Knowing someone, even briefly, felt leagues better than asking a stranger. Trotting over to Lightening, he smiled politely.
"Hello my Niece. Do you want to work together? We have many things to find, after all."
peanutbutterpies
