private Sombra's Shadow

[Stardust* 3,302]

@@Pucksterv, @@Randimaxis,

 

Stardust was with Aria, they stood just off of the boat, figuring that this would be the last time that they would see it. It was only a short trip, but... this good old ship wreck really handled things well. 

 

Stardust took the plank and flew it back on board, she made it back to land and they started to walk over to the others. Seemed like they had agreed upon letting the group rest, this would be a good idea. They needed to get the group used to sleeping during the day so they could travel at night. Stardust would use this first night to get her bearings under the night sky. She would use the stars to help her make a map of landmarks on the ground. This would be just in case the sky was not clear.

 

She needed to speak with Harcourt, she knew that he would be able to talk with the group and they would trust him, with her being an 'outsider' it might not come across too well with her barking out orders. 

[Randimaxis 8,652]

He spotted the two mares he was looking for onshore.  Approaching casually, he actually found himself a bit nervous - Trivy had been the one to speak with them before, and he had absolutely NO idea how well she'd been received, how their chats had gone, what lines had been crossed... he had no idea how to approach them.  

 

Still, they should be spoken to, and it would be his job to do so, it seemed.  Better now than never...

 

"Salutations are in order, I suppose... and, should you find a moment, I'd like to discuss a few things with the two of you, if that would be agreeable?"

[Stardust* 3,302]

@@Randimaxis,

 

"Salutations are in order, I suppose... and, should you find a moment, I'd like to discuss a few things with the two of you, if that would be agreeable?"

 

"Of course, we needed to talk with you too actually. I am not sure how well the group will perceive me and it is very important that the group understands what is going to have to happen as we move forward." 

 

She motioned to Harcourt to walk with the two mares. "What are your concerns, I can see it in your face." The rest of the group was starting to follow Winter as she began walking up a hill. It was still rather early so most of the residence of the island were still asleep, other than a few guards but they were further out and in the town so there was little worry for them to find the group. The three of them followed behind the group, leaving a bit of a gap so the other ponies wouldn't overhear. "Now, where were we?"

Edited November 4, 2015 by Stardust*

[Randimaxis 8,652]

"Well, firstly I'd like to properly introduce myself, as we didn't get much chance to speak at the Mayor's mansion; my name is Harcourt, and until recently it was my job to pull the cart.  Now?  I do believe I've been formally put in charge... though that makes me a tad uncomfortable, as I find myself to be more of a planner than a leader.  Still, better than the cart, I promise you..."

 

Even with these words, he still found himself thinking of that damnable wooden torture device; maybe it really was the reason he was still in such good shape?  A thought for later, he mused.

 

"At any rate, the next point of order would be to offer both of you a place in our group, should you want it.  Stardust, you've spoken on this matter - but I would like to hear if you, Aria, are on the same page as she is.  I'm not into the habit of assuming very often, so I merely want to be certain."

 

That, and I've barely heard you speak since our first meeting; it would help me with my mental profiling of each pony here.

 

"With these points presented, my next question would be what becomes of us all?  Are we to remain as a group, or are we to find a place to have the others lie low whilst we do what needs doing?  For that matter, I should ask where we go from here - and what do you know of where we're bound?"

 

He gave a soft sigh, then a sheepish grin.

 

"My apologies if I seem a tad wordy.  I'm used to having... somepony else... speak to the others when the need surfaces."

 

Again, he was missing Trivy... of course, it could only have been counted as 'again' if he had ever stopped thinking about her in the first place...

 

"I'd like to know what you see ahead of us... and how best to approach it.  I'm just an old nag, waiting for the proverbial other horseshoe to drop - I'm fairly certain the two of you have yourselves together... at least, more than I do at the moment."

 

It was obvious he was still hurting inside, but he had no time for tears now... and the time he would need for those tears was probably going to be longer than his remaining lifespan.  

 

Tears were for later, when he was alone.  For now, he had to have the heart to keep going - even if it felt like he had no heart left.

[-Octavia- 1,176]

"You're inviting us on a journey that would lead to our inevitable deaths? It's just what I've always dreamed of," Aria quipped, not entirely in jest.

 

Though not always one to flirt with death, Aria did have a penchant for taking calculated risks. With the current condition of the world, it was not wise to assume Sombra would sit idly in Equestria whilst the rest of equinity sat in contentment. It was therefore, then, that she concluded she would meet death on her own terms, if it was coming after her as surely as the night comes after the day. Though she could give input on Harcourt's other questions, she would not be the mare to determine the fates of those around her. Those decisions lied solely with them.

 

"I guess I'm in. I'll be holding my tongue for the time being, though."

[Randimaxis 8,652]

It's the ones who don't say much that worry me most, Harcourt mused.  

 

After all, he'd conveniently hidden behind Trivy for a number of years, even though he himself had been the one who made most of the calls, predicted reactions, chose paths.  Things had worked out fairly well; they had managed to survive up to this point... but when he had allowed the decisions to come from somepony else, it had ended up being Trivy's choice to take them all to the Griffon Kingdom.

 

Now, here they were... without Trivy.  Granted, because of her decision they had not only discovered that the Elements still existed, but they had also made friends with a Ranger (regardless of original intentions), and a bona-fide psychic... but she would never know all the great things to come from her act of snagging that map from the Darkmanes.

 

Through the darkest recesses of his mind echoed the words one down, three to go... and he wondered if he shouldn't add another name to that list.

 

Of course not - she abhorred violence; it would not be fitting to do such a thing.  Though she is gone, it is not DIRECTLY by Darkmane hoof... besides, I already have so much on my plate that I may not have room for just desserts...

 

Outwardly, there was no sign of the thoughts he was harboring; he gave a bit of a grin and nodded to Aria.

 

"If you wish, madam - it is your decision if you would rather not make your thoughts public; I have a feeling this one next to you will speak your heart, anyway.  But I thank you for deciding to join us - I'm certain you see that we shall require all the help we can get, at this point."

 

And we'll just keep an eye on you, miss Aria.

 

He turned back to Stardust, his face all business.

 

"This rest period will mean a time to actually relax for the group at large - some for the first time in their lives - but I feel that it will merely be a blink of an eye for us.  You, Aria, Lilith and Psych are the ones we would require insight from, and I shall do my best to do whatever is required of me.  Now, as to the route we take from Winter's relative's home, that would supposedly be your area of expertise.  With what has happened, I assume that finding and retrieving the remaining Elements is now our mission.  I am quite certain it won't be easy... but then again, nothing worthwhile is ever easy."

 

At least that was one thing Gully Fluff and my Father agreed on.

 

"And, by the by, since I hear you've been doing some research on the Elements..."

 

He reached into his newly-repaired hidden pouch and pulled out it's newest tenant: the crystal representation of the Element of Generosity.  It was strikingly beautiful, and seemed almost to glow with an inner fire that, should one look hard enough, is reflected in Harcourt Blackwater's emerald green eyes.

 

"... perhaps you'd care to peruse one up close?"  His small smile broadened, and he carefully held it out in front of Star and Aria for examination.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Winter continued to walk forward, staying silent most of the time. Occasionally she would answer the questions the exciting little filly next to her was asking her. Pointing at trees, strange woodland creatures, asking what they were. The young mind, so much curiosity, still seeking all the unknown answers, beautiful. But Winter's thought quickly drifted away, thinking about home, about seeing her family after all the time she had spend at Rarity's side. She would imagine they would have missed her, maybe not as much as she had missed, she could see all the warm welcoming hugs coming her way when she would walk into the house. She wondered about her aunt, how she had been holding up. She definitely knew that her being away was something that would only worsen the condition her aunt was in . And it killed her to think about what it would do to the mother like mare once she left again. Because that is what she was, a mother, that took care of Little Winter since the moment she picked up the tiny lion-bird from the burning grounds where she found her. And still to this day, Winter would still call her Auntie.

 

''What's a griffon family like? Do you have a mom and dad as well?'' Lovely Wing asked.

 

''Well, most griffons have a mom and dad like you do. Actually, most griffon families are very large.'' Winter said as her mind slowly focused on the filly jump-walking down her side from excitement.

 

''Do you have a big family too?''

 

''uhm.... well, I used to have a big family... but uh... some things just... I have a sister and a....a mother that loves me very much.'' The small griffon said with a smile, covering up the pain she felt saying those words.

 

"Do... Do you think my mom and dad are here too?'' The filly asked as she slowed her steps and looked up to Winter.

 

''I... I don't know Wing... I don't know.'' She said as she starred of into the distanced. Winter had expected Wing to let some tears roll but she was completely silent. And so, the griffons mind wondered off again.

 

---

@@Pripyat Pony, 

 

Trivy studied the mare laying on the bed, asleep, looking peaceful yet in some sort of distress. Something was very off about this place and the entire situation. And not just because she had stepped into the lion's cage, Sombra's kingdom. It made her feel sick, the feeling of being inside the home of the devil. Not only that, she was to speak with him, or at least, listen. It may be best for the mare in chains to try saying as less as possible, for the sake of her friends.

 

My friends... what must they think? they... they watched me go under, they watched me die. I, I did die but then...

 

Her mind was silent. The voice that once spoken to her had lost its voice, or so it seemed.

 

Poor Harcourt, what must he think? I wonder if he misses me as much as I miss him... I miss his voice, his smile...I miss... ''I..I.. I miss my friends.'' Trivy said as sudden tears started running down her cheeks. The horror of the situation had finally hit her. ''I miss home, I wanna go home.'' She said sobbing. ''Please, just let me go home.''

Edited November 6, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Pucksterv, Jinx watched Trivy as she looked at Jay, lying asleep on the bed, wondering what she was thinking. When the mare burst into tears, Jinx was left in no doubt. She surprised herself by putting a hoof on Trivy's shoulder, fighting against another impulse, that to put her forelegs around Trivy.

 

"I'm afraid I can't let you go home, just yet," she said. "It won't be possible at the moment; not where you are now." Jinx paused, remembering the fact that the rebels had formed a group. "I expect you miss your friends," she continued. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can understand what you are going thru right now. You see, I never had any friends. My mother wouldn't allow me to speak to other fillies, accept their invitations, or to issue any of my own. Eventually, they stopped bothering and left me alone with my books. They thought I chose to be alone, with nothing to do but study, but I always wanted friends. It was my mother who thought that friends would distract me from my learning."

[Stardust* 3,302]

 

 

"This rest period will mean a time to actually relax for the group at large - some for the first time in their lives - but I feel that it will merely be a blink of an eye for us.  You, Aria, Lilith and Psych are the ones we would require insight from, and I shall do my best to do whatever is required of me.  Now, as to the route we take from Winter's relative's home, that would supposedly be your area of expertise.  With what has happened, I assume that finding and retrieving the remaining Elements is now our mission.  I am quite certain it won't be easy... but then again, nothing worthwhile is ever easy."   At least that was one thing Gully Fluff and my Father agreed on.   "And, by the by, since I hear you've been doing some research on the Elements..."   He reached into his newly-repaired hidden pouch and pulled out it's newest tenant: the crystal representation of the Element of Generosity.  It was strikingly beautiful, and seemed almost to glow with an inner fire that, should one look hard enough, is reflected in Harcourt Blackwater's emerald green eyes.   "... perhaps you'd care to peruse one up close?"  His small smile broadened, and he carefully held it out in front of Star and Aria for examination.

 

"Holy Horse Feathers!! This is beautiful, so incredible, so... wow." Stardust's eyes were so big and her smile was almost too big for her muzzle.

 

She looked around and hushed her words, "You should probably put that away, you never know who is watching us. We have to be careful now that we are out of the walls of the mayor." She gathered herself and she stood in the middle of Harcourt and Aria. "In my opinion the rest of the group should stay hidden, traveling in a large group like that would be difficult and the chances of getting caught are greater. I will take tonight to study the stars and consult my maps. We will want to travel at night, it gives us more cover and I will be able to navigate better. I will need to not only find the next element but my maps will lead me to other pieces of a larger map that will lead us to the rest of the elements."

 

"My books and charts say that when we find the element, it will be guarded by a winged animal that has blood red eyes, blue of skin, and hair of the sky. Not quite sure what it might be, but the things that we will encounter seem to be written about and from what the elders have said it doesn't look good. We have to be ready." She looked to Aria and gave her a soft smile, she looked to Harcourt, with a strong nod she continued. "I will communicate everything to you about what awaits us as we travel, I will let you do what you wish with that information, you can tell the others if you want or keep it to yourself. Just know that whatever I know, Aria will know as well. She will not say a word unless you say otherwise, keeping the information close to the chest except for the necessary things is probably best. We don't want to worry the others if there is no need to. It is a burden that the three of us will share, but I know we can do it."

 

She looked ahead and could see a cottage in the distance. It was the only building for miles around and it looked like a good spot to keep the rest of the group. They would have to get enough food for at least a few weeks, to be on the safe side, for the cottage and for those who would be traveling. 

 

"We must gather as much as we can rather quickly, we must do that tonight so we can sleep during the day, that way we will be ready by tomorrow night to leave. I really wish we had some sort of cart to help carry some of the bigger stuff. Ah well, I guess we will just have to pack light and gather as we go." 

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Of COURSE, we need the damnable cart NOW, rang the irritated thought through his mind.  He carefully slid the Element back into his hidden pouch, then addressed Star.

 

"I wholeheartedly agree with you as to the group's status; I know firsthoof that they would all absolutely LOVE the opportunity to rest.  Some of the younger ones have never even known what it was like to sleep without being afraid of being caught, and this experience will do them good - it will show them that the entire world is not as bad as they've come to believe."

 

His eyes scanned over the group.  They came to rest on Wing, Chip and Psych as the three of them kept each other in good spirits; once Chip had calmed down, he seemed to be just as happy to be with Wing as she was with him.  I am so glad that Chip came along; after Violet, I wasn't certain that she'd ever truly be happy again... now?  She has a best friend AND a big brother.  Wonders never cease; miracles don't always have to be grandiose.

 

He spoke none of this, but the look on his muzzle as he watched Wing and Chip run circles around a worried (yet grinning) Psych while he giggled at their antics, was obvious.

 

"... the children are more important than even the most precious gems, you know... they are a promise to the future, and an apology to the past..."

 

He blinked.  Oops.  Did I say that aloud?  Harcourt cleared his throat and tried his best to look professional once more... but a slight blush gave him away.

 

"A-at any rate, I am quite glad to hear that you most certainly have your head on straight, so to speak.  You are always welcome to offer your opinion, as this is HARDLY any sort of proper military gathering.  Never be afraid to approach me if you have a better idea... or if MY idea is no good - I am miles from perfect, I assure you."

 

He then leaned in a bit closer, and lowered his voice accordingly.

 

"And I find no fault whatsoever in making certain Aria knows what you do... I know what it's like to have a... a partner."

 

... oh, Trivia...

 

"So," he said as he dumped the conspiratorial air by the wayside, "from what I understand, once we arrive we shall gather supplies for both the group that stays, and the group that goes.  Once properly divvied-up, we depart tomorrow night following your guidance.  This sounds like a stout plan... and I think I know which ponies should accompany us, as well..."

 

He began to discretely point to each pony as he spoke.

 

"I will speak volumes for Lilith; not only is she absolute terror in battle, but she's also a Ranger, to boot.  Her help would be invaluable to our trek, and she has further skills that... well, it's difficult to explain, but I'll at least state that she has quite a prism to view the world through.  And I trust her."

 

A slight grin, then he pointed in another direction.

 

 "Psych would be an excellent choice, as he IS a psychic pony... plus, personally?  I believe there's something in him that shines like a star; stars belong outside, in my opinion - they're too bright to be kept indoors, you know.  Though he will be missed by the little ones, I think he needs something like this to bring him fully out of his shell - help him grow as a stallion, you see.  And I trust him."

 

He glanced around for a moment before realizing who he was looking for...

 

Damnation, WHEN WILL THE HURTING STOP!?

 

With this, he closed his eyes and took a deeeeeeeep breath... then exhaled very slowly, a slight shudder of breath as he did so.  Collecting himself, he made a personal promise to his pain that it would get it's chance to manifest... just please, not now...

 

"Alright then.  I suppose it's settled.  And I wish to thank you both for deciding to come with us; I hope we prove worth your efforts, and I shall personally do my very best to live up to those expectations.  Shall we continue?"

 

Harcourt was indeed glad to know that Star would be navigating; it had been his younger brother Dax that had been fascinated with the stars, not himself.  He knew no more about navigation than a carrot would know mathematics.

 

Aria, on the other hand, somewhat unnerved him; he'd known a few quiet ponies in his time, and many (though not all) had turned out to be... less than desirable as companions.  

 

There had been Calm Waters, the stallion that had tried to take over their group by trying to push him into leaving.  That one had been relatively quiet... until the yelling started.  He'd last seen that one running in agony after a single kick from Harcourt's rear hooves - a response to Calm's threat of other group members disappearing if his whims weren't met.

 

After that, Mystery Eyes - a strikingly beautiful mare - had attempted to use her silent charms on him; he saw through THAT in a Manehattan minute.  She'd also tried to slice him open with a dagger when he didn't take the bait; that had ended... badly... for her.

 

Those two had been just as quiet as innocent-looking Aria had been... until the other hoof dropped, that is.

 

I hope when it drops this time, you'll be on the right side of the step; I truly don't want to have to worry about my flank any more than I have to.

 

Outwardly, he gave them both a sad, yet kind smile.

 

"Once we get to where we're headed and get settled in, we can discuss things further."

 

He sincerely hoped all would be well...

[Pucksterv 4,508]

''Tag your it.'' Wing said as she ran away from chip, giggling.

 

Winter gave a small sigh as she looked at the young ponies playing. They've seen so much horror and yet they can smile, play, forget their worries in an instant. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Is it just because they are still children or are they really that naive?... I wonder.

 

The griffon snapped out of her thoughts again as she noticed the small cottages coming closer. They were here, the small village of the house of blue feather. It was a quite day, must have still been early as every griffon and pony was still inside. Winter searched for the largest cottage, which was hard, considering it wasn't much larger than the others. But there is was, at the end of the road. Curtains were closed, as always.

 

''We're here.'' Winter said, looking over her shoulder at the big group of ponies.

 

---

@@Pripyat Pony,

 

''Well if you can't get me home, can you at least get these chains of me?'' Trivy said as she wiped away her tears and turned into her defensive mode again. She had not liked the hoof on her shoulder and the affection the mare had given her. Isn't she suppose to be on a different side? This mare, she confuses me. The fact that she's treating me like this only scares me, as if she's trying to act nice so when my walls are down, she can strike me where it hurts the most.

 

''I still don't understand. Why are you being nice to me? You should be evil and malicious. I half expected for you to beat me up till all my bones were cracked. What's wrong with you?'' She hissed as Jinx. 

Edited November 7, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Pucksterv, Jinx sighed as Trivy spoke. "What's wrong with you?"

 

"What's wrong with me?" Jinx replied, slowly. "I truly don't know. I have never felt this way before, in my entire life, in both my lives." She removed the chains with a wave of her horn; they glowed red for a moment before vanishing. "As I said before, I have never had friends. Maybe now, I want a friend. Something about you speaks to me, and makes me want to act differently, cuz it's you. I expect that Twilight Sparkle would find it ironic. She was the Princess of Friendship, after all, and she told me once that I would one day see that I needed friends too. I laughed at her and walked away. Maybe I should apologise to her and tell her she was right all along."

[Pucksterv 4,508]

@@Pripyat Pony, 
 
''Friends are not important. By making friends you only get hurt in the end. They give up on you, they break your trust. They lie and they cheat. If I were you I would not listen to the princess. She doesn't know what's she talking about. She still believes in friendship, still believes her own friends will come to safe her. When in reality, they have already forgotten her or try to forget. They have already abandoned her. She's living in a delusional world, that mare. The real world is cruel, full of darkness. Harmony is gone, just like hope is lost.'' Trivia said.
 
She did not know where these dark words suddenly came from. Perhaps she had lost hope long ago, perhaps these word had been drifting in her mind for a while and only now she wasn't afraid to say it out loud anymore. Now that she realized she would never see her friends again. Now that she realized they were never going to win this war or even survive it.

Edited November 7, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Pucksterv, "I believe that, strange as it may seem," Jinx replied. "I spent my entire foalhood working and studying without a single friend to my name. However, as unreliable friends might be, they are still better than family. My mother was cold and distant and cared nothing for me. My father cared, but my mother was jealous of how close we were. She murdered him, cuz she didn't want me to have any friends, not even my father. Oh, I took care of her ages ago, but her betrayal still burns. In any case, you should make yourself comfortable here for the moment. I can't promise anything, not now, but maybe it won't be forever."

 

Jinx busied herself strengthening the spells around her area, so that it was as safe as she could possibly make it. A book lay open on a table nearby; it was one that Jinx had gotten before she'd gone out to Baltimare. It came from the castle of the Two Sisters originally, and had been locked away and forgotten over the years until Jinx had found it. The book was full of dark magic spells, including one that had a way to create wings.

[Stardust* 3,302]

As they entered the cottage...which seemed to be much bigger on the inside, it was actually rather strange how that worked, maybe it was the way everything was arranged. After introductions it seemed like the ponies all went their separate ways to find a place to rest. 

 

"Psych, Lilith, Harcourt, Winter, if you all could come outside with Aria and myself I would like to discuss the evenings plans." Stardust was waiting by the front door and after calling them she stepped aside and waited. 

 

"I have already talked with Harcourt, but I just want to let Psych, Lilith, and Winter know what would be happening so we will be ready to leave tomorrow evening. Winter, I know that you have not signed onto our little journey and I know that asking you to get us here was hard enough. But if we could ask just one more thing of you, please keep the little ones and the rest of the ponies safe while the rest of us go and find what we need. Once that happens, we will take our ship and be off. It would be much too dangerous to take the entire group, not to mention we would probably get no where because we would have to gather enough food for everyone all day long." She gave a small smile to Winter. 

 

"Speaking of food, tonight we will be gathering food and supplies for the ponies that need to be staying. We will gather as much as we can, and there are still a couple of barrels of oats on the ship that some of the older ponies can go and get if things run low. Now, I won't keep you from your family, thank you, truly for all that you have done for us. It is a lot to ask of any pony and you have gone above and beyond that." Stardust bowed to the griffon and watched her turn to go back inside. 

 

She turned to Psych, Lilith and Harcourt. "Now, for the rest of the evening and through the night we must gather food, as much as we can, fill your saddle bags and bring it back and go out for more. We have to lift some of the burden that is on Winter's shoulders. This will also get our bodies ready for sleep during the day. We will want to travel at night, that is going to be the only way to make sure that we are safe and in the right direction. Psych, you will have to say your goodbyes to the young ones, don't be sad because they will know, they always know. We will also need your sight, you have to have a clear mind as we travel through the hills."

 

Stardust brought out her maps, "Lilith, I am going to need your keen vision, there are peaks and valleys that we are going to be traveling, you will have to get in good positions along these paths to see ahead for us and scout out the parts that we cannot see from the path. I can fly ahead and help with that as well, but I am not trained to see things that aren't supposed to be there and I am sure you could tell if a leaf has been disturbed from miles away." 

 

Looking to Harcourt, "These ponies trust you, you need to reassure them and let them believe that everything really is going to be okay, they need that strength that you have to help them through while we are gone."

 

She placed the maps back into her saddle bag and addressed everyone. "Aria and I will help gather until the stars are brightest, then I will study the maps and look at the geography of this island and figure out which is going to be the safest way to go."

 

She looked at everyone and smiled. She knew that this was her time to prove herself, she wasn't the scared little pony that hid in the closet when Sombra's Shadows came for her family. She could hear them ripping through the house. Her father told her to leave the lights off no matter what she heard, and to not make a sound. She was the only one that could fit in the closet so her parents had to hide elsewhere. That night was horrifying, she knew that her mother could get away if she needed to, but her father only had one wing since the accident and he wouldn't be able to fly. Then she heard the screams....

 

She snapped out of it and was back to reality. "Okay everypony, lets get to it, and restore the hope that all these ponies need!" She had a smile on her face that was so pure and genuine it was intoxicating. She truly was happy, even with all of the evil and bad in the world, she was truly happy to be here. Then she looked to Aria and her wings were a flutter with even more happiness, she knew that Aria was smirking while rolling her eyes, like always. Then she saw her motion Stardust to her side, and Stardust trotted in the same direction. 

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Winter nodded. "I agree, we can't travel in such a large group any longer.'' She then turned around and went back inside. The two young ponies were running around the house, still playing tag. Winter almost bumped into them. She sighed with a smile and grabbed both ponies before they could run any further. ''Play time is over kids, unfortunately, the griffons and ponies living here need some peace and quite okay?'' Wing and Chip both nodded in response. ''Good, Now go upstairs, find yourselves a room.'' She said as she put the two young ones down. ''Yay!'' they cheered. ''But be quiet remember!" Winter said as she watched the two friends run upstairs.

 

''Winter, is that you? Are you home?'' A weak little voice said coming from the living room.

 

''Yes Auntie, it's me. I'm home again!'' Winter said with joy as she walked through the large hallways towards the living room.

 

---

@@Pripyat Pony,

 

''At least your mother appreciated your talent.'' Trivy said, trying not the sympathize with the mare in front of her. "My mother feared me you know.'' Stupid mare that she was, all I ever wanted was some affection. Or at least a compliment. But instead she only feared my talent for magic. ''And then there is my father, who threw me out, of course, because my mother feared me so much.'' He never accepted me. Never. I was never good enough for him. ''Darn Celestia, I wish I wouldn't have gone looking for him when the war started. That way I would have never ended up in that stupid slave camp, had escaped, found a little group of ponies guided by an old stallion and that way, never would I have found myself in the city of Baltimare, losing my friends, again. If I had just stayed in Canterlot, I would have been dead the first day Sombra attacked. And then I would not be here and go through all this suffering.''

 

''Because I know that even though you promise me to let me out someday, I still know that this is the place I've come to die.'' Trivia went silent after that, looking around the room, at the mare on the bed, surprised that she was still sleeping with the amount of chatter coming from her and the mage. She sighed, let her head drop into her hoofs.

 

''So, what will you do now? Aren't you suppose to show me to Sombra? Because I can imagine he has little patience and already knows about me being captured. So what are you waiting for?''

Edited November 8, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Pucksterv, "Just one thing," Jinx said, casually. "When I put the torture spell on to you, there were some ponies at the beginning who I saw criticising you. Would you mind telling me who they are? If you fear your friends turning on you as your worst nightmare, then it's no wonder that you hate friendship so much."

[Count Paradox 3,548]

@Stardust*

 

Psych listened intently, happy to finally be of some use and help the group in some way. He nodded as Star told them what their jobs would be. "Alright then... Although I'll want somepony here to make sure I've grabbed the right supplies when we group back together, I don't want to accidentally have brought a bunch of poisonous berries to the group or something..." He spread his sight, looking around the group. "So, when will we start? Is it dark enough yet, or do we still have time?"

[Stardust* 3,302]

"So, when will we start? Is it dark enough yet, or do we still have time?"

"Rest for now, we have a few hours before sunset. We will gather after the sun is half way beyond the horizon."

 

She continued walking with Aria. The two had much to discuss and she knew that wouldn't happen unless they were alone.

 

"I can tell Harcourt is having a hard time with your silence. But I have a feeling it will pass. He is wise for his years but he is not very trusting. You have to be honest with him, and you have. Maybe once we get on our way he will see that your honesty goes beyond just words."

 

The two mares continued their discussions and relaxed in the rays of the setting sun.

[-Octavia- 1,176]

"Nah, I get it. I can imagine the silence coupled with my oft deadpan expression...well, I don't exactly instill warm fuzzy feelings in others."

 

Aria closed her eyes and momentarily lost herself on a passing breeze.

 

"It's fine, though. I'm thicker-skinned than all that to worry about what he thinks of me, and I'm not going to bother correcting him. I imagine you're right though. About him seeing actions rather than words...or lack thereof, at any rate."

 

Upon the pair fell golden light, as the sun blazed bright and brief against the suffocating indigo that was currently the sky. Passing wisps of clouds lazily draped themselves against the scene, giving the impression of a frothing ocean in which they, the ponies, were submerged, drowning.

 

"I dunno, Stellina. I am but a mercurial, mechanical musician. I cannot quite see what help I'll be here, as much as I love the prospect of adventure. I mean, the engine on the ship...even the ship itself, sure we built that. But that took quite a bit of time we don't have anymore. These hooves are good with things seemingly irrelevant to what's ahead."

Edited November 8, 2015 by Wubtavia

[Count Paradox 3,548]

@Stardust* @Pucksterv

 

"Alright... I have a few things to do..." He turned and went back inside, searching for Winter. He went upstairs, expecting to find her resting in her room. After passing a few doors, he happ3ned upon what he he thought was her room. Knocking, he said, "Winter, you there? Are you feeling better?"

[Stardust* 3,302]

@

 

Listening to Aria, Stardust's heart sank. She so desperately wanted her to feel needed. To feel as important as Stardust knew she was. She just wished she could show her how deeply she cared for her, to let her know that she was her whole world. She longed for Aria to be happy, she tried so much, but with every attempt she felt only a tiny bit of acceptance. It was almost like Aria was shameful of herself. She was so hard on herself, all Stardust wanted to do was just hold her until all of her hurt went away, she wished she could just take all of the pain away. She felt helpless being so close to her, yet not knowing what she was going through, not being able to fix it. 

 

"Aria, you are such an important part of this puzzle we are putting together. You need to remember that, if I didn't have you, I wouldn't have anything. You put me back together, don't you remember? If I didn't have you, I would be lost. And I promise, we will get back to our ship, we will have nights of star gazing and your sweet music filling the air. And don't worry, the ship will need repairs, you will have your chance to get your hooves dirty. We will go anywhere our hearts desire. But I can't do this without you." 

 

Stardust was quiet, her head was down, tears were starting to fill her eyes, she was trying to hide her sobs. She let out a long sigh and looked up. 

 

"The sun is almost halfway down, we should go meet up with the group." She gave Aria a sad smile, she knew that she would perk up before too long, it just stung a little bit. 

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Harcourt stood just outside the cottage's small but functional backyard.  He'd called the rest of the refugee group outside, had them all gathered here for the purpose of letting them know what the plan was.  

 

He'd nodded in agreement to Star's words, and was glad to see somepony else take a hoof at leadership, even if just for a moment.  She had taken a couple of pounds from his burden by sending them to tasks that not only made sense, but allowed Harcourt a chance to just do something instead of having to plan it out this time.  He was glad for it.

 

But now came the moment where he had to tell them that everything would be fine during their stay here, of which he had no doubt... but he also had to try to assure them that he and the others would return to them.  He wasn't sure he could lie to them like that... though he'd simply been the one to gather and assist them, they sort-of counted as a kind of family.

 

Radiant Shine, the stallion who used to keep the lighthouse lit in Vanhoover, adjusted his cracked spectacles while chatting away happily with both Rolling Thunder the ex-weatherpony, and the scrapbook-loving old mare Wistful Yearning.  

 

Bubble Pops and Snake Charmer were in the dead center of the group.  Pops had been the inventor of some new-fangled packing material he called 'bubble wrap', but had been skunked out of making a single bit off his idea when Sombra came to power and made bits nearly worthless.  Charmer had been a talented veterinarian, until he lost his front left leg to frostbite during a particularly chilly winter hiding in his garden after his home had been overrun by shadow wraiths.  They were griping and fussing at each other - which was simply how they always were with each other.  

 

Bright Wind and her husband Sword Brandish had both been Cloudsdale soldiers back in their heydays; now, the elderly couple spent much of their time taking turns during midnight watch or guarding the group's flank.  However, in calmer moments like this one, they simply stood together, leaning on each other and nuzzling slightly against their partner's muzzle.

 

The teenagers, which were Chase Fortune, Heavy Heart, and Oboe Reed, stood together, waiting to see what the fuss was all about.  Heart and Reed both had been found hiding in an abandoned casino in the ruins of Las Pegasus, while Chase had been born into the group; his parents were counted among those who didn't make it over the years. 

 

Rocky Road had once run his own ice cream parlor in Fillydelphia; he was the one who kept the rambunctious Ever Ready amused with a game of Patty-Cake.  Ready and her parents had been found by Trivy last year - she was the filly with the missing wing.  Rocky missed his beat, and Ready giggled at him.

 

Sorrows End, a former undertaker, stood alone off to the far left side.  She was covered with puckered burn scars, the price she had paid when Crimson Darkmane had set fire to her hometown of Dodge City after they refused to submit to Sombra's reign.

 

The one in the very back was the slightly off-kilter former dishwasher, Kitchen Sink.  She'd been found wandering in Rambling Rock Ridge, completely unresponsive and mute, zoned out of reality.  Time and care had helped bring her back into this world again, but she would still randomly stare into space at times... and she still never spoke.

 

All of them survivors.  All of them tough enough to take on this world and come out the other side; maybe not whole, but alive nonetheless.  I am amazed that these ponies are still spirited enough to even want to hear me talk, after all we've been through.  But, here they are - and not a one of them holds any bad or ill will toward me... even after losing Trivy, they're still surviving, still hoping...

 

Pops raised his voice, "Well, Harcourt?  What did you need?"

 

Chase added, "Yeah, 'Cort - what's the story?"

 

Ready looked up from Patty-Cake.  "OOH!  Wait, Mister Rocky - Harcourt's gonna say somethin'!"  And, as asked, Rocky paused and gave Harcourt his full attention.

 

"Now, everypony pay attention - Harcourt?  Go ahead, dearie; we're all ears."  Brandish said with a kind smile.

 

... still listening.  Praise Luna, they're still listening.

 

He knew what to say.  It would be right, though there would be some tough love in it... but tough love was universal throughout this gathering of stars, and their sparks burned brighter than the Sun in his eyes.

 

He was ready.  He stepped in front of the group and cleared his throat.  

 

When he was done, they would understand.  He just knew it.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

@@Count Paradox,

 

Winter opened the door when she heard the sound of Psych's voice. ''It's okay, please, come in.'' She said with a smile.

 

''Is that one of your pony friends? You know I don't like it when you bring your friends over.'' A weak voice said.

 

''Yes, I know Auntie.'' Winter said with a sigh. 

 

Inside the room, a blue mare was sitting in a chair near the window. She studied Psych from afar, giving him a judgmental and distrusting look as if he had done her a personal injury. "Well I suppose he could have been worse.''

 

''Auntie!'' Winter said shocked in disbelief as she gave the mare an angry glare. She gave a heavy sigh before turning around again. ''Psych, meet my auntie Dashie. Auntie, meet Psych.''

 

---

@@Pripyat Pony, 

 

''Ha, there is no way in Tartarus I'm telling you anymore. My business is my business. I've already told you enough as it is.'' Trivy said as she turned around, facing the opposite direction. ''Besides, it's not like it's very interesting to know.'' she said looking over her shoulder. She was silent, gathering her thoughts.

 

*Trivy, remember. You have to get yourself to the dungeons.*

 

''yes, yes I know.'' she mumbled angry to herself, or so it seemed. ''Now! If you don't have anything else interesting to say, I would like to see this so called King of yours. Before I die here of boredom.''

Edited November 9, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Pucksterv, Jinx shrugged. "Well, I tried," she said. "I offered you life, and you seem determined to choose death instead. I will take you to the King if you are that keen on dying. I will leave the chains off, but don't forget that I control all the spells that keep this castle safe. If you try and escape, you won't get very far, and you will suffer worse pain than you've ever felt in your life."

 

Jinx felt angry at Trivy as she took her to the throne room. She had wanted so much to keep this mare safe, but the mare seemed as tho she wanted death. As Jinx had already asked Sombra for a rebel to test spells on, and been granted this request, she hoped that the King would allow her to keep Trivy in her apartment with Jay.

 

@@JonasDarkmane,