M: Prudoria stared at the charm for a moment, like he had stared at it so many times throughout the years, but this time felt different somehow. He gave Johann another hug and muttered a quiet "thank you", it still felt surreal that he was holding his brother again, was he going to wake up and this would all be a dream, he didn't even know how they all came back in the first place, but he didn't care.

"So Corbin, how long exactly have you and my sons been on peaceful terms," Rowen spoke up, "and how did those peaceful terms come to fruition in the first place?"

"I ... I don't want to talk about it," Corbin murmured, hanging his head in shame, "honestly I still don't know why they gave me a chance, I don't deserve it."

N: "Wait," Wolfgang piped up before swerving and facing Zalia, "did you say that HRE was also at the facility? Isn't he alive?"

"He actually died," Johann informed him, "the French got to him while he was defending his land, and let's just say that the French were a bit more wild after you did. I felt bad for his daughters, having to lose him at such a young age."

"Him and Odrus had KIDS," the Saxon widened his eyes, "all this happened in how many years after I died?"

"I'd say maybe a decade."

The Saxon just sat there in shock, to which Niko muttered, "told you a lot happened."

"Well...are they alive," Wolfe asked, "Odrus and his daughters?"

M: "Yeah, they're alive and well, they are still living up in the UK," MC said, "I'm not quite sure how Freyja turned out, she likes to travel a lot and seems to have a different thing going on every time you talk to her. Nerthus has become the main commander in chief of the British Army, like MA is with the Mandarian Army."

"Royal didn't actually die or retire, she's leading a smaller division so she can work closer with Wil," Mandara explained further, "Ner is ambitious, she always wants to do everything right but is not a 'by the books' person, which can get on UK's nerves sometimes but she hasn't lost a battle yet, so whatever she's doing I'd say it's working."

"And Odrus is still running the Unicorn, he's managed to keep that place running all these centuries," MA smiled, "he and the descendants of Callum and Wyatt still work it and have tried to keep the old ways alive, which I think is why it's still so popular to this day."

N: "I can't wait for the day we can visit Britain," Johann smiled, "there's so much I want to see and I wonder how much things have changed."

"Odrus better have kept the original pancake recipe after all these centuries," Wolfgang commented, "those were on another level."

"But I guess it's too early to even think about that since there's plenty of time between now and then," the Mandorian added, then he glanced at the Saxon, who was already eyeing Corbin, "doing things that are actually worth our time."

Wolfgang turned to his friend when he realised that the Mandorian was referring to him, so he rolled his eyes. "It's not my fault that travel time has been cut down to a couple of hours," the Saxon shrugged.

M: "There are plenty of things to do around here, we have yet to take you guys to the stables and racetrack," Mandara said, "sure technology has advanced greatly but some people still use horses in the more rural parts of the country, not to mention horse racing is one of our most popular sports, almost tying with Falconeering?."

"Grunckle show you guys his army place too, he say you used be army people," Adira suggested.

"That actually isn't such a bad idea, you and Rowen would love it," MA agreed, "I can take you guys to work with me tomorrow, then at least Wolfie and Corbin won't be under the same roof for a few hours."

N: "I would very much like to see the horses," Johann smiled, "and I'll like to see where you work, Derogan."

"Let's say that we do head over to your place, MA," Wolfgang spoke, "how would we deal with the possible scenario that someone will call me out for impersonating...well, me?"

M: "Prude only did that because hitmen have tried that a few times on him," Zalia stated, "I heard about your interaction with a few of the neighbors, I think if you stick to that story then it won't raise any brows."

"Wait, back up, what do you mean hitmen have tricked Prudoria before," Rowen asked, "What is a hitman to begin with."

"It's basically what me and Prud are, there are many names for it; assassins, mercenaries, contract killers. I think I've explained this before, oh, and Corbin is part of my gang too, but he's more of the paperwork kind of guy."

"I refuse to use a gun unless it's life or death," Corbin muttered, patting his hip where his gun holster is, "this thing is just for show, I've only ever had to use it once to save his but from the first 'Johann' that tricked him."

Prudoria nodded, he unbuttoned his shirt and exposed his left chest, where there were two bullet scars just under his collarbone, which he cleared up that they did not come from Corbin's gun.

N: "So if I follow the story we made, everything should be fine," Wolfgang summed up, "cool, cool, cool, I can do that."

"Mercenaries," Niko muttered under his breath, "I knew a mercenary."

Unfortunately for him, Wolfgang heard what his son said, so he questioned him, to which the Saxon boy just glanced at Helena, who immediately understood him, "I'm not going to say who they were."

"When can we see the stables," the young girl asked, quickly changing topics.

M: "Why not go today, it's not like we had anything else planned," MC suggested, "that way I can bug my Sugarcube to get back on one."

"Abso-fucking-lutely not, I'm never going near one of those fleabags ever again," Poldara spat, which actually cause everyone to laugh."

"Poldara is deathly scared of horses," Mandara explained to the others, "the last time he tried to ride one it bucked him off and stepped on his wing, he hasn't been near the stables since."

N: "Aww, come on Poldara," Johann chuckled, "it would be bad this time around."

"Ja, but remember the last time we introduced someone to horses, my good ol' Blackjack proceeded to take a bite out of their wing," Wolfgang reminded, then he turned to Prudoria, "isn't that right, Prudoria?"

M: Prudoria growled lowly and signed, "Don't remind me of that parasite-infested vermin, out of everyone to die, he was the one I was most glad about."

"Oh so that's why you were so uncomfortable when we had that business meeting at America's horse ranch," Zalia realized, "welp, that settles it, pack your bags boys and girls, let's go torture these two scaredy cats with a good time."

"Hell yeah, I've been itching to get on a horse for a while," MC cheered, "Johann, you better get ready to bow before me, because I'm the new king of the rodeo."

N: "You won't catch me bowing before you, American," Johann grinned, MC definitely activating his competitive side, "let's see what you can do."

Wolfgang rolled his eyes at Jo's mini-speech when he turned to see Helena slightly bummed out that her father was probably going to ride on his own, and he chuckled a bit, "you can ride with me, Ella. Your father is going to be quite competitive while I plan to take it easy."

"Is it because you would always lose to me," the Mandorian raised a brow.

"I'm being the responsible, older friend that I am."

M: "Man, it's been so long since we've been on horses, I don't think we'll even remember how to do it," Mandara chuckled nervously.

"Well, if we can't ride at least we can bet," MA smirked, "like how I bet 50 bucks that MC is gonna be dragging Johann through the mud by the time this is over."

"I'll take that bet," Prudoria signed, "Jo was the fastest racer in all of Great Britain, there is no way some rodeo clown is gonna beat him."

The two brothers fist bumped to lock in the bet, then everyone started getting ready to go have some nice rough and tumble fun.

N: When they were packed and ready, they pulled into various cars and drove off, further away from the city centre until all that could be seen was the rolling hills. It didn't take too long before arriving at the stables, and when Johann stepped out, he cringed a little at the sight of his name.

"You weren't kidding about naming this after me," he spoke, "anyway, no point distracting ourselves. Lead the way."

M: "Well, what better place to build in your and Father's honors than the race track and stables," Mandara smiled, "no need to be embarrassed, this place was built by love and we make sure it is horse heaven, who knows, maybe you will find one you like."

"I hope so, I've been wanting an excuse to build a barn in the back of the property," MC stated, "your brothers said I couldn't because I'm not here all the time, but with you and your dad, here, maybe I'll get to."

"In your dreams, American, I am not dealing with the smell of horse shit near our house," MA stated, "not gonna happen."

N: "See that I would agree with," Johann spoke, pointing at MA, "even if I was born and raised on a farm, that smell never leaves. It isn't going to happen."

As they ventured into the stables, Saxons and Mandorians gasped in awe of its size, and with so many horses, Johann was sure that these stables could rival the ones back in Britain. Walking up to one of the stalls, he carefully reached out to a nearby horse and petted it.

"These horses are beautiful," the Mandorian commented, "but they're no Comet. Our bond was something special."

M: "Yeah, none of them could beat our horses, and that's what makes them our horses," Rowen agreed, "but if I'm being honest, I wouldn't mind having a companion to ride with again, it's been so long since I had Star Dust, even before my death."

"We aren't here to horse shop today, but you're welcome to look, the caretakers here will let you ride any you want," Mandara stated, "this place has a little over 200 acres, it's divided into the main stable and racetrack, the training and rodeo arena, hundreds of feet of pasture and woodline for the horse to run around and riders to ride, and hay and alfalfa fields for winter feed."

"Well while you all look around, I'ma go get my horse, see ya in the arena Reck Kress," MC taunted, walking off to a certain section of the stables.

N: Johann annoyingly stared at Wolfgang, who only laughed when the American mentioned the Mandorian's nickname.

"I don't want that name to be a thing," Johann grumbled.

"Oh, but I do," the Saxon snickered, "anyway, you better get ready before MC absolutely destroys you."

"Well, it isn't a fair match if I'm unfamiliar with all the horses here."

M: "And that is what I am here for," a woman approached them, she was fairly tall and looked ever so slightly on the older side, with blue eyes and blond hair that was just starting to turn silver.

She approached them and smiled, "Greetings, I am Harley Davidson, no relation to the motorcycle company, I'm the owner here, I happened to notice Marine Corps with you all so I wanted to see who his unfortunate victim is this time."

"That would be this man right here," Zalia chuckled, nudging Johann forward, "good ol' Johann Kress, descendent of the man this place was named after."

"Oh my, well it's an honor to meet you Mr. Kress," the other smiled, "It's quite sad that this will be your first and last day here, no one who MC had competed with ever came back. Now, with that out of the way, let's go get you a horse."

N: "And my hopes of winning are getting slimmer by the second," Johann groaned as he followed Ms Davidson further into the stables.

Once they were gone, Niko asked, "can we also ride some horses while we wait for them to get ready?"

M: "Sure, let's go find some horses," Mandara agreed, patting Niko's head, "it's been a while, I hope we still remember how to."

They all split off into groups, Mandara and MA took the kids and Wolfgang, Poldara and Prudoria decided they were just gonna watch and headed to the stands, and Zalia, Corbin, and Rowen went off to do their own thing.

"I don't really remember how you guys were around horses way back when," MA stated, "Wolf, are they gonna need us to ride with them, or should we go over to the ponies before we go for the full-sized horses?"

N: "I doubt these two would need any help," Wolfgang smiled as he ruffled his son's hair while patting on Helena's head, "I taught my son how to ride a horse the moment I could, and Ella here was lucky to have a father who was in charge of the Royal Stables."

"We can ride horses, I promise," Ella spoke.

"Now, now, don't get ahead of yourself," the Saxon chuckled, "even if you are fairly experienced riders, you are in the bodies of children, and we better play it safe and start off with the ponies."

Ella just pouted at the decision, causing the others to chuckle at her reaction.

M: "Don't worry Ella, there are some big horses with the ponies, it's basically just the pen that has all the animals that are safe with kids," MA reassured her, "they have other animals here too, like a petting zoo, Adira really likes the sheep."

"They so fluffy, they let me lay on them," Adira beamed, "like goats too, we head hit for fun."

"Yep, you got that hard-headedness from your Papi, squirt," Mandara chuckled, "I'm pretty sure he likes to duel with the rams at his sanctuary too."

When they got to the kids' pens, Adira immediately ran for the lambs, while the brothers led the others to the separate horse pens, "alright, you guys can walk around and see which ones you like, I'm sure we don't have to show you how to approach a horse, right?"

N: "Nope," both Helena and Nikolaus said in unison before wandering off to check out the horses and ponies, making Wolfgang laugh.

"They'll be fine," the Saxon chuckled, and he turned to the brothers, "so you guys really don't remember how to ride a horse? Haven't even gone for a simple trot?"

M: "The life of a countryhuman doesn't always allow that," Mandara shrugged, "we had to rebuild our home from scratch, figure out how to turn our government into a democracy, and survive more wars than you'd want to imagine. The price of running a successful civilization is that you have to give up a lot of 'you time'."

"We certainly didn't understand how difficult it was for Father to make time for us until we were finally in his shoes," MA sighed, "we're risking a lot of backlog just being here with you guys. It helps that we can work together with the humans and they take on most of the brunt, but that doesn't make our work load any less large."

N: "Makes sense," Wolfgang shrugged, "you have your responsibilities and you prioritise them."

While they talked, Niko and Helena were wandering around, checking out the horses and ponies when one of them caught the young girl's eye.

She wandered towards a Welsh pony, with its black mane distinct from its grey speckled coat, and she slowly approached it and stuck her hand out. When the pong accepted her, she gladly petted it.

"It's just like Mama's," she spoke, then she turned around, "what's their name?"

M: When Mandara and MA looked over to the kids they flinched at the pony Helena was petting, but they didn't try to get closer to her.

"Please be careful with that one, Ella, that's Earl Grey, he's a kicker," MA called to her, then quickly but carefully went up to her to make sure she wouldn't get hurt, "this stinker is infamous for his wild tendencies. He came from a home that didn't treat him well so is pretty distrustful of people, that's why he has a red ribbon on his tail, to tell people that he might kick you."

He tried to lead his niece away from the supposedly dangerous equine but it whinnied at him and charged, causing him to let go and fall on his butt. The pony became docile once he was at range, apparently he liked Ella and didn't want her to leave yet.

N: Helena kept on petting the pony while Niko just narrowed his eyes at them, "so Kress' just have the power to instantly bond with horses?"

"I don't know," Helena shrugged, "but Earl Grey is a pretty name. A pretty name for a pretty pony."

M: "He's not so pretty when you are face to hoof with him, there's been plenty of kids and adults who've hit the ground one way or another because of him," the militant retorted, "trust me, Sweetie, you're better off picking a different horse, that one isn't trustworthy."

Earl Grey seemed to take offense to that, because he again charged at MA and was nipping at his ankles, causing the big, scary militant to run away screaming for his life, earning immediate laughter and subsequent embarrassment.

"You always know how to piss people and creatures off, Thunder, it's any wonder you don't get your ass handed to you more often," Mandara shouted, then turned to Wolfgang, "and this is why we don't hang around horses anymore."

N: Wolfgang just chuckled and shook his head before calling out to his son, "if you're gonna choose a horse, find one which doesn't have a ribbon."

"Ok," Niko nodded as he wandered off, leaving Helena to pamper Earl Grey, before finding a lonesome horse hidden away in the corner. His curiosity got the better of him and he walked over to it.

He was an Appaloosa, its colourful coat contrasting the horses around him , which drew the Saxon boy, and when he reached the stallion, he held out his hand so that it could sniff it.

M: While all that was happening, off in the rodeo arena a large crowd had congregated in the stands to watch MC perform. He wasn't a racer like Johann, he was a showman, he was jumping hurdles, barrel racing, bronc riding, he was even roping up cattle that the stables had solely for this, at one point he was even down in the dirt wrestling a steer with his bare hands.

"Yeah, we forgot to mention that MC is an American rodeo champion, not a European racer," Poldara said to Johann, "you sure bit off more than you could chew, huh buddy."

N: "You conveniently forgot to mention," Johann grumbled as he slowly approached the crowd, leading his chosen horse beside him, "but it depends on what we're going to do, and how well this horse here and I can click?"

The bay Hackney beside him neighed as he head butted the Mandorian, making the other laugh.

"But if we end up doing whatever the hell MC's doing, I don't care about my reputation; it's already set in stone," Johann added, "so I'll gladly back down."

M: "MC knows that you would probably back down after seeing him, so you don't have to go through with this if you don't want to," Poldara told him.

"Didn't you ride on Uskaine while he was trying to buck you off," Prudoria signed, Poldara translating for him, "it's not like you don't have some sort of experience with his madness."

N: "See, I was riding Uskaine, who although did try to buck me off, didn't want me to be too hurt," Johann reasoned, "but those cattle are not the same. Besides, it's been years since I've ridden Uskaine."

M: "Years is an understatement," Prudoria signed, "but at least it's not just cattle and you could ride on a horse."

"I can see that you are not quite experienced enough to face Marine Corps, perhaps we will save that for another day," Harley said, "don't worry, I'm sure he's already forgotten about the challenge, he usually does when he's entertaining a crowd, would you like me to show you to the field instead, there is lots of space out there to bond with your horse."

N: "That sounds much better than challenging MC," Johann laughed uneasily before following Harley to the open field."

Once mounted, the Mandorian gently eased the horse forward, doing a simple trot as he gave words of affirmation whenever the animal became nervous from the unfamiliar rider.

"Does she already have a name," he asked, still going around in circles.

M: "Yes, she's named Athena, she's one of our older residents but is still as playful as a filly," Harley said from the fence line, "she's a surrender horse, she wasn't abused or neglected, her owners just couldn't afford to take care of her anymore, so she came here. She's pretty good with kids but I would still make sure there is an adult watching at all times."

There was a loud whinny that came from nearby, and when the two turned towards the commotion they were just in time to see Corbin get bucked off a horse and land face-first into (hopefully) mud, Harley almost couldn't hold in her laughter.

"Poor guy, that happens to him no matter what horse he chooses," she chuckled, "his metal bodyparts can sometimes make noises or light static shocks, and it always spooks the horses into getting rid of him."

N: Johann looked over to Corbin and studied his situation before dismounting, "is there anyway to stop that from happening? Any ways to get around it?"

M: "You can't predict what a horse is gonna do, we've tried to ask them nicely to stop but they don't seem to want to listen," Harley joked, "seriously though, if he wanted to stop it from happening, I guess he would just have to not get on a horse, I don't know anything else to say about it."

Someone called for her and she had to go see what was going on, Corbin on the other hand, he was busy trying to wipe the mud out of his eyes. His horse came over to make sure he was okay, even trying to help clean him up, which he secretly appreciated, at least the animals were nice to him.

N: With curiosity getting the better of him, Johann walked towards Corbin, Athena following close behind, before standing over the kneeling country.

"Mr Corbin, sir," the Mandorian began, looking down at the Prussian, "why are you so determined to ride a horse. Harley explained a bit, but it's clear that it's best you didn't."

M: Corbin looked at him and chuckled, "Well, why do other people ride horses, it's best if they don't but they do it because they want to, I don't really need a reason to do something I want to do."

He stood up and patted his horse to calm them down, "a little fall isn't going to stop me from doing what I like, you just gotta get back up, wipe away the dirt, and keep doing it until things can't go wrong. I've been working with this horse for a while now, she's getting used to my little quirks, as am I to hers, I'm not gonna give up now."

N: Johann just smiled uneasily, "sure, you do you. If your horse will get used to you then I don't see a problem." He paused for a moment before adding, "although you might want to double check that 'mud' of yours."

M: "I know right, you never know with these animals," Corbin laughed, smelling his hand and shrugging, "eh, it's got a little funk to it, nothing else, I should probably still wash up though. I think I saw your father going to the edge of the woodline, he didn't have a horse though so I'm not sure what he was doing, let him know I said hi."

He led the horse to a hitching post to secure her, then went over to a hose to wash himself off, apparently his mechanical parts were waterproof. He had to take his shirt off so it didn't get wet, which showed just how much of him was machine rather than flesh, especially in his back area.

N: Johann was about to leave to check on Rowen when he caught Corbin taking off his shirt from the corner of his eye, and he stared at the Prussian's mechanical parts before turning away.

"How...what happened to you," the Mandorian gingerly asked.

M: Corbin turned back to him with confusion for a moment, but as he saw him averting his gaze he guessed what he was talking about.

"Karma, my boy, karma's what happened," he sighed, "I was such a devil in my past life, I was doomed to die a horrific death from the start, but the universe has a twisted sense of humor when it comes to karma, I certainly didn't expect my demise to come from the hands of my kin. I taught that boy many things about warfare and how to finish off your enemies, first, you want to disable them, cut off their limbs so they can't fight or flee," he slightly shifted his wings after saying that, "then you want to make sure that you kill them the first time, so don't go for the chest, a proper killing is done from the neck up," he rubbed his metal throat, "what you do with the body after that is up to you. I'll say that I'm proud of him, he listened well, the only criticism is that he should have burned my body, not buried it, it would have saved everyone a lot of trouble."

N: "The German Empire," Johann muttered to himself before speaking up, "it's hard to remember how Deutsche was before the war. Granted I didn't really talk to him often, but he changed so much. His name. His personality."

He shook his head, "you deserved it; I don't doubt it for a moment, and it's strange seeing how much you have changed too but suffering from your consequences. Maybe one day I'll feel bad for you, maybe ease your pain, but not today."

He turned around and remounted his horse, and took one more look back at Corbin, "see you later," and with that he trotted away to find Rowen.

M: Corbin just hummed in response, Johann's words stung but they were bitterly true, he could do nothing but leave it at that. With a sigh he decided he was done for the day, he put his horse away and flew back to the estate to properly clean up.

Rowen was taking a stroll around the place, as if studying the landscape, scrutinizing the differences between the present to the past. When he saw his son ride over he waved at him, beckoning him to come closer.

"I'm pretty sure this is where that old mill was back in the day," he said, looking out into the woodline, "it was the one that all the kids told you and your brothers was haunted, and they dared you three to go in it at night, you're father and I wondered for a long time why there was so much flour tracked into the castle the next morning."

N: "Turns out that it wasn't really haunted," Johann chuckled, "although you and Father were beginning to wonder if there was an actual inhabiting the mill."

The Mandorian looked around and sighed, "it's strange looking around, knowing where things used to be and stand. I get that change is inevitable, but still..."

M: "It makes you wonder just how much of it is because of the natural passage of time, or because of the Prussian invasion," the Mandorian sighed, "would this place really have changed so much if he didn't come, we haven't even seen the rest of the world yet, what if here is the only place that changed ... I suppose that's very unlikely but still."

He tore his gaze away from the forest and went to pat Johann's horse, "she's a pretty one, I know Mandara said we weren't getting any today, but is she the one you want?"

N: "Ja," Johann smiled as he patted Athena, "she's one of the older horses, so I guess I wanted her to enjoy her life while she still could."

After dismounting, the Mandorian continued, "I even saw Ella petting a pony on my way here, and the pony looked just like her mother's..."

His eyes dimmed a bit at the mention of Gwyneth, and he sighed, "I'm happy that Gwyn can rest in peace wherever she is while we're here, but I find it hard to see how myself, and especially Helena, can live out our lives without her, or the rest of children. There's only so much I can do for Ella."

M: Rowen nodded in understanding, "it will be very hard to not have everyone here, it feels so unfair that we were chosen to have another life and they couldn't come with us, I guess we'll just have to lean on each other for comfort. At the very least Ella and Niko seem to be settling in ok, they've already begun making friends, and I think that they are starting to see Adira as a little sister rather than a friend."

Very faint cheering could then be heard from the rodeo arena, "sounds like MC is having fun, I'm surprised that you didn't take up his challenge, did everyone's stories really scare you off, that would be a first for sure."

N: "It wasn't just the stories," Johann admitted, "I saw him in action too with Harley, and, no offence Athena, she and I have to spend more time with each other until we're actually good enough." The horse nickered, head butted the Mandorian, making him smile, "but it's nice to see that Ella and Niko are settling in."

He chuckled to himself as he rubbed his face, "I sound like I'm 70. Trust me, Hezyka, it hasn't been the first time I haven't taken up a challenge."

M: "At this point I think we are legally over 300 years old, so you don't need to feel bad sounding like it," Rowen laughed, "it's any wonder why Mandara and Derogan have mellowed out, they actually had to live through all those years, we skipped them."

He turned back to the stables, the aforementioned brothers had come out with Wolfgang, Niko, and Helena, the two little ones riding the ponies they picked.

"I wish we knew what happened to them," he sighed, "Derogan's kids don't want to be around him for too long, Mandara lost half of his sight, and Prudoria apparently hasn't talked for years until now. What happened to make them suffer like this, what has this world become?"

N: Johann just gazed at the sight of the group, watching Helena as she grinned with pure joy as she rode Earl Grey, while Niko couldn't help but smile as he rode his horse.

"They drew the shortest stick of the lot," he muttered after a while, "and they had to live in a crueller and darker world, much different from ours. I hope that over time they may tell us, but for now we'll respect their choices."

M: Rowen had no choice but to nod in acceptance, he so desperately wanted to help his sons, to make up for leaving them all early. He couldn't remember exactly when he died, he was pretty sure it was when Gwen was pregnant with her third child, or was it their second, either way, he wasn't there for as long as he hoped, and he wanted to make up for lost time, but how?

"Jo, you remember that I was the first one of our family to pass, I left much earlier than I wanted and missed out on a lot of things. I want to make it up to you and your brothers, but how do I, what's something that you wanted us to do together but we never got the chance to?"

N: Johann turned to Rowen and thought hard, until his eyes lit up. "You said that we could go to the theatre and see a play," he recounted, "but we couldn't because one of us was busy at any point in time. I went to a couple when I was in Britain, but it didn't feel right when it was just Gwyn and I."

M: Rowen smiled and ruffled his son's hair, "Then to the theatre we will go, even if that particular one isn't standing anymore, I will find one we can go to, just the four of us."

Before Johann could respond, there was a bout of screaming that sounded like it came from a little girl. The two turned back to the others expecting Helena or Adira to be in trouble, yet all they saw was MA once again being chased by Earl Grey, luckily without Helena riding on him. Everyone was laughing as the country's face of the military was being run down by a miniature pony.

The equine managed to get a lucky shot on him and bit off a few of his feathers, adding to his childish cried, but instead of doing the smart thing and getting out of the fenced in field, he climbed up a random tree and dangled from the branches, all the while the pony was jumping up to chomp at him.

N: "Did...did Derogan slowly grow more stupid over the centuries," Johann wondered out loud as he chuckled, and the pair walked towards the scene to get a closer look.

When Helena saw them, she ran over to them, her face filled with worry but also confusion. "Papa, Earl Grey always tries to hurt Uncle Derogan," she explained, "and he always makes mean comments about him, which is stupid, but now Earl Grey won't leave the tree."

M: "I think he's getting his just rewards," Rowen chuckled, "if you play cruel games, you're gonna win cruel prizes," he walked closer to the tree and stared disappointedly at his eldest son, "So what have we learned boy?"

"Don't take Helena away from the murder machine," MA grumbled, which earned him another mouthful of feathers being bitten off, "OW ow, ok, I'm sorry god damn it, I'm sorry, now leave me alone!"

Satisfied with the apology, Earl Grey trotted off to nuzzle Helena, letting the militant fall out of the tree and knocking the wind out of himself.

"You do realize your wings are made to let you fly away from danger, right," Rowen pointed out.

"And you realize that I just had two chunks of them eaten off," the Mandarian grumbled as he was helped up, "I'm old, and I've fought so many wars, my wings aren't like they used to be, I think the only active flier is Poldara now."

N: "And yet, while you knew that your wings weren't like what they used to be, you still taunted a pony," Johann shook his head and smirked, "you're becoming both old and senile, brother."

He then turned as he heard Helena giggle from Earl Grey nuzzling her, so he walked over to them and knelt down, and although he saw how violent the pony could be, he still carefully petted it.

"You are a beauty, aren't you," he softly smiled.

M: Earl Grey tensed when Johann began to pet him, it seemed like he wasn't fond of males in general, not just MA, but since Jo was complimenting him he didn't attack just yet. Rowen smiled at the interaction, at least Johann was getting along with the horses.

After making sure MA was okay, he walked over to the others and leaned on the fence next to Wolfgang, "so how are you and Niko holding up, did that pony give you two a hard time?"

N: "See, we did the smart thing and avoided him," Wolfgang chuckled before sighing, "ja, we're doing fine. Niko found himself a horse, luckily one that's the right age for him, and Harley is helping him out with familiarising him with being on a horse."

As he watched his son quickly remember his horse riding skills, the Saxon would glance from time to time at a black stallion that closely resembled his own.

"I think I might hold off the whole idea of 'horse riding' for a while," he muttered, "Blackjack's...well, the memory of him is still a bit too fresh."

M: "I understand buddy, I feel the same way," Rowen, "even if Star Dust died well before everyone else's horses, I don't want to ride another just yet."

He looked around for anyone else, "MC must be very entertaining, I haven't seen the others in a while. At least people can still enjoy watching horses and not just those screens."

N: "At least," Wolfgang nodded, "it's no fun sitting down and staring at a screen to be entertained. It's much better to see the entertainment in person."

M: "Hey, you gotta admit, that show with you and your friends was very entertaining," Rowen said, nudging the other with his elbow, "I think my favorite episode was the one with the cockatrice where Johann was scared shitless, I'm starting to think that Mandara and Derogan must have written the script, how else could people have known that Jo was scared of chickens?"

The two continued to chat for the next hour or so, just reminiscing about how much simpler things were. Eventually everyone decided that it was time to head back home, they said goodbye to their horses and went back to the rodeo ring to pick up the others, but they were seriously shocked by what they saw.

There were EMTs surrounding someone on the ground, while a bunch of people on horses were trying to wrangle a large bull, which on closer inspection, had quite a bit of blood drenching his horns. Concerned, the others tried to get closer to see who got hurt, an EMT stopped them but they were close enough to see that it was indeed MC, but he was sitting up and laughing, so it probably wasn't as bad as it looks, right?

Poldara rushed up to them and ran into his father's arms, crying and trembling in fear, he tried to explain what happened but was hard to understand. He was able to say that the bull busted out of the pen and plowed into his husband, goring into one of his legs, but somehow the American was able to fight it off.

N: "How...what is that man made of," Wolfgang wondered out loud, his face filled with confusion and shock, "he has the endurance of a thousand men."

"Is he alright," Johann asked, although he wasn't sure who would answer, "I mean, clearly he isn't, but how bad is it?"

M: "MC is fine, the man lost his arm to a cannonball and was nearly mauled by a mountain lion, this is just a Tuesday for him," Zalia stated as she and Prudoria walked up to them, "the only person who isn't okay is Poldara since he watched the whole thing."

"Hey guys, I got a new souvenir," MC called to them when he noticed them, "I'll be ok, we're just gonna take a trip to the hospital and slap some stitches on it, I'll be home in time for dinner."

"I better go with Poldara to the hospital with him," Mandara sighed, "this is what you get when you leave the goddamn Americans unsupervised, especially the ones from the southern states. Poland should be home when you get back. Say hi to him for me."

With that, the two Mandarians followed after the medics as they took away MC. Before the others left Zalia did ask if they knew where Corbin was.

N: Most of them shook their heads, even looking around to see if the Prussian was there, and eventually Johann answered.

"I did see him trying to ride a horse, although poorly, and he might be doing that," the Mandorian spoke, "but I have no idea where he is now."