private The Northern Odyssey

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

"We ought to send a group to scout the place out first," Clover said. "After all, we have no idea about this place, and whether there are any hostile elements we should make note of. I can create a spell fire to keep everypony who decides to stay on the ship warm, as well. And of course, the guiding light I placed there would make sure that the scouting group would have no trouble finding their way back."

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@Everypony

 

No sooner had Clover mentioned the possibility of danger than did it arrive.

 

With a low rumbling as their only warning, three hound like beasts burst from the snow. They barked and snarled at the ponies and began to circle them menacingly.

 

Closer examination would reveal these creatures resembled Diamond Dogs, but of a fowler artic wolf-like appearance and disposition to match. Their eyes showed a lack of even the rudimentary intelligence of their southern kin. 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

"Diamond Dogs!" Steel shouted and drew Donkey Jote. "Red, Neon, help me form a perimeter!" Steel directed his friends to stand in an outward facing circle around Evening, Sterling, and North.

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

@Budding Night

@Steel Accord

@Sterling Crimson

@Zhooves

@PinkieShyFlutterPie

@Pripyat Pony

 

@@Sterling Crimson,

 

"It is a bit nippy." Steel said, mildly perturbed. "Pegasi like North, Red, and I, can withstand colder temperatures, helps when living in the frigid high atmospheres. I do see your point though." Steel looked back at the Skidbladnir. "Couldn't we just stay on the ship though? Certainly it's better than wondering around all night looking for shelter."

"Capable of withstanding colder temperatures?!" Red complained, "Not this peagsus. *bleep* this weather! I'm freezing my ass off!"

Right then, however, Red heard a rumbling off in the distance, accompanied by howling.

Diamond Dogs... Red thought to himself, harkening back to his days captive with Coeur. Certainly, Mistral was a kind and caring being, but what about these ones? Surely they could be just like her.

"Kill them?!" Red responded to Steel in disbelief. He reluctantly pulled out his gun and took aim. However, instead of firing a bullet into one of the dogs, he shouted towards them, hoping to at least try to reason with them; killing is a last resort.

"Freeze!" Red shouted, "I have a fully-loaded gun! Freeze and state your intentions!"

 

***

 

"Canterlot is amazing!" Red Talon said to Applejack, "It has shops, restaurants, and cafes all along the streets! The houses from the district I came from were huge! And seeing the Canterlot Castle at night... what a sight to see! It was always brightly shining even in the middle of the night! I really miss Canterlot, though..."

Edited November 13, 2013 by Ragin' Red Talon

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Clover was about to reply to Steel, then danger burst upon them. A trio of canine creatures who resembled Diamond Dogs, but were bigger and white furred. She reacted instantly, sending a blast of fire from her horn towards the leader to keep them back, then creating a spelled protection wall between the ponies and the dogs.

[Zhooves 843]

After a little while, North jumped off of the ship and onto the snowy lands - his light body and a few flaps of his wings almost made him leave no hoof-steps in the snow where he walked.

 

"Hm... I know not where we might find sivilisasjon... If we are where I think we are - the eastern coast - my home be closer to the western coast opposite from here." he spoke as he looked around, giving the freezing ponies a look of wonder.

 

His ears perked up as he seemed to notice the rumbling, and as soon as the northern diamond dogs appeared before them, he made sure to stay behind Steel and the others, looking at Red's weapon with a look of scepticism, and at the dogs with a somewhat nervous look.

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling saw what looked like Diamond Dogs in the distance. It was what he feared. Enemies in this land. Luckily, he had his medic kit should anything go awry. Plus, he had his defensive stances he learned from Steel when they went through all that trouble against the treacherous Raven. He gave a short breath of relief when Clover formed the spell that would block the dogs from them. Sterling then heard Red ask the dogs about their intentions, probably stemming from his encounters with Coeur, who was a kind Diamond Dog. Hopefully, these dogs were just as nice. Sterling then spoke to the dogs,

 

"Yes... just as our friend here said! Speak your peace! What do you want?!" Sterling could only wait for the dog's response as he readied his defense position.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Sterling Crimson, 

@,

@@Pripyat Pony, 

 

Both Sterling and Red's warnings fell on deaf ears, the dogs braved the fiery assault and slammed against the conjured barrier. Their fur was singed, but the cold almost seemed to drain any lingering heat in the air.

 

The hounds snarled and barked as they bit and slammed against the field.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Clover scowled as she sent more energy to support the shield. "Somepony had better do something," she said. "Otherwise, somepony will get hurt. I can't really fight offensively with my magic while I'm maintaining defence. Red, they're not listening to either you or Steel; you're going to have to fight them."

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Pripyat Pony,

 

"I can live with that!" Steel responded resolutely as he dug his hooves into the snow. His eyes darted back and forth, counting the combatants. His brain worked in rapid fire, approximating approach, openings, feints, and a dozen other factors that run throught the head of an experienced swordsman and martial artist. 

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

(Sorry i haven't posted for a wile...I have been a little busy d: )

 

"I did bring them but they were on our ship when it...exploded" Neon said sadly thinking about what had happened. Neon was surprised when 3 animals had burst out of the snow, after looking at them more she saw they looked like diamond dogs. She wondered what they were doing here, most likely here to kill them or something since it seems like everything is out to get the group. But, whatever they were here for Neon got ready to help attack  

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

@@Sterling Crimson,

@,

@@Pripyat Pony,

 

Both Sterling and Red's warnings fell on deaf ears, the dogs braved the fiery assault and slammed against the conjured barrier. Their fur was singed, but the cold almost seemed to drain any lingering heat in the air.

 

The hounds snarled and barked as they bit and slammed against the field.

Clover scowled as she sent more energy to support the shield. "Somepony had better do something," she said. "Otherwise, somepony will get hurt. I can't really fight offensively with my magic while I'm maintaining defence. Red, they're not listening to either you or Steel; you're going to have to fight them."

"Dammit," Red growled, "I don't think I have much of a choice..."

He slowly raised his weapon again, clicking back the hammer. Taking slow aim, he knew that he needed to make quick work of these dogs in order to protect his friends from the fading shield. He put his hoof on the trigger, and sent a burst of flaming lead into the head of the leader. The bullet impact the flesh, spewing blood and causing the massive beast to tumble over. Taking advantage of the discord among the dogs that followed, he quickly fired a few more shots, watching them as they fell and slowly lowering his gun.

"That's... the last... of them..." Red responded, breathing heavily and staring at the snowy tundra floor.

Edited November 16, 2013 by Ragin' Red Talon

[Inactive01 5,299]

Just as Sterling was about to finish his urge for peace, the dogs went into a mad fit. Sterling wasn't sure what they doing, but he knew they were getting aggressive. Sterling quickly told his friends to take their positions to which they followed. Just as Sterling was about to get ready for defending, Red and Clover had already dispelled the villains with ease. Sterling just stared at them with amazement... They sure were much better fighters than he'd ever be....

------------

Applejack looked up to Red as he raved on about Canterlot. The more he talked about it, the more she wanted to see it for herself. She looked at Red with beaming eyes, imagining all the glamour that Canterlot and Manehattan expressed. She knew her aunts and uncles lived there. Maybe she could live with them for a bit to see what life was like at the high life! That was all she could think about as Red continued to talk on..

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@Everypony

 

The Dogs drag their wounded away. Snarling, they look about ready to go at the friends again, but suddenly their ears perk up. Most wouldn't hear a thing, but the more particularly perceptive ponies of this group of friends would hear a kind of whistling noise.

 

With that, the Diamond Dogs hurry away. In the direction the pack left, a fait outline could be seen against the snow. Impossible to make out, but it appeared to be tall and dark.

[Zhooves 843]

As soon as Red began firing his weapon, North quickly moved his hooves up to his ears, covering them as his face showed signs as if he almost were in pain. As soon as the banging noises ceased, he slowly removed his hooves, noticing how the dogs were leaving them.

 

Suddenly, he heard a whistling noise - just barely, as his ears were still ringing. The dogs seemed to react to this by fleeing, and a dark silhouette came into sight...

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

@Budding Night

@Steel Accord

@Sterling Crimson

@Zhooves

@PinkieShyFlutterPie

@Pripyat Pony

 

"I have a feeling this fight isn't quite over yet..." Red Talon says as he just made out on the dark, tall figure in the distance. He reloaded his weapon, pulled back the hammer, and got back into a ready-to-fire position.

 

***

 

Red Talon saw Applejack staring off into space with an odd expression on her face. Surely she was thinking about something, but what could it be?

"Applejack?" he said to her, "Are... you alright? What are you thinking about?"

[Inactive01 5,299]

Sterling composed himself after the dogs had moved away. Sterling noticed the rest of his party, who were looking static. Sterling motioned to them and shouted,

 

"Guys we have to keep moving! We need to find some shelter and get well rested for the rest of our journey! Maybe bring our ship along too!" Sterling then waited for the rest of his party to respond...

----

Applejack continued to stare into deep space as she imagined a life in Manehattan. Sure she loved the life of the farm and her family, but she wanted to see the world! She wanted to explore! And Red talking about Canterlot's beauty made her want to do that more! When Red spoke out to her in fear, Applejack quickly shook her head and responded to Red,

 

"Oh... it's nothing. Ah was just daydreamin. Sorry. Now c'mon! You gotta meet mah family!" Applejack then motioned for Red to come along inside her barn...  
 

[Budding Night 1,043]

(Sorry for not posting! :~: )

 

Evening was scared. The diamonds dogs, for one, were intimidating, but Red Talon was what scared her the most. Without any remorse, he shoot the dogs. Sure, they were being extremely aggressive towards the group, but they were living creatures and had normal-enough soul just like them.

 

When he had shoot, the mare hadn't been ready in the slightest - a high pitched, shrilled horror scream came out of her mouth and her hooves swung to her ears, hitting them with a little too much force than she intended. The bangs rang inside her mind, loudly and sharply, causing her to panic and make her vision dim. More noises were coming into her head, even after the gunshots had finished. Evening screwed her eyes shut and tried to push the unwelcomed playbacks out of her head, but all she ended up doing was enhancing it, and even making images show.

 

Mocking laughs, a flame crackling, heavy breathing.. All invading her mind at the same time. Distant, ghostly voices echoed in her eyes, some calling out to her, desperate for her help, whereas others poured complete hate into their hurtful words. Her legs started to wobble ever so slightly as the voices continued, her mind was screaming and them to stop, to leave her alone. She tried to look as calm as she could while this was happening, opening her eyes once again to see a tall, dusky figure in the distance did not help.

 

(Hope this is alright, @@Steel Accord?)

Edited November 18, 2013 by Budding Night

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@Everypony

 

To the relief of everypony, the figure seemed to be moving away. It may not have even seen them. Impossible to tell from this distance.

 

@North

 

" . . . . . . Go home." Came a withered but gentle voice from the wind. "Go hoooooome." She repeated with insistence. Just out of easy sight range stood the figure of an older mare, her features impossible to discern. If anypony other than North were to look upon her, they would see nothing. Her voice would likewise only reach his ears.

[Inactive01 5,299]

@Budding Night

 

Sterling could see that Evening was struggling with the ordeal as she closed her eyes and cowered where she stood. He quickly leaned over to Evening, hoping to calm his newly-wed down. He wrapped his hoof around her back and gave her a comfortable side hug. He then gave a soft whisper...

 

"Evie... it's... it's going to be alright... We'll find some shelter soon..."

[Zhooves 843]

@@Steel Accord,

His ears perked up as soon as he heard a quiet whisper. The ringing seemed to have stopped, and he noticed the large silhouette from earlier had left, and a new, smaller one had appeared.

 

"Home? Go... Home?" he spoke to himself. "Somepony is telling us to... Go home... I know not if it be a hint or an order to leave..." he spoke a little louder, staring at the figure. "Maybe it speaks of my home?"

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Clover had braced herself as the dogs retreated; she was sure that they'd try again and was ready to keep the shield up as long as was necessary. But, much to her surprise, the dogs ran away. She heard a whistleling noise as they did so, it worried her somewhat as it suggested to her that the dogs were not merely acting of their own accord, but had been summoned by somepony.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Steel Accord,

His ears perked up as soon as he heard a quiet whisper. The ringing seemed to have stopped, and he noticed the large silhouette from earlier had left, and a new, smaller one had appeared.

 

"Home? Go... Home?" he spoke to himself. "Somepony is telling us to... Go home... I know not if it be a hint or an order to leave..." he spoke a little louder, staring at the figure. "Maybe it speaks of my home?"

"Hello! Is anypony there?!" Came a new voice but in a familiar accent. Where the shadow of the old mare once stood came a stallion who North recognized from his home, a lantern tied around his neck. "Speak, if ye be friends!"

 

- - - - -

 

Steel warily sheathed his weapons. Despite his love of combat, he was not eager to whet his blades against such foes and especially of such numbers.

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

@Budding Night

@Steel Accord

@Sterling Crimson

@Zhooves

@PinkieShyFlutterPie

@Pripyat Pony

 

Red Talon bent down to Evening Glory, who sat quivering on the ground. Slowly approaching her, he made sure to talk to the mare in a calm and soothing voice.

"Evie..." he said quietly, "What's... the matter?"

Was it the weapon he shot that had startled her so?

"Was it... my weapon?"

 

***

 

Red happily trotted alongside Applejack towards the giant red barn. It was an unusually hot September afternoon, and perfect weather for the family to go bucking apples in.

"Is your family working in the fields right now?" He asked.

[Budding Night 1,043]

@
 
(Eve's actually standing at the moment by the way mate )
 
Evening felt stupid. She was always had to be so weak, so fragile, so vulnerable, so pathetic. 
 
Surely it wasn't her fault though, right? It was her mind that was doing this to her, something that was unknown to her, it wasn't her. But the problem being that her mind WAS her.. that was against the argument anyways, even if she could got scared at everything - one of the many flaws she saw her herself. But that was beside the point.. right?
 
She breathed in deeply as the two sides of her mind battled against the each other and looked up at the red-and-yellow stallion next to her. She exhaled and moved her line of vision to look at Red Talon dead in the eye. She tried to express all her pain and troubles through her look, all of the fear and darkness that laid deep inside her heart. Evening felt as though her eyes were soulless as she remained to stare into the pegisi' eyes, she felt as though she was looking at nothingness. The mare didn't dare break her silence and the lingering of both the look and the negative thoughts continued.

 

(Sorry for this post not being very good or making much sense. I'm exhausted)

Edited November 19, 2013 by Budding Night

[Zhooves 843]

@@Steel Accord, 

North's ears twitched a little as the familiar voice spoke.

"Lyktestolpe? Is that you? Er det du som er der?" he asked the pony with the lantern, before trotting across the snow towards him.

After about a minute, North came back to the others with him.

"This is Lyktestolpe... I know him from my home-town, to where he will lead us if we wish." he introduced him to the others.