/mlpol/ - My Little Politics

>>392087
>The sight of the guards reaction drew a snort and a snicker from Amethyst herself at the absurdity of it all.
"The Crystal Empire might be better for me, but it would not be good for you. If we go somewhere temperate, we can both be equally miserable with the temperature!~"
>She considered more seriously.
"Though perhaps you should try not to draw attention to yourself, that shouldn't be hard, you're standing next to me after all."
>While she hadn't be received with hostility here, there was still that concern nagging at the back of her mind.

>As the travel came to an end, Amy looked around with wonder at an entirely different part of the world. It really was as big as her parents told her it was.
>It was also substantially cooler, which was very nice. The filly stretched her arms out, Stick still in hand as if the grasp the moon and stars from far away.
"Ooh, the sky stretches on forever..."
>It was very unlike the azure blues, hazy orange and beating yellow sun of the Saddle Arabian sky. Pretty in its own way, but uncomfortable for her.
>Her attention shifting back to earthly affairs, she examined the abandoned buildings. It was easy to see that they had not been touched in a long time, and not simply untouched, but avoided entirely. Curious.
"It matches the description, but why does it seem abandoned? Did something happe-?"
>Her gaze turned upwards to the mountain, following Lila's to see what had caught her attention.
>The mountain was scorched, as if the very Sun had descended upon it in a fury. It very much reminded her of the kind of Fire that Lila could bring, but on an unimagined scale.
>At Lilamaredre's shout, Amy cringed and surged forward, attempting to clamp a hand over the pegasi's snoot before her hot temper gave her away.
"Lila. Lila! Not here, not now."
>Amethyst didn't think she'd be able to stop Lila from rampaging, but she had to try.
>Recalling everything the pegasus had told her about her circumstances on that day many years ago, it was possible the rent and ravaged mountainside had been where Lila was the day she'd found herself transported to Tartarus.
>If somepony had indeed been trying to kill her, the perpetrator had left nothing to chance, or perhaps Lila had not been the target at all, merely collateral.
>By the gods, what force of nature was capable of something like this?
>That Lila had made it out must be a minor miracle.

>Nervously, kerbann closer to hand, Amethyst reconsidered her choices.
>There may be no answers for them here, not for the mystery of Razorback's location at any rate.
"Ahh, perhaps... We should just try the Crystal Empire instead after all. Come back and investigate all of this later?"

>>392090
>Allowing the contact for two seconds, the pegasus takes three rapid steps backwards, right foreleg raised in a hostile posture.
>Wings stretched outwards and feathers shedding drops of burning Elemental metal, little over forty degrees as New Canterlot was, the chill holds as Lilamaredre's eyes carry hatred beyond you.
"Do not touch me like that again-"
>Crouching down and leaping straight up, magnetic fields are torn apart in a chaotic mess around her, blooming into streaks of flame on an upward trajectory.
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7] <E.Flight
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <E.Magnetic Shift: Scramble
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8]
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5]
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <E.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] <Magnetic Disruption, Secuphyte
[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8]

"Ahhh, so there IS more to her than we have known thus far. Regardless of her appearance, my dearest Amy, parts of her are no longer pony. Offer respect, but do not fear."
"Then let us pray those are not the important ones, you craven heretic."
"How AMUSING it would be to see her rightful victims GROVEL as they SHOULD!"
"For once.. I can not disagree with you there."
"Amy, there are guards within. Hood up and obscure yourself, do not allow them to see without knowing if they are worthy of trust."

>Within the station on the far left side, on the left side, an empty counter had been surrounded by stacks of crates, boxes, and barrels.
>Rows of rather comfortable long couches throughout were mostly empty, though a few small groups were bunched together, snuggled under thick blankets, surrounded by a wide array of luggage and shipping boxes.
>In the center and right however, a hefty number of regally armored ponies had begun assembling, thick, shiny gold plating with bright white trim and heavy side-locking lances marked them as New Canterlot's Honor Guard, or similar enough unit.
>Skirting around the sleeping ponies inside, six full squads of ten exit through clear central doors, spreading out into loose formation; curiously, two bore short red helmet to neck crests, three more colored black, and one was a tall white.
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6] <Investigation
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]

>>392108
>Taking a step back, she raised a hand in placation, though very much in a dissimilar manner to earlier, exuding a steady resolve.
"I am sorry, but you were at risk of... Drawing attention, if you catch my meaning."
>Her glance turned subtly up towards the mountain again, nervousness showing.
>Whoever was capable of orchestrating a thing like that was certainly beyond either of them.
"We must move with caution. Place anger aside, a critical eye will serve you better here. There'll be a time for anger, but only once it can be levelled against its proper target. Okay?"
>Amethyst was careful to offer no wince at the realisation that Lila's teacher was likely no more, the pegasus did not need further provocation at the moment.
>Was she scared? Of course she was, not of Lilamaredre since that was an impossible thing, but for her? Certainly.

>Soft smile returning, Amy nearly cracked a joke about her mutant nature, but thought better of it. Lila may not be in the mood for funny things for some time.
"Okie dokie."
>Flipping the hood up and over her head once more, she checked the sleds to see if they were still attached and moved them off the translocation pad.
>It seemed as if Lila would not be satisfied until she had learned something of what had occurred on that day so long ago. Small matter, the very site was as good a place to begin unraveling that mystery as any.
>Though whatever trail could be picked up was likely long cold by now. It was difficult to process exactly how much time had passed on Tallus due to the irregular passage of time within Tartarus, certainly less.
>Perhaps the lingering energies in the area might tell her something. It may also be prudent to conceal her tail.
>Staff ahead, resonance on the air, dual magics channeled forth, one to sense the hidden, one to hide the sensable.

[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]

[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] < B. Perception
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]

[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] < B. Crystal Runes: Power
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]

>>392052
>He cocks his head slightly at Dul's less than clear explanation. Thankfully Shiibo offers a more accurate retelling.
'I see. Thank you.'
>Focusing intently on the Siren's descriptions, he attempts to parse her meaning.
(Acid core has the most connections. Ice, Earth, and Water are possible candidates. More songs? Crystalline core splitaway maybe? Magma and Void likely to be the most difficult.)

>Speaking up as the OT-5 makes for the fifth dome, he notes in a voice loud enough to be heard outside his helmet:
*"According to Dul, the Acid Core may be our easiest retrieval target. Ice, Earth, and Water are potentially more difficult. Magma and Void have also been identified, but will likely be uncooperative. I'm still unclear on the location of the Air Core and one other identified only as 'more songs'."*
>Looking away from the main viewscreens showing what was likely a similar growing dome for aquatic species, he speaks to Dul.
"We'll try to retrieve the Acid Core first then. What did you mean by 'more songs'? It had many songs in one?"

>Power: +1 to all Crystal Rune rolls

>>392110
>Disrupting most of her traces in flight, and scrambling the remainder into awkward lines, the blur of red transcends into bitterly hot silver-blue, leaving no Fire behind except as illogical patterns.
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7] <E.Flight
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7] <E.Magnetic Shift: Scramble
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <E.Scouting
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]

"The Burning Heart must either be allowed to cool slowly, or forcefilly extinguished. There can be no room for both without losing the useful natures of each."
"What marener of Sorcery would allow for such a harrowing existence?"
"One which you should be most familiar with, Brother. Is that not correct?"
"I do not detest the half-truths of your words, merely the smug tone and false accusations that come with it!"
"Be silent you two! Guards incoming, hide."
"OI! Wh-"
"And you as well!"

>Tapping into the heavily localized Elements, your.. slightly flat, hiccuped request to access them results in all senses drawn partially outwards.
>Mediocre Otherworlder resonations had been here some time ago, mixed with faint tangs of sharpness, duty, and great hopes.
>The Air was thin and distorted, it had suffered greatly: once grand, well taken care of, highly traveled Airstreams had been burned apart, creeping back over the wide city in slow, methodical measures from intense repair efforts.
>Minuscule fractures of Void existed in jagged, decaying pockets, few tiny creatures or concepts able to survive here due to an overbearing White mixed with Blind.
>A titanic being of the Overdark held claim over the city now, an impression of sheer horns swaying back and forth as the conqueror endlessly surveys what it presumed to be its property.
>There had been Ethereals, Vortex, Dominion, among others that weren't familiar, north of you across the ruined mountain side, but what remained were long dead pieces.
>From deep within the Earth, stretching outwards out for dozens of miles in all directions, all had been thoroughly corrupted and tainted by uncontrolled, wild Plasma.
>Buildings and land alike however held a peculiar, dangerous stench, one that caused your skin and coat to prickle: poor derivatives of the Empress' catastrophically failed defense weaponry.

>Sweeping harmonics around you into a well adjusted pattern, the sense that you were missing a tail and ears takes place, the hood shrinking down into .
>Feeling, but not believing, your hoofboots felt close to match the few styles Umakachov had brought, they were probably enough to pass for normal.
>Except for the design, which would definitely be unknown on Tallus.

>Two of the squads immediately stumble into, then fail to break through another, loud metal clanking, stone scraping, and snapping voices doing no favors for them.
"You idiots!"
"Watch your hooves!"
"Get out of our way then!"
"We were quite literally here first!"
>A pair of squads separate outwards, each taking position on either end of the train station, the white crested on the right side speaking aloud in a grim, dull mare's voice, followed by similarly harsh and rough younger mares.
"Explain the commotion and fast."
"Big Gravity surge out here, half minute prior."
"Near the stone?"
"Mmm... all around it. And us too. ...I think."
"Do better than think. Status?"
"Little bit of Fire, more traces than I can count in all directions.. excluding down."
"Must've been a serious Gravity enchant, local fields are in pieces. Not an infused manabomb?"
"Didn't hear an explosion."
"Same, no boom or shriek."
"No shards, pieces, fragmarents, or scent of destabilized kanpri either."
"Could be a bound spell then. Gray, what can you tell me for sure?"
"I can't smell much more than burned-"
>Feeling a horrific wince, three of the squad turn towards the center, armor scraping from each.
"Relax, we're all here now. Hooves down for a while everypony, eyes and ears until we know wha-"
"Ma'am! Moonside at one-thirty!"
>Helmet jerking right to face the west side, then scraping around to gaze upwards, the apparent leadmare takes a step backwards, then four more, Royal Guard squad moving into formation around her.
"Shit!"
>A static, brief magnetic click in air occurs as she speaks rapidly.
"This is Honor Guard Captain Fraylance requesting the closest available Blockade Wing to New Canterlot Main Station, need full count in heavy Ice and Water equipmarent! Unknown aerial contact, presumed Fire Elemarental! Contact location: circling above the mountain!
....when I said ABOVE the mountain, I explicitly meant ABOVE the mountain, as in CIRCLING it! Send them immediately!"
"Ma'am, most of them a-"
"I know! Defensive formation Ice-Five now!"
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11] <Investigation
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11]

>>392112
>Sharing refined readouts and calculations to Lonestar, the avatar bows, turning to investigate the Landbarge's degraded systems.
'You are most welcome, sir.'
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Directional Magnetic Analysis
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Gravity-Wave Research
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Material Stress Test Theorums
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array: Hardening
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11]
[1d6+10 = (5+10) = 15]

>Clicking into the radio, Lonestar snorts bemusedly, flicking a single light onto the definite aquatic dome.
*"That'd be the batpony. That one always liked Razorback most, and I think we preferred him above the rest. No cares, concerns, or worries, every night was better than the last. Funny too, not just puns.. that's a lot of missing Navarch and Ferron Coast flora."*
*"I recognize them as well. According to most of Razorback, the combined Ice-Crystal and Magma forms were exceptionally hard to speak with. Their thought patterns did not match up with either Crystal or earth ponies. Water was barely known except for playing a few pranks... to be fair, I did my best to NOT deal with any of them."*
*"Yeah, we didn't like them much either. Only Kraut and Lont got along with Magma, it just didn't think or.. act in ways we understood. And the Void unicorn was a monstrous pain in the ass. It had only four states: a raging dick, a maniacal dick, freaked the fuck out, and half-catatonic."*
*"Indeed. Air, the Gryphon... well, Air Cores are effectively limitless. Finding them is improbable at the best of times. We would need a dedicated Sorceror or pegasus whom knows precisely what to search for. ...unfortunately I do not even have rumors of a single pegasus Sorceror in Equestria."*

>Lips pursing and pointing the favored right forehoof at you, Dul mimics a short, crackling hum, next a calm, vibrating tone, then points at Lonestar, making soft popping noises, followed by whooshes.
"Lots sing Vortexes inside. You sing storms lots, sing quiet Void too. He sing bubbles in sleep. Lots waves when not sleep. Small, big, huge."
>Head craning around to nod towards Hodch, her voice considerably lower.
"Not same. He sing all songs. All songs sing.. back to, is word? Not on back. Is back at?"
>Turning back to face west, her eyes close, head tilting as the blue dome becomes a faded background glow in the screens.
"...hard feel songs there, there, there, there, there, there, there. Small-small-small. Not tiny. Dul not know why. Not feel why. Small-small-small threads, same songs. Lots songs.. mix, like storms. All confuse. All hurt. Share same-same songs, not share same-same threads.
Thread there... angry, hurt, mad. Feel it hate. Taste it hate. Not etam, not itam.. no honor, no dishonor. It want kill.'

>Head angled down, left leg sliding behind the right, 'Shiibo' places both hands on the opposite upper arm for a quarter minute.
'I..... have an incredibly haphazard, partially unfounded, thoroughly bastardized, barely professional hypothetical based on limited native species studies, and cross-references from numerous sources. A majority of the latter theories are quite sketchy. Said latter are, mostly, my own devising.
Threads in this context are likely referring to direct metaphysical, physical, mental, social, psychological, spiritual, and other connections which are often regarded as threads in equine sociology. These are doubtless directed towards specific individuals, which would be considered social bonds among ponies.
Dul, are you able to sense threads same-same as using your eyes?'
>Blinking several times slowly, the Siren tips her head down, up, closes eyes, opens, to either side, repeating the tests several times before nodding.
"Yes. Dul see threads easy. Dul sense threads. Same-same."
'Confirmed: threads are distinct impressions connecting individuals. Now for a... I do not know how to deem this. A conceptual test, possibly. Songs MAY be represented as memories.
Dul: can you remember the song from last night when you entered the.. first version of this traveling box?'
"Yes! It small-small then. Not lots funny tastes. Now is big. Lots funny tastes."
>Glancing from you to Lonestar, the avatar's face hardens, making a sharp 'do nothing' motion as she points down at the navy man.
'Dul, can you sing a specific song to Lonestar, this human, the one when and where you first saw Katyal?'
"Dul.. try?"
'Please take your time.'
>Reaching forwards with her left forehoof, the Siren stares at the pilot chair, squinting for a few seconds before Lone's hands jerk sideways, sitting back with a pained exhale.
*"You were sta- ..why am I not surprised..."*
'Lone, what did you observe?'
*"Uh-"*
*"Dude, say it."*
*"......every part of your body on display like a bunch of Three-Dee models imposed on each other all at the same time! Magnetic fields, Elements inside you, the ones in your clothes, weapons! With clothes, without clothes, what ponies think you'd look like as a Saddle Arabian mare!"*
*".....whatdidyoujustsay?"*
>Her words came out in a painfully cracked, horrified fast squeak.
'.....confirmed: songs are transmissible memories along with associated senses and knowledge relating to timeframe. .....also confirmed: the capability to.. share raw and refined information, including multiple visual spectrums. This has vast implications.
Katyal, please understand I meant no harm. What we needed was specific information to determine proper courses of action.'
*"I'm.... yeah, I do. I get it. We go for the Acid version first since it's better able to command the rest, and it'll be one of the best combatants too."*
>Digital head empty.
>No thoughts.
>Then the avatar outbursts in a confused, slightly horrified, yet background acknowledging tone, hands lifting to cover her face.
'I'm.. I.. that is.. NOT at all what I intended or meant! ...your.. suggestion is better than the three options I had poorly prepared.'

>Drifting towards the megastructure's center, dull, mixed gold, silver, and platinum shines down from the dome's ceiling, slowly brightening degree by degree.
[1d100 = 87] <Presentation
[1d100 = 23]

>>392117
"Being forcefully extinguished is what I'm afraid will happen to her."
>Well, Lila was gone anyway, all the way up, up and to the mountain.
>Amethyst moved aside as the guards scrambled past, taking note that they made no note of her presence. So the crystal runes had their affect at least in making her appear normal, or at least as normal as a hooded humanoid could look in Canterlot.

>She pondered the feedback she received from the myraid energies permeating the region. Some Otherworldly, that was almost certainly her dad and the other humans, truthfully she scarcely remembered all that he had spoken of regarding his initial arrival on Tallus.
>That the emotional states could still be identified amongst the lingering energies after so long a time was fascinating, and either spoke to sheer concentration or a great depth of emotional strength. Though perhaps Tallus was more open to the impression of such energies upon its fabric, she would have to perform a study to determine which.
>There had been a similar effect in Saddle Arabia upon the old battlefield, and that had almost assuredly been even older. Now that she thought of it, maybe it had something to do with extensive use of energy capturing historical states, like an ambered fly.
>Fire seemed to have ravaged the Air, no doubt Lila had sensed the same even before she had taken flight.
>There was Void, Ethereal, Dominion and Vortex too amongst others, yet now all she sensed lurking just beyond realspace was the gargantuan, overbearing presence of a thing from the Overdark.
>Amethyst was no good at physically transitioning herself into such alternate spectra, but even from realspace she could feel it. The fabric of Tallus was thin here, a disturbance at the wrong time and of the wrong type could rip it all asunder.
>The kerbann wouldn't find much variety in the energies it could absorb here, just Blinding White.

>Her attention now on the guards themselves, she took special notice of their shiny wargear. As with the Saddle Arabian guards, she'd have done anything to sneak into their armoury too.
>It was strange that they didn't seem to notice her, despite investigating everything else, or perhaps they were making a point to disregard her presence.
>She made not to get in their way as they went about their work, and they seemed to pick up fairly quickly on Lila's traces. Fire, Gravity, yup, that was her bestie to a T.
>With a turn to follow their gaze as they caught sight of her flying around, she cocked her head.
>Extremely baffling that they wouldn't question her about it, though a memory nagged over something her father and dam had said. Humans were not welcome in Canterlot.
>And Amethyst currently, mostly, resembled a human to the passing eye. She struggled to remember anything she had heard or read about it.

[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] < Senior Razorback (pre-Jewely 29,996)
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]

>A fleeting thought of mischief crossed her mind and her free hand twitched.
>The guards were incredibly boopable, and if they were ignoring her, they'd have to stand still and not react as she booped every single one of them.
>She took one, single step in their direction before thinking better of it.
"Mm. :3"
>Another time.

>Amy wandered over to the abandoned barracks. If it had been meant for Razorback, perhaps she could find some clue there while Lila was up the mountain surveying the palace remnants.
>She whispered to the puppets.
"I think they're ignoring us, so as long as we're not too loud and troublesome, they'll pretend we aren't here.~"
>The fillyish urge to mess with them rose in her joyous heart again.
>She wondered if she could get away with riding one while they pretended she wasn't there.
>No. Now was not the time for mischief. That comes later.

>>392129
"Such a task would be gruesome, my dearest. One cannot extinguish a raging inferno without seeking the cause from within."
"An open heart is like a fortress with its gates unbarred and the doors unguarded."
"....you insufferable witch, how da-"
"Shhh. We'z gotz ta be sneaky 'round da bea- ...oi, nah! Oi'z dun feel roight callin' dem roundies, dat's speciezizt!"
"..."
".."
"...."
"...wot!? It'z true!"
>For once, the other puppets RESPECTFILLY DECLINE to engage.

>Tactfully remaining at least twenty meters from you, the squads of Honor and Royal Guards, denoted by ornamarents, or house name engravings, collect into rigid arrow formations, watching Lilamaredre's trails across the Moon held sky.
>New magnetic lines flicker into lines outside of realspace, connecting the minority of unicorns to earth ponies, and a few pegasi.

>Thoroughly unwilling to accept a single drop of Blind, and unable to draw in Plasma, the Stick's organic processes felt annoyed, exacerbated by the out of reach pockets and distant Airstreams.

>Thinking back deeply on Umakachov's experiences, the fairly calm discussions had begun in portions, piecing Razorback's history together over time to present a full, albeit slightly burnt image, which was redacted in a few portions due to rather disgusting events.
>In late 29,995, the Company had been dispatched via train to reach Old Canterlot's Palatial-Fortress under Princess Celestia's request, and were to investigate reports of trouble on the way.
>During the train ride, several squads of Tainted, still remaining from the Lunar-Solar War, assaulted and had been successfully repelled each time, though not without a few deaths of particularly stupid humans.
>Encountering a large number of Ferron turned bandits from both the Sea's Bounty clan and Lishanki, they were soundly beaten into a surrender with help from a particularly violent, loud mouthed pegasus Enchained.
>Reaching the southern outskirts of Old Canterlot, a team was sent in, though another Operator and Umakachov had noticed five humans were, amusingly, replaced by Changelings on an intelligence gathering mission.
>Within the Palatial-Fortress, a long considered deceased earth pony General by the name of Sharonel waited.
>A restricted Psion of some note, she was surrounded by thousands more Tainted within the ruin, keeping them calm with her presence and occasionally singing, likewise preventing them from leaving to assault potential trespassers.
>A short battle erupted after being shot and insulted, killing one human before decreeing there was no point to the conflict, then collapsed the Palatial-Fortress on itself in the hopes that the Tainted would be released from their tormarent.
>Returning from the excursion to New Canterlot, specifically here, an hour or so late, Umakachov and the other Operator had noticed the unusually cleared path's sides and most of the Palace were filled with invisible observers, but could not determine whom or what.
>Reaching one of Princess Celestia's private meeting rooms, the majority of Razorback cared nothing, or little, to properly phrase the catastrophic failure and death of Celestia's favored adopted daughter, including bringing up the completely unrelated visit to Queen Chrysalis in the Hive, which he noted had greatly infuriated her.
>The objectively bad reporting caused the situation broke down, with most in the room forced to flee; though your sire had little understanding what tossing a long unused Elemental trap to combat a Sunglobe would do, he could not have known it would be catastrophic.
>Razorback would return to the same station you were currently standing in front of, though the description he gave was a little different, and boarded the train right as the near-complete destruction of New Canterlot Palace occurred.
>Two humans survived direct exposure simply by being in the Plasma epicenter, which your sire noted as causing odd behaviors, sometimes bizarrely so, and rarely coherent effects with those close by.
>From that point onward, the majority of Solars would treat Razorback in one of four mareners: treated distantly, as if humans did not exist, were to be shamed, or avoided out of their own guilt.

>An unarmored ear from the central squad directly ahead swivels around, twitches several times, then rotates forwards to flatten.

"An unusual circumstance: being discreet and unobtrusive, yet not needing to be."
"Why not survey them for a bit? Perhaps they have something of.. value."

>Losing most of her fury and flames, Lila banks around in wide circles around the lowest pathway, the motion slowing her down to get a far better look.
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <Investigation

[1d53 = 15] <Shard

*****
>The Moors:
[1d6 = 1] <How much of the original Prophecy was true?
[1d10000 = 799] <Moor Cult Formation: Dedicants of The Black Sun
[1d2 = 2] <Choose a new home from the recovered locales, or create one of our own?
[1d2 = 1] <Carve out a natural holy place, or build a new temple?
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <Security Measures
[1d1000+100 = (432+100) = 532] <Lunar Adherent Joiners
[1d100+10 = (43+10) = 53] <Ferron Joiners
[1d50+5 = (17+5) = 22] <Navarch Joiners
[1d6 = 3] <Lunar Faction Interest
[1d6 = 2] <Citadel Interest
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Sister-Adherent Cults
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <Brother-Adherent Cults
[1d6 = 5] <That Which Is Not White
[1d6 = 6] <That Which May Not Be White
[1d6 = 5] <These Definitely Aren't White
[1d6 = 2] <The Black: Additional Acceptance
[1d6 = 3] <The Black: Direct Interest
[1d6 = 4] <The Black: Indirect Interest
[1d6 = 5] <The Void: Inherit Your Trust
[1d6 = 4] <The Void: Direct Support
[1d6 = 5] <The Void: Additional Support
[1d6 = 2] <The Void: Indirect Support

[1d6+190 = (5+190) = 195] Construct Riftseeker, Opening
>vs:
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #1
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #2
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #3
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #4
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #5
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #6
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #7
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #8
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #9
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <Continental Invasion Carrier Primary Maniple #10
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #1
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #2
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #3
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #4
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #5
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #6
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #7
[1d6+3 = (2+3) = 5] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #8
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #9
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <Continental Invasion Carrier Support Maniple #10
[1d6+26 = (3+26) = 29] <Battleship-class Assault Lander, Paired Support
[1d6+13 = (1+13) = 14] <Argus-Behemoth Destroyer, Paired Support
[1d6 = 5] <Mercy's Trust
[1d6 = 3] <...how much of a taste does she sneak?

*****
>New Canterlot:
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Main Solar Sub-Faction Reintegration
[1d6 = 2] <Reintegration Difficulty
[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2] <Secondary Solar Sub-Faction Reintegration
[1d6 = 1] <Reintegration Difficulty
[1d6 = 2] <Tertiary Solar Sub-Faction Reintegration
[1d6 = 5] <Reintegration Difficulty
[1d6 = 2] <External Solar Sub-Faction Reintegration
[1d6 = 6] <Reintegration Difficulty
[1d6 = 5] <Unwilling Sub-Factions
[1d6 = 3] <Reluctant Sub-Factions
[1d6 = 1] <Non-Participating Sub-Factions
[1d6 = 5] <Neighgotiating Sub-Factions
[1d6 = 6] <Indisposed Sub-factions
[1d6 = 5] <Civil Support
[1d6 = 2] <Trade Support
[1d6 = 3] <Cultural Support
[1d6 = 4] <Militia Support
[1d6 = 1] <Day Guard Support
[1d6-1 = (3-1) = 2] <Royal Guard Support
[1d6 = 2] <Honor Guard Support
[1d6 = 1] <Solaris Guard Support, Minor
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <New Canterlot Noble Support
[1d6-2 = (5-2) = 3] <New Canterlot Royal Support

[1d6 = 1] <Corsen
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <Venous
>vs:
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8] <???

*****
>Stalliongrad:
[1d46 = 19] <Faction Consolidation
[1d6 = 1] <Consolidation Difficulty
[1d6 = 4] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Available
[1d6 = 3] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Sealed
[1d6 = 5] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Untouched
[1d6 = 5] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Fresh
[1d6 = 1] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Secret
[1d6 = 5] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Outer
[1d6 = 6] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Claimed
[1d6 = 4] <Councilierge Stockpiles, Purchased
[1d6 = 1] <Lead Councilierge Approvals, September 39th 29,998
[1d6 = 5] <Internal Hostility
[1d6 = 6] <External Hostility

*****
>Gryphon Kingdoms:
[1d6 = 5] <Reintegration
[1d6 = 1] <Anfang & Vale Cohesion
[1d6 = 6] <Kingdom Support
[1d6 = 3] <Kingdom Military Support
[1d6 = 2] <Kingdom Eyrie Militia Support
[1d6 = 4] <Kingdom Mercenary Support
[1d6 = 2] <Pegasi Faction Support
[1d6 = 3] <Overking's Amusement

*****
>Razorback Fortress:
[1d6 = 1] <Divided Expectations

>>392121
*"Then we'll have to hope his Air form notices us."

>Pareidolia's brow furrows behind his helmet visor as Dul describes yet another apparently murderous Elemental Core.
*"... By Dul's description, may be best advised to avoid those domes occupied by an Elemental Core. All encountered so far have killing intent."*

>Immediately realizing Shiibo was performing an experiment regarding the nature of Siren perception, he is content to observe and acknowledges her request with a closing of his eyes and raising of his brow.
>Acquiesence turns to slight surprise as the sheer amount of information conveyed exceeded his expectations.
(If Sirens 'see' all such forms as they are at will, that is an incredible amount of information. Extensive potential applications... )
>Nodding at Shiibo despite her unintended saving of face by Katyal, he speaks to her alone.
'You are correct. The implications are major and the possible applications are numerous. The details can be refined later, but pursuing that hypothesis was effective. Well done.'

>Looking past her display on his helmet screen, he looks over the viewscreens out into the megastructure for any notable details.

[1d6 = 1] <E. Perception
[1d6 = 5]
[1d6 = 4]

>>392155
>Amethyst giggled at the failed attempt at bait.
"You'z'll get 'em next time, boss."
>Thinking back on what she had heard now that she remembered it, Amy also thought it was strange to use an Elemental Trap on a Sunglobe. Plasma did not like being contained, surely they had known that attempting to would only aggravate those energies further.
>Looking up towards Lila again, she pondered whether or not she should tell the pegasus what she knew. It was strange to consider that nobody had told her prior to now, that was a certainty given her reaction upon seeing the ravaged mountain.
>No, she couldn't keep what she knew a secret, not from Lila. No matter if it upset her or what it might change between them, her fillyhood friend had to know.

>Amethyst lingered by the grounds and gazed back towards the guards, catching the ear movement and staring directly at that guard.
>The mask slipped.
>She waved back in a friendly manner, they may not respond, but they would still see it.
":3"
>Oh yes, she did not have to poke and prod them to mess with them, she could get under their skin at range.
>Amethyst remained where she was and made a range of silly faces and friendly gestures at the one particular guard to see if she could get them to react again, even as she surveyed the group at large.
>She whispered between bouts of goofing off.
"We're not sneaky enough to acquire gifts, but it's still nice to window shop."

[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] < B. Perception
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5]

>>392160
>Tapping her arms in thought briefly, 'Shiibo' straightens up, chin raising at a series of new diagnostics, in addition to implementing modifications against the Landbarge's accumulating problems.
'Limited data regarding Elemental wavelengths, frequencies, and what I are PRESUME to be mass-scale magnetic bandwidths; pseudo, magical, individually based. Cores, active Elementals, and Elemarentals emit, produce, harness, and bend particles around themselves, which we are typically incapable of detecting except as resonance or background echoes.
Air as an Element is inherently based on the Airstreams, a fusion of Lightning, Storms, Air, Couds, Force, Gravity, possibly Aether, and potentially Vortex. Pegasi, batponies, native and acclimated Harpies, and some Gryphons inherently recognize its existence, as do specifically Air-aligned unicorns. Conducting limited scale searches now.'
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Airstream Detection Theorums
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Magnetic Bandwidth Cross-Reference
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Reverse Elemental Resonant Analysis
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array: Broad Scale Elemental Particle Study
[1d6+10 = (3+10) = 13]
[1d6+10 = (5+10) = 15]
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11]

*"Damn, this place has gone from weird to indescribable. I don't think she means the domes, dude. Twenty-eight sections north and south, right? So far twelve are connected to you and Lone. Spiral started as how many Elements?"*
*"Six, then seven. He did marention another several times but I do not know what he meant."*
*"Right. So, he goes from seven to twelve at some point, almost doubling the number of Elementals."*
'In the event a further five were acquired and split off from the original's psyche, That would make him a Triple.'
*"..what?"*
'Ponies call it a Triple, also known as the Best Travel Number. The total individuals in traditional Equestrian traveling herds is twelve, rarely deviating from such. Spiral had an overwhelming number of unresolved issues, projects, and construction efforts which he decreed could not be solved by the six, then seven plus one possible unknown.'
*"Yeeeaaahh... kinda weird, but okay. Starting to make sense other contributing factors were involved. Acid likes humans most, rest didn't. I say have Dul point out the most likely ones, get them to confront resistance, then have those battle it out to take control of the rest. That sound better?
And which Cores got added, any idea?"*
'Your modified suggestion is accepted. And, no, the potential or additional Elements are speculative at this time. Dul does not seem to be aware of, nor comprehend, which specific Elements may comprise newer Spiral forms or versions.'
*"Nevermind then. Heeeeey... that's not something I've seen before-"*
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9] <Investigation: Hodch
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <Investigation: Katyal

>The avatar takes on a troubled expression, head shaking several times while digging through databases from 'Tipper', a huge number of recently activated Fortress server files, while Dul continues staring forwards, ears flicking from time to time.
'In a manner of speaking: I have become enlightened, and in doing so discovered new fears. The probable consequences due to those implications are vast, sir. Hundreds of internal warnings regarding each have been temporarily dismissed. 39% are existential, 22% biological, 15% cultural, remainder mixed.
I will require an unknown amount of to create a formal review regarding tangible dangers of Vortex Plane assimilation.'
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8] <E.Electronic Warfare: Speculative Theoreticals
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7] <Siren's Gaze
[1d6 = 3]

>North and south, the Elemental sections were partially clear, determining faint, distinct colors between incredibly thick barriers separating each.
>The three northmost were faded, tiny reflections of neon blue hues, while the surrounding were dim earth, stone, and metallic tones, fading into obscure colorations.
>Southernmost were blacked out, strobing pulses of contained Void colorations apparent in the central, one a faint white, another clear-blue, one a bitter, hazy neon green, and directly opposite covered in small flashes of electricity.
>The set up was nothing short of a secure, dedicated testing facility.

>Directly forwards, a new section ahead rises into view:
>Consolidating into a single beam of artificial Moonlight, a minute circular platform raises, two long, low tables of a rather unusual archaic pattern solidifying atop it, then a wide variety of chairs, benches, couches, seats, and rugs spaced around the outside of each.
>Reading through the Landbarge II's arrays, 'Shiibo' turns rigid, tossing out a notation of fully controlled, semi-organic particle synthesis occurring.
>Dull gray, statuesque figures step into view from the far west edge; earth pony, Crystal pony, unicorn, pegasus, Saddle Arabian, Neighsian, Minotaur, a native Harpy, Sheep, Ram, a long serpent, a common drake, a small wyrm, and last a tiny Tallus dragon.
>Numerous cloaked and hooded ones stand behind, barely seen from the back light: four bipedal, one absurdly tall and thin, one broader than the Minotaur, one short and squat enough to be a dwarf, another extremely short, four quadrupedal, another little more than an elongated oval.

>Lonestar glances up, nods, then eases off the control sticks, slowly skewing the vehicle to face northwards before settling into a short descent.
>Releasing a grimly frustrated exhale at tracks clank onto rigid stone, he takes the headset off and places it down, turning the chair around, leaning forwards as both hands rub his face.
*"Shiibo, power weapons down into tertiary cycles. I do not like the thought of pissing off our hosts]. Rerculon, remain in active status, priority one: extremis fighting retreat on my order.
Hodch?"*
*"We accept the invitation. Shut down all comms excluding gravitic channels. Join me outside, fully armed of course. We will approach as a group, unless Katyal decides to investigate. And if you would prefer to split off, Pare, now is the time to do so, though that is a long walk between each section."*

[1d100 = 31] <Reception
[1d100 = 25]
[1d100 = 68]

>>392163
"Oi'z gunna troi!"

>It was no good.
>She'd noticed you and was paying the price, small body motions towards her indicating no small amount of contention.

>Left eye twitching a few times, the right focuses to determine the mixture of Royal and Honor Guards were clearly Elites, rigidly cohesive in their squads.
>Lacking the constant polishing marks of lower grades, their armor was a specialized composite, one which Umakachov was never able to find out more than 'classified', little blemished by hard service and combat alike.
>Weaponry was a different matter as the presenting faces gleamed with an excellent variety of potent enchantmarents; armor disruption, anti-Elemental, specialized Elemental, and large scale versions which weren't familiar enough to categorize.
>Spotting hefty, neatly ordered small saddlepacks and flank satchels colored to match armor, the shapes within were fairly normal, consisting of numerous bandages, common alchemical bottles, wire rolls, though a few spheres and odd canisters were distributed equally.
>While you wished you could see through the plating, small crystal-on-metal noises indicated each had some form of pendant, hoofband, or other.

"Amy, why not give them a little poke, or perhaps two, hmm? Surely they will not mind such an.. innocent act, yeeessss?"

>Right of the station barely 30M, a jet black vortex opens, allowing a tall, brilliant platinum-white coated, flame wreathed, and quite ceremonially gold armored mare to exit.
>Stepping forwards to halt and delivering three loud tsk’s, chunks of heavily refined, stable Plasma roll off her, only setting the gateway ablaze.
"You all must relax, my sweet yet ever so flammable ponies! I must also insist you rescind the order at once."
>Jolting right as one, the white crested leadmare’s squad spread out in a sharp reverse V, the others rushing into formations behind.
"That is no-"
"MA'AM-"
"Quiet."
>White crested mare quieting the two, she steps forwards, halting upon reaching 5M from the presumed Princess, helmet tilting left slightly.
"You are not the Sun Princess. A Shard of the Tyrant, correct?"
>Wings stretching outwards and sinking into a deep, revered bow, the false-alicorn offers a dainty, polite exhale, the voice echoing faintly in crackling flame.
"Of course I am not Her. Regardless of what we are called, I am a small, coherent, and decently capable fraction of Her refined Solar majesty. We are immeasurably tiny pieces when separated from the whole' often foalish brutes, ignorant reflections, or emotionally overwhelmed. I am one of the six which act as a proper warmare should.
You would know me well as the fragmarent whom saved General Plainstrider before the final Verdant Plains battle concluded.. oh, when was that?"
>Standing to full height, left wing folding against her side, the right extends out to cup her chin.
"Hmmmmm.. a decade, o two perhaps. I am little capable of measuring time, not that such minute vagaries matter.
Now, why have you summoned me forth to this far too bright, dreary, mostly lifeless place?"
>Making no motion to look backwards, the leadmare's voice comes out flat, gesturing upwards with a front hoof.
"I do not think we called you, however.. that."
>Languidly turning around with heavy stomps, and patting the Solar gateway to prevent it from collapsing, the Plasma mare's head raises, ears twitching bemusedly.
"Mm. I see. No cause for alarm. Have you rescinded the order yet?"
"..no."
>Head craning back, burning eyes roll in sincere graciousness, then swivels around in a smooth motion, eyebrows lifted expectantly.
"Then please do so. This is none of your concern, nor ours. If such a being desired to cause harm or damage, it would have committed such by now. A rather obtuse search pattern is of no trouble.
Now I must leave, there are marely ponies for the Sun to find still, and much to rebuild!"
>Proffering a short, regal bow towards the sixty Guard, the Solar fragmarent steps towards the city with a loose, droll expression on her face as the gateway finally does collapse, leaving behind a small amount of soot.
"TYRANT!"
>Halting midstride at the leadmare's shout, both ears swivel backwards, placing hooves down.
"Yes?"
"Will you become part of the Solar Princess once your tasks have been completed?"
"Indeed. My purpose here has been fulfilled.. though I am uncertain as to how. The why is simple. Nonetheless, I shall rejoin the Sun immediately for I am to bring Her some measure of comforts: a number of Her favored ponies escaped ignoble deaths.
Ahh, that silly, hoofsome stallion, what a fool he was to claim the ground was his to defend.."
>Finally taking notice of you to her right, the mare's snout crinkles as a modest, pleased smile creases her muzzle.
"What a most delicate and enchanting staff you bear. Cute hoofboots as well. Have an excellent Night, young one."
>Head dipping left and down in a formal marener, she continues onwards in long strides before settling into a moderately high stepping two-point trot, tail flicking back and forth eagerly.
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <Solar Recuperation

"....ma'am, this is NOT going in our reports."
"I w-"
"NO!"
>Helmet shaking once at the chorus of voices, the leadmare leans sideways in a heavy motion, snorting dismissively.
"Then I suggest we all forget the last ten minutes happened. Back on patrols."
>Separating back into squads, it was painfilly obvious each was doing their best to not look in your direction, five taking stock of each other while the leadmare's continue watching.

"Iz dat a ghost?"
"To a point, it may have been."
"Or is."
"Or was."
"Perhaps, though in full control of itself."
"Like a Wraithblade struggling to find the pieces it has lost, not knowing it is still whole and slumbering in peace."
"....Amy. That one bearing the white crest. Her saddle appears rather exquisite."
"…..yeeeessss! YEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!"
“My Lord, are you… well?”
“E’z roight, dat’z da biggest an’ da strongest! Show ‘er who da tallest Boss is!”

>>392167
>Frowning at the distinct sense of contention, Amethyst ceased her fun making towards the poor guard. She was likely going to receive a reprimand later, no fun.
>Expressing her support for the guard's entirely understandable error of noticing her, the ipotane blew a raspberry at the white crested guard.
"I am very tempted to poke the one with the white crest just to see if her facade is as strong as she believes it to be. Right. In. The. Snoot!~
>She paused for dramatic effect.
"Twice.~"

>Before she could do anything however, a vortex opened and utterly distracted her, saving the guard from her mischief.
>No... She knew this sensation.
"Oh no not more Fire!"
>The filly was not quiet about it as she whined. Cutely.
"We just got out of the Saddle Arabian daaay!~"
>Collapsing like a wet noodle.
"It's over, I'll melt into a crystal puddle! Tell Lila... She can't... Use all the coals at once! Her flanks will get fat and... She... won't be able to fly!"
>She sighed in utter surrender, closed her eyes, and braced for the inevitable.
>...
>The inevitable was taking its time being evitable...
>The filly cracked an eye open as the big firey tyrant pony conversed with the guards. The temperature had not gone up at all.
>Oh wow, she was really good at keeping her Fire in check. Unlike Some. She. Could. Name!
>Springing back to her hooves like a spring, complete with an unbidden spring noise, Amethyst returned a grin to the bossmare's smile.
"Thanks boss! I like your wargear!~"
>Amethyst bowed with a flourish.

>Once the Tyrant had left, the ipotane blew another raspberry at the guards.
"Hee! Sounds like your wargear needs more Juggernaut puppies printed on them!~"
>They appeared to pointedly not acknowledge the taunt as they left, but she knows they heard!
>She shouted after the one with the crest.
"We like your saddle though! It's very fancy!"

>Once silence reigned again, Amy proffered an open question.
"I wonder if I'll end up that tall when I grow up? Who will I ride then?"
>Nopony.
>The filly shuddered at the thought.
>A great, big pony shaped golem would just not be the same.

>>391578

("Yep, those mirrors should be everything. Oh and, don't know a Coralline Quell but I did recall a bunch of cultists with their hoods down around. You should catch Stellar Claw while you can. Anyways, thanks Stoneflux!")
>Clemency puts that Moon Orb back to where it was before he heads out

>Looking around, the only noises from the large caravan was moving equipment
>No markets stalls were set up, only transport and they were silent too
>Must be the secrecy they're known for

>Clemency grins back at the batpony when he reaches her at the gunship
>He looks over to where Stellar pointed to and saw the monolith lit up with holograms
> Clemency walked over and looked at them closely, marveling at the resolution of the images
>Especially the model shown, reminding him of his encounter of a similar one on the Citadel
"Maybe the modern ones are evolved from the past models. There should be something gleaned from these images..."
>He takes a looks at their capabilities concerning deployments
>After a while, he decides to come back to it after looking at the gunship
"Lifeweave? Makes sense given what the material seems capable of doing."

>Clemency is startled from the voice he heard as the canopy opens
>He begins inspecting the pilot's cabin, noting the damage throughout
>But no interface, just a chair
*"What is your name?"*

>He looks over to Stellar Claw
"Very stark. There's a long seat, damage all over the cockpit like an explosion, and no interface."
>Looking back into the cockpit, he sees the old Airstreams
"There's also old Airstreams. Stubborn ones that didn't leave after all those years."

>>392005
>Bubba would let out a small snort.
"It's filled with insanity, full stop. I wasn't expecting to fight an ugly motherfucker tonight."
>Seeing the explosions fly out towards the creature, Bubba would be put a bit at ease.
>If the squad leader was willing to use explosives, Bubba would figure it would be okay to do so as well.
>Taking a deep breath, he would summon his Construct cannon, sighting it in and aiming it at the upper torso to ensure no shrapnel would commit the cardinal sin of friendly fire.
>He wouldn't want to ruin the group's fun after all, lest one of them decides to turn it towards him.
>Before firing, he'd ensure that he would muffle the sound of the rocket going off, to ensure ear drum safety and lessen the tinnitus.
[1d6 = 4] <M. Stealth
[1d6 = 4]
[1d6 = 3]
[1d6 = 4]

>woe
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] <Construct Cannon
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]
[1d6 = 6] <Bleed

>>392174
"Make it three times."
"No, they all deserve it for ignoring you!"
"Indeed. You have been most pleasant towards them. Such a lack of decorum should be responded to with.. drastic measures, wouldn't you say?"
"Loot dem ALL!"
"YEEEESSSS!"
"..."
"Wot?! Yu'z betta n-"
"I was thinking of the proper words with which to agree with you that do not involve barbaric measures!"
"...Oi wuz gunna say ta grab 'em once. Ya know, tezt da softezt wunz so yu'z know fer later!"
"That is.. for once, a logical thought."
"DEN sneak back an' take ta best wun wif ya!"
"And there it is.."
"Be careful with your words, witch. One would serve as an effective force multiplier and potential deterrent. General, how would you rate these guards?"
"Hm. Without full profiles and dossiers available, I would say between a veteran Tempestus Scion and a Kaskrin. Good weapons, better armor overall, yet not environmentally sealed unless that is a function we are not seeing."
"See! Oi'z roight!"

>More than ten now had taken full notice of you and were trying hard not to, causing a ripple effect as ears swivel for a second, or two, possibly three.
>One rather pale orange crested helmet in the leadmare's squad turns briefly, thoroughly unable to contain raging curiosity.

>Clattering onto stone, several low, mareish sighs, amused snorts, and a short, cut off laugh are heard while you absorb the cool, unfortunately neutral ground, though one asks several rapid questions.. in snooty unicorn.

>Calling over her shoulder, the large mare delivers a quick, blazing wink back to you.
"Most appreciated dear one, and yours are excellent as well! These were hoofmade by Grandmasters of the Royal Hegemony Armory as a gift, you should search for them!"

"Perhaps you may, or perhaps not. The future is so... crystalline."
"There is always a bigger one out there somewhere, Amy."

>Grating hoofboot against snout mask with an incessant groan, the white crested mare's helmet cocks, then speaks aloud.
"No. At ease for now."
>Turning about to approach you, the Honor Guard halts at arms' length and studies you through the illusion clone appearance while her squad commences to do.. nothing.
>Helmet turning to indicate the squads behind, her voice hardens several fractions into harsh sarcasm.
"Come to see the ruins, or are you here to mock us like the other humans have? My platune is among the few that survived the event here almost two years ago. We were all here that night and witnessed most of it, so I do not care for standing orders or holding decorum to your species."

>Rolling sideways to drift down in a lazy circle, Lila had returned to vaguely normal, streaks of red marring her coat and mane.
>Landing off to the right in a long scraping pattern, the pegasus clicks towards you, halting four feet from your left.
>Glancing over the Royal and Lunar guards, a subdued scowl creases her muzzle before snorting.
"I have seen all I need. Where shall we travel next?"
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <Findings

>>391908
>Yeah, I could figure out that she was in pain.
>I just give the tendril a look of amusement, before shaking my head and focusing back on Wild.
>I will have to watch that repair tendril's career with great interest.
"I would suggest holding off on attempting to modify me until we get back to Razorback, Wild. Someone more... technologically adept, and advanced, might be able to give you better information than I could on the subject."
>I could only hope she doesn't decide to experiment on me before then.

>I stay quiet for a moment, before deciding to speak.
"To be fair if you weren't welding underwater, we may have been ignored by it."
>I was going to be hit by one of those tendrils, I knew it.
>And I would have to think on who else I could get to talk to her.
>Maybe Steel Blitz.

>I nod approvingly at the repair job she's done so far, ignoring the grease.
>It was necessary or something, I'm sure.
"So far so good, with what you've got."

>>392191
("You're welcome, take care! I'll try to finish these, then see if she wouldn't mind chatting for a bit.")

>Scribbling out several words quickly, Stellar sets the tome down to puzzle over incredibly old, basic versions dating back close to 15,000 years.
"If this is evolution, the entire progression is lost on me. That's what I mean right there, earlier Constructs were simple. Tough, sturdy, thicker armor, hard to destroy weapons, far fewer components, could repair fast. A few two, then three role versions show up later, but we aren't seeing command models anywhere between those stages."
>Rolling through considerably later models, the majority of these functioned like the Scout/Sentry hybrids from Skykeep, except in far more variations.
>Primarily functioning as expected, reports denoted extremely quick repairs, near-instant weapon and system swaps, and marginal flexibility.
"That's the interim ones. Can quickly reform sections of their body into weapons, armor, or support.. units I suppose. Some three to four role ones, but those are rare. In Maniples they had some form of what we think was a leader, but then comes the multiroles and dedicated models about five thousand years ago."
>Now displaying modernized models, the majority of which you'd seen descendants of while on the Citadel, then switching to showing off hyper-specialized versions.
"These, the pre-modern variations. Lots of dual specialists, highly specialized, then ones with ultra specialized purposes that only arrive to perform a single task. Those were deployed right as the Early Dynasty was declared.
What I don't get is why modern Constructs have lost most of the earlier advantages. Now they're so complex the entire system of deploying Maniples requires significant numbers of command pairs dedicated to analyzing and countering battlefield tactics, and they use support from their own landers. Before the Dynasty those would simply leave, then return to pick up the survivors.
It's like thousands of damaged hiveminds merged together and started overcompensating for limited resources, which isn't possible given how impossibly huge the Rift Plane is."
>The mare carefully rubs her snout before sighing heavily, then continues writing at a slower pace.
"There's a few hundred thousand theories but few of them are correct. Constructs are somehow evolving backwards and I can't understand why."

>Unable to articulate the individual words of what might have been a response, it was a much older dialect which bore similarities to middle Navarch era pegasi, though the sharper up-down tones, quick cadence with limited time between, and inflections were closer to ancient batpony.
*"Mineself havest ae.. mayhaps passable meaning. 'Tis ae 'Shared-Air Reaver', sixteenth built of thee fifth line for Sixth Fleet. Sayeth loosed from docks year of two-zero-two-five-three, aefter Night of Hate's Vigil.
...odd phrases Sixth Fleet had. Long-intercept first in line, scout-layer second, fast-strike-assault, short-range-strike, gun-ship, swarm-carrier, heavy-force-projection, assault. More minself nae understand.
Translations slow ye grace. Sixth Fleet codices carry own tones, phrases, little used aefter save within records. Upon Seventh Fleet's destruction mine kin's languages become three: Tallus, battle, aen Lunar."*
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <???

"Not familiar, controls might be hidden or something. I've been on trains and some of the newer ships, usually there's space for two or three. Battle damage means there probably wasn't a replacemarent, willing volunteers, or was placed to rest for honorable service.
And do you mean they're not leaving right now, at all?"
>Carefilly biting onto the charcoal stick, the batmare's head tilts right, eyebrows raising with a puzzled expression.
"Hang on, that's not right. Airstreams don't stay in one place. Either there's a huge enchantmarent or.. I dunno, lemme think a bit."
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <E.Research
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Senior Airstreams
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]

>>392213
>Lifting up each section of external armor to check for possible contents, Nine spares five seconds to study the doppelganger.
"Not much of a fight, really. And I'm starting to think it was mostly dead to being with."
>Drawing a jagged piece of chalk out from a thick exterior flank plate, she replaces it, a resentful groan ringing out at a particularly loud chunk of something exploding across the creature's left side, which showers half the Rune Knights.
"Nope, nothing useful.. and there goes MY chances of visiting a spa before morning. Bet I'll be the one stuck performing decontamination for at least ten hours.."

>Partly fading the bright orange weapon by sinking it into a lower Void spectrum, the shriek is muted to a dull, flat barking tone, arcing well overhead of the fray at a strange angle-
>Directly into what used to be the upper throat left of its jaw, further ripples of shrapnel tearing into unresistant dull brown-gray muscle, although a few cracks indicate something hard had been struck as well.

"Mother of hooves!"
>Released from the weight, Nine merely stares down at you with a look caught between impressed, surprised, puzzled, and slightly jealous.
"That's one of the OLD Construct weapons, those haven't been seen for almost three thousand years! Where'd you even find one, and how does it completely disappear without leaving a tra-"

>Cut off by a series of immense snaps, Starborn, Lorekeepers, and Rune Knights alike race out of the thing's path as it falls straight down into itself.
>Landing with sloshy, loud tearing noises, shards of fluorescent pink and decayed bone fracture out from the corpse, its own dead weight destroying what stolen life remained.
>Sections of the familiar crystalline begin spreading at random speeds across its volume, warnings shouted and directed to avoid contamination.

>Soulglyph taking stock of combatant numbers, there didn't seem to be a single injury... barring a number of expensive, difficult to repair statues, but sorting out the damage would probably take ten minutes.
>And weeks more if Amerose returned soon.

>Kicking stone underneath, Nine grumbles in a sour and flat tone.
"I am so incredibly tired of missing out on all of the fun kills.."

*****
Bubba gains: 2XP, and a memory FEW can top!

>Faction Changes:
Crystal Lorekeepers: +3
Councilierge: +5
Gozka: +5
Lunar Adherents: +5
The Citadel: +5

>>392226
"Fight is fight, if we're shooting at it, it counts."
>Bubba would glance over at her as she makes a vocal noise, before focusing.

>Bubba would hum a bit as he plants the rocket directly into the creature like an uppercut, getting back up on his feet as the cannon disappears, rolling his shoulders.
>He looks over at Nine, giving her a bit of a grin.
"I'll tell you when you're older."
>Turning back to the doppleganger, he would watch as it finally dies, collapsing down into itself.

>Observing the damage, Bubba would be adequately impressed by the lack of casualties.
"Hey, at least nobody was damaged by it. Aside from some statues, we all came out on top."
>Some literally.

>>392164
>Watching Shiibo's display as she attempts to isolate Airstream current wavelengths, he notes:
'With our limited equipment, high returns are unlikely. But if you find anything actionable, inform us.'

>Listening to the chatter regarding the number of divisions Spiral had undergone prompted a moment of recall. The passphrase Spiral had coined.
*"Spiral had placed emphasis on the phrase 'ten bodies, one mind' at one point. For the divisions to have continued here beyond ten would mean his psyche must have progressively deteriorated."*

>He frowns at Shiibo's mentioning of new concerns.
'Noted. Pause processing the review for the duration of the operation. We need to focus on primary objective priorities. I don't want any new concerns added to either of our lists before we've stabilized Spiral within Razorback.'

>Crossing through the periphery of the partitioned dome, Pareidolia notes cordoned sections for each Element, but before he can consider the implications of wandering into a potential testing chamber a raised platform appears towards the front of the transport in the distance.
>His eyes widen as matter printing takes place on the screens.
(They've achieved that too?)
*"That's... matter synthesis and printing... process looks nearly identical to the mass fab-print stations... "*
>Attention being drawn to the gathering seemingly made of stone facsimiles of species both known and unknown, he unSticks himself from the hull and moves to stand by the exit hatch of the pilot compartment.
*"My sole priority is retrieving as much of Spiral as possible. Consolidating with the group is my best chance of achieving that. The scale of mastery over the fundamental forces shown in this facility indicates we are only here because they are allowing it, and I don't want to stay here any longer than necessary."*
>Glancing warily at the viewscreens once more, he checks to see if there has been any further activity on the raised platform.

[1d6 = 2] <E. Perception
[1d6 = 4]
[1d6 = 1]

>>392215
"Denial noted and accepted, mom. I will wait until safe possibilities occur. Or are created."
>Twitching spastically as it delves into crumpled sections of right chest armor, the unusually emotive tendril's length simultaneously restoring something involving bright red flashes of light, dodging melted composites, and trying to avoid falling Tryptaran debris.
>It was marginally successful, but still distressed.
>Two of the other tendrils free a large bundle, appearing as matte six black coins banded together by a bright red material, separated by a thin, barely visible blue field, another is dug out to be examined, then a single black, thin square.
>Carefully delivering those three into the chest cabin, Wild's upper body bends forwards ten feet, her electronic voice flat.
>And pained.
"My original systems included a variety of shared sonar, radar, and lidar arrays. Those were located across my head unit which was destroyed due to post-combat damage while disengaging from the Assault Lander. Current motion detection methods and specifications are minimal at best.
Fifty percent of primary access reconnected, minimal secondaries located. Uplinking now-"
>Despite the apparent jam-this-piece-of-metal-into-that-open-space, there was some form of logical repairs taking place across your Eldritch-Android daughteru's frame.
>Delivering a constant stream of sheared off materials inside, Wild twitches.
"....reconnection complete."
>Spoken in a calm, less warbling inflection, testing her arms once more, this time having better control, less spastic movements and jitters translate to smooth, almost natural ranges of motion.
"I.. half of my original self has been integrated, no changes except for improved responsiveness. I may be capable of full restoration."

>Carefully piecing together and restoring over half of her head, the cockpit module was unfortunately suffering a bout of white and blue cow print.
>Wiping off pseudo-grease stains from the exterior, which you quickly realize had been Tryptaran mass boiled into a liquid state, Wild Ride heaves an electronic sigh of relief, along with her massive chest deflating slightly.
"This feels better. Full access has been restored to all of my knowledge, including databases and wetware, but secondary functions are still minimal."
>Tendrils removing small pockets of burnt fiber sections and tossing them out, the lone tendril coils onto itself in a thinking posture.
"....four-hundred thirty-one million, six-hundred eighty-five thousand, nine-hundred and thirty fully biologically safe additions and attachments are available. Specifications range from simple wearable devices, to excellent grade production Post-Orbital devices, utilities, weapons, and armor.
While I do not have available capabilities to produce the majority, I am able to, with the proper materials and time, modify your equipment if need be.
....approximately ten million prototypes, post-prototypes, and experimental systems remain in backlog. I think that is the majority of them. There may be unsafe versions contained within other datanodes."
>Head cocking to one side, then the other, her upper body shifts backwards, both hands reaching up to deliver iron and steel pieces into the head unit, while four tendrils extend down to pick up small amounts of sand.
"One primary node, three secondary nodes, and the missing tertiary node have been located. REPLACING hardware and reinstalling to a safer location."
[1d6+14 = (1+14) = 15] <Grade 1 Auto-Repair
[1d6+15 = (6+15) = 21]
[1d6+15 = (1+15) = 16]
[1d6+13 = (3+13) = 16] <Grade 2 Auto-Repair
[1d6+13 = (4+13) = 17]
[1d6+13 = (6+13) = 19]
[1d6+20 = (5+20) = 25] <Tryptaran Autorestoration
[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] <Repair Tendril #1
[1d6+3 = (5+3) = 8] <RT-#2
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4] <RT-#3
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <RT-#4
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6] <RT-#5
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] <RT-#6
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] <RT-#7
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <RT-#8

>>392235
>Visibly keeping a profuse amount of crystalline spaghetti where it all belonged under solid, partially flexible, moving, and fluid-motion plates.. they weren't, but probably should be given her previous interactions with Six.
"Swear I'm going to spend a whole month finding better weapons than some old heavy drop-turret to engage at a distance-"
>Biting off her words, the Rune Knight huffs in a loud, definitely chagrined, and passably offended marener, thick armored left forehoof bending up to chime on her chestplate.
"Excuse you! I'm twenty six years old as of four months ago and have the fifth highest solo kill tally in my Companeigh! Not even the Kingdom Generals have better records than me!"

>Stamping once, a bit disgracefully, upon watching the doppelganger rapidly beginning to crystallize from the inside out, muscle and bone alike fracturing off in jagged pink sections.
>Head tilting, her visor turns bright red for a split-second, clicking forwards two steps before muttering in disbelief.
"No bloody way... was that an actual Freak eater?"
[1d6+3 = (6+3) = 9] <Visual Recordplate
>Eyes swiveling to regard you with calm, semi-professionalism once again, Nine shakes her head inside the helmet briefly.
"Hold on a minute please, I need to see if there's a Crystal Interlink or hololith close by. We have standing orders to report everything regard Freaks. This could be huge if it is-"
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <Interpony Connection
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <Hololith Connection

>Watching the majority of ponies, Minotaurs, and Gryphons removing pieces of fluorescent pink from themselves, the massive doppelganger's corpse solidifies.
>Lighter, gem quality strands of material flaking off from decayed musculature, the heavier and solid sections of former bone rigidly crystallize into bright glowing hues, fading into multi-spectrum colorations.
>Too large to remain stable, jagged sections fall off and crash into stone, the majority remaining whole, while smaller sections of previously soft tissues flake into pieces.

>Trying to comprehend the unusual process, Spiral's soulglyph was able to identify older, trace amounts of multiple anticoagulant compounds, but needed much closer investigation to determine the remainder.

>>392214
>Grin widening now that she drawn more attention from the guards, Amy began waving at the others, though she did lessen the intensity of the goofy gestures and faces she made.
>Squad? Broken.

>Jumping a little in surprise as the white crested guard's facade broke completely, Amy remained where she was as the mare approached.
>Approached within arm's reach.
>She was asking for it! She wanted the boop!
>Her mishcief softened as she took in her marener, however. She could see it clear as day, bleeding through the front of harsh sarcasm she put on. Pain, loss, justice remaining unserved for years. Why wouldn't it make sense? Why did they get to walk free while she had seen so much lost?
>Pain unanswered turned to anger, and anger now festered, neglected by others or fostered by the mare herself, either way she did not need magic to know its caustic effect on her soul.
>Amethyst's expression softened in solemn friendliness.
"No, we come in peace."
>Hand outstretched, she made to place a single, gentle boop upon the guard mare's snoot.
"I can feel the pain you carry still, and I would not add to it nor make a mockery of it. You have lost and that loss follows you, weighs you down when your heart yearns to rise as it once must have. I have met some of those who fell here as Shades amidst the Kerbann trees, taking their peace and rest with some joy."
>She added after a moment with fondness.
"...And some mischief. I do not know why all of this happened, I cannot make it make sense to you with my answers, and I cannot bring you the satisfaction you now seek. I can only offer you what comfort I can and hope it helps in some way, however small."
>Withdrawing her finger from the guard mare's snoot, Amethyst smiled over at Amy.
"Howdy bestie. Saw the Tyrant just a second ago if you wanted to go say hi. She went off that way!"
>Amy indicated the direction with an outstretched finger and sighed wistfully.
"I really do like her wargear..."
>After a moment of reflection over the very fine and shiny armour, the filly answered the second part of Lila's query.
"I thought I'd investigate the barracks here to see if I could find any clues."

>>392240
>Bubba would keep his smirk up as he looked over towards the now crystallizing corpse.
>He would definitely have to inspect it once it was safe to do so.
"Looks like it might be. I doubt they usually get that tall, aye?"

>Picking up Gilda, he would eject the en bloc inside, replacing it with a fresh clip.
"I want to get a closer look at the ugly bastard, is it safe to do so?"
>He'd ask after a few moments, glancing over at Nine.

>>392236
>Processing the results to cross-reference, the avatar delivers a flatly negative hand motion.
'No substantial evidence detected of Air Cores and relatedAirstreams. I can either clear magnetic or Elemental interference, not both.'

*"Wait a second, ten to one? How cou-"*
*"I suspect the exact opposite occurred. Interspecies Dynasty herds were usually in multiples of four with twelve being considered the best. Among the twenty eight Elementals he would have inherently understood which
would stabilize him, though ten.. four others were in close contact. Perhaps he discovered another two that fit his needs.
I could show what this ruin looked like before.. hm. Too marely differences, likely not necessary."*

>Clearing the screen after 3.8 seconds, 'Shiibo' leans back while bringing up one of Spiral's original channels, tossing an irate, sideways stare in the helmet.
'Task completed and archived. ...be careful what you wish for, sir.'

*"Seen something like this in Buzzard's Rest, still functioned most of the time... pretty crude in comparison."*
*"Real close to what our dreadnoughts had when they weren't getting shelled or producing shells. Could make near perfect duplicates of an object.. just not that fast."*
*"No, that is neither synthesis nor printing. That is free scale matter transpositioning, one of the spells which were purposefilly banned and destroyed due to disrupting Tallus ecologies en masse. Even I do not know it, and no copies remain."*
*"HODCH!"*
*"I know I'm not supposed to state it, but in this second do you see another method to describe the process!?"*
*"..no, I don't. I'm coming down but staying back a ways. Hop out when you're all ready."*
*"Barring the indecent nature of this situation, I agree. Regarding the invitation presented to us, you are all hereby required to remain open minded to all possibilities. This may as well be a diplomatic meeting.
Shiibo, you will not be able to comprehend Dynastic behaviors or conditional terms are they based on a solely engrammatic language, one which Katyal and I may, I repeat: MAY, be capable of interpreting."*
'Then shall I begin my studies from scratch?'
*"Yes. And notify me of any Elemental particles or magnetic fields within the vicinity of each... ...I have no idea what to call those."*
''Understood.'

>Transferring off main screens back into the helmet, the advanced model shrugs to herself.
'Rerouting complete, uplinking the Landbarge II's transceiver to Lonestar, Katyal, Hodch, the Rerculon, and myself. We will only be able to transmit on Spiral's original channels, all others are effectively blocked.
We are deeper into the black than ever before, sir.'
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] <E.Electronic Warfare
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array: Secure Connection
[1d6+10 = (3+10) = 13]
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]

>The front statues had formed into a perfect half-circle from north to south on the platform's west side, the unicorn central, equines and shorter south, taller and unknowns north.

>Dropping both of the rear hatches, Lonestar stands up, then stretches out with a smoldering gaze towards the left screen.
"If Spiral's been held here against his will.. I'm going to nuke this place back to where it fucking belongs: a lost ruin."
>Passing around you, light clomping and a heavy thud down the ramps is followed by a hardpack slid on, then weapons quickly tested for a final check.

>'Shiibo' points up briefly, an eyebrow raising at a small dome rendering.
'The artificial Moonlight is virtually the same from Luna's Moon. It MAY effect you negatively as an Otherworlder. Katyal, Lonestar?'
*"I hear you."*
*"Might not, I'll step in first to see."*

*"Katyal, explosives?"*
*"Got 'em put together, let me know what to plant where."*
*"I will. Lonestar?"*
*"Shiibo's got most of my codes for firing solutions and advanced ConFra commands."*
*"That will have to do. Pare, we will be taking a seat at the east side table. Run a quick check of your environmental sealing, at least one of us may be allergic to... who knows what.
Now if I remember this right, you and Lonestar must be seated on my left, least experienced closest to me, and Katyal to my right. ....I know that look. Major portions of the Dynasties were heavily disliked by non-ponies. Sexist or not, we still arrange ourselves in specific mareners to show a lack of aggression."*

>Blinking herself from study, Dul turns a flat stare up at you.
"How is not-pony pony? How is pony not-pony? Do old Sirens see? Dul not.. un-der-stan-d how not live, not dead."
>Head shaking confusedly, she phases through the Landbarge's side behind you.
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10] <Siren's Gaze
[1d6 = 6]
[1d6 = 6] <Language Adaption
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <Tallus Acclimation
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <Vortex Adapt: Tallus

*"Come on dude, let's go meet the, what would it be.. great to the eightieth grandsires and grandams?"*
*"Ninety five or so. But probably more."*
*"And I thought my family's genealogy was fucking bizarre..."*

[1d100 = 23] <Arrangement
[1d100 = 48]
[1d100 = 58]

>>392242
>Touching the intensely hard snout mask, it had known thousands of deaths that night.
>While the stains from Anti were long destroyed, the wild Plasma could never leave it, nor could the physical scars, nor could she remove the armor easily.
>A Betrayed; she would reach Tartarus, or it would reach out to her.

>Flickering the illusion off, molten half-red, half-clear eyes stare almost blindly, the white crested mare utterly still.
"Only Shade I can think of exists in a couple of ancient myths. Kerbann..."
>Slow, stern inhales and exhales occur until her head raises.
>Taking a partial step backwards and craning around, she returns to you with a fractional squint, gaze swiveling to Lilamaredre.
"Neither of you were ever here. False alarms from a repeating dream."

>Holding the Captain's pained anger with her own barely cooled fury, Lila tracks the tall figure for a second.
"No. I can feel it is ancient and will not have answers."
>Catching the Honor Guard stiffening, the pegasus sets a full scowl onto her before grinding out.
"Fine. It may have one. Go ahead, I will return shortly-"
>Leaping into the air, small plumes of rolling yellow trail off her feathers, spinning halfway and racing to catch up with the bizarre faux-Celestia.
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12] <E.Flight
[1d6+6 = (4+6) = 10]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6 = 4] <Unlucky

>Eyes closing, the Captain turns heavily, clicking back to her squad and calling back in a subdued, drained tone.
"May Luna shield you this Night and all others."

"...dat's NOT propa'."
"It never is for some."
"There are those whom merely live beyond their experiences, never knowing what is beyond the small bubble containing their life. Some may never be whole again."
"Oi."
"What?"
"Loot da ground."
"What NONSENSE are you blathering NOW, greenskin?"
"Yu'z dumb. If yer.. uh, sire wuz 'ere, find da ground 'e touched, den da placez uver 'umies did."
"What makes you think such a crude method could provide information?"
"We would call this searching for echoes. Amy, focus on humans as a whole, do not allow external imprints to cloud your mind. Find the stains and follow them."

>>392255
>He arches an eyebrow back at Shiibo's disapproving side eye.
'If you consider it operationally relevant, then feel free to continue it. My tasking priority lacks your computational capabilties.'

>Having already performed his final check, he heads back and descends down the rear ramp onto the stone floor of the dome.
>Moving to stand next to Hodch, he cranes his head upwards scanning the roof of the dome for the possible source of the artificial Moonlight.
(Diplomatic meeting indeed. Enough resources gathered here to be a faction in their own right. Dynastic no less.)
*"Seating arrangement understood. I will be on your immediate left. Sealing secure... and Hodch, you said transpositioning earlier. As in, relocating extant matter from elsewhere on Tallus to here?"*

>Glancing behind him as Dul's voice and form materialize, he offers an apologetic half shrug.
"Are you referring to those gray figures on the platform? I'm not sure how they are moving either."

>>392243
>Two internal clicks under spinal plates occur before a series of hololiths flicker in front of Nine, displaying a rather gruesome number of deceased carnivorous creatures, shortly before full body crystallization.
>Expanding outwards, close to four hundred in view are quickly studied, measuremarents in Common on each image running comparison tests.
>Recognizing most of the backgrounds, they were in order of total incidents: Las Pegasus first, larger cloud-cities across Southern Equestria, Stalliongrad, Rushya, Neighvada, and Crystal Empire in last.
>Calculating a minimal factor of 1.3 body size increase to a maximum of 3.8 at most, the side eye you receive is disturbed.
"Never. Not even once. That is completely different."
>Closing down the projections, faint chimes are heard briefly before she grunts in distaste.
"Unbelievable..ma'am, the closest uplink is over three hours from here and can't transfer more than a Class 1 microplate at one time. ..yes, we HAVE to report this immediately! ..I have a full record... fiiiiine-"

>Speaking Imperial for half a minute, the back and forth was quite civil until a minute hum cuts off, giving you a 'go ahead' motion after a few seconds of thought.
"Yep, safe to approach now.. like all the previous Freaks and Freak eaters. Also fair warning: do not touch or get close to anything that looks like glowing ice. Rime is a nightmare to remove and our 'Frames have minimal storage space in this configuration."
>Huffing to herself, Nine turns ponderously towards where Six had and starts off, muttering in irritation.
"If she gets flankhammered and we're all demoted again I'm going to sc-"

>>392265
>Directing the Rerculon to continue her computational tasks, 'Shiibo' turns rigid for a split-second before raising one hand in alarm.
'This IS the primary objective and concern in one, sir. Regarding Dul's capabilities, she is able to bleedover hundreds if not thousands of exceptionally hard data sets within seconds, which would take me ten minutes with an entire section of equipment.
In combination with the prior, the Dynasty's varied efforts were potentially hours from achieving transcendence in upwards of two hundred measures. For reasons I am afraid of discovering, they failed to reach apex conclusions. Or as my alarmingly high paranoia is implying: they refused to.
This culminates in a complete revision to my previous theories: the Empress, her close advisors, researchers, or some combination of the prior began to realize future repercussions and saw fit to destroy all of their work.'
>Pointing out the dome, sections, Cores, and Elemental control mechanisms currently being used, a touch of fear tinges her words.
'Imagine dysjunctions and conjunctions occurring in apex-close spectrums and Planes across this entire world, which is numerous times larger than the standard human Earth. That alone should be proof of the Dynasty's functional dangers. We are wholly unprepared for resulting consequences, except in limited scale, isolated, utterly marginal forms.
What I cannot yet provide is a full review of objectively hard facts, excepting thousands of specifically converging data points. That is weeks of time we do not have. I am able to offer these two as near-direct yet partly circumstantial evidence:
Sapphire Kiwi, Spiral, and Hodch have been preventing full scale arcane contamination of Razorback. Here, safe magic and alchemical substances are of such wondrous abundance that what most consider divine miracles are commonplace, easy to acquire, sending a request, or require a short waiting period.
Two, the native approach to esotericism is strictly objective: aid first, necessity, needs, then wants. Helpful desires, lusts, and greed after, then dipping into lower positives, and last into negatives. Few equines are capable of solely selfish interests, and there are moderate to high factors showing the majority of Tallus species act in the same manners.'
>'Shiibo' delivers a series of images, each showing different scenes in the Pagoda: Twisted Wing or Hodch angrily refusing packages and objects throughout the past year, marking them as from covert spy systems placed by Flash.
'Among your reports are five regarding Spiral initiating a form of mental sharing with multiple humans. He could not have been blind to the urges of desiring and demanding more access, innately causing damage to human biology, culture, and mentality. They likewise were not.
In total sum: the dangers of unrestricted Tallus, spectrum, and Planar access are equally insidious and destructive as our presumable technological superiority was formerly considered, if not inevitably catastrophic.'
>Expression hard, a short clip of an aery, barely 20's stallion speaking is played, Twisted Wing snarling afterwards.
"Please let me go, I'm supposed to deliver this t-"
"Not happening! Take it back and tell your boss the fours and up are off limits!"
"But they've already paid for it!"
"Return the Bits or gems or whatever the fuck else the second you arrive! Go before I decide your skull could make a nice border for my trophy wall!"
'Once more: be careful. Resuming observational mode for now.'

>Stepping onto unusually light feeling stone, there was a fully active, low classification Gravity Elemental throughout the entire pathway, reducing weight by what felt to be a sixth.
>Unable to determine a specific point of origin for it, the Moonlight itself seemed to be an energetic interface, once which the avatar was unable to clarify.
[1d6+4 = (6+4) = 10] <E.Electronic Warfare: Pattern Analysis
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array: Environmental Survey
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14]
[1d6+10 = (1+10) = 11]
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]

*"Excellent, and... yes. Say I wanted a piece of red streak marble in the shape of a common Old Everfree leaftailed rat in a certain pose, with a number of details, a specific shape, and hidden text in the ears. All I would have had to do is place an 'order' for it. The object would arrive effectively perfect at the atomic scale, and easily pass as being from a Master artist.
Not even the extremists of my Order were willing to keep that knowledge, and may have been the first to burn what they had regarding it. Do you understand why that entire chain of knowledge was destroyed?"*

>Joining with Hodch, visibly uncomfortable in the archaic armor, Katyal two paces on his right firmly grasping her rifle in low ready, Lonestar five to the left with his SMG in the same, the Siren remains behind you, visibly calm yet vocally confused.
"Dul saw all threads tiny cycles ago. Not-ponies and ponies moved but threads not move."
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8] <Siren's Gaze
[1d6 = 5]
[1d6 = 6] <Language Adaption
[1d6+1 = (5+1) = 6] <Tallus Acclimation
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5] <Vortex Adapt: Tallus

>Making a short 'move with me' motion, Hodch leads one pace ahead, approaching the west side table as a stiffly professional group.
>Halting at the circle of Moonlight, he motions for Lonestar to reach a hand into it.
>Flexing several times, then stepping fully into it, the navy man's head shakes briefly, the stallion resuming his course.
>Briefly pausing to eye the platform's almost Lunar sheen, he steps onto it, testing once, then walks to the table, halting at six feet. >Helmet turning to regard the wide variety of seating, then up at the unmoving statue-likes.
"I am Hodch of the Lunar Villages."
>Horn surrounded in dark blue, all of the west table furniture is floated into the air, placing a low backless chair in the center for him, a shorter backed chair right, and two taller backed chairs left, remainder sent to both ends.
*"Pare, present yourself, then sit in order. I will be last."*

[1d100 = 65] <Greeting
[1d100 = 23]
[1d100 = 8]

>>392297
>Pareidolia exhales grimly as he responds to Hodch.
*"Effects on Tallus itself and potential for ethical violations, economic and political upheaval were clearly disastrous. Even one single user could devastate the entire planet."*

>Keeping in lockstep one pace behind the armored unicorn, he follows into the beam of Moonlight.
>As Hodch arranges the furniture from the West table, he instead would look towards the gathered statues and hooded figures attempting to glean any details about their audience.
[1d6 = 5] <E. Perception
[1d6 = 1]
[1d6 = 5]

(Hodch presented himself as of the Lunar Villages. Should I go with location of origin? Or would faction affiliation be more appropriate? Razorback may be the safe choice. Still truthful.)
>Shifting the single point sling on his FG103, he holds the rifle grip and foregrip pointed downwards as he moves towards the table.
>Stopping where Hodch did, his scan of the crowd stops on the miniature (relatively) Tallus dragon.
(Curious detail. Why that portrayal when all other species are presumably accurate to their real proportions?)
"Pareidolia of Razorback."
>Continuing forwards, he moves to the chair immediately to the left of Hodch's central seat and seats himself while resting his rifle across his lap.
>His pack serving as a cushioning against the high back of his seat.

>>392261
>Amethyst waved farewell to the white crested guard as she left.
"Goodnight to you!~"
>The festering boil of anger that had been corroding the mare's soul had seemed to have been lanced, it would drain over time and she would see the world with less burden weighing her down. The filly hoped she would find some measure of peace now.
>She certainly would in time regardless, but now the pain of her wait would be diminished in some manner.

>Kerbann clutched close, she turned to Lila and nodded joyful.
"Alrighty then, have fun."
>Amethyst watched after Lila's flying momentarily before lifting the Stick and wandering back over to the old abandoned barracks, listening all the while to the puppet's bickering.
"Da Warboss uz gotz a point dere. Warevuh youz standin' dere'z you are."
>It made a supreme degree of sense, she had already felt the lingering traces earlier. The fields of energies here had been highly impressionable when disaster had struck, leaving imprints of emotional states clear to sense for those so attuned, if the energetic outburst had been great enough, she may even be able to sense lingering thoughts.
>It would greatly depend on how magically charged the humans themselves had been at the time perhaps.
"As you say, searching for echoes amongst Tallus' fabric!~"
>Reaching the opening of the barracks first, Amethyst examined the visage of the building before turning her gaze down to the ground.
"Those who stood here..."
>Pressing one end of the Kerbann against the ground with a scarcely audible wooden tap, the filly drew forth on the magic present, limited her search to the immediate area around herself and ignoring the city at large. Sorcery first, then resonance, to perhaps gain a clearer picture.

[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6]

[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] < Crystal Runes: Power
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]

>>392303
>Examining the statuesques, each was neither reflective nor matte, entirely lacking visible characteristics of flora, stone, metal, crystal, or any material you could think of.
>The avatar designates it as a stable matter-energy state composite, placing a sticker of 'How.' next to her with a shrug.
>Representing Pre-Modern species, the equines were specifically modeled after mature mares while the Minotaur, Sheep, Harpy, and Ram were equally aged males.
>Trying to gauge the Dracosines, 'Shiibo' notes they were 95% likely to be male judging by larger, sharper and boxier physical details, save for the Tallus dragon which was too young to portray clear sexual definitions.
>Running a comparison against the 12M long Tallus Basilk, the broad face somewhat resembled a hooded cobra, yet the partially outward facing eyes, paired short fangs, and highly evolved facial structures indicated a high intelligence, likely preferring to hunt small game rather than cause harm to other sapients.
>The background figures weren't familiar enough to make a comparison, the equine ones having no comparable features; 'Shiibo' notes the cloak and hood on each likely meant missing, lost, and extinct species.
>Pointing out the second tallest one, unusual spined and triangular projections across the false-cloak matched a partial definition of the few remaining Kra`ken.
>Bringing up a short Lunar document detailing them as a bizarrely slow to mature, hyper-intelligent species originating from the Elemental Plane of Water, having incredibly varied individual and sexual dimorphism as few appeared similar to each other.
>Before Late Dynasty battles and wars became widespread, the highest population count was approximately 43,900 living on Tallus, solely near large bodies of water with a preference for ocean access, an estimate from last year detailing barely 600 remained on Tallus; the now-distant Planar population was estimated to be in the low tens of millions.
>Resulting from the Lunar-Solar War, the survivors were hardline Lunars, though a few extremists had become dedicated to wiping out Infected and invasive species throughout the Moors, Ferron lands, and even into what remained of the Navarchy.

>Taking one step forwards, the central unicorn figure bows its head at a shallow angle towards you, then returns to its place, only a light scrape occurring.
>Double, then quintuple checking the channel was secure, 'Shiibo' frowns, right hand cupping her chin.
'Temperature neutral at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Zero electrical, Elemental, or electromagnetic patterns detected. Zero energy transfers detected. Zero internal power cells, batteries, Cores, or Elemental reactions.. no wonder Dul is so confused, each are physical yet move and function in a hybrid biological-energetic material state.
This is purely theoretical territory.'

>Gazing at the other table briefly, Katyal fades from sight for eight seconds, stepping out from Void spectrums afterwards.
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9] <Graduate Explosives
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] <E.Thievery
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d6+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d6+2 = (3+2) = 5] <E.Traps
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] <E.Engineering
[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3]
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4] <E.Explosives
[1d6+1 = (6+1) = 7]
[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2]
>Bending forwards several degrees, the Saddle Arabian is subjected to a withering stare before speaking flatly.
"Katyal Alvugarde, Olvia Tributary."
>Stepping around while facing the statues to sit down, her rifle is placed in lap at medium ready, right hand firmly on the grip, finger trigger held above.

*"...do I HAVE to do this?"*
*"Yes. The invitation has been accepted."*
*"Shit-"*
>Casting a thoroughly annoyed twitch at Hodch, Lonestar grimaces.
"Lorinat Setaro.. of Razorback."
>Seating himself using a cleaner version of the at-ready method Katyal used, the unicorn statue performs the same bow before stepping back.

>Deliberately exposing his left side to sit down and rotating to face directly, Hodch leans back, armored head lifting.
>Still and silent for five seconds, a profuse number of bright desert flowers in large pots are set down before Katyal, then a band of unusual 13 petal purple flowering vines is placed in front of Hodch, both staring at the bouquets.
>A pair of 2' tall young trees in large pots appear in front of you and Lonestar, the wide, red curled leaves and silver-green tinged bark marking it as an archaic, 'Shiibo' noting it as rarely seen around the Old Everfree's outskirts.
>Behind, a faint, barely visible cluster of 4' tall stems with fern-like clusters of heads set in front of Dul, soft red, purple, and black speckles lighting up her faux-earth mare body.
>The unicorn's head tilts after fifteen seconds, the woman pinging her internal bionics on.
*"Hooooly ssssshit... my head feels like it's been stuffed with cotton candy... Hodch, how much do you understand?"*
*"Not.. enough, a few words here or there. Translate for us the best that you can."*
".....I welcome the five of you to the former City-State of Ecukdel's Varkest, the eighth built during the Second Foundation, and the only Grand City-Ground remaining of the Fourth Foundation.
Eckudel is.. the engrammatic name of a Gryphane royal, researcher and historian. It's a LONG name. Varkest means something like an Eyrie on top of a dome above two city sections, tens of thousands sharing it, with a giant, fortified underground experimarental lab.
Er. I shall protect you to my destruction as all guests rightfully deserve and will remain as such until your traveling herd chooses to leave freely.
As proof of my conduct, I sincerely grant these gifts to each of you: hardy, untainted flora of centuries past, ancestral to the lands you dwell upon."
*"She thinks both of you are from Canterlot... OLD Canterlot. The Razorback she knows is a giant feral swine."*
"If you have come seeking knowledge, then I will share what the Second Foundation deemed safe.
If you have come seeking materials, none remains as I have repurposed such to restoring and expanding this structure.
Ask your questions of me, and I will answer them."

[1d6 = 6] <Third Gestalt Upgrade #1
[1d6 = 6] <Third Gestalt Upgrade #2
[1d6 = 3] <Third Gestalt Upgrade #3
[1d6 = 5] <Third Gestalt Upgrade #4

[1d6 = 2] <Weight Limit Increase #1
[1d6 = 1] <Weight Limit Increase #2
[1d6 = 1] <Weight Limit Increase #3
[1d6 = 6] <Weight Limit Increase #4

[1d6 = 2] <Additional 3rd Gestalt Enhancements

>>392316
>Not receiving answers from either the Honor Guard Captain rejoining her comrades with new thought, or Lilamaredre's shrieking exit towards a millennia old thoughtform, it was rather peaceful under Luna's Moon.
>If not quite cold enough to filly relax.

>Much larger than Tartarus Legion barracks, the white marble exterior ahead was incredibly new, same with the storage depot behind it and training grounds beyond.
>Entrance facing north towards the Moon, the scorched remains of two wide, burned off doors would easily accommodate most of the Kratha Klave Minotaurs.
>Four triangular whitesteel hinges on either side were heavily charred, and didn't appear salvageable.
>At one time the front had been left completely blank, now defaced by gouges, claws, hoof imprints, the space between each filled with vitriolic scrawls carved in by earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns.
>Primarily threats and curses against Razorback Company, a few mentioned names which you memorize for later.

>Imploring the Elements to show what had once been, fractured images reveal themselves, albeit rather poorly due to watching an errant Plasma wisp bouncing around inside.
>Sections of Grand Rituals modifying the Tallus Era Lock twitch by you, slowing to a crawl at points, thousands of Canterlotlians, Day, Night, Royal, Lunar, and Honor Guard observe the Solar and Lunar Princesses working during their respective cycles.
>Barely known after the Lunar-Solar War, Those Born of Stars And Moon creep in to offer their aid at night, while Starborn unicorns, Crystal ponies, Gryphons, Minotaurs, and batponies deliver sacrificial offerings.
>Setting the buildings in place and sealing each, the training ground was shaped by ponies with questionable morals; Druids from the Old Everfree
>Fragments of conversation drift past; construction had begun in middle 29,995 at high cost to the Day and Night Sisters, plying their words and oaths to secure agreemarents from hundreds of towns, villages, cities, city-states, regions, countries, kingdoms, and empires alike, spanning most of the world's known powers.
>Each had delivered materials, coins, gems, and goods, delivered here to be stored within the Palace above, while whole herds, groups, militia, and military would arrive later.

>Tracing erratic harmonics of thin, barely held together Otherwold traces back, open celebrations had taken place here, the atmospheres filled with joy, hope, and longing, with greater eagerness than expected.
>Marked by their unique resonance, thousands of Lunar and Solar military ponies recognized humans for their potential.
>Coherent thoughts swirl: after they had taken over Old Canterlot's Palatial-Fortress, there would be time for each to adapt, acclimate, and to be outfitted with proper weapons and armor.
>Described both as effective at-range combatants, hundreds of warmares and warstallions alike pledged themselves to act as shields, the majority seeking to push back the Old Everfree's corrupt state, while some were focused on their home regions, the Moors, Ferron lands, and the waning Navarch regions.
>Others had delivered their offerings in staggering amounts:
>Vast numbers of ponies, crystallize resources, sets of armor, weapons, devices, and crystal-engineering knowledge from the Crystal Empire.
>Hegemony Minotaurs bringing the secrets of mystically produced composite alloys; Mystics, Rangers, and Warbulls intending to train, then dedicated Grandmaster Smiths, all led by an ancient, undying Wargod.
>Dozens of higher order Dracosines from the Dragonspine Mountains, a young yet quite mature Planar Void Dragon bringing hundreds of stolid earth ponies bearing their hybrid alchemy and metallurgy secrets.
>One small contingent of researchers from Argenta, led by a patient, older Grandmaster whom had discovered a previously unknown path of alchemy.
>Hundreds of Harpies, native, Otherworld, Planar, and Extra-Planar alike, brought together by their ancestral desire to explore the Air.
>Batponies and Ferron in the thousands, Navarchs in the hundreds, each bringing resources which wouldn't be found elsewhere.
>A full trade envoy of Neighsians, fully willing to share the greatest treasures, mystic and common alike, newly created by thousands of peaceful clans seeking to aid equinity from their calm lands-
>Striking imprints of a tall royal mare, long distant from ancestral earth ponies, deaths rolling outwards in shock while her jade coat resists wild Plasma, ripples of unforeseen shock, defiance thundering against the desecration taking place-
>You knew this one.
>Three of her half-sisters were in Tartarus.

>Blinking for the first time in at least five seconds, skipping into realspace ahead of you is a passably familiar earth pony.
>Bright green, slightly pudgy, and with a single large question mark on her flanks, the filly stops, looks down at her hoof, then looks up at you with a raised eyebrow.
>Your dam knew this one, and rather liked her.
>Only one voice speaks:
"OI! Where'z da loot yu git!?"
>Derisively shouting at the puppet, the young, hard toned filly gives it a humored sneer.
"This isn't for YOU, and you WON'T be taking my stuff or anypony else's so long as I'm around!"
"Den how'z yu talkin' to me? ...WHY'Z yu talkin' to me!?"
"Because I know lots of Earth Sorcery, DUH! Here's y-"
>Quickly tossing out a small piece of green to land at your hooves.
"-our Card! Sorry about that, took me a while to find you, and-"
>Tongue sticking out the left side of her muzzle, Anonfilly reaches forwards, digging another from a small, red brick gateway, flinging it to land atop the other.
"This one's for your dam, but we haven't been able to deliver it for a year and half now. She hasn't come back to Tallus since then so I figured this was the best time. Send it to Amethyst Storm-Rose when you get a chance please!"
>The Green Herd filly's eyes close tightly, giving you a cheerful wave before swiveling around, leaping into an opening basalt formation, which crumbles apart instantly.

>>392327
>The strange "statues" proved to be even stranger than anticipated, causing Pareidolia's brow to furrow.
'Animated by some sort of lost arcane technique, concerning.'

>After seating himself, he surreptitiously notes Katyal's slip-away and return.
(Hope we won't need them. Odds of combat success against this force are low.)
>Lonestar's full name is heard by Pareidolia with minimal reaction beyond a small mental note.
(Sounds like he cares far more than anyone else would about that.)
>Glancing between Katyal and Hodch as the unicorn seats himself with proper decorum presumably, he looks down at the potted tree as it is placed in front of him.
(Ancient custom? Are we perceived as other native species who would find this edible?)
>He glances sideways towards Hodch as the burden of translation falls upon the teacher.
>Pausing to take in the information, he squeezes the grips of his rifle.
*"May be a semi-autonomous caretaker with a limited paradigm beyond its original timeframe if it views us through what it is familiar with. Can we ask it about any past visitors within Spiral's timeframe?"*
>Looking back towards the potted tree, he leans forward to examine it.
(The Druids would likely be ecstatic about these plants.)

>>392344
'Possibly intentional; likely limited combat capabilities and representative.'
>Filing information for inevitable restriction, redaction, and deletion, the avatar blinks, registering a fast moving unknown to the east.
'A late party?'
[1d6+4 = (2+4) = 6] <E.Electronic Warfare: Interlink
[1d6+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]
[1d6+10 = (4+10) = 14] <Landbarge II Electronic Warfare Array: Elemental Survey
[1d6+10 = (5+10) = 15]
[1d6+10 = (6+10) = 16]
[1d6+10 = (2+10) = 12]

>Reaching out to move the vines closer, Hodch lifts the wreath, setting it across armored hooves.
>Helmet shaking briefly, the stallion's voice is soft.
*"It's real.. the last of these died two years after the Lunar-Solar War ended. It was on display in Luna's Tower of the Moon in New Canterlot, kept in stasis. She could barely evacuate six Companeighs that night, all else was destroyed. Every last one of her prized possessions, gone.."*

>Leaning back in the chair, Katyal's left hand reaches out to slide a small, bright red and dim yellow speckled leafy plant towards her.
"She says.. no fully biological sapients, only local creatures, flora, hybrids, and failed ex-"
>Sitting upright, six seconds passes.
"...she's been destroying Infected and Malformed within the original City-State's border. Cleansing land, removing contaminants, balancing Elementals. Has studied aberrations, Dynastic failures.. killing, retrieving, and decomposing them here for eventual release."
*"This place isn't a lab, it's a dedicated clean up facility."*
>Sliding her chair forwards into view, the woman's face creases in pained focus.
"Nnn... this is so fucking hard to take apart and translate. The Elemarentals living here are-"
>Wincing for two seconds, the pot is clenched tightly before she exhales raspily.
*"I'm TRYING to understand this but it's not working, there's at least ten words packed into every damned syllable-"*
"They're native and Planar Elemarentals, descendants of the same, newly foaled as well.. says they were guided here when Varkest was being rebuilt. Safe place where they won't be treated unfairly.
There's a part I kept missing earlier: a group of... Faux-Natural Elemarentals, early stage Supreme Flawed classification, created late during the Second Foundation. Incoherent, fractured, ruptured, every word for 'damaged' and then some.. she had to cleanse their entire trail south to... border, right on snow line, between the Fold Region."
*"That's him, right?"*
*"Yes. What else?"*
>Left hand raising in a sharp 'stop' motion, Katyal's eyes close, taking a deep breath, then lets it out slowly.
".....dragging pieces of each other. No, just one, but all of them were.. missing the rest? Not words I can translate. She's answering in a direct way, there's.. huge images with all the background data cluttering the pixels, can't keep up with the damned flow,"
*"Ask where they are now."*
"...she doesn't comprehend what you mean. Doesn't know."
*"That isn't go-"*
*"Hodch, quit."*
"She does not know. ..there was one that become ten that was always one, but they and it should be twelve.
Most of the sections were broken into during Summer last year, she repaired them afterwards. Now and then she finds pieces swapped around, out, in, positions changed, one shape where it shouldn't be, two or more sharing the same place.
She says they create big trees around them, like the ones here but not crystalline, newer, less... contaminated? Not corrupted, not infected, not Elemental either. I can't follow the logic, images, or meanings."

>Realizing Katyal to be sharing and translating through Hodch's knowledge via mental contact, 'Shiibo' taps her head.
'May be considered a breach of protocol. I have warned both, and there is a pair of keys available if the doors must be closed.'
>Squinting towards the opposite table emphasis, a small screen listing an 'ACTIVE' outlined in light blue, 'INACTIVE' in gray, and 'ACTIVATE' in black, pointing outward in a 'watch for trouble' signal.

*"Finally recognize this, there were two behind the barracks."*
>Right hand tightening on grip and angling the barrel forwards, Lone's left hand motions towards the birch.
"Were the seeds used to grow these collected from Canterlot Forest before the Everfree was corrupted?"
"She says.. basically yes."
"By who, and why?"
"Too fast, bunch of names packed together, like a.. black ops retrieval team of foragers and harvesters. Fourth Foundation was planted to rebuild from the errors we committed."
"We?"
"First and Second Foundations."
"Does that mean the Early and Middle Dynasty?"
"It does, yeah. They didn't call themselves the Dynasty, was what Equestrians called them."
"What is the Fourth Foundation going to replant?"
"Your world. ...no, our world."
"Explain."
"Mother Tallus. All of her, even the places we shouldn't see or touch until they're ready to rejoin her."
"How many of these are growing right now?"
>Eyebrows furrowing together, Katyal flicks the small pot with her pinky gently.
"...one hundred or more."
"How many more will be grown?"
"Barring seed failure or other problems, eight to ten thousand."
>Sitting upright, the older man slowly blinks, forefinger easing before rigidly tightening over the SMG's trigger guard.
"God and Goddess of Nature, this is serious."
"....yes, it is. We're not interrupting her tasks or duties, so she says. The.. habitation clusters and zones aren't.. on at night? Active? Something similar.. wait, on top of the dome right now there's another one.. it sounds like she's saying 'Moon watching', but the intention is a cross between 'Moon viewing' an- there's a growth dome on top, right now, an artificial Lumin one."
*"Didn't you say all of those failed!?"*
*"I.. they did! There were dozens of catastrophic failures, entire regions were showered with Lumin! The clean up took almost ninety years!"*

>Making the 'stop' signal again, Katyal leans forwards heavily, physically winded.
*"Gotta take breaks. Lone, are you done?"*
*"....yeah."*
*"Hodch?"*
*"I will be last."*
*"Pare, give me minute. This SERIOUSLY hurts to do."*

[1d100 = 84] <Examination
[1d100 = 34]
[1d100 = 35]

[1d6 = 6] <Arrival Time

>>392398
>With a start, Pareidolia's head twitches upward.
'Unknown contact approaching from the East? Estimated arrival time?'

>Apparently the Dynastic egrammatic language was placing great strain on both Katyal and Hodch.
>Nevermind the gravity of the supremely rare or lost species now presented as gifts.
>Seeing this, he remains silent, keeping an eye on Shiibo's calculations regarding the approaching unknown.
(Then this city is some sort of sanctuary for Elemarentals and Dynastic hazard cleanup operations? And that description... absolutely must be Spiral. But the reamining information is unclear. Is Spiral the one altering these sections?)

>His eyes flick over his visor display to hover over the active options for Katyal's planted explosions before jumping back to the approaching contact's vector.
'Noted. Remaining on standby.'

>Shrinking the display window to a smaller size in his peripheral, he looks between Lone and Katyal as they talk.
(The entireity of Tallus? If anyone had the resources to do so, it would be her. Then this can't be the only restored City. And this could not have been enacted in secret, could it?)
>He casts a glance over the Eastern table.
*"Hence why I asked 'can'. Recover as needed. And be advised, there is an unknown contact approaching our location from the East. Possible late arriving guest."*
>If its speed or composition had been determined, he would have Shiibo inform the team.

>>392339
>Even if it wasn't cold cold, the Moon was nice, she'd never actually seen it before and spent a few moments simply staring up at it.
>Amy waved at it before turning back to her investigations.

>So much anger had been directed towards the building's artifice in the absence of the humans of Razorback. Even without the words of the curses and threats themselves, anger was apparent in the way they had been carved into surfaces.
>Dashed hopes, shock, mourning, that is what she felt was present here. She leaned in close and examined the carvings.
"They say hope is the first step on the road to disappointment... But that can't be true because no road's path is set in stone."
>A silly parable, but here it had been lived.
>Leaning back, she glanced over the building's outer surface once more before untying the rope around her waist and moving inside.

>What she had gleaned was interesting information, but not what she was looking for precisely, these echoes were too far back in time from what she sought.
>She spoke aloud of what she sensed for the puppets' benefit.
"I can sense how these buildings were constructed, rituals were conducted here upon the Era Lock, modifying it in some way, at least we know that's possible. So many had come here to add their magic, their gifts, and designs in hopes of what was to come."
>It would seem a study of humans had been conducted long before they had even been summoned to the world, and had been considered ideal for a variety of purposes. What was strange was that it had been deemed they had been needed at all.
>Of the proposed purposes for them she had felt, all could have been seen to by Tallus' existing inhabitants.
>Wandering through the rooms and searching for loose objects, Amy continued searching through the esoteric imprints left behind, attempting to follow their threads to particular periods of time. Though in the back of her mind, she felt that the fabric of Tallus wished to tell a rather complete story before it would grant her the answers she had come here to seek.

[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (4+4) = 8]

[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] < B. Perception
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]

[1d6+2 = (1+2) = 3] < B. Crystal Runes: Power
[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6]

"It's strange, of the purposes I can sense for their summoning, all could have been seen to by Tallus' existing inhabitants, there does not seem to be anything inherant to humanity to make them ideal for the hopes that were held for them. I can only wonder if there was some other, hidden need or drive to bring them here that was not openly stated or discussed."
>Certainly Tallus would not have allowed permitted their summoning if she had not wanted them here, before and after the disaster. That was of course unless the Era Lock prevented the natural interference of the world's wiles in its own affairs, or perhaps such things were simply beneath Tallus' notice.

>Snapping from her reverie, Amy found herself accosted by an earth pony filly. She knew this filly, though from where she knew not.
"Huh?!"
>Gorgutz knew her, more bafflingly, the filly seemed to know Gorgutz.
"Buhhh..."
>The green cards landed at her hooves and Amy stared down at them, back to the filly, back to the cards, and back to the filly again before reaching down to pick them up.
>One for her, and one for her dam.
"Oh, okay! Hay! Wait a minute!"
>Too late, the filly was gone through some sort of earthen portal.
"I have so many questions! Get back here!"
>She waved the stick in her hand in futility. That had all happened so fast.
>...
>Nothing, she was gone.
>Stowing the cards, Amethyst took a deep breath and cupped a hand to the side of her mouth, shouting.
"You are getting booped the second you show your snoot again! It's so over for you!~"
>Ears twitching for a response of any kind, Amy made a face.
"Hmph!"

>>392409
>Waiting for a return reply, internal helmet showing a broad overlay, range increments of 100 miles overlaying a single black dot at extreme range.
>The avatar slowly leans forward into a double facepalm as the dot halts, then proceeds at a pixel-by-pixel pace.
'....contact has slowed to 80 miles per hour. Arrival time: 12 minutes.. possibly more.'
>Poking through spreadsheets, the avatar resumes an upright stance, left eyebrow quirked before addressing the gravitic network.
'Prior contact estimated to be traveling at 2,500MPH.'
>Slouching for a few seconds, Katyal's right shoulder lifts, Hodch tentatively sniffing at the vine.
*"Got it, gimme a minute. Or two. This is... like visual flash imprinting but the images only last a few seconds."*
*"Direction?"*
'270 degrees, direct east, became noticeable at precisely 1,000 miles. That would be in... the outermost edge of the Crystal Empire Heartlands region, correct?'
*"Depending on how up to date our maps are, close to it, yes."*
'The Rerculon has been able to isolate a single Elemental particle: Void. In extreme amounts, far more so than the Cores here.It is effectively blanketing out all opposing spectrums and, for what reasons I cannot speculate, exterior electromagnetic and electromagical interference has decreased by 11.9%.'
>Blue-white helmet swiveling to face Katyal, Hodch stares for a quarter minute before speaking disbelief.
*"Why is he coming here? Why now of all possible times?"*
*"Who's this 'he'?"*
*"A.. being which may as well be Eldritch. And not one the four of you are prepared to deal with."*
*"Let me guess: another problem?"*
*"Not unless I piss it off again. Notify me two minutes before it arrives."*

>Sitting back fully, the woman sighs and makes a 'continue' motion.
>The unicorn statue's head bows and continues doing so for thirty seconds, the First Responder whistling in a low tone as it resumes waiting posture.
*"Whoa... that is waaaay nicer. There's four variations of engram-speech, slowing them down causes.. almost like packet loss, but not when this close. Trying to clarify some details-"*
"She's been awake for.. close to six hundred years now, I think. Showing me a chunk of border changing hooves in the Lowlands.. used to be part of the Northern Lunar Alliance, one of the last pegasi holdouts to join the Navarchy before that went to shit. Since then she's been piecing herself back togeth-"
>Halting completely, her head rigidly turns to furiously glare down at Hodch.
"You fucking knew THIS was a demi-sapient?!"
*"If I kn-"
>Cutting himself off, the stallion blinks once calmly, twice quickly, then stares across to the other table.
*"No. I did not know, nor suspect. The only successful accounts were part of retinues with Middle Dynasty diplomats, particularly in Old Canterlot. ...ask her if she was once similar to the broken herd."*
*"The fuck? Why?"*
*"A guess."*
>Cocked in suspicion for six seconds, Katyal flatlines before tapping her rifle.
"Yes, she was. What's this have to do with Spiral?"*
*"..I was wrong, but this IS highly tangential. Spiral was creating a demi-sentient to operate Razorback Fortress. I thought he was joking. And that proves me wrong twice more.
Last year a Lightning Elemental wurm attacked, causing a substantial amount of damage. Two nights ago, we learned that strike completely destroyed the collection power crystals under it in a section of extremely well hidden tunnels.
He was desperate, frantically trying to locate others from what some Operators have told me. Most of the large ones were decommissioned to be reharmonized into smaller single stage versions, and none would part with theirs for any price he offered."*
>Glancing at the statues, Katyal's face slowly blanches in realization.
*"You mean.. oh. Ffffuck. He knew there were more Core here. We are so screwed."*
*"Perhaps, but perhaps not. Spiral may have truly gone insane trying to return here so he could bring a number back. Think about it: trees all over, pieces here or there, parts missing?"*
*"Add that to Faux-Naturals in the Supreme Flawed category-"*
*"And we are seeing the same issue that took her close to six hundred years. This may be what we need. Kat, I need you to tell her the following facts, precisely as stated:
One, myself and the individual we are searching for were in the ruins of this place twenty-six years prior to now. Six Elemental Cores were retrieved from a destroyed underground section, and we did not know what classifications they were. An earthquake occurred which caused us to leave and not return.
Two, said individual is a unicorn stallion whom experimarented with said six Elemental Cores. I did not hear his real name, however he was nicknamed Spiral for having unusually deep horn grooves compared to most Equestrian unicorns.
Three, I believe a unicorn stallion named Spiral Disclosure died sometime during the Second Foundation, likely during the destruction of City-States and labs due to experimarents. He may have been a field researcher or possibly an enchanter.
Four, the individual we knew was an excellent Sorceror, capable of... safe biological modifications, among roughly two hundred classical unicorn occupations.
Five, those are absolute truth to the best of our shared knowledge."*
>Half a minute passes in silence before Katyal leans forwards, eyes narrowed.
"Six Faux-Natural, Supreme Flawed were missing from here during reconstruction. Air, Earth, Magma, Acid, Void, and a Crystal-Ice hybrid. A Water of the same exact classification was taken from a destroyed lab somewhere in the Lower Dragonspines. One which she retrieved the remaining Cores from.. along with thousands more from all over Tallus.
.......she doesn't believe they're the same Elemarentals, but is willing to test your theory. Before opening any section for us, she needs three answers: which Element fractured apart first, which shared the most love, and why three of you are contaminated with Anti."

[1d100 = 3] <Exclusion

>>392412
"Ahhhh, but perhaps hope is the first step on a path to knowledge?"
"Or the proper place to end a heretic's life."
"Watch that first stair, Brother. It is a long way up."
"Quit yer yappin' an' start walkin den'!"
"This path is indeed made of stone, Amy! Or do you mean th-"
"General.. it is a pun."
"...ah. I see now! A most excellent one!"

>Feeling, hearing, and sensing dim echoes of heavy and brisk hooves, the interior had been violently torn apart.
>Once excellent, wide double bunks, now reduced to mismatched chunks of light colored wood, left to dry rot the past two years along with shreds of white and black cloth.
>Noting a common placemarent of double military style hoof lockers at the end of each, you pick out a few pieces of bent, twisted, and crushed whitesteel, once locks and hinges, creased with rage.
>Sets of 6 privacy stalls had once been in each corners, long torn out, while shards of one-way diamond and crushed heavy steel wires in the center would have had ten showers each.
>Entering the second barracks, the smaller double doors to it had been subjected to the same treatment as the entrance.
>Briefly examining whitesteel hinges, they had been melded through wall.
>Interior painted a royal purple, it was in the same shape, though depressingly filled with hatred from Lunars.
>Checking what had been chests, you locate destroyed kanpri hinges and locks in the same state as the whitesteel had been found.

>Swimming to the surface of comprehension, hundreds of conversations occurred here and behind you.
>Amusingly short human voices utterly lacking Elemental alignmarents, magic, Sorcery, and Crystal Runes; the majority were uneasy at being saved from certain death, some sharing their hope for a better chance at a second, sometimes third, and rarely fourth life.
>Reaching out to perceive those still holding together, each had a potent force of will, sharp intellect, hard purpose, or emotionally motivated to repay their life debt.
>The easiest to comprehend was a relatively young, albeit harsh mess of three interconnected, jumbled Psionic minds, fracturing apart, together, away, around; any direction except for rare moments of sanity.
>Second was a stern, grim man smelling of distant oceans, carrying an honest sense of self-purpose though painfully bitter at past failures.
>Third held an unusual sense of duty, lenient yet unyielding to human chaos; an order bringer with good natured mischief to spare and share.
>Fourth was a troubled, cold, hard mind, bearing a distrusting
sometime killer's motivations, seeking answers to questions he didn't know.
>Fifth forms the visage of an efficient speaker, proper words and pronunciation flowing with ease from an insightful, oftentimes miserably bored life; the new world and new ideas were delightful.
>Sixth shapes into a driven man, one desiring good companions, [REDACTED], and high speed combat, with a hefty amount of appreciation owed to his capabilities.
>Seven displays itself in an instant, the mixture of erratic violence, outward degradation, crippling self-doubt, helplessness, and a complete lack of trust marked it as hated, but occasionally considered useful.
>Standing on the south side, head down, boot against wall, the eighth knew little other than trouble, how to get into, less how to get out of; dry wit and big weapons were friends to this one, not tools.
>Legs spread in strict military at-ease, arms folded behind her, a powerful yet intensely hollow woman, slightly taller than you, though feeling insignificant, turns, bearing a reluctantly harsh Voidborn demeanor upwards-
>Meeting your sire face to face.
>Appraising the other briefly, Umakachov steps back with a sincere nod of apology, separating without a word and leaving her to mentally drown in overwhelmingly depressive thoughts.
>Crude Elemental flickers surrounding, he had been a decade younger then: far fewer stress lines, eyes glancing about more slowly to study, not calculate, no visible concern, and willing to engage with others, though not particularly eager.

>Tapping into the few songs still coherent enough to listen to, bitterness spreads across the barracks, erratic notes of discord, disharmony, and distrust staining each surface in patterns shaped by hatred.
>Whispers of impossible debts given shape, each crack deeper than the previous, long chains of betrayal unknown clash against smug indifference, ignorance, and arrogance, themselves embattled by faded voices pleading for understanding.
>Spirits in the hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands rise higher than you could reach before the last speaks brokenly.
>Proclaiming there once been a choice of a unified future and the potential for trusting Otherworlders, they had been killed by carelessness, denied peace from regret, and would not rest until their shame had been paid in full.

"There is always an answer, even if it does not know it can speak."
"One could state humans are the result of themselves, and for each time we are proven correct the lines are marked deeper."
"I would not call you wrong, knife-ear, yet your people did much the same once, yes?"
"Do not compare compounded neglect and superstitious ignorance to murder [REDACTED] each other in drug induced [REDACTED] of blood, [REDACTED], and [REDACTED] where every [REDACTED], [REDACTED], [REDACTED], and [REDACTED] was [REDACTED] free, a party which lasted for millennia!"
>Even Gorgutz pauses at that one.. for 3.4 seconds.
"DAT'S 'ow it 'appened?"
"Yes. Did you not know?"
"...Oi'z gunna need a drink."

>Following the green filly's course, she was in too much of a rush, though the hardy, sublime scents and tastes of Earth Sorcery was rather calming.
>Waiting five seconds for a return, then ten.. it doesn't happen.
"I have a most wonderful idea, dear Amy: buy a net."
"Assaulting a courier is typically punishable by shattering a kneecap!"
"Perhaps now is a good time for deliveries?"
"Or catching up with lost work."

>>392434
>Sorting through the imprints left behind, Amy realised there may have been something after all, not to humanity in general, but the particular humans that had been selected for summoning.
>Yet the nature of their summoning, the lack of certainty, suspicion, isolation and ignorance had quickly tainted intent if it had not already been in poor condition once drawn to this world.
>Amethyst was able to pick out the imprints of particular minds, their natures, but not so easily their identities, nor anything of the answers she sought.
>Rather easily, and with a comforted smile, she was able to sense the echoes her sire had left behind here and... Those of another. Who? The imprint she had left behind was there, yet focused inward, interesting.
>Amy could sense some link between them, not simply the expected link humans had with one another but something else, its nature elusive and hard to divine through all the static of anger and loss of hope.

[YouTube] Pathway to Nothing [Embed]

>Anger. Distrust. Disharmony. Discord. It all bled from the walls, the ground, from every small object in this place. Each mangled hinge, every shard of shattered diamond and rotted wood pulsed with dark, negative energies. Echoes and ripples of the past expanding outward, lingering well past its time, refusing to calm, refusing even to fade in spite.
>Amethyst could sense it tugging and pressing against the edges of her mind. Hatred for the humans, for what they had done here. Lasting and persistent.
>Clutching her staff in both hands for support, Amy exhaled a breath to steady herself.
>Well practiced at monitoring her own thoughts against external influence, the ipotane inhaled and calmly attempted to examine each thought and impulse that crossed her mind, both for its nature and its origin, much like sifting sand.

[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7] < E. Iron Will
[1d6+3 = (1+3) = 4]
[1d6+3 = (4+3) = 7]

>She couldn't but wonder if the entire city were doused in this taint to some degree, their hurts and anger kept fresh day and night by the deep impression that long ago magical calamity had enabled. Just as with the white crested guard mare, true and genuine hurts were being kept from healing due to the miasma lingering over Canterlot.
>This place was right by the train station even, the Gateway and Translocation Matrix. Every visitor coming and going would unknowingly sense this echo, the less guarded of them would carry it with them. Certainly it could not have been the only concentration, but such was the depth of the wound from the sheer inversion of hope to despair that Amethyst would not have been surprised if it were the worst clot of echoes in the city.
"I know this, I know your influence. Begone from me, taint, I will not carry you, I will not have you within myself!"
>Stick stamping the ground once, Amethyst made as if to shoo the spirit away. Not that any physical gesture would help in the core of its domain.

>Anger would not battle the miasma of negative emotion here, it would merely strengthen it. The ipotane knew little of where to even begin dispelling the coagulated imprints here, so instead dredged up memories of her fillyhood. Joyous, kind things, happy Kaos, all taken and exuded through dual sorcery and resonance, if not to mend the fabric here, then at least to shield against its influence.
>If there was to be any chance for the hopes that had once been held to come to fruition, the foundation for mending had to take place here.
"Hope was not misplaced, it was unwise to give up on it. Fade away. Your anger has no place here and no hold on me."

[1d6+4 = (3+4) = 7] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+4 = (5+4) = 9]

[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] < B. Crystal Runes
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]

>>392449
>Sickened walls howl their lamarents at you, wide cracks of infected history threaten to split open and spill out, raw vitriole from the False Day creating, then slithering into wounds none dared to mend.
>Crumbling inwards upon each themselves, each other, and the traces left behind, naked intentions seek paths to intrude on this once hallowed, now defiled place.
>Holding the ragged, invasive ocean of thoughtforms barely beyond your arms length, pieces of calm and serenity rise to the surface, speckles daring to float on the surface.

>Echoing under Moonlight, holy Kerbann responds in grim certaininty:
>Recalling uncountable Shades and Half-Shades sheltered under its branches, twisted Elemental agonies shatter.
>Spun, righted, threaded together, aligning themselves with What Should Have Been, thousands of faces before you seize, halted by words and emotions they could not yet bear the weights of:
>Forcing new interpretations of joy and pain through their spirits, some consider, others search, yet more listen.
>Service granted for service rendered, the pity felt for humans had too quickly become twinned with expectations of free companionship, leading to deliberation without cause, then easing of troubles without acknowledging the inherent dangers an individual would unknowingly inflict.
>Trust given without trust earned had blinded ponies to the dangers they presumed would not occur, for each knows death is rarely far away; Lunars were quiet here, observing for any shred of truth while the Solars raged, striking against each sliver dealt to their kin.
>Strength offered without proof given was a fault each Minotaur bore; their ancestors had warned of this, but their pride in seeking death shielded them from the consequences of failure.
>Building a sky cairn was not inhabiting it, nor was such intended to be the final resting place for one born above; no Harpy could dare entomb themselves, forever alone in the Air again, or so they believed until Night became Day.
>Coldly gripping Plasma-tainted stone in the shadows of others before them, unmoving Dracosines gaze downwards from the ruined mountain, seeking the truth of their deaths rather than lashing out.
>Having led his kin, the young Void Dragon from an Otherworld peacefully accepted his fate, grinning as his wings shielded marely and many in the deepest sections of Black, knowing they would, inevitably, walk free once more.
>Far west, the distant, unending scream from a profoundly ancient Dragon had dimmed in the two years after it fled from here, bodily scorched close to death.
>There was no saving Pendrusa, for in the time spent as Fateslayer he could not know his own, nor prevent suffering caused; he would seek revenge once his fury burned again, attempting to repay false treacheries with his own.
>The Jade Princess had held in the Palace above, blessing the sorrows away from each future which would be lost, halting the unstoppable for precious seconds that more may live beyond a cruel end; she could not know peace until it was forced upon her.
>Seething inwardly at the deaths of innocents, the Hegemony's second Triarch Wargod blamed neither Tyrant nor Solar Princess, desiring them to become whole as he had once known; he had seen her glory against the Empress, and his devotion to that same cause had not waned since his death.

> [YouTube] Besessenheit [Embed]

>Pressures crash into the logically emotional burns from Sorcery and open resilience of Crystal Runes.
>Wounds cannot be cleansed until they are examined, treated unless comprehended, mended without care given, nor healed without time which had been cruelly taken.
>No treatmarent lasted long enough to matter here, and the infection's grasp had reached deeply, biting into every last ka and dragging each down with it.
>The Waning Sun had tried to burn this apart from inside, then the outside, but lacked the strength to continue trying.
[1d6 = 5]

"NO! Push it back NOW, Amy! Search for the storm's weakened heart and rip it out before it tries to swallow them once more!"
"DROWN each FALSEHOOD in its OWN lies!"
"Suffer no blasphemy you have not created from your own doing, give the worthiest an honest chance to succeed even if they choose to fail!"
"Strangle the waves with their own violence, leave none to choke others in their wake!"
"Spare no pity for the ignorant, let your strength shatter this damnable place's grasp!"
"...."
"Hold the tides until they wash themselves back into the abysses they came from! Scorn for the sake of scorn is a poison which serves none, not even itself!"
"Strike hard, not first! Only spill enough of your own blood to free what is needed!"
"A prisoner willingly shackled by the barbed chains they have forged for themselves is never the ally you require!"
"Let the past be what it must until better futures show new, better paths to you!"
"You did not cause these miseries nor agonies! That which is not yours to suffer must either bend knee or fail!"
"Smash dem 'til dere's nuffin' left to 'urt da Boyz!"

>>392296
>Bubba would look over the images, taking in each one despite the nature of them.
>He returned the side eye, frowning a bit.
"I thought as much, considering your reactions to it."
>He'd have to store that information away for later.
(Not a good thing if that's a completely new specimen. Further study of them WILL need to be warranted.)

>Bubba would nod and begin approaching the corpse, glancing at Nine before shrugging to himself.
>Getting close was mostly for Spiral's soulglyph, but he couldn't deny that he was curious as well.

>>392416
>Pareidolia lets out a short, light scoff as the contact's speed and elemental nature is provided.
(Yet another high speed, absurdly powerful force focused on us. Of all the fucking things.)
>It apparently being Eldritch triggers a minute twitch of his right eye.
(Really don't need this right now.)
>His hands sequentially squeeze and relax against his rifle's foregrips.
*"Understood."*
>Ensuring the estimated arrival countdown remains visible at the bottom of his helmet's display, he remains in place as the translation progresses.

>As the line of questioning reaches the crux of the issue, he looks towards Lonestar and then to Hodch.
(More qualified to answer most of those questions than me, as a late arrival.)
*"How would we explain Horizon as the explanation for our contamination?"*

>>392456
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5] <M.Perception + B.Monster Manager
[1d6+1 = (4+1) = 5]
[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3]
[1d6+1 = (2+1) = 3]
[1d6+6 = (5+6) = 11] <Teacher Razorback Company
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]
[1d6+6 = (3+6) = 9]
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8] <Graduate Cryptid Biology
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6] <Graduate Cryptid Capabilities
[1d6+5 = (6+5) = 11]
[1d6+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (1+5) = 6] <Graduate Cryptid Habits
[1d6+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d6+5 = (3+5) = 8]
[1d6+5 = (4+5) = 9]
[1d6+1 = (1+1) = 2] <Pupil Researcher
[1d6+1 = (3+1) = 4]
[1d6 = 4] <B. Drawing
[1d6 = 2]

>>392457
>Right forehoof placed on the table, Hodch tilts his helmet in a 'silence' motion to both sides.
*"Not your concerns, he will only take five minutes to deal with given what I have called upon in the past three Nights."*

>Rolling down to 9 minutes, the Reservist eyes Lonestar first, Katyal, last you, armored barrel expanding and exhaling in a huff.
*"In order of difficultly: unknown, we already know which one, and... where to even begin? There are hundreds of problems with that possibility, Pare.
One, there may have been Anti infused objects in stasis throughout New Canterlot Palace. Two, Las Pegasus and Stalliongrad may have been contaminated as well. Three, tipper was unable to confirm the extents of exposures, symptoms, classification, let alone contact ratios. The timeline for each is inconsis... tent.. which means there may be yet another difficulty: what if the Anti the two of you are dealing with came from both?"*
>Kat turns an annoyed gaze after five seconds, staring across the table.
*"Keep thinking, answering the second one-"*
"Acid shared the most love."
>Waiting for a response, the unicorn's head bows after ten seconds, the woman tapping her rifle lightly.
"...that's correct, there's more threads and memories than she can examine. ...and she completely forgot what we were asking."
*"That normal?"*
*"How should I know? ...fine. At a guess, I would IMAGINE demi-sentients and demi-sapients to have some form of exclusionary logic states, recording only what they must and purging the rest."*
*"All right. So which one did fracture first?"*
"Dul knows! Magma break first. Cold-song break little, not mad. Void all broken. Air not broke, it lazy."
>Turning around enough to look behind, Lonestar was well beyond incredulous.
"How can you tell which after he's been gone?"
>Riftdrowners wrapped tightly around the pot, the Siren steps between you and Hodch while the strange, slightly corporeal plant on her saddle brightens.
*"Let her answer first."*
>Left hoof twisting to point first at you, then Lonestar, four claws stretch outwards to twist in a sphere, point upwards, in a circle above her head, then carves a series of neon purple streaks in air.
"In you, you home, here, Dul see small-big Magma earth pony. Not like Dul, like real earth pony! Earth pony easy move. Dul like look big, act big."
*"When did you notice the Cold-song and Void breaking?"*
"Oh. Dul see Cold-song breaks old-new-new, Void breaks old-new-new-new."
*"Rrrr.... ight.."*
*"Gonna have to work, going with that answer-"*
"We believe the Magma Element fractured first."
>Stepping back out of sight, the unicorn bows once more, head raising and slowly swiveling across three humans, pony, and faux-pony.
*"Two for two. Got three's answer, Hodch?"*
*"Not yet, no."*
>Settling for clicking hard nails against metal, Katyal grunts quietly, leaning forwards to tap the table with her left knuckles.
"Their first exposure was from one of Celestia's alternative existence-states two years ago, they don't know which it was. Second was from Horizon last year."
>Sitting back fully, both hands subtly grip her rifle as Lonestar does the same, she waits while the display ticks down to 6 minutes.
*"That may have been a mistake."*
*"Or a fuck up considering where we are!"*
*"Don't have enough time to run through a billion facts and possibiliti-"*

>Solid, loud echoes of hard material scrape throughout the City-Grounds, sections north and south glowing in a fantastic array of colorations.
>Swirls of Elemental particulates breach into physical spectrums, faint speckles in the air all around dimming and brightening slowly.
>Jerking up into a forward stance, heavy SMG leveled at the unicorn statue, Lonestar snaps at Katyal whipping her rifle up to aim at the Minotaur's head, though none had moved.
"The fuck were you thinking!?"
*"Hold off on party favors and getting out, I'm asking one question-"*
>Switching to the Saddle Arabian, her chin lifts with a derisive air, right forefinger rigid on trigger, speaking in a flatly demarending tone.
"Tell me everything about the faux-blessing Hodch is afflicted with, starting with who and what created it, where, when, why, how, and the best method to remove it!"
>Holding ready positions for one second, the Saddle Arabian statue's head turns left, then right, raising to 'look' upwards before resuming its waiting stance.
>The woman stands up with a snarl, right arm tucking the rifle back and under armpit, left hand sweeping around in a derogatory motion.
"No! I'm not taking that as a real answer!"
>Resuming her aim once more, Katyal's forward stance tightens, Hodch still seated and clearing his throat nervously.
*"I think perhaps we should le-"*
"Not asking you!"
>Cutting him off with a sharp hiss, she sets the combat rifle down on the table, leaning forwards to point from the stallion to the Saddle Arabian and shouting harshly.
"Are you fucking BLIND or merely STUPID?! That shit's KILLING HIM! Give me a real answer right now or I'm go-"

>A warm, ringing, and highly familiar unicorn stallion's voice calls from behind, ending with an amused snort.
"I would highly suggest not damaging any of them, if you would! She did save my life, after all!"

[1d6 = 3] <Reaction

>>392456
>>392510
>Watching Six perusing a low table covered in decidedly alcoholic bottles, Nine's ExoFrame sidechecks her away, sprawling into a tnagled heap before hooves immediately smash at closest body parts, helmets cracking into same..
>They were going to be busy for a while.
>Probably half an hour.

>On approach to the first cluster of Lorekeepers and reservists checking each other for debris, mentally estimating the doppelganger's original size to ponies, Gryphons, then Minotaurs wasn't working.
>Bringing out pen and notepad to begin tracing details of the mostly intact corpse using a nearby purple robed unicorn, rounding up reaches a factor of a minimum 160 times standard Tallus hornicus equinius Type 4's size, 180 for mass, and over 200 for volume.
>Trying to push your mostly functioning brain cells further results in a puzzling question: how could it support the weight?
>Walking around the crystallized corpse, pseudo-skeletal bonding with half-rigid flexing tendons didn't fit, nor did a secondary or tertiary exoskeleton, leaving a full structure analysis and survey necessary to determine both how and why.
>Considering the strange, truly bizarre, and awful creatures Razorback had dealt with in the past two years, small to giant corpse tenders, devourers, and presumably similar would be the closest yet had no derivative, mutated, or evolved physical features from those on record.
>Digging back into what you knew of those monsters, it fit the description of multiple doppelganger types, sharing equal parts of mass retention, bodily expansion, and extreme short term strength, but had exhausted itself 6.5 factors quicker than those found on human worlds.
>Judging its habitat to have been exceptionally clean from bacterium, parasites, and fungi, the former musculature covered in splotchy gray had either distinct traces of nutritional atrophy or severe chemical contamination.
>Considering between the two, the second couldn't fit with its degraded stench, which narrowed down the possibilities to a native, heavily mutated grand interloper type, possibly a noble or royal specimen, which may even have a core
>A second, admittedly decent chance pointed to an evolved sub-Planar or little known Planar mutation from an original four legged species, while a failed experiment was third, though that likelihood was marginal.
>Pausing to survey damage to stone from the containment cell to the pair of buildings it had struggled to fit between, you note unusually moderate spreading fractures throughout instead of mass scale damage, indicating its hooves were typically used for precision aiming, and had possibly damaged its frontal legs in the process.
>Selecting a large chunk of pink crystal from the left rear leg's flank muscles for a visual inspection, it showed remarkably straight, long individual striations with minimal deviations.
>Continuing to write down converging, distant, and diverging facts as the Rune Knights, minus two, share their recordings, upon inspection on a large piece of exposed former rib bone, a strangely flat, iridescent coating across the exterior was fully intact.
>Labeling that one for a closer study later and walking around to the front, ten of the fairly standard carnivore teeth were visible, eight from the lower jaw and two upper, the same coating was apparent.

>Gauging the creature's rather intact and remarkably whole remains, the soulglyph removes the possibility of an experiment as being far too costly, let alone impossible to have been unnoticed for approximately a decade.
>Detailing a wide variety of anticoagulant compounds spread through the volume, you knew the majority as rather common in most restorative alchemical and medical supplies, though it couldn't identify specifics without more detailed information.
>Cross-referencing and attempting to classify the crystallized material from numerous angles, it was unable to define more than a near-quartz state of hardness, but had solidified considerably since then.
>Describing the overall creature as primarily anomalous, Spiral's soulglyph could not make a determination.

[1d6+9 = (2+9) = 11] <Investigation: Starborn
[1d6+8 = (1+8) = 9] <Investigation: Rune Knight Squad
[1d6+6 = (1+6) = 7] <Investigation: Lorekeepers

>>392454
>Continuing to walk under the weight of the history of these grounds and rooms, Amethyst made her way back outside the building to the empty training grounds, seeking open air and the moon, not for escape, but because the acoustics would be better.
"Resist this."
>She pleaded, to the memory of what had been before the False Day and the descent of Mourning Flame.
>Towards the pain and anger swirling thick and heavy in the very air now, Amy spoke.
"Release them, release those that yet live from this stagnancy."
>Yet what could she do but offer pretty, meaningless words to this crime against Harmony, this weeping wound in the fabric of the world?
>Amy had to do something. In some deep marener, she knew that if she turned and walked away from this now, should would be leaving a part of herself behind.
>In its place would exist a piece of the darkness that had been wrought here, not by intent but by an unfortunate confluence of circumstance.
>Some part of the pain here was true, stemming from dashed hopes and witnessing much undeserved death. Yet the longer it lingered, the more it seemed to her mind that it would come to coalesce into a true evil, whole and separate in its own right, memories of hope held captive and eventually corroded to nothing. A cynicism and thirst for vengeance whose maw would only grow ever wider. In time, it was an evil that may yet see all the world swallowed. A century hence, a millennium hence, ten millennia, more, when generations upon generations of beings came into the world, were raised, lived and died under this shadow.
"This is a pathway to nowhere."

>Finally having made her way back outside, standing amidst the abandoned buildings, Amethyst gazed once again up at the moon to behold its light, then turn her back towards it and gazing back down towards the ground where its light cast her shadow.
>Understanding, she spoke towards the memory of hope and celebration that had taken place freely and liberally here, of those wishing a kinder future for themselves, both from the living and the dead.
"A shadow, once cast, is merely proof of light. Why not the same for hope and despair?"
>Planting her Stick forwards ahead of herself, one end dipped in her own shadow, the other exposed to the true light of the Moon, the filly considered the branch of Kerbann that had been one of her ever present companions for many years.
>A Kerbann tree was an immensely useful example of flora. The wood itself drew energies towards itself and channeled them into broad leaves like triangles in a show of lights as the energies were converted to the tree's growth.
>More than this though, the ipotane had always beheld them at their best as providing a place of peace.

>Her Stick was not a Tree, but peace could still be brought.
>Peace for the Minotaurs, whose strength could be set against the mire of this darkness and allow the living to regain their own free of its influence.
>Peace for the Harpies, who could see the airstreams of Canterlot mended to their former glory not with hearts heavy with loss, but with genuine hope to see them flow once again.
>Peace for the Dracosines, long bereft of answers that could only been found once the fog of this anger had cleared enough for minds to seek an untarnished and whole truth.
>Peace so that the sacrifices made here had not been made for the sake of a future that lead only to more suffering.
>Peace, even, to the Fateless, no matter how long it would take to mend those wounds. Her Will would accept no other outcome.
>Peace to she of Jade, not forced upon her, but offered until accepted.
>Peace to the Triarch, to at last witness an unfragmented Sun.
"Peace cannot be forced upon a wound such as this, it is a thing which settles slowly and after much time, but it is a state which must be fought for, as despair will ever seek to draw one in the other direction. Growth and decay, a balance of forces within the heart, the soul."
>This was Kaos, limitless directions with infinite depths and only one's own Will to select between them.

>This infection, this darkness was a nascent Will of its own.
>Nagging at the edge of her mind, it seemed to declare itself unassailable, that it was too late to remove it. What could she do to excise it from this place when even the still great power of the Waning Sun had failed?
>Her puppet friends disagreed. Battle must be waged joyfully against such a thing, ceding defeat at the fading of the light was to permit it to die. Rage, rage.
>Stiffening her stance, Amy clutched her Stick with renewed resolve.
"Your grief and anger has begun to feed upon you to grow itself! Cast it off, find a path to what you once were, the future you wished to begin here need not be lost."
>Amethyst allowed her harmonic illusion to fall and lowered her hood.
"It may yet be won, but it is not by any force or magic alone we possess. Resist this, cast it off, fight it back for as long and as many times as you can, and I shall do the same. Don't give up. Don't let this wound remain in you, to force itself upon others, to remain weeping in the fabric of Tallus."
>The ipotane sang once again, clear and true into the night sky, to the true light of the Moon, to the grounds, to those that may listen. Where one light would cast a shadow, as deep as the light was bright, only two lights may cancel it out, but memory and spirit of better times must be reached for and must be willing to bridge the gap between then and now.
>She did not sing in words, but with intent alone, even as she used her sorcery to exude the same. The intent to heal, or at least begin healing, to cast infection out so that peace might finally begin to settle and find those bereft of it for so long. Despair would drag, anger would struggle, they may even manifest in some form, but so long as it remained so would the wound that grew deeper with each passing day and night.

[1d6+2 = (6+2) = 8] < B. Sorcery
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]

[1d6+2 = (4+2) = 6] < B. Crystal Runes: Power
[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4]

[1d6+2 = (2+2) = 4] < B. Crystal Runes: Power
[1d6+2 = (5+2) = 7]