"Or maybe he's holding back so he doesn't kill his competition," Raven suggested. "Or there's something else we don't know about. Maybe he has to get softened up a little before he fights?"
Nightshade shrugged. "I dunno. Either way, we came here for a reason." She shifted into her draconequus form, ignoring the startled cries of the ponies around her, and teleported into the locker room in front of Az. "You're not done, dude. Raven's here to fight you." ************************************************************************************************************* Blackheart pressed a button, turning of the teleportation inhibitors in the office, then pressed a second button on his desk. "Moonshine, disable the lab defenses. I'm bringing a guest." The unintelligible grumbling on the other end of the comm let him know that she'd heard him. He placed a hoof on Rep's arm and cast the spell. They found themselves inside what was once a massive airship hanger, surrounded by scientists and engineers, all who were busily inspecting the strange craft overhead. Five hundred feet long, two hundred and fifty feet wide, it resembled and elongated six-pointed star. Rep, certainly, would recognize it for what it was. Blackheart smiled broadly. "Allow me to introduce the Princess Twilight Sparkle. Equestria's first warp-capable starship."
Rep: (Smiling) Well I for one, am impressed. But there are certain rules that exist, however I am not going to be the one to give them. I expect you will receive a message after your first test, regarding something that holds immense importance, First Contact, even though technically you have interacted with them before, through the Council, but the "First Contact" is symbolic, and a highly public event.
Azrael arched an eyebrow, wiping formaldehyde from his neck. "Excuse you?" "Oh, sweet!" Asmo pranced in place. "It's happening!"
"You heard me," Nightshade replied calmly. "She been training since that bull*squee!* with Apophis. You're gonna give her a shot." *************************************************************************** Blackheart shook his head. "We had hoped to keep this project secret for some time yet. Announcing the existence of advanced intelligent life beyond Equus could start a panic."
Well, the symbolic event will need to occur at some point, although this one will be a bit different, as you have interacted with me and the Council already, but the first, "official public contact" will need to occur. That could be postponed for some time, though.
"Well, if you absolutely insist. Though, I should say, this is very stupid." Azrael started making his way back out to the ring. Then he stopped. "I heard what you two talked about, by the way. Remember where I was raised. Going soft? Maya paid me to hold back, make the fight last longer. If Raven wants to prove she can do this, let her know I won't be holding back for her sake. One more thing... let everypony know that if I fail, which is highly unlikely, I will vacate my title, and disappear from the business for one year." "Adding some stakes," Asmo said with a chuckle. "I like it." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back in the stands, Raven was in the process of calming everypony down after Nightshade caused them to flip their collective *squee!*.
"A Windigo, desguise himself as a unicorn. I know Windigo's are normally bad, but he was an okay fellow. I lent him something, and I wasn't able to make the meeting for him to return it to me, so now I'm on the hunt for him." It was now roughly two hundred and two years since she lent the Jade Lotus to Frozen Heart, from his perspective. He was supposed to return it after two hundred. Not that she needed it back, but it didn't really belong in Equestria in the first place and she thought it irresponsible to leave a magical artifact in the wrong universe. (Sorry for the late reply, I was kind of sick and I don't do my best thinking when I'm not well.)
"That kinda blows," Maya said seriously. "Tell ya what, though. If you have any info on this windigo, I can... pull a few strings, get you two to meet face-to-face. Know a dude who can track a pony across Equestria with just a flank hair they left behind." (No worries. I've been kinda tired, haven't been too active myself.)
"I feel as though we're on the wrong Eqestria actually. The one I met Frozen Heart on was not quite as technologically advanced. They didn't even have TV's till Lio introduced them. I know it's been a few years, but finding TV's all the way out here with local programs doesn't fit a rational level of progress." Especially since Lio didn't share the technology for fair of polluting Equestria's proper technological evolution. Megatron sighed, in her rush Grimlock must of set the reality bridge to the wrong version of Equestria. Still waiting on her drink, Grimlock figured her companion assumed the their destination was a mistake. The truth was Lio was curious about this Equestria. It was very different then the others and something the dimensional scanners recently detected really pique the bosses curiosity. Not that she had any idea how to go about finding a star ship, but who knew, maybe someone here knew something. (Frozen Heart was Uglarinn's character in the Glass House and a one on one we did. It kind of feel wrong to have someone else play him. But reading Rid's post gave me better motivation to have my characters here. Not that I originally had any beside this looked fun.)
"Here ya go." Maya slid Grimlock her specially made drink. "Sorry it took a few, hon, never made that one before. And hey, if you find out he's here, keep my offer in mind, Megs."
((In order to stave off hiatus)) *A small ripple appeared in the water outside the bar, with a quiet noise that eventually grew into almost a dull rumbling of a brook.*
Asmodeus walked back out in front of the crowd, stolen microphone on his head, approaching the ring. "Alright, listen up, you *squee!*es, you better stay in your seats and keep those cameras rolling 'cause there's a new main event! Two bona fide, war-torn badasses, one ring!" Once he 'pitched' this idea to the suits, they just couldn't refuse. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Asmo? What the hay's going on..?" Maya questioned, watching from the bar. "Oh!" She quickly overheard the noise coming from outside, assuming it was one of Rep's friends.
*A loud splashing is heard and then footfalls before the door opens to reveal a drenched Selena standing there, with her wings soaked through and dripping water as she tried to hide them with whatever method she normally used.*
Nightshade nodded at Azrael's boast. "We both know how this is going to end." She ported back to Raven. There were fewer gasps this time. She was already old news. Shifting back to pony form, she nodded. "He's in, and he's promised not to hold back. So you be damn careful out there." **************************************************************************************************************** Blackheart nodded. "That is appreciated. Since you're here, would you like to see the ship?"
Raven smirked and stood up. "Don't worry about me, hon. I'm ready for this." Asmo continued, "If Azrael is to lose this match to our random challenger, he will vacate his title, and leave the business for exactly one year! Introducing first, the challenger, you already know and love her, entering from the stands, the most metal bat in the world, RAVEN AURA!" As Asmo's hoof-picked entrance song kicked in, Raven made her way through the crowd, and into the ring. A few surprised ponies could be heard, realizing this bat pony in the crowd really was her. A few obvious fans reached out and patted her shoulder as she went by, wishing her the best of luck, hoping she didn't die. "AND NOW, a pony who needs no introduction, mostly 'cause you just saw him like five minutes ago, AAAAAAZEAEL!" Az's music hit once again, and he emerged from the back, walking calmly to the ring, a new inhibitor around his horn. Asmo handed Raven her own magic inhibitor, one to go around her hoof. "No cheating, Rave." Raven nodded, clicking the inhibitor onto her left forehoof. A few of the ponies in the crowd were actually booing Azrael as he walked in, showing support for the young musician, or pissed that he agreed to fight such a small mare. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Here, hon." Maya led her over to the fireplace to warm up.
Rep: That would be nice. Sure. I may have a few questions as we go along, if that's alright? Selena: Thanks Maya.
