Bdubs and Impulse had just about managed to forge a competent enough lie to definitely borrow a skiff, something about an urgent scouting mission.

The ride was in silence, save for the rustling of ferns and shrubbery as the skiff glided and weaved through the trunks of ancient trees, moonlight softly dappling the wild ground.

Neither knew what to say.

After what felt like days, the two could begin to see the palace of Bright Moon standing tall through gaps in the canopy.

It was Impy who spoke up first, "Well... Guess this is goodbye," willing his voice not to tremble.

"C'mon, that's it?" Bdubs choked, arms open wide.

Imp ran into them for a hug, neither of them 'staying strong' anymore.

"Are you sure you can't come with?" Impulse asked, arms still locked around the shorter Bdubs' shoulders.

"Yeah, I'm still not ready to just flip like that. And who's gonna take care of Skizz if we're both gone... like... kissing princess shoes or something?"

Imp managed a teary smile, "But what if Skizz wanted to leave too?"

Bdubs smiled back, "You and I know he'd never betray his home like that."

"But what if I just came back? I- I can do that!" Impulse said, voice faltering.

"This is what you want. You wouldn't have come this far if it wasn't. I don't wanna keep you from that. And hey, we can still see eachother!"

"On the battlefield, though?" Imp said, deflated.

"Maybe not!"

And on that note of hope, Impulse finally let go.

Feeling considerably better about, well, everything, Gem walked back to her own tent.

Still though, a Horde soldier!? If she hadn't turned out to be a long lost mythical hero, Gem would've offed her herself!

She'd never forget what the Horde did to her. 

Her village. 

Everyone.

Eragrove was her h-

The glint of metal yanked her mind away from that.

It was coming from the edge of the Whispering Woods.

As she edged closer, she could begin to make out two figures walking away from eachother.

The glint came from a skiff that the shorter one was now driving off on.

And the half lizard one was walking straight towards camp.