Demirari

@@Totally Ducklett, "Right," Gentle Secret responded before she opened the chest again and levitated a dusty old tome. Flipping the pages gently, she skimmed the content before smiling. After placing back the tome, she investigated the other chests, noting the different items within. From what she could tell, each one of these would be worth fortune and will be usual in the future. ---- The Narrator popped into existence in the middle of the hallway, carrying a pony. Dropping the pony rather unceremoniously, the Narrator beamed a smile that was invisible yet so bright at each of the ponies near him. "The next level should be easier for you all. And I brought a present! Arrow, one of the ponies that belonged in your group. I only borrowed him for a few minutes to watch some intellectual shows... anyways, I'll meet you all in the second room!" With that, the Narrator disappeared via teleportation.

Gentle Secret landed on the floor as she peered into the hallway. Her mind was preoccupied with the events that had transpired as she subconsciously walked forward. She had the idea she was moving forward, but that was a minor thing. Without death, it allows her to make more daring moves that she wouldn't had before. It didn't seem that there'll be any danger until that was when one of her hooves bumped into something. It was a slightly raised tile, a sensitive one at that. In a second, it collapsed down before the walls around her shifted. They didn't go for her, instead, they pulled themselves away, creating a large room in the middle of the hallway. Popping out at each ends were small chests with treasure hiding inside. It appeared that this will be their reward for passing the first level. "Interesting," that was all she said as she approached one of the chests cautiously, opening it slightly before releasing it in surprise. It wasn't horror that hid inside, but treasure.

The double-door that led to the second level swung open, revealing a small hallway that was ridiculously disproportional. Brightly lit, the hallway seemed to be made of advanced material far different compared to the stone blocks that made up the majority of Level I's room. Large enough, the hallway allowed three ponies to walk side-by-side without difficulty, but small enough that one would have to question why there was such a large pair of doors leading to such a small hallway. The Narrator landed on a pillar with grace before bowing, "Congratulations! I'm amazed you all managed to come this far in this sort amount of time! Truly amazing." The Narrator dumped his half-empty cup of soda into the raging waters below, "Come along ponies. It is time for the second level. It'll," the Narrator waved his hoof in the air lazily, trying to think of a word, "ah! Yes! It'll be an exhilarating experience." With that, the Narrator hopped away, landing on invisible platforms. ---- Gentle Secret cocked her head, "what?" She was already on the dragon, but maybe Fantasy Moon wanted something else?

The sea monster dived deeper than usual before swimming forward at top speeds. Lava dripped downwards as it exploded upwards, its mighty jaws unhinging to their fullest extent. Leaping higher than usual, the sea monster smashed into pillars as it struggled to grab a hold of the lizard before splashing down into the waters again. During its greatest leap so far yet, the sea monster had managed to clip the pillars the lizard was standing upon. ---- The lizard was pushed by a meter two meters as it growled, its acidic content being returned. Moving forward again, it looked around before backing up a little. It knew its time was over when it saw the lack of any pillars nearby that it could reach for. Swishing its tail again, the lizard glanced at the ponies before emitting a sound. It was no attack, instead, it was a suicide rush as it waited for the sea monster to attack again. Watching as the sea monster leap into the air, ready to smash apart the pillars that the lizard was standing upon, the lizard made its move. Using the opening presented, the lizard leaped onto the sea monster before sinking its spikes that donned on its tail repeatedly. The last sight anyone saw was the lizard struggling against the sea monster, still using its most powerful weapon, tearing into the skin and flesh.

@, Gentle Secret quickly climbed aboard as the sea monster leaped up again, smashing apart the column she was just previously on. Making herself comfortable, she looked at the murky waters with fear. That creature, without a single trace some ancient beast long gone extinct. Estimating the size, it was at least five times larger than the lizard. There seemed to be a pattern forming. The sea monster will leap up to snatch at something every two minutes. So, Gentle Secret deduced that they have two minutes and then some to perform some action without the risk of becoming the thing's food. If they are careful enough, the seven should be able to knock down the columns around the lizard, prevent it from reallocating. ---- The lizard continued to leap its way forward, avoiding the ever so often leaps of the giant sea monster. It knew its time was running low, but it did not mean it was simply going to accept its fate. Oh no, the lizard was going to bring those ponies down with it. With a loud roar, the lizard spitted acidic liquid at the dragon and the ponies.

Again, the sea creature leaped up from the depths below, smashing apart more and more columns apart. With each successive hit against columns, the lizard could only watch in fascinated horror as it looked around. Then, it glanced at the flying conjuration and the ponies before backing up and charging forward. Using its powerful muscles, the lizard leaped forward, colliding against one of the pillars before scrambling on top, now it was very close to the ponies. ---- @@Akari of Duskshire, Gentle Secret teleported once again to a nearby pillar before nodding at Fantasy Moon, "Get your dragon over here! Quickly!" ---- "This is getting interesting!" the Narrator exclaimed in delight as he pulled a chair in front of the double doors that led to the next level, "why! Onwards!"

The lizard moved forward, seemingly ready to leap to a nearby collection of pillars before it suddenly stopped. Its tail started waving as it shook its plates, its mouth slightly open before it immediately pulled back. It looked at the water uneasily and it glanced at its injured side before pulling back slowly. It had sensed something down there that was rapidly approaching the surface. ---- In an instant, the water exploded upwards along with pillars of lava that began splashing around the columns and floating platforms. A large sea creature had leaped into the air before crashing down again, bringing large numbers of platforms and columns down into the raging sea. The creature, returned to the safety of the waters, moved around the columns, waiting for somepony to fall or some lizard. --- Gentle Secret stumbled backwards, feeling the columns underneath her shaking and sliding. Looking around quickly, Gentle Secret summoned a single magic circle and quickly planned her jump onto a nearby platform as the columns she once stood on fell into the raging waters. Breathing quickly, Gentle Secret rubbed her head as she minded the lava puddles that were around her. "W-what the hell?!" Gentle Secret started as she glanced down into the waters, "we have to get out of here quickly."

Loud sounds of chains unraveling from tight coils can be heard as the ground shook. Now, more than ever, the ground became ever so different with only few pillars remain standing and most collapsing. The walls disappeared into the abyss that seemed to surround the room. Instead of what could be sane, now there are only floating platforms, large pillars, and the ever so high ceiling. Then, there was something that would inflict horror upon any. The pillars were surrounded by a raging sea of water so deep and dark that one can only look an inch below. The large waters crashed into the pillars as small chunks of floating stone blocks happen there and there, colliding into one another and the pillars. Ever so often, a bloom of burning lava would shoot upwards before crashing down back into the dark waters below. The lizard stands upon the largest formation of stone pillars along with floating platforms around it. It glimpsed down below before looking up, its glaring eyes watching the ponies. It heard something underneath. ---- Gentle Secret was lucky enough that she stood upon pillars without having to move much. Completing the last few equations, she took a large breath as her horn shined ever so brighter. Around her both formed three magic circles that were on top of each other with runes and numbers dancing from clockwise to counterclockwise. Each symbol had a faint blue hue as a final circle appeared at the tip of her horn. Then, a sudden beam of jagged magic shot forward at a rapid pace, striking the lizard and blowing it back by meters. The beam of jagged light tore at the overlapping plates and thick skin, burning and slashing into the flesh before before the beam suddenly arced upwards, slicing through stone pillars and platforms with relatively ease before collapsing. Gentle Secret fumbled a little before catching herself before she fell down into the dark waters. Something had collided with the pillars she was standing on, shaking it before subsiding. ---- The lizard slowly got up to its feet before letting out a loud roar as it leaned on the side that was severely damaged.

The Narrator watched the events play out before grumbling. The entire thing has gone to wreck and it wouldn't be fair if each pony had to keep readjusting their actions along with the world reacting to their new actions over and over before the perfect outcome is decided. Closing his eyes, the Narrator created twenty-one magic circles and edited the situation to fit his needs. Hopefully, this wouldn't have to happen again as the Narrator prefers to watch rather than guide. Dark Star, Arrow, Dapper Charmer, and Midnight Comet were placed around Gentle Secret to offer protection if the lizard decided to attack Gentle Secret as she prepared her spell. The terrain was edited to give the five ponies some protection and their memories altered to prevent any confusion. Each pony maintained their same physical state with Dark Star offering Gentle Secret protection via magic shield. Each pony had also heard what Dark Star had said with his plan. Fantasy Moon's location wasn't altered at all and she continues to perform her actions, albeit changed to fit the new circumstances. Her memories were, along with the five, altered to fit the situation and avoid any sense of deja vu or confusion. Enzo and Khris continued to perform their actions, but the ice affected the creature very little. At best, the ice would force the lizard to rip most of its upper skin off including the plating, but the brain was protected. The armored plates and the thick skin along with the abnormally thick skull caused the penetration point to strike one-third the way into the skull. ---- The lizard snarled before slamming its tail against the rising pillars again, sending even more debris at the six ponies that were before it. Its head moved to the right and left as it studied the serpent that was harassing it. Shaking its scales again, the lizard suddenly unhinged its mouth completely, unleashing a moderate blast of acidic liquid towards the serpent before returning its attention to the pony in front of it. Lowering its body suddenly, the lizard reached out with one of its front claws at Enzo without warning. Against dumb creatures, the strategy may have worked, but the lizard had learnt many things in its lifetime. It appeared that the lizard was slowly becoming more intelligent and more sharp in its reaction time and movements. It also became more aggressive as it took its very few steps towards the six, slowly traversing the increasingly difficult terrain that worked against its massive size. If a biologist or an animal expert was here, they would likely claim that the lizard was drugged and the chemicals are now slowly wearing off.

The lizard met the animated serpent head on, its massive jaws unhinging before snapping onto it. As the seven continued to pelt it, the lizard grind its teeth as it tried to extinguish what it believed to be the largest foe. This would be, without a doubt, the perfect time for a strike. ---- @, Gentle Secret winced as she watched one of her allies get... demolish. She wanted to move over there to help, but realized that death wasn't an issue. It was still, no matter what, an immoral choice to ignore an injured teammate, but she must. Gathering her will, she turned her attention away and focused on the lizard as it was preoccupied with the serpent Fantasy Moon had conjured up. This would require at least a three-layer spell from what she could infer upon. That wasn't a good news, after all, a three-layer spell would require at least minutes of preparation and meticulous calculations. Though, if they would to survive, they would need to score a major injury against the lizard. "I got an idea," Gentle Secret spoke up as she glanced at each of her teammates, "if you all are able to give me around ten minutes of preparation, I can cast a spell that should deal some major damage to the lizard." ---- The Narrator walked calmly amongst the chaotic fighting, ignoring whatever was transpiring around him. It seemed that he was preoccupied with something as he reached a seemingly random section of a wall. One of his hoof slowly raised up and slowly pressed down on something that was camouflaged. It was a lever as the arm was pressed down to its maximum. "Oh dear," the Narrator chuckled as the floor started to rearrange themselves. This time, however, some parts of the walls also participated in the random restructuring of the room. Parts of the walls extended to create platforms while others sunk inwards. "My apologies!" The room stopped moving after a minute of reorganization and started to take shape of something, though no one can really tell what it is. The flooring was much lower than before and there were more pillars than ever before. A pony with an astute hearing can hear something underneath the floor.

The thick skin of the throat negated much of the damage that was caused by the dagger. The lizard suddenly slammed itself against the wall while rattling its plates, cracking the stone walls. The crystals started to form cracks as the lizard forcefully started to move its hind-legs as it slowly got up again with its forelegs. Apart from the small trickles of blood forming where wounds were made, the lizard seemed relatively unharmed. Craning its neck slightly, the lizard glared at Dark Star as the dark magic beams struck against the plating. Unflinching, the lizard growled as the some beams scored hits against its neck, digging four times deeper than the dagger. While still minor, minor droplets of blood managed to squeeze their way out, splattering on the cold floor. The crystals slowly began to crack was the creature slowly regained control of its legs. ---- The ground below them suddenly shifted as pillars of stone marble rose from the ground of various lengths. Then, the ground shook as some stone blocks collapsed downwards, creating uneven terrain. This process of rising and lowering continued for a minute before stopping with the lever snapping back to its original position. The shift of the floor could easily cause some minor injuries, mainly bruises. The lizard snarled as it used its tail to snap a pillar and send the debris flying towards the ponies before it. ---- Gentle Secret sighed as she navigated the changing flooring. Such fast-paced movement with ponies not even making some plans. Using a pillar that is nearly her height as cover, Gentle Secret lit her horn. It appeared the creature was heavily armored considering it all but practically ignored the attacks that could give any weak-skinned creatures major problems. There were very few spells that she could cast in this sort of time to take a crack at the creature. Completing magical equations and finishing her two-level magic circle, Gentle Secret formed a solid spear of magic before propelling it at the creature at high speeds. Keeping track of the spear, Gentle Secret leaned herself softly against the pillar to catch some breath. Her magic pool was barely even affected by the spell, but it did not mean her mind wasn't either. The speed that went into completing the spear induced an minor headache and forced her to rest herself for at least three minutes. ---- The magic spear of great speed slammed itself into the creature, but not at the throat or chin. The lizard, displaying intelligence, managed to turn itself somewhat in time for the spear to hit three overlapped plating. Penetrating through the three plates, the magic spear dig itself into the skin before collapsing, much of its energy being spent cracking the hard plates. A wound was created, that was certain, but it was minor.

The room started to drastically change, expanding on all sides. From mere meters, the room eventually reached a kilometer in width, three in length, and a half in height. It was truly a large room as the Narrator turned around to face the seven. Nodding his head, the Narrator willed the room to change even more and to change it to something similar to that of an medieval room. The stone blocks that served as the floor were made masterfully and were chipped from time, the stone bricks that made the walls rivaled even legends, and the chandeliers that hanged above were of aged gold. The torches that hanged on the walls along with the chandeliers only lighten the room to bearable sight. "This first level would be a simple test, a test that'll see if you all are up to par with the expectations," the Narrator said as a large armored double-door appeared in front of the ponies. The middle formed a circle that trespassed on both sides of the double-door, with the middle being an emboldened Roman numeral II. A small tear in the fabric of reality appeared near the double-door as a claw extended outwards suddenly and started to tear portal apart. When the diameter of the tear finally reached sixty meters, a large carnivorous armored lizard appeared. Plating of organic origin were attached to the thick skin underneath, overlapping each other towards the tail. Large sharp teeth were exposed as the lizard opened its mouth before clamping down suddenly, creating an audible snap. The hateful green eyes settled themselves towards the small ponies before it as it shook its body, creating rattling noises with the rhythmic swinging of its bladed tail. The seven will now be put to the test for the first time. It may seem that the seven were to fight against the creature in a room without hidden abilities, but if one were to look closely along the walls and the ceiling, they might notice several levers.

The Narrator stared at Arrow being laughing and shaking his head in amusement. That was something he was not expecting! As his laughter grew to deafen all in the room, he suddenly stopped. Still shaking his head, the Narrator smiled as polite as he can. "Ah Arrow, you see, I cannot do that," the Narrator walked over to him before sitting next to him, "that would just ruin the point of trapping you all here wouldn't it? And why would I prove that I am what I am? Why would I let you out just to simply appease your skeptical nature? Why oh why, I want you all to escape using your own abilities. That," the Narrator stood up again and walked a few steps away, "is the purpose of UNDER." The Narrator looked at the seven once more, it seemed like all emotions were sapped away, "We'll start soon little ones." ---- "Well," Gentle Secret started as soon as the Narrator returned to reading the blank book, "my abilities include magic, some limited swordsmanship, and navigating through obstacles. It would be best if I would be considered a 'caster' using those terminologies." The magic part came from her position in the Royal Institute of Magic, where she tirelessly practiced and honed her magic skills to a large degree. Swordsmanship comes from her days of practicing with the rapier against magical constructs and other ponies. Finally, her navigation skill comes from the expeditions she partakes in, where she'll have to navigate past intricate puzzles and climb up obstacles.

@@FractalMoon,@@dragon4111,@@Birdy the Phoenix, "That was around a seven," Sergeant Traverse replied as he opened the door between the drivers' and the passengers' section of the APC. "It was up there, but it does not qualify for a ten. I'd say eight is the Whisperer multiplied by two in sheer power and abilities. I've seen some creatures that can take down elite soldiers without much difficulty. So, how was it for you all? I'd imagine it would had been rather traumatizing to see all those soldiers being butchered." The Sergeant sighed as he sat down, staring at the ground, "lately, I have to tell you all. There had been a large spike in creatures like those... the Whisperer isn't the only alicorn you all will be seeing in this city."

@, @@Totally Ducklett,@,@@Akari of Duskshire,@@Celestial Panzerhund,@@Dapper Charmer, "Oh my oh my," the Narrator watched as Enzo commit something very similar to seppuku before shaking his head, "interesting fellow aren't you? And cheese? Cheese of all sorts that have yet to be discovered and had been discovered... behold." The Narrator did a small bow before creating a thousand assorted cheese that filled the room before casting one-fourth of them away. The Narrator undid his tie before flinging it at a wall, "A god I am and no, I am not into Creepy Pages. Poor writing and they get so many facts oh so wrong!" Sniffling a little, the Narrator returned to answering the questions that were directed towards it, "a blank face is something I chose. A fashion or look statement... whatever you ponies label such things. Trivial things!" "Now we get into business! In order to get to the top, you must best levels that are designed to challenge you in oh so many ways. There are no rules so long as you don't include another omnipotent being into this equation. I will be both a help and a detriment and boy it will be fun. We will start as soon as the miss over there stops breaking down. Now, also," the Narrator creates seven papers each will a picture and a name of the seven ponies, "this introduction is taking too long and I doubt we'll ever get out of this room by the seventh page. So, have at it you all, know the names of your compatriots! I promise no other information will be shared." ---- Gentle Secret grabbed a hold of one of the papers as the Narrator flung them into the air. Reading the names and assigning them to the ponies in the picture, she nodded her head. This entire situation is rather interesting and... if she had to say herself, rather interesting. Removing the whole "you die, you dead" would open many new possibilities that she could explore.

@@Totally Ducklett, Gentle Secret squeaked in surprise, instinctively leaping away from the mare that had ran into her before snapping a basic spell into place. Taking deep breaths, Gentle Secret calmed herself down before casting away the weak shield. Studying the mare and the others around her, she settled down easier. Well, as easy as one can get when one is transported with other ponies into a small cave with Slendermane's cousin. "Careful," that was her basic response to what had just transpired. ---- @, "Now, now, calm down," the Narrator replied, amusement saturating his tone, "aren't you adorable with your magic? Looking all dangerous and stuff, reminds me of my ex when I dumped her... anyways," the Narrator twirled around his cane before casting it into nothingness, "I promise I won't harm you or the other ponies." He turned his head to the others, "I welcome all of you ponies to UNDER. I am the Narrator and I..." he started laughing before stopping himself, "am what you may call a god. True to my name, I narrate all that had happened, is happening, and will happen. Imagine me as fate itself--exciting right?" The room suddenly changed as basic features were built into the walls or the walls themselves twisted to fit new additions. There was a heater, some modest light-bulbs providing comforting light, some chairs, a bookshelf, and a door that led to a bathroom. All of this was done in mere seconds as the Narrator calmly plucked a random book and opened it, revealing the contents to be blank. "Now, I'm going to let you all introduce yourselves, but before that! Know this, you all will be experiencing something wonderful! You are all trapped in UNDER, miles upon miles underground and you all must escape to the top. It is tasked that each one of you participate or else you all will spending your now infinite lives locked away. Dark yes? But fret not, if you somehow die during the task of escaping, you will be reborn or respawned in a safe area. Imagine it as a video game but not a video game."

OOC @@Celestial Panzerhund,@@Akari of Duskshire, @@Totally Ducklett, @, @,@@Dapper Charmer, A stallion voided of any facial features trotted into the room happily, he spinned around in delight in the middle of seven ponies. Stopping his wheeling, the stallion coughed before creating cane out of thin air. Planting the cane firmly on the ground, the stallion rested himself against it. If he had a mouth, he would be smoking a cigar, but a levitating one near where his mouth should be should do fine to maintain a classy look. “Ah, five, I mean six, and by that, I truly meant seven ponies and a sword!” a puffing sound was made as the Narrator smoked an imaginary pipe before promptly ignoring his mishaps, “what an interesting adventure this shalt be!” The Narrator picked up the cane and spinned it three times before slamming the end onto the rocky ground, shaking the small cave before settling everything done. Runes of all sorts appeared around the Narrator, making seven complete rune circles before disappearing. Adopting a rather awesome pose the Narrator straighten a tie that appeared out of nowhere before speaking once more in his deep voice, “Awaken my little ones to UNDER! A place that is timeless as Earth itself! Because, get it? We’re in Earth! Ahahah! I’m so lonely.” The last part was whispered to himself with a lone single tear forming in his nonexistent eye before disappearing into nonexistence. ---- Gentle Secret groaned as she casted a quick spell on herself, a quick wake-up type. She stretched herself slowly as she looked around before focusing on the six other ponies, a sword, and what appeared to be Slendermane. Whatever she did yesterday, it must had been one heck of something for her to end up in a cave with other ponies, a sword, and a cousin of Slendermane. “Where am I, who are these ponies, and what are you?” that were the first words she spoke as she slipped into a stance. ---- “My presence will be revealed as soon as your future compatriots reveal themselves,” the Narrator immediately responded, “and you’re in a cave underground my dear. Do not ask any more questions till the others awaken from their slumber or coma… ignore the last part.” The Narrator then proceeded to stare at the ponies that haven’t gotten up yet intensely. It was bizarre considering that: a. he didn’t have any eyes and b. the room was rather chilly due to the fact there was no source of heat and they were miles underground. Nonetheless, he still managed to stare intensely at each pony and warmed the very ground itself by a few degrees.

Gentle Secret made her way slowly towards ground level, not wanting to tax herself with another teleportation spell. Landing safely onto the cracked pavement, she turned around and motioned for the others to start moving. Not looking back after that, Gentle Secret waited near Spikus Fyre. The door of the APC was still locked; she tried to open it with her magic, but the door wouldn't budge. "Sergeant? The door?" she asked and the sergeant answered rather quickly with the door making a loud tick as the doors unlocked themselves. ---- As the sun slowly made its way across the sky, there seemed to be a malevolent force settling in. A slow but noticeable increase in pressure, as if the world was slowly crushing one's body. Thoughts of happiness or anything positive in nature suddenly seemed impossible to think of, requiring much strenuous effort to conjure up even a ten-second thought. If one was unused to this, they could sense fear sprouting slowly. Ever more urgent does it seem to get to somewhere safe for the night.

Death by empty cans of Fanta it shall be. It will be a rather candid operation.

Gentle Secret turned her head towards Sapphire, noting that she had found Corporal Steer. That was a good event as she jumped down onto the ground and made her way towards the general direction of where Sapphire Placebo had found him. If Corporal Steer was nearby, there was a good chance the APC was also nearby. "Best to get out of here," Gentle Secret commented as she climbed up the debris before nodding towards Corporal Steer, "and thank you for coming and finding us. If it weren't for your quick find, I'd say we'll be sleeping in some building with a small little fire going. Corporal Steer only smiled before getting up, "Yeah. You all need to go the APC, it's on my side of the debris, only a hundred meters away."

Three things I would take from my house and run for my life? A knife, a lighter, and some apples. Apples as they are practically the only thing I can get right now in large quantities and are rather delicious.

BSE (or vCJD) would be good, but only if you jack it up to level 11 on a scale that only reaches 10. It is only transmitted, as far as I know, by eating infected meat. It is good if you are able to infect a lot of meat products and get them into daily life before anyone notices, but after that? It'll become a game of hiding away and letting BSE-infected victims die or rounding them up. And, correct me if I'm wrong, it's going to be rather difficult to jack a prion to "Holy ****" levels of danger considering it lacks DNA or whatever. I mean, it is possible, but it'll be rather difficult. Zombies based on vCJD would be interesting, but I'll say it'll take a heck lot more work compared to other disease-causing things. I would say a jacked up rabies would do the trick or other mutated viruses or mutated parasites.