Pray, Hope and Wander

by Flashgen

First published 28th of April, 2018

The investigation into the disappearance of the citizenship of Ponyville nears an end, as those involved desperately look for answers.

Status Update Request
Date: April 24th
Relevant Case: Ponyville Disappearance
Classification: Top Secret

To whom it may concern,

As of this declaration, all those stationed in the town of Ponyville tasked with investigating the citizenship’s disappearance are to begin immediate psychological evaluations. If the results of an individual’s evaluation is considered troubling, a mandatory period of rest and recovery will be required before they may resume duty on any case.

(A reading of the first story, and part of the second, can be found here.)

(Special thanks to Petrichord, Solocitizen, Garnot, Floydien, and Door Belle for their help with the writing, editing or proofreading of this story.)

Declaration from White Clover - April 26th

Declaration from White Clover
Date: April 26th
Relevant Case: Ponyville Mass Disappearance
Classification: Top Secret

To whom it may concern,

As of this declaration, all those stationed in the town of Ponyville tasked with investigating the citizenship’s disappearance are to begin immediate psychological evaluations. If the results of an individual’s evaluation is considered troubling, a mandatory period of rest and recovery will be required before they may resume duty on any case. Anyone who passes evaluations may, however, petition for rest and recovery from the head investigator, Verdant Vines.

I must assure each of you that these measures are considered important to the physical and mental well-being of all those involved in this case, and that any attempts to circumvent or avoid them will result in removal from the case and a suspension of a to-be-determined length.

If there are any concerns or issues that you need assistance with prior to scheduled visits, you can inform head investigator.

Signed,
White Clover
Central Director
Canterlot Bureau of Investigation

Vines,

I know you probably think it’s over-protective, given how you were in your last letter, and that you think it’s all superstition, but I’ve seen the complaints you forwarded from at least a dozen ponies of insomnia, nightmares or something else impacting their performance. I’m only doing this to make sure things go smoothly, and that there are no incidents.

The journal from Sweet Apple Acres has helped, a little, but we need to try and find something else. We could keep digging forever, but, sadly, I have to give a deadline for a full report to the Princess. In seven more days, we’ll take a look at what we have, and then we’ll pass a verdict on the case. We’ll pull everyone out that isn’t keeping the town under quarantine, and then we’ll look at how, or if, we’ll release the information.

I know you and your team can perform well under pressure; you’ve done it a dozen times before. Just don’t push anyone, especially yourself, too hard here.

Warmly,
Clover

P.S. Don’t think you’re exempt from these sessions either, okay?

Session 00 - Verdant Vines - April 26th

Transcript of Session 00: Verdant Vines, Head Investigator
Date: April 26th
Time: 8:48 p.m.

The first few minutes of this recording are unimportant and muffled due to my recorder still being in my saddlebags.

I arrived the night before I was scheduled, and headed for Miss Vines’ tent. When I entered, there were three ponies gathered around her desk, discussing a few particulars of their investigation.

Verdant Vines (VV): —Cage, can you post the guard assignments at the mess hall and the sleeping tents? I don’t want any confusion like on Saturday. The smoother we can run things, the quicker we can— Doctor Blue Sky? I wasn’t expecting you and your colleagues until tomorrow.

Blue Sky (BS): I saw no harm in taking an earlier train. I just wanted a chance to talk in private before my team arrives and we get started.

VV: Of course. Lantern, Pendant, Cage, we’ll finalize things tomorrow at 8:30. Get a good night’s rest.

As they left, one of the ponies appeared uneasy at the suggestion of rest. Given what I’ve been informed of, I assumed that this was Lantern. Miss Vines waited until the others had left before speaking with me. In that time, I had pulled out my equipment.

VV: I thought you said you wanted to talk in private.

BS: Apologies, I just need to record things for posterity.

Miss Vines gave me a perplexed look for a moment.

VV: Well, what exactly did you want to discuss, Doctor? According to Clover’s letter, I assumed you would have your agenda in order.

BS: I just wanted some... information from you. Anything you think would help my team before we start conducting interviews.

VV: I’m not exactly sure what information I can give. Were you briefed on what we found here?

BS: Generalities, yes. The basics of what I’d need to relate to you and the other investigators here, as well as the guards, of course. As for the actual documents, no, I have not been given access to them.

Miss Vines expressed some frustration with my apparent lack of knowledge, which I had been told was due to security reasons before I departed Canterlot. She scribbled a few things down on some documents on her desk before continuing. From her appearance, she seemed rather exhausted.

VV: I’ll need to do a bit of paperwork before I can release copies to you, or your team, but I’m sure it will help more than some summary. There’s a tent set up for you, three down to the left and then—

BS: Miss Vines, are you feeling well?

VV: Yes, for now. However, if I don’t finish this paperwork soon and get another late night under my saddle, that might change. The tent is three down to the left, right at the fork and then the fifth on the left. The two after it are for your colleagues. I’ve stationed one of my investigators—

BS: Have you been having any odd dreams, like some of your guards and agents have reported?

VV: No. I’ve stationed one of my investigators in the tent, Lantern, who will handle any scheduling or acquisition of documents you’ll need. You can start after noon tomorrow.

BS: Do you normally have any odd dreams, or nightmares? Trouble sleeping?

VV: Doctor!

Miss Vines’ irritation was unmistakable as she glared at me, before softening her stance.

VV: Can we save this for tomorrow, please?

BS: Of course, my apologies. I just can see that you’re stressed and-- Regardless, I did have a question about Lantern in particular: I was told he’s working a different schedule than the rest of your team?

VV: Yes. After having some… issues, he stays up most of the night, and sleeps most of the day. It’s helped, a bit.

BS: I know you said I could start at noon, but would you object to my interviewing Lantern before he sleeps?

Miss Vines was once again preoccupied with her paperwork, including a new form that she quickly filled out and gave to me.

VV: Assuming he agrees, Doctor Blue Sky, I don’t see any reason not. Give this to Lantern when you see him.

BS: Thank you. Have a pleasant night’s rest, Miss Vines.

I was stopped before leaving the tent, having already turned off my recorder. Miss Vines just wanted to clarify that, no, she does not normally have dreams, or nightmares.

Session 01 - Lantern - April 27th

Transcript of Session 01: Lantern, Assistant Investigator
Date: April 27th
Time: 7:58 a.m.

I asked Lantern’s permission to interview him before I went to bed the night before. He did not give me an answer until the morning, but agreed to discuss his experience at Sweet Apple Acres and the recent dreams he has struggled with. Miss Vines informed me these started after Lantern located the journal, and have resulted in changes to his schedule to accommodate him. They seem to only occur when he sleeps at night, or are only an issue when he sleeps at night, so he stays up and helps with cataloguing and records overnight. He also provided documents for me to review before our discussion.

Blue Sky (BS): All right, Lantern. Before we get started, would you mind saying your name and occupation for the record?

Lantern (L): Um, sure. Lantern, assistant investigator.

BS: And how long have you been working for the Canterlot Agency?

L: Six years, and a few months.

BS: Thank you. So, I’ve been told by Miss Vines that you’ve had some difficulties over the past few days, is that correct?

L: Yeah, just, I— A few problems getting rest. A bad dream or two.

BS: And you informed her you believe this is because of how you found the journal at Sweet Apple Acres?

L: I… Yeah.

Lantern seemed uncertain for a few moments; not as if he wanted to hide anything, but as if he was doubting himself.

BS: You don’t have to feel pressured here, Lantern. This is for your well being, nothing else. It’s not going to leave here, unless it’s considered a serious issue. And I assure you that all the details will be left out.

L: I know, I know, Doc, I just… It’s hard to talk about. I mean, it feels crazy.

BS: It’s not, Lantern, I promise you. Now this started the night after you found the journal?

Lantern looked down at his hooves, pressing into each other as he swallowed a lump in his throat.

L: …No.

BS: I-I’m sorry? Miss Vines said that you—

L: I know. I thought I was just delirious with the first one… It happened two days before we found the journal at the farmhouse.

BS: Was it similar to the dreams you’ve had since then?

Lantern again seemed uncertain of himself, of his recollection.

L: Sort of. I was having trouble sleeping that night, just… felt restless, worried. Then I thought I woke up halfway through the night. Did your file say I was in the first group, to find the town empty?

BS: Yes, it did.

L: I was one of the first ones to read the journal from the library, too. I thought the dream was just my subconscious picking up on that. I, um… I woke up, and I wasn’t in my tent anymore. I was in a hallway, pitch black except for a candle at my hooves. There wasn’t a face, like the dream she wrote about. There wasn’t anyone there, but I felt like… like there were hundreds of them. Hundreds of eyes. I had a knot in my stomach, like I was performing and could feel the audience judging me. I just kind of stood there, turning around and around. No sound. Nothing moving. There was a window near me, lit by the candle, but there was just more darkness outside. After a couple of minutes, I stared out the window and I saw a flicker for a moment, a reflection. It was Solace. After that I just woke up.

Lantern took a few moments, staring at the floor, before continuing.

L: I knew him, Sugarcane, and a few of the guards that were here before us. I didn’t think anything of it at first. I mean, it was just a face I knew, but then we found the journal at Sweet Apple Acres. It said Sugarcane and Spanner went to the farmhouse, and Solace stayed at the Town Hall...

Lantern is obviously connecting happenstance to precognition.

BS: Let’s move on for a moment, to when you found the journal. Miss Vines said you acted suddenly, that you heard something?

L: We were all standing together in the fields, discussing the day’s progress and then everything went black. The next thing I remember, I was standing over that door. My legs were throbbing in pain and covered in dirt. I was bleeding, and I heard her voice… I heard Sugarcane for a second, for just a second. I thought it was just guilt that… we weren’t buddies or anything, but I knew him, I just… thought I felt guilty because she was missing.

BS: It’s understandable to feel that way, assuming you worked together in the past. Have you had any blackouts since then? Heard any voices?

L: No… I haven’t, not when I’m awake. I don’t think I do when I sleep either, but…

BS: It’s alright. That’s good. Any other lapses might simply might mean some kind of physical injury. I saw in your records you were given an exam after that day, so there don’t seem to be any issues found, and your bleeding was managed. Now, you said this dream you had before finding the journal was at least similar to what you experienced afterwards? Can you tell me about the nights since then?

L: Yeah. Yes. The first night it was jitters, I was thinking back to how quick it happened. I couldn’t sleep. When I tried, I closed my eyes and I just saw that candle. Probably only got an hour’s sleep in the night, but I was ready to go over the journal with the others. That’s how I woke up. Felt like I just had to. And that’s when we found out Solace had been at the town hall. I hadn’t… been to the hall yet, I’d only been to the library, some of the nearby buildings, the farmhouse. So after we were done transcribing some of it I left, and went to the town hall. One of the hallways felt cold and frigid. It was the one from my dream, I know it. That night, I couldn’t sleep. I walked in circles as long as I could until I just collapsed on the floor. I was in the hall again. I called out for him. I heard hoofsteps coming down the hall. I turned towards them, but I couldn’t see who made them. I called his name again, but nothing. They were just walking towards me, slowly. I haven’t slept at night the past two days. Vines lets me sleep during the day, and it helps. I don’t have that kind of dream when it’s light out. I don’t want to be a burden, but I can’t quit.

This dream could have been influenced by anxiety, and the similarity between reality and his first dream.

BS: Lantern. In the last dream, when you heard hoofsteps, did you see anything else important?

L: ...No. I felt something behind me though, but when I turned to look at it, I woke up. The last thing I heard was this awful screech, like a cart on train tracks, sliding... grinding to a halt. I’m sorry I don’t remember anything else.

Similar to the description from Miss Sparkle’s journal by somepony else. It seems like his anxiety is causing all of it, but they’ve stopped when he sleeps during the day.

BS: It’s alright, Lantern. Have you written anything from these down before, or is this just what you remember?

L: I didn’t, no.

BS: I’d like you to, if you can. Even if they’re just “regular” dreams, write them down when you wake up. We can go over it tomorrow, if you wouldn’t mind.

L: Tomorrow? Does that mean I’m okayed or—

BS: Lantern, this is just to make sure everything is still fine. It’s getting late for you, I know, so try and get some sleep, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow morning.

L: Yeah. Yeah. I will.

BS: Thank you.

Lantern seems sound, but unsure and anxious. I’ll have to wait for my next session to be absolutely certain of his mental state.

Session 02 - Pendant - April 27th

Transcript of session 02: Pendant, Assistant Investigator
Date: April 27th
Time: 3:25 P.M.

Pendant, the investigator leading searches at and around Town Hall, arrived nearly half an hour late for our scheduled session, carrying bundles of papers and books and doing her best not to spill them as she set them down next to her. Pendant’s file noted her focused work ethic, but it seems more excessive than suggested. Miss Vines’ own notes had nothing particular to say, other than a note about Pendant’s extensive case history.

Blue Sky (BS): Good evening, Pendant? You’re a little late for—

Pendant (P): I know, I know. Sorry. I thought I was onto something when...

She searched through a nearby stack of papers, pulling out a single one and then grimacing

P: ...Things weren’t exactly what I remembered.

BS: That’s fine, there’s plenty of time. We can get started now. Could you state your name and role for the record?

P: Pendant, Assistant Investigator to Miss Vines, and currently heading up efforts at Town Hall.

BS: And how long have you been with the agency?

Pendant was quiet for a moment, looking upwards and moving her hoof about in the air.

P: Ten years, three months, fourteen days, since my first case. In that time I’ve worked a total of one hundred six cases directly, and an additional fifty-nine indirectly.

BS: Thank you, but that’s a bit more information than I needed.

P: I pride myself on my experience, and work.

BS: I noticed that from your file. The portfolio is quite impressive.

P: Thank you.

BS: Most of the investigators I’ve worked with only handle three or four a year, but you—

P: Have a drive, Doctor. A drive to do my job; a drive to help ponies.

BS: Of course. As an investigator, you’ve been privy to information about what occurred here before you arrived. Do you have any thoughts on that? Worries?

Pendant started to search through her papers, her eyes focused on them instead of me.

P: Only that we don’t have an answer. Based on Miss Sparkle’s journal, as well as the one we recently found at Sweet Apple Acres, there is a lot more going on than we can comprehend or understand, but we have to push through that t—

BS: But you’ve been at Town Hall since you arrived, correct?

P: Yes, I have, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been kept apprised of everything else we’ve discovered. If anything, it made me redouble my own efforts.

BS: I was going to bring that up. Miss Vines says you’ve spent close to twelve or more hours there a day over the past week.

Pendant’s attention was still focused on her papers, scribbling a few things down here and there on some pages before putting them in rough piles next to her on the couch.

P: And?

BS: Everyone else under you, and most investigators in the town, spend eight hours at most a day directly involved in the case.

P: I said I’m driven, Doctor. When we didn’t find any definitive answers, I started to work harder, as should be expected. And it isn’t just spent looking over the same rooms for new clues. Since we arrived here, I’ve read these mysterious journals, the descriptions of unearthly occurrences and heard from others about hidden messages appearing in our own transcripts. There’s a method to it, though. At first they were just hidden in passages, but the latest was a cipher.

As she spoke, her words became quieter, muttering to herself instead of directly talking to me.

BS: Then you’re focused on?

P: Deciphering it. Looking into why. Town Hall is the only place, the only place, untouched when we arrived. There’s a purpose to that, there has to be. I’ve looked at the books, the contents of the drawers, the placement of frames on the walls, recounts elsewhere of records that should be there. Every piece is a clue, it has to be.

As she continued, she moved things out of her assortment of papers and books, looking them over before tossing them into separate piles. This drive borders on obsession, as noted in her previous case files. Still, it is a trait often valued in many a line of work, when controlled.

BS: Pendant, let’s move away from your work for a little bit. Have you had any trouble sleeping the past few days?

P: No. I have no issues whatsoever. If I did, I would have reported it to Miss Vines.

BS: So no nightmares, trouble sleeping, insomnia?

P: No, Doctor.

BS: What do you spend your time off doing, Pendant?

She brought her attention up from her pages, looking at me directly.

P: Is that relevant?

BS: It’s just a question in a conversation. I’m not here just to grill you for information, Pendant, and since this is about your well being, your life outside of work is… pertinent.

She was quiet for nearly half a minute, glancing between me and her papers, before setting them down for a moment.

P: I study, mostly.

BS: That’s good, anything in particular?

P: No, focusing on one thing tends to solidify me. I believe my work requires me to be flexible and open.

BS: So it’s for the purpose of your job alone? Nothing that you study for the fun of it?

P: Just because it’s for work, doesn’t mean it cannot be enjoyable, Doctor. Knowledge is a key to everything.

BS: I didn’t mean to sound like I was admonishing you. I’m sorry. What sort of things did you study before this case?

P: City planning. Communication. Metallurgy. Music Theory. 12th-era Gryphon literature.

BS: That’s quite a wide breadth. Did any of them interest you in particular?

P: A few of them were interests of some of my peers that I felt were important to peruse. The literature was a recommendation from the librarian.

BS: Your file says you had three weeks of leave since your last case. That’s an impressive course load for such a short period.

She looked back to her papers, and grabbed a few out of one pile, scribbling a few extra notes.

P: I don’t think many of them will stick with me. I know it sounds abstract, and most likely ridiculous, but… I treat my mind like an autoclave.

BS: What do you mean?

P: I purge it. I mentioned wanting my mind to be flexible, because it lets me consider more possibilities on a case. I cleanse away my preconceptions. At least I try to.

BS: That’s an interesting thought. One of the more odd descriptions I’ve heard from a patient, for sure. Obviously it’s helped you, but have you considered what happens after you stop working with the agency?

Pendant grabbed a few more pages, flipping back and forth from them, her eyes scanning the paper. She seemed wholly uninterested in answering the question.

BS: Pendant, your attention is obviously elsewhere. I understand your work is important, but I’ll have to schedule another session, and ask you not bring any of your work with you.

She circled a few items on one piece of paper and nodded, but took a few moments before gathering up her things and sorting them into piles.

P: That will be fine, Doctor. I’ll be late in the evening tomorrow.

BS: Before the curfew I hope?

P: Hopefully.

She scribbled a few words on her paper and left the tent without giving me another glance. I’ll have to discuss this with Miss Vines tonight. Obsession is an undercurrent of Pendant’s evaluations from previous superiors, but Miss Vines herself doesn’t seem to hold any negative perception of it in her notes.

Session 03 - Gilded Cage - April 27th

Transcript of Session 03: Gilded Cage, Perimeter Guard Lead
Date: April 27th
Time: 5:56 p.m.

Gilded Cage’s record is standard when compared to other guards I’ve interviewed in the past. No issues stand out, and Miss Vines’ notes had nothing but praise to give. When he arrived, he opted to stand, until I insisted he sit for ease of the recording. The clicking on the track is his hoof against the wood on his seat, and further mention has been omitted from my transcript.

Blue Sky (BS): Testing, testing. Okay, could you please state your name and role for the recor—

Gilded Cage (GC): Cage, Investigator Support, Security and, right now, Perimeter Guard.

BS: Your full name.

GC: What? Oh, right, right, official. Gilded Cage.

BS: Thank you. Is there any reason you prefer-?

GC: It’s just got baggage, Doc. Family business, and not really related to my work.

BS: Sorry, just a question that came to mind.

GC: Yeah, sure. So, what is this all about again?

BS: Just a cursory glance to see how everyone here is doing. My team and I are making sure everyone still here is fit for duty.

GC: Well, if you can take my word for it, we can finish this now and I can get back to something worthwhile.

BS: I’m afraid that’s a little out of the question.

Cage gave me a half-hearted smile and shrugged.

GC: Eh, was worth a try.

BS: I’m sorry, but, this is for your and everyone’s best interests, Cage. Now, you’ve been with the Canterlot Agen—

GC: Three and a half years. Been investigator support and security since I started, no plans to go any further and I love walks in the moonlight.

Cage seems to take a bit of pride in deflecting my questions. If nothing else it is a sign of good mental health.

BS: Do you think this session isn’t important, Cage?

GC: Yeah, I’d rather be out on my patrol and not forcing Truffle to work twice his usual perimeter.

BS: I can understand that, but as I said, we need to be thorough. Just a basic set of questions, a little conversation and if you have any concerns, you can bring them up.

GC: Then fire away.

BS: Your file says you haven’t had any history of incidents on active duty, is that correct?

GC: Yes.

BS: And since you’ve arrived here?

GC: Nothing.

BS: And you’re aware of what happened here?

GC: Yep. I don’t know all the fine details, but rumors get around, and some of the ponies who actually look at the documents are more talkative than you’d expect.

BS: And you—

GC: I don’t buy it. Bunch of journals that make no sense and ponies saying they hear voices aren’t exactly the type of evidence we work with on a daily basis.

BS: Yet the town was deserted when you and the second group of investigators arrived on the 16th.

Cage rubbed his forehead and sighed.

GC: Look, there’s a lot of things that can happen in three days, and a lot of things you can write for someone to see later. Plus, there’s not a lot of concrete evidence.

BS: So what do you think happened to the town inhabitants?

GC: Could’ve run off into the Everfree, or who knows where else. Equestria is a big place. Not my job to find out, though.

BS: I see. So, I can assume you haven’t been having any trouble sleeping? Insomnia? Strange dreams?

GC: Not at all. I’ve never been the superstitious type, Doc. Though, if Truffle or Aegis says no, they have. Those two are too damn headstrong to admit it to me, but I hear them talking about not sleeping well, or having nightmares around lights out.

Cage speaks matter-of-factly, but it could be deflecting out of either agitation or for his own protection.

BS: I will make a note of that, but this is about you, Cage.

GC: I’m not the one with a problem.

Definitely agitation.

BS: I’m not here to accuse you, Cage, or your well-being; my team will handle Truffle and Aegis when their sessions are scheduled.

GC: Right, right. You know, Truffle visits his uncle here in the summer. When he saw the location for the assignment come up, he was hoping he could see him again; catch up, maybe introduce me. That vanished pretty quick.

BS: Are you worried for him?

GC: A little. It’s kind of hard working on a job where someone you know is a victi— potential victim.

BS: Your family isn’t from here then?

Cage looked away from me for a bit. I didn’t plan to pressure him given his words about family problems earlier, but he seemed to relent.

GC: No, no. My folks are from Manehattan, big city. Wouldn’t know it from looking at me, but upper class too. My sister travels a lot though.

BS: I take it you don’t have issues with her then?

GC: No, we’re good. It’s my parents, mostly, but still not work-related.

BS: Of course. You don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to. We’re past all the basic questions I had, but I’d still like to talk for a while. Anyone else at the camp you’re concerned about?

GC: I mean, everyone’s got problems, but they aren’t all related to the case. I mean, the rumors and whatnot don’t help; hidden messages, Lantern’s freakout at Sweet Apple Acres and overactive imagination all make ponies a little jittery.

BS: But you’ve been fine?

GC: Of course. I don’t, uhh, fall for that stuff, I guess. I just stand outside of town, turn away the one or two ponies, on a busy day, we get wandering into town, and then come back and plan out a schedule with Vines. I’m not trying to nose my way into the investigation.

BS: You’re quick to dismiss possibilities, though.

Cage seemed close to laughing.

GC: Cause it’s… Because it’s far fetched. It’s not probable. I mean I won’t dismiss it if the investigators gather some evidence and prove it, but a bunch of journals are just scribbles on paper. They can’t have happened just because someone wrote them.

Cage has a strong skepticism of things. Given most of his cases have involved more physical crimes and assignments, it’s to be understood. It was about this time that Cage’s tapping became more frequent, despite the shortness of our conversation.

BS: Cage, do you have any hobbies?

His tapping slowed a bit.

GC: Jewelry. Making it.

BS: Really?

I’ll admit that my response was a bit unprofessional, but he seemed quite upset by it.

GC: What?

BS: Sorry, it’s just usually a career. Is it something your family does?

GC: Yeah. My grandpa taught me it.

BS: Would you mind telling me about him?

GC: His name was Filigree. He was quiet, most of the time. Liked to focus on his work, but he was the best craftsman in Manehattan back in the day, from the way he told it. He was retired by the time I was born, but he still taught me, and my sister. He could spend hours just working on one piece: a ring, a necklace, even just resizing something. Always liked making it the most though.

It was at this moment I noticed his tapping had stopped.

BS: Why was that?

GC: His talent was in metals. He talked about how to shape them, and harden them. Which ones you needed to be gentle with when you make things. He made tools and things out of steel, but he just enjoyed working with gold more. It was like a pony, he said, you had to be kind to it to make it into something good.

BS: Is your grandfather gone, Cage?

GC: Yeah.

Cage’s tapping resumed, and quickened.

GC: I’ve, uhh, only gotta do one of these, right?

BS: Preferably, yes.

GC: Can I finish it tomorrow?

Cage stood up. Considering how difficult it was to get him to sit in the first place, I relented.

BS: There’s not much more to things as it is, Cage. Still, if you’d like to we can have another session tomorrow. What time does your patrol end?

GC: Should be 5:30.

BS: Then I’ll see you at six.

Despite not taking things quite too seriously at first, Cage does seem to be handling himself fine. I’ll have to discuss things with Miss Vines tonight to see if another session is truly necessary. Still, if he is willing to come of his own volition, I won’t turn him away.

Session 04 - Verdant Vines - April 27th

Transcript of session 04: Verdant Vines, Head Investigator
Date: April 27th
Time: 7:15 P.M.

Blue Sky (BS): Good evening, Miss Vines. I hope the day hasn’t been too stressful.

Verdant Vines (VV): No, not at all, Doctor. I trust you and your team are doing fine as well?

BS: Yes. Before we start in earnest though, I’d like to apologize for the impromptu session last night. I’d like to do something more in-depth, if you wouldn’t mind?

VV: It’s alright, Doctor. And yes, I’ll have plenty of time.

BS: Excellent, could you state your name for the record, and your role here?

VV: Verdant Vines, head investigator into Ponyville’s mass disappearance.

BS: And how long have you been with the agency?

VV: Twelve years, roughly.

BS: Perfect. In regards to my team’s work, we’ve luckily only had one or two no-shows, but that’s to be expected when this isn’t set up enough in advance.

VV: I’ll make sure to stress to everyone how important attending the sessions is. You said in your note to me that you had a few points you wanted to discuss first?

BS: Yes, yes, we’ve come across a few… not troubling, but discussion-worthy things with your group. My colleagues have also noted some issues that seem systematic with the town’s detail as a whole.

VV: Patterns among the entire team? Is that alarming?

BS: Not at all. In situations like this, group mentality plays a large part in things. Nightmares in particular can be molded based on what others have talked about, and opinions on the current situation can be much the same.

VV: So, you’re saying they’ve had similar nightmares and dreams?

BS: Yes. Some are in fairly bad shape due to lack of sleep and insomnia, but none of them seem as bad as Lantern. Which is why things seem much more odd when that is taken into account. Lantern described the dreams he’s had both before and after he found the cella-

VV: Before?

Miss Vines seemed quite confused at my statement, which was understandable

VV: He had them before?

BS: Yes, Miss Vines. He apparently thought they were just his subconscious, playing up details he’d read on the case. He said he was in a dark hallway, lit by a candle, and that there were hundreds of eyes watching him.

VV: That sounds like the dream Miss Sparkle mentioned in her journal, yes. Why is this odd exactly?

BS: My colleagues report that within the past two nights, fifteen other members of your personnel here have had the exact same dream. The same hallway, lit by just a candle, and the feeling of being watched.

VV: He never told anyone about it. If he had, someone else would have come to me about it: Cage or Pendant or someone underneath him. I even asked around after he complained about nightmares after we found the journal. Doctor, you’re absolutely sure of this?

BS: Yes, Miss Vines. In fact, Lantern mentioned looking at the window within his dream, and seeing the reflection of one of the investigators from the first group, the one stationed at town hall.

VV: Solace. We only got concrete information about where he was from the journal at the farmhouse.

BS: Some of those, that have had the dream more recently and who knew him, mentioned seeing him as well. One even described what he looked like, but had never met him.

VV: One of them could have had this dream an-and told others—

BS: I’m aware of that possibility, Miss Vines, but I think, given how little we are certain of at this stage, that we cannot simply rule out the worst case scenario. Now, none of these individuals has had any alarming behavior. They feel tired during the day and restless at night, but it has not appeared to have affected them psychologically. I’ve put together a list of them that I think should have reduced hours, but they should continue regular screenings. I recommended a dream journal to Lantern, and my colleagues have done the same to others. We’ll compare them and see if there’s a similar lagging between them. If we see another pattern, I think it will be safe to assume this is more than mass coincidence.

VV: Of course, Doctor. I appreciate you and your team’s opinion on the matter. Were there any other problems?

BS: A few things, yes. Pendant was extremely late to her appointment, and brought her work with her. I was able to talk with her for a bit, but I insisted on another session with her, this time without her work joining her. I noticed your file doesn’t stress her obsession as much as previous superiors.

VV: I know how that seems, Doctor, but Pendant has a brilliant mind. She bounced between teams because of her attitude, yes, but how long she’s been with the agency is a testament to her capabilities despite that. I respect that you need another session with her, but I saw the drive she has, and the talent. I like to think she’s focused more than she was in her previous cases.

BS: I’ll let you know how it goes. Hopefully she’ll be on time for this one.

VV: I’ll stress the importance to her at the start of her shift tomorrow.

BS: I also had a session with Gilded Cage. Cage, as he preferred to go by. He was a bit more focused on the session, though did not take it as seriously.

She laughed.

VV: That does sound like Cage. Was he more abrasive than usual?

BS: Not based on his file, no. He seems more skeptical than others on your team, and he was very talkative about his hobbies and some of his family. He actually asked for another session, or at least to waylay our current one.

VV: I’m a little surprised by that. Do you think he needs one?

BS: No, not based on his responses, but it never hurts to be sure. He might display some issues based on the problems with the town’s detail as a whole. He also mentioned some other members who might be having issues, so another session could assist with that.

VV: It is your team’s decision here, Doctor, not mine. Is that about all that has to do with ponies besides me?

BS: Yes, I suppose we can get started. With the pressure you’ve been under, attempting to deduce and summarize exactly what occurred here before your arrival as well as the supposedly vivid descriptions you’ve read and reported, have you found it to be challenging?

VV: This case in particular, yes. I came in expecting to work under Spanner, the lead of the original party from the 13th. It was a… shock to discover they were missing. It was even more of a shock to read what we found in Miss Sparkle’s journal, the only account of what had supposedly occurred. Even digging up ghost stories in a book she referenced hasn’t gotten us any closer to definitive proof, though the journal from Sweet Apple Acres certainly corroborated, slightly.

BS: Is that impacting you negatively?

She took a few moments to consider her response.

VV: Somewhat.

BS: Would you care to explain?

VV: I worry. I worry night and day while we’re working as hard as we possibly can. What I’ve read is unnatural. Unearthly. It shouldn’t and couldn’t have happened, but I worry that it really did. I worry an entire town disappeared overnight and that every single one of them suffered. Even worse, I worry it can happen again, anywhere, without any notice.

BS: That’s… natural, Miss Vines. Your reaction, I mean. Being in charge of such a large operation and dealing with such uncommon circumstances is stressful. Have you had any dreams or hallucinations yourself?

VV: No. I’ve barely had a dream at all since I was a foal. None I can ever remember at least. As for hallucinations, no. Lantern is the only one who has, as far as I’m aware.

BS: Would you be comfortable ending the investigation tonight?

Miss Vines raised an eyebrow, shifting in her seat uncomfortably, before staring at me

VV: ...Excuse me?

BS: It’s only a hypothetical, Miss Vines.

VV: O-of course it is, I’m… I wouldn’t be comfortable. I don’t want to leave here without an answer, even if I’m somewhat afraid that’s what will happen.

BS: Understandable. Miss Vines, you talked about how what your team believes occurred is unnatural. That it shouldn’t have happened. What evidence would you need to draw a conclusion, to classify it as any kind of natural?

VV: I don’t know, honestly, Doctor. I have two accounts of events that happened in this town. Both are beyond impossible, because they describe the days my team has spent here digging through an empty ghost town. Even worse is that they contradict one another. Miss Sparkle arrived at Sweet Apple Acres to find it empty, while the Apple Family and my co-workers were supposedly still there.

She paused for a bit, rubbing her temples and looking down at the floor, before looking back up at me.

VV: Cage probably mentioned it in his session: we could be chasing a false lead. Someone could have planted these to throw us off their tail, but there’s no other evidence. I don’t know how much magic it would take to uproot an entire town’s populace overnight, and take it somewhere we couldn’t find it. We’ve had small teams combing all of Equestria for any other leads. So, there’s only two real possibilities. One: I am dealing with the most talented set of foalnappers in the history of Equestria, pulling off a crime with no ransom note, no motive, and a week’s worth of events we can verify from our own record leading up to this historical crime, which they felt the need to have an audience for. Two: This entire town was… taken somewhere that there is no sun, no moon, and no stars, just an endless void in every direction, and they were attacked by something out of the worst nightmares imaginable.

There was a long silence from both of us. I had become aware of things over the course of the past two days, but Miss Vines paints events in a far more vivid light than the records I was given to review. After nearly a minute, Miss Vines continued.

VV: I will do everything in my power to try and solve whatever happened here. I will try my greatest to cling to the hope that all of these ponies are not gone forever. I pray the truth won’t be the worst thing I can imagine. Do you have any other questions, Doctor?

BS: No, Miss Vines. I… think you deserve to get some rest. But, there was one thing, a request.

I expected a question, but Miss Vines waited for me to continue.

BS: Lantern mentioned that his dreams weren’t happening when he slept during the day. If these are happening to others under your employ, and Lantern’s dreams are a precursor to others’... There’s a set of herbs one of my old professors studied during his master’s thesis, that could induce deeper sleep in ponies. I could requisition some within a day, to give to Lantern, if need be.

VV: Those dreams tormented him. He came to me begging for relief. Are you asking for my consent to make him experience those dreams again?

BS: Yes. I will not do anything against his will, but I need your signature in order to request them.

VV: Alright, Doctor. I’ll sign.

BS: Thank you, Miss Vines.

Session 05 - Lantern - April 28th

Transcription of Session 05: Lantern, Assistant Investigator
Date: April 28th
Time: 8:22 a.m.

Lantern seemed in fine spirits this morning before our meeting. I’m unsure if he’s been made aware of others in the camp having similar dreams to his, but after getting some food and coming to my tent for a session, his attitude was still positive. I noticed that he hadn’t brought anything with him, despite my request for a journal.

Blue Sky (BS): Good morning, Lantern. Could you just say your name and role for the record again?

Lantern (L): Of course, Doctor. Lantern, assistant investigator to Miss Vines.

BS: Thank you. I see you’re looking well this morning, did you have a productive night?

L: No, not particularly, but I did sleep well during the day.

BS: That’s good to hear. I asked you at the end of our last session about keeping a dream journal. I see you didn’t bring anything today.

L: I left it at my tent, Doctor. It’s not that I didn’t have anything to share, it just didn’t seem important.

BS: Do you recall it? I assume you wrote it down, at the least?

L: I did, yes. It wasn’t anything for most of the night, I guess, not anything that I could remember after waking up, but there was something.

Lantern’s face had changed slightly, back to that look of uncertainty as he stared down at his hooves.

L: It was the Town Hall, again.

BS: Were you inside or outside? Are there any details that stood out?

L: Outside, and… it was here.

Lantern looked back up at me, and responded before I could question what he meant.

L: I could see the tents, the lights we strung up around town, and the stars. It wasn’t whatever they wrote about.

BS: So, you dreamt about the investigation then, and what’s been happening?

L: No, I don’t think it was, but… I felt like I was being watched, even as I was in the air somehow, and looking down at the town. The next thing I knew, I was inside. I’ve only been there once, to help Pendant with some cataloguing, but it was the Mayor’s office.

BS: Was there anything you heard or felt that stuck out?

Lantern looked down at his hooves for a long while, silent.

BS: Lantern, whatever it is, you can tell me.

L: There were hoofsteps, and a thud. I didn’t see anything move, or change.

BS: You’re certain, Lantern?

L: Yes, that’s when I woke up. It was around nine or so, last night. I’d overslept and had to write it down quickly, but that’s what I remember.

He looked up at me, and then glanced to the entrance of the tent.

L: I reported, late, to Miss Vines, and started looking over some books she requested, but I went to Town Hall, past the curfew.

Miss Vines had informed me that no one was allowed outside the camps on the edge of town after dark, except for a set of rotating perimeter guards.

BS: What did you find, Lantern?

L: Nothing. I thought the dream meant something, that there was something there, but it was just the same as it was when we arrived. Pendant made sure everything was put back in its place whenever anyone was done examining something.

BS: Like I said in our first session, Lantern, what you tell me here is confidential, to a degree. Your actions, while breaking Miss Vines’ protocol, aren’t enough to warrant my reporting of them. That curiosity paints them in a different light, and you obviously have regret about it.

Lantern nodded.

L: I thought I’d find something.

BS: Lantern, Miss Vines told me yesterday about how she feels in this investigation. You, her, several of your colleagues, all seem to harbor the same want to uncover what’s happened here.

It is worth noting here that Miss Vines had approved my requisition for a set of herbs which helped induce deeper sleep the night prior, and I was aware of their impending arrival that morning.

BS: I… think there may be something to your dreams. Others in this camp have had similar ones, following yours. I know that you’ve kept them a secret as well.

What I had to say slowly dawned on Lantern’s face, but he kept silent.

BS: Even ponies that had never known Solace described his face. I think you’re of sound mind, Lantern. The stress of what you experienced has been getting to you, and what I’m about to suggest may not help in that matter. I spoke to Miss Vines, and requested a mixture of particular medicinal herbs, potent ones. One of my professional peers believes it can induce more vivid dreams, and a deeper sleep. You’ve not had these particular dreams that worried you since you started sleeping during the day, but I wonder if this medicine I requested could induce them.

Lantern looked down at himself as I spoke, and I began to question why I brought this to his attention. I am not a member of this team, nor should I influence this investigation’s outcome or course.

BS: They should arrive in an hour or so. Would you consent to taking them?

L: Yes, Doctor. If it will help others, or brings something to light, I’ll take them.

BS: You must be absolutely sure, Lantern. Miss Vines stressed how much of a burden this might end up being, and how poorly you seemed to feel after first experiencing them.

L: I know, Doctor, but they have to mean something. I can’t hide from it.

Lantern received his medication an hour later and went to sleep.

Session 06 - Pendant - April 28th

Transcription of Session 06: Pendant, Assistant Investigator
Date: April 28th
Time: 7:00 p.m.

I should note here that Cage did not show for his scheduled appointment. I will have to bring it up to Miss Vines.

As for Pendant, she arrived on time for her appointment, and without any of her work. I was pleasantly surprised.

Blue Sky (BS): Good evening, Pendant. I’m glad to see you were able to leave your work behind.

Pendant (P): Good evening to you as well, Doctor.

She seemed to glare at me for a moment, but I was focused on my notes at the time.

BS: So, would you like to start things fresh or pick up where we left off?

P: I don’t have a preference, Doctor.

BS: Well, a fresh start is always nice then. How was your day?

P: Productive. Very much so, in fact.

BS: Is that so? Are you at liberty to discuss how with me?

P: Yes. The cipher, the one that I mentioned yesterday. I had an epiphany after leaving your tent.

BS: You managed to solve it?

P: Yes, it was a vigenere cipher, one that uses a code word. I’d been trying several, but what you said when I left, well, something about it struck a chord with me.

BS: You’ll forgive me for not recalling.

P: ‘Hope’. You hoped that I would be able to make it before Miss Vines’ curfew. I had deduced that a four-letter word might be the key to deciphering it, but there are many of those.

Something about the way Pendant spoke seemed more straightforward than yesterday. She was direct before, of course, but maybe without her work to distract her, her focus is even tighter.

BS: Yes, I suppose there are. So ‘hope’ was this keyword that you needed? What sort of message did you find?

P: I suppose whoever left it has a flair for the dramatic. If I had to describe it, it is hopeful. Someone that was there survived.

BS: That is rather hopeful. Do you know who it is?

Pendant looked down, hoof resting on her chin and started muttering to herself.

P: No, but it must mean they have some way to reach us. That’s assuming the contents of all the journals so far are true, and where they are is somewhere we cannot reach on our own. Some barrier we can’t cross on our own, but can be pulled through.

Her muttering grew lower, until she was barely whispering to herself. It all seemed to be conjecture about what had happened.

BS: Pendant, I think this qualifies as “work”.

She stopped, shaking her head and looking back up at me.

P: I apologize, Doctor Do you work much in the theory of your field?

BS: You mean abstract studies? No, I prefer to work with patients.

P: What do you think is the best question you can ask a patient? In general.

BS: I think that’s a question more deep than we have time to discuss.

She glanced to the side, rubbing the side of her neck and stretching slightly.

P: I read a few books on psychology once. I don’t consider myself an expert, but I think there is a “best” question. Not to gauge someone’s mental state, or solve their problems. No, just to know them. “How do you see yourself?”

BS: It’s certainly an interesting question. Is there a reason you feel it’s “best”?

P: It’s open-ended. How I respond to the question reveals not only how I see myself, but what I value. If I say, describe my occupation, I might value it more than if I described my feelings to you. If I mention my looks, or my money, I may value how others see me.

She continued to look away from me, and her ears flicked a bit in the silence after she stopped talking.

BS: You certainly have some interesting thoughts, Pendant. So, how do you see yourself, then?

She was quiet for a minute, and then turned back to face me.

P: An investigator. An answerer. Somepony who solves problems.

I prepared to respond, but she cut me off.

P: I know what you might say, Doctor. I didn’t answer what you asked me yesterday for a reason. I don’t think I’m anything but my job.

BS: I think that’s a long jump to make, Pendant.

P: But you were going to make it, even if you didn’t say it. I think I can solve the rest of this case, Doctor. Did you mention anything to Miss Vines yet?

BS: Your obsession. Miss Vines has a different opinion than me.

P: I think you’re both right, for what it’s worth. You’re the professional, however. I can understand if you’ll argue against me.

Before I could say anything more, Pendant left my tent, and I prepared for my report to Miss Vines.

Session 07 - Verdant Vines - April 28th

Transcription of Session 07: Verdant Vines, Head Investigator
Date: April 28th
Time: 8:06 p.m

Blue Sky (BS): Good evening, Miss Vines. I trust your day went well?

Miss Vines seemed in a better mood than when she left our last session.

Verdant Vines (VV): Better than some recent ones, yes. Pendant told me she talked to you about her discovery in your meeting?

BS: Yes, but I don’t think it’s important to her review.

VV: I’m sorry if I got ahead of what you wanted to discuss, Doctor. It’s just something I’m worried is a blessing and a curse.

BS: Your line of work is often fraught with things like that, Miss Vines, isn’t it?

Miss Vines looked down at her lap for a few moments and sighed.

VV: I suppose so. How were your sessions today?

BS: Fruitful in some cases. Cage was not present for his meeting today. Do you know any reason that might be?

Miss Vines appeared confused, and then looked over to a set of papers she had at her side. We’d held her meetings at the end of the day in her tent, and as such she had access to any information I might need. She shuffled through the papers, shaking her head.

VV: I don’t think there’s any reason he would have missed it. I know he’s stubborn at times, but he doesn’t disob— Ah, here we are.

She pulled one paper from the pile.

VV: It seems like he requested a transfer of shift right before his normal one started. He moved from perimeter patrol to investigation detail at the hotel on the other side of town.

BS: Does something like this happen normally?

VV: Now and then, yes. I assume someone must have approached him early this morning about it. There’s no detailed reason on the request, just ‘shift change on mutual request’.

BS: I assume his shift is ending soon, then?

VV: From the look of it, yes. I’ll talk to him about it before bed. I’m sure it wasn’t his intention to miss it.

BS: Thank you. For the sessions I did hold today, and those that the rest of my team covered, it seems like a few other ponies here have shown dreams similar to Lantern’s. I think the occurrence has grown beyond simple chance now.

VV: Do you think it’s something to be concerned about then?

BS: Ideally, yes, but none of those that have reported it seem troubled because of it. They all passed my colleagues’ reviews.

VV: Did you have another session with Lantern this morning?

BS: Yes, I think it was rather productiv—

VV: And did you ask him about taking these herbs you mentioned yesterday?

Miss Vines’ expression looked like one of concern, but her gaze felt like it pierced through me.

BS: Yes, I did. However, we started out discussing a dream he had after my first session. It involved the Town Hall. It didn’t seem to him that anything in his dream was different from what he recalled from being there, except that he heard hoofsteps. Have any of your investigators reported finding something there recently?

VV: No. Pendant would have come to me immediately if she’d found anything worth discussing.

BS: I don’t mean to imply anyone here is hiding something from you, but Lantern did have an… experience that led him to this second journal.

VV: I didn’t take it that way, Doctor, of course. I’ll try to have a meeting with Pendant to discuss it, and talk to the guards that have been stationed there with her.

BS: There wasn’t much else that came from my session with Lantern. I assume he’ll be waking soon, and I’ll ask if he has time to talk before I retire for the night. I’d prefer to talk when his recollection is clear, instead of relying on what he manages to write down.

VV: As long as he consents, Doctor, it should be fine.

BS: Moving onto Pendant. I think our session was productive, but I can’t truly pin if there’s any problem with her that needs to be addressed. She’s mentally capable, and seems to be making progress on her tasks. I don’t think the case will be an issue for her, but I still recommend some kind of… rest period afterwards. Perhaps a few more sessions with me back in Canterlot.

VV: I don’t really know if she’d go along with that, but I do think it would be helpful. She’s brilliant, really, and I’d hate to be blind to something wrong with her based on that opinion.

BS: Thank you, Miss Vines. Is there anything you’d like to talk about that’s happened in the past day?

Miss Vines was quiet for a few moments.

VV: I feel like what Pendant has found is just another twisted clue in the grand scheme of things. The message is hopeful, for us and whoever might somehow be alive, but it places everything else in another light.

BS: You mean that—

VV: The other messages we’ve found came from someone else. Are still coming from something, someone else. Maybe this message is just a decoy to draw us closer to something we shouldn’t see. Or maybe I’m being superstitious and it means exactly what it says. It sounds stupid to say, given what we’ve found, but I need something or someone physical to prove what’s happening. To cut off the chaff of lies.

BS: Have you ever had a case similar to this?

Miss Vines didn’t respond immediately, apparently deep in thought.

BS: I don’t know how common magic or ‘other’ things are in your line of work, but I’d assume, rightfully, that this is out of your comfort zone.

VV: That would be putting it mildly.

BS: It would be safe to assume, then, that some of your subordinates are reacting as they would to an unknown challenge. Lantern and Cage potentially seem unsettled, either wholly or partially, while you and Pendant are eager and ready to buckle down and overcome it. Of course, this is more than some simple change, and there are other preternatural forces at work. Beyond our explanation, rather than unexplainable.

VV: I don’t think you can split them all into one side or the other, Doctor.

BS: Of course not. A spectrum is more likely, but I don’t think only one side of that line can be expected to react poorly.

VV: So are there any your team is sending away yet?

BS: A few, yes. Mostly those with insomnia or that have been falling asleep during their work. Not to imply that the future will be different, but none of them are beyond helping yet. With rest, I’m sure they’ll be ready to continue their work soon.

VV: When? I don’t have long to sit here and wait for my personnel to return.

BS: It’s impossible to tell. Some it might be a day or two, others-

We were interrupted by someone bursting into the tent. I did not recognize their face, but they called for Miss Vines to follow. I asked if I could join, and am regretful that I did.

We ran towards Lantern’s tent, where a few other guards and investigators were gathered outside, and I heard Lantern shouting for someone to get away from him. By the time I got a chance to see inside of the tent with Miss Vines, he had been tackled to the floor. Cage was one of three holding him down, and trying to keep a knife being controlled by Lantern’s magic away from himself.

His body was covered in a few shallow cuts, still bleeding, but most of them were grouped around his forehead and eyes. He looked wholly unlike how he seemed this morning during our meeting. I have no recording of his outburst or pictures to offer of the events, but he kept shouting about how “They” were coming, and “She” had already come. One of my colleagues was able to apply a sedative to him.

I do not know if my mixture had an effect on Lantern, but later that night, Cage came to my tent with his dream journal. Outside of a few scattered recollections that he had told me about this morning, there was only one thing worth noting. Either just after waking, or subconsciously while still sleeping, he had drawn something:

He will be in Canterlot before midnight.

Session 08 - Gilded Cage - April 29th

Transcription of Session 08: Gilded Cage, Perimeter Guard Lead
Date: April 29th
Time: 5:09 p.m.

Cage arrived on time to his meeting today, though it was several minutes of silence before either of us spoke.

Blue Sky (BS): I’m curious as to why you missed our scheduled meeting yesterday, Cage. Miss Vines told me you switched shifts with another guard.

Cage coughed for a few moments to clear his throat, but still seemed reluctant to talk.

Gilded Cage (GC): Yeah. It was something last minute. Just someone that needed some time to themselves. They were back there today, so guess it helped.

BS: And you made your regular shift?

GC: Of course. I appreciate the concern after what we both saw, but I’m used to those things.

BS: That seems like an awfully difficult thing to become used to.

GC: It is. At least he didn’t end up actually killing himself.

BS: I assume that means you’ve seen someone actually—

GC: No. Not someone doing it to themselves at least. You still think about it though. If anyone is going to see the worst things in Equestria, it’s us, right? So we have to be hardened without experiencing it.

BS: That’s a very dangerous state of mind. You can’t act like an immovable pillar to every experience.

Cage looked down in his lap for a few moments, before looking up toward me.

GC: I still have a job to do. I can’t let someone else almost killing me and themselves over stress or something keep me from that.

BS: Did you work with Lantern much before this case?

GC: A few times. We knew each other, but we weren’t close or anything. I know Vines more than him, but we’ve been on a few cases. Pendant was a little closer to him, though.

BS: You were there before Vines and myself arrived, was there anythi-

GC: I already gave my statement on that, Doctor. Miss Vines let you read everyone’s, I’m sure.

BS: I apologize. I’m just concerned that a brief description in a report isn’t the entire story. This meeting is supposed to be about you though, yes. We talked a bit about your grandfather last session, didn’t we? Would you like to talk about him some more, or your sister?

Cage grimaced for a moment at the mention of his sister.

GC: I don’t know what else there is to say about him. He’s not around anymore, however much I want him to be. My sister is the only pony left in my family I feel connected with, or who wants to even talk to me. With all our traveling, for work or whatever, we don’t cross paths all too often. I wanted to take off time to travel with her for a bit, but it just wasn’t the right time.

BS: I won’t force you to talk about it, but the wedge between you and your parents, is there one reason it happened you could attribute it to?

Cage took a few deep breaths, and I was ready to write off him talking about it all together.

GC: I didn’t want to do what they wanted. My job, the way I acted, the ponies I talked to; it didn’t fit what they wanted from me, or their image. I don’t hate them for it. I understand where it was coming from, but they just wouldn’t budge on it, so I didn’t either.

BS: You cut off from talking to them all completely?

GC: Yeah. I couldn’t stand not to talk to my sister, or my grandfather, but he passed not long after that, and my parents never seemed to care what she did with herself.

BS: What’s her name? You didn’t mention it before.

GC: Pavé.

BS: You mentioned her traveling. Is it for business?

GC: No, she just likes to see places. She thinks there’s so much to see, so, why not get out and see it? She even sends me postcards and pictures, and I try to get them forwarded wherever I’m stationed, but they don’t always get to me on time. And I can never tell where she’s gonna be to send one back. We still talk once or twice a year, though, when we can plan it.

Cage’s demeanor and expressions turned much more dour when talking about Pavé.

BS: Have you ever considered trying to make amends with your parents?

GC: A few times.

BS: Were they all your idea?

GC: … No. Pavé was the first to bring it up. I don’t— It’s too personal.

BS: It’s alright, Cage. Is there anything else you might want to talk about? Was your shift yesterday a nice change of pace?

GC: Being indoors or outdoors isn’t much of a difference. I mean, I wasn’t just sitting there looking out for ponies, but looking through rooms for the fifth time isn’t all that exciting either.

BS: I heard that one of the journals showed that investigators were staying there, but one of your teams had already been searching there?

GC: Yeah. One of the first places they searched, after the library. Didn’t find anything about the other investigators there... and still haven’t found anything about them being there, other than that journal.

BS: There are very few threads left to follow. Almost hopeless. Is that how it feels?

Cage was silent for a few moments, eyes closed, before he sighed and started to stand up.

GC: I don’t know.

BS: I’ll let Miss Vines know if you’re needed for another session tomorrow, Cage, but to be honest, I don’t think you’ll need one.

Cage said nothing else to me as he left. While looking seemingly despondent, I think Cage’s mental state is still sound.

Session 09 - Pendant - April 29th

Transcription of Session 09 - Pendant, Assistant Investigator
Date: April 29th
Time: 7:23 p.m.

Pendant was once again rather late for our scheduled meeting. With the progress made yesterday, I believed it wasn’t too alarming that she would be consumed by her work once again.

Blue Sky (BS): Pendant, glad to see you finally arrived. I assume your work has kept you a bit distracted today?

Pendant had brought a few papers, but when she sat down, her attention was focused on me.

Pendant (P): A bit, Doctor. Is there something specific you wanted to discuss today?

BS: No, Pendant. These sessions are just supposed to be free form. If you have something you want to talk about, that’s fine.

P: How is Lantern? I’ve already talked to Miss Vines and Cage, but I am curious about your opinion.

BS: I didn’t have a chance to talk to him. He wasn’t exactly in a good condition when he left, and I don’t think it’s appropriate to share how our sessions were before then.

P: Then he was acting that badly beforehand?

BS: No. Suffice to say, being in Canterlot now, I expect that he is receiving the care that he needs. I should have more information about his condition for Miss Vines soon.

My comments did not seem to break Pendant’s chain of thought.

P: Cage said that he seemed entirely unlike himself. Even after whatever problems he had from discovering that journal, he wasn’t like that. How could someone change so quickly overnight? Or, over a day.

BS: I don’t know, Pendant. It worries me, certainly, but I’m sure he’ll be better soon.

P: Because of his care, or because he’s gone from here?

BS: I beg your pard—

P: One of the ponies with Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, her mood changed entirely, almost overnight. Something there affected her. It had affected all of them in different ways.

Pendant finally seemed to be unable to control herself, grabbing her papers and starting to scribble down on them.

BS: Pendant, we talked before about bringing your work. We’re not able to perform these meetings when y—

P: These meetings are trivial, Doctor. With your recommendation or not, even Miss Vines’ orders, I wouldn’t abandon this.

Pendant’s attention was wholly on her papers, but I could catch a hint of anger in her normally calmer tone.

BS: If you happen to not be well, Pendant, you shouldn’t stay here.

P: I’m needed here. I’ve uncovered more about what is happening than Miss Vines, or any of the other investigators. I’m the one that can piece it all together.

BS: Pendant, that kind of viewpoint is hazardous.

Pendant threw her papers to the side, eyes meeting mine in a malicious glare.

P: Why?! Because of how dangerous it is? Because of how powerful what did this is? That’s all the more reason I have to be here!

BS: Pendant, please, control yourself. I’m not trying to level accusations at you, I’m trying to help.

P: If you wanted to, you would leave me to my work! You wouldn’t drag me to these unproductive, worthless sessions to talk about feelings that are irrelevant to solving this case! The results are what matter, Doctor, nothing else. That’s always what matters!

Pendant had risen off of her seat, taking a hostile stance towards me. I did not make a move to defend myself in any way, at first.

BS: Is this how you always feel, on every case you take? That the answer is more important than the lives that obtain it?

P: Yes! That’s why we put ourselves on the line for it! We don’t sit in some clean, safe room combing over documents or pictures, we’re where it happened! I’m trying to get where it happened! She’s already there!

Pendant began to take hoofsteps towards me, at which point I did move from my seat.

BS: Pendant, please. I-I understand your conviction, but there is no need for anger or violence over this. Think of what Miss Vines will do in reaction, yes?

P: I-I don’t.

Pendant seemed overcome with pain in her forehead, stepping backwards.

BS: Pendant, do you need any medication? I can—

P: No! No, Doctor.

Pendant made her way back to her seat, and then started to gather up the papers that she had scattered.

P: I’ll prepare my things to leave. I’m sure that’s what Miss Vines will want.

Pendant quickly left my tent, and I considered if I should have been stronger in my convictions over the past few days. The mare clearly needs some time away from her position, to do something besides this aimless studying she’s talked about. I hope in Canterlot she can find that relaxation.

Session 10 - Verdant Vines - April 29th

Transcription of Session 10 - Verdant Vines, Head Investigator
Date: April 29th
Time: 8:14 p.m.

Miss Vines arrived a bit late to our meeting. She seemed worried when she arrived, but that did not become entirely clear to me until later.

Blue Sky (BS): Miss Vines. Is something bothering you?

Verdant Vines (VV): In a few ways, Doctor, yes.

BS: I’m sorry to hear that. Would you like to go over what I’ve found from my sessions today first?

Miss Vines took a few moments to reply.

VV: Of course.

BS: Lantern, of course, was sent to Canterlot last night. I’ve not heard anything about him since then, but I’m certain if anything comes through you will most likely be the first to read about his condition. Though I was his doctor, I suspect Ms. Clover will not be sending any updates on his condition to me.

VV: I’ll be happy to keep you apprised, Doctor. Was there any sign of it? I know I asked you last night, but I don’t think any of us were exactly level-headed.

Miss Vines shouted at me for answers shortly after we were called to Lantern’s tent, though there was not much I could say in my own state.

BS: No, I don’t feel that there was any sort of sign. Lantern seemed like he was improving before my suggestion. I can’t say for certain that what I gave him affected him so harshly, but I do feel responsible.

Miss Vines was silent for several moments, staring down at her hooves

VV: Blue Sky, I wouldn’t trouble yourself by worrying like that. Whatever happened to Lantern isn’t one pony’s fault alone.

BS: Regardless, Lantern’s dream journal didn’t show anything quite as drastic as whatever triggered this breaking point. There was nothing written about what he dreamed that day except for those eyes, so I assume there’s little we can gleam other than the dreams I discussed with him, and which others have experienced.

VV: I see. We’ll have to wait and see if his condition changes then, and he becomes any more coherent.

BS: Exactly.

VV: What about the others?

BS: Cage was a bit more receptive to talking about his background, and he does seem perfectly fine, though a little despondent about current events, like everyone is. I don’t think he’ll need another meeting with me at this point, unless you want to go through with one.

VV: I’ll leave it up to your judgement, then. Cage has always been rather sound of mind when on assignments as taxing as this, so if he seems fine in your eyes, then I’m sure he can continue on.

BS: Excellent. As for Pendant—

VV: I’m aware things went poorly. I didn’t see her afterwards like I usually do.

BS: I believe the stress of finding an answer, much like it has done to you, is piling up.

I had to correct myself quickly.

BS: Not to say that you yourself are unfit for duty here, but Pendant’s emotional state is much more fragile. She acted openly hostile and angry towards me when I questioned one of her viewpoints. She seems to believe she’s solely culpable to any failure in the investigation.

VV: I don’t think I fully understand you, Doctor.

BS: Pendant is… insistent that she is the only one on this investigation capable of uncovering the truth. That even if her mental state was eroded, her health and safety at risk, and you were ordering her to leave, that she would not.

Miss Vines took another few moments to respond.

VV: Doctor, I have had control and ownership of working many cases with Pendant at this point. I’ve seen this kind of drive out of her, this passion, before. This is how she’s solved the things she has.

BS: You can’t be suggesting th—

VV: I am, Doctor. Pendant may be abrasive in her attitude when she gets like this, but there’s no debating the results I’ve seen out of it.

BS: I can’t allow that, Miss Vines! Past experiences or not, I am the one with control over her treatment and evaluation, and if she’s gone through other cases in this mental state, it has likely been taxing on her. I know that any lack of progress on this case might make it seem like you need to go to some extreme, but her well-being is more important than that!

I will admit that I lost my composure a bit with Miss Vines, but I still agree with my general opinion in regards to Pendant and her current state.

VV: I may only have four more days to come up with something on this case. One pony has already been driven to the breaking point and… I’m feeling it myself.

Miss Vines looked down, taking a few deep breaths. Her body appeared to be shaking as her eyes were closed.

VV: Overnight I… had the same dream that Lantern did before. I can still remember every detail of it, and I hadn’t even read all of the information on it you gave me. The thing that worried me about it, though, was that I could hear Solace talking. About time, that there wasn’t any left. That it was running out. That Equestria was in danger. Isn’t the sacrifice of some ponies worth the well-being of all of them?

BS: Ms. Vines, there’s no way to tell if that dream was influenced by some sort of underlying worry that you yourself have. It’s only right to feel a sense of duty about these events, given their severity, but to take a dream as some premonition in this case… We have to be concerned with the well-being of ponies we know are here.

VV: Just give me a day to talk to Pendant, Doctor, please. Maybe I can do something to keep her sane long enough to—

BS: I apologize for my outburst before, Miss Vines, but I won’t budge on this issue. I won’t insist that she leave in the morning, if you need time to discuss details of the case. It’s already late enough as it is.

Miss Vines took another deep breath and sighed. It’s obvious the futility she feels in this case is wearing her thin, even if she has to stay composed for the sake of others

VV: I appreciate that much, at least.

BS: This is for the best. Ms. Clover will agree with me. I’ll speak to you tomorrow, Ms. Vines.

VV: Good night, Doctor.

Miss Vines left my tent. I’ll be delivering a series of notes on both Lantern and Pendant’s condition with my records tomorrow. I will likely only have a meeting with Miss Vines to include with it.

Session 11 - Gilded Cage - April 30th

Transcription of Session 11 - Gilded Cage, Perimeter Guard Lead
Date: April 30th
Time: 1:19 p.m.

I had made my way to the tent I had been assigned for my sessions, after a bit of work in my sleeping tent collecting the files and recordings I had on Pendant and Lantern to return to Canterlot. I did not expect to find Cage pacing back and forth, waiting for me. After allowing me to set up my equipment, we began.

Blue Sky (BS): So, Cage. What exactly did you want t—

Gilded Cage (GC): It’s something I saw on my patrol this morning.

Cage had been rather quiet and calm when I arrived and was setting up my equipment. To see him suddenly talk over me had me a bit startled.

BS: Alright, well, if you’d like to tell me about it, I’d be happy to hear it. Are you sure it’s not something that should be said to Ms. Vines, though?

GC: She already knows, but I… there’s more I have to say about it.

I motioned for Cage to continue.

GC: I was out on the perimeter again today, just watching the roads, keeping an eye out for anypony. And we actually saw one for… must have been the first time in a week or so. We were able to stop most of the weather and mailponies after the first few visits, and then we had a few visitors to turn away, but this one was different. We did what we were supposed to, telling them they couldn’t come into Ponyville because of a quarantine. We’re supposed to keep all of the details fairly vague, and a few other places out in Equestria already know about the cover story. This stallion said he knew, and that he’d come back home because of what he’d heard, to see his sister.

Cage paused for a moment, taking a deep breath and then continuing.

GC: I told him I still couldn’t let him in, that we’d tell him where to go, to look for when things are finished. He still insisted on it, that he had to see his sister, his family, his friends. He said her name and it sounded familiar. I swear I’d heard it before, but I couldn’t be sure until I got back to camp: Jelly Belly.

Cage’s eyes focused on his hooves, pressed together in his lap. I could hear the sound of them grinding against each other as he continued.

GC: His name was Laffy Taffy. He was one of the first missing ponies listed in the case files. He supposedly went missing over 10 days before we arrived. And he’s been off somewhere else.

I could start to hear Cage’s teeth grinding as well, his eyes shut tightly.

BS: Cage, are you worried that others might also b—

Cage slammed his hooves into his seat. The sound of the wood cracking was clearly audible on the recording. As he looked at me, I could see tears starting to well in his eyes.

GC: Yeah! I am! What if they left here?! We’ve spent weeks chasing around some cryptic nonsense in some journals?! We’ve walked in circles in the same places that are empty and clueless searching for something when they could be anywhere else in Equestria!

BS: Cage, I can understand your frustration. I just… you’re not involved with the investigation directly, are you?

Cage stood up from his seat, pacing back and forth as he looked between the floor and myself.

GC: Maybe I should be! I’d probably be doing a better job at this point! A whole town can’t just disappear without a trace! A bunch of journals that contradict each other doesn’t make for any kind of evidence at all! Pavé could be anywhere!

BS: Pavé? Your sister? Cage, are y—

It seemed to click all at once. Pavé’s constant traveling, his negative reaction when discussing her despite their relationship, and the reason he had requested, more than once, to be transferred to cover shifts at the local hotel.

In the meantime, Cage had stopped his pacing, and had dropped onto his haunches, hooves against his head.

GC: She wasn’t even supposed to be here! Some festival or something got delayed. I only got the postcard a day before we were called out here. I hoped she had left, that she wasn’t here, but…

Cage had pulled something from his bags, a necklace. He remained silent, staring at it.

BS: Cage. I can understand how you feel about this. If you’re feeling distraught from a connection to the case, to someone that might have been involved, I can have you removed.

GC: She said she’d never leave it behind. It’s the one thing we made together with my grandfather.

Cage had started sobbing. I remained silent, but approached to try and comfort him.

BS: Cage, I’m so sorry. Take as long as you need.

The rest of my session was uneventful with Cage. I did my best to comfort him and mentioned that I would talk to Ms. Vines about his involvement with the case. I hope that whatever comes to pass, his sister is found safe.

Session 12 - Verdant Vines - April 30th

Transcription of Session 12 - Verdant Vines, Head Investigator
Date: April 30th
Time: 5:00 p.m.

Despite some issues with this recording, I have included it with this transcript, just like the others that I have sent. Despite listening to it several times, I couldn’t correctly annotate anything within the static. I will do my best to describe what transpired at that time.

Blue Sky (BS): Good evening, Miss Vines. I hope things have gone well today.

Verdant Vines (VV): About as well as we could hope. I was able to get what information I could from Pendant, though she seemed… aloof.

BS: She seemed rather the same after her outburst yesterday. I hope what she provided was of some help. And did Cage speak to you?

Miss Vines was quiet for several moments.

VV: No, he didn’t, but one of his charges did. I— We knew for some time that Pavé was at the hotel at some point. We only had her name on a guest list, but… I tried to talk to Cage about it, but he refused. Said he “wanted to focus on his work.” I guess he could only do that for so long.

BS: Bottling things up is a common response. Especially when you believe that things will resolve themselves before too long. I don’t think that he needs to be sent away, but—

VV: No, I wouldn’t do that to him. It’s not like we haven’t been searching the rest of Equestria, you know? We’ve had as many agents as we can afford just looking in various cities and towns, searching for any sign of someone from Ponyville we can know for sure was there. We even managed to find one of the ponies in the hotel guest book. Apparently they left before anything really odd started to occur. Our agents did the best they could to question them without bringing up exactly what happened. That’s not even counting the one or two groups I’ve sent into the Everfree that came back with nothing, at least as deep as they were able to travel in a day.

Miss Vines took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

VV: And it’s not like we have much else in the realm of clues to go on. These journals are everything, the only thing. But all they seem to want to tell me is what happened, not why. If somepony I knew was here when all of it happened, I don’t know what I would do. I might not have kept it together as long as Cage did.

BS: Like I said: Cage doesn’t seem emotionally or mentally damaged by things like Pendant and Lantern were, but I’d still recommend keeping an eye on him. I won’t be staying in camp very long after now. My colleagues have finished their sessions and only a few outliers seem like they need help. I prepared this for you.

I handed Miss Vines my colleagues’ notes on the other members of her team that warranted attention. It was only five other ponies in total out of the few dozen currently in Ponyville.

VV: Thank you, Doctor. Regardless of what happens, I hope they all end u—

At this moment, there was a commotion outside of the tent. I was going to get up to check on it, but Pendant suddenly burst into the tent, kicking away a guard that was apparently trying to restrain her.

BS: Pendant?

VV: I thought you’d left for the station an hour ago. The train is going to lea—

Pendant (P): I’m not going to let you stop me!

It was at this point that I noticed the book, marked with several scratches on its front, in Pendant’s hoof, and then the knife that floated up in her magical grip.

VV: Pendant, calm down.

BS: Yes, please, we can talk about this.

Miss Vines was closer to Pendant than I was, and seemed to be the target of her anger.

P: There isn’t time for that! They’re coming! They’ve been coming! Every second we’ve spent here is nothing but a waste!

The guard that had been kicked away tried to advance of Pendant, prompting her to swing the knife to and fro in the air. Miss Vines and I did the best to keep our distance, and motioned for the guard to do the same.

VV: What did you find, Pendant?

BS: Miss Vi—

VV: Just tell us what you found. You found something right? Something to help the case? We can go over it together, I promise, but just put the knife do—

P: No! No, you’re with them! You have to be. It’s the only explanation. What else could make sense?

As Pendant spoke to herself, more than us, her voice lowered in volume, and the knife began to falter.

P: You want them to get here! You want them to take everypony away forever. The ones that are gone aren’t coming back. Not as themselves!

It is at this point that the record becomes far too garbled to decipher.

As Pendant continued to ramble, her body began to shake and convulse. While my expertise is in psychiatry, it was obviously the beginnings of some sort of seizure. The journal was the first thing to drop from her grip, falling onto the floor and flipping open, as she seemed set on keeping the knife afloat and defending herself. As her breathing grew ragged, she started to cough and gag, before a fluid, pitch black, that I have never seen or heard of exiting a pony, began to spill forth.

The knife finally fell from her magical grip, as her eyes clenched shut and she fell to the floor, shaking. Miss Vines was quick to rush to her side, but I was able to push her aside and stop her. It is thankful that I was able to. I find it hard to describe exactly what followed in the few seconds after that. A painful, metallic screeching filled the tent, and a gust of wind began to pick up. We have confirmed with several other ponies that the wind and screeching were unnoticed and inaudible to the rest of the camp. I believe it is these, combined, that caused an issue with my recording equipment and led to its inaudible state at the end.

Because of the wind, the lamp light within our tent was extinguished, and a sudden chill ran through my spine. Miss Vines and the guard reported the same sensation. Within the dark, I could not make out exactly what occurred to Pendant, but it seemed to have no lasting ill effects on her physically. As the screeching continued, unceasing, Pendant’s body seemed to twist in a way that I could only describe as unnatural and impossible. The only light we were granted was that of a magical bolt that arced from her horn to the ground, illuminating the black liquid that continued to cover her body.

While those frantic few seconds are not entirely crystal clear within my memory, I do recall what I believe to be a voice that was not my own, Miss Vine’s, Pendant’s, or the guard’s. It said “not ready”. Both Miss Vines and the guard do not share my recollection, and Pendant is currently comatose and being transported to Canterlot. As quickly as it began, the wind and screeching ceased. The light within our tent returned, and the journal lay closed on the floor. Pendant was unconscious, and the black liquid was completely absent from the ground.

The journal will be transcribed, after it is carefully examined and quarantined long enough to be certain it poses no harm. It will be provided soon.

Addendum: There is still one thing about that night that I am uncertain of. In the darkness, it was hard to make out with my eyes, but I could feel it behind me. The tarp that had been touching my hind hooves was gone during that screeching, but I could feel it when the lights came back.