private Breaking Bonds(closed)

[Rainbow Dash 1,472]

Q.C. looked on the Crystal Empire with much hate in her eyes. "They think they can defeat me so easily? The fools!" She said as she began her descent down the hill she stood on. Q.C. met up with an unknown figure. "Did you bring the reports i asked for?" without saying a word the figure passed along several documents as well as pictures. Q.C. motioned for the figure to leave after she tossed a big bag at it. "Very good. I now have the information i need to get this 'party started'."She said as she tried to mimic an obnoxious pink pony she met before. As Q.C. continued her descent down the hill she remembered the last time she saw Cadance. "No, i can not let that happen again," she continued to think out loud, "I must get some like minded soul to help me on this conquest." She then thought of somepony and started to fly towards the snowy tundra outside of the Crystal Empire.

   Q.C. landed next to a dark spiked shard that was laying on the ground. "come back to this world, true ruler of the empire." she said as her magic surrounded the shard. A green mist covered a small amount of space Q.C. was in. A dark unicorn figure appeared among the mist.

[Kamil 315]

King Sombra let out a hiss as an unknown power invaded his prison. After years alone in the frozen wastes, such an interruption to his ceaseless plotting was unprecedented, if not unwelcome. Indeed, it was accompanied by a forceful pull and held a great deal of hostility, two things which Sombra could respect, and also a message which was respectful in turn. He saw no cause to resist, though he knew not what would be waiting.
           Brought from the magical depths of the black crystal, Sombra found before him a pony-shaped figure, bearing both wings and a horn but neither in a form which would be expected of an alicorn. He cared little though; nothing was so important as power, and power this creature had in excess. “Who is it that has drawn me from my prison?” he asked, serpentine voice hissing between prominent fangs. “Who is it that seeks my power?”

Edited March 6, 2013 by Kamil

[Rainbow Dash 1,472]

Q.C. bowed before the King. "Tis I, Queen of the Changeling Army. I brought you out to ask you to join in on my plans." She raised herself up and made eye contact with Sombra. He was more magnificent then she had thought. "You and I both share a common enemy and a common goal. I speak of course about ruling the Crystal Empire and doing away with that Cadance." 

[Kamil 315]

”Cadence…” growled the dark unicorn, face contorting into a scowl of hatred. ”The false queen…” Sombra focused his glare on the changeling queen. Even now, he still felt her power, rival to his own. ”I will not share my empire, but I will have my revenge.” Locking his gaze on the bright green eyes of the deceptive creature in front of him he continued, ”Enlighten me, Queen: what do you expect from this visit?”

[Rainbow Dash 1,472]

"Full of fire aren't you? Thats why i admire you so. I propose a partnership, as in you and me takeover the Empire. Together that is." Q.C. then showed the King a document. "See this? Cadance is weak after the loss of her husband. Now is the perfect time to take over." She then showed him a picture of the six ponies they both hated. "She is guarded by these vermin, or else i would have done this myself. I do have a plan though if you are willing to join me."

[Kamil 315]

Sombra seethed as the queen ignored his views on 'ruling together', but knew that such a chance could not be taken lightly. Less than a thought grasped the document and picture in his magic and brought them under his piercing gaze, a devious smile tugging his lips slightly as he tried to form his own plan, one without his tenuous ally. He knew, though, that even with the weakness of his mortal enemy her own allies would offer more than enough resistance to make his efforts risky at best. Lifting his eyes back to the changeling in front of him he brought his residual anger in check and stated with a grin instead, "Tell me your plan, partner, so that we may begin at once."

[Rainbow Dash 1,472]

Q.C. smiled and looked the King in the eyes. "I feed on love, and the more love there is the more power i get. Your job will be to steal the Crystal Heart. I suspect you should have no trouble with that. Hide it in my Lair; I will shape-shift and follow behind." Q.C. Gave Sombra a map to her lair that was in a snowy mountain.

[Kamil 315]

Sombra narrowly avoided overtly expressing his distaste for storing the Heart in this creature's lair. Anyone but him having the Artifact that could seal him away again was unacceptable in the long-term, but for now… He would simply have to develop his own leverage.

            Taking the map, Sombra carefully memorized the marked location, but kept the map with him anyway; one could not be too cautious when searching for a particular snowy mountain in a snowy mountain range. When he was done he gave a polite bow, careful to avoid the subservience familiar in the gesture when it was directed at him, and replied simply ”It will be done,” before vanishing in a dense cloud of black smoke.

 

 

 

Reappearing before the familiar archway marking the boundaries of his empire, now colored that abominable pink that they held while he wasn’t in power. He longed to return their darkness, but knew that doing so would only bring about his banishment once more. Instead, he recalled the technique he had used when first claiming his prize. It was simple, though he had not expected to need it the first time he escaped from banishment. Removing that memory from consideration, he began to concentrate instead on his magic, focusing it inward rather than outward as one normally does to use magic. As it retreated from permeating his entire body, his appearance shifted slightly as well, his horn beginning to lose its red tinge, his smoky mane coalescing into normal hairs. When he was done, he could hardly be distinguished from a normal pony, a concept that made him gag, though he could still be recognized easily by those who knew him. Such an act took a great deal of concentration to maintain, and was even physically painful, but it was necessary to traverse the empire safely while the hated Crystal Heart remained the source of the crystals’ power.

            Still, that would not be enough to fool the borders of the Heart’s cruel domain, where Sombra knew from experience that the enchantments were strongest. A short moment of yet more intense focus extracted a portion of the dark energies and began the arduous task of purifying it into the normal form. He remained bitter that a process he developed through years of study had been reversed by that accursed Twilight Sparkle on a whim all those years back… but such thoughts were ignored for the time. He cast the now bright wisp of magic in a strand to the crystal at the center of the gate, connecting them through a thin but effective bond, and began attuning himself to its power. This was even more hated than concealing his true, marvelous form, but just as necessary so he endured. Just as the power of the Heart threatened to encroach on the territory of the dark magic within, Sombra moved as quickly as he could without disturbing the complex spells he maintained, severing the bond immediately after passing between the upright crystals that marked the entrance.

            From there, the task was nearly simple. Although he had to endure constant pain to do so, Sombra could walk through the streets unhindered by the pervasive aura of the Heart and needed only to avoid mortal detection; an easy feat in the dead of night, his silted eyes providing superior vision in the darkness to avoid patrolling guards without trouble. No others were wandering the streets so late, and although the detours for avoiding guards caused a rather indirect route, he eventually came upon the castle tower. It seemed as though the new occupants had decided that his banishment and the Heart’s own power would be enough to keep him from this point, for there was no additional guard around the Heart’s altar. Sombra wished he could make a more thorough observation, but the moon was low in the sky and containing his power was yet more tedious than it had been when he first rose to become King. Cautiously stepping the final distance to his prize he kept constantly alert for any alarm when finally…

            He was there. The vile relic was close enough to touch. Rotating slowly in its place beneath the crystal spire, it reflected Sombra’s current visage and made him cringe. Now he would need to decide a new plan. Previously he had corrupted the Heart from here, taking over immediately and facing no worthwhile opposition, but as he had concluded before such a plan would end in failure with even the weakened princess here being able to defeat him in the state that he would be left in after forcing all his power into the receptacle. He could not use any other magic without releasing his magic and becoming subject to the Heart’s current power, which left him only one option.

            Carefully balancing on his hind legs for a moment, he grasped the Heart between his fore hooves and pulled it from its position. It put up some resistance, but came free easily. Sombra stared at it for a moment, astounded by the simplicity of the action and paying no attention to the cacophony that had instantly burst out all around him, and then began laughing a slow, malicious chuckle. He released his powers all at once and, gathering the pitch-black smoke around him once more, vanished just as several powerful bolts of magic struck the ground where he once stood.

[Rainbow Dash 1,472]

Meanwhile, Q.C. was getting ready to follow behind.She knew that she couldn't just waltz into the empire in her current form. She patrolled  around the outskirts of the crystal empire. After several minutes she spotted a guard who seemed to be on a break from his duties. She commanded one of her subjects to subdue him. From there she took on his form and made her way into the empire.

 Guards could be seen running around and yelling out commands. A familiar pony swooped down in front of her and commanded her to go to the center of  the empire. Q.C. tried her best not to break character and followed the orders. She made her way into the center of the empire where a large crowd gathered. Cadance was addressing the crowd of ponies and trying to keep her subjects calm. As soon as Q.C. ,who was still in the form of a guard, approached the crowd as Cadance asked her if she heard any news. "I received word that the King took the heart up in a mountain top." she said as Cadance thought to herself. Cadance ordered him and a couple of other guards to go after him. "I'm sorry your highness but the others said it's too dangerous. One of us was already taken by the King and we are no match for him. He seems to be more powerful since the last time." Q.C. and Cadance had a back and forth, exchanging ideas and coming up with a plan.

" It's settled then, a small group will journey to this mountain top and act as a recovery team." Princess Cadance hesitantly nodded her head in agreement. Q.C. continued, " They are to recover the artifact and avoid contact with the King at all costs. Now, who will be the volunteers?"

 

Delia looked around and saw a large amount of ponies. She was visiting the Crystal Empire for her pilgrimage for which she had nearly completed. She had no idea of this lands customs or traditions since she came from a little town just outside Saddle Arabia. Delia watched the guard as he asked for volunteers and thought it would be a nice way to finish up her Pilgrimage. "Mister Guard stallion. I shall volunteer myself for dis task!" She shouted. She blushed a little as she realized her heavy accent could be detected. The guard then pointed at her and said, "You are the first volunteer, i am appointing you the leader of this group." Delia bowed at the guard in her cultures way and stood at the ready as the guard looked for more volunteers.

[qqq 218]

"Hmm. This Crystal Empire isn't all it's cracked up to be."

 

Jolt slowly meandered about, paying no attention to the outside world. That was until he received a knock to the side from an unknown crystal pony.

 

"Hey! Watch it! What's with the panic?"

 

It was a wasted effort though. By the time that Jolt had finished his sentence, the pony had run somewhere else amidst the panic.

 

(OOC: Jolt's thoughts are in [square brackets])

 

[Ahh. May as well find out myself.]

[Demonic Soulz 483]

Flare walked around the Crystal Empire seeing crystal ponies runby him. "What the rush" Flare said as one of the crystal ponies past him but didnt answer his question. "Maybe i should go see for myself" Flare told him self as he continued onward twords the empire.

[dragon4111 914]

Draco hummed as he flew through the air. He finally got enough time off from his courier duties. He needed this break, now he was just flying toward the Crystal Empire. Draco noticed panic below and sighed "I knew I should have stayed in bed today," Draco said sarcasticly to himself. He landed gentlely near the ponies that were gathered"What's going on?"

[Demonic Soulz 483]

Flare made it to the empire and heard that they were taking volunteers but he didn't know what it was about. "Excuse me but i would like to volunteer" Flare said not knowing what hes getting himself into but he didn't care he just wanted to know what was happening and he wanted to help

[Rainbow Dash 1,472]

@, The Guard heard another Pony volunteer. "You, come up here. Say your name and  stand next to the other one." The guard's voice was loud and had a certain attention getting tone which was heard by everypony in the crowd. The Guard waited for the pony to stand next the other.

 

Delia was getting nervous. She had never heard a pony speak that way before. I wonder how my familie is doing. I hope they are all right. She wondered to herself as continued waiting.

[Demonic Soulz 483]

"My name is Flarebolt" Flare said as he stood next to the other pony. "I wonder what i got myself into this time" Flare said to himself as he waited for other ponies to volunteer but still wondered why ponies were panicking and why he even volunteered.

[dragon4111 914]

"Uh what is going on because I get the feeling I wasn't just invited here," Draco said as he looked around. Afew ponies had volenteered for something and with in his gut he knew something bad just happened. Draco sighed slightly as he raised his wings "I'll volenteer!" Draco said loud enough to catch some attention. He maybe a courier pony but he was more worldly than some of these ponies.

[Snowdream 221]

Summer Blossom heard all the commotion and trotted amoungst the panicking ponies, trying to find out what was wrong.

 

"I volunteer!" She said, addressing the guard, looking into his eyes.

 

'I wonder what I am getting myself into this time.' She thought looking around.

[Mightymags 1,053]

Pia strolled down the path watching her hooves as she was lost in yet another melody when she heard a noise that wasn't in her head this time. She noticed a large commotion up ahead on the path and ponies began to rush past. "I suppose now that my rhythm has been interrupted I should see what all the fuss is about." The ponies around her seemed too panicked to explain this fiasco so she followed the path towards the source of the commotion.  

[Rainbow Dash 1,472]

@@Snowdream, The Guard looked at the pony. "Say your name and stand next to the other two!" The Guard shouted as more ponies started to gather. " I need more volunteers for this! Who among you have what it takes to do this?" the Guards voice carried on. Cowards, i need more ponies for this to work! the Guard thought.

[aRegularPony 306]

Goldseek looked around at what was going on. He sighed. Why could he never just have a holiday that didn't lead to adventure. Nonetheless, he had no reason not to volunteer for this task, whatever it may be. "I request to be a volunteer!" His hoof rose, signifying it was him talking, and he walked over to the guard.

[Snowdream 221]

@@Snowdream, The Guard looked at the pony. "Say your name and stand next to the other two!" The Guard shouted as more ponies started to gather. " I need more volunteers for this! Who among you have what it takes to do this?" the Guards voice carried on. Cowards, i need more ponies for this to work! the Guard thought.

Summer Blossom slowly walked up to the the other two ponies, standing next to them.

 

"My name is Summer Blossom." She said loud and clearly.

 

" I need more volunteers for this! Who among you have what it takes to do this?" The guard called out.

 

more and more ponies were approaching due to the comotion that was going on.

[dragon4111 914]

@DashiesInsaneProtector

Draco flew forward and stood infront of the gaurd He looked him into the eyes "I volunteer," Draco said "I'm Draco O'maly," Draco said as he stood next to Summer Blossom. He sighed  just once just once will he ever get a normal vacation. But his papa always taught him to help others out. He might even get rewarded for this.

[Rainbow Dash 1,472]

@, The Guard looked at the pony. "tell me your name and stand with the rest." The Guard said as he was approached by another pony. 

 

@@dragon4111, "good, you are smart enough to know the drill. I like that." The Guard said as he smirked at Draco a little.

 

The guard looked at those who were lined up. Still not enough. i think i need 2 or 4 more. The Guard thought. 

 

 

Delia waited patiently as more and more ponies started to stand next to her. This is strange, we never wait this long in my homeland. such strange customs these pony folk have. She thought.

[Mightymags 1,053]

As Pia grew closer to the center of the commotion she heard the guard calling for volunteers and noticed a few ponies standing near him. Well, I'm running low on inspiration for new pieces, this might be a welcome creative break. 

 

She walked up to the guard and timidly announced: "My name is Piacevole, I'd like to volunteer" 

[aRegularPony 306]

"Goldseek." He sighed and stood next to the rest of the ponies who had volunteered. This had better be important. It was right after his holiday and he didn't feel like dying after taking time off. All he could do now is wait until enough ponies volunteered, which he was unsure of the number.