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

[spaceracist]

[And Jorgie springs into action! He stomps down as soon as the little dragon (?) makes his way out of the log, attempting to capture him in this chubby, strong beetle arms. Spikes stays to guard his side of the log while Emile dashes over to provide support if necessary.]

[brokentrust]

[Not!Theta squirms, trying to get away. His form seems to wobble a bit as the shadow panics.]

[spaceracist]

Calm down, kid! [Emile's there pretty quickly. He'd notice something weird about the baby dragon, but he hasn't exactly been around baby dragons before.]

Just tryin' to get you back to your Freelancer.

[brokentrust]

[Nope. Gotta get away. The game's over if he's caught and we don't want the game to be over.]

[spaceracist]

[Not getting away. Not this time. Emile stays right on that little tail until they can corner and tackle the little guy.]

The hell's wrong with you?

[brokentrust]

[He's not Theta! He just wants to be free! Although it sort of looks like he's fading a bit.]

let me know if this isn't ok!

[spaceracist]

[And before long he's faded entirely away! Emile looked at his Spirits. His Spirits looked back at him. Jorgie shrugged.]

Gonna have to keep looking.

[He doesn't sound thrilled about it, but a job's a job.]

[brokentrust]

[Not too far away, there is a familiar looking tail sticking out from under a bush.]

[spaceracist]

[Silently he motions for the Spirits to take up flanking positions. Emile isn't entirely sure what's going on here, but the real Theta's got to be around here somewhere, right? He trots up a little closer.]

Theta?

[brokentrust]

[The tail scoots under the bush. Nope. No Thetas here.]

[spaceracist]

[Bullshit. Emile sneaks closer and his spirits do the same. Here, dragon, dragon, dragon, dragon....]

[brokentrust]

[There's the sound of rustling as the dragon shadow continues to hide itself. They can't see me. I can't see them.]

[spaceracist]

[What advanced tacti--no, no they're not. Spikes becomes impatient and pounces!]

[brokentrust]

[There's a squeak as the shadow dragon tries to get away, sort of fading in and out as it struggles with Spikes.]

[spaceracist]

Gotcha!

[Emile pounces (as much as a pony can), but seems dismayed to find yet another fading dragon.]

C'mon, you ain't the real one either?

[brokentrust]

[Nope. Bad luck, Emile.]

[spaceracist]

[Son of a bitch. Well, Emile will keep looking until someone gives the sign that they've found the real Theta or the sun comes up, whichever one comes first....]