open Beyond these Walls: An adventure through Equestria. (Applications open!)

[Icy Void 19]

Midnight Sky

 

When Midnight finally got to the bottom of the cliffs, he saw that there seemed to be a commotion over by where Kingfisher had gone for a swim earlier. As he walked closer to the others, Midnight also noticed that Blast, Aphrodite and Eclipse had rejoined them, though he didn't remember Aphrodite being quite so cheerful. "Well I see I missed quite a bit, but it was worth it. If any pony cares to know I've found the Litany of Magic." Midnight announced to the group as he joined them. "You're the leader of this expedition with Redwave gone, so it's your call Kingfisher. What's the plan?" Midnight asked, still unaware of what had happened while he was away.

 

 

Sunshine Rays

 

Her older brother was in so much trouble. First he leaves without warning with Blizzard, leaving her home alone while he went on some sort of adventure. Then only about a day later, Blizzard shows up looking worse than an egg dropped from a tree! After getting Blizzard Blitz to tell her everything, Sunshine did the only reasonable thing, she forced Blizzard to check into the Ponyville hospital then ran off to join up with her brother Midnight. Unlike her brother, who barely ever got out of the Evergreen Forest, Sunshine knew that there was a train that went near the Neighagra Falls even this time of year, and so she took it and likely made a lot of time in catching up. 'What was he thinking? Midnight knows better than to go off without me on something like this, and especially if he brings Blizzard along! I'm the only one of the three us who has any social skills! When I find him so help me I'll..., well I don't know what I'll do, but I'll do something all right!' Sunshine thought as she ran the short distance to where Blizzard had told her the group would reach the Falls, more worried than angry. She finally saw them in the distance and ran harder, wishing she was as good as her brother at teleporting so that she could reach them sooner.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

"Well, I'm about to be extremely frank with you, Aphrodite." Blast began. "When I met you, you were one of the most serious mares I've ever met in my life. You were strong, brave, and you never took crap from anypony... and you used to call me a moron." He then pointed down to his flesh wound. "You see this bandaged wound right here? You patched this up yesterday. And, this morning was a little awkward, because... I found you in the same tent with me, sleeping right next to me."

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@Midnight Scribbler,

@,

 

"You're right: she's fine in the forest with the Drake but I'll not have her try to coss this on her own." Nodded Orion: closing his eyes briefly to hone in on the spell he had cast earlier. "Zintiik, they should be somewhere just off the trail, back the way we came. Could you bring them here?"

 

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

 

Kingfisher.

 

@,

 

Apparently this pony knew her: so Kingfisher did her best to muddle through her clouded head to answer.

 

"There's something in the water. Makes you... It makes it hard to think. That you're holding," She said carefully.

 

The silvery shards were tiny - no larger than half the size of a bit at their largest but for the most part were like a fine powder mixed with the water. The larger shards were easy to remove: but the dust-like residue was firmly matted into her coat.

 

@@Icy Void,

 

"I'm... what?" The mare asked the other not-stranger who had addressed her. Her mind was screaming at her to remember but all this talk of an 'expedition' was new to her. 'Redwave' sounded vaguely familliar but...

 

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

 

Redwave and ???

 

@,

 

"You could say as much. Of course, she did not have a brother - and if she had, I doubt he would have turned me to stone, though not through lack of trying." The stallion said - the cockiness of his voice falling flat thanks to his lack of movement

 

He was starting to feel more normal now: though his coat was still coarse and dusty. He shifted himself, stretching out each leg in turn to try and limber up the joints. With a series of cracks, they clicked back into mostly-functional use.

 

"I would ask how in Equestria you managed to do this but to be frank, I think that some things are better left unknown. For my own sanity."

Edited November 8, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[EcstaticWind 572]

@, @, @, @,  @, @@Icy Void,

 

Aegis watched this unfold, taking in the information at hand.

 

"Wonderful. Our leader has lost all memory of this merry venture, this...Aerodite? Aphrodite? Whoever she is, she's apparently done a 180 degree personality flip, and only now do we have a lead. Sounds like a typical adventure story to me..." Aegis said, unaware of his blatant sarcasm. "What happens next? Fairies? A magic fruit that grants wishes?"

[Icy Void 19]

Midnight was startled by Kingfisher's response, and it showed in his expression. "Wait, you don't remember? What did I miss? This is no time for amnesia!" Midnight said before noticing the small silvery flecks all over Kingfisher. "So these are causing the amnesia, huh? Some sort of magic infused material by the looks of it. We'll have to get it all out of your coat before we move on, so I guess let's get started." Midnight said with a sigh before sitting down and using his telekinesis to slowly start pulling small clumps of the little flakes off. "So much for our head start against Orion." he muttered to himself quietly.

[RAGESTAR 479]

@@Windbreaker

 

Crimson turned to Aegis with an annoyed look. "Your whining like a filly, I think Aphrodite is acting like an airhead, and I'm an omnivore, so I can also eat meat..." said Crimson with a now horrified look, quickly putting a hoof over his mouth to silence himself. 

Edited November 8, 2013 by ragestar

[EcstaticWind 572]

@,

 

Aegis returned the omnivore pony's annoyed look.

 

"And you don't want to know what I think of you. And it's got nothing to do with being an omnivore. Now that we've insulted each other, I may as well introduce myself. I'm Aegis Dare, author, storyteller, and apparently, whining filly. Your turn." He said in a dry tone of voice. 

[RAGESTAR 479]

Crimson removed the hoof from his mouth and chuckled sheepishly. "My name is Crimson Grin, I'm a pirate, a thief, and a murderer, I once ripped out the throat of pony, using my teeth, I stole from Celestia, and I killed my own father...and I'm not sorry..." Crimson quickly covered his mouth again and gave an apologetic and ashamed look to the author.

[EcstaticWind 572]

@,

 

Crimson's words repeated themselves over and over in Aegis' head. After a minute, he found that he didn't really know how to respond.

 

"And why are you telling us this? Judging from the look on your face, I'd say you'd rather this be kept secret."

 

@, @,

 

He turned his attention to the other three ponies while awaiting Crimson's response.

 

"What about you three? Are you all ok? What are your names?"

Edited November 8, 2013 by Windbreaker

[RAGESTAR 479]

Crimson hesitantly removed his hoof once more, looking extremely worried to speak. "I...I'm cursed to speak the truth...but to be honest, I really don't want to...I killed a dragon with nothing but a sword..." said the pirate before facehoofing, not exactly angry about that last one, just annoyed that he couldn't stop lying, or even stop speaking.

[Umbreon 569]

Zintiik

 

@,

 @,

 

 

The changeling waved back at Orion, already buzzing back down the trail.  "Not a problem, boss!"  

 

As he flew, he was more focused on his thoughts than on where he was actually going.  What am I supposed to say?  'Your brother sent me to get you'?  No, no, way too lame...  'Hey Willow...  Thought you might want some company.'  Bah, that's not good either...  Why does this even matter!?  

 

In fact, Zintiik was so distracted with his thoughts that he didn't pick up on the presence of another pony until it was already far too late for him to take a disguise.  Flying over towards the direction of WIllow and Redwave, he starts to speak before actually realizing what he was encountering.

 

"Hey Willow!  We were - Dear Queen Chrysalis, what the hay!?"  Zintiik hits the ground, skidding to a stop a short distance from the two of them and staring at Redwave.  "Isn't he supposed to be dead!?"  

 

 

 

Pavisa

 

@@Icy Void,

 @,@@Windbreaker,@,

 

Pavisa spun to face Midnight, blinking rapidly.  "Woah, wait, did you say you actually found the Litany!?  Where is it?"  She looked around at the small group, the guard's mind racing.  We're running out of time...

 

"Whatever we need to do, we need to hurry, right?  Red told us when we started that the Litany will jump to a different location soon, and it took us longer than we thought to get here...  Not to mention Orion is somewhere on our tails."

 

Reaching up to scratch at the back of her mane, Pavisa's gaze drifts to her armour.  "Perhaps those still in a fit condition should start trying to find their way to the Litany?  I can stay back and try to get Kingfisher and Aphrodite taken care of...  Crimson too, since it seems as though something's happened to him..."

 

The guard looks from one member of the party to the next, reaching each of them in turn.  She left the last part of her thought unspoken, waiting to see what they thought of her suggestion.  And do what I can to buy them time to get away if Orion catches up to us...

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Kingfisher.

 

@@Icy Void,

@,

 

"I think... I think I swallowed a lot of the water too." Kingfisher hung her head: she could just about remember the faces of the others now: as if they might have passed her in the street at some point. And the way they talked about her made it sound like she was supposed to be taking them somewhere.

 

"Litany? Oh, is that a book? I remember something about a book! I mean, it's a bit hazy but... book!"

 

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

 

Redwave and ???

 

@,

@,

 

"Changeling! You will rue the day that... that... Oh vengeful sisters!" As the cutlass-shaped rock came into view - pointed at the insectoid in a way that might have been threatening with an actual weapon - Redwave could have kicked himself. Of course it had been turned to stone as well - no wonder it was so heavy... and blunt.

 

Settling for the next best option, he mustered all if the strength that he could from his recently revived body and hurled it towards the changeling. It promptly fell to the ground about halfway.

 

"Oh for the love of..." He muttered - slamming his face into his hoof and instantly regretting doing so: after the incident, he might as well have slammed it into a wall. "Ugh..." The adventurer groaned in irritation and dismay... mostly irritation.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@,

 

Scribbler stepped up to the first few points on the field of jagged stone. He kicked at the side of one, testing the strength of the material. The tip snapped, but it was clear to him that there would be little chance of pressing through without going through a great deal of work. He instead began to spark some energy into his horn, having an excess from the shield he'd absorbed earlier. He began weaving a new force shield spell, but this time concentrated all his energy into the barrier part of the spell, leaving out the secondary layer. He inverted the bubble, and formed it into a bridge-like shape about 4 feet wide, which began spanning the spike field. He concentrated his energy with many years of practice, and began to walk up the shield, casting as he went.The bridge to continued further and further until it reached the far end, where flat stone and safe passage lay. Finally, he drew yet more energy, building it up, and forcing it into the bridge, causing it to glow brilliantly. This would sustain it for the time they needed. It would last a few hours before dissipating again. Scribbler trotted back to Orion

"We should have safe passage now, it'll last for the time we need it for, and I can absorb it when we reach the far side. You mentioned the book, how it gives you energy. And those wings and horn.. Were you an earth pony before you read it? Forgive my curiosity, I'm very interested in your findings though."

[Ihei 713]

@,

 

Aphrodite

 

"Serious? Well, that's boring! You must be talking about some other mare!" Aphrodite still said cheerfully. "Why are you telling me? Do you want me to hunt down this mare or something? I have a good hunting sense.." Aphrodite said, looking into the forest.

 

@,@,

 

 

Willow Starsinger

 

"Well--" Willow stopped herself. She didn't know if Zintiik would tell Orion about reviving Redwave.. but she felt she should trust him. "I kind of used magic to.. well, un-petrify him." Willow couldn't think of the right word. "Please don't tell Orion! I was going on a walk, and.. well, I found Red here." 

[Icy Void 19]

Midnight Sky

 

"Well if you swallowed some it could be awhile until the effects fully ware off. Maybe we should go with Pavisa's plan. I could lead one group up to the Litany while she stays here to look after those who are not in any condition to make the trip. But let's make sure the others all agree to the plan as well before we get moving. Would you do the honors of telling everypony the plan Pavisa, since Kingfisher is still a little out of it. I would myself but I don't like speaking in front of large groups much." Midnight said in response to Pavisa and Kingfisher. Just then Midnight noticed two things in the distance. First, there seemed to be a pony running towards them from the west. Second, it looked like somepony had created a magic bridge over the Splinterhoof Hills that led towards them. "And let's be quick about it. If I had to guess I would say Orion is behind that bridge over the Hills, probably made it so Willow wouldn't get hurt, but it means they're coming soon." Midnight added with a sense of urgency.

 

 

Sunshine Rays

 

Sunshine was finally getting close to the group when she saw a bridge appear over the spiky hills that were off to her right. With that she ran just a little harder and finally made it to the group. "Midnight Sky! I'm so glad to see you're okay! I was worried when I saw Blizzard come home so badly injured, but I guess you wouldn't get hurt so easily. It looks like you've made some friends too! So hi everypony, I'm Midnight Sky's younger sister Sunshine Rays! And before you ask why I'm here Midnight, you had to know I would come and join you is things started to seem like you were having a hard time. You said it yourself that we will always work together to handle big problems back when we ran away!" Sunshine said loudly to the group of ponies and Midnight, not surprised when her brother's face flashed from surprise to anger to what almost resembled embarrassment before finally resting at it's usual neutral expression. She knew that her brother wouldn't ask her to leave, it's just not in him to do so..

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

Eclipse became a little impatient with the mare. He understood that she was going through amnesia like he was, but she wasn't answering him.

"You still haven't answered me, Kingfisher." He said. "Do you remember these flakes at all?"

 

@,

 "No, Aphrodite. I'm sad to say that you did those things." Blast then took the mare's hoof. "But, you know what? I forgive you."

[Ihei 713]

@,

 

Aphrodite

 

"I still think you're talking about somepony else. I would never do those things! Do I have an unknown twin or something?" Aphrodite joked, smiling at the stallion. "You definitely have the wrong pony." She kept bouncing as she said this.. she seemed to always be hyper now. 

[Umbreon 569]

Zintiik

 

@, @, 

 

Zintiik's first reaction was to hiss at Redwave as the stallion reached for his cutlass, though the hiss somewhat died off when he saw the stone weapon...  And turned into a loud laugh when Redwave attempted to throw it at him.  The laugh was quickly cut short when Willow spoke though, and he directed his attention towards her.  The changeling had decided Redwave wasn't an immediate threat.  Not yet, anyways.

 

What the heck am I supposed to do?  Orion would want to know about this...  But...  But I can't betray Willow!  Zintiik makes a small, unhappy buzzing sound as he tries to decide what to do.  Looking at Willow weakened whatever protests he could come up with though - something about the way she looked at him seemed to make the changeling lose his nerve.

 

"I...  I...  *sigh*  I won't tell..."  He lowers his head a little towards Willow, his eyes half closing in submission to an argument that hadn't even taken place out loud.  "Though...  What do we do about him?"  He gestures towards Redwave with a hoof, directing the question to Willow.

 

 

Pavisa

 

@(Everyone at the Falls >.>)

 

Pavisa nods slightly towards Midnight before addressing the gathered group.  "Everypony, listen up!  Midnight's found the Litany, but we're pressed for time.  Midnight, show those who are up for the trip where to go.  Those ponies not fit to make the trip are going to stay here, I'll stay behind for protection.  And be careful for traps!  I swear if one of you gets killed by a trap I'm going to figure out how to bring you back just so I can kick your flank personally."  

 

She wasn't entirely comfortable giving orders like this - nopony else had any reason to listen to her.  Kingfisher was still technically in charge of the expedition, but Pavisa felt as though time was running out.  So, for the first time since her training, the mare was using her 'official guard voice'.  She could only hope everypony was of the same mindset.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,@,

Blast had officially given up for now. There wasn't any way that he was going to get through to her right now. All he should be doing is focusing on recovering the Litany, and the stallion was ready for whatever lies ahead.

"Traps? Heh. No problem. Piece of cake." He said in a cocky tone, ready to jet off. But, before he could do that, Eclipse stopped him with his psychokinesis.

"Hold it, Blast. You have no idea what you're up against." He said, turning to Pasiva. "How can you be so sure that Midnight knows the exact location of the Litany? And, for that matter, how do you know that she's capable of not being drawn to read it?"

Edited November 9, 2013 by StevenEarthPony

[Icy Void 19]

Midnight Sky

 

Midnight nodded, he had been prepared to answer this question for a while now. "I'm glad you asked Eclipse. Firstly, I know where it is because while the rest of you were down here relaxing and having a rash of problems I was actually up climbing the cliffs around the Falls. Up there I found a cave that had an immensely powerful magical energy radiating from it that could only come from the Litany. And as for the second question of yours, well I don't know if I will be able to resist, that's the point of bringing a group of ponies. And my sister will be coming along too, I figure if the Litany does entrance me then she has the best chance of snapping me out of it. Does that answer your questions Eclipse?" Midnight said, confident his answer would be enough.

 

 

Sunshine Rays

 

Sunshine was a little upset nopony had paid her any attention other than her brother, but oh well. She was still glad that Midnight seemed to be fine except for a few small cuts and bruises. And to make things even better he already planned on her going with him, which she would have done anyway. "No need to worry brother, we agreed to always protect each other no matter what. I'll keep you from being controlled by this Litany thing you ponies are talking about!" Sunshine said to her brother confidently, hoping that strange unicorn named Eclipse didn't call out her brother again.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@Midnight Scribbler,

 

"Unicorn. I was a few lines in when this happened." He raised a hoof to the ghostly horn which had replaced his own. "The wings appeared when I got about halfway. Scared me halfway to Tartarus but they're growing on me... figuratively speaking."

 

Just why he felt that he could trust this pony, he didn't know. He didn't know if he did trust him... It was just easier having somepony who didn't hound him with swords or spells. Somepony who he didn't need to fear for their every move as he did for his sister.

 

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

 

Kingfisher.

 

@,

@@Icy Void,

 

She blinked - even in her addled state she was certain that something important was happening: stay behind? She had heard that one before!

 

"I'm not staying anywhere!" She declared, snatching the cutlass from the ground in an attempt to appear competent - only succeeding as much as muscle memory would allow before she realised that she didn't actually know how to use a sword and dropping it again with a sudden whimper.

 

"Sorry, it's hard for me to think straight..."

 

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

 

Redwave and ???

 

@,

@,

 

"Do about me? You should be... Wait, you can speak? Changelings can speak? When did such an event occur?"

 

Of the massive list of creatures Redwave had encountered, the insects were one of the types he had seldom seen - and they had been more interested in trying to conquer Canterlot to stop and chat.

 

"Leave us! I am Redwave, of the Dawn Dreamer! The guardian, the fallen and the stone!" it hadn't taken him long to add the new title to his list. "And I shall be the one to... what the hay is that?"

 

Curious as the the commotion, the Tainted Aspect had flew into the air and settled comfortably on the slowed-pony's head. It had poked its head down to inspect the face of the strange rock-pony with predictable results. Redwave tried to shake it off but only ended up causing it to sway slightly. He sighed and gave up.

 

"... There is something adorable on my head..." He muttered indignantly.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@,

Scribbler was in awe with the magnitude of power to which he had been exposed to. He'd never heard of anything like this before, and now he was standing mere feet from what could potentially be the most powerful creature on the planet. He gazed over Orion's wings, and horn, wondering what form of magic could possibly do such things. He was an alicorn, but not by the traditional method, he was no prince, though he seemed to act the part. Perhaps it was the power of the litany influencing his demeanor, Scribbler thought.

"The wings are most impressive, they appear to be made from magic themselves. This Litany, when we find it, will you read the rest of it? Or is our mission merely to find and guard it against others from finding it? Forgive me if I sound accusing, I have no intention of getting in your way. I merely have concerns regarding the nature of the magic. It's just that..you do.. seem to suffer immensely from it's power, it seems."

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

Eclipse let go of Blast and walked up Kingfisher hesitantly. She seemed to have been competent with the sword she was holding. But, instead, she dropped it as if it were a poison.

"Wait, Kingfisher... you don't know how to wield a sword?" He asked in a surprised tone. "I thought you of all ponies would know how to use a sword."

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@Midnight Scribbler,

 

"I..." Orion stalled.

 

'We have nothing to hide. Tell him the truth...

 

"It... I don't..." He shook his head. That was happening a lot recently - caused by a combination of headaches and dealing with forces he didn't fully understand. "I'm fine. It's just... I never expected to have so much... everything trapped inside my head. It's confusing - difficult to control. If I finish the book then I think maybe I'll be able to... to control it instead of just bending it to my will. Does that make sense?"

 

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

 

Kingfisher.

 

@,

 

Kingfisher gave Eclipse a horrified look.

"Me? Why would I? Those things are... they're used for hurting and killing other ponies!" She said loudly. "Are you crazy? I couldn't... I wouldn't... Why would you even suggest that?"

Edited November 9, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

"Because before all of this, you were at the side of one of the greatest adventuring stallions in Equestria." Eclipse began to explain. "You saw this stallion as your brother, your family. He cared for you, and you cared for him. That stallion's name... was Redwave. And I was full of myself enough to almost smash him into pieces while he was in a statue state."