The Rise of the Windigo King

Torch turns to Clan and says, "They like technology and music. Do we have anything like that?"

"Well, I know that scientist of yours has technology, but I don't know about the music..." Clan says, putting her hoof to her chin and thinking.

Death Ray flicked up his ears and turned to Clan when she mentioned 'that scientist'.

"You... uh... you know I'm standing right here... right?" Death Ray paused. "I have a... a name... too..."

Clan turns to him. "Yes, and I'm aware you do, it's just you haven't really introduced yourself, so I don't really know what it is." She remarks simply.

"His name is Death. Doctor Death." Ragnarok casually adds.

"I meant besides a... Somewhat silly, honestly, code name or alias." Clan comments, shrugging.

"If he does, we don't know it. Guess his parents didn't like him."

"Actually..." the Doctor nodded towards Clan while adjusting his black goggles & trying to look cool, "The name's Ray. Death Ray. As in, Dr. Death Ray." Flipping up his goggles, Death Ray turned to Ragnarok and sighed, "Not 'Doctor Death,' Raggie. Get it right please." He spun back around to Clan, "-And my name's not silly! It's standards! I mean... what good super villain would be a... well... a super villain... without a name that strikes fear into the hearts of foals? It's just as important as a super villain's winy... And if you don't believe me... well, just take the Windigo King for instance. Would the Windigo King be just as menacing if his name was... well... er... Bob? No. I... I don't think so."

Death Ray paused. Turning slowly to Torch, he raised an eyebrow. "And 'Healing Torch'? Gee." Death Ray rolled his eyes, "Your parents must have sure loved you." Death Ray paused for another moment, then added begrudgingly, "If you must know though. No. 'Dr. Death Ray' was not the name my parents gave me. I had it illegally changed... My real name's confidential..." And the Doctor added matter-of-factly, "It's standards."

Hovering at the Doctor's side, GREGG's red eye regarded everypony in silence throughout all this. Then turning to Clan, he bobbed in the air to imitate a sort of nod. "-And I'm GREGG Ms. Clan... in case you forgot our initial introductions. My apologies if they were a bit brief mam. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Uh huh... Well, I have to say I find the Windigo King to have a much more intimidating and powerful name." Clan remarks, looking towards GREGG. "And thank you, it's alright though, short introductions are kind of the usual."

"Especially in this group. Well, I guess there isn't much time for hellos and pleasantries when you're being attacked by cultists."

Death Ray glanced at GREGG, *So her name's Clan huh?*

*Yes sir, Dr. Death Ray sir. I believe so sir.*

Death Ray turned back to the noobie, "So your... your name's... Clan... right? I... well..." Death Ray grinned apologetically, "to be honest... I wasn't really paying much attention... when we were... originally... introduced... -Other things on my mind, you know?"

"Hm... Clandestine..." Death Ray thought for a moment before adding, "You're calling my name silly, but that... That's not exactly a 'normal' name either. Is it foreign?"

Clan just stares at him for a bit, before commenting. "You do realize where you found me, right?"

Death Ray shrugs, "On the street? -I wasn't there, remember? I just walked out of Sweet Hearts, and there you were talking with the others."

Clan sighs."The cafe, I met everyone at the cafe."

"Okay..." Death Ray shrugged, "So you met everypony at the cafe... the cafe that's run exclusively by..."

Death Ray's eyes went wide with recognition.

"-You work there?"

"And now you get it." She remarked, chuckling a bit from his shocked expression.

Death Ray shut his mouth tight and glanced sidelong at Torch. Did he know? Considering how he'd reacted back at the Museum with Dream's Mom, and then again at the Cafe the other day... the Doctor would have to guess the answer was no...

*Awkwaaaaaaaard...*

Hovering beside him, GREGG's lens focused on Clan then zoomed in on Torch.

*Affirmative.*

Sea Foam looks down sadly.

" I had hoped the crystal ponies were making a return."

The sea pony gives a heavy sigh before he blinks and tilts his head as the rest of the statement sinks in.

"Artifact? Windigo King? That's just an old mare's tale isn't it? Just an exaggerated story about some ancient tyrant...right?"

The elder sea pony looks between Aoi and the ship.

"I wish it were." Aoi replies. "My companions have already encountered one artifact that created a huge bone dragon, as well as a group of cultists, and even a windigo not long before we set sail."

The elder sea pony gasps in shock.

"A Windigo!?"

A similar gasp sweeps through the crowd of sea ponies like a wave followed by silence. The only sound for several moments is that of the surf before a familiar voice in the back exclaims "I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS!!" And a wave of whispers and murmurs of agreement sweeps through the crowd anew.

Aoi sighs and explains what a windigo is and asks again if they have any knowledge about an artifact in this area or know something else that might help her and her companions.

Torch thinks for a moment, his brow furrowing in concentration, then he says, "I don't see how being a waitress relates to your name..."

Clan face-hoofs. "You... Are aware of where I was working and what that establishment's for, right?" She says, staring at him for a bit. "You know, full of refuge or exile changelings? I was working there?"