Author's Notes:

A little late, but i think i did good with this one.

Have a good read~

Navi prodded her hoof at the sleeping form of her new friend. He gave off a loud snore, which made her giggle. She poked him again, further up his arm. He swatted at her, mumbling something about Princess Luna, and nearly knocked over the book that was laying open against his chest. She poked him a third time, and.... nothing happened.

She poked his arm a little harder, hoping to get a little more reaction out of him. And again, and again. She kept poking, wondering why he stopped.

“SURPRISE.” Kestral yelled.

“AHH!” Navi screamed, falling back at the sudden jump in heart rate. She rolled around bit, then shifted her head up and at Kestral, looking at the smirk on his face. She let out a series of giggles as she got back on her hooves and walked back towards him.

“Navy?” She heard her mother ask, as she walked out of her bedroom.

“Yes, mom?” She asked back, jumping up on Kestral's torso.

“You need to let Kestral sleep. He's going to need it if he wants to get better.” She scolded.

“Y- yes mom.” She hopped down again, looking up at Kestral. “Sorry, Kes.”

“You're fine.” He replied. He looked towards Jasmine, who was busy putting on some saddlebags. “Where are you going?” He asked.

“I figured that Navi and I could go out to eat together. It's been years since we did.” She reminisced for a moment. “You're welcome to join us, if you want.”

“Nah.” He replied. “I'm not hungry right now. I'll probably go out and get something later.”

“I'd tell you not to go out by yourself for the time being, but I know you won't listen to me. Just, don't get into trouble, okay?”

Navi looked over to see a smirk on Kestral's face. Aww. She thought. I kinda wanted to hang out with him.

“Don't worry.” He brushed it off. “I'll just get food. It's not like I'm going to run a marathon when your not looking.” He said.

“I'm not saying you will.” She replied. “But surprises can happen. And you never know who can really see through the disguise.”

“I'd be surprised if anyone but Luna figured the connection. She's the only one, aside from you two, who knows that 'Hunter' and I know eachother. But don't worry about me, you two just go enjoy yourselves.”

Navi smiled at him. Even if Kestral wasn't coming with them, she still felt giddy at going out to eat with her mother. It was something they hadn't done in a long time, and she felt like it would be a great time to just sit and talk to her own mother.

“Okay, Kes, see you after dinner!” Navi happily hopped over next to her mother, who had already opened the door.

“See you later, Hunter.” Navi burst through the doorway, then stopped, waiting for her mother in excitement. She breathed in the fresh air, a bigger smile forming on her face. As her mother passed her, she bolted to match her speed. Eagerly following her mother, Navi couldn't help but think one thing.

This is going to be the best night ever!

This is going to be the worst night ever. Kestral thought.

He checked his map, and much to his chagrin, there was not a single target on it. He guessed that in a city of probably at least a few thousand homes, it would take a little bit of time to check them, even for a wizard like Discord. But, since stealing could be done after his recovery, and he had books to read anyways, it meant he had no real reason to go out.

Reading books wouldn't help his cabin fever, though.

He took a deep breath, scooting back until his head laid against the arm of the couch. He pulled up his book from his chest, and allowed a floating flame to flicker its light onto the pages. He turned only a few pages into the first chapter, due to him having fallen asleep shortly after cracking open the book earlier.

He was happy that the little list of reading material narrowed down what chapters of the book was worth going over, even if it was that book alone. It would at least save him some time. He flipped the page back, realizing that he didn't quite retain all of the information from the beginning. From there, he decided to start over again on Organ Failure: Life Saving Techniques.

Chapter 1: Basic Chemical Manipulation/ Stimulation

To start, one must have an understanding of traditional chemical manipulation methods, such as Liquid Telekinetics, or any mana-fueled combustion spell. Assuming one knows such material, one may ask one's self; What is the difference between the traditional methods, and one's used in medical practice?

The answer; Location. That is it. The two methods are perfectly identical, except that it is considered 'Bio-Chemical Manipulation' when inside the body. One may ask one's self why this detail matters. But it is all important to keep this detail in mind, every time it is practiced.

But this isn't the only kind of manipulation to be discussed.

It is far more effective, not to use magic on chemicals to change how they're used or moved, but to change how they're created.

It takes far less mana, concentration, and time to simply stimulate glands into creating the specific chemicals we desire, rather than attempting to to change anything en masse.

Although this method is considered a type of 'Chemical Manipulation', it is far easier to describe it as chemical overproduction. Take the suprarenal glands, for example. It produces an array of chemicals, the most recognizable being adrenaline. One could, perhaps, copy the molecular structure and recreate it using spare material in the bloodstream. But most unicorns believe in working smarter, not harder. And the much smarter thing to do would be to have the body produce it.

The process is quite simple. First, one must focus his or her bloodstream. Then, focus on finding the suprarenal glands. Do not worry if your magic does not feel like it has latched onto anything, just make sure you are focusing on creating adrenaline, and nothing else. It would be worth noting, at this point, that there is another chemical, acetylcholine, that has the reverse effect of adrenaline, which is to say, it slows down your heartbeat.

Kestral would have continued reading, but he felt a minor burning sensation on his chest. It was just enough to notice. In fact, it felt rather familiar...

He made his vest and shirt disappear, leaving him bare-chested. He looked down, then cranked his head, looking at the three circles placed in an upside-down triangle formation quite close to his neck. Of the three circles on his chest, the one farthest from his head was filled in. He moved his hand over the thin patch of hair, taking a good look at it.

It appeared to be a detailed heart with a delta sign embedded in the center.

“What the hell?” He asked. Kestral mulled over the possibilities, trying to think of what he could do. At the end of his musings, though, he realized that he didn't know many specific chemicals in the human body. The two mentioned in the book aside, the only other one he knew of was dopamine. Not that he planned on giving himself a high. Ever. But, with nothing else to try, he focused on trying to increase his adrenaline levels. After just a moment he felt like...

He felt like his heart was about to burst!

Kestral felt the powerful, speedy beat in his chest, and the loud noise in his ears. He began breathing heavily, almost to the point of hyperventilating. After a moment, he used the spell to create the opposing chemical. He could have just waited, but he was feeling lightheaded, and short of breath. Quickly, it dropped down to a reasonable pulse again, and he recovered.

“Ugh... I'm gonna be sick.”

He felt an uneasiness blanket him, but he managed to not expel the contents of his stomach all over the couch. After several minutes of waiting, the feeling passed, and he could once again focus on the book. He was, at least, no longer tired. He shook his head. “I need to be real careful with that one. Might prove Jasmine right on the heart attack bit.”

He leaned up and sat on the couch in a more politically correct manner. With a swift hand, he cracked open the book again, skipping the rest of the first chapter, and moving directly to the second. With increased interest, he began reading.

Chapter 2: Accelerated Healing Factor

(For Chemical & Biological Healing spells, See pg 149)

One of the most desired, and commonly practiced, medical spells would be that of Accelerated Healing. It should be noted immediately, however, that this particular spell is only capable of healing physical wounds. In any case, the spell operates by speeding up the process of mitosis throughout the wounded sections of the body.

The spell works two-fold. Mana is used as a catalyst for energy, and it is used to move nutrients through the bloodstream faster than normal.

The first part, moving nutrients through the body, is easy. Simply use the spell mentioned in the first chapter to produce high amounts of enzymes to heighten digestion, and mucus to protect the stomach from digesting itself.

Once the metabolic processes are accelerated, extend your focus to forcing the nutrients through the bloodstream towards the wounded area. The cells, once supplied, should significantly cut down the time needed in the first growth stage of the Interphase. Once they do, the healing of flesh should take hold, and blood should regenerate, although it may not be immediately noticeable. Due to the nature of bones, however, this spell must be used in conjunction with another spell to heal the skeletal structure.

After jump starting the process, the caster can take focus off of the metabolic track, and begin focusing on the cells themselves. Using mana as a substitute for sugars and hydrocarbons, the actual speed of the Interphase will significantly shorten through both growth stages.

After this point, the regeneration techniques can be extremely dangerous for anyone that doesn't know exactly what they are doing. Until now, the rest of the process was accelerated through rather safe means, leaving the only stage unaltered to be the Synthesis phase.

The caster must focus on starting the Synthesis phase as the interphase starts! This way, time spent on growth will also be spent on copying the DNA, reducing the overall time spent readying the cell for duplication. You must focus on the cell taking both of theses actions at once. It is a relative easy task, but it requires constant focus.

The following spell extension is meant for trained professionals only.

Do not use unless under direct guidance by a rank 2 medical caster or above.

Failure by the caster can result in severe mutation in cells, and has been known to cause cancers when applied in ill form.

The final extension that accelerates the Synthesis process is called the 'Double-Forking' process. During the Synthesis phase, the caster must focus on causing the leading strand to commit to the duplication process a second time, then do the same on the lagging strand. If you, the reader, do not know what those terms are, then do heavy research on the theories of cell division before ever attempting this.

The double-duplication will leave the cell with quadruple the number of chromosomes in a normal cell, allowing the cell to split in a way that was only previously known in the process of meiosis.

After applying all previous techniques, wounds to muscle, fat, skin, and nerves, replenish blood, and will heal over in anywhere between hours to nearly two days. Bones require a conjunction spell, and organs have specific sub-spells in the following chapters.

Now, the side effects of using the base form of this spell en masse is a-

The burning sensation came back, and he looked down at his chest. One of the two circles that were closer to his head became filled. It was the same, realistic portrayal of a heart, but instead of a delta sign, the center had a plus sign, not too unlike the symbol used to indicate anything relating to medicine.

“Replenishes blood, eh? I've got to try this.”

Kestral put the book down, making sure not to lose his page. He sat up straight, took a deep breath, and centered his attention on replenishing his blood.

He sat there for a moment, trying to decipher if it was working or not. Very slowly, though, he noticed that the air seemed... warmer. He felt like his heartbeat was stronger.

He stood up and walked to the bathroom, flipping on the crystal light that dangled from the ceiling. He stared into the mirror, looking over his whole body, and stopping on his face. It got its color back.

GGGUUUUUURRRGGGGGGG

Kestral threw an arm over his stomach, suddenly feeling a pain there. It wasn't just any pain, though. It was hunger, and he could feel it. It felt like it was clawing him from the inside.

“WHAT....the hell?” Kestral teleported from the bathroom to the couch, and grabbed the book. “Why wasn't that part mentioned?!”

He snatched the book again, speeding through it until he found the 'side effects' mentioned near the end.

Now, the side effects of using the base form of this spell en masse is a list of potentially dangerous conditions. Depending on what is used up first, one can expect any of the following: Dehydration, starvation, any kind of deficiency, or any side effect that could have the former symptoms be the cause.

Kestral slammed the book closed, putting it in his rift. “Wonderful.” He said. “By healing myself, I get to starve, and dry myself into jerky. Brilliant.” He removed his clothing, replacing it with his disguise.

He shook his head. One problem at a time. Kestral thought.

He grabbed his satchel, and pulled down the mask that appeared on his head. He pulled over the hood on his robe, and grabbed the door handle. He stretched a hand out, turning out the lights, then opened the door, locking it on his way out.

“Now.” He said, to nothing in particular. “Let's find something to eat.”

The wind blew slightly, sending the mouthwatering scent of food over to him. The seven o'clock sunset cast its light across the gap between Kestral and his target. Dozens of people passed him by, several of them being groups of guards going in and out of the restaurant. Kestral stood still, arms at his sides, staring on into the distant building... which was actually pretty close.

Really. It was only twenty feet away.

“God, I’m starving.”

Kestral walked forward, passing a guard who leaned a little too far back to keep balance. A bout of laughter sounded out, which only seemed to strengthen when the strong smell of alcohol hit him like a brick wall. He made his way into the nearer entrance of the building, quickly spotting the 'seat yourself' sign that greeted him at nearly waist-level.

He coughed, waving away a strong blast of smoke from a nearby cigar. The minotaur smoking it realized what had happened. “Sorry, mate.” He said, putting down a few cards in his hand.

“It's fine.” Kestral waved off some more smoke, watching as the minotaur shrugged, and flipped his cards over.

“Four aces.” He said triumphantly. His group of equine friends made a united grumble as they watched the minotaur pull in his pile of bits.

Kestral moved on, going towards the the bartender, and occasionally dodged a blast of toxic smoke from one of the many smokers in the building. Silver was right. He thought. The outside tables are far more child-friendly.

Kestral passed by a waiter who seemed to have drank too much before -or, heaven forbid, during- work, before he finally reached the tall stools lined up against the bar.

He sat down, careful not to let his robe get above his feet, and looked around the building. It was quite full of life, considering it was an average weekday evening. A great deal of soldiers, some in armor and some not, filled the room, with other folk of all species filling in the gaps. Many of them played card games, some of them betting, some not. Waiters walked around like crazy, trying to keep up with the demand for tall, ice-cold beverages. One of those Felis was sitting in the back corner, and Kestral could have sworn the cat-like creature was using a hooka with two diamond dogs.

He chuckled, and breathed in the smokey air a little easier, already feeling a little bit at home in the building. He turned around, facing a rather large, muscular griffon, who wore a leather vest and was passively cleaning some drinking glasses. Catching Kestral's sudden attention, she quickly finished the glass in her talons, and leaned over the counter, looking at him with a curious smile.

“Can I help you?” The feminine voice asked.

“Sure.” He said, trying to be polite. “Do you have a menu I can look at?”

She nodded, grabbing one from a stack behind her, and gave it to Kestral. She walked off, back to cleaning some of the glasses that were stacked in a tall pile.

He looked it over for a minute, trying to decide what it was he wanted to eat. He thumbed through the different sections, trying to find something that looked more appealing than a 'spring-flower sandwich and hay-fries'. Once he chose his food, he tossed the menu over to look at the large array of drinks. He put the menu down.

He waited a moment, waving a little at the bartender whenever her eyesight cross him. She finished the glass she was on, and moved back to him, propping herself on the counter again. “What can I do for you?” She asked, looking at him patiently.

He handed her the menu. “I'll have the 'meat-stack' sandwich, a root-beer, and two shots of vodka.”

She grabbed it, giving him an even bigger smile. “I've never heard of a minotaur eating meat before. What managed to land you in that position?”

“I've always had meat. I don't think there's been a day I didn't have it.” He replied in a rather neutral tone.

“Tough talk, for a guy with no sharp teeth.” She leaned a little closer. “Still. It's pretty rare for a minotaur to eat meat. How do you eat it?”

“With salt, pepper, and a little bit of garlic powder.” He said nonchalantly.

She laughed a little, shaking her head. “Whatever. Bathrooms are to your right.” She walked off, going through a door that merely said 'employees only'.

Kestral heard a stifled laughter to his side. He looked, seeing a pair a pegasus guards looking at him, giggling through the several beers that were no longer held in their glasses. “What?” He asked.

The pair let off more chortling, looking at him like he was a good joke. “Ha.” One of them said, with a deep voice. “You sure you can stomach that crap?” He said. “Last minotaur I saw eat meat, he stained his legs a darker shade of brown! Ha ha ah ha ha!” The two shared another laugh together.

Kestral just nodded. “That's great guys. You go tell him that I can hold my stomach.”

“Pfft.” One of them said. “As if. It's biology, kid. Minotaurs can't digest meat like the more carnivorous species.”

“Oh yeah?” Kestral asked, smiling a little. “You want to make a bet out of it?”

The nearer pegasus straightened his back. “You know what?” He said, grabbing a few bits from his leather bag. “I do.” He slammed the bits on the counter, looking Kestral dead in the eye.

His friend suddenly acted a little more sober, grabbing his friend's shoulder. “He- Hey. Come on, you don't need to prove this guy anything.”

“To Tartarus I don't.” He pointed at Kestral and squinted, like Kestral was some kind of demon. “He's trying to act like he can do shit other people can't.”

“That's not your problem.” His friend reassured. “If you're right, you'll know anyways. The outcome won't change just from betting on it.”

The more aggressive pegasus huffed for a moment, before muttering. “Yeah... guess you're right.”

Kestral watched the two go back to their conversation, quickly losing any sort of attention from them. With not much else to do, he looked around the room again, drinking in the scenes before him. He almost wanted to go join one the tables, but his lack of skills kept him away. Besides, they probably wouldn't care to play with him due to his mask.

“Here's your drinks.” The bartender said.

Kestral whipped around, looking at the bartender, who had put two shot glasses and a mug right in front of him. She had already grabbed some more dishes, passively washing them.

“Thanks.” He said. He shoved a hand in his satchel, pulling out a long wood tube. He put the device in his drink, but caught the odd look from the bartender as he did. “What?”

She shook her head. “What's your name?” She asked.

“Hunter.” He replied. “Yours?”

“Around here? People just call me barkeep.”

He nodded. “It's a good name.”

“Damn right, it is.” She said proudly. She leaned on her side, looking at him. “So what's with the weird stuff?”

“Huh?” He looked up from his mug, pushing the two empty shot-glasses towards her. “What weird stuff?”

“You know.” She said. “The mask, you eat meat, you're in the guard's bar alone. What are you, some kind of secret agent? Raised by dragons or something?”

“Pfffft. Whaaaat?” He asked, sincerely amused. “No. I've just got a demanding religion, is all. And I just wanted to check this place out after the tour a went on a few days ago.”

“Whatever you say.” She rolled her eyes. “But I know military when I see it. And you-” She pointed at him for a second. “-my new friend, are military. You walk military, you talk military. Don't deny it.”

Kestral raised his hands. “You got me.” He put them down again. “My father was a soldier. After he got out, he raised me like one.” He gestured to himself. “I'm just a lowly courier. But, you know...” He shrugged. “Apples don't fall far from the tree.”

“No...” She sighed, putting away another glass. “...I guess they don't.”

Before either could continue, another griffon came out from the kitchen, making his way behind the bar counter, until he placed a plate in front of Kestral. “Here you go, sir.” He said, then quickly walked back.

“Thank you!” He called out, right as the the griffon entered the kitchen again.

Kestral looked down at his warm, steamy food, with his mouth watering and stomach growling. Another pang of hunger reached him, letting him know that his body wanted -no, demanded- to have sustenance. He pressed the release on his mask, letting the jaw and veil drop down. He grabbed a steamy fry, eager to taste the salty deliciousness.

That's when the sudden cold blew through the room, forcing much of the smokey air out one side of the building. A blanket of silence fell, dwindling sound down until all that was left was the hushed words 'her majesty' and 'Luna'.

Crap. Kestral put the taunting fry down, closing the open maw of his mask as quickly as he could. He turned around and jumped off the chair, making a low bow at the waist as soon as his boots hit the floor. “Your majesty.” He said, hoping it was loud enough.

He heard the slow, deliberate clopping of her jewelry-covered hooves grow closer as she spoke aloud. “Rise, my subjects.” She commanded, releasing the oppressive air around them.

They did, some of them taking a hesitant seat, while others refused to sit in the presence of royalty. But nearly all of them focused on Luna as she approached Kestral.

Crap crap crap crap crap. Kestral stood tall, hands behind his back in a stance that, hopefully, came off as quite respectful to her. “Your majesty.” He said.

“Hunter.” She said stoically. She looked through him with stern eyes, like he was something to be watched. She levitated a scroll out to him, along with a small leather bag, surely full of bits. “I am offering one hundred and fifty bits for you to give this message to my associate.” She said in a tone that could only be defined as perfectly neutral.

He hesitantly grabbed the two items. “Yes, your majesty.” He made a quick bow again. “Is there anything else I can do?” He asked.

“Keep your secrets.” She uttered. “And tell our associate that I eagerly await him.”

Before he could come up with a reply, she disappeared in a blast of light, leaving an empty space where she once stood.

Kestral looked around at the many faces staring at him. He slowly put the items he held into his bag. His eyes quickly went back to the other sets of eyes staring at him, trying to think of some excuse to say to the crowd. He could thing of anything, so instead, he took a deep breath, turning around to face his meal again.

“Told you I knew you were military.” The bartender said nonchalantly.

He stared her down. Not that she cared. “I think I’ll have my meal to-go.” He said.

“Really?” She asked. “I thought life was just starting to get fun.”

“To-go.” He reiterated. He began pulling out bits to pay off whatever his ticket was.

She rolled her eyes, grabbing a paper bag from somewhere under the counter. She put it on the counter, accepting the money he placed there.

“Thanks.” He said. He began piling his food into the bag. He looked longingly at the half-empty beverage, but decided it wasn't worth griping over.

“No, thank you.” She said, counting the bits. “You tip nicely.”

“I try.” He said. Kestral grabbed the food and quickly began walking. “See you tomorrow.” He said.

“Later.” She called back.

Most of the ones that were staring at him had gone back to doing whatever they were doing prior to Luna's arrival, but Kestral took notice of a few that were continuing to stare at him. He only hastened his exit, worrying that he had somehow offended a group of guards. As he made his retreat away from the bar, only one thought lingered on his mind.

What does Luna want?

Kestral took down from the tall clock tower, a part of him wishing he could have found an easier way than the forty or so flights of stairs he had to climb. The wind pushed back on him from the open window, sending his coat up into the air, until it diverted again. He walked away from the window, a little impatient on the one he was waiting for.

He sat down next to a large, burning candle, grabbing the spell book he was reading earlier. He fingered through the pages, looking at the detailed drawings of how magic supposedly affected cells and the components of. He had already finished the final chapter he cared to read over it. The chapter was just explaining how to kick his kidneys up a notch, and multiply his white blood cell count, among other things too, all in the name of cleaning his body from anything that wasn't supposed to be there. The side effect? Dehydration.

Just another way to heal myself into killing myself. He thought.

But, with the chapter completed, the third and final spell appeared on his chest. He only hoped that he wouldn't need to use it often.

DIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

Kestral covered his ears as the sudden, ear-shattering noise struck out against him, even making his body shake. Through his hands he could hear a series of loud bells play out a short song, before the largest bell played long, single notes.

One... Two...Three... He counted.

With his hands still protecting his ears, Kestral got up and walked towards the other wall, where all the windows were closed, and looked towards the sky. The bright moon was hanging up there, near the center of the sky, casting on the earth nothing but pure light.

Five... Six... Seven... The bells rang out some more.

He turned around, putting his back against the windowed wall, and slid down into a sitting position. For a moment, he was glad he could at least tell what time it was up there...

Nine... Ten... Eleven...

The ringing stopped. It was just an hour shy of midnight. That was the time that Luna wanted to meet him, face-to-face. He was a little bit worried, but part of him, just a small part, believed that she wouldn't try anything. She knew why he did the things he did. She knew why he was a thief, and a killer. But a certain thought remained in the back of his head: Why now? What changed, and demanded that they meet in person?

Kestral heard a distant flapping. It grew closer and closer, until he heard a final sweep of wings across air, blasting a wave of dust away and down the large, open core of the building. Slowly, four hooves made their way towards the railing.

He stood up, looking towards the clopping sound. He saw a short, four legged figure, with a plain brown cloak covering everything but the muzzle, which Kestral could barely see in the dark room. He began walking towards the figure, putting his hood down as he did.

As he approached, the figure put its hood down, revealing a... mint green mare with starch white hair. “What the... who the hell are you?” He asked.

“I am Luna.” The regal voice said. “This is my guise, Kestral, to hide me from curious eyes.”

“I'm not sure 'guise' covers it. If the dreams are accurate, that means your about two feet shorter.” He leaned against the railing. “And your missing your horn.” He added.

“Magic can accomplish many things, Kestral.” She smirked. “But that is a conversation for another night. We need to discuss the situation as it is.”

“Right down to business then?” He asked. “Okay. But why couldn't it be over tea and crumpets in dream-land?” He asked. “Wouldn't it be safer to speak there?”

“Yes, but...” She hesitated. “... after I told sister of our meeting, I feared she may try to use the connection to... track you.” She said.

“Well, thanks.” He said. “I'd rather not be hunted down like I was in Ponyville.”

She nodded, then took a deep breath. “In any case, I was hoping that you could tell me of your progress.”

“Progress?” He asked, bewildered. “A little more than half a dozen changelings are dead since I got to the city, and I got bit in the leg by one of them. Not much more.”

“Yes.” She said. “I suspected something when the 'scene' had a little extra red in the carpet.”

He looked at her, gauging her reaction. “Hmm.” He hummed.

“What?” She asked.

“I thought your reaction would be different.” He admitted. “A few days ago you were against me doing this. Why the change of heart?”

She looked away for a moment, almost like she was remembering something bad, then looked to him again. “There was a change of circumstance.”

“You mean the plans I found in Ponyville?” He asked.

“Not just that.” She said. “Besides, those plans don't shed any light on this new faction of changelings. No. I'm speaking of the victims of the group's disguising.”

“Oh. So, you mean the ponies that are being digested.”

Luna furrowed her eyebrows at the vivid description. “Er... yes.” She paused. “The ones in Ponyville were fine. Some had apparent fur-loss, but collectively, they were in good condition. The ones most recently found, however... were not in the best of states. One of them was bare along all of her legs.”

“Yeah. I noticed.” He said. “I'm the one carrying them out of those pods.”

She nodded. “So I need to ask you; Is there anything, anything at all, that you know about those pods, that would be of use to us?”

Kestral shrugged. “I'm not sure what's important and what's not.”

Luna rolled her eyes. “What happened each time you approached a group of pods?”

Again, he shrugged. “They continued to be inanimate objects as I cut them open and pulled out their contents.”

“Was anything glowing?”

“No.” He said.

“Did you get a headache as you neared them?”

“No.”

“Did you ever feel anything abnormal as you neared them?”

“No.”

“So, from the moment you saw the pods, to the moment you walked away, there was no conceivable change, except what you did yourself, correct?”

“Yes.” He said. “That is correct.”

“And there is no recurring event that is connected to you seeing or being near them?”

“Correct. There was nothing tied to it.”

“May I assume that you came into direct contact with the... contents?” She asked carefully.

“The jello that the ponies and changelings were floating in? Yeah, I did. Every one of them.”

“Where on your body did you come into contact with the material?” She asked, stepping a little closer.

“My hands.” He answered. “Why?”

She looked at them curiously. “Do you mind if I take a look at them?” She asked.

He hesitantly raised his hands up near her eyes, which was only about waist-level. He watched her carefully. “Sure...”

Her horn glowed, and her aura reached around his hands, bringing a tingling sensation over his skin. Soon enough, though, the light ceased. “Hmmm.” Luna hummed.

“What?” He asked.

She sighed. “Chrysalis gave us a few instructions on finding residual magic. How long the mana sticks around depends on the strength of changeling's magic. Some of the pods were.... desecrated.... before they could be interacted with. I was simply hoping that there would still be some on your hands, but... it's all gone.”

Kestral nodded. “Okay.” He said, not sure why it would be important. “Was it so you could track them, or something?” He asked.

Luna cleared her throat. “Yes.” She said. “But... this path has been fruitless. We'll find something else. In the meantime, we'll just try to get Discord to cooperate with us.”

Kestral look at her curiously. “Who's Disco-”

“Don't lie to me, Kestral.” She said, giving him a stern look. She shook her head. “There's no need to lie to us. We were suspecting him all along when the changelings started dying, but when we found proof of a living, breathing, human?” She looked up to him. “Then it was almost a certainty.”

He looked at her with a face of stone. “Yeeeeeaaaaaahhhh...” He said. “Just tryin' to, y'know, not sell out my employer.”

“I can understand.” She said dryly. “But, you understand how difficult it may make it to trust you.”

“Well, technically-” he pointed to himself. “-this guy didn't lie just now. He simply asked a question.”

“And as far as I’m concerned,” She huffed. “Hiding behind technicalities is just as bad.”

“Then let's agree that I’m a jerk and move on.” He said. At that moment, he remembered something he wanted to ask Luna. He stuck a hand behind his back, into his bag, and made the crimson egg appear in his hand. He pulled it out, showing it to Luna. “I've been wondering if this is important to you.” He said.

She saw the item, and immediately focused on it. “How did you... how did you find a second one?!” She asked.

“So it is.” He said. Kestral tossed it to Luna, who caught it in her magic. “I don't know how, but I just found both of them on little changeling hunts.”

“Is that so?” She asked, looking over the pristine piece. She became entranced by the piece, turning it around over and over. “T-tell me, Kestral...” She said.

What the...? Kestral looked at Luna, seeing, only barely in that moonlight, the moisture in her eyes. Is she... tearing up? “Yes?”

“I-If you somehow... find more of these...” She did not look up at him, but instead, became a little more distant. “... can you bring them to me?”

Kestral shrugged. “Sure. How many are left?” He asked.

“Four....green...blue...yellow... and a... gray one.” She spoke each word slowly, like she was having difficulty concentrating on the conversation. After a moment of silence, she spoke up again. “L-look, Kestral...” She held the egg close, in her hoof, eyes darting around. “We should... meet again, soon...”

Kestral froze as she hopped up and hugged him. He stood as still as a statue, trying to process what was happening. Before he could say anything, she dropped down.

“I... need to go put this in my...our...collection.” She said, moving towards the window.

“H-hey! Hey, I still have SOME QUEST-..... aww fuck it.” But it was too late. She had already taken flight. He threw his arms up, exasperated.

With a sigh, Kestral walked over to the window looking out over the city, covered in moonlight. He breathed in the fresh air, wondering what his next step was going to be. But before he went to planning, though, his mind lingered on one, final thought on the matter.

“I am still just so fucking hungry right now.” He said.

“I think I’m gonna go get a chicken sandwich.”