open The Town That Friendship Forgot

[Samurai Equine 51,819]

@Dynamo Pad

As predicted, probably because it has a pattern of behavior by now, the Laronde Box activates and begins to solve a little more of itself!
What a thrill every time it does this!

But then, it project the images of today's event, and Dynamo's heart is instantly filled with dread.
The images show ponies and other creatures fighting each other, and not fairly.
Some came strapped with weapons, others were falling perhaps permanently.
And in the background of these images, a town an its tall walls are being scaled and overtaken.

These images spell out one thing, and somehow, Dynamo knows exactly what the box is trying to say:
War.
Friendshire is about to be in danger. Which means Dynamo has one immediate mission... Run. Run and warn everyone while there is still time!

[Dynamo Pad 11,358]

@Ragland Tiger @ExplosionMare @Windy Breeze @PawelS @Samurai Equine @GeneralDirection @C. Thunder Dash @Kronos the Revenant

As predicted, Dynamo watched as the Laronde Box began to activate. With each new event, Dynamo smiled as it seemed the box was slowly beginning to solve more of itself. As the images being projected began to show, Dynamo's smile slowly began to fade. Instead, replacing itself with a look of worry. His eyes shrank in shock as it showed ponies and other creatures fighting each other. The fighting didn't look fair, while some carried weapons. Other seemed to be hurt, or falling almost permanently. The images turned to a town and its walls being scaled. Almost as if said town was being overtaken and conquered. As the images faded back into the box, the blue unicorn could only stand there. As if frozen on the spot to which he didn't want to believe it. Try as he might, what he didn't want to believe was slowly turning into a harsh, unsettling reality. There was going to be a war within this town.

"Oh, dear, sweet Celestia." He uttered, his eyes glancing towards the window. To some, it would look like a pretty normal and nice day. To Dynamo, he could almost sense a sort of dread in the air. A sense that he soon realized from the images of the Laronde Box that was presented to him. He gulped as he knew he didn't have much time. He had to hurry. Grabbing his Gamer Driver, his jacket, saddlebag, letter and box. He quickly exited his room and out of the house. He needed to find someone, anyone. He had to find Bluebell and the others and let them know of what was going on.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad @Ragland Tiger @ExplosionMare @PawelS @Samurai Equine @Windy Breeze

Thundy and Chelsea continued to do their workout with their music turned up. The music then changed. "Oh yea! Nothing like a little Fall Out Boy to bump it up!" Thundy cheered as he started to do a set of handstand pushups. "You set it Thundy!" Chelsea said as he started to do some weighted squats.

 

[Dynamo Pad 11,358]

@Samurai Equine @C. Thunder Dash @Ragland Tiger @ExplosionMare @Windy Breeze @PawelS @Kronos the Revenant @GeneralDirection

As Dynamo rushed through the town, he could see other ponies were starting to set up shop for the day. He didn't know if they could feel the dread/worry in the air, or if they were just oblivious to the feeling. However, he knew he had to find the others. As he searched the town, his ears perked as he heard the sound of loud music being blasted in the area. It also helped that he had heard of the song before as it was related to anime. He stopped in his tracks momentarily, trying to find the source of the noise. Keeping track of the location, he hurried to the source to find a building he hadn't seen before. Not taking the time to ask questions, the gaming unicorn made his way inside the building. Bursting through the doors, Dynamo's ears fell as the loud music bombarded his ears. It seemed as if the music had changed songs, but that was besides the point. Closing one eye due, he managed to see Thundy and Chelsea were each in their own workout. "Hey, Thundy! Chelsea! I need you guys to stop what you're doing and come over here! We have a giant emergency going on!" He exclaimed, but his voice was drowned out due to the loud music being played.

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@Dynamo Pad @Samurai Equine

After eating breakfast and taking a nice warm bath, Sundae was now casually walking on the street, watching as her fellow locals set up shop. Her ice cream parlor staff are possibly at the shop now, opening the doors for the new day

“Rise and shine, Ms. Delight” one of the early birds of the town, a midnight stallion with milk white mane wearing a red white headband approached her.

“Good morning, Midnight Trotter" she smiled.

Edited February 26, 2021 by Windy Breeze

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad

Thundy stopped what he was doing and lowered the volume after his ears twitched. "Danger you say? Tell me more." Thundy said in a rather serious tone. Chelsea also stopped and gave her attention to Dynamo.

[Dynamo Pad 11,358]

@C. Thunder Dash

"I SAID-" He was about to yell, but stopped as the volume was lowered. Opening his eyes, his ears perked as the loud noise was gone. "Oh. Well, that's much better." He chuckled sheepishly, before shaking his head. Knowing full well that there was no time for jokes. Galloping over to the two, Dynamo took a deep breath to gather his thoughts. "Okay. Like I said, we have a very serious problem on our hooves. First, I received a note from Pastel. She wasn't at home last night since she and I stay at the same building. However, it looks like she went off with her grandfather." He says, showing the two griffons the note he had received earlier. "Although, that's not exactly the issue I wanted to fill you both in on. Apparently, the box activated again, but it's not good news. I don't think there's a big event like I and the others have told you. From the looks of things, we might have a war on our hooves, or talons, in your case. I don't know who, or how, or why, but this is not good. From the images I saw from the box, it looks like whoever is coming is coming to town. We need to find the others and gather up the townsfolk without causing a mass panic. What do you think?"

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

Kronos awakens as the first exposure of the morning sun makes contact with his armor. The heat emanating through minute gaps in his armor permeated and went onto his skin, giving him a calming emergence from his stasis. As soon as his eyes open, however, his spirits immediately manifested. 
 

Danger is imminent. They told Kronos. 
 

“I know,” he replied, “That damn paper gazelle thing or whatever the hell it was warned us. Samurai entrusted me as the new guardian of this town. I will due my damnest to keep these civilians safe. We may have to break a few self-imposed rules to do that, however; but, if push comes to shove, we might have no other choice.”

 

You dont mean....

 

”Yes,” Kronos answered, “We may have to resort to our ancestors ancient traditions of destruction magic. The results would be cataclysmic, but it could bring a swift end to what’s coming. But only as a last resort. Otherwise, the most we can transgress our self-imposed restrictions is implementing our full arsenal.”

 

You mean our condensed photon mass drivers?

 

Our weapons that fire projectiles made of condensed light that shatters and burns into its target without leaving an exit wound? 
 

We all agreed that was against our morals here: Dont use technology far beyond these ponies capabilities. It gives us an unfair advantage and might give us undeserved reverence. 
 

“What other choice do we have!? Do you think there are plenty of other capable fighters amongst these civilians? Remember, we’re not in Ragnarok anymore. Most of these ponies probably dont know how to wield a sword properly, let alone a projectile weapon. We are their best shot at warding whatever the hell is coming. And if we cant do that, then this city is lost. If we have to resort to desperate measure, we damn well better commit to those measures.”

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad

Thundy let out a very loud squawk putting his talons on his head in utter shock. Chelsea gasped as tears started to well up in her eyes. She looked extremely upset. War was what killed her parents. She didn’t want to destroy the purity within her. “W-W...war? We have to stop war from coming!” Thundy said grabbing Chelsea said embracing her in deep hug. Chelsea looked as if she could burst into tears. 

[Samurai Equine 51,819]

@Kronos the Revenant

If Kronos checks his arsenal again, he'll remember one other thing.

Samurai let him borrow his heavy buster sword while he is gone. Samurai told him that the sword is made of dark stone, which cancels out any magic. If it's true that something dangerous approaches, it may become necessary to use it.

[Dynamo Pad 11,358]

@C. Thunder Dash

Dynamo winced from the loud squawk. It seemed that even the mention of this potential war had freaked out the two griffon. He raised an eyebrow as he saw Chelsea was on the verge of tears, while looking very distraught. "Chelsea? Is everything okay? Why are you upset?" He asks as she was embraced by Thundy, who had mentioned that they had to stop this war from coming.

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

@Samurai Equine

Krux was sniffing at Kronos’ arsenal box, which was a virtually bottomless box that held a whole bunch of weaponry, yet still remained light as air. Bewildered, Kronos looked back at the box and selected “Recent” on it. There, he saw a weapon he forgot was there, Samurai’s sword. The Dark Stone blade. 
 

“Hmm,” Kronos lamented, “The combination of magic nullification from both my Eternium armor and Samurai’s Dark Stone Sword, we may just have a chance at something here.” He gave the buster sword a few swings. While it was a buster sword that was almost unwieldy for most ponies, Kronos has enough strength to wield it single handedly. He swung the sword with fluid grace and felt a surge of power emanate from the sword as it seeped into his armor. 
 

Huh? Kronos thought, Could it be that the magic nullification properties of both the blade and my armor create some sort of synergy?

Edited February 26, 2021 by Kronos the Revenant

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad

”M-my parents...they...” Chelsea finally couldn’t take it and broke down sobbing and hugging Thundy tightly. Thundy sighed and looked at Dynamo. “Chelsea lost her parents all because of war...” Thundy said somberly as he continued to comfort and embrace the crying Chelsea. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,358]

@C. Thunder Dash

"Y-Your parents?" Dynamo asked, but he hadn't received an answer from Chelsea, who had broke down in a fit of sobs. Hearing the truth from Thundy, Dynamo gasped as he was now beginning to see why Chelsea struggled on this subject. All the times she broke down into tears and now he knew why. "Sweet Celestia..." he muttered as he couldn't believe it. Hearing the truth had hurt his heart as he could understand Chelsea's pain. "...Chelsea? I-I'm really sorry. I-I didn't know. I..." He wished he knew what to say, or even help comfort someone he considered a friend. The fact was that he was still coming to terms with a situation similar to hers. It didn't help that what they were possibly going to go through was not helping her situation.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad

”And it was just an unarmed ship...w-we were going to establish peace with Celestia, but...that stupid coward of a general...!” Chelsea cried hugging Thundy tighter. Thundy hugged Chelsea closer and tighter. All he could do was play a fatherly role, which was what he was doing all along. “That’s why I vowed to be a fatherly figure for Chelsea. Chelsea means everything to me.” Thundy said. 

[Samurai Equine 51,819]

@Dynamo Pad, @C. Thunder Dash

Chelsea may have to make a hard choice on her involvement in this war. Because here comes a thought... Time is of the essence. The box didn't say WHEN the war is happening. And every second they waste means that the war is approaching faster. They need to get the town ready as quick as possible. There are citizens in compromised physical health that can't defend themselves.

[Dynamo Pad 11,358]

@C. Thunder Dash

Hearing that they were an unarmed ship, as well as a cowardly general had caused Dynamo to feel anger. He may not have known all the details, but he understood that it affected Chelsea deeply. Seeing Chelsea and Thundy hug, he nodded in understanding to the male griffon's remark. "I can imagine and I don't doubt that. I always thought you both were a sort of brother and sister kind of relationship, or maybe you were both boyfriend and girlfriend. Now I see why you are always both there for each other. Sorry for the confusion." He would say, before continuing. "I know I said this before, but I'm really sorry Chelsea. I do know how you feel though. I lost someone really important to me. Even to this day, it still gets to me." He felt a chill run down his spine as he hadn't really talked about it before. He still wanted Chelsea to know that he could understand what she had gone through, but he also knew that time is of the essence. 

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad @Samurai Equine 

Chelsea slowly recovered from her crying fit. “I’m so sorry you had to see that...” Chelsea said sadly with a sniffle. “Hm? You lost someone too?” Thundy asked bringing Dynamo in for the huddle, knowing they were on a time constraint. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,358]

@C. Thunder Dash @Samurai Equine

Dynamo shook his head as he gave Chelsea and understanding look. "It's okay, but you don't have to apologize, Chelsea. You've gone through a lot and what's going on isn't helping. I just hope that you'll be okay." He would say, before being brought into a huddle by the two griffons. He wanted to explain what he had gone through, but he knew that now wasn't the time. For the moment, they needed to make a plan and take action. "I-I'll explain later. Right now, we've got a lot to take care of." He took a deep breath and sighed, while trying to stay calm. He felt scared, but he knew he had to make sure everyone was safe. "We need to round up the others and fill them in on the plan. That, and we need to make sure to let the townsfolk know what's going on, while making sure we don't scare them. A mass panic would only cause things to escalate and become worse." He explained, before looking to the female griffon. "Chelsea? I need you to go find Mayor White and fill him in on what's going on. In his condition, he needs to be evacuated as soon as possible. With your water abilities, you can travel to him in no time at all. Every second we can get will be helpful." He says, before turning towards the male griffon. "Thundy? I think we need to find the others, especially Kronos. I remember he was escorting Mayor Black back to his office after we got out of the video game world. If Chelsea goes to alert Mayor White, then Kronos would possibly be able to notify Mayor Black." He says with a sigh. "If only the two mayors were able to make up and be brothers again. Then, it wouldn't be difficult to get their help on a plan.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad

”Gah easier said than done. Forgiveness heals wounds and restores life in a relationship.”  Thundy stated. Chelsea’s ears perked up. “Okay...I’ll go...” she said as she gathered some water energy and morphed into a puddle, flowing towards Mayor White’s place. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,358]

@C. Thunder Dash

"You can say that again, Thundy. It just seems like there's some bitterness and animosity towards one another. Forgiveness goes a long way, but it seems like there's still a long way to go." Dynamo responded, before nodding as Chelsea had agreed to go to Mayor White's office. "Just please be safe, Chelsea. If you can meet back up, then we should meet up in Town Square." He says, before she morphed into a puddle as she flowed towards her destination. "So, what do you think, Thundy? Who should we go and find first? Time is of the essence and we need to gather everyone as soon as possible. That, and we need to make a plan."

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad

”Bluebelle, Pencil, Tree Song and the rest. I have a feeling Kronos may know about this. Actually, change of plans, let’s talk to Kronos, then get the others.” Thundy stated. “Kronos had those three other spirits, which means he has high senses.” Thundy added. 

[Samurai Equine 51,819]

Meanwhile, Trilby is waking up and heading to his business.
To his surprise, there's two or three customers waiting for him! What a rare sight. He gets to work right away to try and help them find the perfect hat or the perfect piece of clothing.
This might just be a good day for his business!

@C. Thunder Dash 

It's almost unreal for Chelsea as she makes her way across the town as a puddle. So many citizens are just blissfully unaware of what's coming. And yet, now that she knows what's going to happen, it almost makes you wonder how any of these citizens can't feel the danger looming in the air. Let's just hope the enemy isn't all ready here, hiding in plain sight among the citizens...

When she finally arrives at the proper building and makes her way to Mayor White's office, everything is just as peaceful as it is outside. All the office workers and agents are doing their thing as if nothing has changed at all. There is peaceful office chatter. Some ponies are enjoying coffee. In the medical tent, a staffer turns on the radio, but the head nurse asks him to keep the volume down. "The mayor is still sleeping. He had such a full day yesterday, the more rest he can get, the better." The nurse explains, and the staffer nods completely understanding. Informing the mayor will be one challenge, getting the all-clear from the head nurse will be another.

[Chelsea]

@Samurai Equine

Chelsea reformed into her anthro self as she arrived at the place. She went inside. "Uhm, excuse me?" She asked the head nurse. Chelsea hoped that this would be quick since time was slipping. she would tell Mayor White about the box and what Dynamo had said.

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

@Dynamo Pad @C. Thunder Dash @Samurai Equine @Ragland Tiger @ExplosionMare

 

Kronos was on his way to Mayor Black’s office when he encountered the others. He notices panicked looks on their faces. He then sees one of them has a glowing mystical box. Samurai’s Laronde Box. 
 

“I suppose you already know what’s approaching.” He told them “And we all know what this could possibly mean, right?”