private Deep Science 1x1 with Blitz Boom

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

[Void]

On 3/25/2019 at 9:21 AM, Blitz Boom said:

"PANIIIIC!!!"

The halls were very good at carrying sound, or at least echos. Thus when Null shouted after Panic, the sound reached Void. Though quieter, it would still be loud enough to recognize.

The guard's attention turned straight towards the sound, it seemed to be coming from further along. The guard continued making her way forward.

The next room was a hall filled with smoke, the guard didn't hesitate to continue through, it seemed that the mask she was wearing was enough to filter out whatever irritants made up the smoke.

(Depending on Void following her through the smoke)

The next room was a familiar lock room, connecting them to the light containment area.

The sounds of galloping hooves could be heard coming from the next room to the right. It was getting louder.

The guard looked wary to enter the next room, and turned to Void. "Alright, you seem to know something about this place. What could we expect to be running at us down this hall?"

[Null]

Panic was not too far ahead of her, and actually seemed to have been startled by her shout, the sound of it's running grew louder as it moved to pick up the pace.

It was running straight down the long hallway, and only had about a two section lead on her.

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

(Void)

"Big S-Sis?"

It were but a single word, echoing down the halls from who knew where, but the voice were impossible for the earth pony to ignore. Low or high, soothing or quivering with rage, the voice of her big sister were ingrained into Void's mind after having been so close to her for over two decades now, and there wasn't any way that she could not instantly recognize one of Null's bursts of angry yelling. At Panic no less, so that meant... N-Null were following him?

She felt pale at the thought. Her sister were strong for her size, but she were still just a pegasus. A foal sized one at that. And Panic were made from some kind of metal. If she attacked him and he retaliated...

Void wouldn't hesitate to follow through the smoke as that thought came to mind. She just closed her mouth and eyes and ran through it until she couldn't feel it on her skin anymore. Thankfully it weren't some kind of melting smoke, so she were safe on the other side, but there weren't time to think about that,  as the chase with the guard went on.

18 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"Alright, you seem to know something about this place. What could we expect to be running at us down this hall?"

"P-Panic or Null I-I think. The d-dangerous things are s-slow. Goo pony that m-melts doesn't make that sound. B-Beak faced creature it i-isn't either. The... The g-golem are too heavy. N-Not it."

The golem had so far been the closest to either kill her, or completely blind her for the rest of her life, and it were relentless in its pursuit, even after the years that had passed. It scared her the most, and her voice made that clear. However, neither it, nor the others that had been after her, sounded like that galloping did. Doctor were hurt and somewhere behind them, plus he moved slowly. Goo creature made an unmistakable sloggy sound, and the golem were just too big to make these noises. It woukd be heard before that.

If it were not some other thing she had not encountered  it had to be Panic or Null, but she didn't know which one. She didn't know how far away the sound came from, so it were impossible to know more than it being hoof steps.

In the heat of the moment, she completely forgot about Pen in all of this, whom it may also be, as her form were that of a pony after all, and she might make the same sounds. Certainly would be surprise now if it turned out to be her.

(Null)

If Null found any joy in this whole thing, she'd likely have smiled at what seemed like Panic trying to get away from her. As it were though, hearing his hoof steppes further in, just made her speed up a little and get more determined to go catch him and introduce him to things normally reserved for the lower levels of Tartarus until he'd start speaking. They'd see if she'd be merciful after that, though really, what were the chance of that happening?

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

[Void]

The guard mare nodded, indicating she understood, before cautiously peering through the door into the next room. Her ear flicked as if hearing something Void couldn't.

The sound of hooves was getting louder and closer, one set metallic, the other more normal. It was likely Void would even recognize the gait of the second as her sister's.

The guard readied her hammer, she moved quietly into the next room, which was T shaped, extending to the left and right. The guard stood, just out of the way of the hallway door, ready to swing at whatever came through it. the running was getting much louder as it got closer.

[Null]

She was gaining, not by much but it was something, running like she never had before, perhaps even faster than when Pen had been pushing her along.

Until, with a thunderous clang, Panic stopped dead in its tracks, and a heavily armored guard stepped into the hallway, staring right back at her.

[Void]

The guard had timed the swing perfectly to catch Panic right as he crossed the threshold, the hammer lodging itself deep in its chest-plate, even dislocating, though not removing, one of its forelimbs. A dark, viscus goo oozed out around the hammer, causing the mare to drop the hammer and let Panic fall to the floor sparking. The head turned to face them, but it didn't say anything as the ooze began to expand outward, a limb of goo reaching out to start pulling Panic in.

It just stared at them as it began to slowly descend, almost like it was part of the plan.

[Both]

The guard's gaze snapped up at the second set of hoofsteps, now deprived of her primary weapon she still stood defensively, her hooves were no doubt nearly as deadly as her hammer had been.

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

(Void)

On 3/28/2019 at 5:54 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The sound of hooves was getting louder and closer, one set metallic, the other more normal. It was likely Void would even recognize the gait of the second as her sister's.

The light, yet determined stomps of her sister became clearer as the two sets of runners neared them. Sadly, at the point where that became apparent, the guard had already gotten out and readied herself to strike at whoever were on the way, and there weren't any time to tell her to watch out. The only positive in this were a brief moment of time where Void realized that whilst they were both coming, the heavy steps were first. Which must mean that whoever would get smashed with this thing weren't her sister, but rather whoever she seemed to be chasing. Panic by all accounts. Which got confirmed soon after in the most brutal, direct way possible.

(Null)

On 3/28/2019 at 5:54 AM, Illiad Easle said:

She was gaining, not by much but it was something, running like she never had before, perhaps even faster than when Pen had been pushing her along.

Until, with a thunderous clang, Panic stopped dead in its tracks, and a heavily armored guard stepped into the hallway, staring right back at her.

Null were just running, not thinking much else than to keep focus on that. If she started to use too much focus elsewhere she'd stumble, or realize how much strain this were actually putting on her. There would be consequences that she didn't have the time to think of now, but were gonna hit her like a sledgehammer later on. She knew that from experience. Usually involving Void and her getting separated rapidly by like a road collapsing or somepony trying to kidnap her elder sister. The adrenaline that came in such situations were amazing and worked well, but it had a substantial drawback, and eventually it'd either catch up to her, or she'd start to think on it, slow just a half second, and everything would just hit her at once regardless.

Sounded like something else hit Panic up ahead though, but she weren't there to see it yet. It was just keeping running, and getting ready to strike at the first thing that came into view.

(Both)

On 3/28/2019 at 5:54 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The guard's gaze snapped up at the second set of hoofsteps, now deprived of her primary weapon she still stood defensively, her hooves were no doubt nearly as deadly as her hammer had been.

Null came running a few seconds after Panic had gotten smashed into and apparently started to ooze up, and would be ready to jump for him, ignoring more or less the mare standing ready to pummel the approaching pegasus down.

"No!!"

As she had seen what happened to even a being of hard metal that crossed the guard's path, Void hobbled forth past the guard, and as Null came around, she caught her sister midair and pulled her into a close embrace. The small pegasus struggled, but Void knew how to hold down Null when it were needed, and she were a good deal more physically strong than her sister were. It were no contest, and as could be expected, the adrenaline crash hit her like a truck, causing Null to shake a little, then go more or less limb.

Not that she cared. She just buried her face in the sweaty, unkempt coat of Void, and felt the tears of her younger sister hit her head as Void not so silently weeped over finally having her sister with her again. A tear fell from Null's eye too, but she quickly dried it off on her sister's coat, not wanting to show weakness right now. Void needed her big sis to be strong for her.

"Void... We need to go. This place will go up in smoke."

She couldn't see Panic or the guard right now, though sadly that would not last as Void nodded and got on her shaky hooves again, and slung her sister over her back. Null got a great view of both, and though tired to a point where her body weren't really doing much more than act like a rag doll right now, her eyes were firing lightning at both of them. Mainly the guard though, as Panic were either escaping or getting devoured by something. Frankly she didn't give a rats about either. She only chased him to find answers about Void. There weren't time to do more.

"You keep your filthy hooves of her, puppet of Troy!"

"It's t-too late big sis... We d-don't have a choice."

Void made no illusions about this. She were thrilled to have found Null, but fact were that they were unarmed against one of likely several guards of Troy, clearly proficient in close combat. Their abilities wouldn't mean anything against that, and they weren't in a physical shape to fight back right now. They were worn down, exhausted, bruised and soon as there'd be some time to feel it out, likely famished and thirsty too. There were fighting spirit left for Null at least, but that wasn't enough to overcome their issues. best they could hope for were that they managed to escape later on again, and this time, could make it far away from Troy. Even though they might not be welcome back in Equestria, considering how long it had been... That were going to be a tough one to break to Null.

She sent a glance to Panic. Disgusted by him and his actions, yet with an eye full of remorse and pity. Not for him though. Never for this monster of an entity.

"I'm s-sorry for e-everything, Silver... Somepony else t-took your gem..."

She had no idea what had happened with the skin crawler that last held the gem Panic had ripped away, nor really, where the other skin crawler were. Likely far away from here and safe. What any sensible being were going to do if they had the chance.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom (Finally reunited!)

The guard seemed to ignore Null entirely, her ear twitched a bit before she turned to speak into the radio on her whither, "Understood, moving the VIPs now." She turned to go back the way she and Void had come, "Unless you two know a better way out of here, stay close. This place won't be stable much longer."

Unless they objected, she would start moving back the way she had come, moving to retrace her steps in getting to them.

Panic had completely disappeared into the goo, at it seemed he was slowly being replaced by another, a goo covered hoof reaching out at them.

In the distance, where Null had been running from, the sound of Pen talking could be heard, encouraging words. If they looked they could see Pen helping the deer to keep moving, now seeming to be doing much better than when Null had left them.

If they went towards the pair, the rising goo creature would effectively separate them from the guard, if they went with the guard, then it would separate them from the pair.

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

1 hour ago, Illiad Easle said:

"Unless you two know a better way out of here, stay close. This place won't be stable much longer."

"Right back into one of your cages I bet."

If Null had the strength to move right now, she would have given this lackey of an evil empire far more than a piece of her mind, and if possible, thrown her into this rising pile of goo. Bad news for sure, but seemed like the perfect place to throw away waste like that.

"...Maybe."

Void's head hung down a little as she agreed to what her big sis were saying, but what choice did they have? This mare could likely just drag them out if she wanted to, and what if they actually managed to struggle and get away? They'd either end stranded down here and crushed by the collapsing building from the sound of it, or they'd make it out, just to be faced with the colleagues of this mare, who would certainly not treat the sisters right if they found out they had done something to the unnamed mare.

Death were preferable to staying in Troy indefinitely, but they could still escape this one, surely. If not... Perhaps attacking the guards would do the trick in ending their suffering before this deplorable country swallowed them whole.

Seeing as Void were the only one that could move, she reluctantly followed the guard slowly, though stopped up as she heard a familiar voice from further inside. She turned to face whoever it werez on the other side of the rising goo creature, but did not manage a word before Null took reigns of the conversation.

"I found her Pen, but Panic's turning into goo. Hurry up before he rises, or find another way past him."

Void were surprised by hearing that Null not only knew Pen - perhaps the one who had kept her alive for this long? - but also seemed to care about her well being, even though her voice did not convey any sort of joy or worrying tones right now. It must have been an intensely friendly, soulbonding few hours for her sister to have made such a bond with a random stranger, yet the small pegasus were right, she had to hurry. Panic, or whatever were eating him, seemed to be just about ready to bubble up and take some steps for itself, and it would likely not go well if you got too close to him in that form, judging by other goo creatures in the area.

As it were though, they had to get away from the goo too, so Void would start to follow the guard more in line with said guard's own pace. She sent a small prayer to whatever deity first came to mind that Pen may get out of here as well, but unless she heard something that made it imperative that she had to turn back, they couldn't remain here.

Besides, if Panic were the thing rising, he'd go after them for smashing his robot suit more than likely. Pen might be safer by them going the other way.

As for Null, she didn't care as much for Pen or the deer as Void mught think, but she considered a fair warning like that to be fine enough. Not too much of an issue compared to them wandering into just another trap, or a fresh web of lies. Nothing good came from dealing with Troy.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

A head soon followed after the leg, and it definitely wasn't Panic, if the large red eyes with the slit pupils were any indication. The guard, noticing that they had started to follow her, began to pick up the pace, seemingly intent on getting out of this place as soon as she could.

Pen simply nodded at them before she and the deer turned down a different hallway, headed deeper into the facility.

The guard kept walking, and would keep walking unless they stopped following, said something, or otherwise objected.

Quickly they passed through the lock room into heavy containment, then the smoke filled hallway, then the then the 4 way where Pen had gotten shredded by Panic, Pen's card was actually there on the ground.

Next was the broken tesla gate, where the burnt corpse that had previously been a puppet of the plague doctor was, and would likely remain for quite a long time at this rate. 

The guard stopped there, the sound of the goo creature was still behind them, but they had some time before it caught up to them. The guard started to move back to the 4 way, "I don't know if that creature that attacked you is still incapacitated, it could very well be waiting for us. Do either of you know another way around? Or some way to subdue it?" The guard seemed antsy, like she knew they didn't really have time to sit and think, but also that a dead end would be quite literal.

 

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

On 4/3/2019 at 6:57 AM, Illiad Easle said:

Quickly they passed through the lock room into heavy containment, then the smoke filled hallway, then the then the 4 way where Pen had gotten shredded by Panic, Pen's card was actually there on the ground.

As they passed through the room, Void quickly snatched up the card, and gave it to her big sister. She wasn't sure why, but there were something that told her that this might end up being important at some point during their escape, and it were just laying there, right in their path. Seemed harmless to pick up, long as it were quick and they stayed in movement. Whatever were rising from that goo pile, she did not want to be anywhere near it once it got fully formed and started to chase after somepony. Likely them.

Null in the meantime would look around to see if she could see any of the parts of Pen that had gotten torn earlier. Considering what Pen had done after that, who knew what loose shreds of this might end up doing? It could be everything had come with them during the hunt for Panic, though she couldn't be sure as it weren't something she were focused on at the time.

Provided that nothing happened, the two of them would follow the guard at the pace said guard were setting, though the faster the mare went, the louder the clacking from Void's false leg hitting the floor would end up being, which might eventually draw some unwanted attention. She had certainly done so other times in this place already.

On 4/3/2019 at 6:57 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"I don't know if that creature that attacked you is still incapacitated, it could very well be waiting for us. Do either of you know another way around? Or some way to subdue it?"

"It's s-slow, so perhaps we c-can just walk away f-from it? I d-don't know what any of t-these creatures w-weaknesses are though."

Null didn't say a peep, but she certainly wouldn't have warned the mare in any sorta way, were it her in her little sister's position. Just imagine a quick and easy way to be rid of another puppet of Troy... The world would most certainly be a better place from that offer.

Still, this wasn't time to throw the apparent of a good use of their time around, they were on a deadline here, and things were likely just gonna get worse if they pushed the guard forth and then let her be eaten or corrupted by whatever might be in hiding, without a backup plan. They could do with a more direct approach though.

"Bah, just kick it in the face until it stops moving. It's just a freak."

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

The guard turned to look directly at Null, though with the mask it was impossible to tell with exactly what expression. (Attached is an example sketch of the commando armor, it's missing her red scarf, and the dragon-scale neck armor) The sound of the goo creature still approaching turned her gaze back to where they had come from. "Alright, we'll have to move quick then. If it catches one of you..." she sighed, "I can't risk the other's safety to go back. At least one of you two has to get out of here."

With that rather vague statement, the guard turned and set forward.

They passed the broken tesla gate, then the broken elevator, slowing as they came to the room they had left the doctor in, but there was no sound, no indication that it was still there. The guard launched herself into the middle of the room, to then quickly survey the blind corners, relaxing slowly as no threat presented itself. she gestured for them to follow "Looks like it moved, for better or worse. Let's keep moving."

She went to the left, in the direction that Void had first seen her from. Through a straight hallway, then entering a four way where she immediately went to the right after glancing at the other doors. As soon as she was entering the next room, a lock-room leading to the office area, there was the sound of a door opening behind them. She was in the process of turning when she abruptly froze in place as her ear twitched. She kept her head facing exactly away from the sound, and spoke in a low tone. "Don't look. Don't you dare look."

A new sound was coming from behind them, one which Null would recognize as the creature that Pen had given her the same advice about.

If they moved quickly, they could get through the lock-room and use Pen's card to close off the section before it wandered their way.

"I don't blame you, the disease has corrupted you."

And the creature wasn't alone, the metallic voice of the plague doctor was coming from the same direction, it seems it was the one who let the creature out of the room Null had left it in.

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle (Sorry for the late reply, forgot to push post yesterday)

On 4/5/2019 at 6:46 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Alright, we'll have to move quick then. If it catches one of you..." she sighed, "I can't risk the other's safety to go back. At least one of you two has to get out of here."

Null glared at the mare from her slung over position on Void's back.

"If she's left behind, I'm running straight into the same maw that took her. What Troy wants can kiss my flank."

Void cringed from hearing this, which her big sister didn't see thankfully, and the earth pony weren't going to say anything. If she started, it would just turn into a big discussion about what Null's life were worth, and she didn't want that. Especially not here, when there were more important things to focus about beyond the now rotating, grueling thought of having to discuss with herself yet again, whatever or not it were time to confront Null about the pegasi's self loathing, and if she would just bow under for pressure on Null's part to drop the subject entirely. Tended to go something like that whenever they got anywhere near the topic, which were why she often didn't even bother anymore.

On 4/5/2019 at 6:46 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Don't look. Don't you dare look."

"Urgh, the touchy feely thing that can't stand you looking at it? Bloody hay, just don't look behind and get moving."

Of all the things they could run into, it had to be this one. Finally a break in dealing with the dangerous things. This one were just a freak that liked to get grabby, long as you didn't start looking at it like it was a sort of circus attraction. Considering what else were after them, this was a darn vacation.

Void took it as a sign that it were time to get moving before the creature warned about would fall upon them, or drag them around or something, and scurried towards the security door, where she'd try the card she had found on the floor. Surprisingly, it actually worked! here they finally having a bit of good fortune in this place? If so, she hoped that also extended to Pen. The skin crawler hadn't done her anything, and should get the chance to escape.

On 4/5/2019 at 6:46 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"I don't blame you, the disease has corrupted you."

"Oh, get a life."

She were getting really sick and tired of this weird cosplayer character. If he wanted to cleanse things and act like a medical pro from the dark ages so badly, he could go give Panic a lobotomy. That should give him plenty enough doctor work to do for the time being.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

The guard didn't actually move until the sisters moved past her, getting through the door before Void got it closed with Pen's card, though not before the creature they weren't supposed to look at gave off a horrifying shriek that would chill anyone to the bone. A shriek of horror and disgust, like one driven to madness by a horrible curse.

Only a few moments after the heavy security door closed did the banging start against it, extremely loud, as the equally loud shrieking came from just on the other side. The guard sounded horrified, "Someone saw it. Oh stars someone saw it..." She ran to get the next door open. "We have to move, as fast as we can. It won't stop until it gets whoever saw it."

Already the door was dented in several places.

The guard moved into the next room as soon as the door opened, motioning the other's through and closing it as soon as they followed.

One of them may have noticed the black shadow that passed through with them, which seemed to follow them from the ceiling. But they also might not notice it just yet.

The next room was the science area Null and Pen had passed through earlier, the one with the strange key and the door. Speaking of said key, she still had it on her.

The guard moved through the same observation area that Null and Pen had, opening the next door just as the sound of shrieking got louder, accompanied by the sound of what was likely a heavy door being forced open.

The next room was the cafeteria, the guard running a full sprint to the next door, below the overlook they were on was a veritable sea of the eye covered yarn creature that had accosted Null the first time she had passed through.

All the while the shadow was following them from above. Were Void to see it she might recognize it, given the glowing gem within, as the other skin walker that had gotten her moving from Panic's containment.

The sound of the shrieking was getting louder, and the crash of doors closer. The creature was much faster than them, even with the doors between them. It would be upon them soon.

(The other skin walker saw the creature, like Pen it has no choice, and due to the curse of 097, it will be destroyed by the creature in order to sate it.)

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

16 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"Someone saw it. Oh stars someone saw it..." She ran to get the next door open. "We have to move, as fast as we can. It won't stop until it gets whoever saw it."

"Unless it was us or you, what's the big deal? Let it get whoever glared at it and get on with your life."

The loud shriek had been met with a gnashing of teeth from Null who felt the noise still vibrating in her skull. Freaking annoying freak that one, and apparently, somepony hadn't gotten the memo about keeping their and eyes shut. Weren't her, and she knew Void had listened when she had told her not to look, so what, the guard had done it? Didn't sound like it were her, but why else be in a panic? One of her goons had done it? Well, they knew what they were in for. If they then messed up and got killed, that was it. One less idiot in a country filled to the brim with them.

Void didn't say anything, but there had been a moment of whimpering from her as the sound had happened, along with her stumbling quickly forward, so that she could get away from the originator of the sound, who were apparently strong enough to beat down the metal doors in this place and were once again, something that would track you to Tartarus and back. Was that the theme of this horrible place or something?

With the noise and panicky guard, neither Null nor Void bit notice in the shadow following them. It were far too distracting in the moment to notice subtle things whilst witnessing the start of absolute chaos.

16 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

The next room was the cafeteria, the guard running a full sprint to the next door, below the overlook they were on was a veritable sea of the eye covered yarn creature that had accosted Null the first time she had passed through.

While none of them cared to bite notice in the room with the door and key, nor even recall that one of them might have said key on them, the cafeteria were another story. Void only remembered this as the place where they had to deal with the vending machine, which made it a surprise to see the yarn eyes hanging around in the run down place. It caused her to pause, but Null weren't having any of that, and whispered to her to get moving, and doing it fast. She didn't say why, but hopefully that wouldn't have to be so either, and the one looking for Eric had gotten lost. Otherwise, it'd likely be annoyed with her for having mislead it.

16 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

All the while the shadow was following them from above. Were Void to see it she might recognize it, given the glowing gem within, as the other skin walker that had gotten her moving from Panic's containment.

The sound of the shrieking was getting louder, and the crash of doors closer. The creature was much faster than them, even with the doors between them. It would be upon them soon.

They'd get across to the guard it seemed, but Void had still slowed down a little as she saw a strange glimmer in the darkness of the ceiling, and looked up to find an irregular shadow, carrying an all too familiar gem whilst apparently trying to stay out of sight. This must be the skin crawler from before, but how was it... Were it like Pen and Seen? If so, there were somewhere a living skin without the insides to support it just flopping around?

...The questions were starting to make her feel queasy, and things were not getting better, as the sound of the creature apparently getting through the door from before and barreling right for them thundered down the path they had just left.

"It's coming right for us! Shut your darn eyes eyes and let it take whoever were dumb enough to glare at it. I'm not getting run down for the sake of some idiot."

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom (Yes, Finally)

(I assume that Void follow's Null's advice to close her eyes, and that Null does the same.)

Whether Null followed her own advice or not, her vision would suddenly go dark as something fell on her head like a wet blanket, before it contorted sharply to cover her whole body, wrestling her to the floor while keeping her mouth from moving. It felt like when Pen had wrapped herself onto her, but more complete.

Any sounds of struggle were masked by the sound of the creature now pounding on the door to the room they were in.

Null nonetheless could hear someone speak, as if speaking directly into her ear. The voice was masculine, "I refuse to die while one like you lives." The skin crawler forced Null's head towards the door they had come from before it uncovered her eyes, or rather, it forced her eyes open to watch the door. "We go down together."

Null was forced to look as the door was forced open just wide enough to see...

The creature's face...

The sunken eyes, staring wide, the face covered in scars, long talons grasped at the door with pointed nails, dried blood covered its hands. Its mouth hung monstrously open in a terribly scream.

Time seemed to slow as the door was forced the rest of the way open, and the creature came bounding into the room right towards Null and the skinwalker who held her.

The skinwalker peeled itself off of her, forcing her forward as it launched itself backward, trying to use her as a meat shield against the thing as it reached to open the next door.

The guard wasted no time in running into the next room as soon as she heard the door open.

The creature didn't even touch Null, bounding right over her, as the screaming was replaced by the equally sickening sound of skin being torn to shreds and consumed.

When the shredding and consuming stopped, there was silence, followed by light sobbing, likely from the creature, with Null could confirm if she looked.

There was also a gemstone sitting on the floor, just in front of where Void had been standing before it all went down.

(In case you're interested)

The next room was the one that had the stairs down to a small maze to get to the platform above. Null would likely remember the way from last time. The guard was wating just around the corner for either of them to come through the doorway.

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

16 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

Null nonetheless could hear someone speak, as if speaking directly into her ear. The voice was masculine, "I refuse to die while one like you lives." The skin crawler forced Null's head towards the door they had come from before it uncovered her eyes, or rather, it forced her eyes open to watch the door. "We go down together."

"Khis mueh ahf."

Null had not seen what were happening before it were too late, and she'd once again find herself wrapped up in a skin crawler using her as a glorified meat puppet. This one felt different from the first time, as if it were more all encompassing, yet Null had still been sure that this were an ambush by Lin, wanting to get something done that she couldn't herself for some reason, and needed somepony to pilot. Imagine her surprise when instead it were a masculine voice talking into her ear, and proclaiming that he wasn't going to go down alone. Through a forced shut muzzle, Null proclaimed some degree of protest to this statement, and did what she could to struggle, but there were nothing she could do as she got turned around, and forced to stare at the door where the creature would come from.

It dawned on her briefly, before the door breached, that the way the creature said the first sentence to her made it sound as if he had a personal beef with her, Void, or somepony else who had their brand of unfortunate ability. Perhaps this one were a freak because of something they did? She sure hoped so, considering what he were doing right now certainly didn't make her want him to have had a nice, cozy life.

17 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

Null was forced to look as the door was forced open just wide enough to see...

The creature's face...

The sunken eyes, staring wide, the face covered in scars, long talons grasped at the door with pointed nails, dried blood covered its hands. Its mouth hung monstrously open in a terribly scream.

Time seemed to slow as the door was forced the rest of the way open, and the creature came bounding into the room right towards Null and the skinwalker who held her.

The skinwalker peeled itself off of her, forcing her forward as it launched itself backward, trying to use her as a meat shield against the thing as it reached to open the next door.

So this were how she were going to die then? Guess there were no way around it, though oddly enough, she didn't feel as bad about it as she figured she would. Obviously she were concerned about how Void would get out of Troy now, but her sister would make it out of here alive, and she'd have a chance at a regular life soon as she got out and found a way to lay low more permanently in Equestria. Null were just gonna drag her down from there anyway, and she knew it would have to end like this sooner or later.

Caught in the moment before death, she also got a good deal of time having a look at this groper in the darkness, though honestly, she had figured it was something worse than this. Sure it were an ugly abomination that should see the business end of an incinerator for both its and everypony else's own, yet it were frankly also looking a bit beaten down and tragic in a weird sort of way, and she doubted it wanted to actually do this, but were compelled to do so towards whoever had a glance at it. Such as the pegasus who got slung towards the large, open maw and the clawed hands.

Be strong lil' sis.

That were the last thought that got through her head as she got within the last few inches, and prepared to be torn into something resembling mulch.

17 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

The creature didn't even touch Null, bounding right over her, as the screaming was replaced by the equally sickening sound of skin being torn to shreds and consumed.

Null were stunned when she were instead fully ignored by the creature, who went over to tear up the skin crawler. There were sounds, and disgusting visuals to accommodate it too if she looked, sure, but the world were just a giant blank to her for a few seconds.

She had been supposed to die here, and for once she had been content with this. Having to get back from this semi-serene mindset of peace weren't easy, and the small happenings like the wholesale slaughter and consumption of her would-be murderer frankly passed her by entirely.

17 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

When the shredding and consuming stopped, there was silence, followed by light sobbing, likely from the creature, with Null could confirm if she looked.

There was also a gemstone sitting on the floor, just in front of where Void had been standing before it all went down.

So this were its life, huh? Crying in a corner, and then running after whoever saw it to kill them? Bucking tartarus, somepony should put this sod out of its misery.

She had so many questions about what were going on here about her being able to watch it, as her brain started to wake up again, but there weren't time for this, and it were surely not gonna say something now, judging by past experiences. No, she had to move on, and then think about what the hay just happened there later on.

Almost per instinct, she looked towards the shiny the gem that had suddenly shown up on the floor around where Void still stood, as she weren't moving before she knew that Null were okay. Tears were streaming down her face as she had just heard the eating part of things, not who may or may not have been hurt, beyond it being somepony near them. Potentially her aggressive elder sister even, which were why she weren't hearing a word before Null came over and brushed against her sister with a free hoof.

"Come on, we got work to do."

A jagged sigh of relief came from Void as she heard Null's voice, and opened her eyes to look down briefly to have a look to make sure. It were about there when she instead saw a very familiar gem, and picked it up with stunned surprise. This were the core that Panic had removed from Silver. Perhaps if she had this, she could help Silver somehow? Certainly weren't gonna just leave this here, so she wrapped it up nice and tight in her bandanna. Hopefully she'd figure out what to do later on.

17 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

The next room was the one that had the stairs down to a small maze to get to the platform above. Null would likely remember the way from last time. The guard was wating just around the corner for either of them to come through the doorway.

Null were still somewhat dazed after the experience before and Void with the gem, so it would be a time before either would bite notice in what room they were even in. When they did, Null slowed down, and the paranoia about something wrong being somewhere in this room took place. Something just didn't feel right about this particular room...

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

The guard was very quick to close the door behind them once they made their way through, and seemed very relieved to find them unharmed, at least relatively.

The guard seemed visibly shaken by the whole experience, and seemed content to simply lean against the wall for a moment, until a voice called out from the catwalk above them. "FoeHammer, get those VIPs up here, I got you covered." It was a very gruff, yet slightly feminine voice, with a clear griffonic accent. It fit well, given the creature on the catwalk above them was a griffon. The new guard carried a what looked like a weapon the size of a full ship's cannon, and she stood on her hind legs to hold it properly. She wore armor of a similar style to the guard that had accompanied them, up to the dragonscale neck guard, but instead of the helmet, this griffon wore a pair of sunglasses, an odd choice given the dim lighting.

The guard who had been with them snapped to attention at the griffon's call, "Right away boss." She gestured for them to follow her as she made her way through the small maze of shelves to the stairway up to the catwalk the griffon was guarding. The griffon stood to one side to let them pass, then followed from behind, keeping her eyes, and the weapon, pointed back the way they had come from.

(I assume they follow, and don't object, if they do, then stop here, otherwise continue)

The next room had another pair of the heavily armored guards with the red scarves, one an earth pony with a number of throw-able explosives strapped to him, the other a reindeer with the eyes of a bat pony, he was melting down a wall of ice that covered the doorway to their left.

(Provided they still don't object)

Through the now melted doorway was another red scarved-guard, though this one not so heavily armored, it was a changeling, on a forelimb was a band that identified it as a medic. "Snipes, good. Boomer, good. Boss, good. Foe... not so good. Others..." It looked at them intently, teal eyes looking them over for injury, "in need of assistance, but not urgently."

The griffon nodded before moving through the large security door behind the doctor, it was labeled, in gigantic letters, GATE A. "Left, Right, coming up now. VIPs acquired."

The changeling came over to them, "Did your limbs recently go missing?"

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

From atop Void's back, where she still could not safely move from due to the fatigue from before, Null had a good vantage point to look around and take whatever sight in would come their way, and look for an escape, or at least some sort of weapon by chance. She could feel the familiar blow pipe with Void, as it was boring a little into her stomach when they sped up, but even then, she couldn't sneak that out and try to blow a hole in a wall for them to escape through, as it wasn't exactly subtle, and even before the griffon spoke, she knew that there were one, and potentially others very close. The feather-brains were rarely as silent as they wanted to pretend to be, though why one were here in Troy were anypony's guess. Weren't any of them around where they grew up.

On 4/13/2019 at 7:08 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"FoeHammer, get those VIPs up here, I got you covered."

Void looked nervously up towards the griffon and the large weapon she bore. Griffons were bad news at the best of times, and this one were armed and suited up. Trying to fight that up close were going to be a problem, and if she could fire off that thing, getting away would be even harder. Perhaps if they could steal it, or get a distraction or something? They didn't necessarily need to be able to carry it - though with the increasingly heavy load of cursed items of many densities and sizes they had carried over the year, they might well be able to - just deny access to this one using it against them.

"Flutter off to your trees before I break your beak."

Null on the other hoof, were just getting increasingly more furious the more different beings in the same armor she saw. Not just because of the rotten cesspool of a country it represented, but because it showed diversity that apparently didn't count for regular ponies who just had an unfortunate curse. But sure, let the bird-brained savages in and treat them like equals. Surely they were worth more than somepony who had been born and raised here. She swore, if the entirety of Troy would one day be covered in molten slag, there would be nothing but joy in her heart...

Void winced at the comment, but reluctantly followed, as they were currently not outside, so staying behind just meant getting crushed, though she didn't trust any of these any more than Null did. Her big sister had good reason not to trust any creature who worked for Troy. She didn't either honestly. She just used them to find a way out, and then see what Null might make up for them to get away, though considering the future were looking grim right now. Perhaps even more so if they managed to escape, and she'd have to tell her sister that they had been locked down for three years. They might not have a second chance in Equestria at this point...

And with that happy thought in mind, they wandered into the next room, where Void's angry gaze immediately fell on the reindeer, and a growling sound escaped her throat. Void instead just felt pale, and staggered to a halt whilst looking at the creature with big, fear-filled eyes. Their kind might not entirely be like the deer, but the way the sisters had interacted with them the time they had tried seeking shelter in the northern countries were not much better. In some ways, one could argue that it had even been worse, considering the incident that transpired as soon as they noted that the sisters carried around cursed, yet powerful artifacts that they could exploit were they to get their hooves on even a few.

"Reindeers. Insufferable trinket thieves the lot of them."

Her words were angry, but it were nothing compared to what would happen in the next room, as even though Void had slowly moved on and quickly passed the reindeer out of necessity, even she could not keep moving on as they met a member of the race that had hurt them more than any other: A changeling.

On 4/13/2019 at 7:08 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The changeling came over to them, "Did your limbs recently go missing?"

Void let out a low shriek and staggered backwards into a corner as the changeling neared them, whilst her sister raised her head and growled loudly at the female insectoid pony with an unmistakable warning sound in the deep, guttural tone.

"If you as much as touch her, I will tear out your throat with my own teeth, you bottom-dwelling, love-stealing freak!"

Honestly, if they wanted to have any chance of transporting these at this point, they were going to either have to ditch the changeling, drug them, or use force, since their previous interactions with changelings had caused significant trauma, and as even the reformed changelings that sometimes had wandered around Ponyville could attest, the sisters were not able to look past that at the current state of their lives, and were best kept separate from any variation of the bug ponies.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

Most of the members of the Scarves of Red, as the intercom had called them back when they entered, seemed nonplussed by Null's comments, with the exception of the reindeer, who just smiled, he spoke with an accent very different from a normal reindeer, "I know they are, but what am I? Half reindeer, half thestral, hated by both, and apparently by those who pass judgement on a first glance."

The griffon, identified as Boss, simply shook her head. "This place is going down any minute now, we need to get moving already."

Given the clear discomfort to his presence, Doc backed away from them, and offered a placating gesture.

Boss pointed towards the reindeer, the changeling, and the earth pony that had accompanied them thus far. "Get moving, we'll take the next car. We won't all fit in one."

Those pointed to went through the door labeled GATE A, through which was an elevator access, the elevator was already down there for them, so they wasted no time in getting in and leaving.

Now there was just Null and Void, the Griffon called Boss, and the Earth Pony with the explosives. They had their attention focused on the doorway they had come through, as if waiting for something to come after them.

The griffon made a motion to the earth pony, who went over to them. "Hey, how'd you two end up in here anyway? You don't look or sound like the type that should be here."

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

Null did not stop growling towards the changeling until she were completely out of sight, and even then, she wouldn't move her sight from the spot where the freakish creature had gone. They had been through far, far too much being trapped in that hive of theirs for two weeks, whilst the abominations tormented them, tried to drain them, and several times attempted (unsuccessfully) to convert the sisters. That sort of magic didn't work on them, so the bugs thought that if they mentally drained them, that would weaken their magic. When that didn't work, they then starved them, beat them, and so forth, all to no avail.

They had broken Void's wooden leg back then to make it harder for them to escape, and thought she protested about it, Null had refused to just leave her behind and try to go for help. Eventually, they had managed to escape once an uprising or an attack of some kind happened - frankly she hadn't cared enough to check it out - and some of the cursed items the changelings had otherwise kept in check by using their own magic and Null's feathers got lose, and started to add to the havoc. They had to leave one of the items behind, along with a rather grizzly sight, but at least they had managed to escape that hellhole.

Null hadn't been too well off after that though, and Void essentially had to use her weapon to force a doctor to give her some medications and shots against the diseases and infections that Null had sustained during their stay and subsequent escape, but they had both survived in the end. Null had eventually gotten well enough to start working on Void's leg, who had kept them hidden in an abandoned, haunted house. A real one, not one of those fake ones that were just rumors about. The ghost were fairly decent though, and kept others away, long as they promised to not go into a particular room, as well as go and... Take care of an issue of hers. A little unfinished business, in her own words.

In the end, they had made, the ghost had moved beyond, and they were left with a traumatic event that darkened their views on any changeling they had met since then. Considering their abilities, they had actually managed to uncover quite a few by accident too over the years, but it tended to backfire on them somehow, so it wasn't as satisfying as one might think.

On 4/15/2019 at 5:55 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The griffon made a motion to the earth pony, who went over to them. "Hey, how'd you two end up in here anyway? You don't look or sound like the type that should be here."

"W-We uh-"

"We're here because this vile cesspool of a country won't stop ruining our lives, and this little act? Shove it. We both know none of you puppets of Troy cares about anything else than just bringing us to the next degenerate tyrant that wants to find if there's anything left this rotten stain on the world can take from us."

If her voice were more frosty as she said this, Null would have spit icicles. She were already not on board with having to be in this stain on the world, doubly so when they were being taken in by guards, and this pathetic attempt at trying to bond and make them seem like they cared, were just aggravating her even further. Nopony in Troy cared about their well being, and especially not the guards, who were just puppets on their little strings, sent to do the bidding of whatever despot were in charge of them. Another being in charge who would only be interested in getting them because of what they could do, though since this were Troy, it weren't bucking likely to be because of anything good. It were far more likely they'd want to flay them publicly and extract whatever secrets they could whilst also causing them as much pain as possible. And as always, there wouldn't be a single being raising their hoof to help them. The only ones who had ever done that, had died because of it, and there was nothing anypony could do to take that pain away from them.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom(We'll have to talk about your changelings, see where I can make them fit.)

"Hey now," The guard seemed to be more than a little annoyed at Null. "None of us are exactly thrilled the Consul sent us down here to get you two, but you can lay off 'im. Were it up to me this whole place would be a crater by now, but knowing a few innocent creatures were down here we agreed to risk the trip. Had we known they'd be as hateful as you though... " he just shook his head angrily, "Of all those that survived Discord, it had to be you." The way he said it, and how the griffon looked at him as he did, indicated that it was a very strong phrase for the stallion.

Soon enough the elevator doors opened, and the two remaining guards ushered them towards it. The earth pony that Null had deeply offended not afraid to get physical in moving them towards it, especially as the sounds of movement came from the open doorway they had come from. Metallic, yet precise steps, as a machine bearing a striking resemblance to Panic, with the addition of black goo dripping off of it, stepped into view of the doorway.

The earth pony tossed an explosive off of his vest, to expertly buck it at Panic as the griffon fired its weapon at the door control, shutting the door before the incendiary explosive melted the metal door enough to keep it closed for a bit, though the pounding that immediately started, indicated Panic would not be held by it long.

(They can feel free to object to the elevator, but the griffon and earth pony will do their best to force them inside, especially since it is now the only way out.)

(Assuming there are no apologies)

The elevator ride was long, and tense, neither of the guards relaxed as they kept their eyes on Null.

(Again, feel free to butt in)

Eventually the door opened, revealing a large room with a caved in ceiling. The front wall had also collapsed, revealing a number of wrecked buildings surrounding the dried remains of an oasis. The guards from before were milling about with other guards, some dressed in similar style to the guards they knew, just with white robes instead of grey, and others dressed in a mix between Trojan and Equestrian armor, a robe with the Equestrian plates, and yet others in full Equestrian armor. The moon was high in the sky.

Almost as soon as their elevator had arrived, a puddle of black ooze began to form in an adjacent corner of the room, the assembled guards of mixed armor sets turned their attention to it, and began backing away from it as the goo covered creature began to pull itself out.

(I'll leave this here, the next scene is the Consul's arrival, and as such we enter the final stage of the story)

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

On 4/17/2019 at 2:40 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Hey now," The guard seemed to be more than a little annoyed at Null. "None of us are exactly thrilled the Consul sent us down here to get you two, but you can lay off 'im. Were it up to me this whole place would be a crater by now, but knowing a few innocent creatures were down here we agreed to risk the trip. Had we known they'd be as hateful as you though... " he just shook his head angrily, "Of all those that survived Discord, it had to be you." The way he said it, and how the griffon looked at him as he did, indicated that it was a very strong phrase for the stallion.

"Discord's little tricks doesn't work on us. He tried."

This wasn't just joking. Discord had heard of the mares and wanted to test whatever or not his magic could stand the test. Been a bad first impression the sisters had gotten of the lord of chaos, though he had looked like it greatly amused him to see powerful spell after powerful spell just fizzle out of bounce off them like it were nothing. He had been far too used to reality just being something which he could easily manipulate without an issue, so whilst the situation had baffled him, it had yet somehow given him a highly amusing time as well. Null had at the time tried to chase him away, but Discord were nothing if not persistent, so that had done basically nothing. He had done them a solid and fixed the roof on their little house before leaving though, so there was a plus in his book there, though why they still hadn't the faintest clue about.

Frankly, Null were more focused on the part where they were speaking about survivors of Discord. What were they on about with that? Discord were an ally of Equestria now, and would probably not have killed anypony, even if he had a relapse, so what, they thought that the two were like, survivors of one of his games? As in, not crying in the corner of a room after a mental breakdown?

Void had some answers to this, but she saw how her sisters anger towards these others were affecting things. Considering that, this seemed like a very bad time to bring up that they had been frozen for 3 years, as she would basically just explode into fury at that point, and then the guards might do something.... Worse, to them than bringing them to the one running the tyrannical rule over Troy now. A sentiment that whilst she didn't have it in her to it out loud, Void agreed with Null on. No sensible leader of a country would have let the treatment that the sisters got from The Grey - in their eyes just another part of the law - just continue without any issues, until eventually there had been a little backlash from the sisters, and they had the law ready to take them in instead, along with their parents. What justice were in a system where two fillies could have limbs hastily amputated as they had gotten too damaged from something the locals caused, and then be the ones to receive all the blame and punishment? Celestia would never stand for something like that.

"Troy... C-Caused us a l-lot of pain. Null is... A-Angry when she s-speaks about it, b-but she isn't wrong. W-Whoever we're being s-sent to now, will j-just be another p-pony to make it w-worse..."

Void's voice were laced with fear more than anger, and she averted her eyes from the guards to not show them too much of it. Troy guards like this, would just see the weakness and use it against them. Considering they had been dragged back here, and that they could apparently track them both anywhere, she wouldn't put anything past them anymore.

What Void said were going to be the closest they would find themselves to getting an apology. Null did not apologize to anypony but her sister, and Void were unwilling to apologize too, when it came to somepony from Troy, as she didn't see this as a rescue mission. It were just them getting extracted because somepony else had some other ideas on how to make their lives miserable. So in case the guards wanted some actual words from Null, they would get a long nose, and she'd stare back at them just as much as they'd glare at her.

When the doors opened however, they would both fixate on the beings outside, and finally Null's expression of hatred would be replaced by one that were as stumped as Void's were.

Not for the surroundings, as they could care less about seeing another broken down part of this place, yet the varied levels of beings carrying Equestrian armor were just... Baffling. Their countries had been unwilling to work since forever, so why were they here? Had the uniforms been stolen? Were the two nations now suddenly working together? No, surely that'd be impossible. Celestia would never... Would she?

Whilst these and more thoughts went through their heads, a commotion seemed to have arisen as Panic apparently did not get the hint that he should stay down, and rot in the depths like he deserved.

"Sis, jump outside now!"

Even tough Void had not seen what were going on, she listened to what were said by her sister, and jumped outside nearly instantly, before turning around and getting a look at the now more gooey, yet discernible Panic who were starting to rise from the elevator.

"Grrr. insufferable cur. How many times do you have to be beaten down before you get the hint?"

Null raised a leg weakly to shake it at him, but she didn't have the strength to keep it going for long, so her leg slumped down again soon after. Had she more to work with, she would've planted a dart directly in his gooey forehead and seen him dissolve, but she barely had the energy to do what she already had, and she had to conserve it so that she'd be ready for their eventual escape.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

(In regards to Void's comments)

The guard looked unsure, if not conflicted, about Void's clarifying statement, but didn't say anything in response.

(Our feature presentation.)

As more of the creature pulled itself out of the puddle, it became clear that it wasn't Panic, but the first goo creature that had so completely terrified Void in the maintenance tunnels, and again before she had met the guard.

The assembled guard of mixed armors continued to give the creature a wide berth, while also forming up into a circle, if the creature were to leave, it'd have to go through the guards, and the others could press in from behind no matter what direction it went.

At full height the creature stood taller than even the griffon that had brought them up in the elevator. It turned to look over at Void, the solid red eye with a slit pupil peering at her from beneath the ooze that seemed to perpetually ooze from it. It extended a hoof towards them, and the guards tensed, then it took a step towards them.

The sound of the beating of large wings was heard before another creature entered the circle from above. It was, against all odds, an alicorn. The alicorn was covered in a black cloak, though its great wings, a tan color right between sand and clay, stuck out from beneath the cloak. It landed almost silently, and the creature lowered its hoof and turned to face the newcomer. From under the good of its cloak, a single eye glowed white. It spoke in a deep masculine voice, but in a way that was entirely unintelligible, except apparently to the creature, whose posture grew aggressive as it turned to fully face the alicorn.

The creature lunged at the alicorn, who simply lowered its head as it extended its wings, first the tan ones, then a pair that seemed to be made of shadow, then a pair that seemed made of light. It's horn glowed brilliantly in a twisted combination of light and dark magics, before a beam struck the creature in the air.

Its scream caused all the guards to flinch, it was the scream of one who had lost everything, after only barely having recovered it. It tore at the soul much like it had previously torn at their minds in the facility.

When the light faded, the alicorn stood tall before the cowering shape of a changeling queen. She was black with red accents, and a look much more vicious than Chrysalis had ever managed. The alicorn withdrew its hood, revealing its sky blue eyes, sand colored mane that flowed like the rippling of dunes, and a laurel of golden leaves that signified his station as Consul of Troy. "Queen Gelatine, for the vengeance calle against you by the citizens of Staliongrad, the ponies of Equestria, the citizens of Troy, and your daughter queens Permutation and Sleipnir, and having now been cleansed of the corruption which held you, you are hereby sentenced to death for the many you have maimed and killed."

The changeling queen struggled to rise before the alicorn retrieved a sword from within his robes, (they might recognize it as the Sword of Troy), the blade glowed with a sickly purple light. The alicorn waited for her to stand fully upright before thrusting the sword into her chest-plate.

The queen staggered, before a red flame grew from where the sword had pierced her carapace. The flame grew to consume her whole body, leaving nothing but a pile of red/black ash on the floor of the room. a number of changelings of many colors came forward to scatter the ashes with their wings, each with a look of disgust at the creature who had once stood there.

The alicorn turned to face Null and Void then, and smiled as he returned the sword to his robes. "Ah! I see the two of you made it out! Now, it seems there is much that must be discussed."

 

(I hope this scene satisfies you!)

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

The sisters had some very... Mixed reactions to everything that transpired.

Void at seeing the goo creature, and  realizing that it were not Panic, but something potentially worse, staggered away a few steps. A shiver had run down her spine as the creature started to glare at her with the gelatinous eye, which had made her big sister glare back at it, whilst seeing what these puppets of a guard squad were going to do against it. With some luck, get eaten, so the two of them had a chance to escape unnoticed amidst the chaos.

Sadly, that wasn't what happened. Instead some sort of cloaked theater knockoff would instead flutter down and play hero. From the sound of it, a male alicorn, which were pretty unusual, but it wasn't the first they had seen. Whose side were this on one though, if any? Last male alicorn they had met had been a lunatic gone mad from his own power increase, so that were an option here. At least until he started babbling on and using magic in a way that made it pretty apparent that he were in control - even though he were blabbering in some sorta moon language - so that likely left it with the question of which side, but that'd get shown soon enough likely. Plenty enough to focus on as this apparently six winged wunderkin (or whatever the hay this attention seeker were going with) started to blast the goo creature with his own brand of pretty bright magic. Something which made the goo creature give off one disturbing, and to Null, familiar sound.

She knew the sound of this. The despair. The pain. Everything that vibrated through the loud scream of somepony who had lost everything, were something which she were very familiar with, though it did not give her sympathy for the creature. It had tried to go after Void. It got what it deserved, no matter how much she might be able to identify with the emotions roaring out from the creature. The sound made Void shiver in her legs, and wish she had something to cover her ears with to get the horrible noise out. She had always had something in life, even when it seemed most bleak, so she did not know the emotions as well as her sister. To her, it were just a gut-wrenching, horrible sound that threaten to burst her eardrums.

After the dazzling light show had toned down and it were possible to see something. What met them had been the most grotesque, horrible creature that they could have the misfortune of meeting. Standing there, tall and mighty with that feature that marked it as one of the worst creatures one could imagine: The golden leaves of Troy.

Even after twenty years, and despite never seeing the Consul in person, both Null and Void knew well what signified the leader of the nation of Troy, and it left them both shocked and unable to do anything as they were faced with the creature who were in charge of a country they had never wanted to be near again. Void even fell down, her legs simply giving in as the color metaphorically drained from her.

Normally, seeing a changeling queen would have taken all of their attention, but this weren't normal. This were among the three most distracting and attention-demanding thing they had seen in their lives, which considering what sort of things they had been faced with out there in the unforgiving hell that was the world at large, were saying quite a bit.

They would still register what happened though, albeit it just wasn't as important too them. Not until the sword came forth, and just once again proved that this were indeed the leader of Troy, regardless of whatever or not he used the name of Equestria for some reason. Likely out of spite, as there would never be a time where Troy and Equestria would look eye to eye. Not after all these years being openly hostile towards one another, if not in open warfare, then in tone and stories. Honestly they weren't listening in enough to really get why he were calling on that name, nor cared much as the changeling got torched, though later, Null were probably going to comment about the world being better for having one less egg-spewing monster in it, even though there sure were a lot of drones here for some reason. Again though, leader of Troy, right over there. It were hard to focus on the cheese-legs with that sort of thing hanging around.

On 4/19/2019 at 1:45 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The alicorn turned to face Null and Void then, and smiled as he returned the sword to his robes. "Ah! I see the two of you made it out! Now, it seems there is much that must be discussed."

Once the alicorn started to speak directly to them, Void felt hope just wither away and die in her chest, and she fell completely to the ground, covering her head with her front hooves and gathering herself up in a fetal position. The noised coming from her could best be described as something you'd hear from an abused animal, waiting for the next beating to happen.

As for Null, the alicorn would have to deal with her first as she forced herself to stand up, and even before she spoke he should be able to see in her eyes that if she had more mobility, she would have tried to jump up and tear his throat apart like a rabid animal. 

"How dare you show yourself here you... You... Beast!"

Her voice were loud and shaking, filled to the breaking point with a roaring rage that would not subside when in the presence of this... Thing. She couldn't even think of any proper insults right now, so great were her anger at being faced with the Consul of Troy. The supreme leader of the nation that took everything from them, and yet still wanted to come in for seconds.

"You are not getting a single step closer to her. You hear me?! I am not letting you take the last thing this stinking country haven't stolen from me yet!"

Growling like a feral beast in front of her sister, to keep this ruiner of lives away from her, Null hadn't any rational, even-headed thoughts here, such as perhaps it being a new leadership, or how even though alicorn magic were about as effective against her as it were to try and defeat a tornado by going over and farting into it, he still had the size and physical strength over her, considering her weakened state. Oh, and he had a large team of allies and servants apparently, whilst she had a little sister who had reacted exactly the same as she had the day they had to leave Troy, and she were faced with them having no home, and their parents likely being dead.

Amidst this staggering around, falling and crawling into a fetal position, the gem in Void's bandanna had gotten loose too, and now laid just outside her field of influence, somewhere in the general area between Null and her. Hopefully nopony were going to step on it, or get it shoved down their throat by the infuriated, runt of the litter pegasus, who they really should consider just tranquilizing her and then attempt to speak with them again under some medication to keep her mood in check. It were not going to be feasible to get much of a reasonable response out of either sibling, with the leader of Troy having just revealed himself.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

(Very good)

The Consul took a step back, an eyebrow raised, though the slight smile remained on his face before his horn let off a slight glow, then he looked confused. "Very interesting."

The rest of the guards, the Equestrian ones to a much greater extent than the Trojan ones, seemed agitated to her calling the alicorn a beast. But the Consul raised a placating hoof and they lowered their weapons. "Now now, they've been through quite a bit. Now..."

His eyes focused on the gemstone that lay just outside of Void's influence, and it started to roll towards him with a slight blue glow like his eyes. He held it up in his magic to examine it. "How..." he muttered to himself, before he sighed. He set the gem down as close as he could magically get it to Void. He looked concerned, "Would you let me have that gem?"

The question was cut off by a deep rumbling from below the earth, which seemed to shake even the alicorn before he lifted himself up with his wings, "MOVE." he shouted, and all the guards began moving out of the structure, which was already starting to collapse further. The guards that had accompanied them within the facility would motion for them to follow, pick them up if they were unresponsive, or let them flee if they decided to. Most of the guards were running directly away from the dried oasis in the center of the facility, taking to a flat stone pathway that started to crack by the rumbling below. The alicorn was using magic to protect the guards and them as they ran by deflecting falling rubble. just as soon as most of the guards had gotten past the walls that surrounded the facility, a tremendous explosion shook the earth, knocking almost all the guards to the ground.

There was the straining sounds of metal and stone before large parts of the facility, visible through the ruined walls, fell down on the now collapsed facility below. It became, like the earth pony guard had mentioned, a large crater.

The alicorn looked about in concern moving to retrieve any fallen guards that hadn't escaped the facility before it exploded from below. A few hadn't survived the explosion.

Nonetheless, the outside of the facility wasn't much better, the sand and clay outside was pocked with craters and burned areas, the whole desert seemed like a veritable warzone, discarded armor dotted the landscape along with the corpses of the spawn of Tartarus.

 

If they had fled away from the guards, some would begin to search for them.

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

23 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

His eyes focused on the gemstone that lay just outside of Void's influence, and it started to roll towards him with a slight blue glow like his eyes. He held it up in his magic to examine it. "How..." he muttered to himself, before he sighed. He set the gem down as close as he could magically get it to Void. He looked concerned, "Would you let me have that gem?"

"Take it! Take everything, just leave us alone... Leave us alone..."

Void's voice kept getting lower and lower as she said this, and she flailed a hoof to push the gem towards the consul. Sure she wished to help Silver, and would likely regret this later on, if they got away and she had the chance to reminisce over things like this, but right now she just wanted for the consul to go away, and would panicky flail everything at him in a desperate attempt to make it happen. She would've given him the darn coin too if she could, and she asked for it, which were something she had done what she could to keep away from others.

23 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

If they had fled away from the guards, some would begin to search for them

A distraction where all that Null had wanted. Just one chance for the tyrant and his traitorous lackeys to look elsewhere, so that she could get a shot at taking down this symbol of everything bad that had ever happened to herself and Void. And as if her prayers were hears, the facility then started to collapse, and most of their focuses were directed towards It. A perfect opportunity for her to just lunge forward, taking hold of that nice, sharp rock that laid on the ground, and use it to stab the alicorn.

Alicorns were so reliant on their magic and wards to keep themselves protected through out their seemingly endless life. Yet they just immortal, not invincible, and if their magic failed them, they could be taken care of just like any other being. That was the theory anyway. Only one she had stabbed before were the mad alicorn they'd met once, and Null didn't get to see if it had much of an effect before he staggered back and fell headfirst into a well. They had no idea if he made it after that, since they didn't linger, but since they hadn't heard anything about him in the three more days they lived in the area before they had to run, they had just assumed the worst and moved on with their lives. The consul here would perhaps not go down as easily, but here were hoping that it'd work.

At least, that was the plan.

As it turned out instead, Void had felt the earth crumble beneath her, and looked up with the look in her eyes resembling that of a rabbit being chased. And much like one of though, she instinctively took the chance as the rest weren't looking, and staggered to her hooves before making a run for it. 

She'd get Null with her, though it wouldn't be a happy thing for the pegasus, considering she were being held in Void's teeth like a kitten, and since she weren't a cat, but a pony, this actually hurt. Quite a bit so, though her focus were mainly on wriggling around to try and get loose so she could go back to try and get her hooves on the alicorn that needed to be punished. To no avail though, as Void were by far the stronger off them, and when she were in her *Fight or flight* mode, you either got kicked severely, or you were made to follow or be pushed aside as she tried to run at a surprising speed for somepony with a false leg. Considering everything though, unless the sands blew around quite a bit, she should be leaving some pretty easy to follow tracks as she ran aimlessly throughout the desert, until about eleven minutes in when she'd stumble over what were either a weird looking helmet or a large skull, and stumbled down the dunes with Null and her landing about a half meter from one another.

The pegasus would be the first to get her bearings, and would take her hooves to her neck to press down against the painful bite mark she now had in her hide. She weren't thin skinned, but dang it, this sorta thing hurt, and given the chance, she'd beat on anything that resembled something else than her sister or just sand as far as the eyes could see. Void in the meantime were giving off some strange noises as the drop had made her go quite dizzy and considering she hit her head, potentially caused a shakeup of her brain.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

With the winds on the desert, it wasn't long before they couldn't hear the guards or the rumbling of the facility as it collapsed. They hadn't even been running a full minute before the wind was all they could hear.

When Void's blind run across the desert stopped by her collision with the corpse of one of the spawn of Tartarus, which caused them to fall into one of the many craters that dotted the landscape, they would finally be able to really take in their surroundings. 

At least in the crater, the wind wasn't blowing on them, though sand was still being blown onto them. The ground was mostly clay, with a dusting of sand on top of it, but it was dry and cracked.

If they ventured to look around outside of their crater, they weren't far from the railway, in fact there was what looked to be a station nearby, it was likely for the facility they had just escaped, but it was in extreme disrepair, along with the rails leading up to it, twisted and broken beyond any semblance of order or usefulness. There were dozens of corpses all around, both in and around the many craters in the clay, as well as more than a few field grave markers, guard helmets on pikes, both Equestrian and Trojan guards had died here.

The corpse they now shared a crater with, hadn't been dead too long, only about a year, so it wasn't wholly decomposed, plus the sand had dried it out to the point that it was mostly skin and bones.

 

The wind died down shortly after, and it was quiet as the sun started to rise,

from the west.

A single pony dressed in a desert wanderer's garb seemed to have taken notice of them, a thick brown cloak to keep off the sand. It was a unicorn, as brown as the sand, and he spoke with a gruff voice "You lost?"