open Casual stroll

[The Resident Brony 60]

@Blitz Boom

Invictus sighs, and calms down, following Vivid

"I understand that. It's just hard to believe that after all these years, I still haven't CHANGED!"

His magic begins to flare up

"After all this time, Im still the same Celestia damned PONY!"

 

[genessee 535]

@Blitz Boom

"Huh? Oh, nothing much. Berry showed me the route and where everything was, plus we stopped by another restaurant on our way back. I grabbed tons of fruits, you want one?"

Lance held out a peach to Alonsus. He was still suspicious of the third-person-speaking stallion, but Lance figured it was just himself being paranoid. Plus, he's my coworker. It'd make a good early impression on him, you know?

[Foxy Socks 2,599]

@Blitz Boom @Widdershins @~Phoenix~

Foxy winced slightly when Agni dug her talons into her, though she didn't mind. It was quite an experience having a phoenix rest on her, and Foxy smiled before returning to Briar.

 

"Oh I see, it is a shame that you've been treated like that, and be sure I won't stand for anypony harming your kind. Perhaps one day things will be better."

 

"It is wonderful to be able to know of you and your kind, especially since you've said they aren't familiar or fond of outsiders. Anyway, do you have any idea what you want to do next?" They had been in the shop for a while now, and Foxy often becomes bored.

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Blitz Boom

Astral reached her hoof to the trapdoor, closing her eyes as she focused, the lever underneath being pulled as the trapdoor opened. "Okay, there's going to be some dark magic involved when fighting." She trotted down the stairs into the basement, pulling out books. "Usually anything that is intended to hurt a pony involves some." She reached for a dark magic book, the symbol on it burned like a freshly scorched log, emitting small burning ashes as she pulled it out, ashes that dissipated when they touched any surface. "This was written by Warlock himself." She smirked a little, the symbol on the book showed the intent of it, it vaguely resembled two fiery wings as Astral opened it up. "It talks about all the spells he created and used, even stuff about how to properly use the elements of disharmony, although, I've never read those parts." She turned to a page that showed a depiction of Warlock himself, but in his prime, with his legs intact, and with wings made of fire on his back. "This will be useful for us to know later." She stood up as she put her hooves together, two complex shapes forming around where Pegasi wings would be, having a star shape inside a circle, which rotated around as it extended outwards, emitting particles similar to that of fire sparks.

Iron Star shivered, a deep sensation of dark magic flooded over him, something was wrong, it flowed through the family bloodline like it had when Sapphire practiced dark magic...

The sparks caused the air itself to burn as ashes floated through it, forming the shape of two wings, made of fire, originating from her midsection. Astral bounced up and down and giggled, flapping the wings, then folding them up to her side. "Oh I haven't cast this spell in ages~" She said as she looked to Chow. "So do you want to try to cast it?" She asked, smiling. "Oh and it doesn't hurt by the way."

====================================================

Something went through Warlock, terror, and something else, some deep sense that there was somepony using Dark magic who hadn't before. Warlock realized he was there too long as he saw the Sphinx notice him, even in his ethereal form he let his body pull him back like a rubber band, as he almost fell backwards, then pulling forward in a motion that looked intentional, as he blasted all the magic he gathered forward towards the Sphinx as he yelled out in anger, unless the Sphinx stopped it, it would be cutting through all the rock and destroying the traps ahead, even taking magic from any that used it.

====================================================

He smirked a little, deciding to go with this. "Well I had noticed them pass through here earlier when you were knocked out, but, I will make sure the generals don't find out." He said, giggling a little. "Oh and I came here to check on you, so, are you two alright?" He asked, pointing at them with his hoof, as he tilted his head a little.

====================================================

Iron Star continued to remain there, not really able to cast any healing spells in secret. "Well I don't have any pony to watch over me at home yet, aside from Astral maybe..." She looked to the doctor. "I think I'd prefer being here for now." She said, laying back a little.

[EQ_Theta 460]

@Blitz Boom @Storm Shine

"File Fiddler? Might need to point us to a specific location in this Las Pegasus place. Also need a description of their appearances in case. And is this place only populated by pegasi. Pony settlement names are strange sometimes."

That last one sounded a little more insensitive than what Lin was thinking. It sounded better in her head but she'd always admit to not being used to pony naming conventions despite being out and away from the village for a very long time. Perhaps this might be one of those big cities she's used to hearing about but never got around to exploring. And with that drive to see new sights comes the potential to get slighted or worse. Not helping is that she, Sen, Omen, and Discord are already oddities whose appearances will draw too much attention from others. 

Maybe ponies would distance themselves from them and make the search for two new ponies that much harder. It makes them targets for opportunists who might take advantage of them for being very, very inept and unsure about what to do in a place like Las Pegasus. Perhaps those are all just thoughts lingering in Lin's mind and whether it will be true or not will be revealed in good time.

Edited December 11, 2017 by EQ_Theta

[~Phoenix~ 196]

@Blitz Boom

Phoenix began to let down her guard as she realized that the pony in front of her clearly meant no harm. that skull would continue to creep her out, however. she listened on as the mare appeared to talk to the skull, as if there were some being, or beings inside of it. clearly, due to the glowing eyes, there was something up with this skull. otherwise, the mare would simply look insane. 

she thought it strange how Smokey had all of these ponies he was connected to. there were the few ponies here on his estate, as well as the others he had a chat with at each of the train stations. she shook her head slightly, thinking about just how opposite he was from her. perhaps that would only serve to help her out in the long run. 

she stepped back a little again. "puff puff?" she muttered to herself. she figured it must be some odd nickname for Smokey "yeah, i was just in there with him... but i think  he's dealing with something right now" she answered, thinking back to what had just happened inside of the house. her blood began to boil at simply the thought of it all. 

 

[Blitz Boom 4,634]

@~Phoenix~

"Awh. Well, perhaps I can catch him later.

Actually, wanna use some time out here so we can both go in and surprise him? It'll be fun. You can see the garden, and I can have my round to see if there's more friends for Legion lurking around somewhere. This place gets some weird activity sometimes. Not *Canterlot Garden* weird, but that's a tall order too."

Sorrow looked down on Phoenix with pleading eyes. She could go the round herself, obviously, but it was more fun when you were with somepony else. Perhaps she could even find out who Phoenix were in the grand scheme of things, and why she was here?

"Come on, pleeeease? We can talk too if you want. Just let's do something fun whilst we wait for Puff Puff to be done. I want to surprise him."

Ideally, she'd jumpscare him, and see him get a little frazzled over that, but she could wander with Phoenix and just have a regular chat too she supposed. Less fun, but it couldn't all be about her and what she wanted to do. If it were, they'd be out chasing strange things and monsters, all adventurer style.

But sadly, that sort wasn't just something you could do, even though she could already see Phoenix just blasting things left and right, with a wild mane and roaring at monsters. Vivid imagination was funny like that, at least for her.

"Well, unless dad told him I was coming. No fun when he spoils it, but that's not important right now. C'mon, let's wander the garden and see if we can find something pretty. Just don't ruin anything, okay? Rose doesn't like others messing up her garden."

===================================

 

@EQ_Theta @Storm Shine

So her master admitted he was wrong now? This day was just getting more confusing.

Back in her time, what he had done had always been right. Discord could do no wrong, and wouldn't apologize for his actions. Not in a way that he meant as least.

Perhaps the Stranger was right then. If even Discord thought that he wasn't as flawless as she had once thought he were, perhaps he wasn't.

She had thought for some time after meeting the Stranger that made her think her master had done wrong in the past, but there was a difference between thinking something, and hearing him admit fault himself. It was rather strange actually, but she guessed it was a good thing? At least for him it should be.

"Yellow mare sounds important Master. Is she going to be magic mare?"

Omen recalled hearing him talk about wanting a Lady of Chaos a few times, but he had made it clear that she were never to tell about any of the times to anypony, so she didn't ask this specifically. Instead, she used a phrase she had been ordered to use instead. Or one of. He had told her other that were weirder, and she couldn't recall all the words anymore. The one who sounded like Alicorn or Unicorn was the only one she had clearly in her head currently.

Meanwhile, Clayton gave a description of File Fiddler, a direction to go for Las Pegaus, and an address they should go for. It was in the southern part of town, though they should likely ask a local when they got there.

"- and then it's on the s-second floor. That's where I l-last saw his office being at least. When you see him, tell h-him that the statues cracked. H-He will know it is serious.

It is mostly a P-Pegasus city, but you will not be a-able to tell with all the tourists. A lot of w-weird and varied ponies and b-beings showing there for the a-attractions, and casinos. I would s-stay clear of those if I were you. They r-rob ponies blind more often than not."

=========================================

 

@MiragetheChangeling

"As long as you adhere to the law, there should not be an issue. Just remember that impersonating somepony can be acceptable, but doing so with ill intent is illegal. I hope you can understand the need for such a law."

Not all changelings were good, or came with anything less than horrid thoughts in mind, and as such, when they introduced Changeling specific laws, they had to take that into account.

However, they also had to think about how some changelings would be persecuted and shunned by everypony if it was found out who they were in the transition phase, so outright banning other forms could be seen as unfair. The last that Stargazer had heard, it would be okay with being other forms in case of pranks or other harmless stuff, and could be seen upon with good eyes on a case to case basis if it regarded transition or fear of persecution, depending on the city.

As the main guard in Ponyville currently (at least until Princess Sparkle would form her own guard) his judgement would be on the lenient side, and he had hopes that the princess's entourage would feel the same when it came down to it. She were the Princess of Friendship after all, and should be open towards others because of that.

"Hehe, you two sound nice. Can we help them daddy? Pleeease?"

Jelly looked with pleading eyes up on her father, who shook his head with a little smile and rustled her mane.

"A good guard helps everypony they can Jelly, so no worries."

He looked back over at the two, who may well end up being his new neighbors.

"Ponyville is still some way from here, and there's far worse things than Timberwolves out here. Best if we go with you and make sure you both arrive safely, if you'd allow it?"

===============================================================================

 

@Widdershins

So the wagon was still here, that was good. Less well off were they when it turned out that Ambie had apparently messed it up last night, and now was missing a harness.

Happy really needed to have a word with his parents about getting a carer with a leash to make sure Ambie didn't just accidentally finish what evolution and common sense should really have sorted up to about now. A bit of a harsh thought perhaps, but when it was made more and more apparent that pure luck had to be the only factor in Ambie still being alive and well, the gloves had to come off to accurately describe things. Or socks he supposed, since it was ponies

"Well, it ain't pretty, but I say we're better off trying to fix this rather than having you accidentally push it into somepony at the sight of the first incline. I might have a spare in my cart, hold on."

Considering he were on his own, he had to be prepared for things, though he would admit that rope wasn't something he had to dabble in often. But still, it was this or work some vines, and he'd start with having a look before they went full Tarzan.

Shouldn't take more than a few minutes either. He knew stuff like that wasn't going in the box, so it was really about the area around it. Hopefully Ambie could stay out of trouble for that long, though as Happy grabbed the key under his neck-plate and opened up for his shop, his better judgement told him that it wasn't gonna be that easy.

========================================================================================

 

@Widdershins

Smokey hated to admit it, but the Draconequus did make a point. He was not here completely, and had some excuse for what he did by the merit of being an apparent twisted combination of confusion and random acts. It did not mean however, that Smokey were any more pleased with his entrance, and still felt an anger that he did not normally have rummage around under the surface.

"You're kidding me, surely? We met in Ponyville. Phoenix and I brought your claw back after you somehow lost it. She set you on fire."

You'd really think that last one in particular would have been something the scattered Draconequus would bite notice in, but apparently, he could forget things like that, no matter how ashen he had been afterwards.

Wanting to get this over with, he started to push the parts that he could see together of the Draconequus, though he wasn't sure if all parts were even here. Hopefully he didn't have some of the creature in his stomach. That would just make an abhorrent even more disgusting, and it did not need help, considering how it had already completely ruined an excessively happy moment.

"So now you met this Draconequus beforehoof, whom your marefriend helped set on fire? I'm going to need more details about that one."

"Later. And don't call her that. She and I are... I don't know, but I don't want to make her feel more uncomfortable by hearing you say that.

And you, Widdershins, are going to keep your mouth shut about our secrets this time. It's not up to me to know her past unless she feels like talking, and she does not need to know about my business until I am ready to tell her. With how strained you have made everything with your appearance, you at the very least owe us that."

Having cleaned his nose as the conversation went on, Grim finally turned away from the sink with a little smirk on his face, from hearing how Smokey had responded to his comment about Phoenix being his marefriend. It got strained though, as he saw the pieced up Draconequus. He could not imagine this was considered a good way to meet the first one of those, and especially not if said creature was feeling like being vengeful to somepony who had once hurt him. Hopefully they weren't as bad as he had been made to believe.

=======================================================================================

 

@BloodDrops

Well, that was not the way she had intended the cloth piece to be used, but as long as it did something useful, she should just be somewhat happy about this honestly. Considering everything, having something become a tin bit less difficult was more than welcome.

"Good then, we have a plan for the time being"

As Ponyville got into sight, Nerzhei's mind started to go on alert, and the slightest movement made her think that some pony had found them, and that Blood was going to do something against them to stop othes from hearing about them. Thankfully, they somehow managed to get to where they had aimed for without actual ponies biting notice of them. Leaves, and the occasional critter had been what made sounds on the way there, unless Blood for unknown reasons would want to try and get them closer to town than made sense. In that case, this was going to end with somepony noticing them, but surely she wouldn't expose herself like this?

If something as bad as that did not happen, they should soon enough be at the station, at which point Nerzhei would wait for Blood to begin her planned part of everything, before she'd take off and find a garden shop for some kind of muzzle protection.

==========================================================================================

 

@The Resident Brony

"Some things never change, no matter how much you'd wish that they did. Perhaps being emotional is simply who you are?"

A lot of things could change, and Vivid knew this. Behavior, powers, likes and dislikes, or your very being, were all examples of what she had seen and experienced herself. However, there would usually be a part of you that never changed, or at least was plenty difficult to escape from. IN Invictus case, that may be his emotionally-driven behavior.

For her it had always been the dead. Even when corrupted and hurting others with glee, she had kept her respect for the dead, and done what she could to help them onward. The sympathy for them was a base that had never changed for her, even when more or less everything else had.

"In the grand scheme of things, I don't think that sounds too bad, though for somepony who wishes to be a guard however, perhaps it is not as simple for you. I imagine that requires a more level mind."

===================================================================================

 

@genessee

"Another restaurant? And here I were believing that we were the only ones who had open today. It seems even I, the great Alonsus, can be mistaken about some things now and again."

"Several things, each day,,you big dolt."

Berry rose her voice from the counter and pulled her tongue at Alonsus, who returned her teasing words with a puffed chest and a pleased smile on his face.

"Once again, the fair maiden have been drawn toward my presence, and her heart aches for my attention."

It was entirely certain if he was just teasing Berry back as she had a stab at him, or if he actually believed that she were just after him because she could not get enough of his attention.

"Ah, but hold still my heart, you will not have to wait for long. Tell us, where did you partake in a feast outside of work Lance? Alonsus is curious about where the competition have arisen, though a want to taste of their labor isn't there, unless you have found yourself in position of a pineapple? That would be quite intriguing."

=======================================================================================

 

@Foxy Socks @Widdershins @~Phoenix~

"The past is in the past Foxy, and I prefer to think les son how harsh that were, compared ot the wonders ahead of me. In any case, perhaps you are correct, and it would be time for us to leave soon. I would hate to take too much advantage of Miss Rarity's hospitality as it were."

Speaking of their hostess, he had likely shown off the cloak for long enough by now, and would slowly pull it back to put on his being once more. She had not mentioned anything about it after he had brought it up, but it were likely because her mind was racing. With what he had heard of her work, her mind would surely have to be occupied by thoughts about grandiose designs and splendid patterns after hearing his plea for a future piece of work. It was honestly an honor to have somepony so focused on her work that they went silent from being presented with an idea alone, without it being from disgust.

 At least he were fairly certain it wasn't a bad thing, as she were still in the room, and that she had thus far seemed like nothing but a kind pony. He couldn't believe that she would all of a sudden turn now.

Rainbow Dash's silence however... That one were stranger, but he would attempt to believe it had something to do with Agni. It seemed the bird's presence had started to render the pegasus speechless, and perhaps it was simply that which still made Miss Dash short of words. It was one of the nicer things he could imagine at least, and he did not wish to think harshly on ponies he had just met, so that would be his thoughts for the time being.

He got on his hooves as the thoughts ran and his cape settled on his back, with Brittle following troop shortly after.

"If we could, would it be terribly selfish to ask that we left the bustling town for now? Brittle seems to have reverted to her previous state, and I would prefer not to worry her too much with the amount of beings currently in town.

Ah, and Miss Rarity, Miss Dash? I thank you for the meeting, and to host us in what must be a busy time. It have been a fascinating experience."

Briar turned towards the two mares, and with a hoof to his chest, gave a deep bow before the both of them, as one should do according to his late mentor.

===========================================================================================

 

@Lloyd

Chow almost took a step back when Astral started to meddle with the sort of magic that Warlock apparently had written down, but as he saw the wings flare on her back, he halted,a nd took a large one forward instead.

"Are you outta your mind?"

His eyes had gotten a brief hardness in them as he saw the thing she had just done, though it did soften up the more he spoke after his first, sorta hostile outburst.

"We're supposed to fight him Astral, not turn into him. You wandering 'round with a trademark of his is going down the path, and the book? If he have written it, he already knows all the tricks in there, and it'll just be to his advantage. Not to speak of how it's likely loaded with all sorts of horrible magic. Heck, who knows what the wings alone might have of side effects?

I know we need to push him back, but I ain't gonna have you run in his steps to get there. I'd never be able to forgive myself if I lost you to his sort of magic, and that's not even speaking of your family. Misty needs you as you are, not as a shadow of a greater evil."

If she hadn't knocked him out, trapped him, or something else like that at this point, he'd try to take another step forward and put a hoof on her shoulder.

"I know you wanna end this, and get your mother back from him and Athriel, but the way isn't to be him. There have to be something here that's gonna work on him without going all the way down the rabbit hole.

Now, if you can say without a shadow of a doubt that what's in that book, and what it does, can't end up hurting you in the end, I'll listen to the sales pitch and perhaps buy in on the wings, but if there is anything that makes you unsure, I implore of ya: Put it down, get rid of the giant sign that you're practicing some sort of magic, and let's look what else is in here, alright?"

If Astral was set on this, perhaps she wouldn't listen to him, and instead see this as him being against her, but it couldn't be further from the truth. Sure, he was a bit harsh in the way he had gone at it to begin with, yet it had just seemed to him like she needed a firm hoof to help her get sorted again, and not go down the path of madness that Warlock once had.

Granted, the wings were pretty cool, but he already had tried to accept something that turned out to be corrupting, and he wasn't keen on just jumping on the bandwagon when this time the risk came from an even greater evil.

Of course, he might not be able to get much said before Astral would lash out, but surely she wouldn't do that to her buddy...Right?

==============================================================================================

 

@Lloyd

The Sphinx had tools at his disposal, but something which could stop the magical blast that hammered down the halls at this volume? No, he had nothing like that in his arsenal.

As the blast hammered down the hall and headed towards him, he dodged it with gritted teeth and look behind him, as the destruction both there and in front of him

At the other end, Athriel had actually taken a step back in surprise, not having expected this in the slightest, though she had to go forth again to grab hold of Warlock, as using this much magic might have left him unable to even float. Honestly, she were a little awestruck by the sheer force of the, and felt a shiver going through her as her heart skipped a beat. To have felt such power surge that close to her... She almost said something about it that wasn't a snark comment about a waste of magic, before a loud, angry voice from further in stopped her.

"You dare to make a mockery of my trial!? I have not been trapped here for centuries just to have some worthless mongrels cheat their way through it! You will come here now, and I will crush you below my paws!"

The remaining torches on the walls flared up quite a lot, and lighted the path forward in either patchy intervals, or on the floor itself, where some of the torched had fallen down into the rubble left behind by Warlock's attack. It were far more than were needed, but the Sphinx were angry. This was not how things were supposed to be done, and whatever merit the two of them had from releasing him were running thin now.

One way or another, they would be made to prove themselves, even if he had to take the magical orb his paw were placed on, that had powered the temple's defenses before, and trap them in it, to see if they would be driven mad or escape unscathed. Though he were sure the leech would cheat and just eat the remnants inside of it as well. Perhaps it would best to make this physical when they got there.

In the meantime, Athriel had started to grit her beak at the prospect of what were ahead now, and knowing well that there wasn't a way out behind them anymore. Not one they'd be able to get through with any ease, now that the whoever was guarding this place were in a harsh mood.

"We need to get going. If you can't move on your own, just let me carry you there. Hopefully there's something you can drain there."

It was not intentional that some worry escaped with her words, but for some reason it had just slipped out before she had a chance to think on it. No matter, they had something to do here, and unless Warlock would or could move on his own, she'd take hold of him, and fly like she had when they got to the island in the first place. The Sphinx were not going to ground her again this time if it were.

================================================================================================

 

@Lloyd

"Yeah, we're fine. Just need a bit of time to get sorted."

"Getting your heads smashed together in a metal helmet leaves to a lot of ringing."

"Yeah well, less than what the Generals could've ended up doing if they learned what happened, am I right?"

"Yeah, getting ringing beats getting an earful from those two. Not easy to ignore when they're giving you a verbal assault."

"Well, thankfully not an issue since our friend here is bening a real pal about things. Thanks again for that by the way.

"Yeah. you're a life saver. THough we still need to figure out where that robed one went. Have you seen anyone like him? He's completely covered in a ratty robe, and it seemed like he had a long tail to, considering the cylinder for that thing in said robe."

"And glowing, golden eyes."

"Oh right, those. Weren't they kinda slit in it? You know, like a dragon perhaps?"

"Oh yeah... Might've been a small dragon then? Would explain the tail."

"Totally. Wouldn't you agree... Iron Wing, right?"

==============================================================================================

 

@Lloyd

"Good good. It's easier to monitor things here, but we are required to ask."

The doctor nodded and noted down a few things on a pad, then looked at the cast on Misty's leg and scribbled something more on. He'd likely show them if they asked, but doctor writing wasn't exactly an easy one to decipher.

"What about the ambassador?"

The doctor halted momentarily, then let out a sigh and looked at the Lieutenant.

"...He sustained a good deal of internal bleeding from his impact with a hard surface, several bones have been bend or broken, and he suffered a punctured lung. Quite honestly, I'm surprised he could even talk or stand after hitting it in the first place."

"He's gonna be okay though, right?"

"Honestly, we're not sure."

Shimmer got a pale look over her face.

"We staunched the bleeding and we've done what we could to fix his lung, but he had lost a lot of blood when we got him in, and the damages was extensive. The angle and the surface he hit ended with his own body hurting him more than the impact, and as much as we have done, it will have to come down to his will to carry on right now. If he manages to fight through the next hour, he should be okay, but I can't give guarantees with certainty.

We will do everything that we can of course, and I have hopes for him, but right now we all need to weapon ourselves with patience."

Unless there would be more from Misty, the doctor would move along over to Iron to check up on him, and leave Shimmer behind visibly shaken, and mumbling something that sounded like a prayer for Celestia to watch over him, wherever she were.

=================================================================================

 

@woodchunks66

On the apple farm, a strange figure were currently wandering between the apple trees.

Lyriel might look like a Human to some at a distance, which would be weird enough, but when they got closer and saw her robe of leaves and grassm the roots in her hair, and the bark on especially her fingers and bare feet, it would start to get stranger.

Dryads were not something she had gotten the sentiment were common in Equestria. Beyond her, she had not heard of any, and by the looks she had been given after getting to town earlier today, neither had the locals. It was a shame, but at least she could wander peacefully among her little pony friends, and not get attacked.

After Ancalagon had picked her up however, things had become... Strained. Others looked at her a little more strange, as if she had a personal connection with the great one, and after she had stormed away from him a few minutes ago, it had likely not been better. She wasn't sure, as she had rushed away, not wanting to bait her temptation with the pure water he could offer anymore. It was a kind gesture, but she couldn't let herself be consumed by it like her people had, even if it was offered by a great dragon who likely did not wish her harm.

Looking at her hand just before she placed it on the trunk of the tree in front of her, she could still see some of the effects. The pale flowers had fallen off as she had started to tun, and her eyes had gone away from the pink they had in them before back to the normal light green. Yet she could still see herself being overly florid, and still not rid of the excessive healthiness look that it had given her.

It was a better look perhaps, but it wasn't her, and she couldn't allow herself to change like that. Change would come soon enough of course, and she would welcome it, as she would attempt to see if she could blend in better with the ones near the forest she now resided in, but it was different to change because you wanted to, instead of addiction to something that made it involuntarily.

So she had run away, and had fallen over this large orchard full of apple trees with no pony around that she could see. Curious, she had then entered it, and as she were doing now, as her right palm gently got placed the tree in front of her, she had communicated with the trees, to learn from them, and the ones who governed them.

Edited December 12, 2017 by Blitz Boom

[Amanita 6,826]

@Blitz Boom

Mirage looked at Stargazer, as if judging whether or not she could trust Stargazer and Jelly. As she was observing, her eyes looked as if they flickered between fear, protectiveness, and something Stargazer wouldn’t be able to place.

“All right. Amanita normally doesn’t let me do that anyways. And thank you, for your kindness.”

She seemed to mean the last statement. After saying this however, her eyes went back to their original state, emotionless.

Whilst Amanita was currently smelling/listening around, she answered Jelly.

“Thank you miss! You seem nice to!”

Amanita giggled happily at finding possible new friends, even if trying to make friends with that Timberwolf hadn’t worked out to well...

[Brobot 1,436]

@Blitz Boom

Apple jack trotted  outside of the barn the following morning she looked at the trees sighed"This is best place to live that I can be sure........"Something she saw cut her short.the trees...they looked disturbed,now this might seem strange to other pony but living on this orchard all her live,well it comes with its benefits and one of those are noticing when the smallest thing has different about them.AJ slowly trotted over a tree and looked at its trunk.

"a....hand print?AJ turned her head in confusion  and started at the strange print,"something has been here,I'm plum sure of that"she need to find out what.....

[genessee 535]

@Blitz Boom

"Uhhh..."

Lance trotted over to a vacant nearby table and dumped the contents of his hoodie onto it.

"No, there's no pineapples here. Only peaches and oranges, sorry.  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to fit one in my pocket, anyways!"

[Victoria Sponge 1,017]

@Blitz Boom

The faintest hint of a smile appeared on Victoria's face when Benny called her a life-saver. She appeared to be softening more and more the longer she was in their company and away from her sister. The smile did not disappear as they began moving and seemed only to grow as they moved along.

Coming to the next crossroad and being asked for another direction by Benny she looked around at the three potential paths.

"Uhmm... Left here. You could go straight ahead and left later on but then we'd have to pass through a... less... nice... clean?"

She paused trying for once to come up with a slightly nicer way of referring to a person or place.

"An area I would prefer to avoid, this city is wonderful but nothing can be wholly beautiful. Everyone and everything has a little, or in my case a lot, of ugly somewhere."

She seemed puzzled, as if she wasn't sure what she'd said made sense.

"Anyway... after you."

Once again she waited patiently for the other to move, glanced up at the sky once more and trotted closely behind Pop, notably closer than she had been a little earlier.

[Storm Shine 1,196]

@Blitz Boom @EQ_Theta

Discord chuckled merrily, ruffling Omen's mane with a happy smile. "It's quite possible my dear, it's quite possible." He said, thinking on all of the time he's spent with Fluttershy, "Although, if I should offer such a thing, it would be up to her as well."

[EQ_Theta 460]

@Blitz Boom @Storm Shine

"A city likely to rob visitors blind... sure hope we don't get sidetracked then. Why ponies put up with that is beyond me." Lin quietly muttered the second sentence under her breath as she was left even more perplexed by such things. All the more Las Pegasus sounded like a loud salespony Lin ran into while on the road. He spoke with such charisma and elegance, always enticing and on point while capping his piece with quick wit. Good thing she didn't decide to go along with that scheme because she learned first-hoof how she'd be robbed through compliance. That was a con she would remember for many years to come. 

"Anyways, I'll give File Fiddler or Fancy Filigree your name if they ask but mention the cracked statues first. You take care of yourself and your friends alright? The world they're in right now may be a lot different than the one they left." 

Lin nodded to Clayton and his friends before turning around to meet up with Discord and the others. Right now, she felt like going back home to her village and just putting her feet up for a moment but with a mad pony on the loose, that will have to wait. She walked up to the others to let them know what comes next. 

"Seems like our work isn't over yet. We need to go to Las Pegasus and meet with someone called File Fiddler; let him know about what happened here. Clayton said he should know about the situation here and maybe he might know more about who Omen just met in the mines. Shall we go?"

[BloodDrops 762]

On 12/12/2017 at 9:06 PM, Blitz Boom said:

Well, that was not the way she had intended the cloth piece to be used, but as long as it did something useful, she should just be somewhat happy about this honestly. Considering everything, having something become a tin bit less difficult was more than welcome.

"Good then, we have a plan for the time being"

As Ponyville got into sight, Nerzhei's mind started to go on alert, and the slightest movement made her think that some pony had found them, and that Blood was going to do something against them to stop othes from hearing about them. Thankfully, they somehow managed to get to where they had aimed for without actual ponies biting notice of them. Leaves, and the occasional critter had been what made sounds on the way there, unless Blood for unknown reasons would want to try and get them closer to town than made sense. In that case, this was going to end with somepony noticing them, but surely she wouldn't expose herself like this?

If something as bad as that did not happen, they should soon enough be at the station, at which point Nerzhei would wait for Blood to begin her planned part of everything, before she'd take off and find a garden shop for some kind of muzzle protection.

 

Blood blinked and smiled as they past the most risky bit of the journey and spotted the station in sight, she smiled and moved slightly faster towards it. "looks like we did rather well, didn't get caught or spread any nasty viruses today" I remarked going up to the station door. I poke my head in and make sure nothing was disturbed or out of place. It wasn't, was left just as Blood had left it. She scooted back outside and blinked at the dragon.

"So, what are we gonna do now? because we need to wait for the metal to arrive and I need a muzzle protector thingy" I remarked at her. I sat down outside, happy to wait there. 

[Foxy Socks 2,599]

@Blitz Boom @Widdershins @~Phoenix~

 

"That's fine, it would be nice to go somewhere more quiet too. Hopefully there won't be anything for Agni to attack either." Foxy looked up at the sleeping phoenix, a feisty but lovable companion. 

 

Foxy looked back at Rarity and Rainbow, saying goodbye, before turning to leave. She wondered where out of the town they would go, though Foxy was familiar with most of it. 

 

In a way she was relieved Brittle was back to normal, so it was easier to tell if she is upset. Foxy made sure to give her room, especially with Agni also in mind. Foxy didn't think Agni would attack Brittle, but it was better to be safe, and besides, Brittle would be anxious having such an animal near her. 

 

"Where should we go Briar? There are quite a few places outside of the town, though I highly doubt the Everfree Forest would be a good idea." Celestia knows what could be in there, and Foxy had plenty of experiences to see why it was a dangerous place. Still, she was fascinated of it, and did enjoy going into it the few times, though at the moment it wasn't such a sound idea.

[~Phoenix~ 196]

@Blitz Boom

Phoenix stood a few steps back still from where sorrow was still talking to her. "legion" the word rang out in her head. is that the word she was using to refer to the skull? something about it made Phoenix feel rather uneasy. but perhaps those were just her latent survival instincts kicking in. 

unfortunately, her survival instincts were a part of her that she simply couldn't get rid of. questioning the motives of others had helped her evade sticky situations quite a few times in the past. and listening to these instincts had been such a huge part of her life that it wasn't going to be something she could easily switch off. and it's for that reason, she would keep a keen eye on sorrow. "sure" she answered carefully. 

as they would begin their stroll through the garden, Phoenix had a hard time letting her mind off the situation that had taken place beforehand, as well as the one that sat in front of her now. she wished that she could truly be at ease as to admire the beauty and work put into such a display. it was nothing like you could find deep in the woods. back in there things simply grew wherever they found themselves. there was no order or beauty.

 she sighed a bit as she realized she kept connecting everything to her life before. but what other choices did she have? after all, there wasn't much for her to compare it to other than her life in the woods. 

 

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Blitz Boom

The wings started to fade as the realization came across her. "Well, not all of them are dark magic spells like these wings." She looked to him as the last sparks of the wings flew away, landing on the ground. "So we can just use those." She turned to a different page, it mentioned levitation, along with a recap of how to cast a levitation spell, and how to keep yourself focused enough to do self levitation. "You'll need to learn this if you want to float like Warlock can, it's safer, so we don't have to worry about corruption." She paused for a moment. and looked up to him. "And, there are tricks we can figure out to outsmart him, like my mother did." She pulled out a second book, it instead had two gems on it, an Emerald, with a Sapphire. "Sapphire and her sister wrote this together, although to clarify, Athriel never wrote in this book, she had a third sister, Emerald, who wrote in this." Depending if Athriel ever mentioned it when residing in Chow's mind, he might not recognize that this was just another name for Sapphire's sister, Athriel of course. "Lucky for us, no dark magic spells are in this book." She said while pointing to it.

===============================================================

Warlock smirked as he stopped blasting out magic, absorbing the amount he spewed out that was unused by this spell. "Well at least you don't have any traps keeping you from escaping now!" Warlock yelled out to the Sphinx, moving his hoof to his side as he gestured around himself. Warlock snickered when Athriel suggested the prospect of being carried. "No don't be such a fool, something like that has never drained me fully before." He said, knowing what she meant with those words as he leaned back. "And besides, that thing around his neck gives off a powerful magic." He flew forward as fast as he could, reaching out his hooves as he tried to extract magic directly from the Sphinx's necklace.

===============================================================

He smiled a little as he stepped closer. "Well I had spotted them and had taken them in myself." He nodded as they asked about his name. "Well it's Iron Wind, but you can call me that if you like." He said with a smile.

===============================================================

Misty seemed a little shocked in appearance, looking down. The short time with Golden she had wasn't really that much but she hoped he'd come out alive. "I do hope he recovers."

[Blitz Boom 4,634]

@~Phoenix~

Sorrow clapped her hooves together, whilst the grin on her face got larger.

"Yey, garden buddies! See Legion? She's a nice mare. No need to be worried about her."

The lights in the skull seemed unsure where to look as she said that, flickering between Sorrow and Phoenix. Whatever was up with them, they seemed harmless enough to the two mares, even if apparently, they had been concerned about Phoenix.

"They don't mean anything bad by it by the way, Phoenix. They're just concerned when they meet strong ponies, and some of them say you seem plenty strong. Perhaps they think you're like the birds and will go Fwoosh! out of nowhere? Hehe."

Going along the path, they'd soon find themselves passing some more statues of seemingly random ponies and other species, before entering an area that seemed to be designated to relaxation. A few benches, a table, and so forth were close to one another, with an assortment of decorative plants to make sure the atmosphere fitted the place.

Or in other words, it was a patio, with emphasis on the view of the garden. Otherwise the bushes would have been more cut in this area, but Rose didn't want the outside to be distracting you here, so she had decided against it, originally to Smokey's dismay. He had begrudgingly admitted it was better this way, when he had actually tried spending time here, 

Sorrow seemed to be all giddy about it too, though her reasons were different.

"Hehehe. You should have been here three years ago when he had a poltergeist out here. There is something hilarious in seeing Puff Puff scream  for help on a floating bench. He screams like a little filly you know? Real high pitched and *Meep!* like."

Sorrow snorted whilst laughing at the memory. Sure, the poltergeist had been a bad thing for him, but he had gotten through it fine enough, and that week in the hospital didn't mean that it wasn't funny to see him cling on for dear life, confused and terrified as he got slung around. Had made a pretty nasty bump in the wall when he got slammed in there a few times, but both it and him had gotten pretty well mended since then. He still jumped and screamed if she snuck up on him and yelled *Poltergeist!* though. Bit of a trauma she supposed, but other than that, he had gotten through things well.

"That's the first time I met him. Dad asked me to show up and help after things had gotten weird, and I showed up a little before that. Puff Puff was really skeptical, but he believed it after being through this himself., and we've been friends ever since.

I come around once in a while to visit dad, or to have a check to see if some other ghostie have moved in, but so far, only a few stragglers, and none of them are bad ones. Poltergeists aren't normally bad either really. Poor things are just lost and in pain."

She raised a hoof and patted the skull, whose eyes had started to look around on the furniture.

"It's okay now though. She's getting better with Legion's help. Aren't you?"

She snuggled the skull with her muzzle a little before shrugging and pointing to the side, where a small garden dam were placed.

"Wanna look at the fishies? They're pretty and blue."

Seeing as she didn't think of what she had said as a grand reveal or something worrying, Sorrow just moved on like if she had been talking about the weather. Might have some more of an impact on her companion, though she hadn't the faintest idea. She didn't really know Phoenix, so as for all she knew, the mare was just totally into fish, and could glaze over the rest like it was nothing to go see the fishies.

=====================================

 

@Lloyd

Chow smiled as he saw her dismiss the wings.

"Thanks Astral, I appreciate you're willing to work 'round his methods instead of with 'em. And you know, thanks for not blasting me for being a bit off a Donkey when saying things to you. Much appreciated."

Frankly, he had been expecting that at that point, he'd finally gone too far, and he'd get a smacking. But Astral had been merciful on him, and taken his words in well too. He was might proud of the pretty gal.

"So, floating you say? That sounds good. Let's start there, and then move up as you see fit. You're the magic boss, I just hit stuff."

Giving an odd look to the book she presented from what sounded like three sisters, made him give a frown and a little shiver though.

"So wait, there was three of them? No offense to your mother, but what're the chances her last sister here was a good one, considering how Athriel turned out? Seems like 1 good 1 bad so far with those sisters, and that third one might be somewhere out there too."

Athriel hadn't spoken much in his head. Sometimes he felt a pressure, but generally, after Giddon had trapped her in his head, he didn't hear words anymore until she escaped (unless you counted cryptic dreams) and before she was caught he had never heard her say the name Emerald before.

The blood magic user had not wanted to though, even if she had talked to him. Emerald was in her eyes, a foolish filly that had blindly followed the sister she adored into the depths of darkness, and had died the day Sapphire had left her there.

Somewhere deep inside, the adoring sister that only wanted her family together again still resided, but Athriel did what she could to ignore that part, even if it affected her actions. Like it had when she had gotten stronger to face her sister, but not to end her existence, but rather take her back with her. Back to the life she had drawn her little sister into, and haf abandoned for reasons Athriel hadn't understood the point in.

That part were buried deep now though. Sapphire locking her into a red mist, and trapping her in the bauble, had become a memory that fed the hatred in Athriel's mind to her once beloved sister, and it just widened the divide between them. If Sapphire ever wanted to try and get her sister out of the darkness of forbidden magic and rage she had plunged her into, and make amends, she was going to have to work hard to dig it out.

As for her contribution to the book, it was somewhat minimal. Not from a normal pony standpoint, but Sapphire had just been the most knowledgeable, with the most to write down, so two thirds were either only her, or included her inpit one way or another. Emerald had mainly been working with blood and illusions, though there should be some pages of her main study: Transmogrification techniques. Some pretty dark stuff that required blood from whatever you tried to mingle yourself with, but it thankfully didn't specify actual sacrifices.

Athriel had learned to go beyond these ritualistic limitations as time had gone by, eventually causing her to only need small portions per change, and in the end, simply using her own blood as a catalyst, but these were before the dark days of her descend. Before she prepared to go to war with her sister and force her to return to her side, one way or another.

Considering what she had done to be able to do that, this was harmless, as were most other stuff she had contributed.

Still, this weren't a spell book really, as Astral had said. It included research and some theories, as well as more personal things which Athriel would not be happy about were being shared, but spells? Not really. That were another book entirely, and it wasn't a guarantee that Astral had access to that particular tome, though Sapphire likely once had. Didn't seem. ike the sort of thing you'd just lie somewhere randomly to be picked up by some random sap.

======================================

 

@Lloyd

"Fine, if you want it that way old man, let's get this over with."

Athriel mumbled to herself before spreading her wings and following Warlock towards whatever angry creature was further inside, who had not stopped yelling at them simply because Warlock had talked back to him.

"You want magic, hoarder? Then go ahead and take it!"

It wasn't good news in general to have round objects hurled at you with force, bu it didn't get better when said object were the diameter of a pony, and got hurled down so it bounced off the walls, headed towards them. Even if Warlock drained it, there would still be the thick glass bauble itself left, which mean thtat the only way to reliably do something about this problem, was to stop it, or destroy it.

Athriel chose the later, put some of the little magic she had access to into her talons, and charged forward. The glass might be thick, but if she could hit it at just the right angle, she would bore through it, and come out on the other side as it splintered.

If Warlock had drained a good deal of the magic before this, she would just be bleeding slightly when she got though. If he hadn't however, she would tumble down the hall, whilst jolts of illusion magic assaulted her mind. Either way, he'd be able to drain a good deal from it before the last remnants flickered out, which were roughly a third of what the binding spell holding the Sphinx before.

If he had been slow, he'd have to drain Athriel too, which likely included her own magic as well, to make sure it was all gone, or he wouldn't be able to have much of a use for her until the surges had settled down, and left her mind free of the assault it was putting her through right now.

If he didn't, they'd soon get into the room where the Sphinx would e waiting for them, towering above them and looking at them like they were insects meant to be squashed. Though his eyes would show more than anger. Fascination would also be there, over seeing the two of them here, even if Warlock cheated.

As for the necklace he had on with the element, Warlock would have to get a little closer to drain the wards in that thing, but it should be workable enough as long as he didn't get chewed up. That is, if they couldn't just get it from the Sphinx the way you usually won over them: By answering a riddle, or passing a test. Considering they just ruined the test, it really only left one possibility.

=========================================================================================

 

@Lloyd

"Right, Wind, what did I say?"

"You said Wing."

"Can it, Sauce."

"Make me, Poodle."

"Peh, like I couldn't."

"You can't."

"Yeah, keep thinking that."

"Don't need to think on what I know, but I can beat you at the training range later. You said you caught the interloper Wind? Who was it? Was it a Dragon?

"Could've been a changeling. They're still making a mess of everything."

"That's putting it mildly."

===========================================================================================

 

@Lloyd

"So do I. He doesn't deserve this..."

It wasn't like Golden and her had something together, but she still felt devastated, as she saw him as more or less her mentor. He had kept her spirits high when she entered the guard, and in hard times, he had asked her to join him for tea and talk, so she could calm down and focus again.

He claimed he saw potential in her for a good member of the guard, but that she seemed like she needed somepony to hold her up sometimes, and it was all too right. She had gone through years in the guards before she felt confident enough in herself to wander and excel on her own, which eventually gained her some promotions. It had been years since she needed his help, but he still checked in on her from tie to time when he wasn't too busy, and she felt like she owed him more or less everything. So to see him in danger like this... It wasn't pleasant.

Meanwhile, over at Iron, the doctor approached and readied his pad once again.

"Sir, can you tell me how you feel currently? Do you feel like something it itching on the back of your eyes, or is it confined to the front?"

Behind would be bad, and they'd perhaps need to move in again, where only having the itching in the front was the result they wanted. Him not feeling anything would be... Troubling. It was possible, though rare, and it unfortunately made it harder for them to determine if things were going well, or they'd end up having to approach this with a second treatment.

=======================================================================================

 

@Foxy Socks @~Phoenix~ @Widdershins

"The Everfree Forest are not quite the worst place once you have set yourself in respect with the local predators. When they realize you are further up the food chain than them, they will leave you mostly alone. Case in point, Brittle and I actually live in the forest. I have found a delightful cave that serves as a suitable habitat for the sort who prefers to be covered from the night and what it holds.

It is perhaps not optimal, but with the occupation issues there currently are present in Ponyville, I don't think it timely to attempt to gain residence within the towns borders currently. Perhaps we can show it to you? I would be honored to.

And I can assure you, if something attempts to attack you, I will fend it off myself. I may be down to one vine, but that hardly means that I am defenseless."

As he had said his goodbyes to their hostesses, Briar would have risen up again from his bow, and begun to move towards the exit as he spoke, with Brittle basically wandering as close to him as she could without getting physically glued together with him.

"Though of course, if you would prefer another venue, we can discuss that. It simply seems as the best place to escape the mutterings of Ponyville currently."

=============================================================================================

 

@BloodDrops

"I need to get some supplies for this, and we will have to wait for Slappy to return with the metal. Try to stay here, out of sight, and I will be back soon."

Nerzhei spread her wings again, and looked back on Blood.

"We've made it this far. Let's not mess it up now."

With that, she took to the skies and went off towards town.

Slappy would arrive a few minutes after, pushing a medium-sized container which seemed to be rather heavy. Their promised metal by all accounts, though he was so focused on pushing it that he didn't notice anypony right away. Took a little before he'd fall with his back to the container, gasping for air and finally look around himself.

"H-Heavy stuff. But I *hrgh* found it."

=============================================================================================

 

@EQ_Theta @Storm Shine

Omen got a small smile on her face, somewhat reminiscent of the one she had when Mother was petting her, as Discord ruffled her mane. It didn't last longer than his touch, but there was still genuine happiness in that small moment, even if she didn't realize it.

"Okay Master. We see what yellow mare does."

Giving others a choice, instead of pushing his will on them too. If she had any sense of humor, she might have asked who he were, and what he had done with her real master, but that didn't work with her. The one time somepony had tried to explain that joke to her, it had ended with her asking if she was her, and where the real her had gone then. It had rather killed the joke by the nervous mare who had attempted to talk to Omen without just running away. The running proceeded to happen afterwards, and Omen had wandered off again to look elsewhere.

Lin returning made Omen look away from Discord again, and towards her friend who were talking about where they were going to have to go now. Behind her, Clayton was giving a small wave towards the group as he tried to get his friends gathered up so they could go to the nearby town, and then take a train from there to Canterlot to begin things. A lengthy process, but the group of oddities would have a lot to deal with right now as it were too, so perhaps it was for the better.

"Las Pegasus... Sky city?"

Omen had been mostly all over Equestria in her search for Discord, and had run into several cities in the skies. Some she had just fallen down from repeatedly, as only Pegasi were able to step on those clouds, but she remembered some of the others too, and Las Pegasus were one of them. Hopefully it would be the first, as she opened a gate to the dark realm she came from, and looked at the others.

"I can take us."

Discord had only been in the realm briefly when he was looking for her some days ago, and then it had only been inside Mother's chamber. The outside he hadn't been in since he had picked her out from the crowd some three millennia ago. She wondered if he were still able to remember the ever-shifting place of dark shades, where the pale eyes of her unformed siblings were the only thing that never changed form, even if the rest of them were like wet dough.

==========================================================================================

 

@Battenberg

Benny almost went over and tried to hug Victoria as it seemed like she was warming right up, but a glare from Pop made him stop. She knew what was going through his head, and she didn't want to risk it, no matter how much he wanted to.

"Heh, alright then Victoria, thanks for the direction. Let's see how we'll go, eh?"

The directions was better than what he had gotten before, that was for sure. He went from vague directions and towards now having a good line to go with, and it sounded simple enough, long as they took it in parts. He'd have to travel them some times in case his parents ended up staying here after their attempt at moving to Equestria. It was not ideal in their mind, but they were attempting it to get closer to both Benny, and a few of his brothers that had moved since then. There were still a sister and the small one, of course, but it seemed like eventually, they all wanted to try Equestria for themselves, though his parents were really skeptic, and would focus on every small, bad thing they could see. Frankly he didn't think they'd last here, but he had to try and stay positive.

Whilst they went on, Pop would have to try and say something to fill the awkwardness. It took her a while to figure out something to say though, as speaking with Victoria always seemed like a bit of a landmine, but she had to think of something here.

"So... Victoria? You said something about an ugly side of town? Manehatten seems like a wonderful place from what we've seen of it so far, so I'm curious where it's dark underbelly is, if you wouldn't mind telling us?"

=====================================================================================

 

@genessee

"Worry not my friend, it was but a hope, and I shall not fall because of such a small blow to it."

He looked on the presented fruits that Lance had with him though, and thought over things for a time before he finally rose up and grinned smugly.

"Ah, I understand. You have gotten this from the food stand, have you not? I saw them setting up things such as this earlier as I passed. Tell Alonsus, did Berry partake in her ghastly feast again?"

"Put a sock in it Alonsus!"

The smirk on his face became a little more punchable as he heard Berry respond to his comment about her honestly weird sandwich. He liked apples as much as any regular pony would, but cut over with cream inside of it? he had visibly frowned when he had seen her eat this once, and still could not find even the thought of it tasteful.

=======================================================================================

 

@woodchunks66

After taking her hand off the tree she had just been with, and smiling at the faint hand print that got left after her communication, Lyriel turned to look towards other parts of the orchard, as she spotted a pony in a hat not too far from her. She had seen a few ponies with clothing, but this was the first she had bit notice in that wore something like this. It fitted her rather well though, if she were asked to comment on it.

Lyriel wandered away from the shade of the tree and to a more open spot, where the pony should be able to both see her, and hear her, long as she introduced herself with a little more volume in her voice than normally.

"Hello there little one. I am Lyriel, the last daughter of the Silver Vale. It is a pleasure to meet you."

She bowed her head slightly as she looked at the mare with a warm smile on her lips. Ponies seemed generally to be non-violent, so she had no reason to think poorly about this one at first glance. The worst she expected were judgemental stares and perhaps her moving further away from the Dryad, but that would simply hurt her feelings, not her body.

Of course, she hoped it would not go that far. Like with Frosty, Summer and Blitz, she hoped that this one would be friendly, and one who would speak with her without judgement. It would be a nice break from what had happened earlier, but they would see what would happen.

====================================================================================

 

@MiragetheChangeling

"Daddy always says to be nice, respectful, and help those who needs it. That's the way to be a good pony."

"Long as you remember that, you're gonna grow up great."

Stargazer took a hoof down and scratched her on the back of the neck. It wasn't as good as scratching her mane, but that was Gary's place, and he knew that she'd be heartbroken if anything happened to her Arachnid friend. Considering her slight purr though, it were evident that this was also a perfectly fine scratching area too.

"As Jelly said, you're supposed to be respectful of others. I try to reserve my negative ideas about specific individuals who have proven to be continued issues, over those who are just unfortunate enough to have kinship with terrorists. That isn't your cross to bear, and it would be unfair to judge you on the actions of others.

That being said, follow me please. And let me know if I wander too fast. I don't wish to cause issues for you, Amanita."

He did not dig into things more, even if he were curious, as why she was blind and how she coped with it wasn't something a nice pony would just blurt out of nowhere. It was disrespectful, and he didn't want to act like that. That sort of behavior belonged to a snotty brat of a bat pony, whom he had tried his best to turn his back on ever since the guards took him in. He didn't want to be like that again, and especially not when Jelly were looking.

No matter what else he did in life, his most important one would always be to make sure that she was better than him, and that she got the foalhood she deserved. Full of love, and parents that cared for her. Not discarded to a corner and feeling resentment grow more and more in her chest. That wasn't a life for her, which was also why he had thought it best to have her in Canterlot when he had to go here, but it had turned out that he had indeed been her favorite out of her mother and him. Something which brought him some shameful degrees of joy, even if he still got along well with his ex wife, but also complicated things some.

Still, he'd make it work, for her sake.

Edited December 14, 2017 by Blitz Boom

[Amanita 6,826]

@Blitz Boom

Mirage looked at him seeming thankful. 

“Thank you sir.”

She takes Amanita’s hoof and leads her while they head to Ponyville with Stargazer and Jelly.

Amanita’s ears perk up at the different sounds of the forest, and smelling the scents.  Her hooves seem to go over the ground lighter as her wings slightly buzzed.

“What’s Ponyville like?”

She asks this curios, seems she doesn’t know much about the lives of ponies, or any other kind of life besides the one she’s been forced into living. Maybe they could explain about life in Ponyville?

Mirage was looking around, and while they were walking by new things, she whispered into Amanita’s ear. If they listened closely they would hear that she was describing things for the blind mare.

Edited December 14, 2017 by MiragetheChangeling

[~Phoenix~ 196]

@Blitz Boom

Phoenix hadn't much to say to add to the conversation. much like Smokey, Sorrow seemed to love talking as well. not that it was a terrible thing. it was actually rather nice, being the quiet one that she was. instead she simply took note of the rather odd story that she was telling. it had never been a hobby of hers to argue with ponies. ones who were clinically insane were even worse. that is only of course if that were the case of the mare she were staring at right now. 

she simply followed sorrow through the garden, trying her best to ignore how odd the things were she were talking about as she took in the beauty of the place. she turned her head from left to right, trying to take it all in as best as she could as they passed. if she had a moment or two, she would stop for a moment to try and smell some of the flowers, causing her to possibly be trailing behind sorrow by a few feet. 

as they made their way out to the patio, adjacent to the small pond, Phoenix wandered over to it herself, without any further motivation needed. she was fairly curious about the whole area, never having seen a place as beautiful as this before. 

Edited December 14, 2017 by ~Phoenix~

[BloodDrops 762]

4 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

"I need to get some supplies for this, and we will have to wait for Slappy to return with the metal. Try to stay here, out of sight, and I will be back soon."

Nerzhei spread her wings again, and looked back on Blood.

"We've made it this far. Let's not mess it up now."

With that, she took to the skies and went off towards town.

Slappy would arrive a few minutes after, pushing a medium-sized container which seemed to be rather heavy. Their promised metal by all accounts, though he was so focused on pushing it that he didn't notice anypony right away. Took a little before he'd fall with his back to the container, gasping for air and finally look around himself.

"H-Heavy stuff. But I *hrgh* found it."

 

 

Blood nodded at Nerzhei "ok will do" I remarked and I stayed out of sight until I smelt Slappy coming. I blinked at him pushing the metal. Then I decide to walk over to him.

"Good, think we won't need anymore, and Nerzhei said to wait. So lets wait for her arrival, then we can get onto making me fully disease proof" I remarked.

"Now go get me one of my fish, I'm getting hungry again" I ordered him, having a nice stockpile inside the train station. 

[Brobot 1,436]

@Blitz BoomAJ turned and saw the human shaped thing that spoke to her...now AJ has seen humans before thats to that magical mirror but this....this was different 

AJ froze in place"what in tarnation"she whispered under she breath,she was shaking in her horse shoes but she tried not to show it,she stood up straight and tried to register what that thing said said"Last daughter of the silver what?"AJ wanted an explation but she was worried that this thing was hostile so she kept her distance and waited for a reply.....

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Blitz Boom

Astral looked to him as he spoke, he made a good point, she shrugged. "They probably turned evil long after their mother had all three of them." She said, handing the book to Chow, a page mentioning a levitation spell, she reached out her hoof and closed her eyes, creating a ball of magic in her hooves. "Oh and another thing with magic you need to know, it builds up over time, but our bodies don't store that much magic, so it can help to use a crystal to store that magic." She looked around in some boxes. "Normally I used the Sapphire necklace for that, but I do have something from my dad. Ahah!" She pulled out a necklace, it was gold colored with a red gem in the center, very similar in color to the element of loyalty. "Here it is." She took the ball of magic, which had been floating in the air as she looked for the necklace, and if Chow had attempted to touch it during that time the ball would move out of the way, she pushed the ball inside the gem on the necklace, the gem glowing as it sparked and practically swallowed the magic into itself. Astral handed over the necklace to Chow. "Now, want to practice that? It'll help you store magic more easily." She asked him, with a smile, hoping he'd know she was referring to the way she put the ball of magic into the necklace.

===========================================================

Warlock was fueling his magic absorbing with anger as he blasted through the glass bauble, catching Athriel, taking every last drop of magic inside, even tearing apart the warding spell, something Athriel might notice is how his eyes were emitting smoke from them, as if magic was pouring out of him, she might even be able to feel the magic. Whatever was inside this thing was going to be his, even if he had to erase the Sphinx from this world, although that was likely to not be needed.

===========================================================

"Well it was a dragon, named Zhu." He said, stating the name to see if these guards knew the dragon, although his look did give away the reason he said the name. "And since I took them in, they won't be a problem for now."

===========================================================

"Hm, I do feel a little bit of itching in the front, little hard to resist rubbing my eyes, but I am able to."

[genessee 535]

@Blitz Boom

Lance giggled, remembering a weird eating habit he once had.

"I mean, it's not the most normal eating habit you could have. I used to dip my sandwiches in applesauce before eating them, though, so I shouldn't be one to decide what's normal to eat and what's not."

[EQ_Theta 460]

@Blitz Boom @Storm Shine

"Alright, Omen, if you're sure you can do it without overexerting yourself."

It was a concern born out of personal experience when Lin addressed Omen. After the terrible encounter with Legion, there was a moment when she felt fatigued as if she was actively using her magical abilities so frequently she nearly burnt herself out. Legion knew how to use the gates, opening them as if it was a natural thing despite having no prior experience. Seemed like it was even more adept at it than her. 

As for what they will see on the other side, that was something both Sen and Lin were looking forward to see. If a town could have that kind of a reputation, it might just be interesting enough for them to see. That is, if they don't end up on a cloud city and they fall through the clouds. Supposedly, only pegasi could walk the floating streets of the sky towns. If that is true, then the two of them are not looking forward to feeling the ground after reaching terminal velocity.