private Sombra's Shadow

[Stardust* 3,302]

Stardust tried to hold out as long as she could, she looked behind her and her eyes were filled with the reflection of flames. Another fireball was headed directly at them, this time it would hit if we didn't move. 

 

Stardust flapped her wings stronger and faster than before trying to build up the wind necessary to get the ship moving. 

 

The sails filled with wind and the ship started moving at a much quicker pace, Stardust gave it all she could give, she knew that the lives of all these ponies were in danger, she had to do everything she could to save them. Especially Aria, who gave up everything for her when she got to that awful city. She was not going to let this dumb fireball ruin all of the time that was spent planning to get away from this hell. 

 

She gave one last large wing blast and the sails pillowed and the wind pushed the ship forward just enough to barely be missed. It hit the water and the wave it crated gave the ship just that much more momentum and they were out in the open water. 

 

Stardust knew that even in the open water they needed to still be covered until they got closer to the kingdom. With the little energy that she had she flew and gathered some low hanging clouds to create a light fog around the ship. 

 

She landed and knew that something happened. Something bad. 

Edited October 16, 2015 by Stardust*

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Trivy slipped into the water after her hoof had fallen out of Psych's grasp. She went under for a couple second before she popped up above the water to catch some air. The large waves the ship was created headed her way, her head disappearing under the water again. She swam her way up, showing her face above the water for the last time, looking at the group sailing away, before one of the gigantic fiery rocks splashed into the water on top of were she had been swimming. The rock sunk into the gloomy depth of the water. And it appeared Trivy's lifeless body had as well.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 16, 2015 by Pucksterv

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

As Rave watched the city burn, with delight, a pony came running towards him and the other two. 

 

"What now?" he thought annoyed. 

 

The pony bowed before them. "Sirs, King Sombra's personal Archmage, has arrived and has been given the authority to take command over General Ironhoof's forces". 

 

Rave's eyes twitched a bit. "What?". 

 

Ironhoof looked at Rave, noticing his anger. However, he did not seem to take personal delight in seeing Rave angry, although, his features could not bee seen due to the helm. He was indifferent towards his emotions as he lived to serve his king. "You heard the messenger. I better get to the Archmage to converse with her. I will have the heavies ready, they will ensure that the bomb crew gets to the walls safely". 

 

Crimson stepped in. "This insult will not be forgotten, Ironhoof. Our house wi--". 

 

"Will what, exactly?" Ironhoof interrupted. "We all live to serve King Sombra... do we not?". 

 

With that, Crimson held his tongue and turned away. Ironhoof took it as his leave and departed. 

 

"We must do as the king commands us. Do not worry, I am sure the Archmage won't possess any threat to our influence". 

 

"I hope not... It is bad enough that she is the King's personal Archmage when it should have been me!!!.... I still haven't forgotten...". 

 

"You always wanted that position, didn't you? Do not worry, you have excelled yourself here in the army. You have done much to increase our house's influence and strength. I am sure things will change once the rebellion has been completely crushed.... but for that to happen, we must destroy them" Rave looked back to the city, his focus fully on Baltimare. 

 

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

 

@@Pripyat Pony

 

General Ironhoof approached Jinx, the metal that which adorned his body, making loud clanging sounds as he approached. 

 

"Archmage! I have received word that you have been bestowed control over my forces. It gladdens me to say that I am more comfortable serving under ponies who seem to be fully focused on serving the king. However, personal opinions are of no matter as there is a city to break. I have suggested that our heavy unit escort the bombing squad that the Darkmanes brought, to the walls as to make sure that the walls come down". 

 

He awaited Jinx's reply. 

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Lovely Wing was shaking, crying as she jumped into Psych hoofs for comfort. She nuzzles against his chest, salty tears dripping off her cheek and onto his coat. She held him tight, still frightened and yet safe in his embrace.

 

Winter looked over her shoulder at the sad sight, it appeared the group has lost yet another dear friend. She wiped away a tear herself but remained strong by focusing on the travel ahead, particular, the oncoming travel across the wild Celestial Seas that is definitely going to be a challenge since they would sail during the heart of the storm season. 

Edited October 16, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Count Paradox 3,548]

Lovely Wing was shaking, crying as she jumped into Psych hoofs for comfort. She nuzzles against his chest, salty tears dripping off her cheek and onto his coat. She held him tight, still frightened and yet safe in his embrace.

 

Winter looked over her shoulder at the sad sight, it appeared the group has lost yet another dear friend. She wiped away a tear herself but remained strong by focusing on the travel ahead, particular, the oncoming travel across the wild Celestial Seas that is definitely going to be a challenge since they would sail during the heart of the storm season.

 

Psych embraced her and cried alongside her, sobs wracking his shoulders and tears dripped off his muzzle to the deck. He felt guilty, guilty for letting Trivy, their leader, fall to the ocean. Guilty for taking away the one who gave the group direction. He pet Wing's mane as he cried, her embrace comforting him little. He was just happy that she was safe.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@JonasDarkmane, "I would agree on that," Jinx replied. "Once the walls protecting the enemy are down, I can unleash my spells. However, it would be useful if you could give me a complete run down on how the battle is going and what your tactics are. Also, if you have captured any prisoners. If not, then you ought to send out a team to do so. I have found that enemy ponies are less likely to mount retaliation attacks if their friends and relatives are held in front of the army as an equine shield."

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

@@Pripyat Pony

 

Ironhoof stood there quietly, acknowledging everything that Jinx was saying. "All the rebels are behind the walls. There is no way we can take prisoners until we have broken through the wall and reached the residential area. There is no battle currently ongoing, only a siege. We are currently firing stones and fireballs at the city with our catapults and we are amounting heavy damage, however, that will only last temporarily until the they flee further back into the city, which will mean we will have to move the catapults close to the walls, but then they will be in danger to either bows or unicorn magic. That is why we must bring down the wall". 

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@JonasDarkmane, "In that case, do so when the wall is down," Jinx replied. "As for the wall, I have a spell that might be useful. It won't bring down the entire wall, but would at least ensure that the wall is breached and the army can enter the city. It will reduce part of the wall into powder, so show me the weakest part of the wall."

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

@@Pripyat Pony

 

Ironhoof was silent for a while. "... I am afraid that I have no intel about the city's defenses... all of the intelligence that has been gathered about the city is held by Rave Darkmane as he has studied the defenses... so if there is someone you want to talk to, I am afraid it is going to have to be him". 

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@JonasDarkmane, "In that case, I will have to confer with Rave," Jinx replied. "Would you kindly inform me where I can find him, so I don't have to waste my resources doing a search?"

 

Jinx remembered what the King had told her about Rave. However, surely the fact that they were on the same side ought to count more than personal feelings?

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

Lilith couldn't hear or see anything below her at this point, so she just huddled down and tried not to cry as the voices in her head kept a running commentary on what she could not see.

 

A brave, risky move by the unicorn! More shall be saved from the eternal void by her actions!

Come, little one... swim closer... yes, that's it. Two more to be saved from the cold abyss of the sea.

... what a brave pegasus, saving us all from the fire and brimstone.

Little one... what are you doing? While brave, are you sure you have the energy for this?

 

And then Liltih heard a heart-breaking plop.

 

...it seems not all can be saved.

Another for the eternal crusade, then. Or perhaps one cursed to become a sea spirit- frivolous things!

Poor, sweet little one. He blames himself for the loss...

Why do you care for the emotions of this one? His magic will prove a powerful asset to him on his death, and blindness means little when you have no eyes to be at fault.

... heartless bastard. Forgive me for expecting you to rise above your petty 'vengeance.'

Silence. Do not start again... she is already in tears enough.

 

((The voices do more then petty commentary, I swear.))

[Randimaxis 8,652]

The salt was the first thing that registered.

 

The tang was bitter and made his stomach roll.  He tried to understand what he was hearing, but that was too much to ask yet.

 

The way the awful sensation in his mouth had his taste buds in a chokehold, it was a wonder that he didn't just toss his cookies to relieve the suffering.  Granted, stomach acid may not have been better, but at the moment it was certainly more preferred.

 

Eyelids quiver; light explodes.  Eyes stay shut.

 

He begins to focus on the muffled shouting, trying to cobble the syllabi into some form of cohesive language.  Only a few words can be made out, such as "wing", or "anchor", and even a "steer" in there; nothing coherent came from the word soup yet, so he tried the eyes again.

 

Eyelids quiver; light bursts.  Eyes stay shut.

 

Better... but not enough yet.

 

He slowly began to filter back through his mind, attempting to figure out how he got here in the first place; there was the ship... then Lilith in the crow's nest (good irony, there)... then they were leaving, but the others weren't there yet... after that there was...

 

In his mind's eye, Harcourt was on the deck of the griffon's ship, trying to make sure the other ponies got below as swiftly and safely as possible, when he looked over his shoulder and saw fiery rain pour down onto the city.  The walls held fast, but there was no way they would outlast the carefully staggered catapult shots arcing across the sky between the mighty city and the mighty armada.

 

Particularly, the last thing he recalled seeing was one of the smaller fireballs headed for the ship's mast - which would put a damper on their escape, not to mention put Lilith's life at risk.  He saw it with perfect clarity; the flames licking up and over the top of the sphere as it almost seemed to spark in anticipation of its sole purpose.

 

He only now, lying on the deck of this unknown ship, began to realize he'd stepped in front of the blazing ball before it met its mark.  

 

There had been a little pain; after the iodine, though, it seemed a bit tame.  Then the heat had come, then water... then, the blackness.  Now, he felt finally together enough to stand.

 

Eyelids quiver; light flares only a bit.  

 

Harcourt opens his eyes and glances around the deck.  Even though he's seeing it from a side angle, there's no doubt that there's something bad happening... however, the blackness began to creep over him again, and he simply looked down at himself to be sure he wasn't merely a ghost who had not detached from its corpus yet.

 

There was a medium-sized chunk of wood sticking out of his side, and it looked kinda gross.

 

He shut his eyes, then fought them back open again.  The wood was still there, so he decided to try to go back to sleep until it was gone.  The world faded away again, and he went off to slumber with but one thought...

 

Is everypony safe?

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Winter was slapped out of her thoughts as another fireball hit the water, fortunately, not as close as last time. Her eyes trailed over the deck when she noticed Harcourt on the wooden floor as well as a part of the floor in him as he laid there in pile of misery and pain.

 

"PSYCH! Or some other pony... creature whatever. Take over the wheel okay?" Winter yelled as she let go of the steering mechanism and made her way over to Harcourt. "Hey Old man! Wake up!" She slapped him in his face but no response. She lifted his eyelids, looking into his eyes, still not a single reaction. "F*ck... He's out... He probably lost too much blood." She murmured.

 

She picked him up carefully, half dragging him over the deck and into the captains hut not far away. She laid him on the ground and then started searching the room for a medical kit. "Yes! Fantastic." She yelped as she found a small kit and other useful tools in the cupboard near the bedside. "Hold on bud, this is going to be quite painful."

Edited October 16, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Count Paradox 3,548]

Psych had finally stopped crying, but the pit in his stomach was still there. He heard his name being yelled, and he stood, walking over to the steering wheel. "I... I can try..." He turned to Wing. "I need you to go down to the hold, ok, sweetie? I could never forgive myself if I lost more ponies... I don't think I can right now anyways..." He then shouted to Lilith. "I need you to be my eyes up there, Lilith, okay?" He took hold of the wheel and kept it steady in the direction Winter had it going.

[-Octavia- 1,176]

Aria's body steadily grew numb, but the feeling was not the sea's doing. Drying her face again—for it had apparently become wet of its own accord—she stumbled over to the wheel, where a griffon currently sat in command. Under different circumstances, she perhaps would have cared that neither of the mares that had seen this boat to fruition weren't in control of it. She perhaps would have taken pride in showing the others around the ship, highlighting all the little ideas and inventions put into it that stood out from all the other bland ships that use to sail to and from the harbor in their time.

 

As it was, she could not even bring herself to form a complete sentence. It was perhaps for the best, as the griffon abandoned the wheel for some purpose...she couldn't quite catch the words. Watching the blind one take it in their hooves, she looked to the series of levers that stood beside it. There was no point in floating along any longer than necessary...there was no saving the unicorn. They could only look forwards, to the Griffon Kingdom. Halfheartedly, she pushed the nearest lever, staring blankly past it. With a lurch, the ship began to surge faster through the waters, which churned in their wake as though from the fury of a mythological creature. 

 

For years Aria had tinkered, attempting to recreate the driving force behind the Friendship Express, that train which once connected all of Equestria in more harmonious times. Whenever she had spent time on her project, her thoughts always fled to the same place; the desire for freedom, for a carefree life, was too strong to ignore. With the boat, she and Star could have explored the open waters, where millions of stars would be strewn across the canvas of the night, each one with the potential to be a shining jewel waiting to be discovered. Star would, of course, have been the navigator, letting the stars in which she so often lost herself be their guide. They'd sail to faraway lands with constellations never beheld on this side of Equestria, each a piece of an infinite puzzle with everchanging pictures to be drawn in the sky. Star would've like that, she knew.

 

It was now a dream deferred, perhaps indefinitely. That the engine worked now was but a bitter victory, as they left behind the only reason that they were still living. She stood against bitter wind, turning to look at the spot where the unicorn had been lost until it faded from sight, oblivious to all else but the indifferent depths to which they all must return someday.

Edited October 16, 2015 by Wubtavia

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

Come now, my dear, sweet lady. Take a breath and accomplish what must be done.

...

... she's done for now. She needs rest.

Come, friends, tis my turn!

By Celestia, no. We do not need a bloodthirsty berserker here. El-shavin, why don't you? All you have to do it look out and relay information to the little one at the wheel.

... I would prefer not...

Yes, yes, we know you are uncomfortable with being a female specimen. Very well, I shall take up the reins.

 

---

 

Those watching Lilith would see that her brown cloak shimmered for a moment before quickly turning purple. She stood up and shook her head. "Wow..." Lilith said, looking out upon the city. "No wonder poor Lilith's a wreck. No wonder everyone here's a wreck. I thought it was bad, but this is almost infernal." She shook her head. "Yes, my friend," she shouted down, "I shall be thy eyes."

 

Looking around, she said, "Guide her to the starboard side, carefully. There's a wreck about 100 yards out- nothing recent, but still enough to damage the ship."

[Count Paradox 3,548]

Come now, my dear, sweet lady. Take a breath and accomplish what must be done.

...

... she's done for now. She needs rest.

Come, friends, tis my turn!

By Celestia, no. We do not need a bloodthirsty berserker here. El-shavin, why don't you? All you have to do it look out and relay information to the little one at the wheel.

... I would prefer not...

Yes, yes, we know you are uncomfortable with being a female specimen. Very well, I shall take up the reins.

 

---

 

Those watching Lilith would see that her brown cloak shimmered for a moment before quickly turning purple. She stood up and shook her head. "Wow..." Lilith said, looking out upon the city. "No wonder poor Lilith's a wreck. No wonder everyone here's a wreck. I thought it was bad, but this is almost infernal." She shook her head. "Yes, my friend," she shouted down, "I shall be thy eyes."

 

Looking around, she said, "Guide her to the starboard side, carefully. There's a wreck about 100 yards out- nothing recent, but still enough to damage the ship."

Turning the ship right a bit, he began moging it out of the way of the wreckage. Slowly, it passed it. He tried to keep his mind off the fact that if they had been any slower escaping the city, their ship could have been just like that one. It was fast, but they had done it at the cost of one of their own... He didn't think the guilt would ever leave him.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

As Winter finished getting her tools together, she realized something that she completely gleaned over when she first began dealing with Harcourt...

 

There hadn't been enough blood to count for a chunk of wood that size.

 

She looked over at the old stallion again, this time paying closer attention.  Where the wood was lodged, there was only a small trickle of blood; with as deep as the former piece of deck plank seemed to be embedded into his flesh, there should be more.  A lot more.

 

"What the heck is..?"

 

There was a large, long-healed scar that ran across his belly, apparently from an old wound that seemingly would have gutted him.  However, surrounding the chunk was NOT flesh - what was peeled back from the point of entry was some kind of foam-like substance.

 

Winter quizzically reached down and took a pinch of this flap in her claw, then pulled... slowly.  The flap peeled back far enough for something long and black to fall out.  She almost freaked out for a second; her first thought had been of some vital organ flopping out in a show of gore.  Then, she realized that it was some sort of flat, leather case.  Gingerly, she picked it up and saw it was folded closed.  Her eyebrow arched as she carefully opened it up; inside was a well-used set of lockpicks.

 

She looked back down at the now wide open peel of material.  Its outward appearance looks exactly like a bit of overweight horse belly, but inside it was lined with what looked like some kind of dark velvet cloth.  It was also the resting place of five silver throwing knives, a cork-stoppered vial of bluish liquid, a small magnet, a single exquisite emerald as big as a horseshoe, a small photograph of five ponies, two very thoroughly folded empty sacks, and a scattering of bits and a few nuts that clattered onto the deck.

 

In fact, the chunk of wood had not gone right into him, but had gone through this extremely well-hidden pouch first; it had only gone about a couple of inches in, though it looked like far deeper on the outside.  The 'scar' on his belly was the seam of the pouch, and was the exact same color as Harcourt's bluish coat.  It was ingenious, and quite well made.

 

It also apparently saved Harcourt's hide. 

 

The actual cut was easy to treat, though it looked as if the speed of impact was going to cause one heckuva bruise.  A quick look over the rest of the old stallion revealed a few scrapes and a sizable lump on his head; nothing worse. 

 

Apparently, Lady Luck felt generous to Harcourt Blackwater that day... at least until he hears about Trivy.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

The actual cut was easy to treat, though it looked as if the speed of impact was going to cause one heckuva bruise.  A quick look over the rest of the old stallion revealed a few scrapes and a sizable lump on his head; nothing worse.

 

Winter sighed at the unusual sight before she proceeded to grab some disinfected to clean out the wound and some bandages to as a final touch. The pouch had been a unexpected surprise, she had to admit, but she couldn't deny either that she had seen equally strange or even stranger things ever since the war started.

 

She wiped away a drip of sweat from her head when she finished fixing up the wound and put back the medical kit where she had found it. She leaned over Harcourt, searching for any other injury. She looked at the back of his head, looking for anything that had caused his unconsciousness. Nothing... ah well... must have been  because the stressful situation all together... or the lack of food... When was the last time this pony had a decent meal?

 

The small griffon got back on her paws, grabbing a comfy blanket from the cupboards and laying it over Harcourt. "Rest well, Old stallion."

[Count Paradox 3,548]

Psych hadn't heard from Lilith for a bit, so he suspected it was smooth sailing for a little while. There were other noises that caught his attention, though. A few ponies were milling about on deck, watching the carnage unfold behind them, or staring out to the sea, trying to forget that it was happening in the first place. Some were helping to tighten up some ropes that had come loose from the last fireball, and others were heading below deck to finally get some rest. He hoped that he could see every single pony on this ship to safety.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Lady Rarity stepped out the military barracks, followed by almost every unicorn guard from Baltimare. The guards moved across the edge of the city while the lady herself walked towards the center of the city. The ponies of Baltimare had finally stopped panic all over and moved themselves into the underground facility for safety. Some ponies were still walking around the streets, most likely criminals who were taking advantage of the situation now that all the houses and shops were abounded.

 

Rarity sparked up her magic from her horn, signaling the others to do so as well. A beam of blue light emerged from her horn, shooting at the shield above the city. A hundred light beams  followed, all different colors, coming from the unicorn guards scattered through the city. The great magical barrier protecting the city grew thicker and darker. And the rain of fire stopped. All the fiery rocks that hit the shield were vaporized, shattered into molecules into the sky.

 

---

 

Winter emerged from the captains hut when she saw the shields in the distance that covered the city suddenly change their appearance. She saw the rocks smashing against the barrier and then exploding into a million pieces. "Brilliant! I knew she could do it." She cheered. She noticed the ponies around the ship were staring at her confused at her sudden outburst. She gave a little awkward cough. "uh... the shield... around the city... just look, you'll know what I mean."

Edited October 17, 2015 by Pucksterv

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

The catapults kept on firing until someone barked out an order for halt. The firing stopped and everything went silent.......

 

Rave overlooked the city. He chuckled. "There is always a shortcoming. I only need to find it and exploit it" he said, sure of himself. A shadow loomed over him. 

 

"After all, this city exists only to burnnnnnn". 

 

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

 

@@Pripyat Pony

 

While Ironhoof was rallying the heavy unit, Jinx was being led to Rave. 

 

Rave turned his head and notice her approach. "Ahhh, Lady Jinx, a pleasure to meet you" he said rather coldly. "What could the archmage of the King want from me?" he smiled. 

 

Crimson stood nearby, his eyes only on Jinx. 

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@JonasDarkmane, "It's always a pleasure to meet with a like mind," Jinx replied, smoothly. "After all, we both have the same wishes as far as this city goes. I have a spell which could blow the wall away and allow our forces to enter. It would be best to use it on the weakest part of the wall. Where would you advise?"

[JonasDarkmane 19,785]

@@Pripyat Pony

 

"And miss all the fireworks?" Rave replied. "Bringing all these explosives that used to belong to a long forgotten house for nothing? Heh, we wouldn't want that. No.... You have specialized in keeping the Crystal Empire safe, have you not? You set up the shield there, did you not? No, I think you will be of more use tearing down the shield that is currently protecting Baltimare. We need to bring down the shield so that we can continue raining Tartarus upon them, for cover". 

 

Crimson decided to join in on the conversation. "The shield will halter any movement into the city for now, so until it is brought down, we won't be able to move into the city, even if the walls came down and I am positively sure that our explosives are not going to inflict any damage to this magical barrier". 

[Count Paradox 3,548]

Lady Rarity stepped out the military barracks, followed by almost every unicorn guard from Baltimare. The guards moved across the edge of the city while the lady herself walked towards the center of the city. The ponies of Baltimare had finally stopped panic all over and moved themselves into the underground facility for safety. Some ponies were still walking around the streets, most likely criminals who were taking advantage of the situation now that all the houses and shops were abounded.

 

Rarity sparked up her magic from her horn, signaling the others to do so as well. A beam of blue light emerged from her horn, shooting at the shield above the city. A hundred light beams  followed, all different colors, coming from the unicorn guards scattered through the city. The great magical barrier protecting the city grew thicker and darker. And the rain of fire stopped. All the fiery rocks that hit the shield were vaporized, shattered into molecules into the sky.

 

---

 

Winter emerged from the captains hut when she saw the shields in the distance that covered the city suddenly change their appearance. She saw the rocks smashing against the barrier and then exploding into a million pieces. "Brilliant! I knew she could do it." She cheered. She noticed the ponies around the ship were staring at her confused at her sudden outburst. She gave a little awkward cough. "uh... the shield... around the city... just look, you'll know what I mean."

Psych heard Winter's voice and moved to the side of the wheel, relinquishing control of the ship back to her. "The city is really ok? Whats going on over there?" He asked. "And how is Harcourt doing? Is his injury bad?" His face held a hopeful look, wanting Winter to give him good news. "Tell me they'll both be okay."