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The Master's Legendary Quest - 10

By Trixiefap
Created: 2022-06-29 02:36:37
Expiry: Never
anonsafecyoaredheartrpgaiegame

  1.  
  2. [BATTLE START] [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZIuTIYeVOo ]
  3. -Anonymous: [HP: 90/130, KO][MP: 20/20]
  4. >Basic hand to hand combat
  5. >Ogre Dance (0-4 Fail, 5-9 Succeed, confuses enemy)
  6. >Expert spear combat (+15 dmg, ½ crit chance)
  7. >Call Shot (Call specific location to attack, focus dmg and -66% hit chance)
  8. >Shoot dart
  9. >Giga Buster (R, -4 MP, Good attack, +25 MA, 3 turn CD)
  10. >Redheart Cummer (-2 MP, +25 magic dmg, 2 turn CD)
  11. >Flamescythe (-2 MP, Good attack, +10 MA, 4 turn CD)
  12. >Parry (50% hit, deflects enemy atk/counters 50% dmg)
  13. >Heart’s Calling (5tcd, Gives 50% attack boost to entire party for next turn)
  14. >Shoot (R, Shoots F.U.C.K.E.R.)
  15. >Ignite (-2 MP, Fire source, +25 MA, 50% chance to burn for 3 turns, 3tcd)
  16. >Shockwave (-5 MP, AoE +36 MA each, 25% chance to stun for 3 turns each, 7tcd)
  17. >Life Leech (-5 MP, Attach your magical connection to another living being, giving 10% of their health to you)
  18. -Redheart: [HP: 130/130]
  19. >Basic Spear Combat
  20. >{S.S.S. +15 dmg with Anon’s/Red’s separate dmg.. 5 turn CD}
  21. >Block (+5 PD and 25% chance to negate all dmg.)
  22. >Parry (50% hit, deflects enemy atk/counters 50% dmg)
  23. >Downforce (Good attack, +12 PA, split between all enemies, 3tcd)
  24. -Pinkie Pie: [HP: 105/105]
  25. >Sugar Rush (+3/+3 PA, hits twice)
  26. >Party cannon (R, x3 damage, 5 turn CD)
  27. >Darkstrike (Epic attack (rnd) single, or Good attack AoE split, 90% chance to bleed enemies hit, 7tcd)
  28. >Parry (50% hit, deflects enemy atk/counters 50% dmg)
  29. >Hypno-Necklace (0-4 fail, 5-9 win, confuses enemy)
  30. -Berry Punch: [HP: 220/220]
  31. >Throw beer bottle
  32. >Drunk Dragon (R, 2.4x multiplier AoE, 4x against wood, 3tcd)
  33. >Fisticuffs (Basic attack)
  34. >Do No Evil (Good Attack, +25 PA, 5tcd)
  35. >Trample (+25 PA, 50% chance to crit for x2.5, 2tcd)
  36. -Gable: [HP: 200/200]
  37. >Expert Hand to Hand Combat (+15 basic attack, 10% chance to crit for x2)
  38. >Winged Fury (x5, 3 turn CD)
  39. >Screech (+15 PA, 20% chance to fear for 5 turns, 3 turn CD)
  40. >Flight (Allows 3-dimensional travel / R, +20 PA, 40% bleed chance for 5 turns, 4 turn CD)
  41. >Rip and Tear (Good attack, 25% bleed chance for 5 turns, 5 turn CD)
  42. -Iron Will: [HP: 275/275]
  43. >Pummel (Basic attack)
  44. >Charge (+25 PA, 2 turn CD)
  45. >Enrage (+75% PA, -25% PD for 5 turns, 8 turn CD)
  46. >Assertive Annihilation (Good attack, 50% chance to stun for 3 turns, 5 turn CD)
  47. >OOOH YEEAAAH (Increases Party defense by 25% for 3 turns, 6 turn CD)
  48.  
  49. Ursa Polaris: [HP: 750/750]
  50. Polar Cub 1: [HP: 300/300]
  51. Polar Cub 2: [HP: 300/300]
  52. [AWAITING BATTLE COMMANDS]
  53. [ANONYMOUS]
  54. >Uses Heart’s Calling! [5 turn CD]
  55. >Party’s damage increased by 50% next turn!
  56.  
  57. [REDHEART]
  58. >Uses Block!
  59. >+5 PD and ¼ chance to block all damage next turn!
  60.  
  61. [PINKIE PIE]
  62. >Attacks Ursa Polaris with Darkstrike! [7 turn CD]
  63. >37 (4 RND) = >437<
  64. [-30 PD]
  65. >407<
  66. Ursa Polaris is Bleeding!
  67. Ursa Polaris: [HP: 343/750, B]
  68. [BERRY PUNCH]
  69. >Attacks Ursa Polaris with Trample! [2 turn CD]
  70. >0 (+25 PA)(x2.5 CRITICAL) = >63<
  71. [-30 PD]
  72. >33<
  73. Ursa Polaris: [HP: 310/750, B]
  74. [GABLE]
  75. >Attacks Ursa Polaris with Screech! [3 turn CD]
  76. >3 (+15 PA) = >18<
  77. [-30 PD]
  78. >0<
  79. Ursa Polaris: [HP: 310/750, B]
  80. [IRON WILL]
  81. >Uses Enrage! [8 turn CD]
  82. >Attack power increased by ¾, Defense decreased by ¼ for 5 turns!
  83. [AWAITING ENEMY ATTACKS…]
  84. >Ursa Polaris attacks the party with Matriarch Roar! [5 turn CD]
  85. >3 (+40 PA AoE) = >43 split<
  86. Redheart is afraid! [3 turns]
  87. Pinkie Pie is afraid! [3 turns]
  88. Berry Punch is afraid! [3 turns]
  89. Iron Will is afraid! [3 turns]
  90. Anon: [HP: 83/130]
  91. Red: [HP: 123/130, F]
  92. Pinkie: [HP: 98/105, F]
  93. Berry: [HP: 213/220, F]
  94. Gable: [HP: 193/200]
  95. Iron: [HP: 268/275, F]
  96. >Polar Cub 1 attacks Redheart with Ice Paw! [2 turn CD]
  97. >3/3 (+15 PA/+15 MA)(x1.5)(+25% F bonus) = >68<
  98. [-30 PD, -25 MD]
  99. >13<
  100. Redheart: [HP: 110/130, F]
  101. >Polar Cub 2 attacks Pinkie Pie with Swipe!
  102. >3 (+25 PA)(+25% F bonus) = >35<
  103. [-12 PD]
  104. >23<
  105. Pinkie Pie: [HP: 75/105]
  106. [AWAITING BATTLE COMMANDS]
  107. 1
  108. [GABLE]
  109. >Gable suddenly runs into the front of the group as the bears begin to charge.
  110. >He gets up on his back feet, spreads his wings, and throws out his claws.
  111. >From his outstretched chest he sucks in, and delivers the most powerful screech you’ve ever heard from him, or any gryphon for that matter right at the family of bears, the sound being so powerful it rumbles the cave’s foundation.
  112. [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1-6coVVJ64 ]
  113. >The intimidation of this screech sends the Ursa Polaris and its cubs whimpering and running away out of the cave abroad, completely abandoning their home to get away from Gable!
  114. >The intense volume and fear from the screech terrifies Pinkie Pie and she faints!
  115. Pinkie: [HP: 75/105, KO]
  116.  
  117. [BATTLE END]
  118.  
  119. >That was absolutely terrifying!
  120. >If you were just slightly more drunk, you’d have pissed in your armor.
  121. >You’re completely speechless, staring at Gable like he’s a murderer.
  122. >You eventually get out of the shock, knowing that he was scaring away the bears, but the sound still lingers within your mind.
  123. >Anon’s the first to speak after the horrifying moment.
  124. >”Very impressive… Remind me never to piss you off again.”
  125. >”Duly noted… At least now we have the cave to ourselves, right?”
  126. >He nods, and you take a quick look around.
  127. >Your beneficial friend is holding up his arms, still shaking at Gable’s presence.
  128. >Redheart was recovering, looking over Anon.
  129. >Pinkie’s…
  130. “Pinkie?”
  131. >She’s totally clonked out.
  132. >Anon runs over and kneels down next to her, checking her over.
  133. >”She’s a bit scuffed up, but… what’s that smell?”
  134. >He looks over and clears his throat.
  135. >He subtly moves her a bit backward.
  136. >”Anyways, she just fainted, is all. Pinkie?”
  137. >Anon lightly pats her cheek.
  138. >Then something seems to cross his mind, as his face becomes warped with an evil smile.
  139. >He gets down low next to her ear…
  140. >”POOOOOOOOOOONKAAAAAAAAAAA!”
  141. >Pinkie waves her hooves around her body in self defense, shrieking along with Anon’s shout.
  142. >Then she clocks him right in the jaw.
  143. “Pffffthahahahaaa!”
  144. >He gets knocked back on his bottom and holds his mouth as Pinkie stands herself up in a battle stance.
  145. >When she realizes what she did, she moves her eyes to Anon and gasps.
  146. >”OH! Sorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorry…”
  147. >Anon shakes his head, putting a hand up to her.
  148. >”It’s fine, I deserved it anyways…”
  149. >Pinkie and Red check on him while Iron and Gable stay near you, laughing at the spectacle alongside you.
  150. >What would you like to do?
  151.  
  152.  
  153.  
  154. >Inspect Frost Nova
  155. [The Windigo’s spirit inhabits the blade, and its magic is manipulatable. The user can tap into the vast power and create a ring of ice around them that causes heavy frost damage and immobilizes everything in its vicinity. (+75 MA AoE solid, immobilizes for 3 turns)]
  156.  
  157. >Inspect Bulletin (Animal Aggression)
  158. [“ATTENTION TO ROYAL GUARD FORCE:
  159.  
  160. It has come to the attention of the P.E.T.A. (Ponies for the Equestrian Treatment of Animals) that there is currently an instability in the ecosystem of Celestia’s country. Due to some unforeseen events, many animals that have not achieved sapience have become unruly and unusually aggressive. Please be on the lookout for any odd behavior of the wildlife and please have citizens refrain from disturbing their dens. It may be necessarily to tranquilize the animals, but if any ponies are in danger, we ask you not to harm them. Thank you for your time!
  161.  
  162. (PETA Signature)
  163. Tulip Scent]
  164.  
  165. [You give Pinkie the Hunting Bow and Quiver.]
  166. >You give a little yawn and stretch as you watch Iron Will and Gable leave to bring the sled back inside to the cave.
  167. “So uh… I’m not sure but I think it’s almost midnight. You guys want to set up camp here?”
  168. >Anon nods as he checks over AJ and the two guards.
  169. >”It’d probably be best.”
  170. “Then you get to make the fire, with your wood and your flamey fingers and that stuff. WE should probably check out the rest of the caves for anything that might’ve been left behind by those bears, like more bears. Or maybe they had stuff in their nest, who knows, better to check than not right? We might even find some ore for Anon here to slap with that pickaxe he got.”
  171. >The party affirms your course of action and you split up, Redheart and Pinkie going with you while the boys go about their own ways.
  172.  
  173. >…
  174. [SEARCHING CAVE]
  175. >You find 2 small gems, and 2 bundles of sticks.
  176. >Across the caverns, you notice a coal vein, a crystal vein, an iron vein, and a gem vein.
  177. >You found a locked chest!
  178. >…
  179.  
  180. >Everyone slowly returns to the central cavern, where you find that Anon’s made a pretty decent fire, and even put some stones around it just to keep it safe.
  181. >Redheart and Pinkie immediately rush from your side to go warm themselves up, which Iron Will and Gable are already doing.
  182. >”Oh, that feels so good… Thanks, babe. Torches only make you so warm.”
  183. >Pinkie hadn’t been as fast as Redheart to the fire, still just as happy as she usually is.
  184. >You could tell her mane’s a bit flatter now, though. Has been since the yeti.
  185. >”I dunno, I was pretty warm!”
  186. >”You’re wearing leather!”
  187. >Iron Will takes this moment to lead you over to the fire, and you sit tight and snug with him, gladly accepting the warmth of his lap’s coat.
  188. >Then a few minutes of silence overwhelms your party, as everypony simply enjoys the heat and tantalizing light of the flames.
  189. >…
  190. >”Oh… Where are we now…?”
  191. >”Applejack!”
  192. >Pinkie’s shrill voice and sudden movements breaks the tranquility of the cave as she hugs over the wakening Applejack.
  193. >”Whoa, H-hi Pinkie. Ah’m fine, really!”
  194. >Redheart shifts over to AJ and gives her a happy smile, checking her over with Pinkie still attached like an organ.
  195. >”You were out for a few hours. Do you remember anything that happened?”
  196. >AJ thinks for a moment, and her expression steadily grows darker as her eyes wander over to Gable.
  197. >”I can think of a few things, here and there.”
  198. “Whoa whoa whoa. Let’s catch you up, first.
  199. >You and Anon act as the main storytellers as you catch her up on the battle with the Windigo and the aftermath, as well as you filling in Anon on what happened while he was out.
  200. >They are very disturbed to hear the news about Cadance and the shadow, and Anon makes it a point to hurry in the morning.
  201. >”That there’s some progress we made, huh? … Hey uh, Gable, sorry about what I said, too. If I’da known ya were a good feller, I wouldn’t have been so hard.”
  202. >Gable nods solemnly, eyes closed in front of the fire.
  203. >”It’s alright. My apologies, too.”
  204. >”Just one question. Did we find any leads on Rainbow Dash, anywhere?”
  205. >You all look around at each other, Anon speaking first.
  206. >”Nothing. She wasn’t out here at all.”
  207. >A deep, profound morbid mood takes over the atmosphere, and you think of something to break it before it starts lowering morale.
  208. “Oh, found this instant dinner thing back at the outpost, guys, so we can have some actual food! Pinkie’s got some dessert afterwards, too!”
  209. >Ponk nods happily as you take out the dinner from your pack.
  210. >Well-reserved carrots, broccoli, peaches and hay is on the menu tonight.
  211. >You start heating it over the fire as your party start to converse, having a jolly old time for supper in the middle of a dank and dark cave out in a blizzard, miles from civilization.
  212. >You never thought you’d be a part of something like this.
  213. >When you first met Anon, you were just glad that he saved you from the destruction of Ponyville that night.
  214. >You’re still working off your life debt, but even if you weren’t, you’d follow him to the end.
  215. >There’s just something about him that makes him somepony to follow.
  216. >You’ve seen him screw up plenty of times, and yet, you want to see this journey out to the end, because you owe it to him.
  217. >You owe it to everyone here.
  218. >…
  219. “Alright, we need to get some sleep up in this cave. By the way Anon, don’t know if you wanna do it tonight, but there’s a bunch of veins out in the right side of the cave.”
  220. >It must’ve taken an hour for the party to get tired enough to sleep.
  221. >Anon nods as he takes off his chainmail cap, getting himself up.
  222. >”We’ll see with the veins. I need to make some potions anyways.”
  223. “Yeah, making some more healing potions to replace the ones we used sounds good. Oh, and make more darts, since you keep wasting them by missing!”
  224. >”Hey, wh-”
  225. “Now, so we don’t get any more trouble, let’s keep watch through the night. You for like, two hours, then Red, then Iron, then Gable. By that time, it should be warm out enough to leave, right?”
  226. >Everyone gives you a condescending look.
  227. “…What? I just spent the last how many hours ordering you guys around! I need my sleep if I'm going to be able to do anything other than drink and… er… drink.”
  228. >When they still stare at you, you quickly turn around and fall asleep with your head on Iron Will’s lap, snoring loudly.
  229. >But soon, you find yourself drifting off for real.
  230. >…
  231. >CHANGE
  232. >Who would you like to switch to?
  233. -Anonymous
  234. -Redheart
  235. -Pinkie Pie
  236. -Berry Punch (X)
  237. -Applejack
  238. -Gable
  239. -Iron Will
  240.  
  241. >Anonymous selected
  242. [REDIRECTING MIND . . .]
  243. [Switches left: 2]
  244.  
  245. >…
  246. >You are Anonymous.
  247. >Berry just fucked you over, but whatever, you had to do some brewing anyways.
  248. >”Well, goodnight, Anon. Don’t stay up too late now… Or do, it gives me more.”
  249. >Red giggles and gives you a kiss on your cheek when you bend down, and she takes one of the blankets from Berry’s pack and lays out a bed.
  250. >Iron, Gable and AJ do it likewise.
  251. >”G’night, gentlecolts.”
  252. >Gable is silent.
  253. >”Protein shakes for breakfast, brothers! Oh, Berry…”
  254. >Something starts to rustle their blanket.
  255. >Oh.
  256. >Oooh.
  257. “Hey Gable! Come over here for a minute.”
  258. >Anything to get your eyes away from that.
  259. >”What?”
  260. “Well, first, I want to thank you for scaring off the bears. That was really impressive, and I was just about to tell everyone not to kill the mother, too. Guess it worked out, didn’t it?”
  261. >He paws his way over as you open your pack and get out the sword that Berry gave to you.
  262. "So, I've been thinking about it, the whole thing with the Windigo… the thing was as strong as it was because of the anger and distrust in all of us. Your anger probably fed it more than anyone else, though. However, it was you letting go of that anger, and finally accepting our friendship that stopped it. So, I think it's only right that you have this."
  263. [You give Gable the Sword of the Windigo Spirit.]
  264. >Gable looks at the sword you’ve given him with interesting eyes.
  265. >You’re not quite sure what he’s thinking, but his talons grip the hilt of the sword very tight, like it’s his very own.
  266. >”…I… uh…”
  267. "Consider it a reminder of our friendship, and what we’ve learned. Whenever you feel like taking my head off over whatever ignorant stunt I've pulled, practice with that instead. Hell, you’ll be an expert in no time.”
  268. >”Maybe before…”
  269. “Aside from sentimental value… it probably cuts shit up pretty good, too."
  270. >He takes a single practice swing, and you can already tell he’s in love with it.
  271. >Gable stares at the blade as he holds it in front of him, examining the quality.
  272. ”I bet it does. It looks like it’s worth quite a bit, too. Just one of many treasures we’ll get, no doubt… Listen, I'm sorry about the outpost, what happened there and… getting so close to what I was going to do-”
  273. >”Don’t worry about it. I know it was just the stuff you absorbed like a dumbass.”
  274. “Right. You’re right, though. I never should’ve let it happen. When the shadow gets a hold of you, it makes you feel complete, as if you had lost a part of yourself a long time ago and it’s the piece that’s missing. Like you need it… It puts unnatural thoughts and feelings in your head. It gives you hatred and anger that isn’t your own, not unlike what that guard experienced in his journal. So, if you ever see anything getting taken over with any sort of shadow-like substance, do what you can to take it off, alright?”
  275. >Gable nods slowly, using his bag as a scabbard for the sword.
  276. >You’ll need to make sure you get a real one for him soon.
  277. >”Thanks for the sword, here. …”
  278. >Like clockwork, the two of you shake talon and hand, giving a respectful nod to each other.
  279. >You’re definitely real friends, now, however fire-forged.
  280. >”Goodnight, Anonymous.”
  281. “Night.”
  282. >He goes back to his blanket to get some shuteye, and he’ll definitely need it.
  283. >You’re now not sure whether to start brewing or start mining.
  284. >What would you like to do?
  285. Party members [7/7]: (* means not currently with Anon/party, (cc) means current character)
  286.  
  287. >ANONYMOUS (cc) / SIR DUCKSALOT [HP: 25/25]
  288. [HP: 83/130][MP: 20/20][Stats: 20 PD, 25 MD / +10 PA, +15 MA wep / +75 PA ranged]
  289.  
  290. Inventory: Med. Pamphlet (First Aid 101/Procreation), Med. Book (Diseases), Wallet, Bit pouch (1 bit), Roll of duct tape, Rope, Book of Dark Magic (W/ potential info about Shadow), Potion-making Kit, Blowdart, Blue herbs (5), Red herbs (4), Medkit (1), Supply Medkit (3), Small mana potion (2), Alchemy/Engineering Books (Transmogrification/Practical), Lifeleaf (6), Rizzleberry bunch (4), 9 oz. of Kablooie powder, 4 ounces of combustible powder, Wisp weed (5), 2 handfuls of bolts, Haze Flower (9), Yeti Hair (4), Gypsum (2), iPhone, Medical Expertise Books (Bleeding, clots, nasty gashes; stitches and poison treating), Fishing Rod and kit (Grants ability Fish), Pickaxe (+10 PA, grants ability Mine), (Book) Introduction to Architecture, Screwdriver kit (reduces bolt and screw cost by 3), Socket wrench kit (reduces wheel & axle and nut cost by 1), Foal’s Guide to Magic (Gives basic knowledge of magical theory, allows
  291. learning of basic level spells, levitation and luminate), 1 Oz. of Thermite, Four-Barrel Lead Ammo (23, +25 PA to fight), Black Marker, Hoofcuffs (3), Cock Ring, Ultimate Knowledge of Medical Expertise: Volume XXVII, Medium Healing potion (66% restore, 1), Map to the Tundra Outpost, 1 Bundle of sticks, Firewood (2), Window of Reality (Allows you to see into the future of different possibilities of your choices with limitations)
  292. >Current questlog (7/10 total):
  293. [Investigate Shadow] - Find it (0/1); Exterminate it (0/1); Report to Celestia (0/1)
  294. [Become a Legendary Doctor] - Master medical knowledge (0/1); Master medical experience (0/1); Doctor’s Kit (0/1); Master alchemical knowledge (0/1); Master healing spells (0/1); Get famous (Be known in Canterlot, Crystal Empire and Ponyville) (1/3); Learn Basic Psychology Knowledge (0/1)
  295. [Spear Mastery] - Learn Spear Juggling (0/1)
  296. [Spicing up the Bedroom] - Find Redheart’s fetish (1/Pegging); Improve foreplay (0/1)
  297. [Vigilante Justice] - Track down and take in the thieves that attacked Pinkie Pie (0/3); Take in the engineer responsible for ripping your schematic (0/1)
  298. [Mare in the Family] - Ask a high-level Unicorn about uncurable diseases (1/1); Find a way to help Charm Rose’s brother (0/1)
  299. [Just like Clockwork] - Travel to Appleoosa and speak to Frizzy Gear (0/1)
  300.  
  301. Abilities: Basic hand to hand combat, Basic alchemy skills (Allows brewing of low-level potions and enchantments), Moderate medical use (+50% medkit efficiency, ½ chance to remove bleed/poison), Basic Veterinary knowledge (Allows kit usage on animals), Basic Engineering skills (Allows creation of simple mechanical devices), Ogre Dance (0-4 Fail, 5-9 Succeed, confuses enemy), Expert spear combat (+15 dmg, ½ crit chance), Call Shot (Call specific location to attack, focus dmg and -66% hit chance), Very High Magical Defense (+20 magical armor), basic knowledge of Everfree weeds, {S.S.S. +15 dmg with Anon’s/Red’s separate damage. 5tcd}, Shoot dart (50% hit), Brew potion (non-com), Giga Buster (R, -4 MP, Good attack, +25 MA, 3 turn CD), Redheart Cummer (-2 MP, +25 magic dmg, 2 turn CD), Flamescythe (-2 MP, Good attack, +10 MA, 4 turn CD), Parry (50% hit, deflects enemy atk/counters 50% dmg), Heart’s Calling (5tcd, Gives 50% attack boost to entire party for next turn), Fish, Mine, Shoot (Shoots F.U.C.K.E.R.), Moderate knowledge of magical properties (Allows learning of basic/intermediate tomes, spellbooks and decent control of magic), Weak Levitation (noncom), Luminate (Light source, 1 MP per five minutes), Wallwalking (Lets your hands and feet stick to surfaces for 20 seconds, -5 MP), Ignite (-2 MP, Fire source, +25 MA, 50% chance to burn for 3 turns, 3tcd), Shockwave (-5 MP, AoE +36 MA each, 25% chance to stun for 3 turns each, 7tcd)
  302.  
  303. Equipped: Redheart-inscribed ‘Legendary’ Doctor’s Trenchcoat (+15 HP to medkit usage), Shadow-endowed markings, Double-bladed spear (+10 P dmg., +15 M dmg, can attack spectrals), Amulet of Heart’s Calling (+5 HP), Medic-Issued Avian Chainmail Cap (+5 P.D./+1 M.D.), Medic-Issued Avian Chainmail (+7 P.D./+2 M.D.), Medic-Issued Avian Chainmail Talons (+5 P.D./+1 M.D.), Medic-Issued Avian Chainmail Sabatons (+3 P.D./+1 M.D.), Avian Leather Boots (Lowers exhaustion), F.U.C.K.E.R. (R, +75 PA, 7 turn reload, 1 oz. of Kablooie powder per 24 shots {1 shot is one full reloaded round, fires all 4 for each shell}), Thick Winter Coat
  304.  
  305. >REDHEART: [HP: 110/130][Stats: 30 PD, 25 MD / +40 PA wep]
  306.  
  307. Abilities: Basic Spear Combat, Expert Med. Skill (+75% medkit efficiency), {S.S.S. +15 dmg with Anon’s/Red’s separate dmg.. 5 turn CD}, Block (+5 PD and 25% chance to negate all dmg.), Tesseract-bound (+20 MD), Parry (50% hit, deflects enemy atk/counters 50% dmg), Downforce (Good attack, +12 PA, split between all enemies, 3tcd)
  308.  
  309. Inventory: Medkit (1), Ultimate Knowledge of Medical Mastery: Volume I, Defibrillator, Recipe for Defibrillator, Recipe for Healing potions, Lube, Ribbed Strap-on, Supply Medkit (1)
  310. Equipped: Medic-Issued Crystal Chainmail Coronet (+4 PD, +1 MD), Medic-Issued Crystal Chainmail Breadth (+6 PD, +1 MD), Medic-Issued Crystal Chainmail Sabatons (+6 PD, +1 MD), Medic-Issued Crystal Chainmail Flankguards (+6 PD, +1 MD), Medic-Issued Crystal Buckler (+10 PD, +1 MD), Highguard Glaive (1 hoofed, +40 PA, Grants Parry, Grants ability Downforce), Medic-Issued Crystal Leather Cloak (Reduces exhaustion), Thick Winter Coat
  311.  
  312. >PINKIE PIE: [HP: 75/105][Stats: 12 PD, 6 MD, -25%B / +100 PA wep]
  313.  
  314. Abilities: Sugar Rush [Highly energetic attacks] (+3/+3 PA, hits twice), Party cannon (x3 damage, 5 turn CD), Darkstrike (Epic attack (rnd) single, or Good attack AoE split, 90% chance to bleed enemies hit, 7tcd), Parry (50% hit, deflects enemy atk/counters 50% dmg), Shoot Bow
  315.  
  316. Inventory: Party Cannon, Various sweets, ??? (“Hammerspace, Nonny!”), Knife, Anal Beads, Bit pouch (1 bit)
  317.  
  318. Equipped: Sir Prize and Miss Direction (+60/+40 PA, Grants Parry, Grants ability Darkstrike), Manticore Leather Armor (+12 PD, +6 MD, -25% chance to bleed), Crystal Leather Cloak (Reduces exhaustion), Hypno-Necklace (0-4 fail, 5-9 win, confuses enemy), Thick Winter Coat, Hunting Bow (R, +15 PA), Quiver (3 yew arrows [+3 PA])
  319.  
  320. >BERRY PUNCH: [HP: 213/220][Stats: 40 PD, 20 MD, +15 HP / +44 PA wep]
  321.  
  322. Abilities: Throw beer bottle, Drunk Dragon (2.4x multiplier AoE, 4x against wood, 3tcd), Fisticuffs (Basic attack), Do No Evil (Good Attack, +25 PA, 5tcd), Trample (+25 PA, 50% chance to crit for x2.5, 2tcd)
  323.  
  324. Inventory: Flask (old), Bit pouch (2 small gems), Box of matches (14), Bottle of hard liquor (DD up), White Rum Flask (Increases alcohol-related abilities’ damage by x2), Vibrator, Sword of the Windigo Spirit (2H, +35 PA/+25 MA, 10% Frostbite PA, grants ability Frost Nova), Window of Reality (Allows you to see into the future of different possibilities of your choices with limitations), Torches (2), Rags (5), Bulletin (Animal Aggression), Iron Aegis’ Journal, Tobacco Pipe, Magic-preserved Instant Dinner, Badge I.D.’s (Iron Aegis, Bastion Aurora, Tidal Wave), Missive from Shining Armor, Royal Pass, Bowl of Shadowy Substance, Firewood (2), 2 bundles of sticks, Locked chest
  325.  
  326. Equipped: Clawed Thick Iron Horseshoes (Modified, +20 PA/+24 Claw PA), Crystal Plate Helmet (+8 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Platemail (+15 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Plate Flankguards (+10 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Plate Hoofguards (+7 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Leather Cloak (Reduces exhaustion), Thick Winter Coat
  327.  
  328. >APPLEJACK: [HP: 240/240][Stats: 40 PD, 20 MD, +15 HP / +50 PA wep]
  329.  
  330. Abilities: Treekicker (x2 damage, 2 turn CD), Lasso (Immobilizes enemy for 3 turns), Bash (Basic attack), Cyli-Spin (Good attack, +25 PA AoE split between enemies, 90% chance to stun affected enemies for 5 turns, 4tcd)
  331.  
  332. Inventory: Flask (Apple cider), Tri-braid rope, Apples (12), Bit pouch (1 bit), Dildo
  333.  
  334. Equipped: Stetson hat, Crystal Plate Helmet (+8 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Platemail (+15 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Plate Flankguards (+10 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Plate Hoofguards (+7 PD, +5 MD), Empire Express (2 hoofed, +50 PA, Grants ability Cyli-Spin), Crystal Leather Cloak (Reduces exhaustion), Thick Winter Coat
  335.  
  336. >GABLE: [HP: 193/200][Stats: 20 PD, 12 MD]
  337. Abilities: Tough Hide (+10 PD), Expert Hand to Hand Combat (+15 basic attack, 10% chance to crit for x2), Winged Fury (x5, 3 turn CD), Screech (+15 PA, 20% chance to fear for 5 turns, 3 turn CD), Flight (Allows 3-dimensional travel / +20 PA, 40% bleed chance for 5 turns, 4 turn CD), Basic medical use (Able to use medkits), Rip and Tear (Good attack, 25% bleed chance for 5 turns, 5 turn CD)
  338.  
  339. Inventory: Red Headband, Bit pouch (2 bits), Karate Instruction Manual (Raises HtH combat ability)
  340.  
  341. Equipped: Avian Leather Salet (+2 PD), Avian Leather Harness (+3 PD), Avian Leather Gloves (Modified: Fingerless, +1 PD), Avian Leather Greaves (+2 PD), Enchanted Talonguard Bracers (+12 MD), Thick Winter Coat. Sword of the Windigo Spirit (2H, +20 PA/+25 MA, Grants ability Frost Nova)
  342.  
  343. >IRON WILL: [HP: 268/275][Stats: +10 PD / +10 PA wep]
  344.  
  345. Abilities: Minotaur hide (+10 PD), Pummel (Basic attack), Charge (+25 PA, 2 turn CD), Enrage (+75% PA, -25% PD for 5 turns, 8 turn CD), Assertive Annihilation (Good attack, 50% chance to stun for 3 turns, 5 turn CD), OOOH YEEAAAH (Increases Party defense by 25% for 3 turns, 6 turn CD), Frost Nova (+75 MA AoE solid, immobilizes for 3 turns, 5tcd)
  346.  
  347. Inventory: Protein Shakes (3, increases HP by 20 temporarily), Bit pouch (37 bits), Coupon to Maregaze’s M&S Lover’s ‘Retreat’ (20% discount for one checkout)
  348.  
  349. Equipped: Pure rock hard knuckles (+10 PA base), Microphone (Increases voice volume at will), Necktie, Thick Winter Coat
  350.  
  351.  
  352. >Known recipes:
  353. >Alchemy:
  354. Sleeping Darts [3 red herbs, 2 blue herbs, makes 3] (Mats for 1)
  355. Healing Potion [1 wisp weed, 2 lifeleaf, 1 rizzleberry bunch, makes 2 large potions/4 medium/6 small] (Mats for 3)
  356. Smokescreen Bomb [1 Haze flower, 1 Ounce of Combustible powder, 1 Fuse, makes 1] (Mats for 1)
  357. Iron Hide Brew [1 small gem, 1 Yeti hair, 1 cup of Gypsum, makes 5] (Mats for 2)
  358. Flask of Lucky Tithings [Requires Moderate Alchemy skill, 2 Haze flowers, 2 rizzleberry bunches, 4 Four-leaf clovers, makes 1]
  359. Amare Potion [3 red herbs, 1 small healing potion, 1 aphrodisiac, 1 hair of the intended target, makes 1]
  360. >Engineering:
  361. Scooter [1 Wheel & Axle, 1 2x4 plank of wood, 1 Wooden handle, 1 Handful of bolts]
  362. Defibrillator [2 Tin pads, 2 insulated handles, 1 Electric manifold, 1 Dial mechanism, 2 strong magnets]
  363. Caravan [Requires Moderate Engineering skill, 10 2x4 planks of wood, 8 handfuls of bolts, 2 Wheel & Axles, 1 Leather reign, 1 tarp, 2 wooden handles]
  364. Clockwork Robot [Requires Expert Engineering skill, 1 Robotic Catalyst, 1 Circuit board, 3 Electric manifolds, 1 Suncore, 12 handfuls of bolts, Speak with Frizzy Gear]
  365. Kablooie-mite [Requires Moderate Engineering skill, 4 ounces of Combustible powder, 4 ounces of Kablooie powder, 1 fuse, 1 Insulated handle]
  366. Multi-Tool [1 Screwdriver, 1 Pair of pliers, 1 metal pipe, 1 metal file, 1 Pair of scissors, 1 socket wrench, 1 Nail hammer, 1 Corkscrew]
  367. >Medical:
  368. Medkit [1 Roll of Gauze, 1 Bottle of isopropyl alcohol, 1 set of bandages, 1 Needle & String]
  369. >Used Brew potion
  370. >Large Healing potion, 3 batches selected [3 hours]
  371. >Sleeping darts, 1 batch selected [30 minutes]
  372. >Iron-Hide Brew, 2 batches selected [1 hour]
  373.  
  374. >Total time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
  375. >It is currently 12:30 A.M.
  376. >Would you like to brew these items? Y/N
  377.  
  378.  
  379. >Removed Healing potions
  380.  
  381. >Sleeping Darts and Iron-Hide Brew selected
  382. >Total time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
  383. [BREWING . . .]
  384.  
  385. >…
  386. [ACQUIRED 3 SLEEPING DARTS, 10 IRON HIDE BREWS]
  387. [-3 red herbs, -2 blue herbs, -2 Yeti Hairs, -2 small gems, -2 cups of Gypsum]
  388.  
  389. >You finish up your brew and slowly turn off the burner flame, looking out at the increasingly dimmer campfire.
  390. >The air is still, and all of your party members are sleeping peacefully.
  391. >You decide to go mining while the night is still young, and text out that pickaxe.
  392. >Go Bruce Campbell on those veiny asses.
  393. >You pick up your torch and start down the right side of the cave, but it branches off into six different paths, all with no discernable difference.
  394. >Berry didn’t tell you or mark anything, damn.
  395. >First through sixth path.
  396. >Which path do you take?
  397.  
  398.  
  399. >You decide to go for the fourth path, being sure to move a few rocks along the bottom so you know that you entered this one already.
  400. >It takes you a few minutes to find it, but there is a vein in this tunnel near the end.
  401. >It’s rough and black, but smells like sulfur.
  402. >Sounds like coal.
  403. >Raising your pickaxe, you get to work.
  404. >Used Mine
  405.  
  406. [MINING . . .]
  407. >You don’t really know what you’re doing, and you chip off a lot of the usable coal.
  408. [You found 1 small gem and 1 piece of coal.]
  409. >…
  410.  
  411. >You head back through the tunnels and make your way to the campsite, where everyone is still fast asleep.
  412. >With nothing else to do for the night, you put the last of your accumulated firewood on the fire, and you take what sticks and rags you have to make a few more torches.
  413. [-5 rags from Berry’s inventory, -1 bundle of sticks]
  414. [ACQUIRED 5 TORCHES]
  415. >You see that the majority of your party’s torches have been extinguished, so you replace the lowest ones and add them to the fire.
  416. >You sit for a while until the last of your time was up, then you crawl over to Redheart’s blanket, slowly beginning to shake her awake.
  417. “Red… Babe, hey. Your turn.”
  418. >She slowly yawns and rubs her eyes awake, and gives you a groggy smile.
  419. >”Alright… Who was next..?”
  420. “Iron.”
  421. >”Got it… Night, Anon.”
  422. “Night.”
  423. >You slowly switch spots with her as she gets up and stretches out her legs, eventually taking to sitting down as you drift off to sleep….
  424. >…
  425. [Party rested. 80% HP regained and all status effects removed!]
  426. >…
  427. >You wake up with a start, getting shaken with a heavy… hand.
  428. >”Time to go, brother! You’re pullin’ the sled with Gable, for the record, so you might wanna limber up. Ol’ Iron’s gonna take a little break with his sweetheart.”
  429. >As if he didn’t get enough last night.
  430. >You get yourself up and see that the campfire has dwindled to virtually nothing.
  431. >Then it becomes nothing as an iron-clad paw stamps on it.
  432. >Your eyes drift upward to Gable’s raised eyebrow.
  433. >”Well? We need to get going.”
  434. >You look around and see that the party’s all ready, with the mares all having a little conversation with themselves.
  435. >It is currently 8:05 A.M.
  436. >What would you like to do?
  437.  
  438. >You get up and get your gear adjusted, seeing the two comatose guards on the sled at least getting the last bit of fire from your torch.
  439. >There’s something you want to do in here before leaving, but you need to make it quick.
  440. “Hey Berry!”
  441. >She looks back over at you mid-drink.
  442. “I'm going to take a crack at those veins for a couple minutes, just so we're not dirt-poor when we get back to the Empire. Promise it'll be quick and painless! I need your help finding them though, Berry.”
  443. >She rolls her eyes and finishes downing a nice morning dose of rum to wash out the protein shake that Iron was talking about before, and she joins your side as you start walking back into the tunnels.
  444. >”I’ll be back soon, so don’t tell me what happened with the dragon dude until I get back!”
  445. >Applejack nods, chuckling a little.
  446. >”Will do, Ber.”
  447. >You and Berry walk through the still dim tunnels until you reach the path divergence.
  448. “Okay, so which tunnels have what?”
  449. >”Ugh, you’re hopeless. You couldn’t do this last night?”
  450. >She leads you into the first path, taking you to each of the veins for your mining pleasure, to her dismay.
  451. >So you pick up your axe, and get some real hard workin’ work worked.
  452. [MINING . . .]
  453. >Gem Vein
  454. >You’re trying to be careful not to scratch any of the gems to keep their quality, but it’s very difficult and leaves you with little profit.
  455. >You receive 10 small gems.
  456.  
  457. [MINING . . .]
  458. >Iron Vein
  459. >You have no idea what is rock and what is iron until you smack into it, and you end up ruining much of the profit, but you still get some.
  460. >You receive 4 iron ingots and 1 platinum ingot.
  461.  
  462. [Mining . . .]
  463. >Crystal Vein
  464. >There’s no way you’re going to be able to salvage such delicate material, so you simply try your best to take out each piece strike by strike.
  465. >You find 6 small mana crystals and an Uncut Ruby!
  466.  
  467. >…
  468. >With your lucky find at the crystal vein, you’re much happier.
  469. >As you walk back with her, you have a thought.
  470. “Hey Berry, I see you have a chest. Any chance I could try unlocking it?”
  471. >”Uh, sure. 50% finder’s fee for whatever’s inside, though!”
  472. >You nod with a playful grin as you take the chest off her back, looking at the lock.
  473. >There are no tumblers on this lock.
  474. >It’s some blue-tinted chain wrapped around the lid that doesn’t move no matter which way you move it.
  475. >Do you want to try and open the lock a different way on the way back?
  476.  
  477.  
  478.  
  479.  
  480. >Without any real way to do it yourself, you give the chest back to Berry.
  481. >”What, can’t blast it open?”
  482. “Not without damaging what’s on the inside… I have better control, but not that much. I’m thinking there’s a store out in the Crystal Empire that might be able to undo that chain.”
  483. >She rolls her eyes again and shifts the weight with the chest back on her back, then takes a drink from her flask.
  484. >”So, I actually have a question for you.”
  485. >You glance at her, the natural light of the torch being the only thing that allows you to see the curious expression on Berry’s face.
  486. >”You and Red, you know… gettin’ pretty serious, right?”
  487. “Er… I suppose.”
  488. >”I know, hasn’t been very long, maybe two and a half weeks. I just happened to start thinking about your whole situation…”
  489. >You’re pretty sure you know where she’s going with this.
  490. >However, she’s interrupted by the sudden transition of the small, confined tunnel walls turning into the grand cavern that your party had made its resting ground last night.
  491. >The rest of the party has already gathered their things and everything is set, and you wave at them.
  492. “Alright, let’s go. We need to get to Cadance as quickly as possible, but if you guys see any veins, tell me. It shouldn’t take long to knock those bad boys out.”
  493. >”It’s about time, c’mon Anon. I went faster than ya when I was just an icecube, sugarcube.”
  494. >Gable gives you a devious smirk as you take Iron’s place at the sled’s reigns, strapping the ropes over your chest.
  495. >You begin to pull along with him, and your party soon exits the cave, being rather close to the other side.
  496. >When the mouth opens up into the world beyond, the snow has more or less subsided, though it is still falling.
  497. >Definitely much warmer than last night.
  498. >As your party begins to return to the city, Berry lags behind the group and starts trotting next to you on your far side away from Gable.
  499. >”Sorry, anyways. Let me just get straight to the point… Pinkie likes you, dude.”
  500. >You nearly trip and send the sled down the hill you are climbing, eliciting a familiar tone from Gable.
  501. >”Hey! I know you only got two legs, but can you try to keep balance, skinbag?”
  502. >You manage to recompose yourself.
  503. “W-w-what?”
  504. >Nice.
  505. >”I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but she’s been dropping straight up bombs since like, four or five days ago, and probably before that. I don’t remember, probably too buzzed, but you know.”
  506. “…”
  507. >”C’mon, I didn’t tell you to mess anything you got goin’ up! My question is… How’s the whole thing with convincing Red going?”
  508. >What do you say?
  509.  
  510. "We've gotten… well, further in theory. Still need to get some 'empirical data', as it were.”
  511. >She gives you a funny look.
  512. >”Don’t turn into a geek, please.”
  513. “Honestly, what we need right now is a night where nobody's dying or possessed or trapped in a rock slide, to just show her a good time, know what I mean? Wouldn't be fair to ask her to indulge me without obliging her requests, y'know?"
  514. >”Her requests?”
  515. “Yea- Oh, no, I’m not-”
  516. >”You’re telling me.”
  517. “I can’t just go ar-”
  518. >”I’ll tell everyone here something else if you don’t tell me right now.”
  519. >Berry challenges you with one of the most steeled stares you’ve ever been given.
  520. >She takes her gossip extra juicy.
  521. >And you don’t want to fuck anything up, especially with all that’s been going on.
  522. “Well, she wants to… switch roles… if you get me.”
  523. >Berry’s muzzle scrunches in concentration, but to no avail.
  524. >”Gonna have to be a little clearer.”
  525. >All of a sudden, Gable’s voice chimes in.
  526. >”She wants to be the man in the sex life.”
  527. >Berry’s eyes grow wide in understanding.
  528. >You can’t help but think about his gryphon-ass piece of sh-
  529. >”She’s a pegger?! Wooow, I never woulda thunk it!”
  530. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to talk to Gable for a second.”
  531. >She snickers uncontrollably as she rushes her way through the heavy snow, presumably to tell the others.
  532. >You’re probably going to die, but Berry said she wouldn’t mess anything up.
  533. >You’ll see.
  534. >”Private conversation?”
  535. “Yeah, actually, but that’s not important. Just had some questions for you.”
  536. >You both stop for a quick moment to pull the sled over a particularly steep hill of snow and ice, and continue afterwards.
  537. “You ever think about where you wanted to live?”
  538. >Gable sighs, flapping out his wings to stretch them after having them pulled down by the rope all this time.
  539. >”I can’t say that I have. I’ve been too busy watching your ass.”
  540. “True.. But I just wanted to suggest Ponyville to you.”
  541. >”Oh boy.”
  542. “No, seriously! Trust me, when you get there you’ll fall in love with all the residents and everything that’s there. It’s a nice little village that’s peaceful and tranquil, at least when it isn’t getting destroyed by shadows.”
  543. >The both of you share a small laugh.
  544. “If you really need to, you could go into the Everfree forest too, it’s bordered right off there. A place to grind with your sword.”
  545. >He takes a look at his new weapon, looking a little sad already that he hasn’t gotten to use it yet.
  546. “Or you could use it to help defend the town from whatever threats they might attract in the future. They could use a real fighter like you, you know.”
  547. >”Aren’t you one?”
  548. >You smile and take a small glance at the markings on your palm.
  549. >”Maybe… But I like to think I’m a doctor first, fighter second. But, it’s just a thought. I don’t even know how much houses cost here anyways.”
  550. >Gable shrugs.
  551. >”Just depends on the venue. If you really throw me into a dirty vat like Ponyville, it couldn’t be more than 5,000 bits to foreclose on a good home… My goal’s in the Gryphon Kingdom, though.”
  552. “There’s a gryphon kingdom?”
  553. >Gable looks a little offended.
  554. >”Of course there is, where do you think we come from?”
  555. >You never really thought about it.
  556. >To be quaint, you figured all the races just lived in harmony.
  557. >Guess that’s not the case. Just like home.
  558. >”It’s a whole other country. Much different than here, anyways. I’ve got my eye on a city called Reigetalon. That’s where my old friend Gordrai lives.”
  559. “Grodrai?”
  560. >”Yeah. Friend and teacher, anyways. Taught me everything I know.”
  561. >So he wants to go live with his old friend.
  562. “Good to know.”
  563. >”I really hope you come through with your promises, Anon. Otherwise I’d be stuck in hell.”
  564. >You’re very aware.
  565. >After this, the conversation dies down, and your curiosity begins to perk in the silence.
  566. >Your gaze keeps wandering towards Pinkie, whom you’ve noticed is much less cheery than the beginning of this whole journey.
  567. “Hey Pinkie?”
  568. >Hearing her name, her ears perk up and she looks back.
  569. >”Oh, hi Nonny!”
  570. “Can we talk for a little bit? Really bored back here.”
  571. >A genuine smile plants itself on her face, and she leaps back to your side.
  572. >A single leap.
  573. >Through the snow.
  574. “…Well, uh, thanks.”
  575. >”So what’s in that noggin of yours, Nonny? I had stuff in my noggin but I had to clean it out one day but it’s better now but there could still be some in there ‘cause one time a few days ago I was bouncing my head back and forth and I heard a lot of rattles--”
  576. “Pinkie!”
  577. >”Oh, sorry!”
  578. “It’s alright. I just wanted to ask you something.”
  579. >She gives you a smile, but it wasn’t quite as bright as before.
  580. “…You're looking kind of down, Ms. Party Pony. Anything you wanna talk about? I'm all ears.”
  581. >Once she knows you’ve noticed, she seems to perk down, her mane growing ever flatter.
  582. >”Oh.. I-I’m fine, it’s really okay. I’m just a little in the dumps ‘cause of Dashie and I just hope she’s okay.”
  583. >That’s probably a real reason, but it’s not why she’s like this.
  584. “I miss her too. We’ll get her back, don’t worry. But… I don’t think that’s all. What’s on your mind, Pinkie? I won’t tell anypony else.”
  585. >She looks up at you with those big blue saucers for eyes.
  586. “Trust me. I wouldn’t ever do anything to harm you.”
  587. >”Uhm… I gotta go!”
  588. >She begins to trudge forward to leave the conversation.
  589. >Should you press further, or let it go for now?
  590.  
  591. >You need to make sure she’s okay.
  592. “Please tell me what's going on. I might not be able to help with whatever you're feeling, but you know I care about you and support you. There’s nothing in this world I wouldn't do for you, Pinkie. Please tell me.”
  593. >Pinkie looks back at you, and if it weren’t for the snow clouding your vision, you would swear you see tears in her eyes.
  594. >Whatever it might be goes away quickly, but she bounds back and raises herself up to your ear for a moment, whispering.
  595. >”I’ll tell you later if we can be alone… I don’t want anypony else overhearing, kay?”
  596. >You nod at her, and a warmth overtakes you cheek before Pinkie returns to her friends out in the front.
  597. >She just kissed you.
  598. >It’s much more serious than last time.
  599. >You definitely want to make sure to catch her alone at some point.
  600. >At least she said she’d let you in, and that’s all you need.
  601. >Now to hurry along.
  602. >…
  603. >You didn’t get much time to practice your magic since you’re lugging this sled around, so that’s a bust.
  604. >You and your party come across the convergence of the three roads you initially passed yesterday, which means you’re very close.
  605. >You can even see the bubble protecting the city from here.
  606. >In front of you, the road leads on towards the city.
  607. >To the right, however, is a small dark crevice with multiple colorful gleams inside.
  608. >To the left is an interesting sink of snow like a valley, and there’s something sticking out of it.
  609. >Where would you like to go?
  610.  
  611. >You steadily let down the ropes to the sled and start walking to the left.
  612. “I’ll just be a second, guys. I want to check this out real quick.”
  613. >The party acknowledges your action, Redheart doing so vocally.
  614. >”Just be careful, babe!”
  615. >You slowly approach the dense snow-filled area, and you try and be careful not to slip in.
  616. >That fails.
  617. >Your feet slip out from under you as the snow begins to trail directly into the object that was protruding from it.
  618. >It’s some sort of ice patch that reflects the light, disguising what this truly is.
  619. >It’s a sinkhole.
  620. >You aren’t even able to pull yourself up!
  621. >You hear the yells and screams of your party members, and you even feel a rope try and catch around your wrist.
  622. >It misses, as you’re already sinking into the center.
  623. >Snow and ice piles on top of you and begins to suffocate you, burning your skin with the cold and death that embraces you quickly.
  624. >You feel your life slip away as your lungs are blocked by the packed snow.
  625. [You have died.]
  626.  
  627. >…
  628. >You feel your body slipping into a dark, unfeeling abyss, and flashes of light begin to circle around you, revealing your most recent memories as the brightest.
  629. >You see yourself in many of these memories…
  630. -You see a group of mares breaking ground through the snow in front of you.
  631. -You see darkness all around, the only light being the glint of a claw.
  632. -You see a gryphon in front of you, about to strike him down with your own hand.
  633.  
  634. >But you also see a wide, swirling portal above these memories, a powerful feeling surging through your mind when you look at it.
  635. >Where would you like to return to?
  636.  
  637.  
  638. >You see the portal, but you can’t seem to will yourself towards it.
  639. >But you look down, and only see that your body has been left behind.
  640. >Your mind warps through the portal at intense speeds, until you feel it being stretched beyond infinite measure…
  641.  
  642. …
  643. [REDIRECTING MIND…]
  644. >…
  645.  
  646. >”PULL HIM OUT! PLEASE!”
  647. >”AH’M TRYIN’, HE WON’T BUDGE!”
  648. >”Get out of the way, let me do it!”
  649. >You are Redheart.
  650. >And you’re standing in the middle of the tundra, watching him die.
  651. >Maybe it’s too late.
  652. >Maybe he’s already dead.
  653. >But you can’t do anything about it.
  654. >You watch as Gable and AJ and Iron Will dig through the snow, trying to reach the fallen hero…
  655. >But it’s too late.
  656. >You know it’s too late.
  657. >He’s gone, and you’ll never see him again.
  658. >Pinkie and Berry are trying to help them, but they know it’s all futile.
  659. >You slowly sit on the ground, your tears unbridled as they slide into the fur under your cheeks.
  660. >It takes everyone a moment to realize what you’ve known from the start.
  661. >They look at you, and their faces fall.
  662. >AJ, Pinkie and Berry slowly walk over to you, putting hooves around you as you hear them sniffling… sobbing… crying.
  663. >It’s been too long.
  664. >He’s beyond saving.
  665. >Gable and Iron Will come to terms with this, snow buried in their hands and talons and staring at the new grave of Anonymous.
  666. >He’s gone.
  667. >And you don’t know how to keep going.
  668. >You all stare at the hole that claimed him, the tears freezing within the tundra.
  669. “Please… Let him come back… Anon… I love you… please don’t go…”
  670.  
  671.  
  672. >You feel your mind slipping away from the scene of the friends you’ve come to make and realize that it was all what happened when you passed.
  673. >You are determined not to make the same mistake.
  674. >You return to the field of memories, and you select the snowstorm, your mind plunging into the depths of reality itself.
  675. >…
  676.  
  677. [SAVE FILE LOADED]
  678.  
  679.  
  680. >You need to make sure she’s okay.
  681. “Please tell me what's going on. I might not be able to help with whatever you're feeling, but you know I care about you and support you. There’s nothing in this world I wouldn't do for you, Pinkie. Please tell me.”
  682. >Pinkie looks back at you, and if it weren’t for the snow clouding your vision, you would swear you see tears in her eyes.
  683. >Whatever it might be goes away quickly, but she bounds back and raises herself up to your ear for a moment, whispering.
  684. >”I’ll tell you later if we can be alone… I don’t want anypony else overhearing, kay?”
  685. >You nod at her, and a warmth overtakes you cheek before Pinkie returns to her friends out in the front.
  686. >She just kissed you.
  687. >It’s much more serious than last time.
  688. >You definitely want to make sure to catch her alone at some point.
  689. >At least she said she’d let you in, and that’s all you need.
  690. >Now to hurry along.
  691. >…
  692. >You didn’t get much time to practice your magic since you’re lugging this sled around, so that’s a bust.
  693. >You and your party come across the convergence of the three roads you initially passed yesterday, which means you’re very close.
  694. >You can even see the bubble protecting the city from here.
  695. >In front of you, the road leads on towards the city.
  696. >To the right, however, is a small dark crevice with multiple colorful gleams inside.
  697. >To the left is an interesting sink of snow like a valley, and there’s something sticking out of it.
  698. >You have a very innate sense telling you not to go to the left.
  699. >Where would you like to go?
  700.  
  701. >You pull out your phone in a sense of forethought suddenly finding its way to your conscious mind, and try to open it up to the camera app.
  702. >When you attempt to turn on the phone, the button suddenly becomes stuck in its casing.
  703. >It’s far too frozen to operate in such frigid temperatures right now.
  704. “So much for that…”
  705. >Where would you like to go?
  706.  
  707.  
  708. >You set down the ropes on your sled and pull up your torch.
  709. “I’m just gonna check out this little crevice here real quick. I won’t be long at all.”
  710. >Gable sighs and pulls the ropes off him as well.
  711. >”Good, thank you. IRON!”
  712. >Iron looks back from the front of the group and starts to approach Gable as you yell out to the party, already beginning to climb down the hillside.
  713. “I’ll let you guys know if there’s something up if my gun goes off. Like I said, I’ll be quick about it!”
  714. >”Got it!”
  715. >You hear idle conversation and a careful statement from Redheart to you as you make your way down, torch in front as you begin to inspect the cavity in the ground.
  716. >The gleaming comes closer in your eyes, and from the torch’s light, you can finally see it in greater detail.
  717. >It’s a node with a whole lot of gems!
  718. >These are big gems, with some rare ones inside, too.
  719. >Your free hand goes to the pickaxe being held behind your bag, but then you notice something.
  720. >It’s not a node.
  721. >The gems are sticking out of something grey, but it’s not rock… it’s fur.
  722. “Oh boy…”
  723. >Your slip of the tongue makes the fake node twitch, and all of a sudden you see paws flying out of the crevice and landing right in front of you.
  724. >It’s a snow leopard, and it’s pissed.
  725. >The eyes are sunken in and the skin is much paler, but it isn’t quite corrupted yet.
  726. >What you’re wondering though is why it has gems sticking out of its body.
  727. >Yet… It’s not attacking you.
  728. >It’s baring its teeth and probably wants to kill you, but it’s not coming after you like the bears or the other animals.
  729. >What do you do?
  730.  
  731. >Your free hand moves from the pickaxe to the blowdart on the loop of your belt, and you slowly load it with a sleeping dart.
  732. “Good leopard… you’re doing just fine… stay there…”
  733. >You try your best not to make any sudden movements as you raise the blowdart to your lips, aiming carefully as you line up the sight between your eyes directly at the leopard.
  734. >Then you blow!
  735. >The dart catches on the wind, and it misses!
  736. “FOR FUCK’S SAKE!”
  737. >The leopard is angered by this act of aggression and roars at you, lifting itself out of the snow and pouncing for you!
  738.  
  739. [BATTLE START] [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcPPgqT3VfU ]
  740. Anon: [HP: 130/130][MP: 20/20]
  741. Gem Leopard: [HP: 500/500]
  742. >Gem Leopard is too fast, attacking you first!
  743. [AWAITING ENEMY ATTACK…]
  744. >Gem Leopard attacks you with Pounce!
  745. >7 (+75 PA) = >82<
  746. >You manage to dodge some of it and avoid suffering major bleeding!
  747. [-20 PD]
  748. >62<
  749. Anon: [HP: 68/130][MP: 20/20]
  750. [AWAITING BATTLE COMMANDS]
  751. 1
  752. [ANONYMOUS]
  753. >Used Shoot dart!
  754. >You blow through the blowdart once more…
  755. >But it misses!
  756. “I really should’ve learned this from Zecora during the daytime…”
  757. [AWAITING ENEMY ATTACK…]
  758. >Gem Leopard attacks you with Shine Swipe!
  759. >2/2 (+40 PA/+20 MA) = >64<
  760. [-20 PD, -25 MD]
  761. >22<
  762. Anon: [HP: 46/130][MP: 20/20] “Ghh, not good…”
  763. [AWAITING BATTLE COMMANDS]
  764. 2
  765. [ANONYMOUS]
  766. >Used Shoot Dart!
  767. >You load up your blowdart one more time, firing with cautious precision!
  768. >The dart slices through the air with powerful projectile speed and injects the contents into the Gem Leopard’s neck!
  769. >Gem Leopard is asleep!
  770. [AWAITING BATTLE COMMANDS]
  771. 3
  772.  
  773. [ANONYMOUS]
  774. >Ran away from battle!
  775. >…
  776. >You quickly throw yourself up the hill, and by the time you make it to the crest where your party is, you’re slashed, bloodied and panting heavily.
  777. >They notice instantly, Red rushing over to you.
  778. >”Oh Celestia, what happened to you, Anon?”
  779. “… Leopard… gems… all over it…”
  780. >You look up and you can almost see the cash signs in Iron Will’s eyes.
  781. >“Brother, do you know how much those gems on that pussy’s back are?!”
  782. “…N-no..”
  783. >He comes up to you and meets you eye level.
  784. >”Let me put it this way… Ching. Ching. Ching.”
  785. >Interesting, but you’re bleeding out once again because of your curious nature.
  786. >What would you like to do?
  787.  
  788.  
  789. >Used medkit
  790. >25% (+50% skil) = 75%
  791. >+98 HP<
  792. Anon: [HP: 130/130][MP: 20/20]
  793.  
  794. >After you finish patching yourself up, you look at the six of them intently.
  795. “Okay… I shot the thing with a sleeping dart, so it should be knocked out. Come with me real quick in case it gets back up, okay?”
  796. >The party comes with you down the hill, leading them to the leopard that still has the dart sticking out of its neck.
  797. >”Woah, what happened here?”
  798. >You turn to them with a sheepish grin.
  799. “Well, I ran into this Gem Leopard here. Then my inner Jew got the better of me.”
  800. >Gable looks at you like you’re a nutcase.
  801. >”Your inner what?”
  802. >Not feeling like going into details, you respond.
  803. “I got greedy.”
  804. >There is a collective “oh”, then you speak.
  805. “I thought we could use the money, so I tried blowing a dart at it to put it to sleep. I missed, and it attacked.”
  806. >Gable steps forward.
  807. >”So, it’s asleep now. We could use this as a chance to take the gems, or leave it be.”
  808. >Applejack responds.
  809. >”That’s true, and we really COULD use the bits… What do y’all suppose we do with it?”
  810. >Next up is Berry.
  811. >”Really, I’d say take them. It doesn’t hurt to have those things removed, right?”
  812. >Redheart shakes her head.
  813. >”I’ve seen some studies on them. It’s almost the same as trimming their hair, or cutting their claws.”
  814. >Iron Will crosses his bulky arms.
  815. >”The thing is, even if it’s a wild animal, we’d still be taking what belongs to it. Now I’m no animal rights activist, but I’d be pretty ANGRY if someone tried that out on me!”
  816. >He’s got a point.
  817. >The party turns to you, apparently leaving it up to you to decide.
  818. >Do you leave it, or harvest the gems?
  819.  
  820.  
  821.  
  822.  
  823. >You think the leopard just losing a little bit of its possessions in return for curing it is more than comeuppance for it.
  824. “Alright AJ, can you tie it up real quick?”
  825. >You both look at each other and AJ simply pulls back her hat so you can see the full extent of her rolling eyes.
  826. >”Uh, I’m not all that sure if your head’s been knocked or not, but the ropes are busy tyin’ down the blanket over the dyin’ guards.”
  827. >Oh, that’s right.
  828. >If you take off the ropes, the blanket will fly away and that would probably kill them being out here in the cold like this, as weak as they are.
  829. >You take a look at your darts to load another one up, but you see that you don’t have any left.
  830. >What do you do?
  831.  
  832.  
  833. “Okay… I’m just going to do this carefully, then. Stand back in case he wakes up and wants to kill everyone.”
  834. >AJ does as you say, treading backwards to join the rest of the party as you approach it.
  835. >With a sleight of hand and careful fingers, you very cautiously begin to prick off the lightest gems off of the Leopard’s skin first.
  836. >Each time you do it, there’s a slight twitch on its face, but it stays asleep.
  837. >Your party watches over your shoulder, wincing at each prick like it’s surgery.
  838. >…
  839. >You somehow manage to harvest the majority of the gems on the leopard without awaking it.
  840. >The only one left was the one on its forehead, but it’s bored in too deeply to take without most likely bleeding it out, so you leave it alone.
  841. >Once this is done, you set the gems inside your bag for safe keeping.
  842. [You have taken 5 large gems, 4 medium gems and 12 small gems from the leopard, amounting to 2,000 bits!]
  843. >You finish up and stand up, and wave everyone back.
  844. “What did I say before? Stand back already, this is the hard part.”
  845. >Berry’s eyebrows raise.
  846. >”Pulling its gems wasn’t the hard part?”
  847. >You respond by turning back to the sleeping leopard, and raising your marked hands towards it.
  848. >A familiar sensation creeps up your arms and spine as you lower them towards it, closer and closer towards its eyes until you’re mere inches away.
  849. >Suddenly, it’s eyes open as the corruption begins to feed directly over your arms like a typhoon, and it roars at your interference.
  850. >However, it doesn’t move, knowing that you’re helping it.
  851. >As the corruption completely removes itself from the leopard, its eyes return to their normal size, its fur whitens like snow, and it bounds off to get as far away as possible from the shadow that is now closing in on your arms.
  852. >You feel the presence of the power circling, mimicking your markings just like before.
  853. >Do you let it absorb, or do you shake it off?
  854.  
  855.  
  856. >Not again.
  857. >The memories rage inside your mind from what happened before, and you aren’t about to let it happen again.
  858. >With as much force as you can muster, your markings glow the bright red that they’re supposed to, and you throw them off with as much magical power as you can.
  859. >The shadow disintegrates as its thrown off, unable to survive without a host.
  860. >You watch it shred into the wind, and you feel a little warmer inside.
  861. >As if the markings were sentient, they seem to give off a bit of extra heat to help you in these cold temperatures as a reward for fending off the corruption this time.
  862. >Your group does something similar.
  863. >”Now that was a show, wasn’t it?”
  864. >”Anon, I’m getting you some extra drinks for that!”
  865. >”That was so cool, Nonny! You were like ‘woosh’ and ‘BLEE’ and those shadow thingies just totally ripped apart and-”
  866. >Redheart cuts your attention off by pulling you down and giving you a kiss.
  867. >When you part, the rest of the party isn’t so talkative anymore.
  868. >Red doesn’t seem to mind, though.
  869. >”Keep doing that and we might actually survive all of this, hmhm.”
  870. >You’re much warmer, now.
  871. >Tighter, too.
  872. “Alright… That’s all finished up, so I guess we should get going. Still have a lot more to do, especially with what might’ve happened to Cadance.”
  873. >You and your party then climb the hill wordlessly, you and Iron Will taking up the ropes as Gable rests his wings, and you all set off.
  874. >With nothing else to come across on the path, you are headed back to the Crystal Empire, now.
  875. >Is there anything you’d like to do on the way?
  876.  
  877. >You wait a little while, pulling along the sled until you and your party finally reach the outskirts of the city.
  878. >When they get near, the mares up front whoop and cheer as they rush through the snow to get past the protective shield, and you and Iron follow them inside.
  879. >The rush of much warmer air is like a godsend to them.
  880. >AJ breaths in the heat to expand her lungs, a smile plastered on her muzzle.
  881. >”I am so glad we’re outta that mess! I could go for some homemade, fresh out of the oven apple pie right about now.”
  882. >Pinkie nods in tandem.
  883. >”There’s a whole lot of restaurants around here and with the gems that Anon got we can all go out to eat!”
  884. >Red stops them both.
  885. >”As much as I’d like to take a nice break, we need to talk to Princess Cadance. And get these stallions down to the hospital. And deliver the ID’s back to the station. Tell Twilight about what’s happened, too…”
  886. “We’ve got a lot of stuff to do. I’ve actually been thinking on it, and would you guys be down for a quick split-up? I'm thinking especially in regards to those guards, time's kind of of the essence, so we should maybe divvy up a few tasks.”
  887. >Each of them look at each other.
  888. >Being together for such trying times has made them all a little closer, and were slightly hesitant in parting.
  889. >They all understood, however, and gave their acceptance.
  890. >”I need to get down to Maregaze’s anyways and put this coupon to use, ohh yeah.”
  891. >”You better get what I want, Will-- Oh, uh, yeah, that’s cool.”
  892. >”Neato! Can I come?”
  893. >”We’re not going there again, sugarcube.”
  894. >”Anon, let’s get on with this before they start arguing again.”
  895. >You nod at Gable’s advice, and everyone stops to listen to your words.
  896. “Alright, let’s see here… Red, hon, you've talked to the staff there, if you and AJ could take the guards to the hospital, hopefully get them comfortable and stable, that'd be great. Might also ask if there's anyone else with their condition, maybe we can cure everyone afflicted in one go. Take the container of corruption we got at the outpost, too, the more they know the better they can hopefully research. Make sure they know it's hazmat, wouldn't want anyone corrupted.”
  897. [Berry gives Redheart the Bowl of Shadowy Substance.]
  898. >Red nods, but AJ rubs her head being a bit confused.
  899. >”Uh, why am I goin’ there with her? I don’t really know much about medical mumbo jumbo.”
  900. “Well, she can’t really pull the sled by herself and I wouldn’t let her do that. I got jobs for everyone here, as well, but she needs your help the most. You’re still the physically toughest out of all of us.
  901. >Iron raises a finger to protest, but without even looking you raise your hand and stop him.
  902. “Gable, could you maybe do a quick fly-over to the alchemist shop, uh, Fortuna Potions, and see if there's a way to get that chest we found open? If it's locked up with magic, it's probably worth enough to warrant it, right?”
  903. >”Unlocker’s fee.”
  904. >You roll your eyes as you motion for Berry to give him the chest.
  905. “Fine, but we’re going to need the funds for our journey anyways.”
  906. [Berry gives Gable the Locked Chest.]
  907. “Will, you know about these gems, at least enough to appraise them?”
  908. >He nods while messing with his horn, like he’s cleaning it.
  909. >”Sure do, brother! I deal with gems all the time with the ponies that can’t pay me in bits.”
  910. “Take 'em down to Tricks and Needles and see if you could get a fair price for them if you may. If it comes up a tiny bit short, don't sweat it, we owe Ms. Stringtie big time for these coats anyways. Heck, while we're at it, take the yeti hide and ask her if there's anything she can do with it; not that I don't like the tie, man, but a bit of armor might look sharp on you too.”
  911. >Iron starts pounding his chest.
  912. >”Does it look like I need any armor, small fry? Let me tell you a little story about the time I wrestled a --”
  913. [You give Iron Will the Yeti Hide.]
  914. >More like you threw it in his face.
  915. “Everyone needs a bit of extra protection, just in case. Like I said though, it’d probably go good with the tie.”
  916. >Iron starts feeling the hide with his fingers, letting the fur brush past his nails.
  917. >”Oh, Iron Will likes quality, and that’s real nice…”
  918. “Berry, let the guards down at the station know that two of their own have been checked into the hospital. Take their badges as proof, and tell them what happened.. If they ask about Tidal Wave, which they most likely will, show them the journal. And… pass along our condolences, too.”
  919. >Berry nods solemnly, but you decide to add something.
  920. “Oh, and can you tell them Doctor Anonymous is on the case about this whole black eyed sickness thing? Get them to tell the ponies in the city so morale’s raised a little bit. I’m not sure if what I’m able to do is a cure or if it’s just a repellant, but we need more time to figure that out… Also, ask them if we can keep the pass so we can talk to Princess Cadance, and Pinkie and I could bring along Princess Twilight Sparkle to help her with her ‘condition’.”
  921. >Everyone suddenly gives you an odd look.
  922. “… What? Was it something I said?”
  923. >AJ clears her throat.
  924. >”Twilight ain’t no princess, Anon. I’ll tell her you said that though, she’ll get a real thrill.”
  925. >Pinkie Pie’s eyes bug out wide.
  926. >”Ooooh, what if Twilight was a princess? That’d be so cool! We’d get to go to the palace anytime we wanted and free rooms and room service and -”
  927. >AJ stops her.
  928. >”But she ain’t one, so let’s not have weirdo fantasies.”
  929. >For some reason, you have an odd existential feeling about something.
  930. “Well, sorry. She just seems to be close to Celestia and she’s very powerful with her magic, I guess it just slipped my mind. But that is the reason I’d like her to come with us when we go to see Cadance, just in case something were to happen.”
  931. >They nod as you continue.
  932. “Now, Pinkie and I need to stop by the library, I want to let Twilight know we got a sample of the corruption and see if Celestia's managed a letter back yet. She'd also be interested in hearing about the interaction between my markings and that corruption. Do you guys think an hour and a half is enough time to get all that done and meet at the library?”
  933. >They each individually calculate their tasks and reassure how long it’d probably take.
  934. >”AJ and I should be fine.”
  935. >”I’ll be good. Iron and I might uh, catch up a little earlier before we come by, though.”
  936. >”What were we going to- Ohoho, right. Yeah, little earlier.”
  937. >Gable nods, wings already prepped for flight.
  938. “If it all checks out… Let’s get this done! When we converge and catch each other up, we’ll see what we can do about getting into the Crystal Palace.”
  939. >They all agree and wave away, each of them going in their own directions, the only one staying with you being Pinkie Pie.
  940. >She smiles at you and starts bouncing in place in anticipation of the coming events.
  941. >You’re pretty sure you’re going to the library.
  942. >What would you like to do?
  943.  
  944. >You look in the direction of your destination.
  945. “Alright Pinkie, you ready?”
  946. >With energy that could rival a nuclear power plant, the pink pony bounces and nods.
  947. >”Uh-huh!”
  948. >With your hands in your pockets, you nod, and begin the trek to your destination.
  949. >Pinkie keeps up with you, walking normally for once.
  950. >The first part of your travel goes by quite silently; neither of you really wanting to start up the inevitable conversation.
  951. >Eventually, you both walk through the gates of the empire.
  952. >You decide that you might be able to make a little small talk to prepare to deal with the elephant in the room.
  953. “I know that we’ve discussed this a bit before, but I just didn’t know if you’d maybe like to talk with me a bit. You know I’m always here to help if you’re down.”
  954. >Pinkie’s eyes drift to the ground for a moment, but they return to yours quickly.
  955. >”Oh, it’s nothing, totally okey-dokey… lokey…”
  956. >Well, this shit’s not working.
  957. >You don’t like being the pushy one, but you’re going to have to be to fix this.
  958. “C’mon Pinkie, you’re no good at masking your emotions. I can’t help unless you tell me what’s wrong.”
  959. >She stays quiet, still looking towards the ground.
  960. >Nothing else comes to your mind to say.
  961. >You are coming up close to the library now.
  962. >Something compels you to keep trying to get through to her.
  963. >You ponder for a moment, until you just decide to wing it.
  964. >That’s it, time to make contact. Literally.
  965. >You place your hand on the pink mare’s back.
  966. >She stops almost instantaneously. You do as well.
  967. >Kneeling down, you look her right in the eyes.
  968. “Pinkie, talk to me. I want to know what’s wrong, I want to HELP you. I can’t stand to see you being torn up inside like this. Do you know why?”
  969. >The pony keeps her gaze downward.
  970. “Look at me.”
  971. >You place your hand under her chin, and pull her head up to face you.
  972. >Her eyes, now brimming with tears move to look into your own.
  973. >”It’s because I care about you too much to just let it continue. So, please. Talk to me.”
  974. >Pinkie’s irises begin to quiver, then a single tear falls from her lower eyelid.
  975. >Her mouth begins to shake in an extremely cartoonish manner, until she unleashes what she has been holding in for so long.
  976. >The sorrowful wails can be heard throughout the city; many of the passers-by look over at the source.
  977. >Now you kind of wish you would have waited until reaching the library before doing this.
  978. >No time to care about your own reputation now, though.
  979. >You’d both probably be kicked out of there for being too loud, anyway.
  980. >For now, you wrap your arms around her, which actually somewhat makes her sobs worse.
  981. >She returns the embrace, nearly cutting off your breathing completely.
  982. “It’s okay, I’m here. Tell me when you’re ready.”
  983. >Pinkie continues to cry on your shoulder for at least four minutes.
  984. >Nothing but crying. No words.
  985. >You swear that you’re taking a shower right now.
  986. >Finally, she composes herself enough to talk in between bouts of tears.
  987. >As you pat her back, you speak in a gentle voice.
  988. “Ready?”
  989. >She nods with her head pressed against your chest.
  990. >”Everything is changing! Nothing is happy anymore, and there is so much fighting!”
  991. “…And you’re included in it?”
  992. >Whoops, maybe not the best choice of words.
  993. >”Don’t remind me… Whenever I’ve fought before, nothing ever died. Now I’ve already accid-dentally… k-k-killed t-two… innocent…”
  994. >The tears start up again, only this time they are quieter.
  995. “It’s okay, you only did what you had to to save yourself and us. There wasn’t any other way.”
  996. >She leans back, looking at you with reddened eyes.
  997. >”But I don’t want it to be that way! I want things to go back to how they were, where I could spend time with my friends, meet new ponies, and make them smile…”
  998. >You try to wrap your arms around her again, but you’re met with resistance.
  999. >”Dashie’s missing and probably somewhere really hurt, we haven’t done anything to find this big mean monster that hurt our friends, and… and…”
  1000. >Her sobbing gets the best of her speech, so you press her on.
  1001. “…And what, Pinkie?”
  1002. >”I CARE ABOUT YOU! Okay!? I just… I like you. I have since we first met, and after you rescued me, I… but you're with Red a-and… Just… Nothing’s going right anymore…”
  1003. >You watch as water forms at the edges of those large sapphire orbs, and the floodgates open yet again.
  1004. >She falls into your body, and even though you can't see her face you feel as though her confession was the last thing protecting her emotions.
  1005. >”…I'm selfish, I know…”
  1006. >You're at a loss for words.
  1007. >How can you possibly fix this?
  1008. >”…Nonny? Y-you… aren't saying anything…”
  1009. >A few ponies have stopped to look at the ongoing scene.
  1010. >All you do is embrace her, letting tears soak into the base of your neck as your arms hold tight to the fur on her back.
  1011. >What would you like to do?
  1012.  
  1013.  
  1014.  
  1015. >You were completely clueless to everything Pinkie’s done, but in hindsight, it makes so much sense.
  1016. >The kisses, when she showed off her armor, staying closer to you…
  1017. >How could you not see it?
  1018. >How could you not see how she was like this?
  1019. >Well, you know now, and you’re going to try your best to help her, no matter what.
  1020. >She is your friend, and you’d do anything for her.
  1021. >You slowly push her back so you can look her right in the eyes with the most serious expression you can, and you begin.
  1022. "First things first… I need to apologize to you. Right here and right now. I showed up in this world, and the very first thing I did was drag you into this dangerous adventure, which led us down a path that is hurting others, you, and taking you away from your life of happiness. Not intentionally, but I did. I assumed that because an animal was dangerous, that we needed to fight it instead of to flee. Whether I meant to or not, I contributed to all of these things changing, and in most cases not for the better. And I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.”
  1023. >Pinkie shakes her head furiously, tears flying.
  1024. >”No, no Anon! You didn’t do anything wrong! You were just… doing what you thought was best?”
  1025. “Maybe, but it’s caused far too much suffering, and that’s why I’m apologizing. Pinkie, we're on our way back to those good times, even though it doesn't feel like it sometimes. It can be really, really tough to see the progress we've made, when things look as bleak as they do right now. But we have a way to purge the corruption now, and we're working on a way to cure it. It’s coming. We're bringing technology to ponies that will keep them safe and healthy, even happy. Us too, we’re safer now, with our armor, weapons and supplies. So now that we're ready, now that everyone is going to be safe, I won't let anything stop us from doing what we should’ve been doing from the start - finding Rainbow Dash. We're gonna march right up to that castle --because I bet that's where she is-- get her out, help to cure Princess Cadence of whatever’s gotten her, hunt down Bane, and stop it once and for all."
  1026. >She looks a bit more hopeful, but her mane was still flat.
  1027. >You’re sure at this point the level of poofiness is directly surmounting her level of contentment, so you press on.
  1028. "But… I don't think this shadow thing is like anything from your world. Nor is it from mine. It's bad, Pinkie, and to stop it we might need to do things that hurt animals, and maybe even hurt ponies sometimes. I'm working on learning how to heal, in the hopes that we can fix the damage we do, but I still need help, okay? Now that I know how you feel, I would be honored if you'd help me to heal instead of hurt, too.”
  1029. >”I… I can heal too?”
  1030. “I don't know much about animals, especially in this world; so when we get to the library, let's you and I go book-searching. We'll find every book on animals we possibly can, and we'll learn how to calm them down, or drive them off, or subdue them without hurting them. You can write letters to Fluttershy, if that'll help. Whenever we get into trouble with an animal or anything like that, I'll listen to you without question when it comes to keeping them safe, and us. Promise. I'll always listen to what you have to say.”
  1031. >Pinkie sniffles as she stops her tears, and you dry them as she speaks.
  1032. >”…Pinkie Promise?”
  1033. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
  1034. >You make the motions as you say the fated pinkie promise.
  1035. >The sight of you being genuine, and remembering her promise begins to revive her color, and you begin to see curls in her mane.
  1036. >”O-okay… I believe you! We’ll do better things, right? We’ll be gooder?”
  1037. >You nod.
  1038. “We’ll be the best ponies we can be!”
  1039. >Her mane’s fluffiness finally returns as she hugs you tightly, but it’s still not back to what it was before.
  1040. >The fact that she’s nearly choking you with her grip reminds you of the final issue.
  1041. >She must remember too, as she steps back with an embarrassed look on her face, looking down at the ground.
  1042. >You take your hand and pull up her chin, looking her in the eyes once more.
  1043. "Now. About you liking me. Like, 'like-liking' me. I can't imagine how much courage it took for you to tell me that, Pinkie. That was, well, beyond brave. So… I'm going to do my best not to hurt your feelings, or to give you false hope.”
  1044. >What little smile she has fades away, and her eyes tremble, afraid to hear what you have to say.
  1045. >You can only think of one thing to say that could be the best of both worlds.
  1046. >It’s risky and radical, but you go for it anyways.
  1047. “You're partly right: I am with Redheart. I am very committed to her. For me to break up with her to be with you would be selfish, no matter how much you like me and no matter how much I like you.”
  1048. >Pinkie slowly sits down, defeated as she looks away from you.
  1049. “But… I'll let you in on a secret: I do like you. I like you a whole lot. “
  1050. >”B-but… It doesn’t matter… Y-you’re with her, Nonny…”
  1051. “I am open to a slightly different option, though.”
  1052. >She looks back at you with a confused look.
  1053. “…Do you know what polyamory is?”
  1054. >Pinkie shakes her head as you continue expectedly.
  1055. “Essentially, it's where a group of people love and care about each other, and are all in a relationship together.”
  1056. >You don’t like the look she’s giving you now, but you keep going to explain it.
  1057. “I would be happy to be in a polyamorous relationship with both you, and Red. One of the biggest rules of that kind of relationship is that everyone has to be informed, they have to be responsible, and they have to be okay with it. Now, we've been together a while, but despite that, this isn't something that's ever been very easy to bring up. I honestly don't know how she feels about it. If, and this is a big big BIIIIIG if, she were open to the idea of that kind of relationship… would you be okay with something like that? I know it's weird, it's weird even back on my world. I think… I'm pretty sure it's weird. But if --BIG if-- she's willing to try it, would you be too?"
  1058. >Pinkie has a dumbfounded look on her face, but she quickly snaps out of it.
  1059. >”Nonny, Berry tried to make me do this before, it’s really gross!”
  1060. “But-”
  1061. >”I don’t know what she tried to tell you, but here in Equestria, when two ponies like each other, they don’t have a third pony to… to do stuff with! They get married and be happy together because all they need is their special somepony!”
  1062. “Then why doesn’t Berry do that?”
  1063. >Pinkie shifts around uncomfortably, trying to avoid something.
  1064. >She speaks anyways.
  1065. >”Well, Nonny, no offense to her because she’s a really nice mare and all, but… she’s not the best example of what’s supposed to happen…”
  1066. >You were hoping she wouldn’t react like this.
  1067. >But what were you expecting?
  1068. >You knew even your world thought it was weird from your hazy memories.
  1069. >Equestria, being as relatively innocent and stable it is, would be even less warm to such a radical notion.
  1070. >Pinkie suddenly takes your hand in her hooves, this time making you look at her.
  1071. >”Nonny, I really want to be your special somepony… but not like that. I… I’ll understand if you want to stay with Redheart, but we can’t all… …n-not together, that’s way too weird!”
  1072. >What should you say?
  1073.  
  1074. “Pinkie, I know it sounds odd, and I don't blame you. I don't want to pressure you, and it's fine if you still don't want to do it, but think of it this way: have you heard of the expression ‘The more the merrier’? You like partying with other ponies, and having fun. If you were in a big group relationship, just think of the fun you could have! It's like one big party!”
  1075. >Now Pinkie drops your hand, giving you a shocked look.
  1076. >”Parties are to have fun with balloons and confetti and cake, Anon! You’re not supposed to put… those feelings into that, parties are my specialty and I can tell you firsthoof that what happens between two special someponies shouldn’t be mixed in with that!”
  1077. “Look, what I'm suggesting Is different than what Berry said! It's nothing like that, it's more emotional and romantic, where we share our feelings and be in a real relationship together full of love and happiness. Pinkie, you are a big part of my life… and I care for you deeply. I mean, who said you can only have one special somepony? You’re every bit special to me as Red.”
  1078. >Even with how she’s beginning to back away, you try to rationalize it.
  1079. “You don't have to say anything about the idea right now, you can think on it. All I know is that I want you to be in my life and I to be in yours.”
  1080. >Pinkie stares at you like a lunatic, nearly breaking your heart in the process.
  1081. >”Well, have you heard the expression ‘You can’t have your cake and eat it too?’ Anon, I don’t know how things work in your world but that’s not how it works here! I… I don’t think I want to be your special somepony anyways if you’re trying… to…”
  1082. >She starts to walk away, not able to look at you any longer.
  1083. >The ponies around the scene that had gathered to watch you console her begin to murmur and whisper.
  1084. >Should you leave her alone and let her cool off, or stop her?
  1085.  
  1086.  
  1087. “I’m sorry.”
  1088. >Pinkie stops, but she doesn’t turn around.
  1089. “I was just trying to find a way to make you happy. In my rush to try to help… I stopped being rational. I can’t remember much from my world, but as I try to remember, polygamy was quite rare back there too. I hope you can forgive me.”
  1090. >She finally looks back at you for a fleeting moment.
  1091. >Then she continues walking, and she leaves you in the middle of the street with an embarrassing crowd of giggling and whispering crystal ponies.
  1092. >You watch her turn the corner, completely leaving you alone.
  1093. >That’s when you realize something.
  1094. >The way you’ve just exposed your intentions like this might get back to Red.
  1095. >There’s no reason for Pinkie to withhold this information.
  1096. >But she wouldn’t do that to you, would she?
  1097. >She is the element of laughter… right?
  1098. >You still need to go back to the library and get things done.
  1099. >What would you like to do?
  1100.  
  1101. >You feel like you want to die.
  1102. >That couldn’t possibly have gone any worse.
  1103. >You weren’t about to actually act on these feelings, though, as you stand there.
  1104. >You have too many things to worry about to be feeling suicidal.
  1105. >You turn around, and head back to the library, sorry you ever tried to help.
  1106.  
  1107. >CHANGE
  1108. >You feel your mind being lifted away from Anonymous.
  1109. >Who would you like to switch to?
  1110. -Anonymous (X)
  1111. -Redheart
  1112. -Pinkie Pie
  1113. -Applejack
  1114. -Pinkie Pie
  1115. -Gable
  1116. -Iron Will
  1117.  
  1118. >Pinkie Pie selected!
  1119.  
  1120. >…
  1121. [REDIRECTING MIND…]
  1122. >…
  1123.  
  1124. >You are Pinkie Pie.
  1125. >And you’re disgusted.
  1126. >Anonymous’ words were totally incomprehensible to you.
  1127. “Dumb… gross human man…”
  1128. >You’re very appreciative of what he Pinkie Promised you, but you don’t want to get hurt being with him if he’s going to go around wanting something like that.
  1129. >Who’s to say he wouldn’t just cheat on you if he wants all the mares to himself?
  1130. >You’re heading off to the hospital to go spend some time with Applejack and Redheart to forget all of this.
  1131. >What would you like to do?
  1132.  
  1133.  
  1134. >Anon is such a dirty and gross and weird guy.
  1135. >You thought he was different, but he’s just twisted.
  1136. >Even if you still… want him.
  1137. >He’s still a nice person, heroic and powerful and selfless.
  1138. >But a polyamorous relationship?
  1139. >You’re very worried for Redheart now.
  1140. >But now, a little shred of guilt begins to bud in your mind.
  1141. “I should tell Twiley about Princess Cadance, though… and find the books he promised we’d look for…”
  1142. >But you stay steady.
  1143. >You’re not about to go marching back after what he did!
  1144. >You can see the hospital in the distance, and your step becomes a little bouncier, readily able to see your best friends again.
  1145. >Is there anything you’d like to do before finding them?
  1146.  
  1147. >As you walk into the hospital, you see that the sled got left in the corner of the main lobby, but the four were nowhere to be found.
  1148. >They most likely already got rooms for them, so you hoped they were still here.
  1149. >You walk up to the main desk and see the mare that was here yesterday.
  1150. >”Oh, I saw you before. Are you with the other two that came in with the guards?”
  1151. >You nod swiftly.
  1152. “That’s me, Pinkie Pie? Can I go see them?”
  1153. >”Room 3130.”
  1154. “Thank you nursemare!”
  1155. >You leave for the third floor, rushing up the stairs like they were nopony’s business.
  1156. >While you’re walking towards the room, however, a little memory begins to surface.
  1157. ~I was just trying to find a way to make you happy.~
  1158. >You’re the element of laughter, and you can’t find a single bit of happiness in his idea.
  1159. >Nothing good could come of it, it’s just… wrong, and just thinking about anything he said just turns your stomach worse than rainbow-sprinked double-fudged chocolate cupcakes.
  1160. >It just strengthened your resolve to make sure Redheart didn’t get hurt.
  1161. >You reach the room and you give three hyper-fast knocks before flying in and throwing your arms around the first orange thing you saw.
  1162. “Oh AJ it was the most horrible thing!”
  1163. >”Uuh.. Pinkie?”
  1164. >You open your eyes and see that you’re currently hugging an orange lampshade with a red base.
  1165. >You clear your throat and bound over to your friend, re-initiating your hug around her neck.
  1166. ”Oh AJ it was the most horrible thing!”
  1167. >She gives you a light pat.
  1168. >”Heh, what’s wrong, sugarcube? Wait… Where’s Anon?”
  1169. >You look over and see Redheart walk up with a concerned expression.
  1170. >”Is he alright? What happened? Why are you alone?”
  1171. >You want to tell them what happened, in full detail.
  1172. >It wouldn’t be right if you didn’t, and it wouldn’t be fair to Redheart if you kept this a secret.
  1173. >The question is, how should you say it?
  1174. >You don’t want Anon to be portrayed as a horrible, disgusting pervert, but they need to know what happened.
  1175. >What should you say about it?
  1176.  
  1177.  
  1178. >You thought about talking to Redheart in private, but you know that Applejack’s going to ask afterwards.
  1179. >You’re not going to lie to her, she’s your bestest friend!
  1180. >So you stand back and look at the two of them, take a big breath, and speak.
  1181. “I was talking to Nonny before when we all split up, and uh… I had to tell him something really important…”
  1182. >AJ’s pupils dilate to pinpricks, while Redheart tilts her head in confusion.
  1183. >”Uuuh, you sure you wanna tell her this, Pinkie?”
  1184. >You slowly nod.
  1185. “I have to… But, I sorta kinda maybe… broke down and told him everything.”
  1186. >Redheart looks at you funny.
  1187. >”Told him what?”
  1188. “I… I like Anon… Like, a lot… like, I told him that I wanted to be with him and that I’m selfish because he’s with you and I know it’s wrong but it’s just my feelings and…”
  1189. >Redheart looks a bit shocked, but you continue.
  1190. “Nonny said that he was super committed to you, and that he’d never ever break up with you no matter what, but he… he actually likes me back. And then, he said that he couldn’t do anything about it unless he had your permission, because he started saying something that I’m pretty sure he picked up from Berry Punch. An open relationship, like.. polygamy? Polyamorous or something, and… He wouldn’t do it without your permission, but I said no…”
  1191. >By the time you get to the last sentence, you end up trailing off as you’re a bit frightened by the look on Redheart’s face.
  1192. >The room falls completely silent besides the heart monitors on the life-drained guards.
  1193. >Applejack looks just as nervous as you do.
  1194. >Finally, Redheart simply walks out of the room, completely silent, and shuts the door behind her.
  1195. >Applejack looks at you, and your eyes fall to the ground.
  1196. >”….Pinkie, he really said somethin’ like that?”
  1197. ”Uh-huh… I couldn’t believe it…”
  1198. >You and AJ sit in silence after this, both of you knowing better than to go after her.
  1199. >”Hey, I think he’s a real straight-up weirdo for sayin’ somethin’ like that, but I don’t think that makes him all that bad. Maybe it’s just a… just a custom or somethin’ from his world?”
  1200. “Well, that’s what I woulda thought, except he said it was rare in his world and even they thought it was weird!”
  1201. >Applejack facehoofs, and takes off her hat as she sits in a chair.
  1202. >You join her as she speaks.
  1203. >”Well, he just made it real hard on himself, didn’t he?”
  1204. “W-what you do think Red’s gonna do?”
  1205. >AJ slowly looks over at you, silent once again.
  1206. >Oh…
  1207. >It is currently 3:30 P.M.
  1208. >The guards have been safely admitted into the hospital and are on life-support.
  1209. >The rest of the party are most likely still performing their tasks.
  1210. >What would you like to do?
  1211.  
  1212.  
  1213.  
  1214. >AJ says nothing instead opting to just stare at you, pity shining bright in those "Reddy! Why is she going?"
  1215. emerald eyes.
  1216. >You ponder for a moment, your emotions settling once more.
  1217. >Your heartbeat begins to race as you realize what you've done.
  1218. >You overreacted, oh gosh no no no.
  1219. >Sure, you were kind of mad at Nonny…and you aren't really into the idea of sharing him and Red.
  1220. >You weren't even into mares.
  1221. "Oh gosh, what did I just do AJ?"
  1222. >Applejack releases a loud sigh before giving a response.
  1223. >"Pinkie. Look, ah know you didn't like Anon's idea. Heck, ah I wouldn't go for it either. The thing is though, however mad you might have been, Redheart will be a whole lot angrier."
  1224. >You frown, now realizing what trouble you could have caused.
  1225. >You really are selfish…
  1226. >CHANGE
  1227. >You feel your mind leaving that of the Pink one.
  1228.  
  1229. >Who would you like to switch to?
  1230. -Anonymous
  1231. -Redheart
  1232. -Pinkie Pie (X)
  1233. -Applejack
  1234. -Berry Punch
  1235. -Gable
  1236. -Iron Will
  1237.  
  1238. >Anonymous selected! (2 left)
  1239.  
  1240. >…
  1241. [REDIRECTING MIND . . .]
  1242. >…
  1243.  
  1244. >You are Anonymous.
  1245. >Letters fly by on the page, but you aren't really reading.
  1246. >A sickening dread has found it's way into your stomach, strangling your intestines as your stomach begins to feel like one huge knot.
  1247. >Pinkie wouldn't tell Red.
  1248. >She'd relax, cool off.
  1249. >If she did, Red wouldn't be that mad, right?
  1250. >Even if you didn't talk to her first, even if Pinkie walked away hurt and pissed.
  1251. >R-right?
  1252. >What would you like to do?
  1253.  
  1254.  
  1255. >The smack of a book hitting the floor is what brings you back to reality.
  1256. >You lean down to pick it up, the examining the cover.
  1257. >Equestian Wildlife: A History of the Evolution of Animals.
  1258. [You have placed this item in your inventory.]
  1259. >It’s a start, you still needed to dig up more books.
  1260. >The least you could do is keep your promise and search through some books for Pinkie.
  1261. >If you could avoid fighting the creatures that roam Equestria, well, it might just save your life.
  1262. >You place the book aside for further reference as you start mulling over a few other titles, as well as searching a bit for books on psychology, fishing, and mining.
  1263. >Before long you’ve built yourself quite a collection, and then you hear hoof steps approaching.
  1264. >Shit, what are you going to say to Red?
  1265. >What could you say except sorry?
  1266. >Maybe if you apologized, just tell her you need to ask her thoughts on things like this.
  1267. >Ask for forgiveness for your momentary retardation.
  1268. >You force the lump in your throat down as you turn to face her, except instead of white fur you see purple.
  1269. >"You okay Anon?"
  1270. >Twilight stands in front of you, curiosity and worry painting her face.
  1271. >"You're as white as a ghost. Look, sorry for taking so long. When you came to see me I was busy reading over something for my studies. Dark magic's effect on smaller creatures…"
  1272. >She stops there, staring off a bit before shaking her head.
  1273. >"Sorry, uh. Anyway, what di-…Anon?"
  1274. >Only now did you realize you hadn't moved yet, not even made a response even though you heard every word.
  1275. "Y-yeah Twilight. Sorry. Um, yeah. I need to talk to you. You're the smartest mare I know, and well…it's about Pinkie and Red."
  1276. >She cocks an eyebrow, sitting down as she waits patiently for you to continue.
  1277. >You have to be clear, no more mistakes.
  1278. >What would you like to say?
  1279.  
  1280. >"Okay Twilight. So, Pinkie revealed that she has feelings for me. As well as how distressed all of this has made her. I calmed her down, but then…well. I suggested that her, Red, and I all form a relationship together…when she said no I kept pushing it. She just walked off without saying anything, after expressing how disgusted she was by the idea. I didn't exactly bring any of this up to Red either, and I am so paranoid she'll bring it up to her. When Berry and I were trying to have a foursome with Red and Pinkie before, things didn't go over so well. I am just worried. I feel terrible for hurting Pinkie too. Shit Twilight, what do I do?"
  1281. >She just stares, mouth slightly agape.
  1282. >"Anon! How could you be so stupid! Do you know how sensitive Pinkie is? And why would you even think about suggesting that while she is vulnerable. Did you even think about how Redheart would feel about it. Anon! Just…just…jeez! What if something bad happened to either of them!? What if that monster's magic puts them in a coma an-…"
  1283. >Twilight covers her mouth.
  1284. >You see fresh tears in her eyes as she slowly tries to calm herself.
  1285. >She rubs her hooves across her face and stays silent for a while longer before exhaling loudly.
  1286. >"I'm sorry. Sometimes I need to let things out too."
  1287. >What would you like to say?
  1288.  
  1289.  
  1290. >You reach out and embrace Twilight, holding her tight to you.
  1291. "I'm sorry Twilight. I will do EVERYTHING I can to help him. I know I can do it, with your help. With everybody's help."
  1292. >"Thank you Anon. Your words mean a lot."
  1293. >You hear a sniffle, but when you lean back to look at her she has a smile plastered on her face.
  1294. >"I'm a strong mare Anon, but thank you for listening…even if I kind of dropped it on you."
  1295. >You give her a warm smile.
  1296. "It's no trouble, but if you need somebody. I am here."
  1297. >"Heh. There is plenty I'd like to discuss, but…let's get back to you. Why did you say what you said to Pinkie, and are you going to say anything to Red?"
  1298. "I just wanted to cheer Pinkie up…only now do I realize how horribly I could have fucked things up. I just didn't wanted to say no to her, not while she was crying into my neck. I can't make everybody happy and that is hard to accept, I just wanted to do something. Anything."
  1299. >Twilight is silent, absorbing everything you are saying with a stoic expression on her face.
  1300. >She'd be a killer in a game of poker.
  1301. "As far as Red…yeah. I need to tell her what I did. I shouldn't keep things from her, and more than anything I love her. I am just scared this could put a big dent in our relationship."
  1302. >"As far as Red goes Anon. You need to just be upfront and hope for the best. Just be respectful, kind. You have a kind heart, even if you are a bit dim at times."
  1303. >You give a scowl towards the purple mare and she giggles a bit.
  1304. >"Sorry. As for Pinkie, same thing. Tell her your intentions, and apologize. I do have one question though."
  1305. "What is it Twilight?"
  1306. >"Did you say that to Pinkie to spare her feelings, or do you actually care for her? As more than a friend, I mean."
  1307. >What do you say?
  1308.  
  1309. >You…do have feelings for Pinkie.
  1310. >"If I am being completely honest…I do. I do like her. She is funny, sweet…but I love Red. After this whole wild ride I would never want to hurt and betray Red. Which is why I plan on telling her the truth…should I tell her about my feelings too?"
  1311. >"I can't decide that for you Anon. All I can say is do what you think is right, and try not to hurt them."
  1312. >You nod, there isn't much more to say about the situation, so you decide to move to the next topic.
  1313. "We were able to find some the shadow's corruption so to speak. A substance of it, I am hoping we can derive some information from it."
  1314. >"That is great Anon! Finally! A step closer. Where is it?"
  1315. "Redheart has it. She was going to get it researched at the hospital to see if they can use it to cure similar cases. We found a few corrupted soldiers out in the Tundra in search for Rainbow Dash."
  1316. >"I'll head over there soon then. I want to learn about it as well."
  1317. >You open your mouth to speak and she lifts a hoof up to silence you.
  1318. >"Don't worry. I'll be careful…what about Rainbow Dash?"
  1319. >You simply shake your head and you can see Twilight slump a bit, her hope faltering.
  1320. "We'll find her Twilight."
  1321. >"Yeah."
  1322. >She gives a weak smile before her eyes widen a bit.
  1323. >It takes a bit to notice she is looking past you.
  1324. >"I think I'll head off to do some research now, actually."
  1325. >As she walks past you your head turns, and your eyes meet with Redheart's.
  1326. >She stands there, silent until Twilight is out of view.
  1327. >"Anon. We need to talk, I spoke to Pinkie."
  1328. >What would you like to say?
  1329.  
  1330.  
  1331. "Red, I am sorry. I truly am. What did Pinkie tell you?"
  1332. >"Well, she told me that you wanted to be in a relationship with both of us, all together."
  1333. >Shit. She doesn't sound very pleased.
  1334. "Okay babe, listen. Wh-"
  1335. >"No. YOU listen. First there was the whole Berry fiasco where you tried to get us into a foursome. Now you are trying to push Pinkie into our relationship. It makes me uncomfortable enough that she has feelings for you, but you practically tried to take advantage of her!"
  1336. "It isn't like that Red, I swear!"
  1337. >"Oh yeah? What's it like then, tell me."
  1338. >You dug down deep, thinking about what was right here.
  1339. >You needed to be honest.
  1340. >"I thought that it might help. She was breaking down on me babe. She was in tears confessing not only her feelings but her fears. I wanted to help alleviate that pain. I know, I should consult you on things having to do with us."
  1341. >"Consult me? Do you think I would be any less pissed if you had walked up and asked me if Pinkie could be part of what we have? What's next? You going to ask me if you can screw Berry on the side?"
  1342. >This isn't going well at all.
  1343. "Red. I would never betray you like that. I am faithful to you, that is why I am being honest."
  1344. >Red's expression softens, she is still livid but you could see uneasiness show in her eyes.
  1345. >"Faithful, huh. What happens if one day you don't ask about somebody coming into our relationship, but just do it? Do you want another mare that badly? Do you want to screw somebody else that badly?"
  1346. >You could hear her begin to sob, and it breaks your heart to see tears flowing down her cheeks as she looks at you.
  1347. "I swear it isn't like that. I swear."
  1348. >You go into hug her, to hold her and be close to her.
  1349. >Her hoof stops you, firmly pressed to your chest.
  1350. >"Do you have feelings for Pinkie, Anon? Do I have a reason to worry…?"
  1351. >What would you like to say?
  1352.  
  1353.  
  1354.  
  1355. >You think for a moment on how to word this, as they’re going to be the words that are going to make or break Redheart’s decision.
  1356. >You take a second to breath before you start.
  1357. “It's true that I do feel something for Pinkie, but I would never follow through with anything like this if it meant I might lose you, Red. But you're right. After everything Pinkie told me, I wanted a solution that I hoped wouldn't leave anyone with a broken heart so badly that I used my own guilt to try and rationalize this without thinking about how it would affect either of you. That was wrong of me, and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”
  1358. >Redheart keeps staring at you, her hoof slowly lowering from your chest.
  1359. “I know what I said was stupid and didn't have any thought behind it, but I couldn't hurt Pinkie when she was suffering so much. I tried to find a quick fix to solve the problem, but I now realize can't make everyone happy, no matter how much I try.”
  1360. >”Didn’t you know that in the first place?”
  1361. >You look her in the eyes as you finish.
  1362. “But now that I can see how much it would hurt you, I won't be making that mistake again. I don't know how I can show you, but if you have something in mind, I'll listen. Until then, all I can do is put all my trust and faith in you to forgive me and give me another chance. I don't know if you can forgive me for my stupidity… and if you want to end things because of it, I’ll completely understand. Just know that I do love you and never wanted to hurt anyone.”
  1363. >For a moment, Redheart looks away from you to gather her bearings.
  1364. >As if she is thinking.
  1365. >She’s thinking and not outright saying no.
  1366. >After what seems like an eternity waiting for her to say something, Red finally turns and looks at you again, and you watch her lips as they move.
  1367. >”I have to know… I have to know you won’t ever do anything like this again.”
  1368. “Anything, anything at all.”
  1369. >“If… If you tell Pinkie that nothing will ever happen between you two, or… us, then maybe I can stand to forget. Don’t kick her while she’s down, but… make sure that she knows, then I can look past this… okay?”
  1370. >Do you agree to Redheart’s terms?
  1371.  
  1372. “Yes, I promise. I promise with all of my heart, so I’ll tell her nothing will ever happen the very next time I see her. I’ll apologize, too…”
  1373. >”…Okay. And… I want to be there, this time.”
  1374. “Of course, babe.”
  1375. >You both look at each other, and you try and lean in for a hug once more.
  1376. >Red accepts it this time, and you embrace each other tightly, only now realizing how close you just were to separation.
  1377. >Then you feel a hoof knock against your head like a coconut.
  1378. >”Don’t do anything this stupid again, okay? And if you somehow do, at least come to me first!”
  1379. “Ow… Yeah, yeah…”
  1380. >You smile at her and she manages her own, and you dry her tears.
  1381. >It’s time to forget it, and that’s what you’re going to do.
  1382. >If you ever make a mistake like this again, you won’t be so lucky.
  1383. >In the effort to put it behind you, you decide to tentatively change the subject.
  1384. “So, what did you find out at the hospital? Anything about the patients or the corruption?”
  1385. >Red’s face contours back into its familiar curious look.
  1386. >”Oh… I checked them over and gave them a full physical to the best of my ability, and I gave a report to one of the higher up doctors.”
  1387. “And?”
  1388. >She hesitates.
  1389. >”Well… After a long look at the similarity of the symptoms, we concluded that it wasn’t the same as Steel Magnolia’s illness.”
  1390. >…But, the black eyes and pale skin were definite matches.
  1391. >How could it not be the same?”
  1392. “How?”
  1393. >”For every test we did on the blood, we received two different results from magical testing. Every time.”
  1394. >Could the shadow be copying another severe illness to disguise itself?
  1395. >”The key difference between the two in the way they affect the body though is the original illness that Steel has weakens him like the flu, and worse.”
  1396. “And the shadow infection does the opposite.”
  1397. >You look at each other again, fearing the worst.
  1398. >”So, what now?”
  1399. “I think I need to finish looking for some books I promised to look for here, and we’ll try and get to Cadance as quickly as possible.”
  1400. >You stand up and look around
  1401. >Pinkie and AJ are looking over the patients at the hospital, but they should be coming back to the library soon.
  1402. >Gable’s most likely still out getting that magical chain undone at Fortuna Potions.
  1403. >Iron Will is still getting the gems appraised.
  1404. >A quick scan of the lobby and you can actually see Berry out in the distance headed for the library, likely done with her trip to the guard station.
  1405. >Red’s going to be staying with you at your side until you carry out your promise.
  1406. >It is currently 4:00 P.M., one hour after your original split.
  1407. >What would you like to do?
  1408.  
  1409. >ANONYMOUS (cc) / SIR DUCKSALOT [HP: 25/25]
  1410. [HP: 130/130][MP: 20/20][Stats: 20 PD, 25 MD / +10 PA, +15 MA wep / +75 PA ranged]
  1411.  
  1412. Inventory: Med. Pamphlet (First Aid 101/Procreation), Med. Book (Diseases), Wallet, Bit pouch (empty), Roll of duct tape, Rope, Book of Dark Magic (W/ potential info about Shadow), Notes of Starswirl the Bearded: Portals, Potion-making Kit, Blowdart, Blue herbs (3), Red herbs (1), Supply Medkit (3), Small mana potion (2), Alchemy/Engineering Books (Transmogrification/Practical), Lifeleaf (6), Rizzleberry bunch (4), 9 oz. of Kablooie powder, 4 ounces of combustible powder, Wisp weed (5), 2 handfuls of bolts, Haze Flower (9), Yeti Hair (2), iPhone, Medical Expertise Books (Bleeding, clots, nasty gashes; stitches and poison treating), Fishing Rod and kit (Grants ability Fish), Pickaxe (+10 PA, grants ability Mine), (Book) Introduction to Architecture, Screwdriver kit (reduces bolt and screw cost by 3), Socket wrench kit (reduces wheel & axle and nut cost by 1), Foal’s Guide to Magic (Gives basic knowledge of magical theory, allows learning of basic level spells, levitation and luminate), 1 Oz. of Thermite, Four-Barrel Lead Ammo (23, +25 PA to fight), Black Marker, Hoofcuffs (3), Cock Ring, Ultimate Knowledge of Medical Expertise: Volume XXVII, Medium Healing potion (66% restore, 1), Map to the Tundra Outpost, Firewood (2), Window of Reality (Allows you to see into the future of different possibilities of your choices with limitations), Iron-Hide Brew (10, +5 PA for 3 turns), 1 piece of coal, Iron ingot (4), Platinum Ingot (1), Small mana crystal (6), Uncut Ruby, Equestrian Wildlife: A History of the Evolution of Animals
  1413.  
  1414. >You didn’t have much luck for the last hour looking for any books specifically what you were looking for, so you decide not to return to it seeing as you could only find the one.
  1415. >Besides, this one would most likely be all you need.
  1416. >You attempt to look through your previous memories to see if you couldn’t remember something, anything about this disease that Charm Rose’s brother has.
  1417. >You have no luck.
  1418. >You haven’t read that book of diseases in quite a while, but you can’t even recall any snippet about magical diseases in general, let alone this one.
  1419. >With a nod to Redheart for her to follow you, you run back up through the library and up to the top floor where you know Twilight is headed.
  1420. >Sure enough, you see her back in her office, sifting through a rather large portion of papers.
  1421. >You quickly knock on the side before walking in, and she looks back up at you with a surprised look on her face.
  1422. >She becomes even more shocked to see Redheart was following you, and without your head under her hoof.
  1423. >”Oh, did everything uh, go well?”
  1424. “Well, we’ll get to that later. I had a few more questions, if you don’t mind?”
  1425. >She nods as she levitates a few papers to the side so she wasn’t distracted while she listens to you.
  1426. >As much as you’d like to praise Celestia that be that you and Red are okay, right now there are more important matters at hand. Hoof?
  1427. >Speaking of the Princess…
  1428. “First of all, did you get any letters back from Princess Celestia? It’s very important I learn of her response to what I told her about the illness.”
  1429. >”I’m sorry Anon, but the letter probably hasn’t even reached her, yet. The Crystal Empire Post Office isn’t exactly the perfect example of efficiency, and it’s a long way to Canterlot from here. Give it a few days and she should send word right away.”
  1430. >You feared as much.
  1431. “Alright… I need to give you an update, anyways. I didn’t get a chance to tell you before.”
  1432. >”Lay it on me, Anon.”
  1433. >You begin to explain to Twilight Sparkle everything that Redheart told you, being sure to include every detail.
  1434. >Once you had told her all of this, you also went on to elaborate further on your adventure to the Winter Tundra Outpost and how you’ve come across a Royal pass, and finally the true nature of Princess Cadance’s condition.
  1435. “…It’s only a hunch, but she has the same exact symptoms as the two guards we admitted into the hospital. I think it’s imperative that as soon as everyone’s done with what they’re doing, that we go straight in there and help her.”
  1436. >Twilight rubs her temples furiously, leaping over her desk and swiftly pacing around the room.
  1437. >”This is something you could’ve started our meeting on, you know! I think the well-being of the Princess is just a little more important than your personal squabbles! Oh, what if it’s already too late? What if she’s already advanced into that… aggression stage? But if she is, how are we going to stop her? I mean, we don’t even have a cure for the corruption yet!”
  1438. “I think we do.”
  1439. >She looks right back at you, stopping in her tracks.
  1440. “On our way back here, we also got sidetracked by a leopard with gems on it. It was corrupted too, but when I managed to hit it with a sleeping dart and put it under, I… was able to remove the shadow from it.”
  1441. >Twilight’s jaw drops, and she slowly approaches you.
  1442. >”But… How did you manage that?”
  1443. “I’m not quite sure, but I put my hand near it, and the shadowy substance sort of pulled out of its body, and tried to absorb into my markings. I was able to blast them off with relative ease, and I’m pretty sure I destroyed it in the process. So… It’s not technically a cure, but I can remove it alright.”
  1444. >”What does this mean… Your markings were made for powerful magic and as an antithesis to whatever this looming threat is, and the tree responsible has our elements of harmony embedded within it. I need to go see Celestia, right after Cadance and the hospital. Ohhh, there’s just so much to do and not enough time!”
  1445. >She could not be more right.
  1446. >You hear the slight ring of the front door’s bell, indicating that Berry has made it back.
  1447. >Looking back at Twilight, you see she’s already rummaging through her papers.
  1448. >”I think I’m going to have to really study on this… When you’re all ready to go to the Palace, meet me at the hospital.”
  1449. “See you there.”
  1450. >You finish your conversation with Twilight and turn around to Red, walking out of Twilight’s office with her.
  1451. >It is currently 4:10 P.M.
  1452. >What would you like to do?
  1453.  
  1454.  
  1455.  
  1456. >Before you close the door, you want to say one more thing that pops into your head.
  1457. “Hey Twilight? We made a friend here in the Crystal Empire named Wheaties, and she also has a sample of the shadow’s substance that we got from a thief that tried to rob us before. She said something about seeing it in the plains and wanted to do some research on it, so if you wanted to check that out before you went to the hospital, she’d most likely give you that sample for any experiments you might want to do.”
  1458. >Twilight smiles with a sparkle in her eyes.
  1459. >You think there’s a joke in there somewhere.
  1460. >”Thank you Anon, that’d really help out with all of this. I’ll be sure to stop by at some point, just not sure when…”
  1461. “And uuh, sorry we haven’t checked in more often. Our entourage actually went into the Winter Tundra to check leads on Dash, being rather busy and all that, but we ended up fighting this huge god of hatred or whatever and we fought it off by apologizing to each other… Crazy, huh?”
  1462. >”Wait… Was it turning you guys into ice?”
  1463. “Yeah. If I can recall, Pinkie said something about a Windigo?”
  1464. >Twilight’s mouth drops once more, forehooves on the table in amazement.
  1465. >”Anon, you’re lucky that you didn’t get frozen for good! At least Pinkie and AJ were there. The six of us actually performed a play for Hearth’s Warming Eve and the legend of the Windigo was one of the main issues, so we studied up. Well, more like I made everyone else read, but yeah. I’m glad to see you’re still standing.”
  1466. >So the Windigo is a big threat even in a magical land like Equestria.
  1467. >No wonder it was able to do what it did.
  1468. >You begin to wonder about the progress that your group’s made not only in the trek to end Bane’s terror, but how far you’ve come together.
  1469. >To be able to stop a god like that? Your group must be getting closer than you realize.
  1470. >After this train of thought, Twilight reaffirmed her decision to go to Wheaties’ and shooes you out so she can continue her research, sending you and Redheart out of her office.
  1471. >As soon as you look at Red to speak, you hear a familiar voice echo out from the lobby.
  1472. >”That’s Berry…”
  1473. >You and Redheart take a minute to get down the millions of crystal steps that the library insists on having, and you rejoin with Berry, who is sucking on her flask like a baby bottle, even cradled up next to the wall and supporting it with her legs.
  1474. “….Hello?”
  1475. >Berry’s eyes open and gloss over you and Redheart, and she pushes herself forward, setting the flask on the ground with her still wrapped around it, even making that little cartoonish spin when things barely keep their balance.
  1476. >She pulls her lips off of the neck with a light sucking noise, and waves at you.
  1477. >”Hi… I’m sho happy to shee you guysh…”
  1478. >Now that you hear her speech, and see her glassy eyes, she’s much more drunk than you’ve ever seen her.
  1479. >”I wash jus’ uh…. walkin’… thought I’d come here cuz’ I heard a lil’ tiny voice tellin’ me…”
  1480. “You uhh, realize you were supposed to come back here, right?”
  1481. >”…Do what now?”
  1482. >She must’ve taken the meeting with the guards a little hard.
  1483. >Delivering bad news like that and dealing with the aftermath isn’t healthy for any soul.
  1484. >What would you like to do?
  1485.  
  1486.  
  1487. “Uh, how did the guard station go?”
  1488. >She becomes unresponsive, her lips wrapping around the bottleneck once more.
  1489. >Yeah, she did this because of what happened.
  1490. >You should’ve gone down there and done it yourself.
  1491. “Are you alright, Berry? I don't like telling you what to do, but… could you slow down your drinking? I prefer you being a part of this world, so don't make me worry.”
  1492. >As she looks back up at you, you put on your best, most warm smile you can to show her you care.
  1493. >She props her head back up nods with a happy, toothy grin.
  1494. >But it looks like she’s a teensy little bit absolutely smashed to even understand what you were asking.
  1495. >”I had… I had a drinkin’ buddy with me, an’ he was reaaal tall, and he had… blue fur, and horns… I think he was horny.”
  1496. >Berry starts laughing hysterically, pounding her hoof on her flask repeatedly and beginning to whoop and howl as she spun around.
  1497. >You and Redheart look at each other with a bit of embarrassment, and then you hear another voice behind you near the lobby desk.
  1498. >”Keep it down there ya hooligan! Drinks aren’ allowed in here no how no ways, get her outta here!”
  1499. >The receptionist did not sound pleased.
  1500. >Well, so much for her seeing your dick, guess she already forgot about it.
  1501. >Redheart catches your attention.
  1502. >”Maybe we should take her someplace where she can sober up… We do have work to do, don’t we?”
  1503. >That’s true, but you sort of needed this time to look for a few more books, or read what you have.
  1504. >Should you let Berry do her thing and let the receptionist deal with her and do what you need to do, or help her out?
  1505.  
  1506. >With all the things going through your mind right now, you’re a bit dazed.
  1507. >You quickly get over this and begin by turning back to the receptionist.
  1508. “We’re just here to look for a few books while we wait for the rest of our party to get back. As soon as we’re all here we’re going over to Princess Cadance to assess her medical condition and we’ll be out of your hair. Thing is, Berry here is drinking away the memories of her having to go down to the local guard station and tell them their officer, Tidal Wave, passed away from our journey out to the Winter Tundra. Do you mind letting her sleep here, like on a table or something? I’ll take away her flask and everything.”
  1509. >The receptionist adjusts her glasses and starts chewing on her dentures in frustration.
  1510. >”…D’oohh, your little sob story better be true… She can use the bench right there, it’s cushioned anyhows… Ya better keep her from hollerin’ all over the place!”
  1511. “Will do, ma’am.”
  1512. >You look over at Redheart.
  1513. “So… any ideas on how to handle her in the state she’s in?”
  1514. >Redheart shrugs, a bit lost for words.
  1515. >”I’ve never really dealt with drunkards, no offense to her… I’ve always been the nurse attending to the surgeons and the more serious stuff.”
  1516. >She was working the graveyard shift when you first met her.
  1517. >That means you can only do this the one way you know how.
  1518. >You walk up to Berry and kneel down next to her, to which she spins off her bottle and tries to adjust her mane like it was a hat.
  1519. “Berry… I know it was hard doing what you did, but it needed to be done. Now listen, you need to take it easy. I really don’t want to see you getting hurt whether it be by fighting or drinking, and you’ve been drinking a little too much.”
  1520. >She doesn’t respond again.
  1521. >Instead, she moans softly and presses her face into her flask.
  1522. >The sight nearly breaks your heart for the second time today.
  1523. >You try something else, and you take her by her withers.
  1524. >You hug her tightly with all the warmth and care you have for her, and by damn if it isn’t a lot.
  1525. >In fact, you can feel the warmth yourself.
  1526. >You open your eyes for a moment to see that your markings are glowing once more, the soft white that they were back when you destroyed the shadow.
  1527. >The glow begins to slowly pour away from your body, wrapping around hers like a breeze of peace and tranquility.
  1528. >The warmth almost melts Berry in your arms, and her sobs of sorrow quickly turn into comforted coos, and from there become light snores.
  1529. >Wow… Looks like your markings really were made for something besides war.
  1530. [UNLOCKED BLESSING OF HARMONY: (-10 MP, releases a powerful magical spell that soothes, rejuvenates and calms anyone that the blessing is given to, and removes all mental and spiritual status effects.)]
  1531. ...

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