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@dosey doe @Maple Bat "Very well, then we shall ask her," Nova replied, and headed straight for the door, opening it with his magic. A few moments later he opened the door to her room. He didn't knock, as Nova had a bit of an arrogant streak in him. He was just used to getting his own way, as the Adepts had rather spoiled him as they raised him and taught him dark magic. "Maple," he said, "I understand that you have information about a town called, Ponyville...."

Nova turned to Force. "I have been seeing visions of a small town near the mountain where the sun-witch lives." He started pacing again. "It seams that whenever the town falls to crisis, she appears to restore order, or some such." He stopped pacing and faced her. "I am not familiar with this town. Do you have any knowledge?"

@Maple Bat @dosey doe He floated among the whisps of air, nothing around him but emptiness. Concentrating, a world slowly formed around him, and he found himself hovering just below the clouds. "What is this place?" he asked, looking around at the rolling hills and forests. A mountain was just off to one side, a castle built into its side. And below it, almost at his hooves... ...a village. His eyes narrowed as he floated towards the simple hoof-built structures. "Why show me this place?" he questioned. "I must see her. I must see the castle, not some quaint little town!" But he continued to float downwards into the village... and he watched as a chariot carrying Princess Celestia came down from her castle to land in the square. Six ponies came out to greet her, including one he was told was the Princess of Friendship. Then Celestia returned to her chariot and flew back to her castle. The sky filled with light.... And Nova opened his eyes. He had been trying to meditate, to focus on Celestia and Luna. But all he got was the same vision as he had the past several days. Each time he saw that town, something would happen, and Celestia would appear...and leave just as suddenly. What did it mean? "Wait," he muttered, thinking. "Each time, she comes. Each time something happens there, she comes down. That town must be important to her for some reason." He started pacing, trying to decide what to do. "I can't reveal myself too soon... but..." he stopped, and a grin crossed his face. "Force Magnitude! Come to me!" he called, knowing she would hear either his voice or his thoughts. "I have an errand for you!"

@Maple Bat, @dosey doe Nova stood firm for a few moments, before coming to a decision and turning to Maple. "Go ahead and entertain yourself," he told her. "I will retire to my chamber and meditate." With a nod, he headed down the hall into a large bedroom.... ----------------------- Several floors below, Ennex stepped up to a door being guarded by two strong looking stallions. One reached to push the door open, revealing a windowless room with a simple metal desk and two chairs. As he entered, he watched the mare sitting in one chair, trying to read her features under her purple cloak and grey hat, her red glasses turning to watch him enter. "Ah, Miss Yearling," he began, "welcome back. I trust you have received my request?" "I don't work for hire," she told him. "I work to preserve artifacts for-" "Yes yes," he cut her off with a wave. "But surely you can make exceptions. How much in dept to that publisher are you again?" he asked with a grin. She snorted. "How do you know about that?" "The benefits of being the supplier of printing materials to said publisher," he told her matter-of-factually. "In fact, I could arrange for any said dept to be cleared. In exchange for a small favor...." She sighed. "Fine. I'll get that moon rock for you. But then we're even!" Ennex smiled. "Splendid! I'll have my.... associates, show you out then." He tapped the table, and the two guards came in to lead her out of the building. Ennex chuckled to himself. It was all coming together nicely....

@Maple Bat @dosey doe Nova turned to Maple, looking slightly down at her as he stood almost a head taller. "As much as I hate to admit it, there is logic to his demand. Very well." He led them over to an open doorway and the large elevator waiting beyond. A black-clad stallion stood just outside of it, gesturing them inside. "My Master is expecting you," he said in a deep accented voice. Nova nodded, and led his companions inside. The doors slid shut and the elevator started moving down. He looked around, a bit surprised as having never been in such a thing before, only having read about them. After a few moments they came to a halt and the doors slip open once again, this time revealing a blue pony with black glasses waiting. "Ah, Lord Nova," he said with a bow, voice firm but full of authority, "Welcome to my humble abode. My name is Ennex, and I will be managing your activities while in Equestria." "Why am I here, and not heading to Canterlot?" Nova demanded. "How can I confront the sun-witch* from within this tower of yours?" "Patience, my Lord," he replied. "Patience. Wheels have been set in motion, pawns are finding their final positions. The game board is still being arranged, and until we are ready to declare 'checkmate', any attempt at challenging Celestia could still be defeated. Even now I am working to solidify our position." A mare entered the room and came to whisper something in Ennex's ear. He nodded, and with a glance of fright at Nova she left. "If you will excuse me," he said to Nova, "I have a small matter to attend to." He waved a hoof around. "Feel free to use my apartments as your home for the time being. I trust you and your companions" nodding at Maple and Force "will be comfortable. The staff is at your command." And with another small bow, he turned and left the room. Nova frowned as the doors closed behind their host. He was impatient, and wanted to challenge Celestia NOW! But the Elder Adepts held Ennex in high regard, so with a deep sigh decided to trust in their judgement. At least, for now.... (*sun-witch is an insult Nova's group uses for Celestia)

@Maple Bat, @dosey doe He stood on the rooftop observing the city below, as the pegasas ponies that had pulled the pair of wagons through the sky were busy unloading luggage. The wind on top of the skyscraper was much stronger than at street level, and it blew against the ends of his cloak. Not normally one to keep hidden, his caretakers had insisted on it. 'To keep the population calm', they had said, 'until the time was right'. He snorted. There was no better time. He was ready do complete his mission. Nopony in this overblown city could do anything to stop him, so why hide? Why not go straight to Canterlot itself? A glance at the roof under his hooves reminded him of the answer. A pony called Ennex was a powerful businesspony, and leader of the city's criminal underground, was a strong supporter of the Adepts. It was he who had suggested a more....quiet arrival into Equestria instead of storming right up to the castle and calling the sun-witch out. He must have strong reasons, and Nova was determined to hear them. Finally, he turned back from the tower's edge to face the two Adepts who had accompanied him, ready to head inside the building...

@Star48955, @Maple Bat, @Techno Universal, @WiiGuy2014, @dosey doe OOC "I really can't thank you enough, Princess," the blue pony said with a grin from across his desk. "This diplomatic trip to Saddle Arabia is the perfect opportunity to convince them of all the good that open trade with Equestria can do for both our lands. Celestia was wise to choose you and your friends for this mission." Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship, stood on the other side of the desk, scratching her chin. "I'm still not sure why she wants all of us to go. It did seem a bit unusual..." He waved away her concerns. "It's simple. Miss Rarity is familiar with the latest trends in Equestria, Sweet Apple Acres can offer some of the best food, and your party-planner friend will be perfect for entertaining them. Having a member of the Wonderbolts will show them the importance we place on this mission." "What about Fluttershy?" the princess asked. "What is she supposed to do?" "She will show the Saddle Arabians the kind and gentler side of Equestria, of course," he replied. "Not to mention that your entire group also happens to be the Elements of Harmony. The prestige will more than dazzle your hosts." "I guess so," she agreed. "And if Celestia thinks we can do it, then I guess we'll just have to prove her faith in us!" "That's the spirit!" he smiled. "Now, I've got a caravan loaded and ready to go, waiting for you and your friends outside. Good luck Princess!" He stood and bowed, as she turned and trotted out of the office. As the door closed behind her, he allowed a wicked smirk to cross his face. "Enjoy your trip....'princess'. Equestria will be in good hooves....." A hidden door to his office slid open, revealing a large, black-clad stallion waiting there. The blue pony shifted his glasses and turned to him. "Once the princess's party has left the city, make preparations to receive our guest. And make sure nopony sees him arrive." The stallion nodded, and melted back into the shadows of the hidden passageway, door sliding shut behind him. With a sigh, the blue pony relaxed in his seat. "Organizing a coup is such tiring work...."

Manehattan was the largest pony city in Equestria. Buildings rose high above the streets forming a skyline almost like mountains. The streets were filled with ponies many pulling various wagons and carts. And on each street corner, a armor-clad guard was standing. Some were ponies, some were bat-ponies, many were changelings. They kept watch over the populace, ready to enforce the will of Sombra and Chrysalis...... and of a certain city governor. A blue pony with black-rimmed glasses was trotting down the street, heading in the direction of one of the tallest towers. Arriving at last, it shifted the small but stylish saddlebag it was wearing and entered the building, not really paying much attention to the others around it. A small mare approached. "Welcome back, sir," she said with a bow, "Sakuya was hoping you would have time to meet with her about some city matters." "Sakuya," it said, and stared off into space. It's eyes flashed. "Ah yes, Sakuya, my trusted right-hoof. Yes, I must meet with her." Then, as if distracted, it continued on past the mare, leaving her standing confused in the lobby, and headed for a bank of elevators.... ----------------------------------- Canterlot was the royal capital of Equestria. Its towers rose gracefully along the mountainside, a waterfall majestically flowing out from its center square. The streets were filled with ponies wearing fancy outfits, as armored guards kept watch over them. This was the former home of the Princesses, and now housed the Queen and King. A blue pony with black-rimmed glasses was trotting down the street, heading in the direction of the Canterlot Library. The current rulers had ordered it closed to the public, but this pony was one of the few still allowed access. With a nod to the guards, it pushed open the doors and stepped inside. The smell of old books was in the air, a slight layer of dust covering most surfaces. Clearly, since being closed, upkeep on the place had come to a halt. The pony wandered through the rows of shelves, until finally rearing up to reach a single, old-looking book. It pulled it down, took a look at the changeling silhouette printed on the cover, and with a grin wandered back towards the entrance.... ---------------------------------- Ponyville was a small community in the center of Equestria. Here most ponies were a simple folk, not as busy as Manehattan nor as fancy as Canterlot. But they were still a proud community, with a fierce independent streak. That was most likely the reason the rebellion and formed here, and was always able to draw strength from the population. No guards could be seen, and they had been defeated the last time they had marched here in numbers. A blue pony with black-rimmed glasses was trotting down the street, heading in the direction of a small house near the edge of town. It didn't bother to hide its presence by sneaking around or wearing a cloak. It simply continued on its way as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Approaching the house, one could see that it had been empty for some time. The windows were dirty, yard unkept, old letters still in the mailbox. The pony walked up to the door and pushed it open....

Ennex bowed to her. "Of course, my Queen." He waved behind him, and a hooded pony stepped forward from the shadows of the throne room. It picked up the element and followed Ennex back out into the adjacent hallway. He cast one last wicked grin at the Queen as the doors closed with a *thud*. Once outside, he turned to the hooded pony. "Take the Element back to my tower, and begin the program to decipher it. I will join you shorty, after running a small errand." The other pulled back his hood, to reveal yet another Ennex-copy. He also grinned, and began to trot out of the palace. Ennex himself concentrated all his energy....and moments later vanished in a flash of light....

@Maple Bat Ennex shrugged. "I was unaware that they possessed one of the Elements. It was my understanding that they had all vanished with their original bearers." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I wonder how such things would interfere with my..." he broke off. "This was obviously an oversight in my intelligence network. I assure you that it will not happen again." He took a moment to watch the Queen. I could simply assimilate her. But no, now is not the time. Perhaps later. Instead, he bowed. "If you would grant it, I would like to take the Element for a few tests. Perhaps we could use it to our advantage. Do you know which of the six Elements it is?"

After reading the letter, Ennex laughed. "So, Queen Shapeshifter wants to remind me of who is in charge. This could be interesting..." He hands the letter to his copy. "Go to her, and find out what she wants. Then return here." "And if she wants to destroy me?" EnnexCopy asked. "Hmmm, good point. I better go myself, then. If things get out of hand..." he looks at his hoof "...I can always assimilate her." Looking back at the copy. "New plan. I will deal with our beloved queen. You go wander the city. Remind the population that we are still in charge." EnnexCopy nods and leaves, while the original closes his eyes and focuses on Canterlot. Energy builds up, and moments later he disappears.....

He was being dragged down a hallway by a pair of changeling guards towards a large metal door. It swung open, and they tossed him into the room, closing the door behind him. The pony tried to stand, was forced to hold a hoof in front of his face to block the room's single light, which was angled to point directly at him. "Come on! Let me go!" he shouted. Nopony answered. "I'm not a rebel, i swear! I'd never fight against the King or Queen! Please, you half to let me go!" Again, all he got was silence. The pony was getting more scared by the minute. Ears drooped, he shuffled back into one corner. "Please...." he begged. He heard what sounded like another door opening, but he couldn't see past the bright light. "Is...is somepony there?" he called out. "Help me!" Hoofsteps approached... ...suddenly, the bright light went out, and the room was fully lit normally. His eyes squinted, and when he was able to open them again, there was a blue pony wearing black glasses and a black business suit standing in front of him. "You..." he muttered. "Yes, me." Ennex jabbed his hoof into the pony just below his neck. A strange energy flowed out from that spot and slowly spread to cover the pony's body. It shifted it's shape, his mane and tail changed. "Me, me, me..." Ennex muttered, as he pulled his hoof away. The magic aura vanished, leaving a perfect copy of Ennex standing before him. "Me too," the copy said with a grin...

Ennex shrugged. "I assume it would not be much different. I still have my mind, and that is the most important thing. But you..." his eyes narrowed, "..how would you react? How would your 'friends' treat you?" The other copies moved to partially surround Techno. "Perhaps we should find out, hmm?" He closed his eyes and concentrated. Feeling the connection between himself and Techno, he focused on the other's appearance. an aura of energy started to form around Techno.... ...and in a flash, his appearance changed to that of a mare, complete with swimsuit and manicured hoofs. But before he could react, Ennex focused again, this time picturing the town square of Ponyville.... ...and with another flash, he teleported Techno right into the middle of the town square.

@Techno Universal "Of course. Creating and controlling all those clones is too much," the confident pony replied, grinning all the while. His copies all smirked as Techno's clones glitched. "That is why I did NOT just create a clone, but copied myself onto a single changeling. With no lingering connection between us to overtax myself." "And I copied myself onto another changeling," Ennex2 continued. "Again, with none of the original's powers, nor any connections to the other copies." "We all think individually," said a third copy. "He is not controlling us, so we are not overtaxing him. But you," they all laughed as Techno-clones kept glitching, "you tried to overpower us too quickly. You used too much power at once." The original Ennex stepped forward to look Techno in the eye. "Might I suggest that you cancel your clones and go off to recover yourself. You do not want to crash here. Think of what I could do if I managed to copy myself into you while you are disabled."

@Techno Universal Ennex laughed as Techno's clones spawned in. "Creating your own clones from scratch? That is a lot more taxing on you than Simply altering existing changelings. I doubt you can keep it up for very long, or even maintain their existence...." (OOC: there's your way to re-level the game)

@Techno Universal After taking a moment to catch his breath, Ennex grinned at Techno. "Yes, you can see when I create another clone. But that is the beauty of it. They can duplicate themselves into other changelings, without my assistance. In fact," he scratched his chin, "I believe the other 20 or so changelings in the building are already being transformed as we speak..."

@Techno Universal "Ah, but you misunderstand," Ennex2 replied to Techno, while the original simply grinned. "He is NOT controlling me at all. I am acting independently. I am my own self, my own being, simply guided by that which he implanted into me." "You see, I was also concerned about overtaxing myself, as you suggest," Ennex added. "Therefore, I only copied myself into the changeling's mind. It was a simple matter to extend their natural mimicking ability from only appearance to their mind as well. Using a neural connection, which I then severed after the transference was completed." He stepped over to look Techno in the eye. "You may be connected to me, and see everything I do. But we have taken great care to keep them," he pointed at Ennex2, "out of the connection. The consequence is they lack all these fantastic powers I now possess. Well, except for one." Ennex2 waved at the doorway, and two more clones stepped out, just as identical to Ennex. "Using the changeling hive mind, they can copy themselves into other changelings. Think of it, an entire army of me....all with my intelligence....all with my ambition...all with changeling strength." Slowly, he started laughing, getting louder and louder. The clones all joined in as well, their maniacal laughter filling the room..... (ooc: insert super-villain laugh here)

@Techno Universal He chuckled. "My own cape? I hardly think that is necessary. However, since you are here, perhaps you'd like to observe the results of my latest experiment." He waved a hoof and sent a mental command.....and a hidden doorway off to the side slid open. "I had some concerns about you monitoring me though the....network, as it were. Now that those concerns have been comfirmed..." A figure, still hidden in shadow, appeared in the doorway "...it am thankfull that I had the foresight to take precautions." He looked quizzically at Techno. "Tell me, why do you think I attacked Ponyville with such a small force? Do you really think me that stupid?" He grinned. "Concerned about being monitored led me to a new strategy. While you were watching me and my little 'attack', my latest experiment was being tested." The figure stepped out into the light.... and was an exact copy of Ennex, down to the matching glasses sitting on his face. "And since you are only connected to his mind," Ennex2 said to Techno, "our theory was you would NOT be able to connect to mine." "Exactly," Ennex said, as his copy came to stand beside him. "Very good, is it not? A changling, of course. But not just in disguise." He tapped Ennex2's head. "Using my newfound ability to connect to and control their minds, I attempted to copy my own mind into his. And success! A near-perfect duplicate! While he doesn't have the full range of powers that I possess..." he trailed off. "...I can still access limited functions, like connecting briefly to another pony's mind," Ennex2 finished.

THe blue pony smirked at Techno. "Yes, those capes of yours do seem to present a problem. As the connection between us. But do not worry, I will find a solution soon enough...." He slowly moved closer to Techno. "Perhaps there is something inside this new power that I can utilize." He paused, then turned away and returned to his desk. "But that will have to wait for another time. First, the problem of those capes...."

@Techno Universal The light vanished, and he found himself back in his Manehattan office. The city skyline was visible outside the windows lining the wall behind the ornate desk. Shaking his head to clear some lingering disorientation, he started to head towards the desk. "So did you take me with you here for something?" "What?" he spun around, and say Techno standing there. "The Other? What are you doing...." voice trailed off, as his mind finally cleared. "Of course.... the connection. You were pulled here with me." Then his eyes lit up in understanding. "Ah, so that is why I thought I was being watched. You WERE watching me." He scratched his chin. "I will have to find a way to sever that connection. I do not need you inside my mind...."

Ravage attempted to dodge, but the flames singed his legs. He took an extra moment to recover, and he got ready to charge at her... Meanwhile, Ennex glanced around and noticed that his soldiers were being routed. "Perhaps it is time to take our leave," he called out to Ravage. Then he closed his eyes and focused all his energy, trying to picture his office back in Manehattan in his mind. Beads of sweat rolled off his forehead. The air around him started to buzz with energy.... ...and in a flash, he vanished. Ravage was about to charge when he saw the flash. Glancing around at the changlings, most of which were transformed or paralyzed, the rest trying to attack their opponents in a mad frenzy. Deciding to follow his master's example, he glanced once more at Maple, before jumping backwards into the forest. Another leap took him into the trees, where he vanished among the shadows....

Ravage glared at Maple, but held his ground, not rising to the bait and giving her the advantage. He would wait for her to attack first.... Surprised, he turned to the changling. "Plan?" he asked, confused. Then he grinned. Of course, the Queen is running her own schemes. But he didn't order a retreat, for he had his own plan in motion....

@Maple Bat, @Star48955, @WiiGuy2014, @Techno Universal Ravage fell back, pulling Maple down with him while dropping his head back to avoid her fangs. They rolled over, and he released her to tumble away, as he scrambled to his hoofs, blood dripping from a tear in his bodysuit where she had struck his leg during the roll... Ennex shouted at the remaining changling guards. "Get them NOW!!!" he ordered, pointing at the other rebels. The guards charged....

Ennex braced himself, but a flash of black jumped in front of him. Ravage had leaped into Maple, knocking them both to the ground. His eyes blinking, concentration broken, Ennex realized he had lost his hold over her mind. NO!!! he shouted, and tried to connect again...