open Steam Punk Revolution: The Fall of an Empire, and Rise of a Tyrant! (RP THREAD)

[Solar Wind 596]

Link to OOC:http://mlpforums.com/topic/65151-steam-punk-revolution-the-fall-of-an-empire-and-rise-of-a-tyrant/#entry1606505

 

 

The dark clouds overheard rumbled threateningly. It didn't matter. It never rained anymore, but still there was water. Some say it was the last bit of magic in the land, others say it comes from extremely large aquifers, able to pump out limitless amounts of water from other places in the world. Places that were less tainted. 

 

Solar Wind was quiet. To his left he saw the broken abandoned buildings of what used to be, a town called Ponyville. Apparently a long time ago it was home to the Six Ponies who held the Elements of Harmony.

Sadly, that was hundreds of years ago. The elements were taken away and executed, or that's what the rumor was. Solar Wind didn't believe it. Anyone the Terracotta captured was publicly beheaded in front of Canterlot castle, the palace of the Terracotta warlords. 

 

Solar Wind slipped into an old building that was more or less still standing. He had a long dark traveling cloak on as he slipped it off his brass prosthetic leg gleamed It was his right leg, taken from him as a child by a Terracotta soldier wielding a mighty Sword. If it wasn't for his skill in engineering he would have died. Ponies with all four legs often died young, in this era. A parentless colt with only three legs and no home, was sure to die.

 

But here he was. The old ponyville bakery. Dust layered the room and spiderwebs were everywhere. 

 

Solar just sighed, it was time. This is the place where all the head revolutionaries were to meet up, and the beginning for their legendary rebellion.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Ghaoth Oiche sighed as he entered the place where the revolutionaries were to meet. He was no fighter, but this was his only chance at ever knowing true freedom. When someone like him felt the need to take up arms, there must really be something wrong with the world. Indeed, it was hard to see anything right with the world as it was now. So he would fight, and die if necessary, because even if he himself could never taste true freedom, he didn't want this life to be shared by future generations.

[Minath Khalsi 195]

Minath had her cloak draped generously over her form, making her no more than a rock among the rubble. A moving rock, creeping stealthily to the bakery where the rebel leaders where to meet. She flew up to what used to be the second floor to evaluate the incoming arrivals. She cast her cloak over herself, making herself blend into the structure. A very good plan, overall. If somepony looked up and focused, they might spot her. But ponies rarely ever looked up.

[Strawberry Jam 2]

Jam walked with her head low to the ground, stepping over the rubble that littered the streets and moving through the shadows that were all to common in this abandoned town. She had heard whispers that there were a group of revolutionaries working to bring down the evil forces that governed their land, and Jam wanted to join them. She saw the remains of the Ponyville bakery and slipped inside, her knife held out in front of her.

[Flying Ace 142]

Ace was leaping from roof to roof to get to the bakery, his metal braces giving a light clank as he ran along. He glanced around to make sure he was still going in the right direction. With a smile he saw the roof of the building and with a run jumped though an open window and landed causing the floorboards to creak a little. "And that's an awesome landing" Ace said to himself.

[Solar Wind 596]

Solarwind smiled as he saw the four enter the bakery.

 

"Welcome, so that makes three of us. Four if you count the one sneaking around on the roof. Solar had heard Mintha land he sat down on the cold stone body of a Terracotta spy he had caught lurking around the town. "His figure was huge and hulking, one hand still clutched a gargantuan spear, his face lay in a shocked position. The most shocking feature was the massive hole in his chest Solar had punched using his artificial hoof.

 

"This one was lurking on the outskirts of town. I couldn't find any others but I doubt we need to worry. He's from the Ghal'Di clan, and they are not one to work with the emperor. Still I hope the others don't run into trouble..."

 

He pulled out a small flask and took a swig. It was hard cider just to give him an edge for the meeting.

 

He was in a good mood to see three of his friends still alive. He sensed the rest were entering the village as clouds of dust started to appear. Even the slightest movement can stir it up, meaning the others were well and moving towards the bakery

[BlackShardNixium 277]

Silvia was hard pressed to enter the building, no matter what lay inside. Slowly, cautiously, she made her way towards the entrance, bright eyes flickering from its old, delapidated state, to the softly rumbling sky. At least the darkness made good cover, and that alone made her more relaxed.

She was wearing an old cloak and hat that had been given to her at the start of her journey there, along with a brown, leathery satchel with all the neccissary items she'd need, including her Halberd.

Now or never... she thought, before promptly entering the bakery.

[Strawberry Jam 2]

Jam stared, horrified, at the hulking figure of the deceased Terracotta. 'So that's the creature that enslaved my sister' she thought. She looked up at the other ponies who were standing around the monster. She smiled at them, trying to familiarise herself with her new allies. Jam realised that she was still holding her dagger, and dropped it on the floor hastily. 

[Minath Khalsi 195]

Minath was listening in, and mentally cringed when Solarwind mentioned her. she thought she was being stealthy. She jumped down from her perch next to the other ponies, her axe reflecting the dim light source.

 

She stayed to the back, the hood of her cloak covering her horn and the rest of the cloak covering her wings, which were now twitching uncontrollably under the cloak. Thankfully nopony could notice under the thick draping.

[Flying Ace 142]

Ace walked down the stairs into the main room, ah it's nice to see some familiar faces. Ace thought to himself. "Hello everypony, so you guys are the other head Revolutionaries. Nice to see you all." Ace said his smile not faulting even though the atmosphere was gloomy.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

If Ghaoth was perfectly honest with himself, he had to admit that he found the way Solarwind acted so casually around a dead body, even using it as if it were furniture, more than a little disturbing. Not to mention the size of the hole he had punched in it was... impressive, to say the least.

[BlackShardNixium 277]

The moment Silvia stepped through the threshold, she battled with the instinct to turn around and walk out the door. The corpse of a dead Terracotta was on the floor, possibly a straggler, or a mere foot soldier. Nonetheless, she was instantly uneasy.

What if others come looking for it? she thought warily.

She scanned the room, eyeing the other revolutionaries.

[Solar Wind 596]

"Don't worry about the soldier, he's long gone now. However, if you find the act of mercilessly ending their life displeasing in any way, I suggest you leave and forget about everything you saw here." He glanced at Silvia noting the look of nervousness on her face.

 

He was glad to see everyone had managed to come inside without being spotted. Ponyville was in the middle of three major Terracotta camps and there was only one direction to enter the city safely. The Ghal'Di to the north were the less dangerous of the kind, although they would still attack a wayward pony on sight. To the east were Mai'Ken they created powerful magical artifacts and weapons for the royal army. And to the south lay the most vicious of all. The Mera'kwon. Horrible beings and dogs of the military that were the royal familys foot soldiers. And getting caught by any of them would be game over for the revolutionaries.

 

Ghal'Di would most definitely eat the ponies, being savage and dumb. 

 

Mai'Ken would be one of the worst, the unicorns would be milked for their magic, slowly drained of their life force without mercy. and anything else slaughtered for ingredients in ancient blood rituals, and medicines.

 

Mera'Kwon would take pride in such high revolutionaries. Selling their heads to the government after forcing them to compete in brutal blood sport. 

 

In short it was a damn good thing no one got caught.

 

"Before we start this meeting, does anyone have any concerns they would like to voice?" 

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@,

 

Ghaoth wasn't sure if it was really wise, but he decided to speak up. "Um... I don't object to killing them, I understand that it's necessary. But the way you're treating that body... it just seems terribly disrespectful, and I don't think it's right. Even if they're our enemies." 

[Minath Khalsi 195]

Minath kept her head down, and practically jumped when Ghaoth spoke. But her body still stayed as motionless as the Terracotta underneath Solarwind.

 

'Shut up you idiot, that's not for us to decide. It's not our fault if his 'disrespectful' actions get himself killed.' Minath thought to herself.

[Solar Wind 596]

@@Alex Kennedy,

 

Solarwind jabbed at the body underneath him with his metal hoof knocking a piece of stone from the Terracottas rock-hard mane.

 

"After I blew this hole in his chest, I noticed something. Perphaps you should take a closer look at his face."

 

Solarwind grabbed the soldiers body and slammed it onto the table. He twisted the creatures neck around to face Ghaoth.

 

Around his mouth was wet blood. "He was out hunting, and he had found something to eat. It's pony blood, but for whatever reason he didn't take his catch back to the Ghal'Di encampment, most likely because it was too small and he wouldn't get a large enough portion for himself. And in case you didn't know the slave camps of the Ghal'Di have holes, not big ones but small enough where a Filly could squeeze through and possibly get away. On any note, I will not show respect to a creature foul enough to devour another living being raw, even if it wasn't a child the act of eating anothers loved one to me, is unforgivable."

 

He placed the body gently onto the floor, and bowed his head to Ghaoth. 
 

"I apologize for the disrespect. Thank you for letting me know. It won't happen again, Ghaoth."

[The Swedish Brony 153]

As the gray clouds razed across the skies of Equestria, an earth pony wearing a gear-covered red top-hat, was making his way into what once was known as the town of Ponyville. As he carefully navigated between the old buildings, he repeatedly checked his pocket watch to see the time. The name of the pony was Copper Lock, adventurer, smuggler and owner to one of the few airships not belonging to the wretched terracotta. 

 

He was on his way to a meeting that might be crucial for the future of the pony race and the reason behind his constant watch watching, was that he might be late for it. "It would be just typical wouldn't it. One of the few things that might do something about this and I'm late for it. Great work Copper!"

 

But as he scolded himself, he once again he found himself thinking about the "Bellarose", the airship that meant more to him than any of his other possessions. "I hope none of them damned Terras' find her" And once again, he told himself that it was securely hidden and nopony would find it.

 

And then before him was what he was looking for. The meeting place of this rebellion. "And there already seems to be somepony there. Great! I'm late" He took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping inside the old house.

[Dsanders 5,750]

Orion was slowly making his way into what remained of what was once ponyville. He knew that he had his wings to fly, but his steam engine was so damn loud that nearby windows would shatter if he were to take off. He knew he had to make some modifications to his mechanical wings but he didn't have any time for that at the moment.

 

So slowly and carefully he trotted through the old once beloved town. He was beginning to feel hopeless as he felt like his was the last of ponykind that was free from the slavery and the torture of the inhumane and malevolent Terra's. He had only last his once strong band of survivors and rebels a week ago and since then, he's been a nomad. Travelling from city to city, carefully quietly and slowly, avoiding flight because the sound of his engines would attract terra's from every corner of the nations. Plus, he knew he would be valuable. He possessed the keen knowledge and engineer intellect that the Terra's could use for their own selfish and ill-intent purposes.

 

He was scared, hopeless, and very careful. 

 

But then he heard a noise, his ears immediately perked up.

 

What was that? He thought to himself. He tried listening more carefully.

 

The noise came from what appeared to be an old partially broken drown bakery just around the corner from where he was at. And noise began to sound more like voices, a variety of different voices in which chatter was a midst. His first initial thought was that it could of been the terra's. He decided to carefully trot over there and look through the windows to take a closer look.

 

There were ponies! Still alive and not enslaved  so it appeared. He eyes widened even more when he picked up the mentionings of "Meeting" , "Terracottas" , and "Killing" in their conversation.

 

He took a moment to piece the conversation together before coming down to his own conclusion.

 

Their revolutionaries! He thought excitedly.

 

He then breathed in deeply before walking in the old bakery.

 

"Hello. Pardon me, I am Orion Skies. I quite frankly shocked to see survivors on such risky grounds. Forgive me if I am mistaken, but I overheard you guys mentioning something about meeting. Is this meeting for revolutionaries??

[Minath Khalsi 195]

@,

 

Minath wasn't sure if she had the right to answer the pony, so she turned a stone-cold gaze on him, just her eyes reflecting light under her hood.

 

"Who is it that wishes to know?" She said, in a steely voice. If this pony proved to be a fellow revolutionary, he could prove useful.

[Dsanders 5,750]

@,

 

"Okay I see how it is, I ask who all you of are exactly, and now the spotlight has been apparently turned on to me." Orion replied with a slight smirk on his face. "Well first off, I asked you a question first, but since I'm the one who has 'intruded' on your 'meeting', I see it is only fair if I explain myself first. 

 

"My name as I have already mentioned is Orion Skies. I am 20 years old and I came here from a group of revolutionaries from Fillydephia...at least, what was a group of revolutionaries anyways. My whole group was ambushed just a week ago while out in hiding by those damn Terracottas and I barely made it out of there alive. 

 

Honestly though, I didn't deserve that luck.

 

I felt horrible for abandoning them, but they have before told me that in such a dire situation, the best and only option is to save yourself and keep on moving.

 

I had to travel since, carefully passing by each and every town I can, looking for survivors, but I had found no success...until this day.

 

Look, I don't know any of you guys and obviously I'm quite the stranger myself, but I can tell you this, we are all ponies, and not just any pony, but survivors, and for all I know, we're the only true pony survivors left. The most logical way we can have a chance at surviving through all this is if we all stick together. I would know, I was a revolutionary myself until that wretched ambush...

 

And if you guys are indeed revolutionaries, it would be of a great honor to join you all. For I'd love to take back everything that those damn Terracottas took..."

 

After he spoke, he smiled and spoke back to the pony he had just answered.

 

"I answered your question. Now can you answer mine?"

Edited July 4, 2013 by Dsanders17

[Minath Khalsi 195]

@,

 

Minath still wasn't going to put her faith in somepony without proof.

 

"If you're a revolutionary, so me your scars. Nopony can battle Terras completely unscathed forever." Minath said, and gave Orion a skeptical look.

 

'Good job me, that actually is a nice test.' She thought to herself.

[Dsanders 5,750]

@,

 

I'm impressed at your boldness, for my observations tell me that you aren't usually like this. But I guess if my words are not enough for you, then I have no other choice. You want proof, then so be it."

 

He lifted the front of his mane to reveal four long red scars, stretched across his forehead. "These were from about a year ago, when I was, as always, trying to protect my fellow revolutionaries from those damn Terracottas, despite their insistence for me to leave. I was clawed...badly as you can see."

 

"And if that's not enough for you, then I'll show you more."

 

He carefully unlatched his folded-up mechanical wings and equipment from his back and mid-section. They fell with a hard thud. The sides of his body were now exposed, revealing two deep gaping wounds appearing on both sides of his torso. 

 

"I was stabbed straight through all the metal in case you haven't noticed the holes. This happened on the same day my group was ambushed.....and finally done for, just a week ago. I didn't want to leave them, but seeing the circumstances, and as much as it hurt me, I knew the day would have eventually come. While trying to protect my friends, I was mortally stabbed all the way through. The only reason I have survived this long is because my metal vest covering it has been protecting it from infection."

 

Orion then picked up his vest with the mechanical wings and the rest of his equipment and strapped it around his back again. His head was down. He was completely despondent and emotionally dead at that point.

 

"It's horrible you know. How cruel and savage they are...how inhumane. I lost all my revolutionaries. They were my very best friends, and one of them was a mare, a beautiful mare. In fact....she was my special somepony."

 

Orion lifted up his head and directed his eyes at the mare who had been questioning him, giving her the best eye contact he possibly could.

 

"I-I'm done talking, so if you guys still won't tell me who the hell you all are, then I'll just be on my way.

Edited July 4, 2013 by Dsanders17

[Minath Khalsi 195]

@,

 

Minath made eye contact with Solarwind, as if asking permission to answer him. She turned to Orion, and spoke.

 

"Yes, we are revolutionaries. Although it hasn't been fully clarified what the one gathering us has planned." She eyed Solarwind, studying him before continuing.

 

"And if you would like to see my scars to prove myself, I would oblige. It's the least I owe for disrespecting you."

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@,@,

 

Ghaoth turned to the two of them. "If you two are done having your own private meeting, I believe we have more important things to do than compare scars. And anyway, we're hardly in a position to turn down help, so just let him in so we can move on. I don't see how he's any less trustworthy than the rest of us anyway." 

[Durandal 623]

Empyrean twitched with anticipation as she approached the rubble of Ponyville. This was it - she had heard of this meeting for some time now, and was itching to get in one it. She had the motivation and the skills to help, they couldn't possibly reject her!

 

But, she thought, what if it's a ploy? The thought had been eating at her since she had caught wind of the movement. What if it was all a ploy to enslave any rebelling ponies? Or, or what if it was all set up by the ruling Terracotta clan to increase its power through round-about ways! The possibilities of deceit were certainly high indeed, but didn't she have to take a chance?

 

Of course she had to! Even if she ended up in a trap, she'd fight her way out! She had to, after all - she couldn't fathom being taken back into slavery, and on top of that, she'd enjoy it. Even if she didn't kill any Terracotta, at least she'd die knowing she did all she could to slaughter them. They deserved it.

 

But now was not the time to think of that. She had to observe this meeting to ensure it was legitimate. If nothing happened, she'd join, but if something did happen... Well, she'd have to find another group, sadly, and it wasn't like they advertised!

 

Entering the 'town', Empyrean slowed to a quiet hovering, sticking to the shadows the ruins cast on the ground for cover. As she approached the mentioned meeting place, she realized that someone else was nearby - a yellow stallion, to be exact. Watching as the stallion clumsily introduced himself, Empyrean used the time to dart towards the back, using the shadows to hide her cautious approach to a window on the second floor. Entering, she slowly came to halt. Looking down at the floor in disgust, Empyrean struggled.

 

It's just the second floor, Empyrean. Not the actual ground but... But attached to it. By several feet! It's fine, Empyrean, it's in the air! Think of it like a cloud above the house. Now, slowly lower yourself...

 

Empyrean's gloves slowly reached for the ground, however stopped short. Jerking back up, she silently hissed at the floorboards.

 

It'll touch the leather, Empyrean, not your hooves! It's-s fine, now come on... On three. One... Two...

 

Empyrean finally made contact with the floor, slowly allowing gravity to slow her descent. She had succeeded in not making any sound, however her disgust with the floor had caused her to drown out the conversation downstairs. By the time she had begun listening, the two ponies were in a discussion about scars.

 

Oh, they're comparing scars! Maybe that's how you get in on it! I'll just have to show my legs and I'll pass with flying colors! She thought, grinning from ear to ear. Realizing that she was here to observe, however, she quickly snapped out of it. I'm supposed to be serious.

 

Carefully making her way to a crack in the floor, she peaked into the floorboards, trying to see who was present.

 

Below her were about six different ponies. Besides the presence of a dead... Thing, in the middle of the floor, Empyrean noticed that there was an alicorn present. That's certainly suspicious, Empyrean thought, inspecting the alicorn. Alicorns are rare, surely they'd be trailing him or something... Or he works for them!

 

Trying her best not to move, she continued watching, listening to the conversation at hand. Hopefully they wouldn't catch her, though she expected the alicorn had his ways. Perhaps it was for the best!