private Sombra's Shadow

[Pucksterv 4,508]

OOC Thread here! (Fan club thread)

 

Past:

17 years ago, followers of Sombra, also know as the Darkmane family, found a way to bring their King back to life. Sombra's followers had been preparing for this day for centuries while his resurrection was unexpected for the rest of Equestria. The first thing Sombra achieved was taking over the crystal empire. He executed Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in front of every crystal pony as a statement what would happen if you showed any rebellion. The ponies tried to flee the crystal empire, a few succeeded. The others were enslaved, forced to work until their death.

 

Sombra then created a new life form, his shadow recruits, born out of dark magic. They are mindless minions, capable to kill and unable to die. A down side to being shadows, is that they cannot life in the dark. They can only life in the light. Still that does not make them weak, they are born out of powerful magic and are impossible to destroy.

 

Sombra took his new army of shadows to Canterlot, starting a war against the two princesses and their kingdom. This time, Sombra's army was too strong, Canterlot was destroyed within a year as were the other cities. The two princesses were captured and executed. The elements of Harmony were able to escape except for Twilight who was imprisoned inside the crystal dungeons underneath the crystal empire.

 

Years passed, Sombra's recruits are searching around Equestria to enslave the ponies who fled. Some cities have become slave cities, others are still in ruins. What does Sombra need more slaves for? He's planning to attack the countries outside of Equestria. His army and arsenal grow everyday. Someone needs to stop him.

 

---

 

Present:

Somewhere during winter, year 2037. 16 years into the war. 

 

Harmony's light

A dark figure, running in the shadows of the forest, hoofsteps drilling in the ground. 3 shadow recruits were racing through the air, after the pony in the shadows. They were making hissing and growling sounds as they flew closer towards the pony. As long as she was in the shadows, they couldn't touch her. She saw the Canterlot ruins in the distances, meaning she was almost at the hideout. She had to reach it without the shadow recruits following her, she did not want to compromise her location.

 

She stopped running and hid herself behind a tree in the dark, hoping they wouldn't see her and go away. Hours past before they finally left her alone. She made her way towards the ruins and arrived at the hideout where the rest of her group was.

 

Crystal Empire

It was dark in the streets of the empire but the crystal ponies were still working. Shadow recruits were returning from their usual pony hunting. Some recruits were walking on the streets, they were send to check on Princess Twilight in the Dungeons. Others were in the main hall, having dinner while discussing their plans for the war. Sombra was...were was he? (This is for Jonas to decide)

Edited January 21, 2016 by Pucksterv

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

Crystal Empire

 

A grey coated unicorn stallion was walking around a large map, showing Equestria. There were small pony figurines carrying banners on it. Sombra's banner seemed to be covering most of Equestria. He was smiling, his sharp fangs showing. He knew that he was winning, that he would soon crush the resistance and cover every inch of Equestria. It was only a matter of time. 

 

"Soon, my final plans will come to fruition and I will be invincible". His horn glowed and a pony carrying Sombra's banner moved to where a pony carried the banner of Equestria. The Equestrian banner along with the pony carrying it was knocked away from the map and replaced by Sombra's. "They keep losing ground, however, they are starting to become harder to find. No matter". 

 

He stood there silent for a moment, then he looked to one of the entrances to the maproom. Two guards standing by the door opened it and in walked a rusty yellow coated unicorn stallion, with bacon colored mane and red eyes. 

 

"Your highness" he bowed. Sombra nodded and the red eyed unicorn stood up. "You summoned me?". 

 

"Yes, I have" as the red eyed stallion walked towards Sombra, the doors were closed after him. "The war has been stagnating a bit. Our progression has slowed down and it is starting to become harder to find these 'rebels' to destroy. I have grown tired of this current war and I want all of Equestria now". 

 

"What is it that you require of me?". 

 

"As I was gone for about 1000 of years, before you and your family managed to revive me, Equestria changed. It was no longer what it used to be. However, your family having lived throughout it all, managed to adapt and learn. So you knew how those 'rebels' thought and acted. I need you once more, Rave Darkmane, to help me make my plans a reality. You know Equestria, you have explored it. Your maps and guidance has been of great value. I require your skills once more to find the rebels and inform me of it. My plans can not be interrupted". 

 

Rave bowed his head. "It shall be done my King. All ponies who stand against the rule of our glorious leader, King Sombra, will be punished". 

 

"Leave". 

 

Rave left the room, so did the guards. Sombra was now alone. He approached the map. The map did not just only show Equestria, but lands beyond it. Sombra's horn lit up and a spark was ignited in the middle of the map. The flames started to expand. "Who needs Equestria, when you can have the whole world?" he laughed darkly. 

[Love Doctor Blaze 536]

Diamond Burst was sitting in an underground basement. She was reading a book about dark magic because it might help them get equestria back, who knows? After she has spent about 2 hours reading without finding any relevant information, she decided to head up, and get some air. When she got up she noticed one of her friends running at full speed in to their ruins

 

(You should probably post the link at the original post )

Edited August 8, 2015 by blazedtime

[Randimaxis 8,652]

She made her way towards the ruins and arrived at the hideout where the rest of her group was.

 

Outside the ruined house, a stallion pulling a cart along behind him gave a sigh of relief as Trivy approached.

 

"You know, you keep getting better at sneaking around like that and I'll have to start taking lessons," he chuckled.

 

He scanned behind her, looking as if he expected the shadows to move at any moment... but they didn't.  This time, anyway.

 

He smiled kindly at Trivy.  "Inside, now... I'll need help distributing the goods... unless you have more pressing issues?"  He looked to Diamond.  "Mind getting the doors for me?  There's a good girl..."

 

Tugging the straps, he led the cart into the basement through the ramp set off to the side.  Arriving after all the work he'd put in, Harcourt was exhausted - but he didn't let it show.  He couldn't.  The other ponies here needed all the reassurance they could get, and he'd be damned if they'd ever see him as anything but supportive.  He yanked on the strap that released the harness, and gave his most charismatic smile to the rest of the group.

 

"Special delivery, everypony!  We've got apples, breadstuffs, carrots and things that might even be appetizing after they're cooked!  Come and get it, for there's no telling what tomorrow may bring!"

 

He watched the meager gathering of ponies make their way to the cart.  Our numbers seem to shrink everyday, he mused sadly, but it only means the strongest, smartest and quickest are left.  Small consolation, but it is what it is...

 

He gave the satchel on his back over to Diamond.  The hilt of a sword was hanging from the side flap.

 

"Here... it's all I could find in what was left of the Armory; make it count, madam."

 

With a small sad grin, he turned back to the cart.  "Now, now - quit pushing!  There's enough for everypony..."

 

... as long as they're dieting, he thought glumly.

Edited August 19, 2015 by Randimaxis

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Outside the ruined house, a stallion pulling a sled along behind him gave a sigh of relief as Trivy approached.  

"You know, you keep getting better at sneaking around like that and I'll have to start taking lessons," he chuckled.  

He scanned behind her, looking as if he expected the shadows to move at any moment... but they didn't.  This time, anyway.  

He smiled kindly at Trivy.  "Inside, now... I'll need help distributing the goods... unless you have more pressing issues?"

He looked to Diamond.  "Mind getting the doors for me?  There's a good girl..."

Trivy chuckled at Harcourt's statement and then she walked into to old castle ruins of Canterlot that was currently their hideout. Trivy pulled down her hood from her cloak, showing her face for the first time today. The ruins were already dark enough, her hood would only make it darker. Trivy watched the ponies grab all the food they could from the corner where she was standing. Her stomach made a rumbling sound but she ignored it. She was ignoring it for a few days now as she felt like the others needed food more then her. 

 

She grabbed her satchel and walked towards Harcourt. "So I was out scavenging again, yeah sorry, I promised I wouldn't but I did. now before you say anything about how I could have been dead, take a look at what I found." Trivy said with a smirk on her face as she pulled out a map from her satchel. She laid the map down on a stone table. Her horn glowed, making a small light spell. "I stole this from some of a Darkmane guard when I was walking through Ponyville. Look!" Trivy said pointing at places at on the map. "These markings on the map. They are guard towers from the shadows! You know what this means? This means we know which places to avoid when we go scavenging for stuff!"

Edited August 8, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Randimaxis 8,652]

"So I was out scavenging again, yeah sorry, I promised I wouldn't but I did. now before you say anything about how I could have been dead, take a look at what I found." Trivy said with a smirk on her face as she pulled out a map from her satchel.

 

Dammit, she's going to get caught one of these days, Harcourt mused, but far be it for me to tell her no; after all, I remember being proud of being a master thief, so I have no intention of being a hypocrite.

 

She laid the map down on a stone table. "I stole this from some of a Darkmane guard when I was walking through Ponyville. Look!" Trivy said pointing at places at on the map. "These markings on the map. They are guard towers from the shadows! You know what this means? This means we know which places to avoid when we go scavenging for stuff!"

 

"Trivy, you..." Harcourt shut his eyes and put a hoof to his head.  "You can't just take it upon yourself to get too close to the guards for House Darkmane!  You DO remember what happened to Rain Slicker?  Perhaps you recall how he was made an example of?  Or mayhaps you forgot the lesson that Sly Tiptoes died to teach us?  Or Night Rose?  Or the twins, Snatch and Grab?  ARE YOU THAT EAGER TO FOLLOW IN THEIR HOOFPRINTS!?"

 

He stopped, knowing this wasn't what was needed here... before all this started, he had been in the prime of his youth, gaily sneaking and robbing hither and yon; happily ensuring his name was to go down in history as one of the greatest sneak thieves ever known... but that had been then.

 

Now he was merely a stallion on the brink of old age, fighting the ravages of the past sixteen years in order to try to keep hope alive in the most dreadful of situations.  And yelling at Trivy was certainly NOT the way to go.  After all, she reminded him of himself...

 

He sighed and put on his most charming smile.  "But... this most certainly IS fortuitous, my dear.  And you did take a risk, but one that paid off brilliantly, so... perhaps there's hope for you yet... hope for us all, in fact.  Very well, Trivy - you're right.  This can certainly make things easier for us... and, as much as I want to continue admonishing you for this, I simply can't deny that this is extremely useful.  My most heartfelt apologies."

 

Harcourt gave her a pat on the back.  "And well done, my dear.  Perhaps you'll prove to be a better thief than even I once was, eh?"  He looked the map over, making adjustments to the one in his own honed mind.  Nodding, he stepped back.

 

"Just for the record, however... please, please think twice before taking on something like this again, would you?  We all need you, dearie - as a hoof in our corner... not a martyr."

[Pucksterv 4,508]

@@Randimaxis,

 

"You know I'm always careful, I would not have stole that map if I wasn't." Trivy said with a smile. ''Besides, that stupid guard was sleeping while on duty, how could I resist that?" She said, holding back her laugh. She rolled up the map and put it back in her satchel. Trivy looked around the dusty chamber at all the ponies who were either eating or crying softly. Her smile quickly disappeared. "Did you count the numbers yet or should I?" Trivy said looking around the room. They counted the amount of ponies every night as they lost so many everyday.

Edited August 8, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Harcourt sighed, looking about the room with Trivy.  "Yesterday, there were twenty four, including the three foals.  Now?"  He felt like crying, but he knew he couldn't - not in the midst of them all, and certainly not in front of Trivy.

 

"Nineteen, at my last count this morning.  And we lost a foal last night... Precious Hope."  He wasn't about to point out the irony of the deceased foal's name.  "We have got to find a better place than this, my dear - if the mold doesn't get them, the rotted floors or the ticks will.  If we want anything to get better, we need room.  Room to grow, as it were."

 

He shook his head to clear his mind.  Too much sorrow would settle on him like a lead harness, so he avoided it.

 

"Now, what we need next is a source for weaponry... a reliable one - not the little bags we've been bringing in.  Perhaps you managed to sneak some information of that nature off a sleeping guard?"  The half-grin he gave at that question was genuine.  He certainly looked younger when he smiled.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Trivy hold her tears at the mention of Hope. She had spent a few days with that little filly, playing games, talk and laugh. She still felt horrible when she discovered her body in the morning. least her mother wasn't there when she died. She had already comfort too many parents when their children died.

 

Trivy turned her head away from the sorrow and looked back at Harcourt. "I did not see a single weapon inside the ponyville camps. Most recruits there are Shadows anyway. Why would they need weapons?" Trivy said, her mind talking out loud again. "If we want to get out of here, we don't need weapons, we need a plan. We need to travel by night so the shadows can't get to us and we need to avoid those Guard towers. But most important, we need to know where we're going.''

Edited August 8, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Randimaxis 8,652]

"Well, if one wishes to know where they are headed, the best bet is to look at where they've been."

 

Looking thoughtful, he began to list places that had been picked clean by the scavengers already.  "Ponyville's almost barren by now... and we can forget Canterlot, of course... Appleloosa, Manehattan... all lost without any chance of finding anything.  Hmmmmmm..."

 

Harcourt's brow furrowed with concentration.  "We've still yet to completely map out the Everfree Forest, but Sombra's forces still maintain a base there - and we have no idea where, as well.  Trivy, do you think there's anyplace I haven't thought of?  After all - though I may be great," he gave a weak grin, "I am hardly infallible.  Can you think of anywhere we haven't tried yet?"

 

Suddenly, a pained expression crossed his features, and he visibly strained to hold back an outburst.  After a moment, he looked at Trivy.  The pain was evident on his tired face.

 

"I think I know of one place we... I haven't tried yet.  The Blackwater Mines, at the foot of the Crystal Mountains.  They..."

 

Tears began to stream down his muzzle, but he looked away, as if pacing while he talked.  He wouldn't let Trivy see him cry.

 

"There's a chance that there may be some supplies still there... and mayhaps even dynamite.  We could certainly use that to our advantage."

 

The Blackwaters had been one of the largest suppliers of emeralds to all of Equestria - and, unknown to most, the Darkmanes.  Yet even this didn't stop them from being ground into bloody paste when Sombra's forces came through.  Harcourt had hidden his shame at his family's error - and only a small handful knew he was once one of them... Trivy counted among them.

 

"Would that be a possible destination... or do you have something else in mind?"

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

Thwip... thunk.
 
That was a second clean hit on the target in a row for Lilith. Out of a quiver of eight, she had failed to hit the target once, and got a less-than-clean shot in on the flank. But the last two were dead on- she just needed to adjust her bow to the wind that was blowing. As she took a breath, she drew another arrow and aimed it, and, after a pause...
 
Thwip... thunk.

 

Three in a row now. Impressive marksmanship- she didn't count the first two, as she was 'calibrating' the recently restrung bow. With a quiet sigh, she shifted the position of the arrows inside the quiver, and, holding her breath again, she took all all three remaining arrows and swiftly nocked them onto her bow. She drew them back, slowly adjusting the arrows' positions and slowly releasing her breath as she let go.

 

Thwip-ip-ip... thunk-tunk.

 

The first one hit the target in the flank. The second hit the target in the chest, very close to where the other three had landed, while the third landed roughly a foot past, missing the target completely in this case. Satisfied with the distance and pacing between the shots, at least this close, she went out to collect her arrows. It was a trick shot, shooting more than one arrow, and she would never do it in a real battle unless they were in close quarters with more than one pony bearing down on her, but it was a unique trick nonetheless. Providing some pressure as she drew out the arrows with her hooves, she quickly cleaned the excess dirt off of the arrows, shifted the full quiver to the side, and began again.

 

Lilith had come to accept the practice at shooting at cutouts 6 hours a day, seeing how there was nothing that needed to be scavenged, nor any tactical or strategic device that she could give. She was looked down upon by the main military minds, a secondary to their precious 'shadow recruits'. Well, unfortunately for them, there was no way they were going to be winning a guerrilla war with only the ability to attack during the day, but she wasn't going to tell them that. If they wanted to waste their time, so be it. It's not her decision to make. It never was.

 

Besides, all she did was shoot arrows.

 

She dropped this line of thought before she got too upset at her superiors- they had promised her what she wanted, anyways, and were providing her room and board at that. So she moved on to the... weather. Yes, the weather and the environment. She found it very unique how the rabbits up here were almost exclusively white- though, so were their predators. It must be a camouflage technique, Lilith decided. As a side note, she wondered what the rabbits up here ate. There must be some sort of root growing in the hard ground that's rather hardy. I'll have to investigate the next time I find a burrow; that might prove invaluable for me.

 

Realizing that she had subconsciously emptied her entire quiver into the dummy again, she quickly retrieved her arrows, and, after a pause long enough for her to release a sigh, began again, resigning herself to yet another day without any more action.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@JonasDarkmane, The room was half in shadow, lit only by candles with curious, yet creepy, blue flames. A tall unicorn mare stood in the half light, her eyes glinting as she worked on her magic, a bright red glow surrounding her horn. The mare had slate blue coloured fur, with a long sky blue and purple mane and tail. Her eyes were red, with an evil, manic expression within. The mare's cutie mark was a sinister looking skull and crossbones. This mare was named Jinx, and she had only recently cast off life as a parasite within the mind of Jay, a small unicorn mare who for now, hid in safety. Jinx knew full well where Jay hid but let her live just in case her new body was destroyed and she had to reside in Jay's mind once more.

 

Jinx once lived a life in Canterlot as one of the upper classes. The unicorn mare had a thirst for power and studied dark magic, longing to become immortal. Jinx's cutiemark, the skull and crossbones, reflected that her special talent was dark magic. She achieved her wish, but paid a terrible price; performing the spell, her body was destroyed. However, her essence survived; she had succeeded in her plan. Inhabiting Jay's mind for several years, Jinx had further honed her magic, until she was at last able to recreate her body and live once again. Joining Sombra had seemed like the best thing for her; Jinx craved power and wished to be with the pony she thought most able to gain it.

 

As she finished her spell, which would protect the borders of the castle from intrusion, Jinx saw Rave Darkmane outside her room. She expected that he'd come from the throne room and went to meet him.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

"Would that be a possible destination... or do you have something else in mind?"

"I don't think that is the best idea... we can't risk going there. If we want to get to the crystal mountains, we have to pass the crystal empire. That's basically running towards our death. No, that won't do...'' Trivy said. She pulled out the map again, trying to figure out what would be the best place to go. "Hmm...no that's not going to work....no that won't work either...Ah! This will do!" Trivy said with a smile. She poked Harcourt to get his attention. "It's risky but I think this might be the best idea I ever had. What if we go to Horse Shoe Bay,near Baltimare? Sombra's army has no full control over that part of Equestria. Once we're in the bay, we can take a boat to the griffon kingdom!"

[Randimaxis 8,652]

... and it saves me from going anywhere near the mines.

 

"The Griffon Kingdom, you say?"  Harcourt blinked his eyes free of tears, then turned to the map Trivy had laid out.  "Horseshoe Bay would be relatively easy to get to... of course, once we're there we'll have to see what's become of the place.  Though Sombra's wicked hoof has yet to leave its print there, it may be cluttered with refugees.  Though that may be a place to gather recruits, as well..."

 

He raised an eyebrow.  "And whom do you think would be able to make that journey?  Granted, it would be an excellent possibility, but even night travel would have to be wary; keep in mind, what Sombra doesn't own, he would want destroyed.  You'll have to hand-pick a team for this... and our numbers are flagging."  Though he sounded far too stuffy for his own liking, he had a feeling this could actually be fun - something they all needed a bit of.

 

He looked to Trivy.  "Your idea, madam; your choice.  Who goes to Horseshoe Bay, and how many are going?"

[Pucksterv 4,508]

"Everyone goes, we can't leave anyone behind, especially not in this place. Everyone has a right to escape. It's going to be dangerous, traveling with so many but I can't leave anyone out here to die." Trivy said as she looked at the sad faces of ponies around.

 

"We would have to follow the river. That is our best change. And travel by night is best but we can travel during the day as long as we're careful." Trivy said with a confident smile. Of course, that was just her way of hiding her fear. She admitted to herself, this was going to be tough journey.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

"... everypony?"

 

He looked around the dingy basement, and saw the faces of the ponies there.  Tears, sorrow, abject misery; expressions that had become all too common among the few remaining "free" ponies.  It was hard for the younger colts and fillies to ever believe there was once a time where joy was rampant... where innocence was a mainstay... where friendship was magic.

 

Well, that's why we keep fighting the good fight, isn't it?

 

"I suppose you're right.  We can't just leave them here to wait for a possibility of a return with more allies, can we?  You do realize that maybe half of this group will make it all the way... if we're careful.  And we barely have enough supplies for a trip of this caliber.  Still..."

 

Harcourt gathered a deep breath, then let out a hefty sigh.  When he opened his eyes again, there was a ghost of the old spark in them.

 

"I suppose a death in this stinking basement means nothing compared to dying while attempting to make things better, eh?  Trivy, your idea is sound, and at any rate it's better than nothing.  The others will require enough time to prepare properly - tomorrow night should be more than enough time, I believe.  See if you can get some of the others motivated - I'll put together what supplies and armaments we have onto the cart."

 

He was truly beginning to HATE that wretched cart - heavy, gangly, uneven and in constant need of repair, he knew it would only be a matter of time before it led to somepony's demise; maybe even his.  But this was no time to whine.

 

"Hopefully, the griffons will welcome us with open wings.  If not, it will be quite a LONG way back to... well, wherever we end up, I suppose."  Yet despite the daunting task ahead of them all, he grinned.  "I'll go gather our things.  You tell them the plan and make ready."

 

He gave Trivy one of his trademark smiles.  "If you were my daughter, I'd be very proud of you... right after I grounded you for not listening in the first place."  He tousled her mane playfully, then made his way toward the side room where their scant supplies were kept.

 

Celestia help us all, he thought, either death... or griffons.  

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

@@Pripyat Pony

As Rave was walking deep in thought, he was approached by Jinx, however, another part of him was not resting. "From your left" a dark voice in his head said. He turned his head to see Jinx. 

 

"Ah, Jinx. Finished your little spell? I might have some work for you to do" he kept on thinking. How was he to going to find the rebels that were hidden? Then, suddenly, he got a thought. A smile crept up his face. "You remember Lilith?" he said with a malevolent smile. 

[Pucksterv 4,508]

"Hopefully, the griffons will welcome us with open wings.  If not, it will be quite a LONG way back to... well, wherever we end up, I suppose."  Yet despite the daunting task ahead of them all, he grinned.  "I'll go gather our things.  You tell them the plan and make ready."

 

He gave Trivy one of his trademark smiles.  "If you were my daughter, I'd be very proud of you... right after I grounded you for not listening in the first place."  He tousled her mane playfully, then made his way toward the side room where their scant supplies were kept.

 

Celestia help us all, he thought, either death... or griffons.  

 

Trivy chuckled and put her mane back to normal. "I will get right on it.''

 

She trotted over to the ponies on the ground. "All right everypony, listen carefully, gather around." She said with a soft as she sat down on the ground. The ponies made a small circle around Trivy so they could listen to what she had to say. A mare with a foal in her arms sat next to her, holding it close to her chest. An old stallion sat next to her on the right, eyes closed out exhaustion. A small Pegasus filly sat alone, in front of her, missing one of her wings.

 

Trivy took a deep breath, trying to hold back her tears "Harcourt and I have come to the conclusion that we can't stay here any longer. That is why, tomorrow evening, we will start our travel towards Baltimare. Safest place in Equestria at the moment. We can catch a boat to the griffon kingdom there." Trivy said with a smile, seeing hope return in some of the eyes in front of her. "Anyone got any questions?"

 

"Do you think my mom and dad will be there?" The small filly in front of her asked. Trivy didn't know how the answer the question. She had seen the filly's parents die a few weeks back. "They will be there, don't you worry." She said with a smile

Edited August 9, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@JonasDarkmane, Jinx's face lit up with an evil smile. "Oh yes, I remember her," she replied. "She always was good at dealing with problems, like those deluded ponies out there who refuse to obey the law. And we ought to find those rebels as soon as possible, so that they can't get ideas above their station. After all, Sombra's might is right and the sooner they accept that, the better."

Edited August 9, 2015 by Pripyat Pony

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

@@Pripyat Pony

Rave put a hoof around Jinx and started to walk with her. "I need Lilith to help. We need to smoke out the rebels and destroy them once and for all. However, we cannot do so when they are hidden. We need a pony on the inside. A pony that knows how to fight, knows the land well and is not well known within Sombra's forces. I am the head of the Darkmane family and Sombra's top General. Your status is also too well known. We need someone that is not known here within and Lilith fits perfectly. She will be our infiltrator. She will spy on them and get to know them. She will earn their trust and then notify us". Rave smiled malevolently. 

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

Lilith quietly picked her arrows out of the ground again as she examined the afternoon sun slowly beginning to set. Her time was coming, and it was during her time that she was most comfortable. There were no shadow recruits, all the slaves were usually inside, and the few non-enslaved ponies were usually eating or sleeping. Somewhat anxious for the sun to set, she readjusted her arrows, slung her bow and left the range, slowly watching units of shadow recruits march or perform close combat drills. The drills were mostly unnecessary, but it gave the commanders practice with using the mental link for communication and other tactics, but, as the sun began to set, several of these groups broke off and made for their barracks. She shook her head slowly as she continued to wander, practicing remaining silent while walking- a surprisingly difficult task when walking on crystal roads. She found herself being drawn towards the forges- perhaps she could obtain some more crystal arrows to be enchanted later. She needed to replenish her supply; she had used most of them before she had arrived.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

"They will be there, don't you worry."

 

He had caught Trivy's speech, and the reassurance she had given the young pegasus.  He nodded to himself; it was as it should be.  Even though her true parents were gone, there would certainly be some other ponies there who would willingly adopt the cute little one... as well as families who would take in the others.  They were all getting their hopes up, and Harcourt was glad to hear it.

 

And Trivy, as well.  She's a good girl - a bit rambunctious, but then so were many a pony back in the good old days.  She should have no problem finding herself a home, along with the rest of them.  She's been starving herself, seeing to the needs of others before her own - and that certainly has its merits - but if she's going to have any chance at being the shining light the others need, she needs to find room to take care of herself, too.

 

He reached into the hidden pouch he carried beneath him, and brought out three green apples, a true feast in the eyes of anypony here, and set them into the satchel he knew she'd be taking.  He stared for a moment at those apples.

 

I remember a stallion who once was absolutely crazy for those things... but he went the same way Mother did.  And Father.  And even the little brat that came last.  There wasn't ever a chance for them, was there?  In their rush to claim as many bits as they could, they doomed themselves.  We all did, didn't we?  We thought we were safe.  We thought it was over.  How wrong we were.

 

Harcourt reached out and closed the flap on the satchel, covering the apples within.

 

... and now, we go boldly into the future, hoping for a miracle in a time where miracles seem to have run out.  But then, we already have a miracle, don't we?

 

He looked around the corner at Trivy.  She's the miracle.  If anypony here is capable of doing the impossible, she is.  But how do you tell somepony that?  How can you put that much pressure on a single individual?  The answer: you don't.  You support, you encourage, you do what you can to bolster a confidence that needs it... but you never tell them.  Not if you want them to succeed, you don't.  You just do what you can.

 

His words earlier hadn't been far off the mark; he'd come to think of her like a daughter - a strong daughter who would do well on her own.  He didn't think he could tell her that, either... it was too awkward, and she'd probably just laugh it off, though in a good-natured fashion.  No, far better for him to play the role of the crusty old stallion who did what needed doing in the background while the shining stars led the charge across the sky.  It felt right.  Besides, it had been years since he'd been lauded as anything... but he didn't mind so much.

 

I simply wish my 'retirement' wasn't so active.  He gave a small, rueful chuckle as he heard the multiple pops in his back as he gave a much needed stretch.  The moment passed, and he shook his head for being a silly pony.  

 

"... besides, those bags aren't going to pack themselves," he murmured to himself.

 

He began to gather and distribute the goods as evenly as he could.  Scant foodstuffs, rusty or broken weapons, and as many of the salvaged books and scrolls as they had found went into each bag.  It felt good to fall into a mindless routine as this, and he was glad it didn't require the damnable cart to do it.

 

He glanced at Trivy's satchel, and smiled.  You'd better eat them, too, he thought idly, because my brother would have nearly killed for them.

 

He continued his work quietly.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Trivy sat down on her so called bed that was made out of old rags and a bit of hay. She held her head in her hoofs out of frustration. She felt Harcourt looking at her but she didn't mind. She felt like crying her eyes out, besides all the good things, today was still a depressing day. She held back her tears as she felt like she had to be strong. The others needed her at this moment, she couldn't afford to break down at this moment. 

 

She felt a light tab on her shoulder. She looked up from her hoofs to see the old stallion from before standing in front of her. "Hey Mr.Orange, What can I do for you?'' Trivy said with a soft smile. The old stallion sat down next to her on the bed.

 

"Hello my dear, I wanted to talk to you about tomorrow." He said.

 

"Don't worry Mr.Orange. I know you're a bit slower than the rest, we will make sure you'll make it." She said with a hoof around his shoulder.

 

"Oh no, that's just it my dear Trivy, I'm not coming with you tomorrow."

 

"What? but why not?" Trivy asked confused

 

"I'm old my dear, I lost my wife, my children and my grandchildren. There is nothing left for me."

 

At first Trivy wanted to go against him but she realized he was right and that she was probably never going to convince him anyway. "I Understand." Trivy stood up from her bed and walked towards Harcourt. "Mr.Orange is not coming with us tomorrow.''

Edited August 9, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Harcourt stopped packing for just a moment, then continued on.

 

"Allow me to take a gander as to why; he's passed into his twilight years, and doesn't want to burden us with his pace, eh?  Is that about it?"  He turned his head to look at her.  "To be frank, I had half expected that.  Mr. Orange has been helping out as best as he could, but it has become obvious that he thinks himself a burden.  I could go on and on about it... but..."  He sighed.  "... I suppose he's made up his mind?  Very well; I'll set aside some supplies for him - and he has no option in THAT - and he will be welcome to do as he pleases once we leave.  Tell him this, and I'll be certain to leave at least a spear and some food for him."

 

Though he sounded cold and indifferent, Trivy knew he was simply avoiding thinking about losing yet another member of their group.  That, and there was also the fact that Harcourt himself was getting old - and he knew it.  Granted, Mr. Orange was certainly older than the wily former thief, but not by too much.  And regardless of the number of reassurances he gave, he was one who preferred to suffer in silence.

 

"Tell him he'll be prepared for.  Thank you, Trivy.  Now, bedtime - and I'll brook no arguments."

 

He continued to work, trying not to let the lead weight of sadness drag him into the pit of despair he'd been avoiding for so long.

 

"Sleep well, my dear," he said kindly over his shoulder.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Trivy nodded, she was not going to fight back this time. She agreed it was time for bed herself as she felt very tired. Probably because of all the physical and mental strength she needed today. After she told Mr.Orange everything Harcourt had told her to tell him, Trivy dragged her tired hoofs to the corner and fell down on her bed. She gave a big yawn while she wrapped herself in the old rags that were used as a blanket. She was fast asleep in no time.