Fallout: Equestria (IC)

[The Grey Wolf]

No Name got shakily to his legs and trotted in place for a moment to get used to walking with the wound. After a moment he turned to Eris and decidedlt ignored her questio about Hellborn's frantic monologue, "No, its alright, nothing lasts forever. I needed to let Timberwolf go anyways. I don't want any more reminders to distract me from my new job. Why don't we just go back to Moon Tower and be happy, getting a cutiemark deserves celebration doesn't it?" Though his words were happy, his voice wasn't. As it trailed onto the bit about the Cutiemark it held a certain animosity, a bitterness. No Name absently turned to Ruby and felt the cut on the side of his head and took a step away from her, "No, I want to keep this. Its not too deep, but it'll still scar. I want something to remember when I think of Pitch Black."

Eris stubbornly rejected No Name's resignation. "Still, could fetch a nice price." She looked into the colt's eyes, "Let me tell you something about cutie marks," She motions to her flank, pulling away her saddlebags to reveal the tornado with a house flying around it. "They dont determine your destiny" She let the bags fall back into place, "You are what you make of yourself." She turned to Ruby, "I dont believe I caught your name." She was about to continue, but something caught her eye. Looking though Ruby, she grabs Ruby's head and moves it just out of the way, getting a better look at the thing. She squints as she marches around the pony. As she neared, she found that her suspicions were correct, and she jumped around the bend to find!... A passed out Zebra? 'Well thats anticlimactic.' She thought as she approaches the sleeping? form. She moved to jab a hoof at the zebra, but as she trotted forward, she found a nice patch of ice and went flying forwards, landing in a heap on the poor Zebra.

"Rub-" Ruby was about to say, before Eris moved her head. "Y," she finished, before turning her head to see what Eris was staring at. She saw the Zebra. "What in Luna's name?" she asked. She had never seen a Zebra before.

[Socialist Shadow Republic]

Marciline gulped, she wasnt used to her mane, and this coupled with her regular anti-social tendencies only made her feel like she stood out. Imaginary eyes were staring directly into her soul. She supposed that she had thought everypony would remember the atrocities committed by her race before the Destroyer severed their connection to the Goddess. But now she realized that everything is forgotten at one point. She made her decision, and disappeared. She instantly felt relieved, and she whispered into Thunders ear, "Its quite alright."

One moment, Marci was standing there, likely, in his opinion, drawing more attention with her squirms of uncomfortableness than the sight of her mane. And the next, his blue alicorn companion was gone. But, it wasn't like last time. She didn't disappear in a flash, and she didn't reapparate . She simple vanished. Thunder would have panicked. But, when he heard her calming voice murmured into his ear, all was fine, again. Looking around and whispering back, probably looking insane to anypony watching, he asked "Marci, where'd ya go? Are ya," he paused, trying to recall the right word, "invisible? Eh eh, ya had me startled fer a moment, there, Dar— erm, Marci."

[Fantrum]

Marciline gulped, she wasnt used to her mane, and this coupled with her regular anti-social tendencies only made her feel like she stood out. Imaginary eyes were staring directly into her soul. She supposed that she had thought everypony would remember the atrocities committed by her race before the Destroyer severed their connection to the Goddess. But now she realized that everything is forgotten at one point. She made her decision, and disappeared. She instantly felt relieved, and she whispered into Thunders ear, "Its quite alright."

One moment, Marci was standing there, likely, in his opinion, drawing more attention with her squirms of uncomfortableness than the sight of her mane. And the next, his blue alicorn companion was gone. But, it wasn't like last time. She didn't disappear in a flash, and she didn't reapparate . She simple vanished. Thunder would have panicked. But, when he heard her calming voice murmured into his ear, all was fine, again. Looking around and whispering back, probably looking insane to anypony watching, he asked "Marci, where'd ya go? Are ya," he paused, trying to recall the right word, "invisible? Eh eh, ya had me startled fer a moment, there, Da— erm, Marci."

Marciline moved out of the doorway, relocating to Thunder's other side. "Why of course not!" She said, it was nice to feel the power of the invisibility spell, seeing as it was her specialty. She decided against anything like licking the side of his head and stuck to her voice for her games, "I am the ghost of Celestia's past." She said with a spooky tone, somehow managing to sound regal at the same time.

[Socialist Shadow Republic]

Marciline moved out of the doorway, relocating to Thunder's other side. "Why of course not!" She said, it was nice to feel the power of the invisibility spell, seeing as it was her specialty. She decided against anything like licking the side of his head and stuck to her voice for her games, "I am the ghost of Celestia's past." She said with a spooky tone, somehow managing to sound regal at the same time.

Attempting to suppress a laugh at Marci's antics, Thunder Flare couldn't help and let out a snigger. One earth pony standing nearby shot a condescending glance at Thunder and walked away, muttering about "rotten, bonkers pegasi." Sweeping his wings, creating an outward 360° gust, Thunder used the snow to see Marci's outline. When he spotted it, he flicked her side with his tail and blew her a raspberry. "Whatcha gonna do 'bout it." He joked.

[Mooseolini]

"You and Pitch, seem to go way back." said Dustbowl, not startled by the disappearance and reappearance of the ghoul unicorn, "We'll keep a look out for the bastard and inform you when we see him again."
"Count on us." said Butch, weilding his swords, "I got a good chop to the horn with Pitch's name on it."
"I think that there might be a hotel in Moon Tower; You may want to check it out." said Red Dawn, she turned to Brightsteel, "Is there one, Bright?"

Scratching his head, Bright thought about it for a moment. "I don't really know. I think there must be somewhere, but I've never really spent any time in the Tower itself. Mostly I just stop by every once in a while for ammunition. Guess it's probably well worth a shot, though." he looked to the ghoul pony. "I think if you looked, you'd find one."
Bright shivered a bit under his thin cloak and turned to Red Dawn. "Say, you think we could help him? He obviously has some experience tryin' to catch this Pitch."

"NO!" barked Bounty, with a stomp of the hoof, disapproving the offered help, "You stay out of this! Only I know his tricks. Yet, again, the slimy cheat seems to be comming up with new ones everyday! No! If you know what's good for you, stay out of this!"
But, Bounty paused, with a deep sigh, he tipped his fedora to them.
"Thanks for the offer." Bounty said, "If you do see him, let me know, immediately. Thank you."
Bounty then turned to Moon Tower and trotted off with hopes of catching Pitch once and for all. But, then, something stopped him.
"Wait." he said turning to Bright, "You say that he was throwing grenades? As in, acts of terror? Hmm..." Bounty began to scratch his chin, "This is unlike him... you didn't do anything to piss him off, did you?"

[Neo Byzantine Empire]

Seaddle; Upper Class District Ruins, five miles South of Moon Tower

The Guards stationed to watch the house found themselves enjoying an old crate of wine they'd discovered by scouting the basement; which had previously been blocked off. Aside from the skeletons of what they could only assume we're the former owners was a wine Cellar, and a damn near full one at that. Taking it upon themselves to keep perfectly good alcohol from going unused; they sat around a small fire, talking with each other about a wide variety of subjects while their (unofficial) captain watched the wastes vigilantly for signs of trouble.

How unfortunate it was when Pitch teleported in just as he was making his rounds to the other side of the building; giving the Unicorn the perfect opportunity to wreak havoc. The first grenade struck; shaking the old, yet sturdy house and its guards, who, while a bit intoxicated, rose to the occasion to investigate and protect the house.

One saw the second grenade flying through the window, shouting for the others to get down as she picked up the grenade, attempting to throw it back. Her aim was a bit off due to her intoxication, however; the grenade bouncing off the window sill and right back at her. "Shit!" We're the last words anypony heard from the Earth Pony's mouth; the blast killing her on contact while several others were hit with shrapnel, their wound varying in severity from minor to moderate.

As the Third Grenade came through; the Huntsman left behind, serving as the de-facto captain, picked up the grenade and managed to lob it back out the window; the explosive device detonating harmlessly in the snow, sending a nearby tool shed crumbling down, but otherwise causing no further damage to the house itself.

This Pony's keen eyes allowed him to see the individual responsible, and upon sighting Pitch it was time for him to play his trade. Taking hold of his rifle and leaning it against a window sill for support; the shot rang out through the otherwise silent district; the huntsman neglecting to take whether conditions into account in his silent rage.

Pitch would feel the bullet graze his flank; inches away from striking and causing serious damage, especially as the Hunter used Hallow Point rounds; highly destructive to unarmored targets, and the soft, spongy flesh of ghoul was no exception. It was clear that if pitch remained any longer; his luck would succumb to this Stallion's superior skill, best he cut his losses now or risk ending up dead or crippled.


Meanwhile, at Moon Tower

Crossfire had waited patiently for those who followed her and their families to sort their matters out. She organized a small party of the stronger ponies; allowing the others to remain in Moon Tower while she and the Stalliobs and Mares who volunteered prepared to head off towards the former Upper Class District and prepare the houses there for the arrival of the rest of the Following. The others embarked, following their Leader's instructions and heading due south. Crossfire, meanwhile, returned to her friends; leaning on the tree she had been earlier.

"I've gotten some ponies together; we're going to work on the Upper Coass district; clean out the rubble and prepare the houses for everypony else's arrival. Would you like to help or would you rather stay here in Moon Tower until it's ready?" She asked, offering her friends a choice in the matter.

[Mooseolini]

Seaddle; Upper Class District Ruins, five miles South of Moon Tower

The Guards stationed to watch the house found themselves enjoying an old crate of wine they'd discovered by scouting the basement; which had previously been blocked off. Aside from the skeletons of what they could only assume we're the former owners was a wine Cellar, and a damn near full one at that. Taking it upon themselves to keep perfectly good alcohol from going unused; they sat around a small fire, talking with each other about a wide variety of subjects while their (unofficial) captain watched the wastes vigilantly for signs of trouble.

How unfortunate it was when Pitch teleported in just as he was making his rounds to the other side of the building; giving the Unicorn the perfect opportunity to wreak havoc. The first grenade struck; shaking the old, yet sturdy house and its guards, who, while a bit intoxicated, rose to the occasion to investigate and protect the house.

One saw the second grenade flying through the window, shouting for the others to get down as she picked up the grenade, attempting to throw it back. Her aim was a bit off due to her intoxication, however; the grenade bouncing off the window sill and right back at her. "Shit!" We're the last words anypony heard from the Earth Pony's mouth; the blast killing her on contact while several others were hit with shrapnel, their wound varying in severity from minor to moderate.

As the Third Grenade came through; the Huntsman left behind, serving as the de-facto captain, picked up the grenade and managed to lob it back out the window; the explosive device detonating harmlessly in the snow, sending a nearby tool shed crumbling down, but otherwise causing no further damage to the house itself.

This Pony's keen eyes allowed him to see the individual responsible, and upon sighting Pitch it was time for him to play his trade. Taking hold of his rifle and leaning it against a window sill for support; the shot rang out through the otherwise silent district; the huntsman neglecting to take whether conditions into account in his silent rage.

Pitch would feel the bullet graze his flank; inches away from striking and causing serious damage, especially as the Hunter used Hallow Point rounds; highly destructive to unarmored targets, and the soft, spongy flesh of ghoul was no exception. It was clear that if pitch remained any longer; his luck would succumb to this Stallion's superior skill, best he cut his losses now or risk ending up dead or crippled.

Pitch simply giggled and waved good-bye to the guard, and teleported away. Not, before chucking a knife straight at the guard.

Pitch reappeared near his house, he trotted, somewhat victoriously, inside the mobile home. Pitch could just imagine Crossfire's face when she discovers what he has done to her base. He giggled childishly at the idea.

[New Willow]

Sulphur listened to the conversation between the burnt pony and Bright; bewildered once he disappeared then reappeared.

"...H-how did you do that?" She questioned, with a confused expression. But before she knew it the burnt pony sparked with an outburst of anger towards Bright's idea; causing her flinch.

She recomposed herself, not looking like a frightened foal anymore. 'What in Tartarus was that about?' Before she could delve into thought again, she noticed Crossfire return. After Crossfire gave her proposition, she looked at Bright and the burnt pony; still in conversation.

"Sure, I'm up for it. If I'm going to be in the cold all day I might as well do something." She said, looking back at Crossfire.

[Mooseolini]

Meanwhile, at Moon Tower

Crossfire had waited patiently for those who followed her and their families to sort their matters out. She organized a small party of the stronger ponies; allowing the others to remain in Moon Tower while she and the Stalliobs and Mares who volunteered prepared to head off towards the former Upper Class District and prepare the houses there for the arrival of the rest of the Following. The others embarked, following their Leader's instructions and heading due south. Crossfire, meanwhile, returned to her friends; leaning on the tree she had been earlier.

"I've gotten some ponies together; we're going to work on the Upper Coass district; clean out the rubble and prepare the houses for everypony else's arrival. Would you like to help or would you rather stay here in Moon Tower until it's ready?" She asked, offering her friends a choice in the matter.

Bounty turned to the Pegasus mare.
"Why, good morning madam." he greeted, "I was just asking your friends about the whereabouts of the traitor, Pitch Black. They told me about the grenades... This is very unlike Pitch... Unless, somepony did something that really pissed him off..."

[Neo Byzantine Empire]

Meanwhile, at Moon Tower

Crossfire had waited patiently for those who followed her and their families to sort their matters out. She organized a small party of the stronger ponies; allowing the others to remain in Moon Tower while she and the Stalliobs and Mares who volunteered prepared to head off towards the former Upper Class District and prepare the houses there for the arrival of the rest of the Following. The others embarked, following their Leader's instructions and heading due south. Crossfire, meanwhile, returned to her friends; leaning on the tree she had been earlier.

"I've gotten some ponies together; we're going to work on the Upper Coass district; clean out the rubble and prepare the houses for everypony else's arrival. Would you like to help or would you rather stay here in Moon Tower until it's ready?" She asked, offering her friends a choice in the matter.

Bounty turned to the Pegasus mare.
"Why, good morning madam." he greeted, "I was just asking your friends about the whereabouts of the traitor, Pitch Black. They told me about the grenades... This is very unlike Pitch... Unless, somepony did something that really pissed him off..."

"Pitch Black... Yes, I know him. He approached my entourage under the guide of an innocent traveler whose belongings were stolen by thieves. Of course; my friend Bright Steel managed to see through his lies, though none of us could truly comprehend the threat he posed until we returned to Moon Tower yesterday. We found him making an appeal to ponies that would have otherwise ruined our reputations. He and Bright engaged in an argument until I stepped in and shot him down, so to speak; humiliating him in front of the entire community, and then the attacks happened..." Crossfire explained, the Pegasus Mare just as calm and collected as ever.

[Mooseolini]

Bounty turned to the Pegasus mare.
"Why, good morning madam." he greeted, "I was just asking your friends about the whereabouts of the traitor, Pitch Black. They told me about the grenades... This is very unlike Pitch... Unless, somepony did something that really pissed him off..."

"Pitch Black... Yes, I know him. He approached my entourage under the guide of an innocent traveler whose belongings were stolen by thieves. Of course; my friend Bright Steel managed to see through his lies, though none of us could truly comprehend the threat he posed until we returned to Moon Tower yesterday. We found him making an appeal to ponies that would have otherwise ruined our reputations. He and Bright engaged in an argument until I stepped in and shot him down, so to speak; humiliating him in front of the entire community, and then the attacks happened..." Crossfire explained, the Pegasus Mare just as calm and collected as ever.

"Hurt the little Judas's ego, eh?" asked Bounty Hunt, raising his hat, with his magic, then lowering it, "Yep. That'll do it. You've just made yourself a target. Mind if I stay with you ponies for awhile? I could use this as an advantage for capturing him. Besides, you'll need protection from his hundreds of blood thirsty knives, which, I'm also good at."
Bounty's horn lit up, and a sniper rifile appeared out of thin air.
"This is 'Snips'." Bounty introduced his sniper rifle, rather fondly, as if it was his wife, "She helpt me take out countless scum, but, Pitch, always manages to get away! But, not this time!"

[The Flutterlands]

The trio listened to the conversation with great intent. They wondered if this bounty hunter may actually become a great allie. They were also ready to actually start helping Crossfire with her monarchist party.
"We're ready to help you Crossfire." said Red Dawn.
"That is, if your party won't mind having a griffin among them." added Butch.

[Neo Byzantine Empire]

The trio listened to the conversation with great intent. They wondered if this bounty hunter may actually become a great allie. They were also ready to actually start helping Crossfire with her monarchist party.
"We're ready to help you Crossfire." said Red Dawn.
"That is, if your party won't mind having a griffin among them." added Butch.

"I have no qualms with Gryphon's; you're more than welcome by my book. Working alongside us will most certainly play an instrumental part in healing relations between our two peoples, sir." Crossfire said, turning her attention to Bounty Hunt after responding to Butch. "Well, I shall promise you whatever aid you need in order to track down and eliminate this criminal, sir. In the meantime; let's get going. Our center of operations rests just South of here, so let's make haste. Tensions here have been rising since the attacks, and leading Ponies away into the ruins likely won't help to resolve the issue in the short-term. I'd very much like if we were to prepare our Citadel and bring our people to safety before any incident."

[Fantrum]

Marciline moved out of the doorway, relocating to Thunder's other side. "Why of course not!" She said, it was nice to feel the power of the invisibility spell, seeing as it was her specialty. She decided against anything like licking the side of his head and stuck to her voice for her games, "I am the ghost of Celestia's past." She said with a spooky tone, somehow managing to sound regal at the same time.

Attempting to suppress a laugh at Marci's antics, Thunder Flare couldn't help and let out a snigger. One earth pony standing nearby shot a condescending glance at Thunder and walked away, muttering about "rotten, bonkers pegasi." Sweeping his wings, creating an outward 360° gust, Thunder used the snow to see Marci's outline. When he spotted it, he flicked her side with his tail and blew her a raspberry. "Whatcha gonna do 'bout it." He joked.

Stepping back and shaking off the snow, Marciline concealed herself once more. She had been to his left, but now she moved so that she silently hovered above him. She directed her voice at him, seeming to come from everywhere at once, "You dare defy me? You mere mortal?" He couldnt see her, but she had a huge smile on her face as she went about teasing him with little pokes and prods to the back of his head and neck.

[New Willow]

"Great, so let's get going, I can help build, repair, or something." Sulphur smiled; finally feeling of value to the group.

She looked around the small entourage, feeling good, for the first time in awhile... and cold, very cold. She also wanted to do something else; she wanted to finally convey her feeling to Bright, and hopefully if she was lucky he would have stronger feeling for her rather then Crossfire. But first she had to manifest the strength to tell him, which wouldn't be an easy task, at least not for her.

[Ozzy]

Thistle decided to pour herself a bowl of soup after Opium has sat in the corner, accidently pouring some into the floor as she stared at his apparel, she seen that armor somewhere. Thistle voraciously downed the soup without problem and clumsily sat the bowl back on the table, wiping some broth off her muzzle and slowly approached Opium, each leg shaking with anticipation as the filly walked liked she had taken her first steps. A few deep breaths later, she found herself sitting next to the pony with legs tucked in her black dress, she found him less intimidating than the scary Steel Rangers...

Opium turned to look at the Pony who had just seated herself next to him. He stared for a moment with a slight twinge of concern. Opium could tell this Filly was definitely on the younger side, so without the usual verve and charm, Opium spoke in an interested and perhaps a bit paternal tone, "Oh uh, hey kid, you alright? You're looking a little worried. Are you coming down from something? If thats the case, sorry, I don't sell to foals." He frowned and looked back to his soup. The Dash high was long gone and he felt inadvertently sore all over. He felt like he needed a Ment-al too, and a cigarette.

Thistle shook her head, "I'm alright, thank you... i-its been quite the run since I fled from my owners in Baltimare and I'm sore all over." The filly replied, conveying a nervous tone to her voice as she tried covering her massive revolvers with her small shaking wings. The HUD of Thistle's spectacles flashed red momentarily before dissipating, she couldn't really read, but knew that the pony was taking some sort of drug. Thistle hated drugs, they made her life miserable, the only good they did was the flood of Med-x to numb the pain of having her forehooves ripped off. Her experiences as a slave has shaken her, if she were to die now, she was glad to do it as a unshackled pony.

These thoughts of the past have flooded her conscious, she held back tears as she was completely withdrawn from reality, "I'm Thistle Whistle... No longer property of Skylord Aeolus..." she whimpered.

[The Flutterlands]

"Great, so let's get going, I can help build, repair, or something." Sulphur smiled; finally feeling of value to the group.

She looked around the small entourage, feeling good, for the first time in awhile... and cold, very cold. She also wanted to do something else; she wanted to finally convey her feeling to Bright, and hopefully if she was lucky he would have stronger feeling for her rather then Crossfire. But first she had to manifest the strength to tell him, which wouldn't be an easy task, at least not for her.

"We'll try whatever we can to help too." said Red Dawn, "Just give us the task, and we'll do it."
Red Dawn was pleased with be able to help. So, was Butch, even though he did wondered how the how the party would take having a griffin among them, remembering the last time they met. Dustbowl was hovering around eager to get started.

[Socialist Shadow Republic]

Stepping back and shaking off the snow, Marciline concealed herself once more. She had been to his left, but now she moved so that she silently hovered above him. She directed her voice at him, seeming to come from everywhere at once, "You dare defy me? You mere mortal?" He couldnt see her, but she had a huge smile on her face as she went about teasing him with little pokes and prods to the back of his head and neck.

Spreading a wide grin across his face, he answered, "yup, I dare!" He couldn't tell where her voice was originating. And, without being able to see her or hear where her voice emanating from, he couldn't do much but stand there. Spreading his wings to full span, and flapping once to launch himself off the ground, he took off into the air. "C'mon! I dare ya t' catch me!"

[Fralinia]

"Great, so let's get going, I can help build, repair, or something." Sulphur smiled; finally feeling of value to the group.

She looked around the small entourage, feeling good, for the first time in awhile... and cold, very cold. She also wanted to do something else; she wanted to finally convey her feeling to Bright, and hopefully if she was lucky he would have stronger feeling for her rather then Crossfire. But first she had to manifest the strength to tell him, which wouldn't be an easy task, at least not for her.

"We'll try whatever we can to help too." said Red Dawn, "Just give us the task, and we'll do it."
Red Dawn was pleased with be able to help. So, was Butch, even though he did wondered how the how the party would take having a griffin among them, remembering the last time they met. Dustbowl was hovering around eager to get started.

"Yeah, me as well." said Bright, who had stood back for a few minutes as Crossfire had talked with Bounty. "I think that a pony who's talent is repair would definitely come in handy in such a situation, no? If there's a "citadel' left standing in this cesspool," he motioned towards the city ruins, "then it's definitely going to be something of a fixer-upper, aye? Besides, I haven't really worked on anything since, well - my boat!" Bright's eyes widened as he remembered his life's work, sitting under a tarp in the snow. He began to trot around nervously.
How could you have forgot it?

Sulphur, I suppose. But still! That was supposed to be your ticket out of Seaddle and into those rumoured communities in the North!

But now you have Sulphur and Crossfire. There's nothing you need in the north. Raiders have probably sacked it anyway.

Oh glory... I'll be very much pissed off if they have.

[Mooseolini]

"I'll do what I can do to help, as well." said Bounty, "I may as well have something to do while I wait for Pitch to strike again. If, that's all right with you of course."
Little did the others know, that, Bounty does not intend to kill Pitch... yet. No. That'll be a last result. Bounty has chased the little demon from one end of the wasteland to the other. Killing Pitch is the last thing he wants to do at this point. No. What Bounty really wants to do is that he wishes to talk to his enemy; To make peace with his former friend; To hopefully regain said Friend and put an end to this goose chase once and for all.

[Neo Byzantine Empire]

"Then let's be off, friends." Crossfire said, turning and walking for the gate. Admittedly; many things worried her. Hellhounds had been known to raid most settlements that tried to rise in this city; Raiders and other such destructive Anarchists could also prove a problem. The Upper Class districts had already had some fortifications established in days long gone, though these were from an age before the modernization Equestria and the Zebra Empire had undergone; those walls couldn't hope to stand a chance against the heavier modern weapons. Still; there would be time to work on improving fortifications after they had cleared the rubble and gotten the Citizens of their new state settled in what would Crossfire hoped would be their first and greatest success. If they pulled this off; it would most ferris my secure their position as a rising power, which would only bring more attention to them, as well as the promise of new friends and enemies... Still; one step at a time. For now; she enjoyed her mid-morning walk through the ruins with her companions; learning to enjoy little moments like these while she had them, the grim reality of the situation... Not a subject she wanted to think on, but did so nevertheless; if only to tread both sides of the line between being cynical and idealistic.

[American Anarchist Republic]

Rising Tide slowly trotted through Seaddle with a grim expression on his face." Not a single one...Not a single frickin' one!" He muttered to himself, acknowledging the lack of fellow ponies he had seen. His hoofsteps echoed throughout the wasteland, as he slowly mumbled to himself. He suddenly stopped, with his mouth agape at the group of ponies going through a friendly walk. The hairs on his red coat rustled against the harsh wind.

[Lunas Legion]

"Zene, who's ides was it to come this way?" Utopia coughed as he wafted away some of the smoke they'd been wading through for the last hour. The wind had drifted slightly eastwards, blowing parts of the thick smoke over the road the trio were following to Moon Tower.

"Yours, boss!" Zene shouted back. "We should've gone the long way round, admit it boss, I was right this time!"

"Pah!" Utopia snorted, coughing again. "That doesn't make up for you getting us lost in the sewers without a light!"

Zene shrugged, half visible through the smoke. "Well played boss, well played." The trio returned to a brooding silence as they continued onwards towards the Tower.

[Fantrum]

Stepping back and shaking off the snow, Marciline concealed herself once more. She had been to his left, but now she moved so that she silently hovered above him. She directed her voice at him, seeming to come from everywhere at once, "You dare defy me? You mere mortal?" He couldnt see her, but she had a huge smile on her face as she went about teasing him with little pokes and prods to the back of his head and neck.

Spreading a wide grin across his face, he answered, "yup, I dare!" He couldn't tell where her voice was originating. And, without being able to see her or hear where her voice emanating from, he couldn't do much but stand there. Spreading his wings to full span, and flapping once to launch himself off the ground, he took off into the air. "C'mon! I dare ya t' catch me!"

Marciline dropped her spell, inhibitions suddenly gone, so she could focus on flying. She easily over took Thunder with her larger wings, she looped around and flew into an old decrepit building, tucking her winds in as she roared into the tower. She flapped them a few times to keep up her momentum, but she ducked around corridors and down hallways. She turned more corners at breakneck speeds, lost in the adrenalin of the moment, and maybe just a little actually lost. She spotted the other end of the building and dove out the window into the open air next to the skeletal tower with a whoop.

[American Anarchist Republic]

Tide watched with growing admiration at the smooth flying by the unknown ponies. Taken by a urge to just shoot into the sky, he soared into the air and came down at breakneck speed. He stopped, and took a moment to breath in a decrepid, skeletal tower.