Happy Hearts and Hooves day 2023 - Your Matches - The Gathering

[An impersonating changeling]

8 hours ago, Nebel said:

@Skylight Scintillate@Dynamo Pad@AuroraGlimmer@ChrysalisM

Nebel nodded and smiled in silent receiving of thanks from both Cimex and Caramel. But that moment would soon be interrupted as a group of five changelings descended upon them, no doubt because of Cimex’s betrayal. He quickly surveyed the room to determine who needed help first. He initially thought Skylight would be the first pony in need of assistance, but proved to be more than capable of dealing with her lookalike.

He then saw two changelings headed towards Dynamo and Caramel. The first one, Dynamo was able to hit with a spell, knocking it down to the ground. The other changeling, however, is able to dodge the attack, reach Caramel, and take her down. Nebel sees his window of opportunity and gallops over to the assailant, delivering a side kick that sends the changeling into the nearest wall with a rather loud thud. The attack appeared to do little to the unicorn, still upright and very much aware of his surroundings should any further attackers attempt to approach him.

“You two ok?” He asks Caramel and Ix.

@Skylight Scintillate @GeneralDirection @Dynamo Pad @Aurora Glimmer @ChrysalisM

The changeling would grunt loudly as it got slammed against the wall, kicked by Nebel. It would lose conciousness for a short moment, but quickly begun gaining it back from the sheer loudness of Vibrant's playing right next to it "w...wha..." it whispered as it tried to get up. 

The changeling that was in pursuit of Cimex would be surprised at her unintentional dodge of his attack as she went after another one. It'd growl menacingly and continue pursuit of her, unthreatened by having 2 of its companions defeated already.

Something pulled Nebel to the ground after his successful kick. It was another changeling, working quickly to overpower him.

5 hours ago, Dynamo Pad said:

Dynamo couldn't help in wincing from her words, but he couldn't blame Caramel. Despite being told he was given a chance, he felt worried that he had ruined things with the spider changeling. Knowing they'd probably talk about this later, he still nodded with a kind and thankful smile. "T-Thank you, Caramel." Turning back to see the other changelings, one of the two had managed to evade his spells to go after @AuroraGlimmer Caramel. "Caramel!" He prepared to launch another spell, but stopped as he heard the sound of an angered, buzzing sound. Turning towards the other changeling, he could see the sour expression on their face as he must have made them upset. He was worried, but it felt like something snapped inside of the blue unicorn. He remembered this happened once when it came to a bully at Princess Celestia's school, as well as the bully disrespecting Skylight and the others. Knowing that Caramel was possibly hurt, he narrowed his eyes slightly. "I dare? You were the ones that started all of this when you threatened a friend. If there's one thing I'm not allowing, it's that I won't allow you to hurt my friends or my loved ones." With the changeling flying towards him, Dynamo began to concentrate his magic as his horn began to glow. 

The gaming unicorn had thought to trap the changeling, but had a different idea in mind. "Let's see you try this on for size. Time for a Heat Wave!" Launching the spell forward, the steady stream of heat was sent towards the incoming changeling. If the spell landed, they would feel the heat, but could possibly power through it. However, he noticed the changeling had gone around it, while Dynamo jumped out of the way as intended. Charging up another laser spell, the unicorn felt the powerful surge of his magic flow as he launched the spell forward. The blast was much stronger than the last time as the changeling took the brunt of the hit and was sent spiraling to the ground in a daze. 

Taking a deep breath from all the magic he had used, Dynamo slowly looked around with Caramel on his mind. "C-Caramel? Caramel!" He called out to her, hoping that she was okay from the changeling barreling her over. His fears were thankfully put to rest as @GeneralDirection Nebel and Ix were able to give the spider changeling the support she needed. "Thank you for the help, Nebel. Thank you, as well, Ix. I thought I got the other changeling when they both charged at us previously, but I really appreciate that you provided her backup and support." He says, giving the two a kind and thankful expression.

The changeling would release audible grunt as it slammed against the floor. Dynamo's spell severly damaged its wings, taking away its ability to fly. It was trying to regain balance and get up, but hit the ground too hard upon landing. It hissed angrily at Dynamo Pad, but otherwise seemed to be unable to act.

The remaining two changelings looked at each other with visible distress. They were already sent to fight the group while being outnumbered, now there's only two of them against entire group of ponies. But they cannot retreat, they must fight. Chrysalis doesn't take cowards lightly and they will definitely be punished for such act of cowardice.

[Vibrant Grove]

Vibrant Grove would smile as he continued strumming. He realized that the floor, the walls, this entire room, unlike the rest of area looked healthy and uncorrupted. He can work his own magic. 

So he continued strumming. Suddenly lush, green vines begun emerging from walls and from the floor and ensnaring knocked down changelings. They were too weak to resist. His eyes closed, focused on task at hand he trapped them. "Three down, two to go" he whispered to himself and then shouted to his group:

"Come on, everypony, we almost have them all!"

Vibrant would smile, a bit of a cheeky grin on his face. Turns out there's more to his playing than just music and the changelings just got to discover it. He would then kick the changeling, that's right next to him in the head as it attempted to wiggle out from vines that entrapped it. "Autographs later, jerk". He said to it.

[Raven]

@TheRockARooster @Sparklefan1234 @Tao

Raven pulls out the gem and has another vision of dark figures trying to grab her. She remembers that her new friends are with her, and that gives her the strength to push them back. The figures scream and fade away. She falls to the ground, exhausted. She looks up at her friends.

"I should tell you about my past. My mother was drawn into a cult. By dark magic, I was formed in her. When I was old enough, the cult wanted to use me in some sick ritual to open a portal to allow some dark entity through."

"I was raised as a princess, being told I was special. But I always knew something wasn't right. One day, a couple years ago, I ran away. I suppressed those memories, until now. I am learning to come to terms with that past. But that cult is still out there. And that evil being still wants to come through. I'm not sure where it is, exactly. Maybe deeper in this maze we will learn more." She puts the gem in her pocket.

She looks at the flower from which she pulled the gem and she finds another. It is yellow and blue. She picks it out and gives it to Rosswell. "What do you make of this?"

[Star Silk]

Silky was listening to Tree Song @Silly Druid give @Astral Soul the instructions of the flower. She'd giggle at Astral's awkward reaction and then cast her gaze back down to the tea-potion mixture.

Was that distant music she heard? With a thoughtful blink, she'd try to focus to listen in. It was distant and hauntingly beautiful. It reminded her of her soul's roots and origins -- what drove her to keep pushing forward despite all of the awkward resistance against them. But it was so distant it almost seemed like it hazed in from a dream. She'd snap out of it as soon as @Sophie H.would arrive with the two fillies. "Oh! Thank you, Sophie!" She'd look to the two fillies. "Maybe we should head out for some fresh air."

Noticing that Sophie was happy to engage with the two fillies @Silverspark184and @Sycofear13 along with her new friend @Reality Checkit felt like there was plenty of safety to wander off together should they care to.

She'd slowly allow Tree Song @Silly Druid and @Astral Soul to have their exchange. 

With her elphenite dangling brightly around her neck, she served as a green glowing guide through any dark without the presence of a unicorn to light it up. She didn't notice passing by Magloria @Props ValRoa or @Cagey as she gathered her way deeper into the what looked like an endless path of dark roots, thorns and misery.

But there was a darkened path, and she was curious to explore more. Is this where that distant music had come from? It felt like it was inspiring and beckoning to ones soul. A hidden spark. On the other side, not too far off, would be Ana and Gust  @Totally Lyra @Stone Cold Steve Jobs.

As Silky would explore the other section of the path, despite it being less floral and more deserted, she'd find something curious. It was a door with no knob. She'd lightly budge to see if it pushed through but it was sealed shut, a collapse of dust protesting in response....

"Guys!" She'd call out. "I think I've found a way out!" 

The door had a strange engraving in the center.

 

[Vibrant Grove]

Vibrant would continue playing, further inspiring others to fight with bravery. His mind was fixed on @Princess SilkyStar Silk. On wishing she was safe. On wanting to take her - along with everyone else - out from here and back to the safety of more vibrant lands. His eyes seemed to almost shine as intensity of his performance was steadily growing. 

Changelings captured in the vines were no longer able to move. They could just watch as their brethren, heavily outnumbered were fighting a fight they cannot win. Friendship and love prevailed over malevolence of their sick leader and Vibrant felt it. Just as deep inside he felt she's safe. He felt almost as if he heard her call. 

The sound of his playing spread through the maze. He almost wanted to take up the fight himself, but he knew that what he's doing now is his role. The pick he was holding started gleaming with light. The gleam seemed to be a mix of cyan and purple. He realized that the pick started to shine. He was holding a gem in his hoof!

"I will find You, Star Silk" he whispered to himself, inspired by the precious gem he's holding now.

[Sophie H.]

1 hour ago, Star Silk said:

Silky was listening to Tree Song @Silly Druid give @Astral Soul the instructions of the flower. She'd giggle at Astral's awkward reaction and then cast her gaze back down to the tea-potion mixture.

Was that distant music she heard? With a thoughtful blink, she'd try to focus to listen in. It was distant and hauntingly beautiful. It reminded her of her soul's roots and origins -- what drove her to keep pushing forward despite all of the awkward resistance against them. But it was so distant it almost seemed like it hazed in from a dream. She'd snap out of it as soon as @Sophie H.would arrive with the two fillies. "Oh! Thank you, Sophie!" She'd look to the two fillies. "Maybe we should head out for some fresh air."

Noticing that Sophie was happy to engage with the two fillies @Silverspark184and @Sycofear13 along with her new friend @Reality Checkit felt like there was plenty of safety to wander off together should they care to.

She'd slowly allow Tree Song @Silly Druid and @Astral Soul to have their exchange. 

With her elphenite dangling brightly around her neck, she served as a green glowing guide through any dark without the presence of a unicorn to light it up. She didn't notice passing by Magloria @Props ValRoa or @Cagey as she gathered her way deeper into the what looked like an endless path of dark roots, thorns and misery.

But there was a darkened path, and she was curious to explore more. Is this where that distant music had come from? It felt like it was inspiring and beckoning to ones soul. A hidden spark. On the other side, not too far off, would be Ana and Gust  @Totally Lyra @Stone Cold Steve Jobs.

As Silky would explore the other section of the path, despite it being less floral and more deserted, she'd find something curious. It was a door with no knob. She'd lightly budge to see if it pushed through but it was sealed shut, a collapse of dust protesting in response....

"Guys!" She'd call out. "I think I've found a way out!" 

The door had a strange engraving in the center.

 

Sophie would stop for a moment with a small smile on her lips as her eyes moves over to gaze at @Silverspark184and @Sycofear13"Oh!" she chuckles as her gaze returns to @Princess Silky"Nothing to thank me!" she says, her smile growing as her tail soon begins to sway as Silky asks if they want to head outside "Some fresh air sounds nice! What do you guys say? maybe we could play some games! OOOORRR! We could try to see where that music playing comes from! the one that's playing that music sure knows how to play!" Sophie suggest as she gazes down at both of the fillies.

Edited February 24, 2023 by Sophie H.

[Ana Flare]

@Totally Lyra @Princess Silky

Ana stops short of the shattered glass on the ground and smiles at Gust. “Good looking out.”

She squints her eyes to try and determine what else is before her in the darkness, but is unable to see. She frowns a bit, and shoots a lighting spell into the darkness ahead of them. “Gust? See anything up there?”

[Tree Song]

15 hours ago, Astral Soul said:

@Silly Druid

Astral Soul was happy to receive the flower and put it on his top hat to wear it proudly. He gave Tree Song another beautiful flower out of gratitude for this beautiful present

Tree Song looked at Astral with the flower on his top hat. He looked kinda cute, but that wasn't what the tree meant...

"That's not what you're supposed to do with the flower, silly!" She said with a warm smile. "You should whisper a wish into it (which I've already done with mine), and then we exchange them and add them to the tea. That's what the tree told me, anyway."

She accepted the flower Astral gave her though, and put it in her mane.

[Roswell]

5 hours ago, Raven said:

@TheRockARooster @Sparklefan1234 @Tao

Raven pulls out the gem and has another vision of dark figures trying to grab her. She remembers that her new friends are with her, and that gives her the strength to push them back. The figures scream and fade away. She falls to the ground, exhausted. She looks up at her friends.

"I should tell you about my past. My mother was drawn into a cult. By dark magic, I was formed in her. When I was old enough, the cult wanted to use me in some sick ritual to open a portal to allow some dark entity through."

"I was raised as a princess, being told I was special. But I always knew something wasn't right. One day, a couple years ago, I ran away. I suppressed those memories, until now. I am learning to come to terms with that past. But that cult is still out there. And that evil being still wants to come through. I'm not sure where it is, exactly. Maybe deeper in this maze we will learn more." She puts the gem in her pocket.

She looks at the flower from which she pulled the gem and she finds another. It is yellow and blue. She picks it out and gives it to Rosswell. "What do you make of this?"

Roswell looks the gem all over and has more questions than answers.

 

Roswell thinks to himself ‘those are the colours of my mane’.

 

Roswell looks at Raven and the others says ‘let’s go further into the maze, it’s the only way to discover what this is all about’.

[Sparklefan1234 170,615]

7 hours ago, Raven said:

@TheRockARooster @Sparklefan1234 @Tao

"Let's go back to this gem. Maybe you can helo me pull it loose from the plant. Then we can proceed farther down the path." Raven begins to go back to the gem.

"I'm going to use my magic to pull out the gem. Can you help me in case I go into another trance?"

 

1 hour ago, Roswell said:

Roswell looks the gem all over and has more questions than answers.

 

Roswell thinks to himself ‘those are the colours of my mane’.

 

Roswell looks at Raven and the others says ‘let’s go further into the maze, it’s the only way to discover what this is all about’.

 

Lead the way, Roswell! 

[Roswell]

@Sparklefan1234 @Brony Number 42 @Tao

Roswell looks at the group and asks them ‘are you all ready to go deeper into the maze?’.

[Sparklefan1234 170,615]

7 minutes ago, Roswell said:

@Sparklefan1234 @Brony Number 42 @Tao

Roswell looks at the group and asks them ‘are you all ready to go deeper into the maze?’.

 

*Nervously* Only if you go first. 

[Roswell]

@Sparklefan1234 @Brony Number 42 @Tao

Roswell leads the group of ponies into the maze and as they make their way in further and further, he sees nothing but a green resin that looks like goo or moss.

 

Tangled thorns and knots are here and there sometimes.

 

And then Roswell notices the bush moving.

 

Roswell asks ‘what the?’.

You guys seeing this bush moving?

 

[Sparklefan1234 170,615]

Moments ago, Roswell said:

@Sparklefan1234 @Brony Number 42 @Tao

Roswell leads the group of ponies into the maze and as they make their way in further and further, he sees nothing but a green resin that looks like goo or moss.

 

Tangled thorns and knots are here and there sometimes.

 

And then Roswell notices the bush moving.

 

Roswell asks ‘what the?’.

You guys seeing this bush moving?

 

 

*Scared, whispers* Yeah, what do you think it is? 

[Roswell]

3 minutes ago, Sparklefan1234 said:

 

*Scared, whispers* Yeah, what do you think it is? 

@Sparklefan1234 @Brony Number 42 @Tao

Roswell walks over to the bush to investigate it.

 

He then looks around and find a stick which he uses to randomly poke the bush.

[Sparklefan1234 170,615]

1 minute ago, Roswell said:

@Sparklefan1234 @Brony Number 42 @Tao

Roswell walks over to the bush to investigate it.

He then looks around and find a stick which he uses to randomly poke the bush.

 

If it's @Princess Silky be careful...She bites. Sure she calls them "love nibbles" but she sinks her teeth into you like a vampegasi. 

[Moonlight Wane]

27 minutes ago, Roswell said:

@Sparklefan1234 @Brony Number 42 @Tao

Roswell walks over to the bush to investigate it.

 

He then looks around and find a stick which he uses to randomly poke the bush.

The bush grabs the stick and uses it to randomly poke Roswell.

[Silverspark]

4 hours ago, Sophie H. said:

Sophie would stop for a moment with a small smile on her lips as her eyes moves over to gaze at @Silverspark184and @Sycofear13"Oh!" she chuckles as her gaze returns to @Princess Silky"Nothing to thank me!" she says, her smile growing as her tail soon begins to sway as Silky asks if they want to head outside "Some fresh air sounds nice! What do you guys say? maybe we could play some games! OOOORRR! We could try to see where that music playing comes from! the one that's playing that music sure knows how to play!" Sophie suggest as she gazes down at both of the fillies.

Silverspark;looking up her ears move around as she listened for the music @Sophie H.mentioned as she looked around for where the direction it might come from the little alicorn had no idea what to expect

[Reality Check 632]

On 2/23/2023 at 11:15 PM, Sophie H. said:

Of course Sophie would enjoy watching the fillies play around while her own tail sways like a puppies tail "You sure are having fun!" Sophie chuckles softly with a wiggle of her nose before her gaze would move over to @Reality Check, tilting her head slightly to the left side as she'd see how he kinda seems alone "Hey, Reality" Sophie says with a warm smile as she gets up to walk over to him, taking a sit next to him so she can gaze over his sketches as well "I'm pretty sure you're going to add another few sketches after this little adventure, huh?" Sophie asks in a cheerful voice "By the way.. do you mind if I play a little? to make that depressing silence.. less depressing? and don't worry, I'm not going to play loud" Sophie asks as she slowly pulls the guitar from her back in front of her.

 

On 2/23/2023 at 11:37 PM, Sophie H. said:

As Sophie was sitting right next to @Reality Check she would look over her shoulder to see what the fillies were doing "Hey.. Reality.. wait a minute" she whispers as she places the guitar next to him before she gets up, walking over to the fillies. "Hey.. um.. @Silverspark184 and @Sycofear13 " She'd ask as the fillies seemed to be a little too close at that maze "I know you love playing! and I love watching you playing! but could you guys do me a BIG favor?" Sophie asks as she puts on the most sweetest smile she could make "Could you play in the cottage instead of the maze? I really don't want to loose you guys.. It's so fun to watch you playing around! also I love to hear your laughing!" Sophie says cheerful, in hope bothj of the filiies would agree on Sophie's idea by playing in the cottage.

RC was always quiet for his age, sketching drawings of new creatures he discovers. So it's not unusual to see him drawing when he has free time, or to help him relax. "Sure will." He answered @Sophie H. "I don't mind. If you wanna brighten up the place, then go ahead. Don't let me stop you." RC smiles at her as she went to take care of the fillies.

[Sophie H.]

35 minutes ago, Silverspark said:

Silverspark;looking up her ears move around as she listened for the music @Sophie H.mentioned as she looked around for where the direction it might come from the little alicorn had no idea what to expect

Sophie would gaze at @Silverspark184 for a moment with a slow blink before she gasps softly "Oh! I know a game! Do you know the game 'Marco Polo'?" Sophie asks with her smile growing more and more "Someone hides and that pony that searches the hiding pony can yell 'Marco' to locate the other pony while the other pony, that hides yells back 'Polo!' gosh, that was a hard explaination" Sophie laughs "Maybe we could try the same with the music? just follow the music" Sophie suggest with a slight tilt of her head to the right.

28 minutes ago, Reality Check said:

 

RC was always quiet for his age, sketching drawings of new creatures he discovers. So it's not unusual to see him drawing when he has free time, or to help him relax. "Sure will." He answered @Sophie H. "I don't mind. If you wanna brighten up the place, then go ahead. Don't let me stop you." RC smiles at her as she went to take care of the fillies.

"Thank you @Reality Check!" Sophie thanks him with a warm smile "Just don't feel lonely, otherwise I'll annoy you with my company!" Sophie warns him with a cheeky chuckle.

[Astralshy 26,626]

 

5 hours ago, Tree Song said:

Tree Song looked at Astral with the flower on his top hat. He looked kinda cute, but that wasn't what the tree meant...

"That's not what you're supposed to do with the flower, silly!" She said with a warm smile. "You should whisper a wish into it (which I've already done with mine), and then we exchange them and add them to the tea. That's what the tree told me, anyway."

She accepted the flower Astral gave her though, and put it in her mane.

@Silly Druid

Astral blushes, takes the flower from his head, looks at it and then, makes a wish into it. After he uses his monicle to see the magic he gave it back to Tree Song

[Tree Song]

3 hours ago, Astral Soul said:

@Silly Druid

Astral blushes, takes the flower from his head, looks at it and then, makes a wish into it. After he uses his monicle to see the magic he gave it back to Tree Song

"That's good!" Tree Song gave her flower to @Astral Soul. "Now if we put both flowers into the tea and drink it, we can make our wishes come true, and we'll become best friends forever!" She said excitedly, and threw her flower into the teapot, expecting Astral to do the same.

[Nebel]

@Dynamo Pad@Sir Hugsalot

Nebel silently returns the thankful expression from Dynamo, but his attention is soon diverted elsewhere. The second he turns his focus away, another changeling sneaks up and tries to pull him down. Suddenly, green vines began sprouting from seemingly out of nowhere and began to entangle the changelings. Nebel used this temporary distraction to his advantage and was able to push himself up from underneath his attacker and deliver a low kick to the leg of the changeling. Nebel hopes that with this changeling down, maybe the vines will incapacitate this one as well. But if not, he is ready to continue fighting.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Dynamo Pad @GeneralDirection @Sir Hugsalot @Skylight Scintillate @ChrysalisM

Caramel would struggle to get up on all her hooves, but she managed to, and would look to Ix, Nebel and Dynamo, thanking the trio for getting the Changeling off of her, dusting herself off "I-I'm fine, a bit scuffed, but alright" she would sa "thank you for helping me, and it would seem the maze is also helping us now too..unless this is a spell from one of you" she'd say, looking to the group of her new friends, "Come on everyone, lets get out of here while we still can, I don't know how long those vines can hold the Changelings for" she'd say, using her Changeling senses, now that she had revealed herself to be one, to try and sense a way out.

[Raven]

9 hours ago, A bush said:

The bush grabs the stick and uses it to randomly poke Roswell.

@TheRockARooster @Tao @Sparklefan1234 

Raven grabs the stick and yanks it, trying to pull it out. "Is somepony in there?"