As Twilight made her way down the street, she noticed a white stallion glaring at one of the manhole covers. Making her way over to him she cleared her throat. "I'm sorry to bother you. But I was wondering… what exactly are you doing?"

"It's funny. Don't you think?" He replied, still glaring at the cover.

"I beg your pardon. But what's funny?"

"Time. No matter how many times you go to the same place or look at the same thing. There's always something different about it." He explained.

Twilight thought on his words for a moment. "I guess it's because time moves forward. Things change over time."

He finally lifted his head and smirked at her. "Always?"

"What do you mean?"

He tilted his head. "And here I thought YOU were the smart one." Sighing he shook his head. "Very well. What can never change no matter how time passes?"

"A picture. But we already learned why and how the mares were killed." Twilight replied. "And that they were raped in the process." She paused at his blank smile. After a few moments she gasped. "We didn't learn that until after Rainbow disappeared."

He nodded. "There you go. Now ask yourself. If something like that was overlooked in a picture…"

"Then what have we missed on the body itself!" She gasped before looking around. "And the crime scenes…" After a moment she looked back at the stallion. "Thanks… what's your name?"

He shrugged. "No problem…" Blinking, he gasped. "Or is it? Quickly tell me who's with Pinkie?"

Twilight's eyes narrowed. "Why-"

"No spoilers. Now who's with Pinkie?" He repeated.

"Fluttershy. But I don't…" She paused as he sighed in relief. "Ok… what can you tell me?"

Blinking he tapped a hoof to his chin. "Oh… right… that… let me think." He started wobbling his head from side to side before pulling out a crystal orb and started whispering to it. Noticing her confused look he glared at her. "What? You talk to your reflection. I talk to an orb. Same thing." He huffed before holding it to his ear.

"Maybe so." Twilight countered. "But only a random pony like Pinkie would hold the object to her ear."

He smiled and put the orb away. "Do you want the good news or bad news first? And about which friend?"

"What do you mean?"

"Bad news then. Applejack and Rarity are captured. Good news is they're alive. Bad news…" He tapped a hoof to his chin. "On second thought. I probably shouldn't say that…"

"Tell me. Please. Any information you can give helps." Twilight begged.

"Well… I can't confirm it yet. Too many splits and all… but… there's a chance… Rainbow may die. Or someone close to her." He admitted.

"Any good news about her?"

He smiled. "Yes. Right now she's just fine. So… there's some good news."

Twilight gawked at him."That's it?"

"Would you rather I lie and say everything will be fine?" He huffed before turning away to leave. "Look. My job is hard enough as is with that interloper messing things up."

"I'm sorry. But I'm trying to save my friends and this town." Twilight sighed. "I can really use the help. And good news."

Stopping, he looked back at her. After a moment he smiled. "Then might I suggest. Asking for HER help?"

Twilight looked over and saw a familiar mare. "Mod?" Turning back, she was about to ask why, but saw nothing. Tapping a hoof to her chin she thought about what just happened before gasping in realization. Turning, she galloped over. "MOD WE NEED YOUR EXPERTISE!"

Time passed as the figure paced down the line of cages. Stopping at one that held the earth pony he tilted his head. "Applejack was it? I wonder if you tasted like apples." He laughed as she glared back at him. "You should feel proud of yourself. You lasted longer than any other earth mare that came before you."

Applejack huffed at him. Shaking his head the figure slumped against the cage. "Wondering why you can't contact your princess? It's simple really. I put a spell on you. See? Simple." He laughed. "No pony will find you. And after you've outlived your usefulness. You'll either die from heat failure. Or be too broken to come for revenge."

"No happening." She spat.

"It speaks. Well. I guess death was a stretch." He shrugged. "But I'm sure a few more days in the lineup will fix that mood of yours."

"Where's Rarity?"

"You mean the unicorn? Sorry. All the high class ones look alike to me." He sighed. "She's fine. Had to switch her to a tamer group after one went for her throat." Applejack blinked. "I thought you'd like that. What do you say we make a deal? I'll keep her alive and let her go free… when I get what I need from her. IF you run a little errands for me."

Applejack gulped. "What do ya want?"

"Nothing major. I managed to get one of your eggs thanks to one of my pets. But I still need… the blue one." He replied before slumping slightly. "You wouldn't believe how hard it was to even knick her."

Applejack chuckled. "I believe it."

"And that's why I need her… or some of her DNA and the yellow one."

"Why do ya want my friends so bad?"

"Come on… you know why."

"...no…"

"Yes…."

Author's Note

An interesting chapter with an interesting name. To tell the truth. I still don't fully get what's going on. But that's the fun of this. Who knew the white stallion would be so fun to write for.

Thinking of doing a Patrion powered story come spring. And some videos of me doing songs and voice acting over on YouTube. Again powered by Patrion subscribers. Let me know what you think.