Blitz Boom

@Illiad Easle Took a bit, but I managed to finally wrangle a post from my mind. I dunno what will happen with the rift, but I am giving you permission to do what you think is right, with Mongoose here. Not sure if he'll live, die, get banished, or something else, but that's for you to decide. Also as I had little to really respond to, I added a bit more background on him, and his uh... Well, the sort of things going through his head, which added to why he were not so gently *volunteered* to The Grey.

@Illiad Easle (Null and Cherish) She did a good effort, but Elef were a slippery sort. Avoided her grasp and heading right for Arcade, likely wanting to force an attack out of him, judging by the way he acted before. A moment that once again, proved that she really didn't have much in the way of a career in motivational speaking, in case this whole *Vengeance upon the deserving* thing turned out to be a fad. Thankfully, nine were even faster, and got him wrapped up nice and tightly, thankfully without Arcade stabbing him per instinct, or something similar. The look she got from Cherish though were... Familiar, and she'd probably be spooked of her for quite a while, after seeing her literally sprouting tendrils from her wing. Or maybe Null could feed her some vague statement, and she'd be frazzled enough for now, to buy it. At least for the time being, when her choice in allies were fairly limited. Cherish would get her attention back on Elef, grabbing him once he started to thrash around, unsure what to do, but being very, very concerned about him. She'd seen others act like this, after the war. It'd be a lie if she said the thought hadn't passed her mind too, every once in a while. But she had gotten help, and Elef needed that too, once they got back to Troy. Now she wasn't gonna tattle on him to anypony, but she'd definitely encourage him to have some talks with her mom. He could use a psychologist to help him through his grief, and self-loathing. "*sigh* I ain't smart enough to tell what's different between 'em, but I know who we're outta talk to. I think it's best if we get them back to Troy, and keep him isolated from the others until we got everything sorted. I don't think he'll turn, but if it happens, Nine and I will handle him." She'd respond back in a low voice too. This were not good for either of the kids to hear right now, as thing were already messy enough, and Cherish clearly cared a lot about him. She'd likely be less agreeable, if it sounded like they were preparing to snap Elef's neck, or something of the sort. "Hey, be careful, alright? I want you to come home too." She got his point, and knew he were durable, so to speak, but she still worried about him, going and dealing with monsters by himself. She well remembered how that went the last time they were here, and she had not taken it well, to see him perish. Sure she knew that wasn't the end for him anymore, but that still didn't mean she enjoyed him getting killed. "If you can, take her with us. Ain't anyone that deserves to be stuck in this place, and I doubt Elef would listen right now. Best we sort this out later, if we can even find a necromancer. I'd have suggested that zebra that used to hang around the markets, but he'd working in the big city now, and we're better off going straight for Troy. And Nine? Well done on grabbing the kid, before he got himself into more trouble. It's good I got you to count on." With that, she'd go over and poke at Cherish some more, who'd sniffle, and look towards her, clearly still spooked, but less terrified, and more just severely conflicted. "Hey, you ain't got nothing to worry about from me, okay? It's just a weird spell. Come on, let's get you two home, okay?" Cherish would slowly nod, and let go of Elef, then stick close, as Null would be faced with a choice: Where to go, that seemed the safest to exit this place? ========================================================== (Crow) Crow would audibly growl at the shrimp of a pony, that dared to stand in her way. Her eyes angry, as adrenaline still pumped through her veins, from getting herself so hyped up on worry and panic, about needing to save Cherish. "I am not leaving, without my friend." She'd sniff the air deeply, and narrow her eyes towards the pony, and his jagged knife, which thankfully for him, were not currently coated in blood. She might well have gotten some idea about why that were, if it were stained crimson right now. Yet even if the sight of Cherish's blood were not on it, she still smelled her friend's blood and sweat. Vague, as if the pony had been near her some time ago, or only around her, rather than touching her, but the smell were clear, and the sudden panic that entered her eyes, betrayed her otherwise angry, pumped up look, of someone ready to bash things, that were standing in the way. "I smell... Blood, sweat. What did you do? Where is Cherish?!" Panic entered her tone too now, though she took a step forth, towards this pony, eyeing the path behind him. It had to be where Cherish were, right? And... And she might be hurt! In a place with monsters! She had to get her out of here. She swore, if this pony had hurt her, he were going to live to regret it. Briefly as that might be. Her tone also rose a few octaves, as she were now angry and scared at the same time. Not a yell, but a cave system like this? A voice could still carry far, if you were unlucky. ===================================================================== (Ranger) A proper kitsune camouflage spell, would make you fully visible to whoever you wanted to see you, down to even the small details. As Kozue were still young though, his skills were not as fantastic as his teachers had been, so while they could see one another, it were more like they were made somewhat of water, lacking in the finer details, even if their form were still well represented. So he could unfortunately not see her facial expressions proper. Nor could she see his well, which were somewhat looking like he wanted to take a biiiiig step in another direction, seeing what they were now up against. A monster were somewhat simple. A flock of monsters? That were less ideal. The sort that normally, he'd suggest they simply avoided. But since she asked, he gave it some thought... And soon after smirked. Which sadly were not visible either, beyond his mouth clearly moving in some fashion. "Wanting a distraction, rather than a fight? Heh, now you're thinking like a kitsune. Lemme see..." He'd hold a paw up, and in it, would slowly rise glittering streams of magic, mingling and intertwining, until it formed a pony, wearing a lab coat. Brown coat, barely-healed head wound, looking rather scruffy, dirty, and spooked. A miniature of what she wanted, but he had to work from not knowing what were beyond here, so she had to bear with him for a bit. He'd sit down, close his eyes, and place his other front paw in front of his eyes. With that, the figure would slowly fade out on his paw, and then, on the other wise, he'd make it reappear on a pathway. Least he hoped it were He were aiming for a surface in roughly the same height they were, and not into anything solid. This was the hardest part. Once he had that though, he'd grin, as the figure would wander on, and towards the opening, on the other side. The sounds and smells lingering, would be as if it were a pony, with a faint smell of blood hanging on to him, and the sound of gasping for air, and hoofprints. She'd be able to see the whole thing, as the figure emulated the movement of what were n his paw, and he'd see through the eyes of his illusion. Now, it wouldn't fool say, a vampire, probably. Though he could fake the smell of blood, faking bloom pumping through someone, were a whole other level, and he wasn't sure f he could do that right. But he could do as good a job as he were able, and would have the pony-sized illusion wander forward, on the other wise, until it got the attention of the monsters. At which point *he* would turn tail, and stagger down the path he had come from, running if the monsters gave chase too. "It won't... Last forever, but... I can hold it for maybe ten meters. Go, I'll... Catch up." He couldn't move right now, and sadly, it would also mean she'd get out of his field. Which Speck knew was its queue, to unfold, clamper on to Ranger, and then take over, getting her properly camouflaged even after moving out of said field. Of course, if the monsters didn't actually clear out, this was not gonna help, but he were trying, okay? This would be a lot easier, if he were on the other side. ========================================================================= (Mongoose) The pegasus didn't even have the chance to say anything. once The Host was kicked in, Mongoose would jump in after him, not really thinking about what might be happening right now, with the rift and things. He were just jumping after to get hold of The Host, as his instinct were somewhat *The Host keeps up the shield. You were sent to save The Host. The Host have just been kicked of stage. Grab him.*. The fact there were a rift had not registered with him until after he had already jumped, nor had the thought that it would probably have been way easier to use a spell, rather than to toss himself down to try and maybe give him something to land on, so his focus wasn't broken. Yannit would've done that She were great in pressured situations like this. Not him though. He were less... Certain of things, though considering his other potential reaction, it were maybe best that he had jumped before listening. He still had his knife on him, and he knew where to use it on a pegasus, to make sure that it hurt. Hurt so very, very much, as he could cut, and carve, tear and rip, without killing. Pain, raw and exposed, making for macabre art. He hadn't yet kept one alive like that. He were not evil enough for that, but he had thought about it, several times. long and hard, as he glanced at others, seeing before his inner eye, how easy it would be. How beautiful art would bloom from the maddening pain, spread across the area like a natural canvas. Things were more manageable these days, and he didn't get these visuals as often as he used to. But they were still there. Especially when it came to some that he didn't like. Some whom might even deserve such grotesque pain. But he didn't act on it! He hadn't even been uh... Artful, ever since he got here, to New Las Pegasus. Though he knew that those who were aware of his story, were worried. If he fell back into things, what could it not mean for the reputation of all of them? Sure The Grey had been vile in their own ways, but to an extend, you expected The Grey to sometimes handle things harshly. The old Grey at least. It had often worried Bling, and she had made sure to have someone keep an eye on him at most times, while trying to figure out what to do. When the call came, she had thought about sending him, assuming They Grey could keep him better in check than she could, but she did not want to force any to this duty. Thankfully, others had been less considerate of that, and dragged Mongoose into service. Something that had overall, been good for him, if you had to look at it objectively. And now he were jumping into a rift, trying to save The Host... If he survived this, he would definitely think this situation over quite a lot. If not... Well, guess he wouldn't be able to worry about it then. =============================================================== (Yannit and Craven) Yannit weren't close enough, but of course, in his infinite luck, Craven had been bashing towards the shield, when a hole had decided to briefly open, leaving him in the inner circle. Nothing Yannit could do about that, nor give him any orders, so he would need to think on what to do here himself, and quick. Not that there were much of a choice in reality, were there? There were now several hostile pegasi that had gotten through, and they seemingly had agents inside. So he would work on incapacitating them, knocking them out, hitting them downwards, or use magic to make them sleep, or stun their wings, to make them fall downwards. He figured they'd either be trapped by the shield, keeping them in like they were on te inside of a fish bauble, or they'd pass through, as this barrier were more meant to keep things out, than in, and then the changelings below would snatch them up. Which they would, in case any fell down, as that were already their tactic. Of course, if it turned out hitting the shield from the inside would kill them, he'd need to think of something else, after the first showing of that, as he wasn't a heartless murderer.

@Illiad Easle (Null and Cherish) "Look at her. Both of you. The kid were was cut on the rocks, she even said so. And if she'd been unlucky, those wounds could've gotten a lot worse. Like it did with Rare. Elef, I've been there, and it's easy to blame yourself, and think that it's all your fault, when someone you care about gets hurt. But this wasn't you. Not then, not now. It were an accident, just like it were now. You haven't hurt her, even if you had the chance, have you? She's bleeding, but you're not going in to do anything. You're not a monster, Elef." Cherish would get up on her hooves, and get closer to Elef, trying to see if she could give him a hug, or if not that, stand next to him, eyes closed, and her head leaning on his shoulder, to show that she trusted him, and wasn't going to leave him. Bad things had happened here, and if she were unlucky, she could've ended by these rocks too, but she were more lucky than his friend had been, and she didn't blame him. She felt bad for Elef. Her friend, who hadn't hurt her, and she believed Rare when she said, that it hadn't been him either back then. She wanted to go home, but she wanted him with them. He hadn't done anything wrong, and shouldn't be punished for that. Especially not by the stallion with the knife. If only they had some way of proving what had happened, like how it seemed Rare had talked to both herself and Null. ==================================================================== (Void) Sound ahead, either meant an enemy, or her friend and the other pony. Either way, it meant that she needed to get in there, but the hole were still too small, so she would dig, and wouldn't stop, until eventually she'd be able to get through herself. Even if that meant she'd be the last to enter, after the rest made entry. It might well get a bit more loud, the more effort she put into digging through, but she were completely unaware of how it were perceived by those inside. ===================================================================== (Ranger) Kozue were going to say something. Words that later on, he'd definitely regret, if they were anything like the words in his head right now. Yet, those very words brought him pause, and made him question what were wrong here. While yes, it were hard for others to truly understand the kitsune - mostly that were intentional, as the secrecy were safer for them - he had come to enjoy educating about that, rather than exclude others, and look down upon them for not understanding. And those last words? For Ranger? That wasn't him. Or it was, but it wasn't like he should be thinking, and he knew it. It was vile and hateful, for no other reason than she were talking poorly about a picture. The very picture they were now fighting over. A mere photo, and they were acting like this... No, it wasn't right. "I... No, you're right. This isn't how I am supposed to act, or think. I'm sorry. Both of you. I should've listened." His ears and tail drooped somewhat, as he felt shame. He had fallen for a trap, and gotten engrossed fully by it. Something that had clearly been stuck in that room with a purpose, but he had been a fool thinking of easy ways out of the reality that they lived in. The kitsune wouldn't get a blessed savior, to pull them from the ashes. They had to do it themselves. The thoughts were likely to pester him for a time more, but being aware, at least he could probably reason against the horrid ways his mind had gone down. To think he had actually thought such vile things about Ranger, and threatened to unmake Speck. That was horrid. Speck's mind was smaller, and not as capable as Kozue's, but it still felt shame, being scolded like this. Maybe it should think more before it acted another time... Even though, if the picture were bad, it seemed a good thing it had stored it somewhere else, yes? ==================================================================== (Grey) Well, the plan to burst through a window wasn't gonna work, which were good in one aspect, he supposed. Sure it kept them outside, but so were Red and her followers. Though judging from the look of the inside, she had some in there already, that were likely looking for a way to shut this down. Maybe it wasn't as unplanned and rash, as Yannit had thought? They seemed to have agents inside too, so at least The Grey weren't defenseless on this, but it did leave them with the unenviable task of dealing with Red. Which considering she were surrounded by her minions, and stronger than before, seemed like it were bound to go poorly, if they just rushed in. They had to try and find an opening, right? Well, he wasn't the one in charge right now, Yannit were, and she had told him to follow his lead, as well as what to do in case a few scenarios might play out, where she needed him to take action fast. For now, they were circling the dome, seemingly aiding in the attacks, as later arrivals. But Yannit did observe what happened with the changelings with interest. The followers were seemingly told to attack them, but the effort weren't intent on killing so far, more intercepting and shooing off. Which did work really, as though the changelings here had volunteered to aid, they weren't keen on dying for nothing, and would rather pester at the edges, and wait for more reinforcements, than to go in and get team diffed. Though if they could get someone a bit away, to where they could snatch them up, and put them to sleep, before carrying them off, they would. But as they were apparently ordered to stay close, that wasn't gonna work as well, or efficient yet. Others still, would realize who they were up against, and left. Red had a certain... Reputation, and though she had changed, some would know her enough to figure it were her, or at least be concerned it might be. For them specifically, that'd be enough. An opening would come, sooner or later. Either when they had bigger numbers and could begin to whittle down the enemy forces properly, or when Red messed up, and got inattentive. Though right now, she seemed all too focused on her troops, and thus, too difficult to go after. Too well protected too, as if she needed it. Mongoose wasn't really the sort to be invited to parties, or seek them out, so the only time he had been here before, were when his business with The Grey sent him here the last time. He heard stories of course, and did see some last time, but thankfully, things were calmer than that this time. At least the weird dance floor wasn't being active right now it seemed, as he tentatively went near it, to get towards The Host, who had been surprisingly easy to find. Though he didn't look to be at his full senses... Well, someone near him might answer, that were more at it than him, if he approached, yes? So he'd go towards The Host, trying to get his attention. Though the crowd were not the best for that, so he likely had to get past that to get to that. And to make him hear him too, of course. So he'd ideally move past the crowd as fast as he could, which might mean going around it instead, or above, worst case. Either way, he'd keep going until he were near The Host, or managed to get the attention of a bodyguard of his. Likely Ninja, whom he had not seen yet, but that were well in line with his usual reputation. "Uhm... Excuse me? M-Mr Host, sir? There's a small army, attacking your hotel, and I think they're aiming to kill you. Probably your guests too. I've been sent to try and help. You, I mean, not them. I'm not with the murdering army." In fairness to Mongoose, there were a reason why Yannit generally spoke for him, as he didn't adapt well to situations being suddenly abnormal like this, and him having no one to rely on to make him shut up, before he said something dumb. So he were confused, in a rush, somewhat scared, and so far out of his depth, that the ocean beneath him seemed bottomless. So unless They Grey intervened in his head, he'd just truthful and blunt. An improvement in his mind, as he barely stuttered, and actually did something social on his own, which he hadn't always been that good at. Though if Yannit were here, she'd have smacked him in the back of the head.

@Illiad Easle No, I got the flu, lucky me. xD But the post should be done within the next 15 minutes

@Ionic Sunset "We know you are there. Curious about us perhaps? Or seeking the riches of diamond? We remember those being thought of quite fondly by others, before our latest rest. How things change... To think there were a time, when the sight of gemstone wrought fear into mortal hearts, and now they are seen as precious. Sought, and highly wanted... A different time, yes?" They would turn around slowly, giving a good look further over how they looked, though the only thing that wouldn't have been obvious from the first sight, would be that regardless of the angle, and the sun shinning upon them, you wouldn't be blinded by the shine. Like with crystal ponies, it did not reflect sharply off, as you might think with gems. Perhaps because of a magical aspect? Due to an inherent biological trait? Perchance because of the slight blue hue? Hard to say, but regardless, it were still a pretty sight, though not entirely like with crystal ponies. Though a slight glitter were there, it were not fractal from various angles, like with the ponies. It were flawless, pure gem, as if this being were not so much carved from diamond, but had stepped forth from it. Their gaze would land on the curious guest soon. The light in the deer's eyes, perfectly overlaying that of the changeling queen beneath, yet their gaze carried the same emotions. Curiosity. A hint of amusement. Even some warmth, as they were not interested in a fight, even if this one had come to look for diamonds. "If it is diamonds you seek, you are free to take of our pillar. Consider it a gift, and worry not. We can always make more, as needed. We are Queen Dia'thiz. Ruler of the Gemlings, and you needn't worry, little one. We wander in peace, basking in light that were us long denied." They would take a step closer, eyeing the ruby-colored mane of their new guest. Or the owner of this forest, perhaps? They had just arrived, and were unaware of any ownership to this wilderness. "Such a fiery hue... It reminds us of our brother. Although we do not see his matching temper in your eyes. All for the better, we suppose. Rubycon were never the most approachable. Even among his own." ==================================================================== @Catpone Cerberus "We used to think like that. No need to respect the mortals, since we were way above them and they couldn't do anything to us anyway. Then Discord went and got himself trapped in stone, and everyone woke up. We had to accept that the mortals did have some tools against us, and they realized they weren't so powerless as they thought. Emboldened them, and scared us. It's the main reason most of us just high-tailed out of Equestria. Not worth dealing with that, though even out there, it didn't change much. The world had changed now, and we had to adapt. None better than Fright honestly. Lil' sister weren't the one I figured would be the one to buck the trend, but that pony that beat her got into her head. Changed her outlook on things, even before Discord fell. Most of us figured she were a bit weird, but when it all came tumbling down, just look at who were welcome to stay. Even if she had to stay in that pocket dimension of hers, most of the time, while things got stable and boring in Equestria. And then suddenly, she comes out looking for others, to see if she can convince a few to change. Avarice were always a pushover. Not surprised he caved. I wouldn't have though, if it wasn't my sister. But I heard her out, and she made sense. Took a hit to my pride at first, but heh, never had it more cozy than now." "Heh, yeah. I like their innocence and curiosity. Especially some like Crank there. Pure joy and happiness, as it outta be. Got myself a place where i stash things that matters to me. Drawings and small gifts from all sorts of kids are most of it. But drawings like this? Now that right there's art, so that's going on the fur. The likeness is uncanny, eh?" She'd lean down, and flex her biceps at Alisaide. Something that made the drawing she had embedded on her fur, seemingly come alive, and the drawn her, were eating the various fruits tossed into her waiting maw, with new, identical ones spawning behind. Glutton would do this for a few seconds, before easing up, and the picture returning to how it had been at first, while she snickered. "Ah, ain't nothing like it. Anyway, ain't too long. Let's keep moving." They'd cross the park soon enough, and get into the massive city proper. A sight to behold for sure, which were also the opinion of various creatures, from ponies to minotaurs, that passed by, their eyes drawn towards the curious, insectoid being. They wouldn't approach however, as the draconequus made them wary of it. Though they'd pass several that greeted Glutton. Mostly with head nods, that's get the same response back, from the adults. Kids tended to either be rushed along, looking spooked, shy, or waved. No crying or trying to run away, so much as Glutton were clearly still a peculiar sight here, she were known enough to not cause panic. Well, there were a few tourists that seemed to be about to panic, but the locals would drag them aside and explain. best to not give Glutton a target for her own bemusement. Which she might still have done, if it weren't for her having a guest, and a goal. Though she would randomly go and grab hold of a pony in blue armor, and sling her over her shoulder, much to the surprised meep of the mare in question. "Yeah, you'll do." "I-I-I w-what? P-Put m-" "Need a guard for pick-up duty, so buckle up, naval nerd." The mare looked confused, actually scared, and her eyes darted around, while her heart pumped hard in her chest. A peculiar sign in her own right too, as she seemed to have gotten through quite the ordeal. The various stitches and scars made it seem almost as if she'd been torn apart, and sewn back together, but she were alive and breathing. Not a zombie. Must've been quite the violent fight she'd been through. "And say hi to my new pal here. Asildae, this here's a naval nerd. They're usually fun to brawl with." The mare didn't really notice Asildae before now, but as she did, her eyes would lock on her, with a weird look of slight relief? Seems like there were one at least, that were more afraid of Glutton than this new sight, as she wriggled around, unable to escape Glutton, who seemed to have latched the pony unto her fur somehow. As if she were covered in special velcro. "H-Hi. I mean, h-help. P-Please?" Gluttons mentioned respect for ponies, might have been somewhat overstated. ======================================================================= @Catpone Cerberus "That would be Lieutenant Dusk Mourner. I'll make sure that he's informed, soon as we have returned, and I have written a report on what he'd need to know. Consider it done within the hour of our return." Dusk Mourner were one of the few guards in Canterlot, that were affiliated equally with both the Night and Solar guards. The neutrality were needed, to best evaluate these sorts of things, and direct the efforts in handling environmental issues of any kind, big or small, without any kind of bias. Oftentimes, the guard were not needed to actually do this, unless it were the aftermath of a skirmish including the Trojan, or a powerful entity, but it were enough that the role of leader of these efforts, had to be affiliated with the guards, and hold an officer position, however minute. Due to the need for neutrality, and the fact you needed insight to evaluate these things properly though, it were exceedingly rare that the position were filled by a guard, and instead were usually filled by an academic, that possessed the right qualifications for the job. Such were the case with Dusk Mourner, who only had a few years to his name in this role, after Lieutenant Harbor Whey made him his successor, and finally managed to retire. Which mostly meant speaking engagements at various colleges. Scholars would be scholars, armor or not. "I admit, my knowledge of souls are vastly inferior to a subject like this. Though I would think that the uniqueness of your situation, would also mean that there wouldn't be much precedence to go by, and due to the inherent risk of trying to meddle with a collaboration of souls - soul removal, destruction, or absorption of some sort, among others - it makes it highly risky to even attempt anything against your other self. A concerning thought, but one have to be realistic. Still, I find it a subject worth pondering, and if I get the chance, I will ask the Macabre' clan if they have encountered anything of the sort. It is less scientific, than I would normally aim for, but when facing an unusual situation, I suppose it is best to address unusual professionals. Still, I thank you for what insight you have been able to provide, Mr. Vaz. The more known, the better." Magma would briefly wonder if perhaps she would have found an answer to her own predicament, if she had been open-minded on her sources earlier, but dismissed the thought. She knew the answer already, and had to accept that her stubbornness on the matter were not only illogical, but also arrogant. If what happened to her, had precedent, there'd hardly be a need to examine her as much as there had been, and as such, relying solely on science for answers were foolhardy. "An unconventional use of magic, but not unheard of. At least visually, that is. Fascinating to see it in person, rather than reading of it though. Ah, before we part ways, I would think it prudent that we know how to get in contact with one another. For instance, in case we need to rendezvous about this subject, or something related to it. Our card, Mr. Vaz." She'd rummage through the bag, and pull out a hoof-written business card of sorts. It were nothing special, just the address, their agency's name, and the name of her boss, of course, all written on a perfectly cut out piece of thick paper. With her own written in smaller letters further down, as Secretary Del Ray. (In case she had been told it were best the agency's headquarters not be shared, she would instead add the address to a PO box, where one could send mail) Not one of the things she had shared with her new boss, but she assumed he would think this part of her duties regardless, as they'd need to be able to do better than scribbling on pieces of paper, in case they needed someone to contact them for various reasons, such as if they were awaiting a shipment of things, or they wanted a meeting. "Please excuse the less than official look. I still need to go over designs and such, before moving forward with some ideas, but these does have the most prudent information. And how might we find you then, in case it is required, Mr. Vaz? Even if we are done now, things could still rapidly change, such as us finding more that connects with your alternative self." She had a notebook ready to scribble down into, pen sharp and ready to scribble down what were needed. Might be she were new at this job, but there honestly weren't too many differences between being a secretary, and the assistant to a professor at times. Well, there were more dignity involved, with being a secretary. She had so far not been sent out for frivolous duties, that she were only assigned due to her superiors laziness. ================================================================== @Catpone Cerberus "Well, mine did it because water aligned dragons, are insanely committed to those they let into their lives, in general. My dad somehow managed to make her love him, and convince a clutch of eggs, that she cherished. But air aligned dragons can be too carefree and don't think of commitment as that important, so when she learned he cheated on her, she went into a rage. Frankly I think that's partially why she didn't hunt for Dimma all that far. She hated my father, and what he did, and she thought a diamond dog would just eat my egg. I ain't saying it's been easy for us to see eye to eye, but it helps that I've always taken her side, because I understand where she's coming from. Especially after my dad taunted her, when she confronted him. Death by pure stupidity. Take that as some good life advice. Don't mock someone that's twice your size, already angry at you, and hungry." As she told her mom, when she were told what had happened to her dad, after their initial meeting's little... Physical disagreement, it helped calm her mother down somewhat, to hear Leviathan say that her dad had asked for that himself. Still several years of tussling, growling, and all the other fun, family stuff you could imagine, but these days? They were fairly neutral, and could have a talk. If her mother felt like it, of course. Which tended to depend on how long it had been since the last time. A longer delay, meant a higher chance. Been like... 20 years or so at this point, so it were likely about time soon. Oooh, a marine dragon of sorts. Excellent. That was gonna be a fun meeting later, after they were done talking with the younglings here. Least she assumed them to be so. They didn't look all that old. Granted, neither did she, but she were stunted, so you couldn't judge her on size, as you often could with dragons. And she didn't know if any of these were runts, or their sizes were normal for their variants... Eh, they'd see soon enough, she supposed. Oh yeah, definitely younglings. Older ones didn't tend to argue in this manner, and it fit the voices and everything else. So that was good to know. Though she had to try and keep from going over and squishing their cheeks or the like. She were still a guest, and had to try and not do something that'd cause the locals to be embarrassed. Though she'd mostly do things like that to real small whelps anyway. Against older kids, it were mostly just when she made fun of them. Though she did find it adorable to see the kids interact. Not just in their own group, but with Charir's input too. Though the direct , were smirking, and way he addressed them, seemed to bring them a bit out of it. Leviathan on the other hand, were smirking, and doing her best not to laugh, since it were so adorable and awkward, that she almost let out a snicker. "I remember when I were young, and first found out I could do magic. You're not alone in accidentally zapping your friends, Ereo. Didn't have anyone around me that could teach me either, but sometimes, you learn through trial and error. Preferably without harming your friends, heh. It's fun to explore and see what you can make of it, once you get the hang of how to wield and shape it though. And I love that natural camouflage, Oreon. You're gonna have so much fun just scaring the tar out of your friends, once you get the hang of it. Where I'm from, we just have to hope our scales match something we can e around, or that we can dig deep enough, or hide in a volcano, or something more habitat based. Yours is more interesting than what I'm used to for sure. I'm curious what sorta things your magic can do. Like with electricity. Can you just conjure it?" She'd raise her hand, and let a spark dance between her fingers. "Harness it?" The spark increased in size, and began covering her hand like a web. "Maybe mold it?" Leviathan closed her hand, the electricity gathering in her palm, then opened it to reveal a delicate butterfly, made of electricity. Small strings even making a pretty pattern on its wings, as it rose up and flew from her hand, and flickered around. They could touch it if they wanted to, without getting electrocuted. Though after a bit, she'd let it land on Charir, in case he wanted to show how he could use electricity, even though he didn't know how to make it yet. It'd have a low voltage, so it wasn't harmful. "Haven't really seen anything local, so I don't really know what to expect." =================================================================== @EQ_Theta "Mother is good at helping her children. We listen to her, but she also listens to us." A lot of the same questions did come around, but Mother were patient, loving, and understanding. She would help her children, unformed or not, best she could, within her limitations. It were why almost all of them, knew that much as they loved Mother, it could not compare to how much she loved them. And that also counted for Sen and Lin, even if they were different from the rest of the Ki'nathar. They still deserved Mother's love, like any other of her children. Just as their enemies drew her ire, as if they had gone for Omen. "Everything is just tastes for me. I do not see trash as being bad to eat. It is there, no one else wants it, and I do not get sick, or hurt by it. Sometimes, I find strange things there too, like rings. I cannot read what is on some of them, but I saw others put shiny things like that in in the guard box, so I did that. I tried asking if it was right once, and the mare tried to hit me with a stick. I think she did not expect me to show up when I did." Omen were a weird one, even among her kin, and that all came down to her master. So even if she ate actual toxic waste, she wouldn't be hurt by it. Kind of like with Glutton, though more restricted, and not able to taste everything as vividly as her. Discord had mentioned changing things at some point, to make her more sensitive to things, but he never got around to it, and had long since forgotten by now. "And I want to buy a pie, because I thought I could take it back here, or have it when we meet with Rosa again. I have heard that you can bring pie to see friends." Se were likely to simply eat the tray, if present too, but she'd try some pie too. It were just best in her mind, that it went to those who could appreciate it more than she could. She would enjoy chili herself. It sounded like that were bad for others. At least the one she got from the dragon. "I do not understand, so I will just keep us away from him then, yes? I will do something else, if any of you tell me to do different while we are away then. Is that okay?" Omen had no idea how proof looked at him, trying to aggravate them. Partially because she wasn't sure what that meant, though even if they told her it were essentially taunting, she still wasn't sure. Trying to attack Sen and Lin were about the only one she would be able to think about, as his words and actions towards herself, meant nothing. He could not hurt her, he could not make her speak. Even if she could fear, she would have nothing to fear from him. Only way he could hurt her, were through her friends, and she would take them away, if things happened. Even if he had his hunters lie on top of them. They would just have to come along too then. That were their own choice. Beyond that, she got the gist that she were supposed to use her gates close around, so like when they played ball with Shrimp. And speaking of her pet... Omen poked the cage a few times. "No, Shrimp will not go into the cage. I do not think he would like that, and he can burn through things. I think he would just destroy this." Even if not, she did not want Shrimp to feel bad, and he did not seem to like being inside closed spaces that much, compared to wrapping himself around them, like with his playtower. "We have a safe space, away from here. I have had him there, playing sometimes. I will take him there, before the meeting, and leave his toys and food there. It should be okay. I do not know if he would act nice during the meeting, so it is what I can think of. I know he does not like it, when others are being mean to Sen, Lin, or me. He makes faces, and growls. Same if strangers come too close, that he does not like. Or if they are cats. Better to leave him to play, yes?" They had left him in that safe space that Sen had shown her, a few hours before. Her doll from the carnival were there right now, along with a few other things, and she could make sure her ball and tower were there too, when they had to go to the meeting. It were quiet and safe, so it would be good. Worst case, she would leave him int he dark realm with her unformed siblings. Mother would make sure they did not accidentally hurt him, and he'd be safe. It were also familiar to him. Maybe they could even leave him with Mother. he seemed to like her too, though she might have other things to do. ======================================================================= @EQ_Theta "I think my goals are too materialistic, and my methods too questionable, to suit the life of a priestess." Scarcity smirked a little more for a moment, as she imagined herself in such a life. Wearing the robe of a priestess, humble, bereft of fame or fortune. A simple life, yet also one where she did not have as much of a say in her own fate, as the life she had now, and she had gone through years of planning and execution, to free both herself, and her sister, from a life where they needed to be subservient to others, and do as they were told. No, she would not be a trophy wife for some noble with influence, nor would she be a priestess. Though some would question the morality of what she did, she were perfectly comfortable being who and what she were. Though of course, the added benefit of being an alicorn were a nice addition. "Still, I can see the allure, and the reason one might go such a path. I judge them not, long as they find purpose in that, which I know many religious types can. For instance our dear Stone Matron, a priestess herself." "An archivist, and a scholar, can always find work, long as one direct their attention towards the correct avenues. Considering your long history too, I can think of several that would be thrilled for the mere chance to offer employment in some regard. Getting to be an ambassador is likely not an easy prospect. Too many threads to cross there to make it even somewhat viable, and it would raise questions. Though that said, neutral negotiators have their uses, for both military and private usage. You're not intimidating enough for the... Shall we say, *Private sector*, but I may have a few ideas how to utilize this towards something useful. Without requiring physical force too. As a matter of fact, I can think of an avenue where refusal to harm might be an asset, rather than a detriment. let me look into that after handling with your papers dear, and I will return to you about that. As for the last, I would think the title of Mystic most fitting. Many have gotten used to that being the title for the religious and magically specialized, when it comes to the zebra, and other of the more recently contacted races. The minotaur prefers shamans, but the overarching title are still present. That said, as you have been so for spirits that are now unknown... Yes, it will be tricky, but I may have some ideas. However, I do require more information from you then, darling. So, to begin with, you spoke of those spirits another time. Would you think of them as Nature spirits? The way you have talked of them, made it sound as if they are, or were, responsible in great part to natural disasters potentially happening, among other things. Is that correct? Furthermore, I will have to ask if you would think yourself above serving towards the religious beliefs of others? And in that regard, how might you think about observing and catalogue several, from the perspective of someone that knows the respect and devotion that being one causes? I would think it somewhat prudent to also ask, if you think of temple maintenance, would you have any sort of reservations, about who you would work for, and how are your mind set, in regards to being... Open-minded, about who, or what, might be the center of praise? I may know of an... Unconventional way, that your skills could be put to use. Nothing which harms anypony, I assure you." There were some ideas floating around her head, but she needed to know more. There were work to find, for the religiously minded, even if he could not simply make potions or charms, and sell them, like the zebra often did. ...Actually, she had not asked about that part, had she? ions. "While I remember it, are you capable of making anything that might be of interest to others? Peculiar charms? Potions or elixirs? Magical trinkets, perhaps? You'd be surprised the market there is for homemade peculiarities, with a cultural significance. Especially if they are magical in nature. Even something as minute as a feeling of warmth emanating, or a good luck charm of sorts, can have value to tourists and the like."

Sorry for the delay again folks. I have had to go help family for a bit. I should be back and at it within a few days though, and hope to speed up my replies in general.

@ZiggWheelsManning @Randimaxis Okay, after trying to blow up this gate for months, I think I've made some dents in it. Just you wait, I'll blow this thing up so hard! Hmm, or maybe blowing up the wall Around it would be easier... Hol up, I'm gonna go find myself some fun toys.

@Illiad Easle Hah! Early reply in ya faaaace.

@Illiad Easle (Null and Cherish) Null ha halted, as she heard the voice of Elef. This wasn't the sound of some beast that were struggling with bloodthirst. This were an all too familiar sound, of someone who had just about given up, and just wanted it to be over. Something that she had known well in her time, even if she hadn't given in... Too far, anyway. Elef however, seemed about ready for it. And of course, this were the point when Arcade came in. Not in a state where it looked like he wanted this, but prepared to do it, as he gazed upon the same scene that she had. One that didn't look good. And yet, it actually looked better than it should have, didn't it? She had the eye of Vengeance on right now. If he had hurt her, why wasn't his vengeance score or whatever it were, increased? Why was she covering behind him, instead of trying to hide? This wasn't adding up to an attack from him. Not when she actually used a few braincells, over just initial assumptions. Cherish meanwhile, were struggling in her own way. The ghost were oddly enough, helping her thoughts right now, as the spirit went through the same situation as she just had. A flailing of stone, cuts and bruises, staining pale fur with blood, and Elef standing over... yes, not a monster. Not a monster in this room at all right now, even. Just him, and - as she noticed when the voice escaped her muzzle, and she looked up, still covering somewhat behind Elef - two other ponies. Void's sister, and- Wait, why did he have a knife? She were about to say more, but Null were already over, blocking Arcade from getting close to Elef. "Wait! I don't think it was him." "P-Please don't hurt him." Having cleared her throat, Cherish would speak up, her voice desperate and afraid, as she opened her eyes, and looked up towards Arcade. "I t-thought you were monsters, and I panicked. Elef didn't hurt me. Not the g-ghost either. P-Please, just put the knife down, and take us home? It's scary here." If Arcade had tried to push past Null while/before she had explained, Null would have blocked him physically if need be, before he were going to end up making a mistake that were gonna haunt him for the rest of his life. Though something she said were going to make her confused, and wanting answers. What ghost was she talking about? ======================================================== (Void) Crow wouldn't care about the noise, and just dig. If anything would try and come at her, she'd torch it, or burn it. Though more than likely, she'd just cause a ruckus, while she worked, and the others approached. ========================================================== (Ranger) He were too slow to notice before the paper fox stole it, but after that, he knew that it was that one. Who else would it be? No one else had been anywhere near his tail, and now, the picture were gone! Sure he believed he were not an idiot, but he also knew he wasn't perfect, and had his limitations. Knowing that sort of thing, kept one alive, rather than being so cocky that you ended up getting stabbed by a smarter predator. Speck on the other paw, did find the picture somewhat weirdly enticing, but it couldn't carry something so big in itself without unfolding to a point that would take enough time, for Kozue to notice, and take it back. No, the smart move were to hide it. It were small, nimble and could fly! It could easily go over to the hiding spot, and take it before they were done here. Hay, even if they went out from another route, it still could. it knew where the entry were, and any monsters? It could sneak past them. Big, heavy things anyway, more than likely. No big issue at all. It wasn't in need of feeding right now though, so storing the food for later was better. It had napped and stocked up before they left the hotel. It were as topped up as it could be at the moment, and gorging did nothing. Nice knowing where there were a little power boost if it needed it now though too, in case Ranger needed it to charge up. Or well... Was the picture even good for that? Sure it could eat it for the colors, and making sure it wasn't enticing as a possible replacement for itself, but it ate letters, more than images. Big area with lots of color? It didn't really do that much for it. But it might be a cool new color it could work with? It would think about it. Might be it needed it to patch itself up too, in case something bad happened. Anyway, when it waltzed back, Kozue would look at it with a small sneer, and narrowed eyes. "I give you a lot of leeway here, Speck, but there's a limit. Give it back." Speck would shake it's head. "I said, give it back! I need that picture, or I can't find the divine one." Speck would still shake its head, then dodge to the side as Kozue tried to use magic to grab hold of it. He wasn't focused enough right now to be accurate, with this nimble little thing, that kept jumping around, behind objects, using Ranger as a shield, etc. Honestly, it were amazing that they didn't somehow interfere with the battle, but she would be able to handle it nice and easily on her own, without getting interrupted, or have anything on her/herself, getting tucked at. "I swear, I made you, and I can darn well unmake you too! I want that picture!" This were - maybe surprisingly - more boast than reality. While yes, normally he would be able to unmake one of these, the extra magic it got from that weird metal, that it had in itself now, would actually be able to shield it from him trying to. He couldn't snuff it out, and at worst, he could forcefully unfold it, burn it, etc. But he couldn't just snap a finger, and remove the magic that kept it going. Not that Speck knew that, so when it heard that part, it would jolt over to Ranger, hiding behind her, whilst letting out a rustling sound, that did still carry the notion that it were spooked. In case it hiding behind Ranger, wasn't clue enough to that. She might have to step in here, before these two fools messed everything up for them. ============================================================================ (Grey) Neither had much experience, in how things went on around here, but free entry like this? That was about as unbelievable as the city getting hit by a tidal wave. It went against the usual exclusivity of the place, and the passed out bouncer didn't exactly make for a very convincing sight either. Yet it wasn't something they could sort out by handling the potential interloper. Creatures were still pushing in, making the elevator useless. They'd had to find another way, and there really were only one. "I'm afraid to ask, but-" Yannit changed disguise to add wings to her current disguise of a high end mare. The very same she used to have, back in Canterlot, before the war caused the world to go downriver. One that no one around here should know. "We'll go up." She took flight, with him - using a disguise that he thought complimented hers, but were already a pegasi - letting out a sigh. "Here we go." And with that, he'd follow her, as they flew upwards. The plan? They'd get to the right height, and smash their way in through a window if needed. Yannit had seen others smash their way out, so it should be possible. If not, then maybe they could convince someone on the inside to do so. Well, he'd gotten in then... *gulp* It was a lot easier last time. Yannit and Craven were there, giving him orders, keeping him in check... It was a simpler time. But nope, not this time. This time, he had been yoinked away from his regular duty, and had to rush here, in disguise, to try and help stop a full fledged attack. Though how he were supposed to do that, he wasn't sure. Thoughts went back towards the floors he still had to clean up, before he had to pretend to have a stomach virus and rush off to find a toilet. Not the most glamorous exit, but he panicked! And the bosses had told him to go instantly. It was the first non-violent idea he had. WHich were amazing in itself, as sometimes in the past when he panicked, he uh... Went down darker paths. Maybe that is what they wanted him to do here? Make... Make a mess? Nonono, that was silly. He were just close, that made a lot more sense... Right? Uh... M-Maybe he should try to find someone, before he got ideas... But who? There were not a lot here he knew. Sure there were some important looking ones, but how did he know that they'd listen, or were in charge? The only ones he knew that had authority here, were The Host himself, and uh... And uh... Oh bother, he'd h-have to find Ninja, didn't he? Well, maybe if he were lucky, he'd run into The Host first, but either one of those had to be his target. Hopefully he'd find them soon... With that in his head, he'd strike out, looking for The Host, or Ninja. The latter would probably take him more serious, but scared him more. Maybe that'd give him some credence though? Hard to say. It'd be frustrating, but they couldn't do anything else. Though some would take the same choice as Yannit had, and fly upwards, looking to see if the spectacle up there were part of what they had to help with. All changelings helping in this capacity in the air, would pop in every once in a while, only a few at a time, and none would be in disguise.

@Ionic Sunset Did it work well as an intro? (edit) I just noticed that I forgot to tag you in the post. Dang it! xD

@Illiad Easle I just wrote some things at the parts with the Grey, and with Ranger, that I figured made sense. I dunno how the picture, or Red will really react to things, but this is my best guess on how things can go, but it is open to interruption, of course. And yes, Speck is more worried about the picture being used to make a new one like it, than it is about Kozue. I have decided it doesn't wanna share attention that easily.

@Illiad Easle Have to catch a bus, but I will work on the rest of the post whilst on said bus.

@Illiad Easle (Null) Dig, dig, dig... Finally! Time to get going. She'd squeeze through, and be on her way, on high alert, as she assumed that sooner or later, she'd be needing to attack something. ======================================================== (Null and Cherish) Cherish weren't dealing with things well here, but she were alive, and Elef putting himself between her and the cave, did give her a bit of comfort, though she would be closing her eyes, trying to get herself calmer, and thus missed it when Null came in, and saw the scene that were definitely not in Elef's favor. Wasn't his fault, but how were Null to know otherwise? She just came in to the light glistening in Elef's fangs, as he stood over a bloodied and shaking filly. Sure she wasn't dead, but it still didn't look all that great. "Elef! Get away from her, before I make you." Null would go forward, muscles tensing, and look at Elef with narrowed eyes. She wasn't gonna just outright attack him and try to snap his neck. That would be crazy. But she were ready to toss hooves, if he did something stupid. Might be Cherish didn't look the best, but she were alive. They could still stop this from escalating too much. Maybe her choice of words could've been better, if that were the goal, but again... It did really look like he had already had a snack, and were about to go in for his next bite. How were she to know better, at fist glance? ======================================================== (Void) Crow would ask where the tunnel were, so she could go there and begin to dig right away. She were the best equipped to dig out of them all, barring any equipment, due to her claws, durable hide, and strong limbs. She could go get a head start, so they could get in as soon as possible. Both her and Void, would need an entrance size that would likely mean others could go in first though, but she didn't care. Crow just wanted to do anything she could to help Cherish. Even if it were mostly to dig through sand like a common animal. It were irrelevant, when it came to the possibility of losing her friend. ========================================================== (Ranger) As she were working on the damaged door, Kozue's thoughts were on the picture, and some links that he could already make in his head. To think they had been so close, and yet they had completely misinterpreted everything! But he, he were kitsune. He knew them, and would be able to find the divine one. He just needed some peace and quiet to work through things. Starting with that picture, that were stashed in his tail. Couldn't risk it falling out of his bag, or losing that, no. It were too important. He'd feel ticklish for a moment, as he felt Speck jump over on him, and fiddle around on his back, then poke his ears, before jumping down and nibbling on his tail. It were probably feeling bored, so he just ignored it, and focused on the door, his thoughts, and the noises from a distance. While another sound that definitely did not sound comforting would next come, he'd jump slightly, and that's when Speck would pounce, grab the picture, and then take off, while he were too distracted to notice. Speck might not be the smartest creature int he world, but it had seen how odd Kozue had acted, after getting hold of that, and didn't want him to keep it. It figured that it was one of two things, since he didn't want to share it. Something bad, or something he intended to make into another like itself. Either were unacceptable, as Speck wanted to grt all the attention from these, not some upstart made from a picture. And if it were bad for Kozue it'd suck too, or something. That too, right... After it nicked the picture - the image turned away from itself - it would dash away from him, and go hide the photo under some rubble, while the others finished their thing. Speck would return before long though, yet even if Kozue would notice the picture being gone (I don't know how it affects his mind if it's taken from him) Speck wouldn't give it back. Regardless, there were hardly any time for it, as Kozue would have to focua on putting up the camouflage spell again, and prepare for whatever creepy things were in there. Speck could cast its own, as evident when it had done so to Ranger yesterday, so it weren't in danger, even if away for a bit. "I can fight. Just don't complain about me using dirty tricks." Fighting headon were often not the smartest for his kin, as they were more agile than brawny, so they tended to mostly make use of that agility, and their magic, to fight their enemies. Might be a minotaur could punch them several meters away in one swing, but good luck connecting in the first place. Seeing the first abnormality, made Kozue raise his eyebrows in shock, while a shover went down his spine, and his tail poofed up briefly. This were a nasty creature that were shambling towards them. Hopefully it couldn't make them out, and they could simply sneak past it. Just had to make sure not to touch it. Might be he could cloak them, but being invisible, were not the same as being intangible. They'd still need to watch where they walked. Eslecially when facing things like this, where he really didn't want to know what would happen, if it got hold of them. Nothing good, that much were certain. ================================================= (Grey) Under better circumstances, Craven would've been happy to spend some time debating that he hadn't been praying, like Watch had said. He had been begging for orders. Not like one speaking to a deity, but more a very confused peon out of his depth, needing orders. Or like a cultist, asking for direction from the cultmaster. Either way, he did not see Grey Mare as a deity. She were an imposing mortal, who carried a heavy burden, that were important for order to be maintained. She were one to admire. Not pray to. But right now, were not good circumstances, so he'd just accept and then read the expanded orders they got afterwards. Especially after they had seemingly been spotted by Red. Wasn't all else that had acted cultish, so it had seemed fine for them to not follow that, but regardless if it were that or not, she had seen them, and adter making some childish theatrics, she came directly to them, spewing threats. Now, threats to them were one thing. Frankly, being picked out here, one expected it. But to threaten Bling the way she had, made Craven's spooked face harden. "And we will all defend her with our lives if you try, you hiveless fool." Wasn't much time to do or say that much more, lest Red had some sort of retort first, before she dispersed the clouds beneath their hooves. Yannit sure hadn't a word to spare on the matter, as she were too busy analyzing the situation and thinking on how they could strike her down, to have time to waste her breath on Red's taunts. As they were sent tumbling down, she would act fast, and grab hold of Craven, before steering them downwards to the streets, then between buildings, tossing the gear on her, and telling him to do the same until they hit a container. Well their gear did. The two of them would have transformed into cats when they were in a blind angle, and be running away, seemingly from the noise, along a half dozen others that had hung around the dumpster at the time. Craven had sometimes questioned her on why she had Mongoose and him run through escape drills with harsh judgement, if they weren't smart enough to do so properly, but right now he were thankful for her demand that they could act fast, if the situation demanded it. It did mean they'd lose the knife, but they could come back for it later, and regardless, it wouldn't work right now either. Red were no longer a changeling, so it likely wouldn't kill her any better than any other blade could. When they were sure Red were gone though, they'd return as disguised ponies, grab the weapons, and be on their way. They didn't have time to resupply, so they needed to use what they had. Yannut did have her tools stashed behind the dumpster though, so there were a chance they'd be there when she returned. No need to let good tools go to waste. After that, they'd be on their way to the Stacked Decks. Lest something had happened otherwise, they still had a job to do, though Yannit would take over command now. Craven had done well, but this had spiralled beyond what were reasonable to expect from him, at this early stage of leadership attempt. It were best for them all if he fell in line. If they informed him of this, Mongoose would also join them at the Stacked Decks, but it depended on if The Grey wanted to have him leave his current assigenment for a bit to assist in this. He wasn't too far away, and had experience in drawing blood, so he might come in handy here. As for Bling, she would respond to the information by sending out a call for those willing to fight, to go and help defend the Stacked Decks, as well as medical staff, to tend to wounded. Though they were told to ideally not kill anyone, but focus on subduing enemies instead, if it were feasible It might not be their hotel, but she were part of their circle of leadership, and if The Host fell, it would disrupt the town substantially. Not to mention that he might only be the first casino head to roll. Might be that they would come for all of them, one by one. Bling didn't like fighting, and she wouldn't partake herself because of it, and Bruce's insistence that she stayed here, along with a personal guard regiment he would summon to keep her safe, just in case. She might well have gone and helped the medical staff if he hadn't, but he were right. She couldn't go and endganger herself so foolishly, when so many relied on her. It did make her feel uneasy, to have given her first order of aggression essentially, though at least, she had tried to do so the best way she could. Asking, instead of demanding for figthers - several dozen would show bit by bit, as word spread through the changeling "Hive-vine" - sending healers to save lives too, and asking for pacifying, rather than killing rhe enemies, if possible. Bling hoped that when her mother would one day return, she'd understand the decision that she had to make today. Things were sadly not as small scale, calm, and simple as they had been, when she were still with them. Cheshire... Where in the world had you gone off to?

@Illiad Easle I assumed as much, and have been pondering what to do about it. Which will be handled mostly in the next post. Gonna take advantage of the fact that I have a little chaos goblin in paper form to my advantage. :3

"How long, have it not been?" The strange voice wafted in from the deep, thick foliage of the forest, though it got no nearer. "To wander freely in the light of day?" The voice sounded as if two were talking in tandem. Harmonious, and clear, yet if you focused, one could make out that one voice were raspier, and the other somewhat ethereal, though they blended together if you did not focus on it. "Untold years at first, then decades to come." It were a female, and it came from a nearby clearing in the wood. A large ring, filled with flowers and grass, as well as two things oddly out of place. One being a jagged spear of crystal, that jutted out from the ground, roughly two meters in height. "All the while, longing for even the most minute trace of the sun's glow." The other being the one who spoke. A very peculiar sight, to put it mildly. It was a changeling queen, her belly being white in coloration, though that were not the strange part, as much as the fact that she were covered in clear, light-blue diamond, in the shape of a deer. The layers covering all of her, like a thick suit of clear armor. Though the queen's horn were covered in gems too, it sat between two larger deer antlers, made fully out of the clear, blue diamond. "What strange times, to be free to sit beneath its glow, and ponder such things again." This were far beyond just the concept of a statue, or armor though. When the queen spoke, the deer did too. Every breath, every movement and blink, were done in tandem, as if the diamond covering her, were as alive as she seemed to be. This were no ordinary queen, that were for sure, yet she seemed peaceful, and were alone here. No drones or guards to defend or accompany her, and she seemed to simply stand there, looking upwards, and thinking out loud, in what she had likely assumed to be a vacant forest. barring the normal critters, that were, but they were not what one would consider regular talking partners. "Though still, the sun does appear different somehow." ============================================================================================== @Catpone Cerberus "Sometimes you gotta flex some muscles, so folks don't go and think you're a pushover. Can't say your mom were wrong there." Glutton wouldn't go eat too much on the way, as she wasn't feeling like it, but they did get near a moss-covered rock the size of a full-grown, male minotaur, that she'd pick up and shove into her mouth, crunching through it like it was made out of pork rinds. Pebbles rolled down her face, landing on the ground, and as they passed, she'd snap her fingers, and the lot would grow into a cluster of other rocks, each around half the size of the original boulder. "Mortals are all about claiming they adapt well, and listen to others, but I've not met a lot that's willing to compromise, before they know the other one can punch back if they get to uppity. One of the ways we ain't so different, you and us, hah!" Mortals were such a peculiar bunch, but she'd give them that they did have some things in common. Depending on the immortal, a fair few too, but there were a lot of variance to go with there. Gods though? Now those were something else, but what did you expect? Gods worked on a whole other level for the most part, so they were bound to be a little off. "Ain't nothing special to keep in mind in town though. Try not to eat anyone, and you'll be alright. That includes their pets. Ponies gets very attached to them. Makes some very worried, if they even think someone would eat one of them." She'd grin, the dog leash stuck between her teeth dangling out from her maw. Didn't shock the locals so much, but the tourists? Those she could always rile up, and often did, for the sheer joy of it. What? She might be a good Draconequui, but she were still a chaotic demigod. She needed her fun too. "Frankly as you're with me, some might think you're one of us. If they do, have some fun with it, and mess with them if you want. Ponies are very animated little things. Won't work on the elder dragon though. They've seen too much to really fall for a lot of tricks anymore." Wouldn't be long after this, that she would push a large tree aside, and they'd hit the outskirts of the bustling city. Well, the park near the forest anyway, but they'd just need to walk through that, and they'd be well on their way. Glutton would lead on, and while the two got a lot of attention, most did the smart thing, and just got out of the way, to let them pass. Like sardines against a shark. A filly with big buck teeth, and an impish grin on her little face though, got nearer to Glutton, making the draconequui stop briefly. The filly rose a hoof, and handed over a picture that she'd drawn to Glutton. Who'd in turn, pick it up, have a look at it, and let out a large laugh, that seemed to make the nearby folks more skittish, though no one came and tried to grab the filly away. Glutton would take the picture, and slam it unto her right bicep. The paper would seemingly evaporate, judging by the steam escaping through her fingers, and when she removed her paw, she now had a tattoo, of a clearly youngling's art, that represented a crayon painting of a trash can, with the upper half of a huge dog in it, maw open, while a bunch of various fruit were headed towards said open mouth. This were clearly meant to represent Glutton, and it appeared that she thoroughly enjoyed it. "Good work you little rascal. Now go hop along, before your momma starts going white, yeah?" She'd ruffle the little one's mane, who'd giggle under her touch, before she lounged forth, hugging the huge draconequui, and then taking off, towards another part of the park. Glutton would keep them moving after that, a bigger grin than before on her face, as the tension around seemed somewhat lifted. Though there were still plenty of eyes on Asildae. Likely a larger problem when they got to the stone and mortar town. "Heh, kids can be some funny folks. Ain't a fear in her head for me, and she always gets so excited. Can't help but bring a smile to my face." Mortals weren't so bad, a lot of the time. Timid and scared? Possibly, but some were polite and treated her like just about anyone, and others like this kid, found her cool, and at times even drew her pictures. And this one had been a funny one, so she'd keep that on her fur from now on. Wasn't the only one either, but most of the others were under her clothes, barring one just left of her mane, on the back of her head, that looked like an extremely detailed rose, made of spaghetti. =============================================================================== @Catpone Cerberus Magma looked on with great fascination, as he presented the way that his *healing magic* worked. It were certainly not the way that she had expected it to function, but that just tingled her scientific mind even further. This would prove a challenge, if it were to be solved. Which of course ideally, they wouldn't have to, and that problem would be contained in another dimension, rather than become a threat they would have to handle. But it were still nice to run a thought experiment on it, and try to think of how one could deal with such things. "Highly fascinating. So your healing functions somewhat like time manipulation, where one reverts the injury to a previous point, where it were unharmed? Visually that is. It would indeed make it quite difficult to deal with. As I assuming that anti-magic does not negate this effect for some reason, one would need to think of a way to do continuous damage, over a long period of time. Hmm... Perhaps several rods, of continuous force of magma, or some sort of more volatile wild magic, plunged into vital organs? Even if the damages were healed, the rods should still be in place. Though depending on the situation, I acknowledge that if you slowly moved, every time you did get healed, you would inevitably get loose from them. Wild magic is also rather finnicky, and not prone to last forever, when meeting with constant, opposing magic acting up near it. Mere speculation, of course. I wouldn't dream of doing something like that to you. I'm a scientist, not a butcher. But the theoretical work is still interesting to ponder upon. Morbid business and theoretical thoughts on how we might harm your counterpart aside though, what more are there to do here? We seem to have found what we were searching for, and I don't see traces of any survivors that left, witnesses in the area, or anything overtly harmful that we need to handle otherwise, beyond what we have found, and can catalogue at base. Far be it from me to want to end a good conversation of course, but I can think of better places to do so. Though it is of course, merely a suggestion. You are the boss after all, sir. Your decision is final on our conduct here." She simply believed they had been standing and talking for quite a bit, and wondered if perhaps this were something better done back at base, after they had cleaned this scene of what they came here for. It may be it seemed impatient, but it just seemed they'd benefit more from having everything in house, where it could be examined in a sandless area, for more minute traces, and risk less contamination from the wilderness. ===================================================================== @Catpone Cerberus "You're meant for a more civilized place than out there, my boy. Nothing but death and misery to be found. This here's a lot nicer of a place, but there's plenty more around the world. Tell you what: I'll go take you to the Dragon isles someday. Full of dragons, but usually more family matters and loving. Long as you stay clear of the water dragons. Now, i might have enough sway for them to just think you as suspicious, if you hang around with me, but in general, most agree it's just better to leave them alone, rather than risk them beating the tar out of you, for getting too comfy in their territory. Though they're still better than out there, since they got a good family dynamic with their own. My dad had the rare chance to join in on that, and have a loving, loyal mate for the rest of his life. And then he had to ruin it, by going and cheating on her, while she were laying on their eggs. Honestly, his own fault she killed and ate him. Just a shame my birthmother smashed all the eggs too, since she felt betrayed by him. All but mine, who'd gotten stolen by a sneaky diamond dog who wanted to prove she could do it. Heh, Dimma always loved a challenge. She were not too thrilled to see me at first, but we're okay these days. Maybe we'll swing by when we go, and you can have a look. See what a purebred water aligned dragon can look like. Don't mind if she growls, it's just how she warns you to not try something dumb." Compared to how things were out there though? Her mother was a warm, welcoming saint. "Yeah, we're the outsiders alright, heh. Nice meeting you all. My name's Leviathan." She'd rise a hand in greeting, with a warm, cheeky grin on her face. "Nice color changing. Is that magic, or something natural?" She dug that sort of thing. Sure it seemed a little involuntary, so it might be something like a mood affected thing, but it was still rather cool. As were it, that they seemed to have more eyes on them than this. Wasn't someone close, but she could feel someone starring, and looking around, she'd find that it were someone aquatic. Now weren't that something? Someone she could relate to, had seen them. Might even be her, that was the focus here, eh? Probably not, as it seems Charir and Ruby were all the rage, but she'd like to think that it was her. So after greeting these three, she's rise an arm high, and wave slightly, whilst looking back at the one in the water. Afterwards, while lowering her arm, she'd close her mouth, and seemingly twirl something around in there, as if she had a hard candy. Then with a deep breath from her nostrils, she'd breath out a pale orb, roughly the size of a tennis ball, and mostly see through, that'd travel towards the blue dragon, blowing on a small gust of wind. And once it got near the dragon, it'd either pop by itself, or said dragon could pop the sort of smokey bubble it with any sort of impact, and Leviathan's voice would come out. "Hey there. We'll be over there, once we're done talking." Could she have just kept it at the wave, and waited? Yes, but she liked showing off, even in small ways. And it was good that several had gotten interest in them! It meant folks were curious, and questions were far easier to deal with than teeth. Besides, Charir could use the socializing. =================================================================== @EQ_Theta "So you do not want me to feel your pain, but it helps to share it? I do not understand." It seemed complicated, but then, there were a lot of nuance to grasp that one properly, and when it came to emotions such as pain, Omen were still mostly fumbling blind in the dark. Both in regards to why it should be shared, when it were not meant to, and how it didn't go away. Were the meaning of healing houses, not to make the pain go away? Did she need to take him somewhere? "The one that brother has a friend in? Yes, I remember that bakery. Maybe if I buy a pie, she can explain it? I can try. And I can eat anything, but I do not need to. I just want to try tasting things. There are many tastes out there, and more keeps being made. In trash cans, there are very many. I still think I like fire the most. It makes me feel something. ...I do not eat creatures. Mother would not want me to. Though I know some of my siblings do. Their masters tell them it is important, with the shapes they have. I think Mother is okay with it, long as they did not harm anyone themselves?" She had not really asked into it, as it didn't seem important. Just the way that some of her siblings had to do things, yes? That were normal. Or well, for them anyway, with how they were after being shaped. She were an exception, rather than the rule, when it came to how she functioned. Sure the lack of sleep were universal, but usually they still had to eat, had things they could not devour, etc. Discord had just transferred his own weird spin on Omen, when he shaped her. "I did not try to track him, but I did get his scent, when I licked him in the ear, yes. I can find him, if I focus on him." She could tell the direction, and distance he were, if she focused on it, but it were a conscious effort to track someone, not a passive one. And she had generally not thought him worth the time to track. Maybe she had to now though? At least she would feel him out this time, just to get an idea of how far from here he were, and when she would have his scent, she would look directly in that direction. "Yes, I found him. I will focus on him now and again, and see where he goes. And if you tell me not to send him away, but us instead, then okay. I can do that." She would show this, by opening a gate beneath her, which would swallow her up, before closing. Then she'd wander out of another one, that would open next to where she had been standing before, and closing it while done. It were not how she would want to do these things, but Ghilan were a friend too, so she would listen to him, and do as he asked of her. It just required a bit more focus like this, but she had done so before, and could do it again. "I do not know why he bothers trying. He is too weak to do anything to me." "I do not get concerned, and Fheng is weak. I do not need to think more about him. What is it you want to talk about with Shrimp? Should I wake him up for this?" Shrimp were having a nice, long nap, and it would be best to not interrupt that. Plenty of excitement for him in Mother's realm, and that left him needing to replenish his energy. Considering the talk about him, would likely include how he should be left somewhere else, it might be best he didn't hear this, and get annoyed at the strange longma. Best that his caretakers would come to tell him that later. ================================================================== @EQ_Theta "It is an interesting, but complex study. I only really listen to it in terms of the way anypony can, but certain scholars could talk you an ear off with their findings and theories. I will admit that some of the finer details are above my head, but then, that is why I pay for their expertise, rather than handle such matters myself. I find it makes things work wonderfully smooth, if the more... Tedious academics, are allowed to do their thing in their own ecosystem, to the point where they can accurately describe it to the average laypony. It helps me to relay the important parts to others." She were smart, but she only had so many things that she could know, and keep track off, before useless information began cluttering her mind. And frankly, she did not need to know the finer details of such theories. Only the important parts, and as such, she filtered through things. She also had a lot of things on files in various locations, just in case though. Running an operation such as hers took quite a bit of information. More than could be realistically kept in her head at once. As well as various things to use as bribes, of course. one needed evidence to make threats tangible. And in her position, she would not last long, lest she could make others concerned about what she could do to them. The notion of a haunting, made Scarcity's nose wrinkle, ever so slightly. "No, there is no haunting by a previous resident in This home. Though that have been a... Consideration in other places, over the years. I did scoff at the notion of ghosts, once upon a time, but I have done what I do, long enough to have seen many things that others would consider impossible, or far-fetched. Including spirits, both natural and post-life manifestations. I have needed to call upon members of the Macabre Clan several times, because a poltergeist, or other such apparition, have lingered, and potentially caused havoc. Enough to know that there are tomes full of various types of manifestations, making it quite a fortunate event, that Equestria have their clan to help. Though they cannot handle natural spirits. Other professionals are needed for that. Costly ones, I might add. A far more delicate matter, sadly does require better compensation. But you get what you pay for, and I want for excellence." "I require the most valuable thing in this world: Information. I will need to know specifically what your chosen line of work is, in enough details that I can translate that into more modern terms, if necessary. To work in Canterlot, you will need permits, legal residency, tax papers, and a myriad of other forms. Banalities that I can have arranged with little effort. But your professions will need to be covered well with various additional information too, to make it more modern day legitimate. The more I know, the more authentic I can thus have it made." Information were power, and that were the weapon she held better than most. But for it to work the best, she needed something to work with. As much as possible. She would go to one of the drawers, and pull forth a block of paper, and a pen. She always considered that to be essential to keep around, just in case, so all her houses had some laying around, in case it were needed by her, or any future resident. Using her horn, Scarcity would float them towards her companions. "Are you capable of writing in common, as well as speak it? Or would it be better if I wrote it down myself?"

@Ionic Sunset Aight, I'll try and write something up here tomorrow, when I'm working on the rest too.

@Ionic Sunset And then I forgot again... Darn old man brain! But yeah, Queen Dia'thiz would be ready when you are. It's all about how you'd want things to begin? Randomly in the forest? Wandering into town? Someplace else in Equestria, or even beyond? She can show up pretty much anywhere, that there is earth, as she and her brood can traverse by essentially encase themselves in diamond, that then digs through the soil, rocks, etc. Sorta like moles, except their tunnels collapse behind them. So tell me, how'd you want it all to begin?

@Ionic Sunset Ooooh, I was thinking about someone else. Sorry. And holy heck, you're right! I completely forgot!!! I am so sorry mate. About time for me to go to bed now, but I'll look it over after work tomorrow.

@Illiad Easle (Cherish) The pressure were gone? While it were welcome, it did make her stumble a few steps forward, as she had adjusted somewhat to it affecting her. Though sadly, it did not mean that the presence were gone, per se. As it turned out, it seemed that said presence, had instead just moved out of her, to instead manifest in front of her. A filly, by the looks of it. Not too far from her own age, at the time of her death. At least that is how she assumed it worked. Wasn't like she had ever dealt with ghosts before. Before she could even utter a word though, the spectral filly came with a warning. An ominous one about monsters, just before a sound came from behind. She couldn't tell if it were from either of the branches back there. Could be it were even coming from the exact point where they met, and it were creeping ever closer, about to do horrendous things. Now, Elef, she didn't see as a monster. Something weird had happened, and the mental images she had gotten just before were... Disturbing, but it still hadn't looked like him. Not really. She could tell herself that at least. But talks of monsters, in this already tense situation, far from home, and with a sound coming from behind... It returned some memories. Images of other survivors, screaming and running, being torn apart, or full on eaten. The sound of bones and the feeling of blood spraying across her face and wings, vividly popping back into her head, as she could almost smell the coppery scent of blood, and hear the unspeakable sounds of various creatures they had encountered, while trying to escape from a different horror entirely. She stood, her eyes not seeing what were in front of her for a few seconds, but the fear were notable, as it almost seeped out of her pores, and shone in her eyes. Her lower lip quivering. It eventually culminating, in a low, fearful voice eventually escaping her mouth. "N-Not again. Not again, nononono!" It rose in volume as she spoke, and when done, she'd jolt in whatever direction seemed safer. Away from the sound behind her. Away from the monster, that were nearing them, ready to gobble her up, like others of her friends before her. Elef might be dangerous, but right now, he were not the monster she were afraid of. Though if he seemed threatening at all, she'd whimper, and jolt away from him too. Fear controlled her actions now, over rationale. Something she'd feel sad about later, if she managed to survive this whole ordeal, as it meant she were neglecting Elef. Though if he'd provide comfort o, or leadership right now too, she'd go to him, covering behind him, and whimper. If the spirit wanted to interact with her, or even take over, she'd find it much easier now, that Cherish weren't thinking straight, and could honestly do with someone taking over, and try to make things right. Be it her, Elef, or anyone, really. Anything were better than whatever were roaming towards them, surely. ================================================================= (Ranger) The plaque itself was still well attached to the wall, but the adjoining door seemed intact enough that he could try and get it open. It seemed to operate on a keycard system, and a low enough security kind that it could be convinced to open with a careful application of magic, if he felt so inclined. "I-I'm sorry, but I have to know." He'd go over and use his magic to open the door. He wasn't massively technical, but this one thankfully seemed easy enough to deal with, and if one of the many-tailed ones were in there, he had to get them out. Now more than ever, his kin could use the guidance of one of them. Yet when he did get it open, he were met only with a wave of disappointment. The room did not house anything living. It instead presented itself as a research area, where one had collected evidence and data, to try and track one down. Everything woefully out of date, with how the world had collapsed upon itself. All these clues... There would be nothing to work with. Cities had burned to the ground, the witnesses likely slaughtered, or having much more important things on their mind at the least, and scattered all over the place... Nothing here were useful. Just the sight of a room, where once someone had found a trail for one of the many-tailed ones, and eventually concluded that one should not look for them. Good advice for other races, but for the kitsune, one of them would have been a sight for sore eyes now. A beacon for them to gather around. Much better than his small amulet, and flickering hope that there'd be enough of them, to rebuild what they had lost. Even though he wasn't even sure if any elders remained at all to lead them. He doubted the actual elders, who had before were anyway. Not with how they had acted in the end, to try and save those that remained of them. Might be they'd have to appoint a Zhakaahmi - essentially an elder in training, when a town lacked a kitsune of sufficient leadership and wisdom, but a younger one were capable - but this time without someone to oversee the process... The future yet looked uncertain and bleak for his kin. (if there is nothing behind the sheet) His tail and ears slumped, as he gave a last look, before returning to Ranger. "I had hoped that maybe... *sigh* I suppose it was a fool's hope, that things would be so simple. We should keep going." (If something is, ignore that, and interject as needed) Regardless of how that went, things would proceed the same. Even if he'd feel sad, or anything else, they still had something to do, and Ranger relied on him doing his part. So he'd push through his disappointment, and get to work on things all the same, his spirits evening out - no puns intended - as he looked for clues of a spirit. "It's horrible, but zombies would be worse. At least with monsters, you won't have to be faced with someone that you once knew. A minute silver lining, in this bleak place." This place was dreadful. Monsters devouring others, scientific *experiments* that treated the young ponies like easily disposable things, sacrifice of others just so a few of them might live... This were not a good place, by any sense of the word, and he looked forward to leaving this bastion of hopelessness and death. "Sorry, the zebra just made sure I knew this one by heart. I wasn't a specialized spirit talker, even if I know enough to tell if something is off. But I think this technique works until it reaches an end point? I dunno. Lemme try. Worst that can happen, is that it fails." He'd try again, and it did go further than it had in the enclosed room, as the smoke bounced a bit off the walls further down. If their wayward spirit she had been roaming in this area, it would cling to at least a trace of that, and give them some indication that there were one, and they had been nearby. If not, they'd just have to keep moving and try again every once in a while, even if it did slow them down somewhat. If they found an essence, Speck would float over to it, and look at it curiously. A scan near the feathers showed nothing, so maybe it meant that there were no spirit here? He hoped so at least, because this looked messy. He'd ask, but it seemed... Insensitive to do so, as she seemed saddened by the sight. Understandably so, if it were what remained of one of her friends, which he assumed it to be. His ears perked, as he heard hoofsteps. Nothing ethereal about that, since as far as he knew, souls didn't have that sort of weight to them, unless they possessed something. Now earth spirits were another matter, but they were here for souls, not nature spirits. Which he doubted were in this area anyway. They were not thrilled about taking up residency inside closed facilities like this. It were too removed from nature itself, and he hadn't noticed any in the area before this regardless. The desert were maybe too dead, or still in natural turmoil, so it left it uninhabitable for them. Sadly, this were not the only sound, as others followed. Some rather... Less than comforting sounds. It seemed they had woken up something. Scratch that, multiple somethings. How lovely... "You heard that? Someone else is here, and they're waking up the locals." ==================================================================== (Null) It hurt, seeing him like this. Angry at her, for not telling him what had happened. She had just tried to help someone. For once not simply punish, but try and help another, and give them a chance. Instead she might have put another in danger now, and failed her coltfriend. Hopefully when this were done, nothing bad would have happened, and he would understand why she had done what she had. Though the doubt were gnawing at her now. Especially due to an innocent filly being on the line here. "I know, I just... I went with Vengeance, to punish evil folks. Seeing a kid who had an accident, it didn't feel right to ruin his life, of that of his friends, who had to live with losing him too. I kept telling myself I'd do it, but then I just... Never got around to it. And now my indecision have brought a filly in danger. *sigh* Let's just hope we can get both of them out of this safely. I can lament my failures later." Wasn't hard finding the trail, so that was good. Though the entranceway were somewhat blocked. A minor cave-in perhaps? If not that, then something might have tried to block it, to avoid their escape. She assumed the first though, as it wasn't that hard to clear up. Just took a bit of knee grease, and she'd be inside of there fast enough, at which point, she'd follow the trail to find the kids. Hopefully they hadn't gotten far. ==================================================================== (Void) As they neared, Void would get up on deck, and look around, seeing if she could spot anything that would be a clue, or maybe if Crow had joined them with any news. But unless something had stuck out, Crow would at best be flying nearby, still keeping watch, but likely having found nothing of importance. Though she were worried about what they were going to find. She wanted to get to Cherish as soon as she could, and keep her safe. Her concerns about others, and usual avoidance of conflict, would be set aside. Even if she had to kill, she were going to get her friend back. ====================================================================== (Grey) This were why Yannit hated dealing with fools in charge. Smart beings were calculated and methodical. It worked for them, because they were patient and wise. It gave you time to infiltrate and learn. Potentially also interrupt it during that time. It were a slow process, but it had a higher chance of success. Red were an example of dealing with a fool. No foresight, no planning, just gather the goons and go. It were gonna be more akin to a chaotic mess than a well turned out plan, where it were just about rushing in, trying to overwhelm your enemies, rather than making a surgical strike. It was something that did not work, against anyone with the foresight to protect themselves properly, and more annoyingly in this case, it left them with absolutely no time to stop this, before she had put on that dreadful thing, transform into some sort of feathered monstrosity, and rushed off. Of all the irresponsible beings he could leave in charge, why were it her? Craven meanwhile, felt sick. This were wrong, on so many levels. They had been close enough to see the whole thing, as they had moved to the front row, and while she were still pony-like, even he could tell that Red were no longer a changeling. She had abandoned her own species for power, and a chance to strike at the order of town. Even if they were outcasts from it, this were extreme. This were so much more, than simply change, like Thorax's hive had done. This were unthinkable. It were also happening too fast for him to do anything. They were leaving, right this moment, and there were no opening for them to strike right now. The attack were happening. The only option here in his mind, were to follow and while on their way, whisper to Yannit that if she got the chance to strike Red down during this, to then do so. They couldn't afford being lenient or hesitant again. Not with how things looked right now, with Red changed into this... Whatever it were, that seemingly had a mild enthralling effect on the pegasi. Or it were because of her now more imposing stature? He hadn't a clue, but they had to go, and try to stop her during this attack now. It were going to get ugly, and they were going to need reinforcements. A LOT of them. "Grey Mare, I beg of you: Tell me what to do. Tell me how we can stop this." He still wasn't sure if anyone actually listened, when he thought back like this, but he hoped they did, or that at least they had seen it, and had orders. This had gone leagues above his paygrade now, and he needed orders.

@Ionic Sunset Good to see you again, though I am pretty sure I made the last response to you.. Didn't I? If I am wrong, I am so sorry! O_o

@Illiad Easle Hi. Sorry for massive delays again, but my keyboard broke. Thought I had written it here, but apparently, I forgot that. Bloody typical... I can get a new one tomorrow I hope, but yeah, can't write proper until I have it. Trying to write on the phone irritates me, as it's harder to have a good overview and stuff. I promise, the next response after this, will be less than a week. I'll sit up all night if I have to! (Edit) I found my spare keyboard! I thought I had tossed it.

@EQ_Theta "Maybe. Master Discord did many things, and most forgot about him. So many I asked, had never heard of him. Perhaps that will be the same with us someday? Hmm, I will have to remind others then. Keep telling them what were done, if it goes well. Perhaps that will be important." Omen would last long, long after her friends were dust in the wind, and while they might be forgotten, if they ended up opening the Longma to the outside world, she would be around to tell their story. Make sure that they would be alive in memory, if nothing else. Making sure they were not forgotten, like her master had been, seemed like it could be good to do. Something important, in a way. Though she'd need time to think over that more. Maybe even ask her master what he thought. Discord were not dumb, just playful. He could give wisdom too. "I do not understand your pain. Maybe I never will. But I will help you to make things better, yes. Perhaps things going well, will make the pain... Smaller? I am not sure how to say it. Pain is a strange emotion." While she could sympathise with him, to an extend, Omen had never experienced pain. She did not know what it were like, and without that knowledge, she couldn't understand the pains and turbulence that Sen and Lin's lives had tossed at them, because of their kin. She tried, but there were just things that were beyond her, for better or worse. Yet she would want for their pain togo away, as she understood at least as much as pain being a bad thing. Usually meaning something were wrong. As their friend, she wanted them to be good. Healthy and happy. Not in pain over things. Especially not a sort she had no idea how to even identify. Rosa being hit by a statue were easy to understand. Mental anguish were very, very complicated. "I sometimes eat trash in Canterlot too. There are some strange things in their bins. One time I was picked up by a strange truck while I was sitting in one, and scrambled into a big pile of things, that were put on a ship. I think I surprised the birds when I dug my way out to look around. There were many smells there." Usually there were safeguards in place to stop that but as Omen had been in the bottom, covering herself with a layer of trash, to see what sort of being would come, and what they threw out, she hadn't been noticed. Especially as she didn't call for help. She had just let things happen, and didn't move around until she heard birds, and wondered where they were now, that had birds. If she had stayed on the boat, she would have found herself headed towards the garbage dump that housed Glutton, another of Equestria's more tolerable draconequui, but she still didn't know about that, and at the time, had justwandered through a gate, and then stayed at home, until Mother told her to take a bath. She had spent a few days at the bottom of a waterfall after that, zoned out and thinking, until a school of bass had started to hit her in the face. "But ponies do make strange food. Many times, I just see them eat a fruit. But then they mix all kinds of things, and put them in the warm box, and then different food comes out. Pies are very mysterious." Omen were not picky about how the food might taste. But she also wouldn't eat a lot, because the others needed food, while she didn't. So she tended to just gnaw on things others didn't like, like sticks, or hot rocks. Or just a little, when real food were there. Better it went to those who needed it to not go hungry, yes? She had been told that sometimes, in the past. It made sense enough to her. Omen would rise her head, gnawing as on some of the meal, and coating her tongue in the substance. It were a strange feeling, so to her, it seemed good. Same with burning food. The more some tastes stuck out, the better in her mind. "I do not know what else you should do. You make others look here, and I keep Sen and Lin safe. It sounds lime things are okay then, yes? I do not like your hunter. So I will not speak with him, and will try and ignore him, because you asked me to. But if he tries to go after Sen or Lin, I will send him away. Maybe not to the forest, but just back to somewhere else in the village instead? Would that be better?" Omen tilted her head, looking at Ghilan for answers. She did not understand all ths subtleties, nor cared about them all, beyond her promise to the hunter, in case he went after her friends again, but Ghilan were friendly She would adjust things, as best she could, and do what he asked. She just had to be sure what her limits then were, in case she had to do something. "I am not dangerous. Mother tells us to not hurt others, and I listen to her. But we can defend our masters, with our gates. Send threats away. Sen and Lin are not my masters, but I will still defend them. They are my best friends, and I will not let a weak one hurt them. ...Would he go after someone weaker than him? Us gone, there is no one here, but what of their grandfather? Old means weaker, yes? Could they try something against him?" It popped into her head, after repeating that Feng were weak. Though this time, not to his face. He was just a bully, and nor.allt ahe just send those away or left, but maybe he would go after someone weaker than him, to try and hurt her friends? Maybe it would be best to check up on their grandfather several times, while they were on their way. ================================================================ @EQ_Theta "Why of course, there is always a need for some to do the dirty work, that others prefers not to stain their hooves with. I am a prime example of such myself too, in a fashion. Hence the need of grouls like that of Shade Stealer. And no magic is perfect. It happens some retains, or regains memories, but ask yourself the following: Would you publicly speak of something you have no proof off, and inevitably gain attention by the very same guard you were once part of? Or would you understand that to avoid being taken in and potentially having to serve more of your sentence in jail, or in the squad, or even worse, it would be best to keep your mouth shut? Considering Shade makes sure to get the teports of his former workers, just in case, any rebellious thoughts will be met with a warning, and if ignored, he will deal with you. I have yet to hear of one of the rare few who remembers, trying to speak out after that. Some level of secrecy is vital for covert groups, and if needed, they do have authority to silence you. Best to avoid that." The fact that she had one who did remember vividly, feeding her information as she regained more memories, in exchange for a comfortable sum of bits of course, were not something important to share right now. Scarcity had promised her secrecy too, when they made their deals, and she stood by her word. Especially when she so often got delightfully juicy secrets fed to her. "In regards to other worlds, it is a convoluted theoretical study to explain in full, but in simple terms, then yes. There are other worlds. Dimensions really. Entire universes different from our own, in subtle, to not so subtle ways. The one with the humans are among the middling ones, eith some being far more alien. My dear Hammond have been delightfully informative about things. He does not understand the details, which I do not fault him, but the realm he is from is somehow between dimensions. It is how his kind have access to any world, and there are plenty of stories of the places where his siblings have gone, that came back to tell them of their lives. The variety is fascinating. If you wonder how we have connections to some other worlds, there are certain banishing spells that can be used, but the stable connection, like that to the human realm? I haven't the faintest idea. Somehat annoying, I must admit." "The guards can't enter and search without reason, but sometimes some of my associates do something foolish, that makes that happen. Secret compartments means they can hide their more troubling possessions. And the fact that I know of those compartments, means that in the worst case, I can have them emptied in their place, before someone more noisy might come searching closely. It rarely is the case. Quite frankly, I just find some secret compartments to count as good hospitality. Most of the time, they are hardly used, and if they are, it is for personal objects they worry about getting lost. This house specifically, you are the first inhabitants. I bought it after the old widow that lived here beforehoof, sadly passed away. Her descendants had no interest in the home, so they had no issue selling it to a housing project that made contact with them. Especially with the state it were in before. I paid a fair price for it, and had it renovated within standards to the local rules. I assure you there were no underhandedness in this, beyond hiding who the true owner were. And as renovations were done, I had some hidden compartments added. You can ignore them, if that if your want. Keep in mind, I will not inform you of other associates og mine in the area, or if they may be hiding something. Just as I would not do so toyou, were the tables turned. You will have your privacy here, such is my promise, and I stand by my word, lest I am given reason to fall back on it. I doubt we have have any such issue. In regards to tourism, there are some who come to witness the old scene, as it were, but there are rules that this part of Canterlot cannot be modernised. It makes it rather hard to compete with the flashing lights, and modern comforts of the regular Canterlot, and especially Las Pegasus. Besides, the locals are not too fond of it either. They enjoy their peace and quiet, and prefer the tourists that comes here are more interested in history, than where their next rollercoaster ride may be found."

@EQ_Theta I will add your responses later today, when I am on the bus. My PC restarted and I lost all progress, so have had to scramble to get even Catpone's out in time. Sorry about that. :/

@Catpone Cerberus Glutton grinned, and loudly cracked her knuckles as she had got the permission to have some fun, once they got there. At least with the mindless drones. Granted, she didn't need permission, as she didn't go take orders from mortals, but her new friend here were a fun sort, and had her own reasons for wanting to go at the hive, so she'd respect her on this. Which did help, by the fact that they agreed on things so far. It were gonna be a good time too. A long trip for sure, but a good brawl, against new enemies, in a strange land? Now that were a tasty experience, that made her eager for a feast. "Sounds fun. Outside's better too. Means there's more room to flex my muscles." Sure she could mess around inside, and there were something to be said for smashing through a wall, mouth open, but more open space left room for more creativity. "I'm sure it's still there. Even the dumbest leaders, tend to accidentally keep some parts of things running. You should've seen how it looked when Discord ran things here in Equestria. If he can keep at least a bit going right, your little usurper can keep her prize active for a little. Ain't much of a usurper over her, if she can't even run a bunch of puppets, and pop out some kids." The tallest buildings in the distance were getting in sight, with the large dragon from before seemingly being in front of the top half of the largest, as if she were looking at something in the upper parts. Equestria was a weird place. ================================================== @Catpone Cerberus "I personally find it unlikely you will end up like this, Mr. Vaz. There are so many different variables from this world to yours, and what happened to cause the original power surge, if you will. There might be long term changes with you, but I doubt it to be akin to your other self. Though of course, one can check up over time, to ensure that any changes are catalogued and compared against previous information, to see if there's a degradation occurring. I'd be perfectly capable of running some non-invasive tests if it's needed." She wasn't advocating that they were gonna gut him and check his innards here. She weren't a butcher. Simply some minor tests of blood pressure, blood type, and a few hair, claw, and scale samples. Nothing invasive, like cranial extractions, or other such questionable, and potentially deadly tests one could run on creatures. "If you say constant injury would function, I assume it also means that severe damage could if not defeat him outright, it might at the least hamper him temporarily? Say if he were covered in lava? I feel... Conflicted, about doing such a thing to a living being, but considering the state he is in, and the issues he might cause, in case he came here, I can look look past my own issues, to do what must be, for the greater good." It would at the least be quick, in the case of most beings. Being burned from the below to top, would definitely hurt, but if you aimed for the head, the lava would more or less instantly cook the brain. Death would be mercifully quick, even if it were still sitting unwell with her, if she had to do such a thing. Alas the world were not always nice, and as such, those who aimed to defend others, sometimes had to do things they did not like, if it meant others would be safer for it. ========================================================================= @Catpone Cerberus "Yeah, but I had to prove myself to earn some degree of trust. Helping her when she broke her leg, and not having any interest in messing with her treasure, were a start. Besides, I'm just her friend, yeah? You're family. That's closer, especially since you both suffered under your mother. That's some shared trauma that brings you closer. Besides, you're such a lil' cutie. How can anyone get mad around you?" Wasn't that simple, with how their mother were, but y'know, normal creatures would be on her side, she were sure. Just their mom who didn't have a heart. Least that were what she were gonna tell herself, cause those who disagreed, could take a frost-breath to the face. "Yeah, it's kinda weird, but I think it's the same reason that sugar is a word of affection. It's about being sweet, and that's usually a positive thing. Sugar over spice and all that. Honestly I'm just guessing. It's not like I made the language. I just use it." It made sense enough to her at least. While they all had their own, older language, and in some cases like with Charir and Ruby, their own language entirely, regular tongue were mostly based on Ponish, and ponies did like their sweets. Also some rather affectionate types, so they had a lot of words in the same vein. Almost melted her heart, seeing him say that he liked she were nice too. So adorable to see him struggling to find the right words. No wonder really, as it wasn't like affection were celebrated around here, but it were still utterly adorable. Especially once he began making faces to show something he didn't know how to say in words. "Awh, ain't you just the cutest thing, when you try and look like her? She's a bit cold in it, but I think it comes with the area out there. Can't show weakness, or you'll invite someone meaner to try and stomp you. That's not how I think it should be though. To me, family's not just mate, breed, then discard. It's about finding someone you can connect to, raise a family, and stay in touch across generations. Like, Old Gretha for instance. She has around 15 generations of offspring, and her several-times grandwhelps still seek her out for advise, and protection. Just imagine how much an elder dragon like her knows. Over 15.000 years of wisdom and compassion, that she gets to share with her family over and over again. From her oldest, to the youngest of her brood. It's a whole thing in her line, to make sure the kids comes around to see their progenitor, so they get to know her early, and she treasures seeing how they thrive. That's what family is to me. Love and affecting, spanning generations. I couldn't live like they do out there. Fighting and isolating one-self all the time. It sounds so... Lonely. I come from a perspective of pack over all though. Dimma made sure I were raised the diamond dog way, so I'd always understand the importance of family, and helping the pack. Even after all these years, I make sure to keep that going, as her descendants and their pack live above my cave, and knows where to go to hide, or for help. But dragons where I'm from, still isn't that far gone from that ideal, like I said with Gretha." She'd place a hand on his shoulder, kindness almost shining off of her face as she finished her little monologue with a final sentiment. "That's what I'd want for you too. You deserve more than just struggling to survive, and act like an animal. And long as I'm alive, I promise you, that you'll always have me to turn to." Whenever someone looked towards them, Leviathan would grin, and wave towards them, or at the least nod her head. The latter especially towards the larger dragons, as she assumed them to be authority figures, or at least strong enough to deserve a more respectful greeting. Yet she would greet around regardless, and be happy to chatter with anyone who might get curious. It'd be good for Charir to see that a positive attitude could be a good thing, as even if no one would speak with them right now, least if anyone remembered them, they'd at worst think of a few weird ones, or perhaps some friendly new faces. Not much of a minus in this to her. Out there, with the Death-bringers? Waaaay different story, but she were not going out there willingly. Not until they'd at some point, leave the area properly. It were horrifying. Even if no one would stop to chatter, the library would be a fine destination to arrive at, sooner or later. Always there you'd find knowledge, and knowledge were power. Well, to an extend anyway. Sometimes, a fist to the face were more powerful, but going to the nerd palace were still a good way to get smarter, and know when it were time to throw fists too. Oftentimes, smarter to use your words first. And yes, she knew she were a bit of a hypocrite thinking that, considering the times she'd used her magic to cause harm for seemingly little reason, but... No, she got nothing. Guess she were just a hypocrite at times, hah! "It's a nice place here honestly. Dragons working together, to stay safe from the wilderness, and learn from one another. A safe haven like this is a good thing to have. Probably also helps that I assume that any especially egregious behavior gets punished by being sent outside. I can't imagine that's something a lot here would want to. No offense, Charir, but out there? It's the most horrifying thing I've ever seen. It was almost like I could feel the despair clinging to the air. The pure lack of hope, crushed by the raw law of might equals right. Rough place. Not somewhere for a couple of runts like us. Me especially. I'm sure you'll grow more. Me? I'm snack-sized. I'd end up as someone's toothpick."

@Catpone Cerberus Sorry I've not gotten it done yet. It's coming along, but things went a little haywire suddenly. Would be nice if things calmed down, so I could get back into the rhythm,