//------------------------------// // Fractured Fellows // Story: Don't Go By the River // by GreyGuardPony //------------------------------// Night Cloud smiled down at the unconscious form of Raindrops, now cursed with her body's old frailties. She almost wanted to leap into the air and test those new and powerful wing muscles that were now her's. But with the scream that Raindrops had let loose during the spell, there was a good chance her friends would be quickly coming. She glanced around, spying a large steamer trunk. She pulled it open, quickly grabbing Raindrops' body, throwing it inside and locking it again. And not a moment too soon as the form of Cheerilee, the element of laughter approached; a deep scowl was on her face. Night Cloud kept her expression neutral, though internally, she was hoping that she hadn't seen any of what had transpired. “Raindrops?” She asked, looking at Night Cloud's brother. “What happened? We heard you scream. Who's this pony?” Night Cloud shook her head. “It's nothing. I just got a shock. I thought he was attacking me, but I think he thought I was somepony else.” Cheerilee looked unconvinced, but Coal Black chose that moment to begin to wail. “Sister gone! Where go?” The teacher in Cheerilee took over, and she immediately trotted over to the distressed earth pony and did her best to comfort him. “Oh, you poor thing.” She soothed, patting his cannon as she shot the smallest of questioning glances Night Cloud's way. “I think he's suffered some kind of brain damage.” Night Cloud explained. “A grown stallion shouldn't be acting like that.” Cheerilee frowned. “And his sister just left him here? How heartless.” Night Cloud bit back the desire to punch the dark pink mare and blow her cover. Instead she just nodded in agreement. “Well, we can't just leave him here.” Cheerilee bit her lip. “We can't help everyone in Neigh Orleans either. We're here to help Trixie.” “Look at him though.” Night Cloud countered. “Does he look like he can handle himself like this?” Night Cloud knew full well that he couldn't. He was mostly hopeless without herself or one of the other members of her group to lead him around. Probably one of the few things that remained in his damaged mind was... “Do you know where your home is?” Cheerilee asked him. Coal Black nodded rapidly, his previously distressed expression turning back into a goofy grin. Night Cloud sized upon the moment. “Look. If he knows his way home, all he needs is an escort. We can do that and then meet back up with Trixie and the others. Do you know where we're staying yet?” Night Cloud probed with a question that she hoped was nice and neutral. Cheerilee shook her head. “She's currently explaining Twilight Sparkle to the guard.” “I'll stay here and keep him calm then. You tell her what we're doing and ask where to meet back up with the group.” Cheerilee nodded, trotting back out of the train, completely missing the smile that crossed Night Cloud's face. While the element of laughter was gone, she quickly poked her mane, rousing one of Night Shade's shadow messengers that had stowed away in it. As it flowed out, coiling lazily around her hoof, she whispered a message. “Replaced Raindrops. Luring Cheerilee to my house. Will have intel on where they're staying when you arrive. Trixie brought another pony. Name of Twilight Sparkle.” She paused for a moment before adding something else. “And you, shadow. Tell Rising Note that Raindrops is in this trunk and needs to be gotten rid of.” She let the shadow uncoil from her hoof, before shooing it away. “Go!” The shadow zipped off, fading through the wall as it shot across the city at magically enhanced speeds. A few moments later, Cheerilee came back into the train car. “All right. Trixie said that they'll be at the River Traveler Inn.” She patted Coal Black's cannon again. “Come on.” She said in her calmest teacher voice. “Let's get you home.” Coal Black grinned. “Home!” - - - - Trixie sighed as she, Twilight, Carrot Top, Lyra and Ditzy broke in the opposite direction from where Raindrops, Cheerileee and the strange mentally damaged pony that they had found were going. They hadn't even been in Neigh Orleans for ten minutes and they were already splitting up. Straightening her hat, she pushed the annoyance from her mind. They hadn't ticked off any smugglers yet, so they'd be okay...probably. But, then again her grandpapa's and mothers remains should have been okay too, and here they were. She glanced at the buildings that they were passing, a nostalgic smile crossing her muzzle. The distinctive ached doorways and iron balconies of the Quater's town houses loomed overhead, almost welcoming in a way. The hotel she had in mind was near the edge of the Quarter that bordered the red light district. Despite her distaste for being that close to that den of vice, she had picked it for two primary reasons. It wouldn't be overly expensive, and it would actually have rooms available. Even as they wove their way through the streets, the group could already see ponies all about, a few even already in costume, hitting the bars that lined most of the streets in the tourist quarter. Ditzy shook her head as she took in the sight. “Hitting the bars already? Somehow I expected more from Neigh Orleans' Nightmare Night than costumes and drinking.” “Just wait till tonight.” Trixie commented with a slight smirk. “The parade slash open air party that clogs Bourbon Street is what the city is really the most famous for. Music, big horror themed floats, and all the candy you can eat...with costumes and booze.” The group shared a chuckle at that last bit, continuing to take in the sights as they slowly worked their way across the city. - - - - Cheerilee couldn't help but feel sorry for the large gray stallion. Every few streets he would pause and look around, biting his lip, a look of panic on his features before some kind of random thing would key some kind of memory and he'd take off in another direction. Raindrops just trotted alongside him, pausing when he did and waiting for him to pick a direction. They had been walking for what felt like nearly an hour and she was starting to doubt that the large earth pony actually knew where he was going. Especially since they had crossed into a part of the city that looked distinctly seedy. She was just about to suggest that they turn back, maybe find an officer to assist, when the earth pony perked up and pointed at a thin, battered looking building. “Home!” He rushed through the door, Raindrops trotting after him. Cheerilee frowned, following her. The inside of the house looked just as run down and battered as the outside, the floor needing repairs in a few places, the walls bare. “Raindrops. He's home. We should probably be getting back to Trixie.” “I just want to make sure that no one broke in here or that his sister isn't bleeding out somewhere in here. Can you check upstairs?” Cheerilee shrugged. Raindrops had a point, and a quick check couldn't hurt. She trotted upstairs, stepping into one of the bedrooms. It was sparsely furnished, mostly just a bed, a night stand and a mirror propped up in the corner. No sign of a sister, and no sign of anything wrong. The sound of hooves on the floor caught her attention. Turning, she saw Raindrops guiding the earth pony into the room before closing the door behind her. “Raindrops?” Cheerilee frowned. “What's going on?” A chill ran down Cheerilee's spine as her friend gave a wide grin that was very, very not Raindrops. A grin almost as wide as when she was under the effect of the “anger therapy” from last year. “Coal Black.” She said calmly, the earth pony's head snapping her direction in sudden recognition. “The nice mare helped you get home. Doesn't she deserve a hug for her troubles?” “Hug!” Coal Black grinned as he rushed at Cheerilee. She back-pedalled, bumping into the bed. She glanced back at the window on the far wall, already formulating a plan to make a bolt for it. Ducking just as the earth pony reached her, she rolled under the bed. The impact of Coal Black's body on the bed made it jump a good three inches, but Cheerilee didn't wait and quickly crawled for the window, straightening up as she reached it. Before she could throw it open, or even jump through it, Raindrops tackled her, dragging her to the floor. Cheerilee was flipped over, and found herself pinned to the floor by Raindrops' formidable strength. Her eyes widened at the ornate dagger clutched in her mouth. Not hesitating, she head butted her friend in the snout, causing her to let go and stumble backwards for a moment. She got to her hooves just in time to get grabbed by Coal Black in a massive bear hug. He was easily just as strong as Raindrops and had her in a pin, though she squirmed and struggled all the same. “Raindrops?! What are you doing? Who's making you do this?” Raindrops ignored her, stalking forward and stabbing the dagger deep into her right leg. Cheerilee winced in pain as she pulled the dagger back and carefully placed it on the floor, taking careful care to keep Cheerilee's blood in the dagger. “Okay brother. Use the dagger, just like you were shown.” Cheerilee felt herself let go, as Coal Black grabbed the dagger by the handle and tilted his head back, the blood flowing down his throat. She jumped back to her hooves, ready to bolt for the now unguarded door when she felt a horrible twisting pain that cut through her like a sharpened spear. Patches of her fur color beginning to spread all over Coal Black's coat as his form began to shrink down, his black mane likewise springing into her own color as she watched herself emerge from the form of the stallion. A sharp pain sprang into being in her head. Wincing and flicking her glance towards the mirror, she could see a jagged scar beginning to be drawn across her forehead, just above her eyes. She winced again. She had to get out of here. She had to warn Trixie and the others about...about... ...What did she have to warn them about? She had to tell them something! She scrunched up her face, trying to focus, but it was like trying to hang onto sand. Warn...why...she had to...do...something...tell the nice blue pony...a thing... She looked around the room, frowning deeply. She had to do something. It was a big thing, but it wasn't here and her leg hurt for some reason. And that other pony looked like her, and she just didn't know what to do. Falling back onto her haunches, Cheerilee began to softly cry to herself, completely lost. - - - - Coal Black groaned as lucidity returned to his mind for the first time in quite a while. He glanced over at the jasmine colored pegasus that was grinning widely at him, memories beginning to surface through the morass he had been under. With his mind repaired from whatever spell had been used on him, years of memories and events were suddenly gifted with context. “Night Cloud?” He frowned. “Would ya care to explain why in Tarturus you've gone and done all of this?” He waved a hoof at his sister's changed form and the weeping form of Cheerilee. And why ya decided that I should be a mare?” Night Cloud winced. “Well, it's not my fault that the element bearers don't have a single stallion in the lot! I just wanted to fix your mind again.” She grinned wide, throwing her forelegs around him and nuzzling his neck in a sibling hug. “I'm just so glad that you can talk and think normal again!” “Ah know.” He grumbled, patting his sister on the back all the same. “I rememba all the rather one sided conversations ya had with me over the years. Don't change the fact that ya inflicted my unfortunate fate on some other poor pony.” Night Cloud glowered, flicking her wings in annoyance. “Sacrifices have to be made sometimes brother. I mean...look at me! I can fly now! No more looks of pity from those stuck up pegasai who weren't born with crippled wings.” “Sis...ah always told ya to not let those ponies get under yer skin. Those who mind, don't matter...” “And those who matter, don't mind.” Night Cloud sighed. “I do love family reunions.” Came a dapper and cheerful voice from behind Coal Black. He glanced back at the door, recognizing the form of Night Shade. More repaired memories floated the surface. Coal Black remembered, with clarity this time, the night when he and his sister had been found by the unicorn. It was after his accident, so he hadn't been able to do much more but grin at the time. He and Night Cloud had been living under one of the bridges that crossed the Neigh Orleans river. Night Shade and an older female unicorn had noticed them and extended the offer to work and live at their manor house. “Mister Shade. It's a pleasure ta finally be able to greet you properly. My condolences on the death of your mother.” “Nothing that can't be fixed, mister Black. After all, we were able to fix you, weren't we?” “Yeah, about that...” He frowned. “Look at the poor mare.” Cheerilee was still sitting on her haunches, her body shaking as she cried. “I know what kinda nightmare it is to be trapped in yer head with a lack of comprehension. Tradin one cruelty for another...ain't right.” “It's all right. She won't suffer much longer.” Coal Black frowned. “Yer gonna kill her? Mister Shade...what is all goin on here? Ya'll never talked much about the end result of all these shenanigans when I was in the room.” “Well, now that you are cognizant again, I can properly fill you in. I aim to steal the power of an alicorn.” Coal Black raised an eyebrow. “Yer serious?” Night Shade motioned towards Night Cloud. “Have you taken a good look at your sister? All of Raindrops' strength, her flying skill. A perfect physical duplicate.” “What, yer gonna be a mare too?” Night Shade frowned slightly. “Not my first choice admittedly, but that will be easy enough to fix with an alicorn's magical power.” “And why do ya need to do that?” “I need Luna's power to bring my mother back to life.” “Did ya just try asking?” Night Shade frowned, his expression growing almost murderous. “I already did. Petitioned her years ago. She told me that I needed to move on, that death was a natural part of life. She doesn't understand, so I have since stopped bothering to try and make her understand.” Coal Black decided to not bring up the fact that Luna had lost her own sister for a thousand years, and instead changed tact. “...Okay. So, why does that poor mare over there need to die?” “It's quite simple. Once our group has replaced all of them, Equestria will still need the Elements of Harmony, because I will be damned if I'll let that solar bitch Corona take over.” and as they will be too broken to continue in that role, they need to die so that the Elements can be re-assigned.” “Look, Mister Night Shade. I am thoroughly grateful that your family decided ta help look after mine, but is this really the best plan? Even if ya can replace all of the element bearers, will ya even be able to get close enough to Luna?” “Leave that to me. Now...let me take care of her.” He took a few steps forward, leveling his staff at Cheerilee. Coal Black frowned, stepping in between the two ponies. “Mister Shade, please. Let me take her to a quiet place and make it quick and painless. I'll break her neck, real quick like. Don't make her suffer with a spell.” Night Shade paused, lowering his staff slowly. “Very well Coal Black. You've never asked for anything in all the years you've been mentally challenged. I suppose I can provide you this small kindness. Just stay to the ally ways. Do you remember where the warehouse where we picked up the bodies of Trixie's relatives?” Coal Black nodded. “Meet us there when you're done.” Coal Black nodded, prodding Cheerilee in her side with his head. Cheerilee stopped crying, her brow furrowed in confusion as she stared at Coal Black. With another prod, she stumbled to her hooves, letting herself be slowly lead outside and onto the streets. Continuing to nudge his charge through the winding back alleys of the city, Coal Black picked up the pace, moving into a canter as he tried to put as much distance between the two of them and the house as he could. He had no real intention to kill pony that had been cursed with his defect, but he also couldn't leave his sister in the hooves of that madpony. Breaking back out onto one of the wide avenues that directly flanked the river, Coal Black lead Cheerilee across the way, weaving through the traffic that filled the streets. Reaching the far edge of the street, Coal Black looked around. It was early afternoon, the streets full of ponies. If Cheerilee stayed to the main streets, Night Shade would at least be reluctant to send out his shadow undead...until night fall at least. “Okay, Cheerilee. Ya need to pay attention to me.” He spoke calmly as he put a forearm around her withers. The pony whose body he stole stared at him. She still looked confused, but her eyes were focused at the very least. Coal Black pointed a hoof towards the river. “See the river? Ya need to follow the river.” Cheerilee looked towards the water, nodding slowly. “River.” “Ya need ta follow the river out of town.” He said, pointing north. “You'll be safe there.” “Follow, river.” Cheerilee nodded. “Yes. Follow. River.” Cheerilee nodded again. While not perfect, it was good enough for Coal Black. Turning, he looked back to Cheerilee one more time before rushing back across the city. Cheerilee didn't move right away, instead staring at the river. The nice pony that looked like her had said to follow the river. But something was still bothering her. There was the important thing that she couldn't remember. She kept staring at the rushing water. Water. A memory flashed through her mind, an aquamarine coated unicorn blocking her and some other ponies from walking into a river. She beamed, a massive grin spreading across her muzzle. Her friends would know what the important thing was! Filled with fresh determination, Cheerilee turned and began to follow the river south. - - - - Raindrops groaned as she felt herself returning to consciousness. Darkness was all around her, cold and wet water splashing against her back. Swearing, she reached out with her hooves, feeling around for where she was. A wooden box? Am I in a coffin? Or maybe a trunk? Frowning, she punched and kicked against the wooden box with all of her might. Blows that would normally be able to shatter and splinter wood bounced off the solid construction. Raindrops winced, remembering what she had seen when she was attacked. The feeling of her muscles wasting away. And to make matters worse, she could feel the cold water level slowly rising. Raindops gulped. Her time was running out. Taking another deep breath she began to kick again, trying to find a way out of the the slowly sinking trunk as it was swept down river. - - - - “Where are they?!” Trixie growled as she paced. “It's been over an hour.” “Pacing isn't going to help.” Lyra pointed out. “They don't know the city like you do. It'll take them some time. If you're worried enough we could go looking for them.” “It's a big city Lyra. I wouldn't know where to begin. I never should have let them go off on their own.” Lyra sighed. “Look Trixie, staying here and just worrying isn't going to help. How about you and Twilight head over to your aunt's. The rest of us can wait here for Raindrops and Cheerilee.” Trixie frowned. “Split up again?” “Lyra has a point.” Ditzy added. “If we aren't going to go looking for Raindrops and Cheerilee, then it's probably best that you do something.” “But what if this is some kind of plot to split us up!” Ditzy blinked. “From who? You said yourself that this was probably just some grave robbers looking for a quick bunch of bits. We haven't even had the chance to talk to anypony yet.” Trixie frowned, but was forced to admit that Ditzy did have a point. “All right. Twilight, shall we?” Twilight nodded. “Of course.” - - - - The house that Trixie had grown up in was just as small as she remembered it, and still just as well maintained. A lot of other ponies would call such a building cramped, but for Trixie it was cozy more than anything else. Almost as if Twilight was reading her mind, she spoke up. “Wow...it's...small.” Trixie smirked. “Maybe a little. But all the same, it was home growing up.” Twilight nodded. “You said this was your aunts house?” “Yes it was.” Twilight shuffled a hoof on the ground. “I guess I got lucky having both my parents alive when I was growing up and a big brother to look out for me.” Trixie smirked as she adjusted her hat. “Let's not start a game of misery poker, all right? Come on, I'm sure my aunt would like to meet you.” Walking up to the door, Trixie rapped a hoof on it. A moment later the door swung open and Trixie was greeted by her aunt Moonsinger. The aging pegasus still carried herself with dignity, standing straight and proud, her mane and tail carrying a similar silvery look to Trixie's own. A smile breaking across her muzzle, she pulled Trixie into a hug. “Trixie! I am so glad to see you.” “I'm glad to see you too auntie. I was afraid that you'd get bored without eight rambunctious foals running around.” Moonsinger laughed. “It is impossible to get bored in Neigh Orleans.” She nodded towards Twilight. “Who's your friend?” “This is Twilight Sparkle auntie. She's here to help. My other friends came too, but they're back at the hotel right now.” Twilight nodded, a slightly nervous smile playing across her muzzle. Moonsinger nodded a genuine smile on her own muzzle as she motioned for Trixie and Twilight to follow her inside. “Thank you miss Sparkle. I...well, I'm happy that so many ponies are helping out. This has been...difficult.” “We'll get them back.” Trixie nodded as she and Twilight took seats in the cramped little living room. “I promise.” Moonsinger nodded as she trotted into the kitchen, beginning to put a kettle on for tea. “I know. I have trust in you and your friends. It's just...frustrating, the lack of help I've been getting from the guard. I mean, first it was the robbery at The Stacks and then the Nightmare Night preparations...” “Wait,” Twilight perked up, suddenly very focused, “The Gallery Magica was robbed?” Moonsinger paused, but nodded. “I think it happened the day before the bodies were stolen.” Trixie frowned. “Wait...did the guard not make the possible connection?” “They insisted the two incidents were unrelated.” She shrugged helplessly. “Trixie, we should go pay the Gallery a visit. That library...well, it was where I learned the spell I used on the Ursa Minor. There's some dangerous spells there and maybe...” “Maybe this is more involved than just some thugs out for bits.” Trixie sighed. Moonsinger frowned slightly. “I suppose that you have to get moving again, then?” “I'm sorry auntie, but the faster we move, the better.” Moonsinger nodded, coming over and pulling Trixie into another hug. “Just promise me you'll come back to the house for a proper visit before you head back to Ponyville.” “Of course.” - - - - Another cross town journey had led Trixie and Twilight to the library known as the Gallery Magica. Least that was it's official name. Everypony native to Neigh Orleans simply referred to it as The Stacks. While not as impressive in terms of pure scope as the libraries of Canterlot, or some of the other well known libraries of Equestria it did have two things that set it apart from it's contemporaries. The first was the library's necromancy-focused collection. The other was the small research staff that devoted its time to the study of ways to counter-act necromantic spells. Trixie assumed that the latter, combined with the recent theft, was why two bored members of the Neigh Orleans guard were posted outside the doors. Twilight frowned, tilting her head to the side. “I don't think they'll let us in, Trixie.” “Just follow my lead.” Trixie strode forward with confidence, head held high. As she drew close to the guards, they crossed their spears to block her entrance. Not missing a beat, Trixie straightened her own hat and fixed them with a glare. “I am Dame Trixie Lulamoon. Knight of Equestria and Night Court Representative. I demand entrance.” Trixie could hear Twilight groan but kept her head held high. The guards exchanged glances, the unease clear on their faces. “Sergeant Hooflock said that no one should be allowed in.” “Yeah, but she sounds important. I don't wanna get my pay docked for upholding some kind of official muckity muck.” He jerked his head towards the door. “Whatever Dame. It's on your head if you're not supposed to be here.” Trixie grinned as she swaggered past the pair, Twilight trotting closely behind. The Stacks were aptly named. Like many buildings in older cities, the Gallery had been built out of existing buildings. As such, it was full of tall, cramped shelves that were, crammed full of books and thick tomes; all the associated trappings of knowledge and literature. Trixie couldn't help but notice the smile that played across Twilight's muzzle. “Old memories Twilight?” “Just glad to be here in a...less fugitive capacity.” Both ponies paused as the sound of an argument began to float to their ears. Twilight frowned. “That sounds like it's coming from one of the research offices.” “Let's go pay them a visit then.” Trotting upstairs, the pair came to one of the research labs where two ponies were currently locked in a heated debate. The lab itself looked like a storm had torn through it. Books and papers were torn and scattered about the room, still laying where they had fallen. The ponies that stood in the room were a mare and a stallion, the latter seemingly angry at the former for trying to clean up; at least that's how it seemed to Trixie. The stallion had a dark brown coat, and light brown mane and tail that were cut short. His cutie-mark a clear set of shackles; a medallion displaying the symbol of the rank of sergeant hung around his neck. The mare he was arguing with had a light amber coat, a wavy crimson and yellow mane and tail and a disposition that reminded Twilight of some of Trixie's more boastful moments. They also couldn't help but notice the two toned sun cutie-mark that stood out on her flank. She also seemed to be the one on the offensive in the argument. As Trixie and Twilight grew closer, they could make out the details of the argument. “So, when are your jackbooted thugs going to get off of my back so that my team can get back to doing the jobs that Princess Luna gave us to do?” “We still haven't worked out what was stolen! You're officially tampering with evidence! Besides, your research has been torn to pieces already.” “Which is exactly why I need to get BACK TO WORK! We have a whole project to start over! And maybe if your guards weren't so obsessed with playing watch dog for a party, you would have worked it out by now!” Twilight frowned. “Maybe we should let them have their argument.” Trixie shook her head. “I want to know if there's a connection here, so I'm going to work it out.” She strode into the office, the fight between the two ponies stopping as they took in the newcomer. Trixie nodded to each of them. “Greetings! I am Night Court Representative Trixie. Might I inquire what has happened here?” “No, you may not.” The mare snapped back. “This is sensitive research, and not something that I'll just give information on to any two bit Ponyville representative who manages to talk her way past the front door.” Trixie gaped for a minute before finding her voice again. “How exactly do you know I'm from Ponyville?” “Because, unlike most of the plebeians that I am stuck dealing with,” She shot a glare at Hooflock, “I actually read the papers, and am quite aware of who and what you actually are. Especially when you drag the forbidden knowledge thief along with you.” Twilight nervously laughed, taking a few steps backward from the pair. “Ehh-heh-heh. Sunset Shimmer, I...” “Save it.” She hissed. “This one shows up, offering to be a research assistant, copies a bunch of forbidden spells, steals some other books and then runs off!” Hooflock frowned. “Wait...and you brought her here?” “I know, I know.” Trixie dismissed. “She's already plead guilty, the sentence has been carried out, she's under house arrest...technically relegated to my custody outside of Ponyville, but...” “HOUSE arrest?” Sunset Shimmer gaped. “Of course...this is just the perfect capstone to my day.” She pointed a hoof at the door. “You can leave now.” Trixie growled. “I am not leaving until you answer my question. My family's graves have been robbed. It happened a day after all of this happened to you. So, was any of the research you were doing relevant or of interest to necromancers and grave robbers.” Sunset Shimmer waved a hoof dismissively. “We research ways to break necromancy here, not help it. I suspect that they destroyed my research to protect any foul creations they made.” Trixie growled. “Are you absolutely sure?” Shimmer frowned. “Well, there are a great deal of books here in addition to the research notes. If Crystal Gazer was here, I'd have her look into it for you, but she took a few vacation days.” “Umm.” Twilight offered. “I could always stay here and help. There is a police officer here, so I wouldn't be violating my house arrest.” “What?” Sunset Shimmer blinked. “Yes! That's a marvelous idea.” Trixie grinned. “Twilight can handle things here for a bit, and once my other friends and I do some more investigations, I'll swing back around and pick her up!” Hooflock opened his mouth to argue, but then sighed and shrugged. “Fine. Whatever. My Nightmare Night is already shot.” “Great! I'll be back in four, five hours tops.” - - - - “Got any threes?” “Sorry Ditzy. Go fish.” Lyra smirked from her seat neat the window as she idly plucked at her lyre, noodling out a little tune as she watched the streets from her perch. Ditzy and Carrot Top sat at the table in the room playing a game of cards while Lyra kept her eyes peeled for Raindrops and Cheerilee. Of the two rooms the group of seven ponies had gotten, Lyra had made sure to call dibs on the one that faced the street. At the time, it was more because Lyra wanted a view, but now it let her keep an eye out for her friends. Ditzy grabbed a card from the pile as she glanced towards Lyra. “Any sign of them yet?” “Not yet.” Lyra shook her head. “I'm starting to get kind of worried myself.” Carrot Top nodded as she put her cards down. “Well, once Trixie gets back we should go and look for them.” Lyra nodded but then perked up as she saw the jasmine colored form of her friend land in front of the inn and resolutely trot inside. “Raindrops just got here...I don't see Cheerilee though.” A moment later the door was pushed open and a battered looking Raindrops stepped into the room. Bruises marred her coat around her head and side, one eye thoroughly blackened and a nasty welt visible on the back of her head. Ditzy gasped, rushing to her friend's side and inspecting the wounds on her friend's body. “What happened?!” Raindrops winced. “It was a trap. We got lured to an old warehouse of all places. Thugs were everywhere. They...they got Cheerilee, and she told me to go get help, so I came back here as fast as I could.” She stopped a hoof on the floor. “Come on! We gotta go! Who knows what they're going to do to her!” Lyra nodded, already having gotten to her hooves, ready to rush to the aid of her friend. Ditzy was likewise ready to go, her wings beating rapidly, determination etched across her features. Carrot Top seemed to be the only pony with doubts. “What about Trixie and Twilight? Shouldn't we leave a note or something?” Raindrops growled. “Then leave it quick! We can't just leave Cheerilee there!” Carrot Top, nodded, quickly scribbling out a quick note explaining where they were going and pinning it to the door. With Raindrops leading the way, the four ponies rushed out into the city again. - - - - Having torn across the city as fast as they could, Lyra found herself growing thankful for the training regimen that Cheerilee had been putting the group through, otherwise she'd be a lot more exhausted. The riverside warehouse looked pretty similar to every other warehouse that they had passed along the way, except a little more rundown. The little rational voice in the back of her head that always sounded like Bon Bon piped up at this point. The chances of the attackers still being there was pretty slim, unless this was also a trap of some kind. But if Cheerilee was in trouble, she had to take the chance. “So...what's the plan?” She asked. Raindrops shrugged. “Ditzy and I go through the windows, and you and Carrot Top go through the doors? Take them by surprise?” “As good of a plan as any, really.” Lyra said. Raindrops nodded, taking to the air. “On three then?” Lyra nodded again, her muscles tensing. “One...two...three!” She shouted, rushing forward. She let Carrot Top take the slight lead, the earth pony using her more sturdy frame to smash the door open. The pair rushed into the middle of the massive floor, Raindrops and Ditzy zipping overhead, taking advantage of the high vaulted ceilings to fully spread their wings. Lyra and Carrot Top skidded to a halt, Ditzy landing next to them, while Raindrops landed behind them, scanning for anyone trying to sneak up on them. “Damn it.” Carrot Top growled. “I don't see anypony. Are they gone already?” “Au contraire my dear. I haven't gone anywhere.” The patch of shadow between two sets of crates pulled away, revealing a white coated unicorn with an absurdly – in Lyra's opinon at least – poofy light purple mane, and Cheerilee, sitting on her haunches; the unicorn had a staff pressed into her back in a clearly threatening gesture. “Now, if you'd be kind enough to not move, or your friend here will get it.” Ditzy frowned. “Cheerilee? Are you okay? He hasn't hurt you, has he?” Cheerilee shook her head. “Ah'm fine.” Everypony froze, the distinctive Neigh Orleans drawl completely unmistakable. The unicorn slapped a hoof against his face, groaning. “So much for the element of surprise. Get them!” Lyra felt herself get grabbed from behind, the iron strong grip of Raindrops pinning her arms to her side as she was tackled into a group of crates. An explosion of pain shot through her head as it was cracked off the side of the wooden boxes. Carrot Top yelled in shock, running to try and pull Raindrops off of her. Fall Fields sprung from where she had been slowly moving around to flank the group, blocking Carrot Top's path and swinging her dagger wildly to try and slice her dagger into her opponents flesh. Ditzy found herself approached by two elderly mares, an earth pony with a dagger and a unicorn with a broken horn. She took to the air, darting around the warehouse as she tried to swoop towards Lyra. “Raindrops! What are you doing?!” She shouted. “Sorry, Raindrops isn't here anymore.” She grinned, as she kept Lyra pinned, a three legged pegasus stepping from her own hiding space and slashing into Lyra's foreleg. Tilting her head back and swallowing the blood she began to change, causing a fresh round of screams to erupt from Lyra. For Lyra, the nature of the pain was familiar at least. It was a similar kind of agony to what Grogar had inflicted on her in Tambelon, but being ripped right out of her chest. Horrifyingly enough, she watched her right foreleg begin to retract. First hoof, then pastern, and then finally her cannon, leaving her half hobbled. Another twist of pain lanced through her forehead, as her horn began to shrink away; that sensation was coupled with the feeling of pain ripping through her back as wings sprouted into view. By contrast, the pegasus who had drunk Lyra's blood laughed as her own wings withered away and a horn grew into place. Her coat and mane shifted into Lyra's own color, before her violin cutie-mark changed into a Lyre. “Raindrops” threw Lyra to the floor before lifting up into the air and rushing at Ditzy. Ditzy yelped, darting to the side as her friend's doppelganger shot past her. “Raindrops” slowly looped around and charged again. Ditzy was able to easily dodge again. “Raindrops” growled. “Hold still you little...” “Obviously, you didn't learn much about who you were going to be before you replaced my friend. Raindrops is a slow flyer. Now...where is she.” “Dumped in the river, locked in a box.” “Lyra” crowed. “Did it myself. I bet she's either drowned or floated out to sea by now.” “What?” Carrot Top gaped, as she stumbled. Fall Fields took the advantage of the distraction, slicing her dagger across Carrot Top's side, and quickly tilting it back. Carrot Top shrieked in pain as the changes played across her attackers form. A moment later, two Carrot Tops were standing in the warehouse. Lyra frowned as she limped back to her good hooves. It didn't look like anything had changed with her Carrot Top, but the spell obviously had worked in some manner. The new Carrot Top grinned like a loon as she began to swing her hooves at the original, the dance of attack and dodge continuing. Lyra groaned as her own twin faced her down, summoning the lyre that had always been hers. It was uncanny, the way her copy looked just like her, even being able to call on her magic. Lyra backed away as “Lyra” dismissed the lyre and picked up the dagger again. “Now just to deal with you.” Ditzy was still avoiding “Raindrops” with ease, which was beginning to aggravate the white unicorn. Swinging his jeweled cane up, a black bolt of energy jumped from the gem and lanced through one of Ditzy's wings. The mail-mare cried out in pain and dropped like stone, the elderly earth pony mare pouncing on her, and cutting her leg, gulping the blood down. Ditzy screamed, just like Lyra and Carrot Top did, but her expression became distinctly distant as her attacker changed. To Lyra and Carrot Top it almost seemed like she was suddenly remembering something. As the older mare grew young again, taking on Ditzy's distinctive appearance, Ditzy suddenly let loose a scream that was half enraged, half morose. “DIIINNNKKKYYY!” Carrot Top dodged another strike from her clone. “What are you talking about?” “SHE'S DEAD! And I just remembered now! How did Corona make me forget? HOW?!” Lyra blinked as she dodged another strike from her attacker. “Ditzy, we dropped her off with Raindrops family before we left!” The mare that had attacked Ditzy, now her perfect copy, stepped forward with the dagger again, clearly intending to stab her in the back. Ditzy sprung to her hooves, spinning around and bucking her right in the stomach. The wind thoroughly knocked out of her, “Ditzy” fell to the ground. “I will not die here! I need to break Corona for KILLING MY LITTLE GIRL!” “Oh, for Luna's sake.” The white coated unicorn growled. “Just kill them already!” Ditzy growled jumping into the air, ignoring the pain that lanced through her clipped wing. Slamming her whole body into one of the stacks of crates that the unicorn was standing in between, a few precariously stacked crates at the top wobbled and then toppled off. The unicorn and “Cheerilee” had to make an undignified scramble to avoid being crushed completely, though the former did yelp in pain as he was partially pinned by the crate. “Night Shade!” “Raindrops” shouted as she and the others rushed to his side. Lyra winced. “Come on! We gotta go, now!” Ditzy looked back towards Lyra, rage still etched on her features, but she nodded all the same flying back towards Lyra and Carrot Top. The three rushed back out of the warehouse, Lyra with a slight limp, disappearing back into the city streets. Night Cloud sat up, rubbing at his side as the crate was shoved off his body. “Well...berserker mother's love was a somewhat unexpected reaction.” Fall Fields frowned. “What are we going to do?” Night Shade didn't respond, instead picked his cane back up and channeling magic through it again. Three shadows crawled from cracks and corners of the warehouse, flitting and twirling around Night Shade. “The three that just left. Track them, find them and wait for a moment where they are alone to drain them dry.” The shadows gibbered, flowing across the floor, up the walls and out the windows. Satisfied with that, Night Shade turned to his crew. “All right. Considering how this transpired, I don't think that we should grab Trixie in the city. We'll lure her back to the manor house and take her there.” Night Cloud nodded. “And how are we going to do that? Carrot Top left a note for her saying that we were off to rescue Cheerilee.” “Then exploit that again. Say that you didn't find anything at the warehouse, and that you poked around for leads.” He paused for a moment, thinking. “Take Crystal Gazer with you. Play her off as a disgruntled employee of an abusive noble that's coming clean about what he's been doing.” He fixed his eyes on Crystal Gazer. “You will need to sell it my dear, understand?” She nodded. “Of course.” “Give me a few hours to get back home and ready then.” He beamed at the assembled ponies. “We are almost there. We shall finish purging your weaknesses and then we take Luna's power and improve all of Equestria!” - - - - Lyra slowed down to a steady trot as she glanced back at the rows of warehouses that they had left behind. None of the ponies that had attacked them seemed to be following them. She sighed as the immediate danger passed. Ditzy was still trembling with anger, her gazes at Lyra and Carrot Top almost accusatory, like they were somehow involved in keeping the truth about Dinky from her. It was obvious to Lyra that whatever spell had taken her horn away had, in Ditzy's case, implanted false memories into her friend's head. She looked at Carrot Top, who didn't seem to be different at all, physically or mentally. Lyra wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing, all things considered. Carrot Top returned Lyra's glance a calming smile crossing her muzzle. “It'll be all right Lyra. We just have to stick together.” Lyra nodded as they continued to walk, heading back towards the more populated sections of the city. “We'll go get Trixie, and then take what happened to the guard. Party or not they'll have to listen. And then we'll break these spells.” “And then we'll go and deal with Corona.” Ditzy growled. Carrot Top and Lyra exchanged glances as the three came back into one of the main drags of the city. It was late afternoon by this point, beginning to roll into evening, the streets even more packed than they were in the morning. Lyra looked around to get her bearings only to be interrupted by a gruff male shout. “HALT!” A pair of guard were marching their direction, their expressions dour and angry, their eyes locked onto Carrot Top. “What's going on?” Lyra asked. “Mam, I'm not sure who you think you're with, but that mare is wanted for murder.” “Murder?” Carrot Top gaped. “Who do you think I am?” “Don't play stupid Fall Fields, you should have skipped town.” The guards were already moving to subdue her, ignoring her protests. Ditzy growled stepping between them and Carrot Top. “I don't know what's going on here, but I'm not going to let you just run my friend up the river!” “You'll step aside, or you'll get dragged in with her.” Ditzy, already on edge from her altered memories, threw herself at the guard. “I'm not losing any other pony I care about!” The first guard began to grapple with Ditzy, while the other began to blow on a whistle, summoning other guard members from down the street to assist. Soon the three ponies were mobbed by the city guard. Lyra was forced to the ground, along side Ditzy while Carrot Top was grabbed by two officers and forced to the ground with a bit more force. “Hey! Don't be so rough with her! She's not who you think she is!” Lyra shouted. “Well, she looks like Fall Fields to us. So we're going to hall you all down to the station and sort this out there.” Lyra could only glare as she and her friends were hauled off. - - - - Trixie couldn't stop glaring at the the note as she paced in her room. “Why doesn't anypony listen to me?” That was an unfair accusation, she had to admit. If Cheerilee really was in trouble, she wouldn't have been able to just sit around either. But now she had no idea where anypony was and she couldn't banish the knot of panic that was twisting in her gut. She crossed the hallway into the room Lyra had called dibs on, glancing out the window. It was getting dark, she'd have to go and do something. She turned and strode from the room, only to bump right into Lyra coming in. Trixie's eyes went wide as she pulled Lyra into a hug, looking over at her other friends standing in the hallway, noticing the lack of Cheerilee and the presence of an older unicorn mare. “What's going on? Where's Cheerilee? And who is this?” “This is Crystal Gazer.” Lyra explained. “She works for one of the nobles in the city. We found her after the warehouse chase turned up empty.” Crystal Gazer bowed slightly. “Greetings Lady Trixie. I do have some knowledge as to your friends state that...is not good.” Trixie frowned. “Tell me.” “My employer has taken her back to his manner house for necromantic experiments of some kind.” She frowned, biting her lip. “I'm afraid that I don't know the details, divination is much more my field and that was before...this,” She motioned to her own broken horn, “But I saw her locked in the basement and tried to find you as quickly as possible.” Trixie frowned. “If you're working for him, why come to us?” “Because what he's doing is wrong! He'll kill somepony who doesn't deserve it, and I will not be dragged down with him!” Trixie nodded. “All right. Lead on then.” With that, they headed across the city, Trixie missing the smile that her “friends” exchanged.