Ch.6: Red Tape And Blue Lines

>You rise earlier than you expected to

>Getting up from the floor, you crack your back and your neck and see that Cheerilee's bed is empty and neatly made

>Your watch tells you it's almost 9:15 in the morning

>Plodding down the hallway, you come to the bathroom

>Oh, right

>Weird pony toilet

>You kneel down in front of the rectangular commode to avoid splashing

>After flushing, you go to wash your hands and see a note taped to the mirror

>You stare at the message for a few moments

>"I... I can't read pony," you say aloud

>Returning to the bedroom, you get dressed and fold up the bedding on which you slept

>You examine the note closer in the light pouring through the window as you sit on the corner of the four-post bed

>The symbols look familiar but you can't quite place them

>Squinting at the paper, it hits you: the letters are highly stylized versions of the English alphabet

>The words are strange in that they seem to be truncated and combined together at certain points with vowels tagged onto the end

>After studying the note for a while, you piece together what Cheerilee had written

 

  Anonymous,

 

  I'm going into town to inform the other ponies about you.

  They may want to come meet you, so expect to be introduced.

  Remember that they will most likely be afraid of you at first.

  Try not to be too intimidating.

  Please stay in the cottage until I return.

  I left some breakfast in the oven for you.

 

                        ~ Cheerilee

 

>Placing the note in your pocket, you make your way to the kitchen

>You pull out some of the left over salad and eat it dry, hoping the green roughage would act as a substitute tooth brush

>How do you make a good first impression on a group of ponies?

>Cheerilee herself probably wouldn't have even helped you if you weren't hurt, so how are the townsponies going to react to a giant alien

>You know how YOU would act if a physically imposing creature from parts unknown showed up in your neighborhood

>Especially if they were green and scaly

>You peek your head around the kitchen doorway to check that your rifle still leans by the front door

>Will the ponies greet you with weapons of their own?

>Surely Cheerilee would convince them that you mean them no harm

>Right?

>Rinsing out your salad bowl, you go to the fridge and spoon in something that you hope is cottage cheese from a crock

>After adding a dollop of jam, you crack open the oven to see what Cheerilee made for you

>Muffiinnsss!

>Taking your meal out to the dining table, you notice the phonograph and radio on a corner table

>Realizing you would probably break the phonograph as soon as you tried to operate it, you flick on the radio

>A droning news anchor reads headlines about things happening in places you've never heard of

>"And now.... the weatherrr."

>An energetic voice informs you that it's reporting live from something called the Pegasi Weather Team Dispatch

>Pegasi? As in pegasus?

>That's new

>"Cumulus Curtsey here, reporting LIVE! Looks like it's time to bundle up, my little ponies! The weather team is setting the stage for the first snowfall of the year and boy does it look like they're starting with a bang! Lows in the thirties through the week and we should be seeing the first flurries by Thursday afternoon. Back to you in the studio!"

>Snow this early?

>"Sounds good to me," you say as you bite into the muffin

>You love when it snows

>You yelp in surprise as something sharp pokes your gums

>Examining the muffin, you see something poking out of it

>A stalk of hay

 

 

>Cheerilee trotted through town towards Cherry Berry's air balloon mooring stand

>The peevish pink pony usually didn't start giving rides until 10

>A blonde tail attached to a wiggling pink flank poked out of the basket below a huge semi-inflated hot air balloon

>"Cheery Berry? Do you have a minute?"

>Popping up with a wrench in her mouth, Berry pushed her goggles up on her head with a frown

>Seeing the purple mare, Berry greeted her with what was nearly a smile, "Morning Cheerilee. Shouldn't you be at the school?"

>Cheerilee shook her head, "I told the students to inform their parents that I'm calling an emergency conference at noon. In fact, that's why I came to see you. Remember what I told you yesterday?"

>Climbing out of the basket, Berry walked down the platform's steps, "About this monster from the sky of yours? Of course."

>"I'd like you to come to Mayor Mare's office with me and convince her to let me bring him into town to meet the parents and anypony else who'd like to be introduced. You know, so they can see that he's not dangerous."

>Cherry Berry frowned at her, "And how would I know that this thing isn't dangerous?"

>"Well, he didn't actually try to attack us in the balloon. He just sort of... landed on us."

>"And nearly threw us out of control," Berry added

>"Not on purpose! He really isn't a threat. He slept with me last night and I'm perfectly fine!"

>Cherry Berry's brows shot up so fast that they knocked her goggles loose and they slid back over her eyes

>There's a 'tok' sound as Cheerilee face-hooved and shook her head, "On the floor! He slept on the floor. Look, I just need you to explain to the Mayor how those strange clouds appeared. I think something odd is happening and it may have to do with his arrival."

>"How odd?" Berry inquired

>"When we left Whitetail Woods, we saw two dragons ove-"

>"DRAGONS!? As in PLURAL!?" Cheery Berry hopped in the basket of her aircraft and pulled a red cord

>With a loud flatulent sound, the balloon quickly deflated

>Slapping a "Closed" sign on the rail of her platform, she turned to Cheerilee, "Looks like my vacation just started. Let's get to the Mayor's office so we can clear up this dragon business as soon as possible."

>Trotting quickly to town hall, Cherry Berry sat scowling in the waiting area while Cheerilee approached the secretary pony

>"Hello, I'd like to see the Mayor, please. I have an urgent matter to address."

>The bored looking pony behind the desk popped the bubble she was blowing and twirled her gum around the tip of her hoof, "The Mayor's meeting with a very important benefactor at the moment. Take a number and have a seat please."

>Cheerilee clicks her tongue and goes to sit by Cherry Berry

>"Shouldn't be long now," she lied while muzak noodled softly out of the overhead speakers

>The upholstered door of the Mayor's chamber flung open and Filthy Rich and his wife Trophy walked stiffly out, their muzzles held high in the air

>"And I trust the matter will be handled without the usual bungling. Don't forget, campaign season is just a few months away," Filthy said as he led his family to the exit

>Diamond Tiara trotted along behind, eyes closed and muzzle turned up

>She wasn't as experienced as her parents at making her superiority show and walked face-first into the door jamb of the waiting area

>Rubbing her face with a hoof, her eyes fell on Cheerilee

>With a dark grin, the filly galloped off to catch up with her parents

>Cheerilee had an uneasy feeling as the grey mane of the frazzled-looking Mayor appeared by the receptionist's desk

>"Cancel the rest of my meetings. I'll be- M-Miss Cheerilee!?" the Mayor's jaw dropped when she turned toward the waiting area and saw the teacher

>Cheerilee stood and trotted forward, "Good morning, Mayor. I have something important to discuss with you."

>The Mayor dived over the secretary and slapped at a red button on the desk

>"SECURITY!!"

>Cheerilee looked on in confusion before the air was forced out of her lungs as two massive stallions in uniforms and sunglasses squeezed on either side of her, seemingly out of nowhere

>A third guard marched up with a very grumpy looking Cherry Berry held in his teeth by the scruff of her neck

>Climbing back over the desk, the Mayor dusted herself off, "I'm sorry about this ladies. But there are protocols that must be followed."

>"And wealthy business ponies to appease," she muttered under her breath. "Gentlecolts, take them to the holding cell and inform the clerk that Miss Cheerilee may be harboring a hostile alien. Miss Cherry Berry may be involved as well. Have them held on charges of aiding an unregistered immigrant and send a patrol to Cheerilee's cottage."

>"If only Diamond Tiara used those listening skills during just one of my lessons," Cheerilee muttered to herself

>>The Mayor galloped out side waving a hoof in the air, "Mr. Rich!? Mr. Rich, come back! I have some good news!"

>Cherry Berry crossed her forelegs and huffed angrily as the stony-faced stallions marched down the hall

 

 

>Sitting on the slightly-too-small couch in the main room, you flip through some of the books piled nearby

>The strange writing is easy enough to read now that you've deciphered it

>This particular story is about a foppish steed named Trotsan and his quest to stick it in some princess named Isaddle

>It makes for some pretty tedious reading

>Quickly getting bored, you slip on your boots and crack open the door in the kitchen leading to the backyard

>Surely there won't be any ponies wandering around out here

>Hoping Cheerilee hasn't hired any landscapers, you creep out onto the flagstone patio

>Looking around the lawn, you see that Cheerilee wasn't kidding

>There is not a single branch larger than the odd twig to be found

>As you glance at the treetops rustling in the chilly morning breeze, it looks like they have been pruned of any dead limbs

>Heading back inside, you plop back down on the sofa and pick up another book

>'The Harness That Binds'

>As you open the book, you hear the sound of hooves on the walkway out front

>Cheerilee must be back with some of those town ponies

>Hopping to your feet, you try to look as non-threatening as possible while still maintaining an air of carefree aloofness

>Settling for the Padangusthasana pose, you face the door and wait to greet the new arrivals

>"I come in peace!" you call through your legs as the door slams open

>A glowing serpentine tendril shoots through the threshold toward you

>"GAHH! FLYING SNAKE!!"

>You topple over and flounder on the floor

>As it wires around your limbs, you see it's a length of coarse rope

>"GAHH! FLYING ROPE!!"

>A scrawny tan unicorn peeks it's head around the door frame as it's horn glows with a bright blue shimmer

>"P-prisoner detained, S-sir."

>A hulking brown pony with sunglasses propped into it's short-cropped mane and a navy blue uniform shoulders past the trembling unicorn

>"Nice work, Sundae Sentry. Drag it out to the transport," the bulky pony barked, "I'll search the premises."

>The unicorn gulped and it's horn begin to glow stronger

>A sparkling blue aura appeared around where your wrists and ankles were bound

>"What the hell is going on!? Ooh, tingly! Are you abducting me!?" you exclaim as you're lifted towards the door

>The brown pony jabs a hoof at you, "Silence, prisoner! Respect the badge."

>"That looks like a patch. And why are you taking me prisoner? I haven't done anything."

>"We got a report of an illegal alien in the vicinity. That's all the reason I need. How about you, Sundae?"

>"Well, proper procedure states that any report of suspected border jumpers must first be assessed by-"

>"Right! Rope 'em in and let the council sort 'em out. That's my motto."

>The burly pony began snooping around the cottage as the unicorn floats you out the door

>A riveted metal box with the word "CONSTABULARY" stenciled on it sits on the back of a wagon at the end of the walkway

>"Is this the immigrant we were sent for?" a pony at the front of the wagon asked

>"Take a wild guess," the crew-cut pony sneered from out the cottage door

>The gangly unicorn picked you up in it's magic and levitated you towards the opened doors at the back of the wagon

>A loud pop sounds from inside the stone cottage and the unicorn jumps with a yelp

>The aura around your limbs vanishes and you hit the metal floor with a jarring clunk

>"Aah! S-sorry about that!" the unicorn cries as the glow returns and you are set on the bench against the wall

>The cart-pulling pony slips out of his yoke and trots to the back of the wagon

>"Never apologize to prisoners, kid," he says as he slams one of the doors

>You hop towards the door as fast as your bindings will let you

>"Am I being arrested? What for!? Attica! Attica! I have my rights!"

>"And we have our orders. Nothing personal," he slams the other door shut and the brown pony comes tromping out of the cottage with your rifle over his back

>"Looks like this thing had an unregistered weapon within town limits," he says around a mouthful of muffin. "Bucking thing nearly took my head off."

>Pounding a hoof on the wagon doors, he shouts at you while veins pop out on his neck

>"You bucked up, son! Do you know the penalty for possession of a cannon with out the proper license? You'll be going away for a looong time!"

>"A-actually, Sir, the penalty is a fine not to exceed the amou-"

>"Are you quoting the law to ME, Sundae Sentry!? Get to the front! And straighten out that uniform!"

>"Yes, Sir. S-sorry, Sir," the unicorn muttered as it took it's place at the yoke

>After a bumpy three-point turn, the wagon trundles off down the road with the muscular pony marching smartly in time at the lead as your rifle bounces on his back

>As you jostle along from inside your cell, you wonder with a sinking gut what cavity searches are like in a world with unicorns

 

 

>Filthy Rich and his wife followed Mayor Mare into the holding cells behind town hall

>"Thanks, Daddy! I knew you'd fix everything! You're the best!" Diamond Tiara had told him before trotting off to see her little friend at the Spoon's

>He thought throwing his financial weight around like this was a rather vulgar display of power, but when his daughter had told him about the horrid beast that accosted her in the forest and Cheerilee's decision to invite it back with the children, he knew his influence would be needed to sort the matter as quickly as possible

>Of course, when Trophy heard their daughter's story she had immediately started gossiping with some of the other parents of the Outdoor Adventurers Club foals

>They managed to work themselves up into a lather and, as soon as the words 'posse' and 'lynch' started popping up, he knew he had to step in

>Assuring everyp0ny that he would speak directly to the Mayor, it only took the mere suggestion of withdrawing monetary backing from her campaign fund to get a promise of a prompt response

>As the Mayor lead the Rich's through the checkpoint of the detainment hall, Filthy was surprised at just how prompt it had been

>"I was just shocked!" the Mayor said, "I mean, just moments after our conversation and there they both were! Right in the waiting area."

>Stopping in front of one of the four cells in the cramped hallway, the Mayor gestures beyond the bars with a proud smile

>Cheerilee and a very ornery looking Cherry Berry sat on the bench of the cell

>"Celestia's sake, Mayor. I didn't mean for you to lock them up like common criminals!" Filthy turned to the Mayor "I wanted a patrol sent to her house to escort her and this creature securely to our meeting with the other parents! If she's here, then that thing could be wandering around town looking for her and who knows what could happen."

>"Not to worry, Mr. Rich," the Mayor assured him, "I've sent my finest stallion to apprehend the creature."

>"I do apologize for this Miss Cheerilee, Miss Berry. It seems my attempt to keep things from getting out of hoof quickly went sour," Filthy pointed at the lock, "Release them at once."

>"Well, I... it's just," the Mayor murmured, "They've already been processed, and the paperwork..."

>Filthy tapped his hoof impatiently on the concrete floor

>"Right. I'll just get key then."

>Unlocking the door, the Mayor stood aside as the two ponies walked free

>Trophy eyed Cheerilee coldly as Filthy stepped forward

>"Now that that's been sorted, I'd ask that you ladies come with me. I've arranged for a conference hall to be set aside to discuss the matter of this monster."

>"I trust I can still rely on your generous support this campaign season?" the Mayor batted her eyelashes up at Filthy

>Filthy gave her a small incline of his head and lead the mares down the hall

>"I understand you must be concerned, Mr. Rich. Really, I do," Cheerilee says "But I'm worried you may not be hearing the full story."

>"Are you calling my daughter a liar!?" Trophy spat

>"No, but she didn't speak to Anonymous, that's his name, at all really. In fact, none of the children spent much time near him. I hope you know I'd never put the students in a situation where I thought there was even the possibility of them being seriously hurt."

>"Tell them about the dragons," Cherry Berry piped in

>All eyes turned to her and Cheerilee pursed her lips at the pink mare with a glower

>Trophy pressed her muzzle against Cheerilee's and glared into her eyes

>"You brought MY daughter to a forest that has DRAGONS in it!?" the blue pony whispered harshly

>Pulling his wife back from the teacher, Filthy spoke up

>"Let's just get to the meeting where we'll hear ALL of the story."

>Leading the quartet of mares through the town hall, Filthy entered one of the large conference rooms

>He noted with satisfaction that an impressive catering spread had been laid out

>Probably from Sugarcube Corner, they work fast

>He turned to the Mayor, "Any idea when your wranglers will return with this 'Anonymous' fellow?"

>"A matter of minutes, most likely," the Mayor replied

>"Trophy dear, why don't you go gather up the other parents and bring them back here."

>The blue mare harrumphed as she trotted past Cheerilee and out the door

>Filthy Rich grabbed a crusty scone from a platter on the table nearby and smeared golden marmalade over it

>It's good to have money

 

 

>The wagon rattled to a stop and the doors swing open

>The tan unicorn appeared and the bindings at your wrists and ankles slipped free in his magical grasp

>The pony who had been pulling the wagon tossed a pair of shackles at your feet

>"Put these on. Come on out and proceed into the building."

>Slipping the iron manacles around your wrist, you rise and stoop under the wagon's doors

>"Watch your head," the unicorn says and leads you towards the rear of the building

>It's a three-story structure with verandas circling it's first and second floors

>Tall pink mullioned windows wrap around the outer walls and pennants fly from poles on the roof

>Stepping through the doors of the building and into a white room, you see the carriage-pulling pony scribbling on a clip-board with the quill held in his mouth

>"Better put him in the mobile Diamond Dog restraint, Sundae. There's a note here to bring him right to conference hall B."

>The muscular pony barges out of a gated room marked "Evidence" with your rifle no longer on his back

>"Alright, ladies! I'm taking my lunch break. I think I deserve it after this bust."

>He disappears down a hallway and the unicorn returns pushing a short wooden chair on wheels with straps attached to the legs and arms

>"Sit down in here, please."

>"Is this really necessary?"

>"It's protocol," he replies with a shrug

>Squeezing into the tiny chair, the shackles are removed from your wrists and replaced with the straps, fastening you to the seat

>At least the straps are padded

>The remaining pony pushes your chair through the hallway behind the timorous unicorn

>The unicorn opens a door with a placard reading "Conference Room B: Stage" and lifts the front of your chair in it's magic up a short set of steps

>In a darkened corner of the wooden stage, you are wheeled to a stop behind a maroon curtain

>"You've got this, right Sundae Sentry? I'm going to knock off for the day."

>"Oh, um... well, actually I've never-"

>"Great, thanks!" the pony called over it's shoulder, "Knew I could count on you, buddy."

>The unicorn gulped as the stage door clicked shut

>Turning to you, he chuckles weakly and gives you a nervous smile as he runs a hoof through his lime colored mane

>You stare at each other quietly for a while

>"I have to pee."

>A loud conversation spills into the room beyond the curtain

>As you try to pick up what is being said, the lights above the stage flicker to life and the curtains begin to rise

>A room with a long table set with water jugs and platters of food sits before the stage, rosy sunlight streaming in through the tall pink windows and reflecting off the polished paneling of the walls

>From the tall cushioned stools around the table, a dozen or so ponies stare at you in shock

>A bespectacled pony with grey hair and a frilly green tie in her crisp white collar climbs the stage and gives you a wide berth as she approaches the podium

>"I really have to pee."

 

 

>Trophy led the parent ponies through to the conference room

>Several conversations blend together as the herd starts shouting over each other

>"Archer has always been a very good judge of character. She gets it from me. If she says this creature is harmless, then I believe her."

>"Diamond Tiara told me this monster had venom dripping from it's fangs and cannons growing from it's arms! How can it be harmless?"

>"My Snips would have been gobbled up by a dragon if weren't for this strange new visitor. As far as I'm concerned, we should be throwing it a thank-you celebration. Not discussing whether or not to request an order of royal exile."

>"Dere should'na been no drag-ons at all! I bet dat monsta summoned dem!"

>"Pinch told me that the dragons just happened to fly out of the forest far away from where they children were camped. She said the creature was just as frightened as the children when he found out what they were."

>"Oh, did she Berry Punch? I'm surprised you could even follow her wild exaggerations while drunk out of you mind on that swill of yours."

>"My 'swill' seems to have been good enough for you to order bottles by the gross for your thirtieth birthday. How many is that for you now, Trophy? Three? I'm still waiting for that final deposit, by the way."

>Filthy Rich cleared his throat loudly before things escalated further

>"Thank you for all agreeing to meet here today. After a minor mix-up, Cheerilee herself is here and I'm  sure she'll be more than happy to explain the mystery surrounding our children's trip."

>Cheerilee nodded her head, "I've been anxious to fill you all in on just what happened Saturday evening but most of you were unavailable when we got back to town. In truth, I think this whole situation started on Thursday afternoon during that freak storm. That's why I've asked Cherry Berry to be here with me. Tell them about the thunder please, Cherry Berry."

>The pink and blonde pony recounted with a scowl the odd weather patterns and the collision with her hot air balloon on the day of your arrival

>"The same strange thunder was heard before the appearance of the two dragons," Cheerilee explained, "In fact the creature, who's name is Anonymous, was ready to protect us all when they appeared. I'm sure once you get over the initial shock of meeting him, you'll find him to be quite friendly."

>The buff pony who had apprehended you whispered into Mayor Mare's ear before trotting out the door with a lunch pail on it's back

>Tapping her hoof on the table, she addressed the gathered ponies

>"I've just been informed that the creature has arrived."

>Climbing up the three long stairs in front of the stage, the Mayor pulled a rope off to the side and the curtain began to rise

>A collective gasp works through the crowd as their eyes fall on your strange form

>Rising to her hooves, Cheerilee looks alarmed, "Mayor! This is truly unnecessary! He isn't going to hurt anypony and he certainly doesn't need to be strapped to a chair!"

>"I am not going to be in the same room with that thing roaming around freely!" Trophy shouted and several of the parents nodded in agreement

>"Everyp0ny, please. Simmer down," the Mayor said as she approached the podium at the center of the stage

>"Fillies and gentlecoats, as I'm sure you're aware, you've been gathered here to discuss an incident over the weekend involving your children and the appearance of strange weather patterns, this creature on stage with me, and the report of two dragons over Whitetail Woods. I'm sure we will have everything cleared up by the end of the day."

>End of the day?

>Nope

>Your bladder is about to burst

>Some of the ponies give a choked scream and several faint as you stand to your feet

>The diminutive chair breaks easily under your strength with a series of loud creaks and cracks

>"I'll be right back," you tell the frightened ponies at the table as you make your way off the stage

>The remnants of the chair clack and click together from where they are strapped to your body as you hop down the steps

>"D-do something!" the Mayor instructs Sundae Sentry, jabbing an elbow in his side

>"Hey, stop! I mean, HALT!" the unicorn calls as he gallops after you, "C'mon! Wait up!"