open Rise of the Stars roleplay (1x1 with CatponeCerberus)

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight
Ember smiled at Arrow and was quiet for a bit, after few moments she spoke again "We'll talk more about that when we get back to Equestria, for now, could we go get something to drink?" quite the interruption to the mood, but like she had said, she was bad at these things. 

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Danthe didn't touch Quasi, but she could feel..something, she didn't know what it was, but she knew it wasn't there before. "*That was easy*" she stated after everything, almost disappointed, as she spoke, she gave a odd look towards Darkstalker, after which, if Quasi was able to tell from Darkstalker, Darkstalker's mind got filled with unusual anguish, it didn't matter if his mind was protected or not, because what she did was ultimately physical, altering the physical brain, it was an insult to injury, to make his last few moments feel as long as possible, there was a reason why she did that, which would be apparent from what she said to Quasi "*I think Ruby is in the next room*" there was another door in the room they were in, a normal door leading to extra room, nothing weird to see in someone's living quarters, but it had a lock, nothing special, just a lock, Danthe gestured towards it with her eyes "*I can feel her...strongly, it's quite bad, you should probably send Darkstalker and anyone else you want out before touching that door.*" Regardless of Quasi's actions, about 30 seconds after Danthe said that, there would be a heavy thud with slight metallic sound to it coming from the pointed room, followed by muffled swearing that sounded quite alike to Cinder.

 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Sure but I'm buying."

Arrow would look to find the nearest tavern after asking directions from a stationed guard, one was found.

"Thinking I want something strong... none of those fancy colorful drinks."

"Like... beer or something?" A dragon asked.

"Yeah why not."

Arrow would then buy Ember's drink if she ordered anything.

-------------------

"I want Darkstalker and the general out of here. Put them in a cell for now."

After this, Quasi would open the door.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight
Ember ordered a 'fancy colorful' drink, nothing specific, she just wanted something that tasted good and fruity, she had never drank for sake of drinking, and rather drank to enjoy what she drank, though she did ask it to be something more geared toward dragons rather than ponies. She also ordered water. "It's weird to be surrounded by dragons, yet somehow I feel slightly less like I stick out than I do with ponies." 

------------------------------------

The sight in the room was....awful, in the order from what one would most likely notice first to last, first there was Ruby, now laying still on the floor in a pool of blood, she was lacking most of her protective scales, all of her horns and claws had been cut off cleanly with only barely visible stump's left, and her injuries were...indescribable, simply put, it wasn't hard to tell where the blood was from, it would have been easier to point out what wasn't damaged. She was also visibly malnourished, starving even, and while not as obvious visually, she was also badly dehydrated. All in all, it would have been perfectly reasonable to think she was dead, if it wasn't for the fact she was breathing, barely, but still breathing, this was apparent from the sound caused by the air moving through small holes in a mask she was wearing.

a mask, or a helmet, whatever one would call it, she had a metal-thing on her head that covered her whole face, with only holes being two tiny breathing holes about where her nostrils were, other than that, there was also lot of shackles, several on each limb minus the wings, several on her tail and one big one around her body, that one also restrained her wings by trapping them against her body. There were pieces of chains attached to all of these, and more chains were hanging from spots on the walls and the roof, it wasn't hard to guess she had been suspended in air when those chains were intact. She was also wearing some kind of a metal collar, it didn't have any chains attached to it, but it did have some kind of faintly glowing symbols on it.

After Ruby, the most obvious thing was Cinder, as she was laying on the ground rolling slightly and swearing, as she moved around, one could see that something had penetrated her wings and armor into her back, there were several holes, matching in size and distance from each other to Ruby's neck's spines which were not cut, she didn't do that for long though, as after few moments she got up, still swearing, but fine enough to walk.

Vix was in front of Ruby, trying to figure out how to remove the mask-helmet thing.

Other than that, there was lot of tools and weapons in the room, their use most likely obvious, and in one corner there was the separated horns and claws in a pile, minus the one sent to Quasi of course. The room itself was just a normal room with few modifications to hold a prisoner, nothing too crazy, in fact, the room itself was such that someone like Ruby should have had easy time getting out. And how were Cinder and Vix in this locked room? There was an air vent, way too small for a local dragon, but big enough for Cinder and Vix.

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Maybe you're more dragon than pony. I don't know genetics honestly."

Everything here was geared towards dragons though, Arrow has developed tolerance for alcohol.

"Did I tell you about the drinking contest I had with one of those really large dragons the size of a cave? It wasn't even close. Woke up in a hospital on the other side of Equestria. It was my first drink. I've become stronger since that day."

------------------‐--

Quasi was horrified at the sight. This was something that not even his world was use to. And for it to happen to Ruby of all dragons.

"We need medics now!"

When the medics came in, they too were horrified by the sight of their queen. Just a few days ago before she was gone, they saw her looking healthy and stronger than any dragon they knew.

"How is she alive? No dragon can survive that."

"What should we do then?"

"Moving her like this may cause her pain, we should get make her sleep while we transport her. Something has to be keeping her alive otherwise she'd be long dead."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight

"One should never challenge someone clearly bigger than them to a drinking competition." Ember said casually "Even I, while my dragon genes give me a better tolerance, would lose to a pony double my size." "There's of course exceptions to the rule, but it's a good way to avoid challenges you can't beat." she drank her drink little at a time "I prefer competitions of style rather than amount." she held bit of it in her mouth and lit it on fire with her breath before swallowing it, her mouth was to certain extend fireproof, and back when she went for drinks more often, she liked to show off to ponies by making the alcohol burn in her mouth.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Both Cinder and Vix were also horrified at the sight, but they didn't really show it because both were more focused on getting Ruby out, or well, Cinder was before she was bleeding from her back, though for now she would refuse any help from medics, stating that Ruby should be taken care of first. Even Danthe looked startled at the sight, this was beyond even her imagination, and it didn't help she could literally feel Ruby's agony, be it in different way than one may assume.

Cinder, after collecting her thoughts for a second, answered to the question that was left in the air "It's probably the collar." pain was apparent from her voice, but it was more annoyance towards the pain rather than weakness "This isn't the time or place to get to details, but I recognize that collar, I tried to take it off but something is off, the bind is way too strong for its normal use, Darkstalker has done something to it, my guess is that whatever he did is the reason why Ruby is still alive." 

While Cinder spoke, Danthe walked next to Vix who had trouble finding a way to remove the mask, and cut it open with her claws, when it dropped, Ruby opened her mouth and started breathing through it, though it was more gasping than breathing, and that was all that changed, her eyes were open but unfocused, Vix tried to get her attention by waving his hand in front of her, but there was no reaction, her eyes just stared into nothingness. "I don't think she's conscious enough to notice any new pain." this would be supported if Quasi tried to see into her mind, her mind's protection was down at least for him, but there wasn't really anything to find, as both her mind and emotions were overtaken by the impossible pain she was feeling, she couldn't focus enough to even form thoughts. 

 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"I guess that's what I get."

Arrow would take some sips of his drink.

"Usually ponies light the drink outside the cup and try to drink it. Doesn't always go well."

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"Medics, get her transported to a ship and into a sick bay. We'll get her treated on our way and then we'll get her treated further in Starlania. Don't take off the collar."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"Yeah, I've seen that." Ember stated "I just like to do it like I do, because it looks cooler, it got me lot of free drinks back in the day, it doesn't really add anything to the experience for me personally." she may have avoided company and attention for big part of her life, but that didn't mean she didn't enjoy positive attention, especially back in the past when negative attention was more common.

---------------------------------

"They probably couldn't even if they tried." Cinder commented regarding Quasi's last order "After she's safely in the ship and I get myself bandaged, we should probably talk in private about that collar, there's few things you should know." the reason she didn't want to say them here was because as far as saw it, it was a private matter, and Ruby would probably kill her if she heard that she had let everyone know about it.

Danthe and Vix would join the medics in transporting Ruby by protecting them in case there was still someone left to fight. 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"It's definitely a party trick. All I can do is shoot a single piece of rice off someone's head."

-------------------

Quasi nodded and walked outside. He had business to take care of real quick.

After some time Darkstalker was chained to the wall of his castle with a large crowd gathering. Four of Quasi's soldiers stood their with guns.

"Darkstalker has plagued this world for too long. He is a traitor and has destroyed the first nightwing kingdom trying to take it over. He then tried to take it over 2000 years later. And just recently again, he has tried to steal the throne. He has viewed you all as slaves and nothing more. Today you are free from his tyranny. You all will be made citizens of Starlania, you will have freedom. Soldiers! Fire."

The soldiers took aim at Darkstalkers heart and fired, killing him instantly.

Darkstalker's general would come out and sign an unconditional surrender. After this, former citizens of Darkstalkers regime would push over a statue of Darkstalker.

He'd then seek Cinder.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"Now I'm curious how exactly you found out you can do that." Ember remarked "And who was brave enough to agree to that."
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Danthe and Vix didn't watch the execution, after they had gotten to the ship, Vix had gone to throw up before seeking a peaceful place to sit down in, Danthe followed him but didn't do much, just made sure he was aright, the sight of Ruby had been bit too much for him, and he needed to clear his head. 

Cinder, her armor now replaced by bandages covering her body and wings was watching the execution from afar, and after the shots rang out, she had turned to slowly make her way back to the boat, her legs weren't injured but it still slightly hurt to walk, Quasi would most likely reach her while she was still walking, she stopped when he did, sitting down. "So you want the summary or all details?" 

 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Well, I tried on inanimate objects first. What do you think you will do with your life next?"

He was vague but figured Ember would know what he meant. He didn't want to give away anything Ember didn't want anyone else to know.

-------------------------------------------------

"Let's hear the details."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"I don't really know, after I get things under control, I'll probably have to start by finding a job, something where my natural aggression can be used for something useful." she too was somewhat vague, as the details of what was meant wasn't anyone else's business "Ultimately I want to settle down and have a stress free life." she chuckled and continued in joking manner "Or maybe I'll make myself into folklore, the angry witch of the forest with an army of crows." 

---------------------------------------------------

"Ruby is wearing a slave collar." Cinder started, she wasn't going to sugarcoat it "An enchanted one, from Equestria, the spells on it are old ones, probably older than the princesses, I didn't know any of the unmodified ones existed anymore, the princesses did lot of work to destroy them." "I know about them because I own a modified one, one with lot more protections to make sure it can't be used against sentient beings against their will." she figured it was good to get that out of the way "It's a form of lesser mind-control, doesn't actually touch the mind, takes over the body instead." "It has some limitations, but simply put, the wearer will follow any order and request  given to them by whoever the collar considers the owner. It cannot be removed by anyone other than the owner, until they know how to manipulate it like I do, and breaking it is surprisingly hard." "The wearer also can't harm or escape from the owner, that cannot be overruled by anyone or anything." "It forces the wearer under full obedience, but unlike full mind-control, the wearer is well aware that their body is not under their own control." 

"Killing the owner does not affect it, so Ruby is still under whatever her last commands were from Darkstalker, who I assume would be the one to have the ownership set to him." 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Yeah, everyone's gotta settle down eventually. Except Ace but, he was... something."

"I could easily provide for us but..." He laughed. "You don't seem like much of a housewife. What about security in some kind of bar or whatever. Nothing too violent but you get to beat up anyone that causes trouble."

-------------

"That's a problem. If I take it off she'll die but she's under control of someone dead. I am not exactly an animus anymore since it was made to go away at the moment of Darkstalker's death. Can we switch owners to me? I don't trust anyone else with that power."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight

Ember laughed at the housewife comment and shrugged at the suggestion "I don't know, maybe? I don't actually even know what kind of options there are." "And while you were joking, housewife in some aspects isn't an impossible idea, I mean, obviously the traditional idea is impossible, I'd go mad, but what I'm saying is that I don't have to work, I have made enough to make it through rest of my life, I could just get a hobby instead." she hadn't really planned that far since she hadn't been optimistic about her ability to retire before.

---------------------------------------------

"Yes we can, that's why I asked to have this conversation in private, I don't think Ruby would be happy to have this kind of thing in everyone's knowledge." Cinder stated "I just want to make sure you truly understand what it means to have that much control, it can make or break her trust towards you." she didn't wait for response as she got into another explanation "I'll start with the few limits, as stated, it's physical control, you cannot affect her mind, an example would be speech, you can make her stay quiet, as speaking is physical activity, but when allowed to speak, you cannot affect what she says, because her choice of words is decision of her mind." "The second thing, she can't be told to do things she can't do, be it lack of skill or lack of knowledge, for example, she cannot pick up something she doesn't know the location of, with such orders, nothing happens." "Third, you can't control things she wouldn't normally be able to control, you can't tell her heart to stop beating for example." "And that's for the limits I at least remember right now." 

"Other important details, firstly, it feels awful to lose control like that, and I have no doubt it's like torture to her specifically, so just keep that in mind if you're planning to use your new...power." "Second, 'order' is very broad term in this context, it doesn't need to sound like an order, even a question will be taken as an order if it hints at you wanting her to do something, there is no difference between 'do this' and 'Would you be willing to do this' as far as the collar is concerned." she talked in very neutral manner. 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"What kind of hobbies are you thinking about going for?"

-------------------------

"I don't plan on controlling her. It wouldn't seem right to me. I'll probably use a dragon with me to speak to her for now."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"I don't really know, haven't thought that far." Ember admitted "Maybe hunting or something?" it would need to be something that allowed her to let out aggression, and something like hunting would be useful hobby to have since she also ate meat. "I haven't really thought about this type of things since I was young." 

---------------

"You do what you do, not my business." Cinder stated "I'm just sharing information." she got up again and started to make her slow way towards the boat "And while I'm the last individual you should listen in matters of relationship, you should be careful to not go too far into the other direction either, I personally wouldn't like it if someone I cared about started avoiding me, be the reason whatever." 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Seems like a possibility with you eating meat. The Earthlings tried to put their food businesses in Equestria but, the idea was scrapped since most of them involved meat. I don't see the appeal to meat honestly. Probably because ponies can't digest the stuff."

After a while it got late. Arrow would continue to stay in this world waiting for the outcome of Ruby's rescue, he'd be outside the castle when he got his answer. An announcement was made, Starlania has won the war. Darkstalker was executed. But also... Ruby's condition has gotten out too. Arrow would approach Ember.

"They won but, Ruby is poor health. Rumors of most of her scales being removed along with her horns and claws. Quasi had Darkstalker executed after using animus magic to make him mortal and easier to kill."

-----------------------------------------------

Quasi stood at Ruby's bedside, they'd snuck Ruby into the castle earlier in the morning so that no one would see Ruby's condition but word had gotten out.

"I should've gotten there sooner. I'm sorry."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight
Ember kinda just shrugged, she had nothing to add.

Ember stayed too, partly because of Arrow staying, but also because she was worried about Ruby, she may have not had any personal connection to the real Ruby, but she was still her old neighbor, and thus there was slight care, and also, nobody deserved a fate like that, there was a reason why she didn't torture those she went after.

 she again used her time either with Arrow, alone in her room, or by doing busywork, though she also contacted few contacts for reasons untold. 

Ember was also outside, though not right next to Arrow, she was some distance away feeding crows. "Yeah, I too heard some of it....I kinda guessed the horn thing, figured he'd humiliate her." cutting of horns or other such was common in the underworld, to humiliate but also because it disarmed the victim, and since one horn was sent to them, it wasn't hard assumption to make "Poor Ruby, nobody deserves such treatment."  she was saddened by it, she didn't know her exact state, but the fact that it was attempted to be kept hidden told it was bad. "Though, at least she's alive"

---------------------------

The whole boat ride was uneventful for Ruby, as she was out cold the whole time, the medical staff did their best, but ultimately all they could do was to stop the bleeding and get nutrients and hydration into her, along any other life supporting things, other than that they could only try to ease the pain and hope her body did the rest, a big problem was her bloodloss, as they couldn't do anything about it, Ruby was different species than Nightwings, and the only ones of her kind around, Danthe and her family, had their blood infused with dark magic, making it unfit too. She had closed her eyes and mouth, so that was some progress.

The medical report was as grim as one was to expect, with it being easily summarized by the one positive it had, none of her inner organs were seriously damaged, there was some damage here and there, partly due to lack of food and water, but nothing permanent.

Danthe and Vix had left back to the cave after reaching Starlania, they wanted to tell Enduur what had happened. Cinder meanwhile just hanged around, staying relatively close to Quasi so that she was easy to find when he wanted her to deal with the collar. 

 

Now Ruby was wrapped in bandages and seemingly sleeping, filled with medicine and attached to any and all medical machines the nation had, she would have probably complained, if it wasn't for the fact she really couldn't. She didn't move, didn't make a sound, just breathed slowly and painfully, she was peaceful, probably more peaceful than ever before. When Quasi spoke, there was tiniest of twitches from Ruby, but when it happened, the collar's symbols flashed faintly, if Quasi tried to read her mind, he'd find the protections were still down, and she was thinking about him, nothing about him specifically, but him generally, her emotional state, besides pain and just general misery, had confusion mixed in, possibly caused by the heavy medication. 

 

 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Now that Darkstalker is dead, I think he is gone for good. I can only imagine how this will effect her mind."

-----------------

Guards were posted to protect Ruby from attackers. The machines were based around the ones made in Equestria for dragons, though made for the dragons here and Ruby's kind.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"Third time the charm." Ember remarked, though she was doubtful his name wouldn't come up in the future, those like him, they tended to cause trouble even after their death "And yeah, it's hard to predict how this all affects Ruby, especially since we don't know what exactly happened." "I wonder if we ever will know." 

-------------------------------------------

As minutes passed, Ruby's mind became more active, the random thoughts about Quasi turned more focused, she was starting to dream, though it soon took a turn, as her mind was filled with fear, and she started shouting for help in her mind, a nightmare. Yet, she stayed unmoving and soundless, her heartbeat increased, but that was the only physical change, and again, the collar flashed faintly, seemingly at random, as nothing seemed to happen.

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Quasi will probably be watching over her whenever he isn't dealing with running the country."

----------------

Quasi heard the screaming in her mind. He took the dream visitor from Moonwatcher and entered Ruby's dream.

"Ruby? It's me, you're home now. You don't need to be afraid anymore."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"Hopefully" Ember stated "She may not want it, but she will need someone to be there for her, she won't be winning this fight alone." 

----------------------------

The dream was rather simple, it in a indescribable location, a mishmash of everything covered in mist of non-focus, the events was more clearly the focus of the dream, there was Ruby, just standing, in better shape than she in reality was, but still in a bad shape, and there was chains attached to her in a manner similar to puppet strings, in the distance there was a Quasi, walking away, and the dream Ruby was shouting to the dream Quasi to try to get his attention, yet she didn't move nor did the dream Quasi react.

When the Real Quasi appeared, Ruby was startled, and while she had no way of knowing if he was real or not, the appearance of another Quasi made her realize she was dreaming, though she still didn't move. She did however start pleading for help in a tone that was the closest thing to crying her kind had, "*I can't move, he doesn't let me move, please help me, make it stop, I want my body back...*" she continued on with variations of similar statements, fear and panic taking hold more longer it went, and as they got stronger, the dream started to slowly fade. 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

"Quasi is the only one who can."

----------------

Quasi would leave the dream and say to Ruby.

"Stop being unable to move."

He figured Ruby meant Darkstalker wouldn't allow her to move.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"True." Ember agreed "If she trusts anyone, it would be him." 

----------------------

The collar did some flashing, but at first nothing happened, it was odd really, Cinder had said while doing her thing that changing the one in control should dismiss any orders, though she had also mentioned there was something off about the collar beyond the whole keeping alive thing, but that she couldn't put her finger on it.

After some moments though, as Ruby's panic got great enough to wake her up, she woke up with a gasp and started looking around, her expression went from confusion to visible relief, as she started moving her fingers and then a whole leg, the movement was slow, and even with all the medicine, slightly painful, she moved said leg to her neck, the stubs that were left of her claws touching the collar. and when they made contact, her expression changed again, the relief melted away and was replaced with distressed realization, followed by quiet almost hopeless sounding whisper "*no...*" 

During this, she didn't seem to notice Quasi next to her, she hadn't looked into his direction during her short scan of the place, and rest of her senses were still less than sharp sue to the overwhelming damage to her body, it was really a miracle that she even woke up, since even with all the care, she was still in awful shape.

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"The question is will Ruby ever be the dragon she was before all this."

------------

"I had him executed. His general who was in line for his throne signed a declaration of surrender."

"We must keep the collar on you until you heal enough. The control was set to me but I don't plan on using it. I only used it once so that you will be able to move."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"I'd say it depends on what exactly she went through, it could also make her...more Ruby." "I believe she can get over whatever happened if she just let's Quasi help her."  as she saw it, there was three main directions it could go, either nothing would change, Ruby would become even more hateful towards the world. or she would actually become nicer, sure the last one was unlikely, but who knew, bad experiences could humble an individual. 

----------------------------------------------

Ruby was startled by Quasi's voice, showing that she indeed had not noticed him next to her, it was quite sad really, how timid she was, Darkstalker had really done a number on her. She looked at him with mixed emotion, it wasn't hard to tell she wasn't too happy about the revelation regarding the collar, and while she wanted to believe Quasi when he said he wasn't going to use it, she couldn't help but be wary, better not annoy him.

"*How....long....I...?*" she spoke in her native language because she barely had strength to talk at all, so she didn't even try translating the words to different language, it was also a good way to make sure this wasn't some new trick from Darkstalker, since regardless of his greatness, he hadn't managed to figure out her language like Quasi had. 

She reached her front leg weakly towards Quasi, if he was close enough, she would grab him, though it too was so weak that an incest would have been able to fight back "*I'm....sorry......I....fail...*"