13. [Audio]

[brodakota]

[North's voice comes over the network, sounding rather panicked. Surprisingly so, especially to people who know him for his quiet, patient demeanor.]

Is anyone else in Ponyville right now? 

If you are, have you seen Theta? 

It's really important that I find him, and I think it's getting dark.

[That's new...and all the more worrisome.]

Comments

[raisethemoon]

One! [Luna forces the two shadows back into one shadow. It's lucky she's here, she's always been better with shadow things than Celestia.] It is your shadow! We shall have to give it back to you shortly. I believe there are still a few copies yet loose, 'tis not as deep as it ought to be.

[unrecovered]

[Well that was creepy. Thanks, Luna. Wash trots up to Theta and hunkers down - it's an invitation for Theta to climb on. Wash isn't about to make the potentially traumatized AI walk.]

North's out looking for you. We'll take you to him. Come on.

[brokentrust]

[Theta nods, pulling himself out of his hiding spot and trying to untangle some of the detritus of the forest floor, before managing to free himself and cling to Wash.]

[raisethemoon]

[It's what Luna does best.]

Can you track their scent now, Melody?

[unrecovered]

[He feels that clinging. Theta's obviously pretty rattled. He turns his head to the dragon, speaking more gently than usual.]

Theta, it's okay. I've got you.

[Melody gets back to her paws, turns around in a circle, and meows. Not if they didn't come this way!]

We should head back to where we split off. Luna, can you use your communicator to call North? [What he wouldn't give for his helmet radio right now. And thumbs.]

[brokentrust]

I-is North nearby?

[That gentle voice is enough for right now. Theta probably won't be letting go anytime soon. At least until North is found.]

[raisethemoon]

Of course!

[Still holding the now-singular shadow in her magic, Luna withdraws her communicator as well to make a call.]

[unrecovered]

He's close.

[Truthfully, Wash has no idea where North is. He does know that North will get back to the meeting point as fast as he possibly can, though, and that's what matters.]

[Melody perks up and gets back on the scent. Doubling back is easy. She meows at them - come on! - and starts off.]

[brodakota]

Good.

[He never wants to be away from North after this.]