open The Keeper

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

"He should be right down this road here." Aura replied to Rift. She was getting quite use to Rift and his barbaric ways to combat things and his company. The dragoness just hoped she wouldn't loose it and go berserk like last time. Aura shuddered at the thought of being like that again. Carelessly and mercilessly tearing up a living being and then eating said objects limbs as if it were a snack. It was that why Aura lived in her own with nobody around her. To avoid confrontations like that in the city. Hopefully there wouldn't be too much more fighting or else Aura might loose it. "He should be in that warehouse over there." she said pushing her dark thoughts deep into her mind as to forget about them. Aura opened the door to the warehouse. "Loro are you in here?!?" Aura shouted. her voice kinda echoed off the walls. "Its just us Aura and Rift." she said looking around silence filled the room." No response......" Aura said quietly. She looked at Rift "I don't understand he should be here." she said unaware of weird device that Loro built was in front of her.

 

 

Rift nodded. "Ill come with you. I can't take out any Void beast with my claws depleted. Or rather it will take too long to defeat them." He didn't continue his explanation because the Void and anything involved with it usually took hours to explain. So, which way is Loro?"

Edited December 25, 2012 by ~Chaotic Harmony~

[Damien Cremin 50]

Loro was in fact scampering straight towards the warehouse, a vial of aether clutched in his claws. Around him, shadows tore the city apart and flames blazed. As much as the idea of turning the machine on frightened him... there was no way that he could stay here! He could see the warehouse in the distance, and he sped up, ducking and dodging debris falling from the surrounding houses.

[SørenWolf 227]

Loro was in fact scampering straight towards the warehouse, a vial of aether clutched in his claws. Around him, shadows tore the city apart and flames blazed. As much as the idea of turning the machine on frightened him... there was no way that he could stay here! He could see the warehouse in the distance, and he sped up, ducking and dodging debris falling from the surrounding houses.

Rift walked into the darkness. "Loro?" he called. a few seconds later he turned back to Aura. "I don't think he is here. Are you sure this is where the trail led?" He had barely finished his question when the dragon in question appeared in the door. "Loro! we have been looking for you."

[Damien Cremin 50]

As Loro entered the warehouse, he found...

 

"Rift!! Aura!!" the young dragon dropped the vial he was holding, and ran to his friends pulling them into a hug.

 

"You came back for me!!!" he let go of them, and looked at the two curiously.

 

"I thought that you were gone... but you remembered me!"

 

Admiration shone in Loro's eyes as he spoke to his friends, "There were shadows attacking... and I thought everyone was gone.. why didn't you go with them?"

Edited December 27, 2012 by Silverpoint345

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

As Loro entered the warehouse, he found...

"Rift!! Aura!!" the young dragon dropped the vial he was holding, and ran to his friends pulling them into a hug.

"You came back for me!!!" he let go of them, and looked at the two curiously.

"I thought that you were gone... but you remembered me!"

Admiration shone in Loro's eyes as he spoke to his friends, "There were shadows attacking... and I thought everyone was gone.. why didn't you go with them?"

Just as Rift asked Aura if she was sure Loro was here, Loro himself came inside. Aura didn't have any time to say anything before Loro hugged her along with Rift. Aura blushed a little upon contact with him before pulling away. "Of course we remember you Loro." Aura replied. "Your our friend and friends never leave each other behind." The dragoness added. "Especially in these kinds of times...." She said hearing the shouts of faraway soldiers in the distance along with the blazing noise of houses on fire. She wondered if Loro had any friends to begin with. Edited December 28, 2012 by ~Chaotic Harmony~

[Flying Ace 142]

Swish chuckled a bit, "Well, sweet pencil sharpener alarm clock, now isn't that an interesting turn of events? I mean, we're not even in Hoofington yet!"

Suddenly, the sound of hoof steps came from farther up the path. He didn't know what it was, but odds are, it was probably the worst thing that can happen, knowing his luck due to a lack of a moustache. He could never get over that.

"Well, we can ask questions later, but now I think we should act natural..."

"I know right! I didn't even see myself with Twilight, I don't know what to think just....pfft let me calm down." Ace said rubbing his head when he heard the hoof steps as well. "I agree with Swish maybe there not our enamies? Maybe there the other three that ran off?"

[SørenWolf 227]

Just as Rift asked Aura if she was sure Loro was here, Loro himself came inside. Aura didn't have any time to say anything before Loro hugged her along with Rift. Aura blushed a little upon contact with him before pulling away. "Of course we remember you Loro." Aura replied. "Your our friend and friends never leave each other behind." The dragoness added. "Especially in these kinds of times...." She said hearing the shouts of faraway soldiers in the distance along with the blazing noise of houses on fire. She wondered if Loro had any friends to begin with.

Rift, surprised and a little embarrassed by Loro's sudden display of affection. He cleared his throat and turned back into the warehouse. Loro's machine was now revealed by the light of the open doorway. "What is this?" He walked around the machine. "No way! Did you build this, all by yourself?" After getting a nod from the small dragon he continued. "That is quite impressive, not many can build a teleportation machine without using magic seals, runes, and all that stuff. All you need now is the energy to power it. I assume that is what that vial is for." The dragons looked at him with a mixture of confusion and awe. "What? it isn't much difference from the claw part of my inhibitor." He indicated the machine attached to his right fore-hoof.

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

Rift, surprised and a little embarrassed by Loro's sudden display of affection. He cleared his throat and turned back into the warehouse. Loro's machine was now revealed by the light of the open doorway. "What is this?" He walked around the machine. "No way! Did you build this, all by yourself?" After getting a nod from the small dragon he continued. "That is quite impressive, not many can build a teleportation machine without using magic seals, runes, and all that stuff. All you need now is the energy to power it. I assume that is what that vial is for." The dragons looked at him with a mixture of confusion and awe. "What? it isn't much difference from the claw part of my inhibitor." He indicated the machine attached to his right fore-hoof.

 

Aura was really confused about what Rift was talking about and the strange device Loro had built. " Wow you must be pretty smart to put this thing together." Aura chimed in praising the ore dragon on his intelligence. She looked at Rift. "Eh what does this thing and your claws do anyway?" she asked him while inspecting the device and then Rift's claw device on his forehoof. "Im sorry I don't really know any of this tech stuff." she quickly apologized. Aura did feel somewhat useless as to be the one who didn't understand anything the dragon and pony knew quite well.

[Damien Cremin 50]

"Well..." Loro shrugged, embarrassed by Rift and Aura's acknowledgement of his depot machine. "This was only a prototype... I don't know much about teleportation..."

 

But now he felt confident enough to slide the vial of aether into the mechanism, stepping back in shock as the cogs and pistons started to move, steadily speeding up. The aether danced around the machine, sparks knocking Loro away from where he stood. The dragon picked himself up and stared at the machine in slight fear.

[BlueFlame 28]

"I know right! I didn't even see myself with Twilight, I don't know what to think just....pfft let me calm down." Ace said rubbing his head when he heard the hoof steps as well. "I agree with Swish maybe there not our enamies? Maybe there the other three that ran off?"

(OOC: Sorry I went inactive for awhile, Family, Christmas, traveling and stuff. I'm back now though. Let's do this   )

"No...there's more than three...I'd say about 5 ponies, armored by the sound of it, and coming fast, into the forest. Now." Star said pushing them off the road. "Stay down. They're close...there." Star pointed to a group of ponies that just galloped up, stopped, and looked around. Star told the other two to stay here and she crept closer through the bushes, minding every step; one noise and she could give away the whole group. She realized there were actually 6 ponies, 3 mares and 3 colts. An orange colt at the head of the group growled and said "GRAWWR! You said they were taking this road! they can't be moving that fast!" He yelled. A light blue mare-who didn't look like she would be part of a mercenary group- went to the leaders side and soothed his rage. "Sweetie they have a day's lead on us, we'll find them when they stop to rest or in Hoofington." She said, Star realized though she looked sweet, she was the most dangerous of the group. Then the mercenaries trotted off down the road. Star then crept back to the group, she looked to all of them and said "We'll have to be careful from here on out, but let's move." 

 

(OOC: I hope you don't count this as God-modding, since the mercs aren't anyone's characters, if so I'll change it somehow.)

[SørenWolf 227]

"Well..." Loro shrugged, embarrassed by Rift and Aura's acknowledgement of his depot machine. "This was only a prototype... I don't know much about teleportation..." But now he felt confident enough to slide the vial of aether into the mechanism, stepping back in shock as the cogs and pistons started to move, steadily speeding up. The aether danced around the machine, sparks knocking Loro away from where he stood. The dragon picked himself up and stared at the machine in slight fear.

Rift watched as the machine came to life. "I only know the basics of these machines, I don't know the mechanics." Rift glanced down and noticed the gauge on his Inhibitor. It read 60%. "Thats not possible! only half an hour ago it was empty!" The gauge clicked once; 75%. "No, No, No, this cannot be happening!" 90%. It seemed that the aether was somehow augmenting his Inhibitor. He didn't want to think about what would happen when it broke 100. 

 

(OOC: ill let it go at that... dont want to give to much away. And btw; I dont think that is god-modding)

[The-Master 1,176]

Silmor was ready to unleash his deadliest hunters, those who were rumored to be neigh unstoppable on the move. On mighty Timberwolves they rode, gnashing teeth and breath as foal as the pits they crawled from. Their riders were the elite of the Blackcrystal guard, rained in the use of both short and long ranged weaponry. They cast aside their heavy armor for a more lightweight and mobile Chainmail Hauberk.

 

Their leader was no less deadly, his blade curved and his bow long. Hoof chosen by Silmor to hunt down his most prized enemies. His name was Sharaku, the prowler. He strode up to the lord Silmor and bowed low.

 

"My lord, my wolves are ready to move out at night fall. We shall have whomsoever scent we seek within a matter of hours."

 

"I seek a company of mercenaries and brigands that have slipped through our grasp at Canterlot. There is one member that I would have you bring back, one who has something very valuable to me. Bring me the rift jumper, kill the others!"

 

And so they were let loose, the gates to the Crystal Empire swinging open. No less than 30 Timberwolves with their black hearted riders upon them came stampeding from the walls. They made tremendous speed, quickly finding the scent of the company. They howled into the evening as the sun began to set, their prey drawing closer. They would catch them in the open.

[Flying Ace 142]

Silmor was ready to unleash his deadliest hunters, those who were rumored to be neigh unstoppable on the move. On mighty Timberwolves they rode, gnashing teeth and breath as foal as the pits they crawled from. Their riders were the elite of the Blackcrystal guard, rained in the use of both short and long ranged weaponry. They cast aside their heavy armor for a more lightweight and mobile Chainmail Hauberk.

 

Their leader was no less deadly, his blade curved and his bow long. Hoof chosen by Silmor to hunt down his most prized enemies. His name was Sharaku, the prowler. He strode up to the lord Silmor and bowed low.

 

"My lord, my wolves are ready to move out at night fall. We shall have whomsoever scent we seek within a matter of hours."

 

"I seek a company of mercenaries and brigands that have slipped through our grasp at Canterlot. There is one member that I would have you bring back, one who has something very valuable to me. Bring me the rift jumper, kill the others!"

 

And so they were let loose, the gates to the Crystal Empire swinging open. No less than 30 Timberwolves with their black hearted riders upon them came stampeding from the walls. They made tremendous speed, quickly finding the scent of the company. They howled into the evening as the sun began to set, their prey drawing closer. They would catch them in the open.

What was that? Ace thought thinking he heard something in the distince but decided it was his imagination. "So now we got mercenaries after us?" Ace asked sticking his head out from behind the bush when Star told them what happened. "What if it's Silmor again?"

[N8C8 56]

What was that? Ace thought thinking he heard something in the distince but decided it was his imagination. "So now we got mercenaries after us?" Ace asked sticking his head out from behind the bush when Star told them what happened. "What if it's Silmor again?"

"What IF it's Silmor? His soldiers weren't anything we couldn't handle before." Swish slowly unsheathed his sword, looking at its reflection. "Don't worry, I'm not going to use it now." He looked at the ponies in the group. "If we want the slightest chance of taking on more soldiers, you guys need weapons. All of you." He turned to Star, "Even you, Star. That magic is powerful stuff, but it could never hurt to carry around something else." Swish sighed, "I get that you probably don't like unnecessary death, but with what we're doing here and now, it is necessary."

[The-Master 1,176]

Sharaku raised his hand, signalling the pack to halt behind him. The Timberwolves snarled and growled eagerly, their masters struggling to keep them under control. Sharaku turned back and barked his orders to his troops.

 

"We have their scent. Grishnak, take your company and approach at the flank. I will lead the attack at the head. Find the rift pony, kill all the others!"

 

Grishnak gave a nod of understanding, directing no less that 15 of the riders into the nearby woodland. Sharaku drew forth his bow and placed a black arrow on its string. He gripped tightly on the Timberwolf's neck and raised his bow above his head.

 

"Charge maggots! Find the rift pony! Break their necks!"

 

The hounds lept forth and followed the string scent of the prey. They were on their trail and soon they would be upon them like a storm of arrows and spears.

[SørenWolf 227]

(OOC: Just an FYI Rift is still in the crystal empire. he is not in the wild)

Rift turned to the two dragons. "I have to go, you don't want to be near me when the transformation happens. It's dangerous stuff."

With that he ran. He began creating a rifts and resealing them, expending as much Taint energy as he could. It wasn't enough. 95%.

He warped into the middle of a crowd of guards, only to warp out again. 97%.

He warped into an alley and he heard the howls of timberwolves before he warped again. 99%. 

He landed in an abandoned home. A small room, likely a kitchen. 101%. He stared in horror as his Inhibitor/Rift Claw broke. Falling to the ground, revealing the tainted skin beneath. With the Inhibitor broken the Taint Energy rushed into his arm coating it in its dark energy. Rift screamed in pain. His right foreleg was transforming. His hoof broke into 4 talons. His arm resembled that of a dragon's, Scaly hide and all. The taint only reached halfway up his leg. 

He shuddered at his disfigured arm. It was his curse. He was born in the void, tainted by it. He was partially a Void-wraith.

(OOC: well now his transformation dosent affect his abilities much, but I've always liked characters that have a darker side)

[Damien Cremin 50]

Loro looked in shock at the open door that Rift had run through. "Should we follow him, or..."

 

The ore dragon trailed off, looking back at his machine. It was spitting sparks everywhere, overheating with excess energy.

 

"I don't think that thing is gonna last much longer Aura... we should get out of here..."

 

With that, Loro darted out of the warehouse door, skidding to a halt, then looking back at Aura.

Edited January 4, 2013 by Silverpoint345

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

(OOC: Just an FYI Rift is still in the crystal empire. he is not in the wild)

Rift turned to the two dragons. "I have to go, you don't want to be near me when the transformation happens. It's dangerous stuff."

With that he ran. He began creating a rifts and resealing them, expending as much Taint energy as he could. It wasn't enough. 95%.

He warped into the middle of a crowd of guards, only to warp out again. 97%.

He warped into an alley and he heard the howls of timberwolves before he warped again. 99%.

He landed in an abandoned home. A small room, likely a kitchen. 101%. He stared in horror as his Inhibitor/Rift Claw broke. Falling to the ground, revealing the tainted skin beneath. With the Inhibitor broken the Taint Energy rushed into his arm coating it in its dark energy. Rift screamed in pain. His right foreleg was transforming. His hoof broke into 4 talons. His arm resembled that of a dragon's, Scaly hide and all. The taint only reached halfway up his leg.

He shuddered at his disfigured arm. It was his curse. He was born in the void, tainted by it. He was partially a Void-wraith.

(OOC: well now his transformation dosent affect his abilities much, but I've always liked characters that have a darker side)

(OOC: Yeah me too that's kinda why I added that bit about Aura going into her untamed berserk personality (which she will at some point) if exposed to too much violence)

 

Loro looked in shock at the open door that Rift had run through. "Should we follow him, or..."

The ore dragon trailed off, looking back at his machine. It was spitting sparks everywhere, overheating with excess energy.

"I don't think that thing is gonna last much longer Aura... we should get out of here..."

With that, Loro darted out of the warehouse door, skidding to a halt, then looking back at Aura.

Aura snapped out of her little trance when the Rift left. "Rift wait don't go!" She yelled. But it was to late as the portal Rift had made closed right behind him. Aura was confused why Rift just left them with a machine that was about to explode. Just then the machine Loro made was starting to overheat as sparks were seen coming out of it. . "Im coming!" She said running towards Loro. The pair ran out of the warehouse just as the machine gave way and exploded right behind them. The shockwave from the blast knocked the 2 dragons towards another building crashing through the wall and landing on the floor. "Ugh" Aura said grogilly. She helped Loro get up before taking again. "Why did Rift ditch us like that and what did he mean by "Transformation?" she questioned. Edited January 4, 2013 by ~Chaotic Harmony~

[Damien Cremin 50]

Loro stared blankly at the wrecked warehouse. "Wow... I really need to work on my technical skills..." he said sadly to himself, before returning to full attention, and facing Aura. "Rift always seems to be running off someplace, or rather... warping off..."

 

There was an explosion from far off in the distance, and Loro winced. "We should find some cover; There are too many guards and shadowy things out here. Man, this place is so confusing! Everything seems to try and kill me... Cept you and Rift that is."

Edited January 4, 2013 by Silverpoint345

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

"Yeah I agree we need to get out of the Crystal Empire and help that other group of ponies we saw earlier today." Aura said to Loro before sighing. "But they're all the way at Canterlot by now I bet and it'll take us some time to get there.." the ice dragon said. "I don't suppose you know a quicker way to get there do you?" She asked the ore dragon.

[Damien Cremin 50]

"Uhh..." Loro replied uncertainly. "I guess that safety in numbers would be a good idea... If we could find Rift, then maybe he can... warp us there or something." he tilted his head thoughtfully. "But finding Rift could be hard. If he can teleport then he could be anywhere! Searching for him here will be pretty dangerous.

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

"Yes I suppose it will but it seems it might be our only option." Aura replied. "Unless you want to take the scenic route....." She joked trying to lighten the mood. She giggled a little before hearing the sounds of guards. They were so close you could hear the metal clinging of thier armor. "The explosion came from over here!" the said Aura could hear was saying. "Good maybe they are dead!" another soilder said. Aura grabbed aloro by the arm. "Ok they haven't noticed us yet so let's try to sneak around them." She whispered to him.

Edited January 4, 2013 by ~Chaotic Harmony~

[SørenWolf 227]

The pain subsided. Rift looked around him. He had no idea where he was or how he got there. He had been panicing, he hadn't taken the time to check where he was before each teleport. For all he knew he could be on the other side or the Crystal Empire. "Why do I always get lost?" He chuckled as he asked himself a question he knew full well the answer. He left the house he had transformed in. The streets were deserted. Looking around he decided that he had no other option then to look for the Dragons. gathering taint energy around him he stepped behind the inner veil of the dimension and watched, Waiting, Searching, for two small dragons.

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

Aura peeked out the alleyway as she heard the guard footsteps getting fainter. She turned back to Loro and grabbed him by the arm. "Ok the coast looks clear." She said running out of the alleyway with Loro. They walked in the opposite way the guards came. Nothing happened for about an hour until they came upon a seemingly deserted part of the empire. "Hmmm I guess nothing is here either." Aura said to Loro. She couldn't sense anything and she didn't have a scent from Rift to follow. "Maybe we should just give up on finding Rift he probably isn't even in The Crystal Empire anymore." She huffed giving the search.

 

(Psst!! SorenWolf that's your cue!)

[SørenWolf 227]

(Psst!! SorenWolf that's your cue!)

Rift looked up as he heard someone's voice. He glared into the air and mumbled under his breath "I'll decide when its my cue, thank you very much." He chuckled then. "Did Soren forget to mention that I can break the fourth wall?"

 

(OOC: ok enough fun now its time to get down to business...to defeat, the huns! *Glare from Rift* What? Ok fine)

 

Rift could see windows opening up into the dimension from his place on the outside. He couldn't currently see the two dragons but he could see a small group of ponies that he recognized. He marked the location for later use. He sealed up as many rifts as he could but it was only a matter of time until the dimensional walls shattered, Unless he could find someone with magic strong enough to seal the rifts for good.