Vae Victis

" very well then. I will take the helmet to aid in our stealth attempt. I appreciate it very much. I will o everything in my power to make sure that we pereserve the life of millions. And hopefully, create a peaceful time that we can all enjoy... By the way, why is such a high ranking military official on this mission? Aren't you needed by celestia to be nearby in case something wrong happens?"

" interesting technology that you have. I had no idea that technology had gotten this advanced. However, I must decline to use it. I use only my hooves to fight. Don't worry. The fact that I don't use much technology doesn't mean I'll be a hindrance. Like I said, anytime you are ready, I'll lead you eastward to the spot where I've seen these creatures."

" skuldalf.... I understand why you do not want to fight. You love all life, same as I. However, do you not have loved ones to protect? Do you not wish to help preserve as much life as possible? I understand your deicision completely. Your will is your own." Dirge turned to the other ponies. "... Truthfully, I thinki could convince master to let us stay at the temple until the appointed time. There, we will rest and eat. Of course, this will only be done if you all wish it."

" volt, I will do recon with you since I still need to lead you all there. I'd prefer not to use noisy weapons, but if it can't be helped, so we must. But stealth should be incorporated some how for this. That's just how I feel about this whole situation." Dirge threw off his cloak, ready for battle.

".... Okay then. I will help you fight if it means that millions will be spared... But hokuto can not be copied because it is always evolving. But don't worry... If they are truly evil and wish to attack, they will learn to regret their hasty deicisions soon enough."

Dirge waited for everyone to come to a consensus before leading on. This was all very taxing information. If bombs were to be dropped on the area, then he and the other two in the temple would have to go underground. This much was true. " chain mail... If this is true and we fail to uncover your enemy's base... How many ponies could die?"

Dirge took great offense when volt mentioned destroying the temple. " you realize that if you act on that, I'll have to defend the temple. And it won't end well for you, I assure that. Now I can lead you all to the spot where these creatures disappear. And we can search the area where I lost the creatures. BUT we are not going to the hokuto temple. That is forbidden ground for you unless master approves. Follow me."

" some say that the hokuto becomes most powerful when the successor knows deep sorrow... But I have yet to know that sorrow. It sounds like you are a very strong pony. I'd like to watch someday." Dirge took off his tattered cloak, revealing the 7 big scars on his chest in the shape of the Big Dipper constellation. " this is proof of succession. I am 27 years old now... Ever since age 4, I've been training along with my brothers, competing for succession. Tell me more about yourself, friend."

" i was an orphan growing up under master goutetsu's training. There were four of us, but when I was declared successor of hokuto, two of them left due to anger and fear of what would happen to them, as our style can only have one successor. My talents? I.... Can kill... Very grotesquely. We strike at the body's 706 pressure points, using fighting aura to exploit said pressure points. It sounds ridiculous, I know... But it can also be used as a healing technique in some circumstances. With the combined use of spiritual energy and physicality, those of hokuto rarely know defeat. The style is ever evolving."

" drunkeness and a quick temper shall make a fool of you soon enough, friend." Dirge said to volt. " and it's nice to meet you, skuldalf. And you say you are a unit of a project? And what is all this talk of war? I will admit that in my training, I've seen strange creatures, east of the hokuto temple where master, one of my adoptive brothers, and myself live. I have given chase but... They always seem to disappear."

Dirge lowered his hood and revealed is face. His gold mane was a stark contrast against his dark purple coat. He looked at the pony who was destroying the trees solemnly, with sorrow in his eyes. " I thank you. Go in peace." He turned to the pony, skuldalf. " thank you for the help, kind stranger. May I ask your name? I am dirge, 62nd successor to hokuto shinken, or the divine hoof of the North Star fighting style. It's very nice to meet you." A slight smile formed on his face.

" killing the trees is as bad as killing a fellow pony or a changeling. Life is life and we of the hokuto, the North Star, consider it sacred. To take innocent life and destroy the homes of others will eventually cost you your own head. So I must ask you to stop this foolish notion of violence against nature. It's not fair that you gain enjoyment at the sake of nature's expense." ( fancy seeing you, dragon . Loving the skyrim references.)

Dirge saw a strange glow, about a mile away in the forest. The hokuto dojo where he trained was well hidden by nature, and the fact that somepony might be trying to burn down the forest was concerning. He ran as hard as he could to where the flaming trees were. When he arrived, there, he saw two ponies conversating with trees in the background. He slowly approached, making sure the tattered cloak hid his scars and face. They had no business burning down the trees. He appeared in front of them and shouted. " strangers from the city, why are you defiling this land? There is nothing for you ponies here... I ask humbly that you please leave the land in peace. There is no need to destroy what is beautiful."

Dirge was almost lifeless after today's training and induction to successor status. After being crowned successor to the Hokuto Shinken style, Two of his adoptive brothers left out of rage. It was not surprising, seeing as those who failed must renounce the style, have their hooves sealed, or must have their memories completely erased. The other used to work at the nuclear power plant, but has grown terminally ill due to a radiation leak. It was shameful really. But the fact of the matter was that the North Star style was too powerful for more than one successor. So many perks came with it... But so much sadness came along with it, as where the successor goes, chaos follows. But enough of contemplating. Master asked for some water when dirge was going deep into the city. As the temple had been kept pure, no technological advancements were built in it, which means that there was no running water. To cover the scars on his chest, dirge put a brown tattered clock around himself to cover his head and scars. He set out for the city to complete his chores. ( may I ask where I may find water? So that I can interact with you all?)

Sure thing. I'll be starting just outside of ponyville, probably out to buy supplies for the academy. And yes I'll tone it down greatly. I understand your concerns. ( it's just because he's my FOTNS reference. XD)

I'd actually like to join. This kinda sounds like a bit like my favorite anime, fist of the North Star. I would like to use the OC that I created around that anime. He'd be a lower class citizen, working for his dojo and all, but if you need protection, he's the one XD. Here he is http://mlpforums.com/page/roleplay-characters/_/dirge-r5093

I would like to join this rp if that's okay. Here's my OC: http://mlpforums.com/page/roleplay-characters/_/dirge-r5093

Strong iron started to show his impatience. " if we don't leave now, we ARE GOING TO DIE. Now. Lets take head count. Is everyone here? We must hurry so we can escape." Strong iron started to get nervous. Hundreds of guards could swarm this place any minute. On a good day, he could handle 10 ponies bare hoofed, even in his increasing age. But this wasn't a good day, and hundreds would soon be on them.

I AM SO SORRY!!!!! my foster parents smashed the Internet but now it's up again. Forgive me. I'll help get this started again

" I can set it back in place, and believe me it'll hurt just a bit, but it's only so it can heal properly. We might have to carry you out with us or find something to make a crutch with... Hopefully we get out alive to get you some real medical attention. But this is all I can do for you. Do you want me to go through with it?"

Strong iron looked at the blood spatters on his bat, then looked down. Only those within the closest vicinity could hear what he muttered. " those ponies had families and lives... Gggrrrrrr... It's just like the griffon campaign all over again. I was hoping to never fight again but... Well... Looks like I'm doing one of the things I was born to do. When we leave, everypony tell me what kind of weapons and armor you like, and I'll craft them for you all. And Leroy, I can't make the bombs entirely, but I do believe I can make the casings. Putting the materials end would be up to you. Is everypony here? We should be leaving soon."

Strong iron stepped unto the ferry and beckoned everypony else to hurry. " come! We won't get another shot at escaping! We gotta leave now!" He saw something. A faint shadow of a pony moving in the distance. It was not the silhouette of a guard. " damn. A spy to the princesses maybe? Oh well... I'm sure that we will deal with him soon enough." He turned to Leroy. " so... What now? The others seem to be a little slow to come unto the ferry. Vokun! Come on friend! We need you!"

" alright Leroy, I'm with you. When this is all over, I'm going to forge everyone some gear and weapons as thanks for helping. I'm assuming this mare friend of yours had further use for us, and we all know we can't return to our homes after this. So we might also have to assume that we will have to hide out for a while.... We must make haste. This old stallion isn't getting any younger

Iron made his way up the steps and hit the switch. The gate opened slowly, taking 30 seconds to completely open. " alright! It's open, lets move!" Strong iron ran up to vokun, and knew instantly what he was doing. " your a good pony for honoring the fallen. There are no allies or enemies in the afterlife. We have to move now, vokun, before more guards come." With this, strong iron turned and walked toward the gate. The others were coming. He's wait for them.