private Whisper: The City Of Darkness

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

Moments later, the call was echoed by the approaching group as they rounded the corner

 

There were six of them in total; five normal-sized ponies with superficially disfiguring mutations and one that stood a good four hands higher than the rest that was wearing the tattered and too-small remains of a royal guard's armour. Of particular note to anypony that was paying attention is that all of them have badly disfigured cutie marks - be it a tumorous growth or a gaping sore where it used to be.

 

The larger mutant stopped and reared, bellowing at the top of its strangely raspy voice. The remaining five charged past it, also letting out rasping cries of rage.

 

 

Without turning around he slammed the vial to the ground causing an intense flash to erupt from where the bottle struck the ground. He spun around ready to flee with the group in hopes the mutant wouldn't be able to follow.

 

The ponies kept charging, but they were clearly disorientated. One drifted off course, running at full pelt into a wall. It stumbled, but turned away from the wall and broke into a canter again. Another tripped and fell, where it was crushed underhoof by two of its companions and lay still. They also fell, but stood up again, indifferent to the plight of their fellow.

 

 

 

"We need to go!" She yelled to the others, backing away from the charging mutant, "Like, right now, if you please!"

 

 

Needing no further instructions, most of the group turned and ran, Crystal leading the way. Moments later, after Zayoh had smashed his vial, Bramble and Wilhelm turned as well, although neither were running as fast at the moment.

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh turned to follow the others and chased after them until he caught up to Bramble. He slowed his pace to match Bramble. "You appear to lead this group wouldn't you say? Should we flee or should we stay?" He asked making sure to match his speed as to not leave him behind or get to far ahead since he still had some defensive potions.

Edited October 2, 2015 by Chip Circuit

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Needing no further instructions, most of the group turned and ran, Crystal leading the way. Moments later, after Zayoh had smashed his vial, Bramble and Wilhelm turned as well, although neither were running as fast at the moment.

 

Lavender, making sure her bag was secure, made use of the distraction provided by Zayoh and retreated with the others.

"Running, running, running, running!" She cried.

 

She tried using her horn again, but her magic simply sizzled out, sounding like that time when she tried to cook with a fire lit with dragon cinders...only not as loud, or long, or dangerous.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

"You appear to lead this group wouldn't you say? Should we flee or should we flee?"

 

"We need to lose them, somehow. They're leading others right to us," answered Bramble, the cries of other nearby mutants illustrating his point.

 

 

 

Lavender, making sure her bag was secure, made use of the distraction provided by Zayoh and retreated with the others. "Running, running, running, running!" She cried.

 

 

A loose cobble rattled under-hoof as Lavender stepped on it, the impact sending it flying backwards where it hit one of the pursuing mutants squarely between the eyes. It fell to the ground and stopped moving, and was also ignored by its comrades. The larger mutant, apparently realising that its prey was getting away, charged after the group, still bellowing. 

 

The group galloped across a crossroads, Crystal still in the lead and apparently sure of where she was going, and several other mutants joined the chase from the side-roads. There was one mutant in the road ahead, but by this time Wilhelm had drawn his sword and taken flight, strapping it to his right foreleg as soon as his hooves were free. He sped ahead of the group dived down at the mutant, lashing out with his sword. It cut deep into the mutant, which fell to the ground dead, and he circled back over the group.

Edited October 2, 2015 by Once In A Blue Moon

[Unicorncob 5,679]

A loose cobble rattled under-hoof as Lavender stepped on it, the impact sending it flying backwards where it hit one of the pursuing mutants squarely between the eyes. It fell to the ground and stopped moving, and was also ignored by its comrades. The larger mutant, apparently realising that its prey was getting away, charged after the group, still bellowing. 

 

Lavender stumbled a bit as a loose cobble shot off behind her, knocking one of the mutants down after smacking it between the eyes.

She let out a small laugh, almost amused by it. She began wondering if she could do that again...but she'd need more loose stones.

 

While the group continued to run, she couldn't help but feel as if this place was familiar to her...but she had never been here before.

And on that matter, what was with her magic? Every attempt to cast a spell resulted in a weak little fizzle.

I need to get this thing looked at, she muttered internally.

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh continued running forward with the others, unsure of what their next course of action was. He had more potions in his bag but he might need them later on but the circumstance was seeming increasingly as more mutants begun joining the chase. 

 

As he continued running beside Bramble he pulled out another potion, this one with a strange purple and pink fluid inside, the two colors swirling inside but never combining. He stopper for a second as he tossed it back at the main group of mutants, the potion would cause illusions in eyes of the mutants and hopefully confuse them if it worked.

 

The stallion spun back around to continue running with the group, meanwhile he was keeping a calm mind.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Chip Circuit, @@Unicorncob.

 

 

 

As he continued running beside Bramble he pulled out another potion, this one with a strange purple and pink fluid inside, the two colors swirling inside but never combining. He stopper for a second as he tossed it back at the main group of mutants, the potion would cause illusions in eyes of the mutants and hopefully confuse them if it worked.

 

The hallucinogenic splashed across the front ranks of the charging mutants, and within moments the horde fell into complete chaos. The ponies in the front ranks turned on each other, kicking and headbutting each other, and as the mutants behind them tried to push through they too were attacked. The larger mutant waded into the mêlée, batting the smaller mutants aside and physically restraining the hallucinating mutants as it attempted to restore order.

 

The group galloped on, leaving the chaotic brawl behind them. Crystal, who despite her short legs was still leading the group, didn't stop for several more blocks, eventually coming to a halt in a paved square with a fountain in the centre. Trivy's horn glowed for a moment as she looked around, then it flickered and went out and she mumbled something unpleasant under her breath. Bramble was watching the street they had just come from, whilst Wilhelm flew up and perched on a nearby rooftop, peering into an adjacent street. Marble was examining a chip in her hoof, and Crystal was sitting quietly, apparently quite content now that they were clear of any immediate threat.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

The larger mutant waded into the mêlée, batting the smaller mutants aside and physically restraining the hallucinating mutants as it attempted to restore order.

 

Lavender glanced back at the group of mutants, and saw the larger one pounding the disoriented mutants back to their senses.

"The knight moves to control his pawns," She muttered, almost loud enough for the others to hear, "Thank goodness there isn't a King of Chaos."

 

 

The group galloped on, leaving the chaotic brawl behind them. Crystal, who despite her short legs was still leading the group, didn't stop for several more blocks, eventually coming to a halt in a paved square with a fountain in the centre. Trivy's horn glowed for a moment as she looked around, then it flickered and went out and she mumbled something unpleasant under her breath. Bramble was watching the street they had just come from, whilst Wilhelm flew up and perched on a nearby rooftop, peering into an adjacent street. Marble was examining a chip in her hoof, and Crystal was sitting quietly, apparently quite content now that they were clear of any immediate threat.

 

She stopped with the group in front of the fountain, and raised her forehooves to rest on its edge to look at it fondly. The ceramic was still beautiful smooth on her hooves, causing her to slide them along it.

The fond feeling of something familiar never left her, causing her to smile.

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh came to a sliding stop with the group nearly tripping over himself but managed to catch himself. He was breathing heavily as he walked up beside the fountain, looking over the edge for a second.

 

The stallion spun around slowly and sat down crossing his rear legs and touching his forehooves together in a meditative stance as he tried to calm the state of what was the local spirit connection. Upon close inspection a small glow could be seen from the base of his neck inside his cloak.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

She stopped with the group in front of the fountain, and raised her forehooves to rest on its edge to look at it fondly.

 

 

He was breathing heavily as he walked up beside the fountain, looking over the edge for a second.

 

The fountain was dry, although still in fairly good condition. This small square didn't seem to have been too badly damaged, although there was still nopony to be seen - dead or alive. The distant cries of the mutants had also stopped, and the square was eerily quiet... until with a gurgling sound that made almost everyone in the group look around, clear water started flowing out of the fountain.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

The fountain was dry, although still in fairly good condition. This small square didn't seem to have been too badly damaged, although there was still nopony to be seen - dead or alive. The distant cries of the mutants had also stopped, and the square was eerily quiet... until with a gurgling sound that made almost everyone in the group look around, clear water started flowing out of the fountain.

 

Lavender ran her hooves across the smooth ceramic of the fountain some more, smiling fondly at the sensation. The eerie silence around her was a little offputting, even here where things felt so familiar.

 

She raised a hoof in surprise at the gurgling sound, and beamed as water began to flow.

"A little glass of water, please," She muttered in a little sing-song tone, before lowering her head to inspect if the water was clean enough to drink.

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh continued his meditation near the fountain until the group was ready to move, he wanted to calm the inner of his mind as much as he could before moving once again.

 

As lavender begun inspecting the water from the fountain he spoke up slightly without opening his eyes. "The water should be pure, though the surface it sits in I cannot be sure." He said as he continued to focused while sitting on the floor.

 

The amulet concealed mostly by his cloak was still glowing as he maintained his attunement.

[Dust and Memories 557]

Wilhelm slung his bow back onto his flank, the immediate threat over with. Frowning, he gazed into the crowd of ponies, his brow furrowed. However, at the mention of a king of chaos, he looked up sharply. "Don't invoke Discord. That's one of his ancient names, technically in the Ancient Language if you really want his attention, but..."

 

Wilhelm gestured to the city all around them. "From what I've heard of Discord, if he saw this, he'd make two of those mutants the size of buildings and have them duke it out, hoof to hoof. Or he could make it rain lemonade. Or airship engine lubricant. Or flaming arrows. Needless to say... We don't want that kind of attention." As he said this last part, his eyes briefly flickered towards the newest member of the group and then focused back onto the mutants without any further comment.

 

They began to trot away, and Wilhelm sharply exhaled and flew down to where the rest of the ponies were, gathered around a fountain. Cocking his head to the side, he said "Are you sure that's... safe?"

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Wilhelm slung his bow back onto his flank, the immediate threat over with. Frowning, he gazed into the crowd of ponies, his brow furrowed. However, at the mention of a king of chaos, he looked up sharply. "Don't invoke Discord. That's one of his ancient names, technically in the Ancient Language if you really want his attention, but..."

 

Wilhelm gestured to the city all around them. "From what I've heard of Discord, if he saw this, he'd make two of those mutants the size of buildings and have them duke it out, hoof to hoof. Or he could make it rain lemonade. Or airship engine lubricant. Or flaming arrows. Needless to say... We don't want that kind of attention." As he said this last part, his eyes briefly flickered towards the newest member of the group and then focused back onto the mutants without any further comment.

 

They began to trot away, and Wilhelm sharply exhaled and flew down to where the rest of the ponies were, gathered around a fountain. Cocking his head to the side, he said "Are you sure that's... safe?"

 

Lavender looked over to Wilhelm and smirked, rolling a hoof. "Pfft, chaos is the nature of Chaos, professor. It's within Chaos's nature to oppose itself!"

 

The smirk turned into a fond grin at something her teacher mentioned. "Raining lemonade, I wouldn't say no to that. Ooh, or chocolate milk! Raining from cotton candy clouds!" Her tongue slid across her lips at the thought.

 

"Still," She carried on, starting to frown as she looked at her surroundings, "All of this...who would want this? I definitely wouldn't."

 

She peered into the water. "Well, if my fellow alchemist says it's safe, who am I to judge!" She chirped, and began lapping at the fountain water.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Unicorncob, @@Orion Caelum, @@Chip Circuit.  

 

 

 

Ooh, or chocolate milk!

 

 

 

She peered into the water. "Well, if my fellow alchemist says it's safe, who am I to judge!" She chirped, and began lapping at the fountain water.

 

As soon as her lips touched the water, a light brown cloud seemed to spread through the water from them. Within seconds the now partially-filled fountain was filled with brown liquid that gave off the unmistakable aroma of chocolate milkshake.

 

"Watch it! Three of them!" Bramble called out, seeing several mutated ponies emerge cautiously from a ruined building. They didn't charge, however, and they were all staring at Lavender with the closest their disfigured faces could come to fascination. One of them appeared to try to say something, but all that came out was a rasping groan.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

As soon as her lips touched the water, a light brown cloud seemed to spread through the water from them. Within seconds the now partially-filled fountain was filled with brown liquid that gave off the unmistakable aroma of chocolate milkshake.

 

Lavender blinked and reared her head back a bit upon noticing the change of the water. It was turning brown and thick...almost like...

She leaned back down and sniffed. "...chocolate milk?!" She gasped, eyes widening with shock. "Did I do that?!"

 

She then shrugged and gleefully stuck her muzzle back into the thick liquid, happily slurping it up.

 

 

"Watch it! Three of them!" Bramble called out, seeing several mutated ponies emerge cautiously from a ruined building. They didn't charge, however, and they were all staring at Lavender with the closest their disfigured faces could come to fascination. One of them appeared to try to say something, but all that came out was a rasping groan.

 

She perked up at Bramble's warning, and turned herself around to see several mutants emerge nearby. But they didn't attack...rather, they were staring right at her.

They didn't look angry, but more...curious? She couldn't help but stare back with the same bewilderment.

 

Could she...communicate to them? There was no harm in trying, she supposed. They could be pets, or friends...or servants...?

 

She took a few steps forward toward the mutants, chocolate milk still dripping off her face.

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh stood on his hooves in response to the announcement of more mutants, but he caught the scent of a strange aroma. As he turned to the fountain he saw what was once water was now thick and brown. He had never seen such a thing, was this spirit attempting to help them or impede them. "Perhaps drinking that would not be wise, but you are free to do as you will I can only advise." He said never had seen such a fluid, to him it appeared to be a thin mud.

 

The stallion then turned his attention to the mutants who appeared to not be hostile at the moment. He stood beside Bramble still keeping a wary eye on the mutants. "What shall we do about those three, will we allow them to love if they let us be?" Zayoh asked as he would prefer a non-violent route. "Perhaps for this ailment there is a cure, but if they are all dead we cannot be sure."

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

What shall we do about those three, will we allow them to love if they let us be?

 

 

"I don't honestly know. The larger mutant, in royal guard armour, seemed to be able to command them, but they were docile the rest of the time," Bramble answered. He frowned as an unpleasant thought crossed his mind and he looked over at Lavender. Just behind her, the fountain had filled with chocolate milk, which was starting to rain upwards and form little candyfloss clouds above the fountain. 

 

 

 

She took a few steps forward toward the mutants, chocolate milk still dripping off her face.

 

"Lavender, what are you doing?" Trivy asked warily, as the mutants advanced on Lavender, "You really shouldn't let them touch you," but by that point the mutant had stepped forwards suddenly and the tip of its nose had touched Lavender's.

 

 the mutant had stepped forwards suddenly and the tip of its nose had touched Lavender's.

 

 

It stepped back, looking confused. Bramble let out a sigh of relief when he saw that Lavender appeared unaffected. The three mutants backed away a little, but remained on the edge of the square, watching Lavender.

 

"Lavender... what just happened?" Trivy asked again, the concern evident in her voice.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

"Lavender, what are you doing?" Trivy asked warily, as the mutants advanced on Lavender, "You really shouldn't let them touch you," but by that point the mutant had stepped forwards suddenly and the tip of its nose had touched Lavender's.

 

 

Lavender had totally blanked out any and all voices around her, with this one mutant having her complete attention. Almost like she was hypnotised by it...or was she hypnotising it?

 

She blinked when the mutant practically booped noses with her, and flinched as her mind suddenly flooded into her head. She could barely make them out, only seeing flashes of images from a village in ruins. 

 

...it looked like Ponyville?

 

 

It stepped back, looking confused. Bramble let out a sigh of relief when he saw that Lavender appeared unaffected. The three mutants backed away a little, but remained on the edge of the square, watching Lavender.

 

"Lavender... what just happened?" Trivy asked again, the concern evident in her voice.

 

She stepped back, blinking in shock as she returned to the real world. Had she really just seen that...?

Trivy's voice was the first thing to enter her ears, and she snapped her head around to look at her. "I-I saw...I..."

 

She slowly turned her head back around to the mutant, and gently raised a hoof to its chin.

"You used to live there, didn't you?" She asked it, calmly and quietly, "And then this happened to you, but you're still in there...just looking for a way to go."

 

She looked into its grizzly eyes. "You can come with me. Don't hurt me or my friends, and nopony will come near you, or hurt you."

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

You can come with me.

 

The mutants relaxed at that, and they settled down to watch Lavender. Their focus was disconcerting, but otherwise they just sat there peacefully.

 

@@Chip Circuit

 

"If you wanted to examine them, I suppose now is the time," Bramble said to Zayoh, "Although I still wouldn't recommend touching them. We shouldn't stay too long, mind," With that, Bramble went back to watching the street the group had come from.

 

@@Unicorncob, 

 

"You're weird," Marble said to Lavender with characteristic bluntness, before flapping her way to just above head height and starting to nibble at the candyfloss clouds, "Mmmm... good weird," she added.

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh nodded to bramble and chose to walk up to the mutants, he moved slowly and smoothly as to not spook the mutants. WHile doing so he kept a partial focus on his own mind to try to still the spirits around him but the rest of his focus was on the lead mutant of this small group. Upon closer inspection he could see how badly the bodies of these ponies were mutated, the skin under the skin had been severely warped and misshapen. He felt sorry for these ponies to see them in such a state and if their mind was still present in there somewhere they would be enduring a lot of pain. 

 

"It is unfortunate that in order to possibly create a cure, a sample of their flesh would be needed for sure." Zayoh said as he walked away from the mutants back toward the group. "But I would prefer not to injure them without need, if the true pony is still present then it would be a less then favorable deed."

[Unicorncob 5,679]

The mutants relaxed at that, and they settled down to watch Lavender. Their focus was disconcerting, but otherwise they just sat there peacefully.

 

Lavender noticed that the other mutants had relaxed upon hearing her offer. She was indeed getting through to them, like they were the dogs...and she was the alpha.

 

 

"You're weird," Marble said to Lavender with characteristic bluntness, before flapping her way to just above head height and starting to nibble at the candyfloss clouds, "Mmmm... good weird," she added.

 

She glanced back at Marble, and pouted at her bluntness before looking wide-eyed at the pink puffy clouds absorbing the chocolate milk from the fountain.

"Cotton candy clouds..." she muttered to herself, then down to her hooves, "I did that too...?

 

 

"It is unfortunate that in order to possibly create a cure, a sample of their flesh would be needed for sure." Zayoh said as he walked away from the mutants back toward the group. "But I would prefer not to injure them without need, if the true pony is still present then it would be a less then favorable deed."

 

"Flesh?" She repeated, looking toward Zayoh. It seemed that if she showed no aggression toward him, the mutants saw him as no threat either. "But that'd hurt...like, really really bad."

 

She looked back to the head mutant, staring it...her, right in the eyes.

"But, you're already hurting so much now, aren't you?" She asked, gently putting a hoof to the mutant's face, "You're so far away from home, and you just want to go back to normal, huh?"

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

Zayoh nodded to bramble and chose to walk up to the mutants, he moved slowly and smoothly as to not spook the mutants.

 

The mutants ignored Zayoh entirely, continuing to watch Lavender with unwavering eyes. 

 

 

 

"But, you're already hurting so much now, aren't you?" She asked, gently putting a hoof to the mutant's face, "You're so far away from home, and you just want to go back to normal, huh?"

 

The mutant closed its eyes as Lavender's hoof touched its face, but otherwise didn't react... not even when the throaty cries of mutants on the hunt came from the distance. They weren't too close, but it didn't bode well.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

The mutant closed its eyes as Lavender's hoof touched its face, but otherwise didn't react... not even when the throaty cries of mutants on the hunt came from the distance. They weren't too close, but it didn't bode well.

 

Lavender smiled and gently stroked the mutant's face. "We'll help you. All of you."

 

Her ears flicked at the sound of the mutants roaring. They must have been closing in.

But, why was this one ignoring it? Was she going to run with a new pack? "Do you want to go back to the others?"

[Dust and Memories 557]

Wilhelm's hoof edged around his sword, but didn't exactly touch it, though it came close. The chaos magic wafting off of Lavender was exceptionally strong, and he couldn't explain it if he tried; it was simply like riding a thermal, the feathers on his wing shifting in a phantom wind.

 

Suddenly antsy, Wilhelm shifted his stance so he happened to be facing Zayoh, and when he did, the wind cut off abruptly, to be replaced with an... an absence of the wind, as if he was floating in a vacuum. Wilhelm opened his mouth as if to say something, but thought better of it and simply turned to Lavender again, the phantom wind resuming at an even higher pitch than before, Wilhelm subconsciously leaning into it, so that to any observer, it would appear he was leaning on... nothing.

 

Under his breath, Wilhelm said "Chaos magic? Perhaps that's why the creatures like her... Then I wonder, how would they react to a complete absence?" Here, his gaze briefly flickered to Zayoh once more, not without concern...

Edited October 14, 2015 by Orion Caelum