open The Town That Friendship Forgot

[Pastel Heart 6,466]

@Kronos the Revenant

Pastel observed as the crab bots scattered. If they're scrounging about, she's free to engage Kronos in his huge suit... She's severely disadvantaged. If she was gonna do this, she probably wasn't gonna survive. How many lives did she have...? She hoped that she can take him down quicker than he can get a hold of her. But if there was any chance to prove herself, and prove something to the others... This was it. She was an assassin. All she had to do was eliminate the target. No one else could. This is what she told herself...

Taking a deep breath, she eyed the mech suit closely. Her eyes were good. Something that stuck out was a huge generator coming out of his back... Was that like a battery pack? If she could do something to that maybe she could get Kronos out of his suit. This would be a lot easier if Dyny and the others were here... No. She had to do this for herself.

Pastel dropped from the vent, directly behind Kronos. Not a sound to be made... Finally, she jumped at the generator on his back, cloak disappearing at that second -- two blades driving down towards what she percieved was the most vulnerable spot on the pack.

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

@Pastel Heart

Kronos grunted as he felt the generators getting damaged on his back. He swung around attempting to get Pastel off of his back.

”Insolent child,” he growled at her, “I gave you chance to wait for your party, but now you’re wearing my patience thin.” 
 

He leapt a high height from the chamber to the rafters and scaffolding, hoping the shear vertical velocity would be enough to get the filly to loosen her grip on him and also preparing himself for his grand entrance to the hero party once they reach his boss room. 

[Pastel Heart 6,466]

@Kronos the Revenant

"Funya!?"

Her initial satisfaction upon burying her daggers into his back were soon offset by the machines swinging. This was the worst rodeo she'd ever been in. If she were in a rodeo before. She hung on as tight as she could, the only thing keeping her on was the fact her daggers dug deep. The image was reminiscent of a chihuahua biting a dinosaur. 

As soon as Kronos made his landing on the scaffolding, the velocity plus impact would finally shoot her off like a fly swatted out of the air. She hit the roof hard. If this were an anime shed leave a filly shaped imprint on the roof.

She landed in front of Kronos. That was enough to reduce all her HP to nearly nothing. With what she had left, she forced herself to her hooves, standing limply but griping her daggers tight as if they were all that was keeping her up. She spat at Kronos' feet.

"You think you're so tough in that rusty tin can...? Nyaha. You ain't nothing. Go on. Make my millennium~"

She approached slowly with a limp, her smile betraying her bodys condition. She was waiting for Kronos to make his next move, but did she even have the strength to use her reflexes to their full extent?

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@PawelS

The next vision is not going to be a vision at all, and instead, it would be a cryptic premonition shown to him.

The first shows him a grainy vision the same apartment, the vision then cuts to a book titled My Diary, then to an arrow hitting a pink heart, shattering it to pieces. A beautiful serene day sky drastically turns into a dark night sky, and a menacing laugh of a mare is heard, several eyes of different colors are seen: one Is a raspberry red (Shadow's eye), a brown eye (Trilby' eye), a peach yellow eye (Keen's eye), and lastly, a blue eye (Nightmare Moon). The vision finally ends.

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

@Pastel Heart @Samurai Equine @Dynamo Pad @C. Thunder Dash @Cinnamon Coffee @Windy Breeze

Kronos looked down at the severely injured filly in pity. Instead of finishing her off, he got out of his mech suit and knelt towards her.

He then placed a claw on her shoulder and said, “You may be labeled an assassin, but you have a warrior’s heart. You have my respect, little one.” He then grabbed her by the back of her garb and dangled her from the rafter, waiting for the next move of the heroes. All of them. 

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Kronos the Revenant @Pastel Heart @Dynamo Pad @PawelS @Cinnamon Coffee @Windy Breeze @Samurai Equine @GeneralDirection

Thundy pulled a lever and large wings spread out from his mega-griffon. "Alright everyone, let's do this for Pastel! She may be an assassin but this is Kronos we're dealing with." Thundy said as his mega-griffon took to the skies and fired pulses from it's wings destroying any enemies that were in the vicinity of the pulses. 

[Silly Druid 7,051]

@Windy Breeze

1 hour ago, Windy Breeze said:

The next vision is not going to be a vision at all, and instead, it would be a cryptic premonition shown to him.

The first shows him a grainy vision the same apartment, the vision then cuts to a book titled My Diary, then to an arrow hitting a pink heart, shattering it to pieces. A beautiful serene day sky drastically turns into a dark night sky, and a menacing laugh of a mare is heard, several eyes of different colors are seen: one Is a raspberry red (Shadow's eye), a brown eye (Trilby' eye), a peach yellow eye (Keen's eye), and lastly, a blue eye (Nightmare Moon). The vision finally ends.

Nopony is not sure what all of it means. Somepony wants to use a diary to destroy a love? But what does the day and night sky represent? The laugh... well, that's what evil spirits usually do... And then the eyes... They seem important, so I must memorize them as accurately as possible. I think one of the pairs belongs to the pony in coma I've seen earlier... (Ponies in coma usually have closed eyes, but he opened them during the examination.)

Having no leads as to where to go next, he decides to hide in the bushes near the apartment and wait for somepony to go there. His concealment skills are magically enhanced, so he won't be easy to detect.

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@PawelS

Nopony's hiding and waiting for anyone to pass met some success, but this success is met with a failure, sure 7 ponies passed by the apartment, one of them happened to have blue eyes or brown, but there are no traces of dark magic within them. It seems the seven passerbys are just other random residents of the apartment complex who just returned from the game. They are completely oblivious that someone is hiding within the bushes, waiting for a clue to come.

[Samurai Equine 51,932]

@Dynamo Pad, @Pastel Heart, @C. Thunder Dash, @PawelS, @Windy Breeze, @ExplosionMare, @GeneralDirection, @Cinnamon Coffee, @Kronos the Revenant

In Level 4,
Trilby lets go of Shadow when he hears her gasping. "Heh. Sorry. Didn't mean to hug that hard. I guess I just got caught up in the moment." He says. But now wasn't the time for that. They had an elevator to catch! So he takes Shadow's hoof in his own, and heads for the elevator. Soon they were all in there. How they managed to fit with all the thing that were summoned is a mystery, but they fit. Even Pencil has room for the animals she drew.

The elevator moves upwards.

It passes a few floors.

As they wait, Tempest answers Dynamo's question. "Since you asked, the security systems are too complex. Each floor in this building has its own independent redundancy, making it impossible to shut it all down by ourselves. Only Kronos has the master code fro that. Sorry, but it looks like we'll have to beat Level 4 the vanilla way." Tempest explains.

Trilby looks over at Thundy again. "So I guess that's a NO on the hover craft I asked for? I mean, it's cool if you can't, just thought I'd ask..." Trilby asks. He was interrupted before, but he thought he might as well ask again.

The elevator continues to move upwards.

Then it comes to a stop and opens up.

The next floor is built more like a maze, with different paths to explore. A horde or cyborg crabs are there to greet them, but it's not just that. Panels on the walls open up to reveal gun turrets. Tempest steps up ahead of the group and uses her shadow powers to make a swirling shadow portal. This portal redirects the laser blasts, destroying the turrets themselves and some of the crabs. "Proceed with caution. Some of these rooms have anti-gravity traps. If we can get past this floor, we'll make it to the master control room; also known as the boss room."

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@Samurai Equine @PawelS @ExplosionMare @Dynamo Pad @GeneralDirection @C. Thunder Dash @Cinnamon Coffee @Kronos the Revenant @Pastel Heart 

Shadow was not able to register what Tempest when Trilby broke the hug and suddenly decided to drag her by her hooves. She yelped as they move towards the elevator. Realizing they were going to another place, she turned to tell at her Drones that are still busy fighting off the cyborg animals “Drones, follow your master!” she successfully gained their attention, however it was too late. Before the drones could get inside the elevator, the door has closed, making it impossible for the Drones to join them “Drones, defend yourselves!” that was the last order she gave them before the elevator moved upwards. She walks back beside Trilby. Glad they are now safe.

For now.

“Drones...come forth” using her mind and creativity as her blueprint, a pair of drones, the same design from the previous ones appeared hovering on top of her and Trilby, getting ready to fight when they reach the next level.

Shadow almost backs up to the wall behind when she saw a horde of cyborg crabs, literally waiting for them, there are also some turrets too, which was bad until Tempest steps up ahead of the group and decided to destroy the obstacles.

“Way to go, Tempest!” Shadow cheered. She then turned to her drones “Drones, shoot those crabbies if they got too close to the group!” the Drones flew in front of the group, getting ready to shoot any cyborg crabs who dared to charge at the group.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Samurai Equine @Windy Breeze @Dynamo Pad @Cinnamon Coffee @ExplosionMare @PawelS @Kronos the Revenant @Pastel Heart

Thundy heard Trilby's question even though he was closed up in his mega griffon. As they approached the elevator and went in, Thundy reverted the griff back to the marauder. "A hovercraft may be a little too vulnerable. There are many exposed moving parts such as the rudders, propellers, and even the inflating cushion that the whole unit sits on. Hovercrafts can't be too heavy." Thundy stated as he drove into the room. "Anti-gravity traps hm? There's a solution to that." Thundy said pressing a button. Small thrusters popped out on each side of the marauder, like the ones found on space capsules back in his world. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,372]

@Pastel Heart @ExplosionMare @Cinnamon Coffee @Samurai Equine @GeneralDirection @PawelS @Windy Breeze @Kronos the Revenant @C. Thunder Dash

Dynamo's jaw dropped as his jaw nearly fell to the ground. Just the mention of keeping the spiders was enough to make his skin crawl. He could feel his spin shake with fear as he shook his head rapid-fire. "No, thank you~! Also, not cool, Pencil!" He stuck his tongue out, while giving a shaky chuckle that he understood she was kidding. He still didn't like the joke as it was a fear, but he assumed it was her way of breaking the seriousness of the situation. He blinked suddenly as the gazelle sniffed him up and down to make sure he wasn't an enemy. While he was still shaking from both the earlier joke and current inspection, Dynamo tried to smile softly to the drawn creature. It was sort of his way of saying that he wanted to be friends. He sighed as the gazelle stood up straight and begun to follow him, while the unicorn continued to follow after Tempest. "Even with the display of dramatics, you're still pretty cool. I guess I was right for thinking that you are the king of mythical beasts. Just wish I had Berfomet."

Dynamo looked back to Seir, who had responded to his earlier response. "I guess you haven't played a lot of video games. I guess I can sort of explain, but I'll save the story for later. Right now, I have to keep going with Tempest." He responded, blushing brightly at the 'sweetheart' comment. "N-No! You must be mistaken! P-Pastel-chan isn't exactly my sweetheart, but..." He stuttered, knowing there wasn't a really good way to explain himself. With a sigh, he shook his head. The blush still evident upon his face. "...N-Never mind. That's something also to be explained later. For right now, I'm going on ahead with Tempest. Everyone else just try and catch up as soon as you can! Try not to do anything too reckless! I want us all to complete this level together, okay!?"

Upon reaching the elevator, Dynamo passed through the now open doors. All the while, seeing that everyone else was making their way into the elevator, as well. "I honestly thought everyone else was going to take some time in getting to the elevator, or at least later on in the level. Glad to know that wasn't the case." He responded with a smile. He didn't doubt anyone's abilities, but it seemed that he and Tempest were far out in front. However, he was glad nobody was getting cut off from one another, while the group could continue further through the level. Once everyone had entered, the doors closed as the elevator rose up to the later floors. Dynamo, hearing Tempest's voice, looked over towards her direction. Learning about the security was like taking a strong blow to his gut. He felt all the air escape him with a regretful, heavy sigh. "I guess it wasn't going to be that easy. Seems like Kronos has had this all prepared from the very beginning." He responded, nodding in agreement to Tempest's choice of words. "You can say that again. It seems like we're going to have to do this the standard and hard way. I just hope we can make it in time."

The elevator continued to climb and climb, until it eventually stopped at a certain floor. Once the doors swung open, Dynamo was greeted by a sort of maze like area. Dynamo managed to take cover away from the revealed turret panels, but thankfully Tempest was able to redirect the blasts. "Are there any sort of gravity spells? I'm not sure if it's classified as elemental magic, but thought it'd be safe to ask." He says, wishing that he still had his keyblade in hoof. There was a way to counteract the gravity dilemma, but it wasn't the case without his weapon. Seeing the cyborg crabs had given Dynamo an idea. "Chelsea! Can I get some water for these crabs? They look to be a little parched." He winked in hopes that she understood what he was thinking. "Thundy! On my signal, we launch it together. If not, then just send the magic at me, okay? Please trust me." He would say, beginning to charge up his horn for a magic attack.

 

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad @Samurai Equine @Cinnamon Coffee @Windy Breeze @PawelS @Kronos the Revenant @ExplosionMare @GeneralDirection @Pastel Heart

"On it!" Thundy called back as he revved his Marauder loudly. He pulled a lever. Two energy canons popped out and began to charge. Thundy waited for Dynamo's signal. He made to avoid the anti gravity traps, as the marauder had no gravity neutralizing devices. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,372]

9 minutes ago, C. Thunder Dash said:

@Dynamo Pad @Samurai Equine @Cinnamon Coffee @Windy Breeze @PawelS @Kronos the Revenant @ExplosionMare @GeneralDirection @Pastel Heart

"On it!" Thundy called back as he revved his Marauder loudly. He pulled a lever. Two energy canons popped out and began to charge. Thundy waited for Dynamo's signal. He made to avoid the anti gravity traps, as the marauder had no gravity neutralizing devices. 

Dynamo's ears fell from the loud rev from Thundy's Marauder. It was kind of ruining his concentration, but he had to persevere in order to prepare. When he knew he had charged up enough magic, his eyes glanced over towards the female griffon. "How's the water coming along, Chelsea. I'm ready to give Thundy the signal!" He called out to her, while making sure his target was on point.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad @Kronos the Revenant

Chelsea was on her water dragon above the group, firing at the enemies with concentrated shots of water. "Looks good up here. Just making sure to find the traps and short them out." Chelsea said as she fired a water ball at a nearby trap. It shorted. "Dynamo, have this." Chelsea said extending a staff out towards Dynamo. "This staff should help you out with concentrating your abilities more." Chelsea stated.

Edited November 20, 2020 by C. Thunder Dash

[Silly Druid 7,051]

@Windy Breeze

19 hours ago, Windy Breeze said:

Nopony's hiding and waiting for anyone to pass met some success, but this success is met with a failure, sure 7 ponies passed by the apartment, one of them happened to have blue eyes or brown, but there are no traces of dark magic within them. It seems the seven passerbys are just other random residents of the apartment complex who just returned from the game. They are completely oblivious that someone is hiding within the bushes, waiting for a clue to come.

Disappointed by the results of his observation, the druid decides to take a different approach. He goes back to the apartment and searches all the notes and documents again, this time looking for something that would lead him to another pony these two who live here have a connection to, or to a place in the town where they work or go frequently.

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@PawelS

Other than the Shadowbolt uniform and flight goggles which look much real, because of course it is real, the documents belonged to several organizations, mostly ones involved in exposing activities which deemed by the said organization as evil and intolerable such as foal neglect, untold land theft, domestic abuse and many more, the reason why Shadow brought them with her is unknown, especially the presence of several work Identification cards. There is also a wallet which reveals thousands of bits, and a pendant with an old picture of Shadow as a filly and her parents.

[Silly Druid 7,051]

@Windy Breeze

Nopony knows about the adventures of Twilight Sparkle and her friends before she became the ruler of Equestria, so the uniform looks familiar to him. Hmm, isn't it the Shadowbolts from the story about the return of Nightmare Moon? But they weren't real, so it must be a Nightmare Night costume or something... Also it seems that Shadow Trail was involved in exposing some evil acts, so there can be someone who wants to take revenge on her... There are some documents with photos, so the druid can tell that Keen Fan is the one that's in coma, and Shadow Trail is the one with red eyes. He still has no idea who are the other two.

With no better idea in mind, he starts to wander through the various areas of the town. He hopes to find more traces of dark magic, and perhaps to see one of the ponies with the eyes that appeared in his vision. And he is new in town, so the walk also serves as a way to get to know it.

Edited November 20, 2020 by PawelS

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@PawelS

It would be a little difficult to tell whoever is the owner of the brown eyes and blue eyes shown to him in the vision, since several ponies have the same eye colors, some blue and some brown. Many of the ponies would greet him for the help he gave them earlier.

Meanwhile, Sundae Delight, who just recently awoken from unconsciousness in her ice cream parlor had long began checking on everypony. She would take notice of Nopony and ran up to him if he's alright.

“Are you okay sir?” she asked, red raspberry eyes staring up at him, the same eye color of Shadow Trail.

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

@Pastel Heart @Samurai Equine @PawelS @Windy Breeze @ExplosionMare @C. Thunder Dash @Dynamo Pad @Cinnamon Coffee @GeneralDirection

As Kronos continued to dangle Pastel off the rafter, he pulled up a display of his remaining defenses leading up to his chamber. Sure enough, the heroes were quickly shoring them out with just water. A very small oversight that cost him a lot of time, but he feels like the heroes deserved this for the gauntlet he’s already put them through. 
 

“Hmph,” he says to Pastel, “Your friends are very intuitive. Should an opportunity like this occur again in my life, I’ll have to take this oversight into account; however, i do believe I’ve let their crusade go on long enough. I’ll provide them with some help.” He pressed a button on his arm that made the chambers the heroes were in light up like neon bar signs. They were lines that seemed to guide the heroes to the main command center. All they had to do was follow the lines and just give a knock, and Kronos would let them in. 

[Sphinx-Ara 3,571]

@Dynamo Pad

Seir just chuckles "Alright if you say so" he'd say, "You lot go on a head, I'll cover you" he says, acting as a tank for the aggro of the bulk of the beasts "Just call my name when we're ready for the big battle, I don't want to miss out on that, k?" he'd ask, smashing into the beasts that tried chasing them.

[Samurai Equine 51,932]

@Dynamo Pad, @Pastel Heart, @C. Thunder Dash, @PawelS, @Windy Breeze, @ExplosionMare, @GeneralDirection, @Cinnamon Coffee, @Kronos the Revenant

In Level 4,
When Thundy denies Trilby the hovercraft, his ears droop down and he practically pouts. "I never get the good stuff..."
But at least there was good news. Seeing Shadow Trail command those drones like a mastermind was awesome. It gave Trilby ease of mind. Perhaps now he didn't have to worry about her safety so much anymore. After all, she saved him, not the other way around.

As the team enters the next level of the compound, Elusive Facts summons her motorcycle and uses it to destroy more enemies standing in their way. She'd use her microphone/speaker combo attack, but she doesn't want to hurt anyone's ears, nor take away any of her friends' HP. "Ugh... This place is built like a labyrinth! There are so many alternate pathways. How will we ever find the way to the boss?" Elusive Facts ask. Trilby runs up. "Ah! That's where I come in. As a cleric, that's where I come in! I can use my incredible sense of direction to guide us through the..." Trilby begins, only to be cut off.

Suddenly, there were lights in the shape of arrows appearing on some of the corridor walls. The lights are literally pointing them in the direction to go.

Trilby's turn to pout again. "Why am I even here?! Why?! The dumb arrow lights stole my thunder!" Trilby says. Though, Elusive and Tempest both seem rather confused.  "Could it really be that easy? Did he just get tired of waiting and wants us to hurry up? I feel like this is a rouse. He's just trying to lead us down a dead end or something." Tempest states. Trilby sighs. "...No. This definitely feels right. My clairvoyance is giving me the go-ahead. Just watch your step, there could still be traps I guess..." Trilby says, a little defeated but ready to move forward. "Rassa-frassin easy mode..."

Edited November 20, 2020 by Samurai Equine

[Silly Druid 7,051]

@Windy Breeze

10 hours ago, Windy Breeze said:

It would be a little difficult to tell whoever is the owner of the brown eyes and blue eyes shown to him in the vision, since several ponies have the same eye colors, some blue and some brown. Many of the ponies would greet him for the help he gave them earlier.

Meanwhile, Sundae Delight, who just recently awoken from unconsciousness in her ice cream parlor had long began checking on everypony. She would take notice of Nopony and ran up to him if he's alright.

“Are you okay sir?” she asked, red raspberry eyes staring up at him, the same eye color of Shadow Trail.

These eyes... Is she related to Shadow Trail? Nopony thinks and says: "I'm all right, but there are some dangerous things happening in this town, and I need information to prevent them. Do you know a pony named Shadow Trail?"

Edited November 20, 2020 by PawelS

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@PawelS

“Uh, yes. Why do you ask?” The unicorn would lift an eyebrow, wondering why a pony she don't recognize would ask if she knew Shadow Trail, unless...

He's a foalnapper!

No, no, no, don't overreact, Sundae! She slapped herself mentally for thinking such things, hopefully this druid is not a mind reader or something.

[Silly Druid 7,051]

@Windy Breeze

"Then there are two things I need to tell you." The druid has a serious look on his face. "First, her friend Keen Fan is in coma. She should be in the hospital now." He stops, waiting for a reaction from the mare.