Ancient Evils

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

"How long has this been going on? Did the people leave anything behind? Was there any pattern in terms of who was taken?"

 

Even though it was normally against his nature to be so talkative, Big Thunder was determined to get to the bottom of this situation.

[Magpie 623]

"Nothing left behind. In fact, the homes seemed too clean. Nothing was taken or left, or even moved. I haven't kept much track of time, It feels like it's been ages, but it couldn't have been more than a few weeks. No point to keep track of time when you're too busy fearing for your life. Shooting Star said she saw a sort of luminescent...thing heading from the caves. She said it was pulled back inside by some unseen force, but I'm not sure I believe her. I think she's finally gone mad from the stress and fear. I'm worried they'll take her next. They seem to target those who investigate it. That's why I'm leaving, and not getting in to this any further. You should talk to her, though, she lives just down the street, you'll be able to tell the house. Only one with lights still on." the shop-pony said. "I'm sure she'll be thrilled to have visitors to talk to."

Deep within the mountains, several cultists gathered around an empty throne. A vat of purplish-black magic sat in the center of the room, with electric jolts shooting through it. 

 

 

"You shall be here soon, master." said one, draped in a green trimmed black cloak. "No longer will you be held in this prison. You shall be returned to your throne, and your rightful rule of Equestria!" he said to the empty throne.

Edited December 13, 2012 by Brosparkles

[SunsetDancer 36]

The grey figure walked through the woods, ignoring his cloak as it got caught on brambles, a few more tears wouldn't destroy it. He looked up and grumbled as the forest came to an end, showing a town ahead of him; he hated towns. It meant folk...he hated folk. of the forest, Drawing up his cloak around him further, he shrugged as he walked past the edge into the town.

Not many Folk...he thought as his eyes narrowed. Hmm...strange, plenty of houses and shops...people missing...Strange..

He looked over at the buildings and, indeed, saw missing posters..they were old.

Ghost town? no.. he could hear some talking up ahead and saw one with a big load in a wagon. leaving town? why..?

As much as he hated talking to others, he hated not knowing things more so he lengthened his stride and confronted the other male.

"why do you leave?"

 

 

((OOC:sorry, i dont have a discription of the one leaving, but I figured you might want him stopped to interact with others...also, Nameless would be happy to join up with the Skeleton group, if they're taking members))

Edited December 13, 2012 by SunsetDancer

[Bari 7,023]

Lapis and Asteria excused themselves and followed after the zebra. He seemed to know who to ask. Luckily, they caught what the shop keeper had been saying.

 

"Well, that certainly seems like the safest course of action. Big Thunder, you don't mind if we tag along, yes?" Lapis asked the zebra. This was the first lead. Soon they could begin investigation. Then the mystery of why the townsfolk were all disappearing could be answered. Something strange was definitely going on around here.

Edited December 13, 2012 by Berry Pie

[Magpie 623]

"I don't have much of a choice. I'll no doubt be taken to who-knows-where if I don't." he said to Nameless. "More ponies have been disappearing each day.and I'm not waiting to find out what they are being taken for. I don't know why you came here, but I'd avoid any area near the mountains."

Edited December 13, 2012 by Brosparkles

[MagicalStarRain 599]

A mystery? Villagers disappearing without a trace? What's going on here? Star Rain thought when she overheard almost everything. It looks like they're investigating this. Maybe I can trust them? she asked herself. She peeked around the corner and looked at them again. She tugged on her hood to make sure it stayed on and gestured to the blue colt who bumped into her earlier to follow her. Slowly and hesitantly, Star Rain walked over to the group.

[SunsetDancer 36]

stay away from the mountains....

however, the big Zebra and the other Ponies being around was starting to make him uncomfortable. He moved aside, in case he was in the way, the pony obviously wanted to leave. He shifted his weight and half closed his eyes, meditating on the information he had gathered and overheard...

being taken..a townfull..captured for a purpose obviously. Investigator taken too..no good purpose..trouble...interesting trouble!

His eyes opened again to see two more ponies coming towards them...one a colt. Great..children.

Edited December 13, 2012 by SunsetDancer

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

"If you want to come with me, I won't stop you.",Thunder replied bluntly, "If ponies are disappearing I certainly wouldn't mind having someone to watch my back. Anyway we should get moving before our only lead dries up."

 

"And you! (star rain) You've been watching us for a while. I take it you want to come too?"

[Damien Cremin 50]

Collision followed the newcomer out into the street, then froze as he recognised the zebra he had offended earlier. The blue colt froze, but this time didn't dart off; the group didn't seem hostile. They had said something about a mystery...

This could be his first case! A big adventure! Collision tilted his head away so they didn't notice him, and listened in carefully.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

(to Collision)"You can quit hiding. I didn't mean to come off so aggressively earlier. It's just in my nature, I guess. Anyway I'm sorry if I frightened you or offended you somehow. It really wasn't a big deal, I just get tired of people being so surprised to see a zebra. You might as well come with us, if you want to find out what's going on."

[MagicalStarRain 599]

"If you want to come with me, I won't stop you.",Thunder replied bluntly, "If ponies are disappearing I certainly wouldn't mind having someone to watch my back. Anyway we should get moving before our only lead dries up."

 

"And you! (star rain) You've been watching us for a while. I take it you want to come too?"

"Well uh...yeah! I'd like to help, too!" Star Rain replied with great surprise. I can trust these ponies and the zebra, but I better not tell them why I'm here. And looks like they'll help me be free of my old life after all! I can help solve a mystery! she thought to herself excitedly. "So, villagers are disappearing and we don't know what's going on? Do you know anything else?" she asked as she pulled her hood off for the first time ever since running away.

Edited December 13, 2012 by MagicalStarRain

[Damien Cremin 50]

Upon being forgiven by Thunder, Collision brightened instantly. He hopped over to the group, and stood amongst them waiting for Star Rain's question to be answered. His excitement at the chance of an adventure overwhelmed him, and the blue colt fidgeted restlessly, fixated on what was being said while taking in dangerously little information. He was far to excited to concentrate!

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

Meta looked at them. "I know that ponies have been missing. A sole pony- a pegasus with a wing clipped off- made it back to Celestia with tales of zomponies, skeleponies, and a demon king being raised from the dead." He shook his head. "They were said to be taking base in Smokey Mountian- known to you all as Dragon Mountian- and I was sent by Celestia to investigate." He sighed and turned to the mountian. "I personally think that it is all a hoax, but who knows? I have seen numerous undead before in my dealings with... my brother. This may indeed be true."

[SunsetDancer 36]

Nameless backed off a little more as the colt fidgeted, where he came from colts that age..well, whatever, he wasn't there...

So do we go towards the epicenter of trouble or stand around pawing all day? He muttered, not particularly looking at any one pony, the zebra seemed to have taken command, other ponies were sheep...although that strange masked one in the armour would have been his first guess, but he seemed to hold back too..whatever, he figured if they got into the forest he could 'disappear' far more easily, he hated groups, but the zebra at least seemed to think for himself.

He paused,  digesting the new information, even that unspoken; they were all lost in trying to find a trail, but the masked one had information - sent then, as confirmed by the armour - strange that he was alone..no partner? no problem with groups - hiding something. His ear (usually back) twitched forward analyzing each member of the group, hunting potential weaknesses and strengths; The zebra was strong and therefore put in the position of was power, he unsurprised, zebras were built differently from pon folk and his mind briefly toutched on wondering why he didnt speak with an accent..not from zebrica originally then - he had heard that Zebra's had been looking for work in Equestria - work opportunities limited in Zebrica - strong. self confident. pride.

the blue and purple ponies were learners, judging from the quill and book - he felt a strange stirring in his chest, such normal marks. lucky..the feeling tightened and he narrowed his eyes, turning inwards to control it. Feelings were dangerous.

The other two were liabilities as far as he was conscerned; one an excitable colt and the other...interesting that she had taken off her hood...hiding? not from us, uncomfortable. past trauma? He lowered his head, pawing at the ground slightly, his own deep purple hood separating himself physically from view as his eyes narrowed, tucking the information gathered away for later use. He felt so out of place. he hated it.Hated Folk. they made him feel this way...Calm! he ordered himself, bringing up barriers to close his emotions off again. They would do no good here.

"Shooting Star.." he muttered under his breath. "witness"

[Bari 7,023]

Lapis looked from one pony to the next. An odd bunch certainly. A zebra, a few oddball ponies, a masked pony, and a peculiar unicorn. But help was help. He would defer to Big Thunder though, since he clearly seemed the most commanding. "Perhaps we should go have a chat with this Shooting Star then. No point just standing around you know. Whatever is taking these ponies could very well come for us, and I'd think we should prepare ourselves." Lapis said with a hint of concern.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

"Agreed." Big Thunder turned and headed down the street towards the only house with lights in the windows. By now, he was on edge- he could tell there was definite potential for danger here. At least he wouldn't have to face it alone. He wasn't sure how he felt about the others, but it was better than doing this by himself.  Arriving at the house, he knocked firmly on the door. "Shooting Star?"

[Magpie 623]

A bright eye peered at them through the door.

 

"Just a moment!" a voice called.

 

Several locks were all in motion, as she fumbled about with each. She eventually unlocked the door, and opened it. An energetic young  mare, only just out of fillyhood, looked at them excitedly. 

 

"Hiya! Whatcha want?"

[MagicalStarRain 599]

"So that's what's going on, huh," Star Rain said once she processed all this new information. It was interesting and dangerous, but she wasn't about to turn back now. This mystery was going to put Star Rain's combative magic to the ultimate test, that she knew for sure. "Yup I'm definitely going to help you guys," she said to them. When she came to the young filly's house and she unlocked the door, she started to ask her question but then she started to stutter.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

Meta Knight brushed them aside with an "Excuse me," and bowed to the mare. "Hello, ma'am. I am an official of the Empire of Equestria. I was sent by my superior to investigate about strange going-ons happening here, but that can wait for later. May I please enter?"

[Bari 7,023]

Lapis was a bit surprised that a filly had come to the door. Surely this couldn't be whom they were after. Who would leave a filly all alone? "Hello, you are Shooting Star, correct? We are..." But before he could finish, Meta Knight had cut him off.

 

Asteria came forward and introduced herself despite Meta Knight's rude interruption. "Hi, I'm Asteria, and this is Lapis Lazuli. The zebra is Big Thunder, the pony with the mask is Meta Knight, and I don't think I caught the others' names. But we're all here to help get to the bottom of things. A shopkeeper on his way out us town told of you would know what is going on. At least, I think that was what he said."

 

The purple unicorn watched the filly carefully and patiently.

Edited December 13, 2012 by Berry Pie

[SunsetDancer 36]

Nameless glanced at the mare, eyes hooded. Hadn't he just said that? Why waste words? besides a large group is harder to take down than individuals - he was more conscerned that this shooting star or the pony leaving would be more open to attack - and they still had information.

He turned to the leaving pony ((no name/description yet)), "you said, 'down the street', yes?"

with the confrmation, he followed the others, his slow shuffle keeping him a few paces behind the others.

Edited December 13, 2012 by SunsetDancer

[Damien Cremin 50]

Upon seeing Shooting Star, Collision's smile grew even wider. He bounced happily, excited by the presence of another kid. "Hey!" he excliamed before anyone could stop him, "We're on an adventure too... find some.. things?" He hadn't been paying attention, and struggled to remember what had been said. The blue colt looked to the others for help, still bouncing.

Edited December 13, 2012 by Silverpoint345

[Magpie 623]

"Please come in,  come in. I know plenty about the occurrences, but we should talk inside. I don't think we should discuss this in the streets, where anypony could be listening. At least, they would be if anypony was around..." she said, taking a slightly more grim tune. "This seems to be all anypony is talking about these days, I'm getting sick of it." she said tiredly.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

Meta Knight smiled- though you couldn't see it- and bowed. "Thank you, ma'am." He entered the house. "So... let us talk about something other than the strange occurances for a while. Like, for example... what do you do for a living?" Meta said, while glancing around the house for anything suspicious.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Big Thunder decided to let the others do the talking for now. He wasn't good with kids, and he'd already been doing a lot more talking than usual today. The others seemed to have it under control and that was fine with him. During the conversation he surveyed the inside of the house, looking for anything out of the ordinary.