|
Post by Deleted on May 2, 2012 1:35:56 GMT -5
Rainbow Dash watched as some of the guards ran off. Finally, she thought. Thunderbird must of done their job. About time. Whitehoof whistled to tell Calico and Selenia to start the attack. "OK then," Rainbow said to Whitehoof. "No time for talking then I guess." She said with a slight edge in her voice. She was slightly annoyed that Whitehoof had just ignored her. But then again, they were in the middle of a war, so she thought that it was acceptable.
She watched as Calico shot her arrows at the guards at the top of the pyramid, and Rainbow started hovering above the swamp floor, ready to charge into battle. She was waiting for this moment.
|
|
|
Post by Red Charge on May 6, 2012 14:06:55 GMT -5
Before the guards had any chance to respond they were struck by Selenia's spells, knocked out. Whitehoof and Rainbow Dash were already speeding up the stairs before the guards on the top even knew what was going on. Calico's arrows, unfortunately rebounded off the shield and fell to the ground.
"Rainbow Dash don't give them a chance to fight back!" White hoof called, knowing he can't match her speed. They were almost in. But he had no idea what was inside, and even if it was empty, they still had Watermark to tackle.
|
|
|
Post by Selenia on May 7, 2012 7:49:34 GMT -5
Selena's face lit up with a victorious smile as she saw her spells hit home. Only one salvo fired and the battle was already exhilarating. She managed a quick glance over to Calico's targets, who had remained unharmed by her arrows. She quickly launched two more of her concussive spells at the alerted guards. She made them extra bright and flashy, too. Sure to draw the attention of the guards. She knew her spells wouldn't succeed at piercing the shield, but she hoped to provide them with a distraction so Calico could move underneath the protective envelope and nock and fire a second volley of arrows, hopefully hitting them off-kilter.
After firing her two spells and rolling back behind another tree, she caught the cyan and rainbow trail of Rainbow Dash speeding in towards her designated two targets. She could have sworn she heard Whitehoof call out to remove them before they could mount a defense, and judging by dash's reckless speed, she was about to do just that. Nevertheless, Selenia cleared her mind again and focused on bringing up new spells as quickly as possible in case Dash was left vulnerable.
Selenia also knew that time was at a premium during this operation, and if they didn't get inside that pyramid soon, all would be lost. Being cautious to ensure no traps or hidden guards were waiting for her, Selenia signaled to Calico to cover her, and quickly pinballed from tree to tree, advancing up towards the base of the pyramid. In case any traps or hidden surprises did show themselves, she would always have a tree in-between her and the threat. In case the assailant came from the canopy, She also kept her head on a swivel and her horn pointed up at the ready to blast anypony attempting an aerial ambush.
Even with all the redundancies in place, Selenia remembered they could call in the assistance of her old comrade, Ranger. Hopefully he was still hiding somewhere in the forest, waiting to be called in at a moments notice. And any help would be welcome for their assault to the acropolis.
Selenia had to rely on her team, and they would be relying on her. All the members of her team had to cover each other's backs, they had to account for and compensate for each other's faults and weaknesses. Keeping each other out of trouble and away from harm was also necessary, the last thing they could afford right now was an injury caused by a single guard that surprised one of them. Teamwork and cooperation was absolutely imperative in this situation, Selenia hoped her fellow teammates understood the same.
|
|
|
Post by kuruka on May 7, 2012 18:53:28 GMT -5
Kuruka groaned when she saw Whitehoof again. They hadn't seen eye-to-eye when they first met, as she wasn't exactly looking forward to another bout of clashing opinions. Ranger hadn't escorted her through the bog for nothing, though, and she was determined to do her part.
She assessed her situation. The guards at the base of the fortress were out cold in the mud. The guards on top were focusing on something else, quite obviously distracted. Kuruka took a quick dive into the moist earth, coming up with a thin coat of it blanketing her body. With another glance upward to check the guards' statuses, she bolted forward, making a beeline for the doorway and leaping up the stairs, her wings beating behind her to push her forward.
White hindquarters barred her way after a moment or two and Kuruka snorted. Her powerful hind legs gave a good burst of thrust to get her up and over Whitehoof. She allowed herself a smug grin. Only months ago the thought of flying made her sick. Now she wondered how she lived without her wings at all.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 8, 2012 16:05:45 GMT -5
Rainbow Dash watched as Selenia's spells hit home and Calico's arrows bounced off one of the guard's shields. "Yes sir!" She said to Whitehoof as she quickly sped up the stairs. This is it, she thought. It's do or die time.
When she got to the guards she didn't slow down. She just started spinning with one of her hind legs sticking out. She was hoping to roundhouse kick the guards off the pyramid. With the momentum, her skill and the armor on her leg, she was fairly sure that this would work.
|
|
|
Post by calico on May 8, 2012 23:08:36 GMT -5
"Nice shot," complimented Calico, impressed by Selenia's precision. "Unfortunately it doesn't look like my arrows can penetrate that barrier." Glancing up at the sun, the archer noted that there wasn't much time left. "Looks like it doesn't matter anyway - we need to move in close."
Calico nodded when Selenia signaled to cover her. Drawing another arrow from the quiver on the left and triggering the enchantment, she followed Selenia's movements through the trees, always one tree behind the sable-pelted mare to make sure that no ambush could separate them. Calico kept her keen eyes focused on her surroundings, on the lookout for any ambushes or traps.
Calico kept the arrow on the bowstring in case there was an ambush. She was determined to protect her teammates, and to stop the cultists - at a moment's notice she would be ready to fire, hopefully ready to end any potential threats before they could harm her comrades or her mission.
|
|
|
Post by Red Charge on May 9, 2012 15:43:01 GMT -5
Selenia's magic rebounded and came back after her, now their color changed to reflect that of the shield, indicating that they were no longer under her control. They smashed with quick succession right next to her, blowing her out of balance and covering her with mud.
Rainbow Dash's attack managed to hit its mark perfectly, sending one of the cutlists rolling down the pyramid and out of the fight, while the other managed to tackle her from behind, pinning her to the ground right as Kuruka arrived on the scene. However, busy with Rainbow Dash, he had not noticed Kuruka coming, which gave her a golden opprotunity to strike.
Meanwhile above their heads, the Eclipse had started in earnest, the moon beginning to cover the sun, and starting to cast a shade all over the battlefield. Their time was running out. They had to stop the ritual. At once they noticed a portal open above the pyramid, transmitting another ray of light much similar to the ones seen in the other ritual, only stronger, more intense, crackling with energy.
"We have to move!" Whitehoof called. Ranger in the meanwhile rushed Selenia and Calico to the steps, taking defensive position behind them to make sure no soldiers popped in unexpectedly.
"Get going, we don't have much time!" He called to the two.
|
|
|
Post by kuruka on May 9, 2012 16:15:27 GMT -5
It was fortunate Kuruka had caught a glimpse of the mare Whitehoof was with before she'd shot into the fortress. Otherwise she wouldn't have known whom to attack. With a neat, tight spin, Kuruka turned her hindlegs toward the assailant and gave a good, sound kick aimed at his head. No need for fancy moves when an opponent was so foolishly oblivious.
The daylight darkened and Kuruka's pelt stood on end. Her senses heightened as she adjusted to the shadows now cast in the stairway. Having arrived late, she wasn't entirely certain what was happening, but something told her it wasn't good.
"We have to move!" ...Whitehoof's voice.
Kuruka only paused to frown before taking to the stairs again, wishing she were a better flier so she could take the hairpin turns in the spiral trek upward. Urgency and adrenaline pushed her forward, building inside of her until she almost felt like she would explode with energy.
|
|
|
Post by Selenia on May 9, 2012 21:22:08 GMT -5
Selenia's expression faltered for a second as her eyes tracked her spells approaching their targets, closer and closer, and then rebounded. She braced herself behind the tree she had pinballed to and waited for the impact. One of the spells slammed into the base of the tree next to her, the solid wood transferring much of the concussion into Selenia, throwing her off balance. The other landed on the ground beside her already shaken form, knocking her over and spattering her face and body with mud and dirt. Selenia spat out the grainy, foul tasting detritus, taking a second to wipe it off of her eyes and face, not wasting a moment on unnecessary grooming. She trusted Calico would have her back while she was shaking off the disorientation and clearing out her eyes.
Before she could effectively respond, she noticed that the pega-zebra Kuruka had made an appearance, as well as Ranger, who was currently pushing and shoving her and Calico towards the opening of the pyramid. The eclipse had started, and a massive beam of light was tunneling through the clouds into some sort of.. portal? That didn't matter. They had to reach the base and stop it regardless. Whitehoof was hot on Dash's trail, who was hoisting the unconscious body of a guard off her cyan form. Kuruka was helping her up as Whitehoof hollered and gesticulated about moving in a rather punctual fashion. Selenia was keen on doing just that. She smiled to Calico, "You did a swell job covering me. The rest of the team fared well with seamless teamwork, aswell. We keep it up like this, and we'll shut down this operation in no time." She turned uneasily to the eclipse and portal, noting that effective use of time was of utmost importance.
Once through the threshold, Selenia turned around and gave Ranger a pat on the shoulder, "Thanks for the support. You did a good job." She said, nodding to the addition of Kuruka to their team. Once the alarm was raised in the pyramid, it would no doubt make some of the cultists on the front turn around without question and defend their most valuable asset. She hoped Ranger would be able to handle any reinforcements that would try to fight their way into the pyramid and oust Selenia and the rest of the team. Ranger was skilled, without a doubt, and he was in his element in a forest, but Ranger was still only one pony. "It's been an honor, Ranger. May Luna be with you." She gave Ranger a crisp salute, then she turned away and headed into the pyramid with the rest of the team.
|
|
|
Post by calico on May 11, 2012 0:56:18 GMT -5
Calico braced herself when she saw the spells rebound off the barrier, but then quickly noticed the spells were redirected at Selenia. One spell struck the tree, and the other sprayed dirt over the mare. "Are you alr-" the words barely escaped her lips when a shadow began to eclipse the battlefield and the sky began to spark with light and energy. The eclipse had begun and their time was quickly running out.
Calico noticed someone down near the base of the pyramid that she didn't see before. She looked kind of like a zebra, but winged - she was fighting the cultists, so Calico didn't take the time to question whether any distrust was warranted or not. And then someone else entirely was there, rushing Selenia and Calico onward - although she deduced this one as Ranger, the woodspony that was supposed to be their backup. Well, good. Two more to help - and it was obvious that they needed as much as they could get.
On Whitehoof's order, they began hoofing it toward the base. Once there, Selenia said something to Calico. "Of course," Calico replied to Selenia with a smile and a nod. Then, turning to Ranger, she gave him a nod of thanks and acknowledgement. She decided to leave it at that and ran to follow the others - there wasn't much time left and they had to focus on the mission first and foremost. She hoped he would be fine as the rest of them rushed inside to stop the ritual, but if not, well, they were all here willing to make sacrifices.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 11, 2012 4:21:53 GMT -5
Rainbow Dash sprang to her hooves as soon as her opponent was thrown off of her. Some Zebra with wings kicked the guard off of her. Who the hay was this zebra? And, since when have zebras have wings? "Hey what's the big deal? I had him under control!" She said to the newcomer.
The rainbow maned mare was distracted quickly however, by the eclipse starting. If they didn't hurry, the ritual would be complete and they'd fail, there was no way Rainbow Dash was going to fail. Looking around she found an entry way leading into the pyramid What was taking all those shuffle-hooves so long? She wanted to rush in there and stop the ritual herself, but she decided against it, fastest pony in Equestria or not, she had her orders.
|
|
|
Post by Red Charge on May 12, 2012 3:09:02 GMT -5
Whitehoof managed to get to the top right after Kuruka kicked the second guard off of it. Rainbow Dash was already stomping at the stairway leading into the pyramid. "This is Kuruka, she's one of us." He said quickly, running towards the stairway, they had little time to worry about introductions now.
Whitehoof led the team further and further into the pyramid. But unfortunately, that particular stairway ended two floors above the floor they needed. It opened into a wide hall, mostly empty but for one unicorn standing on the far edge. At least, Whitehoof thought it was a unicorn. Grey fur with deep ocean blue stripes, much like those of a zebra, wearing a red cape and a wide grin on his face, was the pony they had all heard about. Watermark.
"Welcome!" He calld out jubilantly, clapping his hooves. "I was starting to think you weren't going to make it!" His eyes glinted at the assortment of ponies, but were instantly drawn to Kuruka, a pony he already knew.
"Kuruka, what a sight for sore eyes! Will you tell your friends they're just needlessly wasting their energies?" He asked, "We're all on the same side here, after all!"
"Needlessly wasting our energies?" Whitehoof called out, "You're trying to overthrow the Princesses!" The pony took a threatening step forwards, and a blinding flash of pain erupted in his snout. He caught it with his hooves quickly and groaned.
"Oh, I'm sorry, did I forget to mention that you're in Watermark's fabulous house of ice?" He asked tapping what a moment ago seemed like empty air with a very audible knock. "Completely transparent, and, if I so desire..." He tapped on it again, and instantly the strike team was surrounded by images of themselves. "Mirrored. I like to mix it up though, change one here, one there..."
Now he looked at them from a nearby mirror, his everlasting grin still present.
|
|
|
Post by Selenia on May 12, 2012 6:40:45 GMT -5
Selenia's snout flared when she saw Watermark. This was it, what they had all come here for. Her team, she hoped, was ready. She was just about to signal them to form a phalanx and advance on their cocky unicorn prey, when Whitehoof smashed his face on an invisible wall.
The walls of ice changed everything, and to boot they were mirrored. This could be a massive problem. "We need to stick together. Don't lose sight of one another or else we'll be relying on reflections for cover when we need it. Dash! Fly up to the ceiling and see what you can see. Hopefully the walls are thinner or permanently clear up there." She tapped her hoof on one of the walls in front of her. It felt just like normal ice, but she knew better than that. Even with magic imbued in them, there must be some way to shatter or melt them.
"We need to find the source of these walls. Like a reservoir or something like that, and we need to remove it. Does anyone have any ideas?" Selenia started urgently walking down one of the paths of the maze, keeping her head on a swivel, she was more than ready to take any opportunity at a moment's notice. "if we remove the magic buffer protecting them, I can shatter the walls, too. So we have a few choices."
Selenia stopped for a moment, though, recalling what she had seen of Watermark before he hid himself among his hall of mirrors like a coward. "Guys, wait!! Our mission is to stop the ritual, not play this idiot's useless little games." She increased the volume of her speech near the end, hoping Watermark heard her. "We can just find a way to bypass Watermark, leave him in the corner to play alone. And Watermark, don't feel too bad if we leave. This game of yours was going to be suuuper boooring anyway, don't you know how to treat a nice party of new guests properly? Such an amateur! From all I heard about you, I expected much more forethought and creativity on your part!"
|
|
|
Post by calico on May 13, 2012 1:27:39 GMT -5
Calico wasn't certain what to expect once inside the pyramid - she knew to expect a powerful mage, but she knew little else about this Watermark. But she wasn't expecting someone so... well, flamboyant. Not that it mattered - Watermark was merely another obstacle. As the mage surrounded the team with walls of frozen mirrors, however, it became clear that this was going to be a very problematic one. Whatever, time was running out - Watermark didn't matter. Making it past him was going to be another matter entirely...
Selenia began what was an obvious attempt to taunt Watermark but Calico didn't know what Selenia was hoping to accomplish by doing so. The archer let out a silent sigh of frustration - what was the point of it all? After all, stopping the ritual had to come first. But Calico trusted Selenia enough not to stop her. Instead, she silently drew one of her sonic arrows, prepared to fire. Calico doubted that she could do anything to shatter the frozen walls, but in case Watermark was ready to try something reckless, maybe Calico would be able to fire and stun the mage with a well-aimed shot.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 14, 2012 4:56:43 GMT -5
"Huh?" Rainbow Dash's turned hence and back at the multiple reflections of her team, it seemed like they were practically surrounded. It was some kind of ice-mirror maze or something conjured up by this crazy unicorn, Watermark. She was told he was an exceptionally powerful water-mage, she thought he would actually put up a fight. But no, he was just hiding behind his ice walls. "What's the big idea, you too chicken to face us?"
As Dash tried to gain altitude white exploded in her eyes as a blinding pain hit her head. It appears there was even ice above them, confining them, making sure they couldn't use any powerful destructive abilities, lest they hurt themselves in the process.
"Yeah, I totally agree with ginger over there." The cyan mare called out, rubbing her sore head. "You're too afraid to just come at us, huh? Gotta hide behind fancy tricks? And here I thought you were supposed to be strong!" Ugh, this was way more Twilight's department than hers.
|
|