/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>171944
And
[6d7 = 21]

>>171945
>>171944
>>171941
Both are quickly dispatched, knocked out but not killed. But reinforcements from the next room will arrive imminently

>>171946
But now at least there are no more threats in the room they're in. Silver heads for the arched doors, and fires the last of his magazine through them, more to buy just a couple more seconds than to actually try to kill any changelings.

BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGclick

[1d20 = 4]
[1d20 = 13]
[1d20 = 16]
[1d20 = 12]
[1d20 = 19]
[1d20 = 2]
[1d20 = 11]
[1d20 = 12]
[1d20 = 13]
[1d20 = 3]

>>171947
The magazine is empty, Silver thinks he may have clipped a drone, and he's bought a few seconds, at least for his compatriots to take cover

>>171948
With a clatter, Silver drops the LMG as he doesn't have enough ammo left for it to bother with. Instead he readies his Jenny once again for battle, and turns it to full auto.

"Scheiß auf dich und deine Bombe!"

And if it isn't obvious, Silver makes for cover.

>>171949
Für das Vaterland one yells

Take cover, and Roll Initiative

[1d20+2 = (7+2) = 9]
[1d20+1 = (6+1) = 7]
[1d20+1 = (6+1) = 7]
[1d20+1 = (1+1) = 2]

[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]
[1d20+2 = (20+2) = 22]
[1d20+1 = (7+1) = 8]
[1d20+1 = (15+1) = 16]
[1d20+1 = (20+1) = 21]
[1d20+1 = (20+1) = 21]

>>171951
[1d20+4 = (14+4) = 18]
>multiple 20s
Oh no

>>171952
Actually that's Silver's allies

Only four in the other room that are able to come to the door

Targeting far left, the white pegasus
[1d20+7 = (4+7) = 11]
[1d20+7 = (17+7) = 24]

Targeting the second, the grey medic
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]
[1d20+3 = (9+3) = 12]
[1d20+3 = (8+3) = 11]
[1d20+3 = (16+3) = 19]
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]

Targetting the third, the cream medic
[1d20+3 = (7+3) = 10]
[1d20+3 = (4+3) = 7]
[1d20+3 = (14+3) = 17]
[1d20+3 = (19+3) = 22]
[1d20+3 = (4+3) = 7]

>>171952
Of four targets, target 2 is out, and both 1 and 3 are more wounded than not

>>171953
Oh. Good!

Since Silver is next, he'll target the fourth changeling with a burst from his Jenny.

clangaclangaclangaclangaclanga

[1d20+5 = (4+5) = 9]
[1d20+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d20+5 = (4+5) = 9]
[1d20+5 = (4+5) = 9]
[1d20+5 = (15+5) = 20]

>>171956
This means that one gets to shoot

[1d20+4 = (9+4) = 13]
[1d20+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d20+4 = (7+4) = 11]
[1d20+4 = (14+4) = 18]
[1d20+4 = (16+4) = 20]

[1d7 = 5]

>>171958
Hitting the orange pony...
[4d7 = 20]

Wait, no. The orange pony himself gets to shoot first

[1d20+3 = (19+3) = 22]
[1d20+3 = (9+3) = 12]
[1d20+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d20+3 = (9+3) = 12]
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]

Which actually takes out the left most drone...

Azlea gets to shoot
[1d20+4 = (20+4) = 24]
[1d20+4 = (9+4) = 13]
[1d20+4 = (9+4) = 13]
[1d20+4 = (5+4) = 9]

>>171962
Rolling
[1d20+4 = (13+4) = 17]

[2d7 = 6]

Downing him, then Spectral Streak
[1d20+10 = (13+10) = 23]
[1d20+10 = (13+10) = 23]
[1d20+10 = (2+10) = 12]
[1d20+10 = (11+10) = 21]

>>171952
And with a combination of good luck and numbers, Silver and his comrades have cleared out these four drones quickly

>>171966
Silver peaks through the arched doors to see if any other changelings are armed and ready in the other part of the basement.

>>171967
Silver does see changelings. At least 5 of them. 4 laying or leaning on columns and boxes, and one over an open box. He also sees one, two, three ponies leaning against the far wall. All three ponies have blood dripping from them and are dead. Four of the changelings are wounded, although the fourth one, lying on the ground, might be dead. The one healthy-looking changeling simply stands by the box in the center of the room, like a deer in headlights

>>171968
As Silver's eyes drift to look at the dead ponies, his anger begins to rise once again. It almost sounds as if he's growling. How could such animals - nay, less than animals - commit such atrocities against innocent ponies? He levels his Jenny at the changelings, and in a low and dangerous voice speaks at them.

"Ich lasse dir die Wahl, die du ihnen nie gegeben hast. Nimm deine Brüder, nimm deine Waffen, verlasse unsere Stadt und kehre zu deiner Mutter zurück."

>>171969
With a voice more insect-like, more buzzing, and more in-equine that Silver has heard out of most changelings, he receives the following wailing response from the lone tender of the box

"Meine Mutter ist tot!"

>>171970
Silver keeps his gun trained on the changeling, ready to shoot if he makes any sudden movements. Though, perhaps, his voice does soften a little for the changeling's anguish, even if the anger of the executed pony prisoners is still fresh in his mind.

"Das tut mir leid. Du musst immer noch an deine Brüder denken, sie werden ohne deine Hilfe hier nicht rauskommen. Und alle deine Brüder und Schwestern zu Hause werden dich jetzt mehr denn je brauchen."

Rollin' Diplomacy, wish Silver luck
[1d20 = 16]

>>171969
The following bit of description was supposed to be posted earlier:

Silver can see pretty quickly who the ponies were based on their clothing. They were two guards and a construction worker, shot several times through the torso, and judging from the small trail of blood, dragged across the floor from somewhere else where they were originally shot. The drones likewise appear to have been shot elsewhere and taken here, though they are (mostly) in better shape.

>>171972
>>171971
The drone stops for a moment, and closes its mouth. When it opens it again, it speaks with a much calmer voice, still two-toned but closer to familiar, and with a grave and frightened expression and tone

"Der Mechanismus wurde zerschossen. Ich habe es repariert. Es ist verschwunden, um sich dem Rest der Bombe anzuschließen. Es liegt jetzt außerhalb meiner Kontrolle. Meine Brüder werden tun, was ihre Mutter ihnen befohlen hat"

>>171973
The anger Silver felt is almost immediately replaced by a strong wave of dread upon the drone uttering those words. He speaks urgently and insistently.

"Wo ist die Bombe? Wir müssen unsere Familie retten."

>>171974
"Sag es dir und verrate meine?" he replies

May need another diplomacy roll

>>171975
Two diplomacy rolls in one day? Hoh boy...

Diplomacy: "Ich werde ihnen die Chance geben, sicher nach Hause zu gehen, das schwöre ich."

[1d20 = 5]

>>171976
He shakes his head

"Sie wussten, dass sie, wenn dieser Tag käme, nicht nach Hause gehen würden, selbst wenn es ein Zuhause gäbe, in das sie zurückkehren könnten. Und ich auch."

>>171977
Diplomacy: Silver has to keep trying. He doesn't know where the bomb is, and this drone is the only one who can help him now.

"Dadurch wird nichts behoben. Auge um Auge macht die Welt nur blind."

[1d20 = 18]

>>171978
Normally I don't think a reroll is allowed but... alright Gandhi, you win this one

The drone takes a ragged breath, and though it's hard to tell given its solid-blue eyes, seems as if it looked away and then back again.

"Oben, im Atrium. In der Display-Lokomotive. Dort befindet sich das aktive Material."

>>171980
Silver looks gratefully at the drone, though he'll only be relieved when the bomb is secured.

"Danke schön! Ich verspreche, dass ich ihnen die Wahl lasse, zu gehen."

He shouts out to the ponies in his group as he runs past the drones.

"Atrium! Hurry!"

>>171981
Silver's ponies are ready to move. Spectral Streak, however, has this to say

"Are you sure that he doesn't have the bomb with him right there? Or that none of these changelings will pick up guns and shoot us in the back?"

>>171982
Silver turns to Spec.

"We do not have time to check every box if bomb is indeed in atrium. We just have to trust them, both on bomb and on not shooting us."

>>171983
Silver doesn't know what a device looks like, but in fairness to the drone, the box is not very big and is certainly open.

Spectral Streak holds for a second, and though he doesn't express it, Silver can tell he's thinking "Or, we could kill them"

>>171984
"Eye for eye just makes world blind. We are not committing war crimes. Trust in Harmony, my son."

>>171985
“Maybe just a little bit?”

>>171986
"You can trust in Harmony little bit, yes, now come on, we are wasting valuable time."

>>171987
The ponies leave the room, but Silver is tasked with the question of how, precisely, he wants to approach the main room. Going up the stairs takes him to a hallway which he knows exits out into what must be the atrium on the lower level near the entrance, but also at the far side. He can also go up to the second level for the balcony.

>>171988
The second level also gives them the high ground and a good vantage point if they need to shoot whatever changeling is at the detonator. Silver decides to take them up to the second level.

>>171839
>bones
https://youtu.be/gH8gDDN7mbQ
Wouldn't the bones still be wet, slimy, and obviously new? Wouldn't that raise more suspicion?

>>171866
Little wonder, given the neglect and poor administration of Katerinburg. It would be difficult to do things worse than the former duchess.
The cathedral impresses Amber, and improves somewhat her opinion of Hellquill. They never carried a reputation of being particularly religious or fond of finer arts in her eyes. However, she cannot tarry and chooses to head to the offices where her friends would be at.

>>171887
>making a wight
This is diabolical and extremely dangerous. I'm impressed. I hope it works and goes horribly wrong

>>171990
Amber knows where to go - the castle complex. And she knows where it is - to the right, up a hill, visible from most parts of the city.

>>171991
>>171990
Image 3 is the closest to what Amber would see

>>171991
Amber was expecting the Bureau of the Arts or whatever it's called to be in a modern-style office building within Hellquill, not in a castle.
Roll to find a more discrete path (gather information): [1d20+2 = (2+2) = 4]

>>171993
>wouldn't place the center of culture in a great big castle
And that is why Amber could never be an insane, genocidal, warmongering dictator.

There's a road going up to one entrance with a guard station. Clearly a modern road, made for automobiles. And it isn't a main entrance, too

>>171994
Amber tries to see if her friends are nearby, or if they've struggled to get past. Spot [1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19]

>>171995
Amber actually doesn't see them at all. This is actually a good sign, implying they've made it inside

GM, if possible, I would like to get the answer if Posey makes it to level 4, before I know if the wight rises. I have a lot of work to do on my sheet.

>>171989
Silver makes it to the second floor, where a balcony rings around an open atrium. The floors are tile, which is a minor problem all of its own as shoed hooves will make audible clops walking across it.

The room is a rectangular shape, perhaps 120 feet deep and 60 or so across. This second floor is maybe 15 feet above the first. Above it, the wall continues up to a third floor with internal square windows. Dorian columns stretch from the ground floor to the railing and then up the ceiling, where decorated panels stretch and curve outwards, until running through the center of the ceiling is a great, glass roof, crossed by small iron beams and vaulted upwards towards the sky. Hanging from the ceiling a bit back and in the center are a number of wires, suggesting that something was intended to be hung from the ceiling, though it is not present now.

Most of the room is colored white, though the panels above the walkway are decorated with scenes of ponies drawing carts of increasing complexity, or galley ships, carracks, clippers, steamships and freightliners, of trains steam and diesel, of automobiles old then new, and of airships and airplanes, evidently showing a progression of transport methods used by ponies throughout history, with progress being shown clockwise. Along three sides, the second-floor has next to it a wall, and occasionally and especially opposite the entrance it will have periodic doors. On the lower level, though it's hard to see, there are a few doors with signs that say things like "Port Authority." The walkway surrounds the atrium on all four sides, including the side facing north and towards the street. On that side, there are no offices, but rather narrow windows along the length. The ground level is covered in tile. The ground floor is covered in marble tile in a color approximating pink. This is broken up by an almost "mosiac" presentation of different colored tile. Around the columns and encasing the center is an interlacing "swastika" pattern. But beyond this, towards the center, is a depiction of Mage Meadowbrook in front, as well as towards the back, her mask, and on the opposite side, Flash prance and then his shield in the back. The door leading in has at least two sets of doors, with a small entry foyer underneath the second floor walkway, lined in wood and brass.

But these are not the most interesting objects in the room. That honor, at least among objects intended to be in the room belongs to something that sits in the center and near the front entrance. It's a full-sized, black steam locomotive, sitting atop a small rail constructed in a break in the tile in the floor and taking up a significant portion of the floor. If White Orchid were here he could say exactly what it is, but all Silver can tell is that it has 4 lead wheels, 6 power wheels, and 4 trailing wheels - a 4-6-4 arrangement - it's black, beautiful, relatively new, and looks like it could still pull freight even if the diesels are less maintenance.

All this is illuminated by light that shines through the roof, angling a bit towards the side and leaving Silver's side in relative shadow. It's dim for direct sunlight, as if the sun were in partial eclipse. Through the windows over the entryway Silver can see the great black clouds that originate far over the north horizon and reach into space.

>>172002
>>171989
Of course, Silver isn't here to sight see or submit a customs form. He is here to clear out the changelings. He sees 10 of them, though at this angle, there could easily be more obscured from line of sight behind the locomotive. Half wear what seems to be worker or guard uniforms, but none have bothered to disguise themselves as ponies. Six are on the second floor. Four of these are fairly near. On the right side, near Silver, are four drones - two manning a Hegemony Universal Machine Gun, and two with them with assault rifles. On the opposite side are two, one of whom has what seems to be some kind of anti-tank weapon, and the other has a Jenny. All six face the plaza, away from Silver.

Down on the lower level, four drones huddle near the train with various weapons, mostly looking outside, though one looks at the train. And the train - which it should be noted does not include the tender - has its front half-circular panel removed, and presumably its boiler pipes as well. That is the focus of these drones on the lower level, though something surely menaces from beyond the entryway, from the street.

While none of the drones are looking in Silver's direction at the moment and all are preoccupied, simply walking can be loud, and they must surely have heard enough gunshots to know that intruders are in the building. Silver cannot be sure these are all of the Changelings nearby.

>>172002
>>172003
Without making a sound, Silver points out the front of the train without its front panel and boiler pipes and mouths out a single word: bomb. He also points out the nearby machine gun, and begins to formulate a plan. First, however, he needs to know: does it seem like any of the changelings have heard the group of ponies coming up to the balcony, and can he whisper to the group without exposing themselves?

>>172004
TATATATATATATAT TATATAT TATTATATATATATATATAT

They have not noticed them, and Silver can attempt to communicate with his teammates over the sound of gunfire

>>172005
Silver whispers to the group, hoping the sounds of gunfire will keep the drones from hearing them.

"Alright, call me stupid if you wish, I do not care. I made promise to that drone downstairs I would do my best to convince these changelings to leave peacefully and I intend to keep that promise. I will head downstairs and attempt to reason with them while you stay upstairs here, but there is chance I will not succeed. If shooting starts, your first targets are nearby four changelings on that machine gun, take them out and commandeer it. Once you have it, shoot any changelings that make attempt on bomb, do not let them detonate it. Am I clear?"

>>172006
White Pegasus:
"Are you mad?! We should kill these drones up here while we have the advantage."

>>172007
"If they make like they are going to shoot, they will be focused on me downstairs, giving you opening to shoot machinegunner while they are distracted. And if it works and they leave peacefully, we do not have to be shot at."

>>172008
"A distraction?" He asks

>>172009
"Yes, if I fail to convince them. Just wait until I either succeed or fail before you decide to start shooting. I do not want to convince them to leave only for you to shoot them anyways."

>>172010
He looks skeptically at Silver

"O... kay...."

>>172011
Silver nods firmly at the ponies. "Wish me luck."

Whether they do so or not, Silver takes a deep breath, steels himself, and heads downstairs towards the first floor entrance to the atrium, to hopefully convince the changelings that blowing themselves and the city up is not, in fact, the best option, nor that it's the only option..

>>172012
>>172012
The ponies slowly nod and move back to more insular positions. Silver will have to hurry to make sure the bomb is not denotated, as it appeared one drone was installing something.

Spectral Streak comes towards Silver and asks
"Should I join you?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcOPh5ltbAw&pp=ygUlYmF0dGxlIGh5bW4gb2YgdGhlIHJlcHVibGljIHdhc3RlbGFuZA%3D%3D

>>172013
Silver looks at his son as he replies, "If you wish. I would appreciate company, but I am taking lead on this."

With or without his son tagging along, Silver hurries downstairs, taking little care for sneaking once he's out of range of the machine gun on the second floor. He moves for an entrance to the atrium as close to opposite of the balcony as he can. Once he arrives, he enters the atrium and shouts out to the changelings in their own language (which, for the sake of not having to constantly go back and forth to/from Google Translate and for the sake of clarity, will be italicized and in Ponish).

"STOP!"

>>172014
Spectral Streak decides to stay upstairs
"I think I may be more useful here"

Well, he gets their attention. He must either speak, or roll initiative

>>172015
For now, Silver is going to hope that these changelings can appeal to reason.

"This isn't going to fix anything! You won't be any closer to winning this war, and you won't be saving the lives of any of your family!"

>>172017
Again, Silver should be grateful that talking is a free-action

One replies
Every dead pony is one less to fight. This whole area is oil refineries and metal smelters. Fewer factories to the war machine.

And another
It'll destroy the pony city as they have ours

>>172019
But for all of his attempts to avoid it, Silver can't any longer

Roll Diplomacy

>>172020
Celestia, hear my plea, guide my dice to victory!

[1d20 = 2]

>>172021
CELESTIA YOU HAVE FORSAKEN ME

>>172021
>>172022
>>172019
Mahatma Gandhi is known for his statement against revenge "an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." But he is also known for having... other interests that are relevant here, and a bit contradictory to pacifism

Silver may roll initiative, but with a penalty

>>172023
Hopefully the drone downstairs will understand that Silver really did try his best.

[1d20 = 14]

>>172025
Two ahead, two behind [if Silver is only penalized -4]. Silver better hope he has full cover behind a column

The first one shoots with his Grim
[1d20+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d20+4 = (18+4) = 22]
[1d20+4 = (13+4) = 17]
[1d20+4 = (1+4) = 5]

The second with his submachine gun
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]
[1d20+3 = (20+3) = 23]
[1d20+3 = (15+3) = 18]
[1d20+3 = (12+3) = 15]
[1d20+3 = (4+3) = 7]

>>172024
>>172026
Silver is hit presumably twice, once by a bullet from a Grim, and a second time by a bullet from a submachine gun

[2d7 = 9]
[2d6 = 7]

>>172027
Silver quickly scampers into cover, even as the familiar pain of being shot rears its ugly head and he coughs up a fair bit of blood. He's hurting bad, but he understands things could be a lot worse for him.

He peaks out with his Jenny, and fires a burst towards one of the two changelings yet to have fired.

clangaclangaclangaclangaclanga

[1d20+5 = (6+5) = 11]
[1d20+5 = (16+5) = 21]
[1d20+5 = (16+5) = 21]
[1d20+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d20+5 = (15+5) = 20]

>>172026
And elsewhere....

[1d20+10 = (15+10) = 25]
[1d20+10 = (6+10) = 16]
[1d20+10 = (13+10) = 23]
[1d20+10 = (8+10) = 18]

[1d20+5 = (19+5) = 24]
[1d20+5 = (9+5) = 14]
[1d20+5 = (5+5) = 10]
[1d20+5 = (12+5) = 17]

[1d20+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d20+4 = (1+4) = 5]
[1d20+4 = (18+4) = 22]
[1d20+4 = (20+4) = 24]

[1d20+3 = (15+3) = 18]
[1d20+3 = (20+3) = 23]
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]
[1d20+3 = (8+3) = 11]
[1d20+3 = (18+3) = 21]

[1d20+3 = (14+3) = 17]
[1d20+3 = (5+3) = 8]
[1d20+3 = (11+3) = 14]
[1d20+3 = (15+3) = 18]
[1d20+3 = (19+3) = 22]

>>172028
[6d8 = 28]

>>172028
Silver fluff shoots down one of the drones, and he has good luck to see the fourth shot down from an attacker from the balcony.

Silver, however, is still shot at by two drones.

[1d20+4 = (19+4) = 23]
[1d20+4 = (11+4) = 15]
[1d20+4 = (6+4) = 10]
[1d20+4 = (6+4) = 10]

[1d20+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d20+3 = (3+3) = 6]
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]
[1d20+3 = (8+3) = 11]
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]

>>172031
At least 1 hit on Silver
[2d7 = 9]

Also there should be another Pony in the fight
[1d20+3 = (19+3) = 22]
[1d20+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d20+3 = (14+3) = 17]
[1d20+3 = (5+3) = 8]
[1d20+3 = (10+3) = 13]

>>172031
>>172032
Another fresh bullet hole and an accompanying spray of blood. It's not the first time today he's been barely able to stand and fight, being so weak from damage. With luck, it won't be his last. He aims at the changeling with the Grim, and fires another burst.

clangaclangaclangaclangaclanga

[1d20+5 = (10+5) = 15]
[1d20+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d20+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d20+5 = (14+5) = 19]
[1d20+5 = (6+5) = 11]

And three shoot back at the ponies
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]
[1d20+3 = (10+3) = 13]
[1d20+3 = (11+3) = 14]
[1d20+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]

[1d20+4 = (14+4) = 18]
[1d20+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d20+4 = (15+4) = 19]
[1d20+4 = (6+4) = 10]

[1d20+4 = (9+4) = 13]
[1d20+4 = (16+4) = 20]
[1d20+4 = (20+4) = 24]
[1d20+4 = (9+4) = 13]

>>172034
Luck really isn't on Silver's side right now

>>172037
"Gah!"
Silver hears a familiar voice cry out in pain up above

He hits the drone with a Grim, but does not down him

[1d20+5 = (12+5) = 17]
[1d20+5 = (2+5) = 7]
[1d20+5 = (13+5) = 18]
[1d20+5 = (18+5) = 23]

[1d20+4 = (15+4) = 19]
[1d20+4 = (19+4) = 23]
[1d20+4 = (5+4) = 9]
[1d20+4 = (7+4) = 11]

[1d20+3 = (10+3) = 13]
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]
[1d20+3 = (19+3) = 22]
[1d20+3 = (20+3) = 23]
[1d20+3 = (16+3) = 19]

>>172036
>>172041
With a spray of submachine gun fire, the Grim wielding drone stumbles

But the one with the submachine gun remains, and fires at Silver
[1d20+3 = (6+3) = 9]
[1d20+3 = (8+3) = 11]
[1d20+3 = (19+3) = 22]
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]
[1d20+3 = (5+3) = 8]

>>172042
At least one hit, and Silver better be damned grateful for that column and its marble construction, which is slowly eaten away by the bullets that hit it
[2d6 = 8]

>>172043
Another spray of blood, and Silver's life is holding on by the barest of threads. As his vision turns blurry, blood begins to pool around his forehooves, and he hears his slowed heartbeat clearly over the din of the combat around him he wonders to himself: did I just doom everypony?

He fires the last of his Jenny's magazine, a last hope at saving his life, and getting to see his wife and foals at least one last time.

clangaclangaclangaclangaclangaclick

[1d20+5 = (6+5) = 11]
[1d20+5 = (16+5) = 21]
[1d20+5 = (8+5) = 13]
[1d20+5 = (6+5) = 11]
[1d20+5 = (17+5) = 22]

>>172045
>>172044
Not... quite enough. But,

[1d20+4 = (19+4) = 23]
[1d20+4 = (16+4) = 20]
[1d20+4 = (14+4) = 18]
[1d20+4 = (2+4) = 6]

>>172043
>>172047
The changeling drone fought valiantly, but to no avail. Its twisted and ruined body goes down in a hail of bullets, and thus ends its life in Equestria

>>172048
As the drone falls, so to does Silver, as he stumbles forwards and collapses onto the floor, alive but just barely holding on. He uses what little strength he has left in him to try to get back on his hooves shakily, and see through his blurry vision what the state of the rest of battle is.

>>172049
Silver can see that the Changelings on the second level have been downed. Silver can hear there is a "pony down" above them. A medic comes to Silver, the grey one. That is the only pony who comes down. From the sounds of gun fire above them a new wave must have come in, but all 10 of the changelings in the room since Silver came in have been downed. From outside, it seems that reinforcements will be arriving soon

>>172050
Silver shakes off any attempts to try to heal him, and instead looks up to the second floor and through ragged breaths chokes out, "Help me get up to second floor."

>>172051
"Come on. Get up" The grey stallion says, offering a hoof

"You need help"

>>172052
"Need to help others...more coming."

Silver manages to use his magic to change magazines on his Jenny before it cuts out, the empty clattering to the ground next to him.

>>172052
Silver does take the medic's hoof, though he continues to weakly shrug off attempts at treatment and insists that he needs to help the others.

>>172053
It falls, and is replaced with another

Silver goes upstairs to see a minor firefight going on with drones on the opposite side, and the cream medic next to his downed and wounded son.

>>172055
Seeing his son injured gives Silver enough energy and rage to push through the fog caused by his injuries, even if they are still very much real and still very much there. Some droplets of mixed blood and saliva fly from his mouth as he almost screams out, "FUCK YOU!"

He takes aim at a changeling and lets out a burst of fire from his freshly reloaded Jenny.

clangaclangaclangaclangaclanga

[1d20+5 = (11+5) = 16]
[1d20+5 = (8+5) = 13]
[1d20+5 = (9+5) = 14]
[1d20+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d20+5 = (7+5) = 12]

>>172056
This time, it's the changelings who have good cover, and Silver lands no hits. Everypony on the pony side is low to the walkway, trying to stay in cover

[1d3 = 2]

>>172056
>>172057
The medic forces Silver down towards the ground
"You're losing too much blood!"

>>172058
"RRRRRAAAGGHH! ОТПУСТИТЬ!"

Silver very much resists being forcefully handled by the medic, especially with his son downed and the enemy in his sights.

>>172059
IF Silver wishes, he probably could charge the enemy

The medic, however, wants to apply coagulant, blood, stitches, and other treatments

>>172060
Can Silver fire his Jenny from this position, or is a charge the only option?

>>172061
He can shoot from this position, but must expose himself to do so

>>172062
Silver forces the medic off of him to stand up and once again target a changeling with his Jenny.

clangaclangaclangaclangaclanga

[1d20+5 = (19+5) = 24]
[1d20+5 = (20+5) = 25]
[1d20+5 = (8+5) = 13]
[1d20+5 = (18+5) = 23]
[1d20+5 = (16+5) = 21]

>>172063
Confirming
[1d20+5 = (17+5) = 22]

>>172063
>>172064
Silver sees a changeling on the edge of a rail, lines up a shot, and shoots him several times in the torso and once in the head.
[10d8 = 41]

But they shoot back, though not all at Silver
[1d20+4 = (12+4) = 16]
[1d20+4 = (19+4) = 23]
[1d20+4 = (12+4) = 16]
[1d20+4 = (17+4) = 21]
[1d4 = 3]

[1d20+4 = (15+4) = 19]
[1d20+4 = (16+4) = 20]
[1d20+4 = (15+4) = 19]
[1d20+4 = (10+4) = 14]
[1d4 = 2]

[1d20+4 = (20+4) = 24]
[1d20+4 = (13+4) = 17]
[1d20+4 = (11+4) = 15]
[1d20+4 = (17+4) = 21]
[1d4 = 1]

>>172065
>>172063
Silver sees the white pegasus recoil in pain, and the orange pony collapse on the ground

[1d20+5 = (7+5) = 12]
[1d20+5 = (14+5) = 19]
[1d20+5 = (18+5) = 23]
[1d20+5 = (11+5) = 16]

[1d20+4 = (11+4) = 15]
[1d20+4 = (2+4) = 6]
[1d20+4 = (3+4) = 7]
[1d20+4 = (20+4) = 24]

Actually that should be a [4d7 = 11]

>>172067
Which would cause injury but not collapse

[1d20+3 = (19+3) = 22]
[1d20+3 = (14+3) = 17]
[1d20+3 = (20+3) = 23]
[1d20+3 = (10+3) = 13]
[1d20+3 = (8+3) = 11]

[4d8 = 26]

[2d8 = 14]

>>172068
>>172064
Two wounded Changeling drones remain

>>172070
"GET OUT OF MY CITY!"

Silver targets another changeling, and fires another burst.

clangaclangaclangaclangaclanga

[1d20+5 = (16+5) = 21]
[1d20+5 = (15+5) = 20]
[1d20+5 = (16+5) = 21]
[1d20+5 = (1+5) = 6]
[1d20+5 = (14+5) = 19]

>>172071
That's at least 3 hits on a wounded changeling
[3d8 = 15]

>>172072
>>172071
A third changeling is downed, leaving one, lone gunman remaining. But it doesn't fight, instead crawling towards a doorway.

>>172073
If the changeling isn't going to fight, then Silver yells to the medics to take care of the wounded as he rushes for the changeling machinegun. There's reinforcements that need to be taken care of.

>>172074
The machine gun is lying by an open window. The drone who was operating it had been prone, then tried to turn around, then was shot down. They've clearly gone through multiple boxes of ammunition. Probably 80 rounds remain on this 250 round belt.

>>172075
Hopefully it will be enough. So long as this burst of adrenaline keeps him going through his grievous injuries, he'll keep the changelings away from the bomb. He moves the body away from the gun's position, gets on it, and aims for where it seemed like the reinforcements were coming from.

>>172076
Looking outside is a big, rounded armor, green colored tank with a UPR flag on it (with the bird wing, bat wing, horse shoe, and horn), two half track APCs, and a number of ponies in green uniforms.

>>172077
...is he hallucinating, or are those actually ponies? He's not sure as he's basically running on pure adrenaline at this point, and he really, really doesn't want to make the wrong guess at this point. He shouts out to the supposed ponies, hoping they can hear him.

"CHANGELINGS OR PONIES?"

>>172078
They look like ponies, to be sure. They are cautiously approaching the ministry

From behind them and above, Silver sees a flying tin can coming in low, with its glistening aluminum and yellow stripe. Then DAT DAT DAT DAT it strafes the center hall, shooting bullets through the window and the ceiling, and sending glass crashing down.

>>172079
Silver is fairly certain the changelings don't have air support in the area, but the shock of sudden machine gun fire from a flying machine combined with the panic of them shooting so near an active nuclear bomb definitely doesn't help. He just barely manages to avoid shooting the machine gun.

>>172080
Either way, Silver doesn't have enough remaining HP to fight off a fighter and a tank.

>>172081
True, but it's not as if it would stop him.

"ВЫ ИДИОТЫ! THERE IS NUCLEAR BOMB HERE!"

>>172082
"Fuck you, bugger!" One alleged pony yells, as they try to use the vehicles for cover, advancing slowly

>>172082
>>172083
From behind Silver, there is the sound of gunshots

>>172083
>>172084
"СЕЛЕСТИЯ, ЧЁРТ!"

Silver wheels about, abandoning the machine gun in favor of his Jenny as he looks to see what the cause of the gunshots is.

>>172085
The white pegasus corporal has leaned over the side of the railing, and shot at a drone that has gone straight for the bomb. It appears to have been stopped, though it came uncomfortably close to through its... hoof? on the switch

>>172086
Silver sighs in relief. If it were up to him, he would he'd promote that corporal on the spot. He has to remember to write him a letter of commendation. In fact, all of the ponies who fought with him deserve one. He looks down to the ponies who he now believes are in fact ponies, and shouts at them as he starts to feel the adrenaline fading.

"GET IN HERE AND SECURE THIS BOMB, FOR CELESTIA'S SAKE!"

>>172087
This actually gets them to move more quickly, one jumping up in front of the tank, followed by another, then another.

>>172088
With that hopefully taken care of, Silver next attends to the matter of his squad, seeing what casualties there are and how bad things got.

>>172089
Spectral Streak, though by no means okay, reaches out a hoof. The white corporal has himself been wounded, as has the orange pony. These are the fresh injuries, and Azelea bloom, and one of the medics have previously been wounded. Only the cream medic seems thus far unscathed.

>>172090
Silver holds his son's hoof, and urges him to stay strong and hold on. He tells the medics to take care of the other wounded before he limps his way down towards the pony reinforcements.

>>172091
By "other wounded" he means "everyone but me".

>>172091
Silver is not in great condition by any means, and he moves down the stairs past the one, two, three, four, five changeling drone bodies - though that body of the drone with the Grim is much closer to the locomotive than he remembers. Past these is the pair of doors to the outside, and presumably the remainder of the Homeguard

>>172093
Silver has to stop in his tracks. He turns around slowly towards the body of the changeling with the Grim. Surely there's no way he's still alive...is there?

Silver goes to check for any vital signs from the drone.

>>172094
It looks dead, dripping blood and contorted on its belly. Though it shouldn't be bleeding if it is dead, and it certainly shouldn't be leaving a trail. But... is that a pulse?

>>172095
Silver calls over one of the newly arrived ponies, who will surely receive a fright when they see up close just how hurt Silver is.

"Help me move him away from bomb, my strength is failing me.

>>172096
But this takes a few seconds, enough time that when a pony finally arrives at the door... It has time to move

>>172097
If Silver can, he dives onto the changeling. Well, falls onto is probably the more accurate description, but the point is that Silver is attempting to use his body weight to keep the changeling from moving further.

>>172098
The changeling's eyes seem to dart back towards Silver, and it jumps up towards the mechanism

>>172099
I presume that means Silver is not on top of the changeling?

>>172100
Not... necessarily. The two lunge simultaneously, or at least near in time. The changeling drone with hooves stretched upward, and Silver to pull the drone down. Silver closes his eyes as moves towards its neck and body. He feels the chitin, then the thin wings of the creature...

The light shines through his eye lids, but the hard marble floor, chitin, and the steel cowcatcher of the locomotive are replaced with soft linen fabric, and down feathers

>>172101
Silver jumps with a start, letting out a "NO!" as he launches towards what he thinks it a changeling about to doom everypony he knows, only to come up with nothing. Extremely confused and disoriented, he looks around to get his bearings.

>>172102
Silver looks around to see he is in his bedroom. The sun has risen at least somewhat. There is a griffin female next to him, with admittedly rather nice curves on her belly and thighs, and at least partly under his forelegs

"Huh..." She moves, seemingly woken up by Silver's call

>>172103
He continues to look around, lost, as if he sees both the room around him and something else entirely. He breathes heavily and rapidly, and he can hear his heart pounding in his ears. The phantom sensations of copper in his mouth and pain across his entire body linger on even after the dream he just experienced had ended. Eventually his eyes return to look at the griffon in his bed, it taking a few seconds for her name to return to his clouded mind. Jubilosa. The sight seems to bring Silver some comfort as if it's anchoring him back to reality, but if she were awake and were to look at Silver she could tell he is still panicked somewhat.

Awake or not, however, his first action upon coming back to reality is to hug his griffon tight as he fights to hold back tears.

>>172104
"Gah!" The griffin is hugged tight

"What? What is it?"

She is at least reasonably soft and fluffy. A mix of a cat and a bird, after all

>>172104
Silver can't quite get a good view of her eyes as she was facing the direction opposite him, but he can see her golden fur, her brown feathers, and see her white belly, the curve of her chest, or feel the great muscles on her large, brown-feathered wings

>>172105
>>172106
Compared to being shot by a dozen different changelings and slowly bleeding out as he tries to prevent nuclear destruction? This is paradise.

"Just...terrible dream. Nightmare. I am glad to be back here."

>>172107
"Oh." She says, turning her eyes back towards him. She turns around in bed, facing her eyes, smiling beak, and chest towards him, and reaching out to put her claws over him. "I didn't think you left."

>>172108
"I must say, I am relucant to ever leave you again after that."

He strokes a cheek on her smiling face with a hoof.

"I am sorry I woke you. I hope you slept better than I did."

>>172109
She smiles, and silver can feel soft down feathers on her cheeks. Her golden eyes stare into his.
"Last thing I remember you were on top of me. Oh. You mean before that. Your date with Lua. Yeah, don't leave me for that." She moves closer and rubs her beak against Silver's muzzle. "I slept great." she says

>>172110
Silver's bright blue eyes seem to mix with the golden pools of her own, and just as she rubs her beak against his muzzle, so too does he rub his muzzle against her beak. Being embraced by his Jubee, feeling her soft fur and feathers, helps to chase away the specters of the nightmare he just had.

"This is second time in succession I have had such nightmares. I can only imagine how bad it is for everypony else, now that Luna has been captured. Our dreams run amuck at night."

>>172112
She rubs the edge of her beak just against his muzzle. It's actually kind of a nice feel, the hard, smooth beak, which feels a bit cooler than her feathers and certainly cooler than her warm chest fur, or her claws. Silver may have other reasons to like or dislike having a griffin in his bed, or being in the claws of one, but it's like having a space heater in the bed.

"Really? I didn't dream at all." She looks at him with soft eyes, but after some seconds they wander upwards. "No, that's not true. I remember flying over rolling hills... rolling, green hills...."

>>172113
"That sounds nice." He smiles at the brief description of what must have been a pleasant dream for her. "If I ever suddenly sprout wings, would you teach me to fly so we could soar over those hills together?"

>>172100
Alternative:

The creature jumps up through the air. But Silver jumps onto it, knocking it on its back, and squeezing out whatever air remained in its lungs. Its wings twitch, but Silver has it pinned. A new pony comes over, and presses it down. "Get the bug!' he says. A couple more ponies come in.

"We did it" One of them says, smiling. "We did it!" Just behind them comes a pony with a radio.

"Listen to this!" he turns it up.

"This is Friend of the Ponies reporting again: A ceasefire has just been negotiated between the Master of Ponies Long March of the United Pony Republics, Queen Ocellus of the Changeling Hegemony, and Grover VI of the Griffonian Empire. Tentative peace negotiations have the Hegemony ceding Western Equestria to the UPR in exchange for a 'love tribute' and cession of claims in Nova Griffonia, and Griffinstone being made into an independent State with the fate of Puimont left to future negotiations, and all details to be resolved in a peace settlement later in the month. Though fighting continues in against rebels in Asterion, the war is over."

>>172114
"Heh" She smiles wider

"Sure, I'll teach you."

A moment, and she shakes her head
"No, I can't imagine you flying."

>>172116
Seeing her smile really brightens up Silver's day, no matter how early it is.

"And why is that?"

>>171996
Helder would have known how to get past the guard. If only Amber had those same skills! Oh well, it's worth a shot. Amber approaches the gate.

>>172118
Amber walks up to the gate, and sees a red griffin guard who looks up at her with the warmth and friendliness Amber has come to expect out of Hellquillians And frankly all Herzlanders

"You can't come this way. This is restricted."

>>172117
"Well you're... heh. You're... big... and... fluffy. And grounded. You'd fly like a cart."

>>172119
"Well, I suppose I am big, and fluffy. I happen to find those to be my best qualities." He smiles at his Jubilosa. "But who knows, maybe I would surprise you. I could be best flying cart world has ever seen."

>>172120
"Heh heh, you, the flying cart."

She reaches up a claw and.... claws don't go there!
boop on the edge of Silver's nose, just in between her beak and his muzzle.

"Imagine a yak flying. Or a buffalo. Or an elephant. It would be about the same." She says

"Well, if you had a very fluffy elephant, it would."

>>172121
She gets a first talon view of the cute scroonchy face ponies make when they're booped.

"That sounds majestic. Flying, fluffy elephants."

>>172122
She giggles at the face, but then pauses for a moment, almost recoiling back.

"Those don't exist, do they?"

>>172124
Silver also has to pause, as his previously scroonchy face becomes puzzles, confused, and almost stumped.

"I...do not think so? There are all sorts of strange creature that exists, and no place in world has more of them than Zebrica. If it were to exist, if would be there."

>>172125
She extends her claw, and pets his mane. “Heh heh, you look cute like that.”

“And here I thought Equestria was the land of magic and wonders. Not exotic enough, is it?”

She continues petting
“Well no matter. I can’t say I know much about animals or monsters or fairytales anyways.”

>>172126
It's difficult to describe the noises Silver is making at the moment, other than calling them 'happy Silver noises'.

"I guess it is just because ones here I am familiar with. Hydras, ursas, manticores and such are what I am used to, and I imagine there all sorts of magical beasts in Griffonia you are used to."

>>172127
"Oh. Well yeah, I suppose. Well, we do have Urcos and Golden Clips, but those are not dangerous so long as you stay away from the water. Then Ireltxo can be a nuisance at times, but just don't engage in conversation when they try to sell you flowers or whatever. And the Oricuerno, well, you've basically got one rooming in the second bedroom, so...And the Sirenuca, same as with the Urcos. Just avoid the ocean and you'll be fine. Oh, and the forests, that's where the Tibicenas live. Honestly no, we don't really have monsters over in Sicameon. But that's the charm, really. It was peaceful. Calm. Safe. Pleasant. Where it was flying over the sprawling jungles through the valleys and between the mountains, or watching the waves crash upon the shore from a safe distance... It was beautiful..." She says.

hums merrily while brushing Gloomy
P: "You are just so precious. I could just eat you up..." kisses his neck
G: childish giggling with the slightest hint of nervousness
P: "...~But, that would be a waste, now wouldn't it. Even if you're just the sweetest thing ever...
Have you still been drawing?"
G: "Yes, momma!"
Gloomy excited shambles across the room as fast as his little legs can carry him, and returns with several sheets of paper with crayola drawings. The drawings depict strange runes sigils and rune circles, drawn haphazard in a crude, childish fashion; these sigils are drawn repeatedly in the margins of every drawing, sometimes scribbled out in frustration. The drawings also appear to depict various animals.. or, amalgams of animals? Strange creatures? It's hard to tell.
Gloomy seems to be particularly proud of a drawing smeared in black and red crayon that appears to depict a large black dog... Or is it a sheep? Next to the creature appears to be a pony, presumably Gloomy, reaching out to boop the creature on the nose. There is quite a bit of red in the background: could it be fire, or could it be blood? Like all of the other drawings, it has sigils a sigil drawn repeatedly in the margins, gloomy seeming having tried many times to get it right.
G: excited gigglesnort "See? See? Momma, look!"
Posey levitates the paper with her aura, and squints at it, keeping her warm, matronly, encouraging expression, trying her best to look impressed as she tries to make out the drawing.
P: "Very good, sweetie! ... What is it, dear?"
Gloomy looks somewhat offended by this question, as if it should be obvious to the smartest mare in the world
G: "It's Amon, duh!"
Posey seems to be caught off guard somewhat, she looks confused.
She takes out a tiny booklet with various colorful stickers on it with "Childcare" sprawled across the cover. Her expression turns to slight worry as she flips through the book.
P: "Amon.. I don't remember teaching you that one...
Was this during one of your 'special' dreams, sweetie?"
G: "Yes, momma."
Posey points to the sigils in the corner of the page
P: "Amon visited you, and showed you this circle?"
G: "Yes, momma?"
P: "You weren't too scared to look at its face?"
Gloomy puffs out his chest fluff
G: "No, momma. I was bwave!"
P: "And... In you dream, you touched it?"
Gloomy reaches out and boops his mother on the nose. Posey scrunches
Posey pauses for a moment
P: "This... This is good!"
She levitates Gloomy and whirls him in the air
P: "What an excellent channeler you're turning out to be, sweetie."
Posey nuzzles Gloomy in the neck. Gloomy flinches at first, but then giggles childishly.

>>172129
D'awww

I very much like the idea of Gloomy being contacted by forces outside of Posey's control.

>>172130
That's very much the point.

>>172128
Silver continues to make happy Silver noises, which sound a bit like a mix of continued sighs, a long quiet whinney, and interspersed nickers.

"Those sound quite exotic to me."

Getting the feeling that remembering her homeland is making her a little sad, Silver lays his head against her breast.

"I know New Mareland took your homeland over, but...if I ever grew wings, or even gained ability to turn into griffon, one of first things I would want to do is to be able to fly over those jungles, valleys, mountains, and waves with you."

Once I get to lvl 5, I'll be able to give Gloomy his own cohort statblock as an apprentice...
I'll post more of Gloomy's backstory later.

>>172133
Does that means Posey will take Gloomy out on adventures to train his skills and give him experience?

>>172132
"Heheh, you won't grow wings" She laughs

>>172134
That, or I sacrifice him to make a Slaymate. Time will tell.

>>172135
He laughs as well. "You never know, weirder things have happened."

>>172136
That would be sad. Posey and Gloomy need to take over the world together.

>>172137
"Haha, like what?"

>>172138
There was that time the chaos God made it rain chocolate.

>>172139
That is a fair point.

>>172138
"Well, just in last decade or so, we have had thousand-year old alicorn princess come back from being banished to moon, ancient chaos god break from from stone prison and nearly conquer Equestria, changelings nearly take over Canterlot by infiltrating wedding, entire country and race of ponies come back after being banished by dark lord's curse for thousand years, previously mentioned chaos god get reformed, and all of magic in all of Equestria nearly get stolen by centaur that had escaped from Tartarus, among many other happenings."

>>172141
The São Vicente, an older, Nimbusian originating and registered freighter with a Macawain Crew, arrived in Baltimare Harbor just before the break of dawn, originating in Rio de Jandaia with ports of call in Midoria and Manebourne. Union Dues, a strong, rust brown earth pony, walks along the pier to where cranes are already unloading crates of the freighter's cargo, a haul of tropical fruits - bananas and coconuts - as well as Jute and palm oil. The large set of crates of bananas must be placed on a cart, and ultimately taken to a warehouse before being placed on a train to take it to Fillydelphia, Canterlot, and Beyond. Union Dues moves a crate of bananas, places it on his back, and when he turns back...

>>172142
...he sees the head, upper torso, and forelegs of a golden furred, red manned pony mare, in a crate full of the yellow and green fruits. She has a squarish muzzle with large nostrils, big fluffy with small tufts of fur at the points, and slit pupil eyes with red iris that look at Union Dues with the classic 'deer in headlights stare'. She shrinks a little in her crate, and gives a sheepish wave to the pony who has uncovered her, letting out a little awkward, "H-hello..."

>>172143
Sigh

He knows what this is. One of those damned bat-winged ponies. They are not content with stealing our jobs, they want to steal our fruit, too

"What are you doing in the bananas?!"

>>172144
"Heh heh...I um...uhhh..." The mare taps her forehooves together, feeling extremely awkward about being found out. "...um...there wasn't any room on the ship?"

It's at this point that the deep unmistakable gggrrrooowwwlll of an empty stomach rings out muffled through the crate of bananas.

>>172145
He steps back slightly
"What? What were you doing on the ship in the first place?!"

Union Dues looks back towards Team Steer, a fellow pony helping him pull the cart. The former looks back to the latter, and says

"Hey! Team Steer! We got a stowaway over here"
The orange earth pony stallion walks up.

"Are you sure? She looks like she just snuck on"
"She says she's a stowaway"
"From Where? Manebourne? Did they even stop there? I was told they didn't land because of quarintine"
"Well she got on there somehow. And from the sound of it it sounds like she'll eat the cargo if we don't get her out of here"

>>172146
The mare politely raises her hoof, and quietly asks the two ponies, "E-excuse me, this is Equestria, right?"

>>172147
Team Steer looks at her with narrowed eyes and a mouth hanging open. Union Dues answers,

"Yes?"

>>172148
The mystery mare sighs in relief at the answer.

"Thank Ouroboros...I made it..."

>>172149
Union Dues and Team Steer both sigh as well
"Oh great, she really is a stowaway"
"I should get customs"
"Why? They'll just let her stay and be a scab"
"Who is 'Ouroboros'?"
"Must be their god."
"I thought they worshiped Nightmare Moon?"
"They worship all kind of weird demons. That Could be another name for Nightmare Moon though.
"Think she could be from Chiropterra?"
"Maybe."

Now, Team Steer moves a couple steps closer to the interloper, and asks
"Where did you come from?"

>>172150
"Oh, I'm from the city of Dhamaji! Have you heard of it before?"

She smiles to the two ponies, showing off a pair of small fangs that bat ponies would be known for. Internally, she wonders to herself: Chiropterra?