Author's Note

Hopefully my proofreader does not kill me for going ahead and pushing this chapter through, but I wanted to go ahead and do so, primarily for this reason: According to the website, Chapter 2 got published on the same day as Chapter 1, thus bringing in no new viewers. Recognizing this, I figured it would be practical to, knowing such, publish the next chapter, to hopefully get more readers, since I am pretty sure I figured out the problem.

This is good and bad for you guys: The good news is that you get a chapter much earlier than what it would be. The bad news is that the next one is possibly going to take longer. Hopefully not, but it is possible.

Also, if you notice a distinctive shift in writing style from poor to good, that is because this is a heavily modified version of this chapter, made by the amazing proofreader I have. Thus, all credit for this chapter looking and sounding good goes to him.

So..yeah. Please enjoy, and have a blessed one. Now to not get shot by the proofreader.

Chapter 3: Post-entry(renamed)

Once Raven had been sent inside of the game, the only thing the ponies heard was the beeping of the EKG attached to their friend, and the humming of other machines. After the final check, Yuki looks back to everyone present and says with apprehension: “Now, we wait. Celestia willing, he can return to us, the same with the mare he’s after.”

“Agreed,” Nexus states calmly. “Thanks for all the help, Yuki.”

Yuki looks at him, trying to hide her growing anxiety. “Not a problem at all, though I’m unsure if you should be thanking me yet or not.” She chuckles softly.

Rose walks over to them and sits down beside them. “You know, even if all this blows up in our faces, it's not like you would’ve done it intentionally. If anything, the fact you were even willing to work with us on the chance this would work is enough to thank you for,” she says with a mix of happiness and fear in her voice.

Yuki smiles softly back, some of her fears alleviated by her friends. “You guys are trying to give me too much-“

“Now that we’ve got him in the game, I just realized something,” Scroll states, interrupting Yuki, as he comes back from the cafeteria with another cup of coffee. After taking a drink and burning his tongue.

Yuki turns to Scroll and gives him a death glare. “As I was saying,” She continues, “you two are giving me far more credit than what’s due. All I’ve done is plugged everything in and made sure the connections were done properly. However I am glad to be of assistance to you all. Now Scroll, what was this epiphany of yours?”

“Well, I realized that we never actually were able to locate this Holly that Raven was always going on about.” He says between drafts of his coffee.

Laughing at the situation, Silver directs his attention to Scroll, “Still attempting to drink your coffee I see.”

He looks flatly back at her. “Yes, I quite enjoy my poison, and eventually I will finish my own cup of it,” He says, keeping his eyes on Silver while tilting his head and the cup back, taking one long, loud slurping draft of the coffee.

“You two really should go get couples counseling,” Nexus says, drawing both of their attention off of each other and onto him.

Scroll chokes on his coffee as Rose and Yuki start laughing, and Silver simply looks at Nexus with the intent to kill.

“Oh, buck you pretty-boy,” Scroll says, wiping his mouth off with his hoof. “With everything going on, we now have the time again; I think we should start trying to reach out and find Holly for Raven. Perhaps even relocate her to here.” He states with a sigh as he finishes his coffee. “We all know that if anything happened to her out here while Raven was stuck in there, he would kill us.”

“Are you really suggesting we try that again?” The last time we attempted this and inquired about her whereabouts, The Crown got suspicious. What makes you think they would be any less so this time around?” Rose asks.

“I never said that they’d make it easy,” Scroll replies. “However, this time around we have Yuki with us, and she may have connections in other hospitals that can help out.”

“We are NOT going to drag her down into trouble with-“ Rose begins to respond.

“It’s honestly not that big of a deal,” Yuki replies thoughtfully. “The thing is, I need to head back to the hospital tomorrow morning anyways, so it really wouldn’t be out of my way. Besides, since I’ve got the clearance to tend to the ESO players, I have special access to the Database. It wouldn’t be overly strange that I would be trying to locate this mare, especially since one of my patients wanted me to find her.”

“You gotta be kidding me. Yuki you don’t-” Nexus says as he lays his head down and covers his eyes and ears as he gets interrupted.

“Something you all need to realize about this situation: I’m not here for money or the appreciation. This is my Jo-, no, my Duty, and I plan on helping the best way that I can. You all want to find Holly? Fine, then that’s my mission as well. So to put it bluntly: Stop trying to keep me safe, I’m already as deep as you all are in this for helping you. Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do, and I will try to accomplish your, no, our, goals. Alright?” Yuki snaps off in response.

Nexus looks to her, shock written on his face, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you Yuki, as long as you’re sure about this, then alright.”

“Sorry for the outburst, but it is getting late. I need to check on Raven at least once in the morning before heading into the hospital. You all know how to contact me if there is an emergency. In any case, unless that happens, I bid you all Adieu,” Yuki states as she trots out before anyone can respond.

“Wow, congratulations boss, now we’ve seen her pissed off as well,” Scroll says while clapping his hooves sarcastically, debating on if he should get a refill of his coffee or not.

“Buck. Off.” Nexus retorts, walking a bit down the hall.

“Wow, you can copy others too, because I recall using that sentiment earlier,” Scroll replies, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Mares, Mares, please! We all know I’m the prettiest one here, so really there is no reason to continue being like this. Besides, you’re both uglier than sin anyways,” Rose says passing them both by, patting each of their cheeks. “Anyways, since the day is over, and there really isn’t much else we can do, let’s head out and reconvene tomorrow morning to discuss a better plan of action alright? Hey Rock, are you good to keep watch for a little while longer?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine Rose.” he replies stoically.

“Whoa, Rock, I think that’s the longest sentence I’ve heard out of you yet. That the longest one ever for ya right?” Scroll inquires.

“No, second longest,” he replies.

“Well what’s the longest one then?” Scroll inquires.

“One longer than I cared for,” Rock says with monotony.

“Maybe you should start taking notes there Scroll,” Silver says jokingly, “Maybe you could actually learn something from him.”

“Yeah, yeah, like you’re really one to talk there,” he quips back.

“Well at least I’m not willing to word-spar with the commander,” Silver replies.

“Touché, but alas your input matters not and is considered invalid,” Scroll responds dryly.

“While you ladies here are having your time gabbing it up, I’m gonna go get some food. See you all later” Rose says, and adds under her breath as she walks away, “If you don’t kill each other first, that is.”

“I oughta head out as well, both of you should probably do so soon as well, least we disturb sleeping beauty over there,” Nexus states while looking at Raven, as he begins walking away.

“Don’t. Say. A. Thing, I’m going,” Scroll says to silver, holding is hoof up before his comrade could speak. “I’m going and getting a refill of my coffee now,” and with that, he trots away, back to the cafeteria for more of his vice.

“Heading out too?” Rock inquires.

“Yep, yell if you need me.” Silver replies in kind, walking away.

Chuckling quietly to himself after his friends have left, “Now, things should start getting interesting, the stage is set, the actors in place.” He laughs a little harder, before settling down in place to perform his task.