RD & S And The Search For The Starswirl

“Okay, do you see that changeling over there kid?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s one of the guards; we have to get past him.”

“How are we going to do that?”

“Well, just so happens that I have a minor stench grenade…”

“What is ‘stench’ going to do to him?”

“Oh nothing much really, it’s just going to knock ‘em out.”

Scootaloo lets out a small but quick gasp, “What exactly do you mean by ‘knock ‘em out’?”

“It will just put him to sleep for a little while.”

“How long is a ‘little while’?” asked the curious filly.

“Maybe about thirty minutes to an hour or so.”

“That’s it? He’ll just be sleeping?”

“Yeah, that’s about it.”

“What are we going to do while he sleeps?”

“You want to get out of here don’t you?”

“Well duh.”

“Then whilst he sleeps, we will escape this madness. Although…we might run into some things along the way.”

“Uhh, what kind of ‘things’?”

“Oh, some minor, and some major…but not to worry! I-I uh, have some tools that could help us out…I think…”

“Oh! More cool tools like your laser pen?!”

The stallion let out a quick laugh before responding, “Yes, more cool tools like my ‘laser pen’. Okay, now, when I throw this grenade, you run as fast as you can past him after he passes out. There should be a switch on the other side, flip the switch and I will rush over.”

“What will the switch do?” “The switch operates the laser sensors in this room, when you flip it, the lasers will turn off.”

“But aren’t the lasers on right now?”

“Not exactly, the lasers will turn on once the guard falls. You see, they have a very smart system at work here. So are you ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be!”

The stallion pulls out the stench grenade and throws it over to the Changeling’s hoof; the Changeling looks downward at the odd looking device. It suddenly pops open letting out a foul stench, the Changeling then falls to the ground. The light orange filly quickly rushed past the Changeling, and over to the other side, where she then flipped the switch. “Good work!” the stallion called out as he ran across the room and over to Scootaloo.

“Now what do we do?” asked Scootaloo breathing heavily and excitedly.

“Now we have to get out of this room, the cavern exit shouldn’t be too far away by now.”

“So we’re almost out of here?!”

“Almost.”

“Cool! I can’t wait to get out of here!”

“Neither can I kid, nether can I...” The two ponies then exit the room, continuing their journey out of the cavern.

“W-we haven’t done anything to her yet!” replied the Changeling in a scared tone.

“But you’re planning on it!” said Dash, “Maybe?” replied the Changeling nervously.

“You’d better leave her alone or you’ve got something comin’! Oh ya know what? You already have something comin’!” the Changeling gulps before pleading, “Look, I’m sorry… I don’t know who you are but, I’m just a young Changeling who’s doing his job…wait…did you say, ‘Scootaloo’?”

“The name’s Rainbow Dash’ and yes I said Scootaloo!”

“Umm…the…ohmygosh! I-I’m so sorry Miss Dash! I-I uh…” Dash continues to glare at the young and strange Changeling, its forehead now sweats, “Continue!” Dash snapped,

“I didn’t…I…I’m so very sorry! P-p-please just let me go! I promise I’ll make it up to you somehow!” he gulps once more.

Dash stands above the Changeling, pinning him down with her hooves, seeming to think about what the Changeling has said, she finally responds; “And how exactly will you ‘make it up’ to me?”

“I-I can uh…help…that’s it! I can help you to find and rescue her if you spare me!”

“Uh huh…” Dash was now struggling to decide if she should trust this Changeling to ‘help’ her, “Will you spare me?” asked the changeling in a nervous and scared tone.

“I don’t know…” replied the pegasus, “But I do know that you are going to have to show me that you are being honest, and that you will really help me to find and rescue Scootaloo.”

“And exactly how am I supposed to do that?” asked the Changeling.

“That’s for you and you alone to figure out.” replied Dash, “Oh joy...” mumbled the changeling, hoping Dash didn’t hear him.

“And yes I heard that.” Dash remarked, “Sorry…” apologized the young Changeling.

“Now get up, and show me where you’re keeping Scootaloo!” Dash demanded, as she let the Changeling get up.

“Yes ma’Am.” the changeling responded as he got up, “She should be this way.” he said, “Follow Me.” he then heads deeper into the darkness, with Dash following closely behind.