open A Darker Fate: Beyond these Walls Chapter Two.

[RAGESTAR 479]

 

Amethyst Void.

 

@,

 

That was brilliant. Legitimately brilliant. Remind me to never hire Crimson as a diplomat.

 

@@Icy Void,

@@Geek0zoid,

@,

 

She couldn't explain it.

 

All of a sudden, the strange gesture just seemed so right... Alien as it was to her. Perhaps it was something to do with this pony form - she didn't know, but after a few moments of stunned silence and with a sudden feeling of what she assumed was emotion, she couldn't stop herself.

 

Amethyst raised a hoof to her face in a gesture of defeat and groaned in resignation. It actually seemed to be the perfect way to sum up the situation.

 

Even when she actually went out of her way to help them... the arrogant one went and described things in much the same way that she would have.

 

@,

 

"I could have told them that myself..." She murmured towards the idiot one next to her - loudly enough to not hide her voice at all. "I kind of figured you'd want to blame me or something... or at least diplomatic..."

 

 

Crimson couldn't help it, even though she was calling him stupid, and the situation was grim, he couldn't help but laugh. "I'm done with blaming, I know it's all my fault, that's why I'm gonna set things right...besides, I never said I was a smart conversatinist, you should have already known that..." he said jokingly. ((Lol, yeah, I know. XD))

[Icy Void 19]

Midnight Sky

 

Midnight couldn't help but smile at Crimson's summary of the situation, or Amethyst's reaction to it, it was nice to have a moment of being able to enjoy his company. "Well I'd say that just about sums it up. I'll give the full story later when we're all together, we'll need everypony's help if we're going to save Equestria." Midnight said to Pavisa before turning his attention to his sister. Even without either of them saying anything, Midnight knew Sunshine well enough to know that she was really glad to see him back safely, and that she was very curious as to who Amethyst was. Midnight wasn't about to get in his sister's way, but he got the feeling that the ever optimistic Sunshine and the safety in solitude Amethyst might not get along too well. But if anypony could get to Amethyst's friendly side, Midnight had no doubt that it would be Sunshine, as much because of magic as her personality, Sunshine's magical aura radiated happiness like fire radiates heat.

 

Sunshine Rays

 

When she had seen all the others return looking more or less all right, Sunshine had been filled with joy. She knew there was nothing that she needed to say to her brother, Midnight would just get uncomfortable if she dawdled over his well being in front of others, so instead Sunshine turned her attention to the newcomer. She may not be as experienced in magical study as her older brother, but even Sunshine could tell that this entity was far stronger than any unicorn and probably even any alicorn. "Hi Amethyst lady, my name is Sunshine Rays! I'm Midnight's younger sister, it's nice to meet you. How did you end up in that necklace inside that lock box?" Sunshine asked Amethyst in a cheery voice. She may not know this Amethyst yet, but Sunshine was determined to become friends with this magic entity.

[~Sole~ 852]

Ronin facehooved as crimson gave a half assed explanation of what had happened after the group separated, but smirked as he looked over to see that amethyst had done the same. 'Huh, so she does have some emotion in her...' He thought, before answering her. "No, why would I blame you? You and the other one may have started annoying, but at least your willing to help now. See? If you keep helping others then maybe you'll make friends and come off of that whole 'trust no one' thing." He said jokingly

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

Amethyst Void.

 

@,

 

That was brilliant. Legitimately brilliant. Remind me to never hire Crimson as a diplomat.

 

@@Icy Void,

@@Geek0zoid,

@,

 

She couldn't explain it.

 

All of a sudden, the strange gesture just seemed so right... Alien as it was to her. Perhaps it was something to do with this pony form - she didn't know, but after a few moments of stunned silence and with a sudden feeling of what she assumed was emotion, she couldn't stop herself.

 

Amethyst raised a hoof to her face in a gesture of defeat and groaned in resignation. It actually seemed to be the perfect way to sum up the situation.

 

Even when she actually went out of her way to help them... the arrogant one went and described things in much the same way that she would have.

 

@,

 

"I could have told them that myself..." She murmured towards the idiot one next to her - loudly enough to not hide her voice at all. "I kind of figured you'd want to blame me or something... or at least diplomatic..."

White Eclipse

"See, this is the issue with you and your partner here; you never give others a chance." Eclipse said, walking up to Amethyst and putting a hoof on her shoulder. "There are good beings in this world. You're just too stuck in what you think to open up and see that. You say that you don't care, but inside, you probably do. But, that's not a bad thing. Feeling for others is what makes you a living being." Eclipse gave the mare a smile. Smiling is something Eclipse rarely does, but it was genuine. He even gave the mare a small hug. "We're a team, and we're all friends. I think you could be a good being if you just open yourself up and show your feelings... it's something rarely do." Eclipse said, looking away with a sigh.

[Tricksters Pride 100]

Black Mist (now reformed into base form)

@, @@Frosty V, @@Midnight Scribbler, @@Windbreaker, 

 

After the cyan mare half-set down her blade *'Close enough...'* the mist reformed into his usual shape and was distracted by the same noise. "Hmm, and a fair sized magical signatu-..........." Upon turning around he noticed that yet another pony had drawn a weapon and pointed it in his direction... Examples must be made. So after turning around the entity gave off an annoyed growl and, with a gesture from the beings tail, the arrow disintegrated. "Well props for trying something new at least, maybe you'll want to try magic next? Mix it up a little."

Edited February 13, 2014 by Tricksters Pride

[SilverHeart 741]

(OOC: Sorry, I've been so slow. I'm pretty far behind in one of my classes and have had a lot to distract me lately. Despite that, I'll try to start posting more.)

@@Midnight Scribbler, @, @, @@Nomadic, @

 

Mirror Image

By chance, Mirror Image had closed her eyes, trying to make sure her magic wouldn't make her sick, when Orion had cast his spell. Despite her possibly being the first to recover it seemed she was the last to act. Scribbler had moved over to comfort Willow, Zintiik had left to chase after Orion, and Denarius had chosen to remain with the group. The thought of having Zintiik chasing after Orion alone didn't sit well with her. With Orion as he was, it wouldn't be a surprise if he ended up trying to kill the bug. Since nopony else seemed all too eager to go help him, the honor seemed to be left to her. She started to past the other ponies "I'm going to make sure Zintiik doesn't get ki-" She trailed off briefly glancing at Willow before speaking again, "So he doesn't get hurt by flying into something in the darkness." She walked further into the tunnel.

She stopped just at the edge and cast a spell, producing a small orb of light and pushing it towards the others with her magic. "You can move it around with either magic or just by pushing it. Be gentle though, it's fragile."

She walked further into the darkness, after a short distance she broke into a trot, hoping she could catch up the changeling before anything happened to either him or Orion.

Edited February 13, 2014 by SilverHeart

[~Sole~ 852]

As eclipse hugged amethyst, ronin's eyes narrowed and he felt a very alien emotion to him: jealousy. He was actually jealous that eclipse was hugging amethyst, and even felt a little angry that he did it so nonchalantly. "What have I become? I've sunk to petty jealousy because a friend of mine gave a hug to some girl I barely know!" He thought, as he continued to scowl. He couldn't help it, he could even feel his left eye twitching a little.

Edited February 13, 2014 by ~chaotic biscuit~

[Nomadic 210]

Denarius

@@Midnight Scribbler, @@SilverHeart, @

 

Denarius raised his hoof to speak as he watched tears well up in Willow's eyes. He felt some sense of empathy and sadness towards the mare. She must of cared for Orion deeper than he had realised. He swayed back over to Scribbler and raised his brow at his question. "I trust you well enough Scribbler, yet I think your real question was can you trust me. For all of your sanctimonious babbling, your still well-meaning with motivations about as clear as a glass window pane". He smirked a little trying to keep his complacent attitude about him. "My answer to you on trusting myself is probably. I can't speak for anything I haven't done yet, but I will assure you that I have no interest in your so called 'Litany'. Judging by Orion's current attitude, I would be forsaking all the pleasures of my life for one magical bauble. It would be rather short-sighted on my part, don't you agree?".

 

Denarius began to circle around the area glancing at each of the three remaining ponies. The odd-mare seemed to think it was best to chase after Zintiik, probably a wise idea. Giving a nod of indifference, he watched her run off before answering Scribbler's final question. "Mine is a power of opportunity. With my magic I'm able to manipulate any odds and fortune exclusively towards my favour. Fortune is still unreliable though, and I've learned over time that such magic is merely a buffer not to be exclusively relied upon. I thrive within the social world, yet have delved into the more roguish path once I've grown bored with society or Fortune has decided to be fickle", his voice remained torpid at any mention of his past. Letting his horn glow a weak and pale white light in demonstration of his magic, he began to grow more impatient as time dragged on.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Amethyst Void.

 

This really was almost too much.

 

@@Geek0zoid,

 

"Don't touch me. You're all so heavy and... squishy... and you're doing that breathing thing. It makes my essence cold just thinking about it." She managed to say. "And when you're done consoling me... you're idiots."

 

@@Icy Void,

@,

@,

@,

 

Rolling her eyes and sighing like a teacher on the edge of losing patience, she flitted into the air and stayed there - aura of magic glowing softly as it suspended the outsider safely out of range of being touched by any of the ponies... especially the child.

 

"Yeah, I get it - your good friends and look out for each other and all that stupid stuff... still would have made sense to tell them I did it - I don't care what they think, but you obviously do. I can't even try to help you without you sabotaging it... hmph."

[Umbreon 569]

Pavisa

 

@,@@Geek0zoid,@@Icy Void,@,

 

"W-wait, what do you mean you...  Is that what that earthquake was before?  Is that what-"  she stopped herself before finishing that thought.  'Is that what triggered my mental breakdown' had been what she'd wanted to say, but...  She didn't want to bring that up.  Instead she sighs and raises a hoof to her head.  It still hurt.

 

"...Whatever.  Explain more once we've caught up..."  Pavisa looks towards Amethyst floating in the air, something in the back of her head still making her feel uneasy about the...  Whatever she was.  After glaring at her for just a moment Pavisa turns to go back down towards the tunnel.  "Everpony else is waiting on us, let's move..."

 

 

Zintiik

 

@@SilverHeart,

 

As Zintiik thumps into a wall once again, he pauses when he hears hoofbeats rapidly approaching from behind him.  Orion?  No...  No, he's ahead of me...  How could he be behind me?  It can't be him, so that means...  "Willow?"

 

He turns around, freezing when he sees Mirror.  It takes him a couple moments to register who she was - he wasn't exactly in his right mind at the moment.  The bug really didn't look all that well off either - his skin was cracked and bleeding from where he'd collided with the magical spark, and there was still a few wisps of smoke rising from him.  "...M...Mirror?  What...  What're you doing here?"

[RAGESTAR 479]

@

 

Crimson chuckled and looked up at Amethyst. "You can point out how illogical my choice was all you want, lady. I don't care, I don't pin the blame on my friends, not even to save my own hide. If I did that, what would be the point of learning from your mistakes? I already told you, I take full responsibility for what I've done...even if it does cost me my friends..." he said with a sigh.

[~Sole~ 852]

@

 

Ronin's fit of jealousy dessipated as amethyst floated into the air and away from the group. "So she doesn't like hugs... Duely noted." He thought, before looking up at her. "I'm not sabotaging anything, I have no idea what your talking about..." He said with a shrug

Edited February 14, 2014 by ~chaotic biscuit~

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,

 

White Eclipse

"What could we possibly be sabotaging?" Eclipse asked, continuing onward. "We all have a common goal, don't we? We're trying to stop these creatures for the greater good of both our worlds. I don't see what we could possibly be sabotaging." He said.

[Ihei 713]

@@Midnight Scribbler, @@Nomadic,

 

Willow Starsinger

 

"You really don't have to do that.. but I can't thank you enough,"  Willow smiled meekly at Scribbler. She still felt grief for Orion, though.. she agreed with Scribbler - she needed to revive Orion of his old self from his new one, and destroying the Litany sounded like the solution. She's always thought Orion of sort of like a father - since she barely knew her own and he always acted like one. It wasn't the fact that the Litany took over Orion, rather that she was too weak to prevent it from happening.

 

She watched Mirror chase after Zintiik who chased after Orion down the cave. She just wanted to rest and try to overcome the flood of events that just happened. Mirror was weak. Zintiik seemed to be the healthiest at the moment of the group. Denarius, well, was just himself. Orion believed Willow was a spirit, but she wondered to herself, why her? Why didn't he think of anypony else of the group as a spirit, and where does he expect the "real" Willow to be? He has apologized earlier. Maybe the Litany finally broke the barrier that surrounded Orion's mind to finally take control. Was her nightmare coming true? She didn't know. She decided she'd rather take the best of the situation at hoof and help rather than weep.

[SilverHeart 741]

(OOC: This might be my last post for the night. Feel free to G-mod Mirror to keep the RP going if you want.)

 

@,

 

"Oh no...." Mirror said not moving towards him, she hadn't expected this....at least not so soon. "Zintiik, are you alr-" No, of course he isn't.  Mirror asked as she quickly approached the injured changeling. "I thought you could use some help in getting Orion back to his senses....I hadn't expected you to be so hurt. Did Orion do this to you?"

[Umbreon 569]

Zintiik

 

@@SilverHeart,

 

Orion...  Had Orion done this?  No, that couldn't be.  Orion was his friend - if changelings and ponies could be friends, anyways.  Orion had been the first one to not run away, or to try and attack him, or to call him a monster...  Orion wouldn't have done it to him.  Would he?

 

"No..."  The loyal changeling refused to believe Orion had tried to hurt him.  And that meant he couldn't let the others start thinking that way either.  "No, it...  Must have been one of...  One of the traps.  One must have still been active...  I was flying fast, I couldn't avoid it..."  Turning away from Mirror, the changeling starts to slowly limp down the passage after Orion again.  He'd promised to keep Orion safe - he couldn't do that if he wasn't with the unicorn.  "C...  C'mon...  I need to catch up to him."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

Midnight Scribbler

@@SilverHeart,

@,

@@Nomadic,

 

Scribbler returned Willow's smile, as warmly as he could. He could see the despair in her eyes, having lost the one family member she had. "You needn't thank me, Willow. I owe you a debt anyway, and besides. I couldn't leave you here like this." He turned his head again to Denarius. "You have a point, my friend. Though abrasive as you might be at times, I trust your words." He hadn't particularly liked being told he was babbling sanctimoniously. It didn't seem called for, although from Denarius' perspective, it may have come across this way. Scribbler silenced his temper, not having the energy, nor the patience for argument at the moment. Things were working out, and that was all he could hope for. "You might want to help the others.. I can stay here with Willow, we will be fine on our own, as long as we stay put. Mirror and Zintiik may require your help.. If you can aid in their fortune, I am certain it would be welcome. And as for Orion.. Do be careful.. If he does reach the Litany, there's no telling what sort of power he may bring to bear against us." Scribbler looked down the passage after the others. "I have a certain spell in mind.. but I need my rest if I am to pull this off.."

(OOC Will post for Clockwork asap. Sorry for the delay, I've been really short on time lately)

Edited February 14, 2014 by Midnight Scribbler

[Ihei 713]

@@Midnight Scribbler,@@Nomadic,

 

"M-maybe Orion is just tired. Denarius, I'll come with you. I think I need to talk to Orion more," Willow gave him a hopeful smile. "Scribbler, will you be okay if you stay here? Do you need anything? It's not like you could get anything out here.. but do you?" Willow asked, hoping that Scribbler was at least comfortable before they left him alone.

 

Willow looked in the passage Orion and the others wandered into. Orion couldn't have thought she was just a spirit. He couldn't have. The Litany isn't powerful enough to break through their relationship. She sure hoped Zintiik or Mirror wouldn't get hurt. She knew a few medical treatments and knew what herbs did what, but it didnt look like there were herbs anywhere..

 

"But then again, I am feeling very tired.. Following Orion would probably mean me fainting again," Willow struggled not to fall over.

[EcstaticWind 572]

Aegis Dare

@@Frosty V, @@Tricksters Pride, @, @@Midnight Scribbler,

 

Aegis removed his wingblades and stowed them and the crystal shard in his saddlebags. Any need for weapons was long since gone. “Let’s all chill out and put our weapons down. No need to start a fight we can avoid, right?” ‘Besides, if he wanted us dead, we couldn’t stop him in our current state... Please, don't do anything stupid.’

[Nomadic 210]

Denarius

@@Midnight Scribbler, @

 

Denarius gazed at Willow. She was just as determined as her brother to get what she wanted, and more than likely going to wander off, again, if left to stay with the resting Scribbler. "I would always appreciate the company my little mare friend. If you do start to feel tired, we could easily rest for a moment or two", he gave her a hearty little grin as he turned his head back to Scribbler. "I don't think anypony here is going to take a simple no as an acceptable answer. Willow will probably be safer with me anyway, and I can take it slow if the need ever arises". He looked back and forth rapidly at both of them. For once, he hoped that both he and Scribbler were on the same page despite their often conflicting viewpoints. 

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Orion Starsinger.

 

A split in the passage: Orion didn't even check for any signs of magic. Without breaking pace he split at the branch in the wall to his right. There were voices behind still, no doubt the illusions still hounding him. He should have faced them - the Litany's defences were tests but... there wasn't any time! He had to find Willow - the real Willow - while there was still power left in it to use... something was very wrong, and he hadn't come this far to let them fail now.

 

A door loomed ahead - he didn't ever test to see it it was locked. Body shuddering as he drew on reserves of magic he simply didn't have available, a huge bolt of blunt force smashed it from its setting as the unicorn charged through.

 

Lights. Fire - torches on the walls. Somehow still lit after however long. Steps ascending into the very heart of the mountain... all the while feeling the weakening magic becoming him onwards.

 

Reaching yet another door, he stopped - recognising familiar markings inscribed along it. Runes surrounding the frame and a tiny, ornate eye carved about a heads hight above his own. Pausing, he looked back behind him. The apparitions might have stopped, or them might simply be waiting for him to be at his most vulnerable. He frowned - this could take some time, time that he wouldn't have if they appeared again. He couldn't afford that: everything had built up to this moment: his salvation - his redemption.

 

His legs buckled from the strain as more of the starlike sparks flooded the stairwell - fuelled by a mixture of determination and his own vitality. Wrenching himself upright again, he placed a hoof against the door.

[~Sole~ 852]

Ronin silently looked up at the eathral, and then around at the others. He didn't feel right... He felt different. Like he wasn't even himself. "In less then a day I've been acting so different as to be called a different pony. I've even shirked my training for a mere crush..." He thought, before looking at the ground. He was drifting from his goal... Between helping his new friends and chasing a girl he was going to lose his edge. "I'm getting too soft..." He mumbled

Edited February 14, 2014 by ~chaotic biscuit~

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Kingfisher.

 

@@Tricksters Pride,

@@Windbreaker,

@@Midnight Scribbler,

@@Frosty V,

 

"I don't think that..." Kingfisher started to respond, but she wasn't really paying attention.

 

As surreal and dangerous as the situation was, she was getting a very, very bad feeling about the distant sounds ahead of them. She squinted: was the light shifting - flickering slightly? It was a curious blue, in fact it almost looked like a light she had been uncomfortably close to on multiple occasions over the past few weeks...

 

"Frost..." She muttered under her breath to the pony beside her. "... you know you were asking about Orion...?"

 

Ignoring whatever it was that was presently trying to kill them might well have been the worst possible idea - but if she was right then some unknown entity was the least of their troubles. If Orion was there then there must be a reason: and the only logical reason that she could think of was to hunt them down... some desperate attempt at revenge for stopping him before perhaps?

[SilverHeart 741]

Zintiik

 

@@SilverHeart,

 

Orion... Had Orion done this? No, that couldn't be. Orion was his friend - if changelings and ponies could be friends, anyways. Orion had been the first one to not run away, or to try and attack him, or to call him a monster... Orion wouldn't have done it to him. Would he?

 

"No..." The loyal changeling refused to believe Orion had tried to hurt him. And that meant he couldn't let the others start thinking that way either. "No, it... Must have been one of... One of the traps. One must have still been active... I was flying fast, I couldn't avoid it..." Turning away from Mirror, the changeling starts to slowly limp down the passage after Orion again. He'd promised to keep Orion safe - he couldn't do that if he wasn't with the unicorn. "C... C'mon... I need to catch up to him."

(OOC: Super quick post during break. Sorry)

 

Mirror wasn't convinced that Orion hadn't done this. It didn't seem like Sintiik was either. Regardless Mirror quickly caught up the changeling, slowing down so the changeling could keep up with her. "Can you keep going? If you need to head back to the others, I can go look for Orion by myself. Out of the two of us, my magic is more useful for getting Orion back to his senses."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

Clockwork Green

@@Windbreaker,

@,

@@Frosty V,

@@Tricksters Pride,

 

Clockwork had no weapons drawn, the only one he had was well hidden, tucked away in his cloak, ready for use if he needed it. Though in this situation, he had little use for such things, his best defense was merely to avoid conflict. He watched as the others seemed to lower their weapons, then Kingfisher brought up Orion again. Clockwork's ears peaked at the name, and he gazed down the tunnel at the flickering light. A chill ran up his spine, realizing there was potentially another danger on it's way. Turning to Kingfisher, he spoke softly. "If that is Orion, down there.. What sort of danger would you say we are currently in? I have half a mind to just turn back and avoid this if we are facing something beyond our power." His stomach churned again, as he hauled the last of the cigarette, and spat the butt into the corner of the tunnel. "I have no intention of perishing out here.. I have too many important things to accomplish before that happens." He scowled down the tunnel.

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

 

Midnight Scribbler

@@Nomadic,

@,

 

Scribbler sighed. Willow knew she was tired, he knew it too. She shouldn't go, but if she did, Scribbler wasn't about to just let her go with Denarius. He trusted Denarius not to hurt her, but he knew Orion's power when he was in control of the Litany. If he had found it, there would be little way of knowing what could happen. He'd promised Orion some time ago that he would not let Willow come to any harm. He wasn't about to let that promise go, just because Orion had lost his mind. "Willow.. If I may give you my best advice.. I would not go if I were you." He started, glancing at the ground. "If Orion believes us to be apparitions or the like, there is no telling what he may do if we try to slow him down." He looked back to Willow with a look of concern in his face. "But if you must go after him.. I promised your brother that I would protect you from danger.. And if you must go, then I will also." He looked to Denarius "I believe you are right.. I am in no condition to take this all on myself. But staying here alone would likely be a terrible idea anyway.. Who knows what dangers lie in these tunnels, navigating alone could be quite dangerous." He glanced to Willow again. "What do you wish to do, Willow? I will go if you do, but I believe our best bet is to conserve our energy. Once our energy is back up, we will stand a much better chance out here. Don't you agree?" He hoped she would choose rest, but something deep down told him this might not be an option for her. Denarius seemed interested in continuing on as well. And there was also Mirror to think of, and Zintiik. They could be in danger. His heart began to sink, realizing the absolute dire situation they had found themselves in suddenly. What was he to do? He felt more powerless than he'd ever been in his entire life.