>>13395839 (OP)
"Yeah. But didn't you say only alicorns like yourself could really use the worldshards?"

"Yes, without using the Scales, only alicorns can use the full potential of the worldshards. But, when charged with magic, the item itself becomes a lethal blade. Te user is not only untouchable with magic, but... worldshards cut things that cannot be cut. Should not be cut. A wound inflicted by one will not heal. The blood will not clot. And even if the injury is minor, should enough time pass, the victim would succumb to it anyways. I've seen it once myself." Celestia flicks her tail, belly twitching underneath your head.

"So that's how they planned to kill you."

"Yes. My sister and I have little to fear from normal ponies. We can be overwhelmed, but the only true threat from a small group of unicorns like we encountered would be one striking me with a magic-charged worldshard." She lays a hoof atop your hand. "I tell you this because I want you to be careful. All it would take is a tiny lapse in focus, a minor scratch, and your life would be over."

"Is there no way to heal those injuries? Recover from it?"

Celestia finally manages a smile. "With all three worldshards, and if we're quick enough, Luna or myself could heal such a wound. Given the power of the Scales, I would imagine they are capable of such a feat as well."

"Well, if Ironsides does have all three, the threat isn't too bad, right?"

[cont]

>>13395839 (OP)
uh oh...

>>13395861
"That is one way to look at it, yes." She doesn't look too calmed by the idea, though.

"Hey."

You find her eyes again, those gleaming pools of majenta, equal parts strength and beauty.

"We're gonna be fine."

You lean over, kissing her on the cheek. Her smile grows a little wider. At least she's convinced.

Another ten minutes pass, and you're about to stand up and start pacing when the air in front of Celestia and you shimmers, revealing the stern face of Luna. Both of you get up, Celestia taking a few steps forward.

"Are you alright, sister? How did it go?"

"I am fine. They did not notice me. From what I could tell, the camp is made up of southerners, like from their militia. Too organized to be ordinary citizens, not to mention well-armed. Their number is less than the initial force that attacked our first camp, but is still much larger than our own. The only question I could not answer definitively is whether they work for Ironsides or not."

Because this is (hopefully) the last session, it will be run a little differently than the others. There's a lot of stuff to get through, and I want to do it all today without making this a 12-hour session. Therefore, my posts will be longer, allowing me to pause fewer times to wait for responses and get through more information in one post. If you are participating, I would ask you respond with some haste, though it's not required. I'll still be limited by the speed of my writing and if I see any new suggestions before I put the post up, I'll do my best to incorporate them as usual.

Also, I am willing to answer questions about 1) events that have happened in the past so you don't need to rummage through the entire archive to hunt something down and 2) minor clarification points/items of curiosity. If you ask a question about something that I think you should be able to figure out on your own, I will point you to the thread/session that offers information which will lead you to the answer. Questions about major plot points or spoilers will be ignored.

Should we enter combat, my posts will be shorter and you'll be given more actions. Keep the above mentioned request in mind in this case.

That is all.

>>13395871
"Well who ELSE would they work for?"

>>13395871
That's troubling. Could we be facing a third faction?

>>13395871
They seem to have gathered here for some reason.

>>13395871
I wonder if their leader has the third worldshard and is here to bargain with Ironsides.

I have nothing to support this idle speculation.

>>13395871
Did you see some kind of insignia on their armor? If they are from the stampede maybe Rose could get some information out of them.


Oh god oh no that world shard thing doesn't sound good at all

The beginning of the end

>>13395972
Please hold me, Anon.

>>13395972
>>13395986
You'll always be my very best friends

File: 1378574635446.jpg-(Spoiler Image, 117 KB, 503x515)

>>13395972

>>13396174
>implying it will end today
I already have the tape and chloroform ready, I just need to abduct SA and force him to write a never ending Celestia quest for us

>>13395871
Did they look ready for our group or was their attention elsewhere?

>>13395908
"Well, who ELSE would they work for?"

"With luck... they would be members of The Stampede who have not chosen to support Ironsides. Which would mean us. That is what the militia was originally formed for."

>>13395931
"Were you able to tell why they had gathered here?"

"If they are on Ironsides' side, they are likely for defense. If not... they are in the exact position we were planning on camping, which means they could very well be planning an attack on the Scales."

>>13395962
"I wonder if they might have the third worldshard and were hoping to use it as leverage."

Luna frowns. "That would be a troubling thought. I had very much hoped that all three worldshards would not be gathered here at any point."

>>13395970
"Did you see some kind of insignia on their armor? If they are from the stampede maybe Rose could get some information out of them."

"I did more than that."

Luna opens her wings, revealing a piece of armor stamped with an insignia. She brings it in front of Celestia, who inspects it.

"That is a familiar insignia, certainly, but I cannot make out whether it is our enemy's or not." She turns to you. "Could you get Rose?"

"Sure." You turn around, opening your mouth to call for Rose, when you find her standing right behind you already. "AAH! I told you not to sneak up on me like that!"

"It's not 'sneaking'," she says, rolling her eyes. "Now, I heard my name and assumed I was needed."

[cont]

>>13396264
"Yeah." You hold out your hand and Luna places the armor in it. Crouching down, you hold it in front of Rose. "Does this look like our enemy's or not?"

Her nostrils flare and her eyes narrow, the hint of recognition plain in them. "That is the insignia of The Stampede's west division. It does not belong to our enemy." She looks up to Celestia. "This also means I need to speak with their general."

Celestia cocks her head. "Does it? Why do you say that?"

"Because I know him, and if we are to make a successful assault on the Scales, we will need his forces."

You look to Luna, expecting some form of objection, but oddly enough, she's fine with it. "If that is truly the case, you should leave as soon as possible. I shall accompany you."

"I'll need to take the alien with me as well."

"Hey!" you bark, but Rose ignores you.

At that, Luna shows some annoyance, but it quickly disappears. "If he is needed, then he is needed. Let us not dally any longer." She turns to Celestia. "Do you wish to come, sister?"

Celestia looks back and forth between you and the camp, then shakes her head. "No, I need to stay with the soldiers. It will worry them enough to see you three leaving. Stay safe." Her eyes focus on you. "Please."

"You got it."

And the three of you are off.

>>13396272
Let's move! Double-time!

Link to last thread, since the quest archive doesn't have all the work we did after the session ended.

http://archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/S13339183

i'll show you how alien i am

>>13396272
Hey Rose, that General.. do you know him back from your time with the Stampede?
What's he like? Was he as upset about having to fight off the dragons without the help of the royal army as the ponies of your hometown?

>>13396392
This I guess, ask her how she knows him and stuff

We'd better be wary, anyway. This could still get ugly, and we'd be in the middle of the enemy.

>>13396297
You were going to tell Rose and Luna to keep up, but find yourself the one struggling. They're not exactly setting an easy pace and the heat has been wearing on you the entire day. When your breath gets heavy, you expect Rose to taunt or tease you somehow, but she's especially focused right now. Almost grim.

>>13396392
>>13396428
"Hey Rose, that General.. do you know him back from your time with the Stampede?"

"Somewhat."

You pause, waiting for further explanation, but she's content with a one-word answer.

"What's he like? Was he as upset about having to fight off the dragons without the help of the royal army as the ponies of your hometown?"

"Ponies would tell me I'm a lot like him. Of course, they stopped once they realized I bucked everyone that said that. He's razor-focused, stoic to a point, and intelligent. If he's here, there's a good reason for it. As far as the issue with the dragons go... he's more loyal to Celestia than myself. He's annoyed with the situation, but instead of complaining about it he's doing everything he can to fix it. That enough of an explanation?"

"Yeah."

The three of you run for what feels like forever, but you guess it's only been a bit more than five minutes before Luna tells you to halt.

"We are close, now, and their sentries will have spotted us. We need not give them reason to worry by running all the way."

You nod and look to Rose, who has he gaze locked in the direction of the camp.

"Worried about something?"

[cont]

>>13396864
"Worried? No. Worry is pointless. I'm preparing."

"For what?"

She looks up at you, frowning. "I forgot how much you like to ask questions."

You shurg. "What can I say? I'm a curious guy."

"Try being less curious every now and then."

Oh-kay. She's a little bit touchy about this, whatever it is. Luckily, you don't have to wait long before something happens. Just as the camp is coming into view, you spot three ponies galloping out to meet your little group.

"Don't try running your mouth on this stallion," says Rose. "He'd sooner knock you on the ground than deal with your babbling."

You throw up your hands. "Fine, fine. I'll shut up."

As the group approaches, you can make out the ponies. One, on the right, is a unicorn, not much bigger than Silver, with a green coat. The pony on the right is an earth pony, colored beige. The one in the center is the most intimidating figure of the three, a pegasus as large as Steady, but instead of the smile Steady usually had on, this pegasus is stone-faced. Kind of familiar. All three are wearing armor.

[cont]

>>13396871
They stop a few feet in front of you, all facing Luna. You tense up, ready to jump into action should they make a sudden move, but they all bow deeply. You let out a breath you didn't know you were holding.

"Princess Luna," the lead stallion says. "I am Sharpeye, general of The Stampede's western division, and these are my lieutenants Last Stand and Arrowling. May I ask what brings you here?"

"Of course. My sister and I were heading to the Scales to face our enemy, which you are no doubt aware of. This fair pony wanted to speak with you." She gestures to Rose.

The ponies on either side of Sharpeye tense up, which does little to ease your mind.

Sharpeye nods, regarding Rose with a cold familiarity. "Victory."

Rose returns the nod. "Father."

>>13396883
No shocks there, we'll keep our mouth shut then and wait to see what they decide to do or talk about.

>>13396883
Ooh...

>>13396941
Ditto this, though I'm getting in half a mood to hurt something.

>>13396883
Better bite our cheek, if we make even the tiniest sound Rose will probably kick us right in the groin again.

>>13396883
Say nothing, but let your stance break just a bit. You are not really impressed with her right now.

>>13396883
>Father
Whatatwist.png
Now shut up and let them have their family moment

It's best we not get involved yet, but I don't think we're really so suave to keep any hints of surprise from our expression. I'm sure Rose will notice no matter how small we keep it.

But we should be prepared for an opening; remember, our specialty IS persuasion, after all. If nothing else, we can try to grease the wheels in our favor.

>>13397121
Favour for what?
The guy seems to already be prepared to help. We might as well just be quiet.

Rose's sneaking is just foreshadowing; she's going to stab us in the heart just to exact "the silver."

Stay quiet and watch her twist and turn with her father. Do not believe her lies.

>>13397172
Steady pls go

>>13397152
I'm not advocating any moves on that front yet, but we haven't heard his whole deal. All I'm saying is to remain aware. Maybe all we end up doing is smoothing some tension or getting him to make some small concession to his daughter. We're going to want any advantage we can squeeze in, even (especially) amongst our allies.

>>13397203
Anon, please. Trust no one implicitly. Trust your own wits and pray it'll be enough to carry the day.

Dark things are moving.

why are we even here? did Rose just want to introduce us to her big scary dad?

I really hope we don't have to smooth any of Rose's potential daddy issues before we can get his help. Persuasion and therapy aren't the same.

>>13397304
Not likely. It's not like we're going over to his house for dinner.

>>13396941
>>13396996
>>13397012
>>13397027
>>13397029
As much as you would love to drop your jaw to the ground or give a general exclamation of inquisition, Rose made it pretty clear you don't want to say anything. You're forced to bite your lip and cheek to keep quiet, but you do it nonetheless. You don't even cross your arms, but simply observe the conversation.

"I'm a little surprised to see you travelling with the princesses. What of your station at Withers?"

"You know dragons don't go around there any more, and I deemed this cause more important."

"Soldiers typically don't get to choose what their duty is. Yours to Withers."

"My duty is to myself, as you so often told me, and that is here."

"At least you're correct this time. But you shouldn't depend on luck to place you where you need to be."

"I've never depended on luck."

God, it's like Rose is arguing with the male version of herself. Their voices are equal parts cold and blunt, and their faces might has well be eched from rock. If the situation wasn't so tense, you might be laughing.

"Who and what do you have here?" he says, looking at you.

Rose nudges you and you immediately straight up, saluting on instinct.

"I'm a traveling human, sir. Been helping Celestia and Luna for a while now, trying to end this rebellion."

[cont]

>>13397304
I suspect he wants to remain at present, waiting for the other shoe to drop. The whole standing army may only have a clue how bad it is if any Shards are in place and prepared.

Rose will make the case they should press on. YOU need to help tackle the problem, and by degrees she's steeling herself.

She's hoping and praying we're not so goddamn thick we can't get the clues she needs help even as much as "you need to ask fewer questions."

>>13397331
"That's Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. And what sort of things do humans do?"

Luna coughs. "I'm sorry, General, but there are more pressing things."

You visibly relax when his attention shifts off of you. "Of course, Princess. I apologize, merely habit. What is it you needed?"

"Our force is rather small, and we need to strike at the Scales to end this. To that end, we require your soldiers."

"We were already planning to do much the same, and any help would make success that much more likely. How many do you have with you?"

"Twenty-one, not including my sister and I."

Sharpeye's mouth curls into a frown. "I must admit, I was hoping for more. The battle will not be easy as things stand now, but this is not the place to talk of it. Fetch the rest of your company and bring them here, then you and your sister can join me in the battle tent. It's the large, red one." He bows before turning around and heading back to camp.

"I will fetch my sister and the soldiers," says Luna, and teleports away, leaving you and Rose alone in an empty plain.

>>13397333
* can't get the hint, sorry

>>13397344
Oh great, left alone with older, male version of Rose and Rose herself.
Though I suppose Luna isn't much better company.

>>13397390
Yeah
All three of them really need to break me off a piece of that Kit-Kat Bar.

>>13397344
Take a step away from Rose so we are not in kicking distance.
"Sooo... that's your dad, huh? You are quite his daughter."

Can't let her get away with it completely after all, if she told us right away, we probably wouldn't have needed to worry so much.

>>13397390
Her dad already went back to the camp, we are alone with Rose

>>13397428
That's not saying he won't come back with questions he had before.

>>13397344
"...I think he likes me."

>>13397449
He seemed to be pretty loyal to the Princesses and Luna told him to knock it off, I don't think we have to worry about him for the next few minutes

File: 1378579372208.gif-(362 KB, 500x473, rxn chrissy stare.gif)

>>13397417
>Practically 2 Roses in front of you
>Make fun of her and not do what she told you to which is shut up
This guy

>>13397344
So... you'd know better than me. What's his typical strategy? It might help if you could brief me so I won't be as lost in a moment.

>>13397487
We are lone with Rose though - her dad is back in the camp and Luna teleported away

>>13397502
Oh, my bad, carry on then

>>13397344
"So ... Some strife there? You really thought I didn't know?

>>13397462
>>13397417
"...I think he likes me."

Growling, Rose takes a swipe at you, but it's fuel more by annoyance than focus, and you're able to dodge backwards, out of kicking distance. "Sooo... that's your dad, huh? You are quite his daughter."

Her eyes narrow until she's nearly squinting. "I'm trying to decide if that qualifies you for a buck or not."

"You know, if you had just told me it was your dad, I wouldn't have been so worried. Or asked so many questions."

"It is still right be concerned. While he is loyal to the princesses, that does not mean he is entirely subservient."

"Sounded like he was pretty on-board with the attack to me."

"Because you did not listen to the exact words he used. He was already planning on attacking; that's not a concern. But he asked how many we have with us instead of offering how many he has. The only reason he accepted Luna's request was because I was here and, as much as we may appear to be at each other's throats, we trust each other's judgement."

>>13397499
"What's his typical strategy? It might help if you could brief me so I won't be as lost in a moment."

"He's concerned for the integrity of his militia. He wants to win this not to rescue Twilight or even to kill Ironsides, but to either kill or bring back the traitors of the Stampede. He's looking beyond today, to tomorrow when he still needs a sizable force to hold the dragons back and protect his citizens. I can only hope the princesses convince him of the importance of getting to Ironsides as well."

[cont]

>>13397831
There's a rumble from a distance, and you turn to see the rest of your camp approaching, all moving at a quick pace, kicking up dust behind them. Ponies can really move when they need to.

Celestia approaches you and Rose.

"So, I heard your father is the general. Do you think he's willing to work with us?"

"Yes," says Rose, "But you need to let him know your priorities. At the moment, I believe they are quite different. He'll see Twilight as Ironsides as secondary to killing or capturing the enemy soldiers."

"Do you want to be a part of the battle discussion?"

Rose throws her head back and barks a laugh. A laugh! "If I were to go in there with you, Sharpeye would discredit everything you say on my account. No, it's best if I stay out of it."

Celestia nods, then turns to you. "I'm afraid you won't be a part of the battle discussions, but you can still help our camp set up and look around the Stampede's camp, see if everything looks in order."

"Sure."

She swoops in, giving you a peck on the lips before walking off with Luna toward camp.

"Cute," says Rose.

>>13397850
"Shut up."
Let's go.

>>13397850
Yeah, yeah.
You could help me walk the camp and let me know which ares you feel could be better. They're probably not far off of what you'd like though considering who's running it.

>>13397850
"Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all."

>>13397850
"Want one, too?"

Don't think there is much to do apart from setting up our tent.

Only other option would be to look for Silver but I don't think we have anything to talk about at the moment.

>>13397850
"There's a chance we're all going to die out here and I'm not even on my own planet. Maybe you can piss off, Rose."

>>13397941
#shotsfired

>>13397941
>telling Rose to piss off for a snarky comment
That is a pretty bad idea

>>13397941
#2mad

>>13397850
"Hey, if you need a pick-me-up, I'm sure you can find Silver."

Well, time to get our snoop on. Let's try to be inconspicuous and get a feel for the mood of the camps.

>>13398000
Well, dialing back the "piss off" is wise.
But Rose IS pushing it just a bit ...
You could probably say all that in a Look

>>13397941
I don't really want to get her mad at us, especially not right before a battle. On top of it, it was just Rose being Rose

>>13397850
"... Says the talking pony."

Tell her to lead on.

>>13398032
> Rose being Rose
She's bulling more than usual. She's trying to grapple with her father and that's important, but you are not there to take the heat when she fails.

This is our fight - but primarily her problem until it's clear what to do to help. Mrs. Snippy can get a glare at least or "Let's not get coy."

>>13398149
You take yourself far too seriously.

>>13397878
This, with a little bite. I'm still not that impressed with the Little Miss Skywalker routine right now.

>>13398149
>Bulling more than usual.
>Mrs. Snippy

Seems as clear an indication to me as any that she's feeling a lot of internal stress and letting out some steam on you.

>>13397878
>>13397919
>>13397927
>>13398149
"Shut up. You know you want one, too."

Her wing whacks you in the bag of the leg, but you're used to the beatings by now.

"Rose, there's a chance we're all going to die out here and I'm not even on my own planet. This could be my last day here. Maybe you can cut back on the snark just a bit?"

"Fine."

Once the whole of your camp has found a spot to settle, you help unpack and set up. The entire time, you don't so much as catch a glimpse of the princesses, so the battle planning must still be going on. The heat's subsided just a bit, though you're still sweating like a pig as you work. You take the time away from Rose and Silver to calm yourself. As much as you enjoy their company, it's nice to have some time alone. Of course, too much time alone, and you're liable to start thinking about how there's no chance this whole thing ends happily.

Shit.

With everything set up, you find Rose again. You'll need her ehelp.

"You could help me walk the camp and let me know which ares you feel could be better. They're probably not far off of what you'd like though considering who's running it."

"Very well. Let's go."

She leads you through the camp, pointing out the barracks, supplies, traning areas, triage, and commander's tents, explaining everything as you go. For the most part, it's like Celestia's first camp, only more so.

"How many soldiers do you think we've got?"

"Total?" She rubs her chin, thinking for a second. "Maybe two hundred and fifty."

"Damn, that's a tiny army."

"Tiny? It's small, but still a respectable size."

"Back where I'm from, an army is much, much larger."

"Well, this isn't where you're from."

"Don't I know it."

[cont]

>>13398256
Throughout the 'inspection', you notice every pony in sight staring at Rose. You'd expect to be the object of attention, given your size and species, but apparently Rose is a much more interesting or intimidating figure. Now that you think about it, even the enemy had recognized her and spouted off a few titles. It feels a bit weird, given she's traveled alongside you as nothing more than a soldier and a friend. Well, a very good soldier.

The camp itself doesn't look suspicious at all. When you ask Rose, she echoes the thought. It's a relief to not worry about a backstab here, though just because you can't find anything suspicious doesn't mean there isn't anything. Rose's opinion on the matter means a bit more than the average pony, so you're willing to let it lie. Sharpeye doesn't seems like a traitor anyways.

>>13398264
"You seem to be quite the celebrity."

>>13398173
To be fair she's not the only one who has license to get a little tetchy. Civil war, Infinite Cutting swords, barbarians at the gate, a general who's maneuvering to use your hard-scrabbled army as their own tool (like everyone else) -

This is gonna get ugly fast. Maybe Judy needs to beat Daddy Punch exclusively, best she can.

>>13398264
Time to get personal
Try and find out how Rose's relationship with her dad is, how close they are and whatnot

>>13398256
"I kind of wish we had some missiles or something for a nice big war crime right about now." She seems to need the snark, maybe she could use a gallows laugh.

>>13398256
>Of course, too much time alone, and you're liable to start thinking about how there's no chance this whole thing ends happily.
;_;

I'd say we go with a mix of these >>13398309 >>13398323 and if she doesn't seem to keen on answering we pick up Silver and see if we can find something to eat till the Princess and Sharpeye are ready

>>13398264
Well if that's all then, I suppose we'll play the waiting game.

>>13398346
"I kind of wish we had some missiles or something for a nice big war crime right about now."

"What kind of missles?"

You gesture with your hands, trying to show her what a missle looks like. "Like, you know, big projectiles that blow stuff up?"

"Never heard of them."

>>13398309
Oh, yeah. Earth thing. Eager to change the subject, you mention all the looks she's been getting.

"Yes, I'm well known among the Stampede. Partially because my father is a general, and partially because of my accomplishments. The dragon I told you about is one of them."

The two of you make it back to your section of the camp and take a seat together, watching the tip of the large rent tent near the center of everything. You briefly wonder if Rose is dying of heat under that armor she's always wearing.

>>13398323
"So, uh, exactly how close are you and your father?"

She sighs, taking off her helmet and setting on the ground next to her. Her mane, now free, relents to the wind. "Do you really want to know?"

"Yes, or I wouldn't have asked."

"My father and I respect each other too much to be 'close'. We value ambition, a steady hoof, and figuring out the world on our own terms. He taught me not to just be a soldier, but a thinking soldier. To always question my surroundings. My enemies. My comrades. Myself. He wanted a daughter--it humors me to even say the word--who could be greater than him. One who could face the world without shirking back. I suppose he got what he wanted." Rose picks the helmet back up and looks inside. "To each other, we are competitors. Rivals. He doesn't believe in being 'close' because it would dull both of us, not to mention I'd find that particularly boring. Maybe we're not like other families, but then again we never concerned ourselves with how other families were run."

[cont]

>>13398699
You hear a rustling and clopping of hooves and look up to find the princesses had returned, a small crowd gathering around them. They make their way to you and Rose. Their faces carry the grim resolve that had settled over the entire camp, but if you're eyes aren't deceiving you, there's a little hope there, too.

"We've arranged a battle plan. We leave in an hour," says Luna. "And it looks like we have a very real chance of getting Twilight back."

The princesses and you all share a grin. Rose just puts her helmet back on.

>>13398699
> not saying "Like fireballs I guess. Pitch. Tar? Big round ball, catapult it over? Missiles can sort of aim themselves- you had to be there I guess"

I'm a little disappointed

As much as I'd love to play psychoanalyst, we've got bigger fish to fry. Better steel ourselves, this is the big time.

>>13398730
Ponies aren't big on mechanical or electronic ingenuity.
Magic does a lot it for them.
Sure, we could tell them about how much easier it would be to have an AK and mow down entire factions, but eh.
It doesn't really matter.

>>13398707
We'd better put our armor on, too.
...I'm not the only one who remembers that we actually HAVE armor, right?

>>13398707
"I'm glad I set up my tent."
Ask Celestia if we can get some more information about the battle plan.


>that conversation with Rose
Calling it now that one of them will get into a dangerous situation and the other one will have to decide if they want to make a "stupid" move to save them.

>>13398761
We only had a chestplate.

>>13398758
It's just an aside. Kind of hoping to get her to - well, not laugh, but you know. That sort of different frown that's a smile when she's serious.

>>13398761
It's going to take a while, especially if you want to cinch it up right for the final battle. I'm feeling a bit slow, but will we need some help fitting it properly, making sure there are no hitches or pinches to impinge movement?

>>13398786
SA mentioned having additional pieces commissioned awhile ago.
A codpiece at least, after our first bout with Rose.

>>13398758
It's unfortunate we've been presuming Anon is more or less average for specific arms knowledge, because it's not that hard to make automatic weapons from simple sheet metal. Improvisational weapons in World War II, what have you.

Then again you might be seeing some Reality-ripping weapons and Mages, so it's just as well Equestria didn't spend much time on that avenue of research.

>>13398834
There's a problem, munition.
He didn't bring any from home and I'm sure there's nothing to make a primer for the bullets even if anon had the knowledge.

>>13398761
We should have it close to us so we can put it on rather fast - but I wouldn't start wearing it right now, just after Questanon wondered if Rose isn't dying in the heat due to constantly wearing an armor

>>13398881
It's true that even if he'd paid attention in Chemistry or Physics it can be a royal bitch to get gunpowder just right, and what few traditional fireworks exist in Equestria would not have mixtures adequate for small arms use.

Again, it would have been a dead end at least in the short term.

This might not be the perfect road to battle, but so far it's the only viable one and all the Human methods would take too long to reproduce and graft.

There is no other road, no other way.

>>13398929
Why not just fill a bottle with oil and stuff a rag in the neck?

>>13398707
Very real does not mean "very likely."

Focus on the leather backing of your armor and take the next step.

>>13398950
It might be a good distraction but draw attention to the bombardiers.

If it makes you feel better I guess you could stuff one or two down a pants leg, but

Your kit is going to get pretty hefty as it is, and I don't think we have a lighter(?)

>>13398761
>>13398782
You stand up and give Celestia a hug. "I'd better get ready, then. Can you help me get my armor on? It's tricky on my own."

"Certainly."

She follows you back to your tent where you pick up the rough iron chestpiece. It doesn't do much for your arms, but at leas your vital organs and parts of your shoulder are protected. You wish you'd picked up the rest before your camp was attacked and you had to leave it all behind.

You manage to get it partially on by yourself, but it's a tight fit, not to mention a little warped. Celestia's magic is able to help you get it the rest of the way on.

"So, what exactly is our plan?"

"Well, our soldiers have been assigned to one of Sharpeye's lieutenants, and they'll become part of the main force. Ironsides' army is close to five hundred in number, so we're poorly out-numbered, but luckily, our plan works well with what we have. Sharpeye is going to drive a wedge into the enemy army, straight into the Scales' main chamber, where a small group will attempt to rescue Twilight and get the worldshards. With those at our disposal, a 2-to-1 disadvantage will mean almost nothing."

"Who is going to be in this group?"

"I volunteered to head it, as we need at least one alicorn to be the one retreive the shards, and Luna is better at field combat. She will keep the main forces focuses and provide support at the entrace to the Scales to ensure I am not taken from behind. Sharpeye offered some of his own soldiers to come with me but I told him I'd be picking my team on my own. I have a couple soldiers in mind, but if you have any recommendations, I'll hear those, too." She lays a hoof on your shoulder. "I'd like for you to come. The fighting will be less intense, and the task is of vital importance."

>>13399050
Should we take Silver?

>>13399050
Alright,
There is only this, hopefully we'll all come out the other side okay.

>>13399119
Why shouldn't we take Silver?

>>13399050
The fighting may be less intense, but certainly not less dangerous with the world shards in their han- er, I mean hooves. Especially for you. So of course I will tag along - someone will have to make sure that you stay protected."

>>13399119
>>13399140
Dunno, I don't really feel like he's the strongest fighter - on the other hand the fight in the main chamber might be less deadly for everyone but Celestia since she will be the main target

Oh fuck this gay Earth
What to people see in this thing?
Either Anon will die, stay in Equestria, or shuffled home, his body broke and his life wasted.

>>13399185
It's the journey, not the destination anon.

>>13399172
Oh, and I completely forgot: We should definitely have Rose come with us.
And maybe one of the Pegasi from Withers - them having switched sides might convince a few soldiers in the chamber to switch to our side, too.
Or the Withers Pegasi stabs us.

>>13399050
"You can save the 'taken from behind' part for after this is over, your highness."
Give her a wink.

>>13399119
>>13399140
>>13399172
if we do take silver you know hes going to come face to face with steady

but if we leave him behind steady will be part of the larger forces

its destiny
you cant fight it

might as well have an eye on him

>>13399205
NOT THE TIME CARLOS

>>13399226
IT IS ALWAYS THE TIME

>>13399226
my sides

>>13399205
I actually laughed.

>>13399207
Oh, I completely forgot about Steady. Yeah, we better have him come along, I doubt that he will betray us and that way we can keep an eye on him.

>>13399202
Rose will be more useful out in the thick of things.

>>13399172
wWellllll

Take him. Everything that happens today will happen on the field of battle. As long as Silver knows what he's up against.

>>13399248
The whole plan stand and falls with us capturing the world shards though. If we manage to get them, the fight is pretty much won, if we fail we have lost.

>>13399050
Here's a startlingly purient question -

What happens when two Shards are used in duel? If they're both impervious to magic, is there splash damage? Should we only bring in a most-effective number of soldiers so we don't simply send another 5 to their doom?

File: 1378585778834.png-(Spoiler Image, 194 KB, 1213x1277)

Dropping the line art here in case I don't manage to finish coloring it before the Quest is over - Questing is much more disrupting to the drawing process than I thought

>>13399119
>>13399140
>>13399172
>>13399205
"You can save the 'taken from behind' part for after this is over, your highness," you say with a wink.

Her eyes widen and she puts a hoof over her mouth, though you can still see the grin behind it. "Oh dear, what have I gotten myself into?"

"The fighting may be less intense, but certainly not less dangerous with the world shards in their han- er, I mean hooves. Especially for you. So of course I will tag along--someone will have to make sure that you stay protected."

Her grin widens at your response. "I am glad to hear it."

"Should we take Silver?"

"That I am... unsure about. While he is a capable fighter, we'll be going straight to the heart of the enemy, where Ironsides and his most trusted ponies wait. I have a feeling Steady will be among them, and he may not be ready for that confrontation."

"And Rose?"

"She is your friend, so I will leave that up to you.. I do not doubt she is extremely skilled, but she also may be more useful with the main force."

>>13399386
<3

>>13399403
Rose should take the main force. SHE RIDES TO GLORIOUS BATTLE WITH HER FATHER BESTRIDE

>>13399403
A question to the questers:

Is there any indication in Dreams or Portents that Twilight is not party to the Rebellion now?

>>13399403
Maybe we should ask Silver if he thinks he's ready to face Steady. If Celestia says he is a capable fighter, he would definitely be useful - but we have to ask him if he's sure that he's able to do what must be done without hesitating even for a single second. And that we wont judge him if he doesn't come along.

I still say we should take Rose with us, seeing how the battle in the cave will be the crucial part.

Also, I really fucking hope that the stupid cave doesn't look like a ruin from the outside.

>>13399550
The only thing we know about Twilight is that she opened an enchanted book and triggered a teleportation spell which apparently brought her to Ironside or his minions.
Apart from that I don't remember anything being said about Twilight.

what aobut those guards

I guess the Pegasi from Withers aren't important in any way then since SA ignored that line. I kinda ssumed they would play a role.

>>13399706
I suspect but can only speculate they'll be with the main force.

>>13399425
NEVERMIND
SHE COMES WITH US TO THE CAVE
I NEED THE BEST LASS BESIDE ME

>>13400088
>>13399553
"Rose should come with us."

"Then that's what I'll have her do."

"I think we should at least ask Silver if he thinks he's ready. He's earned that, hasn't he?"

"Yes, he has."

You search the camp for Silver, and upon finding him, greet him with a smile.

"Hey, there!" he says. "Ready for the battle?"

"I'm doing my best."

Celestia walks up next to you and Silver bows, but also figures that there might be something important to discuss. "So... I take it it you two aren't here just to talk?"

"No, Silver," says Celestia, "I have a question for you, and an offer."

He blinks a few times. "Okay. What is it?"

"I'm leading a small group into the cave of the Scales themselves, and I need soldiers to come with me. I was considering you as one of them, but Steady may very well be among our opponents in there. If I were to have you with me, would you be able to fight him? Do do what must be done without hesitation?"

"Against Steady?" He looks down at the ground cocking his head back and forth as he debated himself. "I... honestly? I don't think so."

Celestia nods, patting Silver on the head with a wing. "I understand. No one holds it against you."

"Sorry I'm letting you down."

"Let me down? No, of course not. There's still much you can do with the main force, and there are other ponies I can take with me. Don't think you're letting me down." She touches her chin to the top of Silver's head before withdrawing. "Now go find Arrowling. He'll be leading the ponies from my camp."

"Yes, Princess!" he says with a salute, and runs off.

[cont]

>>13400228
It turns out the other ponies Celestia had in mind were the sentries, Rock and Twig. They're happy to see you again, and glad to be a part of Celestia's 'elite' group. They seem like a more jovial couple, but Celestia assures you there are most intimidating in a fight and work off of each other well. She also states she doesn't want to take any more ponies. Sharpeye suggested four or five, and Luna's going to be sticking with you all the way to the entrance of the cave. Inside, there isn't enough room to fight a number of ponies that would be sufficient threat to Celestia and her group. Only the ponies weilding worldshards would be trouble, and there are only at most three of those.

With your group picked out, Celestia offers you some time to speak with anyone you want before the battle starts. If not, you both should be getting in position. The army is going to move out shortly.

The thought makes goosebumps rise.

>>13400239
Try to catch up to Silver, ruffle his mane and tell him that he did the right thing by being honest to himself and us and admitting that he might not be able to do what must be done when it involves Steady and that we definitely won't hold it against him.

Maybe visit Luna and thank her for telling us where we could find Celestia a few days ago. This might be the last chance to show our gratitude.
On the other hand, she might be occupied with preparations - or simply show us what she thinks about us mounting her sister with a well placed kick.

>>13400360
>Make up with Luna and thank her for being so cool about you being with her sister
Meh, why not

>>13400239
Let's say our last goodbyes.
Just in case.

>>13400239
I wonder if we shouldn't try and say anything else to Sharpeye. We don't really know him, and it's not like we'll be winning him over in a brief chat, but this is probably our only window of opportunity.

...Can't rightly think of what to say, though.

>>13400360
>>13400424
>>13400442
"I think I should probably talk with Luna. I'll be right back."

Celestia nods. She understands.

It takes a little bit of searching through the camp before you find her, not far from the red battle tent. She's talking with Arrowling and another pony you don't recognize. As you approach, they both look at you, hinting Luna to your presence. She turns around.

"Hey, Luna, could I have a minute?"

Luna dismisses the ponies and takes you aside. "What is it you want?" Her tone is strict, very business-like. Could be worse.

"I wanted to thank you. For not only putting up with me, but also telling me how to find Celestia last night. It means a lot to me."

"You do understand why I am so conflicted about this, though?"

"Yeah. I know. I'm pretty reckless. But I swear I'll--"

Luna covers your mouth with a hoof. "I don't want to hear promises."

You nod, face falling. You jerk back when Luna gets up on her hind legs, but she doesn't hit you. Hooves and wings wrap you up, and Luna embraces you tight. "That's my sister. Don't you let her down."

"Of course," you say, hugging her back.

"Now go, I'm sure you've more important things to do."

You run off, smiling to yourself. There's no way you're gonna let Celestia down.

Next you find Silver, who's getting the last of his armor on. He drops everything on seeing you.

"Hey, Silver. I'm about to get in position, and I don't think I'll see you till after this is over. I wanted to say good luck."

"You too!" He hobbles over, only two of his legs in armor, and gives you a hug. You can't help but let his blind optimism get to you.

"You, uh, over that thing with Steady? I know it was tough to understand."

"That? Oh, yeah, definitely. I figured out what's different between us."

"What's that?" you ask, crossing your arms.

[cont]

>>13401175
"Well, he had this thing he'd say whenever people got too riled up or tried taking on more than they could handle. He'd say it to me a lot, too. 'There are no heroes, Silver. Just good-natured ponies in the right place at the right time.' And that made sense to him. But me, I think he's only half-right. There are good-natured ponies in the right place at the right time, but I don't think he understood that there's ALWAYS gonna be a pony there. Even if one falls, someone else is gonna take their place. No matter how many fall, another one's gonna get up. So it's not that there no one's a hero, it's that everyone is." He hits your leg. "You too."

You ruffle Silver's mane as much as you can through his helmet. "Thanks, hero. I'll see you later."

"You better!"

When you next group up with Celestia, it's in the midst of the army, everyone in their places and ready to make the run. Sharpeye barks out orders and gives a short speech, something you can't really make out from your spot. You're not really paying attention anyways; your mind is too scattered. Anxiety dominates your thoughts. Your knees shake and palms sweat. It's not even that you're worried about dying. What gets you is that when you finally make it to the Scales, even if no one gets hurt and Twilight is freed, you might still have to leave. If there's no answers to your problem with the Guardian, then what choice do you have?

Fortunately for you, you've got someone who knows how to keep you from going crazy. You feel her hoof on your shoulder and her wing on your back. When you look over to her, you see that gentle, comforting smile you know so well.

'That's right,' you think to yourself. 'You've got someone you can't let down.'

When the group finally takes off, it's a thunderous roar. A battlecry without words.

[cont]

>>13401190
You've never heard so many ponies galloping at once, and had Celestia not grabbed you with magic and sat you on her back, you'd have been trampled. You're definitely not going to try to keep up with ponies again.

However far away the enemy was, it doesn't matter, because the army is speeding across miles of terrain in minutes. There's no way the enemy can't hear you--you only hope you strike so fast they don't have time to organize.

As you come closer, you grip Celestia's neck tighter, feeling her powerful stride reverberate through her body and into yours. Even at this speed, however, she moves with grace, never tossing you off her back or even coming close. Her intensity would scare you, had she not been on your side.

Finally, the army breaks over a hill and the enemy comes into view. A great mass of ponies, organized into rows, a rainbow of colors in their ranks. You can't make out much more until spells start raining down. However, with two fully-fledged alicorns and a good number of unicorns to back them up, all the enemy spells bounce harmlessly off a great barrier over your heads. The sound of colliding spells rings in your ears.

There are cries from the front when the point of your wedge hits the enemy line. All you can make out are flashes of close-range spells and glints of metal. The body of your force yells a battle cry, and you find yourself joining in. The heat of the moment blocks out everything but moving ahead. Celestia has to jump over the bodies of fallen ponies, but does not slow. You check your sides, seeing Rose flying just above ground on one side and the sentries galloping on the other. Everyone's still together.

[cont]

>>13401201
You panic a little when you can't find the cave you're supposed to be aiming for, but Celestia must have it in her sights, as she never deviates or slows. Occassionally, a pegasus will dart in, making for her, but is struck down by a spell or weapon before getting too close. The organization and discipline might impress you had you been on the sidelines.

Soon enough, the cave comes in view, and Celestia puts on a burst of speed. The remainder of the ponies in front of you split off, leaving nothing between you and your destination. You give another battle cry, you comrades joining in, and Celestia gallops into the cave.

You hear a echo of "Good luck, sister!" before you leave the outside world behind you.

Celestia comes to a halt, allowing you to hop off her back. You find you're the only one breathing heavy; Rose and the sentries must be well-conditioned. You need a moment to keep your heart from bursting out of your chest, but you know you can't take long. Once Celestia is sure you're fine, she leads the group down the cave, lighting the way with magic.

>>13401215
Try to keep up.

>>13401215
Keep pace with the others. Now would be a really bad time to be separated.

>>13401215
Stay close enough to Celestia that we could intercept any attack on her quick enough. The enemy is most likely aware that we are coming and already laid a trap.

>>13401215
Jesus anon, condition a bit.
You shouldn't be wheezing enough that people are genuinely concerned for your well being.

>>13401215
Keep an eye on our compass, too. We still don't know for sure what the deal with it is, and if it starts flipping out in some new way we should take note as soon as possible.

>>13401503
It could very well point to Twilight.

>>13401296
>>13401319
>>13401351
You keep close to Celestia as you make your way down the tunnel. It's longer than the other cave you went down to find the pegasus worldshard. At least, you think it is. The group keep a steady pace, you have to jog, but it's no where near as fast as the gallop in.

>>13401503
You check the compass, but it's only pointing to Celestia. Nothing different.

It's not long before you run into your first obstacle.

A short ways down the cave, everything is illuminated by torches, including a tightly-pack group of enemy soldiers. There must be a couple dozen of them, but with the cave width, only six can attack at a time and still have room to move around. Celestia's light gives your presence away and the first line wastes no time in attacking.

Rose meets the first wave, but another flies over their heads and faces you, the princess, and the sentries. The sentries take on two, and the remaining for give their attention to Celestia. She levitates a weapon strapped to her side over to you--a spear--then charges up a spell. The second the spear hits your hands, you can feel that familiar battle state warming up within you.

The enemy soldiers don't seem keen on letting either of you prepare, and charge.

[Combat begins]
Combat rolls aren't quite like persuasion where the consequences for failure are as harsh as the reward for success is beneficial. A failure means the enemy you're engaged with gets an attack in.
Rolls:
Avoid the attack - Easy
Take out one pony - Medium
Take out two ponies - Hard

>>13401636
Take on one pony
LEZDOTHIS

>>13401636
Go for one.
Let's not get ourselves killed trying to be the big hero.

>>13401636
This is just the warmup, so let's go for one.

>>13401636
We only wear half of our armor and only have +1 from Roses training - I think going for one will be enough for know, especially since our combat roles weren't always that great

>>13401696
>roles
*rolls

>>13401636
Tale out one pony.

File: 1378594058185.png-(7 KB, 332x40, First cave attack 1d10.png)

>>13401668
>>13401677
>>13401689
>>13401696
Success was 5.

You know Celestia is made of some pretty tough stuff, so you only take on one of the ponies. Since all four are only giving Celestia any attention, you're able to sneak in an initial strike on the nearest pony. With his vital points covered with armor, you instead strike where one of his forelegs meets his body. He faters and turns to you, blood dripping down his leg. Angered, he charges, but with a smooth step to the side, you make him charge right into a sprear clothesline. He goes down hard, clutching his neck, and you bring the blunt end down on his forehead, knocking him out.

When you look up, you find one of the ponies who got past you down, his body smoking, and the other two trying to get past a magic shield around Celestia. Rose has taken down three ponies and doesn't seem to be having any trouble with the remaining three she engaged. One of the sentries has defeated his opponent and is moving to help Celestia. The other is still occupied.

Help Sentry - Easy
Help Celestia - Medium
Help Rose - Hard

>>13401837
Help Celestia.

>>13401837
Help Sunbutt

>>13401837
Rose doesn't seem to have any trouble and Celestia already has one guard helping her and is basically invulnerable as long as the World shards aren't involved.

I'd kinda go for helping the second sentry because of that, he's the only one where we don't know if he's rather safe

>>13401837
Celestia's getting help from Rock or Twig and Rose seems alright... if we can help free up Twig or Rock, we can increase our numerical advantage.

Then again, working together against Celestia's opponents makes it 3 to 2 and could free the up that much faster.

I'm kind of leaning towards helping the Sentry out if there's no indication that these guards are particularly blessed with power.

>>13401837
recall the +1 we had gained to combat.

File: 1378594883449.png-(7 KB, 333x41, Second cave attack 1d10+1.png)

>>13401859
>>13401903
Success was 5.

Letting out a breath, you focus on the next enemy, your battle state now full taken over.

You rush over to Celestia, about to stab one of the enemy soldiers from behind, when his comrade shouts a warning. He's able to stop the spear just in time with his hooves, but when you withdraw you weapon, it cuts into them. He winces, but spins around for a buck. However, after your experience with Rose and Steady, you can tell a buck before it even starts, and are able to duck low underneath it, allowing you to flip him onto his back. There are several weak spots in his armor on his belly, and you jab your spear in one near his lower neck. He shouts, trying to kick you in retaliation, but you jump back. Spitting out blood, he tries to get up, but can't muster the strength. The wound is too deep. You clock him upside the head to knock him out and make sure he doesn't give you any more trouble.

Another wave of ponies has moved in. Rose took out another two, but four more replaced them. Celestia took out her last assailant and the sentry defeated his, but eight more ponies have moved in on the four of you. It looks like one of the sentries is injured.

Help Celestia (four ponies) - Easy
Help Sentries (four ponies) - Medium
Help Rose (five ponies) - Hard

>>13402055
Help the sentries.
Holy shit, I think we just killed that guy.

>>13402055
Dang, I knew we should have went for the sentry.
Help him (even though that's kinda stretching our luck)


Oh god did we just kill a pony? ;_;

>>13402055
help rose, we need her strengths in battle and if we free her up we can help the sentries

>>13402055
Attempt to help ___Rose.

>>13402055
Dang, I thought we should have helped the sentry.
Oh well, we can help them more now. I'm starting to get a little worried for Rose, but it wouldn't do any good to get her injured worrying about us, either.

>>13402055
Aid the sentry guy
>>13402084
It appears so
We're murderers ;_;

>>13402055
oh shit did we just kill that pony ;_;

>>13402055
Screw it, help Rose.
Go big or go home.

>>13402055
WE'RE HEROES!
HANG ON ROSE!

File: 1378595655380.png-(7 KB, 333x40, Third cave attack 1d10+1.png)

>>13402091
>>13402105
>>13402106
>>13402138
>>13402161
Success was 8.

Gripping the spear tight, you barrel through a pony in your way, making it up to Rose. All she spares you is the split second it takes to recognize your presence before darting forward, a blur of wings and hooves. Three ponies single you out. Slowly stepping back, you watch for sudden movements. They split up, trying to get behind you. You know you can't let them do that. With two quick steps forward, you jab the spear at one of the pegasai's eyes, but he moves his head and your spear bounces harmlessly off his helmet. In that instant, the other two pounce, one landing a kick on your side, the other giving you a nice gash on your arm. You cry out and stumble back, and a second later the whirlwind that is Rose brings one of her wingblades down on the pony that cut you with a tremendous crash, knocking him out cold in one hit.

Help Celestia - Easy
Help Sentries - Medium
Continue to help Rose - Hard

>>13402275
WE'RE HELPING! (Ouch, we would have failed helping the sentries, too.)

>>13402275
Sentries.

>>13402275
Don't give up so easily.
Keep helping Rose.

>>13402275
>
this could get tricky
if push comes to shove we should try and free up celestia so we can help all of them but for now we should take a stab at one of roses opponents

>>13402275
Fuck this we're helping Rose
#yolo

>>13402275
Go for the sentry, Rose is fine so far and we can't allow one of our fighters to die.

>>13402275
help celestia

File: 1378596530285.png-(7 KB, 332x41, Fourth cave attack 1d10+1.png)

>>13402312
>>13402316
>>13402348
Success was 9 (due to injury).

Critical success.

Not wanting to disappoint Rose, you keep at her side. There are still four of them and two of you, but they seem much more interested in Rose, now. You make use of their shift in attention and flick the end of your spear up into the closest ponies' chin, jarring his vision and making his helmet pop off. While he's looking around for his helmet, his comrade charges you with his own spear. With one smooth step, you swivel around a leg, dodging the charge and using your momentum to strike the helmet-less opponent in the back of the head, knocking him out. The pony that charged you is still turning around, and you swipe your spear at his legs, forcing him to flop over on his side. He kicks and shouts at you, but you thrust the blunt end of the spear into his gut. He coughs an "Oof!", giving you the chance to do an two-handed over head strike onto his forehead. He's out, too.

Rose has cleaned up the last of her opponents, and the sentries and Celestia are just finishing cleaning up theirs. The last one falls to a spell.

All the ponies are unconscious, but the one you wounded is still bleeding pretty bad. If you just leave him, he'll die in minutes... but this is a war. He'd not care if you died at all. You move your arms to cross them, but wince as pain shoots up the injured one. That'll need help, too.

>>13402537
Is there anything we can do briefly for him?

>>13402537
save the pony and ask (if you can't do it yourself) if anyone can help fix up your arm since there's some downtime at the moment, little as there may be.

>>13402537
"Hey Celestia, can I get a healing spell?"
...And one for him too.
He wouldn't care if we died, but we're not him.

>>13402537
Do we have any supplies to help the injured pony?

>>13402600
correction on myself,
tear off a piece of my sleeve and try to wrap the wound to stop the bleeding

>>13402537
Save the pony. This might not help us directly, but if we want to win this war we also must get rid off the rumors that Celestia doesn't care about them - if one of our enemies would tell the tale how we helped him even after he tried to kill us, that might help.

Make sure that we can immediately knock him out again if he tries any funny shit though

>>13402582
>>13402600
>>13402632
>>13402679
"Damnit," you mumble, rushing over to the injured pony. You tear off his armor around the wound. It's a nasty cut, a few inches wide and fairly deep. "Celestia, can you heal him?"

She trots over, inspecting the wound. "Of course."

The sentries and Rose watch as the spell swallows the wound, fixing all the cut blood vessels and internal damage before stitching up the skin. It's amazing to watch, kind of like a time-lasped surgery.

The process finishes quickly, and after tapping it to make sure it's shut, you get up and show Celestia your arm. "Sorry, but could you heal this as well?"

"Yes, certainly."

Again, her horn glows, and you feel the familiar rush of magic through your body, much like when you had your elbow healed the second day here. It's cold and tingly, like your whole arm fell asleep, blood vessels and everything. As she heals, you ask a question.

"What's it feel like to you, anyways? Magic?"

"It's like... hmmm. Like catching butterflies. You hold it as tight as you can without harming it, then let it go when you're done."

The spell finishes, and you test your arm. Good as new.

"Let's move on," says Celestia.

You continue down the tunnel, now lit by torches, wondering why no one said anything about healing an enemy. You steal a glance at everyone's faces, expecting some sort of restrained frustration, but see nothing. Maybe they're all of the same mind as you. Celestia probably would've heal that soldier regardless.

[cont]

>>13402999
Another minute of jogging, and the end of the tunnel is in sight.

"Stay alert everyone, our enemy is undoubtedly down there," says Celestia.

You nod, gulping audibly. As much as you want revenge... down there is where you either find your answers or leave forever.

As the room comes into view, you first make note of all the ponies. Steady is standing next to a unicorn you don't recognize, both of them looking away from you at something in the center of the cavern. To your left is a purple-coated alicorn, who seems to be excited at the moment, fidgeting in place and straining against something. Behind her, you note a book with a worldshard sitting in it. Fron the book come chains that attach to the alicorn's horn, wings, and legs. That must be Twilight.

The object that dominates the room, sitting right in the middle of everything, is what must be the Scales. They're twenty feet high from top to bottom, each side large enough to fit two or three Celestias. It's in constant motion, groaning as the one side shifts up and the other down, back and forth, reflections dancing off it in different ways with its movement.

There are four other enemy guards, all of which have noticed your group by now. One shouts out and Steady and his companion turn around. An assortment of hisses and snorts come from you and your companions. You unconsciously grip the spear tighter.

>>13403014
Stay quiet and watch.

>>13403014
They'll undoubtedly attack first.

>>13403014
Can we make out any world shards near one of the Alicorns? If not, we should slowly move over to Twilight and try to grab them Shard from the book, they probably won't focus too much on us with Celestia there. Also, if we take this plan we should ask Rose to assist Celestia. Well, that's assuming that they will initiate a fight.

We can always try to talk about this and finally find out what Ironsides motives even are. I mean, I doubt that he will change his mind, but I still kinda wanna know.
If he gets into a heated discussion with Celestia we could as well try and sneak over to the world shard

>>13403014
Does the compass respond to Twilight at all?

>>13403097
>>13403107
>>13403133
"Ironsides," says Celestia.

"Princess," says the unicorn.

"You know I'd like to end this without a fight."

"Then all you need to do is turn around and walk out of the cave."

"The odds are against you. You will lose this fight."

"Odds?" He looks around the room. "I see six of us and four of you. I think you may have miscounted."

"Fifty couldn't defeat me, let alone my companions. Give up Twilight and the worldshards, and I will leave without punishing you."

"That's awfully generous considering the circumstances. But I can't. Equestria deserves my dedication."

You step away from Celestia, trying to get closer to Twilight, but Steady spots you right away.

"Don't go any further, Stalky. I want to hurt you least. Just turn around and leave."

"Who is that anyways, Stiff? That the alien you spoke of?" asks Ironsides

"Yeah. He's a sharp one, just on the wrong side of things. Same with Rose."

"I hate talking," says Rose. "We all have our reasons, can we not just settle this already?"

"Rose... the worldshards are not to be taken lightly," says Celestia.

"Then I'll take them heavily."

You gauge distances. Steady and Ironsides stand about twenty feet away in front of you. The four guards are a bit further away, on your left. Twilight is only fifteen or so feet away, slightly to your right. If you made a dash, though, Steady could intercept you, not to mention you don't know where the other worldshard is, or even if there are two others instead of one.

>>13403280
You pull your compass out of your pocket just enough to read it. The needle is pointing to both Celestia and Twilight.

>>13403338
>The needle is pointing to both Celestia and Twilight.
At least she's not some kind of illusion spell then.

Ask Ironside how he plans to stop sun and moon from spiraling out of control if he kills Celestia (his "turn around and you are free to leave" is bullshitting, we know from Steadys meta messages that they want to kill her).

Maybe we can signal Rose to stop Steady from intercepting us when we dash for the first world shard. Should have taken Rainbow Dash with us...

>>13403338
Wait for a distraction, then go for the wordshard
Is there any way to signal to Celestia or Rose to make one without alerting the others?

>>13403441
No. The room is wide open and you have six pairs of eyes on you.

>>13403471
Well shit
I guess we do this >>13403433 then

>>13403433
Oh, also, be careful. Something is definitely not like it seems, otherwise Ironside would shit his pants at the idea of having to face Celestia and four of her fighters (where is our fifth man? Isnt it Rock, Twig, Rose, Celestia and us? Ironside only mentioned four.) and maybe even Twilight if we manage to free her.

After all, he's just a regular Unicorn

>>13403552
>idea
*thought

I really can't into English today

>>13403552
Do your math.

>Rock, Twig, Rose, Celestia, and us
>1, 2, 3, 4, Raise this barn

>>13403552
He has the worldshards, Celestia's spells themselves won't do much good.

>>13403338
Well, we know it's not a bluff, and that it's really Twilight, at least.

Only one worldshard in sight. Maybe if we look harder but try to conceal it, we'll draw one of them out into recognizing our frustration and maybe get them to make some kind of tell.

Failing that, we should go ahead and rescan the room anyway, in case there are any surprises near us. Kinda wish we had perception now, but eh.

>>13403433
>>13403441
>>13403685
"Hey, Ironsides, how do you plan to stop the sun and moon from spiraling out of control if you kill Celestia?"

"You misunderstand. Killing Celestia is not my goal, but the her death is an unfortunately necessary step in replacing the leading powers of Equestria. Celestia and Luna, as long as they are alive, will have the ultimate, unshakable power over their ponies: control of the sun and moon. I would ask them to step down, but I cannot simply give another pony their power. The only way to re-allocate it to someone would would lead Equestria well is to kill the sisters, reform the Hammer, and repeat the same process that gave them their power so many years ago."

"That's a pretty extreme plan. What if part of it fails? You'd have no way to regain power over the sun and moon."

"And that is why it must not fail."

You scan the room again, trying to find where the other worldshard is, but can't spot anything. Your best guess is that Ironsides has it hidden somewhere close, like an assassin would hide a dagger in his sleeve, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

What you need is a distraction to get to Twilight. You wish she could talk, maybe give Rose some freedom to move to the left when everyone's looking at the right side of the room, but that spell must be muting her. Glancing back at Celestia, you can see pain in her eyes when she looks at Twilight. It must hurt every moment she's unable to help.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see Rose take a set to the left. She must have a similar idea. If you can just get Steady's attention away, you can make run for Twilight.

You suddenly realize everyone has gone silent. The tension is as thick as butter. Everyone's watching everyone else, waiting for someone to move.

>>13403898
say some kind of witty comment to rose and see if they look towards her and then make a dash for twilight

>>13403970
making a dash will initiate combat, which will require a roll. It's a medium roll. Do you want to try?

>>13403898
"Sounds to me like you just want all the power for yourself."

>>13403898
"For a while I thought you really may have the best for Equestria in mind with this rebellion - but it becomes obvious that you are just insane, hungry for power and have a hurt ego because you didn't have Celestias undivided attention anymore when her sister came back.

But you plans will fail. You might not be aware of it, but outside of this cave is the whole stampede fighting your army, accompanied by an Alicorn while you are trapped with us - an Alicorn and a Dragonslayer who could take your puny henchmen out with one hit as soon as he makes a move."

I hope Rose understand what I'm trying to tell her.

>>13403898
So your game is not to free Equestria, but to tighten the leash and hope you've got a firm grip on it. What's your plan when that one lets you down? You just kill her and find another one? And if she outwits you, and takes the reins from you? You're fine with a tyrant as long as it's a monster of your own making?

>>13404045
Maybe later, let's just try and force him into dialogue for now with these>>13404055
>>13404081

>>13404045
Fuck it. Let's do it. We've got better things to do than sit around arguing over politics.

>>13404055
>>13404081
>>13404159
"For a while I thought you really may have the best for Equestria in mind with this rebellion--but it becomes obvious that you are just insane, hungry for power and have a hurt ego because you didn't have Celestias undivided attention anymore when her sister came back. But you plans will fail. You might not be aware of it, but outside of this cave is the whole stampede fighting your army, accompanied by an Alicorn while you are trapped with us--an Alicorn and a Dragonslayer who could take your puny henchmen out with one hit as soon as she makes a move."

"Insane? Hurt ego? I--" Ironsides shakes his head. "I truly wish I could make you understand. Maybe if you knew me as well as Celestia, you would know it pains me to wish ill on her and her sister. But she cannot be allowed to rule any longer! Don't you see? The Balance affects everything! EVEN WHAT SHE DOES! If she continues to create so much harmony, help so many ponies, she will create another Discord, or something worse! That's what created him the first time, you blind fool! Her heart will ruin Equestria!" He snorts. "Here I thought you were sharp. I thought you could think for yourself. This country doesn't need a benevolent leader, it needs a strict, but fair leader. One who realizes how the world works. She doesn't know duty, only blind compassion."

"Ironsides, you will NOT tell me what I do and do not know."

"You're certainly acting like you don't--"

"Tell me, young unicorn," Celestia says, stepping forward, "were you there a thousand years ago, when I banished my sister? How can you lecture ME on duty, on loyalty to my country, when the Element of Loyalty sceamed and me through the storm of Harmony? When my heart and my head waged war? When I was forced to BETRAY my loyalty to my sister for that to my country? No, Ironsides, you know NOTHING of duty. Do not speak to me as if you are anything more than a child."

[cont]

>>13404423
In that instant, in the wake of silence that followed Celestia's rage, Rose strikes. Her wingblades take down one soldier while a swift kick dazes another.

[Combat Begins]
Get to Twilight - Easy
Help Rose - Medium
Help Celestia take on Steady and Ironsides - Very Hard

>>13404437
THEY'RE ALL DOING IT TO HELP TWILIGHT GO AND HELP THAT PURPLE PONY

>>13404437
Twilight is our #1 priority. We can help the others once she's free.

>>13404459
>>13404470

What if it's a trap? Surely they couldn't have discounted that we'd make a move for her. I know it's Twilight, but...

>>13404437
Freeing Twilight sounds like something we can do immediately before ensuring Celestia isn't assassinated.

>>13404437
I want to beat the shit out of Steady.
But I know it's a horrible idea.

>>13404423
>If she continues to create so much harmony, help so many ponies, she will create another Discord, or something worse!
Geez, I guess we aren't the only one who got a visit from the Guardian. We will really have to tell her our opinion on this shit the next time she shows up.

>>13404437
I would say we go for Twilight - another Alicorn might be quite helpful.
I'm kinda afraid that Ironside will hurt Celestia though. But I also doubt that we will manage a "very hard" roll, that's most likely a 9-10 which leaves us with a 70-80% chance to fail.

>>13404437
>Get to Twilight
... that kinda sounds like we will not be able to free her

>>13404581
We have that +1 to our combat rolls.
...Which would still leave us with a huge likelihood of failure.

>>13404618
I already added that +1, otherwise we would have a 80-90% chance to fail :x

>not picking the hardest one
We never would have made that rousing speech to Withers if we'd played it safe.

Can we even do anything if we get to Twilight? She was chained up, and I don't think we have anything to pick the locks.

>>13404459
>>13404470
>>13404581
Breaking into a sprint, you make a beeline for Twilight. Her eyes light up when she sees you coming and her tail swishes in excitement. Steady sees you running, but had been watching Rose for far too long. He runs at you, but you're already at the spellbook. You snatch the worldshard and shove it in your pocket. The spell chaining Twilight immediately dies... but Twilight collapses. She must be under some sort of shock. You have time to glimpse at her stomach and see her breathing before Steady gets in your face.

Dodge - Easy
Attack (but take the hit) - Medium
Counterattack - Hard

>>13404660
Let's just dodge and then work from there

>>13404660
Well, that answers that.

>>13404660
Take the hit.
And return in kind.

File: 1378603082921.png-(7 KB, 334x40, Free Twilight 1d10.png)

>>13404660
forgot this.

anyone got some mood music for this?

>>13404660
ROUND ONE

COUNTERATTACK

>>13404660
Attack, we'll take what he can dish for the moment.

>>13404692
i say counter
if he misses he may hit twi

>>13404660
Best options seem to be either dodge and take one quick look around to see how the fight is going (maybe we can deliver the world shard to Celestia)

Or go for the hard option. Taking a hit from him would hurt much more than a hit from us I assume, that doesn't seem like a smart option. What do you guys think?

>>13404712
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB6sOhQan9Y

>>13404660
Counterattack.
If we take the hit we'll probably get a penalty in our future rolls.

>>13404726
I'm thinking counterattack failure will still lead to us getting injured, but taking the hit will probably penalize us outright.

If we just dodge, we can probably get by, but we don't know all of Steady's tricks, and he might take Twilight hostage or something.

I'm torn; if we could get the worldshard to Celestia, she'd probably be in a better spot, but then we leave Twilight's fate uncertain. I mean, what if he's got another Worldshard on him?

But then again if we engage and he gets the upper hoof, we've wasted our efforts and he gets two hostages.

>>13404712
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i-VlsgKrYE

File: 1378603777707.png-(7 KB, 332x41, Counterattack Steady 1d10+1.png)

>>13404713
>>13404725
>>13404726
>>13404839
Success was 7

You let your battle state overtake you again, focusing on the system of movement around you, using your senses to analyze Steady. He shifts his back legs for a buck and you dip low, but then he shifts his legs again and a vicious uppercut comes for your chin. With only inches to spare, you dodge out of the way, gripping your spear hard and shoving the blunt end into his lower chest. He hacks and almost flops backwards onto his belly, but his weight and movement keeps him on his hooves.

With a quick scan of the area, you see Celestia and Ironsides trading spells and Rose and the sentries engaged with the other guards. Neither side has won yet... those must be some pretty good soliders to keep up with Rose.

Try to knock Steady over - Easy
Inflict minor injury - Medium
Knock him out - Hard

>>13404926
Inflict minor injury.
"I believed in you!"

>>13404926
Kill
Lex Talionis

>>13404960
perfect

>>13404926
Inflict minor injury, tell him it's not too late to change his ways

>>13404926
Go for injury, we might slow him down.

>>13404989
Valar Morghulis

>>13405000
He has clearly proven that he stands 100% on Ironsides side. If we do something like that he'll probably just use the chance to trick us.

I mean, he's not just planning to overthrow the Princesses but murder them in cold blood and then replace them with a psychopath.

File: 1378604605673.png-(7 KB, 332x41, Inflict Minor Injury 1d10+1.png)

>>13404960
>>13405000
>>13405005
Success was 6.

"I believed in you, you fucker!" you say, jabbing at Steady.

He ducks the jab and the followup, moving backward. "I haven't changed! The only difference is now you know I'm willing to do anything for Equestria, even kill Celestia. You think I was acting that whole time?"

"Fuck you!" You sweep the spear at his legs and he jumps. Just as his legs hit the ground, you thrust the spear at one of his legs before he can dodge. It makes a nice cut and he yelps in pain, jumping back.

"Damnit, Stalky, I wasn't kidding! You're on the wrong side!"

"Silver believed, too! Why would you turn your back on him if you're really on the same side?"

He only grumbled, ducking your constant barrage of attacks. All you needed to do what take advantage of that limp, now. Part of you wants to shove this spearpoint in his eye and forgo knocking him out altogether. It's not like he doesn't deserve it.

Wear him down - easy
Wound again - medium
Knock out/Kill (Specify) - hard

>>13405215
Wound him again, though at this point we're running low on time to help the others.

>>13405215
Go for the kill, and make it bloody.

>>13405215
Wound again.

>>13405215
Fuck it, let's try and knock him out

>>13405215
Wound again.
"You think he'll be any better than her?! He just wants that power for himself!"

>>13405215
"What's this really about, Steady? Is it the Guardian?"

>>13405215
Knock out. This will most likely fail, but we are running out of time

Guys
Guys seriously
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJMqGHofdec
WE ARE DOING THIS MOTHERFUCKER

File: 1378605416298.png-(7 KB, 334x40, Wound Steady 1d10+1.png)

>>13405298
>>13405287
>>13405317
Success was 6.

"You think he'll be any better than her?! He just wants that power for himself!" You keep up the attacking, trying to get another opening.

"You think he WANTS to take over? This is something he HAS to do. And he won't be doing it alone. There will be another unicorn alongside him, just like before!" Steady gets a moment to swing at your face. You duck under the attack, but it gave him space to get away from your spear.

You're about to charge in again when you hear a horrible crack resound around the room. The source of the sound is the second worldshard, clear in Ironsides' grasp, sending a terrible bolt of lighting at Celestia, she shouts and puts up a shield, deflecting the bolt, but the deflection strikes the ground near Rose and the sentries, shooting electricity into all of them, as well as their opponents, and everyone collapses.

Your jaw drops, and Steady, still focused on the fight, closes it for you with a buck. You hit the ground hard, but keep your grip on the spear.

Dodge - easy
Wound - medium
Knock out - hard

If you want to abandon the fight to help Celestia after this action, say so.

>>13405526
KNOCK OUT

>>13405526
You remember something about electrical disruptions and splash-over from lightning stopping hearts flat

This is not going to end well

>>13405526
Let's knock this bitch nigga out
#yolo

>>13405526
Fuck.

We need to wrap this up. Try for a knock out.

>>13405526
I'm thinking knock out
If nothing else because Twilight's still defenseless and you need to come to Celestia's aid
I really wish we could have rolled high enough to slit him to the gills

>>13405526
what did we do with the worldshard again?

>>13405611
It's in your pocket.

>>13405526
"See? THIS is your new friends true face - he doesn't even care about killing his on men if it suits his plan"

Oh fuck this isn't good at all... go for another knock out, we need to get rid off him so we can bring the world shard to Celestia - I just hope she can deflect another hit and that it won't kill anyone around her

>>13405526
>And he won't be doing it alone. There will be another unicorn alongside him, just like before!"

Oh no
Twilight never wanted to be rescued
She was being groomed to become something beyond an Element
She was going to be an Emissary of Harmony
Shit
SHIT
Knock out, dodge, fuck, where IS SHE

>>13405526
We've got to leave his sorry ass to give Celestia the world shard.

>>13405658
Twilight is no Unicorn - she's an Alicorn.

>>13405658
There must be something Other that's posing as Harmony and twisting Ironsides around. Something that was meant to settle down on Twilight as an Allicorn and help rule.

It can't be The Nightmare, can it?

>>13405658
>>13405723

Wait...

>The regular ponies who can't raise the sun and cater to their needs on a whim. The ponies who struggle, who go unnoticed. Things can't continue like this.

...Steady's an Earthy. Did Ironsides convince him that he could turn him into a unicorn?

>>13405775
We should ask Steady who the second Unicorn is before we make our second move

>>13405798
We're both kind of fighting, if he's not killed we could ask when he's defeated.

>>13405798
>>13405831
Why not just as Ironsides?

File: 1378606736580.png-(7 KB, 332x42, Knock out Steady 1d10+1.png)

>>13405576
>>13405597
>>13405598
>>13405608
Success was 8.

With that last attack on Celestia, she can't be doing well. You have to end this fight, now.

Steady pounces at you, trying to pin you to the ground, but you roll out of the way just in time.

"See? THIS is your new friends true face--he doesn't even care about killing his on men if it suits his plan," you say, standing up.

"Now you're just grasping at straws. That was an accident, clearly. And you don't even know if those ponies are dead!"

He spins for a buck, and this time you've got him. Just like with the pony who tried it earlier, you duck just underneath the attack, then ram Steady with your shoulder, flipping him over onto his back. He growls as your raise the spear over your head, knowing he can't dodge in time.

With a loud smack, he's unconscious.

"I could have killed you, you fucker. But I'm better than you."

You run toward Celestia, worldshard in hand.

"Celestia!"

Both Ironsides and Celestia turn to you and see the worldshard in your hand. Sensing an opening, Ironsides goes all out, unleashing a flurry of spells at Celestia, so many you can't even see her through the flashes. You about panic and toss the worldshard to her anyways when Ironsides' torrent finally gives out.

You gasp at the sight. Celestia is on her knees, parts of her coat smoking... but she's still breathing, still conscious, if barely.

Help Celestia
Attack Ironsides
both are hard

fuck, this is still going?

>>13406007
Help Celestia, no one said anon had to fucking beef it.

>>13406007
"GET AWAY FROM HER!"
CHARGE HIM

>>13406007
Oh Christ
Please, please pick it up
It's one of the only things that can increase her magical defense even now

>>13406007
Help Celestia.

"It's not too late Ironside, you can still stop this. Whatever the Guardian told you cannot justify murder"

>>13406007
HELP CELESTIA

>>13406007
you motherfucker don't you DARE let rose die on us.
i say we save celestia that way maybe, JUST MAYBE, she can save rose

>>13406007
FIGHT THE BIG SCARY UNICORN WITH OUR PUNY BREASTPLATE

>>13406118
Rose is a good soldier. She knows far and away past Anon what duty and honor are in death.

But if we don't get the shard successfully to Celestia, her magical defense will all but crumple.

"Attacking" Ironsides might distract him long enough for her to do something, though ...

>>13406007
Charge him. That bastard hurt our woman.

File: 1378608390504.png-(7 KB, 333x41, Help Celestia 1d10+1.png)

>>13406054
>>13406080
>>13406084
>>13406091
You run to Celestia, holding out the worldshard, but your body is abruptly brought to a halt. All you can move are your eyes.

[Combat ends]

"Heh," mumbles Ironsides. "Without magic, you're kinda helpless. And with Celestia like this, all it'll take is a little poke." He struggles to walk over to Celestia, clearly drained from the fight.

Get up, Celestia! you want to yell, but you can't move your jaw. He's coming!

The distance seems like forever, his weak, imprecise gait slowly taking him forward. "Damn, even holding you there is hard."

FUCK! He's half-dead! This is stupid!

Celestia continues to stare at the ground, panting, eyes unfocused. C'mon, you beg. C'mon, c'mon, c'mon you big horse, you've got him!

Only seconds pass, but they feel like minutes, your frustration building with each one that passes. You've come too far for this. Done too much to fail one step from victory.

In your struggles you manage to get your hand holding the worldshard free. It's not much, but enough for you to toss the shard to Celestia. You hope she can see it.

"Ironsides, for all your intelligence and strategy, you could never figure out why we disagreed on so much. Why we're here now."

He stands over her, about to drive his worldshard into her head. "Why is that? I'm curious."

"I was never happy with giving in."

You lob the worldshard at Celestia and she catches it with magic in midair, redirecting it straight into Ironsides' neck, where it sinks in with a sickening thunk. His eyes go wide and he stumbles, first falling to his knees, then to his side, gasping for breath.

[cont]

>>13406658
But you're still held in place, and his worldshard is still glowing.

"Screw you, too."

Knowing you can't stop it is worse that seeing the act itself. The glowing shard, almost in slow motion, sinking into Celestia's chest. Her weak attempt at dodging unable to save the fatal blow. Your jaw dropping in horror. The blood flowing from the wound.

You're screaming, running to her, not even aware the spell is gone and the worldshard is no longer glowing. You rip it out of her chest, pleading with her to heal it, tears flowing down your face.

"I can't... not without the last shard."

You crawl over to Ironsides and shake him. "WHERE IS IT? WHERE IS THE LAST SHARD?"

He coughs, smirking. "I don't... don't have it. Funny, isn't it? My f-failure is what kills her in the end? Ahhh..." His eyes close, and his body goes limp.

Liar. He's got to be lying. You toss his useless body and run to Steady, trying to wake him up, but he's out cold. You did your job too well. "Where is it...?" you ask the room.

"Traveler, don't be like that. Calm down." Even now, he voice soothes you. You rush back to her side, trying to hold the wound closed, but it's pointless.

"There's gotta be a way. This can't be the end."

"Of course it isn't. Fairy tales don't end this way, do they?" she asks, smiling.

>>13406658
But if she wields it, can't it abate the wound?

>>13406658
>>13406675
FUCK

>>13406675
Fuck.
FUCK.
FUUUUUUUCK!
GRAB THE SHARDS!
MAYBE THE THIRD SHARD IS IN US
OR
OR THE COMPASS
I DON'T FUCKING KNOW
JUST DO SOMETHING!

>>13406675
No, please, don't have it end this way...

>>13406675
SHIT, is Twilight aware of anything yet or is she still a vegetable
We have to think of something.

>>13406770
It would be a little poetic that something on your person was a gem all along, which is why Steady and the others were ever sent after you.

Celestia never told you in case of traitors or simply loose lips

BUT I KNOW SMUT WON'T DO THAT BECAUSE IT'S A JOURNEY'S END

>>13406675
Is there anything we can use here? What about the Scales? What about Twilight? What about Rose? What about Steady? What about the compass?

dammit

>>13406675
Grasping at straws time?

>>13406770
Yeah, maybe the compass can help. I wouldn't be surprised if the Compass was powered by/was the final shard.

>"With all three worldshards, and if we're quick enough, Luna or myself could heal such a wound. Given the power of the Scales, I would imagine they are capable of such a feat as well."

>>13406838
Yeah, I was thinking about that. I'm wondering if she can use the scales to heal herself or if we have to drop her on it and use something else on the other side to lessen the wound

>>13406675
What if we were to place Celestia and anon on the scale? Wouldn't the would kill us, but make her wound not fatal?

>>13406675
maybe the elements of harmony can save her?
maybe it's anon who's the shard?
MAYBE IT'S FUCKING FRIENDSHIP JUST FUCKING MAKE SOMETHING UP WE CAN'T HAVE HER DIE!!!!!!!!!

>>13406838
THE SCALES
WE NEED TO GET HER ON THE SCALES

>>13406838
>>13406876
This: >>13406873

>>13406803
>It would be a little poetic that something on your person was a gem all along, which is why Steady and the others were ever sent after you.

... Hmm.

>>13406876
Fucking do it.

Okay, great. The only two conscious beings in the room are Celestia and us. There's no telling when anyone else could come around, Celestia is bleeding out, and there's no time to go for Luna.

If we don't have the third worldshard (the compass?), we'll have to trust in the Scales.

This can't be the end, the puzzle still didn't make any sense

The parallels between the story Celestia told are pretty clear.
We just won't have time to write Ruu Yev anywhere.

FUCK
Shouldn't we have left the sword into staunch the blood?
FUCK
FUCKK FUCK FUCK

>>13407090
It's kind of magical.

>>13406750
>>13406770
FUCK! FUCK FUCK FUCK! You grab the two shards, your hands shaking as you hold them. One has a pegasus wing on it, the other, a hoof. What the... where is the unicorn? If no one picked it up from that encounter, then it's truly out of your reach. You grip the shards so hard you fear you might break them and throw them to the floor. FUCK!

>>13406779
You hobble over to Twilight, shaking her, but she's still out. If your screams didn't wake her, nothing will.

>>13406838
>>13406870
>>13406873
>>13406876
>>13406886
>>13406888
The groaning of the Scales catches your attention, and you look up at them, the ever-moving monstrosity. Didn't Celestia say they could heal it, too? But how would it work? Would she heal if you just put yourself on the other side?

You get back to Celestia's side. "Hey, there. Can you make it to the Scales? I'm going to heal you."

"Ooohh," she groans, writhing in pain. "I think... I think so."

Her face screams with effort as she gets to her hooves, then stumbles over toward the Scales. Just before she takes the final step onto on side, though, she pauses.

"You... did you say you're going to heal me?"

"Yeah, yeah it'll be fine. I'm weird, right? So nothing bad'll happen to me. Just get on."

"No, wait. The Guardian would send you back. If you put yourself on the Scales and it doesn't kill you, the Guardian will send you back."

You bite your lip, wiping tears away, shaking your head. "I... I know, okay? Just get on the Scales."

"No."

You swallow. "What? Celestia, you'll die."

"No, I won't... I won't let her steal you away. I want you here."

[cont]

>>13407105
"That's..." You gnash you teeth together, fighting to keep yourself from punching something. "That doesn't make sense, Celestia. It's not worth it if you die. And that's awful s-selfish, don't you think? You have a country--"

"I don't want my country. I want you."

"Yo-you're delirious. It's the wound. Come on, get up there."

"NO!" She struggles to push away from the Scales, but you hold her in place. Are you really going to have to save her against her will?

>>13407098
But the spell had powered down-
Well wait
That was probably determined in part by the roll of 2.
Goddamn

>>13407119
If she doesn't know another way to heal the wound, we will drag her onto the scale and do it

Man, fuck you...

>>13407119
DAMMIT CELESTIA I'M NOT STAYING HERE JUST SO YOU CAN DIE IN MY ARMS!

>>13407119
"I'm not going to let her take me. I'll fight the bitch if I have to, but first you need to NOT DIE."

>>13407119
Hey, I've been reading the archives before trying to jump into this, and the page formatting on Log7 seems to be screwed up. Would it be possible to replace it with the html of the archive? http://archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/S11155339#p11155339

>>13407119
Show her all we have left.

We've got two worldshards, a dented breastplate, the clothes on our back, a spear, and a compass. Can she put herself back together with this?

>>13407190
I guess for comparison, here's the logged page. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/28501521/GeneralArchive/CelestiaQuest/Webpages/Log7.htm

>>13407119
She is far more important to Equestria than we could ever hope be. It's not the optimal choice, and neither of us have to like it, but it's that or have her die when we could've done something.

>>13407119
DO YOU EVEN LIFT?

>>13407119
We have to, we're nothing without eachother. At least this way we both live.

>>13407119
"I'm not going anywhere."
Get the shards. Get the compass. Get yourself.
The third shard has to be either us or on us. There has to be another way.

GOD DAMMIT WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO?!

>>13407119
Just make sure we're on the right side of things.

CAN WE PUT ANYTHING ELSE ON THE SCALE

TWILIGHT

STEADY

IRONSIDES

>>13407119
There has to be another way.
There HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY.

>>13407230
We need to stand on the left scale and place her on the right.
Not unlike how God separated the sheep and the goats.
She'll be saved while we perish/are sent away.

>>13407250
This is it.
There are no other options, time to go anon.

what if journey's end is where we have to go to get back to equestria
and we just have to use the compass to get there

>>13407285
I-I don't want to go...

>>13407226
I'm with this anon here. Is there anything else, anything at all, that we could do to save Celestia that doesn't involve the Scales?

>>13407239
THIS PLEASE PUT STEADY OR SOMETHING INSTEAD

>>13407119
Some Guardian she is.

We're the ones protecting Celestia.

>>13407190
>>13407203
Ah, never mind, the archive page doesn't have the whole thread. C'est ca.

>>13407250
And she still put us before herself. We die for a noble steed.

>>13407298
life's funny that way. Here we were trying to avoid going as much as possible, and now its the only way to Celestia. Fate is a cruel, cruel mistress.

>>13407292
It's a little difficult to do from earth.
Maybe we were in a coma after a car accident and when we leave Equestria we'll wake up in a hospital bed.

>>13407307
He ... well. That's not a bad idea. He'd certainly want to save Equestria.

>>13407305
We'd need the power of the three worldshards.
Maybe if we take them and the compass and...hug her...?

>>13407327
maybe this was the afterlife, and now we will simply cease to be, forced to wander throughout time and space as nothing more than what once was but will never be again.

Don't worry, guys, even if we go, we can reassure Celestia that there is a piece of us inside her.

>>13407119
>>13407105

... Gentlemen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5r79m0fbG0

>>13407119
Hey. It's alright.

This isn't the end of the story.

*give her a hug and a kiss*

But we have to turn the next page.

>>13407339
That probably wouldn't work anyway.
Time to do a truly selfless action.

>>13407347
Well shit. We're in a world powered by love and friendship, aren't we? IT'S WORTH A SHOT.

>>13407157
>>13407174
>>13407179
>>13407202
>>13407207
>>13407217
>>13407230
"DAMMIT CELESTIA I'M NOT STAYING HERE JUST SO YOU CAN DIE IN MY ARMS!" With a might heave, you toss her up onto the Scales, setting her down so she's lying square in the center. Blood from the wound starts pooling underneath her. You'd hate to think what it's doing to her coat. She struggles to get up, but you grab her head and hold it in place. "I'm not going to let her take me. I'll fight the bitch if I have to, but first you need to NOT DIE."

She's too important. As much as you want to stay, you can't let her die just to fulfill your own wants. You collect the worldshards, hoping they'll help you out somehow in the balancing, but you're not holding out hope. She's far more important to Equestria than you could ever hope be. It's not the optimal choice, and neither of you have to like it, but it's that or have her die when you could've done something.

This is life. And this, you think to yourself as you stand upon the opposite Scale, is love.

A warmth grows within you, building from your core until your fingers and toes tingle with it. The Scales slowly shift, yours moving down while Celestia's moves up.

The last look she holds in her eyes cuts your heart in two.

'How could you?'

The world shatters.

[cont]

>>13407119
Yes, we are. If she dies, nothing was worth the effort. She has to live for the both of us.

>>13407381
~


You wake up.

The first thing you feel is a massive headache, one so strong you wonder if your head might explode. Your hands go to your forehead, pushing in, trying to find a way to soothe the constant throbbing. You roll over, finding yourself on grass, grass that's rather cool. You shove your forehead into the ground, though it's only slightly better than before. Luckily for you, the headache doesn't last long and you're able to sit up.

The "grass" isn't grass at all, you realize. It's some sort of plant, and the field you're in is full of it. Like a crop. Turning to your right, you see a group of trees hugging a some buildings: a shed, a house, and a few more you don't care to note. What really grabs your attention is what's in front of them. A car. And it's on a road.

No. No no no no.

Hopping to your feet, you run up to the car, inspecting it, making sure your eyes aren't deceiving you. Your heart races as your trembling hands run across the trunk. You kick a tire and your foot bounces off exactly like you'd expect. Yeah, it's real alright. Ford pickup. The familiar rumble of passing cars hits your ears, and you turn to the source. It's not far off.

You don't know why, but you're sprinting. Another car flies by your vision, closer than before. Faster you run, clenching your teeth. You know exactly what you'll find, but you don't want to. You want it to be a fake, a terrible joke.

Panting, you lean forward, hands resting on your knees. Cars continue to pass you without a second thought for the desperate man on the side of the road. Eyes blurring with tears, you look down the road. I-35 N. Exit 139, 1 and three-quater miles.

[cont]

>>13407361
I shouldn't laugh
But God I'm laughing

>>13407393
Your legs can't hold you any more. You want to scream at the unfairness, rage at the world, but what good would it do? Aren't you here of your own choice? You had something wonderful, and threw it all away, didn't you? Fuck being a hero, you want Celestia.

You fist erupts in pain; you find you've been pounding it on a rock. Holding it with your other hand, you stand up, blinking the tears from your eyes.

>>13407393
... Do you have any of your gear?

>>13407406
The compass.
Look at the compass.

>>13407406
Inventory check. Now.

>>13407393
Well you have two things which shouldn't be cut.

Is there any Essence of the other shard in the compass?

Is there any way to test for it?

>>13407425
It's a compass, interacting just like a normal one on earth would.

>>13407406
This can't be the end. Look at the compass, check our pockets if we have the world shards - there must be something, this isn't the Journeys end.

42; 22; 2.6715087890625
93; 32; 51.11206054875

>>13407393
Wyoming?

You got thrown to Wyoming?

>>13407406
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zy1nmFFnog

>>13407406
Have a seat next to the vehicle.
I imagine the cops are looking for us, that is, if someone cared enough about us on earth to put out a missing person's report.

I REFUSE TO GIVE UP

>>13407425
Yes this

Goddamn it's 6 in the morning here but I still don't want the story to end

>>13407477
Silly anon, Wyoming doesn't exist

>She can't live. I wish there was another way.

Was that supposed to be a hint?

File: 1378610908433.png-(817 KB, 816x486, KUMUL.png)

>>13407472
That's just nowhere, up in the steppes and blasted near-desert in northwestern China.

>>13407512
Ironside already explained that one - she couldn't live because she wouldn't stop to create harmony, thus leading to more chaos.

>>13407533
YOU THINK I WON'T VENTURE TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH TO RETURN?

>>13407455
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EtHfr0eBA4

>>13407381
>how could you
...

fuck

>>13407424
Your pockets are empty but for your compass. Your breastplate is still on. Feels pretty awkward to wear armor in the middle of nowhere, but right now, you can't muster up the effort to care for something like that.

>>13407425
>>13407453
>>13407470
You look at the compass, hoping it'll show something, but the needle spins aimlessly. It's not even pointing to magnetic north. You sigh, putting it back in your pocket. Nothing else you know how to do with the compass except look at it. Testing it for magic... how would you do that?

Your vision blurs again from tears and you wipe them away on your arm.

>>13407483
Don't really feel like hitchhiking right now. Need to blow off some steam first, or you're liable to start screaming at the poor driver for no reason.

>>13407533
>not only are we without our love, but we are forced to deal with stupid gooks
>chingchangchongdingdongchinamanfell offgreatwall.jpg

>>13407584
You never get back to Equestria, and never learn whether your sacrifice even saved Celestia. You die a lonely, bitter shell of a man.

The end.

>>13407584
Look around.

>>13407604
I hate you.

>>13407604
>topkek

>>13407604
>badeng.png

>>13407604
You're an asshat anon.

>>13407584
>wearing a breastplate in middle America
>claim you were in a LARP camp and there was a lot of alcohol

Wait a minute
The coordinates could be four corners of the Earth depending on which are positive or negative
You've got nothing else. Consider all four.
If the Gate is in Atlantis I'm gonna be pissed

File: 1378611170944.png-(1.68 MB, 1905x980, coincidence.png)

>>13407584
go here.

This can't be a coincidence. It can't be.

>>13407604
Fuck you Anon, seriously.

>>13407584
Are the gems gone?

>>13407584
This is far worse than the ponies in the story, the stallion didn't have to live on.

File: 1378611232586.jpg-(79 KB, 960x716, 1349866668427.jpg)

>>13407604

>>13407604
Well that was enough feels for now. I'm gonna go to sleep and attempt to digest it all.

God damn it guys this wasn't supposed to happen FUCK

>>13407631
Is that nearby?

File: 1378611269721.png-(46 KB, 496x451, Mother FUCKER.png)

>>13407584
Well
Wait
What's the nearest town?
I'm getting a funny feeling

>>13407604
Jesus I was about to go into a blind fit of rage
Fuck you anon, stop toying with my emotions like that ;_;

>>13407662
Story City sounds like a cool place, bro

>>13407657
yes. it's not just nearby, it's RIGHT NEXT TO US. He said I-35 near exit 139. That's literally like 2 miles away.

>>13407662
yea, right there.

>>13407584
Alright. Let's serious the fuck up. The compass is an artifact from a world that pretty much runs on friendship, love, and harmony, right? So let's calm our tits and dredge up every last motherfucking feel we have for Equestria, see if that makes the thing tick over.

It's a long shot, but what the hell, right?

File: 1378611373085.png-(95 KB, 635x599, map.png)

>>13407662
map

>>13407662
>I-35 N. Exit 139, 1 and three-quater miles.
>mentioning exactly where we are, even down to which exit we're at
It has to be a sign.
It has to be.
This isn't over.
We can't give up.

WE CANNOT GIVE UP.

>>13407472
Weren't those the coordinates from the last thread - from the pictures exif data?
If yes, that's a dead end.

>>13407693
> at the edge of Story City
> Literally "at Story's End"

You're where you're meant to be

>>13407699
The compass cam with us when we arrived in Equestria.
It's from Earth.

>>13407631
>>13407662
>>13407702
MOVE!

>>13407708
They correspond to the place you are at RIGHT NOW, off I-35.

>>13407584
>It's not even pointing to magnetic north
NO FUCKING SHIT, SON, IT'S GOING TO LEAD YOU SOMEWHERE ELSE

>>13407704
Well of course it's a god damn sign, we're on a highway.

>>13407717
Well, if it's not pointing at jack shit when it's back on earth, maybe it picked up something. Besides, it's not like we can't think about Equestria while we walk, it won't hurt nothin' to experiment.

Two miles ain't shit. Get moving.

>>13407756
YOU KNOW WHAT I FUCKING MEANT

>>13407584
Let's go up to the closest buildings/house and ask the denizens for help/directions.

>>13407762
Maybe it's broken.

>>13407766
Stay mad, Anon. You're not seeing your girlfriend again.

>>13407787
FUCK YOU WE'RE NOT

>>13407780
And maybe it's working in a different way. Again, it won't hurt anything to check while we walk.

>>13407778
Let's just not say anything and hope they don't come after us with a shotgun.

>>13407787
Get back in your hole.

>>13407730
Yeah, now that I think about it, the uncropped original file I found didn't have any GPS infos attached, only the mediafire one. Kinda looks like he put it in on purpose

>>13407833
We have to hope.
It's all we have left.

>>13407846
but we don't want fucking hope, we want fucking equestria bitch

>>13407874
Which we need HOPE to obtain.

>>13407621
> Seems about right
"I'm really sorry, my wallet's just -- like, gone."

>>13407891
You need another miracle to accomplish that.

>>13407631
>>13407662
>>13407704
>>13407719
Wandering east with your hands in your pockets, you kick at the rocks in the ground. You came so damn close to having something, only to be forced to give it all up. The longer you have to yourself, the more you're going to beat yourself up, and you have a lot of time.

A while on down the road, you spot an old building that stick out to you. Damn thing looks like its about to fall down. Windows are almost all broken out, dust and debris litter the outside, and there are large holes in the outside walls. You take a deep breath, allowing your passing fancy to get the best of you. On the way there, you pass a guy leaning against his truck, listening to music on the radio. Something about a storm down in Mexico; you can't make out the rest. He sees you walking toward the building and stops you.

"Hey there, that thing's due for demolition here in another 30. I wouldn't go wandering around in there."

"Sorry, I just... I know it's stupid, but can I get a quick look? I promise I'll be careful."

"Whatever kid. Just don't hurt yourself and get outta there quick."

"Yeah." You nod, hardly listening to him, fascinated by the derelict structure.

You take a step inside through one of the holes in the wall. The place is an absolute mess, rocks, glass, litter everywhere. Can't even see the floor properly. Searching the place thoroughly would take hours, easily.

>>13407909
forgot trip.

>>13407903
You'd be filed away in a missing persons database.
They might recognize you if they checked that(they won't)

>>13407909
>>13407919
Check your compass again.
Is there a basement?

>>13407909
>>13407919
Check the compass.

>>13407909
Come on.
Just a little more.
Just a little further...

>>13407909
The only thing you really have is some armor and the compass which isn't pointing north. Fuck it, at this point death sounds like a solid option.

Is it pointing anywhere in particular in this place?

>>13407909
smash the pots and get your rupees.

>>13407909
Alright now check the compass, should that not do anything then check the integrity of the floor.
Kick around some dust, looking for anything.

>>13407584
>Move to Ireland
>make and learn how to use a viking longship
>use the compass to guide you to Aman
>beg before the feet of the valar to send you to equestria
>have them send you to equestria
>find Celestia
>?
>profit

FUCKING HELL I'VE TRIED SO HARD TO STAY AWAKE BUT IT'S 7 IN THE MORNING AND I'M FUCKING TIRED
Don't fuck this up guys
If we don't end up back in Equestria I give you permission to commit sudoku
Night anons

>>13407979
Sounds about as sensible as wandering around in a busted-assed ruin with a compass that might be broken just from your fall, if not whatever weird physics you just went through falling between worlds

>>13408017
anon pls

think of the princess poon

>>13408049
WHO CARES ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW
I JUST WANT THE PRINCESS ATTACHED TO IT

>>13407939
>>13407953
>>13407959
>>13407975
Once more, you pull out your compass, hoping this time it might take pity on you... and it does. The needle is pointing quite firmly in one direction. You about drop the compass in shock, but get a good grip on it and stand up straight. Taking a deep breath, you follow the compass point. It doesn't take long at all before you're at the stop where it's pointing and you search the ground... nothing. You scratch your head, looking at the ground, then the ceiling. Nothing.

Scanning the area, you find a flight of stairs. None down, but there is a second floor. You climb the stairs up, and follow the compass back to its spot on the second floor. There's crap all over the place, but after clearning a small area you see something a different color as everything else. Something that doesn't belong.

You reach down and pull the item out, a dark piece of stone, a wedge almost, smooth on one side and rough on the others. On the smooth side you feel something and blow the dust away.

It's an engraving of a unicorn horn.