private U.N.D.E.R

[Akari of Duskshire 581]

@@Demirari,

 

The serpent managed to land a few more (rather weak) hits before it was finally dispelled.  Wiping sweat from her forehead, Fantasy Moon prepared to summon him once again, but her casting was cut short by something in the corner of her eye.

 

Which was all the levers being switched.  

 

Oh no... Once again, she saw the room change.  Once again, she bruised her wrists even more as the pillar she was on crumbled.  Bloodstained chunks of the pillar crumbled underneath her and she, ignoring the pain, jumped from pillar to pillar, trying not to fall.  At one point, she landed on a stable pillar and saw the water 20 ft. below.  She suddenly felt she knew what being trapped in an icy tomb is like and that feeling stopped her like an ice mage's spell.

 

Then Gentle Secret's spell was cast, and before Fantasy knew it, she, the blank book, the serpent picture, and the pillar were plummeting into the waters below.

[Your Nightly Spectre 1,061]

Dark Star, standing next to gentle for some reason would be hardly touched, glad that he wasn't having to go through any jumping with his leg. His shield would lift in the meantime due to him to being able to concentrate to keep it going.

 

As the lizard would be hit Star would feel a lot of weight drop from his mind, appearing that the "serpent" was or was almost defeated.

 

@@Akari of Duskshire,

 

The painkiller spell would wear off a bit more, more waves of headaches getting to him, but trying not to give in and still constatly eyeing where everyone on the team was he noticed Fantasy falling, giving it a second of concetration he'd just say "buck" as he'd light his horn, teleporting mid-air and getting a grasp of fantasy, teleporting seconds away before hitting the water/lava.

 

Appearing back on the nearest platform the two would have a rough landing, Stars leg injury not helping the fall as it would gush open a bit more, him hissing in pain. Now having more problems to worry about. Lying on his back very bloody tired he'd just rest, taking in not having a giant lizard able to murder him any second now. And appearing as most of the team is safe.

 

Exhausted he would just dart an eye at Fantasy, too tired to say anything he'd lean back to the floor going back to his rest.

Edited September 15, 2015 by TheLonelySpectre

[Totally Ducklett 181]

Midnight was in, to say the least, a terrible spot when the levers were activated, as she was in mid-air as the flicked the last one. So, she could do nothing as she plummeted down into the water with a splash. She used her terrifying moments falling to prepare a blink spell, which she swiftly used, but to her distress it brought her onto the side of a crumbling pillar, which she desperately held onto for its final moments to think of something fast. Midnight gazed around, and was a bit calmer once she knew her teammates were basically safe. She tried to make a platform with some debris like she had before, but a rough wave slapped her across the face and broke her concentration. Now, her hind legs were in the water. Midnight gave a quiet scream, quiet due to two things: one, she didn't want to cause any panic among her team, and two, because she knew she could respawn, though death was still unappealing.

[Your Nightly Spectre 1,061]

@@Totally Ducklett,

 

Hearing a zap of magic and rocks crumbling Stars eyes would perk up, rolling over painfully and attempting to get up in order to get a more concentrated view. Wabbling over to where he thought he heard it he saw Midnight hanging out of nowhere. Seeing she was holding her ground he'd think a bit, knowing blinking down would be impossible or else he'd fall into the water himself. Levitation would have been another way, but it would have been a lot more dangerous, if he were to break concentration, she'd be in an almost as bad position. But not knowing what else might be in that water than the occasional lava spill he was going to take the chance. 

 

Lighting up his horn once more, knowing any second his painkiller spell might end, and once that would happen he'd have no chance of holding her in place.

 

Midnight would be surrounded in Stars magical aura, feeling herself lifted up and out of the water.

 

Then, an idea hit him that he was too dumb to think of before. Levitating her up just a bit he'd simply move her over to one of the more ruined columns where a pony could grab on a lot easier until someone who wasn't about to pass out could help her. And he proceeded to do just that, moving her up until she could get a better grasp.

 

"Grab on to the column I'll move you to! And hurr-"

 

Before he could finish it, having Midnight exactly where he would want his magical aura would end, forcing her to drop, either she would be lucky and grab on, or slip and fall into the water, or maybe save herself some how.

 

Star would be hit by an enormous horn-ache. Leg pain and all his bruises and hurts from earlier would give into like they never did before, all the pain he missed earlier due to the painkilling spell spilling out and hitting him all at once. Falling to the floor in pain he'd try and keep his screams of pain in, but sometimes unable to as he'd be hit by wave of wave of extreme pain everywhere. 

Edited September 15, 2015 by TheLonelySpectre

[Guest]

"Oh goody, a water level"

 

The duo watched on as the room transformed once again, Enzo latching himself high against the wall to escape the deadly tides.

 

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a teammate plummet into the raging currents below.

 

"Another one bites the dust.."

 

"Not yet, look over there"

 

 

Midnight would be surrounded in Stars magical aura, feeling herself lifted up and out of the water. Then, an idea hit him that he was too dumb to think of before. Levitating her up just a bit he'd simply move her over to one of the more ruined columns where a pony could grab on a lot easier until someone who wasn't about to pass out could help her. And he proceeded to do just that, moving her up until she could get a better grasp. "Grab on to the column I'll move you to! And hurr-" Before he could finish it, having Midnight exactly where he would want his magical aura would end, forcing her to drop, either she would be lucky and grab on, or slip and fall into the water, or maybe save herself some how.

The stag sighed. "These guys really don't know how to play this game, do they? Just kill yourselves quickly! Better than a slow death or being incapacitated and a burden"

 

"Can't blame them, being taught that death is the end for their entire lives does leave an effect on a pony. You can save them, ya know?"

 

The stag shook his head in disbelief as he stared at Dark Star, writhing in pain on a pillar. He took a deep breath.

 

"Fine"

 

Plunging Khris into his chest and ending his life once more, the stag respawned at his spawn point once more, which was conveniently close to where Midnight was drowning.

 

Dark Star's screams of pain carried over the roaring waves once again, inciting a pang of sympathy in the stag. Enzo turned his head up at the column standing between him and dark star

 

"Forgive me."

 

Composing himself, the stag threw khris in a high arc, the tassel extending as the sword sailed through the sky, it's trajectory aiming for the platform behind the pillar, and hopefully... piercing Dark Star's heart in the process, a quick and painless death.

 

(Dark star decides whether he lives or dies, i won't say anything about whether the blade hit dark star here or not )

 

Feeling the telltale jolt of Khris impaling himself in the platform, Enzo held on tight to the end of the tassel, and took a jump.

 

He swung from the pillar, cutting short the time he would take should he have decided to swim to Midnight instead. As he approached the mare, Khris's tassel extended, letting the stag plunged into the water under the mare, allowing him to secure midnight between his back and the curved end of his antlers along with assistance from the nimble, hand-like end of Khris's tassel.

 

Letting the momentum from the swing bring him out of the water, Enzo let himself swing into the pillar, using his hooves to soften the impact. With assitance from Khris's retracting tassel, Enzo began rappeling up the wall, the surprisingly heavy mare on his back.

 

Jokingly, he commented: "Judging by your weight, i can't see why you can't just eat the lizard. Or let it eat you, it'll get a heart attack and die."

Edited September 16, 2015 by Guest

[Your Nightly Spectre 1,061]

Crawling on the floor in pain Star would simply lose his voice very quickly not having the air to shout out as he'd keep writhing on the platform.

 

Slowly losing air and having to take it he'd think of respawning for a second, but he wouldn't agree to it no matter how much. It was something against himself. If he dies here, that still means he dies. He may be rebuilt, but that would make him feel undead and not alive.

 

Rolling over in pain the sword the Stag threw earlier would hit right next to him. Eyes widening a bit he wouldn't take a second more as he'd feel his life draining away anyway, now he hardly feel anything, but knowing well that the pain was there, his mind being all light as everything around him would blur. 

 

Simply, Star would seem dead, not moving or breathing on the floor as he wouldn't even have the strength or brain power at the moment, forcing himself to pull through it, death wasn't his way to go yet.

[Totally Ducklett 181]

@,

 

"Thank youuuu!" She called to Star, as she grabbed onto the crumbling pillar.

 

@,

 

She was then grateful for Enzo carrying her, but didn't appreciate the comment. "Did you just call me fat? Hey, you're-" She suddenly paused, and stared down into the dark, murky water. "Did you hear that? I... don't think we're safe here... c-could there be... a sea monster in there?"

[Demirari 454]

The lizard moved forward, seemingly ready to leap to a nearby collection of pillars before it suddenly stopped. Its tail started waving as it shook its plates, its mouth slightly open before it immediately pulled back. It looked at the water uneasily and it glanced at its injured side before pulling back slowly. It had sensed something down there that was rapidly approaching the surface.

 

----

 

In an instant, the water exploded upwards along with pillars of lava that began splashing around the columns and floating platforms. A large sea creature had leaped into the air before crashing down again, bringing large numbers of platforms and columns down into the raging sea. The creature, returned to the safety of the waters, moved around the columns, waiting for somepony to fall or some lizard. 

 

---

 

Gentle Secret stumbled backwards, feeling the columns underneath her shaking and sliding. Looking around quickly, Gentle Secret summoned a single magic circle and quickly planned her jump onto a nearby platform as the columns she once stood on fell into the raging waters. Breathing quickly, Gentle Secret rubbed her head as she minded the lava puddles that were around her. 

 

"W-what the hell?!" Gentle Secret started as she glanced down into the waters, "we have to get out of here quickly." 

[Akari of Duskshire 581]

@,

 

(OOC:  Keep in mind, she basically just sits there in shock until Star almost gets stabbed.)

 

Fantasy Moon barely registered that she was falling before Dark Star caught her.  She landed hooves first, further injuring her legs.  She stumbled to her hooves, dazed and confused and staring at nothing while everything else was going on, before reality came back in a flash.  She saw Dark Star, very torn and tired from the ordeal.  She looked very concerned and it was as though she wanted to say something to him, but the words wouldn't come.

 

I...  I- Thanks...  Please, just hang in there...

 

Turning away, she saw that she had somehow brought the blank, battered book with her, but the serpent picture was lost.  So clenching her teeth, she bashed her hoof against the stoney platform, making the blood flow more, and she used her blood to draw another picture and add the corporeal rune.  Concentrating enough to make this conjuration the desired size, a dragon the size of a small ranch house came to life over everyone's heads before it flew down next to the group.

 

@@Demirari, 

 

For perhaps the first time in a real long while, Fantasy Moon took a deep breath and screamed,"EVERYPONY, GET ON!"

Edited September 15, 2015 by Akari of Duskshire

[Demirari 454]

Again, the sea creature leaped up from the depths below, smashing apart more and more columns apart. With each successive hit against columns, the lizard could only watch in fascinated horror as it looked around. Then, it glanced at the flying conjuration and the ponies before backing up and charging forward. Using its powerful muscles, the lizard leaped forward, colliding against one of the pillars before scrambling on top, now it was very close to the ponies.

 

----

@@Akari of Duskshire, 

 

Gentle Secret teleported once again to a nearby pillar before nodding at Fantasy Moon, "Get your dragon over here! Quickly!" 

 

----

 

"This is getting interesting!" the Narrator exclaimed in delight as he pulled a chair in front of the double doors that led to the next level, "why! Onwards!"

Edited September 16, 2015 by Demirari

[Guest]

Enzo's eyes widened in surprise as the sea leviathan leapt into the air with the grace of a cow, and smashed back into the water, bringing down several columns and jerking Khris out of his place in the platform, letting Enzo and and midnight fall into the watery depths....

---------

Khris offered no resistance to the sudden jerk, and let himself fly back up to his makeshift pulley ( the column between Enzo and Dark star)

. As he reached the edge, he let his tassel get hooked on an irregularity in the pillar cause by the monster's impact.

---------

Khris's actions prevented the stag and his quarry from falling any further and stopping the pair just just before they entered the water.

 

Letting himself hang like that for a while, he scanned the room for his options once more. Noticing the pillars of lava, the Stag broke into a wide grin. 'Lava, one of the most powerful sources of natural magic, bringing power from the very core of the planet'

 

Enzo was jolted out of his reverie as the sea monster slammed into his pillar, bringing The duo flying through the air. Securing midnight to his back with his magic, Enzo retracted Khris and threw him into one of the few platforms left standing, selecting the one closest to lava. His aim flew true, stabbing Khris into the platform. As his tassel retracted, the duo was pulled into the platform. Setting midnight down next to him, Enzo told her: " protect me "

 

Turning to the glowing lava, the stag laughed heartily as his antlers glowed with power.

 

" time for some REAL magic "

 

Grinning all the while, the stag began to siphon magic from the lava

[Totally Ducklett 181]

@,

 

Enzo would feel Midnight cling tightly to him as they fell, but she stayed brave and didn't scream. He could hear her horn charging a spell right before he brought them to the platform, then it would stop as they reached it.

 

"Protect you? On it!" A magic shield appeared around them, as she looked over at what he was doing. Midnight then raised an eyebrow. "You're just showing off now. I can probably just blink us over there, if you'd like... or we can do whatever you're doing. I mean, it seems cool, but, uhhhh..." She pointed down into the water. "Time isn't really on our side here..."

[Akari of Duskshire 581]

@@Demirari,@,

 

Fantasy Moon nodded back at Gentle Secret, making the dragon fly between so they could all get on.  She looked back at Dark Star and didn't hesitate to haul him onto the dragon before she herself got on.  If you're going to die and respawn, it won't be here.  

 

@,@@Totally Ducklett, 

 

As she waited for Gentle Secret to get on, she saw in the corner of her eye Enzo preparing a powerful-looking spell and Midnight just nearby.  Remembering how a spell shattered the pillar she was standing on and nearly lead to her falling into the fiery waters below, she began to look very worried.  Sure, it was very clear now that no one can truly die here, but she preferred to keep the deaths to a minimum.  

Edited September 16, 2015 by Akari of Duskshire

[Your Nightly Spectre 1,061]

@@Akari of Duskshire,

 

Slowly, Dark Stars mind came back to him as he'd feel the air rushing through as he'd be on a dragon. Lightly rubbing his head with great hardships as he could hardly feel any strength he'd realize the pain was over, his torment no longer. Grabbing on to the beast he'd turn back at Fantasy, trying to regain his strength. He gave a thought if maybe he died, but from the looks of it would he be feeling like this if he didn't? 

 

"T-thanks." He'd manage to stubble out, still in a bit of an after-shock from what happened. He was very very thankful, but knew not what to say at the moment. 

 

@,@@Totally Ducklett,

Looking down Star would spot the stag siphoning magic next to Midnight, looking like they are safe and sound... did they respond? Did Midnight grab on when he lost control? He had no clue, but those were questions for another time. Even tho he was mostly knocked out a small memory of what awaited in the water got to him. Then, he spotted the lizard geting closer. 

"Enzo! Midnight! Aim for the platform the Lizard is on!" He'd try and point at the huge lizard very close to them, hoping they get the plan of feeding the lizard to the leviathan. 

 

@@Akari of Duskshire,

Turning back to Fantasy, knowing he can't do anything Star would ask something that just went over his head. "How long was I out for?"  

[Demirari 454]

@,

 

Gentle Secret quickly climbed aboard as the sea monster leaped up again, smashing apart the column she was just previously on. Making herself comfortable, she looked at the murky waters with fear. That creature, without a single trace some ancient beast long gone extinct. Estimating the size, it was at least five times larger than the lizard.

 

There seemed to be a pattern forming. The sea monster will leap up to snatch at something every two minutes. So, Gentle Secret deduced that they have two minutes and then some to perform some action without the risk of becoming the thing's food. If they are careful enough, the seven should be able to knock down the columns around the lizard, prevent it from reallocating. 

 

----

 

The lizard continued to leap its way forward, avoiding the ever so often leaps of the giant sea monster. It knew its time was running low, but it did not mean it was simply going to accept its fate. Oh no, the lizard was going to bring those ponies down with it. With a loud roar, the lizard spitted acidic liquid at the dragon and the ponies.

Edited September 16, 2015 by Demirari

[Guest]

"Awww yisss.. Power flows through me..."

 

The stag's voice took on a lustful tone as it became slighly deeper and produced an echo ( similar to the royal canterlot voice ) as he sucked up the magic from the lava. He opened his eyes, revealing blue pupils which were now glowing with power. The runes on his horn were painfully bright to look at.

 

"And with great power..."

 

He turned his attention to the giant lizard, spitting acid at his companions. The stag rose into the air as the wind whipped around him, the very elements bowing to his power, blue, etheral and oversized wings forming behind him. 

 

"Comes great POSSIBILITIES"

 

He brought the wings forward in a mighty flap, launching a huge gale force of magical winds and hot, unstable mana aimed at the monster and the acidic spit, the strong gusts bent on vaporizing the liquid projectiles.

 

Remembering the sea monster, Enzo formed a floating bright ball of raw, combustive and unstable mana over the waters. ( IT LOOKS LIKE A SPIRIT BOMB ).After a thought, he lobbed a chunk of rock from a pillar into the area below the mana bomb with his telekinesis, causing the pillar to fall in the process.

 

"Dinner time"

[Your Nightly Spectre 1,061]

@@Demirari, @@Akari of Duskshire,

 

Seeing the acid, and almost not able to do anything Star would do the only thing he could... quickly taking control of the dragon he'd turn it stomach towards the acid, covering the others from the spit but sacrificing the beast in the mean-time, tumbling down he'd take several seconds to concentrate, teleporting the 3 as far as he could despite his magic still being weak and unready. The dangerous blink once more giving him a light headche due to magic exhaustment and using magic with an almost depleted pool of it, but letting the others crash land anyway.

 

"Things need to bucking stop going wrong!"

Edited September 16, 2015 by TheLonelySpectre

[Akari of Duskshire 581]

@,@@Demirari,

 

Confirming that that the two were on, Fantasy Moon tried to move the dragon, but then she saw the glowing beast go from denim blue to lavender and suddenly, her control over it was lost.  The action stunned her, not just because it was so sudden, but because to her (and only her, I might add), the aura appeared red for a second when it changed.  

 

IT'S WHAT I DESERVE!!!  The memory flashed before her before she regained her composure fast enough to grab the book before they got teleported and fell none too gracefully onto another platform.  She quickly got up despite the pain, taking a few seconds to survey the area.  You...  What... what were you thinking?!  Many similar thoughts ran through her head, her eyes narrowing, but she didn't allow them to come to the surface, instead turning her focus toward Enzo and Midnight, summoning the dragon once again, and motioned for the two to get on as well.

[Your Nightly Spectre 1,061]

@@Akari of Duskshire,

 

Without much word, sensing Fantasy having some sort of struggle Star would wabble back on the Dragon, his horn ready to be lit up any second. 

"Okay, not sure what plan we got going, but if it tries it again I'll put a shield around us, and pray to Celestia it will stop the acid. " 

Observing the lizard and its surroundings Spec would try and make a plan. 

"I can think of several ways I could get closer to ending it, but I can't cast any more powerful spells anytime soon, rendering most of my good  ideas useless. "

[Demirari 454]

The sea monster dived deeper than usual before swimming forward at top speeds. Lava dripped downwards as it exploded upwards, its mighty jaws unhinging to their fullest extent. Leaping higher than usual, the sea monster smashed into pillars as it struggled to grab a hold of the lizard before splashing down into the waters again. During its greatest leap so far yet, the sea monster had managed to clip the pillars the lizard was standing upon.

 

----

 

The lizard was pushed by a meter two meters as it growled, its acidic content being returned. Moving forward again, it looked around before backing up a little. It knew its time was over when it saw the lack of any pillars nearby that it could reach for. Swishing its tail again, the lizard glanced at the ponies before emitting a sound. It was no attack, instead, it was a suicide rush as it waited for the sea monster to attack again.

 

Watching as the sea monster leap into the air, ready to smash apart the pillars that the lizard was standing upon, the lizard made its move. Using the opening presented, the lizard leaped onto the sea monster before sinking its spikes that donned on its tail repeatedly. The last sight anyone saw was the lizard struggling against the sea monster, still using its most powerful weapon, tearing into the skin and flesh.

[Akari of Duskshire 581]

@@Demirari,

 

Fantasy Moon watched, entranced as the sea monster dragged the lizard down to the volcanic waters below.  It seemed almost surreal, like the pictures of war she would draw and animate.  For a moment, she stood there with more doubt than triumph on her face, her eyes looking to the door marked "II".  Just the first level.  This is just the first level.  How much longer until we can go home?  Will we ever get home?

 

...I miss you all...

 

She felt like crying, but she shoved away that desire and looked to Gentle Secret, waiting for her to get on so she could get Enzo and Midnight.

[Your Nightly Spectre 1,061]

@@Demirari,
@@Akari of Duskshire,

@@Totally Ducklett,

 

"This was the bloody first level..." Taking a glimpse into the water where nothing remained of the one foe that brought so much trouble to them. Worst part was all they needed to win was press those damn levers and let the action unfurl...

 

First level... first level... that was the first level... how long will this take? Is it possible the narrator was lying to simply give us motivation and there is really no way out?... Would it matter, do I have anyone to miss me up above?

 

Now Star felt something he hasn't felt in a long time, he felt empty.. he didn't know what to think or do, there was no more strategy or schedule he'd follow.. to him this felt more like fate, will the team be lucky in completing a task?

 

Then, another thought rushed his head as he looked around at his team mates, but mostly at the unicorns, not the stag who by now he wasn't at all very fond of.

Edited September 17, 2015 by TheLonelySpectre

[Totally Ducklett 181]

Midnight watched in awe as the lizard lived its last moments. She stared at the spot where the monster disappeared under the water for a little while, before shaking her head slowly. Midnight was thinking the same "this is only the first level" thing as her teammates, but it would be almost impossible to tell. She was very skilled at keeping negative feelings to herself. Midnight looked around at everypony, doing a quick head-count. Once she was confident they hadn't lost anypong (or stag/llama), she sighed a little and sub-conciously nuzzled into Enzo's mane. "Just let it happen."

[Demirari 454]

The double-door that led to the second level swung open, revealing a small hallway that was ridiculously disproportional. Brightly lit, the hallway seemed to be made of advanced material far different compared to the stone blocks that made up the majority of Level I's room. Large enough, the hallway allowed three ponies to walk side-by-side without difficulty, but small enough that one would have to question why there was such a large pair of doors leading to such a small hallway.

 

The Narrator landed on a pillar with grace before bowing, "Congratulations! I'm amazed you all managed to come this far in this sort amount of time! Truly amazing." The Narrator dumped his half-empty cup of soda into the raging waters below, "Come along ponies. It is time for the second level. It'll," the Narrator waved his hoof in the air lazily, trying to think of a word, "ah! Yes! It'll be an exhilarating experience."

 

With that, the Narrator hopped away, landing on invisible platforms.

 

----

 

Gentle Secret cocked her head, "what?" She was already on the dragon, but maybe Fantasy Moon wanted something else?

[Guest]

 

 

Once she was confident they hadn't lost anypong (or stag/llama), she sighed a little and sub-conciously nuzzled into Enzo's mane. "Just let it happen."

 

 

The stag froze as he felt the mare nuzzle his mane, breaking his concentration and letting his newly aquired magic leave him, some fatigue setting in. 

 

"Did she just..."

 

"oooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

 

 

 

The double-door that led to the second level swung open, revealing a small hallway that was ridiculously disproportional. Brightly lit, the hallway seemed to be made of advanced material far different compared to the stone blocks that made up the majority of Level I's room. Large enough, the hallway allowed three ponies to walk side-by-side without difficulty, but small enough that one would have to question why there was such a large pair of doors leading to such a small hallway.   The Narrator landed on a pillar with grace before bowing, "Congratulations! I'm amazed you all managed to come this far in this sort amount of time! Truly amazing." The Narrator dumped his half-empty cup of soda into the raging waters below, "Come along ponies. It is time for the second level. It'll," the Narrator waved his hoof in the air lazily, trying to think of a word, "ah! Yes! It'll be an exhilarating experience."

 

Happy to change the subject, the stag directed midnight's and Khris's attention to the newly opened doorway.

 

"Hey look guys, we beat the tutorial!"

 

The stag let out a weak and nervous cheer, unused to controlling of such a large amount of magic at the same. Choosing to grab khris with his hooves, he waved the sword in the air, trying to grab Fantasy Moon's attention. Khris ignited himself to aid Enzo in his efforts. 

.

.

.

.

( you know the guy that stands in front of planes wielding those short lightsaber dagger things? yeah that's what Enzo looks like now )