//------------------------------// // 4-gotten: Unto the Waters // Story: The Sparkle in his Eye // by Tatsurou //------------------------------// An elevator at the side of the tower brought the group down to another sealed door. When opened via wall switches, another message screen appeared, displaying what could be assumed to be another fragment of personal log. The video started with an image of someone playing with a Critter, as the voiceover began. "Holo-diary, 001. Creatures. For years, they've been something of a rite of passage on Magnos. Their very presence seems to enrich, inspire, and motivate us all. It is a bond no one has ever sought to understand...until now." The image changed, now showing those that had been playing with the Critters to be studying them in a lab setting, though the Critters were still held comfortingly while in the lab. "Using a complex array of technological thingamados-" Twilight and Nefarious brought their respective forelimbs to their faces at that total disregard for proper scientific terminology. "-my colleague Nevo Binklemeyer and I have been investigating the effect of creatures on their owners." "Wait..." Alister interrupted, pleased to see the video paused in response to someone speaking. "This whole thing started as a study of some sort of...psychic link between pets and owners?" "Sure seems that way," Qwark muttered as he shoved a handful of popcorn into his mouth. "Fascinating." "Where did you get that popcorn?" Nefarious demanded irritably. "Snack button," Qwark explained logically, pointing to Nefarious' back. "I don't have a 'Snack Button'!" Nefarious shouted angrily. "Then...where did I get this crunchy, salty deliciousness?" Qwark asked worriedly, staring at his popcorn. "Shush!" Twilight insisted. "I'm trying to learn something here!" "Take my own companion Mr. Dinkles," the voiceover continued as the image shifted to one specific scientist, with what looked like a white-garbed cat on his shoulder. "His mere presence seems to amplify my talents as a paradoxologist." "A what?" all four listeners asked simultaneously. With no answer forthcoming, the video continued, showing the 'cat' now standing behind an analysis device of some sort. "But observe him through the lens of a vectomorphic triciliscope..." As the voice over chuckled, the 'scope' revealed a strange concentration of energy inside the animal. "What strange manifestation is this? Have we discovered some new form of cosmic radiation? We must learn more about this energy!" The image changed to two scientists with a hologram of an apparatus of some sort between them. "Nevo believes he can modify the protomorphic energy extractor in order to separate the energy from its host. Tomorrow will be a great day for science." As the image faded and the message ended, Twilight spoke up. "So, who here thinks the energy is the real bad guy and was manipulating the scientists?" "Me," Nefarious spoke up quickly. "Me," Alister agreed. "I," Qwark added. "As long as we're all in agreement there," Twilight agreed as the group stepped onto another elevator platform. The elevator platform took the group down a long path to the water far below, where more metal pathways were laid out. As they rode down, they were able to determine where they were headed. The 'Forest of Blue Rocks' Spog had mentioned seemed to refer to Terrawat Forest, where a research lab run by a Dr. Frumpus Croy was located. Since they'd come across that name before in the journey, they considered it to be their best lead. The moving platform dropped them off right in front of another Weapons Vendor Sattelite, with a new Frost Cannon for sale. "Hmm..." Twilight murmured as she examined it after buying one for each of them. "A weapon specifically designed to freeze the enemies...reminds me of the Liquid Nitrogen Gun we used back in Solana, or the Freeze Mods from..." Her voice trailed off, and she shook her head. "Never mind. Anyway, I think I can do something with this...later." "You...don't want to work on it?" Nefarious asked, confused. "It's...brought up some bad memories," Twilight countered. "Please drop it." "Fair enough," Nefarious quickly agreed. He held back as Twilight took the lead with Alister, grabbing Qwark by the arm to hold him back briefly. "What bad memories did 'Freeze Mods' bring up, and who do I need to kill?" Qwark frowned, scratching his chin. "Bad memories? ...that'd either be the Dreadzone or the Technomites...either way, it's already taken care of." Nefarious frowned. "She's...been through some bad episodes, I take it?" Qwark nodded dumbly. "I see...well, I'll just have to figure out a way to make it better." "Or you could leave it in the past," Qwark pointed out firmly. "Twilight's more or less moved past all that. There's no need to bring it up again. She'll talk about it if she wants to." "...but..." Nefarious glanced to the path ahead, his eyes on Twilight. Qwark stared at him for a time, then sighed. "Look, the one thing that's always bugged Twilight more than anything is being the only one of her kind anywhere in the known galaxies. Even Ratchet knew where he came from, she doesn't even know that. If you can do something about that, it would go a long way to helping her feel better about everything." Nefarious rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm...actually, I think I can do something about that." He began taking some mental notes, his brain case sparking with calculations. "The key will be having it all ready in time for Friday..." Qwark groaned as he face palmed. "Great, you both do that..." he grumbled under his breath. "And Dad said Sis was bad about her inspiration moments..."