open Bangcolt Arena! (Fighting/Sol) -RP-

[Fractured 2,684]

@The Down Trotten, @Star Saber

Celestia could see the bullets coming closer to her as she approached, spinning slowly and letting off small wisps as they moved closer to her. She just couldn't avoid them. The shots made a whistling sound as they passed through both of her wings, grazing the edge of one and exiting clean through the middle of the other with a sound like shattering bones. Celestia eyes went wide at the noise and the pain, and she dropped roughly to the ground in front of Calibur. She struggled to stand up for a moment, before simply falling forward silently,. Behind Rhetoric, Trixie gasped in horror as she stepped back slightly; she hadn't expected any of this to happen. Especially now.

 

"Calibur." Sunset Shimmer had seen everything. She breathed heavily next to the Earth pony, eyes closed and wet with tears as she tried to block it out. With a stifled sob, she walked out in front of Calibur, until she was standing between him and Celestia, and looked up, directly into his eyes.

 

"Calibur, I know this isn't you; it's the darkness inside you." She took a step closer to him, and the guns he was carrying. "I don't want to hurt you, but, while i'm around, no one else is getting hurt, either. So, if you want to shoot someone...it'll have to be me."

 

-------

 

 

After passing out, Diamond Tiara had finally made it to her room, and now lay in her humongous king-sized bed, opposite Silver Spoon's. But while her best friends rested peacefully, still warm after their happy reunion, Diamond Tiara sat up in her bed, staring silently at the ceiling.

 

"None of that could've been real," she muttered distantly to herself. "I know who my mom is. Her name is Spoiled Rich, and she works at the Ponyville Schoolboard. And, there aren't any mental institutes in Ponyville anyway, just hospitals. And I don't even know who Screwball is!" She stared up at the ceiling silently for another half-hour, before she shook her head silently.

 

"Am I losing it? I need to take a walk." She moved silently so as not to disturb Silver Spoon, but she worked quickly. In less than five minutes, she had packed all of her essentials into her saddlebag, and began to head towards Bangcolt's mall.

 

----------

 

@Tacoma, @Unicorncob

Lyra talked as she moved toward the door. She did so quickly; she had no idea how long Rarity would be gone, or when she'd be back, and she had already moved past the "private time" that had Rarity had set aside for her once every day when she could practice. Rarity hated the loud noises with a passion; it was one more regret that Lyra had to put on her already heavy shoulders.

 

"Outside of looking for work, i've really just been practicing," she explained as she opened the door for Bon-Bon and Minuette. "Music is my passion, and i'm following it. No matter where it takes me." She didn't look back at them, but her determined expression was harder than steel; she would never go back on what she said.

Edited October 24, 2015 by Fractured

[J.R. 3,183]

@@Fractured,

Ice was also on his way to the mall, when suddenly, his music player stopped working, "I'mma try it out. I'mma try it-- What? Aw come on! This thing is worthless. I need the newer model."

 

He walked into the mall, and stood there in awe. His eyes were wider than giant bowls as he stood there, looking at everything, and everypony, walking around, overlapping conversations, and little foals running in the open passages of the mall. Ice was stuck there, just...in amazement.

 

"Woahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh................................" he muttered with his jaw open, still standing there. If someone he knew entered behind him, they'd easily see him.

 

(Entrance is on an upper level, and this is what it looks like from Ice's POV:

[The Down Trotten 300]

Star Saber

@@Fractured,

 

Rhetoric winced at the sound of the breaking of bone. It made his stomach learch. There wasn't anything he could do... He could only hope that Sunset knew what she was doing. he glanced back at Trixie, he didn't want to lose her too... 

 

Chrysalis twitched at the sight of the fallen Princess. Without realizing what she was doing she swooped over and began inspecting her wounds. She softly cursed, she had never been very good with healing magic. "Celestia, if you can hear me, I need to barrow some of your power... We need you to finish this mission" she was speaking the truth as far as she knew. I swear, if that stallion doesn't snap out of it, I'm going to kill him, wasting to much time, taking to many casualties... It was a grim decision but one she was quite willing to make 

Edited October 25, 2015 by The Down Trotten

[Fractured 2,684]

@J.R.

Diamond Tiara arrived at the mall after a few minutes, quickly getting lost in the large group of ponies that were gathering outside and headed in. She looked small standing next to them, but she wasn't fazed in the slightest; shopping centers had been her element for years now. She moved towards the entrance of the building confidently, only to stop when she saw a familiar face.

 

She looked at Ice Blizzard, and her expression dropped. In a city as big as Bangcolt, she hadn't been expecting to see him again. Or, secretly, had been hoping that she wouldn't; she didn't know the first thing she would say to him after what had happened on the top floor of her office. So, keeping herself low and hopefully hidden among the crowd, she slowly slinked forward past him, and into the mall.

[J.R. 3,183]

@@Fractured,

Ice was ready to start walking. By now, he was already done with being in shock, until he saw a familiar looking color. It was pink. He thought he had seen a flash of a pink filly he had seen before. He closed his eyes, and reopened them, to se she wasn't there. Either that, or lost among the crowd, "Was that? Nah. Couldn't be. I gotta get to the music store."

 

He was so in awe, that he didn't even care to get a map. He simply walked forward, hopefully to find the music store, "Gotta replace this thing. It's old as hell. I wonder if that pink was something...nah. Now where's the music store....?"

[AmberDust 1,118]

 

 

Erroria tilted her head up in uncertainty. A good magic suppressor , anything above what was for beginning foals, was incredibly expensive. But, the mare was so pretty...   "It's only five bits,"she said to the mare with a smile.

 

"Only five bits?" Amber echoed, looking rather shocked. She could have sworn that magic relics were more expensive than that. Maybe this one's defective, she thought, raising an eyebrow at the ring she held before her. It looks perfectly fine, though...

 

 

 

 "Uh, I think there's some kind of training place around here somewhere..." she said, leaving briefly, and coming back with a map.   "Here you go!" She said with a smile, holding the map in front of the mare. While she did so, she turned slightly on her cloud, and smiled happily at the stallion as well. "Soul jars cost 70 bits each, if you want one."

 

"Oh, no thanks, I've already got a map," Amber said politely, shaking her hoof. She floated the map back over to the filly with a wave of orange magic.

"The training grounds were completely deserted when I got there, though. I have no idea what to do." She said, and placed the magic suppressor on the counter as she dug through her saddlebag. The mare sighed.

"On top of that, I get the feeling I'm the weakest pony in all of Bangcolt..." she added sourly.

"Five bits, you said...?" She asked again, skeptical.

[Vae Victis 742]

Tyra kept uncharacteristically quiet during the confrontation between Viruden and Galtos, not wanting to get involved between the two deities and find herself damned somehow.

As brash as she was, that might be too far.

 

But it was clear the two knew each other.

 

She listened to Galtos's offer, and upon seeing Lorec's amusing reaction upon hearing he was getting a gift, she grinned up at the Stormbringer.

"I can stay for a little longer," she answered, beaming, "I would like to see what this gift is myself!"

Galtos, nodding at her, spoke in an eager voice, putting his arms behind his back and turning away from them.

 

 "One moment. This shall not take too long."

 

Upon doing so, the pale Minotaur went completely silent, and his head dropped, as if unconscious. Lorec would only look to him with wonder in his eyes, eagerly awaiting whatever 'gift' that his beloved hero of yore was about to bestow to him.

 

__________

In the waking realm, in a place all but hidden from the eyes of the world....

 

The pale Minotaur snapped out of his dreamlike trance. He awakened to find himself in an area all too familiar to himself. It was a proving ground, not so different from what one would describe as an ancient Romane empire-type Colosseum. Encircled within a dusty abode by the great stone walls of this hallowed place, Galtos immediately sees images flash through his head, as his history is as extensive as the grand arena. So many training sessions had taken place. So many Saduarian brawls. So many honor duels and tournaments to scout out warriors that were great, or at least, held a lot of potential, so that they may be called to defend the city, if need be. And finally, the place where many had attempted to take his title, that he offered up as a way to potentially find a half-decent fight. But, there was no one in this hidden city that could do so, save for only two others of the governing group that he belonged to. His king, and that sniveling, self-righteous bird who thought himself too holy to indulge in the pleasures of the flesh and drink.

 

But now was not the time for dwelling in the time of memories past. The proud Saduarian turned around to face a group of about a hundred fellow Minotaurs, all wearing the badge of honor that was the Golden Horn crest on their persons. All of them, worthy combatants, deserving of god Yuulver's praise. For they had already fallen once in battle. However, their souls were yet unwilling to pass on to the other side, and yearned to live on. But in this world, almost completely devoid of second chances, that would seem nigh impossible, had it not been for Galtos's lord. Having sought out their restless spirits, the ruler of this hidden city brought them there, and provided for them, the gift of a physical presence once again through forbidden sorcery that had been refined with an untold amount of time, trial and error, and scientific exploration that extended way past the threshold of taboo.

 

But was such taboo truly evil... When such methods could be used for good? 

 

Two Minotaurs stood at the forefront of the hundred warriors. One was female, battle-scarred, yet fair in appearence, and would have earned the wandering eye of many a suitor. The other was a tall, muscular male, obviously bred for war and sired from a giant. Even still, he shared some features with the female. Being that he appeared as though he were in his early twenties, and she in her mid-forties, one could denote that they were mother and son. All of them were wearing casual, rough-spun tunics and trousers, typical of Saduarians on an off day. 

 

Speaking in a soft tone, the stormbringer would inquiry into the pair.

 

"It is time. Everyone who wishes to see them is gathered, then?"

 

The female Minotaur, with a voice that seemed as though it could soothe any beast and lull it back to sleep, spoke back to him, in a tone that suggested an eagerness. Her face gave way to impatience, as she was ready to finally meet that mighty beast whom she had sung for once before.

 

"We are ready. Please, take us to them."

 

" Very well.... Everyone! join hands, and hooves, at once! I shall take you all to the realm where your beloved brother-in-arms, and pride of the Golden Horns is now!"

 

Following his command, the two in front fell back into what was a long, singular line of comrades. Some were minotaur, others, saddle arabian. But all were brothers, sisters, friends, family, and beloved. When all had joined, the dark-armored pale rider marched to meet the Taurette as she stood with her allies.

 

"So... sure you don't want to..."

 

" You may be considered a god of conflict, Galtos Fyuuln... But even I am not above slapping one of Saduaris's most venerated for trying to make an unwanted advance."

 

"Well, I tried... Loyal and beautiful... Damn that Lorec, he certainly does have a good taste in females. Alright, Are you ready?"

 

The female Minotaur nodded, and readied herself. Galtos then reached for her shoulder, and rested his palm upon it. Almost instantly, he, along with all others, fell into a trance-like state, and their heads dropped, as if to suggest a standing sleep...

________

Back in the realm of dreams...

 

Galtos's head rose back upward, and he turned to face Lorec and Tyra once more.

 

"Follow me over the hill. The gift is waiting for you there."

 

Galtos began to traverse over the hill upon which he had stood, and reached the apex not soon afterwards. Lorec, eagerly following, ascended not to long afterwards. Standing at the top and and viewing whatever was below from on high, Lorec's sense of excitement was overcome by a gait of disbelief, as his arms dangled to his sides almost lifelessly, like he could not move them at all. He spoke, not able to believe what he was seeing.

 

"...This isn't real..."

 

​Galtos, in a gesture of camaraderie for his fellow Golden Horn, wrapped his arm over Lorec's shoulder, and assured him of what he deemed impossible to fathom.

 

"You may be in the realm of dreams, boy, But they are who you think they are. I brought them here for you. And they have been waiting two years for this. Are you really going to keep them waiting any longer? Get down there!"

 

Silently nodding at Galtos's command, Lorec began to descend slowly down the hill, rendered almost dumbstruck by what he was seeing. Was the gift that the Stormbringer was giving him that great in scale and value?

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

 

@@J.R. 

 

Kazas responded to Vera's calls, trotting to her standing position at a turtle-like pace. Still using the sword as a makeshift walking stick, he was starting to feel at least a tad bit better. Looking over her shoulder and at the map that she posessed, Kazas would scan it along with her, wondering if she had found a suitable place at which to dine.

 

" Yes Vera? Did you find a location that you wish to visit?" 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 28, 2015 by Guts

[Unicorncob 5,690]

Galtos, nodding at her, spoke in an eager voice, putting his arms behind his back and turning away from them.

 

 "One moment. This shall not take too long."

 

Upon doing so, the pale Minotaur went completely silent, and his head dropped, as if unconscious. Lorec would only look to him with wonder in his eyes, eagerly awaiting whatever 'gift' that his beloved hero of yore was about to bestow to him.

 

__________

 

Galtos's head rose back upward, and he turned to face Lorec and Tyra once more.

 

"Follow me over the hill. The gift is waiting for you there."

 

Galtos began to traverse over the hill upon which he had stood, and reached the apex not soon afterwards. Lorec, eagerly following, ascended not to long afterwards. Standing at the top and and viewing whatever was below from on high, Lorec's sense of excitement was overcome by a gait of disbelief, as his arms dangled to his sides almost lifelessly, like he could not move them at all. He spoke, not able to believe what he was seeing.

 

"...This isn't real..."

 

​Galtos, in a gesture of camaraderie for his fellow Golden Horn, wrapped his arm over Lorec's shoulder, and assured him of what he deemed impossible to fathom.

 

"You may be in the realm of dreams, boy, But they are who you think they are. I brought them here for you. And they have been waiting two years for this. Are you really going to keep them waiting any longer? Get down there!"

 

Silently nodding at Galtos's command, Lorec began to descend slowly down the hill, rendered almost dumbstruck by what he was seeing. Was the gift that the Stormbringer was giving him that great in scale and value?

 

Tyra sat on the ground and watched as this strange ritual took place. She had no idea what was to come, but she would be ready to face it.

However...nothing came. Lorec seemed to just stand there and..fall asleep?

"How do you fall asleep within a dream?" She muttered.

 

After a while, she perked up as Lorec came to, and she trotted after him as she went down the hill.

"What happened to you just there?" She inquired.

[J.R. 3,183]

 

 

Kazas responded to Vera's calls, trotting to her standing position at a turtle-like pace. Still using the sword as a makeshift walking stick, he was starting to feel at least a tad bit better. Looking over her shoulder and at the map that she posessed, Kazas would scan it along with her, wondering if she had found a suitable place at which to dine. " Yes Vera? Did you find a location that you wish to visit?"

 

Vera nodded, and pointed a hoof in the direction of the resturant, "It's just down the block. According to the map the place does serve snake to griffon's and it's popular."

 

She then looked him over, "Wanna fly over there? You seem to be walking a bit off," she asked with a look of concern upon her face.

[Literally Snails 2,307]

@@Unicorncob,

 

There was the sound of a few more strikes, then silence. Feather Weave stepped into view from the darkness. For some reason, Jade already knew he won before she saw him. His sword looked damaged. The top five percent of its length had broken off.

 

"Flash is fine. Don't worry." Feather whispered to Jade. He seemed exhausted.

[Star Saber 114]

@@Fractured, @@The Down Trotten,

 

“Out of the way Sunset.” Calibur grit his teeth and rose his revolvers. Aiming them at the mare in his way. They shook in the air as Calibur looked to be struggling with himself. The revolvers went off, but their shots hit the ground in front of Sunset as Calibur collapsed his knees, once again clutching his head. “I don’t… want… to… hurt… you. P-Please… stop... me. I can’t… hold on...”

[Unicorncob 5,690]

There was the sound of a few more strikes, then silence. Feather Weave stepped into view from the darkness. For some reason, Jade already knew he won before she saw him. His sword looked damaged. The top five percent of its length had broken off.

 

"Flash is fine. Don't worry." Feather whispered to Jade. He seemed exhausted.

 

Jade tensed up when silence took over the air. She had a feeling Feather had won, but she could not be sure. It was too dark,

She smiled as the stallion emerged, seeing he was okay.

 

"Oh, good," she sighed in relief, then looked at his sword, "I knew you could do it! Though, your sword looks damaged."

[Fractured 2,684]

Diamond Tiara had just truly entered into the heart of the mall. She was slightly taken aback; she hadn't expected it to be quite this big. She had gone to many big shopping centers before in Manehatten, to be sure, but it was always a shock to find herself in a new one, especially one in an otherwise uneventful place like Bangcolt. The bright lights and hustle and bustle helped her relax quickly, though, and she focused on where she wanted to be; the music shop.

 

She arrived there within minutes after checking the maps that were helpfully strewn all over the walls of the mall. Once there, she headed immediately for the rap section; Ponilla Ice had always been a big favorite of hers.

 

--------

 

@Star Saber, @The Down Trotten

Sunset Shimmer jumped back slightly as the bullets went off, but she didn't flee like her body desperately wanted to. Instead, she took a gamble; she stepped even closer to Calibur, to where his forehead almost touched hers, and she could feel his breath on the back of her neck. She looked directly at him, and sighed.

 

"Yes you can. Calibur, look me in the eyes. Tell me what you think of me; how you hate me, how you want me gone, how you wish I was dead. Tell me that you can really look at me, and fire those guns, and kill me... and i'll stop you." she whispered softly.

 

-------

 

@AmberDust

The filly smiled nonchalantly back at the mare. "Just the five," she chirped , completely aware that it was ludicrously expensive. The mare just looked so in over her head to the filly that she felt that she needed somepony to help her out, or she'd die here. Also, that smile...

 

"And, I thought I saw someone at the training grounds earlier today..." she trailed off, tilting her head up with a hoof. "Try going back; you might find something," she said, looking back down at her with another smile.

[J.R. 3,183]

@@Fractured,

Ice was mamzed by everythhing in the huge building. So much so, that he got lost, and remembered where he was, only over the course of several minutes. Luckily, he managed to find the music store relatively easiler. Seemed to be obvious with the musical note sign outside.

 

Ice made a beeline for the techo/synth section. It featured not only techno songs, but also techological remixes of popular songs. It ws also, right across the room from the rap section. Ice was now looking through the shelves for music, "Eminem remixes, Ice Cube remixes....ooh! Mac-One-Zero remixes! Score!"

[AmberDust 1,118]

Diamond Tiara had just truly entered into the heart of the mall. She was slightly taken aback; she hadn't expected it to be quite this big. She had gone to many big shopping centers before in Manehatten, to be sure, but it was always a shock to find herself in a new one, especially one in an otherwise uneventful place like Bangcolt. The bright lights and hustle and bustle helped her relax quickly, though, and she focused on where she wanted to be; the music shop.

 

She arrived there within minutes after checking the maps that were helpfully strewn all over the walls of the mall. Once there, she headed immediately for the rap section; Ponilla Ice had always been a big favorite of hers.

 

--------

 

@Star Saber, @The Down Trotten

Sunset Shimmer jumped back slightly as the bullets went off, but she didn't flee like her body desperately wanted to. Instead, she took a gamble; she stepped even closer to Calibur, to where his forehead almost touched hers, and she could feel his breath on the back of her neck. She looked directly at him, and sighed.

 

"Yes you can. Calibur, look me in the eyes. Tell me what you think of me; how you hate me, how you want me gone, how you wish I was dead. Tell me that you can really look at me, and fire those guns, and kill me... and i'll stop you." she whispered softly.

 

-------

 

@AmberDust

The filly smiled nonchalantly back at the mare. "Just the five," she chirped , completely aware that it was ludicrously expensive. The mare just looked so in over her head to the filly that she felt that she needed somepony to help her out, or she'd die here. Also, that smile...

 

"And, I thought I saw someone at the training grounds earlier today..." she trailed off, tilting her head up with a hoof. "Try going back; you might find something," she said, looking back down at her with another smile.

Amber floated five gold bits over to the filly.

"Thanks, she said with a smile, rather certain now that she was getting special treatment. She bowed her head slightly.

"I really appreciate it. And I guess I could try going over to the training grounds again...if you think somepony will be there. It's worth a shot." She placed the magic suppressor carefully into her saddlebag, then looked back up to the shopkeeper.

"Thanks again, for everything," the mare said, flashing a smile. "Hopefully I'll see you around! And with that she trotted out the door, and back towards the training grounds.

 

Amber approached the door hesitantly, thinking of what she was getting into. She took a deep breath, and hoped things would go better this time...

 

She knocked.

[Literally Snails 2,307]

Jade tensed up when silence took over the air. She had a feeling Feather had won, but she could not be sure. It was too dark,

She smiled as the stallion emerged, seeing he was okay.

 

"Oh, good," she sighed in relief, then looked at his sword, "I knew you could do it! Though, your sword looks damaged."

(Sorry. College is butts.)

 

"Yes, I'll have to fix it after I've won." Feather said, smiling at Jade after he looked at the sword. His expression quickly hardened. "Three suspects left. If any of the others were the creature, it would have transformed before it lost."

 

"If you're done talking..." The treasure hunter, Chisel said, standing behind Jade. He was either awkward or trying to intimidate her. Though he didn't have the kind of voice that one would find intimidating. He had too filled saddle bags on his back that looked like they'd be very cumbersome if he was taking them into the fight. "Jade, I'd like to begin."

[Unicorncob 5,690]

"Yes, I'll have to fix it after I've won." Feather said, smiling at Jade after he looked at the sword. His expression quickly hardened. "Three suspects left. If any of the others were the creature, it would have transformed before it lost."

 

Jade nodded, finding sense in Feather's deduction.

"Yes, it's down to these three," she agreed, then smirked, "yes, you keep thinking that you'll win."

 

 

"If you're done talking..." The treasure hunter, Chisel said, standing behind Jade. He was either awkward or trying to intimidate her. Though he didn't have the kind of voice that one would find intimidating. He had too filled saddle bags on his back that looked like they'd be very cumbersome if he was taking them into the fight. "Jade, I'd like to begin."

 

She turned around upon hearing the voice and was met by Chisel. Taking note of his physical form and his large saddlebags, she was not sure if he would prove too big a challenge. Nonetheless, she nodded.

"Very well," she agreed, "after you."

[Literally Snails 2,307]

@@Unicorncob,

 

Chisel tossed aside one of the saddlebags but kept the other with him as he started to enter the pitch black fighting area. The bag made a metallic rustling sound as it hit the floor, but he seemed confident that no one would touch it while he was gone. As the two got to where they would be fighting, no longer able to see each other, Jade heard a series of quick rustling and metallic clicks.

[Star Saber 114]

@@Fractured, @@The Down Trotten,

 

Still clutching his head and shaking, Calibur weakly looked up into Sunset’s eyes. A pained expression plastered on his face. Revolvers still shaking, he slowly lowered them to the ground. “...I’m not a good pony Sunset…”

 

‘Accept the Truth.’

 

“I’ve hurt others, I’ve taken lives… Lied to myself, told it was for the greater good; but it was just for vengeance.”

 

‘Yes…’

 

“But… I don’t know why, but when I met you… helped you find the Princess. That one act made me feel better and more fulfilled than I had ever felt before in my life…”

 

‘Wait.’

 

Tears started to stream down Calibur’s face; “And for the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe… I didn’t have to be that pony anymore.”

 

‘STOP!’

 

“I can’t… I could never hurt you. The last thing I’d want is for you to leave…”

 

‘You don’t deserve this, you’re a monster! Just accept it and be what you are!’ The darkness inside Calibur screamed, desperately trying to claw it’s way back in control. The dark aura around Calibur seemed to seize and writhe.

“I don’t hate you… even though we’ve only met. I feel like I need to help you. I want to protect you. It’s the reason I’m here in this horrible place… You actually… make me feel… like a pony.”

[Unicorncob 5,690]

Chisel tossed aside one of the saddlebags but kept the other with him as he started to enter the pitch black fighting area. The bag made a metallic rustling sound as it hit the floor, but he seemed confident that no one would touch it while he was gone. As the two got to where they would be fighting, no longer able to see each other, Jade heard a series of quick rustling and metallic clicks.

 

Jade followed Chisel into the dark tunnel, losing his sight in the blackness. Her ears perked up to attention, to listen for Chisel's hoofsteps. Nothing so far.

 

Her ears twitched as the sound of rustling and metallic clicks sounded. Those leg attachments she saw before, she guessed.

 

She lowered herself down, preparing to leap up in case of a sneak attack.

[Fractured 2,684]

@AmberDust

Click sank another arrow into the bullseye of the moving target. She'd been keeping up with for thirty minutes now, and she was enjoying herself; for the first time in a while, there was no one around, so she could actually move around as a changeling unseen. Although, as she fired another shot and planted it right above the former one, she realized that she wasn't quite sure how she felt about that. Her pony form had become somewhat of another "real" her, a second life that everypony that she knew acknowledged her by. And the thought that she was so eager to go back the moment that she got a chance to left her full of unease.

 

She nocked another arrow and prepared to fire it, when a knock at the door broke into her thoughts. She changed forms almost as an automatic response, shifting back into the second persona of a brown bodied pegasus, and slung the bow onto her back when she finished. She walked over and answered the door, giving the stranger on the other end a small smile when she saw her.

 

"Hi, i'm Rain Shadow."

 

-------

 

@Star Saber, @The Down Trotten

"Then protect me. Protect us. I know more about darkness than anyone, Calibur. Which is why I also know that there's a way out. There's always a way out. Just some of us need help from others to find the way."

 

She paused in front of him, and closed her eyes. Her horn glowed softly in the darkness, illuminating her and Calibur in a soft, white glow.

 

"You don't have to be that pony anymore, and you don't have to live in darkness." She smiled, and held out her hoof. "You just have to follow the light."

 

-------

@J.R.

Diamond Tiara had been enjoying Ponilla Ice's newest single, Ice, Ice, Maybe?, but as she saw Ice Blizzard appear in the store next to her yet again, her ears flattened slightly. Suddenly, the music didn't sound as good anymore, she realized as she walked up to the counter, although she paid for the CD anyway. Once she was done, she slipped it into her bag and left in record time, now headed for the art supplies section of the mall. It had just occurred to her that she needed more materials to paint with, anyways.

Edited November 3, 2015 by Fractured

[Vae Victis 742]

Tyra sat on the ground and watched as this strange ritual took place. She had no idea what was to come, but she would be ready to face it.

However...nothing came. Lorec seemed to just stand there and..fall asleep?

"How do you fall asleep within a dream?" She muttered.

 

After a while, she perked up as Lorec came to, and she trotted after him as she went down the hill.

"What happened to you just there?" She inquired.

 

Hey, this is going off the assumption that Tyra was actually talking to Galtos, since he was the one who entered the trance-like state

 

 

Lorec, dumbstruck to the point where words failed to escape him, had blocked out every other thought, save for one. And that one thought, was only to advance forward towards his prize. Down the hill, and in the grassland that formed the basis for the dream world, many others had just appeared within the dream, almost instantaneously. A conglomerate of Saddle Arabians and Minotaurs alike. Looking around in awe, A few of them had managed to scout Lorec walking down the hill, and immediately started pointing at him, letting it be known the rest of the group that he had arrived.

 

At the forefront, a Taurette, apparently in her late thirties to early forties, stood by her son, whom, while not as tall as Lorec, certainly resembled him in almost every other aspect. And beyond that, they had resembled the stone warriors that Lorec had subconsciously summoned during his ascendance to the level of an awakened keeper. More specifically, the ones who had walked side by side with him, and had aided in the delivering of the final blow.

 

The group of about a hundred or so only stood in silence, as the two Minotaurs that were leading advanced a tad towards Lorec, as if waiting for him to contemplate what was happening. The beast of Saduaris, stopped in part due to the shock of what he was seeing, allowed his mouth to drop just a little. For what seemed like an eternity, Lorec struggled to force the words he wanted to speak from his mouth. But, in the end, he could only muster two. Two names, spoken with affection, shock, and disbelief.

 

" Byuuln....? Venna...?"

 

The two at the front smiled graciously, and nodded at Lorec with eyes that were not so different from a family welcoming a member home. And as soon as they had done so, Lorec immediately ceased all hesitation and threw out all semblances of reasoning. This was his family. His son, of whom was his pride, and his wife, of whom held his heart above all. Rushing towards them in jubilant rejoicing, they too, copied the motion. Colliding with each other, all three of them would embrace warmly, having been torn apart by death's threshold two and a half years before. As this sight occurred, the minotaurs would throw their arms up in a resolute cry, and the Saddle Arabians would reel back and whinny as they cheered loudly. The large crowd would eventually swarm towards the three, gathering around them and cheering.

 

But Lorec, while overwhelmed by the sheer joy of seeing his fallen brothers and lost loved ones once again, could not hear their cheering. His mind had all but blocked them out, and he would only be able to hear the words of the two that he held in his arms. Both of them, strong and hardy, and yet, still small compared to Lorec, allowing them to rest in his war-scarred arms.

 

"...I...."

 

Venna spoke, intentionally cutting him off.

 

" No words, liebe... ​None necessary at all... Even a beast needs to coddle among his loved ones at times, no?"

 

It was then that his son, Byuuln, spoke as well, adding to the long-waited reunion.

 

"Vater, ich wartete zu lang, um Sie wieder zu sehen! And of course...You're still taller than me."

 

Lorec, failing to find words, only hugged them tighter, and smiled warmly. There were no tears, no sadness. Only joyous reunion. And opting to savor it, Lorec would not speak. Instead, he let the warmth and the tightness of the coddling do the speaking for him.

 

All the while, Galtos still stood on top of the hill. However, instead of just crossing his arms and waiting with armaments ready to draw at a moment's notice... Galtos had actually begun taking off his armor! The pale minotaur stripped the steel plate armor set off of him, piece by piece, allowing it to fall to the ground with heavy thuds. He even disarmed, allowing his weapons to rest near the armor pile. When he had finished, he was a sight to behold, even without his usual apparel. A silver, sleeveless tunic to compliment his white, pasty hide, with the blue trousers even matching his eyes and his noticeably thick, blue veins. All in all, he was a healthy, imposing figure. And while his voice suggested that he may be in his mid-forties, he may as well been ten years younger than that.

 

Calling out to Tyra, he would answer her question.

 

" In the end, a Golden Horn is a Golden Horn. They are my brothers and sisters in arms. We look out for one another, drink together, fight together, and die together. Lorec is no exception. We look out for our own. And as Lorec's sworn, that promise of loyalty is extended to you, from all Golden Horns. Some of them yearned beyond death to see him once more... And that yearning is what brought me here today. As for how I brought them here... Well, you will find out, eventually... But why don't you go down there and be recognized, Shatterhoof? I'm sure you'll have a hell of a time in a Saduarian mosh pit!"

 

Galtos only sat down upon the hilltop, watching with satisfaction, and a large grin on his proud gait.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Vera nodded, and pointed a hoof in the direction of the resturant, "It's just down the block. According to the map the place does serve snake to griffon's and it's popular."

 

She then looked him over, "Wanna fly over there? You seem to be walking a bit off," she asked with a look of concern upon her face.

Kazas, opening his good eye widely in excitement, almost began jumping up and down for joy, eager for his next meal. His tongue was literally almost hanging out of his mouth, and he failed in his attempt to stop fidgeting around. Seeing him do so was actually making for some good entertainment on the part of passerby's, who were all chuckling at the armored griffon as he clunked up and down through sheer force of excitement.

 

"Really?!? Now that catches my fancy! Mount up, Vera! We must arrive there with the speed of Avae himself!"

 

Surely, if Kazas did not come off as an innocent, child-like griffon before, he certainly was now. He had put the sword back to his side, and had taken a bent, pouncing position, offering Vera a seat upon his backside. 

Edited November 3, 2015 by Guts

[J.R. 3,183]

@@Fractured,

Ice turned around to see Diamond Tiara. He wanted to say something, but by the time he opened his mouth, she was gone to who kknows where. Oh well. After buying a few new tracks for his music player, Ice then made his wayover to the food court, which was right next to the art store. There, he bought a pretzel, and began to eat it as he started walking past the art  store, window shopping.

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

 

 

 

Kazas, opening his good eye widely in excitement, almost began jumping up and down for joy, eager for his next meal. His tongue was literally almost hanging out of his mouth, and he failed in his attempt to stop fidgeting around. Seeing him do so was actually making for some good entertainment on the part of passerby's, who were all chuckling at the armored griffon as he clunked up and down through sheer force of excitement.

 

"Really?!? Now that catches my fancy! Mount up, Vera! We must arrive there with the speed of Avae himself!"

 

Surely, if Kazas did not come off as an innocent, child-like griffon before, he certainly was now. He had put the sword back to his side, and had taken a bent, pouncing position, offering Vera a seat upon his backside. 

Vera took the seat upon Kazas's back, and pointed north, "I'll provide the directions to you. Start heading north on Textile Road, and make a left on Parish street. Whenever you're ready." She said, putting the map away.

[Unicorncob 5,690]

Lorec, dumbstruck to the point where words failed to escape him, had blocked out every other thought, save for one. And that one thought, was only to advance forward towards his prize. Down the hill, and in the grassland that formed the basis for the dream world, many others had just appeared within the dream, almost instantaneously. A conglomerate of Saddle Arabians and Minotaurs alike. Looking around in awe, A few of them had managed to scout Lorec walking down the hill, and immediately started pointing at him, letting it be known the rest of the group that he had arrived.

 

At the forefront, a Taurette, apparently in her late thirties to early forties, stood by her son, whom, while not as tall as Lorec, certainly resembled him in almost every other aspect. And beyond that, they had resembled the stone warriors that Lorec had subconsciously summoned during his ascendance to the level of an awakened keeper. More specifically, the ones who had walked side by side with him, and had aided in the delivering of the final blow.

 

The group of about a hundred or so only stood in silence, as the two Minotaurs that were leading advanced a tad towards Lorec, as if waiting for him to contemplate what was happening. The beast of Saduaris, stopped in part due to the shock of what he was seeing, allowed his mouth to drop just a little. For what seemed like an eternity, Lorec struggled to force the words he wanted to speak from his mouth. But, in the end, he could only muster two. Two names, spoken with affection, shock, and disbelief.

 

" Byuuln....? Venna...?"

 

The two at the front smiled graciously, and nodded at Lorec with eyes that were not so different from a family welcoming a member home. And as soon as they had done so, Lorec immediately ceased all hesitation and threw out all semblances of reasoning. This was his family. His son, of whom was his pride, and his wife, of whom held his heart above all. Rushing towards them in jubilant rejoicing, they too, copied the motion. Colliding with each other, all three of them would embrace warmly, having been torn apart by death's threshold two and a half years before. As this sight occurred, the minotaurs would throw their arms up in a resolute cry, and the Saddle Arabians would reel back and whinny as they cheered loudly. The large crowd would eventually swarm towards the three, gathering around them and cheering.

 

But Lorec, while overwhelmed by the sheer joy of seeing his fallen brothers and lost loved ones once again, could not hear their cheering. His mind had all but blocked them out, and he would only be able to hear the words of the two that he held in his arms. Both of them, strong and hardy, and yet, still small compared to Lorec, allowing them to rest in his war-scarred arms.

 

"...I...."

 

Venna spoke, intentionally cutting him off.

 

" No words, liebe... ​None necessary at all... Even a beast needs to coddle among his loved ones at times, no?"

 

It was then that his son, Byuuln, spoke as well, adding to the long-waited reunion.

 

"Vater, ich wartete zu lang, um Sie wieder zu sehen! And of course...You're still taller than me."

 

Lorec, failing to find words, only hugged them tighter, and smiled warmly. There were no tears, no sadness. Only joyous reunion. And opting to savor it, Lorec would not speak. Instead, he let the warmth and the tightness of the coddling do the speaking for him.

 

All the while, Galtos still stood on top of the hill. However, instead of just crossing his arms and waiting with armaments ready to draw at a moment's notice... Galtos had actually begun taking off his armor! The pale minotaur stripped the steel plate armor set off of him, piece by piece, allowing it to fall to the ground with heavy thuds. He even disarmed, allowing his weapons to rest near the armor pile. When he had finished, he was a sight to behold, even without his usual apparel. A silver, sleeveless tunic to compliment his white, pasty hide, with the blue trousers even matching his eyes and his noticeably thick, blue veins. All in all, he was a healthy, imposing figure. And while his voice suggested that he may be in his mid-forties, he may as well been ten years younger than that.

 

Tyra could only watch as Lorec went down the hill into the crowd of ponies and minotaurs, and smiled as her friend embraced a Taurette and a smaller minotaur. It only had to be his wife and son.

 

It was truly touching, seeing Lorec receive such closure from his loved ones.

 

 

Calling out to Tyra, he would answer her question.

 

" In the end, a Golden Horn is a Golden Horn. They are my brothers and sisters in arms. We look out for one another, drink together, fight together, and die together. Lorec is no exception. We look out for our own. And as Lorec's sworn, that promise of loyalty is extended to you, from all Golden Horns. Some of them yearned beyond death to see him once more... And that yearning is what brought me here today. As for how I brought them here... Well, you will find out, eventually... But why don't you go down there and be recognized, Shatterhoof? I'm sure you'll have a hell of a time in a Saduarian mosh pit!"

 

Galtos only sat down upon the hilltop, watching with satisfaction, and a large grin on his proud gait.

 

She nodded at Galtos's answer, rather fondly. "Aye, they sound much like my villagers back home."

 

Her ears twitched excitedly at the thought of mingling with Lorec's people, after hearing what they were like, and she practically bolted down the hill after his former opponent.

[Literally Snails 2,307]

@@Unicorncob, (Been studying for tests. Haven't forgotten about this.)

 

After the sound of a buckle tightening, Chisel spoke. Once again the echo of the cave made it very hard to find out where the voice was coming from.

 

"I know it was just dumb luck that got you this far. That bounty hunter had you beaten, and he couldn't even see in the dark!" Chisel taunted. Jade heard hoofsteps on stone. He was moving. "Of course, you can't either, can you? That's okay. Neither can I, but I can still see you."

 

Chisel seemed to be playing it cautiously. No doubt he knew about Jade's new ability, yet somehow he seemed very confident. He might have been waiting for Jade to do something, but he would surely strike if she just stood still.