Blitz Boom

@@Randimaxis,

@@DwhitetheGamer,

(a few minutes before Dax would be brought to her office)

As she set down at the front of her office, Ziggy was pleased to see that nopony was here yet. Considering the plume of dark smoke, anypony that were already here could mean that the damage was done and that it was somepony in serious need of help, which and in that case every second were going to be precious. Which wouldn't be good when you considered that she still had to open the door and clear the medical bed she mainly used for patients.

She didn't use it for paper and such often, but there had been a lot of paperwork to fill out last night, as well as an inventory list to complete, so she had left the papers spread out there, thinking she'd have the time to clean them off quickly this morning. A chance she really shouldn't have taken, but it wasn't like she could see the future and know that today would start with fire. Best she could do was to accept it, give thanks to the patron of luck that she were here before the worst and not after it, and then promptly get to work sorting the papers and putting them on her desk.

When somepony would eventually show, she would just have finished putting the last stack of papers over on the desk, and at the noise of the door opening she'd turn on the spot and see what the damage were this time. After she got a bit of a shock from the whole door-opening-without-warning thing that were likely going to happen that was. And the fact that her patient turned out to be Dax, whom she had hoped would never end up here as a patient.

Not that she had anything against him, but it was more like if he were here, then it had to be an emergency of some kind, and after how helpful and forgiving he were yesterday, she wouldn't wish on him to need medical attention for anything other than perhaps a flu shot.

Oooooh... Whoops, hadn't seen that Drwhite was heading for a medical room in his last post. *facehoof*

I'll set up Ziggy for being in her office when I get home, and set it around 2 minutes before Dax gets taken there. Should fit then timewise.

My sincerest apologies for not noticing at the time. Hopefully, this will manage to all line up well, despite me slipping up.

@@Brianna Changeling,

Happy grinned. Like always, a way to a changelings interest went through their stomachs. A bit of an oversimplification of things, sure, but it was true in the base form often enough so that he could glance over it.

"Well, there's the alcoholic at the edge of town that's only out once in a while. She isn't saying booze is his master, and plays it off as just a loner, but I know the look. An easy target if there ever was one, though you'd need to wring her a bit for love that isn't connected to the bottle.

The next pair is actual loners. Took them a while to get near enough, but I made them spill a little tidbits here and there and apparently they're on the run from somepony, and afraid to make close contact with others. Lovers on the run from the amount of love they ooze off I'm guessing, and a plentiful meal if handled the right way, as well as easy spots to fill out for a reconnaissance team.

The last one's a trickier sort. A vendor that sells pet food, and from what he claims, he hunts down the animals he uses in that himself, with a spear, so he's not useless in a fight. Still, he's an outsider, even after living here for some years. Something about him spending a lot of his young days around griffins, but he was a bit vague on that. Important part still is that he's alone, and a gullible sort who would be easy to slip something to in a drink to make him more manageable for transport. Adequate drone material if you'd want that after the meal I'd reckon.

A few less customers in the long run, but eh, I'll manage easily enough, and it's not like these are the first I've gathered info on along with the recon just to have bargaining chips or lunch. They can think I'm their friend all they want, but in the end, they're all sheep being drawn around the nose 'til it's time for dinner."

A bit cruel to think like that, and more so to say it without the shadow of remorse in your voice and a smile on your face, but what did others really expect? They were changelings, not clowns. They hunted, they manipulated, and in the end, they'd consume and convert. Whatever else happened were all fake, unless you were a weak-willed little thing that thought their food was actually worth treating like equals.

"Have your pick, or take the lot. My treat."

________________________________________________________________________

@@Frosty Frost,

@@Summer Breeze,

"We're not crossing the ocean, we're making a pit stop so Frosty here can see if he can earn himself some of the gems he want the hard way. Besides, I could use more of them before going on myself, until I find an adequate source to get them from in Equestria.

We can set up camp there and be out of dragon country tomorrow if we get up early, and the porters are still where I remember them."

Nerzhei concerned herself with just the base of things and answering the question at hand. Considering what they were going to do there, the point about setting up camp was a fair thing to have going, and it would give her further time to harvest samples for her research. Might be that every sliver she could get would end up more precious than gold, depending on how the area where around this forest she had to settle down into now.

*sigh* living in pony country. What wouldn't her parents think if they heard this? Or well, her father at least. She knew well what her mother thought about everything she did, and frankly, she didn't care much for her opinion.

"So don't drink the ocean? Got it."

Blitz didn't know what rummaged in Nerzehei's head, and likely wouldn't care too much if she did hear it right now, she just giggled at the further thoughts about how the beach might be from what Summer told her and bounced a little more in place, thinking about all the potential in a beach. New experiences were fantastic, and even more so, were trying to find new things to make explode! She loved that part.

Giggling about that kept her going as they walked onwards, and would eventually see the outskirts of an ocean in front of them, though still some way to go still.

The water were vast and stormy from the looks of things, though appeared calmer the further towards the shore it came. From this angle it were hard to tell what the shore was like, but as they'd get closer, the streaks of black would come through clearer as the volcanic ash mixed with the sand got into view.

It was desolate down there, even if it were looking somewhat inviting. Apparently, not a lot around here cared for beach trips, or it was just an off-day of sorts. Regardless, they'd have a lot of space to themselves.

______________________________________________________________________

@@EQ_Theta,

"Sometimes, ponies never get used to you. I tried to show myself to them for many years, and it was usually the same as back when master vanished. with them hiding and screaming. Still, this place seemed more inclusive yesterday though, but I think we had to wait for a day for things to change. The first time went much like this."

It wasn't too far off at least. Ponies seemed to hide faster, granted, but they were three outsiders now too, and one of them they hadn't seen before.

The ones looking for guards of some kind wouldn't have much luck with them currently though. Ponyville didn't have any real guards of their own, and were mostly reliant on a small police force for regular stuff, and the former bearers of harmony/the princess of friendship near them to handle the worse things. Sure, there were some Solar Guards that were dispatched here to help Twilight Sparkle for the time being, but they were all gathered in a camp outside of town and it would take some time to get to them.

This just left the sole Night Guard of this town really, that were likely to be getting a lot of ponies at his door in an endless row trying to make him come out and do something, and him having to explain to them that these weren't trouble-makers.

Perhaps the guard were right. Ponyville might really be a test to see if he could be overworked to death, intentionally or not.

Regardless, unless somepony would get in their way, they'd get to Fluttershy's cabin soon and when there, Omen would knock with a hesitant hoof on the door, not sure what to say when the door was opened yet. Depended on how the timid, yellow mare would react she supposed. If she were even home that was. She might be away for some time and had forgotten to turn off the candle.

@@Illiad Easle,

@@Randimaxis,

Though all of what Illiad told her were greatl fascinating, and certainly held some surprised here and there, it wasn't until the strange crystal that were Selena came forth that Ziggy's eyes really started to glitter with glee.

Even after how long it had been since last, she couldn't forget the day when she had first seen this fantastic little creature, and meeting her again - as well as giving a discreet, small wave towards her - were almost making her vomit up a rainbow. She hadn't had the chance to speak with her back then and find out something more, though Illiad had spoken a little on her behalf, and she were dying to find out something more.

Sure, it was all top level hush hush, and she knew that, but it was just so exciting.with all that she had seen her do back then, when Illiad was unconscious on her table, and it peaked her curiosity to think of what were to learn from her.

Besides, as she had thought, she wanted to say hi and perhaps, if it was possible... Speak a little with her this time? Not through Illiad, but an actual conversation without the filter. That'd be something, she were sure of it, but perhaps it was just dreaming a little too much. Illiad had said he were busy with the trade agreement, and since he were here to see Dax and Silver beyond that, his time was probably pretty booked up.

Still, she'd see him later, that was certain. Euler wasn't getting away from this quarry without getting hugged if it stood to her, and she'd strike when he least expected it. Getting him right, Illiad might actually have to peel her off his bodyguard with a crowbar, but it had to be good then. Better that she tried to make some sort of attack plan before giving it a go likely.

Since Illiad and Euler were leaving anyway, she resigned herself to be thinking on that angle and give them some peace. For now at least.

"See you later Illiad. You too Euler. And next time, I am gonna get you."

She giggled a little and waved at them until they had turned fully to be on their way, before she did so herself and zigzagged through the air towards the quarry herself, though she wasn't entirely sure where to go. That was, until she saw the thick smoke rising a little away and stopped dead in her tracks.

Smoke like this were never good news in the quarry, and she really should be over there helping if something more was on fire, but if there really were that, there were only one place where she really could help when it all came down to it: Her office, prepared to handle anypony who'd come in with burns.

Much as she'd like to go there, she flew over towards her office instead, prepared to play the nervous waiting game, which were not as fun as it sounded. With some luck, she'd *win* the game and just sit around anxious for a half hour before realizing that nopony got hurt - see? No fun at all - and by then just hope that it wasn't too late for breakfeast. She could really use something to nibble on before lunch.

__________________________________________________________________

The Quarry - Lunch Trailer

Behind the lunch trailer, where the trash would be put out, a can laid on it's side with the insides scattered over the nearby area. There hadn't been much in, thankfully, but it were enough to leave a mess behind, and from the looks of it all, whoever had done this had sorted through a few things, as if searching for something in the trash.

Did they have raccoons on the loose?

@@Seamore Sandwich,
@@GingerLightning,
@@Quinch,
@@Lonk Chase,
@@Denim&Venom,
@@Mentis Soliloquy,

Last hit the ground with a thump, and a barely audible whimper escaping her in the process.

The attack she had aimed towards Nemo had done its job it seemed, at least from the looks of the pony that had gotten loose now, and there was a deep gash that she likely could take credit for as she had sliced at the thing, but as were bound to happen eventually, she had been struck herself too.

As she got up again, she could feel the red droplets going down her side, along with some dulled pain, but she did what she could to ignore it. She couldn't stop yet and lick her wounds, especially as... As...

She looked confused as a few pair of eyes focused on her before they were running away. Usually that wouldn't be a problem, but she hadn't been able to be seen by anypony ever since she were forgotten by that thing before, just as she hadn't been able to really grasp unto things.

Last tried to push to a barrel next to her and were surprised to see that it budged when she hit it. Did this mean that... Were she free again? What had done that? Had it something to do with the strange field behind the demon?

"Now I remember you."

The voice got her attention, but she didn't have the time to really focus on it before she was lifted up on strong winds and rushed over towards the cloaked figure of Zhu, that kept her in the tight grip of air as his yellow, shinning eyes watches her.

"The bearer of the blade, whom I had plans for, but couldn't remember. The one who had to carry a shield I brought, but gave to another that have hidden from the battle. Interesting."

"These winds... You are responsible for-"

"You have better things to focus on, than to place blame for things that have passed. The end of a world are in our midst, and you are needed in the battle. Other blame you can place when what must pass have done so."

Last didn't know who this was, but this basically made her think of him as as much of an enemy as the thing that tried to destroy the town. He had all but admitted that it was him that had trapped the town, and made potential victims out of innocent ponies,a nd he should be punished for that!

Yet, she could do nothing. She couldn't scream for help, as the winds cut off her words, and her movements were locked down. She were helpless as he got closer and placed a paw on her forehead, whispering a few words with a forked tongue whilst something burned into her mind. Something that didn't left a mark, but made her feel as if her mind were on fire.

"For what it is worth, I am sorry."

With that, he rose her into the air and threw her towards the beast in neck height. He would control her movements as best she could to keep her focused on this thing, and use her to try and push it in the right direction, when he were not needed elsewhere, but for the most part she were to attack on her own accord. Which she would, now that he had meddled once more and ignited the rage she had felt towards him.

He would much prefer to have simply given her the shield he had brought originally for her, but that ward had been given to another, that had not been capable of the task at hoof. With that gone, he had to resort to something even he considered to often be too far, but he had little choice. The swordsmare needed to fight, and if she concerned herself too much with her wound, it would not happen.

So she would be berserking at the beast, not caring for anything but the fight for the forseeable future, though he had to keep her well in check before she did something she'd end up regretting when she got back to her senses.

For the time being though, the path were set, and as his eyes were drawn temporarily towards the thing in the air that loomed on the horizon, as well as the faded clocktower that were but a mirror in time, he walked over to the changeling and the kitsune, prepared to make contact with them as well. A little less forcefully though, as he knew that even one who could see much in general were unwise to meddle too much with a kitsune. And currently, his eyes didn't show him everything, only the bleak future and spots of things here and there beyond what were in front of him.

"It is supposed to stand where the arrow from a time past is flying now, but it have moved to where the damage might not happen. Will you help me move it back to where it should?"

__________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, the sound of somepony galloping would be heard over near Lonk as Briar did his to get as close as he could to him. Not because he recognized him, as he had no idea currently, but because he could feel and hear the pony falling through the air towards him and wanted to do his to try and do something useful here.

"Earth-mother give me strength."

With that he stopped, and from his right side a thick vine would shoot out towards Penny, attempting to grab hold of her before she would make an impact with Lonk, but not sure if he'd make it in time, or even hit for that matter. Though the winds had settled down, there were still a lot of commotion going on around them, and it impacted his senses to a point where he wasn't always sure if what he felt were one place, would actually be there, and not some way from that.

In this case though, he prayed it were not so. The impact of the two ponies if they hammered together would likely not end all that well, and though he had the option to carry them out afterwards if the worst happened, he wouldn't want that to happen. Especially not as, depending on how they hit one another, it might end up just damaging them more to try and move them.

_____________________________________________________________________________

At the same time, over at Ashta and Ko, things didn't go that well. or at least not for Ashta, that had gotten a full hit by the tail as he tried to get some better footing and got smashed through a nearby roof. If anypony were still in there they'd likely be scared out of their mind by the sudden monster in their midst, but regardless of there being one in there or not, it would keep Ashta from the fight for a while more as he battled the intense pain he were under from the impact, as well as the urge to give in to the sweet embrace of unconsciousness.

That left just Ko, who were none too thrilled about being the lone member left of the squad that were still able to fight. He had been fortunate enough to avoid the tail coming for them as they had not been stacked too close at the time, but things didn't exactly look good as the once four-ananasi strong team were almost decimated.

Mistwalker, who would have the command if Ashta did not return shortly, were gone, along with Carl, into a tear in the middle of the sky, whilst the aforementioned Ashta were either broken, or would feel like it considering the look of the impact area. Ko were the only one who were really left, and he had little more to do than what he were aiming for: Loot the largest of the hands to the ruined clocktower, cover it in the last of the toxin, and try to spear it into something vital on the monster.

He got the first part done now, with him having reached the rubble and grabbing hold of the pointy, metal hand. The second part were over soon as it was just a matter of cracking the bag open over it and letting the last portion flow down, which covered about half the thing, which left him enough place to grab hold of it and move forward.

The last part would be the tricky one, with him wanting to aim for the heart so there was a greater chance this would get absorbed as quickly as possible and perhaps do more than paralyze the wings, but considering the look of things, he could likely use the distraction of the other fighters here to give him the time to set some webs that would get him close enough. Preferably before the massive construction of a zeppelin he could see in the sky got close enough to make a true mess of things.

__________________________________________________________________________________

@@Hazard Time,

@@Seamore Sandwich,

@@Moonlit,

"Knight-squirrel? That's way cooler than the mimic name I came up with."

Ziggy looked impressed between Fah'lina - who were still focusing on the princess from her placement up high, if you ignored the short moment when she looked over at Succulent with a mixed look of perhaps wanting to play along with what she said, and throwing something at her - and Princess Luna herself, who honestly were the first pony she had seen thus far that knew what sort of creature this were.

There were so many things she could ask about what the princess knew about the little, furry menaces right now. Like how they got that name, where they usually came from, how rare they were, general life expectancy etc.but it seemed like a bad time for that. The princess wasn't here to talk biology more than likely, and if it were, that was likely to be more in regards to Serenade.It was her house after all, so it stood to reason.

"Anyway, what brings you here Princess Luna? Important stuff I bet. Something private with Serenade?"

There were a lot of secrecy in the ways she had to handle things the last few days when Princess Luna got involved, so it was natural for her to ask if it was hush hush, siren and princess stuff. She couldn't exactly say that it was that, since she had promised not to tell anypony about what Serenade really were, but that was besides the point.

________________________________________________________________________________

@@Wolves,

"Here's hoping it'll only go up from here on out then."

Raising his drink towards them, Happy took a last, good gulp of it before he put the cork back on and sat it down behind him. As he could feel the relaxation from it he had aimed for, there wasn't a point in keeping on drinking this, beyond just getting drunk, and as tempting as it seemed to be to drown this day a little, he had to keep himself in check around others, or end up exposing his true self.

Granted, he might not really be taken that serious as he were, by far, a lesser evil right now, but who were to say that the others wouldn't instinctively just pin him to a tree or something if they found out what he actually were? He wasn't entirely sure what civilians did to changelings around these parts - and he didn't want to know what the guards did - so it could be worse, or less severe with just some screaming, paranoia and wanting to know what was going on, but he'd rather not try to find out right now if he could help it either.

He were having doubts the two would panic really, considering how they took things currently though. Sure, they were shaken after their escape, but all in all, they were handling themselves pretty well, and were getting rapidly calmer looking. Perhaps he should test them a little and see how collected they actually were, just in case?

"So, what're we gonna do now? Running for the hills and calming the nerves were pretty much the extend of my plan, so if you have any ideas, I'm all ears. Long as it ain't to go back into town right now."

__________________________________________________________________________

@@EQ_Theta,

"It is up there."

Omen was curious as to the way the two of them spoke about Discord. She had heard others speak about him in those words before, but for them, it sounded almost like they knew him and what he had done in a more direct way. Had they perhaps seen him once?

No, they couldn't have, right? They would have told her, like she would have told them. They were her friends, so they wouldn't be holding something like this away from her, that hungered for any word on where her master had been in the long ages since she had last seen him, correct?

She was probably just thinking it too much again, that were it. Yes, it would have to be that. It was the most logical explanation in her ears, and she would believe that to be the truth as she pointed out the house on the horizon, where a light seemed to flicker in the window. Candle-light potentially, but you never knew.

_________________________________________________________________________

@@Brianna Changeling,

"Oh come on, don't be like that. I just wanted to have a little fun, and Chrysalis' drones usually give a pretty decent fight."

It wasn't really a lie he slung off now. He hadn't thought much of her, and didn't think she'd be tough to beat up, but that didn't mean that he didn't find Chrysalis' drones more feisty the few times he had met some before. And he really had wanted a bit of fun, through a minor battle. Not everypony's idea of fun, but when you had been around the ponies of Equestria long enough, compared to how they were where he came from, the potential of a little brawl, changeling to changeling, were a godsend.

"It's so gosh darn dull in Equstria with all these happy ponies and the overwhelming calm. Can you blame a drone for wanting to spice up the borehole a little? Stick around for a bit and chat at least, and I'll share a few easy targets you could snatch back to your hive if you want. They wouldn't be missed for days, and it's not like I care what happens to them."

Might be she'd take off regardless, and it may be that they'd end up at eachother's throat before he knew it, but he could at least try to keep her around. He hadn't spoken to a changeling for months, and even if he hadn't come here to learn more of Chrysalis and her hive, that alone would make him seek out one just to have somepony that understood him a little.

Normal ponies never did, regardless of how informed they imagined they were. They didn't understand the hunger, the pressure from the hive or the need to hunt. They just saw mindless animals, or monsters, and it clouded any opinion they had of them. And even if their opinion were good, they still wouldn't understand what it was like to be a changeling. There was only one way to understand that, and thus far, none of those he had been part of turning had liked that process. Not in the slightest.

_____________________________________________________________________

@,

"Name's Double Chow ma'am, and you're at a small medical camp in the Everfree Forest. Good to see you up again."

He grinned to her whilst greeting, but his eyes told worlds about other things going through his mind. Some curiosity mixed with a bit of awe and concern were the general idea, which were a good deal to see there, but Chow had never really been that good at hiding every trace on him about how he felt. There were always something, though at least the ponies of Equestria weren't as good to pick up on them as they had back among the griffins. He could swear those creatures could see a bacteria squirm, and know exactly why, and they loved to use that against outsiders. At least the ones he had been around.

"Not sure what happened, but you were collapsed somewhere and a few others brought you in. Doc said you were likely just needing some sleep, but I gotta ask: You're alright?"

Normally, this would have been a thing for the doc, but he couldn't really see him right now. Perhaps he had gone into the forest to help with somepony who were badly injured on the way, or he had been called towards the shelters. Hopefully not the second one though, as they'd then be down to nurses. Not that he didn't think they couldn't do a good job, but they could use everypony thay had access to if a large group suddenly showed up again here.

@@Blitz Boom

 

I think you missed me in your last post

Yeah, missed a bunch there it seems. :/ I'll try to mend that in the next post when I get it out later but it might be some hours. Weekend enden up being less relaxing than I anticipated.

@everypony

Writing now, but will go some time. The site acted out all of a sudden and I lost the last hour of work that hadn't been saved, so need to try and remember what I wrote before it. I'll hurry as fast as I can though. Sorry for the delays.

@@Inkie Winecrest,

If you want to have some fun, and somepony to write with, you can have a crack at seeing if you can track down whoever is going around and causing a bit of mayhem in the quarry. So far, there is a  home-made smoke bomb on the outskirts to go by, but more things are to come. Might be a bit of fun for you to see if you can track down this interloper, and handle whatever consequences of things in the process?

Figured I'd extend the olive branch at least. Up to you of course if you'd want to take it. ^^

@@Illiad Easle,

@@Randimaxis,

Ziggy wouldn't lie and say that she didn't get surprised when she were suddenly tackled from the side when she were headed for Illiad, but... Or well, no but here, she were really surprised.

The way she tended to move, along with the speed she had going with her when she put the energy into it, had made that nearly nopony in her time had been able to capture her before she hit her target. Far as she recalled, this marked the third time actually, and considering this one wore a lot of armor, she were actually really impressed that he had managed to get hold of her.

Not that her first reaction beyond surprise were to praise him just yet. No, instead, before he had the chance to move away from her, she nuzzled her head against the side of his like a cat, and if she hadn't then heard what Illiad told him, she would have attempted to give him a hug too.

Oh well, her plotting how she were going to get him sooner or later would have to wait for another time. For now, she went through with what she had before and grabbed hold of Illiad, lifting him from the ground and giving him a hug so tight that if she had been in possession of an earth pony's strength, she might have broken him in half.

"Illiad!!! It's sooo good to see you again. Are you here to look for your friend? Dax is around, Mr. Blackwater too, and I bet they'll be surprised when they see you. Or did you tell them in advance? Is this part of some big-"

She shook her head and put Illiad down again, though she wasn't letting go of him completely. Her grip was pretty slack though, so it'd be easy for him to get out of her grasp if he tried.

"Sorry, it's just so exciting! I was thinking you'd never come back, and then you do, you do, you do! What brings you back? Oh right, and I'm fine. Lots to do, plenty ponies to help. Especially after yesterday. We had a lot of accidents there, but I guess Dax would want to tell you when you find him, and spoiling his fun wouldn't be nice.

But I want to know what's up with you! What've you done for this long? How long are you gonna stay? What's with the funny clothes? Who's your friend? Why did he call you Vice-Counsel, and what does that mean?"

Lowering her voice some after the first wave of the several questions she had to him, she whispered some last, hopeful words into his ear before standing to his side, letting him go if he hadn't wriggled away on his own accord before this.

"Also, do you have Selena with you?"

@@Illiad Easle,

@@Randimaxis,

"♬The quaaaary's aliiive, with the sound of pooooonies. ♫"

The singing voice came from behind Illiad and his bodyguard, carrying a bundle of joy and more energy than should really be allowed this early in the day. She had been told that last part some times before at least, but she couldn't help it. The imbalance she went through growing up had left her with an abnormal amount of energy to burn through most of the time, and it tended to show the most in the mornings, where most had trouble to get out of bed.

She tended to wake up early though because of that, unless she had spent a lot of energy the day before and needed more time to recharge, so to speak. And like most days, she had spent her time before work began just flying around and enjoying the crisp morning air in the areas outside the quarry, whistling and singing a little to herself before it was time to get to work. Some days, the good doctor was a bit earlier in it than she were now, as the weather could be bad or she didn't find that much to look at, but it had been a pretty day outside, so the few hours she had used were well spent outside and enjoying it.

Ziggy wasn't late though. Though it seemed like she might get distracted from the time and only be there later than anypony else, she had thus far not gone too late for work. Or well, she usually were on the grounds at least, but she might not exactly be working the first few minutes as much as going around saying goodmorning here and there. So if you wanted to be nitpicking a bit, then yes, she could at times be a few minutes too late to be inside her office itself, but it still counted when she were on the grounds far as she knew. And she hadn't gotten fired yet for tardiness, so it seemed she had a point thus far. Or perhaps it was just all the early starts that made up for it, she didn't know.

She weren't too far before the working day today though. From the sound of the horn before, about a half hour, which were still good enough as it gave her some time to stretch and look around the quarry, just in case there were something happening. Or like today, when it seemed like she didn't even have to go inside the quarry itself to find something happening, at least from the sight of the armored pony beneath her.

He didn't look as menacing from a distance, but it still really drew the eye to see anypony dressed up like that around here. She hadn't really seen armor often since she started here, and this one garment didn't look like the usual. At least from this distance. Perhaps she should get closer and have a teensie, little look just to make sure? Couldn't hurt just to look, right?

She didn't bite much notice in who he were travelling with right now. He looked kinda neat from up here, but she couldn't see who it actually were from the back, so her attention were still fixated on his bodyguard.

"Goodmorning."

Before she went down though, she waved at the guards at the gate and greeted them like she usually did. She weren't one who needed to get their attention to pass in, as she just flew over the gates, but that didn't man that she couldn't be nice to them, right? It'd be really rude to just ignore them, pass into the quarry, and only then begin to interact. with others.

But again, her path right now wasn't into the quarry juuuuust yet. Instead, she flew down softly, not being in any sort of rush, and landed a bit away from the two outsiders.

"Hello, and goodmorning to you too."

She waved at them both, and smiled like she tried to illuminate the area around her with positive feelings.

The look she got of them both were way better now. The armored one for example, seemed to have some patches of dragonskin covering his neck, which really weren't something she had seen before. She had barely even seen a dragon, only at a distance some years ago, and he had looked really angry at something that she didn't think she should get involved in. The scales looked similar though, so she were pretty sure this were dragonskin.

She also finally got a better look at his travelling companion. And thinking about it, didn't she know this one?

"Oh, hey there Illia- Illiad!!!"

Like a bolt of peppermint lightning, the doctor went from standing where she just had to zig-zag at high speed over and tacklehug Illiad from the side, holding him in her hooves and lifting him into the air in a small spiral with her wings spread wide, radiating joy and love to a degree where it could potentially make a changeling sick. Unless his guard had some amazing reflexes and were able to keep her at bay, though if that were the case, he'd be one of the first she had met in years that could do so.

She wouldn't care though, it felt like ages since she had seen Illiad last, even if it had only been a year. Back when all the weird things happened.

She wasn't exactly sure what had happened, but it was something with a weird stone, everypony acting all sorts of crazy, and... A draconequus? She wasn't sure if that were right, but it felt uncomfortable to try and think about that anyway, so it was better just left behind.

The whole day had been seven kinds of crazy from what little she could remember, but it wasn't much that stuck. Perhaps she just tried to repress it or something, she didn't know, but it was something that was better not to dive into in her opinion.

Besides, most she had heard from the others. For some reason she had gone frantic and started to go through all her shelves in her office before writting page up and page down about stuff they needed. And not even stuff that made sense! It was like she had wanted to try to have something for every disease imaginable, even the ones that couldn't hit ponies, before suddenly, she had just stopped and gotten back to her senses.

She knew it was him that had snapped everypony out of it, and that they all were in his debt because of it, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what he had done. She seemed to recall having him on the table afterwards though, before she burned the papers, but even that were sort of blurry.

Oh well, not important she supposed. Important thing were that he had returned, along with Selena she hoped. She were still curious about the diamond, even if she knew she couldn't tell anypony about it. Also, it wouldn't be nice to say hello to only him, but she likely had to wait til later to have the chance with her.

*sigh* Hopefully the poor thing wouldn't feel overlooked until then.

_____________________________________________________________________

Elsewhere in the quarry, a thick plume of smoke rose up into the air.

When somepony would eventually go to the source - shouldn't be long, as something burning in the quarry would be bad news - they wouldn't find something on fire though. Instead, they'd fine a somewhat primitive looking pipe made from wood with a crack in the middle, smelling heavily of gunpowder and, for some reasons, flowers. There wasn't any indicator of who had set it here, but who would stick around and take credit for a home-made smoke bomb anyway?

The question were more in why it had been set off though. What would one gain from diverting some guards or workers towards this? Were it perhaps... A distraction?

It seemed like the quarry might have an interloper snooping around somewhere.

I swear, all the fun stuff happens when I sleep. It's a conspiracy I tell you.

Oh well, looking forward to seeing @@Inkie Winecrest, around and causing some degree of mayhem (Oh, how I love mayhem) or other such issues that only friends can really get away with. I'll prepare the emergency kits. ^^

Second, but certainly not least: Yey, @@Illiad Easle, is here. Welcome back to the quarry mate.

I think that was about it actually... Huh. Oh well, plenty to do in the RP now. New faces to see, new souls to hug, and new things to blow up. ^^ The second day is already looking like it'll be great.

@@Lonk Chase

@@Blitz Boom

There is actually a page for her: https://mlpforums.com/page/roleplay-characters/_/penny-buttercup-r9280

(You're only allowed 5 links in a signature)

You can put all the links in a google doc, then put the link to that down there. Allows you to have as many linkable as you like.

_________________________________________________________________

@@Brianna Changeling,

Minor detail: Happy haven't revealed his true form. Just the glow. Trust me, his true form, when your OC eventually sees it, is going to frazzle her in some way. Depending on how well she is at handling unusual things. ^^

@Brianna Changeling

"Oh, you know how it is. You come through town and then the inn is fully booke-"

Happy stopped talking when the mare in front of him let down her disguise and showed herself for what she was: A changeling. She looked a little scrawny far as he wee concerned, but that was hardly something worth thinking about. Or well, it wouldn't have been, if she hadn't started to make demands about him coming with her.

"So, the lone changeling wants me to come along? Well, I better just do as I'm told then, before I get in trouble."

The hearty laughter that came after the slightly mocking resonse were likely not what his counterpart here had expected, but it was just too amusing for Happy to not do.

"Ah, been far too long since I had a good laugh like that. Gotta thank you for that, girly."

Happy didn't change forms as he went through the motions, nor showed himself as really any dfferent in behaviour. Clearly, he didn't take her all that serious.

"Seriously though, I'm not going anywhere. I haven't survived this long by going into other hives voluntarily. Though, if you insist -"

A green glow went over his forehead where his horn were in his real form, showing that yes, he were indeed a changeling too.

The magic was used to take one of the golden-bladed sickles he had at his side and place it in his raised, right hoof.

"- you can always try and make me."

There had gotten a somewhat challenging look over his eyes as he uttered the last words, as if he were tempting her to take a shot at him. Which he totally were. He could use another laugh.

________________________________________________


@,

"Well I'll be damned... Y'know, when this is all over and your friend's up on her hooves,we really need to have a chat. Potions like what you're talking about would be invaluable to the emergency kits for situations like this.

But that's all ahead. Gotta wait until the area's safe again first. Which remind me, should have a look and see if your friend's getting better or worse yet. Doc would have my hide if I let something happen with somepony he asked me to look out for."

There wasn't any ponies getting into the camp right now, so he had a bit of time to check if it were. Hopefully it meant that nearly everypony had gotten out at this point then, but it might just be that more were trapped in town. He were gonna hope for the first though. He might not be the most loved pony in town, but that didn't mean that he didn't wish harm on any of his neighbours.

__________________________________________________

@@cwhip9,

It was hard to say in how many ways Zinthar cursed Crescent's name when he saw him rush forward and try to make the filly realise this were a dream. He had been in a dream that had collapsed before, and had for good reasons said that he never, ever, wanted to go through that again. And yet here, Crescent seemed to try and make it happen again.

How things changed this time he hadn't any idea, but for some reason it became a lot less *horrible, agonising pain* and more just... Everything fizzling out and be replaced with a dark forest that seemed somewhat familiar.

The air were cold and not a wind blew around them, yet something was off. He couldn't say what, but it just felt like things wasn't as they seemed, though hey, at least for now it seemed safer. Well, depending on how you looked on it that were.

"That was lucky. The dream... Could have collapsed. Now, do... You feel something is strange... Here too?"

He really hoped that his lungs were gonna become better soon, though he were painfully aware that he had to get out of here for that to happen first, and before they found a way out, that wasn't happening.

_____________________________________________________________

@@EQ_Theta,

Omen nodded, but didn't stop on her road towards the house of the yellow mare.

"I don't think anything could really hurt him, but his games get strange when others try. I don't want you to be part of those games."

Not many had dared oppose him in her time. Master Discord were a creature of immense power that could warp reality itself to create or destroy whatever he pleased, with little more than a thought, and most had known that going against what was essentially a god were foolish. The few that still had, thinking it helped though, Discord had liked to put through things she didn't see others go through.

Perhaps it was what others would call cruel, but even after all these years, she wasn't sure. Nopony did things in the same manner as master, so it was hard to compare and be sure, and it wasn't as if she were asked to stay and watch. Often she were sent away around the same time, or left on her own accord as she thought other things were more interesting, so she didn't even know if the ponies got through it with a smile in the end, or with screams.

Still, she didn't want to risk it, and have her friends hurt. She wanted them to do well and hope that they all would be able to get through things. Not all getting friendly though, that she couldn't see. Not with the version of Discord that most now had in mind at least.

"I asked because I hear the way they speak of him. When I knew him, he wouldn't like that, especially not the ones calling him a monster. That word makes him angry, and I don't want him to hate you."

@,

Sorry, didn't see your question until now.

Well, basically, Minty can come in again as joining from the woods. Could just say that she went her own way for some reason (Perhaps not to be exposed by Null and Void accidentally for example) and then took notice of the commotion going on at the small camp.

___________________________________________________________________________________

@@Lonk Chase,

Penny is an NPC controlled by Seamore Sandwhich. At this point in time, there is no bios page for her.

@@Brianna Changeling,

Happy took the hoof and gave it a hearty shake, keeping up appearance, but really thinking about ways that he could - if the situation required it - get this one silenced. He had a few easy ones in mind, depending on how much she might struggle, but most of them were fairly harmless. At least in subduing her that was. What happened afterwards... Well, he couldn't exactly leave her to tell if it were, now, could he?

She didn't seem that strong, so she wouldn't be much use in the hive if it came to that, but still, he supposed his queen could use a few more caretakers in the nursery. Though, perhaps he were thinking a little too far ahead right now. For the time being, he should interact and observe, and see what he could learn. It'd help determine the path ahead better.

"Well then Cyan, can't say i expected meeting anypony out here this time of night, but I can't complain about the company. Or have I stepped unto private property again, and you're here to get me to trek along?"

_______________________________________________________________________

@@cwhip9,

"It never can... Be easy, can it?"

Zinthar had followed Crescent when he started to move to a point where they wouldn't fall down into a hole in the ground, not using the pony asd a crutch anymore, but still moving somewhat strained. It would perhaps have been better to conserve energy and use the bat pony's willingness to help as much as possible, but the cat still had his pride, and it went against that to be carried around like a helpless kitten all the time.

As for how it had gone in the meantime though,  it seemed like his morals were going to get questioned too, as the choice seemed to be whatever or not they should go for the mare screaming out for help, or go towards the abundantly obvious, malevolent presence here.

Now, one one paw, it were true what he had said before about not needing to care for the dreams they had been in, as the dreams were just illusions and would come back, and from that angle it seemed easy to just follow the actual threat. However, that had been when it was just in the halls, this was somepony's dream, and it seemed like this mare was the focus. Which might mean that if she fell down one of the cracks she'd end up comatose in purgatory.

As he had said, it just never could be easy, could it?

"The dreamer or... The enemy? Who do we... Go for?"

____________________________________________________________________________

@@EQ_Theta,

"Very well then Sen. May you have a good day ahead of you."

Stargazer did a small salute to them as they left, but added something before they were both out of earshot of him.

"And the next time, use the door please."

Outside, it had been pretty easy to find Lin, as she had just been waiting for them. Not what Omen had thought, considering the track record thus far with finding her one way or another, but it was helpful that they didn't have to go on a hunt for the elusive female, so not really much sense in putting questions marks on their fortune.

She were still acting a little strange, and Omen wasn't entirely sure what it was about, but it didn't seem harmful. Frankly, the question Sen asked Omen were more of a blow than what Lin were doing currently. Even if she did make some citizens move away from the area around her like they were fish.

"That he really changed? If he can remember me after three thousand years? Not sure. I didn't start looking to learn something. Just to find him and be of service again, like I was supposed to.

I don't know if I can or will return to serve anymore, but still, I feel the longing to be in his presence again. To hear his voice, and find meaning in things again. A purpose..."

Omen went silent as she started to move slowly towards Fluttershy's house, trying to focus her thoughts on if there really were something she wanted from Discord of any real answers. There were some that came to mind, but they didn't seem to go over the fact that she just wanted to find him. It had been something she had yearned for for so long that she couldn't even remember what it felt like before that anymore, and even if she had her doubts in her ability to just return to how things used to be, she knew that she had to find him to be sure.

Perhaps this is what she wished to learn? Her own path ahead, after she had completed her millennia old task? It was an option, but she wasn't certain.

"What would you do if we found him? I know master is not well liked, but would you try to hurt him?"

@@Blitz Boom, it's from a BBC Comedy series, Red Dwarf. Arnold Rimmer does this salute. 

 

 

Huh, I'll be damned. Not entirely the same, but I can see how it could sound like I drew inspiration from that at least.

Qhat a fun coincidence.

@@Blitz Boom, maybe I'm just reading too much into it, but did Ziggy just salute Rimmer style?

 

I just made up something, so hearing it apparently is something done elsewhere is a surprise. Mind me asking what the reference is? Very curious now. :3

@@Brianna Changeling,

Great, so not even out here in the middle of nowhere in the night were he alone.

Happy turned around as the voice emerged behind him with a cheeky, warm grin plastered on his face.

"Hello there my friend."

The mare hadn't startled him when she appeared, but rather, had irked him. It had been some time ago since his hive had beaten the ability to get surprised as easy as that out of him, though he would admit that internally, he felt a slight increase in his heart-rate for a bit. Now, if the mare had been something else than just a regular pony, or had sounded commanding like a guard, he might have gotten a bit of a shock. Not like he was mister cool himself for everything.

Whoever this were didn't seem to have taken notice of him changing forms before either, thankfully. Changeling reveals tended to give a whole lot less of a nice response when it happened, and this one seemed a bit too friendly for that.

Though... Considering this were the Everfree forest in the middle of the night, and she had gotten very close before he could even hear her, perhaps she wasn't all that the eye met. It'd be better to keep an eye out, just to make sure.

On the outside though, he wouldn't show that. Just the smiling earth pony with the tussled mane and light scarring like always, hiding the monster beneath. Unless she had seen something she wasn't letting on or could read minds, he really shouldn't be giving anything away that showed him as any less than just a happy vendor pony. Or slightly irritated one, if she heard his outburst before.

"Name's Happy Hour, travelling salespony of many a merry spirit. To whom do I owe the pleasure of this late night encounter?"

__________________________________________________________________________________

@@Moonlit,

@@Hazard Time,

Ziggy looked at the other two, bowing before Princess Luna and wondering if she should do the same. It seemed like the kind of thing that she should, considering the others did as well, but it wasn't usually how they greeted the important back where she were from, and it felt sort of awkward to think about bowing. It'd look all clumsy and stuff likely, though hey, perhaps she could just greet like they did back home? The princess were pretty old, surely she had seen Las Pegasus at some point? Yeah, it was probably okay.

Holding one hoof up to her chest, she did a small circle over her heart, then in a fluid motion took the hoof to her head and made a stance akin to a salute, but with her hoof planted directly in the middle of her forehead. She couldn't really remember why they greeted like that in details though. Something about the movements having some degree of significance, but the details was a bit hazy, and to be honest she wasn't sure how many even knew anymore contra the ones who just did it as per tradition.

"Ahoy, Princess Luna."

It wasn't as wide-spread as Succulent's greeting, nor as elegant looking as what Serenade did, but hopefully it'd do.

________________________________________________________________________________

@@EQ_Theta,

"Right then, Sen it is."

It had taken a bit of time for his response to follow, as he had followed Sen's sister leaving the room with his eyes, wondering what she were going to do. Best he could tell, it seemed like she were trying to stifle a laugh, and nothing else. Not really something that was going to give him grounds for keeping her checked up upon, so he didn't try to stop her, though he wondered if that were really all there were too it. Hopefully it was, and he wouldn't get an incident more on top of everything else that had gone on recently.

"As for Discord, if even half the stories are right, then yes, the locals aren't exactly vocal supporters of his, supposedly reformed or not. This Flutterhsy mare is apparently an exception to the rule, but I can't say I have seen anything myself. Only been here a few days so stories are all I have to go by. That, and for some reason, she ain't too comfortable around my kind. Something about having some bad experiences with bat ponies before, though the story I got seems a bit far fetched beyond that."

The whole *Flutterbat incident* were a random one he had heard yesterday, and frankly, he did't take much of it as possible. magic could do many things, but change a regular pegasi into a bat pony? Discord might be able to do such a thing, but his influence hadn't been in the story, so he'd call bogus on it.

"In any case, if you want to talk with him, she's a good option, though I ain't sure how much luck you'll have. She seems to keep for herself in that house of hers, or along some of the other, former bearers of harmony. Frankly, asking one of them for some guidance on her might be the best advise I can give, in case you want to be sure there's smooth winds in the sail."

Meanwhile, whilst Stargazer were occupied speaking witht Omen and Sen, Jelly had snuck away and climbed out a window to follow Lin, curious as to what she were doing. It might be dangerous, so she stayed out of reach, but it was still too interesting for her to pass up on entirely. At least for the time being.

_________________________________________________________________________________

@,

"Health potions? That's a real thing?"

Chow raised an eyebrow as he heard out the zebra going on about how this fruit were used when she last saw it, amongst some other things that he wasn't sure what were about. Something with how the unconscious mare had helped the Tracker guy before likely, though he were really more focused on this thing, considering everything going on around them right now.

It was common knowledge that some zebra's were good at making some interesting, and often unique potions, though exactly what they were used for were hard to determine by outsiders,. unless they got told. Through that, he had heard stuff ranging from a simple sneezy cure to something that made you hallucinate or even something that made you go temporarily invisible. A health potion on the other hoof, he hadn't heard of before.

"Well I'll be a monkey's uncle. I've got to get a hang on the doctor and ask him to commission that sort of thing for the emergency supply next time then, cause it'd help speed up things here, if it does some overall fixing up. How does it work though? Like a magical ointment or something? Or are you perhaps pulling my leg right now? Hard to tell when it comes to zebras and their craft, no offence."

@@Seamore Sandwich,

Understood. Hopefully, something will churn out soon. ^^

@@EQ_Theta,

"I remember you longma. Senlin, far as the papers said, yes?"

Longma's wasn't easy to forget, and especially not ones that ran around with whatever Omen were. Yet, the shock of them appearing out of a hole in the air wasn't exactly something that made him recognise first as much as being shocked. Especially as Jelly was down there, and worrying about her right after the initial shock hadn't sped up the process.

There was a new addition though, yet he weren't really sure what to say of that one. Looked sort of like a longma, but darker, and with glowing parts that he didn't understand the purpose of currently, and were reluctant to ask about. Some things were better left unsaid.

"Guessing that means this is your sister then? I'd ask where you found her, but it ain't none of my business. I'll send some letters out tomorrow though telling that she's found, and to call off the search."

As he went through the motions, Jelly kept her position next to him, though her eyes were following Lin. In the filly's eyes, this was a pretty strange, fascinating creature to be faced with that she hadn't t he faintest clue what were. Her dad had just said longma, so that should be it, though the word didn't ring a bell. Were it a new species? And why did the two of them look so different?

Questions upon questions piled up after that, though no answers were found as she kept looking at Lin with curiosity glimmering in her eyes. Likely wouldn't be any either, but it was interesting to look at least.

"As for the mare you speak about, I'm going to need a little more information. I mean, there's several in the town that knows Discord-"

"Fluttershy."

The one word from Omen made Stargazer cringe a little, as the voice were once again whispering in his head, though this time he wasn't the only one. Jely hid it worse though when it started to rummage up on the top floor, but otherwise, they had a pretty similar response to things.

"Fluttershy, yes. The mare who looks at me strangely when I walk near her house. Is thre a particular reason you seek her, beyond the rumour that she sends letters to Discord?"

Rumours were all he figured they were until now, as even though he might come around and be with somepony, he couldn't imagine anypony just casually exchanging letters with him. And especially not the timid mare that he had seen, even if she were one of the former carriers of the elements of harmony.

____________________________________________________________________________________

@@Brianna Changeling,

Peace and quiet, as rare as it might be from time to time, did fall over some parts of the Everfree forest. Usually around the edges, within sight of Ponyville, but a little further in it ould happen as well. Such as tonight, under the stars when even the timberwolves seemed to have better things to do than making noise.

"Urgh, what a day."

And there the peace went, interrupted by somepony who put down his wagon and let out a large, annoyed sigh. A vendor from the looks of things, though one might wonder what one of those did out here in the forest, all alone, at this late hour. It could be dangerous out here after all.

"*Oh hello, do you sell cider?"

The vendor went up in a puff of jade flames and a middle-aged pony mare stood there instead, talking with a mockery of a mare's voice by the changeling impersonating her, though it seemed as if he talked to himself rather than anypony else. Apparently, he thought this a place where nopony were listening in or watching things, such as him switching back now again to his vendor form and speaking almost with a snarl.

"Cider, cider, and more bloody cider. I swear, the next one who asks for that swill is going to get a flask of poison."

The changeling in question, Happy Hour, wasn't overly happy with how things had gone today. Sure, he had made a sale of things, and the business went fine, but it was really starting to trigger him when everypony thought he sold cider. They were obsessed with it in this area, and it irked him as he hated that swill, and wouldn't sell it if he got paid for it. He only barely allowed a few flasks in his storage in case he needed to get something drunk by somepony outside of business hours. Unfortunately, it were rather effective at that, but that didn't mean that he liked it.

Thankfully, he had found a little place in the forest to rest, and get off some steam about this before he blew a casket. One of life's little blessings far as he were concerned.

@@Brianna Changeling,

Alright, had a check, and I like what I see. Solid character, no Mary Sue'ing, good visual in the picture and plenty to work with to get a feel for the char. Consider yourself approved.

Now then, to find a place for you. Well, as you can see on the first page of the OOC, I allow for plenty of stories all around so noone is bogged down waiting in a *major*story, or just general event of many gathered. This is the sort of thing I think would do well with you, as trying to push you into one of the current ones might make it a bit confusing for you, and a bit unsteady all things considered. Besides, I have an idea.

I have a changeling myself (you can see him in the Google Doc in my signature. His name's Happy Hour) and I've been wanting to RP with one with ties to Chrysalis for a while, as his story haves some connection to her hive. Thinking that there's plenty of interesting times to be had from that, as well as it being fun to have two, evil changelings in the same turf. ^^ Never know where the story'll lead with those sort.

My personal suggestion would be a meeting in the forest, perhaps at night, though the time of day isn't that important, so can be changed if you prefer. I could make an easy, *random meeting* opener for you to take advantage off, and then we could see where the tides would take us, so to speak. You don't need to worry about the battle or anything else like that in this scenario, as that's in another... Shall we say *pocket* of its own. Things can mix up eventually, but it tends to work better for most if it's at least eased towards instead of you getting tossed unto the stage unprepared.

But, this is just my own suggestion. I'd love to hear your ideas, or wants for how you'd want this RP to set off. You're as big part of things as me if it is after all, so your input is important too.

P.S. If it is between these two, I will PM you a few details on things with his connection to Chrysalis' hive. Nothing major, just a small bit I didn't put in his bios.

Hope to hear from you soon enough.

Going to sleep currently, but after work tomorrow I'll go through things with you.

@@Mentis Soliloquy,

@@Randimaxis,

The smells really didn't get to Ziggy as much as Dax might think. Back when dad had tried to learn her to make potions - something she failed miserably, she might add - the things she had accidentally smashed together would make this running for the hills. And really, it had made some run away from it a fair bit, including her father who had been... Well, he was impressed that she had made a smell so pungent it made the plants nearby wither, but it wasn't in a good way, and it hadn't helped when she had tried to add something to make the smell better and then gave it around.

It had been sort of a dare if she'd give this to anypony, and it were a little of funny, seeing the ones who drank even a little start to burp bubbles for up to a few hours, but the earful afterwards from her dad was not worth it. Not in the slightest.

Thinking on this was perhaps not the best use of her time, but at least when it was about done with the fast replay of the hours of safety talk etc. that had happened back then, she could look down on her hoof and see that it was now significantly more glue-free. And figurine/vent-free.

"Huh..."

She wriggled her hoof a little, just making sure that she weren't imagining things again, before putting down her hoof and walking around in circles for a spell to check if everything seemed to be as it should be. It appeared fine enough, though she wondered what sort of thing he had actually do- Wait, what was that?

It had taken the better part of fifteen minutes from it was put on her - roughly estimated - until she had realised, but finally, the face on her flank got into view.

How should one react to something like that? Some would get angry, that was for sure. Others embarrassed, sad, worried that this might be permanent marker etc. Ziggy? Well... She turned towards Dax and walked flank first towards him whilst making cutesy monster sounds.

"The butt-monster thank you for your aid, sir Dax-alot. We owe you one."

She turned around again and grinned at him before quickly grabbing him in a small hug, then zapping over to Scarlet and embracing her before she had a chance to do something about it. The doctor might be a bit nuts, but she was rather fast when she wanted to be, so the mare shouldn't be able to do something for the two seconds the gentle embrace would happen.

"You too Scarlet, for pulling me out of the vent."

With that, she let go of the mare and zoomed back to her previous position, bouncing a little in place and waiting for them to head for the exit. She had stuff to do and paperwork to finish before the night turned to day again, and considering everything that had happened today, she were already behind with this little side adventure.

@everypony

Sorry it took some time all. had really hoped I could get something done before this on Saturday, but I hope we can get things back on track now at least.

______________________________________________________________________

@@Lonk Chase,

Minor detail for you Lonk: Been sending Briar towards you the last two posts I made to not make you feel lonely in this. Next time there's a city post, please look for that so we're not speaking past one another.

@@cwhip9,

Zinthar saw the little morsel that Crescent pointed out, yet didn't know what to think of this one. Mischievous brat was the first words that came to mind really, but it was hard to be sure if this was something important or just a part of this dream. There'd always be foals that were less than pleasant to be around, and if this was the dream of some kid then it stood to reason that there'd be some in here that wasn't good ones.

Still, if this one were really part pf the dream, why run away from them? The little one should stay around the ones in the dream... Bah, where was the point in thinking this over? Might as well capture the foal, then see what would happen from there. Easier than thinking, or at least were when his head were still pounding.

"Let's get him then."

His movements wasn't as fast and smooth as normal, but normally he wasn't this drained or beaten up either, so what could one expect? There was a limit to everything after all.

__________________________________________________________________


@@Wolves,

"Bottoms up then lass."

Happy gave the remaining bottle of cider to Cyan and gulped down a good chunk more of his own drink, feeling how it were already taking a bit off the top of his nerves. There was still plenty of nervousness, paranoia and fear going on, but this wasn't a miracle cure either. It was a calmer of sorts, and those things tended to need some time to settle in. Long as he didn't go too far and pick up another bottle after this. His tolerance might be good, but when he went up in the higher percentages, things were eventually gonna be too much, and he didn't need his drunken antics to make this day worse.

"So... Are giant monsters a common thing happening around Equestria, or is this a fluke like the wind dome?"

He hadn't the faintest idea about what to talk about right now though. Mostly he had some degree of idea, like asking into the lives of those he talked with, or ask about the area/what he had seen thus far, but with all the horrible things happening thus far... Well, he had nothing that really popped up into his mind beyond offering a drink, and he had been through that already.

All that had managed to shove itself out of his muzzle were about whatever or not this sort of thing was normal, which really was a dumb question considering the massive panic in town before. No way would they react that way if this was something that happened often, surely. They'd have precautions and all that for that sort of thing if it were. Right?

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@@Summer Breeze,
@@Frosty Frost,

"I only know they're young in this particular valley. Not gone out of my way to learn if there's older sightings of them, but it seems unli-"

"Who can say for sure?"

Lyriel interjected the comment between the weird whisperings to the tree before Nerzhei could answer for her again. It wasn't that she minded that they spoke amongst eachother currently, as she had most of her focus on listening to what this tree *spoke* to her about, but it had felt like a time when she had to say something of her own.

To say that the tree spoke wasn't exactly true though. It hadn't the cognitive pieces for that sort of thing, but she could connect to it and feel out what it had gone through in it's time here, which in a sense were a way to communicate. It was not easy to interpret unless you knew what you were doing, which was why it required most of her focus that wasn't spent on making sure it were properly healed, but it were a beautiful story to behold regardless. Mundane for most, perhaps, but to her it was something special, and very unlike the strange feelings that came from the trees in the valley.

Finally, she let go of the tree and waved it back towards the forest where it planted itself and spread its branches towards the sky once more, before she turned and looked at the others. There were still tears on her cheeks, but they slowly got drained by her skin and left no trace behind as she moved to their side once more.

"I'm sorry, it was simply... Breathtaking, in ways I could scarcely explain."

"How much did you hear?"

The dragoness looked at Lyriel with a somewhat suspicious look in her eyes. In the camp, they had always figured this time the only point where they could really look at them before they went nuts, and this made her somewhat paranoid about whatever or not they had been the butt end of some joke. Or well, if the others had, as she hadn't been there before after things went downhill, but the point still stood.

"Enough to know that your theory is somewhat flawed, though you do have the right idea on some aspects."

"Care to elaborate?"

"Not currently, no. It is hard and time-consuming to explain these things, and as our friends here have pointed out, we really should be on our way. I promise you though, another time I will try and answer as well as I can."

Nerzhei looked at the Dryad for a good while, but eventually just nodded and turned around, leading them down the path they were on before again.

"If we keep up pace, we should be seeing sea in a half hour or so."

"I will attempt not to slow us down by going crazy then, or weep further, but I make no promises."

Lyriel felt in a rather good mood right now. Enough to taunt the dragoness a little, along with Summer, who she sent a little wink, to signal that she had well heard her little comment about her before. Not that she minded really, it was a valid concern that they thought that she might go mad, considering what she had told them, combined with how little they really knew about her kind. Some of it she could answer, and reassure/explain about, but in the end it were as Nerzhei had said: Not even the dryads themselves knew everything about them.

But, there were little point in thinking about this currently. Onwards they went, with no distractions. Well, unless you counted Blitz that were still spending some excess energy it seemed, as she ran around giggling for a bit longer, before finally, she settled down some, and began to wander alongside Frosty and Summer.

"Strange things happening everywhere in dragon country. It's fun! Think we're gonna have more fun at the ocean?"

She sounded really gleeful when the word *ocean* came over her lips, but how couldn't it? She had never seen such a thing before - at least as far as she knew - and she loved new experiences. Like this whole trip from they woke up in the valley had been. Lots and lots of new experiences, new fun, and adventure!

___________________________________________________________________________

@,

"Lemme see..."

Chow looked at the fruit that had gotten picked out of the crate with a half eye, trying to scour his mind for the name of this thing. He knew it was something as weird at the fruit, but he couldn't scour it out as easy tiright now. You'd think that he, if anypony here, would know, considering he'd brought it here, but he wasn't a fruit vendor after all, how was he supposed to remember the name of some rando-

"Physalis! That was it. Some kind of tomato look-a-like. Traded some fish around and got a small bag of those tangled in the return. Tastes fine, but take it from somepony who didn't hear the instructions: Take off the dry husk first. Foul taste that layer. Still, was food, and evacuation doesn't leave time to be picky on what to grab hold of."

He hadn't really known what he had done with these to be honest. Last he recalled he had tossed them into a crate and then gotten it all mixed up, ut it would appear that Misty here had cracked the right one open and answered that question. Not that he'd have lost sleep over it. It was just some weird fruits, not something important like ghostfin tuna. Loosing those would have hurt a lot when this nightmare were over and he'd finally have a chance to slow down and see what wasn't smashed of his.

_________________________________________________________________________

@@Moonlit,

@@Seamore Sandwich,

@@Hazard Time,

"Oooooh, hey there Princess Luna."

Ziggy pokes her head down, letting out a relieved sigh when it turns out that her ears heard right and that it was just the royal princess of the night.

Okay, so *just* wasn't exactly the right word, but considering she though it was some kind of monster that were here to attack them, she stood by her thought. Though really, nopony could hear her thoughts, so was it reeally important? Or could they? ...Hellooo? Can anypony hear this?

Ziggy thought over this for a bit, just swaying from side to side in her downwards position, whilst down on the nearby table, Fah'lina closed her mouth, though she still looked defensively on the princess.

The other ponies seemed relaxed around this one, and it sounded like she had reacted to what she'd think off as a distress cry, so perhaps giving her some space and see what would happen would be the thing to do. Though, she wasn't getting closer right now, and instead took off, flying upwards and placing herself next to the hooves of her *owner*, so to speak. She were still plenty visible as she glared down and observed the potential threat, and the three safe ones.

"Welcome to the house. Can I take your coat?"

Ziggy didn't know about the little critter and for now just ignored her, along with the line of thought from before. Instead, she just kept dangling and looking at Princess Luna, Succulent and Serenade, giggling after playing greeter and swinging back and forth some more.

She wasn't heavy enough so it should do any damage to the piece of the house she was clinging unto, it being quite a big piece of wood and all whilst she were a light pegasi, but she eventally let go anyway and turned the right side again on the floor. It was starting to tingle in her head from the blood gathering there, and it was an important visit, so she should behave.

Okay, there were the coat pun that was sort of against that... Oh well, she'd behave from now then.

________________________________________________________________________

@@EQ_Theta,

Omen hadn't the time to answer, nor really be sure where the gate she had opened would get them, before Sen and Lin walked through. She just knew that it were somewhere there, and that a familiar energy was on the other side, though she hadn't had the chance to really think over who it were beyond it being one she had met there before.

The answer would become apparent when they'd all step through on the other side and see the office that they had been in before, now with less crates, a few more things unpacked, and a few meters from them, a bat pony foal hanging down from the ceiling in her tail and looking at them with awe and her jaw almnost hitting the... Well, ceiling would fit the expression better, considering the position.

"Woah. How'd you do that?"

Her mane rummaged a little and a large spider glanced out, and fixated its two, red eyes on the strangers without going further away from his hairy hideout.

"Alright, think I got a room sorted for you Je- By the night!"

Stargazer came down from upstairs with a stack of papers, which he promptly dropped all over the place in shock when his eyes fell on the scene in front of him. Sure, he'd seen much in his eyears, but a hole in mid air, with strange things happening behind it, and three odd creatures in his office? Nopony could be prepared for that sort of thing.

He instinctively grabbed for something to attack the intruders with before his higher brain functions began to kick in and he began to recognise some of this scene. Not all of it, obviously, but two of the creatures rang a bell wit him at least, though he had almost forgotten about them. It might be hard to believe that he could forget these sort of beings, but it had been some long days and he still hadn't gotten time to get a proper rest. Also, the entrance of these didn't help things on his sleep-deprived brain.

"Just... What is..."

Jelly Drop heard her dad give out a long, drawn out sigh, which she knew was usually what he did to clear his head and get some focus back into things, though what was gonna happen next she hadn't the faintest idea about. This wasn't like anything she'd seen before, so there wasn't any saying what he were going to do. Though,s he should probably get over to him so he didn't have to worry about her in all of this.

She let go of where she had hung out and flew silently over next to her dad. When she got there, she subconsciously pushed a little at the tinted glasses she had on - more of a habit than a need - and kept her curious eyes on the entourage in front of them, though she kept silent for now as Stargazer refocused on the folks in front of them.

"Alright, somepony close that thing and-"

He hadn't even ended the sentence before the thing had more or less imploded upon itself, with no indication of who had done so. So now he had a magic user that could open holes in the air without showing any signs of doing it. Could this get any better?

"Just... Tell me why you're here."

You could hear him grumble something to himself about this town becoming the death of him, though some things were too low to be heard properly, even by those with good ears.

Not at all - once the scene with Dax, Zigs and Scar is finished, we move onto the next day.

 

My apologies to the rest of you that it's taking so long; tell you what...

 

@Blitz Boom, @Mentis Soliloquy... give me one more post from each of you, then I'll finish the day out.  Then, we get to start the next day with some new faces!

 

As for Copper's dream sequence... we can continue that here, or allow me the chance to break it up into night-by-night sections; either way, I'm cool with it.

I'll make a finishing post when I'm back from work then. Looking forward to day 2.