open Casual stroll

Victoria Sponge · January 13, 2018

"I'd like to make it more curly, to fit more with my sister and mother and aunt, family tradition and all. I'm sure this Snips fellow could work that out for me, I'll figure something out. Might be time to acknowledge that my mother did indeed make me a scarf too."

She felt her neck as if remembering the feeling of her mother's neatly knitted and oh so warm scarf, done up in her favourite colour, red as a freshly picked apple.

Sprinkles was shaking slightly as they entered the area and was once again looking to Victoria for protection, something that the changed pony was now much more willing to offer her.

"D-do you know your way from here? I-I'm not sure if I want to run into... J-jade again... or any dragon for that matter."

"Don't be rude Cupcake, just stick close to me and I'll scare them away with my attitude for you."

She laughed at Sprinkle's horrified expression and put a hoof around her, pulling her closer.

Storm Shine · January 13, 2018

@Blitz Boom @EQ_Theta

"Yes, that would be the humans." Discord nodded, "They're not like ponies, they don't have any set destinies or talents. They become good at what they practice and they're really quite imaginative." He hummed to himself, "And despite having no magic of their own, in most dimensions anyways, they have managed many things that even magic can't accomplish."

Lucid_Nightlight · January 13, 2018

@Blitz Boom Lucid stared for a moment, he had no idea what this thing before him was. He wasn't exactly afraid of it, considering he's seen a lot worse than this.

"I thought Nightmare Night was 9 months away."

Edited January 13, 2018 by Lucid_Nightlight

EQ_Theta · January 14, 2018

@Blitz Boom @Storm Shine

"Ten years? Sounds like that matches with the miners' and Clayton's accounts. Did somepony named Silky Rose do this?"

Now it was Lin's turn to nudge Sen and he really felt this one. Lin wanted to take extra caution with questioning but Sen had to jump in with a more direct one that skipped a lot of hoops she had in her mind. Not much tact but it wouldn't give them much to work with other than a yes or no. That wasn't how she does the questioning but then again, maybe Sen did mention he spent so much time in isolation that he didn't exactly have the time to develop better communication skills. There was still the contradiction that he might have actually learned how to do that but left out how to do a proper interrogation. Or maybe he just didn't know about this sort of thing. She quickly took over for him and tried her best to correct the question before it makes the situation worse.

"What my brother wanted to ask first was what happened but you mentioned Filigree?" Lin's voice changed to a softer tone to reassure Fiddler that he is now safe, relatively speaking. "We've wanted to give you a message for Filigree but we need to know what happened."

She took a deep breath and looked Fiddler straight in the eye. "Calm down and take some deep breaths. Start from the beginning; names, places, anything you can remember will help us catch whoever did this."

Lil' Lovebug · January 14, 2018

Satin sensed a whiff of awkwardness come from the pony, but she dared not bring it up. She sat there for a moment, thinking about how good a spa sounded right now. She didn't think she'd had one since her last concert in Canterlot, two moons ago, but she'd feel bad getting one before at least informing Vivid she was still here.

"Maybe later, Mr. Bath. For now, I believe I need to find Vivid and at least inform her that I'm still here in Ponyville."

Widdershins · January 15, 2018

@Blitz Boom

"Well, I know how, just not... this one. They're mostly just little strappy buckle deals, aren't they?"

Ambiesinister Valence, as his full, rarely used name would be, scrunched his muzzle up at first as the other pseudo-stallion worked around him to hitch him up to the abandoned wagon. Gradually, a slight blush, pinker then usual would spread around his face and bit of his neck. Ambie still wasn't entirely used to other ponies showing interest in him. In fact, considering what hassle had occurred the other day he wasn't even terribly sure how to address Happy other then the collective pony-referring terms most did anyway. It seemed Happy Hour had enough to deal with on his own apart from having to chase him down all the time. It seemed Ambie was very appreciative, a variation of love, and considering he seemed to be blushing from it anypony could probably tell that themselves, especially if they happened to already be an elder member of the changeling genetics Ambie should have had a handle on. But he didn't; Ambie wasn't very much used to such feelings as a whole anyway and was mostly just as befuddled & confused as usual.

"So then we, uh, get this back to the farm and we're good for today? Or... did you say you needed my help with something else? I haven't got much planned today."

/***********************************************************************************************\

Blitzy & the Boomers and @Dji :

"See? You want us to be alone and the stupid mare is already raring to attack me in broad daylight again! Does anything about this situation seem safe to you stupid thinskins?!!?"

Kaltrop hollers out after the retreating forms of Spicy Rolls and her griffin bodyguard. Despite his loud protests, the young drake's body language seems steadfastly certain that it doesn't want to leave the side of the mare that just showed him one of the rarer and few examples of any modicum of kindness. As much as he might refuse to admit the kiss they just had, loyalty still is deeply ingrained into the young dragon's being. And if having another shot at having someone care for him means being wildly contradictory, then that'll just have to be something his standards and feelings will fight over.

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Blitz and @~Phoenix~

Rolling up his, shorter-than-before but still noticebly longer than a pony's, left ear of his Widdershins tries to ruffle out any loose hairs from his neck fur and begins to roll them up into a small wad before they clump together to form a slightly larger cottonball than before. As he does so, he idly talks on.

One could say he's sort of like a son of sorts to you, then. One that actually pays you then, huh? Chuckle.

But such is the role of those of us from older eras isn't it? To do what we can to prop up what keeps coming on in procession behind us. It's a faucet of life to run itself ragged and find new ways to try and end itself, isn't it?

Oh, here you go then!

Unraveling his left ear as a makeshift arm, an action apparently second-nature to him by now judging by how blase about it he seems to be, the draconequus "hands" the other, indistinguishable cotton ball to Grim. He carries on with his train of thought in the same nonchalant tone, still very clearly audible from where Phoenix and Smokey stand.

We do what we can, because we must, Hm? Just look at the young ones back there. Running themselves ma-, ragged by going the wrong way around with things. I'll have to see what I can do help out around here too. It's going to get alot worse before it gets better, I must say. They're technically the same gender you know. Bound to get confusing.

Edited January 15, 2018 by Widdershins
Mentions again...

FanOfManyShows · January 15, 2018

@Blitz Boom

Warlock looked to Chow, rolling his eyes as he looked down the hall. Completely ignoring Chow and Astral as he floated over her before setting his hooves back on the ground. "Sapphire!" He extended out a sword as he yelled, looking through the hallways for her.

Astral's eyes flickered open, looking around as she started to get up, groaning a little. Spotting Warlock and attempting to run after him before freezing in place, and the same would happen to Chow if he attempted to do the same. "Gah!"

He turned to her, seeing her trembling as she tried to move. "Your mother is dangerous Astral."

"She's dead Warlock! you have no advantage!"

"Is that what you think?" He said with a chuckle, looking away and heading down the hall. "When you broke that gem, it brought her back." He said, leaving the two there in the room, frozen in place.

She let out a gasp of air, slowly realizing what she did as she remained there, silent as brief tears went down her face, even as the spell slowly deteriorated, which would allow them to move, she remained there.

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

He looked down for a moment. "I feel disturbed from the magic loss, but with care, I could recover." He said as he raised his head, looking to Scarcity once again. "Wait, Screaming Path? That's a powerful dark entity, how did they contain it? For that matter, how does a pony like you get a hold of it?" He asked, sounding genuinely curious.

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

Nectar looked to Dandy. "Ah how fortunate. then we'll be able to proceed with the plan once they arrive." She said with a nod.

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Iron Wing looked to Zhu with narrowed eyes after Enzo spoke and revealied that Zhu knew what they could find is valuable information. "It would be helpful to know information like that, even if uncertain. but it's less helpful to hide it." He said as he looked over to Dew. "It'd be easier to check the castle first, since that's closer, if they fail to be there we can head to the pyramid, if we do head to either place we should make sure we're prepared for battle." he turned back to Enzo. "And with a creature of massive size we'd overpower them, with your cloth magic, even more so."

genessee · January 15, 2018

@Blitz Boom

Jeez, what's up with him? I know everypony has their secrets, but I don't think most involve going this far to avoid a certain pony.

"That works."

Lance continued the trek toward the house, still wondering what Alonsus was hiding from him.

Blitz Boom · January 15, 2018

@Battenberg

Almost as if on cue, a dragon would indeed fly down towards them. A female from the look of it, who stared down on them with a determined glare in her eyes the whole way, whilst her green wings laid flat to her body. It wasn't until she nearly hit the ground that she spread them out, stopping her fall and blowing dust into the face of Benny, who started to cough like a smoker.

"Gotcha."

She were only about a half head taller than Benny, but incredibly vibrant in her varied green colors. Considering how most dragon scales tended to look rather dull from dust and genetics, this were likely due to polishing. There were some specialized stores in Manehattan that focused on providing such a service, though most of them were run by ponies, and it was still a budding industry. Not too many that were okay with getting waxed and polished like a piece of furniture thus far.

Whilst the entrance of the female dragon with the curved horns might've ended up scaring Sprinkles, she barely seemed to notice her, and instead went directly over to the slightly smaller dragon and patted him on the back with a huge grin on her face.

"Did ya miss me baby bro?"

"*cough* Why? Why always me Toxen?"

She leaned up against him, picking her teeth in a mocking manner as she replied to his little inquiry.

"Because it never gets old pumpkin."

She glanced over and looked at the ponies then, having a greater look at the ones she had dived towards. She had almost dusted them in too, but eh, she figured it was easier to get a look at them without the cloud. Besides, this was more something she did to get on her brothers nerve than anything else, and she didn't wanna involve these three into something as special as sibling torment right off the bat. She just met 'em after all.

"Neat crowd you're hanging with here. Figured you'd upscale and start a harem eh? Grandad would've been proud. How's it swinging ladies?"

She smiled, blinked and pointed towards them with her thumb upwards and her index towards them. Something which Pop at the very least had no idea how to respond to right now. she knew siblings could be a little weird with eachother - Celestia knew what her and her brother did to eachother sometimes... - but this was rather unexpected. Especially after meeting Jade, and thinking that that were going to be the attitude of the entire family.

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@Storm Shine @EQ_Theta

Fiddler shook his head.

"Y-You don't understand. Rose is Filigree. I thought she were just micromanaging, but I..."

The soothing words from Lin, and the feeling of the light smack she had gotten from Brute (light for the brawny unicorn anyway) helped him focus, and he stopped to take a few deep breathes. He had to try and get this out like they said, or there were going to be so many problems. More than there likely already were.

"12 years ago, this eccentric bat pony came to me, looking for a middlepony to discreetly finance a dig. She had a deed and the bits ready, so I figured that she were just a little out there, and I... I took the job. The worst mistake I have made in my career."

"What happened next?"

"I set the dig, hired a team, and functioned as the front figure as I was paid to be. Things seemed to go great. Swimmingly even, once they hit the crystals. There were... A-Accidents, but I had made sure to keep a specialist too, and with that huge a vein of these things... It were turning profit within a week of starting the first hack, do you know how rare that is? Usually it's a bust or it can take a month, but this was exquisite. Even with Filigree packing most of the profit, we were all going to become rich within a few years at max.

I was out there a few months after it started and I saw... Her."

Fiddler gulped and winced, clearly remembering both that time, and the one were she had unexpectedly returned.

"She pulled me aside and said that she just wanted to keep tabs on her invest. Making sure nopony was stealing from her, and getting to know who was hired. It was weird, but again, everything just pointed at her being eccentric. I-I didn't know..."

He was about to loose it again, when a meaty hoof got placed on his shoulder and helped him to focus on something else than the horrid imagery that came to mind next.

"I was there when it happened. The lost miners we had thought had quit were found, one of them in pieces- Dear Celestia, so many pieces of those sickening gems... And I heard them inside. I ran and I saw her, raging against the others, spitting curses at them whilst being tied in ropes and enveloped by a strange glow. I-I can still remember the hateful glare in her eyes as she screamed of them to let her go, or be consumed by her spell. Then there was a flash and... And..."

He started to cry and had to stop and sulk for a few minutes. Time that Omen used to project the thing that came to mind when she heard this.

"I didn't think bat ponies had magic. Ponies are confusing."

She turned her head to look up at her master, looming above her in one way or another.

"Some humans have magic, right? Siblings can't be given bodies without magic, that's what Mother says. Forms us and binds us to their world. Like you did."

Meanwhile, Fiddler opened his muzzle a few times, trying to push words out, but it took some tries before something actually flooded out.

"They were all gone, trapped in statues of disgusting, parasitic emerald! And the r-rest of us, we had to keep silent. W-We collapsed the mine, s-swore to never tell anypony, so that nopony would come and find a way to f-free her, and we split. Clayton, Spelt, Amethyst and me... W-We were all that were left, and we had to live with knowing how the others were...

I can't sleep. T-They come to me in my dreams, b-begging to be free. And everywhere I look it's just... I-I see them, and see the families I h-had to tell lies to for me. All of those who cried from thinking their l-loved ones were l-lost in an explosion... it's not a life, it's a p-prison without bars, and a sentence too c-cruel to bear.

I didn't think it could be worse... And then s-she came back. C-Crashed through my door and sealed it shut with c-crystals. She is... She used to be so elegant, but now? She's a m-monster. Covered in those things like armor. S-Spikes, everywhere... And that horn. Twisted, p-pulsating... S-She used it to infect everything she wanted with those t-things. and I couldn't do a-anything. Just stand in h-horror and she started to ramble on how she was p-perfect now. Powerful. How she would have r-revenge on all four of us, and then take control of Equestria with s-something she called the J-Jeweled Beast's Heart. And then she hit me and... Y-You s-saved me..."

He broke down and started to cry again after that, unable to speak more for the time being. Though if they wanted answers, they could ask Discord. He should know well the sort of ensouled relic she had stolen the gem powers from now, which would also explain why Omen hadn't worked the first time they saw her- Her spirit had been used to replace the one in the bauble, so that Filigree could take out the one she wanted to steal the power from.

Thankfully, Omen's spirit were strange, so it hadn't just wandered on after she had put a crack in the gem prior to leaving.

"Mare I saw talked about a beast heart too. Said it could do lots of things, and make somepony immortal. I just had to stand still and she'd help me with Sen. Then she were gone and you were there."

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@Lucid_Nightlight

Anomaly snapped with her tail and summoned a beanie bag out of nothing underneath her, rising up as she slumped down, before it turned towards the pony with the strange stick and talk about Nightmare Night. Usually one of her favorite pony holidays, as she liked to play tricks on ponies and having her pumpkin head chase fillies to rile them a little, but it wasn't that time of year yet.

"Heeeey, this isn't a costume. I'm a draconequus. I'd show you some tricks but... Blearg, bad day."

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@Lil' Lovebug

Bath smiled at Satin, and nodded slightly.

"No worries miss. If you do find your friend, feel free to come around and I will assist you however I can, though right now I need to get back to work. I'll spread the word when I get there, and hopefully your friend will be found. Have a nice day."

With that, he gave a slight wave and went on his way again. Secretly he hoped to not find the mare from last night in the spa since, well you know, she was creepy, but finding somepony else who did wouldn't be an issue. It should be easy for anypony to tell who he was talking about too, as burning ears and a large, purple scarf in early Autumn would be hard to mistake for anypony else.

He had another reason to find her creepy, which also tied into why he went off towards work five minutes before his shift technically started, though he wasn't sure if he had just imagined it. It was just that when Satin had said Vivid before, he could've sworn he heard a low whisper in cryptic words. Nothing he could understand, and he wasn't even sure there actually were something, but the hairs on the back of his neck standing up had him thinking it was best not to be sure.

Whilst he would not know where it was from, Satin might. After all, she were the one who carried a certain scroll with her from her demonic friend. Though if she would notice or react on the unsettling sound were anypony's guess. The sound wouldn't be there for more than a few seconds, and Ponyville was busy. She might well have missed it completely.

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@Widdershins

"After I've helped you out, I'm thinking about going to town and restock on apples. Apple Cider is frankly revolting in my eyes, but to have a good customer base, it's smart to have a varied stock. Plus it's good for sharing a drink, as it's cheap to make and tends to put ponies at ease. You wouldn't believe how much of my job is actually keeping everypony at the stall feeling at ease. The nervous ones tends to rattle away if they're met with any sort of unsettling vendor.

Reminds me, when your folks show up, do you know if any of them drink Brandy? I had a bottle break during the night, and had to store the half I salvaged in a jar. It's still good, but I can't sell it like that, and my personal flask is already full. Might as well go to use if it were, eh?"

Whilst he talked, Happy were putting the tools he had used back in his wagon, oblivious to the love wafting through the air.

Even though Ambie was only a half-changeling, Happy was still unable to detect any kind of emotions from his own kind, and the buffoon was completely blank for him. For all he knew, the stallion was beset by a hunger for larvae right now or something else unsettling, and he wouldn't know better.

Getting out again, he looked at the wood that the hybrid had spoken off before and shook his shoulders.

"And for the record, I thought that wood there was for whoever made you transport stuff in the first place. Seemed like a full order not to be used from. Are you sure that it is yours to use of, or might it be one of the Apple's? I'd rather not get into any more hot water than I already have been."

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@Widdershins @Dji

"Hey, if she's gonna jump you, I'd say let her. It'd just make you even after how you took a piece of her before."

Yeah yeah, she shouldn't poke to him and yada yada, but at this point it seemed like he were unlikely to run away anyway, so why not? Worst that could happen were that he got miffed and complained some more. So far the only sort of threat he had been to her were to her patience, and he would have to up his game if he wanted to compete on that front.

Spicy sorted hoped that his new marefriend might jump in and defend him honestly. That would be kinda interesting. Better than playing glorified babysitter to two beings who hated the others race, but were attracted to eachother regardless.

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@Widdershins @~Phoenix~

"He's more like the nephew who always gets in trouble. Thanks."

The way these things were made were unsettling, but the cotton ball were a good fit for his other nostril, and would help keep the blood in his body rather than on the floor. He couldn't smell anything right now though and had to breathe through his muzzle, but that was a small thing he wasn't going to nitpick over.

"While I do hope that you're here with good intentions, I don't think you should be poking around in those two's business. I think it's best to let them come to terms with things themselves and then let it bloom on it's own. Might be the slow way, but some things can't be rushed too much, and honestly, you should let the mare decide for herself if she want to revert. If she prefers the way things are now, there's no need to toss a monkey wrench in it, right?"

Whilst Widdershins seemed both willing and capable of ruining the budding relationship between Phoenix and Smokey, Grim were hoping to get through to him that it was likely not a good thing to poke at. At least not in the way that the draconequus seemed to want to at least. That sort of life-altering thing should be the choice of Phoenix herself, and the more he spoke with Widdershins, the more he believed that he might be able to talk some sense with him. He didn't seem as random as Discord reportedly were, and had set forth some logical points so far, so the being wasn't a random idiot, so hopefully they could simply talk things out.

He would've said more, but the loud *Eeeeek* sound of hi daughter before something hit the wall int he hallways caught his attention first and foremost, and he ran into the hall.

Out there, he'd find Sorrow rubbing the back of her head and let out a small moan in pain from hitting a chair. An action that had tossed it around a little, but it thankfully seemed unharmed.

"Sorrow! What happened?"

He rushed to her side, praying that she wasn't injured.

"Urgh. One of the souls reacted heavily on seeing the draconequus. I tried to calm him down, but he's taking dominance. Screaming in agony and making the others keel under from his pain. Something horrible must've happened to him because of a draconequus."

She pointed into the room she had been in, where the door was now wide open and the sight something to be seen.

The room was absolute chaos. Everything that had been in the tea room were beaten or broken, and twirling in the air like a tornado had gone loose. And in the middle of it, previously strung around her neck, was the skull that contained Legion.

The light around it were pale and sickening, increasing in volume whilst the light in its eyes glowed red. Though no lower jaw was there, Sorrow could hear the agonized scream of around half of the three dozen souls that inhabited it right now, and more would soon join in, which would mildly put be bad. Their mind were split now between calm and pain, and if they all joined in agony, this would become a poltergeist unlike any she had faced before, and none of them would be safe anymore.

It was unclear if Widdershins could currently hear the pained tune of the dead that Sorrow were *gifted* with, but he likely could if he wanted to, and it might be needed sooner rather than later. Something about him had triggered this, and right now, he were the only one with enough power and potential insight to interfere, and hopefully stop this from escalating further.

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@Lloyd

Slowly, a shaky hoof would be put around Astral's neck, and she'd be pulled into a hug by Chow, who halfway had to lean on her just to stay upright anymore. He was drained, felt like he had been beaten by a cement truck, and was likely less than a minute away from passing out, but he didn't care right now.

"If she's back... We'll find her... Before him. He won't... Win this war."

Having to halfway crawl in the first place and then feebly struggle against a freezing spell of some kind, had taken a further toll on his energy, and his breath was raspy. Even without his lung ruined anymore, it took energy to push the words out, and every time he did so, it took that little bit extra of something that he frankly didn't have anymore. At this point it might even get dangerous, but he had felt like Astral needed somepony to be there for her right now, weeping as she were over having thought she had killed her mother, but being faced with how she might just be free, and potentially even haven abandoned her for no reason. He'd feel more pity for her if he could right now, but the darkness was closing in.

"Don't be... Sad..."

He'd fall silent then, and the shaking stopped. It might be a good sign for some, but not him, as she would find out if she tried to move him even a little. A frail state which would cause him to collapse into a heap. He wouldn't feel anything though. His consciousness had shut down, and nothing would register with him for a while. He were going to need a long rest, just as the unknown griffon lying on the floor behind them did.

It would be around this time when Brick, carrying Blackbeak, would come up from the staircase and look at the scene in front of him. Not good from what he could see, but the hostages were alive, he'd take that. Though they should likely keep some distance still, since Astral might try and cast something, and the mirror would end up chasing her down this time if they were too close.

The griffon on his back started to twitch and groan, seemingly about to wake up, which would leave them with one groggy griffon, one unconscious pony and one griffon in the same state, and Astral, whom he didn't know the state of just yet. Though even if she were battle ready, this would still not be a situation in their favor if they were attacked. They were going to need a find a more defensive position.

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@Lloyd

"Me? Oh you flatter me dear. Golden simply asked me to hold unto it for a day or two, as he suspected something might happen that would lead to certain... Unconventional methods being optimal. As an antique dealer, he knows that I have plenty of secure lockers, and we have a mutually benefiting friendship he trusted. What an intriguing thought it is though, to think that I would have possession of something like this on my own. Why, I barely know off it beyond what he told me."

The look she sent Iron made it very clear that she held a lot more cards on her hoof than she was letting on right now, and that she were the sort who kept them close to her body. No surprise there either really, as owning severely dangerous items like the Screaming Path could have her arrested and tossed in jail for years, but there was something more. A kind of knowing look towards him, in which she tried to convey that the mirror might not be the only - or worst - thing that she had access to. Though she wasn't sure if he could see her. If he hadn't healed his eyes before his magic were taken, he were still a few days off from regaining sight.

"One could wonder how he got possession of it too, hmm? Hypothetically, who is not to say that he acquired this from some unsavory type and kept it hidden for a long time, unsure what would happen if it came into the hooves of the wrong pony, and thinking it could one day be of use? But of course, that is just a story. I'm sure the guards simply had a coffer with this somewhere, and forgot it existed."

Meanwhile, the doctors went away from Iron, satisfied with him not being in any critical condition, and rose their ears as an alarm went off downstairs.

"Sounds like they need staff downstairs. Everypony, go there. I will remain and keep the ambassador and the other patients under watch."

The others would leave shortly after, and the doctor would send a grim look towards Scarcity.

"What did you do down there?"

"Whatever works. And for the time being, be a good colt and check on your colleague in the other room."

"I have patients in here."

Scarcity waved him off dismissively, without even looking away from Iron once.

"I know where the alarm is, and I know basic CPR. In case something happens you will hear it, and you will be only a few hoofsteps away. Now leave."

begrudgingly, the doctor left and closed the door behind him. He'd tell the guards outside that the ambassador was secure, but needed rest, and would send them down to see if there was an issue. He'd excuse it with staffing issues making it easier for somepony to sneak in, and them needed guards to ensure that nopony tried to get up the stairs, including supposed doctors.

Inside the room, Scarcity sat down, and chuckled at the ponies she had arranged to be left alone with.

"It is so much better when one can speak freely, don't you think so, Iron Star?"

She were certain now, even if the pony had not given her a name himself. The clues were getting too hard to ignore, and she found delight in having this small bit of information on him. It was a largely insignificant step above him, but she did so like to sit with more cards than those around her, even if the card was a 2.

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@Lloyd

Dandy smiled slightly, hearing the sorta praise that he got from his queen. Any sort of recognition for his word were always appreciated, and felt like how he imagined getting a special piece of chocolate were for ponies. He had not been able to find himself that fascinated with chocolate himself after the transformation made it possible for him to taste things ponies made, but the way it were described by those he had heard, it would fit well.

"Thank you your highness. Would you like for me to place myself at the train station and wait for them?"

He had done a good job of blending in witht he guards as some random newbie so far, so he were sure that that would not be an issue. Whatever he could do to make himself feel helpful to his queen, and to gain those highly sought after signs of appreciation. Something he craved more than most, but after his injury happened, and considering how he wasn't fit for battling even before that, he wanted desperately to prove that he could still serve his queen.

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@Lloyd

"I know much, but not all is for your ears to hear. The balance is frail, and those who seeks to only weigh one side will use what they can to tip it in their favor. Even when everything have yet to be written, some of what I see could make others change and make it worse, or avoid disaster that is needed."

"Enough out of you. Unless you're helping, I will have you returned to your cell."

"Incorrect."

A powerful gust of wind send Dew several meters back, though he managed to stay on his hooves.

"I guide how far I must, but I do not serve you, nor the good that you hold valiant. I am balance, and the only reasons I remained were to calm Enzo to make him an asset for you, and to ensure that the darkness is not blown away by your actions. What reservations you may have against that is not important."

"Say that to my fist."

Zhu were surprised by the strike he got into his face as much as anypony around him were, though Enzo seemed slightly amused by it.

The serpanther wobbled, and fell to the ground with a barely noticeable thud.

"Guess that proves that theory. Too many things to see and evaluate, so he doesn't notice what happens right in front of him.

You should put him back in his cell before he wakes up again."

Dew gritted his teeth at the dragon.

"We could have talked with him."

Scorn scoffed, and nearly seemed to laugh at the pony.

"You heard him. Do you think that he would not have interfered somehow if he was loose?"

Begrudgingly, Dew shook his head. He did not like to see that, but the dragon made a fair point. whilst he signaled for two guards to come and drag Zhu back to his cell, Enzo would stop his amusing look and spread his large wings.

"Fun as that were, let's get on our way. I feel like wrapping up a few traitors like presents."

With that, he'd get into the air, and wait for Iron to lead the way. Potnentially with some random guards too, in case they'd listen to the general whose rank they did not know of. Could be he just wanted this to be done with the few closely by, but Enzo would see.

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

@genessee

Getting to the door, Alonsus got the food ready whilst Lance knocked the door. A few seconds later, a stallion with a crazed look on his face, a hammer in his muzzle, and pulp of different fruits all over his coat would open the door.

"Melon, your food have arrived."

ALonsus were still a little shaken, but e did his to keep a smile up, whilst the pony let go of the hammer and grabbed the box. Smelled like almonds, but other than that it was hard to say what was in it.

"Thanks. Can't have time to make something when there's art to be created!"

With that he closed the door and went back into his house to do whatever it were that he did, which finally made Alsonsus chuckle again.

"He is an ice cream vendor, not strictly a crazy pony. Large is his passion for finding and testing new flavors though. Shall we proceed Lance?"

The shot of normality (for him) helped Alonsus a great deal right now. Strange as it may be to think, seeing a borderline fanatic try his 150th attempt at a new sorbet ice were tremendously effective in reminding him where he were and the sort of life he should focus on right now, and not the one that briefly came towards him before.

Though Lance may well see that this would not last long, as a certain pegasus were closing in on them from behind. This may end up ugly.

Brobot · January 16, 2018

@Blitz Boom

AJs heart started to race,she started to pace " dragon dragon dragon" she mumbled under her breath, this was very strange..even by ponyville standards....AJ stopped and realized what she was doing and took a couple of deep breaths then turned towards her guest " whatever it is thats going on it'll have to wait till tomorrow.Apple bloom,my sister is sleeping over at Rarity's house so you can sleep in her room " Then she began to lead her guest up the stairs and began making the bed " if you have any questions sugercube you go ahead and ask " said Aj as she straightened out the sheets on the bed.....

Victoria Sponge · January 16, 2018

@Blitz Boom

Victoria coughed as the dust flew into her face and then straightened up as the cloud cleared. She seemed to stiffen slightly and raised her nose ever so slightly, her eyes returning to their previous, half closed state as she lifted one of her hooves. Before their eyes she had transformed once again into the pony that she had been when they'd first met. Whether this was out of fear, a mistrust of strangers or just preparation to have to deal with another potentially grumpy dragon was unclear. Her head was titled slightly to the side and she looked a little confused as the dragon pointed in her direction.

"Salutations dragon, what is the meaning of this gesture?"

She waved a hoof in front of her as if attempting to mimic the signal, despite her lack of digits. Sprinkles now crouched behind her, her face cupped in her front hooves on the ground she was shaking like crazy. The two ponies looked a little ridiculous in their current poses.

"I'm going to ignore that harem comment, I could never partake in such a thing. Very unladylike."

She cleared her throat.

"Sorry I should introduce myself, I am Victoria Sponge, assistant baker at Battenberg's Bakeries, Manehattan branch. You must be this fine dragon's sister, am I correct?"

cwhip9 · January 16, 2018

@Blitz Boom As the colt sobbed crescent hugged cover up with his wings "cover, cover its ok" he said tilting the colts head to look him in the eye "we will have answers we will get though this ok. " he said sounding older then he felt "come on lets keep our heads up your family could still be out their looking for you as well don't give up" he said helping the colt stand and wipe a tear away hoapung to leave the place as well. It felt too.....familiar too him.

EQ_Theta · January 16, 2018

@Blitz Boom @Storm Shine

“That sounds about right but if Rose and Filigree are the same… Well, I suppose magic can make her appearance change from meddling with the parasitic crystals. It’s not unlikely but I guess that makes sense.”

Sen noticed the an odd picture from the corner of his eye, the same one now cleared of crystals and looked at each of the ponies there. Apart from being unsure what a picture is or how a moment like this could be caught and preserved, the ponies there didn’t seem too happy to get their image taken. Why would they do this though? Why preserve this moment? There were the familiar visages of Fiddler and Clayton, younger most definitely, and two others. Potential targets for Rose? These must be Amethyst and Spelt.

The account now began to make some more sense and the history of the mine was forming in both siblings’ heads. The trapped miners, the dreadful memories of the survivors, the broken crystal statue, everything was now falling into place. Lin thought about this some more but it still didn’t give a clear motive. Omen mentioning the beast heart only complicated things further. Where would she get one of those?

“A beast heart,” Lin turned to Omen, puzzled by this new addition though she intended the question for both her and Fiddler. “Does anyone know what this jeweled beast is?” Perhaps what they could learn about their meeting with Rose would offer more insight into her way of thinking, hopefully revealing her long-term goal.

As for Sen, he handed the picture to Fiddler and with added with a softer tone, “Those nightmares can be eased now. The miners trapped in the crystals, they’re free. Clayton is taking them home to be with their families. If Rose is going after the others, Amethyst and Spelt, they could also likely be encased in crystals. We can still help them. Is there any more you could tell us?”

Edited January 16, 2018 by EQ_Theta

Lucid_Nightlight · January 16, 2018

@Blitz Boom

He looked at the draconequus, noticing he was looking at what could possibly be another reality warper.

"So you can warp reality? I can do that to at a multiversial level... well... I could if I unlocked the full power of this stick, so I'm basically unable to reach high levels as of yet."

The yellow pony looked up for a second as if considering something. Maybe he could get some answers from this guy.

"So what in the world of Equestria happened here?"

Edited January 16, 2018 by Lucid_Nightlight

Storm Shine · January 17, 2018

@EQ_Theta @Blitz Boom

Discord floated upside down with a tiny chair floating just under his head, looking as though his head was seated and supporting his body. "Well, yes, There's many human worlds with magic. Some where it's commonplace, some where it's hidden, and even some where it's illegal." He answered Omen, "There's quite a diverse selection of worlds and differences among the multiverse."

genessee · January 17, 2018

@Blitz Boom

Most ponies that live in this town fall under the 'crazy' category, if I'm being totally honest.

Lance failed to notice the Pegasus coming up behind the two. It was a busy street (or, at least, it sure felt like it) so he would think nothing of the nearing pony until he got closer.

"Yep, let's get onto the next stop-- here's the address..."

He would begin to read off the next address, but chances are he wouldn't finish before the Pegasus got close. Unless, of course, the Pegasus took their time getting to the two.

Edited January 17, 2018 by genessee

FanOfManyShows · January 17, 2018

@Blitz Boom

She sat down next to Chow once he fell unconscious, and the spell wore off. She looked ahead and sighed. "What did I get myself into..." She asked herself, lowering her head.

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

Sapphire found herself in the library of the castle after she teleported, looking around. "Emerald! Why do you hide? Too scared to face your sister?" She asked, a sword extending from her hoof, a smile coming across her as she closed her eyes, stepping forward the air seeming to shatter around her as it cracked open, Sapphire walking directly into the astral plane like she had many times before, bringing the sword with her, floating up and diving through the floor, looking from room to room. "Come on sister." Her voice echoed throughout the plain. "Where are you?" She stepped down onto the floor of a hallway. "I know you can hear me like this! Why don't we meet face to face like we used to?!" She yelled out.

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

He looked at her curiously. "Well I suppose so. Although around me, being able to speak freely isn't very necessary." He said, chuckling softly. "Since I can read minds." Iron Star wasn't one for subtly when he revealed his ability to ponies, but if Scarcity had been given such a precious artifact by golden, he knew she was safe to reveal this too, and he did so bluntly. His voice seeming omnipresent when he communicated to her through her mind, yet his mouth never moved, aside from a smirk as he briefly hoped she'd figure out what he did.

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

Nectar nodded. "Make sure you notify me of their arrival before you tell them to come here, so that way I can make sure they know of our plan." She looked ahead, out the throne room window. "In the meantime, I shall see their progress." Nectar took a step forward as she extended out her wings, leaping out the window and soaring down to Iron Wing.

"I sure hope she realizes the sphinx has no idea who she is" Francis commented, as he then face hoofed, looking to Dandy. "Well, guess we should catch up, should we wait until she lands?"

Iron's wings spread out as he saw Schorn hit Zhu, although he quickly drew them away, He then looked to Enzo, watching him as he flew up, then looked around himself. "Guards!" He yelled out, attempting to catch the attention of those around him. "I will need a group of guards to follow us to the Everfree Forest so we can be properly prepared for battle." He said, looking to dew for a moment, hoping that these guards would recognize he was the new authority.

Blitz Boom · January 17, 2018

@GingerLightning

"G-Get off me you little ankle-gnawer!"

A series of quick knocks would come on Ginger's door, as the stallion outside tried to balance the package he had with him, whilst attempting to shake off the timberwolf pup that was currently gnawing on his tail and growling.

Meeko wasn't really a threat to anypony's health, being too small and frail to really set up an actual fight, but the runt still tried to defend the territory that Ginger had brought him to. This was home now, and he wasn't going to let strangers in.

The pup had done well in getting used to the area the last day and a half that had passed since the attack, and he didn't try to scratch his collar off so often anymore, but he were still a wild animal and needed a lot of discipline.

For example, he wasn't allowed near others pets so far since that cat had entered the yard, trying to be friendly, and he had chased after it thinking that it was food.

"Ginger? A-Anypony in there?"

Honey Dew kept shaking, trying to get the creature away from him, but it was currently to no avail. The pup had chomped solidly down on his tail, and the shaking only managed to make the glasses of honey he had in the box clang together.

He hadn't been aware of this new addition to the household before he were there with the monthly delivery and the beast had jumped him, and the shock was the main thing making him panicky right now. Hopefully somepony would answer the frantic knocking soon and come and help him, and not just pass and laugh like those on the other side of the fence had done.

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

@woodchunks66

"I thank you for your hospitality, but you do not need to think of this Applejack. The sun is still high in the sky, and regardless, I could not find rest in a bed. My kind sleeps by rooting ourselves in the ground and letting our mind slip away, though perhaps that explains little actually...

One of the ponies who brought me to Equestria, said simply that I was a tree from night to morning. It isn't the entirety of things, but it does explain it well enough I hope."

Though these days, it might be that she would rest as a bush of some kind. She wasn't as tall as she used to be anymore, so perhaps that would change things? It would be something to look forward to finding out for sure.

"Might I ask you something though? Rarity was something I heard in town a few times, but I wasn't aware that it was a name. Who might she be, if it is okay that I ask."

Lyriel still had a strange time getting used to how pony names seemed more descriptive than what she considered regular names, so she had not caught that this were a pony, and not a talk about actual rarity of times. If she were to be honest, it sometimes made the conversations she heard sound pretty strange.

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

@Battenberg

The dragoness grinned widely at Victoria.

"Hah, you must be the one mom was grumbling about. Sweet deal meeting you sunshine. And sorry 'bout showering you in dust. Bit off my aim there it looks like."

She took notice of the other pony shaking behind Victoria, and grimaced a little.

"Heeey, you don't need to worry there shortstack, it was just a greeting. I wouldn't hurt my baby bro's friends."

"Then what was with the dust show?"

Pop had gone around and over to Benny so she could help pat his back and get the dust out of his lungs. It had been a pretty solid hit it seemed.

"Sibling stuff. He's the youngest, so he gets it from all six of us. Crackle tends to be the worst. You know, puts his hand in a bowl of water when he sleeps, hiding bugs in his bed, covering him in glitter and flying him around, all that sort. Real prankster."

"He isn't here, right?"

Benny sounded oddly nervous when his oldest brother came up.

"Nah, just mom, dad and yours truly. Oh yeah, reminds me. I'm Toxen, and I'm an alchemist. Youngest daughter, but still a few steps up from Benny here. Heard he was coming with his mate and I wouldn't resist showing up and seeing who it were. Guessing that'd be you, candy-mane?"

She poked Pop in the forehead with a finger and smiled at the mare.

"Good to meet you shorty. Hope you're going to be happy."

Pop frowned, still not knowing what to think of all of this, until Benny chipped in.

"You should probably all know that Toxen isn't judging me on this. Much as she enjoys being after me, she have always been the one supportive one who didn't care how I got happy, or with whom."

She chuckled and turned to the two bakers.

"He's boring when he mopes around. So, mind me asking what the deal is with your friend? She doesn't look all that good. 'fraid of dragons perhaps? You ain't got no need to be scared of me. I don't mind ponies in the slightest. They buy a lot of easy to make potions and I dig their ideas. A full body scale polish is heavenly, let me tell ya."

Toxen had if anything, done a better and faster job of getting into how Equestria worked than Benny had. Her antics and carefree attitude had made it easy for her to blend into how ponies worked. Though she still had some issues, like how her big sister antics could sometimes hit her friends if neither of her little brothers were near, or her tendency to jump at it when somepony joked to her about having a fight, but she personally thought that she were doing fine overall.

"Hey, we can try and do this the pony way too. Come here and gimme some sugar."

She sat down and put her arms out, open for a hug and wiggled her eyes towards Sprinkles. Poor mare really ran into all of the weirdos today.

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

@cwhip9

"How curious."

The low voice of Zinthar broke through below the rubble he had dived into.

"I wonder if it still works..."

For a moment there was silence, and then all of a sudden, the rocks started to vibrate. Slowly at first, but as the seconds passed it increased and their rocking motion got louder until- *Fwoosh*

Like a flower in bloom, they parted way and shot outwards, striking other structures, trees, signs and so on with crushing force. That none of them hit near Crescent and Cover-up was a minor miracle, and by the brief look of concern on Zinthar's face when his head popped up from some of the remaining rubble, it seemed he might've cared if they were hit.

The expression was brief though, once he saw they had not been struck, and an amused purring chuckle escaped him.

"Fascinating. More potent than I had imagined. Could you come over here Crescent? I want to show you something. Alone."

There was a certain level of finality in that last word, as if he did not want Cover-up to see what he had found in the crater of his former house, under the last few remaining layers of rubble.

The colt would still just sit and weep regardless of what Crescent could do, so he wasn't going to snoop currently regardless of what Crescent would do.

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

@Lucid_Nightlight

"Big monster, hit lots of buildings. Silly ponies are just remaking everything instead of making it fun."

Anomaly opened her mouth wide towards the air whilst a cloud formed above her. A small flash went off like lightning, and it started to rain pain killers directly into her open mouth for several minutes, though it never seemed to fill her maw.

When it was done she crunched, gulped, and gave it another minute to kick in. She still felt drained, but at least the pounding and aching was gone now.

Stupid allergy to pure iron...

"Phew, that was better. So what were you on about? You had a warp stick?"

She looked at the thing he carried. Looked pretty ordinary, but there was something about it alright. She just couldn't put a finger on what it were...

A light bulb lit up over her head, which she promptly ate before looking curious at the strange pony.

"Ooooh, is it chaos?. A lot of it too I bet. Where'd you get that? Oh, and who are you? I'm Anomaly, the spirit of theatrics apparently. Seen the author write that silly title a few times anyway."

Hey, my titles are professional and right on the money.

"Suuure they are hairless monkey man. Sure they are."

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

@EQ_Theta @Storm Shine

For the first time in ten years, Fiddler actually looked up with hope in his eyes.

"They're... Alive? B-But how? They were turned into crystal."

"So were you Fiddler, but if the little Refraction critter over at your desk ate you free, I can believe it did that for your other friends too."

Fiddler did not know if he could trust these strangers that had come into his home, but Brute... She had never lied to him before, and looking over on his desk, he did indeed see an elongated, slender dragon-like creature around the length of his leg, chomping on crystals and draining them of their color.

A hole was on the crystal layer on his desk, where the picture handed towards him previously were, and he grasped it tightly as he started to cry again. Though for once it wasn't out of pain, fear or self-loathing, but joy. His friends were free again. They were going to need so much help, but they were alive and well at least, together with.. Clayton...

His eyes widened in sudden fear, and he turned towards Sen and Lin with urgency in his voice.

"Clayton is in danger! She wants vengeance on all of us, and if he's with the others, they're in danger too."

His glance went to the cabinets behind his desk, where he had once kept folders on the workers who had become his friends, but where none were left now.

"She took their files, she knows where to look. Please, you have to do something!"

"Where are they? All of them."

"F-From what I know, Clayton has company in Canterlot, Spelt is running his own mine a few miles south of Dodge Junction, and Amethyst is running a gem company in Manehattan, not too far away from the... Mine...

O-Oh lord, if Clayton is looking for help with the others and goes to her, it could end horribly."

Omen didn't get the urgency there seemed to be in Fiddler's tone. Finding Clayton was easy, and if Filigree had made them into crystal, Shrimp could just get them loose again She didn't understand how he were emotionally stressed because he didn't want his friends to go through the experience again, even if they could be saved.

"Humans sounds weird master. Strange siblings doesn't want to tell me about them."

Perhaps she should ask Mother when she had the chance, and had sorted through some other things circling her head. Today was another confused one that hadn't really given her time to absorb anything yet, so she had some things before that, but perhaps she would remember this afterwards.

Thinking on a little, she briefly pondered on the question that Lin had asked before. It was nothing she had any idea about, but she did have an old being who always seemed like he knew a lot with her now, so perhaps it was better to ask him? He had known what Shrimp were and about the gems, so perhaps he knew about this weird thing too.

"Master Discord? Do you know what a jeweled beast is? Looked like a strange crystal clump when bat pony mare pointed to it before."

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

@genessee

"Ah yes, that would be-"

"Alonsus!"

The bulky earth pony's smile stiffened as the beanstalk of a pegasus came in from behind him and placed a hoof on his shoulders.

"Damn man, what're you doing here? Did you get snagged up by the Courier's Guild too?"

Alonsus didn't answer, just kept quiet, and mumbled to himself something incoherent. Seeing the look on his face, it might be a string of curses from being found.

"Come on, don't tell me you don't remember me. We were parolees together, remember? We kept talking about the old days when you w-"

"S-Silence!"

The unknown pegasus was momentarily shocked from hearing the earth pony speak up like that, and took a step backwards.

"What crawled up your flank recently? We can't change the past man, gotta learn to just accept it."

"What do you want Flick?"

"Catch up of course. You were just gone one day, and we all wondered what had happened. You know, some of the others had even started to think that you had fallen back into old ways again? Not me though. No no, I know you Alonsus, and you saw where that lead you. No way you were going back."

"I... Have a job to do. I don't have time."

"Hey, no worries man. We're still here for at least another four hours. I'll meet up with you later and we can have a chat. Things happened with the others that you wouldn't believe. Heh, but more about that later. See you around."

The pegasus gave Alonsus a friendly punch on the shoulder and raised a hoof towards Lance before he went on his way. Back with Lance however, there weren't as much smile and joy as a dark cloud seemed to have passed over Alonsus's face from the meeting.

"...Three houses down and to the left. Let's get it over with."

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

@Lloyd

"Trouble."

Brick did not enjoy talking. Throughout his life, he had always let others do that for him, and it had worked well. He had gotten through school without issues, the guards had welcomed him as he didn't question anything, and when he had gotten an offer from Scarcity after she had saved his hide, she valued his silence, both because it didn't give off anything about her, and because she enjoyed talking much herself. He had thought once that she just enjoyed hearing the sound of her own voice, but he learned it was more than that. The social game that he had never interacted in, which she excelled in.

He could speak, as were evident as he had just answered the distraught mare, but it didn't feel right to him. Doctors, family, the few friends who weren't creeped out by him, all had tried to make him open up or find out what was wrong with him, but they just didn't understand that he simply wasn't one who liked to chip in. As his dad had always said: Brick was a stallion of action, not words. Whatever went through his mind he preferred to keep in there.

It wasn't more than that either. Brick might seem stupid to some because he grunted or growled most of his replies, but you didn't become a sergeant by being an idiot. He were clever, analytical, and tactical. He read those around him well, which were one of the reasons why being a guard had appealed that much to him in the first place. Though not entirely perfect, he had a good track record of knowing who would end up being trouble and who were essentially harmless. And when you were standing over somepony with a sword in your muzzle and thunder in your eyes, giving a monologue was idiotic. Growling did far more in intimidating somepony in that situation.

Chow had been the only one who could actually make him talk. Even after their first meeting had ended in the former guard nearly kicking his jaws off because the pet feeder had gone too close to valuable merchandise, they had settled and the later had invited him out to drink. Usually that still didn't make him talk, but there had been something that had made him loosen up then.

Not feelings. Neither of them were interested in the other like that, but he had come to value the stallion as a friend, and even after he had left, the occasional letter did find way between them. Scarcity read those of course, but he didn't hide anything from her either. He owed her his life, and if she asked him to do anything, he would do so in an instant. His loyalty was unbreakable.

He had some loyalty towards Chow too, seeing as despite their cool attitude when they met earlier, he saw the weird, griffon-raised stallion as his next-best friend, only surpassed by Blackbeak. Not something she had been interested in to begin with, but the more she started to be called in by Scarcity, the closer the two got, and she eventually figured sharing a drink and moan at him wouldn't hurt. In a given hour, she were rambling, and he said around three words, yet they were still doing well. Though that was off hours, and on the job, she was his colleague. It had been the reasoning behind his thought process before, even if a more normal pony would likely have thought in more personal connections first. Yet those had come afterwards, as he had hoisted her on his back and checked for injuries. Finding none, he had simply just carried her up and not thought more on it.

Reasoning guided him to not worry about Chow either. He looked slumped down, but nothing was bend the wrong way, and there wasn't the scent of blood wafting from where Astral had a grip in him. Plus she wasn't looking like something about him concerned her overly much. To him, that signaled that he were fine, but just not awake. Knowing him, the pet feeder had probably hit his head on something.

Thinking on Blackbeak before though, the griffon were getting aware of her surroundings and pushed herself off Brick's back whilst holding a hand to her head.

"Urgh, what happened here? Did the freakshow bite the bullet?"

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

@Lloyd

In the regular realm, she couldn't speak without a mouth, but if Sapphire was so intent on speaking in the spiritual realm, then she could do so... At least until she found a body. One of the few perks about not having a body was a *leg* in the spiritual world, to put it in simple terms.

"Why? Because you took my face away, along with everything else!"

Athriel kept slithering through cracks and holes in the walls, alternating her path a lot to be able to stay out of reach of her reborn sister.

"I could have done horrendous things to you in that fight, but I didn't, because I thought that no matter what, we were still family. No matter how much I hated you for leaving me behind, I still trusted that you wouldn't do something unforgivable to me.

I should have known you wouldn't hold back. That you would betray your own blood again, just like you had done before when you left me to die!"

If she had normal blood right now, it would be feeling like it was boiling from anger as she remembered how Sapphire - her big sister, who she trusted enough to share power with in the first place - had suddenly figured herself better than her, and left her to face a cruel end.

"But no, you just went away and played the good mare. The perfect little angel. Nothing like your little sister. Nopony cared about what happened to me, or how much I suffered. They were always so focused on you and how you could end up being oh so special.

You were nothing! I clawed my way out of death's hooves myself, and I shared that with you. And what did you do? You dragged me in deeper to find a cure, just to leave me when I finally find one! I was desperate and needed you, and you left me! Everything I did, everypony I hurt, all of that pain is on your hooves!!!"

Her soul trembled as she roared this through the spirit realm with all the fury of a thunderstorm. A taste of the festering hatred she had gotten for the sister who had made her believe that everything would be fine, just to take everything away from the sister who had always lived in her shadow.

"I bet you never even told your new family how many horrible things you did. All the beings you hurt, that you made suffer... Didn't even tell your daughter that you had a sister. I would think it was because you felt guilty if your heart weren't a black lump of coal with no room for the sister you murdered! Didn't want to let down the perfect guise and let them see the ugly truth about you, did you, Sapphire?"

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

@Lloyd

Scarcity chuckled.

"I will add that bit of information to your file."

She didn't fear mind readers. In her shadier profession, mind readers tended to be there more often than not when it came to serious sales, and likely everypony else that rolled that high and had a brain to work with, she had made sure to learn how to keep her barriers up, so they couldn't rummage around in her memories. Those were for her alone, though the link that would cause her to hear the others voice and potentially send thoughts back she couldn't block, she could simply keep her memory for herself, and then assess if she wanted to reply with words, or with thoughts. For now, it would be spoken words for her, as the room were clear of others, so she did not need to play along, but it were good that there were an option, in case they suddenly got interrupted.

"Now dearie, let us talk seriously, shall we? Surely you know the ambassador to be too good of a pony to have gotten hold of something as indefensibly evil as the Screaming Path and not have it locked away for eternity.

Now then, we are both ponies of some layers. Even without knowing everything about you, I can tell that with ease, and it makes me think that even without that large buildup of dark magic, you may still have some tricks up your sleeve that can prove useful, and some information that could be of some interest to me. Perhaps you might even know where I might find something I have been looking for.

I on the other hoof, can perhaps give you access to some objects that could help, not just in this fight but in the times ahead. You witches do enjoy ancient, presumably lost spell books for example, yes? What say you about this one?"

Whilst smiling at him, she would focus on a particular book in her hidden collection. Dark, brooding, about the size of Iron himself, and covered in runes so ancient that she didn't even know what they said herself. After several years, all she could understand were the name on the side: Gnarltooth Fizzlebranch. Not a name that would mean much to most, but from what she had been able to gather, behind the magical lock laid words that were highly sought after by scholars of early, non-unicorn magic. Back before restrictions and fear of exposure made things far less subtle, and the schools stretched to more than just the dark arts.

There were several of these books out there, but they were all thought of as long gone, or stored safely in some mad collectors safe. This one certainly had before she had acquired it, and though she hadn't the faintest clue if it was of interest to Iron, since he might have one himself, at the very least he should be aware of her capacities considering the rarity of said item. It should suffice.

"But we can talk business soon enough. For the time being, let us start with something small: Your wife. Say that she have not been taken under their control, would she be an issue, or a boon then? And if so, what would work to stop her?"

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

@Lloyd

Dandy salutes to his queen and confirms that he will do so before she leaves, which left him back here for now. Alone in the same room as the one who had caught the queen's favor... He felt small again just thinking about it, as Francis felt like that one were far higher up the food chain than he were, which just made it more surprising when he wanted to speak and catch up.

"C-Catch up? well, we could, but... Why? I mean, you have the queen's favor, and I'm just a drone... Why would you be concerned about someling like me?"

The insecurity were starting to break through in his voice, especially when he dwelled on him being merely a drone, which were what he thought of himself at best, whilst other days he could barely make himself convinced he were even that. It hurt the self-confidence to be damaged like he was, and too frail to fight.

Meanwhile outside, whilst Zhu was being dragged away towards his former cell, Dew looked around on the guards who were mostly just looking at that, and ignoring what Wing had shouted out. This was the issue with not having an official ceremony. Nopony were aware who were technically in charge now, and he didn't have time to inform everypony right now. Plan B it were then, which required him to raise his own voice.

"All pegasi present in regiment 4, report for duty with Iron Wing. He's in charge of you for the foreseeable future."

He didn't need to point anywhere as two dozen pegasi fluttered closer and saluted to Iron Wing before getting ready to fly with him. Regiment 4 were half pegasi, and half unicorns, and as things were right now, they had a better use for the unicorns here than the pegasi.

"Good good, shall we get going then? I'm getting bored."

Enzo were anxious to get going and potentially catch the two that had deceived him before, but apparently, he had to wait for Wing to get going. Boring, but he had waited over a century alone in a dusty temple. He wouldn't go mad from a few minutes in fresh air.

Edited January 17, 2018 by Blitz Boom

Sekel · January 17, 2018

@Blitz Boom & @Moonlit & @Seamore Sandwich

TWILIGHT SPARKLE AND AURORA LIGHTS

"That is fascinating, Miss Ghost, but I think it would be best if we all reconvened in my castle. The doctor is safe now and we don't need to worry any more than we have to," Twilight said eventually after thinking things through. She figured that the castle would be the best place to hold any secret conversations that needed to be held and that the ghost and Serenade can speak freely without worry of being overheard. She continued letting her magic aura surround the cart and helped Last begin moving it to the castle. She stopped momentarily and looked on top of the cart at seemingly empty space. "Can Miss Ghost follow? I don't know her boundaries."

Aurora looked at the strange group of princesses, ponies, and sirens, and after a quick look about her to be sure nopony was looking, transformed back into her griffin self as quickly as possible. The flash of green was a bit bright but she didn't really think it would matter with her being this high up.

@Blitz Boom & @Widdershins

DAWN STREAK

"Thinskins!?" Dawn repeated in profound anger. She looked at the nearest building to Kaltrops and after experimentally flapping her wings, snorted in derision at their current uselessness. While they did work, for quick work like this, she couldn't exactly rely on their slowness so Dawn did what she did best. She ran up to the cottage near Kaltrops and ran up the side, using her wings to help keep her balance. She got to the roof before immediately jumping onto Kaltrops, intending to ram into his neck.

@MiragetheChangeling

WATTS MECHANO

"Hey, if you don't want to join me, you can just say so. It's not like I haven't manned my stall alone before," Watts grinned after waving a hoof in front of Mistletoe's muzzle.

Victoria Sponge · January 17, 2018

@Blitz Boom

Victoria softened a little, her body becoming less tense and frigid and her eyes widening to a more passive look. She was smiling again now too.

"Pleased to meet you Toxen, I'm sorry if I was a little cold but it seemed to work well for your mother and I had to be prepared for a similar encounter. You seem more like your brother though, I like that!"

She gave Toxen a warm smile and then turned to her pegasus friend.

"You should probably stop cowering behind me and accept her kind offer of a hug. This one seems friendlier than the last, you needn't be scared of her."

She helped Sprinkles up and gently pushed her in the direction of the waiting dragon.

Sprinkles edged slowly forwards, her body and head angled to the right ready to flee if necessary but her eyes were fixed on the dragon. She was shaking slightly still and her ears were back, tail and main droopier than usual. As she got closer she straightened up and opened her wings, attempting to look bigger and less frightened as she accepted the hug.

"N-nice to m-meet you. I-I'm C-cupcake Sprinkles..."

She spoke quietly and very high pitched and had no more words beyond the few she gave. Though she was still clearly terrified, it was nice to see her attempting to over come her fear and it was rather valiant how she had ended up in the dragons arms despite her reservations.

"Well done Cupcake! Conquer your fear just as I have conquered mine!"

The motivation from Victoria was enough to stop the pegasus from shaking and she relaxed a little.

"S-sorry about this, I don't mean to be rude. I've just had bad experiences with dragons throughout my life, I don't immediately know the difference between those I can trust and those I should run away from. So far it looks like you are one of the former kinds."

Victoria had stopped looking at the scene and was staring intently down the street. Her head perked up and her eyes widened before she suddenly galloped off in the direction she was looking shouting something about 'returning momentarily' as she sped off.

Her departure affected Sprinkles a little and she pulled away from the hug, folding her wings and looking after the earth pony as she disappeared round a corner.

"W-where's she off too?"

She didn't follow Victoria but it was apparent that she felt a little less confident without the only person present that she'd known for a significant amount of time nearby.

Edited January 17, 2018 by Battenberg

Foxy Socks · January 18, 2018

@Blitz Boom

"Really? That sounds like a nice and simple way to live. I never would have thought of something like that here, though I'm sure you've had to deal with creatures here. It would also allow one to study such a place better, living in it. It seems like here you would learn a lot."

Living in such a beautiful and fascinating place did sound appealing, despite it being located in one of the most feared forests. Foxy never felt as scared of the Everfree as others had, though that could be partly due to her growing up away, and having experiences in a forest herself. Instead of fear Foxy felt curious and exited, though she had her fair share of dangerous encounters too. Still, if it had places like these, it seemed worth it to her.

"What are some things you have learned of this forest, Briar?" Foxy asked, hoping to learn more from somepony who had spent a great deal of time living in it. In fact, the Everfree forest was one of the places she was interested in the most, being so mysterious. She grew up around forests yet she still managed to find something new every time, which was the wonder of them. Surely in such a place one could learn a great deal living in it.

Amanita · January 18, 2018

@Dji

“Hm? Oh, sorry... I was thinking about something.“ Mistletoe had been thinking of something a certain zebra had told him earlier, while delivering one of her orders she hadn’t been able to find in the Everfree. He was curious however, as to exactly what the mare before him sold, or do for that matter. “What is it you do anyways?“ He asked sounding slightly unsure of how the mare would react, or if she’d even answer him. He stood up while speaking though. “And I’d love to come with you, thank you.“

FanOfManyShows · January 18, 2018

@Blitz Boom

Astral looked ahead to Brick curiously, smirking a little. "So the first time you speak to me and it's just one word?" She said, chuckling a little, looking to Blackbeak. "Well, not really, I'm unsure what happened, I just shattered a gem, it exploded, and I fell unconscious, to summarize. I can go into detail if needed."

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

"And yet I stand here, doing nothing to you." She said, putting her sword away as she said that, but lowering her head as Athriel kept speaking, taking a deep breath. "I didn't want my family to see me as a monster sister, that includes you." She looked up, turning towards and continuing to look towards Athriel, even as she wasn't visible. "What we would've done would've been irreversible. I desired to let you live, I didn't want to kill you." She lowered her head again. "But if I was able to separate you from your failing body, I was going to." She said with a sigh, sitting down on the floor. "I am sorry, sister."

Footsteps approached them from the hallway, magic starting to burn through the corridors as Warlock approached their location, walking right through Sapphire. "Sapphire! I know you are here, reveal yourself!"

Sapphire stood up behind Warlock, lowering her head as she appeared into the reality plain. Warlock turning to her. "You asked for it." She said, tossing him away with a quick magic blast.

Warlock stopped before he impacted the wall, sliding across the floor as he reached out a hoof. "You are your sister must have a lot of weight to get out." He said with a grin, as Sapphire realized he heard them. "Let me help with that." He pulled his hoof back as Sapphire bent backwards, her magic blasting out into Warlock's element.

She pushed her hooves forwards against the ground, trying to escape his grip. "S-stop this now Warlock!"

"Who says I have to listen? Not like your sister will stop me." He said, walking closer as her magic poured out into him. "So much dark magic within you, not so good are you?"

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

He looked to the book with curiosity, having seen a similar book in Sapphire's hooves before, although she had burned it after she started using light magic. "Sapphire is incredibly powerful on her own, she knows many spells, and she has never revealed to me anyways to stop her if she turned." He said as he looked away. "At least, not intentionally." He said with a sigh. "Warlock is still able to extract magic from her, but unlike most ponies she can resist it, but since she's just been resurrected, she'll be weaker, so If we needed to stop her, expose her to the element of greed, or the amulet of gluttony, but since we are unsure if she's turned, she may have the time to adjust and get stronger, which may or may not be good."

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

Iron Wing nodded to Enzo as he unfurled his wings and ran ahead, flapping his wings as he flew off the ground towards the Everfree forest. Nectar did a course correction as she saw them head off, soaring just past them towards the Everfree forest, although this did allow them to see her fly past due to how close she was to them already.

"Well you are someling, but so am I, she only pays attention to me more since I'm new to the hive, she might stop after I get more accommodated." He said, rather modestly. "But I suppose we could wait here instead, since I am pretty sure neither of us are good fighters against the magical ponies they plan to face."

Lil' Lovebug · January 18, 2018

Satin waved the pony off. She stood up off the bench and packed her writing materials. She flicked her tongue out, various emotions washing over it, but she couldn't tell the emotions apart enough to put them to use. She decided to navigate her was towards the edge of town, making sure to take as many alleyways as she could.

After many minutes of searching, Satin sat down and dropped her bag down next to her. She pulled the scroll that Vivid had left her out of her bag and stared at it. "Where are you Vivid?" she breathed. A brief chill ran through her as she heard a voice that was not her own. She swore she could see the scroll light up for a second as well. She unraveled the scroll, placing some of her supplies on the ends to fold it flat. "Vivid." The unintelligible words, at least to her, returned and part of the writing on the scroll started glowing a faint purple. Satin was taken aback. Whatever the scroll said, it was directly tied to Vivid, but she'd already assumed that. How it tied to her was what puzzled her.

Satin took a few moments to reread the "instructions" but it still puzzled her. She stamped her hoof on the ground, her wings buzzing loudly, as he yelled, "Oh, just tell me how to Summon Vivid, you stupid scroll!"

Lucid_Nightlight · January 18, 2018

The yellow pony thought for a second. He's seen enough cartoons know that lightbulbs could potentially mean shady business, but he considered due to certain rules places upon the stick, there was nothing this guy could really do to it.

"Yes, I'd say this stick is pretty chaotic and powerful, considering I got it from Discord, though I should tell you that only I am able to use or even lift the thing. It's pretty complicated, I guess you could think of it like Thor's hammer I guess. Also, my name is Lucid Nightlight."

This rule was set upon the stick keep little kids from playing with it.

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