//------------------------------//
// Chapter 14 
// Story: Near Human 
// by Element of Power 
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So, do you approve of my request, your Highness?

Jovan watched Celestia huff and glare at him, while he remained unfazed. "What makes you think I would allow a bigger teleporter to be made? Directly under the castle, as well!"

He tilted his head inquisitively. "You care for your subjects, yes? Then you must realize the new severity of the situation. A simple search and capture of E-30 would have been sufficient, but now he has shown his willingness to bring harm to others. That means we will need more effective means of fighting him when needed. Don't underestimate his capacity to kill, just because it was only one." 

Celestia stepped closer with her rebuttal. "But this still brings a larger advantage for you alone, we have no use for it."

"It brings advantages to both of us." Jovan reasoned. "Relying on the small device is a barrier for me, and losing the device to a thief is a liability for you. A big, permanent teleporter would not be lost or stolen, and can be better guarded while using it. Don't forget that you will also be receiving technology in this partnership."

At this, Celestia backed up. "The cost will no doubt be high, but I will see that your request is completed. However, when it is done, you will be required to bring pony guards with you, so they can verify what lies on the other side." 

Jovan lightly bowed. "Of course. Thank you very much." With this, he dismissed himself and left the room.

Celestia watch him walk out, waiting for the door to close before letting out a sigh of anxiety. One of the guards spoke up. "Your Highness, can we really trust him with this project." 

This made Celestia think about the countless events that occurred within her lifetime. "I have no doubt that he has some hidden plans. I've met ponies like him before, and I can tell he's a schemer. Some of the recent events seem to be too coincidental, especially the death of that poor maid, Cherry Wings. While I can't confirm whether or not E-30 actually killed her, it seems like the event Jovan needed to justify his request."

The guard's eyes widened. "So the E-30 thing is might be innocent?"

Celestia shrugged. "Perhaps. Either way, he still needs to be captured to be interrogated. And a watchful eye needs to be kept on Jovan. He may be skilled at sneaking now, but he will eventually slip up in a major way. Then, we will put a stop to whatever he is planning." The guard gave a determined nod. Celestia narrowed her eyes as she looked back at the door. 'After all, did you think I didn't notice the missing body of the maid, Jovan?'


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"Manehattan...Manehattan...assuming it's supposed to be like Manhattan, it's probably a city. All I've seen are these woods though." E-30 sat in his hut as he thought about how to get to the creators of the helmet in his possession. A birds eye view wouldn't be much help in the middle of the woods, and he would need to know the direction of the city. Thinking back, he didn't remember seeing any maps in the castle. "Like I'd go back there anyway." He chuckled.

He could either try the Diamond Dogs or the zebra hut. "The Diamond Dogs don't seem like the type to have a map to a city. They don't leave the mine unless it's an emergency. I guess I'll go steal from the zebra again." 

Later in the night, E-30 waited in the forest near the zebra hut. He was watching for any sign that the inhabitant was home. After seeing no movement, he crept up to the house. Through the window he escaped from before, the familiar scenery was the same, except the zebra was home. Luckily, it was sleeping, so it left him an opportunity to get what he needed. 

'Maybe they're a deep sleeper.' He hoped. 

He carefully crawled through the window, standing up and looking around the room. He remained in one place to avoid making any noise. Across the room, there was a shelf with multiple rolled up papers. Crouching with his hands on the ground, he crossed the room and looked at the papers without touching it. By looking through the bottom, he could see pieces of what was transcribed on them, without unfurling them. 

Most of them were just filled with words, some of which he didn't recognize the language. One at the bottom of the pile had landscape on it, showing it was exactly what he needed. 'Now, for the most dangerous part...'

He grabbed the edge of the scroll and gently began sliding it off the shelf. Other scrolls began moving with it, so he help the rest in place with his hand. He cringed at every little slide and crackle the paper made as he continued his theft.

The map was retrieved from the stack, another scroll filling the void. He crept back and leapt through the window, dashing away with his treasure. With a bit of distance between him and the hut, he looked at the paper under the moonlight. Sure enough, it was a map. He found Manehattan, which was on the eastern coast. "The only way on is that railroad bridge though. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, heh." He furled the map up and ran towards his destination.


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When Zecora woke up the next morning, she looked around her house to see if anything was missing. After careful inspection, she saw that her scrolls weren't in the same arrangement. Smiling, she grabbed her bag and headed to town.

In the Castle of Friendship, Zecora stood silently in front of towers of books, separated by oceans of open books on the floor between them. Twilight was on the far side, searching through two at once before adding them to the towers. Only when Zecora cleared her throat did she notice the visitor.

Twilight talked while getting more books. "Oh, I'm sorry! I've been really busy lately, but you could probably tell that. I've been searching for some clues to the identity of the mystery creature that escaped the castle, but I haven't found anything. I have Fluttershy searching at her house, and I also asked Pinkie to help, since she had spare time."

Pinkie Pie popped out from under a pile of books and waved, "Hi!" before diving back under.

Twilight continued. "But none of us have had any luck yet, and not to sound paranoid, but it's been a while since we were given this task and the creature could be anywhere by now!"

Zecora held up her hoof for silence. "I think I encountered the creature you seek, for it has stolen from me twice in a week."

Twilight dropped the books and ran over. "Really?! Do you know where it went!" Zecora opened her saddlebag and took out a bottle. 

"Yesterday, this potion had coated the room, so the stolen item leaves a gaseous fume. Use your horn to activate the trail, and find the one that seeks to derail."

Twilight practically leapt in the air. "That's just what we need! I'll go tell the others. I'll need all the help I can get to find the creature!"

"Thank you so much!" Twilight gave Zecora a hug, shocking the zebra, before running out the door. "Come on Pinkie!" Pinkie Pie shot out of the books, crushed Zecora in her own hug, then zoomed out the door.

Zecora smiled, shaking her head and leaving as well.

Once the room was empty, Spike came running from the hall. "You have a letter from Princess Celestia, Twilight! ....Twilight?" Seeing the room was a mess of books, but missing Twilight, he left the scroll on the closest table so it could be easily spotted, then left. 

The scroll rolled off the table, unraveling as it went. It read:



Dear Princess Twilight
A few days prior, I tasked you with finding the escaped creature. However, there have been further developments involving it, which may tie it to a murder. For now, I would like for you to refrain from seeking out or following the creature. Please notify me immediately if you happen to come across it.

Your Friend,
Princess Celestia