996 CE

(Gwen)

"I could help you, you know. You simply have to ask."

I was riding on the back of the white unicorn, trying desperately to ignore the shadow floating casually alongside us. My condescending Patron appeared shortly after we left home. I can't say I am incredibly surprised, a dastardly and deadly diversity destroyer deserved the devilish deal-maker's undivided diligence.

"I am not even planning on asking much. I know you are still unreasonably angry about that whole rabbit thing, but I want to show you what happens when you cooperate. Plus, you wouldn't want to be responsible if dear Fluttershy got hurt, would you?"

The best response I could give was a glare at the shadow. It was too risky trying to speak to it while on top of a stranger. Besides, there was still a good chance that everything would work out without their intervention. I wasn't going to make any more deals unless I absolutely had to.

"While I see you are going to be stubborn. I will leave you be but don't hesitate to ask if you change your mind. See you soon." The shadow disappeared just as it was going to collide with a tree, leaving me only with a headache. At least it left me alone before we got to town.

"The library is that tree over there right?" My sapient mount asked Fluttershy as she glided beside us. Despite our haste, we weren't standing out too much in Ponyville's morning crowd. It was evident that something had happened, there was a tension in the air with all the town's ponies either huddling together in small herds or trotting as fast as politely possible. The normally casual and festive morning market was stifled with a nervous anxiety.

Nodding, Fluttershy led us to the old tree. Shining went in first, carefully opening the door as if he expected an ambush. The main room of the library was barely lit with the pile of cushions and comics near the center lacking their scaly master. The missing dragon caused everyone in our group to tense. On some level, I knew it was ridiculous to think that the griffin would care or even know about the dragon, but none of us could help but assume the worst.

"Are you sure you left little Spike here?" Fluttershy asked.

"This is where we left him. And he is not the type of dragon to go wandering off by himself."

"While maybe he went to the bathroom?"

"We will just have to..."

The Royal Guardspony was interrupted by a loud thud upstairs.

"Spike!"

Shining dashed upstairs, taking me with him. Getting to the top of the steps reviled a purple dinosaur with green spines running down his back. The creature with a passing resemblance to a certain costumed character who shouldn't be left alone with children was lying face down, his head facing away from us with a large book not far from his outstretched hands.

Before we even had the chance to dread the worst-case scenario, the dragon stirred. "Ug, Thorax, you need to clean up after yourself." Spike began to pick himself up, finally noticing us. "Hi, Shining, sorry if I scared you, I tripped on a quill."

"Sorry Spike, I was just in a rush, and I... AHH. Who are they!?" The other occupant of the library reviled themselves. He was a young pegasus colt, perhaps a little older than Applebloom and her friends, with coarse black fur and short, orange hair that stuck up almost like a natural mohawk. I vaguely remember seeing him around the town's bakery, but I didn't know much about him.

Spike ignored the pegasus's question and addressed Shining again. "Is Twilight done with her meeting then? Great! I was getting hungry. Oh, is that Fluttershy? Nice t..."

The little dragon was interrupted as he was tackled by a yellow blur. Despite coming up behind us, Fluttershy had shot past me and Shining before we even realized she was upstairs. Now she was smothering the dragon like he was a new stuffed animal, asking inane questions. I didn't get it, he was cute, but so was everything in this world. Guess I just became numb.

"Right. Spike, Miss. Fluttershy; Miss. Fluttershy, Spike. And Gwen the griffin is on my back." Shining introduced, indicating me with one of his hoofs. "Now who is your friend? I thought the library was closed."

The black pegasus crumpled under the Royal Guard's stare. Thorax glanced at Spike for support but found his new friend quite occupied by a yellow menace. Back into a corner, the timid colt stuttered. "My... M... My name is... is... Tho... Thorax, sir. I... I... am sorry I... broke into the... library but... Mrs. Roseluck... she... she was sick and I wanted to... to see if there was anything in here that could help."

He seemed to gain confidence towards the end. Seemed like a good kid. Shining Armor, meanwhile, began rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Look, foal, the doctors can take care of this Mrs. Roseluck. And I can't just leave you here... We were planning on going to the school. Do you want to come with us? I am pretty sure a colt your age is supposed to be there this time of day anyways." Thorax backed down under the authority of an adult, mumbling out a few, half-hearted protests. It was clear that the pegasus knew he was going to be dragged back to school.

By this point, Spike had managed to get partly untangled from his adoring attacker. Something that Shining said seemed to bother him. "Why are we going to the school? I thought we were going to the bakery for lunch? And where is Twilight? Both you and Fluttershy are here, where else would she be."

The mood almost instantly sobered up. The two adults looking at each other nervously.

"You don't have to worry about that Spike. Let's just go to school.

[/hr]

(Gosef Mengele)

I stuck to the edge of the forest as I approached the flying coward's hovel. I can't imagine that whoever stole my research subjects hasn't raised the alarm yet. If this was Griffinstone, even a town this size would have sounded the bells and raised a local militia by this point. I doubt the pathetic and weakwilled ponies would be willing to disturb the peace that much, or that there would even be enough of them with a spine to form an actual posse.

Still, better safe than sorry. Even as wretched as they are, enough ponies could still be a threat. Better to kill one horse, and liberate one chick than try to fight the entire town of parasites.

Approaching the shack, it seemed too quiet. There were still animals running amuck, but no sign of their caretaker. Sliding beneath a back window, staying out of sight of both the house and the road, I risked a glimpse inside. The living room was still empty. After finding the window unlocked and with no immediate threat, I quietly entered the building. Toys were laying about, and I saw dishes laying in the sink. As brilliant as I am, I was able to quickly deduce that my target had recently played host to multiple ponies, and left with Gwen soon after. Presumably with her guests.

Worst-case scenario, she could have learned of my intentions and gone to town to follow her base, herding instincts. More likely, she was just wasting time with one of her fellow wastes of space. Either way, she was likely back in town. The same town that is now likely in panic and on alert to me. I might have to leave Ponyville now and circle back later.

Leaving the hut, I started to make my plans. I could make my way south, towards Appaloosa and the Badlands. S.M.I.L.E. knew that the changeling had a presence in that area, perhaps I could trick them into thinking I had hidden with the bugs. If I was lucky, two of my enemies might weaken themselves fighting. Then I could just...

My train of thought was derailed as I saw a shadow in the woods. It looked like a pony of some kind with something on its back. While it appears that I am in luck. My target must have been doing some nonsense in the forest and taken my masterpiece with her.

Unfortunately, she appeared to have spotted me, because she sprinted away. Well, no self-respecting griffin would turn down a hunt. The chase was on.

The mare was quicker than I expected, using the trees effectively to evade me and keep her distance. But it was all for not, every time she would try and slip away, I would spot her shadow and the pursuit would resume. Her defeat was all but inevitable. She was just able to keep ahead of me now, but it was well known that griffins had better endurance than pegasuses. It was only a matter of time.

Sure enough, I was gaining on her. Just as I was sure I would catch her, the snake slipped through a bush that was too small for me with my superior frame. It was but a delay, as I soon subverted the obstacle. But it was enough for her to temporarily give me the slip.

I looked around the woods, eager to reacquire the trail. The trees were too thin and the woods too open for her to hide effectively. But, just outside the woods, I saw a red building surrounded by equipment for chicks. A school. It looks like my hunt might be fruitful yet.

[/hr]

(The Smiling Pony)

I had just gotten off the train to Canterlot when a passerby bumped into me. The agent was slopy. Sure, the average pony would have only noticed a bump, but I expect more than from my ponies. Without missing a step, I read the note. Emergency in Ponyville, full report at dropoff. I subtly alter direction, changing my destination from a hotel near the castle to a cafe near Canterlot University.

The area was busy, students and academics going back and forth in font of the cafe. I quietly took a seat overlooking the Equestrian Geogological Institue across the street and ordered a double espresso. A passing student with a phosphophyllite pin through a newspaper in the trash. With nocreature the wiser, I had the report in my hooves.

As I read the report, my eyes narrowed slightly in anger. A dangerous griffin had sneaked past my agents and into Equestria, all the way to Ponyville. Now he was attacking ponies and even one of the cornerstones of Operation Selene. My espresso glass and the cast iron table under it shattered as I tried to retain my rage. Without a word or paying for damages, I headed back to the train station.

I was needed in Ponyville.

Author's Note

Hi,

Sorry for the late upload, but I had a bad case of writer's block this time. Part of it is I am finding it hard to motivate myself when it seems like I am just screaming into the void. I released a short story last week that I was proud of, but it flopped. Makes everything seem pointless when it doesn't seem like anyone is reading what I write.

Anyways, no lore corner this week because of the aforementioned writer's block.