>>11509036 (OP)
"Hey, uh...Rose? Could you maybe...talk...to them, or something?"

>>11509036 (OP)
maybe we can reason with them
...okay probably not, but it couldn't hurt to try
computer, analyze OP image for hidden messages

>>11509274
>>11509628
"I am open to suggestions," Celestia says to the group.

Luna is the first to step forward. "Rainbow, is an escape possible? Everyone here is a capable pegasus."

"Eh, I don't think so, Princess. They had enough pegasai to at least chase us to our base."

"Giving away our location is unacceptable." Luna begins pacing. "We will need to get them to stand down, then." She pauses after a moment. "Exactly how hostile are they?"

"I couldn't say for sure, but when I came to get you, it looked like the soldiers and the villagers were pretty much at each others' throats. They're a lot more disciplined than me; I'd've socked one in the face by now if I was out there."

You nudge Rose's back, grabbing her attention. "Hey, uh, could you maybe...talk...to them, or something?"

Her face remains stoic, looking at the remainder of the group. "I only ever meant to observe to determine if your princess are worth following. I've no responsibility to them and, in fact, this would be a fantastic opportunity to learn more about them." Her fierce gaze shifts to you. "And you."

Silver opens his mouth to protest, but Celestia lays a hoof on his back before he can get anything out. Confused, he turns back to her.

"If Rose chooses not to help, that is up to her, though I would appreciate anything you can offer, Rose. There is more at stake here than your curiosity."

[cont]

>>11509737
"Forgive me if this action gives me doubts about your true intentions," says Luna, walking up to the defiant pegasus. "A few words from you might avoid this conflict altogether but you hold your pride above it all. Might you be a spy or saboteur, instead?"

"I have stated my position." With that, she plops down on her rump and inspects the ceiling. Matter's closed, you guess.

You can see a seething within Silver, bubbling up to his face in a grimace. Luna is much more composed, though her tone told you all you needed to know.

>>11509749
Well, so much for that idea. Looks like we're gonna have to do this ourselves.
We won't get much done cooped up in this cave though. Let's go outside and see just what we're up against.

>>11509749
gee thanks rose
alright, looks like it's time to march right into danger again

>>11509749
>>11509737
Luna has a point, if Rose wants to to act like that, fuck her, she can piss off. Ask if the princesses have any kind of mass sleep spell or something.

Reminds me of games where you have to race people to prove you're a better driver than him so that he will be your driver. Realistically, if I'm a better driver than him, I'll just fucking drive myself and get someone for my spot.

>>11510024
well she's definitely a better fighter

>>11509749
time to put that +2 to negotiation to some good use

>>11509822
>>11509997
>>11510024
As the group makes its way back to the surface, you fall back behind the others and nudge Rose. "Would talking to them help? I don't know how close you are with the rest of your village."

She raises an eyebrow at you before turning her attention back down the tunnel. "Honestly, yes. I think it is very likely they would calm down or at least allow you passage if I took your side. But that is a moot point."

"You know, you could at least try to make some friends if you're gonna be following us around."

"Following YOU around. And friendship is hardly a top priority at the moment."

Whatever, you think to yourself, shrugging. She's hardly going to be of any help in the current dilemma, so you catch up with Celestia.

"Worried?" she asks.

"Heh, a little bit, I guess. New place and everything. But it wouldn't help anyone to let that get to me."

"No, it wouldn't," Silver states curtly from just in front of you.

Letting out a heavy breath, you keep yourself from replying. He's clearly still more than a bit annoyed with you.

The group makes it back outside... and the view is intimidating. About thirty ponies, an even mixture of earth ponies, pegasai and unicorns, varying sizes and colors, are openly arguing with a group of eight pegasai. The last one of your group salutes the princesses at the tunnel exit and begins explaining the situation.

[cont]

>>11510247
"Princess Celestia! Princess Luna! The enemy outnumbers us three-to-one and has demanded to see you and inquire as to our purpose here. One pony in particular has identified himself as Dusty Wing, the leader of the group, which we believe to be from the nearby village."

"I suppose we best talk with him, yes?" says Celestia. "And do not refer to them as 'enemy', Echo. They are citizens of Equestria, just as you are."

He salutes again. "Yes, Princess."

>>11510260
Well, let's talk to him then.

>>11510260
he's going to freak out the moment he sees us
calling it now

>>11510247
Silver needs to lighten up

>>11510408
Celestia takes a step forward, but when you and Silver go to follow, she holds both of you back with her wings, shaking her head. After approaching the crowd, she grabs their attention with a yell. "Dusty Wing? Myself and my sister are the leaders here. Make your business with us." It takes a second, but there's movement within the crowd and a rust-colored unicorn approaches the princesses, wearing pride in a sneer.

"The almighty princesses grace us with their presence. It would be horribly untoward of us to not show our respect, would it? Give them a bow, everyone."

Dusty lowers his head in the sorriest excuse for a bow you'd ever seen. Him and some of his fellow villagers do the same. The rest don't even bother.

The blatant mockery of Celestia's station makes you clentch your fist, but Silver looks like he's ready to jump in there and start a brawl himself. As much as you hate to hold him back, you know it'd just make things worse.

>>11510614
"Silver, c'mon, let her handle it."

"Shut up. He deserves a hoof in the face!"

"I know! But it's not worth it!"

Huffing, he spits at your feet. "Fine, but not because you want me to."

You let out a sigh of relief and turn back to Celestia, who looks down upon Dusty with nothing but a smile. "Thank you. I hear you are curious as to why my party is here. We were merely investigating the remains of an enemy camp. We've no reason to linger, though, and would like to be on our way."

[cont]

>>11510818
"Eh? And why should I believe that? You were in that cave, probably messing with our altar, weren't you? That's Withers' ancient treasure, and you haven't done anything to deserve it!"

You look around for Echo and tap him on the shoulder. "Withers?" you whisper.

"The name of the village."

"Oh."

"I assure you," says Luna, "we have taken nothing of yours."

Her statement only seems to aggravate Dusty. "Shut up, dreamstalker. I was talking to your sister."

Luna jerks back, blinking at Dusty a moment, mouth hanging open. She promptly shuts it, saying nothing further.

"Dusty, that is my sister and your princess you are speaking to. Such disrespect is not tolerated."

"Oh? You gonna strike me down for it? Or just turn a blind eye when she does? You haven't done anything for us in centuries, princess," He speaks the word as if it's poison to his tongue, "so tell me why I should give respect where I've received none?"

You can understand how this situation escalated with the guards so quickly while you were still in the cave. Celestia's face is betraying her emotion, something you'd yet to see since arriving here. But what are you to do? You're outnumbered and can't really run...

>>11510830
"All things considered she's giving you a lot more respect than you deserve right now."
Step forward.

>>11510830
we're standing here talking to them. that's something.

if he knows so much about the altar, then maybe he knows of the inscription written on it, and what it means

Guess what, I'm fucking late, AGAIN
Brb catching up

>>11510830
"what's gotten your panties in such a twist?"

The princesses raise the sun and the moon, I don't understand this sense of entitlement.

>>11511005
>>11511159
"All things considered she's giving you a lot more respect than you deserve right now."

Giving one last glance backwards to Rose, you step forward from the cave entrance, though not without a sharp, quiet protest from Silver.

Celestia turns to you as you stop next to her. She's stuck between annoyance and surprise, but does not protest your presence.

A startled hush hangs in the air, Dusty staring at you with a mixture of shock and anger. It doesn't take him long to decide which to lash out with.

"What are you? Why are you with her?"

"A human. And I'm with her because I choose to be. Because she's worth my respect."

Celestia nudges you before you can continue, whispering into your ear. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

You nod. In truth, you have no idea what you're doing, but best not worry Celestia with that. You can already feel the sweat pouring down your face, you just hope Dusty can't see it.

"Where are you from? Did you come from the altar?"

"No, I came from a place called Earth, where people show respect first before jumping to conclusions about strangers!"

Dusty practically snarls at you, though he seems a bit less sure of himself after seeing you.

>>11511366
oh shit, oh shit, what do we say now?

>>11511366
>Earth, where people show respect first before jumping to conclusions about strangers

Oh man, my sides, they hurt!

>>11511366
We're picking a fight we don't want.
Let's look for something more diplomatic, especially since that's what Celestia is there for.

>>11511366
Maybe we should try telling them the story we told Rose?
About how the rebels wanted to kill us on sight and the princess saved us?

She cares about her subjects, and she cared about us even though we were just an alien out of our element.

>>11511423
Shhhh!! They don't need to know!

ask dusty if he knows the meaning behind the inscription on the altar

showing him the worldshard could display that celestia has the PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to unlock the altar

alternatively it could send him into a rage that we're totally jacking their treasure

>>11511516
If they don't know the answer, they can't rightfully call it theirs.

>>11511516
The artifacts seem important enough that it may be best not to let anyone know we have them.

>>11511445
"The princesses aren't here to take anything from you. I'm not here to take anything from you. All we sought was information, and now all we wish to do is leave."

"Hah! The dreamstalker said you didn't take anything, which, to me, means the exact opposite. Give back whatever you took from that altar, then you can leave and we might not kick you on your way out." He becomes more animated with each word, stepping closer to you, crushing the dirt beneath his hooves.

"Do you even know what the altar said? What the words meant?"

"No, but we've been guarding it for generations! It's our duty, as is everything from it! That's our pride."

You almost guffaw from the irony of his statement, but hold your composure to avoid angering him any further.

Rolling time:
Convince him you took nothing? (Lie) [Easiest]
Convince him to let you pass? (tell him the story about Celestia saving you from the rebels) [Normal]
Use the Worldshard to display Celestia's worthiness? [Most difficult]

All have consequences based on their difficulty. Remember what happened last time you lied...

>>11511687
>Use the Worldshard to display Celestia's worthiness? [Most difficult]

All or nothing.

>>11511687
If we lie they'd search us.
Convincing would be nice provided we don't fail.
We'll fail the worldshard no doubt.

>>11511687
Take the hard route.
Go for broke.

>>11511728
>letting people know we have it
No, I don't want that.

>>11511728
>>11511747
I'm with these Anons
YOLO

>>11511752
>All have consequences based on their difficulty.
No more lies.
Even if it doesn't go off without a hitch it's better than taking the easy way out.

>>11511752
Live a little you baby.

Showing them we solved the damn puzzle will blow their minds.
Hopefully long enough to run away.

>>11511780
It wouldn't be lying taking the normal route.
It would be leaving out information that if given out could come back to harm us.

>>11511860
Leaving out info is almost lying...

>>11511860
But proving Cel's worthiness could net us new allies, instead of p0nies that just barely don't wanna smash us into the ground. Beside, opposition is bound to realize it's gone sooner or later, and its not a hard guess who has it if not them.

there's next to no chance this will work

but...eh, what the hell

>>11511907
we're persuasive as hell
lets go for it

>>11511907
Worse comes to worse we throw the princess at the mob and book it.

>>11511937
B-but the princess was our ride here

>>11511937
Shining Armor pls

actually, that's a pretty good idea
what's the difficulty class of a princess throw?

>>11511952
we have a spare

>>11511905
They've guarded it this long without knowing what it was.
They can live without knowing.

>>11511994
They'd notice anyways the next time they investigate the altar.

>"Hey guys? Wasn't there a big blue glowy thing the last time we were here?"

while we're paused, can someone repost the puzzle from last thread?
it doesn't show up in the archive: http://archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/11393473#p11394336

>>11511974
>Hey Luna, sorry I threw your sister at the angry mob who's probably gonna murder and rape her corpse, but we're still cool right?

>>11512092
pff. she can take care of herself.

>>11512092
>"YES! LET US CELEBRATE! NOW IS THE TIME FOR FORNICATION!"

>>11512371
>10/10
oh shit here we go

>>11512371
>another image
Computer! Analyze!

>>11512452
Seriously, this gon be good.

>>11512601
it's just a picture of a die roll
there have been lots of those

>>11512630
and the last one had code hidden in it
you never know

quest runner asked me to come and let you guys know he accidentally typed something that got him banned in the next quest post.

we're currently working figuring out what triggered the ban in the post and will continue again as soon as possible

>>11512720
>We win the dice roll.
>He gets banned.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

>>11512720
son of a bitch

Well fuck.
I don't know if we could get the quest going healthy enough on /q/.co

>>11512790
If we have to I guess we have to go there.
I swear the ban words here are idiotic.

>>11512838
Is anypone still banned?
If I remember correctly it bans for than even if there's a space.

I'll try to post what he had next for you guys, give me a sec. If I don't post the next part, then that means I got hit too.

Here is the last post of the session.

http://pastebin.com/GBxheRWw

Laying a hand on Celestia's back, you whisper into her ear. "Hey, do you have the worldshard?"

"Yes. Do you have a plan?" You detect hesitation in her voice.

"Yeah, give it to me." You hold out a hand. Looking between your hand and your face, she considers the situation a moment before taking a deep breath and levitating the Worldshard into your hand. The second it touches your skin, you feel very... light. Like gravity suddenly disappeared. You're not floating away or anything, but it's extremely disorienting. Gripping the Shard tight, you close your eyes and take several breaths before opening them back up. The feeling is still there, but you think you'll be fine making a speech like you planned.

"Look!" you shout, holding the Worldshard out where all ponies can see it. Celestia and Luna watch with curiosity; Dusty takes a step back like you might strike him. "This is from the altar. Far older than any of you, even as old as the princesses!"

"I knew--"

You don't allow Dusty time to finish. "The altar had instructions on it. Instructions and a warning. The warning was that this item, this Worldshard, had great power that should never be abused. It told of the first time it was used and the disastrous results." Stepping forward, you hold the Worldshard high. Dusty backs away as you pass him, now speaking to the group of villagers.

"The instructions were very specific: only one with knowledge of the ancient language and the wisdom of a leader could retrieve this Shard. The very ones to solve this puzzle were the princesses in front of you now." Turning to Dusty, you showed him the wing engraved on the Shard. "They showed they knew the burden of a leader. What would that burden be, Dusty?"

Anger still bubbles beneath his sneer, but his words were much more broken than before. "R-responsibility to their people. To forget selfish desires."

You lean in. "There's a word for that, you know."

"I just said it. Responsibility."

Shaking your head, you look back to the villagers. "Duty! Responsibility to values beyond yourself. Only by understanding how to lead could the princesses have retrieved this. It is the proof of their abilities, and the only reason you need to respect their station."

"Why should we believe you?" someone shouts from the crowd. "None of us could ever decipher that language."

"Believe your past, then! This place was made to guard this power, wasn't it? The creators would've made a test only one worthy of the power could pass. And I hold the power right here. How else could I be holding it?"

There's murmuring amoung the crowd, and Dusty steps forward, holding out a hoof. "Let me see it."

You hesitate, but lay the Shard in his hoof. He immediately begins to float, flailing about. In his shock, he drops the Shard and plops back down onto the ground. You offer a hand to help him up. Frowning, he looks at it a moment before accepting. "Yeah, that's real... whatever it is." Staring at the ground, he shakes his head. You retrieve the Worldshard and give him some space; he appears to be deep in thought.

After what feels like minutes, he speaks.

"I believe him, though it's up to the rest of you to make up your own minds." His next statement he directs at Celestia. "I... I'm still not sure about you. Maybe you aren't what I thought you were." Turning to Luna, he continues. "I'm sorry about my words earlier. We'll let you go." He shakes his head once more, mind still waging war on itself, and starts walking off. "But begone before I change my mind."

The crowd follows him shortly, and you and the rest of your party are all that remain.

"Not bad."

Fuckin' Rose.

>>11512932
Anon died a hero gentlemen...

the quest will resume again, on Saturday, at the usual time of Noon UTC 5.

>>11513017
I didn't anon, it's over here >>11512990

>>11512990

Fuckin' Rose.

>>11512990
Well that worked better than expected.

>>11512990
Time for smug victory dance.

So...
is there a tl;dr or do I have to read everything?

>>11512990
and at the end of the day Silver's probably still gonna hate us

>>11513247
Only if we gloat hard enough.

>>11513232
Read everything.
It won't take long.