Chapter 2 - Ongoing Investigation
The pair sleep well on their cloud mattresses (but then again, who wouldn’t). As the sun peeks over the horizon Arc sits up and stretches.
“Another day.”
Scootaloo groans as she calls out from under her covers.
“I miss our traveling days, Big Brother.”
Arc turns to her. “The freedom of movement? Lack of larger responsibilities? Perhaps the luster of nature?”
Scootaloo peeks out from under the covers. “No. The knowledge that we didn’t have to get up until the sun went down.”
“I suppose there was that too.”
“Any chance we could go back to that?”
“It’s not likely, no.”
Scootaloo grunts as she sits up and rubs her eyes.
“So… a slight chance then?”
Arc chuckles. “I hope not. After all, it wasn’t much fun being on the lam.”
“Well, I had fun.”
“That I’m glad of.”
He sniffs the air and chuckles.
“But it smells like Rainbow Dash’s mom is already cooking.”
Scootaloo jumps out of bed. “Let’s go!”
“What happened to being tired?”
“I’m over it! Let’s go!”
Arc chuckles. “Alright. Just let me take care of something real quick.”
Turning to look out the window, Arc lowers the moon and starts the sun on its journey before heading for the door.
“Now we can go.”
Leaving the room they head downstairs together. Following their noses the pair enter the kitchen. Windy Whistles stands in front of the stove cooking. She gasps slightly as they approach.
“My apologies for breakfast not being ready, sir! I wasn’t sure when you and the Scarlet Filly would be up!”
“It’s fine, ma’am.”
Scootaloo looks to their hostess. “Can we help?”
Windy shakes her head. “Oh, no! That just wouldn’t be…!”
“Careful there.”
Holding out a finger, Arc casts a Telekinesis Spell to flip the pancake in the pan.
“Sorry. It was starting to burn.”
Windy appears surprised. “You can… cook?”
Arc nods. “Can I have a skillet?”
“Certainly, sir.”
Hurrying to the cupboard she removes another pan. Giving it to Arc, he sets it on the stove next to hers. Pouring some batter into it he turns on the heat. A couple minutes later Arc flips it with a flick of his wrist. Windy gasps.
“That was amazing!”
Scootaloo grins. “How’d you do that, Big Brother?!”
“It’s all in the wrist. And a lot of practice.”
Bo enters the kitchen. Yawning and bleary-eyed he approaches the coffee pot and pours himself a mugful.
“Morning, honey.”
Windy points nervously to Arc and Scootaloo. “Um… dear?”
Bo sits down at the table and unrolls the newspaper next to his plate. “That smells good. We having eggs with it?”
Windy gasps. “I forgot to make them!”
“Well, no big deal. Pancakes are still plenty filling.”
Arc chuckles. “Want me to make some?”
Bo spits out his coffee as he whirls around to look at the stove. “S-sir?!”
“Good morning.”
Scootaloo waves a small hoof. “Hi!”
“What are you…?!”
“We just came down to see if we could help.”
Scootaloo trots over to the refrigerator. “I’ll get some eggs cooking.”
Bo stands nervously. “Oh, please don’t go to any…!”
Arc turns back to his pan. “Don’t worry. It won’t take but a few minutes.”
Scootaloo pulls the eggs from the refrigerator and gives them to Arc. As he cracks them she sprinkles salt and pepper. A few minutes later Arc puts them on a large serving plate.
“There we are. No trouble at all.”
Windy nods approvingly. “Very impressive, sir!”
“Eggs are pretty easy.”
Bo grimaces. “Forgive us, but we didn’t think you were, uh… versed in cooking.”
Arc chuckles. “I know my way around a kitchen. Probably not as well as your wife, but I do alright.”
Scootaloo nods. “He even showed me a thing or two.”
Windy looks toward the door. “Let me go call for Rainbow Dash so we can eat.”
Bo heads for the cupboard. “You do that and I’ll get the table set.”
Scootaloo joins him. “I’ll help.”
Windy sighs. “Maybe everypony shouldn’t wait. After all, it’s hard getting her up in the morning.”
Arc chuckles. “How about I get her then? Worst case scenario I’ll carry her to the table.”
Bo raises an eyebrow. “Uh… sure.”
“Be right back.”
Arc heads upstairs and looks around.
“Great. Which one is… oh… that makes it easy.”
Spying a door with his friend’s cutie mark on it, he approaches and knocks lightly. Hearing no response Arc opens it and walks inside. Spotting Rainbow Dash lying on her back with the covers all around her he gently nudges her. She swats his hand away with a hoof and groans.
“Just five more minutes, mom.”
Arc grins. “I would, but the food is already…”
With a gasp Rainbow Dash’s eyes fly open and she sits up. Quickly wiping away a line of drool from her cheek she jumps up and begins flying around the room.
“Sorry about that! I was just taking a five minute break from my morning workout!”
Arc rolls his eyes. “Were you now?”
“Yeah! Gotta stay in shape!”
“Right. In any case, are you ready for breakfast?”
“Sure am!”
“Uh, Rainbow Dash?”
Rainbow Dash turns back. “Huh?”
Kneeling down, he removes a rag from his ring and rubs it on the corner of the mare’s mouth.
“There you go.”
“What was it?”
“A bit of drool, I think.”
Rainbow Dash shakes her head vehemently. “Nah! That was sweat! Come on! Let’s eat!”
Falling into step with Arc, they descend the steps together. Rainbow Dash looks around nervously before whispering.
“Remember, don’t say anything about us to my parents, okay?”
Arc sighs. “Fine.”
Arriving at the kitchen, both of Rainbow Dash’s parents gasp.
“Rainbow Dash!”
“You’re up!”
“Uh, yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Windy appears relieved. “I usually have to spend at least an hour trying to…”
Rainbow Dash hurries to her chair. “Let’s eat before it gets cold!”
They sit down to enjoy the mean together. Bo turns to Arc.
“What’s first on the agenda, sir?”
“I need to head to the hospital and check on the victims along with Fluttershy.”
Windy turns to her daughter. “How were they last night?”
Rainbow Dash shrugs. “No idea. Everypony was pretty much unconscious when they were transferred from The Equinox to the Cloudsdale Hospital. There were so many patients all at once that the hospital staff were totally overwhelmed. Everypony was taken to patient rooms to rest while the doctors saw them as soon as they could.”
Bo appears hopeful. “And Fluttershy?”
“She’s sat by her parent’s bedside the whole time. I only left last night because she didn’t want me to miss supper.”
Arc nods. “We’ll check on them first then.”
Finishing their meal, they stack the dishes in the sink and head out the door together. Bo and Windy take the lead as Arc, Scootaloo, and Rainbow Dash follow. Arriving at the hospital, Bo approaches the front desk.
“Excuse me, but we’re here to see Mr. and Mrs. Shy.”
The nurse shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but they’re currently unconscious and cannot have visitors right now.”
Rainbow Dash steps forward. “Well, we need to check on their daughter at least!”
Windy turns to the nurse. “Is she still in the room with them?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Scootaloo appears confused. “Then why can’t wo go see them?”
The nurse sighs. “We tried to persuade their daughter to return home last night. However she refused to leave. Even our largest orderly couldn’t remove her.”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “Woah! Really?!”
Rainbow Dash grins. “Fluttershy’s really tough when she’s motivated. Remember at the peace summit, Arc?”
“Makes sense.”
He turns to the nurse.
“However I need to see the doctor in their room regarding the investigation into this matter.”
The nurse nods. “Very well, sir. They’re in Room #113. I’ll page the doctor and have him meet you there.”
“Thank you. We’ll try to keep it brief.”
Walking down the corridor Rainbow Dash frowns.
“Try to keep ME from Fluttershy, will she?!”
Scootaloo turns to the Pegasi next to her. “Calm down, Rainbow Dash. That mare was only doing her job.”
“To keep friends apart?!”
Bo shakes his head. “No. To help the healing process by promoting peace and quiet for them.”
Windy nods. “Right. And after what happened, they’ll need it.”
Arriving at the room, Arc knocks lightly before entering. He spots Fluttershy asleep in a chair in between her parent’s beds. Walking over to her he gently pats her mane. Groaning, she lifts her head.
“Huh? What’s…?”
Arc shushes her. “Shh… it’s only us.”
Rainbow Dash grins as she walks over to her friend. “I told you I’d be back, Fluttershy.”
Bo motions to the beds. “How are they?”
Fluttershy sighs. “The doctors ran a bunch of tests yesterday, but didn’t find anything.”
Windy raises an eyebrow. “Nothing?”
Arc looks to the mare and stallion before him. “Then why are they unconscious?”
Fluttershy groans. “Well…”
The door opens and a doctor enters. He walks over to Arc.
“Hello, sir. Are you investigating this situation?”
Arc nods. “For the moment. What can you tell us about these two?”
The doctor looks over his chart. “Nearly identical to the others, I’m afraid. Their bodies are extremely malnourished and show signs of atrophy.”
Rainbow Dash’s eyes grow wide. “They were STARVED?!”
Bo frowns. “How? I mean, they weren’t gone THAT long?”
Scootaloo nods. “And they didn’t appear to be restrained.”
Arc puts a hand to his chin thoughtfully. “What if the victims were kept intentionally weakened, doctor?”
“That would certainly account for some of this degradation, yes. However such a thing would be simply monstrous. Akin to torture even.”
Fluttershy appears hopeful. “But resting should help, right?!”
“Yes and no. They need to rest and recover, of course. However to speed that recovery time requires that the patients begin moving around as soon as possible to prevent further atrophying.”
Windy gasps. “Can we do anything other than wait?”
Bo nods. “Yes, how about some sort of stimulation, doctor?”
“They’ll wake up when their bodies have the energy to do so. Rushing the process won’t help in the long run.”
Arc motions to the door. “Can I assume the rest of those rescued were the same?”
“Yes sir. As I said, everypony is in nearly an identical state. We’ve ruled out infection already. With luck removing them from their captors will give them a chance to recover.”
Scootaloo smiles. “So your prognosis is rest?”
“That is correct.”
Rainbow Dash grits her teeth. “You can’t do ANYTHING else for them?!”
“Not at the moment, no. Sadly we don’t have much data on changeling biology, save for what we’re learning via their autopsies.”
Bo gasps. “You’re… cutting them open?”
“At Princess Twilight’s request, yes.”
Windy puts a hoof to her stomach. “Is that really necessary?”
Arc nods. “I believe it is, yes. After all, if the changelings are going to be a threat we’ll need all the information on them we can get to counter… whatever it is they did to the victims.”
He turns back to the doctor.
“Anything else you can tell us?”
“Just that we’re monitoring everypony closely, but expect them to make full recoveries in time.”
Fluttershy puts a hoof to her chest. “That IS a relief!”
Arc nods. “Yes, it is.”
“Well, I need to continue my rounds.”
Bo appears relieved. “Thank you for your time, doctor.”
Nodding, the stallion turns and leaves the room. Fluttershy looks to Arc with tears in the corner of her eyes.
“Do you… do you really think my parents will be alright?”
“The doctor seemed confident.”
Rainbow Dash groans. “I still think we could find something to do for them.”
Scootaloo looks to her. “Like what?”
Rainbow Dash shrugs. “I dunno. But I hate the idea of just sitting here doing nothing.”
Fluttershy looks down at the floor. “So do I.”
“Fluttershy! I didn’t mean it like…!”
“It’s okay. I know what you meant.”
Bo clears his throat in an effort to change the subject. “Miss, we need to head to the factory and figure this out now. Are you going to be okay?”
Windy steps forward. “I could stay with her.”
Rainbow Dash grins. “Me too.”
Arc nods. “That would be fine. The Scarlet Filly, myself, and your dad will look into this then.”
Smiling, they watch as the trio leaves the room. Walking outside Arc and company make their way down the street. Bo shakes his head.
“This is unbelievable.”
Scootaloo turns to him. “Which part?”
“Any of it!”
Arc clenches a fist. “Then we’d better hurry and get to the bottom of it.”
Arriving at the Rainbow Factory they stop at the front gate where numerous heavily armored and armed guards stand at the ready. Spotting Arc, they quickly step aside and allow him and his party to pass. Sereb is waiting for them just inside the gates.
“Good morning.”
Arc nods. “Likewise, big guy. What’s the status of the investigation?”
“Rose spent all day yesterday going over the base with a forensics team to gather evidence. She’s compiling that data as we speak.”
Scootaloo grins. “Where?”
“In the foreman’s office.”
Bo raises an eyebrow. “I don’t really mind, but why there?”
“Because it was centrally located.”
Heading for the office, Sereb pushes the door open with his magic. Entering, they see Rose sitting at the desk with her eyes closed. Approaching her, Sereb clears his throat loudly. Rose’s eyes flutter open.
“My apologies for being in such a state, but I required charging.”
Arc chuckles. “It’s fine, Rose.”
He looks around the office before continuing.
“Uh… where’s Hammer?”
“I… don’t really know.”
Ember rolls her eyes. “She’s still organizing the patrols of the grounds, remember?”
Rose puts a hand to her forehead. “Oh… that’s right. Sorry.”
“You have been working on this very hard, after all.”
Scootaloo appears hopeful. “We’re just hoping it wasn’t for nothing.”
Rose sighs. “Sadly, that’s not far from the truth.”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“I’ve walked every bit of the factory with Ember and Sereb. Sadly, we’ve found almost nothing that we can use.”
Bo grins. “But you did find something though, right?”
Ember groans. “Kinda.”
Rose stands. “Let me explain.”
She walks over to a nearby whiteboard hanging on the wall. Picking up a marker, Rose begins to draw a number of generic looking ponies quickly.
“Let’s say these represent your employees.”
Rose then draws a number of ponies above the first group all in a line.
“These represent the mayor, town council, and guards.”
Crossing out the mayor, she draws a changeling next to them with an arrow pointing from them to the pony.
“The mayor was taken and replaced with a changeling drone.”
Continuing, she crosses out most of the guards and the Town Council after drawing changelings with arrows pointing to each of them.
“As they replaced one of these, a drone took their place.”
Scootaloo grimaces. “To avoid suspicion?”
Ember nods. “Most likely.”
Crossing out a number of ponies from the employee pool, she turns to the group again.
“However, as you know, ponies taken from your employees were not replaced.”
Arc frowns. “That was strange, yes.”
Sereb growls. “Indeed. After all, they had to know it would cause an uproar in town.”
Bo looks to Rose. “Any idea why?”
Rose sighs. “I can only surmise that it was intentional. Perhaps to sow fear and distrust among the population.”
Scootaloo puts a hoof to her chin. “Is it possible that they simply lacked the numbers to replace everypony?”
“Not likely. If what is known about changelings is correct, they are capable of exponential reproduction.”
Ember raises an eyebrow. “Then why aren’t we overrun?”
Sereb bares his teeth. “This town would certainly have been an easy target after replacing enough leaders.”
Scootaloo frowns. “And citizens.”
Rose puts down the marker. “There can be only one solution. A lack of a basic need required by all living creatures.”
She looks around the room soberly before continuing.
“Food.”
Ember rolls her eyes. “But Equestria is full of it.”
“Not the kind they eat, no.”
Scootaloo grimaces. “Ponies?”
Rose shakes her head. “Love.”
Arc frowns. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Changelings are sustained by draining love from their victims.”
Bo gasps. “But how?”
“The exact methodology and science behind this are largely unknown to ponykind. However we do know that it’s done via an, understandably, understudied magical school known to us only as Changeling Magic.”
“Big Brother, could that be similar to a certain… ability you and I possess?”
Sereb turns to Scootaloo. “What do you mean, little one?”
Arc groans. “She’s talking about a spell we learned about on our travels.”
Rose appears surprised. “Which school of magic is it under?”
“Crimson Magic.”
“I have never heard of that school before you brought it to my attention. But then again you and the Scarlet Filly are certainly a pioneers in that regard.”
Bo sighs. “It’s news to me too. But then again Pegasi don’t really study magic.”
Ember looks to Arc. “Can you explain how it works?”
“Well… first I have to be in my Crimson Form, of course.”
Rose nods. “Naturally.”
“Then I have to make physical contact with the target.”
Scootaloo chimes in. “Usually the head or face is best.”
“Right. Like this.”
Taking a step forward, Arc kneels down to Sereb’s level and puts his hands on either side of his head.
“After that, I can feel their essence and draw it out of them and into myself.”
Sereb appears suddenly nervous. “But you can’t right now?”
“Right, since I’m not in my Crimson Form. The energy drained is added to my own for physical and mental stamina.”
Rose nods thoughtfully. “An interesting concept. However, I have to admit, it doesn’t sound anything like how the changelings do it.”
Bo turns to her. “Can you elaborate on that, miss?”
“From what we know, they do not require physical contact. Their victims are also generally not aware that something is amiss.”
Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. “So it’s a very slow process?”
Rose shrugs. “Apparently.”
Arc puts a hand to his chin. “The last time I did it, the results were very quick. That and the ogre I was fighting was certainly aware of what I was doing to him.”
Sereb frowns. “Similar, but still different.”
“That and, while it certainly goes without saying, I don’t need to do that in order to survive.”
Ember nods. “Right. You can eat food as we do.”
Bo groans. “That still doesn’t tell us why the changelings were taking and not replacing my employees though.”
Scootaloo turns to the android. “Anything else to go on, Rose?”
“Arc did tell me that they were feeding their prisoners condiments.”
“Right. I can only assume they didn’t really understand the dietary needs of ponies.”
Sereb growls. “Or they did it to keep them weak and easily contained.”
Scootaloo nods sadly. “That’s also possible, yes.”
Ember brandishes her claws. “Or they just like watching others suffer!”
Rose sighs. “There’s no way to know for certain other than to ask them.”
Bo frowns. “And they didn’t allow that.”
Arc shakes his head. “Those whom weren’t killed by the Scarlet Filly and myself committed suicide by stabbing each other in the chest.”
Sereb growls. “An honorless death!”
Rose grimaces. “They meant to take what they knew to the grave.”
Scootaloo gasps. “Like the changeling we saw in Vanhoover, Big Brother!”
“Right.”
Sereb turns to Arc. “I am not familiar with that story.”
“A stallion, whom had to be a changeling, intentionally collapsed the mouth of a cave in order to seal us inside.”
Scootaloo nods. “He was crushed to death in the process.”
Sereb shakes his head. “That sounds more like the idea that he had to do so to stop you, Arc.”
Rose interjects. “Perhaps. But it does show us that our enemy isn’t worried about their own personal safety when it comes to safeguarding secrets.”
Arc clenches a fist. “Or anyone else’s safety either.”
Ember seethes. “So what do we do about all this?!”
Bo stomps the floor angrily. “Right. We have to act!”
Sereb bows his head. “Sadly we lack the ability to do much.”
Arc nods. “Right. Keeping the land united until Princess Celestia can be brought in needs to take top priority.”
Scootaloo grimaces. “But won’t the changelings just come back when we leave?”
Ember grins. “Probably not. After all they have to know we’re onto them now.”
Sereb nods. “It would stand to reason they will act much more cautiously from now on.”
Arc turns to Bo. “Right. I’ll advise Twilight to send word to all Equestrian towns regarding what happened here in Cloudsdale, and to be on the lookout for anything suspicious.”
“Can’t we do more?”
“Actually, yes.”
Scootaloo appears hopeful. “What would that be?”
Arc gestures out the window toward the hospital. “See to it those affected are able to fully recover.”
Rose nods soberly. “We’ll need their testimony of what happened to them in order to make future defensive plans.”
Bo grins. “I can help with that when the time comes, sir. After all, I know each and every one of them.”
“That will certainly help.”
Scootaloo looks to Arc. “What should we do now though?”
“Good question.”
He turns to Rose.
“Are you absolutely certain there’s nothing more to learn from this?”
“Sadly, no. We could return control of the factory as it stands.”
“Very well. I’ll allow the Rainbow Factory to reopen whenever it’s ready.”
Bo nods. “Thank you, sir. I’ll begin the process of notifying my workers to return to work tomorrow morning.”
Ember grimaces. “You might want to have a meeting or something though.”
Sereb nods. “Agreed. Let them know what we’ve learned.”
Scootaloo looks to Arc. “But shouldn’t Princess Twilight know about it first?”
“Yes, I’ll call her from my ship as soon as we’re done here.”
Bo walks over to his desk and sits down. “And I’ll keep this under wraps until that meeting tomorrow morning.”
Rose nods. “That is best, yes.”
Arc looks around the room. “Good job everyone. Now then, let’s get Hammer and head back to…”
The phone suddenly rings. Bo looks to Arc whom nods. Picking up the receiver he speaks into it.
“Bo Hothoof here.”
Listening, his eyes grow wide.
“When?! Are they alright?! Good, good! We’re on our way!”
Slamming the receiver down he turns to Arc.
“That was Rainbow Dash! She says Fluttershy’s parents are showing signs of waking up!”
Ember grins. “Then let’s get over there!”
Sereb grimaces. “Perhaps that isn’t the best idea.”
Scootaloo nods. “Right. If they’re anything like Fluttershy, that is.”
Rose turns to Bo. “What should we do then?”
“I should probably go in first and see them. If they’re doing alright I’ll call for someone to take their statements.”
Ember raises an eyebrow. “Who though?”
Bo motions with a hoof. “The Scarlet Filly would be a prime candidate.”
“Me?!”
“They do trust you, after all.”
He looks around the room apologetically before continuing.
“That and you’re the only one other than myself whom is a pony. No offense intended, sir.”
“None taken. And it’s a good plan.”
Ember rolls her eyes. “Whatever. Let’s implement it.”
They head for the door together and rush toward the hospital.
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Severe exhaustion is a real pain to recover from. Too tired to move but you need to be able to move to eat, drink and even sleep healthily through movement.
I wonder if slowly turning a non damaged person in a giant fabric roll would help avoid bed sores and give a small amount of stimulous? Only if the person could handle sleeping front back and both sides?
great chapter
11284759
Ey fair enough; good to know though, so it looks like no stops for me, heh.
11284832
Yeah, it's going to be a long ride. I try to translate and post a chapter every other day so that there's something new regularly too.
Gaining insight into anything is like pulling teeth form a rabid donkey