open The Town That Friendship Forgot

[Jack Baker 698]

@Windy Breeze

"Oh, him? Don't worry about him, it's a long story..." Raze said, looking away. "Besides, he's harmless unless I say otherwise. You could say we're almost one and the same... though I don't completely understand it myself..."

He shook his head. "Anyway... you said you had a place for me to stay at?"

[Bastian 13,319]

@Windy Breeze

The name is Forest, Forest Gum, monk who follows the teachings of the masters in neighpon about earth ponies.

He felt like he said a little bit more than what was needed but It was fine nonetheless. 

Im glad I could help. *yawn* Today has been a tiring day, I should probably see how Shadow is doing and then get some rest.

[Windy Breeze 15,175]

@Jack Baker

“Yep, it's one of the houses build nearby to the cemetery but not awfully close” Delight said cheerfully “and you don't need to worry about sleeping, i got a bedroom for guests” she then began to walk the direction of the entrance of the cemetery “But if you have friends to meet, you'll find me at the entrance, okay?” 

@Bastian

Fix frowned “You're going to the monster?” he asked, barely containing his anger “but she's the one who damage our house and buried us alive, not to mention she can do magic without a horn, she must be accused of treason!” 

“I agree with my husband, Mr. Gum” Pan said “Why go back to the monster if it was responsible for burying our foals alive under the dirt like dead ponies” 

[Jack Baker 698]

@Windy Breeze

"Nah, I ain't got nothing like that... lead the way, miss," he said to her as he followed behind. As he walked, he tried to contemplate exactly what had happened.

So I guess Nightmare Moon's back... great... she might've disappeared now, but who knows if she's gone for good? I don't think this job's done just yet... need to rest and recuperate before I come up with another plan of attack... should probably consult that other guy who met me earlier as well... He lowered his head in deep thought.

[Bastian 13,319]

@Windy Breeze

She wasn't the one who did it, the spirit of Nightmare Moon inside her was the one who caused everything, it still needs to be hunted down and cleansed.

Forest was unsure how to proceed on the hunt from there but he let it slide, he would think of that in the morning, now he needed sleep.

But I might not look for her now though, I need to rest. Bye.

And so he walked to his apartment and laid on his bed to sleep and restore his energies.

 

[Windy Breeze 15,175]

@Bastian

“Dad... Should we go home now?” Clumsy pleaded.

Fix let out a sigh “How about to an apartment?” 

The whole family was surprised to find out Shadow Trail, the mare they trust was possessed by Nightmare Moon. They soon leave the cemetery, telling each other not to tell the news about Nightmare Moon's return. 

@Jack Baker

“So what takes you hear in Friendshire?” Delight asked as the cemetery gate came into view “I recently heard the town is having a bunch of tourists and the town had a concert today” 

[Samurai Equine 45,940]

@Bastian, @Jack Baker

Samurai was relieved when his buster sword cleared out any remaining evil that lived in this area.

First, he uses his magic to teleport his armor and weapons away.
Then, one by one, he checks on the hostages, as well as the injured that got swept up in the madness. "Are you okay? All right. Everything okay here? Good." Seems they were all mostly being tended to by either Forest or Raze.

Samurai has to give a bit of a mental sigh. The main issue was that the evil he felt has dissipated, for now. "Well, on top of paying Raze, I gotta make sure I pay all these ponies for any damages or losses they suffered... Not like anyone else is going to." He turns to Raze and Forest. "Raze, first thing tomorrow, I'll start squaring away your payment."

@Windy Breeze

Meanwhile, Trilby is tending to Shadow. "No, no. I insist. The hat is free. After all the craziness that happened tonight, you've earned it." Trilby takes a moment to look around. She really doesn't have any memory.
Not of being asked out? Not of anything?
Seems like every pony is evacuating. He decides to be Shadow's escort. Trilby thinks about it for a second. "On second thought, if you REALLY want to pay me... Then how about we go on a date some time? What do you say? We could go see the kids at the local schools playing, then later have a fine meal, and after that... Well, I know a place where the stars dazzle like you wouldn't believe." Kids? Fine dining? It's like he's reading her mind!

Edited March 9, 2020 by Samurai Equine

[Jack Baker 698]

@Windy Breeze

"I, uh... got lost," Raze said to Delight as he quickened his pace to walk alongside her. "I'm a traveling mercenary by trade, so I was looking for any new work I could come across but I ended up taking a road I didn't know about. Walked for about seven or so days until I wound up here. And here I am... little to no money, no food, until you fed me earlier... I ain't gonna lie, I'm kinda strugglin' here." He kicked a rocked out of the way as he walked. "I don't know, I did just get a job from some guy who met me near the front gates... I might find more work to take on here as well, from what I've seen, y'all could really use an extra blade..."

 

@Samurai Equine

He turned back when he saw the stranger he first met approach him. "Speak of the devil..." he said. "I appreciate it, but I'll only take half. I don't think that spirit is anywhere near gone yet... and I don't like leaving a job unfinished. Once it's done, I'll gladly take the other half."

Edited March 9, 2020 by Jack Baker

[Windy Breeze 15,175]

@Samurai Equine

Shadow let out a weak chuckle “You. Really know how to date a mare” she then stood up. She finally notice the Shadowbolt costume Trilby made “You also made a good costume for yourself” she smiled and muttered “Just like the real ones” 

@Jack Baker

“No thanks, I have enough employees for my shop” she said “But since you are my guest, you'll receive food, water and bits, for free, i am raised from a rich but simple-looking family” she then eyed him with bedroom eyes “doesn't that sound good to you?” 

@Samurai Equine

“Ah, we're fine, Samurai” Fix said “Some gentlecolt came to our aid and get us out of the ground. My family are going to live in a apartment since I need some repairs to do for my house but I do need bits to buy all the furnitures we lost from the attack” he explained “nothing was spared except for our clothes and the toys” 

Edited March 9, 2020 by Windy Breeze

[Jack Baker 698]

@Windy Breeze

Raze's eyes widened at her gaze towards him. He paused for about a second, then spoke.

"D'uh... I, uh... I mean, um... yeah! That sounds, uh... sounds great! Yeah, yeah... great..." he voice trailed off at the last sentence, then continued to walk, head lowered.

[Windy Breeze 15,175]

@Jack Baker

As they passed a few houses, Delight smiled “Of course, that's because I know what guests want when they want to stay in a five star hotel” she then stop infront of a second story house, her home “The house looks simple from the outside but I revonate the inside so that anypony like you would be comfy to go” she open the door, revealing a luxurious and beautiful living room. The floor was concealed with red carpet and the wall is decorated with picture frames showing different types of ice creams. The living room also has a chimney, a brown couch, and a expensive looking wooden table.

@Jack Baker

@Jack Baker

Edited March 9, 2020 by Windy Breeze

[Jack Baker 698]

@Windy Breeze

Raze looked around the fancy interior, whistling at sight of it. He had worked with various members of Equestria's wealthy before as a bodyguard, and their decadent and expensive houses looked almost as grand as the one standing before him now, though he never actually stayed over in any of them.

"...Nice," he said, nodding with approval, then looked at her. "Again, I really appreciate this. I don't think anybody's ever been this generous to me before..."

[Samurai Equine 45,940]

@Windy Breeze

?? Trilby looks down and remembers the suit. He completely forgot he made it! "Oh, right, the suit! Heh, umm... I thought I might wear a costume for the concert, maybe not." He laughs it off. Trilby decides to walk Shadow home. Or rather, to his home. "Look, I know where you usually stay, but trust me. The ponies who took you in need some space. In time, you can live with them again, I know it. And I normally wouldn't offer this, but for now, you can stay at my place for a while. I'll make sure you have your own room and everything." Trilby says.

@Jack Baker

Samurai tilts an eye brow, then laughs a little. "All right then. But don't sleep in too much tomorrow. When you wake up, I think you'll want to be awake to see the first half of your payment." Samurai starts to walk away. "Oh, and one last thing! Despite everything that happened tonight, I hope you enjoy it here in Friendshire. It's usually a better place than this."

Samurai makes his way back to the concert by himself.

@Astral Vision, @Pastel-chan, @ExplosionMare, @Kronos the Revenant, @Dynamo Pad

It takes a moment, but Samurai slowly makes it back to the concert, in the backstage area. He looks around. "I know I'm a little late, but I hope my friends are still here..."

[Windy Breeze 15,175]

@Jack Baker

Delight blushed “There's no need to thank me, Sir Raze” she then closed the door behind them using her magic as she sat on the couch “Come on, sit with me, Mr. Serving is gonna serve us some nice delicious soup” she turn her head to the direction of the kitchen and shouted “Hey, Mr. Serving, would you kindly please serve me and my guests some delicious soup you cooked?” she then turn to Raze “Just wait for the soup okay. If you want to explore the house, then okay, there won't any problem” she then stare at the picture frame at the table, showing a family of 7 ponies, including her when she was a filly.

@Samurai Equine

Shadow lifted an eyebrow but decided to let it pass. 

“Sure, I just have to get my saddlebags” 

Little she knew, her saddlebags lay just a few feet behind her, her Shadowbolt uniform exposed. 

@Samurai Equine

“Oh, that's pleasant to hear, thank you, Samurai” Fix bowed. 

[Jack Baker 698]

@Windy Breeze

"Uh... ok then," Raze said as he followed her. He then removed his longsword from his back, as well as his saddlebags and set them aside. He was about to store his Evoker in the bag but noticed how dirty it was from the tussle.

"That won't do..." he said, taking out a cloth from his bag and began wiping it down. 

"So... you're from a rich family, yet you run an ice cream parlor..." He said as he cleaned. "What made you decide that?" He finished cleaning the last of the dirt as he asked the question, then stared at it for a bit. To this day, he still wondered why he even had the ability to use this thing; the power called "Persona"... what made him so special? What higher power thought he was worthy of receiving it? And why did he have to pretend to shoot himself in the head everytime he wanted to summon it?

He shook his head, and looked at Delight, waiting for her to respond.

Edited March 9, 2020 by Jack Baker

[Windy Breeze 15,175]

@Jack Baker

“Well you see... I really love ice cream” Delight confessed “Daddy was very hesitant at first, saying ice creams are for the poor and not for the rich but i managed to change his mind and i was able to build an ice cream shop. Also everypony here in town loves ice cream and many even wanted to become workers so they could make one” she explained shyly just in time for a stallion who was wearing a maid's uniform came out and placed green soup on the table. Delight thanked the stallion, who nod before leaving them alone “And that's why i ran an ice cream parlor, I also don't like to become to fancy when it comes to dressing myself... except making house a little too fancy” 

[Jack Baker 698]

@Windy Breeze

"Hmm... I see," Raze said to her as the food arrived. He picked up a spoon and took a light sip. 

"Huh... that's pretty good," he said as he started to dig in.

"I was in the Royal Guard once... was pretty good at it too. So good that they even trusted me to be Princess Celestia's personal bodyguard at one point. But then some guy, jealous of my position, decided to frame me for stealing money. So they dishonorably discharged me, and I was left to wander the streets. I picked up my longsword and tried to make a name for myself as a mercenary for hire, traveled across the country doing whatever jobs I could. Mostly security. Occaisionally "extermination". And now here I am." He set the down the spoon, completely finished with the soup. He sat back.

"That was good," he said. "Might've just been soup, but I haven't had a good meal like that in a while."

Edited March 9, 2020 by Jack Baker

[Windy Breeze 15,175]

@Jack Baker

“That was actually very... dishonorable” Delight frowned “Whoever framed you must be sent to jail” she let a snort, which was very common to heard from an angry high class ponies. She drank her soup and placed them on the ground “Extermination? Isn't that dangerous mission to do? You might even face a griffon warlord or something!” as she was about to say something, a sound of glass breaking was heard from the kitchen followed by a feminine yelp. She stood up from her couch, facing Raze “I think I have some 'business' to do at the kitchen” after that, she left, leaving Raze alone. 

[Jack Baker 698]

@Windy Breeze

Raze let out a sigh at Delight's worried voice. 

"Yeeaahhh... it's dangerous alright." He didn't want to mention how he had almost died on one of those missions, where he had to clear out a nest of changelings. That was how he had even awakened to his mysterious spirit guardian in the first place...

He looked up as Delight left the room. "Alright... I'll just be waiting here, I guess..."

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

@Samurai Equine

As he was entertaining some of the locals by making small little gales with his staff, he noticed a strange-looking pony walking up to him. He quickly swung the staff next to him in a standby stance while simultaneously avoiding hitting any bystanders. As he stood, he squints in suspicion, but lets the strange pony approach. 
 

What the heck does this one want from us? a voice asked. 
 

Dunno, Kronos replied, let’s humor him and see what he wants. 
 

He opened his case with the staff and quickly collapsed his staff into the case and twirled the case onto his back. He stood his ground and waited for the pony to approach him. 

[Samurai Equine 45,940]

@Windy Breeze

"Oh. You're stuff?" Trilby looks around, finds her saddlebags, quickly gathers them, and continues walking with her. "Can't have you forget all this, now can we?"

Minutes later, they are both at his house. Trilby lives next door to his own clothing shop. Inside, he shows Shadow around. "Here is the living room... Over there is the kitchen and dining room, of course... Bathrooms are down that hallway... Over there is the meditation room..." Finally, Trilby comes to a master bedroom. "And last of all, this is where you'll be sleeping. It wasn't long since I cleaned it, so it should still be good. Lets of room, very comfy bed."

@Kronos the Revenant

Samurai didn't even realize he was walking in Kronos' direction. But he stops when he notices the show he is putting on with a staff. It was a... confusing sight at least. Samurai is wide-eyed with confusion. And then, the stand-off...

...

"Hello." Samurai breaks the silence and bows. "I'm Samurai Equine. Are you are?"

[Windy Breeze 15,175]

@Jack Baker

When Delight went inside the kitchen. She found Serving and one of her maids trembling infront of a broken glass. Delight sighed and proceed to approach the maid. 

“I-I'm so sorry, madam!” the maid said however, Delight held up a hoof. 

“It's fine” she said. Her horn glowed as she levitate the broken glass into a nearby trash can “Just try be more careful” she left and went back to the living room where Raze is. 

[Jack Baker 698]

@Windy Breeze

Raze was sitting back in the couch, eyes closed when he heard Delight return from the kitchen.

"Welcome back," he said. "I'm assumin' you took care of whatever needed to get done?"

[Windy Breeze 15,175]

@Jack Baker

“Yep, just some minor incident involving broken glass” She sat down next to him “I was kinda wondering why your at the cemetery, heroes had the habit to randomly appear in the nick of time to save the damsels in distress” she said lively “But I won't further ask about the creature you spawned earlier, that's too personal to reveal to some stranger like me” 

@Samurai Equine

“It's comfy here” Shadow said, placing her saddlebags on the bed “Are you even rich? This bed is so expensive to buy one” 

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

23 minutes ago, Samurai Equine said:

@Windy Breeze

"Oh. You're stuff?" Trilby looks around, finds her saddlebags, quickly gathers them, and continues walking with her. "Can't have you forget all this, now can we?"

Minutes later, they are both at his house. Trilby lives next door to his own clothing shop. Inside, he shows Shadow around. "Here is the living room... Over there is the kitchen and dining room, of course... Bathrooms are down that hallway... Over there is the meditation room..." Finally, Trilby comes to a master bedroom. "And last of all, this is where you'll be sleeping. It wasn't long since I cleaned it, so it should still be good. Lets of room, very comfy bed."

@Kronos the Revenant

Samurai didn't even realize he was walking in Kronos' direction. But he stops when he notices the show he is putting on with a staff. It was a... confusing sight at least. Samurai is wide-eyed with confusion. And then, the stand-off...

...

"Hello." Samurai breaks the silence and bows. "I'm Samurai Equine. Are you are?"

Kronos notices the pony’s bow.

Perhaps it’s a non-hostile gesture? a voice said. 
 

We should return a similar gesture as a form of mutual respect. another replied. 
 

Kronos crossed one of his arms across his chest, the other across his back and bowed back. The military salute of Ragnarok, his hometown. 
 

“I am Kronos,” he replied to Samurai, “Son of Urus and Gaian, the rulers of Ragnarok and former allies of Equestria. I travel across these lands in search of worthy allies in an attempt to rekindle the diplomatic bonds between our nations. I happened to stumble upon this unmarked village that looked promising. Though, i will admit, it was rather enjoyable to let loose for a little bit for once. As you can imagine, i’ve been on my guard for quite some time. Since my arrival I’ve been curious of the residents here. Unknowing of your standards and rules I’ve attempted my best to refrain from any form of interaction with locals, at least no interactions that may imply hostility. I’m simply wandering around showcasing the return of my kingdom the only way i know how: provision of services. Military services. I would apologize for the drawn out monologue, but i believe it would be best if i gave as much detail to my intentions as possible so as to leave little room for doubt.”

 

Ugh, finally, his voices said, you stopped talking.