Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Laughter filled the air as a herd of deer grazed in a field. Some of the does raised their heads as a group of fawns bounded by, laughing. “Can't catch me!” A snow white fawn called back to the fawns that were chasing her. “C'mon, Snow! Slow down just a bit!” One of the fawns begged, making the white fawn, Snow, giggle. “Where's the fun in that?” Snow asked, giggling.

Snow grunted when she ran into something ahead of her, making her fall onto her haunches. “Watch yourself, young fawn.” A large buck said, smiling down at Snow. “Sorry, sir.” Snow apologized, smiling sheepishly, as she stood up again, shaking her fur out. “No need for apologies, young fawn. Playing gives you strength.” He said before he started walking away.

Snow smiled after the buck before she looked back when a male fawn around her age bounded up to her, tail wagging, and poked her shoulder with his hoof. “That doesn't count, Maquina!” Snow said, giving the new fawn, Maquina, a playful glare. The normal colored fawn let out a happy bleat before he jumped around the white fawn, Snow giggling.

The two stopped and peeked their ears up when they heard the sound of a bell ringing, the other fawns trotting and bounding up to them. “It’s not time for dinner.” Snow said before looking over at the male fawn with a confused look. “C'mon!” She added before the fawns ran towards the sound, other fawns and deer following.

Snow, Maquina and the other fawns slowed down when they reached a fence and saw two men walking towards them. “I still find it strange that a man who raises bulls, fierce and savage animals, wants a deer, an elegant and graceful creature, as a mascot.” One of the men said. “Well, while we sell and raise bulls, we also want to show their elegance and beauty by having a creature who is known for being elegant and beautiful.” The second, slightly larger man explained, Snow and Maquina sharing a confused look.

“Well, you've come to the right place, mi amigo.” The first man said, gesturing towards the fence. “What's going on, Momma?” Snow asked as a doe walked up behind Snow and Maquina. “I don't know.” The doe answered, looking down at her children. “Come, little ones. I have a bad feeling.” She added before nudging Maquina away.

“Well, look at you.” Snow heard the second man say as she went to follow her mother, making her stop and look up at him, ears and tail raising. “Ah, the beautiful Snow!” The first man said as the second reached through the fence to pet the fawn’s head, making her close one eye. “She is our first white deer born here in over twenty years.” He added as the man retracted his hand. “I'll take her. I'll even pay extra for her rareness.” The second man said, making Snow tilt her head. “You have a deal, señor.” The first man said before turning to two other men who were further away. “¡Oye, acércala!” The first man called, making Snow nervous as the two new men hurried for the fence.

“M-Momma?” Snow questioned, looking after her mother. The doe raised her head and looked back at her daughter before her eyes widened when she saw the two men slowly approaching Snow. “Snow, run!” Her mother yelled, making the other deer and fawns run. Snow looked back and screamed when she saw the men nearing her.

She started running towards her mother and brother before she grunted when a rope was thrown over her head and wrapped around her neck. “Come on, niñita! Come on!” The man holding onto the rope said as he pulled her towards him, the fawn letting out panicked bleats as she pulled against the rope and stood up on her back legs.

“Whoa, whoa whoa!” The second man yelled as he used a thin stick to keep her mother back as she charged at them, trying to get to her fawn. “M-Momma! Momma!” Snow cried as she was pulled out of the fenced field. “Snow! Snow!” Her mother yelled as Maquina bleated and cried, running next to the fence to stay next to Snow. Snow grunted and tried to run as the man dragged her towards a metal trailer. “Maquina! Momma!” Snow screamed before she was shoved into the trailer.

The white fawn grunted as she landed with her front legs folded under her and her back legs laid out to her sides. She sat her head up and shook before she gasped and looked back to see the trailer door closing. “No, wait!” Snow yelled as she stumbled to her hooves before running towards the door. She slid to a stop before she ran face-first into the metal door.

She let out panicked pants as she backed up and turned around in circles, tripping over the rope that was still around her neck before she grunted and struggled to keep her balance when the trailer jolted before she felt it bounce and vibrate, indicating it was moving. “No no no...Momma! Momma!” Snow screamed, stumbling over to the wall of the trailer and trying to see her herd from the small gaps in the wall.

The young fawn was woken up when the trailer jolted, making her and the nest she'd made out of bits of hay slide slightly. “H-Hello?” Snow questioned, ears flat against her head. She jumped and gasped before lowering her head and flattening her ears when she heard the trailer door start to open. “Come here, girl.” The second man from before said, signaling for the fawn to come out of the trailer. But, Snow refused to move, watching him with wide, chocolate colored eyes.

The man sighed before he climbed into the trailer. “No no no!” Snow growled as he grabbed the rope and started pulling her towards him. “It’s okay, it’s okay!” The man said as Snow let out angry bleats and kicked her legs as he lifted the fawn off the ground and started walking out of the trailer. “Let go of me! Where’s my herd?!” Snow asked as she continued to struggle. “Welcome to your new home, Copo de nieve.” The man said as he took the rope off her before letting her go.

As soon as she was free from the man’s grip and rope, Snow took off running, panting. The panicked fawn panted as she ran through the courtyard before she spotted a building with a blue door. ‘Hiding spot!’ Snow thought as she raced towards the building.

Snow screamed as she raced into the building when she tripped over a rope before she fell forward, her legs getting tangled in the rope and a metal bucket landing on her head.

“What was that?” A young male’s voice asked as Snow grunted and tried to kick the ropes off and shake the bucket off. “I don't know. Let's check it out!” Another said before Snow heard hooves heading towards her. “What the heck is that?” A more squeaky male voice, making Snow freeze. “A skinny legged cow calf?” Another male voice asked as Snow heard a set of hooves approaching her. “Are you okay?” A kinder male voice asked before Snow felt someone grab the bucket and lift it off her head.

Snow shook her head and blinked before she looked up and her eyes widened when she saw a black fawn with blue eyes and a small pair of pointed horns on his head blinking down at her. Snow suddenly screamed before she tried to push herself backwards, the black fawn letting out a startled yell before he dropped the bucket and ran off.

The black fawn stopped running and turned to face Snow when laughter filled the air. “Look at you!” A brown fawn with a cream mask over his eyes and horns similar to the black one’s laughed. “Getting scared of a girl!” He added, still laughing. Snow grunted as she pushed herself to her hooves and tried to shake the ropes off. “H-Here! Let me help!” The black fawn offered before trotting over. Snow froze as he nipped at the ropes before pulling them off.

“Awe! Isn't that adorable?” The brown fawn cooed as a tan and cream fawn with red head fur and pointed horns and a black and red fawn with pointed horns walked up with him. “The weirdo is helping the new weirdo!” He added, the three fawns laughing. “Hey!” Snow yelled as the black fawn finished removing the ropes. “I'm not a weirdo!” She added, stomping her front, right hoof down on the ground and getting in the brown fawn’s face, making him glare at her.

“What are you then?” The cream and brown fawn asked, tilting his head. “I'm Snow, a deer fawn!” Snow said proudly, standing up straight and holding her head up high. “A deer?” The black one asked, looking her over curiously. “What about you? What are you guys?” Snow asked, looking at the four. “You don't look like any fawns I've ever seen.” She added. “We’re not fawns, stupid!” The black and red one said, making the white fawn glare at him. “We’re bull calves! Way cooler than a fawn!” He added, making the cream and brown bull calf snicker.

“Come on, guys. Let's leave these two weirdos to themselves and be real bulls!” The brown calf said before marching away, the other two following. “I'm not a weirdo!” Snow yelled after them, pinning her ears back and glaring after the three.

“Don't listen to them.” The black calf said, making her look up at him. “They're always like that.” He added, smiling shyly. “I-I'm Ferdinand.” He said, his long tail swishing. “I'm Snow.” Snow said, smiling back at him as his ears flapped happily. “Where...Where am I?” Snow asked, looking around to see the building she had run into was the stables. “The humans call it Casa del Toro. I call it home!” Ferdinand said, prancing around Snow slightly. “What about you? Where are you from?” He asked, tilting his head curiously. “I'm from a Deer Farm. But…” Snow said, trailing off.

Ferdinand flattened his ears before he nudged her head with his, offering his sympathy. “H-Hey, w-wanna meet my dad?” He asked, trying to distract the downhearted fawn. “Umm…Sure.” Snow said, smiling softly, before she started following the black calf out of the stables.

“So, who were the other calves?” Snow asked, trotting up next to Ferinand. “Oh! The brown one with the mask is Valiente, we call him Val for short sometimes. The one with red head-fur is Bones and the black and red one is Guapo, they're closer to each other than the rest of us are.” Ferdinand explained.

Snow went to say something else but was cut off when she gasped and ducked behind Ferdinand when a large bull that resembled Valienta started lumbering towards them. “Out of the way, brats!” The large bull snorted as he passed, Ferdinand flattening his ears and sidestepping slightly. “Th-That's how big you're going to get?!” Snow asked, whisper/yelling.

“Ferdinand!” Someone yelled before the calf could answer. Ferdinand and Snow looked up and saw a large, black bull walking towards them. “Hey, Dad!” Ferdinand said before running towards the bull, giggling and laughing. “What's got you so excited?” The large bull asked, watching his son jump around his hooves. “Dad! Dad! Come meet Snow!” Ferdinand said before looking over at the white fawn. Snow shifted her front hooves closer together and lowered her head as the black bull walked up to her. “Well, Ferd, I didn't expect you to get a girlfriend so soon!” He said, smirking down at his son. “Ew, no!” Ferdinand said, shaking his head.

The black bull chuckled before he looked down at Snow. “It’s nice to meet you, Snowbell. My name’s Raf, Ferdinand’s dad.” The black bull, Raf, said, nodding to her. “H-Hi.” Snow said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I gotta say, I've never seen a white deer before.” Raf said, Snow closing her eyes as he sniffed her head, making the tufted of fur on her head shift.

“You've seen deer before?” Ferdinand asked, walking up next to Snow. “Yep. A whole herd of them used to pass by in the early mornings.” Raf explained, Snow sitting her head up and staring up at him with curious eyes, ears perked up. “Whoa!” Ferdinand whispered, making Raf chuckle. “Come on, Ferd, it’s getting late.” Raf said, nudging his son’s shoulder. Snow backed up as Ferdinand started trotting passed her and Raf stopped in front of her.

“Got a place to sleep, Snowflake?” Raf asked, tilting his head. Snow swallowed a lump in her throat before shaking her head. “Well, looks like you're spending the night in our stall. Sound alright?” Raf asked, making Snow blink. She went to protest, but it came out as a squeak, making her quickly close her mouth. Raf chuckled before leaning his head down and nudging Snow’s side, making her jump and start after Ferdinand. The black calf smiled down at her and flapped his ears before he trotted ahead of Snow and Raf. “He flaps his ears when he's happy.” Raf whispered to Snow, making her blink up at him.

Snow looked around as the three of them walked towards a stables. Ferdinand looked back at Snow, flapping his ears again, before he ran up to a stall. “This is the stall that me and my dad sleep in!” Ferdinand said before backing up to let Raf go into the stall first. Ferdinand smiled at Snow before he bounded in after his father and laid down next to him, the calf using his father’s legs as a nest.

“C'mon, there's room!” Ferdinand said when Snow peeked into the stall. She slowly started into the stall and stepped over Raf’s hooves before she gracefully laid down next to Ferdinand. “What?” Snow asked when Ferdinand started snickering. “You lay down funny!” Ferdinand said, still laughing. “I do not!” Snow argued before playfully pulling at his ear.

“Alright, you two.” Raf said, chuckling and nudging Ferdinand’s head. “Time to sleep.” He added before laying his head down. Snow watched Ferdinand yawn before the calf laid his head down on the fawn’s back. She blinked down at Ferdinand before she yawned and laid her head down next to her side, letting her eyes close.

Chapter Text

Snow blinked her eyes open before she sat her head up and yawned. “Huh?” Snow questioned when she saw Raf and Ferdinand were gone. “Ferd?” Snow called before she pushed herself to her hooves, shaking some hay out of her fur. “Ferdinand?!” She called before running out. She screamed as she dodged the other calves, who were charging and chasing each other.

She looked over her shoulder, panting, before she grunted when she ran into something in front of her, making her fall to the ground. “H-Hey, Snow.” Ferdinand groaned, Snow looking down to see the calf under her. “Sorry. Are you okay?” Snow asked as she backed off the calf, Ferdinand shaking his head. “Yeah, I'm fine.” Ferdinand said, standing up straight and smiling at her. “What are you doing?” Snow asked, tilting her head. “I'm...uh...I'm watering my flower.” Ferdinand said, sounding embarrassed and shifting his front hooves.

Snow tilted her head and blinked at him before she looked down to see a red flower. “Awe! It’s pretty!” Snow said, earning a smile and ear flap from Ferdinand. “The truck!” They heard Valiente cheer, making them look over to see the three calves running passed, cheering. “Out of my way, losers!” The brown calf yelled, shoving Bones aside. “Hey!” Bones protested, quickly regaining his balance.

“Guys, check it out!” Guapo said as the three of them stood up on their back legs and set their hooves on the stone wall. “Wow! Cool!” Bones yelled. “Yes! The Winner’s Truck!” Valiente said. “That's happening today?” Guapo asked, excited. “What's happening today?” Snow asked as she and Ferdinand walked up behind them. “Ugh! Of course you don't know anything, Weirdo!” Valiente groaned, making Snow glare at him. “If that truck’s here, that means the Matador is gonna pick a bull!” Valiente explained as he walked up to Ferdinand and Snow.

“Who do you think he's gonna pick?” Ferdinand asked, concern in his voice. “Duh! My dad!” Valiente said before trotting off, the three calves and fawn looking after him. “And when my horns come in, it’ll be my turn!” He added, putting his back legs further out behind him and lifting his right hoof into the air. “People will come from all around Spain just to see me! The Great Valiente! The fiercest bull of all time” He boasted. “I'll take him down big time! Man vs. Bull! Will it be pretty? No! Will it be awesome? Heck yeah!” He continued. “The crowd will go nuts! Making me a champ! I'll spend the rest of my days living like a king!” He finished, lowering his right hoof.

“Dream on, Valiente!” Guapo said, rolling his eyes. “I'm the one who’s getting selected! I'm already working on my victory smile!” He added before clicking his tongue and smiling. “Hey, the Matador’s here!” Valiente yelled, making Snow look around. “Where?! Where?!” Guapo asked, looking around in a panic. “Oh no! I feel sick! Oh, Mama!” He groaned. “There's no Matador, Guapo.” Ferdinand said as the calf went to hurl. “What?!” He asked as Valiente started laughing. “What a wimp!” Valiente said, earning a look from Snow, Ferdinand and Guapo.

“Forget it, Guapo! He's gonna pick me!” Bones said as he ran up. “Whoo-wah! Wah!” The small calf panted as he started running around the group. “I'm the fastest, baddest bull around!” He added as he continued zooming around the four young animals, making Snow giggle. “I'm so fast they won't see me coming!” He said as he ran around Valiente. “Bones.” Valiente sighed, unamused, grabbing Bones’ attention. “Yeah?” Bones answered. “You're never going to get selected. You wanna know why?” The brown calf asked. “Why?” Bones asked, confused.

“Hey!” Snow yelled when Valiente head-butted Bones in the face, sending the small calf flying backwards, knocking over a bucket and wheelbarrow. “Cause you're a puny bag of bones, Bones.” Valiente said as Guapo looked at Bones with concern while Ferdiand and Snow hurried over to the downed calf. “You okay?” Snow asked as Ferdiand helped Bones to his hooves. “I don't need your help, weirdo!”  Bones yelled. “I'm fine!” He added, stomping his front, right hoof down on the ground, nearly stepping on the flower.

“Careful!” Ferdinand said, standing over the flower. “Oh, what’cha got there, Ferdinand?” Valiente asked as he walked towards the two calves and fawn, Bones backing away, “Uhh...Nothing?” Ferdinand said, smiling nervously and standing over the flower while Snow hid behind him. “Uh nothing!” Valiente repeated in a mocking voice. “Hey, don't you guys have some more head-butted to do?” Ferdinand asked, Snow nodding in agreement. “Nah, this is way more fun.” Valiente said before shoving Ferdinand, making him grunt as he ran into Snow and knocked them both to the ground.

“Can you believe this guy?” Valiente asked, walking in a circle around the flower. “The Matador is gonna pick a bull and all he’s worried about is a dumb flower!” He added as Ferdinand and Snow stood up again. “Cut it out, Valiente!” Snow yelled when Valiente hovered his left hoof over the flower. “Make me!” Valiente challenged, making Snow flatten her ears and take a step back. “Fight! Fight! Fight!” Guapo and Bones cheered, making Snow nervous.

“We’re not gonna fight you, Valiente.” Ferdinand said before sitting down behind the flower, his front hooves in front of the flower. “Awe, Flower Bull is scared!” Valiente cooed mockingly. “I'm not scared.” Ferdinand said as Snow walked up behind him, pressing her side against his back. “Then fight. That's what bulls do!” Valiente said. “You can hit me if you want. Just leave Snow and the flower alone.” Ferdinand said, not moving, making Snow blink.

“You're just gonna let him smack ya?” Guapo asked, confused. “What?! Where's the fun in that?” Bones asked, tilting his head. “Wh-Whatever. Have your stupid flower and deer!” Valiente spat before the sounds of bulls bellowing filled the air, the four calves and fawn looking over in time to see the stables doors fly open and a herd of bulls pile out, pushing and shoving each other.

“The big bulls are going in!” Bones said before they walked towards a green painted metal fence. “Wish me luck, kids!” Raf said as Ferdinand and Snow reached the railing. “Uh…Good luck, Dad.” Ferdinand said, smiling nervously. “G-Good luck?” Snow said, not sure what was happening. Raf smiled at his son and white fawn and winked before Valiente’s father shoved the black bull. “Go get’em, Dad!” Valiente yelled, smiling.

“Come on, guys! Let's see’em over here!” Guapo said before the five of them ran through a small, human-sized doorway and over to a spot where they could see into the ring. “Out of my way!” Valiente’s dad growled as he pushed passed Raf. “Go bulls!” Guapo called as the bulls ran into the ring, ramming a wooden green door open. “Whoo-hoo!” Guapo cheered as the bulls started head-butting and charging at each other. ”This is what everyone was excited for?” Snow asked, making Ferdinand look over at her. “Bucks in my herd used to do this all the time for sport.” She added before they looked back into the ring.

“It’s the Matador!” Valiente said, putting his front legs over one of the bars, making the others look over to see a man in the overlook. “He's gonna pick!” He added. “I feel sick! I think I'm gonna hurl!” Guapo said before he turned away. The others looked back into the ring in time to see Raf push Valiente’s dad’s head towards the ground and turn to see the Matador point at the black bull, making Raf stand up tall.

The brown bull stood there panting before he growled and started marching away. Bones and Guapo turned and started walking away from the green railing soon after while Ferdinand, Valiente and Snow looked into the ring with disbelief and shock before the brown calf glared at the black calf and started away.

“You'll get’em next time, Dad.” Valiente said when he saw his father, trying to cheer him up. “Who asked you?” His dad growled, leaving his son looking disheartened. “H-He's just mad about losing the fight.” Snow said as she and Ferdinand walked up behind him. Valiente glared back at Snow and Ferinand before he marched off, ears flat. “Remind me not to try and sympathize with Val ever again.” Snow said, sharing a look with Ferdinand.

“Ferdinand!” Raf yelled, making the two turn and see Raf trotting out of the ring towards the two. “There you are!” He laughed as Ferdinand ran towards his father, Snow trotting after him. “He picked me! Can you believe it?” He asked as he lowered his head before throwing Ferdinand onto his shoulders, making the black calf giggle.

“Your dad is going to fight for glory in the ring!” He added as he started walking, Snow walking next to him while Ferdinand shifted so his front legs were hanging over Raf’s horns. “Do you really have to go?” Ferdinand asked, looking down at his dad. “O-Of course I have to go! C'mon, Ferd! This is what every bull dreams of, right?” Raf questioned. “Really?” Snow asked, flattening her ears and tilting her head. “I guess…” Ferdinand answered. “Is it okay if it's not my dream?” He asked, sitting his head up to look down at his father.

“Well...uh…” Raf started as he slowed to a stop, Snow trotting out in front of him, ears perked up. “Look, Ferd, you're still a kid, ya know?” He said as he lowered his head so his son could climb off and stand next to Snow. “When you…When you grow up, your dreams are gonna change! Ev-Everything’s gonna change!” Raf explained. “I'll tell you one thing that's gonna change, you're gonna be bigger and tougher than your old man, that's for sure!” He said. “No way!” Ferdinand said, shaking his head and jumping backwards, making Snow giggle. “Yes way! Yeah!” Raf argued, laughing. “And then, one day, you'll see! You're gonna get in that ring and you are gonna be the champ!” He added. “Can I be a champ without fighting maybe?” Ferdinand asked. “Oh, Ferdinand.” Raf sighed. “I really wish the world worked like that for you...I do...But, that's just not how it is for us.” Raf explained, Ferdinand and Snow frowning and flattening their ears. “You understand?” He asked.

Before Ferdinand could answer, they heard the sound of a metal door open and looked over to see a man had opened up the Winner’s Truck trailer. “Okay! It’s time.” Raf sighed before starting to walk away. “You're gonna come back, right?” Ferdinand asked, worried, making his father stop. “What?” Raf asked, smiling. “That Matador doesn't stand a chance, okay?” Raf said, reassuring his son. “Okay.” Ferdinand said, still sounding downhearted. “And after I win, I'm coming back here and I'm showing you all my moves. Even...my secret ones.” Raf said before the father and son pressed their foreheads together.

“And you.” Raf said, making Snow stiffen and stand up straight. “Watch after this one while I'm gone.” He said, smiling down at the fawn. “Y-Yes, sir!” Snow said, putting her front hooves together and raising her tail, ears flat against her head, making Raf chuckle. “Don't change, Snowflake.” He said, Snow closing her eyes tightly when he nudged her cheek with his snout, before turning and walking towards the trailer. Once the black bull reached the door of the trailer, he looked back at Snow and Ferdinand and winked, smiling. Ferdinand weakly smiled back as Snow walked up to stand next to her friend, her shoulder almost touching his.

They both stood there and watched as Raf walked into the trailer before the man closed the door and the truck started driving off, the man closing the gate after them. Snow flattened her ears before nudging her head under his chin, closing her eyes. “He’ll be back.” She whispered as the calf watched the truck leave. He let out a soft sigh before letting Snow guide him back towards the stables area.

The two walked through the gate before looking over at the red flower. They both smiled softly before jumping when Valiente’s hoof came down on the plant, the brown calf and his father glaring at the two before they walked off. Snow glared after them while Ferdinand frowned and looked down at the ground.

Snow groaned when she was woken up by the sound of pacing hooves. “Ferd…” She murmured before sitting her head up and yawning. “Ferdinand, he only just left this morning. Come get some rest.” She said, smiling softly at him as he looked over at her. The black calf looked between her and the gate to their stall before he sighed and walked over to her. She watched him as he flopped down behind her before laying his head on her back, the fawn licking his cheek and some of his head fur.

Three days later, Snow was laying on her back in the stall, giggling, while Ferdinand sat next to her, his front hooves on either side of her, as he tried to nip at her ears. “Ferd! Stop!” Snow whined, laughing. They both stopped and gasped when the stables doors started opening, making them both jump to their hooves.

Ferdinand grunted as he stood up on his hind legs to see one of the men leave the door open. “Dad!” The calf cheered before he scrambled over the stall gate and raced for the large door, Snow and Valiente standing up on their hind legs to watch him. “Do you see him?” Snow asked, her short tail wagging excitedly. But, her excitement was quickly washed away when she saw her friend’s ears flatten. “Dad…” He whispered before backing up, tears in his eyes as he let out ragged breaths.

“I called it.” Valiente’s dad said, making Ferdinand and Snow look over at him, the brown calf looking at Ferdinand with wide eyes. “That bull was soft. The soft ones alway go down.” He added, Valiente looking back at his father slightly before looking back at Ferdinand with a bit of sympathy. “You better bull up!” The brown bull told his son before he turned away. Valiente flattened his ears before he furrowed his eyebrows together and glared at Ferdinand.

“Fer-!” “Oh, hey, what are you doing out here?” The man who'd walked into the stables asked, making Ferdinand let out a startled bawl. “Come on, get back. Get back!” The man said as Ferdinand looked between the stables doors and stalls. “Come back to your stall.” The man ordered. “Ferinand! Come on!” Snow said in a pleading voice. “Come on, little guy!” The man said before Ferdinand let out a scared bawl and ran out of the stables, making Snow’s eyes widen.

“A calf is out! Get it!” The man yelled before running after Ferdinand. “Ferdinand!” Snow yelled before she grunted and tried to jump over the gate, only for her back legs to get caught. “Ferdinand!” She yelled, grunting as she tried to pull herself off the gate. “What's happening?!” Bones asked, standing up on his back legs to look over the gate to his stall, Guapo doing the same. “Flower Bull made a run for it!” Valiente said, looking over at the two calves. “No way! Are you kidding?!” Guapo asked, Snow still struggling to get herself off the gate.

“Whoa there, girl! Whoa!” A man said as he approached the struggling fawn, Snow letting out a loud bleat. “Let's get you back in there.” He added before grabbing her and setting her back into the stall. She stumbled backwards as she let out heavy pants and watched the man nod before leaving. Snow looked around her stall before she backed into a corner and laid down, shaking, the excited and surprised chatter of the remaining calves muffled in her ears.

Chapter Text

Snow groaned as she woke up to the sound of her stall door opening, the fawn yawning. “Good morning, muchacha!” The man who had taken Snow from her home greeted as he walked into the stall. “Heard you got yourself caught on the stall door during the excitement last night.” He commented as Snow pushed herself to her hooves. The snow white fawn flattened her ears as she backed up into the wall behind her.

“Easy, girl! Easy!” The man cooed as he slowly approached Snow, stepping into a crouch. Snow watched the man with cautious eyes as he extended his hands towards her. “Eso es. Tranquila chica, tranquila.” He continued to sooth as he lifted Snow off the ground and placed her down in front of himself. “Now, let’s take a look at you.” He said he ran his hand under her stomach as he looked her back legs over.

Snow tilted her head and watched the man as he checked for any injuries, making her lift each back leg. “It’s official.” The man said as he stood up, dusting his hands off. “You’re a tough one!” He complimented, Snow closing her eyes as he rubbed her head. “Now, vamos, time to stretch our legs.” He said, opening the stall door for the fawn. Snow blinked up at the man and looked at the opening before bounding out of the stall.

The white fawn squinted her eyes and blinked as she walked out of the stables, the sunlight blinding her for a moment. Snow lifted her head and looked around as her ear swiveled. She tilted her head and watched as Guapo, Valiente and Bones laughed and butted heads, the sounds of their small horns clacking together echoing the courtyard. Snow watched the three for a moment longer before she looked away, frowning. ‘They never found him..?’ She asked herself, ears flattening against her head.

Snow was pulled from her thoughts with a yelp as something crashed into her side, sending her sprawling to the ground. “Gotta be better than that, Bones!” Valiente laughed as he bounded away, Guapo sending his smaller friend a concerned look before running after the brown calf. “Y-You okay?” Snow asked as the patched calf pushed himself off of her with a groan. “O-Of course! I’m a bull!” Bones answered as he stood up straight. “Whoa!” He yelped, Snow perking her ears up as she sat up, when he stumbled to the side before falling onto his rear.

Snow stood up and tilted her head as the small calf sighed and watched the other two calves. “You sure you're okay?” Snow asked as she sat down next to him. “I already told you, I’m fine!” Bones snapped, glaring at Snow. “Then why aren't you going back to headbutting with the others?” Snow asked.

Bones continued to glare at her before he lowered his head and sighed. “I’m not good enough…” He muttered, making Snow blink. “What does that mean?” Snow asked, raising an eyebrow. “I’m too small and…boney!” He answered, lifting his right, front leg and shaking it. “I get knocked over too easily and I’m not as fast as the others!” He added and he stomped his raised hoof against the ground. Snow watched him before she looked up at Bones again. “Well, I don't think you're not strong enough.” She commented. “How would you know?” Bones asked, glaring at her again.

Snow blinked at him before she smiled and pushed herself to her hooves. “Then show me!” She said, getting in a dog-like-play stance, her short tail flicking back and forth. “What?” Bones asked, scrunching up his snout and raising an eyebrow. “Yeah!” Snow confirmed, jumping from side to side. “I used to headbutt with my brother and other fawns in my herd!” She explained, getting back in her play crouch.

“Well…” Bones started, flattening his ears and glancing back towards Guapo and Valiente. “Or are you scared of getting beat by a girl?” Snow asked, giving a challenging look. “I ain't scared of being beat by no girl!” Bones yelled, jumping to his hooves. “Great!” Snow cheered as she stood up straight. Snow lowered her head and shifted her hooves as the smallest calf huffed and dug at the ground with his left hoof before charging towards her.

“Oof!” Snow grunted when Bones’ head collided with her’s, sending the fawn tumbling backwards. Bones stumbled slightly and shook his head. “Huh?” He questioned when he heard Snow start laughing. “That made me dizzy!” She laughed as she stumbled back towards the red-tufted calf, giggling as her back legs slipped out from under her, her front legs keeping her sat up. Bones blinked at the fawn before he started laughing. “See! You couldn't even handle a soft hit!” He yelled, bouncing as he crossed and uncrossed his front and back legs.

“Oh please!” Snow snorted, pushing herself up again, stumbling as she shook her head. “I’ve met newborns who could hit harder than that!” She teased before charging towards him. Bones gasped and quickly lowered his head. The fawn and calf grunted as their heads collided again and they started pushing against each other. “Hah!” Bones cheered as he pushed Snow away, the fawn standing on her back legs and kicking her front legs for a moment. The two laughed as Snow shook her head before they took off across the courtyard.

Valiente laughed triumphantly as Guapo stumbled backwards with a groan before he was cut off when Bones and Snow ran between the two. “What the-?!” Guapo asked as they watched the two. Snow laughed as she pushed herself onto her back legs again before tucking her front legs in against her chest and butting her head against Bones’, who spread his legs out to handle the force of her blow.

“Deer can headbutt too?!” Guapo asked, a smile on his face as he looked between the two and Valiente, who had a confused, yet disgusted, look on his face.

Snow continued to laugh as she jumped away from Bones, her tail flicking back and forth again. “Come at me again, Bones!” Snow yelled, bouncing back and forth. “Think fast!” Guapo yelled. “Huh?” Bones and Snow looked over and the fawn screamed when she saw Guapo charging towards them.

The fawn grunted as she lowered her head in time to catch his headbutt, the force of the blow pushing her backwards. “Get ‘er, Guapo!” Bones cheered, lifting his front hooves off the ground for a moment. “Hey!” Snow yelled before yelping when Guapo was able to throw her off balance. “Bulls are victorious!” Guapo cheered as Bones laughed and Snow pushed herself back to her hooves. “Oh yeah?” Snow asked as she dug at the ground with her left hoof before she ran at the black and red calf.

The two calves and fawn continued to laugh as they switched between who headbutted who. “Alright!” Snow growled as she got into her play crouch, digging at the ground again and shaking her rear, getting ready to charge at Guapo. “Here comes the-! Doof!” Snow grunted as she was cut off and sent spinning across the courtyard. The fawn groaned as she slid to a stop with her legs splayed out and her chin rested on the ground, dust swirling around her.

Bones and Guapo both stared after Snow with surprised and concerned looks before they looked over when Valiente started laughing loudly. “Look at you!” He laughed as Snow stood up on shaking legs, sand falling from her flank. “Are you even supposed to be headbutting like a bull?” Valiente asked, still laughing. “Yes!” Snow snapped back. “Well…no…But the bucks in my herd did, so why can't I?!” Snow corrected as she started to walk back towards the calves.

But, she was stopped by a wince when she put pressure on her right, hind leg, making her lift it. “That’s why!” Valiente scoffed. “You're too weak and twiggy! You wouldn't survive a day as a bull!” Valiente snorted as he turned and started marching away. “C'mon, guys! Let's go back to acting like real bulls!” He ordered, Bones and Guapo looking back after him.

The two calves shared a look and glanced back at Snow before they started following Valiente. Snow frowned and flattened her ears for a moment before her ears perked up when Bones stopped and looked back at her. The white fawn blinked and tilted her head when the two-toned calf gave her a gapped-tooth grin, his ears raising slightly. “Bones!” Valiente called, making the small calf gasp and run after the stronger built calves.

Snow couldn't help but smile and giggle after the calf before she sighed and looked out at the horizon beyond the borders of Casa del Toro. ‘Hopefully…we’ll all be friends by time you come back…’ Snow thought, ears flat against her head.

Chapter Text

Despite the fawn’s hopes of her missing friend's return, time moved faster than she'd liked and seasons changed. Summer turning into Fall, Fall to Winter and Winter to Spring while bulls continued to come and go from del Toro.

The sounds of snorting bulls and chirping birds filled the air as a group of three adolescent bulls ran out of the del Toro stables before an adolescent Snow walked out after them. The young doe’s fluffy pelt was now sleek and shiny, the tufts of fur on her head having lost most of their length, while her head slimmed out slightly and her legs had grown, her round chocolate, brown eyes also losing much of their round shape.

Snow closed her eyes and yawned before she sneezed and shook her head, her slimming ears flapping at the rapid movement. “Better watch out, Snow!” The white doe looked over in time to jump out of the way of a charging blur of  tan and cream. “Gonna have to be faster than that, Bones!” Snow laughed, standing in triumph, ears and tail perked up. “Oh, you haven't seen faster, sister!” Bones yelled. The adolescent bull had kept his boney figure, but he’d gained some muscle and the red tuft of fur on his head had grown into a swoop while his horns had started growing out, the tips of his horns going inward.

“Oh really? Then I’d hate to see how slow you are!” Snow playfully retorted before taking off, laughing as the young bull raced after her. “Hey!” The red and black adolescent bull protested as the doe and smaller bull zoomed passed him. “Sorry, Guap!” Snow and Bones called back, making Guapo roll his eyes. Unlike Bones, the black and red bull had lost his skinny figure and had grown far more muscular, his legs looking like they were shrinking instead of growing, and the black fur on his head started flattening out while his horns had also started growing out like Bones’, but his didn't swoop back in as sharply.

Snow giggled as she jumped up a stack of crates and looked down as Bones slid to a stop at the bottom. “What’s the matter, T-Bone?” Snow asked as she laid down on the crate she was standing on. “Can’t reach?” She asked before sticking her tongue out at him. “Who says I need to reach?” Bones asked, smirking. Snow raised an eyebrow and tilted her head before she gasped and jumped to her hooves when the cream and tan bull backed up and rammed into the crates, making the pile shake and crack.

“O-Okay, Bones! Easy now!” Snow called down as she struggled to keep her balance on the trembling crate. “Oh boy…” Snow groaned as the crates started falling forward. Bones quickly backed away as the stack of crates started falling forward, making Snow scream. The doe grunted as she jumped off the crate before the wooden boxes hit the ground. “Wah!” She yelled when her front hooves hit the ground before she grunted when she lost her footing and started rolling, Bones laughing as he watched her go.

Snow grunted again as she rolled to a stop when her back ran into something hard, Bones’ laughter immediately stopping and being replaced with a gasp. “Ugh…” Snow groaned as she sat her head up, dust flying as she shook her head. “I…I’m fine!” Snow called, giggling as she swayed from her dizziness.

The white doe’s dizziness immediately faded and her smile fell, her giggles ceasing, when a snort came from behind her, blowing her ears forward and making her eyes widen. Snow slowly turned her head to look over her shoulder as her ears flattened. “Eheheh…H-Hey, Val!” Snow greeted, giving a nervous smile.

Like Guapo, Valiente had grown rather muscular, but unlike the black and red bull, the brown bull’s figure had grown into a boxy shape while his horns started growing downward, unlike Guapo’s and Bones’.

Snow chuckled nervously again as Valiente glared down at her before white doe took off and jumped over the concrete wall, leaving a trail of dust behind her. Snow grunted when she landed on the other side. “Phew!” She breathed, shaking herself off, before she started walking away from the inclosed courtyard.

“Ah, Nieve!” A voice called, making Snow’s ears perk up and swivel before she looked over to see the man she’d grown to know as Moreno, the man who had taken her from her home when she was a fawn. “Did you sense we had a visitor?” He asked as he walked up with another man behind him. Snow furrowed her eyebrows and tilted her head before she started towards the two men.

“¿Una cierva blanca? Fascinante.” The newcomer commented, Snow blinking up at him as he grabbed her chin. “¡Sí, sí! ¡Ella es nuestro orgullo y alegría! Menos los toros que hemos criado.” Moreno said, Snow huffing and glaring at the two men as they laughed, the young doe pulling her head away from the man’s hand. “¡Ven! ¡Ven! Mis hombres están preparando la pluma y las bulas para su audiencia.” Moreno said, waving for the man to follow.

Snow tilted her head and watched the men go before realization washed over her, making her eyes widen. “A Matador…” Snow whispered before she bounded after the men, ears flat.

“¡Ay! ¡Parece que Snow se une a nosotros!” Moreno cheered, rubbing Snow’s head as she trotted to a stop next to him. Snow frowned up at the man before she looked down into the empty pen below. “¡Suelta los toros!” Moreno called down. A moment later, Snow flinched as Valineto’s father, whom she’d come to know as Furor, burst through the door, followed by Bones and Guapo’s fathers, Skull and Tormento.

Snow frowned up at the men as they chuckled and continued to chat to one another in Spanish before she turned her gaze back down to the pen, where the three bulls continued to bellow and ram into each other. “Hmm...¿Qué pasa con ese marrón?” The Matador questioned, making Snow’s eyes widen and snap her head around to look up at the men. “¿El de los reflejos marrones claros?” He clarified, making Snow’s heart drop. “Mmm...¡Furor! ¡El toro más duro de este lado de España!” Moreno boasted, patting the man’s back as he started leading him away.

Snow stood there and watched the men go before she looked back down into the ring when the bulls fell silent. Her eyes flicked around the bulls before she finally locked eyes with Furor, the older bull glaring at the doe. But, his stance and glare quickly changed into ones of pride, knowing what Snow’s look of dismay meant. The doe swallowed a lump in her throat before she turned and bounded after the men, exiting the onlook.

“¡Es un placer hacer negocios con usted, señor! ¡Te deseo suerte en el ring!” Moreno gave his farewells as Snow trotted out into the open, the men shaking hands. “Psst! Snowball!” Bones called, making Snow’s ears perk up as she looked over to see the three young bulls standing on the other side of the concrete wall. “Is it true Val’s old man was picked?” Guapo asked. “Uh…Y-Yeah…” Snow confirmed, ears flat.

The doe and two bulls looked over when Valiente let out a triumphant laugh. “Yes!” He cheered. “I knew he’d get’em next time!” He joyfully exclaimed. “Val-!” Snow was cut off when a bellow rang through the courtyard, making the young bulls and doe look over to see some of the ranch-hands guiding Furor towards the Winners Truck.

Snow frowned and flattened her ears as Valiente started galloping towards his father, Bones and Guapo staying where they were as Snow jumped over the wall and bounded after the aggressive adolescent bull. “Way to go, Dad!” Valiente congratulated as he came to a stop a few steps away from his father. The older bull stood proud at the praise, but kept his stoic expression. “You better have bulled up by time I get back!” He ordered. Valiente dropped his excited expression and took on a stoic one as his father walked into the trailer.

Snow slowly walked up next to Valiente as the trailer closed and the two watched the truck drive away and towards the gates of del Toro. Valiente stood there for a moment longer before he glanced down at Snow out of the corner of his eye, his stoic expression turning into a glare when he saw her sorrowful look. "Got something to say?" He asked, making Snow jump. "N-No! Well-uh-I-I mean…" Snow stuttered out, slightly backing away from the adolescent bull. "F-Furor wasn't the kindest to me, b-but I'm still a bit…concerned..!" Snow explained, her voice growing softer with each word.

"Well don't be!" Valiente snapped, making Snow flinch and lean her head back as when he got in her face. "He's not soft like Raf was! He'll be back in no time!" He growled before marching away. Snow flattened her ears and took a step forward as she watched him go before she looked back in the direction the truck had gone.

'For your sake, I hope so…' Snow prayed, eyebrows furrowed and ears flat.

As the days passed, the bulls, men and doe went about their normal routine, the bulls headbutting, the men working and cleaning, and Snow watching the three while she laid in the shade or grazed on the remaining patches of grass in the courtyard, sometimes jumping in to give Bones or Guapo something to chase.

Once the fifth day passed, tension started to rise inside the courtyard and stables. The bulls continued to headbutt and train for the ring, but the two bulls and doe could tell Valiente was distracted, the brown bull looking out passed the borders of the courtyard every-so-often. Snow had even started jumping the concrete wall to survey the borders of Casa del Toro in search for the returning truck by day seven of Furor's absence.

"¡Por supuesto, por supuesto!" Snow heard Moreno say from inside the main building of del Toro as she trudged back towards the courtyard, making her ears perk up. "¡Fue un placer hacer negocios con usted, señor! ¡Ojalá te volvamos a ver aquí para otro toro en el futuro!" He added on as Snow looked through a window to see him on the phone. "Another bull..?" Snow questioned before she gasped. 'Did I miss the truck's return?!' She asked herself before racing towards the courtyard.

"Bones! Guapo!" Snow called as she ran up to the two adolescent bulls. "Did-Did the truck pull up?" She asked, panting. As she came to a stop near the two and caught her breath, she noticed the distraught looks on their faces. "Are they still not..?" Snow trailed off as she looked over to see one of the ranch hands cleaning out the Winner's Truck trailer. "Furor didn't come out…" Bones informed as a horrified look appeared on Snow's face, her ears going flat against her head. "V-Val?" She asked, looking up at the two. “He went into the stables.” Bones answered, gesturing with his head as Snow looked towards the open blue doors.

The two bulls stood there and watched with concerned and sorrowful expressions as Snow bounded away.

“Val?” Snow called, her voice echoing through the stables. “Val?” She called again as she slowly walked into the stables, head low and ears perked up. Snow’s ears swiveled and she looked over at his stall when a low sniffle came from inside. The white doe frowned as she walked towards the stall and jumped onto a crate that was next to his stall door. “Valiente?” She called, looking down at the adolescent bull, who was laying on the ground with his back towards her. “Go away…” Valiente growled.

Snow flattened her ears again and stood there for a moment before she jumped over the stall door and landed near Valiente’s back legs. “I said, go away!” Valiente ordered as Snow laid down next to him. Snow said nothing as she leaned against Valiente’s side, her shoulder pressed against his. “I’m sorry…” Snow said softly, looking towards Valiente’s face out of the corner of her eye as she lowered her head.

Valiente sat there in silence before he let out a trembled breath and curled into himself slightly. “It…It wasn't supposed to turn out this way…” He uttered out. Snow said nothing as she rested her head on his shoulder, knowing no words would help soothe the grieving bull.

Chapter Text

“The humans have been working on that for a while, haven't they?” Bones commented as he walked up next to Snow, the young doe lifting her head with grass in her mouth. “Hmm?” Snow hummed and turned her head to follow his gaze. “Oh, yeah.” Snow muffled out before swallowing the grass in her mouth. “I’m still not sure what the humans are doing myself.” Snow admitted.

Blocked to the bullpen by a wooden fence was a small pasture with lush green grass growing from the ground and a halfway built stable.

“Why do you think they're building another stable?” Bones asked, earning a shrug from Snow. “Can’t be expansion, we’re blocked off.” She pointed out, making Bones nod in agreement. “Maybe you're getting your own yard, Twiggy!” Valiente spoke up as he lumbered passed them, making Bones and Snow look back at him. “Good, it'll be an upgrade around here!” He chuckled, Snow sticking her tongue out after him.

“He’s a real jerk, isn't he?” Bones huffed, glaring after the large adolescent. “Eh.” Snow shrugged, making him look down at her. “At least he’s not just grunting and growling at me anymore.” She pointed out before looking at the new pasture again. ‘But, Val has a point…If this is for me, maybe the men are thinking of bringing in more deer.’ She thought to herself, the thought bringing a smile to her snout.

As the days passed, Snow went on with her routine of grazing and watching the growing bulls train, but she also started watching the ranch hands work on the new pasture, her curiosity growing as she watched them add a small awning with a water trough under it.

“You really think the humans are going to put you over there by yourself?” Guapo asked, he, Snow and Bones laying in the shade. “I don't think so.” Snow groaned as she wiggled onto her back. “Even if they do,” she started as she stretched her legs into the air, “I can easily jump the fence.” She finished, staying on her back as she closed her eyes. “Yeah, but that sounds like a lot of work.” Bones pointed out. “Says the guy who runs around butting heads all day!” Snow scoffed, using her right hoof to push his face away.

“Snow! Snow!” Moreno called, making Snow roll onto her side as she and the two bulls laying with her looked in the direction he was calling her from. “Well, go on, Snow!” Bones said in a teasing tone as Moreno whistled. “Master’s callin’!” He added as Snow rolled her eyes and pushed herself to her hooves. “Arff arff!” Guapo mocked as the young doe trotted away.

“There she is!” Moreno cheered as Snow trotted out of the courtyard, the man closing the gate behind her. “Come, niña. I have something you might like!” He said as he set his hand on her back and started leading her away, the doe staring up at him.

Snow looked around as they walked towards the gate of the new pasture before they stopped so Moreno could push it open. “Well,” Moreno started as Snow sniffed at the grass, ears perked, “go on.” He urged, Snow looking up at him when he nudged her into the pasture.

Snow turned away from the man and looked around again as she walked into the pasture, Moreno closing the gate behind her. “Well?” Bones asked as he and Guapo walked up to the fence, the two watching Snow observe her new area. “It’s…green…” Snow said, unsure. “And soft…” She added. “I-I mean, I’ve touched grass before,” she said as she walked towards the fence separating them, “and I can still see it from the courtyard,” Snow continued as she softly dug at the ground with her right hoof, “but gosh does it feel good after so long!” She breathed as she laid down, flopping onto her side.

“I take it it’s truly greener on the other side?” Guapo joked, resting his chin on the wooden fence. “Much greener!” Snow confirmed, eyes closed. “Geez, who knew it'd only take some grass to get Snow to abandon us!” Bones said, mocking offense. “Shut up and let me have this, Bones.” Snow huffed, the smaller bull blinking at her as his friend laughed.

Snow’s bliss was short lived when chortles of laughter sounded out behind her, making her blink her eyes open. “Who the heck are those guys?” Bones asked as Snow rolled onto her side and turned her head. The snow white doe’s head tilted and her ears perked up and she saw three young horses prancing towards her, their steps falling into place with one another.

“Klaus, Greta! Look!” The middle horse, which was a stallion with a silver coat and a lighter colored mane and tail, an accent to his voice. “I didn’t know shtinky bulls could talk!” He added as he came to a stop near Snow’s hide quarters, the other two chortling again as they pranced around Snow, a mare with a white coat and blonde mane and tail to her right and a white stallion with a silver mane to her left. “Who are you calling stinky?!” Guapo asked. “Yeah! And if you're gonna insult us, at least say it correctly!” Bones snapped. “Oh my!” The mare gasped, staring at the bulls with wide eyes. “Da shtinky bulls can understand us too!” She laughed, the stallions joining in once more.

“Now, vhat about dis little zing?” The pure white stallion asked, Snow flattening her ears and shifting her front legs when he leaned his head down to get a better look at the doe, Snow leaning away as he got closer to her face. “Do you zink it understands?” He asked, looking between the other two horses. “Oh no no no!” The mare spoke again, clicking her tongue as she lowered her head to Snow’s level. “If it did, zen it vouldn’t be in our pen!” She added, standing up straight.

“Your-?” Snow started before letting out a pained yelp and jumping to her hooves when she felt a clamping pain in her tail. “Hey!” She yelled as she spun around to face the silver stallion. “What was that for?!” She asked, standing with her legs spaced out and tail raised, ears flat against her head. “Hah! It does shpeak!” The silver stallion cheered, standing proud. “I’m not an it!” Snow spat. “Vhat are you zen?” The silver stallion asked, Snow leaning her head back when he lowered his to her level. “I’m a doe!” Snow growled.

“A doe? Vhat is dat?” The white stallion asked, looking to the mare. “I’ll tell you vhat it isn't!” The blonde mare scoffed. “A doe isn't a horse!” She pointed out, stamping her right hoof. “You are so vight, Greta!” The silver stallion nodded as Snow started backing away from the three. "Look, I get it! I'm not welcome! I'll just jump over the fence and be on my way!" Snow said as she turned and started for the fence. "Oh no, no, no!" The silver stallion argued, forcing Snow to stop when he jumped out in front of her. "You see, if you can jump over ze fence, zen you can alvays come back!" He pointed out. "So true, Hans!" The blonde mare, Greta, praised. "So, instead, ve are going to keep you here and alert ze humans!" The silver stallion, Hans, proclaimed.

"But the humans are the ones that put her over there!" Bones argued. "Hush, shtinky bull! Nobody asked you!" Hans snapped, glaring back at the two. "Call me stinky again!" Bones dared. "Besides, vhy vould ze humans put a not-horsey in ze horesy pen?" The mare asked. "I-I don't know! Why do humans do anything?!" Snow asked as she backed away from Hans, jumping and looking back when she ran into the white stallion behind her. "Now, how should ve alert ze humans?" Hans asked, looking between the three of them. "Oh! Ve should run in circles avound ze pen and shqueal and neigh until ze humans come!" The white stallion, left to be Klaus, suggests. "Mmm...No, no, no." Hans shook his head. "Zat vould give her ze chance to escape before ze humans could get here!" Hans explained as Snow looked between the three. "Ve should all circle avound her and kick our front hooves at her while shquealing!" Hans suggested instead as Snow's gaze went passed the three horses and landed on Valiente.

Snow lifted her head slightly and her ears perked up as the distant bull let out a huff and rolled his eyes, front hoof digging at the ground. Snow blinked at the golden-masked bull before turning her glare back up to Hans, letting out a huff of her own and digging at the ground with her right hoof.

"Alvight! On ze count of three!" Hans stated, earning nods. "Vne! Two! Th-!" Hans was cut off with a high pitched bray when Snow rammed her head into his chest, sending him tumbling backwards. The white doe glared between the two remaining horses as they panicked and fretted over the fallen stallion before she let out a grunt as she stood on her front hooves and kicked her back hooves into Klaus' chest, pulling a pained neigh from the white stallion, who pushed himself back onto his hind legs.

"Whoo! Get'em Snowie!" Bones cheered, he and Guapo still watching from the fence. "Ooooh, you-you-! You Der Weiße Teufel!" Greta growled as she pushed herself onto her back legs. Snow gasped and jumped out of the way in time to dodge the mare's hooves, bolting around her and towards the fence. "Whoa!" Snow yelped, skittering to a fault, when Hans bolted out in front of her, stamping his front hooves at her. "Go, Snow, go!" Guapo yelled as Snow turned tail and ran in the other direction. "Shtop moving, you demon!" Klaus cried as Snow dove under him. Snow looked back at the two stallions as she neared the fence opposite of the bulls, a smirk of victory on her muzzle. "Snow, look out!" Bone yelled before a crushing pain rammed into her right side, banging into her hindquarters.

Snow grunted as she was thrown to the side, letting out more grunts and cries as she rolled across the ground. "Not so fun being kick, is it?" Greta asked, turning her head to look back at Snow. "Snow!" Bones yelled. Snow grunted as she pushed herself back to her hooves, shaking her head. "Ah!" She winced when she put pressure on her back, right leg, quickly lifting it back off the ground. "Oh! Vhat's ze matter?" Hans asked as he and the other two approached her. "Can't run anymore?" He asked, chortles escaping the three. Snow kept her head low and ears flat as she limply back away from the three horses, letting out a scared bleat. "Oh no, no, no, kleiner dämon!" Greta cooed mockingly. "Zere’s no call for help now!" She said, Snow only able to let out another bleat.

A thundering bellow suddenly responded to Snow’s bleats, making her and the three horses look over to see Guapo breaking through the fence, splintered wood hanging from his horns. Snow blinked at the black and red bull as the three horses screamed. "Mad bull! Mad bull!" The three screamed as they took off running. "Yeehaw!" Bones cheered as he raced into the horse pen after his friend. "Giddyup, lil Guapo!" He yelled as he chased the horses towards the stables. Snow blinked at the scene in front of her before she finally forced herself to move, limply running back into her familiar bullpen and found herself ducking behind Valiente, hiding next to his left side.

"Wha-What are you doing?!" Valiente sputter, looking down at her. "Hiding behind the largest thing in the yard!" Snow whisper/yelled, peaking around Valiente’s front. The brown bull let out an annoyed sigh and rolled his eye before they both looked over when they heard more yelling.

Moreno and five other men were yelling in protest as they ran through and over the broken fence. "Get those bull to the barn!" Moreno order, waving his arm in the direction of the barn as two of the men threw ropes over the two bulls heads. "What?!" Bones yelled as he and Guapo were forcefully lead out of the grassy pen. "They started it!" Guapo argued, tugging against the rope. "Yeah!" Bones agreed as the two men and bulls were led passed Valiente and Snow.

"Ay, I knew we should have replaced this with wire!" Moreno sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Repair this with the spare wood for now. I'll look into buying electric wiring." He ordered, the remaining men quickly getting to work before the man had finished talking. Moreno let out another sigh as he shook his head a mutter under his breath before Snow seemed to catch his eye, doing a double take as his eyes landed on the bull and doe. Having Moreno's eyes land on her, Snow's ears flattened again and she ducked further behind Valiente, the bull looking down at her at the movement before turning his glare to Moreno, letting out a huff.

Not taking his eyes off Snow, Moreno let out a whistle and snapped his fingers, catching the three men's attention. "One of you separate Snow from the other animals. I want to make sure she wasn't injured." Moreno ordered as he started for the house. The three men shared alarmed looks before two of the men turned their gazes up to the largest of them. The silently chosen man looked between the two in disbelief before he let out a sigh of defeat and started towards the bull and doe. "Al-Alright, cariño! C-Come away from the big, scary bull!" The man pleaded, his soft cooes coming out desperate

Snow went to step back again but stopped when Valiente let out another huff, making her look up at him, before he stomped his right hoof against the ground, letting out a rumbled growl. Hearing the sound and seeing Valiente’s stance change, the man held his hands up in defeat before crossing himself and scurrying back to the other men.

"Th-Thank you, Val." Snow managed out softly, taking a few steps forward. "I didn't do anything for you! I just hate having the humans near me!" Valiente responded with a growl, lumbering away. Snow blinked after the brown bull before she let out a sigh and started towards the stables, wincing when she tried to put pressure on her back right leg again.

"Snow!" Guapo cheered when the doe limped into the stables. "You okay, sister?" Bones asked as Snow trudged into her stall. "Y-Yeah! I-I just need to lie down!" Snow nodded as she carefully layed down, wincing. "Your leg?" Guapo asked. "I think it's just bruised, but I'll let Moreno look at it tomorrow." Snow answered, letting most of her weight fall onto her left side as she laid her chin down on the ground.

Chapter Text

"Darn humans are buildin' somethin' again!" Bones snapped, causing Snow to lift her head from the water trough. Far from the pastures of del Toro was the scaffolding of a slow forming building. "Yeah, Moreno doesn't talk much about it, but I do know he's put a hold on allowing Matador’s come and pick a bull." Snow explained. "Are you serious?!" Guapo asked, Snow looking back at him with a frown. "Then what's the point in letting us train?!" He asked, stomping his hooves as he slumped away. Snow watching him go for a moment longer before sharing a sorrowful look with Bones, who returned the look only for a moment to follow after his friend.

It had only been a week prior that Guapo’s father, Tormento, had been selected by the last Matador that had shown up last. Two days later, the Winner’s Truck came back without the gray bull.

Snow let out a sorrowful sigh as she turned and started away from the trough. 'How much more change and sorrow are we going to have to go through?' Snow wondered as she exited the bullpen, having to jump over the cement wall. The doe continued down the dirt path until she reached where the buildings of del Toro ended, leaving her looking down the path to the growing building. "What are they building?" Snow murmured to herself, squinting up to the building.

Snow jumped and loked up when a sigh sounded next to her and a weight was added to her head. "At this rate," Moreno started, smiling up the hill, "construction should be done by winter and be up and running by spring!" He stated, earning a confused look and head tilt from the white doe. Snow's confusion quickly turned into surprise as he and Moreno looked back when a beeping sound sounded out behind them. "Ah!" Moreno exclaimed as they watched a truck with a trailer backing up towards the entrance of the bullpen. "They're here a day early!" He announced.

Snow sent him a confused look again before she let out a soft bleat to catch the man's attention. "Don't worry, Snow. I may have found you a more compatible compadre." Moreno reassured, rubbing her head, before he started towards the now parked truck. Snow raised a brow and frowned before she started after the man. She slowed her trot as she walked passed Moreno, who was sharing greetings with the driver. Snow's ears perked as she appraoched the silver trailer, sniffing at the gleaming metal.

"He...Hello?" Snow greeted in a questioning tone. "Oooh!" A male voice exclaimed, making the doe jump back. "Have we arrived?!" The voice asked excitedly, an odd accent strong in his voice. "We?" Snow murmured, brows furrowed. "Snow!" Moreno called, making the doe look back. "Snow?" The male voice questioned as Snow watched the man pull a large carrier out of the back of the truck, rapid blowing sounds coming from the trailer as she walked away.

"Come, come!" Moreno coaxed as Snow's movements slowed and she sniffed at the carrier. "Meet our new calming goat, Lupe." Moreno introduced as he opened the carrier and tilted it forward. Snow tilted her head and squinted before she jumped back, standing up straight and blinking rapidly, when a mass of tan and brown fur tumbled out of the carrier. "I feel she will be better company to you while helping the bulls stay calm around the horses." The man continued as the mass uncurled.

Just as Moreno had said, the mass revealed itself to be a goat as the small herbivore lifted her head and yawned. The waking goat was coved in tan fur with cream on her muzzle and underbelly, brown fur on her head. "Ngh...Where am I..?" The goat asked groggily, smacking her lips. Snow leaned her head back as the goat sleepily looked around before her brown eyes widened and she did a double take, staring up at Snow. "Uhh...Hi." Snow greeted with a nervous smile.

Snow's nerous smile quickly changed into a look of shock when the goat let out a scream as she jumped to her hooves. "Geepers! A bull roaming free on a bull fighting farm?!" The goat questioned with a goofie grin on her face. "Oh!" Snow laughed with a crooked smile. "I-I'm not a bull...or a cow at all. I'm a doe." Snow explained, taking a step forward and lowering her head to the goat's level. "A-A doe?" The smaller hooved mammal questioned, earning a hum and nod of confirmation. "I'm Snow." She introduced herself. "Lupe!" The goat introduced in turn, the bell around her neck jingling as she jumped to stand with her hooves closer together.

"Oi! Can you cows quiet your yakin' and get me out of here?!" The male voice asked, both females ears perking up as they turned their attention to the trailer. "Hey, Snow, what's goin' on?" Bones asked as he and Guapo approached the fence, Valiente standing a few paces away while the older bulls didn't give the trailer a second glance. "Those are bulls." Snow informed Lupe as she led Lupe towards the end of the trailer. "Ohhhh!" Lupe drawled out, looking between the two bulls. "Ya sure the red head isn't a doe as well?" The goat asked in a low tone, leaning towards Snow. "Yes, Lupe, I'm sure he's not a doe, or buck, in male terms." Snow confirmed with a nod.

Their attention was turned away from one another again when two men opened the gate to the bullpen as Moreno opned the back of the trailer. "¡Consigue, consigue!" Moreno ordered as he waved for the male in the trailer to exit. Snow watched with surprise as a very hairy bull lumbered out of the trailer. The bull seemed to be around the trio's age, not grown but not fully grown, his horns seeming to grow out and upwards, while the hair that covered him was a dark ginger color, the fur on his head that slightly covered his eyes being a lighter tone.

"Greetings, fellow bulls!" The hairy bull greeted as his hooves left the metal door and touched dirt. "The name's Angus, and I look forward to beating each of you in the wring!" The bull, Angus, continued as Snow jumped over the wall, Lupe grunting as she had to jump onto the wall to go over it. "Oh! Big words for a new guy!" Bones pointed out, looking Angus over with a raised brow and smirk. "You sure you're a bull?" Guapo asked, brow raised more in confusion than cockiness like Bones. "You look more like a mop." He added, squinting at the new bull. "I'll have you know, where I'm from, the hairier and glossier the fur, the better the bull!" Angus defended, pulling a giggle from Snow.

Hearing the sound, Angus turned in Snow's direction as he blew hair out of his face. "You must be the brood cow of the group!" He assumed, smiling. "Oh!" Snow blinked as Bones and Guapo snickered. "Those would be some very poor bulls." Valiente commented from where he was at the water trough, earning a glare from the doe. "Heh...No. No, I-I'm not. There's actually no cows here, just bulls." Snow explained. "Oh! Then what are you an' what's your purpose?" Angus asked, tilting his head and lowering his head towards her. "I'm Snow, a doe, and I was brought here to be the mascot of del Toro." Snow introduced, nodding in greeting. "The cattle of del Toro is Bones, Guapo, Valiente and the many other adult bulls that are far less interactive than we are." Snow added as she nodded to the trio before doing the same to the five to six bulls who were either training or resting. "And I'm Lupe, your very own calming goat!" Lupe introduced, standing tall. "A whatnow?" Bones questioned.

"Well, be glad you're not the brooder, or else that might you looking after that lil' freak!" Angus commented, ignore Bones' question to Lupe. "Little freak?" Snow quesioned before they all looked at the trailer again when creaking metal sounded out. "C'mon, little guy. It's okay." Snow's eyes widened as one of the farmhands coaxed a coal gray and white bull calf out of the trailer. "A calf?" Guapo whispered in surprise as the calf slowly walked down the metal door. "We haven't had a calf here sence...us!" Guapo pointed out at the group watched the calf approach them, the young bull even catching Valiente's interest. "He didn't say a word on the drive here!" Angus informed, blowing his hair from his eyes again. "He didn't even make a sound!" He added in a whispered tone, leaning sideways towards Bones and Guapo.

While Bones and Guapo looked at the calf with unease, Snow continued to look him over in surprise. The gray and white calf looked to be a few months older than the age Ferdinand and the trio had been when she'd been brought to del Toro, his nubbish horns being a bit longer than their's had been as well as a bit more muscle and height to him, his head barely reaching over her shoulders, chin able to rest on her shoulders if he stretched his neck.

"He doesn't need to be a talker." Valiente commented, the calf turning his attention to the brown bull and sniffing towards him. "He just needs to be able to lock horns." He added as he turned and started away. "Ehhh...He's kinda young for that." Bones shrugged as he watched Valiente leave. "Heh...Hey, little guy." Snow finally greeted as she took a step towards the calf, making him look up at her, ears flapping once. "Don't baby him!" Valiente snapped at Snow's soft tone, glaring back at her. "Oh please!" Snow started, rolling her eyes and returning Valienta's glare. "I'm not going to make him soft just by talking to him kindly!" She stated, earning a huff. "Tell that to the flower bull who ran with his tail between his legs!" He growled before continuing away.

"Flower bull?" Lupe questioned, looking up at Snow, who was frowning sadly after Valiente. "It's nothing..." Snow murmured, ignoring the two confused looks and two sympathetic looks, before she sighed and let her soft smile return. "Can you tell us your name?" She asked, lowering her head slightly to match the calf's height. The calf just blinked in responce and curiously sniffed at Snow. "Oh wow. He really doesn't say anything." Lupe commented as she, Snow, Bones and Guapo blinked at the calf. "I told you!" Angus bragged in a sing-song voice as he started away from the group, following Valiente towards the headbutting bulls.

"Well, if he can't give us a name, then we'll have to give him one!" Snow said, standing up straight. "Really? Got any ideas?" Bones asked in an incredulous tone, he and Guapo staring at her with a raised brow each. "Uhh...Well..." Snow drawled out uncertainly, smiling nervously as she looked around with her eyes."Oooh! I know!" Lupe exclaimed, jumping up and down. "Señor Silencio!" Lupe suggested with a dramatic voice, holding her left hoof up. "Yeeeaaah no." Guapo disagreed. "That sucks worse than Val's attitude!" Bones agreed as Snow sent the goat a cringe worthy smile, Lupe's stance slumping with a defeated frown.

Snow giggled as she turned her attention back to the young bull. A gasp escaped her when she saw the calf staring up at her with large brown eyes, blinking up at her as he tilted his head. Snow blinked down at him for a moment before her expression softened and she smiled at him. "Maquina..." She breathed out. "How does Maquina sound?" She asked, all of her attention on the young calf. The gray and white calf just blinked at her again, ears flapping. "I don't think he likes that name." Bones commented, shaking his head. "Hmm..." Snow hummed before she started walking away, the bulls, calf and goat watching her go.

Once Snow was a few paces away, the doe looked back at the small group. "Maquina!" She called. The calf's ears flapped once again before he bounded after Snow, slowing to walk next to her once he was at her side, staring up at her. "Look at that." Lupe commented as she trotted after Snow, the two bulls following, each with a look of disbeilf.

"Where'd the name Maquina come from?" Bones asked as the two bulls caught up, Snow walking with Maquina and Guapo to her left and Lupe and Bones to her right. "Maquina was...is...my brother's name." Snow admitted, ears flattening slightly. "Brother?" Bones questioned. "Are there more does and bucks around here?" Lupe asked, looking around. "No, no...I haven't seen another deer in a long time." Snow answered, looking forward. "You've never talked about your family or old home before." Guapo pointed out, earning a sigh. "Yeah, well..." Snow sent the black and red bull a sad smile. "...it's hard to talk about someone...anyone...you know you'll never see again...Ya know?" Snow pointed out with an understanding look. Guapo blinked down at her for a moment before letting out a sigh of his own. "Yeah...I get it." He nodded, ears drooping as he sent her a sad smile of his own, Bones sending the two a sympathetic look. "Did I miss something?" Lupe asked, looking between the two bulls and doe, making Snow laugh.

"You two go back and train," Snow started, nudging Guapo's shoulder with her head, "I'll show these two around." She offered. "Don't gotta tell me twice!" Bones scoffed. "C'mon, Guap! Let's lock some horns!" He challenged before running off into the pasture. "Your on!" Guapo accepted as he raced after the smaller bull. "Pfft. Bulls!" Lupe scoffed as she, Snow and Maquina continued walking. "You grow up around them too?" Snow asked. "Eh, not really." Lupe answered with a shrug. "I mean, I saw them from far. As well as pigs, horses, sheep, chickens. You name it, I more than likely saw it!" Lupe explained, leaning from side to side as she walked. "Deer?" Snow questioned with a raised brow and knowing smirk. Lupe stopped for a moment and blinked, a deep frown on her face. "Okay, I haven't seen it all!" Lupe corrected, making Snow laugh and Maquina blink at her.

"So, what are we going to see on this grand tour?" Lupe asked, looking up at the doe. "Well, not much, honestly." Snow admitted, looking around. "What you see now is basically all there is. There's some berry patches and nice resting spots I can show you that are outside the pen, but that's about it. The only building we're allowed in is the barn." Snow explained, watching the bulls headbutt each other or an obstacle in front of them. "What about over here?" Lupe asked, making Snow look over. The white doe's eyes widened and her ears flattened when she saw Lupe standing at a wired fence that seperated the bullpen from the horse's pen. "Wait, Lupe don't-!" Snow tried to warn as Lupe used her left horn and right hoof to widen the gap bewteen the bottom and mild wire, the goat letting out a pained bleat as a shock that came from the fence sent her flying back. "-touch...that..." Snow winced as she watched smoke come from the twitching goat, Maquina hiding behind her front legs.

Snow and Maquina's attention was pulled away from Lupe when familiar chortles sounded out. An unamused expression appeared on Snow's face when the three horses pranced into view, still chortling. Greta looked to the two stallions and went to make a comment about the poor goat, but stopped and clamped her mouth shut with an audible sound when her eyes landed on Snow, the other two horses following her horrified gaze before matching looks appeared on their faces. Maquina turned his head to look up at Snow when the doe let out an anoyed huff, which sent the running as they let out panicked screams and neighs. "That's what I thought!" Snow said smugly.

The doe and calf both looked back down at Lupe when she let out a dramatic gasp and sat up quickly. "What was that?!" Lupe asked, panting. "That was the shock from an electric fence." Snow answered as she came to a stop in front Lupe, Maquina following behind her. "Why the heck would they add that?!" Lupe asked, looking up at Snow. "Well...there was a bit of an...incident a few months back." Snow explained, smirking as she glaced back at the horses, who were hiding and peaking out from behind the stables doors.

Her smirk turned into one of amusment when she remembered how she and the trio had first approached the electric fence. How they had each tried to figure out how the wired fence was better than the wooden one before Guapo touched one of the wires with his nose, sending him bellowing and bucking in pain, rubbing himself against the ground.

"Come on," Snow started, signalling with her head for Maquina and Lupe to follow her, "I'll show you where we sleep so you can rest off the buzz." She said as she started towards the stables, Maquina trotting behind her. "Hey, why are the horses scared of you?" Lupe asked as she jumped to her hooves and ran to catch up with Snow. "Eh, I attacked them and sent angry bulls after them a few months back. They call me Der Weiße Teufel though." Snow explained. "What does dervisaturfel mean?" Lupe asked as she walked next to the wwhite doe. "No idea." Snow shrugged.

Chapter Text

As Moreno had said those months ago, by time the first snow had fallen, the building in the distance was finished, yet nothing seemed to happen with it. Snow watched Moreno and his men come and go from the building, sometimes on foot, sometimes by truck or car, but nothing seemed to happen within the walls of del Toro.

Snow's gaze was pulled away from the distant building when a thud sounded behind her. Her ears perked and she looked over to see Maquina sitting on his haunches, shaking his head, while a blue barrel in front of him wobbled in a back and forth circle. Snow smiled at the young bull that she had taken under her hoof, who was now tall enough to rest his chin on her head without having to stretch his neck, his body starting to take on a rather oval-ish yet box-ish figure, legs seeming to shrink like Valiente's and Guapo's had. "The water's frozen now, Mac!" Snow called as she walked towards a pile of hay that was in the middle of the bullpen, Maquina watching her go.

"Brr!" Lupe shivered loudly as she approached Snow, the doe pulling some hay from the pile. "Getting colder by the day, huh?" Lupe asked, kicking snow from her legs. "First snow fall?" Snow asked, looking down at Lupe as she chewed on her hay. "Not really. We were just put up when the snow started falling." Lupe answered as she hopped up onto a small crate, kicking the piled snow off. "This is technically my second winter, but first experiancing it." She explained, sitting down. "My second as well." Snow nodded before swallowing the hay she'd been chewing. "Moreno tried to keep my locked up some place warm, but I kept destroying the place. Can't stand enclosed spaces with no outs." Snow explained.

The two hooved females attention were pulled away from each other when sickening coughs sounded out. Snow frowned as she watched Bones set a wooden pail full of water down in front of his father, Skull, who was laying under a tree. The older bull raised his head and glared up at his son, but still gave him a nod before Bones went on his way. "Sounds like his cough is getting worse." Snow pointed out as Bones approached. "Nah, nah, nah. He's fine." Bones disagreed, shaking his head as he stopped next to Snow. "It's just a small cold. He'll be better in no time!" He explained. "Alright...But, I'll get Moreno's attention about it, just to be safe." Snow insisted. "Pssh! We don't need to go that far!" Bones said with an unconvincing smile. "But..." He started again, uncertainly. "...if he was that bad, you think Moreno can help?" He asked, a hopeful glint in his eyes. "He helped Val that one time one of his scars got infected, so I don't see why not." Snow answered with a shrug.

Their attention was pulled away once more when Skull let out more coughs. "You should probably get him to go into the stables though. It'll be warmer in there." She pointed out, earning a real amused scoff. "You try getting that old geezer into the barn!" Bones dared. "Just tell him no Matador wants a bull with the sniffles!" Snow suggested as she started away to find Moreno, leaving Lupe and Bones behind.

"Still sick?" Guapo askde as Snow started walking passed him. "Yeah, and getting worse." Snow nodded as the black and red bull joined her. "I'm going to see if Moreno has taken notice or if he can do anything about it." She explained, scanning for the man of topic. "The wasting sack of bones should hurry and kick the bucket!" Valiente commented as they passed. "Hey! Be considerate for once!" Snow snapped, glaring up at the brown bull. "That's Bones' dad!" She added. "So?" Valiente questioned in an annoyed tone. "What if it had been Furor?" Snow asked. "He would have bulled up and been better that that!" Valiente claimed, returning the does glare. "Oh please! Bulling up doesn't stop you from getting sick!" She agrued.

"This is why we Highlands are appreciated for our thick fur!" Angus spoke up as he managed to make his way over to the bulls and doe without tripping or bumping into anything. "Our thick fur keeps us warm, so we don't succumb to the cold like you thin skinned teuchters!" He added. "What'd he just call us?" Guapo asked, looking down at Snow. The white doe just let out a scoff and ignored the three bulls as she started away again, jumping over the concrete wall. Once Snow was out of the bullpen, it didn't take her long to spot Moreno, who was leaving his house.

At the sound of Snow's bleat, Moreno stopped and looked over to see the doe approaching him. "Hola, Snow!" Moreno greeted as Snow stopped next to him, rubbing his gloved hand against her head. "Chilly out here, no?" He asked as Snow leaned into his touch. Snow let out a snort in responce before the took the opening of his glove in her teeth. "What is it Sn-Oh!" Moreno yelped as the white doe started pulling him towards the bullpen.

"What are you doing, you crazy thing?" Moreno asked as they came to a stop at the concrete wall, Snow releasing his glove. Snow looked up at the man for a moment before turning her attention to the pen in front of them. Moreno sent Snow a confused look before slowly following her gaze. "Huh..." He breathde out as he watched Skull limp towards the stables with Lupe walking in front of him and Bones follow close behind. "Oh..." Moreno drawled as he set his hands on the concrete wall. "You've noticed Skull's weariness." He nodded, Snow looking up at him. "Don't worry," he started, putting his hand on her head, "we'll take care of him shortly." He reassured, Snow letting out a pleased sound at his words.

"So? What'd he say?" Bones asked as he and Lupe walked out of the stables, Snow walking towards them. "Moreno and the other humans took notice of Skull far before this. He'll take care of him." Snow informed, smiling at the sigh Bones let out. "That's good...That's-." Bones cut himself off when he lifted his head and saw the knowing smirk on Snow's muzzle. "That's...That's good because...uh...because can't show up the ol' man if he's sick! Ya know?" Bones tried to explain away, straightening his relaxed stance. "Gotta-Gotta show him I'm gonna be better than him!" He explained, earning a snicker from Snow and an eyeroll from Lupe. "Sure, big guy!" Lupe nodded as Snow nudged her head under his chin. "He'll be okay." Snow whispered, leaning her head against him more when he let his head relax on her's.

Snow groaned and blinked her eyes open when she heard the barn doors creak open and a chill fill the air. "Venir también." She heard a male voice order, followed by a tongue click. "¡Vamos!" The male voice ordered as Snow lifted her head, yawning. "Waz goin' on?" Lupe asked from her bucket, lifting her head as well. "Pops?" Snow heard Bones question as she pushed herself to her head. "W-Wait," Bones started, still groggy, as Snow looked over her stall door to see a man leading the sickly bull out of the barn, "where's he taking him?" Bones asked as Guapo and Valiente looked out of their own stalls, the red and black bull yawning. "Not sure." Snow answered, yawning before shaking her head. "I'll go check it out." She answered before jumping over her door.

Peaking out the barn doors, Snow sent one last look over her shoulder before she bounded out of the barn, following the trail of hoof and foot prints. The doe slowed her bound to a slow walk when she reached the corner of one of the buildings, peering around the corner with her ears angled forward. "Huh?" Snow blinked when she saw Skull being loaded into a trailer. "Is that the Winner's Truck..?" She wondered to herself before she ran up to the trailer after the man closed it and started away.

"Skull?" Snow called in a whispered tone, walking wwith her head low. "Twigs?" The red-ish/brown bull questioned as he poked his head out of the trailer, the door of the trailer not filling the whole opening. "What are you doing out here?" He croaked out, coughing after. "I'm trying to figure out what's going on." Snow answered, still whispering, as she peaked around the sides of the trailer. "Did that guy say anything?" She asked, looking up at him. "No." Skull answered, coughing. "Just loaded me up and walked away." He added as Snow's gaze lowered to the half-door. "What's this..?" Snow murmured as she squinted at the image of a bull's body, the image having the bull's head missing and the body marked with dotted lines and numbers.

"But it's obvious what's going on." Skull started, making Snow look up at him. "The only time a bull leaves in a trailer is when they've been picked to fight! I'm clearly heading off to fight the Matador!" He claimed, standing triumphantly. '"I...don't think this is a Winner's Truck..." Snow commented, taking slow steps back. The doe jumped and gasped and Skull looked over his shoulder when the truck reved to life. The bull let out a gruff huff as he looked down at Snow. "What would a deer know about Bull Fights?" Skull asked before the truck started away and towards the building on the hill. Snow stood there and watched the truck and trailer go before she started after them.

Slowly and carefully, Snow peaked into the finished building through a left open garage door. Unease filled her as she slowly walked into the dimmly lit building, hooves softly clicking against the concrete floor and heart racing in her chest. "Skull?" She called in a whispered tone as she looked around, empty stalls similar to the one's at the barn to her right. "Skull?" She called again, sniffing at the metal doors. Finding the stalls void of the older bull, Snow continued do the hall, picking up her slow pace to a quiet bound.

"Skull?" Snow called again as she reached a point where the hall continued and turned right. The doe let out silent pants as she looked around and started to continue forward before she gasped and did a double take down the wall to her right. "Skull?" She called again as she started down the right hall, barely able to see the odd silhouette of a bull through the clean mech-like-material that hung in the large entry frame. "Skull?" She called once more as she nosed some of the clear mesh aside. A gasp escaped her and her ears flattened when she saw the sickly bull hanging limp off the ground, a bull vest keeping him suspended.

"Skull!" Snow whisper/yelled as she ran up to the dangling bull. "Skull, are you okay?!" She asked as she trotted around Skull to stand in front of him. "Skull?" She questioned when he didn't move. Snow shifted her front hooves nervously before nudging her cheek with her nose. Dread filled her when Skull remained limp, the suspended bull only spinning slowly at the gently nudge, the dread only growing and spreading when she stood on her hind hooves and gently jabbed her front hooves into his side, making him sway and spin more.

"No no no..." Snow whimpered as she walked in a circle around Skull. "Hang on..!" She whispered before takeing one of the straps on his side in her teeth. "I'll get you down!" She grunted, voice muffled, as she pulled on the vest. Snow let out strained grunts as she pulled and her hooves slipped on the padded ground before she gasped, releasing the strap, when she heard voices heading in their direction. Looking around frantically, between the open room and dangling bull, Snow scrambled away to duck down behind a nearby crate.

Once the voices, revealed to be two men, entered the room, Snow peeked out from behind her hiding spot to watch the two. They continued to talk amongst themselves, oblivious to Snow, as they walked up a flight of stares across from the does hiding place. Snow watched the two chatting men as they both stopped in front of a metal box, the men still talking and facing each other while the one of the two messed with the box in front of them. Snow squinted her eyes at the two and started creeping forwards before she gasped and jumped back behind her crate.

A blaring sound filled the air as red lights spun on polls. Snow looked around for a frantic moment before she gasped and looked forward when she saw Skull start to move forward out of the corner of her eye. "No!" She whisper/yelled when she saw Skull still dangling in the air. She never too her eyes of the suspended bull as she watched him move on a downward slop before continuing forward, swaying from the movement. Snow's fear quickly turned into paralized horror when she Skull being pulled towards a pair of triangled-spiked walls that slammed into each other in a calculated rhythm. All Snow could do was stand there and watch as Skull's body was moved to dangle between the two walls for a moment before he was crushed between them.

Lupe passed back and forth a few feet away from the barn doors, a worried look on her face. "What's taking so long?" Bones asked, he and Guapo still looking out of their stalls, eyes trained on the doors. "Should I go look for her?" Lupe asked, looking back at the two bulls. "And look where?" Guapo asked. "We have no idea where they took Skull or where Snow followed them to!" He pointed out. The truthfully words made both Lupe and Bones' droop before the three perked up when a thud sounded in front of them.

"Snow!" Lupe exclaimed in relief as Snow stumbled into the barn, panting heavily with her head hung and legs shaking, the other bulls in the barn waking to see what the commotion was. "There you are! What happened?" Lupe asked, looking Snow over. "You're shaking more than normal." She added. Snow was unable to answer as she continued to breath heavily, wide eyes unable to focus on anything around her.

"Snow?" The doe stiffened and slowly looked up to see Bones approaching her. "Where's Skull?" He asked, ears flattened with a distraught expressio on his face. Snow stared up at Bones with wide eyes before she swallowed a lump in her throat. "I-I don't know what happened..." Snow started, eyes trailing back to the ground. "H-He was talking! C-Coughing, b-but talking!" She explained quickly. "B-But, when I found him, h-he was just hanging there! H-He wouldn't wake up no matter-!" "Wait, wake up?" Lupe interrupted, Snow finally looking down at her. "What are you talking about?" Bones asked.

Snow blinked at the red haired bull for a moment before letting her head lower again. "Wh-When I followed Skull and the farmhand out, he was being loaded into a trailer." Snow started again. "A trailer? The Winner's Truck?" Angus asked, causing confused murmurs to fill the barn. "No, no!" Snow exclaimed, looking around at the bulls with wide eyes. "It-It was far from the Winner's Truck! This-This trailer hand a picture of a bull on it, b-but it was missing it's-it's head and it's body was covered in numbers and lines! I-I don't understand it!" Snow explained. "Th-They took him to the building, the-the one up the hill!" Snow continued. "I-I fell behind the truck and had to find a way in, s-so by time I found him, they had him dangling off the ground in ths blue...vest of sorts...And he was just...hanging there..." Snow managed out lowly.

"What..?" Bones breathed. "Then what, lass?" Angus asked. "The men did something that made the room fill with blaring sounds and red lights. It was...a-a machine of some kind...It pulled him towards these two...two walls and...an-and..." Snow trailed off as she closed her eyes. "I'm sorry, Bones..." Snow started as she finally looked up to face Bones again. "He's not coming back..." She informed sadly, tears in her eyes. Bones stared at her with wide eyes as Snow lowered her head again, eyes closed and ears drooped, before the two-toned bull took in a deep breath through his nose, eyes closed and brows furrowed, and turned away from Snow to go back to his stall, Guapo and Maquina watching his with sorrowful expressions.

"So that's how it is now." One of the older bulls started, Snow opening her eyes too look up at him. "We either fight...or become meat for the humans." He stated before turning away and disappearing from sight. Many of the other bulls, including Valiente, grew looks of determination while others grew nervous, each disappearing into their stalls. Snow stood there and watched the bulls for a moment before she closed her eyes and lowered her head again, Lupe pressing her head against the side of Snow's muzzle.

Chapter Text

As it had before, time continued forward after the passing of Bones' father. Winter turned to Spring and bulls came and went, either going off to face the Matador or being sent to the building on the hill, which had soon been dubbed the Chop House by the bulls.

"Hey, Snowglobe!" Lupe greeted as she jumped onto the doe's back, Snow laying in the roots of a tree. "How's it goin'?" She asked, leaning forward to look down at Snow's face. "Not now, Loops..." Snow murmured, not opening her eyes. "Still upset about Skull?" Lupe asked. "You expect me not to be?" Snow asked as Lupe jumped off her back and trotted in front of her. "Well, you never really talk about it." Lupe pointed out as she sat down, a cringed smile on her muzzle. "Maybe that would help?" She suggested, Snow lazily opening her eyes. "It's not something that should be talked about." Snow answered as she turned her head away from Lupe.

Snow stared at the ground for an unfocused moment before she looked up with her eyes, chin still resting on the ground, to watch the bulls, who were training across the pasture. Many of the bulls who had been taken had been the older ones Snow hadn't gotten the chance to know, leaving only the trio she'd grown up with, Angus and Maquina. The Highland was busy running at a blue-painted wooden barrel, making the barrel spin as he barely grazed it, while Maquina and Guapo butted heads and Bones trained with tires on the ground, some stacked in a single-stacked pile, leaving Valiente to train alone, ramming into a tank of water.

Snow let out a sigh through her nose before she pushed herself to her hooves, not bothering to shake the dirt from her pelt. "I think I'm just going to rest in the barn." Snow said, slightly glancing back at Lupe before she started away before the goat could respond. As Snow slumped passed, Guapo, Maquina and Bones haulted their training, even Valiente stopping to glance over his shoulder.

The doe continued towards the barn until a gentle nudge against her left quarter made her stop, letting out a soft gasp. Snow's ears perked up and she looked back at Maquina as he nudged her again, a concerned look on his face. "I'm okay, Mac." Snow reassured, sending him a soft smile. "I'm just tired." She added, glancing behind him to see Bones, Guapo and Angus watching her as well, the hairy bull blowing hair from his eyes. Snow sent a soft smile before she continued towards the barn, missing how Valiente was watching as well before he let out an annoyed sounding sigh and returning to his training.

Once in her stall, Snow, not-so-gracefully, laid down, not bothering to tuck her legs as she normally would. The doe let the silence surround her as she stared at nothing in front of her, the only sound being her own breathing. It wasn't long after Snow let herself settle that her eyes trailed over to the pail that Lupe ended up claiming as her own before she let her tears fall, sniffles and strangled breathes escaping her as she hid her face under her front right leg.

Snow's dispair left her oblivious to what was happening around her, mainly the fact that the fruits in her trough started moving. That is, until the fruits jumped down and Snow felt something rub against her back. The doe let out a gasped yelp and sat her head up quickly, eyes wide and ears perked. "Wh-What?!" She questioned as she looked around before she spotted movement out of the corner of her eye. The doe blinked and looked down to see three, small hedgehogs, two purple hogglets and one turquoise, staring up at her with equally wide eyes as they each held berries and grapes in their small arms.

"Umm...Hi?" Snow greeted with a confused expression. Her greeting pulled a scream from the turquoise hogglet before he curled into a ball while the two purple ones got defensive, hissing and growling up at Snow. "Whoa, whoa!" Snow soothed as she pushed herself into a sitting position and leaning away from the hogglets. "Stay back, Bestia Blanca!" The purple female yelled. "Our quills might not be sharp yet, but our teeth are!" The purple male added, the turquise hogglet still curled up in a ball and trembling. "Whoa, hey!" Snow started again, sending the three a nervous smile. "I-I have no intention of hurting any of you!" She reassured as she slowly laid down again again. "Yeah right! If that were true, then you and your humans wouldn't have destroyed our home with that building on the hill!" The purple male snapped.

Snow blinked down at the three in shock before her eyes drooped and her somber expression returned. "Do you mean...you mean the Chop House?" She asked, despite knowing the answer. "If that's what you guys call it, yeah!" The purple male answered. Snow blinked down at them for a moment longer before she let out a sigh through her nose and laid her head down again. "I have no ties to that building..." She murmured, making the two purple hogglets perk up and the turquoise hogglet uncurl enough to peak out at her.

Snow laid there for a moment before her right ear rotated towards the hogglets and she looked at them out of the corner of her eye, a soft smile forming on her muzzle again. "Go ahead and eat the fruits, I'm not enterested in them. Eat them here, even." She suggested before closing her eyes again. "Not eatting is no go for you." A new voice spoke up, indicating to Snow the turquoise hogglet had come out of his ball. "It's fine." Snow answered simple, turning her head away from the three slightly.

Snow's ears twitched again when she heard the hay around her shift, unable to see the hogglets roll passed her to stand around her head. "Well now we just feel bad." The purple male said as Snow felt one of the hogglets jump onto her head. "Don't be." Snow said as she opened her eyes, seeing the purple male standing to the right of her head and the turquoise male in front of her nose, leaving it to be the female on her head. "I've not been hungry in a while." She added, still smiling at the young hedgehogs. "Why?" The female hogglet asked as she leaned forward on Snow's head, setting her front paws on her head. "Is it because of the Chop House?" She asked. "You...could say that..." Snow answwered, eyes trailing away from the hogglets.

The three hogglets shared concerned looks before the turquoise hogglet shuffled closer to Snow's nose. "I'm Cuatro." He introduced, causing Snow to blink and look forward at him. "I'm Una!" The female informed enthusiastically, Snow turning her eyes up to her. "And I'm Dos!" The purple male introduced, chest puffed proudly. "Una, Dos and Cuatro, huh?" Snow questioned before she furrowed her brows. "Wait," she started, Uno jumping down as she sat her head up, "what happened to Tres?" She wondered, looking between the three.

Snow immediately felt regret at the question when the three deflated at the question. "We lost Tres, Mama and Papa when the tractors came in to build the Chop House." Una explained as the Dos and Cuatro crossed themselves, Una doing the same after explaining. "Oh..." Snow uttered out, ears flattening. The three hogglets and doe sat in silence before Snow took in a deep breath and let out a sigh. "We...the bulls and I...have also lost some to the Chop House..." Snow admitted, looking down and off to the side. "Really?" Cuatro asked, shuffling forward slightly. "Yeah..." Snow nodded, looking up and blinking rapidly. "The first," she stopped to clear her throat, "the first was one of my friend's father...The Chop House is friend to no animal." She finished.

Silence filled the stall before Snow stiffened and jumped when she felt something wrap around her front, left hoof. Her ears perked up as she looked down to see Cuatro hugging her hoof, wrapping his chubby body around her. Snow blinked at him before breathing out a laugh, turning her soft smile to the other two, who blinked up at her. "Here," Snow lifted her left hoof and carried Cuatro over to the pile of berries and grapes, Una and Dos bounding over to join their brother, "you three go ahead and eat." She said as the turquoise hogglet slipped off her hoof. "What about you?" Una asked, the three looking up at her still. "I...I'll eat later." Snow promised, sending her a reassuring smile.

As the three hogglets ate, Snow laid back down and watched the three, watching in amusement as Una and Dos nibbled at their fruits while Cuatro seemed to swallow them whole, barely chewing. The trio were halfway through their pile of fruits when Una gasped and jumped behind the trough, her brothers following suit. Snow tilted her head and raised a brow at the three before looking back as a shadow washed over her, revealed to be Valiente passing to enter his stall across from her's.

"Hmm..." Snow hummed as she turned her gaze back to the young hedgehogs, who were peaking out to watch the bull disappear from view. "How about this," Snow started as she pushed herself up to stand, keeping her head low, "you guys grab your fruits and I'll carry you out to some place void of scary bestios?" She suggested with a smile. The three shared a look before they each gathered the remaining berries and and grapes in their arms. Snow rested her chin against the ground and closed one eye as she watched the three scramble up onto her head. Once the three were secure on her head, the hogglets holding onto the bit of head fluff that remained on the top of her head, Snow slowly stood up straight and started out of the barn. Snow smiled and ignored the confused look she received from Valiente as she left.

"Wow!" Dos breathed out as the three hogglets looked around, the purple male pressing his from paws against her head as he leaned forward. "So this is what you tall animals see!" He observed, making Snow giggle. "Well, this is what I see." Snow corrected, amused by the hogglet's astounishment. "It's still so much more than what we see!" Una countered, making Snow laugh again.

Snow stopped and her attention was turned downwards when a scream came from her right, revealed to be Lupe as the goat went stiff and fell backwards. "Snow, you have a horde of rats on your head!" Lupe screamed when she recovered, scrambling back to her hooves. "Rats?! We're hedgehogs!" Dos yelled, glaring down at the goat. "Relax, Lupe, they're friends." Snow reassured, earning a disgusted look. "Una, Dos, Cuatro, this is Lupe. Lupe, this is Una, Dos and Cuatro." Snow introduced with a smile. "Wait, why is there no Tr-?" Lupe was interrupted by a harsh throat clear, Snow descretely shaking her head to not knock the hogglets off. "Ohhh..." Lupe nodded, looking between the hogglets and Snow. "I'll explain when I get back." Snow promised as she continued walking.

After carefully jumping out of the bullpen, keeping the hogglets balanced on her head, Snow made her way to the back of del Toro, behind one of the buildings. "You guys should be safe here." Snow reassured as she lowered her head, having stopped in front of a thorn bush. "The farmhands never mow back here so the thorns should keep you safe." She explained as the hedgehogs jumped off. "Wow! Thanks!" Una said, looking from the thorn bush to Snow. "You are now an honorary hedgehog, sister!" Dos said, saluting Snow as she stood up straight. "Thanks?" Snow questioned with an amused giggle.

The two purple hedgehogs nodded up to her before speeding off into the darkness of the thornbush. Cuatro went to follow, but stopped and looked up at Snow again. "You need to eat, too." He said, setting a grape down on the ground. Snow smiled softly at the guesture. "Thank you, Cuatro...And, feel free to come back for more whenever. I suggest night time though." Snow informed. Cuatro smiled brightly up at her before he waddled into the bushes after his siblings. Snow stood there for a moment before she turned and started back towards the barn, taking the grape in her mouth.

Chapter Text

“Snow, don't panic!” Lupe exclaimed, waking Snow from her evening nap. “What is it, Lupe?” Snow asked, yawning while keeping her chin on the ground and looking up at a tan and cream goat. “The rats are back and they're climbing all over you!” Lupe whisper/yelled. “Hmm?” Snow questioned before opening her chocolate brown eyes and looking at her back. Once her eyes had adjusted, Snow saw the two purple hedgehogs and one turquoise hedgehog on her back, the hedgehogs no longer hogglets, Una looking through her fur. “Oh, Lupe! You of all mammals know they're hedgehogs!” Snow grumbled before she laid her head back down and closed her eyes. “Took the words right out of my mouth, Snowbell.” Dos said, crossing his arms. “How do we look like rats?” Una asked confused. “Beats me.” Snow said before she sat her head up again.

She yawned again before shaking her head and slowly pushing herself to her hooves, letting the three hedgehogs slide off her back. Once Snow was standing up all the way, she shook out her white pelt, which had lost the last remainder of fluff on her head and back and was now smooth and shiny due to age, her head and eyes had also narrowed. “Thank you for the grooming, Una, Dos and Cuatro.” Snow said, nodding to the three hedgehogs. “Anytime, Snow!” Cuatro said. “Let's roll!” Dos said before the three of them rolled up into balls and rolled away. “So, any calming needed today?” Snow asked as she started walking, looking down at Lupe. “Oh please! You of all mammals know I'm the worst Calming Goat of all time!” Lupe said, making Snow laugh as they turned the corner. She flattened her ears slightly as she watched the five bulls fighting each other and ramming into things.

“Mhm-mhm-mhm.” Lupe hummed, shaking her head as Snow looked down at her. “Are there any males out there that don't ram their heads into each other?” She asked, looking up at Snow. “I don't know…” Snow said, her thoughts traveling off to a black bull calf. “Maybe.” She added before starting towards the field of bulls. “Uh-oh.” Lupe said, trotting after her. “What?” Snow asked as she stopped and started eating some of the grass that was on the ground. “You're thinking of him again. The Secret Guy!” Lupe said, whispering the last part. “What? No I wasn't!” Snow argued before going back to her grass patch. “Then who-o-who could you be thinking about?” Lupe asked, jumping up onto a crate and sitting down. “The horses.” Snow said, standing up straight and smirking at the goat. “Bleh! Who would want to get with those guys?” Lupe asked, making Snow laugh. “Fair enough.” Snow said, nodding before she started walking again. A smile formed on her face when she spotted the gray and white bull before she trotted over to him.

“Hey, Maquina.” Snow greeted, making the bull look over and grunt. Snow couldn't help but snicker when she saw a tire hanging from his left horn. “Let me get that.” Snow said before she stood up on her back legs and pushed the tire off his horn. “There. Much better.” Snow said, getting back on all fours and backing up. She closed her eyes when Maquina huffed, her fur being blown back slightly. “You're welcome!” Snow said, shaking her head. "Keep up the good work, without getting caught in the debris!" Snow called back as she continued through the bullpen, Maquina grunting after her before turning around in a robotic-prancing-way.

"So, have you heard the news?" Lupe asked as she trotted next to Snow. "I've been sleeping all day, Loops." Snow pointed out as she stopped in front of the yard's water trough. "Well," Lupe started as she jumped up to stand on the edge of the trough, hooves close together, "I heard Moreno on the phone and, get this, we're getting a new bull!" She informed excitedly as Snow drank from the trough. "Really? Haven't anyone new in a while." Snow murmured before going back to drinking. "Uh-huh! And get this," Lupe continued in a vigerous nod, "turns out, the legend destroyed a town and ate a baby!" She told, causing Snow to choke on her water.

"You said the new guy did what-now?!" Bones asked as he and Guapo lumbered towards them, standing across from Snow. "You heard me! Got'cha shaking in your leather skin?" Lupe asked with a smirk. "Yeah, sure! You sure you heard that baby part right?" Bones asked. "Uh, duh!" Lupe exclaimed in offence. "I'm a bad Calming Goat, not an idiot!" She added. "It is a bit of a stretch." Snow pointed out, voice hoarse from choking on water. "Snowey's right. You don't have the sharpest horns." Guapo pointed out, making Bones laugh. "Not that!" Snow scolded, sending a mocking glare that showed her amusment. "I meant the bull eating a baby! You guys are herbivores!" Snow pointed out.

"What is all this yaking about eating a babe?!" Angus asked as he stumbled up to the water trough, forcing Bones and Guapo to scoot apart as the Highland approached. "Lupe telling tall tales. Though, I can believe that he destroyed a town." Snow said as Maquina walked up and stopped behind her, right side facing her. "You bulls can be crazy." She added, taking another drink from the trough. "Bet I could've done more damage!" Guapo proclaimed, standing tall and looking up and off to the side at nothing. "That's not a good thing, Guap." Snow said with a deadpanned expression as she, Lupe and the other three bulls looked over at him, Angus looking a bit too far back.

The groups attention was pulled away from the black and red bull when a dark laugh sounded from behind Guapo, Angus and Bones, across from Snow. "You still get nauseaous at the mention of a Matador and you think you can rampage through a town?" Valiente asked, lumbering towards them. "Hey!" Guapo exclaimed in offence, glaring at the, now scarred up, bull. "But, having a tough sounding bull around for a change might be exciting." Valiente continued, ignoring Guapo, before drinking out of the trough himself. "Yeah, could be fun to see a bull bigger and tougher than you around." Snow agreed with a smirk, earning a chorus of oooohs.

Valiente lifted his snout from the water with a snort before lumbering towards Snow. "Careful, Twiggy," Valiente started as he shoved his way between Snow and Maquina, the doe glaring back at him, "a bull who can decimate a town sounds big." He pointed out, Snow leaning away as he lowered his head towards hers. "You might be too tiny for him to see and get caught under hoof." He added before continuing away, leaving the group to glare after him. "Oh, please," Snow scoffed, turning her attention away from Valiente, "as if I haven't mastered the art of dodging you bulls!" She pointed out before turning to Lupe. "When does this town destoyer get here?" Snow asked. "From what I heard, tonight!" Lupe answered.

"Then we have plenty of time to bull up before he gets here!" Bones pointed out, looking around at the remaining bulls. "C'mon, Guap! Gotta work on my hornlocks!" He said as he started away, his friend following. "Aye! We'll show that raspars what for!" Angus shouted as he marched away, blowing hair from his face. Snow rolled her eyes before she looked back at Maquina. "Well?" She questioned with a smirk. The doe smiled as the silent bull let out a low groan and nudged her cheek before he started out into the bullpen. "Momma's Boy!" Lupe teased after Maquina, making Snow giggle.

"C'mon, we should go clean up one of the empty stalls." Snow suggested as she started away, Lupe jumping down to follow. "I should also warn the triplets." Snow said as the two females walked. "Nah, let the shrews be surprised." Lupe argued. "Hedgehogs!" Snow sighed.

As the day went by and the sun moved in the sky, Snow spent her time cleaning up a stall with Lupe to watching the bulls run around the bullpen. Eventually, the sunset and the full moon hung high in the sky, bringing to life Lupe's excitment.

"It's almost time! It's almost time!" Lupe cheered as she pranced back in forth in front of Snow, who was laying down. "Can you believe it?!" Lupe asked, spinning to face the white doe. "I've never seen you so excited for a bull arrival before." Snow pointed out as Lupe started prancing back and forth again. "Well, we've never had a bull destroy a town or eat a baby before!" Lupe responded. "I still think the eating a baby part is still a stretch." Snow said, eyes slightly squinted with a forced smile.

The two's attention was pulled away from each other and Lupe let out an excited gasp when they heard the tale-tale signs of a truck coming to a hault, both of their ears perking up. "C'mon Snow!" Lupe yelled as she took off, Snow pushing herself to her hooves before trotting after her. The two moved passed four of the five bulls who out in the courtyard and climbed up a stack of haybales that were against the wall. "Let's see what we got here!" Lupe grunted as she jumped up onto the concrete wall, Snow standing on the hay with as she looked over the wall. "Whoa!" Lupe exclaimed as she and Snow blinked at the trailer, which was rocking back and forth with the bull inside bellowing.

"Yeah...I think I'll sit this introduction with Moreno out, thanks." Snow commented as she watched Moreno push himself off the ground. "Your lose." Lupe shrugged. "Where's the Calming Goat?! Get the Calming Goat!" They heard one of the farmhands call as he ran off. "That's muh que!" Lupe groaned as she gave a long stretch, rear in the air. "Wish me luck!" Lupe called as she skipped down the wall and hay stack. "Heh...Good luck." Snow shook her head she watched her friend trot away. Once Lupe was out of sight, Snow turned her attention back to the swaying trailer. The doe stood there and watched until the farmhand ran up to the trailer with Lupe in his arms, another opening the sidedoor of the trailer and tossing her in. "Way to treat a lady!" Snow muttered with a smirk before she jumped down from the hay. 'Won't be long now...' She told herself as she turned her attention to the bulls.

Guapo and Bones were going at it with their horns locked, as Bones had said he needed to work on, Maquina was moving his upper body up and down with the tire axle of a tractor on his horns and Angus was working on getting hishair out of his face. Snow took note of Valiente's absence. 'Probably wants to make a dramatic entrance to intimidate the new guy.' She pointed out to herself as she rolled her eyes. It wasn't a moment later Lupe walked through the door before it was torn off its hinges. Snow gasped and jumped back to hide behind the hay stack at the thundering entrance as the four bulls stopped and looked in the direction of the door.

"Hey, guys! How ya doing?" Lupe greeted as Snow peaked out to see the goat on top of a tire, rolling it into the courtyard. "Lupe in the house!" She announced as Snow peaked out further to get a look at the new bull. "You suck, Lupe!" Bones yelled as a can went flying at the goat, Lupe ducking to dodge the flying metal. "Oh, yeah?! I used to suck, but not anymore!" Lupe argued before chuckle. "Let me introduce you to the new guy!" She said as she rolled the tire backwards. Snow's eyes widened as she watched her friend stop next to a black bull that towered over the other bulls, Maquina encluded. But, as she stared at this new bull, she couldn't help but think of the black bull that had been taken away after taking her under his hoof. "He's a monster and I'm his coach!" Lupe contiued as she grabbed the new bull's jaw, shaking his head for a moment before releasing him and turning back to the bulls. "And did I mention that he is my closest and dearst BFF..." Lupe announced as she rested her left elbow against his right shoulder. 'Wow...Thanks for the betrayal, Loops.' Snow thought, rolling her eyes. "What did you say your name was?" Lupe asked in a not-so-quiet tone.

"Ferdinand?" Bones questioned as he walked forward, causing Snow to freeze, as he and Guapo squinted at the new bull. "Is that you?" He asked, tilting his head to the other side. "Hey! That is a ridiculous name! Tell him your real name, killer." Lupe said, bumping his shoulder with her hoof as she sat down on her tire, Snow silently praying Lupe was right for once. "Yeah, it's me, Ferdinand. Hey, guys." Those words and greeting from the new bull killed Snow's prays almost as quickly as it had Lupe's smirk. "Wait a minute! You know these chumps?!" Lupe asked as Ferdinand walked forward, nervous smile on his face.

"Whoo! Little Ferdinand!" Bones exclaimed as he dramatically walked up to the larger bull, looking him over. "You've had a growth spurt!" He pointed out, his cocky smirk leaving his snout as soon as the words left his mouth. "Suddenly I regret everytime I called you weirdo." He said as he backed up, eyes wide and ears flat. "Don't sweat it, Bones. We're good." Ferdinand dismissed with a headbob as Guapo approached. "My gosh! What have they been feeding you?!" The red and black bull asked, looking Ferdinand up and down. "Oh, hey...Guapo?" Ferdinand questioned, seeming surprised by his growwth despite his own. "That's right. The one and only." Guapo confirmed as he quickly pushed away his astonishment to stand tall. "Ah, I get it." Guapo started with a nod as started turning around. "You try to come back here and intimidate us?" He accused, making Ferdinand jumped back as Guapo got in his face, tail lashing. "'Cause let me tell ya something! I am not intimidated by your freakish hugeness!" He claimed as he started away, confidence disappearing as he face away from the black bull. "Oh, mama!" He breathed as Ferdinand watch him go.

His attention was quickly pulled away from Guapo when Angus rammed into his hindquarters, Snow ducking back when Ferdinand looked back at the Highland. "I don't know you, but I'm not scared of ya, you sorry sack of meat! You're an affront to my nostils!" Angus yelled, earning a laugh from Lupe as she rolled up to him. "Angus, you're talking to his butt." The goat informed before rolling around him. "Oh!" He sputtered, blowing hair from his face, before letting out an agrivated yell as he looked around for Lupe. "I will not take any lip from the flea-bitten likes of you, ya wee goat!" He spat as he turned to face Lupe, who proudly had her rear face him. "A-hah! Now your talking to my butt." Lupe informed, causing him to blow his hair from his eyes again. "AH! Go and boil your head, ya bunch of bampos! I'm away!" Angus grumbled as he stalked away, making Lupe's tire spin, Ferdinand watching him go with a confused expression. "Uhh...Few new faces around here since I left, huh?" Ferdiand asked as he started to walk away before he stopped and let out a scream when he found Maquina standing in front of him, the gray and white bull letting out grunts instead of words. "Hello, Maquina. Hi! Lupi greeted as she rolled up to the bull. "He was created in a lab! A Franken-bull." Lupe loudly whispered to Ferdinand, waving her right hoof in an arch. "Says nothing, feels nothing." She added as Ferdiand turned his attention to Maquina again. Maquina's response was to stand there as a fly landed on his eye before cutting it in half with a wink. "You seem fun." Ferdinand commented uncertainly.

"Look what the goat dragged in." Snow turned her attention away from the two bulls and goat at the same time Ferdinand and Lupe did. "Hey, Val." Lupe greeted nonchalantly as she backed her tire up. "Valiente?" Ferdinand questioned as he turned to face the appraoching bull. "He remembers! Oh, I'm touched!" He mocked excitment as Guapo backed up and the brown bull roughly shouldered Bones. "Hey!" The smaller bull yelped, glaring at Valiente. "Oh. Didn't see you there, Bones." Valiente lied as he glanced over at Bones, Guapo watching in concern. "What do you mean you didn't see me?!" Bones asked, taking the bait. "Oh, I get it!" He started again, feigning realization. "'Cause I'm small! You know what you are?! A sizeist!" Bones spat before quickly backing dowwn when Valiente got in his face, letting out a growl.

"Guess some things never change." Ferdinand commented, glancing back at Lupe. "Look at you." Valiente continued, attention back on the black bull. "All grown up. When you ran away with your tail between your legs, never thought I'd see you back here." He commented, Snow's ears drooping as Guapo and Bones sent glares in Ferdinand's direction. "That makes two of us." Ferdinand agreed, completely turning to face Valiente as Lupe backed her tire up to hide behind the black bull. "Nah, I get it." Valiente nodded. "Now that you're a big, tough guy, you think you're better than me." He claimed as he continued towards Ferdinand. "What?" Ferdinand questioned, turning with Valiente's movements. "Correction, Valerie!" Lupe spoke up, popping out from behind Ferdinand. "Actually, he knows he's better than you. Ain't that right, F-Bomb?" She stated with a smug grin. "I didn't say that!" Ferdinand quickly refuted. "You said it with your eyes!" Lupe clairfied, leaning towards him as she fluttered her lashes. "Well, I'm glad you're back." Valiente reassured with a malicious tone. "You are?" Ferdinand questioned, brows furrowed. "Oh, yeah. Good to have a real bull around here for once." Valiente commented with a nod. "It'll make me looked even better, when I beat you to a pulp inside the ring." He growled as he got closer to Ferdinand's face, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Snow. The doe backed up more, her rear hitting the wall, as her ears flattened and she shook her head, sending him a pleading stare. "Welcome back, Ferdinand." Valiente smirked as Ferdinand went to follow his gaze, drawing the black bull's attention back to him as Valiente started away, Bones and Guapo following.

"Wow. He really hates you. That was insane." Lupe commented as she, Ferdinand and Snow watched the three bulls head for the barn. "They all hate me." Ferdinand corrected, ears drooped. "Yeah, they hate you. They hate me. They hate each other. A lot of hate." Lupe agreed as she sat down on her tire, Ferdinand looking over at her. "It crushes your soul if you let yourself think about it." She added, causing the two fall into a somber silence. "But," Lupe started, quickly perking up again, "if there's anyone you can count on it's my first BFF, Snow!" Lupe commented, causing Snow to gasped and quickly look over at the two. "Snow?" Ferdinand questioned, ears raising and expression brightening. "You gonna come out and introduce yourself now?!" Lupe asked, Ferdinand following Lupe's gaze when the goat turned her tire to face Snow.

Once the bull's blue eyes landed on her, Snow felt her chest tigten as he heart skip a beat. "Snow? Is that really you?" Ferdinand questioned, ears flapping and smile on his face as he started towards her. "Wait, you know her too?!" Lupe asked before gasping. "Wait," Lupe started as she move forward with the tire, "is he that mystery bull you never talk about?!" She asked, almost giddy. "Mystery bull?" Ferdinand questioned, turning his gaze from Lupe back to Snow. Snow saw the hurt flash across Ferdinand's face when she took a step back, Snow still low to the ground. "Snow? You remember me...right?" Ferdinand asked, lowering his head slightly as he sent her a pleading look.

Snow couldn't utter a word as she continued to look the black bull over, swallowing a lump in her throat as she tried to get herself to breath properly. When Ferdinand made a move to approach her again, Snow managed to get herself to move again, fleeing towards the barn. Ferdinand stood up straight and watched her go with a devistated expression on his face as Lupe moved the tire passed his to look after Snow as well. "Wow...That did not go well..." Lupe commented as Ferdinand slumped.

Chapter Text

Snow laid silently in her stall, curled up in a tight ball, as she stared at nothing. Ferdinand, her first friend at del Toro, had finally returned, as she'd hoped for. She always thought she'd be happy to see the bull again, but, seeing him in front of her, seeing how much he'd grown and changed, she only felt dread and confusion, then guilt at the hurt look on his face when she'd backed away from him. 'Val even gave him a better greeting than I did!' She thought bitterly.

"This is the one!" Snow heard Lupe announce behind her, causing Snow to sit her head up quickly and look back. "Uhh..." Ferdinand uttered out as he and Snow stared at each other with wide eyes before Ferdinand let out a surprised grunt when he as pushed forward. making him look back. "Get that big butt in there!" Lupr grunted as she pushed against his hindquarters, lifting his back hooves off the ground. "W-Wait, Lupe! No, no, no, no, no!" Ferdinand protested as Snow scrambled into a sitting position, back facing the wall. "Oh, that's heavy. Get in!" Lupe ignored Ferdinand as she used her back hooves to push him into the stall, letting out a strained bleat before she finally managed to push the bull throught the door.

Snow pressed her back against the wall an raised her front legs off the ground as Ferdinand toppled down in front of her. The bull blinked his eyes open and shook his head, groaning, before he looked up and blinked when he came face to face with Snow, noses inches away from one another. The two blinked at each other for a moment before Ferdinand sent her a nervous chuckle and smile, Snow expression remaining surprised. "Ow!" Ferdinand suddenly yelped when the stall door was slammed shut behind him, hitting him in the rear. "Isn't this great?" Lupe asked as her Head and front hooves appeared over the door before she jumped into the stall, landing next to Ferdinand's head. "It's smaller than I remember." Ferdinand answered, looking around at the stall, glancing at Snow out of the corner of his eye every-now-and-again. "Oh, you dont like it? You know where I live? A bucket!" Lupe asked and answered before her gaze brightened when she saw said bucket. "And there it is!" Lupe pointed out as she went grab the handle in her mouth before she was stopped by Snow's front, left leg, drawing Lupe and Ferdinand's attention to the doe.

"One, you chose to live in that bucket!" Snow whispered out through gritted teeth. "Two, didn't we clean out a stall this morning for him?" She asked, glaring down at the goat. "Well. yeah, but you can't expect me to seperate myself from my star pupil, right?!" Lupe asked, earning a groan and eyeroll from Snow before she laid down, back facing the bull and goat. "Look, I-I can always mo-." "Nonsence!" Lupe interrupted. "Anyway, took the libety of moving my stuff in," Lupe informed as she drug the bucket over to herself, "hope you don't mind." She finished, looking up at Ferdinand, a look of realization soon appearing on her face. "Wait! I know what our place needs! A little feminine touch!" She said as Ferdinand watched her with uncertainty, Snow even lifting her head to look back at the goat.

The bull and deer watched as Lupe gagged before she stuck her tongue her tongue out to reveal a plasic, dancing flower in a flowerpot holding a guitar, music coming from it. "Ew! Lupe!" Snow groaned as she laid her head down again. "A little something from me to you." Lupe informed as she set the dancing flower down on the edge of the stalls food trough before she turned and burped out a wrench. "Ow!" Snow yelped when the tool hit her in the head, Ferdinand blinking down at her in concern. "Excusez-moi." Lupe chuckled, sending Snow an apologetic look. "A little bit of regurgutation!" She added to Ferdinand, keeping her false accent before she threw her bucket onto her head as she fell backwards onto Ferdinand's front legs. "Nighty-night, bestie! Don't let the bed bugs bite!" Lupe said as she wiggled for a moment before pulling her bucket over her face. "No, seriously," Lupe started, pulling her bucket up again as Ferdinand looked down at her again, "there are bed bugs and they are vicious!" She informed before letting the bucket fall again. "They're not bed bugs!" Snow argued in a tire tone, Ferdinand looking over at her. "It's lice and they only effect you cause you're not medicated for them!" She informed, shifting her position to get more confortable. The sounds of Lupe's snores filled the stall as Ferdinand watched the doe's breathing slow and her body relax before he let out a sigh and let his head and ears droop.

As the night progressed, Ferdinand found sleep evading him, starting with him just being too awake before it became because of Lupe's constant shifting, the goat even ending up upside-down in her bucket, twitching her back leg and gently kickng thebull in the face, all the while, Snow was sleeping peacefully, a mix of self exhaustion and being used to Lupe's sleep habits allowing her to find sleep without disturbtion. Eventually, despite Lupe's mumblings and twitches, Ferdinand was able to find sleep, chin resting on the bucket.

As soon as the bull's eyes fell closed, a bent fork flew in throught the small window from the outside, hooking onto the window sill. It wasn't longs after the three hedgehogs jumped down from the window, careful not to land on the doe below, before Una and Dos used Ferdinand's side to jump into the trough, Cuatro clumsily and less gracefully following after his siblings, shimming up the wall of the trough instead of jumping up like the others, the spiked jolts ultimately reawakening the black bull. Ferdinand blinked his eyes open and looked around for a moment before he started letting himself fall back to sleep.

That is, until he saw the plastic flower start to move.

"Huh?" He questioned as he looked over to see the plastic flower, as well as a carrot and apple moving throught the trough. "Wow...You weren't kidding about the bugs." Ferdinand murmured as he shifted closer to the trough to watch the flower and fruits with squinted eyes. "He saw us! Stay still!" Una gasped as the three bumped into each other and stopped. "Hey! Why would you stop?!" Dos asked as Una moved to stand between her brothers. "Go back! We have to do something!" Una ordered as the three crouched. "All right, let's do it old school." Dos suggested before he clapped twice and the flower started singing and dancing. With nervous smiles, the three hedgehogs slowly stood up while dancing, sending the bull nervous smiles.

"Um...Are you trying to steal my stuff?" Ferdinand asked, surprised and confused as he watched the three dance. "Oh, no! We'd never do something like that!" Una falsely reassured as the three moved their hips in a synchronized movements. "Nope! Not us!" Cuatro agreed as the three turned to stand in a line behind Dos. "You have offended us, sir!" Dos spat. "I'm sorry, little guys. I feel terrible!" Ferinand apologized before Lupe suddenly jumped to life, bashing her bucket into his chin. "Ow!" The bull yelled, Snow jolting awake and looking around in alarm. "Don't fall for it, Ferd!" Lupe yelled as Snow looked back to see the three hedgehogs. "They're filthy weasels!" She added as Ferdinand shook his head after having the bucket hit his head. "Oh no..." Snow groaned, letting out a yawn.

"Hey! We're not filthy weasels!" Una snapped, jumping onto the edge of the trough as she set the dancing flower down and pointed an accusing finger at Lupe. "We're filthy hedgehogs!" Dos stated as he leaned against his carrot. "She knows what we are!" Una pointed out as she leaned away from the goat, arms crossed. "Yeah. Beady-eyed, little thieves!" Lupe insulted as she pressed her snout against the female hedgehog. "We're not thieves! We're survivors!" Una argued as she pushed against Lupe before pulling out one of her spines and poking Lupe's nose. "Balls!" Una yelled as Lupe fell away with a pained bleat. "Let's roll!" Dos yelled as he and Una jumped down and rolled into balls, leaving their carrot and dancing flower behind. "No, wait!" Cuatro protested as the flower started to fall. "Hold on! The flower!" He yelled as he tumbled out of the tough, his siblings running to hide between Snow's front legs as the turquoise hedgehog hit the ground, the strawberries and apple stuck to his spines falling off.

"You okay, 'tro?" Snow asked as she leaned her head down towards the round hedgehog. Cuatro went to answer her before he let out a scream when he saw Ferdinand looming over him, making Snow's ears perk up. "Please don't chew on us!" Cuatro pleaded as Ferdinand looked down at him with a raised brow, mouth slightly ajar. "My greatest fear is death by chew!" He sobbed as he tried to roll off his back. "Step back, beast!" Una yelled as she and Dos jumped to their brother's defence. "Come on!" Dos yelled as the two threw spines at Ferdinand and Lupe. "You wanna dance?! Let's dance!" He yelled. "Oh, hey!" Ferdinand grunted as he leaned his head back. "Don't tempt me, pinecone!" Lupe retaliated as she marched towwards the trio. "Will you stop?!" Ferdinand asked as he used his right hoof to push Lupe back while Snow scooped the hedgehogs up with her right leg.

"Don't hold us back, Snow!" Dos snapped as he glared up at the doe, Una glaring at the goat and bull from behind Snow's leg while Cuatro remained curled up in a ball. "Let that can eater try some quills for a change!" He added. "Stop!" Snow snapped, making everyone in the stall look at her, even Cuatro uncurling slightly. "First, Cuatro," Snow started in a sweeter tone, "we've talked about this; bulls do not chew on hedgehogs." She reassured. "Second, Lupe" Snow turned her attention to the goat, her tone becoming scolding as she leaned dowwn towards her, "you of all animals know that I've given them premission to come and take food!" Snow reminded, Dos blowing as raspberry towards the goat. "Well, things are different now with ol' Ferd here now!" Lupe argued with a smug smirk, earning a glare from Snow. "No it's not!" Ferdinand argued.

"Wait, wait. Hold on." Una spoke up as she climbed over Snow's leg. "You're not like the other meatheads, are you?" Una asked, tilting her head up at the black bull. "Don't be fooled, sister!" Dos warned as he jumped over Snow's leg, Cuatro peaking back at Ferdinand. "Where do you think the word bully comes from, hmm?" The purple male askd, earning an crossed-arm smirk. "It ain't from chickens!" He snapped as he pointed up at Ferdinand. "No, no. Look at him! He's soft and sweet." Una said, guesturing up at him. "Like butter." Cuatro commented as he deflated on Snow's leg, making the doe giggle. "Thanks...I think." Ferdinand said, trying to process being compared to butter. "Besides, do you really think Snow would share her stall with someone like that?" Una asked. "Well, the option was kinda out of my control..." Snow grumbled, looking down at Dos as the purple hedgehog guestured up at Snow with an aggressive look. The doe let out a sigh after seeing Ferdinand frown and his ears droop. "But, he's a good one." Snow nodded with her eyes closed, missing the bull's thankful smile.

"Let's start over. I'm Una." The female hedgehog introduced, stepping forward. "I'm Dos." The purple male followed, stading proud. "And I'm Cuatro!" The turquoise hedgehog finished, holding his hands up. "Oh. What happened to Tres?" Ferdinand asked, causeing Snow to stare at him with with wide eyes and perked ears while the three hedgehogs gasped and stared at him in horror. "We do not speak of Tres." Una informed quickly as the three crossed themselve before bowing their heads, hands in prayer. "Oh. Sorry." Ferdinand apologized at the relization, Lupe even standing there with wide eyes. "Look, like Snow said, you can take the food if you want. I'm not hungry." Ferdinand reassured. "Oh, really?" Una questioned as Cuatro cheered. "You don't have to tell me twice!" He said as he rolled over the berries so they stuck to his spines again as Una grabbed the apple and Dos the carrot.

"Ah-bup-bup-bup!" Lupe argued when Cuatro reached for teh dancing flower. "The flower stays." Lupe sneered, standing tall. Cuatro blinked up at the goat before turning his pleading gaze to Snow. "Sorry, Cuatro. I didn't regurgitate it." Snow apologized with an apoloegtic smile. The turquoise let out a sorrowful igh as he set the fower down, Una sending him sympthetic glance while Dos rolled his eyes. "Goodbye...For now." He whispered as he and his siblings turned to Snow. "Let me give you a boost." Ferdinand offered as Snow went to lowered her head for the three to climb onto, making the four blink at him as he lowered his head so they could climb onto his horn. "Oh, thank you!" Una accepted as she jumped onto Ferdinand's horn. "Nah, I don't know...Normally Snow-. Ah, okay, fine!" Dos relented when Snow nudged him from behind. Cuatro went to follow after the two before he stopped and looked back at Snow, setting a strawberry down in front of her as he always did before he followed Dos. Ferdinand waited for the hedgehogs to be securied before he stood and lifted the hedgehogs up to the small window, Snow never taking her eyes off the trio.

Once the tip of the bull's horn was at the window, the three jumped off and looked back at the bull. "Great to meet you!" Cuatro waved before he turned and waddled toward the rope they'd used to climb in. "What a nice bull." Una complimented before following her rounder brother. "Oh, yeah. Sucker won't survive a day in this place." Dos commented, pushing the sunglasses he'd stolen from the flower down over his eyes before following his sister and brother, the hooked-fork detaching from the wall. "Hmm..." Ferdinand hummed as Snow laid back down and Lupe shoved herself back intoher bucket. "I gotta get back home..." He muttered, missing how Snow's right ear swiveled back towards him.

Chapter Text

Lupe's echoed snores filled the stall once more as Ferdinand carefully removed the sleeping goat from his front legs, Lupe mumbling as he leaned her against the food trough. Though, once he stepped back from Lupe, she fell forward, pulling a grunt from Snow when her bucket'ed head landed on her back before sliding down her side. "Get back. Get back!" Lupe sleepily yelled as Ferdinand held his breath. "Ow, ow, ow. Get back!" Lupe pleaded before she sat up with a gasp. "Where are my teeth?!" She asked in distraught before her head fell forward, the bucket keeping her sitting up, snores filling the stall again. Once Ferdinand was sure the goat was still sleeping, he crept out of the stall, oblivious to the brown eyes watching his movements.

Checking the coast was clear, Ferdinand looked around before exiting the barn, ducking down and hiding when he heard laugher and chatter coming from one of the buildings. Once he was sure the men weren't approaching, Ferdinand continued through the courtyard to where he remembered exscaping last time, giving the new fence a confused glance. "All right, I'm going home!" Ferdinand declared as he leaned down to push the wires appart. "I'm going-!" He as cut off when strong shocks went through his body, pulling vibrated grunts from him, before he was able to pull away. "Holy cow, that hurt!" He groaned as he stumbled back and forth before falling over with a grunt. "Face is on fire." He slurred out, eyes drooped.

The bull lazily looked up when loud chortles started. "Klaus, Greta, look!" Hans started as the three horses trotted up to teh fence. "Looks like somebody vants to come to our side of ze fence!" He pointed out, making them laugh. "Silly moo-moo! He doesn't know ze rules!" Greta teased, making them laugh again. "Hey," Ferdinand started as he managed to push himself to his hooves, "can you guys help me out? How do I get to the other side?" Ferdinand looking between the three. "Hmm..." Hans hummed in a high pitched tone. "How do you get to ze other side? Oh, let me ponder zis question a little bit." Hans mocked wonder, making Klaus laugh before the silver stallion gasped. "Spoiler alert!" Hans sang, stnding on his back hooves for a moment. "You don't!" He finally answered, jolting his head forward, as he and the other two laughed again, Ferdinand looking between them again. "Hoof bump! Hoof bump, Klaus! Hoof bump, Greta!" Hans announced as the three stood on their back legs to bump their front hooves together, whinnying as they did.

The three soon took on a serious look and stance as they turned their attention back to the bull. "See, zis is ze beautiful horesy side." Hans started as he and the other two moved in sync, moving to throw their manes over onto the right side of their necks. "And zat is ze shtinky bull side." He explained. "Yeah!" Greta agreed as Klaus gave a disgusted look. "Beautiful horsies stay here, and you ugly beasts stays zere!" He added, waving his left hoof through the fence. "Don't even zink of coming over to our side. Or we'll alert ze humans!" Greta informed as Ferdinand looked down at hte fence. "Ja! Sucks to be you!" Klaus said, leaning over the fence to get in Ferdinand's face.

"Zere is no escape!" Hans stated. "Nozing gets past us!" Greta agreed. "Never eva never!" Hans shook his head. "Never eva, eva, eva." Greta agreed again as Ferdinand noticed something out of the corner of his eye. "We have the eyes on the back of our head." Hans started as Una and Cuatro carried a radio towards the fence, Dos diving into a glove to lift the lowest wiring. "Ja." Klaus agreed as the hedgehogs moved, Dos still in the glove and swinging off the bottom wire. "The nose of a kitten." He added. "The flexibility of a monkeh!" Greta included as Dos pulled the rim of teh glove down to look around before running after his brother and sister. "Ears like zat of a cocker spaniel!" Hans compaired, making the three laugh. "Good one!" Greta praised as Ferdinand turned to look at the three again.

The threes laughter was cut off by someone clearing their throat. Ferdinand and the three looked over and the horses gasped in horror while Ferdinand blinked in surprise when they saw Snow standing on a barrel that was on the horse's side, eyes narrowed. "I, heh, I'm sorry." Snow chuckled with a mocking smile on her face. "I didn't quiet catch that last part. Care to repeat?" She asked, leaning forward and facing her right ear towards the horses. "Ze Weiße Teufel is on our side!" Klaus whispered in horror, the bull looking at the horses in confusion. "Just head back to ze barn and maybe it'll stay zere!" Hans hoped as the three slowly started back towards their stalls, Snow watching with an unamused look. "Boo." Snow snorted when the three were near the doors. The three let out panicked screams and neighs as they stampeded into the stables, letting out cries of woes.

"Whoa..." Ferdinand breathed out with an astonished grin before turning his attention to Snow when the doe jumped back over the fence and started for the barn. "Wait, Snow!" Ferdinand called as he quickly trotted after her. "Can't we just...talk?" He asked as he stopped a few feet away, Snow slowing to a stop. The two stood in silence before Snow let out a sigh and let her head and ears droop. "There's nothing to talk about, Ferdinand..." Snow murmured. "So you do remember me!" Ferdinand pointed out, squinting at her and taking a step forward. "Of course I do, Ferd!" Snow exclaimed as she spun her head around to face him, making the bull jump at the outburst. "Then...why..?" He tried to question. "Because..." Snow started, furrowing her brows and taking in a deep breath as she closed her eyes. "Because, remembering you means...means remembering everything!" Snow pointed out, not looking over at the bull.

The two stood in silence with their own looks of grief, Ferdinand watchig Snow while Snow kept her gaze trained on the ground. "Snow..." The bull started, taking a feww more steps forward. "I...I'm sorry...I never meant to run away that day. I was just...scared..." He admitted, earning another sigh. "I get that...I understood that a long time ago...We were barely old enough to survive without our mothers." Snow stated. "But, it's been three years, Ferdinand. Three years!" She pointed out, turning all the way around to face him. "And here you are! Trying to escape again!" She added. "I-I have a home to get back to, Snow!" Ferdinand rgued, standing up straight and looking around slightly. "I understand that! But this isn't a rash decision like last time! You're leaving again without saying goodbye again! You didn't even give me any kind of farewell when you thought I was sleeping!" Snow pointed out.

Ferdinand frowned down at the downcasted doe before letting out a sigh. "I'm sorry...I-I didn't think..." He trailed off before taking in a deep breath through his nose. "But, I'm here now." He offered a soft smile as he lowered his head and took a step closer to her. "You mean you're stuck here now..." Snow grumbled, glaring off to the side, making him frown. "What about before?" She asked, looking up at him out of the corner of her eye. "Where were you before? Because you weren't here!" She asked and answered as she started towards Ferdinand, his turn start backing away as his ears flattened. "You weren't here when I had to deal with aggressive bulls! You weren't here when Furor was taken to the ring and never came back! Same with Tormento! You weren't here when I got kicked by a horse! And you weren't here when I watched Skull die!" Snow ranted, her voice cracking at the last statement.

Ferdinand stared at Snow with wide eyes as the doe let out ragged breathes, tears in her eyes. "Sn-." "And the worst part..." Snow whimpered out. "You wouldn't even be here if you hadn't acted like a bull for once." She said, looking up at him again. "Wait, no! That's not-!" "It doesn't matter..." Snow interrupted as she started turning around. "You're here now, like you said. There's no leaving..." She told him as she started back towards the barn, leaving Ferdinand looking after her with a hurt expression.

"Hmm..?" Valiente blinked his eyes as he heard the door to his stall rattle. "Wha..?" He groaned as he sat his head up, looking over in time to see Snoww flop down next to him. "What-?! What are you doing in here?!" He asked, whisper/yelling. "It's the only place Ferdinand won't look..." Snow grumbled, chin on the ground. "You're hiding from the Flower Bull? Really?" Valiente asked with an unamused look. When he received no response from the doe, Valiente let out an annoyed sigh as he rolled his eyes and laid his head down. "Kick me and you get a hoof to the head." He threatened. Snow still remained quiet at the comment, not even speaking when she felt the bul's tail flick and land over the back of her neck.

Chapter Text

As the next morning arrived, Lupe exited the stables with a bleating yawn. "Snow?" She called through another yawn, back popping as she stretched one of her back legs out behind her. "Wow. People here are pigs." She grumbled at the sight of trash on the ground before letting out an excited squeal. "Sardine can!" She cheered before gulping it down. The goat stood there for a satisfied second before she started retching and coughed up the chewed can. "Oh, that turned." She groaned, staring down at the can.

"El Primero is coming!" One of the farmhands called as Lupe used her tongue to clean between her teeth, making her stop and look over. "El Primero is coming! Come on!" The hand called again as Lupe moved closer to the wooden gate. "What?! El Primero is coming here?!" Another ased as Lupe watched the men run towards each other through the gate. "El Primero?" Lupe questioned as the twwo men continued talking. "El Primero!" She cheered, jumping in place. "Eeeeeel Primero!" Lupe screamed as she ran through the stables. "Oh! Here?!" Guapo asked as he jumped awake. "El Primero! Eeeel Primero!" Lupe continued to cheer, shouts turning into song, as the bulls and doe woke to the sound. " El Primero! El Primero!" She cheered more as she moved from Maquina to Angus to Bones. "Ow!" Snow snapped as the goat landed on her back, the doe still laying in Valiente's stall.. "El Primero!" Lupe shouted as she leaned towards the brown bull. "What?" Valiente questioned, leaning away from Lupe.

"Ow, ow, ow!" Ferdinand grunted as Lupe continued to chant the name as she jumped up and down on his head before he sat up, sending the goat flying backwards. Her chants were cut off when she landed on the bull's tail and he instinctively kicked his back leg out in reflex, sending the goat flying into the wall with a scream. "Ow..!" Lupe groaned. "El Primero! El Primero. El Primero." Lup continued like a broken record as she hung stuck to the wall by her horns. "Oh, hey! Uh, sorry about that." Ferdinand apologized as he walked up to the goat, gently grabbing her by the ear and pulling her from the now-cracked wall. "Who?" Ferdinand questioned as he watched her fall to the ground.

"Big P is in the house!" Bones yelled as he ran ahead of the bulls and doe as the group exited the barn, Ferdinand still looking confused. "There are many great bullfighters in Spain," Lupe started as she bounded up next to Ferdinad, "but there is only one El Primero!" She explained, as if about to cry by just saying his name. "You got this, Guap. You got this. You got this." Guapo told himself as he followed after Snow. "Hey, Guapo," Valiente started as he walked passed, "no pressure." He taunted as he contiinued walking and Guapo stopped. "Oh, mama!" The black and red bull uttered out, staring ahead with wide eyes as Bones zoomed up next to him. "Don't let that jerk get in your head, Guap!" Bones comforted as he glared after Valiente, not noticing Ferdinand walking up behind them.

"Hey, guys," Ferdinand started as he stopped next to Bones, pulling Guapo from his daze as he and the two-toned bull looked up at him, "what's up bewteen Snow and Val?" He asked, Bones and Guapo looking after the two when Ferdinand guestered after them with his horns. "What'd ya mean?" Bones asked, the two looking up at him in confusion again. "Well, Snow was in his stall this morning. Does that happen often?" He asked as the three continued forward. "Oh, yeah. Forgot you're a newbie now." Bones nodded. "Nah, doesn't happen often. Don't tell Val, but he and Snow have a love-hate/brother-sister kinda relationship. She normal goes over to Val's stall when she's upset about something and doesn't want to be messed with." Bones explained. "And no one wants to mess with Valiente." Guapo put in. "And he just let's her?" Ferdinand asked, surprised, tilting his head. "Ehh, no. I mean, you can hear him protest and try to get her out, but she never leaves." Bones answered. "But, it is weird she was in his stall. I could've sworn I saw her in her own stall last night." Guapo remembered, missing the guilty look on Ferdinand's face. "Probably a nightmare." Bones dismissed.

"Where is he?! Show me!" Angus demanded as the other bulls gathered near the edge of the courtyard. "Point me in the right direction!" He ordered as Snow took some of his fur in her mouth and drug him towards the others before he could walk off. "Excuse me! Goat coming through!" Lupe announced as she jumped onto teh wall, hooves hanging over teh metal railing. "El Primero!" Bone growled as he started nawing on the bar. "Bones, bar out of mouth." Snow ordered as she jumped over the wall and started towards Moreno, who was waiting outside his house. "Where's she going?" Ferdinand asked, head tilted. "Snow's always with Moreno for introductions. Ya know, being the del Toro mascot and all." Lupe answered, not looking back at the black bull.

Snow stood next to Moreno, leaning into his touch when he scratched her head, and watched as a red car sped through the entrance of del Toro. Snow took a step back and let out a sneeze when the car drifted to a stop, sending sand flying into the air, before a tall man stepped out of the car. 'How does he fit in that thing?' Snow wondered as she sent the man a raised brow when he spun to lock his door, holding his hands above his head and standing on his tiptoes. "El Primero!" Lupe called, everyone but Valiente looking down at her. "Love you, man!" She yelled before letting out a scream, coming out as a loud and long bleat to the human ear.

"El Primero, señor!" Moreno started as he walked towards the approaching man, both hands over his heart, with Snow right at his side. "Welcome to Casa del Toro!" He greeted, guesturing back to the building. "What an honor to have you here at my humble home! Es un honor!" He complimented as he held his right hand out for the man to shake. "I do not shake!" El Primero quickly informed, holding his hand up to stop the man. "My hands are my instruments. As are my arms, legs, chest, feet. And," the man took in a deep breath through his nose after making a show of explaining himself before he quickly spun around, "buttocks." He finished, guesturing to his rear. "¿Comprende?" He questioned as he turned back around to face Moreno, kissing his finger before using it to push back his undesturbed hair, raising both brows at Moreno.

"Uhh..." Moreno uttered out, sharing an uncertain look with Snow. "Of course, señor." Moreno complied, putting his hands behind his back and giving a small bow, Snow bowing her head as well. "I am here to select a bull." El Premiro informed, Lupe gasping from behind and elbowing Ferdinand, smiling at him excitedly. "¡Uno!" The man stated, Moreno and Snow leaning away when he held one finger up in his face. "One?" Moreno question in confirmation, feebly holding up a finger of his own. "My final fight! One bull. The best bull. Against the best bullfighter!" He explained in drawn out sentences and dramatic movement. "No, of course-!" "The best, for the best!" El Primero interrupted, guesturing to himself. "Sí, I understand. But we have-!" "The best against the best!" He interrupted once more, earning an irritated look from Snow. "No, we will-!" "To see who's the best-est-est-est!" El Primero anounced, turning his back to Moreno, who had a look of irritated defeat, and held his arms out to the sides.

Letting out a snort, Snow leaned forward and clamped her jaws down on El Primero's sleeve, ignoring Lupe's gasp of horror from far. With a raised brow, El Primero slowly turned around to look down at Snow, who was glaring up at the man. "¿Qué es esto?" He asked. "Uhh...¡Abajo, Snow, abajo!" Moreno ordered in a whispered tone, the doe releasing the man's sleeve as soon as Moreno's hand touched her chest and gently pushed her back. "That is just Snow, the symbol of strength and grace of del Toro!" Moreno explained as he turned his attention back to El Primero. "And, I think she is just as eager as I am to tell you that I have a new bull I think will be perfect for you!" Moreno was finally ableto say, Snow looking up at him with wide eyes. "Zip!" El Primero snapped, holding a hand up as Snow and Moreno jumped. "Only El Primero knows who is the best!" The man informed, looking at the bull owner with disdain. "Sorry. I meant no disrespect." Moreno apologized. "And yet, I felt disrespected." El Primero responded, glaring at the man.

"Now," he started, dusting off the sleeve Snow had grabbed, "what is the best bedroom in the house?" He asked. "Uhh...M-Mine, I suppose." Moreno ansered, looking from his house to El Primero. "I'll take that one." He claimed before letting out a yell and pointing his keys towards his car, the trunk opening, a man appearing in the doorway, quickly running out when El Primero snapped his fingers. Snow grunted as the man dropped his keys onto the doe's head, Snow flattening her ears as seeling her eyes shut at the feeling of the foreign objects on her head. "Let me know when the bulls are ready." He ordered as he walked into the house, followed by the man, whose arms were now full. Moreno watched the men go as a farmhand came up behind him. "Get the bulls ready for Señor Primero!" He ordered as he snatched the keys from Snow's head, making her blink, before rushing him away in Spanish, the man quickly running off. Snow frowned and looked up at the man when he let out a sigh.

Chapter Text

As the bulls barged out of the barn and towards the path to the ring, they all let out bellows and grunts, Guapo and Valiente shoving each other as they went. "Okay, listen up, F-Train!" Lupe started as Ferdinand was ushered out of the barn. "I've got exactly thirty seconds to teach you everything about bullfighting!" She said quickly as she started walking backwards. "Number one: Don't get hit. Number two: Destroy anything that moves." She explained as she stood a tire up and started rolling it ahead of Ferdinand, who was looking around nervously, walking backwards to make it roll. "And number three...uh..." Lupe thought as she rolled around to Ferdinand's other side before sitting down on the tire. "Actually, that's it. It's not that complicated." She realized as she moved the tire back in front of the black bull. "Oh, trust me, Lupe. This is not for me." Ferdinand insisted. "Relax, buddy! It's a slam dunk!" Lupe tried to comfort, standing on her back legs and falling onto his face. "El Primero is going to take one look at your big, beautiful hugeness and boom!" Lupe exclaimed as she jumped off her tire. "You're on your way to the big show! can already hear the crowd in Madric chanting your name!" She stated as she jumped onto the green fencing and walked backward. "Lupe! Lupe! Lupe!" She chanted as she jumped onto Ferdinand's back.

"That's your name, Loops." Snow pointed out before Lupe ran into the top of the doorframe, Ferdinand looking over to see the doe still standing with Moreno. "I want the new bull out first." Moreno ordered, pointing to Ferdinand, the farmhand aggressively prodding Ferdinand with a stick. The black bull let out a pained bellow as he jumped forward, looking back to barely see Snow's concerned expression as she took a step forward before she disappeared from sight.

"Well, well." Angus started as Ferdinand started passed the other bulls, the Highland blowing hair from his face. "Looks like someone's the teacher's pet!" He spat as he and Guapo glared up at him. "News flash!" Bones started, getting in Ferdinand's face for a moment before backing away. "No one likes the teacher's pet." He informed before Maquina growled at the passing bull. "You know," Valiente started once Ferdinand was standing next to him, "I've been waiting for this day for a long time. It's gonna get messy, Ferdinand!" He warned, facing forward and leaving the black bull with a fearful expression.

As the bulls waited outside the green door, one farmhand was setting up the ring while the other moved to prepare to open the door. Once the farmhand behind the door grabbed onto the latch, the other ran to hide behind a red-painted pallet, whimpering as he went.

"This is it!" Valiente snorted as he stomped his hooves. "Come on! Bring it on!" Bone yelled, squeezing in between Ferdinand and Valiente. "Let's go! Let's go out there and give it 110%!" Guapo said, more to himself than the others, before he gagged and fled for this nearest bucket, wrapping his front hooves around it before vomiting. "Hey, that better not be my bucket, Guap!" Lupe warned as she jumped onto and trotted up his back. "It's definitely your bucket." He confirmed, not lifting his head. "Ugh, gross." Lupe groaned as she jumped onto teh wall. "Hey! Hey, buddy! You feelin' good?" Lupe asked as she walked across the wall. "No. Not really!" Ferdinand answered, looking back at her. "Okay, cool." Lupe nodded, dismissing his answer. "Try and have some fun with it. I'll be sitting in the front row! I call it the splash zone!" She laughed. "I'll see ya later!" She said before leaning to her left and disappearing from sight. Ferdinand stared up at where the goat had been for a moment longer before he slowly turned to face the dooragain, a look of little confidence on his face.

Once the door to the podium was opened, Snow stepped out, followed by Moreno, who held the door for El Primero. "Impress me." Was all the man said as he rested his hands on the ledge in front of him. "Release the bulls!" Moreno ordered, pointing down at the farmhand at the door, Snow's gaze moving in that direction. The farmhand quickly unlatched the door and pulled it open, hiding behind the door to avoid the stampede. Instead, here was only a squeak from door before silence filled the air, causing the farmhand to peak out. El Primero quickly stood up straight and sent Moreno a raised brow, causin him to lean away in nervousness. "Oh, Ferd..." Snow winced before she jumped down onto the wall below and quickly trotted over.

"Get outta the way!" Bones yelled as the bulls tried to push passed Ferdinand, who stood stiff in the doorway. "Nope! No, no, no!" Ferdinand protested, shaking his head. "I'm gonna sit this one out!" He announced. "Get out there!" Valiente ordered as Snow came to a stop above the bulls. "Let's go! Get in there!" Guapo yelled from teh back. "No, I'll pass, thanks!" Ferdinand argued. "Ferdinand, move!" Snow yelled down. "What?!" The black bull questioned, looking up at her. "Ferd, trust me! You have to go! Now!" Snow pleaded, earning a confused look. "Move!" Valiente ordered before jabbing his right horn into Ferinand's leg, causing him to let out a pained yell and run forward, releasing the others. "For the glory of Scotland!" Angus yelled, Snow flinching when he rammed into the doorframe, groaning, before he ran into the ring.

"Whoo-hoo! Smash'em in the head!" Lupe cheered from below as Snow stood up straight and watched the bulls run into the ring. Ferdinand let out fast breathes as he looked around before he looked forward in time to see a fake Matador in front of him. "Whoa!" He yelped as he dodged to the side, making it spin, Valiente and Guapo running into it afterwards. "Ferdinand!" Snow yelled when the large bull stood still, watching the others run around him.

A pleased smile appeared on Moreno's face before it quickly disappeared when he looked over to see El Primero watching with a serious expression.

"Watch out!" Ferdinand yelled as he dodged a charging Angus as Guapo and Valiente rammed into each other in front of him. "Hey!" He yelped as he jumped backwards, looking back when he bumped into the pallet the farmhean was hiding behind. The farmhand gasped and looked up at Ferdinand with fear before he looked around frantically and ran off. The man's scream drew Maquina's attention, who quickly locked onto the fleeing man. With his tail bending and moving in circles like a windup toy, the gray and wwhite bull ran in place with his head low before he charged at the man. Just as the man took cover behind another pallet, Maquina rammed into it, his horns breaking through, and lifted the wood and man off tehe ground.

"Maquina, sweetheart," Snow called as she came to a stop on the wall near the bull as he looked around and spun in circles, "the pallet is on your head. Lower your head and back away." She advised before running down the wall. "Up high! Down low! Too slow!" Bones taunted as he ran around Valiente, pressing himself against the brown bull. "Outta my way, Bones!" Valiente yelled as he and the smaller bull ran at the Matador dummy, Bones screaming as the scarred bull threw him to the side.

Snow came to a stop on the wall behind Ferdinand as the black bull watched in worry as Bones rolled to a stop at his hooves, his body looking contorted. "Ha!" Bones laughed as he jumped back to his hooves, trotting in place. "That didn't hurt!" He cheered before racing off again. "Ferdinand, El Primero is watching. You gotta hit something!" Lupe pointed out as she came to a stop in front of Snow. "Nope! Actually, I'm gonna pass on the violence!" Ferdinand informed, looking up at the two females. "Well, if you don't hit them they're gonna hit you!" Lupe pointed out, guesturing with her head into the ring. "Gangway!" Angus yelled as he charged towards Ferdinand. "Whoa!" Ferdinand yelped, jumping out of the way and watching him ram into the pallet

"Ferdinand!" Snow called, making him look back again. "I don't care what you do, just move!" Snow yelled. "Move and do what?!" Ferinand asked, looking around. "Anything!" Snow yelled. "Do anything but stand there because if you don't..." Snow's plea trailed off as she looked out at somthing far from Ferinand's view, the bull looking up at her in fear and confusion. "There are fates worse than being picked." She warned, desperation in her eyes.

Before he could question what she meant, he let out a grunt when Valiente rammed into him, making him stumble sideways. "You finally ready to fight?! Come on!" Valiente challanged as he went to charge at Ferdinand again, only to be knocked off course by a black blur. "Guapo with the hit!" Guapo cheered as he slid to a stop, turning to face Valiente. "Take that, Valiente!" Guapo taunted as Valiente pushed himself back to his hooves. "You think you got what it takes, Guapo?! Then show that to El Primero!" Valiente challanged, jutting his head towards the bullfighter. "Uh, no! Don't do that!" Snow objected as she came to a stop under the podium. "Oh, I will! I'll show him who the real champ is around here!" Guapo accepted the challenge, ignoring Snow's objection, as he turned to look up at the man.

"No, Guapo, no! Look at me!" Snow yelled as Guapo locked eyes with El Primo, who sent the smiling bull a narrow glare. "Keep it together, Guapo! Keep it togeth..." The black and red bull uttered out before his eyes rolled back and his head fell. "Guap!" Snow gasped before she jumped down into the ring. "Bull down!" Ferdinand yelled as he took off towards the downed bull, Bones letting out a yell when the black bull ran out in front of him and sent him flying towards Valiente when he bounced off his side. "Hey! Get off me!" Valiente yelled when the smaller bull landed on his face, Angus knocking into the bucking bull before slamming into Maquina, sending the pallet and man that was still stuck to his horns flying out of the mock ring.

"Enough!" El Primero scoffed as Ferdinand and Snow tried to wake Guapo, nudging his shoulder and head, Valiente still trying to get Bones off while Maquina and Angus tried to get their bearings. "The bullfight is a battle of wints and strength. These bulls have nothing." He dismissed as he started back towards the podium doors. "¡Espere, Señor! Give the bulls another chance!" Moreno pleaded, reaching after the man, who stopped. "My final fight is in two days." El Primero informed. "If I do not find the best bull for the best bullfighter by then," he started as he turned around, "no bullfighter will ever use your ranch again." He threatened, sending Moreno a snide, half smile before leaving him to ponder his words.

Snow frowned up at the man before turning her gaze up to Ferdinand. "Go ahead with the others." She ordered, gesturing with her head. "I'll get Guapo up and running again." She said as she turned her attention back to the fainted bull. Ferdinand frowned at Snow for a moment, watching as she nudged the side of Guapo's head, before he started after the rest of the bulls.

"Hey, Guapo," Snow called sweetly, still nudging his head, "time to wake up. El Primero's gone." She informed as she stood up straight and walked about his head. "C'mon, Guap, you've been through worse!" Snow said as she gently tugged at his right ear, earning a groan. "There he is! Come on!" Snow encouraged as she watched him groggily sit his head up, taking a few steps back. "Wha...What happened..? Did...Did El Primero pick?" Guapo asked, looking around the empty ring, still waking up. "Well..." Snow drawled out in a high pitched tone, looking off to the side with a nervous smile.

Before Snow could explain what happened, the two looked over when they heard the sound of a door opening and saw three men walking towards Snow and Guapo. "What're they doin' here?" Guapo asked as Snow turned to face the three men. "I'm...not sure..." Snow answered, head tilted. Snow hesitantly backed away from Guapo when one of the three men waved her away before they all turned their attention to Guapo. "Whoa!" Guapo yelped when the men ushered him to his hooves before they started guiding him towards the door they'd come through. "What is-? Wait, was I picked by EL Primero?!" Guapo asked, looking back at Snow. "What? No! El Primero said-!" Snow cut herself off as realization dawned on her, eyes widening and ears falling. "Hah! I was picked!" Guapo cheered as he turned and happily let the men guide him away.

"No, wait! Guapo, stop!" Snow yelled as she ran after them, but was cut off when the door was closed in her face. "No!" Snow yelled as she paced in front of the door. "No, Guapo, please! Please stop!" She pleaded before she looked around the empty ring. With one last look at the door, Snow let out a grunt before she took off running, jumping over the green, metal fencing to escape the mock ring.

"What did you think you were doing back there, ya numpty?!" Angus asked as he walked towards the barn next to Ferdinand, looking in the wrong direction. "Are you tryin' to make us look bad?!" Bones asked as he pushed passed Angus to get to the black bull. "Because you made us look bad! You made us look real bad!" He scolded as he walked passed. "I was just trying to help Guapo!" Ferdinand defended, watching the smaller bull go. "Help?!" Angus questioned as he started passed. "There's no helping!" He pointed out before Maquina marched passed Ferdinand's other side, letting out his normal grunts and growls through gritted teeth. "Oh, you are the worst fighting bull I have ever partially seen!" Angus scoffed, blowing hair from his eyes. "Well, that's because he isn't a real fighter." Valiente interjected with a laugh as they entered the barn.

"Oh, little Ferdinand had a growth spurt! But he's still the same scared, little coward he always was!" Valiente stated as he turned and stopped in front of the black bull. "Why does not wanting to fight mean I'm scared?" Ferdinad asked, brows furrowed. "Yeah! That's redonculous!" Lupe agreed as she trotted up next to Ferdinand. "Look at'em! My boy's a killin' machine! Right, Ferd?" Lupe asked, standing proud. "No, I'm not a killing machine!" Ferdinand denied as he lowered his head to her level. "I've been trying to tell you, Lupe!" He said as a surprised smile appeared on Lupe's muzzle, eyes wide and back stiff. "You didn't destroy a village?" She asked through her teeth. "And I didn't eat a baby." He confirmed. "Snow tald ya that was a stretch." Bones put in with an unamused look as Lupe looked to Ferdinand with a disappointed expression. "Not even a nibble?" She asked.

"Ehh..." Angus uttered out from behind, making them look back at him. "Are you tryin' to tell me that you don't want to fight for glory in the ring?" He asked as he walked up to Ferdinand. "I'm not a fighter." Ferdinand confirmed, shaking his head. "Well I don't understand that at all." Angus commented, confused. "Yeah, me either. What else is there?" Bones asked, stepping forward.

Before Ferdinand could answer, a cheer from outside caught the bulls' attention, making them turn and look out the barn door that led to the bullpen. "Look who got picked by El Primero!" Guapo cheered as he backed up towards the trailer behind him. "Who's the bull now?! Uh-huh!" He cheered as Maquina, Ferdinand, Bones and Valiente gathered at the wooden gate that seperated them from Guapo. "Guapo goin' to the big show, that's right!" He bragged as he stepped into the trailer. "What in the blazes?!" Angus asked as he appeared from the barn. "I have no idea what happened back there! No clue!" Guapo admitted as he looked around with his eyes. "But it must have been epic!" He cheered. "What in the deuce is hapeneing?!" Angus asked as he walked around behind the four bulls, blowwing hair from his eyes. "Somebody narrate!" He ordered. "I'm gonna be famous! Whoo!" Guapo cheered as the trailer door closed. "Oh, no..." Bones breathed out, taking a step back as his confuse turned to despair. "So long, suckers!" Guapo yelled as the truck pulling the trailer with the image of the numbered bull started away.

"Wait a second! Where-?!" Ferdinand was cut off when Snow zoomed into view, grunting when her back legs slid out from under her. "Guapo!" She yelled as she raced after the trailer, the bulls watching with wide eyes. "Snow! Why didn't you tell me I was picked?!" Guapo asked when the doe was a few feet behind the trailer. "Be-Because you weren't!" Snow answered, panting. "What?" Guapo asked, excitement falling into a fear strained smile. "That's not the Winner's Truck!" Snow yelled before she skittered to a stop when the truck went passed the boundaries of del Toro. "Snow?" Guapo called as Snow watched the truck go, gulping for air. "Snow!" The bull yelled. Snow stood there and watched the truck go for a moment longer before she let a defeated whimper escape her, head falling and ears drooping.

"Wh-What's happening?" Ferdinand asked as Valiente turned away. "Uhh..." Bones uttered out, Ferdinand looking down at the smaller bull. "They're taking Guap to the Chop House..." He answered, sounding dazed as he started after Valiente, Ferdinand and Maquina following as the black bull looked back towards Snow, who was still standing at the boundary. The bulls stopped once they reached the electric fence, able to see the building on the hill from there. "You." Bones growled, Ferdinand and Valiente turning their gazes from the building to the smaller bull to see him glaring at Valiente. "You messed with his head. This is on you." He said. "Oh, please." Valiente started as Bones turned and started away. "Guapo was never going to make it to the ring! We all knew that!" He reseaoned. "And so because of that, he deserves to go there?" Ferdinand asked, guesturing towards the Chop House with his head. "Listen to me, Flower Bull!" Valiente started, glaring up at Ferdinand. "Things have changed around here since you ran away! Now, you're either a fighter or your meat!" He explained before he started away. "Later, meat." He stopped for a moment to say before continuing towards the barn, Bones looking up at Ferdinand with narrow eyes before following.

Ferdinand watched the two go with a distraught look before his brows raised and he started back to the wood gate. When he got there, the black bull's ears drooped more when he saw Snow still standing where she had stopped, Lupe now at her side while leaning against the doe's front legs. Ferdinand stood there for a moment, ready to call out to the downcasted doe, before he decided against it, letting out a sigh as he turned and started for the barn as well.

Chapter Text

The moon hung high in the sky as Ferdinand sat in his stall, staring up through his small window, when he heard sniffles coming from his right side. Moving over towards the sound, Ferdinand looked through the tiny metal bars to see Bones sitting awake in his stall with his head hung. "Bones?" The black bull questioned softly. "Ferdinand!" Bones gasped, jumping and facing away from him. "I'm not... " He trailed off, looking around as he tried to dismiss himself. "You okay?" Ferdinand asked. "Why wouldn't I be okay? I just have...uh...allergies..." Bones sniffled, looking at Ferdinand for a breif moment before looking down again. "Oh-Oh, yeah, sure! Nah, it's-uh...Ya know, there's a lot of-a lot of pollen in the air this time of year." He agreed with a sympathetic smile. "That's right!" Bones agreed, looking back at Ferdinand. "A lot of pollen. Makes my eyes water." He added, looking down.

"Hey...I'm really sorry about Guapo...I know you guys were friends." Ferdinand consoled. "Bulls don't have friends, Ferd!" Bones snapped after a moment of silence, standing up and turning to him. "Guapo was my competition, okay? I'm fine!" He stated, turning away to face the wall that had been behind him. "Oh...okay..." Ferdinand nodded as he started to turn away. "I mean, how many times did I tell him?!" Bones started, Ferdinand immediately turning his attention back to the smaller bull. "You gotta get out of yout head, man! You gotts control your fears, ya know! But he wouldn't listen!" He ranted, sniffling. "Sorry." He apologized, glancing over at Ferdinand for a moment before looking up at the tiny window in his stall. "It's okay to feel bad, Bones." Ferdinand comforted, earning a small nod from Bones.

"You won't tell anyone about this, will you?" Bones asked with a pleading expression as he looked up at Ferdinand. "I won't say a word." Ferdinand vowed. "But if you ever wanna talk about, I don't know, allergies? I'm around." He reassured, earning a surprised look. "Thanks, Ferdinand. You're okay." Bones nodded as he lowered his head again. "Hey, Ferd," Bones started again as Ferdinand went to back away, "look...if you don't wanna end up like Guap...you gotta get your horns in the game, man." He warned. "That's the one thing Valiente's got right." He added.

Ferdinand lowered his gaze at the thought before he looked down into his stall, Lupe sleeping with her head in her bucket like she had the night before. "Hey, Bones..." Ferdinand started hesitantly, Bones' ears perking up. "Is...Is what happened to Guapo...what happened to..?" He trailed off, frowning as he looked off to the side. "Skull?" Bones asked, Ferdinand looking down at him. "Yeah...Yeah, it is..." Bones answered, nodding as he looked down. "And...Snow?" Ferdinand questioned, blinking when Bones let out a scoff. "Whatever she saw in there, girl wouldn't look me in the eye for a month! Still hasn't told anyone what happened that night." He explained, making both bulls frown and look down. "Is it...bad that this hurt more than it did losing him?" Bones asked, glancing up at Ferdinand, making him blink. "Mmm...I don't think so." Ferdinand answered, shaking his head. "We can't control how we feel." He added, earning a tired smile from Bones.

Outside, in the bullpen, Snow tiredly stared out at the Chop House, ears drooped and eyes glazed. "Out here dealing with allergies too?" Snow jumped and looked back to see Ferdinand slowly appraoching, stopping when her eyes landed on him. "What?" Snow questioned, voice hoarse, squinting at the black bull. "Sorry. Conversation with Bones." Ferdinand answered, sending her a soft smile. "Oh, gosh! Bones!" Snow whimpered, leaning her head back before hiding her face under her front legs. Ferdinand frowned down at the doe before he started towards her again, laying down a foot away from her.

"Was honestly surprised to find you weren't in Valiente's stall." Ferdinand commented after a few moments of silence. Silence filled the air again as Ferdinand looked Snow over before he sighed and looked up at the moon. "You checked?" Snow questioned, not uncovering her face, Ferdinand looking down at her in surprise. "Uhh...Y-Yeah!" Ferdinand answered, shaking himself from his shock. "Thankfully Val was asleep so..." He trailed off with a shrug, smiling softly over at Snow when she let out a half-hearted laugh and finally lifted her head, his ears flapping at the sound. "Well," Snow started with a sniffle, leaning her head back as she looked away from Ferdinand, "it's kinda hard to hide away when you're mad at the one you normal hide with!" She pointed out, sounding about to cry.

"You blame Valiente too?" Ferdinand asked, pulling a sigh from Snow. "No..." Snow whimpered, lowering her head. "Look at where we live...I'm more surprised the others didn't end up just as cruel." Snow answered, lazily glancing around before letting her gaze fall to the ground again. Silence fell over them once more as Snow kept her gaze down and Ferdinand looked out in front of him again, eyes traveling to the Chop House.

"Why didn't you ever leave?" Ferdinand suddenly asked. "Ya know, when things started getting bad? Or before that?" He added, earning a sigh. "I was young...and had just lost everyone who cared for at me at the time. I knew I couldn't survive." Snow shrugged. "Then, I got older and by then, I had nowhere else to turn. Couldn't go back to my old herd and family because I had no idea where they were. Still don't. Didn't know where you had gone or ended up...if you were still alive." She explained. "But, despite it all," Snow started again, looking towards the barn, "I wouldn't change staying. I wouldn't change helping keep these guys alive" She finished.

"You told me to move because you didn't want me to end up like...them." Ferdinand observed, looking down at Snow. "Heh...Turned out great, right..?" Snow asked, glancing over at him out of the corner of her eye for a moment. "Hmm...And here I thought you hated me more than Valiente." He muttered, looking forward again. "What?!" Snow questioned as she looked up at Ferdinand with wide eyes, ears perked. The bull continued facing forward for a moment before glancing down at her out of the corner of his eye, sending her a smile. "Oh, Ferd, no!" Snow groaned, closing her eyes and leaning her head back, ears rotating backwards. "I'll admit, I greeted you in a...less than favorable way..." Snow admitted, earning a smirk as Ferdinand turning his head to fully look down at her. "Nor had a great first conversation..." She added, making the bull chuckle.

"And, I was kinda surprised myself." She admitted, looking forward. "I always thought that, if you came back, I'd be happy...excited." She explained before looking up at him. "I think...in some messed up way...I was glad you were gone." She admitted, both frowning. "Not at first, but later on. After Maquina and Angus showed up...After Skull died..." She explained. "Dos was right. When he said you wouldn't last a day." She clairified, looking up at him again. "If you'd been here when the Chop House had first been built," she started, looking up at the large building in the distance, Ferdinand following her gaze, "I don't doubt you'd have been next." She stated, earning a sad yet thoughtful hum as Ferdinand looked down. "Then...there you were..." She stated. "Standing there, big, large and all grown up. And I just...froze...And then I lashed out. You didn't deserve that." Snow admitted, looking down for a moment before turning her gaze up to him again. "I'm sorry." She apologized. "It's okay, Snow. You've been through a lot by the sounds of it." Ferdinand pointed out, making Snow frown.

"You're too kind..." Snow murmured, looking down and off to the side. "Thanks!" Ferdinand smiled, ears flapping. "That's not a good thing! Not here anyway...Not for you." Snow pointed out, Ferdinand's smile falling. "You got lucky today, Ferd!" Snow pointed out in a scolding tone. "You got lucky not only because Guapo didn't, but because Moreno believes the same thing Lupe does. Sans baby eating." Snow explained, earning an amused snort. "But, once he finds out you bull-ing out was a fluke, he'll use that big body of yours for other profitable avenues." Snow warned. Ferdinand frowned and let out another hum as he stared at the ground for a moment before turning his gaze up to the moon. Snow frowned up at her long-lost friend for a moment before she followed his gaze.

"It was a bee." Ferdinand suddenly spoke up, causing Snow to blink with furrowed brows. "I'm sorry, what?" Snow asked, looking over with a confused smile, brow raised. "I bull-ed out because I backed up into a bee." Ferdinand explained with a shrug. "Hah! And you eating a baby?" Snow asked, sitting her head up straight. "Hey, that baby tried to eat me!" Ferdinand defended, causing Snow to burst out laughing, lifting her front, right leg up to her muzzle slightly.

"I missed that." Ferdinand said as Snow's laughter calmed. "Missed-Missed what?" Snow asked as her laughter calmed and she caught her breathe. "Your laugh. It hasn't changed much." He answered, smiling down at her. "Really? You remember my laugh?" Snow asked, an unconvinced look on her face. Her unconvinced expression fell into a surprised look, ears slowly perking up, when his smile never wavered. The doe suddenly felt nervous under the bull's gaze, making him chuckle when she looked away quickly, warmed ears flattening. "W-Well...I-I remember the happy ear flaps." Snow shared, still not looking up at Ferdinand. "Yeah?" Ferdinand asked, tilting his head. "Y-Yeah." Snow nodded before she blinked. "And," she drawled out with a smirk, finally looking up at Ferdinand again, "I also remember Raf telling you you were, and I quote, gonna be bigger and tougher than your old man." She recalled, looking the bull up and down, before winking up at him. It was now Ferdinand's turn to stare down at her with a surprised expression before he breathed out a chuckle. "Yeah...Yeah, he said that..." Ferdinand nodded, smiling softly.

The two fell into silence once more as they looked up at the moon and stars, the silence around them more peaceful and lighthearted as it was before. Snow looked up at Ferdinand when the bull let out a groan as he stood up and stretched, arching his back with his front hooves stretched out in front of him. "Ready to head to bed?" Ferdinand asked, looking down at her. "I think...I think I'll stay out here a bit longer." Snow answered as she looked up at the sky once more.

Expecting the bull to head back to the barn, Snow's eyes widened and her ears perked up when she felt something lay over her back, looking back to see Ferdinand laying next to her with his head resting on her back, smiling up at her. Snow blinked at Ferdinand for a moment before she snickered at his actions, pulling a laugh from Ferdinand as he closed his right eye when Snow gently took his ear in her teeth and gave it a small tug.

The two giggled and laughed for a moment longer before returning their gazes back up to the stars, the bull not lifting his head from the doe's back.

Chapter Text

"I'm comin' for ya, you bleedin' barrel!" Angus yelled as he charged towards the barrel. "Oh!" He yelped when he ran passed his target, barely grazing it, before he tripped and went rolling across the yard, coming to a stop at Snow's hooves, Ferdinand standing behind her. "And the barrel wins another round!" Dos announced from where he and his siblings were relaxing in the water trough, Ferdinand looking over at them. "Give up, dude!" The purple male yelled before going back to floating in the water, drinking from the cup he stole. "Be nice, Dos!" Snow called over before walking towards the downed Highland.

"Hey, big guy," Una called, "you're on! Mr. Matador is watching." She said as she pointed passed Ferdinand with her cocktail umbrella, making him look back to see the man standing on a small balcony. El Primero stood there for a moment longer before he slid his hands off the railing and turned to go back into the house, messing with the sleeve of his tux. "You okay, Angus?" Snow as as Ferdinand started into the yard. "Of course!" The Highland answered, blowing hair out of his face. "No barrel is going to stop the likes of me!" He claimed as he started away, Snow watching him go as she walked next to Ferdinand, who looked uneasy.

"I got this! Uh-huh. I'm ready! Let's do this! C'mon!" Bones told himself as Snow and Ferdinand looked in his direction. "In. Out. In. Out!" He repeated as he zig-zagged between three barrels before whooping as he ran through tires to ram his head into a stack at the end, letting out a yell as he sent the tires flying. Snow smiled and looked up at Ferdinand when Bones looked in their direction and sent the black bull a nod before turning back to his tires. "Allergies?" Snow questioned with a raised brow, earning a chuckle from Ferdinand.

The two looked back out into the yard when they heard a loud grunt and spotted Valiente ramming into a large water tank, grunting as he pushed the heavy obstacle. "Yeah, these guys are intense when they train." Snow informed as they passed the brown bull, missing the suspicious side glare he sent after the pair.

"Come on, Klaus. Come on, Greta." Hans spoke up, Snow and Ferdinand looking to their rights. "Und up! Two, three, four. Pirouette!" The silver horse ordered, counting with stomps of his right hoof, the two white horses prancing to their lefts before spinning on their hind legs. "Oh, jealous?" Hans asked when the three noticed the bull before they quickly looked away when they saw Snow glaring from around Ferdinand's front. "What did you do to those guys?" Ferdinand asked, looking down at Snow. "Caused a bull stampede in their pen. That's why there's an electric fence." Snow answered with a shrug. "Huh." He uttered out, blinking, before letting his gaze travel to the Chop House.

"Oh, yes! That's the one!" Angus cheered as Snow watched him run passed. "Look alive, F-Stop!" Lupe started as she jumped onto a rock in front of the two, making them look over at her. "We have twenty-four hours to whip you into shape for El Primero!" She informed. "I dunno. Val seems more like a Primero kinda bull." Snow shrugged with a nervous smile. "Not for long!" Lupe argued before turning her attention back to Ferdinand. "From now on, you're not soft, you're not a Flower Bull. You're a killing machine." Lupe nodded. "I'll finally get you this time, barrel!" Angus yelled as he ran passed, catching Ferdinand's eye. "Say it with me." Lupe ordered as Ferdinand watched the Highland race towards the barrel, a rabbit hopping out of a hole near his target. "I. Am. A-." "Bunny!" Ferdinand yelled, making Snow jump and look after him as he ran off. "Bunny?! No, not bunny!" Lupe called after him.

"Barrel death!" Angus yelled as he continued his charge. "Stop! Angus, look out!" Ferdinand yelled as he ran up next to Angus. Ignoring Ferdinand's warning, Angus let out a yell before grunting when Ferdinand rammed into him, sending him rolling sideways. "Oh no..." Snow uttered out, ears flattening, as she watched Ferdinand try to stop himself, his hooves digging into the ground. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" The black bull yelled as the rabbit turned around, the small mammal letting out a squeak as its eyes widened and ears fell. The whole yard stopped and watched as Ferdinand slid into a small rock that sent him flying into the air, he and the rabbit screaming as the bull started falling down towards the rabbit. The angle of Ferdinand's horns kept him from landing on the rabbit as they dug into the ground on either side of the small mammal before Ferdinand continued flying over. Once the bull was over, the rabbit stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, before letting out a grunt and face planting into the dirt. "Son of a bull!" Snow hissed as she raced towards the scene, leaving Lupe watching in disbelief.

Ferinand grunted as he rolled before letting out a scream as he flew towards the water tank Valiente had been, the impact of his weight slamming into it making it tilt and slide sideways. Horn stuck in the side of the water tank, Ferdinand hung in the air for a moment before falling to the ground with a grunt when the container and trailer it was on righted itself, the bull landing on his side, dazed. "Huh?" Ferdinand blinked it eyes before he pulled his horn free with a grunt, water pouring out. Sitting up, Ferdinand let out a gasp when his eyes landed on the rabbit, Snow standing over the small creature, nudging its side. "Oh no!" He yelled as he pushed himself to his hooves and raced towards the rabbit.

Snow's ears perked up as she backed away when Ferdinand reached them, watching as he listened for any sign of life before he carefully rolled the rabbit onto its back. "Come on, little guy! Come on!" Ferdinand pleaded as he started CPR compressions on the rabbit. "Come back! Don't go into the light!" He continued to plead as Maquina and Bones walked up to join Valiente, who was still watching from afar, the three judgemental yet curious, before starting rescue breathes. "Live, bunny, live!" Ferdinand pleaded as he went back to chest compressions, Lupe walking up. "Ferd, I don't think-." Snow was cut off by a gasp from the rabbit as it sat up. "Oh!" Snow blinked, she and Lupe staring at the small creature with wide eyes. "I stand interruptedly incorrect." She admitted as the rabbit glared at Ferdinand and jumped back into its hole. "Sorry I almost killed you!" Ferdinand called after it, receiving a carrot to the face as a response. "Ow!" He winced, twitching his nose.

The doe, bull and goat all looked back when Valiente started laughing, the brown bull walking away. "You're not helping your reputation here, pal, apologizing to the bunny rabbit" Lupe pointed out. "But takin' out another bull, that's an energy we can use!" She praised, bouncing in place. "Who-Who did that?!" Angus wheezed out, making the three look over. "Who-Who pushed me?!" He asked, stumbling as he regained his footing. "Wha-?! Where's he going?!" Lupe asked as Ferdinand started towards the Highland. "Didn't I just-!" The goat was cut off when Snow scooped the carrot the rabbit had thrown off the ground and shoved it into her mouth before walking after the bull, leaving Lupe to fall backwards.

"Ooh!" Angus yelped when he backed up into a tractor behind him. "It was you, wasn't it?!" He accused, turning to the tractor as Snow and Ferdinand walked up. "Actually, Angus, it was me." Ferdinand admitted, causing Angus to start blowing his hair from his eyes. "Oh, I'm doomed, I'm doomed, I'm doomed!" Angus cried as he turned in the black bull's direction. "Primero picks a bull tomorrow and I'm talkin' to a bloomin' tractor!" He ranted stamping his front hooves towards the machinery. "That's just your nerves talking, Angus. You're gonna be fine." Ferdinand reassured. "No! No, I'm not! First Guapo, now me! I'm next!" Angus claimed. "Oh, don't say that, Angus!" Snow said softly, earning a soft hum from the Highland when the doe nudged her head under his chin.

"Can I tell you my terrible secret? Hmm?" Angus asked, turning hs attention back up to Ferdinand as Snow backed up. "Can I whisper it in your ear?" He asked in a hushed tone. "Sure." Ferdinand answered, leaning down towards Angus, left ear perked and tilted towards him. Only for the Highland to start passed him, Ferdinand watching in confusion and Snow with a soft smile, the white doe walking up beside him to angle him back towwards the black bull when he stopped in front of a pitch fork. "I cannot see very well. Shh!" Angus confided with a whisper. "Once they find out, it's all over for Angus. I'm a dead bull walking!" He continued, his whispers raising to yells. "Done! Finito! Kaput!" He rambled in a panic. "Angus, calm down!" Snow tried to sooth as Ferdinand walked out in front of the panicked Highland. "Angus, wait! Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Ferdinand tried to catch his attention before dragging his tongue up the Highland's face, making Snow blink in surprise as Angus let out a surpised yell of his own.

"What a surprise! I can...see!" Hair now raised out of his face, Angus started looking around. "Look, a rock! Another rock!" He cheered before looking in Lupe's direction. "And the world's most ugliest dog." He commented in disgust as Ferdinand and Snow followed his gaze. "Huh?" Lupe questioned, chewing on the carrot that had been shoved into her mouth, making Snow giggle. At the sound, Angus turned and looked down at Snow, who smiled up at him. "Ohhh..." He drawled out, looking Snow over. "Is that what cows look like nowadays?" He asked, earning another laugh from Snow and a raised brow from Ferdinand. "Angus!" Snow groaned in amusement, sending him a knowing smile.

Looking away from Snow, Angus's brows furrowed and a determined smile grew on his snout. "And there it is! My nemesis!" He said, eyes locked on the blue barrel, the doe, black bull and goat following his gaze. "I'm comin' for you, ya wee wooden devil!" Angus shouted as he charged at the barrel. "Yah!" He yelled as he scooped the barrel up with his horns and sent it flying into the air, laughing triumphantly before grunting when it came back down and smashed on his head. "I did it!" He cheered, standing proud, metal hoop hanging from his right horn. "I finally beat you! Beat you, beat you, beat you!" He chanted as he jumped around the debris, Snow and Ferdinand watching from afar, smiling.

"Oh," Angus started with a gasp once he looked up from the destroyed barrel, "look at that." He stated as he started walking off. "That's spectacular." He said in awe as he looked up at the sky, sun shining through the clouds. Snow shared a smile with Ferdinand before she started trotting towards her Highland friend as he sat down, Ferdinand walking after her. "You've given me a fighting chance, Ferdinand." Angus pointed out as the black bull sat down to his left, Snow to his right. "Why would you do such a thing?" He asked, looking up at Ferdinand with a confused look. "If we don't look out for each other," Ferdinand started, looking down at Angus, "who will?" He asked as they both looked back up at the sky. "Beside, it wasn't that big of a deal." He added, Snow looing passed Angus to look up at him. "It was for me." Angus argued in a soft tone, looking up at Ferdinand again, causing the black bull to blink before turning his gaze to Angus as well, the two sharing a smile and nod. Snow sent a smile of her own up to the two before turning her attention back to the clouds above.

The three sat in silence, watching the sky, as Lupe appeared behind the two bulls, looking between them. "Excuse me, I'm sorry." She apologized as he squeezed in between the bulls, making the two and doe look over at her. "I'm so sorry to kill the mood. Can I steal you for a second?" She asked, sending Angus a smile as she pushed Ferdinand away. Snow sent the goat a raised brown before she got up and followed after the two, leaving Angus to watch the sky alone.

"I-I got tears, honestly." Lupe started as the two followed her across the yard. "Really did a good thing out there, pal." She praised, earning a suspicious look from Snow and a smile from Ferdinand. "Yeah, come'ere. Somethin' I wanna tell ya." Lupe continued, waving Ferdinand down to her level, the bull obliging with a curious expression. "Stop helping the competition!" The goat shouted into Ferdinand's ear. "Ow!" Ferdinand winced in response, leaning away from Lupe. "There it is." Snow commented with a deadpanned expression. "What, are you gonna give Valiente a hoof massage now?!" Lupe asked, holding up her own hoof. "Lupe, I'm not some-." "I get it! You don't like the bullfighting!" Lupe interrupted as she turned and jumped onto a rock behind her. "It's because you're hung up on the blood and the guts and the maiming and the gore and the senseless violence!" She pointed out as she jumped onto the closed well, marching around on it. "Do you have a point?" Ferdinand asked, watching her. "My point it, it's about more than just smashing heads!" Lupe started, turning to face the bull again. "It's about rhythem and footwork and grace!" She explained, moving her hooves in show to demonstrate. "Don't just think of it as a fight! Think of it like...a dance." She advized as she spun back to her original spot on the well before retching up a pair of castanets and clicking them as she danced.

The three's attention was pulled away when chortles sounded out and they saw the horses prancing towards them. "A bull dancing? Is zis some kind of hilarious joke designed to make me laugh?" Hans asked as the three came to a stop at the electric fence. "You see, horses," Greta started, standing on her hind legs to set her right hoof on the side of Hans' neck, "we have ze beautiful legs for ze dancing." She explained, drawing her left hoof down her leg. "And bulls have short shtubby legs!" Klaus added. "Ja. Look at me!" Hans started to taunt. "Moo, moo, moo!" He explained as he pressed his front elbows to the ground and jumped in a circle.

"Go eat a schnitzel, you pasty-faced glue stick!" Lupe spat after spitting out her castanets. "It's okay, Lupe, they're right." Ferdinand reassured, Lupe and Snow blinked at him. "I mean, how could a big, clumsy bull ever do something like this?" He asked before he started dancing the flamenco, dancing out to stand across from the horses. "Whoa." Snow blinked as Lupe let out a cheer. "Check out my boy cuttin' a rug!" She cheered as Bones and Maquina watched from afar. "That was good." Dos agreed, his siblings cheering from where the three stood on the rock next to the well. "You call zat dancing?! Ha! Nein! Zis is dancing!" Greta scoffed before the three started prancing in a circle, jumping to stand in a line before jumping onto their back legs, clinking their front and back hooves together, Hans ducking so Greta and Klaus could kick each other in rear and ending with a pose.

"Three against one is hardly fair!" Angus called as he approached. "Lupe, get my pipes!" He ordered, Snow raising a brow before she looked up to see Lupe cough up a mouthful of kazoos, harmonicas and a flute, the doe blinking as Lupe pressed her hoof against her own stomach and started tapping her back, right hoof against the lid of the well, folk music coming from the goat's instruments. Snow bilnked at Lupe for a moment longer before looking forward with an amused, all-be-it confused, smile as she watched Angus dance to the music, hooves tapping against the concrete. "Well, put that in your kilts and smoke it!" Angus spat once his dance was done, hoof bumping Ferdinand. "Don't celebrate yet, you rump roast!" Greta warned. "Try zis!" She challenged as the three horses flung their heads back. Moving in sync once more, the three danced sideways, letting out neighs once they started jumping from side to side, landing so Greta and Klaus could jump together and Hans by himself before pushing themselves onto their hind legs and move sideways, the two bulls and doe watching with raised browws as the horses waved their front hooves, before the horse ended with more jumps as Greta and Klaus rolled to pose themselves in a heart shape, Hans laying down behind them and giving an air kiss, the horses laughing after.

"Ooh! I hate those horses!" Bones growled from where he and Maquina stood. "It's show time." Una said, fist bumping Dos, who was in the glove they stole, before she jumped off and Dos attached the radio to the electric fence using a jumper cable, music blaring. "I'm goin' in!" Bones yelled before he slid out in front of Ferdinand and Angus, break dancing to the mucis. Snow laughed as she looked between the three bulls and horses. Hearing the laugh, Ferdinand looked over and signaled for Snow to join with a jerk of his horns. Snow's smile fell and she shook her head as she took a step back, soon letting out a yelp and jumping forward when Lupe headbutted her rear, the goat dancing in place.

Now forced to join, Snow watched the black bull's hooves as she started dancing in step with the three bulls. The two groups went back and forth with their dances as they each moved closer and closer to the fence. Once nose to nose with each other, glaring, the three horses spun quickly to hit the bulls in the face, Snow ducking before she could be struck. The bulls and doe watched with wide eyes and dropped jaws as the horses pranced away, smirking back at the four. Growling from where Bones had left him, Maquina zoomed in from between Ferdinand and Angus and started dancing in a robotic way. "Whoa!" Angus exclaimed as the four watched. "That's my boy!" Snow cheered with jump as Maquina turned his rear to the horses, smiling back at them as he vibrated, bulls staring in awe.

The horses watched with looks of offence before Hans started dancing alone, spinning on his front legs. The bulls and doe retaliated with Bones and Ferdinand dancing out first before they jumped back to let Maquina and Angus dance in front. The gray and white bull and the bull stopped and posed with one of their hooves holding themselves up while clicking one of their back hooves together as Bones scooped Snow off the ground and sent her flying into the air, the doe laughing as she fell back towards the ground, landed on Ferdinand's back for a moment before sliding down his neck and being boosted into the air again. Snow spun as she slid to a stop and mocked a bowing pose she'd seen the horses do many time before, sending the three a malicious smirk as the bulls posed proudly behind her.

Enraged, the horses started dancing again, but out of sync, bumping into one another. "Hey, vatch vere you're stepping, dummkopf!" Hans snapped as he kicked at his dance partners. "Who are you calling dummkopf?!" Greta asked, kicking at him with her front hooves. "You have four left hooves!" Klaus snapped as the two pushed Hans towards the fence. "Hey!" The silver stallion yelled before the three started slapping at each other, backing Hans up until he touched the wireing, sending an electric shock through the three of them, the horses screaming as they fell into a pile on each other. "Yeah!" Dos cheered from where he, Una and Cuatro where sitting at the radio, eating popcorn, when the four bulls and doe stuck one last pose in victory. "I've fallen and I can't giddyup!" Hans cried from the bottom of the smoking horse pile, kicking his legs.

"We did it, lads!" Angus cheered as Snow let out a cheerful laugh, Ferdinand hoof bumping Maquina as the Highland chest bumped Bones. "Oh, yes!" He added as he shoulder bumped Ferdinand. "Yeah!" The black bull cheered. The bulls and does continued cheering and laughing as Valiente appraoched from afar. "Nice one! Nice one!" Angus praised. "That's right, cause we're bulls!" Bones bragged as the horses managed to detangle themselves. "Go on, horses, prance!" He yelled as he trotted forward. "'Cause ya can't dance!" Snow jumped in, bounding up next to the smaller bull. "Mmm-hmm!" Bones agreed, hip bumping Snow as she laughed. "Auf Wiedersehen!" Lupe called after the limping horses.

"Aww! Why didn't we do that sooner?!" Angus asked as the group approached the water trough, still laughing. "Felt good to put those show ponies in their place!" He added as Bones let out a cheer and Lupe jumped onto the side of the trough. "I haven't laughed like that since...ever!" Bones pointed out as the group stopped. "Where did you guys even learn to dance?!" Snow asked, looking between Bones and Angus. "Maquina gets his moves from me, obviously!" She stated, guesturing to herself. "Sure, lass!" Angus drawled wwith an eyeroll as Ferdinand looked to the gray and white bull. "Maquina, are you smiling?!" Ferdinand asked, making the bulls, doe and goat look up at Maquina, wwho wwore an awkward smile on his snout. "That's what it is! A smile!" Bones cheered as he and the others laughed as Snow stood on her hind legs to bump her head against Maquina's.

"Laugh your way right into the Chop House." Valiente started sarcastically as he approached, causing their laughter to die down. "That's where you're heading." He pointed out, Maquina's newfound smile falling when the brown bull got in his face. "No, no!" Ferdinand argued, making everyone look up at him. "Not if we get outta here, guys! There are places out there where you don't get pushed around or shipped to a Chop House for being yourself!" He explained, turning back to Valiente. "If it's so great out there, why did they send you back here?" Valiente asked. "Yeah, Ferd, why did they send you back here?" Bones asked, more out of curiosity than spite. "Well, because-." "Because you're a bull!" Valiente interrupted, drawing Ferdinand's attention back. "You think you're different, but you're not." He added.

Ferdinand looked ready to argue, but was stopped by the sound of an approaching car, the group looking over to see the Winner's Truck driving in. "Our only way out is to beat the Matador in the ring. And that's what I'm gonna do." Valiente stated. "But, by all means, ballerinas, keep dancing." He offered. "Tomorrow, I'll be on the Winner's Truck." He added. "And, you!" He started, Snow jumping when he turned his glare to her. "If you're going to let this Flower Bull get in your head, stay out from under hoof!" He spat. "Better yet," he started again as he started turning to head for the barn, "go follow Moreno around before one of us does end up like Guapo!" He suggested, Snow's ears flattening as she lowered her head, eyes looking off to the side.

"Don't listen to him, guys!" Ferdinand pleaded as he looked around at hte group, Maquina gently nudging Snow's head with his snout. "He's right." Angus spoke up first. "We're bulls. This is the only place for us." He stated as he started away. "Sorry, Ferd. I gotta get back to training. You should, too." Bones advised as he walked after the Highland. Ferdinand, Lupe and Snow watched the two go before the black bull turned his attention to Maquina. The gray and white bull stood there for a moment before letting out a groan and walking away as well. "Guys!" Ferdinand called after the three as Snow turned and watched them go, ears still flat.

"Ferd, pal, I-I think they got a point." Lupe said as she pushed herself off the water trough and started away as well. "We're running outta time." She pointed out as she went. "They wanna stay, I get it." Ferdinand stated as he walked after the goat, Snow staying where she was, watching the other three bulls. "But I'm leaving here tonight. Let's bust outta here, Lupe!" He suggested. "And go where?" Lupe asked as she started towards the windmill. "This is it, Ferd." She pointed out, looking back at the black bull. "It's a dog-eat-dog, bull-fight-bull," she rambled as she jumped up some of the bars, "everybody-hate-goat world." She finished as she laid down, crossing her front hooves and laying her chin on her legs. "It doesn't have to be that way." Ferdinand argued. "I'll take you to my home. It's different there! And Nina..." Ferdinand cut himself off with a chuckle. "Nina will love you." He reassured, Lupe's eyes widening and ears perking up slightly. "Who's this Nina? And...what's love?" Lupe asked, sitting up and looking back at Ferdinand. "So you'll come?" Ferdinand asked with a hopeful smile.

Lupe's smiling expression dropped and she let out a scoff at the question, jumping down from her perch. "Do you really think I'm just gonna throw away my three-day dream of training a champion bull?!" Lupe asked, stomping her front hoof on the ground once she was standing in front of the bull. "Oh..." Ferdinand uttered out, dejected. "Course I am!" Lupe answered, perking up. "It was a stupid dream! I have a new dream!" She added, bounding up to Ferdinand. "Busting out of this stink hole with my second best friend!" She said, hugging his chest. "Just one problem," Lupe started again as she backed up, "this joint is locked up tight. No one gets out of this place." Lupe pointed out. Ferdinand looked around with a thoughtful expression on his face before his eyes landed on Snow, who was still watching the other bulls, the three hedgehogs at her hooves. The sight made the bull perk up and turn back to Lupe. "Actully, that's not true." He stated with a smile.

Chapter Text

"A bull wanting to escape Casa del Toro?!" Una asked in disbelief, the same disbelief showing on the hedgehogs' faces as they looked up at Ferdinand, Lupe and Snow. "Hah! Good luck with that, amigo!" Dos scoffed as he crossed his arm, leaning forward. "Look," Ferdinand started, leaning down to their level, "I could really use your help." He pleaded before looking around. "Do you know a way outta here?" He asked, looking down at the three again. "One that doesn't involve being out in the open." Snow clairified. "Yeah." Dos drawled out with wide eyes. "We might know a way. But what's in it for us?" He asked. As soon as the question was out of the hedgehog's mouth, Ferdinand was pushing the dancing flower towards the three.

"Ooh!" Cuatro exclaimed as Dos laughed. "Really?" Dos asked, unconvinced. "Uh-eh-Ex-Excuse me, you're re-gifting my gift to the gerbils?!" Lupe asked, stunned and offended. "First of all, hedgehogs!" Dos corrected, equally offended. "And you will never, ever buy us with a cheap piece of junk!" He stated, crushing Cuatro's joy with a cross of his arms. He was soon proven wrong when Ferdinand double tapped his hoof, which made the flower start singing and dancing, earning an excited sound and grabby hands from Cuatro. "No, don't do it! Resist! Resist!" Dos pleaded as Cuatro strained to control himself, Una watching her brothers wwith an amused look. "I can't help it!" Cuatro cried with joy as he scooped the flower up into his arms, Dos groaning and hiding his face in his hands. "It gives me the happies!" He cheered as he spun in a circle, hugging the flower. "Okay, yeah. Way to play hardball, Cuatro." Dos praised sarcastically.

"Dos," Snow started, drawing the two puple hedgehogs' attention to her, "please?" She pleaded softly, sending him a soft smile with puppy-dog-eyes, leaning down to his level. Dos' annoyed expression immediately fell as Una turned to her brother with a smirk and crossed arms before he sighed, slouching. "You're lucky you're an honorary hedgehog." He grumbled, annoyed expression returning as he crossed his arms and glared off to the side. "Thanks, Dos." Snow said, nuzzling her cheek against him. "C'mon..." Dos sighed as he signaled for the group to follow.

"Snow?" Ferdinand started as Lupe trotted after the three hedgehogs, Snow stopping and looking back at the bull. "Yeah?" She questioned with a tilted head, slowly lowering her front hoof back to the ground. Ferdinand nervously stared at the doe, ears flat, before taking in a deep breath. "Come with me this time?" He asked, making Snow blink in surprise. "There's so much more open space there, as well as greens and flowers! And Nine would just adore you!" He added when Snow didn't answer. Snow stood there an blinked for a moment longer before she let out a sigh and sent him a soft smile. "Oh, Ferd...I wish I could, but..." She hesitated as she saw the bull's hopeful expression drop. "I can't." She finished, ears flat. "Out there," she started, looking up at the moon, "you get all the love and support you could dream of! Someone to lift you up when you're down!" She pointed out as Ferdinand followed her gaze. "But, here..." She started, looking down for a moment before looking to the bull again. "...these guys don't." She said. "And, let's face it, they're my herd brothers. Heck, I basically raised Maquina!" She chuckled, earning a sad smile. "But," she took a step towards the bull, "while I might not be going with you, I'll stick with you until you're free." She vowed, sending a sad smile of her own before pressing her forehead against his, both closing their eyes. "I'm glad you came back to me...one last time..." Snow whispered, Ferdinand holding back tears as he pressed his head closer to Snow's. "Ferd? Snow?" Lupe's call forced Snow to pull away, leaving Ferdinand feeling cold. "We're-We're coming!" Snow called, blinking tears away and clearing her throat before the two started after the goat and hedgehogs.

Peaking out from under a hole in the door, Una watched a man walk inside another one of the buildings before she jumped out and climbed the wooden door, using one of her quils to unlock the padlock. With the door unlocked, Snow carefully nosed it open and looked around, ears perked and swiveling. "That's the plan?" Snow asked, looking down at the hedgehogs between her front hooves. "Taking him through the house?!" She asked, taking a step back. "Wait, what?" Ferdinand questioned, looking from Snow to the hedgehogs. "If we get caught inside that house, we're toast!" Lupe pointed out. "Oh, I love toast!" Cuatro sighed, rubbing his belly. "Cuatro!" Snow scolded, stomping her left hoof. "You wanna get out of here, don't you?" Una asked, looking up at the bull. Ferdinand sent the three an uncertain look before glancing down at Snow, who tilted her head in wonder. "Okay..." He sighed. "Let's do it." He nodded, determined. "All right, just do exactly what we do!" Una ordered. "Balls." She ordered to her brothers before the three rolled away.

Snow looked around as she trotted after the three, who stopped once they reached the next building and pressed themselves against the wall. Looking around one last time, Snow turned her gaze down to the hedgehogs before nodding, turning her attention back to the courtyard. Nodding up to Snow, Una looked back towards Ferdinand and Lupe before nodding to the bull. Ferdinand nodded back before he jumped out of the door and started awkwardly rolling horn-over-hoof towards the hedgehogs, Lupe shaking her head with an unimpressed look while Snow, Una, Dos and Cuatro watched him with wide eyes. Just as Ferdinand was about to roll back onto the wall, Lupe ran up and rammed into him, causing a loud thud.

From across the yard, a man leaned back to look outside for the commotion, only to find Snow and Lupe standing in the dark, Lupe letting out a bleat as Snow blinked at the man, pointing her hoof at the goat. The man stared at the duo for a moment before he shrugged and leaned out of sight once again. Snow and Lupe looked back over at Ferdinand when the bull fell over, letting out an exhausted sigh. "Yeah," Una started after she'd rolled down his back and landed on his nose, "maybe don't do exactly as we do." She suggested, patting his head. "Now, you go through there." She said, Ferdinand lifting his head to see a tiny window. "Me? Through there?" Ferdinand asked as Una jumped off to land on the crate in front of him. "Uh...Have you seen these hips?" He asked, guesturing back to himself as Snow walked up. "I don't think it's the hips we have to worry about." Snow said, not taking her attention away from the window. "Hey!" Ferdinand whined, offened. "I'll check it first." Snow volunteered, nosing the shutters open more before jumping inside.

Once inside, Snow slowly walked forward, ears rotating. "All clear!" She whisper/yelled, not glancing back as she continued surveying the room when Ferdinand starting grunting. "I can't! Ow!" He grunted as the room darkened. "Huh?" Snow blinked when his protests became muffled. "What?!" She whisper/yelled when she saw Ferdinand's hindquarters dangling inside. "Why did you come in rear first?!" She asked in an annoyed whisper. "I thought it'd be easier!" Ferdinand whisper/yelled back. "I told you your hips wouldn't be the probably!" Snow snapped as Lupe pushed against Ferdinand from the outside. "Squeeze in there!" Lupe strained from outside as Snow looked around before she gasped when she saw Ferdinand dangling right over El Primero's car.

"Wait, guys, stop! The car-!" Snow tried to warn before being cut off by Ferdinand's yell as he and Lupe flew into the garage, landing in the car, causing it to turn on and blare music. The three hedgehogs gasped at the sound before looking around the corner to see two men starting for the garage. "Stop bouncing!" Snow hissed as Ferdinand tried to pull himself from the tiny car, Lupe screaming as she was bounced around and the hood opened and closed on her, before the doe scrambled out of the way as the bull and car fell sideways. "Okay, all right," Una panicked as the men got closer, "we gotta do something guys!" She pointed out to her brothers.

"One, two, three, four," the music played as the two men reached the door and pulled it open, the hedgehogs rolling out in front of them at the timing of their numbers, "uno, dos, tres, cuatro!" The song continued as the three unrolled at their names and started dancing to the music, the two men watching in awe. All the while, Snow let out strained grunts as she pushed at the car with her head, hooves sliding against the ground, while Lupe bit down on and pulled at Ferdinand's ear, the bull yelling in pain as he pushed his front hooves against the car. "Whoa! Look at the cute squirrels!" One of the men cooed as he reached down to pet the hedgehogs. "What?!" Dos screamed as he threw Una off and onto Cuatro before biting down onto the man's finger when he was close enough. Letting out a scream of pain, the man pulled his hand back to try and shake Dos off, only to have the angered hedgehog jump at his face. The man continued to scream as his friend ran off before Dos finally jumped down as he went to follow. "We are hedgehogs!" Dos yelled after the men before rolling into the garage, Una and Cuatro following before the garage closed behind them.

Once freed from the garage, the hedgehogs slowly opened a red door, the three perched on Snow's head. "Okay," Una started once they saw no one there, "it's a straight shot through the kitchen to the front door." The female hedgehog explained, pointing in the direction they needed to go. "And then, you're home free." She stated as she jumped to Ferdinand's nose. "Piece of cake." Ferdinand nodded, Snow looking up when Cuatro gasped. "I love cake!" He swooned, making the doe giggle as she started forward. Snow stopped and looked back when Ferdinand struggled to squeeze through the door before her ears flattened when he started slipping on the tiled floor, Una jumping to Snow's back. "He's coming down, he's coming down!" Dos warned as Snow bounded out of the way, the bull screaming as he fell forward with a grunt, a pair of dish gloves landing on his head as he groaned.

"Can you just try to be a little more quite?" Una asked as the three hedgehogs peaked out of their hiding places in the dishes. "Have you never walked on ice before?" Snow asked, lowering her head to the downed bull's level. "No." Ferdinand answered with a groan before shaking his head of the gloves. "It's easy. Watch." Snow said as she turned and started away. "Walk mainly with your back legs, lift your front hooves only slightly to keep your balance. Walk slow." She advised as Ferdinand pushed himself back to his hooves, stilling slipping slightly as he followed her instructions.

Checking the coast was clear, Una waved for the three hooved mammals to follow as her brothers rolled passed before she followed, Ferdinand and Snow walking out the way the doe had instructed while Lupe stalked after them. "So, this is it, huh?" Lupe asked as she trotted up next to Snow when hey turned down a carpeted hallway. "This is where we start to part ways and say goodbye?" The goat asked, frowning up at Snow. "Yeah..." Snow nodded with a sad smile. "I'll try to live up to your expectations as Calming Goat." She joked, earning a scoffed laugh. "Don't do that. I sucked at it." Lupe commented, making them both snicker. "I'll miss ya, Snowy." Lupe admitted, smiling up at her friend. "I'll miss you too, Loops." Snow nodded, returning the smile, before they both started looking around.

"Yikes on a stick. What are ya doin' with fifty-three swords?" Lupe asked as they walked passed a case full of swords. As they continued, Ferdinand saw more and more desturbing things, like small statues that showed men pointing swords at bulls. His attention was pulled away from the cases when Snow let out a gasp, followed by a moarnful sound as she backed away from the wall to her left. "No..." She whimpered as Ferdinand approached the wall, staring at a picture of his father, a set of horns above the image. "Is that...?" Lupe started to ask once she saw the image of Raf, looking up at Ferdinand with a look of remorse. "My dad..." Ferdinand answered, not taking his eyes off the image. "Oh, Ferd..." Lupe said, shaking her head as she found no words. "He was the bravest bull I knew." Ferdinand stated. "He really believed he could beat the Matador." He added. "They all did..." Snow forced out, voice small, causing Lupe and Ferdinand to look up.

Adorning the wall were dozens of photos of bulls, a set of horns on each frame. "The bull never wins." Ferdinand realized as they stared at the wall with wide eyes. "C'mon, Ferd. Let's get you home." Lupe spoke after a moment of silence, signalling with her head for him to follow. With a downcasted expression, Ferdinand started after Lupe and the hedgehogs before he looked back at Snow. The doe was still standing there, looking up at the images and horns, recognizing some while others were before her time, her ears flat and eyes wide with grief.

"The door to freedom!" Una announced as Cuatro and Dos pushed the door open. "Ferd, what are you doing?" She asked when she saw the bull standing there, still looking over his shoulder. "Come on, we gotta go now!" Lupe whisper/yelled. "No...I can't leave." Ferdinand stated as he turned to face the goat and hedgehog, Snow finally blinking and turning her gaze up to her friend. "What?! Ferd, this is your only chance!" Lupe pointed out as she turned around. "The guys back there still think they can win! Just like my dad did...And I can't let them end up on that wall." Ferdinand stated before looking back at Snow again. "They're our herd brothers." He added. Snow blinked at Ferdinand for a moment before she stood up straight, sending him a teary eyed smile.

Chapter Text

"Guys?!" Ferdinand called as he and Snow ran into the barn. "Everyone up, come on!" He yelled as Snow started unlocking stall doors. "We have to go now!" He added as Lupe ran in and hacked up a whistle, blowing into it for a moment before Maquina kicked his stall open, knocking the goat out. "Have you lost your bloody mind?!" Angus asked as Snow unlocked the last stall. "We have to get outte here! Tonight!" She informed as she started back towards Ferdinand. "El Primero's selecting a bull in the morning!" Bones pointed out as he walked out of his stall, Snow looking back at him. "We're not going anywhere! I'm gonna take his butt down!" He added. "No, no! You don't want to get selected! Trust me, it's a death sentence!" Ferdinand pleaded. "Rubbish!" Angus yelled, throwing his door open. "Not if ya win!" He pointed out as he walked up to stand next to Bones. "That's just it! No bull wins! Ever!" Snow informed. "We were in Moreno's house! We saw it!" Ferdinand agreed.

With the information given, Snow lifted her right hoof as the hedgehogs ran out from under her and threw a set of bull horns forward. "Jings! Crivens! And help ma boab!" Angus exclaimed as he and Bones moved closer together in shock before the two parted as Valiente appraoched. "And there's a lot more where that came from. A lot more." Ferdinand informed. "There's really no way to win?" Bones asked. "You get to fight in a big, fancy arena, but I'm telling you, it's just another Chop House!" Ferdinand stated, Maquina groaning from his stall behind him. Snow looked between the bulls as they stared down at the horns before she focused her attention on the scarred bull. "Val..." She started softly, making him look over, before she stepped forward with a knowing look on her face, setting her hoof on the ground near the horns.

Valiente slowly turned his gaze back down to the horns before his eyes narrowed and he let out a snort and kicked the horns away. "Why would I believe a coward who thinks the only way out is through the back door?!" He asked, looking Ferdinand up and down. "Are you crazy?! Did you not hear what I said?!" Ferdinand asked, taking a step back. "If you don't believe him, believe me, Val! I saw everyone who didn't go to the Chop House on that wall!" Snow tried to reason, stepping forward. "Why?! Because you're so smitten by this Flower Bull that you think you know what you saw?!" Valiente asked, glaring down at Snow. "I know what I saw!" Snow defended, returning his glare. "Bulls fight or they go down! That's how the world works!" The brown bull pointed out.

"There's nothing left for you here, Valiente!" Ferdinand argued, Valiente turning his glare back to the black bull. "Come with us!" He pleaded. "No!" Valiente answered as he marched forward, forcing Ferdinand to back away. "What are you so afraid of?!" Ferdinand asked. "Ferd!" Snow snapped, knowing the accusation wouldn't help. "I'm not afraid of anything!" Valiente answered as he backed Ferdinand back towards the door. "Val!" Snow yelled when the brown bull rammed into Ferdinand, making them both grunt as the barn doors swung open.

"Come on! Fight me!" Valiente challenged, stomping his hoof. "I'm not gonna fight you, Valiente." Ferdinand said, standing tall. "Coward!" Valiente yelled before snorting and digging at the ground. "Fight!" He yelled before charging the black bull. "Val, please stop!" Snow pleaded as she ran up to the doors as Ferdinand lowered his head to take the blow of Valiente's charge. "Val, stop!" Snow yelled as she ran out into the yard, keeping her distanced as she paced. "Valiente, stop!" Ferdinand pleaded in a strained voice. "You're soft!" Valiente growled before pushing Ferdinand back, the black bull panting. "Like your father!" He commented with a smirk. "Val! That's enou-!" Snow was cut off as she bounded towards the enraged bull and he swung his head at her, horn catching under her front leg and sending her flying back. "Snow!" Ferdinand and the other bulls yelled as the doe rolled across the ground, letting out a pained grunt. "The soft one's always go down!" The brown bull stated as he charged at Ferdinand again, the black bull barely catching the charge.

The two bulls grunted as Valiente pushed Ferdinand around the yard, Ferdinand refusing to push back. "Stop!" He pleaded once he had a moment to break free before Valiente locked horns with him again. Unable to push him back any longer, Valiente let out a yell as he threw his head up, a sickening crack sounding out as the bulls' horns came a part. The doe, bulls, hedgehogs and goat watched with wide eyes as one of the bulls' horns fell to the ground in front of the barn. Valiente and Ferdinand stared at the horn as well before Ferdinand looked to Valiente with wide eyes, the brown letting out a gasp when he looked up to see the horn was his, rage turning to horror.

"Val?" Snow called softly, grunting out a wince as she pushed herself to her hooves. "Valiente, look at me. It's gonna be okay!" She tried to sooth as she limped towards the bulls, eyes locked on the brown bull. "You hear me? Everthing's going...to..." The doe trailed off when Valiente only stared at her for a moment before his gaze traveled upwards. Furrowing her brows, Snow followed his horrified gaze and gasped when she saw El Primero looking down into the courtyard, smirk on his face.

"What's going on?" Moreno asked as he ran out onto the balcony. "That one is the best bull." El Primero said, pointing down at Ferdinand. "No..." Snow breathed out as Ferdinand took a step back, eyes wide with horror. "I'll fight him in Madrid tomorrow." He stated as he walked back into the room, leaving Moreno with a satisfied smile. "No...No, no, no, no, no..!" Snow whimpered, sharing a distraught look with Ferdinand. The doe gasped and looked over when the sound of someone clicking their tongue sounded out. "C'mon, vamos, vamos!" One of the four men that entered the courtyard shooed, waving his hands.

Ferdinand let out a low bellow and backed away from the shooing hands, but Snow let out a snort and placed herself between the brown bull and men. "Go on, Snow! Go!" The man snapped, Snow stomping both of her front hooves against the ground as response, glaring, Valiente watching her out of the corner of his eye with a defeated look. "¿Por qué ella no se mueve?" One of the other men asked as the group of men watched the doe snort and pace "¡No sé!" The shooing man shrugged. "¡Coge una cuerda!" He yelled, waving one of the men away. Snow let out another snort before letting out a loud and agitated bleat, pushing herself onto her back legs and kicking her front hooves.

Snow went to let out another bleat, but was cut off with a grunt when a rope was thrown over her head and she was pulled off balance. "Snow!" Ferdinand yelled as he started forward, only to be shooed away by one of the other men, this one holding a stick. "Val!" Snow coughed as she sat her head up, ears flapping as she shook her head. The doe blinked the dust from her eyes as she looked back to see the other three men herding Valiente towards the Chop House trailer. "Val!" Snow screamed as she jump to her hooves, grunting when the man holding onto the rope lassoed around her neck refused to let her move forward. "Valiente!" The doe yelled as her hooves dug into the ground. "Fight, Valiente!" She pleaded as she watched the defeated bull lumbered into the trailer. "One last time, Val! Please!" She cried as the trailer shut, Ferdinand watching the silent bull in distraught. "Val!" She yelled as the truck started away, Valiente not looking up. "Val! Valiente! Valiente!" Snow screamed as the truck drove away, Valiente only lowering his head more at Snow's fading pleas.

"Oh, this is bad!" Lupe hyperventilated as she paced back and forth, the bulls, goat, hedgehogs and doe back inside the barn, Snow standing with her forehead pressed against Maquina's shoudler. "You got selected by El Primero!" The goat continued as she turned in Ferdinand, taking in a deep breath. "Do you know what this means?!" She asked, looking up at the large bull. "A sword through his melon!" Angus answered. "Horns on the wall!" Bones added before Maquina let out grunts of his own, Snow tilting her head to look up at the gray and white bull.

"Exactly, Maquina! We gotta get you outta here now!" Lupe urged, stepping towards Ferdinand, who furrowed his brows in response. "Oh, no!" Lup started, backing up. "I know that look! No, no, don't say it!" She dared. "I'm not leaving." Ferdinand stated stubbornly, causing Lupe to let out a loud bleat as she fell backwards. "Oh! You're killing me!" Lupe groaned as she pushed herself back to her hooves. "Not unless everyone is coming with me!" He clairified. "Yes!" Una cheered quietly, high-fiving her brothers. "Sign me up!" Bones volunteered as Snow lifted her head to look up at the three bulls. "I'm in!" Angus agreed, Maquina giving a toothy grin and nodding with a grunt. "Okay, ya happy now?" Lupe asked, hopeful yet annoyed. "I said everyone." Ferdinand repeated with a pointed look.

"I'm coming with." The bulls, goat and hedgehog looked over as Snow stepped forward, standing tall with a determined look on her face. "You sure?" Ferdinand asked, straightening his stance and looking down at her. "Yeah, I mean..." Bones started, Snow looking over at him. "After last time..?" He asked, ears flat. "I've been in there once, I know where to look." Snow pointed out as she took another step forward. "Besides, he's my brother, whether he likes it or not. I'm not leaving without all of you." She added before looking up at Ferdinand. "What's the plan?" She asked, tail and ears perked. Ferdinand blinked down at the doe for a moment before turning to the group with a determined smile.

Chapter Text

Standing in their green pasture, the three horses stood, facing away from one another, still upset about what had happened earlier that day. "Klaus...Greta..." Hans started, making the two look back at him. "I'm sorry for ze zings I said about your terrible daning." He apologised as the twwo white horses turned. "Nein! Nein!" Klaus sobbed as he started towards the silver stallion. "Hans, I am ze horse zat is full of ze shame and ze regret!" He admitted. "I cannot stay mad at you! Kommen Sie, you sons of stallions!" Greta spoke up. "Let's Häagen Dazs it out!" Hans suggested, the three rubbing their faces together as they let out whinnies and snorts.

"Moooo!"

The three's make up session was soon cut short by the distant sound, making them look towards their stable with suspicious and confused looks. "Moooo!" The bellow sounded again from the horses barn. "Moo? Was ist das moo?" Greta questioned, the three horses staring at each other before starting for their stables. "What is ze meaning of zis?" Klaus asked as the horses looked around. "Mooooo!" The three looked over to see the shadow of bull on the. "Mooooo!" The shadow bellowed. "How did you get in here, shtinky bull?" Hans asked as the three trotted towwards the shadow.

Standing at the end of the barn was Snow with a yellow glove standing on her head, Una and Cuatro standing a hay bale while pointing a flashlight at the doe. "Stinky hedgehogs!" Dos's voice snapped from under the glove. "Moo." Snow said with a smirk before Una aimed the flashlight at the horses, making them scream. "I am blinded!" Greta wailed as the horses shook their heads. Taking their blindness to their advantage, Snow quickly scooped the other two hedgehogs onto her head before tossing them into the air. "¡Adiósi!" Dos laughed as the three landed on the rafters above. The three horses turned and watched the three hedgehogs after regaining their bearings, looking up in time to see Una, Dos and Cuatro pushing pails off the rafter. "Greta! Klaus! Where are you?!" Hans yelled as the horses tried to shake the pales off.

"Hedges for one-!" Una cheered as the three hedgehogs used horseshoes to zip-line down a rope, Snow running between Hans and Klaus as the three released the horseshoes. "-and hogs for all!" The three cheered as they landed on Snow's back, each holding one of their own quils up like swords, before the doe ran for the door. Once out, the doe and hedgehogs dropped the back rim of El Primero's car onto the door handles. "You messed with the wrong 'hogs!" Dos yelled, the three standing on the rim. "Okay! Let's go!" Snow called to the bulls, who were hiding behind the water tank. "Hurry! Keep it moving!" Una yelled as the horses banged on the door.

The bulls ran up to the electric fence and gathered around Maquina as the bull took the middle and top electric wire in his mouth. The bulls and goat gasped and watched in horror as silent bull pulled at the wires, the electric currents making his head fur spike up, before they finally snapped. "Wow, Maquina..." Snow blinked as the hedgehogs stared in horror as well. "Nice hair due." She complimented with a nervous smile before she jumped and looked back when the horses banged on the doors again.

With the top wirings gone, Angus, Lupe and Bones ran towards the closed doors, Maquina slurping up the wires before following. "Get to work, guys!" Bones called from where he and the others held the door closed as Snow ran after Ferdinand, the black bull looking back before pushing the wooden gate open, allowing Snow to race ahead of him.

Once on the grounds of the Chop House, the bull and doe carefully and quietly moved forward, both looking around as Snow's ears swiveled, and ducked behind a dumpster. Snow stuck her head out and looked around as Ferdinand looked over the green container. "This way!" Snow whisper/yelled, looking back at the bull as he looked down at her, before bounding away.

"Huh..." Snow blinked as she stopped in front of a closed garage door as Ferdinand squeezed between some barrels. "Guess they don't leave this open all the time." She said, looking up at Ferdinand when he walked up next to her. "Now what?" She huffed, frowning. Ferdinand looked from Snow to the door and looked it over before he lowered his head and wedged his horns under the large door, grunting as he pushed the door up. "Oh." Snow blinked as Ferdinand smiled down at her. "That works." She said, looking up at him before looking forward. Ferdinand watched the doe walk forward as he's smile fell into a worried expression. "You sure you're up for this?" He asked. Snow stopped and looked around for a moment before she took in a deep breath through her nose and let out a sigh. "Let's get our bull." She nodded before walking forward, Ferdinand following.

"Val?" Snow whisper/yelled as the two walked down the dark hall, Ferdinand looking around with an uneasy expression. "Valiente!" Ferdinand called once they reached the stalls. "Valiente?" Snow called, ears perked. "What are you doing here?" Valiente asked from the shadows of his stall as Ferdinand started passed, making the black bull gasp and Snow look towards the stall with wide eyes. "What do you think we're doin'?! We're getting you outta here!" Ferdinand answered before using his horns to pull the metal gate from its hinges. "Come on! We don't have a lot of time!" Snow urged as Ferdinand set the gate off to the side and she started towards the brown bull.

"Don't you get it?!" Valiente snapped, Snow scrambling backwards and falling into Ferdinand's chest when he spun around. "Look at me! I'm already done." He stated, Snow watching him with a crushed expression as the bull turned his gaze downward. "Oh, sure. That makes total sense." Ferdinand started, Snow turning her head to look up at him. "You're either a fighter or you're meat, right?" Ferdinand asked. "That's right." Valiente agreeed, glancing up at him for a moment before turning away. "It doesn't have to be that way! You're more than just a set of horns! Come with us!" Ferdinand offered once more, earning a scoff. "So I can sniff flowers, fawn over does and pal around with goats?" Valiente asked, turning and glaring at the black bull. "Hah hah..." Snow mocked a laugh with a deadpanned look. "No, that's my thing." Ferdinand claimed. "You can live your own life now. But not if you give up." He pointed out.

Before anymore could be said, Snow's and Ferdinand's ears perked up when they heard the sounds of grunting and metal clanging in the distance. "Oh, Mama!" They heard a familiar voice exclaim from afar, mking Ferdinand gasp and Snow's face light up. "Guapo!" The doe cheered, looking up at Ferdinand. "Valiente, come on!" Ferdinand erged, signaling with his head for him to follow. "Go away." Valiente grumbled, Snow frowning. "I'll get him, you get Guap." Snow said, looking up to Ferdinand. "You sure?" Ferdinand asked, sending her a worried look as he looked between the doe and shadow-casted bull. "I can get him." Snow nodded. "If I'm right, he'll be down the hall, first right." Snow added, guesturing with her head. Ferdinand hesitated for a moment before leaving to two and running down the hall.

Snow watched the black bull go before she turned her attention back to Valiente. "You recognized the set...didn't you?" He asked, Snow's ears falling. "Yeah...I did..." Snow nodded, looking down for a moment before glancing back over at him when he let out a bitter scoff. "If that old bull could see me now...he'd be..." He trailed off, head falling slightly. "Disappointed?" Snow asked, straightening her stance and raising a brow. "Yeah," she scoffed, rolling her eyes, "I can see why." She commented, causing Valiente to blink and look back at her with a raised brow. "What was the one thing Furor expected from you the most?" Snow asked as she looked at the bull again. "To bull up...and beat the Matador." Valiente answered, looking confused. "And what does that entail? Other than smashing into things and ramming heads?" Snow asked, taking a step towards him. Valiente only continued to stare at her in confusion, leaning his head back.

"Living." Snow answered herself, looking up at him with a desperate look. "He wanted you to live...And you can't do that here." She pointed out, shaking her head. "What do you expect me to do then?!" Valiente asked, looking around himself. "I expect you to fight!" Snow answered, stomping her right hoof. "I-I expect you to-to get angry! I expect you to huff, snort, kick, buck, bite!" She continued as Valiente watched her march in a circle. "Heck, I even expect you to throw me across the yard!" She added, spinning around to face him again, the bull staring at her with wide eyes. "What I don't expect," She started, blinking back tears, "is for you to just give up while your bully of a father gets remembered on some stupid wall!" She stated, voice wavering.

The two stood in silence as Valiente took a step back when Snow started towards him. "Please, Val..." Snow whispered as she rested her head on his chest, making him stiffen. "...don't give up...Not after all of this...Not after trying to keep the others from ending up here..." She pleaded, finally letting out soft sobs. "I can't leave my brother here..." She whimpered out, closing her eyes as she pressed her head closer to his chest. Missing how Valiente's body relaxed and him starting to lower his head, Snow gasped and jumped back when the haunting alarm sounded, both she and the bull looking in the direction Ferdinand had gone with perked ears.

"Help me!" Guapo screamed as he started moving forwards on the conveyer belt, suspended in the air by the blue vest, Ferdinand trying to grab him. "Hang on!" The black bull yelled as he jumped down and slid after Guapo. "Ferdinand!" Guapo cried as he neared the slamming spike-walls, Ferdinand grabbing his tail and trying to pull him backwards. "Hold on, Guapo!" The black bull strained, hooves sliding. "Don't let go! Don't let me go!" Guapo panicked as he kicked his legs. "Hang on!" Ferdinand strained again, closing one eye. "Don't let me go!" Guapo pleaded, looking back at Ferdinand, screaming as he was pulled closer and closer to the smashing walls. Ferdinand grunted as he tried to pull the black and red bull back before Guapo's tail slipped from his teeth, pulling a yell from the black bull and making Guapo scream as he swung back and forth.

Ferdinand went to run after the screaming bull, but stopped when a brown blur raced passed and watched as Valiente used his remaining horn to pull one of the flashing poles from its spot, letting out a yell as he jabbed it between the spiked walls, allowing Guapo to swing through unharmed. "Val?!" Ferdinand questioned in surprise, tilting his head. "Thought you could use an extra horn." Valiente commented, sending Ferdinand a rare smile. Ferdinand blinked at him before looking back to see Snow running up and stopping at the edge of the platform. "See?" Snow panted, giving a tired smile. "Said I could get'im!" She bragged, standing tall.

"Whoa!" Guapo exclaimed, Valiente's smile falling as Ferdinand and Snow looked towards the black and red bull. "What?" Valiente asked, looking up at Guapo with an unamused look. "What's the problem?" He asked, head tilted. "Nothing! You look great!" Guapo answered with a nervous smile before screaming when the pole started to give way. "So, we getting outta here or what?" Valiente asked, Ferdinand watching Snow run by before he ran after the brown bull and doe, walls slamming shut behind them. "Over here, guys! Help!" Guapo yelled as the three looked forward to see Guapo heading for a fork. Snow went to run after him before she stopped and looked back when Ferdinand screamed and she gasped when she saw the black bull's horn caught on a hook, ducking as Valiente's horn got caught on Ferdinand's and they were pulled down the line. "I'll follow Guapo!" Snow yelled as she ran after the black and red bull, him going right while Ferdinand and Valiente were pulled left.

Snow raced after Guapo as the bull continued screaming, the doe gasping when she saw him heading for four spinning pillars. Her panic died down a little when Guapo's screams turned into groans of pleasure. "Feel nice?" Snow asked as she trotted next to him. "Oh, yeah..." He sighed before his eyes widened in panic. "But that won't!" He screamed, kicking his legs as Snow looked forward and gasped when she saw a large saw sticking out of the ground ahead. Thinking quickly and looking around, Snow bounded ahead and jumped at the wall to her right, grunting as she pushed herself off and her back collided with Guapo's side, the bull screaming as he swung around the blade, Snow rolling across the floor. The doe shook her head and regained her bearings before pushing herself back to her hooves and running after the swinging bull.

"What the-?!" She yelled when they rounded the corner and saw Ferdinand and Valiente rolling into view on a cut-in-half cart, the bulls struggling to stay balanced on their respective halves. "Watch out!" Guapo yelled before colliding with the two. "What are you guys doing?!" Guapo asked as he started swinging again, Valiente and Ferdinand on his back. "We're trying to help you!" Ferdinand answered as their swinging slowed. "Well you're doing a terrible job!" Guapo retorted before the three bulls screamed as they were pulled into a bright, white room. "Uh oh." Snow blinked as she bounded up to a screen as a snow flake appeared on it.

Trotting around the room, Snow watched as the three bulls exited in a giant ice block, their screams frozen on their face. "Your h-h-hooves work l-l-like ice p-p-picks?" Guapo asked as Snow trotted out in front of the iced bulls, tapping the block with her right hoof. Snow let out a startled yelp when the floor suddenly opened up under her and sent her falling down onto a metal slide, the doe grunting as the iced bulls fell in after her, making her bounce on the metal path, before the four all screamed as they started sliding. "No, no, no, no, no, no!" Snow screamed as she tried to stop herself from sliding with her front hooves, ice block against her back.

The doe yelped again as the slide angled upwards and she and the iced bulls flew at the wall. Breaking through the brick and garage door, the ice shattered and the four landed in a dumpster, Snow grunting as she landed on Ferdinand's back. "Mama!" Guapo screamed as they crashed through the fencing, the four screaming as they rolled downhill.

"Here they come!" Angus informed as the distant screams got closer. The four continued screaming as the dumpster broken through the wooden fencing and did a sharp turn towards the bulls, goat and hedgehogs, who were still holding the door. "Look out!" Snow screamed as the group jumped away from the doors, the horses slamming it open before screaming when they saw the bulls and doe speeding towards them. Knocking the horses away, the four grunted when they crashed through the back wall and into the courtyard, Snow's screaming turning into a grunt when the three bulls where slammed into the trailer of the Winner's Truck, Snow landing on top.

"Holy cow!" Bones cheered as he ran through the broken wall, Angus and Maquina right behind him. "Hey, guys." Valiente greeted as he pushed himself to his hooves. "Guapo lives!" The two-toned and Highland bulls cheered as they ran passed the brown bull. "Okay." Valiente nodded, smiling falling. "I deserve that." He stated. Snow giggled from where she stood on top of the trailer before she gasped and looked back as lights on the house turned on.

"Everybody in!" Ferdinand ordered, standing to the side. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Snow vibrated as the bulls all hurried into the trailer, making her move towards her right slowly without moving her hooves. "You better know how to drive this thing!" Lupe stated as she and the hedgehogs climbed through the window. "We're about to find out!" Una said from where she stood on the steering wheel. "Okay, guys! Think thin!" Ferdinand called as he used his horns to lift the trailer door and forced it closed. "Think thin?" Snow repeated as Ferdinand started passed. "It worked, right?" He asked before looking forward and gasping when some of the farmhands started running towards them.

"We got company!" Ferdinand yelled as he jumped onto the back of the truck. "Hit it!" He ordered, Dos grunting as he turned the key. "Yeah!" Una yelled as she jumped onto the gear shift, Cuatro pressing the gas. "Wrong way!" Snow yelped as she slid forward, the truck flying backwards. Once the truck stopped, Angus let out a scream as the trailer door opened and he rolled out. "Bull overboard!" He yelled as he landed on his back, legs flailing. Snow gasped and looked back towards the back of the trailer as one of the farmhands tried to pull the driver door open, Lupe letting out a bleat before headbutting the man. "Go!" She yelled as she slammed the door closed and Ferdinand looked down at the knocked out farmhand in shock.

"Wait!" Snow yelled before letting out a scream when she slid backwards, falling flat on her stomach. "Wait for me! Wait for me!" Angus yelled as he raced after the trailer. "C'mon, Angus!" Snow yelled once she stood at the end of the trailer as the Highland jumped at the trailer, landing on the door as Valiente hooked his remaining horn through Angus's smaller ones. The Highland and doe screamed as the trailer swung as Valiente pulled Angus in, the trailer door banging off as it hit a wooden pole. "Sit down up there!" Valiente snapped up to Snow. "Don't tell me what to do!" Snow snapped back as she leaned forward to glare down at the bull, the truck speeding passed Moreno as he exited his house.

The bull owner stood there in shock as El Primero walked out of the house behind him. "Are you seeing this, too?" Moreno asked as he pointed after the trailer. "If you lose my bull, I'll fight you in the ring." El Primero simple threatened, sending him a pointed glare before returning to the house.

"Moreno totally saw that!" Snow panted as she stumbled back to the front before she gasped when she saw the rabbit from before hop out into the road ahead. "Bunny!" Ferdinand screamed, Cuatro slamming his body against the break. The rabbit stood there in horror as the truck skittered to a stop right at its nose before it fell backwards with a gasp, Ferdinand letting out a gasp of his own at the sight. Snow followed the bull from above as he ran to the back of the trailer and set the fainted creature down at the others' hooves. "Your turn!" Ferdinand smiled before rushing away. Valiente, Bones and Angus all stared down at the rabbit in shock before sharing looks of confusiong before turning their gazes up to Snow. "Don't look at me!" She stated, leaning back. "I'm supposed to be sitting down up here!" She said in a pointed manner, walking away. "Go!" Ferdinand yelled as soon as he was on the truck, Cuatro jumping onto the gas and crashing through the gates of del Toro.

Moreno ran out into the front yard and looked after the speeding truck before looking back as a black car screeched to a stop behind him.

"C'mon, Angus! You can do it!" Bones yelled as he and Valiente watched the Highland give the rabbit chest compressions. "I'm a bull, not a doctor!" Angus yelled as his movements quickened. The three looked back when Maquina let out a grunt before they quickly backed away to let the silent bull step forward. Sitting down, Maquina pressed his front hooves together before quickly rubbing them together, electricity sparking from the friction, then pressing his hooves against the rabbit. The small animal grunted at the shock and laid limp or a moment longer before gasping back to life, looking up at the bulls in shock as it breathed quickly. Valiente, Bones and Angus smiled down at the rabbit as Maquin sent it a toothy grin that sent an electric wave through his horns. "Rabbit is secure!" Snow informed as she stumbled back to the front of the trailer. "All right!" Ferdinand cheered.

Snow screamed as the truck swirved back and forth on the as they drove onto the main highway, other car horns blaring as they went. "Why didn't we just jump onto a train!" Snow asked as she stood bow-legged on top of the trailer, Ferdinand looking back as Moreno's car sped after them. "They're getting closer! Speed up!" Ferdinand yelled as he faced forward again. "I'm pressing as hard as I can!" Cuatro yelled, his feet sliding against the ground. "Which way?!" Una asked as Lupe looked around. "Hard right!" The goat yelled before Dos jolted the truck left, Snow screaming at the sudden turn. "I don't feel so good!" Bones groaned from where he was squashed between Guapo and Angus. "Yeah! Been there, buddy!" Guapo consoled as Bones looked ready to hurl.

"I said right!" Lupe yelled as Una and Dos struggled to steady the truck. "I-I thought you meant my right!" Dos defeanded. "We have the same right!" Lupe screamed. "You're facing different directions!" Snow pointed out before she, Lupe and Ferdinand looked forward to see them speeding towards a bridge. Snow grunted as she jumped over the blue railings on the bridge and continued running across, people gasping and dodging out of the way of the speeding deer, before she screamed as she lept off and landed on one of the bulls below.

"A convertible! Fancy!" Angus commented as Snow shook her head before looking around. "Oh, hey Maquina, Bunny." Snow nodded to the bull and rabbit behind her, earning a grunt and wave. "Bones, Guap!" She smirked as the two bulls laughed. The doe's ears perked up at the sound of someone clearing their throat and she looked down to see Valiente staring up at her. "Oh, sorry, Val. Didn't see ya there." She remarked in a teasing tone, booping his snout with her left hoof. "Har har!" The brown bull snorted, rolling his eyes with a smirk on his own. Their amusement soon faded when they realized they were on the wrong side of the road, the doe and bulls screaming as Ferdinand took the wheel and quickly steered back to the right side. "Really?!" Snow yelled when she looked back to see Moreno's car still right behind them.

The bulls, goat, hedgehogs and doe watched with wide eyes as the black car pulled up next to them. "Get over there!" Moreno yelled to the man in the passanger seat. The farmhand hesitated before he stuck his upper half out of the window a struggled for a moment before grabbing onto the driver's side window. Seeing him reaching for the wheel, Lupe let out a scream, causing him to jump back and let Dos roll the window up, the purple hedgehog smiling as the man looked down at him in horror. Window rolled up, the man let out a pained scream as he tried to pull himself free. "My hand!" He screamed as another farmhand wrapped his arms around the other's legs, the stuck farmhand letting out a scream when he looked down.

"Take the wheel!" Una ordered, turning to Lupe. "Who?! Me?!" Lupe asked, looking around as Una jumped away, the goat screaming as she pressed her hooves against the wheel. "Una! Be careful!" Snow yelled when she spotted the purple hedgehog jump out of the truck and dive into the farmhand's shirt. The man started wiggling and squirming as the hedgehog scurried down his back, pulling one of his hands free to try and dust her out while kicking one of his legs. Una popped out of the man's shirt and jumped onto his flailing leg, using the limb to throw herself onto the front of the truck.

Moreno watched in shock as the hedgehog bounced on his hood before she turned and growled at him, making him gasp. Running down the hood, Una pulled out one of her quills and stabbed it into the hood as she jumped down to open the hood with her feet, sending her flying. "Una!" Snow screamed as Moreno's car swerved, wrenching the farmhand free from the window.

Una screamed as she fell towards the ground before she grunted when she landed. Feeling soft fur instead of hard ground, Una uncurled from her ball and looked forward with a smile when she saw she'd landed on the end of Valiente's tail. "I got'cha, hedgehog!" Valiente reassured as he and Snow smiled back at her. Snow watched Una as she scrambled up Valiente's back and onto Snow's shoulder. "I thought I was gonna die-ie-ie!" Una sobbed as Snow held her right leg up so Una could nuzzle herself againt the doe's cheek, the hedgehog sucking in a deep breath. "And he called me a hedgehog!" She squeaked out, making the doe giggle and return her nuzzle.

Down below, Moreno's hood flew off in time for the men to see they were driving towards road construction. The bull owner and farmhands all screamed and leaned back as the car sped up the dirtmound in front of them, the uneven-ness of the dirt sending them sideways over the truck of mammals. As the car flew over the trailer, Snow pressed herself down against Valiente's back as the rabbit waved to one of the farmhands, who was pressed against the ceiling window.

"Whoo-hoo!" Guapo cheered as the car flew off the road and crashed into a large bale of hey. "Yeah!" Valiente laughed. "Nothing can stop us now!" Bones cheered as the truck drove under a Madrid sign.

Chapter Text

The sound of honking horns filled the air as the truck and trailer bull of animals sat stuck in traffic, looking around. "Bones!" Snow growled, glaring down at the smaller bull. "What?!" He asked, raising a brow up at her. "What part of Scotland is this anyway?" Angus asked, Snow turning her attention over to him. "This is lovely!" He added. "Wait, you think we're in Scotland?" Snow asked, brow raised. "Of course! Where else would we be?" Angus asked, looking up at her. "Come on! Move it, people!" Una yelled Cuatro climbed onto the dashboard, Dos looking exhausted. "I'm starving!" Cuatro sobbed.

Pulling up in a blue car, a man groaned and honked his horn. "Come on!" He yelled, throwing his hands up in the air, before he looked over towards the trailer. Snow smiled and let out a bleat as Valiente let out a huff, he, Bones and Angus glaring down at the man, who rolled his window up in response, not taking his eyes off the bull and doe.

Speeding down the road before being forced to stop by traffic, Moreno's car sped to a stop as they crashed into some trash cans, making the group look back. "Let's go!" Moreno yelled as he jumped out of the wrecked car, farmhands rushing after him. "What now, Ferd?!" Lupe asked once she saw the men rushing towards them, Snow looking around. "We do it my way!" Snow yelled when she saw a sign with an image of a train on it. "Time to hoof it!" Snow added as she jumped out of the trailer, Lupe screaming as she scrambled out of the window, the three hedgehogs rolling into balls and pushing her out. The bulls quickly followed, the woman in the car behind them gasping when Angus landed on the front of her car, the Highland sending her a sheepish smile before running after the others when he saw the lipstick she was applying smeared on her face.

"Whoo!" Bones cheered as he jumped over a car as the other bulls ran after him, Snow swerving out of the way of the landing bull. "Do what I do!" Bones called back as he weaved through cars. "I'll do you one better! Race ya!" Snow yelled as she sped passed him, causing Bones to laugh. "Yeah, right!" Valiente scoffed with a smirk as they watched the two smaller animals run ahead. "Gotta be faster than that, Bonesie!" Snow called down as she bounded from car roof to car roof. "Hey! That's cheating!" Bones yelled as Valiente led the way through the cars, making a pathway. "Sorry! Opps, my bad!" Ferdinand apologized as he ran after the other bulls, hedgehogs on his back.

Snow laughed as she jumped off the cars and continued running in front of Bones as the group ran towards a traffic guard, who's whistle blowing became weaker when he saw the stampede of hooved animals. "'cuse us!" Snow yelled as she ran behind the man. The traffic guard let out panick whistles as Bones swerved in front of him, followed by him dodging Valiernte and Angus, spinning as Guapo and Maquina ran by, followed by Ferdinand and Lupe, the goat jumping up and stealing his whistle.

Whistle now in her teeth, Lupe raced forward to run next to Snow. The group continued to race through the streets as they neared a crosswalk, Lupe's whistle blaring as they neared. Looking over, the humans ahead let out screams as thy either abandoned their motorscooters or drove away on them, Snow and Lupe jumping over the discarded iteams as the bulls charged by, barely dodging the oncoming traffic as a car and bus screeched to a stop. Falling behind, Moreno looked around before his eyes landed on the abandoned scooters.

"Heads up!" Snow yelled as she raced passed a man who struggled to park his car, the car being jolted into the parking spot as the bulls ran by, bumping into the car. "Oh!" Angus exclaimed when he saw one of the car's side mirrors hanging from his right horn. "Hello, handsome!" Angus praised before screaming. "Oh, they're coming!" He warned, seeing the del Toro men racing after them on the scooters.

People watched from the sidewalk as group of animals raced by, side mirror falling from the Highland's horn, before their attention turned to the men on motor scooters, blinking as another man followed on a small, pink bike.

The group continued to swerve through the streets, dodging and bumping into vehicles, as the men caught up. "Watch it, Ferdinand!" Bones warned when he saw one of the men winding up to throw a lasso at the black bull, both grunting as the smaller bull threw himself into Ferdinand's side, lasso getting caught on his horns for a moment. Snow looked back and let out a snort before she slid to a stop and turned to face the farmhand. The man screamed as the doe slammed her front hooves down on the wheels of the scooter, the man grunting as Snow rammed her head into his torso and sent him flying over the running bulls, crashing into nearby outdoor food tables. "Nice one, Snow!" Bones cheered as Ferdinand cought the glass plates and cups, the hedgehogs catching flying french fries, before setting the tray down on the fallen farmhand's head. "I learned from the best!" Snow praised with a smirk as Ferdinand rejoined the group, hedgehogs cheering at their retrieved food.

Freed from the streets, the group continued running as they headed for the plaza, people walking around, sitting or eating and talking. "Smile, Dad!" A boy said, his dad standing behind a Matador cutout, head sticking through the face hole, oblivous to the people screaming and running from the bulls. "Matador!" Bones gasped, Maquina growling. Seeing the bulls coming, the man let out a scream, the humans turning at the sounds of stomping hooves and bellows. Screaming, the crowd ran away from the charging bulls, leaving the man stuck in the cutout. Snow sped passed the man's left as the bulls aimed for the red cloth. "Watch out!" The man screamed as he was jolted around by the passing bulls.

"I got this." Guapo stated as he shook away his nerves away and charged towards the Matador cutout. "Cool!" The son exclaimed as he followed Guapo with his camera, taking pictures as the black and red bull charged at the red cloth. At the sight of the camera, Guapo turned to pose for the boy, Snow having to run back and pull the bull away by his ear. "Proud of you, Guap!" Snow praised as they ran down the alleyway after the group, leaving the man to fall forward.

"Now what?" Snow panted as the group skittered to a hault when they reached the end of the alley, people running as they did, Ferdinand looking around. "That's it!" Ferdinand yelled as a bus came to a stop at a bus stop. "The train!" He added as he ran towards the bus, Snow following. "Are you blind, laddie?" Angus asked as the group ran after the two. "That's a bloomin' bus!" He pointed out as he ran after the group.

Not long after the group ran for the bus, Moreno and the farmhands drove out of the alley, looking around as they drove across the road. Hearing the sound of screeching metal behind him, Moreno came to a stop and looked back to see the bus driving back, the end causing sparks as it dragged across the road. Turning around, Moreno squinted after the bus as Lupe waved out the back window before Snow turned and quickly pulled the goat out of sight. The bull owner gasped before whistling for his farmhands and driving around the corner, stopping for the moment when he saw the bus turning left before driving back down the alley.

Still sitting atop Ferdinand's head, Cuatro took a bite out of a french fry before shoving it into Maquina's awaiting mouth as his siblings, other bulls and goat ate fries of their own while the humans on the bus sat piled at the front, watching the group with mixes of fear and confusion.

Arriving at the train station, the group quickly rushed out of the bus and looked around as the large vehicle drove off before they ran towards the station, Moreno and his men not far behind. Jumping off their scooters, the men ran into the station and looked around the trashed lobby. Seeing the men enter, a boy pointed to his left, the del Toro mens' rights, the group looking in that direction to see papers flouting the ground. Running out of the station through the doors that led to the train tracks and looked around upon not seeing any of the bulls.

Hidden beneath the platform, Snow went to carefully peak out before she gasped and ducked back as a train drove passed, blaring its horn. As the group watched the train pass and Moreno and his men contiued to look around for the bulls, the three hedgehogs stood on the top of a clock to read the train schedule. "That's it! Track eight." Una pointed out before they started down the clock's pole, Cuatro using one of the hands as Una and Dos slid down, the sister hedgehog jumping passed Moreno. The female hedgehog looked around as her brothers jumped down between the train and platform, Una having to bounce on Cuatro's back to push him through.

"Come on, follow us!" Una ordered as the hedgehogs unballed beneath the train. "Hurry!" She urged before reballing and rolling away, her brothers following as the bulls, doe and goat started down the track, the bulls having to crawl while Snow and Lupe walked, all-be-it the doe holding her head low. "Move it, Guapo!" Bones urged from behind his friend. "I don't wanna die lookin' at your butt!" He snapped.

Still looking around for the group, Moreno looked down the platform in time to see the bulls running out. "There they are! Get them!" Moreno yelled, pointing in the groups direction, before running towards the bulls. Snow popped her head up over the platform as Ferdinand gasped before she raced after the running bull. "Run, run, run!" Snow yelled to the group as she sped to the front, another train seperating the group from the bull owner and farmhands. "Whoa! Stop, stop, stop!" She yelled as she and the group skittered to a stop when they were blocked by train cars being attached. "Now what?" Snow asked as she looked up at Ferdinand, the black bull looking back to see Moreno and the farmhands watching them through the wheels of the passing train

"C'mon!" Una yelled as she jumped from Valiente's back to Ferdinand's nose. "Give me a boost!" She ordered, pointing to the top of the train car. Ferdinand sent the hedgehog a determined smile before launching her into the air. Una grunted as she landed on the edge and scrambled up to the top before she gasped when she saw the eight training leaving, rolling back to the edge of the train car. "Hurry! It's leaving!" Una yelled, pointing in the direction of the train, jumping to the next car. "Go, go, go!" She yelled as the group took off running, the female hedgehog sliding down a ladder and jumping down Snow's back as the doe ran passed, her brothers on Valiente's.

The group turned and ran towards the leaving train once they reached the end of the train cars that had blocked their path. "Son of a bull!" Snow grunted as the group gasped and stopped at the sight of the leaving train. "Ferd!" Snow panted, looking up at him as he looked around, ears perking when his eyes landed on a platform car. "Come on, guys!" He yelled as he ran for the platform, the group following. Reaching the platform, Snow yelped as Valiente threw her onto the car as Ferdinand started pushing against the car. "We can do this, bulls!" Ferdinand strained as the other bulls started helping, the rabbit and hedgehogs jumping onto the platform. "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!" Snow urged as she looked down at the bulls, glancing around for Moreno, as the car slowly started to move. "Go, go!" Lupe cheered as she ran ahead and pushed the railroad switch. "Move it or lose it!" Lupe yelled, running next to the platform.

Snow turned to pull Lupe up with her, but stopped and gasped when she saw Moreno and his men stop a few tracks away. "We've got del Toros!" She yelled down to the bulls as Moreno looked around and his eyes landed on a station worker who was sitting inside a railcar mover. Going to take a bite from his apple, the work stopped when Moreno grabbed him by the front of his shirt before screaming as he was thrown out. Moreno quickly took the man's seat, catching his apple and holding it in his mouth, before pressing on the gas gasp, his farmhands jumping on as the mover screeched forward.

"Hurry!" Snow yelled as she paced on the platform, watching Moreno. "I'll keep pushing! You guys jump on!" Ferdinand ordered. "Push, bulls! Push!" Una yelled as Moreno jumped the railcar mover to the next trasks. Snow moved out of the way as Bones jumped up and helped Guapo up, the doe checking on Maquina for a moment when the bull jumped up with Angus. "Come on, guys!" The highland yelled as the group turned to Valiente and Ferdinand, the black bull glancing back at the pursuing men. "Come on!" Snow urged as she watched the mover jump to the eighth track.

"They're coming fast!" Valiente yelled as the two bulls looked back. "Okay, hop on!" Ferdinand yelled looking over to the brown bull. "They want you! You go first!" Valiente argued. "Just go!" Ferdinand grunted as he threw Valiente onto the car before pushing it the rest of the way, cars connecting, the hedgehog brothers cheering and high-fiving. "Now jump on!" Snow yelled down to Ferdinand as Valiente turned. It felt as if sound stopped as Ferdinand sent the doe a sad smile. "Take care of Nina for me." He requested. "What?!" Snow questioned, eyes wide, as the sound of wind filled her ears again.

Sliding to a stop, the black bull furrowed his brows and turned to face the speeding railcar mover. "Ferd!" Lupe yelled as she jumped to a stop. Moreno gasped and watched with wide eyes as Ferdinand lowered his head and braced for impact, all grunting as the man pressed on the break and Ferdinand stopped the mover. The men and bull panted as Ferdinand pulled his horns free, glaring up at the bull owner. "Ferdinand!" The bull's eyes widened and he turned at Snow's call. The bulls and doe watching with looks of shock and loss. Ferdinand smiled in relief after the group before he as pulled back by a lasso being thrown over his head, letting out a bellow as he reeled back onto his hind legs.

"No!" Snow yelled as she jumped off the platform. "Snow, no!" Bones yelled as the other bulls called after her, Valiente's teeth snapping together as he barely missed her tail. Snow ran down the track as Ferdinand was pulled to the ground, Lupe sliding to a stop at one of the farmhand's feet. Snow's expression of concern quickly turned into a glare as her eyes locked on Moreno. "Snow!" Ferdinand yelled as Moreno let out a pained yell when the doe rammed her head into his side. The man grunted as he fell to the ground, coughing, before he looked back in time to gasp and roll out of the way Snow's front hooves, her hooves slamming into the ground instead. Letting out a snort, Snow spun around to kick her front legs at the closest farmhand.

"More rope!" Moreno yelled as Snow let out aggressive bleats, the downed bull letting out panicked bellows as the goat ran around bleating. Snow let out another bleat and went to charge at one of the farmhands when a rope was suddenly lassoed around her front legs, making her fall forward. "Snow!" Ferdinand yelled as the doe flailed on the ground, another rope being thrown around her back legs. "Call the others and load up the bull and goat!" Moreno ordered as he pushed himself to his feet, wiping his mouth. "I'll take Snow with me." He panted, staring down at the doe, who glared up at him.

Chapter Text

Staring at nothing, Snow laid in the back seat of the truck that pulled the trailer that held Ferdinand and Lupe, a bridle wrapped around the doe's head and muzzle. Glancing up at the window, Snow sat her head up and flattened her ears when she saw the arena. Feeling the truck stop and start to back up, Snow sat up and looked out the front window, watching Moreno as he put the truck in park and removed the key, letting out a sigh. Snow watched with a glare as the man stepped out of the truck and opened the backdoor in front of her. Snow let out a huff and lowered her chin as the man reached for her face, throwing her head back when he grabbed her chin and attached a leash to the unside of the noseband. With a click of Moreno's tongue, Snow reluctantly jumped out fo the truck and slumped next to him, ears flat and eyes trained on the ground.

Snow barely glanced around as people gasped and pointed at her, astonished by the sight of the white doe. She went to look forward again when she did a double take, lifting her head and ears. Sepereated by a few feet and bars was Ferdinand, the bull walking out of the trailer. The black bull looked around as he walked down the barred hall and stopped when he spotted Snow. The two stood and stared at one another for a moment as Ferdinand sent her a tired smile. Frowning, Snow started towards him, but was stopped by a tug from Moreno, the doe glaring up at him as he continued towards the front doors. Snow sent the bull a heartbroken look as she was forced to follow after the bull owner. Ferdinand watched her go for a moment, ears falling, before he continued forward himself.

A trumpet sounded out as Snow followed Moreno out into the sunlight, forcing her to squint and blink at the harsh light. Walking behind the man, Snow looked out into the arena and watched as three men in green with pink muleta walked out, followed by three men on horses with the three del Toro horses following behind them, carrying riders of their own, each rider holding spears. Snow frowned at the sight and looked around at the cheering people in the stands.

Snow looked into the arena again when the cheers rose and she saw El Primero walking out, dressed in purple and yellow with a red muleta handing from his left shoulder. "El Primero!" A woman yelled before throwing a flower down to him. The red flower landed at the man's feet and he stood there before picking it up, lifting it to his nose and smiling back into the crowd before looking forward with a look of disdain, tossing the flower over his shoulder. Snow watched the flower fall with a disheartened expression before lifting her head to watch El Primero with a glare.

Walking out into the middle of the clearing, El Primero stopped and waved to the man who stood waiting by a red door, who walked forward to unlock it. Hearing the handled lock move, Snow perked her head and ears up as El Primero knelt down, placing his muleta over his legs, as the crowd watched in anticipation. Receiving a nod from the bullfighter, the man at the door pulled the lock back and opened the door. Snow took a step towards the wall that seperated her from the arena as murmurs from the crowd filled the air when no bull came from the shadows. Then, with a gasp from the crowd, the black bull slowly started out of the shadows, having to duck to exit the doorframe. Snow's ears flattened as more gasps and murmurs filled the air, Ferdinand looking around in unease.

Looking forward, Ferdinand's ears dropped more and he stopped once he spotted El Primero on the ground in front of him. The man slowly stood and held the red muleta in his right hand as he slowly started towards Ferdinand. The bull took a step back when the bullfighter shouted a command, flapping his cloth. "Fight." He demanded. Ferdinand frowned at the word and looked back when he heard to door close behind him, Lupe soon appearing over the wall.

His attention was returned forward when El Primero shouted, flicking his muleta again. Still shouting, El Primero started towards Ferdinand again, the black bull backing up in kind. Snow and Ferdinand both started looking around as the crowd started shouting, both in aggravation and encouragement.

Looking around at the crowd, El Primero nodded the three pink muleta carrying men into the arena, the thre quickly following the order. "Ferd!" Snow yelled, receiving a gentle tug from Moreno when she threw her front legs over the wall, as the three men waved their muletas at the bull and two of the horse riders trotted up behind him, spears pointing at Ferdinand. The bull let out pitiful bellows as he tried to get away from the flicking clothes and jabbing spears, only to be stopped by a third horse rider. "Fight!" El Primero ordered once Ferdinand was facing him again.

Panting, the bull looked around and backed away, causing one of the horse riders to jab him in the back with their spear. Ferdinand let out a pained bellow and ran forward, El Primero letting out a shout as he moved his muleta out of the fleeing bull's path. "Olé!" The crowd cheered as the bull ran passed, looking back at El Primero. Ferdinand let out a scream as skittered to a stop when he saw one of the horse riders in front of him. The horse let out a neigh as it reared back on its back legs and the rider jabbed his spear at the bull, Ferdinand letting out a bellow as he turned and fled the other way, gasping as he ran passed El Primero's cloth again. "Olé!" The crowd cheered again.

Moreno looked around as the crowd cheered, smiling as he subconsciously reached over to scratch Snow's head. But, the man gasped and quickly pulled away when Snow jerked away from his touch instead of leaning into him like normal, Moreno blinking down at her in shock as Snow glared up at the man.

Blocked once more, Ferdinand skittered to a stop and took off in another direction as one of the horse rider's spears stabbed into the ground. Looking back at the men and horse riders, Ferdinand ran back in El Primero's, looking forward in time to scream as he ran into the muleta, pulling it from El Primero's grasp. "What?" The man gasped, looking from his hands to the bull. "Ferdinand!" Snow yelled as the bull bellowed and shook his head. "Ey!" Moreno yelled when Snow jumped over the wall and ran into the arena, leash slipping from his hand. "Snow!" He called after her.

El Primero and the crowd watched as the doe let out bleats and trotted next to the still bucking and bellowing bull. "Just great!" Ferdinand grunted as he tried to shake the cloth off. "Hold still!" Snow yelled as she stood up on her hind legs. Looking to the crowd, El Primero laughed and bowed to the crowd, glaring towards the two mammals. "I can't see!" The bull grumbled, blowing at the cloth. "Just let me-!" Snow cut herself off and looked over with perked ears as EL Primero snuck towards the two. Watching the man lurch forward, Snow pushed herself away from Ferdinand, the bull backing up when her hooves pushed off his head.

"Huh?" El Primero blinked as he spun around to face the bull, Snow looking back at him as she trotted to a stop. Blinking at the man, Snow looked from him to the cloth on her friend's horns, ears still perked. Grunting, the man launched at Ferdinand, who accidentally dodged away from his charge, sending him stumbling as he quickly turned to try and grab the muleta again. Snow blinked back at El Primero again before her brows raised with an idea and she looked over at Ferdinand.

"Ferd, move right!" Snow ordered, the crowd gasping as El Primero ran at the bull again and Ferdinand dodged again, throwing his head back, flinging the cloth. Snow went to order Ferdinand dodge again, but was surprised when El Primero managed to grab the edge of the muleta. The man pulling against the bull, Snow blinked as the man before she huffed and rammed her head into the man's rear, El Primero letting out a yell as he landed on the bull's back. "Oops." Snow blinked and stepped back as Ferdinand let out a startled yell and started bucking. The crowd started laughing as the bullfighter screamed and bounced around on his back. The laughter soon died down into gasps when Ferdinand bucked and sent the man flying over the wall between the arena and stands, Moreno gasping and watching in astonishment before shaking the look off.

Snow trotted up next to the bull, blinking in the direction the man was thrown, before turning her attention up to him. "Sorry." She apologized, sending him a sheepish smile, Ferdinand returning the smile with a look that mocked annoyance and a huff, red cloth hanging from his left horn. The two's attention was pulled away from each other when the door on the seperating wall flung open, revealing a disheveled and panting El Primero. "Uh oh..." Snow uttered out, flattening her ears and backing up, Ferdinand stepping in front of her, when the man slowly lifted his arms to show him holding a pair banderillas in each hand.

"Move!" Ferdinand yelled, pushing Snow out of the way as El Primero ran at them, swinging the banderillas at the bull. Ferdinand and Snow turned to face the man, doe still hiding behind the bull, as El Primero slid to a stop, turning to face the two hooved mammals as well. Snow watched as the man let out a snort before he let out a yell and jumped into the air at the bull, Ferdinand dodging one way and Snow running the other. The crowd started cheering again as El Primero ran at Ferdinand again, the bull bellowing as he continued to dodge the raging man. "Olé!" The crowd cheered at each dodge.

Snow paced as she watched the bull and bullfighter before she gasped and looked down when El Primero's left foot landed in the loop of her leash. Grabbing the leash in her mouth, Snow grunted and gave the leash a tug as the man ran at Ferdinand again, causing him to scream and fall forward with a grunt. Shaking his head, the man growled and glared back at the doe as the crowd laughed once more and he kicked his ankle free. Snow gasped and jumped back when El Primero swiped one of the banderillas at her. "Snow!" Ferdinand yelled as the doe ran away from the man, dodging his swings. The doe went to run again, but was stopped with a grunt when El Primero stomped down on her leash. "Snow!" Lupe yelled as Ferdinand gasped.

The doe grunted and pulled against her leash as she let out panicked bleats, staring up at the man with wide eyes. Panting, EL Primero glared down at the stuggling doe as he raised the banderillas over his head. With a shout, Snow sealed her eyes shut as the man brought the two, tiny spears down on her before he screamed when Ferdinand grabbed the back of his vest and pulled him away from the doe, sending him rolling head over heels. The crowd gasped again and watched as El Primero rolled to his feet and looked back to see Ferdinand nudging Snow's shoulder as the doe stood up straight again, panting.

Letting out a yell, El Primero lunged at Ferdinand again, the bull letting out a low bellow as he nudged Snow to run in the other direction before dodging the man himself. Snow ran in a wide circle around the two as the man's movements and strikes became more sporadic, Ferdinand having to dodge faster. The man hit his breaking point when he jumped at the bull again and Ferdinand maneuvered under him, El Primero not even grazing his tail. Stumbling as he landed, EL Primero let out another yell and ran at the bull, this left banderilla gashing Ferdinand's right shoulder. Snow watched with wide eyes and flattened ears, lowering her head and backing away, as Ferdinand let out a pained bellow and reered back on his hind legs, red muleta finally falling from his horn, before he glared down at the man and dove down at him.

The crowd gasped and fell silent as Snow and Lupe stared at the bull with wide eyes, the goat's jaw falling slack, as the bull stood there, huffing, with the bullfighter hanging from his horns, staring at the bull in horror. Staring up at the bull for a moment longer, Snow swallowed the lump in her throat as she slowly started towards the bull and man. "Ferd?" She called up, El Primero glancing back at her. "Ferd, hey!" She said softly as his blue eyes flickered from the man down to her. "It's okay...You're okay..!" She soothed, smiling up at him, her eyes flicking from his face to his hooves and back

Ferdinand's glare fell as he stared at Snow before his gaze slowly traveled down to the ground, huffs slowly coming to a stop, to see the flower El Primero had discarded under his hoof. The bull's face fell for a moment as he lifted his hoof off the flower before he looked back up at the man, who was watching him with a confused yet scared look. Lowering his head, Ferdinand set El Primero down and stepped back, the man stumbling back as well. The bull and bullfighter stared at each other with wide eyes as El Primero backed away from the bull, only looking away for a moment to reach down and grab his muleta and watch Snow walk forward to place herself between the two, ears perked and tail up.

Snow watched the man back away until she was satisfied with the distance and turned to see Ferdinand staring down at the flower. Snow watched Ferdinand as the crowd sat quiet in anticipation, Moreno even gripping onto the wall in front of him, as the bull stared down at the flower. Ferdinand stood there for a moment longer before he stepped towards the flower and lowered his head to smell it. Snow smiled and walked towards the bull when she saw the content expression on his face, small smile on his snout. "Ferd," she started, the bull blinking his eyes open to look down at her, "you with me again?" She asked, smiling up at him. "Yeah..." He nodded, Snow closing her eyes when he pressed his head against her's. "I'm here..." He reassured.

Ears rotating backwards at the sound of approaching footsteps, Snow backed up and the two watched as El Primero reapproached, looking tired yet determined. The doe let out a silent gasp and pressed her side against Ferdinand's chest when the man moved his muleta to reveal his sword, lifting it and pointing it right between the bulls eyes. The anticipation in the crowd rose more as El Primero shifted his stance. In kind, Ferdinand sat down, Snow looking up at the bull as the man lowered his sword slighly. Ferdinand sat with his head tall as Snow looked forward to see El Primero stared at him in shock. The man's shocked expression soon hardened and Snow pressed herself closer to Ferdinand and closed her eyes when he sucked in a deep breath an lunged forward.

Snow's eyes flew open and her ears perked up as El Primero gasped and stumbled to a hault when a whistle sounded from the stands, the man, bull and doe looking in the direction of the sound. "Let him live!" A woman yelled as the man next to jumped to his feet and whistled again. El Primero looked around as more whistles and calls sounded from the stands. "Spare the bull!" Another woman called. "Let him go!" Another yelled as everyone started clapping, Moreno letting out a whistle of his own as Lupe hacked up her whistle and blew into it.

"Save the bull!"

"Let him go!"

Snow and Ferdinand looked around in disbelief as people in the stands started waving white hankerchiefs before they both looked at each other and smiled, unable to hear the bull's name being shouted over the cheers. Slowly looking away from the crowd with furrowed brows, El Primero looked up at the bull and stood up straight, Ferdinand and Snow turning their attention back to the man. The bullfighter stood there for a moment before nodding to Ferdinand and turning away, tucking his sword under his left arm and sliding his hair back into place, the crowd cheering louder as he walked away.

Snow and Ferdinand stood there in shock before they smiled at each other again, the doe unable to stop herself from bounding around in excited circles as she let out cheers and laughs, the bull standing and watching her, flapping his ears. Snow laughed one last time before she turned to Ferdinand and ran back up to him, pushing herself onto her back legs and bonking her head under his chin. "You did it! You beat the Matador!" She laughed tearfully as Ferdinand lowered his head to press the bridge of his muzzle against her right cheek. "Raf would be so proud!" She praised, nuzzling her face against his.

"Ferdinand!" The call of the bull's name had both mammals looking back, Snow landing on all fours, to see a girl running towards them. Snow smiled and looked up at Ferdinand when he let out a happy bellow and flapped his ears, taking a step back when the bull took off towards the girl. Reaching each other, the two embraced, the girl wrapped her arms around the bull's chest and Ferdinand pressed his head against her back. Taking the bull's chin in her hands, she rubbed her nose against his snout before squealing with laugher when Ferdinand scooped her off the ground, the girl holding onto his snout to not fall off, as he spun in a circle before placing her back on the ground. "I thought I'd never see you again." She admitted, earning a sad smile, before pressing her forehead against his nose, the two closing their eyes.

Ferdinand pulled back and smiled as Snow slowly walked up next to him, earning an excited gasp from the girl. "Nina?" Snow questioned, head leaned forward as she glanced over at Ferdinand, who nodded. The doe sent him a quickly smile which quickly fell when she felt the girl, Nina, grab her leash, near the base of her noseband, her ears perking up as she watched the girl with raised brows. Nina smiled at Snow as she looked the doe over and hesitantly ran the back of her fingers across her left cheek before reaching up and gently ran her hand over Snow's head. Snow blinked at the girl for a moment before she let her eyes fall shut and she let her ears relax, the girl squealing with laughter again when the doe nosed the crook of her neck. Lupe watched the three with a soft smile as Moreno let out a sniffle of his own, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Whoa!" Nina blinked when Snow pulled away and looked up with her eyes when a red flower landed on her head. Ferdinand smiled as Snow blinked up at the flower before she closed one eye and smiled when the bull started sniffing at the flower, causing it to float off her head. Nina giggled as she caught the flower before the three looked up when more flowers started falling into the arena. Snow backed up and watched Ferdinand sniff at the air, ears flapping, as he pranced around happily, Nina looking around as well.

Satisfied, Ferdinand sat down to watch the falling flowers as Nina hugged her bull again. "Ya know," Snow started as she sat down to Ferdinand's left, "you never refuted Val when he made his fawning allegations." She pointed out, looking up at him with a smirk and raised brow. "Yeah, well," Ferdinand started with a shrug, leaning towards her, "I don't remember you arguing when he said you were smitten." He retorted with a smirk of his own, winking down at her. Snow smiled up at that and leaned against his side, rubbing her head against his shoulder. "No...No, I didn't." She confirmed, earning a gently lick on her head.

The two pulled away and looked over, Nina looking in the same direction, when distant bellows sounded out before Valiente slammed through the arena door with the other bulls right behind him, Lupe blinking in shock from where she was. The bulls' rage and determination quickly fell when they saw Ferdinand and Snow sitting in the middle of the arena, the two sending the group a smile. "Flower Bull did it." Valiente stated with a smile as he sat down, the others sitting as well with smiles of their own.

Snow and Ferdinand shared one last smile before the bull turned his attention down to his girl and the doe watched flowers fall.

Chapter Text

Once again, Snow laid in the backseats of Moreno's truck again, but, this time, she laid there with a soft smile on her face as she watched the trees, fences and houses pass by. The doe soon turned her attention to the three hedgehogs that slept in the seat at her side, Una and Dos lying on either side of Cuatro, the turquoise hedgehog snoring loudly. Snow giggled at the sight before turning her gaze to the review window, looking out at the trailer. 'It won't be long now.' She thought.

Hear and feeling the car come to a stop, Snow groaned and blinked her eyes open. "Are we there yet?" Cuatro asked with a yawn as Snow sat her head up to look groggily out of the window. Her tiredness immediately disappeared and she sat up quickly, the hedgehogs yelping as they fell backwards, the doe still looking out the window. "What was that for?!" Dos asked, rubbing the back of his head. "What's going on, Snow?" Una asked as she jumped up onto the doe's head, holding onto the browband. "It's...deer..." Snow uttered out as the hedgehog brothers climbed onto the door. "Yowza!" Dos exclaimed.

In front of them, a few feet away from the truck, passed a wooden fence line was a large group of deer, the herd spear out across the field, bucks either banging their antlers together or grazing and standing alone while does grazed alone or with their fawns, fawns running around the field in groups of two or more.

"Why are there so many?!" Dos asked as Moreno opened the door in front of Snow. "It's a deer farm." Snow answered as she jumped out of the truck when the former bull owner clicked his tongue, her leash in his hand. "And deer travel in herds anyway." She added as she followed Moreno, hedgehogs jumping onto her back. "You were supposed to be in a large group this whole time?" Una asked from where she still sat on Snow's head. "No, not really. We can travel in small groups." Snow answered, smiling up at the bull filled trailer. "It wasn't so bad anyway." She commented.

Snow's attention was turned away from the trailer when she heard a loud exclaim. "There she is!" A man that seemed vaguely familiar to Snow cheered as he walked up to Moreno and Snow. "What a beautiful doe you've grown into! Muy hermosa!" He praised as he cupped Snow's face in his hands, tapping her cheek. "And you're sure about this?" He asked, looking to Moreno. "Sí." Moreno nodded, Snow and the three hedgehogs looking up at him. "It's time a retire and that means," he cut himself off with a sigh and rubbed Snow's head, "Snow deserves to as well." He said, causing the doe to raise a brow.

"Very well, señor." The man said as Lupe wriggled her way through the crowded bulls until she was on top, able to look through the tiny openings. "What's going on out there?" Bones asked from the bottom of the pile. "Hush! I'm trying to listen!" Lupe whisper/yelled, glaring down before turning her attention back outside. "Okay...Snow's standing there with Moreno and some...guy...The gophers on her back..." Lupe narrated. "Hedgehogs." Valiente corrected. "Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Lupe dismissed. "Moreno is removing her leash and...He's shooing her away..." She told. "Shooing her away? Where?" Ferdinand asked. "I...I don't know...Bad angle." The goat answered, sitting down. "Think we can get them to let us out?" Angus asked as he banged his horns against the metal wall.

"Mind if I let the bulls stretch their legs for a moment? We have a long drive ahead after this." Moreno requested at the sounds from the trailer. "Of course, of course!" The deer owner agreed as they two walked to the back fo the trailer. "As long as they don't go enojado at the sight of my herd." He added. "Of course." Moreno reassured as he and the other man opened the trailer.

After a moment of struggle, the five bulls and goat managed to pull themselves from the trailer, shaking out their pelts and stretching. "Whoa!" Guapo blinked as he looked in the direction Lupe had seen Snow go, making the group look to the black and red bull. "Is that what deer are supposed to look like?" He asked with a raised brow, earning confused looks before the groups gaze turned in the direction Guapo was facing and they became shocked. "There's so many!" Bones stated in awe as the bulls and goat looked out at the herd, though Ferdinand kept his gaze on the single, white doe, who had jumped over the wooden fence.

With her head low and ears flat, Snow slowly walked into the field, looking around with wary eyes. Many does and bucks, mainly younger than Snow, sent Snow confused looks while others stared at her in shock and disbelief, some mainly focused on the hedgehogs on her back, as they watched her go, many murmuring their thoughts to themselves or others. "Not the most welcoming crowd." Dos muttered as Cuatro nestled closer to Snow's neck.

Snow continued to warily look around before her eyes caught sight of a distant doe, a younger buck standing nearby and a fawn standing under the doe, nursing. "Snow?" Cuatro questioned as the white doe slowly lifted her head, ears perked. Not answering the concerned hedgehog, Snow took in a deep breathe through her nose before she let out a sigh and started up the hill the doe, buck and fawn were standing on.

"Hello?" Snoww called softly when she was a few paces away from the small group, the doe and buck immediately raising their heads as the young fawn stopped nursing. "D...Do you know me?" Snow asked hesitantly as her ears flattened, Una joining her brothers on Snow's back. "Who's that, Momma?" The fawn asked, looking up at his mother, the doe and buck still staring at the white doe. "I-It's fine if not. I-I just-." "Snow?" The doe in front of her asked, making Snow freeze and look at her again. "Snow?" She questioned again, more hopeful than confused, as she started towards Snow, head leaned forward. The hedgehogs on her back leaned around Snow's neck as the white doe leaned her head back, swallowing a lump in her throat, as the doe sniffed at her. "H-Hey...Mom..." Snow greeted with a nervous smile, the trio on her back gasping loudly.

At Snow's greeting, the doe's face lit up as an excited smile appeared on the buck's muzzle, the fawn still confused. "Snow! Oh, mi bebé!" Snow's mother cried happily, Snow closing one eye when the older doe nuzzled her head under the white doe's chin. Snow let out a sigh and let her body relax, chin resting on her mother's head. "Hey, Mom." She repeated with a soft smile, sounding more sure of herself, pulling a teary laugh and sniffle from her mother. Snow opened her eyes and watched with a smile as the buck approached. "Maquina?" She asked as the silent buck licked between her eyes. "You're taller than me now." She commented as she pressed her forehead against his.

"Wait," the two does and buck looked down at the fawn, "this is Snow!? I thought you guys were making it up that she had white fur!" He exclaimed. Snow laughed as her mother and brother backed up and she lowered her head to the fawn's level. "And what's your name?" Snow asked, smiling. "Tulio!" The fawn answered, standing tall as Snow's mother walked around to stand behind him. "He's one of your younger brothers." Her mother introduced. "What are those things on your back?" Tulio asked, tilting his head as Snow looked back at her hedgehog friends. "We're hedgehogs!" Dos yelled, earning an eyeroll. "They're friends." Snow added, smiling down at her younger brother. "Well, you can introduce us later." Her mother commented as she started away. "Let's go see if we can find your other siblings and see if we can get the Feeders to remove that bridal." She added. Snow went to follow after her family with a smile before her smile fell and she stopped, ears flattening. Standing there for a moment, the white doe turned and looked back towards the truck and trailer, where she saw the bulls and goat waiting.

Watching the doe jump over the fence and walk towards them, the bulls and goat sent her sad smiles. "Hey, Snowie." Lupe greated as she took a step forward. "Hey, Loops." Snow smiled back as she stopped in front of Ferdinand before she looked up at the bulls. "So, this is where goodbyes are said?" Valiente asked, sending her a more common soft smile. "Yeah...But," Snow smiled as she looked back at the doe, fawn and buck that still stood on the hill, "they understand." She added. "Wait, what?" Lupe questioned, causing Snow to turn and look at the group with a cofused expression. "What?" She asked, head tilted. "Well," Guapo started, Snoww turning to him, "we just...assumed that you'd...wanna stay." He stated.

Snow blinked at the black and red bull before looking at the others. "Seriously?" Snow asked with an amused smirk and raised brow. "You guys can't rid of me that easy!" She added, rolling her eyes as she started towards the truck. "Hey." Ferdinand spoke up, Snow looking back when he gently nudged her hip. "You sure you don't want to stay? This is your family." He pointed out, guestering with his head towards the herd. Snow blinked at him before breathing out a laugh. "Yes, I have family here." She started, staring down at the ground. "But, I have my herd right here." She stated, looking from the hedgehogs on her back, to the goats then back up to the bulls, earning smiles from each.

"Now, get your big butts back in that trailer! We have a flower farm to get to!" Snow said as she turned and trotted towards the truck. "Great!" Valiente drawled out as he started back for the trailer, Lupe trotting after with Maquina following. "Bones? You cryin', lad?" Angus asked as he, Bones and Guapo started passed Ferdinand. "No!" Bones answered, ollowed by a sniffle. "It's my allergies acting up!" He added, causing the two to laugh, as Ferdinand smiled after Snow before heading for the trailer himself.

Stopping behind the two men, who were speaking to one another, Snow let out a soft bleat before headbutting Moreno's back. "Wha-?" The former bullowner blinked and looked back at the doe as she backed up. "What is it, Snow?" He asked, turning around to face her. The doe let out a soft snort as she took a few more steps back before she used her right hoof to tap the back door, looking back at the trailer then back up at him. The two men blinked down at Snow before the deer owner laughed and crossed his arms. "It seems this is not where she is meant to be." He commented, the two men smiling.

By time the truck stopped next, the sun was setting. Snow smiled as the truck's back door was opened and she jumped out, the hedgehogs ahead of her and rolling away. Snow followed Moreno to the back of the trailer and looked forward when an excited gasp sounded. Snow perked her ears up and looked forward to see Nina, the girl standing with an older man and a gray and white Bearded Collie. "You brought her!" Nina cheered as Snow trotted up to the girl. "Yes." Moreno started as Nina wrapped her arms around the doe, Snow resting her chin on the girl's head. "It seems Snow has found her place amongst the bulls." He added.

"Whoa!" Snow raised a brow and looked down at the Collie. "You're actually a white deer?!" He asked, looking her over in belief. Before Snow could question the dog, they all turned their attention to the trailer as Moreno pulled the door down, Nina releasing Snow as she bounced in excitment. Once the trailer opened, Snow sent a sympathetically amused smile to the bulls when she saw how crammed the bulls were, Ferdinand letting out a moo as his ears flapped. "Holy moly! You've multiplied!" The dog exclaimed, looking the bulls over.

With a grunt from Ferdinand, the bulls tumbled out of the trailer. "Hey, Pac-Man!" Ferdinand greeted as the dog stopped in front of him. "I missed you, dawg!" He added, tilting his head up to the dog, Snow walking up to stand near the dog. "Well, I didn't miss you. Not even a little bit." The dog said as the bull stood up. "The tail don't lie, brother!" Ferdinand argued, smiling down at the Collie, the dog's face dropping as his tail started to wag. "I have got to get that fixed!" He growled as Snow walked closer to the bull. "Apparently, I'm the only one who doesn't know everyone in this circle." She commented as she looked up at Ferdinand. "Oh! This is Paco." Ferdinand introduced the dog. "Really? You can talk about her for years, but not bring me up a single time you were gone?" The dog, Paco, asked offended. Snow smiled down at the dog before looking up at Ferdinand with a raised brow, earning a nervous smile and chuckle. The three's attention was pulled away by a muffled sound behind them, making them look back.

"Goat! Goat! Can't breathe!" Lupe yelled as she managed to pull herself out from under the pile of bulls, gasping for air as the bulls looked over at her in surpise. "Jeez Louise!" The goat yelled as she shook her legs out. "Haven't you brutes ever heard of ladies first?" She asked as she walked away, Valiente and Angus removing themselves from the top of the pile. "Awe!" Nina cooed as she walked passed Snow and Ferdinand, giggling as she looked at the bull. "You're adorable!" She said as she quickly knelt down and hugged the goat. Lupe stood there in surprise and looked around with her eyes before realization hit and she looked up at Ferdinand and Snow. "Is this love?" Lupe asked in a whispered tone, earning a smile from Ferdinand, the bull closing one eye when Snow bumped her head against his cheek, smiling at the goat as well. "I love love." She swooned before leaning into Nina's hug.

Snow walked up to the end of the grass and watched from afar as Ferdinand made his way up the flowery hill. She smiled fondly as the bull turned in a circle before sniffing at the flowers. Snow watched him for a moment longer before looking over her shoulder to see the other bulls and goat approaching. She shared a smile with the group before she turned and started trotting up the hill after Ferdinand, who was now standing under a large tree at the top of the hill. Snow trotted to a stop and watched Ferdinand sniff at a small patch of red flowers as she sat down. The bull lifted his head as he took in the smell of the flowers, standing tall for a moment, before he exhaled and sat down, looking down at the doe next to him. The two shared a smile for a moment before facing forward again, Snow watching the sunset as Ferdinand closed his eyes at the feeling of the gentle breeze.

The white doe looked up at the bull again for a moment before she looked back as Lupe walked up next to her, Ferdinand looking over as well at the feeling of Snow moving, before they looked back as the other bulls joined them, sitting down as well. Snow smiled at the bulls for a moment longer before she closed one eye and looked up when the black bull gently licked the top of her head. "Welcome home, Snow." Ferdinand said, smiling at her, before looking forward at the setting sun again, Snow staring up at him for a moment before doing to the same.

"Home..."

Chapter Text

The sounds of the flower farm filled the air as the animals and humans went about their day, Juan tending to the flowers with Paco following him around as Guapo and Bones headbutting in the field while Nina sat with Angus and Lupe under a tree, the girl leaning back against the Highland while the goat slept with her head in Nina's lap, and Valiente and Maquina mundanely walked about the farm, Valiente alone while Maquina walked with the rabbit on his head. The only one who stood out was Ferdinand. Instead of helping water the flowers or laying with Nina and the others or helping Maria learn to fly, the large black bull was standing on the outskirt's of the flower farm, staring into the forest ahead.

"Still not back?" Valiente asked as he lumbed up from behind Ferdinand. "No..." Ferdinand answered with a sigh. "Does a few days really mean almost six weeks?" He asked, looking back at the brown bull. Valiente shrugged before he let out a soft huff through his nose and looking towards the forest, Ferdinand frowning at him then looking towards the forest again. "Back in del Toro," Valiente started softly, "Snow never got to be a deer. She was freeroaming, sure, but she was just as trapped as we were." He explained, looking up at Ferdinand for a momet then back at the forest. "Yeah....I get that..." Ferdinand sighed with a nod before he smirked and glanced down at Valiente. "You sure do know a lot about her, Mr. Tough Guy." He teased. "Eh. Comes with that whole love-hate/brother-sister relationship Bones labeled us with." Valiente said as he turned and started away, Ferdinand blinking after him.

Ferdinand watched him go for a moment longer before he turned to look into the forest again, ears flat. Scanning the treeline one last time, the black bull let out another sigh and turned to start away from the boundary. As he got further away from the boundary, Ferdinand's brows furrowed and he slowed to a stop as his ears rotated backwards. Standing still for a moment, he looked over his shoulder to the forest again. He watched as the treeline sat still, the breeze moving the leaves, before a white figure appeared through the bushes. Ferdinand squinted towards the forest and tilted his head before an excited smile appeared on his face and his ears flapped. "Snow!" He cheered as he took off towards the white doe.

Hearing the bull's excited bellow, Nina sat up and looked in Ferdiand's direction, waking Angus and Lupe, before she gasped, smiling brightly. "Dad! Dad!" Nina called as she scrambled to her feet and took off running, Lupe smiling as well when she saw the distant doe as Angus yawned awake. "Snow's back, Dad!" She informed as she ran across the farm to find her father. "Snow?" Guapo questioned, Bones crashing into his chest when the black and red bull looked back, the smaller bull shaking his head before looking around his friend. "Great timing, Twiggy." Valiente scoffed, smirking, as he and Maquina looked in the direction of the forest.

Snow smiled tiredly as she walked towards the approaching bull. "Are you okay? You look tired. Were you sick? Are you sick?" Ferdinand bombarded as he nudged Snow's cheek before he started sniffing at her. "No, no." Snow laughed softly as she bumped her head against his cheek. "I'm okay. Just tired." She reassured, licking the bridge of his snout. "I do want to introduce you to someone though." She added. "Really? Who?" Ferdinand blinked as Snow looked back towards the forest. "Come on out!" She called softly, lowering her head slightly.

The bull stood there with a confused look, brow raised and head tilted, before his eyes widened and a soft gasp escaped him when a black fawn with white around each hoof stepped out of the bushes, head shaking and letting out a soft snort. Watching the fawn, Ferdinand took note of the more calf-like ears and long tail, fluff at the end. "You, too!" Snow called, drawing the bull's attention back to her. "Too?" He asked, earning a smile. Turning his attention back to the bushes when they rustled, he watched another fawn walk out, more hesitant than the last. This fawn was pure white like Snow with a more calf-like body, tiny horns on his head, but with the nose, ears and tail of a deer. The white fawn stared up at Ferdinand with blue eyes before he hurriedly hid underneath Snow, peaking past her legs, while the black fawn blinked up at him with brown eyes.

"Ferd," Snow started, the bull pulling his gaze from the fawns, "meet your son and daughter." She introduced, the fawns still looking up at the bull. "How...How old..?" Ferdinand breathed out, still in shock. "Four weeks. It takes time to get them walking long distances." Snow explained before licking her daughter's head. "Go say hello to your Papá." She whispered, nudging the black fawn's head. The fawn blinked up at her mother before she started forward, staring up at the bull again. "H-Hey there." Ferdinand greeted, lowering his head to his daughter's level. "Look at you!" He laughed, tears in his eyes, as the fawn sniffed at his face before she let out a brawl, tail flicking, making the doe and bull laugh.

"Have you named them?" Ferdinand asked, keeping his head at the fawn's level as he looked up at Snow. "Well...I thought Oscura for the girl and..." She trailed off as she smiled down at her son, still hiding behind her legs. "Raf." She finally spoke, looking down at Ferdinand. Ferdinand's eyes widened again at the name before he looked down at the fawn, who's ears flattened as he took a step back. "Hey...Raf...Oscura..." Ferdinand greeted, earning another brawl from Oscura as Raf perked up slightly.

"Well, would you look at that." Valinte spoke up as he walked up next to Ferdinand, the black bull and Snow looking over as Oscura let out a brawl and raced to join her brother behind Snow's legs. "No wonder you two have been up here so long." He commented as he lowered his head to get a better look at the two hybrid fawns. Raf remained hidden as he shifted closer to his mother's legs while Oscura sent the brown bull a glare and snorted before she marched forward, stomping her front hooves on the ground. "Whoa! Careful, Flower Bull!" Valiente laughed as he pulled his head back, looking up at the black bull. "Doesn't seem like the fight was bred out of this one." He warned, earning an eyeroll from Ferdinand and a laugh from Snow, Oscura still glaring up at the brown bull. "Good thing she has many uncles to help her with all that energy." Snow commented, Valiente sending her a smug smile.

"Holy cow..." Bones uttered out as he, the other bulls and goat stared in shock as Valiente approached with Ferdinand and Snow behind him, Raf basically walking under his mother and Oscura walked next to her left side. "Oh my gosh!" Lupe squealed as she bounced towards the doe and fawns. "Look at you! You're so tiny!" She cooed as Raf leaned away and Oscura sniffed at her. "Well, not for me, but still!" Lupe added. "How the heck is this even possible?!" Bones asked as he took a step forward, lowering his head to the fawns' level. Snow smirked and raised a brow as she looked up at Ferdinand out of the corner of her eye, making the black bull laugh nervously and tilt his head to look away.

As she had with Valiente, Oscura huffed and stomped her front hooves at the smallest bull. "Oh! Spicy lass, isn't she?" Angus asked as Bones stared at Oscura with wide eyes. "Alright, little sister, I see you!" He said as he shifted his lowered stance into a play bow. "C'mon! Show me what you got!" He challenged, the black fawn jumping from side to side. "Bones, please. My daughter is only four weeks old." Snow pointed out as Maquina stopped to Snow's left side and lowered his head to look at Raf, the white fawn backing away from the gray and white bull. "Kinda shy, huh?" Guapo asked, watching Raf. "Takes after his father." Valiente commented, smirking up at Ferdinand as Snow watched Oscura ram her head against Bones', the bull not moving, sending black fawn falling onto her rear.

The group looked over and Oscura ran to hide between Ferdinand and Snow when Nina and her father ran up with Paco. "Whoa!" The dog exclaimed as he looked between the hybrid fawns. "That's where you've been?!" He asked, looking up at Snow. "Snow had babies!" Nina squealed, holding onto Juan's arm as she jumped up and down. "Yes she did..." Juan nodded as he looked the odd fawns over, mainly observing Raf's nubbed horns and Oscura's long tail. "It seems Ferdinand has as well." He pointed out, scratching the back of his head. Nina sent her father a confused look before she squinted at the fawns and gasped, eyes widening.

"Ferdinand!" Nina squealed again, running up to hug her bull as Oscura ran to Snow's other side. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Nina, Nina!" Juan exclaimed, grabbing Nina's arm and pulling her back, earning a confused look again. "We don't want to scare them or upset Snow." He informed, the fawns peaking out at them again. "Oh. Sorry, little guys." Nina apologized in a whispered tone, resting her hands on her knees and waving at Oscura and Raf. "Come, Nina," Juan started, setting his hand on her shoulder, "let's let them adjust to the farm before we overwhelm them." He suggested as he started walking away, Nina waving back at the hybrid fawns as she followed her father.

"I have...so many questions." Paco sat as he fell back onto his haunches, earning a laugh from Snow. "Well, questions can come later." Bones stated as he got back in his playful crouch. "For now, we gotta show these newbies the ropes!" He said before he jumped up straight again and started turning away. "C'mon, hooflings!" He called back as he and the other bulls started away. "Hooflings?" Guapo questioned as Oscura took a few steps forward before she ran after the group. "Yeah! What else would you call'em?" Bones asked as Oscura trotted between him and Maquina. "Come on, little man! You don't want to fall behind!" Lupe said as she trotted away, Raf still hiding behind Snow's legs.

Snow smiled softly at her son before she lowered her head and ran her tongue over her son's head fur. "Go on." Snow encouraged as Raf looked up at her. The white fawn blinked up at his mother before he hesitantly started away, breaking into a bound when Ferdinand gave him a nudge from behind. Snow watched with a fond smile as her children walked away with the herd, resting her head against Ferdniand's shoulder. "So," the black bull started, tilting his head down towards her while keeping his eyes on teh group as well, "any more surprises?" He asked, smiling. "No...No...Everything's perfect like this." Snow answered, sharing a smile with Ferdinand before they both looked forward again.