Opening Theme:
As you continue to stare at the shocked Cadence, you suddenly get a strange look in your eye as you think
Weird, feel like 169 ponies are watching me and deciding how I'm gonna go about this situation.
Shaking off this weird feeling, you decide to take your eyes off Cadence and look around the room.
FireHeart 1945’s Comment
The room itself appears to be an office of some sort. There’s a desk, a dresser, filing cabinet, and a bulletin board full of pictures of ponies with hearts and question marks encircling them. Words written atop the board label it as, Shipping and Handling.
Huh, guess it’s no surprise the Princess of Love is a shipper…but how come I’m not up there with anypony? You wonder as you scan the room some more.
In the corner of the room is a large crossbow with heart-tipped arrows and a pink bayonet, which looks ready to be picked up and fired.
This makes you incredibly nervous, so you decide to take things nice and slow for the moment so she doesn’t use it on you.
Not wanting to make her any more anxious, you give one last glance around the room and…
BrownDog's Comment
You see no hide or tail of that bucking changeling, just the very confused Princess of Love with the tear stained mascara still giving you a questioning glance.
“Ma’am, is there anyone else in the room?!” you bark out.
“No, It’s just me…Flash, are you feeling OK?” she asks as she sees your shifty eyed movements looking to and fro.
“I-I’m fine…but what about you ma’am, you look like you’ve been crying?”
“Oh…I’m alright, I just…got carried away thinking about something…and stop calling me ma’am Flash, we’ve known each other for 3 years.” she says as she shuffles something in her hooves trying to hide it from you.
You give her an inquisitive stare. “Alright ma-Cadance…but are you sure you’re alright…sure there isn’t anything you’d like to say?”
“Um…*sniff* no…?” she guesses as she wipes the tear stains from her face.
You just continue to stare at her, and see her try to hide the object in her hooves more. From the sound of it, it’s a piece of paper.
“Flash seriously, I’m fine, I just…had some bad memories come up…and my hormones you know?...plus this shifting weather here in The Crystal Empire can’t be helping, heh heh…” she lamely excuses.
You feel like you should let this go, that maybe it is just Mare Hormones and the weather, lord knows you’ll never truly understand how any mare’s mind works…but still.
Bugze…I know I heard her say it…
Thinking about that name causes you to scowl which, since you’re facing her, causes it to be directed to the Princess.
“Flash?..” she questions apprehensively.
“Cadance…I heard you say the name Bugze…” at that her eyes widen a bit, but you press on, “And I know who that name belongs to…the question is, why were you saying it just now? Why are you crying because of it?”
Seemingly shocked, she tries to blather out an excuse.
“Flash…I-I don’t know what you’re…”
“Ma’am, don’t lie to me, I know what I heard…now I’ll ask again, Is He Here?”
She sighs and says, “No Flash, he’s not here, he’d have to be an absolute moron to come back here…” she says.
After all the encounters you’ve had with him, there is evidence to suggest said levels of moronity, but you let that go and ask.
“Then why were you crying just now ma’am? Have you spoken to him recently?”
“I…” she pauses, and again you see her trying to sneakily hide the slip of paper, but you don’t let her know that you know. “No…it’s nothing alright…?” she says dodging the question, so you press forth.
Pony Spartan’s Comment
"It’s not Nothing Cadence, I don’t know how or why, but it looks like you’ve been hurt by this... Bugze. A.K.A, The Hooded Offender!"
"B-but-"
"Look at you! Excuse me princess, but you look terrible! What did he do this time?"
"He didn't do anyt-"
"Bullspit! That changeling has only been causing trouble ever since he first appeared! That's all he does! Cause trouble, and make our lives harder!!!" you bark as your voice rises.
"FLASH!"
You are taken aback by the loudness of that shout and reel back as she gets in your face.
"Bugze didn't do anything, he's not here, and I HAVEN’T SEE HIM IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS!" She shouts breathing heavily in your face causing you to wince. You’re about to pull back when you hear her say under her breath "...I miss him..."
"What was that?" you question, tempting your luck.
She glares at you. "I. Miss. Him." She says with a serious voice.
Your eyes turn from fearful to incredulous.
“You miss him? Seriously? After everything he’s done?”
BrownDog’s Comment
She continues to glare at you before she suddenly sits back down, puts a hoof up to her chest and takes a deep breath before exhaling. She then looks back at you a little more calmly.
“Look Flash, I don’t care for this tone you’re taking with me right now. Yes I miss him, he IS my friend, even with what happened 3 months ago. Now leave me be, it’s none of your busi…”
“Ma’am! The Hooded Offender is Public Enemy Number One. Capta-PRINCE Shining Armor has decreed to capture him. He is absolutely my business,” You counter, causing her to falter.
“That may be so, but-.”
“I know you have some sort of past relationship that with this Changeling, but ma’am, if you’ve been in contact with him, you have to let us know! He is a fugitive and needs to be brought to justice before more ponies die!” you declare as your pent up emotions flow forth.
“I…I…*Sniff* *Sniff*” she falters as you see tears start to form in her eyes and her lips tremble. Seeing this, you immediately lose your tough guy persona as guilt eats away at you.
“Oh no, geez, Cadance no, don’t cry…” you say in a comforting tone, but her lip still quivers.
From out in the hallway, you hear a Crystal Maid suddenly scream, “AAAAHHH!!! What the buck?! Who are you?! Kill who now?!... What the buck is a waifu thief?...He made who cry?!...”
Your eyes widen as you realize the mysterious voices are back. You slam the door behind you and lock it, before begging Cadance.
“Cadance, please, for the love of your aunts, please stop crying, I’m sorry! I was being a jerk and I let my anger get a hold of me, please stop crying?!” you beg while on your knees.
She sniffles and wipes her eyes and nose once more, while looking away from you.
“It’s alright Flash…I-I understand…*sniff*”
Out in the hallway, you hear the maid say,
“Th-they gone? Oh thank goodness…” she sighs which causes you to give a sigh of relief as well.
Cadence looks back to you and continues.
“Flash, I can understand your suspicions and your anger…all the problems he’s caused for you…for all of us…”
“Problems is an understatement,” you quip and she nods.
“But Flash, you have to understand…I owe him Everything. He saved my life in my darkest moment…When I was all alone in the world, he was there for me…I know he’s caused mayhem…but he still is a good soul, I know it…and I miss him so…” she says sadly.
Oh…so he saved your life during the Invasion, you think as you look at the miserable looking Princess. I guess I can understand where you’re coming from Cadance…but it still doesn’t excuse everything else he’s done…
“So that’s why I’ve been crying Flash, because I do honestly miss him, even with all the world against him, I still miss that brave Changeling who saved my life,” she declares looking you straight in the eye.
You nod at this, it’s as good an excuse as any…but that paper…
“Alright…sorry for prying Cadence, I guess I’ve been a bit jumpy lately… But are you absolutely sure you haven’t seen or heard from him?”
You see the telltale sign of a lie in her eye as she mumbles,
“I…of course not…I just told you that…”
“Uh-huh, well if that’s the case then-OH SWEET CELESTIA HE’S HERE!” you yell pointing behind her.
“WHAT?!” she shouts as she turn to look. As she does, you see the paper, which you can tell is a letter now, hanging from her hooves. You quickly dart forward and snatch it.
“Hey!” she yells as she feels your tug and holds on. This causes you to rip only the very bottom of the letter into your hooves. You quickly look at it and your jaw drops at what it says.
I miss you Cadance, and I truly am sorry.
Love,
Bugze
Cadance looks from the torn bottom of her letter to the piece you’re holding and seizes up.
“Now Flash, take it easy. Let’s not jump to any conclu-“.
“OH SWEET CELESTIA, PRINCESS CADANCE IS HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH THE HOODED OFFENDER!!!” you yell as you jump to all the wrong conclusions and fly out the door before she can stop you.
“WHAT?! NO! Flash come back!” you hear her call, but you ignore her and fly to Shining Armor’s office before she can even think of grabbing that crossbow. He has to know!
Meanwhile with Cadence.
“OH you stupid…Crud Crud Crud!” she squeaks as she tears off the top half of Bugze’s letter and burns it, while keeping the Crimson Knight names in tact before she runs out the door.
“Oh crud, where did Shining say he was going to be today?” she panics and runs off in a random direction.
BACK WITH YOU
You’ve flown so fast Rainbow Dash would probably be jealous, and taken every shortcut you can think of. You now stand in front of Shining Armor’s office and you have minutes at best to tell him what you’ve discovered before a heart shaped arrow finds your back.
You quickly and loudly knock on the door.
Kichi’s Comment
"It’s unlocked Sentry, come on in" he says from the other side.
You open the door a little confused as you look around the office and see Armor waiting there for you.
"How did you know it was me, sir?" you ask.
"Because when you knocked, strange voices in my head began to whisper things like 'waifu stealer' 'protect your sister' ‘drown him in wet cement’, and other strange things like that,” he says as he rubs his temple and your eyes widen. “That kind of thing only happens with you around, ergo it must’ve been you on the other side of the door.”
“Yeah…I’m really sorry about that sir, I don’t have any control over them,” you say nervously.
“You should really look into getting that fixed,” he tells you plainly.
"I tried sir. I went to several exorcists, and last I heard they’re all still in the insane asylum. Then I went to that Zebra Shaman Zecora, but even she couldn’t do anything. All she could do was figure out that the voices’ wrath is towards someone very similar to me, but that it’s been mistakenly bonded to me. My next plan is to locate the Demon Hunting WhinnyChester Brothers, but they are always travelling and…”
"Okay, Okay, you got it covered, I get it,” Shining stops you. “Let’s move on, why are you here and not at your therapy session?”
Your eyes pop as you realize you’ve wasted precious time complaining about the voices instead of dishing the dirt. You quickly lock the door behind you and turn to your superior officer.
"Sir, we have a problem!”
"Easy, what happened?" your boss asks.
"It’s the Offender sir,” you begin and see his eyes harden in response, “Princess Cadence has been in contact with him, and if this bottom half of this letter is any indication, there’s betrayal afoot,” you declare as you hand him the parchment.
He glares at it for a second before looking up at you.
“Alright Flash, tell me what happened,” he says.
“Well sir, I was walking down the hall towards my...*Sigh* mandatory therapy, when I heard her crying in a room…”
BrownDog’s Comment
You then recap the situation and conversation with Princess Cadence as fast as you can.
“…And then I flew here as fast as I could. She’s no doubt hunting me down right now with that Crossbow of hers.”
Shining’s face has been pretty unreadable during the recap, but now he gives you an incredulous look.
“Flash…really? You honestly think my wife, whom I’ve loved and been with since High School, is cheating on me? With the Hooded Offender?”
“I know it’s hard to imagine sir, I would never have thought such a thing either. I thought she was my friend…”
“She is your friend Flash! You’re just jumping to-“
“But I think the evidence speaks for itself. If anything, she’s been subverting us in the investigation by staying in contact with him.”
He physically sighs
“Flash…I’m happy you brought this to me…but I don’t like the insinuation that my wife is cheating on me with that…thing…” he growls.
“But sir,”
“Flash, my wife and…him, it’s true that he saved her. She never lets me forget. It was during the wedding when she was still imprisoned and he fed her. He got punished for his actions, and Cadence has felt like she’s owed him greatly ever since,” he explains before steeling his eyes at you. “But that’s ALL it is. She feels indebted to him. That’s it! No double dealing behind my back or anything else sinister” he says exasperated.
“Are you sure sir?” you ask trying not to shrink under his gaze.
“I’m pretty positive.” he says confidently
“But sir, aren’t you the least bit suspicious that she may be feeling the Nightingale effect towards him? While you were spending weeks being seduced by Queen Chrysalis which was then shown to Cadance in her prison, this Changeling saved her life and gave her the will to live, thus giving her a new outlet to express her feelings. It would explain why she has stayed in contact with him after all these years, why she always speaks against his incarceration, why she lied about talking to him and why I found her crying over a note that ends with Love, Bugze.” You exposit rapid firedly.
You see Shining’s eyes shrink as your explanation sinks into him.
“Did you ever think of that sir?”
“Well NOW I am!” he growls at you to which you back up a bit. Thankfully this awkward situation is interrupted as Cadence begins to bang on the locked door.
“SHINING! WAIT! Don’t listen to what he says! It’s not what you think!” Cadance yells.
You see your Boss look to the door then back to you.
“Sentry, open the door, let my wife in, then wait on the other side till I call you back. That’s an order,” he growls.
You nod nervously, salute, then quickly unlock and open the door, causing Cadence to burst through.
“It isn’t how it looks or sounds Shiny I swear!” she pleads, before glaring at your exiting form.
“Where do you think you’re going mister? You get right back in here and…”
“Ignore him Cady, you and I need to talk privately,” Shining says sternly. Taking this as your cue, you shut the door and stand at attention, as you do, you can’t help but hear their raised voices.
“Cadance, you mind telling me the meaning behind this?”
“Shining, it isn’t what it looks like I swear. Whatever Flash told you is wrong, I would never do that to you!”
“Oh I never believed that part…much…I know how melodramatic and jumpy Flash has been lately,”
Hey! I’m not melodramatic!
“*Sigh* Thank you Shiny, I couldn’t bear the thought of you thinking that I would…”
“That said, I do still feel betrayed Cadence. How long have you still been writing to him!”
“Shiny, I…”
“No, no excuses, how long have you still been in contact with him?!”
“I haven’t been Shining, that’s what I’m trying to tell you,” she pleads.
“Then what in the name of Tartarus is this? I group hallucination?”
“No you Oaf! HE wrote to ME!” you hear her growl.
“Oh really, and how’d he do that?”
“There’s such thing as the postal service remember?!”
“Oh…right…then where’s the rest of the letter?”
“I burned it!”
“Why?”
“Because it was written for my eyes only! I don’t care how much you hate him, he’s still my friend. And no, he didn’t tell me where he was so don’t even ask.”
“But Cad-.”
“Shining! The letter was an apology letter for the Incident. He just wanted to tell me sorry. I know it doesn’t mean anything for the Empire or the law, but it means something to me!” she declares before he hear her start crying again.
“Oh Cady…” you hear Shining say and get up from his chair.
You mentally chide yourself.
Well way to go Flash, you just made a blunder over an apology letter. Good going!
“But how was I supposed to know?” you moan aloud.
You then hear the conversation start again.
“Cadance, I’m sorry…”
“*Sniff* I know…I am too Shining. I can’t help it. I do miss him, even after all he’s done…”
“I know baby, I know. And I can’t stay mad at you, I love you too dang much.”
“Heh…you sweet talker. Ditto,” you hear her say before you hear the sound of a kiss…followed by another kiss, and another.
“Cady…”
“Shiny…” you hear them breathlessly say as you hear items being pushed off his desk and more smooching.
“Ummm…” you say aloud as you hear this commotion with a blush on your face.
“SENTRY!!! Make a circuit around the palace and be back here in 20 minutes!”
“Sir yes sir!” you yell as you quickly gallop away from that awkward situation.
20 MINUTES LATER
You arrive back at the office door and, hearing no sounds of…stuff, you knock.
“Enter,” comes your boss’s voice.
You do so and see both Shining and Cadence sitting close together as if nothing has happened.
“Is everything alright sir?” you ask apprehensively.
“It is indeed Lieutenant, nothing to worry about here,” he says while giving his wife a squeeze to which she giggles.
“But on the other hoof, I believe that you owe someone an apology, so get to it…” he commands.
You nod then look to the Princess of Love.
“Ma-Cadance. I’m sorry for being invasive of your privacy, for jumping to conclusions, and for making a general ass out of myself…” you say as you bow your head.
You hear her chuckle and say, “It’s alright Flash, I forgive you. But let’s not make a habit of doing this shall we? I enjoy our friendship and don’t want to see it burn for silly reasons.”
“Yes Ma’am, happy to forget this whole situation!” you salute very fast and hit yourself in the forehead and they both grin.
“Maybe you should lay off the pills a bit there Flash,” she teases.
“NO!!! I need them!” you yell out loud in anger causing them to look at you in confusion.
“Ahem, sorry, I meant, no thank you…I don’t have an anger problem…”
“Good, now that that’s out of the way, we can focus on a bit of good news,” Shining says as he sits up in his chair straighter.
“Good news sir?”
“Yes, it appears that this whole…letter situation did yield some promising new information,” he says as he places a piece of parchment in front of you. You pick it up and see it is a list of names.
“What is this sir?”
“This is a list of names that are supposedly Crimson Knight Leaders,” Cadence answers.
Your eyes widen as you look back over the note. Small fry Knights had been captured here and there, but the leaders were always unknown.
“Really? How do we know it’s legit?” you ask surprised.
“Because there is one name on there that has been apprehended already,” he says as he places a newspaper paper in front of you.
Kichi’s Comment
Crimson Knight Leader Apprehended In Bastion Amidst Fazbear Inferno.
Last night, a Crimson Knight leader (Known only as Kichi), was captured along with 11 of his subordinates at the burning family restaurant, Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. This franchise, which had been investigated last year due to multiple disappearances, was found to actually have been a cover for a criminal organization known as the Video Game Mafia. Kichi, The leader of this mafia just so happens to also be a high ranking member of the Crimson Knights. On top of those crimes, Kichi was also found to have kidnapped children and forced them to work for him and feed him love. Confused by that last crime? Wait till you hear his race. Kichi, the leader of a group of terrorists and mobsters, is a Changeling! And not only that, one of his subordinates was as well.
“We couldn’t believe it, we had gone out to help the fire brigade with a blazing restaurant, instead we ended up hauling away a wagon load of kids and 12 Crimson Knights, two of whom were B@#$%ing Changelings,” reported one of the officers on the scene.
That’s right folks, not only are these Knights the fanatical worshipers of The Hooded Offender, they also employ the help of Changelings. Celestia help their twisted souls.
Though in the custody of the Royal Guard, the criminals themselves were actually captured by an untold number of Bounty Hunters who engaged them in battle, which in turn caused the building to catch fire.
When asked about the bounty hunters, the police refused to give names, but one of them did give us this little tidbit.
“The red masked one, he told me to quote him on this, he said that he would be bringing more of the Crimson Knights down.”
It is not known where these Bounty Hunters have since gone to, but word from the Prison Guards provide insight on this Changeling Terrorist’s feelings.
“We have yet to get any prevalent information out of that bug. During our earliest interrogations, all he ranted about was that he was putting a bounty on the Bounty Hunters that burned down his establishment and that they were the bad guys. What we didn’t tell the little cockroach was that all of his assets have been frozen and seized for evidence of his illegal deeds, so he literally has nothing to offer,” the Guard then proceeded to laugh.
No other information was given, but with his capture, the Royal Guards and civilians of Equestria themselves have shown these terrorists that we will not live in fear of their shadowy ways.
You look at the date of the article then look up slackjawed.
“This…happened yesterday morning?”
“Yes, and I’m actually kind of upset the media caught wind of it before I did.”
“So the list is legit?”
“Maybe. Cadence has told me of The Offender’s hatred for the Knights, so there’s reason to think he’d find their names. The only problem is the report of Bounty Hunters taking down this crew. It makes me think he has leaked out these names to their lot as well.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” you ask, confused by his troubled look.
“No, bounty hunters are only in it for the money, and don’t care about collateral damage. These ones allegedly burned the place down unnecessarily. It’s what their kind do,” he explains.
“Huh…you’d think the Offender Himself would take these guys down if he hated them so much.”
“Yeah, instead he’s having others do his dirty work, which just shows what a coward he is,” Shining says as Cadence gives him a reproachful look. “He probably put himself back into exile again after what happened three months ago…” Shining Armor muses as he rubs his stomach wound.
Cadence puts a leg around his shoulder and Shining sighs again before saying,
Kersey's Comment
"I just hope that with the development of the new Exoskeleton program he'll be easier to capture when he comes out of hiding."
Cadence glares at the mention of the program as she says,
"You know that I still don't approve of hunting him down with metal monstrosities Shining."
Shining sighs before saying,
"I know honey, but you have to remember that it was put to vote and you were outvoted two to one."
Cadence glare just deepens as she mumbles under her breath, (Which you don’t hear since you’re respecting her privacy at the moment)
"If only Luna had decided to side with me instead of abstaining to keep her cover to look for Bugze."
"What was that honey?"
Cadence's eyes widen before she puts up a smile and says,
"Oh nothing honey, just thinking out loud."
Shining get's a suspicious look before asking,
"About what exactly?"
Cadence looks around before saying,
"About...how annoying Blueblood's been lately in HIS rants on Bugze."
You can see your commanding officers face contort into annoyance as he says,
"Please don't mention that idiot's idea for the program. It's annoying enough that I have to hear about it from him at the meetings."
You gain a confused look as you ask,
"If I may ask sir, what is Prince Noball-I mean Blueblood’s idea is for the program?"
You hear Cadence hold back a laugh as Shining looks at you with a raised brow as he asks,
"Prince Noballs?"
Cadence once again holds back a laugh as you chuckle nervously and explain,
"Oh well...you know how no one on the guard likes the jerk for his treatment of us and how he thinks we're nothing but over paid bodyguards? Well after the whole incident at the Gala happened we started calling him "Noballs" because he basically has none anymore. One of the few good things that Offender has done."
By now Cadence is about to explode in laughter as Shining just sighs and says,
"While I understand how the guards feel about him, he's still royalty. For that we have to treat him as such...," Shining get's a sly smirk as he continues, "Of course that doesn't mean I won't turn a blind eye if you do treat him like trash."
Cadence finally can't take it as she begins to laugh uncontrollably and you are tempted to join in, but you hold back as you say,
"Thank you sir, but about what he's been asking about...?"
Shining sighs before saying,
"Oh yeah, that. Apparently his royal highness has chosen the “perfect guard” to be one of the potential candidates for the program. One who has past experience with The Offender. I suspect that this guard might be under Blueblood’s payroll, but I have no proof to show it."
You nod your head at this as you ask,
"What's this guard’s name sir?"'
"I don't remember exactly, but it was some unicorn named "Song Lead" or something like that."
The name seems to ring some bells, but all you can remember is a really annoying voice yelling at you to get back to the front lines, so you choose to just ignore it.
Shining sighs again before looking over to Cadence and saying,
"Honey, why don't you go and relax? Me and Flash have to discuss more about these Knights."
Cadence gets a confused look before nodding her head and leaving. You look at Shining confused, to which he says,
"What I’m about to tell you is confidential, and only for the likes of military minds, plus Cadence doesn’t like this kind of talk.”
You only get more confused as Shining stands up and says,
“Flash, when the program is finally finished, I want you to be one of the candidates.”
You look up at him awed and flattered that he would even suggest that.
“R-really sir?”
“Yes Flash, really. It may be a year out, but I don’t need to think about who I want in it. I know where your loyalties lie when it comes to The Offender. Heck, even if it was careless, the fact that you would rat out a Princess over him shows where you stand.”
You nod at this truth.
“Also, aside from my Sister and the other Elements of Harmony, you are the one who has encountered him the most. You have more experience in his mannerisms and insanity. Also with you on the team, you could keep Blueblood’s candidate in line. You are literally the best choice in this regard.”
“Thank you sir, I’m honored and…”
“But unfortunately, your recent headlines will impede that,” he says as he scowls, causing you to flatten your ears.
“Sir?”
“Flash, I know we all have our prejudices, but you can’t go saying things like you’ve done in the past. It’s a PR nightmare.”
“Prince Armor I…”
“And you just now that Blueblood will try to bring it back around and use it to keep you out of the program,” Shining sighs.
You look downcast at the floor.
“I’m sorry sir…Really, I’m not a Speciest. I don’t know what’s wrong with me…It’s like I can’t help it...like someting's making me say those things...” you say as you rub your temple as a headache forms.
“Well whether you can help it or not, it’s in the public eye. That’s why I’ve had you go to these Therapy sessions. Good PR. But if you really want to help your image and help you get into the program, then I might have something for you.”
“Yes sir, anything, what is it?” you say as you stand at attention.
He opens a drawer and takes out a poster and places it on the desk.
It says,
The Power of the Knight’s
Coming Next Year
With a drawing of the Hooded Offender.
“This is a movie that is currently being filmed, and from what I’ve heard, it’s setting itself up to be a blockbuster.
“Somepony’s making a movie about him?”
“Apparently so, which tells me 1 of 2 things. Either this is just a shock value movie made by some Applewood jerk trying to make a quick buck…”
“Or…?”
“It’s propaganda…” he says with a serious look.
Your eyes widen. “Do you think that this is being made by the Knights themselves?”
“It’s a possibility, that’s why I’m sending you to investigate undercover. Get to the movie studios and take note of the situation. Report to me if you find anything suspicious. Heck, listen for the names on this list,” he says holding up the Leader name paper. “If you do this, and perhaps a few more deep cover missions, then you could insult Celestia to her face and still get into my program.”
You chuckle nervously at that scenario as you memorize the names.
“Well, hopefully it will just be the Applewood guys trying to make a buck,” you say.
“That situation is just as bad,” Armor responds.
“It is?”
He gives you a look and says, “What if the Crimson Knights don’t like the idea of them and the Hooded Offender being portrayed on screen? Who knows how they’ll respond…”
You gulp at this thinking back to Fillydelphia.
“So what say you Flash? Will you still do this and prove your worth?”
The Pony Spartan's Comment
You grow a determined look as you salute him and say, “Sir yes sir! I will do whatever I can to help out with this plan sir. If it helps take down those monsters, I’m in. It's what my good friend would have done."
"That’s what I like to hear. And who's this good friend of yours?"
A tear falls down your face as you remember your bro and his poor little daughter. "B.S.T..."
Shining notices your saddened look as he gains a grim look before saying,
"Ah...my condolences. I'm sure he's in a better place now."
You nod your head at this, before taking out the pills that Dr. Q gave you after the forest fire and popping some.
Keep taking them till all the pain goes away, need them, Need them... you think as you swallow the pills.
As you do Shining looks at the clock before looking to you and saying,
“Anyway, you’ve already missed your therapy session. I expect you on the first train out to Applewood. Good luck to you…and try and keep your…outbursts to yourself alright?
You nod at this.
“Alright then, dismissed.”
You salute Shining quickly before turning around and beginning to rush out the door, but as you do you hear Shining mumble under his breath
Grey Rebl's Comment
"Heh, isn’t it ironic how the alleged 'waifu stealer' was concerned about my wife being stolen..."
Your eyes widen at this as you ask in surprise,
"...Sir, what—?"
Suddenly, internal screams ring out in Shining’s Head.
"Nothing! You heard nothing!" Shining cries out suddenly, eyes bulging. He hurries you out himself, much to your confusion, before he slams the door. From the other side, you hear him lean against the door muttering, “Buck off Voices…”
You stare at the door in confusion before you say,
"Dear Celestia I hope those Whinnychester brothers can help me…If I ever find them, *Sigh* Whelp, better pack my stuff.
With that said you did what...you said....yeah.
Later, While Walking To The Train Station
You breathe in deeply as you practice those breathing exercises your therapist taught you. You DON’T have an anger problem, you know this, stupid quacks! But the exercise are good for calming nerves.
You’ve got your guitar case, your sunglasses, and other supplies in your suitcase and are passing an ally way when…
Protomane's Comment
You are suddenly pulled into it by a magical force, causing you to yelp.
"Gotcha!" comes a mare’s voice as you get pushed up into a wall and you feel a hoof pressed against your neck. You gasp out in pain from the surprise, and see that whoever this mare is, she is shrouded in a cloak.
"Foolish guard to walk around without a partner, don’t you know there are crazy ponies all around you?”
“What do you want with me cultist?!” you snarl.
The figure seems taken aback. “Cultist? I’m not a cultist, I’m an entertainer…or I was…”
“OK…then why are you ambushing me?”
“The voices! They whispered about you. Something about stealing Sparkle and to hurt you! Stupid mare, it was all her fault! She turned him on me!” the cloaked mare rants.
“Oh for the love of- Lady you just have to ignore those voices and they’ll go away. They’re insufferable jerks!”
“Right…yes, you’re not the one I seek,” she says as she cuts off her blue magic, causing you to drop to the floor, where you rub your throat. The mare then looks over you and asks.
“Now, would you mind pointing me to the nearest Antique or Trinket Shop? I’m looking for something,” she says not even apologizing.
“I do mind, and I don’t know, have you tried downtown?”
“Bah, what use are you?” she huffs and walks away, “Go ahead and steal Sparkler, she’ll be weaker with you around.”
As the mare rounds the corner you get up and watched the cloaked figure walk away.
“Stupid voices, what have I ever done to you?” you whimper as you pick up your guitar case and head to the train station.
The ticket mare asks you your destination, and with a determined look, you tell her,
"I'm heading off to see a friend in Apple-
POV CHANGE: BUGZE
"wood! At last we've made it!” you say as you an Aqua finally get off of the train after 2 days.
You look around at all the sunshine and the distant beaches and ponies in summer clothes.
“You think we’ll have time to go to Whinny Land after we’re done?” Aqua snarks and you turn and try to shush her, but from your bags pops Nightshade with her new “pet”
“Did somepony say WhinnyLand?” she says excitedly.
“Uh…no honey, we said…Kidney…Fan…”
“Okay…ew…” she says as she looks around.
“Yeesh it’s warm here, I’m going back in the shade, good luck with your…Kidneys…” she says before popping back in.
Sighing as you dodged a bullet you whisper to Aqua,
“To answer your question…maybe.”
She nods at this and you turn your attention to the Applewood movie studio district.
“Somewhere amongst those hundreds of movie studios is our next target along with any other Knights with him. Now we just got to figure out where they are and what movie they’re working on.”
Your fearsome teeth appear as you steel your eyes and say in a menacing tone,
"Solarkness, here I come!"
And somewhere on a movie set, a cloaked Timberwolf and Cloaked Wyvern suddenly shiver.
What Do You Do?
Outro:
