private Destiny Askew

[A Joe in the Bush 255]

Hidden snorted in derision. "I'm not the pony to ask. I don't trust anypony in this clearing other than Aurora so far. You guys will have to decided whether or not to trust him yourself. But the fact that I didn't hear him means he was sneaking around." A thought struck him then, what if the Pony hadn't been alone? 

 

He took his bow out of his pack, and strung it. "Anyone mind if I go check the forest for any other lurkers while you 5 interrogate our friend here?"

 

((Hidden Antler will go along with the rest of the group for now, but he won't trust the new pony))

Edited June 4, 2015 by The Only Joe

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

((Aurora not Midnight. This character was modeled after Quantum Aurora.))

 

Aurora nods and says, "I will be kind and let him go on the condition he makes a unbreakable promise to not say a word to anypony. Cross my heart and hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye."

 

Aurora is willing to let him go either way. She just wants to make sure he won't say a word.

 

((What has the pinkie promise become in this one.))

 

Beraha says, "He is trespassing. Normally I would have skinned him by now. However I will go with what the group agrees on." Beraha is ready to strangle him with vines should the group desire it.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Midnight_Aurora

[Time Shield 402]

Time Shield had remained silent during all this, studying the pony.  While the others are discussing things, he moved over to the edge of the clearing, looking around for a moment before levitating a mushroom out of the ground that was growing nearby.  He walked up to the pony and asked him, "Tell me, what variety of mushroom is this?"

 

Taken by surprise, the pony hesitated before saying, "A red... capped... uh..."

 

"Kind of an unsure response, given your cutie mark," Time Shield points out, frowning at him.

 

After a brief moment of silence, the pony abruptly leaped upwards, taking... to the air?  In the blink of an eye, the horn on his head had vanished, and pegasus wings had appeared on his back.  Even Beraha, preparing the entanglement spell once he suspected something was wrong, didn't expect this move, and the plants he was preparing to tangle him with were not fast enough to grab him before he left the ground.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Time Shield

[A Joe in the Bush 255]

After a moment of surprise, Hidden Antler whips an arrow out of his Quiver, knocks it and takes aim. Luckily his bow was already strung, and he was preparing for a fight in case the pony had friends in the bushes. He pulls back the string and fires the arrow, aiming to hit a wing to bring him back to Ground.

 

((I figured recovering from Surprise would be something like Fright Check, I have a 10 in that, and I rolled an 11. For Bow, I have a 12 and rolled a 4))

[Time Shield 402]

((That's pretty good!  Missing by -1 did delay it for a moment, which would make the shot more distant and more difficult, especially as a called shot to the wing.  But then you followed it with a critical hit anyway, so it auto-hit.  To save time, I went ahead and rolled your damage, and you got a 5.))

 

The arrow strikes with precision on the pony's wing, crippling it, and he plummets out of the air with a shriek.  Already severely wounded by the shot, the ground finishes him off as he uncontrollably falls and slams into it.

 

As everypony approached where he fell, his form appeared to burst into green flame for a moment, and his appearance changed back into his true form: black and insect-like, with a gnarled horn and one remaining bug wing.  As suspected, he did not appear to have survived the fall.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Time Shield

[Dust and Memories 557]

Wilhelm whistled softly as he made his way to the fallen body. "Well, well, what do we have here? Chitinous exoskeleton, compound eyes, obviously evolved from a bug at some point; I certainly hope it doesn't have a hive mind as well, or whatever information it learned, the Hive already knows." He rubbed the back of his neck with a hoof, as if easing tense muscles. "So now what? If Cadence has these... things... working for her, then we're blown. If not, we can still recover the mission, but we have to move quickly. Even if they are unaffiliated, information like this would net them many, many bits, so we have to move before said transaction takes place." He instinctively flinched as an airship flew overhead, barely missing the clearing with its spotlights. A pony on the deck looked like he could have seen them, given that he was leaning over the side and smoking a cigarette, but given how fast the Arrow-Class went by, it was unlikely he would make anything of it. Straightening, Wilhelm said carefully "As I said, we need to move. Preferably yesterday."

Edited June 4, 2015 by Orion Caelum

[Time Shield 402]

((Actually, I mentioned in the other thread that ponies don't know about the changelings yet.  The events of the show haven't happened in this timeline, remember?  They're still in their secrecy stage right now.  So for now, we need to ignore... pretty much that entire post, sorry.))  ((Ok, was edited.))

Edited June 4, 2015 by Time Shield

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Aurora looks him over. "What in Celestia's name is that? He doesn't look like a normal pony."

 

Aurora is confused and a bit frightened of him. She has no clue as to what he was. She is also listening and looking around causiously.

 

((full perception check from Aurora.))

[Time Shield 402]

The area around the clearing was very quiet; there doesn't appear to be anypony else that was with the intruder.

 

Time Shield looked down at the creature and answered Aurora, "The face of our enemy, and it can take any face it wants.  At least this one didn't get away."  He looked up and said, "Wilhelm's right, we should get moving as soon as possible.  I don't expect there are others around right now, but if they take notice that this one didn't come back, they might send more."

 

He took a moment to look at the others to get a sense of how they felt about this turn of events, particularly Alex, who had been silent during the altercation.  "You all right?" he asked.

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Aurora was ready to go. "I don't hear anything else. We are good for now."

 

Aurora goes over to the two she was with and stands by them. Aurora looks a little anxious to be on the move.

 

-Beraha-

 

Beraha looks at the creature and shakes his head. He then makes himself ready to leave.

[Alex Van Gamer 230]

Alex had remained silent while everypony discussed travel plans. It appeared that a majority of the group knew how to handle themselves out here in the forest. While she herself had no knowledge in this area, so her gaming skills clearly would be of no use here, which made her wonder how her skills could even be useful for a quest like this.

 

Following behind the others, she was surprised by the new ponies appearance, and even more so to find it's 'true form' hardly looked very pony at all. Her mouth hung open, here eyes entranced as she looked down at the strange bug-like creature, unable to seem to speak. It wasn't until Time spoke to her that she seemed to snap out of it. "H-huh? Wha? ...O-oh... Yeah... I... I'm fine..." She replied, nodding her head as she regained her senses again.

[A Joe in the Bush 255]

Hidden Antler stared at the insectoid corpse in front of him. They were going up against ponies who could hide their shapes? This was going to be more dangerous than even he had assumed. He pulled another arrow out of his quiver and knocked it. He wouldn`t be taken by surprise again.

 

"Is that why you had to verify Wilhelm`s identity?"

[Dust and Memories 557]

Wilhelm crossed his forelegs. "Which I am still mildly insulted about, by the way." Wilhelm paused, and then conceded "Okay, it was needed, especially in the face of those... things. I suppose I can call them.. changelings?" Wilhelm pondered this for a moment, and then nodded, as if satisfied with the term changelings. However, he looked anxiously over his shoulder at the sky, and it was obvious he wanted to be gone. "Aurora, can you take us to Zecora's hut? I don't care if we have to wake her up, we need to leave." He stood again from his kneeling position near the dead changeling.

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Aurora nods. "I can. This way."

 

Once everyone is ready, Aurora begins heading for Zecora's Hut in the Forest. She hopes Zecora wouldn't mind the unannounced late night visit. However once she hears about the reason for the visit, She will mote then likely be willing to help.

 

((Full perception roll. Will post roll in OOC.))

[Time Shield 402]

Time Shield nods to Hidden Antler and Wilhelm, "You can understand my caution.  The rest of you were from different parts of Equestria, but Wilhelm came here from Canterlot, where these things are hiding.  I just had to be sure the message didn't get intercepted and a decoy was sent in his place."  He finished packing in a hurry so he could join the others on their way to Zecora's home.

 

With Aurora in the lead, her sharp ears keep notice on the forest around them.  A few times, a small creature or another scurried away from the group, but little else occurred along the way at first.  It wasn't until they began to approach their destination that another sound assaulted her ears, a sound like small gusts of air against dried leaves.  Somepony else might dismiss it as wind, but Aurora could tell that they were centered in particular areas that moved, instead of affecting the forest all around them as actual wind would.  These were undoubtedly the movement of phantom cats, five of them in all, moving carefully through the bushes.  Aurora had heard such cats moving around on previous trips through the woods, but has never had the chance to see one up close before.

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Aurora says, "We have phantom cats. They're in the bushes."

 

((knowledge check, I believe, involving land based animals. Mods are GM's of course.))

 

Aurora is now moving causiously. She doesn't want to frighten then but she also doesn't want to become their next meal.

 

If she sees one she tries to handle it in a non threatening way.

 

((Handle Animal Check I believe.))

[A Joe in the Bush 255]

Hidden Antler followed close behind Aurora. This part of the forest was generally less dangerous than others, but it was Still the Everfree. It wouldn't do to let your guard down in here. He kept his bow strung as he walked, looking around them and thinking about what Time Shield had said. A false Destiny? Equestria going the wrong direction? How had any of this even happened in the first place? And where did he fit into it? Where did any of them fit into it?

[Time Shield 402]

The phantom cats gradually emerge from the foliage, circling around the group warily.  These creatures are each about the size of a bobcat; their outline vaguely suggests a cat-like shape, but no detail can be seen against the solid milky-white color, softly glowing with wispy, indistinct borders.  The only clear detail are the eyes, two solid black pools of darkness against the white, studying the ponies carefully as they circle.

 

Aurora recalls a thing or two about phantom cats.  She knows that they can become translucent and intangible; a powerful defensive ability, but one that also renders them incapable of offense.  They are not truly alive and thus cannot be 'killed', though a killing blow will disrupt them, and they will not reform for some time after that.  Otherwise, they hunt and eat like normal living wildcats.

 

Her empathy tells her that the cats are watching them with a mixture of curiosity and hunger; they will most likely attack, once the initial curiosity wears off.  Handling them peacefully will not be possible without an alternative, easier food source.

[Dust and Memories 557]

Wilhelm unslung his bow, picking an arrow from his quiver with a glass container at its tip. Strangely, inside the container wasn't an explosive substance, but something that shimmered with magic and glowed a faint green, phosphorescent in the light. He examined it, tapped it with the edge of a hoof- upon which the liquid inside seemed to shimmer a bit brighter- and then, satisfied, nocked it to his bow and aimed, training it on the lead cat.

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Aurora says, "Wait, If we can curb their hunger, their curiosity in us might grow."

 

Aurora reaches into her saddlebags and pulls out some preserved fish that she keeps for her bear friend. She places them on the ground.

 

There is 20 pieces of fish all caught by a merchant friend. She gives it all to the phantom cats. "You hungry? Have the fish. They yummy."

 

((Aurora's attempting to gain their trust with the fish.))

[Time Shield 402]

Most of the phantom cats seem to be focused on the ponies, although one of them approaches the fish cautiously.  It moves over, barely stirring the dried leaves on the ground as it moves, as if it were a small breeze coming through.  It sniffs at the fish, and its demeanor seams to brighten.  The other phantom cats just look confused.  One of them bares a set of black fangs and hisses at the one who had approached the fish, who in turn flattens its ears in alarm.  It picks up the fish in its mouth and bounds away into the foliage quickly, disappearing almost without a trace.

 

The remaining four phantom cats crouch flat on the ground, raising their tails slightly and preparing about to pounce.

 

((Initiative is based on Basic Speed, so the next order of actions is going to go: Beraha, Hidden Antler, Alex VanGamer, the phantom cats, Aurora, Time Shield, and Wilhelm.  I'll act for Beraha here.))

 

Beraha pulls out his staff with his horn, levitating it nearby and assuming a defensive stance, ready to strike if one of the cats tries to approach.

[A Joe in the Bush 255]

Hidden Antler already had an arrow knocked when the phantom cats approached. He watched carefully as the 4 cats started to approach, then fired his arrow at the cat nearest to Aurora. Without pausing to see if the arrow hit, he takes a step forward and yells, hoping to make them all focus on him so that Aurora and the others are safer.

 

((My phone isn't letting me access Random.org. Could someone roll the dice for for my bow for me? Thanks.))

[Time Shield 402]

Hidden's arrow flies straight at the target, a precise shot to the body.  The cat makes no attempt to dodge it, but it abruptly fades, only a white outline of its body and its eyes visible.  The arrow continues through the cat and sticks into the ground behind it.  The cat, in the meantime, stands up straight again, no longer about to pounce.

 

((Alex is up next.  The rest of you can post what you want to do if you'd like, but the actions will resolve in the order I mentioned before.))

[Time Shield 402]

((For the moment I'll be taking Alex's turn for her.))

 

Alex takes a hoofstep back away from the phantom cats, since she is not armed.  She considers taking to the air if necessary but gets ready to dodge if she's attacked.

 

This is indeed what happens in the next instant.  One of the remaining four phantom cats leaps towards Beraha, who is ready with his staff.  He swings it, and it would have been a successful strike had the cat not became intangible the instant before it struck.  This means its pounce also carried it through Beraha harmlessly to land behind him.  One of them also leaps for Alex, but she is prepared and takes to the air, just barely dodging its pounce.

 

The cat that Hidden had attacked remains intangible and paces slowly, keeping its eyes on him.  The remaining tangible cat pounces directly for Wilhelm, slashing with its claws.  ((Roll Dodge; it's located in the middle of the sheet under Encumbrance, and since you are not encumbered, it should be a 7 for you.))

[Time Shield 402]

((Posting for Aurora.))

 

Having not been able to pacify most of the phantom cats, Aurora moves quickly back away from the conflict, looking over at Alex and realizing that taking to the air as well might be a good idea.  She flaps her mechanical wings and rises from the ground, although she still keeps her distance from Alex.  She looked over in the direction of the cat that fled the scene moments earlier and considers following it.

 

Time Shield is not armed either, but that doesn't stop him from taking action against the cat that had pounced at Alex.  He casts a levitation spell and attempts to just lift the cat into the air to suspend it there; it works at first, but then the cat becomes intangible like the others, and drops out of his magical grasp.  Having not had much sleep recently, this action quickly tires him, and he stops to catch his breath.

Edited June 25, 2015 by Time Shield