private The Æther Project

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

@Illiad Easle @Kujamih @Props

On 2022-09-06 at 8:01 PM, Kujamih said:

"I gave you the sword right? And you want more? If I add more power to that sword of yours it'll take a toll on you... More likely give you a curse... I already gave some magical support to you guys aswell... If I add more, your body, which isn't used to magic, might be dangerous to you. So if I have your approval then I don't mind giving more magical amplification on your body. Just don't blame me on what happens next okay."

Light gave Last Stand his caution and advice.

"I'm asking for assistance, not a curse. My sword is fine now."

More power were tempting, as it always were, but his words clearly stated what tended to come along with greater power: A price to pay. Now what that price were, she did not know, and frankly, they did not have the time, for her to ask into it further. Not that it mattered either. She did not want a curse. Even before The Crisis, she had seen cursed beings, in a sense. Those who went to the forest, and returned as horrifying monstrosities. And after the war began, when she were out in Equestria, all kinds of magic had come around, and desperate beings, using things that should not be touched, in an attempt to survive. It nearly never worked in their favor, and the few it did, tended to become issues in other ways. Like being uncontrollable murder beings, or slowly rotting away, but without being able to die.

That last one she remembered, kicking into a ravine, a few months before The Æther found her. Was for the best anyway. The griffon had gone utterly bonkers, and were surrounded by corpses of civilians. Best to remove that obstacle. Plus, it had charged at her, swinging. It asked for it.

On 2022-09-10 at 6:06 PM, Illiad Easle said:

The Empress deflected Light's projectile with ease, SO THE DIRT PONIES FINALLY SENT THEIR ASSASSINS TO KILL ME. I HAVE FAR EXCEEDED THE CAPABILITIES OF YOUR MACHINES AND HERETICAL CRYSTALS. YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH NOTHING BUT MAKING YOUR BODIES MORE CONVENIENT TO PROCESS.

Rather than attacking with spells directly, numerous rocks and sharp weapons were levitated and then flung at high speeds towards Light and Last in an attempt to crush or impale them, all while the corpses surrounding them tried to hinder their movements.

Last were good in a fight, but not good enough to avoid everything tossed towards them. She'd dodge, parry, and jump about, but in the end, she had a choice: A section of three rocks through her leg, or getting hit on the side by a large, yet blunt rock. She picked the latter, and got tossed back several feet, while she gritted her teeth. She might have embraced for impact, and wore armor, but that still bloody hurt. And she didn't have time to rest on her laurels after that. More were coming, and she had to keep moving.

She really hated unicorns sometimes...

On 2022-09-10 at 6:49 PM, Spiral Spell said:

Spiral ran to the door as fast as possible, using Light's distractions to her advantage. When she finally was at the door she took a few moments to look at the door - taking note of the runes on the door. "Look, there are some runes on this door. I don't know what they will do, but I'd wager we try - being out here will get quite dangerous." she spoke and put the key in the door, and if it went well she would lead herself and Ficus inside.

If the door opened, Last would try and move towards it, slashing through the zombies. Those were not the issues. The projectiles were, but with some luck, she were more focused on Light as it were, and thus, there'd be an opening. Though regardless of how this went, she'd get through this with dented armor, bruises, and cuts. Probably a broken rib too, but she'd live. That were a start.

Her sword might break too. It depended on if her parrying a large rock with it, hitting her face on, and letting it take the blunt of the hit, were too much for the enchantment. Were it not, this could potentially cause it to splinter, but she weren't sure. She just had to do this, to avoid getting her organs smacked into mush. That one were harder to get past, than losing a sword.

She'd also try hers, to cut through some stones, had things been different. Normally she could do that, but with the onslaught here, and her having to focus more on dodging, she couldn't get the right posture and momentum for that. Not without losing a limb, and she preferred they all remained, exactly where they were.

[Evil Pink One 13,507]

@Illiad Easle @Blitz Boom @Props

 

Light was quite busy and his hooves full, and wasn't able to assist or save Last Stand. Even though Light have casted supportive magic to Last stand, it wasn't enough to help them in their predicament. And alas... Last Stand was struck and was sent flying to the walls.

LIght sees this and tries to give her some time to recover as he tries to shoot down or provoke the skeleton heading her way.

" Quickly! I'll cover you!" He shouted.

as Last Stand tries to evade and run for safety, Light would cover her. As Light is more focused on covering for her, he has less time to save his own skin. A strike from here and there would hit Light as his job was taxing already.

as soon as Light sees that all of them are safe, he can now further focus on himself... But the damage was already done. 

Light is bleeding and battered.

" Tsk.... You're turning me on you know that?" Light said as he grimly smiled and chuckled.

" I like that in a mare!"

Light for some reason got excited and was pumped. 

 

 

[Illiad Easle 3,143]

@Kujamih

Light would be able to fend off the projectiles well enough, but they just kept coming, as though they were beset by a thousand battlemages all coordinating their efforts to bury them.

The individual corpses only had the bare minimum of magic in them to animate them, and they'd drop as soon as he absorbed the little magic in them, only for them to get back up once he stopped. Those hit by the changeling shards would stay down, but there were still hundreds more to take their place.

If he didn't do something to change the dynamic soon, even he would be overwhelmed by the hoard.

IS THIS THE BEST THE DIRT PONIES HAD TO OFFER? PATHETIC.

 

@Props

(I assume she's using magic to use the key given she's a unicorn and you didn't specify otherwise)

As soon as she inserted the key the runes around the keyhole started to glow, but they didn't do anything until she started to turn it, at which point Ficus knocked her away from the door just as a few spells went off where she was standing, even the indirect effects of the spells were painful. Had they been hit directly, they'd surely have killed her.

It took Ficus a bit to recover her breath, she had some burns of her own from the magic, but she managed to get her voice back, "The door... the trap is powered... by your magic."

"We'll have to turn it by hoof, and then I imagine we'll have to open it without magic too."

 

 

@Blitz Boom

Last would likely see Ficus and Spiral get attacked by the door, maybe her sword could help them against the spells the door was throwing at them?

Light was doing well keeping the Empress's attention, so Last would be able to make her way over to the door while only needing to fight her way through a manageable number of the risen dead. Though her approaching the door would bring more of the corpses towards Spiral and Ficus.

 

@Props @Blitz Boom

Ficus waved for Last to come urgently, and once she was close enough she would explain, "The door is trapped against magic, we'll need your strength to get it open since we can't use magic to open it."

Ficus would turn towards Spiral, "Try and keep the unicorns off of us while we get the door open, I don't think Last can fight and push the door at the same time."

Ficus would then start turning the key, some of the latent magic still in the door sending painful magic through her, but she pressed on, holding the door in the unlocked position and motioning for Last to start pushing the door. 

[Spiral Spell]

@Illiad Easle @Blitz Boom @Kujamih

Spiral would drop to the floor as quickly as possible after she was shoved out of the way by Ficus, expecting something else to come. Thankfully nothing did. She looked to Ficus and gave her an earnest look. "Thank you - and I see, that's quite the issue, isn't it? No matter, we'll make it out of here." she said with a hopeful smile, and looked over to Light and Last. If any of the corpses got too close, Spiral would violently kick them back, but would not go out of her way to fight them, unless it was absolutely needed.

[Evil Pink One 13,507]

@Blitz Boom @Illiad Easle @Props

Seeing that their state is getting worse and the attention the other group is giving the empress more concern than him.

light needs to make an action to attract her from him.

" For an empress without an emperor, surely you would get lonely? And an empress such of yourself deserve no ordinary emperor?" Light tried to flirt, but his exhaustion and pain shows as he speaks.

if that didn't grab the empresses attention he would shoot a shard right Infront of her vision if need be.

" Tell me? What's a stallion gotta do to sit beside an empress like you?" He says as he strikes down and absorb the on coming projectiles and skeletons.

as he tries to distract her. The scattered shards starts to dimly spark. 

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

@Kujamih @Illiad Easle @Props

On 2022-09-14 at 4:31 AM, Illiad Easle said:

Last would likely see Ficus and Spiral get attacked by the door, maybe her sword could help them against the spells the door was throwing at them?

Light was doing well keeping the Empress's attention, so Last would be able to make her way over to the door while only needing to fight her way through a manageable number of the risen dead. Though her approaching the door would bring more of the corpses towards Spiral and Ficus.

She'd not be unscathed, but Light were doing a good job, keeping attention from The Empress, and the zombies she had to deal with, were pathetic. The blade she wore, cut down magic, and such, even if they did rise again, she'd be past them, before they got up and shambling again. Extra much, because she hit hard, which tended to either cause her targets to be cleaved in pieces, or beaten several meters away. Sometimes both, depending on how much she needed to get them out of her sight.

As she approached the door, and heard their woes, she'd have three around her. She'd do a rotating slash, hitting all of them around her, then jump forward, and strike the door with her blade. Not in a way, where she figured she could cut through it. It were likely reinforced. More that it would strike at it, and stay there. The anti-magic capabilities, should help with the traps, but she might need to bash some zombies away. If so, she'd push one of the egg heads to keep it there, and turn around to get to work. Could be she had to barge into it as well. It were hard to say though, but one way or another, they'd hopefully get through here.

Top priority though: Get the sword in the door, to nullify/absorb the magic, and then beat the tar out of whatever risen mongrel, shambled over to them. She weren't gonna let them take anyone from her team, even if she had to tears their legs off, and beat them with them. Which she would, given the chance. A club were a club, morbid as it may be to some. She'd probably be covered in things best not described, before this were over, but it didn't really bother her. Wasn't the worst she had been covered in, and probably wouldn't be the worst either. She'd just need a good rinse later, and she'd be fine.

[Illiad Easle 3,143]

@Kujamih

There was distinct disgust in the Empress's response, I AM NOT ONE OF YOUR DIRT BROODMOTHERS. I ALONE AM COMPLETE.

The efforts redoubled against Light, the attacks seemed more personal, more designed to cause pain than to kill.

A number of the undead turned their attentions towards the sparking shards, doing what they could to destroy them.

 

@Blitz Boom @Props

Between the three of them they would be able to press through the door, and it would close behind them once they stopped pushing on it, as once they were on they other side they discovered a large spring was placed to keep the door shut. It did keep the undead from following them into the next chamber, but heading back out the way they came would be more difficult than entering had.

Ficus would turn their attention back towards the matter at hoof, pointing up to a large glowing orb set in a truly massive vertical arcane nexus. Luckily there seemed to be a large pile that led up to the orb, unluckily that path was covered, or potentially made of, severed unicorn horns.

"There's our goal, but I'm sure there are still other traps. I'm surprised though, the traps we've seen so far seem designed to counter unicorns specifically." She shuddered as they approached the pile of horns, "As if anyone wouldn't be deterred by this."

If they started to climb the pile they'd find that it wasn't entirely made of horns, but under the layer of horns there were also severed wings and earth pony hooves. Some were simply piled on top of the structure, others were built into the more solid work beneath the loose items. In essence, this nexus was mostly made of bones.

[Spiral Spell]

@Illiad Easle @Blitz Boom @Kujamih

Spiral walked in quickly, being thankful that the undead were not able to enter into the chamber. She expected several more threats in the future, so she kept her guard high and ready to react if needed. Looking to Last, and Ficus she would then nod in approval before turning her head towards the large glowing orb that lay ahead. The large pile of unicorn horns was a morbid sight but not something that she didn't expect.

"I cannot imagine the amount of cruelty one would have to do something like this. This is just disgusting, to be frank." Spiral said with a slight growl. Once she stepped onto the horns, she would realize that there were wings and earth pony hoofs there as well. "May those who did this to these souls never find peace, and condemn them to the pits of tartarus forever." she added, and then would look to Ficus. 

"What do we need to do? Do we just grab the orb, surely it can't be that simple?" Spiral asked.

[Evil Pink One 13,507]

@Illiad Easle @Blitz Boom @Props

" This... This is why you're alone and without a partner, tisk, tisk." He 

says while he tries to avoid obstacles, attacks and skeletons.

" Here I am trying to impress you and what do I get?.... Impending doom and death I guess?... See this is the reason why you're still single." He continued to flirt around and distract her.

 As he sees that it's only him and her around now, there's not much point to distract her and prolong this torture.

Light tries to exit back from where they came from and see if the empress would give chase to him. This also helps him defend himself in narrow area than an open one.

if it's shot closed he'd try to pry it open with his dark shard and make it very light to make it easier to open if the problem is the weight.

if the skeletons would be a problem and attack him or his shards, he'd quickly recall it to him, causing anyone on the way to get pierced by it. 

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

@Illiad Easle @Kujamih @Props

On 2022-09-17 at 8:51 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Between the three of them they would be able to press through the door, and it would close behind them once they stopped pushing on it, as once they were on they other side they discovered a large spring was placed to keep the door shut. It did keep the undead from following them into the next chamber, but heading back out the way they came would be more difficult than entering had.

Last would turn around, as the door slammed behind them, and look at the large spring that kept it locked up.

"Accursed contraption."

She'd punch the door, then move over towards the spring. They'd need to remove this thing, to get Light through. Or at least hold it back for a moment, to allow him a chance to sneak in.

"Hey. Anyone gonna give me a hoof here? We still got one on the other side."

(assuming someone makes a comment, deterring her from that path. Or being told it would be too cumbersome to remove the spring)

Annoyed, she'd go over to where the others were, sending a glance back at the door. This wasn't right. Light was a pompous buffoon, but it still didn't sit wright with her, to leave him in there. Hopefully he'd be able to handle himself.

On 2022-09-17 at 8:51 PM, Illiad Easle said:

"There's our goal, but I'm sure there are still other traps. I'm surprised though, the traps we've seen so far seem designed to counter unicorns specifically." She shuddered as they approached the pile of horns, "As if anyone wouldn't be deterred by this."

If they started to climb the pile they'd find that it wasn't entirely made of horns, but under the layer of horns there were also severed wings and earth pony hooves. Some were simply piled on top of the structure, others were built into the more solid work beneath the loose items. In essence, this nexus was mostly made of bones.

Last were not deterred by body parts, and as such, would rummage a little, as she moved along, and found the other parts too. Didn't have to be a genius to figure out what this were all about. Which were good, as she wasn't one. That were more a thing for the egg heads.

"Unicorn horns, pegasi wings, and earth pony hooves. All the parts that's an outlet for their magic. Disgusting showing."

She barely grasped how it were for others than unicorns, but as she had been told it, all ponies had some sort of magic. What pegasi had, were how they were able to fly, and manipulate clouds. And earth ponies were then better at growing plants, and seemingly got more robust. The bare basics, but it fit well enough. Especially after she had seen that overly muscly stallion in Ponyville, with the tiny wings. No way he would be able to fly, without some sorta magic.

On 2022-09-18 at 4:06 AM, Spiral Spell said:

"I cannot imagine the amount of cruelty one would have to do something like this. This is just disgusting, to be frank." Spiral said with a slight growl. Once she stepped onto the horns, she would realize that there were wings and earth pony hoofs there as well. "May those who did this to these souls never find peace, and condemn them to the pits of tartarus forever." she added, and then would look to Ficus. 

"What do we need to do? Do we just grab the orb, surely it can't be that simple?" Spiral asked.

"I think we just met the one who did that, and her lackeys. Seems like a damned existence, though I believe it needs more sword to the face."

Sitting as a zombie, on a lone throne, along other corpses. A pathetic way to go through life, but it still wasn't punishment enough, in her opinion. It needed more actual punishment, and a sort of death that wouldn't be a danger to others. Tartarus sounded like a useful enough end place, if not for the fact, that the gates were wide open, and monsters from there, were pouring out. They might just free her, if they sent her there, and that wasn't gonna be any help. Rather the exact opposite.

"And I wouldn't touch that, if I were you. Not with your bare hoofs. Nothing good, comes from something like that, just sitting still, in a place like this.

I'd suggest we'd try to throw something at it, and see what happens. Or get a long stick of some sort."

She weren't sure if there were a stick, or stone pole they could use in here, but she could at least grab a hoof, and toss that if it were.

"The blade's also supposed to work against magic. Can try poking it with that."

[Illiad Easle 3,143]

@Kujamih

On 2022-09-18 at 2:20 AM, Kujamih said:

" Here I am trying to impress you and what do I get?

IMPRESS ME? YOU ARE AS MORONIC AS YOU ARE WORTHLESS. AN APT REPRESENTATION OF YOUR INFERIOR RACE.

On 2022-09-18 at 2:20 AM, Kujamih said:

Light tries to exit back from where they came from

The room was filled with cruel laughter as, with a spell, the door was fused with the surrounding stone, turning it into just another piece of the mountain, before Light could reach it.

COWARDLY TOO. THE DIRT PONIES ARE TRULY DESPERATE IF THEY SENT YOU TO DEFEAT ME. MAYBE I WILL KEEP YOU ALIVE TO WATCH, HELPLESS, AS I DESTROY THAT PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A KINGDOM.

The attacks against him shifted from murderous to captive, the corpses attempting to physically restrain him and drag him closer towards the dais where the Empress sat.

 

@Blitz Boom @Props

1 hour ago, Blitz Boom said:

(assuming someone makes a comment, deterring her from that path. Or being told it would be too cumbersome to remove the spring)

Ficus would call for Last to leave the door alone, "We can worry about Light once the Nexus is disabled. it's the best we can do for him anyway. If he comes in here then the Empress won't leave us alone."

On 2022-09-17 at 8:06 PM, Spiral Spell said:

"What do we need to do? Do we just grab the orb, surely it can't be that simple?"

1 hour ago, Blitz Boom said:

"The blade's also supposed to work against magic. Can try poking it with that."

Ficus nodded, "That should work, we've just got to get up there first."

 

As they climbed the pile they started to realize the true size of the Nexus. What had initially appeared to just be a magical orb was in fact a magical sphere large enough to contain a fully grown pony, it looked quite similar to the amber that they had found a unicorn in earlier, only coated with a layer of magic. It was hard to see into it, but it looked like there might be something inside the sphere.

The closer they got the looser the remains were, slowing their progress, they also started to hear a voice, faintly, in their minds like with the Empress or the Kitsune, it grew louder the closer they got to the sphere.

Slipping through the cracks of a dark eternity With nothing but my pain and the paralyzing agony To tell me who I am. Who I was, Uncertainty enveloping my mind Till I can't break free and
Maybe it's a dream, maybe nothing else is real But it wouldn't mean a thing if I told you how I feel So I'm tired of all the pain, all the misery inside And I wish I could live feeling nothing but the night
You could tell me what to say, you could tell me where to go But I doubt that I would care and my heart would never know If I make another move, there'll be no more turning back Because everything would change and it all would fade to black
Will tomorrow ever come? Will I make it through the night? Will there ever be a place for the broken in the light? Am I hurting am I sad? Should I stay or should I go? I've forgotten how to tell, did I ever even know? I'm
Slipping through the cracks of a dark eternity With nothing but my pain and the paralyzing agony To tell me who I am. Who I was, Uncertainty enveloping my mind Till I can't break free and

The words would loop until they finally got close enough to the orb that they could almost touch it, at which point the words changed accompanied by a burst of energy that pushed them back.

This time you're not hurting me! This time I will take a stand! All the hatred in my eyes building up an evil plan Standing lonely in the night, with the darkness by my side Looking deep inside myself, and revealing only fright
If I make another move, if I take another step Then it would all fall apart, there'd be nothing of me left If I'm crying in the wind, if I'm crying in the night Will there ever be a way? Will my heart return to white?

The energy calmed , allowing them to approach again, now it only looped the questions:

Can you tell me who you are? Can you tell me where I am?

Can you tell me where you are? Can you tell me who I am?

If they tried to get too close without answering the questions, they'd get pushed back again.

 

[Evil Pink One 13,507]

@Illiad Easle

"Hey- hey!... Correction! I AIN'T... a coward. I have plans, okay. I needed some breather, right? Which your army doesn't... Need, unlike me."

As Light explains himself he got caught quite easily. Maybe due to him getting tired and exhausted... And also busy talking to her. 

" Ooouuff! I usually don't get tired this easily... Ahhehehe... For an earth pony uhmm I'm quite impressive to last this long right?" Light worriedly said to the empress.

" You know I always liked you more right? " Light tried to butter her up. 

Edited September 20, 2022 by Kujamih

[Spiral Spell]

@Illiad Easle @Blitz Boom @Kujamih

As Spiral climbed her way up the pile she was getting more and more worried about what could happen to them here. They were so far away and without any kind of aid from the others. If they died, they would simply be yet another addon to this pile here. But - Spiral died once, and she wasn't willing to die again. Her new body felt better than her old. She had a fresh start on things, and now, actually had investments that could benefit the lives of others. 

It was not something she would just give up on.

Spiral would yelp upon being pushed back, but would stand up again and dust herself off. Upon hearing the dialog rush through her mind, at least to her it was evident that she believed that Nexus was quite lonely. Her perception of reality likely shattered by what had happened to her here. Hopefully Spiral would be able to convey what needed to be done, here. With a silent sigh, she would address Nexus.

"Your name is Nexus. My name is Spiral Spell. Beside me are two others here alongside me. I am here to rescue you, from your Amber Prison. The Empress here, has no doubt sacrificed the power of all these unfortunate souls. We must stop this by freeing you. The Kitsune here, instructed us to do this. We mean no harm to you." Spiral said to Nexus, calmly.
 

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

@Illiad Easle @Kujamih @Props

On 2022-09-20 at 7:50 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Slipping through the cracks of a dark eternity With nothing but my pain and the paralyzing agony To tell me who I am. Who I was, Uncertainty enveloping my mind Till I can't break free and
Maybe it's a dream, maybe nothing else is real But it wouldn't mean a thing if I told you how I feel So I'm tired of all the pain, all the misery inside And I wish I could live feeling nothing but the night
You could tell me what to say, you could tell me where to go But I doubt that I would care and my heart would never know If I make another move, there'll be no more turning back Because everything would change and it all would fade to black
Will tomorrow ever come? Will I make it through the night? Will there ever be a place for the broken in the light? Am I hurting am I sad? Should I stay or should I go? I've forgotten how to tell, did I ever even know? I'm
Slipping through the cracks of a dark eternity With nothing but my pain and the paralyzing agony To tell me who I am. Who I was, Uncertainty enveloping my mind Till I can't break free and

The words would loop until they finally got close enough to the orb that they could almost touch it, at which point the words changed accompanied by a burst of energy that pushed them back.

What was with this theme of pushing her around today?! She wasn't a rag doll. She was a soldier, and this were frankly starting to annoy her.

As the pile they were walking on, weren't exactly solid ground, she'd get further back than she liked, before finding proper hoofing again. She weren't gonna get deterred by some sorta rhyming, odd magic ball though. Doubly so, as it were starting to get pretty clear, who were in this ball. Cause she sorely doubted that the voice were just from a ball of magic, and it weren't like there were any other place, the supposed pony they had come for, could be. There were the nexus, and then bones. That were it.

"Aight, so this here's how you wanna play?"

If that was the case, then fine, she were game, and she could play rough too. Just not too rough, or the kitsune might tear her asunder. That'd be an unworthy death.

On 2022-09-21 at 6:30 AM, Spiral Spell said:

"Your name is Nexus. My name is Spiral Spell. Beside me are two others here alongside me. I am here to rescue you, from your Amber Prison. The Empress here, has no doubt sacrificed the power of all these unfortunate souls. We must stop this by freeing you. The Kitsune here, instructed us to do this. We mean no harm to you." Spiral said to Nexus, calmly.

Spiral got there first, in instructing things, but... Ergh, she'd probably need to add something here too, right? Wouldn't work to just waltz up, and try to see if it were more workable for her to push the flat side of the sword against.

(Next part only happens, if she's pushed back, and tumbles down a bit more)

Well, that didn't work out. Seems she really did need to address the sphere properly then. What a formal pain in the flank. As were it, that she'd probably be picking bone splinters, and mummified feathers out of her outfit, mane and tail, for hours after they had gotten out of here.

"Fine, fine.

My name is Last Stand, of the Shrine Maidens.

You're stuck in a ball of magic and bone, in a husk of a kingdom.

I'm right in front of you, and we're here to try and get you out.

You're Nexus. The kitsune said you were her friend, and wanted us to get you out of this frozen dump."

There, that should cover it. Time to see if she could go up, and do something now then. Or were Nexus gonna be a difficult mare again?

[Illiad Easle 3,143]

(A Lot is happening in this post, read carefully!)

@Kujamih

On 2022-09-20 at 3:35 PM, Kujamih said:

" Ooouuff! I usually don't get tired this easily... Ahhehehe... For an earth pony uhmm I'm quite impressive to last this long right?" Light worriedly said to the empress.

NO.

The corpses started to drag Light closer to the dais.

HIS WORDS TIRE ME. REMOVE HIS TOUNGE AND HOOVES.

 

@Blitz Boom @Props

After Spiral introduced herself the others wouldn't be pushed back if they approached. The aura in the area grew less tense once introductions were made.

So I'm back here once again? So I'm back here once again? I've forgotten how to see, I've forgotten if I can. If I open up my eyes, there'll be no more going back, I'll throw it all away and it all will fade to black.

The Kitsune... she promised I'd be free, if I held on long enough. 
Can I ever make a change? Will my heart begin to mend? Would you love me if I go? It feels like a heart attack. But still everything's the same and it all just fades to black.

The last line seemed more directed at herself, or someone other than the trio.

There was a shift in the magic, something was ramping up, but also spinning down. Ficus would call out, "Last! The sword, now! Aim for the edge and pry it out."

 

If Last went to pry the orb out, a LOT of magic would get discharged through the air, reacting with all the discarded bones in the pile, before the amber ball would fall from the Nexus and start rolling down the pile, coming to rest by the door. The Nexus was still active however...

 

@Kujamih

The Empress's voice shifted to anger, NO NO NO NO NO! INSOLENT BRAT! YOU HAD ONE JOB.

A large amount of magic engulfed the Empress' body as it sat on the dais, Light could only watch as the flesh grew back, restoring her to her former glory for a moment, before she was twisted by the excess magic into a draconequis. It looked like her body was made of wealth, precious metals and gems of all types covered her.

She took a breath, her first one in centuries, "The Kitsune will burn for her betrayal. Keeping me here when there was a whole world to conquer? A shame you won't live to see it."

She physically grabbed Light and lifted him up to the ceiling, "Hunger... is something I've not felt for some time. Any last words before you die, dirt?"

 

@Blitz Boom @Props

There was a rumble from the chamber they had come from, where Light and the Empress were, then the Nexus started to glow dangerously. A beam of multicolored light, similar to what had held the Project in place, blasted upward, and with a flash the mountain above them was obliterated, and the Nexus destroyed, scattering the bones across the landscape.

Snow started to fall on them, softly, as their vision and hearing recovered.

 

@Kujamih @Blitz Boom @Props

Back on the Project, the ground shifted as the magic holding it still was suddenly released. The statue had lost most of it's base, and had toppled away from the mountain, sliding down towards the frozen bay. A general alert was sounded on the intercom, "All residents prepare for immediate departure."

 

@Props

A messenger arrived, breathless, to where Merlot was, "They need you and Crank to get down there, see if you can find any survivors from the away team in the structure. Apollo doesn't want to stick around waiting if they didn't make it."

Crank would meet Merlot in the hanger, ready for them to take off as soon as Merlot was strapped in.

[Spiral Spell]

@Blitz Boom @Illiad Easle @Kujamih

"Don't worry, we will try to help you to the best of our ability. You will heal from this. Just give it time, and it will come naturally, alright? I don't know exactly the full story here, but I am sure we could piece it together and find out what we need to do in order to help you." Spiral said, trying to speak in a calming manner to Nexus.

Spiral would step back if Last would pry the orb out. She didn't want to be hit by the massive amount of magic - thinking she would end up getting vaporized by such a massive amount of power. When the Nexus would settle by the door her eyes would widen. "Quick, get down!" she shouted and suddenly jumped away, ducking down as soon as she saw it glowing dangerously. Spiral shook in fear from seeing it shine brightly like that.

For a while after the explosion her vision and hearing went unable to tell what had happened afterward. She thought she was dead again, figuring it was a trap or some kind of fail safe that if the Nexus was tampered with, it would explode. When this was found not to be the case, she would slowly stand up shakily and look out over the landscape.

"W-we are free?" she would ask shakily.

@Illiad Easle

Merlot gives the messenger a look. "Seems as if the project's free now. I will be there as soon as possible." she said to the messenger. Soon enough, she would arrive in the hanger and get inside of her aircraft, strapping herself in.

Looking to Crank as they departed the project she would ask, "I wonder what happened down there. Any ideas? If there is no hold on the project anymore by whatever force was doing it, it seems as if that hold was broken." she said as she pivoted the aircraft a bit, getting a look at the destruction of the mountain there. 

Stunned, she went silent for a few moments.

[Evil Pink One 13,507]

@Illiad Easle

"Hmm... Draconicous made of wealth I see? ... Greed is it? " Light questioned as she transforms into a draconicous.

Soon after Light would be picked up by the draconicous and was given a last word before eaten.

He was weak and bleeding, as he spoke. 

" It looks like they've done it... I guess it's my turn! "

Light's body explodes and released multiple black shards, decimating anything inside the room. Hopefully this time the black shards did a lot of damage to the draconicous, making her immobile.

" ... Do you like the Light? oh and my last words are..."

As soon as he said those lines a blast of light Flashed.

"VANISH INTO LIGHT!" 

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

@Illiad Easle @Kujamih @Props

On 2022-09-22 at 9:38 PM, Illiad Easle said:

There was a shift in the magic, something was ramping up, but also spinning down. Ficus would call out, "Last! The sword, now! Aim for the edge and pry it out."

 

If Last went to pry the orb out, a LOT of magic would get discharged through the air, reacting with all the discarded bones in the pile, before the amber ball would fall from the Nexus and start rolling down the pile, coming to rest by the door. The Nexus was still active however...

This were more her speed, and not the drivel that were coming out of the orb. Honestly it were kinda annoying listening to that sort of talk. Nexus had to learn to speak like a normal pony, once she were pried out of there, or put a sock in it.

She didn't have to be told twice, when Ficus called out to her, to get to work, and she'd do so right away. Probably some sorta window for this, that the e- Woah!

the discharge of magic, would do one of two things.

Either it would affect her with enough of a pushback, in parts due to where it blasted, and the sword. Using her leg muscles, and standing firm, could likely keep her there, or near it at the least.

Or she would be blasted cleanly away, and hammered into a wall. It wouldn't kill her, but she'd actively let out a yelp of pain, and then a long groan, as she slid hit the floor. She were resilient, and weren't gonna cry, but that right there still bloody hurt. She were lucky she had her armor on, or she wouldn't just be subjected to an inevitable mixture of blue and black marks, but might actively have cracked something important.

It were also questionable, if the sword she had nicked, had survived that hit, as it had been on her back if she had been blasted off. Nothing some forge-work couldn't handle though, probably.

On 2022-09-22 at 9:38 PM, Illiad Easle said:

There was a rumble from the chamber they had come from, where Light and the Empress were, then the Nexus started to glow dangerously. A beam of multicolored light, similar to what had held the Project in place, blasted upward, and with a flash the mountain above them was obliterated, and the Nexus destroyed, scattering the bones across the landscape.

Snow started to fall on them, softly, as their vision and hearing recovered.

If she had not been blasted back before, seeing the nexus about to go nuclear, were gonna make Last jump away from it instantly, whilst keeping the sword between her, and the nexus. Flat side, that were specifically. She assumed that the anti-magic, might be able to shield her from some of what were to come.

The flash were gonna hurt her, regardless of where she were at the time. She'd bite her teeth together so hard, to avoid screaming, that blood would actively start to trickle down from the right side of her mouth. Her closed eye were protected by the eyelid, and generally, even a flashbang did not do enough to make her more than wince, but if this light had been powerful enough, it would be too much for her light sensitive eye, and it would sting straight into her brain.

On 2022-09-22 at 11:51 PM, Spiral Spell said:

For a while after the explosion her vision and hearing went unable to tell what had happened afterward. She thought she was dead again, figuring it was a trap or some kind of fail safe that if the Nexus was tampered with, it would explode. When this was found not to be the case, she would slowly stand up shakily and look out over the landscape.

"W-we are free?" she would ask shakily.

(if she had been blasted back before)

"*groan* As if... We'd be that lucky..."

She felt like she had been assaulted several times over, no punches held back, but she'd have to force herself up. Ignore the aching muscles. Force yourself forward. This place couldn't keep holding. Staying still were foolish. There'd be time to moan over the pain later. But now, she had to get up. Go to the others. Find a way out.

She needed a bit to get her bearings again.

(If she had jumped instead)

Her first word would be loud and best not said in polite conversation, after that though, she'd get up, and shake some more bone fragmentsand snow off from her, then have a look around.

"We're still missing a way out. The top's open, but we can't all fly. Urgh. And it looks like Nexus is still trapped. We'll have to roll that along.

And we have to hurry. If that looked bad from in here, it's gonna be worse outside. They might think we're dead, and take off without us."

[Illiad Easle 3,143]

@Blitz Boom @Kujamih

Once things settled and they recovered their bearings, Spiral, Last, and Ficus would find the amber orb that had once been the center of the Nexus sitting mostly unharmed by the door they had entered from. There was however a crack running through it with Last's sword embedded in it.

Ficus would arrive at the amber orb first, having been pushed the furthest by the energy as she was the lightest, and started to examine it, running a hoof along the crack. "I... I think this goes all the way through. Maybe... maybe we could just pry it open? Or-"

She was cut off as the amber started to shift by itself, something inside moving, until a feather stuck out of the crack, then another one on the other side. Ficus would start trying to lift the top half of the amber, and would call for the others to help. It was heavy, but between the three of them they'd be able to manage it, revealing a small alicorn filly partially trapped within. Specifically, her legs were still stuck in the amber.

The filly looked about school age, pure white coat with a short blond mane and tail. Her mark looked like the Nexus had, only without the pile of bones. She took a deep breath once her head was exposed. She opened her eyes, but it was obvious to those present that she was blind, whether she had always been that way, or it had been caused by her time in the Nexus, it was unknown. Her voice was weak as she tried to speak, and they couldn't understand what she was saying, though Spiral might recognize some of the cadence of it as being Spoken Unique.

It wouldn't take long to free the filly's legs, and she wouldn't resist, in fact she would fall asleep before they got her out and would stay that way even if they tried to wake her.

Ficus pointed to the far side of the room, "It looks like enough rubble is piled up over there for us to climb out. We should be able to signal for help there if we're not too far from base camp."

 

It wouldn't be too difficult again for them to climb out of the pit and into the open air. Through the gently falling snow they'd be able to spot Merlot's plane, but they'd have to get her attention somehow.

 

@Kujamih

On 2022-09-22 at 4:15 PM, Kujamih said:

"Hmm... Draconicous made of wealth I see? ... Greed is it? " Light questioned as she transforms into a draconicous.

The Empress took a moment to look herself over, "I think I prefer the term... Avarice. Empress Avarice."

On 2022-09-22 at 4:15 PM, Kujamih said:

"VANISH INTO LIGHT!" 

(I assume this is where Light exits the universe with the Empress in tow?)

Empress Avarice was hurt by Light's attack,  though not as much as he might have hoped as she was able to absorb most of the damage with her new form. Still though, she kept Light close allowing his second attack to hit at very close range, refracting the light to hit everything in the chamber.

[Spiral Spell]

@Blitz Boom @Illiad Easle @Kujamih

After a bit had passed, and Spiral had recovered from the effects of the explosion she would follow Ficus towards the Amber Orb. She would take note of Last's sword embedded in the orb, and bent down to inspect it. That is when she noticed something moving inside of the orb. When Ficus called out for help, she would eagerly help them lift the orb up. She gasped somewhat upon seeing the alicorn filly they had now exposed to the open air.

"Don't worry, I'll get you out." Spiral said to the filly gently and gave her a gentle pat on the head. Using her shadow magic, she would very carefully get the filly completely out of the Amber. As the hood she had was detachable, she would detach her hood from her jacket and gently put the sleeping filly inside of the hood, resting the filly on her back. As they spoke, her magic would keep the filly from falling off. 

Spiral hadn't felt this before, at least, not in a long time. She was deeply worried about the well being of the filly and would do what it takes to take care of her. However, she had a mission to do - she would have to find a way to assassinate Apollo, sooner or later. 

Spiral looked to Last when she commented about them potentially being forgotten. "Not the case, Last. Look." she would point at Merlot's plane as it was circling overhead. 

"I will get their attention." she spoke, and shot off a black bolt into the sky. The black bolt would take the shape of a giant misty arrow, pointing downward at their location from above so the plane could see them.

Meanwhile, Merlot would point out the arrow in the sky to Crank - and Merlot would land the plane at a safer distance away thanks to the rubble that had been kicked up. Crank could tell that Merlot was quite curious about what had happened down there.

Once the plane had landed, Spiral would lead the group towards them. She were more than ready to leave.

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

@Illiad Easle @Kujamih @Props

On 2022-09-27 at 9:29 PM, Illiad Easle said:

She was cut off as the amber started to shift by itself, something inside moving, until a feather stuck out of the crack, then another one on the other side. Ficus would start trying to lift the top half of the amber, and would call for the others to help. It was heavy, but between the three of them they'd be able to manage it, revealing a small alicorn filly partially trapped within. Specifically, her legs were still stuck in the amber.

Last blinked a few times, as they pried off the amber shell. Was heavy, but she were a tough earth pony, and they were three. Even if they weren't trained for heavy lifting, they'd be enough to pry open this thing, and get out what she assumed would be a pegasus mare.

Instead, it were an alicorn filly. A princess

For but a moment, she felt a fleeting ping of pain in her chest, combined with vigor, as she recalled the last princess, whom she had served, and her fate. Then came anger, and determination, as the sight of an innocent filly being trapped in here, made her hate the empress that much more. A blind one at that.

Grrrr. Had she the chance, she would have torn her head from her shoulders, but she could do nothing. Even if she deserved worlds of torment, for all of her actions.

On 2022-09-27 at 10:19 PM, Spiral Spell said:

"Don't worry, I'll get you out." Spiral said to the filly gently and gave her a gentle pat on the head. Using her shadow magic, she would very carefully get the filly completely out of the Amber. As the hood she had was detachable, she would detach her hood from her jacket and gently put the sleeping filly inside of the hood, resting the filly on her back. As they spoke, her magic would keep the filly from falling off. 

Last would keep hold of the amber, making sure the filly got lifted out safely, without the amber starting to move, or try and pull up with her, as her legs had still been stuck. And as the filly got out safely, she'd push it to the side, and looked over the small alicorn, once again. She'd trust that Spiral would keep her safe on her. It were up to Last to just make sure that in case something did come through, or that something fell, that it did not land upon them then, in case Spiral couldn't move fast enough. She could do that. She would not let another alicorn die, if she could help it. She'd be using herself as a shield before that, and accept death, if it came.

"Go in front, and make sure she gets out safely. I'll keep it secure from below."

It seemed the climb were thankfully uneventful. No monsters, no bones slashing down, threatening to pierce them- Just gently falling snow, as they rose up, and out into the brisk air. The filly sleeping soundly, which frankly, were for the best. It would keep her complacent, and keep them from accidentally having issues, with her attempting to wriggle away. Hopefully they'd have her in a nice, warm bed, before she woke up.

On 2022-09-27 at 9:29 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Ficus pointed to the far side of the room, "It looks like enough rubble is piled up over there for us to climb out. We should be able to signal for help there if we're not too far from base camp."

 

It wouldn't be too difficult again for them to climb out of the pit and into the open air. Through the gently falling snow they'd be able to spot Merlot's plane, but they'd have to get her attention somehow.

On 2022-09-27 at 10:19 PM, Spiral Spell said:

"I will get their attention." she spoke, and shot off a black bolt into the sky. The black bolt would take the shape of a giant misty arrow, pointing downward at their location from above so the plane could see them.

Meanwhile, Merlot would point out the arrow in the sky to Crank - and Merlot would land the plane at a safer distance away thanks to the rubble that had been kicked up. Crank could tell that Merlot was quite curious about what had happened down there.

Once the plane had landed, Spiral would lead the group towards them. She were more than ready to leave.

(following happens if there is an indicator, from their side likely, that something have happened in the Empresses room)

"Go there, now. I'll be right behind you. We still need-"

She'd look down, and see the light that bursted from behind the door (assuming it is not sealed enough, to not show something), and potentially even hear something, indicating that there were little more, that they could do for him.

"...You won't be forgotten. Zha'krom leyhdan, neh-soizta luna."

She'd salute down towards the door, then turn, and join the others, as they headed towards the ship.

The Shrine Maidens had used a few older languages in their days, as basis for a militaristic code language. Not too much of it were used, as they had used common Ponish, even as they were sent to the shrine in the first place, and little need for written correspondence. Yet sometimes, it were yet used. Mostly at funerals, to send their fallen off with a last message, as they burned upon the pyre, and their ashes were spread across the plains.

The one she had used, roughly translated to *Welcome this star, oh radiant moon.*. A sentiment rarely given to any outsider (of which they only had few, who rarely crossed into their valley for some reason), yet he had given his all, for them to succeed. Though she were alive no longer, she still gave the same manner of respectful prayer, as they all did towards their fallen. Something given in the hopes, that their spirits might shine, as they did in life, and soar forever as a star, in her majesty's sky. Perhaps even now, after she were gone, her own spirit would be there, welcoming her faithful home.

A silly thing to think perhaps, for some who'd listen to their tales, but it were a firm belief of theirs, and they did not like it being laughed at. They spend their lives, fighting honorably in her name, and readily dying for the cause. And it brought them, hope, and faith, to look up, and think that their ancestors shone brightly in her night sky.

Light were a pompous sort perhaps, but much like her kind, he had fought til the end, and died with purpose, and honor. He would be remembered, and perhaps, he too would soar among the ancestors, finding peace among the stars. Or find shelter in Elysium.

(in case there is no sign)

"Light is still back there. We can't just leave him like this.

Get Nexus to the ship. I'll see if I can drag him out."

Lest something happened, she'd rush down again, and go over. She wanted to break open the door, just a little, and give him an opening to escape. After the opening he had given them, they couldn't just leave him, when he might still be alive.

[Illiad Easle 3,143]

@Blitz Boom @Kujamih

On 2022-09-29 at 11:25 AM, Blitz Boom said:

following happens if there is an indicator, from their side likely, that something have happened in the Empresses room

Before Last could really consider going back for Light, the door that led back the way they had come was knocked loose by a powerful burst of energy. If she looked through the door she'd find the chamber now empty, no sign of Light, the Empress, or any of the undead bodies that they had previously fought.

 

Merlot would be able to see the shadow arrow rather easily, and if she asked Crank for his opinion he'd encourage her to go for a closer look. "Hopefully one of the larger craft are operable. We could only take on one passenger, and that's only if we could find a safe place to land."

Once Merlot had visual confirmation on the survivors she could have Crank radio back the number along with whatever description Merlot thought to include.

They'd be told to return to the Project, and that the craft at the base camp would pick them up.

 

About fifteen minutes after they had been spotted by the aircraft, the craft that had carried them down would touch down nearby for them to get in, and just as soon as they were all in it would set off for the Project. The unicorn from the other team raised an eyebrow, "What happened in there? Where'd this little filly come from? And where's that stallion that was with you?"

[Spiral Spell]

@Illiad Easle @Blitz Boom @Kujamih

Spiral had looked back at the door that had been blasted loose by energy. Looking back, she wasn't sure what really happened. Then she'd return to where Last was, and would be waiting with her by the time the craft came from base camp. It was likely by that time Spiral and Last would have figured out that Light, the Empress and the undead bodies had somehow vanished. Spiral said to last, that whatever happened in there - they likely won't find out as they are apparently gone for no apparent reason. Spiral didn't know what to suggest for that, not yet. 

When the craft had landed nearby to them - Spiral would board the craft and then tell the unicorn everything that happened down there. She would also add say that Light is missing in action. Spiral would say that she would take care of the Filly for the time being, and wouldn't want the filly to be out of her sight.

Merlot would have asked for Crank's opinion and take a closer look like he suggested - and would return to the Project as ordered. Over the radio she would have voiced over the best description she could muster, so that when the other craft had landed - they would have known a little bit of what to expect. When they returned to the project, Merlot would have returned to her other duties at the time unless she was needed for something.

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

@Illiad Easle @Kujamih @Props

On 2022-09-30 at 11:18 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Before Last could really consider going back for Light, the door that led back the way they had come was knocked loose by a powerful burst of energy. If she looked through the door she'd find the chamber now empty, no sign of Light, the Empress, or any of the undead bodies that they had previously fought.

So that was it then? He were gone. SO too, seemed the undead, and the empress... Whatever he had done, it had amounted to a sacrificial act, to save not just them, but countless others, from what the empress might have done later on. A selfless act...

She would make sure that it would not be forgotten, nor glossed over in the report. He deserved as much, for his final action.

On 2022-09-30 at 11:44 PM, Spiral Spell said:

Spiral had looked back at the door that had been blasted loose by energy. Looking back, she wasn't sure what really happened. Then she'd return to where Last was, and would be waiting with her by the time the craft came from base camp. It was likely by that time Spiral and Last would have figured out that Light, the Empress and the undead bodies had somehow vanished. Spiral said to last, that whatever happened in there - they likely won't find out as they are apparently gone for no apparent reason. Spiral didn't know what to suggest for that, not yet. 

"To me, it looks as if he sacrificed himself, to save us. Lest something changes, that's what I'll put in my report."

She had hoped they would get out of this, without casualties, but it had been unrealistic, she supposed. And though she had her thoughts about him earlier, he made sure that it were only him, and that whatever that empress were, had vanished too. Hopefully for good. It would save a lot of lives later on, and avenge those who had fallen, if she were gone.

"What of her? Is she still okay?"

Shed refer to Nexus, who would likely still be laying upon her back, as they waited to be picked up, by The Æther. It seemed they had been spotted at least, so those of them who remained, would likely make it out okay. Bit of a shame she didn't get the ice spike gun with her though, but it were a minor thing. It were not the most important thing lost here, and she could figure out some other weapon eventually. A lot of egg heads on The Æther. Had to be one who knew how to make a sort of cannon, to put on her leg. Or an arrow, or something. It wasn't important right now.

On 2022-09-30 at 11:18 PM, Illiad Easle said:

About fifteen minutes after they had been spotted by the aircraft, the craft that had carried them down would touch down nearby for them to get in, and just as soon as they were all in it would set off for the Project. The unicorn from the other team raised an eyebrow, "What happened in there? Where'd this little filly come from? And where's that stallion that was with you?"

On 2022-09-30 at 11:44 PM, Spiral Spell said:

When the craft had landed nearby to them - Spiral would board the craft and then tell the unicorn everything that happened down there. She would also add say that Light is missing in action. Spiral would say that she would take care of the Filly for the time being, and wouldn't want the filly to be out of her sight.

Last would let Spiral speak first, as she were the one carrying the filly, and it were only right. Yet she'd interject something, once the mare were done.

"There's no trace of Light, nor the one he stayed behind to fight. For all intents and purpose, it seemed he died an honorable death, removing a greater threat."

She'd look at her sword a last time, before sheating it. Not the new one, which still sat on her back, but the old one, infused with the magic of Light. Perhaps it would make for a worthy tombstone, yet more than that... He had infused it, so that she could keep fighting. She'd honor his memory more, by keeping it sharp and swinging.

It would be pushed back into her scabbard, and she'd take position, over near Spiral and the still sleeping Nexus.

Her eye would gaze over the filly, silently think to herself a few things. Thoughts of what challenges she had. The responsibility of an alicorn, that some would try and push upon her, the concept of loyalty...

For all she knew, the last openly remaining alicorn, might be the ones famed to be in Troy, if the stories were true. Yet now, here were a new one. A young little life, that had been dealt a lot of challenges. She'd need support, and protection, like all other of her kind did. Just like Princess Luna had, before...

"...An alicorn, needs her guards. I won't let you do this alone, Spiral."

She'd be stubborn about this, and refuse to leave the filly too. Might be this were not her princess, yet she carried the same weight of power, that some would seek to snuff out, or exploit.

Last had... She had failed a princess once already, by not being there to protect her. Perhaps in that matter, she were not the most suitable, to help guard another alicorn. Yet she would at least try, or die failing.

Spiral were well intentioned, and Last respected the mare, for how she did things, and her conviction. But she were but one, and she wasn't a trained soldier. If she wanted to admit it or not, she could use the help. If for nothing else, then to stand against those on The Æther, who'd undoubtedly try and tear the filly from her grasp. Plenty that were bound to be curious about an alicorn filly, from an old city like that. And she doubted they were all going to have Nexus's best interests at heart.

So she would stand near the two, rank and unmoving, gazing with a narrow glare towards any, who seemed to want to get closer.

[Illiad Easle 3,143]

@Blitz Boom @Props ValRoa

The alicorn filly was still asleep when their craft touched down in the hanger, but they weren't allowed to disembark just yet as a well armored guard spoke to them, "We detected a large amount of magic, potentially of draconequiin origin, while you were all down there. In an effort to maintain the security of the project, you will all be quarantined for the next two weeks. Assuming you do not display any unusual effects you will at that point be allowed to rejoin the Project proper."

The guard would call the team members individually to disembark, passing through a scanner as they had when they first boarded the Project. They didn't pause long when Light's name was called, and no one moved to answer, and they'd move on faster if Spiral or Last spoke up about his disappearance.

They would call Spiral first, but stop her when they saw the pony she was carrying, "Is... is that an alicorn?"

That attracted the attention of almost everyone in the hanger as news quickly traveled. Many started to move on the craft to try and get a look, to which the rest of the guards did their best to keep them away. The lead guard shook his head, "We'll deal with that later, just come on through, quickly."

Once through the sensor the guard looking at the readouts shook his head, and Spiral would be stopped again, "This alicorn is covered in strange magic. We can't allow her to be quarantined with the rest of them. The unicorn too, likely due to the exposure."

The head guard snorted, "Fine, they'll be quarantined separately then. We'll let Apollo deal with it later."

They were held to the side as Last was scanned, revealing a similar level of strange exposure. "Alright, the three of you will be held separately, follow me."

The guards formed up around them to keep them away from the prying eyes of those who had heard the word 'alicorn' until they were brought to a room big enough for four ponies with a mirrored observation window. "Best if you got comfortable. Someone will come by in an hour to make more concrete arrangements."