- Previously
- http://pastebin.com/80TpKPxj
- >That creature is still approaching.
- >It better not be here for the artifact in the tome.
- >The tall thing stops in front of you.
- “Halt. State your business.”
- >Before you can spring into action, a polite male voice invades your ears.
- >”I would simply like to see what's in here.”
- >Your chest deflates in relief.
- >Thank goodness.
- >As if somep0ny else would know what lies in this place.
- >And as if they would be dumb enough to stage a heist.
- >You sigh.
- >What in Luna's name are you thinking?
- >You hate to admit it but...
- >The kleptomania is really out of hand by now.
- >Shoplifting and pickpocketing is your game, not a whole convoluted plan to steal the most sacred artifact to batponies.
- >It's a miracle you're even part of the royal guard...
- >”Well, we can't let you in.”
- >Ah yes. You're part of the royal guard.
- >”Why ever not? I wanna see what's inside.”
- >Your black-maned partner goes to raise her petite voice.
- >“Well-”
- >Naturally, you interrupt.
- “This place has something inside that the general public cannot see. This includes you. Now scram!”
- >”O-okay, ma'am.”
- >He turns and goes off on his merry way.
- >”You know, I really think you should stop being so vicious to citizens.”
- “Jasmine, that WASN'T a citizen. He wasn't even a pony, for Pete's sake!”
- >She frowns at you.
- >”It's not like he was planning anything!”
- >Jasmine isn't a bright one.
- “For all you know, he could've killed either of us right there and then. Don't trust the unknown.”
- >”I-I just think you should treat all creatures with equal respect.”
- >She always stutters when she's getting frustrated.
- >Kinda funny, really.
- “Respect is earned.”
- >With that, the uncomfortable lack of chitchat returns.
- >Something seemed off about that two-legged entity.
- >A thought sparks in your head.
- >That creature is still in your line of sight...
- “I'm going to follow him.”
- >”What? Are you crazy?! You'll be kicked out of the royal guard for sure!”
- >She knows nothing.
- “For all we know, he could be a threat to the safety of Hollow Shades. I need to make sure that nothing happens.”
- >”But- I...! You know what, I give up!”
- >She sits affixed to her post, grumbling something about regulations.
- >Silly mare.
- >You begin your pursuit.
- >Following the mostly-hairless being, you dart in between ponies.
- >Gotta keep in the crowd, but...
- >Precision is somewhat of a requirement in stealth.
- >Something that you lack.
- >Your face falls flat upon the ground as you trip over the hoof of some stallion.
- >His wings extend out for some reason.
- >”O-oh s-sorry ma'am! I'll help y-you up!”
- >From your position on the ground you feel a faint throb.
- >Oh.
- >That's what that wing thing is.
- “Get outta here, you sicko.”
- >He gets off of your coat.
- >”Uh, okay sir! Argh! I mean ma'am!”
- >He runs away as fast as he can.
- >Damn freak.
- >Now time to find that-
- >Oh no...
- >Where's he gone?!
- >You swear you saw him head around the corner before that you tripped over that stallion.
- >Wings extended, you begin to fly atop the hubbub.
- >Above the buildings now.
- >Scanning the ground below with your echolocation, you find an anomaly in the crowd.
- >Time to try blend in.
- >You swoop down to where you won't be seen by the peculiar being.
- >Tracing something as tall as two ponies seems easy enough...
- >But today, it is as though every batpony in Equestria had come to Hollow Shades.
- >You hop along, trying to keep track of him.
- >...Where's he going?
- >Is that...
- >Ample Dusk's house?
- >After you slip and slide in between ponies, you finally come to the front door.
- >...Is this a wise idea?
- >Probably not, but when has that ever stopped you?
- >You're Quiet Dawn after all, and you're a master of thievery.
- >And thievery ain't a wise idea.
- >You knock on the door.
- >From inside, you hear panicked voices.
- >What's going on in there?
- >A tired, worn-out voice shouts.
- >”J-just a minute!”
- >What's taking these folks?
- “Are you-”
- >Before you can finish, the door springs open.
- >A half-dead batpony meets your gaze, then he stumbles backwards.
- >”O-oh, what are you here for, officer?”
- >Oh, for goodness sake.
- >You forgot to prepare some excuse.
- >Gotta [spoiler]think[/spoiler] fast.
- “Uh, checks. The guard heard reports there's a fugitive being harboured in Hollow Shades.”
- >As you say that, you see the big creature.
- >He's... quite a sight.
- >Him and Ample Dusk look at each other in worry.
- >...Something's going on here.
- “May I come in?”
- >”Uh. Uh. Sure.”
- >You trot in slowly, making sure your authority is placed.
- >Looking around you inspect the place with a nonchalant expression, in hopes that you'll intimidate the old pony into telling you what's going on here.
- >Point to the tall thing.
- “Well, my fugitive is here. But I feel there's something going on here that I'm unaware of.”
- >The pair begin to sweat.
- >You slide along the floor to the tall one.
- “Care to tell me anything, sir...?”
- >”A-anon. It's Anon.”
- “Ah. Anon. Well, is there anything you want to tell me?”
- >He looks to you, then back at Ample.
- >”Should we just come clean?”
- >”Whatever... She already knows there's something going on.”
- >With that, a pony you'd never thought you'd see again pops out from underneath the couch.
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