[IC] STOMP Super Spooktacular Special!

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Scarlet stared at the others for a bit. While his mind was slowly unfogged after the encounter with ‘Rasophae’, he still wasn’t thinking straight. He wanted to say something to the others, try and reconcile things, but nothing solid came.

Had Static died, instead of slipping into a secret passage, while Scarlet tried to hunt clues. Scarlet would have never forgiven himself. Ever.

And Harmony. Scared, angry and upset. Looking for her sisters and feeling that the only one she could rely on was Static.

Nothing he could say now could undo his mistakes. It would simply sound hollow and meanigless. Still, he intended to try.

Just not yet.

Scarlet took a deep breath, pulled out the torn paper again and held it up to the others.

”The Forestof the Dead is where you Learn to Spell. Thats what i found.

Somethings in the Library

First though, lets get this colt out of harms way.”


Turning to the door, Scarlet sighed.

”I’m sorry, for everything, he said softly.


Spoiler


Dining Room:

It was everything Team Get-along Gang was expecting, and unfortunately more. It was a fairly large dining room filled with all sorts knick-knacks from all over, in the middle of the room was one large table, but not super long. It had all sorts of food, though the center piece looked to be a plate of smoked kippers.But the room already had a guest that was enjoying the feast. a green colored unicorn, or used to be as the trio could see right through it was gorging itself on on food... though all that it 'consumed' just feel right through its body and landed on the floor. As the door open it looks up and shoots a deathly glare at those that dare interrupt its meal. With an unearthly roar it charged right at Night Cap chasing the trio back out into the hall, but not before leaving the poor earth pony covered in green glop.

---

Hall:

As Team Powder Keg seemed to mostly starting to agree on something and leave the Trophy room to escort the witness back to the ballroom and safety under Swift Tart's supervision, they could hear the screams of their other friends as they are chased out of their room.

Spoiler


"Are you okay Mr. Night Cap?"


Misty is shivering enough that it's audible. "L-L-Le-L-L-Le-Let's n-n-n-not g-g-go b-b-ba-ba-back in-n th-th-th-there ag-g-g-gain."


As team powder keg approaches team Get-along Gang, Static can be seen still wearing his mask. The bleeding had stopped mostly. Instead of wet blood around the sides, it was mostly a sticky goo now. Some had dried completely and matted his fur on his face. He takes one look at Night Cap. "What happened to you?"

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
"I think that's a good idea Misty, Maybe Static's team should g-i-v-e i-t a s-h-o-t." Maple says, as she gives Misty a firm hug to try and settle her nerves a bit.


Amber wasn't certain how to respond to Scarlet and his apology - he was the only teammate she had who was behaving like one in the least. Then she heard the shouts echoing their way down from the other side of the hallway circuit.

Maple! Mr. Cap!

Amber motioned Harmony (as little begrudgingly as she could manage) and the unicorn in the direction of the ballroom door while the others followed Static's charge further down the hallway toward the dining room and the screaming.

She smiled faintly at the cowering unicorn and hoped it was at least a very little bit encouraging as he walked through the bright doorway and passed into Swifty's care.


"once you get cleaned up, I've got a snack that might cheer you up." Maple holds open a flab on her saddlebag and lets Night Cap and Misty have a look at the snacks she grabbed before.

"I have enough for every pony, if your team wants some to Mr. Spectrum."


Gradually catching up, Amber looked over the trio. "You're all alright!" she said, raising an eyebrow as she looked over Night Cap. "Have you found anything?"


Harmony smirks softly as she looked over to Night Cap covered in that horrid substance. "Well, at the very least that two-bit shoddy costume got what it deserved."

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Maple Looks at Harmony and laughs... "Yeah, it's a good thing it didn't cost three bits, or it might not have torn easy enough to hold your sister together long enough to get possessed by a demon mask."

*silence*

"Oh, you meant Mr. Night Cap's... sorry that was mean then... what I just said."
Maple adds, turning away from the new mare.


"Yes, like the bug knows anything about fashion." Harmony sneers looking down to Maple. "Maybe you should stick to what your good at like feasting on the emotions of that terrified Pegasus you never leave the side of. Or maybe when you see my sister you can offer her snacks and belly rubs like this was just some merry little picnic as slaughters all your teammates. But I guess I shouldn't expect much, pony emotions are just too complex for you to understand, that's why you got to fake everything isn't it?" She asks as she peers down to the little 'pony', she doesn't know w! hat STOMP is or what they do, but this she knew. Rhapsody was good at keeping stuff secret, expect for the stuff that upset her, and Maple's reveal deeply upset her even if she'd made peace with the little Pegasus by now, but her getting Catty with Harmony wasn't helping the distraught sister.


"Rhapsody has her faults, and one of them is assuming the conclusions she jumps to are correct and then never bothering to actually make sure... it must be genetic. We don't actually Know each other MissHarmony." Maple turns back with her hoves up. "Now, in the span of a minute, you've insulted my friend, my lady and my character... with absolutely no prompting. I'll admit, it's nice to not be the only monster in the room... but shut your mouth before I knock your teeth out."


A presence deep, dark, and spectral grabbed hold of Amber's mind, taking hold of all that was dark within her and moving her body as if by forces behind her control.

Spoiler


"Amber, noooooo!"

Spoiler

"We shouldn't be fighting, everypony! If we get distracted, we'll be easy pickings for the g-g-ghosts!"

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Maple, drops her hooves.


Amber was panting heavily as she yielded and untangled herself from the young pegasus who had so easily overpowered her. When she spoke, it was in a snapping, defeated string of bile. "Somepony else foalsit this spiteful, empty-headed strumpet you all insist is a member of our team. I'm going to the library." She abruptly trotted down the hallway at the clip of a pony precisely on time for a meeting, with all the poise of a pony attempting to give precisely that impression but just as likely at any moment to break into tears.


"Oh gosh... what do we do now Mr. Night Cap?"


Though Scarlet had rushed to the cries of his friends, as he had a pretty good idea of what had happened to them. He had stayed silent till now, as he was still grappling with how he was going to get through to Static.

All of that just went out the window. Grief and distrust were no excuse for this! Scarlet voice started in a low, contemptuous growl, though it didn’t take long before he was shouting.

“Now who’s being callous? Now who’s being cruel? You sanctimonious airhead! Stop using your grief and bitterness as a bludgeon to beat other ponies with!

With a sharp gasp, Scarlet forced himself to calm down. When he continued, his emotions were firmly back under control.

”Yes, your sisters are lost and you’re desperate to find them. I get that. I also completely understand why you don’t trust any of us. Save for Static of course, because you like him. You don’t know us, you only have Rhapsody words to go on.

But get this through that wall if fear if you can.

We are. Alltrying to save Rhapsody!

We are all trying to save Symphony!

We are all trying to save... You!


You are not the only, lonely pony searching for a way to rescue them.

And you have no right to belittle and badger a pony you barely know! I will say to you what i said to your sister when the truth about Maple came out. Except and until she turns on us and starts acting the way all Changelings of the past have done. I will continue to treat Maple as the pony she is!

Despite what you seem to think, we aren’t a bunch of fools whowill abandon you at the drop of a hat. We are the professionals here. If Rhapsody told you anything about what she does for the Keep, you must know that.”


Turning to Static, he spoke softly.

”Don’r you dare defend her on this. Maple is your friend.”

While he wanted to just fly off to the Library and get on with the hunt, he was not going to let the team splinter again.

”Amber, wait! Please. We need to stay together!”


"Not with her!" Amber called over her shoulder without stopping.

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Destron D-69:
"Oh gosh... what do we do now Mr. Night Cap?"

"Oh, dear... I think ve should probably peel them apart, first..."


In as bad a mood as he was with Scarlet and Amber, Static was stunned when Harmony railed against Maple. He was too shocked to even make a move as Amber was winding up for a punch. And after the briefest of thoughts, he wasn't sure he wanted to stop her.

He was sure Harmony would want to go to the next clock-wise room like the original plan. Static honestly wasn't sure whether he wanted to go with her or go with the others to the library. Then he realized either way it was the same room.

He sighed as he walked in line to the room. "Maple didn't deserve that," he said softly as he walked into the library, hoping that Harmony was going to follow. After all, it was the next room. But after everything that just happened...?


"Well, I think I should go home now."
Maple gets up and nuzzles Misty a little before walking toward the door.

"Good luck with your family Rhapsody."


Scarlet tried to think, waving a wing absently as he felt his brain complaining.

"Hey, you ponyfeathered buck! Ow, i really shouldn't shout. i almost believed you!

...?

Well it's... uh... It's...um...?

It is... Today?

Today is...uh... "



Static looked at the empty Mescal bottle. "Riiiiiiight!" Having already finished off his own bottle, Static was also finding it harder to focus. But he at least seemed to be having a slightly better time of it than Scarlet. But you could see the gears turning. "I was kidding about the fire alarm test...but...do we even work tomorrow?" A slightly puzzled look crossed his face. "What day even is it?"

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Though Scarlet had rushed to the cries of his friends, as he had a pretty good idea of what had happened to them. He had stayed silent till now, as he was still grappling with how he was going to get through to Static.

All of that just went out the window. Grief and distrust were no excuse for this! Scarlet voice started in a low, contemptuous growl, though it didn’t take long before he was shouting.

“Now who’s being callous? Now who’s being cruel? You sanctimonious airhead! Stop using your grief and bitterness as a bludgeon to beat other ponies with!

With a sharp gasp, Scarlet forced himself to calm down. When he continued, his emotions were firmly back under control.

”Yes, your sisters are lost and you’re desperate to find them. I get that. I also completely understand why you don’t trust any of us. Save for Static of course, because you like him. You don’t know us, you only have Rhapsody words to go on.

But get this through that wall if fear if you can.

We are. Alltrying to save Rhapsody!


We are all trying to save Symphony!

We are all trying to save... You!

You are not the only, lonely pony searching for a way to rescue them.

And you have no right to belittle and badger a pony you barely know! I will say to you what i said to your sister when the truth about Maple came out. Except and until she turns on us and starts acting the way all Changelings of the past have done. I will continue to treat Maple as the pony she is!

Despite what you seem to think, we aren’t a bunch of fools whowill abandon you at the drop of a hat. We are the professionals here. If Rhapsody told you anything about what she does for the Keep, you must know that.”


Turning to Static, he spoke softly.

”Don’r you dare defend her on this. Maple is your friend.”

While he wanted to just fly off to the Library and get on with the hunt, he was not going to let the team splinter again.

”Amber, wait! Please. We need to stay together!”

AH, So that's why your fine about the little runt joking about Rhapsody death like its nothing? Some friends you have." She sneers. "I was trying to lighten the luna damned mood. But Honestly, you can all go die for all I care!" She yells, and of course being Slimed by Night Cap likely didn't help anything any, but at the same time it seemed some of her anger my have left her, not much but she seemed slightly less ready to just pumble someone into a greasy smear.

"That little harlot threatened my life, you wanted to turn my prioritizing Static over finding clues as selfishness to get him to turn against me, now my sister's death is a joke to you lot. And you all DARE accuse me of being in the wrong?" She says seething with rage. "I'm wondering if you lot we're even really her friends. Maybe you're not doing this out of loyalty, you're doing it out of guilt! She apparently sacrificed herself,... something none of you seem willing to do based on the discussion about what to do with that witness we found, and it struck a nerve! You're all the least professional group of professional I've ever had the displeasure to deal with!"


Scarlets glare could have cut glass.

”Tell me, calling a total stranger ‘a little bug who’s too stupid to understand things’ is... Lightening the Mood, is it?

For bucks sake Harmony! Will nothing get through to you? Will ANY action we take mean a damned thing to you, or will you twist everything!

Had any one of us been close enough to see the attack. We would have done something! Rhapsody was closest. Rhapsody acted. Why? Because she’s a hero!

And no. It isn’t guilt that drives us. Its love. We care about Rhapsody and we all want to save her. We’re good like that.

As for our Unicorn witness. We need to get him back to the ballroom, because that is the only place that is protected from the fgosts. Which is something you would no if you’d listened to Swift Tart.

‘sigh’

I will say it again. You are not the only one who cares.”



Scarlets glare could have cut glass.

”Tell me, calling a total stranger ‘a little bug who’s too stupid to understand things’ is... Lightening the Mood, is it?

Harmony rolled her eyes. "You are so bucking dense. My comment about the costume deserving it, the one that made the little runt make her callous joke, was trying to lighten the mood. No, Joking about my sister's death? Which I see NONE of you calling her out on, SO much love there. She's lucky I don't punt her out a window!"


Static sighs as Harmony responds to Scarlet. "She's got a point there. Maple, not funny. Everypony else, including Harmony...including me...can we all take a collective deep breath and remember who we're doing this for. While we stand here arguing, Rhapsody is still out there possessed by this demon. I can only imagine she's in pain like none of us have ever known. So in the name of our love for her, can we stop arguing and keep investigating as quickly as possible so our friend doesn't suffer needlessly?"


And no. It isn’t guilt that drives us. Its love.

At the library door, hearing Scarlet's raised voice echoing around the passageway, Amber dropped her head, the knot pulling ever tighter in her stomach, before raising a hoof to swing open the door.

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Scarlet looks to Static and nods.

”Yes. Lets get back to it.”

Scarlet shook himself hard, trying to drive his anger away and get back to a calmer, more focused mindset. Turning to Maple, he shook his head and gave her a disappointed look.

”I was angry because of what Harmony said to you, but she’s right. What you said to her wasn’t kind and wasn’t funny.

‘sigh’

I’m tired of being angry, of being wrong.

Lead on Static. Lets go break this curse.”



Misty is quiet as she ponders the situation. It seems to her that Harmony is not going to get along with Amber, Scarlet, or Maple. Which means...

"I'll go vith Harmony. Static can take my place vith Night Cap and Maple, and Scarlet, you should go find Amber so she's not all alone."


"It wasn't a joke." Maple gives Misty a hug before she walks past Harmony. Dropping her disguise as she does so. "If your sister meant nothing to me I wouldn't still have her dried blood all over me..." Maple's magic reignites and she continues onto the library.


Library:

A large room filled wall to wall with books, even the doors are book shelves. As Scarlet follows the Angry and the diminutive mares in, the doors suddenly close behind him. No matter what they try they can't get the open.

Hall:

As Amber, Maple, and Scarlet enter the library, the doors slam behind them as a trio of ghosts appear in the hall, fairly familar looking ghosts. The vengeful spirits of the Hex Mares. They giggles as they look from one another then to the remaining STOMP members. And of course the trio begin to sing as they chase the group through the halls.

You hear the screeching of an owl,
You hear the wind begin to howl,
You know there's Ghosties on the prowl,
And it's
terror time again.
They've got you running though the night,
It's
terror time again.
And you just might die of fright,
It's a terrifying time.


You hear the beating of your heart,
You know the screaming's gonna start,
Here comes the really scary part,
'Cause it's
terror time again.
They've got you running through the night,
It's
terror time again.
Oh, you just might die of fright,
It's a terrifying time.


All the trees begin to moan,
And the ghosties grunt and groan,
Rotting faces full of slime,
Don't you
know it's terror time?

And it's
terror time again,
They've got you running through the night,

Yes, it's
terror time again.
Oh, you just might die of fright,
It's a terrifying time!


Spoiler


Shrugging at the locked door - perhaps they could bore out a seam later and she could teleport everypony out if necessary - Amber scanned over the titles, sorting out the library's filing system. It was much easier to understand than the trophy room's, at the very least, and quite a lot more of the items seemed worth keeping around.

Spoiler

As she scanned the titles, she made smalltalk.

"So Miss Jack, I gather that you're a Changeling?" she said. "Was this a recent development?"

 


Top Bottom