Maple Bat

"It's ok Midnight I personally didn't mind I've been called worse... by better... Maple will be fine she just needs to calm down. I can't say I didn't expect that to happen. Maple works really hard to be seen just as another pony and she... Well, She doesn't like thinking that she's made no progress. I don't know how she feels but I can tell you it's nothing good. " Woody said to him calmly not looking away from Maple " Sis... You're wonderful. These 2 are your friends because you are. A monster... would still be out in everfree waiting to drink blood from their next victim. You chose the right path Maple... Take a seat. I'll get you some water... Ok?" Maple didn't verbally respond to him she just nodded weakly and took a seat on Midnight's couch. She still looked shaken by her words. Woody sighed, he was worried about what Swirling said sinking too far for Maple. "Where do you keep water around here Midnight?"

Celestia and Luna instantly knew what was happening, both reacted to the situation differently Luna reacted offensively and attacked the nearest worm, firing down its throat with her gun and flying out of the way of its vicious bite. "Watch out they're burrowers! Keep moving and they can't get you!" Celestia heard luna shout to watch out and she saw the worm, She teleported out of its way, not by much, she stabbed her halberd into its side and it dragged a bit before catching. No doubt that the slice was lethal Celestia took her weapon out of the worm and broke into a sprint "On it Luna!" Evelyn didn't know how to react except to follow Luna's lead and take to the sky where it would be harder for them to get attack "You got any ideas? I'm fresh out for this one..."

Luna pulled out the gun she'd still had. Levitating it and aiming it at the sounds. "Sister... What should we do here... You are the leader of this group... in a way." Celestia Looked out and her horn started to glow brightly "Evelyn... keep the young ones safe... Me and my sister can handle this, this time. I trust you..." Celestia used the spell to vlear the area in front of her and Luna prepping it for battle. "Whatever it is we got this sister." Luna nodded "Of course we do. No one can beat us together!"

@WiiGuy2014 When Maple heard Swirlings protest her pupils shrunk and she started to shake, She lowered her head quickly and slammed her hoof causing a loud Bam sound on the ground and took deep but shaky breaths. The room was silent minus her breathing... which slowly turned into a silent sobbing. "I'm... Not a creature! I'm a pony just like you!... I'm... I'm not a monster... Am I?" Maple looked up, teary-eyed, at everyone in the room longingly hoping for some form of comfort. Even the pony that had called her a monster. "Oh geez..." Woody said silently walking over to her, he put his paw under her chin and pushed her head up so she looked at him "Maple, You are a monster... To anyone who dares threaten Equestria. Be it Day, Night, or anytime... Any other time. You're just a shy pony who wants to be accepted... Watch." Woody smiled at Will and Midnight. "You both agree with that? Or perhaps you wanted to add something?"

"Yea. I know you're going to do everything you can to both, not be taken by it and to do as much as you can before you do end up changing... I still wonder how you haven't yet... it's been a day and a half now... At any rate, I'm very proud of you for keeping it back for that long!" Evelyn smiled to him trying to keep the spirits high. "We're quite the group huh? 2 god figures, a dragon, and a kid with a lot of talent." Luna set the pistol on her back. "I feel as though there's supposed to be... something I put it in like what Festus had but I don't really have those things.. you wouldn't happen to have anymore... or at least... know where I can get another one do you?"

Maple was busy in her own head, thinking about all taht could happen, she knew that if it came down to it she'd make sure that Speechless could escape. She shuttered at the though of what those hunters were doing to Midnight and what Crimson's fate was... She looked longingly at speechless finding comfort in his considerably calm eyes. She nodded silently to herself. Drawing her weapon and checking it to be sure the edge was sharp, which it was since she sharpened it before they left.

Evelyn reached into a bag she was carrying pulling out a canteen. "Here you go. I didn't say I didn't have anything myself." She chuckled to herself. "Stay on top of your health. Given how you look right now, I think it'd be best for you... You know, given..." Evelyn sounded sad, and worried. She knew there wasn't much she could do aout Jack except make him strong so he could fight the infection. Luna levitated the gun around a bit more. "When... I'm not using this... what am I supposed to do with it? In the games it went off the screen and you just brought out another gun... So what do I do with it?"

Ember walked with Festus and Festus was going on about how he felt "I just... I did what you said. I made a friend... but instead of making me stronger... It was only making me more vulnerable... I feel so lost... and empty... I just want to go out and steal things... which is unlike me..." Festus managed through his tears. Ember hoisted him up onto her shoulders. "Kid... That's natural what you're experiencing... it's grief. It means you really don't want to lose that person... and now, fighting for them while they're gone... It will make you fight harder... With more resolve and desire to win. You're not as weak now as you might believe. DOn't worry Festus. Just wait until the next battle ok. you'll see what I mean then!" AS a reply Festus nodded he felt tall being on Embers shoulders like this. Luna fired at it she hit it. "Hey! This is like that game... it was good but the ponies who were in the online mode were... Well... Rude to say the least." Luna said rechambering the gun and aiming it around looking for something else. Evelyn looked at Jack "It's good you're on top of it but don't worry the doctors have plenty of supplies for the journey. They'll last us for at least the journey to the point we meet the others at so don't you worry about that... Unless you need something now."

Maple, Like the other 2 ignored the sphinx "Well even if you can't it means a lot that you at least wanted to help me." Maple stretched, "I'll do my best to keep it quick. I still do want to kill red team's leader. Since the red team has my bow. But saving my brother is way more important than that. Let's get to that portal and hope that you both can come... Hope's all we've got for now. Let's get going." Maple smiled at the two and optimistically trotted out of the bar. Woody hugged Shadows suddenly though due to the difference in height, despite it being small, it was a bit awkward. "You did it bro! Gah! That was so cool!" Woody sounded really excited, like a fan meeting their favorite person. "I mean that was like a giant eye thing and Woosh it just took him away just like that! You must've had that ready for him for a long time. That seems like you, being prepared in advance in order to take on a challenge!" He moved away from Shadows "You should really teach me some magic. I bet I could learn a lot from you!"

The entire encounter with Kiran confused Ember. He'd popped up and now just like how he came... "I will never understand Kiran. Oh well I guess I don't have to..." Ember walked ouide the tent, "Yep I'll be right th-" Ember had turned around and then she was looking Festus in the eyes, She saw a malestrom of emotions in them "Oh boy... C'mon... We can walk and talk about it." She set her claw on his shoulder Luna levited the gun before it hit the sand. "Sure jack. I don't mind to do that.. But I think I might need something to aim at..." She looked around for something... But most of what she saw would be dangerous for someone to shoot at.

Ember jumped and slung the axe across her back "Oh! Kiran I'm sorry... I really didn't recognize you ugh... With all that's been happening... Well I think you know what I mean by that... I've just been highly on edge I think Festus picked that up too... But maybe no games next time?..." Ember said raising a brow. Celestia nodded to jack agreeing. "As true as that is they're all just animals. They can be reasoned with... To a degree. Fluttershy has proven that time and time again, So I wouldn't worry about it too much" Celestia smiled to him Luna yawned, she seemed bored. "Just try to relax no point in worring about things that could easily not happen you know? I wish I had a game to play... It's been a while since I've felt safe enough to say that"

Ember didn't move "No games! Just be straight with me! I can't shift my focus off a threat still holding weapons!" Ember moved the blade closer, it touched but didn't cut... "Don't test me!" Apparently, Ember really didn't remember Kiran. Why? Most likely due to being too focused on her foe. Celestia nodded "Right... We should. Luna. Are you ready?" Celestia turned to face her, both the alicorns horns still glowing. "Of course sister." Luna then referenced the other soldiers "I can keep the spell up for what I think to be 4 hours... So that means we need to get as far as we can in that time. Lets get moving!" Luna and Celestia started to walk quickly, Trailed by Evelyn "Let's hope this spell is working" Evelyn commented, "I've never relied on a spell this much before..."

Ember drew back her axe and swung it, stopping before actually hitting, the force of the swing was still felt though despite her not actually hitting "I think we need those more than you... especially if you're going to blow up a bunch of people... especially not survivors... And don't lie about family... I saw you get up out of a body bag!" She gripped the axe tighter. "Now... Wanna try again?" Celestia smiled, "Actually. That would be true if it was just me but with my sister's power, the spell is potent enough to block everything... Well except loud noises... At least... That's the plan" Celestia then grinned rather awkwardly. She'd been convinced about it 30 seconds ago but now... Not as much

When Ember saw the body bag open she watched as Kiran got out, She didn't know about Kiran however, She'd heard small things about him but not that he was going to get a body. She followed him and saw him getting a lot of explosives "Hey!" Ember shouted pointing her axe at him "Who are you? What're you planning with all those bombs... Who are you workin for?!" Ember was ready to attack she got into a battle stance with her axe. Maple hadn't gone with Ember, She thought she knew already... "Continue the plan. We need to move otherwise that Machine will turn us into dust." Evelyn said to him "Luna Celestia. The spell?" The two alicorns nodded and crossed their horns both channeling energy. "Everyone who isn't fighting gather around us now please," Celestia said loudly

Mapel heard a loud snap while she was flying lower. When she looked around she didn't see anything Must've been hearing things I gotta focus. She and Speechless continued for a long time it would take them a while to get to the forest Maple decided that a conversation would be too one-sided so it was going to be a pretty long flight. She looked at Speechless making sure he's getting along ok.

Maple heard Speechless tone she looked at him. "Oh. No, it's nothing, don't worry I'll be ok. Once this is over we won't have anything to worry about... only making a new plan to take these hunters down... Something I thought was done... Needless to say, We'll make sure they stay down this time, Right?" Maple gave a confident nod, hoping that Speechless would respond in a similar way.

Festus sighed "Yea... I promise. William. I'll make sure he doesn't meet the same fate you do but JAck..." Festus looked at him heavily, His appearance seemed to continue changing. "Maybe the adults were right... You coming was a mistake. They were right... Like they always are... I'm going to find Ember. She'll know what I should do about this. I just can't handle this... Greed... Err, grief on my own. Good luck but I can't go with you anymore..." Festus left the group looking around for Ember the only person he trusted to get him through this. Evelyn helped Jack up onto her saddle "Sorry about that. I don't want to be mad at him but he... Well, I don't think I need to say it." 'I just want to see if I really think you training me is worth the time... and time isn't something we have a lot of so this better be good. However with all the talk about you I honestly really do trust that it will be.' Maples thinking was interrupted by Ember hitting her in the shoulder "Hey, that was funny, Maple. What's with the sudden confidence?" Ember said to her she'd noticed Maple was less strict on following the chain of command she was standing on her own more. "Well... Let's just say... I've got someone keeping me in a different line than what this... soldier is planning." Maple replied being vague.

@WiiGuy2014 Maple blushed and started to say something but Woody interrupted quickly "Wills don't get her started on Moonshadow. Its bad enough as is at home. Trust me things are good but she can talk about him for hours... Why don't you tell us what happened here before I explain what I did around the castle while Maple was here? After all, that's why we're here yea? Mom's past?" Maple looked sad but Woody was right, She'd have gone about him for hours should WIll let her.

Maple flinched when Swirling started her first sentence." No, no Midnight... I want to hear what she was going to say. It's obvious that it's something you wanted to ask" Maple locked eyes with Swirling Woody put a paw on Maple's chest " Calm down Maple. She probably didn't mean anything by it. " He was trying to prevent anything drastic but with Maple that was hard. Mapel kept her gaze fixed on Swirling "Woody, If she didn't mean anything She'd say that. Care to repeat that there at the beginning?"

Maple saw the hunters, both of them ran after them until the hill then they looked at each other and hurried off in a different direction "Well... Let's hope this works. We can do this." Maple sounded like she was trying to reassure herself more so than Speechless. "C-Come on let's hurry. We can't risk them getting there first... If they did then this whole plan is ruined." Maple again thought of something that she didn't plan for, There were a lo lot of hunters what if they were waiting for them at the forest... Maple assumed that would be something that she'd have to plan her way out of if it happened. She was trying to look unconcerned but was failing rather miserably.

@WiiGuy2014 " When I got my mark?" Maple said still holding the old, and rusty weapon. She looked up at the 2 Wills and her brother. " Well... I was being attacked... By Timberwolves. A whole pack of around 10 them! It was terrifying. I had ran into the armory in the castle and there were a few broken weapons but this looked to be in perfect condition. I found 6 arrows with it too and a broken one too. The reason I knew they where here is... well I'd returned from scavenging for Food... and when I was getting some edible berries, I'd been attacked by one." Maple showed a scar, under her right shoulder. " It got me good... The blood and the death of one attracted more. Anyway, Once I had the bow, I ran out to defend myself. My first shot I fired at a wolf pierced it hitting another in the leg. The first was about as far as Woody is to me right now" Maple motioned the distance between the siblings, it was 5-6 steps at most. "I then took my next shot, It went into ones head. Leaving about 7 of them and me with 4 arrows. I started to run, once they started to chase me I turned sharply moving to the sides of them before they could turn I fired 2 more shots one right after another. both of them broke 2 wolves thanks to the placement of the shots." While explaining Maple was acting like she was using the bow at the same time but something was off about the weapon. "Leaving 2 arrows and 3 wolves. I took 2 down with normal shots. Leaving me with no arrows... I picked up a large stick from the ground at that point I hit the wolf with all the strenght I could muster it didn't die to that hit but it bought me time to re collect the arrow that had impaled the wolf in the head from before, That arrow... Once it nailed the wolf. I saw a flash of light on my flank and... There it was. Afterwards... " Maple held up the bow again showing that the weapon had a broken string... "Well let's just say my weapon didn't see a lot more use." Maple leaned the bow against the wall again looking at it, still happy that the thing had earned her the mark she bares so proudly "Maybe I should fix this up and give it to Moonshadow!" Maple practically bounced with happiness at that idea.

Maple lept and started flapping her wings, avoiding another bolt on her way up. "They're relentless, wonder what pissed them off today... There's no way we won't be followed. Let's hurry." Maple flapped her wings harshly and flew quickly to everfree Despite going her full speed, it would still take time. However, She realized that Speechless probably can't go as fast as her so she stopped in mid-air waiting for him to catch up before she kept going. She kept looking behind Speechless one of the hunters could be winged...

"You... Where the only person who I considered close enough to me to be a friend... You actually started to teach me the value of it... And now YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!" Festus drew his revolver and in a swift motion put it against Jack's head, the metal of the barrel setting against him. "I might as well just end this suffering for yo-" Festus was interrupted when Evelyn tackled him Evelyn looked at him disappointed "Calm down! He's not the only person you've really bonded with. Look at Maple, Ember, ME! You're overtaken by grief. Take a minute and look at everything in a different light... You need to Calm DOWN!" Evelyn let him stand up. Festus picked up his revolver and holstered it the look on the small bronze dragons face was filled with a lot of emotion. Maple, who'd gotten close to the leader while she'd ranted, growled to the leader, Turning away from them 'Oh hey there again Kiran... I wanted to ask you something actually. You mentioned a body... I was thinking I could help with that for a while. Though... 4 legs are harder to walk on than 2. But that's not my point... Do you think you could use this body for a while? I wanted to see what you could do... But first...' Maple lifted a back hoof and kicked the leader it was no where near as hard as she could've kicked them but it still knocked them down. "We can't just go in without a plan... But... Hey... I'm just a soldier who wants the best for the others." Maple walked back over to Ember 'Ok... That did Reassure me.' Windphaser turned away. "If I told everyone they'd die trying to get to that spot to hit it... and if it happened enough... they'd find a way to protect it. This secret is something I told one other person... I hope he remembers it... If he does then that other group is safe... Trust me. It's not that I don't trust you all... It's just better not everyone knows... Let's just get our job done ok?" Windphaser trotted away from Terisha quickly, Drawing and test swinging his blade as he trotted off.

"Actually thanks to... Father... I know a lot about the war machines. Before I found out what my dad really did... Well I actually wanted to make one I could pilot. Anyway... there are some parts of them where they're so flimsy even a metal rod could break them. I would go help. But these places I talk about... Well if you attack them you'll die... No doubt. No matter how strong a machine is the leg joints always have a part... Between the machine and the leg itself... that can easily be penetrated since it can't all be one large piece of metal. Getting close to that? Suicide. I don't want anyone else knowing that... They'll get themselves killed..." Windphaser sighed audibly, Glad he got that off his chest and that no one was near the other group so even if they heard they couldn't tell anyone outside the group. Festus sighed He sounded down but He smiled to Jack "Of course... Not..." He started to tear up again. "Jack..." Festus looked down for a long time, Evelyn looked at him, Concerned. Luna was nervous about him too. "The one person I finally decided to be friends with... And now this... Friendship is stupid... All of it ends... What even is the POINT!" When he shouted His wings grew again, almost doubling in length, "Why should I bother with friends! They only make me care about something that's going to disappear anyways!" Festus was shacking, holding his head in his claws. Maple and Ember both listened to their leader carefully and didn't think of any question they might've had. Maple, however, had an opinion and she wanted it heard "So, You're expecting everyone here to be ready for a very deadly and bloody battle... and you don't even have a plan... we know things about this machine... like the way it fires shells... Maybe we should go over how to avoid those? Or maybe... at least what we're doing to Lure it away but not the whole army at once? Hay! Can we even guarantee that it doesn't follow Windphaser and the other group?" It was obvious... the lack of a plan had upset her, She was a leader herself and knew exactly what could come from that if they didn't establish... SOMETHING.

Maple and Speechless where approaching a slight cliff it was slanted but it was where Maple knew the 2 would need to start flying. "They'll now think we're running to your house to fortify it like last time. Don't fly low or they might shoot you." Maple spread her wing ready to leap off the cliff "You can fly right?" Maple asked looking at the bags he carried. "I've got a plan B if not."