//------------------------------// // Subject 90: Famous Flyers // Story: Interviews With Equestrians // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// I explained everything. Including how Thunderlane was one of the ponies that had been affected by Neighsay’s experimentation. There were also a few others that had undergone the procedures, but we were unsure of just what they’d do as a result. “I see…” Cozy muttered to herself as she thought about it. “So just like Blossomforth with that Storm Beast thing. I wonder who else might be involved…” “Well, we have about a month before things get bad, but let’s not take forever with it. First, we need to go see Thunderlane, alright?” She nodded. “Understood, pops. I know where he lives, too. Scootaloo and Rumble are a couple now, so I learned of where they live from her. Buuut…” she rubbed her hoof into the ground, “I obviously can’t go anywhere on my own…” I rubbed my hoof across her curly mane. “No sweat, kid. Consider me your escort once again. Though before we go, there’s something...or someone, I need to handle.” “...Cheerilee, huh?” Cozy asked with a knowing smile, “I honestly don’t think you have much to worry about. She knows that your job is gonna be hard at times, and you’ll have to make difficult decisions.” While that was true, transparency was the name of the game when it came to how I operated. Hiding things only made them worse. “Even so, I want our relationship to have a foundation of honesty, and integrity.” I pointed at her home, “Head back inside, and prepare anything you think you’ll need for this trip. I’ll be back shortly.” She shut her eyes and nodded. “Got it, Pale. See you soon.” With that, she opened her eyes and turned around to fly back inside. Alright, here goes. I went to Cheerilee’s place, and knocked on the door. I had to admit, I was sweating a little since I didn’t know how she would react. Would she punish me? Blast me out for it? Break up?! No...no...that’s not realistic at all. The door opened up, and there she was. The most beautiful mare in existence. “Oh, good afternoon, Pale,” she said sweetly, “what brings you by? Need any questions answered, or did you just come to see me?” she asked with a teasing sort of giggle. “Well...it’s more about the fact that…” I rubbed the back of my head. “You’re aware of what I did to fight off Daybreaker, right? When I...kissed her? You’re not upset at me over that, are you?” I bit my lip, and my heart started to race. I prayed that she would have mercy on me. “Oh, that? Ohohoho, Pale…” she laughed, and approached me. “What makes you think that could make me stop loving you? I know you only have romantic feelings for me, and would never try to spite me by kissing somepony else on purpose. You’re too good for that.” “I...uhh…” Admittedly, I didn’t have an answer for that. All I could do is smile with a stupid blush on my face. “Hehe…” When she got close, Cheerilee placed a kiss on my cheek. “Mm! That’s for being honest with me about something you were concerned about.” And before I could say anything else, she pressed her lips against my own for a much longer, and intimate embrace that lasted for about a minute. “...Mm.” She pulled back, and looked into my eyes, “And that’s for working hard to keep everypony in this little town safe. You really work too hard, you know that?” My entire muzzle turned a shade of red--mostly from embarrassment over the fact that I could ever think Cheerilee would be angry at me for something so small. “Yeah...I guess you’re right. But...aren’t you worried somepony might’ve seen us?” “Oh let them look.” She put a hoof on my shoulder. “Plus, now I can tell all of my friends about how my stallion is so strong, he kissed a literal goddess and talked her down. Then rejected her because he’s loyal to his mortal wife, hehe!” she explained with an excited little shimmy of her tail. That’s when my heart melted. This mare was too good to me, and I felt like I didn’t deserve somepony so precious. The world was a cruel, unkind place that the young me despised and wanted to stain red with the blood of those he came across on an indiscriminate level. But now more than ever...I felt like I really mattered. And Cheerilee’s understanding and caring attitude was just what I needed to get through this life. “Haha...I suppose that I am...as bold as you claim.” “Oh, by the way, you’re working today, right?” I nodded. “Yes. But it shouldn’t be anything heavy or major. Why?” Cheerilee backed up with a bit of a sly smirk on her face. “Just wondering if you’d like to join me for some...exercise when you’re finished for the day. I’ve been trying to lose weight, and they say that it’s beneficial to have a partner when you’re working up a sweat,” she offered with a wink. If there was one thing that my wife was not good at, it was being subtle. But I decided to play along. “Really? If that’s the case, I can give you a few pointers when I get back. How does...later this evening sound?”’ “Perfect!” she replied happily, “I’m going back to the schoolhouse to check on a few things for now. So don’t get yourself into any trouble. Mama needs help getting her flank in shape and you’re the only one that can help.” She snickered, and tapped my nose with her hoof as she left her house. “See you later, okay?” I waved as she left. Now that my head was clear, and I had plans with her for tonight, it gave me newfound motivation to continue doing my job as best I could. And so, I returned to Cozy’s home. Though when I got there, I heard a pair of giggles from above me. “Eh?” “Hehehehe…” I looked up, and saw both Cozy and Scootaloo on the roof with a pair of binoculars. Had they been watching Cheerilee and I the whole time?! “Yoooo,” I heard Scootaloo comment, “Does this sorta make Cheerilee like your mom now? That’s awesome!” Cozy continued to giggle until she made eye contact with me. “Oh shoot, he’s spotted us.” They both flew down to greet me. “Um...hey, pops. Scoots just so happened to pass by since she was on her way to Rumble and Thunderlane’s place. So I figured we could all go together.” “I never would’ve expected that Ms. Cheerilee would’ve found a special somepony after Big Mac got married to Sugar Belle.” I scoffed, and shot her a smug smile with my eyes narrowed. “You say that as if she had no hope. What? Not confident in your old teacher to score a stallion?” The orange pegasus mare shook her head. “Oh nononono! I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just…” she looked off to the side, “I figured she would’ve wanted to stay out of the romance game after it didn’t work out back then. But I’m glad to see that she’s found somepony. Though…” she glared at me with a raised eyebrow. “You’d better not do anything to break her heart, understand?” My eyes shot open. I wasn’t expecting Scootaloo to be so...protective. Then again, she probably picked that up from Rainbow Dash--who had essentially become her older sister. “Wow. That’s a surprise to hear from you. But don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her. Just as she’s done for me.” Her expression softened, and she hit me with a smile. “Well that’s good to hear. So what are we waiting for? Let’s head up to Rumble’s place!” Yes, it was time to act. Wait a second. I hoped that Cozy didn’t speak too much of why exactly we needed to go there… And so we were off. I had to take the hot air balloon and cloudwalk potion in order to get there. But it wasn’t long since I had become used to the method. Cloudsdale also wasn’t seeing a lot of traffic on a day like this, so it was easy for me. I met up with the pegasus mares at the entrance to the cloudy city. I stepped out of the balloon, and followed them out. Since Scootaloo knew where the stallion’s home was, Cozy and I would follow her. “You’ve already met him right, Cozy?” Scootaloo asked. Cozy nodded. “Well, once. I don’t know him that well. Plus, I don’t wanna get too close since you both are already a thing…” She scoffed. “Pfft. Don’t worry about that. Rumble and I are inseparable! He wouldn’t dare fall for somepony else.” “Oh?” Cozy asked with a bit of that girlish curiosity. “How long have you two been together?” “A few years, actually.” To be quite honest, this didn’t feel like a conversation I should overhear. Though, I had no choice since I was headed in the same direction. Nevertheless, it could aid me with some background information regarding contacts between the two pegasus stallion brothers. We trotted through the cloudy town. While the ladies spoke with each other, I looked around. As we walked, the local pegasus population had started to shoot some looks towards Cozy. Except, they weren’t judgemental like I had initially thought. Some pegasi looked concerned, others looked surprised. A few even scoffed out of what I can only guess to be envy. It seemed like her overall reception had changed from “unlikable” to “mixed.” I could deal with that, honestly. No matter how many good deeds she did, negative perceptions wouldn’t disappear overnight. Anyway, Scootaloo led us to one of the many cloud-shaped homes in the middle of the town. A two-story one with pillars that flanked both sides that reminded me of ancient architecture. This was likely their home. Scootaloo knocked on the door first, and was met with a young, silver pegasus stallion that was about her age. “Aw man, you’re not the pizza guy!” he cried out with a teasing grin. This was Rumble. One of her childhood friends. He used to believe that obtaining a cutie mark would limity what he would be able to accomplish in life. While he learned that ponies were more than just their marks, part of me still believed that they did slightly constrain our culture in a few ways. “Aw, shut up and let me in you nut,” Scootaloo returned the tease with one of her own as she stepped inside. “Oh, and I brought my friend Cozy Glow. And her handler-slash-father figure Officer Pale Vestige. He wants to ask your brother some questions. Is he here?” The young stallion blinked once before he answered. “Wait wait wait--my bro’s not in trouble for anything is he?” “Nah,” I spoke up from behind the group, “I just want to talk to him about a possible...performance enhancer that he might’ve taken.” Rumble hovered and folded his hooves. “Ah. I’ve been telling him that half those damn things are scams...I just hope he didn’t take any illegal ones,” he said with a shameful shake of his head. “This way, guys.” We entered the house. To my surprise, everything on the inside was just like any old average house. Normal carpeting, normal curtains, normal staircase that led to the second floor, everything. Why was this a significant detail? Well, I figured most Cloudsdale homes would have opted for a fully cloud style. But I suppose a fridge and stove made of cumulonimbus would not function properly, would it? “Hey, bro!” Rumble shouted up the staircase, “Scoots is here! I’m gonna take her out back! And there’s a...secret agent dude that wants to see ya!” He looked at Scootaloo, “C’mon. Let’s go.” Then he looked at Cozy and I. “I’ll leave my brother with you guys.” We watched as the pair of pegasi flew out of the back door and into the yard. “Huh,” Cozy commented, “Guess that’s one way to make an exit.” “Why don’t you go join them?” I offered, “I’ll handle business with Thunderlane, and you can spend more time with your friends.” “...Are you sure?” she asked with hopeful eyes. I nodded. “Yeah, go ahead. I’ll fill you in on the details once we’re done. Alright, kid? Now go,” I pointed outside where Scootaloo and Rumble were practicing stunt flight tricks. Cozy flapped her wings, and hovered. “Oh...thanks!” She flew out to the backyard to join them. Good kid. The more positive reinforcement the better. After a few moments, the black-ish pegasus trotted down the steps. “Argh...really shouldn’t have hit the hay so late last night.” Like the other Wonderbolts of the previous gen, he aged...decently. There were a few wrinkles under his eyelids, but he didn’t look as stressed as say--Bon Bon. “So...what’s up? You wanted to see me, officer?” “Thunderlane, yes? We have...a problem…” I explained the situation in as much detail as possible. Everything about Neighsay’s procedures, and how Thunderlane was one of the names that the old unicorn gave me. “...and that’s where I am now,” I finished, “So, do you have an idea why your name was brought up?” The stallion looked away. “Oh that, huh...well...don’t tell anypony, but lately, I’ve been feeling kinda...weak, so to speak.” He popped his wings out, “I’ve been flying and flying for...years. It’s worn down on my body, and I can’t, er...last as long...when I’m flying.” He rubbed the back of his head, “...and other stuff too.” I immediately caught on. That was a pretty damning thing to deal with. One’s body does indeed tend to break down faster if they’re put through more stress over time. Pegasus bodies in particular were prone to this due to how much more agile and flexible they were compared to Earth Pony and Unicorn bodies. If a pegasus didn’t treat their wings well, they’d be unable to fly as they got older. But I wondered just what Thunderlane accepted from Neighsay for his problem. “I understand. So what did Neighsay do for you exactly?” “Well, he created this weird magical seal that’d help keep my stamina up,” he explained, and turned around, “I still have it on me, actually. Right there on my neck.” He pointed to the back of his neck, and I took a closer look. There was a barely visible branding placed upon his skin. A circular symbol with multiple triangles laced within. This was exactly what I had been looking for. But now, I had to explain it to him without throwing him into a panic. “Okay...I don’t want to alarm you...but it’s entirely possible that a spell is contained in this brand.” “Uh, yeah. A magic spell to increase my stamina like I asked, right?” he turned to face me again. I shook my head. “...Yes, while it may be doing that, there could be...unforeseen side effects that you might not be aware of.” He took a step back, and started to shiver. “...S-side effects? L-Like what??” “Possibly becoming a demonic beast at worst. But don’t worry. What you need to do is go see Moondancer in Canterlot immediately.” Crap. That didn’t help. Thunderlane immediately flew out to the backyard in a panicky state, and shouted to his brother. “Rumble! Watch the house! I gotta go!” His brother stopped flying and tried to ask a question. “Wait wh--” WOOSH! But it was too late. Thunderlane had already flown off and away from his home and down towards Ponyville. Likely towards the train station. It all happened so fast, that I was unprepared. But I had to keep moving. “Come on, Cozy. We need to go see the next pony on the list.” Her eyes flashed with disappointment for a half-second before they became filled with determination. “Alright, pops. I’m with you. See you later Scoots. Rumb.” “Aw...see ya…” Rumble replied. Scootaloo shot him an unimpressed look, and spoke up. “Hey! If you need my or my friend’s help, you know where to find me!” “Got it!” Cozy replied with a salute before she joined me. She and I both left out of the front door of the pegasus’ brother’s home, and closed the door on our way out. Then, I started to run. We had no time to waste, and simply could not allow any of the other individuals on the list end up out of our sight before something bad happens. “Come on, Cozy. The next pony we need to see is--” “HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!” A raspy female voice called out to us. A whoosh of rainbow zipped past us, and a familiar pegasus pony stopped in front of us in our path, which forced us to stop. Dammit, there was no time for this.