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

[brodakota]

Sort of by the entrance. He's in the forest somewhere.

I'll come back and get you. Don't come in alone Xion, it's dangerous.

[skysmirror]

The forest?

[That is definitely worrying.]

I'll meet you there soon.

[True to her word, before long there is a Xion-pony trotting towards the entrance to the woods. She plans to wait there if North isn't there when she arrives.]

[brodakota]

[Slightly out of breath, North comes galloping towards the entrance.]

Xion!

Sorry, there's not a lot of time to talk. Wash has a spirit tracking Theta and Barkley might be able to help!

[skysmirror]

[Looks like it's time for mission mode, then. Xion simply picks up the pace to a gallop as she hurries towards North, Barkley hurrying to keep pace with her while Axel curls up a little tighter on her back to steady himself.]

Group search, right? How far has everyone gotten?

[brodakota]

Not very far, but it's a big forest. I told them to go on ahead, so if we hurry we can catch up.

[He doesn't mean to be so commanding. Ice cream will be in Xion's future however.]

[skysmirror]

Okay, let's catch up then.

[Barkley whuffs in agreement. He wants to help find Theta!

Ice cream will be appreciated, but is not required. They're friends, after all, they do these things for each other.]

[brodakota]

Yeah.

[North does slow his pace a little, partly because he's out of breath and partly because he's pretty sure his gallop is a bit faster than Xion's.]

[skysmirror]

[Xion's fairly used to matching paces with whoever she's on a mission with, but it's nice of North to slow a bit for her.

No words now, just focusing on catching up with the rest of the group.]