The Blank Flank Adventurer

by Sapare

Point of No Return

Point of No Return

Dream Feather turned to face Spike and frowned, "Dare I ask what just happened?"

Spike was deep in his thoughts and continued to stare at the door. His concern for Twilight and her friends was quite apparent.

After a short while he turned toward the brown pegasus and spoke quietly, “I'm sorry about all this. This is not how Twilight usually acts, but with everything that's happened lately she's been really stressed.“

Dream Feather couldn't help but flinch when he heard the bitter sorrow in Spike's voice. He could not figure out why Rainbow Dash's disappearance was having such an extreme impact. Obviously a missing pony was a big deal, especially a pony as important as Rainbow Dash apparently was. And such a disappearance would definitely affect those closest to her, but their reactions seemed disproportionate. They were treating this like it was an abduction or a murder instead a disappearance.

“If you don't mind me asking so bluntly, how exactly did Rainbow Dash disappear?“

Spike was fairly certain that Twilight wouldn't want him to share any details with this strange pony. But Twilight wasn't exactly in her clearest state of mind at the moment. And this Dream Feather didn't seem even the slightest bit dangerous.

“Well it was more than her just disappearing. It was closer to a foalnapping or something. Let me explain.“

Dream Feather nodded, eager to finally get the information he sought.

“It happened during her daily flight practice. She was giving some pointers to a younger pegasus when she was struck by a lightining bolt out of nowhere! There wasn't a cloud in the sky. Anyway, the filly she was helping rushed to the library and told Twilight that Rainbow Dash fell into the Everfree Forest.“

“The Everfree Forest? As in the same forest that is filled with dangerous monsters?“ asked Dream Feather. He shuddered and was suddenly very glad that it was not his job to find Rainbow Dash.

“Yes. That's why Twilight and the others went to find Rainbow as soon as they found out. They found where she crashed down, but there was no sign of her. Of course they searched for her for as long as they could, but the Everfree is not the kind of place you want to wander around at night.“

Now everypony's attitude made much more sense to Dream Feather. Their friend had been attacked by something or somepony. No wonder Twilight Sparkle had seemed so frantic and stressed.

“Well, I'm sure Rainbow Dash is fine. She's one of the strongest ponies I know.“ Spike said, obviously feigning confidence in an attempt to reassure himself.

Dream Feather gave his comforting smile once again, but this time it wasn't for his own benefit, “I am sure your faith in her is well placed. But, what is it exactly that has given you such confidence in her safety?“

“Rainbow Dash isn't gonna let anypony push her around. She'll never stop fighting or give up. And she's one of the Elements of Harmony!“

“Why would she be safer if she was an Element of H---“
Dream Feather's jaw suddenly dropped as his mind puzzled together what the dragon said.
“The Elements of Harmony? As in, the Elements of Harmony from the stories?“

“Well, yeah. Have you been living under a rock for the past two years? The Elements have saved Equestria from a bunch of awful stuff. Don't you remember when Discord came back? Everything was going crazy! How did you miss all of that?“

Dream Feather was stupefied. He knew that he didn't get out much, but he never thought he was this out of touch with current events. “So... Princess Celestia has been using the Elements of Harmony to keep us safe from an assortment of terrible threats? But... what does that have to do with Rainbow Dash? Why is she called the Element of Loyalty?"

“Wow, you really have been living under a rock. Well, you at least know that Nightmare Moon came back two years ago right?“ Spike said, wondering if anypony could really be so out of the loop.

“I heard something about that...“

“It's a long story, but all you really need to know is that Twilight and her friends wielded the Elements and turned Nightmare Moon back into Princess Luna. Now some ponies refer to them by the Elements they represent.“

Even though it all seemed very simple to Spike, Dream Feather was obviously having problems processing the deluge of information.

“What do you mean 'the Elements they represent?'“

Spike sighed, obviously tired of explaining the same thing over again, “During the fight, Nightmare Moon broke the stones which contained the Elements of Harmony. But this didn't destroy the Elements themselves. Twilight said that the Elements can't actually be destroyed since they exist inside ponies, or something like that. Anyway, the pony that best exem- uh exempli... exempalfed?“

“Exemplified?“ Dream Feather suggested.

“Yeah that's it! The pony that best exemplified each Element became that Element's wielder. So Rainbow Dash, the most loyal of ponies, became the bearer of the Element of Loyalty.“ Spike's excitement at finding the correct word faded. His own mention of Rainbow Dash had brought back his concerns. “And that's why her disappearance is such a big deal. The Elements are very important to all of Equestria. If any of them are missing, the rest won't work right.“

Dream Feather figured out what Spike was hinting at and couldn't stop himself from voicing his realization, “So whoever abducted Rainbow Dash probably intends to sabotage the Elements of Harmony...“ Dream Feather felt his throat tighten as his mind came to an uncomfortable conclusion. “Which means that they would want at least one of the ponies essential to their use dead.“

He immediately regretted speaking his thoughts aloud, as he remembered Spike's earlier display of false confidence.

However, Spike did not react at all as Dream Feather had feared he might. Spike looked rather hopeful, almost as if Dream Feather had just stated a positive fact.

“Maybe not...“

Dream Feather's confusion was apparent.

“If the Elements can't be destroyed, then killing their current wielders would just allow somepony else to use them. The new bearer could be anywhere. If whoever is behind this wants the Elements to be unusable, then they will have to keep Rainbow Dash seperate from the others. Without killing her.“

Spike seemed certain about this and Dream Feather was not about to argue with him. Even if he was worried about the next phase in this villain's plan. He doubted anypony would go through this much trouble to capture one of the Elements and then have no idea what to do next.

It was then that his mind suddenly recalled the earlier conversation he had, the one which sparked his curiosity about Rainbow Dash in the first place.

Almost like that strange pony wanted me to come here and find out more about Rainbow Dash... But why? Have they been listening to us this whole time? But what would they gain doing so? If they are the one behind the disappearance then I doubt that any of this information is new to them.

He was pulled from his thoughts when he spied a glimpse of something moving up the stairs. He started forward, his gaze focused on the staircase.

Spike was very confused by his sudden movements. Dream Feather was walking right past him, heading for the stairs that led to Twilight's room. Dream Feather's abrupt actions and single minded focus worried Spike, but he did his best to keep calm and find out what was happening, “Dream Feather, are you alright? You can't just walk off like that, I'm supposed to be watching over you afterall. Twilight wasn't her normal self earlier, but that doesn't mean that I can let you go wherever you want.“

But Dream Feather seemed very focused on whatever had grabbed his attention. He only stopped once he had reached the stairs themselves. He turned towards Spike and shook his head a bit, as if trying to wake himself up.

“I am sorry to have worried you, but I thought I saw something here on the staircase. Is there somepony else here? Or does Twilight keep a pet perhaps? I could swear that I saw something moving.“ The pegasus spoke speculatively, as he glanced up the stairs again before deciding it was probably not his place to be starting a commotion like this. He had expected Spike to respond to him by now. When he turned back towards the entrance hall he found himself rather confused by the lack of a certain young dragon.

“Spike?“

Suddenly Dream Feather felt a sharp pain ripping through his body. Followed by a more familiar pain as his head hit the floor. His vision darkened as the room around him seemed to shift, growing more distant as his conciousness faded.

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All he knew was darkness. A void deprived of sound and light.
Then his mind was pulled back into the waking world by a sharp pain. Dream Feather felt terrible, like he had been trampled by a stampede of cows. His thoughts were clouded with exhaustion and pain.

“-do to Spike? Talk or I'll take your wings off!“

He heard shouting, but he was still too out of it to make any sense of the words. Somepony was obviously very upset.

“Calm down sugarcube! He isn't understandin' a word of what you're saying. Let him get his bearings straight before you go interrogatin' him.“ He heard another voice as he slowly came to his senses. He was awake enough now to feel the full force of the pain his body was in. A loud yelp tore out of his throat. The pain was far beyond any amount he was used to experiencing.

Finally thinking somewhat clearly, he began to register his surroundings. He was still in the library, but now he was encircled by five ponies. They were all staring at him and Dream Feather was growing more nervous with each passing second. Before he could speak he found himself pressed against the floor of the library by magical force. The same magic lifted his head, forcing him to look directly at Twilight Sparkle.

“He's aware enough! I want you to tell me precisely what happened to Spike while I was away!“ Her voice was raised in anger, sounding even louder in the silence of the library. The magical force holding him in place squeezed tightly, as if she was trying to wring the answers from his body.

The oppressive grasp only succeeded in prying a pained whine from Dream Feather. He decided it would be in his best interests to speak, but his mind felt empty. He searched his memory and found a sudden cascade of images flooding his senses. He spoke aloud as he pieced together his recollection. He was so desperate to answer the livid unicorn that he didn't even consider reviewing these newly recalled moments before announcing them to the assembly, “I... I do not remember completely. There was something in here, in the library. On the stairs. Then... I attacked Spike?“

Twilight growled angrily and the magical bonds tightened further. The ensnared pegasus felt like he was being crushed to death in her telekinetic grip.

Suddenly the pressure was gone. A white unicorn was standing before him, an incredulous look on her face. He could see a bright pink earth pony holding onto Twilight. Whether the strange hug was meant to calm Twilight down or simply break her concentration he could not say, but he was grateful none the less.

“You do not seem to have a good understanding of the situation you're in. Why would you admit to attacking Spike? Maybe you should take some time to think before you speak. Your careless choice of words is only making you look worse.“ The white coated mare seemed to believe that he was slow, but at least she was being reasonable.

Dream Feather was so confused by his own memories that he couldn't even begin to defend himself or his actions, if indeed he had taken any such actions. Perhaps he could make them understand how little he understood if he took this unicorn's advice and chose his words more carefully.

“I don't know why... I mean, I did not attack him! Or at least I don't have any reason to have done such a thing. But my memories... Well, I can remember attacking him, but it's all wrong. There was this shadowy figure... Please believe me when I say that I did not attack Spike of my own will!“ Dream Feather's attempts at a clear explanation fell apart. His mind was besieged with grisly scenes of terrible violence. Crimes he would never commit, and yet his own memory seemed to claim otherwise. He could hardly think with such horrifying memories crowding his mind.

“I believe that he is, or at least was, working for this 'shadowy figure'! He claims that he didn't attack Spike of his own will, but it sounds like he's just making excuses. Maybe his partner left him to take the blame once he had Spike?" Twilight's accusations would have bothered him a lot more, but they had served to draw his thoughts away from that awful imagery. Twilight turned away from the other mares and questioned him directly, “Did this shadowy figure also force you to come here and make all those inquiries about Rainbow Dash?“

The pink earth pony that he noticed before approached him now. Her cheery disposition seemed to brighten up the room, even if she was the only one wearing a smile.

“Come on Twilight, there's no need for all this meanness. I know we're all upset, but we're not going to get anything done if we're busy playing the blame game. Maybe it'd be easier for this gloomy pony to answer if he didn't feel like we were gonna bite his head off. Ooh! Or he could try explaining everything with a song!“

Dream Feather was bewildered. He dealt with a lot of strange things today, but this pink pony definitely took the cake. Well, right after those strange, hopefully fake, memories anyway.

“Song? What kind of pony would explain something through song?“ In spite of his bafflement, he found himself liking the energetic earth pony. Her bright attitude and nonsensical statements had served to break a lot of the tension he was feeling. Still, he rushed to answer Twilight's question before this strange pony could attempt to demonstrate her suggestion.

“Well... I did come here of my own free will, yes. But when I did I had no idea this all was so serious. I thought Rainbow Dash had simply gotten lost or something. I didn't have a clue about how a government pony could have gone missing. I was just too curious and...“

Dream Feather tried to remember why he had been so curious and why that curiosity had driven him to the library. He wasn't the type of pony who often sought out interaction with others. His eyes grew wide as he pieced together the chain of events that led him to this moment in time.

This cannot be... Whoever asked me about Rainbow Dash on that street, he or she set me up to be here while Spike would otherwise be alone. But that means that they knew Twilight would be gone...

An uneasy atmosphere filled the room. The mares warily watched the wide eyed stallion, waiting for whatever thought had interrupted his explanation.

“Wait, I thought you had a lead on Rainbow Dash's location. What happened to that?“ He heard an upset noise come from Twilight's direction. The other ponies didn't look pleased that this suspicious pony had stopped his own defense in order to request more information from them.

The yellow pegasus was the only one willing to answer his question. Though she spoke so quietly that he almost missed it, “I noticed Rainbow Dash at the edge of the Everfree Forest today, but when I called out to her she walked away into the forest. I knew there must have been something wrong, she'd never just leave her friends behind like that. I couldn't follow her alone though. What if my friends thought I'd gone missing too?“

The pegasus mare was hanging back behind the other ponies, almost like she was trying to hide. Dream Feather didn't need to see her face to know that she was very hurt by Rainbow Dash's strange reaction.

“Fluttershy called us all together and we searched the forest for Rainbow Dash. We had to stop after a few hours though. The Everfree Forest is just too dangerous to stay in for a long time and finding somepony in there is nearly impossible. Especially if they don't want to be found. We still don't know what's going on with Rainbow Dash, but we have to assume that her earlier appearance was meant as a distraction.“ Twilight finished the story for the shy pegasus.

Dream Feather was still trying to piece together the whole sequence of events, but he was sure he understood the basics now. For whatever reason, whether it was her own choice or not, Rainbow Dash wasn't going to be joining her friends.

But I thought she was the Element of Loyalty, I cannot believe it would be so easy to twist her against her own friends.

However there was one thing that was even more confusing to him than the ease with which Rainbow Dash was turned away from her friends.

“Why is Spike so importa-“ Dream Feather was glad he caught himself before finishing that sentence. He had no doubt that his original word choice would have displeased Twilight. He put a little more thought into his word placement and began again, “I mean, what importance does Spike bear to whoever is doing this? Wouldn't it make more sense to capture another Element?“

All the ponies frowned at this and turned their heads toward Twilight. She did her best to make Dream Feather and the others understand why her assistant was so important.

“Because he is our direct connection to Celestia. It would take far too long to contact Celestia without magic. Even longer without Rainbow Dash or another fast flyer to carry the message. Not to mention the obvious danger involved in traveling to Canterlot while some mystery pony is preparing a trap“

It was at that moment that Dream Feather finally began to grasp his situation. He had been dragged into an adventure against his will. A very dangerous adventure, with a mysterious and powerful villain. Even worse, the other ponies saw him a suspect. After what happened with Spike, there was no way Twilight was going to just let him go home.

“Well, it must be somepony who knows all of you very well. Otherwise he wouldn't be able to plan all of this ahead of time.“ Dream Feather suggested. He hoped that being of some help would convince these ponies that he had no evil intentions.

Twilight gave him a dubious look, as if trying to figure what he was hoping to accomplish by helping them, “There is some truth to that, but I doubt it would be some pony from Ponyville. Whoever is doing this may have taken the time to study us before making their move. I don't think it really matters at the moment. Right now we need to do something, because I am not leaving Rainbow Dash and Spike in bad hooves.“

All the other mares nodded, determination shining in their eyes.

The white unicorn gestured towards Dream Feather and said, “What should we do with this pony then? Let him go home and-“

“No!“ Twilight's sudden shout definitely grabbed everypony's attention. “We are not letting him out of our sight. He's partly responsible for what happened, whether he intended it or not. We can't let him go until we know that he won't be hurting anypony else.“

“But Twilight, I really can't see how he could harm anypony. Anyway, if we drag him with us he might get in our way or end up gettin' himself hurt.“ The orange pony replied to Twilight. The other mares seemed to agree with her assessment. However, Twilight remained unconvinced.

“Well, I am not going to let him go free just because none of you think he is a threat. The least dangerous looking creatures can be some of the most horrifying! Don't you remember the parasprites? They didn't look very threatening either. No, we are going to keep him close. And if none of you are willing to keep an eye on him, then I'll just have to do it myself.“

It was obvious that the others still didn't agree with her, but they knew better than to not take their friend's concerns seriously.

“Anyway, Princess Celestia should be told about Spike's disappearance, but we'll have to deliver the message ourselves. But if we take the time to go to Canterlot, then we'll be leaving Rainbow and Spike in this pony's hooves for almost a whole day. I don't know what we should do, but no matter what we decide we'll have to wait until tomorrow. It's too late to get started now. We're going to need to be prepared for whatever course of action we take. And that means being well rested.“ With how tired everypony looked this seemed like a good decision to Dream Feather. Twilight continued, “Dream Feather will stay here with me. And Fluttershy I want you to stay here tonight too. I really don't think it's a good idea to have you so far away from everypony else at a time like this.“

Twilight had shifted to a calmer tone as she fell back into the leadership position she had taken on quite often in the past. Dream Feather had to admit to himself that she was obviously well suited to the role. He just wished that he could get her to trust him.

If the pony behind these disappearances knows as much about Twilight and her friends as I think they do, then they must know that this is how they will react. If that's the case then Twilight is playing right into whatever plan they have set up. She seems like a good leader, but her mistrust towards me is blinding her. Is this why that mysterious pony dragged me into this? To distract them?“

The yellow pegasus that Twilight had called Fluttershy seemed uncertain of Twilight's plan. She objected, her voice barely louder than before, “I- Uhmm... my animals, I can't leave them alone Twilight. We've been searching for Rainbow Dash all day. What if one of them needs my help?“

“I can stay with you Fluttershy! We can throw a party for all your animal friends! It'll be super duper fantabulous!“ The pink pony who had acted so strangely earlier was still acting just as strangely. Dream Feather didn't really understand her thought process. If they needed to rest up for tomorrow then there's no way they'd have the time or energy to throw a party.

“Fine then, Pinkie will stay with Fluttershy and I'll look over Dream Feather on my own. Now you should all get home before it gets too dark. Everypony make sure to come back here tomorrow as early as possible so we can plan out the best course of action.“ Twilight was obviously running out of patience. She didn't really look forward to being alone with the awkward, potentially dangerous pegasus, but she had no energy left to argue the point.

The other mares left after everypony bid each other a good night. But Twilight wasn't planning on sleeping just yet. She still wanted some answers from Dream Feather. He had gotten distracted by a pile of books while the others were saying their goodbyes. She approached him cautiously, worried that he might just be capable of the level of violence she had accused him of earlier.

“Just so you know, I don't care how innocent you say you are. I'm going to be keeping an eye on you until I have proof that you had nothing to do with any of this. Mind explaining what you were doing before Spike was foalnapped?“ The tone of her voice made it apparent to Dream Feather that she didn't really care whether or not he minded. But it was the pain that she exuded when she spoke of Spike that forced him to try and warn her about the mistakes she was making.

“We were talking about Rainbow Dash and what had happened to her. From what I've heard, I believe that whoever is behind this lured me here to serve as distraction. In fact, I believe that he is playing you to break your group of friends apart.“ He had intended to explain his findings calmly, but found that his irritation at the lot he had been cast with tinged his words.

Twilight was stunned. She saw no reason why this pony would be speaking so bluntly to her. His tone stated clearly that he expected her to mistrust him no matter what he said.

“Well... I think that you're working with this pony. And now you're trying to win my trust. You claim that this pony controlled you and made you attack Spike?“ Despite the harshness of her words, she seemed much calmer than before.

“That is what I remember. Or at least, the only explanation I can come up with based on what I remember. Honestly, I believe that this pony must have some great talent with magic to be able to do all of this. Are there such things as mind or memory alteration spells?“ Dream Feather had given up on being discreet. If this pony was going to take any word he said as some proof of his wrongdoings then he could only hope to at least give her a clue of what to look out for.

“Yes, there are a few spells like that. I've never met anypony who was really proficient in their use however. I know one or two of them myself, but misuse of those spells can get you in serious trouble. Do you think that whoever is behind this might have used such a spell on Rainbow Dash?“

To Dream Feather's surprise Twilight seemed to be opening up a little. Strangely, it seemed that she responded better to him saying exactly what he was thinking, instead of trying to say what he thought she wanted to hear. Maybe he had caused all this suspicion towards himself with a simple miscommunication. That white unicorn, that he had heard addressed by the others as Rarity, was right. His careless choice of words was causing him no end of trouble. If only all those years of writing could translate to skill at social interaction.

Maybe she finally sees that I am trying to help her. That I wouldn't bother doing such a thing if I meant harm to her or her friends... or maybe she is just lacking something better to do at the moment.

“I wouldn't know. I honestly have very little knowledge about magic or how it can be applied. I just know that I am not an evil pony and that I would never have harmed Spike if I was in control of myself.“

Twilight gave a soft smile and looked outside at the stars. She spoke in a calm, quiet tone of voice, something he had yet to hear much of from her. “I don't trust you Dream Feather, we both know that. But if you can help us figure this out and find whoever is behind this, I will be in your debt. I'll make sure you aren't charged with any crimes and that nopony views you poorly because of the things that this pony has forced you to do against your will. That is, if you are telling the truth.“

She seemed to be telling him that as long as he helped them, she would forgive him for what he'd done. While he appreciated the sentiment, it didn't stop him from wishing that she would just let him go back to his quiet house. Away from all this danger and mystery. Writing about adventures, rather than living them.

When she saw that he had become lost in his thoughts, Twilight decided that it as good a time as any to sleep,“I wish you a good night. You can sleep anywhere in this hall. And don't even think about running away in the night. If you run then I'll know you've been lying. And there is nothing in all of Equestria that would stop me from making you pay for hurting my friends.“

With those parting words, she made her way up the stairs and into her bedroom.

Dream Feather sighed and tried to make himself comfortable in one of the room's corners.

Well at least she calmed down a little, I think. She seems to care more about saving her friends than bringing me to justice. Bring me to justice... I still can't believe I would have attacked Spike, even if somepony used magic to make me do it. These hooves have struck blows?

His thoughts trailed off into an uneasy sleep. His mind heavy with worries and guilt.

Comments

Im liking the plot so far but twilight is so ooc is bugging me to no end

[Sapare]

34503 If you gave a little comment about in which way ooc I could try to keep in mind what you mean.

(Yes she normaly is not nearly as aggresive and much friendlier. But this is also the pony who created a friendship problem do to lacking a message to her teacher. Point being, she acts horrible under great ammount of stress and when people expect things from her, both of which she is being being forced to face. She is not thinking very clearly and making some mistakes in her logic.)