Unbreakable: The Element of Hope

Paramount Pictures presents, in association with Hasbro and Lionsgate.

The scene opens with a boy slowly waking up in his room as I slowly leans up from the bed. He lets out a yawn as he approaches the bathroom. He turns on the light in the room that illuminates the bathroom and reveals Max.

He picks up the toothbrush and puts toothpaste on it and then he brushes his teeth. Once he brushed them for a good 2 minutes, he rinses his mouth with some water, swishing it around and gargling the water before spitting it in the sink.

After that, He goes to his closet with holds an organized set of clothes from one end to the other. He then picks out the usual pair of clothes he goes with when he goes to school.

A sweatshirt, short sleeve shirt, and blue jeans.

He then picked up his book, Five Nights at Freddy's: The Silver Eyes, He also puts in a Disney travel book, and checks his Walt Disney Treasure, I Love Lucy, Universal Monster, and Andy Griffith DVDs, And put all of them in his bag. He also grabs a toboggan with him and puts it on.

Max grabs his back and places the straps over his shoulders and heads downstairs. He could hear the sound of sizzling bacon on a pan on his way down, the scent of the breakfast; Toast and Bacon hits his nose as he could smell it on his way to the bottom of the steps. He looks over to see his mother (A.K Yearling) preparing breakfast for him. She looks over and smiles at her son as he smiles back at her.

her hair shifts to a windswept grayscale style. She wears an olive-green short-sleeved safari shirt, khaki shorts, and sturdy lace-up boots, with her signature pith helmet completing the adventurer look. Her skin tone is a warm light gold, and her eyes are a vivid moderate rose, adding a pop of color against the earthy outfit.

A.K Yearling: "Morning baby!"

Max: "Morning mom."

His mother gave him a light kiss on the forehead as he smiles softly.

A.K Yearling: "Did you sleep well, sweetie?"

Max: "I did."

A.K Yearling: "That's great to hear."

The moment is interrupted by Wally Reeves stepping into the kitchen, his face clouded. A.K. notices instantly.

A.K. Yearling: "Honey, what's wrong?"

Wally Reeves: "I just found out my sis and her kids are coming over."

Just like that, A.K Yearling's expression frowned at this and grew a look that looked hundred percent done.

A.K Yearling: "Are you kidding me?"

Wally Reeves: "No. I wish I was."

Max tenses. The memory of his aunt's sharply delivered "advice" — the way she'd fire off complex academic questions like verbal darts — prickles against the edge of his mind.

Max: "Is she really coming here?"

His parents exchange a glance that says more than words could.

Wally Reeves: "Unfortunately, son."

Max's gaze falls to the table, appetite fading. His mother's eyes flick to him, protective and regretful.

Then a sound of a car horn is heard outside. Max's expression slightly lightened up,

Max: "That must be AppleJack."

A.K Yearling: "Well, have a good day at school sweetie."

She kisses his forehead as he left the house after finishing his meal. The parents were by the table as they both sighed.

A.K Yearling: "I just don't understand why she would want to come now of all days."

Wally Reeves: "She does mean well."

A.K Yearling: "Means well?! She overwhelmed Max with complicated questions like they were flash cards!"

Wally Reeves: "I couldn't agree more! All she wants for Max is a high education. I can understand she does."

A.K. leans back, folding her arms. The quiet hum of the fridge and the faint hiss of cooling bacon fill the space. Both of them are thinking the same thing: the visit isn't just inconvenient — it's disruptive, and it could push at the careful balance Max relies on.

She glances toward the stairs, even though Max is long gone, and lowers her voice as though protecting his absence.

A.K. Yearling: "It's taken him a long time to feel steady again."

Wally nods, his gaze fixed on a dark swirl in his coffee.

Wally Reeves: "We'll make sure she understands this time."

She softly smiles at her husband as he returns a soft smile back.

Wally Reeves: "So, how's the new book you're writing?"

A.K. Yearling: "it's going pretty good. Although, it's a bit difficult figuring out the next part."

Wally Reeves: "Well, I'm sure it will come to you. You are an amazing writer after all."

She smirks and rolls her eyes.

A.K. Yearling: "You're just saying that cause I'm your wife."

He smirks slightly at her.

Wally Reeves: "Maybe, but your stories are good."

The two then laugh together and they hold each other's hands. They press their foreheads together.

Wally Reeves: "I love you."

A.K. Yearlong: "I love you too."

———

Max walks out of the house, back-pack straps slung over his shoulders. He sees AppleJack and her pickup truck.

Max: "Hey AJ."

AppleJack's face beamed with joy once she saw Max walk out the house.

AppleJack: "Howdy SugarCube!"

AppleJack joyful demeanor then switches to concern and worry once she notices Max appears more sad.

Applejack: "Why the long face?"

Max frowns slightly more, showing that he isn't in the grandest of joyous of emotional state.

Max: "I... found out my aunt and cousins are visiting."

AppleJack's expression softens into a sympathetic.

AppleJack: "Aw shucks.... Wanna stay over at my place?"

Max's face lights up, hope shinning like sunlight reflecting off of a seashell. A small smile grows on his face, but then slowly fades.

Max: "I wouldn't mind it... But I don't want her to lecture me on missing studies...again..."

Applejack sighs as they two get into her truck and head for Canterlot High School. On the way, Applejack could tell that Max wasn't exactly in the joyous of moods. An uncomfortable awkward silence hangs in the air. Applejack then breaks it.

AppleJack: "Look, you can just ignore her. Or, if you want, I can give her a stern talking to."

Max: "My parents already tried that... it...didn't end well...."

Applejack frowns. An idea pops in AppleJack's head, in hopes of cheering him up.

AppleJack: "Your birthday is coming up Sprout. Mind telling me what you want?"

Applejack says with a cheerful tone of voice. Max's expression lightens a bit.

Max: "Dinosaur Documentary DVDs, Marvel Zombie comics, Disney Gift Cards and DVDs... I can't decide whether to go to the aquarium or the Movie Theaters."

AppleJack smiles.

———

The truck then pulls into the Counterlot High School parking lot, the speed decreasing as Applejack moves the truck into the parking spot. She grasps the stick and moves it into the Parking Gear Shift. AppleJack and Max then exit the vehicle and head into the school.

AppleJack: "See ya at lunch, Sprout."

She waves at Max, who sheepishly waves back.

Max: "See you soon AJ."

The two then go to their separate ways to their classrooms.

Max slid into his usual seat near the window, the one where the sunlight didn't hit his eyes directly but still let him watch the clouds drift lazily over Canterlot High's courtyard. The hum of chatter in the English classroom was a low, tangled buzz — too many voices overlapping, like several radio stations playing at once. He tapped his pencil against the desk in a steady rhythm, not because he was impatient, but because it helped him keep his thoughts from scattering.

Miss Cheerilee was already writing the day's lesson on the board in her neat, looping script. Poetry Analysis: Symbolism and Mood. Max's eyes caught on the swirls of chalk dust as they drifted down — tiny white motes against the green board — and for a moment, he was more interested in the way they floated than in the words themselves.

He opened his notebook, flipping past pages filled with doodles in the margins — little sketches of Pokémon, Sonic characters, and a few original designs he'd been working on. The lines of the paper felt grounding under his fingertips.

Miss Cheerilee: "Alright, class,"

She began, her voice warm but clear

Miss Cheerilee: "Today we're going to look at how poets use imagery to create emotion."

Max's brain immediately started making connections — imagery in poems was like the way he built scenes in his own stories, layering colors, textures, and sounds until they felt real. But as she spoke, his attention kept darting between her words, the ticking clock above the door, and the faint scent of dry-erase markers from the whiteboard on the far wall.

He knew he'd have to work a little harder to keep his focus, but that was okay. He had his own system: jot down key words, sketch a quick symbol in the margin, then circle back later to fill in the details. It wasn't the way everyone else did it, but it worked for him — and that was what mattered.

——

After English, Max then walks into his next classroom.

The scent of sawdust hit Max the moment he stepped into the wood shop. It was warm and earthy, like the inside of an old tree, and it clung to the air in a way that made the fluorescent lights seem softer. He liked that — it was grounding.

Rows of workbenches stretched across the room, each scattered with clamps, rulers, and half-finished projects. The low hum of the ventilation fans mixed with the occasional whirr of a sander from the far corner, creating a steady background noise that Max could tune into, like a rhythm track in his head.

Mr. Timber Spruce — subbing in for the regular shop teacher — greeted the class with a grin.

Mr. Timber Spruce: "Alright, folks, today we're working on dovetail joints. Precision is key."

Max slid into his usual spot at the end bench, where he had a clear view of the tools but enough space to keep from bumping elbows. He ran his fingers over the smooth grain of the pine board in front of him, tracing the lines like they were part of a map. His mind was already breaking the task into steps: measure, mark, cut, check, adjust.

The chatter of classmates swirled around him — Flash Sentry joking with Sandalwood about whose project would fall apart first, Derpy giggling as she tried to fit her safety goggles over her headband. Max smiled faintly but kept his focus on the pencil in his hand, sketching the guide lines with careful, deliberate strokes.

Sometimes his thoughts wanted to dart off — to the half-finished fanfic scene in his notebook, to the Pokémon team he'd been designing last night — but the tactile feel of the wood and the faint vibration of the saws kept him anchored. He liked the way the shop smelled, the way the tools felt in his hands, the way each cut made a sound that was sharp but satisfying.

It wasn't just about building something. It was about the quiet rhythm of the work, the way his brain could hum along with the machines and, for a while, everything else faded into the background.

After class, Max notices Derpy. She appears to have trouble with getting them off. She let out a soft, quiet whimper.

Max: "Here, let me help."

Max carefully helps Derpy with her apron and goggles. She smiles at him, her eyes are golden. They also appear to be cross-eyed.

Derpy: "Thank you."

Max: "You're welcome, Ms Derpy."

She giggles softly. The two then waved goodbye to each other as Max makes his way to the cafeteria.

——

Max picks up his tray — Already having food on it. He looks around and sees Pinkie Pie's hand waving frantically in the air, flagging him to wear the group is. He smiled softly and approaches to the table. He sits next to Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash: "Heya Sketch. How've you bean?"

Max: "Good. Thank you, Dashie."

Rainbow Dazh softly smirks as she gently pats Max on his back.

Fluttershy: "H-how was class?"

She said with a hint blush across her face.

Max: "They were... good."

Rarity: "So darling, I hear that your birthday is coming up. What's on your list, darling?"

Pinkie Pie: "Oh! Oh! Oh! I know! A Dinosaur Documentary, Universal theme park, and A SUPER DUPER DEE DUPPER AWESOME AMAZING BIRTHDAY PARTY!!"

Pinkie Pie said in her "Pinkie-Amazo-Flair and Pizazz. Her eyes dialed big and shining.

Max: "Well.... Dinosaur Documentary DVDs, Marvel Zombie comics, Disney Gift Cards and DVDs... I can't decide whether to go to the aquarium or the Movie Theaters."

Rainbow Dash: "Well, my big game is coming up, if you want to watch your awesome Girl play in it."

She said with confidence in her tone of voice.

Max: "Okay. I guess I can go to your game, dashie."

Rainbow smirked confidently as he has her arms over her shoulders and her hands cupped together behind her head.

Rainbow Dash: "Ha! That's what I like to hear! Front row seat for you, babe. You better be cheering me on loud enough that they hear you in Lexington."

Pinkie Pie: [bouncing up beside them] "And after the game we can totally have a victory party! Win or lose! But mostly win, because Dashie always wins!"

Pinkie giggled and threw confetti out of nowhere, earning an eye roll from Rainbow Dash.

Applejack: [adjusting her hat] "Shoot, Max, ya better show up. Y'know how she gets if she don't have her number one fan cheerin' her on."

She gave Rainbow a teasing smirk, which only made Dash more smug.

Max: "I will. Besides, she always wanted to be on every Basketball, Football, Softball, Volleyball and every other sports team in the United States."

Rainbow Dash: "Because I have so much awesome potential."

She says with a smug grin on her face. Applejack and rarity roll their eyes at it while smiling.

Rainbow Dash: "Plus, with My cheerleader here, [gestures to Max] We'd be unstoppable for sure."

Max blushes at the compliment Rainbow Dash gave her.

AppleJack: "Say, Sprout, what do you wanna do after graduation and everythin'?"

Max: "After graduation? Uhm, I think I'll apply to Blue Ridge."

Fluttershy: "Blue Ridge?"

Rarity: "Didn't a college dean have a heart attack after hearing about that place?"

Max: "Teachers wanted to blame the place, but the guy was over 90. Doctors just said the heart attack after hearing about that place was coincidence of gargantuan proportions."

Pinkie Pie: [snorts into laughter] "Coincidence of gargantuan proportions! Ha! That sounds like something out of a comic book!"

Rainbow Dash: [grinning, elbowing Max lightly] "Still, Blue Ridge, huh? You sure you can handle it? Place has a rep for being tough as nails. But hey, if anyone can pull it off, it's my cheerleader."

Max: [nodding, leaning back against his chair] "Yeah, Blue Ridge is kinda like... if Dollywood, Universal, Disney, and a college program all got mashed together. They run this residency thing for students and young adults who wanna work in entertainment, design, or hospitality."

Rainbow Dash: [tilts her head] "So, like... you get paid to live in an amusement park? That's awesome!"

Max: [grins slightly] "Pretty much. They've got apartment-style dorms right on the edge of the park. Shuttle buses, a mountain view—it's all set up. While you're there, you rotate through different jobs: rides, costumes, show tech, or even creative apprenticeships in set design and animation."

Rarity: [eyes sparkle, clapping her hands together] "Costuming and set design? Oh, darling, that sounds perfect for someone with an artistic eye. Imagine me crafting gowns for a live stage spectacular..."

She swoons at the thought of it.

Pinkie Pie: [gasps, bouncing] "And imagine me running the rides! I'd make every roller coaster a PARTY coaster! Balloons and sprinkles and confetti cannons at the drop!"

Applejack: "Pinkie, if you did that, the janitors would have a conniption cleanin' up after ya."

Fluttershy: [softly, but intrigued] "Um... do they have animal shows? Or... rescues nearby?"

Max: [nodding] "Yeah, they've got an environmental program. Some people even end up working with the animals. It's one of the few parts of the park that connects back to the natural mountain environment."

Rainbow Dash: [leaning in with a grin] "Okay, but what do you get out of it? Like, where does this lead?"

Max: [shrugs, but a spark of excitement creeps into his tone] "Graduating from Blue Ridge is like a golden ticket. Alumni have gone on to film, theater, music, engineering—you name it. It's kind of the launchpad if you don't want the traditional college grind, but you still want a career that matters."

Rarity: [arching a brow delicately] "Well, darling, I did hear about some sort of scandal with Blue Ridge not too long ago. Something about... oh, what was it? Workplace issues, I think? Some dreadful rumor about students being overworked or mistreated or sexually harassed?"

The other girls glance at Max with concern—Fluttershy especially, her eyes wide.

Fluttershy: [softly] "Oh no... is it... is it not safe?"

Max: [shaking his head firmly, sitting up straighter] "No, no—it's not like that. That whole story? Completely fake. It was stirred up by a few colleges and universities that see Blue Ridge as competition. They've been trying to smear the place for years."

Rainbow Dash: [frowning, arms crossed] "Wait, so you're saying schools are just jealous? That's kinda lame."

Max: [nodding] "Exactly. Traditional colleges don't like the idea of a program that actually works for people who want careers in entertainment or design without the grind of student debt and four years of lectures. So, they try to make it look shady. The truth is, every investigation that's been done clears Blue Ridge. It's just... sour grapes from the big-name universities."

Applejack: [scratching her chin thoughtfully] "Figures. Nothin' riles folks up faster than seein' someone else doin' somethin' better."

Rarity: [clearing her throat delicately, resting a hand on Max's arm] "Now, I believe we're overlooking something far more important..."

The girls turn to her curiously. Rarity smiles knowingly and leans in closer to Max.

Rarity: "Max's birthday is just around the corner."

Pinkie Pie: [gasps loudly, pulling out a notepad and pencil from nowhere] "Eeeep! You're right! This calls for the biggest, most fantabulous, most cupcake-stacked, balloon-filled—"

Applejack: [placing a hand on Pinkie's shoulder, chuckling] "Easy there, sugarcube. Don't go plannin' the whole fairground before we ask the birthday boy what he wants."

Fluttershy: [softly, with a sweet smile] "Max... do you... do you have anything special in mind? Something you've always wanted?"

Max: [blinking, rubbing the back of his neck] "Oh, uh... I wasn't really thinkin' about it. Still trying to pick between having an aquarium or a movie theater. I mean, just spending the day with you girls sounds pretty great already."

Rainbow Dash: [throwing her hands up] "Boooring! You gotta want something cool, dude! Like skydiving tickets! Or—ooh, a new guitar so you can rock out with me!"

Rarity: [frowning playfully at Dash] "Really, Rainbow, not everything has to be loud and reckless." [she turns back to Max with a warm, elegant smile] "I, for one, would be absolutely thrilled to design something tailor-made for you. A jacket, perhaps, or... a proper suit. Something to bring out your handsome side."

Pinkie Pie: [bouncing excitedly] "Or maybe all of the above! Jacket, cake, skydiving, guitar, balloons, and—"

Applejack: [cutting in with a chuckle] "Or maybe we just ask Max what he wants before Pinkie plans the whole county fair."

All five girls look at Max expectantly, their smiles full of warmth. For once, the boy at the center of it all feels just a little flustered.

Max: [smiling awkwardly, but touched] "Well... I guess just havin' you all around me that day... would be the best gift I could ask for."

The girls melt at his words—Fluttershy's cheeks flush pink, Rarity clasps her hands dramatically, and even Rainbow Dash looks away quickly, trying to hide a blush.

——

Max is seen walking down the hallway to his next class— cooking class.

Suddenly, He accidentally bumps his shoulder into a girl with red and yellow long hair.

Max: "O-oh, i-I'm so sorry miss."

The girl then turns around to face Max. Her eyes a greenish teal color. She has bright orange skin. Her attire is Leather jacket with a purple shirt and a sun symbol, and an orange, yellow, and purple skirt.

Her voice edged with venom and fang.

???: "You better be! Just who do you think you are for that?"

Max: "Uh oh..."

He recognized that voice from anywhere. It was Sunset Shimmer.

The strange girl that came out of nowhere and started bullying the whole school into it being her personal playhouse. No student was mad enough to stand up to her.

Max: "I-i-i-I'm so so sorry Ms shimmer. I didn't mean to!"

Max was scared, him and Sunset don't exactly have a good history together. Max wasn't stupid enough to agitate her. But that didn't stop her from bullying him. In fact, due to his own shyness and quiet demeanor, he was pretty much easy prey for bullies like her.

She scares him more by scaring him, making him think she was gonna hit him. He covers his face instinctively. She laughs in a cruel tone.

Sunset Shimmer: "Watch it, werido! Or you'll regret it."

With that, she walks off. Max felt a pang in his stomach. He was pretty much easy prey for bullies. He's not insane to try and fight back.

——

Max adjusted the strap of his backpack as he stepped into the cooking classroom. The air was already thick with the smell of flour and sugar, and the clatter of bowls and pans echoed off the tiled walls. His eyes darted around the room, scanning for a safe spot—somewhere not too close to the chatter of other students, but not so far away that he'd look like he was avoiding everyone.

Routine mattered to him, and this class was new enough that his brain buzzed with questions: Where do I stand? What if I mess up the recipe? What if the noise gets too loud? His ADHD tugged his attention in three directions at once—the shiny metal mixing bowls, the colorful posters of food pyramids on the wall, the faint hum of the overhead lights.

Then he spotted them.

Pinkie Pie was already bouncing at a workstation, her apron covered in flour like she'd been in the middle of a snowball fight. Fluttershy stood beside her, carefully measuring sugar into a bowl, her movements slow and deliberate, like she was trying not to disturb the air itself.

Max felt his chest loosen a little. Pinkie's energy was overwhelming sometimes, but it was predictable in its own way—like a firework show you knew was coming. And Fluttershy... Fluttershy was safe. She never rushed him, never made him feel weird for needing extra time.

Pinkie Pie: "Max!"

Pinkie waved both arms like she was trying to flag down an airplane.

Pinkie Pie: "Over here! We saved you a spot!"

The sudden volume made Max flinch, his shoulders tightening. He hesitated, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Fluttershy noticed and gave Pinkie a gentle nudge.

Fluttershy: "Maybe... a little quieter, Pinkie,"

She whispered. Then, to Max, she offered a small smile.

Fluttershy: "It's okay. You can work with us, if you'd like."

Max nodded, grateful for the option instead of a demand. He slid into the space beside them, setting his bag down carefully. His fingers tapped against the counter—three quick taps, then a pause, then three again. The rhythm helped him focus, grounding him against the swirl of noise in the room.

Pinkie leaned over, eyes sparkling.

Pinkie Pie: "We're making cupcakes today! I was this close to adding confetti to the batter, but Fluttershy said maybe sprinkles would be safer."

Fluttershy gave a soft laugh.

Fluttershy: "Confetti isn't... edible."

Max's lips twitched into a small smile. He liked that about them—the way Pinkie's wild ideas and Fluttershy's gentle corrections balanced each other out. It made the space feel less like a storm and more like a rhythm he could step into.

As the teacher began explaining the recipe, Max's ADHD tugged at him again. His mind drifted—What if I forget the steps? What if I spill something?—but then Fluttershy quietly slid the printed recipe toward him, her finger pointing to the first line.

Fluttershy: "One step at a time,"

She said softly.

Max exhaled, the tension in his chest easing. One step at a time. He could do that.

——

The afternoon sun beat down over the football field, students gathering along the track as the gym teacher barked instructions.

Coach Flash Magnus: "Alright, everyone—ten laps around the field! Pace yourselves, but no slacking off. Let's move!"

The group of students groaned collectively, but began spreading out. Max adjusted his scarf nervously, tightening it before glancing around. His eyes landed on Rainbow Dash—already stretching, her gym shorts and tank top showing off her toned arms and legs. She grinned, cracking her knuckles with the confidence of someone who lived for this.

Rainbow Dash: [smirking at him] "Try not to eat my dust, Maxie. I'll even slow down for you if you're lucky."

Max felt heat rush to his cheeks. He quickly looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.

Max: [muttering under his breath] "... she really knows how to make a guy nervous..."

Pinkie Pie bounced up beside him in her gym clothes, twirling a jump rope she brought for no reason.

Pinkie Pie: "Oooooh, Maxie's blushing! Is it 'cause Dashie's got her game face on? Or maybe it's because you liiiiiiike—"

Max: [cutting her off, flustered] "S-Shhh!"

Applejack jogged over, tipping her hat back with a smirk.

Applejack: "Don't worry none, Sprout. You know Dash always puts on a show before a run. Best just ignore her smack talk."

The students broke into motion, some sluggish, others bolting forward. Max lagged a bit behind, adjusting to the pace, but his eyes couldn't help wandering ahead...

There she was.

Rainbow Dash.

She was already sprinting at full speed, her gym outfit—a tank top and shorts—clinging comfortably as she moved with athletic precision. Her ponytail bounced with every stride, her toned legs practically eating up the track. She looked confident, powerful, unstoppable.

Max felt his cheeks burn.

Max: [muttering under his breath] "Wow... she's... amazing."

He quickly looked away, hoping nobody noticed, but the blush across his face betrayed him.

Applejack: [jogging up beside him with an amused smirk] "Careful there, sugarcube. If ya keep starin' like that, you're gonna trip over your own two feet."

Max coughed awkwardly, adjusting his pace.

Max: "I-I wasn't staring! Just... you know, admiring her form. Athletically. Like... sports form."

Applejack: [raising an eyebrow knowingly] "Mmhmm. Sure you were."

Ahead, Rainbow Dash glanced over her shoulder, catching Max watching her for just a second. She smirked and picked up the pace even more, clearly showing off.

Rainbow Dash: [calling back with a grin] "Hey, cheerleader! Try to keep up!"

Max and the others kept running on the track. Rainbow Dash's speed was quite fast, you'd almost think she was prodigy of Usain himself. It wasn't abnormally fast, but she was faster then the others in the track. Max, although not as athletically fast or stronger than the high-average person, did keep his pace going for quite a while. He wasn't terribly slow, but he wasn't incredibly fast like Rainbow Dash, just at a decent, medium pace and speed.

As he was running, he couldn't help but feel like he was being watched by someone. It felt strange... he didn't think anyone was watching him, but something, like a sixth sense, was telling him that he was being watched. He shook his head and focus primarily on the race.

After what felt like some time, they managed to finish 5 laps around the track. Everyone is obviously panting from the running. It didn't help the fact that it was pretty hot outside.

Max wasn't the biggest fan of the heat. He hated sweating for how he felt during it. It felt like his skin was a tight leather suit that he needed to take off. But he couldn't, for obvious reasons. Max has fanning his face to attempt to cool off that way. It also didn't help that his shirt was sticking to his skin. His muscles were pulsing from how much he ran. Even though it was only 5 laps, it felt a lot longer than just 5 laps around the track.

Rainbow Dash, on one hand, is sweating a lot, but on the other hand, it looked like she was itching for more than just 5 laps. Heck, maybe even more than 10 laps around the track.

It does confuse him on how much stamina she has in total, but he still loves her regardless on how much energy she can burn.

After freshening up out of their gym uniforms, Class ends.

——

The school bell rings, indicating that it's time to go home.

Max walks out the front door entrance and is greeted by the sunlight from the sky. His eyes adjust to see within the day.

As he is walking out, he sees the girls by the statue outside of the school.

Max: "Hi, Gals..."

Rarity: "Hello, Darling."

She said, as if her words themselves were dressed in fashion.

Fluttershy: "Hi Max."

She said, quietly and kindly. She hardly raised her voice at all.

Pinkie Pie: "Hiya Maxie!"

She says while bouncing with happy and excited energy.

Rainbow Dash: "Sup, Babe."

Rainbow Dash says with a smug smirk on her face as she leans against the statue.

AppleJack: "Heya Sugarcub."

AppleJack tips her hat to Max whilst smiling at him.

Max smiles softly, he couldn't ask better friends then them. Heck, even girlfriends. You'd think they'd turn on each other out of jealousy. But Max has been smart enough for it. So he makes sure each of the girls are loved equal and lots.

AppleJack: "Today's gym test wasn't so bad today. Earn up quite the sweat huh, Dash?"

Rainbow Dash: "Yeah, we did. But I'm clearly the best runner in the whole school."

She said, her arrogantly cocky attitude as he folds her arms behind her head.

Applejack and Rarity hold a smirk as they roll their eyes at Rainbow's bravado.

Max: "Yeah, you are pretty fast. Dashie."

AppleJack: "Just don't let it get your head, Rainbow."

Rainbow Dash: "Yeah yeah, I know."

She looks over at Max and smirks at him, giving him a wink.

Rainbow Dash: "Thanks babe."

Max's cheeks grew slightly red at her.

Max: "Speaking of which, what are your plans for the weekend girls?"

He asked them.

Fluttershy: "Well, I'm volunteering for the animal shelter just near the zoo."

She said, her voice quiet but not too quiet for them not to hear. There's some slight excitement in her tone of voice too. She always loved animals. She could tell you any detail about the animal kingdom. Although, she is extremely shy at times.

Pinkie Pie: "I'm planning a super duper ultra mega amazing awesome fantastic Super Amazing terrifically awesome Super Birthday party!"

She exclaimed all in one breath before deeply gasping. It's honestly amazing how much she can talk in under one breath without passing out. Honestly, it's a thought Max does occasionally have with Pinkie. That thought being, "What if she had like 10 energy drinks?" It was both intriguing, but also terrifying to think about at the same time.

Rainbow Dash: "I'm planning on training, can't sit back and not let my Awesomeness go to waste."

She said, her voice littered with arrogant bravado. Rainbow Dash always wants to prove that she's the best in athletics. So she plays and practices any sports that take blood, sweat and tears to go through it. She does care for her friends, especially Max, and is fiercely loyal to them through thick and thin.

AppleJack: "Well, I'm planning on helping Big Mac with the apple ciders for this season."

She said, her voice being the causal country girl and hard worker. Applejack is an honest to God hard worker. She does tend to forget to take breaks here in there, but she means well. She is honest when it comes to something personal to her or to her friends, Max especially. She does have her flaws, but she will be protective of her friends, especially Max.

Rarity: "Well, I'm designing the most Fabulously stunning outfits. That reminds me, Maxie darling, you should meet my family someday. I'm sure they be marveled by you."

She Said, somehow her just saying Fabulous is rich with it. Rarity has always been a fashionista. She can design anything as long as it have some style and glitter to it. Even though she may appear like a spoiled drama queen at times, she is Generous. There is hardly a time where she isn't generous. She may have flaws about being "cleaner than a Diamond," but she does care for her friends, especially Max. Heck, she'll even make dresses and suits for them, expecting nothing in return, other than a thank you of course.

Max: "I'll think on it for a bit... Not sure if my aunt would even let me out of the house."

Fluttershy: "Why are you worried about your aunt?"

Applejack's smile, fades away as she lets out a sigh.

AppleJack: "Turns out. His aunt and cousins are visiting."

The girl's attitudes immediately changed, just from hearing that news.

Rainbow Dash: "Are you serious?!"

She said, her tone sharp and agitated.

Fluttershy's face fell down, Pinkie Pie's hair deflated, Rarity's eye twitches just form the mere mention of them.

Rarity: "Well, if you are ever overwhelmed with her, you can always call me or the girls."

She said, genuinely offering comfort. The girls agree with this term.

Max: "Thank you. Rarity..."

The girls and Max then make their way to AppleJack's truck. They all enter the truck, with Applejack driving, and she drives the way to Max's home.

Applejack then moves the truck to the road to Max's house. She then sees another car in the driveway. A very, familiar car. She lets out a sigh, knowing fully well who's car that is. She then parks her truck in some bushes and the girls sneak behind the house.

Max: "Now, question is, how am I gonna get in there?"

Pinkie Pie: "Okay, first things first, we all universally agree that biting the bullet and just meet them is off the table. All in favor, say cupcakes."

The girls + Max: "Cupcakes."

Pinkie pie suddenly points directly at the screen.

Pinkie Pie: "You all out there agree?"

The girls and Max stare in confusion on why Pinkie Pie is staring at a direction and talking, like she's talking to an imaginary friend or having a schizophrenic episode.

Then, an idea popped in Max's head.

Max: (a half-smile, a little vulnerable) "You know... maybe sneaking in is the best idea. My dad used to do that with my mom when they were teenagers — slip in through her window, hang out, listen to music, whisper dumb jokes so she'd laugh. They made it a whole silly tradition."

There's a quiet hush. The idea of giving him back a tiny piece of normal makes the group take a breath together.

Applejack: (nodding, determined) "Well, sugarcube, that sounds real sweet. And sneakin' in's easy enough if we do it clever-like."

Rainbow Dash: "Pfft, you don't even have to ask me twice. As long as we don't run into your aunt and her little clones, I'm all in. Seriously, Max, those three are like—boss battle minibosses, but without the XP reward."

Max chuckles softly, though there's still weight in his eyes. The rest of the girls exchange uneasy glances, each remembering their own run-ins.

One by one, the girls all sneak in through the back porch and up the fire escape. They then climb their way up and slip in through the window into Max's room. Max follows lastly and they are all in his room now. It is a bit small, but it's still good.

Rarity: (rolling her eyes dramatically, one hand to her chest) "Ugh, don't remind me. The last time I encountered them, I mentioned I'd spent an afternoon designing dresses for our Fall Formal. Do you know what they said? That I was 'wasting potential' and that I should've been studying advanced calculus instead. Calculus! As if chiffon ever bowed to arithmetic."

Applejack: (snorting) "That's nothin'. One time, I was helpin' Max fix up an old bike out in the barn, and his cousins came nosin' around. They called it—what was it again?—'manual labor with no transferable skills.' Then they asked if I'd considered applyin' myself to somethin' with more 'academic rigor.'"

She tips her hat back with a scoff. "Nearly made me toss a wrench at 'em."

Fluttershy: (quietly, clutching her arm) "They... um... they once saw me feeding a family of baby raccoons in Max's yard. And instead of thinking they were cute, they... they told me it was 'unsanitary' and that I should be focusing on lab research if I loved animals so much."

Her face drops, voice trembling just a little.

Fluttershy: "They made me feel... small. Like my kindness didn't matter."

Pinkie Pie: (hair puffing flat at the memory, but her voice still full of bounce) "And don't forget when I tried to throw them a 'Meet the girlfriends' party! They didn't even eat a single cupcake! Said sugar was 'for the weak-minded' and then spent the whole time quizzing me on state capitals! Like—hello? You can't put candles in a pop quiz!"

Max cringes, the memories hitting him like a gut punch. He rubs the back of his neck, sighing.

Max: "Yeah... I remember. That dinner was... a disaster."

The girls glance at him, waiting for him to explain.

Max (cont'd): "I just... wanted to introduce you all to my family. Mom, dad, grandma Gert, grandpa Tim, Uncle Issac, uncle Nigel, and my aunt and cousins. I thought maybe if they saw how amazing you girls were, they'd back off. But instead... they picked at every little thing. How Rarity's dress was 'frivolous,' how Applejack's accent made her sound 'uneducated,' how Pinkie's laugh was 'distracting,' how Fluttershy wasn't assertive enough, and Rainbow..."

Rainbow Dash: (scowling) "Yeah, I remember. 'Athletics aren't a real future.'" She snorts bitterly, crossing her arms. "I was two seconds away from showing 'em exactly how real a future a soccer ball to the face is."

Max lowers his head, guilt tightening in his chest.

Applejack: "At least Uncle Issac and uncle Nigel were nice."

Max: "Yeah, they were..."

Max laid back on his bed. Applejack and Fluttershy sit on either side of him. Fluttershy's fingers brush across a folded brochure poking out of Max's backpack at the foot of the bed. Curious, she gently pulls it free.

Fluttershy: (softly, holding it up) Oh... what's this?

Max: (turns his head a little, voice tired) Blue Ridge. I grabbed that from the counselor's office weeks ago. Haven't read it yet

Fluttershy carefully unfolds the glossy paper. Applejack leans in over her shoulder as Fluttershy begins to read aloud, her voice almost a whisper but filled with awe.

Fluttershy: "'Blue Ridge Residency Program... offers housing for students and young adults who want to work in entertainment, design, or hospitality. Apartment-style dorms overlooking the park... transportation included. Shuttle buses every half hour to the resort and nearby plaza... restaurants, movie theaters, a full supermarket...'"

Her eyes widen a little as she looks between the page and Max.

Fluttershy (cont'd): "Max, this sounds... amazing."

Applejack: (whistles low) "Sure does. They're practically handin' ya the whole package. Roof over your head, food close by, even a shuttle system. That's better than half the college setups I've seen."

Max sits up a little, his expression lighting up with nervous excitement.

Max: "Yeah. I've been looking into it. It's not... y'know, the traditional college route, but—" *He gestures vaguely, searching for words.* "It's different. And different's not bad. They take people who want to work in entertainment, design, hospitality... even show tech and animation. I read online that if you apply early—even in high school—they can put you on a waiting list for interviews."

Fluttershy leans forward, her soft hands folding the edge of the brochure.

Fluttershy: "Max... do you really want to go there?"

Max: (quiet, honest) "Yeah. I mean... more than anything. I don't want to sit through four years of lectures just to prove something to my aunt or anyone else. I want to do something real. Something that matters, where I can actually see the results of my work."

Rainbow Dash smirks, tossing the stress ball back and forth between her hands.

Rainbow Dash: "Well, if it's about proving what you can do, then you'd crush it. You've already kept up with me, and that's basically impossible."

Max laughs softly, rolling his eyes.

Max: "Dash, it's not a sports tryout."

Rainbow Dash: (grinning, leaning back on her hands)

"Still counts."

Rarity folds the brochure gently and sets it back on the nightstand, her expression thoughtful.

Rarity: "It certainly sounds promising, darling. Very promising indeed. If you want to pursue this, then you absolutely should. We'll support you, and visit you

Max leans back against his pillows, still smiling, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks. He can't help it—just talking about Blue Ridge, and seeing the girls react like that, makes him feel happy

Without warning, Pinkie Pie bounces onto the bed, landing right beside him with her usual springy energy. She slides an arm around his shoulders and squeezes him into a hug that's equal parts warm and suffocating.

Pinkie Pie: "Awww, look at that smile! You're just the cutest thing ever when you get all blushy and excited!"

Before Max can even react, Pinkie leans over and plants a quick kiss on his cheek. His face goes a shade redder instantly.

Max: (stammering, trying to play it cool but failing)

"P-Pinkie...! What was that for?"

Pinkie beams, hugging him tighter.

Pinkie Pie: "Because you're cute, duh! And you deserve to feel good about yourself when you're talking about your dreams. No grumpy aunties, no cranky cousins, just us cheering you on. Got it?"

Rainbow snorts from the end of the bed, smirking at Max's flustered expression.

Rainbow Dash: "Hah! Look at him, he's practically steaming. Pinkie, you broke him."

The girls let out small snickers to the current situation, enjoying the company of Max and each other.

Suddenly, The door swings open and two female individuals burst through Max's door. Both wearing camouflage colored clothing, like they were hunters hunting their target.

Girl cousin 1: "Heya Maxie Raxie."

Max's expression then proceeded to shatter just from hearing that voice. THEE most egotistical, the most spoiled, the most pompous a-hole sounding voice that you could possibly think of, coming from one of the THREE people he did not want to deal with... and it had to be the rip-off siamese cats in human form.

Max: (quietly to himself): "Oh dear fredbear's chin jaw no..."

Pinkie Pie: "Hey! Only we can call him Maxie!"

Girl Cousin 2: "Oh cry me a river, you uncultured party city reject."

Pinkie Pie's hair deflated at that. That was just rude.

Max stayed silent, thinking that they couldn't see him.

Girl Cousin 1: "Why the long face Maxie? Aren't you gonna say hello? Or did auntie just made you more stupid?"

Max took a moment. He inhaled and then exhaled, stealing his nerves.

Max: "...Hello. Alex. Grace."

Alex: "That's better. Honestly, I don't see why mom even bothered with your uneducated mind."

Grace: "Heh, I wonder if he's still dumb like before?"

Max grew nervous.

Alex: "What is the longest river in the world?"

Max: "W-well-"

Grace: "who wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God?"

Max: "That was-"

Alex: "What is the term for the plastic or metal tube on the ends of shoelaces?"

Max: "W-wait hol-"

Grace: "Where were you in the incident in October 26 1995?"

Max: "I wasn't born in 1995. I hadn't even been conceived."

Alex: "Whats the square root of 12,956?"

Max: "H-how-"

Grace: "What are the first two letters on a telephone dial that do not have corresponding letters?"

Max: "Wha-"

Alex: "How much does a cloud weigh?"

Max: "Clouds don't-"

Grace: "How old is the sun?"

Max: "How-"

Alex: "What is the least common blood type among Americans?"

Grace: "Whats the capital of Rome?"

They kept asking complicated questions without the proper time to think. It began to overwhelm Max as his mind was racing with so many answers and yet hardly enough time to think.

AppleJack grabs Max and pulls him to her.

AppleJack: "Alright, that's enough!"

Grace and Alex had a twisted grin on their faces, like twin siamese cats plotting their next move.

Alex: "Oh look, the farm girl is talking."

Grace: "Why don't you go back to your barely functioning farm while we actually make money?"

Applejack bit her tongue from doing something stupid. She wanted to teach them a lesson but held back for Max's sake.

Pinkie then tries to retort, fight fire with fire.

Pinkie Pie: "You two aren't any better you... you... great...Big... Meanies!"

It didn't work out in her plan, as that was all she could utter out.

Grace: "Wow, such vulgar words. Did you come up with those yourself or did you ask google for some baby insults?"

Pinkie Pie's hair felt even more deflated just from that.

Rainbow Dash grits her teeth and her hands clutched into fists. The last thing she wants to deal with is bullies. But bullying her friends and loved one like that, Now. It's personal.

Rarity places a hand on Rainbow's shoulder and gently shaking her head No, refusing to escalate this any more worse—especially for Max.

Apple Jack leans close to Rainbow's ear and whispers,

AppleJack: "Remember what we talked about? We're not gonna beat them, even if these two could use a belt or more."

Rainbow slowly calms down, sighing in defeat. Rainbow dash gently pulls him away from the twins. Fluttershy clings to Max's arm while hiding behind him sheepishly.

Alex folds her arms, a smug half-smile curling at the edge of her mouth.

Grace adjusts her glasses like she's about to present a thesis instead of insult someone.

Alex: Honestly, Max, we were trying to help you. You surround yourself with... this.

She gestures vaguely at the girls.

Alex: It's no wonder you're not applying yourself properly.

Grace: We reviewed your projected GPA. It's... average. Statistically speaking, average students end up in average careers.

Max stiffens. His jaw tightens, but he keeps his voice level.

Max: I'm still in high school...

Grace: Precisely. Which means there's still time to fix it.

Pinkie's lip wobbles, but she straightens, trying again.

Pinkie Pie: Well maybe he doesn't want to be a walking calculator! Maybe he wants to do something fun and creative and amazing and—

Alex: Fun doesn't pay bills.

Rainbow Dash: (stepping forward despite herself) Yeah? And being miserable little smart assss (stopping herself as she remembers she's in a Christian household) as an old computer does?

Rarity squeezes her shoulder again, silently reminding her: not here. Not now.

Rarity: (cool, composed) I'm sure you both have... very impressive report cards. But success isn't limited to one definition.

Grace: That's something people say when they don't have metrics to prove otherwise.

Applejack tips her hat down slightly, eyes narrowing.

Applejack: Funny. Where I come from, we measure folks by how they treat others. And if people were measured by kindness, you would be no bigger than a grain of rice.

Alex scoffs.

Alex: We're realistic.

Fluttershy, still clinging to Max's arm, speaks up — soft but surprisingly steady.

Fluttershy: Realistic doesn't have to mean unkind... There's a flicker of irritation on Grace's face.

Grace: We're not being unkind. We're being honest.

Max exhales slowly. Rainbow Dash stepped forward

Rainbow Dash: You know what? He didn't ask for a performance review! He likes his life. He likes us. Not everything has to be a résumé bullet point.

Alex: And Blue Ridge? That glorified theme park internship?

Applejack's expression hardens.

Applejack: It's a residency program. And yeah, maybe it's not your version of impressive. But at least it's something Max care's about.

Grace: He's wasting potential.

Max looked away sadly

Grace adjusts her glasses again.

Grace: Well. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Alex: When you're still living at home at thirty, we'll try not to say 'we told you so.'

Rainbow bristles again

Rainbow Dash: "He's got five girlfriends! He'll be living with one of us!

Silence. The twins exchange a look — slightly annoyed they didn't get the reaction they wanted.

Alex: "Come on, Grace. We have practice SAT sections to finish.

They turn and walk off, murmuring to each other about "long-term planning."

The tension finally breaks. Pinkie's hair slowly starts to reinflate.

Pinkie Pie: "Okay. I officially don't like them. And I like everyone!

Rainbow Dash: "I was two seconds from breaking something.

Rarity: "Darling, I simply don't see how you're related to them.

Max lets out a shaky breath he didn't realize he was holding.

Max: "They've been like that forever. If they don't feel superior, they make sure you don't...

Max looked down the stairs nervously

Rainbow Dash: "Hey, what's wrong?

Max stares toward the corner that leads to the living room. His shoulders tense just slightly. His hands curl at his sides.

Max: "They're down there.

No one has to ask who they are. Applejack crosses her arms.

Applejack: "Yeah. We figured.

Max swallows.

Max: "You don't get it. Once I go in there, it's... interrogation time. 'What are your plans? What are your scores? Why aren't you doing more? Why are you wasting time?'

His voice shifts — not mocking, but tired. Like he's reciting lines he's heard his whole life.

Max (quietly): "It's like I stop being me and turn into a project.

Rainbow Dash: "Relax babe! We're be with you!

Rarity: "Darling, don't you worry. I'll take charge. I'll dominate the conversation so long they won't have a chance to get anything out.

He gives a weak smile.

Max: "Thank you, but you don't have to. My dad tried that four times. It doesn't work... I just don't want to hear what they have to say today.

Rainbow steps closer.

Rainbow Dash: "Then don't let them talk at you.

Max shakes his head.

Max: "You don't know how it works. They don't yell. They don't scream. They just... dissect. They'll smile while they're doing it too.

Rainbow Dash: "Yikes...

Max: "Yeah...If I go down there, it's gonna start again. The questions. The comparisons. The 'what's your five-year plan?' interrogation.

He forces a weak chuckle.

Max. "And if I don't answer the way she likes, she'll look at Mom like she failed as a parent.

Rainbow Dash: "Your mom wrote one of the best books ever and still raised you!

Rarity: "You mean she raised a nice, respectable and kind young man?

Rainbow Dash: "That too.

Fluttershy gently takes his hand.

Fluttershy: "You don't have to go if you're not ready.

He shakes his head slowly.

Max: "If I don't go, she'll say I'm avoiding accountability."

Applejack steps up beside him.

Applejack: "Sugarcube, just see this as avoidin' a firing squad."

Max couldn't help but chuckle a little

The girls descend the stairs with Max in the middle like a united front. The sound of Aunt Karen's voice gets clearer with every step — sharp, clipped, relentless.

They reach the bottom.

In the living room, Karen sits perfectly upright on the couch, legs crossed, handbag placed beside her like it's part of a courtroom exhibit. Alex and Grace stand nearby, tablets in hand.

Across from her, A.K. Yearling sits on the armchair.

And she looks like she's in the middle of surviving a natural disaster.

Her smile is tight. Too tight. One hand grips her teacup like it personally offended her.

Karen: "And I'm just saying, cleanliness reflects discipline. I noticed a single fingerprint on the hallway mirror. It's concerning. I can't have my kids going there!

A.K.'s eye twitches almost imperceptibly.

A.K. Yearling: "It's a doctor's office, Karen. Odds are they are going to have a finger print on one mirror.

Karen: "Well, perhaps that's the problem.

Alex murmurs something to Grace about "baseline standards."

That's when Karen spots them at the foot of the stairs.

Her eyes lock on Max immediately.

Karen: "Ah. There he is.

Max instinctively straightens. The girls subtly shift closer around him.

A.K. sees them too — and for a brief second, relief flashes across her face.

Backup has arrived.

Karen: "Max, I was just discussing long-term trajectory planning with your mother. I assume you've begun drafting your academic roadmap?:

Max opens his mouth—

Max: :I'm... figuring it out.

Karen hums, dissatisfied.

Karen: "'Figuring it out' is not a strategy. Alex has already outlined his pre-law track. Grace is preparing for biomedical research. At your age, I had three acceptance letters."

A.K. grips her teacup tighter.

A.K. Yearling: "Karen—"

But Karen keeps going.

Karen: "Exposure matters. Discipline matters. Surroundings matter.

Her eyes flick over the girls.

Karen: "And company matters."

Rainbow Dash: "What's the supposed to mean?!"

She steps forward, fists clenched, eyes blazing.

Max grabs her wrist gently.

Max: "Dash—"

Rarity quickly moves to her other side, voice low but firm.

Rarity: "Darling, don't do anything you're going to regret."

Rainbow's jaw tightens, but she forces herself to step back, though the fire in her eyes doesn't dim.

Karen doesn't miss a beat.

She smooths an imaginary wrinkle on her sleeve.

Karen: "It means environment shapes ambition. One cannot expect excellence when surrounded by... distractions."

Pinkie gasps quietly.

Applejack's eyes narrow.

Fluttershy shrinks a little closer to Max.

Karen continues, her tone clinical.

Karen: "Now, Max. Tell me. What are you currently doing for work experience?"

There it is.

Max hesitates slightly. Applejack steps in first.

Applejack: "He works part-time at Sweet Apple Acres. Hard worker too. Early mornings, long hours. Helps with harvest, repairs, deliveries."

Karen blinks. Unimpressed.

Karen: "Manual agricultural labor."

It's not praise. It's a diagnosis.

AppleJack's smile quickly falls down harder than imagined once she heard Karen's verdict.

Fluttershy speaks next, softly but with quiet pride.

Fluttershy: "He volunteers with me at the animal shelter. He helps clean enclosures, socialize the shy animals, organizes adoption days... the dogs really like him."

Karen gives a polite nod that somehow feels like a dismissal.

Karen: "Volunteer work is admirable. As a hobby."

Rarity lifts her chin slightly.

Rarity: "He also models for my designs. I've submitted photos to local showcases. He's helped me build quite a portfolio."

Karen's eyebrow arches.

Karen: "Modeling."

The word drips with skepticism.

Alex mutters something about "extracurricular fluff."

Grace types something into her tablet like she's categorizing him.

Max feels the heat rising in his chest.

None of it counts. Not to her.

Karen folds her hands neatly in her lap.

Karen: :And how, precisely, do these activities translate into measurable long-term financial stability?"

Silence. Pinkie opens her mouth. Closes it.

Rainbow looks ready to explode again.

The next couple of hours felt like a polite hostage situation.

Karen asked Max, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Fluttershy questions in a calm, surgical tone.

"What is your projected income range in five years?"

"Have you compared acceptance rates?"

"Do you have contingency plans?"

"What is your quantifiable competitive edge?"

Applejack tries to interject about work ethic.

Karen calls it "commendable but insufficient."

Fluttershy mentions empathy and leadership.

Karen calls those "soft metrics."

And whenever she wasn't asking about college, she was just complaining about the littlest things. People at work. People outside of work. Old Mrs. Mulch and her blueberry pies. And random other things. Nothing that seemed worth complaining about, but all she did was complain about them.

Karen gets up.

This is worse.

She walks through the house like she's touring a campus she intends to shut down.

She comments on:

The bookshelf organization ("Alphabetical would be more efficient.")

The throw pillows ("Decorative clutter reduces focus.")

The faint smell of cinnamon from earlier baking ("Artificial scents can lower cognitive sharpness.")

Pinkie physically twitches. At one point, Karen opens the fridge.

She stares at a container of leftover pie.

Karen: "Refined sugars are correlated with decreased academic performance."

Applejack: "That's my granny's pie! It won Blue Ribbon four years in a row!"

Karen closes the fridge slowly.

Karen: "As I said."

Back in the living room, Alex and Grace begin casually listing their accomplishments.

Advanced placement credits.

Debate championships.

Pre-college certifications.

Research internships.

Karen: "Alex recently completed her third dual-enrollment course. Top marks, of course. And Grace was invited to assist on a biomedical panel this summer. They're already being noticed by the right people."

Alex pretends to shrug modestly. Grace adjusts her glasses with practiced fake humility.

Grace: "It's really just about discipline."

Alex: "And priorities."

Karen smiles faintly. Across the room, A.K. Yearling sets her teacup down. Trying her best to be nice.

A.K. Yearling: "That's impressive."

Max stands quietly near the armchair. The girls subtly reposition around him without even meaning to. Applejack looked at Max. Applejack speaks first.

Applejack: "Well... Max works four days a week to help on the farm. Give him a job, and he'll help, no questions asked. He fixes equipment, hauls crates, runs deliveries. Doesn't quit when it's hot neither."

Rarity smiles sweetly

Rarity: "He's helped me assemble a full showcase portfolio. Networking events, fittings, concept shoots. I've received two inquiries thanks to his work."

Grace: "I've already secured letters of recommendation from three professors!"

Alex: "And I scored in the ninety-eighth percentile on my last assessment!"

Fluttershy: "G-good for you. But all we were saying was what Max does is just as good as what you do. Max balances school, work, and volunteering. He shows up. He follows through. He helps people without being asked."

Grace jumps in quickly.

Grace: "I shadow a surgeon twice a month."

Alex adds immediately.

Alex: "And I'm drafting a pre-law thesis outline."

They speak almost over each other. Urgent. Like the spotlight drifting away is intolerable.

Rainbow Dash: "Well, Max is applying to Blue Ridge and wants to join the Disney College Program."

Max: "T-This is not a competition..."

Pinkie Pie: "Max helps me around the bakery during rush hours. You have no idea how super duper deepee crazy customers get during that time."

Karen: "Tch. Unclean sensory overload situation that serves no purpose."

Pinkie stares deadpan at the camera with a depressive "woop" sound effect.

Rainbow Dash: "Hey! Max has been plenty of help with me during the season. Both medical and spiritual terms."

Karen: "Hmm. Mediocre and lack of education."

Rainbow's eye twitches in agitation. Fluttershy then speaks out, her voice holding slight confidence but in a more quiet and sheepish voice.

Fluttershy: "M-Max has been really helpful with the nearby zoo as an intern.

Karen: "And risk him dealing with dangerous filthy animals such as the lions, the tigers, and those awful bears."

Karen scoffs. Fluttershy quietly mutters under her breath.

Fluttershy: (whispering) "T-The lion's actually enjoy his company..."

Fluttershy quietly cries to herself while looking down.

Rarity: "Well, Max has been an absolute darling with my fashions. He even helps me out with some designs and inspirations."

Karen: "Completely useless in the real world. And p.s, that is the ugliest outfit I've ever seen. It makes you look desperate for attention."

Rarity dramatically gasps at that accusation.

Karen: "This is but a waste of Max's time. He should be studying for his masters degree. Rather than playing a male version of Penelope from The Odyssey with the suitors."

The girls were shocked by that statement. But Rarity? She took it to heart. She dramatically gasps, appalled by the sheer comparison to being called a suitor.

Rarity: "Well I NEVER!"

Karen: "Which is why I decided to enlist him for Silver State University."

A.K. Yearling/The Girls: "What?!"

Pinkie Pie: "Hold on a second!"

Pinkie pie suddenly pulls out a glass of water from her hair and drinks it. Only to end up spiting it out in a cartoonish way.

Grace: "It is something mother has been looking forward to doing for quite some time."

Alex: "She plans for it as a birthday gift for Max."

Karen: "Very much. This will give you the proper education and a much brighter future opportunity. Unlike those distractions you call "friends".

Max: "Wh-wh...what...?"

A.K. Yearling, who has been sitting to the side, hears this and she gets agitated by this decision.

A.K. Yearling: "Whoa! Whoa whoa! And you didn't think to mention me, your brother, or even Max about this!?"

Karen: "Well the whole point of it was to be a surprise. If max already knew about it, then it would defeat the purpose of the surprise."

A.K. Yearling: "That's not the point Karen! That place has been full on controversy since its 100nth day of its opening. They even were brought to court for its list of problems! Especially with that one kid with Tourette's syndrome."

Karen: "Yeah. However, the charges were dropped entirely and they were found not guilty."

A.K. Yearling: "Come on! They could've easily just bribed or blackmailed the judge into letting them go without any consequences."

Karen: "Except they weren't bribed at all. That's just what those lesser people claim because they simply couldn't afford to get their children educated."

A.K. Yearling: "You can't be serious."

Karen: "In fact, I am."

A.K. Yearling: "That place doesn't even care about its students. Only concerned about the money they can get their hands on."

Karen: "Oh please. You are just mad that I'm being more of a mother than you could be."

A.K. Yearling held her temper in. But she'd be lying if she said she didn't want to smack her.

A.K. Yearling: "Oh yeah? Says the person who failed to communicate with Max's real parents about this decision."

Karen: "Oh har har. And name me one controversy about Silver State University."

A.K. Yearling: "I'll give you more than one! Exorbitant tuition and excessive mandatory fees, Forced purchase of overpriced university-issued laptops, Laptop overheating incidents and battery explosions, Mandatory "technology monitoring" software running 24/7, Required purchase of proprietary digital textbooks (non-resellable), Mandatory campus engagement fees (even if unused), Lab access fees for non-lab courses, "Career positioning" dues every semester, Discrimination against students with disabilities, Delayed or denied academic accommodations, Inaccessible buildings despite ADA requirements, Professors refusing extended testing time, Pressuring struggling students to withdraw to protect school metrics, Excessive academic workload (18–20 hour study expectations), Public GPA ranking boards, Academic probation for GPAs below extreme standards (e.g., 3.5), Long wait times for mental health services< Reports of student, burnout and collapse during finals, Outdated or unsafe lab equipment, Structural issues in older dormitories, Mold and environmental hazard complaints, Suppression of safety incident reports, Financial misconduct allegations, and Federal charges related to safety violations."

Karen: "Oh those are just nothing but meaningless rumors."

A.K. Yearling: "Oh for the love of— Are you serious Karen?!?"

Aside from Yearling reacting understandably in this situation, the girls also were reacting quite baffled by Karen's reckless move.

Rainbow Dash: "Whoa! Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa! What does that mean for us?"

Applejack: "Are you serious, Karen!? Ya didn't even consult with us about it?! Ya could've at least let me know about this! For all I would've known, Max needed to go to the doctor!"

Rarity then lets out the most DRAMATIC of ALL DRAMATIC GASPS IN HISTORY before fainting on the ground. With the gasp, you'd thought she was in a horror movie.

Pinkie Pie hyperventilates as she takes out a bag out of her hair and breathes in it.

Fluttershy clings onto max while silently tearing up and crying.

Fluttershy: (silently crying) "W-W-W-W-We w-were-were-were sup-po-p-p-p-p-p-pose t-to Go l-l-l-ll-look at the animals!"

While the girls give their reasons and protests on Karen's move, A.K. Yearling stands there in bafflement for a moment before sighing.

A.K. Yearling: "Kids, how about you head to Max's bedroom. Karen and I have a long talk to go through."

Max and the girls reluctantly head up stairs with AppleJack pulling a passed out Rarity up the stairs. Rainbow Dash glares daggers at Karen before letting out a puff through her nose.

Just as the girls and max walk upstairs into the bedroom, A.K. Yearling turns her attention to Karen. Her face full of stern firmness and parental protective instincts.

Karen: "A.K. Please. You and I both know he needs this. If he can get a wife that does more than being a simple housewife, then he could become the highest quadrillionire in history. Maybe even a Quintillionire."

A.K. Yearling: "But this isn't what Max wants, Karen! He wants the simple life with his friends.

A.K. Yearling: "Karen. Please don't do this to Max. That university would overwhelm him with questions."

Karen: "Which is why I have been helping him with his homework."

A.K. Yearling: "Homework that's 10 grades above his own! And helping him? Really? You're only training him to think like you and your husband. Hardly any breaks at all and overworked."

Karen: "Yearling, you're being over dramatic."

A.K. Yearling: "I'm being protective of my kid."

Karen: "Oh really? Then why is he attending high school when he should be at a higher university?"

A.K. Yearling: "Because my kid isn't a machine! He is smart, yes. But it took time. Time to learn, to study, Even time to breathe. Something you never give him."

Karen: "Breaks lead to procrastination. And that leads to failure. And failure isn't tolerated in our family line."

A.K. Yearling: "I can't believe this. You are so hooked on the fact that you think Max should be this 'Super-Advanced Artificial Intelligence', that you can't even imagine how overwhelmed he is. Because of your study sessions, He ended up losing sleep over night!"

Karen: "Well that's good. Because he's working harder than you or that school give him."

A.K. Yearling: "For the love of Red Pandas, Karen."

——

Meanwhile, The girls were in Max's room whilst the adults argue like angry dogs barking at each other or angry babies babbling at each other.

Max slumps his face into the pillows, feeling disheartened by today's events. Who would blame him? His aunt is forcing him to move into a university and potentially separating him from his friends.

AppleJack carefully takes the pillow from Max's face, revealing his dishearten, yet anxiously expression.

Max: "I don't like this at all. I'm hardly qualified to enter collage at all. Do you remember when we did that collage day practice when we were freshmen and how I flunked it?"

Fluttershy: "Yeah... You were pretty sad about that... S-sorry I made it worse."

Max: "No... it wasn't your test but mine that failed..."

He slumps on his bed, clearly feeling defeated.

Rarity: "Well, some people aren't cut out for it, darling. However, that doesn't make you any less of a learner. You are just more... uhh... Hands on experiencer than normal means."

Rainbow Dash lays with him on the bed next to him.

Rainbow Dash: "You know, it's gonna suck having you go to some collage on your own. I would lose my most handsomely awesome Bud after all."

Max blushed from it. But if anything, it did cheer him up from the crushing weight of anxiety and despair.

Rainbow Dash: "Mhm. One of my most handsomely awesomely awesome of a guy i possibly know of."

Max grows slightly flustered as his face grows red.

Rainbow Dash: "Seriously, dude, it's gonna be weird not having you around to admire how awesome I am."

Rainbow Dash nudges his shoulder with a grin.

Rainbow Dash: "I mean, sure, there'll be other people... but none of them are gonna look at me like you do."

She smirks, leaning back on the bed.

Rainbow Dash: "Plus, if you leave, who's gonna remind the world that the coolest girl in school has the most handsome boyfriend?"

Max blushed.

Rainbow Dash: "You know, when you go to college, there's gonna be a serious problem."

Max blinked.

Max: "W-what problem?"

Rainbow Dash smirked.

Rainbow Dash: "Well, first off, every girl there is gonna notice how handsome you are."

Max's ears turned red instantly.

Rainbow Dash leaned closer, resting her chin in her hand as she looked at him.

Rainbow Dash: "And second, they're gonna find out you're actually a pretty great guy."

Max tried to speak but only managed a squeak.

Rainbow Dash: "And third—"

She poked his shoulder.

Rainbow Dash: "You've got great hair, you're nice, you're funny when you're nervous, and honestly it's kinda adorable."

Max's face turned completely red.

Rainbow Dash grinned, clearly enjoying this.

Rainbow Dash: "Seriously, if I didn't know you already, I'd probably try to steal you before any of them could."

Max's brain visibly short-circuited.

Max: "I—uh—y—you—steal—"

His eyes rolled back and he fell sideways off the bed with a soft thump.

Rainbow Dash blinked.

Rainbow Dash: "...Uh."

She poked his cheek.

Rainbow Dash: "Max?"

No response.

Rainbow Dash: "...Did I just knock you out with flirting?"

The door opens as A.K. Yearling steps into the room, her eyes appearing heavy. The girls, including Max, immediately stand up to hear what she has to say.

AppleJack: "Well? What happened?"

A.K. Yearling: "I'm... sorry Max. You are going to Silver State University..."

Those words. Those awful words hung in the air like a doomsday clock counting down the minutes. The girls were in shock and slight pained feelings from hearing those words.

AppleJack felt hurt from it and tips her hat downward.

Pinkie Pie's hair deflates into a depressive droopiness.

Fluttershy begins to slowly tear up from it.

Rarity reacted with a gasp that almost gave the impression she would faint from those words.

Rainbow Dash was staring wide eyed at this, feeling a surge of pain and anger.

Rainbow Dash: "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What?! Why!?"

A.K. Yearling: "It's Karen. She's more stubborn than a Honey Badger. I really did try to talk her out of it. But she's so stubborn and dead set in this whole university."

Max: "Oh Dear. I see... than that's it then..."

A.K. Yearling: "I'm sorry Max. I really did try to convince her otherwise. But, well. You know how Karen is."

Max: "Yeah... unfortunately I do..."

Max gulped nervously

Pinkie Pie: "How could you?!!"

A.K Yearling: "I'm sorry! I really tried, but there was no point to talking her out. It would've been as useful as putting a hat on the Washington monument while wearing a blindfold."

Max looked down sadly

Pinkie pie tried to comfort him

Pinkie: "Well, just look at it this way. College tour and then you can go home!"😁

Night settled heavy over the Rainbow Cupcakes factory. The neon sign buzzed faintly. A thin stream of smoke curled into the cold air.

Azmuth stood under a flickering streetlight in human form — tall, gaunt, sharp-featured. His lab coat hung open, sleeves rolled up, one hand tucked in his pocket while the other held a cigarette between pale fingers. His eyes were sunken, sleepless, furious.

He took a slow drag.

Behind him, the metal door creaked open.

Dr. Animo stepped out, brushing powdered sugar off his sleeve like it disgusted him.

Dr. Animo: "You know, most people handle professional disappointment without setting three centrifuges on fire."

Azmuth didn't look at him.

Azmuth: "Shut up."

Animo blinked once, mildly insulted.

Dr. Animo: "I'm serious. The instability rate is increasing. The subjects aren't surviving long enough for—"

Azmuth flicked ash onto the pavement.

Azmuth: "I said. Shut. Up."

Silence.

The hum of the factory machines vibrated faintly through the ground.

Animo folded his hands behind his back.

Dr. Animo: "We should hold off on the experiments for a while."

That got Azmuth's attention. He turned his head slowly. Not angry. Worse, calculating.

Azmuth: "Hold off?"

He let the words roll around in his mouth like something bitter.

Azmuth: "And who exactly is going to look for the next batch? Hm? You? Or should we put out an advertisement? 'Seeking disposable test candidates. No experience necessary.'"

Animo adjusted his glasses.

Dr. Animo: "We've taken forty-seven in the last two months."

Azmuth's jaw tightened slightly. Animo continued.

Dr. Animo: "Homeless. Addicts. Four low-level dealers. Three runaways. The police are getting cautious. They're sweeping the industrial district. Asking questions."

Azmuth scoffed.

Azmuth: "The police ask questions about everything. It makes them feel useful. That's why people get accused of things with zero evidence."

Dr. Animo: "They're checking cameras."

Azmuth took another drag, exhaled slowly.

Azmuth: "Let them."

Dr. Animo: "They're cross-referencing missing persons. They're asking people questions!"

Azmuth's eyes flicked toward him — sharp, predatory.

Azmuth: "You're nervous."

Dr. Animo: "I'm cautious."

Azmuth: "You're afraid."

Animo's lip twitched.

Azmuth stepped closer — not fast, not aggressive. Just deliberate. He towered slightly over Animo now.

Azmuth: "Do you know what separates us from them? From the police? From the masses? From the weak things we collect?"

Animo didn't answer.

Azmuth leaned in just enough that his voice dropped into something colder.

Azmuth: "Results."

He flicked the cigarette down and crushed it beneath his heel.

Azmuth: "Every failure brings us closer. Every broken subject refines the equation. You want to pause? Fine. Pause. Then watch someone else finish what we started."

Animo swallowed.

Dr. Animo: "The exposure risk—"

Azmuth cut him off.

Azmuth: "If the police get too close, we adapt. If the supply dries up, we adjust criteria." If you lose your nerve—"

He gave him a thin, humorless smile.

Azmuth: "I replace you."

Silence again.

The factory machinery hummed.

Somewhere inside, something metallic clanged.

Animo straightened his posture.

Dr. Animo: "We'll need cleaner acquisition methods."

Azmuth turned back toward the street, slipping his hands into his coat pockets.

Azmuth: "Then design one. I'm going to collect"

He began walking toward the factory entrance. Without looking back

Azmuth: "And Animo?"

Animo hesitated.

Dr. Animo: "Yes?"

Azmuth's voice came flat and merciless.

Azmuth: "Next time you suggest we stop... make sure you're prepared to become the replacement variable."

The metal door slammed shut behind him. Animo stood alone under the flickering light.

Only emergency lights glowed between rows of candy vats and steel walkways.

Azmuth moved through it without hesitation.

To the left — strapped upright against a metal support beam — stood one of their earlier prototypes.

A scarecrow. Not a costume. Not a decoration.

Straw-filled limbs stitched with surgical precision. A burlap head reinforced with carbon fiber beneath the weave. One glass eye. One camera lens. The faint hum of internal servos twitched in its arm as he passed.

It tilted its head a few degrees toward him.

Azmuth didn't break stride.

Azmuth: "You're unstable."

The scarecrow's fingers twitched.

Further down the corridor stood the Tin Man.

A towering metal frame, unfinished plating bolted across synthetic muscle. The chest cavity was still partially open — wires coiled like exposed veins around an artificial core that pulsed faintly blue.

Steam hissed from a seam near its shoulder.

Its head turned slightly. Grinding. Watching.

Azmuth paused this time.

He studied the core's rhythm. Too erratic. Too emotional.

He exhaled slowly.

Azmuth: "You were supposed to be perfect."

The Tin Man's chest light flickered. Then steadied. Azmuth turned away. He entered his lab.

The Equitrix sat on the steel table under a single hanging lamp.

Sleek. Metallic. Alien in design but adapted for human anatomy. The dial at its center shimmered faintly — holographic glyphs cycling through incomplete genetic maps.

He stared at it like it had personally insulted him.

He picked it up.

The device whirred softly.

He scrolled through the transformation matrix — corrupted sequences flashing red.

Cellular rejection. Neural overload. Structural collapse.

Every test subject failed at the same threshold. He muttered under his breath.

Azmuth: "It's not the power output... It's the host compatibility..."

He zoomed in on the stabilization algorithm.

The bridge between human DNA and the foreign templates.

Every time — the body fought back.

He slammed his palm on the table.

The Equitrix flickered but held together.

Azmuth: "You adapt to the wielder... not the other way around."

He paced once. Twice. Then stopped.

A slow realization crept across his face.

Azmuth: "It needs someone resilient."

Not random. Not disposable.

Someone strong enough to survive the merge.

He looked back at the device. A thin smile formed.

He shut it down and clipped it into a reinforced case.

Moments later, he walked out the back exit toward the parking lot.

His truck sat alone under a broken security light.

Old. Heavy. Black paint chipped at the edges.

He opened the driver's door and tossed the case onto the passenger seat.

He started the engine. It rumbled low.

As he pulled out of the lot, the factory lights dimmed behind him.

Azmuth's eyes were fixed ahead

(Later)

The inside of Karen's SUV felt smaller than it actually was.

Too tight. Too loud. Too suffocating.

Max sat rigid in the middle seat between Alex and Grace. His hands were folded in his lap. His jaw clenched so hard it hurt.

Karen's voice filled every inch of space.

Karen: "Do you have any idea what you've done?!"

Her hands slapped the steering wheel.

Karen: "You embarrassed this family! In front of faculty! In front of donors! In front of—"

She made a strangled, furious noise.

Alex crossed her arms.

Alex: "You just had to ask questions!"

Grace scoffed.

Grace: "Yeah. Like some investigative journalist!"

Max swallowed.

The memory replayed in his mind.

Earlier that afternoon.

Silver banners. Marble floors. Perfectly manicured lawns.

Silver State University had looked pristine on the surface.

Karen had walked ahead like she owned the place.

Max walked slightly behind, listening.

Watching.

The tour guide had rushed through things.

Tuition breakdown? Vague answer.

Housing fees? "Standard."

Technology requirements? "Mandatory."

Mandatory laptop leasing program. Required meal plan upgrades. "Security monitoring subscription."

Max raised his hand.

Again.

And again.

Karen's eye twitched every time.

Max: "Why are accessibility services listed as 'premium accommodations'?"

The guide hesitated.

Max: "Why does the waiver say the university isn't liable for device overheating incidents?"

More hesitation.

Karen's nails dug into her purse strap.

Then, during a break in the courtyard, Max noticed a man struggling to pick up a stack of dropped pamphlets.

——

The night air outside the abandoned Rainbow Cupcakes factory hung thick with the smell of rust and burnt sugar.

Azmuth leaned against his truck, cigarette hanging from his lips, chewing slowly on a strip of beef jerky. His human form looked unassuming at a glance—tall, gaunt, sharp cheekbones, eyes far too calculating.

Four attempts tonight.

Four failures.

He flicked ash onto the pavement.

Azmuth: "Four times. Four pathetic, incompetent attempts."

He had tried to grab a drifter behind the bus depot. A junkie near the underpass. Two homeless guys behind a pawn shop.

Every time

Sirens. Spotlights. Patrol cars circling areas they normally ignored.

He narrowed his eyes.

Azmuth: "They really are starting to notice."

He hated when prey adapted.

He opened the passenger door of his truck and pulled out an old, worn book—leather cracked, edges singed.

Equestrian script glowed faintly across the cover.

One of the last things he had brought with him when he crossed worlds. He flipped it open carefully, fingers brushing an illustration.

Two regal alicorn sisters stood side by side beneath a painted sun and moon.

Azmuth's jaw tightened.

Azmuth: "You thought exile would break me."

He traced a finger over the image of the taller one.

Azmuth: "You clipped my reach."

His nail pressed into the page over the other sister's horn.

Azmuth: "You sealed my work."

His voice dropped, low and venomous.

Azmuth: "I will break you both. I will clip your wings myself... and I will take your horns as trophies."

The paper crumpled slightly beneath his grip.

A distant engine cut through the silence.

Headlights swept across the lot.

Azmuth's eyes lifted slowly.

An SUV turned down the road near the factory.

He watched it idle at a stoplight.

Through the windshield. Silhouettes. Teenagers. Arguing. Distracted.

He crushed the cigarette beneath his boot.

Azmuth: "Maybe tonight's not a total loss yet."

Azmuth slid into the driver's seat of his truck and shut the door with a heavy thud.

The engine roared to life.

He adjusted the rearview mirror, eyes cold and steady.

Azmuth: "Opportunity rarely knocks twice."

He pulled onto the road, headlights cutting through the dark. Up ahead. An SUV. Voices raised inside. Perfect.

Inside the SUV, Karen's voice filled every inch of space.

Karen: "Do you understand what you've done tonight, Max?! Do you?! No you don't!?"

Max sat rigid in the middle seat, shoulders tight.

Grace folded her arms.

Grace: "You literally destroyed a university."

Alex snorted.

Alex: "Congrats. That's going on your résumé."

Karen gripped the wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Karen: "You embarrassed this family. You humiliated me in front of people who matter!"

Max opened his mouth.

Max: "I just—"

Karen: "No! You don't get to 'just' anything!"

Grace leaned closer.

Grace: "You always need attention."

Alex: "Yeah. Can't just let us have something."

Max swallowed.

Then he saw it. In the side mirror. Headlights. Fast. Too fast.

The truck behind them wasn't slowing down.

Max's heart jumped.

Max: "Uh... Aunt Karen?"

Karen kept ranting.

Karen: "You will apologize. You will fix this. You will somehow get that school to open! Even if it kills you!"

Max leaned forward, panic rising.

Max: "There's a truck—"

Grace rolled her eyes.

Grace: "Oh my gosh, what now?"

Max turned in his seat, staring through the rear window.

The truck was accelerating.

Max: "He's not slowing down!"

Alex scoffed.

Alex: "Paranoid much?"

Max's voice cracked.

Max: "Aunt Karen, he's coming right at us!"

Karen barely glanced in the mirror.

Karen: "Max, I am speaking—"

She was about to talk, but then noticed the truck. She did have to admit it was driving a little close and a little fast. About too close and a little too fast for comfort.

The truck swerved. Straight into their lane. Headlights blinding. Max shouted.

Max: "LOOK OUT!"

Karen turned her head. Her eyes widened.

Karen: "What the—?!"

The truck slammed into the SUV.

Metal screamed. Glass exploded inward. The world flipped.

The SUV spun violently across the road, tires lifting, slamming back down.

Airbags detonated with deafening pops.

Smoke. The sound of a ticking engine.

Outside, Azmuth stepped out of his truck calmly.

He adjusted his coat.

Walked toward the wreck.

Azmuth: "There we are."

Smoke curled into the night air.

The SUV rested at an angle, one side crushed inward, hazard lights blinking weakly.

Azmuth approached slowly, boots crunching over shattered glass. He didn't rush. He observed.

Karen was slumped over the steering wheel, dazed but conscious, trying to move.

Karen: "Alex...? Grace...?"

Grace groaned in the backseat. Alex was coughing, trying to push the airbag away.

Azmuth's eyes scanned them all with clinical detachment.

Azmuth: "One hysterical matriarch. Two self-involved prodigies."

He stepped closer to the back door and peered in.

Max was slumped between the twins, head bleeding slightly from where it struck the window, barely conscious but awake enough to stir.

Max tried to lift his head.

Max: "...what... happened...?"

Their eyes met. Azmuth felt it instantly. Something different. Something useful.

Azmuth: "There you are."

Karen finally noticed the silhouette outside.

Karen: "Hey! Help us! Call—"

Azmuth ignored her.

He yanked the damaged rear door open with surprising strength.

Grace screamed.

Grace: "What are you doing?!"

Alex tried to shove him back.

Alex: "Get away from him!"

Azmuth grabbed Max by the collar and dragged him out of the wreck.

Max weakly struggled.

Max: "W-wait—"

Azmuth struck him once, sharp and precise, at the side of the neck. Max went limp.

Karen shrieked.

Karen: "NO! PUT HIM DOWN!"

Azmuth stabbed her in the jaw five times.

Azmuth: "You talk too much"

He hoisted Max over his shoulder like cargo.

Azmuth: "You won't be missed long enough to matter."

Grace scrambled out of the car.

Grace: "Stop! Someone help!"

Azmuth turned his head slightly, eyes cold. Before striking her in the head

Azmuth: "By the time they arrive... I'll be gone."

He carried Max to the truck, opened the back door, and laid him across the seat.

Azmuth closed the door and returned to the driver's seat.

The truck engine roared to life.

Azmuth adjusted the mirror, watching the SUV grow smaller as he drove away.

Azmuth: "Let's see why you stood out... Max."

Three months later.

A rusty pickup rattled down a two-lane backroad just outside town, country music humming low through worn speakers.

In the cab sat Lyra Heartstrings and Sweetie Drops in the back, while up front were Lyra's Uncle Colt and his three lifelong buddies—Bash, Dash, and Tucker.

All four men wore flannel, boots, and trucker caps. Loud. Rough around the edges.

But decent.

The kind who fixed your fence without asking and showed up when storms hit.

They were headed to trivia night at The Old Swimming Hole, a local country-style restaurant with neon beer signs and catfish specials.

Dash adjusted his hat.

Dash: "Alright now, girls, tonight we takin' that trophy back. Ain't no way the bowling league beats us again."

Sweetie Drops smirked.

Sweetie Drops: "You mean the knitting club?"

Bash grunted.

Bash: "They cheat. I'm tellin' ya."

Lyra laughed—then froze. Her smile disappeared.

Lyra: "...Uncle Colt."

Colt kept driving.

Colt: "Yeah, sugar?"

Lyra leaned forward between the seats.

Lyra: "Slow down."

Tucker squinted through the windshield.

Tucker: "What for?"

Sweetie Drops' face drained of color.

Sweetie Drops: "Oh my gosh..."

Up ahead, staggering along the side of the road under a flickering streetlight

A boy. Bloody. Clothes torn. Barefoot. One sleeve empty.

Max.

He limped unevenly, one arm gone, the other clutching his side. His face was bruised, streaked with wet and dried blood.

Lyra gasped.

Lyra: "That's Max!"

Colt immediately eased off the gas.

Colt: "You sure?"

Tucker: "Yeah! It's the Yearling kid! He's been missing for three months "

The truck rolled to a stop.

Max didn't look up at first. He just kept dragging himself forward like he didn't expect help anymore. Or didn't see them

Dash muttered under his breath.

Dash: "Sweet mercy..."

Colt opened the door and stepped out slowly, careful not to spook him.

Colt: "Son?"

Max flinched violently at the sound of a voice.

He stumbled back a step, breathing hard.

Max: "W-who's there?!"

His voice was hoarse. Broken. Lyra jumped out of the truck.

Lyra: "Max! It's me! Lyra!"

Max: "...Lyra...? W-where are you?!"

Sweetie Drops ran around the truck too, eyes already glassy.

Sweetie Drops: "What happened to you?"

Max swayed.

Colt caught him before he collapsed.

Colt: "Easy now. Easy."

Max's knees buckled completely this time.

Max: "I... I can't... see anything... I can't see..."

He sobbed openly, shaking, his voice raw and cracked.

Bash was already calling 911

Colt crouched down in front of him, squinting at Max's eyes. The whites were bloodshot, the pupils dilated oddly, and faint burn marks marred the skin around them.

Colt: "By God... look at them... who the hell did this to you?"

Lyra: "And what's that on your arm?"

Max lifted his remaining arm weakly. The strange device — metallic, almost alive — twitched slightly, a faint hum vibrating through his arm.