This is so boring! I thought trying to get home would involve more action, not just sitting on a bench with an ice cream.
After me and the P.Cs arrived Rainbow herded the teams into the back of the wooden carts, once she was finished she turned to me and the two P.Cs. "Sparkles, you will be in the background too. Just act natural and make sure these two don't get hurt". I was a bit confused.
"Isn't that what the P.Cs are doing?"
"Yes, but you're obviously well educated on changelings. You might notice something the plonks don't". I suppose she's right.
"How will I contact you if I see something?"
"On this". She chucked a small object at me, I managed to catch it in my magic. I really wish she would give me some warning before she did things like that! I looked at it, it was a small grey box-like thing with what looked like a speaker in it.
"What is it?" I heard P.C Sky snicker and saw Rainbow roll her eyes.
"For goodness sakes Sparkles! It's a radio, a walkie talkie. You know, you use them to communicate". I just looked confused, Rainbow let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine! You know how a phone works right?" I nodded. "Well it's pretty much the same only smaller. Got it!?"
"Y-y-yes Rainbow".
"That's Gov to you! Now get moving!" Me and the P.Cs ran into the back to the cart with the C team, there was barely enough room for me let alone them. One of the ponies that was staying at the station closed the doors sealing us in, it became rather dark since the only light was coming from gaps in the side of the cart. I looked around and saw that every pony was dressed in normal civilian clothing, I looked down at myself, I'm still in my leather jacket and blue shirt. Darn it. If I'd known I was going undercover I'd have changed.
In the end I removed my jacket and hoped for the best. A few minutes later the doors were opened and we all poured out into the streets. Me, P.C Sky and P.C Days were led to the park and were told to just act normal. Well, as normal as two ponies undercover as lovers and a pony in a coma can act. I saw some of the ponies from the station wondering around looking normal, for just a short moment I feel like I'm a spy in one of those spy novels I loved so much as a filly. Sadly the moment passes as fast as it came and I'm brought back to the sad reality that I'm in a coma, not some remarkable spy.
And that is how I ended up two and a half hours later, sat alone, on a bench, with an ice cream. I wish I was with the others, and that's saying something. I wonder what they're doing right now? Probably wondering why I hadn't found the changeling yet.
I wonder what my girls are doing right now? Probably wondering how to wake me up. Just then a blue bird landed on the bench next to me. It made me smile, at least I'm awake here, and I know I'll be going home soon. The bird tweeted and hopped around, I wonder what he's thinking? Fluttershy would know what he was saying, sadly I wasn't blessed with the ability to talk to animals like her.
"Twilight?" Or maybe I was wrong! I stared at the bird, I swear it just spoke! "Twilight, I don't know if you can hear me, but if you can please try to wake up". I know that voice, that's Spike! "I miss you".
"I miss you too Spike". God I miss you.
"I don't know what the girls have told you,but either way you look like you need some cheering up. We managed to get you to hospital Twilight, the doctor says you'll be ok as long as you keep fighting. Please come back to us Twilight, we need you. I need you". A tear rolled down my cheek. I promise you Spike, I will come home.
The bird flew away, I know it was only my subconscious interpreting Spike's words as a talking bird, but I really didn't want it to go. I wiped the tear away with my hoof and looked back to the under cover P.Cs. They were doing quite well, Sunny looked a little bit uncomfortable but other than that they were doing fine. I was tempted to try out my 'radio', but if some pony saw then I'd blow our cover so better not. I stuffed the last bite of ice cream cone into my mouth, swallowed and let out a sigh. Now I can't even entertain myself with ice cream.
I'm so bored!
I saw P.C Sky kiss Sunny on the cheek causing her to blush, probably out of embarrassment. I feel sorry for her, I know I'd hate to be in her position right now. However, at least I wouldn't be bored. I mean look, even that mare over there is doing something! And that blue stallion over there! And that red mare over there! And that foal and here friends over there! And that blue stallion over there! And that mare over.... Wait a minute.
I looked closely at the ponies in the park. There's a blue stallion making ballon animals for foals. I recognized him from Ponyville, his name is Royal Pin. Pinkie used to plan parties with him sometimes, that was until she realized he was popping all of the balloons by accident. It seems kind of ironic that I've create a version of him making balloon animals.
I looked around and sure enough I saw a pony exactly the same walking around, he was dressed in a white shirt and dark grey trousers. He was rather close to the undercover P.Cs and looked like he was trying to blend in. I looked between the two Royal Pins a few times, it was definitely the same pony. I need to tell the others, now!
I got down from my bench and walked towards the public toilets. Luckily there was no pony there so I went in and locked the door. When I was sure it was locked I put the seat of the toilet down and sat on it, I pulled out the radio Rainbow Dash gave me and tried to use it. I thought about my first day in the station, when Rainbow got angry and pushed me up against the filing cabinet, when she talked to me on my first day of work. Suddenly the thing glowed blue and I heard Rainbow's voice crackle out of the speaker.
"What is it Sparkles?" I spoke quietly in case some pony could hear me.
"I've spotted a double".
"What!? Who is it".
"A stallion named Royal Pin. There are two identical ponies in the park, one making balloon animals and one near the two P.Cs".
"Good job Sparkles, where are you now?"
"I'm in the public toilet".
"Why the hay are you in there!?"
"I didn't want the changeling to see or hear me, what if he cottoned on to what we're doing?" I heard her let out a sigh.
"Ok, fine. Just get out there and tell P.C Sky and P.C Days, me and the A team will be right there".
"Got it". I was about to end the call when I hear Rainbow say...
"Oh and Sparkles?"
"Yes?"
"Do you alway talk to birds when you're undercover?" I am so glad she can't see my face right now because I'm pretty sure I'm blushing! "See you there". The radio stopped glowing, after a few seconds I put it back in my trouser pocket and left the cubical. When I got back I saw that Royal Pin (both of them) hadn't moved. I walked over the the P.Cs, just under half way and I realized I had no idea what my undercover relationship with them was. Well, I guess I'll just have to wing it.
"Hey there Sunny, Night Sky. How are you doing?" They looked a bit confused. "It's been a while since I've seen you, it's always nice to see friends". Realization dawned on Sunny's face, sadly P.C Sky was still confused.
"It's great to see you again Twilight, we didn't know you'd be here". P.C Sky looked at Sunny, still confused. "Isn't it nice to see Twilight, Nighty?" When he didn't respond Sunny jabbed him in the side causing him to wince.
"Yes, it's lovely to see you". He sounded slightly out of breath, who knew Sunny was so strong?
She smiled at me. "So, what are you doing here Twilight?"
"Oh, nothing much. I'm just waiting for some friends that's all. You know Rainbow Dash right?" At that point P.C Sky seemed to realize what was going on and decided to join in.
"Oh yes, we know her. When is she meant to get here?"
"That would be now". I looked up to when the voice had come from and saw Rainbow standing behind me. She had removed her coat and was dressed in her grey shirt and black trousers, I guess she had to make do like I did. "Hey Sparkles, how's it going?" How long had she been standing there?
"I'm fine, you?"
"I'm good". She gave a pointed look at the two P.Cs. "Oh don't mind us, just go back to your lovey dovey spiel. I just need to talk to old Sparkle Butt over here". They did as they were told. Meanwhile Rainbow dragged me underneath a nearby tree and whispered in my ear. "Ok, what does he look like?" It took me a second to realize she meant Royal Pin.
"Dark blue coat, white and very pale blue mane. Oh and he's a unicorn".
"Ok, I've got the A team ready to grab him. Which one is the spy?"
"I think it's the one near P.C Days and P.C sky, however I'm not 100% sure". She gave a single nod.
"Ok, if your instincts tell you it's that one then we'll go after that one. I'll get some of the P.Cs to stay around the other in case you're wrong". She had a knack for phrasing things like insults doesn't she? She made a call on her radio to tell the P.Cs to keep an eye on the other Royal Pin, once she was finished she turned to me. "Go up and talk to him".
"What!?"
"Go up and talk to him, while you two are chatting we'll charge in and tackle him".
"What if he runs away?"
"Then run after him!" She sounds exasperated. Well sorry for not being trained in the art of coma construct communication! I let out a frustrated growl.
"Fine!" I started walking in Royal Pin's direction. On my way there I tried to calm down a bit so I wouldn't scared him, or accidentally bite his head off. He was still over by the P.Cs only now he was by the pond looking at the ducks. Time to make my move.
I walked over to his side and watched the ducks. There were only three in the pond, I suppose my brain is too busy trying to keep me alive to make more ducks. To be honest I'd much prefer life than a pretty pond.
"Sure is a lovely day isn't it?" Royal Pin looked at me, if I'm correct he looks almost, startled?
"Pardon?"
"The day, it's lovely isn't it?" He looked nervous, like he wants to run away. I think we found our changeling.
"Yes, it is". He turned back to the pond avoiding eye contact. All signs of a nervous changeling.
"My name is Twilight, what's yours?" He still refused to look at me.
"Um, please don't take this the wrong way Miss, but I was told never to talk to strangers. I'm sorry, please have a nice day". He started walking away when I called out...
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. Please don't go". He didn't stop walking.
"No, I must. My friend is waiting for me". I looked over to the tree were Rainbow and I had been talking, she wasn't there. When I looked back I saw her standing in front of Royal Pin.
"I'm afraid they're going to have to wait a little longer". She got out her badge and showed it to him. "You're nicked". Royal Pin bolted away, faster than I'd ever seen a pony run in my life. "Get him!" Before I knew it me and the other girls were chasing the stallion through the streets of Manehatten. Rainbow was running along side me. "Call the P.Cs! Tell them to block him off!"
"Why don't you!?"
"You're the unicorn! I need my hooves to run! Call them, that's an order!" I rolled my eyes and did as she said. Using my magic I held the radio to my mouth, I don't know how to contact more than one pony so I tried something else. I called Fluttershy.
"Hello, Twilight?"
"Fluttershy! I need you to call the P.Cs, tell them we found the changeling and he's heading into the centre of the city!"
"I'm on it. What does he look like?"
"Blue unicorn stallion with a white mane. His name is Royal Pin".
"Got it. Good luck Twilight".
"Thanks Fluttershy!" The radio stopped glowing, and for the first time it was me who ended the call. If I wasn't so busy trying to catch a changeling I would probably feel proud about that. I pocketed the radio and continued on with the chase.
We maneuvered around ponies, buildings, stalls and even one very startled cat. Pinkie, Applejack and Rarity had split up in an attempt to surround him. I looked over at Rainbow, she looked a little bit tired. I also noticed that she wasn't flying, I wonder why?
"Why don't you fly after him?" I called over to her.
"Shut your muzzle Sparkles and keep running!" I was a bit taken back by that. Since when has Rainbow chosen running over flying?
I could see a cart being pulled up ahead, it's going to temporarily block Royal Pin's path. I've got an idea! I used all of my remaining energy and sprinted towards Royal Pin, he had slowed down a little bit to avoid crashing into the cart so I managed to catch up to him. Unable to think of another way to stop him I did the only thing I could think of. I tackled him.
We skidded across the ground, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be bruised in the morning. Hang on, I won't be here so it won't matter. I stood up quickly and held Royal Pin's hooves behind his back with my magic, I kept my front hooves on his back to stop him from standing up. Just for the fun of it (and maybe because I've secretly always wanted to say it). "Royal Pin, you are under arrest. Anything you may say may harm your defense, so you don't not have to say anything if you choose to do so...".
"That's not how it goes Sparkle Butt". A very out of breath Rainbow Dash has finally caught up with me. I smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, must be the adrenaline".
"You'll get used to it". She pulled her radio out. "D.C.I Dash to all units, we've caught the possible changeling. He is being restrained at Saddle Row. All members of the C team except for the P.Cs watching the other Royal Pin should head back to the station. P.C Days and P.C Sky, you can head back too. All members of the A team come to Saddle Row to help get this spy back to the station and into a cell. Dash out". She returned the radio to her pocket and turned to me.
"Think you can hold him like that till the others get here?"
"I think so, but what if he changes?" Rainbow smirked and bent down to look Royal Pin right in the eyes.
"Oh, he wouldn't dare do that. As long as he remains like this we have no proof that he's a changeling. If he does change we have the evidence required to put him in cells for life!" Royal Pin gulped, even if he's not a changeling he probably would still be frightened by that threat. I feel sorry for him, but then I remember that it's because of a changeling I'm stuck here in the first place! Away from my friends, my home, Spike.
Subconsciously I pushed down on him harder that was strictly necessary. When I realized that he was in pain I eased up a bit. After all it wasn't his fault, he hasn't even been born yet when I was kicked. I looked closer, there were cuts and grazes along his face and hooves, a tear in his trousers which had darkened due to the blood from a cut sustained in the fall. He looked awful, and I did this to him.
What have I done?