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The Master's Legendary Quest - 17

By Trixiefap
Created: 2022-06-29 02:49:03
Expiry: Never
anonsafecyoaredheartrpgaiegame

  1. >Inspect Overheal
  2. […It’s overheal. What else can you possibly say about it? Like, if you got a person with 100 HP and you use the kit on them, they’ll have 125 for a while. No clue what got confused here.]
  3. [Can’t check for conductors here!]
  4.  
  5. >…
  6. >You ended up having to cross the city to get to the station.
  7. >It wasn’t apparent until now, but the stores are on the other side from the station, oddly enough.
  8. >That’s bad planning, but then again these ponies aren’t as needy of such intricate specialties.
  9. >You reach your destination around 5:40 P.M., giving you just enough time to get with your party and get on the train.
  10. >Sure enough, when you and Red walk into the doors, you see the train outside of the window and your whole party within the booth, along with Twilight and her friends.
  11. “Hey, we’re back.”
  12. >”Howdy!”
  13. >”NONNY, REDDY!”
  14. >”Welcome aboard the main train, brother!”
  15. >”Oh lookie here, took ‘em long enough.”
  16. >”Cutting it pretty close, aren’t we?”
  17. >You and Red rejoin everyone as Twilight greets you specifically.
  18. >Now at this point, it seems all of the so called ‘Elements of Harmony’ are wearing their magical necklaces, now.
  19. >”Hello again, Anon. Did your last day go well?”
  20. “Pretty good, can’t complain. Actually, it’s one of the few days we’ve had without any hiccups, so that’s a good sign.”
  21. >Twilight smiles with genuine happiness.
  22. >”That’s great to hear. You guys will have no problem at the Hive, I can already feel it!”
  23. >Gable snorts.
  24. >”Let’s not get carried away, now.”
  25. >Rarity of all ponies seethes at him with such intensity, even he backs away.
  26. >”Hush, you ruffian! You’re all going to end this monster if it’s the last thing you do! Now, Anonymous, Applejack and Pinkie Pie have something to discuss with you.”
  27. >You turn to the two members of your party in interest.
  28. >Their faces already tell you it’s not good news, frowns with eyes glued to the ground.
  29. >AJ clears her throat and looks back up, deciding whatever she has to tell you would be better done swiftly.
  30. >”Anon, we gotta go with Twi out to the Winsome Falls. Celestia sent her a letter saying there’s some major shadow activity down there that just popped up last night. Since you’re busy with the Hive and all, we need ta keep the elements together so our friends aren’t in danger.”
  31. >Pinkie nods along with her as she speaks.
  32. >”We tried to find another way, but we can’t just leave them out there! That’s not being a good friend at all!”
  33. “How much activity?”
  34. >Twilight speaks now.
  35. >”Remember when we first saw that hallway at the Palace? It’s like that, just spread out all over the falls. Winsome Village and all of the ponies there are in danger, and we need to go help. I’m sorry to take them away from you when you need them most, but this is a dire situation. It’s okay, right?”
  36. >You look back at AJ and Pinkie.
  37. >You’ve been through so much together already.
  38. >But they’re needed elsewhere, now.
  39. >Their best friends need them in this hour of darkness, it seems.
  40. >There is a possibility you can talk them out of this, however you’re unsure if you should.
  41. >What do you say?
  42.  
  43.  
  44. >You give a long, thoughtful sigh before speaking.
  45. “I’ll admit, I’m almost a little insulted.”
  46. >Twilight’s ears fall to her sides.
  47. >”…I-”
  48. “If you gals need to be together, you shouldn’t feel the need to ask me permission.”
  49. >”Wh-Oh! Wow, you scared me there, haha. We just believed that because you’re leading this expedition you should get to decide whether your, you know, ‘soldiers’ should go or not, but I’m very glad you understand.”
  50. “Of course. We all have the same goal, right? Kick Bane’s ass back to wherever it came from?”
  51. >Twilight and her friends stifle a laugh.
  52. >”Yes, I suppose so.”
  53. >You then turn back to AJ and Pinkie.
  54. “You gals go ahead; having seen the way you two handle yourselves, I wouldn't be surprised if you all kicked the shit out of the shadow out there and still beat us to Appleloosa. But just the same… take care, huh? I don't know what I'd do if any of you got hurt.”
  55. >”..Aww shucks, Anon.”
  56. >”We won’t get hurt, totally promise!”
  57. >You reach out your arms and they both lean in for hugs, and you all embrace each other with the passion of fire-forged friends.
  58. “I know you have to leave… I’m going to really miss you guys. Pinkie, keep practicing that dodging, I don’t wanna see a scratch on you!”
  59. >It’s a wonderful feeling in your stomach as you stand up, the two joining Twilight’s side.
  60. [Applejack has left the party.]
  61. [Pinkie Pie has left the party.]
  62. “Twilight, do me a favor and drill these guys in all the magic you can. I want it in their heads so much they’re as good as me!”
  63. >The purplesmart pony smirks slyly.
  64. >”Oh, so just a lesson or two, then?”
  65. “Salty. Oh, AJ, mind if I get that Pickaxe back since you won’t be coming with us?”
  66. >”Sure thang.”
  67. [Applejack gives you her Pickaxe.]
  68. >Once the exchange is made, the goodbyes are thrown between the party.
  69. >Redheart speaks to AJ and Pinkie first.
  70. >”It seems just like yesterday you two were looking with me through the window in that hospital, admiring the Cakes’ new foals, huh?”
  71. >”Yeah… A long time.”
  72. >”I miss those cute widdle babies…”
  73. >Red then leans in and hugs them both tightly.
  74. >”I’ll miss you guys too… We’ll see each other soon, right?”
  75. >”You betcha, nurse.”
  76. >”Friends forever, Reddy!”
  77. >”Friends forever, Pinkie.”
  78. >She lets them go and lets the others continue.
  79. >Iron Will fist/hoofpumps them.
  80. >”We didn’t get to spend much time not fightin’ together, but Iron Will knows a good set of ponies when he sees them. … Maybe when this all blows over, we can share a good drink and some better stories, oh yeah!”
  81. >The three start laughing together in jovial bliss.
  82. >”Ya know, we might take ya up on that offer.”
  83. >Iron gives them one last salute before turning back.
  84. >The pair look at Gable next, so he slowly walks up to them, extending his hand.
  85. >He shakes their hooves with a firm nod and leaves them with one of his very rare genuine smiles.
  86. >”It’s been an honor. Thanks for not killing me when I first joined.”
  87. >”Well, thanks for not totally gutting Nonny! At least everything worked out, right?”
  88. >”That’s true. And believe me, I was close ta doin’ it too. … I’m sure glad I got to know ya, Gable. Seein’ anyone as strong as you is always an inspiration.”
  89. >”I’m no inspiration. Just a fighter.”
  90. >They nod at each other one more time before leaving the final pony.
  91. >Berry scratches her head, looking at the two.
  92. >”So, uh, not really good at goodbyes.”
  93. >”Niether am I, but ah’m tryin’. It was a wild ride watchin’ you, BP.”
  94. >”Fuck you.”
  95. >”Love ya too.”
  96. >They smirk at each other.
  97. >Pinkie runs up and hugs her before she can react.
  98. >”It’s okay, not everypony’s good at everything! Ooh, I’m gonna miss you Berry!”
  99. >”Hh-yeaha… …Huh.”
  100. >Pinkie and Berry slip away, looking at each other weirdly.
  101. >”…That felt weird.”
  102. “…Hhhhehehehahahahahaa! I just remembered, ohshit, come over here and watch this real quick. Twilight, Rarity, Flutters, Dash, you guys too!”
  103. >They both stare at you for a moment until you pull out your phone and switch to the second video, playing it for everyone’s viewing pleasure.
  104. >The instant the video pulls up, Berry starts smiling and Pinkie looks horrified.
  105. >>”Yeeeah, shake it!”
  106. >>”Look at those pink flanks, dude!”
  107. >>”Where’s my sandwich?”
  108. >>Pinkie gets tripped over by her own tail all of a sudden, and hangs onto Berry for balance, both of them cracking up.
  109. >>”’Eey Ponkie, didn’t know you were… hangin’ out!”
  110. >>They start laughing even more, and Pinkie pulls out another glass of cherry wine from… somewhere.
  111. >>”I wanna toast! mm… Toasty frosting…”
  112. >>Pinkie starts licking her lips in hunger, and the huge cartoonish tongue laps Berry’s cheek.
  113. >>”Whooaa, whoa… you missed, Pinkie.”
  114. >>”Huh?”
  115. >>Berry suddenly pulls her over and kisses her.
  116. >>Making out in the middle of the bar.
  117. >Their reaction is priceless.
  118. >Rarity starts fanning her face, trying not to look at Pinkie.
  119. >Dash is fucking rolling with Gable, Iron Will and Applejack who had not seen this yet.
  120. >Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie all sit there staring blankly, massive blushing occuring.
  121. >Berry’s just chugging her flask.
  122. >You and Redheart sit there proudly with bigass grins on your faces, having concocted this scheme in the first place.
  123. >You decide to stop it around the halfway point as you see they’ve had enough.
  124. “Hopefully that answers that question.”
  125. >”Excuse me for a moment.”
  126. >Wow, Iron’s never been that polite.
  127. >He goes straight to the bathroom.
  128. >…Damnit.
  129. >Berry rolls her eyes and drags herself after him, leaving the rest of the ponies to contemplate what just happened.
  130. >It doesn’t take long for them to return at all, however.
  131. >”Sorry about that.”
  132. >”Yeah, you better be sorry.”
  133. >Ohshit, no wonder it was fast.
  134. >You speak again to break the sudden tension that just appeared.
  135. “Twilight, here. I still have this fake letter, can you check it just to make sure the letter she sent you wasn’t the shadow trying to split us up or anything?”
  136. [You give Twilight Celestia’s Forged/Fake Letter.]
  137. >”Oh, alright… No, it checks out. Remember Anon, now that Spike is up and about now, our mail line can’t be tampered with now. Thanks for the concern, though.”
  138. “Where is the little guy anyways?”
  139. >”He’s busy with the luggage. Don’t worry, he told me to tell you to bring him back a souvenir from White-Tail City when you go there.”
  140. “Alright. Tell him I will. Oh, and if you’re not gonna be at Appleoosa, how do we write letters to each other? Should I forward them to Celestia to send to you?”
  141. >”She actually planned ahead for that, and sent this to give to you! I nearly forgot!”
  142. [RECEIVED POSTAL FLAME ORB]
  143. >”This’ll let you send things straight to Spike, just like Princess Celestia does. Just… nothing too big, alright? It goes out of his throat, after all.”
  144. “Right, I’ll be careful.”
  145. >After that, you look around.
  146. >”Is something wrong?”
  147. “I… I really feel like I forgot something.”
  148. >”Forgot somepony, you mean?”
  149. >You whip around and see Wheaties and Gyro Gear all of a sudden, quite literally out of nowhere.
  150. “…Wha-”
  151. >”Pinkie thought it’d be nice to surprise you. We’ve been waiting all this time, it was killing me!”
  152. >”Y-yeah, but, uh, why are we here?”
  153. “I didn’t think I’d have time to actually visit you guys, and I was right on that hunch. So…”
  154. >Is there anything you’d like to say to Wheaties and Gyro, and to the rest of the ponies here?
  155.  
  156.  
  157.  
  158. “Well, uh, Gyro. If you wanna get that spell cartridge working, I’d go talk to Sunwhirl. I can’t think of anypony else who’d be equipped to help you.”
  159. >”Oh, t-thanks. I’ll be sure to stop by..”
  160. >You know what?
  161. >There’s not going to be any bullshitting, here.
  162. “I’m just… So glad I got to meet two of the most fantastic ponies in my life, and… Thank you. Thank you all so much, for all the support you've shown me, and for being such great friends. For tolerating my more boneheaded decisions, and for trusting me when no sane ponies should've. After everything that’s happened, I feel like I couldn’t even trust myself. But you guys stuck with me, stayed by my side in spite of everything… I couldn’t ask for better friends.”
  163. >Everyone present smiles, touched by your kind words.
  164. “I think we should all get a picture while we’re here. Something to remember, for better or for worse, right?”
  165. >”Yeah, everypony crowd in!”
  166. >Head counting begins.
  167. >You, Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Redheart, Berry Punch, Iron Will, Gable, Wheaties, and Gyro Gear all come together in a tight spot, and you levitate your phone out and do your best to pull it up to the picture function with your magic.
  168. >It goes back a bit, and with everything set, you yell out.
  169. “Alright, everyone say FRIENDS!”
  170. >”Friends!”
  171. >”FRIIIEEENNDS!”
  172. >”..F-friends..”
  173. >”Friends!”
  174. >”Frieends!
  175. >”Freynds!”
  176. >”I’m not sayin’ that shit. Ow, friends, jeez!”
  177. >”Friends!”
  178. >”Ugh, friends.”
  179. >”Friends!”
  180. >”Er, friends, yeah.”
  181. >Berry loses her balance and suddenly trips over Fluttershy, who yipes and backs up right into your crotch.
  182. “Oof..”
  183. >This starts a chain of various reactions which are caught in the photo, some laughing, some in shock, some smiling at yours and Berry’s misfortune.
  184. [Added Photo of Crystal Empire group to iPhone.]
  185. >”Auugh… Sorry, Fluttershy. Nice ass, by the way.”
  186. >”…”
  187. >Berry helps her up, and she hides behind her mane.
  188. >Once everyone gets up and readjusted, a sudden horn sounds.
  189. >It’s the train’s first warning.
  190. >You look over and see that it’s 5:55 P.M.
  191. “We need to get going.”
  192. >”Yeah. Thanks for being here to say goodbye, guys!”
  193. >Your party and the rest say goodbye to each other as tickets are handed out, and you all start to leave.
  194. >Heading outside, your party starts boarding the train, but before you can get on, Pinkie suddenly darts out of the door towards you.
  195. >”Nonny, wait!”
  196. >She stops and skids in front of you as you kneel and catch her.
  197. “What’s wrong, Pinkie?”
  198. >She stops and holds her breath for a moment, as if she was trying to get the will to say something, completely uncharacteristic for her.
  199. >”… I… I just have to tell you… uh…”
  200. “…What? It’s alright, you can tell me.”
  201. >Pinkie looks into your eyes, her innocent blue saucers penetrating your heart.
  202. >”Okay… I still know you’re with Red, forever and ever, but I forgot to actually tell you before, and I didn’t want you leaving without me being able to tell you… I didn’t- I don’t, really just like you a lot… N-nonny, I love you. I did my best to keep away and not do anything bad because of Reddy, but I… I still feel that way, and… I know I shouldn’t have waited until now to say it, but you just had to know! I know it won’t change anything, but…”
  203. >What do you say?
  204.  
  205. >This is a bigger bomb dropped on you than when you first woke up in that hospital room.
  206. >She actually… loves you?
  207. >Picked a real good time to tell you, not like you’re about to leave to go to far off lands or anything in less than five minutes.
  208. >Either way, you need to address this here and now.
  209. >You look Pinkie in the eyes and hold her close.
  210. “…I can’t even begin to think how much courage it took you to say that. I knew you, you know, wanted me before, but… I didn’t know it was real like this. Listen, Pinkie. You will always hold a very special place in my heart, you know that. I’ll miss you deeply, every single day… But, I’m with Redheart. Just like before.”
  211. >Pinkie Pie looks away, sniffling.
  212. >You delicately grab her chin and have her look back at you.
  213. “Hey… I know how much I’m hurting you by staying with Redheart, and I hate myself for it. Even if you… love me,nothing’s changed, and I’m sorry. And.. I’m truly sorry about what happened a few days ago. I just wanted to find a way to avoid hurting you both, and-”
  214. >”It’s okay, Nonny…”
  215. >You both are unable to talk, so you simply hug each other, a much more personal and intimate embrace than before.
  216. >”I’ll… just miss you most of all.”
  217. “So will I, Pinkie…”
  218. >The second warning horn sounds off, indicating it’s 5:58.
  219. >You let go of her and she smiles a little bit, wiping away any tears.
  220. >At that point, Berry’s head pops out of a window about four or five down, and looks at you two.
  221. >”Hey, what’s the hold up?! We’re about to take off, Anon, let’s go!”
  222. “Right! … I’ll see you soon, okay?”
  223. >”’Kay…”
  224. >You pinch her cheek a bit, and start smirking deviously.
  225. “Hey now, you and Berry hit it off right? I didn’t know you were into mares-hahaha, okay, okay!”
  226. >Pinkie started pushing you away playfully, both of you standing now.
  227. >”…Bye, Nonny.”
  228. “Bye.”
  229. >You give her one last wave and you turn to get in the train.
  230. >As soon as you step on the first stair, the doors close on you.
  231. >Holy shit, they close right on you.
  232. >”N-Nonny!”
  233. “FUCK FUCK FUCK AAUGH-”
  234. >You manage to slip through without busting your nuts and you stumble back into the aisleway of the trains, a few ponies near the door staring and laughing at your misfortune.
  235. >At least you got on the train.
  236. >You quickly go over to the first window and wave to let her know you’re okay, and you see that her friends had joined her.
  237. >Those six seem to be even closer than the rest of you as odd as it sounds, even if they don’t show it as much.
  238. >You just have some innate feeling about it.
  239. >Now you step away and return to your party, where they greet you at their claimed booth.
  240. >”We thought you had cold feet for a second, babe. What took so long?”
  241. “Oh, Pinkie wanted to give one more goodbye. So, what’re we doing here?…”
  242. >You notice they have a booth with a table in the center, and someone has a deck of cards laid out and there’s a few piles of bits.
  243. >Gable takes it upon himself to tell you with a shit-eating grin.
  244. >”Oh, we’re starting up a poker game. You’re all in, and you have three 2’s.”
  245. “…Fuck.”
  246. >You sit down and you all laugh together, starting the long journey ahead.
  247. >You know it’s going to be harder this time around, and you’ll probably want to get some more help.
  248. >Even with this thought on your mind, you always have hope.
  249. >Faith that you’ll beat whatever this shadow is.
  250. >For now, you just have a little bit of fun with your friends.
  251. [END DISK 1]
  252. [PLEASE TURN THE CD TO SIDE ‘B’]
  253. [WAITING . . .]
  254. [LOADING . . .]
  255. [TRANSFERRING SAVE FILE . . .]
  256.  
  257. >…
  258. [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyfrM3fYQZQ ]
  259. >You throw down your cards.
  260. “Fuck it, I’m out.”
  261. >”Oh you big baby, you lose two hands and you’re already quitting? Where’s the booze?”
  262. >Berry’s slowly been getting more and more tipsy as time went on.
  263. >Gable’s been doing alright, stealing a few drinks from her flask.
  264. >Iron Will’s been killing the table, and he’s amassed quite a few bits.
  265. >Red’s been trying to help you out a bit by playing bad hands, but it just made her situation worse.
  266. >Too little, too late.
  267. >”I think I’m done, too. We all have some things we need to catch up on, right?”
  268. >Iron claps his hands, raking in the dough.
  269. >”Two out means the game’s over, which means I WIN! Put that in your stocking and smoke it!”
  270. >Gable slaps him upside the head with a wing as he gets out of the booth.
  271. >”Keep dreaming, buddy. I’ll still have you beat in arm wrestling any day. Going to the bathroom real quick.”
  272. “Alright.”
  273. >Now that everyone’s done, you have…
  274. >Well, shit. You have 15 more hours.
  275. >About 6 hours from now you’ll hit Ponyville to which everyone agrees they’d like to stop at for a few hours.
  276. >What would you like to do?
  277.  
  278.  
  279. [Known recipes]
  280. >Alchemy:
  281. Sleeping Darts [3 red herbs, 2 blue herbs, makes 3]
  282. Healing Potion [1 wisp weed, 2 lifeleaf, 1 rizzleberry bunch, makes 2 large potions/4 medium/6 small]
  283. Smokescreen Bomb [1 Haze flower, 1 Ounce of Combustible powder, 1 Fuse, makes 1]
  284. Iron Hide Brew [1 small gem, 1 Yeti hair, 1 cup of Gypsum, makes 5]
  285. Flask of Lucky Tithings [Requires Moderate Alchemy skill, 2 Haze flowers, 2 rizzleberry bunches, 4 Four-leaf clovers, makes 1]
  286. Amare Potion [3 red herbs, 1 small healing potion, 1 aphrodisiac, 1 hair of the intended target, makes 1]
  287. Transmog Potion [Requires Moderate Alchemy skill, 3 Haze flowers, 2 Cloud Puffs, 5 Arcane Powder, makes 1]
  288. >You think it’s about time you got some brewing done.
  289. >From what you know and have been told about this Hive, it’s not going to be a picnic on a sunny day.
  290. >You need to be prepared.
  291. “I’m gonna go find another booth and start making a bunch of healing potions, enough to drown in. Red, you should also plow through those med books as well.”
  292. >Red sighs and lays back in her spot, starting to move some books through her pack.
  293. >”I suppose I should… Have fun doing that. Oh, open your window so you don’t stink up the whole train, okay?”
  294. “Got it!”
  295. >You’re already out the door with your kit in hand.
  296. >You find a good, empty spot and open the window as you sit, setting everything up.
  297. >Before you begin, however, you pull out your alchemy book and get to finishing that final chapter.
  298. >…
  299.  
  300. [Finished Alchemy Book (Transmorgrification)]
  301. [LEARNED RECIPE TRANSMOG POTION! (Change appearance of a specific item for a time depending on how much liquid is used)]
  302. [ACQUIRED MODERATE ALCHEMY SKILLS!]
  303. >…
  304.  
  305. >It’s about damn time you finished that book.
  306. >You got it back at the Everfree castle, after all.
  307. >With that out of the way, you keep it open as a reference while you work.
  308. >…
  309.  
  310. [ALCHEMY]
  311. [Here is the list of potions you can make. Which would you like to brew?]
  312. -Healing Potion
  313.  
  314. >Healing Potions are currently the only thing you can make.
  315. >With your ingredients, you can make up to three batches of 6 small potions each, 4 mediums, or 2 large.
  316. >Small potions take half an hour to brew, medium take 45 minutes, and large takes an hour, with multiple batches not affecting time.
  317. >Would you like to brew these healing potions, and if so, how many?
  318.  
  319.  
  320.  
  321.  
  322. >Selected 3 batches
  323. >2 large batches
  324. >2 medium batches
  325. >2 small batches
  326. >Total time: 4 hours, 30 minutes (270 minutes)
  327. >Total output: 4 Large Healing Potions, 8 Medium Healing Potions, 12 Small Healing Potions
  328. >Do you want to brew these items? Y/N
  329. >Y
  330. >…
  331.  
  332. >Once you’ve got your game plan all set up, you get all of your vials at the ready after mixing and churning the ingredients, and now you wait.
  333. >A few minutes after you have done this, you flag down Redheart who’s walking down the aisle.
  334. “Hey, c’mere. Sit with me for a bit.”
  335. >”Oh, you’re all the way out here?”
  336. >Red pops her head in and her face scrunches at the smell.
  337. >”…I see why you’re all the way out here.”
  338. “Sorry about that, when you’re making as much as I’m making it gets a bit stuffy.”
  339. >Red sits down next to you and actively switches her breathing to mouth instead of nose.
  340. >”I can’t stay long, this stench. I know you’re gonna be busy doing this for us though, so I’ll keep you company for a little while.”
  341. “I hope we don’t need all of this, but you never know.”
  342. >”Who knows?… Maybe, if we’re lucky, she’ll actually listen to us. Hopefully.”
  343. “Yeah…”
  344. >You and Redheart sit there for a moment, watching the bubbles of the callous teal and brown liquids beginning to boil and the gases mixing into the center vials, starting to drip a bright red potion into them.
  345. “So, what’s the story about you and the Cake’s foals?”
  346. >Red smiles at the memory she brings up.
  347. >”Oh, it was a wonderful day. Mrs. Cake came in finally in labor after being two weeks overdue, the poor thing. I had just finished filing the release papers for this happy, energetic little filly named Joy Spree. She had a few broken ribs in a chariot accident, but she was all healed up and ready to go… Anyways, the Cake’s ordeal was almost a legend in the hospital because of how kind she was during all of her visits, and everypony wanted to see the new foals. I got to help the doctor perform the birth when the time came, and it was a beautiful sight seeing Pound and Pumpkin Cake finally out in the air, so cute… Pinkie and her friends came in a few hours later to see them sleeping. I wish they just kept QUIET, because newborn foals need their sleep! Pinkie being the mare she is, well, you know how well that worked out.”
  348. “Oh yeah, I can imagine.”
  349. >”But yes, it was a fine day. They went home happy and healthy, and I’ve heard that Pinkie’s become their official foalsitter.”
  350. >You find it a bit hard to imagine her being able to get them asleep.
  351. >From your experience with babies, though, maybe they were getting on her nerves.
  352. >That’d be funny to watch.
  353. >The train suddenly lurches a bit, and you hold your vials to keep them from falling.
  354. >Being careful and readjusting any levels, you continue.
  355. “So, banking off of that topic, I have a biological question for you.”
  356. >Red looks at you with interest.
  357. “What’re the different reproductive cycles of Ponies, Gryphons and Minotaurs?”
  358. >Now she glares.
  359. >”Anon, I thought you read that pamphlet I gave you?”
  360. >Oh… right.
  361. “Oh, right…. Well, I might’ve gotten sidetracked by uuh, the shadow, you know.”
  362. >Red pushes you playfully and smirks.
  363. >”I’m just teasing you, you know that right? Well, Ponies, in this case mares, have an estrus cycle, say, every 20 days, that lasts a few days where they’re ripe for… fertilization. If that’s carried out, then they usually have an 11 month gestation period. Sometimes a full year. Unlike the other two races you mentioned who pack full litters, us mares only have one foal, and twins are very, very rare.”
  364. “So, the Cakes were an exception?”
  365. >”Definitely, it’s another reason we were all so anxious to see it happen! Now, let’s see… Gryphons are sort of feline in nature of their cycle, so if you know that system, that’s about how it works minus the spindles on the pe-”
  366. “Yeah, yeah. Minotaurs are like bulls too, right?”
  367. >”That’s right. See, you remember more than you think.”
  368. “So, what about cross-species children? Is that possible?”
  369. >Red stumbles on her words, and stays silent for a moment.
  370. >”…”
  371. “Is it alright to ask?”
  372. >”Er, y-yes, of course. It’s, not illegal or anything, it’s happened before, uh…”
  373. >She’s really tongue-tied.
  374. >”…Why do you ask?”
  375. “I was just curious, you know.”
  376. >”Right… Ahem, well, Gryphons and Ponies have had hybrids before, though success rate is, minimal. The offspring is healthy, however, so it’s something achieveable. If it’s a stallion and a female Gryphon, anyways. The other way around doesn’t work. As for Minotaurs, they can breed with most other races without many problems, if they’re the male in the relationship. Again, other way around doesn’t work well.”
  377. “What about humans?”
  378. >Red’s cheeks begin to burn with the power of 1000 suns, and her eyes start darting around the booth looking for anything except you.
  379. >”…U-uh… Not t-too many humans around, so we… don’t know I have to go I think Berry’s calling for me isn’t she can you hear it alright bye~!”
  380. >Red rockets out of your booth and disappears halfway down the train.
  381. >Damn, she must’ve been really embarrassed.
  382. >Wait… Oh.
  383. >You get it now.
  384. >…
  385. [4 hours and 30 minutes have passed.]
  386. [RECEIVED 4 E. LARGE HEALING POTIONS, 8 E. MEDIUM HEALING POTIONS, 12 E. SMALL HEALING POTIONS]
  387. [Used 12 Lifeleaf, 6 Rizzleberry Bunches, and 6 Wisp’s Weed.]
  388. >…
  389.  
  390. >You bundle up the excessive amount of healing potions and stow them away in your increasingly large bag.
  391. >Sometime you’ll have to really figure out why you’re taking so much shit with you.
  392. >You put away your kit and look around the Train’s hallway.
  393. >There’s your group in the one booth near the door, seeming to be having a jovial time.
  394. >A few more booths down is an open door, and you can see some stallion dressed in black.
  395. >Further is the conductor’s door, which is locked for some reason.
  396. >You currently have 1 hour and 30 minutes before arriving at Ponyville.
  397. >What would you like to do?
  398.  
  399. >Use Doctor’s Kit on broken nose
  400. [Nose is already splinted!]
  401.  
  402. >It’s not usually in your nature to be a stalker, but there’s something about this guy that just interests you.
  403. >You make sure you didn’t leave anything in the booth and you walk out into the hallway, sauntering forth to the odd black-clad stallion, but no so close that he could notice you prying.
  404.  
  405. >Inspect Black-Clad Stallion
  406. [This one looks a bit meaner than your average pony. He seems to be covered head-to hoof in black clothing, sans his face. He’s got dark yellow fur with brown eyes, and he’s currently reading a newspaper. Something seems to be bulging from his pants, but there’s no telling what it could be.]
  407.  
  408. >You try to get a bit closer to investigate.
  409. >The stallion suddenly looks up at you when the floor creaks underneath your foot, and he gets up with a scowl.
  410. >You back away slightly anticipating he might come after you, but he just walks up to the booth’s door and slams it shut, pulling the blinds.
  411. >That was certainly interesting.
  412. >What would you like to do?
  413.  
  414.  
  415. >Eh, it’s probably nothing.
  416. >There isn’t much else to do on the train, so it’s best you just go and do what you left to do.
  417. >Turning around, you make your way back to your group’s booth and knock as you go in.
  418. “Hey guys.”
  419. >”Hay.”
  420. >”Where’ve you been?”
  421. >Berry and Gable greet you, but Iron and Red are not here right now.
  422. “Where’s the others?”
  423. >Berry takes a quick swig of some big bottle with a train stamped on it, presumably alcohol given by the service.
  424. >”Red hasn’t come back yet from the bathroom, so we thought she was with you. Iron went to go play some more card games with this group of stallions that were drinking more than I do on St. Gallop’s Day.”
  425. “Really, she hasn’t come back?”
  426. >Gable shakes his head.
  427. >”Nope. What’ve you got in your pack? It’s staining.”
  428. >You look at where he’s pointing and you see there’s a dark red stain.
  429. >The healing potions!
  430. >You dive into your bag real quick and see that one of the potions had uncorked.
  431. “Shit… At least I didn’t lose any. I think I capped them too quickly, the heat popped it off.”
  432. >You start corking it back together.
  433. >While you’re doing this, a fleeting dark image goes across your peripheral vision, but you’re a little more absorbed in making sure your bags don’t take a hop on the wild side.
  434. “…There we are. Anyways, here you guys go.”
  435. [You give Berry Punch 1 EMHP and 2 ESHP’s.]
  436. [You give Gable 1 EMPH and 2 ESHP’s.]
  437. >They weigh in the potions, seeing that they’re much lighter in color than usual.
  438. >”Whoa, how’d you get them like this?”
  439. “I had my brewset enchanted, so they’re all a lot more potent, now.”
  440. >Gable stows them away as Berry turns around, attempting to sneak a bit of the healing juices in her flask.
  441. >”Good work, bonehead.”
  442. “Yeah, thanks.”
  443. >Iron and Red are elsewhere, it seems.
  444. >What would you like to do?
  445.  
  446. “I'm going to go find those two and distribute the potions, then I was thinking of asking for a quick tour of the train by the conductor if he's not busy. Either of you interested in coming with me?”
  447. >”Er, no.”
  448. >”No thanks.”
  449. >Well, fine.
  450. >Looks like you’re the only one autistic enough to look for parts on a train.
  451. >Then again, they’re probably remembering the rat vomit.
  452. “Well, alright. I’ll be back later.”
  453. >You shrug and walk out of the booth, closing it behind you.
  454. >As you look around, you see a bit of nondescript activity at the conductor’s door.
  455. >On the other end of the hallway, the mare’s bathroom is closed and occupied.
  456. >If anything else, she’s in there.
  457. >You start down the hallway and go to knock on the door.
  458. “Hello? Anypony in here?”
  459. >No answer, complete silence.
  460. >What would you like to do?
  461.  
  462.  
  463. >You try knocking again, three solid raps.
  464. “Red, are you in there?”
  465. >There’s still nothing, but you think you hear the slightest breath being caught.
  466. >It’s so faint, however, you dismiss it as your imagination.
  467. >The door is locked anyways so somepony’s in there.
  468. >But now you’re pretty sure it isn’t Redheart.
  469. >You turn around and think for a moment.
  470. >Surely she’s around here somewhere, it’s just a matter of who might’ve seen her, right?
  471. >You advance to the nearest open booth with ponies in it and give it a light knock before popping your head in.
  472. “Hey, have you folks seen a white mare with a red cross cutie mark come by recently?”
  473. >One of the ponies inside to your surprise confirms it.
  474. >”Yes, with a nurse’s band around her head, pink mane? She went to the bathroom last we saw.”
  475. >…Damn.
  476. “Alright, thanks.”
  477. >You start back towards the bathroom, but stop.
  478. >If she’s in there, maybe she just didn’t want to say anything right now.
  479. >What would you like to do?
  480.  
  481.  
  482. >She definitely must be doing something important if she’s not coming out.
  483. >Approaching the door carefully, you give it one more knock.
  484. “Red, I’m going to the conductor if you want to talk later. Tell me if you need anything.”
  485. >There’s still no response, so you go ahead and leave.
  486. >No point in staying and looking like a creeper if she doesn’t feel like talking.
  487. >You make a note to ask her about it later.
  488. >Turning back around, you start moving forward, but something then catches your attention.
  489. >Used Window of Reality
  490. >You hold up the mirror in front of your face, and your reflection melts away as it is overtaken by a void of darkness.
  491. >The window slowly begins to alight from the bottom, and a line breaks apart each side, splitting up the blackness into two paths, cloudy fog overtaking the choices.
  492. >Then it clears for each one, revealing to you your destiny.
  493. >The first path shows what happens if you kick down the bathroom door. There is a light pink light, that devolves into a vibrating red mass that converges on you.
  494. >The second path shows what happens if you leave the door alone. A light pink light and a green light converge together, and then becomes dark again.
  495. >…
  496.  
  497. >You can never figure out what this thing is telling you.
  498. >Do you still want to go find Iron Will, or do something else?
  499.  
  500.  
  501. >Something’s up here.
  502. >There has to be a reason she’s not speaking, but what could it be?
  503. >You decide to wait for a few minutes and try again, beginning to hatch an idea budding in your head.
  504. >For now, you simply go back and look for Iron Will to give him the potions like you originally planned.
  505. >It takes you a minute to find him, but about 5 booths from the front end of the train lies Iron and his blackjack game, to which he’s been taking quite the beating.
  506. >He’s lost nearly all of his won bits from the poker game you guys played.
  507. >Eventually one of the drinking stallions notices you, and nudges Iron in the side.
  508. >”Ey’, isn’t that the hyooman you were talkin’ about?”
  509. >Iron looks up and greets you sulkingly.
  510. >”What’s happening, brother…?”
  511. “You doing alright?”
  512. >”Well, since you asked, Iron Will is not so metal right now. I keep goin’ over!”
  513. “Bad luck, maybe? I came to give you this, in any case.”
  514. [You give Iron Will 1 EMHP and 2 ESHP’s.]
  515. >”Whoa, what’re these?”
  516. “Healing potions.”
  517. >”They’re really light, you sure you didn’t get a little too assertive on the recipe?”
  518. “My kit’s been enchanted, these work a lot better.”
  519. >”Huh, is that so?…”
  520. >One of the stallions spills his drink as he double-takes from the potions to you.
  521. >”Hey, you uuh, you got anymore in there? I have a daughter at home with a few fractured vertebrae, I’ll buy ‘em off ya!”
  522. >You never thought about selling your goods.
  523. >At this point, activity near the conductor’s door has ceased, and a quick glance shows you that the bathroom door is now open.
  524. >What would you like to do?
  525.  
  526. “I think we've got a couple to spare, sir, sure. Here, this should get your gal feeling better.”
  527. [You give the stallion 1 Medium Healing Potion.]
  528. >He cradles the potion in his hands, making sure it doesn’t get dropped.
  529. >”Thanks, this’ll definitely help her out when I get home! Now, uh, how much?”
  530. “No problem. No money’s necessary, sir. It’s not costly enough to bother charging you since it’s for your daughter. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go check on somepony.”
  531. >The stallion stares at you with awe and disbelief as you walk away after waving to Iron, and you hear them start exclaiming your generosity as you approach your booth.
  532. >You’re pretty sure he saw the back of your Doctor’s coat, as well.
  533. >Looking inside the booth, you check to see if there’s anyone you’re looking for.
  534. >There is.
  535. >Berry and Gable are on one side of the booth now, with an unconscious Redheart between them.
  536. >She could be sleeping, but you’re unsure.
  537. >On the other side is the disguised Five, whose magical presence seems much more prominent, now.
  538. “What happened, here?”
  539. >Berry shoots Five a dirty look.
  540. >”The bug was hungry, so Red decided it’d be a good idea to feed it love. It said it was looking for you, but we told it you were busy brewing. Guess it couldn’t wait.”
  541. >You look over at Five.
  542. >”What she says is true.”
  543. >That’s why she was silent in the bathroom, then.
  544. >Can’t risk anypony in the train seeing that happen, or else there’d be mass panic.
  545. “Is she alright?”
  546. >”She will be fine. As per our agreement, I will never take enough love to harm, and I ceased my feeding when she protested.”
  547. >Gable and Berry seem not to trust her, still.
  548. >But now you at least know where Red is.
  549. >What would you like to do?
  550.  
  551.  
  552. >Current questlog (7/10 total):
  553. [Investigate Shadow] - Find it (0/1); Exterminate it (0/1); Report to Celestia (0/1)
  554. [Become a Legendary Doctor] - Master medical knowledge (0/1); Master medical experience (0/1); Doctor’s Kit (1/1); 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)
  555. [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)
  556. [Mare in the Family] - Find the mysterious Master of the Dark Arts (0/1); Find a cure for Charm Rose’s brother (0/1)
  557. [Just like Clockwork] - Travel to Appleoosa and speak to Frizzy Gear (0/1)
  558. [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)
  559. [The Airship] - Find a trained pilot (0/1), Learn the Airship’s controls (0/1), Fly the Airship to Canterlot (0/1)
  560.  
  561. [Cannot place Defibrillators and Doctor’s Mask in Doctor’s bag, as it does not exist!]
  562. “Just to be sure…”
  563. >Used Doctor’s Kit on Redheart
  564. >+100% Kit effectiveness, +25% overheal
  565. >+125% HP<
  566. Redheart: [HP: 188/150]
  567. “You never know. If she’s fine and she agreed to it, then I don’t see any real harm. Just, next time, come to me regardless of what I’m doing okay?”
  568. >Five nods robotically.
  569. >”I will do so.”
  570. >Berry scoffs.
  571. >”Yeah, let’s just believe everything it says. Not like it’s-”
  572. >”Berry.”
  573. >Gable gives her a stern look, and she shuts up.
  574. >Damn, hardcore.
  575. “So, is she unconscious, or just sleeping?”
  576. >”Red came in dragging her hooves, climbed up here, and fell straight asleep. She looked absolutely exhausted, and we were completely bewildered, until the changeling came back, anyways. You gonna stay here and spend some time with us, by any chance?”
  577. >Now you know what happened, at least.
  578. >It looks like Berry and Gable aren’t that comfortable with the situation yet.
  579. >What would you like to do?
  580.  
  581.  
  582. >ANONYMOUS (cc) / SIR DUCKSALOT [HP: 25/25]
  583. [HP: 125/125][MP: Manasealed (AC)][Stats: 10 PD, 165 MD / +15 MA base, +150 MA wep / +75 PA ranged]
  584.  
  585. Inventory: Wallet, Bit pouch (2,102 bits), Roll of duct tape, Rope, Potion-making Kit (Allows brewing of potions, E: +100% potion effectiveness), Blowdart, Blue herbs (3), Red herbs (1), Small mana potion (33%, 1), Rizzleberry bunch (1), Alchemy Book (Transmogrification), 9 oz. of Kablooie powder, 4 ounces of combustible powder, Wisp Weed (2), 2 handfuls of bolts, Haze Flower (9), Yeti Hair (2), iPhone, (Book) Introduction to Architecture, Screwdriver kit (reduces bolt and screw cost by 3), Socket wrench kit (reduces wheel & axle and nut cost by 1), 1 Oz. of Thermite, Black Marker, Hoofcuffs (3), Cock Ring, Ultimate Knowledge of Medical Expertise: Volume XXVII, Medium Healing potion (66% restore, 2), Firewood (2), Window of Reality (Allows you to see into the future of different possibilities of your choices with limitations), Iron-Hide Brew (3, +5 PA for 3 turns), Platinum Ingot (1), Small mana crystal (1, restores 33% mana), Uncut Ruby, Dr. Frank Fort’s Psychology 102: For Dummies, Dr. Frank Fort’s Love is in the Air: You and Your Ponymate, Dr. Frank Fort’s Back in Time: Guide to your Childhood, Dr. Frank Fort’s Post-Trotmatic Stress of Magic: When Spells Attack, Dr. Frank Fort’s Depression, Anxiety and All Those Unfortunate Thingamajigs: What to Do for a Friend Near You, Empty Chest, Shadow-Infused Rune, Doctor’s Mask, Magical Scroll: Temporary Horn, Medium Mana Crystal (1, restores 66% mana), Medical Mastery: Volume XXVI, Medium Mana Potion (4, restores 66% MP), Unlocking Flask (4, removes manaseal), Double-bladed spear (+10 PA, +15 MA, E: Can attack spectrals. Abilities: Redheart Cummer (-1 MP, +25 magic dmg, 2 turn CD), Flamescythe (-1 MP, Good attack, +10 MA, 4 turn CD)), Picture of Inter-Dimensional Monster, Sunwhirl’s Findings, Cookie-Top Cake (8 slices, +50% HP each), Magic Recombobulator (Restores mana, 118/500), Copy of Starswirl’s Notes: Portals and Healing (5), Adamantite Ingot (1), Writer’s Kit (Allows drafting of anything writable or drawable), Spell: Detect Changeling (Tome), Yarmulke (One time use: reduce price of single item in a purchase by 20%), Doctor’s Kit (+100% healing effectiveness, +25% Overheal, dispells all physical and mental status effects, 7 turn CD in combat, grants ability Clinical Cutthroat), Pickaxe (+10 PA, grants ability Mine), Postal Flame Orb (Allows communication with Spike), E. Large Healing Potion (+200% HP, 4), E. Medium Healing Potion (+128% HP, 6), E. Small Healing Potion (+66% HP, 8)
  586. Bucket List (Misc.) - 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
  587.  
  588. Abilities: Moderate hand to hand combat (+5 PA), Moderate alchemy skills (Allows brewing of basic and moderate potions and enchantments), Expert medical use (+75% medkit efficiency, removes poisons/diseases), Basic Veterinary knowledge (Allows kit usage on animals), Basic Engineering skills (Allows creation of simple mechanical devices), Ogre Dance (0-4 Fail, 5-9 Succeed, confuses enemy), Expert spear combat (+15 dmg, ½ crit chance), Call Shot (Call specific location to attack, focus dmg and -66% hit chance), Very High Magical Defense (+20 MD), Shoot dart (50% hit), Brew potion (non-com), Parry (50% hit, deflects enemy atk/counters 50% dmg), Mine, Expert knowledge of magical properties (Allows learning of basic/intermediate/expert tomes/spellbooks and great control of magic), Shoot F.L.A.R.E., Clinical Cutthroat (Steal the life from an enemy and bottle it for later use, creates Small Healing Potion, usable once per battle)
  589.  
  590. Spellbook: Giga Buster (R, -3 MP, Good attack, +25 MA, 3 turn CD), Weak Levitation (noncom), Luminate (Light source, free), Wallwalking (Lets your hands and feet stick to surfaces for 20 seconds, -4 MP), Ignite (-1 MP, Fire source, +25 MA, 50% chance to burn for 3 turns, 3tcd), Shockwave (-4 MP, AoE +36 MA each, 25% chance to stun for 3 turns each, 7tcd), Blessing of Harmony (-8 MP, releases a powerful magical spell that soothes, rejuvenates and calms any two targets that the blessing is given to, and removes all mental and spiritual status effects.), Teleport (-20 MP, Allows small distances to be traveled instantly, Com: Couple with another attack for x3 damage, 5tcd), Starswirl’s Restoration (-800 MP, heals the target for 100% of their HP, 10 turn CD), Ancient Wrath (-100 MP, +300 MA AoE split, 10 turn CD), Portal of Speedy Travels (-360 MP, Creates a portal to intended destination for a short period to a certain distance), Tesla’s Wrath (R, -15 MP, Good attack, +25 MA, ½ chance to blind target for 3 turns, 5 turn CD), Arcane Chains (R, -10 MP, immobilizes target for 5 turns, 5 turn CD), Aphitis Cuffs (-2 MP, Permanent manaseal until special word is spoken, strength increased proportional to time sealed), Invisibility (-50 MP, suppresses vision and hearing of others for 3 turns, 10 turn CD), Mirror Image (- 25/50/75/100/125/150 MP, multiplier increase of next turn by amount of copies, 8 turn CD), Vice Shout (-75 MP, immobilization AoE for 5 turns, 10 turn CD. Mana cost is free if Mask of the Dragon Aspect is equipped), Dragoon’s Roar (-100 MP, increases MD by 100 for 3 turns, 10 turn CD. Mana cost is free if Mask of the Dragon Aspect is equipped)
  591.  
  592. Equipped: Redheart-inscribed ‘Legendary’ Doctor’s Trenchcoat (+15 HP to medkit usage), Mysterious markings, Avian Leather Boots (Lowers exhaustion), Thick Winter Coat, Starswirl’s Wand (R, +200 MP, +150 MA, +125 MD, Grants ability Ancient Wrath), F.L.A.R.E. (R, +50 MA, -5 MP per shot. Can choose a different aspect of magic to fire for different magical values; Currently set to Arcane), Highguard Robes (+12 MP, +15 MA, +10 MD)
  593.  
  594. >REDHEART: [HP: 188/150][Stats: 115 PD, 50 MD, +15 HP / +5 PA base, +40 PA wep]
  595.  
  596. Abilities: Moderate Spear Combat, Expert Med. Skill (+75% medkit efficiency, removes poisons/diseases), {S.S.S. +15 dmg with Anon’s/Red’s separate dmg.. 5 turn CD}, Block (+5 PD and 25% chance to negate all dmg.), Tesseract-bound (+20 MD), Parry (50% hit, deflects enemy atk/counters 50% dmg), Downforce (Good attack, +12 PA, split between all enemies, 3tcd), Cross-Cutter (Good attack, 50% bleed chance, 3tcd), Shield Bash (+20 PA, stuns for 3 turns, 2 turn CD), Shoot (Shoots C.O.C.K.), Heart’s Calling (5tcd, Gives 50% attack boost to entire party for next turn)
  597. Inventory: Medkit (2), Bit pouch (40 bits) Ultimate Knowledge of Medical Mastery: Volume I, Defibrillator, Recipe for Defibrillator, Recipe for Healing potions, Lube, Ribbed Strap-on, Doctor’s Mask, Latex Hoof Gloves, Medical Mastery: Volume XXVI, 5 oz. of Kablooie Powder, Concise Lead Ammo (72, +25 PA), Medic-Issued Crystal Chainmail Coronet (+4 PD, +1 MD), Medic-Issued Crystal Chainmail Breadth (+6 PD, +1 MD), Medic-Issued Crystal Chainmail Sabatons (+6 PD, +1 MD), Medic-Issued Crystal Chainmail Flankguards (+6 PD, +1 MD), Medic-Issued Crystal Buckler (+10 PD, +1 MD, grants Block), Supply Medkit (2)
  598.  
  599. Equipped: Highguard Glaive (1 hoofed, +40 PA, Grants Parry, Grants ability Downforce), Medic-Issued Crystal Leather Cloak (Reduces exhaustion), Thick Winter Coat, C.O.C.K. (R, +40 PA, 3 turn reload after six shots, 1 oz. of Kablooie powder per round of shots), Amulet of Heart’s Calling (+5 HP, grants ability Heart’s Calling), Crystal Plate Helmet (+8 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Platemail (+15 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Plate Flankguards (+10 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Plate Hoofguards (+7 PD, +5 MD), Highguard Shield Wall (+75 PD/+30 MD)
  600.  
  601. >BERRY PUNCH: [HP: 220/220][Stats: 40 PD, 60 MD, +10% Fire D +15 HP / +80 PA wep]
  602.  
  603. Abilities: Throw beer bottle, Drunk Dragon (9.6x multiplier AoE, 24x against wood/frost, 3tcd), Fisticuffs (Basic attack), Do No Evil (Good Attack, +25 PA, 5tcd), Scorch (R, +30 MA, x2.5 and 75% chance to burn, 5tcd)
  604.  
  605. Inventory: Bit pouch (empty), Box of matches (14), Bottle of hard liquor (DD up), Vibrator, Torches (2), Rags (5), Bulletin (Animal Aggression), Firewood (2), 2 bundles of sticks, Clawed Thick Iron Horseshoes (Modified, +20 PA/+24 Claw PA, Grants ability Trample), Olberslash (Epic attack (RND), 5% chance to incapacitate, 8tcd), E. Medium Healing Potion (+128% HP, 1), E. Small Healing Potion (+66% HP, 2)
  606.  
  607. Equipped: Crystal Plate Helmet (+8 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Platemail (+15 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Plate Flankguards (+10 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Plate Hoofguards (+7 PD, +5 MD), Crystal Leather Cloak (Reduces exhaustion), White Rum Flask (Increases alcohol-related abilities’ damage by x2) Thick Winter Coat, Neck-Ring of Kinich Ahau (Increases MD by 40, decreases fire damage by 10%, Grants ability Scorch), Officer’s Spear (Pony only, 2 hoofed, +80 PA, Grants Parry, Grants ability Olberslash)
  608.  
  609. >GABLE: [HP: 200/200][Stats: 20 PD, 12 MD / +10 PA base, +20 PA,+25 MA wep]
  610.  
  611. Abilities: Tough Hide (+10 PD, prevents one incapacitation), Expert Hand to Hand Combat (+15 basic attack, 10% chance to crit for x2), Winged Fury (x5, 3 turn CD), Screech (+15 PA, 20% chance to fear for 5 turns, 3 turn CD), Flight (Allows 3-dimensional travel / +20 PA, 40% bleed chance for 5 turns, 4 turn CD), Basic medical use (Able to use medkits), Rip and Tear (Good attack, 25% bleed chance for 5 turns, 5 turn CD), Frost Nova (5tcd, +75 MA AoE solid, immobilizes for 3 turns), Fish, Slash (Basic attack, 10% chance to crit for x2), Fury of the Storm (Good attack, +20 PA, x5, 80% bleed chance for 5 turns, 7 turn CD), Shoot (Shoots D.I.C.K.),
  612.  
  613. Inventory: Red Headband, Bit pouch (138 bits, 1 Large Gem), Karate Instruction Manual (Raises HtH combat ability), Fishing Rod and kit (Grants ability Fish), 5 oz. of Kablooie Powder, Rifle Lead Slugs (12, +50 PA)
  614.  
  615. Equipped: Avian Leather Salet (+2 PD), Avian Leather Harness (+3 PD), Avian Leather Gloves (Modified: Fingerless, +1 PD), Avian Leather Greaves (+2 PD), Enchanted Talonguard Bracers (+12 MD), Thick Winter Coat, Sword of the Windigo Spirit (2H, +20 PA/+25 MA, Grants ability Frost Nova), D.I.C.K. (R, +150 PA, 10 turn reload, 1 oz. of Kablooie powder per shot, can shoot up to 2 miles away), Charity’s Hope (Astonishing chance to find valuables in places not normally found, great chance to find special items in said places), E. Medium Healing Potion (+128% HP, 1), E. Small Healing Potion (+66% HP, 2)
  616. >IRON WILL: [HP: 275/275][Stats: +58 PD, +24 MD, -100% B / +35 PA wep]
  617.  
  618. Abilities: Minotaur hide (+10 PD), Charge (+25 PA, 2 turn CD), Enrage (+75% PA, -25% PD for 5 turns, 8 turn CD), Assertive Annihilation (Good attack, 50% chance to stun for 3 turns, 5 turn CD), OOOH YEEAAAH (Increases Party defense by 25% for 3 turns, 6 turn CD) , Shoot (Shoots F.U.C.K.E.R.), Parry, Basic spear combat
  619.  
  620. Inventory: Protein Shakes (3, increases HP by 20 temporarily), Bit pouch (277 bits), Coupon to Maregaze’s M&S Lover’s ‘Retreat’ (20% discount for one checkout), 9 oz. of Kablooie Powder, Four-Barrel Lead Ammo (14, +25 PA to fight), Box of microphones,
  621.  
  622. Equipped: Microphone (Increases voice volume at will), Necktie, Thick Winter Coat, F.U.C.K.E.R. (R, +75 PA, 7 turn reload, 1 oz. of Kablooie powder per 24 shots {1 shot is one full reloaded round, fires all 4 for each shell equalling to 1 oz. per turn}), Crystal Poleaxe (2H, +35 PA, Grants Parry), Reinforced Yeti-Hide Armor (+48 PD/+24 MD, unable to bleed)
  623.  
  624. >FIVE (Escort) [HP: 120/120][MP: 100/100][Stats: +30 PD, +5 MD, +20 PD/MD base / +12 PA wep, +20 PA/MA base]
  625.  
  626. Abilities: Flight (Allows 3-dimensional travel / +20 PA, 40% bleed chance for 5 turns, 4 turn CD), Will of the Hive (+20 MD/MA), Chitin Exoskeleton (+20 PD/PA), Shapeshift (-12 MP, transform body and voice to fit another living being previously seen), Chaos Blast (-20 MP, Good attack, 50% chance to poison/stun, 3tcd), Mastery Acting Skills (Flawlessly depict another personality), Love Drain (Drain the love magic from another being, strength depending on situation. +HP/MP and provides sustenance), Buck (+15 PA, x3, 5tcd), Corrupted Bite (+50 PA, 25% chance to manaseal, 5tcd), Basic Axe Combat
  627.  
  628. Inventory: Missive from Queen Chrysalis
  629.  
  630. Equipped: Crystal Chainmail Coronet (+4 PD/+1 MD), Crystal Chainmail Breadth (+6 PD/+1 MD), Crystal Chainmail Sabatons (+4 PD/+1 MD), Crystal Chainmail Flankguards (+6 PD/+1 MD), Crystal Buckler (+10 PD/+1 MD), Crystalline Hacker (1H, +12 PA)
  631.  
  632.  
  633. [DROPPED QUEST VIGILANTE JUSTICE -Guess you aren’t too keen on being a deliverer of JUSTICE, are you?]
  634. [Doctor’s Kit already has a Doctor’s Mask!]
  635. [Defibrillators will not fit inside Doctor’s Kit!]
  636.  
  637. “Well, how about a few games of arm wrestling?”
  638. >”Oh, you’re wanting some action now?”
  639. >You sit down across from him and put your arm up on the table.
  640. >Berry sits back and watches the two of you flex your testosterone-laden muscles, taking moderated sips of the train liquor.
  641. >”Don’t you kids hurt each other, now. Actually… Be right back. Gonna get Iron for this one.”
  642. >Berry leaves real quick to go get him.
  643. >You begin to set the terms as he gets ready, cracking his knuckles and wrists.
  644. “Let’s make it interesting, too.”
  645. >”I’m listening.”
  646. “Every round you win, you get 5 bits.”
  647. >”C’mon, are we children?”
  648. >Oh, he wants it high?
  649. “Alright, 20. But, if I win… You have to give someone a hug for each won round, starting with Berry.”
  650. >Gable nearly has his arm up, but he retracts it slightly when you lay the terms on the table.
  651. >”Whoa, what? You want me to whip your ass for real? 20 on both sides.”
  652. “Hugs.”
  653. >”I’m not going to-”
  654. “Oh, so you’re getting cold turkey? Chicken?”
  655. >”… You’re really going for it, aren’t you?”
  656. “Bwwwwwa-”
  657. >”Fine, hugs on my end, and I’ll start with you. I’ll hug that wrist of yours until it’s wrenched and bloody. Ready?”
  658. “I should warn you, I have been working out.”
  659. >Five watches this entire spectacle with curiosity you’ve never seen on her face before.
  660. >You and Gable finally lock hands, about to start.
  661. >Berry runs back in all of a sudden and flops on the seat next to the sleeping Redheart, and Iron follows with a sack of gold.
  662. “Whoa, did you win?”
  663. >”Berry won, she came in, pulled a few hits and won m the game, tellin’ me to get my ass over here. Oh… Gable, make sure he knows the bar we’ve set, brother!”
  664. >”I plan to.”
  665. >Gable’s talons tighten around your fingers.
  666. >This should be fun, and you’ve got an ace [spoiler]or cuff[/spoiler] up your sleeve.
  667. >Is there anything you’d like to say or do before bringing the pain?
  668.  
  669. “Oh, here.”
  670. >You pull out your iPhone from your pocket and turn on the video, setting it on the table near the end to record this special moment, as well as playing some fitting music.
  671. [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcJ-wNmazHQ ][Note: Europe - The Final Countdown]
  672. “Ready.”
  673. >”Oh, for fuck’s… Wow, that’s actually pretty pumping. You’ll have to show me your little list of music sometime. Ready.”
  674. >”3…”
  675. ”3…”
  676. >”2…”
  677. ”2…”
  678. >”1!”
  679. ”1!”
  680. >Gable starts forcing his arm past yours while wrenching your wrist over.
  681. >You just relax your arm.
  682. >There’s a metallic hum in the air as the cuffs you’re wearing realize you’re not at top physical strength anymore, and the force they’re trying to pull themselves together with actually begin to win the arm-wrestling match.
  683. >”Holy… Shit…”
  684. >Gable scrunches his face in concentration, your fingers beginning to vibrate as he starts to overcome the force.
  685. >After he gets you about halfway down, you decide to try and push with the force, wrenching his wrist back as well.
  686. >The overbearing force begins to overtake him.
  687. >Then, you see the slightest glint from his enchanted necklace.
  688. >”You think you’re so tough… I’m going to make you wish you never had a shoulder… You’ll be done… finished… finito!”
  689. [FINITO - CODEWORD SPOKEN]
  690. [APHITIS CUFFS RELEASED!]
  691. [STATS UPGRADED!]
  692. [+15 HP, +50 MP, +20 base MA, +25 base PA]
  693. Anon: [HP: 140/140][MP: 305/305][Stats: 10 PD, 165 MD / +35 MA base, +150 MA wep, +25 PA base / +75 PA ranged]
  694. >There’s a bright, white flash and your wrist suddenly slams into the table!
  695. >You feel your magic returning in full force and there’s a burning pain in your arm.
  696. >The power behind Gable’s side was so strong it knocks the table over.
  697. >”Whoa! What was that shit?!”
  698. >Berry, Iron and Five are too perplexed by the turn of events to speak.
  699. >Gable’s eyes wander to your diminishing cuffs on your ankles and wrists, then to the ground.
  700. >There’s a big fat gem stuck to the underside of the table.
  701. >”…Damn, that’s lucky.”
  702. >Gable picks it off and tables it for himself, then looks back at you.
  703. >”Wanna tell me what that was, loser?”
  704. >What do you say?
  705.  
  706.  
  707. >Inspect Magical Experience
  708. [Expert knowledge of magical properties (Allows learning of basic/intermediate/expert tomes/spellbooks and great control of magic)
  709.  
  710. Experience: (425/1,500)]
  711.  
  712. >Use Spell: Detect Changeling (Tome)
  713. [LEARNED VERSIPELLIVISION (-32 MP, Allows your sense of sight to specifically track shapeshifting spells on any object or living being. Toggle spell)]
  714.  
  715. >You suddenly remember your phone.
  716. >It just went with the table.
  717. >If you had thought about it at the time, you could’ve caught it, but your cuffs breakings was quite the distraction.
  718. >You quickly kneel down and move the table back up, only to see something that makes your heart sink.
  719. >Your iPhone lays there, battery dislodged and the screen partially cracked.
  720. >You pick it up slowly as your group looks over your shoulder, and Gable’s looking rather sullen.
  721. >”Oh… Damnit. That was my fault.”
  722. >He kicks the table in frustration at his actions.
  723. “No, it wasn’t you… Didn’t know tables would be flipped, that’s all.”
  724. >You put the battery back in and attempt to power it on.
  725. >After many tries of holding down that power button, you’re doomed to think it’s broken.
  726. >It doesn’t turn back on.
  727. >”It’s not working, is it?”
  728. “No… But it’s alright. I can get it fixed at an engineering shop, a wire’s probably just loose.”
  729. [RECEIVED BROKEN IPHONE]
  730. >Gable doesn’t look very happy with himself.
  731. “But hey, a deal’s a deal, right? Here’s your 20…”
  732. >”No. I’m not taking that after I broke something that belonged to you, what’s the honor in that?”
  733. >Iron Will chuckles at this.
  734. >”It looked like to me he was cheating with those little cuffs of his, I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”
  735. >You shrug, and realize something.
  736. >Your mana has indeed returned, and a good deal more potent.
  737. “To answer your question Gable, I enchanted myself with a spell called the Aphitis Cuffs to cut off my magic a while back and you just said the magic word. Which is to say, you just undid the enchantment. Must admit that rather took me by surprise, having everything rush back like that, though.”
  738. >”Which word was it?”
  739. “Finito.”
  740. >Gable scratches his head in confusion.
  741. >”I don’t think I’ve ever said it before, either. Fuck.”
  742. >You have a hunch of what happened.
  743. >But now that you’re free to use your magic again…
  744. “Now that I can use my magic again, let's try something out I’ve been thinking about.”
  745. >You turn to the eponymous changeling, who had been watching the events unfold with polite silence.
  746. “Five, I have this spell called Blessing of Harmony, and it gives the target all kinds of benefits and ‘good’ feelings, which I'm now going to use on Red. I was wondering what the effect on a Changeling will be --such as it being a better way to feed-- so could you examine it and tell me what you think?”
  747. >”I am always eager to learn new things.”
  748. >With the affirmation, you turn around to the still asleep Redheart.
  749. “…Wow, how did she not wake up.”
  750. >Berry shrugs.
  751. >”Beats me, we had ponies lookin’ out of their booths from that. Guess she’s just that tired?”
  752. >You kneel down in front of her and gently caress her cheek.
  753. >Your markings begin to flare to life once again as you press your lips to her, delivering a gentle kiss as the white glow secedes from your body and envelopes her own.
  754. >Used Blessing of Harmony on Redheart (-8 MP)
  755. [Redheart cured of all mental and spiritual status effects!]
  756. [Redheart is no longer dispirited!]
  757. >As the warmth of the loving magic overtakes her very soul, her eyes flutter open as you move away.
  758. >She wakes up and becomes lucid once the magic wears off, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
  759. >”Wow… that’s a nice way to wake up. Hey..”
  760. “You’re alright?”
  761. >She nods slowly.
  762. >”Mhm… Still a little tired, but that spell you just gave me really helped out. I guess I should’ve told you what happened.”
  763. “It’s fine. So long as you’re okay. So Five, what did you think?”
  764. >Five regards the magic she just witnessed with a pondering countenance.
  765. >”…I have never seen magic like that. I do not have any idea of what it would do if cast on a changeling.”
  766. >So it’d be a hit or miss.
  767. >For some strange reason, you’re not entirely sure a blessing meant for the good would work on a Changeling due to its nature, since your magic is still technically Equestrian.
  768. >Either way, it’s a thinker.
  769. >You currently have one hour before Ponyville is in reach.
  770. >What would you like to do?
  771.  
  772. [SPELL PROFICIENCY]
  773. -Giga Buster (Discovered, Experience: 250/300)
  774. -Weak Levitation (Learned, Experience: 92/100)
  775. -Luminate (Learned, No experience)
  776. -Wallwalking (10/10, Experience: 15/100)
  777. -Ignite (10/10, Experience: 0/100)
  778. -Shockwave (0/10, Experience: 0/100)
  779. -Blessing of Harmony (Discovered, Experience: 140/200)
  780. -Teleport (10/10, Experience: 20/100)
  781. -Starswirl’s Restoration (0/10, Experience: 0/100)
  782. -Ancient Wrath (Weapon Spell, No experience)
  783. -Portal of Speedy Travels (0/10, Experience: 0/100)
  784. -Tesla’s Wrath (3/10, Experience: 0/100)
  785. -Arcane Chains (0/10, Experience: 0/100)
  786. -Aphitis Cuffs (Status Spell, No experience)
  787. -Invisibility (2/10, Experience: 0/100)
  788. -Mirror Image (0/10, Experience: 0/100)
  789. -Vice Shout (0/10, Experience: 0/100)
  790. -Dragoon’s Roar (0/10, Experience: 0/100)
  791. -Versipellivision (Status Spell, No experience)
  792.  
  793.  
  794. [You give Redheart 2 ELHP’s, 3 EMHP’s, and 4 ESHP’s.]
  795. “Here you are, by the way. I got them done, and they’re much better than my old ones due to the kit’s enchantment.”
  796. >Redheart looks at them like it’s a veritable goldmine, and very carefully starts placing them in her satchel.
  797. >”Thanks, babe!”
  798. “No problem. I think I should give my arm a second to rest after that beating; I'm going to see about getting a tour of the train real quick. Sure none of y'all want to join me?”
  799. >Berry suddenly punches you in the shin.
  800. “Ow, what the-”
  801. >”Don’t start talking like Applejack, dude. I love the mare, but Celestia damn that got on my nerves.”
  802. “Alright, alright. You guys going?”
  803. >Out of everyone here, Redheart speaks for them.
  804. >”Sorry Anon, but this is the same train we took up here, and after what happened to you last time… Thanks, but no thanks.”
  805. >Five, however removes herself from her seat.
  806. >”I will join you.”
  807. “Aha, you guys see this? Five knows that learning is fun. Let’s go have a tour.”
  808. >They all don’t seem too convinced.
  809. >You and Five leave the booth and close the door behind you, and begin moving to the conductor’s door.
  810. >As you approach it however, you hear a very loud clicking sound outside of the train, and the locomotive lurches to the left.
  811. “Whoa, what was that?”
  812. >”Is it not normal?”
  813. >You look out the window and see that you’ve just taken a turn off of the main railway.
  814. >That’s odd, you remember it being a straight trip, more or less.
  815. “Er… I’m not sure.”
  816. >Looking around, you find nothing that might’ve caused this, and nopony seems the slightest bit concerned.
  817. >You also notice that the booth holding the black-clad stallion is empty.
  818. >Do you still want to knock on the conductor’s door, or do something else?
  819.  
  820. >Inspect location in train
  821. [You are currently near the Conductor’s door.]
  822.  
  823. >You’re very sure you’re supposed to go straight.
  824. “Five, something isn’t right. Can you help me make sure, do a little bit of acting?”
  825. >Five nods swiftly.
  826. >”I can. Would you like me to use this identity’s personality?”
  827. “Sure, that works. Go knock on that door at the end, and ask them for the conductor, and ask him why the train lurched, like an innocent passenger. If everything’s well, then ask him if there’s spare parts aboard.”
  828. >”Okay.”
  829. >You and Five approach the door, and she suddenly changes her entire body language, now being rather lax and listless instead of stiff and robotic.
  830. >You press yourself against the wall next to the door, and concentrate.
  831. >Used Invisibility (3/10) (-50 MP)
  832. Anon: [MP: 255/305]
  833. >Your form is surrounded by the familiar bubble in a tight circumference around your skin, and you become completely undetectable.
  834. >Five doesn’t seem to be phased, and makes three quick raps on the door, looking rather bored.
  835. >At first, there is no answer.
  836. >Five knocks again with much more impatience.
  837. >”I know you’re in there, trainmaster! I got some questions!”
  838. >Finally, the doorslide opens, revealing a pair of green eyes with dark highlights.
  839. >”Who is it?”
  840. >The voice doesn’t sound familiar to you.
  841. >”What’s with the lurching, guys? I was having a nice cup of tea until it spilled all over my coat, thanks for that, by the way. We’re off course!”
  842. >”Er, yeah, uh… Small change of plans. We’re… taking a shortcut.”
  843. >”Shortcut? Ugh.”
  844. >You can’t get in if he doesn’t open the door.
  845. >But that no longer concerns you, as your invisibility spell wears off after about five seconds.
  846. >Holy shit, you had more time before!
  847. >You must’ve casted it wrong.
  848. >Well, at least the door isn’t open for him to see you, so you keep quiet.
  849. >Five rolls her eyes, flipping her mane and getting up close to the slide, making a distraction from you standing to the side.
  850. >Damn, she knows what she’s doing.
  851. >”Look buddy, I wanna talk to the conductor right now. You ain’t too secretive of a little train to do that, are you?”
  852. >”I am the conductor, and everything is fine.”
  853. >”If you’re the conductor, why ain’t you coming out to talk? Most I’ve talked to actually like being sociable, ya know.”
  854. >”We’re a bit busy.”
  855. >”Well, ya got any spare parts in there, then?”
  856. >The voice grows agitated.
  857. >”Look lady, everything’s fine, you can’t have any spare parts, now GO SIT BACK DOWN!!”
  858. >The slide closes shut, and Five stiffens, looking at you with a neutral expression.
  859. >What would you like to do?
  860.  
  861. >You beckon Five as you walk away from the door, and you talk quietly to her.
  862. “This isn't right, that's about the least professional conductor I've ever heard. Let's go get the group, we're going to figure this out.”
  863. >”Okay.”
  864. >Even in the face of impending danger, Five doesn’t so much as show any emotion whatsoever.
  865. >Sometimes you wish you could have that sort of stoicism.
  866. >You and Five walk back to your group’s booth, and they all greet you in confusion.
  867. >”Hey babe… that was a fast tour.”
  868. “Didn’t do it. I think we got a train hijacking on our hands, so get ready.”
  869. >”Excuse me, what?”
  870. >”What did you say?”
  871. >”Quit jokin’, doc.”
  872. >”…You’re serious?”
  873. “You guys didn’t feel the train lurching? Look, I got Five to confront the conductor about the lurching, and when it opened, the pony that answered wasn't Steam Pocket.”
  874. >Red stops you for a moment.
  875. >”Anon, there’s dozens of conductors that go on shifts, it’s highly unlikely we would’ve had the same conductor again.”
  876. “He said he was the conductor, and told Five here that we’re taking a shortcut. Which trains don't do. I mean, he sounded like he was making stuff up as he was talking, so I think it’s best if we just see for ourselves, okay?”
  877. >They all look at each other tentatively, and one by one get out of their seats, making sure their weapons are with them.
  878. >Berry’s the first to voice the concerns as they all meet you in the hall.
  879. >”If it weren’t for you being right about this stuff before, I’d think you were crazy. But if you think something’s going down, then we’re right behind you.”
  880. >Iron pats you on the back, then cracks his neck in preparation.
  881. >”Too bad, Iron Will was having some good R&R on this ride, too, alright.”
  882. >Gable shoves him out of the way and you and him lead.
  883. >”Let’s just go get this over with.”
  884. >You and your party move back to the conductor’s door, which is still locked shut.
  885. >With the presence of serious action eminating from your party, ponies begin to look out in the hall in worry and fright, causing the rest of your friends to look back in slight embarrassment.
  886. >You are now at the conductor’s door.
  887. >What would you like to do?
  888.  
  889.  
  890. [Cannot use Doctor’s Kit on all party members! You must choose one and wait for the kit to regenerate itself. (7 turn CD)]
  891.  
  892. “I sure hope I’m wrong about this, but I don’t want to take that chance.”
  893. >”Yeah, we hope too, bonehead.”
  894. >With Gable’s kind words, you kneel down and raise your fingers to the lock.
  895. >You’re about to levitate the tumblers.
  896. >Are you sure you want to unlock the door? Y/N
  897.  
  898. >Used Levitate on tumblers
  899. >You begin to retract every bit of metal within the lock, pushing the insertion in the center…
  900. >And there’s a click.
  901. >You stand up and open the door with your wand at the ready, being as quiet as possible.
  902. >The only warning you have is the click of a rechamber.
  903. BAM!
  904. [ http://vocaroo.com/i/s0M4DJJoTPkd ]
  905. >-75 HP<
  906. >You’re blasted back with burning holes in your chest nearly 15 feet back.
  907. >”ANOON!!”
  908. >You slam into the ground, your wand flying out underneath one of the booths.
  909. Anon: [HP: 65/140, S][MP: 55/105]
  910. >There’s suddenly shot after shot rocketing from the conductor’s door, and your party takes cover as quickly as possible.
  911. >Unfortunately for the burly Iron Will, he isn’t so lucky.
  912. >A rifle bullet flies out and penetrates his gut, and he collapses to the side.
  913. >”Auugh, … That… that hurts….”
  914. >-150 HP<
  915. Iron Will: [HP: 125/275, S]
  916. >”IRON! YOU FUCKING BASTARDS!”
  917. >”RELOAD, RELOAD, RELOAD!!”
  918. >”I’m trying!”
  919. >Berry brandishes her new spear and starts to charge blindly, but Five suddenly stops her, wings outstretched.
  920. >Oh, shit, she’s undisguised!
  921. >”Oh Celestia, it’s a changeling! COME ON, GET YOUR FUCKER UNJAMMED!”
  922. >Five’s horn flares with green light as black lightning begins to crackle across its form, and a powerful magical chaos blast fires into the firearmed thugs.
  923. >The green explosion rocks the very train itself, almost derailing it before it finally settles back on the track.
  924. >When the smoke clears, there are three stallions, two mules, a zebra and a bound & gagged Steam Pocket.
  925. >One of the mules has sunken, crazy eyes and a black, receding mane, the sporter of your F.U.C.K.E.R. knockoff.
  926. >The other mule has a prominent goatee and glasses, completely bald, armed with a single C.O.C.K.
  927. >The zebra only has a buzz for a mane, and looks rather young, having dual-wielding C.O.C.K. knockoffs himself.
  928. >The first stallion is the one you saw before dressed in black. He looks middle aged, with a black mane, receding yet still full. He has quite the scowl on his face, and opts for a high-string crossbow. He also appears to have a wedding ring tied to a string around his neck.
  929. >The second stallion looks just as young as the zebra, with his own buzzed dirty blonde mane and bloodshot eyes, holding one C.O.C.K. and a rather sharp dagger.
  930. >Finally, the third stallion is also bald, but with a nice white stubble and a lazy, yet frighteningly powerful stare, the sporter of the D.I.C.K. rifle.
  931. >The second stallion is the first to recover, and he starts kicking everyone awake while your party is trying to recombobulate themselves.
  932. >”YO, BITCHES, GET THE HELL UP! The trotium’s getting close to the dropoff point, doesn’t that mean we need to get going!?”
  933. >The crazy mule gets himself up by the shotgun, giving the former a deadly stare.
  934. >”Don’t TELL me what to do! You’re new at this kid, we just reload and take them out!”
  935. >The zebra stirs, taking the brunt of the chaos blast, and coughs up a green puff of smoke.
  936. >”Ugh… The fuck is wrong wich’u?! Ain’t we tryin’ to avoid killin’?”
  937. >With a crazed look in his beady eyes, the mule that shot you leans into the young zebra.
  938. >”We do what we need to to do this! You’ll have time to mourn afterwards!”
  939. >Shaking his head, the zebra mutters to himself.
  940. >”Just… Fuck my life, bro…”
  941. >The insane mule rolls his eyes and goes back to pointing his gun at you.
  942. >”He’s right, F. I’ve seen these assholes around; they aren’t something to mess with. This human guy’s won a fighting tournament, right? You see how he almost killed a few of those competitors? I say we take ‘em out so we can still come home to our families.”
  943. >From the back of the group, the oldest stallion comes forward. He speaks with a cocky tone.
  944. >”He don’t look so tough with those holes in him… Anyway, what’re we just standing around for? We’re reloaded, let’s get the deed done.”
  945. >The last mule speaks up in a low tone, cocking his pistol and firing at Five, who takes quick cover.
  946. >”Both of you are right. We are NOT ramping down. We’re just getting started. We have to get the goods before we reach the end of the line. NOTHING stops this train.”
  947. >As they’re trying to get themselves composed, your chest is burning like a motherfucker.
  948. >The bullets are still inside.
  949. >A pair of hooves suddenly crawl over to you, and you see Redheart through your blurred, teary eyes.
  950. >”Anon… please be okay, please…”
  951. “..Gh…”
  952. >You feel something warm course down your chin as you slowly sit up.
  953. >Redheart helps you, on the verge of tears herself but keeping her emotions in check.
  954. >”Anon! Oh thank Celestia, they have your inventions, what do we do? We can’t charge them, can we?”
  955. “We… take them out before they take us…”
  956. >You take a quick scope of the situation.
  957. >Berry and Gable are tending to Iron, trying to get up like you.
  958. >That means he’s not in shock, at least.
  959. >Five was about to attack again, but the bald mule shot again at her and keeps an eye out, making her unable to leave cover.
  960. >You have to find a way to get your party up before these thugs do.
  961. >There’s already a few of them up and aware, so nothing direct will work.
  962. >But you’re not moving anywhere until you get these bullets out and heal yourself, the same applying to Iron.
  963. >What do you do?
  964.  
  965. >Used Doctor’s Kit on self!
  966. >+100% Kit, +25% overheal<
  967. [Cured of physical status effects!]
  968. Anon: [HP: 175/140]
  969. >You look over at Berry.
  970. “Psst.. Hey…”
  971. >She tries not to move her head, looking at you with her eyes.
  972. “…Use a healing potion on him…”
  973. >Berry bites her lip as she slowly takes out the potion from her bag.
  974. >”Can’t believe I forgot to do that…”
  975. >+66% HP<
  976. Iron: [HP: 275/275]
  977. >So far, the thugs are getting up faster than your end, and they’re still looking right at you.
  978. >You outstretch your hand behind you, and your markings glow ever so faintly as you try to look for your wand, but without being able to move, you can’t look for it properly.
  979. >Use levitate on Starswirl’s Wand
  980. [Can’t use levitate on objects you cannot see!]
  981. >Shit.
  982. >Berry managed to heal Iron up, but then you realize something.
  983. >The bullets are still in both you and him.
  984. >That’s going to be a problem, later.
  985. >Right now, you just have to figure out a way to get the upper hand on these guys.
  986. >Five is in cover on your right, Berry, Iron and Gable are in cover on your left, but you and Red still have guns right on you.
  987. >The middle-aged stallion finally gets reloaded, and aims his crossbow at Redheart so niether of you can move.
  988. >”Now you two just sit tight and don’t make a sound. We’ll have our trotium and we’ll be on our way, and none of you are gonna get killed, understand? Hey T, how long until the dropoff point?”
  989. >The crazed mule cocks his F.U.C.K.E.R. just to be sure he’s ready to fire, keeping it pointed at your head.
  990. >”Should be a few more minutes. Fuck, I need a fix soon…”
  991. >The elder stallion gets his rifle up and starts to advance to Berry’s side of cover.
  992. >”Never shoulda teamed up with junkies…”
  993. >You’re losing time.
  994. >What do you do?
  995.  
  996.  
  997.  
  998. >As you stare down the barrel of your own offspring, you very slowly begin to hatch a plan.
  999. >It’s not going to be very pretty, but it’ll stop these guys and keep your party alive.
  1000. >At least, ideally.
  1001. >The only way this is going to work is if you have enough magic, and you’re unsure.
  1002. >But there’s no other way.
  1003. >You have to act now before you lose three more members out of cover.
  1004. “A-alright, I- We give up! You don’t have to shoot, I’m finito. Okay?”
  1005. >Your eyes betray you and glance over at Gable, Berry and Iron’s position, and they look confused.
  1006. >At first, anyways.
  1007. >Gable’s eyes light up in understanding.
  1008. >”I don’t think you had a choice anyways, doctor! If you don’t shut up, we’ll take more than what we came here for! I could use a tight little mare right about now anyways.
  1009. >The crazed mule’s eyes linger over Redheart, and she shrinks closer to you.
  1010. >Perfect.
  1011. >You wrap one arm around her lightly.
  1012. “It’ll be alright, Red… It’ll be okay..”
  1013. >She hugs you tightly, obviously frightened by this situation.
  1014. >The thugs don’t respond to the normal assurance, and while you’re speaking you lower to a whisper.
  1015. “Get ready to block.”
  1016. >Her eyes widen in shock, but you have to trust that she’ll be ready.
  1017. >Then you summon the one known as Sir Ducksalot.
  1018. “Master, I require your assistance.”
  1019. ~Speak, my child.~
  1020. “On my mark, I need you to attack that mule, okay?”
  1021. ~It shall be done.~
  1022. >You look at Five to make sure she’s ready, and she hasn’t lowered her guard. Good.
  1023. >It’s all down to you to make sure you keep them safe.
  1024. >You look carefully at the crossbow-wielding stallion, watching his face carefully.
  1025. >He notices after a while.
  1026. >”Hey, fuckface, want an arrow to the knee?”
  1027. >He raises his arms to adjust himself, and your ticket opens.
  1028. >The instant he blinks, you act immediately.
  1029. >Used Teleport (-20 MP)
  1030. Anon: [HP: 175/140][MP: 35/105]
  1031. >You zap behind them with your markings flaring to life, yelling to the rest of your party.
  1032. “ATTACK NOW!”
  1033. >Used Levitate
  1034. >The crossbow fires off right at Redheart, but she already had her shield up, the arrow penetrating the top half a few inches in, succesfully blocking it.
  1035. >”SHIT, HE’S BEHIND US!”
  1036. >Guns begin to converge on you, but you yank the crossbow and shotgun out of the two’s hooves with an adrenaline rushed pull of magic.
  1037. >The trigger of the shotgun pulls, and the stallion’s head is blown apart by the blast of the barrel, blood spraying behind him onto the elder stallion, whom gets blinded.
  1038. >Sir Ducksalot flies out at the mule and strikes him in the nose with such force his nose audibly breaks, sending him reeling back and out of commission.
  1039. >Five runs out of cover, dodges the bullet from the four-eyed mule and wrenches the C.O.C.K. out of his grasp, bucking him right in the chest and sending him back into the half-destroyed conductor’s room.
  1040. >The rifle the elder stallion has ends up firing from the shock of seeing his teammate die, and the bullet ricochets off the ceiling.
  1041. >Gable had ran out of cover himself to go after him, but the previous bullet penetrates his shoulder, his own blood adding to the carnage.
  1042. >-150 HP<
  1043. Gable: [HP: 50/200]
  1044. >”GHHA-”
  1045. >He falls to the ground in front of him, but gets up before the thug can react, sinking his talons into his arms and headbutting him.
  1046. >The thug butts him with the end of the rifle, and the two start fighting for their lives.
  1047. >You turn around and look at the sudden firing of the dual-wielding pistols the zebra has, and you manage to throw yourself to the ground before they hit you.
  1048. >Raising your hands again, you get both of them out of his grasp and turn them to him, twitching your fingers ever so delicately to put just the right amount of pressure on the triggers.
  1049. >Both guns fire their second round right into the Zebra’s temple, splattering brain-matter over the door as he slumps to the ground.
  1050. >”NO, F! WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO!?”
  1051. >The insane burro becomes blinded with righteous anger and charges you down, slamming you right in your chest and pins you, starting to choke you out.
  1052. [-30 HP]
  1053. >Red is up at this point and draws her spear, charging at the youngest stallion with the dagger, and parries his first strike, bashes his jaw in with her shield, and attemps to knock him outcold with the center of her weapon.
  1054. >The stallion suddenly wrenches her shield to the side before she can, pulls her in, and delivers a deciding kick to her diaphragm, knocking the breath out of her.
  1055. >She crumbles to the ground and the stallion picks up one of the discarded guns, aiming it right between her eyes.
  1056. >No, no no!
  1057. [-30 HP]
  1058. >You sacrifice one of your hands trying to keep you from suffocating and try to push the weapon out of his hooves, but a green light picks it up, whips it around, and fires right into his mouth.
  1059. >The stallion falls forward and covers Redheart in his blood, dying over her shield.
  1060. >While this happens, Gable loses his edge against the rifle-wielding stallion, tumbling back as the elder cocks the rifle and stuffs the barrel down his throat, ready to fire.
  1061. >There’s a loud banging noise, and you assume that you’ve just failed.
  1062. [-30 HP]
  1063. >But you hear his pained grunts still going, and manage to see that Iron had thrown Berry right on top of the elder stallion and she just now collided with him.
  1064. >With one fell swoop, he crashes to the ground, she raises her spear, and crashes the tip through his skull and kills him, stapling him to the floor of the train with it.
  1065. [-30 HP]
  1066. >Once this is done, Five, Red and Iron all converge on the mule that nearly succeeds in wringing the life out of you, and they all throw him back simultaneously to the wall, and you try to get your breath back.
  1067. >He managed to slip under Iron and crosswind his side, kick his knee under and bash a hoof into the side of his face with unprecedented strength, sending him sprawling to the ground.
  1068. >-100 HP<
  1069. Iron: [HP: 175/275, KO]
  1070. >Five nearly has another chaos blast charged, but the mule throws both arms into the sides of her head, discombobulating her, and then he pushes Red off of him to bite down on the changeling’s horn, completely canceling out the spell and causing her great pain.
  1071. >-65 HP<
  1072. Five: [HP: 55/120, S][MP: 50/100]
  1073. >Red tries to get up, but right before the mule takes off, he throws his leg back and clocks her right in the skull, throwing her back and hitting her head on one of the corners of the booths.
  1074. >She falls to the ground, unmoving and blood beginning to seep out of her mane.
  1075. >-40/-80 HP<
  1076. Redheart: [HP: 30/150, KO]
  1077. >The mule runs forward and rolls over one of the pistols, standing up and cocking it, aiming up and firing at the first pony he sees.
  1078. >It crashes into Berry’s knee, making her roll off of the stallion’s body and crash to the ground.
  1079. >”AAGH… ooh f-fuck…”
  1080. >-80 HP<
  1081. Berry Punch: [HP: 140/220, Incap]
  1082. >The crazy burro then turns the sights at your head, and it fires.
  1083. >However, a grey and brown blurry mass crashes into him just as it happens, sending his aiming off course and the pistol flying to the air.
  1084. >Gable tackles the mule with his good shoulder straight into the wall, and wraps his talons over his face to try and force him back.
  1085. >The thug’s rampage grants him adrenaline that forces Gable back, and he slams his elbow into Gable’s bullet wound, which brings him to his knees in searing agony.
  1086. >But that’s all that would happen.
  1087. >You catch the wild pistol in the air, point it at him, and pull the trigger.
  1088. >The projectile cannons through the burro’s cheek, dropping him to the ground with one final slice of blood painting the wall.
  1089. >All is still after this.
  1090. >You look around and guage the situation.
  1091. >You, Berry, Iron, and Gable have been shot to varying degrees of severity, Redheart might have a concussion, and Five’s magic doesn’t seem to be working properly.
  1092. >You also hear shuffling in the conductor’s room, and the light’s glint of glasses catching your eye.
  1093. >Status
  1094. Anonymous: [HP: 20/140][MP: 5/105]
  1095. Redheart: [HP: 30/150, KO]
  1096. Berry Punch: [HP: 140/220, Incap]
  1097. Gable: [HP: 50/200, S]
  1098. Iron Will: [HP: 175/275, KO]
  1099. Five: [HP: 55/120, S][MP: 50/100]
  1100.  
  1101. >What would you like to do?
  1102.  
  1103.  
  1104. >Dropping the C.O.C.K., you unbuckle your F.L.A.R.E. from your belt and raise your left hand, holding it up with the right.
  1105. >Used Luminate
  1106. >Your free hand lights up and reveals the shadows of the train, properly displaying the final thug, the goateed burro who’s still recovering from having his ribs broken.
  1107. >Then you raise the magical cannon to the nearest gun he reaches for, and fire it.
  1108. >Used Shoot Flare (-5 MP)
  1109. [You are out of mana!]
  1110. >The fireball bursts from the F.L.A.R.E.’s barrel and incinerates the spot in front of him, destroying his last chance for revenge by taking away his weapon.
  1111. >You stare at him closely while the conscious members of your party watch the ensuing staredown.
  1112. “Give it up. Your life is worth more than this, so stop the blood, and you’ll live another day.”
  1113. >These words stir the stubborn mule, and he slowly stands up, using his arm to support himself on the train’s console.
  1114. >”My colleagues are dead… You stand there, looking so smug at your victory, killing these innocent ponies who needed this break to feed their wives and children…”
  1115. >He coughs up blood, staining his black suit.
  1116. >”…And you have the gall to tell me to give up?… No… It’s over when I SAY IT’S OVER.”
  1117. >He suddenly draws a knife from his back pocket, and thrusts his hooves on the accelerator lever.
  1118. >You watch as he forces it to its highest limit, then stabs the console trail with his knife, sparks and magic flying everywhere as the train lurches backward.
  1119. >Everyone falls back and the train explodes in screams and wails from the train going haywire, and the locomotive begins to increase in velocity at a staggering rate, the engine beginning to thrust and protest with the increased workload.
  1120. >By the time you’re able to stand back up, you see that the burro is gone, completely vanished.
  1121. >Then you spot that the right window in the conductor’s room is open.
  1122. >Your party still needs help.
  1123.  
  1124. >Used Magic Recombobulator
  1125. >+105 MP<
  1126. Anon: [HP: 20/140][MP: 105/105]
  1127. MRP: (13/500)
  1128.  
  1129. >Used ESHP on Redheart!
  1130. >+66% HP<
  1131. Redheart: [HP: 130/150, KO]
  1132. >Used Doctor’s Kit on Gable and Iron Will! (Split)
  1133. >(+62.5%/+62.5%) + (x3 Trips bonus) = >125%/125%<
  1134. Gable: [HP: 250/200]
  1135. Iron Will: [HP: 344/275, KO]
  1136. >Gable gets himself up, actively avoiding looking at the battlefield.
  1137. >”Thanks…”
  1138. >Used Blessing of Harmony on Iron Will and Redheart! (-8 MP)
  1139. [Red and Iron cured of all mental and spiritual status effects!]
  1140. >Your two friends stir and feel themselves carefully for injuries as they awake, confused when they don’t find anything.
  1141. “Are you guys okay?”
  1142. >Iron feels the side of his face and sees the carnage that has transpired, going green in the face.
  1143. >”…No. …I might talk tough, but I can’t handle that.”
  1144. >Redheart feels her head, looking at the blood that covers the back of her name displayed on her hoof.
  1145. >”… We’re fine… can’t say the same for them, though.”
  1146. >She ended up glancing at the sight, but she looks back at you without emotion.
  1147. >”What do we do?”
  1148. “I need you to help the rest. I’ve got a train to stop!”
  1149. >”Alright. … Five, come here!”
  1150. >Red and Five converge and run over to Berry, and she starts to patch her up.
  1151. “Iron, go find my wand. It went under the booths on the left side.”
  1152. >He gets up wordlessly and shuffles over to the booths, beginning his search.
  1153. >You step over the bodies and think of how you can stop this.
  1154. >You walk into the conductor’s room and limp over to the bound and gagged Steam Pocket, and you start to undo the gag and ropes.
  1155. “Stop this train however we need to! Cut the fuel, kill the power to the control panel, wear the brakes down to nothing, just get this thing stopped!”
  1156. >He shrugs his hooves out of the bind and jumps out of the seat the instant you get him free.
  1157. >”Confounded thugs, if they just… Good Celestia, boy!”
  1158. >He looks out into the hallway for a moment before wretching and turning to the console.
  1159. >”I knew those metal bow things were nothin’ but trouble… If I ever find the pony responsible for those inventions, I’d tear him a new one… What’s your name, boy?”
  1160. “Anon!”
  1161. >”Alright Anon, go to the fuel room over there and knock on the door. The password’s ‘Zeal for the rail’, now get in there and tell my crew to get out here and stop fueling!”
  1162. >You don’t even want for him to finish as you run over to the other side of the conductor’s room, standing in front of the big padlocked iron door and knocking as hard as you can five times.
  1163. >After a moment, the slide opens revealing two frightened eyes.
  1164. “Zeal for the rail! It’s safe now, get out here guys!”
  1165. >The slide shuts, and a moment later the door swings open, filing many dirty apron-clad mares and stallions that line up around Steam Pocket, who’s already working the controls and trying everything he can.
  1166. >The locomotive twists and screeches on the rails as he tries brakes, auxillary power, and coldwiring the acceleration system.
  1167. >”C’mon, you stupid piece of junk! Juniper, go out to the back and start getting people ready for emergency eject! I don’t know if this baby’s gonna stop!”
  1168. >The mare known as Juniper runs out of the room, and yelps in fear and surprise the instant she sees the blood bath, crying and whimpering as she tiphoofs around the bodies to do what she was told.
  1169. >Steam slams his hoof on the console, thinking hard.
  1170. >Then he looks at you for a moment.
  1171. >”You got any ice or water spells with that magic of yours?”
  1172. “I’m afraid not.”
  1173. >Now you regret not taking that staff from Cadance.
  1174. >Cadance… This whole situation’s been more dangerous than the fight with the shadow.
  1175. >It seems you and your party were much more prepared for magical combat and swords rather than ranged weapons that kill on impact.
  1176. >Why did you ever brings guns into this world?
  1177. >”Then we’ll have to do it the hard way. I need you to go to the very back of the passenger’s car, right before the supply line, get out onto the roof, and find the main water pumps. IF you can sever that hose and brings it out through here and douse the flames, we can get this thing stopped. Go on, hurry!”
  1178. >You nod, turning towards your given goal.
  1179. >What would you like to do?
  1180.  
  1181. >You turn around for one question that just budded in your mind.
  1182. “Can't you undo some steam valves to release pressure to buy us time or stop this thing? How about shutting down the boiler and disabling the pistons or the water pipes attached to it to prevent steam?”
  1183. >”What do you think I’ve been doing, Anon? The whole console’s jacked up so I can’t access any of the auxillaries, and the only way to shut down the boiler is to drown it. Trust me when I say this is the only way, now get going!”
  1184. >Right, you didn’t think so.
  1185. >You turn and run out of the room, seeing the bodies again.
  1186. >As dire as the situation is, it’s not going to do any good letting them sit here right now.
  1187. >You very carefully start moving the bodies, having a bit of trouble stomaching it yourself.
  1188. >Once you get the five side by side, you pull off your coat and cover their heads with its length, so at least most of the gore is censored.
  1189. [Dropped Thick Winter Coat.]
  1190. >That coat’s definitely ruined, but it’ll help the morale of the situation.
  1191. >Before leaving, an afterthought takes you back and you approach the blonde-maned stallion, Celestia rest his soul.
  1192. >…
  1193. [LOOT]
  1194. >BATTLEGROUND: 3 Copy C.O.C.K.’s (Half normal value/damage), 1 Copy F.U.C.K.E.R. (Half normal value/damage), 1 Copy D.I.C.K. (Half normal value/damage)
  1195. >THUGS: Concise Lead Ammo (17, +25 PA), Rifle Lead Slugs (8, +50 PA), Four-Barrel Lead Ammo (4, +25 PA), 170 bits, Letter to M (unsealed), Reinforced Platinum Dagger (+38 PA, grants Parry, Grants ability Shank)
  1196. >…
  1197.  
  1198. >Once you’re finished getting what you need, you move back over to Red and Berry to make sure she’s alright.
  1199. >Red patched her up quite nicely.
  1200. [-1 Supply Medkit]
  1201. Berry: [HP: 220/220]
  1202. >Berry doesn’t seem to be very happy about it, though.
  1203. >In fact, nobody’s smiling right now.
  1204. >With a situation like that, you wouldn’t be either.
  1205. >You turn to leave for the back door, when you bump into Iron.
  1206. “Oh, did you find it?”
  1207. [Iron Will gives you Starswirl’s Wand.]
  1208. Anon: [HP: 20/140][MP: 297/305]
  1209. >”Here it is, now why’s the train moving so quick?”
  1210. “I’m attending to that right now. Be right back. Make sure everyone else is alright.”
  1211. >”Be careful, brother.”
  1212. >Even Iron Will’s tone is solemn and sullen.
  1213. >You push the issue out of your mind and move to the very back of the passenger cars, ponies looking at you in a mixture of gratitude and fear if they weren’t comforting their loved ones.
  1214. >You look up and realize you’ll need to do this quickly, and this shouldn’t be too hard now that you’ve mastered both spells.
  1215. >You close your eyes and envision the top of the train, a mere ten feet up, and you activate two spells at once to get done what you need to do.
  1216. >Used Wallwalking (-4 MP)
  1217. >Used Teleport (-20 MP)
  1218. >You zap into high-rushing winds, and you’re already falling away from the train.
  1219. >Three supply carts rush past you before you’re able to grip the train with your spell.
  1220. >The instant you touch your hands and feet to it, your entire body lurches to meet the momentum of the train, heavily straining your muscles and bullet wounds.
  1221. >Fuck, that hurts.
  1222. >You compose yourself after a moment and slowly stand, your feet still sticking to the top of the train as you look around.
  1223. >There’s the water pipe on the left at the first supply car, right where Steam said it’d be.
  1224. >What is concerning you, however, is the same mule that escaped is now climbing off the top with a rope tied around his hoof.
  1225. >You advance towards him, but he turns around before you can get anywhere close, and he spots you.
  1226. >”What the hell are you doing up here?! Gh, it doesn’t matter. You’re on the right side. Say hello to my crew when you meet them.”
  1227. >The burro pulls the rope tightly straight up, and there’s a prominent metallic clang below.
  1228. >The car he stands on begins to speed up dramatically, and the supply carts are slowing down.
  1229. >He just disconnected them, with you on the business end, and he smiles as soon as you realize this.
  1230. >What do you do?
  1231.  
  1232. >You’re not about to sit here and let him get away with this.
  1233. >He might’ve just gotten the trotium for his crew, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to go to jail.
  1234. >You take a running start and thrust your hand forward, markings flaring to life.
  1235. >Used Ignite (-1 MP)
  1236. >The spell rockets at him as fast as an arrow, but he was already rolling the instant you fired, and he dodges.
  1237. >You pick yourself up to the fastest running speed you can with your body as injured as it is, and jump off the surprisingly large gap, your mind’s eye doing your work for you.
  1238. >Used Teleport (-20 MP)
  1239. >Used Teleport (-20 MP)
  1240. >Two white flashes of magic later, your feet plant onto the passenger car roof, and you turn around to gain contact with him for one more teleport, already imagining the first passenger car.
  1241. >But instead of your fingers meeting fur, you get two solid hooves to the chest, right where your bullet wounds are.
  1242. >-60 HP, Stun<
  1243. Anon: [HP: 80/140, S][MP: 232/305]
  1244. “AAGGH!”
  1245. >The unimaginable pain and break of your wounds nearly breaks your concentration for your wallwalking spell, but at the last second you manage to keep yourself from sliding off by holding yourself backwards.
  1246. >You thought you had the element of surprise, but it feels like this guy’s dealt with magic users before.
  1247. >You try to get up, but you’re far too dizzy and seeing stars to think straight.
  1248. >You then suddenly feel something pour on your chest, and all of your magic leaves your presence, as if it’s been locked away.
  1249. [You have been manasealed!]
  1250. >”I’ve been in this business a long time, human. I’m not about to sit on my flanks while you take me wherever you want. I hope you’re proud of your heroics, because that’s what your little friends will remember you by.”
  1251. >You can’t focus, but you feel two front hooves on your side.
  1252. >”No hard feelings about my teammates, by the way. In my eyes, you’re already dead. Goodbye.”
  1253. >The leader of the thugs pushes you right off the train.
  1254. >You can’t stop it.
  1255. >You feel yourself falling to the ground, and you bounce down the side of the deserty hill, rolling and thrashing your limbs for what seems like hours until you finally stop, aching pains and stabbing agony going through your chest and body.
  1256. [-70 HP]
  1257. Anon: [HP: 10/140, S][MP: Manasealed]
  1258. >The dust around you settles as you watch the front of the train zoom away, and the supply cars going down further still at a slightly slower pace.
  1259. >Soon, it all passes, and the whole locomotive disappears out of the horizon, leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere, bruised and bloodied, with no mana to behold.
  1260. >It takes a good deal of time for you to be able to sit up, and when you do you spit blood.
  1261. >Your reopened wounds are getting serious, and it might be time to use a healing potion.
  1262. >Not that’d it’d be very useful… You take a good look around and see no civilization.
  1263. >You hope your party can stop that train.
  1264. >With great force and arduous effort, you manage to stand up.
  1265. >What would you like to do?
  1266.  
  1267.  
  1268.  
  1269. >Used Doctor’s Kit on self
  1270. >+100% HP, +25% overheal, special attention to bullet-removal = 95%<
  1271. Anon: [HP: 140/140]
  1272. >Used Unlocking Flask! (3 left)
  1273. [Your mana returns to you!]
  1274. Anon: [MP: 232/305]
  1275. >Once you get your well-being taken care of, you don’t feel all that bad, even if you’re a little traumatized after pulling bullets you’ve invented in this world out of your own chest.
  1276. >You can only have faith that your party will be able to take care of things, now that you’re stranded out here.
  1277. >The only thing left to do is start walking.
  1278. >You trek back up the steep hill, using the boulders when you can to get back to the railroad tracks.
  1279. >When you get up to them, you look down the line and then realize that you can’t even see them past the horizon.
  1280. >That’s more than a few miles.
  1281. >Looks like you have some acquired exercise to do.
  1282. >You begin down the path, hoping you’ll be able to get there in time for any pickups.
  1283. >Ideally, you want to get there to stop the robbery from completion, but you know you won’t be able to get there in time.
  1284. >At least you’re alive to do something about it.
  1285. >…
  1286.  
  1287. >CHANGE
  1288. [You feel your mind leaving your body, harkening to the void of nothingness as you see pathways to other souls.]
  1289. [Who would you like to change perspectives to?]
  1290. -Anonymous (X)
  1291. -Redheart
  1292. -Berry Punch
  1293. -Gable
  1294. -Iron Will
  1295.  
  1296. >Iron Will selected!
  1297.  
  1298. [REDIRECTING MIND . . .]
  1299. >…
  1300.  
  1301. >You are Iron Will.
  1302. >You don’t feel very good right now.
  1303. >You can’t deny that you may be the toughest son of a minotaur in all of Equestria, but you’re pretty sure nobody’s supposed to see what you and your friends have done today.
  1304. >You don’t blame Anon nor the changeling for what happened, those thugs had it coming.
  1305. >You just wish it didn’t have to be that bloodbath.
  1306. >He said he was going to fix the problem of why the train’s moving so fast, but it’s been nearly five minutes and he hasn’t come back yet.
  1307. >A brother can’t be lyin’ to another brother.
  1308. >You know he wouldn’t skip out, he’s not any kind of coward.
  1309. >And he wouldn’t dare face your manyl wrath if you ever got a hold of him if he did.
  1310. >You start to grown a little impatient, either way, your fingers tapping on your bulging bicep faster and faster.
  1311. >You look around and see that everyone else isn’t going to do anything, so you stand back up, despite the pain in your gut.
  1312. >”Iron, where are you going? You need your rest!”
  1313. >Redheart may be the sweetest, jammin’ mare in the bunch, but you’re all out of fucks to give about your well-being.
  1314. ”Sorry, sister. Gonna have to see what’s goin’ on in this train, and see where Doc left to!”
  1315. >”Then I’ll do it for you, sit back down. You’re not supposed to be moving after you take something even more dangerous than an arrow to your vitals!”
  1316. >You nearly blow steam out of your nostrils as you look at her.
  1317. “I’ll be fine, I’m just gonna go see what’s up. Nothing more.”
  1318. >Red looks rather defeated, and moves to the side for you to go check on Berry, who’s looking at you with worry.
  1319. >You’ll make sure she’s alright after all of this.
  1320. >Cracking your neck and fingers, you step around the group and march into the conductor’s room, seeing the hustle and bustle of staff coming in and out getting people ready for eject.
  1321. You see the conductor himself, what was his name…
  1322. “Hey brother, what’s your name?”
  1323. >The trainmaster looks back, his dark brown face beaded with sweat and intensity.
  1324. >Just like a good workout session, oh yeah.
  1325. >”You’re with the human, right? Go see what’s taking so long?”
  1326. “What’s he doin’ out there, anyway?”
  1327. >”He was supposed to get the waterline and bring it in here to douse our fuel, but looks like he decided to take a joyride instead! Go see what’s happening, I can’t stop this train if I don’t have an extinguisher!”
  1328. “Alright, alright. When there’s an Iron Will, there’s a way.”
  1329. >He rolls his eyes and goes back to doing everything he can to help the process.
  1330. >You turn around and go back out of the conductor’s room, looking out the windows.
  1331. >What would you like to do?
  1332.  
  1333. >The Trainmaster wants you to go up and see what’s happenin’, then by damn are you gonna do it!
  1334. “Alright, brothers and sisters, Iron Will's gonna go take a look at what's holdin' up the Doctor. You can rest assured, with Will handling it, it WILL get done! … What I’m tryin’ to say is that we need to go up there, and since you two,”
  1335. >You point at Five and Gable with two solid fingers.
  1336. >”can fly, let’s give him some help, and get that water line down here, OH YEAH!”
  1337. >With the last two words, you throw your arms forward and flex down, popping every little vein in your bodybuilded muscles.
  1338. >Then it feels like something ruptures, and your gut explodes into pain.
  1339. “…Uohh…”
  1340. >”SEE, WHAT DID I TELL YOU!?”
  1341. “Fine! Totally… fine… C’mon guys, if you’re all feeling as good as I look, you’ll help me out on this… oof.”
  1342. >You strut down the aisle in doubled over agony as you do your best to look calm, composed and assertive.
  1343. >No pain, no gain, right?
  1344. >Five in her undisguised glory follows after you, but there’s ponies ready to scream at the end, and Gable notices this before you do.
  1345. >”Hey, want to change back before you’re blamed for this whole thing?”
  1346. >Five speaks in a mechanically agitated tone, still crackling electrical magic from its horn.
  1347. >”I cannot channel my mana properly right now, as my horn has been compromised.”
  1348. >”What compromised it?”
  1349. >”The mule attempted to forcefully masticate the base of it.”
  1350. >”…Mas-”
  1351. “It’s sayin’ that crazy dude bit on her love rod, brother.”
  1352. >That’s not good, but you don’t have much of a choice right now.
  1353. >You, Five and Gable walk back to the final passenger car, everypony staring wide-eyed at the foreign, hated species at your side.
  1354. >It passes quickly however as you open the door at the end to the views of fastly moving yellow plains, the wind nearly pushing you back.
  1355. >Gable holds you off from falling on your ass, and he jumps out like a pro despite the injury on his shoulder, his wings opening and sending him right out of view for a moment.
  1356. >He catches up to the speed of the Train and waves for Five to come out, obviously trying hard to keep up with the locomotive.
  1357. >Five then jumps out quickly, her insect-like wings vibrating quickly bringing her side by side with Gable in less than half the time.
  1358. >He looks at her for a moment with jealousy, then maneuvers himself to be backward, and they both extend their arms out for you.
  1359. “You two better not drop me, or the Wrath of Will will be upon you!”
  1360. >You take a few steps back, and then rush forward, flying out and grabbing Gable’s talon with your right hand and Five’s hoof with your left.
  1361. >They both pull you up with some difficulty, but the three of you manage to get on the roof of the train.
  1362. >You have to hunker down so the powerful gales don’t blow you off like a kite.
  1363. “Alright, now-”
  1364. >”Where’s Anon?”
  1365. >Gable’s question leads the three of you to look around frantically.
  1366. >You then realize the Train itself is only four cars long for some reason.
  1367. “Where’d the rest of our ride go?”
  1368. >Gable grunts in frustration and spits into the wind.
  1369. >”I bet he screwed up and he’s miles out there with the supplies those thugs were trying to take!”
  1370. >If that’s true, he’s got a long walk ahead of him, unless you got one of these two on the case.
  1371. >You spot the waterline on the back of the car, your next goal.
  1372. >What would you like to do?
  1373.  
  1374. >It seems the coast is clear, since there’s nowhere to really hide.
  1375. >But just to be safe, you lower your hand to signal to your winged teammates to stay low, and you hunker down yourself as you approach the waterline.
  1376. “Stay assertive, brothers. Not sure if that one burro that escaped is still here or not… Gable, come here and help me out with those talons.”
  1377. >You check how the waterline connects to the train by brackets and coils across the barrier protections, figuring a way out to do it.
  1378. >Gable beats you to it, though.
  1379. >”How about you start bashing off those bolts, and when you get a few off I’ll slice it out, and we’ll get it uncoiled as we get back in the train?”
  1380. >Not much else you can do besides that, but it’s a good plan nonetheless.
  1381. “Watch and learn then, and see Iron Will’s iron hand! Oh, Five, watch our backs, will ya?”
  1382. >”Okay.”
  1383. >Five turns around and stays around the two of you, looking around as if she were a sentry.
  1384. >You line up your pinkie finger with the first bracket on its side, and you rear back with the force of a true minotaur, slamming into the metal and shearing it clear off of the train, bouncing off of the tracks as the waterline becomes loose.
  1385. >Once you’ve done that, you get to work on the second one while Gable grabs it and pulls it taught.
  1386. >You strike off the second bracket, and from there he cuts the waterline in half.
  1387. >The instant he does this, a jet of water akin to a fire hose blasts out into the countryside, and it takes Gable’s full strength in both arms to keep it from flailing.
  1388. >”Oh… sssshit, hurry up Iron!”
  1389. “Treat me like a pushover, you get the once ov-”
  1390. >”Just DO IT!”
  1391. >You begrudgingly pull your hand up and strike the last two brackets in quick succession, the final one taking a few hits due to your dwindling strength.
  1392. >As soon as the last metal bracket falls, the entire waterline uncoils and Gable pulls it away, hiking up to make sure it doesn’t get caught on the railroad.
  1393. >You help him out as you stand, and the three of you fall back into the train without issue.
  1394. >Well, much issue. You feel like you’re really stretching out your gut, but that can wait.
  1395. >You three get back into the main passenger car, and you take the reigns of the water line, surprised at how strong the flow is.
  1396. >”You sure you can handle it? Maybe I should bring it back, we have to do this quick so we don’t flood the cars.”
  1397. >You shake your head, pulling the line in a little more.
  1398. “No need, brother! Alright, everypony MAKE WAY!!”
  1399. >You brace yourself and start running at full bullforce as you hold the line backwards for a boost.
  1400. >You charge down the aisle way, getting Gable and Five drenched from head to toe/hoof, and water splashes down the entirety of the cars, but you make it to the conductor’s room in mere seconds.
  1401. >”TO THE RIGHT, OPEN THE VAULT!”
  1402. >The staffponies swing the door open as you chug your way through, and a few stallions inside brace their legs on the iron chassis with special coverings on their hooves to open the hot gate.
  1403. >They just barely pry it open long enough for you to aim the water line right into the coal chamber, and the effect is immediate.
  1404. >Steam blows out and halfway burns off your hair and floods the entire train, going out in what few windows and doors are open.
  1405. >It must’ve been an interesting sight for somepony to stand outside and see what’s transpiring, a crystal train only four cars in length rushing down the tracks at lightning speed, seemingly going so fast there’s smoke.
  1406. >You hold the line with your strong arm and cover your face with the other, keeping it there until the steam and the water both run out.
  1407. >The flow slows down to a trickle, and the stallions start sighing and wiping their foreheads in relief.
  1408. >You rush back out to the main room to see the damage.
  1409. “Hey Trainmaster, did it work?”
  1410. >”Hold your horses, son, we’re cutting it close! KETTLEFIRE, WHERE’S THE BRAKING POWER?!”
  1411. >You look out of the front window as Gable and Five along with the rest of your group arrive, doing so as well.
  1412. >You’re entering lush green plains in rolling hills, signifying you’re approaching Ghastly Gorge.
  1413. >But you’re about to smack headfirst into the back of a parked train.
  1414. >Redheart’s ears flop to her face and her eyes become pinpricks.
  1415. >”….Oh dear Celestia.”
  1416. >The train is definitely slowing down without fuel, but you’re not sure if it’ll slow down enough.
  1417. >What do you do?
  1418.  
  1419. “Can’t you signal them or something?”
  1420. >”I can blow the horn, but it’s not going to do much good if they’re sitting ducks!”
  1421. >Regardless, he wraps his hoof around the rope and starts pulling, the horn blaring as loudly as it can with magical magnification.
  1422. >”It’d be a miracle if they managed to start moving, so we need to think of something, fast!”
  1423. “How about an anchor, then? Use some rope, get some pickaxes or even the waterline and my spear, here! Something!”
  1424. >The conductor looks at you for a second, his eyes spaced out as if he were thinking intently.
  1425. >”…Maybe, but we don’t have many picks on board, just a few for emergencies. We have maybe two minutes, everypony get those axes, get his spear, get the rope and go, go GO!”
  1426. >He starts blowing the horn again, and the entire staff starts rushing by you and your party, grabbing everything they can and heading for the back of the train.
  1427. >You give one of them your spear and talk to the rest of the party.
  1428. “Let’s get everyone to the back of the train! It’ll focus the weight and drag this thing down. Oh, Gable and Five, you guys got wings, so listen up. Fly to the supply cars and see if Anon’s there and stop the robbery, you know, if ya can. Five, if you can transform into that blond one and try to convince them to leave, that’d be great. Maybe tell ‘em it was an ambush or they captured everyone and they’re coming this way now, just don't do anything too risky and get out of there if you’re in trouble. That goes for both of you. If you can't transform still, take a sip of this brother.”
  1429. >Used ESHP on Five
  1430. >+66% HP<
  1431. Five: [HP: 120/120][MP: 50/100]
  1432. >She takes it without hesitation, and the bite marks on her horn slowly fade away.
  1433. >You and your group then head straight for the back of the train, but you see the changeling lag a little.
  1434. >She dips her horn under the coat cover that Anon had placed on the bodies, and there’s a slight shimmer.
  1435. >All of a sudden, Five’s entire appearance changes at whim, bright orange fur beginning to cover her black texture.
  1436. >Eventually the disguise grows over her entire body, transforming gender and appearance to that of the buzz-blonde stallion, and then he walks past you, the personality already in effect.
  1437. >”Yo, bitch! Let’s get a move on!”
  1438. “…Damn. Hey, you know the guys’ name, by chance?”
  1439. >”Just Pinkcolt. C’MON!”
  1440. >Five had altered the body to have wings for the duration of the flight, and he takes off through the back of the door, heading out towards the supply cars.
  1441. >Gable follows him after, trying to keep up.
  1442. >At this point, Berry and Red have gotten nearly the entire train’s passengers to the back, so you follow them to the back, and start helping the staff tie ropes to the axes and spears.
  1443. >They begin to be flung out using the door’s braced lock as their anchor point, and each tool and weapon take a few bounces before they find a good point to dig into the ground.
  1444. >The horn keeps blaring as the anchors barely help.
  1445. >Is there anything else you’d like to do as you watch the train come to collision?
  1446. ...
  1447. [lmao cliffhanger]

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