Post by Dusk on Apr 30, 2012 8:54:54 GMT -5
Event: Diamond in the Rough (Conclusion!)
Players: Diamond Dancer / Pesadilla, BlueFeather, Clara, Chance, Fluttershy, Dusk, NightRaven, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle.
Logged by: Dusk.
Hilly Pond
/\/\/\ HILLY POND /\/\/\
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Just outside of Ponyville, not far off from the direction of Fluttershy's cottage, the area becomes increasingly hilly, with trees and scenic grassy fields. Climbing to the top of the nearest sizable hill, with the sun shining brightly down, you can see both back to the sparse outskirts of Ponyville, and down the other side which reveals a beautiful sprawling pond before you. The area is lush with all manner of flora and fauna. While in one direction the pond wends around a bank and narrows, to the other direction it widens and covers quite a large area. Partly out into the pond a few small rocks outcrop where the water is shallower. Beyond the pond other hills break up the spreading wild landscape. The wind blows warm and pleasantly over you, swaying the cattails and other vegetation.
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[ Obvious Exits: <Po>nyville, Whitetail <Wo>od, Sweet <A>pple Acres ]
[ <M>aroon's Workshop, <Fl>uttershy's Cottage ]
[ <Au>richalcum's Workshop, Toward a <Pu>mpkin Field ]
[ Towards <T>welve <O>ats <F>arm ]
Mon Apr 30 04:05:47 BST 2012
The sky explodes in a furious crackle of thunder; raking across the sky and shattering clouds with liberal applications of lightning. Even so, it isn't raining. No, not yet. Just thunder, and lightning tumbling about the sky, illuminating the bodies of ponies laying on the street. Some of them are mumbling to themselves, others are crying and rocking back and forth, and still others are frozen where they lay, eyes wide and mouth's open in a silent scream of terror. Several of them are guards- and even more of them are civilians, but all of them have one thing in common- they're all surrounding a single, standing pony in the middle of town: Pesadilla. The Pegasus peers about the numerous bodies about the ground and laps a lengthy, snake like tongue across ebony, nightmarish lips. "Still..so..hungry..and so little time. "It hisses before turning towards the path leading towards Fluttershy's cottage. "...We owe Fluttershy a visit..." And with that, it begins it's trek towards the yellow pony's home...
Pesadilla [Female Pegasus/Nightmare]
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The.. thing standing before you is emanating a sense of dread that radiates like heat. It doesn't take a genius to tell that there is something VERY wrong with this pony. She's not normal, that's for sure. Oh, it's not the mane. That sweeps down her head in long ebony locks with deep blue strips of color, just like her tail. Her coat? That's ebony too, with a few scattering blades of white here and there, fragmented and clustered like her color coating here a disease that's taken over the once, bright white color of her body.
Her wings? Oh, she's a Pegasus alright, but those aren't normal wings. Not by a long short. The feathers branch out wildly in every which way- splitting from her lower back like they'd be smashed and broken and healed incorrectlyor maybe that's just the way they've always been. It's disturbing, none the less. Those wings aren'tright. But even worse are her eyes. Her eyes are glowing a dim yellow and her pupils are wicked little slits much like a cat. Her gaze is jittery and disjointed, as if she weren't used to this world, and she's rapidly taking in everything and everypony around her, but there wasn't enough time to take it all in. Her muzzle is filled with sharp fangs, frighteningly enough, razor sharp looking teeth and a long prehensile, serpent like tongue, which she flicks in and out every few moments. Is she tasting the air? Searching for something? Never the less, there's something -very- wrong with this pony. Pegasi, Unicorn, or Earth ponies all get the same feeling around her: She's hostile.
Carrying:
Pic: i309.photobucket.com/albums/kk375/Coolstuph/Diamondfulltransformation.png
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BlueFeather continues to sleep, undisturbed by whatever noise that Diamond is making, rather she snores softly, making her own noise.
BlueFeather [Female Pegasus]
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You look apon Blue Feather, she is a small pegasus foal, her fur a cool sky blue, as are mot of the feathers on her wings. Her mane is blue as well, yet darker, tasting more of the colour of the night sky, dark purples and blues, even a few strands of red mixed in, a windswpt embodiment of the evening sky. There are streaks of black though her mane as well, sometimes blending with the darker blues as to be unnoticable, at other times, sharp and clear, yet at the same time, there are small streaks in her mane that shade allmost to white, at times, the light and dark streaks might look as if thay are at war with each other. Some say that the eyes are the window to the soul, if so, her eyes are a cold looking blue, with a rather large shadow of darkness lurking withen, a taste of pain and loss, yet still, the coldness of her eyes hide the faint hope she still holds withen. She looks very young, maybe about 2-3 years old, its hard to tell for sure, after all, she could just be small.
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Clara is sitting, head on her bicep, knees drawn up, in the garden outside Fluttershy's cottage. At the crack of lightning, she looks up, awakened, and uses her trusty pickaxe to rise. Her eyes are wide, yearning for information. She knocks the handle of her tool five times against the front door, loudly, and then strides off toward the scene of the carnage, jaw set. "StAaArdANcCCerR!!"
Clara [Female Diamond Dog]
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<>~<>~<> CLARA <>~<>~<>
This is a stocky Diamond Dog with fur the color of light coffee. Her arms, which double as forelegs, are thick and proud; her lower body isn't so strongly built. She has claws well honed for digging and prying. She has a sizable jaw and a roundish face, taller than it is wide, with long ears that flop over at the tips. Her tail is a long brush. She tends to wear a dark brown vest with red highlights and a tasteful studded collar.
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Chance has decided to stick around to make sure Marble is alright, and try to solve the problem of the chew toy. He's leaning against the door, watching some of the others sleep, when the lightning dances across the sky. He pushes open the door and peeks out, glancing up at the clouds. "Weird weather we're having." he mentions.
Chance [Male Unicorn]
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He's black and white, with shades of gray, with not a hint of color. That's the first odd thing about him. The top of his mane starts in a nice jet-black, and works its way to white at the bottom. His pelt is almost completely black, aside from his flanks, which are white. The white of his flank curves up from the lower section of his rear hips to his middle back in a gentle curve, giving the impression of symmetric waxing moons on each side, and the curve changes the other direction, each side meeting in a white spike mid-back, pointing at his head. Though his legs are also black, he's adorned with four matching white 'socks' on each hoof, moving up about a quarter of the way to the knee, contrasted by black on the very bottoms of his hooves. His horn is white, without a speck of black or grey, giving it an ivory-like appearance, while on his other end, his tail is black. His eyes are soft grey. He appears to be in his prime as far as age goes.
Upon his flank sit a pair of white dice, one slightly overlapping the other, but the usual numbered dots upon the dice are replaced by the pattern of atoms.
An old saddlebag is usually seen flung across his back, with the usual two bags on each side. Its design is practical, effective for carrying a number of things, as the bags are split up into a couple smaller pockets in front, and a larger pocket in back. The underside portion has what looks like a strip of blanket knitted neatly into the worn leather, serving as a saddle-blanket without the need for the actual blanket. The saddlebag looks like it's well worn with age, and the blanket portion looks newer then the bag itself. Perhaps it was a hoof-me-down from somepony else?
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"Is NoOt wEatheR!" the Diamond Dog retorts to the monochrome pony before striding off. "IS fUlfIllMeNt. WaKe the OtheRsS."
Another crackle of thunder. Another and another still. Oh, it's not natual weather. It's not the sort of thing pegasi have decided on. This is...well there's a sinister feeling in the air. There's something very -wrong- coming and most ponies, and creatures of nature can FEEL it. There's a loud C*R*A*C*K in the sky, and suddenly, something comes barreling down from the darkened clouds up above, crashing heavily into the ground. It isn't a crash this time. It's A creature covered in deep ebony fur and standing on the path towards Fluttershy's home. "Fluttershy!! You've Bested us TWICE in the past...we're here to return the favor in full.
BlueFeather yawns and starts to wake up, blinking her eyes a little. The very first thing she does, is make sure that she has her toy, the artifact that Marble was so desperate to take from her. Then, soon after, her head pokes up out of the pile of cloud and blanket and pillow, and she manages to crawl up onto her little cloud wheelchair.
Fluttershy is already there, descending the path to the bottom of her little hill. The rainless lightning reminds her of nothing more than unforgiving, scorching summer heat as she tries to keep abreast with Clara, pulling her saddlebag tightly around her middle. "Diamond Dancer, why did you come back here? It's not safe any more."
Fluttershy [Female Pegasus]
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Um...Fluttershy is really, really sorry that it took so long to get this description set up. She's just really nervous. It's not like she's really, y'know, used to talking about her own body that much, like her long and flowing pink mane and tail, which she's often seen using to hide her face, or her sunny yellow coat, or anything, and she'd feel too anxious talking about her bright blue eyes to even get any words out! She does have wings, being a pegasus, you see, but she's not really a very strong flier. Oh, her cutie mark is okay, though! It's three little pink butterflies arranged on her flank.
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Chance glances over at the diamond dog. "Fulfillment? Fulfillment of.. what?" The crash distracts the last of his question, and he glances toward Fluttershy and Diamond. "Oh.. that can't be good." He takes off at a quick gallop toward the two.
Dusk is at the cottage already himself as well, but he is currently inside, taking care of a few things around the place, sharing a snack with a few of the friendly critters that show up. Especially when he has a snack. But at the sound of the crackling thunder, and the feeling in the air, they soon scatter off to their various hiding places. Dusk glances up stairs to where Blue lies, but knows that came from outside. Not hearing anything up there, he steps to the door, opening it and looking out.
Dusk [Male Unicorn]
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Your eyes fall over the fairly big and strong form of the unicorn stallion before you, Dusk's coat a deep black, but with a luminescent sheen to it, catching even the softest light, highliting the various shapes and contours of his body.
Depending on the lighting, at first you might almost mistake his mane and tail to be black as well, but you quickly notice they are a deep shade of violet. Both are fairly basic in style, free flowing, and full. The loose "bangs" of his mane somewhat obscure his face, but you can easily make out the reflective, much brighter violet eyes beneeth, as well as the protruding black spiral horn.
Glancing further back, upon his flank is a horizontal line, above it is the last remnants of a setting sun, with several specks of stars above that.
( Intro and pic: goo.gl/QDJYM )
Dusk wears his usual pair of classy looking red anklet cuffs on his rear hoofs, each of sharp, clean material, and shiny like his coat.
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"Of DesStiNny," responds Clara over her shoulder at she approaches the commotion...but she cringes at the sudden onslaught of lightning. And now? Now it's happening. She thrusts her pickaxe before her and draws a small object out from her vest pocket. "StAaRdAnNceR? WhY is iT wEE? PleaAse IntroDuCe us TO yOur FrIiEend." Her words are harsh and her eyes gleam.
Pesadilla Shakes her head slowly, ebony locks swaying left and right, bouncing this way and that, and she throws her head back with a dull, throaty chuckle. "We are not...Ha...I am not Diamond. Where are my manners...it's been so long since I've had a body to truly call my own, I've nearly forgotten. My name, is Pesadilla. "The mightmare pegasi explains, and gives a formal bow. Along the hills just outside of Fluttershy's cottage, the area grows dark with more and more stormclouds and the beast grins an utterly horrifying grin, bright white fangs and teeth, and piercing yellow eyes. "These...'pegasi' have quite the knack for weather control. We're still working out the kinks, but we're certainly getting the hang of it.
The weather has indeed gotten the attention of one pegasus.. An NightRaven is coming into the scene with a flutter of her wings as her gaze flicks to the sky eyeing it a few moments. "What.. is going on with the weather?.. I don't remember any of this being on the list!" Though there is something the air that just doesn't feel right, her feathers are ruffled even as she lands and her gaze flicks around to see whom all is around. Her wings flick to her sides while and a faint ah escapes her as she peers at the pony in front of Flutter as she slowly inches closer towards Fluttershy. "Um.. What.. is going on..?" She questions with a worried tone, her ears lowering a moment.
NightRaven [Female Pegasus]
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A rather interesting color rests upon her form; she is a rich black, so dark that within the right light her fur looks blue at times. Her mane is rather thick and starts at the top of her head and flows down across her neck down to her shoulders, a bit of it fallen across her eyes, while her tail is long and free to flick about. The color is bright silver with strands of white and pale blue found throughout.
She has a rather well muscled form, though with the fair amount of curves in the right places. Her legs are long and slightly lanky, ending in well polished hooves, a bit of fur hanging down over each hoof. Being a pegasus she has a set of wings upon her. The rich black seen across the outer fur and feathers, while the underside of each wing is pale white feathers with a silvery and pale blue stripe across each. Upon her right wing, at the center where the wing bends can be found a medium sized triangle of pure white feathers. Faint scars can also been seen just above and around her front hooves, the fur has grown back but it is somewhat thin.
The cutie mark upon her flanks is that of a raven sitting within a Celtic star, the design all in Celtic knotting. Silver makes up the stars color while the raven is a mixture of pale blue and lavender so it stands out rather well, within the raven's beak can be found a bright green gem. Her eyes are a bright purple and rather friendly looking. Upon her back can often be found a pack which she carries different items.
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Dusk worries about leaving Blue home alone, but knows Fluttershy had gone out and hasn't come back yet. He steps out, closing the door tight, and rushes off towards the commotion not far off. He glances up at the sky, watching the worsening weather. This definitely isn't any normal weather pony work! And he spots the form of NightRaven. He picks up the pace, catching up to her as he catches sight of the other dark pony just off, catching as she announces herself. "Oh this is not good!"
Chance arrives before Dusk, perking his ears toward this 'Pesadilla'. He furrows his brow and glances at Dusk as the other pony catches up. "Apparently.." He looks over at Pesadilla, moving close to Fluttershy. He remembers what happened the last time she attacked. "You're the one who's been bothering Diamond? Why don't you let Diamond out and see what she thinks." he suggests.
Clara glances between the others gathering...she's glad this encounter will not be unattended. Her pickaxe is still held firmly before her like a staff. "YoU saiD wEe mooOments agO. YoU have ChaaAAnNged yOour mIind? Pesa...PesAdIlla. That is NOT a Name in oUr stOorRiIes." Indeed, she seems to have trouble with it. "I aM ClAaRaa, HeaAlThkeEper of tHe SpLiNnter Dogs of the EvEerfrEe FelLs. I wiLL GiVe yoU...the benNefItT of tHe doOoubT. WhaT is yOur PurPpoSe??"
Pinkie_Pie canters madly down the hill, panting for breath. "Oh thank Celestia! I'm here in time! Quick, everyone, take your signs!" She starts distributing picket signs to everyone. Written on them in bright, cheer5ful letters and glitter are slogans like 'DIAMOND YES MEANIE NO' and 'DOWN WITH EVIL BEINGS'. She takes one of them herself and starts marching grimly back and forth.
Pinkie_Pie [Female Earth Pony]
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Okayokayokay. What do I look like? I'm a pony! A pony the color of cotton candy! I mean, cotton candy can be all sorts of colors, but you know that special type of pink that pink cotton candy is? That's what color I am! And it's not even because of all the cotton candy I eat! I was that color already. My hair is pink, but it's a totally different pink. It's bubblegum pink! And it's all springy and coiled up and bouncy like chewed up bubblegum and it curls all over the place, and I love it! My eyes are blue, and I can't think of any candy that's specially blue, but maybe something will come to me. Now, since I look like candy, and I smell like candy (It's this totally awesome new perfume called Frostinge!The e on the end means it's French! That's a town in Fancy!) you might think a sweet little filly like me has a candy cutie mark! No, sir! My cutie mark is balloons, because candy maybe dandy, but helium makes me squealium! No fun time is as fun a time without balloons, and I've got balloons on my butt, so I know it's true! Did I miss anything? Colts tell me I've got got really fillylylyly eyelashes, and a little bitty nose!
Maybe haiku will express my essence best!
Floofy face fuzz
Pretty pink party pony
Bouncing balloon butt
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Pesadilla Licks her lips quietly, twisting her head with a slow, almost disjointed sort of roll of her neck, peering quietly at the new pegasi arriving. "Oh...We remember you...I remember you. Err I mean, I remember you. Sorry, getting used to my brand new body. Do you like it? Had to get rid of the old of the old inhabitant, and it's a bit of a fixer-upper but I like a project!" She chuckles darkly. Slowly, she dips her head towards Chance and laughs. "There is no more Diamond. This body is now our own...My own. Diamond is no longer capable of speech. And soon she will be no more. Today is her last day, and ~I~ intend on keeping it that way. Once I've gathered enough fear, I shall find another foal. Red Velvet, and I shall transform her like myself...give birth to a new nightmare. "She explains and pauses STARING at Pinkie. "...We remember you as well...Annoying."
"Where is Diamond Dancer?" NightRaven suddenly states with a thin tone while eyeing the strange looking pony. "Is she still in there.. Or..?" A frown crosses her face and she shakes her head a moment as she steps forward. Her gaze flicks towards Dusk, Chance and Fluttershy looking utterly confused and worried for her friend that this thing has taken over for so long. "Dusk.. I.. thought you said she was better.." Didn't they just talk about this not that long ago??
Chance frowns lightly. "No more Diamond? Wait.. soon will be no more? So.. there still is Diamond. She's still in.. there?" He pauses as Pinkie pops up with.. signs? "Um.. Pinkie?" He looks at the sign, then at the filly of laughter, then back at the sign. He gives up on that thought, and sets the sign back down. "So you're looking for fear?" He gives Pesadilla a smile. "No thank you. We like friendship and laughter better." He's taking the suggestions about Diamond's haunter seriously, and turning to try the more friendly approach. "Though if you're going to be the new pony here, we'll just have to be friends. But I'm sure Diamond would find that much more enjoyable then you. She's Fluttershy's friend, so she has mine as well. You don't fear. You want friendship." And fear is exactly what Chance isn't giving her, at all.
Dusk sees all the ponies gathered by the commotion as well. He smiles just a little seeing Pinkie.. though certainly surprised by the signs. But he knows just what she's trying, and he agrees. Over the loud ruckus of the lightening and shouting he tells NightRaven, "Indeed, Miss Dancer was back in control, when she remembered about her dream about her star that Lady Fluttershy reminded her of. But it seems the creature has taken back control.." He has his suspicions as to the possible source of that too, but doesn't bring it up. Turning back to Pesadilla, "Ms. Pesadilla.. I agree with my friend Mr. Chance. She is still there. And we are her friends. And as long as her friends love her, she will never be gone. We do not hate you. We do not fear you in the way you hope. We are sorry for the poor life you must live, taking from others. But we love Miss Dancer. The ponies you see here," he gestures, "are here for *her*, not for you. I am sure you can feel it."
Clara's canine eyes flash. Her approach will be a trifle less gentle than Chance and Dusk's. She clutches whatever's in her left hand tightly and tilts her weapon with her right hand. This leaves no hands free for any of Pinkie's protest signs, sadly. Night Raven is in front of her, but she tries to keep the other ponies behind her with regard to the villainess if she can. "The dOoubt is OoveEr. YoU wOulD eLIminAatE tHe StARdAncerR? Then yOu aRe a muRrdEereRR." She takes a step forward, looking to either side as if to gauge the readiness of the pegasi present.
Mon Apr 30 05:03:19 BST 2012
Fluttershy steps forward, pulling the ties of her summer cape tight. "T-thank you for coming, everypony," she says, as brave and as steadily as she can muster. "Thank you so much for coming to help us, b-but I couldn't ask you all to put yourselves in danger for this. Y-you should all go somewhere safe."
"Aww, it's safe, Flutterbutter! Diamond wouldn't hurt us!" she chirps. She hands fluttershy a sign that says 'um' in very small pink letters. "I told you we'd stick with you, DD," she says, beaming at the horrific pony-thing in front of them. "We're not going anywhere. "YOU, though," she says, poking Pesa, "you are totally a meanie and need to vamoose. Amscray! Go on, you had your fun, now get defeated and turn to stone or fly over the horizon or something."
Pesadilla's grim smile fades and slowly turns to a grim frown. "If you do NOT fear me, I can MAKE you fear me. I bring the very fabric of fear itself down upon you!" The pegasi roars, pauses, and bursts into a giggle. "But not now. I don't need to. I'm still getting used to our brilliant new body. Indestructable like Diamond...But with further knowledge of weather work than she has. And our own powers, to be sure. You have no hope to defeat me. Even your precious Celestia could not defeat me. Fear is infinate...much like anger...much like power. Our power. MY power." She hisses. "Diamond is being dissolved as we speak. The last of her consciousness is being devoured as we speak. "She explains and frowns at Pinkie. "I shall consume you next, creature. You have no hope of rescuing whats left of your friend. I am here to drain away the last of the elements of harmony...before I take the castle itself."
NightRaven lets her wings flap out as she hears Clara moving forward. "No.. You can't fight her.. If you fight her it only feeds into her strength." At least that is how it worked the last time. An she will do whatever she can to keep Clara from trying to fight Pesadilla. "I'm not going anywhere." An if anyone tries to move here there going to be veryvery sorry. A ear twitches towards Pinkie while she lifts her head and just watches Pesadilla. "You can try all you want, but I will never fear you. Diamond Dancer is stronger then you think. You will never been fully rid of her no matter what you think. An if Fluttershy says you can be defeated then you can an will be. Everything has a weakness even you." Her tone is firm while she stands tall, gaze narrowing slightly while she watches Pesadilla, a ear twitching towards Fluttershy to see what she might be doing.. about.. this.. Raven sure hopes she has a plan!
Chance blinks lightly as Clara tries to, what, threaten Pesadilla? He steps foward to gently try to nudge her back a bit. "Um.. Clara, was it? We need to settle this peacefully. That's what would help Diamond most, from what I understand. Settle this like friends, not enemies." he tells the diamond dog. "Diamond's still in there, everyone is sure. She's come to us before. She can do it again." he says, turning his head toward Pesadilla mid-sentance. "No, you won't have us fear you. That's your weakness, isn't it? Friendship. Lack of fear. It's Diamond's strength. We're here to help her, not you." He glances back to Fluttershy gently. "I don't think any of us are going anywhere. We're here help friends."
Dusk sees Clara moving to fight, but glad to see NightRaven and Chance stepping in. And he nods, "Yes thank you too, Dear Fluttershy. But we are all Miss Dancer's friends. And I for one will not be leaving her. I still believe in her. I will stand behind her no matter what. Pesadilla can attack us all, and we will still be there for Miss Dancer. Fear is indeed limitless. But so is Love, and it beats out fear. And I think that is what Ms. Pesadilla fears."
Clara looks inscrutably at Night Raven, one eye always remaining on Pesadilla. "I dO nOT inTeNd to fIighT hEr," she states. "HeR BOdY is nIGh invUlleRnablLe. And sHE is mIighTy, and I caNnotT flYy." She tightens her expression and her grip, facing Pesadilla again. She shakes her elbow in frustation at Chance. "BuT nEiItheEr wiLL I alLow hEr to tRaaAmpLe heR wAy to ViCtoryY." She inclines her pick again, in potential self-defense. "Be pRrEpaAreD foR whEn she mOoveS," she advises those around her with a growl, refusing to stand back. To Pesadilla: "YoU aRe not tHe fiRRrst BeINngg to tRy to vaNqUish a Sky SeEkeR. OTherS haVe come bEfore yOU. OtherS haVe fAaAailLed." She doesn't choose to mention the ones who, according to her lore, succeeded.
Pinkie_Pie pffffts! "OhHHhhh, you're HUNGRY! Why didn't you just SAY so!" she exclaims. "I tell you, more misunderstandings like this could be totally cleared up if bad guys just came out and said what they wanted. This isn't iffy at all! No problem!" she beams up at Pesadilla. "Eat me. No, really, go on! I'm sure Diamond won't mind. Do iiiit! I taste like cotton candy, I swear!"
Twilight_Sparkle approaches the scattered gathering of ponies, and looks around. She sees the worried faces on the ponies nearest to her. "Fluttershy? Hello? There's the strangest sort of magic happening all over town, and it seems to be coming from..." Her eyes light on Pesadilla, and then narrow. "I...see. So it's come to this, then." She steps into the area like she's come to kick plot and eat hay, and she's all out of hay IFyaknowwhatimean.
Twilight_Sparkle [Female Unicorn]
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Twilight Sparkle is a young unicorn, violet of coat, with big, shiny, purple eyes and a smile that says "I'm overeager to learn." Her mane and tail are straight, a vibrant pink (and a subtler purple) stripe cutting through a waterfall of indigo tresses, bangs trimmed neatly above her eyes, tail cropped at a stylish angle just above where it might otherwise drag the ground. Her cutie mark is all stars: a large pink hexagram (or six-pointed star, if you don't know your Greek) with a smaller white hexagram behind it, rotated so as to fill the gaps, five tiny stars surrounding it like minor stars in a constellation. Engage her in conversation, and you'll find her a bright, helpful, idealistic pony who's never too busy to make a friend. In fact, she's the prize pupil of Princess Celestia herself, and one day her name may be spoken with those of history's greatest unicorns--but you'll never hear it from her.
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"Pinkie!" Fluttershy puts her hoof on her PFF's shoulder, totally aghast. "W-what are you doing?" It might be true that Pinkie is a live grenade packed with sunshine and smile smile smiles, but Fluttershy just can't bring herself to let her get gobbled up! And what's more, nopony else is running away like they're supposed to. "T-thank you," whispers Fluttershy again, glancing back. "Oh, Twilight, thank goodness you're here."
Pesadilla Lets her tongue flicker out, lengthy and curved, and forked light a snake, dancing about the air. "...No fear..." She whispers darkly. The sky seems to turn darker, and the lightning bristling about the sky becomes greedy- lapping away left and right and crackling about. "Then I shall put the fear into you." It snarls viciously, and raises a hoof to point directly at Clara. A swirling tendril of energy, dark and forboding starts to glow in that decaying, diseased arm, and pauses. A sacrifice? She turns towards Pinkie with a vicious, sickly smile, and...pauses once again. "...Impossible. I WILL drain you!" She shrieks, eyes blazing and she leaps forward, wrapping her arms around Pinkie with her muzzle nice and wide- like she were going to remove the pink Ponies head...
NightRaven stands strong, ears lowering and a faint snort escapes her. "The clouds and lighting do not scare me." She calls out to Pesadilla, she's a weather pony after all! Her eyes widen slightly at the sudden tendril that appears but her hooves only press into the ground while her wings flare open to try and hide Clara behind them.. That is until Pinkie bounces in and tells the evilponything to EAT her? "Pinkie Pie!" Oh.. dear..
Twilight_Sparkle steps forward! She rears up and lets out as fearsome a neigh as she can manage, then plants her front hooves hard on the ground. Her eyes and horn flash brightly, the air around her humming heavily with magical energy. "NO," she says to the entity at the rough center of all the commotion. "YOU WILL NOT HURT ANY OF THEM, NOT EVEN DIAMOND DANCER." She stands flank to flank with Pinkie Pie, the pink pony's grin somewhat undercutting her apparent attempt at drama.
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Chance blinks at the tendril, wondering briefly what that's all about. He's not given long to wonder though. Suddenly Pesadilla leaps at Pinkie, opens her mouth... and Chance shoves his leg right between the dark mare's jaws. "You will not harm Pinkie!" His talent is forced to act, and the air around it, inside Pesadilla's mouth, freezes in a moment, hardening far past the point of ice, almost becomming like hardened steel air to fend off the power of the hungry one, expanding pusdo-randomly to hold that mouth open, keeping Chance's leg from being trapped by those terrible teeth. It's a gamble, and Chance hopes his talent doesn't have to do more.
Dusk watches Pesadilla and all the many ponies doing their best to help Diamond, though it is all a bit in a jumble. If only he could think of a way to simplify it and make it all more direct. But then Pesadilla grabs Pinkie and that certainly brings things to a focus. Pinkie's offer is valiant, and perhaps devoring her would fill Pesadilla with all her care and joy and love.. But he still can not allow that any more than the others do. He can't do much with all the ponies arleady around her, but he reaches out with his magic, and tries to pull the pink one away telekentically. He gives it all he can, but the creature is very strong and he's not sure he can overpower her direct hold with just magic.. But perhaps if she can be distracted by the others just enough..
Clara is prepared for battle. She turns and takes a large step back, away from the oncoming tendril of energy. She knocks the wooden side of her weapon against the well-meaning Night Raven's wing, hopefully doing no harm while clearing her line of sight. The Diamond Dog clenches her teeth and her left hand tightly, something starting to glow within...but then... She gapes at the gleeful statement of the pink pony she's never seen before. "Y..." The dog shuts her mouth, watching dumbfounded to see what will happen. It may be that a sacrifice like this one really ^is^ necessary to defeat nightmares like this one--the stories don't tell you everything. "DO yOu reQuiRe AssSisStAnce?" she calls quickly, standing tensely at the ready while the dark demon-thing grapples the pink martyr...and the dark one who tugged on her before chooses, amazingly, to interfere.
Pinkie_Pie seems oblivious to the chaos raging around her. She just smiles up at Pesadilla. WHY WON'T SHE STOP SMILING? As the horror from beneath Equestria opens its terrible maw, Pinkie leans up, and kisses it on the tip of its muzzle. "Silly," she says affectionately. "See, everbody, she's giving me a hug! Poor thing." She puts her forelegs around the monster, in turn, and squeezes it affectionately, closing her eyes. "It's okay, DD," she murmurs. "Don't worry. 's gonna be all right. Pinkie Pie Swear." She rocks gently back and forth, whispering in a soft little sing-songy oice, "Cross my heart and hope to die. Stick a cupcake in my eye. Cross my heart and hope to die."
Twilight_Sparkle's whole body is tense...Pinkie Pie is one of her very dearest friends. Her eyes and horn are glowing, the air around her singing with gathering magical energy, drawing to the single point of her horn, waiting to be unleashed.
Fluttershy rears up, raises her forehooves...and brings them down around Pinkie Pie, pulling her pinkest friend in for a tight squeeze. :T-that's right," she stammers confidently (as paradoxial as that may be). "We won't let any of our friends go. A-and that includes you. Diamond...w-what about your star?" Well, it worked once before...
Pesadilla GAAAH! ....GWaaa? ......whaa haa hay?" The creatures asks in abject confusion. utterly shocked at the sudden...ice...in her mouth? Ok. Thats a little strange. She can't bite down and she can't eat Pinkie, like she'd planned. But it doesn't matter. She'll get to them all soon enough. Pinkie is an ironic choice, though. all the times she's fed poor, hungry little Diamond, and now, she's about to be eatten by her. How absolutely 'delicious' As more and more ponies arrive, The yellow one- Fluttershy, with the stare, and a...purple one? She's heard stories about the purple one- but right now, it doesn't matter. With a vengeful THURST of her wing- she tries to snap Chance away from her body, ...but then the strangest thing happens. Pinkie...is hugging her? "...W, What is this?! RELEASE US! Don't you know...I'm going to EAT you! I'm going to Gobble you up! It's NOT ok! LET ~ go! LET GO OF US AND RUN!" She snarls, her eyes quite suddenly wet with tears...She tries, suddenly quite desprete, to pry Pinkie from her body...
NightRaven her wing flicks back while she watches as the three friends stand before Pesadilla. She blinks as the evil pony gets worried, and then her eyes start to tear up? "Dusk.. Look!" She points out and soon bounces forward coming to rest at the side of the evil ponything and looks up to Pesadilla, no fear seen across her face and she moves forward too try and give Pesadilla a hug as well.. No, she won't be running, if a hug is going to do something that could help Diamond, well.. She'll try!
Chance lets out a whicker as he gets flung up and away by Pesadilla's wing, legs flailing. Well, this isn't what he planned. And down he comes. When one hits the ground, the ground always gives. But it only usually gives a teeny tiny bit, and then you have a hurt pony. But for some odd reason, against all likelihood, the ground he hits -just happens- to give alot more then it should. For a moment the ground looks like a sponge as Chance hits it, then it springs back gently to solid ground again, leaving the pony unhurt. He blinks a bit, hops up, and glances over at Pinkie and Pesadilla. Seeing what's happening, he quickly gallops back over, only to attack Pesadilla with.. a hug! "You're right Pinkie, this one needs a hug. Lots of hugs!"
Dusk is now having to overcome both Pesadilla and Pinkie's grip.. but seeing that he releases his magic, having been even taken by surprise himself. But then it makes sense, being Pinkie! He starts to get the same idea even as NightRaven points it out. He chuckles and runs in with his friends too, and not quite being able to get in there, he pulls in Fluttershy and the others in front of him into a big squeezing group hug with his big stallion arms.
Clara hesitates. Her grip loosens slightly, the glow from her hand dimming away. Her legs are still bowed as she tries to get a good look at the struggle taking place. So many ponies are piling on or standing beside the martyr...what's going to happen? She doesn't want to ruin their offensive if it's going to work...but what if the ponies are going to start dying any moment? "If FeEaR is yOuR foOd, wE hoLd nO noUriShmENt," she cries, pounding her pickaxe against the ground. "Is...is it HuGgs thE mIghTmARe neEedss??" If so, Clara just might be able to perform the coup d'grace. She's the only one here with actual ARMS. And big, thick, furry ones, to boot! She steps closer...
Pinkie_Pie squeaks, "She's adorable! She's just like Luna, threatening to gobble up everyone! Heehee! Here, this is much tastier than fear anyday." She takes a pink frosted cupcake and pops it into Pesadilla's mouth as she tries to protest. "No villain can resist the deliciousness of Pinkie's Cupcakes (tm)!" She declares. She doesn't actually SAY 'tm', but you can hear it anyway.
Twilight_Sparkle looks her friend Pinkie Pie in the eyes. then turns, and looks to Fluttershy...then to Clara...then to everypony else present. In her most serious battle voice, she calls out, eyes flashing... "EVERYPONY...ON PINKIE PIE'S COUNT...HUG!!!!!"
Fluttershy is already halfway there! She still has her forehooves locked firmly around Pudgie's pinkie middle - strike that, reverse it - and it's a small leap from there to Diamond Dancer. THe yellow mare still firmly *refuses* to think of her friend as the monster Pesadilla. "I-I'm ready!" she confirms, waiting for the signal. (Also, she definitely hears the (tm).)
Pesadilla struggles in vain to pull away from the hugs she gets. One after another, after another! From all sides- it's like an attack of pure friendship. Nopony is afraid of her! None of them! And Pesadilla snarls in frustration! It's like she's surrounded by a shield of friends...how can you be afraid of anything when you're covered in good wishes and smiles. Pinkie...of ALL the ponies to show up! "RELEASE US! WE DEMAND IT! WE SHALL CONSUME ALL!!" It chokes out, but the effort is futile. There's no longer any fear in Diamond's heart for it to hang onto. And that's when it happens. That black, terrible decaying disease- rotting all over Diamond's body begins to flake away. Peeling and melting into the air like ash, leaving a very dirty little pony underneath, Diamond's original form! This one without the black splotches of her disease! A pure white pegasus with short blue hair! The black flakes mass above the hugging ponies and a sinister haggard voice trickles through the air. It takes on a shape. A large dark specter, two long spindley arms, great large claws and a mouth full of snarling, grizzly fangs and burning yellow eyes. Is this the creature's true form? Like a ghost it begins to fade away into the evening breeze. "Yooooooooou. ALL OF YOU! YOU'VE RUINED EVERYTHING!! WE WERE SO CLOSE! I WOULD HAVE HAD ENOUGH FEAR TO START AN ENTIRELY NEW BREED OF NIGHTMARES! MY CLAN WOULD HAVE REIGNED SUPREME...WE WILL NOT FORGET THIS TRESSPASS, AND WE...WILL...NOT...FORGIVvvvvvvveeeeee~* And with that, it fades away, leaving Diamond laying on the ground, completely unconcious- but not a speck of ebony upon her.
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NightRaven doesn't look up, her eyes close while she just hugs onto the black pony thing tightly. Thinking only of her friend.. Diamond you have to beat this, don't let her win! With the creature seeming to let go and Diamond is seen she gives her friend a tight hug. Well as tight as she can on the part she has hold of! "Diamond.." She may be unconcious but she is glad that she is still alive! Her gaze lifts upwards to the floating black cloud of yellow eyes and fangs and she snorts out only once it floats away.. "About.. time it left.."
BlueFeather picks that time, for her little cloud to come slowly down the hill, driven by the one wing power of the little foal riding apon it, her head tilted a little to one side
Chance blinks lightly as the blackness seeps away, like so much dead skin shedding itself. He glances up as it forms into a specter shape, and still he doesn't fear it. "If you bring other nightmares here, we'll hug them too!" he calls out as it fades, then glances down to the white unconcious pegasus. He smiles softly. "Well, looks like we found you, Diamond." he says gently.
Dusk is still smiling too, thinking of his friend Diamond, and all his other friends there to help her too... Feeling something different, and hearing the fading cries of the creature, he is happily surprised to see her, the real Diamond, there once more, in the arms of all her friends once again. A great warmth and happiness filling him, and even a little tear from the normally quite stoic dark pony. And he has to chuckle in total agreement as Chance calls out to it. Indeed, they can come all they want. They will not be happy.
Clara is the last to step forward and, with a moment's hesitation, pile onto the mountain of hugs. Her wide, furry arms overlap the front legs of Dusk, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Night Raven...and she falls to her knees, the secret artifact back in her vest pocket, her pickaxe dropped to the ground. Eyes closed, she dearly hugs the young pony she's gotten to know these last few days, and with whom she shared an intimate exchange in the catacombs of her people. A content humlike sound emanates from the Diamond Dog's gut. And then...then it happens. The separation. She hadn't imagined it would happen this way, but it's happened...and does Clara have a story to tell her tribe now! She looks up into the sky, fists clenches tensely agains any threat the specter may yet pose...but it fades, of course, as it must. With a release of cartsful of tension, Clara the Diamond Dog leans into Diamond Dancer and hugs dearly, with a little whimper of love. "And nOw...^NOW^ you are a WhIte PoNy." She grins, showing big yellow teeth.
The dramatic moment is ruined only by loud snoring. By the time they shovel all the other hugging ponies aside, they find Pinkie, curled up snugly into a little ball, one arm over her muzzle and sound asleep. Defeating evil and saving innocent foal takes a lot out of a girl!
Fluttershy looks up in awe are the spectre appears, then dissolves, shutting her ears to its final cry. She looks down, and - "Diamond, you're back!" Fluttershy gives her little sister a squeeze, spreading her wings to gather up everypoy she can for a big group hug. "Thank you so much, everypony. And..." Fluttershy's eyes drift skyward as she smiles softly. "Thank *you*, little star."
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BlueFeather tilts her head a little, still flapping her one good wing, getting a fairly respectable speed with her little cloud.
Chance glances from Diamond Dancer to the others, then spots Pinkie sleeping away. He chuckles lightly. "She's earned that.." He then looks up to Fluttershy. "Think it's over?" he asks.
Dusk is still in a great big group hug and smiling. But it eventually lossens up. He sees DD back to her normal healthy self. Free of every last spec of inkiness. But so very sound asleep it appears. "It must have taken so much out of her. I think she's going to need someplace to recover for a while. Should we take her back to Lady Fluttershy's? Or perhaps the hosptial so a doctor can keep an eye on her?" He sees Blue scooting in on her cloud. All the loud noise and ponies yelling outside must of woke her. He waves her on over with a hoof as she gets close.
Clara works her way around the remaining crowd. She picks up a piece of the shed black shell, examines it, and puts it in her vest pocket. "ShE wIlL be WEEllL. At FluTteRshY's OR in a HoSpITaL. AlL she NeEds now is TiIMe...and GuiiDanCe." The Diamond Dog puts one hand on Diamond's side, feeling. "WhIch DesTinatIon is SiiMplest?"
"I-I hope so," says Fluttershy to Chance, loosening her grip on the others once everything seems to be free and clear. She wouldn't want to *crush* anypony, after all! "M-my house is close by, but...I'm not sure I can check her thoroughly there. But either way, I think we should make sure she wakes up surrounded by friends. ...Oh dear. I-I guess we probably woke up ponies all the way to Canterlot. Hello, Bluefeather."
BlueFeather does her best to slow her cloud down now that shes getting close, her good wing faning rapidly a momant. When she gets close enough, clear to be seen, tightly griped in her jaws, the hotly contested teething ring.
Chance nods softly to Fluttershy. "Do you think perhaps we should get her to the hospital then?" he asks his friend. "And I agree. She should wake up to friends."
Dusk smiles, helping Blue come to a stop as she comes costing down the nearest hill, and draws her in to the hugs between Fluttershy and himself. /Little Blue, Diamond Dancer is better,/ he chirps to her. Looking to the others he nods, "I agree, she will be fine, indeed. Though may not be bad to have a doctor just confirm that, if Lady Fluttershy has any concerns about that. I think she is the best to decide on that too." But he is still smiling, looking at the sleeping DD and Pinkie. What a pair.
Clara removes her hand from the sleeping youth. "ShE iS pURe NOOW!" exclaims the Diamond Dog a bit exultantly. She rises to her feet and confers with the ponies. "If soMeoNe wiLl taKe my PiCkaXe back tO the coTtAge, I wilL gLAadly helP carRy diAmOnd DanCer to the HospitAl."
"I-I'd be happy to carry it, Clara." Except...Fluttershy has a lot of trouble even *lifting* the thing. She strains and strains, stumbles left, stumbles right, and finally gets it onto her back, only to narrowly avoid being struck by the handle as it slides off her back again. "Eheh...m-maybe somepony else should try," she mumbles.
BlueFeather cocks her head and blinks at Dusk with a little confusion, shes not sure who Diamond Dancer is, but thats really less of a surpise when really thought about, after all, there are maybe a duzen ponys that she actualy recognizes the names of, or has made names for cause she could not recognize there names. Of course, she might also be in for some bad luck, if Dusk gets a doctor out, she might have to submit for inspection, again. Lest for once shes not flithy, its kinda hard to play in mud puddles when your stuck floating round on a cloud
Chance gives a bit of a smile when Fluttershy tries so hard to carry the pickaxe. "I'll get it." he tells her, and far more easily snags it and gets it on his back. He trots up to the cottage to drop it off for Clara.
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Dusk smiles as well, and is about to go help, but Chance beats him there. He starts to speak up, that he could just magic it on over.. but Chance is already quickly on his way off to the cottage.. "Well meet us at the hospital, Mr. Chance!" He turns and nods, "I agree, I think Lady Clara would be best to carry Miss Dancer. It is spring, but is getting cooler out. Let us start on our way!"
Clara watches as her trusty weapon is carried to safety. Then, solemnly, she bends down and hoists Diamond Dancer up with care. "ShaLl I CArRy alOone?" she asks the remaining ponies. "WhO wilL LEeEad the WAAay?"
Oookay, so *maybe* squeezing the evil juice out of your best friends does take a *little* bit out of you. Fluttershy wipes her brow and smiles, thanking Chance as the stallion takes the heavy lifting. "I-I think I'd like to go with Diamond," declares Fluttershy, turning back to Dusk, Blue, and Clara. "I want to be there when she wakes up."
BlueFeather tilts her head a little, hospital, hopsital, why does that sound famiure, her eyes widden a but suddenly and she shakes her have sharply, not wanting to see the doctor again, not realizing that everypony is talking about taking Diamond to the doc, not her
Dusk nods to Clara, "Indeed I will go as well to be there with her." He looks down to Blue, seeing her confusion and concern and pauses, turning to her, /Little Blue. Remember the scary pony in the cafe you told me you were trying to cover her eyes, and got thrown off, and how you got hurt again? That is her, there,/ he points for Blue. /The bad part inside her is gone now. But she needs to see a doctor. You can go or stay in the cabin here./ To the others, "Little Blue seems worried we are taking her to the doctor, I suspect." He gives a little grin.
Clara glances at Little Blue, but pays her little attention. The foals of this town of of little concern to her, unless events prove otherwise. She walks with funny little steps, toes turned out, in the direction that Fluttershy and Dusk lead her. Her arms clutch the little starchaser preciously...not too tightly, but not letting go.
Fluttershy trots along to catch up with Clara and Diamond, smiling up at the Diamond Dog. "U-um," she begins, to announce her upcoming sentence, "I want to thank you for helping us, Clara. I, um...I wasn't really sure what would happen when we first met, but I think you did a great thing helping Diamond Dancer." Flutters glances back over her shoulder at Dusk and Blue. "Are you coming?"
BlueFeather does not seem to be willing to be seperated rom Dusk just yet, her good wing giving a few little flicks, her tail giving a sharp little twitch as she tilts her head. She then shakes her head a litle, still not saying a sound, the teething ring still tightly held in her jaws.
Dusk glances up to Fluttershy and nods, "Indeed, my ladies." He smiles at little Blue and ruffles her head a little. He chirps, /Well I am going with Clara and Flutter Shy. Come or stay as you wish, Little Lady./ He gives her head a kiss, and then steps up and takes the lead, showing the way back to town and where the hospital is. If Blue comes along he will help give a nice telekinetic push so it won't be any effort for her.
Clara walks easily through the blue dusk, looking up at the dissipating clouds. She replies to Fluttershy. "The FuTuRe stIll is VeRry UnClEEar," she asys, her voice troubled. "MY trIbe is diVideD, even afTer diVisioN." She looks down at the precious cargo she carries as they approach Ponyville. "ShE is ImPorTant to uS, you KnoW."
Diamond_Dancer is totally unconcious. ....Eeeeyup. x.x
The village vet looks back over her shoulder for a second more, beckoning with her wing for Dusk and Blue. "Hurry along now!" She faces forward again and cranes her neck up to give Diamond a nuzzle, trusting that her friend can feel it even if she isn't awake. Friendship pierces all veils. "I know, Clara. And I know she'll come through for you. She has a lot of big dreams to shoot for, after all."
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BlueFeather does her best to keep up with Dusk, perhaps she is afraind that Marble might try and assalt her again when shes alone and has no help, her one good wing faning the air to move her little cloud alone, still not saying a sound
Dusk smiles as Blue comes along, definitely keeping an eye out for her. He uses his magic to give her a good steady but gentle push, so she can relax and let him do the work. Which pushing a pony on a cloud talks almost no effort. He nuzzles Blue before turning back to Clara, "So, Lady Clara.. Your people have stories about Miss Dancer herself?"
Clara nods to Fluttershy and then to Dusk. "to Her KiInD. Some calL it...a TeMplAAte. She iS a SkY SeEkeR...tHose wiTh the GrEat amABiiiTions that can CrusH through CosMic BaRriers Like a pIck thRouGh stOoOne." Her pawsteps are gentle as they walk into the distance. "As for the FutUre...wE shAll SseEe. My Work...is Not Doone." And little Diamond's heartbeat comforts her. Ka-thump. Ka-thump. Ka-thump.
It's a long, long road to Ponyville from Fluttershy's, but when there's someone by your side to trot along with, it feels like only seconds. Soon Fluttershy and friends are at the hospital's front door. Even though Clara is known to the citizens of Ponyville, Flutters still insists on going in first to explain things just in case, so as not to cause a riot (or unnecessary diagnoses of hallucinations). Other than that, she stays with her friends the whole time, right up until Diamond is checked in and resting soundly in a nice, soft bed. ...for a hospital, anyway.
Mon Apr 30 10:32:52 BST 2012
The End.