private The Æther Project

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle @-Solstice- @Blitz Boom

Light would go near the bubble and pierce it with his shard, if it's made of magic it'll easily pop or get absorbed, but if not, they'd have to peal it off.

As they had time for themselves, Light would approach Last Stand and have a word with her.

" Hey... That was careless of you... I know Spiral is in danger but you should look at the situation and analyze it first... Spiral ain't as weak as she looks, and the golem was taking her somewhere where there might be survivors, as the jester somewhat implied. Ficus, can you detect any survivors by any chance? If not then there goes our chance of rescuing.... But then again I could be wrong.... Never the less you charging in.... I'd never expected that clumsiness from you..." Light was a bit serious from this topic since he was a bit alarmed and worried that his team would get killed... Again.

" And Spiral, I'm sorry if you thought I'd abandoned you from my decision to hold your rescue... This'll be a lesson for us to be more careful... Especially for me...." Light would then give a sigh of relief.

" What's done is done and I'm just happy we're all safe... Now what's the plan?" 

 

 

Edited July 15, 2022 by Kujamih

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

4 hours ago, Spiral Spell said:

didn't think anything of the sort. Let's make a move on, we can't simply stand around here and talk. We have a job to do." she spoke,

" I see. Thank you for your understanding. " Light gave a gentle bow towards Spiral.

4 hours ago, Spiral Spell said:

Thanks. I don't know where that thing could have taken me. There are probably others in here that have been taken. We should perhaps find them, this Golem is a fascinating thing really. If only we could replicate it's technology aboard the project." Spiral spoke

Light would ponder and look around the golem.

"Why not Spiral? I think that's a good idea... You think we can fix this golem and control it? I believe with our collective knowledge we might be able to. Then maybe we can get easy access to other areas, get carried by it, and also fight along side us. What do you think? "

( @-Solstice- @Illiad Easle )

 

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Illiad Easle @Kujamih @-Solstice-

On 2022-07-15 at 8:30 AM, Kujamih said:

As they had time for themselves, Light would approach Last Stand and have a word with her.

" Hey... That was careless of you... I know Spiral is in danger but you should look at the situation and analyze it first... Spiral ain't as weak as she looks, and the golem was taking her somewhere where there might be survivors, as the jester somewhat implied. Ficus, can you detect any survivors by any chance? If not then there goes our chance of rescuing.... But then again I could be wrong.... Never the less you charging in.... I'd never expected that clumsiness from you..." Light was a bit serious from this topic since he was a bit alarmed and worried that his team would get killed... Again.

" And Spiral, I'm sorry if you thought I'd abandoned you from my decision to hold your rescue... This'll be a lesson for us to be more careful... Especially for me...." Light would then give a sigh of relief.

" What's done is done and I'm just happy we're all safe... Now what's the plan?" 

"I see a monster dragging her off, I ain't expecting her to be seen alive again. And we wouldn't know where it'd take her. Could be a warded place, could be yeeting her off of a cliff, or they'd go into an inaccessible area. Heck, we could've been led into am ambush. Sure made enough sound earlier, to warn anything here, to be on the lookout for us.

Was it careless? Yeah, perhaps. And it might've made it harder to go find survivors. But there's no guarantee there is any, whereas Spiral's real. So I stand by my actions, to save one of our own unit. Reckless as it might've been."

Her gaze did not waver, nor did she take his words with more than usual anger. She just coldly said her part, and let that stand as her explanation. Might not be his cup of tea, but she were not going to use Spiral as bait, for them to potentially find someone else alive, in this frozen stain. Not under those circumstances.

"And if there's survivors, who says we couldn't find them? We don't need this thing to get us there, and dictate the battlefield. We're here to examine the place, so we will. And now, we know how best to deal with these things, so we won't be at a disadvantage, if we run into more. We can handle those quickly.

Hmpm. And good job on dismantling it too. I'll give you that."

Credit where credit were due. His kill, his glory, and she'd acknowledge it. Whatever he felt about her somewhat praise, after what she had said before though? Didn't matter.

He might start to realize now, part of why she did not really have any friends, aboard The Æther, despite her having been there for months.

On 2022-07-15 at 7:24 PM, Spiral Spell said:

Spiral fell to the floor and appeared more than glad to be free from the Golem's grasp. The way the thing was powered was something to be studied. She would be sure to remember all of the details of what she can for when they inevitably return back to the project and inform the others about this. She'd allow the others to talk and appeared rather quiet for a while before she grinned wildly. "Thanks. I don't know where that thing could have taken me. There are probably others in here that have been taken. We should perhaps find them, this Golem is a fascinating thing really. If only we could replicate it's technology aboard the project." Spiral spoke and then looked to White Light.

 

On 2022-07-15 at 11:59 PM, Kujamih said:

"Why not Spiral? I think that's a good idea... You think we can fix this golem and control it? I believe with our collective knowledge we might be able to. Then maybe we can get easy access to other areas, get carried by it, and also fight along side us. What do you think? "

"Could be an asset, if it could work. I'll lead that work to you. Technology and I don't get along."

She hadn't grown up around it, so she didn't understand most of those things. Nor magical study. She were an earth pony, wielding a sword. At what point would she appear to have any sort of knowledge about this? She'd leave that for the thinkers, while she'd focus on the other thing, set before them instead. Though she'd be interested if they could make it function. Could be useful, and they could do with any tool they'd get their hooves on, seeing how they still knew very little of what were going on here.

Also, her way of dealing with tech not working, were hitting it until it did, or broke beyond repair. It were best to keep devices away from her.

On 2022-07-15 at 6:57 AM, Illiad Easle said:

Once things were quiet again, Ficus came trotting up behind them, "Is... is it safe?" She sighed, "The next, possibly last, item is close, likely just on the other side of this wall." She pointed North, "But we should be careful, there could be more of these things patrolling."

"Least we know how to deal with them now, if they do. We should stick close though, and keep our eyes open for hidden paths. I'm still not ruling out an ambush."

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@-Solstice-

Crank responded, "That is interesting. You see any signs of Wendigos out there now? From what I've read, they look like a billow of snow, or something like that. I guess a better question is if you see anything moving down there."

Merlot would not see any signs of movement as she flew, everything was quiet and still. For the rest of their flight they wouldn't see anything out of the ordinary, and they'd return to the Project before Crank ran out of energy to get them back. The Lt. General was waiting for them after they landed and approached as they were in the process of extracting themselves from the craft, "A good flight I hope, anything to report?"

 

@Kujamih @-Solstice- @Blitz Boom

In regards to their talk of trying to get the golem working for them, the Jester appeared again, actually laughing, "The ones who built them could not stop them, much less control them, when the time came. The two of you have no chance. Besides, you didn't defeat it, you just got it cut off from the Nexus. Even if you could get it working, what do you plan to power it with, friendship?" He laughed again, then faded from view.

Sure enough, they'd be in way over their heads trying to figure out how the golem worked, the runes weren't all on the outside, many of them wrapping into the many joints, and they'd also lack a way to power it, attempting to power it by themselves would barely produce the energy necessary to get it to move even slowly.

Ficus also voiced her descent, "We should leave it for others to worry about, it could just as easily turn on us as help us."

If they tried hard enough though, they'd be able to take and use pieces of it at least, like the shield runes or one of the ice spike launchers.

 

If/when they continued on their journey, rounding the corner to the North revealed a hallway nearly as long as the one they had entered in, about halfway down was another golem heading the opposite way. If they moved quietly they'd be able to get to the door to the West leading in to some sort of library, the walls covered in piles and piles of books, all of which were written in Unique. Ficus would lead them to the South, where a door was buried beneath a pile of books. The door itself was nothing special, though if any member of the group strayed too far from Light and his magic-draining aura they would find the books less inanimate than they first appeared. The books flapping as if birds and swooping at them like hawks. Some of them even started casting spells against them.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Blitz Boom @-Solstice- @Illiad Easle

"Hrmmm..." Light was a bit curious on the machine but the group would like to move on so he let it be, anyway he did manage to absorb a lot of energy from the golem.

as they continued their exploration, they where greeted with flying spell casting books.

"Got a minute, Last stand?"

he would go near her and touch her sword.

" You're a mage slayer now..."

Light actually tried to absorb the materials from the door and materials that absorbs magic from the storage before, but couldn't. So he just merged it with Last stands sword with a bit of his changeling crystal.

the sword gained some weight but probably wouldn't bother Last Stand, since now she can easily block magic with it and insta kill magic oriented creatures.

But it would still seem to be impractical to kill the books and waste the groups energy.

" We should really leave now, before the books starts to cast complicated spells.

We should head for that door! "

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Illiad Easle @-Solstice- @Kujamih

On 2022-07-19 at 5:22 AM, Illiad Easle said:

In regards to their talk of trying to get the golem working for them, the Jester appeared again, actually laughing, "The ones who built them could not stop them, much less control them, when the time came. The two of you have no chance. Besides, you didn't defeat it, you just got it cut off from the Nexus. Even if you could get it working, what do you plan to power it with, friendship?" He laughed again, then faded from view.

Last looked annoyed, towards the jester during his mad ramblings, and scowled at the spot he had been in, after he left. What an annoying little...

"When we eventually beat him, I'm gonna make him eat his own mask. If there ain't a mouth behind it, I'm sure I can find some other way to get it lodged in there."

Normally she'd threaten to have his teeth kicked in, but thus far, all they saw were the mask. Might be there weren't teeth. Though he better hope he had some. Cause the alternative to making him eat the mask, were gonna be far more unpleasant.

She wouldn't go and harvest any of the parts, unless the others told her how it worked, and made it clear it would be a benefit for her. She weren't used to these magic things, and thus, would rather leave it, than poke at it needlessly. Plus, she assumed all the magic had been taken out of it. Although... She were tempted to ask about if something could be taken from this, and used with that gem in her new blade

Only magical sword she knew of, were belonging to her ancestor, but it had been lost for generations. There were still depictions and stories though, and thus  she knew it were possible. She just had zero idea how it worked. Maybe one of the egg heads did.

Couldn't hurt to ask, right? Some other time though. They had work to do.

On 2022-07-19 at 6:03 AM, Spiral Spell said:

However, Spiral would try to pry off the ice spike launchers and the shield runes. Perhaps they could make use of it. Providing if Last helped out, she would give her the Ice Spike launchers and kept the shield runes to herself before aiming for them to proceed onward throughout the ancient halls.

Seemed like Spiral had ideas though, so Last would halt, and go help her pry these things off. Some muscle should handle that, and she had plenty to work with. If they didn't believe her, she gladly challenge them later, to if nothing else, some hoofwrestling. Not Light though. She assumed he'd cheat.

As she were granted the spike launcher, Last would look at it, eyebrow raised.

"And this works how?"

Depending on the answer, she'd go and give it a try, and judge the weight too. Away from where the others were, of course. If it were too cumbersome, or hard to make work, she'd offer it to one of the egg heads, that had covered earlier. Might be it'd suit them more, to be able to do some cover fire. Then again, they might shoot her in the back, so she'd prefer if it were useful, that she kept it. Who knew? Maybe, even if it were cumbersome, she could have them work on it when they got back to The Æther. Make it fit her leg, and give her some range options perhaps?

...She were keeping this. The options were tempting.

On 2022-07-19 at 11:57 PM, Kujamih said:

"Got a minute, Last stand?"

he would go near her and touch her sword.

" You're a mage slayer now..."

Light actually tried to absorb the materials from the door and materials that absorbs magic from the storage before, but couldn't. So he just merged it with Last stands sword with a bit of his changeling crystal.

the sword gained some weight but probably wouldn't bother Last Stand, since now she can easily block magic with it and insta kill magic oriented creatures.

"Interesting... Will have to test that, but it's appreciated."

Cutting down mages, weren't all that hard. Like most other creatures, they stopped working, once they were decapitated. But if this could now do like she saw Light do before, and cut through magic... Now that would be interesting. She'd need to test it though, of course. Abd get used to the extra weight, but the latter at least, wasn't so bad. Might mess with her precision for a few strikes, in quick paced combat, but she'd adapt, and overcome.

As for the former... Well then  they had a fair bit of books tossing magic at them. Seemed like usable test subjects.

On 2022-07-19 at 6:03 AM, Spiral Spell said:

"Someone wanna tame these birds?" she joked.

 

On 2022-07-19 at 11:57 PM, Kujamih said:

" We should really leave now, before the books starts to cast complicated spells.

We should head for that door! "

"Let me try something here. This is supposed to cut through magic now, yeah?"

She'd take a few steps away from Light, and wait until one of them cast a spell. For the swoopers, she'd try to swat them off. Annoying little pests weren't gonna leave her dying from papercuts. She'd never be able to face her ancestors, if that's what did her in.

When the spell would be cast towards her, she'd do the only semi-logical thing, and swing at it. After jumping to the left, just to not stand in things like an utter flank. If this worked like she assumed, this should cut through the spell, and making it dissipate. If she were wrong, Light would've probably corrected her before she tried, and thus, she would've just stuck with them, and not done this. Just seemed like some books casting spells, would be less bad to test against, than say, another one of the golems.

And if he hadn't warned her, and it didn't work, her blade might get melted by the magic. Good she had a spare with her now then.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

55 minutes ago, Blitz Boom said:

@Illiad Easle @-Solstice- @Kujamih

Last looked annoyed, towards the jester during his mad ramblings, and scowled at the spot he had been in, after he left. What an annoying little...

"When we eventually beat him, I'm gonna make him eat his own mask. If there ain't a mouth behind it, I'm sure I can find some other way to get it lodged in there."

Normally she'd threaten to have his teeth kicked in, but thus far, all they saw were the mask. Might be there weren't teeth. Though he better hope he had some. Cause the alternative to making him eat the mask, were gonna be far more unpleasant.

She wouldn't go and harvest any of the parts, unless the others told her how it worked, and made it clear it would be a benefit for her. She weren't used to these magic things, and thus, would rather leave it, than poke at it needlessly. Plus, she assumed all the magic had been taken out of it. Although... She were tempted to ask about if something could be taken from this, and used with that gem in her new blade

Only magical sword she knew of, were belonging to her ancestor, but it had been lost for generations. There were still depictions and stories though, and thus  she knew it were possible. She just had zero idea how it worked. Maybe one of the egg heads did.

Couldn't hurt to ask, right? Some other time though. They had work to do.

Seemed like Spiral had ideas though, so Last would halt, and go help her pry these things off. Some muscle should handle that, and she had plenty to work with. If they didn't believe her, she gladly challenge them later, to if nothing else, some hoofwrestling. Not Light though. She assumed he'd cheat.

As she were granted the spike launcher, Last would look at it, eyebrow raised.

"And this works how?"

Depending on the answer, she'd go and give it a try, and judge the weight too. Away from where the others were, of course. If it were too cumbersome, or hard to make work, she'd offer it to one of the egg heads, that had covered earlier. Might be it'd suit them more, to be able to do some cover fire. Then again, they might shoot her in the back, so she'd prefer if it were useful, that she kept it. Who knew? Maybe, even if it were cumbersome, she could have them work on it when they got back to The Æther. Make it fit her leg, and give her some range options perhaps?

...She were keeping this. The options were tempting.

"Interesting... Will have to test that, but it's appreciated."

Cutting down mages, weren't all that hard. Like most other creatures, they stopped working, once they were decapitated. But if this could now do like she saw Light do before, and cut through magic... Now that would be interesting. She'd need to test it though, of course. Abd get used to the extra weight, but the latter at least, wasn't so bad. Might mess with her precision for a few strikes, in quick paced combat, but she'd adapt, and overcome.

As for the former... Well then  they had a fair bit of books tossing magic at them. Seemed like usable test subjects.

 

"Let me try something here. This is supposed to cut through magic now, yeah?"

She'd take a few steps away from Light, and wait until one of them cast a spell. For the swoopers, she'd try to swat them off. Annoying little pests weren't gonna leave her dying from papercuts. She'd never be able to face her ancestors, if that's what did her in.

When the spell would be cast towards her, she'd do the only semi-logical thing, and swing at it. After jumping to the left, just to not stand in things like an utter flank. If this worked like she assumed, this should cut through the spell, and making it dissipate. If she were wrong, Light would've probably corrected her before she tried, and thus, she would've just stuck with them, and not done this. Just seemed like some books casting spells, would be less bad to test against, than say, another one of the golems.

And if he hadn't warned her, and it didn't work, her blade might get melted by the magic. Good she had a spare with her now then.

Light wouldn't say much as he was confident that the shards would absorb the magic and surely wouldn't be stored at the sword and end up overloading it.

( Up to @Illiad Easle if he has something to add)

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@-Solstice-

The Lt. General shivered at Merlot's report, "Let's hope we don't end up sharing the same fate. Still, good work you two. We're still waiting on the team inside the structure to report back but we'll send you two around again in a few hours to see if anything's changed. Rest up in the mean time, I'm sure you can use it after all that flying."

(Merlot is free to do as she likes, but if you'd rather skip ahead to the next flight we'll just circle back once enough has happened in the central thread.)

 

@-Solstice- @Kujamih @Blitz Boom

Given Last did not have much in the way of casting potential, she would not have much use with the spike launchers given she had no way to power it herself. At least, she couldn't supply enough power fast enough to work it, even if she knew how to channel her earth pony magic into runic contraptions.

Nonetheless, her upgraded sword would make short work of the books, and eventually enough of the books would be cleared for them to get the door open. The room inside looked like a study, a number of notes and books lying about as well as complicated diagrams with Unique notations. (As a reminder Spiral has previously been able to reed Unique as she read the notes in the armory, so there's no reason why she wouldn't be able to read it now.) It looked like some vast magical contraption similar to an Arcane Nexus, a device multiple unicorns would use together to pool their magic into a single spell more powerful than any of the casters could perform individually.

Beside that, of course, was a large lump of an amber like substance that appeared to have a pony trapped within. Ficus spoke up, "The item is, um, in there I think."

Opening the amber would reveal a dead, yet perfectly preserved, unicorn stallion garbed as an ancient arch mage would be. He had the final key around his neck as the previous two had.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@-Solstice- @Blitz Boom @Illiad Easle

Light would be cautious at the mage's corpse. He is a proof that extremely magical creatures don't just die that easily.

" On your guard everyone- EYY!"Light was interrupted as Spiral proceeds to cast a blade of shadows, presumably gonna cut the corpse.

" I'm supposed to be the careless one here Spiral. And you just got cought by a golem and woke a bunch of books remember? Last Stand, she listens to you right?"

Light would just talk and not physically stop Spiral on what she wishes to do. 

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Illiad Easle @Kujamih @-Solstice-

""

On 2022-07-22 at 8:23 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Given Last did not have much in the way of casting potential, she would not have much use with the spike launchers given she had no way to power it herself. At least, she couldn't supply enough power fast enough to work it, even if she knew how to channel her earth pony magic into runic contraptions.

Being told this, it would also mean that she probably couldn't make use of it later on, as a ranged weapon of sorts. As such, she scrapped it, unless she were told, that there were some external way, that they might be able to work something, on the ship. Magical crystals, electronics, or something like it. She'd bring it along, but hide it in a convenient spot, for extraction when they'd go back.  Or let one of the egg heads take it, if they wanted it.

On 2022-07-22 at 8:23 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Nonetheless, her upgraded sword would make short work of the books, and eventually enough of the books would be cleared for them to get the door open. The room inside looked like a study, a number of notes and books lying about as well as complicated diagrams with Unique notations. (As a reminder Spiral has previously been able to reed Unique as she read the notes in the armory, so there's no reason why she wouldn't be able to read it now.) It looked like some vast magical contraption similar to an Arcane Nexus, a device multiple unicorns would use together to pool their magic into a single spell more powerful than any of the casters could perform individually.

Seemed like the sword worked. She cut through spells, and they dissipated around her blade. That could be mighty useful, actually. Like, getting fire tossed at her, wouldn't do a lot. But magical fire? She could cleave that out of existence. A very nice upgrade indeed. Maybe Light wasn't so bad after all. Better than her wound at least, which had started to itch as she were cutting the books apart. Wasn't any blood spilling out, so probably just some healing pains. Or an infection, but she could deal with that later. This wasn't the time for her to go back up there, for a checkup. Y'know, if she could. They were still trapped here, after all.

On 2022-07-22 at 8:23 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Beside that, of course, was a large lump of an amber like substance that appeared to have a pony trapped within. Ficus spoke up, "The item is, um, in there I think."

Opening the amber would reveal a dead, yet perfectly preserved, unicorn stallion garbed as an ancient arch mage would be. He had the final key around his neck as the previous two had.

"...Reminds me of what happened to Grace Cutter..."

The less she remembered about what the Manetids had done in that situation, the better. Had been a short-lived, yet nasty thing they did towards some of the captured Shrine Maidens, before tossing them down to cause more harm from up high. She wasn't sure why they had stopped with it, but she were for one, perfectly happy with that. Being cut down were one thing. Trapped alive in amber, and knowing that after you'd suffocate from it, you'd be used to harm your friends, and family... That was something else.

On 2022-07-22 at 10:40 PM, Spiral Spell said:

"Hmm, very fascinating. Revolves around something similar to an Arcane Nexus, where many unicorns put their magic in a device to cast much larger spells with their combined magic. Perhaps that is a key to what happened here." she remarked, and when they approached the stallion in Amber, she would use her shadow magic to create blades and cut it out, grabbing the key for the group. 

 

On 2022-07-22 at 11:37 PM, Kujamih said:

" On your guard everyone- EYY!"Light was interrupted as Spiral proceeds to cast a blade of shadows, presumably gonna cut the corpse.

" I'm supposed to be the careless one here Spiral. And you just got cought by a golem and woke a bunch of books remember? Last Stand, she listens to you right?"

Light would just talk and not physically stop Spiral on what she wishes to do. 

"We haven't been set on fire yet, though I wonder what this here's all about. Some jester mocking us, keys, a big magic ritual... I've spend most of my life, guarding something that wasn't meant to be let out, and this here's starting to reek of familiarity. Something just ain't right about all of this.

Like how'd did dingus get trapped in amber? I ain't seen a tree anywhere. Where did it come from?

Hmph. And I don't think she'd listen to me on this. I don't know anymore about this, than she does."

She had some paranoid theories, but that wasn't the same,. as having answers. Those she didn't have, currently. Though something told her, that something were about to happen. Because this room just looked like the epicenter of something, and then disturbing things, might well cause some sorta reaction.

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@-Solstice-

(Unless you've got something you really want to do, I'd like to focus on the central story for now, it was hard enough to get you all in the same place, I want to enjoy it while it lasts.)

 

@-Solstice- @Kujamih @Blitz Boom

There was no doubt that they'd be able to do something with it back on the Project, so it was likely in Last's best interest to stow it away somewhere until they were headed back out.

Nothing happened to the group as a result of cutting the key free of the stallion trapped in the amber.

Ficus pointed towards the North West, "Both the sources of power are that way, one further away than the other."

She led the way forward, trudging North through the remains of the slain books, they had to fight off some more books in the next room, then they entered a hallway, where Ficus went West. Narrowly they escaped the attention of a large golem passing the other end of the hallway to the East, and soon they came across a door, amde of the same magic nullifying material as the second door, but with three key holes, presumably for the three keys they had gathered.

"There is something powerful on the other side of this door, maybe we should get ready before we enter?"

(Take a moment to prepare yourselves)

When they decided to open the door, the keys slid in easily, and the locks moved as if expertly crafted and maintained, the key holes sliding along the door by the inner workings until the handles clicked together in the middle of the door, allowing them to retrieve now one key with three heads.

The key would now fit a keyhole that looks like this:

Spoiler

The key retrieved, the door would slide open, revealing a large dark room. They got the feeling that something was waiting inside for them.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle @Blitz Boom @-Solstice-

Light would still maintain the support magic he has casted upon the team.

" Ready as I'll ever be." Light would crack some joints to loosen himself up then casually tap Last Stands shoulder.

" You alright?"

He said as he distracts last stand, so she wouldn't notice that Light is absorbing her injuries. 

" If so let's do this!" He said while a bit of blood drips at the side of his mouth. 

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Illiad Easle @Kujamih @-Solstice-

"Yeah, I'd suggest everyone prepare for the worst. Cause nothing of what just happened, bodes well."

She might not be worldly travelled. Yet even she, could tell that everything they just witnessed, were a bad omen.

A door with three keys, that combined to a larger key, in a mechanism that should make all the alarm bells, go off in everyone's head. This sorta thing came right out of a fairy tale. And not one of the funny, delightful ones, with nice things happening. No, this were old school, den of monsters kind of story material.

The door would stand in front of them now. Unlocked, and ominous, as the varied ones would begin to prepare for whatever were inside. Her bet? Giant, magic eating monster, that had been trapped long ago, and now had a bunch of idiots release it. Something it'd celebrate, by sucking the marrow from their bones.

On 2022-07-26 at 12:10 PM, Kujamih said:

" You alright?"

He said as he distracts last stand, so she wouldn't notice that Light is absorbing her injuries. 

" If so let's do this!" He said while a bit of blood drips at the side of his mouth. 

Must be the adrenaline already working, that made her not notice things. She could swear her itching stomach wound, weren't so bad anymore.

And it wasn't a bad one in the first place, really. She'd taken a sword, tentacle... Something sharp, to the side, and needed about twenty stitches. It were itching, and she had lost some blood, and gotten bruised, but this were nothing. When she first came to Ponyville, she had been clutching a proper gut wound, and gotten to the hospital by more or less sheer will. After the first time that opened up, the staff told her that if they saw her strain herself enough, to undo that again, they'd cover her from head to toe in a cast, and chain her to a bed for two months. This here were just a little scratch, in her opinion. An itchy one, but a scratch more or less. The doctors were not all agreeing with that, but what did they know? To her, long as nothing were trying to spill out, or she needed something amputated, it wasn't serious.

"Stay close in there. It feels like there's something. And I doubt it's a party."

She narrowed her eyes, and clenched the hilt of her newly enchanted blade, between her teeth. Things were about to happen now, and soon as everyone were ready, she'd slowly lead the charge inside. Best to approach this with caution, rather than jump in head first. That being said, she hoped someone had a darn light, or this would get even more problematic.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

6 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

narrowed her eyes, and clenched the hilt of her newly enchanted blade, between her teeth. Things were about to happen now, and soon as everyone were ready, she'd slowly lead the charge inside. Best to approach this with caution, rather than jump in head first. That being said, she hoped someone had a darn light, or this would get even more problematic.

Usually Light would've put on a light, but seeing this is a boss level area, usually the darkness is to set the atmosphere and some weird light source would show a grandeur of there room.

" Usually rooms this big and this dark would light on its own for presentation.... But this one's taking too long...." Light said in jest. 

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

THIS IS WHERE THE RETCON STARTS

ORIGINAL:

@-Solstice- @Kujamih @Blitz Boom

"Or has it not taken long enough?"

The jester appeared again, the projection taking advantage of the darkness to appear almost three dimensional, or was he actually there? He clapped his hooves together silently and the door closed behind them. The jester disappearing with the last of the light.

"You've wandered so far and then farther, deep into the dark, darker. yet darker."

It was silent for a bit, then the jester appeared again, with a smiling mask, "I am the freed one"

Two more jesters appeared, both with sad masks, "But I'm the only"

Three more, these with scared masks, "My little freedom grows so lonely."

Four more, the ten of them forming a circle around them, "How I wonder what for you're searching."

Then darkness, the voice was distinctly in the room with them, it sounded old, tired, and feminine, "Come and see what keeps my world turning."

A single torch lit up at the back of the room, casting shadows throughout. The room they were in was large, tall columns extending into the darkness lines the walls, towards the North end was a large dias, atop which sat a large cage. The cages occupant was silhouetted by the torch behind it, it didn't quite seem equine by it's posture.

It's tail, no, tails, started to move, flowing back and forth almost hypnotically as fantastic shadows danced across the floor, some took the form of weapons, and they would feel themselves struck by them if their shadows crossed, though the blow would feel more like a physical blow regardless of the weapon depicted. They would also find that their weapon's shadows could block the shadow weapons, though they would feel resistance as if actually attacked.

Ficus hid behind one of the pillars of the room to avoid attacks, cowering out of sight to the best of her abilities.

"Can you see yet that you are trapped in a jail? You might get help from this Jevil's tail."

A brief flash of light filled the room, revealing for a moment that the creature in the cage was unmistakably a kitsune, one with 10 tails.

(This next segment will potentially get weird, I will potentially overwrite actions you make even if you were capable of them earlier. There's a good reason for it, and those who know Kitsune will understand. Yes, I'm asserting that Kitsune magic even supersedes the magic of the throne, it is far deeper and more ancient.)

(Good luck)

RETCONNED:

"Or has it not taken long enough?"

The jester appeared again, the projection taking advantage of the darkness to appear almost three dimensional, or was he actually there? He clapped his hooves together silently and the door closed behind them. The jester disappearing with the last of the light.

"You've wandered so far and then farther, deep into the dark, darker. yet darker."

It was silent for a bit, then the jester appeared again, with a smiling mask, "I am the freed one"

Two more jesters appeared, both with sad masks, "But I'm the only"

Three more, these with scared masks, "My little freedom grows so lonely."

Four more, the ten of them forming a circle around them, "How I wonder what for you're searching."

Then darkness, the voice was distinctly in the room with them, it sounded old, tired, and feminine, "Come and see what keeps my world turning."

A single torch lit up at the back of the room, casting shadows throughout. The room they were in was large, tall columns extending into the darkness lines the walls, towards the North end was a large dias, atop which sat a large cage. The cages occupant was silhouetted by the torch behind it, it didn't quite seem equine by it's posture.

It's tail, no, tails, started to move, flowing back and forth almost hypnotically as fantastic shadows danced across the floor, some took the form of weapons, and they would feel themselves struck by them if their shadows crossed, though the blow would feel more like a soft strike by a training staff regardless of the weapon depicted. They would also find that their weapon's shadows could block the shadow weapons, though they would feel resistance as if actually struck. It were as though they were being tested, trained, not attacked.

Ficus hid behind one of the pillars of the room to avoid attacks, cowering out of sight to the best of her abilities.

"Can you see yet that you are trapped in a jail? You might get help from this Jevil's tail."

A brief flash of light filled the room, revealing for a moment that the creature in the cage was unmistakably a kitsune, one with 10 tails.

Edited September 5, 2022 by Illiad Easle

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle @-Solstice- @Blitz Boom

Light would be a bit cautious, as the creature of mischief is not to be... Underestimated.

" Creature of mischief... Once your trickery is shined upon the light, you are no more than a trickster and not a powerful creature of the dark..."

Light would then Shine brightly.

" Hmmm a ten tailed one.... Either you are a fake... Or above a nine tailed kitsune... Not hard to slay or control... None the less still a pain in the rear to deal with... "

Light would play defensively and watch the kitsune's preferred trickery.

He would then place four changeling shards around him. And some grows out of his body to form into an armor and blade for his hoof.

" Let's play little fox... If you like to play with shadows... Then maybe?"

Light would charge a ball of light from his claws

" VANISH INTO THE LIGHT!"

He would then blast a beem of light into the kitsune. 

 

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Illiad Easle @Kujamih @-Solstice-

Last were silent, as the jester masks rotated around them, but she watched them. That she did as a certainty. Waiting for the right opening, where one would reveal to be the true one, and then strike at it. Though it seemed, it would never come to that. The jester were either still elusive, or just a magical projection, for the creature truly in here. And just as she had predicted, this place had been set up, to keep something locked in. And they were the dingbats that had just opened the door. Bloody lovely. Today sucked already.

Though it wasn't what she had expected. Well, kind of. Kitsune were a word she had slung about earlier, but even then, she had expected a normal one. Y'know, single tailed species, living somewhere in Neighpon, playing tricks by using their immense mastery over illusory magic. The sort she had been actually told about, who sounded more like tricksters having fun, until something actually endangered their territory. At which point, they'd go into a more full range, of all the various magic they co8uld employ. Those were the tales she had been told, and she were inclined to believing them, as that sounded reasonable enough. Might even be that some were on The Æther. What did she know? She hadn't gone looking.

It sure felt like a leap from this one. This one seemed more ominous, and the myriad of tales, did not make her think it were any less of a problem. Frankly, it reminded her first and foremost, of the old stories about what happened, when a cat turned a hundred years. And judging by what came next, this one sure didn't seem friendly either.

On 2022-07-30 at 8:08 AM, Illiad Easle said:

It's tail, no, tails, started to move, flowing back and forth almost hypnotically as fantastic shadows danced across the floor, some took the form of weapons, and they would feel themselves struck by them if their shadows crossed, though the blow would feel more like a physical blow regardless of the weapon depicted. They would also find that their weapon's shadows could block the shadow weapons, though they would feel resistance as if actually attacked.

Ficus hid behind one of the pillars of the room to avoid attacks, cowering out of sight to the best of her abilities.

"Can you see yet that you are trapped in a jail? You might get help from this Jevil's tail."

A brief flash of light filled the room, revealing for a moment that the creature in the cage was unmistakably a kitsune, one with 10 tails.

Sword drawn, she had felt he pressure of an unseen weapon, clanging against it, She hadn't understood how, or why, until she looked around, and saw her shadow's leg then getting grazed. At which point, she'd feel a wound opening, and blood trickling slowly down. She might no be the smartest, but she grasped to some extend, what were happening there. Though she didn't think it the shadows attacking per se, as much as it being invisible weapons, and she could only see the shadow of them. Either way, the effect were the same, in that she had to keep an eye on her shadow, and try and parry what looked like thin air, but were apparently, weapon ridden landscape.

She'd think about how to go beyond just parrying, when the others began doing their own thing here.

On 2022-07-30 at 7:39 PM, Spiral Spell said:

"The world will know of your transgressions against us, one way or another. Either through bone or revelations of truth. Either way, history shall judge you with impotence." she snorted, and her horn glowed with Arcana magic. It was another field that she was skilled in, for she was around in centuries past, where many studied it. Many circular arcs would form around her, as she'd move about the room in rhythmic movements, dancing between the arcs, and as she did so, large bright formations of various blues would form across her hooves, forming into sawblade like shapes, which she'd dish out in the direction of their attacker. As they spun through the air, they would form sharper blades. 

This seemed... Odd, but sure, magical blades. Couldn't hurt trying that. Not that she were thinking this didn't work. This seemed a magical duel currently, in which she were little more than a side attraction. It were more that she hadn't seen magic like this before. Looked a bit like regular stuff, but more raw, she supposed? It really weren't her place to grasp it. She were an earth pony combatant after all, not a unicorn, or a scholar. Though she did wonder if the light coming from this, would start to show something. Maybe reveal the weapons a bit more. Or if they were actually shadows, give them more angles to work from.

On 2022-07-31 at 3:05 PM, Kujamih said:

" Let's play little fox... If you like to play with shadows... Then maybe?"

Light would charge a ball of light from his claws

" VANISH INTO THE LIGHT!"

He would then blast a beem of light into the kitsune. 

And this seemed a very... Light thing to do, to be fair. Reckless and over the top, yet probably effective in some fashion. Quite honestly, she felt certain that her old squad commander would've both hated and loved him equally. Loved him for the potential, and destructive prowess, and hated him for the completely lack of sensibility, and probable tendency for insubordination. But she'd probably have liked him more, than she'd have a distaste for him. She did tend to enjoy projects like this.

Last heard that the mare had made a grand stand in Canterlot, and lasted a fair bit, commanding whomever she could, in battle. But it had been a losing fight, and in the end, she had been claimed too.

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@-Solstice-

On 2022-07-30 at 11:39 AM, Spiral Spell said:

"I care not for what you are - but in the name of the Equine race, I ask upon you to cease your attacks and come to a diplomatic agreement. If you shall not abide by that, then I shall so gladly die, to oppose the likes of you."

"No no," she chuckled, "I'm not falling for that again unicorn. That's what got all of you in this mess, remember?"

Spiral's vision was filled with foreign memories, the ancient unicorns that built this place luring a much younger kitsune into the palace with many flowery promises, only to lock her away, taunting her for sport, making her perform for their amusement, and experimenting on her. 

 

@-Solstice- @Kujamih @Blitz Boom

On 2022-07-31 at 7:05 AM, Kujamih said:

" VANISH INTO THE LIGHT!"

"Ah, but the best deceptions are done in plain sight."

The light seemed to be absorbed by the kitsune's form, then suddenly reflected in all directions and with much greater intensity, as if the kitsune were the sun itself, the room engulfed in blinding light.

Everyone is now blinded by the light.

"There, all this light, and yet you still cannot see. Light is nothing but blinding."

 

The kitsune laughed at their antics, with the light the invisible attacks stopped, though they could now not see where each other were, nor where they were in relation to the room. "I never had such fun, fun, before! Perhaps another request my playthings? Or are you satisfied with this prison of your own making?"

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle @Blitz Boom @-Solstice-

As the Kitsune mocks from blinding them, little did she know that it was just a trick to distract it from what's within it.

A piece of black Shard.  It did not drain the kitsune's magic, but was lodged within her.

(If she so attempts to remove it, it will activate and drain some magic.)

Now as the scattered beem of light tries to Blind everyone, it would stop and transform into copies of Light itself.

Last Stand could easily block the Light with her sword since the light is still magic based.

And Spiral won't be blinded but instead be guarded by Light's clone.

" Spiral, I'll guard you while you blast em with your strongest magic."

Another clone would guard ficus and another would be by Last stand acting as support. 

" I said let's play right? Light versus dark. why are you using my light magic now? If so then I'm gonna use the darker side of the light... The shadow that's casted upon the Bright Light. "

A dark blade would appear from the hoof. A blade made out of Changeling Crystals...

Light's clones would dash at the kitsune from all sides to distract it so his teammates can have an opening.

" LETS GO!!" 

Edited August 2, 2022 by Kujamih

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Illiad Easle @Kujamih @-Solstice-

Last would be a little less diplomatic, when the blinding light came. She would loudly be cursing. Some pretty vile stuff too, that tended to bring a blush to a sailors face. But come on. She were already at a disadvantage, from this clearly being a magic fight. Must she also be blinded, and have to rely on instinct alone to fight?! The light were so bright, that she could even feel it in her closed, light sensitive eye. It were itching, and she did not like how close it were to actually feel searing. It reminded her too much of the time she lost the ability to use it in the first place.

"-th a screwdriver! What's the big idea here?"

On 2022-08-02 at 12:16 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The kitsune laughed at their antics, with the light the invisible attacks stopped, though they could now not see where each other were, nor where they were in relation to the room. "I never had such fun, fun, before! Perhaps another request my playthings? Or are you satisfied with this prison of your own making?"

"What do you want, kitsune? And if it's the unicorn thing miffing you off, by them bagging you up here in the first place, then eyes on here. Ain't been a horn for generations in my blood.

Not that she could see a bloody thing right now, nor wanted to talk this stuff out, but what else where she gonna do? Fling her armor at the wall? She were not pleased with the whole thing of being called a plaything, but until she could get up close enough to get herself a nice coat made of kitsune fur, she'd just have to play by the rules here. And she bloody well hated it!

Not that she'd actually wear a kitsune fur. It were a higher sentient being. She'd either burn it, or bury it. Depending on how annoyed she were, she might just leave it even, but she sure wouldn't wear it as clothes. She never even did that with the manetids, and those things had some decently usable carapaces, one could use for emergency armor. But she were not that big of a savage, that she wanted to go that route.

As for her talk about the unicorn thing... Well, seemed like a unicorn place, and this one were trapped. Seemed like a solid argument, though she were sure that her being about as magic free as possible, weren't gonna earn her any favors. Might earn her the ability to bloody see though!!!

Edited August 4, 2022 by Blitz Boom

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@-Solstice-

Things got quiet around Spiral, then her perspective shifted such that rather than being blinded by the light, it was as if she were simply in a blindingly white room, the jester standing before her, "Maybe I wanted to toy with you? See you directly before disposing of you? Maybe I couldn't kill you until you unlocked the door?"

"Want something... maybe... that you can give... maybe. Violence will only get you so far here."

"To answer your question, Why else might I lead you here? Some examples include: My own amusement, I'm cooking a recipe that requires the hair off your specific head, I need to harvest suffering, loneliness. Those are all other reasons why I might have led you here."

The jester smirked, "You'll have to ask better questions than that. I just might answer them."

 

@Kujamih

The kitsune let Light revel in his delusions, let him revel in his hero complex for a moment, then changed the scene. It was cold, Light stood with blood on his hooves, the dark shard he had launched firmly embedded in Spiral's chest as she was set upon by Light's clones, the Kitsune nowhere to be seen.

Last approached behind him, "What are you doing! Die traitor!" Last ran forward to attack Light.

"Alas, such damage one does when firing blindly, but the road to Tartarus needs pavers filled with good intentions. You want violence? You will reap death. You want deception? You will be the twice deceived."

 

@Blitz Boom

"What... do I want?"

Things got quiet around Last, then her perspective shifted such that rather than being blinded by the light, it was as if she were simply in a blindingly white room, the kitsune sitting before her, her ten tails idly flowing back and forth.

"Would you be surprised to hear that you are the second pony to ask that, and not as a means to ensnare me?" The kitsune continued, "I want freedom, not for myself as I am already free, but for the other one who asked."

"As to what the big idea is, I want to make sure you're prepared for what follows. It only gets darker after you leave me. Your reckless acquaintance has stirred the rulers from their slumber, and awoken their hunger. One of you will not survive, that much is certain, but the rest may yet stand a chance if you are prepared."

"The big idea, is that my friend earns her freedom from the cage that confines her, from the shackles that bind her, from the strings that control her. I won't risk that any who would wish her harm may pass this point."

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle @Blitz Boom  @-Solstice-

Light

Sighed with frustration... 

" Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh... It's cold out here......"

Light would casually just stab Last Stand. Before she could make any actions

".... Now what, Kitsune? And violence?... I don't recall doing first blood 10 tailed beast or have you gone mad?"

" Also... All I wanted to do was play with you too. Isn't that what you wanted?"

He casually speaks as blood of his comrades slowly drips down from his body, and them fading into the cold embrace of death.

" Kitsune? What's your role here?" 

 

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Illiad Easle

Well okay, things were marginally better now. She could see again, which were good. The kitsune also hadn't cut her to ribbons yet. Also a plus. She seemed willing to talk, so that was... Something, though Last weren't sure how much of this she could take at face value. Realistically though, the kitsune could likely kill her where she stood, so her being willing to talk at all, were a point in her favor. Even if what it is that she wanted, were something that Last did not like, as she were not a fan of that jester.

"Urgh, thanks for turning down the light. Bloody annoying...

Anyway, you're saying we're about to be up the creek without a paddle then? Cause something's being stirred in this place, that's gonna kill at least one of us? Ain't that just typical?"

Honestly, she could believe that. The ruckus they'd caused - Light especially - and opening this gate, had probably triggered something. That it were something worse than this kitsune? Yeah, sounded about right, cause if this were the big bad news, she assumed she would've been bleeding from several puncture wounds already, not having a chatter. Could be it were all bogus of course, but y'know, something were fishy about this whole thing, and she got the idea that they weren't shown the full picture as is. So she were willing to entertain, that the kitsune were talking the truth.

Sides, the things she had heard, made kitsune sound like tricksters and territorial creatures. Ain't been nothing she heard yet, saying they were invasive and cruel. Not as a whole, anyway. Though as previously thought, she hadn't exactly been asking in a lot either, so she supposed that might not mean a lot. Last still breathing, counted more in the kitsune's favor really.

"So, you want help, getting your friend out of here? And I'm guessing that's the jester we've been running into? I was planning on making her eat her own mask, but she just annoys me. I can let it slide, if she ain't gonna be trouble.

I need to ask something though, before I do anything resembling helping you two: Why are you here? I've spent my life, guarding something that wasn't meant to be let out. This whole thing, reeks of someone thinking the same about you two. Even though something's off. It's been too easy, getting here, and how strong you are, you could've easily killed us, and went on your way. So I'm willing to listen, and if you aren't looking to be a grave threat to the outside, I'll do my part in helping you out."

There weren't a lot left outside, to be a threat to, that didn't deserve it, but... Still, it were the principle of it, y'know? As were it, that she were willing to listen. A lot figured her just a meat head, and granted, she could be narrow-minded on things. She acknowledged that flaw. But if this one wanted to parlay, she weren't dumb enough to not hear her out. Especially not, when the kitsune, could pretty much just evaporate her at will, it seemed. Cause so far, all she'd seen, were small tricks. She'd be pretty dead, if the kitsune put effort into it, it seemed. Plus she made a compelling argument, by talking, and not just killing them, or trick them, while she ran off. The door were literally wide open. Not like it would be hard.

[Illiad Easle 3,127]

@Kujamih

On 2022-08-04 at 4:50 PM, Kujamih said:

have you gone mad?

"Perhaps, but that's besides the point. Sitting alone does wonders for the psyche, but too much and you fall off."

On 2022-08-04 at 4:50 PM, Kujamih said:

I don't recall doing first blood

The Kitsune sighed, "Perhaps I was preemptive, but ultimately correct. You just killed your ally without even a hint of hesitation or remorse. Sure, you can, and likely will, blame me. Say I made you think they were a monster, that you had no other choice."

"But we both know you didn't even check if it was an illusion. Didn't try to defend yourself. You went straight for the killing blow."

The perspective shifted again, Light was back in the dimly lit chamber, Last and Spiral a distance away from him seated by pillars, light shining from there eyes as they were entranced by the kitsune. Next to him, blood still pouring from her chest where Light had stabbed her, lay Ficus, dead.

On 2022-08-04 at 4:50 PM, Kujamih said:

" Kitsune? What's your role here?" 

"My role, is to protect the one pony I care for, and who ever cared about me. To ensure that violent looters like you never get near her. I see I can't allow you to pass any further."

 

@A.K. Yearling

The jester stuck a tongue out at her, "You're no fun. One of your companions is a murderer, another a warrior, the third, a victim of the first."

"If I drop the 'charade' as you say, you'll die. You can't comprehend my true form, and I'm not interested in killing anyone."

"Wendigos didn't freeze this place, they probably would have eventually, but there wasn't enough discord to attract them to the capitols. No, they froze the byways between the nations. The unicorns froze themselves in, out of their own hubris, they died in a prison of their own making."

"I have not interest in dividing you, division works against my goals. The divisions here were present before. The whole root issue here, is silly little ponies messing with powers beyond their comprehension, trying to become gods, and destroying everything in the process."

"I'll gladly let you stew in silence if you like, I've all the time in the world. You do not. Ask a question, and I'll answer it."

 

@Blitz Boom

15 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

Anyway, you're saying we're about to be up the creek without a paddle then? Cause something's being stirred in this place, that's gonna kill at least one of us? Ain't that just typical?

"Well, perhaps by your allegory I'm offering a paddle, and a map to avoid the choppy waters. Unfortunately the one destined to die has already fallen, killed by another of your group. I had foreseen this outcome, but I had hoped it would not occur. It will make traversing the rest of this structure more treacherous without your guide, assuming the murderer among you allows you to live."

15 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

"So, you want help, getting your friend out of here? And I'm guessing that's the jester we've been running into? I was planning on making her eat her own mask, but she just annoys me. I can let it slide, if she ain't gonna be trouble.

The kitsune nodded, "Yes and no, the jester is but another projection of me, I figured you ponies would be more amicable to a fellow pony, rather than a kitsune, guiding you in."

15 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

I need to ask something though, before I do anything resembling helping you two: Why are you here? I've spent my life, guarding something that wasn't meant to be let out. This whole thing, reeks of someone thinking the same about you two. Even though something's off. It's been too easy, getting here, and how strong you are, you could've easily killed us, and went on your way. So I'm willing to listen, and if you aren't looking to be a grave threat to the outside, I'll do my part in helping you out."

"I am here because I was betrayed, lured by promises of entertaining, sharing my knowledge, happiness. But they only wanted my power to defeat their enemies, to kill. So I led them into a prison of their own making. It has been easy for you because I made it so, I had to be sure that you would be worthy, capable, of saving my friend unharmed. It seems I made a mistake with one of you. I have no intention of leaving. I will remain here until the ice thaws, until curious ponies return with adventure, not trepidation, in their hearts, then will I have peace. I will lend some of my power to you, to ensure your safety, to ensure that my friend leaves safely."

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

@Illiad Easle

Light would feel a bit Pitty and sad for ficus's fate.

" Did you have to kill her?" He asked the kitsune?

" She was actually one of the nice ones... Was planning to ask her out too..."

" Instead you made me took her out, hehehe"

Grimingly laughed.

" How bout them? You planning on killing them as well? Or am I next?"

" Anyway... Is that pony your protecting really that important? Then why blurt out that pony's existence? You should've just shut up and didn't mention about it... And protecting  the pony from the likes of me? Or from the likes of you? "

" tsk tsk tsk.... Sitting alone does wonders for the psyche, but too much and you fall off." he replied to the kitsune."

"And if ever your friend was my target... I'd just leave that pony alone and let you do the job instead. Easiest kill, don't even need to lift a hoof."

"...Me going for the killing blow. Last stand acting as if I'm a traitor and attacking me head on? They act very suspicious... But still... I won't let myself get killed by them... They could be brain washed for all I know? You are a kitsune after all. A slight hesitation, a slight miscalculation is all you need to kill me off... It's sad that it had to be Ficus though... Which makes me question... Why her and not them? And... Is this place even really real or just your illusions?"

 

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by Kujamih