[I'm sending you every doctored video and picture I've ever seen of your mom. Happy Hearths Warming!]
Scarlet simply smirked.
I know that look. Stop thinking what i think you're thinking. Maplejack
Melon Hide and Maplejack headed to the cafeteria. After he got her some tea, he looked at the clock and said,"You going to catch up with the others or should we go ahead and go to the meeting room?"
Spoiler "Nah, some of them will have more fun if I'm not there, sorry for the guilt by association."
Maplejack
Melon Hide gave Maplejack a friendly but concerned nudge."C'mon, don't be like that. I'm sure your friends are still behind you and I know things have improved for me since you've been here." "Sorry, sometimes it's just nice to hear a friend say so."Maple smiles, Giving Melon Hide a big hug
"Oh hello Mr. Night Cap... is Everypony ready for the meeting? we were just on our way to get coffee." "Hey, Maple! Glad you could make it! I think we're about ready. Just as soon as everypony gets their food. Sure you don't want more than just coffee? It's been a long day already. You may want to get something to eat."
Maple taps her saddle bags... not wanting to point out that she ...doesn't really need to eat. Everyone
After Moonshadow got a hot cocoa and the group all got their food, they headed to the meeting. There was quiet murmuring initially until Brisk Iron spoke."Hello everypony. I've called you all here because a multitude of things have come to my attention at the same time and I feel that it is best to keep everypony on the same page. For those who are new or have spent time elsewhere, the Keep has unfortunately had to deal with a group by the name of COIN--the Collective Opportunists of Intellectual Necessity. They seem to almost be an evil counterpart to the museum, stealing artifacts for their own gain and profit. However, they often seem to have ulterior motives and while we've thwarted individual members, we've never gotten much of a lead on the organization itself. We just might have finally caught a break as Square Fun inadvertantly interacted with one of their more elusive members. Square?"After Static Signal setup the camera equipment, Square Fun relayed the scene he witnessed, then mentioned the librarian he overheard afterwards. Dart Noveau then followed up with some questions as she drew a portrait of Dazzling Midnight, then the librarian."This librarian might be the only lead we can give the police but it's more than we've had outside of a picture Light Fantastic's troupe took of Dazzling's carriage. While there's other important topics that need to be addressed, did anypony have any questions for Square that might help with this?"
Spoiler "oh, she's really pretty." Maple says in a quiet voice
"Huh, I've never heard of this COIN group Pecky," Moonshadow spoke quietly in the back, just loud enough for his companion to hear and possibly one or two ponies near him, "but stealing artifacts for their own gain and profit? I dunno, we might actually have to get involved if asked."
"Cheep Cheep." Amazingly enough to anypony listening, Pecky's chirps were barely a whisper themselves.
"Oh Celestia, any one of those bandits we've thwarted in the past could have worked for COIN. I really hope not, we have enough problems." At the mention of that, Pecky pointed a wing at Dazzling.
"Chirp Chrip woohoo!"
Moonshadow blushed
"Pecky!" Don't anypony ask to translate. PLEASE don't anypony ask to translate...
Rhapsody looks over to the coffee hater, keeping her voice low "In our experiences, COIN tends to operate in large scale. Its not improbable that you've encountered them, but potentially unlikely." Rhapsody replies, trying to down play Moony's fears of having already pissed off COIN. "Also, please stop making goo-goo eyes at the enemy."
Scarlet nodded in agreement with Rhapsody. COIN angered him in a way he couldn't quite verbalise. A group of self-important, overambitious colts and mares, convinced of their own superiority. Using cunning, deceit and temptation to ensnare the kindest of ponies.
"Her are part of the trap. Which is worse, being terrified into subservience by threats and curses? Or being charmed into betrayal by a pretty face that spins promises of riches and love and your heart's desire?
Never drop your guard around that mare."
Wanderlust felt the same furious contempt as Scarlet, but it was muted, like music from another room. Still, he seared her face into his mind, though it wasn't hard. She was a very distinctive pony.
Destron D-69: "Colts are silly, I meant coat colour and mane colour, and about how tall she should be and stuff." Maple giggled while tracing the outline of a mare's shape with her hooves.
Spoiler
The evidence is reeeeeally piling up<=[Editor note: this option was highlighted in grey]
Traitor!
Keep friendship status as is.
Wait for more information<=[Editor note: this option was highlighted in grey]
Change friendship status.
Keep friendship status as is.
Wait for more information (unable to be chosen)
Change friendship status.<=[Editor note: this option was highlighted in red]
Static takes a deep breath. "I guess it goes without saying that I want in on this. Dazzling and I have some unfinished business. Of course, she does travel a lot. So it's possible she may not even be there and we'll just be investigating this librarian." Static spares a look to see if Night Cap has a reaction to that. "And I'm not really looking forward to meeting her again in any case. She twice made a mockery of getting past the police. She's displayed powers that just...aren't natural...even for a unicorn. To be blunt, I'm not entirely sure we can beat her.
"While the enthusiasm from some seems intriguing, we will be making a trip of some sort. Even if it turns up nothing, the library and clock tower may be worth looking into for general research purposes. However, we'll need to collect all information before that and on that note, I believe Destiny had something."Destiny Spiral began swiftly setting up Ametyst Astrolabe, complete with the base made of red beryl and prasiolite gems completed by Savant Sard and Scarlet Spectrum."This is the type of thing that just looks like it either was made just to be a fancy centerpiece or it's got some sort of mystery behind it and gosh, it even has a corresponding puzzle so it has to be the latter. It took a whole bunch of work but once I figured out the specifics, I could simplify it to juuuuust..."Dimming the lights, she opened a spot near the bottom to allow a firefly inside. Spinning a few dials, there was some sparkling across parts of the sphere until eventually leaving a single bright spot."There. Looking over older maps for what a corresponding earthbound coordinate might be, there used to be a volcano there. Today, it's an island in the middle of a lake and the home of a relatively new city, Fiesta Caldera."She pinned two maps to the wall with matching locations. The newer map was one of the newest maps in the Keep while the older map had the location in the center of what was listed as a no pony's land.
Static looked puzzled at the map. "I don't get it. You use an ancient artifact to find a relatively new city aaaaaand...what? What does it have to do with COIN? What are we supposed to find there?" "Fiesta Caldera? Huh..." Misty strokes her chin thoughtfully with a wingtip. Everyone
"Well, with all the wand stuff, it might be where the other half is. Some of these artifacts have been coincidentally connected. While a different volcano, that puzzle square had most of its pieces covered in volcanic rock."She replied. However, Brisk Iron interjected,"Actually, this was just what was needed. I recently received information on something fairly important concerning Fiesta Caldera. If anything, the problem might be the timing..."
Maple listened quietly... sometimes she wondered if the ponies in charge realized how far over her head a lot of the stuff in these meetings was. She might have been a genius before her accident, but everything she knew now, was self-taught.
"Fascinating. I knew there was something about that Astrolabe stand. Beyond its unique design i mean."
Cocking his head, Scarlet listened to the Chiefs words.
"Hmm
One half of The Wand of Double Doubling is held by Boss Vine of Petrichor Falls. The Amethyst Astrolabe and Jewelled Stand was gifted from there. A place attacked by COIN. The Astrolabe points to what was a Volcano. Something is, or perhaps was, there. It is a mystery worth investigating.
The pieces of Moonbeam Writs accidental prison were seemingly scattered across Equestria. One place, as has been said, was a Volcano. The connection to COIN? Perhaps nothing. However, from everything i've learned, and from their name alone, they will follow up any lead in search of artefacts. Artefacts of knowledge, artefacts of power. Artefacts which they believe their Intellect gives them the right to take and use as they see fit.
I'll go wherever you need me to go Chief."
Fiesta Calder was unfamiliar to Wanderlust, but a no pony's land? An uninhabited volcanic island? That sounded like a magnet for adventurers. Where there was adventure, there were tales of valor and discovery. And if there were tales, Wanderlust had read them.
While only recently going by the name of Fiesta Caldera, Wanderlust remembered hearing stories from Blue Yonder about "the hunt". There were always rumors and legends about something being buried there. Every once in a great while, somepony would find a rock or something else of little consequence, an odd color or unknown property here or there, nonetheless had a mystery surrounding it and thus reignited searches from more enigmatic treasure hunters and archaeologists.
With disgust, Blue Yonder had noted that those days were no more. Not only had the digging stopped when the city was built, unlike most towns that revel in local legends and traditions, the city had seemed to have distanced itself from its history. If not for the name, newcomers wouldn't even know the location used to be a volcano, let alone a dig site.
Everyone
"On the note of COIN...well, I think I may need to preface this first.
A while back there was a decrepit eye sore known as the Bubonic Inn that plagued this city. Through the combined efforts of Rhapsody and myself, it was eventually shut down though some things seemed fairly questionable about the ownership status and how the lawyer reacted to losing. With some digging, it was discovered that the owner was Chitpotle Verde, a mare who coincidentally became lost a few years ago then resurfaced. It was found that she had clashed with the Royal Guard over a building project but got away clean because blame fell to Petrichor Falls--a former crime haven that's been trying to turn itself around but still has the shadow of its old reputation. I recently had a visit from the "mayor" of Petrichor Falls, Grape Vine, and she had a bit of information for me..."
The infamous Boss Vine was in a fairly cordial, almost gossipy mood as she met with Brisk Iron."I must say, you have a wonderful establishment. Maybe one day you could build one in the Falls. That lawyer Rhapsody sent my way has made herself quite at home. Didn't pressure her since I figure a bird will sing of their own accord if treated well, and sing she did. It seems her employer, Chipotle Verde, runs a casino there that makes a fair amount of money and has a lot of clout over Fiesta Caldera despite not officially running it. However, it didn't seem to line up with the number of digging projects that seemed to be going on under the city. She's had a few ponies visit looking for updates on progress and...
I'll just come right out and note that Casino Souffle was among these and mentioned by name. Glad I got to knock that traitor out myself but we both know what that reveals. What's also interesting is that Verde seems to have some sort of leverage over many of her employees that they regard her with fear. If you seek to look into this, she might have something extra to be wary of. Nothing I feel your talented team can't handle, of course, but worth noting all the same."
When Brisk Iron finished recounting her conversation, she said, "So that confirms that Chipotle Verde is in COIN and presumably high up. It's possible they have some sort of idea of what's under Fiesta Caldera and they built the casino to hide their digging operation. The worrying part is that it just might be the other half of the Wand of Doubled Doubling, considering the two types of gems in the base of the Amethyst Astrolabe.
So this might be more important or at least on an equal level." I'll have to give Boss Vine a big hug the next time I see her.Maple thought as she listened to the story.
[Probably should've lead with that!] "Okay, so we check it out. One thing though. As far as anypony else knows, this casino is legit, right? We go poking our muzzles around and she tells us to get lost, what legal right do we have to keep poking?"
"That probably is the biggest wrinkle. I have a feeling that they're funneling funds into COIN but the casino itself might be legitimate. It's a tough call and for that alone it might be best that we look into the librarian first."Keen Craft pondered for a moment before commenting,"It might be worth looking into as a matter of safety. A caldera is basically a sinkhole. Pending on when it collapsed, it ! might be compressed enough to be stable. But there is a chance that extensive digging might make things worse. Even with COIN there, the city has too many innocent civilians for me to sit by for a disaster that might be preventable."
Rhapsody spoke up after a moment. "I think the best way to deal with the Casino, Legit or not, would be incognito. We need a group that can go in, and look like they belong at a casino... and not our usual roughshod looking selves. I'd also partly think newer team members might also be better, just in case there is anyone on staff that might recognize those of us that have had.. repeated encounters with COIN. We'd probably also need bits as well since it'd be hard to fit in at a casino if the team never gambled and socialized, if we have trouble on that end maybe Boss Vine might be helpful in prepping in both regards. She always seems eager to help us when it comes to these endeavors, and she'd probably know best about how to fit in to such establishments." "That leave you me and Night Cap out. Not only have we had repeated encounters with COIN...subtlety...ehh! Not exactly our strong suit. Misty only had limited contact with COIN at Petrichor. All the same we probably shouldn't risk it. You ask me, Scarlet with Wanderlust and Moonshadow...and Maple. If there's one thing Maple should be good at, it's fitting in. The rest of us can go deal with this librarian."
[And I can keep an eye on how Night Cap reacts if we do happen to meet Dazzling.] "Wow, I'll get to use my Coin Uniform!" Maple says with a flourish as she pulls it out of her saddle bag
Static raises an eyebrow. "I was really just meaning you should be able to fit in as anyone...not Maple. But...sure...if the situation calls for it."
...
...
*distracted fidgeting*
"You know, to be honest, I completely forgot you had that."
"Oh, wow, I did too!"
Maple shimmies into the loose fitting suit ... "How else would I be able to slip in as a Secret Agent?" Maple asks ..before expanding her body to fill all the suit.
"Ooh... that's tight!" Maple wiggles her rump a little as her large poof of tail *fwoops* out of the back of her suit. "Well...not to put to fine a point on it...but...you're a changling? You can be anypony you want to be. And the first part of being a 'secret agent' is to not look like a secret agent..."
...
"On second thought, maybe she should come with us to the library."
"Well...not to put to fine a point on it...but...you're a changling? You can be anypony you want to be. And the first part of being a 'secret agent' is to not look like a secret agent..."
...
"On second thought, maybe she should come with us to the library."
Rhapsody nods. "Yes, probably best to keep a close eye on the changeling. I agree." "Oh okay.." Maple says, pulling the suit off and folding it up quickly before putting it back in her pack.
Static gave Rhapsody a hard look at Rhapsody "Her name is Maple," he said tersely, "and I don't think she's one to worry about," he added with a quick subtle flick of the eyes toward Night Cap.
Rhapsody gives her own hard glare back to Static. "No. Do changeling even HAVE names? You seem to forget, or are oblivious to the fact that Maple is the poor pony who's life this creature stole. We never knew Maple, Maple might not even exist anymore for all we know. All we are, is harboring a monster for some reason I still don't understand while we wait for it to decide when to call its hive invade the city and make have a free buffet because you lot trust its 'poor helpless me' routine." She huffs as Static makes his comment to Night Cap, who she's also never trusted "You've already fallen for it once already." She says given her own quick glance to Night Cap.
Static only sighs. This was not something he had any interest in having out here. "So...okay...Scarlet, Wanderlust and Moonshadow go to the casino. Everypony else to the library? We can agree on that, right?" Everyone
"From correspondence with Princess Celestia, Maple's hive won't be a concern.
I'll need to take some time to plan out who will be going where and I'll likely be updating everypony tomorrow. I do know I want Hazel with whoever goes to the casino." "Me?" Hazel Naught seemed fairly surprised by this. "Yes. I can trust that you'll make sure that funds won't be overspent and you have enough of an eye that you'll catch if somepony tries to cheat at the games."Shale Antiquity then commented,"As far as funding, I'll take care of it. No need to lean on Ms. Vine for everything and this sounds like something well within my means. Especially since I can't directly attend since I have an upcoming tour, so it's the least I can do to help out.""Very well, I'll have you speak with Hazel after this. Does anypony else have any other ideas or suggestions concerning the two situations."
Watchingthe exchange between Static and Rhapsody, Wanderlust had to resist the urge to scratch his head in the middle of the meeting (the situation seemed a bit too formal). Rhapsody made some very good points he hadn't given much thought to, but years in the jungles of dragonlands had taught him to recognize when someone (or something) was sizing you up for a meal, and Maple really wasn't. Like, if there was an opposite to considering how tasty he would be with some butter and a light almond glaze, Maple looked at him like that. But it didn't seem to matter all that much, since they wouldn't be spending much time together, and there were more important things to think about.
"There have been A LOT of archaeological digs at this volcano, before anyone called it Fiesta Caldera." Wanderlust began. "The city has tried to brush all of that under the rug, but archaeologists are really, really bad at cleaning up after themselves. The digs never turned much up, but I bet if we can find an old dig site we'll find out why they don't want anyone else digging. I don't suppose the Keep has any maps of the old dig sites on hand that I could compare to the city maps?"
"More for the newcomers than those of us that have been around longer and have met the enemy. If anypony hears the phrase "there's no profit to be made from the end of the world," you just met the enemy. Act accordingly. And if you do happen to run into Dazzling, do not, under any circumstances, try to take her on alone." "I could be on the casino team... maybe... if it's alright..."
Rhapsody looks to Night Cap, furrowing her brow. She had an idea of what he was trying, but... "I do think Night Cap might have a point, Not to the same degree; but I think the Casino team might need at least one of the heavies involved in case a battle happens; Though I agree with Static that I'm a risky element, I'm also one of our quickest thinkers when trouble comes up. While I don't doubt Scarlet's ability to lead, the whole endeavor would probably be one of our most risky challenges." She says and perks an ear towards Misty. "I'll go whereever I am needed most tho! ugh, as Misty might be good enough for strenght and still not stand out as much." Maple was a changling!? Moonshadow stared at the 'mystic creature', though he wasn't sure they really classified, with awe. He had certainly never met one of those before! Was it true they ate emotions? Too bad he couldn't ask her any questions, then again was it considered improper to do such a thing with changlings?
Rhapsody's little outburst quickly drew him back to Equestria. Great. One of those ponies. He sighed turning his head back to the mission at hoof. He didn't wish to get into any arguments at the moment, but firmly believed evil was made, not born. However, this wasn't the time or the place.
Once it was stated that he could be on the team to go to the casino, he waited for his oppertunity to raise his hoof.
"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but does this Casino allow you to walk in with a bird in your hat?" He points up to Pecky. "If it's all the same, I don't know any of you enough to trust you with her yet, I don't think she can be quiet for that long, and we don't like being apart."
Pecky let out a strong squawk of agreement.
Though they may bicker, he and Pecky would both gladly give their life for the other. Separating for that long a mission wasn't an option. "I'll do whatever the team wants." Maple, adds quietly - She almost thought she was used to Rhapsody's hatred by now.
Scarlet nodded, idly rubbing his head with a wingtip.
"Agreed. Although sending mostly unknowns to investigate will lessen the chances of COIN getting suspicious. You need somepony with sharp eyes and a sharp ear. Sompony who can act on--and react to--the movements, body language and speech of the casino staff and patrons. And while i still feel i wouldbe useful on this team since i a) have not faced COIN before b) i might well still be known out there as a freelancer who left the Keep under unusual circumstances. Rhapsody is the better choice to lead those going to Fiesta Caldera
Night Cap," he said, turning to look at the earth pony. "i feel your talents are better suited to the COIN hunt at the library. This librarian may well be a handy lead to follow up."
Having not missing the byplay regarding Night Caps reactions to the dangerously pretty COIN agent, as well as his own reaction to the idea of Night Cap loose in a casino full of shinies and temptation. Scarlet had come to the conclusion that of the two risks, Night in a casino was the greater.
Static knew that tone. He looked at Maple with a swell of pity and sighed. "That'll be for Ms. Iron to decide. Bt I meant what I said earlier. You're welcome on my team any time." "If I go to the volcano maybe I could find a flamestone so I could have a matching set." Maple Smile. Static's words having bolstered her confidance. Addressing Wanderlust, Brisk Iron said, "After the meeting, check with Ready Quill to see if any of those old charts can be found. All things considered, I'm almost thinking of having the whole team at Fiesta Caldera since if it's a COIN operation, everypony might be needed. However, recognizability is a concern. Granted, most of Darty's team will be available so as said, I'll need to think it over and I'll update everypony.
For a more immediate concern, Rhapsody, I want you to take Moonshadow to Sky Lynx's gym after this. I believe he's the one with the least self defense experience and while I hope nothing goes wrong, it's best to be prepared."
Sensing that the meeting was coming to a close, Static turned to Night Cap. "I need to talk to you...in private."
With no further questions, Brisk Iron dismissed the meeting for everypony to meet first thing the next morning.
Wanderlust snagged one of the newer maps of Fiesta Calder as left the room, then snagged Ready Quill's attention on his way out. "I could use some maps of historical dig sites on the volcano."
"...and a workbench." He adds sheepishly. "I'm not sure when my normal, er, analysis worm will start, so I don't have a workspace yet." Wanderlust
"I know of a location you can use as a workspace. Please follow me."Steel Flint said to Wanderlust.
Static led Night Cap to a place secluded from any ears that may overhear. He sighed heavily and hand his head. Of all the impossible moments that could never possibly happen, this one was easily in the top three of ones he was glad could never happen...next to never seeing Snowy again and having his relationship with Anchors even the least bit strained. Pony feathers, this has been a crappy couple of weeks!
He took another long sigh, unable to even turn around to look Night Cap in the eyes.
[Brother?]
[Friend?]
[Night Cap?]
Static gritted his teeth. "Night Cap, there's a couple things you need to know about me. I consider Splash Flaunt a friend. Sure she used to be a part of COIN, but she got herself out. Not only did she get herself out, she ardently sought out redemption. Facing Ms. Iron couldn't have been easy for her, but she did it. I also needed a bit of redemption myself once upon a time. So as long as any pony...any...pony...is truthfully seeking to redeem themselves, I'll grant them that chance. That's who I am."
"That being said, Dazzling Midnight does not apply. She's not only not seeking redemption, every time I've seen her, every story I've heard of her has pointed to her actually loving what she does. And the more I hear of her, the more I'm convinced she's pretty darn high in the COIN hierarchy. As long as that's true, she gets no quarter from me."
"I don't know if you've considered just what it is she did to me. She tried to make me one of the ones who broke into the Keep that night we first met. If she'd succeeded, I'd be in jail right now. I'd be one of the many COIN operatives looking on in wonder as she sprang Silent Belle, meanwhile I'd be stuck in there to rot!"
"As it is, I had to move to a new home just to be safe from her. There wasn't much room for interpretation when she told me that for my sake, I better hope we never meet again. We meet again, one of us is not walking out of that meeting vertically. And, by the way, she's the reason why this ordinary, every day theatre projectionist now has a job risking life and limb playing at being a hero when...that is not the job I signed on for in Manehatten."
Static took another deep breath and turned to finally face Night Cap eye to eye. "That was just the introduction. Here's the point...and I'm only going to say this once. Any friend of COIN...any friend of Dazzling Midnight...is no friend of mine."
Statics eyes narrowed into fiery slivers. "In the name of the friendship we had, I'm going to give you this one chance, Night Cap. Tell me the truth and I'll be angry. I'll be very...very angry. But I'll grant you the chance to make it right and we can see about regaining my trust."
"Lie to me, and I start working to uncover the truth. And once I have the proof I need, I'll march you into Ms. Iron's office myself and let her deal with you."
"Who was the filly you met in Nightmare Heights, the one you were so head over hooves over you started asking me for advise while we were laid up in the hospital? The one you couldn't give me the name for? Who is this tall, night colors like dark blues or purples that has your head so turned that poor Ocean doesn't even stand a chance in your eyes? I want a name."
Wanderlust
"I know of a location you can use as a workspace. Please follow me."Steel Flint said to Wanderlust.
"Just bring a pile of whatever you think might work." Wanderlust advises Ready Quill, before hurrying to follow Steel Flint. The exterior of the museum was something of a minor maze; it had to follow some basic rules so the average citizen wouldn't get lost. The administrative interior, on the other hand, followed no such rules. He was reminded of the tomb of Emhooftep, ancient ruler of Anugypt and lover of mazes, but had no idea who to complain to, so he kept quiet.
Addressing Wanderlust, Brisk Iron said,"After the meeting, check with Ready Quill to see if any of those old charts can be found. All things considered, I'm almost thinking of having the whole team at Fiesta Caldera since if it's a COIN operation, everypony might be needed. However, recognizability is a concern. Granted, most of Darty's team will be available so as said, I'll need to think it over and I'll update everypony.
For a more immediate concern, Rhapsody, I want you to take Moonshadow to Sky Lynx's gym after this. I believe he's the one with the least self defense experience and while I hope nothing goes wrong, it's best to be prepared."
Rhapsody nods and looks over to Moony. "I hope you like wrestling." She grins "This could be a long night."
Maple said goodnight to everyone and went home... she had thought about asking if she could come with Rhapsody to help with the training but then thought better of it and just went out the door.
That...wasn't what Static expected. He expected a lie...maybe the truth...but, this was...
[Not adding up.]
"I want to believe you. I really...really do. I've lost too many friends lately as it is. I really don't want to lose you. But then...why the infatuation? You asked me for advise on mares like you wanted to be her very special somepony. When Maple asked you about you ideal mare, you described her. Just...why?"
As she walked past, Maple heard her name come up in Static and Mr. Night Cap's seemingly heated conversation.
Spoiler
Rhapsody nods and looks over to Moony. "I hope you like wrestling." She grins "This could be a long night."
Static gave a stiff nod. "I wish you would have told me all this sooner. I...I understand why you didn't. I can see why it would be a hard topic to bring up. The problem is, you didn't trust me...and now look where it brought us." *heavy sigh* "You were dropping clues, clues I couldn't ignore. And when they all added up...what other conclusion could I have possibly made?"
"The ride to Nightmare Heights? Yeah, I remember it. It's not the kind of thing a pony forgets. I realize Rhapsody had some kind of sound barrier spell up, so all you got was a pantomime...but...I defended you against her! When she straight up accused you of being a double agent, I defended you. I wrecked my very first meeting with her defending you. It took quite a while before she and I weren't at each other's throats because I defended you. And one of the most awful moments in my life was the past ten minutes where I thought she might have actually been right! It never should have come to this!"
"As for when you came from Nightmare Heights to the Keep...I'm not sure I ever knew the whole story. First time I met you, you were running from Black Night, who seemed to have some kind of grudge against you. But if you had been arrested that night, once Ms. Iron found out about it, there was no way you were going to be in there for long. We're STOMP. We don't leave our own behind. And you even got a job out of it by the end of the night. I think maybe ponies appreciate you more than you think...and you have more friends than you realize."
Static gave another heavy sigh. He then walked over and placed a hoof on Night Cap's shoulder, his disposition having softened significantly.
"So from now on...please...trust me with stuff like this? You went through a lot of unnecessary trouble trying to hide stuff and I just went through a lot of unnecessary grief drawing the only conclusions I could draw with the information I had."
"As for Dazzling...I had no idea you were so frightened of her. Just the opposite actually. So, I guess we need to get rid of her for both our sakes."
"Don't worry about any mind reading. That's not something I've seen in unicorns. I've seen mind control, memory wiping and an ability to sense emotion. But actual mind-reading? Never seen it. And if Dazzling had that ability, she never would have let me live long enough after our first meeting to allow me to go back and warn the Keep."
"When it comes to the waking world, we're both safe...unless we happen to run in to her on the street. She only knew where I used to live because Mr. Stiff Feather sold me out. There's no way she knows where I live now. There's certainly no way she knows where you live now. I'm sure she knows where we work...but that's really it. And she hasn't come for us yet."
"As for the dream world? I don't know. Maybe I'm over-estimating you? But as powerful...unnaturally powerful as Dazzling might be in the waking world, aren't you like a god in the dream world?"
"I mean the dream world is your domain where you can do anything, right? Isn't it possible you may be even more...powerful...than...? Uhh...Night? Am I anywhere close to being on the right track? Is it possible that given the right preparation, if you could find her again...is it possible you could rain hell down on her dream world?" Rhapsody
While Rhapsody was waiting for Moonshadow, Destiny Spiral briefly waved her down."Hey Rhapsody, since you're still here, just going to introduce you to one of the new hires to the department."She pointed to a purple crystal pony stallion with green glasses who was using a map to look around but put it away and waved. "This is Quasar Bright. He'll be starting tomorrow. Know you don't have time to chat but I'm just making the introduction in case you see him in the morning before I get in."
Spoiler
Rhapsody watches with a huff as Moony goes running off after the changeling. Great another suicidal pony on this team. What was it with everyone and trusting monsters? They invaded and tried to take down Canterlot and THREE princesses. What did it take to convince ponies these creatures were a bucking threat? At least Static was starting to see the truth about Night Cap...
It was at that point that Destiny called out to her and snapped the mare back to reality. She shakes her head and blinks. "Ah, well that's good. I guess you need the extra help with how often I'm gone on missions." She replies with a brief wave to the crystal pony, but otherwise not paying him any heed. "Oh, hello Mr. Moonshadow, Pecky..."Maple stops and returns the greeting.
"Oh, hello Mr. Moonshadow, Pecky..."Maple stops and returns the greeting.
"Hi, um it's nice to properly meet you." Moonshadow says giving a slight bow. "I'm sorry to uh, bother you, but I kinda have an odd request, er though if it's insensitive of me to ask, please let me know and I'll never bother you with it again. It's just um... Well how do I put this? If I could, er, or maybe-"
PECK
"Ow! Pecky!"
"Chirp Chrip chrip chrip! Cheep!" Pecky lectured, waving her wings and pointing one at Maple. With a sigh Moonshadow tried again.
"What I'm trying to say is that I love learning about races and culture, and well kinda wanted to know if I could ask about changling culture and customs sometime?"
Maple's face lights up as she watches the two display a profound bond of friendship between two vastly different species. Two species even more different than ponies and the creatures she was kin to.
"Mr. Moonshadow, there is nothing I would want more than to tell you all of the wonders of my kind... but I don't know them. Until very recently I believed myself to be just a kind generous fun loving pony like yourself. I had a great job here at the keep with my friends, I was famous within and beyond the borders of Equestria as a professional wrestler and I loved food... all kinds, eating, making..growing all of it. Then a Friend asked me to help him fix a mistake he'd made long ago.. and while that could have gone better, I think he's at peace with it now. " Maple held a wing up to her head... and sighed.
"I'm sorry the memories aren't entirely clear yet in my head and when I remember my new memories I tend to ramble... the point being is, for all the time of my life I remember all I know of my kind is that they are a horrible blight on the world and should be feared and despised. Fortunately discovering the truth of myself only cleared the amnesia I suffer from to the point of time it began. If I have any memories from life in the colony they are hopefully just as tightly locked away as the colony itself - Because having nightmares is a thing I've learned to live with... now that I know I am one it is a struggle to remain the thing I was."
Maple's Magic ripples over her body and Moonshadow sees her for what she really is...
"When I was Maplejack - if a bad thing happened I'd just 'grin and bear it' ... put on a happy face, ...Maple's magic flares again and she's back to the little pegasus pony. "It's hard to do that and believe it when you have to put on every face..."Maple smiles, but there are tear drops on the floor.
"I'd be willing to compare notes though. If you learn anything that doesn't make me want to ..." Her voice trails off as her face finally begins to catch up and the smile cracks and her eyes well up. Unable to keep up the forced smile.
think something like this
Static nods. "I won't tell anypony. Promise. Oh! And Night?"
[Are we actually going to give tips on how to get in nice with Dazzling?]
[As part of his cover, sure.]
[I can not believe we're going to give tips on how to get in nice with Dazzling.]
"If you ever see her again and you need some material, think about what her interests are. Does she like plays? What type? Tradgedy, comedy, whatever? Who's her favorite playright. Does she like books? Who's her favorite author? Does she have any suggestions for future reading. Have you read anything you co! uld suggest to her? If you have a favorite author in common, just...talk about it. Does she like music?"
Spoiler
"Uh, never mind music. Forget I said anything about music. Just...if you see what she's interested in, try to find something about that you can talk about."
"And...be careful,"
A few moments after Maple's smile has faded, something small and feathery plops gently upon her head, trying not to startle her.
"Cheep Cheep?" Pecky says, bending her head down to look her in the face. Moonshadow doesn't have to translate that she's clearly trying to cheer her up.
"I apologize Ms Maple, I-I didn't mean to make you cry. I don't know if it's any help, but I agree with Pecky. I don't see anything here to fear or despise. I've met a lot of different races, and even different creatures, like Pecky here-"
"Cheep!"
"-who probably is the one thing to be feared and despised here."
Pecky's response is to blow a raspberry at him, which is a very odd thing to see a bird do.
"Anyway, I'm sorry for bringing up bad memories. I'd still be happy to compare what I know with you sometime. I wouldn't want to bother you anymore tonight, and well I apparently have to spend most of the night at the gym anyway. With a pony I actually do fear at the moment..." He sighs.
"I assume you don't want to help me in the gym a-after all this, but I have to say, I'd feel less nervous with you there to help and chat with."
Maple laughed as she felt the little "bloops" of Pecky's feet on her mane... *giggles*
"Okay, okay thank you, Miss Pecky. Tteehehehe" Maple's wings came up wiped her cheeks dry.
"I'd love to come with you Mr. Moonshadow, thanks for listening - I think I needed to let that out." With her funk lifted Maple looked around for a moment before adding.
"If you could just wait a moment, I should go ask Misty if she'd like to come too." Maple goes back to the room to see if Misty was still there, she'd been so down in the dumps she wasn't even sure she hadn't left already. "Woah! Woahwoahwoahwoahwhoh! There's an awful lot to unpackage there. Give me a moment."
*sigh*
"Okay...one! I didn't piece this together until now...like...just now, while we were in there in the meeting. I mean, I kinda got the feeling you were hiding something back when we were in the hospital and you dodged my question of a name. But I didn't fit it all together until just now. So I didn't exactly have time to launch a whole investigation."
"Two! You're my friend, my brother! So if ever something happens that makes me suspect you of something ! or if the friendship status changes, the cops aren't going to be the first place I go to. You're going to hear it from me...face to face...not from a cop coming out of the blue to arrest you while you stand there with no idea what just happened."
"Three! You're neighbors with Scarlet? I had no idea! We should get together for poker some time."
"Four! You really think I keep tabs on you like that? You work in the copy room. I spend my time in the projection booth. I have no more idea what you do in a day than you know of what I do! I doubt Scarlet would know what you do at night either...unless those walls are really thin! And what in Equestria makes you think the police have you under 24 hour surveillance? I seriously doubt they know what you do every hour of every day either."
"Four...or...five. Four? Five? What are we on? FIVE! You're a dream walker!!!! Point in fact, that's how you met her in Nightmare Heights. That alone means there's no way I could possibly know what you do at night, who you meet. You could be in any possible number of dream worlds across the planet!"
"Six...pony feathers! Just...pony feathers! You go straight from work to home and home to work? That's...that's what I used to do before I joined STOMP! I know what that's like. It sucks! We need to get you a social life...like...seriously! We should go bowling, even if it's not for the league. Go to the gym...we could definitely use more practice."
"I'll be getting groceries as soon as I leave here." Static said in a tone more somber than one would expect. He said "I'm getting groceries" like somepony would say "I'm going to a funeral." Static tried to rub away an oncoming headache as he continued. "Anchors is leaving in a few days. She'll be gone for...a while. So I was going to make her a special dinner."
"I'm probably going to be hard to find after she leaves. I'm going to be working on something...big. Plus I'm going to be moody."
Misty is nowhere to be found; she had departed rather soon after the meeting, heading off downtown to run an errand or two.
Returning to Moonshadow and Pecky, Maple reports that Misty must have already left and the three of them should find Rhapsody and let her know Maple has agreed to come too.
Static leaves to go to the grocery store, neither inviting Night Cap nor discouraging him from following. "Hmm? Oh! No, nothing like that. It's just something I can use to travel underwater so I can be with Anchors in her world, maybe visit her family. I have ideas on how to do it, but it'll be a miracle if it actually works."
"I wouldn't call it a fortress! It's...a boat. A boat that goes underwater."
...
"Heh...under water...submarine...hey, that's catchy! I think I have a name for my project now...assuming I can get it to work
Static gives his patented W.T.F. face.
[My face is going to get stuck like this if I keep hanging out with these ponies.]
"You have to learn to walk before you can dance, Night. Right now I'm just trying to figure out the logistics of having a boat navigate underwater for a prolonged period of time without everypony inside suffocating."
"Now if I do get this figured out and at some point in the future somepony is feeling ambitious enough to take my designs and make a fortress out of it, I don't see why it wouldn't be possible. But for right now...I'm just trying to figure out how to make a boat!" "Eh, propulsion's not the problem. The propeller is tech that's been a while for both air ships and normal boats. All I have to do is aim them the right way and decide whether I want tredmills or hoof levers. The answer is hoof levers by the way. Treadmills would get me half way to where I'm going before I get exhausted and pass out until the air runs out. But no, propulsion isn't the problem."
"It's air supply. The amount of tanks needed increase exponentially the bigger I make the cabin. And the more I think about what I need to make room for, the bigger the cabin gets. Plus it's not just a matter of getting oxygen in, ! but also carbon dioxide out."
"And then there's structural integrity. There's a little problem of water being heavy. The deeper I go, the more weight this little tin can has to endure. I don't want to be crushed by my own craft."
"This is going to be scarier than Tartarus trying to test it out!"
Misty is shopping at the grocery store. Hearing Static's voice from across the aisles, she makes her way over and gives a wave. "Hey, guys!"
Moonshadow walks back up to Rhapsody.
"So uh, I invited somepony else to join us at the gym. Welp, times a wasting let's go!"
Static stops dead in his tracks.
"Me? Just picking up some stuff to make a dinner for my marefriend before she leaves for several months and discussing with Night Cap the possibility of either suffocating or being flattened inside a tin-can underneath the sea far away from where anypony will ever find the body for a proper burial. You know, cheerful stuff."
Fnu Aw:
"Is this where everyone's been getting food?"
"I did meet Snowy here once. I didn't realise this place was so popular though." Static glances at the checkout lanes on his way to the baking isle. Again, there was only one lane open with a line getting extremely long. None of the employees standing around seemed to be making a move to open up another lane. "Especially given its custormer service!" Static looked with pity at the poor mare at the single open cash register. She looked like she could use a hug. Too bad Maple wasn't here.
Caldwin: "Me? Just picking up some stuff to make a dinner for my marefriend before she leaves for several months and discussing with Night Cap the possibility of either suffocating or being flattened inside a tin-can underneath the sea far away from where anypony will ever find the body for a proper burial. You know, cheerful stuff."
"Ah, yeah, that's something you have to get used to if someone you love works out at sea. The leaving for months part, not the suffocating or the being flattened part." She looks over her shoulder before continuing. "Oh, I wanted to say earlier, I think you did a really good job on the training mission! I'm glad you and Maplejack were there to handle the Changeling Champion. Taking on a pro wrestler must've been tough!" "It was...educational. I think I've learned how to do a suplex now. Need to work on the sleeper hold. Good thing Maple was there or things would've turned out quite differently. And thanks. I couldn't have done it without my team though. Not just saying that. I hear you had yourself a bit of a job rescuing Square."
Maple decides to just get it over with and pops out from behind Moonshadow, whom she'd been hiding behind rather convincingly she thought.
"It's going to be fun showing Mr. Skylinx how much stronger a flier I've become!"
"Oh! Yeah, it was a bit tricky. Wish we could have made it back in time to help you two out, but, no big deal! All's well that ends well."
Static picks up a box of pancake mix and puts it in his cart. "All things considered, I'm happy with how things worked out." Static then moves on towards the fruits section. "So what are you here to get?"
Rhapsody glares daggers at Moonshadow. "Let me guess, you're the type that would just walk into the Everfree forest, see a timberwolf and go 'Aw how cute'" She says mimicking the unicorn's voice perfectly. "before going up to pet it and give it a treat... then wake up hours later in the hospital wondering why you're missing a hoof!" She says with a heavy huff, her right eye twitching slightly. "Fine, whatever. You know better then me, just like everypony else don't you?" She says and turns away, being really really tired of trying to warn this team about threats and then have them just brushed off or have her told off... only for them to later realize she has good reasons for how and why she does things. Least Static seems to finally be cluing in about Night Cap. it feels like she's been trying to explain to everypony why he's an untrustable cur for years now.
"Come on lets go, you're gonna do whatever you want anyway. Lets just get this overwith. Maybe by time the night is done you'll at least have some idea how to fend off the Timberwolf before it successfully mauls you." She says with a quick glance toward 'Maple' and heads out leading the pair towards the gym.
"Actually a simple weaken substance spell on their joints can cause them to fall apart rather easily being they are made of wood." Moonshadow says simply as they walk. There was no point trying to argue anything with her at the moment, she likely wouldn't listen.
"That or given their wood makeup I'd just send Pecky after them. They really don't like Pecky."
Despite her small size, the look and sound Pecky made could send shivers up one's spine.
Spoiler "Oh, not much... just a few odds and ends..."
It was an uneventful walk to Sky Lynx's gym. When Rhapsody, Maplejack, and Moonshadow entered the door, Pendumnae greeted them with,"Hello! I guess everypony is here for a bit of training?" The teal unicorn mare was bubbly as ever.
Rhapsody looks to Pendumnae "Moonshadow is one of our newest recruits, the Chief feels he could do with some training so that his naivety doesn't get him killed."
Patchouli Knowledge: "Oh, not much... just a few odds and ends..."
"Don't forget, you need the bits to pay for it. But otherwise, yeah, it's really neat!" "Hello Pendumnae, I just came along in case Rhapsody comes on too strong and Mr. Moonshadow needs a very much weaker sparring partner to warm up with. How has your day been going?"Maple says.
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