//------------------------------//
// What Dreams May Come 
// Story: An Exceptional Discovery On The Nature Of Pony Names 
// by L Pondera 
//------------------------------//

“I know I saw him.” Spyglass said once more.

“I don’t doubt you.” Scribe replied in a flat tone.

“Really? It sure doesn’t feel that way.” Spyglass retorted.

They had been talking for some time in a dimly lit room at the Canterlot Collections offices. Immediately after returning from her last job, Scribe found herself ambushed by Spyglass. Normally the two would never talk least they risk being seen together, the risk of their past connection being discovered already nearing alarming.

“Look, I saw him too, but that’s impossible. The Applereti’s organization was wiped out years ago. Him along with it. He hasn’t been seen since, that proves it.” Scribe said, uncertainty clung to her words no matter how much faux bravado she tried to put into them.

“I’ve got no doubt it was him, in the flesh. The Painter is back. And he’ll paint the streets something ugly if he’s allowed to wander freely.” Spyglass said, all too familiar with the enforcer known as the Painter.

Don Applereti wasn’t known for being good with words, but when he dubbed his prize enforcer, the name was perfect. The Painter was true to his name, he could paint any situation into a pretty picture for the family, all while painting the problem black, blue and red all over. They came to know this back when Scribe and Spyglass lived in the eastern zebra territories. Back when there was big trade in an addictive unhealthy spice, Loco weed. During the process, the Painter showed up and took care of the problem, only in his wake was mass destruction and suffering. Every last plant that produced the spice in the region was destroyed, ending the trade and saving countless ponies from it’s harm. Only, in the process many ponies were harmed by him.

“So tell me, how is it impossible?” Spyglass said as she leaned in closer to Scribe.

“It… Well… I don’t know!” Scribe concluded.

The recent workload and mess with Geiger had left Scribe feeling tired. It all started out so fun, but the continuous hunting down of those lax in their taxes and due for payment was busy work. Most didn’t even need her to track them down, and those who did were no easy target. But now this? She didn’t want to admit the Painter was still alive even, let alone in Equestria. On top of the Geiger problem, almost literally.

“He’s back. I don’t know what for, but it can’t be good. I know we work for the Collectors now, but this old business takes center focus. He wrecked everything back in Zebrawa, the crops, the dealers, the town and us. All alone!” Spyglass concluded with an annoyed stomp of her hooves.

This wasn’t going to be like that time she got caught foiling a bank robbery. One that had earned her a spot with the Royal Treasury. A real simple favor from the very grateful manager of afore mentioned bank. Naturally kept on file. Her first mistake. She and Spyglass had made a promise to put to rest their whole crime fighter days and start anew in Equestria. Well, here they are now. Just couldn’t help themselves. Only Scribe wanted to ride a desk and never use her unique skills again. Or so she thought, up until the day she was told to provide notice to an arrested scientist. But when she got there, she learned he had evaded capture. It opened up the closed chapter of her life, gave her a sense of justice she had been ignoring.

Spyglass gave up on bravado, deciding to be a mercenary instead. Living contract to contract until she found employment with the collectors. The surprise of seeing her old partner Scribe was certainly a shock. And though she adamantly denied it’s existence, she felt fate tossed them together once more. With this sudden appearance of the Painter, she felt she now knew why.

“Where did we last see him?” Scribe said. Finally breaking the silence that had fallen.

“Heading south from Canterlot. Likely heading to PonyVille. That place attracts disaster like crops attract parasprites.” Spyglass moaned with a few hoof gestures.

“Wait, just to make sure we’re on the same page, I’m talking about Geiger.” Scribe said as she realized the pronoun was vague.

“Oh, him. Um… Last reports said he was also running around in south Canterlot. Likely heading… You don’t think? Could they be working together!?” Spyglass shifted deeper and deeper into unease as her thoughts progressed.

“No! Well, not knowingly. Geiger is rather naïve, he would trust something like that if it simply convinced him they were on the same side. The Painter, he doesn’t need help being dangerous, but if it landed in his lap, he could certainly use Geiger’s foal like social abilities to gain trust. Whatever Geiger discovered, it has made him very useful in the wrong hooves.” Scribe said with caution, picking her words carefully as not to call Geiger a simpleton. He was awkward and pathetic under pressure, but not an idiot.

“So we are in a race against time to get Geiger away from The Painter and into safe custody. What fun.” Spyglass mumbled through her gritted teeth.

Few things annoyed her more than rescues. While Scribe was equally unpleased by the idea, her sense of urgent justice would prevail such nerve-racking stress. However, despite their combined skills, they alone stood no chance against The Painter, this they learned back in Zebrawa.

“So, we find Geiger, and he is with The Painter, what the hell can we do?” Spyglass asked, looking to Scribe for the solution.

“We use the collectors to help us. We get Geiger away. No use fighting him when we can avoid it.” Scribe responded, the whole time her eyes lay locked on the floor before her.

“We’ll have to face him eventually. He might really want to keep this scientist around. Or he might just want to settle things with us. No matter the reason, he is dangerous and he has no place here.” Spyglass said as she bore down on Scribe.

“Then we’ll need the princesses help getting rid of him. Because, even with all their strength and talent, the collectors will not be a match for him. The Painter is far better at combat than any pony in Equestria. Better than we could hope to be.” Scribe said as she continued her staring match with the floor.

“That would take care of it, but we would certainly be in the spotlight for it. Isn’t there a more covert way of taking him out?” Spyglass questioned, her own mind struggling to figure out some sneaky and quiet method to detain and expel The Painter. Tartarus had a front door right?

“Our only hope is that, well maybe he changed. Maybe he isn’t up to no good. Now, before you go on saying it’s naïve and desperately hopeful. There have been no reports to suggest he has been up to anything. Right after he left Canterlot, presumably to PonyVille, he vanished. Maybe he isn’t planning on staying here. He could be on his way to Zebrawa for all we know. Just maybe, he and Geiger only shared passing glances and a few words.” Scribe said, finally moving her eyes to meet Spyglass.

“I wish that’s the truth, I really do. I don’t want to see such pain again.” Spyglass quietly said.

The look in Scribe’s eyes told her. They were both terrified sick of what could be. No one pony should be able to destroy what The Painter could, not in such little time, all alone.


“Meanwhile, in PonyVille.” Announced the Narrator.


Geiger spent the next twenty or so minutes eating to his heart’s content. The bill being on Vera’s purse, meant price was no option. Yet, he still couldn’t bring himself to order the most expensive things on the menu. Taking advantage of ponies always made Geiger feel guilty, even when he wasn’t the one doing it. He always wanted to prevent such things.

As the food vanished into their stomachs, and the time passed quietly for a little while, Geiger took note of his savior’s appearance and disposition. She used etiquette for the most part, certainly as a base for her overall attitude eating. Yet, she ate with such speed and focus. Like the meal was only coal for her fire. It made him wonder, much like he couldn’t stop doing, just where she came from. What was it like there? Just how had it affected her, what she thought and how she saw the world. He felt he had to know, but also, that he shouldn’t know. Much like his discovery, it was something best left alone, a taboo he shouldn’t break. And much like his discovery, it would certainly bring him harm.

“Why did you build the road?” Geiger asked, resuming his quest for answers.

“Aside from the train, what other route takes ponies north? The roads that normally do, they are so long and out of the way. The roads just allow ponies to transport commerce and themselves independently. No reliance on pegasus sky wagons, or train schedules to keep up with.” Vera replied in her soft nearly seductive voice.

Whatever had happened, her mood had softened some, maybe she had simply skipped breakfast. A far cry from her stone-faced disposition earlier. She was now more relaxed and emitted a more natural expression. While still not quite wearing an honest smile. The mystique she emitted was thick as fog, yet she wore the face of near transparency. One only need look deeper than a superficial glance to see something more. Yet, in the presence of many residence of PonyVille, her face turned into a mask, a very capable mask. Why she insisted on smiling and being warm to them all the time, Geiger lacked the social ability to recognize. But it had been a major leap forward that he could even notice it.

“What’s your name mean? I saw your cutie mark, and noticed how… complex it is.” Geiger said as he thought back to earlier.

“I see how this confuses you. Where I am from, our names don’t always mean something, and not always do their meanings match our unique talents. Though mine did… For some families, our last names are shared. Much like the Apple family, though they just happen to share a theme for their names. Another thing to note about names from my homeland, is that they tend to be from mixed languages. Sometimes the name is perfect, other times, you just get one that sounds nice, but is entirely unrelated to you or your talents. Quite unlike Equestria.” Vera elaborated while her eyes searched the room, not for an object, but rather thoughts and words.

“I wish I knew some good small talk, or that I could just silence my mind and think of better things to say. But, I can’t, I have to ask. Where are you from?” Geiger said, unable, as much as he tried, to avoid her eyes. Instead, they kept locking with hers. Like her deep thought was sucking his mind in.

“It is a place you wouldn’t know. No Equestrian knows this place. Yet, we all have heard of Equestria. Legends, stories, all they could do was give us a name. One day, we learned the name belonged to an actual place, a place we could suddenly see for ourselves. Most of us… All of us, we all felt such wonder when we first found Equestria. But soon, some became jealous, others enraged.” Vera slowly spoke, like a cautious parent having the “talk” with their foal.

“My home, it’s a magnificent place. But…” Vera paused, struggling to find a way to explain what she wanted to say.

“What is it?” Geiger asked, losing points for his failure to notice the difficulty Vera was having. Answers, that took priority.

Before Vera could answer, Mrs. Cakes covertly snuck up to the table and slid the bill on top of the only free space the wasn’t covered in crumbs and dishes. Giving a soft nod to Vera before retreating to the kitchen with a nervous pace. Vera, who had been so deep in thought, had failed to notice Mrs. Cakes in time. As such, she was unable to wear her trademark smile. Without which, her stern listless expression had obviously troubled the busy mother of two. The worry and slight hint of fear on Mrs. Cakes face proved a point to Geiger. One Vera had made earlier. Only now, her expression looked aggravated and somewhat hurt. With some effort was the proper sum of bits left on the table covering the bill.

“Follow me.” Vera announced to Geiger, the authority in her voice enough to bring a guard to attention on reflex.

Geiger indeed followed. His head hanging low, out of the shame he felt. Shame at himself. He just couldn’t stop himself. Question after question, and question again. Maybe it was just because she was such an enigma? No, it wasn’t just her. Geiger never stopped asking questions, from the days since he could first speak, he had asked an endless stream of questions. He was never good at figuring things out for himself, so he had to get others to tell him the answers. He was only smart enough to remember those answers, unable to find any for himself. Save for his so called discovery. The one answer he got for himself, and it was a curse. Cruel was the world. Though how cruel, Geiger was only just learning.

He followed Vera as she lead him towards the Everfree forest, following the tree line north some, until they reached a grass covered hill with windows. In the distance, some half mile away, Geiger could spot the guide’s shack. Further examination of the hill revealed a metal chimney and a rectangular indention which produced a shadow that essentially hid the door. This door was opened by Vera, who gestured for Geiger to enter. Which he did, cautiously, with his eyes avoiding Vera’s. A task that just moments ago was impossible.

Once inside, Geiger found a homey cylindrical room. Furthest from the door was a large bed, presumably Vera’s. It had four tall post which nearly scrapped the tall ceiling, upon these hung curtains which were meant to shroud the bed. Certainly the most lavish looking thing in the room. A rather large metal trunk sat at the foot of the bed, with two suitcases visible beneath the bed. Thick curtains completely blocked out the light, which would’ve altogether vanished after Vera closed the door, had not a simple lantern on a desk near the bed suddenly lit. It must have been magic, since Geiger couldn’t see anyone who could have lit it. The desk itself was raised up noticeably, definitely for Vera’s sole use. On top of it was a neat number of paper stacks and books, one lay open with a pencil placed in the center, held in place by its position down the length of the spine. Immediately to the right of this desk sat one of the three bookshelves in the room, this one partially blocking a window. The other two stood to the left of the doorway, past the second window. A fridge separated the shelves from the stove. The stove was black cast iron and square, with a long metal pipe jutting out the back and up to the ceiling. While the ceiling had a chandelier of simple pewter, lacking any ornate design, it looked like it hadn’t been lit in a very long time.

The last thing Geiger noticed was an oddly low table, yet it had two large chairs, much like the stool at the desk. The seat was sized to support the rather large Vera. Yet the table was slightly too high for a normal pony, and slightly too short for Vera. Why this was, Geiger was unable to figure out. A fact he made certain to scold himself for. A silent promise not to ask Vera about it was made as he stepped into the center of the room. Only sparing one glance at the third window of the hill home.

“You asked me where I was from. The name doesn’t matter. You’ll find it on no map, save for a very small few in Saddle Arabia and those within the borders of the land itself. I don’t even have one. While your question sought the name of the land, I could only think of the way of that land.” Vera spoke, breaking the stillness of the room.

“For my home, is a home of violence. Not born of the wilderness, the elements nor the weather. Take the angriest Equestrian brawl you’ve seen, and multiply it by a volcanic eruption. That is the way of my land, my origins, my family and even myself. It was so long ago, yet so important. Just a single day, but one so vital to the future of all generations in my homeland. A day which hosted a single event, an event which undid so much. From then on, my land was violence and hate. Hate and violence which has lasted to this very day.” Vera continued, her pose was that of a proud statue, though her face was somber and her eyes distant.

“I… I can’t imagine. I seriously cannot imagine it. I’m so sorry.” Apologized Geiger.

“And that is why I am here. Such existence is unknown to Equestrians, and I wish to know why. So that maybe my people might know it as well. I’ve come a long way, but ran into a roadblock. Which is where you come in. For your escape, I only want one thing. Your unique talent.” Vera finished.

“My talent?” Geiger said, bewildered.

“Not like I’m going to steal it from you, I just need you to use your magical detection skills to help me. I’m looking for a trace of a specific magic. Very old and very unique. Normally I would be able to track it myself, but…” Vera said as she began to circle Geiger once more.

“It’s too old and faint for you. And since I’m the leader in my field, I stand a better chance of detecting it.” Geiger finished for her. Feeling actual fear grip him. Before, Vera’s demeanor was kind, even flirtatious. But now, it held a lethality that Geiger could actually feel.

“Precisely. I’ll just need your help to track down this magical energy, there may even be a source emitting it, or a source whose own energy is closely related.” Vera said as she continued her circling.

“Only then will you help me.” Geiger said with a slight crack of his voice.

Vera stopped in front of him and whipped herself around so her face met his.

“Don’t act so frightened. It not only insults me, it triggers some predatory instincts.” Vera sternly growled at Geiger, snapping her jaws near his face for effect.

“It is a small request. A task that at best, will only take a few hours. At the most a day. If you can find nothing, then it’s off to the south. If you do find something, we’ll just need to pinpoint it, then you’ll be off at a much brisker pace.” Vera concluded, stepping away from Geiger and sitting on the stool to her desk, facing Geiger.

He had some difficulty ignoring his instinct to cower, instead he shivered slammed his eyelids shut and with a shudder backed away from Vera. With a few calming breaths he opened his eyes and put on his best poker face. Vera could certainly emit an aura of urine inducing terror quite effortlessly. But when his eyes again met hers, he didn’t feel fear, rather, he felt calm. Her eyes searched like a vigilant sentry, constantly scanning everything in her path. Such a heightened alertness, it would drain a normal pony. Next he inhaled the air through his nose, the scents of burning candles, sweet flowers, dust and books filled his nose.

He blinked a bit, it was as if the lighting in the room had improved, suddenly he felt much more aware. He was noticing things, things he had never seen, smelt or felt before. The room despite it’s dim cavern-like appearance was well ventilated by four vents along the walls. He could actually detect a magical aura within the metal trunk at the foot of the bed. As his magical detection senses continued to increase, he could sense the warmth of the lamp on Vera’s desk. He looked over Vera for a bit, examining her aura. It was a vastly confusing mess, to him. Some things were off, she had a greater aura than was standard of either a pegasus or an earth pony. It was even a match for the strongest unicorns he had seen. But it was cloaked. Like it was both being deliberately hidden by Vera herself, and like it was being suppressed by something.

Geiger could feel a connection between something in the trunk, and Vera. However, he also felt uneasy. Before he knew it, he was honed in on a cockatrice some distance away, it’s aura passing that of each and every tree. Then, he felt his eyes reopen, only now he was on his back, staring at the top of a wooden table, only this table had curtains. Why did it have curtains?

“You’re finally awake. Had me worried there.” Vera spoke from off to his right.

“Wha… What happened?” Geiger said as he sat up, noticing he was in Vera’s bed, not under a table.

“You zoned out something fierce. Eye’s flashed Arcanian and you started looking around all weird. I tried getting your attention, but you must not have heard me. Blacked out before too long.” Vera recounted.

“Eye’s flashed what?” Geiger asked as he turned to look at her.

“It doesn’t matter. I just want to know if you have any idea what happened? Because I’m not so sure.” Vera responded, genuine concern masking the fact she deflected the question.

“I… I became aware. Like I’ve never been before.” Geiger said, confused.

“How so?” Vera said as she examined Geiger’s vitals.

Geiger thought carefully about what had just happened, he didn’t need to think very long before he realized what had happened. Now he had to think about what triggered it. It took him no time to figure it out. The terror he felt triggered a subconscious use of his discovery. This in turn increased his bodies natural heightening of senses in preparation for flight or fight. It was however, too great an increase. Exponentially was his ability to detect magic increased, even to the point were he could sense living things from far off. Then he thought about what Vera had said. Arcanian eyes.

“It, it was just a magic induced reaction. Brought on by fear. A coward’s fear and a magic no pony should’ve discovered.” Geiger responded, making a note to ask about what Vera had said at a later time.

“Magic boosted adrenaline rush… Got to be too much then eh? Least you know what it was. Sorry.” Vera said before taking a seat at the table.

“Sorry?” Geiger chimed, still feeling woozy.

“I scared you so bad. Guess I’m too used to tough guys who need the intimidation.” Vera spoke from her seat at the table, facing away from Geiger.

“It’s not your fault. After how I skimped out on my debt, I wouldn’t be too trusting either.” Geiger moaned from the bed.

Something was nagging him, well actually, several things were. But, something just now. Aside from her aura and ability to inspire true terror, something else about Vera was off. Not just her words and actions, but her eyes. Geiger could swear just now that they were green. But earlier they were blue.

“Don’t apologize. It was all my fault. Acting unnecessarily hostile. The way of my people is stuck to me. The hate and violence that consumes them too consumes me. It is hard to be as good as this place when such kindness is unknown back home. I was just being petty. Mad at you for my own disposition, one the residents of PonyVille find alarming.” Vera quietly said from her seat.

“I’ll help you find it. If it means your home can have peace, and you.” Geiger declared.

“Then we have an arrangement.” Vera said as she turned to face Geiger.

Her purple eyes shone with joy. Glad to have her hostile negotiating tactics put aside. How… Hey, wait a minute!

“Meanwhile!” Shouted the Narrator.


Captain Razor Wire surveyed the essentially infinate world before him. Geiger might have gone to PonyVille, then again, if he was even half as crafty as Scribe said.

"What maniac would dare attempt to flee justice, by going to the home of the elements of harmony!?" Razor spat as he shook his head.

"A scientist with no prior criminal history?" Thunder Clap said, her flat tone clear she wasn't trying to crack a joke, just state a fact.

"I'll go ahead and recon the area for him, hopefully Scribe will be back soon, not sure how long I got." A bandaged Wind Sock announced.

"Hold up, I'll go with you." Spyglass volunteered, quickly getting up and heading for PonyVille.

"Huh? You're coming? Why?" Sock said, awestruck.

"Anypony who could take that many hits from my magic blaster isn't normal." She flatly replied.

"Keep tabs on each other then, no loss of LOS for more than a minute, got it you two?" Razor ordered.

"Aye sir." Spyglass shouted back, continuing down the road.

"Uh, yes sir." Sock replied, confused by the normally lazy Spyglass' new found interest in operations, even if it was ulterior motive.

Spyglass indeed had ulterior motives, just not what the others were thinking. Set on it's lowest setting, her long range blaster, or rifle as it was called when she first got it, was merely to stun and deter unarmed foes who posed almost no threat. The fact it took quite a few hits before Geiger  was on the verge of collapse was expected of those stronger than they seemed. The fact he recovered from it, and so fast, suggest healing magic, also to be expected. It was the fact that he got out of Canterlot unnoticed. A fact she attested to underestimation, and possible help. Help from the real reason she wanted point, the Painter. She would turn her rifle... blaster on lethal and gun him down before he knew she was there. If he did know, better to spook him off than make a big mess. If he could even get spooked.

They had been traveling along the shortest road into PonyVille from Canterlot, which winded around the edge of the Everfree and fairly large steep hills and gigantic boulders. Caught between a fatal forest and the steep southern Canterlot mountains, instant death in the event of an ambush. Razor Wire didn't like it. His tactical reasoning clawed at him, warning him of the obvious danger. Something wasn't right, really, really not right.

"After the beating he took, there's no way he could've made it this far, not in such little time. Someone has to be helping him." Razor theorized aloud.

"Maybe he just teleported himself, like he did that guard who went missing." Frack said, his left shoulder looking incomplete without Bone Fracture standing next to it.

"Maybe. Until we can actually locate him again and confirm his condition, I have my doubts." Razor said as he observed Spyglass.

"A mare with more mystery than Luna" that could easily be said of Spyglass. She absolutely never spoke of herself, only with "I'm fine" responses when asked of her status. The only time he ever saw her smile was when she was nailing targets down ranges, actual targets, not ponies. She clearly adored her magic weapon, but not using it on ponies. Unlike the rest of the collectors, he actually spent time observing her and attempting to communicate. The many thousands of three word conversations they had proved one simple fact; Spyglass doesn't talk about stuff, so don't ask her anything. She however, could talk to you, mostly to make jokes or get necessary information. Otherwise, she never attempts conversation.

Except, for one pony. The rule of Spyglass' silence had one condition, one which proved the law not to be absolute. Scribe. She alone could freely talk to Spyglass. The intimacy the two seemed to share was oddly obvious. As to it being natural or from previous relationship, or both even, none could tell. Only that the two of them were close, yet acted distant when observed. Even with stealth spells and the maximum possible observing distance, Scribe could tell when she was being observed. Both Scribe and Spyglass had such unique capability, that Razor had to wonder if they were special forces of some kind, which would explain a lot about the two of them.

"You gunna stare at her plot all day sir?" Clap chimed in.

"Huh? Oh! Just thinking." Razor replied, ripped from his thoughts and presented with an awkward situation. "You know how Spyglass and Scribe give me a lot to think about."

"Sure, they are rather attractive aren't they? Bet you got loads on your mind." Clap said, her smirk at how easy Razor had made it.

"Not that! Always some joke with you isn't it?" Razor shouted, his sense of humor currently crippled.

Whilest Clap and Frack laughed their heads off, Razor waited patiently. He had to wait a couple of minutes.

"Seriously though, I don't feel I can quite trust either of them, not that they won't do their job, it's just..." Razor trailed off as he saught the words. Not just any, but the right and most sophisticated words he could muster.

"They have secrets, and that puts a strain on trust, I get it." Frack said, eyeing Sock in the distance. "Sometimes I wonder if they're some super guards trained deep below Canterlot in the crystal mines. Like some sort of graphic novel, as silly as it is. Wondering if they have a secret phrase to activate their training."

"So that's why you keep saying totally random things!" Clap said, having her "Aha!" moment.

"They shouldn't pose a threat to us, but we need to be a bit careful around them all the same. They clearly are up to something, and it's not hiding a marefriend relationship..." He cut his eyes to Clap. "Now, let's get to PonyVille and put an end to this." Razor finished with a determined look.


"Now back to!" Announced the Narrator.


"I don't care for heights." Geiger wimpered.

"We aren't just high, we're flying." Vera responded.

"Same thing!" Geiger retorted.

"No, it's not. Just open your eyes and try it. You don't have to like it, just try it, you might like it, might love it!" Vera replied with a smile and air of humor.

"If I pee myself, it's your fault." Geiger said while mustering the courage.

"It'll be on me, literally." Vera joked.

He opened his eyes and felt his jaw drop. High up above PonyVille, the town looked like a tiny cluster of pebbles with lines drawn throughout. The clouds around them gave way to Vera's powerful wings as they beat the air with more force than seemed graceful, yet, her movements were effortless. He could feel the raw strength of her muscular body, her massive wings and rock hard muscle combined for incredible lift. Once at cruising altitude, her large wings stretched out for a remarkablely smooth glide. Everything within the horizon became easily visable. The majesty of the moment left Geiger without questions, his mind silenced, up here, so very high, there was no searching.

"Alright Geiger, start searching, I'll make gliding sweeps over the Everfree, focus on detecting that magic." Vera shouted.

With a nod, Geiger relaxed himself, carefully channeling into the discovered magic, hopefully, being conscious of it, he could pull back before passing out. He felt the magic, in Vera's saddle bag was an artifact he couldn't recognize, he certainly wasn't an archeologist, so he didn't worry about it. Feeling to magic he searched for anything simular. Vera felt oddly simular to it, the cloak of darkness that shielded her full aura reacted to his detection, blocking him out. He turned his focus to the ground below, scanning. Past all the living things, he could detect a very subtle trace of magic. He decided to follow this magic along the paths where it continued getting stronger, all while trying to effectively relay the positions to Vera, who tightened her sweep into an orbit, each circle getting lower and closer.

"We're above the castle of the two sisters now, you think it's in there?" Vera asked.

"Not sure, take me around it some." Geiger replied.

Vera tightened her orbit and angled herself towards the castle, her glide losing power as they sunk further and further. Around the castle they flew and down into the moat they glided.

"There! Right down there in that cave. It's incredible! Very strong, almost an exact match to the artifact." Geiger announced, much to Vera's pleasure.

"Alright then, that's all I needed to know. You've done your part Geiger. Let's head back to PonyVille and get some supplies. You're about to vanish." Vera shouted with more glee than a filly during hearths warming.

With several hard flaps they regained enough altitude to glide over the tree tops of the Everfree, occasional flaps keeping them level. Geiger felt a surge of pure joy, he helped somepony, and made them glad. Not just anypony, but the enigmatic stranger who was going to help him. Judging by her unique abilities, he was in good hooves. If only scientific discovery had such joys. It was only rewarding to him and some other scientist, and only for a little while. Hearing how pleased Vera was, was a rush. It made him feel a little awkward. Certainly no need to read into the feeling. Being attracted to such a deadly pony like Vera was a bad idea. The idea was beyond his social ability or experience to comprehend. He needed social skills and experience severly, like last decade.

He enjoyed the ride, the wind whipping through his hair as he traveled the fastest he ever had. Even with the heights making his legs weak, he felt safe atop Vera. Her center of mass never shifting. Though she was very warm, he could feel sweat building up. Her body had a higher temperature than was normal for ponies, not that he rode on the backs of many ponies, but he had spent enough time crammed up against them in packed train cars. Her scent of sweet flowers reminded him of his grandmothers bathroom. A calm place where she would relax in a tub for hours. It was somewhat comforting, though a bit unusual, having a pony remind you of a bathroom.

At the very edge of the forest Vera gently flapped her wings twice to slow herself down and cushion the landing. Her hooves touching ground and her legs bending to absorb any remaining shock.  Geiger gratefully slid off her back, though not too grateful. The flight proved to be a pleasent experience. One he would miss surely. Renewed envy of pegasi filled his heart. But it would do nothing to hinder him.

"I admit, I loved it." Geiger announced.

Vera said nothing, only looked back on the forest. The look in her eyes was mind blowing. A sense of wonder, excitement. Those were the eyes of a pony bent on discovery. How many times had he looked at the world with those eyes? The very passion to learn what no other pony knew. He still regreted his discovery, didn't he? So, why then, why did he feel pride?

"What you've done for me, for my kin of the earth. I'll never forget it Geiger." Vera spoke, her gaze lost to the sea of trees.

"It really isn't a big deal-" Geiger began to say before a sharp look from Vera cut him off.

"You may not understand what it means, but it is a very big deal. The whole reason I'm here. You've helped me to do something very important. I won't forget it." Vera said, the look in her eyes as genuine as possible.

It made Geiger feel embarassed. No pony had ever been grateful to him before. Nor had he ever felt like he was helpful. He merely nodded.

"Now, let's gather some supplies. We've got a long journey ahead of us." Vera said, the smile on her face looking totally different. For it was a real smile, and in Geiger's honest scientific opinion, it was the best one he'd ever seen, fangs and all.

In a mere two hours, they were ready to go. Vera had on some massive camofluaged saddlebags, absolutely filled with stuff. While Geiger merely had a thin saddlebag with a few snacks and some papers in it. Vera insisted upon it. Saying it was everything he would need to start a new life. That is why he had to carry it directly with him.

He nervously climbed the saddlebags Vera had, and took his place tucked between her wings. Excited to be flying again, and ecstatic to be on his way. He would miss Equestria, just not enough to ever return. New places meant new things, and that meant discovery. For all the woe it caused him, he was still a scientist, as such, he was going to continue learning all he could.

"Leaving already Vera? You just got here! You should at least rest after your last trip. Just be safe then." Came the words of some pony down below.

Geiger couldn't spot them, but Vera could. She gave a wave and continued climbing. In mere seconds, they vanished through a cloud, leaving ponyville behind.


"And now!" The Narrator vocalized from whence his mouth hole.


Once inside PonyVille, Wind Sock and Spyglass began the task of asking locals and simple non-invasive searching for the wayward scientist. Though Spyglass had her eyes out for masses of gray. She almost jumped out of her skin when a gray mailmare flew past her. Something Wind Sock would've thought funny, had it not actually scared him. Anything Spyglass was afraid of, was sure to be something to watch out for. He could tell she was on edge, which besides being out of character, was unusual. Since she wasn't even paying attention to yellow, when it appeared. It as like she wasn't even interested in Geiger. But each fleck of gray had her attention, the only thing he could think of was the massive pony seen with Geiger back in Canterlot. He would have to talk with Razor about this, he knew more about Spyglass than any other collector, aside from Scribe it seemed.

She was on edge, nervous. It wasn't like her, then again, who she was looking for wasn't like anything in Equestria. Too dangerous to ignore, too dangerous to chase blindly. She wasn't as frail as she used to be, or so she wanted to be. The rifle with her might just even the odds, it had to. Without Scribe, she was vaunerable to sneak attacks. A fact she hated. Her keen eyes seemed usless when it came to the Painter. He was too devious and alarmingly quick.

The lack of helpful answers was getting annoying. Most ponies didn't know Geiger by name, though plenty saw a yellow unicorn in town. Some even talked about him running smack into Vera's flank. Whoever that was. Though none could offer his current where abouts. Some suggested talking to Vera, though none knew where to find her.

"Where is he!" Spyglass complained aloud.

"He can't be far. I know we'll find Geiger soon, he has no where to run." Sock said as he landed next to Spyglass.

"Right..." Spyglass replied, clearly uninterested.

"Ok, what's going on? You're jumpy and haven't even bothered to look for the doctor this whole time, something else is up." Sock said as he stood infront of her.

"I already told you." Spyglass answered as she tried to walk around him.

"Thats a load and you know it!" Sock shouted at her.

Before either of them could continue, they could hear a pony shouting something, the name Vera then some other things. They quickly turned looked over in that direction and ran to it. All they could see was a bit of gray and a patch of yellow as it vanished into the clouds.

"I knew it!" Spyglass announced, her teeth gritted.

"He's not getting away!" Sock said as he began to flap his wings, only to have them pinned to his side as Spyglass held him back.

"No you don't. It's not safe to go flying off alone. You don't know who he's with." Spyglass said as she strained to hold Sock back.

She knew though, that lump of gray was the right shade, the fact it was flying, that it was carrying Geiger off. Scribe couldn't deny it any longer. They were working together, knowingly or not, Geiger was now a threat, part of a bigger problem. The pain of Zebrawa stuck to Spyglass' memory. The cries of pain, the thick smoke from the burning crops, the ruined buildings rendered nothing more than splinters and pebbles. The lone gray figure standing amidst it all, unscathed, wearing his coat and sunglasses, a smile on his face. It gave her nightmares for months.

She was even now, on the verge of freaking out. Had she actually seen his face, she didn't know if she even could've kept it together. She would've unleashed her rifle on it with no regard for the ponies around her. She needed Scribe there. She couldn't do it alone.