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

[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.]