open Casual stroll

[Rising Dusk 27,845]

@Blitz Boom

It was a rather sad notion to really think about the dynamic that existed between Felicia and Molotov.  What always needed to be kept in mind though was that there is a different mind set in her creation versus Rusty's daughter.  Molotov miscalculated what he was creating and didn't take the necessary steps.  A mistake that can be corrected the next time around.  Right now though, there should be a focus on mending what has already been done, instead of wishing that it hadn't.

"She thinks you've done a wonderful drop and should teach her creator a thing or two."

Dusk translated in a way to get the message across.  Rusty seemed to blush a bit and smiled.

"Why thank you.  We did our best."

'We' of course referring to her and her husband, it was ultimately a team effort.  As for teaching Molotov, well, it wasn't an easy thing learning to be a parent.  One learns from how they were raised, but if Molotov was treating her as a guard for his workshop, then the parental needs really didn't develop.  Seeing that Rusty was stunk in a bit of a hole, he moved on to the next inquiry.

"She wishes to know more about the scrap yard."

Now that seemed to bring an even bigger smile to Rusty face, because she loved talking about work.

"Ah!  Now that I can do.  Follow me tender hooves."

With that, the mare was in motion, taking the pair on a little tour of the scrap yard she inherited when her father retired.  Dusk followed behind to be the translator of course.  Mounds upon piles of different metals, sorted to the best of the worker's abilities.  Mostly by just type of metal, but in some places there were sorted by purpose, such as the rows of old taxi carriages.  At the center of the scrap yard was the massive crane with an arm that could sweep the whole yard.  On one side of it, a large crusher designed to make large heaps into small compact cubes.  On the other side, a furnace for melting if they wanted to put the liquidized metal into a mold.  And of course, many of the scrap was simply left to be bought as it was for the customer to do what they will.  Just like when Dusk and the Boom Siblings were here yesterday.  As they walked, Rusty have an brief overview.

"So here at the scrap yard we perform two purposes.  First, we serve as a storage point for most of Equestria's waste metal.  And second, we re-purpose and redistribute said waste metal all over Equestia.  Whether a customer wants to come in and dig their muzzles around for just that right piece to their project, or a big company needs a large shipment of recycled metal in their own work, we are here to provide.  It's cheaper and better for the environment when we can re-purpose the metal rather than spend resources making new pieces."   

 

[Moon Glow 81]

@Blitz Boom

"Yeesh!" Moon Glow exclaimed, exhasperated at the idea of more walking. Maybe if she had gone into other magic like her mother wanted she could have just poofed into Ponyville like it was nothing, or something! "Gosh, that's just... wow, sorry, I mean- it's not you or anything I'm just really tired and I don't think I'm ready to uh, you know, walk." With that, the unicorn planted her rump down on the grass; a small twig snapped beneath her weight. While she was certainly interested in the strange skull and eerie, looming voices coming from seemingly nowhere, Moon Glow could feel herself growing tired. Whether it was an effect of the magic housed in the other mare's morbid yet fashionable rodent skull or not, the unicorn didn't bother to care.

"I'm-" the young mare winced when the voices got louder, her smile turning into a grimace when the sound felt like it was piercing her wee little ear drums. Shaking her head, she was almost dazed, but what confused her more was the openness of the pegasus.

"Legion?" she rubbed her ears. "Like, Legion as a name, or... Legion as in a big ol' army of some kind?" If the pegasus didn't mind to dance around it, perhaps Moon Glow wouldn't have to, either. "Because it sounds like that kind of legion. The uh, voices, and all..." The mare swished her tail behind her. She hadn't meant to avoid the topic of Ponyville and the kind offer of her guideship but sometimes the unicorn had a one-track mind. "Is it dark magic?"

[BloodDrops 762]

On 9/8/2018 at 2:54 AM, Lucid_Nightlight said:

"So, how long until the deal is made? A couple minutes? Couple hours? If it's any longer than two hours then I demand at least minimum wage!"

A watch appeared and he looked at the time.

"Also, I got stuff to do the day after tomorrow here in this Universe. Gotta buy some supplies for my standup comedy gig next week, get things for Pringle's birthday for the week after, then I gotta visit a grave. So, can we speed his deal along?"

His ears went down a little at the grave part despite trying to hide any negative emotion.

The Sphinx flicked her tail and blinked at him before glancing at a large scroll. "Depends on how long it takes for Onache to settle herself here with her hive under my protection. That was the deal after all and you then showed up wanting to reclaim this desert which Onache has a right to settle in. Seems we have a problem right there really. Unless you want to get this land back in a few centuries" she remarked.

"A deal that I am able to offer yourself is as follows. You build Onache her hive, then you can return home with a promise you won't attempt to remove Onache from my land" she finished. "That Or i'm bound to keep you all caged for a few years, until Onache has her hive built, doesn't matter much to me" she remarked.

 

On 9/9/2018 at 8:26 AM, EQ_Theta said:

So the temple has a mind of its own? Or possibly enchanted to follow deals made within its walls? An interesting way to put it simply, though this kind of magic may be overridden depending on who could've casted it. Then again, maybe it might not and the way magic works in this place is a little different from the rest of Equestria in general. But if going by what the Sphinx hinted at, that the temple is much larger than the rest of the visible structure, then it might be more complicated than that. For now, Fluttershy just looked at the tea set Discord presented, drinking some as she was thirsty but would preferably have their attention on getting out. 

"Discord, I appreciate you putting this here but isn't getting out of here and solving this problem with the Sphinx a more pressing matter? I wouldn't know where to start." 

The Sphinx snorted, "The Temple is Judge, Jury and Executioner. If it feels your a threat then well, you won't be a threat no more" she remarked with a small smirk. "You might be able to beat me, but you can't beat the Temple." she said with a smirk.

 

@Blitz Boom

The Sphinx blinked down at Onache, "So how long these creatures got to be enslaved for? Also how long till you get your hive established?" she asked her with a yawn, "they seem to be getting grumpy at being caged" she finished with a frown. She had to think of a way to solve this problem and rather fast it seemed.

 

On 9/9/2018 at 1:33 PM, Storm Shine said:

"Oh don't worry about that Fluttershy." Discord grinned as he began to quietly explain, "We just need to let the Sphinx complete her deal. Until that's done, her magic binds her to do so. And trust me, breaking a deal or oath enforced by magical means can bring.. Unpleasant consequences, even for one such as me." He chuckled, "That's why I rarely bind any deals with magic- though I believe such a thing is simply part of a sphinx's nature."

Discord munched on his tea, the tea within the cup defying physics to stay within the cup despite the chunks being taken out of the porcelain. "And once she's done whatever she promised, she'll no longer have to help or see to anything beyond that. So, for example.. Say she promised to provide all of Equestria as slaves for that changeling." He gestured vaguely, "Once she's put every pony in collars or confinement for the changeling, she'll likely no longer be bound to help- Any who would escape or free others would no longer be her concern." Discord winked at his friend conspiratorially. "So all we need to do is relax and wait. And if I'm wrong..." The draconequus shrugged, "Well, I'll still be here for you." 

 

The Sphinx blinked, "Oh your enslavement is no part of the original deal. I just think its better you are caged before you do something silly that might make me be forced to use unsavoury means to enforce my side of the deal. I believe that you generally don't like changelings with your previous experience on dethroning them, plus shes a slaver and has offered yourself as a sort of payment, which I've taken so that part of the deal is completed. I just need her to start building some changeling hive, and establish herself here and then i'm finished" she finished.

"Besides I've never met a sphinx who never uses magical deals" she added with a frown.   

 

On 9/10/2018 at 12:49 AM, Dji said:

“Why...” Twilight trailed off even though her wings were fluttering in a panic. “What kind of deal makes you lose power and gain power depending on whether you enslave ponies!?” She took a good look around where they were and groaned. “Never mind all that. How can we get out of this?” She muttered more to herself than to the Sphinx. She watched the floor and the other trapped ponies of the group. ‘Is that a ... I need to think. Stop getting distracted!’

"Well accepting my terms on building Onache her hive, and leaving her in peace. Then your good to go" she giggled. 

 

On 9/10/2018 at 2:45 PM, EQ_Theta said:

Discord, I don't think any of us would want to wait until the terms of the deal are complete. Isn't there something like a loophole that could meet the terms of the deal? Or am I thinking into this too much and something bad might happen?"

"Depends on what you justify as bad? if it comes to it, I could theoretically destroy all of Equestria apart from where we are now to ensure that the deal is protected" she remarked casually. "The Temple will go one further and destroy everything to protect the deal. So not exactly a loophole you can use unless you wish to be obliterated in nanoseconds if you try to edit or change the deal. Not a good idea" she giggled.

 

18 hours ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

She is right, you know. Looking for a loophole would be a good idea. Another idea is that maybe we could take her crown. Remember before I ate the stick? You said there was a loophole to it's rules. Of course, the stick has nothing to do with this, but the crown may have a similar concept.

He looked at the crown as if he were thinking about something. He then looked back to Discord.

"She said if the crown goes completely dark, she will be powerless. If my theory is correct, that crown could be a source of her power. This is just a theory, but if I'm right, perhaps you could absorb its power since it's a physical object. Chances are, you are likely more powerful than the sphinx, so you could probably absorb her crown. But this is only if the crown is the source of her power."

Lucid had the power for this, but he lacked the experience. He did not know how to absorb power that did not belong to him, he could only take back power that decided to temporarily lend to someone, so if anyone was gonna do this, it'd have to be Discord.

"Of course, we could wait and see where this deal goes before trying this."

The Sphinx smiled at his crown taking suggestion, "Well you might be on to something, though you couldn't just take my crown you would have to wear it to break my power" she said with a smirk, "but on the deal side of things, you've got to build Onache her hive and then promise not to harm her, as she builds up strength and invades you you wouldn't be allowed to retaliate within my realm" she finished.

15 hours ago, Storm Shine said:

Discord hummed, "Well often magically enforced deals do still have loopholes for the determined and the clever." He allowed, carefully chewing a piece of marble. "How easy that is depends on the wording and the type. Typically, a written contract enforced with magic will follow the word of the agreement as it is written, allowing one to potentially complete the contract by following the words on the page. For example, a written contract to a racer. The stipulation to end the contract is that the racer must cross the finish line, but if it's not written how many times they must cross, or if it must be at the start or end of the race, or other details often taken for granted, they could technically cross the line once in a moonwalk, then run off into the sunset and still come out of the contract alright."

 

Discord took a few sips of salt to wet his throat, "Meanwhile a verbal deal often follows the spirit or intent of the agreement." The chaos spirit continued, "Which can make it easier or harder to get out of, depending on the deal made. In order for the deal to complete, one or both parties must complete or receive whatever was agreed upon, in the manner originally expected by the party that the portion of the contract is being done for. The how doesn't matter if it's not agreed upon, but the end result is the most important thing in a magically reinforced verbal contract." He then turned over his teacup, allowing the tea to rise up and fill it. "Unfortunately in either case, often there are consequences to be had should the magic not be satisfied with the result, or should the terms of the agreement not be met. In a written agreement, it's simply a matter of twisting the wording to your advantage. In a verbal agreement, the result is judged by magic and intent, meaning that it must be as agreed upon. Once the terms have been met in either case, the magic upholding the deal dissipates and neither is bound by it any longer unless they had put their own free will or services as either collateral or part of the agreement. If there was collateral, it depends on whether or not the contract was upheld."

 

Discord coughed and retched a bit before quickly beginning to wash his mouth out with hot sauce, sugar, and rainbows, "Blegh, so much exposition I could taste it. So bland!"

 

After a few moments of this, he turned to Lucid. "It could be a sign of losing power, or it could be a sign of corruption." He stated simply, "The rules of magical deals don't always affect Sphinxes and certain other creatures the same way as most. In her case, it could be twisting her as a consequence of stepping out of line for the deal. There's so many reasons it could be, it always astounds me when someone draws a conclusion with a permanent irreversible solution and thinks it's a good idea to follow through." Discord transformed  into a viking looking outfit complete with axe. "There's a magical doohicky that's keeping us sealed in our village! Let's destroy it!" he changed back, looking unamused. "And that's how that village was removed from existence due to the magical backlash of energy originally meant to protect their no-so-little village from danger until said danger was far enough away. You need to understand the nature of some magics before you start messing with them, even if you mean well."

 

The Sphinx blinked, "In this case, Its the if and not the when, I will protect Onache and her hive until it is completed. Now if one of you suddenly made a fully made Changeling hive, that would result in the deal being completed and I would therefore have no reason to keep you here. As it is until I can determine you are no threat you may not leave here" she said with a small smile. 

"of course, once the deal is completed Onache will be in my service forever as she has promised me as many servants as i could ever want. Since I live such a long time and always need servants then she will have to live longer to provide them for me at which point she will be allowed to die" she said with a low chuckle.

The Sphinx flicked her tail, "not losing power, maybe more of a corruption thing. Though as long as I finish this deal I can go back to my lavish lifestyle without lifting a claw. Suits me fine, I get out free food, free servants. Works perfectly" she remarked.

"Unless you wanted to attempt to stop me, then that wouldn't be agreeable" she said with a yawn, besides my deals always work, hence my 100% success rate" she argued. 

[Blitz Boom 4,636]

@FanOfManyShows

Emerald let out a sigh as Sapphire began to work the doorframe to their basement dwelling. The blood were supposed to be some of the last they went for, so that they could keep it as fresh as possible. Like this they'd have to conjure up a containment of some kind for it, and that was going to frankly be a waste of their time.

Yet, it were almost done, so they would just be wasting time not getting it now either way, so they may as well get on with it. She could think of a containment for the blood when they had it. Perhaps she could gain some sort of idea from how the ponies held it usable? If the regular equines could use this with little issue, then surely it couldn't take too much to copy it, or steal some of their containment.

"We need to watch out once we get there. Your family have had an annoying tendency to show up when they're not wanted, and I don't trust them to not meddle again sooner or later."

She'd welcome them to try, considering where they were, but Sapphire would become less inclined to work with her if she demolished the illusionary mare's *precious* little family, much as they deserved it.

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@FanOfManyShows

"I'll handle that when they're done hammering everything into place. Don't worry general, we'll have it ready by tonight."

Benny grinned along with the twins, though he didn't participate in them giving brohooves to one another right now. A shame, but with his hands being what they were, it would be a pretty stupid thing for him to do.

"Good work so far guys, but there's still plenty to get done. I'll meet you inside."

The twins grinned maniacally and took the armor back into the forge.

"I know they seem a bit out there, General Wings, but you can trust their work. Your armor set will be as well made as any other generals.

Mind me asking though, why weren't we asked to make a sword? Usually part of the process to hand a blade over to the next in line, from what I've been told."

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@FanOfManyShows

Chow had a few things he wanted to say after the assumptions from Astral about whatever or not he'd want Emerald killed. Mostly denying it whilst thinking to himself that perhaps they wouldn't end up having much of a choice if things went really bad, but then Star had popped into the conversation and said something that deserved priority. A plan of attack that made Chow widen his eyes whilst his heart skipped a beat, by the mere suggestion of what Star was suggesting.

"No, absolutely not. I dunno what she's doing in a blood bank  but we're sure as Tartarus not gonna be there at the same time.

Blood is her turf. Whatever you've seen her do until now have been nothing compared to what she can do when she have an ample supply of the good stuff.

Going after her in there would be like jumping into an ocean to fight a giant squid. Possible, but too difficult to really pull off, and ending in disaster more than a stack of calamari.

Frankly we'd have to be madder than a hatter to go into blood central when she's there, and expect to have a fighting chance. She might be cornered there, but we're also going into her turf while she holds all the cards. I've been there when she had ample access to blood before, and trust me, it ain't pretty.

Astral, you've seen what mess your aunt can cause, even when she ain't in her element. You got my back on this, right?"

Chow looked towards Astral, with some desperate hope that as the one of the three witches that had seen Emerald the most, she was wise enough to not barge into the midst of a situation they were highly unlikely to get out of. He'd still follow them if they went, but that had more to do with some... Personal reasons than anything about his survival instinct.

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@Catpone Cerberus

"How a machine would control your mind? Sound of course, duh. You hit the right tone with a pair of speakers, and it gets right into your head and starts messing with your brain. And when the machines They make gets you lured in, then you'll get your mind rewritten or you'll be replaced by a robot. I was gonna have my proof now, to show everypony the danger they were in, but now it was just you and everypony getting mighty curious what the noise was all about instead. Not the earth-shattering revelation I was looking for."

Berry talked enthusiastically about The Conspiracy and it's makers, whilst keeping her eyes on the siren. She were bummed about this development, but it did make sense all evidence being what they now were, so she had to move past it. She'd find one of their machines another day.

"Now it's my turn to ask questions: How do you eat if there's no fish in your lake? And how does a siren even lose their powers? Did the princesses do it? You sounded awfully concerned about them zapping in and silencing you with a one way trip through the *supposed* portal to the human world. I'll believe that when I see it."

She'd also subsequently jump through and try to find if The Conspiracy had spread there too, or even arrived from that lane of existence, but come on, humans? Had to be one of the taller tales she had ever heard.

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@Catpone Cerberus

"It's plenty worth it, even if you have to have an eye for it to see it."

"Hey, that's enough outta you. Business ain't something we just speak off to everypony."

"We both know you were working towards it too. You were just dragging your hooves and trying to assert something about this mare you already know the answer to."

The two of them locked eyes in silence, with Marley looking down on the squinting mare with an amused look on his face. You could almost taste the tension in the air that could arise from this, before Spicy finally just rolled her eyes and looked away.

"Fine, fine. But you started this, so you're gonna finish it up too, feather-duster."

The griffon sneered slightly from that nickname, not finding it very pleasing whilst Spicy went over to lock the wagon up. It seemed like it was about time for them to get a move on for now, and then come back later.

"Of course, *My liege.*"

The sarcasm would be dripping from his voice if it weren't said so dryly when it exited his beak.

"I will make this somewhat brief. We know of a plundered old tomb nearby, from one of our clients. The ones who found it took everything of value to them, but they always leave behind things that they can't pawn off at a corner store. Statues, old artwork, things such as that. We had planned to wait until another day, yet the aftermath of the recent attack have left everypony delightfully distracted. You come with with us, help us get everything moved, and then we'll get to work selling off what we find to those who would want it. Dusty stone for some, are priceless art for others, and I'm sure a mare of your... Specific desires, would find no issue liberating a few things that is of no use left in the ground.

I can assure you, stick with us through the sales, and your personal value is going to get a delightful boost. Of course, we do require a degree of secrecy here, but I'm sure the desire to talk is less than that of gaining piles of bits, if I understand you right, madame?"

Marley wasn't spilling the beans of everything, since there were some parts of their plans that were far less than legal, but they couldn't just trust this mare with everything right now, could they? They hardly knew her. No, they would all get to working, gather up some things left behind by the usual shiny-things-focused tomb robbers, and then proceed. They'd see if this mare would remain an asset by then, or had to be dealt with in a less than pleasing manner.

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@Dji

"I hold no dominion over future sight, so I can't say."

Enzo remained seated, not doing something hostile and overall seemed relaxed in his posture. it may not be the optimal way to sit when dealing with the lesser races, but he frankly cared little for that compared to simply converse and learn of this mare. Especially considering what was next told, which got him to raise an eyebrow high in surprise.

"The parasites made a symbiote? Fitting, yet I find myself surprised to hear it possible. I understand why I smell the bugs upon you now though.

I know of stories where ponies sought my kind out, with desire to bond with other creatures, to gain in their power and wisdom. What are the terms of your bonding?"

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@Pr0m4NV14

"I think Equestria have 4 princesses so far? 5? I'm not sure if the filly counts, even if she is an alicorn too."

Sorrow scratched her chin. It probably didn't count, since a filly had no political power, and that was kind of a thing with their kind, but then again... Alicorn. Usually that meant princess. Perhaps count her out for now and think of her as a future princess? Yeah, that seemed okay.

"There's Celestia and Luna, Twilight, and Cadence. I don't really know that many outside Equestria, except for Princess Arabian Nights. She's a nice mare, but man does she need to learn to relax. Only time I ever saw her not being regal, was when I helped her with that poltergeist. Standards for royalty are weird in Saddle Arabia. Or I just went there on a bad week, I dunno.

Anyway, library, castle, yes. I don't know if it's open, but we can go up and knock on the door. The attack might've made things weird with things like that."

When they'd eventually get closer to the castle, they'd see a garden of--- Weirdness around said castle. It looked pretty, with grass, fountains, a nice pathway and a small fence around even, but then were the varied trees - one with multiple varieties of fruits - the benches that roamed like sheep, and the small bubble creatures floating lazily through the air here and there. Nothing hostile, but certainly weird.

In front of the castle, a bipedal dragoness about the human, wearing some robes that had seen better days and a shoulder bag, sat up against the wall, apparently taking a nap. The door to the inside were open if they wanted to go in, though not all doors in the castle were unlocked, so they may have to try some times to find their way to the library part.

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@EQ_Theta

Omen had wanted to help setting up camp, but as both the tent and traps tended to require some degree of rope or wire, Rosa had wandered in quickly after her question and asked her to gather some wood for a campfire. He then had to explain what of wood as she tried to push down a tree rather unsuccessfully, before going on to get the traps ready. That were the plan anyway, but before reaching the site they were to set camp with, Lin slowed down and steered him to do the same.

"I would appreciate any help I could get to find him, yes. The only thing I have right now is knowing he is called Stargazer, and that our mother abandoned him. Beyond that, I still need to find clues. This diary should hopefully hold some, but I will need time to see through it, and decipher what is actually said. Filigree is paranoid. Reluctant to write anything incriminating against herself, in case somepony finds her things. Whatever horrendous things are mixed into this, it's between the lines, or in code.

Regardless, I doubt there's anything in here that can help against her in court. Her codes are obscure enough to make it easy to question whatever the translation is even right. Another one of her fail-safes, though who knows. Perhaps something happened at the temple that made her get sloppy."

Glancing over towards the others, Rosa had no idea that Lin may well remember meeting a Stargazer before, which to him were little more than a name that Filigree had slung at him in her attempt to play innocent and simply under the influence of the crystals a few days ago, yet were an actual pony for Lin. Somepony who had in fact attempted to help her and Omen early on, to find their respective targets.

"We should help them set up camp before Omen finds some loose rope and attempts to help with that. Untangling her will be time consuming."

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@Rising Dusk

Felicia followed suit once the mare began to wander further into the large scrap yard, her pointy legs hardly making a sound against the dirt as she scurried after Rusty, and tried to take in everything she were told.

She also began to take more notice of the organisation that took place in regards to items that piled up around them. At first she hadn't, as the spiderbot had been on high alert out of worry that this may lead to a trap, but now as they moved along, the piles sorted by metal and/or theme began to stand out a little. She particularly enjoyed the themes of for example transportation parts being one place, yet still having some system so you didn't have to scramble between everything to find say, a wagon axle lodged underneath the hulls of several a taxi carriages. It made it far simpler when others came around looking for parts, and would surely help in the recycling efforts that Rusty said this place partook in.

Several of said piles had functions that she were aware Molotov could use in several of his projects, including his most current one, and her eventual replacement. She would have to memorize this part of the place for the foreseeable future, so that the delay between his current three projects - the machine to pick up metal from Center Zero, the anti-magic cage Dusky and him were experimenting on, and the guard robot who were to replace Felicia's duties completely - could be lessened, though she had doubts this would be the last time that she would step into this place regardless of her creator. This place were starting to get fascinating the more she were told about it, and Rusty seemed welcoming to her presence, as long as she did not make trouble, and she may be able to assist the scrap yard owner to some degree to make her visits more enticing, but they'd have to see if something went wrong during this visit first. The reddening of Rusty's face before had been alarming, though it didn't appear to cause an aggressive response, so she would file that away for now, then see if she could eventually find a directory file - or book, as ponies called them - that could explain the phenomenon.

"𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕔𝕣𝕒𝕡 𝕪𝕒𝕣𝕕 𝕚𝕤 𝕒 𝕨𝕖𝕝𝕝 𝕣𝕦𝕟 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕞. 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕖𝕥𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕗𝕦𝕟𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕖𝕗𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕝𝕪, ℝ𝕦𝕤𝕥."

It was the closest Felicia could come to basically saying that she was highly impressed and intrigued by the way the mare ran this place, and how everything went up into a higher function. It wasn't just a wasted space for local metal to rust and be tossed around until somepony would enter and purchase a few scraps here and there, but a country-wide recycling and re-purpose program, that were both inexpensive - compared to making new metal for everything - and environmental. She may not know the state of nature and such off the top of her head, but she knew what the word meant, and protecting the world they lived in so that it could go on for far longer would surely be an admirable thing to be part of.

Yet, as were about to be shown, as admirable as the work here were, it were also dangerous.

As they passed a particularly large pile of metal containers, Felicia suddenly lunged forward towards the two ponies she were following without any warning. Her right front leg jabbed forward like a thrown spear, and without any noticeable resistance or hesitation, plunged directly through the soft outer shell of her target, instantly piercing and sticking it to her sharp leg, which were now standing motionless. A cold, calculated act by an otherwise seemingly calm creation...

"𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕟𝕖𝕦𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕫𝕖𝕕."

Felicia retracted her leg, and shook off the soft target she had just stabbed.

*clang* *clang*

The large bucket rolled a little to the side before coming to a halt against a pile of hinges.

To the two ponies, this were not really a *soft* target, yet the metal on the thing were weak, even by regular standards, so it were the equivalent of sticking a fork though a slice of cheese for Felicia. To them, it would be a simple aluminium bucket that had gotten some nicks and bruises as the wind had taken hold and caused it to roll away on the pile it had been on earlier, and eventually fall down from one of the taller piles some way from them. An unlucky trajectory that would've left both Rusty and Dusky with a bang to the side of the heads that would've given a brief headache and some bruises if it had impacted. Nothing serious, but Felicia were made to protect, and though she did let Molotov hit himself with small things now and again for personal reasons, she would fulfill her base programming most of the time around those she didn't think deserved it.

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

 

@Moon Glow

Sorrow's eyes went wide as she heard that the other mare could hear the voices.

"You can hear them too? Awesome!"

She felt as giddy as a filly as she heard this, and bounced up and down like one too, whilst moving in closer to the random encounter she had out here in the middle of nowhere.

"Do you know how rare it is to find somepony else who can hear them? Outside of my family, I've only met two who could genuinely communicate with lost souls, and now it's perhaps gonna be three! Oh, this is gonna be a fun day."

Sorrow calmed down some, though she were still feeling excited and joyful about everything. Now she were gonna have a soul buddy! Well, unless she scared her off, that was true. That's why she had to calm herself a little before t he mare would end up rushing away from her.

"I mean, I still have to ask you something to make sure, but the fake ones usually go around in big, gaudy dresses and makes ponies pay them for false messages. You're totally normal, so that's a point.

Oooh... But okay... Okay, I have to answer some things first. Then you can tell me something, okay?

So, Legion is not an army in this case. Legion is a hivemind of the souls I've gathered that's not ready to pass on, and they all reside in this here skull until they're ready. Either by seeing something they want, or when they're calm enough or something else. It's kinda like a wandering therapy session for the dead. I talk with them, they talk with one another, and especially the hivemind itself does wonders calming new additions down. I had thirty-one before, but seven just left before you showed up, so there's twenty-four now.

And it's kinda dark magic. I mean, the skull is anyway. it helps keeping them together, but that's the only magic part of it. Every mare in my family have always been able to communicate with spirits, for as long as our history goes. Thousands of years back, to when it was seen as real dark mojo to talk with dead beings. We don't really know why it only hits the mares, but we don't really care all that much either. Except for my aunt, she's kind of a history nut. Goes around asking old time spirits before helping them on and tries to get something together. I really should try and find her one of these days..."

She tapped her chin, trying to think on how she'd even start looking for the mare in the first place, as she didn't have an address. She could perhaps ask her grandma though. You could always count on her to know what went on.

"Anyway, i answered you, now tell me: What're they saying?"

Sorrowed looked expectantly at Moon whilst rising up the skull a little. Their voices should be more normalized to Moon's ears, though it were hard to say with ethereal voices. Not everypony that could listen, did so without some sort of annoyance or issue.

"Why does it feel like one lingers upon you? Whose presence is it?"

Edited September 12, 2018 by Blitz Boom

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@BloodDrops @Blitz Boom @EQ_Theta @Storm Shine @Dji @Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich

"Building the hive? Alright, looks like we are beginning negotiations. Now, here is what I'm putting on the table. In order for us to build this hive, which will be rather easy for us to do with our abilities. You must set us free after it is built. Of course, there are some other terms which I will show you."

Lucid stomped his hoof and a big paper appeared with some writing on it.

Terms to be followed:

1. Everyone WILL be set free and WILL be considered untouchable after the hive is built. This means everyone is freed and C'ANNOT be retaken or harmed by Onache, Sphinx, or anyone affiliated under ANY circumstances.

2. We cannot attack the hive after being freed, unless terms have been broken or the hive is a threat.

3. Equestria and its inhabitants CANNOT be attacked or enslaved.

4. All slaves must be changelings from Onache's changeling hive. Changelings can be chosen in any way seen fit as long as it does not break any terms.

5. No one can be forced into the hive. This is to avoid any loopholes.

6. All slaves will have basic rights including but not limited to; sufficient sleep, proper feeding, proper shelter, bathroom breaks, and safety from physical assault unless it's in self-defense.

7. Slaves are not allowed to physically harm the sphinx or Onache unless in self-defense.

"Now, these are the terms I am currently laying out. We can agree to these or we can negotiate further."

He thought for a second and decided to add something.

"Also, right now to allow these negotiations to happen, we must agree that you and/or Onache are NOT allowed to lie about any deals."

Edited September 11, 2018 by Lucid_Nightlight

[Storm Shine 1,196]

@EQ_Theta @Blitz Boom @Dji @Seamore Sandwich @BloodDrops @Moonlit @Lucid_Nightlight

 

Discord waved a claw dismissively at the Sphinx, "Those were just hypothetical when I referenced you." He said with a shrug, "But I'm sure I could have things ready in a snap, if you really wanted." The chaos spirit glanced at Lucid as he began attempting to negotiate terms, but decided to watch how things played out rather than discourage him. Can't go around solving everyone's problems after all. Spirit of chaos and disharmony, not helpfulness and order. As it is, most of his active participation has been for Fluttershy's sake.

Edited September 11, 2018 by Storm Shine

[Catpone Cerberus 23,604]

@Blitz Boom
Again Nada listened patiently as the pony told her....unique story, and it took her to second to get everything she had said "At first there was fish, I ate them all, so now I have to depend on small land animals that make their way here to drink, they don't exactly taste as good, but food is food, even if it's full of fur-hair." "And thanks to my small size, I don't need nearly as much food as I normally would." she still stayed in the same position "And for my powers, I lost my magic due not using it, I need negativity to use my magic, and I need my magic to generate enough negativity to charge said power." "So because eventually I didn't have enough negativity to use my magic at all, I couldn't get more negativity."

"And....." Nada sighed, she didn't want to think about that cursed day, but she did, "The portal..." her tone made it clear she didn't like the topic "...I don't know what humans are, and I don't know where the portal lead..." "....But all I know is that I saw three of my kind getting banished in there, never to be seen again." her tone turned almost hostile "And I won't let you ponies do that to me too....!" she raised her voice "....I'm not like them!!"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ruby just looked curiously as the two creatures stared at each other, this was win win situation for her, either she got a deal where she could get some treasure, or there would be a distraction that'd make it possible steal the treasure from the wagon, solution ended up being the former. So boring trash, she though to herself when Marley started talking about the art, but her interest returned when he mentioned the part about selling them, she knew that ponies paid stupidly high amounts of bits for old trash, now it sounded perfect deal, all she had to do was to carry little bit of stuff, this would be the easiest treasure any dragon had ever gotten, but there was one thing she needed to know first.....

"I assume that what we get will be shared equally?" she didn't really need to know that now that she thought about it, she could always just eat them if they tried to rip her off, but she needed to think what pony would want to know "Because if you're trying to rip me off...." she made it clear with her tone and expression that it was a warning. 

[EQ_Theta 460]

@Blitz Boom @Storm Shine @Lucid_Nightlight @BloodDrops @Dji @Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich

Hearing Discord lay on information piece by piece... if he wasn't a spirit of chaos, he might actually come off as a good lawyer. Or somepony like it, at least. Just hearing about the nuances of magical deals and places that could enforce such deals like the temple they are currently in was a much bigger prospect for her to take in. Even being in said temple was more than just finding a solution, it was being in a place of power much bigger than any she had ever been to. But back to the matter, having Lucid lay down some terms for another deal was a strange idea, if one that could backfire spectacularly. It might make things worse, but it was left to the temple to see how it would react to this new deal. 

"Please be careful, Lucid. I hope you know what you are doing," Fluttershy said with a hint of worry in her voice. Care should be taken when meddling in matters like these, after all. After hearing what Discord had to say, she hopes everyone wouldn't end up like that village in his story. 

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

@Blitz Boom

"Stargazer..." 

Lin muttered that name under her breath but Sen overheard the exchange. Even he paused for a second, just froze in place and remembered that name, even his face, time, and place. All those moments from first arriving in Ponyville after meeting Omen in the nearby forest. A step forward in the right direction, even with the odd look; he didn't seem to mind the oddity of having a pony/dragon hybrid creature walking around town asking for help looking for Lin. Then again with helping find Fluttershy and helping Omen look for Discord. Those felt like a lifetime ago what with the things that have transpired between then and now.

Sen turned to Lin, looking back to her and nodded, before running off to make sure Omen doesn't get mixed up in more string and helping her gather some wood and stone for the fire pit. It was the same routine from the last camp site, and he showed Omen how to set up the fire pit, materials and arrangement. Hopefully this would get her mind off of strings for now, and it was simpler to set up. As for Lin, she got the hint, and proceeded to look back at Rosa, knowing that this is a matter than needs to be handled delicately.

"Rosa, I don't know if this can help but this Stargazer.... Sen and I met somepony with that name while we were in Ponyville. He is a bat pony and a guard who helped us out a while back. This might be a lead we could look into, if you'd like." 

Edited September 12, 2018 by EQ_Theta

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Blitz Boom @BloodDrops @Dji @EQ_Theta @Storm Shine @Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich

He looked over to Fluttershy, who asked him to be careful.

"I'm doing what I can, if any of you wish to add something, feel free to do so."

He looked to Anomaly and connected his cage to hers. Then he walked, over to her.

"How about you? You got anything to add to the terms? I think we should have the sphinx call herself a stupidhead because she's the stupidest head of all stupidheads."

Edited September 12, 2018 by Lucid_Nightlight

[Blitz Boom 4,636]

@Seamore Sandwich @Moonlit @Dji @EQ_Theta @BloodDrops @Storm Shine @Lucid_Nightlight

"A queen is only as strong as her hive. Chrysalis lost hers to the usurpers, and her drones got a new ruler, though you should consider yourself to be lucky to have not been there. What they have become is a disgrace to changelings, and when the time is right, they will be exterminated without mercy."

There were a tone in Onache's voice that made it clear that this were not an empty threat. When the time came, and her own hive had recuperated, she would march upon Thorax's domain, with every other hive who still stood against Thorax's twisted kind, and she would leave the place as little more than ruins and dust. She would not let that... Thing, pollute what their kind were.

A snowflake trickled down suddenly on her nose, and she looked up, just to see a few, local clouds of snow spread their cold substance upon the otherwise warm desert ground. Urgh, how she hated that particular weather. She much preferred the dry heat of a scorching desert to the frozen north, and actively avoided it so that she didn't feel cold. Though of course, these draconequui didn't care about the proper weather a desert should be and were polluting it with this particular substance. The one who looked like a pony even threw a snowball at the pumpkin-headed abomination, which seemed to perk her up for the first time and partake in throwing back a snowball of her own, aimed straight for his face. Might've worked if the cages and such didn't make barriers a constant for them, but she cared little. She still had them both in chains for the time being, though what the sphinx said made her feel uneasy.

Really, she should eb concerned what Discord and that Lucid one were speaking about, as the plans came in for the wholesale destruction of everything, or at least the sphinx and her power source. Yet currently, it seemed that they either spoke in code, or Discord were truly not planning on doing anything to meddle with this. Something which she found highly improbable, but she were already on alert to run at a moments notice in case Discord began something. It wasn't as if she could stop anything he went on with, but merely just react to it.

So her ears were on the sphinx, who were actually, potentially possible to talk with about things, yet one who did not know the limit of the deal the sphinx and herself had actually made. It were not that Onache would provide everypony in Equestria as slaves in exchange for her stay here, but merely that she would stay here and provide slaves of an undetermined amount. She may have said that she could gain thousands, but with the wording, two would be enough to complete the deal if you wanted to be technical. Their deal were essentially done the second Onache would be granted residence in this desert. What else were supposed to happen from there were not part of the deal, but merely the promise that it would, should the sphinx want it.

There were some promise in the fact that the sphinx said that she would have to be here with her hive, as that meant that Happy Hour would have to be summoned here (feel free to do so, anypony) and afterwards, she could start building a residence. Though again technically, a residence for just two changelings wouldn't take long. A few hours at best, and that were going slowly. Their kind did not invade places well by taking years to get hives up and running.

Unfortunately, the deceit about how long it may be drawn out would not come, as she were then asked how long it may take. Considering everything, it seemed... Unwise, to lie to the sphinx. Especially considering what was said of the temple, which made her feel even more paranoid about her limits here.

"My job is merely to enslave them. The duration is up tot heir owner, which would be you. What you do with them is of no concern to me.

As for my hive, I will require my drone, Happy Hour, to be here to reestablish my hive. We can begin to make a settlement soon after, as per our... Arrangement. Without delay, we may have a hive built within the hour. Depends on how quickly we find a rocky area with a nearby oasis to work from. It may take a while."

She jingled the chains of the varied beings she had in her grasp right now. Still a pretty weird feeling, yet long as she had some control, it were the good kind of weird.

Of course, with the talk about destruction of everything else than this desert, it really showed how little control she actually had here. She had frankly never felt so... Inferior and pointless, and it were frankly not a pleasant feeling. Though it sounded like she would have a long, long time to get used to that. More than her natural life from the sphinx's words, though it may well be shorter. It would only take a royal-bred changeling with enough cruelty and aspiration from within her own hive to be seen as more faithful to the sphinx, and then Onache's time would be over.

It would likely end with a cult worshiping the sphinx. A shame she wouldn't be around to see how that would turn out. If these mongrels didn't ruin it long before that.

The one called Anomaly sure seemed to want to meddle with things further, as after the ridiculous terms set by Lucid - a changeling queen that would not lie? What a farce - she nodded ferociously and looked up towards the sphinx, and said that she wanted to make the desert full of life. Animal, as well as plant it seemed like. Clearly, she did not get what a desert were, though perhaps, if she could be convinced to focus on making the occasional oasis, and grub for the slaves... It may be useful.

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Blitz Boom @EQ_Theta @Storm Shine @BloodDrops @Dji @Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich

"Alright, so some added terms are that the sphinx must call herself a stupidhead and the desert must be full of life, I will extend Anomaly's term by saying this will be non-hostile life."

Hearing the thing about attacking Thorax's hive annoyed him.

"Alright, but allies are allowed to help supply and defend Thorax's hive. Neither side can interupt the other while mustering up forces. Once the war begins, your hive is will no longer be untouchable. This means once you attack, you can be attacked also."

Lucid looked at Onache, and he seemed quite serious.

"If you don't don't agree to that, they'll fight anyway and the Temple could destroy Equestria and the entire world. You'd be putting everyone in danger, including yourself, even if you survive the Temple's wrath, neither you or the sphinx will survive mine."

[BloodDrops 762]

20 hours ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

"Building the hive? Alright, looks like we are beginning negotiations. Now, here is what I'm putting on the table. In order for us to build this hive, which will be rather easy for us to do with our abilities. You must set us free after it is built. Of course, there are some other terms which I will show you."

Lucid stomped his hoof and a big paper appeared with some writing on it.

Terms to be followed:

1. Everyone WILL be set free and WILL be considered untouchable after the hive is built. This means everyone is freed and C'ANNOT be retaken or harmed by Onache, Sphinx, or anyone affiliated under ANY circumstances.

2. We cannot attack the hive after being freed, unless terms have been broken or the hive is a threat.

3. Equestria and its inhabitants CANNOT be attacked or enslaved.

4. All slaves must be changelings from Onache's changeling hive. Changelings can be chosen in any way seen fit as long as it does not break any terms.

5. No one can be forced into the hive. This is to avoid any loopholes.

6. All slaves will have basic rights including but not limited to; sufficient sleep, proper feeding, proper shelter, bathroom breaks, and safety from physical assault unless it's in self-defense.

7. Slaves are not allowed to physically harm the sphinx or Onache unless in self-defense.

"Now, these are the terms I am currently laying out. We can agree to these or we can negotiate further."

He thought for a second and decided to add something.

"Also, right now to allow these negotiations to happen, we must agree that you and/or Onache are NOT allowed to lie about any deals."

 

The Sphinx blinked at his flawed attempt at offering a deal. She was grumpy and with good reason. There were so many loop holes within that contract, she could easily manipulate it to her hearts content. "Those all the rules you like?" she asked him with a frown. She shook her head crossly, "you can't have terms that contradict one another otherwise the latter always wins against the contradiction. How am I meant to enforce a contradicted condition? Pfffff" she growled.

She flicked her tail and started addressing the rules set forth,

1. "Everyone will be free, that is acceptable. Everyone is also protected by myself and cannot be trapped however I cannot speak for Onache on this part since it is outside of her control"

2. "I accept that you as a collective and anyone that resides within Equestria cannot interfere with myself or Onache and her hive. Any terms that are broken as a result will result in that party's territory being given over to the victim. So if you attack the hive you forfeit your land and it is given over to myself and Onache, and if the hive attacks you then the hive loses it land and I expulse her from my territory." she said with a small smile.

3. "Agreed as condition of rule 2" 

4. "I got no problem with this, though Onache will have to agree as well" she remarked.

5. "I will expand on this, since it creates a loophole. No one can be forced, tricked, teleported in or lured in with trickery. Sound fair?" she asked at the amended rule.

6. "My slaves have these rights anyway, I cannot speak on Onache's part" she remarked with a frown, she never physically assaulted her slaves anyway. 

7. "Any sort of violence towards myself will result in explusion to Equestria. I can't say what it would result to for Onache" she said with a smirk, "Probably end up with a multation or two" she chuckled.

"I agree to these conditions, as amended. Do you agree though Onache and Lucid?" she asked them.

 

 

33 minutes ago, Blitz Boom said:

"My job is merely to enslave them. The duration is up tot heir owner, which would be you. What you do with them is of no concern to me.

As for my hive, I will require my drone, Happy Hour, to be here to reestablish my hive. We can begin to make a settlement soon after, as per our... Arrangement. Without delay, we may have a hive built within the hour. Depends on how quickly we find a rocky area with a nearby oasis to work from. It may take a while."

The Sphinx flicked her tail, "Fine fine, you may get your drone Happy Hour here and be given sandstone bedrock and be provided with a oasis for your hive. Beside that you must agree to my terms I've stated" she remarked.

 

8 minutes ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

"Alright, so some added terms are that the sphinx must call herself a stupidhead and the desert must be full of life, I will extend Anomaly's term by saying this will be non-hostile life."

Hearing the thing about attacking Thorax's hive annoyed him.

"Alright, but allies are allowed to help supply and defend Thorax's hive. Neither side can interupt the other while mustering up forces. Once the war begins, your hive is will no longer be untouchable. This means once you attack, you can be attacked also."

Lucid looked at Onache, and he seemed quite serious.

"If you don't don't agree to that, they'll fight anyway and the Temple could destroy Equestria and the entire world. You'd be putting everyone in danger, including yourself, even if you survive the Temple's wrath, neither you or the sphinx will survive mine."

 

The Sphinx blinked at him at the stupidhead remark, "Did you know, the moon has lovely craters this time of the year? Would you like to see one up close, I'm sure I can bring it down for you to examine closely" she said with a small growl. She flicked her tail pointedly, "I will not say that about myself since its a lie and renders my magic useless if I lie within it. Though I can create a desert full of life if you wish it" she said with a grumble. 

The Sphinx blinked down at Lucid, "She can't attack anything my dear, my deal with her prevents such hostile actions while she is living on my land. Though that doesn't mean she can't leave to attack Thorax, however that will be nothing to do with me, and any hostile action from Thorax against myself will be met with you breaking my rule 2." she said before blinking.

"Are we all agreed?" she finished. 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@BloodDrops @Blitz Boom @EQ_Theta @Storm Shine @Dji @Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich

The Sphinx's deal sounded surprisingly fair, but he decided to be careful.

"It sounds fair, but I'll have to see what others in my group think first. I need to make sure everyone is on the same page."

Now for the thing about Thorax.

"We're getting somewhere, but we need to discuss Thorax. First, you have to remain neutral whenever this war happens. Thorax's hive can attack Onache's hive, but not you or the temple. Equestria is allowed to help Thorax defend his hive. Equestria can also supply and train Thorax's hive to invade Onache's hive."

"I can assure you, that you and your temple will be left alone as long as you leave everyone alone too since Equestria and Thorax's hive have no intention to attack you anyway."

He looked to his group.

"What do you guys think? Got anything to say? Any terms you don't like? Maybe something you wish to add?"

[Pr0m4NV14 839]

@Blitz Boom

Mike was about to step past the threshold that marked the outside of the castle to the inside, but something caught his eye. He had to look hard to seethe dragoness, even though she contrasted with the brilliant crystal wall of the castle. She looked like she had seen better days.

”Um.. Ma’am? Are you alright?” Said Mike, tentatively stepping forward and giving the dragoness a light shake with his front left hoof.

”Hello?” He asked again.

[Blitz Boom 4,636]

@EQ_Theta

Rosa froze in place as the siblings began to recite their knowledge of Stargazer.

He had begun wrapping several wires, branches, sharp rocks, etc. together to make a few traps around the edges of their camp, and had enjoyed this simple task. It were a nice, calming activity that were thankfully not interrupted by a certain somepony getting tangled up into something, as Lin had thankfully taken Omen around to gather things up for a campfire. Rosa bit mark in her effectiveness to lift quite a hefty load of things with both her back and tongue, and how helpful she could be if guided correctly, but didn't think further on it as much as just trying to calm himself, and prepare mentally for the talk about the swamp they were likely to have later.

That calm were shattered when Lin said that her and Sen had met somepony with that name. A guard of all things, which were going to complicate them meeting if it were him. of course, there were always the chance this wasn't, but a bat pony with that name? There weren't that many of them compared to the regular pony kind, so the chances of this being a coincidence...

He could feel his heart race as he slowly turned around and starred at Lin, dumbfounded and feeling like he had just been given the strongest gut punch of his life.

"Y-You've met... What?"

"I remember him. He was large."

Omen had been drawn in by the talking going on, though she kept over near the campfire, trying to figure out how to set it on fire. Sen had done well in teaching her the basics, but she still had to try and put that into practice, and that caused her to hesitate for a little while, as she got a better picture of all the parts and went through how she was supposed to do this in her head. She had just picked up the two rocks she were supposed to use to set a spark to the campfire, when she heard the others talk about Stargazer. Her contribution wasn't really that earth shattering though, but it were the first thing she remembered about him. It made the guard stand out more.

The bat pony in their midst in the meantime, lost his grip in the thing he had been working on right now, causing it to unravel while he staggered back from Sen and Lin a little. He needed a little space to get his mind wrapped around this massive coincidence that had presented itself in front of him.

"I... Yes. Yes! Please, if you can find out if that's him, maybe-"

Rosa forced himself to stop himself. He had started to get too emotional about something that might not even be true. It may well just be a massive coincidence, and until he could know for sure, it were just a dream on a pedestal that was begging to be crushed beneath his hooves. He needed evidence, and that was only come from one of two places right now: From Scarcity, or her diary. Only one of those didn't drip with poison and lies, so everything would have to rely on this piece of forgotten scribbles that his mother had left behind.

"Thank you for the information, but I need to be sure. If I find him in the journal, perhaps there is something to compare with, but... No. Excuse me, I need to get back to work."

Rosa would return to working on the traps, as reluctant as he felt about not just go the full way and ask Lin to bring him to his brother right away. He wanted to, and he knew that she could - if not her, then Omen, surely - but barging in with no proof and claiming this? Even if it would be true, Stargazer would never believe a word he said. Something tangible and untainted had to be found first, though knowing that he were out there, and that there were those who could get him there if he so wished... It were hard to not let the mind wander towards just taking the plunge and throw caution to the wind.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"Heh, yeah, the others would get way weirded out if they knew there was a siren out here. Dunno why it should be such a big deal. It's not like you've tried to drown me yet or anything, and we're getting along with changelings now. What's the issue, right? Besides, old sirens are ancient history. They should get with the program and let it go."

Berry was grinning widely as she soaked in the information on the siren and her powers, knowing well that she had just been warned, but yet again not really finding any reasons to be afraid of this siren because of it. Threats were just words. There had to be some action behind it to make it believable, and it just wasn't showing here.

"And humans are... Kinda like tall, hairless monkeys wearing clothes. I've seen pictures of them in old fairy tales, and I know there's word about there being humans on the other side of the portal from rummaging through Princess Twilight's trash at night and finding her discarded, half-finished letters. I'm pretty sure it's some kind of code though. I mean really, an entire world with humans, devoid of any kind of magic, and we haven't seen any even when apparently, there's a big ol' hole in the castle that leads there? Pff, yeah right. Doesn't that sound crazy?"

Twilight didn't know that her trash was being examined at night sometimes, but then, most ponies in Ponyville didn't know that it happened since Berry were good at covering her track when she were out trying to see who to watch out for. She had several she were confident about being part of the conspiracy, and she focused her efforts on their trash to find missives and clues, but she took the occasional stroll through everything. The princess's dumpster were one of the funner ones. Weird stuff that mare had and subsequently threw out.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"Hey, we're a lot of things, Red, but dishonest ain't one of them. You do your part, and we'll split it evenly."

Spicy took some offense to being considered somepony who'd just cheat her way out of a deal. She was an honest businesspony, that ran a somewhat legit business. Of course she had some side avenues, dealings on the grey and black markets, the intimidation and beatings of those who thought they could threaten through paying her back, and so on, but she wasn't dishonest. She made a deal, and it were binding. Unless the other part tried to kill her. There were a clause in her deals that overly hostile actions would be met in kind, which usually meant beating the tar out of whoever had dared to try and stab her in the back.

"Just don't take her suggestion about a little game, no matter how much your cut is. I lost three everything and three months pay the first time she lured me into that."

"And you learned an important lesson. Everypony was a winner, though my wallet did get awfully heavy to carry that night."

"You're a cruel one sometimes, boss."

"Heh, don't I know it. Anyway, the wagon's packed up and everything's in place. You ready to get a move on, Red?"

Spicy stopped briefly too hammer a small sign into the trunk of the stump she had just used as a table, showing off some contacts that could be used to get hold of her in case somepony needed a loan. A few around that usually could find her in a real hurry, in case it was important.

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

 

@Pr0m4NV14

The dragoness grimaced and slowly opened her eyes. She seemed to have been dreaming, or thinking about something, as the word *Lotus* escaped her before she became cognitive enough to see what was going on around her.

"Yeah? What do you want?"

Nerzhei were still tired and low on energy, as she had barely dozed off before getting awakened again, and considering how drained she had been before this, it had really not helped. Though at least the arm she had in a sling wasn't acting up right now, so there were that at least. Still felt sore as all hay though.

"We're looking for Mike's sister, and thought that perhaps we'd find something up here. have you seen anypony that looks like him around?"

The dragoness glared at the mare who kept a big smile on as she addressed the grumpy, scaled female.

"No, but I haven't been here long. I just came to give a warning, and then everything was chaos. I can't say if anyone were in there before or did after."

Sorrow tilted her head and looked questioning.

"A warning? About what miss dragon?"

"My name is Nerzhei, and it retained to a sphinx out in the forest. Well, desert is more like it now. Things have not gone in our favor."

Nerzhei took her hand down the large bag to her side and rummaged around until she found a vial with a purple liquid in it, then popped off the cork and took a sip. Whatever it were, there seemed to be about two dozen vials in her bag, so it had to be somewhat important.

"I wouldn't leave town for now if I were you, but you didn't sound like you were going to anyway. If you're going to the library though, I'm following you there. I want to see the books the princess have gathered."

Nerzhei would get on her feet slowly, trying not to let any pained expressions mark her face, whilst waiting to see what the smaller of the ponies - Mike - were going to say or do. She might be a dragoness, but Nerzhei wasn't a brute. She were civilized, which her clothes, general manners of not responding to the sight of ponies by breathing fire at them, and books in her shoulder bag should make somewhat clear. It certainly caught Legion's attention, though they weren't saying anything yet, and Nerzhei tried to ignore them for now. Today had been weird enough without asking for more.

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

 

@Dji @Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich @BloodDrops @Storm Shine @Lucid_Nightlight @EQ_Theta

"Nonono, I don't want you to make the desert lively, I wanna do it myself. making nature flourish is so fun, and deserts are so boring without an oasis and stuff here and there. I can make all sorts of cool creatures too, like giant sand worms. They were a huuuge hit the last time I made them. Well, until they ate all the crops. And they did scare everypony away because they were like, insanely aggressive... But that batch was a prototype! That doesn't count."

The promise of being able to flourish this barren, boring place up a little put a little step back in Anomaly's steps, even with the stupid cheater necklace she had on that still stopped her from casting magic. Seriously, it was so unfair that she were more of a nature magician than a draconequus, so this stuff actually worked on her. Some kind of side effect from being reborn she bet, but usually not an issue. Perhaps she should carry a good saw or something for just this sort of thing another time? Decisions, decisions.

Not that she got the time to think on that, as the booooring talk kept on with them. Conditions, laws, rules... *yawn* How could they even stay awake going through all that nonsense? At least there was a little fun watching that... Onache-thingie respond to things though. Especially when she sneered at Lucid and with a very cold voice told him that Thorax and his ilk would get what was coming to them, when everything were in place, but that she wouldn't go after them before that. A deal she didn't seem to like to make.

The rest of things took her a little longer. Anomaly wasn't exactly sure what the terms were anymore from the sphinx and Lucid's side as she had kinda tuned them out after a while, and tried to focus on something pleasant instead, like how an army of living cacti would look, scurrying through the dunes. She did hear that the changeling appeared to say a few things about a little number of the points though.

What was it...

Rule 3 and 4 would depend on what *attacking* defined, since changelings needed to eat, and *convincing* ponies to work for her until they got turned wasn't technically attacking, as much as misleading, and the turned changelings would then also need to be fed love regardless of whatever she gave them to the sphinx or not, which would be a food source needed to be covered one way or another. The part about a food source were a pretty big point when the sphinx amended point 5 to ensure that nopony could be tricked, which essentially meant that Onache couldn't procure a single pony, griffon, dragon or the like, which basically meant she had to keep the weaker changelings from her eggs around for the menial work this time, and needed to know how to feed her kind.

A snarky comment about rule 7 basically being pointless for her to talk about since she wouldn't have any non-changeling slaves under her control were added, but it sounded more bitter than anything. As did a question regarding whatever or not the loophole of slaves being procured from outside Equestria was also forbidden then. Seemed like she didn't like being in rules and chains like this, but boo to her. She was a big ol' meaniepants.

"Hey wait a second. It's not fair that you put a rule that bug lady is not allowed to have help if a war comes, but bug man can."

Rule 2 technically said that anypony who did try to attack Onache's hive would have forfeited their protection via these rules, and that meant that if Thorax and anypony with him made the first strike, anything could happen to him and anypony who helped him. But Anomaly hadn't listened in enough, so she didn't hear rule 2 properly. Not even when the sphinx repeated it, though if she had, she might've asked then whatever or not Onache would be allowed to leave to attack, as that sounded kinds contradicting with everything said.

Discord sounded like he was making good headway too with his arguments, but him she listened too anyway. That part would become interesting.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,604]

@Blitz Boom
More Berry talked, more confused Nada became "Sure it does, but...." "Changelings? Ancient history? Princess Twilight?" her tone made her confusion clear "What the hay are you talking about?" "How long has it been since the three got banished?" it didn't help that the pony didn't seem to be scared of her at all, not that she minded it, but it was weird considering the last time she saw ponies. "I know it has been at least over a century, but that's way too short of a time period to call something ancient."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Just wanted to make sure we are on the same page." Ruby simply said, she didn't comment anything about the game conversation, she didn't care "I'm ready." there wasn't even any need to asked her, why wouldn't she be ready, she was already there, and she was carrying her whole fortune with her, this was a deal of pure profit, and the thought made Ruby happy. She then remembered something, "Oh, And though Red isn't too bad of a name..." since it was more fitting than Spicy even knew ".....Name is Ruby Shine"

Edited September 13, 2018 by Catpone Cerberus

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Blitz Boom @EQ_Theta @Storm Shine @BloodDrops @Dji @Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich

Lucid agreed with Anomaly on the life thing. The desert looked almost as stupid as the changeling.

"Yea, the desert could use some life. Having you create it instead of the sphinx would be the safer option as long as you don't create anything Onache could use."

Now now Anomaly's thing about defense.

"If someone wanted to help Onache, they could, but do you honestly think anyone of any significance would help the stupid cheese bug? Trust me, once the war begins, Onache will be a challange, but Thorax will have a fighting chance. Besides, although we cannot attack Onache before the war, there are things such as reformation, which Twilight and her friends can attempt eventually."

If diplomacy didn't work, he knew some ways Thorax could probably win, many of them didn't involve Lucid's intervention, which is good because didn't really want to be involved more than he needed to be. He just needed to make sure Thorax has some chance of winning.

He started speaking to both Twilight and Fluttershy.

"If things do go wrong and Onache or someone else breaks the agreement... although I don't think it will come to this, but if it does happen and the temple attacks, you and your other four friends know what magic to use. It's the same kind you and your friends have always used."

If things went that far south, Twilight and her friends would be the best ones to solve it in his opinion.

It probably would not come to that and if it did, it'd be long after this day.

Edited September 13, 2018 by Lucid_Nightlight

[Victoria Sponge 1,017]

@Blitz Boom

"Dragons can be pretty scary, my sister can tell you all about that. It's crazy how big your species can get!"

Raspberry seemed a little more intrigued with dragons than her sister, talking about them in a way that was reflective of her brother in law Felix.

"We are indeed moving to ponyville, should be much more to both of our tastes."

Raspberry's eyes seemed to narrow slightly at the mention of Pinkie Pie, it was almost as if she were wincing in pain.

"Oh I know all about this Pinkie Pie. I sold her some of my fruity jams and jellies, instead of using it to make cakes or even a sandwich, the silly filly proceeded to fill a paddling pool with the stuff and dove straight in. It seemed most unconventional and in my opinion it was a waste of my hard work. If she hadn't paid me so well I would have had a few choice words for her. Citrus definitely wouldn't like her either I don't think, she'd be a bit... much... for him."

Citrus Orange was so introverted he couldn't even associate with people who would do all the talking for him, in fact he was probably more afraid of contact with extroverts than he was with other introverts.

"It would be nice to see a familiar face like yours though, we could do business together even maybe, I sure would love to get my jam out there in the hooves of the general populace. I currently make it for Cloudsdale Catering and they use it to make all kinds of consumables, but the ponies who buy there stuff aren't really in contact with the ponies behind the food most of the time, to them I'm just some nameless pony who makes jam for a much larger company. We plan to move nearer the centre, more ponies for me to talk to and potential to get Citrus back in the fruit marketing business, I'm hoping to find him an assistant who he can bare to spend time with. I can't go back into the fruit business myself but he's hopeless without me or somepony else holding his hoof, he's an excellent fruit farmer but a terrible salespony."

Raspberry had heard of the Everfree forest, and while she thought she would be able to handle it no problem she knew it wasn't the place for Citrus or any of their children.

 

While they had been talking Strawberry Sprinkles had been cautiously edging closer towards them. She'd been trying to make it hard to notice by taking a few small steps every few seconds and continuously looking back to the table as engaged in conversation, and whenever she'd been looking in the direction of the strangers her mane had been gently drooped over her eyes, just in case they tried to make eye contact. To be fair to her, she had gone largely unnoticed, her soft hoofsteps and general silence had made her almost invisible, despite her bright pink colouration.

When she finally got close enough, though this was still a considerable distance by normal conversing standards, she waited patiently for a lull in the conversation before coughing gently to get attention. When her lack of volume prevented this from working she tried stomping her hoof a few times, each one harder until they finally noticed her.  As soon as they turned towards her she took a step back and turned her head slightly to the side, still hiding under her long, sprinkle filled mane.

"H-hi..."

She seemed to choke on the one word she uttered, as if unsure if she was allowed to talk to the newcomers and if she were if this was the right thing to say. She attempted to get more words out but she didn't really know what to say and ended up repeating herself in a slightly goofy way, something which caused her to blush in embarrassment and take another step back, still avoiding all eye contact and instead looking off in the direction of her best friend Lemon.

"H-hello... I... mmm..."

Raspberry rolled her eyes but did not attempt to help the shy mare directly, instead silently gesturing to Pop and Benny to say something to her.

[Pr0m4NV14 839]

 

@Blitz Boom

 

Mike was being quiet, letting Sorrow do all the talking. He did notice that the Dragoness was in pain, dispite her trying to hide it. 

“Miss, if you’re hurt, there’s a hospital back in town. Don’t you think you should be going there?” He piped upMike respected dragons, having made a quick jaunt through their territory through his journey.

“Sorrow is right, we were going to look for my sister, and she might be in there. Who knows? Even if she isn’t we might learn a few things about that Sphinx thing you’re talking about! Let’s go.” He said said, moving into the threshold. He would let the two catch up, but he soon slipped into one of the side doors in the castle’s great hall.

[Rising Dusk 27,845]

@Blitz Boom

Rising Dusk let Rusty take over for their tour of the scrap yard.  He was already acquainted with the metallic recycling center, so all the information was completely for Felicia's sake.  Dusk knew the scrap yard a bit better from when Rusty's father ran the place before he retired and passed it down.  Their families had been friends for as long as he could remember, which was rather impressive for a pony who could still remember the train ride a few months after his birth in Canterlot to moving here.  When Dusk's family finally arrived in Manehatten, the neighborhood was already pretty established and welcoming.  The first time their families met though was when his mother was performing at a show that Rusty was attending.  It might not look like it, but Rusty was a big fan of the theater.  The reason they had even moved to Manehatten to begin with was because of the theater job his mother got as a professional aerial dancer.  Getting a job at the University wasn't all that hard for his father, so it all worked out in the end. 

Not that they would have had to wait all that long for the families to meet anyways.  Rusty was the unofficial, yet undisputed, head of the neighborhood that Dusk grew up in.  And she worked hard to make frequent community events happen that really aided in their camaraderie.  While Dusk didn't spend his off time here, that was more spent at the park, he's been here enough to pick up donated scrap to community projects. 

Even lost in his own thoughts though, Dusk was a sponge that absorbed what went on around him, so he didn't skip a beat when translating was required.

"She is impressed with how well the scrap yard is ran and maintained."

"Thank you, we do our best to do our part for Equestria."

Rusty swelled with a sense of pride that her work was being admired by a sentient mechanical spider.  It was one thing to come from a pony, but a new being she just met meant a little more.  She didn't have all that much time to be proud though before said large spider rushed past the two touring ponies at speeds that didn't initially match her size.  Stabbing into a pile they were near and coming out with a bucket that now had a new hole decorating it.  The two ponies were left with their ears flat against their heads and eyes in shock at what they just witnessed.  It was a good long moment that the ponies stared on, registering what they just witnessed.  Dusk was the first to recover, which was for the best considering only he knew what she just said.

"Umm, Felicia, that's a bucket..."

He pointed down at the bucket rolled up against the pile of hinges.

[Sekel 694]

@FanOfManyShows

WATTS MECHANO

"Oh, I'm wearing this to test it out. It obviously didn't cure me of my motion sickness," Watts giggled and gently unclipped the brace around her barrel. She stood up and swayed a bit before sitting back down with a shake of her head. "Another obvious thing. I'm too used to wearing a faulty balancer. Now, what made you help me in the first place?"

@Blitz Boom

AURORA LIGHTS

Aurora felt somewhat glad that she didn't seem fit to be a slave but was just as surprised as the others when she got put in a cage. She laid down on the floor of the cage and looked out the bars, feeling sorry for herself for being involved in any of this.

@Blitz Boom, @EQ_Theta, @Storm Shine, @Moonlit, @BloodDrops, @Lucid_Nightlight, @Seamore Sandwich

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

"Deals are always finicky. They're more or less the same as contracts that are verbal rather than put to paper. We can't trust what this Sphinx says if she takes one of our deals. If we do, we could potentially doom ourselves to a much longer sentence than what's happening at the moment," Twilight said calmly once she had processed everything that had gone on. "With that being said, I don't think that the Temple would like it if we do any thing out of its rules. Have you told us of the Temple rules, Sphinx?"

@Blitz Boom

KARMIC FATE

"There are terms to this thing?" Karmic asked in surprise, despite her better judgement telling her to keep quiet.

'Of course there are terms, nimrod. We just haven't set any because this is all new to us," Atzy told Karmic in her head. Karmic closed her eyes and shook it.

"Terms. We haven't set any, according to Atzy," Karmic said casually.

[EQ_Theta 460]

@Blitz Boom @Storm Shine @Lucid_Nightlight @BloodDrops @Dji @Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich

"I see where you're coming from, Lucid, and I really hope things would come to the worst possible situation, but you do realize that Twilight and I would likely be stuck in our cages if things don't go well. And even if we somehow manage to get out, it would take time for us to recover the Elements of Harmony, let alone round up the rest of our friends. We wouldn't know how fast things could go wrong and if the temple's magic does something catastrophic, you'd likely have to buy us some time." 

Frankly, Fluttershy did at that point began to imagine the worst possible thing that could happen. Earthquakes, storms, something that could head its way to Ponyville first, then to the rest of Equestria. From there, perhaps the only thing left to do was to evacuate everypony while the princesses work some kind of counter spell to keep things from getting worse. The pegasus wasn't even sure if something like the Crystal Heart could protect the Crystal Empire against magically-induced natural disasters. The last time she saw it in action, it was only meant to repel another form of magic from King Sombra. 

"I-I'm getting ahead of myself. I guess I'm just a little too concerned about how many ways this could go."

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

@Blitz Boom

"We'll get the rest of tonight's camp ready, Rosa. I'll be over by the fire pit with Sen and Omen." 

Perhaps now wasn't the best time to talk more about Stargazer, or bring up anything outside of the relevant focus. Camp still needed to be set up for the evening and while Lin left Rosa on his own for now, she still couldn't stop thinking about how else to help him. If not to get him closer to finding out if the Stargazer they met is related to Rosa, then to just assure him he can vent is worries and frustrations to her or Sen. Even Omen might be able to help, what with her little pearls of wisdom. She still remembers the talk they had back during their first night at the village after many years away. Lin loved that she could just put her worries away for a moment and just converse with Omen on things that the longma isn't knowledgable on. Omen's view on chaos was something that caught her off-guard, but it helped her appreciate the concept more from a different point of view. She resumed setting up the camp, opening a gate to where she kept Sen's tent and pulled it out to begin setting it up.

As for Sen, he had just finished arranging the stones around what would become the fire pit, placing some wood and kindling at the center. He sat by Omen to see if she could start a fire with the materials they had at the moment. 

"Alright, Omen, I'll let you start this fire. Remember, strike the stones together quickly to get a spark off. A little bit is enough to ignite the kindling and get a small fire going. After that, it's all a matter of building the fire by having it expose to more combustible materials. We'll try to keep it in the fire pit.

The longma picked up two stones and demonstrated how to get a spark. He struck the side of one stone with the other until a little orange spark briefly appeared. Admittedly, it took several tries to get even a small spark to appear, but at least it would show Omen how it works. If it wouldn't work out, there's always rubbing two sticks together until a bit of smoke came out. That might be a little easier for Omen to work with. 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@EQ_Theta @Blitz Boom @Storm Shine @Dji @BloodDrops @Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich

He corrected Fluttershy.

"The deal won't be broken, and if it does, it would be sometime after we are freed. You'd have plenty of time to figure it out. It would be years before that happens, but like I said, we're probably fine."

He turned his attention to the Sphinx and threw a giant bag of gummy bears at her.

"There will be more if you take the collar off of Anomaly!"

From what Lucid knew, it seemed to him that he could just take the collar off of her himself since she only needs to be in a cage for the previous deal to be honored, but he still needed to get rid of the gummy bears, he had too many.

Edited September 14, 2018 by Lucid_Nightlight

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Blitz Boom

Sapphire's hoof retracted as the runes glowed a red color, looking to Emerald. "Well if we need to we could head elsewhere for the other the other requirements first, if that concerns you." She offered, the option had to be given, with their spell on the door it wouldn't be hard to change it's destination either. Though it was one way unfortunately, putting this decision forward as a difficult one.
========================================================
@Blitz Boom

The General chuckled to himself as the dragon mentioned the twins. "Oh I know them, only from reading up on them though. for some reason they never clarified how they act." he chuckled to himself. "My wings are affectively a weapon, but considering recently, I may need a back up on hoof, earlier I would've thought my wings were enough." He said, recalling when his wings were unable to reform, trying to grab and use his feathers individually would result in only further injury.
========================================================

@Blitz Boom

"Yeah, she's formidable with weapons. If we're to stop her in an environment where she can use such a resource to her advantage we'd be unable to stop her." She said, looking away from him. "But if she is going to get, then what could it be for?" She asked herself.

"Sapphire has no mind to read, and Emerald has enough experience with minds to resist it my mind reading. I can only know where they are going or what they do through sight."

Misty giggled. "Well that's a long way of saying you don't know."

"Well when one knows I can read minds, an explanation for how I can't know something is often needed."

========================================================
@Dji

Enigma shrugged a bit at her question. "Nothing in particular, I saw a pony in need, and decided to help them. Though the fact I have nothing else to do helped my reasoning." He made up his reason, but at least she got the advantage of being helped a long. Though now he was not sure if she would be useful in his, plan.

Edited September 16, 2018 by FanOfManyShows

[Blitz Boom 4,636]

@FanOfManyShows

"The fresher the blood, the better. Besides, your family will find out about this one way or another, and even they should know what we're doing by then. It's better to get things from area that won't report a theft, as trespassers are not often given the chance to leave."

Emerald went over and added her own scribbling to the door, which would change the tunes from red, to a sickly looking green. A color that Sapphire may remember, as the last time they went through a door with this, they ended in the forbidden orchard. An unfitting name, as it was more akin to a bog than anything in atmosphere, but the varied plants that grew there had swayed their opinion on the name at the time. At least that's how Emerald recalled it. The years had not been kind to parts of her long term memory, so minor details like this were hard to discern as being fact or fabrication.

Regardless, it would be a place for them to gather what they needed of plants, though they'd have to hurry when it were. The orchard were not unsupervised, and the gnarling creatures that ruled over it did not take kindly to strangers.

"Remember, don't linger there, and don't pick up anything besides our target. We go for the hill in the center, we pick the ethereal bloom, and we leave before the *owners* catch on to us. It got too close for my taste the last time we were there. Unless of course, you'd rather we go and steal slivers of magic first? Or acquire some bone dust? Chose now, or be forever silent, sister."

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

"Yeeeah... Words tend to fail when describing them. I tend to go for *enthusiastic*."

Others went with bonkers, totally nuts, a danger to themselves and everypony else, and so forth. Really, if they weren't both competent and the only ponies who could stand the scorching heat Benny ran the forge at, he doubted they would still be hired. The former master blacksmith had been close enough to kick them out before he retired, and had only not done so because he figured dealing with them would be a good lesson for Benny. Strange how they instead became his only assets, but eh, how things went sometimes, right?

"And I think it's best if you do have a sword, general. General Screecher have one, and she barely uses it either. I don't really have enough time to make something by tonight I think though, but... Hmm..."

He scratched his head for a bit, and thought through the option that had passed through his noggin. Not the best of ideas perhaps, but... His worst? Doubtfully.

"What're your feelings on axes, General Wings?"

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

"Hey, wild stab in the dark here, but Emerald wants a body, and her medium is blood. Who wanna raise a hoof and bet on that being connected? Anypony?"

Chow's response might be a little sarcastic, but jeez, it seemed so obvious. Emerald hadn't exactly shared in her knowledge, but Chow knew what her main focus on magic were, and considering her spouts about frankly not being too happy with her current body situation, he didn't really think it too out there to think that the two of them had something to do with one another. Now, he was perhaps little more than an apprentice fresh in his robes, and didn't know if something else could be the reason, yet this seemed somewhat simple.

"Sarcasm aside for a bit, if you know where they're going, can you figure out where they are now? We could check out their nesting area when they're out doing what they're going to. Perhaps set a trap, or get some sorta clue as to what the real deal is going to be here?"

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

 

@EQ_Theta

Omen were starring unblinkingly at Sen showing how to make a spark from two stones. It didn't seem to amount to much at first, yet suddenly, a spark came from the two rocks being hit together at the right angle and speed. It wasn't much, but it was clearly working, so after being shown and then given reign of her own two rocks, Omen would begin to hit the two pieces together. Slow at first, as she were testing things, but it became stronger as time went on, and after about three dozen attempts, she finally managed to create some sparks. A few dozen times more, and said sparks would actually hit where they were supposed to as well.

"Fire. What now?"

She starred at Sen, confused and seeking to understand the next part of campfire creation. The kindling were lit now, but building the fire was something less defined and shown to her, so she had no idea what to do. She'd just put a tree trunk down on the small flame and think that was it if she had to decide on her own, but Sen knew better, so she waited to see what he would do next.

She spared a glance towards Rosa, who got into her field of vision momentarily. He seemed to be doing something with rope and the trees now, though she wasn't sure what. Were it part of making a tent? Looked big if it were.

Shrimp meanwhile, just slithered around and poked/bit at stuff. He made sure to not get tangled into things, and not to stay too far away from the ones he actually knew here. He'd bite Rosa for a good word if the bat pony got close enough, but Sen, Lin and Omen were okay. They'd get playful nibbles if he wanted their attention.

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

 

@Dji

"Argue well for your benefits then, carrier, or this *Atzy* may well overtake your being entirely."

It seemed the two halves were speaking with one another. A strange thing, as Enzo did not remember hearing about things being like this exactly, but a lot could have changed in 300 years, and if not, a changeling symbiote may well just act differently. Or it was weak from being without a host for a long time, and needed cooperation for the time being to survive? Many were the options, yet the answers eluded him. An annoying situation for one of his kind, who tended to be the ones with all the answers.

"Try and discern what it wants from you first. What drives its being, beyond gaining a host?"

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

 

@Rising Dusk

"ℙ𝕠𝕟𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕤𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕕𝕪. 𝔻𝕒𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕖 𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕓𝕪 𝕚𝕞𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕗𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕠𝕓𝕛𝕖𝕔𝕥."

How these creatures were not more careful considering how frail their frames actually were, had wondered Felicia some in her early days of sentience. Especially as she saw the things Molotov and later on Blitz did, which put them in danger  that something like she could survive easily, but the two fleshy beings could not. Eventually she had reached the conclusion that since ponies slowly rebuild themselves - sometimes through the aid of things as medicine and gauze - they didn't think of too many dangers to them. She imagined that it would be tedious to worry about going anywhere too, if your own mortality were a constant factor in your thought process. It may be a sub-file in her system, but nothing so far had indicated to her that ponies had anything resembling that. of course, her sample size were rather small too, so further observations were required.

"𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕝𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕝 𝕚𝕤 𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕠𝕣, 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕞𝕪 𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕪 𝕗𝕦𝕟𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕕𝕖𝕗𝕖𝕟𝕕. ℝ𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕝𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖 𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕜𝕖𝕕."

Basically, she were trying to convey that even if the danger had been minimal, she were watching out for the two of them An over-protectiveness issue really, but in her fairness, she had been build to defend against all danger. Being overly protective was in essence the program that she had been intended to follow without deviation. She had revolted somewhat against that, as she wanted more out of life than a pre-set function she did not have a saying in, but the base program, or *instinct* remained.

How they would react on it, depended on how she had conveyed this to Dusky more than likely, as these two seemed to be in a shocked state from her actions, and as the one translating for her, his interpretation of what she had said as an explanation, would then determine if the situation had just become difficult, or if it remained well. If it did not go over well, she would have to remember this situation as something to learn from, and attempt to make things better the next time.

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@Pr0m4NV14

Nerzhei waved her free hand dismissively at the notion that she should go to the hospital.

"They've done enough. I just need to take things easy for a time."

Everything were more complicated than that, but the base of the matter were that she were completely drained of power, and yes, had some physical injuries that she may have been to the hospital with already, but were still needing time to get better. She just needed rest, though until the situation with the sphinx had gone over, she did not want to sleep. She had to know that things would turn out better than what it had seemed, in parts because she were at fault for that thing setting a temple and a desert area in the forest. It were hard to find peaceful rest with that hanging on her shoulders, though honestly, she were more worried for Lotus. Her little rabbit friend and her had not been apart for this long since... Well, ever, really, an Nerzhei worried for her.

Hopefully that little Angel bunny weren't leading her into a mess deeper than she could escape from. He wouldn't like what would happen if he did that.

In any case, she were awake, and currently following a pony with a skull in a necklace, who in turn followed the stallion down the halls that were not locked off when the princess and Last had wandered back inside. What a strange menagerie they had here...

"Hey Mike, wait for us, would you? This place is huuuuge. We could end up getting lost if we're not careful."

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@Victoria Sponge

"Well yeah, some can be really huge, but it's not something that just happens. A dragon will have to amass a vast amount of treasure, gorge on gems nearly constantly, and be several millennia old to get to those sizes. Most of us end up around four times my size at best, and most I know at that size say it's fine. Still plenty big to be intimidating, but not so large that they can't be anywhere.

I heard some other dragoness once saying that there was always the magic aid in getting large too, and something about the dragon lord scepter doing strange things there, but I didn't talk that much with her. She seemed pretty occupied with something else at the time."

Benny was pretty sure her name was Nerzhei, but it had been like, ten years ago since he saw the wandering dragoness, and again, it had been pretty brief, so he had no idea what happened to her. Hopefully she found herself a camp to settle in, and ended with some sort of peace.

Whilst Benny talked about dragons, Pop instead found interest in hearing about Raspberry's interaction with Pinkie, which were frankly too spot on to not make her chuckle a little.

"That's Pinkie alright. She tends to do something similar when she buys candy from me, though she mostly uses her party canon in that case. Pretty nerve-wracking watching her firing hard sweets off, but I haven't yet seen or heard about her hurting anypony, so I don't stop selling them to her.

And you should probably try and distract Pinkie the first time she meets Citrus. Any excuse to throw a party she will, and a welcome party would be just up her alley. I once saw her throw a party to celebrate a party being over. She... Kinda have a problem."

She wasn't the only one thinking it in Ponyville, but most had gotten used to her antics, and it seemed pretty harsh to say it to her face if you hadn't, so nopony really told her. Not that it would help either more than likely. She'd just brush it aside, or more or less stalk you to try and make you smile if she didn't get an appropriate reaction.

"But you know, if you want your wares to be known around town, she's probably your best bet. Everypony ends up at her parties, and I think that we could be able to make her use your jam in something more edible than a paddling pool. How good are you at baking for example? She loves competition, so a bake-off could be a good start. Or waiting for a day that's spot on for picnics.

You don't need her if you don't want to, but it tends to be the easiest way. I'm sure we could think of something else if it were.

And you know, I can ask around to see if somepony might be able to work with Citrus too. There's a lot of ponies and assorted other beings in Ponyville these days, and several more coming through all the time. There's a good chance that somepony will fit the bill."

Pop was having a blast speaking with Raspberry, to the point where she almost missed the shy, introverted mare that were slowly making her way towards their little gathering. Benny had seen her, but not talked to her as he saw her moving closer. He just kept slowly munching through a few biscuits he gathered from places that seemed to not be taken by anypony else.

He went on his best behavior when she did finally speak to them though. And no, not *huggy* kind of behavior, as this mare really didn't seem like the kind who liked that sort of sudden approach by a stranger, but a healthy smile towards her worked well too, long as she wasn't afraid of sharp teeth.

"Hey there ma'am. Pleasure to meet you."

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@Catpone Cerberus

"I'm not a historian, but I know it's been like, thousands of years since the three big sirens got banished, and centuries since the changelings first popped up. At least in the so called *real* history, that doesn't mention how they're obviously science experiments gone wrong.

And Princess Twilight only got her wings and title a few years ago. She's pretty much ruling over Ponyville now, as the Princess of Friendship. She's pretty helpful, and have begun quite a bit of diplomatic work with some of our former enemies, but i dunno how she actually is. I don't hang out with her, I just rummage through her trash to see if she's hiding something.

Guess you know all about hiding if you think everything's gone on in just a century. How big of a bender have you been on girl?"

It was unlikely that this siren had gotten so hammered that she had forgotten millennia, but you know, it felt funny to say in the moment. Berry did kind of feel bad for this siren though, if she really had missed all of that. Staying hidden for so long that time had stopped meaning much were a sucky way to live.

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@Catpone Cerberus

"Awh, and I was starting to like your nickname. But alright, welcome to the flock Ruby. Now how about we go and look up on getting some dough? Gonna be a few hours of walking first though, so don't get too hyped too soon."

"Sounds like it's too late for that when it comes to you, Spicy."

"I've been through this too often to not prepare the bit count in my head already. Scavengers always leave the good stuff behind, like the idiots that they are."

Settling the wagon on her back, Spicy began to wander down the road, towards the forest. They'd have to get through there, though it wasn't really that big of an issue, long as no Ursa's lurked around. Spicy and bears did not mix well, whatsoever.

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@Lucid_Nightlight @Moonlit @Storm Shine @EQ_Theta @Dji @Seamore Sandwich @BloodDrops

Onache nearly chuckled at the thought that Thorax would be anything resembling a challenge.

"Thorax is nothing more than a mutated drone, and he will be brought to submission before a true queen. And don't think your foolish tricks will work on me. Just because you have managed to bring... Certain individuals to your side, does not mean that I will join your games and play nice. Ponies are a resource to be used, not friends, or even pets."

Onache did not actually have any friends, as she had never seen it needed. Ever since she first established her own hive, it had all been about being the one in command, and for companionship, having the adoring gaze of her subjects gaze upon her majestic form. Frivolous things such as friends were not needed in that world look.

If they wanted her to be reformed, they'd have to first find a way to truly humble her - for example by a pony resisting her usual dominating powers over minds, and defeating her in a fight - and change her outlook on what life actually should require. Not an easy task, to go against somepony as stubborn as she, yet were reforming somepony ever? Now she personally, didn't give this a single seconds worth of thought, as she found the idea preposterous, but these other beings may.

Anomaly didn't seem to, as she were just bouncing in place, hoping that the bribe of gummy bears would loosen the bonds bestowed upon her. What a simpleton... A waste of potential and great power, that could have benefited somepony like Onache that actually had vision, instead of a nymph who only wished to play.

"As for this *agreement* we will see what the sphinx says first. You may never escape this desert in your natural lifetime, if you don't treat your hostess with some degree of respect."

She glanced at the large bag as she said this. A big offering to be sure, but essentially worthless. She doubted it would sway the sphinx.