Penned IN: Chapter 16 (Cruel Choice)

       …Colgate? The sixth missing pony? What is going on here…?

       "Pennaprose, untie her. I'll go up and tell Twilight…" said Spike. "…Don't come up with her just yet. I'd be worried about ponies looking in the window and getting the wrong impression if I were you."

       He glanced confusedly at Spike, who was already in the doorway to the living room. He hastened to undo the gag; she coughed heavily for a few seconds as he undid the blindfold as well. Her eyes were shut tight, presumably from the flood of light; in the moments while he tried to cut the binding, she yelped in surprise and tried to kick him in the face.

       "Hey! I'm trying to help you here!" said Pennaprose.

       "The hell you are! Last thing I knew I was in my home, then next thing I wake up in a bag!" she protested, still bound.

       "Hold up! I've never even seen you before, why would I kidnap you?"

       "I don't know, you tell me!" She was lying prone on the floor, attempting to wiggle to the staircase.

       He rolled his eyes, but noticed something. Her back leg was twisted in a weird angle, clearly broken. "…Don't."

       "Oh, I'm getting the hell of here, you can't stop me!" said Colgate. "Ow!"

       She had tried wriggling up the first step, hitting her hind legs against the railing.

       "Your back leg is broken. At least let me help you get up the damn stairs." said Pennaprose. "If nothing, would it help if I got a bag of ice when we get up there?"

       She glared at him. "…Hmph. Do whatever the hell you want. Where the frick am I, though?"

       He gathered up the bag she had shown up in; a note fell out. He picked it up and tucked it in his ear for time being. With a little difficulty, he then picked up Colgate with his magic and walked up the stairs. As he reached the door, it opened, revealing a concerned looking Twilight.

       "Heck, Spike wasn't lying," she said. "…A stroke of luck, isn't it?"

       "Her back leg is broken, Twilight. Can you get a bag of ice?"

       She seemed to taken aback. "…Oh! Oh, okay sure… Set her by the fireplace."

       He trotted over, laying Colgate as gently as he could on his cot. "There. I haven't done a damn thing to hurt you, now do you believe me?"

       She still looked cross. "…Meh. I still don't trust you, but… thanks. …So I'm in the Golden Oaks Library?"

       "Yes, you are," said Twilight from behind them. She set the bag of ice down on her crooked leg. "Though how you ended up in my basement is beyond me. Spike's been the only one down there today."

       Colgate closed her eyes as the ice worked it's magic. "Oooh… Care to fill me in? What day is it?"

       "Tuesday. You went missing just yesterday," informed Twilight.

       "Really…?"

       Pennaprose tuned them out as Twilight continued to fill her in. He plucked the note from behind his ear, reading it without drawing attention. On it was written something mush shorter than he was expecting.

       A Kingdom, Dragon, and Prince misses their mint princess. She lies trapped in the maw of a deceptive Dragon, waiting for its improsaic Prince in snow-white furs.

       He flipped it over; there was more written there.

       Come to the Dragon's mountainside chamber alone before midnight tonight if you wish to see her again.

       The feeling of something cold and slimy dropped into his stomach. 'Improsaic'… he never heard of the word, but it's pieced meaning meant one thing to him. The sudden disappearance and almost effortless finding of everypony but the one he wanted, all on a single lead meant for her…

       He was being watched. Somepony wanted to contact him, without being seen. It chilled him that whoever it was, they would stoop to needless kidnapping to get his attention. But why just give them back…?

       He recalled that dragon/pegasus-like creature back in the mountain. That had to be the one trying to contact him…

       He hastened to hide the note from view, glancing around for his laptop bag. With a sickening pang, he realized that he left it, with his laptop, Lyra's letter, and his sudoku books, at the mountain on the rope somewhere inside. '…Then again… maybe that's exactly what I needed.'

       "…Hey, Twilight," he began.

       "Yes?"

       "I just realized that I left my laptop bag back at the mountain. Do you mind if I disappear for a few hours while I go and get it?"

       "Oh? Do you remember exactly where you left it?"

       "The rope was left there. And I remember leaving it on the rope. So… not a problem, right?"

       She gave him a confused look. "I guess? I'll leave the door unlocked for you, I guess. Just remember to lock it again."

       "Thanks, see you later!"

       He darted out the front door, the other three staring at his wake. He knew it would take a few hours to climb, let alone get there; the town's clock tower read 7:38. He had to rush if he wanted to get there on time.

---

       He panted, pulling himself up to the final plateau. The entrance to the winding maze of hallways yawned before him. He only stopped to catch his breath for a minute, trying to collect his thoughts.

       Every piece of his mind has screaming that he was walking into a trap. He felt it was right, but 'What could I do about it?' he wondered. He was grateful that a moment of mindlessness gave him a golden opportunity to not be followed; whatever this being wanted from him, he felt as if her intent wasn't one of harm. That knowing essence in her eyes had told him that much.

       He picked himself back up, galloping as fast and as careful around the puddles as he could. In surprisingly little time, he spotted his bag, completely dry with Lyra's note sticking out of the side. He tucked it in further inside, but didn't close it. He had another idea.

       He shot through the treasure chamber, which was now eerily empty. He checked the time on his laptop: 11:52. He slowed down, dimming the screen and quieting both his footsteps and his laptop's volume. He opened a recording program; a green blip appeared on the top of the computer signifying that it was recording.

       He pointed it down in front of him, sidling up to the corner that preceded the dragon's chamber. He set the laptop down, making sure the audio was picking up at maximum value as well as making sure it was out of sight from the chamber.

       11:58. He double checked everything, then cautiously stepped into the chamber, all senses on full alert.

       The waxing moonlight cast a jagged maw of shadows on the floor of the chamber. All color seemed to fade into monochrome. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, deafening silence piercing the breast of the night sky.

       In the center, obscured by shadow, was a hoof and leg extending from the shade… mint green…

       "…Lyra…?" he whispered urgently.

       The leg faded to an impossibly dark blue, thinning itself. "…I'm afraid not, Pennaprose. But I applaud you for your commendable haste in getting here."

       The leg stepped toward him, letting the shadows reveal a mare taller than any he had seen before, mane of white and orange.

       "You… who are you…? And where is Lyra!?"

       She blinked lazily. "Calm yourself, Pennaprose. I said in my letter that you might get to see her if you came here at or by midnight. And so you have. Her front leg, at any rate."

       She paused, unfolding a wing. It was a mixture of feathers and shiny scales. "I am called Gosthette Shyling, a commander within the changeling army and… someone more familiar to you than even you know."

       'Someone…?"

       "Before you flood me with the… 7 questions in your mind right now… actually, make that 8. Ask yourself; who were you as a human?"

       "…How do you know about that?" he asked.

       "Ah. Number 8. Unorthodox," said Gosthette. "I know that… because I too share the same past as you do. …You aren't sure of your given name, are you?"

       He fell silent, regarding her. She seemed impossibly relaxed, every word carefully measured, but he couldn't shake the feeling that the slightest movement would set her off.

       "That is alright. I did not expect you to remember anything… seeing as I have our memories… as a human."

       "What-!"

       She chuckled, sending a chill up his spine. "You fell from the sky, made a crater by a stream, like a lost puppy with nothing but your briefcase, laptop, and an assumed name." She paused; her appearance shifted into Twilight's. "But a princess, ever so gracious, took you in and showed you the ropes of this world."

       Her form liquified; she turned into water, dampening the floor. Her voice still echoed in the chamber. "You see Pennaprose… I am you. You are me. We were once the same human, but something happened on our trip arrival that split us. You were my morality; I, your memories.

       "Now tell me…" He jumped, a hoof extending over his shoulder and her voice uncomfortably close. She had reformed behind him. "You want to see Lyra… correct?"

       She evaporated, reforming in front of him. "I know of your mutual attraction to her. I know your heart, for one's shadow always sticks to its origin, inseparable…"

       "…Is that how you know-?"

       "-your own questions before you ask them? Number 5," finished Gosthette. "There is nothing you can think that I do not know." She transformed into Lyra, eyes still unmistakably cold.

       "At any rate, you have one choice to make. Come with me to the winning side, ensuring both your safety in the coming war… and you get to see Miss Heartstrings again, " She said, transforming again into Twilight. "Or stay in Ponyville with your dependents, possibly being caught in the crossfire when the war begins in earnest…"

       She turned back into her regular self. "…Well? I am giving you the option to choose. Unlike the 6 other ponies I kidnapped."

       "So that was you."

       "Mmm… yes, it was. I needed someway to alert you to my existence without other ponies knowing. And that fit the bill. But still. Your choice?"

       He felt like puking. Leave Ponyville and see Lyra again, but that meant leaving Twilight and the rest of his new friends behind… or stay behind, safe, and risk never seeing Lyra again…

       "Hm, quite a conundrum, isn't it? And stop thinking I'm a bitch. It only means you're saying the same about yourself," she said. "Wait…"

       He paused, confused. Her eyes were intently closed, as if in concentration.

       "…I'm afraid this interview will need to be cut a little short. You were followed," she said.

       He perked his ears. The steady beat of hooves and shouts of his name echoed down the halls. He listened a little closer; the sound of wingbeats was also there. He looked back up as Gosthette stood perched at the edge of the window.

       "I will give you until the strike of next midnight to decide. When you do, find a secluded spot and think of nothing but your decision. I will appear quickly to escort you. If you decide against it… then say and do nothing about it. I will take you're missing the deadline as such."

       She launched into the air, scattering feathers everywhere. "And one last warning, Pennaprose." she said. "I do not give you more time because I cannot. The Queen will launch her plans by then, and when she does, I will not be able to freely travel around Equestria. Good bye, for now…"

       She darted out the window. He galloped after her, looking out the window; she had disappeared into the night without a trace…

       "Penni? Where are you? …There you are!"

       Twilight and Dash came through the only other exit. She made her way over to him.

       "I thought I told you friends help each other! That means if you're having a problem, you tell me!"

       "…W-what?" said Pennaprose. She halted in front of him, out of breath, and brandished a piece of paper. It was Gosthette's note. "…Oh."

       "'Come to the dragon's chamber alone'… how is it that you didn't think that was a trap?!"

       "…I already did leave my laptop here by mistake–"

       "That's not the point!" she said angrily. "You could have at least told me about this!"

       His spirits fell. "…Sorry, Twilight. But it wasn't a trap. I'm not hurt, at least."

       She scrunched her muzzle. "…I guess. But if you're going to risk your neck like this on dubious leads to Lyra, then I guess I shouldn't have yelled. …I heard another voice in here. Who was it?"

       "…I'll tell you when we get back home." he answered.

       Twilight sighed. He went around the corner, pausing the recording and closing the laptop. Without further word, he let Dash and Twilight pick him up, letting the three of them fly out the window. Dash commented that she saw him scrambling over the mountain cliffside from a cloud; apparently, he might have set a new record for climbing it. He dismissed this, single focused on Gosthette's words. In the balmy night air, he felt wide awake; there would be little sleep tonight.

---

       She watched the three of them soar over the horizon silently. As soon as she was certain they were out of sight, she shifted forms from a nondescript rock to her natural form.

       She closed her eyes. The echo of Pennaprose's thoughts stirred in her mind; she felt uncertain.

       'The Queen wanted me back in Canterlot by dawn tomorrow. It will take a while to get there by wing…'

       Beside her, two changelings materialized from the stone. She turned to them; addressing the taller of the two. "…Quitangu. Curious of you to make the trip out here so late at night. Is there no armor that need forging? No anvil that is crying for a hammer?

       "And Aloysius as well. To what do I owe the… pleasure… of this surprise visit?"

       Aloysius, who had a mechanical eye and scraggly lab coat, sputtered as his eye zoomed in. "Yis… Ver Queen vishes to pass along ze message. Stage von has proceeded smoothingness. Ve are in vul controlling of ze base already. …no sanking of ze me for it though. It vas my drug zat did it! The sissy throne-sitters are not even avareness of it!"

       Quitangu, clad in gaudy golden armor and carrying a broadsword twice as flashy, interrupted. "Shush, Pane. We are so very happy that you could get is into Canterlot undetected, but now is not the time to celebrate. Not yet.

       "Though I decided to tag along anyways. Dear Gosthette, Chrissy wanted so very much wanted me to tell you that when you're done in Ponyville, return to Canterlot. Find the Captain of the Guard while posing as a guard; his name is Shining Armor. Ask him about the future; that way, we'll know it's you."

       Gosthette nodded absentmindedly. "Right, right… standard. Let the Queen know that I've done and said what I needed to, but I do not know when I'll be back. …I may have company in tow as well."

       Quitangu raised an eyebrow. "Hah? Company? Let me guess, that silly little unicorn you were playing games with?"

       Gosthette merely looked at her. She seemed satisfied. "Oh, Chrissy might trust you for her own reasons, but I've been her friend since we were little fillies. Why am I in charge of the armor and weapons? She gave me that position; we tell each other everything, or have you forgotten?"

       Gosthette beat her wings in annoyance, sending more feathers everywhere. "Look Quitangu. I don't give a damn about what you know or see from me. I need only the Queen's trust while I reside in this world. …Least of all, your or Sadhiki's trust."

       Quitangu giggled helplessly, unsheathing her broadsword and plunging it in the rock beside Gosthette's head. "Feh, Sadhiki's a pile of shit either way. I still haven't forgiven him for breaking one of my precious golden lances. But I like you, Gosthette. You drive him up the wall just by doing your job that he oh so desperately wanted. Even better is that he can't a damn thing about it! It was the Queen's decision to make you the Tr.Op.I.Ca.L. commander, he could lose his head for protesting! Ooh, I hope he does eventually, I'd volunteer in a heartbeat…"

       She withdrew the sword, sheathing it again. "Either way, we're done here-"

       "Vait! I vorgot to saying, I vould be very gratefulness if you vould stop ze poisoning of my coffee behind my backing, Gazettea. Am greatly growing of ze weariness, practicing constant vigilances. I'd like to start the retiring some day, preferably after ze invasion is over. A bit relaxingness, yis? So screw off with ze poison, please and sanku."

       She said nothing. Quitangu merely shrugged and turned into an falcon, flying north towards Canterlot. Aloysius fixed his mechanical eye at her, an expression of distaste upon his face. "Bah… she's cooked her head in ze forge too much… I am hoping though zat you are not wishing the death-making upon her? She is meaning vell. …Zo I haf von more messages from ze Queen. Hell if I know vat it means."

       He turned his eye upon her as it made clicking noises. The Queen's voice emanated from the device, a hologram of her projecting from the eye. A little speech bubble accompanied it.

       "'Progress is little on your gift to Us as time grows short. Make your personal plans quick, if at all possible; it could be the key we need to complete Project Jump.'"

       It fizzled out of sight; Aloysius grunted as the eye device whirred back into place. "Blasted thing… Anyvay, good nighting to you, Gazettea."

       He transformed into a dragonfly, darting off in the same direction as Quitangu.

       She eyed the horizon over Ponyville, the light remnants of whoever was awake at this hour caressing the sky.

       "It seems… that I will have to speed this up."