The empty road was suddenly home to a purple streak of light. Just as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone.
Filli-second zipped down the familiar streets, whisking left and right around ponies and other obstacles in her way. Placing the groundwork for her plan was of the utmost importance; a map of Gruffington formed over her vision, a small pinging dot marking her position. It was the work of nanoseconds to plot out a path to the outer-most corner of the town, though it took her a few minutes to properly attach her spellwork to the hooferang.
"Greetings mister Gnarlwood!" She waved at the old stallion sitting in his rocking chair on the back porch. "I apologize but the utilization of your private property is essential to the neutralization of a biological threat currently propagating throughout the town. Might I impose on you to ensure this artifact remains undisturbed?"
After a moment, Gnarlwood snored.
"Excellent. Farewell!" And with another flash, Filli-second was gone.
***
Who designed this city, Pike Lasso? Mistress Mare-velous was galloping down the roads of Gruffington, her eyes still on the skyscraper she'd figured the disks had been launched from. She was somewhat hampered by the five-way intersections and numerous dead-ends she kept running into. To hay with it, I'm going roof-hopping.
Once more her circus training proved useful as she scaled a brick wall with her spurs in mere minutes. The very moment she was on the roof she summoned her mystic rope, wrapping it tightly around a stovepipe next to her and a gargoyle on the next building. Three cartwheels later she was across the tightrope, already untying the rope with her mind and looking for her next targets.
Mare-Velous looked up at her destination as her rope psychically anchored itself on another two rooftop protrusions. Even if this Horse Cough is still there, I don't have any idea what he looks like or how he thinks... "Dang it, I should have asked Filli-second!"
"What inquiry should you have asked me?"
The earthpony nearly jumped off her rope, but managed to turn it into a full grip and swirl to regain her hoofing. "That's the second time you've snuck up on me!"
"It is hard to locate an object moving at such a fast velocity as to avoid registering with optic nerves," Filli-second amicably pointed out. "I was wondering if you might have surplus hooferangs? The amount I currently possess is not enough to anchor a magical effect throughout the whole city."
"Sure, I always carry a spare set!" Mare-velous tossed the energy being some more golden horseshoes. "Learned to do that after I ran out in Nickeragua.(1) While you're here, though, could you tell me what Horse Cough looks like?"
"Well..."
***
A guard pony screamed and fell as the red welts on his face grew green.
"He utilizes clawed gloves and boots, laces with various diseases."
The guard's partner managed to block a swipe with his spear, but from his panting he was clearly exhausted.
"Also, he wears a coarse, black cape and a wide-brimmed black hat."
The criminal grabbed the spear and shoved the guard back, quickly reaching into a pocket and tossing something.
"The surgeon's uniform under those are black scrubs, with bandoleers of poison grenades..."
And Horse Cough watched calmly as the guard succumbed to a coughing fit in a green mist.
"But the plague mask he wears, it's white. Bone white."
***
"Huh." Mare-velous raised an eyebrow. "Not a subtle fellow then."
"Negative. Horse Cough is egotistical to a sociopathic extreme." Filli-second's face flickered. "Please excuse me, I must place the other anchors for the spell matrix." In a flash, she was gone again.
Focused little filly, isn't she... Mare-velous shook her head, finishing her trek across the rope. Well, at least now I know what to look for. And once more her rope flew through the air on its own.
***
"But miss Glitterhorn, the positioning of this artifact is a crucial component in countering the horrific action of the criminal Horse Cough!" Filli-Second pouted up at the mare wearing a fluffy bathrobe. "It is imperative that you allow me to place it in your courtyard lest an undesirable fate befalls all of Gruffington!"
"The last time I allowed you to 'help the city' with my property, my swimming pool was emptied into my bedroom.(2)" Glitterhorn turned up her nose. "I simply do not have time for your childish pranks."
"I assure you that no alteration to your property will occur as a result of this incident. But I desperately require this!" The wireframe face flickered into a soulful stare. "Pleeeeeeeeeeeease?"
"No means no, young... filly." The unicorn trotted away, waving at her butler. "If you see this one put that thing down anywhere, I want you to take it out and throw it over the fence."
The butler nodded. "Yes ma'am." As soon as his employer was inside, he shut his eyes.
Filli-Second tilted her head. "What are you doing?"
"Just enjoying the sun on my coat, ma'am."
"And the shutting of your eyelids assists in the enjoyment?"
"Just so, ma'am."
The young heroine stared at him. "...I had assumed that the eyelids would block photons from reaching the retina of your eye, which in turn would render your sight nonexistent."
"That is correct ma'am."
"But miss Glitterhorn requested that you throw out this hooferang if you see me place it anywhere on her property. How can you conduct your duties if... you are unable..."
Filli-second's face flickered.
"Therein lies the question, ma'am," the butler replied, eyes still closed.
"...Oooooooooooh."
***
Mare-Velous ran down the wall, galloping to a standstill in front of a stallion in a bone-white mask. "Horse Cough, I assume?"
The black cape fluttered in the green mist as he turned, slowly, to face her. A pale white mask regarded her calmly. "You have a filter."
"And you do too." Mistress Mare-Velous inclined her head. "What's your point?"
For a moment he was silent. Then, all of the sudden, he lunged.