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Messages - The Wandering Magus

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((thanks, McSleuth.

Waiting for Omega_Khaos))
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((thanks, McSleuth.))
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you can be, if you want.
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Quote from: Bravo 539 on 2013 Dec 22, 00:01:52
Mr. Brown accepted a fourth of the offered bits.  "A couple trips to the storage room is hardly worth that sum, and I'm already quite well-employed.  I'll hold you to that extra drink offer tomorrow morning, though, all right?"
Coffee Joe grinned.  "Certainly!  Always a pleasure serving you, Mr. Brown."

Quote from: Bane Emural on 2013 Dec 22, 00:02:06
Aldorn enters and looks at the commander. He looks at the other guards, then back to Silverblade. "Thank you, I am Aldorn Ceraphil, Master Blacksmith of the Rowan Village, or whats left of it." Aldorn turns off his heater to let it recharge by collecting the heat surrounding the machine.
Quote from: Coffee Rush on 2013 Dec 22, 00:27:23
Atoll is glad to be greeted by a pony, and rushes in rather quickly. She shuts her heater off too, giving a swift introduction. "I'm Sandy Atoll." Atoll just gave a name, as she didn't live in one place for more than a week. The primary needs of a pony were getting to her, the warm air reminding her of the times before the Ice.
The stallion nodded politely to them.

"A pleasure, both of you.  As you might imagine, it isn't often that we encounter travelers anymore, not since about a month after the Ice Age began.  Most that could had already found their way to shelters long since.  Come, there is food and drink and warmth at the guardhouse, and after some rest we can move to the city proper, if you like.  Will you be staying long?" asked the Commander as he led them down a vast tiled hall lined with great pillars.  The hallway was lit with crystals that shone gently, like moonlight was stored inside.  The so-called barracks were almost mansion-like, complete with golden-gilded roof and ivory towers and marble columns, as well as small beds of flowers, apparently there for little more than decoration.  Crystal lamps lit the area outside it, and banners at the top were embroidered with the Triple Crown; silver trumpets and alarms were set about the towers at intervals.

From within the building flowed warm air, and they could see a glow like steady fire, not flickering.  There were also warm drafts from much farther down the hall... it was as if there was sunlight down there... but that couldn't be, they were underground.  Could it?
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Quote from: Bane Emural on 2013 Dec 21, 19:27:59
Aldorn watches the sequence and presses the runes in the same sequence. Come on, open up before she freezes.
Quote from: Coffee Rush on 2013 Dec 21, 22:22:14
Atoll was eager to get inside, disregarding the fact that they were going to be watched and followed. Her heating device was, unbeknownst to her, beginning to malfunction, something that hadn't happened to her before. The good thing was, she hadn't frozen over yet, and would most likely be inside before she did. Atoll fidgeted around, rubbing the snow off her goggles, tightening her gear, pacing around faster and faster.
The enormous doors open almost immediately, and Aldorn is greeted with a rush of warm air from the bright chambers within.  He could hear the tramp of horseshoes on the floor as guards came to the attention.  One guard rushed out to help the pair inside.  He was clad in gold-gilded plate engraved with beautiful geometric motifs and the triple crown, along with various runes of protection; his accent was an odd mix of various high-class and Ponyville accents, as though his parents had tried to imitate Lord Fancy's accent when they first came here.  It was close, though.

"Come in!  Quickly now, don't want to freeze in the cold.  Welcome to Duchy Fancy, and to Orod Khazad, its capital.  Commander Silverblade, at your service," he smiled as he helped them inside.

Quote from: Bravo 539 on 2013 Dec 21, 20:33:31
Mr. Brown went about the task casually rather than rapidly, taking several trips to avoid any risk of spilling the goods.  He was doing this to pass the time, after all, so he might as well be sure to do it properly.  "Well, it's the only productive thing to do.  It wouldn't be right and proper to sit idly about."
"That's the saying," chuckled the stallion as he received the bags and crates.  "Thanks.  Would you like an extra cup after this?  On the house, for your nice work.  And a few bits for you in payment, of course."

Thus saying, he fished out a few gold bits from a purse, offering it to the pony.
6
Chrysteel is charging Harmonic Rapid Fire.  One turn count.

Blazing's Stone Prison is Ineffective due to the target being a Chaos Being.

Laserbolt successfully buffs Majem's Water Jet attack to a Ice Storm 300% Light+Water+Ice damage, reducing the Magma Shields to 0%, and the Magma Dragons from 750% health to 550% health.

Laserbolt's 50%/turn Frostbite incurs an additional 50% damage to the 550% Magma Dragons the last two turns, reducing them both to 500% health.

Arty's channeled Water Field deals 8% damage to both Magma Dragons, reducing them to 492% health each.

Arty's channeled Water Field weakens all incoming fire-based spells to 80% normal damage for 1 turn channeled, and strengthens all outgoing water, ice and thunder based spells to 140% normal damage for 1 turn channeled.

Bleyd forfeits a turn.

*****

NO!  NO!  I FORBID IT!  THAT'S CHEATING, THAT IS! rages the Ultimate Evil as it creates a Sphere of Chaos around himself to Negate all Harmony-based incoming attacks.  It will last until dispelled, but prevents the Ultimate Evil from using any other attacks or moving due to the concentration required.

The Magma Dragons screech, jumping back up to the 25th steps to avoid the Water Field and creating 200% Doubled Magma Spheres around themselves in an attempt to shield themselves from further attacks.
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Quote from: Bane Emural on 2013 Dec 21, 16:28:27
Aldorn looks at Atoll. "Hey, you okay?" Aldorn looks worried behind the mask. We have to get in there quick before she ends up freezing. He looks at the door for any switches or ways to get through.
There was little need.  A few moments after the "knock", the door glowed slightly, and one of the bass-relief faces suddenly animated magically.

"[glow=black,200]Greetings, traveler!  If you wish to enter, you may, but be forewarned that you will be guarded and watched.  To ensure that this is actually a traveler and not just rocks pounding against the doors, I've installed this answering device,[/glow]" came the impeccable voice of Lord Fancy.  "[glow=black,200]If you are a traveler, please press the runes in sequence.[/glow]"

The runes beneath the door glowed in a pattern to spell the word "Fancy".

Quote from: Chirp on 2013 Dec 21, 03:32:36
As the miners of Embers Rising kept swinging their pickaxes, removing more and more rock, the faint sound of other mining acitivites grew louder. Sound coming from the other side of the wall in front of them. The inhabitants of Embers Rising did not have detection magics, or at the very least did not bother using it just yet. They would only use it at the beginning of their shift, so that they would not run into diamond dogs or other undeground creatures during their excavations.

And then the wall opened up. Rocks finally gave way to open space, not just more rocks. The miners, covered in dirt and sweat stepped back, except for Concorde. In the miners' places stepped forward a group of thirty guards, both pony and buffalo, standing on the defense, but ready to attack, should the other faction prove hostile. Noone said anything, the party just stared at the others.
Concorde turned his head towards his men, then whistled, and caught the towel made of buffalo fur thrown at him in response. He cleaned his face and hooves, then tossed it back and gazed upon the other faction. Their part of the tunnel was simply beautiful, whereas theirs merely had crude, but efficient, pillars and a flattened pavement still covered in bits of gravel, coal, and gemstones; cleaning up was for the end of the shift. Everyone in Embers Rising was a little intimidated by this. Those ponies had the time and numbers to actually decorate their insides, and still come as far as they'd have come? It would seem they were not the superpower they thought they were.

Concorde stepped forward, showing off his leadership simply by doing so. Other than that, he did not have anything to show, and looked very much like all of the miners of Embers Rising. Dirt, coal, and sweat covered his body except for his face and hooves, and all he had on him was the pickaxe he was using moments prior. Yet he had the air and determination one would expect from a faction leader.
"Lord Pants, I presume?" He began, and gave a small bow to the Knighted Aristocrat. "I rejoice to see you kept our brothers of the big towns alive underground. I'm sure many of us have families that lived too far away to come hiding here in time, I can only hope they made it to your hideout." He said, then extended a hoof. "Welcome to Embers Rising."

Behind the guards and miners, who were simply staring at their leader and the other faction they had run into, came forth another group of ponies. The council of this month had been summoned, should politics happen. They weren't sure what to do, noone expected this event to occur, at least not this soon.
The aristocrat in the tuxedo and top hat (or, well, he appeared to be the leading aristocrat; the ponies, diamond dogs and other creatures were dressed in rather fancy clothing, and those unused to high Canterlot clothing tradition would probably fail to see the subtleties in difference) stepped forward and bowed to Concorde and shook his hoof, as a leader to a leader.  "That I am, good sir.  Welcome to Duchy Fancy, and to its capital, Orod Khazad.  I am quite glad to see that others besides ourselves have survived the Ice Age, Mister...?"

Emissaries came forward and lay gifts of great value in the modern age, and at the same time also in the previous era: an abundance of food and spices, useful and well-forged tools engraved with intricate gold filaments both for a better grip and for beauty, embroidered clothing made of some sort of silk, and quantities of ancient, priceless books from before the Ice.

The soldiers behind them stood at attention; they were wearing traditional full-plate barding, gilded with gold and set with gems to show a triple crown, the symbol of their patron and leader.

Quote from: Bravo 539 on 2013 Dec 21, 15:42:18
Mr. Brown waved off the comment about service.  "Nonsense, you've been serving me beverages and news reports for the past several years, and the latter isn't even in your job description!  I'll get the supplies.  ...I presume 'few' means three coffee crates and three bags of chocolate?" he asked as he put on one of the aprons to avoid staining his coat when he retrieved the chocolate powder.
The stallion nodded.  "Thanks for your help, Mr. Brown.  It's greatly appreciated, and I mean it wholeheartedly."

The crates didn't look too heavy, and the bags were about as large as normal flour bags, only filled with cocoa powder, of course.  As odd as it might have sounded in any other faction, chocolate and coffee were actually relatively inexpensive in the Duchy, about the same rate as before the Ice.  Plenty of semi-paranoid preparation and unimaginable coffers of bits had helped with that.
Quote from: Asterian on 2013 Dec 21, 18:56:17
Asterian smiled and nodded at his mother, understanding her fears. [glow=yellow,2,300]"Mother, the world that was lives on in us. It can never truly die out within a mere two years, nor twenty. Two hundred years would pass before we could forget the old ways."[/glow] He nodded to them both before rising off of the sofa. [glow=yellow,2,300]"It would prove difficult to erase Equestria from our memories in this generation, but we should not think about that for now. We should not be concerned with erasing the memory as much as we should worry about erasing the blueprint to rebuild. That is what we need to protect."[/glow] The young stallion proved wise, however arrogant his words sounded.
The mare smiled softly, and embraced her son, closing her eyes as she spoke.

"Thank you, Asterian.  Just..."

She let go and looked at him face to face with a quivering smile.  "Oh, look at you.  My little colt, all grown up and ready to lead a new generation of ponies to a bright future."

"But he will always be our son, dear," nodded Father as he joined them both in a hug.
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Quote from: Chirp on 2013 Dec 20, 15:47:06
"Come on, you bunch of fillies! Richie, you're falling behind. Hurry up, hurry up, according to Pensworth, we should be able to be halfway to where those adventurers told us other ponies are held up. Dubby Fancy, was it?"
"Duchy Fancy, sir."
"Horseapples, Richie! I told you not to call me sir. Now get your flank to work, you're falling behind!"
"Y-Yes, s.. Concorde."

And so, the group of thirty ponies swung their pickaxes at the wall of granite in front of them. Concorde, agreed leader of the faction, joined the miners in their job today, for according to some fancy mathematicians, they'd come halfway across the country today. Stories brought to Embers Rising from outsiders tell of other factions like their own, and Concorde wouldn't want anything other than to meet up. It would only bring good to both parties involved, and if need be, a tunnel is easily defendable and re-shut for good.
With another swing of his pick, a shiny rock was revealed, reflecting the light from the miner's glowstones into his eyes. Concorde dropped his pick and covered his eyes, before pulling the diamond out of the wall, and tossing it behind him. Noone batted an eye at the once precious object, and simply continued swinging their picks, longing for a break, except for Concorde. The green stallion seemed to be fueled by a burning passion, tiring for nothing. His axe would sooner break than his spirit, no doubt. It did boost morale, however, seeing their leader work with them.

Up near the entrance, mares, stallions and kids were saying their goodbyes to the appointed scouts. The large front gates of Embers Rising slowly opened up before them, and the scouting party slipped inside, followed by two supply-carts, and the new guards stationed for The Cold. The previous scouting party quickly rushed inside, followed by the previous group of Cold guards.
Then the gates began move in the other direction, and slowly but surely shut again. Ponies in The Cold sighed, for they were about to undergo the least favourite of duties. Ponies in The Welcoming sighed in relief, having survived another week in The Cold, and being back inside.

Everything was going their usual way. Ponies working tirelessly to keep the faction running, and everyone alive. While their lives were far from perfect, it was the best they could ask for.
Lord Fancy Pants the Fifth, Lord of Duchy Fancy, Master of the Pants Estate, Keeper of the Triple Crown, and Knight of the Old Equestrian Guard stepped out of his carriage as he arrived at the new tunnel, expertly carved by diamond dogs and unicorns and earth ponies in a manner both aesthetically pleasing and efficient, geometric and angular, like the rest of the great Duchy.  Support columns were carved out of solid stone by the miners, then quickly shaped by the unicorn masons and engraved with runes of strength and safety from bottom to top.  Foot by foot, yard by yard, they progressed, in the direction of the life-auras and cavity detected through the stone.  Everyone knew that whoever was on the other side was also coming this way, and likely knew they were here.  Preparations had already been made for most possibilities; columns were rigged to collapse with a spell and soldiers were present if the others were hostile, but there were also many gifts and a group of especially skilled diplomats if the others were friendly.

One last piece of rock fell away, as the wall dividing the groups crumbled and revealed each side to the other...

Quote from: Omega_Khaos on 2013 Dec 20, 15:57:41
Frost thought to herself, "[glow=blue,2,300]Could that be it? I have to make sure. If it is, then they will be safe there.[/glow]" Frost picks up the pace and attempts against all odds including the winds she takes to wing. She lets her natural affinity for flight take hold and guide her towards the mountain. It strains her, some what, to fly in the cold but she wishes to arrive at the mountain quickly. Her speed is almost normal. It would be as if the storm wasn't there. The only thing to her advantage is that she is attempting to fly in a straight line.
Quote from: Bane Emural on 2013 Dec 20, 18:02:40
Aldorn stared at it for a few moments, looked down, and sighed. "This is not exactly what I have been looking for. It looks like I would have to make a cave of my own." He takes out his customized assault rifle, Heatsinge. He loads up the gun and fired several rounds at the wall of the mountain, behind the statue. He stops firing and puts away his rifle. The hole left behind a packet of heat, with heat rounds still embedded into wall. "There, that should do it." He enters into the hole in the wall and turns off his heater to let it recharge. He looks at the statue. A statue made of stone and gold? It can't be.
Frost hears loud bangs and explosions, as if somepony was trying to blast their way through solid rock...

But rather than the dull thudding of crumbling stone... there was clang that echoed on, and on, and on...

And this was no normal hole in a wall either...

Aldorn looked, and it was... it was no wall...

From the floor to the ceiling far above, there were many runes and engravings, heroes of old and images of forges and anvils and many thousands of ponies crafting all manner of tools.  And there was a line... straight down the middle.

A Door in the Mountain.
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I shall, sometime.  If you want to sign up, feel free to do so!
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sure you can join, anyone can join, if they sign up ^-^  it's only dormant because several of the players here left and never really came back.
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welcome!
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Quote from: Coffee Rush on 2013 Dec 19, 18:21:22
Atoll chuckled a little, but it couldn't be heard due to the wind. She leaned near the wall, giving it a look over. The wind didn't seem as severe as it did elsewhere, most likely due to the cliff face. "Aye. Somethin' about this... wall seems different over there." Atoll pointed to the right, running her hoof along the cliff face. Again, she remembered the words of an innkeeper. The thought of any civilization made her feel hungry, a feeling that she had suppressed for a while to focus at the task at hoof. "It'd be nice to find a cave or somethin' along those lines..."
As they walked, it seemed the lines got smoother, and now they were definitely artificial: intricate geometries, right angles, bass-reliefs depicting... a triple crown?

The mountain suddenly curved inwards at an angle, into a large indentation.  They looked up into the blinding snow... a massive stallion of stone, clad in gold!

Quote from: Omega_Khaos on 2013 Dec 20, 08:32:52
Wandering Like she had for the past two years Frost travels the frozen land. she picks up a little of the snow and consumes it like food knowing that it provided little nourishment but plenty of water. The winds she felt were relatively calm today. she know however she couldn't fly as she looked for the rumor she heard. "[glow=blue,2,300]Look for the mountain with doors, i think that one said. A place to rest. Hopefully it isn't too hot as to completely shut down my abilities should things get ugly like last time. Lets hope i find this place soon. I promised that group I would do my best to find them a permanent place to live. I won't let them down.[/glow]"

Frost continues looking for the mountain with the gate she is trying to find, ignoring for the most part the weather around her. The cold doesn't bother her and as long as she grounded she has no worries of the wind either.
The ice and snow seemed to go on forever, but it didn't bother the filly as her frozen eyes looked over the landscape.  It was beautiful in a savage and dangerous way, like a thunderstorm or a hurricane or a tornado.  Yet she thought she saw something in the whiteness... a large, towering shadow, some ways ahead.

Quote from: Asterian on 2013 Dec 19, 17:24:09
Asterian's look of concern masked itself behind slight happiness as he nodded. [glow=yellow,2,300]"Vividly,"[/glow] he said. [glow=yellow,2,300]"I remember back when we would trot the streets of Canterlot, making business trips and purchases. I remember when we made that one trip to Ponyville when I was nine years old. Mother wanted a new dress from the finest seamstress in Equestria... Miss Rarity the Beautiful, if I recall."[/glow] His fond childhood memories quickly faded as he dragged himself back to reality as he sat down on the sofa next to Jace.

[glow=yellow,2,300]"Forgive my prying, mother, but I am more piqued by the demeanor of this conversation. Why so angry?"[/glow] he asked.

Spoiler: Status Counters • show
((I am going to place status counters at the bottom of every post. I have a multitude of them, but if they do not show, then nothing has changed. I'll just show the main ones for starters.))

Mood: Inquisitive
Techniques Employed: None

Mother sighed.  "Not angry, Asterian... simply..."

She looked at a painting on the wall of ancient Canterlot, now a frozen ruin in the deadly cold.  "I am... afraid," she said softly.  "Afraid of forgetting.  Of that world being forgotten.  The little ones in the streets, they don't remember... they think of Equestria as a story now, a myth.  What will it be like when they have little ones of their own?  Will all of this... be gone?  Like a dream?"

"Maria, as long as we teach the young ones history, it will not be forgotten," Father tried to soothe her, but she shook her head.

"Not the way we remember.  Just a story in a book... not a place that was real, that was alive..."

Quote from: Bravo 539 on 2013 Dec 19, 21:05:18
Mr. Brown raised an eyebrow at the mention of a fire drake egg.  "Well, imagine that... a young fire drake growing up in the city.  I hope it's kept under control, but a second fire drake should help this place stay warm," he chuckled.  "At any rate, I've scheduled a meeting with some diamond dogs for the appraisal of some recently acquired gemstones in about half an hour.  Is there anything that needs doing around here to pass the time?"
Coffee scratched his head, looking around.  "Well, I do need a few more crates of coffee beans moved here from the storage room in the back, and a few bags of chocolate powder and a couple jugs of milk.  If you could maybe do that, I'd give you a few bits for it, and you can keep the apron uniform."

He motioned to the corridor and a drawer of new aprons.  "If you want to, of course.  You've been a valued customer, it should be me serving you!"
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Quote from: Somebeing on 2013 Dec 20, 01:18:50
It seemed that just a few days ago this

*cough*http://forum.legendsofequestria.com/index.php?topic=3141*cough*

happened.

Seen many RPs and RPers come and go...hopefully if time permits one more should do it for me.
sad, ain't it?  but we might resume that sometime, if players find interest.  speaking of which, you're all invited.

Embers Rising is accepted!

Concorde Pear is accepted!
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Blazing's Magma Pillar deals .01*100=1% damage to the 99.8% Ultimate Evil, reducing it to 98.8% health.

Chrysteel's Final Sink Aura instantly activates True Harmonic Valor's Love Aura, which grants a set of new spells and adds buffs to existing abilities.

Chrysteel's Final Aegis absorbs 3600% damage from all incoming attacks, putting tremendous strain on the half-changeling but protecting all her allies.

Laserbolt and Majem's shields further absorb incoming damage, but prevent them from using other skills or attacks.

Arty activates Paladin Mode, which grants a set of new abilities and adds buffs to existing abilities.

Arty's Light Arrow, flipping a coin, lands a non-critical hit on the Nameless Abomination, dealing 15% damage to the 8.32% Nameless Abomination, reducing it to 0% health and DEFEATING it!

Bleyd evades and is thankfully out of the way now.  He probably will be forfeiting his turns from here on out.

Laserbolt's 50%/turn Frostbite incurred a total of 100% damage to the 850% Magma Dragons the last two turns, reducing them both to 750% health.

*****

The Magma Dragons again surround themselves with Magma Shields this round; incoming Water and Ice are Absorbed by the 100% shield (one per dragon) until the shields are Broken.  Magma Dragons are Immune to Fire-based attacks, Strong against Melee, Normal against Magic.

The Ultimate Evil pouts almost like a foal about to have a temper tantrum.

NOW THAT'S JUST NOT FAIR!  HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KILL YOU IF YOU JUST BLOCK ALL MY ATTACKS?!

Nothing attacks this round.
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The guru smiled, sparkling tears of diamond in his eyes as he placed a gentle paw on the pony's shoulder and wiped away his tears.  "[glow=blue,200]There, there now.  So, so,[/glow]" soothed the diamond dog.  He closed his own eyes, and took a deep, deep breath of the pure, sweet air of Avalon, enjoying the scent of a world that was like a story come to life, a song brought forth to existence.  And he reminded himself, then and there, why he fought, why he took so many risks, why he still cared after a thousand years.  For this, for now, for here, for ponies weeping tears of joy, and for the innocent laughter that rang in the streets of the Hidden Land as they never would anywhere else in the entire world.

"[glow=blue,200]This is why I fight...[/glow]" said Guru Fido softly, looking about with his shining crystalline eyes, almost as much to himself as to Koalemos.  "[glow=blue,200]This is why I fight.[/glow]"

*****

Abigail smiled, and it seemed that there was a glowing light about her head, as though the glory of a Greater Realm was upon her as she replied softly.

"An' it's 'cause o' yer repentance, an' yer askin' fer forgiveness, an' His great love fer all His Children, that th' Father o' Alicorns has mercy on ya, an' forgives ya, grantin' ya pardon an' remission fer yer sins, Amen.  An' Ah knows fer a fact that yer parents forgive ya too, Asterian," smiled the Saint.  "An' ye'll see 'em someday.  We're all potential saints, all o' us.  An' a Saint is jes' another servant o' Harmony, o' all that is Good.  It ain't easy, an' it's a long, long road, one only a few can ever complete.  But yer off to a great start, in mah opinion."

-*-*-

Twilight sighed, looking at the chaotic place.  "That was once the Canterlot Mountains, and Canterlot itself.  You'll notice that He likes... irony, I suppose the proper term would be.  Like how He kept all of us around, but turned us all into..."

She paused for a moment, calming herself.  "Monsters."

-*-*-

They all gasped as they saw the fabled treats that were their namesake, and Chrysteel thought she could see Grandpa Stone Pie crying little grains of sand before regaining his composure.  "[glow=black,200]Thank you, Amore... Chrysteel.  Thank you,[/glow]" he intoned, brushing the sand away with a hoof.  "[glow=black,200]Oh... I guess there was a bit of sand in my eyes...[/glow]"
16
Abigail quietly entered and sat at other side of the booth, closing the door for privacy and letting her eyes glow slightly silver as she cloaked the room.

"Ya kin start whenever ya like, no pressure an' no rush.  Take yer time," smiled the saint.

-*-*-

The unicorn nodded, and popped over to where he was with an effortless teleport.  Without turning her head or even her horn glowing much, they were isolated privately from the rest of the group.  They had a clear view of the ever-shifting Chaos Castle.  It was currently polka-dotted with kazoos for towers and a giant banana standing in a square juggling monkeys in the middle.  Twilight let her brain regenerate slightly as she turned back to the mechanoid.

"I don't think I've ever thanked you for helping me, so... thank you, Clockwork, for helping me."

-*-*-

Laserbolt would be highly advised to not go anywhere near the Chaos Castle at the moment.  He might vaguely see a grey mare running through the chaos as the birds turned into popcorns and exploded twice in a shower of chocolate milk and bullets singing lullabies.

*****

Guru Fido seemed to grin, though he didn't turn his head.  "[glow=blue,200]Actually...[/glow]"

They burst out of the ground suddenly, and for perhaps the first time in his entire life, Koalemos saw two massive trees.  Two steps forward, and...

They found themselves in the beautiful vale of the Hidden Land of Avalon.

The gentle wind sighed in the leaves of many trees, bringing the sweet scent of flowers and fresh, clear, clean water.  A gentle glow, like moonlight in the depths of summer, illuminated the many quiet pathways running here and there.  It was neither hot nor cold, but comfortably warm and cool at the same time.  Many fruits, edible leaves and other good food grew along the pathways, ripe and free for any to pick at their leisure, for the land here was ruled by Harmony through the grace and power of Queen Cadance.

It was strange, exotic, full of wonder and mystery and things Koalemos had never even dreamed of, never seen in his entire life, only heard stories of, yet... it felt RIGHT, it felt REAL, like THIS is how the world SHOULD be, and everything he had ever experienced in his life was just a dream, and he was waking up for the first time:

The clean air, the green grass, the blue sky and white clouds that gave forth a gentle touch of water, rainbows arcing over fertile plains and flowing rivers.  Birds singing a song more beautiful than anything he'd ever heard as they flew through the air, right-side-up and forwards, and as real and alive as he.  White cobblestone paths leading through quiet gardens, shaded here and there with trellises covered in green vines bearing purple globes that he knew were filled with sweet juice that didn't kill you or turn you into anything or explode.

The ancient diamond dog smiled as he looked back at the colt still riding on his back.  "[glow=blue,200]Welcome to Avalon, little one.[/glow]"
17
Quote from: Bravo 539 on 2013 Dec 18, 22:54:49
Mr. Brown shrugged nonchalantly.  "I suppose I'd have to agree there, Coffee.  Somepony made it about as toasty in town as you keep it in here for a change," he said, pausing to take a sip.  "Have you heard anything of interest lately?"
The shopkeeper shrugged noncommittally.  "I hear the excavators found another cave system to mine and colonize.  There was a glow-worm infestation around the waterworks, but it's taken care of last I heard.  Cave-claw was found trying to eat the iron ore down by the Deep Delvings, but they shooed it off.  There's another rock concert by the Destiny Crusaders going on tonight in the amphitheater.  Someone said something about that fire-drake laying an egg the other day."

Quote from: Asterian on 2013 Dec 19, 10:42:08
Asterian, despite being a typically respectful pony, couldn't help but wonder what was going on. What were they talking about? [glow=yellow,2,300]I must know now,[/glow] he thought.

He silently approached the door, knocking against it. [glow=yellow,2,300]"Father? Mother? Is everything alright?"[/glow] he asked. He was not sure if they would be angry or joyed by his presence, but... What could be more important than what worried his parents?
The voices hushed, and one of his trusted butlers, Silver Platter, opened the door and bowed.  "Milord Élire, Master Asterian is at the door, sir.  Shall I let him in?"

"Might as well, Silver.  Thank you," he could hear Father's response as the butler opened the door fully to let him in.  Father was sitting in a sofa while Mother had apparently been pacing near the hearth, which like any other hearth had an illusion of fire but really just used conventional heating, since it was more efficient and actually gave off enough heat to warm the room.  Father smiled and beckoned for Asterian to sit with him on the sofa.

"Come on in, son.  Your mother and I were just... discussing politics."

"Oh, for Summer-land's sake, Jace, there's no need to be all politically correct with him," exclaimed Mother.  "Asterian... do you remember what it was like?  Before the Blizzard?"

Father sighed; evidently this was an ongoing conversation, and Asterian could recall Mother bringing up the over-world a few times in the past, usually when she was upset.

Quote from: Coffee Rush on 2013 Dec 19, 07:15:42
"Anything like that." Atoll was closer to the other scavenger now. Her two weapons were now obvious; a rifle and a knife. Adorn could make out her other equipment, too. For Atoll, it was nice to see bits of friendliness in the barren wasteland that was Equestria.
The cliff wall helped to block the wind ever so slightly as the two ponies conversed.   Looking a bit closer, they could tell that it was rougher to the left, and more pony-made to the right; there could possibly be a tunnel or some sort of shelter in that direction, hopefully unoccupied.
18
ya met each other.  edited slightly.
19
Quote from: Coffee Rush on 2013 Dec 18, 16:46:42
Atoll, dressed in whatever scrap of cloth she had managed to find, trudged through the thick snow. It was a miserable lifestyle, and she had been unlucky enough to not have found civilization yet. Stuck outside, she hated the weather, and it hated her back. Atoll always thought how it could be worse, finding herself saying aloud "It will be worse". The words were drowned out by the howling winds, though. Admittedly, she had bundles of clothes and a personal heater, which kept herself feeling a temperature above freezing, one similar to a chilly fall night. Not pleasant, but it would do. As Atoll stumbled along her merry way, she remembered the words of an innkeeper that she'd listened to a while back. The thought of some sort of civilization was reassuring enough for her. With her equipment the mare trudged on.
A cliff... well, it was something at least, something concrete, something that wasn't endless miles of snow and blizzard.  Wait... were those... tracks?  Hoof-prints in the snow?  It can't be.  Can it?

What's coming through the...

Quote from: Bane Emural on 2013 Dec 18, 18:39:22
Aldorn looked at the carvings for a bit before continuing on. "Got to keep moving on before my heater runs out of energy." He searches for any tunnels nearby.
A stallion!  Another pony.  It wasn't... civilization, but it was a pony, genuine article.  Hopefully not here to take her equipment, but hey, you have to start somewhere.

The cliff... it looks... too angular.  Smooth cuts.  Like something that could only be carved with tools that didn't exist anymore, to her knowledge...

As Aldorn and Atoll approached each other, they could vaguely see each others' outlines through the blinding snow.
20
Lord Fancy strolled down the many shimmering, tiled streets in the warm sunshine, the light rainfall of a few hours ago bringing the scent of fresh grass to him as birds sang in the trees.  Kids, chicks, pups and foals ran about, laughing and giggling at their game of tag as the Duke smiled.  This was what Old Equestria was all about, peace and quiet and innocent laughter.

He managed to get his hooves on a newspaper as he walked past, tossing a few coins to the vendor as he took a look at the dailies.  Nothing had gotten past the first door, let alone the second, third, fourth, fifth, or any of the other powerful barriers, enchanted and built strong enough to withstand the moon itself crashing into the planet.  The most "adventure" anypony had down here was a stray cave-claw appearing, or a glow-worm infestation that had to be driven out.  True, there was that one incident with the fire-drake... he'd managed to convince her that the ponies meant no harm, and that it was far, far better to work together these days than to go it alone, especially considering Who was still up there, gone from most ponies' lives here, but not forgotten in the least by the leaders of this place.

A diamond dog sentry saluted him as he walked up with a smile.  "Everything all right, Rover?"

"All good, Alpha!  No problem.  Rover keep peace.  Rover thank Alpha for making school, teaching pups."

"It's my pleasure, Rover.  How are your pups, and your mate, by the way?"

The dog blushed with pride.  "Top of class, Alpha.  Good score.  Mate happy, learn good things.  Make good food in den."

The Duke smiled cheerfully.  "Well, congratulations!  Do have a wonderful day, Rover."

"Thank you, Alpha!" saluted the dog as he returned to his duties.