Introduction: The Whistleblower*

Introduction: The Whistleblower

Dear Rainbow Dash,

                                  I understand you are a fearless reporter, are you not? Well let me cut to the chase, the ponies here don’t like it when I send out mail. I need help, I need exposure, I need the Celestia forsaken place to get torn down forever! You do not understand what goes on in here! It is horrifying, I think they have been tampering with my dreams. Some kind of Dream Engine, I think, they call it? No matter, you need to investigate this place NOW. If you can help expose this place for its true horrifying nature, I'm sure you will be paid generously for your work. I apologize for not being able to give you my name, just refer to me as...

The Whistleblower.

Another great day on the outskirts of Ponyville. The greatest thing about being a pegasus is being able to live in a cloudhouse. No noise, no disturbances, not a single peep that’s within my hearing range. Until of course, the mailmare drops off my mail. With a fwoosh and a "Rainbow! Mail’s here!" I was out of bed, and getting ready for a new day.

My name is Rainbow Dash, if any of you don't know me. But how wouldn't you? I hold the Element of Loyalty, and am currently a very successful, fearless, journalist who goes to the creepiest, scariest, most horrifying places to discover truths that get me rich. Don't think I'm bragging, but this is truly the best job in the world.

Getting ready in the morning is such a repeated action, I do it without a thought. Grab a shower in some rain clouds, make sure my Video Camera is nice and clean, and check the morning mail. While I'm talking, I might explain to you this new technology. Scientists in Manehatten had devised a way to capture real-time events on a device. That is actually what pushed me to become a journalist, and well, I’m fearless and that's what brings in the real bits.

I'm a bit of a lone pony you may say, and I wouldn't argue. I do jobs on my own then submit the tapes to my boss, and wait for the bits to roll in. The only thing I could complain about is deadlines, most jobs have to be completed when the clients say, if not, I don't get paid. But enough talk, I'm not an egghead.

I trotted to my door, staring intently at the few pieces of paper lying on the floor, before  picking them up with my wings. I sat them on the table while I grabbed some salad for breakfast. I can't let restaurant quality food go to waste, now can I? I checked through the first two, one junkmail, one bills. I had requested my food last night to be put on my tab, while I went out with my friends. Six meals cost a lot more than I originally thought. I winced at the big amount and tossed it aside for now. I came to the last letter, not the slightest confused of the missing return address. Tearing it open I began to read.

Dear Rainbow Dash,...

Flying at night was my favorite time to fly. No traffic and no disturbances. Earlier I read a letter on a client who didn't indulge their name to me but gave me a pretty awesome lead. I had ridden the train from Ponyville to Canterlot a few hours before, in hopes I could soon get my bits as stated. I did have to admit, I hadn't heard much about the Canterlot Asylum, mostly just tests ran on their patients. The Whistleblower seemed to state there was more than meets the eye, so I was taking him up on the offer.

I flew down the streets of Canterlot, past the castle, and to the other side of the mountain. Then, I saw it. Canterlot Asylum; the ugliest building I have ever seen. It looked like a castle, except shaped like a square. Sporting four watch towers on each corner, a razor wire fence, and reinforced concrete walls. It looked like once you got there, you weren't getting out. It was primarily dark, save for the street lights leading to the compound.

I landed myself a little down the road. I didn't want to be spotted before even making it to the facility itself. I checked over my items I brought with me: my Video Camera, three batteries, and the letter I received from the mysterious pony known as The Whistleblower. Nodding once, confirming I had everything, I tracked up the road on hooves. Once I reached the security gate, I took an even grander sight at the ugliness emanating from the structure. I lived in a colorful town, filled to the brim with colors in every direction. Something felt off while staring at the gray walls.

No matter, I pulled out my camera and captured the building, not missing even the razor fence lining it. I stepped into the security box, and took a look at the mounted computer showing the many security cameras lining the building, unluckily for me, somepony had shut them all down, and all the computer gave me was an error screen. Just great. I looked once more at the building, planning my route. I didn't see anyway in except through an open window. I trotted to the bottom of it, and carefully and quietly flapped up to the window ledge.

I carefully stepped into the room, and hoofed the camera to my eye, while turning on the "nightvision" setting, just so I could see in the dark room. I didn't know what to expect in a room inside an abandoned asylum, but what I saw came close to my expectations. The trashed room, the flipped chairs, and the broken T.V. reminded me I was in for a long night...