private Land of Shadows

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

((OOC: 600th post! ))

 

@

 

As the white light faded from around Red's body. DJ heard a voice behind him. "You friend should be fully recovered in a few minutes now." As he turned, he saw a tall, regal alicorn standing behind him, her rainbow coloured hair flowing gently in the morning breeze.

 

"Princess Celestia!" DJ cried. What was she doing here?

Edited August 13, 2013 by DJ-BRONI3

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling was still entrenched by the light that emanated from Red. When the light subsided, he could hear a voice... It was Princess Celestia, the most royal of ponies one could ever imagine... He had made acquaintance with Princess Luna, already a huge honour, but to see Princess Celestia face to face as well? It more than made up for all that happened at the wedding reception. Sterling turned around and had to shield his eyes with fear that he would be blinded by the princess, the light's source.

 

He heard the good news that Red would be fine. But... how was this the case? What was happening. Why did Red lay there in the first place? Sterling had so many questions left unanswered... he wanted to get to them all, but the dominating thought on his mind was whether Red would really get up... his heart had stopped beating, the most glaring signs of death. How could it just rumble back to life? He had seen stranger, including that of his own survival story, so he mustered up his faith and waited anxiously for Red to rise from the ashes...

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

***

 

Red walked up to the large barn, where Applejack's birthday party was being held, holding a present in his mouth for her. When they arrived, Red placed the present into the massive pile, and proceeded to play pony games with everypony else. Of course, Applejack made every effort to be on Red's team whenever she had the chance. When cake time rolled around, everypony dove in. It was a delicious apple flavored cake, and it tasted exactly as Red remembered it. Despite this, something didn't feel right. The memory of the event was crystal clear, but Red knew that his feelings were not the same as they really were that day. He felt... awkward being with Applejack. Of course, that could probably be reflected on the fact that he really didn't know how he felt for her. It was then time to open presents, and when it finally came to Red's gift, she opened it up, and her eyes lit up at the sight of it: a brand new lasso! She sprung up and hugged her, but, unlike what really happened, Red didn't return the hug. He merely pushed her away, but smiled. This gave the small filly a frown, but didn't stop her from being overjoyed at what Red Talon gifted her with. Just then, however, the dream began to fade, becoming engulfed in a bright light.

Ignorance... ignorance and stubbornness

Those words continued to resonate until Red found himself fully awake, staring Princess Celestia straight in the face.

"P... Princess?" Red asked in astonishment, "Wha... what happened?!"

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

As DJ stood there, surprised by what was going on, Red awoke. Celestia turned to him and smiled. "You are safe now. You were cursed by a dark and powerful magic, that few are able to counter. Now, before I explain, I must ask. Where is your friend, Evening Crimson? I cannot speak with you all without her."

 

@@Budding Night

Edited August 13, 2013 by DJ-BRONI3

[Inactive01 5,299]

 

It seemed like an eternity for Sterling. In his tattered tuxedo he waited and waited for Red to get up. Just then, he could see Red shaking his head and then pushing himself back in shock at the sight of Princess Celestia! He was relieved that Red was fine! However, at the next instant, Sterling's face returned to a deep frown. He was cursed?! On his wedding day of all days?! Why did these things have to happen to him?! Sterling shouted in frustration,

 

"Cursed?! How can it be so?! Why do these things always have to happen to us?! For all I know, I'M probably the curse!"

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

Neon sat by Red silently, thinking about what had happened last night. She thought about how herself and the others must not have vary good luck, first a ship wreck now this! Just like the ship wreck everypony was having fun, but so fast everything started going wrong. Neon saw that for some reason...Red's body seemed to be glowing "Whats happening?" She asked. Then she heard somepony behind her, when she turned to look she saw Princess Celestia. Before Neon could fully process what she had said she turned back to see Red awake "Red! Are you okay?" Neon asked, still confused by everything going on

[Zhooves 843]

@@Steel Accord,@,  

Hearing Steel's words, he sighed. "Oh... That is... Bad..." he said, seeming to loosen up a little as Steel nuzzled him.

Trying to open his tired eyes once again, he saw a little bit of how everything looked empty - that was, until he was completely blinded by the light coming from Red, and later on a new voice, as well as a new light that almost shone though his eyelids.

"Aoh... What is this... Who der?"

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

@Sterling Crimson

@Zhooves

@Steel Accord



@PinkieShyFlutterPie

@Pripyat Pony

 

"Neon..." Red responds, "I'll... I'll be fine..."

He was just trying to get back up on his feet, feeling weak and groggy. He managed to stand up straight, although it was rather painful to do so. Red then turns to Princess Celestia, bowing on the ground before her.

"Thank you... your highness..." Red says to her, "Is... everypony else okay?"

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Clover bowed before Princess Celestia, feeling suddenly shy. After all, it was the Princess who would be granting her the honour of becoming an alicorn sometime in the future, tho she didn't know when it would be and was too shy to ask. Somehow, it was easier to speak with Twilight than with Celestia, even tho both were Princesses.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Steel prostrated himself before Celestia, North still upon his back.

 

"Your Majesty." He began. "Allow me a moment of thanks for granting me the opportunity to prove myself to you. This foe though . . . Let's just say I have my misgivings about our ability to effectively combat it."

[Budding Night 1,043]

@

 

The princess was here. In person. Cryptic wanted to disappear and stay out of the way until she was gone, but it was too late, she had already addressed her. She nervously pushed up her glasses and inhaled deeply
"Uh.." she said "Evening is.. unavailable, at the moment" It wasn't technically true, but it wasn't a lie either. It would have to stan, for now, that is. The filly had another thing on her mind that she wanted to say, but she kept it.  Just saying that one sentence, those six words were dangerous in this case. The Princess might be about to 'sniff her out', or atleast thats what she'd been told.

Edited August 14, 2013 by Budding Night

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

@@Steel Accord

@@Budding Night

 

When Steel spoke, the Princess smiled at him. "Do no worry. You will have your chance to prove yourself, and I know you will succeed." The Princess turned to look at Cryptic again, her face now filled with worry. "Unavailable? We must go to her if she is in trouble. I fear that without her, we will be in danger. You must all be here to discuss this with me, for it is of utmost importance. We may have already delayed too long!"

[Love*Potion 575]

Kismet was now among the ponies in the group, however with all the commotion, no pony seemed to notice her. She wasn't surprised, after all, with all these supernatural occurrences a small lavender mare was probably the last thing on their minds. Kismet tried to help, or at least make herself useful, when suddenly, Princess Celestia appeared!

 

Kismet instinctively dropped her front legs down into a bow. She had never met a princess before, let along the most royal of them all! Yet here she was, not even 10 feet away. Kismet looked up toward the Princess, listening to every word she had to say. She spoke of Evening, which made Kismet's heart heavy.

 

"Where could she be?" Kismet worried. 

 

It seemed as though the princess had revived the red stallion, evidently named "Red", and he regained consciousness. Kismet was amazed, but remained quiet. She wanted to watch this scene play out, perhaps it could lead her to where Evening is....

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Clover was worried now about Evening. She didn't like that word that Cryptic used. She turned and said, "We ought to go find Evening at once. If she's hurt, I might be able to help her. I brought some spell books I've recently worked on, and they're in my hotel room."

[Budding Night 1,043]

@

@@Pripyat Pony

 

Cryptic's stomach boiled with worry and disharmony, these ponies were obviously way too worried about Evening for her to say she was simply unavailable.

"No, no" she said quickly and as calmly as she could to the two ponies "Evening is fine, shes just.. resting, is all. She got bowled pretty hard by those shadows last night." she tensed up, well, brilliant. That was just going to make them worry more

 

"I can go get her if you'd like, your majesty, though I fear she will not be too strong to do anything much at all." she offered to Princess Celestia. She was surprised at how well she was doing this, she was more than happy that she wasn't nearly yelling and 'Um'ing so much. Still, she nearly face-hoofed at her last sentence. That would get them even more worried, especially poor that Sterling.

[Inactive01 5,299]

@Budding Night

 

After Sterling finished his rant about life in general, he could hear Cryptic trying to speak, albeit nervously about Evening. Too weak to do anything at all? Did the shadows really hurt her? The question only made Sterling all the more worried about his new wife and corroborated his feelings of disdain towards the world around him. He couldn't understand at all... why did this have to happen to him? He could only wait on and on before Evening could be reached. He HAD to hear what Princess Celestia had to say. He HAD to get Evening here, no matter the circumstances. He spoke desperately to Crypric,

 

"Well why don't you get Evie now? We need to hear what Princess Celestia has to say! You heard her! We don't have time for any shenanigans!"

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Blue Note was both relieved and shocked to see Princess Celestia. There was no immediate threat now. She hastily bowed when it occurred to her she was mere yards away from the princess. She had seen Celestia from afar plenty of times, as was normal for anypony growing up in Canterlot, but had never been this close.

 

Blue Note supposed Celestia wanted all eight of Equestria's most recent heroes before she explained what was going on, and what the ponies were to do. "Hopefully, I can get to safety..." The pony that claimed to know Evening's location was acting suspiciously, in her opinion. There was a slight inconsistency in her answers. "Certainly they won't just trust her to get Evening on her own? Evening can't be both fine and too weak to move. And why only say she was unavailable?" 

 

Rarely did Blue Note trust other ponies. Over the years, she had come to discover that nearly everypony had only their own interests at heart. At least assuming the worst left her prepared for almost anything. "Almost..." Her gaze involuntarily wandered over to Sterling, but she quickly forced it back to the ground.

Edited August 14, 2013 by lincolnshirepony

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

@@Budding Night

 

"Yes, I think it would be best if you brought her here," Celestia replied. "I fear we cannot waste much time, as time is very short." DJ was getting a little worried, as the Princess' urgency suggested something was terribly wrong. He just hoped whatever it was could be sorted out, and fast...

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

@Sterling Crimson

@Zhooves

@Steel Accord



@PinkieShyFlutterPie

@Pripyat Pony

 

"Evening is unavailable?!" Red asked in shock, "Then where the hell is she?!" He was clearly starting to panic, something he rarely did lest the circumstances were right (or wrong).

"Celestia, what do we do?!" Red Talon almost shouted. He never felt quite this much fear in himself for quite some time. Where was Evening? What did Celestia need her for?

 

(Sorry to all Unexpected Trip RPers, I accidentally put up the wrong "mention list")

Edited August 14, 2013 by Joey Slowgano

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

"I think that would be best," Clover said. "I will not believe that Evening is alright til I have seen her." She was looking very anxious; Clover was worried about Evening and also about Sterling. She went up to him.

 

"Sterling, are you alright? I'm starting to worry about you. I'm sure that Cryptic will go and fetch Evening, soon."

[Inactive01 5,299]

 

Sterling heard Clover, worried about his sanity. He could pretend to be fine, but his continual circular pace made that an unlikely possibility. He snapped at Clover, angered at the whole situation,

 

"Of course I'm not alright! Evie's off somewhere, probably Nowhere Land! And Cryptic here's being cryptic as is! Why doesn't she bring Evie out NOW?! The situation is worsening every second we wait! Can you hear this Cryptic?! GET EVIE NOW!!!

 

Sterling was still walking around the browned grass. The scene around Central Park was becoming unbearable. Nonetheless, he was able to see other ponies emerge from the ashes... among them were some of his friends from the University of Manehattan. Sterling could see that they were shocked by his tirade... Two of the ponies, Chemm Blonde and Erlen Meyer, approached Sterling with a very concerned look. One was a mare with a blonde mane and a darkened yellow body. The other was a stallion with a dark green body and braces. They were both among Sterling's close friends, one of the few ponies who truly cared about Sterling in his university days. Chemm and Erlen spoke to Sterling with caution,

 

"Sterling. There is no use in shouting like this. We're all just as frustrated as you are. We know that your wedding out of all weddings was crashed through no fault of your own. So don't go cursing yourself saying you're the curse! There must be other things involved that are out of your control! We've been hurt by the shadows as well, and some of the ponies passed away because of them! Be thankful you still have friends now!"

 

Sterling heard them carefully. It was a hard pill to swallow, but Sterling conceded. For now. It really was no use to continue his tirade, but the fact Evie was still missing was still glaring at his face. Sterling gave a sigh of defeat and silently walked away from Chemm, Erlen, and Clover towards the Princess. Maybe when Evie came back he could hear what Princess Celestia had to say to him...

[Budding Night 1,043]

@@Sterling Crimson
 
After Sterlings mean words towards her, Cryptic could feel her eyes swelling up, she was in big danger of crying, she was only a filly, and a fragile one at that.
 
"I-I'm sorry" she whispered sadly "I-I'm just trying t-to keep her safe an-an-and..." she couldn't handle it. Cryptic turned and ran away as fast as she would dare, her tears and curly mane streaming behind her. The leaf tornado picked up again as Cryptic turned straight towards it, picking up quickly. The filly ran straight into the tornado as it started to make a mix between a ripping noise and the sound of a strong wind. The leaves fell, revealing nothing of Cryptic's being there apart from the smallest tear on a petal of the butterfly bush.
 
~~~
 
It was the sound of water boiling that woke her up, but she kept her eyes closed. Evening took instant aware of her surroundings she could configure; she could feel soft cushions underneath her, she could hear water boiling and she could smell soft smoke that, from her guess, came from a fireplace. The mares head was still sore after the first and second time of the voices in her head. As she heard quiet hoof steps come closer, she groaned and attempted to open her heavy eyelids..
 
What she saw was a creamy white ceiling and a old-fashioned lampshade. She didn't dare move her head at all, she didn't want to risk anything.
"Oh, you're awake" said a voice. She turned her head the tiniest bit to the side to see Cryptic male friend standing there. He a nice, light brown coat and dark brown, shaggyish hair, but the thing that stood out about him was his eyes. They were such a deep brown, you literally couldn't see his pupil, just a big pool of a gorgeous deep brown. His name.. Tamarau, was it?

 

He was holding a steaming mug light green mug in one hoof "I made you some hot chocolate" Tama smiled, he had a nice smile, lots of teeth but showed lots of happiness. The little pegasus colt looked only a bit older than Cryptic.

"Thanks" Evening said, weakly smiling. She sat herself up slowly and took the mug that was being offered to her. She held it in two hooves and brought it up close to her nose, giving it a sniff, and dear Celestia did it smell delicious, the smell of the chocolate and sugar smelt amazing.

 

She took a sip and leaned her head back, looking up at the roof "Oh my Celestia, this is delicious" she said pleasurably, Tama laughed. She hadn't particularly noticed it before, but he had quite a high voice for a pony at his age, it was even it tiny bit higher than what Cryptic's was. Tama seemed like an incredibly fun and friendly person, she was happy Cryptic had him.

Edited August 16, 2013 by Budding Night

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Sterling Crimson,

 

Clover turned away. She was very hurt by Sterling snapping at her, altho she could see that he was worried. She just wished that there was something she could do to help, but all they were doing at the moment was standing around the Princess, waiting for Evening.

 

As other ponies appeared from the ashes and wreckage, Clover was surprised to see a friend of hers from Trottingham. "Ruby!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

 

Ruby bounced up. She was an earth pony, with light grey fur and an orange mane and tail. Her cutie mark was a magnifying glass, which meant that she was good at finding things. Clover and her friends had rescued Ruby from death in the time looped town of Sunny Town. After the curse was broken, neither Ruby or her mother Mitta had wanted to stay there, so they had come back with Clover and the others to Trottingham. Mitta had started a daycare, and Ruby had gone to school with Clover and the others. Later, Ruby had started her own agency to find things and other ponies.

 

She smiled at Clover. "I was here on a job, when these weird shadowy ponies appeared," she replied. "I was a bit worried at first, but they didn't seem to be attacking anypony. They reminded me of... well, you know."

 

Clover nodded. "Yeah, the zombie ponies at your old home," she said. "But the townsponies were cured of that when we broke the curse. They surely can't have come back!"

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

@@Sterling Crimson,

 

Clover turned away. She was very hurt by Sterling snapping at her, altho she could see that he was worried. She just wished that there was something she could do to help, but all they were doing at the moment was standing around the Princess, waiting for Evening.

 

As other ponies appeared from the ashes and wreckage, Clover was surprised to see a friend of hers from Trottingham. "Ruby!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

 

Ruby bounced up. She was an earth pony, with light grey fur and an orange mane and tail. Her cutie mark was a magnifying glass, which meant that she was good at finding things. Clover and her friends had rescued Ruby from death in the time looped town of Sunny Town. After the curse was broken, neither Ruby or her mother Mitta had wanted to stay there, so they had come back with Clover and the others to Trottingham. Mitta had started a daycare, and Ruby had gone to school with Clover and the others. Later, Ruby had started her own agency to find things and other ponies.

 

She smiled at Clover. "I was here on a job, when these weird shadowy ponies appeared," she replied. "I was a bit worried at first, but they didn't seem to be attacking anypony. They reminded me of... well, you know."

 

Clover nodded. "Yeah, the zombie ponies at your old home," she said. "But the townsponies were cured of that when we broke the curse. They surely can't have come back!"

Red cringed at the mention of the zombie ponies under Raven's control.

"No..." Red shouted, "No... it can't be! No! Raven's dead! How can he... he... resurrect?!"

Red was in a complete panic right now; nothing could quite calm him down.

"And what about Ponyville?! Is... has... has Ponyville fallen to this curse?!"

Red, while still unsure of his feelings for Applejack, still worried himself for her. What if she was overtaken by these shadows? Red grew even more worried the more he thought about it. He tried his best to push the thoughts aside, but to no avail. He quickly was losing his sanity, and would likely end up saying or doing something he would regret.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@, Clover heard Red, and hastened to reassure him. "No, I don't mean Raven," she said. "These zombie ponies were something I encountered back when I was only a filly, when I got my cutie mark. Ruby used to live in a cursed town where zombie ponies appeared every day."

 

Ruby nodded. She could see that this pony was in a panic so wisely didn't mention the fact that in the time loop, she had been murdered and then reborn the next morning. It was difficult anyway for ponies to understand; she only ever spoke about it to Clover, Stargazer, Morning Glory and Lightning, who had rescued her.