As everyone was walking into the Friendship Castle, Black Mage was at the back of the line.
When everyone else had stepped inside, a pegasus mare with a pink coat and a long, lime green mane tied back in a ponytail, suddenly walked by the castle, looking worried. Her cutie mark was of a lightning bolt splitting a cloud in half. When she spotted Black Mage, she walked up to him. “Uhhmm, excuse sir, but could you help me with something?”
Black Mage stopped just outside the door, responding without turning around to face her. “Errr… sorry, I’d love to help you, but unfortunately I don’t speak English.”
The pegasus mare just looked back at him, confused. “Uhhmm, what’s English?”
Black Mage then raised his hands up to his side. “Well, I’d explain, but as I said, I don’t speak English.” He said again, without facing her.
“Uhhmm, okay?” She then just looked down at the ground, distraught, but she kept talking. “Well you see, I’m looking for my boyfriend.”
“Oh Gods, she’s still going.” BM whispered under his breath.
“He went off earlier this morning to check out a strange sound he heard in the Everfree Forest, and he hasn’t come back yet.” She then lifted her head up again. “If you see him, I would be most appreciative if you let me know. He’s a unicorn, with a blue coat and black mane, and his cutie mark is a multi-coloured cherry blossom.”
Hearing this, Black Mage immediately spun around to face her. “Hey, that sounds exactly like someone I’ve never met before.” He said in a nervous tone.
“Oh, I’m just so worried about him,” she said, while looking over shoulder, completely ignoring what he was saying.
Looking back briefly to see the others walk into the castle, he thought to himself for a second, and then turned back to face the pegasus mare again. “Hey listen, I changed my mind. I actually do know who you’re talking about and there’s nothing suspicious about that.”
The pegasus mare immediately piped up and her wings stood up at her sides in surprise. “You know where he is?!” She blurted out.
“Yes, and I can take you to him.” BM said flatly.
“Oh, thank Celestia.” She said with a big smile on her face.
“Yes, thank Celestia, or whatever.” Black Mage muttered. “But first, I need you to follow me into this dark alley.” He said as he gestured towards an alley behind him, between two buildings.
“Sounds reasonable enough.” She said with a smile, as she turned around and walked into the dark alley.
“Oh, good. This would be much more difficult if you resisted.” He said as he cupped his hands together. He then followed her into the alley, behind her.