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Post by Red Charge on Jun 11, 2012 20:54:26 GMT -5
The once mighty figure that was Eclipse began to slowly dissolve in the sunlight, without the energies binding his shadow form together, it was slowly dispelled by the light. Outside of the crater where the cultist camp once was another encampment was set up; a joined one where both cultists and Equestrians could share food and drink, reconciling and talking amongst each other. For the simple soldiers, it was as simple as fighting Eclipse to reconcile their differences. But the cult leaders picked out a less crowded spot to set up a large tent.
In said tent, Red Charge, Percheron, White Fire and Watermark were now lying, recovering from the events of the day. They all suffered from overexertion, some more than others. Percheron, who was forced to use Titan's Fury twice in rapid succession, (The strain being put directly on him as the energy focus of the attack) was lying in a corner, rubbing off some aloe essence on the burns he had sustained from the attack.
Watermark and White Fire suffered the least damage, having used mostly Frostbite and Ashrider's energies in the struggle were laying comfortably on cushions in front of Red Charge.
"You look like a mess." White Fire commented, indicating the terrible state of his armor, as well as the burns on his face and legs. The stallion shrugged with dismissal, he still refused to remove his armor even in its wrecked state. It was then that it occurred to White Fire that despite everything, even she had never seen him without his armor.
The tent flap opened abruptly, revealing a unicorn in purple armor, Shining Armor. "Her Majesty Princess Luna requests an audience." He announced formally, gesturing behind him at said royalty and her entourage of the elements of Harmony.
As Red and his own left the tent, there seemed to spread a certain awkwardness amongst the members of both parties. At last, after several moments, The Princess spoke.
"Where do we go from here? I appreciate that you worked to rectify what you've done, but as you were the cause for Eclipse's return to begin with…"
"Hold it right there Princess," White Fire interjected, "None of this wouldn't happened if you hadn't meddled with and ruined the second control ritual!"
"Show some respect for the Princess!" Shining Armor commanded, hoofing at the ground angrily. Twilight lift a hoof to try and calm him down.
"If you want to have a go, big boy, just give it a try." The white mare challenged.
"All of you be quiet." Another female voice said irritably, as a blonde Pegasus mare landed between both parties.
"Ms. Rainlock." Princess Luna greeted with a bow. "What are you doing here?"
Gale Rainlock surveyed her for a moment before closing her eyes for a moment and saying, "As you well know, I keep myself well out of politics. It never appealed to me and it never will. But as your squabbles nearly caused the complete devastation of one of the only standing Equiterian installment in Equestria, as head of the office of Archaeological Preservation, I find myself forced to intervene." She said judgmentally.
"Now before you two can hope to try and solve your problems, I think it's time that you knew who Red Charge really is Princess." The blonde Pegasus turned to Red Charge, "Isn't that right father?"
As the Pegasus turned to Red Charge, even behind his ruined helmet the levels of fatigue were obvious on his face. His eyelids drooped and the shadows beneath them seemed to crack through his skin.
His stance, usually firm and proud was now slouched, as though the very weight of his armor was about to do him in. He sat down wearily; he knew it would come to this eventually, even after staying under the radar for so long.
"Father?" Twilight asked, "But how could that be, Professor Rainlock is a Pegasus."
"You of all people, Twilight Sparkle should know appearance counts for little." He said, his voice cracked and hoarse, never before have his minions heard him so broken. It was partly because of the fatigue from the battle, partly from the devastating migraine he was having, and partly because his jig was up. "But that's not what Gale means. Princess Luna, used to know me by the name Silver Dawn." Though Shining Armor and the Elements seemed confused, recognition slowly crawled on Princess Luna's face as she encountered a name she had not heard in ages. Suddenly her eyes grew just as weary, her stance just as slouched, mimicking Red Charge in every way.
"The Destrier protégé?" She asked dazedly, "But you disappeared… You said you were going to find the Alchemist and then you ran off." She said, partly in disbelief, partly in resignation. Though she was never close with the colt she knew as Silver Dawn, she and her sister knew who he was, as he was the only other pony training exclusively under the greatest mage in Equestrian history, Destrier.
"I did find the Alchemist." He replied in turn, starting to unhook his armor, "I did participate in the Labyrinth."
"But if you're alive, that would mean…" The alicorn princess said, now attentively. The Alchemist was an alicorn, one made through alchemy. He would offer a chance to become like him to any he would find, but the price was great. Legends told that he would pick any number between three or thirty ponies and put them in the labyrinth. Once they entered there was no going back, and the only way to win was to ensure all of the others were dead, even if you had to do it yourself. Escaping the labyrinth alive, would make one a murderer. Of course, this legend was not heard of for millennia.
Red Charge unhooked the barding and let it drop to the ground. Even his compatriots skipped a beat. None of them have seen him without his armor, not even White Fire, his own daughter.
Beneath the barding was a slightly scorched, but otherwise smooth coating of red fur. "No." He said simply, but he had already shown all the proof he needed. He had not taken from the ambrosia. He had not murdered.
Princess Luna looked away from him, "If I'd known I might have…" She started. "Celestia said…"
"Princess Celestia refused to listen to reason when I talked to her the first time," Red Charge, "She would not listen, she threw me out of her court and declared me a criminal. I take it she has warned you about me as well, which would explain how my pleas seemed like threats to you." The unicorn said, referring to his written warnings about sabotaging the rituals. "But I'm afraid that is not all I have to tell you."
"I was also the unicorn known as Ashrider, having bound the Efiert Ashrider to myself. The same is now bonded to my daughter White Fire."
"Hold on a minute," Rainbow Dash interrupted, "You're going to tell me that you knew Destrier, when he was alive?"
"Ah don't know much about magic, but ah do know that had to have been over a thousand years ago." Applejack said, "Y'all don't look a day over thirty."
Red Charge chuckled roughly, "When ponies become powerful enough they learn to live past limitations." He said mysteriously.
"Ah'm just saying, Granny Smith must be a tenth of your age yet she's a fine much older than ya'll."
"Most are content to live their lives with their own purpose, for us who seek more than just the fulfillment of our lives, there's always a way." Red Charge said with a nod to Luna.
"Either way it doesn't solve the problem." Shining Armor intervened, "What are we going to be about all of this. Condemning you would alienate the large numbers of followers you've got, but someone has to take the blame for all of this."
"Or," Gale interrupted, "You could both take the blame, and reach compromise. Princess Luna, I am aware that you are currently looking for a royal advisor. A position which Voulge Razorwing has been courting for quite some time."
"You're not proposing we put him as the royal advisor?" The purple armored unicorn protested.
"I'm proposing a settlement that will be good for both parties. Who would be better to be the royal advisor than the most esteemed professor and strongest fire mage in the land? One who has seen enough in his years to have plenty of life experience and wisdom?"
"I…" Shining started, but apparently found nothing to say as he just left the sentence hanging out in the open.
"I agree." Twilight said, turning all looks to her, "I read a lot about Destrier, I'd like to believe that if he picked Red Charge as his protégé, then he had a reason to believe in him. This is rare opportunity to finally give ponies the opportunity to learn from the teachings of one of the most contributing mages in Equestria. If Red Charge would allow it of course."
"I think that would be best left to my own protégé, Watermark. His teaching methods may be… unusual, but there is nothing Destrier taught me that he has not mastered."
"It is agreed then. For the benefit of Equestria, Red Charge will become my royal advisor. In turn, his followers will be put to benefit the kingdom. The cult will be acquitted of all charges against them and perhaps we can seal this shameful chapter and hope for a new, better beginning."
There was a loud murmur of agreement. The details would still need to be worked out, but the deed was done. There was no longer a cult, there was only another part of Equestria.
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Post by tunnelnexus on Jun 14, 2012 15:47:02 GMT -5
Tunnel Nexus was not very happy. During the group teleport for strike team Phoenix, she'd been dropped a fair distance off-course and directly into a patch of Poison Joke. Blegh. She must have fallen into a particularly virulent bunch, as her symptoms started kicking in terribly quickly. Tunnel had barely managed to find her way back to the battlefield when she began sneezing. Uncontrollably. Plus her nose was all runny, and her eyes were watering so much that the first pony she met started to comfort her as though she were crying.
She remembered how silly she thought that was, considering it was a battlefield that they were on. In between bouts of sneezing, the gray mare had managed to communicate that she'd been affected by some Poison Joke, and the kindly (if somewhat foalish, in her opinion) pony directed her to the camp at the back of the battlefield. Nexus trudged, stumbled, and sneezed her way through the battlefield, the sneezing, swamp sludge and quicksand slowing her progress to almost nothing.
At last, she had made it to the camp, only to see the temple explode and Eclipse appear from its ruins. At that point, the exhausted unicorn simply let herself collapse, lying on the ground in a sneezing, useless lump. She could sort of feel the intense battle raging around her through the haze of the Poison Joke's effects. Nexus just laid there, trying to keep out of everypony's way.
There were some explosions, and then things got pretty uncomfortably hot and her body was so tired that it just blacked out. Tunnel woke up somewhere in the camp, and looked around. Somepony had been kind enough to administer a cure for the Poison Joke, and she no longer had bouts of sneezes or anything.
Okay, this has been pretty horrific so far. Talk about unlucky; I mean, right into a patch of Poison Joke? Seriously? Bah. I missed all the action.
I wonder how the guys did. Probably got their flanks handed to them, since I wasn't there. I'll go find them. yeah, that's a good idea.
Nexus' body had other plans, though; as soon as she tried to stand up from the small bed she'd been laid on, her legs gave out from exhaustion. The gray mare growled in frustration. She started looking around for any of the ponies from the team, but couldn't see any. One thing that really jumped out at her, though, was how the ponies on each side seemed to be treating each other like nothing had ever come between them.
Tunnel frowned. Not that she was complaining about the peace, but... it would have been nice to fight something in physical combat. She felt a litle uneasy, although whether it was from some physical condition or the fact that she was complaining about not participating in a war, she couldn't tell.
Instead, she settled for calling out to anypony who'd listen.
"Hey! Does anypony know where Strike Team Phoenix is? I'm looking for them!"
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Post by kuruka on Jun 15, 2012 20:03:17 GMT -5
Kuruka tried to hide her limp as she entered the camp. Her hind legs were killing her, but they didn't hurt near as much as her pride. Not quite looking forward to what honor bound her to do, she scanned the crowd for Watermark. When she found him, she approached slowly, her ears tucked back in submission, her eyes lowered.
"Forgive me, brother." She whispered. "I judged before I had seen both sides. What I called you was unforgivable. Please, tell me what I need to do as retribution."
Now came the torture... waiting for a response. Kuruka didn't dare look Watermark in the eye. Fear of being shunned once more haunted her.
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Post by Red Charge on Jun 15, 2012 21:50:20 GMT -5
Watermark didn't reply right away, his trademark grin was gone from his face. He formulated what he wanted to say into words in his head. "I was always mistrusted, even in the cult not everyone felt comfortable around me. Because of what I am. It's different when it comes from somepony like me." The water mage said, looking rather taken aback.
"I can't blame you for doing what you thought was right, we're all to blame for that." Watermark said, a bit louder, "I just hoped that you'd understand."
Admittedly, he was angry. Had he not linked her up with Percheron, who taught her how to fly? Was he not the one who erected the guardian statue of Frostbite in Hoofington? Did he really inspire such mistrust in others? Could it be that the hatred towards him was because of that and not because of what he was? These thoughts all raced through him at that moment in the pyramid, in his volatile temper he much preferred to give Frostbite the reins.
He still wasn't sure he found the answers though.
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Post by starshade on Jun 16, 2012 5:11:52 GMT -5
The motionless form of a young black unicorn lay upon the muddy bank of the bog. StarShade was still unconscious after being hit by the Water Golem all the way across Froggy Bottom Bog. With the lower half of his body submerged under the muddy waters of the swamp it'll only be a matter of time before the young colt would succumb to hypotermia. That is unless he is to be killed by other dangers already lurking within the bog. The fact that he has not had any proper meal and clean water to drink from before to after the entire battle between the Equestrians, the Cultists and Eclipse only made things worse.
Then it came. It started out as a small, darkened area in the water just a few inches away from StarShade. It then stretched and expanded itself into a black circle, about a foot in diameter. And from that black, round spot slowly emerged what looked like a large black tentacle. It began to reach out slowly but surely for the fallen unicorn. Once it had touched the pony's face, the enigmatic entity began to emit a strange and unearthly sound, as if it was uttering words from a long forgotten language as it rubbed the tip of its tentacle against Starhade's closed eyelids.
Suddenly, a sound was heard nearby and the dark tentacle quickly silenced itself before pulling back into the muddy water's surface and disappeared. Shortly afterwards, a small equine form appeared. It was Hind Sight's golem - it had found StarShade.
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Post by Selenia on Jun 16, 2012 11:23:39 GMT -5
Selenia was in the clearing with the rest of her team, where they had been teleported with little warning. Her head was still spinning and she still wanted to trim her mane. Eclipse was taken care of in epic fashion, and all the higher-ups of both sides were debating about what to do. The princess announced a full release of all charges against the Cult. They would assimilate back into the Equestrian conglomerate.
That was all happy and swell, but Selenia was still focused on the performance of their strike team. Selenia didn't like failing at objectives presented in front of her, especially when everyone was originally counting on her team. Her team failed the presented mission. Even though if they succeeded, the world would have probably ended, but a failure is still a failure. And she didn't like that. She got no real fighting experience, and she lost her rather priceless Etherium shield necklace. She had a hunch that something like that would come in great handy, and it almost did, and she wanted another one. She'd continue working the library for a few months, earn up the revenue, and then sell the place, a heartbreaking prospect, so she could buy the necessary raw Etherium to produce a new one.
Aside from that little budding plan in her head, Selenia listened in to the Princess's conversation with the cult leaders. It was intriguing, tales of the Destrier and such. Selenia would have to meet this RedCharge face to face sometime. And by meet, she meant she would punch him in the face, offer him an ice pack, and then proceed to talk casually with him about ancient magical theory. A watertight introduction plan if ever there was one.
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Post by kuruka on Jun 16, 2012 13:32:01 GMT -5
He was talking to her, this was a good sign. He may not have fully forgiven her yet, but he was talking to her, and that was enough. But... somepony like him? Was he referring to his half-zebra blood? His powerful magic? The phrase unsettled Kuruka. Watermark had done so much good, at least, for her. She had allowed anger to cloud her judgement and bring shame to herself.
Kuruka finally lifted her gaze to Watermark. "Somepony like you? One who does what he thinks is right even when it seems the whole of Equestria is against him? It is right that others should feel uncomfortable around you. Deep down, they know they should be more like you, quickly adjusting to suit what is best rather than getting stuck in a single mindset, repeating mistakes over and over and wondering why they always get the same results. Ponies know, even if it is unconsciously, when they see greatness budding. Most fear it, but the wise embrace it."
Kuruka stopped, realizing she was lecturing. She bit her lip and looked down again, embarrassed.
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Post by Red Charge on Jun 16, 2012 16:51:15 GMT -5
"I was actually talking about the half zebra thing, but that's a cool story sister." Watermark replied, flashing his mischievous grin at her.
Walking away from the others he said, "But seriously, don't worry about it. Everypony messes up sometimes, and I'd rather you do so for the sake of Equestria if anything at all." He nodded at his own words, "Oh, and just a heads up, Frostbite doesn't like you. Then again I don't think I've met a pony that he likes, besides me."
"Percheron said you're a natural at flying. I'm glad it worked out so well." The unicorn-zebra smiled at her genuinely, "Told you he was the best."
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Post by kuruka on Jun 19, 2012 13:43:19 GMT -5
Kuruka followed, feeling somewhat like a puppy heeling to her master. "Frostbite? That... essence that took you over? I don't blame him. Of course, to be honest, I cannot say that I like him, either. Not that I doubt he's a good... essence... once you get to know him, but I think I prefer Watermark." Kuruka grinned.
At the mention of Percheron's praise, her ears finally perked up. "He said that? Wow. I didn't think I had earned his esteem after he beat me so soundly during training." Kuruka bit her lip. "I guess I didn't have the chance to thank you properly for that. His training has helped me many times now. Thank you."
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Post by tunnelnexus on Jun 19, 2012 14:29:41 GMT -5
"Okay, tired of this," said Nexus, muttering to herself. Maybe it wasn't the smartest idea to just shout at any pony that passed by. Come to think of it, maybe the whole 'strike team' thing had been kept under wraps...
"Next time we'll think about things a little harder first." Tunnel rolled off of her side and got to her feet; she promptly had to catch herself as her legs tried to fall out from underneath her. "I'll just go find them myself." She trotted off, doing her level best to hide the unsteadiness in her gait.
She looked around for any familiar faces. Sure, there were a few that were familiar, but Nexus didn't bother with them. They probably wouldn't know anyway. So Nexus just kept moving, a little pain in her back left hoof.
Hopefully I didn't sprain anything stumbling around in the swamps, the mare thought to herself.
At last, when she'd begun considering giving up and venting her anger on somepony, she saw one pony she couldn't miss. Selenia stood not too far off, near the tent with all of Equestria's leaders. Tunnel went over as quickly as she could, and reached for her sunglasses to adjust them on her nose. Her eyes widened in shock; there were no familiar, comforting glasses there.
W-what? No way! I can't have lost them! When could that have even happened? She thought for a moment, and it hit her. Horseapples, they must've come off when I passed out. I'll get them right after I talk to Selenia.
Tunnel felt uneasy without her sunglasses, but she swallowed her anxiety and went up to Selenia. She tried to keep a guarded expression, but found it rather difficult without her trusty shades. The eyes always gave her away.
"Hey, Selenia!" Tunnel called. Hopefully her friend wouldn't notice how much she just wanted to walk away. And if she did, hopefully Selenia wouldn't take it the wrong way. "Do you have a moment?"
'Do you have a moment?' That has to be one of the dumbest things I've ever said. Nexus berated herself silently as she closed the last little gap between them.
"Do you know where I might find the others from Strike Team Phoenix? Starshade, Hind Sight, or Mortar Retort?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2012 1:51:32 GMT -5
Strings sat in the clearing with the other ponies that had been involved in the battle. Eclipse was defeated, and the the war was over. Equestria was at peace agin. He was definately relieved. Luckily, he had gotten away from his battle with White Fire without and major wounds, just a few bumps and bruises. His team however, can not say the same. Both Tongs and Strom Shroud had very bad burns all over their bodies. He was planning on going to find them soon.
Strings looked over to the mare that he had just battled with. "Hey, White Fire. Now that the two sides have made peace and all, no hard feelings right?" He walked over to the white pony and extended his hoof towards her.
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Post by Red Charge on Jun 24, 2012 23:54:49 GMT -5
"It wasn't a problem. Us superior life forms need to watch each others' backs." He said with another joking grin. "Speaking of which, if you need any help bringing your family here, I can hook you up with Gale Rainlock. She's very big and very well connected, she could have them over in a snap." The tattooed unicorn offered. "Heard there was trouble brewing over there too, with missions being attacked and all. If any time's a good time to bring your family over, this is it."
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White Fire seemed puzzled for a few moments, "You are...?" She asked, sincerely trying to remember, "You can't have been part of that Strike Team could you?" She seemed disgruntled, then realized that not remembering him could be interpreted as an insult, so she gave a little laugh, "Oh yes, yes you were... I think..." She shook his hoof warmly, still a bit unsure of who she was talking to.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2012 3:30:14 GMT -5
Strings felt a bit annoyed that White Fire didn't remember him, but then just shook it off. It was silly to get mad at someone for not remembering someone that they just fought in a short battle. "Yeah, I was part of the Strike Team, but don't worry about. It was the heat of battle. The name's Strings by the way." He smiled at the White Mare. He then remembered something. He had a bone to pick the mare in his Strike Team that ditched them in midst of fighting with White Fire. "So sorry, but I need to go find somebody."
Strings looked around until he saw the Pegasus Firefly and approached her quickly. "Hey! Firefly! I have something to say to you! Why in the hay did you just get up and leave in the middle of battle and leave your Strike Team like that?!" He usually didn't get that angry, but this was something inexcusable. "Both Tongs and Storm Shroud almost died out there!"
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Post by kuruka on Jun 26, 2012 12:33:45 GMT -5
Kuruka was all ears at this point. Bring her family here? Missions being attacked? Oh Celestia, no! Was the monster epidemic reaching her family's tribe as well? Or worse?
"Absolutely! If there is any way to bring them here, count me in. Tell me what I need to do."
Kuruka was only slightly hesitant, wondering where she would have her family stay if they did come. Her house in Hoofington was barely big enough for her and a guest, much less all twelve members of her family. If they were in danger, however, that didn't matter. They would be cramped, but safe.
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Post by Red Charge on Jun 30, 2012 7:02:24 GMT -5
"What a pointless question." Firefly replied, "If I hadn't left, Valkyrie would have never crashed those mages, and we'd all be in the same state anyway. Not that I knew it would happen at the time, but everything worked out, so there's no reason to flap your gums." She snorted. "Sheesh, haven't your parents ever told you not to look a gift horse in the mouth?"
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"Alright, I'll contact you later this week after I've talked to Gale and she's had some time to work it out. Hopefully she'll be able to get your family over here and provide some temporary lodgings until you can sort out a place for you all to live." Watermark explained, one of the rare times she's seen him completely business-like.
"For now, go, have your mind clouded by a drink or several enjoy tonight as it should be enjoyed." He advised with a grin, "I daresay such a glorious night we will only experience once. Let us enjoy it to the fullest!" He bumped his head into hers affectionately as he proceeded to get his own beverage, a rather spicy looking cider and took a swig of it happily.
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