open The pendulum swings.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@PinkieShyFlutterPie,@, @@Lucid Dream, @@ovr9000percentcooler, @,

 

Clockwork bid the two ponies a fair well as they left his shop once again. He remained yet curious with Muddle's strange mannerisms, but said nothing more. He glanced back to Lucid, curiously and then to Neon. The sun had gone down now, and the sky, though still bright, was beginning to dim. The shadows were beginning to grow deeper in the streets outside. Clockwork hit a switch on the wall, near the front door, turning a set of large overhead lights on. He glanced back again to Lucid.

"Well? What of it, friend? Where.. you planning on staying here? Or do you have somewhere to be tonight? I must close the shop up before long. You're welcome to stay here.. However I don't have much in the way of spare bedding, you'd have to stay on the floor with some quilting and pillows."

 

Midnight Scribbler and Selune Darkeye had just reached the bottom of the elevator, and stopped as they noticed Sidesplitter and Muddle walking in. Scribbler trotted over to the two of them. "What are you two doing here? I thought you were staying at the hotel across the other side of downtown. Have you found something new?"

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler

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Sidesplitter met Midnight halfway. "We actually have a lot to tell you guys, but first, we need a new place to crash. What I'm about to say explains that exactly, so if me and Muddle could stay with you, that would be the best thing in the world right now. It's serious..."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@, @@ovr9000percentcooler, @,

 

Midnight sighed and looked to the ground briefly, then back to Sidesplitter. He looked thoroughly uneasy.

"You too huh? We've got news as well.. It's me."  He turned his head, and pulled back his ear, revealing the metal chip embedded behind it. The skin looked irritated, due to him scratching at it the whole afternoon. "We don't know what it is.. but.. I've been seeing things. I don't know what's going on. You can stay with me, but we all have to be very cautious. Someone will have to make sure I don't do anything strange during the night. I think it might be controlling me.. Let's get up to my room.. I must hear what you've learned."

 

He turns around, facing Selune, and wanders back to the elevator, pressing the button to summon a lift.

Edited November 10, 2013 by Midnight Scribbler

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler

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"Woah....how did that even get there?" She didn't know too much about complex technology, but she knew one thing: that piece of metal only meant trouble. "That's...that's tough, I'm sorry....well, I think I know somepony who might be in the mix too. Her names Jinx Winder, from what I remembered. Me and Muddle were just entering our hotel room, when all of a sudden this unicorn mare was on the other side of the room, her hooves were bloody, and my stuff was spread all across the room. She quickly disappeared after getting caught, so we went to Clockworks to let him know. We....we were probably the next victims. I guess we got lucky, but still.... I don't feel easy about the other victims."

 

((I'm sorry, should I have waited till we got to his room? Oops))

Edited November 10, 2013 by ovr9000percentcooler

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@ovr9000percentcooler, @, @,

Midnight and the rest of the ponies piled into the elevator, he pressed the button and the doors shut. He listened to everything Sidesplitter had to say on the ride up. The door dinged and slid aside. As they wandered into the hallway, Midnight turned to Sidesplitter. "I'm wondering the same thing... Jinx Winder? W..wasn't she.. one of the missing ponies? That's strange..but.. Now that I know about this thing, it doesn't seem so far fetched to think she could be under control too."

He sighed heavily, feeling his heart sink at the word "blood". This wasn't news he wanted to hear. "I don't know what's happening anymore.. I remember nothing from before this morning shortly after I left. I don't remember where I left from, but I do remember being here last night.. Except the strange thing is.. I thought this was Sunset's apartment, and it seems that I've been tricked into thinking this, because this is my apartment. I'm not even sure where Sunset lived now.. She could be fictional for all I know.. But I still feel like she isn't."

Midnight hung his head for a moment "The door was broken out from within, and all the pieces were laid just inside the doorway to make it look as though it was broken into. The hoof marks.. they match my own.. I think I broke out from my own apartment this morning, and believed I had been standing at Sunset's place.. I must have panicked, and ran looking.. I wish I knew what the hay was going on."

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

@@Midnight Scribbler,@@ovr9000percentcooler, @danzxc123, "So you were attacked? I suppose we have been noticed by the culprit. That might have been a bad thing if he/she became more careful... but it seems he/she might be a bit afraid. Nonetheless we should keep our guard up. If you wish i propose having one of us guard the place while the others are sleeping. Like shifts... it's better than to be suddenly surprised by another attack. We never know ehen they might hit us next."

Edited November 10, 2013 by nioniosbbbb

[Contrast 292]

@,

 

Muddle shook her head in agreement at Selune's suggestion. She thought it sounded like a great way to stay safe during the night, and she had no intention of getting suprised by that... ?mare? again.

 

After a moment, she even thought of something that she could do to help; even if they won't notice. "It sounds great, but... Who's taking what shifts?"

~

Shadow knew ahead of time what Muddle had thought to do, and had already began to try, gently, talking her out of it. "No! I'm not doing it. Just like you I need sleep too." Muddle grabbed her left ear. She couldn't see her shadow because of the darkness, but she had a hunch where it was. 

 

"It's only for a few hours right..."

Edited November 10, 2013 by danzxc123

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

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@@ovr9000percentcooler,

 

Midnight nodded in agreement as well, he felt this would be wise. "I think this is a good move.. however, I think I'm exempt for obvious reasons. Not that I don't want to, it's just.. well this thing in my head. I could end up doing some strange things myself. I'll stay in my own room, hopefully nothing happens, but I want you all to know, don't take any chances."

They wandered up the hall to Midnight's apartment door, which was still badly damaged. He opened it, and let everyone enter, then shut it behind himself. "I have two rooms, and there's a couch. I have spare bedding too." He pulled out a couple containers of nuts, berries and fruit. "Anypony hungry? I haven't eaten all day." He began munching on a hoof full of what appeared to be trail mix.

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler

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Sidesplitter agreed with all of them. Shifts were probably the best way to get everypony at least some sleep, and Midnight defiantly needed some space from the rest of them when they decide to hit the hay.

 

"No chances, got it." She was slightly worried about that. Him being a unicorn & herself being a pegasus, those odds didn't seem to sit well.

 

Of course, food being brought up distracted her for a slight moment. "Holy yes, I could use some food." She took one of the containers and started munching down.

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

@@Midnight Scribbler,@@ovr9000percentcooler, @, Selune opened her backpack. Coincidence or not she had gone out for groceries and bought some. However she didn't have her full cooking stock...

"If you want i got some bananas right here, oranges, lemons. And a few potatoes... if you want i could make some fried potatoes before we sleep. Do you have any oil and perhaps a frying pan?" 

[Contrast 292]

@,@@ovr9000percentcooler, @@Midnight Scribbler, (are they poisoned?)

 

Muddle heard them all talking about food, and realized just how hungry she was. She turned towards Selune and said "Actually just the orange alone sounds nice." She was reaching out to grab it, when something held her hoof back. "Muddle... remember what Midnight said about being controlled..." She thought back for a moment, "Yeah, but this is Selune; and..." "And?" 

 

She slightly shook her arm and broke free of Shadow's grasp, "I trust these ponies... and least Sidespilter; and if she's eat it and she alright  I'm sure we will be fine." And with that, she used a peeling spell and bit into the orange.

~

Shadow stared and Sidesplitter, "She's a comedian, but I would hate to see this gag pulled after Muddle ate the orange."

Edited November 10, 2013 by danzxc123

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@, @@ovr9000percentcooler, @,

 

Midnight chuckled at Sidesplitter's sudden enthusiasm at the thought of food. "Sure, Selune. I have everything you need here." He uses his horn, bulling a pan from the cupboard and placed it on his stove top. He opened the door above, pulling down a bottle of sunflower oil. "Feel free to use anything you need." He directed the comment to everypony, though Selune was the only one to ask. Feeling slightly tired out, he wandered into the living room, flopping down on the couch, and popping the last handful of food into his mouth. He hadn't rested all day, it felt good. "So, we know there's a mare unicorn out looking for you, Sidesplitter. We know I'm not in full control of myself, because of this strange chip thing. We know that the missing ponies are still missing, aside from the one who's out and about... What do you make of it? Does anyone feel a connection here? I mean, we know only one pony who has knowledge of machines, but.. He has little knowledge of medical practice, and couldn't be responsible for this thing, I'm sure. Where does that leave us?" He rubbed his chin, pondering the information further.

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler

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Sidesplitter swallowed the lot of food in her mouth before speaking. "Well, I think if this mare could have been the first one to disappear, she might be the one behind everything, including your chip. I can't draw any other conclusions at the moment, but I do know that either I'm just another target on her list for no reason, or if she actually wants something from me, but I'm pretty sure it's the first one..." She said, the thought sending more chills down her spine. She took another hoof-ful of trail mix and scarfed that pile down, forming chipmunk cheeks while she chewed.

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

@@ovr9000percentcooler,@@Midnight Scribbler, @,  Selune proceeded to demonstrate her skills in levitation while preparing some food. Whether it was cleaning the oranges, peeling the potatoes she always had an "Eye" on them. Little did they know that they were being watched all the time... she cared for them and wanted them to be safe. Letting her guard down would be a mistake this time. 

She came later with some peeled oranges, another set of plates levitated before her. "So i couldn't figure out what you guys wanted in specific and made a little bit of everything. Now... i don't want to say that i doubt you all but... it would be good to be safe and check everyone for those chips. I figure out i should be the first to be checked... so who will volunteer to guarantee me that i have my own free will? I want to be sure i am not a danger to you... these things need to be removed A.S.A.P. I propose before continuing our investigation that we remove them... we can't continue like this if our mission is to be compromised."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@ovr9000percentcooler,

"You might be right.. But one thing doesn't make sense if Jinx is behind it. She was a counter spell specialist.. Not a surgeon or a maker of machines. What if she's under control too? There could be something more to this."

Selune appeared with an array of food. Midnight's mouth watered with the scent of it all, he'd been so busy thinking, he forgot to eat enough until just now. "Thank you, Selune, you're most generous." He picks up a piece of orange, and some potato, munching down the potato first. "You're right, the chips could be on any of us, I didn't even realize mine existed..Although, I'm not sure removing it is exactly an option. It could be dangerous."

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler

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Sidesplitter sighed. "Huh, guess I'm not on my game today, but you're right. I just make assumptions without thinking sometimes. Have a bad of rushing into things too I might add."

 

Sidesplitter also agreed with Selune. "Yeah, if the chip can completely wipe memories, it could be on anyone.....but, what if we all three have a chip? Won't this shifts thing, much less sticking together, be rendered useless if we're all working for the other team?"

[Contrast 292]

@@ovr9000percentcooler,@@Midnight Scribbler, @,

 

As Muddle ate her orange, she listened to everything that the group was saying; and tried her best to think about what to do with the chips. She had been given a lot time to think about what say to everyone, but it felt like she couldn't say anything that hasn't already been said. The only thing that she had to show for her effort was a growing headache.

 

"What if... if..." She frowned and scratched her head. She decided to remain silent for a bit longer while the others talked.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@ovr9000percentcooler,

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Midnight replied to Sidesplitter "If we all do have chips, it could be game over.. I'm willing to bet you don't though, it's really irritating. I've been scratching at it all afternoon." He lightly rubbed the area, feeling the shape of the thing stuck in his head. Muddle began to speak, then stopped, He turned his head expecting her to go on. "What if?"

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

@@ovr9000percentcooler,@@Midnight Scribbler, @, "I guess you're right... " she said shrugging as she nimbled her plate. "Everyone here has their memories intact right? I mean i remember everything well enough... In the meantime... could you tell me a bit more about yourselves? Maybe we could see some similarities to the victims, our interference may not be the only reason for us being hunted."

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler

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Sidesplitter agreed with Midnight. "I suppose, if it itches that badly, then I guess we're ok on that note."

 

She then turned to Selune. "Let's see.....yep. Most of it's still there, so that's good too."

 

"Well, I already told Muddle most of this, but I came here as a professional comedian to host a few shows here. Because of extremely bad timing, however, ponies completely stopped showing up, and we already know why. I grew up funny, my friends thought I was hilarious. I decided to try out for the talent show. Probably the last time I ever had stage fright....anyways, they loved it, and that's when, oddly enough, I got my cutie mark. After that, I worked hard to get the ball rolling, and here I am. That's a decent summary of me I guess."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@,

@@ovr9000percentcooler,

@,

 

Scribbler swallowed a mouthful of potato, then spoke up "I'm a practitioner of magic and spell writing, I like to create art on the side too sometimes. The focus throughout my life has been following in the hoofsteps of princess Twilight, her use of magic is an inspiration to all magic users across Equestria. I got my cutie mark way back, when I wrote my first working spell. The portal spell.. It's like a teleport, but you can go anywhere you've been before, no matter the distance. It was something I had been doing since I was a foal, but I couldn't control it until I studied magic, and began to understand it better. Now I can do it upon command, but it takes a lot of concentration and energy, and it can only be used for one's self." He paused, looking around. "You've gone rambling again scribbler" He thought. "er..what about you, Muddle? What's your story?" He smiled, hoping to finally learn something more about this odd mare.

[Hastur 505]

Subject 888 had just entered the building when he noticed that there where others, he hid before anypony could notice him. He hadn't approached anypony because of his lack of cutie mark.  He saw them eating, " Damn, I'm hungry" he thought, then his stomach growled.  Subject 888 made a pokerface hoping that nopony heard him, but that was pretty loud.

[Contrast 292]

@@Midnight Scribbler,@@ovr9000percentcooler, @, (ah the perfect diversion) @,

 

Muddle was thinking when she heard her name called,

 

what about you, Muddle? What's your story?"

She looked up and noticed everypony in the room staring at her, awaiting an answer to a question that she wished could be left unsaid. "M-my story?" She looked to her right and left to be sure that the question was directed towards her, and to her dismay it was. "Your the only mare named Muddle!" Her shadow screamed. "Well," She started. Her eyes were glancing around the room, looking for a shadow she couldn't find. "What do I say..."  

 

She noticed a black stallion looming in the door way, looking hungrily at the groups food. From somewhere she could find, Muddle heard her shadow say, "Just listen to me when you want to avoid..."

 

"Oh! look who's that?" She said while pointing, hoping to divert the groups attention. She couldn't see it, but Muddle heard a loud continuous thump. She assumed it could only be her shadow's head against a table. "I hand you this stuff on a silver platter, and still! What idiot's going to fall for that..."

Edited November 13, 2013 by danzxc123

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@ovr9000percentcooler,

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Scribbler looked over to the entrance "Who's there?" He got up from the couch and trotted around the corner to see who was in his home aside from the ponies he'd invited in. The shape slid into the hallway around the corner, and all he could hear was a faint grumbling, like somepony's empty stomach. He wasn't sure if he was hallucinating again, but Muddle had seen him too. "Who are you? Show yourself!"

Edited November 13, 2013 by Midnight Scribbler

[Contrast 292]

@@Midnight Scribbler,@,@@ovr9000percentcooler,

 

Shadow looked up at Muddle. Who was smiling confidently towards where she heard the loud noise on the table. "Please continue." She thought.

 

Her shadow's only response to Muddle's thought was to continue banging it held against the table, until it fainted. That was twice in the same day Muddle had been right, and it was determined to beat it's head in until things started to make sense.