open A Darker Fate: Beyond these Walls Chapter Two.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@@Windbreaker,

 

Blast

Blast got up out of his seat and got a couple bags of peanuts from the mare handing out snacks to the train passengers. He liked peanuts. They helped him calm down, especially in the circumstances he's gotten himself into. He's gotten himself wrapped up in the search for the Litany again. He honestly didn't care for the Litany. But, he still didn't know why Red Wave wanted the item in the first place? A keeps sake? Treasure? Ultimate power? He had no idea. All he knew was that he's gotten himself into the same mess, and there's no turning back.

 

He looked over to Aegis, who was simply staring out the window, sitting all by himself. He seemed to be deep in thought. The stallion walked over the other author and tapped him on the shoulder, offering him his second bag of nuts.

"You seem tense." Blast said to him. "Maybe these'll help."

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Midnight Scribbler, 

 

Icarus looked up at Clockwork, somewhat startled, as he had not seen him.

 

"I am not sure how long it has been, as I have found myself in the clutches of sleep for the past hour or so. I do know we are around two thirds there though." Icarus responded to Clockworks question.

 

"How's your head? "Icarus asked.

[EcstaticWind 572]

Aegis Dare

@, 

 

"Hmm? Oh, no thanks. I still have some bell peppers left. Want one?" Aegis offered Blast a bell pepper. After a short pause, he continued speaking. "I was just thinking that Noble might just be planning. And if he is, then he won't make any moves for a while. He'll lay low and start putting pieces on the board, ready to strike. Can't say much more than that, I'm afraid."

 

"But then, good thing you've got me, right? Demigod or not, Noble knows that I'll belt him one if it will bring him to his senses." He glanced around, noting how miserable everypony looked. As if in defiance of the moody atmosphere, Aegis grinned at Blast. "We survived one encounter, so we could probably do it again. Right?"

 

'I don't know if I believe the words coming out of my mouth, but somepony's got to boost morale around here.'

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@@Windbreaker,

 

Blast

Blast smiled at Aegis and took the pepper from his hoof. He then sat down next to him.

"Thanks. I'll save it for when I need it, though. I've got my peanuts for now." He said to him, beginning to munch on them. "Well, here's how I see things, dude. We're all a team, right? We all have our own qualities that'll help us through our problems. For instance, I have my speed and agility, Eclipse has his psychic magic, Kingfisher has her leadership skills, and Clockwork has his... um, smarts. If we work together, we can get through this no problem."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

Clockwork Green

@@Commander Tangent,

 

Clockwork hadn't really thought about his headache being gone until just now. "Oh.. eh, better, thanks to your painkillers. They were quite effective." He sat on the bottom bunk, across from Icarus. "What do you make of this weather? Rather unseasonable isn't it?" He pulled out his apple and began to eat it. He'd not eaten yet today, and felt ravenous.

[EcstaticWind 572]

Aegis Dare

@,

 

Aegis nodded. Blast's words made sense, and most ponies here likely knew the need for teamwork. The only ones who may pose just as much a problem to them as they would to Noble were Eclipse, Crimson, and Clockwork. Still, he munched on his bell peppers happily. "You've got a good point there, Blast. Pull together as a team, and we've got a better chance of getting through this than we would if we were alone."

[Snowy Storm 57]

(OOC: sorry I've been gone for a long while. I will have time now)

Icy sat on the train apart from the others. She was toying with her shard of black Ice the seat next to her was a little colder then the rest of the train. She didn't mind sitting alone, rather she enjoyed it. It gave her peace and time to think. Looking out the window and seeing the snow reminded her of past memories. Still as much as she enjoyed the peace of sitting alone and focusing on her magic around the shard of ice she wished somepony would take to her.

[SilverHeart 741]

@@Midnight Scribbler,

 

Mirror Image trotted up the stairwell, listening to Scribbler's reaction to her apparently off-kilter lack of desire for saving the world. The reaction seemed a little familiar, although it was on a different scale. For a brief moment she was reminded of one of her older friends, one that was always too eager for adventuring. She lowered her voice as she came out of the stairwell, she didn't want Orion or Zintiik to hear what she was about to say, "Orion was powerful. Before, I'm sure that as a group we could have handled Noble. Orion was our...well...main strength. Without the Litany's power, what is our little group? We're just two scholars, a bug, a showmare and a girl. I'm doubtful we can beat him...let alone the...uh...bandits." Mirror resumed walking down the hall, sighing in frustration. "Look, we can talk about this later. After we talk to Orion. He's been, to put it mildly, stressed. I doubt he has the patience to wait for us to finish talking, right now." She had been ignoring the feeling all day, but their current situation seemed...hopeless.

 

@,@, @,

 

Mirror walked towards Orion's room before knocking twice on the door and letting herself in, leaving it open for Scribbler to follow. She looked over to Orion. "I'm sorry that took so long...although I think the two of us are ready, whenever are you are." Mirror sat down, making sure that there was room for another pony beside her. She released the spell hiding her new weapons to readjust the straps, until she was comfortable. Mirror looked at Scribbler expectantly. For now, her distrust was forgotten to focus on their meeting.

Edited December 16, 2013 by SilverHeart

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Kingfisher.

 

@@Frosty V,

 

"Ma'am? You sound like Red..." Snorted the mare, grinning a little.

"Calm down! We're not going to bite or anything. You're welcome to tag along, long as you pull your weight."

 

She stood up - legs aching from sitting for so long. Pacing restlessly, she started to look about the carriage: mostly the group she knew - plus the few others who had wanted to tag along with them from the hotel. It was probably the most full the train had been in a while...

 

@@Snowy Storm,

 

"Hey, thought you missed the train... Icy, wasn't it?" She called over, catching sight of the mare from the day before and becoming her to join them.

 

Might as well: there wasn't exactly much to do in this bleak wasteland. Maybe she could at least spend the time productively and learn a little about these two whirs names seemed oddly fitting for the situation...

 

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

 

Orion Starsinger.

 

@,

@,

@@SilverHeart,

@@Midnight Scribbler,

 

"Just some idiot who was a few apples short of an orchard..." Orion did his best to smile - masking his own doubts about this 'idiot' for Willows sake. Looking around as Mirror opened the door, he felt a wave of relief wash over him - they were finally back.

 

"Mirror! Scribbler! Finally, I thought you'd gotten lost in the market or something..." He joked feebly. "... come help me clear the floor: I have had an idea, which I intend to utilise as soon as possible! You two as well Willow, Zintiik."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

Midnight Scribbler

@@SilverHeart,

@,

@,

@,

 

As they neared the door, Mirrors last words about the quest were unsettling to him. "Is she really so doubtful of our combined strengths?" He thought. He wanted to respond to her, but instead fell silent for the time being, knowing that now wasn't the right time to continue speaking. He merely sighed heavily, and followed her into the room. He walked up next to Willow, closing the door behind himself and smiled as Orion jested at how late they were. "My apologies, Orion. I believe we must have taken the long way back. It's been a while since I navigated these streets." He began helping Orion move things around. "what exactly are we doing?"

[SilverHeart 741]

(OOC : Posting from phone.)

 

@Team Super Serious

 

Mirror politely chuckled at Orion's joke as she stood to help remove the clutter from the center of the floor. "Yes, we took the scenic route back." She said as she watched Scribbler walk next to Willow. She narrowed her eyes at the mare before sighing, "You seem excited, Orion."

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@@Windbreaker,

 

Blast

Blast munched on his bell peppers happily and smiled at Aegis. He then gave a gesture with his hoof that meant to be thumbs-up.

"Also, I'm terribly sorry doe how my friend, Eclipse, is acting towards the group." Blast said to the author. "He's just... confused. He doesn't know who to trust or who to rely on, so he only relies on himself and he makes friends with almost nopony. I'm probably his only true friend. In actuality, he wants to help us get through, but he doesn't really know how to do it."

Edited December 16, 2013 by StevenEarthPony

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@Midnight Scribbler,

@@SilverHeart,

@,

@,

 

Orion allowed himself to smirk a little: his entourage had only ever seen strength from the Litany in him - it was about time to put his mind to good use.

 

"Well, that's just the question, isn't it?" He said with renewed vigor. "What are we doing? Well!"

 

He hefted the bulging saddlebags onto a cleared area of ground and started to remove various items: a number of gemstones, some paper, quills and unusually colours and even luminous inks...

 

"Noble Persona can't be allowed to run amok with the power if the Litany: it will destroy him, but I can't risk the amount if damage he could cause with it in the meantime..." He stated clearly as he began copying strange, nonsensical runes from a battered scroll onto the wooden floor using a piece of chalk. ""I can't stand up against the Litany: none of us can. So what can I do to stop it?

 

A few runes more and the circle was complete.

 

"I cut off its power at the source" He grinned wickedly: it was for the good of Equestria, certainly, but if it also helped facilitate his revenge... so be it.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

Midnight Scribbler

@,

@@SilverHeart,

@,

@,

 

Scribbler watched as Orion began rooting through his pack, and circled around back beside Mirror, to sit down. He gazed at the runes Orion began to draw on the floor, realizing slowly as they formed the ring what he was attempting. "A teleportation ring? I don't recognize this formation though.." He glanced up at Orion. "I know this may sound risky, but.. The last time I was in possession of the Litany, I brought it to you, and.. well, I believe the Litany's power it's self emerged from you once it was close enough, leaving you on the floor, completely defenseless. Noble merely had to drive his sword through the aura creature to gain it's power.. If we were to bring the Litany to Noble, it may happen again, however.. It would be a great risk to bring them together." He frowned, pondering how he would go about asking Orion's position on the Litany. "What do you intend to do if we find the book?" He asked, hoping his answer would be along a mutual grounds with his own.

[SilverHeart 741]

(OOC: Posting from phone.)

 

Mirror watched Scribbler walk over to join her. She smirked at Willow before she leaned into Scribbler's shoulder so that her head rested on his neck. When she looked back at Orion he had begun to draw arcane symbols on the floor. She watched closely until the circle had been competed. She didn't recognize most of the symbols. Most magics not related to Illusion or deceit were beyond her.

 

Sighing, she asked the most obvious questions, "So...what is the source of power of the Litany? What are our roles in your plan?" She made a motion that included Zintiik, Scribbler and herself.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@Midnight Scribbler,

@@SilverHeart,

 

Orion continued his preparation: a number of carved gemstones were placed at very precise points around the circle. Once he was completely satisfied, he looked up again: determination replacing the wicked bring that had blossomed earlier and for just a moment, he might have been a different pony. Gone was the fear, the doubt and self pity. With a pair of wings, he might even had been the pony who had let them before.

 

But he wasn't: he was Orion - Legion was gone. He had lost his strength, but regained his mind... mostly. That was enough.

 

"I offer you the same I always have: purpose, a chance to change Equestria and a promise that I will do all in my power to shelter you all from harm."

 

Strange - speeches had seemed easier when he had a hundred fallen heroes inside his mind.

 

"I am Orion Starsinger! I will go through fire and ice to protect my family, and you are welcome to cast aside your doubts and join them, or to walk away." He said. "I can fix this: I will not fail again! You're both thinking too small: I'm not going after the Litany: I'm using it to get to something far greater, to find my salvation - and yours too, should you choose to follow me!"

Edited December 16, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

Midnight Scribbler

@,

@@SilverHeart,

@,

@,

 

Scribbler was somewhat thrown off by Mirror's sudden show of affection. After having shown little before, aside from a hug earlier. Perhaps she just had troubles expressing things. He smiled at her warmly, and rubbed his cheek against her head before Orion spoke up. "join to acquire the Litany.. or leave.." This was an ultimatum for Scribbler unless he were to keep his intent under lock and key until he could no longer. He glanced down at Mirror, then around to Zintiik and Willow, then back to Orion. "As long as we stick together, we will be unstoppable.. I will go. Noble must be stopped, there is no question there. You know what I am capable of to a degree, though I have yet to use some of my most potent magic. It will be at your disposal." He nodded, smiling. Right now, his only true concern was that Mirror might try to leave the group, after what she had said in the hall. Taking himself back to it now, he recalled her words.

 

 

Orion was our...well...main strength. Without the Litany's power, what is our little group? We're just two scholars, a bug, a showmare and a girl. I'm doubtful we can beat him...let alone the...uh...bandits."

 

"How little confidence you have in us.. and yourself. I wish there were a way I could change that." He thought, feeling suddenly more melancholy. What would make a mare think that way? After all the amazing feats they'd done in the last week. Orion may have been without power like he had been, but he was still a leader, Zintiik was a pefect scout, Mirror knew illusion magic that could confuse a counter spell specialist, and Scribbler knew he was a powerful magic user himself. The only one who seemingly had nothing to contribute was Willow, aside from getting lost and throwing herself into danger's way. Perhaps she had powers yet to be revealed.

Edited December 16, 2013 by Midnight Scribbler

[EcstaticWind 572]

Aegis Dare

@,

 

"Well, he's got to figure it out soon, 'cause we might have this calm before the storm, but there's still a time limit. We're in this together, which means you have to be committed to the team. If he becomes a problem, I'm trusting you to deal with it, being his friend and all." Aegis didn't like to say it, but it had to be said. Last time the team nearly fell apart, he'd almost walked out on them, and they would've died in the temple. He wasn't going to let the team fall apart now, not when Equestria needed them most.

 

'What am I doing? I'm not the leader. Kingfisher is. Yet I gave an order like I was Captain of the Guard. I suppose it's for the best, though. This team stays together...'

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

Blast

@@Windbreaker, 

 

"Well, me and Eclipse aren't always on good terms." Blast said to the author. He could see where Aegis was coming from, but that was because he's worked with others on many occasions. Eclipse, on the other hoof, doesn't know much about teamwork. "See, me and Eclipse are frenemies. We've fought each other on several occasions, considering he's worked with many evils who tricked him into thinking they'd give him his past. But, me and him can work together well enough to get things done. He just needs to warm up to all of us."

[EcstaticWind 572]

Aegis Dare

@, 

 

'Of course... There's always got to be a complication...' Aegis sighed. Here he thought he was so clever in his attempts to keep the team together and functional. Still, Eclipse would be a good asset to the team, if only he'd be a team player for once. "Well, he's part of the team, so he's gonna get the good and the bad treatment. He can be serious if he wants, but never forget that sometimes everypony needs a good laugh. Just like sometimes what a pony needs is a kick in the flank."

Edited December 17, 2013 by Windbreaker

[Ihei 713]

@@Midnight Scribbler,@, @@SilverHeart, @,  

 

Willow Starsinger

 

Willow looked up at Zintiik and noticed that he seemed a little uncomfortable. She gave a small smile to him and scooted closer to him while he was sitting on the bed. She noticed Scribbler trotting to her, but didn't seem to notice Mirror's glare. Now Scribbler trotted back to Mirror and she smirked at Willow for some reason. "Orion, what if you fail again?" Willow asked, raising a hoof. She nuzzled Zintiik for comfort since, well, lately he looked like he was left out. 

 

(( OOC: Stupid finals. Makes me have a small post. ))

[Snowy Storm 57]

@,
She looked up at Kingfisher.
"I didn't miss the train I've just been silent all this time" she said lowering her shard of Ice. "And yes my name Is Icy, sorry for not saying anything earlier" she putting her shard of ice back in her bag.
"So where are we going? I did just kind of followed you guys without thinking" she said with her hoof behind her head and a rather odd smile, almost forced. it was rather rash of her to join them, but at least they were someplace with snow.

Edited December 17, 2013 by Snowy Storm

[Commander Tangent 861]

@@Midnight Scribbler,

 

"I find this weather most illogical, considering were we are in relative to the northern areas of Equestria. and unless my calender is wrong, I don't believe winter is for quite some time from now" Icarus said in a perplexed manner.

 

I do wonder what could be causing it.

Edited December 17, 2013 by Commander Tangent

[Umbreon 569]

Zintiik

 

@,

@@Midnight Scribbler,

@, 

@@SilverHeart,  

 

Zintiik looks at Willow and smiles slightly, scooting a little closer to the mare before turning his attention back to the others.  He really wasn't sure what was happening - his magic was different than those of the unicorns, and he didn't know the significance of any of Orion's preparations.  

 

The changeling was staying quiet for the most part - after Orion's little outburst at his earlier antics, Zintiik didn't want to risk getting the stallion more upset at him.  There really wasn't much for him to contribute.  He was well aware that he was a follower not a leader; it came with the territory of being a drone.  Whatever Orion decided to do, Zintiik was going to be there to go along with it.  Rather than pay attention to Orion's plan, he instead decided to spend the time watching Scribbler and Mirror, watching for their reactions...

 

 

Pavisa

 

Pavisa stands up and stretches, groaning slightly.  Falling asleep in her seat like that wasn't comfortable, especially taking into account the fact that she was still wearing most of her armour.  Taking a moment to get her hooves under her, she stands shakily on the moving train before taking a few steps down the middle of the car.  She turns her head to glance back towards the others, calling out to whoever might have been listening.

 

"Hey, I'm going to walk around the train a bit...  Sitting around like this is killing me."  With that said the ex-guard starts making her way down the car, going slower than normal.  She would have been a little uncomfortable walking on the moving train anyways - the fact that her joints were sore from her unexpected nap wasn't helping matters.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

Blast

@@Windbreaker,

 

"No, what he really needs is a good kick in the noggin." Blast said, laughing slightly at his statement. He always liked laughing at his puns, even if they were cheesy. Anyways, he felt he needed to get to the point. "Anyways, I think the reason that Eclipse doesn't think much of teamwork is because he has too much amnesia to think. He's only focused on one thing; using the Litany to find his past. I'll be completely blunt, if he could shove me off of a cliff to find his past... he'd shove me off the cliff. Ever since being freed from his carbonite prison, he's never had anypony in his life to look out for. Now, if we could just show him how important teamwork and friendship actually is, he might change his thinking patterns."