2/27/16; Hunting a Nightmare

Discord Draconequus could not rest much after Luna had left to her duties for the evening. He was, by insistence of a small dragon, roused with a vicious bite to his ear. He fed her some tea to sooth her hungry belly, lulling her to sleep. He had tried feeding her pieces of her egg's shell, which were ruby. It seemed it was not what the shell was made of, but surrounded in. Dragons were odd. Maybe she had been meant to be born alone, left with a bit of food -- but she refused it. He was unsure what to do. He had to go to the department -- but how in Equestria was he going to sneak a baby dragon in? She was quiet enough to keep somewhere in his small office, but getting in the front door would be a grand old adventure. Well, damn it all. Shifting to his unicorn form within the confines of the princess' room the baby dragon reached up to grab his horn. He smirked. "Yes, yes we're going for a ride." He raised her to his back with his magic and teleported to the front of the police department.
Discord Draconequus was greeted by his subordinates. "Hey boss what is th--" But with a sharp glare the simple ponies were hypnotized. "A doll I won at the Hearts and Hooves Festival-- isn't it adorable. The spiny eyed officer blinked, squinting at the dragon a bit. "Oh.. wow it's pretty good craftsponyship. Thought it was real for a moment." The young officer provided. Disc---Strife did love working among the feebleminded knaves. He laughed and trotted toward his office, horn aglow with his hypnosis. The baby had fallen asleep again, as they did. His room was located in the back most part of the precinct. The walls were a dry plaster, the lamp just above his door flickering. On the frosted window only sat his title: Detective, his name's glyph's scratched out leaving only his initials legible: D.S. Pushing inside he was greeted by the dull, grey interior.
Discord Draconequus had nothing in terms of decoration, save for perhaps a small cactus that sat upon the window, open to the night breeze. A few papers danced around his office, flown from the top of the unstained, ash wood desk. A single file cabinet sat beside the window, on top an empty cupcake box, frosting stale and hardened on its side. Shelves were sparsely filled: books of psychology, puzzles, and riddles of varying kinds. A brown quill was tucked into a fedora that hung from the coat rack by the door, the fedora sharing the dull grey of the walls, matching the officer's fur. He looked around before his magic slammed the door shut. All he had to do today was some paperwork to catch up with the incident at the bakery. It put him behind on many things due to the raise of questions that came with the holes in his investigation. He used his muzzle to pull the cushion from his seat and laid it beneath the desk. After a bit of finagling he would manage to lay the baby dragon there.
Discord Draconequus settled on his seat when the baby relaxed on the pillow. Using his magic he levitated the scattered papers, using his inkwell to weigh them down. The quill would be levitated from his hat, only to be dipped into the ink. eye twitching a bit at the red tape, he facedesk'd, laying there a moment. "Faust send me to Tartarus..." Ugh.

Princess Luna had enough time to think things over a little, at least in the matter of trying to find Shining Armor. He couldn't have gone out of the castle, which narrowed down their places to search. The castle itself was quite large, with levels going in to the mountain itself- even Starswirl the Bearded had a place hidden in the castle that expanded into the caves. There was also the lower levels: the secure Vault, the dungeons, perhaps something of a basement and the caves themselves. Luna leaned her chin on one bent foreleg as she peered down at her papers- one a diagram of the castle from when it was built that she had brought to her. It would take quite some time.. and Discord seemed uninterested in helping, though he seemed to know something.
Princess Luna had to deal with this task before anything else. Princess Cadance was beside herself with fear and worry, something that could not be good for her unborn; she felt sour for how Cadance treated those around her in such a state. Luna could only hope that finding Shining would set her straight, perhaps open her eyes to apologizing for once. The moonbringer snorted and set the scrolls aside. Princess Twilight could help with the search, but yet she might have to remain with Cadance to keep her in place and give her comfort. It might be better that way. Celestia would be busy. There was another pony she could ask, perhaps one just right for the job, should he not be too busy.. but it would be worth asking anyway. Luna nodded to herself and stood, descending the throne to make her way through the castle to the outside. She was forced to walk the way into town for the department and hoped the detective was in.

Discord Draconequus settled his hooves on his desk, eyes tracing along the sheets. It was a clear and cool night so he was able to keep his window wide open. The stars were lovely tonight, but it had made his mind drift to the princess. Her injuries were fault of his. Had he perhaps been more predicting during the circumstance he could have kept her from harm's way. "...ponies in harm's way, huh?" Well, fat lot of good he did. He had left a few holes in his reports, but he had been a little distracted as of late. Worries of love and what it was worth. Reaching up he brushed his hoof against his mane, his nerves rattled, but he was otherwise calm. Giving his brown quill another dip in the ink he brought it toward his face, staring at the old feather. He idly considered changing it out, anything to distract himself from his current efforts. At least the baby was asleep and did not make noise.
Discord Draconequus drawing his red eyes back toward the document he came across a few names, unfamiliar. "He had a daughter?" He murmured, moving to his file cabinet to search for the Baker's file. His name was --what again? Goo Frozen? No, Goo, Jewel... Blue! Blue Frosting. As he searched, the front offices were quite busy. An unusual night, but after the explosion it had stirred up a few rats nests, looking to take over the area now that the corner stone of black totem smuggling was out of the game. A young officer sitting at the front desk looked up, only to beheld by the sight of one, of the two, of their beautiful princesses. He parted his muzzle in gasp. 'Y-your highness! Of...what do we owe this p-pleasure.' She scuffled nervously, the poor earth pony dropping his mug of coffee. The female unicorn beside him, behind the desk, rolled her eyes.
Discord Draconequus tried not to isolate himself when he was in the precinct, but sometimes it was too easy. he felt his head spinning, unable to deal with all this -- bureaucracy. He'd divvy up some false reports. It would be a faster means to an end. Opening the bottom drawer in the cabinet he pulled out a box of Rum Chocolates. Using his magic to balance the folder and chocolates he settled back at his desk. The manila folder opened up as he read over the file. The earth pony fumbled, trying to keep his head about him. 'There isn't anything -- wrong princess?' This young officer was one of the few under Strife's directive. He was well aware of the corrupt means in which the officer worked, but it did put a lot of really bad ponies away, but the guilt still consumed him day by day. The female Unicorn was there longer than him, she was used to it.
Discord Draconequus considered her rather level headed so often turned to her to push the others back in line who thought it would be a good idea to rat the disguised spirit out. It also helped she was weak-willed and easily hypnotized. 'What can I do for you princess?' The unicorn called brightly. 'I'm his senior officer. We work reception. Are you here for pleasantries or business, your liege?' She smiled.

Princess Luna found the building easily enough, it differed slightly from the others- more business than decorative. The princess entered through the double doors, ducking her head briefly beneath the curved top; most doorways were made for normal sized ponies. Her arrival seemed to have made a bit of a fuss, forcing the princess to smile reassuringly to those who greeted her. "No.. well, yes there is." Luna began, trying to keep up with their eagerness to help. "I am here on business, I fear, and I wish to speak to the detective, Strife. Something released in the castle a couple of months ago requires some.. assistance in tracking down." Luna kept out the more important details before any of them made a fuss about the disappearance of a prince. "Many others that could help me are a little tied up. Where is his office?"

Discord Draconequus's subordinates looked to each other. The Earth Pony was a bit nervous, but he just seemed the sort, which was probably why he was a desk jockey. The Unicorn female hummed. 'Well I don't know what the detective can do -- after all the night guard--' They never got along, so often kept separate practices and refused to share information with each other. 'But if the princess of the night is personally asking, I'm sure he'd be honored, or annoyed. Don't mind the boss. Heard he was raised in a gully.' She chuckled and lead the princess down the corridors toward a less occupied sector of the precinct. 'I hope it's nothing too troubling princess, I mean if you're coming to us it's not something the Night Guard can handle?' She questioned.

Princess Luna's gaze flicked between the two curiously as they answered her, appearing uncertain about it. Amusement flickered across her still faintly smiling lips and followed after the mare, once it became apparent she would be able to speak with him. "The Night Guard are busy keeping everypony who lives and works in the castle safe, but so far we have seen not a glimpse of the creature. It may be hiding down deeper, and I do not want to risk the lives of my guard if I can help it. Nor anypony in the law, but I feel ser Strife can help me track it down." Luna answered smoothly.

Zoetic Flicker let out a bit of a yawn as she was regrettably led by one of the department ponies. She'd curled up in the ruins of her home and had, unfortunately, been discovered! How would she have known that there might have been ponies investigating there still?! Much less unicorn with detection spells! At least the guard had been kind enough to let her retrieve Teddy-Ursa! The bear was as lifeless as any other stuffed toy, and looked marginally even more creepy since one of his button eyes had fallen off the night before. She hadn't had a chance to give him his eye back.... Whether the bear thought to stay silent would be amusing or not she was given no warning. She would walk right into the leg of Luna and let out a bit of an 'eep'. The guard she'd been with had mysteriously disappeared, drawn off to something else... The filly was safe in the precinct no? Realizing she ran into a pony the filly's ears perked. "I'm sorry!" Of course she had no idea just 'who' she ran into. Couldn't see...

Discord Draconequus had finally found what he was looking for, but it was a little inconsistent. There wasn't any sign of Blue Frosting having a family, but there were reports of signs of a child living in his home when officers under his jurisdiction visited. So what did that mean? Was...was there a child-- there had been no reports of anypony being inside at the time, upstairs or downstairs. He scrambled about his office, cheek full of rum candy, only for the baby beneath his desk to sit. His brows raised as he ducked under. "Shh, shh..baby." He reached out his hoof to stroke her feathers. Her whining stopped for now, luckily. 'I see...' The mare smiled weakly. 'Well I am glad the princess is such a kind pony.' She raised her hoof to knock at the door before pushing it open with her magic. 'Boss, the princess is here to see--' Strife was startled.
Discord Draconequus moved quickly to get out from under the desk, but hit himself rather hard. "Buck me!" He spat, biding his tongue, but the dragon didn't move... "...five ways til Tuesday." He grunted and sat back on his seat, rubbing the top of his head. The Unicorn mare's face was flushed, brows narrowed. She cleared her throat. 'Real bucking nice sir, you kiss your mother with that muzzle?' Oh, well it seemed it was just a think. "Chicken feathers lieutenant, my mother is dead. What do yo--" Oh... well buck. "Princess, this is an unexpected -- pleasure." He cleared his throat as the Unicorn mare laughed out. "Yes thank you lieutenant, you may go induct ritual suicide to regain your boss' honor." She gave a mock salute and trotted out. The foal in question would likely bump into the Earth Pony who had hurried from behind his cubicle to fetch the mare, but was not expecting a child of all things.
Discord Draconequus narrowed his eyes, resting his dark hooves on the desk, sighing glumly. "Of what do I owe this esteemed pleasure your hi--ghness." Had to bite back the 'hiney' comment because god of chaos in disguise, but he really -- really was tired of this bureaucracy, red-tapped, goose-stepping parade. The commissioner had pushed him to get everything in order because they were being 'investigated' for corruption. Ha! His branch was the least corrupted in Equestria, thank you very much. The Earth Pony let out a yelp. 'Luna's hind end Jumper.' The mare hissed as she walked up to the scene. Ironically he was quite a jumpy fellow, but was an athletic sort, skilled at high jumps. 'Don't worry about it darlin', he's a nervous nelly. How can I help you sweetie? What are you doin' wanderin' alone?' She cooed.
Discord Draconequus's weak willed Earth assistant scuffled to his hooves. 'Oh sorry filly... Shock watch your mouth around her..f-foals are impressionable you know?' He flinched back when she glared at him. 'I-I...nevermind.' He mumbled, looking to the foal. 'Oh, this is the filly they found squatting at the bakery.' he noted 'Awww,' Shock cooked. 'Poor baby, who would leave such a cute thing all alone?' Shock had an affection for tiny cute things. Not like Jumper, who was a big, muscular Earth Pony but scared of his own shadow.

Princess Luna couldn't think of anything to say to that, so she remained silent the rest of the way to Strife's office in the back. She missed the poor blind filly's approach, unfortunately, due to the interference of the stallion from the front desk. They reached the detective's door, and Luna was submitted to quite colorful language from both ponies- they'd snuck up on Strife. Luna smiled a little awkwardly at their familiarity, waiting until the mare had gone to step into Strife's dark office. She made to close the door behind her, wishing to avoid any possible eavesdropping. "Forgive me for the intrusion, detective, but I have come to ask for your help." Luna began, scuffing a hoof. "I will understand if you are far too busy to assist me, but Prince Shining Armor has been missing for around two months now. He went after a nightmare that was released within the castle, and we have seen hide nor hair of either of them since. My own.. busy schedule has prevented me from acting sooner," Princess Luna of course meant when she'd been stuck as a filly, but Strife didn't know that, "but now it is dire enough that I must act no matter what gets in my way. Any others that may be able to search will be busy with other things, and the guard to protect the castle- but I may appoint some in a search party."

Zoetic Flicker ducked away when she heard the loud yelp! The yelp had been somewhat loud and given that the filly couldn't see the subject it caused her to shrink back in fright. For all she knew it could be somepony that would hurt her! And the addition of another voice saying something about Princess Luna's hind in didn't help much! Just as she was about to reply to the first set of questions that were put out she was somewhat cut off by the other pony throwing in where they found her. She adjusted Teddy-Ursa upon her back, the bear lolling against her head and 'staring' at the two ponies 'lifelessly' but still rather creepily. "I-I wasn't squatting!... That was my home." she'd say with a bit of a cross voice. She didn't know what happened, just that everything had been destroyed! She couldn't even find her cot in the basement! There was like.. nothing left down there so she'd had to settle with laying on the ashes! She just wanted her cot back and... somewhere safe to lay down for the night.

Discord Draconequus knew more than the princess -- cared for. He had some time to think about it since last night and were he truly honest wit himself he could not keep lying-- hi hiding the truth from his friend. But he couldn't have her finding out about him. His horn lit up a bit, hovering the box of rum chocolates to the princess. "You need to relax yourself princess. While I am sure Equestria and the Crystal Empire are -- allies, is their missing prince really out concern?" He brushed it off for a moment. "I understand that it is problematic if he disappeared while on Equestrian soils, but if there was no signs of foul play I am sure he is well..." He let his quill draw over a clean parchment as it levitated toward him, the objects surrounded in his white magic. While he manipulated the paper and quill, he seemed more than capable of levitating the chocolates. For a ill-trained service unicorn, he certain had skill with his micromanaging of objects.
Discord Draconequus wrote down the princesses' worries regardless of his dismissiveness and glanced up to her. "Now when you say nightmare, my dear lunar deity, you cannot possibly mean -- an actual nightmare?" He paused. "Even for magic -- that seems a bit, absurd." He pressed. "Maybe the Prince was -- unhappy? Were there problems in his union with the Crystal Empire Princess? I know his sister is the Princess of Friendship, perhaps there is strain among them?" While Discord knew very well how strong their ... pony bonds were, Strife was indeed as he was: a dictatorial drive of logic. Discord's worst quality and one he only used to abuse ponies with! The two officers looked to each other. The mare frowned. 'What irresponsible adults!' She moved her hooves to smoosh the foal's cheeks as she laid on the ground. Jumper swallowed nervously.
Discord Draconequus's subordinates were -- strange, but a bit of madness made them easier for the time god to control. Sheogorathian puppets really. "'U-um, Shock? Your flank...' He pointed, the mare waggling her plot in the air just ecstatic by the foal's presence. She stood up, fast, and swung her hoof at Jumper's face. He stood there and took the hit, whining. 'Shock...' She sneered. 'You know that didn't hurt you lummox!' She looked down at the girl. 'Come on sweetie, I think we'll take you to the boss, you hear? He can do something. He was the one in charge of finding out what clod case burned your cute little bakery.' but Shock looked to Jumper who nervously returned the look. They knew very well that that place was a den of thieves. but having a foal there? What kind of backwards, Celestia worshiping madness was that? 'Come on sweetie.' She moved her hoof gently to lead her toward his office.
Discord Draconequus had his own problems. It had been at least a day sine the dragon's hatching and all its had naught but tea. While being still sort of lethargic in general it did not burn out much of the energy the tea gave it -- but it was not enough. She began to whine and squirm under his desk. Strife slammed his hoof on the surface. "Princess you do realize that's poppycock!" He blurted to hide the whine, his fur nearly had bristled in surprise. below the baby sat up rubbing her eyes. It was hard to see anything but she could hear and smell the one she slept next to.

Princess Luna's face darkened a little in a mixture of emotions at being waved off by the detective. She gave the box of rum chocolates a look and lifted a hoof to gently nudge it back towards the stallion, uninterested in their sweet call. "It is my concern, and the concern of Princesses Celestia and Twilight. If he has been missing this long, I cannot imagine how he is surviving when he has not resurfaced anywhere." Luna stated solidly, shaking her head. "Their marriage is just fine- in fact, the whole reason for their visit was to bring us good news. I do not know where the nightmare has come from, only that it is free and a dange-." The lunar deity was cut off by Strife's abrupt outburst and she flinched back, her good wing half poised for flight. "... Poppycock, detective? I assure you there is no relationship strain.. Prince Shining went after the creature, and that is all we know!" Luna flattened her wing back. "I came to you because I thought you could help me, as it is your job, but I understand if you cannot. If it is a no, then I shall be on my way. My apologies for disturbing you."

Zoetic Flicker found herself under assault! But not in the way that she had initially feared....Her cheeks were smushed by the hooves of one of the adults even as the bear's sightless gaze almost seemed to begin to radiate malice at the only pony still in 'sight'. One of the subordinates, apparently named Shock, said something about the mare's flank only for said mare to stand and then the next thing she heard was the 'smack' of hoof upon face! Adult ponies were strange... she had always known that...The filly turned her head up to the voice that spoke to her and quickly nodded. The sooner this was sorted out the sooner she could go home! Thus she allowed herself to be led by the mare. Teddy-ursa was forced to shift and found its 'gaze' focused on Shock.... If the 'possessed' bear could stare daggers it would. It didn't like creatures scaring Zoetic! And even if they were nice now... ~ adults always turned on them! His little mistress was just too naive to know this! The silly filly tried again, and again, and again! But it was always his job as her protector to... well... protect her! One of these ponies would inevitably harm her... she only needed him in the end!.. Button eyes stared on...

Discord Draconequus hesitated. "Luna!" He reeled back, pulling his hooves over his mouth. he lost himself a moment. He wasn't Discord. he wasn't him. He was just a wretched, law abiding (trolling) citizen. "Y.." he cleared his throat. "You need not be so hasty in your actions. If you were to hurt yourself again because of your reckless pride..." He sighed, calming himself. "You are an important figure to the ponies that live under the moon. While you may not see it many of those here look up to you, any pony provided the light of the even, as much as the ones given the light of the day. None wish to see that which they look up to -- harmed. It does not show weakness to bow down from things too big for you to handle. I never said -- I wouldn't help, just that... if you were hurt again I --" There was a knock at his door, his eyes rolling as it was pushed open.
Discord Draconequus's subordinates stepped in. 'Sorry boss, the lil foal here, it's the baker's kid.' Strife looked down to his folder, brows twisting. Oh. Well. he looked around, not having anywhere comfortable for her to sit. The only cushion he had was being used by the baby... "Right.. sit her here." He pointed to the seat across from him and moved to walk around his desk toward the mare of night, his magic sliding out the chair. If the filly needed the older stallion would help lift her to the seat. "Princess," He softly granted. "You must learn to ask questions before rushing in. You cannot be blind to the forces that manipulate the world around you. You may be a princess of justice and good, but there are kings of terror and chaos that slip beneath your shoes." And with Strife walked from the baby, she growled. Where had he gone? She couldn't see very well so when he was too far from her--- Shock and Jumper looked at him as if he made the noise. 'Boss are you infa--'
Discord Draconequus glared at them, horn crackling. Jumper 'eep'ed and ran off, Shock laughing as her comment was swallowed. 'Right boss.' She pranced out, pulling the door closed behind her.

Princess Luna stopped, mid-step from turning away. She hadn't said that to make him react in that way, for she genuinely didn't want to force him to do a job he didn't want to do. But she stopped for him, looking back quizzically as he went on to speak- interrupted by an abrupt knock at the door. The two from the front of the office were back, and with them was a small filly carrying a teddy-ursa. Luna moved aside for them, surprised. The daughter of that baker? How could he have had a child around all of that dark magic paraphernalia? "I.. see." Luna cleared her throat once the two were gone. "I understand your concerns, detective, but you are speaking with one who deals in dreams and nightmares. It is my responsibility alone to deal with it, for I am the only one with the power to do so. Should I be injured, it will be for the good of all others and, most of all, Princess Cadance." Her child was left out, unsure of how far that news may have gone. Princess Luna sighed through her nose, straightening to her fullest height. "I am well aware of the dangers and I am willing to face them. I only need assistance from those who are capable to do what must be done."

Zoetic Flicker lingered out in the hall as the two ponies that had been guiding her stepped into the office and... introduced her. She could almost feel the tense atmosphere as she fidgeted upon her hooves uncomfortably. It took one of the two ponies coming back to retrieve her from her spot before she'd enter the office. She 'looked' around to give Teddy a brief look about and walked to the chair. She probably looked somewhat ridiculous attempting to climb up onto the somewhat high chair all by herself but she was a stubborn filly even if her hooves slipped a lot. It wasn't like the blindfolded filly could see where to put said hooves! By some miracle she climbed up and held Teddy-Ursa in her forelegs. This gave the teddy a good 'view' of the room and the two adults hopefully. He'd protect her, r-right?! She listened, curious about all this talk of a princess. Little did she know she was sitting in a room with one of said princesses.... and she didn't even know it!

Discord Draconequus folded his ears back, stepping back a bit when she turned. His brows furrowed. For a split second there was a soft expression on his face before it returned to its natural grump. "Yes, well given you are injured and likely to do so -- again, I will offer my assistance." He snorted, hoof scuffing on the ground before he turned to the filly. He stared at her a moment. He turned his head, horn aglow as he pulled open his desk's draw, floating out some truffle chocolates. Where did this pony keep all-- nevermind. He hovered the box, opening it in front of the filly. "Here you go foal. Now are you hurt?" While Discord did not have any care for ponies, these were just foals. He seemed to have a better time handling them, and fare less destructive with them. "You must be flustered. Shock and Jumper are the most disgraceful... officers..." He hissed, back hoof stomping. Eeps were heard from behind the door, while Shock cackled. Their hooves galloped away. "Are most brutish."
Discord Draconequus looked to Luna. "Dear Luna would you mind fetching her a cup of water." He motioned to the old sink in the corner. While the officer turned back toward the girl, the baby dragon peeked around from behind the desk, looking around, but with its little squint glance -- it could not see.

Princess Luna. There was a moment she thought she saw something on the detective's face, but it was gone so quickly she couldn't be sure of what she saw. "Of course. I will pay you handsomely with there being such danger." It was the least she felt she could do now that he'd agreed to it- it almost made her feel as though she had pressured him into it. Luna glanced towards the sink and nodded, excusing herself to fetch a cup of water for Strife- or perhaps for the foal. Luna allowed the water to run from the faucet for a moment, making sure it was clear, before the cup was levitated beneath. Once filled, she returned to the desk and handed it over to the detective. He was busy speaking with the child, who Luna paid a little closer attention to. She looked.. startlingly familiar, but her eyes were covered. What had happened to her?

Zoetic Flicker took a moment or two to realize that a treat was being held in front of her! However she smiled and her own horn lit up with magic as she took the treat herself. At the question if she was hurt she hook her head. "N-No Sir. I wasn't home whenever... whatever it was happened! I came home to find my father gone and my home in shambles... My cot in the basement was gone to." she scuffed her hoof upon the chair. Meanwhile 'teddy' continued to 'stare' at the stallion where she held him. Damned ponies trying to get close to hurt the filly! Always trying to hurt her! If teddy could have a 'grr' face he would...

Discord Draconequus sneered at her words. How oppressing. Who would lock a foal up anywhere like that? Even he was treated better than that -- as a child. The unicorn turned his head to levitate the cup of water from Luna. "Shame on those terrible ponies causing you such trouble." he would levitate the water close to her. The spirit in disguise glared at the doll before smiling at her. "I do admit it was my fault for not being more --careful in inspecting the dangers lurking the city." But they could not just leave her about nor take her to the castle. Baokros was an exception due to the bell. Discord had his suspicions. His talk of structures and well bred nature even at such an age -- he was being housed somewhere. A runaway, deviant. Ah but this little thing was a victim of circumstance.
Discord Draconequus raised his hoof to settle under her chin so he could life her head and better examine her face. "Why don't you tell uncle Strife everything. Do you have a mummy? Your papa got into a bit of trouble so we have to ask him questions before he can go -- home." He almost rolled his eyes. The baby dragon waddled out from behind the desk, following the smell and sound of running water. Reaching her claws up she would move to grab Luna's tail to use her to climb into the sink. The guised officer was distracted with the foal. "Would you like something warm to eat? I can get the irresponsible, dutiless duo to fetch you anything you'd desire." He was also quite more lenient with children. Foals were not at fault for the rules adults made...

Princess Luna pinned her ears back as she mulled over the implications. The foal was possibly blind, or blinded, living in the basement of a pastry shop around many a dark magic tomb or object. Who could do such a thing? "What a terrible creature, torturing such a poor, innocent youth." Luna murmured, her head bowed a little. Her gaze shifted to the bear on the child's back, who was missing one of his button eyes. It was too bad she had no means to repair it, a small kindness.. though there was something else about the bear as well. A.. presence about it. Her brow furrowed a little in puzzlement, but before she could do or think more on it, she felt a tugging on her tail. Who dares.. ? Luna turned her head to glance behind her, expecting to find somepony trying to get her attention.. and found nopony. Still there was a pulling on her tail, like a weight. Luna curved her body to look.. and found the baby dragon. What?! Had it somehow.. followed her? No, it had been asleep with Discord. Yet how? Why was it here? The princess turned a little towards it, reaching out with a hoof. "Strife.. ?"

Zoetic Flicker smiled and took the proffered water, drinking deeply! She hadn't had much around... But alas the filly locked up whenever the hoof touched her chin. He hadn't even known he was reaching out! The angry chaos leaking from the bear spiked as well. The stallion touched her! If it weren't for the fact there was a friggin princess here teddy would smash the puny pony's face in! Alas the bear was now focused upon strife exclusively, the magical presence all but glaring daggers. "I-I u-used to have a m-mum... But she got mad whenever Daddy brought me home from one of his jobs and gave me my cot downstairs... Then she disappeared one night. S-She named me..." She pulled the hellion of a Teddy-Ursa tight to her chest in a bit of a hug even as she told 'uncle strife' that information. She perked up at the mention of food... "I-I would like s-some." She never knew these past few years why but food always seemed to taste somewhat... hollow. She was nervous, and teddy wasn't helping...

Discord Draconequus sneered at what she spoke. This really only did well to make the disguised, discordant spirit revolt at ponies and their laws, their regulations. Were it him in charge he'd just smite them all! Maybe he can convince Luna she needed more smiting her her life! As if on cue she called to him. He glanced back as the baby water dragon made her climb and flopped into the sink. She pawed about searching for the faucet's dial and opened it. She happily relaxed as the sink filled. His muzzle parted, but closed. Stay cool. Please let marshmallow Luna be present to day. "Yes, princess~?" There was a curl to his voice. "What's the matter? I know her predicament is -- unpleasant, but these are things I generally deal with, ever day." he walked to his door, using his magic to open it, ignoring the fact there was a baby dragon in his office. "Jumper! Bring me my lunch, and stop trying to sneak bits! You lummox..." 'Eep! Y-yes sir!' His hoof falls could be heard as he stumbled in.
Discord Draconequus's subordinate trotted in and set the lunchbox on the desk. He laughed nervously. "Thank you. Next time try not to come in with evidence on your muzzle. You got a smear, right here." He hoofed the male's cheek and shoved him out the office. 'Sorry, boss. bye your majesty... oof!' Strife slammed the door and used his magic to push the foal's chair toward his desk. "Eat up kid." Yup he was going to ignore it. His tail flicked as he looked to the girl. "Can you tell me anything else about the place you lived? That is -- we won't be able to send you back, so maybe -- if you tell us something we can find you one like it, or better." When the sink was full the baby closed the faucet and laid there, relaxing. Nothing strange here. Luna was seeing things.

Princess Luna kept an eye on baby blue, making sure that at no point she slipped or fell to the floor. If any harm came to the baby dragon, Discord would have a fit! Judging if he still cared for it, that was. She had no idea how it got there, or why it was here. Did he lose it? "It is not that.. but you have a baby dragon in thy sink!" The princess exclaimed, half twisting towards him and gesturing with one silver-shod hoof. Strife didn't seem too concerned with it, far busier with tending to the blind filly and her teddy than the baby dragon. Luna did a double-take, clearly confused. It was there, in the sink, happily enjoying the water it had drawn for itself. Briefly, she felt that spike in the strange presence rolling off of the little teddy-ursa that the filly now clutched, and Luna was torn on what she should be more concerned with.

Zoetic Flicker was initially distracted by the food that had been offered. Something that she'd had just a liiiiittle difficulty getting a hold of since her father disappeared and was apparently arrested. Served him right... The filly made a face and looked to where the voice of Strife came from. "I-I... well... It was a bakery and then downstairs was a peculiar shop. All of the patrons seemed rather shady... I-I mean, there was one regular who sounded nice but the rest of them sounded like the ponies that the fliers talk about." she'd say as she munched on a bit of the food. Alas her train of thought was broken as she eeped. "A baby dragon?!" She leapt upon her chair. With a flash somehow BOTH the chair and the blindfolded filly were now at the sink with her precariously standing upon the side as if too see. Of course that was a futile effort ... She lost her proper footing and fell into the filled sink face-first herself! Oops... She left teddy on the desk...

Discord Draconequus looked to Luna as she seemed rather distressed. "As you have said princess. A baby dragon. Harmless. Could we perhaps return to the matter at hoof?" The girl did have some interesting information, and way more talkative than the bag of fleas he has in the basement. Oh did he forget to bring him breakfast, and lunch today? Whoops! And here was the foal eating the dinner he brought for the scab. Oh well. He gave a shrug. One day never killed anypony. "Why thank--" Before he could thank the foal she warped toward the sink where the baby played, laughing and splashing happily. Strife rolled his eyes and trotted toward the sink. The baby looked up, sniffing out the familiar scent. It cooed, full of love and affection for the caregiver. He folded his ears back, raising his hoof.
Discord Draconequus brushed her feathers atop her head, making it wiggle and splash more. All the cheer from the baby! Though she was about Spike's age, because of the abnormal shoot her speech was -- not yet formed. "I have been searching for what to feed her, but alas I am not an earth pony. I do not speak -- dragon." He does but she did not yet speak. He glanced away. "I found it outside." And -- that was a remorseful truth! Discord had found the egg, originally outside! He could avoid lying to the princess! Ahahah! Also her face, she seemed distressed. This amused him greatly. "You're..." he leaned close to the princess while the foal placated herself with the laughing baby. "Aren't afraid of dragons are you, my dear moon child?"

Princess Luna turned a gawking stare onto Strife when he acknowledged that there was a baby dragon in his sink, but didn't seem to care a whit. The princess dropped her hoof at once, and didn't budge until the filly had zipped her way over. She had to act quickly to pull the poor girl out of the water, just so she didn't end up.. drowning somehow. The sink was shallow enough, something perfect for a baby dragon sure, but why take the chance? "Outside.. ?" Luna replied hesitantly, eyes back on Strife. Had Discord abandoned the poor thing? The lady considered telling Strife she knew who it belonged to, but after his clear disbelief in Discord's existence before.. No, there was no point in bothering. "No, I am not. Do you know what kind of dragon it is, then? It may eat gems." She suggested helplessly, placing Zoe back onto the chair she'd fallen from.

Zoetic Flicker sputtered and coughed as she was thankfully pulled from the sink by one of the ponies! The filly sat on the chair dripping only to rub at her now soaked blindfold! Oooh that was going to be annoying! She rubbed at the cloth but then heard a squeak from the 'baby dragon' she tried to tentatively reach a hoof out to touch said dragon! The conversation between the two adults was on the back-burner for the moment even as she heard a torrent of rage coming from teddy! He didn't like being left on the table like that! Angry chaos-possessed to was angry!

Discord Draconequus turned his head, a small drying cloth hanging from the wall near the sink. If one took care to look around the pantry above would be stripped bare of its paint, the odor bent in and slightly open. By the cobwebs there had been nopony in them for a time. No food, not even a good dusting. Much of the office was either in disrepair or mild-disrepair. The chairs were wobbly and the desk had a shot glass holding it level on the ground. "Well -- by its clamoring to get into the water -- a water dragon." Though he hadn't taken notice until the stubborn acts around water. Also that seething sass was marked with a smirk. "If I could afford to carry around gems princess, I'd certainly have given it a banquet-- but no. It doesn't seem to like them. At a loss what to do with her." He really was. "But I'll keep trying. I'm heading home after my shift so I'll ask my roommates." Maybe the cockatrice knew, or the Star Spiders. He hovered the rag to the foal to dry her off. "Poor thing. Come on, let'
Discord Draconequus--let's finish eating." he would move and attempt to lift her with his magic to carry her back to the table. That stupid doll was getting on his nerves. "Eat up and we'll set you up with one of the social workers for the night... or you can room with Shock. She's good with foals, plus she's a foster parent fr emergencies like these." He looked to Luna. "Perhaps we can turn our focus from the dragon a moment my moona~" He turned back to his desk to walk around. "I can help you tonight, but not very long, given my new dragonsitting duties."

Princess Luna gave the baby dragon another look, ponderous as she rejoined the other two back at the desk. She seated herself in front of it, something easy enough for somepony as tall as her to do without requiring a chair. The little endearment, or nickname? drew a curious glance but Luna said nothing on it as she quietly puzzled things over. "You need not help tonight if you truly cannot, perhaps tomorrow I shall try to mount a search for the prince." Luna addressed first. If the baby was a water dragon, what did water dragons eat- furthermore, what did anything that thrived in the water eat? "Aquatic plants? Fish?"

Zoetic Flicker looked between the two and quirked her head to the side some. She didn't know what was going on! She quickly retrieved Teddy when she was brought back to the table though. The smell of the food was indeed quite enticing. Unfortunately it tasted just as hollow as it always did... Why?! The filly let out a bit of a sigh and busied herself with her munching. The conversation the adults were having was serious! "M-maybe teddy could help!" she offered... if they ran into trouble a teddy could help them!

Discord Draconequus walked around and seated himself behind his desk. "Yes well... I don't really have access to -- sea plants." Though his roommates had fish -- lots of fish. Leftover, especially after that Hearts and Hooves fiasco. He tapped his hoof on the desk. "I will try your suggestion my dear Moona." So long as he got away with it--- Glancing to the foal, he raised his brows, furrowing the ma bit as a smile curled on his face. "Do yo know what's great about foals, little filly? That they don't involve themselves with adults. While not all adults are so -- many are dangerous and can hurt you. While I appreciate your offer--" He wanted to burn that bear -- "Your bear cannot be with us, without you." he motioned his hoof. Foal logic, that was what he was using-- unaware the bear was a necessary totem for her. "Nor could I bring you to the dangerous place the bear has to be. You can go home with Shock okay? She would never let a filly come to harm. Plus Jumper is her roommate."
Discord Draconequus chuckled how the pair were quite useful. A big stupid horse and a sharp mouthed wee unicorn with a short temper at adults. Really the perfect tools. "I need to speak with my guest, but you can come back to work with Miss Shock. She'll give you all the love and attention you can handle until your teeth fall out -- figuratively." Cause foals. He cleared his throat, the baby looked up, only to growl and whine. It didn't like being far from the spirit in disguise. He levitated her the water, not bothering to dry her as he floated the dripping water dragon over the princess and back under his desk where he set her on the pillow. "As for you," Looking to Luna. "We shall go investigate the castle, you and I. No others. there's no telling what loudmouth would go about alerting others of the possibility of a foreign prince being... lost." he withdrew his darker words before the foal.

Princess Luna felt that Canterlot was not the best place to be raising a baby water dragon, the only places that would have fish were petshops or decorative ponds. Somepony like Strife would had to descend the mountain to one of the rivers to go fishing and store up.. Luna nodded distractedly and settled to listen while Strife talked to the filly, determining a safe place for her to go. "They seem like quite nice ponies." Luna put in kindly. The idea of searching for Shining and the nightmare alone seemed a lot better than summoning up the guard- Strife had a good point. "Yes, that will work fine."

Zoetic Flicker shook her head! "Nah-nah! Teddy will be able to help even if I'm not there! You'll see! ~ He turns into this biiiiig monster teddy and hits things that try to hurt me!" she smiled and hopped as she munched on the food. When it was mentioned again that she'd be going with Shock, and that Jumper was her roomie the filly beamed. They seemed like nice ponies! The 'love and attention' part of the statement was strangely another thing that enticed her! The filly gave the investigator a hard look and then smiled, picking up teddy and setting him before him. "I'm gonna go find miss Shock!" And with that the filly jumped down form the chair and walked right into the door. "Oomph... She shook her head and ducked from the room. She could find miss shock somewhere around here yeah?! Silly filly.

Discord Draconequus motioned his hoof as the wee lass tarries off. 'Iyaaa it's the cutie!' Faust you could hear Shock from his office, and that was quite a feat given the distance! 'Shock your flank --WHUMP-- ow.' 'Like that hurt! Ahhh did boss say you can come home with mee~!? HRT' Strife sighed and looked to the princess. "Listen princess I am more than willing to investigate with you, but first I must drop off the tyke with my roommates. Meet me at the castle's gates." He levitated the babe and his hat off the stand. Popping on his fedora he would hover the dragon on his back and stride off casually -- though he left his papers sitting on his desk, in the open, as well as the folders. His window, still wide open, let in a soft breeze that flickered the papers temptingly at Luna. But she was a good mare, right? Hopefully.

Princess Luna cocked her head a ways towards the doorway when she heard the delighted fussing beyond. The filly would be in good hooves with those two, it made the lunar deity smile again. "Very well, ser." He left her alone in his office, but the filly had left her bear too. Luna gave it a curious yet sad look- it was about all the child had, and had a careworn appearance. Something well loved. Her gaze slid to the papers on the desk when she heard their dry rustling in the wind, and Luna was thoughtful enough to close the detective's window before his office became a mess. Hers was, still, and she knew that pain all too well. They did intrigue her, however and even as she stood she.. had to take a peek. Her curiosity was too great. She gave the door a glance and moved over to bend over the paper, surprised at first by the old Equestrian script. What she read further was quite.. strange, a little suspicious. Too odd to escape her notice. Luna frowned a little by the time she finished reading his notes and moved off out the door, quickly. The teddy-ursa was given a last glance, but she would be remiss to take another thing from a child. Its rightful place was with the girl, who was the only one who needed it. Luna sighed gently through her nose and moved off, out of the office and past the scattered desks beyond. She had a nightmare to hunt.

Discord Draconequus left the baby in her inflatable pool in the living room of Chaosville. He instructed the pollos to just feed her some fish. He kept his unicorn from before the pollos, the sunglasses on his fave to keep from any unfortunate accidents. His dragon's tail snaked out for a stretch, as did his wings. He looked like some, malignant alicorn corruption as he sneered. "I have to go make sure somepony isn't going around beating a dead horse." He punched his remaining hoof in his paw. "Don't let her out of your sights, or I'm not ordering the pre releases to the new Astro Pony comics." he threatened before reforming into a unicorn. "Tiny things these ponies. I'm already missing my body." He cackled manically and warped out. He appeared in an alley, just behind his favorite cafe. He flicked the glasses with his hoof and dematerialized them. An army of poncho wearing chicken lizards and a baby water dragon in one living room? Sounds like a bad sitcom. He trotted out from the alley towards the castle.

Princess Luna had enough time to think in the silence on her way to the castle gates, puzzling over the notes left by the detective and the snark contained therein. The latter bit bothered her a little and made her wonder if ponies might often tune her out- she knew she went on long winded rambles when in a fit of passion, be it anger or protectiveness. Yet.. it was no matter. Princess Cadance would be shed of them once she had her husband back, and nothing else to bother them with in Canterlot now that By- Ash was going with her. Luna still regretted not speaking up sooner; she was going to miss the colt. There was also the matter of Strife's knowledge, and the baby dragon. It seemed a ridiculous thought still, and lead to the kind of thought her mind wouldn't touch. She turned from it as she reached the open castle gates, stopping there to await her fellow.

Discord Draconequus really had no worries either way where Bygone went or how far, what he did despise is this young, mouthy Alicorn tried to tell him what he could and could not do. Perhaps he would rain chaos on the Crystal Empire? Some ponies forget it was quite easy to incite the spirit's wrath. If not for his friendship with the Mane and the respect and admiration he had for the sisters, however much he did fight with the two. Twas to be expected when you knew someone for as long as they did, each other. Prancing toward the castle he called out. "Dear princess, I hope I did not leave you to wait to long your majesty. my roomates needed rather direct instructions. They can be loafers. So shall we begin?" A dark expression over his eyes certainly gave him the winning title for his name -- though Luna most likely did not know the detectives first name.

Princess Luna did not have to wait long, it seemed, not to her thoughts which continued to clamour for attention and solution. Her head quirked Strife's way when he broke the night's silence and she nodded to him, once and brief. "We may." This moment seemed like the first time in a while that she would finally get to deal with another monster, a nightmare. A physical challenge. Something had slinked into the halls of her own marble home, taken one of their own, and she would not put up with it. Tonight she would be the hunter again, and unbeknownst to her, like the lunar deity in another culture, worlds away from their own. Luna waited long enough for Strife to reach her before she could lead the way into the castle's entrance hall, hooves muffled on rich carpet. From there she'd have to lead him to the lower levels, where she assumed earlier that night where it might have gone in hiding.

Discord Draconequus watched the princess turn only to roll his shoulders. The Night Guards that knew about him, gave him an awful glare. The spi-- detective realized in the rivalry. "Hoo, don't let your armor fall to pieces at the sight." He trotted closer to the princess, his hoofsteps light for an old stallion. He followed her down, looking around the space. "Do you know what this -- nightmare, looks like?" Though he did -- he wondered if Luna had even been woke to see such horror. He strode behind boxes and looked around for crawl spaces. "I mean princess of our dreams--" he dragged the word, "You must come upon an eldritch horror or three in your time." He withheld a snerk, but the snark was enough. The sarcastic tone showed he did not believe her concerns. But he did -- he did and he was sorry it had all happened. He just wanted to dream a little with her...

Princess Luna flicked an ear back at the stallion, but said nothing as she recalled what Princess Cadance had told her it looked like. "I did not get to see it for myself, but my niece described its appearance as like a zebra's. She did not give me much detail, other than to call it such." She answered, her brow furrowing a little. She hoped the detective didn't try to turn that on its head. "I have, for nightmares come from the fears ponies hide deep within themselves. Some nightmares are not so bad, but others are a reflection of abuse, of horror, of pervasive and clinging fear and hurt. All things twisted into terrifying monsters in the dark of sleep." Luna frowned a little at that and started to pay more attention to her surroundings, once they'd moved down into the castle's belly.

Discord Draconequus shrugged his shoulders. "Well there's nothing to be afraid of at night." He assured. "It's the waking hours that terrify most." He could not find anything of interest. A few dark corners -- was that the foal's bear? Uh, no. He straightened up, nickering s his tail flicked. Nope. He turned to trot away, before he stomped that menace out. Luna could find nothing (according to her roll) but there was still time. He would attempt to bluff the princess, pass a seedy lie, or at least an empty assurance, in her direction. "There is nothing here to be afraid of. It's safe." Though he was having difficulty believing that himself. If it was really down here -- one of his fears....

Princess Luna could not find anything herself, not so much as an oddly shaped shadow or glowing eye. They hadn't gone nearly deep enough yet. The path to the Vault, elsewhere, was well trod enough by guards that it wouldn't be a likely place. The rest of it, however, such as whatever basements may be, and perhaps the caves, seemed more obvious. "Indeed, those things do follow them into the dark.. and blame the night for that." Luna agreed, looking vaguely displeased. "Here, it is safe." The deity moved on, trying to recall the old floorplans so they could go deeper into the castle- or rather, the mountain.

Discord Draconequus followed the princess, his eyes drifting about. Any shadow to move, flicker, was cause for concern. The closer he got to it, the more he felt it was watching him. But from where? He had not been looking where he was walking so ended up bumping into the princes. "!! Watch---Forgive me moon child, I was preoccupied." He walked around her and followed her gaze. "What is this?" Discord knew nothing of this place, nor did he hold care. If it involved Star Swirl in any way the spirit was guaranteed to minimize his contact with it. Even now the stallion held himself with a defensive posture, tail flicking. He did not crawl the depths of Canterlot's castle with just reason. "Wouldn't anypony would have noticed if a prince of the Crystal Empire came down here?" The short answer was no: it was a nightmare.

Princess Luna grunted surprise and glanced back at the detective, tail flicking his way as though to tell him not to walk directly behind her. Moon child. What interesting nicknames ponies gave her. "There are parts of the castle less traveled, places usually used as storage." She couldn't think of what else they could be used for, however. Storage, things, stuff. "No. Nopony rarely comes down here, not for any sinister reason, but because there is usually no need. It is why I believe these are the likeliest places, though how Shining Armor could survive this long without food is a baffling thing."

Discord Draconequus felt uneasy and hesitated following her. Facing his nightmare? He'd rather face Nightmare Moon. Heard she had a killer temper. Too bad he wasn't around, he probably would have teased Luna into just giving up -- or maybe she wouldn't have.... he grunted, nickering as his hoof scuffed the ground. he pushed himself forward and followed, remaining at her side this time. her tail's movements did not go unnoticed, after all it was not as if he even meant to be that close. "That seems rather unsafe princess. If a devious mind can hide dark totems in a bakery, I am remiss to consider what they would choose to hide beneath your crown." Sometimes he over worried though. Few ponies could enter the castle with success. He was an exception to the rule. If Discord wanted it, he'd find a way. He was a resourceful annoyance. He followed and kept his attentions up.

Princess Luna was troubled by what Strife brought up, there never seemed a point to bring guard patrols down here. A chance they might become spread too thin. But safety was always worth it, wasn't it? "Indeed." The princess sighed and walked on, peeking into the corners or between pillars set into the walls. If there were rooms, they were largely empty. There was a chance they might not find the creature tonight, or Shining, but she had hope given by Discord that really was okay. Alive. If he was.. he was quite a sturdy fellow to have survived this long. "I will have to find a willing patrol just to make sure, but only once this is dealt with."

Plot NPCFSHStrife and Luna would sense something amiss. As they made their way forward a snaking smoke crept at their hooves, though just enough to be of mild concern. The area itself seemed to become filled with darkness. An echoing cascade of hoof falls echoed across the walls. Something down a narrow, dark corridor could be seen moving. It turned the corner, eyes flowing red and a small body.

Discord Draconequus attempted to back up, but found the cold touch of a wall to his rump. He jumped. "What was that?" But he knew what it was. He refused to accept it. Turning to Luna he felt danger crawl down his spine. "Princess we need to fall back." He was frazzled. His senses told him something was ahead. "This may be more than we could handle." He was acting as if they saw something dangerous, but Discord knew well -- facing his own fear was impossible. But she likely saw it, he knows he did.

Princess Luna. The nearer they came to the beast's location, the more the environment around them seemed to change. When she finally caught a glimpse, the princess came to a halt, her expression set into stern lines of determination. "It was the nightmare, and we have found it at last." She stated with a hard tone, head canting enough so that one teal eye could catch Strife in its periphery. He seemed a little freaked. "This is what I deal with, detective, almost every night. Do not let evoke your fear.. if I can keep it distracted, I will need at least one pony to find Shining and get him out." That was Luna's plan, anyway.

Plot NPCFSHThe princess and detective would not find themselves to be in their happy place. As soon as they crossed the threshold they were sealed into a strange trap of space where they would be closed off from the rest of Equestria. Hissing cackles escaped the undulating walls. Blacks, greens, reds, and blues filtered across the space as little, dark spectral beings hovered around, moving to pull and tug at the pair's manes and tails.

Discord Draconequus was not okay with this. Having lost his nerve the spirit whipped around, losing his shape. The disguise melted as he was struck by a crippling fear, the Nightmare sending the spirit to escape, but it was too bad for him, while awake: he had no control over nightmares or dreams. This was a place where even his powers were weak. This shield, that kept him in. It wasn't a place within nor outside of time. After charging at the walls a few times, trying to cast, the powerless draconequus dropped to the ground, body arching fearfully.

Plot NPC cackling. This amuses me greatly, seeing the little worm crippled, nearly shatner'ing his feathers. Though somehow, the naughty little princess was not effected by the fear -- what. a. shame. A voice elsewhere, behind walls.

Princess Luna's good wing lifted automatically when they passed that doorway in hiding, bringing them to a place akin to a nightmare. She felt things tugging at her hair, something she attempted to shoo away with flicks of her tail. It was no wonder to her now why Shining never gave up his chase and returned to them! It was because of this. She couldn't imagine what state he was in.. Luna heard a small scuffling sound behind her and her gaze fell upon Discord. Yet again the princess was forced to do a double-take of shock tonight- it was him. Had been him, all along, and he was so terribly frightened. Luna found it rather unnerving, herself, but she made to bring light to their surroundings with her horn. "Di-Discord?" Luna couldn't believe it, but she would have to devote time to processing it later. There was a voice, echoing off the walls. "Please, do not let your fear consume you. Things like these do love their parlor tricks."

Discord Draconequus calmed down a bit hearing Luna call to him. Tossed by the recollection he moved to tarry up to her side, regaining his shape as Strife. Was that, in itself an illusion? Was this dream just making her see things as well? The unicorn settled by her side. "We should have left." He folded his ears back and looked forward. Motioning his hoof there appeared to be a path, a single path, cutting through those spectral wasps, who tugged, pulled, and annoyed. Once again the red-eyed shadow stood at the hall's end. Nickering it whipped out its long, snake-like tail and trotted out of sight.

Princess Luna had some effect on the spirit, but what he did next caused her to gape. He changed, to Strife. Were her eyes fooling her, or was that the effect of the nightmare itself? That the two males were one and the same? She took a few seconds to recover, shaking her head and facing forward again. "Sometimes the most unpleasant things have to be done. We can only go forth from here." In other words, they had no choice but to face the terrifying music. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of the creature beyond and she started to walk, moving along the path that Strife had gestured to.

Plot NPC felt quite offended at the term. Clapping his hooves he would call his minion, quite liking how dreams and nightmares fell under the illusion class. A grand wizard of chaos and -- he did not tempt the dreams of ponies? Oh it was quite easy to manifest this, for the spirit had set it loose. He did what any good minion would and helped his master. Kyah hya hya!

Plot NPCFSH While Strife notices nothing, Luna would be able to easily confirm that this was no ordinary tunnel It would open up, once she broke the illusion. Standing upon the stage was a massive Boogeypony. It was likely its true form within its nightmare. Once the two were to proceed in -- the way out would shut. Black and grey fur this massive horse had a green horn and a glowing mane and tail of the same ilk. Black stripes painted its hindquarters, green eyes framed by red tendrils of a dark aura. It stamped its hoof on the ground, quite enraged that its prey broke the illusion.

Plot NPC stamping its hoof on the ground it, its hooves setting ablaze as it leapt from the raised ground. Rearing up the Boogeypony charged the mare and stallion, the thundering of its hooves setting a ring of fire around them both. From the flaming ring danced imp-like figures, cackling. "No way out! None! You're here forever, allll alone!"

Princess Luna remained steadfast along the short journey up the path that lead them straight to what might be the creature's den. The illusion, destroyed- she was a master of illusions, and not even a nightmare could fool her. Yet things changed once the creature was fully visible to them, nothing at all like the zebra she'd thought Cadance meant. It was large, and its charge cause the princess of the night to fall back, her wing spreading for flight she couldn't achieve. "You lie!" Luna spat, clinging to her defiant nature despite every instinct screaming at her to flee. She had no idea why it had frightened her so, but it did.

Discord Draconequus would manage to overcome his fear, this time, but the ring of fire and taunting imps didn't allow for him to simply focus on the Nightmare. It had become larger, but there was nothing else odd he could spot wrong, no way out. The stallion would move to stand in front of the [feared] mare and lower his glowing horn. "Get away!" he whinnied unshakably, stamping his hoof against the grounds, kicking up dirt and debris. The disguised spirit had no offensive magic in his arsenal, only tricks and gimmicks. While it suited a god of chaos, making him seemingly invisible, in a straight laced fight all he had were tricks. He turned his horn to a nearby bit of loose, flaming debris and would toss it at the Nightmare.

Princess Luna wasn't sure what she saw in the flaming nightmare before them, perhaps the vaguest of echoes of her old title, lingering darkness seen not in just an image or a mirror but face to face that had frightened her so. Whatever the case may be, Luna had to shake it from her mind, recover, and fight back against that that haunted her so. Lips peeling back from her teeth, Luna folded her wing and aimed a spell the beast's way, something in which to blast it to assist Strife- who also seemed to have recovered against its fearful presence.

Plot NPCFSH Fantastic, you little twerps are doing wonderful... When the guised spirit came to attack, it landed in the Nightmare's line of sight. The fiendish creature charged, only to be struck mercilessly at the princess of the night. Her effect in this realm was greater in this realm than others, causing the beast to rear up and stamp down, forcing the fires to heat up, sending out another wave of Fear. As it raged, fought and rampaged its vicious snorts let out billows of Smoke that made the realm even hotter. From here on in, anyone within the cone of the Nightmare's cone of view must make a fortitude save to retain vision.

Bygone Specter was snooping down deep in the castle. He was on a virtuous mission! What was his mission? Finding his adopted pappy even if he'd never really met him besides that one incident in the room... The first time that 'thing' showed up. He didn't know just how much Cady had been bothered but she was falling apart! Thus it was his virtuous mission to find his new pappy and help him be returned to wherest he must be! The little changeling in disguise was drawn by the presence of magic and... much to his surprise.. he came across what seemed like a gap in some sort of barrier. Of course the little changeling didn't know that it was a trap! Bygone himself made a rather amusing sight. His hat was upon his head as always but upon his body he wore a green vest upon which multiple crystals were strapped; each one pulsing with unstable magic! Bygone crept into the passage and came across... Was that Miss Luna and Strife?! They must be looking for Mister Shiny too! Bygone Specter was a clever little twerp! When Luna sent her own attack at the creature he joined! One of the four large hearts were pulled from his vest and sent flying at the monster!

Plot NPCFSH Thanks to the bombs lobbed, two of the fire imps were seriously injured, but the remaining two would rush forward, cutting off from the Nightmare, and encircling the field of fire. So a third twerp found their way into the terror. Though the illusion is not so easily found. Tripped by its owner, it wouldn't be long before they were either destroyed, or --- [Twerps roll perception, all. Now]

Discord Draconequus right after his failure of an assault, the detective was stunned with fear, unable to move from his place. He crumpled to a crouch and stared at the ground. Why couldn't he face his fear? There was little he could do but cower, the Imp's mocking laughter getting to him.

Plot NPCFSH Kikikiki, all of them are going to leave you here. Using you, keeping you as their pet. Worrisome, loathsome, worthless toy. Nopony loves you. The imps declare in glee and lunge to attack him, one from each side. The remaining, severely damaged imps... charged the mare of the night.

Princess Luna took a step forward, daring, despite the way the creature raged and fought against them. There were explosions, things that swallowed some of the little imps but did not put them down. Where had that come from? It seemed somepony had come to join them in their fight, but she didn't dare turn her gaze from her opponent. Prey. Strife had gone down again, and she hoped to keep most of the nightmare's attention on herself. She was not fooled by the smoke, and made to blast it with another spell- the little imps she ignored, they were not important.

Bygone Specter let out a shrill filly-like cry and went leaping from his cover as he failed his fear check and was wrought by terror! The little changeling was not known to be overtly petrified by fear, but to react in very strange ways. Hence why his fear directed him directly to Strife! The little changeling in unicorn form ran full tilt to the dark pony and with a flying leap he jumped up from the ground and at... Strife's face. Should he connect he'd latch on and would cling like there was no tomorrow! "They're gonna eat our eyeballs Mister Strife! I don't want them to eat my eyeballs! The numerous exploding objects rattled on Bygone's vest as he clung. Could always throw the foal at the nightmare... Probably blow both Bygone and Nightmare up though...

Plot NPCFSHThe Nightmare was weak, but it was not out. After the lunar maiden's attack it set the creature into a flaming rampage. Stamping its hooves the fires erupted and sent it overhead, creating a dome of doom. It lowered its horn and charged the trio, who have impacted themselves into a single charging zone. Clumped together it can strike all three at once. The roaring hiss of its snorting and mocking calls sent chills down even the bravest pony's spine. Whatever horror this creature carried, burdened the spirit. Fear filled the dome.

Discord Draconequus was suddenly with a with a foal on his face, but the screams and mocking taunts only sent the rearing stallion back down, tucking his frazzled, cropped tail. From his side he was brutally struck by the Imp, one toppling over his back hoof as it critically failed, rolling itself right back into the flames. Whoops. but it was a no go for the detective who seemed the most horrified by the lurking emptiness in the Nightmare's dome.

Princess Luna was taken aback by the foal's squeal and Bygone leaped into the fray, or rather, onto Strife! It explained where the bombs had come from, but now he was in danger yet again. The imps' stings were noted, but her gaze had shifted past them, past the cowering unicorn and colt for the charging nightmare. To know that now Bygone's life was at stake, the pair too frightened to fight back, that this nightmare threatened the ponies she cared about.. It filled her with protective fury. Luna charged forward herself, stepping over Strife to make herself as a shield, and sent a beam of magic the nightmare's way. "Crawl back from whence thee came, foul worm, this is my realm!"

Bygone Specter was still clinging to Strife's face whenever the imps attacked the poor stallion! He saw the strike to the stallion's side and then his head turned to see something similar happen with Luna! But the alicorn yelled something and tried to blast the monster! Then the little changeling's mouth split into a cheshire grin. The creature hurt his friends! Hurt them! Brain officially divided by zero and got angry cat... "I'm going to ~" the following was a fairly long fifteen word expletive. "~ blow that thing to bucking tartarus!" The chaos core seared in his chest and he rushed the nightmare creature in order to try to send out a blast near point blank! (there would be so much soap in By's future if Cady was there =3)

Plot NPCFSH How unfortunate... the princess had failed in her assault while the useless male cowered with a foal glued to his face, but it seemed in an unexpected fury the little monster charged the damaged Nightmare. The attack sent it crumbling to the floor, its flaming barrier gone, leaving behind a semi-transluscent wall, which from the outside -- looked black, but one could not see they had been trapped in but a single section of hallway, the nightmare blocking off the rest of the way with the illusion, isolating them.

Plot NPCFSH After all that trying to hide it.... the detective and dream mistress would be able to see, with their all seeing eyes, something distorted in the air. Something was hidden within the dimming nightmare. Somepony was still asleep down here that kept the dreamscape up-- but the damage the Nightmare was causing had ceased. The distortion would lie ahead, clumped beneath the twist of dreams. The present Lunar mistress could perhaps see into it, were she to tempt....

Discord Draconequus was finally able to push to his hooves. Though shakey the fear that was burdening him was gone, for now.He was glad foal butt was no longer on his face. The stallion shook out his short, grey fur, body stretching. He looked to the foal who was, surprisingly, on one piece and not five. He rubbed his hooves over his eyes, the glow of his horn lighting up the small area around them. "What is that?" He questioned, having no trouble spotting the distortion. The male wandered up to it, raising a hoof to tap it, but he hesitated. Should he touch it? Risk something terrible. The male gave a snort and scuffed his hoof to the ground. This entire event was puzzling. Why did it resurface now -- was it because he was near? It had done well to ignore his attempts at finding it before. Why now?

Princess Luna had missed. She couldn't believe she'd missed, but she'd been in such a fury that she didn't pay particular attention in aiming. Bygone had done it, he had taken down the nightmare! As soon as the moonbringer could, she made to sweep the little colt up into a hug, calming. "You were a fool to come down here! You could have been greatly injured, or worse, Princess Cadance would have never forgiven me." Luna fretted, releasing him to look ahead when Strife moved past. There was something there that was different from the gloom around them. Distorted, yet.. Luna made to follow the stallion with no further distraction. "Touch it not, detective." The princess warned, stepping up to it and trying to peer inside. It was, perhaps, her realm still.

Bygone Specter was extremely satisfied that the nightmare-booger-pony thingy-ma-jibber was gone! Hehehe, He did it! ~ He did it! The foal hardly got out a happy bounce before he was swept up into a hug courtesy of Luna whom told him that he was a fool! His eyes turned down-cast... "Miss Cady was sad though... I wanted to find her Shiny! He's supposed to be my pappy, right? I never had a-a dad ~ so I wanted to help find him!" The foal's smile faltered as he recalled what he heard from the pink alicorn when she thought he had fallen asleep... He'd promised himself he'd try to find Miss Cady's Shiny so she would be happy again! The little changeling was already known to do rather drastic things to make friends and now family happy.... So him being down here in the middle of a danger could be unsurprising.

Plot NPCFSHWere the princess of dreams to inspect the sphere she would find something familiar inside. Meadows of strangely colored flowers growing fresh fruits -- clouds of cotton candy raining chocolate milk. Sadly twas without any marshmallows in sight. Large, twisted trees with purple leaves would reach up to the day and night sky, birds perched upside down while fish swam in the stars. Hills covered in grass, a single house floating upside down above it all. Familiar faces of ponies played about in the fields, tossing frisbees of cake, and feeding fish made of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the ponds. In the center was a picnic table where two familiar faces sat to tea. A white stallion with a blue mane, and a long forgotten face. A little draconequus with a grey pelt, and a twisted horn curling back. The other horn was missing, but those red eyes dipped in gold saucers was unmistakable. No strange, transmutated parts. No scary, dark marks under sleepless eyes. Normal-ish.

Discord Draconequus narrowed his eyes in suspect, but pulled his hoof to rest it down. With an annoyed scoff the detective, who felt awfully useless in the matter, turned to walk back toward where the foal was set down. He sneered, moving to push his hoof against teh disguised changeling. "What's the point of you having a mum if you're going to continue to be reckless?" Though he scolded him, it had no heart behind it. He raised his hoof to ruffle the foal's mane.

Princess Luna understood well enough why Bygone had come down here, he hadn't needed to tell her, but it was still a foolish thing to do with such a nightmare on the loose. But loose it was no more, finally felled by the colt. For the distortion, the princess peered in to the oddest sight and did not need to see the familiar face of a younger Discord to know. A dream, a world wrought very clearly by him, but she had no idea why this was here or how. Had Discord done this? Luna would have to ask him later, but for now she lifted a hoof and reached out to touch it- the dream would have to be broken and Shining Armor woken up.

Bygone Specter was completely oblivious to the whole dream thing still even as the little foal found Strife's attention turned to him! He shied back in fright as the hoof was pushed against him, but it was all for naught as the sneering pony... ruffled his mane? He wasn't... mad? His ears perked and let out a bit of a hesitant smile. He'd done good, right? Nightmare-boogey-pony was no more and everything seemed peaceful. Now where was Cady's Shiny? He'd see him back to her safe and sound!

Princess Cadence was following Ash around the catacombs.. she was trying to see if maybe he had a clubhouse foals do that.. but the catacombs where no place for that.. when all the sudden Ash disappeared.. he was just gone he walked into a hall and poof.. she tried to follow but she was only in the hallway.. She sits down after a bit of panic looking around and sighs softly. "Why does everypony I get close to disappear." she looks at her side. "Flurry your not going to disappear on me too are you?" the little filly wiggles and rolls about her her mothers belly as if to answer her no. She looks down defeated little did she know she was past where the 'dream' was at

Discord Draconequus's group was down the dark hall, when the nightmare was defeated, so did the illusion that probably had the alicorn princess running about in circles for a path not there. The officer rolled his eyes at the foal. "Don't give me that cheeky grin, brat." He was gruff, but hardly mean to the little guy and moved to pull him closer so he'd stay out the princess' way. The officer seated himself on his haunches, watching the princess. When she dispelled the dream, the draconequus' dream self glared at her. Ruining my tea party princess? Took you long enough you know. I wouldn't have been able to keep this up without those nice dreams you sent me. But with that it was dispelled, the words carrying only to the lunar mistress. From the dispelled warp fell Shining's body. it had been frozen between time, likely putting a great strain on the spirit, making him lapse into ---deep sleep.

Princess Luna didn't have to do much it seemed, but touch the dream to end it. Her ears flattened back for a moment when Discord's dream self spoke to her, a quiet voice; she had helped, even then? The dream shattered before her and Luna bent to check on Shining Armor. Alive, no different than he had looked the last time she'd seen him. "He is well!" Luna announced, and gladly. "I will carry him, but we have done it." Her horn glowed and the princess levitated the prince over to the other two- for Bygone especially. "He will no doubt wake soon."

Bygone Specter could hardly help but have his grin widen as he was called out for giving Strife a 'cheeky grin'... He'd show him cheeky grin, haha! The little 'unicorn' found his attention quickly diverted to the pony that seemingly appeared from nowhere! "Oooh, where'd he come from? Where was he hiding?!... Everything is here right? He didn't lose any marbles did he?" the little unicorn would ask as he looked the prince over. Currently he was, of course, unconscious but at the same time Bygone was just happy to have found him! Miss Cady would be soo happy to have him back!

Princess Cadence was in the hallway just past where Shining appears when the whole group all the sudden was just there. She was in shock and so confused at that point. She seen Luna and Strife first then she spotted Ash. As she moved to run toward Ash all the sudden a wild Shining appears she stopped midstep and fell back into a sit as Luna announced he was up and lifted him into the air she had no words she was to in shock at the moment, he fell out of midair after all.

Discord Draconequus sighed out, feeling a bit of relief. The detective was glad it was just over and done with. "Well--" He spoke up, pushing to stand on his hooves. He rolled his shoulders, popping his back. "This was a bit too much excitement for an old pony like me. This is why I keep to the desk and investigating more so than taking on the beasts." He motioned his hoof to the princess. "You're spunky princess, but this little guy may have you beat." He patted the foal's back with his hoof. "You may make a good officer one day. Keeping the peace and all, hmm?" He flickered his ears, turning his ruby eyes toward Luna. "You should probably send him to be checked out. If he's been missing for days he's probably dehydrated, starving." Though the detective would never admit to having a hoof in anything.

Princess Luna smiled down at little Bygone as he spouted his questions all at once. "Shining Armor is quite fine and has lost nothing but time." She answered him easily enough and turned to Strife when she was addressed- unaware that the illusion ahead had fallen too. "I will, he may require it." Luna agreed. "Thank you for all of your help, detective. I will pay you, for this was life-threatening and quite frightening for us all. Now, I propose we return to the castle and the light."

Bygone Specter smiled up at the dark pony who was patting his back however the attention was soon off of him. Before anypony would know it he had a stick out and was gingerly poking the floating pony! Perhaps he could wake him up! Poke-poke~ side... Poke-poke~ nose... He pulled the stick back and hummed only for a splash of pink to finally be noticed on the edge of his vision. His head whipped and he smiled wide. "We found your Shiny Cady!" he'd cheer and bounce to the pink alicorn. "I got to blow the nightmare up! Miss Luna helped to!"

Princess Cadence watches them as they are talking and then sees Ash start to poke Shining she started to giggle softly and then she was spotted. She smiles as he bounces to her. "Yes I see you have.. Is he ok? He has been gone for months but seems to appear well." She hugs him with her wing and then it hits her. "BLOW UP!" she shouts, "You blew up something?" she looks to Luna worried. "He has explosives!" looking at Ash. "When we return to the castle I need all your explosives.. you are too young to blow things up.. " she stands and lifts Ash to her back. "But thank you so much for finding him. I hope the fact that his new adopted foal helped to save him will make the shock of having an adopted foal not so much." she walks over to Shining as he floated and touches her horn to his giving him a soft nuzzle.

Discord Draconequus leaned in close to the disguised changeling to whisper. "Well princesses." The old, greying stallion exhaled. "I need a good shower after all this. And probably a realigning of my spine. Not as spry as I used to be. Get that stallion to a healer." He turned to leave, the crop-tailed officer pausing. "Oh, dear Princess~ do advice your guard on such a lackluster performance. From what I saw there had been not one patrol coming this way." He mused. "Mares, foal. I've reports to write, citizens to keep save, crimes to account for." He turned and resumed his path. Strange -- old pony.

Princess Luna cringed a little and held up a hoof as Bygone commenced poking the unconscious prince with a stick. He'd run off before she could say anything, and saying a name she feared to hear down here. Princess Cadance was here.. ? How did she find them? The lunar deity watched nervously from a distance while the two interacted- Cadance seemed to be giving Bygone a talking to. "Please, pay no attention! He helped us." Luna tried to say and let Cadance approach her lost, now found, husband. "Very well, farewell detective. We will talk again." She made no comment about the patrols- they just didn't come down this far. "Come, let us leave these caves behind. I have no intention in lingering." Luna stated, a little firmer this time. Once Cadance had had her moment, the dark lady moved off with Shining in tow, brooking no argument.

Bygone Specter wouldn't have been able to help but grimace. "But Cady.... If I was to try to do that it'd take houuuurs! I can't carry those boxes." he scuffed a hoof. "Most of my marbles, bombs, and unstable hearts are kept in my cart!" he'd say with a bit of a grump. He didn't want to lose all of his explosives! Oooooh! Then again he could just 'make' more after he turned them in! Hehehe ~ Clever changeling is clever.

Princess Cadence looks to the dark stallion and nods softly then turns to Luna and sighs. "Yes but he is a foal and bombs are not something a foal really needs he can get hurt." she shakes her head to Ash. "Well then I will just lock the cart until you are older." she sighed as she walked off after Luna with Ash on her back "However for your help in saving your adopted dad I think we all need to go out for tea and icecream when he wakes up."

Discord Draconequus was more than glad to get out of there. The grumpy looking officer harump'd and bah, humbug'd back to the streets, into the alleys and back to his proper form. The spirit of chaos stretched his shoulders, curling up into a pretzel before he melted down into a pool pf pudding. Reforming in a flash he floated a bit. "Well that's one issue off my shoulders. These ponies really need to learn." Humph. He wasn't here to play hero. He had a dragon to train! And with that he flashed out to Chaosville for the evening. he needed a dreamless sleep after this.

Princess Luna lead the way back through the winding caves and up the stairs, through the sublevels of the castle. The moment rocky wall became brick brought relief to the moonbringer, and it wouldn't be long before they were back on familiar territory. She said not hardly a word the entire way, other than to alert Princess Cadance of their destination: the infirmary. "Prince Shining can rest up there after the healers look him over, but I am certain he will be perfectly fine." Luna stated and, once they'd reached the place in question, she would leave the united family there. They needed time together to wait for him to wake, and Luna needed rest.

Bygone Specter had found himself losing energy rather fast. Perhaps it was the adrenaline spike from the confrontation! After all, his mind had got flooded with terror and even the chaos core acted up! With a yawn the changeling foal stumbled and righted himself. He'd walk at least to the infirmary... And then he'd be right out, keeling over on the floor asleep!

Princess Cadence she nods and follows Luna as she takes Shining to see the healers. Once they arrive she would see him placed and then that Ash had fallen asleep. She moves to get some pillows from near by and lays them on the floor beside Shining's bed. She lifts Ash there and lays down herself placing a wing over Ash as she always did when they laid down for the night and covers them with a blanket her to closing her eyes hoping the next day would see Shining awake and moving about. It was going to take some time to get him up to point on the way things have been changed.

Discord Draconequus would have returned home to a disaster, probably, but would just take the dragon baby to her inflatable pool by his sleeping basket, drop himself down and pull the covers over. Once he hit his cushions his eyes would snap open. Darn it. He wasn't tired anymore....