This week, in "Occupied Equestria":
Wondering through through the Changeling lands at night on the road between Bales and Whinnyapolis, Onyx, Brie, and Spark have stumbled upon a set of farm ponies trying to hide their cattle in the forest, away from their changeling occupiers. While rescuing a cow, Onyx and Brie have taken heavy damage, and so they followed them to the cabin of a local woodspony. But they found the woodspony and a farmer replaced by changelings, and after a skirmish are alone and wounded in the cabin in the woods.
Over in Baltimare, Dark Star has decided to give up his life as Dark Star, the Earth Pony farm colt, to become Tyrel Jackson, or "Gold Chains," a zebra and aspiring rap artist. Through the magic of Valmorification, it is possible. Iron is freaking out after possibly having received a message from God herself. That, and his usual social awkwardness. Silver is cashing out on a long standing set of projects, and is readying himself for the next phase
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>>109156"Spark! He's awake!"
Onyx gives another boop for good measure, his eyes shining with... Joy? Pleasure? Victory? No matter, he wouldn't tell you.
>>109157Iron can't help but look strangely at Silver for his request.
"I suppose? What is your idea?"
(Sounds like a good way to ask for the important questions.)
>>109158>>109159He stands up in a slow, labored manor, like an old grandfather or an aged dog. He blinks. And he looks around the room
"You're not my brother..."
Then he enters a quiet panic, and in slow motion, rushes for the door. He moves a long one leg at a time, slowly, not trembling, with all of the speed of an arthritic octogenarian grandmother
"Dawson!" His shout barely leaves his mouth, as there is almost no breath in him
"Where are you!"
>>109161Onyx quickly trots infront of the colt and pushes him back inside
"Woah, first of all you aren't going out there. Changeling drains are a nasty thing. Second we don't know where your brother is, but I'll help you find him. But for now,
rest" >>109160"Have you ever heard of brass horseshoes?"
>>109162And he continues on, walking towards the door at his slow, geriatric pace
>>109163Iron blinks, confused.
"No."
(Is he trying to make my hooves metal?)
>>109164"Spark, help me out"
Onyx groans and picks up the colt by his scruff
>>109164Spark levitates the colt and puts him back in bed.
"Sorry, but this is the makeshift doctor's orders. You need to stay here and help the bat watch your cows while we find the others. You can't be in two places at once you know?"
>>109166Well... I guess I could lift him out of your mouth...
>>109167>>109166The colt is enveloped in magic, before Onyx picks him up, and drags him away. He still tries to go for the door
"Brother. Dawson. Rose..."
>>109165"They are shoes made out of metal, mostly brass but sometimes steel, that you can slip on your hooves. Unlike gauntlets which just armor your hooves, these are purpose-built as weapons, and can help you hit just tiniest bit harder. Now, it has been
while since I have tried to make weapon, and this would be new for me, but I would like to try my hooves at it, and hopefully make some for you."
>>109171Spark looks into his eyes to get his attention.
"Listen. You must stay here and wait for them. They will be right back. I promise."
Spark gives him a hug.
>>109171"Ruby, we will find them. I promise. But you can't help, and especially not in your condition."
>>109173>>109174He feels cold, and he is shaking. His eyes are a little duller
"I must find them...." he says, still struggling internally
>>109172Oh, I see why you brought that up.Iron's eyes widen.
"Are you telling me you can make metal thingies?"
>>109175"You will find them again if you stay here and wait for them. You don't want to miss them when they come back."
>>109177"Spark, why is he still cold?"
>>109176Silver nods. "I apprenticed as weaponsmith under my father when I was colt. Now, I might be bit rusty, but I think I can still manage. I have been thinking of ways to help members of our group of friends while they are in combat, and this is one of things I came up for you."
>>109178>>109177He looks tired
"They are the only ponies I have... And they are lost"
>>109178"Because the warmth of love was drained away. And by two grown soldiers no less to a colt."
>>109180"You have us. Remember how we didn't run away in the woods? Remember how helped you save your cow? We are here for you too."
>>109181He nods, tears on his tired eyes
"uh huh"
>>109181"Yeah..."
>>109180Onyx suddenly goes soft and scoops the colt up in his arms and cradles him
"Listen, I've lost ponies I loved to the bugs too. I know how you feel, and I'll find them for you."
His voice suddenly lowers to a whisper
"For the ones I couldn't find..."
He then shakes his head as his voice returns to normal
"But you have to stay here for me"
>>109179Iron glances to the sides.
(Should I really accept this? It would be rude to disregrd his attempt to help and I do want his advice later... but I feel like his gift will be of no use to me.)
After a few seconds, he nods.
"I appreciate your help, Silver. Simply tell me when you want to measure my hooves and I will be there."
>>109185"I promise you, those bugs won't stop me from finding them"
>>109185"Yes. We didn't run from that owl... bear... thing. And we aren't going to run from a few changelings. We will get them back super quick."
>>109184Silver nods at him and smiles, as he looks pleased that he can so something to help. "Thank you. I will let you know as soon as I am able." He takes another drink of his whiskey. "Oh, and Dark Star has mission for us, if you wish to help."
>>109172I appreciate the optimism in regards to campaign pacing but.... let’s be real here
>>109186>>109187He looks at them with big, sad, tired but strangely determined eyes
“Then go find them before they are gone forever”
>>109188Iron raises an eyebrow.
(Some time to discuss things stallion on stallion if I do this right.)
"What is it about?"
>>109190Spark attaches a sticky note to the bat's forehead to remind him to watch the colt.
>>109186Spark nods to the bartender.
"Let's go."
>>109193Onyx gently sets the colt down
"Rest and we'll be back before you know it."
He then grabs his halberd and moves to the door
"Ready"
>>109195Most likely, but as long as he doesn't get on another train with them without our knowledge of the events like he did with Silver, then we are ok.
>>109194>>109193Not much activity outside. A light wind, the full moon shines down from a clear sky. The ground is covered in snow. A dog hangs around the remains of the changelings. No sound besides the ever present insects. The barn is in front, and who knows what other structures there are
>>109192"There is some sort of organization down in Red Heart part of city by docks that is trafficking ponies, griffons, and others illegally from Baltimare to Manehattan. Many of these being trafficked are being put into slavery if they can not pay their handlers. Dark Star has been tasked to put end to it, and he is asking others in our group if they can help. So far, all we can find is me, and you. Others are missing."
>>109196>inb4 the madlad actually does it.>>109198Iron ponders for a bit.
"What exactly is the mission? Are we going to storm a building and nab their leader if possible?"
(Sounds like a place where money goes. I think I should avoid asking for payment this time.)
>>109197>>109194"Look around, there is most likely signs of a struggle, though not much of one because the changelings got the drop on them. Maybe there is some blood somewhere, besides what we left there of course..."
>>109199Wouldn't put it past him.
>>109199"Plan is to infiltrate and remove those in charge of operation, as far as I know. We should try to avoid confrontation until then, to avoid them scattering." Silver whispers to Iron. "Dark Star got his coat dyed to look like zebra so he could trot around Red Heart without being recognized."
>>109201Iron nods but raises an eyebrow yet again.
"I thought he hated zebras for what one of them did to him."
>>109202He shrugs. "There are apparently wealth of zebras in Red Heart, along with griffons, and Severyanan ponies like me."
>>109200"Alright, I'll keep an eye out"
Onyx spreads out and looks for clues
>>109204>>109200Tracks in the snow, going back around the Barn, both ways
>>109203Iron can't help but sweat a little.
(I hope I do not have to do anything to them. Elsewise, it would only deteriorate my standing with Cauldron and/or her family.)
But he seems intrigued himself.
"I admit I was not expecting that. I heard the amount of zebras here were low according to the people I talked to."
Yes, it was Cauldron who said it. >>109205Spark follow the only clue so far.
>>109204"Perhaps we should check out behind the barn?"