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

[Vibrant Grove]

12 hours ago, Sophie H. said:

Sophie'd stop for a moment, wiggling her nose "hey! Do you love music? I DO love music! since it's the language of our soul" sophie says proudly "Do you play any instruments? or.." she breaks her speaking for a moment just to gasp for a moment "DO YOU SING?!"

Vibrant would overhear Sophie @Sophie H.and joined in the musical conversation

"Hey, You play multiple instruments, don't You? I so happen to have a guitar with me that I can spare. How about You play something for us, Sophie?"

He hands over a neatly made instrument, curious as to what will the mare play for them.

[Star Silk]

Silky was pleased to see that the elusive and beautiful Wolf Track @The Wife of Law had arrived, then respectfully smiled at Saffron @Dark Horseand gently, she picked up @Silverspark184the little filly one more before she'd notice other ponies had gathered with @Sir Hugsalot.

She had to introduce herself first. "Good evening, Wolf Track, My name is Star Silk. It's a pleasure to know that you could come, allow me to explain." She spoke warmly towards Wolf Track and Saffron. "You see, I am an alchemist who runs a beauty shop and I was experimenting with this combination of rare plants which I've mixed with gems -- they're called pairing stones and they glow when two friends or partners are tied through a destiny or a match... for whatever reason." She looked from Wolf Track to Saffron and a nervous smile gently touched her lips as if doubt had just hit her. Her gaze would then wander towards all of the diverse matches..  so many unlikely ponies paired and she faltered -- hoping she wasn't making a mistake with her impulse to unite them all. "Uh-ahem... anyway... consider this a social experiment. I don't know if the stones are connected to anything beyond or not.. I am no unicorn... I only ask that you make yourself at home. Ask your potential new friend some questions and if nothing else -- you get some free food. Also.. I don't know why several mysterious ponies arrive. I only know the stones had glowed around your general direction while I was flying by and matched with another pony either far or closeby." That was a lot to explain to a stranger but she hoped it was enough.

She'd then look over to where Thundy @Totally Lyrawas at and notice the lantern with the flower. "Oh!!" Looking back to the other guests including those nearby like @TheRockARooster@Sparklefan1234"lovelies, if you'll excuse me... I really need to greet the others..." and with a courteous nod and kind eyes, she'd dismiss herself. 

"Vibrant! It's glowing even brighter now!" She'd smile at each guest as she'd walk by with @Sophie H.and @Reality Checkwho were talking -- the poor RC looking rather confused as to why Sophie was suddenly talking about music. She walked by @Sycofear13@Astral Soul@Silly Druid@Cagey@TheRockARoosterwho was distracted by candy topics of candy with @Sparklefan1234in the distance...

Finally, she'd approach Thundy, Vibrant and Ana all looking at the glowing flower. Ana was so beautiful as the light gently bounced against her curious features and Thundy's perplexed expression right beside her. "Hmm.... " Silky became more curious as she drew closer... "Wait! Don't get too close because it's rather elusive.." 

But as she'd draw near, something would happen....

[Chrysalis 87]

"You FOOLS! I've been watching each and every one of you gather in this silly MAZE of FRIENDSHIP!"

She uttered the last three words in sheer mockery.

"Let's see how far your so-called friendship or match will last through my MAZE OF MADNESS!" And with one maniacal cackle, the ground and leafy walls would shake as she'd disappear.

The lantern with the phosphorescent flower would fall to the ground, losing its light and a new wall would emerge between them made of thick plants that were immune to magic and physical damage.

Silky and Vibrant would be separated by this divide, as well as half of the group.

On Silky's side, there was a tangled mess of roots for a wall that reached the very top which now had an enclosed ceiling. On Vibrant's side, the wall was mossy with what seemed like stone behind it.

The group was divided accordingly...

Tangled Roots   

@Cagey
@Props ValRoa
@Astral Soul
@Silly Druid
@Sophie H.
@Reality Check
@Silverspark184
@Sycofear13
@Stone Cold Steve Jobs
@Totally Lyra

Mossy Wall

@Brony Number 42
@Tao
@The Wife of Law
@Dark Horse
@Skylight Scintillate
@GeneralDirection
@Dynamo Pad
@AuroraGlimmer
@Sparklefan1234
@TheRockARooster

The environment was dark but filled with a lot of plant-life. Both living and dead.

(After this, there will be another pause. Get some time to react to your environment IC and explore a bit. We may have to divide this into a thread as seen here if it is more comfortable for you.) 

Tangled Roots: Walls are all covered in thick, black roots. On the roots You can see brown, withering leaves and thorns. Where once the ambience was full of birds singing and cheer now it feels like all the joy has been taken away, there's just dead silence. When You look up You see that roots block the way up too, there's no way out, not even if You're a pegasus.

Wall of Moss: The walls are made of stone and covered in moss. The moss doesn't look healthy. The texture is slimy and the rot can be clearly seen. Once You try to smell it You can smell the decay of it. Entire area is moist, like a swamp and there's a lingering presence in the air, a result of Chrysalis's foul magic.
 

[Frostbite]

"WHAT-?!" Frostbite stumbled as the wall forcefully shoved the gathering apart, shaking the ground, alarming the brightly-colored ponies standing closer to it. He leaped forward, past Magloria @Props ValRoa, but the changeling queen was already gone, leaving a dense wall of vines in her place, reaching high above them. "HEY!"

[Sparklefan1234 169,805]

30 minutes ago, Chrysalis said:

Wall of Moss: The walls are made of stone and covered in moss. The moss doesn't look healthy. The texture is slimy and the rot can be clearly seen. Once You try to smell it You can smell the decay of it. Entire area is moist, like a swamp and there's a lingering presence in the air, a result of Chrysalis's foul magic.

 

Yuck! This place is wet and sticky and it smells absolutely horrible! My best friend, Rarity would definitely not like this! 

[Frostbite]

2 minutes ago, Magloria said:

@Cagey

A look of pure and utter rage comes across Magloria's face. Her body pulses various shades of blue as long chains would appear into existence at her sides. They were translucent and had an icey blue hue to them, even looking at them could make one shiver. At the end of the chains, there were large sharp ice blades. Looking up, without a word, her chains would burst forth towards the air - and the blades would sharpen - she was going to attempt to cut through the roots that trapped them.

Frostbite, meanwhile, attempted to kick and bite at the roots, heedless of the thorns and seemingly forgetting about the axe strapped to his saddlebags. The roots glowed darkly as he failed to sink his fangs into them -- they were protected by magic. He kicked them again out of frustration.

[Brony Number 42 10,069]

Raven tried to open a portal, but it sparked and fizzled. "Hmmm."

[Sparklefan1234 169,805]

2 minutes ago, Brony Number 42 said:

Raven tried to open a portal, but it sparked and fizzled. "Hmmm."

 

Should I try to fly over it?

[GeneralDirection 1,042]

@AuroraGlimmer@Dynamo Pad@Skylight Scintillate

Nebel was about to respond to Dynamo when suddenly, giant wall emerged from the ground and separated the entire party into two separate groups. On his side, he found Skylight, Dynamo, and his match, Caramel. In addition, there were also several other ponies who Nebel had yet to meet. It is dark in the maze but not so dark that it prevented anypony from finding their way. Everything around them was slimy and… mostly dead.

“Is everypony ok?” He asks his newfound companions. “I guess we’re going to be navigating a maze together whether we wanted to or not.” He says with a bit of a nervous laugh.  

[Brony Number 42 10,069]

1 hour ago, Sparklefan1234 said:

 

Should I try to fly over it?

"You can try, but I'm sure she thought of that."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

25 minutes ago, GeneralDirection said:

@AuroraGlimmer@Dynamo Pad@Skylight Scintillate

Nebel was about to respond to Dynamo when suddenly, giant wall emerged from the ground and separated the entire party into two separate groups. On his side, he found Skylight, Dynamo, and his match, Caramel. In addition, there were also several other ponies who Nebel had yet to meet. It is dark in the maze but not so dark that it prevented anypony from finding their way. Everything around them was slimy and… mostly dead.

“Is everypony ok?” He asks his newfound companions. “I guess we’re going to be navigating a maze together whether we wanted to or not.” He says with a bit of a nervous laugh.  

just the mere presence of the evil Changeling Queen would make Caramel shudder, which in turn would make her disguise flicker and she would quiver "I-I don't like thisss" she would say, letting a prolonged s out, "What iss, ssssshe doing here?" she would ask, staying close to @Dynamo Pad and @Skylight Scintillate  "ssshhhe sssshouldn't be here"

[Skylight Scintillate]

10 hours ago, Dynamo Pad said:

@AuroraGlimmer

As Dynamo and Caramel made their way over towards the Maze of Friendship, he noticed that Skylight was standing next to a few of their friends. Taking notice of his friend staring down at the ground, he frowned as he was worried about the light blue unicorn. "Hey, @Skylight Scintillate!" He called out to the light blue unicorn to gain her attention. "I'm really sorry about walking away like that. I hope I wasn't gone for too long." He would say upon arrival, while having an apologetic expression upon his face. "I'm glad you, Twinkle and Sealight still keep in touch. Since it was busy for us both, I made sure to write a letter every chance I got. I hope they're doing well. I know it would be cool to meet up again with them sometime. It's been way too long and I miss my old school friends." He says, nodding at the mention of helping to break the ice. "I'll admit that I'm in the same boat as you are, Sky. I always had trouble figuring out what to do or what to say, but I promise to do my best. We always worked well like a team together even back in school. Remember?" He smiled, giving a reassuring pat to her shoulder.

@GeneralDirection

"Speaking of which." He started, gesturing his hoof towards his match. "This is Caramel Ripple. Caramel? This is Skylight Scintillate. I met her when I attended Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns.." He would say, before looking towards Skylight and Nebel. Upon seeing the unicorn, Dynamo had to admit that he never seen or met Nebel before. "Hey, Skylight? I'm really sorry, but I don't think I've ever met Nebel before. However, it's the same for me as I never met Caramel before and this is my first time meeting her." He whispered to Skylight, before thinking of how he could help break he ice. As he was thinking, he recalled the Scavenger Hunt that he and Caramel were taking part in. "Hey, Sky? Caramel and I were going towards the Maze of Friendship for one of the events. Did you and Nebel want to team up? Always good to work as a team. Plus, it'll help to get to know each other more." He says, before looking back towards his date. "If that's okay with you, of course, Caramel."

"Oh, hello again, Dynamo. You and Caramel are also doing the maze? Nice. Nebel and I are doing the maze too. Maybe doing something together would be a good way of getting to know each other. I definitely appreciate the letters that you send, Dynamo, although they can't really compare to seeing you in person, and now I'm getting all sentimental again," Skylight said, getting teary eyed as she hugged Dynamo again. She dabbed her tears and nodded along to what Dynamo said next before turning to face Caramel Ripple.

"Hello Caramel Ripple," Skylight said as she stuck out a hoof to shake. 

Skylight frowned when she realized that Dynamo hadn't met Nebel. However, while she wasn't sure about Caramel, that made three ponies that were awkward at introductions. "Hey maybe we share a similarity in being awkward with introductions?" Skylight asked, hopping that Nebel would agree. With Dynamo by her side, she was feeling a bit more confident talking. "I mean, when we first met at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, it was super awkward too, but next thing we knew, we were best of friends. Say, Dynamo, do you want to explain what you did after graduating from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns? As for me, I continued studying magic and such..." Skylight explained. 

1 hour ago, GeneralDirection said:

@AuroraGlimmer@Dynamo Pad@Skylight Scintillate

Nebel was about to respond to Dynamo when suddenly, giant wall emerged from the ground and separated the entire party into two separate groups. On his side, he found Skylight, Dynamo, and his match, Caramel. In addition, there were also several other ponies who Nebel had yet to meet. It is dark in the maze but not so dark that it prevented anypony from finding their way. Everything around them was slimy and… mostly dead.

“Is everypony ok?” He asks his newfound companions. “I guess we’re going to be navigating a maze together whether we wanted to or not.” He says with a bit of a nervous laugh.  

Skylight gasped and instinctively took a step back when the wall appeared, splitting the general group. Thankfully, the group with Nebel, Dynamo, and Caramel remained intact. "Oh I'm so relived that our group remained unsplit. I don't know what I would do if we were split up," Skylight said as she sighed a breath of relief. "At least we get to do it together," Skylight replied to Nebel.

28 minutes ago, AuroraGlimmer said:

just the mere presence of the evil Changeling Queen would make Caramel shudder, which in turn would make her disguise flicker and she would quiver "I-I don't like thisss" she would say, letting a prolonged s out, "What iss, ssssshe doing here?" she would ask, staying close to @Dynamo Pad and @Skylight Scintillate  "ssshhhe sssshouldn't be here"

"Wait, didn't Twilight blast her with rainbow lasers? How is she still here then?" Skylight pondered, whispering to the rest of the group. Skylight suddenly realized something. "Hey Dynamo, remember how you loved playing videogames with me whenever you had spare time in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns? And then there was that game where we had to run through a maze while being chased by changelings and it was like, totally spooky and everything?" Skylight asked.

If Dynamo didn't remember, Skylight would point to the sky and suggest to the group using that to maintain their sense of direction.

[Reality Check 631]

As RC was chatting with @Sophie H. about singing and music, a giant wall made of roots appeared from the ground, separating them from half the group. The roots also covered the top as well, leaving barely any light for them to see.

RC tried using his magic to break through the roots, but the roots immediately regenerate, fixing the damage. “Great, we can’t break through. And it doesn’t look like we can fly out either.” RC said as he looked up

[Sophie H.]

15 hours ago, Reality Check said:

Shocked by her sudden outburst, RC processed what @Sophie H. said. Although he previously mentioned he gets a headache from loud noise, he decided he might as well bare with it for now. "Uh not so much sing... I like listening to music and I've played one or two instruments before, but I never really sing, let along thought about it. ^^;"

His reaction forces Sophie to go silent for a moment as she remembers that he's not a big fan of loud noises "Oh, I'm sorry" she whispers with a nervous grin just before a gasp once again escapes her lips, a quiet gasp of course "You did?! what kind? that's so awesome! I use to play Piano and guitar!" she explains with a sway of her tail.
 

8 hours ago, Vibrant Grove said:

Vibrant would overhear Sophie @Sophie H.and joined in the musical conversation

"Hey, You play multiple instruments, don't You? I so happen to have a guitar with me that I can spare. How about You play something for us, Sophie?"

He hands over a neatly made instrument, curious as to what will the mare play for them.

Sophie's left ear makes a flapping motion as she hears the familar voice behind her, with a slow turn of her head she'd spot Vibrant, tilting her head in confusion at first "Well, yeah!" she replies, her smile returning "Also Hi Vibrant! long time no Se-" she breaks her speaking for a moment as he offers Sophie his guitar.

A deep blush starts to grow on her cheeks as she slowly grabs the guitar, her view switching between Vibrant and @Reality Checkas she's clearly overwhelmed by this situation.

"A-A song? now? here? uhm..." She mumbles as she slowly takes a sit, holding the guitar close to her.

[Thunder Gust]

@Stone Cold Steve Jobs

Gust was slower to recover from their sudden enclosure, getting on his hooves as he heard Frostbite and Magloria's assault on the walls. He looked around, but with the roots blocking out most of the sunlight, it was hard to see what was going on.

"Is everyone okay?" he called out. "Is anyone hurt?"

[Sophie H.]

9 minutes ago, Reality Check said:

As RC was chatting with @Sophie H. about singing and music, a giant wall made of roots appeared from the ground, separating them from half the group. The roots also covered the top as well, leaving barely any light for them to see.

RC tried using his magic to break through the roots, but the roots immediately regenerate, fixing the damage. “Great, we can’t break through. And it doesn’t look like we can fly out either.” RC said as he looked up

The whole situation forces poor little Sophie to freeze, blinking a couple of times as she tries to process what just happened "What.." she stutters as she begins to look around, at first over to Reality Check and then at the roots that seemed to be everywhere! 

With a wiggle of her nose Sophie would slowly get up, putting the guitar on her backl while her expression changes to a scared one "A-Are we trapped?! why?" she says as she begins to run to one of the roots, grabbing it with her mouth to pull on it "I'LL FIGHT!" she growls into the root but her attack fails and she just slips off with her mouth, landing on her flank with a loud 'squeaky' noise.. a noise like a rubber duck would do.

Edited February 18, 2023 by Sophie H.

[Ice Princess Silky <3 13,527]

Silky would gasp as she'd fall on her rear, her hair tumbling over her face as she'd gently process what just happened and what she had just heard. With a slight panic, she'd struggle to get to the other side with Vibrant but failed. Her hooves on the wall as if trying to sense any little gap or space to try to communicate with him. "Vibrant Grove?!" Her voice would echo and almost tremble as a moment of weakness would slip out before she'd catch herself. Brushing her silky hair away from her face, she'd notice the confused and aggressive looking ponies and release a soft sigh. "Well, talk about an event being a flop," she'd utter quietly as if levity would allow for them to ease up on the tension. It didn't. So she'd slowly approach the group.

"Don't worry, everypony... whatever is happening, we'll get to the bottom of this. Does anypony have some light?" She'd look to the unicorns. The luminous green elphenite around her neck being a hazy source of light to announce her presence as she approached the team. The elphenite looked like a tiny potion bottle. Green colored, emitting a gentle, green glow that softly lit up the area around Silky. It will be helpful to navigate, but more light was certainly needed.

Her normally optimistic blue eyes were filled with concern but still hinted at hope. "We'll find a way."

Then she looked around, "Wait, where is Silverspark?" She knew the little filly was mischievous and disappeared and she was used to this due to the mischievous nature but where did she go? "Can you help me find the little filly? SilverSpark?" She called out. 

[Vibrant Grove]

Vibrant, being dangerously close to the area, where the wall will rise found himself being knocked back. He would fall right onto @TheRockARoosterRoswell and the two of them would find themselves on the ground.

"Ough... sorry about that, my friend" Vibrant says, helping Roswell to get back up. 

He looked around and it is then that he realized the true magnitude of problem he got himself into. The place looked horrible. The smell of rot was overbearing to his nostrils, the very weak, greenish light was not enough for him to be able to fully comprehend where he's at. He heard and in some cases, saw, however several other ponies being with him. He looked around for @Princess Silky, but she was nowhere to be found. 

"Silky?" He called multiple times. But his calls were not answered. They were trapped. He tried flying up, but some strange magic prevented him from reaching beyond the walls. Pounding against the wall was useless, the moss prevented even the strongest blow to actually reach the stone. He felt some sadness inside of him from how they got separated.

He sighed and then, trying to keep his more confident presence turned around to the rest of ponies that got trapped with him.

"Okay, everypony, I will speak with honesty. I don't know what happened or where are we. But there must be a way out from this. For that - we have to work together. Stay close, don't let go of each other. Is any unicorn here able to give us some more light? I can't see a thing in here.

[Reality Check 631]

2 minutes ago, Vibrant Grove said:

Vibrant, being dangerously close to the area, where the wall will rise found himself being knocked back. He would fall right onto @TheRockARoosterRoswell and the two of them would find themselves on the ground.

"Ough... sorry about that, my friend" Vibrant says, helping Roswell to get back up. 

He looked around and it is then that he realized the true magnitude of problem he got himself into. The place looked horrible. The smell of rot was overbearing to his nostrils, the very weak, greenish light was not enough for him to be able to fully comprehend where he's at. He heard and in some cases, saw, however several other ponies being with him. He looked around for @Princess Silky, but she was nowhere to be found. 

"Silky?" He called multiple times. But his calls were not answered. They were trapped. He tried flying up, but some strange magic prevented him from reaching beyond the walls. Pounding against the wall was useless, the moss prevented even the strongest blow to actually reach the stone. He felt some sadness inside of him from how they got separated.

He sighed and then, trying to keep his more confident presence turned around to the rest of ponies that got trapped with him.

"Okay, everypony, I will speak with honesty. I don't know what happened or where are we. But there must be a way out from this. For that - we have to work together. Stay close, don't let go of each other. Is any unicorn here able to give us some more light? I can't see a thing in here.

Hearing that, RC decided to volunteer. “I can do that. One sec” He then lit up his horn for everyone until the inside is bright enough.

“Is this bright enough-“ RC then spotted something. “Wait…”

[Dynamo Pad 11,263]

As the group started to enter the Maze of Friendship, the gaming unicorn's ears perked at the sound of a slightly distorted voice. Looking around for the source, the maze, ground and walls shook from the might of Queen Chrysalis. Dynamo's eyes widened as he wasn't expecting her to appear, but didn't have time to question why. Suddenly and without warning, the ground and walls shook once more, before changing the maze. Effectively separating the group in half. "What in Equestria just happened? Silky!? Anyone!?" He called out to anybody that was separated from the group. Taking a moment to observe his surroundings, he noticed that his group was in a wall of moss. Walking up to smell a quick sniff of the moss, his nostrils scrunched up, before backing away quickly. "Ugh...now that's a scent for the senses." He shook his head to rid himself of the stench, before looking around. He couldn't quite explain it, but he felt a sudden chill running up and down his spine. He wasn't sure if it was due to being in the unknown, or something else. Even though the presence of Chrysalis' foul magic still lingered within the air.

7 hours ago, GeneralDirection said:

@AuroraGlimmer@Dynamo Pad@Skylight Scintillate

Nebel was about to respond to Dynamo when suddenly, giant wall emerged from the ground and separated the entire party into two separate groups. On his side, he found Skylight, Dynamo, and his match, Caramel. In addition, there were also several other ponies who Nebel had yet to meet. It is dark in the maze but not so dark that it prevented anypony from finding their way. Everything around them was slimy and… mostly dead.

“Is everypony ok?” He asks his newfound companions. “I guess we’re going to be navigating a maze together whether we wanted to or not.” He says with a bit of a nervous laugh.  

@GeneralDirection

Turning towards the sound of a new voice, Dynamo had looked and saw that the voice belonged to who he believed was Nebel. From his group, he was glad to see Caramel, Skylight, Nebel and Vibrant. He wasn't entirely sure of anyone else, but he was thankful to know of some friends that he was familiar with. "Besides my nose and the fact I might have lost my sense of smell for a bit, I'm okay." He would say, joking slightly about his nose to relieve the tense atmosphere. "It looks like it. Hopefully we'll be able to get through it together and meet up with the others." He'd say, before holding out a hoof for Nebel to take. "By the way, you're name is Nebel, right? I heard about your name from Skylight. My name is Dynamo Pad, but you can call me Dynamo. Even though we're in this situation, it's still nice to meet you."

5 hours ago, Skylight Scintillate said:

"Oh, hello again, Dynamo. You and Caramel are also doing the maze? Nice. Nebel and I are doing the maze too. Maybe doing something together would be a good way of getting to know each other. I definitely appreciate the letters that you send, Dynamo, although they can't really compare to seeing you in person, and now I'm getting all sentimental again," Skylight said, getting teary eyed as she hugged Dynamo again. She dabbed her tears and nodded along to what Dynamo said next before turning to face Caramel Ripple.

"Hello Caramel Ripple," Skylight said as she stuck out a hoof to shake. 

Skylight frowned when she realized that Dynamo hadn't met Nebel. However, while she wasn't sure about Caramel, that made three ponies that were awkward at introductions. "Hey maybe we share a similarity in being awkward with introductions?" Skylight asked, hopping that Nebel would agree. With Dynamo by her side, she was feeling a bit more confident talking. "I mean, when we first met at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, it was super awkward too, but next thing we knew, we were best of friends. Say, Dynamo, do you want to explain what you did after graduating from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns? As for me, I continued studying magic and such..." Skylight explained. 

Skylight gasped and instinctively took a step back when the wall appeared, splitting the general group. Thankfully, the group with Nebel, Dynamo, and Caramel remained intact. "Oh I'm so relived that our group remained unsplit. I don't know what I would do if we were split up," Skylight said as she sighed a breath of relief. "At least we get to do it together," Skylight replied to Nebel.

"Wait, didn't Twilight blast her with rainbow lasers? How is she still here then?" Skylight pondered, whispering to the rest of the group. Skylight suddenly realized something. "Hey Dynamo, remember how you loved playing videogames with me whenever you had spare time in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns? And then there was that game where we had to run through a maze while being chased by changelings and it was like, totally spooky and everything?" Skylight asked.

If Dynamo didn't remember, Skylight would point to the sky and suggest to the group using that to maintain their sense of direction.

@Skylight Scintillate

Dynamo blinked in surprise as he was suddenly pulled into a hug by Skylight, before smiling and returning the embrace. "I know what you mean, Sky. Letters are nice, but it's nothing compared to seeing a friend in person. Seeing you now, all the memories are flooding back in." He'd say, wiping a stray tear from his eye as he was feeling sentimental himself. Upon the mention of Skylight's comment of introductions, Dynamo tilted his head slightly in confusion as he slightly shrugged. "That could be a possibility as I was always awkward with introductions. Mostly because I never knew what to really say or do when introducing myself." He chuckled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck with his left fore hoof. "Oh, I still remember that! The day we first met with our parents and the group of students. I felt so lost, confused and unsure of what to do. I remember we both met up and talked for a bit, before going off to find the rooms. Meeting Twinkle and Sealight, I remember how we all became the best of friends." He would say, sighing softly as he was feeling nostalgic.

"I'm glad you've been continuing to study magic, Sky. With the spells you showed me and the others, you looked to have been on the breakthrough of discovering new types of magic. Especially the digital magic and the magic tablet. As for me, I went back to Fillydelphia and worked at the local arcade from time to time. Mostly have been traveling to compete in video game tournaments and practicing on my magic." He would say, shaking his head at the question of Twilight blasting Chrysalis with rainbow lasers. "I'm not entirely sure, Sky. I do recall the time that Twilight and the others managed to stop Chrysalis and the other villains in one go, but it looks like she managed to escape. The question is how, but I can't say for certain. I'm glad the four of us are still together, but hopefully we can reunite with the rest of the group. Who knows what's going on the other side of the maze." He couldn't imagine how worried the others on the other side were feeling, but he hoped that they would be okay. 

As he listened to Skylight's suggestion, Dynamo's eyes widened as he recalled the game the two played. "Oh! I remember that game now! I think it was called Changeling Escape, right?" He asked, shuddering slightly at some of the memories. "That game was fun, but the only thing I didn't like about it were the jump scares. They came out of nowhere and the scared factor just hits you, you know? Although, I guess that's why they call it a jump scare, after all. Why do you ask, Sky?" He asks, wondering what his friend had in mind.

7 hours ago, AuroraGlimmer said:

just the mere presence of the evil Changeling Queen would make Caramel shudder, which in turn would make her disguise flicker and she would quiver "I-I don't like thisss" she would say, letting a prolonged s out, "What iss, ssssshe doing here?" she would ask, staying close to @Dynamo Pad and @Skylight Scintillate  "ssshhhe sssshouldn't be here"

@AuroraGlimmer

Upon feeling somepony grab onto him, he looked to find Caramel, who looked to be shaking in fear and quivering. Seeing this caused Dynamo's heart to break. He knew that the two had just met, but he knew he didn't want to abandon his date. For some reason, he blinked as he thought he had seen a change in her mane. Along with her hoof having a hole or two in random places, but he shook his head as he knew making sure that she was okay was more important. Without a second thought, he wrapped an arm around the chocolate pony's shoulder and gave said shoulder a reassuring pat. "I-I know how you feel, Caramel. I don't like what's going on either. I don't get why she's here or how she escaped. I-I know that stopping her might be crazy o-or impossible, but I know that we'll get through this. E-Everything will be okay because I'm here for you, Caramel." He'd say, giving her a hug and without thinking, nuzzled her gently.

[Gentle Breeze]

8 minutes ago, Reality Check said:

Hearing that, RC decided to volunteer. “I can do that. One sec” He then lit up his horn for everyone until the inside is bright enough.

“Is this bright enough-“ RC then spotted something. “Wait…”

As Reality Check would light up the area, the team would notice an ominous tree. Large and imposing but silent. It was near a cottage where faint and tiny little hoof tracks may or may not have been distinguishable. 

**For Tangled Roots Team**
@Cagey @Props ValRoa @Astral Soul @Silly Druid @Sophie H. @Reality Check@Silverspark184@Sycofear13@Stone Cold Steve Jobs@Totally Lyra 

[Reality Check 631]

5 minutes ago, Tangled Roots said:

As Reality Check would light up the area, the team would notice an ominous tree. Large and imposing but silent. It was near a cottage where faint and tiny little hoof tracks may or may not have been distinguishable. 

**For Tangled Roots Team**
@Cagey @Props ValRoa @Astral Soul @Silly Druid @Sophie H. @Reality Check@Silverspark184@Sycofear13@Stone Cold Steve Jobs@Totally Lyra 

Seeing the cottage, the tree, and the hoof tracks, RC’s curiosity sparked as he slowly moved towards the cottage. He had no idea what to expect, so he kept his guard up slightly

[Sophie 1,434]

17 minutes ago, Reality Check said:

Hearing that, RC decided to volunteer. “I can do that. One sec” He then lit up his horn for everyone until the inside is bright enough.

“Is this bright enough-“ RC then spotted something. “Wait…”

Sophie would take a moment to process what just happened, With a quick shake of her head she'd get up again, checking now the lighten up area around them, walking slowly up, next to @Reality Check"What is that?" she asks as she gazes in the same direction as RC does.
 

4 minutes ago, Tangled Roots said:

As Reality Check would light up the area, the team would notice an ominous tree. Large and imposing but silent. It was near a cottage where faint and tiny little hoof tracks may or may not have been distinguishable. 

**For Tangled Roots Team**
@Cagey @Props ValRoa @Astral Soul @Silly Druid @Sophie H. @Reality Check@Silverspark184@Sycofear13@Stone Cold Steve Jobs@Totally Lyra 

After a moment of gazing Sophie decides to check on the other ponies that seemed to be trapped with her "Hey guys.. are you alright?" she'd ask as she walks up to every single one, making sure they're alright.

With a heavy sigh sophie decides to force a little smile on her lips "No matter what's going to happen! We're getting out of here in no time!" she says.

Sophie turns around to gaze up at the ominous tree, tilting her head to the left and then to the right before her gaze moves down at the cottage next to it "What's that?" she'd asks more to herself "Hey guys, are you seeing this? should we..." she pauses for a moment to take a step closer to the cottage "Should we.. investigate the cottage?".

[Gentle Breeze]

Because Reality Check was the one illuminating the tree, it would begin shaking violently. It's leaves blackened and angry as the limbs begin slightly flailing and eventually lower to grab @Reality Check He seems to disappear into the leaves as the limbs begin their flailing in fury. Only in momentary spurts are you able to see the pastel green unicorn wondering what the heck was going on as he was flailed about. 

[Tree Song]

Tree Song stepped up. There was clearly something wrong with the tree, and she was the one who could handle this.

She began to softly sing a song, which sounded very unusual and mystical. There were no distinguishable words in it, but it felt like a soothing lullaby.

She could hear the tree whispering back to her.

"It's the symbols... they hold the key to freeing the tree..." She said loud enough for everypony on this side of the wall to hear.