Opening Theme:
Yep, those sure are tears coming out of his face at an alarming rate, you think to yourself as the Orangish Pegasus continues to bawl in front of you. The grumpy security guard from before raises and eyebrow and other onlookers on the street turn their heads in curiosity.
“Oh boy,” you say looking around nervously at this unwanted attention. Thinking quickly you…
You give Flash a pat on the back and lead him to an area where the public won't see. Then before you can even really process it, you've wrapped him in a huge hug.
Put your hoof on Flash’s shoulder and give him a pat.
“Hey, calm down man, there’s no need to get emotional,” you try to comfort.
“I-*Sniff* can’t-*hick* help it-*bawls*,” the hysterical stallion continues.
You look up at all the still curious crowd he’s attracting so you lead him by the hoof away from prying eyes.
“Hey, mind your own business! His, uh, his marefriend just broke up with him!” you yell at the people watching. The onlookers seem to bye this, but still watch you as you drag the crying stallion into the alley way till they can’t see you anymore.
Out of the public eye you just look at your broken bro, and before you can even process what you are doing, you pull him into a huge hug…which he returns, nearly crushing you. And he’s STILL crying.
Yeesh Flash, who would have thought you’d be the emotional one?
Wanting to make sure he stops crying for good you pat him on the back and mutter,
Solarkness’s Comment
"There there, it’s alright now. Everything’s fine. Shhh, no tears, only dreams now."
He sniffles and his crying gets less loud, so you continue.
"By the way, how did you even get the idea that he could be dead? I mean, sure, fire and all, but... Didn't he tell you about how our family's blessed or something?"
“*Sniff* Blessed?” he asks.
“Yeah…we’re all pretty lucky in my family,” you lie.
In the heavens, a certain goddess of fortune sneezes, realizing she has to step up her game.
"I mean, heck, for all the professions our ancestors had, or the crazy situations they got into, none of them actually died from anything but old age...," you're just pulling anything out of your mouth so that Flash stops crying. Time to double down.
"I have this one uncle, he's actually uh…” you look around and see a poster for the next Pirates of Horseshoe Bay Movie, “…a pirate, in this age! Four years ago, they made him walk the plank, y'know? And then, five months ago, he just came back during a family-reunion and acted as if nothing happened at all!”
He sniffles less and makes a confused noise, so you continue.
“And then there’s my great-great-grandfather who was…”you see a poster for the next season of Game of Stones, “…a mercenary during some sort of political conflict. Basically, it ended with a banquet where all the houses and the parties they hired had to attend and everyone put poison into the food. Well he had a migraine so he stayed at home. He was the only survivor. And and..."
You realize Flash has stopped crying and is staring at you, so you stop. You think back to what you just said and think.
Oh way to go me, now he's gonna think your whole family is just a bunch of criminals and...
"Whoa. Your family really gets around, doesn't it?" Flash asks shocked as he wipes his tears away.
"...yeah," you 'admit', even though the only ones in your family even remotely like that are you and Grandbuggy.
“But yeah, there shouldn’t have been any doubt about his safety,” you say. He nods at this, wipes his eyes one more time and mumbles to himself
ThePonySpartan’s Comment
"So he's really alive..."
"My brother would never die that easily. It would take more than a forest fire to kill him. Also, he told me about getting some help saving his daughter from those changelings." You smirk under your mask as an idea comes to your head.
"Some help?" he asks.
"Yeah... though you probably don't want to know who." you say, trying to sound nervous.
"Who was it? Please! You have to tell me. He's my brot- friend! I have to know!" Flash is in your face now.
You dramatically sigh,
"It was the Hooded Offender."
Technically... that's not lying.
I know. Aren’t I brilliant?
You Have your moments
Flash looks even more shocked,
"What... really?"
"Yeah. He said the guy showed up and helped him from the fire and bugs. Guess the Offender doesn’t like it when children get drugged and kidnapped."
Flash nods at this with a look of confliction on his face,
"Yeah...I can see that…"
“I mean, I know a lot of folks don’t like him all that much, but he did save my brother and niece, so there’s that,” you point out.
He nods again and gets quiet as he thinks to himself. You decide not to break the silence.
"I..." He eventually say. "I have to tell the others. They'll be so happy."
Uh-oh...
"U-um..." Flash looks at you with a serious look. "Where did you say he was? Neighsia? If I tell the others, they'll help me look, and they’ll be happy to see him again!"
That would be amusing. For them to go all the way there never to find you.
You groan as Selena deviously laughs in your head.
"As soon as I'm off my duties, I'm going straight to Ponyville,” Flash continues to himself. “If Tennant thinks he's in danger I can get Twilight, and the Elements and the Princesses to help protect him. We won't let him live that terrible life all alone with his daughter."
Oh boy, this is getting out of hoof…though protection does sound nice
That would make things... complicated. If we were to be put under the protection of the princesses to protect you from the princesses and the guards... and Flash... the Element Bearers... alright even I'm getting confused.
Wait, I think I got it... Flash is going to try putting us under the protection of Celestia, Luna and their guards, away from the 'ponies after us', which is Celestia Luna and their guards?
*Sigh* Pretty much.
After you say this, you hear M. Night Shamalamadingdong's laughter in your head before he says, "What a plot twist."
After she says this, you hear from the skies above you,
“WHAT A PLOT TWIST!!!”
You and Flash quickly look up and see a dark fast flying pony streaking across the sky. The thing is, you don’t see any wings or horn on him. Before either of you can question this, he is gone from your sight.
“Huh…for some reason I feel incredibly angry and annoyed…but I don’t know why…” you say aloud.
“Oh, so it wasn’t just me, good. But yeah, thank you so much for letting me know sir, you have no idea how happy you’ve just made a lot of ponies.”
You look back to him and see the wide smile on his face. You sigh though because you know have to get rid of it.
“Flash, listen, I know you’re happy right now but…” you start and he looks at you curiously. You sigh once more and continue.
BrownDog’s Comment
“Look, I think I’ve said more than I should, I just got my tongue rolling and spilled too much. Please don’t let anypony else know that my brother is still alive. If he faked his death for you and others, there probably was a good reason.”
He looks very confused at this and starts stammering.
“What? But I just said that I know all the biggest protectors in the country. He doesn’t have to hide anymore!”
“He already is in “protection” He just won’t say who it is, but I’m sure he’s already good on that front.”
“But, there were all kinds of friends he made that were really upset. He even had a group of mares that gawked over him relentlessly, even members of the Elements of Harmony,” Flash responds.
You chuckle at that, “Yeah, that sounds like my brother…always the lady killer…”
You have all the charisma of a bullfrog. Selena teases.
“But be that as it may, I don’t want the wrong ears hearing he’s back, so please promise me you won’t tell anyone? In fact, Pinkie Promise me.”
He flinches at that.
“How do you know about a Pinkie Promise?”
“I’ve heard the rumors of the psychotic pink ball of party fur that comes for those that break them, they tell it as far away as Dodge Junction.”
He gives off a sad sigh and say, “Fine, but on one condition,”
“Alright,” you say wondering where this is going.
“If you ever get in contact with him again, can you tell him that Flash Sentry said he’s a major Asshat for making his friends think he was dead…” Flash snarls and you flinch, but then he continues, “And that I really really miss his stupid face.”
“Yeah, alright, I’ll tell him. So…get on with it then,” you say motioning towards him.
“Oh, right. I Pinkie Promise I won’t let anyone else know about him and his daughter being alive,” he says before reciting Pinkie’s verbal contract.
“Cross my heart, and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
Far away in Ponyville, the pink party mare shakes a bit as she inexplicably knows that somepony has made a pinkie promise.
After Flash says this though, he looks down at the ground, a bit downtrodden again.
“Seems a bit wrong to keep this from the others, but I will, if it keeps him safe,” he says.
You place a hoof on his shoulder and give him another pat.
Protomane’s Comment
"You'll get a letter from him, I promise," you say soothingly.
“I-I will?” he asks happily.
“I guarantee it,” you say before you hoof him 20 bits.
20 Bits Removed from Inventory
"Here, go catch a nice comedy movie and remember how to smile."
Flash nods appreciatively.
“Thanks, I guess I can take a break from the investigation for just a bit. They don’t even shoot till tomorrow,” he says.
“Yeah that’s the spirit now…wait, what do you mean by that?”
“Oh, well, don’t tell anypony, but I’m an undercover guard. I’m investigating that blatant Hooded Offender movie getting made.”
Your eyes widen at this.
“Really? Why? Just you?”
“It’s a matter of national security, but yeah it’s just me. I really can’t say much else, but I’d stay clear of that studio we met at, just in case.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. But anyway Mr. Sentry, I should be going, I got places to be and schedules to keep.
He nods, but before you walk away, he stops you,
“Wait, I never caught your name.”
“You can call me CV,” you say as you shake his hoof.
“Nice to meet you. So, are you like the rest of your family? Cool and awesome like your brother?"
You smile wistfully, even though he can’t see it, "You could say that. Our grandfather showed us everything we know"
Flash laughs and says "Really? I guess mine did too for better or for worse. He had his faults, but he did fight the Bluebloods during the rebellion. He inspired me to become a guard."
You chuckle and say, “Bucking Bluebloods right?”
He laughs back and says, “Bucking Bluebloods…Listen, if you or your family need anything give me a shout. I’d give anything to help those BST cares about.”
You nod at this. “Thank you Flash.”
You then go your own separate ways, and as you do, you swear you hear Selena sniffling slightly.
BrownDog’s Comment
What’s up with you?
What? That was beautiful. You and him. So quick to rekindle your bromance with the enemy.
Quit calling it a bromance! We were just bros that were really really close and hung out a lot.
Whatever helps you sleep at night…oh wait, that’s me.she chuckles.
Rolling your eyes, you wander off back to go meet Aqua.
Sure make fun of it, you were the one who was sniffling.
Just because it was humorous, does not make the emotion any less true, she counters.
Yeah, I guess you got me there. Maybe one day, somehow, I can hang out with him again…but until then, we got our next lead.
Ah, so I wasn’t the only one who made that deduction.
Nope. If Flash is here undercover investigating that movie, then that means that Armor also suspects the Knights are making it. I just have to take them down and get my cash before they get even more involved.
Agreed. Though it sounds as though the one we suspect is out for the day. We should reconvene with the Water Bender and set out a plan for tomorrow when they return.
Way ahead of you there. Now hopefully there won’t be any more distractions and…OH NO!!!
What?!
Ahead of you are two sad looking Filly Scouts.
Oh no! Not them again! Every time I see them I get guilt tripped into buying all their cookies!
Then go around them.
But these scouts look sad and dejected. I can’t bear to see sad children…Gorramit! You mentally ramble before asking them
“Hey kids, what’s wrong?”
One of the fillies looks up and sniffles.
“We failed to raise the bits needed to meet our goal…”
You look behind them and see a graph detailing number of bits and the dates.
“Oh I’m sorry about that,” you say as you try to comfort.
“It’s not fair! These stupid health conscience ponies didn’t buy any of our cookies! You should have heard them. ‘Oh it’s not gluten free? Well never mind then! You little girls should be ashamed for contributing to obesity, I can get cheaper at the store,’ and other crap like that,” she huffs.
You look around at all the joggers and now you feel angry for these snobbish healthy jerks for shaming little kids.
“Well that just isn’t right! When it comes to life, I’d rather be fat and happy with cookies than miserable and healthy!”
“Exactly! This guy gets it. If only there were more folks like him and then our troop would have been able to go to Whinny Land” the one filly says to the other.
“Your Filly Scout group was going to Whinny Land?” you ask.
“Well we were, but barely anypony bought cookies, and today was the last day…” she says sadly.
Even more self righteous anger courses through you.
“UNACCEPTABLE!!!” you screech to the heavens before looking the two startled fillies in the eye and saying, “How much to reach your goal?”
“Well, we were down about 7,000 bits, and none of the other girls have done any…”
You interrupt her by slamming down 7,000 of your bits, causing the fillies’ eyes to expand.
“Take it little ones! Let your entire troup know! The Crimson Vengeance has provided! YOU’RE ALL GOING TO WHINNY LAND!!!”
“YYYAAAYYY!!!WHINNY LAND!!!” they all cheer.
They then give you a card that signifies that you are a friend of the Filly Scouts, and can receive free cookies from them for life.
7,000 Bits Removed from Inventory
Free Filly Scout Cookies For Life Card Added to Inventory
As you walk away from the celebrating fillies.
“OK Daddy, I know I heard someling say Whinny Land this time!” Nightshade pops out and accuses.
“N-No you didn’t…” you lie.
She lifts and eyebrow and pulls Mangle up. She opens her mouth and you hear the recorded voices of the Filly Scouts shouting about the theme park.
You facehoof at this, “Busted…”
Later at a Restaurant
You, Nightshade, and Aqua are eating. You have explained the situation to Aqua about your findings.
“And then I gave most of my money to those scouts…so yeah, that’s why you have to pay for dinner,” you tell a bemused Aqua.
“So after you take these guys down, and after you get more money, THEN can we go to Whinny Land Daddy?” Nightshade huffs, still a little ticked off that you paid for about 200 other foals but not her.
“Maybe honey. We don’t know how smoothly this whole thing will go.”
“Hmmph, you still shouldn’t have lied to me. Mr. Sombra said lies are the start of darkness."
“Mr Who?” Aqua says not quite having heard.
“Nopony,” you tell her then look back at Nightshade who blushes. Luckily Aqua just shrugs it off. “Now baby, I am sorry, but look, I can’t promise you that we’ll go. But I’ll TRY, OK? Emphasis on Try.”
“Alright fine…” she says as she takes a bite out of her sandwich.
You roll your eyes and look to Aqua again.
“So yeah, that’s what I found out today.”
“Well it looks like you found out a heck of a lot more than I did. The only interesting thing I saw was some strange flying Earth Pony who was screaming about Twists and finding Shia…whatever the heck that means.”
“Well that’s Applewood for you…I think…anyway, from what I found out, the Director and Producer of the movie won’t be back till tomorrow to film. When they do start filming, I’m gonna scope the studio out and see what I can find.”
“You think that’s wise with that Royal Guard hanging around?”
“That’s where you’ll come in. I’m gonna need someone keeping an eye not only on the perimeter in case I find these guys and they make a run for it, but also to make sure Sentry doesn’t get in the way of our bounty.”
“So you wanna split up AGAIN? We can’t exactly be called a team if we keep separating. Besides, why can’t I be the one sneaking in?”
“I really think it’s our best option to cover the grounds, and why are you so upset? Your job is easier than mine?”
“Because Sneaking is way more fun! Besides, I think I would be less suspicious.”
“Ahem, you’re forgetting that I come from a species of highly skilled infiltrators? Being a master of sneaking is in my blood.”
Even though your track record has yet to prove that.
Your eye twitches at that, but Aqua sighs and admits,
Kropsling’s Comment
"Fine, I’ll watch the perimeter. But if you find them don't start the party without me. I’d hate to miss all the fun again."
"Will do" you nod.
“And what about me Daddy? What do I get to do? Stay in my room like a ‘good girl’ again?” Nightshade hisses with a bit of venom in her voice.
Dear Luna she’s getting rebellious awfully fast.
Although I admire it, we cannot allow her out for the mission.
“Sweetheart, you know I can’t have you out and about while I’m sneaking.”
“Daddy, I’m not 2 anymore! You know I can handle myself, and I don’t want to keep getting shoved back into my room like I’m in trouble. Please?”
“Honey…” you start and you can already see her starting to pout in anger, when an idea comes to you.
"Actually, you know what, you’re right. Aqua, tomorrow I want you to also take Nightshade with you."
You see Nightshade’s eyes widen in happiness, while Aqua’s widen in shock.
"Wait a minute I'm a bounty hunter not a foal sitter."
"I'm not asking you to foal sit her, she knows not to run off. I just need you to let her tag along and to stretch her legs a bit. If all goes well, you’ll just be scoping outside a movie studio, so nothing dangerous. Also this might be a good for you two know each over a bit more.”
“Yeah, besides your name I have no clue who you are…your name was Amber right?” Nightshade says enthusiastically.
“But, I mean-She’s a kid? What am I supposed to do if things go south?”
“If there’s any trouble, I’m sure the two of you can handle it. I hate to admit it, but Nightshade is probably the more powerful out of the three of us,” you whisper to her.
“You’re kidding?” Aqua says before looking at you, her eyes widening “…You’re not…”
“Yeah, so think as her your back up. But only if there’s no other option, if anything does happen, just run with her to safety alright?”
“I-but…”
“Come on lady, I’ve squashed a Dictator, Daddy at his worst, and kicked a Hydra in the nards, you and I will have fun!” Nightshade beams.
“I…fine, OK, but seriously kid, don’t make me regret this.”
“Yay! Did you hear that Mangle? We’ll get to be helpful!” she says to her pet who lets out an enthusiastic metallic screech.
“I gotta watch that thing too?” Aqua moans.
“She’s part of the package,” Nightshade snaps back while petting the robot fox.
You chuckle at this, before you are interrupted by an angry Selena.
Are you crazy?! Why would you allow or even suggest this?!
Calm down, I have my reasons.
What reasons? What reasons could you possibly have?
Three reasons actually. Firstly, this is safer for her. I didn’t exactly admit it, but if the Knights are in that studio when I sneak in, things will get hairy inside the studio rather than outside it. I’d rather she was as far away from the action as possible.
Alright, that is sound, but what about…
Secondly, she needs to get out more and meet new ponies. She’s right, we can’t keep locking her in her room, she’ll start rebelling more and not listening.
And thirdly, I think she needs a break from Sombrero. We can’t just let him be the only other pony she talks to aside from us, something tells me that won’t end well. With Aqua, she’ll have more options.
I…fine, I concede to that point. Though I believe a talk with him tonight is pertinent after the visions of this afternoon.
Alright, I guess I’ll see you tonight then.
You then look back to Nightshade who is laughing while an uncomfortable Aqua tries to push a hugging Mangle off her leg.
"OK sweetheart. Tomorrow you will be with Aqua for a bit, so I want you to be a good filly and do what she tells you, Alright?”
"Got it daddy I will help her if she needs it."
"I know you will." you said rubbing her head. “Also, you’re going to have to be Evening Shadow while you’re out with her OK?”
“Pegasus or Earth Pony?” she asks.
“Go earth pony, just in case you guys do see Mr. Flash.”
“Gotcha, thanks daddy,” she beams and you smile.
“Seriously, get this bucking thing off me!” Aqua shrieks trying to get Mangle out of her mane, causing you two and Selena to laugh.
LATER IN THE DREAMSCAPE
Kersey’s Comment
When you arrive in the dreamscape, you encounter Selena.
“Good Evening Bugze, fancy meeting you here,” she jests.
You smirk, but then ask her, “You think he’s clean enough to talk clearly?”
Her smirk vanishes and she says, “I assume we will find out soon enough. What exactly will we ask of him?”
“Well for one, we find out what exactly he meant when he talked about my other world flashback.”
Selena nods at this then asks, “It has been months since your last trauma induced flashback, I simply thought you had gotten over them.”
“I know…I kind of stopped having them around the time…he showed up.”
“You think there is a connection?” she asks.
“Only one way to find out. Let’s bring him up.”
She nods and lights up her horn. The cage materializes out of the ground, and the Unicorn inside still looks dazed.
"What daw yaw want...?" Sombra slurs, the drugs still making their way out of his system. “Where is the brat? I talk to her, not you…” he says sounding a bit more coherent than this afternoon.
"Alright Roomba, I got some questions fo-"
"I don't have to tell ya n-" Sombra back-talks, but Selena sends out a blast from her horn onto Sombra's horn, knocking him over and causing him to howl in agony as he tries to clutch at his burning horn with his shackled hooves.
"Answer his questions!" Selena threatens, horn glowing for emphasis.
“Fine, you stupid witch, what izit you wan bug?”
“This afternoon, I had a flashback.”
“Yes, I saw…dead dragons. Very intriguing.”
“More like horrifying. And then there was a flash of your magic and it was gone.”
“Yeah, and?” he asks.
“Well what exactly did you do? You druggedly told us that you took it and the others for yourself.”
“And so I did. I remember now, you thanked me for it only this afternoon…” he says as he shakes his head.
“Yeah, but I’d like to know how and why?”
“Yes, how have you taken these waking Nightmares? You are imprisoned.” Selena asks.
“Well, the how is actually quite simple. You may have suppressed me to the subconscious, but that is also the source of the Waking Nigthmares. I know a thing or two about those.”
You remember the scary door in the Crystal Empire and shudder.
“I don’t have much power because of you, but what little I do have, I was able to take these Traumatic experiences and keep them back from you. Since I have been a bit dazed, the dragon one slipped through today, but I was able to get it in the end, you do like not having them don’t you?” he taunts.
"How noble of you." you snark.
"Altruism has nothing to do with it." he snarls.
“I figured that much. So why would you do something that helps me?”
"Well as it stands right now, perhaps I feel like it’s in my best interest to keep you alive a bit longer,” he says vaguely. “However, these frequent nightmares of yours do nothing but haunt you with guilt and thus keep causing you to hold back when you should be going all out, doing anything to stay alive. They are a weakness, so I take them. And as an added bonus, I get to view your suffering within them…” he chuckles darkly.
You just shake your head at his vagueness, knowing there’s probably a lot he’s not telling, but for now, you know the how and why.
“Selena, put him away, I think that’s all for the night.”
She nods and sinks him back into the floor while he still chuckles.
“I will look into his influence on the flashbacks and stop it. I’m certain my own power should be able to suppress them,” Selena tells you.
“Thanks…I just can’t shake the feeling like there’s more going on than what he lets on.”
“Most likely there is. He is a rather devious character.”
“I mean, even when it was the old you, you were straight, simple and to the point. Kill, Kill, Kill! That was it.”
Her cheeks darken and she looks away in shame.
“Bugze…I’m not…”
“Hey now, calm down, I didn’t mean anything by it,” you say as you pat her back. “I know you’re different now.” This seems to calm her down.
“All I’m saying is that it used to be more straightforward. With him, he’s probably got schemes from here to the wazoo that I can’t quite figure out. I mean, the only time when he made sense was, ironically, when he was on drugs.”
“Hmmm…” Selena holds a hoof to her chin in thought.
“What? You have an idea?” you ask.
“Just speculating. You are right, he was more manageable when he was inebriated. His talks with Nigthshade were less dangerous, there was no outcry when you used his shadow powers, and we did not have to worry about his scheming.”
“Yeah, but I mean, it’s not like we can just constantly keep him drugged though right?”
She gives you a questioning look,
“Why not?”
“Huh?”
“Why can’t we keep him drugged?” she repeats.
“Well, because I don’t want to keep losing you. I need your help constantly.”
“That’s sweet of you to say,” she smirks, “but if YOU were the one to knowingly dose us, then I would have time to prepare the psychotropics and transfer them to him completely. I would remain clean.”
“Huh…maybe that could work? But that means I’ll need to keep dosing every three days, and it has to be the high end stuff that affects deep into my brain like what Quacksilver and Kichi gave me. That ain’t cheap.”
“Well I’d keep it in mind Bugze, he is still our enemy after all.”
“Yeah, alright,” you nod in agreement. You then look to her and say, “So, do you wanna play a board game or something? It’s been so long since you and I did something ourselves that was relaxing.”
She smirks at this. “Why not? Let us test out these games and see which ones will annoy that cretin the most during Nightshade’s next talk.”
You smile and walk off with her.
“You say that now, but once Candy Land gets into your blood, it will never leave…” you joke, causing her to chuckle.
Deep in your Subconcious.
Sombra sits and smiles as his connection to the nightmares is cut off and Selena’s is implemented.
“That’s right, suppress your guilt. Fear not the consequences. Become loose with the Brat’s safety. You’ll eventually lose control. You’ll let me out. Then you will die and I will be free…” he chuckles before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.
The Next Morning
You find yourself in front of the studio you and Flash were at yesterday. The studio where the Hooded Offender movie is being shot. Nightshade and Aqua are watching the perimeter (IE eating ice cream at a café and sitting down) while you look for a way to sneak in. Deciding not to deal with the security guard from yesterday, you go around to the other side via an alleyway.
And as you do, you pass by Director Zack Snaffle himself throwing a bunch of comics at an empty script (Titled Batmane v Supermane) attached to a wall in slow motion while wailing,
"Sweet Celestia, Come on! Something has to stick!!!"
“Why not just not use the characterization from All Star Supermane?” you suggest.
“NO! That’s what they’ll all be expecting,” he says cryptically before throwing more comics at the wall.
Shrugging, you continue on.
Kichi’s Comment
As you find the other studio checkpoint, you see two guards. One a minotaur, the other a tall adolescent red dragon.
Wait... Is that the spawn of Smaug? Selena asks.
You look more closely, and sure enough, it is Garble. There’s no mistaking that arrogant looking face of his. Still, you don’t know why or how he’s here, so you scoot in closer to eavesdrop on his conversation.
"I can't believe my dad was so angry about what happened with those namby ponies and the phoenix eggs that he forced me to take a job here, in ponyland...” he grumbles to the minotaur. The bull beast shrugs and says,
“Hey, at least the pay is good and you only need to take care of intruders. I’d say it’s an easy gig."
Garble nods and says, “Yeah, I guess I like that part, being able to hurt ponies and get paid for it. I sure hope someone tries to sneak in…”
Hearing this, you duck back around the building.
"Okay... we have an angry adolescent dragon and a minotaur guarding this side. Buck you Lady Luck, how am I going to get passed?" you curse.
As you do, you suddenly hear an explosion above you. You look up and see someling in a cloak flying out before landing on the ground with a crack, followed by a lot of moaning. A door opens up and two ponies, one with a clipboard and one with a medical hat pick him up on a stretcher.
"Crap, not again! We lost another Knight Stunt double. The director’s a mad man!” says the one with the hat.
“Hey, this is the price we have to pay to make practical effects, do you want this thing to be soulless CGI?” asks the one with the clipboard.
“Well it would be safer. This guy only lasted 10 minutes. At this rate, we’ll run out of extras and doubles before the evening. We are going to need to make another casting call for replacements.”
*Ding*
Bugze, what was that ding? What are you thinking?
I have an idea…
Oh, no... Tell me you're not going to do what I think you’re about to do? she asks worriedly.
Come on, it's perfect... I’ll be hiding in plain sight! you then walk up to the two ponies and say,
“Excuse me gentleman, I’m here for the stunt double gig,” you say as you partially hold your cloak out of your bag.
“Well that’s convenient,” the guy with the clipboard says.
“Go inside and get changed, there’s still 7 doubles working the scenes right now, but be ready to be called upon at a moment’s notice,” they tell you as they usher you inside. They then carry the injured stunt actor away leaving you alone.
You smirk at how easy that was. You then find a rack of cloak costumes. Rather than mess up your own, you throw one of these costumes on over your CV disguise. You then head out and see a lot of other crew members and extras walking around and you realize this warehouse is huge.
"And now... To investigate..." you mutter.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
Outro:
