The-Master

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker ‘The flood…’ It rattled around in his mind like a hornet disturbed from its slumber. Sights and sounds he had buried long ago began to resurface. He could still see it, all of it. The gathering of the clouds, three great cities in the sky. “I was there, all those years ago… I was there when it happened. I was so afraid, I couldn’t stay with them.” Long Stride lost all expression from his face. “So I fled. I could have stayed, I could have helped, but I left them. Some survived, but not many. We took the western road towards the Everfree, hoping for shelter from the night. I couldn’t enter that cursed woodland, but they were desperate. Ponies do strange things when they’re desperate.” “So here I am.” He gestured a hoof to the soldiers around them. “I abandoned the refugees, took the road south and wound up in Appaloosa with a recruitment slip waved in my face. I had nothing to lose.” The silence that followed only served to increase the growing tension. “That’s who I am. I lie, cheat and abandon all so I can wallow another day in self-pity.”

Now for me to go and rectify every cruelty bestowed upon this film.

House Stormwing @, @Dez While their theories were good, they wouldn’t hold up in the eyes of the court. At this stage there was nothing to pin Fire Cracker to the scene, or any of her followers for that matter. Sure, they had similar techniques, but that wasn’t evidence enough. There had to be some kind of link. “The names on the document aren’t their real names as far as we know, just their more common identities. That just makes our jobs more difficult.” Pilot looked back at Terra, gesturing a hoof in question. “The bomb would have been made here in Cloudsdale, probably in some kind of hotel or temporary home till their mission was complete. We could go through the names, but thanks to their slippery identities that could take some time. Do you have any information of the local apartments? They’re not too far away from the market square so it would be useful to check. The guards had some documentation on them I think, do you have it?” “As for Clarity Firewing no pony has heard from her since. She just disappeared. You could send a letter to the Trottingham Prison by fast mail, but that may take a while still. Fire Cracker is a tough shell to crack, I doubt you’ll get any information out of her.” House Earthborn @@Windbreaker, Long Stride looked off into the distance, just to avoid looking towards Poppy for a second. “I used to always ask my mother what it was like being a Pegasus, to soar above the world and just forget it exists. She said it was a bit chilly.” He couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the memory. “She was a Pegasus after all, the kindest one you’ll meet in this part of the world. I guess it doesn't matter anymore.” He glanced back towards his travel companion, her cycles of deep thought apparent on her face. “What was your family like? If your early life was anything like mine you’ll have plenty of stories.”

I am clutching my tickets with barley contained excitement. So far this is shaping up to be the best Hobbit film so far, and I didn't think that was even possible. I hope the rest of the audience doesn't mind my cheering and/or crying during the film.

House Stormwing @, @ (OOC: I know that and you know that, but the reference was too great for me to ignore.) Pilot could see how they came to that conclusion, but there was still one major point that seemed to conflict with their theory. “She was a freelancer, taking work with rebel groups throughout the northern territories, sometimes even the cult. However, I doubt she’s involved with these bombings. She’s been locked up in a Trottingham jail for two years now, not much she can do from there. Although… you did mention that she might be getting others to carry out her dirty work. You’d need to find some way to prove that she’s been slipping information to her followers, then find her employer.” Pilot went back to her assortment of papers and began to sift through for the one in question. It didn’t take too long before Pilot handed over the dusty leather bound file to Selune. “Her name was Fire Cracker, but she was more commonly referred to as the Nightingale. These documents should have everything you need; background information, convictions and associates.”

House Stormwing @, @ The mare tilted her head slightly out of confusion. She was never one for politics or national affairs, she was just a scientist. All this of this was above her. Although… this did bring up something curious. Another situation of similar circumstances so to speak. “Sorry, mind if I just say something?” She was tempted to shy away but managed to hold her ground. “We need stop looking inward for a second, this isn’t the first time something of this nature has happened. Oh, if I could just remember.” She hit her head as if trying to bang the memory into place. “Oh yes, Trottingham about a year ago. The local government sent me similar shell fragments to analyse. The results were just as strange, an assortment of random chemicals but enough fuel to create a massive fireball. I still have the report somewhere around here.” She shuffled through a mess of papers and files till she finally located the documents in question. “I kept them here for reference. Assuming this guy has attacked more than once, why hasn’t he improved his bombs in any way? They’re just a random cocktail of volatile substances. “It actually reminds me of a murder that happened here a few years ago. The killer was an ex-mercenary, a very dangerous mare. She stabbed her victim fifty times even though he was dead by the second. She disguised her precision with a bunch of random stabs to make it appear sloppy and unrefined, and thus drawing any suspicion away from her. “Maybe that’s what’s happening here? Maybe the killer is more dangerous than we give him credit for? At least… that’s my understanding of it.” She smiled awkwardly before backing up a bit more. “My names Pilot by the way, Pilot Light.” House Earthborn @@Windbreaker It was only now that Long Stride began to acknowledge how flawed his previous mind-set was. Every long march was just the build up to the next slaughter, everything else was pointless. He relished it, the opportunity to take his suffering out on those less deserving. It was… comforting. Earthborn had nothing left for him now, it only ailed him further. “You may have to hold on a bit longer then.” Long Stride finally addressed Poopy directly. “Once we reach our destination we can use the chaos of battle to mask our escape. When you see the opportunity don’t hesitate to take it. You may not receive another.” This did require more marching, however, an act which had now begun to wear on his mind. His tone took a drastic turn when he spoke again. “If anypony gets in your way, be they Moon and Star or Earthborn, then you know what has to be done.” House Stormwing @ She expected her trust. Applejack’s words seemed genuine, but here was little way of telling these days. Rainbow Dash would have to go off her gut, just like always. In the ends she found little sense in sending her away or killing her; she would allow it. “Bene, you have my trust for now. Do not waste it.” Dash drew forth her Xiphos, tossing it aside and leaving herself unarmed. “You’re assistance will not be necessary, I’ve already assembled an able team to deal with the issue. They will find those responsible and kill them if I feel inclined. No pony is escaping punishment, not in my city.” She turned back to face Applejack directly, her sharp gaze looking back and forth between her and her… assistant? “Who is this strumento you have brought with you? He doesn’t look much like a guard, more so a gardener.”

House Stormwing @, @ “That’s just the thing you see,” The mare replied, turning back to face Terra and Selune. “Napalm is most likely what they intended to create, but there’s actually a variety of chemical traces on the bomb, anything from polish to cleaning agent. It’s strange, whoever did this obviously had no idea how to make a proper bomb.” She rested her head in her hooves when they began to discuss security. “Hmm, last I heard the guards were cracking down on the city watch. No pony’s going to be leaving the city undetected, not after the recent step up in security.” “We won’t be moving Cloudsdale anywhere soon,” Star Keeper spoke up. “Orders for the relocation of a Cloud City must come direct from either the Council or Rainbow Dash herself. Since no such order was given we stay put. In the mean time we need to review our findings and actually come to some sort of conclusion. I expect Dash to return soon and we best have some kind of result to give her.” Star Keeper headed towards the exit, turning back one last time before departing. “When you have something to present come see me and Scootaloo by the guard post.” House Earthborn @@Windbreaker Looking at his reflection; that’s what it felt like. Long Stride could see himself in her and it terrified him. He tried to look away, distract himself maybe, but to no avail. He couldn’t just leave it there. “You know what this means though. If we’re caught you could be killed or worse; that’s more blood on my hooves I don’t need.” Long Stride composed himself, taking his time to speak his next words. “Is this what you want? To leave everything behind and run off with a madpony?

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker Long Stride never questioned where he was going, he never wondered what the future may hold. He hung his head low and refused to look ahead. There was a world out there, a million paths to take and a million sights to see. Yet here he was looking at the dirt under his hooves. Had he truly given up his soul, or was it simply lost? Was there any retribution or redemption? He didn't have the answers and doubted he ever would. All they could do was stumble blindly through the dark. It wasn't a pleasant thought, but that was life he supposed. If was pitiful. When he saw the faint glimmer of a tear on Poppy Seed’s cheek, Long Stride could only hang his head lower. A monster? He had never looked at it like that before, but the more he did the more he realized it was true. “Poppy,” He began to speak, but his tone was far more hushed. “This doesn't have to be our future, you know that. All we need to do is take the first step.” His eyes darted around the ranks of soldiers surrounding them, all on their way to whatever slaughter lay ahead. “Earthborn has nothing left for us, not anymore.”

House Stormwing @ You’re lucky we have some small amount of restraint. Rainbow Dash was in no mood to be toyed with, let alone by the crooks and brigands from Earthborn. Alright, if she wants to talk diplomacy then we shall allow it. So long as she keeps her tongue in check. “Fine then, you want me to be reasonable? I’ll be reasonable.” Rainbow Dash took of her helm and knocked it to the side, exposing her scarred face and allowing her mane to fall at her sides. “Two days ago Cloudsdale came under attack, a bomb detonating in the market square that killed nearly forty innocents and left many more injured.” Dash began to pace around the clearing, her eye’s drifting between the pair. “Your kind are the only ones currently producing explosives en masse, aren’t you?” Her hoof gestured towards Applejack, a cynical tone in her voice. “Until we know who committed this act… you won’t be stepping within ten miles of my city or its people. Not until justice has been dealt.” House Earthborn @@Windbreaker Ponies at Arms weren’t well known for their long life expectancies, so for Long Stride to find a mare of his own age was nothing short of a revelation. Poppy Seed knew what it was like, she had experienced it first-hand. Loss, anger, regret. It may have been simply that Long Stride was better at hiding these, keeping his life a secret because he was ashamed. He looked back over towards Poppy Seed, his grin from earlier all but gone. “How can we change when we never choose to leave our old selves behind?” “I’ve lingered in the past most of my life, about what I could have done, what I should have done. It cost me my home, my family, everything. And I was too scared to do anything about it.” He looked off back towards the road ahead. “So here I am, and old fool still clinging onto his past. Sometimes a pony can be too stubborn for his own good.”

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker “I’ll be holding you to that.” Long Stride chuckled, no real intension of upholding such a debt. In the world they lived a promise held no meaning, not if you could die any day. “You look like you’ve seen battle before then.” He finally spoke up. “How long have you been a Pony at Arms? It is uncommon for one of our position to have such charisma for killing, even if it is unicorns.” House Stormwing @ Master Guardian Thunderlane pulled Dash around, his suspicion immediately aroused. “Non possiamo fidarci della sporcizia da sud, you need our protection for this meeting.” Dash shrugged him off. “Calmati. I doubt Applejack will try to kill me. If I die all Stormwing goes to war. Applejack, however, isn’t stupid enough to make that move. Your concern is appreciated but not necessary, just make sure that the rest of this rabble don’t leave this place.” “Understood Commander.” He gave a quick salute before falling back in with the troops. Rainbow Dash signalled for her guard to remain on watch, gesturing Applejack and her “assistant” or whatever to follow. She led them towards a small outcrop in the fields before Cloudsdale, a small clump of rocks where no other pony was around to hear whatever was spoken. Rainbow Dash kept her sword with her, indeed, she would not go anywhere without it. When the senate deemed she could not bring it into the assembly she changed the law so she could. It was better to be safe than sorry, in this instance more than many. She did not trust Applejack, that much was clear. “We’re alone now Applejack,” Rainbow the first to speak. “You can drop the façade now; what do you want from me?” House Stormwing @, @ One of their accompanying guard entered the tent along with the group, presenting the new evidence discovered by Selune in a clear bag. “This mare here has found something believed to be of use to your research. Care to have a look?” Instantly, the mare’s eye began to widen upon this discovery. “Yes yes yes, thank you! Alright, now we can get some proper results to work with. You may leave now sir.” The guard did as he was asked, handed over the bag and departing for his post. She took the bag and instantly began to place its contents on her work bench, shuffling over various chemicals and dishes to work with. “I won’t be a second, just hold on.” She placed a fragment of the shell casing onto the laid out dish, a few drops of some kind of dark fluid dripped onto its surface. Immediately there was some clear separation in the compound, the darker fluid split from the oilier base. After a few more tests similar to this she wrote down her results and prepared to present them. “Alright, well thanks to your friend here I was able to come up with an analysis for the compounds found within the bomb itself. The results, however, are quite surprising.” She flicked through her notes till she came to the right page. “This bomb was defiantly chemically based, not magical, part of the mixture a form of crude oil or fossil fuel. The fuel was heated rapidly before being added to some kind of soapy mixture. This soap caused it to thicken, making it easier to place in the bomb and giving it more of a kick.” She flicked through to another page. “This bomb is actually commonly referred to as a Napalm Bomb, easily made with common household items to create an impressive fireball with an intense heat. It wasn’t surprising how many ponies died with the concentration of this mixture. The amount of heat this gave off could have easily given third or even forth degree burns.”

For all you people who can't read. What is required when posting - A character profile link that can be provided in the character database What is required when posting - A character profile link that can be provided in the character database What is required when posting - A character profile link that can be provided in the character database