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The Master's Legendary Quest - 15

By Trixiefap
Created: 2022-06-29 02:44:35
Expiry: Never
anonsafecyoaredheartrpgaiegame

  1. >Talk to Sunwhirl
  2. “Sorry, but I’ve still got use for the notes. Things have been sort of hectic at the palace and I haven’t got done what I’ve wanted to. As soon as I’m done with that, they’re yours.”
  3. >Sunwhirl lightly sighs, nodding in defeat.
  4. >”Yes, yes. If not for that, what is it you seek from me?”
  5. “There is somepony in the hospital named Steel Magnolias, and he’s currently afflicted with something called the Jovius Curse. It attaches itself to the pony’s magic and drains them of their life force, and it’ll kill him if nothing’s done about it, and worse, could end up spreading.”
  6. >”The Jovius curse… This is the illness that I told you of the first time we met. I remember now, yes, It was supposed to be eradicated by the Princess of the Sun.”
  7. >That’s right, he told you that it would end the life after four full moons.
  8. >That’s about four months, if it’s anything like your world.
  9. >Redheart steps in, just as concerned as you are about this issue.
  10. >”If you know about it, why haven’t you done anything?”
  11. >”Trust me, my dear, if I had any way to stop it, I would go down there myself.”
  12. “If I recall correctly, you’re very well educated with many different types of knowledge from your travels. It’s a long shot, but is there any chance you might be able to cure curses?”
  13. >Sunwhirl steps away from his counter, and beckons you and Redheart.
  14. >You look at each other for a moment before hesitantly following him.
  15. >He leads you to tbe back of his shop, through the padlocked door that he quickly locks behind you, and through a dark room where you promptly start up your lumination spell to see.
  16. >The wizard then leads you through a few corners until you reach an open room, doorway covered by those flimsy tassle things you hang from the frame.
  17. >Inside leaves you breathless.
  18. >It’s his sanctuary, with his enchanting table in the far corner, multitudes of floating orbs of different aspects of magic simply sitting in the center of the room, as if he were experimenting on them.
  19. >Across the walls are enough books of magical qualities to rival the library.
  20. >Redheart seems just as surprised as you, even a little frightened by the odd sight.
  21. >Someone from Ponyville probably doesn’t have too much experience with advanced magic, besides Twilight, maybe.
  22. >”Wow… It’s very… intimidating.”
  23. >”Don’t fret, nurse. It is simply a collaboration of all the ponies I’ve met in my old, decrepit lifetime working to condense this collection of the magical arts into a single sanctuary for all needs. I may not have the answer, but it could be in here.”
  24. “If you don’t know how to cure it, then perhaps you might have something that could destroy his mana, or better yet, a way to drain it?”
  25. >Sunwhirl looks at you with condensation.
  26. >”Are you implying what I believe you are?”
  27. “I was theorizing before that I could drain his mana completely away from his body, which would kill the curse, but I have to have something to put the magic. I thought about something like this.”
  28. >You remove the Magic Recombobulator out of your pack, letting his take it with his levitation. He examines it closely as you continue.
  29. “I’m not sure if it’s strong enough to hold the entirety of his mana, and I was wondering if you knew a way to fix that?”
  30. >”… I don’t know what you’re expecting to do here, but I can very well assure you that if you were to follow with your so called ‘theory’, you would do nothing else than remove the curse from his physical form.”
  31. >Redheart looks a bit confused.
  32. >”…That’s good, right?”
  33. >”Oh, yes. The problem with Anonymous’ logic is that the curse would still be attached to the magic that he drained. It wouldn’t ‘kill’ the curse, for something that does not have life can’t be killed, only banished. To banish something from pure magic sounds easy, but in practice is almost as difficult as healing magic. There’s a reason why curses aren’t very common nowadays; it’s too unstable, and it’s far too permanent…”
  34. “Celestia had spoken with me through letter, stating that removing the mana from her subjects is what destroyed the curse.”
  35. >”Oh, I assure you it did not destroy it… Merely took it away from the victim to save their life. They were left manaless, powerless, flightless, what have you…”
  36. >Redheart steps a bit closer, as if to challenge the old wizard.
  37. >”Then if she didn’t destroy it, where did she put it!?”
  38. >Sunwhirl looks at her with intense, sea blue eyes.
  39. >The illusion of grandeur is great enough to make her back off.
  40. >”If you’re asking me, I do not know. You would have to ask the Princess that. But no matter, it’s something that’s obviously worked for a very long time… I just don’t know why it came back, unless somepony cursed him directly.”
  41. “That’s what Twilight Sparkle and I were talking about before, but she said it was too late to track down his magical signature since it’s been too long since he casted it, and he’s probably too far away.”
  42. >Sunwhirl nods, levitating a certain book out of his collection and beginning to leaf through it.
  43. >”She is right…”
  44. “Then what do we do?”
  45. >”As I said, all I can help you with is to let you view these books. I ask you not to take them with you, for I fear their safety outside of these walls. But browse at your liesure… If you need me, I believe I hear another visitor in the shop. I’m sorry I could not be of more help.”
  46. >You and Redheart give him a formal goodbye as he leaves the two of you within his sanctuary.
  47. >”…Well, what now?”
  48. >You see that there’s a multitude of books stashed across the entire wall, but there’s no categorization system.
  49. >Upon closer inspection, it seems to be alphabetized.
  50. >…
  51. >>”FRIEZA FRIEZA FRIEZA FRIEEZZAAA!”
  52. >”Oh Celestia, what the hell is that?!”
  53. “Err, sorry, it’s the preview… Gonna put this on silent…”
  54. >You just changed the ringtone on your phone.
  55. >Not that you’re gonna get any calls on this thing here, but you know, just in case.
  56. >What would you like to do?
  57.  
  58.  
  59. [You give Redheart the Amulet of Heart’s Calling.]
  60. [-5 HP down]
  61. [LOST ABILITY HEART’S CALLING]
  62. [Rehdeart has gained +5 HP!]
  63. [REDHEART HAS GAINED ABILITY HEART’S CALLING]
  64. >You undo the latch to the amulet you found in the depths of the train, and drape it over Redheart without warning.
  65. >”Huh? Oh… Anonymous, this is your necklace… Why are you giving it to me?”
  66. “I feel like you need it more than I do… Besides, I should’ve given it to you in the first place.”
  67. >Red holds up the amulet with her hoof, taking time to appreciate it.
  68. >The smile on her muzzle when she looks up at you is genuine.
  69. >”Thank you..”
  70. “Can you do something for me, Red?”
  71. >”Sure!”
  72. “Can you go out there and ask Sunwhirl if it’s alright to bring Twilight and Spike down here, and if so, can you go fetch them real quick while I start searching here?”
  73. >She nods, pulling you down to plant a sloppy wet kiss on your lips.
  74. >”I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
  75. >You wave goodbye to her, a bit tongue-tied from the tongue-love.
  76. >She disappears into the darkness behind the tassles, and you get to work.
  77. >You crack your knuckles, stretch out your hands and begin to search entirely through levitation for maximum training potential.
  78. >…
  79.  
  80. [SEARCHING THROUGH SANCTUARY . . .]
  81. [ASSESSING LIST . . .]
  82.  
  83. B: Banishment . . . (1)
  84. C: Curses . . . (1)
  85. D: Draining mana . . . (1)
  86. E: Ethereal Plane . . . (1)
  87. J: Jovius Curse . . . (0)
  88. M: Magic (general) . . . (15) (Scrap)
  89. N: Nirvana . . . (0)
  90. P: Pure magic . . . (1)
  91. R: Removing mana . . . (0)
  92.  
  93. [COMPILING FOUND ITEMS . . .]
  94.  
  95. >You’ve found a multitude of books, so you split them up in two categories.
  96. >Trash.jpg and Useful.exe
  97. >Your inner Penn begins to channel through your body as you telekinetically throw the trash straight into…
  98. >Back into their respective spots on the shelves.
  99. >Then you spread out the useful books on the center table to get a better look:
  100.  
  101. -Zorodai’s Guide to Banishment: Advanced
  102. -The Evils of Equestria [Things You Weren’t Meant to Know]: Curses and Hexes
  103. -Kindred Spirit’s Ethereal Love: Ghosts Are Always There
  104. -Purity of Mana by Unity Bound
  105. -Sunwhirl’s Theorems: Magic Drain Spells and Incantations
  106.  
  107. >They’re all huge textbooks worthy of a dictionatlas.
  108. >Being completely overwhelmed by page after page of text all alone is not going to do you much good.
  109. >But then, you have an idea.
  110. “Sir Ducksalot, my master, I ask of you to aid me in my quest.”
  111. ~…~
  112. >He isn’t responding?
  113. >You look over at your shoulder where he’s been this whole time, but he looks like he’s been muted, as if by interference.
  114. >That’s when you sense a horribly powerful magical signal in the room.
  115. >You whip your head to the culprit, and your eyes widen in surprise.
  116. >There’s another Sir Ducksalot.
  117. >This one is more grey than red, however, sitting there.
  118. >Staring at you.
  119. >What do you do?
  120.  
  121. “Who dares profane the light of Sir Ducksalot, and take his face in blatant mockery of my liege? Speak, creature, be you friend or foe?”
  122. >The toy doesn’t move. You are just about to give up and go back to your business when it speaks.
  123. {Oh dear me, looks like we have a little paragon white knight on our hands. Now, I couldn’t help but notice you’re having a little problem with this, what do you call it, curse?…}
  124. “… I’m trying to find a cure for the Jovius Curse, yes.”
  125. {Oh, that little thing? Oho, did the Princess have a little slip of the mind, a little black splotch on her perfect permanent record? Oh, this simply won’t do, would it? We have to eradicate this little nuisance before it smudges her pristine image, right?}
  126. “I’m trying to cure Steel Magnolias, a stallion afflicted with this curse.”
  127. {Even better…}
  128. ~My child, do not listen to this false idol, as he is wicked.~
  129. {Get a room, pops, I’m talking, now! You’re not even from this series!}
  130. ~If you wish to cure this curse, you will listen to me!~
  131. {No, listen to ME! I can help you just as well as your friend over there. Besides, I highly doubt that HE has anything that can assist in this vital task. Well, Sir Quacksalot, what do you have to say?}
  132. ~That is not my name, and as a matter of fact, I do.~
  133. {Oh yeah? And what is THAT, hm?}
  134. >The brighter of the two ducks remains silent.
  135. {I didn’t think so…}
  136. ~Silence. I only speak when the time is right.~
  137. {Fine, whatever. We’ll just leave it up to Mister Anonymous here to decide. So, who do you choose?}
  138.  
  139. >You stand there for a few minutes, trying to figure out who to trust.
  140. >It’s too difficult to decide, they both speak in such mysterious ways!
  141. >Suddenly, an idea strikes you.
  142. >You sit Sir Ducksalot down next to the grey duck, then hold your arms out, facing them.
  143. [Used Blessing of Harmony! (- 8 MP)]
  144. >The energy begins to flow about as usual.
  145. >It begins to encase them both, and you wait for the results.
  146. >Unexpectedly, the magic begins to distort a bit, growing in size, then shrinking while contorting into various odd shapes.
  147. >It begins to grow one last time, to the point of popping.
  148. *QUACK!*
  149. >Well, that was an interesting way for magic to dissipate…
  150. {Tsk tsk tsk… Your silly little spell won’t affect me. Good try, though!}
  151. >You let out a growl of frustration.
  152. “Shut it! You already insulted my duck, I’m not letting you get the better of me! Now, I’ll ask you, are you friend, or foe?”
  153. >You swear you see the grey duck bounce as he chuckles.
  154. {But of course! I have no other interest but helping you!}
  155. >You furrow your brow.
  156. "Look, I've heard this song and dance before. You're pretty suspicious; I'm Doctor Anon, not Doctor Faust. So what's the real cost of your knowledge, Mephistopheles?"
  157. >The grey duck lets out a gasp.
  158. {I am appalled! I would never ask anything in return for my services!}
  159. ~My child, I’m warning you, do not trust him!~
  160. {And I’m warning you not to trust HIM! I’ve got info that can help you, and I’m willing to share it! Unlike that prude in your pocket.}
  161. >It’s so hard to pick the good one. They both have valid points.
  162. >The question stands again. Who do you choose?
  163.  
  164. >Looking down at the two seemingly inanimate objects, you speak.
  165. "So you ask 'nothing', hm? Then why am I being asked to choose between you? I won't be abandoning my liege. If you wish to offer your counsel, I will afford you my attention. My trust, though, is not so easily won."
  166. >The grey duck scoffs.
  167. {Oh really now? Your trust is easier to get than a night of fun in a whore house! I mean, first you pick up that duck that just appeared out of nowhere on the bathroom floor one day. Then you made it your “master”! The same goes for when you found it in a store! Even when it was redder than it once was! Don’t even get me started on that changeling. Also, I’m not making you choose; I’m telling you not to trust that duck you adore so much, and listen to what I have to say!}
  168. >Sir Ducksalot’s words enter your mind.
  169. ~Anonymous, do not listen to what this monster has to say. Ignore him and be on your way.~
  170. >Then the grey duck’s words sound in your head.
  171. {Are you really going to follow this thing without a second thought? You don’t even know it’s intentions! How do you know it won’t lead you into a trap? Honestly, it might be best to just ignore both of us. Who knows?}
  172. >You still can’t tell who you trust.
  173. >As much as you hate to admit it, what he says is true. You’ve never know Sir Ducksalot’s true intentions.
  174. >Another idea comes to you.
  175. “Well, can you tell me what it is that you have that will help me?”
  176. >The grey duck sighs in your head.
  177. {If you must know right now, I know of something that will make you much stronger than you are now. I prefer to keep the rest private until I know whether or not you will accept this offer of mine, though.}
  178. ~Do not do it, my son.~
  179. >That’s all? There’s not much to go on, there.
  180. “Okay then… Both of you. Could you tell me a bit about yourselves?”
  181. >The newest duck is the first to speak.
  182. {Of course, ask me anything!}
  183. >You wait for a response from Sir Ducksalot.
  184. ~If I must… Though I cannot guarantee clear answers all the time.~
  185. >What do you ask to the ducks?
  186.  
  187.  
  188.  
  189. >You have a few ways to test these two…
  190. “Where do you come from, and why am I the only one that can hear your words?”
  191. ~My purpose in this world is to guide you, my child. Where I am from does not matter in the grand scheme, only that you are properly lead in the right direction.~
  192. {I live down south, nice little house next to a forest. It’s quite the pleasure, really. I suppose what the geezer said is true as well, we’re just here to keep you in the pan and out of the fire, but if you don’t want that, it’s fine by me~.}
  193. “Er, that’s alright. What are your intentions in this world, and what is it that you hope to gain from being here?”
  194. ~The evil that you seek threatens not just your world, but all of existence. It is far more dangerous than what is believed.~
  195. {Oh pffft, that thing? I could stop it with my pinky, and so could you, Quacksalot!}
  196. “Then why haven’t you guys done it yet?”
  197. {That wouldn’t be very fun, now would it?}
  198. ~I cannot directly interfere with the mortal world.~
  199. >You feel like this isn’t going anywhere.
  200. >As much as you distrust this newcomer, the light shed upon your master’s vague answers are beginning to concern you.
  201. >You have one more trick under your sleeve, however.
  202. “Alright, here’s a hypothetical situation for you two. If I could grant you two one wish of any caliber, what would it be?”
  203. {I grant my own wishes, sonny, don’t worry about what you can give me. Having infinite power like mine leaves little to be desired, and boy, is it so much fun! I even share if I’m feeling generous…}
  204. ~I would wish that this limitation of mine be vanquished, so that I may better guide my children.~
  205. “Okay, bad choice, uh, here’s another one. If you guys had the option to pick between a sword that can defeat any foe, a shield that could defend all, or a healing spell that could cure anything, what would you choose?”
  206. {Oooh, toughie! I like your style kid. Of course, I could spawn all of that myself with a snap of the fingers, but what can you do? If you took away my powers, definitely the shield! I’m not going to lie, but having insurance for your friends is more than anything I’d need.}
  207. ~While all would be revered ways of life to change your destiny, the sword would be the final choice for any who seek to vanquish the evil that causes the need for a shield or healing spell to begin with.~
  208. >Both have very good points.
  209. >Which means you’re back to square one.
  210. >You still don’t know who to listen to.
  211. >At this point, you notice that both have gotten quite close to your ears while you weren’t looking as they’ve been talking.
  212. >So they’re still both animate.
  213. >You’re not totally crazy.
  214. >At least they’re not tulpas.
  215. >Y-you hope they’re not.
  216. >Now you need to make a decision.
  217. >Who do you choose?
  218.  
  219. >After a long bout of thought, you make your final decision.
  220. “If I have to choose only one of you, sorry Grey but I'll have to stick with my current benefactor. Your sales pitch was good, but I'm not in the market for a new angel on my shoulder.”
  221. {Oh, you’re just another do-gooder who doesn’t understand the concept of fun!}
  222. >Then you turn your head to your master.
  223. “That said, I can respect the 'no interference' rule to a point, but… keep me informed, huh? As much as you can. I'm putting trust in you; don't lead me astray, my liege.”
  224. ~We shall purge this world of evil together.~
  225. “Now, as for you…”
  226. {What?}
  227. >You reach up and suddenly grab the imposter grey rubber duck sitting on your left shoulder, and force it to the table.
  228. {Oh my, don’t get too rough or else you’ll make me squeak, hmhm! Wait… What are you doing?}
  229. >You part your robes, quickly undoing the necessary buttons with one hand as you speak to Sir Ducksalot.
  230. “Look away.”
  231. >He doesn’t respond, back to being his normal omnipotent self.
  232. >It’s time to bring JUSTICE to this imposter.
  233. >With your dick.
  234. >It flops out right on the cheeky bastard.
  235. {You’re seriously doing this, aren’t you?!}
  236. >You start pumping in response, determined to deliver true JUSTICE upon the grey duckling.
  237. {…}
  238. >It doesn’t take long.
  239. >Spurts of white, gooey rope are now exploding from the tip of your dick, covering the false idol in your spunk.
  240. >He seems to be too stunned to even speak anymore.
  241. >That is, until he starts morphing.
  242. >Your grip falters and you fall back in surprise with your dick still flopping as you watch the unfolding event.
  243. >The grey rubber duck sprouts odd arms, legs and even an antler.
  244. >A disfigured horn pops out of his head, and two bloodshot yellow eyes stare at you in disgust.
  245. >He holds up his chicken arm that’s covered with your jizz, looking at it with contempt.
  246. >”It would’ve been nice to go to dinner first, Anonymous.”
  247. >He slurps your manjuice right off his talons, swallowing with an exaggerated lump down his throat.
  248. >You feel like that shouldn’t be hot, but it weirdly is.
  249. >Then he shakes it off his weird dragon wings, chasing it down with a glass of water that you never saw him take out.
  250. >He drinks the glass, leaving a cup-shaped glob of water in his hand.
  251. >He lets it fall and it bursts over your head, soaking you and your receding dick.
  252. >”Naughty boy, I must warn you that playing with your pea shooter in public isn’t advised. Fluttershy tore me a new one when I tried it that one time, and she wasn’t even in the crossfire!”
  253. >This thing knows Fluttershy?
  254. “Who… What, are you?”
  255. >”The name’s Discord, god of chaos and who was supposed to be your master, until you declined and stayed with the old geezer. I’m off now, going to go see if another poor sap wants my advice on how to have a little excitement in their lives.”
  256. “..Uh…”
  257. >Is there anything you’d like to say to this odd entity before he leaves?
  258.  
  259.  
  260. >With one more wind of boldness, you stand up and speak.
  261. “You were so intent on helping me before, but you decided to be a carbon copy of my master Sir Ducksalot, so you got what was coming. But if you have any respect for this world, with your 'infinite power', can you at least help me out a little bit against this shadow? Power, knowledge, anything?”
  262. >Discord rubs his knuckles on his fur, making sure they’re clean.
  263. >He gives you a disinterested look.
  264. >”Oh, you want something from me? Sorry, I don’t give mystical powers to green humans with a penchant for slobbering all over children’s toys with their ‘magic flute.’”
  265. >Damn.
  266. “Call me sometime. Sorry we didn't mesh too well, but if you see Flutters before I do, tell her I'll be there to lend a hand with the seed soon. …The BIRD seed.”
  267. >He flicks your nose before he waves goodbye.
  268. >”Right. Ta-ta! Don’t have your actions predetermined by random people over an internet image board!”
  269. >With that sentence, he pops out of existence with smoke and lights.
  270. >What the fuck did he mean by that? He knows what the internet is?
  271. >Eh, whatever.
  272. >Either way, it’s over now.
  273. >Sir Ducksalot is with you, and you shall overcome.
  274. >Before you were interrupted, you were about to read the books you found on the curse.
  275. >Now you’re hearing hoofsteps coming from the hallway.
  276. >What would you like to do?
  277.  
  278.  
  279. “Well Sir Ducksalot… Do you know of anything that can help with this curse? Or maybe point me in the right direction?”
  280. ~To find what you seek, you must seek out the master of the dark arts. There is another in Equestria, far southwest who can show you the way.~
  281. “Who?”
  282. ~I know not their name or where they stay, but they live across the waters.~
  283. >Across the waters…
  284. >Looks like you’ll be needing a boat.
  285. >At this point, the hoofsteps grow louder, and the tassles ring.
  286. >”Hey Anon. She’s here!”
  287. >That’s Redheart, presumably with Twilight and Spike.
  288. >You turn around to greet them.
  289. “Hey, welcome back. I have something to show you, actually-”
  290. >Suddenly, Twilight and Redheart gasp.
  291. >Spike stares at you, stiff as a statue.
  292. >Sunwhirl is besides him, likewise staring with a precarious look on his face.
  293. >You look around to see what they’re staring at, but you don’t realize it until you look down.
  294. >You never put your dick back in.
  295. >What do you do?
  296.  
  297.  
  298. [QUEST ITEM COMPLETE: Mare in the Family - Find a way to help Charm Rose’s brother (1/1)]
  299. [QUEST UPDATED: Mare in the Family - Find the mysterious Master of the Dark Arts (0/1); Find a cure for Charm Rose’s brother (0/1)]
  300. >…Fuck it.
  301. >You quickly pull yourself back in, zip up your dick, and redo the buttons of your robe, quickly getting back to business.
  302. “Sorry, went to the toilet… Sort of forgot. Too focused on studying at the time, and besides, you’re all naked right now, so let’s move on, okay?”
  303. >Sunwhirl decides to be a massive cockstrangler and point something out.
  304. >”We have fur and tails that cover the unmentionables, my dear hairless friend.”
  305. >Spike takes this time to speak, you hearing his voice for the first time.
  306. >”So, this is the guy that saved me?”
  307. >Twilight nods, facehoofing intensely.
  308. >”Yeah Twi, when you said eccentric, you weren’t kidding.”
  309. >Redheart says nothing, opting to go see which books you picked out in embarrased silence.
  310. >While you were looking down, you decide to do a quick spot check just to be safe.
  311. >You see a small splotch of white just under the table where you did your deed, so you step on it, pretending to adjust your pants.
  312. >Once that’s finished, you nod at the little dragon, taking him in a little more clearly.
  313. >He’s the same purple and green you remember him, and the magical burns afflicting his body have been healed, sans a singular shimmering bandage on the side of his head.
  314. “Glad to see you up and about.”
  315. >”Glad to see you down, dude. But yeah, thanks for saving me. By the way, you’re soaked, what happened?”
  316. “I’m not quite sure myself, but once I get some business done with Twilight, we’ll talk a little more.”
  317. >Spike sighs, looking around the sanctuary.
  318. >”Yeah yeah. People asking for Twilight, in the middle of a room full of books. No wonder I feel at home.”
  319. >He goes to see some of Sunwhirl’s collections.
  320. >You honestly feel a little bad for the guy, but at least he’s healthy.
  321. >You look over at Twilight, who’s still having a bit of a hard time looking at you.
  322. “Listen, I’ve managed to find a few good books on anything that might help us. Redheart’s looking at them now, but I had to ask you guys something. Apparently, there’s a master of the dark arts that lives far southwest, across the waters. Do you guys know who that might be, or where they are?”
  323. >Twilight looks stumped, thinking carefully.
  324. >Sunwhirl gets the lightbulb instantly.
  325. >”I’ve actually heard of such a fellow around where you say. Southwest from here, there’s an island far off from the mainland called White-Tail Island. It holds the city of the same name, and the coast has a forest of the same name. I’m not sure, but I remember hearing an old myth about a pony who became so well-versed in magic, he had nothing left to learn except for the forbidden arts… So he learned them. Fleeing to White-Tail Island was his only option to find such dark magics, and as far as the myth goes, he’s been there ever since.”
  326. “Do you know his name?”
  327. >“No… It is shrouded in mystery and false information. That’s all I know.”
  328. “Twilight, anything?”
  329. >”I’ve never heard of such a pony myself, but I’ve never been out west, either. I think it’d be a good place to start if we don’t find anything from these books.”
  330. >You nod, and start rummaging through your inventory.
  331. “Alright, I had something else to discuss, so….”
  332. >You pull out the Strange Black Gem from your bag.
  333. >”What is that?”
  334. “I was hoping you could tell me.”
  335. >Twilight and Sunwhirl stare at it closely, their facial expressions mirror images of each other, sans the latter’s wrinkles and stache.
  336. >Twilight gets it first this time.
  337. >”Judging from the vast magical potency I feel from it… I think it’s a Starswirl Stone!”
  338. “He has stones, too? Not kidney, right?”
  339. >”No, this is a gem specifically cut with a special form of magic to have vast enchanting capabilities! You can put any enchantment you want on this gem, and the effects are much more powerful than on a normal object. It works best when you put one in a necklace or ring, but having it on you works too. Where’d you find this?”
  340. ”It was inside a half-eaten sandwich that one of the shadowy acolytes had when we killed them in the Crystal Palace.”
  341. >Twilight looks at you like you just recited the Peewee theme song.
  342. >”A sandwich…? That seems… unlikely.”
  343. >Sunwhirl nods.
  344. >”I’d have to agree with Ms. Sparkle, it’s not something you see every day. But, if you were willing to part with a few more bits, I’d most certainly enchant it for you for your travels.”
  345. >You’re handed the stone back by Twilight.
  346. [STRANGE BLACK GEM REVEALED AS A STARSWIRL STONE]
  347. “So these things are rare?”
  348. >”Very rare. That’s the second one I’ve ever seen in my life.”
  349. >Interesting…
  350. >You might take Sunwhirl up on that offer if you can think of something to put it in.
  351. >Redheart’s looking through the books about curses, and Spike is secretly doodling inside one of the shelves.
  352. >What would you like to do?
  353.  
  354.  
  355.  
  356. >You look over at the mail wall at the edge of the blocked off window in the sanctuary, seeing the directory.
  357. >Might as well check it before you begin.
  358.  
  359. [DIRECTORY]
  360. [“Hello, and welcome to the Crystal Palace! We hope you enjoy your stay, or if you’re returning, we give you a warm welcome! If you’re having problems navigating the streets, please refer to this directory for assistance.”]
  361.  
  362. >Hotels and Inns<
  363. -Trot & Travel Inn (35 bits per night, 20% discount for every extra pony)
  364. -Hooflight Hotel (40 bits per night, 15% discount, includes room service)
  365. -Mr. Rich’s Magical Motel (80 bits per night per pony, luxury service and rooms)
  366. -Crystal Palace Royal Suite (200 bits per night per pony, royal service and rooms)
  367.  
  368. >Stores<
  369. -Hammer & Sickle (Sells tools and parts for all things industrial, gardening, hardware and construction)
  370. -Gyro Gear’s Great Scientific Wonders {Discount: 15%}(Sells Scientific/Engineering gizmos)[New Postage: NEW ITEMS IN STOCK!!]
  371. -Fortuna Potions {Discount: 10%}(Sells magical items, trinkets, and enchanting/alchemy ingredients)
  372. -Maregaze’s M&S Lover’s ‘Retreat’ (Sells adult items)
  373. -The Protected Wither (Sells weapons and armor, all things combat)[New Postage: NEW WEAPONS IN STOCK!!!]
  374. -Tricks and Needles (Sells all things clothing, tailor-made!)[New Postage: The Fall line of dreses and suits has been confirmed, gem-style! Check the store to get yours for the upcoming Gala!]
  375. -Library of the Crystal Empire (The library and book store!)
  376. >Civil Services<
  377. Crystal Empire Guard Department, low alert
  378. Shining Fire Fighters Department, low alert
  379. Mi Amore Hospital, currently open for drop-ins and selling extra supplies
  380. Diamond-Ridge Park (Public area)
  381.  
  382. [New Postage]: The Shining Fire Fighters Department has issued a bounty for the capture of one Hop Dunk, a large stallion who’s been spotted with breaking and entering into multiple stores and stealing their wares.
  383.  
  384. [New Postage]: The Crystal Palace has been re-opened to the public! Princess Cadance had been suffering from an unknown illness, but thanks to the ever-famous Dr. Anonymous, she has been cured, and the Royal Suite as well as the museum have been re-instated!
  385.  
  386. [New Postage]: THE CRYSTAL FAIR IS … over for this year! Don’t worry though, it will be back as it is every year with new events, all new fun and the second annual tournament!
  387.  
  388. [Postage]: Gyro Gear’s Great Scientific Wonders and The Protected Wither have a new invention in town! Come on down and take a look!
  389.  
  390.  
  391. [KNOWN RECIPES]
  392. >Alchemy: (Skill level - Basic {250/300})
  393. Sleeping Darts [3 red herbs, 2 blue herbs, makes 3]
  394. Healing Potion [1 wisp weed, 2 lifeleaf, 1 rizzleberry bunch, makes 2 large potions/4 medium/6 small]
  395. Smokescreen Bomb [1 Haze flower, 1 Ounce of Combustible powder, 1 Fuse, makes 1]
  396. Iron Hide Brew [1 small gem, 1 Yeti hair, 1 cup of Gypsum, makes 5]
  397. Flask of Lucky Tithings [Requires Moderate Alchemy skill, 2 Haze flowers, 2 rizzleberry bunches, 4 Four-leaf clovers, makes 1]
  398. Amare Potion [3 red herbs, 1 small healing potion, 1 aphrodisiac, 1 hair of the intended target, makes 1]
  399.  
  400. >Engineering: (Skill level - Basic {270/300})
  401. Scooter [1 Wheel & Axle, 1 2x4 plank of wood, 1 Wooden handle, 1 Handful of bolts]
  402. Defibrillator [2 Tin pads, 2 insulated handles, 1 Electric manifold, 1 Dial mechanism, 2 strong magnets]
  403. 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]
  404. 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]
  405. Kablooie-mite [Requires Moderate Engineering skill, 4 ounces of Combustible powder, 4 ounces of Kablooie powder, 1 fuse, 1 Insulated handle]
  406. 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]
  407.  
  408. >Medical:
  409. Medkit [1 Roll of Gauze, 1 Bottle of isopropyl alcohol, 1 set of bandages, 1 Needle & String]
  410. [Current questlog] (7/10 total):
  411. [Investigate Shadow] - Find it (0/1); Exterminate it (0/1); Report to Celestia (0/1)
  412. [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)
  413. [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)
  414. [Mare in the Family] - Find the mysterious Master of the Dark Arts (0/1); Find a cure for Charm Rose’s brother (0/1)
  415. [Just like Clockwork] - Travel to Appleoosa and speak to Frizzy Gear (0/1)
  416. [In the Belly of the Beast] - Travel to Queen Chrysalis’ hive (0/1), Clear the hive of corruption (0/1), Negotiate with Queen Chrysalis (0/1)
  417. [The Airship] - Find a trained pilot (0/1), Learn the Airship’s controls (0/1), Fly the Airship to Canterlot (0/1)
  418.  
  419. >Bucket List (Misc.) - Help Flutters with bird seed, Have Berry's Scorch Ring examined and analyzed, Examine the schematics we have and make up a list of what we need to build at least one of each, Deal with Shining being a dickwad in direct defiance of what we asked him to do, Find the rest of Starswirl's notes
  420.  
  421. >Redheart seems to be going through the books that you’ve found herself, so this gives you an opportunity to catch up and ask questions.
  422. “I had a few things I wanted to ask you two, if that’s alright?”
  423. >They both nod in unison.
  424. >”Anything, Anon.”
  425. >”I will answer to the best of my ability.”
  426. >You’re sure glad he didn’t take having your wang out in his private sanctuary wrong.
  427. >You round on the old wizard first, as you have less to ask him.
  428. “First off, I’d like to ask if it’s a possibility to remove the enchantment off of one weapon and put it on another. I have a spear with an enchantment that allows it to harm spectrals, but I’m thinking of replacing it.”
  429. >”Well… I suppose if I were to disenchant your item, I could learn its properties, and re-enchant another item with it for your request. So, in short, yes, it is possible. You will lose your spear, but so long as you come to me with the weapon you want to enchant, then you should have no qualms.”
  430. >So it’s possible, but you’d lose your double-bladed spear.
  431. “Okay. So, if I were to enchant the Starswirl stone, would you have any amulets or rings that you could place them in for the extra effectiveness?”
  432. >”It’d be extra, but I have a few casts lying around I could whip up for you, uh, providing you have the material you’d like to make it out of.”
  433. >You only have a platinum ingot, but it could still work.
  434. “And you said that it could still work without the cast?”
  435. >”It is not as powerful, but so long as you carry it with you, it will work.”
  436. >That’s good, at least.
  437. “Alright, now. I know you really want Starswirl’s notes, but I still have need of the healing ones.”
  438. >”Yes yes, you’ve told me. Get to the point.”
  439. “I can give you the portal ones now, but you said something about paying me handsomely.”
  440. >Sunwhirl clears his throat.
  441. >”I did, and I will. But I’ll give you your reward when all seven are found.”
  442. “Can I ask how much?”
  443. >”I know it will be a lot, but you’ll have to excuse me as I’m not sure myself. I have to figure out how much to save so I don’t go bankrupt, and that might take me a while. I’ll know by the time you find them, so uh.. c-could I have it then?”
  444. “Sure.”
  445. [You give Sunwhirl the Stached your Starswirl’s Notes: Portals]
  446. [1/7 NOTES RETURNED]
  447. >”Thank you, my tall friend.”
  448. >He looks at it like a kid looks at a new kind of candy that just came out.
  449. “Oh, and since I’m doing this, could you give me a discount in the mean time?”
  450. >He sighs and rubs his face with a hoof, beginning to stow away the notes for safe keeping.
  451. >”You’re one of the cheapest men I’ve ever met, you know that?”
  452. >It’s your inner jew, what can you say?
  453. >”Fine. 5%, but not a bit more! It’s not like you’ll be here for long anyways, what with the plans that Ms. Sparkle told me you have.”
  454. “Er… thanks”
  455. [-5% prices at Fortuna Potions!]
  456. >You probably shouldn’t have been so insistent.
  457. “Also, could I see what modifications you could make for this recombobulator?”
  458. >Sunwhirl blinks in confusion.
  459. >”….Oh, do you mean that odd contraption you’ve shown me before? I must apologize, but as it is a new invention, there aren’t any enchantments for it right now.”
  460. “That’s alright, thanks. You’ve been a big help.”
  461. >He nods and flicks his mustache.
  462. >”I’ll be up in the shop if you’d like that stone enchanted or anything else.”
  463. >Sunwhirl takes his leave, disappearing into the dark hallway.
  464. “Twilight, mind if we talk for a second?”
  465. >”Sure, hold on Redheart.”
  466. >Twilight had gone to help her with the books while you were talking with Sunwhirl, it seems.
  467. >She smiles at you and you begin your next line of questioning.
  468. “Have you heard from Cadance at all about the healing spell? Did it work?”
  469. >Twilight’s smile turns a bit awkward.
  470. >”Uuh… define ‘work’.”
  471. >Uh-oh.
  472. “What happened?”
  473. >”She can’t use the spell either.”
  474. “Really? Is it the same pr--”
  475. >”Well, not exactly. She has the power to use it, and the knowledge to use it… the problem is the execution.”
  476. “What do you mean?”
  477. >”Any spell requires concentration on it’s base function to work, like anything you’d do normally. When you levitate something, you’re thinking about making things float at the same time you’re casting the spell. The problem is, there’s no allegory for healing. Only someone with mastery in magical knowledge like Princess Celestia and Luna could perform it.”
  478. “Oh…”
  479. >”Don’t worry, this just means Cadance and I have some studying to do!”
  480. >So you have to master your knowledge to use it.
  481. “Alright. Moving on, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on where we should go next. While that master of the dark arts is somewhere southwest and could have answers to the shadow, we have to take care of the hive and I wanted to ask you where it was-”
  482. >”Anon, Don’t you remember what Celestia said?”
  483. “…Yeah.”
  484. >Suddenly, there’s a groan from the corner of the room.
  485. >Spike’s clutching his stomach, doubled over in pain.
  486. >”Spike?”
  487. >Redheart approaches him, but all of a sudden he belches into the air, green flames spitting out and revealing a rolled piece of parchment with Celestia’s symbol on it.
  488. >”Eugh… Sorry, just haven’t done that in a long time.”
  489. >”A letter from Princess Celestia!”
  490. >Twilight takes it with her levitation and unrolls it, beginning to read frantically.
  491. >You watch her pupils stop mid-sentence, and she floats it over to you.
  492. >”It’s for you, Anon.”
  493. >You take it in surprise, reading it carefully.
  494. [You open the scroll and begin to read the letter.]
  495.  
  496. My Faithful Subject,
  497.  
  498. I ask that you give this letter to Anonymous, and that my words to you still stands. Stay strong my student.
  499.  
  500. Dr. Anonymous,
  501.  
  502. My council, consisting of Princes Luna, Princess Cadance, Captain Shining Armor, and my student Twilight Sparkle and I, have come to a consensual, majority rules decision. I will first begin by telling you that I know that you are a very compelling, competent, and intelligent being. Twilight has told me of your compassion, your inspiring heroism for even the smallest problems.
  503.  
  504. If you remember when we first met and spoke with each other, I told you to find this enemy, and eradicate its threat at all costs. I will have to ask you to hold fast to this order. The changeling has told you and us that it’s hive has been invaded by a black substance, that we are sure is the shadow. If the hive has been overrun, then it is only a matter of time before this unknown enemy takes control of them. We cannot allow this to happen, so as much as it pains me to ask you Anonymous, I ask you to travel to the hive and clear it of its corruption. Be warned that it is a very dangerous place, and that you will require all the help that you can muster. If there were any other way, Anonymous, I would pursue it, but our options are running out.
  505.  
  506. Thank you for understanding, and I ask that you stay safe in your endeavors. Now that our little Spike has recovered to my relief and happiness, we can keep in touch more easily, so keep us posted!
  507.  
  508. P.S. The shipments for your handheld weapons have come in. I can’t tell you how much fun I’ve had pranking my guards!
  509.  
  510. With love and kindness,
  511. Princess Celestia
  512.  
  513. [End Letter]
  514.  
  515. >Wait one fucking minute.
  516. >Her last letter to you was telling you not to go to the hive.
  517. >Twilight herself told you that the changeling…
  518. “Have you guys been lying to me?”
  519. >”What?”
  520. >You give her back the paper, and she reads it in a quarter of the time that you did.
  521. >”…This doesn’t make sense. It sounds like she has no knowledge of writing that first letter at all, but she hasn’t told you of anything in it on this one…!”
  522. “What does that mean?”
  523. >Twilight looks up, her pupils contracted to pinpricks.
  524. >Then she assumes a very serious face, anger building up in her expression.
  525. >”Someone stopped the first letter from being sent. It wasn’t on the protected line that Spike has been attuned to, so it must’ve been stolen!”
  526. “Who could’ve done that?”
  527. >Twilight looks carefully at the real letter.
  528. >”I don’t know, but we have to find out.”
  529. >So the order in the first letter was a complete scam?
  530. >No wonder it sounded off key.
  531. [CELESTIA’S LETTER REVEALED TO BE FAKE]
  532. >Now you have to get to that hive.
  533. “Where’s the hive, exactly?”
  534. >Twilight looks back at you, keeping the new letter for evidence.
  535. >”We’re not completely sure where it is, but we’ve always felt the collective magical signature of the changelings in the Badlands, so that’s most likely where the hive is.”
  536. “…And where’s the Badlands?”
  537. >Twilight groans a bit, asking for your map.
  538. >”Here, I’ll mark it. It’s southeast of Appleoosa and Dodge Junction. I would be really careful though, because it’s filled with rogue magical elementals and cretins.”
  539. “Noted.”
  540. [Knowledge of Appleoosa, Dodge Junction, The Badlands, and possible Changeling Hive’s locations have been noted.]
  541. “So, what’s closer, Appleoosa or White-Tail City?”
  542. >”Well, from here they’re about an equal distance. The real difference is a 3 day boat ride or a 16-hour train ride.”
  543. “Oh. So they’re far apart from each other?”
  544. >”Well, it’s not as far as Ponyville is from the Crystal Empire, but yes, they’re far. As for your question before, It’d probably be best to see what’s happening at the hive before going to find this… dark arts master. Honestly, I think it’s dangerous going to see a pony who’s shrouded in legend for such dark and hurtful magic, but whatever leads you have helps, I guess.”
  545. “Right. Who knows, maybe he’s a nice guy?”
  546. >Twilight rolls her eyes, and you both laugh a bit.
  547. >”That’d be some good luck if I ever saw it. Anyways, what else did you need to know?”
  548. “Just one more thing. Do you think it’s possible to teach other ponies the healing spell and portal spells, or do they have to have the notes?”
  549. >Twilight shakes her head.
  550. >”Normally, you can teach them just fine, but only if you’ve mastered the spell you’re trying to teach. Since you can’t cast either, you can’t master the spells, let alone teach them to somepony else. For now, I’d stick with the notes you have, but I have to tell you that there isn’t anypony in this world stronger than the alicorns, so I don’t think you’re going to find anypony that’ll be able to use it anyways.”
  551. “Yeah, that’s true. Either way, that’s all of my questions.”
  552. >Twilight smiles.
  553. >”Good, now… I have to write a letter to Princess Celestia.
  554. >Twilight rejoins Redheart at the table with her own quill, Spike at her side, letting you go free.
  555. >You wonder if there’s a pony equivalent of the Kamasutra here…
  556. >It won’t be in Sunwhirl’s studies, though, since it’s not magic-related.
  557. >It’d be best to try to find it in the Crystal Library or the Palace one.
  558. >Twilight, Spike and Redheart are doing what they’re doing, and the rest of your party are drinking and having fun, probably wondering where you and Red are.
  559. >It is currently 6:00 P.M.
  560. >What would you like to do?
  561.  
  562. >Bit pouch: (10,174 bits, 3 small gems, 7 medium gems, 3 large gems)
  563. >You make a mental note to give Sunwhirl the healing notes the next time you see him.
  564. >After what Twilight reminded you of, there’s no point in keeping them.
  565. >You decide your best bet is to check out that last book about incantations, but first…
  566.  
  567. [SEARCHING SANCTUARY FOR HIDDEN NOTES . . .]
  568. [You don’t find anything.]
  569. [SEARCHING SANCTUARY FOR BOOKS RELATING TO THE NINE RINGS OF KINICH-AHAU . . .]
  570. [You have found an excerpt relating to the rings in a book entitled ‘Kinich-Ahau: Lost Emperor’.]
  571.  
  572. [Excerpt]
  573. >”-and was losing control of his guard. To combat this, the newly-crowned Emperor Kinich found a way to control the overbearing magic that was beginning to turn on him. Legend tells that he summoned the Trottic god Unacro to forge him nine rings of fire. A ring for his four hooves, his tail, his body, his neck, his mane, and a crown of pure flame that sits above his form. On their own, the rings are said to be very powerful in their own right, but all nine together made the Emperor unstoppable, a god in his own right. After his death, the rings were scattered across all of ancient Equestria, from White-Tail territory to the Ghastly Gorge.”
  574. [End Excerpt]
  575.  
  576. >So there are nine rings in total, and they’re mostly in the western part of Equestria.
  577. >Damn, it’d be very interesting to see Berry as a fire goddess.
  578. >Then again, it would probably be disastrous.
  579. >It’s a ride you’d ride.
  580. >Getting back to the task on hand, you only have one thing left to do here.
  581. >Stretching out your hand, you levitate Sunwhirl’s Theorems from the table and open it up, beginning to read.
  582. >How long would you like to study for?
  583.  
  584.  
  585. >All the thoughts going through your head make you feel schizophrenic.
  586. >You set down the book and pick on solid action to act on first before doing anything else.
  587. “I’ll be right back.”
  588. >”Okay.”
  589. >”…And sent!”
  590. >You see Spike burning the newly-made letter to Celestia, figuring that’s how they sent it.
  591. >You go back through the tassles and walk through the dark hallway, using your lumination spell to see the way.
  592. >Eventually, you emerge back to the front of the shop, Sunwhirl behind the counter and finishing a purchase from a crystal pony that is leaving.
  593. >”Oh, that didn’t take long. Change your mind?”
  594. “Yeah, actually. I was wondering if you wanted me to make a few copies of these notes? Since I just found out that only powerful magic-users that don’t exist outside of alicorns can use the healing spell, I have no more use for it, so you can have this.
  595. [You give Sunwhirl the Stached your Starswirl’s Notes: Healing]
  596. [2/7 NOTES RETURNS]
  597. >”Oh, thank you. As for copying them, uh, if you needed them still you could do so, but you can’t copy the charm that has the actual spell within. If it’s encrypted, then you know it’s got safeguards against that.”
  598. “Safeguards?”
  599. >”Counterspells, so you can’t copy them?”
  600. >Oh, that one you should’ve figured out.
  601. >You now know that the charms aren’t going to work.
  602. >But it would still benefit you.
  603. “Alright. I’d still like a copy of those two anyways, just to be safe.”
  604. >Sunwhirl removes a quill and inkwell, and you quickly sketch the words that Starswirl wrote a long time ago.
  605. [RECEIVED COPY OF STARSWIRL’S NOTES: PORTALS AND HEALING]
  606. “Thanks for this… I’ll be back up in a while.”
  607. >”Don’t please yourself in my sanctuary, doctor.”
  608. >…Well, you thought he was alright with it.
  609. >You go down past the back door and the hallway, returning to the Sanctuary.
  610. >You greet the three still studying out, and you pick up the theorem book once again and get to work.
  611. >…
  612. [You study Sunwhirl’s Theorems: Magic Drain Spells and Incantations for 1 hour.]
  613. [You focus specifically on the Mana Drain aspect, looking for anything that you might be able to learn.]
  614. [You don’t find any spells!]
  615. >…
  616. >That wasn’t a very productive hour.
  617. >You understood most of it thanks to Twilight’s training, but you couldn’t find any actual spells.
  618. >It is now 7:00 P.M., and Iron Will’s armor should be done right about now.
  619. >Twilight and Redheart have just about finished going through the rest of the books, and their looks aren’t hopeful.
  620. >What would you like to do?
  621.  
  622.  
  623. >You wait for them to finish, and the two mares let out a groan of disappointment at the same time, Twilight a little more vocal.
  624. >”Well, so much for that theory…”
  625. “Yeah, major bust on the spell front, but at least I've got another lead. I've got a little running around to do to take care of my friends, and then I was hoping we'd find them and go for a few drinks. Would you like to join us? More the merrier and all that. Spike, you too if you're feeling up to it. Don't know what the drinking age is around here, but we can get you set up at a pool table or dartboard if that's your thing.”
  626. >Spike’s eyes light up in excitement, but Twilight shuts it right down.
  627. >”Oh no, we need to get going. There’s a lot of books to look through for Celestia, after all.”
  628. >The small dragon instantly grabs onto Twilight’s leg with a pleading look on his face.
  629. >”Oh c’mon, Twi! This’ll be the first time I’ve had fun since the attack!”
  630. >”We have work to do!”
  631. >”Please?…”
  632. >”…Spike, I’m just not comfortable with you going out like that again so soon…”
  633. >Twilight puts a hoof on his shoulder with a worried look.
  634. “He’s safe with us. Trust me when I say that I look out for my friends, and I’m not about to let him get hurt a second time.”
  635. >Spike smiles wide at your approval.
  636. >”See!? I’ll be fine, Twilight! Plus, my hand is cramping from all that writing… Can I go, please?”
  637. >Twilight is slowly drained of her will by Spike’s puppy-dog eyes.
  638. >”…Ugh, fine. Just… be back in our room before midnight, okay?”
  639. >”YES!”
  640. >Spike jumps for joy, and immediately runs over to you and starts shaking your hand exuberantly.
  641. >”Thanks for having my back, dude!”
  642. “Hey, no problem.”
  643. >”NO DRINKS!”
  644. >Spike’s face falls at Twilight’s order.
  645. >”Don’t worry about her, I’m totally of legal age.”
  646. >”I heard that! Anon, don’t give him anything!”
  647. “I won’t. See ya!”
  648. >You, Redheart and Spike wave at Twilight, who gives Spike one last look before being enveloped in the dark hallway.
  649. >Redheart then walks up to your side, giving a small smile to Spike.
  650. >”So, what’s the plan?”
  651. “We need to go pick up Iron’s armor, and then we can go find the drunkards that composes our party.”
  652. >She giggles a bit, leading the way.
  653. >”I think I know where they went. Come on, boys.”
  654. >You and Spike follow her up through the back of the store and out to the front.
  655. >”Goodbye, Mr. Sunwhirl.”
  656. >He looks up from his logs.
  657. >”Oh, leaving?”
  658. “Yeah, we gotta pick some stuff up. Thanks for letting us use your private study though, it really helped us out.”
  659. >He nods and gives you a quaint smile.
  660. >”Anytime, Anonymous. Come back if you need anything else.”
  661. >You wave goodbye, and the three of you exit the store into the ever-darkening dusk.
  662. >”Ooh, it’s chilly. Let’s get moving.”
  663. >…
  664. >It takes you about ten minutes to make it to the Protected Wither.
  665. >As soon as you come in, Spike’s eyes latch onto all of the weapon and armor racks, in sheer shock and amazement.
  666. >”Whoa… So this is a weapon shop?… Awesome.”
  667. >The voice alerts Mr. Ironsmith, who’s head pops out of the back closet.
  668.  
  669. [The Protected Wither] Owner: Mr. Ironsmith
  670. >“Well, if it isn’t my favorite hairless doctor. Come for the armor? I think you’ll like it.”
  671. “Yeah, let’s see it.”
  672. [RECEIVED RE-INFORCED YETI-HIDE ARMOR (+40 PD, +25 MD, -100% chance to bleed)]
  673. “That’s… Impressive.”
  674. >Spike’s eyes glue to the armor, seeing something meant for pure, unadulterated combat up-close for the first time.
  675. >”Only the finest from my store. Alright, do you need anything else since you’re here?”
  676.  
  677. -Buy
  678. -Sell
  679. -Modify
  680. -Talk to Mr. Ironsmith
  681. -Exit
  682.  
  683.  
  684.  
  685. [Cannot fill Recombobulator while performing another action!]
  686.  
  687. >Talk to Mr. Ironsmith
  688. >As you begin to talk to him, Spike takes the liberty of examining the yeti armor with a claws-on approach, Redheart watching with an amused countenance.
  689. “Perhaps not directly, but I would like to pick your brain real quick. I was thinking of doing some enchanting, making an amulet or a ring or something. Are there any metals that would enhance magic on something like that? Or, y'know, conversely anything we should avoid using? I'd hate to make it out of unobtainium and have the thing fizzle or explode or something.”
  690. >The shopkeep regards you carefully.
  691. >”Sometimes I forget that you’re not even from this world, son. Then again, there’s not that many ponies who would know about the smithin’ trade anyways, so go figure. Basically, you want to watch out for the really dull metals like iron, straight steel, tin or bronze, because they just do not conduct magic well at all. There’s a reason you don’t see old wizards in them history books with heavy armor or nothin’.”
  692. “Right, metal and magic don’t mix.”
  693. >”Now, the good metals for somethin’ like that are actually enchanted on their own in most cases, but if ya have to go blank, your best choice would be platinum or gold. Copper works really good too, but it’s rare to find enough pure copper to make a necklace or ring like that. When I say pure, I mean really pure, past the 99 percent mark.”
  694. “Oh, I see. What about the enchanted metals?”
  695. >”There’s Celesteel, Lunimum, and Trotium, to start with. Celesteel is normal steel enchanted with a suncore and used mainly for weapons or positive enchantments, Luminum is Platinum enchanted under the light of a full moon and makes for some powerful enchantments that rely on magic, and the kingpin, Trotium, is adamantite enchanted only by a special brand of goons that’ve kept their secret passed down for generations and what not. If you wanna find that, you’ll have to find the right enchanter, and I don’t know where they would be.”
  696. “How can I find the metals?”
  697. >”Just go find a mining cave down at the ridge near Ponyville, or the Ghastly Ghorge above White-Tail Woods. There’s plenty scattered all over the place.”
  698. “And how much does it usually cost to work with these enchanted metals?”
  699. >Ironsmith chuckles heartily, straightening his beard.
  700. >”If it tells you anything, I don’t deal with it at all. Let the freaks who want the big bucks take that territory, I say. There’s some poor sap that came in here a few years back asking for a Luminum hoofring for his fianceè, tryin’ to raise ten thousand bits. Believe that?”
  701. >That feel when you have that much right now.
  702. >”Just a little ring, not even the gem to go with it! Listen, hairless. That stuff is top-dollar in Equestria, for the richest of the rich. Not even Fancy Pants himself has more than a Luminum monocle.”
  703. “Alright… What about silver?”
  704. >”Silver? Oh, that works with enchantments too, but it doesn’t enhance it. Sort of like the neutral brother of the metals.”
  705. “Do you have any metals that I could buy, possibly?”
  706. >”While I’m not technically supposed to sell resources, I could backdoor it and ring it up out of the register. We’d be working on our honest word.”
  707. “Good enough for me.”
  708. [METALS]
  709. -Iron Ingot (5 bits)
  710. -Tin Extract (5 bits)
  711. -Steel Ingot (20 bits)
  712. -Bronze Ingot (15 bits)
  713. -Copper Ingot (12 bits)
  714. -Silver Ingot (45 bits)
  715. -Gold Ingot (70 bits)
  716. -Platinum Ingot (80 bits)
  717. -Crystalline Extract (“Oh, by the way, crystal can be used for jewelry, but jewelry only. It works the same as silver for enchantments.”) {95 bits}
  718. -Adamantite Ingot (“Don’t have too many of these, but then again, you won’t be buying too many.”) {250 bits}
  719.  
  720. >”So, what do you need?”
  721.  
  722. -Buy item(s)
  723. -Inspect item(s)
  724. -Back to Menu
  725. -Talk to Mr. Ironsmith
  726. -Exit
  727.  
  728.  
  729. >You have selected 2 Adamantite Ingots (500 bits)
  730. >Haggle
  731. >You lean in a little close and mutter your words so Red doesn’t hear you.
  732. “I’m getting these for a few amulets that I’d like to enchant for me and my marefriend, Redheart over here. Is there any chance you can knock off a few bits so it’s a bit easier on my pocket when I do?”
  733. >Mr. Ironsmith sighs, rubbing the bridge of his muzzle in deep thought.
  734. >”I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you the two for 450, but that’s really pushing it, and because you’re a regular at this point.”
  735.  
  736. >Total: 450 bits (To be paid in gems)
  737. >Do you want to buy these items? Y/N
  738.  
  739.  
  740. >Y
  741. [You have received 2 Adamantite Ingots!]
  742. >Bit pouch: (10,164 bits, 2 small gems, 7 medium gems, 2 large gems)
  743.  
  744. >”There you are, and there I am. T’was a pleasure, hairless.”
  745. “Same. Thanks for doing this by the way.”
  746. >You look back real quick to check on the two, and Redheart’s supervising Spike trying to juggle a few daggers.
  747. >”Alright, anything else you wanted?”
  748. -Buy
  749. -Sell
  750. -Modify
  751. -Talk to Mr. Ironsmith
  752. -Exit
  753.  
  754.  
  755. >Exit
  756. “I think that’ll be all for now. Thanks.”
  757. >”No problem, come back anytime.”
  758. >You wave and catch Redheart and Spike’s attention, beckoning them as you head for the door.
  759. >Spike gives an enthusiastic goodbye to the pony he’s never met.
  760. >”Hey, you got a nice shop here, mister! See ya!”
  761. >”Come back when you’re a little older and we’ll work somethin’ out, son!”
  762. >The three of you then return to the outside world, the air getting briskier by the minute.
  763. >Seeing the clock strike 7:30 p.m., Celestia’s sun finally dips below the horizon, the first stars beginning to show.
  764. “Sorry guys, I gotta go do one more thing before we go see our friends, need to head back to Fortuna Potions.”
  765. >Redheart’s head dips down in exhaustion.
  766. >”Alright, fine. Just be quick about it, okay?”
  767. >You take the lead and begin the arduous trek back to the old magic store, deciding that now would be a good time to practice your own a little bit more.
  768. >One way to do that is start levitating some heavier objects.
  769. >Another way is to try filling up this recombobulator, to see what it does.
  770. >How much mana would you like to fill up the Magic Recombobulator with?
  771.  
  772.  
  773. [Filled Magic Recombobulator with 118 mana.]
  774. [-118 MP]
  775. Anon: [HP: 125/125][MP: 118/255]
  776. [MRP: 118/500]
  777.  
  778. >You be careful as you close the mechanism, now about a fifth full with some primordial white-blue magic sifting inside like a liquid.
  779. >Once that’s finished, you stop midstep.
  780. >What are you doing?
  781. >This shit can be saved for tomorrow, you have some friends you need to start spending some time with.
  782. “On second thought… the store can wait. Let’s go meet up with the rest of the group. Red?”
  783. >Redheart is already leading the way down the other direction, so you run a bit to catch up.
  784. >”Glad you changed your mind. They’re probably worried sick about us!”
  785. >”Yeah, I wanna see what adults do for fun anyways!”
  786. >…
  787. “Worried, huh?”
  788. >Redheart led you and Spike to the Cross-Eyed Tavern, in a district you’ve never been to.
  789. >As soon as you come in, you see that your party is the life of the… well, party.
  790. >Cheers and hoots fill the warm, cozy, dimly-lit building with joy and vigor for multiple things.
  791. >Gable and the returned Iron Will are in the center, arm-wrestling each other and not giving an inch, a crowd of ponies thrashing around their foamy drinks and shouting for one or the other.
  792. >Applejack is riding the bull. Not a mechanical bull, a real-ass bull trying to throw her right off, but she holds on like a champion, waving her hat around in style.
  793. >Berry Punch seems to have dragged Pinkie Pie into the joys of being absolutely fucking hammered, as they’re leaning on each other for support, chugging rum and cherry-flavored liquor, respectively.
  794. >They’re cheering on the boys, getting alcohol all over their fur and bumping heads, a sight to behold.
  795. >Last but not least, Gyro Gear and Wheaties… are nowhere to be found.
  796. >It looks like they’ve left.
  797. >”Oh my, I hope they don’t hurt each other… C’mon, Anon! Let’s get a little loose and join them!”
  798. >You feel yourself be pulled by Redheart and Spike, claw and hoof with each hand as they stride you up to the counter.
  799. >The bartender gives you a sweet smile as Spike goes to join the cheerers for the arm-wrestling match.
  800. >”Hello, haven’t seen you here before, doctor! Congratulations on winning that tournament!”
  801. >Your reputation’s gone all across the Crystal Empire, hasn’t it?
  802. >”What would you and the missus like?”
  803. >Wait, she thinks you and Red are married?
  804. >What do you say, and what would you like to order?
  805.  
  806.  
  807. >Inspect Magic Recombobulator Points
  808. [When the MR is filled with mana, it is usable as a sort of bank for MP, able to be deposited for later use as a potion you fill yourself. However, the magic inside this device can be enchanted to have greater potency or special effects when consumed, if you can find a skilled enough enchanter.]
  809.  
  810. >You look back for a moment to check on Redheart after that.
  811. >She’s beat red all across her cheeks, frozen in horror.
  812. >Damn, she definitely must’ve thought about it if she’s acting like that.
  813. >Wait.. She’s thought about it.
  814. >Suddenly, your collar feels a bit tight, getting a little hot in here.
  815. >”Sir?”
  816. >You look back at the now concerned barmare, trying to get your thoughts organized.
  817. >So many choices.
  818. “Oh… uuh… F-fuzzy navel.”
  819. >Her look changes from worry to stifling laughter.
  820. “I-I mean, uh, Jäger.”
  821. >”Huh?”
  822. “Irish Car Bomb!”
  823. >”What’s an Irish?”
  824. “… S-scotch, please. On the rocks. Fuzzy Navel for her, I mean. And a… shirley temple for my dragon friend here, Spike.”
  825. >They say your spaghetti grew three sizes that day.
  826. >The mare behind the counter giggles as she starts pouring the three drinks.
  827. >”Let me guess, you guys aren’t married?”
  828. >Redheart’s quick to answer.
  829. >”N-no!”
  830. “No..”
  831. >”My mistake, sorry. You guys just look like you’ve been through a lot together, I guess. Here you go!”
  832. [-28 bits]
  833. >A square glass of iced scotch leads itself to your hand, while the navel’s passed to Redheart, and she sips on her straw quietly as she stares at the ground.
  834. >The bartender attends to other customers, so you pick up the temple and pass it over to Spike.
  835. >”Oh hey, thanks! What is it?”
  836. “Try it.”
  837. >You take a chug of your own drink as you watch him.
  838. >He takes a little sip, and the way he savors the taste is a sure sign of new love, immediately taking a much larger drink.
  839. >”Niiiice… I’m gonna get so blazed!”
  840. “Wait, it’s non-alcoho-”
  841. >“WOO! C’MON IRON!”
  842. >He starts whooping for the minotaur as he finally begins to shove Gable’s arm down to the table.
  843. >A resounding thump signifies his victory, and he stands up pumping his fists in the air.
  844. >”THAT’S HOW YOU WRENCH A WRIST, BROTHER! NEXT TIME, BRING YOUR A-GAME!”
  845. >”Oh yeah?! Best three out of seven, triple the bits!”
  846. >Iron slaps a rather large handful of bits on the already impressive pile, and sits back down to meet Gable’s challenge.
  847. >You watch this display of brewing testosterone for a moment, before seeing a vacant dartboard in the corner.
  848. >You have an opportunity here.
  849. >”Hey Red, want to play some darts?”
  850. >She looks up at you while still slurping her drink, already nearly gone.
  851. >”Oh, that sounds good. We gonna bet?”
  852. >The two of you walk over to the setup, and Red cracks her neck, obviously about to whip your ass.
  853. [DARTS]
  854. >”So? How much are we playing for, babe?”
  855.  
  856. -5
  857. -10
  858. -25
  859. -50 (Locked - Redheart doesn’t have enough money!)
  860. -100 (Locked - Redheart doesn’t have enough money!)
  861.  
  862.  
  863. >5 bits selected
  864. >You and Redheart put five coins down on the table.
  865. “Ladies’ first.”
  866. >Redheart simpers, picking up a dart with her mouth as she aims and throws.
  867. >It hits the inner ring, very close to a bullseye.
  868. >”Aw, shoot.”
  869. “With pleasure…”
  870. >You remove your blowdart from the belt of your coat, and stick one of the darts inside.
  871. >”…You’re going to shoot with that thing?”
  872. “Yeah. … What?”
  873. >Redheart abstains from speaking by drinking more of her fuzzy naval, allowing you to take the first shot.
  874. >Used Call shot on center of dartboard! (-66% hit chance, more precise strike)
  875. >You blow through it, firing the dart out towards the board…
  876. >It misses the board entirely.
  877. >In fact, it shoots clear off to the right and rockets right into the face of a rugged black stallion, causing him to flinch and knock his drink all over the floor.
  878. >”… Who did that?! WHO’S THE BASTARD THAT HIT ME WITH A FUCKING DART?!”
  879. >Redheart becomes too stunned to act.
  880. >You don’t have time to do anything, as his eyes lock on your form, and the blowdart in your hand.
  881. >At this point, the background music of the bar had dimmed, and the crowd originally watching the arm wrestle turns toward the raised voice.
  882. >”You’re that doctor that was in the tournament, weren’t you? Where’s the spear, huh? No armor? Good, it’ll make it easier to cave your skull in!”
  883. >He gets out of his chair and approaches you rapidly, a trickle of blood running down his face from where you hit him.
  884. >He’s… quite the large stallion, and he’s pissed.
  885. >A quick look around shows you that the rest of your party is either inhibited or busy.
  886. >What do you do or say?
  887.  
  888. >This isn’t really the way you wanted to spend time with your friends, but if it has to be this way, then you won’t be so rude as to oblige the bloodseeker.
  889. >But first, you want to try to at least deter him, just to say you tried.
  890. >Used Blessing of Harmony on stallion! [-8 MP]
  891. >The white glow begins to puff around the oncoming assailant, the effect becoming very apparent as his expression softens and his stride slows.
  892. “Look, I’m sorry about that, I’m a lousy shot with this thing. How about I buy you a couple of drinks on me and I’ll even patch you up?”
  893. >The power of your blessing seems to work, letting him back for a moment, until something disrupts it.
  894. >One of his drinking buddies yells to him.
  895. >”Green, he’s doing something to you!”
  896. >The remnants of the white glow around his body are spotted, and his face contorts in forced rage.
  897. >”What did you just do to me, freak? That’s it, I’m wiping my ass with your face!”
  898. >He doesn’t even finish his sentence as he begins to charge!
  899. >You take a step back and ready yourself, pulling up your fists!
  900.  
  901.  
  902.  
  903.  
  904. [BATTLE START] [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBATrLRWySg ]
  905. [This is a bar brawl. As requested, physical prowess only!]
  906. Anonymous: [HP: 125/125][MP: X]
  907. Available abilities: Basic Hand to Hand combat, Basic Kick (+10 PA, 3tcd), Tackle (+12 PA, 50% stun chance, 4tcd), Ogre Dance, Parry
  908. ‘Green’: [HP: 170/170]Abilities: Hoof Hook (+10 PA), Momentous Tackle (+20 PA, ½ crit chance, 2tcd), Headbutt (+15 PA, 90% stun chance for 2 turns, 3tcd) Buck (+8 PA, x3, 5tcd)
  909. >The burly stallion charges in, attacking first!
  910. [AWAITING ENEMY ATTACK…]
  911. >Green attacks you with Momentous Tackle! (2 turn CD)
  912. >9 (+20 PA) = >29<
  913. [-10 PD]
  914. >19<
  915. Anon: [HP: 106/125]
  916. >The tackle sends the two of you flying into the center table, breaking and shattering glasses, which propels your fight into the center of the spotlight!
  917. [AWAITING BATTLE COMMANDS]
  918. 1
  919. [ANONYMOUS]
  920. >Uses Ogre Dance!
  921. >9
  922. >You begin the ritual of the true master, and dance the dance of your people.
  923. >Green is confused! (3 turns)
  924. >Green is confused, unable to attack!
  925. [AWAITING BATTLE COMMANDS]
  926. 2
  927. [ANONYMOUS]
  928. >Attacks Green with Tackle! (4 turn CD)
  929. >9 (+12 PA) = >21<
  930. Green: [HP: 149/170]
  931. >Green is confused, unable to attack! (2)
  932. [AWAITING BATTLE COMMANDS]
  933. 3
  934. [ANONYMOUS]
  935. >Attacks Green with Basic Kick! (3 turn CD)
  936. >8 (+10 PA) = >18<
  937. Green: [HP: 131/170]
  938. >Green grows lucid from the attacks, and is no longer confused!
  939. [AWAITING ENEMY ATTACK…]
  940. >Green attacks you with Buck! (5 turn CD)
  941. >9 (+8 PA)(x3) = >51<
  942. [-10 PD]
  943. >41<
  944. Anon: [HP: 65/125]
  945. [AWAITING BATTLE COMMANDS]
  946. 4
  947. [ANONYMOUS]
  948. >You call your shot to his eyes! (-66% hit, focus damage)
  949. >Attacks Green’s eyes with Basic Hand to Hand Combat!
  950. >8 (x3 Call Shot) = >24<
  951. >Green has been blinded!
  952. >”AUUGH! I’LL RIP YOUR GUTS APART, APE!”
  953. Green: [HP: 105/170, S]
  954. >Green can’t see, and is unable to attack!
  955. [AWAITING BATTLE COMMANDS]
  956. 5
  957. [ANONYMOUS]
  958. >You call your shot to his diaphragm! (-66% hit, focus damage)
  959. >Attacks Green’s diaphragm with Basic Hand to Hand Combat!
  960. >5 (x3 Called Shot)(x3 Trips) = >45<
  961. >Green is struck upwards into his gut, causing him to exhale and drool as he becomes stunned from the powerful strike!
  962. >”Aa…gh… …”
  963. Green: [HP: 60/170, SS]
  964. >Green is blinded and stunned, unable to attack with lowered defenses!
  965. [AWAITING BATTLE COMMANDS]
  966. 6
  967. [ANONYMOUS]
  968. >Attacks Green with Basic Hand to Hand Combat!
  969. >6<
  970. Green: [HP: 54/170, SS]
  971.  
  972. “Alright, you’ve had enough. Let’s get you patched up, and I still want to buy those drinks for you.”
  973.  
  974. >The stallion takes a long moment to compose himself.
  975. >However, the realization that it takes so long to do so is the final nail in the coffin.
  976. >”…Whatever…”
  977.  
  978. [BATTLE END]
  979. [UPGRADED TO MODERATE HAND TO HAND COMBAT! (+5 PA)]
  980. >…
  981.  
  982. >The teary-eyed and wheezing stallion does not give you a chance to help him.
  983. >His buddies finish off their drinks and they help him out of the tavern, leaving you to deal with the stares.
  984. >After a moment of shocked silence… The crowd erupts in hoofstomps and cheers, ale beginning to fly everywhere as the uproaring ponies drink in your victory.
  985. >You feel a hand on your sore back pat you heavily, turning to see a smiling Iron Will, with Gable next to him.
  986. >”I gotta say, you know how to make quite the entrance, my man. If I knew this was a fightin’ bar I would’ve picked one myself! You handled yourself nice, brother.”
  987. >”Are you kidding me? The eyes were a lucky shot. You were stumbling all over the place, bonehead. Let the masters of brawling do the punching next time.”
  988. >His praise is suddenly interrupted by the barmaid you previously spoke with.
  989. >”This is NOT a fighting bar, he needs to pay for those broken glasses and table! After that, he’s out of here!”
  990. >Redheart looks between the two of you and shoves her way through the increasingly drunken crowd to step between you and the angered mare.
  991. >”To be fair, that stallion started it first, and he meant no harm! He’ll pay for the damages, but at least let him stay?”
  992. >”No!”
  993. >”Oh come on, you saw how lousy his shot was! That couldn’t have been done on purpose, now please, I ask you with genuine compassion to let this accident-prone doctor to stay.”
  994. >The barmaid takes a long, solid look into Redheart’s eyes, as if challenging her honesty.
  995. >She eventually submits, sighing heavily.
  996. >”I want a hundred bits for that stuff, and he can stay.”
  997. >Redheart looks at you hopefully.
  998. >What would you like to do?
  999.  
  1000.  
  1001.  
  1002. >It was more than a fair price for all the damage done when that stallion attacked you.
  1003. [You give the barmaid 1 medium gem.]
  1004. “That cover it?”
  1005. >She weighs it in her hoof carefully.
  1006. >”…Yeah, this is a pretty big chunk. Might even buy us a new table. Just don’t start any more fights, got it?”
  1007. “Got it.”
  1008. >She finally retreats back to her post as a few other barmaids begin to clean up the wood and glass, and Redheart turns back to you with a relieved look on her face.
  1009. >”That was close…”
  1010. “…I love you so much right now.”
  1011. >Redheart blushes a bit.
  1012. >”Ditto, but next time, use your hands to throw, ‘kay?”
  1013. >You both laugh a little bit, letting the returning peace sink back into the mood.
  1014. >”You’re okay, right?”
  1015. “I’m a little winged, but I’ll be fine. Oh, and here.”
  1016. [You give Redheart 5 bits.]
  1017. >She looks at you incredulously as you give her the gold.
  1018. >”What’s this?”
  1019. “Well, you schooled me pretty bad, one shot or not.”
  1020. >Iron will gives you another pat on the shoulder.
  1021. >”This guy’s made of steel, if the fight with the princess tells us anything. Now, you’re so tough, why don’t you try to beat the champion of arm-wrestlin’?”
  1022. >Gable beans him in the gut.
  1023. >”You still owe me that rematch. Let’s go find another table.”
  1024. >”Winner challenges you, Doc!”
  1025. >They retreat to one of the vacant table to continue their bets, and at that point Berry and Pinkie catch your attention.
  1026. >The Pink waves while chugging another pint-glass of liquor, while Berry falls of off the stool, using her rum flask to steady her self.
  1027. >”’Eeey, why didn’t ya jush’… kick him in the nads?”
  1028. “Guys never do that to each other. …You okay?”
  1029. >”Oooh, don’t be turnin’ thish around on me, where’ve YOU been, huh!? It’s like been … uh..”
  1030. >Pinkie catches her breath from finishing off her glass, now sporting a very goofy smile and muzzle stains.
  1031. >”Daysh, totally, we were partying an’ partyiiiin… and w-wow-we were…”
  1032. >Berry takes this time to try to blatantly look up under your robe as Pinkie speaks.
  1033. >”..Wonderin’ where you were!”
  1034. >Redheart looks very worriedly at her two smashed friends.
  1035. >”Berry, I expected this of you, but how did you drag our little party pony into this?”
  1036. >And you’re just sitting here, laughing internally.
  1037. “Pinkie, how many fingers am I holding up?”
  1038. >You hold up two.
  1039. >Before she can answer, you end up having to pry Berry out from under your robe.
  1040. “What are you doing, exactly?”
  1041. >”I’m hidin’… from the clothesh monster. Y-you gotta take ‘em off, or they’ll eat you up!”
  1042. >Pinkie starts giggling, which quickly turns into loud and mad laughter, and Berry joins in because of it.
  1043. >These two are getting some attention drawn now.
  1044. >”I think you two have had enough, don’t you think?”
  1045. >They didn’t even hear Redheart speaking from their hazy chuckling.
  1046. >You see AJ now talking with Spike, the former having just got off the bull with a sack of bits across her back.
  1047. >Gable and Iron Will are doing their thing, and Gable seems to be winning this time around.
  1048. >It is currently 7:40 P.M.
  1049. >What would you like to do?
  1050.  
  1051. [COMMAND INVALID - Cannot fill MRP! Did you mean ‘Fill Magic Recombobulator?’]
  1052.  
  1053. >These two being punch-drunk love gives you a devious idea.
  1054. >You lean over to your lover and whisper in her ear.
  1055. “Hey Red, watch this.”
  1056. >You slowly begin to remove your phone as you speak to Pinkie and Berry.
  1057. “You know guys, it’s not a party unless we’re dancing.”
  1058. >Their laughter subsides and they look at you curiously, half-glazed over.
  1059. “How about you two lovely ladies show us some of your dance moves?”
  1060. >Pinkie gasps and jumps off of her chair, going over and trying to pick up Berry with her own legs wobbling.
  1061. >”C’mon, we gotta dansh, Ber-ber!”
  1062. >”Iunnoah..”
  1063. >”IT’SH FOR NONNIEEE!~”
  1064. >Berry opens her eyes and stands herself up, starting to move her hips in a gyrating fashion.
  1065. >”I’ll dansh for you, baby~”
  1066. >Pinkie giggles and joins in, and the two begin to shuffle around like two old grandmas that just ate a bunch of hot sauce.
  1067. >You hold up your phone and show Red as you pull up the video function, and begin to record the drunken spectacle.
  1068. >Red covers her mouth with a hoof, trying her best not to laugh out loud.
  1069. >”Ohhhahahaha… You’re not gonna show this to anypony else, right?”
  1070. “Where’s the fun in that?”
  1071. >Now there’s a little crowd of other tipsy stallions moving their chairs to get a good view of the two rockers, some even throwing some bits at their hooves.
  1072. >”Yeeeah, shake it!”
  1073. >”Look at those pink flanks, dude!”
  1074. >”Where’s my sandwich?”
  1075. >Pinkie gets tripped over by her own tail all of a sudden, and hangs onto Berry for balance, both of them cracking up.
  1076. >”’Eey Ponkie, didn’t know you were… hangin’ out!”
  1077. >They start laughing even more, and Pinkie pulls out another glass of cherry wine from… somewhere.
  1078. >”I wanna toast! mm… Toasty frosting…”
  1079. >Pinkie starts licking her lips in hunger, and the huge cartoonish tongue laps Berry’s cheek.
  1080. >”Whooaa, whoa… you missed, Pinkie.”
  1081. >”Huh?”
  1082. >Berry suddenly pulls her over and kisses her.
  1083. >Holy shit.
  1084. >Pinkie’s not stopping.
  1085. >Holy shit.
  1086. >They’re making out!
  1087. >And you’re getting it on video.
  1088. >The stallions start going wild, and Redheart actively laughs, losing her sides so much she starts snorting.
  1089. >Should you keep shooting the video, or save them from the embarrassment?
  1090.  
  1091.  
  1092.  
  1093. [Used Medium Mana Potion on Magic Recombobulator!]
  1094. MRP: [451/500]
  1095.  
  1096. >They go at it for a surprisingly long time, but all fun has to stop at some point.
  1097. >Your video starts pushing seven minutes before Redheart pokes you.
  1098. >”Hey, I think they’ve had enough. Let’s go stop them.”
  1099. “True, true. I can’t wait to see their faces, man.”
  1100. >You and Redheart approach them and start to pull them away from each other, completely oblivious to what they were doing.
  1101. >The stallions watching and enjoying themselves start protesting.
  1102. >”Aww, c’mon!”
  1103. >”Don’t ruin the fun!”
  1104. >”Of course the show gets ruined, it always does!”
  1105. >”Seriously guys, who took my sandwich?!”
  1106. >You hold back Pinkie who’s still making the kissing motions, while Red tries to keep Berry from falling flat on her flanks.
  1107. >Now the crowd disperses, leaving your drunk friend in your arms with nopony else watching.
  1108. >Suddenly, the pink party drunk turns around with half-lidded eyes, now staring up at you and a bit of Berry’s saliva running down her cheek.
  1109. >”Oh Nonny… It feels sho nice in your arms, mmh~”
  1110. >She wraps her arms around your waist in a loose hug, nuzzling against you.
  1111. >Except, she’s nuzzling against your crotch.
  1112. >Redheart’s having her own problems trying to keep Berry away from her backside, so she’s not paying attention.
  1113. >You try to slide her off, but she isn’t budging.
  1114. >And now you’re beginning to bulge.
  1115. >Pinkie notices this immediately, looking back up at you.
  1116. >”Oooo… ish that a birthday candle? Maybe… I could blow it out for you~…”
  1117. >You can actually see the bulge being moved by her nose.
  1118. >There’s a lot going on in your mind right now.
  1119. >As many problems as this issue caused before, you could technically… slip away with her.
  1120. >None would be the wiser.
  1121. >What do you do?
  1122.  
  1123.  
  1124. >Used Teleport!
  1125. [-20 MP]
  1126. Anon: [HP: 65/125][MP: 90/255]
  1127. >You zap out of Pinkie’s grasp, but lean forward and catch her before she falls, kneeling down to meet her eye level.
  1128. >At least nobody can see your manhood while you’re kneeling.
  1129. >”..H-huh?”
  1130. >You then look Pinkie right in her bedroom eyes.
  1131. “Sorry hon, it's nice of you to offer, but you know how mad ponies can get when other folks blow out their candle. Now c'mon, let's get you some water.”
  1132. >Pinkie frowns a bit, but she doesn’t protest as you lead her back to the counter, very carefully helping her back up on the stool.
  1133. >”Mmm, you’re sho nice, nonny… I wish I could find somepony like youu~”
  1134. “Hey bartender, tall glass of water for Pinkie here!”
  1135. >She nods and starts filling a glass from the tap, as you gently pat Pinkie.
  1136. >You let her be for a little while, hoping you’ll get out of her mind soon.
  1137. >You look over and check on Red and Berry.
  1138. >It looks like the situation’s handled.
  1139. >If Berry going back to dancing around the entertained stallions and Redheart looking on in embarrassment is handled.
  1140. >Either way, you have something else you’d like to attend to.
  1141. >You slip your phone back in your pocket as you walk across the tavern to AJ and Spike, who were still conversing.
  1142. >They wave to you, but your sight is drawn by the massive bull in the center of the fenced area.
  1143. >That thing is massive.
  1144. >”Admirin’ the sweetheart, Anon?”
  1145. “Oh… yeah.”
  1146. >Applejack tips her hat, nodding back at her sack of bits.
  1147. >”Ah made 50 dabloons just now ridin’ it for a whole minute. Wanna try beatin’ my challenge?”
  1148. >Spike looks at you expectantly.
  1149. >”I don’t think you could beat AJ, honestly.”
  1150. “Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to play some po-”
  1151. >”Now Spike, it’s alright, not everypony’s got the strength in their thighs like I do.”
  1152. >”Yeeeah, probably not.”
  1153. >Oh, so they’re challenging you?…
  1154. >What would you like to do?
  1155.  
  1156. >You’re not about to be pride-struck when you have a whole mouthful of scotch in you.
  1157. >You think about going invisible and messing with Applejack’s mask to make her sound like Gilbert Gottfried, but only the wearer can access its powers.
  1158. >You also wouldn’t even know how to do it even if you could.
  1159. “Alright, let’s see what this thing’s made of, then. Here.”
  1160. [You give AJ your iPhone.]
  1161. >”What’s this for again? I had a hard enough time tryin’ ta get it workin’ before!”
  1162. “Just press the red button and hold it steady. It’s a recorder, like a moving camera. I have a timer on there that’s gonna play some music too, so don’t be alarmed when that happens.”
  1163. >AJ starts chuckling as she holds the phone up steady.
  1164. >”Alright, so video proof of you fallin’ on your rump. This should be good!”
  1165. >You step away for a moment, and begin to summon a spell you had previously learned.
  1166.  
  1167. >Used Aphitis Cuffs
  1168. [What would you like the seal word to be?]
  1169. >Finito
  1170. [Finito is your seal word. If the word is heard within your range, the spell will be released.]
  1171. Anon: [MP: Manasealed (AC)]
  1172. >Your markings flare to life as you begin to create the spell.
  1173. “…Finito.”
  1174. >A white, unstable light begins to form into two circles, and they split apart into four.
  1175. >Each circle phases through your wrists and ankles, and a sudden connection between the ones on the wrists, and the ones on the ankle form.
  1176. >The chains then take effect, which instantly lock you away from your mana, as you can no longer feel it.
  1177. >Then they snap together, your ankles and wrists slapping into each other, knocking you off balance.
  1178. “Whoa, what the…?”
  1179. >AJ raises an eyebrow while Spike stares with awe.
  1180. >”What is that you’re doin’, Anon?”
  1181. “…They’re cuffs that seals my magic from use, so I can say I didn’t use any, but… I can’t move my arms or legs…”
  1182. >”Why in tarnation would you keep those on, then?”
  1183. >You seem to prove yourself wrong, however, as you struggle with all your might to separate them.
  1184. >It literally takes every bit of strength you have, but you slowly pry apart your wrists and ankles, and keep them apart.
  1185. >At this point, the cuffs disappear from visuals, but are most certainly still there.
  1186. >It looks like the cuffs are making you stay at full physical strength to move, probably to increase their strength along with your magic.
  1187. >This is going to suck.
  1188. >But actually, this might work to your advantage…
  1189. “Alright, where do I sign up?”
  1190. >AJ nods to her left, where another mare dressed in old-timey farmclothes is currently taking bits from riders.
  1191. >You walk over there with some difficulty, catching her attention.
  1192. “I’d like to take a ride on that bull.”
  1193. >She turns over to you, looking you up and down.
  1194. >”Well… Never saw somethin’ like you before. With those robes, you use magic, right? Don’t ya think you’re a bit too paper-thin to be tryin’ this, hun?”
  1195. “I’ll be fine. How much?”
  1196. >”10 bit entry fee, ya get 25 per 30 seconds you stay on. If ya manage to hold on for 3 minutes or more though an’ you can get your face up on the wall, a free bullhorn necklace, good stuff.”
  1197. “Alright.”
  1198. [You give the seller 10 bits.]
  1199. >You wait until it’s your turn, and once it comes you slowly step inside the dirt area.
  1200. >A few stallions calm the bull to allow you on.
  1201. >It takes you a few tries to actually get up on it because of the cuffs, making you look like a weak shit.
  1202. >You hear AJ and Spike laughing in the background.
  1203. >You sit on it and hope that this works…
  1204. >”Are ya’ll ready!?”
  1205. >A unanimous shout of yes from the crowds.
  1206. >”Staaaaart buckin’!”
  1207. [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ8T1ZWUGaI ]
  1208. >There’s your music.
  1209. >A sound of a roundbell dings, and the Bull barely gives you any time to prepare.
  1210. >The first lurch nearly sends you right over its head, but you manage to hold on.
  1211. >You pull your arms and legs around it’s back, and let your muscles go.
  1212. >The chains pull your limbs in with quite the strength, and it works as a lock for your body.
  1213. >The bull tries harder and harder to slip you off, but your limbs refuse to let go.
  1214. >However, you feel yourself beginning to slip like a loose shirt from its silky fur, going further and further towards its horns.
  1215. >Is there anything you’d like to try to keep yourself on the bull longer?
  1216.  
  1217.  
  1218.  
  1219. >Shit, you’re losing it.
  1220. >Think, this bull’s an animal, right?
  1221. >What would Fluttershy do?
  1222. >…She’d probably just ask it nicely.
  1223. >Another lurch that throws your feet up into the air tells you you don’t have much time yet.
  1224. >Well, you can say you tried.
  1225. “Umm… Mr. Bull, could you please calm down and be more gentle? I would really appreciate it-”
  1226. >The bull suddenly bucks in an odd angle, and it sends your face right into the saddle.
  1227. >The thud echoes throughout the tavern, and AJ and Spike cringe at the sight.
  1228. >Even the seller looks worried.
  1229. >”Now that looks like it smarts! How much longer can he last, everypony?! Start bettin’ now!”
  1230. >Fucking ponies and their piece of shi-
  1231. >The bull sways its back to the side, nearly throwing you off.
  1232. >You’re holding on by the seat now, but you quickly swing back on and work with the cuffs’ strength to put a vice grip on the saddle.
  1233. >You taste metal and salt all of a sudden.
  1234. >That can’t be good.
  1235. >You’re losing your grip very quickly.
  1236. >You attempt to hike up your robe in hopes of gaining more friction from your legs, but it’s too suicidal because of your grip.
  1237. >Not to mention the cuffs make it nearly impossible to do anything else.
  1238. >You’re beginning to fall off.
  1239. >It’s barely been thirty seconds.
  1240. >What else should you do to hold on?
  1241.  
  1242.  
  1243. >Status
  1244. [HP: 40/125][MP: Manasealed (AC)][Stats: 10 PD, 165 MD / +15 MA base, +150 MA wep / +75 PA ranged]
  1245.  
  1246. >Redoing your grip on the seat, you finally manage to get a second to think.
  1247. >What did the bull-riders on TV used to do?
  1248. >Whenever they’d be holding on, their chest stayed in the same place, letting the sockets of their hips take all of the force.
  1249. >You straighten your back and start rolling your hips in sync with the bull’s aggressive gyrations.
  1250. >You can’t counter the upward force, but you’re definitely doing much better with the lurches that catch you off guard.
  1251. >You’re actually sitting on the saddle now, holding on for dear life.
  1252. >You manage to buy yourself a solid 20 seconds doing this, but the bull suddenly stops its normal routine, and starts to roll its spine front to back while jumping in a circular pattern, throwing you in multiple directions at once.
  1253. >You can’t keep your head straight, and one lurch in particular snaps your head back.
  1254. >Something dark suddenly blinds your eyes, and the shock of losing your vision is all the bull needs to throw you right off him, one final buck throwing you clear over his head.
  1255. >You soar down to the dirt ground, landing with a powerful thud right on your coccyx.
  1256. >It’s horrible, horrible agony.
  1257. >”And he’s doown! Wow, somepony get him a tissue!”
  1258. >You wipe the substance out of your stinging eyes, and through the tears you spot blood.
  1259. >And now that your body isn’t being thrown around, you’re beginning to register a terrible pain in your sinuses.
  1260. >It feels really stuffy like you have the flu, and you realize your nose is broken.
  1261. >Fucking hell.
  1262. >”Anon, you okay? That bash to yer face didn’t look good. Here.”
  1263. >AJ hands you a tablecloth, that you take and start cleaning yourself with.
  1264. “Thanks.”
  1265. >”Oh, an’ I got it all on yer little phone. Pretty funny stuff, haha!”
  1266. [AJ gives you your iPhone.]
  1267. >You feel a set of claws start to push you up, realizing it’s Spike.
  1268. >You slowly get up with his aid and you step over the fence, keeping your nose straight up as you lightly clench it with the cloth.
  1269. >”I thought you did pretty good, especially with the wanged nose. Still not as good as AJ though.”
  1270. “I noticed.”
  1271. >The seller finds her way to you and hands you a small sack.
  1272. [RECEIVED 25 BITS]
  1273. >”There ya go, doc. Told ya you shouldn’ta went in, but hey, you made 15 bits and a story, right?”
  1274. “Yeah, I guess.”
  1275. >She returns to her post as AJ and Spike stay with you for support.
  1276. >You feel like shit right now, with the injures from the bar brawl and the bull beginning to accumulate.
  1277. >But, at least you’re here with friends, and they got a good laugh.
  1278. >It’s about 8:00 P.M.
  1279. >What would you like to do?
  1280.  
  1281. >Used Medkit on self
  1282. [-1 Medkit]
  1283. >25% (+75% skill) = 100%
  1284. >+125 HP<
  1285. Anon: [HP: 125/125][MP: Manasealed (AC)]
  1286.  
  1287. >You try to be very careful when you bandage your nose, making sure that it’s set so it doesn’t heal improperly.
  1288. >”So, were ya fixin’ ta go back to the Palace, get that thing on some ice?”
  1289. >You shake your head.
  1290. “No, I’m fine, really. This is our one day off, and I’m not about to miss it because of some bad luck. Either of you want to play some pool?”
  1291. >Spike jumps on the opportunity.
  1292. >”Now that’s a good idea. Watching a bull is alright, but showing off my skills on the green?”
  1293. >Applejack gives him a playful nudge as the three of you start walking towards the tables.
  1294. >”’Green’s for golf, Spike. Nice try, though, tryin’ ta look pro. Have you even played before?”
  1295. >”Well, no, but I’ve seen it millions of times, I know what to do!”
  1296. “Alright, here’s a bit, AJ. Go set up a table and I’ll be there in a second.
  1297. [You give 1 bit to Applejack.]
  1298. >”Oh, where ya goin’?”
  1299. “Just checking on Red.”
  1300. >She nods in understanding, taking Spike to the pool table to show him the ropes.
  1301. >You cross the tavern and pass the wall dividing the bull-ring from the tables, spotting Redheart on the other end.
  1302. >She’s resigned to staying near the counter and drinking her third fuzzy naval while Berry is nowhere to be found.
  1303. >”Hey- oh, what happened to you?”
  1304. “Hey babe, guess we can cross 'bull-rider' off my list of dream jobs now. Does my nose look straight? I don't want it to set all crooked…”
  1305. >”Ohhh… C’mere.”
  1306. >Redheart beckons you down, and you kneel in front of her, coming eye-level to her.
  1307. >”There’s already bruising… Why were you riding the bull, babe?”
  1308. “…AJ said I couldn’t do it.”
  1309. >Redheart scoffs as she starts adjusting your bandages.
  1310. >”I’ve noticed you have a problem with that. It’s really easy to provoke you, good and bad… …There.”
  1311. >Redheart retightens your bandage, and gives you a little pat on the cheek for good measure.
  1312. >”Just don’t move it, mmkay?”
  1313. “Thanks, Red.”
  1314. >She gives you a kiss on the cheek before you stand up.
  1315. “Hey, refill here please!”
  1316. >You set a few more bits down for Red as her drink is refilled by the bartender.
  1317. [-12 bits]
  1318. >”Why thank you. Celestia knows I need it…”
  1319. “Everything alright?”
  1320. >Redheart sighs, taking a small sip from her straw.
  1321. >”I can’t find Berry anywhere. I turned to pick up a drink she spilled, and all of a sudden she’s gone. At least Pinkie’s getting better, she’s over there with the boys now.”
  1322. >You look over and indeed spot Pinkie trying to push Gable’s arm down to the table with all of her might, but she slips and falls in her dizzy state, giggling as Iron makes sure she stays in her seat.
  1323. >So Berry’s gone, huh?
  1324. >You wonder where she went.
  1325. >Should you go look for her, or join AJ and Spike in the pool game?
  1326.  
  1327. “Alright. Let me see if I can’t find Berry. You know her, she’s around here somewhere. Actually, AJ and Spike are setting up a pool game at the other end of the bar, why don’t you go join them in the mean time?”
  1328. >Red swirls her drink, considering it.
  1329. >”I’m not much of a pool player, so you better get back quick so I don’t get my flank kicked, okay?”
  1330. “Gotcha.”
  1331. >She gives you a little smile before hopping off her seat.
  1332. >”Thanks, Anon.”
  1333. >She heads off for the tables, while you think about where the drunk mare could’ve gone.
  1334. >Before you go searching where you think she is, you tap the shoulder of one of the stallions that was howling at her before.
  1335. “Hey, have you seen the purple mare that was dancing here earlier?”
  1336. >He turns around with a big quart-sized mug on his hoof, and he takes a hearty swig before gasping for air and speaking.
  1337. >”Yeah, sh-”
  1338. >A belch interrupts his speech.
  1339. >”She went with Thorn Vine like… what, ten minutes ago?”
  1340. >A few of his buddies nod and murmer in agreement.
  1341. >”They went out back.”
  1342. >…Out back with a stallion?
  1343. >You pick up the pace and you start walking to the back of the bar, passing through the hallway and seeing the rear exit.
  1344. >You push out of it back into the cool night, your surroundings lit by only a small magical buglight.
  1345. >You don’t hear or see anything in particular here, so you scan the area for something.
  1346. >There’s a few bushes and a dumpster.
  1347. >You get ready to start searching the latter, but the search comes to you.
  1348. >Berry stumbles out of the left side of the dumpster with a half-asleep and relaxed face, shaking her legs of something.
  1349. >A brown stallion with thorns for a cutie mark exits from the right, listlessly walking home in a tipsy fashion.
  1350. >Your friend hasn’t noticed you yet.
  1351. >What would you like to do?
  1352.  
  1353. >You might’ve tried to have your cake and eat it too before, but this was doing it without even telling your other.
  1354. >Then again, is she even lucid enough to care?
  1355. >You stay near the door as she slowly saunters back to the bar, awaiting until she sees you.
  1356. >She’s nearly five feet in front of you before she even recognizes that you’re standing there.
  1357. >”Oh, Heeey Anon…”
  1358. “Hi yourself. You okay?”
  1359. >She nods with an exaggerated motion, and then she pushes the door open with her face.
  1360. >You follow her back inside, getting her attention again.
  1361. “Hey Berry? If you’re gonna go wander off to have some fun, mind telling someone next time? You had me and Redheart worried sick.”
  1362. >She looks back at you for a moment, still obviously not in her right mind, but awake enough to understand what you’re saying.
  1363. >”Oh, well, sorry. Didn’t know mom and dad was here, hehe… Hey, have you seen a… a brown guy, with thorns?”
  1364. “…Yes, he left.”
  1365. >”Oh… nevermind. Wait, when did we get back here?”
  1366. >You and Berry just walked into the main tavern.
  1367. “You’ve been here for a while. Say, you wanna join us in a game of pool? AJ, Spike and Red are setting up a table now.”
  1368. >Berry takes a powerful drink from her flask a little bit, sways, and waves it at you.
  1369. >”..Sure, let’sh do it.”
  1370. >You lead her to the tables, going slowly so she can keep up.
  1371. >The walk might take a minute or two, so you decide to just face the elephant in the room.
  1372. “Can I ask you a question?”
  1373. >She belches in response, looking at you expectantly.
  1374. “What were you doing with that stallion?”
  1375. >”Fuckin’.”
  1376. >Holy shit.
  1377. >She’s been forward before, but damn.
  1378. “…So… How’s Iron been doing?”
  1379. >”Uuh… good? He’s a cute lil’… horny guy.”
  1380. >You’re not sure what to think at this point.
  1381. “Are you… at all concerned? Maybe guilty?”
  1382. >”Wha…. Why would I be?”
  1383. >Is there anything else you’d like to say to her before you join the others?
  1384.  
  1385. “Well, aren’t you two going out, y’know, have some sort of thing going on? Won’t he get jealous, or is this some sort of open relationship?”
  1386. >Berry rolls her eyes and finally puts her flask back in her pocket, her eyes becoming slightly more focused.
  1387. >It looks like she has so much experience being drunk she’s able to keep herself from zoning.
  1388. >”Man, we were just havin’ a little fun. It’s not like… we’re super serious or anything. Relax, Anon… He’ll be fine with it, …”
  1389. “Even without telling him?”
  1390. >She looks like she’s about to say something else, but another voice stops you both.
  1391. >”Whoa, so you can shout like a dragon with that thing?”
  1392. >”Yep. Found it out when ah accidentally maybe sorta sent Anon flyin’ across the room. This lil’ thang can even change my voice!”
  1393. >You look back at the scene and see they’ve already started a game, more stripes sinked than solids.
  1394. >Spike seems to be more interested in AJ’s legendary mask now, however.
  1395. >”That is totally wicked. What kind of voices?”
  1396. >”Well, ah haven’t really tried it much, but I don’t see why no voice would be undoable. Check it out.”
  1397. >AJ’s eyes focus, and the mask electrifies with an unknown magic.
  1398. >”Let’s have a paaaarty!”
  1399. >Wow, she sounds exactly like Pinkie Pie.
  1400. >Spike looks on in total amazement, and even Redheart looks impressed.
  1401. >”Where’s my super duper wuper… Aw heck, ah can’t talk as fast as she can, though.”
  1402. >Your perceptions of voice are shattered once again hearing Pinkie’s voice in a southern accent.
  1403. >AJ’s mask crackles again, and it’s back to normal.
  1404. >”When we go outside to go back to the palace, ah’ll show you the shout ah learned.”
  1405. >Spike nods with enthusiasm, and he turns to take a shot, but spots you instead.
  1406. >”Oh, hi Anon! Hey Berry!”
  1407. >”Nmhm, who’s shot?”
  1408. >He holds the pool cue up.
  1409. >”Mine. Wanna shoot for me? I’m not doing really good right now.”
  1410. >Berry strolls up to him and takes it between her teeth, looks at the table for a few seconds, and strikes the fourth solid without so much as aiming.
  1411. >It sinks right into the topright corner pocket.
  1412. >AJ’s face falls.
  1413. >Berry looks back at the smiling dragon.
  1414. >”C’n uh kpph gnh?”
  1415. .”Y-yeah! Go for it!”
  1416. >Berry takes another shot, sinking the seventh solid with a bank shot to the bottom center.
  1417. >AJ straight up takes off her hat and throws it on the table.
  1418. >”Confound it..”
  1419. >Berry begins to shred the table, and you sit next to Redheart while she awaits her turn.
  1420. >You see that Gable, Iron Will and Pinkie are still over at a far table, now talking normally.
  1421. >Pinkie’s got coffee.
  1422. >Is there anything you’d like to do while Berry’s playing?
  1423.  
  1424. >It’s eating at you.
  1425. >You can’t just let this stew on your mind.
  1426. >You lean over to Redheart.
  1427. “Hey, can we go talk in private really quick?”
  1428. >Red looks at you with concern, getting off her seat.
  1429. >”Sure, over here.”
  1430. >A quick glance at the table shows that the other three are pre-occupied with Berry’s massively talented barskills.
  1431. >You get up and follow her to one of the tables, and you both sit down.
  1432. >”What’s the matter, babe?”
  1433. “Well, I found Berry. She was outside with one of those stallions from earlier doing… um… Well, you remember that… incident with Pinkie, yes?”
  1434. >Redheart’s eyes widen.
  1435. >”…No, no! She wouldn’t!”
  1436. >You say nothing, letting the silence speak for itself.
  1437. >”…I can’t believe it. She’s a bit… loose, maybe, but I didn’t know that much! It was probably the drinks, please tell me it was the drinking!”
  1438. “I don’t… think so. The thing is… her attitude's surprisingly cavalier about the whole thing. I'm probably the last person who ought to be taking this matter into their own hands, but… well, going by that same train of thought, I figured you'd be the best one to come to for advice. Any thoughts on the situation?”
  1439. >Redheart sits back in her chair, still in disbelief.
  1440. >”She just… doesn’t care, at all?”
  1441. >You shake your head.
  1442. >”Does Iron know?”
  1443. “No.”
  1444. >”Well…”
  1445. >She thinks very hard for a very long time, but her will to find a solution falters.
  1446. >”…I guess we should tell Berry to tell him, and just… let it happen. There’s nothing more we can do.”
  1447. “So, we don’t tell him?”
  1448. >”Not unless Berry wants us to. Maybe… She thinks he’d be alright with it?”
  1449. >That’s a bit unlikely.
  1450. >From what you’ve seen of the guy in private, he’s not as weird as you might think.
  1451. >You look back at the two groups, innocently chatting and playing.
  1452. >What would you like to do?
  1453.  
  1454.  
  1455. “So… Should we tell her together? Or should I keep my distance from this one, since she’d probably take it more seriously coming from you?”
  1456. >Redheart scratches her head, then clears her throat.
  1457. >Then she shifts in her seat, looking around.
  1458. >She takes another drink of her fuzzy naval, and shifts again.
  1459. >Finally, she spots you staring at her, and she sighs, slumping her withers in defeat.
  1460. >”Fine, we’ll go. I’ll do the talking.”
  1461. >She stands back up and you follow her as the two of you make your way back to the pool table.
  1462. >”I’ll tell you one thing, this isn’t my idea of a day off.”
  1463. “Well, who knows? Maybe it’ll just blow over and the rest of the night is for fun.”
  1464. >She doesn’t say anything to this quip.
  1465. >Redheart holds a hoof out to you, and you stop to obey.
  1466. >She walks up to Berry right as she sinks the two and four solid at the same time, and you see a bit of conversing before Berry hands the cue back to a saddened Spike, and coming back with her to you.
  1467. >Redheart turns around as she reaches her side, and Berry stands in front of you, yawning.
  1468. >”So, what’re we talking about…?”
  1469. >You and Redheart look at each other for a moment before she begins.
  1470. >”Anon told me what he saw out there-”
  1471. >”Uuugh..-”
  1472. >”Listen, Berry. You need to tell him what you did.”
  1473. >Berry leers at her.
  1474. >”Right now..?”
  1475. >”Well… soon. Berry, you did just cheat on him, don’t you think that’s a big deal?”
  1476. >Berry loses her buzz completely, talking normally.
  1477. >”We’re not even serious, it’s just a little thing we were doing!”
  1478. >”Who does that?”
  1479. >”Anon, for one, he tried to do it with you and Pinkie!”
  1480. >Redheart stares at her intensely.
  1481. >”He tried to make everypony happy, and he’s been set straight. You’re just doing it for… for…”
  1482. >”Sex? Yeah, newsflash, it feels good. I’m sorry if I’m not the singular, morally-upstanding kind of mare like you are, Red, but this is just the way I am!”
  1483. >Redheart mutters under her breath, rubbing her eyes in frustration.
  1484. >”Okay, I know… It’s just… we don’t want to see Iron getting hurt.”
  1485. >Berry looks away for a moment, her eyes moving to the ground, then to Iron at the other end of the bar, oblivious to the conversation.
  1486. >Is there anything you’d like to say to her before she makes her decision?
  1487.  
  1488.  
  1489.  
  1490. >Berry doesn’t seem to see it Redheart’s way.
  1491. >It might not be your place, but you have to try, at least.
  1492. >You kneel down while she’s looking away, and you place a comforting hand on her wither.
  1493. >She looks back at you with newfound guilt in her eyes as you begin to speak.
  1494. “Listen, I had planned on keeping quiet for now because of that whole thing from before, but perhaps it's time for me to weigh in here. We didn't ask you over here to judge you, not at all, but I think I should make one thing clear: What happened with Pinkie… well, nothing actually -happened- per se. I put forth a suggestion, but I also set out a ground rule that said suggestion was entirely contingent on Redheart being okay with it since, regardless of intentions, I didn't know how she'd feel about the situation… If you'll recall, Red was still quite upset with me for even suggesting that, and I got experience firsthand of how much pain something like this will bring. You’re our friend, Berry. We accept you for the way you are, but not saying anything to him about something like this isn’t right. We can't tell you how to live your life, but we're asking you to keep in mind that your actions affect other people as well. We're all in this together for the long haul.
  1495. >Berry takes a long moment to consider your words, having a profound effect on the way she thought about this.
  1496. >Even Redheart, originally very cautious about you taking part in this conversation, now looks at you with a sense of love and understanding, smiling proudly.
  1497. >But as all moments of clarity must come to an end, she groans and pushes your hand off lightly.
  1498. >”You don’t have to lecture me like a little filly, Anon. But… I get your point. Uuugh, this night was supposed to be fun!”
  1499. “At the very least, perhaps you should ask Iron how he feels about… you know… the two of you.”
  1500. >”Yeah, yeah. If this blows up, I’m blaming you two.”
  1501. “It won’t.”
  1502. >You have no idea if it will or not.
  1503. >Berry suddenly snatches Redheart’s fuzzy naval and downs the rest of it in one go, hands the glass back to her, and walks off towards Iron Will.
  1504. >You stand back up, watching her side by side with Red.
  1505. “You think they’ll be okay?”
  1506. >”I hope so. It wouldn’t be very good for us if they had bad blood, especially after the whole thing with Gable and the Windigo.”
  1507. >No, that wouldn’t be good at all.
  1508. >You and Red turn back and return to the pool table, which has already come down to the single 8.
  1509. >Spike’s not been doing very well if AJ’s caught up to tie.
  1510. >”Howdy, Anon. Ah’m just about to sink this here black ball and with it, all of Spike’s pride. Front row seats open!”
  1511. >Spike rolls his eyes and lowers his pool cue down onto the table, and aims very carefully.
  1512. >”Alright… This is for the big win, Spike. Gotta have the right angle… uh-oh.”
  1513. >”What now? Chickenin’ out, there?”
  1514. >Spike looks up at AJ with a grimace, then reaches for the chalk.
  1515. >”I just wanna make this shot count, okay?”
  1516. >Dragonsbeserial.wav
  1517. >With his palms and the top of his cue all chalked up, he lowers it back down, aiming once more.
  1518. >One practice lunge nearly tips the ball.
  1519. >The next takes the cue off of his claw and he has to restart.
  1520. >”Guh, c’mon!”
  1521. >Redheart smiles awkwardly at this display, and nudges you.
  1522. >”Gonna get a refill, be right back.”
  1523. “Alright. Take your time.”
  1524. >Red turns around to hide her laughter, then walks off as you return your attention and sympathy to this poor kid.
  1525. >One…
  1526. >Two…
  1527. >”YOU WHAT?!”
  1528. >Spikie falls over from the powerful manly yell and his queue strikes the 8-ball right in the center.
  1529. >It sinks into the center pocket, but there is no celebration as the three of you look over, as well as the rest of the entire bar.
  1530. >Iron Will is towering and arguing over a nonchalant Berry, and Gable has Pinkie in his arms to keep her from falling over, staying away from the two.
  1531. >”-Look, what did I say? I made a mistake and I’m sorry. I didn’t think it was something you wanted to know because I thought you already knew.”
  1532. >”Iron Will would not sleep around when he’s got a honey, honey!”
  1533. >”Well, sorry you feel that way, but I told you to let you know, because I’m not stopping.”
  1534. >Iron stares at her intently, but his anger seems to be subsiding for an unknown reason.
  1535. >”I’m not looking to settle, you know. I got a lot of time and I’m gonna need more than one guy. So if you’re not okay with that-”
  1536. >”Treat me like a pushover, you get the once over! As in, we’re over. You can give yourself all you want, Berry, but Iron Will won’t be there dealing with it!”
  1537. >”That’s fine with me!”
  1538. >”Fine!”
  1539. >”We’re still buds right!?”
  1540. >”Yeah!”
  1541. >”Wanna fuck to celebrate!?”
  1542. >”Palace or my place?”
  1543. >”Palace has the ceiling mirror.”
  1544. >”Ooh..”
  1545. >They walk out of the bar together, leaving quite literally everyone here in complete confusion.
  1546. >You look over at AJ and Spike, completely dumbfounded from the out of the blue incident.
  1547. “They might’ve… done some copulating with other ponies.”
  1548. >You said it that way to avoid Spike’s kid mind.
  1549. >He nods obliviously to pretend he knows what you mean, and looks over at the cleared table.
  1550. “Fuck, I won!”
  1551. >”SPIKE! Language!”
  1552. >”What? She said it!”
  1553. >”That don’t mean you get ta say it, it’s bad manners and-”
  1554. >”So what, we’re in a bar, someplace I shouldn’t technically be anyway-”
  1555. >”What would Twi think of what’s comin’ out of that there potty-mouth-”
  1556. >”-Besides I’ve seen and heard worse, I saw Anon’s junk today for crying out loud-”
  1557. >”And another thing, you- .. y-you what?”
  1558. >SPIKE, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BRO CODE!?
  1559. >You feign hearing a call from Red at the other end, but when you look over, she was beckoning you anyways.
  1560. “U-uhh, coming!”
  1561. >You quickly walk over to her and sit down, sweating bullets.
  1562. >”…So, what just happened?”
  1563. “…I don’t know. Maybe that’s how they make up.”
  1564. >”That’s… odd.”
  1565. “The pussy game ridiculous.”
  1566. >”Wait, what?”
  1567. >Gable and a more lucid Pinkie cross the bar and comes towards you.
  1568. >The gryphon then looks straight at you as he throws her onto a barstool.
  1569. >”Wanna tell me what happened there? I saw Berry talking to you two, then she comes over, and all hell breaks loose.”
  1570. >What do you say?
  1571.  
  1572. “Just trying to avert an emotional crisis, a maze of relationships. I'm not sure if it worked, but we tried…. Basically, Berry cheated on Iron under the pretense they weren’t serious, and then that happened. Let’s just leave it at that, since they probably don’t want it circulating.”
  1573. >Gable raises up 3 claws to the bartender and sits down with you and Red.
  1574. >”Now you guys know why I don’t have a woman. Too much trouble for my tastes.”
  1575. >Red looks interested.
  1576. >”Oh? You don’t have a sweetheart at home? Nobody?”
  1577. >”If you knew how my life has went up to this point, you’d see why I haven’t thought about it.”
  1578. >That keeps her quiet about the subject.
  1579. >A silence falls as the three of you are handed normal ciders, and you all take a sip.
  1580. >Gable quietly asks her for another glass of water for Pinkie, who’s still trying to stop giggling.
  1581. >Time to break that ice.
  1582. “How'd the arm-wrestling match go? Will might have you beat just barely on muscles, but I hear it's all about that wrist strength anyway.”
  1583. >”Tsk. I’ve fought and wrestled with minotaurs before, but Iron is something else entirely. I managed to get him a few times, but damned if my wrist isn’t a bulging pulp of blood.”
  1584. >Gable pulls the fur near his claw back and it is indeed slightly swollen and red.
  1585. “Wow. And how’s Pinkie?”
  1586. >Gable looks back over at her, and your eyes follow.
  1587. >She’s asleep on the counter with her water half-drank, sleeping soundly with a little bubble coming out of her nose.
  1588. >”She’s had fun tonight, at least. Big lightweight from how much I’ve seen her drink, though.”
  1589. “Well, you wanna grab a cue? If Spike or AJ are down for another game, we can play cutthroat.”
  1590. >Gable takes a big drink of his cider, then nods subtly.
  1591. >”Sure, why not. Might as well before we fly off into war.”
  1592. >That’s the second time he’s referenced the hive as being warlike, which piques your interest.
  1593. >Either way, the three of you get up, Gable picks up Pinkie, and you go back to the pool tables, where Spike’s being sit down by AJ.
  1594. >Looks like they’re not gonna be back for a while.
  1595. >Gable begins to set up the table regardless, and Redheart picks up her own weapon of choice from the rack.
  1596. >It is currently 9:00 P.M. after all is said and done.
  1597. >What would you like to do?
  1598. ...

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