Chapter 6_Path to Reunion Cubs, Tourists, and Tri-expression
“Please excuse me Representative Comet Tail.” Sergeant Flint Splitter asks with calm clarity. “There has been an awakening at the Tree of Harmony. May I bring them in?”
“Yes please Sergeant… But did you have to put it like that?” An earth pony mare, Representative Comet Tail; spoke in reply.
Her coat was a marbled blue white to only about middle of her torso shifting oddly to a streaky white black from there to her tail. Her cutie mark was a golden comet.
As group entered and she got a good look at Brian/Lilly and Dandelion causing Comet Tail to accidently shoves a lamp and some pens over the edge of her desk in excitement. Her smile droops a little at her effort to leap over her own desk.
“Oh no… Please excuse me; I should have kept a more professional reign on my excitement so as to not set a bad example for the rest of our residents here.” Comet Tail remarks embarrassed averting her gaze for a moment before she turns back to her visitors. “I’m Representative Comet Tail of the Lunar Court and it is a pleasure to see that you’re no longer trapped in stone dear Travellers. How may I be of help to you?”
“Well we would like some help finding our friends.” Dandelion replies taking an unconscious step forward.
“There were about five of us before we got split up and Peoria was bound up at the time by vines.” Brian adds.
“Peoria is fine and living in Moon Bloom Glenn…” Comet Tail replies brining a surprised look to Trixie’s face. “Unfortunately Tina passed away helping cure an epidemic.”
Brian/Lilly shuddered in distress with their head low and tail tucked but didn’t reply.
“Stewart Celestia was told it was because Tina ignored her own health to provide the medicine that kept the town alive.” Comet Tail continued.
“What… was the illness?” Lilly asks raising her head.
“Cutie Pox, when she was first found the epidemic was just starting and caught everypony off guard.” Comet Tail adds glumly. “As for your other friend we have yet to hear from him at all. So I don’t know where you should look.”
“We could go to Moon Bloom.” Trixie adds. “Peoria is there at least and I know the way well enough.”
“Is that fine with you?” Comet Tail adds a little sad herself.
“I’ll stick by you Brian and Lilly.” Dandelion says trying to comfort the fox with a wing.
Brian/Lilly nods their head a little glum.
“We send word to town mayor and have a welcoming party planned.” Comet Tail adds causing Brian/Lilly to wince in fear. “Oh… sorry again I didn't think you might not want the attention.”
“We need some time to get settled.” Dandelion replies.
“Okay we’ll do that. Thank you Trixie for providing this service.” Comet Tail adds smiling at the unicorn. “How about the rest of you are you going to the same place?”
“No.” Twilight replies shaking her head politely. “We need to head back to Cantorlot. It was nice to see everything here and make new friends in the process.”
“This really was a memorable trip Twilight.” Moon Dancer adds before turning to the others. “You three should look us up once your settled and bring the others.”
“Others…” Brian asks glancing at Trixie.
“Trixie has a distant cousin in Moon Bloom she is about to visit.” Trixie replies.
“I will send you on your way then. Sergeant Flint Splitter, thank you for the report can you show our guests out please?” Come Tail asks addressing the guards.
“With pleasure, Representative.” Sergeant Flint Splitter replies and leads the group out.
Back at Moon Bloom Glenn, Tina continues her trek to Doctor Hemlock’s home and office. Many of the ponies were now waking up bringing Tina a sense of unease because she knew she was suppose to be dead and whatever their cloths covered up only added to her distress.
“Oh what a wonderful… night?” yawns a charcoal gray unicorn with a blue green mane only to lock eyes with Tina. The filly startled by her mother’s shudder; also locks eyes on Tina.
“Rats…” Tina curses having been spotted and by another resident she did not recognize. “Sorry to interrupt your sleep can you point the way to Dr. Hemlock’s?”
“You need to turn left before you pass the well. You came too far up the path.” The gray unicorn replied standing up. Her filly also stood up with a bewildered look on her face, but she wasn’t trying to hide behind her mother. “My name is Fringe Fern, can you tell me your name you look familiar?”
“Tina…” a voice from behind the human called.
Tina cringed at Fringe Fern’s change in expression going from ‘you look familiar’ to outright ‘celebrity’. A sense of joy and disappointment filled Tina after her mind processed who the voice belonged to and turned around.
Standing behind her were three ponies one of whom raced to hug her.
“Peoria...” Tina softly mutters returning the hug and taking note of the growing crowd. “Do we have some place more private to talk? I have some questions… it’s been a weird night.”
“Please follow us Tina, we know a place.” Ruby replies before calling to the crowd. “As for everypony else let her get settled first, then we can all get to know her better.”
Ruby, Peoria, and Petal Lulamoon led Tina over to Dr. Hemlock’s office. A few knocks on the office door later and out steps Dr. Hemlock and River Runner.
The earth pony doctor and bat pony fisher stared momentarily in surprise at visitors before Dr. Hemlock flips a pair of bit coins over to River Runner.
“It seems I shouldn’t bet against your instincts River Runner.” Dr. Hemlock calmly mutters.
“I had no idea it would be this…” River Runner replies staring to wobble.
“How…” Dr. Hemlock begins to ask as Tina raises her former skull.
“I’m afraid to ask her doc.” Tina replies groaning. “But that is not the only question that scares me.”
“Come inside everypony.” Dr. Hemlock sighs waving the group past him.
Once inside everyone found a seat in the waiting area. River Runner and Dr. Hemlock sat on a couch closest to the doctor’s old room, Peoria and Petal took the one on the left wall, leaving Tina and Ruby to pull up chairs.
“Earlier today I found an unearthed grave near the memorial for the town saviors and was joined by Peoria and Petal. It was… I’ve never seen anything like it before.“ Ruby begins to recount the night’s mystery and sounding a little ill. “We found… a slimy crater shaped like a giant seed pod… that… had an incomplete skeleton fused with it.”
“Are you alright?” River Runner asks.
“The sight was just gross looking.” Ruby replies composing herself.
“It’s worse to wake up in which reminds me I will need a long bath later.” Tina sighs before turning to Ruby. “I take it you three just missed me by a few minutes?”
Turning the skull over to expose the corroding implant Tina continues. “I figure I’ve somehow been cloned by the Foxfire that was in my body when I died. It’s really weird to be holding my former head, but it’s reassuring me that all this is real.”
“We need explain this to the rest of the town Dr. Hemlock since we only caught up to Tina mid market square when everypony was waking up.” Peoria notes.
“Doctor, how bad was Serum-B’s side effects?” Tina asks grimly.
Everyone else in the room seemed to wilt some at Tina’s inquiry have hoped she would not notice.
“All the ponies in this town have elected to cover up their bodies, I only found this strange because the weather is still too nice to go fully clothed in your heated homes and the designs so plain.” Tina continues locking the doctor gaze. “I was curious so I took a closer look noticing the scars on a few ponies. I saw so many ponies covered up the same way that I’m certain were not patients during the epidemic. What happened?”
“We call it Tri-expression.” Petal Lulamoon replies standing up and nervously exposing her flanks and their three web ringed cutie marks. “My father was one of the survivors of the cutie pox outbreak who you saved. I inherited the condition from him.”
Tina turned pale and tears began to well up in her eyes as she processed what she heard. Before she could react any further Petal, Peoria, and River Runner moved to comfort her.
“Don’t cry you did what you could.” Peoria adds reassuringly.
“You didn’t have any better option at the time, Tina.” Dr. Hemlock adds also trying to calm her down. “Your information had proved correct about the epidemic in its cause and cure. Stewart Celestia even found and secured the plant you described as the remedy for us.”
“But…” Tina begins to reply trembling.
“It’s only uncomfortable to have at first. Once you get use to the cycles we get along fine.” Petal adds placing a hoof on Tina’s shoulder.
“Cycles… what happens?” Tina asks turning to look at Petal.
“About every two months one of the two minor cutie marks will assert itself for about a day and a half to three tops before reverting back to the primary cutie mark.” Dr. Hemlock elaborates. “Tri-expression isn’t without its advantages. Ponies with this condition are highly resistant and even immune to Poison joke, Cutie pox and magic that would alter a cutie mark. Additionally some ponies even try to develop the weaker talents behind the minor cutie marks and incorporate them into their professions.”
“A stigma dose persists however with ponies that confuse Tri-expression for Cutie pox, so we ware those jerseys as a precaution with visitors.” Petal adds feeling a bit glum.
“How is the rest of the town taking this?” Tina asks. “I still feel like I hurt this town and I didn’t mean to.”
“Your remembered fondly Tina. Our memorial commemorates the three heroes who saved the village.” Ruby replies smiling and with a hint of pride.
“You, Ruby and I all helped put a stop to the chaos the epidemic created.” Peoria adds. “Your tip allowed me and several others from here to delay the Sunny Town panic until Stewart Luna could arrive and restore order.”
“Ruby… wait… so that story was…” Tina replies stunned.
“It’s a bit creepy how you knew something like that, but it is long in the past. Mitta and I live here now.” Ruby replies waving a hoof. “Mitta doesn’t really approve, as she is still angry about it; but I have begun writing letters to our former friends. I don’t want to hold a grudge.”
“Speaking of friends, did Brian, Lilly, Mike, or Dandelion ever turn up?” Tina asks feeling a little more upbeat.
The ponies in the room paled staring wide eyed at Tina.
“Am I missing something?” Tina asks getting uncomfortable again.
Outside Moon Bloom Glen’s town limits the Taxi cart of Trixie Lulamoon approaches with its two passengers. The mist was long gone by this point leaving only dew drops on leaves to fall on the taxi.
“We’re almost there you two. One thing you need to know Trixie’s niece informed her that Moon Bloom’s residents are a bit sensitive about their looks so they will be clothed.” Trixie groans taking a moment to stop. “This means we will have to buy you something to wear Dandelion. Brian or Lilly just don’t get under hoof and stay close, we don’t want you getting lost or frightening some pony.”
“I’m not a kit here.” Lilly growls annoyed.
“Trixie wasn’t implying you were, but your coloration makes you very hard to see. Your safety after all is still my concern until you leave my company.” Trixie replies also getting annoyed.
“Her advice is good Lilly; we don’t know anypony here so we need the guide.” Dandelion adds.
As they enter Moon Bloom Glen, Trixie is forced to stop her taxi at the entrance due to the presence of a large crowd of excited ponies milling about. All of the residents were gossiping amongst themselves with their attention directed at the center of town.
“What in Tartarus is going on?” Trixie grumbles stopping the taxi and unhitching herself. “Wait here Trixie needs to ask the locals about all this.”
While the blue and silver unicorn checked on the crowd her passengers get out of the taxi. Dandelion got out first so she could help Brian/Lilly down to the ground where the fox shifts to adopt the texture and coloration of a Spruce Tree.
“Wow you feel a lot different… almost like I’m holding a small bush.” Dandelion notes surprised.
“First the paw gantlets now this, could we be growing in magical power since waking?” Brian replies pondering his soft bark forelegs before turning to Dandelion. “What about you? Should we inject a dose of suppressant?”
“My wings are a little mist laden, but I think I’m fine.” Dandelion replies glancing at a thin sheet of fog drifting off her left wing. Turning back to her fox friend Dandelion saw the something come up behind them and started to feel very frightened. “Brian… behind us…”
A shadow fell over Brian/Lilly but before the fox could turn around he felt hot breath roll down the back of their neck and felt fangs grasps them and pick them up. Instinct overtakes the small wooden fox as they are picked up by their nape.
“Let them go…” Dandelion shrieks hesitant to move.
The noise catches the attention of the crowd who spy a large Timber Wolf female with what looked like a cub in its jaws turn and dart off into the woods its tail whipping Dandelion knocking her over.
“Dandelion, are you alright?” Trixie yells with her horn glowing as she races over to the Pegasus.
“Dandelion…” A surprised voice calls from within the crowd that was familiar to the Pegasus. “Where is she?”
Dandelion turns to the crowd, her heart hammering in her chest from either the fright with the wolf or recognition of this new voice; as the pony residents part to let an edgy human woman and four other ponies thru. The gathered crowd was a mix of excitement and confusion.
“Dandelion… maybe this is going to a lucky night after all. How are you feeling?” Tina asks trying to help the Pegasus up to her feet. “Where is Brian and Lilly?”
“It… it can’t… you can’t… ghost.” Trixie mutters a little scared.
“Don’t be scared Aunt Trixie.” Petal says trying to sound reassuring.
“I’ll explain my miraculous return after I’ve seen Brian and Lilly. You have seen at least one of them haven’t you?” Tina asks.
“The Timber wolf took them. They didn’t try to struggle after it picked them up.” Dandelion replies ashamed. “I just froze.”
“Bah don’t blame yourself; Lilly would have only been injured if the wolf was agitated.” Tina replies. “What I don’t get is how Brian was also snared by a single wolf. Those two usually make a great team.”
“Um Tina, both Brian and Lilly have the same body now.” Dandelion adds shyly garnering a frustrated look from Tina.
A few miles south of Moon Bloom Glen the Timber Wolf matron gently sets down the now docile and content wooden fox amongst her other cubs.
The wooden fox lay on its belly chattering a short string of happy yips and swishing its tail lightly before standing up.
“Why can’t more of our friends carry us like that? Remember that feeling Fur Chaser I expect you do that for me often once we get our separate bodies back then we can consider some of your activities.” Lilly yips blissfully as she opens her eyes and noticing the Timber Wolf cubs across from them. Lilly eyed the cubs with surprise the turned to the mother Timber Wolf who then nudges her over toward her cubs. With tail wagging more excitedly Lilly gets into a pouncing stance. “And about those activities… this is how we play. Ready?”
“Oh yeah!” Brian squeaks out a yip using his pounce to dodge to the side of the cub that chooses to initiate play with a mock tackle. Landing on his fore paws Brian propels himself toward the cub’s tail which he give a playful nip.
The cub gives a startled bark but doesn’t run off and instead uses Brian/Lilly’s grip to halt its own charge so it could turn and try the tackle again where it catches the wooden fox. Then with a nip to the fox’s ear the cub starts to wrestle encouraging the other two cubs to join in.
The Timber Wolf mother laid down and watched the four take turns escaping each other and try to trick one of them into a position they could easily pinned and roughed up. Sometimes it was two on one; other times one cub would break another’s pin seeing a chance to steal the other’s thunder.
The moon began its descent toward the horizon when the mother Timber Wolf dosed off near the playing cubs and fox.
As the morning sun crested over Canterlot, Mike and Lava Gazer awaited the arrival of their breakfast and the summons to see Mayor Blueblood.
“I hope room service has some meat and is not just plants.” Mike grumbles making his bed.
“A better selection of grains and grasses would be nice. Your kin’s efforts were nice but it needed more diversity.” Lava Gazer replies a bit catty. “You seemed a bit displeased with the meat at home why hope to get some here?”
“The food in a place like that for people in our position tends to be unsatisfying. Even I could cook a better meal for what it costs to buy that crap.” Mike retorts. “It’s not healthy for humans to go completely off meat without some sort of dietary supplements to replace the lost proteins. Nothing against the vegan life style but I will not settle for it on a long term basis.”
“You plan on hunting for it?” Lava Gazer asks a little uneasy.
“Anything more than a couple pounds of cooked meat would just go to waste and I have never had to clean an animal for the purpose of cooking it so that is a no.” Mike added sensing Lava Gazer’s tension. “With any luck we’ll find the others long before I get any cravings.”
A shocked yelp from outside was barely heard by the pair as they went to open their rooms door. By the sound of it whoever it was would be at the front door of the Scarlet Aloe.
Going down stairs, Mike and Lava Gazer entered the hotels dining room. Scarlet Aloe’s dining room was a small sand stone walled meeting room with a vaulted ceilings and a wood floor. Two thigh high tables with ornate flower print pillows for seats took up the center of the room. Three ponies and a diamond dog were seated at the table.
The diamond dog dressed like a construction worker was hyperventilating with ample sweat pouring off his head and eyes tightly squinted.
“Excuse me mama is he alright?” Lava Gazer asks walking up to the table.
“I hope some quiet is all he’ll need. Something spooked him pretty badly making him collapse.” The stallion owner of the Scarlet Aloe replies. “I would give the jerk unicorn a piece of my mind for this but the flash of that teleport blinded me.”
“Dose he remember what the one that scared him looks like?” Mike asks.
“Never seen… it coming… Touch was like ice. It looked like… shadow with… teeth and eyes.” The diamond dog mutters through chattering teeth. Calming down he continues. “Felt it put an arm over my shoulder as it bellowed in my ear. There may have been more than one of them before I was blinded by flash. No unicorn.”
“It was a shadow with teeth and eyes.” Mike Mutters placing a hand to his chin. “Why didn’t you see it coming? Did it sneak up behind you from an alley?”
"I was not near an alley, market stand, or anything. I heard soft steps sure, but this is a large town. No need to be nervous about hearing footsteps.” The diamond dog replies. “I was alone on street and thought the footsteps were from the street over. Did not see them get near me.”
“Your safe now sir. Relax and I’ll bring you something to eat.”The stallion owner adds.
“Maybe the culprits were invisible.” Mike mutters.
“Excuse me sir it is rude to talk in another language while our conversation is ongoing. Where are you from I don’t recognize your clan?” The diamond dog grumbles.
"I apologize sir, my name is Mike Edison and my home country is in another world.” Mike replies with a sigh sitting down across from the diamond dog. “I am not allowed to discuss my travel methods or business with just any stranger by my home world’s law however.”
“Strange time of year to see a dignitary and there are only a few very old stories of travelers from other worlds. Except for the recent mention of heroes in pony history.” The diamond dog adds casually offering a paw. “My name is Bricks.”
A few minutes later the owner brings out a cart with Bricks’s complimentary meal of rare cooked rabbit kabobs and grapefruit juice, Mike’s order of baked chicken with apple slices and water, and lastly Lava Gazers order of Summer Field Rolls. The trio quietly and politely ate their meals so as to not accidently insult each other over dietary choices.
After the plates were cleared Gray Hoof arrived with Mayor Blueblood’s assistant.
“Hello gentalcolts my name is Quick Speak.” A purple coated blue mane mare politely comments offering a hoof to the sitting Mike and Lava Gazer. “It would be my pleasure to assist you on the Mayor’s behalf.”
“Lava Gazer, it’s nice to meet you Ms. Speak.” Lava Gazer replies shaking her hoof.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with us. I’m Mike Edison representing the Earth nation of The United States of America as a Tracer Agent.” Mike adds removing and then presenting a copy of his orders to Quick Speak. “I’m requesting help to locate my fellow countrymen who were lost in a transportation accident.”
“This is your first time as diplomat, yes.” Bricks comments as he rubs his temples.
“I’m a research… scholar, not a diplomat. At least I was a few days ago.” Mike grumbles realizing that his mission didn’t involve telling everyone why he was here.
“Don’t get down on yourself friend. A change of vocation is hardly the end of the world.” Gray Hoof remarks with a wave of his hoof. “And don’t fret about any media circus, we all understand the need to be hindrance free at times like this.”
Quick Speak seemed to flinch in annoyance at Gray Hoof’s remark.
“Your um... orders here are a little illegible, but I appreciate the effort you took to translate them. I’ll take you to Mayor Blueblood so we can brief him of this situation. Is that okay?” Quick Speak asks.
“Thank you Ms. Quick Speak.” Mike replies. “Do you happen to have a policy for a currency exchange? I don’t exactly have any… bits to use.”
“We’ll discuss that if the Mayor approves of your request.” Quick Speak replies exiting the hotel.
Mike waves good bye to Bricks who tips his construction hat before heading to leave. Gray Hoof hands the owner a few coins before waving Lava Gazer and Mike to go first out the door.
As the group walked away from the Scarlet Aloe to head over to the Mayor’s Office, Mike notices a lot of extra guards on the street checking around. A group of three darted down one ally, another was seen talking with a rattled shop keeper, and a block or two later two groups stop to exchange findings only to split up again going down different alleys.
“Look like some manhunt is happening. Maybe our prankster struck again.” Mike quietly comments about the guard patrol.
“How fast dose he move yet not make a sound?” Lava Gazer replies frowning. “Can’t just be one.”
“Eyes forward and mind your manners. That means no switching languages in front of my boss. We’re here.” Quick Speak chides glaring back at the two new dignitaries.
Mayor Blueblood’s office was located in, of all things; a Castle with a splendid view of the valley bellow. Polished white marble walls accented with blue trimmed gold minarets were the primary artistic theme of Canterlot’s official seat of power. A few gardens also were present serving as small parks between offices and other high society dwellings, but from the road Mike and company traveled ornate iron gates bared access to them.
As Quick Speak stepped up to the guards at the door to request passage a unicorn guard bolts over to a large fixed mirror with a dark box fixed to a pole facing it. As the unicorn worked her magic a shutter on the dark box flickered to briefly expose an intensely bright stone.
Mike looked off toward where the mirror was pointed to a distant castle in the dark forest of the valley where he spots similar flashes of light.
“Some form of Morris Code…” Mike Mutters turning back toward a returning Quick Speak. “Well Ms. Speak do we have an appointment?”
“Your phrasing of that question could still use some work, but yes we are scheduled to go in now.” Quick Speak replies four guards following here to serve as the group escort.
The guards formed up around the group but cast very menacing looks at Mike and his arm. No orders were given to remove the arm as the unnatural appendage was clearly fused to the rest of body, but one eye stayed on Mike at all times.
Inside the entrance hall they found Mayor Blueblood seated at an expensive wooden desk in the center of the room with four other plain desks at the corners of the room. The mayor’s desk had ornate scrawl work of Cantorlot’s founding story stained in a light pine color to contrast with the dark oak stain of the rest of the desk. On top of the desk was a lime green mat where mini Standard Flags rested, one for each ruling court and Cantorlot’s own; to go along with the other more normal office supplies.
Quick Speak walks up to Mayor Blueblood as he was reading over another document and hands over Mike’s orders folder she received earlier. The blond mane white stallion gives the documents a through once over looking at Mike and Lava Gazer periodically. His groan near the end of his examination of the documents made the Mayor’s mood clear.
“Must we really keep this quiet. I understand your country’s need for discretion Mr. Edison, but even you must be aware of our difficulties doing that with your unique looks.” Mayor Blueblood glumly complains. “Even the magic jewel embedded in your arm plainly marks you as an Element Bearer and is dead give a way. I’m surprised we don’t already have ponies looking to get your autograph.”
“I understand your difficulties mayor; my government merely insists that I locate my colleges first. It is my hope that you can help me with my search request while you make plans for any official Press Conference.” Mike calmly replies a little surprised by his language skill.
“I can send word about your mission but I do insist you remain available as your colleges have become national heroes. You can’t expect us to let them go without the proper send off.” Mayor Blueblood continues with a hint of aggression to his jovial voice.
“No worries Mayor Blueblood. The Chaos Court will cover their lodgings as necessary during their stay.” Gray Hoof adds. “We currently have a room reserved for them at the Scarlet Aloe, but we are open to any change in accommodations you might suggest.”
“Thank you Acolyte Gray Hoof.” Mayor Blueblood replies smiling. Turning to Lava Gazer the mayor continues. “Sir Lava Gazer I expect you keep me and the ruling courts informed of your activities while you’re here. Under normal conditions we would not pick just anypony to do this but you are already recognized by Mr. Edison’s government the United States as an ambassador on our behalf and you too are an Element Bearer. So do not embarrass our nation in your service.”
“Umm… Yes Mayor. How should I send you your updates?” Lava Gazer asks nervously.
“Do you know a ‘send object’ spell?” Quick Speak asks only getting a head shake from Lava Gazer. “That’s a little troubling that you don’t know one but I can teach you it no problem.”
“Splendid, you two are dismissed for now. I will prepare a message for the other courts about locating your friends as well as finalizing any travel passes you two will need. They will be sent to your room by the end of the day.” Mayor Blueblood adds offering a hoof to shake giddy.
Mike shakes Mayor Blueblood’s hoof followed shortly thereafter by Lava Gazer once he learned the needed spell from Quick Speak. As the pair turned to leave two guard ponies proceeded hastily over to Mayor Blueblood, one had been part of the search parties from earlier and the other was the one who raced to the signal mirror. Both handed the mayor some report, but Mike could not hear what the reports were about.
Outside the Castle Mike and Lava Gazer bid farewell to Quick Speak and the guard escourt.
“I think I’ll arrange us some quick refreshments after all of that I’ll be right back.” Gray Hoof say tapping on Mike’s arm and then motioning to a street vendor.
“Thank you.” Mike replies wiping his brow. Looking over a Lava Gazer he noticed that the unicorn was equally relieved to meeting was over.
As the pair waited for Gray Hoof to return a light on Mike’s Planer-translocator came to life and a speaker fired up.
“Control to Mike if you can hear me press and hold the white send button.” The voice of agent Dan Forrest demanded.
“Mike here I’m sort of in Public can you make it quick.” Mike replies having found the button.
“Well if wonders ever ceased… we reached you and you’re somewhere civilized. Tell me have you got anymore progress.” Dan continues excited.
“We met with a local Mayor and with a representative of one of the ruling councils. We asked for assistance in finding the others but it appears they have become quite famous as national heroes and the Mayor insists on some kind of public celebration.” Mike replies simply to the point.
“Oh fuck… Have you heard about what is they did to earn such honors?” Dan asks most displeased over the radio.
“We didn’t get to discuss the others accomplishments but the mayor referred to me as an Element Bearer.” Mike replies again pressing send button keeping an eye open for Gray Hoof return.
“Of all of the things you could do… Mike these Element Bearers are not just your ordinary heroes here!” Dan yells over the radio.
“I know…” Mike starts only to get cut off.
“We done more research of our own and you happen to step into one of the most politically sensitive roles on the planet! This is big destiny shit here…” Dan yells before taking some calming breaths. “This is why scientists should not be their own guinea pigs Mike. When the unexpected happens, at a minimum; you cannot just walk away from the consequences. We now have to face the prospect of saddling you and your friends with a permanent posting there until the time comes that you can relinquish these extra responsibilities. I’ll have to petition my boss to get you amended orders and work out a treaty with the Equestrian government to support your posting.”
“I understand.” Mike glumly replies.
“About the meeting with the Mayor. Were you successful in getting cooperation to find the others media circus not withstanding?” Dan demands calmly.
“He said he would send word to the ruling courts and has taught Lava Gazer a spell that we can use to keep in contact. Travel Visas and other documents are being sent to our hotel the Chaos Court put us up in by the end of the day.” Mike adds.
“We’ll work on the reimbursements for this stay during treaty negotiations.” Dan replies. “On a further note we are receiving telemetry from your Trans-locator and can track you once you find the others, but I’m a little curious as to why it is sending data as a Tracer Trans-locator.”
“I accidently touched it while Lava Gazer still had the Tracer’s schematics on his mind.” Mike replies.
“Sorry…” Lava Gazer adds.
“The upgrade phenomenon again… Whatever it might come in handy in your posting both as an agent and in finding the others if you get close enough. Keep us posted the planer address should be currently on your info display.” Dan adds.
“Will do sir, is the girl we helped safe?” Mike asks curiously.
“You have enough on your mind as is, but we’ll have contact with her as well. We were just testing the protocol for planer communications that were installed on the Tracer Trans-locators. You can thank the Japanese for the hardware that makes our call now possible though. We’ll be building our own in due time, over and out.” Dan finishes.
“Over and out.” Mike acknowledges as the radio turns off.
It was then that, after the radio quit and as Gray Hoof was trotting back; then a loud shout of ‘boogie boogie boogie’ was heard. Gray Hoof went wide eyed and jumped sending the drinks flying. Mike and Lava Gazer scramble to catch their drinks and Gray hoof simply raises a hoof. Upon catching their drinks a bright flash goes off from the direction just opposite of the castle.
“I guess the gig is up.” A surprised Gray Hoof muses taking a sip of his drink.
“Let’s get this over with.” Mike grumbles.
Turning toward the direction of the flash the three expected to find a crowd of press ponies but instead see only one or two running off. An alarm beep by the Tracer Trans-locator alerts Mike to a group of invisible targets moving off toward a train station.
“I’ve got a signal lock on something… this way.” Mike calls to the others pointing to the train station. “Someone invisible is heading for the trains and they got quite the lead.”
“Get close I have this.” Lava Gazer states as he charges his horn.
For Mike teleporting felt like an extreme burst of motion and his eyes took a moment to adjust to the new scenery in front of him.
Gray Hoof was a bit stunned as well but mostly from site of three dark figures with white teeth and disturbingly bright eyes looking at them with excitement.
The three shadows bellowed the word boogie in excitement their mannerisms made it almost look like a greeting.
“He’s asking if you are vacationing from Earth too.” Gray Hoof speaks sounding a bit puzzled.
“From an Earth yes, but I’m not on vacation.” Mike replies a little dumbly as stares at the shadow figures.
Gray hoof imitates the boogie noises and made few gestures to which the shadows responded with more of their own boogie-speak.
“Mike is it alright for me to tell them why you’re here?” Gary Hoof asks politely as one of the shadow creatures walks up to Mike to shake his hand.
“I don’t see the harm in it.” Mike replies as he shakes the one creature’s hand.
Gray Hoof continues his conversation with the shadow creatures midway thru this session the three’s demeanor changed. The three creatures were completely astonished the tallest of them going so far as salute Mike.
“GRAY HOOF what the HELL did you tell them?” Mike blurts out stunned.
“Just your story. He seems most impressed by your recent appointment as a Tracer Agent.” Gray Hoof replies with a smirk. “He said it reminded him of days during the Funkotron Invasion and their counter strike or even the coalition rescue mission against the Fusionist. He’s glad to have met someone willing to go out keep worlds from going crazy.”
“Thanks um…”Mike replies as he nervously returns the creature’s salute.
“His name is Johnny; it’s kind of a family tradition of his.” Gray Hoof adds snickering.
“It’s a nice name.” Lava Gazer adds smiling.
The shadow creature Johnny bellows something to Gray Hoof to which the stallion politely nods.
“Johnny wishes to formally apologize for scaring the residents of our city before he goes and asks if I can handle it for him. Boogiemen seldom interact with others because they can only become visible for short times when they speak.” Gray Hoof adds gesturing toward Johnny and his family. “We’re some of the only ones to stick around to talk with his kind let alone seek him out to talk.”
After Gray Hoof finishes a shadowy door opens out of nowhere attached to a translucent bus like shape by the train platform. The boogiemen step aboard with Johnny at the rear. Before fully entering however Johnny tosses a piece of shadow toward Mike and the orb disappears into his Tracer Trans-locator. And with a final wave he’s gone.
“It seems I have another friend.” Mike whispers serenely. “Well should we inform the guard that the search can be called off or go back to our hotel and get our Documents?”
“Well with convenient luck we won’t have file a statement our friend here can send the message for us and call off the search.” Gray Hoof sings side hugging a guard who wasn’t there a moment ago.
Though the guard seemed just as confuse about how he got there he salutes in acknowledgement of the request anyway and trots off to the castle. This leaves Mike and company to head back to the Scarlet Aloe.
Deep in the Everfree Forrest at the den of a matron timber wolf, Brian/Lilly were contently chewing on the leg of a wild deer with a timber wolf cub. Even though the sun couldn’t penetrate the canopy at the den, the light of evening brought a pleasant feeling of home to the fox.
“Brian… Lilly… Come out.” A familiar female voice calls out.
Brian/Lilly turn toward the cave opening as a menacing growl by the matron wolf to their left answered for them. The fox twitched a wooden ear and got up so they could investigate the voice too.
“I hope they are okay Timber wolves are apex predators of the Everfree if I’m not mistaken.” The voice of Tina faintly carried to the fox’s ear.
“I’ll stay near the canopy just to be safe.” The familiar again was heard and the fox identified as Dandelion.
Looking out of the cave into the forest Brian/Lilly could see their friends somehow staying aloft above the forest floor. By the looks of the wolf matron the pair wasn’t nearly high enough to avoid her pounce.
With an audible snarl Brian/Lilly foiled the matron’s attack and simultaneously caught Tina and Dandelion’s attention.
“Long time no see Tina!” Brian yips playfully before his demeanor shifts and continues. “Not so quick fur chaser. Timber wolf mom first reunion second.”
Lilly turning toward the matron begins sniffing at her muzzle confusing the wooden wolf. With a soft whimper and gesture at the intruders by Lilly, the wooden fox attempts to coax the matron into not attacking Tina and Dandelion.
With an uncertain whimper of her own the matron sniffs Tina and Dandelion carefully. After a moment her ears and tail fall in embarrassment to which Lilly gives her a reassuring nuzzle before walking over the waiting human and Pegasus.
“What was that all about?” Tina asks accusingly.
“Momma timber wolf confused me for one of her kits, I spent the day ruff housing, and lastly I introduced my pack to her.” Lilly yips proudly pointing to Tina and Dandelion for the last part.
“We shouldn’t out stay our welcome.” Tina replies walking over to pick Brian/Lilly up. “When we get back you’re getting a quick bath and grooming. You look like a chew toy.”
The three cautiously make their way away from the timber wolf den. About ten minutes of careful walking the three are greeted by Trixie and six of Moon Bloom Glen’s citizens who had been hidden by an illusion spell.
“Well hello again. Trixie would expect you to be more attentive about your surroundings next time.” Trixie casually scolds.
“And deprive fur chaser of a valuable parenting lesson, you’ll forgive me for providing him a reality check.” Lilly barked back playfully.
With an eye roll the group returned to Moon Bloom Glen. Where Tina had been lucky the first time around in avoiding unwanted attention, this time the whole town was up and ready to greet them.
Both Brian/Lilly and Dandelion were warned a little about their new fame when they woke up but the sight before them was frightening. Not only were the town ponies in a mood to celebrate the local hero but news of the hero Pegasus and Fox being in town also did them no favors for a quiet evening. Never in their lives previously did they feel so very crowded, as praise and shows of affection were offered.
Eventually Dr. Hemlock made his way through the crowd with some kind of letter and five tickets addressed to them for an upcoming stunt flying competition taking place in Ponyville.
Two lost groups have reconnected and it would seem an opportunity for a full reunion has presented itself at last. Is this good or bad news?