//------------------------------// // Subject 168: Night Mission Complete // Story: Interviews With Equestrians // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// I ran over as fast as I could, and came to a point in the forest that was completely disintegrated by some sort of explosion. There was a crater left behind from the destruction, and I could see Neon with his prosthetic appendage missing! Just what could have happened here?! Nearby, also facedown in the crater was the other mare from earlier who had also been affected by this curse. I trotted down the side of the crater with the first mare on my back so that I could check on them both. “Neon. You okay?” I asked, then checked on the other pony. She remained unconscious. But I put an ear to her neck to find that she still drew breath. Thank goodness. Then I looked over at my bat friend. “Ack...bleh…” he let out a few coughs. He managed to stand on his three legs just fine, and shot me a satisfied look. “Well...twas a rough one. But it’s done.” He was covered in scrapes and soot--likely from the concussive force of the blast. I couldn’t help but notice the metallic stump where his right foreleg used to be. Then I put two and two together. “Neon. Did you actually detonate your own leg to nuke the curse out of her? Can you walk?” The more I glanced him over, the more concerned I became. He waved his left wing in a nonchalant fashion. “Don’t worry about me, mate. Let’s focus on getting these two to safety.” There was crazy...and then there was Neon Isotope. “You’re absolutely mental, you know that?” I said with a roll of my eyes as I grabbed up the other mare. “I prefer the term ‘marbled,’” Neon corrected me and went to inspect the body of the first one. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the pegasus mare who had been afflicted by the other curse had strikingly similar appearances. Wait a minute. Flitter and Cloudchaser?! Okay, so this was the umpteenth instance of ponies who had been struck by some sort of curse to enact some sort of evil. “Hey, Neon,” I called out as I picked up the one with the frizzy mane--Cloudchaser, “Isn’t this familiar?” He somehow managed to herd the unconscious Flitter onto his back despite the fact that his other limb was gone. “Indeed. This is not unlike the other reports that have been made. Is it possible that he has used the bodies of living ponies and other beings to revive creatures from the olden age?” “That would explain Neighsay’s involvement in everything and why his experiments were so valuable!” I exclaimed with a stomp of my hoof, “It all makes sense now! We have to get back and report this as soon as possible. Who knows just how many other creatures are on a conveyor belt ready to be shipped out to fight in a war.” “But that means we can’t kill any of ‘em, mate,” he pointed out, “Are you going to be capable of holding back?” “I’ll have to...I won’t kill another one of my own,” I responded lowly, “Not if I don’t have to.” Neon nodded, and started to trot off towards Ponyville. “Good. Now I just need to have my brother make me a new leg. Hopefully it can be done quickly enough.” I shook my head as I followed. “No. Take all the time you need. I don’t want you to be tired on the job now. And speaking of which...did you feel any strain from painful memories brought on by the words they said?” My bat friend hissed under his breath. “Hmph. I don’t think they meant what they said. All I can hope is that they accept me for who I am once they awaken. Now come on. We need to get them to the hospital.” Had to respect him. He was stalwart, that was certain. The Next Day… We took those pegasus mares to the hospital and slept soundly for the rest of the evening. I woke up to a knock at my door. So naturally, I answered it. “Hello?” Sunburst was there, and he had a report to give. “Ah, good. You’re awake. This will make things a whole lot easier…” He went on to explain the fact that a report to Princess Twilight had already been made about the first attack that Neon and I managed to put a stop to. First off, wow--word travels fast, doesn’t it? “...and that’s the gist of it,” he finished. “She’s told Starlight and I to keep tabs on, and report things as they come.” “I see,” I replied, “And just how are things in Canterlot?” “Nothing major or crazy over there yet, thankfully.” He adjusted his glasses with a sigh of relief, “I still have a few friends that I’ve made over there that I can’t afford to lose. Then there’s Sire’s Hollow where mother lives which is a can of worms unto itself.” Yeesh. It sounded as if there was a lot on his plate. Maybe it would be best to not cause him any stress. “I see...if that is all, then--” “Oh no, that isn’t quite all,” he commented, “Twilight apparently wants you to return to Las Pegasus to check out the state of affairs. Flim and Flam should be doing their best to keep everything secure, but let’s keep it real--they could do with professional help.” “Professional”? Well that both comforted and confused me to hear. But I guess I had no other option. My work left no time to rest aside from my normal sleep schedule, anyway. So, it was time to go. “Alright then. I’ll have Corkscrew join me. Thanks for the tip, Sunburst.” “You’re welcome,” he said as he walked off, “I’ll keep you posted on anything new as it comes up.” And so, I went to the office, and let the pegasus stallion know about what our plans for the day were. Needless to say, he was pumped. “Yes! This time, it’s gonna be different!” he said as he put a hoof around my shoulder, “I’m not gonna let you go somewhere so dangerous without my help, boss. You remember what happened last time with that--” “Kirin, yes,” I interrupted, and cleared my throat. “Ahem. But yes, let’s get going before we burn anymore daylight.” But before we could leave, I heard someone enter the office and trot into the room. “...Pops. Let me help. Please.”