Help the Diamond Dogs!

[Fluttershy]

(( This is the log of every session with Fluttershy and friends going to help Clara and the hurt Diamond Dog miners. There is a bit missing from the beginning of the first part - if anypony happens to have that part of the scene, it'd be appreciated if they could donate it! Thanks. ))

Twilight_Sparkle has arrived.

Spike has arrived.

Firefly remains standing a few meters in front of the Diamond Dog, between her and Bardigan.

Twilight_Sparkle gallops in, Spike on her back.

Clara listens carefully, cautiously, to the pink pegasus. She steps back once more. Then, she moves her head back and forth. "Will not be disarmed," she pronounces. "Keeping health means...keeping safe." She glances around nervously...and happens to see the Night Princess at the very moment she speaks up, which leads to her thrusting her weapon vaguely in the direction of said princess, though really only a tilt, and grabbing at her necklace hastily with her other forepaw. She looks back and forth in fear, apparently cornered.

Diamond_Dancer has arrived.

Fluttershy surveys the situation quickly, eyes darting back and forth. A diamond dog. Luna. Firefly looking ready to do...something drastic, and Bardigan maybe in need of protection. She dashes over and skids to a stop between Firefy and Clara, and bows low on her foreknees. "Wait! Everypony wait! I'm s-so sorry, Miss Diamond Dog..."

Luna bows her head - but not so far that her horn is pointed at anyone. "FIREFLY! TO THY MISTRESS! LET THE KIND BE KIND."

Firefly blinks. Fluttershy being....unshy? Brave even. She says to Fluttershy. "Please ask her to stop waving her axe around before there is a....misunderstanding." Then takes off vertically, rotating to swing around and take a post at Luna's right side, hovering.

Bardigan slowly lowers himself back down to the ground. "If we all know what this is about," he says quietly, "then perhaps we should be off."

Twilight_Sparkle gives Luna a plaintive look.

( The spooked Diamond Dog readjusts her stance, which is a little shaky with relatively thin hind legs (though they seem strong enough). She seems to calm slightly after hearing all this and swiveling her ears and head from pony to pony. She draws up her weapon to what she appears to consider its resting stance. "The letter, yes," she says to Bardigan. And once Firefly is in place, she hesitates. Is that... The canine squints. "Moonlord?" she asks, voice tremulous. She slowly lowers herself to one knee, ignoring Fluttershy, using her pickaxe for support. )

PUB >> The Mini Minion Firefly says, "Oooooohhh....you have a warshipper!"

Fluttershy glances sideways at Luna, keeping her head down. "Princess, please let me explain. I got a letter from the Diamond Dogs asking for my help, because a lot of them were injured in a mining accident. I've been preparing to go and meet them..."

Luna catches Twilight's look, her bluegreen eyes coldly meeting the little unicorn's. Her horn flashes, teleporting Twilight - and Spike, if he's in contact with her - up onto the roof of the cafe beside her. Then the Diamond Dog bows, and Luna answers it, "RISE, BURROW DOG. IF THOU ARE ON AN ERRAND OF MERCY, THOU ARE UNDER OUR PROTECTION AS MUCH AS ANY PONY." Then she lowers her voice to something merely audible, glancing between Firefly and Twilight on either side of her. "We will always let kindness go before us. Remember that, both of you. As I know that Celestia's wisdom is greater than mine, so I ask thee, my servant, to be ready to protect Fluttershy, but let the decisions of her kindness rule thine. Do thee understand?"

Firefly hovers lightly, "Yes my Princess." bowing her head and ears in respect. "Fluttershy has even asked that I go along and help. I am sure the Diamond Dogs will cause no trouble, knowing that the Moonlord's Squire is among the rescuers."

Bardigan remains slightly in the background of the rest of these high and mighty affairs, at the ready to start the journey.
Spike wobbles a little on Twilight's back, rather discombobulated by the sudden teleport. "Whoa. You gotta warn me when you're going to do that, Twilight."

Twilight_Sparkle steps forward. "Ahem. My name is Twilight Sparkle," she says, addressing this to the diamond dog. "I am Fluttershy's friend. And Rarity's. And I insist on being allowed to accompany any of my friends."

( The flash catches the dog's attention, drawing her grimacing face to it for a moment until she sees where the unicorn and...little other purple thing...have gone. She turns back to Luna with a controlled movement of the head, now on both knees. On command, the Diamond Dog slowly rises. "Moonlord, greatest of ponies," she rasps. "You are...worthy. I will serve who you deem. I am...on a...mercy mission, yes." What Luna says after that seems to confuse the visitor, but she doesn't seem expected to reply to it. She looks doubtfully at Twilight Sparkle. )

Diamond_Dancer enters the town market place, dragging her belongings with her through the dirt via her mouth. She's a poor, tired little pony, that's for sure and her back is sore from carrying that saddlebag most of the evening. Now she reveals she's a pair of furrowed wings by her side, and what looks like a cutie mark on her flank of a shooting star that shoots allll the way across her bright white tushie. "Nnnnghh...You...think... I'd be used to this thing...by...now..."She grumbles, pauses when she notes the numerous ponies all gathered about the market and freezes when she catches sight of Princess Luna- THE princess luna. "...Well that went faster than planned..."

Fluttershy nods, bowing a little lower when she catches sight of Clara's doubt. "All of my friends have incredible talents, and I'm sure they'd all be able to help your fellow Diamond Dogs as much as I can." She also turns her head just slightly toward Diamond Dancer as she makes the scene again, but doesn't interrupt.
Firefly leans closer to Luna and whispers something to her.

Twilight_Sparkle tilts her head, looking at Luna quizically.
Luna thunders, "WE ASK ONLY THAT NONE OF OUR PONIES BE THREATENED, BURROW DOG. BEYOND THAT, WE LEAVE THEE IN FLUTTERSHY'S CARE. WE GRANT HER OUR AUTHORITY IN DEALING WITH THIS MATTER, TRUSTING IN THE WISDOM OF A LOVING HEART. FOR NOW,WE ARE DONE WITH THIS MATTER. FEAR IS THE ENEMY OF KINDNESS." Turning around, she spreads her huge wings, and under their cover whispers, "We apologize for this mess, Twilight," to one side, and "We will seek her out. Urge her to rest until we do." With that she walks up the slope of the shop's roof towards the edge, preparing to take off.

Twilight_Sparkle scowls. "Now WAIT a minute, princess. Are you leaving me with a mess I'm going to find excessive?"

Firefly nods to Luna and banks off to glide around the market in a slow path, so as not to frighten Clara. She circles around to the far side and glides down to land beside Diamond Dancer. "Still wish to meet my Princess?" she asks with a grin.

EconomistBrony has arrived.

( At the Canterlot-style words from the Moonlord, the dog shuts her eyes momentarily and cringes, though she straightens straightaway. "Your grandness," she says, a hint of longing present. Her eyes shift between princess and magician briefly. "I would make any promise for the...the blessing of your moon. But I cannot..." She turns around, seeing all these faces and breathing shallowly. "I cannot promise they won't be threatened," she breathes. )

Twilight_Sparkle approaches the diamond dog, her eyes narrowed a bit.

Diamond_Dancer 's ears flicker and flutter in absolute alarm when she sees Luna preparing to leave for the evening! "N, no no! Wait wait wait!" She calls frantically trying to give chase. Of course- Of COURSE she's managed to end up with one of those saddle bag straps wrapped around her legs which sends her toppling to the ground- THUD. Not that she's going to give up that easily, of course. She kicks her flier legs as hard as she possibly can, and drags that heavy saddle bag along with her in a desperate feat of strength. "YES!" She cries the moment Firefly's question scrapes past her. She pauses a moment before her cheeks redden. "Can I get dignified first?" She asks, before sitting up and trying to pry the saddle bag from her lower left leg.

Firefly says, "Patience Diamond...she wishes you to rest. She will seek you out when the time is right."

Luna turns her head, looking back at Twilight and blinking. Under her breath, she answers, "Neigh, Twilight Sparkle. We are leaving Fluttershy with a terrified innocent. Please support her as we do Celestia. Magic should always serve kindness." And with that probably unsatisfying answer, she leaps up off of the edge of the roof into the sky, and teleports away in a flash of dark blue - pretending she never heard Clara's reply at all.

Bardigan steps up next to Fluttershy. "We are all willing to do our part," he says to the Diamond Dog. "And we are aware of the somewhat... tense relation between us and Diamond Dogs. But... we have resolved to do what we can regardless." He turns his gaze to Fluttershy, holding out a hoof, bidding her to stand back up. "If you're ready?"

Twilight_Sparkle watches the spot where Luna was, looking deeply uncertain.

Spike says, "D'you think we can trust her? I mean, they did kidnap Rarity, once."

Luna goes home.
Luna has left.

( As Luna vanishes and Twilight and Bardigan come to her side, and the Diamond Dog at least makes a promise not to cause any trouble, Fluttershy lets out a long, soft sight and raises her head. Anypony close enough, who really looked at her, would be able to see the sweat breaded on her brow, the slight shaking, and the tears in the corner of her eyes, which she quickly wipes away before Clara notices. )

Twilight_Sparkle says, "I don't particularly, no. I'm kind of still waiting to hear why we should!"

Firefly smiles to Diamond Dancer then walks up to Bardigan, Fluttershy and Clara. "Clara of the burrowing dogs, I am Firefly, eyes and ears of the Moonlord...I will be coming along to be sure no pony is threatened or harmed...do you udnerstand?"

Fluttershy takes Bardigan's hoof as she rises. "Y-yes, thank you."

Twilight_Sparkle says, "Wait a minute, Firefly. Wait a minute."

Twilight_Sparkle approaches clara. "I was there when your people captured my friend Rarity. Why should I think you are any trustworthy now than you were when you kidnapped my friend, and tried to enslave me and several other ponies in youe jewel mines?

Firefly looks to Twilight, then quietly steps aside and back, beside Fluttershy.

( Now Clara, the 'burrowing dog', turns from staring at the spot just now occupied by the princess to the ponies addressing her. She seems discombobulated but less frightened. "I understand," she says to Firefly. "Ears and eyes? Yes." She nods, flicking her own floppy ears. And then to Twilight Sparkle. "You serve her too. Good. If you have power, you are welcome." She hesitates when confronted about the kidnapping. "I...who is your friend? I don't...I don't know what you mean." She glances at Fluttershy but again averts her eyes. )

Diamond_Dancer 's mouth drops open quietly. "Eyes and ear- you?! YOU'RE THE EYES AND EARS OF LUNA?!" She bellows, before her ears flutter to either side of her head sadly. "I was so close. I, was, so, close!" She sobs- before she quickly composes herself, sits on her haunches and fishes out what looks like quite a thick book from her saddlebags, and right there in the middle of town square, she begins to dictate to herself. "Dear diary. Arrived in PonyVille. Met Firefly. Saw Princess Luna. Made a fool of myself. Cupcakes here are REALLY good tho. Gotta stop by Suga' Cube Corna' tomorrow. Oh yeah, didn't get to ask Luna bout dat ding I'm goin' for. Looks like dere's a subquest in town before I can get on with my main mission. Diamond dogs or somethin...I help with them, I get the princess' attention, I get my dream come true. Win win. Diamond Dancer over n' out. "She scribbles feverishly.

<OOC> Firefly laughs. "Yes, cupcakes are excellent here.

<OOC> Fluttershy 's eyes grow big and watery at the thought. "So sweet and tasty..."

PUB >> Everyone's second favorite princess knows she has a lovely and feminine muzzle, but EconomistBrony's obsession with seeing her eat bananas is starting to worry her.

Bardigan flicks his ears towards Diamond Dancer. "Miss?" he asks. "This is a mite bit more important than a... 'subquest' as you put it." He nods towards the confrontation. Running commentary is only amusing in so many situations!

PUB >> EconomistBrony says, "Concerned about potassium overdose, Ms. Luna?"

Pinkie_Pie 's head sloooooowly rises from a barrel next to Dancer, and she psssssts softly to her. "Did someone say cupcakes?"

PUB >> The Mini Minion Firefly says, "ROFLS"

Firefly decides if Fluttershy and the others needed help, they'd holler. And one less pony in the visitor's face would probably help ease their nerves anyways. She turns and walks over to Diamond Dancer, snickering a bit. "Yes. I am." flicking her wings, then folding them away. "I see you've met Pinkie." grinning to the barrel and its pink head while speaking to Diamond. "She runs Sugarcube corner, which is almost right behind you. Shall we get you something to eat, hmm?"

Fluttershy ums. Stepping forward, she bows her head briefly once again, and then raises it high to meet Clara's eyes - maintaining that eye contact is clearly a *huge* effort for her, though. "Um...m-my name is Fluttershy. What's yours?"

Diamond_Dancer nods her head. "Totally had some at Sugar Cub! They weren't so bad. Bit stale though. Gonna hafta get me some more when they open tomorrow. Gotta talk to whoever runs dat joint! Get a recipie! "She mumbles- answering Pinkie, but mooostly talking to herself. She does look up at Bardigan, however and rolls her eyes. "What, there are some dogs, there was a cave in, we move in, dig 'em out, everybody's happy! Cinchie!" She explains optimistically, stuffing her diary back into her back and moving to -THUD! "...Stiiiiiill attached to the saddle bags. Left my dignty in New Cloud City." She sighs, but perks her ears the the mention of food. "YES!"

( The Diamond Dog visitor takes a deep breath and sets her pickaxe back on her shoulder, apparently no longer needing it for now. She watches the interplay with the public diarist and the Ears and Eyes and the pink thing in a barrel. But now her whole attention turns to the gentle yellow pegasus. There's a scent of relief and a slight gasp from the dog's part. "Flutter-shy," she utters. "My name? Clara. Clara Barkon." Her ears swing forward and she extends a huge paw to the pegasus. "You are genius, yes? Best with animals, good for a cure?" )

PUB >> Everyone's second favorite princess is about to turn in, but is happy she demonstrated once more that the recipe for a disaster is Anything + One Cup Princess Luna.

PUB >> Everyone's second favorite princess says, "Goodnight, everypony!"

PUB >> EconomistBrony says, "Good night, Luna! And a very belated hello in return, Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy blushes. "O-oh, well, I wouldn't say I'm a *genius*, you know, I just really like..." She trails off as she remembers who she's speaking to, and looks up again. "I, um, yes, I can take care of animals. It's kind of my passion in life."

( "Cinchie. If only everything was so easy," Bardigan murmurs, turning back to the others. He's still not sure what exactly he will excel at on this particular mission, but he is still here, ever vigilant. )
Twilight_Sparkle says, "She is brilliant with animals. But that didn't stop your compatriots from abducting and harnessing her and several of the rest of us."

Firefly smiles to Diamond Dancer. "You didn't get a chance to tell me what you were hoping to find, before I was called away."

Bardigan clears his throat. "If I may... miss Sparkle... I'm fairly sure the act of coming here alone could be considered one of goodwill? She's just met the Princess Luna after all... I'm sure they are aware any hostility towards us won't go well for them."

Twilight_Sparkle looks to Bardigan. "I don't see any reason to assume that."

( At Twilight's rebuke, the Diamond Dog is pained and worried. "Abduct? Kidnap? Her?" She points a thumb at Fluttershy, looking confused. "When did it happen? Was it rogues? I didn't know, but..." Her voice scratches more than usual. "It happens." Now she looks back at Fluttershy apologetically. And nods hesitantly to Bardigan. "Not hostile. The hostile dogs are...we watch them, we warn if they come close. Plenty of guards. Six dogs hurt, two are dying." Diamond Dancer is so incomprehensible that she goes ignored entirely. )

Twilight_Sparkle nods slowly, but makes an effort to continue looking suspicious.

Diamond_Dancer Shakes her head. "Err...No...maybe we could talk in private. "She stammers. "I mean, hey, like I said, it's not excatly someding I talk about very often..."She explains. "Ya know...at a place where we can eat? I'm starved!"

Firefly nods. "Follow me...Sugarcube is a quiet place to eat. Pinkie always has the best treats ready, day or night."

Firefly trots off into Sugarcube Corner.
Firefly has left.

( "Eat? Sugarcube Corner is always open for hungry ponies!" she assures Dimaond Dancer. "It's just a ohp, skip and a jump this way! Here, here's a cupcake to fortify you and keep you from starving til we get there." She hands Dancer one of her tasty confections, a red velvet cupcake. )

Twilight_Sparkle turns back toward Spike. "I don't like this. I think we should follow them."

Spike nods. "Good idea. And if they're hurt, maybe we can help."
Clara looks hungrily at the cupcake transfer, but doesn't react further.

Twilight_Sparkle has left.

<OOC> EconomistBrony makes notes of the transfer for gift tax purposes.

Diamond_Dancer has left.

Twilight_Sparkle has arrived.

Fluttershy looks over her shoulder, getting a bit alarmed at Twilight's departure. She turns back to the Diamond Dog in front of her, trying to keep her bravest Flutterface on in spite of all the doubts that were just freshly raised. "Um...so, Miss Clara, when were you thinking of leaving for your home?"

Pinkie_Pie has left.

PUB >> Twilight_Sparkle gets momentarily confused!

Spike leans in to whisper to Twilight. "Do you think there'll be gemstones to snack on?"

PUB >> Fluttershy pats Twilight with a wing. "Maybe you should calm down with some tea and cupcakes." :>

PUB >> The Mini Minion Firefly says, "Happens to all of us. "

PUB >> Pinkie Pie says, "Didsomeonesaycupcakes?"

Clara responds cautiously. "When you have your kit, of course!" She warily looks to the purple unicorn. "Will you...be following?" she asks. And to Bardigan: "And you? Any pony party is a good party." Too bad Pinkie's not here to have heard her say that.

EconomistBrony goes home.
EconomistBrony has left.

( "Dying?" Bardigan whispers, worriedly rubbing one hoof with the other. "Yes. I will be accompanying this trip... 'twas my intention from the start. Couldn't abide myself if I let a pony go in there alone." )


Twilight_Sparkle says, "I would prefer to go with my friend, if you don't mind."

Fluttershy nods. "One moment. I'll go get it," she says, then dashes as fast as she can back to the square, then back to the market, carrying her basket of food and medicine in her mouth. She sets it down at Clara's feet and looks up once again. "Here, I've been getting everything ready."

Clara looks grateful to all the volunteers. She finds her bearing and stands strong, clicking the handle of the weapon-tool against a cobble. "Already? You took the letter to heart! Truly, you are a kind pony." She kneels to grovel for a moment, lowering her head.
Fluttershy takes a step back, looking startled. She stares for a second, then stammers, finally managing to spit out, "T-that's okay! You can stand up now. It's the least I can o."

<OOC> You say, "(do)"

Bardigan takes a deep breath, flapping his wings to stretch them. "She *is* the Element of Kindness," he says in a moment of fanponyish advertisement. "You will find it comes naturally to her."

( "Leeeast?" drawls the Diamond Dog, a slaver in her throat. "Then the most must be glorious! Natural kindness may be best kindness." The dog climbs to her feet again and picks up the basket. "We go now?" she asks, looking out of town. )
Fluttershy steps forward, looking back past her wings. "Is everypony ready?"

Bardigan nods. "Quite."

Spike says, "Hi ho Twilight, away!"

Twilight_Sparkle rears up! "Neigh!"

<OOC> Clara says, "So the quest begins!"

[Fluttershy]

Twilight_Sparkle sniffs the air, as she stands at the edge of the woods!

Fluttershy stares into the darkness of the forest. No matter how many times she does this, it never gets any easier to make herself go in there...

Diamond_Dancer peers into the forest with a subtle little tremble that ripples along her spine. Oh, she has fresh and vivid memories of tangling with that bird. Not something she wants to do again...but she will if it means she gets to help towards poor animals...and net favor with Twilight. "Alright, so dese uh...diamond dogs...dere in da forest?"

Suddenly, just as the ponies stand on the edge of the Everfree, a whiff of canid musk washes over them, and a full yet grating voice startles them from the southern part of town. "POooNNnIiIeEs!! Caught up fInNaLlY! ReAdy for Questing now?" It's Clara, the Diamond Dog emissary, with a big lumpy pack on her back and her pick-axe in her hand, striding toward the group.

Twilight_Sparkle's horn lights up, casting a glow that lights the immediate area.

Fluttershy nods, whispering to Diamond (the pony, not the Dog), "They like to live anywhere where the ground is rich with gems. With all the rocks and hills around here..." She looks up at Clara again, nodding as decisively as Fluttershy ever can. "Y-yes. Everypoy is ready, Miss Clara."

Diamond_Dancer Nods. "Oh, yeah! We are so totally here to save youse guys! "The little pony remarks, coming to rest on a perch, juuuust outside the forest. "I mean, with Diamond Dancah' here, you can put all yer worries ta rest!" She announces proudly, peering towards the Diamond Dog with a fearless grin.

The Diamond Dog hesitates as she looks at the eager white pegasus. Her yellow eyes narrow, but she smiles, a pair of canines showing prominently. "ExXcCelLleNnt," she rasps. "So mUcH FIRrEpOWwER! StRength is GoOd, EspEcialLy with DoctOr so weEak." She turns her grin, which softens slightly, to Fluttershy. "We Can cut the CorNer of EverfrEe. Our peoPle, we live on the flaAts. Just a little bit of ForEst to go thrroOugh." She points her axe, setting a recommended course that skirts the forest's southern expanse.

Twilight_Sparkle nods solemnly to the dog. After exchanging a glance with Fluttershy, she says, "Lead on, then, I suppose."

Fluttershy nods as well. "Yes, please. I...I agree with your plan. I mean," she says as she fidgets, obviously also trying to convince herself, "it should be fine if we only travel through the very edge of the forest, right? And we have to hurry."

Diamond_Dancer is impetuious, like most fliers. The moment, the very moment, that axe is pointed towards the forest, setting course for thier way, she's nearly off like a shot! "Yeah! Don't worry! I'll go check out the damage!" The speedy little pegasus announces, and with that, she disappears into the inky shadows of the forest. She's either too dumb to be afraid or...to brave to be ...no, she's pretty dumb.

Clara watches the speedy pegasus go with a doubtful look. Her ears flare in the direction in question, and she shrugs, looking to the others and setting out. "WhEn we get clOoser, PeEgaSus ponies wiLl have to wAlk. Otherwise? They SEE, they seE. A Good ScoUt is a BurIed sCout." And on that note, she pushes aside a branch and it's into the Everfree!

>->->->->-> @.@.@ EVERFREE FOREST @.@.@ <-<-<-<-<-<

The Everfree Forest is a dreary place--a vast forest where the plants grow, the animals care for themselves, and the clouds move all on their own! And that's not all! The trees are eerie and moss-covered, and some of them seem to be grasping for travelers when the wind blows. Everywhere you turn, owls hoot and vines dangle, and sometimes monsters are lurking around the next bend. The ground is muddy, the sky cover is uneven, and if you aren't careful, you could step in a patch of poison joke, or worse!
In short, don't go into the Everfreee Forest unless you have a really good reason!

Fluttershy facehoofs privately, toward the back of the group, as Diamond zips off. "It's just like Scootaloo all over again...oh, wait for me, everypony!" And then she dashes into the deep, dark woods.

It's eerie, but not too loud in here. There's a fair bit of what sounds like small creature activity in the canopy.

Spike looks around, his slit pupils opening wide in the darkness. He tries his best to look confident, but the way he jerks his head around to look toward unexpected sounds betrays his nervousness.
Twilight_Sparkle says "You doing all right back there, Spike?"
Spike says "Huh? Y-yeah, I'm fine!"

Diamond_Dancer Comes to a gradual stop in the midst of the forest; her sparkling contrail slowly fading away behind her, leaving it slightly more difficult to follow her. "Well...is dis it? Is dis da place? Yoo hoo? Diamond Dog!?" She calls out curiously, hovering a few feet just above the ground. "Humph...everypony dinks I'm just a lil foal...I'll show them...I'll get to the cave in first...Hey?! Diamond Dog?! Uh...you nearby?" She calls, pauses and perks what she can of an ear listening for something...anything...?

Clara is trudging forward, ahead of the others (sans Dancer). Her steps are slow and careful, but long. She glances back. "Is a DraAgOn?" she asks. "But a chIiLld drAgon? ChIlden have lItTle place in a bAd plAace. WhY bring it AlOng?" Meanwhile, Diamond Dancer has gone a bit too far, and may spy the edge of the flats away to the southeast.

Twilight_Sparkle says "Spike is my assistant, and he's a very capable dragon. I won't let anything bad happen to him."

Fluttershy looks around, whimpering nervously every time a dark tree branch looks too much like a dragon, or a pothole in the forest floor threatens her hooves. She trots ahead to catch up and walk beside Twilight and Spike. "Um...excuse me, Clara, but...how far away is your home?"

Diamond_Dancer Is hovering casually in a little clearing of branches and debris. Pine needles and rocks scatter about the ground while a number of dark red eyes loom from the shadowy underneath nearby- all of them watching Diamond, who carelessly flits around here and there. "Lets see...if I were a buncha smelly dogs...I'd totally ...be....near some fire hydrants? No no...that's stupid...Where would Clara's home be...Maybe I went to far....hey, you guys?! "She starts making her way back...

The Diamond Dog looks back intermittently as she treads, occasionally taking branches in her mighty arms for support or some kind of wilderness understanding. "Capable ChIilD? What kIInd of CapAble? Can he BrEeath FiIre? SpEw Ice? Has he got a fOrked TongUe of ShOck jUuice?" She glances at the doctor. "FoUr LEeeEages past the fOresT Eedge," she replies. Diamond Dancer sees something ominous lurking in the forest ahead.

Spike folds his arms, feeling a bit put upon. "You bet I can breathe fire! And...uhm...I can write letters, too!"

Twilight_Sparkle says "He can write AND send letters! Also he's great at filing. And announcing. And he was a big part of our rescue of Rarity."

Spike nods, smiling proudly.

Fluttershy nods. "It's true. He's the best writer in all of Ponyville." She ducks under a particularly low-hanging snak- er, branch, and does a double-take as she passes it. "Did anypony else...just see a pair of eyes?"

"LeEtTeRrS??" asks Clara, staring at the juvenile dragon. "BuUrRRrniIng LleEtTeRs??" She pounds her weapon twice against the ground as she pads along. It's possible some of the branches have eyes here, but don't worry--they're very slow to report what they see.

Diamond_Dancer Is currently torn between her better judgement and her....worst judgement. She wants, despretly, to seek out whatever it is she managed to catch sight of in the distance. Something ominious and looming- dangerous maybe...exciting! At the same time, she DID promise she'd stick with the group and this is far from it. Sides, she's got to prove her worth, right?! This thing could be a trap! Could be a monster ready to attack them all- if she's scouting out ahead, it's her duty to find out what it is, before reporting back- and with that line of logic, she shoots ahead towards the darkness of the forest- her glittering contrail the only evidence that she was ever there...

Spike fidgets under the dog's stare, unused to his usefulness being challenged this way. He hunkers down a little closer to Twilight's back, holding on to her for reassurance.

Twilight_Sparkle says "Trust me. If you knew Spike like I do, you'd be glad to have him with us. It wouldn't be a posse without him."

In a dank part of the ancient growth, a burbling pile of muck belches forth a half-noxious concoction in a huge bubbles that reverberates lowly even to the ears of the group. Clara twitches and her ears waver. "DisGuUsting," she murmurs. But Diamond Dancer, flying too close to the dangerous mire, may be caught with half the force of the mind-altering gas. Meanwhile, Clara is trying to understand. "PoSsEe? You mean GaaAAaang?"

Fluttershy nods in agreement with Twilight. "Spike is very faithful. I'm sure he won't let us down, no matter what happens." Then her ears twitch and she tries her best to stick close to Twilight and Spike and their big Diamond Dog ally. "W-what was that? It sounded like something just popped, or...or came out of the water..."

[Fluttershy]

Bardigan flicks his ears. "Bubbles," he says. "Gaseous bubbles... you live quite far from the Diamond Dogs Ponyvillians encountered before," he remarks to Clara. "And yes. A gang of sorts. A group. Rather neutral word."

Spike nods. "I've never been in this part of the forest before. It...kind of smells, doesn't it?"

Twilight_Sparkle looks around, frowning. "It does, at that, Spike. Is it very much farther? I didn't think to study maps in this direction."

"Out SOooNn, little PoOOniIeEs," reassures the Diamond Dog. She pauses to listen to the bubbles, ears searching about like beacons...but then continues. "This Is nOt HoOme. HoOme is on tHe FlaAts." A smallish blue and black bird with sharp talons comes speeding through the underbrush, and Clara leaps aside!

Fluttershy gasps! "Another Roc!" She darts to one side and lets the bird pass, but of course that's not enough to deter it - it's out of sight now, and swooping through the foliage noisily. "What happened to the other one? Maybe this is its baby!"

Bardigan ducks down with a muffled curse, flattening his ears as the bird zips away. "I'd read that full grown rocs are much bigger than what we saw," he says. "If anything, what attacked us probably *was* the baby."

Spike looks over his shoulder at where the bird went. "It didn't seem interested in us. Maybe we were just in its way."
Twilight_Sparkle says "Calm down, everypony. We have to be understanding of the creatures that live out here, just like we would want them to be of us if they were in Ponyville."

Clara looks unsure. "RoOoC?" she asks, twisting her head back. "Whaat rOoooOc? Giaant BIRD?" She changes her course slightly, lopping down branches with her ax. "Biiirds...ANggRy at PoOnies?"

Fluttershy gallops away toward the new path Clara's opening up, skidding to a stop and cringing as branches thump to the ground all around her. "I-I don't know! A bunch of ponies got in a fight with one a little while ago, but I don't think it really got hurt. This thing seems so aggressive, though. I don't know if I can talk to it..."

Bardigan shakes his head. "We trespassed into the forest... the one that came after us was only there because we ran into it. We were chasing something... else," he says with a slight shudder. "Never figured out what it was..."

Twilight_Sparkle nods. "There was...something else in the forest that night, and it scared the Roc away. Spike and I ran after it, but it was no use. I couldn't begin to tell you what it was...but it didn't seem malevolent, at least not toward ponykind,"

Clara seems discomfited by this revelation. "MuUSt staY hEEealthy when rElaAting to fORrest," she opines. "VilLage nEearby? Then treEat fOrResSt with resPeCt." She turns back, marching at a good speed now. The bird is long gone, but it was fleeing from something.

Twilight_Sparkle keeps up with Clara, with Spike bouncing up and down on her back.

Fluttershy has her head up, looking around through the heavy grouth. Her ears are perked high, but after a few seconds of birdless bliss, she relaxes a little and her mane defrizzes. "I...I think it left, everypony. I don't thin it was really aft...er..." Her tail begins to shake a little, and she raises her head again. "...d-does anypony hear something else?"

Bardigan shakes his head, trying to stay calm and collected. "Yes. It is a forest... I'm not surprised to be hearing many other things." He keeps an eye out, though, remembering that what Rainbow Dash saw manifested as a point of light just at the edge of her senses. It doesn't bring him comfort that it scared away the roc... his Rainbow
Dash was harmed that night following it.

Spike says "I...I'm sure it's nothing. Probably the wind. Uhm...we'll be out of the forest soon right?"

"Maaybe," murmurs. Clara. She's stopped leading the group abruptly. There's a deep purplish smell coming from ahead...and again she listens. "Doctor pOony is rIght. SooOUund from aheead. POniEs have WEeapons??"

Fluttershy walks with hooves high, anxiously, to try to get close to Clara again. "W-weapons? No! I mean, Twilight has her magic, and we all have our hooves, and Spike has his dragon powers, but other than that..." She turns her head to look forward again, and a tiny mote of light is reflected in her eyes.

Twilight_Sparkle's horn continues to shine, illuminating the immediate area. She stops in her tracks. "Weapons? Now wait a minute. What are we going to be having to fight off? And might we not possibly be a bit better off turning back before we encounter it, and doing this at a safer hour?"

Spike says "I dunno, Twilight. If there are dogs that are actually hurt, they might not be able to wait."

Firefly is sailing along from the direction of the far everfree, zig zagging as she looks to see if she can catch up or find a sign of where the party has gone to.

Bardigan stamps a hoof, driving a small furrow into the ground. "They are animals, are they not?" he asks. "Presumably we should be able to scare them off with the right tools and press on. We're wasting enough time as it is.

The Diamond Dog shakes her head grimly at Clara's question. She sniffs the air and moves behind a large tree, putting her back to it and bracing it with her thick arms. "DrAagon PoWers musT be GoOoD!" she remarks. "HiIde! Take cOveRr!" She ignores Spike for now. What's coming? Could it possibly be nothing worse than Firefly?

Fluttershy puts a hoof on the Diamond Dog's leg and whispers upward to her guide, beckoning her to lean down. "Clara...does something...else live in the woods? Something big and firey and very, very fast? Because...because I swear I just saw..." she whips her head around to look to her left now, grimacing. "Meep."

Twilight_Sparkle makes her CONCENTRATING face, and braces herself, ribbons of white light flickering around her and every other living breathing being larger than a few pounds within a wide radius. "Arriving being, we mean you no harm!" she proclaims loudly. "Show yourself to us please!"

Bardigan stands still in the midst of his ribbons, breathing slow and deep. "I'm not sure that's going to work on woodland critters..." he murmurs of the very official greeting from Twilight Sparkle. He thinks he can see something else darting about amidst Twilight's lights, beyond their perimeter, but it's probably his imagination.

Clara looks down to the yellow veterinarian and nods grimly. "Biig. Fiiery," she agrees. "Annd deeadlY." She looks abruptly to the left, eyes going wide as Twilight's shield flares into existence. "So Much lIghT!" she cries. "What are you DoInG??" But it's too late. Before anyone can react, the party is faced with...

A great hairy rat bursts out of the undergrowth, hissing and squeaking as it darts around the legs of everyone still on the ground! Running from something, or towards it.

You whisper, "Fluttershy ohs?" to Bardigan.

Fluttershy's eyes get wider and she starts shaking all over as the forest is backlit with a dancing orange light, flickering wildly like a forest fire. It gets almost as bright as the light from Twilight's spell - and is making a beeline right for it! Fluttershy dives to the forest floor and covers her head. "Look out, everypony!"

Twilight_Sparkle begins to feel rather silly, standing there glowing and looking poised for action. She makes a command decision! She will try the exact opposite approach. She extinguishes her hornlight altogether, casting the group into darkness.

Twilight_Sparkle then ducks and darts aside, bringing Spike with her!

Firefly continues to race along the low cloud levels, seaching the forest below as she goes, banking towards some flickering white lights a ways off to her east, dropping lower along the treetops as she nears to get a better look, then looses the light. She climbs a bit and speeds up, still kinda headed that way.

Clara drops to a squatting position beside the broad dark tree and huddles, grasping Fluttershy with her large hands and holding her protectively. The white ribbons vanish and orange-amber light enters the area...and soon, there is no more darkness. Only eerie orangeness. And everything feels warm without actual heat.

Fluttershy squeaks in terror again as she's dragged into someone's embrace, but quiets down again when she looks up and sees it's only Clara. Her silence is not a calm one, though, because now this sort of bright, glowing - thing - is right in their midst, and in the center of the light, they can see a vaguely animalistic shape, turning its head to face the group.

Twilight_Sparkle lifts her head, her eyes widening as she stares at the entity.

Spike stares at the shape, his pupils narrowing to little slits. "Whoa...is...is that a ghost?"

The light bobs and weaves in midair, seemingly without shape or form, or even purpose. One might even see it as a confused thing, uncertain of where to go next. Bardigan remains huddled down in the undergrowth. His eye twitches. It's certainly similar to the account he saw, but for it to appear so plainly... the light doesn't seem to see them, or loses interest, as it flits up into the air, and then begins slowly moving back where it came from.

Clara reacts swiftly. She moves around the tree, beckoning to the others with a low, almost inaudible rumble from her throat, or deeper. The confused animal shape within the heart of the light is left behind...by her, anyway, for now.

Twilight_Sparkle follows Clara, bringing Spike with her, though her eyes follow the patch of light as it moves.

Twilight_Sparkle says "There are...all manner of things that live out here that are wondrous! But I suppose the ones that need our help have to remain our focus."

Fluttershy is carried along with Clara, but she keeps looking back at the animal. "I've never seen anything like th-" but she cuts herself off again when she sees what may be its ears twitch, and it slows its departure for a moment.

Very slowly, Bardigan begins creeping after the others, bringing up the rear just in case something might be following. The light's pause last for but a few seconds, but it doesn't look back at them. Instead it just keeps moving, at a slow, almost deliberate pace. It's frentic twitching in the air is less now, as if it is more calm, more... attentive.

Clara pauses as Fluttershy pauses. She wags her broad tail, brushing the pegasus with its very tip. "FeEel SyyMpaThy?" she asks. "PoOny...tHis LeShY is DAangerOus. It mAy loOk lost...or LoOnelYy...but it KIILLS." She follows this with a tense glance at the others, as if to urge them to hurry.

Fluttershy nods, eyes turned upward to meet Clara. "I do," she whispers, to keep it between just her and the Diamond Dog. "It saved us the other night, and...I don't know." She manages to avoid drawing its attention this time, at least. "Twilight, Spike, Bardigan..." She beckons with a flick of her tail.

Twilight_Sparkle nods. "It seemed to wish us well, or at least not to wish us ill. It didn't even hurt the roc, either. It just scared it off."

Spike shudders. "We should go before it changes its mind. What if it decides we looked tasty?"

Twilight_Sparkle says "Then your strategy of not taking baths will probably serve you well."

The light continues to hover at a safe distance, which never changes. If they somehow move closer to it, it moves away, and it too moves closer as they hurry. Clearly it knows they are there. Bardigan's eyes are on it at all times, finding no more reason to hide as he comes up right alongside Clara. "I... I think it's... *looking* at us," he whispers.

Clara trembles. She reaches for Fluttershy...but stops herself, letting her hands fall to the earth, instead. 'If...if doctor poony thinks it's saAfe...then I will waAit." Her eyes are narrow and her face calculating. "Go. PlAacaTe the lesHy so it does not MuRRrdDeR Us."

Twilight_Sparkle lights her horn up again, not harshly, just equalling the other light, in color and tone, in what she hopes is an inviting gesture. "Hello! Whatever you are...thank you for saving us, the other night."

Fluttershy feels Clara's protective grasp leave her and nods unsteadily, clearly unnerved and conflicted between talk or flight. "R-right," she mumbles. "I'll...d-do my best." She takes an uneasy step toward it, then another - but of course, it moves away from the rest of the group whenever she approaches. One she's a good five or six steps away from the next nearest pony, she looks up at the 'lechy' and lowers her head in a supplicating position. "H-hello there. Are you a lost animal?"

"Wait!" Bardigan hisses, apparently too suspiscious of the thing to try and get to know it. The light does indeed scoot back as Fluttershy steps forward, though when Twilight's horn flares, that seems to get a stronger reaction than even Fluttershy speaking to it. It too lights up to match the intensity of her gesture. On top of that, there is a breeze. Just a bare slight touch, unnatural since it is so focused... like an invisible limb. It brushes over Fluttershy's mane.

Clara is even more suspicious. She remains waiting half out of sight, fingering her pickax nervously. A hissing sound escapes her throat. "Will not kill po0onies," she whispers as she harshly stares at the nebulous figure.

Fluttershy gasps softly when she feels...*something* touch her, and she bows her head even more. "I - um - I'm Fluttershy. We've never seen a creature like you before. We didn't mean to tresspass in your territory..." As evidence that something really did touch her, a trail of tiny glowing sparks materializes in her mane, then wink out.

[Fluttershy]

(( Note: In this episode, Clara is played by me/Fluttershy, and occasionally Bardigan, instead of her regular player. ))

The strange something that touched Fluttershy does not touch her again. The little light continues to hover in the air in front of the group, matching the intensity of Twilight's magic. There's a very faint noise, as if in response to Fluttershy's assurances... a little chime on the wind. Bardigan rubs his ear with his hoof, unsure if he even heard it. The ball of light, almost experimentally, begins to scoot a little closer to Fluttershy, as if encouraging her to touch it back. "Careful!" Bardigan whispers.

Fluttershy opens her eyes as the thing's touch passes, raising her head to face the phantom light. She *definitely* heard its cry, being that she's now right in front of it, but she can't quite figure out what it meant yet - is this creature animal or spirit or something else? She glances back and Twilight, and then Clara, still hidden with her axe, but when Bardigan warns her, she turns her head slowly back around to see that the Thing in the Woods is coming closer. "U-um...I, uh- y-you want me to...touch you?" She looks at her friends out of her peripheral vision, pleading for some sort of advice.

Firefly is still zig zagging along the lower clouds, having expanded her search, having found Diamond Dancer after her dance in the gas.

Diamond_Dancer is keeping a little lower towards the ground, yet above the trees, obviously a little skiddish on returning into the forest so soon. Still, she searches for Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, the fliers she's met and her new friends. She frowns quietly and shakes her head. "Hey...Firefly! I don't see 'em! I dink we gotta go down below da canopy! "She calls, from her stalled hovering position.

Orion is rather quiet from his spot, which isn't that far from Fluttershy and Bardigan. He eyes the bright light and ums softly seeming a bit unsure about it to say the least. "Yes.. Becareful.." He offers with a soft tone. All this seems just a bit strange to him to say the least.

Fluttershy stares up into the radiant light. It drifts closer and closer, tinting her yellow coat a firey sunset orange. She finds her jaw opening involuntarily, unsure whether to befriend or flee, her timidity and kindness deadlocking between her ears. In the end, she decides she has to do what comes naturally to her, and reaches out...

Firefly looks over to Diamond and nods, banking over to the other pegasus, then snap rolls the other way, skimming the canopy more directly, even cutting down some small limbs and leaves as she tears across the woods like a twin bladed scythe.

EconomistBrony appears with a *pop*.

<OOC> EconomistBrony comes just to watch. ^^
<OOC> You say, "Welcomeaboard. n.n"
<OOC> Fluttershy tiptoes backwards and spaces herself properly.

Bardigan has no idea what to do! "Just... just..." he says, biting his lower lip, ready to spring into action. He's trembling, in fact, as the light comes down closer and closer towards Fluttershy's hoof... until
Firefly zooms towards them at high speed. The light recoils suddenly, flashing into a ball of flame that grows and grows the closer Firefly gets! But, strangely, there is no heat emanating from it... but that doesn't make it *look* any less dangerous. The ball of fire tears off through the wood, away from the approaching noise.

Diamond_Dancer Hovers about the canopy watching Firefly. "H, hey wait! I can't DO dat with my wings!" She yelps, trying to follow. It's true she's resilant but not a bladed whirlwind of thunder and terror. "I can't fly like dat!" She calls, flapping her wings to zoom in close towards Firefly, and below into the forest. In an acrobatic display of dextarity and skill, she dodges and weaves though the dense tree tops, shootin in nice and low t-WHAM. Right into a tree trunk with a sickening CRUNCH. She drops to the ground like a rock, and lays there, motionless. After a moment or two passes, however, she gets up and grins stupidly. "Oh...COOL!" She giggles looking at the indent her face left in the tree. "Looks just like me...Oh, hey, right! Hello?!" She calls out, lifting up into a hover- flying slower this time. Much slower.

Fluttershy gasps as the - thing - suddenly takes off and disappears. The fire's reflection faces from her eyes bit by bit, until... "...it's gone," she whispers. Fluttershy shakes her head and looks around, seeing what looks like another pegasus weaving through the trees, and recognizing who it is doesn't make it hard to put together why the creature fled. She turns around to face the rest of the group, walking past each in turn. "Is...everypony all right?" Her voice quivers more and more as she approaches the tree. "...Clara? You can come out now. I-I think it's gone."

Firefly's ears snap too hearing Diamond's pursuit, pulling up out of the canopy top to slow and loop up over and back to where Diamond has, for some reason, stopped following. She tucks in her wings and drops into the forest, airbraking beside Diamond to hover along. Only then does she speak. "Right here Diamond. I had expected you to follow from just above the treetops, not below." then gives a laugh at the face dented tree. "Yes, that is kinda cool isn't it?" then adds. "I thought I saw some light up ahead, not to far off."

"It... looked... frightened," Bardigan says quietly, coming up alongside Fluttershy. Clara grumbles and keeps a tight hold of her axe. "Leshy can kill," she stubbornly insists. "Good that it was scared away."

Diamond_Dancer Peers around the trees and through the darkness of the forest. She reaches up and taps her temple, shaking away a few stars, and reaches up to tap her nose, trying to see if it broke in the collision. Nope. "Ok, we're all good! You saw da light? Well uh...HELLO!? Twilight FIZZLE?! Are you out dare? Fluttahshy?! ...uh...Who else is out dere? Is anybody out dare?! " She calls, and perks an ear listening...

A pair of yellow gleams moves in the darkness as Clara steps out from her hiding place. "Pony DOoctor sAaAfe?" she asks, still holding her axe at the ready. "Leshy did not touUch?" Fluttershy nods, looking guilty - sheepish even. "I-It sounded friendly. And...kind of lost." Doctor Pony glances over her shoulder, head low, at the light's retreating trail, but before she can try to apologize any further, her ears perk up. "...Diamond Dancer?"

Bardigan lifts off the ground, peering into the gloom. "Over here!" he calls.

Fluttershy flaps her wings and floats upward, Clara's narrow-eyed stare still fixed on her. She looks out into the treetops, and now sees not one, but two pegasi approaching. It's hard to make out their colors in the dark forest light, but... "I think I see two other ponies. It looks like Diamond and...Firefly?"

Firefly glides behind Diamond, perking her ears hearing voices calling ahead. "I do believe Diamond, that we've found them." lifting up higher to glide in behind Diamond as they make their way into the area proper, snapping her wings a bit to give a short burst of speed to zip up in front of Fluttershy. "Found you!" she laughs,

Diamond_Dancer glances up at Firefly, and starts to slowly drift through the trees towards the light- and the...Ponies! "We found dem!! WE FOUND EM!!" Diamond calls, excitedly towards Firefly! "Hey! I'm so glad youse guys are safe! Dis place is totally dangerous! Do NOT go into da swamp!" She explains with a bright beaming smile. "...I'm glad your safe. "She says again.

"Those are the only others that could be out here," Bardigan replies. "Good to see them both in one piece..." He turns his head, watching and waiting for the light to appear again. He has the distinct feeling of being watched... though that's probably going to be there a while. "Yes, and you made quite a racket," he chastises the others as they arrive.

Fluttershy's mane billows back as Firefly's slipstream catches up to her. "Eep! U-um, hi, Firefly. Hi, Diamond. T-thanks for showing up." She starts slipping downward through the air until she's at about average pony eye-level, turning to point off through the forest. "We saw the...the light-creature again. It - touched me, but without any limbs. I think it wanted me to touch it back, but it ran off when you two showed up..."

Firefly says "There is yet another Sir Bardigan." smiling as she lands and tucks her wings away. "For the Palace of the Moon is not but a few leagues off, a bit past where I found Diamond in the clouds." then looks around. "I...did not know stealth was needed," listening to Fluttershy. "Oh....my apologies."

( Clara grunts at the two new arrivals, laying her axe blade-first on the ground. "MoOre pony," she mutters. "Bodyguard and...OothEer? PoneEe too noIsy. BuUt if thEey keEep Lechy away, then good." She stares dubiously at Fluttershy. "Doctor is very brAave. ReckleSs." )

Diamond_Dancer glances into the distance, peering quietly, trying to pierce the blank of ink, and frowns. "I can't see anyding...youse want me to light da place up?" She asks grinning quietly, proud of her new abilites. "Sorry we frightened it off. But is you guys sure it's on our side?

PUB >> Your Highness says, "Hey, it's EconoLodgeBrony! When did you show up?"
PUB >> Blue_Yonder says, "Also, He Who Yonds the Blues."
PUB >> Fluttershy waves!
PUB >> The Mini Minion Firefly says, "The cheezecake pony!"
PUB >> Your Highness says, "So, did you kill it, yet? Did you kill it GOOD?"
PUB >> The Mini Minion Firefly says, "Not yet...they let it go."
PUB >> Your Highness says, "Did you avenge the brutalities inflicted upon the helpless and maidenly Rainbow Dash?"
PUB >> Your Highness says, "They let it go?!"
PUB >> The Mini Minion Firefly says, "Well, it's not done with Dash yet you see...."
PUB >> Your Highness says, "Well, now you know what it's like to be Celestia's partner."
PUB >> Your Highness says, "'But we can make peace with them!' 'We could make pieces out of them!'"

Bardigan glances to one side. "I am beginning to wonder if it is as dangerous as we first believed. Apart from it scaring away the roc, it seems quite... timid. Perhaps it *wants* to contact us."

PUB >> EconomistBrony says, "EconoLodgeBrony? That's a new one."

Fluttershy nods. "I think you're right. Although..." She quietly flicks an ear in Clara's direction. "Other things seem scared of it, too. Maybe it only likes ponies." She rises up to scan the forest one more time, then finally lets herself land. "We...we should probably go. The miners still need our help."

Firefly eyes Clara and reminds the diamond dog, "This 'other' is the Eyes and Ears of the Moonloaf, at Fluttershy's command, to make sure no pony is so much as threatened by ANY diamond dogs." flapping her wings once. "Remember this, and all will be well." looking around to see who is where doing what.

<OOC> Firefly says, "Er, Moonlord."
PUB >> The Mini Minion Firefly awaits her execution for that one.,
<OOC> Fluttershy oohs. She should ask Pinkieto make some holiday Moonloaf. n.n
<OOC> Diamond_Dancer says, "Would, not, eat it. "
<OOC> Firefly says, "LOL"
PUB >> The Mini Minion Firefly says, "Oh?"
PUB >> Moonloaf says, "Oh."
PUB >> The Mini Minion Firefly says, "LOL"

Clara's ears flatten and she raises her free hand defensively. "YeS. Both BodYgUaArd. I did nOt forgEet." She turns and stalks back toward the edge of the forest, looking back and beckoning with one oversized hand. "DoCtor is right. We muUst gOo. My pack is waAitIng."

PUB >> The Moonloaf supposes this is more dignified and suitable to her station.

Bardigan turns back down the path, looking thoughtful and pensive. Suddenly this trip seems much more mysterious and forbidding than he first thought. "Diamond Dancer," he says, "did you say you can... light things up now?"

Diamond_Dancer Groans, that heavy smack to the head the flyer took seems to be slowly her down. "...Oooooowwww....m, maybe I'll just rest a spell over here. "She says softly, tumbling down to rest against a tree...

<OOC> Firefly says, "Yep...swamp gas."
<OOC> Firefly says, "I mean, one tree to the face and plop. No staying power in these new ones."

Bardigan turns back to pluck Diamond Dancer off the ground. "Ohh, no," he says. "Not in the middle of the forest!" And he moves to deposit her on his back.

"Oh, no." Fluttershy smacks a hoof to her mouth. "Not again." She reaches out and feels Diamond's head, checking for any signs of injury. "I think she'll be fine. She's just walked off worse injuries than this. C-can you carry her all the way through the woods?"

Firefly says "She faceplanted a tree a while back, left a dent in it." nodding. "Kinda thought it might catch up to her."

Bardigan nods decisively. "Of course. I'll be fine. She's still a little thing after all..."

"PonEee!" Clara's voice calls from up ahead on her newly-hewn trail. "We must GOoO! Before Lechy comes back! Or WOooOrsE!"

Fluttershy winces. "W-well, if you're sure..." She launches herself forward, opting to fly so she can avoid tripping on any roots, or any of the fallen branches that Clara is hacking down.
Bardigan must remain on the ground, but he trudges stoically forward, keeping his wings half out to make sure Diamond Dancer doesn't roll off. "How much further?" he calls out to Clara. "You live in the mountains beyond the woods?"

( Clara slows her pace so the ponies can catch up. "NoO. Pack lives on flAaAats." She swings her axe forward, pointing toward the far edge of the forest. "Not fAar. Almost theEere." Her ears keep swiveling backwards in spite of her reassurances, twitching around nervously. )

Fluttershy flutters onward, trying to keep Firefly roughly at her side, Bardigan near and behind her, and not too far away from Clara. The ponies behind her hear her gasp, and she speeds up suddenly, pointing. "Look! We made it, everypony!"

Bardigan peers through the trees. Where *are* they? This gloom is so thick back in this part of the woods... but he'll be glad to be away from it regardless. "Excellent," he breathes out quietly. Is that the *edge* of the forest they see? Oh, happy day! He can't wait to see at least some open space again.

EconomistBrony has arrived.

EconomistBrony appears with a *pop*.

<OOC> EconomistBrony says, "Quite a place for a pair to sneak off to late at night! "

( Clara pushes aside one last thick cord of vines, clearing the view of what lies beyond the forest - endless, endless flatness. Great cracks shoot through the ground, between deposits of glistening white rock, and the smell of salt and dust fills the air. "ThErE," she says. "Forest is behIind us. And homE is ahEead." She turns back to her pony entourage. "Very lUucky poneEe. We made in tIime. Now, we are in DiiIamond Dog lAand." )

<OOC> You say, "Eep. o.o"

<OOC> You say, "We were just deciding to wrap up soon, since most of our players have fallen off."

<OOC> Bardigan says, "We were totally wrapping up an RP and not a secret steamy dalliance."

<OOC> You say, "Ideally I'll be able to wrangle Twilight back in for this next time!"

Bardigan's eyes widen to the point of ludicrousness even by pony standards. No trees, no buildings, no hills... just... grass. Flat grassy terrain, everywhere! "It's... amazing," he murmurs. Beautiful it's own way, at least...
<OOC> You say, "...that was an unfortunate line order."
<OOC> Bardigan says, "And yet it worked out so well. 8|"
<OOC> Fluttershy giggles behind her hoof.

Fluttershy lands next to Bardigan, forgetting to fold her wings up right away. "You can see forever. It's like being in the sky again, but...so different." She's right about being able to see, but there's still no sign of where the Diamond Dogs might actually live...

( Clara puts her axe back in its harness and drops to all fours, sniffing back and forth over the salty sand. "This waAay." She digs in her giant claws and takes off, following a trail only she can smell, off into the wilderness. The ponies can see her stop and scratch at the ground every few bounds. )

Bardigan gives Fluttershy a single, dubious glance before boldly going where nopony (in recent memory) has gone before. He steps onto the grass, noting how... tall and scruffy it is. Nothing like the somehow always healthy and pleasant looking grass back around Ponyville and Whitetail Wood. "It may be flat, but it's still very wild," he notes, following Clara's haphazard trail.

Fluttershy nods. "I can't even imagine what kind of animal would want to live out here, except maybe a snake..." She follows Bardigan following Clara, who is now tossing clods of dirt and grass everywhere as she tears furiously into the ground. "And so empty..." But when the ponies reach Clara, they can see that it's not as empty as it looks - the Diamond Dog is pointing down into a wide, deep shaft, lit up by lines of glittering stones. "There..." she says, and then howls into the tunnel. A whole wild chorus answers back, making it sound like the ground itself is wailing. "Pack is expecting us..."

Bardigan looks more than apprehensive when he's told that they have to go down into the dark hole where there's a lot of howling coming from. He looks over his shoulder at Diamond Dancer resting between his wings, allowing Firefly to go first (just in case), and then standing at the lip of the hole. "Right," he mutters quietly. The actual act of going underground is foreign to him... but he's not backing out now. "Here we go, then." And with gentle, fluttering flaps, he descends.

Fluttershy squints down into the pit. Twilight goes in after Bardigan, and thankfully, her horn adds some extra light. Still, Fluttershy doesn't relish the idea of going so deep underground again - but she must. So, she takes a deep breath of Equestrian surface air and, with a "W-wait for me!" follows after, looking back up toward the receding sky...