open Casual stroll

[Blitz Boom 4,448]

@@Wolves,

@@PonyOfWar,

 

Alright, so a few things were starting to stand out a lot to Happy thus far about the ones he was sharing a room with right now, and not all of them was that comforting.

 

The easiest, and most comforting one he had learned something of, were by far Golden Spell. He did a good job of planting, caring for, harvesting and selling/sending his wares, and the fact that he sent it to his sister so she could sell it instead of just giving her the money from the sale of it, started to tell a little to Happy about how he acted much like a protective brother. One who wanted his sister, who hadn't found her way yet, to get through life, but not by carrying her. No, from what it seemed thus far, he appeared to want to keep his sister self-sustained in at least some capacity, so that she still had to do some work for things herself and didn't get through life sheltered.

 

Happy never had any siblings, unless you counted the ones in the hive, so he didn't know what that was like really, and might be wrong about this. Yet, if he wasn't, he couldn't exactly say that he wouldn't have done the same in his place. His father had shielded him a long time before he had to make his own way in the world, and it had hampered his growth when reality had knocked hard on the door, so to have one that wanted to help, but still make you work with provided tools instead of just getting handed something finished, sounded like a blessing to him.

 

He based a lot of this on how Cyan sounded with things really, but it fitted well. Her path was not one she wanted to stick with, but she had to make a living, and it gave her something to do whilst trying to figure out how to get on to something else. A living somewhat through her brother, but by having to tend for the wares at least some herself and sell them off on her own, it would likely also feel like less of a charity thing where she'd feel like she might owe him and had to stick with the job because of him.

 

It was not something certain, but Happy knew pride well, and in her place he'd prefer this arrangement if given the choice. Felt less like something inescapable and build on others, and more like you personally got through with your head over the water, even if you had been given a rock to stand on.

 

He had some concerns about Cyan, as she might try to get too close and he could end up shoving his big hoof down his even bigger mouth if he got too comfortable with that and ended up accidentally spilling the beans on a few things - such as him being a changeling - but overall he wasn't overly afraid of anything with her. Long as he kept his *play friendly, try not to get any actual friends* rule in mind, things should be fine.

 

Where most of his concerns laid though, were the variable he hadn't thought might be part of things when he had gotten here before. The one who called himself War, and who might well bring that down upon him for all that Happy knew.

 

Pony society had learned him to think carefully on what the individual were called, as it were often linked with what they were specialised in and did well, which is why no words could really make him believe that War, a pony with an imposing figure and armor fitting the name, didn't live up to things in at least some way. It could be anywhere between *bringing on the apocalypse* and *I like to fight*, though he didn't think lower than a want to fight. His name was freaking War! not exactly a name fitting a bunny hugger.

 

What his deal was though, he hadn't a clue. He was a newcomer, he had his own set of armor - like any peaceful being would have - and was seemingly not sure of his own way in things as he didn't have a job. Though, that last one were perhaps just a rouse to be honest, even though Happy would buy that he wasn't a guard at least. That part from him had rung true.

 

It still sounded like they had time, so he could learn more about these three, and see how many of his theories would end being facts - or in War's case, how much of a danger he'd really turn out to be - a little by little, but this was as far as his observations about them in the last 10 minutes had gotten him. They'd see what were to come, though perhaps if he asked some, he could get to know a little more.

 

"Always good finding your own way in life, like Golden have, though I'd like to hear what you'd want to set your nose after Cyan? Heck, same goes for you War, since kit sounded like you had idle hooves these days and little to do. Must be something that gets your interest too, eh?"

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Moonlit,

@@Hazard Time,

 

"Bombs away!"

 

The sound was heard right behind them, but this time there wasn't a splash of water from the pegasi zebra zooming in, but just her poking her head out from a tree and giggling, with a playful glimmer in her eyes.

 

"Ehehehe, sorry, couldn't help myself."

 

She rummaged behind her for a little before descending down to them calmly, now with the brown bag between her teeth again, and Fah'lina still sleeping on her back. So far, it seemed that the noise hadn't woken her up yet.

 

"Was this the right bag? It was where you said it would be, and I couldn't see any other brown bags, but you never know, right? Could be all sorts of other ones I just hadn't seen, and this is full of your gym tools. Or spider eggs really, can be hard to tell when you don't look."

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@,

@@Minty_The_Sweet,

 

Null just shook her head and let out a deep sigh at the question about the chimera.

 

"I have no idea. We got royally lost days ago and ended in what felt like five different climates before falling down a cliff and bumping into that freak of nature. Normally we'd try to stand our ground, but there's nothing like that at home, and it was trying to snap us up with three mouth that all seemed to want a piece of us. Besides, our weapons were packed in at the time, so running really were the only option.

 

I don't think it still followed us when we got here though. At some point when we looked back it was just gone, and so was the bags. Not sure how we lost them though."

 

"T-That was me. The weapons and the saddlebag bounced off when I t-tried to toss the bag in a bush. I didn't want to, b-but... My leg makes it h-hurt enough already to run, with all those things adding weight... it got too m-much."

 

Void raised up her wooden leg and shook it a little, to show it was that one she spoke about, though the others could likely tell that already. The regular legs didn't have a piece - sort of like a bow around a barrel - setting the leg with the small bit of a stump left near her thigh, and considering there wasn't a chance of anything magical setting things softly in, whatever cushioned it were bound to not be able to take too much repeated pressure without letting some pain through.

 

"It's okay sis, we got it in the end, and nopony got hurt. I just hope that we'll have luck with the princesses so we can have a breather and I can look into helping you with that leg. Darn thing have to be able to set in softer.

 

Mind me asking something though? Butterfly aside, what's a bunch of fillies and an earth pony doing in this forest? From what I've seen, this place ain't suitable for anything pony-like that doesn't want to end up as a snack, so what're you doing in this hostile place?"

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Summer Breeze,

@@Frosty Frost,

 

"Don't let them get under your coat. They're mostly all talk and no action, and if they try anything, they'll regret it."

 

Nerzhei had little interest in speaking more of her narrow-minded kin and went past the one that had guarded the door, into the arena that currently houses the three elders, thinking on how this was going thus far. Considering everything, it was frankly going pretty well she'd say, but it all came down to this moment, when the elders all gazed at the group and she bowed down to a knee, holding her hand like a fist in front of her chest in greeting.

 

She said nothing, but it wasn't supposed to be her that did so either, nor were it Blitz who looked at the big dragons with awe in her eyes, or Lyriel who gazed upon them with nervousness bubbling in her heart. No, from the looks of things, it were the smaller of the elders who did so, flapping his wings almost silently to the right of the others with his eyes still closed.

 

"Ponykin covered in erratic magic, and a dryad? Who is this you bring to us today?"

 

"Elder Krahvus, I bring Frosty and his associates, whom by all accounts have been sent here by an erratic, unfocused teleportation spell. I found them with this seemingly untainted dryad, Lyriel, who tried to get them out."

 

The others behind Krahvus seemed like they wanted to speak, especially the biggest one with the blade that had his steel gaze fixed on the ponies, but he raised a hand and spoke before they had the chance.

 

"Choval, speak your mind to the ponies. I will verify the claim about this dryad."

 

As he flew down he beckoned the dryad forth, and when she were near, put a clawed hand on her forehead, at which point a soft, purple glow started to spread around his claws. Likely some kind of tracking spell, though the others did not seem to care, including Nerzhei. Either she had shown another side to herself out there that were a lie, or this were harmless. Hard to say for now, but Lyriel were not burning, and the largest of the dragons leaned forward, now truly towering over the ponies.

 

"I want details. Where do you hail from, small ones, and was it your own magic that brought you here? And what of the water? Have you quenched your thirst in it?"

 

He didn't seem the kind you'd want to lie to, though his questions seemed rather strange for now. Not anything about if they were invading scouts, but more things related to holes in their defence, and a possible spread of the contagion of the river. It was fortunate that the flowers had been picked out of the manes of Summer and Frosty earlier, or perhaps this ones response would have had a different tone instead of the deep, gravely, questioning one.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@EQ_Theta,

 

"What is a place of pure magic supposed to look like? Something strange about it, I might have seen it. Normal places are hard to remember. Looks alike."

 

Omen wasn't sure what they were talking about right now. She hadn't been there when Mother had gone through things with the siblings, so far all she knew it was something about the cave that might have moved they were looking for. That, or a special place for some reason, though she'd need to know in what way special. She was used to tracking down beings, not places, and she didn't know how pure magic would look like. Sen and Lin were the ones that had spoken to her the most outside her family and master since she were given form, and Discord hadn't a reason to tell her about places like that. Or if he did, he just never got around to it.

 

Otherwise, she'd have to ask somepony who knew magic likely. Discord would be an option, but she didn't know where to find him, so another creature? And who? The princess? ...No, not her. If she knew a place like that, wouldn't she be there? Others had said she was the element of magic, so wouldn't she be a place with pure magic if it were? Could it be the castle were a place like that?

 

Many questions but no answers to be found for her. She'd need to know more before she had an idea what to do and how to answer, or ignore for that matter. Some questions were pointless likely. Always at least some in her experience.

[redaxted 1,765]

@@Blitz Boom @@PonyOfWar "Well, I'd love to try my hoof at working with wildlife," Cyan replied, rather quietly. "As my cutie mark might sort of suggest, I'm interested in that sort of stuff... Or photography, maybe?" She finished with a shy smile, as she always did, then looked to War to hear his answer to Happy's inquiry.

Edited July 5, 2016 by Wolves

[Moonlit 593]

@@Blitz Boom, @@Seamore Sandwich, @@Hazard Time,   "Actually, Ziggy, it's far more important then my gym tools, and far less scarier then spider eggs." Serenade takes the bags and removes it's contents. Half a dozen chocolate bars, the good dark chocolate kind, a bag of marshmallows, a box of graham crackers, matches, some scrap paper that has various numbers written on it,some plates and a small pan. "S'mores! No relaxing campfire and night swim can go without s'mores." 

 

Serenade gets a fire going, fairly quickly too. No wasted movements, like a watchmaker. "Mom taught me, said 'it will be a useful survival tool'" And soon, the three Pegasi and one Crystal Pony has a dripping, gooey s'more sitting in front of them on a plate. 

[Rapid Wind 47]

@Blitz Boom

 

 "I suppose we'll see," said Rapid Wind as he trotted along the ground toward Twilight's castle. Considering just how much quicker flying would be Stargazer might be questioning why Rapid perferred trotting rather than spreading his wings and gaining flight.

[Minty_The_Sweet 20]

@@Blitz Boom,@@Minty_The_Sweet,

"I was helping Crystal Ball read some of the really cool new books from the canterlot library. One cool thing about being a changeling is I can get into any library I want... o-of course thats all I really use my ability to transform for as well as looking normal in public" Butterfly felt very awkward about the fact she would break the law for books it wasn't at all normal behaviour for a changeling.

[Holiday Agnaktor 1,435]

@Blitz Boom

@Summer Breeze

 

Frosty was silent. This didn't seem like the proper time to say anything. However, he was pretty proud that Nerzhei referred to the group as "Frosty and his associates". Apparently he was the leader of the group, eh? Niiiiiiiiice.

 

He watched as Krahvus did some magic on Lyriel, probably some special spell to check if she was indeed untainted? Probably something along those lines. He was busier looking at the huge dragon now looming over them.

 

"Eh, we're all from Equestria, specifically from the town called Ponyville. We got randomly teleported here, and we have no idea how it happened. We wanted to drink the rainbow water, but Lyriel there stopped us. Is that all you wanted to know?" Frosty replied to the giant dragon called Choval.

Frosty didn't think that lying would do any good here, I mean, why hide the truth? These guys just want to know what's going on, so telling them what's going on is a good idea. And plus, if they would find out that any of them had told a lie, it would probably be frying time.

[EQ_Theta 424]

@@Blitz Boom

 

"I don't know," Sen sighed in defeat, though there wouldn't be any point in thinking about how such a place would appear. The cave was the first destination and time was of the essence. 

"Maybe we'll find out what it is once we find that cave. Sister said it isn't too far from here and we could make it in time if we keep going."

 

Lin didn't need to say anything and led the way, silent and still fearful. She kept an eye out for any caves ahead but so far, it appears to be littered with trees and more trees. With the morning sun aiding them, it shouldn't be too hard to find their way forward. It was the night they needed to be wary of. 

"By the way, Omen," Sen added. "Where did you go off to? Before we met up again with your mother." 

[Blitz Boom 4,448]

@@Frosty Frost,

@@Summer Breeze,

 

A puff of smoke escaped the dragon elders nostril as Frosty's words ended, and his eyes narrowed slightly as silence fell over him for a moment.

 

"Not a liar it seems. Good. I don't take well with that kind."

 

The bulky one behind him snorted a bit before a bellowing voice escaped his maw.

 

"Are you sure? These are ponies, and from That place no less."

 

"I'm sure, and the place they come from is an issue."

 

Choval leaned back again and ran a clawed hand at his chin, trying to think on what to do here.

 

"Your kind isn't welcome this deep in dragon country. This is a restricted area, and we have our way to deal with interlopers."

 

"We crush them!"

 

Gronk interrupted and smashed his meaty hand into the other, making a loud sound that shook the walls a little, before bellowing out a deep laughter at the ponies.

 

"Something like that. But if you're from Equestria and you haven't been drinking of the water... It complicates things."

 

"Bah, you think too much on this Choval. Let's just toss them back in and be done with it. That, or let me have them. I have some idea of what to do with them."

 

Gronk leaned a bit forward himself and sent a predatory smile towards the small creatures, giving off the impression that he might consider eating them as well, before Choval smacked him in the back of the head.

 

"Enough with your antics. We have better things to do than drag this out, and you know as well as I that word always comes around. They have their eyes and ears in our country, just like we have in theirs, and getting word off that we have purposely done something like what you're thinking about, is going to end up with them marching in and try to get revenge."

 

"Afraid of the pony army, are you? Perhaps we should replace that little pencil sharpener on your back with a white flag instead?"

 

The two glared at eachother like they wanted to fight more than anything, but as Krohvas started to move again, they set that aside. At least for now.

 

"Are you two done? If the pony is telling the truth, then we need to think on what to do from here. And no, the dryad is not infected. Curiously, she seem to have avoided things. Things that we would want to know about."

 

"Honoured Atazi, I would gladly te-"

 

Krahvus raised a clawed hand and brought her to silence.

 

"First, we decide on what to do with these. Then, it will be your turn to speak. Something tells me you want to bargain for your way out of here, and I want to know much to even consider that. Without interruptions from either them, or Them."

 

The last was directed towards his fellow elders, before he flew up once more and finally opened his eyes, showing pale-white pupils that looked over the gathered ponies, the dragon underling, and the dryad, with a scrutinising look. As if he were checking each and every detail about them, before settling on the mare next to Frosty.

 

"Now, I have little want to waste more time with this part, so here is what I propose: You three will be escorted outside of our borders, you will leave for Equestria, and you will never return to this valley. If you are spotted here again, it will be considered intentional, and I will personally hand you over to Gronk."

 

The bulky dragon licked his lips, showing his large teeth off again whilst the words of Krahvus went on.

 

"I doubt we can make you be quiet about this place without removing your tongues, but it matters little. Even if some of your kind would believe you, they will not get closer. Especially not as the same warning you have been given will count towards them as well unless they can prove they did not come here intentionally. Remember to tell them that, if you share any stories, or what could happen to them will be on your hooves.

 

This sound acceptable to the rest of you?"

 

The other elders nodded and mumbled agreements.

 

"And to you, ponies?"

 

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Rapid Wind,

 

"Correct. Now then, shall we?"

 

Stargazer spread his wings and flew up, slowly moving towards the castle before he looked down and saw that the pegasi were still on the ground. Curiously, it seemed as if he had not wanted to head for the skies after all, which seemed peculiar. He hadn't thought much about it before, as he had walked too, but now it began to look a little strange. Perhaps something were wrong with his wings?

 

He flew down towards the ground again before looking Rapid over, trying to find what might be wrong, before saying "Not many pegasi I know that doesn't take flight when they can. Are your wings damaged in some way? We have a good hospital here in Ponyville as far as I know if it is broken, or somepony have clipped the tips or something."

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@EQ_Theta,

 

"I was speaking with my sister, Krth'xlle and my nephew. Nephew wants to speak sometimes, and found something he wanted me to have. Said he thought it was a pretty rock, turned out to be an egg. Sister said that's what he meant at least, hard to understand him sometimes. Too many mouths each saying their own thing."

 

Whatever race her nephew had come from, and in whose image Omen's sister had been created, it sounded like a rather special race.

 

"And the cave... Could it be the sort of place you looked for? You say the magic went strange when you took the thing. Something might have happened in there?"

[Summer Breeze 2,522]

@@Blitz Boom,@@Frosty Frost,

 

gronk, summer had to remember that name because she didn't like it at all. it was a dislikable name that was perfectly suited for an equally, if not worse, dislikable dragon.

 

when gronk suggested to 'chrush them' summer stuck out her tounge to him, he first had to get her if he wanted to chrush her, so far nopony, or dragon, had managed to do that. but that wasn't difficult since nopony or dragon had ever tried it.

 

she giggled when he got hit on his head "good thing he did that because otherwise I would've done it." she whipsered to frosty. 

 

then, finaly, the elders came to a conclusion to what they would do to them and it sounded like a good deal, except for the part where they had to leave lyriel behind. Summer had made a promise and she was a pony of her word, if she made a promise she would keep it. 

 

she flew up so she could look the dragon elders directly in the eyes.

 

"No." she said "that does not sound like a good idea. You can bring my friends back to equestria but I'll stay here with lyriel! I promised her to take her out of here and I'm not going to break that promise even if it means having to stay in this awefull no hugging zone longer. She'll come with me or else I won't go." 

 

she looked the elders in the eyes without a hint of fear but inside she was ready to fly away to avoid being chrushed. she really hoped speaking so firmly was the right way to approche the elder dragons or else she would have made a huge mistake and this could become a problem.

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@@Moonlit @@Blitz Boom @@Seamore Sandwich

 

Succulent watched the interaction with interest, eager to see what was in the bag.  When she saw it was materials for make s'mores, she cocked her head.  She had half a mind to ask what s'mores were, but she felt that she'd learn soon enough.  Whatever they were, though, the ingredients sure made them sound delicious, if unhealthy.  Still, it was perfectly alright to splurge every once and a while, and she DID burn a lot of calories on her way down south.

 

Once the fire was going, the crystal mare unhitched herself from her cart and laid down beside it.  After a long day, sitting about a bonfire on a beach with her new friends, there was something about this new ritual that warmed her bones as well as her coat.  More importantly, though, the s'mores!  Succulent took one bite and began wolfing it down immediately afterwards.  Sugar -- her prime weakness!  Who cares if it's a thousand calories, her reckoning could wait until tomorrow.

 

"Hey, Serenade, do we have more of those s'mores?  Oh wait...I GET IT NOW!  IT MEANS SOME MORES!"  The perfumier triumphantly regarded her discovery while still awaiting an answer.

[Moonlit 593]

@@Blitz Boom, @@Hazard Time, Serenade chuckles, "I've got enough to make two each, getting the good chocolate...and it has to be the dark kind, anything else and it ruins it, but getting the good kind is hard, it's made only in 3 or 4 shops in Manehatten and Baltimare. " Serenade makes a second s'more for Succulent, and places it onto her plate, "Don't wolf this one down, savor it. Trust me."

 

She turns to Ziggy, "I'm not giving Fah'lina any, since I'm not sure how she might react to chocolate and/or marshmallows."

Edited July 6, 2016 by Moonlit

[EQ_Theta 424]

@@Blitz Boom

 

It wasn't a question Sen could answer what with him lacking any knowledge on magic. Lin quickly intervened and replied "You could say that. The magic stored in those foci do not belong to a single entity, but a group of them. Maybe even an entire race of them. I don't know."

 

She approached a clearing with a noticeable change in terrain; more rocks, possibly approaching a mountain. She eyed the landscape and headed towards the more rugged regions ahead. It was just like this not too long ago, must be on the right path.

 

"I couldn't absorb all of that magic at once lest it destroy me. I only took some of it and I guess the rest of it must have dissipated into the surroundings. Normally, magic shouldn't be able to change an environment but maybe this type could. Anyway, this part of the region should be the way to go. If we come across more mountainous paths, then we must be close."  

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@@Moonlit

 

Upon placing the second s'more onto her plate, Succulent takes Serenade's words to heart and studies her sugary sandwich.  Tentatively, she grabs it in her hooves and lifts it to her face, taking a single, small bite.  She chews it thoughtfully, allowing the flavor to wash over her tongue before finally swallowing it.  For a few seconds, she savors the after taste, deep in thought.

 

And then she scarfed the rest of it down.  "...Oops."

[Moonlit 593]

@@Hazard Time, Serenade rolls her eyes, then flops her second s'more onto Succulents plate, "Go wild". Serenade flops down onto her back, and stares up into the night sky. She lets out a contented sigh, "hrm...new moon tonight, we might be able to see the aurora's." She looks back over the Crystal Pony, fully expecting the mare's face to be stuffed with s'more. 

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@@Moonlit

 

No longer bothering to hold back, Succulent scarfed her third s'more down, her lips now sticky with melted chocolate and marshmallow.

 

"You do get to see auroras this far south!" she exclaimed.  "They're just my favorite!  It's like watching nature's light show!"  Succulent plopped down beside her, staring up at the sky from her back.  "How much longer do you think we have?"

Edited July 7, 2016 by Hazard Time

[Moonlit 593]

@@Blitz Boom, @@Seamore Sandwich, @@Hazard Time, Serenade mumbles under her breath, "If I'm right, we should see both the Northern and Southern Aruroa's right...about...now" Celestia's sun, already below the horizon finally gives way to the darkness of Luna's night, and the sky above Ponyville blazes. "This usually happens, maybe three or times a year." 

[Seamore Sandwich 470]

@@Lonk Chase

@@GingerLightning

@@Melke

@@Blitz Boom

@@Mentis Soliloquy

@@Denim&Venom

@@SugarfootWillie

@@Quinch

 

Sylar knew that his subordinates would not remember or see him, and he expected the group to be torn apart, but amazingly they made it far enough to find The Forgotten One and even join the fight. There was one newcomer, however, that would be able to see him, as well as the other Forgotten and the beast itself: the only one here who had the help of an Everspirit to seal her mind in the Realm of Dreams, Queen Allure. Such magics as The Forgotten One's don't affect merely the individual being targeted, but rather affects the world around them as well, and with her mind protected, Queen Allure was immune to the magic which would cause her to forget. See, the Forgotten weren't actually invisible, but rather the image of them would not have time to register in anyone's mind before it was forgotten. They still couldn't make contact however because they were on the same plane of existence as spirits.

 

The Forgotten One pulled Ink through to the other side, tossing him aside like he was nothing. The creature opened its eyes and turned to look toward the first one it saw: Vivid Loss. It began half crawling, half slithering toward her with rage in its eyes. Penny put Rob, her living chocolate frog, back in her saddlebag, clipping it shut. The Traveler looked toward the spiders with no change in expression on his face. He was not impressed. "The true enemy is before us, and will be visible shortly," he said to the spider that had addressed him, "...that is, if the young Queen brought what is needed."

[Blitz Boom 4,448]

@@Moonlit,
@@Hazard Time,

(When offered S'mores and told about Fah'lina)

"No worries, she's asleep anyway. Besides, she had Way many treats today as is, so I think she's more than full and need to digest things first. And I'll skip the S'mores. We used to get them sometimes back home, and it never really tasted that good to me. I figure it's the dark chocolate, since that's a bit bitter for my taste normally, but I'm never sure."

For the duration of the talk between Succulent and Serenade, Ziggy would instead wander around and check up on the place, as well as poke her head into the water now and again to see if there was anything fun down there. Or bitey, can't forget the bitey.

She wanted to just jump in and check, but she didn't want to disturb Fah'lina in her sleep, so for now it was dry land for her. Perhaps she could find someplace soft and warm for her to lie down soon that would do it? Or a log near the fire at least, considering she hadn't seemed to mind sleeping on the shelf before. Something to think about.

When they started to talk about an Aurora she didn't really get what they were on about at first, until she looked into the sky and got big eyes at the shining lights dancing up there. Back home, she had never seen this, much less heard about it, but now that it was here right in front of her...

She started to slowly unfold her wings and fly softly and slowly upwards towards the light, fixated on the pretty sight and more or less unaware of what went on around her.

"...Pretty lights... Is it some sort of thunder thing?"

_________________________________________________________________________________

@@EQ_Theta,

"Master once told me that chaos sometimes were to take a piece of the chain, and watch the rest fall apart. Might be the same thing with the magic things in the ruins. Guess we see, might be very strange there now."

What sort of effect would toying with a part of the foci even have? It was hard to tell, but it could be that the foci was balanced around making sure the polluted magic were kept down, and siphoning some of it had made an imbalance that might warp the landscape and create a temporary field of highly unstable magic, yet a large concentration of it. Enough to make a place of pure magic? Potentially, though when were it ever that easy?

Omen didn't know, nor about how things might be unbalanced. Only things she had ever been told of balance were from the slightly growling Stranger, and that hadn't included anything about this. Mostly it were just about how good and evil had to be balanced and kept in check, and that Discord were still trying to find his balance. At least, that had been it back then.

____________________________________________________________________
 

 

@@Summer Breeze,

@@Frosty Frost,

 

Gronk opened his maw, wanting to say something, but a sudden glare from Krahvus made the words wither in his mouth, and the dragon elder to get a momentary look of fear in his eyes. For all his size and physical strength, it seemed that he knew better than to cross Krahvus with his inane idiocy sometimes. He was a good one to chose punishments when it were, and he were fair when his poor jokes were done, but in delicate situations all he were good for were to gives his vote on what the smarter ones did.

 

"The dryad will remain until I have sufficient reason to let her go. She is not infected by madness, so she is not a threat from what I can see, but to let one out that have been in a restricted area is not something that we take lightly."

 

"Humph. If she is as sane as you claim Krahvus, then question her, and we'll out what she can offer next to what's asked for. Security details for us turning the blind eye to this risk."

 

Choval had said what the other elder had wanted to hear, and something he agreed with. He had little want to detain this Dryad really, but for the safety of the camp, and the valley in general, he had to make it clear that he wanted to know everything. Putting the freedom she seemed to want - the look the dryad had sent to the pony that stood up for him told much - up against that, should ensure things. A little cruel perhaps, but his concern were the camp, not these.

 

"Tell us everything dryad, and you may all yet have some luck to get away."

 

And so, Lyriel let out everything that she could think about, starting with the story that the others had heard, and ending with some details about the town last she saw it, general weaknesses of dryads, and agreeing with no hesitation to never speak of the exact location of this place outside, as she would know the ground better than the ponies when led out and could potentially guide others here.

 

When all were said and done, the elders nodded amongst eachother and gathered on their seats, with Krahvus looking down from the stick he seemed to stand on to lead the word.

 

"A good deal of information that can be used. You have our thanks dryad. As for the verdict... Cronk?"

 

The bulky dragon elder got a glimmer in his eye as he was told he could say out what they all thought. Once upon a time they could argue for ages about things, but they had the little signs between them now that they knew well, so it wasn't often they even had to say anything. Well, beyond the bickering at times, but it was boring them to tears to be in here sometimes. Only Krohvas ever really got fully devoted to this.

 

Regardless, Cronk leaned forward as much as he could, so that his big, toothy grin almost touched the ponies, and let out a deep, warm breath over the little creatures.

 

"Heh, she's all yours."

 

"Yey! Thank you mister dragon!"

 

Before anypony could make a move, Blitz had jumped forward and embraces what little she could of the large dragon's face, which made Nerzhei look with a cringe on her face, waiting for bad things to happen, Cronk to look like somepony just threw ice water in his pants, Krohvas to smirk slightly, and Choval... Well, it was hard to hear anything over his deep laughter at the sight as Cronk rose up whilst cleaning the spot he'd been touched with his arm.

 

"Keep laughing and you'll loose some teeth Choval. Now, get these ponies and the dryad out of here so we can get on with our day."

 

"As you wish, elder Cronk. I will make sure the arrangements are met so they can be on their way shortly."

 

This had gone off better than Nerzhei had expected. Sometimes, these things could drag on for hours or days, as time wasn't measured in small sections when you lived as long as the elders had, and it had been a concern that she hadn't voiced that this would have been one of those times. Thankfully, it seemed that they had little interest in having things go on for long, and even with the little *misstep* from the little one she couldn't remember the name of, it had gone smoothly. Something that seemed to go over well with the dryad too, who now had thick lines of tears going down over a smiling face as she mimed *thank you* upwards again and again.

 

She were about to get them shushed out of the door so they could get on, when Cronk surprisingly placed a clawed hand in front of her, barring her way.

 

"Nerzhei, we're not done with you."

 

The other two looked at him surprised, not knowing exactly what was going through the mind of the general joker and simpleton as his face got a bit more of a mischievous look going over it.

 

"What are you talking about?"

 

"You'll see Choval. Nerzhei, let them out, then come back in. There's a few more things we need to discuss."

 

Nerzhei were weary about this, both because of the words and who said them. Cronk had never been much of a fan with her, but his voice were normally ignored in the grand scheme of things as the two others could often agree on a lot. Usually this made him take the meetings less serious as a result, but there were always the chance that he'd step into character and make things fit some degree of punishment still, though she wasn't sure what was to be punished for. If it were the hug, she wasn't gonna go stomp on the kid at least. Even for dragon kin, that sort were low.

 

Yet she'd do as she were asked, and would guide the others outside. Or try to at least, as she stood in front of them and said with a slight nervous tick going over her face.

 

"Let's go park you at the entrance again then and get this done with. Sooner this is done, the sooner you can be on your way."

Edited July 7, 2016 by Blitz Boom

[Rapid Wind 47]

@Blitz Boom

 

"Uh... they're just recovering from a patch-up I had back in Fillydelphia," Rapid Wind lied. His lie a little more obvious thanks to his initial stutter. His real reason for not wanting to stretch his wings and fly had to do with a past trauma.

 

 "Besides, no harm in trotting and getting the leg muscles working," Rapid Wind commented and did a couple of push-ups.

[Moonlit 593]

@@Blitz Boom, @@Seamore Sandwich, @@Hazard Time, "Sorta. The sun emits a stream of charged particles, we call it the Solar Wind. That Solar wind interacts with our world's magnetosphere, which is like an Shield Spell cast by a Unicorn which protects our world from harmful effects. The Aurora's are the result of the particles are that caught in that shield. We only see them at night because the light from Celestia's Star is so bright" 

Edited July 7, 2016 by Moonlit

[Denim&Venöm 16,630]

@Lonk Chase
@GingerLightning
@Melke
@Blitz Boom
@Mentis Soliloquy
@SugarfootWillie
@Quinch

 

"Okay I can tell things are off here. Same presence as back at the castle. The problem is that I cannot pin point it." Priestess observed of the chaos around her.

 

:Can't pinpoint it?" Allure said incredulously. "How in tarturus are you not seeing that thing!" she said, backing away from the creature before her swatting at an Ananasi she didn't recognise, and the Samurai pony, the one Petey became attached too. She gripped the everwood stick in her magic. 

Edited July 8, 2016 by Denim&Venom

[EQ_Theta 424]

@@Blitz Boom

"Maybe that might be it. I admit the nature of my clan's old magic wasn't one they studied thoroughly." Lin paused to scan the changing landscape once more, now showing a combination of rugged terrain mixed with a forest. 

 

The trip was silent for the most part, with Lin leading the way and inspecting every third rock she came across that looked remotely like the one she marked. It's a surprise how much she could remember but Sen didn't know the extent of the changes his sister might have gone through up to this point. After about hours of searching, Sen and Lin found a cave well hidden behind foliage and fallen boulders. So much of it that only the entrance itself isn't too obscure. 

"We can rest up here for a bit before we proceed," Lin said. "Brother, could you have a look inside and see how deep this cave goes?"

 

Sen didn't reply but proceeded anyways. He had honed his vision to a point where he could begin to see in darker places. He still had a good amount of light to help him considering the time of day. After some time, Sen screamed, the sound echoing out from the darkness. LIn quickly turned to the direction of the sound and gasped. 

"Sen? Brother!"

[Blitz Boom 4,448]

@@Rapid Wind,

 

"Better to let them rest then. Shall we?"

 

Stargazer wasn't an idiot, but he didn't have a right to snoop into things unless they were illegal,and lying about why you didn't use your wings wasn't criminal in itself. Sure, the poor lying itself should perhaps be a criminal offence, but small judgement aside, it wasn't a real threat that he had to look into.

 

He wasn't always good at spotting those who avoided the truth, but you'd be amazed what you learned from being part of any of the royal guards about this when faced with the populace at times, as well as the general gambling bets that others tried to weasel themselves out of amongst the Night Guard. Usually it wasn't an issue, but there were a few times, and his colleagues lied better than this.

 

Regardless, there was a castle that awaited them, and though it would take a bit more on hoof, they would get there in due time. Depended on whatever else would happen whilst they were on their way really, if anything.

 

______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Moonlit,

@@Seamore Sandwich,

@@Hazard Time,

 

"Vauw. And here I thought it was just pretty lights."

 

Ziggy shook herself from the small trance at seeing the pretty colours and looked at Serenade with an impressed look in her large eyes. She hadn't thought that her siren friend would know about this really, as she didn't think it had anything to do with the night sky, but she had and... Okay, she didn't really understand parts of it, but it sounded really smart, and she could always try to read up on some of the things she didn't get later on. She had some dull days at times where she felt like studying.

 

"So... How long does this sort of thing last? An hour? A few minutes?"

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Seamore Sandwich,

@@GingerLightning,

@@Quinch,

@@Lonk Chase,

@@SugarfootWillie,

@@Melke,

@@Denim&Venom,

@@Mentis Soliloquy,

 

Ashta looked coldly at the Traveller, not caring about his imposing size or fabled strength that dwarfed his own by magnitudes. He was the enemy that had started this, and no matter what else were in this town, he were as much a threat as it, if not more.

 

"You will be held accountable later, Traveller."

 

His words sounded like they were dripping with poison, and he wished burning that he could focus on this one first, but he and the others had more pressing work to be done, and he couldn't let his personal wants go above his orders. They had to handle the ancient one first and foremost, then afterwards they could begin to make the right ones pay for their crimes. Or well, at least this one. The rest were protected under Subterrenean diplomacy until further notice after all.

 

Ko found some relief in seeing that Ashta could still remain somewhat focused here, though he didn't feel comfortable being around the Traveller either if he had to be honest. The old being were trouble on so many levels, with the current situation proving that well, but he at least tended to be controlled problems that could wait from what the stories said, or not avoided anyway. The ancient one however... This was a priority if there ever was one, and it was good to see that Ashta's want to get himself a flying hippo hide could be toned down whilst it stayed that way.

 

Zhu looked at the changeling queen instead, finding little interest in the arachnids, but finding plenty in her. Both in the tool that she now held that he had awaited would show up at some point - though he were slightly surprised that it turned out to be a changeling queen that brought it, as that one had seemed the least likely path - and the potential futures she held before her. Given other circumstances, he would've wanted to study them more in detail and see where in the grand scheme of balance he might be able to direct her in the long run, but alas, it were not the time for that. Still, he'd remember her for another time.

 

"The spirit have touched you, so you see the one using him as a vessel. Unwanted as it may be, to make it visible to all is now your task as you have the visual that most others sorely lacks, though I would advise you to hurry. Not all paths have the stench of somepony you know lost on them, but those that does, shows in the futures where you might hold still for too long. Something I would not advise you to."

 

He turned his head once more and looked forward to where the being would show when this were all said and done, though he wasn't the only one looking at it. However, in the case of Last Stand, she could actually see it and had the tools to do something about it in her grasp.

 

She were starting to get somewhat tired after all this fighting, but not enough to not see this opening that Nemo had left her in his... Delirium? Something like that.

 

Regardless, the attack on the still unconscious demon mare was a chance she had to give an attack in that wasn't too much spur of the moment and random, nor a defensive slash when she were pushed back. And from the looks of things, it had to be a good one to save the sleeping monstrosity.

 

Now, far be it from her to trust other beings enough to consider them friends, and Vivid certainly wasn't there, but the mare hadn't thus far given any problems, and even after she had been killed, had actually seemed to try and help here until it drained her of every bit of energy left she had to work with. Whatever else she might think of this suspicious creature with the messed up soul, she had fought with them in her own way, and she wasn't gonna let one like that be gripped by the first the best horrid monster. Not on her watch at least.

 

So, with the beast reaching towards the unconscious demon mare and hopefully not paying attention, Last Stand would begin to rush forward what she could, and aim towards one of the wounds she had already given the thing. Not a vital place unfortunately - or well, depended on how much were left of the vessel - but it should do a whole lot more, though this attack would have to be more reckless. It'd be much harder to defend herself if the beast paid more attention than she actually fought in the end, but she had to take the chance.

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@EQ_Theta,

 

Omen didn't even stop to ask anything when she heard the scream. Fast as she could, she just silently ran towards where she had heard the scream, searching for the essence of Sen to follow, much like when she were out to find somepony for delivery. Since she had been around him for this long, it wasn't an issue following it, though any energy could be cloaked if you knew how to, and if he had been taken or there were strong, erratic magic around, it might toss her off the trail.

 

Hopefully though, that wouldn't be what she found as she rushed forward, seeking what was hopefully just him that got startled by something or fell down a hole. Considering the alternatives, that would by far be the best case she'd think, and she wanted to think the best for her first friend. Didn't make sense not to.

[Moonlit 593]

@@Blitz Boom, @@Seamore Sandwich, @@Hazard Time "How long it lasts depends on any number of factors, but usually around this time of year, I'd venture 2 maybe 3 hours." Serenade rolls around a bit, trying to find a suitably comfy spot, "I've read reports of aurora's that lasted months. That was over a millennia ago, and most modern Astronomer Royale's don't report the aurora's.".

Edited July 9, 2016 by Moonlit

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@@Blitz Boom, Astral looked around nervously. "Um, I actually can't remember why I moved to the everfree." She lied, of course she remembered, but the only reason she said that was to avoid the real reason; she only moved there because she used a banned form of magic and wanted to avoid being found out. "I met Misty when I found her wandering the forest."

 

Misty smiled a bit. "Yeah, I was wandering the forest because my tribe was..." Her smile disappeared she sat down starting to cry a bit.

 

Astral went over and hugged her. "Yeah her tribe was attacked." She said patting Misty on the back who was now crying on Astral's shoulder. "She was the only survivor as far as we know."