purple.teal

Everlast jolted awake at the sound of intruders and a call for help, smacking the back of his head against the stone wall he was leaning against. He quickly staggered to his feet. Before him stood three fully grown hippogryphs, each one grabbing a mare. His eyes opened in surprise when he realized what they were shouting about. Well, this is going to be interesting to say the least. After selecting their new mates, when they noticed the stallions, Everlast spoke up. He kept his conversation away from anything that he felt could trigger them, hoping to stall while the others could free the mares. "Gentlemen, what a pleasant surprise, we were lost and found this cave as shelter, if it is yours we will gladly leave you to your own. Though in fact, we were looking for some of your kind because-" He stopped himself there, unwilling to mention the baby hippogryph until he knew exactly what was going on. Instead, Everlast did what he does best, and turned to his books. He levitated them out of his bag and opened up to a blank page. "-We are a diplomatic group sent to offer the Equestrian nation's friendship to your kind. However, we know so little about you, that I would like to ask a few questions about yourselves and your life. At the moment, I want to know everything that relates to your mating rituals. Where exactly do you plan on taking your new mates?"

Everlast saw where the hatchling went, and was a bit relieved. It would explain why it is still alive. With everyone settling in to their new camp, he chose a spot to sit, and observe the area. He didn't feel like opening his books, and instead listened to Steel play his music, while watching the hatchling micic it's 'mother'. A sad scene... A long term solution will have to be found for the baby. I suppose maybe a nearby roost would adopt it. Though, if they are territorial, I doubt it.

Everlast used his magic to cast a hovering ball of light over him, saw the scene, and knelt down beside the body to inspect it. He used magic to encase it and feel for even the slightest hint of life. "Well, confirmed dead, cause of death was the attack, looks like claws. A painful way, though still better than than the freezing that came after I'd think." Everlast shuddered, got up, and returned to Lightning Bliss and the baby. @@Lightning Bliss "You gonna be able to take care of it a little while longer? I really don't see it going anywhere else." He stared down at the Hippogryph with pity. @@Pripyat Pony "The way it looks to me, Is that it is a territorial dispute or some such, another hippogryph. It came, attacked, and killed the mother. It isn't so much that it spared the baby, but that it didn't waste the energy to kill it. Simply leaving the little one alone in this place is enough to kill it. Why expend your own energy to save an opponent misery? The problem I see with this theory, is that if it was territory the attacker wanted, why would it abandon it after winning it? Unless it never did abandon it..." Everlast whirled around and threw another orb toward Quickdraw to light his exploration. @ "How far back does it go? What is back there?"

"I Wouldn't think they'd eat us... I hope not at least." Everlast followed closely behind and looked down at the little baby. "Probably too much to ask, Are you hungry little one?" He pulled an apple from his pack and held it out for the hippogryph. "Would you rather eat this or us?" He turned to the others. "It does have claws, So i suppose it could be omnivore even. The grown ups might eat us as soon as eat our food." He continued talking, more to himself now, while still waiting for the baby to react to his offer. "I should remember what I see, if we do get to see the hippogryphon nest. That way, If we don't already have documentation in the library, I could add it myself. Looking at what kind of food stores they have would tell what they eat. If they are civilized enough to keep stores rather than daily hunting." He shivered. "Though I would guess they would have to have some method to make gathering food easier in this snow."

"First thing first, We've got to find the REAL mother. I would guess that one this young wouldn't be too far from the nest, but I don't know too much about Hippogryph life cycles, so maybe it is natural to send them away this young." He looked intently at the hatchling, and held a hoof out to it. "No, too young, if it couldn't fly, I don't thing it would be expected to be out on its own. "Surely its mother is looking for it. I only hope that if it finds us with it, it would be understanding." He looked about in the snow. "I don't see a whole lot around, and certainly no signs of habitation of any kind. So we bring him along until we find his home." Everlast shrugged. "I wouldn't like to leave it out here alone and I doubt it would let go long enough to give us the choice."

Though he was trying to focus on seeing through the snow, Everlast couldn't help but to overhear the bickering of the mares. Most of the conversation was lost in the wind, but he was still amused that the princesses tried to claim that their lives are less than ordinary. He perked up when Clover started shouting over the blizzard. "Lost Lightning? What do you mean we lost lightning?" He stopped and took a head count of the party. Sure enough, they were short one head. He shivered in cold and fear. "LIIIGHTNIIING BLIIISS!" The shout ended in a wheezing cough, and he doubted that she heard. "Did she jump ahead, or did we leave her behind?" He once again spread his magic. He could feel everyone but Lightning Bliss. "Stay within clear view of each other, but spread out enough that we can cover ground efficiently."

@@Lightning Bliss "I don't see any efficient ways around it, so it would seem that the only way is to go over it.. Being so skilled in magic, Starswirl could probably could make the trek alot easier. Easy enough at least, that his old body could keep up with his plans. So if one old man could do it, I'm sure a group of adventurers can." Everlast looked about the group and smiled broadly. "With the power and skill each of you have shown, I don't know if there is anything we can't do. Not that I want to test our limits." Everlast waved a hoof. "I would still rather have a peaceful adventure."

Everlast had been dragging his feet through the snow, making little swirls that trailed behind. As Everyone else bundled up against the cold and joined Blaze's circle, so did he. "Thank you." Without any snow to play with in the circle, he began focusing on more important matters. He made sure that he had his supplies, including food this time, since he didn't know when he was next going to be seeing a place they could resupply. "I believe it should be a calm trip from here on out, most of our troubles behind us." He shrugged. "Of course speaking of trouble just brings it along."

@@Pripyat Pony "Well, depending on which direction we take, I suppose we have a chance of meeting some of the ponies from your previous encounter. They may recognize you, and since you helped them before, help us now. Just a hope. I would like to meet someone on this trip who is not going to try to undermine our efforts." Of course, the most insidious threat always comes from within. If what we find is true, suppose only one pony could have it... Who would be the one to take it? What would they do to make sure it became their's? "If nothing else IF we meet them, although I am loathe to suggest it, we could split the party. The unicorns and whomever else they reject work around while the others work with the inhabitants to make their own way. then we meet up again when out of their land. although I would like to meet ponies who have remained secluded enough to resist magic entering their society."

@@Lightning Bliss Everlast laughed, "Now that you mention it, I have been keeping a journal of sorts on this journey. More for research than entertainment, but if this succeeds, I'm sure we will become legend, and it will be retold and embellished." But she had already flown up to hurricane and he wasn't sure if she heard. @@Pripyat Pony He turned back to Clover. " I do enjoy adventures as well, but this is more excitement than I bargained for. I should have known it wasn't going to be easy, never is."

@@Pripyat Pony "The Grand Galloping Gala has always sounded nice, but I can't say I've ever been in attendance. Always busy. Even now, this adventure is more of a business trip than anything else. But you said that it was your last Gala. I suppose you got to spend a lot of time with the princesses, before and after becoming a princess yourself." He paused, and looked around the group before looking back at Clover. "Did the princesses send you on this little trip?"

Everlast trailed behind the other ponies, partially listening to their conversations and humming to himself. He enjoyed the luxuries of society, but he loved being out in the field. It's been so long since I've left my desk, there always seems to be more to catalogue. This time, I will do the seeking, and the rest of them can index my find. And what a find it will be. Something that Starswirl himself didn't finish. This is like a legend I would hear as a little colt. A group of brave adventurers find a wish granting object. He frowned then. A thought marring his bliss. Of course, the last time I was on a trip like this... He shook his head. They aren't the same ponies. He shook off those thoughts and turned his attention to the ponies he was currently with. That was when he noticed Clover in her fancy jacket and boots. @@Pripyat Pony "Travelling in style. Truly the only way to travel I suppose, you make me feel shabby now, princess." He chucked a little, hoping to strike up a friendly conversation, something to get his mind off work.

Everlast pulled up behind the princess, and threw away the trash from his lunch. He had is own cloak, bought from the store. "You look great princess, as always. That should be it for me. I'm ready to leave civilization behind and wander into the unknown." @@Lightning Bliss, @, @ "Anyone got any good travelling songs? I think they always make a trip more enjoyable."

@ "Alright then, I'll be back quickly." Everlast payed for his food and took off. Eating it as he got out the letter he wrote, and made his way to a post box. Dropping the envelope in he almost giggled. And the best is yet to come. With his personal duty taken care of, He went to the place the chef pointed to. I should have brought my own provisions for a trip like this. He looked at his saddlebags and chuckled a little. If I keep finding more artifacts, I won't have room for any more gear.

"I'll take a soup and sandwich special. Is that available here? I didn't even look at the menu yet. Sorry." Everlast pulled up at the counter staring intently at the speaking chef, before finally deciding to get a good look at the menu. "Alright, could I get millet and straw on rye, with carrot soup?" @@Lightning Bliss, @, @ He turned back to the rest of the crew. "Are we planning to eat this on the run? Because before we leave the city, I want to take care of some things."

@, "True friends would understand. There would be no trust lost. A little fear gained perhaps." Everlast spoke to the prince as he packed up his materials. then got up. He followed the princess into the city, also hungry. With the familiar weight of his bag back, he smiled. This has been a beautiful trip. So much has been learned in such a short span. As is, I think I have more information on the legendary wizard Starswirl than I could ever begin to comprehend. And there is still more left in the laboratory. I'll send my letter, so that they can begin shelving the texts. I should have told them to copy the the papers into the Starswirl wing, if the diagrams aren't already there. Perhaps I'll be able to see to it personally when I return.

@ "No, I never intended to make you think to get rid of it. I simply want to know how far back it goes. I am a historian, I catalog magical items, and this tool of destruction and misery as you say, intrigues me. What you do with your equipment is not for me to say. I merely want to ask questions, and after what you have put us through, I think we deserve answers." He turned to the hungry princess and closed his book. @@Lightning Bliss "I am thinking that a topic such as this is best after a nice meal, sometimes I get so engrossed in my work I forget about food."

@ In the middle of patching together a new journal entry, Everlast looked up from his book. "An explanation would be greatly appreciated. I may have some parts of the story figured out now, and I'm thinking this wasn't the first time something like this has happened to you, is it?" Everlast looked over to the blade the alicorn was picking up. "I also want to know where that came from, as I believe that is also a part of your... situation."

Everlast heard Clover calling to him, He ignored the part about teleporting, unwilling to admit that he couldn't. Luckily, what he was looking for was nearby, So he rushed up to Blaze's side. He began probing with his magic, healing the cuts and bruises. @@Pripyat Pony, @, @@Lightning Bliss "So you did it then. That was the magic surge. Unless he is still suffering mental side effects, which I would still be hesitant to touch, he will be alright. You saved him. He mostly just needs rest. I'll keep my eyes on him though, watching. At the moment though, I need to diffuse this." @ "I'm intrigued by your state. But I'll wait for questions until you are rested." After that was done, he walked aside with his books he took back from the prone Blaze, and sat down. He began his spell, and slowly began making the cuts he accumulated disappear.

Everlast felt the magic. He was scared that Blaze had won, but the fear disappeared almost instantly. He knew that magic. It had healed him once before. Everything will be alright. We're all going to be ok. That was when he saw the sword fly toward what he would assume to be it's master... Or not... @ He motioned to the two walkers with him, "Let's try to find a way up, If whatever they did didn't work I doubt we'll have a chance..." With that he ran outside, looking for a roof access.

Everlast froze, his connection with Lightning Bliss had been severed. "PRINCESS!" He Turned around, heading for the last part he felt her presence. Problem. that direction was up. Unwilling to destroy the concentration of those in combat and give Blaze yet another advantage, he sent a message to the only one outside of combat who could fly. @@Pripyat Pony "Princess! Fly up. UP! Blaze did something to Lightning Bliss! I can't get to her anymore. You have to save her!"

Everlast, after telling the two alicorns about the Captive, continued his own search. He backed out of the showroom they were in, and began looking for maintenance halls, they usually go behind everything so if a secret was hidden, one would probably pass it. He was hoping that by preventing Blaze from hiding behind a hostage, they could stop his escape, and finish it here and now. Of course, what would be an acceptable finisher? Does he have to die? Perhaps the evil spirit and himself have been too tightly entwined to end one without the other. There are two other alicorns among us, one of them is the personification of peace, if we have to solve this with violence, we did it all wrong.