Spike didn't know who Dan was going to see, but he had a pretty good idea when they arrived at the local news station. Barro's news station, and the only one in Equestria to be precise. While this was confusing and a bit nerve-wracking for the dragon, it was made all the more comfortable by Discord being there. Except it wasn't comfortable at all.
The Ponyville Action News Team Station, or PANTS, was located on the western side of Ponyville. The broadcast station was right next to the airfield, New Maynard Field, and also provided weather coordination and air traffic control for the town. Because of the town's remote nature, most arrivals came through via the airfield, including most visiting dignitaries. Barro and his news crew were able to be the first on the scene whenever important figures arrived.
Most important figures, anyway.
"Don't we have to have an appointment or something?"
"Why?" Dan asked. "He's a reporter, not a doctor."
Twilight would have said something to the effect of, "That's not how that works." But Spike was not Twilight. What Spike said was "Okay," and followed Dan into the building.
Immediately, Dan noticed something that made him feel a bit confused. "I feel like we've missed something."
"Ah! The llamas are here. I was wondering when they were going to show up," Discord remarked. Filling the lobby of the broadcast station were llamas. All dressed in orange robes. Some were sitting, some were standing, some were in line, but Dan skipped them and approached the receptionist.
"Excuse me- there's a-"
"We're here to see loud white."
The receptionist stared at Dan, confused as hell, until Spike chimed in with, "He means Barro. We're here to see Barro."
"The hell is with all the llamas? What are you people doing here?" Dan asked. But none answered him. It was then Dan realized how quiet it was despite the fact the lobby had at least thirty llamas in it. "Hello? Anyone there?" Dan waved his hand in the closest one's face.
"Um, he's taken a vow of silence. They all have- or, well, mostly. They're here for filming."
"Filming what?"
"Equestria's Top Buddhist. They're-"
Dan was done. He'd been done for a while now, so, detecting the receptionist was not going to be helpful, he made a beeline for the studio. Spike, not knowing what else to do, followed behind him. Meanwhile, Discord began a very long conversation with some of the buddhist llamas. Actually, a few of them might have been alpaca.
The studio was divided into two main sections: the set and the offices. From the lobby, a corridor ran straight for a ways and then banked at a right angle, rooms and offices lining the right side the whole way, while the set floor dominated the left side. The set itself was a large room, half of it painted green from floor to ceiling with a desk on a raised platform in the middle. Two heavy studio cameras stood stoically aimed at the desk with a third one, disused, in the center. Lights from the ceiling were cast all upon the green screen and desk, arrayed so not a single shadow could be captured by either camera.
Oddly enough, it smelled somewhat like a library, like the Golden Oakes.
"I feel like we're not allowed to be back here."
"We're still guards, aren't we?" Dan asked. "If anybody asks, just call it an inspection."
"I guess we can't get in trouble. It's not like Barro has his own guards anyway."
And that was when four armed humans in orange jumpsuits appeared to block the path in front of them. Two spun around from the sides, tactical-style, weapons drawn and another two came down from the ceiling. Finally, four more appeared from behind and drew their own weapons- blasters, and aimed them at Dan and Spike.
Dan and Spike slowly raised their hands. "I'm beginning to see a pattern here. I don't like it."
"Mr. Barro isn't taking visitors right now," the lead one, a slim dark-skinned female said. Her catlike eyes didn't seem to blink as she regarded Dan coldly.
"I thought Barro shot you all down."
"He did," the bearded one next to the leader said. "He gave us plenty of time to bail out, though." Two of the Rebel pilots patted down Dan and Spike, though there wasn't much of a point with the latter.
"He's clean."
Dan looked around. "So Barro hasn't given up on his revenge scheme either?"
"Hey, it's not-" Grex started talking, but a hand from Reena meant shut up.
Dan shrugged. "That's what I'm here about! Tell him he was right the whole time. And honestly, I could use you guys and your flying circus. Just go to Barro and tell him that if you guys help me kill Vice Grip, I'll help you find the Blue Man and his group."
The black woman smirked. "Alright. He might take you up on that offer. His office is at the far end of the hall, but he'll be in the recording studio." She pointed to the back of the set room with the barrel of her blaster. "Just don't touch anything."
"Thank you, scary lady. And for the record, I'm happy he didn't kill all of you."
"Aw, thanks."
"Most of you, anyway."
"Haha... what does that mean?"
Dan stomped his way through the sliding door onto the set, then back through the sliding door to the studio to find Barro, Michael and other ponies Dan did not recognize. Barro was standing, leaning over a switch board that didn't appear to be plugged into anything while two ponies in front of him lounged with their backs heaving in chairs, working at computers.
"Dan, what the hell are you doing here?" was Barro's first question.
Dan pointed at one of the ponies setting at the editing suite. "Better question: why is he playing Yoshi's Island?"
The pony turned around. "It's actually a fan game; it's Yoshi in Sonic 2, featuring Dante from the Dev-"
"I'm sorry I asked," Dan said. "Look, I just want-"
"And Knuckles."
"SHUT UP," both Dan and Barro shouted. At the same time, even, before turning back to face one another. Did these two have more in common than they were willing to admit? If so, that was another thing they had in common. Spike noticed this, but knew enough not to say anything.
Barro sighed. "My office." He walked past down and through the set. As he did, Dan asked,
"Why not here? I'll keep it brief-"
"MY. OFFICE," Barro responded.