open The pendulum swings.

[SkyStorm 334]

OOC

 

Sorry this is a bit late to say:

 

OC

 

Skystorm and Skylar fly out of the building, heading towards Cloudsdale, it's a long fly but for them, it had become easy over the amount of times they had done it. Tomorrow, they would meet back with the other ponies to figure out what would happen next.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@PinkieShyFlutterPie,

 

Clockwork smiled, and laughed as he folded his wing back to his side. He threw a hoof over Neon's shoulder and patted it lightly, trying to make her feel more comfortable with the situation. "Ah, not to worry, my dear. I have thick skin, and I appreciate your interest in the work I do. I have some things to show you if you are interested."

 

@,

 

Scribbler's face would have been red, were his coat a brighter shade of blue. He took a tissue, and dabbed his face.

"R-really, Selune, you're too kind. I'm flattered.. And, I.. I'm sorry to hear, you're a very interesting and beautiful mare. If you're staying in the city here, I'm sure you'll find somepony, there are plenty good stallions around."

He continued walking, feeling mixed things about the situation. His heart was down, but his ego felt normal again for the first time all day.

 

Midnight and Selune entered the building where Sunset had lived, the main hallway lead them to the central elevator. They step in, and Midnight presses the 8th floor. The elevator had a brass plaque, engraved with a set of three gears, and the letters "C.M.L." They arrive shortly at the 8th floor, and wander up the hall. The 6th apartment on the right side appeared to be open, but the door had been busted inward forcefully, and lay in pieces against the wall. Signs of struggle could be seen throughout the entrance way.
 

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

@@Midnight Scribbler, Selune blushed a bit... beautiful huh? She hadn't heard of that word for ages. However she had to admit... it wasn't lonelyness that was the only reason she wanted to find a stallion to love. "Thanks... but what i think i am seeking is mostly acceptance. I want to love and be loved, and i don't want to be alone." She wasn't depressed but she was indeed a bit sad. They ascended the building through the elevator..."What does C.M.L. mean?" She then noticed the opened door... "Is that her room? Wait... you don't suppose someone else is in trouble? Let's hurry!!!"

[Contrast 292]

@@ovr9000percentcooler, (sorry for the lateness, also something to note. If it's italicized Muddle is speaking/thinking to Shadow in her head. She can do it, she just often forgets to.)

 

Muddle laughed a little. She always loved hearing about Cutiemark stories, and to her, her seemed like a feat. "I don't think I would be able to do that. An entire crowd." As they walked and spoke, the hotel was starting to come into view; but she just wasn't sure.  "Is that the hotel?"

 

~Meanwhile

 

Her Shadow continued laughing, but only so Muddle wouldn't pay attention to it's thoughts. "Well I can't see a comedian kidnapping ponies, so I guess she's off my list. I think I will have to do some searching after dark. A kidnapper that steals both adults and foals alike... Your annoying Muddle, but you might be next."

Edited November 6, 2013 by danzxc123

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@,

 

Scribbler smiled at Selune warmly, and wrapped a hoof over her shoulder. Seeing the melancholy in her eyes. "You don't have to be alone, nopony does. I know how it feels, it's never easy, but, to the light all tunnels meet. And you will find him, I'm certain."

Selune comments on the plaque, and Scribbler leans in to see for himself.

"I believe it stands for Clockwork Machinery Limited. Until today, I hadn't any idea who was behind that title, but now I think I do."

He ponders this for a moment, scratching behind his ear, then the door dings, and they wander up the hall to the broken apartment door.

"No, no. It was like this eariler.. There's no rush, really. This is the reason I went into the streets looking for her." He picks a piece of the door up, looking at it. There appeared to be hoof marks in the wood from someone bashing against it. He put it down, looking puzzled.

"Something's not right here.."

Edited November 6, 2013 by Midnight Scribbler

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

@@Midnight Scribbler, 

 

"Yea, sorry...i have always had a problem with saying things before i thought them through"  Neon chuckled "Sure" She replied then stood up. Neon wondered what else Clockwork had made...And wondered how he was even able to think of and make these things, like his wings. 

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@PinkieShyFlutterPie, @@Lucid Dream,

Clockwork returned to his shop floor, downstairs, Neon following behind. He wandered over to the largest machine, which Neon had mentioned wanting to see earlier. The brass tubing and wires running throughout it's structure. It was spherical in shape, relatively. In the center was a glass ball, held in place by clamps and a bundle of thin tubes connected to it. There was a central node within the glass, like a giant light bulb.

 

"This is my best invention to date. It contains a magical spell charge within the batteries around the edges. And when I wish, I can cast them, even though I am not a unicorn. This particular machine contains three different spells, one is a protection spell, which will seal all the windows and doors from intruders. The second is an illusion spell, which will mirror the user, and can be used as a diversion in case you need to escape from someone. The third, is a revealing spell, allowing you to find things that may be cloaked or hidden from plain view."

Clockwork flips the switch to revealing, and hits the power. The machine begins to charge up, the sound of gears clattering inside and a whir of energy passing through the lines. Steam shot out of one of the valves at the top. Pistons near the back begin pumping in and out, chugging away, causing the whole mechanism to rattle. Soon the bulb in the center lights up, glowing brighter and brighter.
Clockwork reads a gauge on the front, and sees it reaching the red line he had marked. "Alright.. It's ready. Now, witness the magic of machinery!" He hits a lever on the front, next to the valve.

Edited November 6, 2013 by Midnight Scribbler

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@, ((It's alright, and thanks for the info. Also, Sidesplitter's still a mare ))

 

Sidesplitter turned her head towards the building. "Yep, that should be it! It's really nice, you can even share a room with me if you'd like, I could only book a 2-pony room when I got there, mainly because of the kidnappings, everypony either left town, or stayed in this hotel."

 

They soon entered through the doors of the hotel, greeted by the intriguing interior design, fake plants, and busy staff members.

Edited November 6, 2013 by ovr9000percentcooler

[123 111]

Lucid stared at himself, he was no longer transparent and gaped he began to look for an exit, "I'VE BEEN SPOTTED"  he thought, and hid himself, he tried the spell agian but it was no use, "come on! COME ON!!" he tried harder and harder to activate the spell but it was no use. H didn't know what to expect

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@Lucid Dream, @@PinkieShyFlutterPie,

 

Clockwork turned to Neon, a massive grin on his face, feeling proud of his work. But the grin faded almost immediately, as he noticed another pony in his shop. His face shot to surprise and fearful anger suddenly. "YOU!" Clockwork began moving hastily in Lucid's direction, his expression was frightening to behold, with cold eyes and a tight frown. He meant business. "Who are you? How did you get in here? SPEAK!"

[123 111]

@@Lucid Dream, @@PinkieShyFlutterPie,

 

Clockwork turned to Neon, a massive grin on his face, feeling proud of his work. But the grin faded almost immediately, as he noticed another pony in his shop. His face shot to surprise and fearful anger suddenly. "YOU!" Clockwork began moving hastily in Lucid's direction, his expression was frightening to behold, with cold eyes and a tight frown. He meant business. "Who are you? How did you get in here? SPEAK!"

Lucid revealed himself and stared at Clockwork. "Sorry I was worried about that scribbler Stallion. I'm very sorry sir" he stammered. He couldn't run, there was no exit, but he was extremely embarrassed. He stayed back and stared at the machine "was that the thing that could make magic, what kind of thing is that!?"

[Contrast 292]

@@ovr9000percentcooler,

 

"That would b-" Muddle took one step inside the hotel and immediately started to turn around when the first staff member said hello. "Nope, changed my mind. I think I would rather take my chances with the mechanic." Her Shadow stood in her path towards the exit. It turned her around and said, "This can go one of two ways. Option one: were skipping." Muddle shook her head in reply. "Option two: breath deeply and repeat what I say." 

 

Muddle took a deep breath in and gave an extremely forced smile towards Sidesplitter. "That would be wonderful... How about you take care of that and I go wait outside..." "Because I'm baby that can't take crowds." "Because I..." She turned away from the pony and stared angrily at the ground. "That jerk!" She turned back towards Sidesplitter and actually looked like she had a normal emotion on her face this time. "I will just be out here looking for... yeah." With that Muddle slowly started walking back towards the door, and waited outside for Sidesplliter to finish. 

 

"Subtle as always." 

"Quiet!"

Edited November 6, 2013 by danzxc123

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@Lucid Dream, @@PinkieShyFlutterPie,

 

Clockwork wasn't through yet. He got up close to Lucid eying him and spoke softly so only he could hear over the machine's loud whirring. "You'd better be telling the truth.."

He looked back, glancing at his work, then back to Lucid. Seeing that he'd been fixed on it. He raised his hoof, pointing at the machine. "This is the work of a lifetime, and the reason why you're no longer hidden currently. I had better not find any copies of my blueprints, or I'll know who to hunt down." He glared at Lucid with distrust, but could see he had no bags to carry anything on him. He raised his voice again, backing up slightly. "I am demonstrating to Neon, here, my magic engine. Though I'm sure you've overheard much of my presentation already." His tone was slightly sarcastic.

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@,

 

"Ok, now she's definitely acting weird..." Sidesplitter thought to herself. She could get extremely shy ponies, she knew Fluttershy perfectly well. But just the way she went about it, the way she kept glancing towards her shadow, which was also being strange......she shook her head.

 

"Um, ok, I'll be right back then!" She said as she headed towards the main desk, the pony behind the counter welcoming her with a warm smile.

 

"Hello, are you checking back in?" The pony asked.

 

Sidesplitter smiled back. "Yeah, but I'm also here to check in a friend who'll be staying in my room."

 

"Okie Dokie, um..." The pony looked around behind Sidesplitter. "Is he or she here?"

 

"Oh, um...she's kinda, ya know.....er, shy, heh."

 

"Uh-huh...well ok then, that'll be an additional 15 bits a night, please."

 

Sidesplitter paid the desk pony and walked back outside to get Muddle.

 

"Hey, you're checked into my room, so...follow me I guess."

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

@@Midnight Scribbler, @@Lucid Dream,

 

Neon followed Clockwork.  When they stopped at the machine she looked at it...It was so.. interesting and looked sorta futuristic, she had never seen anything like it. Neon looked over at Clockwork as he explained what the machine did "Wow...that is pretty awesome" She smiled. It was hard to believe it could do all that so she really wanted to see it actually work, if it did work.. it seemed impossible to make something like this machine but Clockwork had made his wings so she believed that it would work.

 

As the machine powered up she looked over at Clockwork. When he smiled she smiled back and was surprised when suddenly he shouted. She was confused at first and wondered who he was shouting at until she looked to where he was looking and saw a stallion. She wondered why the stallion had been here and when he said why she didn't really believe him 

[123 111]

@@Lucid Dream, @@PinkieShyFlutterPie,

 

Clockwork wasn't through yet. He got up close to Lucid eying him and spoke softly so only he could hear over the machine's loud whirring. "You'd better be telling the truth.."

He looked back, glancing at his work, then back to Lucid. Seeing that he'd been fixed on it. He raised his hoof, pointing at the machine. "This is the work of a lifetime, and the reason why you're no longer hidden currently. I had better not find any copies of my blueprints, or I'll know who to hunt down." He glared at Lucid with distrust, but could see he had no bags to carry anything on him. He raised his voice again, backing up slightly. "I am demonstrating to Neon, here, my magic engine. Though I'm sure you've overheard much of my presentation already." His tone was slightly sarcastic.

Lucid stared at the genius and took a few seconds to think what to say then he finally said, "I'm so sorry mister.... I'm just such a big fan and I wanted to see if the rumors where true..." he lied.

He stared at the machine at realized it replicated magic "I'm curious to know... why are your replicating magic, I don't care what happen to pegasi, but why unicorns? they're magical talents are unique and special, anypony can copy a pegasi's abilities and I'm fine with that..." he slowly uttered.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@Lucid Dream, @@PinkieShyFlutterPie,

 

Clockwork raised an eyebrow at Lucid. "Well, my elusive friend, it seems you weren't listening all too hard after all. It doesn't replicate magic, that is impossible. It merely stores a charged spell, but it needs a unicorn to charge the batteries. The actual generation of magic is yet a mystery to me. And really, you should think more wisely with your opinions. Why should a unicorn have special treatment where a pegaus should not? They both have very unique talents, anypony does, even earth ponies. Though they aren't always magical, they all have uses, and belong somewhere in the intricate and delicate workings of society. I am merely introducing some new cogs to the machine, that's all. Think of it. Earth ponies and pegasi may be able to use magic for the first time. Unicorns and earth ponies could fly where they never could have before. Really, the earth ponies get the best deal here, but that's not the point. I have a grand vision of equality between all races, having the ability to try all possible outlets for their talents." He grinned, feeling confident of his response.

[123 111]

Lucid stammered "y-yes sir, I just wanted to hear about your invention," I'm very sorry sir.. I am so sorry," He said.

Lucid stared at the machine, "why would he make this! You cant top a unicorn, let alone try to replicate it" Lucid began to look around, "this is a wonderful place sir." trying to flatter Mr. Green. 

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@Lucid Dream, @@PinkieShyFlutterPie,

 

Clockwork looked confident, and warmed up slightly toward Lucid. "I'm glad you think so. I appreciate your interest in my work. Don't worry though, I won't bite, just don't lurk invisibly through an inventor's workshop next time. You never know what sort of things could happen." Clockwork's words were spoken matter-of-factly, but there was something slightly more sinister in the way he had worded it.

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

@@Midnight Scribbler, "Clockwork Machinery Limited? From Clockwork Green?" Somehow she thought this was not a coincidence... Midnight checked the piece of wood from the door and he seemed concerned. "Let me check it... you see my skills in magic are related with sight. If there is something you can't see here... or something hidden i will find it." She looked at the object her eyes swirling with magic as she attempted to see the details in the piece of evidence... ((OOC:You decide what she sees and maybe in the rest of the room if you want)) 

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@,

 

Midnight flips the chunk of door over, thinking hard. Looking at the marks, and places his hoof on one of the indents. It matched the size of his own. He felt a strange chill, and quivered. "These marks are on the inside, it doesn't make any sense.."

He trotted over the debris, and looked into the living room, and then into the kitchen, then looked back. "It's as if the only sign of trouble happened right there.. in the doorway."

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

@@Midnight Scribbler,((OOC:Sorry if i copy a part of your description here)) Selune sees that the hoof marks on the door are on the inside of the door, as if somepony tried to break out, instead of in. That would suggest someone she knew was there... and oddly enough as she watched his hoof he saw that it was the same mark as the door. Wait a minute... Clockwork... Midnight... It was time to find out the truth... before it all ended up badly for her. "What is your definition of love Midnight? How long DID you know Sunset? When did you last see her again?"

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@,

 

Midnight looked to Selune with some confusion by her first question. "I had seen her just the night before all this happened. I was here, and we had tea and burned one of her candles.. I had left just before dark, to get home before the sun went down. I came back in the morning and found this.. We met last year, at the beach, on the summer solstice." His eyes looked pained, and confused. "My definition of love, is.. well, It's difficult to explain something so intangible." He began to realize what Selune might be implying. He kept scratching hehind his ear at something, nervously. He was beginning to worry he'd become a suspect in his own case. "I can see why she'd think that, but... I'd never do this." He thought

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

@@Midnight Scribbler, "I think you and Clockwork might be targets... or at least everyone in this general area. Do you have something in common with him? I am suspecting you do... I also have another suspicion... did you see anyone following you? This case is starting to look weird. Excuse me for my doubts but... i am having trouble seeing past the convenient coincidence of Clockwork Green popping up so soon... Also notice something strange? Amongst the victims there is no pegasus. Which might mean our dear friend is not good at flying, at least not enough to catch a pegasus. So all pegasi suspects can be easily eliminated."

She walked around in the house picking up the dropped picture of Sunset.

"He popped at the right time... my first suspect is him. I am pretty sure that if we make a circle around his place we will find that the victims are all in the vicinity. Remember he has pegasi wings... and is planning to make an invention to promote magic. It would be easy to assume that he simply wanted to claim through greed the invention of his colleague... maybe he has some delusions of being an alicorn? Who knows..."

She realised however that these thoughts were paranoid. It would be unwise to accuse someone without evidence. Especially if there was a grander scheme behind this. 

"Excuse me... i am straying off topic and becoming paranoid. I am quite sure however that the culprit is not a pegasus... or at least not a competent one. You really do have to tell me... did you notice anything strange when you visited her? Did she know anyone else? Maybe you "dropped" your keys of her appartment? And anyways... how did those hooves of yours hit the door?"
 

Edited November 7, 2013 by nioniosbbbb

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@,

Midnight stammered "m-my hooves? I wouldn't hit the door.. Not.. not like this. I would never." He looked disdained with the thought.

He pondered everything Selune had said for a moment. The thought of Clockwork brought about a strange hint of headache. "I agree, Clockwork did seem to just pop in right at the perfect time, didn't he? There's something definitely strange about his intentions, but I don't believe he would do this sort of thing. At least, not without good reason. He mentioned his assistant had knowledge of medical practices. Maybe there is some bearing here on why she went missing. But that's assuming it was Clockwork. We still have no evidence against him. Having no pegasus on the list of victims could also simply indicate that there is no use for them in the kidnapper's eyes. It may not be a matter of incapability."

Suddenly, Midnight jerked to the right, staring down the hallway of the apartment. "Sunset?" He trotted down the hall towards what appeared to Selune as nothing but a closed doorway. He opened the door, revealing the bedroom. Scribbler sat, scratching behind his ear again. Something appeared to be bothering him now. His face was set with a frown, and he looked puzzled. "please.. t-tell me you saw that?"