//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8 
// Story: Midnight Green 
// by Voyd211 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 8

Twilight and her friends looked over their clues, arranged in the floor of Midnight's shack. They had learned a few new things about both Midnight and Zebra Mask, which was more than they bargained for. Thus far, they had determined what type of pony Mask was, as well as a connection between the two. However, the Zebra Mask findings were found less interesting than the other portraits.
Twilight made an observation. “I'm noticing a pattern here. There seem to be different numbers of pictures for each of us. Who has the least?”
Applejack spoke up. “Erm... it seems that'd be me. I could only find ONE of those goldarned portraits that had me on it.”
“Okay... who's next up?” Twilight looked around. There seemed to be portraits of practically every resident of Ponyville, and a few ponies besides. Midnight was obviously well-traveled, although most of it was likely caused by being lost. Twilight and her friends had the most portraits: all drawn from memory, all perfect likenesses, all thrown rather haphazardly around the shack.
Fluttershy began to feel uneasy. “Um, I think we should leave... what if he comes back?”
Rarity reassured her. “We'll just say we wanted to have a look around, that's all.”
“If you say so...”
Time passed as they examined the contents of the shack. They were so absorbed in their work, that it was some time before they realized that the sun had gone down. Applejack leapt up. “Uh-oh... we better get outside. What if the Princess arrives?”
“Oh, she won't be here tonight, you can be certain of that.”
Everypony present started at the sound. There, large as life, stood Zebra Mask. “She's encountered a slight  delay, and won't arrive until tomorrow night. Alas, my dears, I shall not be here when she is.”
Rainbow Dash charged yet again at Zebra Mask, though she forgot his intangible act and slammed into a wall across the street. “Really now, that's failed two nights in a row, what makes you think it would work this time?” He turned back to the ponies still in Midnight's shack. “As for why I won't be here, I'm saving a big surprise for nothing less than the Grand Galloping Gala. Do enjoy yourselves, would you? Let's try this again.”
He turned and walked away. Once again the ponies set off wildly through Ponyville, searching vainly for Zebra Mask. However, Twilight had ideas of her own and went straight to the library. That mystery stallion wouldn't get away this time.
Much later, Twilight's friends arrived ragged, tired, wet and otherwise ill-favored, with the exception of Pinkie Pie yet again. Zebra Mask materialized out of the darkness. “Well, it seems that you have...” A pause. “Wait.... one's missing. Where's...” Twilight, who'd remained where she was to avoid wearing herself out, charged at the apparition. For the first time, there was physical contact with Zebra Mask. Winded, he extricated himself from Twilight. “Hm... impressive. That's the first time anypony's outwitted me. I must commend you, Twilight Sparkle.”
Twilight's response was blunt. “Who are you, under that mask? What do you want?”
The smile on the white half of his mask seemed to grow. “I'm afraid I can't answer those. Although I'm astonished that you have not yet answered the first question yourself. The second... well, you'll just have to wait, now won't you?” And with that, he vanished again.