//------------------------------//
// Ch 8 Planning (rewrite) 
// Story: Enforcing Change 
// by Scootaboom1 
//------------------------------//

Nightlight

In the morning Trick Star was in a much better mood than yesterday. When I was making my reservation they only had rooms with two or more beds so he did not need to sleep on the floor.

After a breakfast waffles and toast Trick Star and I were finishing up our hot cocoa. Trick Star noticed the receptionist from last night staring at him. According to him she was into him, but I was pretty sure that she was still weirded out by what happened last night.

We continued to chat as the others eating in the lobby. With a scoff Trick Star asked what I thought he should do if I was so good with mares.

I told him to stop referring to himself in illeism since it makes him sound like an egomaniac. It was good for shows and showing off but all the time was to much. Beyond that I was not sure what more to really tell him.

As I got ready to leave for the ruins Trick Star asked what our plans were. I corrected him that they were my plans and showed him the schedule I wrote up.

He gave it a confused look but commented that it looked nice, but he wanted to know about what I was investigating as we left and why it would take pretty much to whole day.

Even with a good pace Fort Trothoof was by no means close. As for the fort itself about about nine hundred and ninetyish years ago there was a fort about the size of a sports stadium which was used to protect the mountain pass from being used by invading armies. When their was a conflict an enemy force attacked it the soldiers posted there were massacred and the fort now lay to ruin. Unfortunately reinforcements arrived just too late to save the soldiers from the invading forces, but they were able to fend the invading enemies thanks to their sacrifice they were able to drive off the enemy despite having no fortification left.

Trick Star seem excited about the visiting the fort, and was surprised that it was my job to ensure that everything was working the way it was supposed too. So imagine his surprise when I said we arrived, and he asked where the fort was.

I looked off to the side and motioned to the remainder of a wall with about seven weathered bricks left.

The look of disappointment and confusion on his face was not unexpected.

To most this place would have mearly been an empty piece of land, but as a changeling I could sense it. The emotions from the ancient battle were so strong that they were still present. I think this place is perfect for what I have planned.

Trick Star growned loudly and asked me if there was anything interesting about this place.

I looked across the horizon and dramatically said, "The events that transpired here were so powerful that it permanently imprinted on the very soil."

I looked back to Trick Star and saw a look of confusion on his face and he motioned for me to continue.

Nightlight signed having assumed Trick Star would have understood he explained, "The fight was so intense that it's now supernatural."

Trick Star ohhed in understanding and as I continued to perform test on the sight of the battle before I was ready to go back to the inn with a few soil samples.

As we made our way back to the inn Trick Star said he was going to stay at the inn during tomorrow's investigation. This was fine with me since I originally planned to do this alone to begin with.

When we made it back to the inn Trick Star and I began to go through the schedule I made. We started with a local specialty curry which was far too spicy for Trick Stars' palette. Though to be fair I have noticed that a lot of Canterlot ponies liked simple foods.

After eating we made our way to the steam room for a few minutes before making our way to the conference room where they were doing a bingo event.

We played seven games came third in one and fifth in another. Since Trick Star decided that he was going to stay back when I went to perform my investigation tomorrow. Since I had no need for the money we won in bingo so he could have pocket money.

The next day after we had breakfast I made the hike to the fort was faster this time, but I was not there to investigate the fort itself but rather the surrounding areas.

Just off the the cliff side on the other side of the pass I noticed a sealed cave. When I got up to the cave entrance and when I moved the sealing stone I felt it. In the cave there was some kind of dark magic trying to draw me to it, but dark magic is often fueled by hate and other negative emotions. Try as it may as a changeling I am naturally repelled by it, but to not risk it I cast a spell that let me look in from outside. I cast a scanning spell and noticed that it had no real intelligence left. Resealing the cave I finished investigation of the area.

I made my way back to the inn in record time only to find Trick Star laughing with the receptionist. Eventually she walked off and Trick Star noticed me motioned me over.

He asked if I saw his masterful masculine charm.

So I told him that he was still wearing the maid headdress and stockings. The look of realization on his face as he ran back to the room amused me.

Celestia

Velvet hummed thoughtfully before smiling, "Thank you Princess, with this my project is complete."

I smiled at my little pony as she put her papers away. I know that she knew the truth about Nightlight but I was worried that she would get hurt because of it.

I had told her but she said that she knew he was good even if others couldn't see it, and that he knew he would have to allow things he already felt guilty about. He was someone who knew what had to be done and was willing to do them.

Unfortunately that was what worried me.

He knows that he is in the right and will do anything to accomplish his goals.

The road to Tartarus is paved in good intentions.