private Surviving The Competition (1x1 with Dynamo Pad)

[Ragland Tiger 3,446]

@Dynamo Pad

"Of course," said Luna.  "I'll see you in a week then. Bring your A game!"  And with that, they departed.

[Dynamo Pad 11,570]

@Ragland Tiger

Upon hearing that they would meet once again in a week, the gaming unicorn nodded in agreement. "O-Okay and I'll make sure to bring my A game. I'll see you soon, Princess Luna!" He called out to her as the group had made their departure. Dynamo had stood in the same spot he stood as he talked to the trio, before taking his leave of the hospital. Wonder of anticipation beginning to form as to what kind of video games the group would be playing.

**One Week Time Skip**

As the day of the meetup had finally arrived, Dynamo had made his arrival outside of Canterlot Castle. Looking up, he could only stare in awe. His eyes glistening from the sunlight reflecting off of the castle walls. To some, it was a huge honor to be this close to the castle, but to him? He felt like he was out of place given his attire and for what he had brought. A simple black jacket he'd always have with him, a saddlebag full of some of his favorite games and controllers. He wasn't sure how many controllers were available, but he wanted to be safe than sorry. Remembering of why he was here, he shook his head to clear his awe and to get himself back on track. Taking a deep breath, he slowly started making his way over towards the castle gates.

As he made his trek up towards the entrance, he remembered the previous days leading up to this event. He had explored the town as he hadn't been to Canterlot all that often, but for most of the time? He made his visits to the hospital to check up on Bluebell. As the week had gone by, he got to learn bits and pieces about her. Things that she liked, disliked, what kind of hobbies she was into and more. He had even told her about Princess Luna's invitation. Wondering what it was like to play games alongside the Princess of the Night. He had always heard stories and rumors of Princess Luna being a gamer. He had never expected that the rumors were to be true. Even thought it looked like Bluebell was still injured, her injuries were slowly healing back to full health. He had even asked if she wanted to join him if she was feeling better soon, but he hadn't seen her as he made his way to the castle.

Once he made it to the entrance, he took notice of two royal guards standing watch at the entrance. Bodies as still as statues, with eyes fixed and trained on anyone they deemed as a threat to the castle. Unfortunately for Dynamo, he was to be considered such a threat. With shouts of,

"HALT!"

and

"WHO GOES THERE!"

The gaming unicorn couldn't help in jumping back slightly. He turned from side to side, making sure if it was anyone else that the guards were referring to. However, it looked like there was nopony around, but the gaming unicorn, himself. Looking back with a nervous expression, Dynamo had made a bow towards the guards. "H-Hello. I-I was given an invitation to meet Princess Luna for a video game meeting. I-I hope it would be okay to be allowed access within the castle."

[Ragland Tiger 3,446]

@Dynamo Pad

A tiny peek - door opened in the gate. A pair of pony eyes peered out of it. and a squeaky, chirpy voice demanded, "Who goes there?  Friend or foe?"  One of the guards rolled his eyes.  "Here we go again," he said.

[Dynamo Pad 11,570]

@Ragland Tiger

Perking his ears, Dynamo had heard the creak of the castled doors. As the doors opened slightly, the blue unicorn thought he had seen a pair of eyes poking out. Almost trained to him as he was not from around the castle, or Canterlot for that matter. Even though the chirpy voice had asked him questions, the gaming unicorn had turned his eyes away from the pair of pony eyes to the guards. 'Again? Has this happened once before?' He thought, before turning his attention back towards the pony eyes.

"U-Um...I would say that I'm a friend. M-My name is Dynamo Pad. Princess Luna had requested that I arrive at the castle in order to join her and her friends for video games at the palace." He would say, hoping that everything would be okay, while wondering who was behind the door.

[Ragland Tiger 3,446]

@Dynamo Pad

"What's the secret password?" said the squeaky voice. " Oh! Hehe, never mind.  It's a secret anyways."   The eyes vanished and the doors slowly opened to reveal a long corridor with a barely visible door at the other end.

Edited April 12 by Ragland Tiger

[Dynamo Pad 11,570]

@Ragland Tiger

Blinking in surprise as his ears fell slightly, Dynamo's jaw dropped in both worry and confusion. "S-Secret...password?" He asks with a tilt of his head. So many thoughts had raced through his mind. From not recalling a secret password, to wondering what the secret password was, to wondering if Luna had mentioned anything about a secret password. Thankfully, he was brought out his train of thought as the squeaky voice had mentioned that it was a secret. Letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding, the gaming unicorn had slowly made his way forward upon the doors slowly opening. Revealing to him a long corridor with barely a visible door on the other end.

Dynamo had to squint to make sure he hadn't been seeing things. The eyes had vanished moments before, but he wondered if the squeaky voice was still there. "Are the corridors usually this difficult to see? I wonder how far that door is. Unless...this is Princess Luna's style. She is the Princess of the Night, after all." He started, uttering his thoughts out loud. Taking a tentative step forward, the gaming unicorn started making his way into the corridor. His planned destination in his line of sight.

[Ragland Tiger 3,446]

@Dynamo Pad

Shortly after Dynamo crossed the threshold, the doors slammed shut.  A pair of evil looking eyes appeared behind him, and a low, dark voice boomed, "This is the part where you run! Bwah ha ha ha!"

[Dynamo Pad 11,570]

@Ragland Tiger

As Dynamo started making his way along the path towards the door, he kept making sure that he trained his eyes to the door. Among the darkened corridor, while also keeping one hoof in front of the other. Suddenly and without warning, he winced from the slamming of the door behind him. Quickly craning his neck, he saw that the door had been closed. As to why or who had closed it, he honestly couldn't be certain. Looking around, he was met with only the darkness that surrounded him. "Uh...do you ever get the feeling that your being watched?" He said to nobody in particular. His ears fell, while he felt his skin crawl upon hearing a low, dark voice from behind him. Darting his head back, he was met with a pair of fierce, evil looking eyes.

Without a second to think or speak, Dynamo yelped and started dashing forward. Turning his neck to look away from the pair of evil eyes in the process. "W-What in Equestria is that!? Actually, I don't think I want to find out!" He shouted, while hoping that he could outrun whatever it was that was chasing him down this darkened corridor.

[Ragland Tiger 3,446]

@Dynamo Pad

Objects began falling from above, just barely missing clobbering him - a bowling ball, a statue of Celestia, an anvil, a piano...  A reign of arrows and darts whizzed by him from all directions.  The object in the distance.  It was a huge iron ball taking up almost the entire width of the corridor, and it was headed straight for him.  His only hope was to get to the door.

c

[Dynamo Pad 11,570]

3 minutes ago, Ragland Tiger said:

@Dynamo Pad

Objects began falling from above, just barely missing clobbering him - a bowling ball, a statue of Celestia, an anvil, a piano...  A reign of arrows and darts whizzed by him from all directions.  The object in the distance.  It was a huge iron ball taking up almost the entire width of the corridor, and it was headed straight for him.  His only hope was to get to the door.

@Ragland Tiger

As Dynamo continued to rush towards the door, his ears perked upon the thought of hearing something falling from above. Glancing up slightly, he narrowly avoided numerous things crashing onto him. From a bowling ball, to a statue of what looked like Celestia, an anvil and a piano. "What are all of these things falling from!? Is this a test of endurance and/or agility!? If this is an initiation, then I hope I pass!!!!!!" He exclaimed, as arrows and darts whizzed by him in multiple directions. Prompting the gaming unicorn to duck, jump, slide and pretend he was as fast as a well known blue hedgehog in games he had played. From the shake of the ground, he could only turn to see a giant iron ball slowly making his way towards him. "Y-You've got to be kidding me..." His ears fell as a sense of dread was beginning to wash over him. "I don't think I've ever been a bowling ball before, but I don't think I want to find out! Neither do I want to be like a pancake!" He pushed all the strength he had into his legs as he tried to get closer and closer to the door. "Please, please, please, oh please let me reach the door! I don't know how all of these traps got here, but I hope to live to tell the tale and find out!" He exclaimed, hoping more and more that he'd reach the door in time.

[Ragland Tiger 3,446]

@Dynamo Pad

In the parlor where the party was, Pinkie Pie was talking and laughing with Minuet and Bluebell when there was a loud beating at the door.  "Ooh!  He's here already!," Pinkie said as she trotted toward the door.  "He must've set a new land speed record."   When she opened the door, she saw no pony outside.  What she didn't notice was that Dynamo was clinging to the door as if he had glued himself to it.  Pinkie shrugged and slammed the door shut.  The beating at the door resumed, louder this time. She opened the door again, and in fell Dynamo, flat on his back, with a stunned look on his face.

"Oh, there you are," said Pinkie.  She stepped over him and looked in his stunned face.  "Hi!"

"P-P-Pinkie!" said Bluebell.  "What did we t-tell you about p-p-pranking the new guests?"   Bluebell went over and helped Dynamo to his feet.  She couldn't help but laugh while she gave him a reassuring hug.  "A-Are y-you alright?"

Edited April 15 by Ragland Tiger

[Dynamo Pad 11,570]

@Ragland Tiger

With his constant running, the distance between Dynamo and the door had shortened. As he reached the door, he tried to open the door with his hooves, but the door wouldn't open. "Huh?" Using his magic to jiggle the door handle, the door still wasn't budging an inch. "Y-You've got to be kidding me, right? This is a joke, right?" Turning around to see the obstacles he overcame approaching near and near, the gaming unicorn felt his heart racing a mile a minute. "YOU'RE JOKING, RIGHT!?" Raising both of his front hooves, the unicorn could only slam said hooves upon the door. Hoping with hope that someone would hear him and/or answer. "Please! Somepony open the door! I'm about to be caught in some really bad situations with the obstacles that were placed! If anypony in there can hear me, then pleeeeeeease! Open the door, for Luna's sake!" He exclaimed, blinking as the door was soon opened. Breathing a sigh of relief, Dynamo held onto the door as it was opened, before being shut again. That look of relief turned to panic and despair as he knocked on the door with more force and in rapid succession.

With the door opening once more, Dynamo rushed in without a second hesitation. What he didn't expect, however, was him running in so quickly that he tripped over his own hooves. 

Spoiler

 

With no way of controlling his speed or stopping his movement, Dynamo gasped as he looked ahead. The wall getting closer and closer until he slammed into the wall. For a moment, there was no movement from the gaming unicorn, before he suddenly pulled himself away fro the wall. The guests in the room could notice the dazed look he had in his eyes, as well as the goofy smile he had to match. "Whoooo~! Look at the time. Got to go~! Tata~!" He took one step, before he slipped and fell on his back. His eyes spinning as he was out of breath from what he had experienced before. As his vision cleared, he saw a pink pony looking down at him with a ecstatic grin. "H-Hello. I-I think I know you. P-Pinkie Pie, r-right?" He stuttered out as he was still in a daze. Hearing a familiar voice, Dynamo's eyes traveled over to Bluebell, who had gone over to check on him. Accepting her hoof, he was pulled to his hooves as he gave the bespectacled mare a thankful expression. "I-I'm okay. T-To be honest, I didn't expect to go through a gauntlet of obstacles. Unless that was a sort of initiation, then that was a crazy way to welcome somepony new. I-It's great to see you here, Bluebell." He blushed as he was pulled into a hug, before returning the embrace.

[Ragland Tiger 3,446]

"L-L-Let me intr-intoduce you to the rest of the g-g-g-gang," Bluebell said, and started to lead Dynamo around the room.   She Introduced him to Minuette who picked up his hoof and shook it enthusiastically.  "It's a pleasure to meet you!" she said  "Bluebell told me all about how cute you are!"

"M-Minuette!" Bluebell said, blushing.

 

[Dynamo Pad 11,570]

@Ragland Tiger

Upon hearing the mention of introduction, Dynamo had turned to see that it wasn't just Bluebell, Pinkie or himself. In fact, there were multiple guests that were at this video game meetup from Princess Luna. Dynamo had to admit that he was nervous, but mostly due to hoping he made a good first impression. He was someone who was always happy to make a friend, but he worried that he would make a fool out of himself. Taking a deep breath, he smiled with a nod as he followed Bluebell, who had lead him around the room. Upon seeing the first pony, a blue unicorn mare named Minuette, Dynamo felt his hoof being taken by hers. Hopping in place from the enthusiastic hoof shake, Dynamo chuckled as liked her enthusiasm. "I-I-It's nice to m-m-m-m-eet you, M-M-M-Mi-Minuette. My name is Dynamo Pad, but my friends call me Dynamo." He stuttered out from the continuous shaking of said hoof shake. As the two let from the hoof shake, Dynamo was hoping to learn more about the mare before him. However, he stopped as he heard the comment of being called cute.

"B-Bluebell had said that?" Dynamo asks, matching the same blush as Bluebell. He wondered if Bluebell had liked him as more than a friend, but he didn't want to assume. He did get a mane cut recently as he felt his mane was getting a little too long. He didn't expect to be called cute, but he had chalked it up as Bluebell being really kind and friendly. "I don't think we've ever met before. Are you from Canterlot? How did you meet Bluebell? What are some hobbies that you like to do in your spare time?" He asks, hoping to get to know Bluebell, Minuette, Pinkie and everyone that was in attendance.

[Ragland Tiger 3,446]

@Dynamo Pad

"We got to know Bluebell from Princess Twilight.  I've lived in Canterlot ever since I was a foal,"  said Minuette.  "I like playing sports and games with all my friends, speaking of which, I can hardly wait to see Moondancer.  She just got back from Manehattan." 

'I c-c-can't wait either," said Bluebell.  "Sh-sh-she deserved a bit of p-p-pampering." 

[Dynamo Pad 11,570]

@Ragland Tiger

As he listened to Minuette, Dynamo smiled as he got to know more about her. "I've actually heard of Princess Twilight. Well, that and I remember meeting her after helping Bluebell." Dynamo responded, recalling the memory, while trying not to go into too much detail. He could understand that it was a traumatic experience for Bluebell and he didn't want to bring up any bad memories. "I don't know her personally, but I can understand that she's a good friend. Given that she's the Princess of Friendship, after all. It does sound like you know about Twilight really well. Are you friends with her or met her a long time ago?" He asks, recalling that Minuette had mentioned living in Canterlot ever since she was little. "What kind of sports and games are you into? I know I'm into Buckball and Equestrian Football. I also like playing some board games from time to time, but I really love video games."

As he conversed with the duo, a name had popped up that caught Dynamo's attention. "Moondancer? Who's that? Also, was she in Manehatten for a tournament or some kind of study?" He wondered what Moondancer was like. Hearing that she just got back from the city of Manehatten, he guessed that she lived in Canterlot, as well. For why she went to Manehatten, the gaming unicorn was completely unsure. "I know that I'd like to meet and get to know her, as well as everyone that's here, as well." Dynamo says with a honest and sincere smile. 

[Ragland Tiger 3,446]

@Dynamo Pad

Just then, three familiar ponies approached them,  "Oh h-h-hey! let-let me in-in-introduce y-you all," said Bluebell.  "L-Lyra, Twinkle Shine, L-Lemon Hearts, th-this is D-D-D-Dynamo P-Pad."  Lyra Heartstrings blushed and shyly cocked her head, Twinkle Shine awkwardly giggled, and Lemon Hearts turned away because she didn't want anypony to know that her nose was bleeding.  Bluebell noticed poor Lemon Hearts right away.  "Oh, d-d-dear! Are you n-n- not w-well?" she said.  "C-come on, I'll h-h-h-help you."  She then turned to the rest of the group. "Ex-Excuse us for-for a m-m-m-minute."  She then lead Lemon Hearts away to care for her.

Meanwhile, a group of about a dozen mares formed behind Dynamo, and when he turned to see them, they smiled  their eyes widened and they all sighed  in unison

Spoiler

 

 

Edited April 27 by Ragland Tiger

[Dynamo Pad 11,570]

@Ragland Tiger

As a trio of ponies approached the other trio, Dynamo turned to see a green unicorn mare with a white and green mane and tail, A white unicorn mare with a pink mane and tail and a yellow unicorn mare with a cerulean mane and tail. Upon hearing their names of Lyra Heartstrings, Twinkle Shine and Lemon Hearts, Dynamo smiled and gave them each a wave. As he was about to speak, he stopped suddenly as he heard Bluebell's distress of Lemon Heart. He thought he had seen Lemon having a nosebleed as she was being pulled away, but he didn't get to ask if she was fine. "I really hope that Lemon is doing okay. I don't know if she bumped into something or if the air was dry that can cause a nosebleed. I remember running to the arcade to set up for the morning, but then I realized that I was running too quickly. Only for me to trip over my hooves, break into a Sonic Spin Dash of sorts and then crashed into the arcade. I was mostly okay, but had a bit of a nosebleed from hitting a wall headfirst." He chuckled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck with a slight blush on his cheeks. "By the way. Do you guys know Bluebell, Princess Twilight, Minuette and Moondancer? How did you all meet? What are some of your interests/hobbies that you are into? Do you also live in Canterlot?" He asks, his hoof that was rubbing the back of his neck falling back to his side in place.

However, for some reason, Dynamo had taken a look at the ground. Taking notice that his shadow was being eclipsed and that same shadow overtaking him. Turning around slowly, he nearly jumped in surprise as he was met with dozens of mares had formed around him. "Um...h-hey! Are you all here for the gaming get together, as well?" He asks, before their eyes widened and sighed in unison. He had expected there to be a few ponies that were to join in the gaming get together, but he didn't expect this.

[Ragland Tiger 3,446]

@Dynamo Pad

Meanwhile, in a back corner of the room, Bluebell was just removing an ice pack from Lemonhearts's nose and patting it dry with a cloth.  "I do declare," she said with her slight Appleloosa drawl.  "Y-y-y-you get a major c-c-crush on any st-stallion w-with four legs and a t-t-t-t-tail."  She gave Lemonhearts a gentle hug.  "Y-you'll be okay.  Come on, let-let's join the o-o-others," she said, and they walked back to the group.

[Dynamo Pad 11,570]

@Ragland Tiger

Dynamo had to tilt his head in slightly confusion as it looked as if the dozens of mares behind him looked to be daydreaming. He wondered if they were looking forward to the gaming marathon, or if it was something else on their minds. Looking back at Lyra and Twinkle Shine, he felt it was a good idea to break the ice. "I'm rather curious. What kind of games are you both into? Are there other kinds of hobbies and/or interests that you're into besides gaming?" He knew he had just met them, but he honestly thought that they were nice and kind. He was still a little nervous/shy, but he still wanted to get to know them. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Bluebell and Lemon Heart were making their way back towards the group. "Hey, Bluebell. Hey, Lemon." He greeted the two with a small wave and smile. "How are you two? I hope that you're doing okay, Lemon. I can understand when getting a nosebleed when the air is dry. That, or if one bumps into the wall on accident. I...will admit that's happened to me from time to time, but mostly when I'm running and I trip over myself." He chuckled with a sheepish grin, before he turned the question over to Lemon Heart. "How about you? What kind of games are you into? Are there other hobbies and interests that you're into? How do you know Lyra, Twinkle Shine, Minuette and Bluebell?" He felt that maybe it was a lot of questions all at once, but he was honestly curious about everyone and hoped to get to know them and become friends.