>>
We meet again, questers, to determine the fate of our small stony filly friend. Let’s run through our summary quick and get everyone up to speed, shall we?

Previously on My Little Stone Pone:
>Sincerely apologize to Applejack, reaffirming that you had no intention of manipulating her through lying
>--Push that you need to get Applebloom checked for Midnight Widow poisoning before sending you home to get chastised by your parents. She challenges you with a few questions--
>**Talk Applejack into getting Applebloom checked for Midnight Widow poisoning**
>Run to clubhouse, get the CMC to come outside
>--None of the CMC know about the Midnight Widow poisoning concern. Applejack is miffed.--
>Tell Applebloom about the Midnight Widow flowers and that she may be poisoned (85% chance of carrying your conversation without stumbling; success)
>Make sure that you have the Lamp; Applebloom automatically acquired one from the clubhouse
>**Trade Sweetie Belle your Bubblegum for her Lamp Oil**
>--Make sure you head out with Applejack--
>xXx While running down the trail, stop while alone near Fluttershy’s house to spot a Great Horned Owl. Panic and dive into the road, Applejack running off ahead xXx
>Get up and try to catch up; Applejack is nowhere to be found, Applebloom is calling out for her
>**Make sure that Applebloom runs to Zecora’s**
>**Go to where you hear Applejack struggling, save her from a Timberwolf**
>--Surrounded by Timberwolves--
>>
>>4374140
>**Make a ton of noise by stamping the ground, scare off Timberwolves**
>Stuck in the ravine area; spotted by Harry the Griffin
>**Warn Harry about the weight of your Grappling Hook while throwing it**
>Applejack climbs to safety
>xXx Attempt to climb the rope down the ridge a ways; the rope snaps in two xXx
>**Loop the rest of your rope spool around you and the Twisted Iron Rod several times; Zecora and Harry team up to assist you as you climb. Make it to safety.**
>Enter Zecora’s Hut and relax
>Learn that Applebloom had a very mild form of Midnight Widow poisoning. If untreated, she would have had a horribly painful stomach ache the next day.
>Interrogate Harry, finding out that he’s an outcast from his ‘homeland’. Used to be a professional mugger/trap maker, banished to the Everfree Forest. Appears to have nothing to do with recent events.
>--Decide to leave the Hut, continuing out into the Forest on your own. Applebloom, Applejack, Zecora, and Harry all stay behind to rest--
>When you get to town, you spy a gigantic figure next to the Boulder Snake Statue
>--Move in closer to eavesdrop (10% chance of being spotted; roll failed, Raisin is safe)--
>--Witness a giant Red Cobra use an amulet to ‘unstatue’ the Boulder Snake Statue—
>?? You maneuver around the scene to get a closer look at the Shiny Helmet that’s been following you. Discover that it’s a blue Pegasus. It runs before you get a chance to talk to it ??
>>
>>4374150
>**Overhear the snakes mention something about an eruption**
>Snakes start heading into town, moving in a way as to not leave a discernable trail
>**Stay behind, letting the snakes disappear out of sight**

After chasing four ominous, massive snakes through a torrential rainstorm, our determined golem pony hits a dead end at the schoolhouse. The snakes seem to have completely vanished. In the darkness of the night and the shroud of the rain, Raisin notices that the schoolhouse has been completely barricaded. The sunken school is surrounded by boulders and primitive looking spears. While snooping, Raisin sees a small pool of magma hissing in the rain. Up above, the shadow of some unknown figure snoops around in the school belltower, unable to see our brave heroine back on the road.

Staring at the faint orange glow of the hissing magma just a few feet away, Raisin thinks carefully about her next move. The rain slams down all around in deafening sheets.

Again, it will be up to you, the questers, to guide our investigative filly through her epic journey. Be wary, as danger can be found lurking around any corner.
>>
IT BEGINS
>>
>>4374168
the figure in the belltower is most likely a lookout
maybe we can try to sneak up on it and get a better look at it without it noticing us
>>
>>4374168

Even though there are so many stars, I feel like they were completely pointless since the situation was an overreaction.
>>
Time and inventory check, please.
>>
>>4374168
Are we magma-proof?
>>
>>4374217

They were pointning something as us last time, probably something to zap us into gravel Or is my memory fuzzy, Jr?
>>
>>4374168
>http://www.rainymood.com/
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VbCsfgOZ0s
>>
>>4374245

Magma is molten rock, so swimming around in it would probably melt us.

Should we go to the library? Perhaps this is something Twilight should know.
>>
>>4374276

>yfw she's a part of the conspiracy too.

WE CAN TRUST NOBODY!
>>
>>4374228
GAME INFO:
INVENTORY:
Raisin: Hayseed, Empty Flask, Royal Medallion (Equipped), Grappling Hook + Long Rope (Equipped)

You estimate that it is currently 1:15AM

>>4374245
GAME INFO: To be determined. You are unsure if you are magma proof, seeing as this is the first time you have ever encountered magma.

>>4374248
GAME INFO: You are correct. Raisin could very faintly make out the outline of some mounted thing up in the belltower with the mysterious figure. You were unable to determine who or what exactly it or the figure are.
>>
>>4374276
it's the middle of the night
we should go back to the clubhouse and meet up with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. we can pester the others come daybreak
>>
>>4374309

Honestly, now that Jr said he'd target the party members to force a reload since we're invulnerable, I'm reluctant to get them. What if our girlfriend Scootaloo died?
>>
>>4374309

I agree.

We need more silly fillies in the party.
>>
>>4374365

I vote reuniting with our party.
>>
I think we should dip the corner of a hoof into the lava, enough to see if we're magma-proof but not enough to cause any trouble if we're not.
>>
>>4374404
They haven't gotten nearly enough sleep yet.
>>
>>4374421

That's why we have the wake up powder!

I have no idea what we're doing anyways. You got any other ideas? I have feeling we have to solve this mystery before sunrise
>>
>>4374414

I vote leaving the pit alone in case they "deal with" fillies that are too snoopy for their own good.
>>
>>4374463
Eh, my suggestion would be to sneak into the schoolhouse, but

A) our shoes are ruined and
B) everyone would be too scared to try
>>
I'm going to second visiting Twilight

Whatever those snakes are up to seems like something Celestia should be made aware of.
>>
>>4374309
>>4374380
>>4374404
Standing in the chill of the midnight rain, you can just faintly hear the molten rock in on the school path sizzling in the rain. It's much too dark to see but a few feet in any direction. The rain is unrelenting, coming down in sheets. The pegasi must have been bugged by the Earth ponies for a drenching storm again, you figure. Should be good for your dad's grapes, at least.

Taking one last look at the creepy figure high up in the belltower, you nod your head and start heading back into town. As you approach the town, the shadows of the square come into sight. The rain is letting up a little as you head out of town, but it's still pouring over the farms. You trod on past your pitch black house and into the Apple Family orchard, taking care not to bust the fence as you enter.

The trees look rather unsettling in the dark. You march your way toward the clubhouse. Inside the upper windows, you see a small candlelight.

"Looks like they're still up there..."
>>
>>4374499

Call out. Don't want to fall through the wood.
>>
>>4374499

"SCOOTALOO! SWEETIE BELLE! THE WORLD IS IN DANGER, AGAIN!
>>
>>4374499

Tread carefully toward the clubhouse and try to listen for any voices.
>>
>>4374499

Tell them to get down here we and express to them the thickness of the current plot.
>>
>>4374522
>>4374533
>>4374559
>>4374561
"Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle! Guys! We've got a situation on our hooves!"

You call out into the storm. You watch the flickering candle in the windowsill dance behind the watery panes of the beloved clubhouse. It feels like it's been forever since you were last actually in there... there doesn't appear to be any immediate response.

"C'mon guys! Wake up!"

You shout again. A groggy purple mane floats up to the window, squinting through the glass. The window slides open. "Rai-Raisin?" Scootaloo rubs her eyes and yawns. "Raisin! There you are. We've been waiting for you guys to get back for hours!" She looks around, noticing that you're the only one there.

"...where's Applebloom and her sister?" Scootaloo scrunches, searching around in case they somehow escaped her vision.
>>
>>4374499
>>4374522
>>4374533
>>4374559
>>4374561

What else is there to do? explain the situation with AB and AJ while we're at it.
>>
>>4374600

"Almost got eaten by timberwolves, but they're safe now. Besides, there are giant talking snakes on the loose!"
>>
>>4374600
Tell them everything.
EVERYTHING.
>>
>>4374600

Tell them AB and AJ are fine and that they're resting at Zecora's.

We should also mention everything we found out about Harry and what is going on with the snakes.
>>
>>4374600

Tell them that Applebloom was poisoned but the worst she would have got was a stomach ache and it was a waste of time. Ask if Sweetie Belle is a awake.
>>
>>4374600

Tell her to quit whining and get her sweet ass out here.
>>
>>4374632
>>4374636
"They're fine!" You shout back. "We had a run in with some Timberwolves when we were taking Applebloom to Zecora's! They're sleeping over at her Hut right now!"

Sweetie Belle hovers up to the window as Scootaloo replies. "Thank goodness! Was she actually...?"

>>4374653
"Yeah! It wasn't bad, though! She would've got a stomach ache if Zecora didn't treat her!"

Sweetie Belle breathes a sigh of relief. "We were really worried! You sounded really serious about getting her checked out!"

"Guys! Get down here so we can talk easier! I don't want to keep on shouting like this!"

Scootaloo nods, shutting the window and heading out down the ramp. Sweetie Belle covers her head with her CMC Cape. The two of them look incredibly groggy.

"Guys, remember the snake statue in town?"

They both freeze, hanging on your words.

"Some giant red cobra queen thing came by and woke it up using an amulet. They escaped through town by the school house."

"...did anypony else see them?" Sweetie Belle asks.

"Maybe. I don't know. I couldn't follow them too close, but they headed out that way and disappeared." You pause. "They mentioned an 'eruption' of some sort."

"That doesn't sound good at all." Scootaloo gets closer. "We've gotta find out where they went!"

You nod. "Also... uh... the school looks like it's been... barricaded. I don't know what's going on there."

The two sleepy crusaders look at each other while the chilly rain soaks their manes.
>>
>>4374757

Ask them if they're awake enough to save the world.
>>
>>4374757

I would say to give them a smack across the face to wake them, but that would probably shatter their jaws.
>>
>>4374757

Ask them how they're feeling.
>>
>>4374757

Inventory check. Which one has the wake up powder?
>>
>>4374757
Let's go back home to check if there's a new letter for us
>>
>>4374757

Explain to them that this storm was a conspiracy and that you've seen a couple of pegasi with the snakes.
>>
>>4374851

Seconding this. Hopefully our parents won't force us to come in for the night though.
>>
>>4374851

It's either this or beg Twily to fix everything.
>>
>>4374792
>>4374809
>>4374835
You notice that the cold touch of the rain has forced them into a state of alertness. They still look really tired, but they're definitely not going to pass out with the rain pouring on them like this. The CMC Capes don't seem to keep any of the rain from reaching their coats.

"Are you guys awake enough to save the world?"

Scootaloo blinks hard a few times, then slaps her face. "Yeah! I'm good."

Sweetie yawns. "We're always ready when you are, Raisin..." She shakes some of the rain out of her mane, letting her cape down when she realizes it's not helping keep her dry whatsoever.

>>4374839
You notice that both of them are not wearing their saddlebags. "Uh... guys? Where's your equipment?"

"We took it off when we were napping. I'm not gonna accidentally roll over on that Sneezing Powder or something." Scootaloo gives you a look.

"...and my bag has that Saw and Nails. We just took them off for a nap is all." Sweetie Belle adds.

"Go get your stuff quick. We've got some investigating to do. The rain simply patters off your head. Not even it's likely chill permeates the numbness of your form. Awake and alert, you're ready to tackle any challenge at any time.

You're sleepy friends head back up into the clubhouse and return with their bags. The candle still flickers up in the window. As they head down, you see that their saddlebags are still pretty dry.

>Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo have joined your party!
>>
>>4374851
>>4374851

inb4 it dissolved in the rain.
>>
>>4374960
GAME INFO:
INVENTORIES:
Raisin: Hayseed, Empty Flask, Royal Medallion (Equipped), Grappling Hook + Long Rope (Equipped)

Sweetie Belle: CMC Cape, Baby Blue Sapphires x9, Saw, Nails, Satchel + Bubblegum

Scootaloo: CMC Cape, Fireworks x1, Stompstarter, Bag of Sneezing Powder, Wake-Me-Up Dust
>>
>>4374960

>dry bags

That reminds me, errybody should know that our dynamite is probably soaked.
>>
>>4374993
>Scootaloo: CMC Cape, Fireworks x1, Stompstarter, Bag of Sneezing Powder, Wake-Me-Up Dust

I think the rain will be bad for at least half of these things
>>
>>4374993
if we're not careful that firework is going to be ruined by the rain
>>
>>4374993

We can probably save the wake up dust until we need it. Seconding heading back to our place to check if we got a letter back from our secret admirer~
>>
>>4375026

We should probably at least take all the capes and drape them over Scoot's bag.
>>
>>4374960
Before they step into the rain again ask them if they have something waterproof in the clubhouse to protect the stuff from the rain.
>>
>>4374960

Check on our letter since it's so close by.
>>
Are the saddlebags waterproof? Maybe we're worrying too much about nothing again.
>>
>>4375056

Might be a good idea. Let's just hope the powders work while wet.

By not waiting until morning I bet we're completely screwing ourselves, but I have no idea what the deadlines are, or if there are any at all.
>>
>>4375092

Better safe than sorry with Raisin.
>>
>>4375027
>>4374851
>>4374922
>>4374938
>>4375073
"Lead the way, Raisin..." Sweetie Belle's eyelashes flutter in the rain, partially trying to keep the drops out of her eyes while forcing herself awake.

You lead a march straight through the orchard and back to your house. The rain doesn't seem to let up as you pass under the shadowy, creepy forms of the trees above. You know that there are certainly nests above your head, but the rain will keep any birds from pestering you at the moment. Scootaloo has hopped up on your back again while Sweetie stays close to your side. She sounds a little shaken as you approach the orchard fence.

As you go through the fence, Scootaloo flutterjumps above it, landing perfectly square on your back again. Sweetie Belle follows behind as you lead the way to your front door.

Your house is pitch black. Not a single light is on at the moment; considering that it's nearly 2AM, it makes perfect sense. Checking by the doormat, you see that your letter has disappeared. There is nothing in it's place... as far as you can tell.

Scootaloo and Sweetie's saddlebags are starting to get damp with rain.

>>4375056
>>4375115
Quickly, you pull off Sweetie Belles Cape and drape it over Scootaloo. The filly jumps a little; the cape was keeping her back at least slightly warmer than the fresh, cool raindrops.

"Sorry, Sweetie. We can't have our supplies getting completely ruined by the storm."

>>4375092
GAME INFO: The saddlebags are not waterproof.
>>
>>4375192

Well, maybe he got it at least.

That or the maids thought it was junkmail and threw it out.
>>
>>4375192

It seems like Sweetie Belle is more tired than Scootaloo. Let's let her rest on our back.
>>
>>4375192

Well, now what? Go see Twilight maybe? Explore the magma pit and risk getting our ass demolished?
>>
>>4375256
>>
>>4375240

Yeah. Besides, Sweetie is our original waifu.
>>
>>4375256
>>4375256

I suppose that's all we can do. Bug Twilight and then go to the magma pit. Maybe she'll have a barrier spell to keep everyone alive in case of hijinks.
>>
>>4375256

I bet the event we supposedly missed on our Applebloom sidequest would have given us some direction.
>>
>>4375291

Spike might also be able to swim in the lava, but I'm afraid he'll get eaten by those snakes.

Why jr, why don't we have any info?
>>
>>4375331

But not knowing is half the fun until we're on our last life and then it becomes nerve-wracking
>>
>>4375256
>>4375279
>>4375291
>>4375302
Not immediately seeing any letters laying around in the rain, you decide that you've run into some sort of a dead end. "Hmm... what now..."

You ponder your next action for a moment. "...hey, let's go see what Twilight has to say about the snakes! The cobra one looked new... and that amulet she used..."

Scootaloo rests her chin carefully on your rocky mane. "She's probably sleeping right now, Raisin."

Sweetie Belle yawns. "Yeah... I mean... what time is it right now anyways?"

You realize that it's a little passed 2AM right now. Most of the ponies in Ponyville are probably fast asleep.

"...you're probably right..."

>Visit Twilight anyways?

>>4375331
META INFO: There's plenty of leads yet to follow, my good man. There are also some things that you simply cannot learn without taking a risk. Raisin doesn't know everything about her golem form...
>>
>>4375356
let's go check the town square where the stone snake was
we never checked if they left behind that scale they yanked off the cobra to reanimate the statue.
>>
>>4375356

Visit Twilight, time is of the essence.

Besides there's a good chance she is still up studying.
>>
>>4375356

Maybe we could check if Applejack has another letter.
>>
>>4375356

We can wake Twilight up. Worse comes to worse we just plow through the front door and repay it later.
>>
>>4375422

Which reminds me. I wonder if this LS is connected with the snakes? Derpy said he enjoys being bathed in light, but these snakes seem to utilize the darkness to move about.
>>
>>4375386

Oh shit, yeah, that might be good. We could also bring it to Twilight.
>>
>>4375386

I vote this.
>>
>>4375399
>>4375425
You shake your head. "Wait! This is really important, though! Twilight's not going to care if we wake her up over something like this!"

Scootaloo stretches. "Yeah, Twilight's cool like that... most of the time. Let's go see what she has to say."

Sweetie Belle shivers slightly in the cool rain. She looks like she's about to pass out. If it weren't for the rain, she probably would have already.

You start trotting down the road, heading back toward town square. The Pegasus ponies really put up one heck of a storm; the clouds seem to be filled with limitless rain. It puddles up all along the little dips and potholes of the old country dirt road.

>>4375386
>>4375485
>>4375494
As you approach the town square, you remember that the red Cobra had a scale plucked off of her body.

"Wait a minute... wasn't the snake statue RIGHT here just a few hours ago?!" Scootaloo peeps up.

"Yeah, this is what I was talking about. The red Cobra used her weird Amulet on it and made it shake the stone right off. They talked for a bit, then headed toward the school."

You search around in the puddles, looking for wherever that scale might have been dropped. Suddenly, you step on something that looks like a stone shield. Picking it up, you see that the edges are razor edge sharp. Flipping it over, you see that it has lost its signature crimson hue, now replaced with a dull granite stone look.

"...what the hay is that thing?!" Sweetie Belle seems more awake now.

>Continue?
>>
>>4375561
Let's take it to Twilight for closer examination.
>>
>>4375561

Grab in mouth and proceed to the library.
>>
>>4375561

Examine it closer for fragments of the strange markings like on the hood of the other one.
>>
>>4375561

That reminds me, something I forgot to ask was how long the snakes were again? Or, how tall did they look reared up?
>>
>>4375619

Big enough.
>>
>>4375561

Be careful to to leave any markings on it. Be gentle, it's a scientific specimen!
>>
Spectator here.
You guys are two threads from falling off page 10.
You might want to think about moving to >>4372404
>>4372404
now.
>>
>>4375604
GAME INFO: It's hard to get a better look at the stone scale with this low level of light. You can barely make out the stony texture. Most details are obscured by the rain and darkness.

>>4375619
GAME INFO: The smaller Boulder Snake was about as thick as two normal earth ponies are tall. They are very long, though you have not clearly seen one completely uncoiled. The Cobra, leaning back, was about as tall as a small house. Her hood, when opened, was about as wide as the front of an express train.
>>
>>4375685
GAME INFO: Thank you, based Anon! Let's get our quest moved over to here and continue:

>>4372404
>>4372404
>>4372404
>>4372404
>>4372404
>>
Found us some evidence, have we? I wonder what Twilight's going to think about it?

Let's continue.
>>
>>4375720

Let's hope an adult can stay awake easier than our friends.
>>
>>4375720

Hurry up, my box of chocolate raisins is running empty fast.
>>
You guys left the candle burning in the clubhouse.

Do you guys not know what happens to unattended candles?
>>
>>4375799

If the clubhouse burns when the rain will put the fire out. Besides, we can have a solid gold one built.
>>
>>4375583
>>4375586
>>4375663
Take the Stone Scale to Twilight for closer examination
With the rain pouring down and soaking your comrades, you take your newly acquired Stone Scale and firmly clutch it in your mouth. The scale must have incredible durability; even in the grasp of your jaws, it doesn't so much as crack. The head sized scale's sharp edge extends out like a finely ground sawblade.

You pick up your hooves and start moving toward the Library. Sweetie Belle drags on behind, slowly catching up. As you make your approach to the giant tree, you see that there's a single light coming from one of the upper story windows.

You set the scale down for a moment. "Hey! She's awake!"

Scootaloo laughs a little. "That's probably Spike's night light."

Undeterred, you pick up the scale and approach the door. You see that the hole you put in it earlier has been haphazardly boarded up to keep the rain from getting in. Gently, you push on the door, only to find that it's locked.

"Oh, horseapples." You think to yourself.

Sweetie Belle catches up, seeing that you and Scootaloo are simply standing in the doorway. "She's not awake, is she? Did you knock?"

You point to the boarded up hole.

The little marshmallow filly takes that as her cue to tap on the door. With a rhythmic set of strikes, she pounds away, hoping for an answer and a way out of the cold soon.

Suddenly, the door opens up. Spike jumps back when he sees the large razor edged scale in your mouth.
>>
>>4375888

"Oh hey, it's Twilight's pet lizard. Is she awake?"
>>
>>4375888

"Is Twilight awake ? We have something important to tell her."
>>
>>4375888

Threaten him with the scale and force him to pet our companions and rub their bellies.
>>
>>4375888

"Hey Spike, wanna go for a swim?
>>
>>4375888
"Boo."
>>
>>4375888

Ask Spike to wake Twilight up. We have SCIENCE! (tm) to do.
>>
>>4375888

Braced for imminent plot thickening, cap'n!
>>
>>4375910
>>4375914
>>4375925
You spit the scale out, letting it embed itself into the Library floor. It does so effortlessly.

"Boo."

The little dragon lets out a terrified yell. Immediately, Twilight starts to groan. "It's just the rain... go back to sleep, Sp..." As she comes down the stairs, she sees you and your groggy friends standing in the door with some sharp looking shield embedded into her floor.

"What in Equestria are you girls doing here at this time of night?" The concerned mare asks.

"Twilight, I ran into some live Boulder Snakes just a little while ago. This came off of their leader... some giant red cobra. She used an Amulet and her scale to bring that snake statue outside to life."

The purple mare looks like she didn't catch a word of the explanation. She trots down the rest of the stairs, approaching the scale hesitantly. Her magic deftly plucks the stony shield from her floor. "Spike... light a few candles..."

In a matter of minutes, Twilight is pacing back and forth, looking at the monstrous sized scale laying on her table. You can hear both of your friends snoring alongside Spike in a comfy chair.

"...I've never seen anything like this." Twilight admits. "I can't find a single reference to any creature that would have scales like this..." She looks back and forth between your stony skin and the scale, drawing an obvious comparison between the two. "...It's completely made of stone, I know that much..."
>>
>>4375992

Would the Princess have any idea ?
>>
>>4375992

"It wasn't made of stone when the cobra revived it with and amulet. Could there possibly by a temporary stone-to-flesh spell?"
>>
>>4375992

Ask her if her research into boulder snakes told her if they have some sort of hierarchy.
>>
>>4375992

Tell her the snakes slithered off to where the schoolhouse sunk in and that there's a magma pool there now. Also tell her that you saw a couple of pegasus guards with them and that someone might have pulled some strings for the storm to happen tonight.
>>
>>4375992

Ask her if we can borrow her pet for some magma swimming and that she can study the scale if she doesn't want to go on an ADVENTUUUUUUURE!!
>>
>>4376019
"Would the Princess have any idea?"

Twilight holds the uniform scale up in the air, spinning it around very slowly. She's looking it over as best as she can. "Princess Celestia barely knew anything about the Boulder Snakes... I don't know if she'd be able to tell us what creature this thing could possibly belong to..." She sets the scale down carefully. "It's worth a shot, at the very least."

She looks over at Spike and the CMC, giving a soft smile. "Maybe we could send one first thing in the morning?"

>>4376032
"That scale wasn't made of stone when the cobra revived the statue with her amulet. Could there possibly by a temporary stone-to-flesh spell?"

Twilight shakes her head. "There are spells that can reverse the horrible magic of a cockatrice's petrification, but we've tried all kinds of things like that on you, remember? None of them worked."

You nod, recalling all the odd spells you were inundated with for almost a solid month after your return home.

"...whatever magic caused the Boulder Snake to become petrified was much more powerful than a cockatrice's gaze." Twilight sits down and puts a hoof to her chin, immediately grabbing a book with her magic. "...I'll try and see if I can find something on that Amulet... I've never heard of something like that. The Princess might know something about it?"
>>
>>4376098
Tell her about the eruption.
>>
>>4376098

Well, I guess it's off to the schoolhouse again.
>>
>>4376098

Ask her if she has any umbrellas.
>>
>>4376098

Have we told her what we've learned about LS and how he's some sort of dragon living in the mountains that Derpy has semi-regular contact with?

Maybe she should look at varieties of dragons for any that are serpent-like.
>>
>>4376098
Tell her that the snakes said something about an eruption, and that we found a hole full of magma by the schoolhouse. The school was also barricaded by a palisade and there was something keeping watch from the bell tower.
>>
>>4376120

Seconding. I have a feeling this is a major, chunky plot point.
>>
>>4376160

What if Derpy is part of the conspiray and LS WAS A RED HERRING THE WHOLE TIME!?
>>
>>4376120
>>4376173
"The Boulder Snake that was trapped inside the statue mentioned something about an 'eruption' when it woke up... it didn't sound good."

Twilight flips through her book. "No.. no... no..." She looks up, stopping on a page mid flip. "...did you say eruption? Like a volcanic eruption?"

"I'm not sure. The snake just starting talking about some sort of an eruption, then the cobra hit him."

Twilight looks completely stumped. "...well, there aren't any volcanoes immediately around Ponyville. The only ones I know of are far off to the west... Spike traveled out there once." She shakes her head. "...an eruption... that really does not sound good, though. Maybe the snakes can sense when a volcano is about to erupt?"

"Twilight, I also saw some magma out near the schoolhouse. I think the snakes might have had something to do with it..."

The purple mare sets her book down. "You actually SAW magma? Like molten rock magma?"

You simply nod.

She looks mortified. "...these things might not be able to predict eruptions..." She paces back and forth. "...if they created molten rock just like that... there's a chance that these snakes might be able to CAUSE eruptions!" She plants her hooves down on the floor. "You said you last saw them by the schoolhouse, correct?!"

You nod again.

"We haven't a moment to lose! I must see this with my own eyes." Twilight grabs an Umbrella from beside the door and ushers you out. Your friends are still fast asleep.
>>
>>4376270

Well, time to choose, Sweetie Pone or Scootapone?
>>
>>4376270

Can we get another inventory check on who has what? It might be time to use the wakeup powder.
>>
>>4376285

Spike, he can swim in magma.
>>
>>4376285

I vote Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo is too brash and go running head first into danger. Might want to do some item swappage though.
>>
>>4376300

Good point. Is he still awake? How tired is he?
>>
>>4376270

Might be time to do some inventory rearranging.

If possible we should bring along Scootaloo and leave Sweetiebelle behind.
>>
>>4376291
GAME INFO:
INVENTORIES:
Raisin: Hayseed, Empty Flask, Lamp, Royal Medallion (Equipped), Grappling Hook + Long Rope (Equipped)

Sweetie Belle: Baby Blue Sapphires x9, Saw, Nails, Satchel + Bubblegum

Scootaloo: CMC Cape x2, Fireworks x1, Stompstarter, Bag of Sneezing Powder, Wake-Me-Up Dust

Twilight: Umbrella
>>
>>4376300

Also dat breathe attack.

What's his carrying capacity?
>>
>>4376326
>>4376309
GAME INFO: Spike is currently snoozing alongside Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. He is able to carry precisely two items, one in each claw.
>>
>>4376312

Use wake-me up dust on Scootaloo, give Sweetie's equipment to Spike.
>>
>>4376345

Use powder on Spike, give him Sneezing powder and TNT.
>>
Hmm, I forgot that we could use the Wake-Me-Up-Dust on Sweetie.
>>
>>4376345

Take Spike on your back, or Twilight's since she has an umbrella, and only wake him up if necessary. Leave the crusaders sleeping.
>>
>>4376312

Swap Empty Flask with Sneezing powder. Use dust on Spike give Spike stompstarter and firework.
>>
>>4376378

But if we have the dust then why not use it now? It'll let us carry another item and if we're going to take Spike we'd end up using it on him anyways.
>>
>>4376270
Warn her about the lookout in the school's clocktower.

Don't want her to get zapped or something.
>>
>>4376395
Why do we want to make the firebreathing dragon sneeze?
>>
>>4376408

I say wake up Spike, give firework to Raisin, drop empty flask, put both capes over her to keep the firework drier, give Spike sneezing powder and stompstarter. Gotta have our lucky stompstarter.
>>
>>4376454

We don't, but since we need to keep the firework dry in our bag, we need to give him the sneezing powder to hold until we need it.
>>
Can't Twilight carry saddlebags with her umbrella?
>>
>>4376464

Sounds solid.

>>4376434

Seconding. Tell her she might want to prepare a shield.
>>
>>4376300
>>4376309
>>4376326
>>4376367
>>4376378
>>4376395
"Wait a minute, Twilight. I have an idea."

Twilight has an immediate look of urgency upon her countenance. You carefully walk across the creaky floor to your pile of friends, all cozily sleeping in a big, comfortable chair under a blanket. You get a solid grip on Spike's head and pluck him up from between Sweetie and Scoots. Amazingly, he manages to stay asleep.

Looking around, you see that Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo's saddlebags have been placed safely off to the side. You sort through Scootaloo's bag. You see that, while the bags are slightly damp, the contents are mostly dry. You swap your Empty Flask out for Scootaloo's Sneezing Powder. You pull out the Stompstarter and the lone noisemaking Firework that Scoots had stored.

Quickly, you splash the bag of Wake-Me-Up Dust on Spike's face. He springs awake. "Wha!?" The dragon looks like he just got a full night's sleep in an instant. The powder worked perfectly, just as Zecora said.

"Here, hold these." You give Spike the Firework and the Stompstarter. He looks at the Stompstarter. "Uhh... I can breathe fire?"

"No time to argue. C'mon, we've gotta get going!"

You pick him up and toss him over to Twilight. He rests comfortably under the Umbrella. "What's going on? What did you throw at my face?"

Your 3 pony group heads out and barrels down the road. Your thunderous stomping is only slightly muffled by the pattering rain.

>Continued...
>>
>>4376531

inb4 instant death.
>>
>>4376590

don't worry. With our lucky stompstarter, NOTHING can possible go wrong.
>>
>>4376624

>stompstarter spontaneously combusts
>ignites fireworks
>>
>>4376531
In just a matter of minutes, you come up on the schoolhouse. You look around the front for the soft patch of magma you spotted earlier. It seems to have disappeared in the rain.

Twilight looks over the schoolhouse. "...what the hay?" She taps the spears sticking out of the ground. "When did this happen?"

Spike jumps down, leaving your items atop Twilight's dry back. He starts sniffing at the air. With certain curiosity, he walks over towards the front of the school. "Hey... do you smell that?" He kneels down and pokes at the ground. Suddenly, a bright orange glow follows his claw up. "Whoa!"

Twilight calls him over to get a closer look. "...yep. That's definitely magma alright. Spike, can you see how deep it goes?"

"I touched the ground underneath... it's like it's just a little patch sitting here..." Spike dabbles some of the molten rock onto his nose.

"This is definitely weird..." Twilight comments.

>>4376434
>>4376518
You get an incredibly bad feeling about this. "Twilight... uh.. I forgot to mention. I think I saw somepony in the school belltower..."

She turns her head towards the school, unable to look up into the rain. "I can't see anything..."

You see the shadow leaning out, trying to get a better look. It pulls back for a moment, maneuvering around in the small space of the belltower. You cannot clearly see what it's doing.
>>
>>4376686

Tell Twilight to not move while Spike tests the ground.
>>
>>4376686

lick the magma
>>
>>4376686
maybe we should try to get closer without being spotted?
>>
>>4376686

Ask Twilight if she knows any barrier spells.
>>
>>4376686

Ask Twilight if she can cast a focused light spell at the belltower.
>>
>>4376734

If we walk haphazardly we might plummet through the ground into magma if it's covered up. We need to have Spike act as a mine detector.
>>
>>4376742
>>4376737

Yeah, we should know what Twilight is capable of.
>>
>>4376775

We still don't know if the magma does anything to us. I say we poke the magma
>>
>>4376686
Tell her it is up there. Ask if she can create a bright flash and a loud bang in the tower with her magic, then drag it down while it is stunned.
>>
>>4376808

But it would fry Twilight to a crisp. She needs to be careful.
>>
>>4376799
>>4376737
>>4376742
>>4376826
GAME INFO: Twilight knows many spells. Most of them, however, take a turn to use. You could ask her to use a spell if you wanted to (75% success rate; rain hampers line of sight)
>>
>>4376854

She should probably throw up a barrier spell. Now that we're poking around they might want to shoot us with their zappy gun.
>>
>>4376902
won't they notice the barrier?
it's harder to spot us without a giant purple sphere covering us
>>
>>4376854

Well, if they take a turn to cast, then maybe it would be good to erect a shield in the direction of the tower.

Can it be invisible?
>>
>>4376923

We're poking around and exposing glowing magma. That shit is easy to see in the dark.
>>
>>4376940
GAME INFO: Casting a barrier spell would be immediately visible in the rain. Every raindrop would activate the barrier.
>>
>>4376902
I really think she should try to grab it and pull it over to were we can see it, and where it won't fall through the ground and into the magma.
>>
>>4376977

Probably a better idea. How far can Twilight reach with her telepathy?
>>
>>4376999
GAME INFO: Under normal circumstances, Twilight wouldn't have a problem reaching the school's belltower.
>>
>>4376977

On second thought, fuck the barrier. Pull him over and it's time to interrogate.
>>
>>4377014

And these are abnormal because of the rain?
>>
>>4377014

Ask Twilight if she thinks she could retrain a pegasi from the tower in the rain then. She knows her abilities more than anyone.
>>
>>4377027
GAME INFO: Take that as you will.

>>4377042
GAME INFO: Asking Twilight a question would take precisely one turn.
>>
>>4377016
Do it.
>>
>>4377064

FFFFFFFF

Do the barrier. All this talk of turns makes me think our next few actions are very time sensitive.
>>
invisibility spell?
>>
>>4377016
I think this might be the best option.
>>
I guess we should ask Twilight to erect a barrier, it doesn't hurt to play safe.
>>
>>4377107

We need info. Take the risk. If we have to end up reloading. We might at least be able to see the event we missed.
>>
>my heart is beating on its own, onii-chan.
>>
>>4377109
So don't waist time with a barrier.
>>
inb4 ded Twily
>>
>>4377107
>>4377133
>>4377140
You follow your gut instinct. Whatever that figure is up in the tower, it feels threatening. You decide to address it immediately.

"Twilight, there's definitely something up there. Can you pull him down?"

Twilight strains through the rain. Even with her Umbrella, there's too much falling water for her to get a clear look at the subject in the tower. "Raisin, I honestly cannot see anything..." She squints, lighting up her horn. "I can't seem to get a hold of anything..."

Spike is patting the ground around the front of the school, looking for anymore lava.

Suddenly, you hear a thunderous boom from the tower. It's deep and hollow. In a split second, you hear the ground peppered with the thuds of something heavy... it sounds like bags of sand smashing into the road.

"Twilight?! Twilight, are you okay!? Spike?!"

You hear another boom from the tower. You get hit by two of the bags. They simply explode against your stony exterior. Looking about in the rain, you see Spike laying on the ground with his hand still full of magma. Twilight is nearby; it looks as though she's fallen over.

The bell starts ringing. The figure in the tower sounds like it's hitting it with a soft fist. Accompanying the tolls is a piercing howl.
>>
>>4377257

I immediately regret everything.
>>
>>4377257

Grab Spike and check on Twilight then get out of there.
>>
>>4377257

See if Twilight's really ded.

Does she look wounded in any way?
>>
>>4377257
See if they're okay.
We need to get the hell out of here.
>>
>>4377257
Grab Twilight and pull her to safety.
>>
>>4377257

Can we get a refresher on the rules for saving?
>>
>>4377257

There wasn't even a roll. We didn't even have a chance, did we?
>>
>>4377314

and loading, I meant.
>>
>>4377336
Let's not load just yet.
>>
>>4377301
>>4377307
>>4377309
>>4377312
You immediately rush over to Twilight. Over the noise of the rain, the belltower, and the howling, you lean in close to her face. She's groaning really lightly. You see that her Umbrella has been snapped in half. Under the low level light, you're unable to see if she's been seriously injured. She doesn't immediately appear to be... she's definitely not conscious, though.

You lift up Spike. He's groaning lightly as well. You take care to let his magma filled claw lay off the side of your back. He's rolling a little bit; it sounds like he got hit in the chest.

Up in the belltower, you see some shadows sliding down the roof. There's one still on the roof with another coming up from the belltower.

"...what the..."

>>4377323
GAME INFO: Unless expelling an incredible amount of magical energy, Twilight needs a rather precise line of sight in order to grab things with her magic like the doll out of Big Mac's mouth in Lesson Zero, for example. The rain and darkness provided far too much cover to allow her to lock onto the figure in the belltower.

>>4377336
GAME INFO: Saving and loading can be done by calling a vote to save or load. Hayseed must be present on Raisin in order to complete a save/load or, alternatively, Raisin must be annihilated in some way to automatically trigger a load.
>>
>>4377402

Let's try and lift her on our back and run as fast as we can towards the town. If we're pursued we're at least small enough to duck in streets and alleyways.
>>
>>4377402
use the firework to create a distraction
then run
>>
>>4377402

Grab Twilight and Spike and go.
>>
>>4377440

Throw it in a magma pool. Even if it is a little wet the tremendous heat will make some sort of explosion.

Then take both party members and gallop as fast as we can while still keeping balance.
>>
>>4377402

Well, she's groaning, so she's not immediately ded.

The guard is probably summoning the serpents though

>>4377433
>>4377449

Can we even carry Twilight? She's a lot bigger than we are.
>>
>>4377402
Put Spike on our back and drag Twilight to safety. Never take our eyes off the slithering shadows.
>>
>>4377440
>>4377461
Quickly, you reach down for the Firework that was on Twilight's back. It's slightly soaked from laying on the ground, but you take aim and chuck it towards the magma patch in front of the school.

The slowly approaching figures suddenly stop, watching the Firework fly through the air. When it lands in the magma, you hear an incredibly vociferous explosion followed by an extremely bright flare. For just a moment, you see that the shadows are some sort of bipedal, armored canines. You notice that they are carrying a large, weighted net.

While they feel around blindly in the darkness, now night-blind and slightly deaf, you pick up Twilight and carry her in your forelegs. Moving a little slower, you get some distance between you and the dogs and rest behind a tree. You hear a raspy, high pitched voice shouting in the rain.

"Find them! Find them! Go dogs, mush!!"

A small barking stampede travels on down the road, heading your way. You're currently behind a tree, probably out of sight...
>>
>>4377531

>Diamond Dogs

The plot thickens even more!
>>
>>4377531
Do we have both Twilight and Spike with us?
>>
>>4377531
Move around the tree as they pass so that they don't spot you.
They were deafened by the explosion, so they might not hear us shifting around.
>>
>>4377531

We should keep moving, they can still probably smell Twilight and Spike.
>>
>>4377581
GAME INFO: Spike and Twilight are currently in your party, although unconscious.
>>
>>4377531

Are you fucking kidding me?

I bet this was what the blue gems were for, not light potions.

Fucking Hell, it's the comb all over again.
>>
>>4377585

Try to shift rather than stomping through, to minimize noise.
>>
>>4377596

Not in this rain they can't. Still, it would be good to get back to civilization if we can.
>>
>>4377598

Gently nuzzle Twilight when we're not shifting around to stay out of sight. Be very careful not to bruise her though.
>>
>>4377585
>>4377611
You carefully push Twilight and Spike further behind the tree to obscure them from view of the road. You know the dogs were startled by the Firework you threw, so their senses are probably dulled significantly. As you move Spike, you see that his claw is still glowing with magma. It only provides a little light, but you make sure that he's completely obscured by the tree.

As the dogs make their approach, then end up running completely passed you.

"Whew..." You sigh a breathe of relief out of habit into the night storm. Twilight and Spike are still knocked out.
>>4377652
You lean down, gently nuzzling Twilight under her chin. She simply groans softly.

From the road, you hear footsteps. You align yourself with the tree to try and stay out of sight. Keeping an eye out, you spot a shadowy figure scanning the darkness. Two piercing, greenish yellow eyes look about in the darkness. They do a double take on your tree.
>>
>>4377686

Stay still. Don't even shift around. If it's the snake they might be sensitive to vibrations in the ground.
>>
>>4377686

Stay still, if the figure starts to move toward us then charge.
>>
>>4377686
Do what >>4377730 said. Don't try to kill the thing, just scare it off.
>>
>>4377686

Well, let's look at our options. we either run and get caught, or risk hiding.

I say hiding.
>>
>>4377730

Thirding this, but only take action if we know for sure it's coming towards us with obvious intent.

Also stop nuzzling Twilight. Her moans might give us away unf
>>
>>4377715
>>4377730
>>4377763
>>4377764
>>4377782
You remain perfectly frozen in place... like a statue. You found that your stony exterior aids with this statue mimicry; you can completely lock your body into position without flinching a single inch. As the rain pours down, you see the tall figure fidgeting with something.

"Stupid pony thing... come on, work..." You see the eyes are directed down toward himself. With a few punches, you see a bright flurry of sparks light up the area by the tree. It appears as though the dog has picked up your lucky Stompstarter.

"Oh come on..." You think to yourself.

"Aha! There we go..." He strikes it again, looking toward the tree this time. As the sparks fly into the air, he jumps back. He apparently must have seen you. He sits on the ground, baffled. "...wha.. what was that?!?"

He appears to have dropped the Stompstarter in his surprise. He fumbles around, searching the road for the device.
>>
>>4377809

Fuck. Can we shift our position so that we look like a heroic statue?
>>
>>4377809

NOT OUR STOMPSTARTER!

Do we have the wake up powder? Fuck, that probably fell on the ground too.
>>
>>4377809

Time to smash
>>
>>4377809
Should we try to scare him off by hoofing at the ground?

>>4377854
Try to avoid killing. I bet these dogs are potential allies.
>>
>>4377848
GAME INFO: The Wake-Me-Up Powder was already used on Spike.
>>
>>4377830

...That might be crazy enough to work.

Shift a bit to distance ourselves from Spike and Twilight and take a pose I guess. Diamond Dogs are dumb, maybe they haven't heard of the legendary stone pony of Hicktown?
>>
>>4377863

I meant the sneezing powder, fuck.
>>
>>4377860

We don't have to kill him, just the knock the wind out of him.
>>
>>4377860

>Guarding a place where the snakes were last seen
>allies.

Only if we can bribe them with loadsamoney. Even then, the snakes might have an offer they can't refuse.
>>
>>4377870
GAME INFO:
INVENTORY:
Raisin: Hayseed, Sneezing Powder, Lamp, Royal Medallion (Equipped), Grappling Hook + Long Rope (Equipped)

Spike: Nothing

Twilight: Nothing
>>
>>4377881

He'd also alert his allies. We could take them, but they'd kidnap Twilight in the commotion.
>>
>>4377889
The Diamond DOgs might have no clue about the snakes and are hiding in the school house because their tunnel is suddenly full of lava.
>>
>>4377894

Dump our bags behind the tree, take statue-like pose.
>>
>>4377913

We can assess that later on our own.

Our priority is getting Twilight and Spike back to someplace safe.
>>
>>4377809
Hit him with the sneezing powder and get out of there with Spike and Twilight.
>>
>>4377934

Thirding this as the best bet for minimal conflict.
>>
>>4377830
>>4377865
>>4377934
>>4377969
You quickly turn the Diamond Dogs mistake to your advantage. Ditching all of your equipment beside Twilight and Spike, you take a few steps out in front of the tree and freeze yourself into a heroic position. You raise your forelegs up high, standing on your rear legs. You let your body freeze you in place as the Diamond Dog finally finds your shiny Stompstarter once more.

He punches it a few times until some sparks fly out. They bounce off of your face, landing harmlessly on the ground. You can see his canine face crack a smile. He approaches you, cackling to himself. He puts one of his feet on your face, then gives you a solid push. You fall over, thudding against the ground. He looks down in satisfaction.

"Ha! Take that, stupid pony statue!" He looks quite proud of himself.

Slowly, he turns back towards the road, continuing along. His greenish yellow eyes bead down along the sides as he explores. The other dogs that ran ahead are coming his way. You can faintly hear him asking if they found the 'missing ponies'.
>>
>>4378008

Oddly enough I don't regret anything at the moment.
>>
>>4378008

Try to listen in.
>>
>>4378008

Stay still. Wait for them to get some distance before moving again.
>>
>>4378008
Stay still and listen.
>>
>>4378070
>>4378035

>inb4 they tell him one of the ponies they're looking for is made of stone.
>>
>>4378008

Can we see Twilight and Spike from our position without moving our body?
>>
>>4378035
>>4378053
>>4378070
"What do you mean they got away?! You mangy mutts aren't good for anything!"

One of the dogs says that they're really good at digging. The dog with your Stompstarter bops that dog on the head. "They've probably told all of Ponyville we're here by now! Get to your battle stations, pronto!"

The small group of dogs takes off back towards the schoolhouse. As they continue running down the road, you can't help but notice that the leader is staring you down. He starts to continue on, but he stops and comes back. "...I can't believe I'm doing this..."

He leans down, attempting to pick you up. He strains and struggles, unable to lift you. "Gah! What is this thing MADE of? The boulders were lighter than this!" He drags you a little distance in the rain, stopping to breathe for a moment in the rain. He doesn't look too determined to continue dragging you down the road, but you're not completely sure.

>>4378120
GAME INFO: From your old position and your current one, you are unable to see your other party members.
>>
>>4378160
Don't move.
That dumbass will give up soon enough.
>>
>>4378160

Don't move, he's probably considering just giving up.
>>
>>4378160
Don't move. If he keeps trying the drag us turn out head so we are staring him right in the eyes, and smile at him.
>>
>>4378160
fart
>>
>>4378205
>If he doesn't give up soon
>>
>>4378160

Stay still.

We're just a lawn decoration, not a filly, no siree bob.
>>
>>4378205

2spooky
>>
That reminds me, I wonder if we have a geode inside of us.
>>
>>4378180
>>4378189
>>4378205
>>4378239
>>4378262
You choose to remain completely still. He grunts and strains as he tries to drag you on down the road by himself.

50% chance that he gets a straggling helper (odds on the dice); roll failed, got a 6.

He pants as the rain soaks his coat. It looks like the first bath he's ever taken in his life. His coat matted down and completely frustrated with trying to move your incredibly heavy form any further, he drops you in the middle of the road. "Forget it! Stupid pony statue!" In anger, he kicks your head. He manages to successfully stub his toes.

Limping away, the dog seems defeated. In a matter of moments, he disappears into the rainy darkness of the night.

You breathe another sigh of relief out of habit. You maintain your heroic pose as you lie on the ground, letting the slowly relenting rain patter against your stony exterior.
>>
>>4378298
Drag Twilight and Spike back to the library.
I think we've had enough near-death experiences for one evening.
>>
>>4378298
Go back to help our friends and check on spike's condition. Get them both to the hospital.
>>
>>4378312
And don't forget to grab our saddlebags.
>>
>>4378298

Retrieve bags and see if Twilight died from her wounds while we were off doing shenanigans.

Also retrieve stompstarter.
>>
>>4378357
Spike was the wounded one, not Twilight.
>>
>>4378357

Oh yeah, don't forget our lucky stompstarter.

They left it on the ground, right?
>>
>>4378367

Twilight is also unconscious. She was hit with something.
>>
Can we poke the magma while we're still here? I really want to know whether or not it hurts us. Just dip the tip of your tail into it.
>>
>>4378312
>>4378318
>>4378319
Ha! I thought I might have been able to get you guys to abandon the bags. Good catch, Hiro.

You let your pose relax. You lay on the ground for only a few more moments before rolling back up onto your hooves.

"Wow... those guys are really dumb."

You head back to the tree that you left Twilight and Spike at. Looking down, you see that the molten rock on Spike's claws have solidified. They're both still very much unconscious... their condition doesn't seem to have changed much since you dropped them off, though Twilight sounds like she's breathing a bit shallower.

You make sure that all of your equipment is secured and re-equipped as it was before you played statue. Carefully, you are able to pick up Spike by the nape of his neck while Twilight sits atop your back. You make your way back towards the Library, feeling lucky to be alive.

You can hear the rain finally starting to let up. It's gone from sheets to a dull, manageable roar. Some pegasi are probably high above you right now, shoving the clouds around. You figure having nighttime weather shift must be punishing, especially when you consider that they have to manage the storm all night and keep it going.

In a few minutes, you carefully open up the door to the Library. You set Twilight and Spike down gently on the floor, looking them over.

>Continued...

>>4378357
GAME INFO: You cannot retrieve your trusty Stompstarter. A dog has purloined it.
>>
>>4378423

>ded Twilight

;_;
>>
>>4378423

>Dog stole our shit

I'LL KILL THE BASTARD!
>>
>>4378423
Immediately, you notice that Twilight's side has been badly bruised. There's a distinct rounded square bruise on her chest; a direct hit from one of the belltower sandbags. She's looking a bit more pale than usual...

Spike looks like he's in some pain. He's still clutching at his chest in his unconscious sleep.

"Oh man... what am I going to do?"

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are still snuggled up under a blanket together. They haven't moved since you picked up Spike from between them.
>>
>>4378423

First AJ out of commission, now Twilight, and god knows who next.

I have a feeling that losing such crucial party members will have a big impact on the final conflict.
>>
>>4378467

Wake their asses up and tell them they need to go to the hospital and find a nurse.
>>
>>4378467
Wake Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo up.
We need to get Twilight and Spike to the hospital.
>>
>>4378467

Maybe we should have brought them to a hospital instead of the library.

Dummies.
>>
>>4378467

Fill a pot with water and splash it over their faces. They need to wake up and stay with us.
>>
>Library
Great move, guys. It's not like Ponyville has a hospital or doctor's office or anything.
>>
>>4378467

We are so fucked.

Wasted the wakeup powder for nothing.
>>
>>4378467
>Library
god dammit
RUN YO ASS TO THE HOSPITAL
GET THE NURSE! THE DOCTOR!
>>
>>4378467
Get
Them
To
The
Hospital
>>
>>4378491
>>4378527
You try to think of a way to wake them up quickly. You look around, seeing a nearby pot. You rush it to the kitchen, filling it with cold water. Quickly, you return to the two and drench their already soaked forms with a healthy amount of water. It doesn't seem to do anything.

You take a moment to realize that they've been in the storm with you since you first left the house.

"...huh."

They're still both unconscious. Twilight is still breathing rather shallow. A certain panic sets over you... you're not sure what to do. You wish that you were a doctor right now.

Sweetie Belle yawns as she wakes up from the sound of the splashing water. She still looks tired, but not quite as much as before. Her eyes pop open when she sees Spike and Twilight laying on the floor. "R...Raisin? What happened?!"

Sweetie Belle wakes up Scootaloo with a shake. The little orange pegasus looks terrified. "Whoa! What's going on?"
>>
>>4378620
see
>>4378603
>>
>>4378620

Tell them to look over Twilight and Spike while we run to get a nurse.
>>
>>4378620
"No time to explain! Twilight and Spike are hurt! We need to get them to a doctor!"
>>
>>4378620

Tell Sweetie and Scoots to help you get Spike and Twilight to the hospital.

Should have went there first.
>>
>>4378620

Let us take point. We can run fast without getting tired.
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>>4378650
Tell Scootaloo to rush over there. She can probably get there faster than we can due to being a pegasus.
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>>4378650
>>4378693
>>4378696
No, and let me tell you why.

Sending others to get get a nurse could easily end in failure and take longer than one turn.

Taking them to the hospital would take one turn unless Jr decides to screw with us.
>>
>>4378696

Yeah, she can go on ahead. Tell them that they're getting pony who got assaulted, probably broken ribs.

Does Spike need a vet?
>>
>>4378601
>>4378603
>>4378659
>>4378672
"No time to explain right now, guys... we just narrowly dodged death. These two need to go to the hospital. Now."

Sweetie Belle watches as Twilight seems to have trouble breathing. She looks mortified. "Wh.." She can't finish her sentence.

You lift Twilight back up onto your back. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo pick up Spike, immediately noticing that his hand is covered in rock. "We go to sleep for an hour and a half... and HOUR and a HALF." Scootaloo tries to calm herself as you, Twilight, Scoots, Sweetie, and Spike rush out of the door and towards the Ponyville hospital. It's a distance away, but thankfully the rain storm is starting to fade away.

A light purple and sky blue maned pegasus with a bow in her mane swoops down. It's one of the night shift weather team pegasi.

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Is she... is she okay? What's going on, Raisin?!"

The hospital is still a distance away. It will probably take about 15 minutes (1 turn) to reach it. Twilight is still breathing as shallow as she was inside the Library.
>>
>>4378744

Ask the Pegasus for assistance
>>
>>4378744

Dash can take Twilight she's the fastest.
>>
>>4378744
Flitter?
Send her ahead to the hospital to let them know you're coming. She should be able to get there before you, being able to fly and all.

Hell, have her take Spike with her
>>
>>4378744
Tell her to fly ahead to the hospital and tell them we are coming with a badly injured unicorn and baby dragon. Don't tell her what happened.
>>
>>4378744

"Diamond Dogs at the schoolhouse. Might be broken ribs. I can explain later."
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>>4378765

Oh wait, fuck, that's not Dash. Nevermind.
>>
>>4378776
>she freaks out and gets a couple of guards
>the idiots go down to try and chance away the dogs
>their heads get put on pikes
>>
>>4378744

>inb4 she's a member of the grand conspiracy too.
>>
>>4378787

Okay fine.

Tell her that we can explain later.
>>
>>4378765
GAME INFO: As unfortunate as it is, you do not see Rainbow Dash anywhere close by. You know that she's typically a day time weather team pegasi, though she did help bring the storm into position the night previous.

>>4378763
>>4378769
>>4378772
"Flitter! Fly up ahead and tell the Ponyville Hospital we're coming with a badly injured pony who's possibly got a broken rib... and an injured dragon!"

The panicking pegasus kicks her legs back and forth, then speeds on up ahead. She's no Rainbow Dash, but she's got some speed to her. She disappears into the night sky, heading straight for the hospital.

The rain has become a light drizzle. Twilight doesn't sound too good at the moment... her breathing is very weak.

Your storming hooves skid to a stop up at the Hospital, tearing up some of the peaceful road outside of the doors. Several emergency workers are out front with a stretcher. As soon as you stop, they pick Twilight up off your back and rush her inside.

"Wait! What about Spike?"

A nurse rushes back out and picks up Spike off of the CMC's backs. In an instant, the door shuts. You, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo stand outside. Your friends are gasping for breath after the run.

"What... what happened?" Sweetie Belle gasps.

You can feel the morning not too far off... the night feels almost complete as the drizzle falls peacefully through the night air.

Good on you for not handing Twilight to Flitter, btw
>>
>>4378825

SHE IS PART OF THE CONSPIRACY

I FUCKING KNEW IT!
>>
>>4378825
Tell them about what happened.
>>
>>4378825

Go inside and explain what happened.
>>
>>4378847
And tell them to keep it a secret. The Diamond Dogs are prepared for an attack and the guards would fall either fall through the ground into the magma or get killed by the dogs.

Once we finish that go in search of Pinkie Pie and see what she has to say about things.
>>
>>4378847
>>4378825

They're bandits, I doubt they could take the town without some assistance from the snakes.

Maybe we can wake Derpy's ass up and send a good old fashioned letter asking the god-empress to solve all our problems. I think we're approaching an unwinnable point here.
>>
>>4378897

We probably should have sent a letter before we left instead of waiting until morning.
>>
>>4378897

Could always recruit Rarity.

Maybe they remember the whiner.
>>
>>4378913
And maybe they just shoot her.
>>
>>4378906

Shoulda coulda woulda.

Besides, it's not morning yet, is it?
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>>4378927

Simple, we just bait them. They have to run out of bean bags to shoot eventually.

Besides, I doubt they'd hurt something through armor, even if it is gold.
>>
>>4378847
>>4378859
>>4378867
You head on inside of the Hospital, leading Scoots and Sweetie. Carefully, you lead the two fillies over to the waiting area. You can see a few doctors scrambling in the hallway, presumably going down the hall where Twilight and Spike were taken.

You sit your friends down. They look like they're nearly in tears. "Okay, okay... calm down. She's at the hospital now, she's going to be fine."

"What happened? Tell us now!" They both shout in unison.

"Alright... we were investigating the schoolhouse... apparently, the barricades were set up by some... well, these dogs that walk on two legs. They're really weird."

"Diamond Dogs?" Sweetie Belle asks, trembling a little.

"Uh... yeah, probably. Apparently, they took over the school. When we got close to investigate some magma, they shot Twilight and Spike with some sandbags."

"...sandbags?" Scootaloo asks with confusion.

"I'm not making this up. Seriously, they shot us with sandbags. It knocked them both unconscious. I was able to use some of our supplies to distract them and get away."

They both look down. "...t-they're going to be okay, right?" Sweetie stammers.

You huddle up to your best friends, wrapping your forelegs around them gently. "Twilight and Spike are going to be just fine. They're safe now."

You can hear some talk over the intercom, asking for doctors assistance down the hall.
>>
>>4378946
God dammit Twilight, don't you die from a fucking beanbag.
You're better than that.
>>
>>4378946

Scootaloo and Sweetie should head home and get some rest, they're going to need it.
>>
>>4378946

>"Twilight and Spike are going to be just fine."

I WANT TO BELIEVE
>>
>>4378946
All we are going to do is get in the way here. Let's go find Derpy before she leaves for work.
>>
>>4378946

Well, what now?

We need a pegasus to cross the field safely now that Spike is ded, and whether the dogs are fortifying their position or about to launch a raid we don't know.
>>
>>4378946

What time is it now?

Maybe we should leave the fillies here to sleep. It'll be safe.
>>
>>4379005
GAME INFO: It is currently 4:45AM. The night is nearly over...
>>
>>4379005
>>4378967

Honestly, we can't afford to have other party members injured. I second leaving the fillies behind. We need SOME pone assistants for endgame, if this isn't already it.
>>
>>4379005
If we leave them we should tell them not to tell anyone about the Diamond Dogs.
>>
>>4379005
>>4379025
>>4379026
GAME INFO: Three votes to let Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo rest. If you leave them behind to slumber and watch over Twilight, where will you go?

Also, >>4379026 will be committed upon leaving your friends to rest.
>>
>>4379017

>night is nearly over...

The way you say that makes me feel like daybreak is our time limit.
>>
>>4379043

I don't know Jr, I just don't know.
>>
>>4379054
GAME INFO: Depending on how you guys feel at the moment ie; stressed, tired, depleted, drained, you can vote to end our current session and pick up from here next time.
>>
>>4379043
Leave them here with orders to stay quiet about the diamond dogs then go to Derpy's house.
>>
>>4379065
Stop here please.
>>
>>4379043

What do we know so far?

>LD exists, lives in the mountains, enjoys bright powder and apple pones
>Schoolhouse is a diamond dog fortress with artillery and magma-traps approaching it
>the snakes went to the schoolhouse, possibly some connection with the dogs
>at least one pegasi has direct contact, possibly more since the storm seemed a bit suspicious

MY HEAD, IT HURTS.
>>
>>4379065

I could stop here. This session has been mentally draining.

But if we're going to see what happens with failure soon, we could stop there.
>>
>>4379070

Yeah, maybe we could convince her to help us now that Twilight has been injured.
>>
>>4379065
this seems like a good place to stop

also, a thought. with Spike out of commission, we may be able to have Derpy deliver Celestia a letter warning her about what we've discovered.
>>
>>4379065

If you want to stop, that's fine.

Is Twilight ded? Please tell me
>>
>>4379076

I bet it all goes back to that fucking event we missed.

Fuck all y'all niggas who overreacted over the poison. Fuck Applebloom.
>>
>>4379082
GAME INFO: I don't immediately see any ways to off yourselves... unless, of course, you find some odd way to commit suicide.

You're not hopelessly doomed yet.

>>4379073
>>4379082
>>4379092
>>4379099
GAME INFO: I'm more than willing to continue, but I think you guys probably need a break after tonight's shenanigans.

So far, nobody has died, but you've managed to get two ponies and a dragon severely injured and you also got Applebloom slightly poisoned, but that's not so bad.

>>4379105
>>4379076
GAME INFO: 'LS' was a lead you guys got pretty early on... but haven't followed up on it. Some leads/events may be time sensitive... some may be dependent on other events. I did say that this Raisin Quest was going to be a bit more complex/action packed, didn't I?
>>
>>4379076

>LD

I think you mean LS
>>
>>4379123

I just think people are paranoid about unseen time limits. The meticulous way you've tracked time doesn't help either.
>>
>>4379123
how can we possibly sort out this convoluted mess in just 3 lives?
>>
>>4379123

Next session when pussies

I hope it's Sunday. This shit is exciting. I'm remembering why I these shenanigans kept me up late.
>>
>>4379159

By stretching the rules as far as possible like we did last quest.
>>
>>4379123
we should go investigate that house in the mountains once day breaks

it's risky, but we need to gather all the info we can while we can
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>>4379142
META INFO: Adds to the paranoia, doesn't it?

I thought that'd keep you guys on your toes. Looks like I was right.

>>4379159
META INFO: I think you guys are actually doing pretty good already. You've pieced together major events in the story... all you need to do is work out some of the finer details.

I have faith in you, Anon.

>>4379163
META INFO: Fuck, why not? Let's do an announcement thing on Sunday. I'll post in the general about 9:30pm EST and see what the fuck's up. Hoping my questing spirit remains as high as it is right now; I'm enjoying the hell out of this.
>>
>>4379159

We're still on our first life, which is a lot better than what we usually do. We usually pop that off first or second day, right?
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>>4379184

So am I. I'd be down for even tomorrow, but two nights in a row seems a bit extreme.
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>>4379184

>pieced out the major story

>still have no clue how to stop it.

A pyrrhic victory.
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>>4379189
META INFO: You have no idea how many times you guys nearly bit the bullet. Just one different bit of some of your actions could have resulted in NPC death or your own.

>>4379196
GAME INFO: I'll do that post on Sunday. We'll take it from there, I think. Hopefully, I don't puss out and we keep our questing momentum up. Things are getting exciting!
>>
>>4379184
How-Fucked-Are-We-Levels: Low
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>>4379209
Example?
>>
>>4379209

Sounds cool.
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>>4379211

Low is relative. There are still things completely out of our control.
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>>4379239
Obviously.
We could be a lot more fucked than we are right now.
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>>4379209

Mind sharing a potential death without spoilers? I enjoy the gruesomeness sometimes
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>>4379247

It's just going to suck having to do so much over again if we die, even if we know what to expect.

Jr, mind listing our saves again? Is our first one still at the start of the quest?
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>>4379275
If we start over, we'll most likely do things differently right off the bat.

Like not having Applebloom carry the flowers. Or losing that letter.
>>
>>4379275

First one is at the start of the quest.

Second one is in front of the Boulder Snake after going to Zecora's the first time, if I recall correctly.
>>
>>4379211
GAME INFO: Fucked Levels: Not beyond redemption.

>>4379209
>>4379259
META INFO: If you had passed Twilight off to Flitter in hopes of getting her to the hospital faster, Flitter would have accidentally dropped the unicorn in her panic. The fall would have done Twilight in.

If you had not have told Applebloom to immediately run to Zecora's, she would have been snatched up by Timberwolves. Also, if you didn't immediately follow Applejack, she would have died in one more turn.

If you had been dragged off by the Diamond Dogs, you would have been rendered immobile or killed. How, you ask? I'm not telling. That was a 50/50 if you didn't struggle.

If Twilight were dragged off, she would be dead right now.

Another death, but I will not reveal because it contains an actual spoiler.

Getting caught by the Boulder Snakes would have been a quick death. If you spooked them with a fuckup roll or chased after them at full speed, you would have been pretty much guaranteed to die. I expected you guys to lose your first life there.

Just a few. I think there were a few more, including having Sweetie/Scoots/Applebloom getting mauled by Harry.


>>4379275
GAME INFO:
SAVE 1: Day 1, 9:15AM, Raisin's Room
SAVE 2: Day 1, 7:00PM, Boulder Snake Statue little shaky on this one; looking for the exact details
>>
>>4379287
And making sure to catch Derpy when she swings by and not be carrying the flowers in our mouth like a retard when we didn't even need them in the first place.
>>
>>4379316

You're forgetting the biggest death of all

Our stompstarter
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>>4379316
have we done anything to surprise you so far?
y'know, besides not dying to those snakes
>>
>>4379342

rip in reeses peeses
>>
>>4379316
META INFO: Also, there was an opportunity to get Harry injured by the Grappling Hook. He wouldn't have died, but he would be completely useless.

Applejack could have been more severely injured by your running if you had tried to slam her into a tree.

There were more, but again, plot spoilers.


>>4379342
META INFO: Your Stompstarter is perfectly fine... prob'lay. Diamond Dogs know when they've got something valuable; given how shiny and new it was, he's probably still got it in his vest pocket.

>>4379348
META INFO: There have been a few moments... you guys have been evading my nag-traps pretty well. I was certain you were going to leave your saddlebags behind that tree, for instance.

You have fallen for 2 of them so far, though, but you won't see the repercussions until later.

Going after Derpy was pretty smart. I never eluded to her actually delivering 'LS's mail, so that was pretty clever. Honestly, I don't think I've pushed you guys into a corner hard enough yet to really get something completely unexpected squeezed into the story thus far.

Don't worry; you'll have your opportunities to do so.
>>
>>4379391
>You have fallen for 2 of them so far, though, but you won't see the repercussions until later.

fffffffffffffffffffffuck.
>>
>>4379391
thanks for the session Jr
never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat