The message fades and the parchment stays blank for a long while. Then, slowly, words begin to appear: [size=+2]This does not bode well... Please do keep an eye upon them. Using Our magic, We detect that thou art within sight of Fort Squall, the old pegasi capital. Fort Squall was once the mightiest fort in the pegasus homelands, and was the most well fortified area in the entire North, save for Dream Castle. According to Quilliam's research notes, the supposed view from Fort Squall is magnificent, and supposedly, one is able to see even Canterlot from its highest tower. Also, according to his notes, only pegasi are able to breach its walls, for they are the only race of pony that can fly. He also informs Us that Fort Squall is mobile. According to the ancient texts, they could move the castle from place to place in order to increase their presence wherever it might've been needed.[/size]
Night gulped. That does nto sound good... He took a mental note of what was put on the note, it seemed important. Thank you Princess. I promise to keep an eye on them and report back if we find anything or something comes up.
Mary was disturbed by the words of Intrude and Steel. She'd documented this. "Well!" The tone was back. Apparently, despite the fear and the monsters circling above, Mary Sue was still able to find that signature sneering drone. "I hope your little chats with the Queen Sleepy-Bye-Byes were stimulating because you'll be having plenty of them if you carry on. It's a waiting game for her! A pony is expected to die within 11 days with no sleep and she knows you'll either be with her or out of the way soon enough, regardless of what she does." Her eyes were wide, getting into the energy of the ghost story she was telling. "Little messages is how it all starts. Microsleeping puts you into her domain for just long enough for her to find you. There, she's said to send you a message, tempting you to take a proper rest. Most victims do go to bed and never wake. We need caffeine or we'll be swinging in and out of the fire over and over again." She points to the fortress above them. "There's got to be something of use up there. We need to take a risk and nothing else seems to be any better a plan."
While the others discussed matters which seemed already too obvious to her, she turned away and pulled her cloak around her, keeping prying eyes from seeing as she produced a blue feathered quill from her pack... this one with a red marking upon the tip. With a look of concentration, she quickly documented... I have acquired what I believe to be the Element of Generosity, and things appear to be looking up as the group finally showed their first signs of true teamwork, with motivation from the walking nightmares. I do hope this assembly was made with the proper venues of selection as originally discussed. I would hate to learn that our makeup was rather left to chance. Anyway... I'll keep in touch. She quickly stowed her goods and turned to the rest of the group, trotting over to Mary Sue, attempting to communicate in her manner this time. "Me and a few of my friends would sleep in the same room, taking two-hour shifts to wake everyone up. Eight ponies, only four asleep at a time. Fortunately... enough to run off of."
Intrude's thoughts were everywhere. It was unsettling. Usually her thoughts were filed neatly in her brain. She took a breath to settle herself. "OK... Let's move. The sooner we are done, the better."
"That sounds like a wonderful plan." Mary replies to Pickpare, flatly. "While I don't want to drop dead, from sleep deprivation or caffeine poisoning, we have nowhere to go and rest currently. We either go for the Pegasus fort or the town below it. Both will likely be overrun but one it's more likely to have things to arm ourselves with." She gives a hollow smile: "It's good to see you thinking, sweetie. You'll get there soon enough."
Spoiler: Roll Luck 5 Safe for the time being from the pegasi overhead, the party continues making its way toward Dream Castle. Spoiler: Roll Microsleep Mary Sue glanced around. When did the party leave Fort Squall? She had thought for sure that Rashall and Little Sunshine had flown up to investigate the fort, but here they were, standing next to her, and they and the reast of the party were now quite some distance from the fort. A Crier? This is certainly Fascinating Does my sister Want you dead? Night Time was also somewhat confused. Everypony in the group was in a completely different place than they were just a second ago. He thought they had just been chatting about…what was it? Oh! That,s right! They were chatting excitedly about how they found one of the Elements of Harmony. Ah… You came for him Did you not? Stay there I will send him to you. The wind suddenly picks up around you all. Is it Windigoes? Spoiler: Roll Perception Pickpear: 16 + 3 = 19 Mary Sue: Natural 20 Night Time: 9 + 3 + 1 = 13 Rashall: 15 + 2 = 17 Intrude: 10 + 2 = 12 Steel Heart: 10 + 3 + 1 = 14 Little Sunshine: 17 + 3 + 1= 21 Mary Sue, Pickpear, Little Sunshine, and Rashall can see well enough through the whipped up snow and ice to know that this storm isn’t being caused by Windigoes. As they look up into the sky, they can spy a solitary Pegasus flying through the air. The Pegasus, which seems to be a male, flies through the air performing somersaults and diving in and out of the clouds. Suddenly, he banks hard to the left and dives at Pickpear! Spoiler: Roll to Dodge Unnamed Pegasus: Total 18 Pickpear: Natural 1 Sorry… Pickpear stumbles over her cloak which seemed to want to take her in a different direction that she wanted, and she takes a pair of front hooves to her flank. [3(out of 4) Health Remaining] In one motion, the pegasus kicks off of Pickpear and performs a backflip, landing on his hooves some distance away from the party. He swings his head in a way that throws his black and white mane from in front of his face, then he looks at Night Time and his face lights up. “Hey, Night Time, ol’ buddy! What’s up?” The pegasus seems genuinely excited to see the unicorn.
Falling into the snow with a squeal, she takes a few moments to get ovfer the sting of the hooves to her flank... biting her bottom lip and sniffling back tears. She closed her eyes part way as she watched the interaction unfold... for now.
"wait Night, you know this guy". Steel had a slightly puzzled face before continuing "and I thought I was the only one". He then walked over to pickpear helping her up.
A quiet grunt of exhertion escaped her mouth as she was helped up. "Thanks Steel..." As she stood, she bowed her head a little and the leg that got kicked shook a little, getting feeling back. She closed her eyes for a moment as her horn glowed a light green while she attempted to discern the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing pegasai while he was otherwise engaged.
Night Time, confused, turned to look at the Pegasus. He squinted to identify before realizing he could just put his glasses on. Wha-Who? What? Who is that...
Little Sunshine dropped her mouth, horrified. "You just attacked somepony!" she said to the form. "What the hay is wrong with you! We're all friendly here!" Little Sunshine stared at the form to try and make out who they were and why they were doing this.
There is a head-space that only those that have imagined how each and every individual around them would plausibly be murdered with the items lying around reserved for moments exactly like what Mary had just experienced. She'd heard her voice. It was like holding what could be a smoking gun or a stained knife. It was chillingly morbid. In many many ways she was just having a conversation with her executioner. She'd talked about her sister wanting her dead? Good! Meant she was doing her job right. Then Pickpear was drop-kicked by a mystery pony. She barely contained that cackle. "Of all the wasteland we got around here, you manage to hit something. Your either drunk, stupid or late to join this sinking ship when it started..." The voice seemed to have a little less vindictive venom behind them in the sting. The pessimism seemed unchanged. "Still, you seem to have landed on the one thing that'll let you trample all over her, anyway."
Spoiler: Roll Mind for Pickpear 16 + 3 + 1 (Special Talent) = 20 Pickpear's magic told her that the pegasus that faced them rivaled Rainbow Dash for speed and agility. He also had a knack for controlling the weather, as was evidenced in his causing the wind to pick up in his presence. The pegasus glanced at Night Time as he put his glasses on. "Oh, c'mon, man! It's me, Dark Shine! Don't tell me that I've been gone so long that you forgot who I am." His tone suddenly became more morose. "Not that I'd be surprised, anyway..." He chuckled at Little Sunshine. "Get over it, small fry! I'm just havin' a little fun. I didn't mean anything by it. See?" He jerked his head toward Pickpear. "She's fine." At Mary Sue's observation, Dark Shine nearly bowled over laughing. "Haha! Yeah! I mean, she was the smallest target besides Shrimpy over there (motioning to Little Sunshine). I think I should get a doll. Whaddya think?" He flashed a cocky grin as he awaited a response.
Night Time looked in shock. "D-d-d-Dark Shine?! W-w-w-w-w-You went missing! What?! Who?! When?! How?!" He waved his hooves around in a confused, over exageratted motion. "Good to see you I guess!" He then thought for a second. Dark is a pacifist. No way would he be like this... Hmmm.... Better inform Luna at some stage... When he is not looking would be best.
"I think you should explain what your doing out here." Mary demands, striding forwards. She was slipping into interrogation rather nicely despite being unable to feel her legs from the knee down. "We're hundreds of miles into enemy territory, surrounded by walking nightmares and you manage to land on...." He makes tiny circles with her hoof while she tries to recall ever hearing Pickpear's name, "Pickpence, or whatever rather than the wide patches of snow. Does your nurse know your out this late? Are you sure you know where you are?"
She shrank back, bumping against Steel, who had helped her up anyway. All of the insulting things she was hearing made her go down... down... down... until her nose was down in the snow and she was covering her face with one hoof, the rest of her covered by the black shroud. It was as if there wasn't any actual concern for her safety or repentance from the one who caused it. Maybe they'd just be better off without her there to... let enemies walk on her.
Dark Shine laughed at his friend’s confusion. “Don’t worry about it, man. I doubt anyone missed me, anyway.” He then raised an eyebrow at Mary Sue’s question. “Easy there, Cupcake, I’m not here to fight. I just needed something to break my fall. Pickpence worked just fine. Actually, I’m here to talk. Ya see, ‘Stella sent me to pick you up.” He nods toward Night Time. “She…um…saw that you were her.” He shrugged. “I mean, not saw but, like…saw, you know what I’m sayin’?” He shook his head as if trying to collect his thoughts, then turned toward Night Time. “Right. Anyway, ‘Stella told me to pick you up and bring you back to her place. I mean, if you don’t mind ditchin’ these lovely folks. Personally, I wouldn’t worry about them. ‘Stella’ll take good care of ‘em.” He cast an exaggerated wink for emphasis.
Night looked shocked. "D-d-d-d-Dark... I know we are friends and all, but I would rather stay with these guys. I got a job to do. Besides. I'd like to do a bit of wandering, maybe get to know em better first. Maybe another time. Also... 'Stella? Who's 'Stella?" He reeled back in his mind. He had a bad feeling he knew who ''Stella' is...
Dark Shine seemed genuinely miffed that his offer was turned down. For a moment, he looked like he was going to pounce on Night Time right then and there, but he suddenly took a more casual stance. "You know...I'm getting the feeling that we weren't really friends to begin with. You're acting really weird." Then he shrugged. "Eh, it's cool. Eggheads aren't really my cup o' tea, anyway." "You don't know who Stella is? Oh, wow! She's only the most powerful being here. Don't let it scare ya off, though. She's actually pretty cool once you get to know her." Then, he shrugged. "You're really not going, huh? Well...I tried." He crouched as if he were a runner about to dash from the starting block. "Hey. May your dreams be pleasant and your worries few." His voice had suddenly taken on a monotone quality as he spoke his farewell. Then it returned to normal. "Later!" With that, he blased off into the air, disappearing into the clouds. Spoiler: Results of Encounter Dark Shine left the field. Victory?
