While still a very potent drink, Unique's Thunderbrew didn't knock me out the second time. Or the third time for that matter. Since he still had things to do before he could skip town, Unique had given me a large bottle of the stuff to drink as Fphantom and I wandered around town. Using a bit of spare rope and some duct tape, I fashioned a holster-like carrying strap that went over one shoulder and around my barrel on the other side.
It was a nice settlement. The word "quaint" could be used to describe it quite accurately, although I personally thought it was more of the "humble" sort of place. Meh, doesn't really make much difference.
I noticed that Fphant and I got a lot of stares from the townies we passed. I would love to say that all the heads were turning because of my amazing looks, but even my ego knew that a mirage strolling casually through a pony town was a rare sight. Come to think of it, it's unusual to see any kind of non-pony strolling casually through a pony town, let alone a type of spirit that usually spends its days in seclusion.
Something prodded my side. I looked down to see a little filly looking at me with curious eyes. Glancing around, I saw several other foals watching us from a little ways away. "Hey mister," she squeaked, "are you the pony that survived one of Mr. Blend's drinks?"
Fphant's eyebrows rose in shock. "What do you mean surv-"
"Yep," I cut him off, "that's me! Drink drinker extraordinaire!" My boasting fell on deaf ears. As soon as I confirmed the filly's suspicions she scampered off to her friends.
At least I assume they're her friends... They could be some sort of child-run mafia or something! Using innocent foals to do their nefarious deeds then dropping them off bridges when they were done! You never know, right?
Deciding to err on the side of caution, I kept my eyes open for miniature assassins and/or hit squads.
"Excuse me miss," Fphantom said. Was he referring to me as a "miss" now? Oh, no, he's talking to somepony else. "That filly over there was just talking to my friend here," I helpfully waved to the mare, in case she didn't know who Fphant was talking about. "and said some things which I found disturbing."
There was something disturbing about our conversation? Oh right! The child mafia! I guess Fphantom found out about them too!
"She said something about him being the first pony to 'survive' one of Unique Blend's drinks?" Oh, or that. That's not nearly as cool as the child mafia though...
The mare scoffed, "Oh you know how foals are, always exaggerating things for their own amusement. Most of those ponies were only comatose for a few days."
Fphantom raised a single eyebrow. "Most?"
The mare gave a nervous laugh, I'm sure if she had a collar on she'd be tugging at it. "Well, uh, you see, the thing is, uh..."
"You're stalling, ma'am." Unamused Fphant is unamused. Remind me to never stall around Fphant, will you?
"Did he tell you about the potential side effects his drinks sometimes have?" Fphantom nodded. "A few ponies developed strange 'abilities'. One of them got the idea that they were a sort of superpower, and they started up a group. They called themselves 'The Justice Ponies', and fancied themselves to be superheroes." The way she said the group's name made it sound like it left a bad taste in her mouth.
"I might turn into a superhero?" I asked. That would be neat, aside from the whole "I have to throw myself in harm's way to protect thankless ponies I don't even know" bit.
If the mare shook her head any harder I think her ears would fly off. "No, they just thought they were superheroes. They were really just regular ponies who let circumstances go to their heads."
"What happened to them?" Fphant inquired.
"Well, a few years ago an evil enchantress appeared near here. She started waylaying travelers, stealing crops, and generally being a bother." I think I see where this is going. "The Justice Ponies thought they could get her to leave, so they rode off into the sunset towards the enchantress's tower. We never heard from them again."
Such a sad tale. Maybe if the Justice Ponies had a better plan they would have succeeded, and could have returned home to their families and jobs? Maybe not...
"How long ago was this?" Fphantom asked.
"About two months," the mare offered. "Why?"
"Because there's a chance those ponies might still be alive." Fphant turned to me, completely ignoring the mare's words of warning. "What do you think? Up for a little rescue mission?"
Sounds exciting, and I still don't know what it is I'm supposed to be doing. Why not? "Sure thing Fphant!"
"Which way to the enchantress's tower?" Fphant asked the mare.
She sighed, seeing that we obviously weren't going to change our minds. With a weary hoof she motioned towards the sunset. "Somewhere thataway."