Unit 0047

   Loki had taken job of keeping watch at the station. Usually, there was never any visitors because Hollow Shades was a dark and scary place. Instead of being in the station, he sat on a tall tree branch and waited for his shift to end. Long hours had passed in the morning and he woke up to some voices up ahead the train tracks.

   "I don't know but I'm no narc!"

   "I don't know but I'm no narc!"

   "This Thief here has no cutie mark!"

   "This Thief here has no cutie mark!"

   "Hoof off!"

   "One, two!"

   "Hoof on!"

   "Three, four!"

   Loki dropped down from the branch and all the chanting ponies laid their weapons on him. He found himself facing against a changeling, a pony in a costume, and a pegasus that looked as if in a filly scout's uniform. Behind them were Royal Guards that pointed their spears and halberds.

   "State your business citizen or be off. Do not trifle with our Royal Duties," said Daring in a commanding voice.

   "And how trivial a manner it would've been if I haven't welcomed you into Hollow Ssshades. But please, do tell me of this...Royal Duty ssso that our mayor may be more aware of this predicament," Loki replied as his tongue flickered out of his mouth to create unease among the guards.

   "I'm afraid I'll have to refuse to let loose any information. We're just doing our duties as Royal Guards unless that is a problem?"

   She stared right down at him and Loki was about to say something until he cursed under his breath. This mare was obviously too smart for his liking and was not easily intimidated like most others. He stood out of the way and the guards continued marching on their way. Once they were out of sight, he ran into the dark woods and looked for the shortcut. He has to warn the others.

   The Anomalies had finally reached at the town of Hollow Shades. The guards were a bit unease and Flaming was shivering. They walked through the town and a few bat ponies hissed or hid in the dark. Some brave ones stayed put and glared daggers at them.

   "I don't like this place. It's too cold," he muttered.

   "Psh. It's not cold. The temperature is only 60 degrees out here," replied Glacial.

   She trotted confidently ahead of her comrade and then walked by with Daring.

   "Officer Do, shall we commence the search?"

   Daring scanned around the town then turned to Glacial and nodded her head. Immediately, as she nodded her head, the Royal Guards were already searching for the thief and his accomplice. They knocked on doors, checked the bathrooms, looked under the tables, and even peeped inside the trash cans. There was no Thief.

   Swarmer sighed and looked through his clipboard again to see if there weren't any other buildings to check. The Ghoul's Tavern...check. The Blood Bank...check. The Lonely Herbs...check. He saw Carmilla's house and looked through his clipboard to see if it was already checked.

   "Huh. This house is not on the list. Daring, I'm going to go check that house over there."

   "Be quick. They probably knew we were coming and ran off somewhere else..."

   He held his clipboard in his mouth and knocked on the door. It was quiet for a few seconds and he knocked again. Finally, Carmilla slightly opened the door and poked her head outside.

   "Yeah?"

   "My name is Swarmer Larvae and I work under Princess Luna. It is my upmost duty to check all housed exhibits for security inspection."

   Her eyes narrowed in suspicion and looked at the green armor Swarmer was wearing.

   "Dude, it's either you're disguise spells don't work or I have a gift of seeing through changelings. Get out of here before I call the Rangers on you."

   He pulled out a certificate that read:

   "Under the permission of Princess Luna, Swarmer Larvae is hereby a student and apprentice of her teachings of Magic and Flight until released from his studies. Signed by, Princess Luna."

   It was certainly a short certificate but it seemed legit. Besides, the whole scroll was made from Iron Trees and the ink was red from the feathers of a Phoenix. It would be impossible to make a fake copy. Carmilla knew she had no choice and so she let him in. Everything in the house was clean. The kitchen table was free from syrup, the living room couch wasn't full of dust, and all the bedrooms looked as if it wasn't touched in ages (except hers). Swarmer walked out of the dark hallway and looked around in the living room one last time.

   "Well, it seems like everything here is in order. Thank you for your participation, Ms...?"

   "Achoo!"

   "Ms. Achoo?" he asked as he looked up.

   Hanging above on a chandelier sat Sweetcloud. Swarmer looked through more files on his clipboard and found a picture of the thief's accomplice.

   "That's the mare- oof!"

   Carmilla tackled him against the ground yelled, "Run!"

   Sweetcloud ran through the door and found a group of Royal Guards waiting outside.

   "Seize the bat pony!" yelled Swarmer from the house as he struggled with Carmilla.

   The guards flung themselves to her but she was quick. She jumped over a guard's head, slid under hooves, dodged a spear, and tackled against Mare-Do-Well on the ground. She ran to the train tracks and yelled back, "Sorry!"

   She kept running and running until she stopped to catch her breath. A figure came from the branches of the trees and landed on top of her.

   "You're under arrest for resisting arrest from the Royal Guards, helping the Thief escape, and exiting out of a running train," stated Daring.

   "Okay, the first two, I admit but the last one was because of the dragon. I mean, the guy on the microphone asking you to calm down and stay put was like asking you to jump off a bridge."

   Daring's hoof applied more pressure on Sweetcloud's back. There was a mirage in the air behind Daring and Unit was no longer invisible.

   "You have the right to be-"

   A green blast of magic knocked her unconscious and she fell over.

   "Silent," Unit said and went to help up his friend.

   "Thanks, Unit. Sorry, I guess you're adventure is going to last a little longer."

   While they were dusting themselves off, The Royal Guards caught up to the two with Dreadfist and Mare-Do-Well.

   "Spell-bind them!" yelled Swarmer.

   Gemmed's horn flared with blue magic but was interrupted when a red laser shot her out from the woods. Then another laser shot out and then many more. Soon, ponies in robed hoods and black armor shot magic, threw potions, fired arrows, and brought out swords. Loki Lucifer was among them and ran to Sweetcloud and Unit. He wore a robe and armor too.

   "Follow me, if you want to live a jail-free day! Don't worry about the ponies in black. They're friends."

   They ran through the dark woods and Unit could still hear the battle going on. Branches scratched his face and bushes scratched his hooves. He didn't like nature very much. He would prefer large towns or small cities but never the trees, rocks, or dirt. They've finally stopped at the edge of the forest and could see a giant landscape of toiled dirt. Carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, and wheat filled the hills.

   "Who were they and where are we?" Sweetcloud asked as she catched her breath.

   "We are at the farming land of FillyDelphia. Those ponies back there were...The Pockets' Guild."

   Sweetcloud looked as if deep in thought and then again turned to Loki for more answers.

   "Is my cousin safe?"

   Loki shrugged. He stared at the horizon of the sun that was beginning to settle.

   "Two new guards have taken her away before the battle was commenced. They go by the name of Blade and Violet and has already taken off east to Manehattan."

   "Can't we go save her?"

   He shook his head.

   "They already have a whole army there waiting for us between the waters. It is too risky," he suddenly turned to Sweetcloud and looked her in the eye, "Listen closely, yes, I am part of The Pockets' Guild and I can sssave your cousin but I need to ssspeak to the rest of the members of The Guild for their sssupporting fire power. For a better chance of persuading them, I'll need bits. I ran out of bits for convincing them to fight off the guards. But...I believe your Thief here may require sssome?"

   Sweetcloud turned to Unit and brought out her best, cute puppy face ever! Unit was not happy about this because Generosity was not his strong suit. He remembered, after that they became friends (last chapter), she lectured him about the importance of Friendship and how it could be beneficial. Finally, he sighed and looked at the ground.

   "Can't believe I'm saying this but...alright."

   Sweetcloud squealed and tackled him into another friendly hug. Once more, he couldn't breathe again under her tight hugs. His bits had better be worth it.