//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: Questions And Answers // Story: A Life, for A Life // by Zinnia //------------------------------// The train we were boarded on was closing in on it's destination, continuing on the tracks as it rumbled gently with each passing second. On a particularly big bump in the road, I sat upright quickly and looked around with slight surprise. Almost fell asleep again.. I saw Valkyrie, looking up at me with a smirk. "Did that scare you, big guy?" Valkyrie cooed teasingly as she brought up a hoof and caressed my arm. I swatted it away immediately, unamused. "Aww, he must've had a bad dream." I heard Fizzlepop coo to my left. I turned around a glared at her. And then a knowing smirk a way onto my face as well. "Actually, I had a rather pleasant one," I remarked. "Not that I'd tell you what it was about anyway." Fizzlepop stuck her tongue out at me. "Oh, real mature Fizzy." "Hey, check it out." Spike was looking out of the window, now sitting on Twilight's lap, who herself seemed to be occupied as well. Curious, I leaned into the window to see what it was. My eyes widened as the city came into view before me, surprised at the scenery. The city of Vanhoover was much bigger than I expected it to be. Hell, I didn't imagine it to be an Actual city, with tall buildings, roads.. but something felt missing.. I took the notion out of my head, thinking nothing of it. "Next stop, Vanhoover!" We heard the conductor shout over the loud speakers. "Please gather your belongings and be ready to depart if this is your destination." "Well, I guess that's our stop then." I said, still looking on in awe. I did as I was told, taking my bags and wrapping them around my waist and standing up, walking towards one of the exits in the car along with the others. Fizzlepop walked up beside me, with Valkyrie on the opposite side. "We should probably establish where we are going to stay first," Fizzlepop began, rubbing her chin with a hoof. "So we'll have a place to meet up after we're done looking around for information." Valkyrie nodded. "I agree, it would save us time by having a meet up spot as we split off to cover more ground. This is a pretty big place after all." I hummed in thought for a moment before nodding in understanding. "Right." I answered. Twilight and Spike stood behind us and the train was screeching to a halt. "Well according to this brochure, there's a hotel we can stay in that's just south of the station." Twilight said as she flipped the paper over. I turned and raised an eyebrow. "Where'd ya get that?" "Oh, I always come prepared with brochures of every place with me. You never know if you'll find yourself in a completely different town out of nowhere!" Twilight stated, nose still inside the open brochure. I shook my head, but I guess it does help save time to know where the closest place was. The train came to a complete stop, and the doors opened. There weren't as many ponies at the station as I thought there would be for a city as big as this. Quite a lot less actually. Not many ponies were actually even on the train with us either now that I think about it. Well, this place is pretty out of the way.. I figured. Spike seemed to noticed it too though, and walked out with the rest of us. "Where is everypony?" He asked, looking around. I looked around as well, taking in a bit of the scenery. "I dunno.. slow day?" I guessed aloud, shrugging my shoulders. "Even so, you'd think a city would be more.. lively and robust." Valkyrie pointed out. "But we shouldn't let that distract us, lets head to that hotel and we can carry out our plan then." We all nodded in agreement and set off, following close behind Twilight as she lead us towards the southern parts of the city. Along the way, the streets grew more and more barren. The ponies we did pass by threw us cautious glances. As we turned a corner, I saw a mare walking along with a foal at her side. I assumed she was her daughter, and she gawked at me from across the way. As we crossed paths, I waved with a small smile. She waved back with a wide grin, but was immediately chastised by the mare with a quick smack on the hoof, and she hurried along with her foal in tow. "..Well that's kind of rude." I noted, looking back towards the front of the group. "These ponies seem to be.. hiding. Afraid of something." Valkyrie stated. "Really?" Twilight asked looking back. "What makes you say that?" Spike pointed up towards the building on the other side of the street. "Look." Spike said with a hint of worry. We all looked at the building, and It was then I noticed a few ponies glances out a couple of the many windows. I made eye contact with one of them, and they immediately shut the window with a loud thud. The rest followed in kind, and I was left bewildered. "Something's not right.." I stated, worry slipping into my own voice. "Let's just hurry to the hotel and see if we can get some answers." With no objections, we picked up the pace down the sidewalk, making our way downtown. ~ ~ ~ ~ > > < < ~ ~ ~ ~ "Sorry, we ain't got room for ye here." The clerk at the counter stated without even looking up. I raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I've seen barely anypony around, despite this being a city and all." The clerk looked up at me from the newspaper he was reading. "Look kid, if you want a place to stay I recommend one of the inns near the center of the city rather than down here. For both our sakes." Twilight walked up to the counter with concern. "What do you mean?" The stallion sighed as he put the paper down in front of him. "Normally I wouldn't let tourists know about this for obvious reasons but.." He hesitated a bit before continuing. "..Seein' that one of the princesses is here, Twilight Sparkle no less, Maybe you can actually lend us a hoof. You see, they're been disappearances happenin' 'round the city. More specifically, in this here part of town." "Is that why everyone was so afraid of us when we came along?" Spike asked. The clerk nodded. "Aye. By the way, me names' Jack. Jack Weld. Don't take it too personally, they're only worried about their safety and the safety of their kin. Some of these foalnappin's have.. not been pretty, especially the more recent ones." "That's actually what we're here for Mr Weld." Fizzlepop stated moving to my side. "The same thing has happened down in Canterlot recently, and we came here looking for information." Jack tilted his head a little. "Information? Why here of all places?" "Well for one, at one of the scenes in Canterlot I was able to find a trace that led to the Smokey Mountains, and Vanhoover is the closest city to that." Twilight said. "And two, now we know that the same thing has been happening here at a much more frequent rate, we're definitely at the right place." Valkyrie finished for her. "The Smokey Mountains, huh.." Jack repeated thoughtfully. "Actually, I don't think anypony's been up there ever since that bloody dragon went and polluted the damn place. Not to mention the terrain, it's too dangerous." "You're absolutely sure that no pony has been up there since then?" Twilight asked. "Aye. Before I took over this here hotel, I used to go minin' up in those mountains. That was years ago though, but anypony in their right mind wouldn't dare to try and go up there willingly. I still weld as a hobby at one of the workshops in the city during me free time." "Do you happen to have a map of the terrain from when you mined there?" Fizzlepop asked insistently. Jack reeled back a bit at the sudden question. "I-I do, yeah. I'd have to go in the workshop to get it though. Why?" "Why else? We're going up there to find those ponies." I stated as a fact. Twilight nodded in affirmation. "Oi, weren't ya listenin'?" Jack asked in disbelief. "It's too dangerous up there! Even if you do have a princess by your side, one wrong move could be your last." "I made a promise to one of the victim's loved ones that I aim to keep. To bring everyone back." I said without hesitation. "Plus.. I owe it to someone that saved my life. If I have to climb a mountain that could kill me a thousand times over to repay that debt, I will." Jack stayed silent for a few moments before a silent chuckle came from him. "I like your mettle lad. Alright then, here." He tossed a key to me with the number '34' engraved on it. "I'll go get the map for yas during my lunch break. Until then, you can rest easy here for a little while." I smiled and bowed my head in thanks. "Thank you Mr. Weld, we were actually planning on spending a night anyway. How much for the room for a night?" Twilight asked, pulling out a pouch of bits. Jack shook his head. "It's on the house. I'll let you have it for three nights, free of charge in case you need it for that long. I'd except a search in the mountains to take a few days at least." "Thank you very much." Fizzlepop said with a slight bow. We headed towards the room the key was assigned to, and walked inside. The hallway was well kept, a nice carpet lining the floor, a few pictures, as well as 'missing pony' posters were up on the walls of the hall. I frowned a bit at the sight, feeling bad for those who have lost someone in their life due to this.I can see why he wouldn't want any outsiders here now.But I plan to get them all back. We made it to the room, and using the key I unlocked it. Upon stepping inside the room, I noticed that the room was actually larger than I had expected it to be. It had a bookshelf with a nice sum of books lined in the rows, a couch and love sofa near the end of the room with a coffee table, a small kitchen like area with a stove and counter top as well as a few cabinets. There was also another door that I assumed led to the bedroom. "Huh, well he sure knows what his patrons like." Spike noted as we stepped into the room. "I just hoped there's food here." But before Valkyrie could stepped all the way in, I tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention. She turned around and met my gaze. "Zale?" Valkyrie asked. I made a motion pointing towards the others with my head and eyes, hoping she'd get the idea. When her eyes widened, I knew she understood. She audibly gulped, and stepped inside the room. I walked in behind her, shut the door and locked it. "Uh, guys.." Valkyrie began, taking a seat on the love sofa. They all turned to her, attentive and listening. "Before we move forward with this.. I need to tell you all something."