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

[RAGESTAR 479]

@,

 

Scribbler laughed "heh Rude? Me? The only one throwing insults here has been you, my friend. I've merely been stating my position." He maintained his charge, still outnumbered by the others he didn't know. "What more have we to say? You want to stop Orion, and destroy an ancient artifact, and Orion wants to obtain it, to keep it out of the hooves of those who would misuse it. And I'm caught in the middle of all of this. The point here is we have unstoppable forces meeting immovable objects, and I'm merely here to see one through, and you, the other." At this point, Scribbler was merely attempting to convey himself as truthfully as possible without raising doubts in Orion's mind of his intentions.

Crimson shrugged. "Fair enough, and while it may be true that Orion seems to have good intentions, you've gotta think, how do you know for sure that he won't be one of those ponies who misuse it? Furthermore, ask yourself, which makes more sense? Taking it and keeping it safe, where someone else could take it? Or just destroying it? So that no onecan ever use it again? Why does Orion want to risk keeping it anyway? Ask yourself that." Said Crimson. Who then glared back at Midnight. "Hey, don't give me that look! I may be a bit offensive, but I'm only trying to save the whole damned world from that stupid book falling into the wrong hooves! Also, when you go around talking to yourself and calling everyone who doesn't talk like shakespear, a bandit, then there's at least something loose up there...not to mention him murdering Redwave..." said Crimson.

 

@@Icy Void

Edited November 18, 2013 by ragestar

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@Icy Void, @,

 

Scribbler pondered these points, and remembered something that Orion had mentioned earlier that day. "Although destroying it would eliminate it's threat, it would also eliminate a piece of arcane history. Not to mention the fact that whoever wrote this Litany obviously had this idea in mind. Look around you. How would you begin to destroy such arcane magic? I specialize in magic, and I have no clue how to overpower this aura.. And undoubtedly, the Litany it's self will not be easily damaged. Even if you should manage to do something to it, it would likely vanish again, just as it did before, and we'd be going through all this again somewhere else. It truly seems redundant all together." He stopped for a moment. Wondering weather or not this whole thing would become a paradoxical goose chase. What good could come of it? The fact that they were there in the first place meant that the Litany was a danger, no matter who wielded the power, it could be destructive. The only logical answer in Scribbler's mind was to somehow get everypony to forget about the book's existence.. but how? This surely wasn't possible.. But then.. Orion. He knew the Litany's power, perhaps he could do just that. Erase all trace of it's existence in the minds of the others. The problem then would be, how could he convince Orion to leave the book behind himself? He wouldn't.. And that was a problem. Scribbler's mind raced, he wouldn't dare speak some of these thoughts aloud in front of everypony.

[RAGESTAR 479]

@@Midnight Scribbler

 

Crimson sighed and rubbed his temples. "Oh, you have no idea...but I'm sorry, I couldnt give less fucks about its historical value, as long as that book is exists, this will only continue...so I don't care how long it takes, that book must be destroyed, before it ruins more lives..." said Crimson.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@Midnight Scribbler,

@,

@@Windbreaker,

@@Icy Void,

 

"Enough!" Thundered Legion - finding Orion's voice to be perfectly suitable to the task.

 

Stalling... He had every confidence that Mirror Image could find the litany: what he was concerned about was the fact that Willow and her were somewhere else: seperate to them and beset on all sides by murderous thugs.

 

"I have a sister to located: who knows what atrocities you may perform on her should one of your kind find her before me! Now stand aside!"

 

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

 

Kingfisher.

 

@,

@@Windbreaker,

@,

@,

@,

 

Nodding to Pavisa. Kingfisher stepped forward - making her way along the smooth, marble ground and starting to ascend the stairway that lie ahead. An impossible breeze blew across her face in the underground tunnel.

 

"Okay, I don't know what to expect here so... uh... be careful, I guess?" She warned. "Its so weird in here... Lets get this thing and get out: the sooner the better."

Edited November 18, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

Eclipse
Eclipse trotted behind the group at a relatively slow speed. The increasing glow of the crystals comforted him well enough, but there were so many things running through his mind, like why was he with this group to begin with? What exactly could that alicorn character be capable of? He trotted up to Pavisa's side.
"Miss Pavisa, there's one thing I've been questioning since the moment I entered this group." The unicorn began. "Once we get this Litany, what exactly do you intend to do with it? Ever since I've came to this group, the only explanation I got was so that the alicorn doesn't get it."

Edited November 18, 2013 by StevenEarthPony

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Redwave.

 

Red stepped carefully through the darkness: the sickness in his chest welling up worse than ever since passing through the magical field. The gem at his throat sparkled miserably as its defences were slowly whittled away by the spell.

 

'Who could have predicted that being twice brought to the brink of death could be such a hindrance?' He thought in an irritated tone as his shadow seemed to slink along beside him - more like some dog or wolf than a pony.

 

"Oh begone with you!" The barely-alive stallion snapped at it - only to hear a growling chuckle in return.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[SilverHeart 741]

(OOC: Posting from phone.)

 

@Icy Void

 

It seemed that without her magic she wasn't all that great at stealth anymore. "Apparently I need to practice that. A few years ago and they wouldn't have noticed me." She cursed as she started to pick up the pace. The voice of a child stuck out among the chaos that the stallions had been making. Turning around Mirror found a young mare. At most she was half of Mirrors age, possibly younger. Do they expect me to harm a foal? Did the pirate send her to attack me? I've done some terrible things in my life but I don't think I've ever done anything to deserve having to hurt some kid in self defense.

 

As Sunshine got closer Mirror couldn't help but feel that the young mare was harmless. She seemed relatively harmless...although that could be the point if sending her. Instead of standing around and waiting to talk, Mirror started trotting at a pace slow enough that Sunshine should be able to keep up. Looking back at the foal uneasily she said, "You wanted to talk?"

[Mephisto 56]

Blake looked at the designs on the wall. He stood by the litany and could even hear the whispers wanting him to read every page. He slowly picked them up and placed them in his bag. He might've caught a word or two, but a word can't mean anything. "Wait, this is too easy...." Nothing happened for a moment, but then the room began to shake. One by one, the tiles in the room fell out, and Blake had to get out.

[EcstaticWind 572]

Noble Persona

@, @@Midnight Scribbler, @, @@Icy Void

(Did I miss anyone?) 

 

Noble watched on, plans forming in his mind. 'A sister in this place? Well, isn't that convenient. Ensuring her safety could be in my own best interests as well. And if need be, she'll be a convenient hostage should things turn sour. After that idiot pirate ruined my original plan, this seems like an interesting alternative.'

 

He grinned behind his mask, then addressed the one called Orion. "Sir, I believe it may be beneficial to ally myself with you, since we share a mutual interest. To prove myself worthy of your trust, please allow me to locate your sister. How would I identify her?"

 

 

Aegis Dare

@, @Everyone Present

 

Aegis chuckled at Pavisa's words. He wouldn't do very well in the Royal Guard, since he didn't have a soldier's mindset. 'Maybe one day, when my adventuring days are over... Whatever happens, happens.'

 

He glanced at his shadow, which was behaving oddly again. "Hmm... Anypony else's shadows being strange, or am I just seeing things?"

[Icy Void 19]

Midnight Sky

 

"Wait, you're sister isn't with you? In this place, that was a pretty stupid move for such a powerful being. And while I would love nothing more than to let you find your sister, I simply can't." Midnight said carefully. He hadn't expected Willow to be separated from Orion, but then he also hadn't expected Orion to gather a group of followers. "I commend you for that being your first priority, I know exactly how it must feel being separated from her in a place like this, but the only fair thing to do would be for you to allow me and Crimson to go peacefully so we may retrieve my sister while allowing you to find yours. I mean nopony any harm, I'm not exactly the fighting type, so does that sound fair Orion?" Midnight proposed with a glance at Crimson, hoping the pirate would get the message and keep from insulting the alicorn. Even if he wasn't an alicorn currently, Midnight had no doubt that Orion was still powerfull and he needed a better strategy than this.

 

 

Sunshine Rays

 

"Yeah, I love meeting new ponies!" Sunshine said happily as she caught up to the pony. "I guess we should start with introoductions, my name is Sunshine Rays. What's your name?" Sunshine asked, as if they were at a picnic and not in some ancient temple for a magic artifact.

[RAGESTAR 479]

@ @@Midnight Scribbler

 

Crimson stood there for a long time, staring a Orion, before finally responding. "Look...I know you care for you're sister and all, and I can understand that...but what makes you think we'll do anything to Willow? She's too kind for anyone to even think about harming her! In fact I take offense to that...I have a sister too, so i know exactly how you feel. Tell me, Orion was it? Name one time, besides us fighting you, where we even so much as hurt someone else...I dare you...you may carry on and find your sister, but at least answer my question before you do..." said Crimson calmly.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Kingfisher.

 

@@Windbreaker,

@Everyone else around],

 

Stopping to glance at her shadow again for a moment, Kingfisher shrugged. "What, apart from them rising to try and kill us? Nope, looks pretty normal to me..." She noted: watching how said shadow no longer seemed to have a delayed reaction: it was a little comfort. She started walking again. ""Damn, do these stairs never end?

 

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

 

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@Windbreaker,

@@Midnight Scribbler,

 

Looking as the pony who had taken up arms beside him for a moment, Orion sighed a little under his breath.

 

"Shes a unicorn, a few years younger than me. Same coat - similar mane."

 

@,

 

"Just moments ago you admitted that you were a pirate. The last I checked, Pirates killed, pillaged and... worse. Or has the definition of piracy changed recently?"

 

@@Icy Void,

 

He turned his head back to its original position and glared at the two: he knew that he should kill them: that they should be eliminated like the other one was - their threat destroyed. It would be so easy to dislodge some of the blocks from above them... but he would likely need what little magic he could still muster if they ran into anything else down in the dark.

 

"If I see you again, It will be the last time. I will do what I have to." He said coldly.

 

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

 

Kricket.

 

@,

@,

 

Sending the tension in the air, the aspect dropped lower to inspect the pair. The pony wasn't moving and the changing creature was still making contact with her.

 

"Aark! Raa-ak!" It crackled, bristling with the energy it had absorbed from the ruin - unsure wether this was the kind of situation it's master had meant by 'protect the mare'...

Edited November 18, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[RAGESTAR 479]

@

 

Crimson had a serious look on his face. "I'm a bit different than other pirates, I do steal, but only from the rich, I do pillage, but only from tyrants, and I do kill...but only murderers...like you...Its very sad how you will have to die while your crazy...because the next time I see you, I shall kill you for what you did to my friend...you don't know it yet, you damned fool...but you are the monster that you are trying so hard to eliminate...you will realize that in the end...one way, or another..." said Crimson in an ominous tone.

Edited November 18, 2013 by ragestar

[EcstaticWind 572]

Aegis Dare

@,

@ Everyone present (because I'm lazy)

 

"Apparently not. This has got to be the longest staircase in Equestria..." Aegis said wearily. His hooves were getting sore, and he was getting tired. Well, faster than usual thanks to the magic field nullifying their talents and magic. He looked ahead and groaned, wishing he could at least hover. "Man, I'm losin' it..."

 

Noble Persona

@, @, @@Icy Void, @@Midnight Scribbler,

 

Noble nodded and handed Orion a small Crystal. "This crystal contains a tracking spell. When I find your sister, I can lead her to you as long as you carry that. What is your sister's name?" He asked, ignoring the pirate's ominous warning. The more this Crimson Grin spoke, the less Noble liked him. He was just like all the other pirates Noble had met. A walking mouth, far too eager to throw their meaningless lives away. 'Idealistic delusions... In the end, it's all self-satisfaction.'

[RAGESTAR 479]

@@Windbreaker

 

Crimson chuckled. "What I want to know is, why, pray tell, are you kissing Orion's ass? Are you trying to help him? Or are you playing him for a fool, just so you can get your hooves on the Litany? Either way, you sure are eager to help someone who you've never met...and I can tell just by the look you gave me, that you don't think too highly of me...too bad I couldn't give less of a rats ass what you think about me..."said Crimson with a shrug.

Edited November 18, 2013 by ragestar

[SilverHeart 741]

@@Icy Void, 

 

Mirror Image looked at the mare in disbelief, not that her expression was visible through her mask. Unsure of whether or not the foal was serious or just trying to play a trick on her. She cleared her throat "My name is Mirror Image. Um...it's nice to meet you. So, why are you talking to me?"

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Orion Starsinger.

@,
@@Icy Void,

"Goodbye." Glaring at the pirate, Orion decided that he wasn't going to be stalled any longer. He stepped aside and released a spell: a bolt of blunt force: simple, not too exhausting and less than lethal to a pony. Rather than aiming it at a pony though, he directed it at the ancient, marble brick ceiling above the pirate. 

 

As soon as the spell was released, a bolt of pain flashed though his head: he gasped slightly and winced - his powers were still present... somewhat - but at the cost of searing headaches whenever he used them. Turning his back as the rocks and bricks began to crumble and fall, he spoke to the others as he directed them down another tunnel.

 

@@Windbreaker,

 

"This place seems to be build like a honeycomb: we'll find another way."

 

@@Midnight Scribbler,

 

"Willow. Willow Starsinger." He said simply. "She will be with another friend of mine: a changeling name Zintiik, and an aspect of magic."

Edited November 18, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[RAGESTAR 479]

@

 

Crimson cursed and quickly rolled away, he then gave Midnight a hurried expression. "Go find the others! I'll follow these freaks, and stall them as much as possible! Find and destroy that damned book!!" Said Crimson quickly before retreaving Helios, and sneaking through the shadows to follow Orion and his group from a safe distance.

[EcstaticWind 572]

Noble Persona

@, 

 

"Thank you. I will put this information to good use. But whatever you do, sir, do not drop that crystal. It is the only way I can lead Willow and Zintiik back to you." He walked off down the tunnels, in a different direction to the others. He could sense them, but the crystal was a double edged sword as well as the only magic he could use in these accursed tunnels. If Orion discovered the spell bound to the crystal, he could use that crystal to track Noble. 'Not entirely unexpected. I am looking for his sister, after all. Of course he'd want to keep an eye on me, so to speak. That's not to say I wouldn't do the same for my brothers...'

[Umbreon 569]

Zintiik

 

@, @,

 

As the aspect began to seemingly crackle with power, Zintiik started to get nervous...  More nervous than he was before, anyways.  "Now now, good worm...  Don't attack Zintiik, the bug is your friend!  You're going to wake her up if you do!  You want to let her rest, right?"  

 

Zintiik still had absolutely no idea if the magical creature could understand him...  Based on Kricket's reactions so far, it most likely couldn't.  Trying to talk with it was his only option right now though, because if he moved he risked waking up Willow.  And based on the way she had collapsed before, he really didn't want to do that unless absolutely necessary.

 

 

Pavisa

 

@,

 

Pavisa glances at Eclipse and shrugs slightly.  "I don't know by this point.  Red was the one with the plan...  We'll have to cross that bridge once we get there.  We can't use it, though...  That could be just as bad as letting Orion finish it.  Not to mention he's already read over half of it.  Captain Redwave said that the words disappear once they've been read once, so even if someone did read what remains they'd have less than half of the knowledge.  Still less than what Orion has."

 

@, @@Windbreaker,  (And anyone else I missed)

 

Listening in to Kingfisher and Aegis, Pavisa starts to slow down a little.  They had a point - it didn't seem like these stairs were ever going to end!  With a small groan she turns to look behind them, to see how far they had come.

 

She hadn't expected to see a doorway at seemingly the base of the stairs, not far below them...  Ringed by more of the glowing crystals.  Stopping there on the staircase, she raises her voice to get the others attention.  "Hey...  How long has that been there?"

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Kingfisher.

@,
@Everyone else around,

"What... oh." Kingfisher froze as she turned and looked behind them. A door? Why was there a door? They had been climbing for... well, she didn't know, but far too long to still have something like a door behind them. She looked back upwards again, but saw no sign of the top.
 
"I don't like it... but lets try that way."

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

@ Pretty much everypony

Blast

Blast noticed it, too. Why would a door like this be here, let alone one that just led to more of the glowing crystals that they saw beforehand? Blast got the idea that all of this was just an illusion, a trap made by Orion or maybe the temple itself.

"Well, only one way to find out, right? Let's go." Blast, without really thinking or consulting Eclipse for his opinion, proceeds through the door, awaiting whatever might be on the other side.

[EcstaticWind 572]

Noble Persona

 

Noble hadn't yet found them, and he had no idea where Willow or Zintiik were. He removed his mask and put it away in his saddlebag. After all, he didn't want to intimidate and his mask would be scary in the dim light. 'I'm glad I didn't bring my other one. I'd be burning up. Acting over-dramatic is still as tiring as it used to be. Maybe I should get acting lessons...'

 

Seeing no better alternatives, he called out into the dark. "Hello? Willow? Willow Starsinger! Zintiik Changeling! Is anypony there? Answer, please!" His eyes narrowed as he trudged on, hoping they heard him. If not, then he'd just have to keep looking and hope he stumbled across them.

 

Aegis Dare

@,

@,

@ Everyone present 

 

"Wait! We don't know what's on the other side!" Aegis called after Blast, but the stallion had run ahead. "Dammit. Can't let him go on alone."

 

He made to run after Blast, but if he went out with no backup, then it'd be exactly the same and he'd just worry the others, forcing them to spend time looking for him and Blast. Time better spent looking for the Litany. Without a clear plan or idea, he turned to the others. "Anypony got any ideas?"

[Ihei 713]

@,@@Windbreaker, @Everypony Else,

 

 

Aphrodite

 

"IDIOT!" Aphrodite yelled after Blast, running after him and yanking him back by his tail. "If you don't know what it is, at least TRY to proceed with caution!" Aphrodite glared at Blast, then trotted through the mysterious door.

[Umbreon 569]

Zintiik

 

@, @@Windbreaker, @,

 

Blinking, Zintiik forgets Kricket for a moment to tilt his head.  He thought he had heard somepony calling Willow's name...  And more surprisingly, his name.  The only ones who know me are in Orion's group...  It must be one of them!  

 

He calls out quietly, hoping to be heard but trying to let Willow rest for as long as she can.  "Hello?  Over this way!  Look for the glowing blue worm!"  He still didn't like the way Kricket was crackling with energy at him, but he had to admit that the glowing aspect made a very recognizable figure in the dark temple.

 

 

Pavisa

 

@(Everyone in Kingfisher's group)

 

Stepping up to the doorway, Pavisa looks at the crystals surrounding the door frame.  "They definitely seem brighter here than they did before...  Unless anyone else has a better plan, follow the crystals?"  She glances back to see what the others thought - it was a straightforward approach, but it made sense to the guard.  Maybe that's part of the trap, trying to get any pony who walks in here to assume everything is a trap and avoid the right path?