Witcher of Canterlot: XII


                                            >After answering what you could to the police, you walk into the lobby as Sunset and Twilight stand up from the bench.

                                            >”Don’t leave the city now y’hear.” the interrogator tells you. “We might need you to provide more details later.”

                                            >Waving them off, you join your friends.

                                            >What a waste of time.

                                            >None of the questions they asked would have provided any real details, most were just standard run around questions.

                                            >You get the feeling right now they already think they have their culprit in their hands, they just want to find proof.

                                            >"What now?" Sunset asks.

                                            >"We should find my brother. He's not answering his phone and his co-workers said he left soon with the succubus after we did."

                                            "That’s the plan so far at least..."

                                            >"Anon, you're not planning on looking for her alone are you?"

                                            "I am. And Sunset before you even ask. You might be getting better but you still only have roughly a month's worth of training and you don't even have a proper Witcher blade. I’m not risking your lives if I can help it."

                                            >"Still, I should help you find Chrysalis."

                                            >You beckon her to come closer.

                                            "You can help by taking care of Twilight. Right now she's going to need all the friends she has."

                                            >"But..."

                                            "No buts. I'll be fine."

                                            >You give her a reassuring smile, but it does little to put her at ease.

                                            "Twilight, did your brother happen to use an unmarked car like he did before?"

                                            >"I don't think so, he took his normal car to work today."

                                            "Damn, was hoping he would have taken one of those, I could have just asked the police to track the location of the car. Urg, without that I don't have any way of tracking down Chrysalis."

                                            >Suddenly a thought pops into your head.

                                            "I'm going to visit Cadance."

                                            >"Why?"

                                            "If Chrysalis wanted Cadance dead, no doubt she wants to make sure she's actually dead."

                                            >Twilight's eyes widen in shock, "You think she's going to have someone finish the job?"

                                            "It's our only bet right now."

                                            >"Anon I'm com-"

                                            >You give Twilight a cold glare silencing her.

                                            "No you're not Twilight Sparkle. There's no way in hell I'm risking your life."

                                            >"But...!"

                                            "No."

                                            >Twilight stomps her foot with a defiant glare, "You don't even know where the nearest hospital they might have taken Cadance is!"

                                            >Placing a hand over her heart her expression softens, "Please Anon, you need me to help you."

                                            >Digging into your pocket, you pull out Sunset's phone.

                                            "Sunset? Your phone have GPS?"

                                            >"Yes?"

                                            >You then look to Twilight who only bites her lip.

                                            >"Darn it!" she says trying to grab the phone.

                                            >You easily move the phone out of her reach and stiff arm her with your other hand.

                                            >Turning around you pull out Sunset's phone and open the GPS app to locate the nearest hospital to Cadance's apartment.

                                            >"Sunset, stay with Twilight and make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."

                                            >Running off, you leave the two girls behind.


                                            >As Anon runs off, Twilight slumps her shoulders.

                                            >"Sunset, I can't just sit around doing nothing while my brother's in danger."

                                            "I know Twilight. But you heard Anon, I think this is a little out of our league like the Leshen."

                                            >Without warning, Twilight pops her head up.

                                            >"Anon said you had to stay with me right?"

                                            >Oh no...

                                            >You know that look.

                                            >That's the look Rarity and Rainbow Dash always get when they have something planned that you don't like.

                                            "Twilight..."

                                            >"Make sure I don't do anything stupid. Well... going to the hospital isn't stupid to visit an injured friend right?"

                                            "It is when there's an assassin coming."

                                            >She smiles smugly, "*IF* there's an assassin coming. There's no proof that there is one that's going to show up."

                                            "But there's no proof that one won't show up Twilight."

                                            >"Stupid is defined as lacking intelligence."

                                            "Which is what you are if you go to the hospital."

                                            >Twilight laughs, "Ahh, but Sunset if you remember I have the highest academic scores at both Crystal Prep and CHS."

                                            >Ever since Twilight transferred she sort of stole your spotlight in that regard...

                                            >"And those achievements prove I am *not* lacking in intelligence. So going to the hospital can't be stupid."

                                            "Now you're just twisting words around. That's not-"

                                            >You try putting a hand on Twilight's shoulder when you suddenly get a massive shiver down your spine as she slaps it away.

                                            >Turning around, Twilight's eyes glow teal followed by the most deathly serious look you've only ever seen once before...

                                            >"Sunset. If you don't let me go see Cadance right now I will reinvent the device that will rip the magic from your body and take care of this myself."

                                            >Recoiling your hand you look at your friend with horror.

                                            "Twi-Twilight..."

                                            >Twilight's eyes suddenly return to normal when she see's your fear and realizes her threat.

                                            >Steeling herself, the girl turns around and gives you one last look over her shoulder.

                                            >"My brother's life is on the line, and I might possibly be losing the person who was like an older sister to me. I *WILL* not just sit idly by."

                                            >Running off, you watch as Twilight follows Anon's path.

                                            >You grit your teeth and clench your fists.

                                            "Darn it."

                                            >Running after her, you curse to yourself and everything about this day.


                                            -----


                                            >You arrive at the hospital located the closest to Cadance's apartment.

                                            >An ambulance parked out front bears the same markings denoting its jurisdiction as the one from earlier.

                                            >Walking inside, a security guard at the front desk looks up from his magazine and raises a brow.

                                            >"Sorry, visiting hours ended twenty minutes ago, you'll have to come back tomorrow."

                                            "A friend of mine was brought here with a gunshot wound earlier."

                                            >"Sir, my condolences but visiting hours are over." he repeats.

                                            >It's clear the guard won't back down, but you're not looking to start an incident.

                                            "Can you at least tell me what room she would be in?"

                                            >"If I do will you leave?"

                                            "Yeah."

                                            >Bending a corner of the page he was on, he closes the magazine and rolls his chair to the receptionist computer.

                                            >Shaking the mouse to turn the screen on, he pulls up a patient manifest.

                                            >As he begins looking through the new arrivals, you take note of any security cameras facing the desk.

                                            >Looking up into the corners of the ceiling, you spot a reflective dome mounted on a swivel.

                                            >There's one facing the table, and another facing the entrance.

                                            >Axii is not advised with recording devices about.

                                            >"Your friend, Mi Amore Cadenza right?"

                                            >Sounds like it, though you don't know her full name.

                                            >"She's just got out of surgery an hour ago, she's resting in the intensive care ward on the fifth floor."

                                            "That's... a relief."

                                            >"Now if that'll be all, I'm going to have to ask you to vacate the building."

                                            "Thanks for the information. I'll be going then."

                                            >"Sure thing." he says returning to his reading. "Kids these days..."

                                            >Walking out the front door, you need to figure out a way inside.

                                            >Facing the building, you try to see if there's any alternate ways inside, but beyond the backdoor which also no doubt has cameras you're in a tough spot right now.

                                            >Counting the windows to where you surmise is the fifth floor, you take note of the architecture of the building.

                                            >You could try scaling the side of the building, hope for an open window.

                                            >...

                                            >No, doesn't look like there's any way for you to get a solid grip or foothold.

                                            >Unfortunately you're not a damned assassin that can scale up walls with a little free-running.

                                            >As you pace back and forth, you notice that the camera mounted at the front entrance probably doesn't view the parking lot.

                                            >Jogging over to the large lamp posts, none of them except one has a camera mounted.

                                            >Luckily for you it's facing the street and not the lot itself.

                                            >There's only one a few cars in the lot at this time of night.

                                            >Breaking off a branch from one of the nearby bushes, you stroll over to the truck in the most remote section and set the branch near the rear tire of truck.

                                            >Making the sign for Igni, a spark of fire erupts from the tinder and creates a decent flame.

                                            >With that done, you run back to the hospital's front door and pound on the glass.

                                            >The security guard looks up and sees you only to sigh.

                                            >Slowly, he gets up and walks over to you.

                                            >"What is it kid?"

                                            "Someone's vehicle is on fire!"

                                            >"What?"

                                            "In the parking lot, a truck is on fire!"

                                            >Panic begins to take hold as he rushes out the door and runs into the lot.

                                            >"Oh fuck!"

                                            >The man runs over to the vehicle and walks out of the view of the cameras.

                                            >Perfect.

                                            "Hey."

                                            >"Kid I gotta call the fire departme-"

                                            >You wave your hand in front of his face and cast Axii.

                                            "You're going to let me see my friend and forget I was ever here, you'll also turn off the security cameras after I get inside the elevator for the next hour."

                                            >Nodding his head, you walk over to the burning branch and stomp the fire out.


                                            >Exiting the elevator, you quietly sneak over to the front desk of the intensive care ward.

                                            >The lights have been dimmed with every other light turned off in this part of the hospital.

                                            >A nurse is at her post listening to music on her phone while she writes down something in a folder.

                                            >As carefully as you can, you crawl past her and into the hallway.

                                            >Cadance is in room... 507.

                                            >503... 505... 507.

                                            >Opening the door, you silently head inside and shut the door behind you, making sure to hold the handle down to minimize the sound of the latch snapping shut.

                                            >The lights in this room are all shut off and everything is eerily silent except for the beeping of the heart monitor.

                                            >Peering over to the bed, Cadance lies unconscious with a respirator, the heart monitor and IV drip hooked up to her.

                                            >Nothing seems amiss.

                                            >You inspect the equipment she's hooked up to to make sure nothing has been tampered with.

                                            >While it may seem paranoid to do that. You have no idea if Chrysalis or the assassin from earlier beat you here to finish the job.

                                            >Everything looks in order, at least as far as you can tell. Nothing seems to be out of place.

                                            >Now, you just have to wait.

                                            >Clearing a small corner of the room, you pull the curtain over enough to conceal you from a cursory glance to anyone checking in from the door.

                                            >Setting your cane sword on the ground in front of you, you kneel down and begin meditating.

                                            >Hopefully waiting like this isn't a mistake.


                                            >Normally for an average person it would be very easy to lose yourself to the flow of time and fall asleep. Thankfully, your training has allowed you to keep track of the minutes passing as your senses become even more honed to the point you could hear a fly fart.

                                            >Roughly ten minutes pass before an orderly on duty peeks into the room drawing your attention. But as you prepare to intervene, it became apparent that he's only doing his job and making sure Cadance's equipment was functional.

                                            >You quickly and quietly go back to meditation until you hear footsteps outside the Cadance's door.

                                            >The click clack of the individual's shoes on the tile is different from the footwear a nurse would wear while working.

                                            >Grabbing your sword, you step behind the door as the handle jiggles itself.

                                            >Slowly the handle turns and the door opens.

                                            >Light from the hall pours into the room as two shadows step inside.

                                            >Silently pushing the door closed behind them, you prepare to bring your blade up when you realize who the two figures are.

                                            "What the hell are you two doing here?!"

                                            >Both Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle nearly jump out of the shoes when they hear you.

                                            >Grabbing both girls by their shirts, you drag them behind the curtain and pin them to wall with your arms.

                                            >"Uh... hi Anon." Sunset says with a sheepish smile.

                                            "Why. Are. You. Here."

                                            >"Twilight wanted to-"

                                            >Of course...

                                            "Twilight, in case you can't tell this is my annoyed face."

                                            >"That's the face you always make..." Sunset mumbles.

                                            >You shoot Sunset a glare which makes her back down.

                                            >"Anon, Cadance is my-"

                                            >You place your hand over her mouth to shush her.

                                            "I don't want to hear your excuses. Do you realize how hard it'll be to fight in this room with three people to take care of?"

                                            >"I-I didn't think..."

                                            "No you didn't. Now how the hell did you get past the guard at the front?"

                                            >"What guard?"

                                            >"Yeah Anon there was no one there."

                                            "What?"

                                            >Is the guard still not back from swapping the tapes out?

                                            "What about the nurse and the orderly?"

                                            >"Anon, we're just as confused as you. We just thought they were on break."

                                            >That can't be... unless...

                                            "He's here."

                                            >"You don't mean?"

                                            "Hospital staff don't all go on break at the same time. Someone always needs to be present in case of emergency."

                                            >Before you can figure how long you have until the assassin arrives, you hear more footsteps outside the room.

                                            >Placing a finger over your lips, you hear a thump on the wall next to the door.

                                            >Taking your sword back in hand, you tip-toe behind the door and wait.

                                            >Twilight and Sunset hide behind the curtain and don't dare to make any noise.

                                            >The door cracks open as a bald man in a suit enters the room.

                                            >He pulls out a silver pistol from inside his suit jacket, along with a suppressor and begins screwing it on the barrel.

                                            >Yep, this is the guy.

                                            >As he makes sure the attachment is secured, a creaking noise comes from Twilight and Sunset's hiding spot.

                                            >The man immediately aims his pistol at the girl's location causing you to jump out of your own spot and grabbing the man's arm.

                                            >With your free hand, you try to swing your blade, but he grabs you by the wrist with his free arm.

                                            >Trying to fight you off, the assassin pulls the trigger as you force his arm upwards, sending three bullets into the ceiling.

                                            >Wrenching his arm free, he punches you in the jaw sending you falling backwards into the wall.

                                            >Bringing up a Quen shield, the barrier just narrowly comes up just in time as a pair of bullets clash into the shield and clatter to the floor.

                                            >The man's eyes widen momentarily at this turn of events as you take the opportunity to go at him again.

                                            >Your movements were already incredibly limited in this room, made even worse due to Twilight and Sunset stuck in the corner on the other side of Cadance's bed.

                                            >You can't afford any wild sword swings despite the short length of the new cane sword, nor can you make any movements that would put the girls or Cadance in her bed at risk.

                                            >At this point you are literally going to have to subdue the assassin with your fists.

                                            "Sunset."

                                            >You drop your sword onto the ground and kick it towards her, sliding it under Cadance's bed.

                                            >Bringing your fists up, you begin trying to pummel the man into submission. Unfortunately, it seems he's well prepared for such an occasion.

                                            >He tries to take aim at Twilight and Sunset but you rush in and grab the assassin's arm forcing him to fire his last two towards you rather than them.

                                            >Breaking free of your grip again, he aims at you only to be answered by a clicking noise.

                                            "Well aren't I a lucky punk?"

                                            >Grimacing, the assassin tosses his pistol aside and runs at you again.

                                            >Despite his appearance, the guy seems to be extremely proficient at hand to hand combat. Blow for blow, you're either parrying or blocking with him.

                                            >At least until he decides to duck under one of your punches and run a fist into your side.

                                            >Right in the spot where the leshen impaled you making the blow even more painful than normal.

                                            >As you step back you can tell he also noticed your more overt reaction to the blow and proceeds to focus all his attacks towards your injury.

                                            >Ducking under a punch, he kicks you in the gut and sending you crashing into one of cabinet walls.

                                            >Crawling out, you hear the sound of glass breaking followed by a wet feeling on your waist.

                                            >"Anon!" Sunset cries out.

                                            >Grunting in frustration, you grab a metal tray on a dolly and smash it into the man's head when he charges you making him reel back and giving you some breathing room.

                                            >The man takes a moment to inspect the cut running alongside his forehead before scowling.

                                            >With your glasses cracked, you discard them and glare at the man. He can't help but raise a brow as your eyes pierce through the darkness.

                                            >For a few moments the only sound in the room is the beeping from Cadance's heart monitor.

                                            >He slides a hand into his pocket and pulls out a wire with two handles attached to the ends and pulls it tense.

                                            >You reach into your own jacket and pull out a throwing knife and flip it into an icepick grip.

                                            >You're really starting to get sick of this.

                                            >But at least now you have a weapon more suited for this range.

                                            >Like in slow motion, with your reflexes and perception you easily dodge under his fist and bring your knife across his chest with an uppercut.

                                            >A trail of blood follows the sharp cutting edge and splatters upward onto the ceiling.

                                            >Twirling around and juggling the knife into your other hand, you lean into into the assassin and plunge your blade into his gut.

                                            >However in spite of the wound, he still reaches over to try and use his garrote on you.

                                            >Persistent fucker.

                                            >Using one hand to keep the wire from your neck. You can't apply as much pressure but instead you twist the blade.

                                            >The assassin lets out a yelp of pain and drops his weapon before you shove him onto the floor.

                                            >Kneeling him onto his back, you extend his arm and apply some pressure.

                                            "Where is Chrysalis."

                                            >"..."

                                            "I'm not fucking around. Where. Is. She."

                                            >Your only response is a dirty glare as he struggles to keep his composure.

                                            >"TALK DAMMIT!" Twilight yells out.

                                            >"TWILIGHT!"

                                            >Looking up, you see Twilight with the assassin's pistol aimed right at his head.

                                            >The man tries to take your shock to buck you off, but you keep your balance.

                                            "WHERE IS MY BROTHER!" she demands, waving the empty gun.

                                            >"I don't know who your brother is." he replies calmly.

                                            >"Liar! You were hired by Chrysalis weren't you!"

                                            >Twilight kicks him in the side, causing the man to grunt in pain.

                                            >"..."

                                            "Answer her."

                                            >With another wave of your hand, you cast an Axii hex.

                                            >Surprisingly, the guy actually manages to resist.

                                            >"I... I... won't..."

                                            >Putting more effort into the sign, you cast it again.

                                            >"M-my... gah... the docks... we were to meet there when the job was done..."

                                            "Good boy. Now sleep."

                                            >Eyes rolling into the back of his head, the man falls unconscious.

                                            >Relaxing, you feel a sudden pang in your waist and far greater than something you normally would just shrug off.

                                            >Putting a hand over the spot, deep crimson blood begins pooling.

                                            "Fuck. Guess I wasn't as lucky as I thought."

                                            >"Anon!" Sunset says your name rushing to your side.

                                            >Grimacing in pain, you're really thankful you got injured in a hospital this time at least.

                                            "It's in pretty deep... look in the cabinets for a pair of medical pliers or something."

                                            >"B-but we need to stop the bleeding."

                                            "Don't worry about that, my blood clots faster and pumps slower. Right now I'm not at risk to bleed out. But that also means I would prefer getting this bullet out before the wound closes."

                                            >Nodding her head, Sunset begins digging through the drawers and cabinets while you lean against the wall.

                                            >"Twilight I could use your help." Sunset says.

                                            >The girl with the glasses ignores her plea and kneels next to you.

                                            >She examines your wound and looks away.

                                            >"A-Anon... I'm... I'm so sorry."

                                            >Tears form in the corners of her eyes as she gets up and runs out of the room.

                                            >"Aha found on- where did Twilight go?"

                                            "... Hand me that metal dish."

                                            >Taking the dish on the counter she lays both objects next to you.

                                            "Now comes the fun part. Sunset, you need to pull the bullet out."

                                            >"What? Why me?"

                                            "Because I don't have good leverage to do it from this angle."

                                            >"Really? Because it seems you just like having me do these things."

                                            >You admit. You sort of do but that's besides the point right now.

                                            >Sunset nervously takes the medical pliers and begins to insert the device into you.

                                            >"Ew..."

                                            >Pain receptors flare off as she begins to dig around your wound until she hits something metallic.

                                            "Okay... now pull it out."

                                            >Placing a hand on your chest, she clamps onto the bullet and takes her time easing it out.

                                            >"I... think I got it." she says dropping the bloody bullet fragment into the dish.

                                            "Good. Now get me some gauze and bandages."

                                            >A few minutes pass as you tighten the binding around your waist. With the blood already clotting, your body is going to have to take care of the rest.

                                            >It'll be a couple days before your right as rain though. Not helped by the fact the wound is only inches away from the impalement you suffered from the leshen which itself isn't fully healed.

                                            >"So what are we going to do about him?" Sunset asks about the assassin.

                                            "Contemplating on killing him."

                                            >"We can't solve all our problems by killing something."

                                            "Sure we can. I do it all the time."

                                            >"Anon..."

                                            “Is it really doing the world any favors keeping an assassin alive? Really?”

                                            >”You’re not killing him Anon.” she says adamantly.

                                            "Ugh, fine. Sometimes you girls are worse than my fencing trainer... Call the cops. Last thing I need is for them to suspect me even more than I figure they already do."

                                            >Handing Sunset her cellphone, you pick up the garrote the man used before and tie off his hands at the wrists behind him just for Sunset's peace of mind.

                                            >He's bleeding out pretty badly anyway, the cuts you made were pretty deep. You give him... three minutes before he expires from injury.

                                            >It's not perfect, but it should hold while Axii is still in effect.

                                            >Sunset proceeds to call the police while you do the heavy lifting and drag the guy's body out of the room towards the front desk, leaving a bloody trail in the process.

                                            >Setting him in the receptionist's chair, you begin frisking the man's body for anything you could use yourself.

                                            >All in all, you find a second matching pistol with a strange symbol etched into it, with two spare magazines and a couple of lockpicks.

                                            >While you don't particularly care for guns, you place the handgun in the gap between your shirt and pants and pocket the magazines along with the picks.

                                            >They may come in handy later, especially since you're a bit under equipped already.

                                            >"Are you heading towards the docks?" Sunset asks helping you.

                                            "Really, *really* thinking about just calling it quits. But no doubt you're going to argue about how you're going to find your stupid friend and I gave my word to that other version of the same friend I would protect you. So yeah, I'm probably heading to the docks."

                                            >"In your condition? Don't you have a potion or something?"

                                            >Reaching the vial holder on your belt, you pull out one swallow potion.

                                            "One, the other two got smashed when I was knocked into the cabinet. Besides it only accelerates the healing process, not magically cure it."

                                            >You put the remaining vial back as Sunset hands you your sword.

                                            >"I don't see Twilight anywhere."

                                            "She's probably gone to the docks."

                                            >"By herself?! She's going to get killed."

                                            "Which is why I need to hurry."

                                            >Turning and facing the desk, you feel under the surface for an emergency alarm button.

                                            >Your fingers brush up against a switch and you press it.

                                            "There, someone should be coming soon. We need to leave now if Twilight's gone to help her brother she already has a short lead time on us."

                                            >"What about Dean Cadance?"

                                            >Walking over to the door to Cadance's room, you cast Quen on the handle and a glowing yellow orb surrounds the knob.

                                            "Try opening it now."

                                            >Sunset walks over and tries to open the door.

                                            >"What the... It's not budging." she says trying to turn the handle.

                                            "Good, now let's go."

                                            >"But how will the doctors get in?"

                                            "They'll think of something. Right now Cadance is safe and we have more pressing things to worry about. C'mon."

                                            >Quickly, the two of you head to elevator and down to lobby.


                                            -----


                                            >Running as fast as you can, you try to put as much distance between the hospital and yourself.

                                            >Right now you really wish you were more athletic like Rainbow Dash and Indigo Zap.

                                            >Slowing to a stop, you take a moment to catch your breath when realization dawns on you.

                                            >What are you doing?

                                            >You don't have any fighting skills.

                                            >What makes you think you have any chance of taking down a succubus by yourself?

                                            >Squatting down you look at the moon peeking up high in the sky.

                                            >Realistically, your chances of even making a move before Chrysalis slashes your throat or rips your heart out are statistically not in your favor by a overwhelmingly large margin.

                                            >...

                                            >Ugh.

                                            >Maybe Anon has a point with you meddling in things beyond your control.

                                            >But you can't just do nothing while Shining is some magical... slut's personal toy.

                                            >He would go to the ends of the earth to make sure you were okay.

                                            >Why can't you?

                                            >[Probably because he has a gun and knows how to use it.]

                                            >Well... you have a gun too.

                                            >...

                                            >Oh dear.

                                            >You only now just realize that you're still holding the assassin's gun in your hand.

                                            >Assassin's... gun...

                                            >Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh.

                                            >You're holding something that has probably killed a lot of people...

                                            >Should you keep it or throw it away?

                                            >Holding the pistol like it suddenly attracted the plague, you consider what to do with it.

                                            >You can't just keep it.

                                            >It's not legally yours and what would Mom and Dad say?

                                            >But... you can't just throw a gun away without properly disposing of it. That would be illegal!

                                            >What did Shining tell you when he was teaching you how to shoot as a means of self-defense?

                                            >...

                                            >Actually you're not sure. There were too many people firing those loud guns around you at the range he took you too.

                                            >Looks like you'll have to hold onto it.

                                            >Well, at least you remember to make sure the safety on the gun is on.

                                            >Putting the pistol into your bag, you can't help but realize the situation you've gotten yourself into.

                                            >You should be letting Anon handle this.

                                            >He got hurt because of you.

                                            >Again.

                                            >Why do you keep messing up Twilight?

                                            >Maybe you can still be of use to Anon and scout out the area.

                                            >You still have your listening equipment in your backpack and the magic-o-meter can help you pinpoint Chrysalis.

                                            >It should still have the magical frequency that it detected when you first met her.

                                            >Alright it's settled then, you'll locate where she and your brother are, then let Anonymous handle the rest.

                                            >Then, when Shining is safe and sound, you'll both visit Cadance and they'll get married and you all can put all this behind you.

                                            >At least you hope...

                                            >Though you can't help but wonder how has Anon and Sunset not caught up to you by now?

                                            >You're far from the most athletic person in your small group.


                                            "How can a nerd run so far?!"

                                            >You're about half-a mile away from the hospital with Sunset right behind you.

                                            >Vaulting over a low stone bench, you continue looking at the GPS on Sunset's phone.

                                            >"Anon I don't think this is the way to the docks?"

                                            "Hey I'm following your GPS."

                                            >"Hold up a minute." she says gasping for air. "Give me my phone."

                                            >You stop and hand the phone to her.

                                            >Leaning against a stop sign, her face scrunches up.

                                            >"Anon! This is leading us to a place called "The Dock"!

                                            "That's where we're going aren't we?"

                                            >She slaps her forehead, "This is a bar on the other end of town!"

                                            "Why the fuck would they call it that?!"

                                            >Sunset groans, "I don't know... I think it'll be faster if we just find a cab."

                                            >You growl.


                                            >Ten minutes later, you approach the entrance to the commercial part of the waterfront.

                                            >Sunset and Anonymous still haven't caught up with you, which to be quite honest is not making you feel any more confident.

                                            >You spot a security guard out front where the vehicles would enter watching a small portable television at his post.

                                            >As silently as you can, you crawl under the wall of the booth he's inside laughing at something playing on the tv.

                                            >He takes a drink from his coffee mug causing you to duck behind cover before he spots you.

                                            >Letting a few moments go by, he has his back turned with all his focus on his show.

                                            >Quickly, you dash by the open door and enter the area.

                                            >Nothing seems wrong so far. Though that may change very quickly.

                                            >Making sure the guard hasn't noticed you, you walk some distance until you hide between four large storage units.

                                            >Pulling the magic-o-meter out of your backpack, you turn the device on.

                                            >Lights begin circling the face as the boot up sequence progresses.

                                            "C'mon c'mon. Hurry up."

                                            >Paranoia is wreaking havoc on your nerves as the thought of being caught by the guard or even worse, Chrysalis makes your heart race due sudden flood of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dozens of other hormones coursing into your system from your brain.

                                            >The magic-o-meter soon finishes its startup and glows a solid color.

                                            >Setting in the previous frequency detected, the device hums a few tones as it begins searching the area for any magical signature.

                                            >Moments go by with the lights circling the face of the device again before homing in on one corner.

                                            >Bingo!

                                            >Muting the magic-o-meter and dimming the lights, you begin following the direction its pointing, using it like a compass facing true north.

                                            >Unlike searching for magnetic north which suffers from declination, though you're not traveling a long distance so the margin of declination should be less than...

                                            >Focus Twilight.

                                            >Sneaking your way through rows and rows of cargo containers, the flashing becomes more and more frequent until the entire front third of the magic-o-meter glows.

                                            >In front of you is one of the large warehouses that dot the waterfront. You take note of the large number five on the side and commit it to memory.

                                            >Pulling out your phone, you text the number to Sunset's phone.

                                            >You set your things down and open up your backpack again, this time pulling out a set of headphones and a large foldable parabolic dish with an attached microphone of your own design.

                                            >It's been awhile since you've used this.

                                            >Last time you think was listening in to Cadance and Shining Armor in your tree house while they made out on the couch.

                                            >Making sure all the equipment works, you turn on the microphone and point it towards the warehouse.

                                            >"sshhhhh-ink it won't be too much longer. The guy Chrysi hired is supposed to be one of the best."

                                            >They must be talking about the assassin!

                                            >"Y'know we wouldn't be pulling guard duty if you had just snuffed out that chick like you were supposed to."

                                            >"Shut up Kevin. How the hell was I supposed to know there was going to be a goddamned Witcher showing up."

                                            >"You serious? Anot-zzzzzzzzhhhhhh"

                                            >Darnit!

                                            >You readjust the settings on the mic until the signal clears up.

                                            >"-big man ain't gonna be too happy with Chrysalis when he hears she's spending all his cash on some dame just to nab her boy toy."

                                            >"Look, we ain't doing this for the big man, we're doing it for her. She got us all out of some serious shit."

                                            >"Yeah yeah. Still, don't mean I gotta like it. Hey, where is she anyway?"

                                            >One of the man set's something metallic down, "Probably jumping the bones of that cop again. She's been hanging out in the back room with him for a few hours now."

                                            >You hear both men laugh, "Shit, what I wouldn't give to get laid by a succubus like her."

                                            >"Well, we are both Dopplers."

                                            >"I'm gonna stop you right there. First, I prefer the term Changelings thank you very much. And second, that's totally gay dude."

                                            >"It ain't gay if you turn into the chick."

                                            >"But we're still both dudes on the inside and I'll know it's you."

                                            >"Better than nothing."

                                            >"Dude... you been spending too much time looking at your Asian porn."

                                            >Okay. That's enough of that.

                                            >Moving the mic to a different section of the building, you adjust the dials on the side of it.

                                            >*SLAP**SLAP**SLAP**SLAP**SLAP**SLAP*

                                            >What the...?

                                            >Is this thing going wonky on you again?

                                            >*SLAP**SLAP**SLAP**SLAP* "Oh Shining give it to me!"

                                            >That sounds like Chrysalis...

                                            >But if she's...

                                            "OH MY GOD!"

                                            >In shock and disgust you accidentally drop the parabolic dish onto the floor.

                                            >The feedback from landing on the ground makes a high pitched squeal causing you to yank off the earphones in pain.

                                            >A light from the office portion of the warehouse turns on as you hear a muffled female voice yelling from inside.

                                            >Oh crap...

                                            >Shutting off the mic you pack your things up quietly and try to put as much distance from the warehouse as the front door inside opens.

                                            >Two men walk out, each carrying a rifle of some sort and begin searching the area.

                                            >You can hear their footsteps echo against the metal walls of the cargo containers, with one particular set getting louder and louder.

                                            >With the multi-colored cargo containers stacked up so high, they block your line of sight and make this place even more of a maze than it already is.

                                            >Stepping down one corner, you see the shadow of one of the men from the opposite end.

                                            >Backtracking, you turn another corner and see a pile of tires, a wooden pallet and a barrel.

                                            >Without too much thought, you duck down behind the tires and pull one over your head.

                                            >You hold your breath as the two men appear at the end of the path.

                                            >"I don't see or hear nothing."

                                            >"Yeah me neither. Think boss lady was hearing things?"

                                            >"Eh, musta been a cat or something. Let's get back to our game."

                                            >"Give me a minute, gonna take a smoke."

                                            >"Fine."

                                            >One of the men walks over to your hiding spot and sits on the metal barrel next to you.

                                            >Pulling out a cigarette, he takes a match and lights it.

                                            >"Kevin, those things are gonna kill you."

                                            >"Eh, shut up."

                                            >Kevin shakes the match out and tosses it away.

                                            >Suddenly, a female voice comes in over a walkie talkie on one of the men's belts.

                                            >"Did you find anything?"

                                            >That was Chrysalis!

                                            >"Nah. Can't find nothing." Kevin says, taking a deep puff before tossing the cigarette as well.

                                            >Luck however isn't on your side as the still burning butt lands on your head.

                                            >You bite your hand and squirm as the burning sensation on your scalp sends your soon to be gone nerves into overdrive.

                                            >Owowowowowowowowowowow!

                                            >Hold it in Twilight... Hold it in!

                                            >"Well, get your asses back in he- *CRASH*"

                                            >"What the hell?"

                                            >"C'mon, that don't sound good."

                                            >Both men quickly leave the area and head back to the warehouse.

                                            >When both men turn the corner, you quickly flick the cigarette butt off your head and let out a sigh of relief.

                                            >You wait a few moments before you follow the two guards and stop just where you were before.

                                            >Taking out the dish, you noticed that the microphone is bent and the dish is cracked.

                                            >Great...

                                            >Without your listening device, you decide to sneak over to the office area where Chrysalis and Shining were...

                                            >Ugh...

                                            >Peering through the window, you see Shining rushing to get dressed before putting his trench coat on.

                                            >He seems okay...

                                            >Your can't believe your eyes however, when he pulls out his service pistol and walks into the main room.

                                            >Running to the other door, you peek inside and see Shining and the two guards aiming their weapons at someone else while Chrysalis just stands back and snarls.

                                            >Her appearance has changed from when you last saw her. Chrysalis's legs are now more goat like, she has a pair of curved horns protruding from her head and her body is covered in strange markings.

                                            >She's covered in a few slash marks and is bleeding heavily from her left leg.

                                            >Looking over to where they're looking you see... Anon!

                                            >He made it!

                                            >Thank goodne-

                                            >A hand suddenly covers your mouth without warning and drags you back.

                                            >You try to scream until you see Sunset's face.

                                            >"Twilight what in Tartarus's name are you doing?" she chastises you in a whispering tone.

                                            >She removes her hand from your mouth to let you speak.

                                            "My brother's in there!"

                                            >"Anon can handle it, we gotta get outta he-

                                            >Sunset's eyes go wide as she quickly drags you back into the shadows.

                                            >Turning around, you see two men in suits walking up to the door. Thankfully they haven't noticed you two.

                                            >One of them speaks into a wire connected to an earpiece, and a large hulk of a man walks up behind them.

                                            >"Well now, it looks like Iron Will made the right choice to pay an unexpected visit."