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:
You find yourself humming a jazzy tune as you walk.
Selena nervously joins in.
As for best movie Lilo and Stitch.
Hm...
It's hard to say any best movie of all times. I liked 'Treasure Planet' but 'Murder, she cried' wasn't bad either...
Argh, please don't make me talk about my feelings
Oh, and why do I have the feeling Flash is one of the other doubles for the Hooded Offender, infiltrating through that too?
my favourite movie? It has to be Freddy vs Jason
Search for any knights that might be lurking around. They might be playing roles in the movie, so take care to search among the actors as well as the directors and likewise.
Favorite movie is difficult to pin down.
NOTE: USE AT BEGINNING OF CHAPTER;
The universe is made of billions of moments in time. Some the same, many different, and some just strange.
If we were to pause one such moment in time, we'd see a strange sight on the road; an Earth Pony with his head covered in a small swarm of bees screaming as he dangles out of a carriage as a spilled cup of coffee labeled "DWC" spills out over him, a crossbow going off, a tabloid magazine with Prince Blueblood's face on it, another Unicorn dangling out of the carriage as his wallet hangs on by a chain, a hoof smashing through a window, a unicorn's face in the center of some black trousers, a hoof in the face of the unicorn with the crossbow, and a faceless figure reaching an arm out of the carriage and grabbing a surprised-looking pegasus with a movie camera by the back of his "camerapony" vest with a Power Glove. We also see that this chaotic moment in time taking place in a carriage that's on fire and half-flipped in mid air as the faceless figure cries out;
"BUCK YOU LADY LUCK!!!"
If you're all wondering what the buck is going on, perhaps we need to rewind back a bit...
A FEW HOURS EARLIER
Turns out they needed a stuntpony to play the Hooded Offender in a scene and you were ironically chosen for the part... except you forgot your lines and somehow accidentally turned what was supposed to be a scene of you simply crossing the street into a moment of chaos.
Nightshade and Aqua witness this shoot causing a shocked and confused Aqua to comment,
"Does this kind of stuff always happen with him?"
"Yup." Nightshade responds nonchalantly while sipping out of a Jumbo soda cup as big as she is.
==================
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In the trash you find some crumbled messages indicating a mail exchange/conversation.
The first one is a screenplay by Kersey which you skim over for potential clues, You don't find any, but the screenplay is solid, well-paced, and grounded enough in its internal logic to make it Honest Advert-proof (a satirical newspaper column written in the style of a movie advert that points out flaws in the movie, basically it's the Equestrian print version of Honest Trailers).
Next you find a reply with several tears and holes in it reading,
Dear Kersey,
Sorry, but we already have a screenplay. Besides it's a propaganda piece about the Hooded Offender, not Shakespony so your overthinking it.
Solarkness
You then find a torn-in-half response from Kersey that says... well it's smudged in hayburger sauce stains, spit, and loaded with swear words (some of which you've never even heard of and others so extreme that you would even ground Nightshade if you heard her say them), but it's basically Kersey cursing and whining that the group has gone absolutely Family Pony-style random with no structure or goal and is full of dumbflanks doing whatever the hay they want and cursing Solarkness for not using his screenplay punctuated with threats to completely cut off Solarkness's funding.
Dang, and I thought I had anger issues. But this new info could be useful... you think.
As a movie buff, it's hard to pinpoint my most favorite film. But If I had to choose one, it's The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly.
This is Clint Eastwood at his prime and is one of the most visually appealing movies with one of the greatest soundtracks ever by Ennio Morricone. I like it the most because this is a movie that breaks ties with many cliches, tropes, and genres. It takes westerns, war movies, adventure films, buddy film dynamics, even comedy, and throws it in a blender and hits puree, taking all the best parts from each. There is no damsel in distress, there is no goal to save innocent folks, and in fact, there is no innocence on any of the characters.
This is the story of 3 morally dubious guys who all hate each other in some degree, trying to find treasure in the middle of a war. The frenemy dynamic between Tucco and The Man With No Name is amazing, and the ending duel is one of the most tense and best shot scenes in cinema history.
I highly recommend it to everyone.
*After strolling around the studio for a few hours
You come across Flash Sentry hidden under a tarp while holding a tablet of paper.
"What're you doing here?! I told you to watch a comedy!"
"I'm reading my lines for the upcoming scene."
"What? Since when are you in this production?"
"...The comedy was decent, but I got bored so I thought to myself 'why not be in a movie?'"
Bugze facehoofs, "What's the next scene?"
"Well, the Hooded Offender is going to come around this corner and while he has his back turned, I will jump out from under the tarp and subdue him."
"So, what exactly is you're character?"
"Oh, I'm playing an undercover guard."
"..."
Seriously? An undercover guard. They probably blew the comedy budget for this movie.
Hey! My life is not a comedy.
Well, some of the action movies I watched in your head have some comedic parts in them. Besides, your failings are all the comedy we need, so any extra would be overdoing it.
============
Selena's line at the end could be reworded. I'm not very good at comedic jabs.
I figured that since Flash is actually looking for the Hooded Offender at the moment, that he should be in this movie production just to be sure that the Offender isn't here at the moment. Also, I like puns... very much so.
As Bugzee spy around disguised as the offender, he begin to open doors to see if he could find the knights, instead he find a pink unicorn with plexiglass wings putting a wig similar to Cadance, after that in the next door he find a stallion sleeping as others are busy dying his hair to white.
"Could it be that they are making a romance?" Ask Bugzee to himself
"Do you really think that those knights could do a Romance and make a best seller? I don't think explosions and those extras don't seem to be for a romance" Comment Selena
"To be, or not to be, that is the question" Say Sombra suddenly
"Uhhh, must be the drugs, I can't believe Sombra knew that, because of course, that is not for you" Comment Selena
"Hey, why could not be?" Ask Bugzee molested
"Seriously? You don't have too much for romance, you could be bored in shakespony, when was the last time you told me that you loved me? Or go to a date with me? Or give me a present?" Say angry Selena
"Oh, come on, for the love of Luna... Really?" Ask Bugzee
"Luna here, Luna there... What about me, Bugzee? Are you not in love with me? Of course you love Luna, right? How could you love me... Say sadly the voice of Selena
"What? I... Uh..." Begin to say Bugzee when the voice of Nightshade appear in his head
"Are you two fighting? I don't want you two to divorce" Say the voice of Nightshade
Bugzee was surprised to hear Nightshade in his head, but more confused about how he could divorce of Selena
"Okay, cut... Good work, good work" Say Sombra in his head
"Wait... What... What is happening?" Ask Bugzee confused
"You have to see your face... I knew I was good in romance" Say Selena
"Wait, so all that was..." Say Bugzee but is interrupted
"And act that Sombra suggested, and I improvised in a couple of minutes" Say Selena
"What... When...? You know, it's not important, even if I'm not sure how Sombra managed to do it, why is Nightshade in my head?" Ask Bugzee
"Ohh, that, no idea really..." Say Selena
"I let you know, that I writed many books, but of course, the ponies only remember the tyrant king, and Celestia destroyed many of those books or put a lackey as if he written them, to take the glory" Say Sombra as Bugzee can suddenly imagine him in a soap box talking but begin to tune him out, something a little hard as he live in his head
"And I was visiting uncle Sombrero..." Begin to say Nightshade
"Sombra" Say King Sombra inside his mind
"Sombrero" Say Nightshade
"Somb... Bah, Whatever" Sombra dismissed it
"Okay... So, I was bored and decided to visit uncle Sombrero, because you didn't let me do anything" Comment angry Nightshade
"But, that's not true... Is not Aqua with you?" Ask Bugzee
"She is sleeping, a little after we separated, she decided to put me to see the pre-release of a movie called "The happy bunny" but seriously, after everything that happened? It was very boring, she is sleeping and I decided to check around and say hi to Uncle Sombrero" Say Nightshade as Bugzee can imagine her smiling
"Wait... So instead of searching, she put you in a child movie, and you both are sleeping? " Asked Bugzee surprised
"Come on Daddy... Stop treating me like a little foal, after everything that happened, do you think that a movie about a little bunny jumping around could be interesting? Also, I need to have my revenge with sombrero in Pony Fighter II" Say Nightshade
"Wait a second... How are you in my head, playing pony fighter II and talking with me?" Ask Bugzee
"Oh, that, did you forgot who is mommy? I learned from her, I have to do something, staying in my room was getting bored" Comment Nightshade
"Wait, Wait, wait... Are you telling me that this is not the first time? How many times did you enter in my head? And what did you see inside?" Ask Bugzee
"MMM... I'm not sure, oh look at the time, I'm going to wake up miss Aqua and continue searching" After that there is a big silence.
"Did you know that?" Ask Bugzee
"EEenope" Say Selena
----------
I can't really think about a good movie, too much movies but if I have to say one of my favorites? "De ladron a policia" or "Blue Streak" a movie about a thief that try to recover a diamond that was hidden in a building in construction, only to discover that the building is now a police station.
P.S: I'm not sure how I write all that, at first I was thinking of put Bugzee in the wastelands with a actor doing the Doctor, as he read the names of those murdered by the Nightmare but I begin to write and instead I put this...
That is a very broad topic for best movie. Too many different categories. My favorite movie however is Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.
While Bugze is on set of the movie in the Executive Producers' Room:
Rutherford: I'm really glad that this room has a grill and high quality ventilation in here. I hate the look ponies give me whenever I grill ribs or cook burgers. *Looks at the Ribs* Hmm, needs some more Bar-B-Que sauce. Anyway how is the new changeling Offender stunt double doing?
Solarkness: How can you tell? He is completely covered and we have not talked to him yet?
Rutherford: He was wandering around earlier when I went to the head, and I got a whiff of changeling coming from him.
Solarkness: The head?
Rutherford: *Sigh* The bathroom. My family lives next to the sea outside of Equestria and we use nautical terms for things. Head is one of those terms. I thought I already explained it to you before...Or was that Kichi?
Solarkness: Right then, so he's a changeling then? If that's the case, then maybe we can get him to play as the double for a few of the action scenes.
Rutherford: Perhaps. let's keep watching him to see how he does before we talk to him.
Deadpool best movie
Run into a guy in a megamane suit.
" What movie are you working on?" You ask confused.
"They're making a live action Megamane movie" he boredly.
You can hear your brain shattering.
"Vixin Productions 2000 said they could pull it off."
A new enemy has come to your attention today.
Here's the article :http://www.slashfilm.com/mega-man-movie-in-deveopment-at-20th-century-fox/
7209588 Murder, she wrote.
Oh, you're talking movies.
ANYWAY, I just want to say: Can't wait for Bugze to find out about the reformation of Discord.
7215070
Solarkness raises an eyebrow at that, before replying impressed, "He is? Huh, good to know. How did you figure that out, what with us being unable to see him through that mass of clothes, and not having talked to him, meaning that his voice could not have been it either..."
Solarkness mulls over that, before slumping down, "Damn. I love my perfect smell, but sometimes... It's a burden. I would never figure someone's species out through their smell. Oh, and what do you mean, 'the head'? I thought we are the heads of this operation."
Solarkness nods, and responds, "Ah. Yeah, I think it was Kichi... Anyways, that changeling could be used for action scenes if what you said is true. After all, changelings are rare to come by, and the action scenes are the ones where the clothing might be torn. In that case, seeing a changeling would make more sense for in the movie, since the Offender is a changeling."
I'm back from Jamaica!
(When Nightshade curses in front of Aqua)
"Wow kid, you got a filthy mouth. Not that I'm mad or anything."
Nightshade nods happily, almost like she was proud of it... which she was.
"Won't your dad get mad or something?" Aqua asks.
Nightshade shook her head. "No. He's the one who taught me these cool, bad-flank words!" She said with a smirk.
"Oh."
Nightshade giggled and she said, "You had a MUCH better reaction then my teacher."
"Oh really? Well we're probably nothing alike."
Nightshade nodded and had a flashback.
Nightshade had just spread her bad mouth around the classroom when Cheerilee walked in. The whole class shut their mouths and paid attention to her math lesson.
Once she was done, she asked the class to answer and example on the board. "Come on class, don't be shy."Diamond Tiara put her hoof up first. "I think I know the answer Ms. Cheerilee!" She said.
Nightshade, not sitting far from her, had an idea and mimicked her voice to make her sound stupid.
Diamond turned to her with a glare and yelled. "Quiet! Fat Dessert Eater!"
Before Cheerilee had time to respond Nightshade yelled back, "Ey! Don't call me fat you stupid bucker!"
Cheerilee cut in with a sharp voice. "Nightshade did you just say the B word again?!"
Nightshade turned to Cheerliee. "Um? No?"
"Yes, you did! You called me a bucker you bucking idiot!" Diamond shot at her.
"Diamond Tiara!"
"And why the buck can't I?"
"Nightshade!"
"You said buck again!"
"Scootaloo!"
"...Buck."
She gasped this time. "Apple Bloom!"
Sweetie Belle shivered and drooped down underneath her desk.
Nightshade stood on her desk. "What's the big deal anyways?! It doesn't hurt anypony. Buck buck buckity buck!"
"How would you like to go to the principle's office?"
"How would you like to be sent to Tartarus?"
The whole class, including Tiara, gasped.
"What did you just say?!"
"My apologies teacher..." She used her magic and yelled in a booming voice. "HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE SENT TO BUCKING TARTARUS?!"
An hour later you could see Nightshade escaping the school with her father, who was dripping tears of pride for his daughter.
"It wasn't that big of a surprise." Nightshade shrugged.
I FINALLY caught up!
The best movie I have ever seen is "The Age of Ultron" because out of the movie came the best Superhero and Villain I have ever seen.
For The Story...
Pretend to be yourself for a few scenes, when you locate the two targets contact Aqua and BURN! BURN! BURN! BURN!
As you wander the set, you are suddenly pulled by a production assistant into the limelight.
“Alright, cultist blows himself up with dynamite, take 53” says a voice beyond the lights.
“Wait, Wha-?” suddenly you are pushed down a ramp on a set in a wagon full of lit fireworks. You hit a ramp, screaming in the air as you do so until the cart hits it’s peak and blows up.
You are sent flying to the ground, right in front of a camera, your body smoking.
“Owwwwww….” You groan.
“PERFECT!!! now that’s how you do a practical effect people! Alright, on to the next scene,” Says a hooded figure with a director’s cone…and you can’t help but notice there is a strange scent about him. Something really unpleasant.
“Wait, I…WHOA!” you yelp as you are picked up and placed on a new set in front of a big practical looking puppet monstrosity. You briefly flash back to the other world, but it is immediately surpressed, because the big set piece looks like Nightmare You…only more Applewoodesque (Bigger and Bloodier)
“How…how the heck did they get this design?” you shudder.
“Alright, in this scene, the Horde members are viciously beaten by the Nightmare, so when this robot hits you, sell that you’ve really been hurt,” says the Director.
“How can we sell it any harder? That thing is literally beating the snot out of us, and I’m actually using Literally correctly,” says another cloaked stunt double.
You see the director in the darkened cloak stiffen, before he points at the actor who spoke up and says, “ACTION!!!”
The actor that spoke up is immediately hit by one of the tails and sent flying up into the rafters.”
All the actors begin to panic, you included as the machine starts hitting you all left and right with it’s tails …although this animatronic makes them look like tentacles with scary glowing eyes and sharp teeth.
“THIS GUY’S A FREAKING PSYCHOPATH!!!” you scream as you and 3 other actors are slammed into a fake store front.
“Somepony help us!” another actor screams.
“Make it stop! Oh just make it stop!”
“CUT!” great ad lib there guys, loving the looks of desperation and despair…unfortunately boom was in the shot, so we’re gonna have to do it again.”
“AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!” you scream with all the actors.
Several brutal takes later.
You stumble around, your head a little loopy, but still relatively in one piece. 3 Years of almost constant fighting and beatings has toughened you up more than the run of the mill background actor. So you, and about 15 other hooded actors that are still standing are rounded up and taken to the next scene.
“This guy is nuts! Why are we even still here?” whimpers one of the actors.
“Because we’re getting paid?” chimes another.
“Oh yeah…”
“Ahem, hey, do you guys happen to know who the director even is?” you ask.
“Well yeah, he’s the guy in the cloak,” the actor says.
“No, I mean, what’s his name? And why does he always wear that cloak?”
“I don’t know, he’s crediting himself as Alan Smithee, but every director that doesn’t want his name out there uses that. I’m guessing he’s doing that, and hiding himself so he doesn’t get sued for all these injuries we keep getting.”
“That’s probably why the producer hides in a cloak as well. He’s a big dude from what I’ve seen,” chimes in another actor.
“Hmmm, that could be the case…or they’ve got something to hide…” you mutter under your breath.
But how are they even making this movie? How would they even know about what happened in the otherworld? Could…could they be seeing flashes too?
Before you can reflect more on this, you are tossed into another scene.
“Alright, this is a dialogue scene, so just run around in the background like it’s the end of the world. And…Cue the time traveler and assistant…ACTION!”
“Wait, wha…” you say as you see…An older stallion with frizzy white hair, and a younger stallion in a red vest wander out.
“Great Scott! We’ve got to repair the flux capacitor and get back to our own time!”
“But Doc! What about the Offender? We can’t just let him get away with this!”
“There’s nothing we can do! Unless…Wait a minute! Perhaps with the capacitor itself, we can dampen his powers so that the Princesses may get a chance!”
“That’s the Doc I know! Hurry!” yells the younger stallion as they run off.
OK…maybe they don’t know the whole story…only pieces of it, because that sure as heck wasn’t how it went…
“CUT! How’d it look?”
“It was alright, but one of the extras was just standing still,” the camera pony says pointing to you.
“Ugh, take it from the top, and YOU! Put some effort into it, what are we paying you people for?!”
You gulp and nod, as they do the scene again.
Later
After a Grueling couple of hours getting beat up, set on fire, and abused, Lunch is called, and everyone takes a break. You take this opportunity to finally sneak away.
You find the Director’s office, and you sneak in and search for clues.
Really it’s pretty messy, and smelly. You can’t help but feel that you’ve smelt it before. Also, there are wood pieces sprinkled here and there, along with what looks like claw marks on the couch.
“Hmmm…curious,” you say as you wander to the desk.
Looking through, all you really see is a bunch of documents for the film and stuff, including some budget reports…from a Bank from the Crystal Empire for someone with the initials TR.
“Huh…”
But the best clue you come up with is what you find at the bottom. What you at first think is a greasy old napkin, turns out to be a check. A check from Kersey, to Solarkness…
Your eyes widen as you recognize the two names from the list, before you smile.
“Bingo…”
I think at some point Bugze should pass by a scene featuring a mare dressed as nightmare moon, aside from the groucho marx mask she appears to be wearing, sitting at a desk as a luna look-alike is lecturing her on something
...
...
...
...only to realize, a few seconds after passing it that that was during the BST timeframe, not the Hooded Offender, and be subsequently confused.
As for an answer to the movie question, I think I like Avengers the best, though (vilify me if you wish), I did like Unbreakable.
Deadpool, That is all.
Anyway,My suggestions are:
1. Bugze finds out that the role of "Stunt Double" is actually for idiots and bounty hunters who suspect that the film is being produce by the Crimson Knights(but don't actually know, but come on who would actually make an Offender movie.), which is why there's no official paperwork and why the doubles keep needing to be replace.
And 2. When spying on the director's room and Sun and Rad remove their cloaks:
I-is that a dragon AND A TIMBERWOLF?
And suddenly I have lost all faith in pony kind.
Sadly You Can't help but agree
7210202
Solarkness starts clapping (which you note oddly enough sounds like drumstick at the start of a concert) "Brilliant, wonderful, awesome! Cut! Check the gate!"
The rest of the crew, as well as the guy standing next to the director, just stared in awe and horror at what happen.