1831 replies and 24 files omitted.
>>125262Hmm...I wonder if that leads to garbage chute...Silver heads up the stairwell, and seeks out Johann.
>>125307Johann is standing, evidently in an argument with one of the cultists
>>125308Silver trots up to listen.
>>125306Looking back at his rock pouch, Iron pulls it off from it and dumps the rocks on the floor, replacing it with the potions.
>>125310The rocks pile down onto the floor, making definite thuds. The potions fit nicely
>>125309The argument seems to be over legal jurisdiction, and what crimes if any he could be charged with. Another two cultists listen intently. The cultist is very insistent that he hasn't been caught doing anything actually illegal, and that of course an Imperial has no jurisdiction over him.
An upset griffin pushes through the crowd to come over to curse at him. This is ended swiftly when Johann pulls a gun on her, and levels it right at her head. "What was that about the Imperial Inquisition?"
Ritual daggers litter the floor
With the potions in the pouch, Iron reattaches it to the belt on his neck, finally ready to take out the stuff.
He starts to wonder where he could find Sands, walking over to the towels to inspect them.
>>125312Silver calls firmly out to them both.
"Enough."
>>125313White, cotton
>>125314He pulls up a wing, and shields himself with it, with some offense on his expression
>>125315Just in case, Iron drapes them over himself and proceeds to walk out the safe room, wondering where could Sands be.
>>125316She was last seen in the Chapel, third floor administrative building
>>125317With that clue popping in his head, Iron decides to head there in order to relay the news and maybe put the towels to good use.
>>125315Silver first addresses the captured cultists.
"You may not be under jurisdiciton of good Inquisitor, here, but you
are underneath
our jurisdiction. If you are innocent, you will be fine..."
He looks towards the sewn up sacrifices.
"...but as it is, you will have uphill battle to disprove your guilt."
>>125318Iron notices a difficulty while heading out.
Inside the atrium of the dorm hall, there are several police officers. Both blue uniform, and green uniform
>>125319They are quieted, some humbled, some staying strong
Johann speaks to Silver
"Were there Imperial subjects?"
>>125321Silver nods.
"Those you saw in atrium we had either captured or killed. They will most likely be transfered into Imperial custody."
>>125320Iron doesn't like that, indeed.
He backtracks by a bit, looking for any exit avenues to go around them.
>>125323"Now, I have something to speak with you about quickly."
With a motion of his head, he urges Johann to follow him slightly away from the captives.
>>125324Down to the basement, through the tunnel. Or around, through the second floor entry (this might be more open and visible from the first level)
>>125326Iron obviously goes through the basement route, hoping no more police are stationed in there yet.
>>125327Down through the tunel, up to the second floor, through the hallway where there is now only one zebra and no Maakie, and then to the stairs into the chapel
>>125328Iron slowly and carefully walks up the stairs, hoping to find Sands up there, ready to plan out the strategy to take these things out of the area.
>>125329Sands is back in the chapel, looking kind of stunned, still wearing a robe almost like a blanket
>>125330Iron breathes a sigh of relief, thankful.
"Alright, I am back from the extra payment," Iron informs quietly for her sake "How is the situation?"
>>125332"They are still holding them back. Something something legal jurisdiction whatever. The unicorn popped out for a while but he's back now"
>>125331Silver stops some distance away from the captives.
"You were held captive here, yes? Can you recall if you were drained during your imprisonment here? I noticed you look rather off."
>>125333Nodding, Iron hums softly as he lets the briefcase on the ground and opens it, as well as the now newly labelled potion pouch, opening their contents. "Could you take a look at these and tell me if they are worth anything?"
>>125334"By one of those Changelings? Yes. Yes I was"
>>125335She takes out the contracts
"Legal documents, I'm not sure who this is of interest for. TThis is another legal document" holding up the deed
She puts those down, and pulls up the jelly. Her face lights up a bit
"This. This is.... better keep this"
She takes it, then pulls up the last one
"And what do we have here"
She looks at it more
"Maybe a love potion? It's marked with a heart"
>>125336Silver produces a vial of changeling jelly, offering it to Johann.
"I went downstairs and got this for you. It should restore some of your energy."
>>125336Iron is a bit baffled by the mention of a love potion. "...you mean there could be an actual potion to induce love of all things?" he asks incredulously
>>125336>>125335She picks up the bonds
"These are securities, payable to bearer. Similar to money"
Then she looks through the photos
"One of these, I recognize in the City Council"
>>125337"Hmmm"
He examines the vial of jelly
"Alright"
He slowly pulls off the cap, then lets it fall into his mouth, swallowing it
He waits a moment then his breathing picks up. His eyes become a brighter yellow-green, and his coat a deeper, brighter yellow
"That's... I feel better. Much better already"
>>125338She shrugs, then smiles in a nigh devious way
"If not love, then a close enough substitute for it"
>>125339Silver smiles, and pats Johann's shoulder.
"That is good to hear. I am going to finish checking on things before police arrive."
>>125338>>125339Silver then trots up to Iron and Sands.
"Find anything interesting in that safe?"
>>125340He pulls away a bit, as if not expecting pats, but seems to accept them. He nods, with a minor smile
"Very well. And I will try to investigate what I can here"
>>125340>>125339Iron looks back to Silver, kitted in the most hobo-esque looking getup ever of the most improvised bindle possible tightened by a leather belt on his neck, as well as a suitcase and pouch. Funnily enough, he's naked now, too.
"I am currently looking into it," he responds before turning to Sands into more of a whisper.
"Why would a group like this have a picture of this 'Cee-tea Counc-eel' in their safe mating with a mare? >>125341>>125342Silver looks to the documents Iron has pulled out.
"Do you mind if I have quick look for anything interesting in those?"
>>125344Iron nods once, assuming he's here to look at deeds and legal documents, separating them out of the briefcase and into the floor for Silver's magic to grab a hold of.
>>125343Iron turns to Sands with a confused expression, wondering how could a stallion mating a mare be embarrassing.
>>125345Silver nods, takes them in his magic, and looks over the documents.
>>125344Sands just moves aside, as if claiming no control over the documents
>>125345She shrugs
"I don't know who that is"
>>125347With a shrug of his own, Iron closes the briefcase with everything inside except for the legal documents and deed while also closing the pouch.
"Is there a clear exit to take off with this stuff plus the weapons?" Iron asks in a whisper
>>125348Silver's eyes light up at the deed, and looks over to Iron.
"So...I understand if you decline, but...may I keep this deed? It would be
huge favor you would be doing for me."
>>125349Iron shrugs.
"Keep it, if you feel it will do you good," he answers dismissively.
>>125350The unicorn smiles wide, and he hugs Iron right then and there.
"Thank you, Iron!"
>>125351Iron briefly glances at Silver in mild worry, wondering what's gotten to the old coot as he briefly glances at Silver.
"...I know I am currently standing upright, but I would rather not coat half of your being with my blood," he comments awkwardly.
>>125348"I don't know. There might be one by the waterline">>125346Documents include:
Contracts. Specifically, these are freight shipping contracts,
contracts for the sale of horseshoes, contracts for the sale of hats,
and for the purchase of steel ingots and leather
A deed, looks like to a single family residence on the north bay
Photographs - Blackmail, at least three distinct victims
New Mareland treasury bonds - payable to bearer
Blue Car Motorworks bond - payable to bearer
Hayston Engineering bond - payable to bearer
>>125352Silver chuckles, and releases him.
"I do not mind. Not first time somepony has bled on me. But truly, thank you!"
He motions to the bonds.
"Do you want to keep these?"
>>125353Silver blushes at the rather explicit nature of the blackmail photos. He makes a note to perhaps seek out the subjects sometime.
>>125354>>125351Iron simply nods at Silver for his offer, having given him the deed before suddenly his torch lights up, looking at the old pony. "Do you mind keeping the tavern room rented for Khoi to bunk into as well?" he asks to the old pony.
>>125356Silver nods.
"Sure. I was going to give her some money as well for whatever she would need."
>>125357Iron nods once more, taking the bonds straight into the suitcase before looking at Sands.
>>125354"Are you ready to go?" he asks her in a whisper.
>>125354Silver gathers the rest of the documents, and goes to Loputu and the Skynavian mare, pulling his second flask of changeling honey out.
>>125362She shrugs
When she looks over to where silver is going,
Yeah. Let's go" >>125363With a nod in return, Iron starts the small trek where Sands previously mentioned was maybe clear, by the waterline, asking Sands to lead to scout out the area and avoid surprise guard encounters.
>>125365So that's where Zwolf got her disguise from...Silver uncorks the vial, and gives it to her.
"Here, take this."
>>125364Down stairs, through to the main stairwell, down to the tunnel, through the boiler room, through the hall and through the storage room, past through where the garbage chute is, then into a little area with three doors
"I know at least this far" she says
>>125366Loputu says something to her
She might need to be physically fed it, like a foal
>>125367If that is the case, then Silver does so, using his magic to scoop the honey out of the vial and into the mare's mouth.
>>125367Iron points to the middle door, quietly asking Sands to take a listen through and maybe peek through any cracks for further information.
>>125368She licks it, almost like peanut butter, slowly lapping it up. As she does so, her eyes slowly become a deeper, darker green. Her fur almost becomes fluffy. A purer white, and less grey. But it's her mane most of all that shows the difference, gaining a vibrant pink color. She stands up
>>125369She places her head against the door, looks up right, then moves to attention, and gets up
"There's some creature there, alright"
>>125370Silver looks at her as she stands up.
"Feel any better?"
>>125370Iron hums softly before asking Sands to look to the two other doors at the sides as he instintively looks for some cover in case the creature decides to come in for whatever reason.
>>125371She stares at him for a moment, but then nods. The movements of her head, up and down, are fast paced, knocking her pink mane about
>>125372She goes, opens the door to the left, looks in, and about, then closes it and goes to the door on the right, which she does not bother to open, but looks at with disgust
She turns to him
"I don't know"
>>125373Humming softly, Iron checks the leftmost door for himself, wondering if it's the right path to go to.
>>125375It dead ends into what seems to be something like an apartment
>>125374As if she's struggling to speak,
"My name is... Keskööpäike"
>>125376Iron then proceeds to look into the rightmost door instead.
>>125376Silver puts a hoof over his chest.
"My name is Silver Sword. We are here to rescue you."
>>125377Sands goes up, and places a leg on the door
"If there is a way out from undergound, it's forward"
>>125378She looks at him, and a little down. She's really skinny, and it's difficult to tell if that's natural, she's starved, or a little of both. Then she looks back up at him, as if straining
Loputu speaks to her
"Ta ütleb, et on siin, et sind päästa. Tema nimi on Silver Sword"
Her face lights up, and she has a big smile. Then she
whomps Silver, hugged him
"Thank you, thank you... Ma arvasin, et suren siin"
>>125379Silver is a little surprised by the sudden hug, but he quickly recovers to hug her back. He flashes a thankful smile behind her at Loputu.
>>125379>>125380"What happened? How were you captured?"
>>125380Iron huffs slightly before going to the middle door and peeking through to see what they could be potentially dealing with.
>>125380Loputu himself smiles awkwardly, and she pulls herself back, also smiling in an awkward way. She visibly has tears on her face
Loputu:
"Ta tahab teada, kuidas sa siia tulid"
Through a relay, she relates the following:
"I was in Cubria, in Frostbell when I wanted to leave. I heard Equestria had better wages than Bakara.... I contracted to leave. The government did not want me to leave. So I had to hide. I came here. But they said I owed them money, and I had to work chained at a table twelve hours a day. There were monsters that would hit us, and threaten to eat us alive... such horrible things. One night they dragged me before a black vile creature, that drained away much of my soul. I was placed in a cocoon for I do not know how long. Then they burst me out, and took me up here to wait"
>>125382A strange voice
"Schwarzefeder? Is that you? Let us out! Some ponies trapped us in these cages"
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>>125383Raising an eyebrow in curiosity at the loaded statement, Iron opens it even the tiniest bit to maybe see if this creature's telling the truth.
>>125383Silver nods, sadly.
"I am sorry to hear. It is over, now. Those behind this have been captured or killed. Once police arrive to remove those we captured, you will be free.
"You say you were looking to resettle here in Equestria? I assume you will need money for food and lodging in meantime?"
>>125384Iron opens the door to see a cage filled with two creatures. Two creatures that look like that cackling, wild creature that Silver fought in the sanctuary
"Hey! You're another pony! What are you doing here?" calls the androgynous voice
>>125385"Oh.."
Loputu speaks to her, and she talks back in her language
"She thinks she will"
>>125386Silver starts counting out Bit notes for a short bit, eventually handing her a stack of 500.
"Here, take it."
>>125386Iron blinks in mild surprise at the two gnolls, blinking softly.
"I was actually just heading out," Iron responds, poised as his usually grey coat took a brown-ish red hue by this point "do you know where is the exit from here?"
>>125387She looks at it, and blinks
"Thank you..."
>>125389Silver nods and smiles at her.
"It is not too terribly much, but it will cover food and lodging for while."
>>125391"You do not know place? Like place to stay?"
>>125392"No, I mean... Equestria"
>>125391Iron snorts softly as he starts walking along the corridor, looking ahead.
"Hm... How do I know you know the way?" he asks tentatively as he scans the area ahaed.
>>125393"Oh. Hmm..."
Silver looks to Loputu.
"Could you please translate for me, since she speaks Skynavian fluently? I want to know what she means."
>>125394At the end is a doorway opening to a stairway
"I'll show you the way alright!"
"Then why did you ask us?"
>>125395"s-sure"
He asks her, and she speaks back
"She says she is not familiar with Equestria and is unsure how well she could survive on her own"
>>125396"Ohhhhh. Well, if she so chooses, she can stay with me."
>>125396Iron hums before shaking his head.
"I do not seem that convinced you know the layout, considering you have not evacuated yet," he informs "since right now the poh-lee-ce is right above us, cuffing anypony that even resembles a cultist."
He puts on a confident look. "I can get scot free, but you..." he cranes his head from side to side tentatively "...
might be seen as cultists and either throw you in a nicer metal cage
or make you an example to the public."
With that explanation set, Iron turns to the two gnolls. "So if I even want to
think about getting you two out, I need something more than promises."
>>125397Loputu is silent at this for a moment, and scrunches, but then he speaks, and relays the information to her
"She says thank you, and she will consider it"
>>125398She pulls against the bars, rattling them
"I can promise you if you don't let us out I'll tear you to pieces!"
The male is a bit more pleading
"We were locked in here. We'll make it worth your while if you just let us out"
>>125399Iron hums softly before pointing to the corridor ahead. "Tell me what is right outside this corridor, and if you are accurate, I will let you go."
He turns to Sands, beckoning her to go check while the dogs answers.
>>125399Silver is confused at Loputu's reaction, but he nods to her.
"Whatever you decide, we will help you."
>>125400Female: "Let us go, and maybe I'll tell you what's down the corridor"
Male: "Water. It's water"
>>125401"She says okay, and she is grateful"
>>125402Silver gets up, and looks to the two Skynavians.
"I am going to check up on others. Stay safe, you two."
Floof is sleepy. Floof thinks he's going to bed. >>125400She looks down the stairs
"I.... Think I see water?"
>>125404Iron hums softly, appreciative at the male hyena but distrusting of the female hyena still.
He turns his head to the first one. "So, how can I take your word your potential marefriend is not going to claw at me the moment I open these doors?"
>>125406"Yeah yeah, what's going on? Are you with the Waterfront Gang?"
"I'll claw at you if you
won't open this cage!"
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