Post by Red Velvet on Apr 1, 2014 0:49:07 GMT -5
Scene shifts between Sweet Apple Acres and Canterlot. Characters in alphabetical order: Apple Bloom, Applejack, Diamond Dancer, Red Velvet/Crimson Maiden.
Diamond_Dancer trots towards the hull of the ship and rests her front hooves on it, looking up with those big, blue turquoise eyes of hers. "Hey! Apple Bloom? Is dat you'se up dare? It's me, Diamond!" She calls out, ears twitching at the sound of hammering and banging.
Apple BLoom peeks over the edge. "Dawmond!" Apple Bloom calls out in surprise, then climbs down with the hammer, through the cabin, and out into the hangar. "How y'all doin'? Apple Bloom asks.
Diamond_Dancer bites her lower lip quietly- although she can't resist the smile that criss crosses her lips, when she sees Applebloom. It's ALMOST like Diamond made a friend. With a filly her own age. Who doesn't make fun of her for all the 'stains' over her coat. "...I'm...I'm doin ok, Apple Bloom! How's da Crusadah? Dis ding air worthy? Cause...I'm gonna do somedin' stupid." She explains.
"Well, ah haiven't given'er a spin since ah jus' fixed it. But ah shouldn't go nowhere until Applejack gits back." Apple Bloom says, "She said she haid t'speak t'Twawlawt."
Diamond_Dancer nods her head quietly. "Apple Bloom...I uh...I need you'se help. You'se is probably one of da most dependable fillies I know. Take Aftah you'se sistah, I guess. I'm gonna...I'm gonna go an' find Red Velvet...Mom...Da Crimson Maiden. I wanna keep tabs on her. Dat bein said, I don't excatly know how strong she is, ovah Red. And it'll only git woyse if she gets her hooves on dat armor. So, if you'se can, I want you'se ta take da armor, and hide it! Dat way, if Red tells Crimson where it is, nopony will know except for you'se! I can count on you'se ta keep it safe, right?!
"That means ah gotta git it first." Apple Bloom says. She may need to talk to Applejack again. It sounds like they may need to go in two different directions. "Ah definitely owe y'all fer helping mah sister..." Apple Bloom hesitates a moment. "D'ya haive a more presawce ahdea where this place'n th'Everfree is?"
Diamond_Dancer draws in a deep breath. "It's my fault. All of it. Da armor is hidden in a cave, in da side of a cliff. Ahh, dares dis old rickety rope bridge kinda leadin' to Luna's old castle. Be carful, cause I don't know whats in dare. In da mean time...I....I'll try and deal with Crimson Maiden. If you'se can git da armor somewhere safe, I'll you'se twice ovah. "She smiles quietly, and holds up a hoof for a bump. "Countin on you'se, Bloom."
Apple Bloom is thinking about the layout of the Everfree. To get there seems already pretty dangerous, but exciting. But she made a promise to Applejack. Still... "Ah'll git that armor." Apple Bloom says. And she supposes if she can hide it anywhere that's good enough. The Crimson Maiden won't have the first clue THIS filly is capable of pulling a fast one on her.
Diamond_Dancer doesn't seem particularily confident that she can 'handle' the Crimson Maiden, but the filly takes a deep breath and nods her head. "Alright. You know, heh, you'd make a pretty good night pony, Apple Bloom." She smiles quietly. "I wish I was wearin my armor...at least dat way I-" She shrieks, as she's very suddenly engulfed in a bright flash of light...and when it fades, Diamond is dressed in her "Shatter Plate." "...I can't believe dat woyked!!"
"Crawminy." Apple Bloom says, jumping at the surprise of the other filly getting decked out in her battle gear. "Oh maw. Are y'all okay?"
Diamond_Dancer looks over herself nervously. "...Yeah? Dis is da armor Princess Luna gave to me. Ha! I ain't used ta my stah actually grantin' my wishes. ...Guess dis means I'm ready ta go...u, unless...unless you'se want me ta stick around n' wait for Applejack, or somedin?" *Squee grin*
"Well... far be it from me t'send y'all off. Either way ah gotta stay and wait fer AJ. Ah promised ah wouldn't run off without at least tellin'er first. Kawnda got shared, she did, after ah told her about what happened at th'square." Heck, If not for the fact AB's shown herself capable of handling herself...
Diamond_Dancer coughs quietly, her ears flattening against her head. "I...Uh...Ahem. Yeah, well, uh, ok. I'm gonna...I'm gonna go and uh...*Gulp* ...See if I can't talk to her...Wish me luck. "She says- and before she loses her nerve, she takes a deep breath. "I wish I knew where da Crimson Maiden was!" She barks. Her star crackles, flickers, and POPS- and suddenly, there's a pin hole sized portal next to Diamond- sucking the poor filly in, twisting, and warping her features, until -POOF- ...she's gone...
"... Ah hope she'll be okay." Apple Bloom bucks the Crusader a few times to make sure it's solid, then says, "Ah jus' need t'fawnd Applejack. Got mah own promises t'keep."
(Scene change to Canterlot)
Red's Office
The room is not even close to what one would call Spartan. The desk is large, the chair behind it plush. And along the walls are two long couches, made of oak and suede. Behind the chair placed near the desk is a hidden martini bar. concealed behind a mirror wall until the secret panel is flipped to reveal the luxury item. The entire room is decorated in the namesake of Red herself. Crimson velvet hangs from every wall and even banners with Red's cutiemark dangle from the ceiling.
Above the offices of Red Velvet, comes a sharp crackle, and a pop of lightning. Diamond's getting much much better at learning how to utilize her star power. The filly tumbles into existance, having been rippled through space and time in the blink of an eye, and now sitting on her rump, looking up with wide adorable eyes, in her battle armor...
From inside the building there is a bellow of frustration and the entire building shakes as somepony stomps their hoof. "Curse you! Curse your liver and lights! Curse your bones! Curse your foul trickery! Curse you! Curse you! CURSE YOU!" This is followed by a high pitched peal of laughter, clearly in Red's voice replying to her captor, "Awww, whats the matter? No kiss kiss, no bang bang? Frustrated are we? Oh...poor thing. Is the modern world too confusing for you?"
VELVET!" Comes a voice much braver than it actually is. Little Diamond is taking matters into her own hooves, of course. She CAN'T go to Princess Luna, or Virga, or Dynamite, or Scope. They might HURT her...and Diamond isn't much for doing damage, but she can at least TALK without too much danger of being ripped to shreds...maybe. "OK. Crimson Maiden! Uh, b, By da powah invested in me, uh, by, uh, Da moon princess, I ordah you'se to surrendah, and leave Red Velvet's body! R, Right now! DO IT!" She barks
The large unicorn snarls and shakes her head violently, then glowers at the young filly. Her eyes blaze a terrifying red, nothing but pure fury in them, "Are you a goddess?" The mare's tail lashes angrily like a dying snake and she bares her teeth at the foal in armor, "Wait...I know you. You are that filly who said she knew where my armor was. But that is not what you wear, my armor is a burnished bronze of great thickness. Have you come here...oh? You serve a Princess, and you wish me to leave this one? Well I am afraid I just can't, she is of my direct bloodline, and that makes her uniquely suited to be my vessel. I may only be at half strength right now, but I won't give up the power her blood affords me."
Diamond_Dancer swallows. First rule of combat; If somepony asks if you are a goddess, you, say, YES. "YEAH...k, Kinda...uh...I KNOW a goddess. Heh, Yes! I soyve da Princess! I am Da royal...uh...Battler...uh...pony. And if you'se don't wanna tangle wif me, you'se is gonna leave Red Velvet alone! You'se hear me! You can't beat me, and I am da only pony dat knows where da armor is! If...I, IfI haff toos, I'll drag you'se out of her, kickin' n screamin! You'se do NOT wanna mess wif me! I AM da Miracle Mare!" She announces!
Crimson Maiden's eyes widen slightly as she listens, then she begins to advance on Diamond, "You -dare-? You DARE threaten me? I will boil your flesh from your bones and make a soup for the Quaray eels I keep as pets!" She looks almost ready to charge, even going so far as to lower her head and level her horn at the filly, she's never had a horn before, but since her descendant does, she might as well make use of it! But then she suddenly freezes, her whole body quivering, and Red's voice comes from her mouth once again, "You...are not a very clever pony are you. I am ashamed to say that I am descended from you, really? Did you not just hear the filly? She is the only pony who knows where your armor is. Would skewering her help you find it? I think not." There is more trembling now, and Crimson's voice begins to shriek, "Shut up, shut up, shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP, SHUUUUUTTTTTT UUUUUUP! You blasted unicorn! Stop tampering with my thoughts! How I wish I could get you out of my head! WHY?! Why can I not silence you!?"
Diamond_Dancer snorts. "You'se talk to much! You sound like da blow hards from Manehatten. You know, all bark no bite. I, am invincible!" Diamond announces- and she REALLY wishes that were true- but Crimson doesn't know that. "I have been given da powahs of a GODDESS. I represent da princess Luna, And you'se wouldn't DARE mess wiff her! "She shouts, and then grins when she hears Red's voice weeding through. "HA! Dats right mooooooeeeeeeered! AHEM! Red!! Yeah, you'se tell her! Listen up, Crimson! You'se NEED me, if you'se want dat armor. I'm da only one who'se can git it for you'se. So, listen, you'se get outta Red...and I'll let you'se take my body, huh? I mean...I'm just a filly right? And I know where da armor is...Sound like...a good deal...ta me...."Diamond stammers...
Crimson Maiden glares at the filly, her eyes blaze so brightly they almost seem molten. She...is...angry. But she isn't attacking outright, she is considering the offer, the she speaks, "I want my armor, but if I leave this body, for one that is not related to me, I will no longer even be at half my original strength, forty percent at most. But...on the other side of the arguement, I would not have to deal with my infuriating offspring. Still, trading a unicorn body for a pegasus body, both are equally vile to consider. I wish I had a good powerful earth pony to inhabit." She glowers and closes her eyes in irritation, just before Red Velvet's voice is heard again, "You are stupid. The filly just said she had the powers of a goddess, and you are worried about losing ten percent of the strength you have right now? Take her, maybe she'll let you use her magic, I certainly won't let you use mine." Was Red...really endorsing the idea? "If she really is the Royal...erm...Battler pony I have heard so much about. Her abilities are beyond belief, she um...has healing powers much like yours, imagine your healing abilities stack on top of her's? Impressive no? And...and you could fly. Not to mention...er...lasers she can fire from her eyes." What in the wide, wide world of Equestria was Red up too?
(Paused Scene)
(Scene change back to Sweet Apple Acres, just after Diamond Dancer’s disappearance.)
Sweet Apple Acres
O` O` O` O` O` O` === SWEET APPLE ACRES === O` O` O` O` O` O`
Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres! Located just outside of Ponyville, this prosperous farm features an expansive apple orchard, a field for wheat and other secondary crops, and an assortment of buildings including an impressive red farmhouse, a barn, a hog house, and a recently refurbished clubhouse. It's a relaxing environment with plenty of rolling green hills, country breezes, and open sky. Depending on the season, you may encounter workers (typically Applejack and her brother Big Mac) tilling the land, planting seeds, setting out baskets, bucking apples, tending to damaged trees, or any number of other farm related tasks. If you wander through the trees, you may stumble upon an apple cart or garden arch, hear the yapping of the farmdog or the creak of old Granny Smith's rocker, or even find yourself on a path up into the curvaceous tree-studded hills.
This is where the countryside begins. We hope you like it here.
[ Players: Applejack, Apple_Bloom ]
At that moment there is a pounding of hooves galloping through the trees. It seems Applejack has finished whatever she was doing and bursts into the clearing around the hangar! "Apple Bloom? Apple Bloom! Ahah! There y'are! Wait, didn't Ah hear another voice here? Is Scootaloo here too? Dunno if'n we can take her too. We got trouble, sugar. An' Ah brought supplies." Did she ever. The farmer is abosolutely LADEN with supplies. She has two bulging saddlebags, several coils of rope around her neck, her fireproof boots, and even Mac's goggles perched on her hat!
"Yeah, uh... we gotta split up unless yer headin' fer Everfree." Apple Bloom says, throwing open the hatch to the Crusader and graciously gesturing to Applejack to enter.
Applejack runs inside quickly. "Apple Bloom.... dangit. Ah REALLY wish y'all hadn't gotten involved in THIS. 'Cause this. This is REALLY bad news. Where's Scootaloo?" She finds a relatively empty bit of floor and starts shucking all the equipment, then plops something onto AB's head - not a bike helmet this time, but a hat rather like her own (complete with another pair of goggles!) except for two things: the right side is pinned up Horstralian style, and it has a ribbon with a bow around the crown the same color as the filly's usual bow. In stark contrast to the helmets, it is actually kind of cool.
Apple Bloom blinks, then has a feel. "Oh hey, this here's somethin' purty neat!" Apple Bloom says, then starts explaining. "That wasn't Scoot, that was Dawmond. She wanted t'make me promis'er somethin'. She told me where th'armor is and that ah should hawd it." Apple bLoom pulls closed the hatch to the Crusader. "Y'all ready?"
Applejack nods. "She knows where th' armor is? Crimson Maiden's? That's gonna be a bigger help than ya know." She pulls something else out of the saddlebags and drops it carefully on the floor: an old book bound in faded red leather. The spine says 'Conquest of the Maiden'. "Because Twi helped me find this, but she ain't sure it's really her. If'n it IS, we're gonna need a lot more help doin' this." She wraps an arm around Apple Bloom and squeezes her tight - but even while doing so, kicks the latch that springs the hatch shut. "Ah ain't even sure what we can do. Stay close." She lets go and grins a little. "Let's get 'er done."
"Everfree first. Ah think we need t'git it 'fore we do anythin' else." Apple Bloom says, then walks over to the cockpit. "Y'all may wanna take a seat t'start. Takeoff kin be rough."
Applejack realizes she's never been on this thing when it took off, at least not awake, and then something happens that might be completely unprecedented in the filly's young life: Applejack does exactly what Apple Bloom tells her to. She sits and holds on tight, then drags the book close and starts reading highlights out. "Says here th' Maiden was a warlord, who conquered three quarters of Equestria a long time ago, enslavin' everypony an' actin' like Earth types were superior somehow..."
The engines roar to life. Apple Bloom loves the sound of magic running machinery. There's almost poetry in the sound. She listens as Applejack starts to read and with a lurch the Crusader lifts off out of the hangar. The Crusader is soon high above Sweet Apple Acres and turns to face the Everfree. "So, she was some sorta Earth pony elitist tawp?"
Applejack is silent for a moment, distracted by watching the liftoff with wide eyes. Then she shakes her head and continues. "Uh... Yeah. Yeah! An' brutal. So much so that it was her own generals that took her down when they couldn't stand it no more. Took TEN of 'em." She unfolds a bit of parchment that had been hastily stuffed in the back of the book. "An' accordin' to this one old legend, th' only way ta put her back down is in her tomb... th' generals were buried there too, an' they... Ah dunno. Keep here there somehow. Alla this hoodoo gives me a goldarned headache but it's th' best lead Ah could find."
"Ten earth pony generals..." Apple Bloom says to herself. Ten of them. No doubt all Earth Ponies. The airship starts flying over the Everfree, but not too far. She's reaching a half-way point to the Lunar Castle. "What d'y'all know about a rope bridge?"
Applejack flipflips through the book. "Uh... not too much, Ah'm afraid. Not in here anyways." she indicates the book. "Th' only rope bridge Ah know 'bout is th' one over th' ravine leadin' to th' OLD castle. Why?"
"Well, yer not gonna lawk this... but that's where we're goin'." Apple Bloom locks the helm a moment to look out and down. She sucks in a deep breath. "Yeah, ah reckon ah kin tak'er down there, but we still gotta git int'the cave." Apple bloom resumes the helm and slowly begins the descent. "Ah don't know what t'expect in there. Ah don't reckon it'll be as simple as walkin' in and takin' that there armor..."
Applejack sighs and closes the book. "Consarnit. It never *is*, is it?" She gives Apple bloom an extremely worried look for a moment, but it's from behind. "There was somethin' in here 'bout th' armor bein' important, but it didn't really say why. How do y'all know 'bout it? Fer that matter WHAT do y'all know 'bout it?"
"Ah don't know an awful lot. Jus' what ah researched and Dawmond told me. 'Parently a great deal'a this here Crimson MAiden't power is innit." Apple Bloom says... soon the Crusader is hovering in the ravine. "Y'all see a cave openin'?"
Applejack peers out the windows. "No... actually, Ah can't see much of anythin'. It's startin' ta get dark. Maybe we should make camp an' pick this up in th' mornin'. 'Specially if'n y'all're right 'bout it 'not bein' easy'. Better ta go in rested an' ready than tired an' worked up."
"We kin sleep in th'Crusader if y'all lawk. It'll stay rawt here if ah want it to." Apple Bloom says. She isn't seeing any cave opening. She'll have to think about what Diamond told her. "But we should not take too long. If th'Maiden realawzes where it is we'll be in trouble.
Applejack's face falls a little for some reason. "That's... yeah, that's prob'ly a good idea. Wait, what about wind an' such? Ain't it better ta land up where it's flat, just in case? Ah'd still rather be ready if'n it comes down to it. Right now, th' Maiden ain't nowheres in Ponyville. Ah checked. An'... is there any kinda stove or whatever here? If not, we're gonna want a fire in th' mornin'."
Apple Bloom grins. "Well, we can. Just remember... this here was built as an explorin' vessel fer goin' far outta Equestria." Apple Bloom says, then pilots up the Crusader to find a nearby clearing to land in. "Still, ah don't want no fawrs on mah ship." Apple Bloom says, then finds a nice spot. Soon the Crusader is there. "Mah point is, if need be, this here ship is a regular home away from home."
Applejack looks around, wide-eyed. "An'... an' y'all made this yerself? It's... oh mah." She stands up and makes her way towards the hatch, picking up some things from where she dropped them. "Ah'll... uh, be outside. If'n y need me."
Apple Bloom giggles at how impressed Applejack is with what she's done. She locks the helm and powers down the engine before headin' out. "Well, ah haid some help." She trots out into what promises to be an enjoyable evening camping.
Setting up camp was only the work of moments; the sisters have done this many times, and the flame-roasted corn dogs taste just as good no matter the reason for being out here. For all the excitement, it has been an exhausting day, and sleep comes easily. Mostly easily, anyway. Once Apple Bloom is snoring softly in her sleeping bag, Applejack unzips the tend and steps out. She stands there quietly in the moonlight for a few minutes, looking back and forth between the huge complicated bulk of the Crusader and her simple little canvas tent. She sighs softly. "Ah'm losin' ya, ain't Ah, Apple Bloom? If'n it ain't from some danger, it's gonna be yer own ideas." In a momentary fit of pique, she raises a hoof to buck the Crusader's hull, but thinks better of it. "This ain't about us." she says, then crawls back inside to sleep next to her sister.
Diamond_Dancer trots towards the hull of the ship and rests her front hooves on it, looking up with those big, blue turquoise eyes of hers. "Hey! Apple Bloom? Is dat you'se up dare? It's me, Diamond!" She calls out, ears twitching at the sound of hammering and banging.
Apple BLoom peeks over the edge. "Dawmond!" Apple Bloom calls out in surprise, then climbs down with the hammer, through the cabin, and out into the hangar. "How y'all doin'? Apple Bloom asks.
Diamond_Dancer bites her lower lip quietly- although she can't resist the smile that criss crosses her lips, when she sees Applebloom. It's ALMOST like Diamond made a friend. With a filly her own age. Who doesn't make fun of her for all the 'stains' over her coat. "...I'm...I'm doin ok, Apple Bloom! How's da Crusadah? Dis ding air worthy? Cause...I'm gonna do somedin' stupid." She explains.
"Well, ah haiven't given'er a spin since ah jus' fixed it. But ah shouldn't go nowhere until Applejack gits back." Apple Bloom says, "She said she haid t'speak t'Twawlawt."
Diamond_Dancer nods her head quietly. "Apple Bloom...I uh...I need you'se help. You'se is probably one of da most dependable fillies I know. Take Aftah you'se sistah, I guess. I'm gonna...I'm gonna go an' find Red Velvet...Mom...Da Crimson Maiden. I wanna keep tabs on her. Dat bein said, I don't excatly know how strong she is, ovah Red. And it'll only git woyse if she gets her hooves on dat armor. So, if you'se can, I want you'se ta take da armor, and hide it! Dat way, if Red tells Crimson where it is, nopony will know except for you'se! I can count on you'se ta keep it safe, right?!
"That means ah gotta git it first." Apple Bloom says. She may need to talk to Applejack again. It sounds like they may need to go in two different directions. "Ah definitely owe y'all fer helping mah sister..." Apple Bloom hesitates a moment. "D'ya haive a more presawce ahdea where this place'n th'Everfree is?"
Diamond_Dancer draws in a deep breath. "It's my fault. All of it. Da armor is hidden in a cave, in da side of a cliff. Ahh, dares dis old rickety rope bridge kinda leadin' to Luna's old castle. Be carful, cause I don't know whats in dare. In da mean time...I....I'll try and deal with Crimson Maiden. If you'se can git da armor somewhere safe, I'll you'se twice ovah. "She smiles quietly, and holds up a hoof for a bump. "Countin on you'se, Bloom."
Apple Bloom is thinking about the layout of the Everfree. To get there seems already pretty dangerous, but exciting. But she made a promise to Applejack. Still... "Ah'll git that armor." Apple Bloom says. And she supposes if she can hide it anywhere that's good enough. The Crimson Maiden won't have the first clue THIS filly is capable of pulling a fast one on her.
Diamond_Dancer doesn't seem particularily confident that she can 'handle' the Crimson Maiden, but the filly takes a deep breath and nods her head. "Alright. You know, heh, you'd make a pretty good night pony, Apple Bloom." She smiles quietly. "I wish I was wearin my armor...at least dat way I-" She shrieks, as she's very suddenly engulfed in a bright flash of light...and when it fades, Diamond is dressed in her "Shatter Plate." "...I can't believe dat woyked!!"
"Crawminy." Apple Bloom says, jumping at the surprise of the other filly getting decked out in her battle gear. "Oh maw. Are y'all okay?"
Diamond_Dancer looks over herself nervously. "...Yeah? Dis is da armor Princess Luna gave to me. Ha! I ain't used ta my stah actually grantin' my wishes. ...Guess dis means I'm ready ta go...u, unless...unless you'se want me ta stick around n' wait for Applejack, or somedin?" *Squee grin*
"Well... far be it from me t'send y'all off. Either way ah gotta stay and wait fer AJ. Ah promised ah wouldn't run off without at least tellin'er first. Kawnda got shared, she did, after ah told her about what happened at th'square." Heck, If not for the fact AB's shown herself capable of handling herself...
Diamond_Dancer coughs quietly, her ears flattening against her head. "I...Uh...Ahem. Yeah, well, uh, ok. I'm gonna...I'm gonna go and uh...*Gulp* ...See if I can't talk to her...Wish me luck. "She says- and before she loses her nerve, she takes a deep breath. "I wish I knew where da Crimson Maiden was!" She barks. Her star crackles, flickers, and POPS- and suddenly, there's a pin hole sized portal next to Diamond- sucking the poor filly in, twisting, and warping her features, until -POOF- ...she's gone...
"... Ah hope she'll be okay." Apple Bloom bucks the Crusader a few times to make sure it's solid, then says, "Ah jus' need t'fawnd Applejack. Got mah own promises t'keep."
(Scene change to Canterlot)
Red's Office
The room is not even close to what one would call Spartan. The desk is large, the chair behind it plush. And along the walls are two long couches, made of oak and suede. Behind the chair placed near the desk is a hidden martini bar. concealed behind a mirror wall until the secret panel is flipped to reveal the luxury item. The entire room is decorated in the namesake of Red herself. Crimson velvet hangs from every wall and even banners with Red's cutiemark dangle from the ceiling.
Above the offices of Red Velvet, comes a sharp crackle, and a pop of lightning. Diamond's getting much much better at learning how to utilize her star power. The filly tumbles into existance, having been rippled through space and time in the blink of an eye, and now sitting on her rump, looking up with wide adorable eyes, in her battle armor...
From inside the building there is a bellow of frustration and the entire building shakes as somepony stomps their hoof. "Curse you! Curse your liver and lights! Curse your bones! Curse your foul trickery! Curse you! Curse you! CURSE YOU!" This is followed by a high pitched peal of laughter, clearly in Red's voice replying to her captor, "Awww, whats the matter? No kiss kiss, no bang bang? Frustrated are we? Oh...poor thing. Is the modern world too confusing for you?"
VELVET!" Comes a voice much braver than it actually is. Little Diamond is taking matters into her own hooves, of course. She CAN'T go to Princess Luna, or Virga, or Dynamite, or Scope. They might HURT her...and Diamond isn't much for doing damage, but she can at least TALK without too much danger of being ripped to shreds...maybe. "OK. Crimson Maiden! Uh, b, By da powah invested in me, uh, by, uh, Da moon princess, I ordah you'se to surrendah, and leave Red Velvet's body! R, Right now! DO IT!" She barks
The large unicorn snarls and shakes her head violently, then glowers at the young filly. Her eyes blaze a terrifying red, nothing but pure fury in them, "Are you a goddess?" The mare's tail lashes angrily like a dying snake and she bares her teeth at the foal in armor, "Wait...I know you. You are that filly who said she knew where my armor was. But that is not what you wear, my armor is a burnished bronze of great thickness. Have you come here...oh? You serve a Princess, and you wish me to leave this one? Well I am afraid I just can't, she is of my direct bloodline, and that makes her uniquely suited to be my vessel. I may only be at half strength right now, but I won't give up the power her blood affords me."
Diamond_Dancer swallows. First rule of combat; If somepony asks if you are a goddess, you, say, YES. "YEAH...k, Kinda...uh...I KNOW a goddess. Heh, Yes! I soyve da Princess! I am Da royal...uh...Battler...uh...pony. And if you'se don't wanna tangle wif me, you'se is gonna leave Red Velvet alone! You'se hear me! You can't beat me, and I am da only pony dat knows where da armor is! If...I, IfI haff toos, I'll drag you'se out of her, kickin' n screamin! You'se do NOT wanna mess wif me! I AM da Miracle Mare!" She announces!
Crimson Maiden's eyes widen slightly as she listens, then she begins to advance on Diamond, "You -dare-? You DARE threaten me? I will boil your flesh from your bones and make a soup for the Quaray eels I keep as pets!" She looks almost ready to charge, even going so far as to lower her head and level her horn at the filly, she's never had a horn before, but since her descendant does, she might as well make use of it! But then she suddenly freezes, her whole body quivering, and Red's voice comes from her mouth once again, "You...are not a very clever pony are you. I am ashamed to say that I am descended from you, really? Did you not just hear the filly? She is the only pony who knows where your armor is. Would skewering her help you find it? I think not." There is more trembling now, and Crimson's voice begins to shriek, "Shut up, shut up, shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP, SHUUUUUTTTTTT UUUUUUP! You blasted unicorn! Stop tampering with my thoughts! How I wish I could get you out of my head! WHY?! Why can I not silence you!?"
Diamond_Dancer snorts. "You'se talk to much! You sound like da blow hards from Manehatten. You know, all bark no bite. I, am invincible!" Diamond announces- and she REALLY wishes that were true- but Crimson doesn't know that. "I have been given da powahs of a GODDESS. I represent da princess Luna, And you'se wouldn't DARE mess wiff her! "She shouts, and then grins when she hears Red's voice weeding through. "HA! Dats right mooooooeeeeeeered! AHEM! Red!! Yeah, you'se tell her! Listen up, Crimson! You'se NEED me, if you'se want dat armor. I'm da only one who'se can git it for you'se. So, listen, you'se get outta Red...and I'll let you'se take my body, huh? I mean...I'm just a filly right? And I know where da armor is...Sound like...a good deal...ta me...."Diamond stammers...
Crimson Maiden glares at the filly, her eyes blaze so brightly they almost seem molten. She...is...angry. But she isn't attacking outright, she is considering the offer, the she speaks, "I want my armor, but if I leave this body, for one that is not related to me, I will no longer even be at half my original strength, forty percent at most. But...on the other side of the arguement, I would not have to deal with my infuriating offspring. Still, trading a unicorn body for a pegasus body, both are equally vile to consider. I wish I had a good powerful earth pony to inhabit." She glowers and closes her eyes in irritation, just before Red Velvet's voice is heard again, "You are stupid. The filly just said she had the powers of a goddess, and you are worried about losing ten percent of the strength you have right now? Take her, maybe she'll let you use her magic, I certainly won't let you use mine." Was Red...really endorsing the idea? "If she really is the Royal...erm...Battler pony I have heard so much about. Her abilities are beyond belief, she um...has healing powers much like yours, imagine your healing abilities stack on top of her's? Impressive no? And...and you could fly. Not to mention...er...lasers she can fire from her eyes." What in the wide, wide world of Equestria was Red up too?
(Paused Scene)
(Scene change back to Sweet Apple Acres, just after Diamond Dancer’s disappearance.)
Sweet Apple Acres
O` O` O` O` O` O` === SWEET APPLE ACRES === O` O` O` O` O` O`
Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres! Located just outside of Ponyville, this prosperous farm features an expansive apple orchard, a field for wheat and other secondary crops, and an assortment of buildings including an impressive red farmhouse, a barn, a hog house, and a recently refurbished clubhouse. It's a relaxing environment with plenty of rolling green hills, country breezes, and open sky. Depending on the season, you may encounter workers (typically Applejack and her brother Big Mac) tilling the land, planting seeds, setting out baskets, bucking apples, tending to damaged trees, or any number of other farm related tasks. If you wander through the trees, you may stumble upon an apple cart or garden arch, hear the yapping of the farmdog or the creak of old Granny Smith's rocker, or even find yourself on a path up into the curvaceous tree-studded hills.
This is where the countryside begins. We hope you like it here.
[ Players: Applejack, Apple_Bloom ]
At that moment there is a pounding of hooves galloping through the trees. It seems Applejack has finished whatever she was doing and bursts into the clearing around the hangar! "Apple Bloom? Apple Bloom! Ahah! There y'are! Wait, didn't Ah hear another voice here? Is Scootaloo here too? Dunno if'n we can take her too. We got trouble, sugar. An' Ah brought supplies." Did she ever. The farmer is abosolutely LADEN with supplies. She has two bulging saddlebags, several coils of rope around her neck, her fireproof boots, and even Mac's goggles perched on her hat!
"Yeah, uh... we gotta split up unless yer headin' fer Everfree." Apple Bloom says, throwing open the hatch to the Crusader and graciously gesturing to Applejack to enter.
Applejack runs inside quickly. "Apple Bloom.... dangit. Ah REALLY wish y'all hadn't gotten involved in THIS. 'Cause this. This is REALLY bad news. Where's Scootaloo?" She finds a relatively empty bit of floor and starts shucking all the equipment, then plops something onto AB's head - not a bike helmet this time, but a hat rather like her own (complete with another pair of goggles!) except for two things: the right side is pinned up Horstralian style, and it has a ribbon with a bow around the crown the same color as the filly's usual bow. In stark contrast to the helmets, it is actually kind of cool.
Apple Bloom blinks, then has a feel. "Oh hey, this here's somethin' purty neat!" Apple Bloom says, then starts explaining. "That wasn't Scoot, that was Dawmond. She wanted t'make me promis'er somethin'. She told me where th'armor is and that ah should hawd it." Apple bLoom pulls closed the hatch to the Crusader. "Y'all ready?"
Applejack nods. "She knows where th' armor is? Crimson Maiden's? That's gonna be a bigger help than ya know." She pulls something else out of the saddlebags and drops it carefully on the floor: an old book bound in faded red leather. The spine says 'Conquest of the Maiden'. "Because Twi helped me find this, but she ain't sure it's really her. If'n it IS, we're gonna need a lot more help doin' this." She wraps an arm around Apple Bloom and squeezes her tight - but even while doing so, kicks the latch that springs the hatch shut. "Ah ain't even sure what we can do. Stay close." She lets go and grins a little. "Let's get 'er done."
"Everfree first. Ah think we need t'git it 'fore we do anythin' else." Apple Bloom says, then walks over to the cockpit. "Y'all may wanna take a seat t'start. Takeoff kin be rough."
Applejack realizes she's never been on this thing when it took off, at least not awake, and then something happens that might be completely unprecedented in the filly's young life: Applejack does exactly what Apple Bloom tells her to. She sits and holds on tight, then drags the book close and starts reading highlights out. "Says here th' Maiden was a warlord, who conquered three quarters of Equestria a long time ago, enslavin' everypony an' actin' like Earth types were superior somehow..."
The engines roar to life. Apple Bloom loves the sound of magic running machinery. There's almost poetry in the sound. She listens as Applejack starts to read and with a lurch the Crusader lifts off out of the hangar. The Crusader is soon high above Sweet Apple Acres and turns to face the Everfree. "So, she was some sorta Earth pony elitist tawp?"
Applejack is silent for a moment, distracted by watching the liftoff with wide eyes. Then she shakes her head and continues. "Uh... Yeah. Yeah! An' brutal. So much so that it was her own generals that took her down when they couldn't stand it no more. Took TEN of 'em." She unfolds a bit of parchment that had been hastily stuffed in the back of the book. "An' accordin' to this one old legend, th' only way ta put her back down is in her tomb... th' generals were buried there too, an' they... Ah dunno. Keep here there somehow. Alla this hoodoo gives me a goldarned headache but it's th' best lead Ah could find."
"Ten earth pony generals..." Apple Bloom says to herself. Ten of them. No doubt all Earth Ponies. The airship starts flying over the Everfree, but not too far. She's reaching a half-way point to the Lunar Castle. "What d'y'all know about a rope bridge?"
Applejack flipflips through the book. "Uh... not too much, Ah'm afraid. Not in here anyways." she indicates the book. "Th' only rope bridge Ah know 'bout is th' one over th' ravine leadin' to th' OLD castle. Why?"
"Well, yer not gonna lawk this... but that's where we're goin'." Apple Bloom locks the helm a moment to look out and down. She sucks in a deep breath. "Yeah, ah reckon ah kin tak'er down there, but we still gotta git int'the cave." Apple bloom resumes the helm and slowly begins the descent. "Ah don't know what t'expect in there. Ah don't reckon it'll be as simple as walkin' in and takin' that there armor..."
Applejack sighs and closes the book. "Consarnit. It never *is*, is it?" She gives Apple bloom an extremely worried look for a moment, but it's from behind. "There was somethin' in here 'bout th' armor bein' important, but it didn't really say why. How do y'all know 'bout it? Fer that matter WHAT do y'all know 'bout it?"
"Ah don't know an awful lot. Jus' what ah researched and Dawmond told me. 'Parently a great deal'a this here Crimson MAiden't power is innit." Apple Bloom says... soon the Crusader is hovering in the ravine. "Y'all see a cave openin'?"
Applejack peers out the windows. "No... actually, Ah can't see much of anythin'. It's startin' ta get dark. Maybe we should make camp an' pick this up in th' mornin'. 'Specially if'n y'all're right 'bout it 'not bein' easy'. Better ta go in rested an' ready than tired an' worked up."
"We kin sleep in th'Crusader if y'all lawk. It'll stay rawt here if ah want it to." Apple Bloom says. She isn't seeing any cave opening. She'll have to think about what Diamond told her. "But we should not take too long. If th'Maiden realawzes where it is we'll be in trouble.
Applejack's face falls a little for some reason. "That's... yeah, that's prob'ly a good idea. Wait, what about wind an' such? Ain't it better ta land up where it's flat, just in case? Ah'd still rather be ready if'n it comes down to it. Right now, th' Maiden ain't nowheres in Ponyville. Ah checked. An'... is there any kinda stove or whatever here? If not, we're gonna want a fire in th' mornin'."
Apple Bloom grins. "Well, we can. Just remember... this here was built as an explorin' vessel fer goin' far outta Equestria." Apple Bloom says, then pilots up the Crusader to find a nearby clearing to land in. "Still, ah don't want no fawrs on mah ship." Apple Bloom says, then finds a nice spot. Soon the Crusader is there. "Mah point is, if need be, this here ship is a regular home away from home."
Applejack looks around, wide-eyed. "An'... an' y'all made this yerself? It's... oh mah." She stands up and makes her way towards the hatch, picking up some things from where she dropped them. "Ah'll... uh, be outside. If'n y need me."
Apple Bloom giggles at how impressed Applejack is with what she's done. She locks the helm and powers down the engine before headin' out. "Well, ah haid some help." She trots out into what promises to be an enjoyable evening camping.
Setting up camp was only the work of moments; the sisters have done this many times, and the flame-roasted corn dogs taste just as good no matter the reason for being out here. For all the excitement, it has been an exhausting day, and sleep comes easily. Mostly easily, anyway. Once Apple Bloom is snoring softly in her sleeping bag, Applejack unzips the tend and steps out. She stands there quietly in the moonlight for a few minutes, looking back and forth between the huge complicated bulk of the Crusader and her simple little canvas tent. She sighs softly. "Ah'm losin' ya, ain't Ah, Apple Bloom? If'n it ain't from some danger, it's gonna be yer own ideas." In a momentary fit of pique, she raises a hoof to buck the Crusader's hull, but thinks better of it. "This ain't about us." she says, then crawls back inside to sleep next to her sister.
