[IC] Equestrian Radio Show's Adventure Variety Hour: Explorers of STOMP

CoffeeHorse · Mar 28, 2022

ER"So, can it move the plants, or not?" Snowy says, backing up to give Misty space. He rather wanted to grab the scroll and try...something, some magical manipulation, but if Rhapsody was this visibly perturbed by the scroll, that was reasonable cause for alarm and caution.

Rhapsody looks over to Snowy, she had mostly regained her sense of composure, but deep down she was still kinda disturbed by this. "The wand has control over plants, so yes it could move them, and potentially a whole lot more. This whole swamp could be a result of its power. The first expedition we were on was to retrieve a wand that created ice and snow, and was doing so... in overdrive, in part thanks to COIN efforts to retrieve it which put it on the defensive." She states, trying to keep the summery simple and concise. "It was amassing a killer snow storm. As soon as somepony grabbed it though, it 'stopped'... technically." That was when she heard the others...

Misty seems confused. "Wand? I don't see a wand?"

"I don't either, weird. Do...do you think somepony found this before us?"

Once more all color seemed to drain from her face and she shook her head. "What? The wand isn't with the scroll?" She asks having not realized the scroll was all that was in there. "Luna buck me sideways..." She says with a huff and looks to the others. "That would be bad; VERY VERY VERY VERY bad. The wand of the North has a will of its own, it can control anypony that isn't focused enough to control it. A former teammate of ours would have been mind controlled by the wand if I hadn't snapped her out of it with one of my songs." She states taking a deep breath, trying to keep calm and focused... but deep down she was now kinda scared of the thought that the wand had likely unwilling avatar. "This wand, likely also has the same kind of will power. If somepony else got a hold of it, and were weak willed or just not focused... well... they're likely just a meatpuppet for whatever the wand's desires are. I really don't want to find out what that kind of power would do..."

Maple twists and turns, seemingly unable to to get any traction from her rear hooves. The frustration finally overwhelms her and she starts vibrating with rage.

Spoiler
ZAM

Maple slides out easy as if there was nothing actually holding her the entire time... fortunately the only one around to see her look and feel like an idiot is herself.

Spoiler

Refocusing that energy Maple calls out to the one pony able to aid her in an attempt to get back to the others.
"MISTER SIGNAL TURN ON THE BEACON!!!" Maple just hoped the colt hadn't been squashed and could still work his machine.

"Think it's got something to do with those vines?" Misty asks.

Snowy has the general gist of Rhapsody's moderately horrific piece of information. Namely, the scroll itself is not dangerous. "Probably, yes." He says in reply to Misty. "Try chilling them down, and we'll see if we can bust through them." He picks up the scroll in one hoof, trying something he hasn't attempted in a very long time. For most unicorns, the magical nature of a bespelled object can be sensed by suffusing the object with your magic, rather like one can identify unobtrusive jewelry through a tight hug. Unlike a hug, this also tended to be the easiest way to activate or use a magical object. Snowy had had little use for the ability over the years, but that didn't mean he was incapable of it, a fact that he was suddenly eternally grateful for...

Spoiler

Try as he might, Snowy Skies couldn't sense anything through the scroll other than the fact that it had previously been in the presence of something magical. Just then, Anchors Away interrupted his train of thought with, "Snowy, do you need to see where you put an illusion? Can you, like, guess?"

Snowy puts the scroll back in the case, happy to be discussing an arcane topic he was more familiar with. "...I suppose. It tends to result in bad form, because the illusion can only react to what I can sense. So it certainly won't fool anyone. But," He continues, finally (he hopes) catching on. "A signal to those outside should be feasible. Suggestions?"

Spoiler

Thinking out loud, Anchors Away rubbed her hooves together. "Well...what if the way out can be given to us? If something 'escapes', whatever is controlling the vines might direct its attention elsewhere. That can lead to either it opening this place up or maybe just making it so we don't get a face-ful of plant when we break the frozen vines. Or...I don't know. It feels like a long shot when I say it out loud."

With the others safely away from the vines, Misty decides to give Anchors' suggestion a go.

"Alright... here we go. Time to chill!"

She does her best to draw together the moisture from the cave air and push it toward the vines, then cool the air near the vines as much as possible. The supercooled water vapor would then crystallize and form ice on the vines.

Spoiler

Rhapsody suddenly had an odd idea and trots over to Snowy. "Misty's doing a cold thing, we're dealing with another wand... if I could describe the wand of the North to you, do you think you could project that? Make whatever might have the Wand of plants think we have its sister with us? Least for a short term thing?"

CoffeeHorse · Mar 28, 2022

Maple trotted in a circle worried she'd wasted too much time trying to get free and if all of her friends were gone. She could fly above the tree tops and see if she was close enough to still see the battle... but would that risk letting it know she was free.. did it already know...? are the trees Watching DOES THE GRASS HAVE EARS?!?!

Maple took to the sky.

Spoiler

Maple couldn't see anything... in any direction... Sinking back down to the ground -all she could do was hope and wait.

Snowy shrugs. "My illusions can't imitate magical signatures with any accuracy, so I'd imagine that if the keeper of this wand is part of a family, it would be able to recognize a fake wand. As far as bluffing it into thinking we escaped, wouldn't something controlling these vines know that they hadn't budged? I can fake a teleport, I suppose, but I don't think that has the necessary *oomph* to draw someone's attention away. The exit was blocked when we got here; There's no guarantee that whatever is keeping us in here knows where we are." He sighs. "Further suggestions? You sound like you had an idea just crazy enough to work, and I love those."

"Yes, I figured that much Snowy. I might be a pegasus, but I do have some knowledge of magic and how it works." She states and then explains "I wouldn't expect it to fool it for long, just enough to draw it out or get its attention. IF somepony does have it, it will likely investigate and give us a chance to either reason with it, or maybe get the wand away from the host." It was a simple plan, and very much in the fly, but she'd rather try and face it on her own terms rather then be ambushed by it, but she is hoping that with Misty's weather crafting skill there is enough to bluff them having it and willing to use it will at least get its attention.

Anchors Away sighed, "That was my idea. I guess it's up to Misty now. " Misty Monsoon began to whip and weave a localized blizzard. The cold cut to the bone as icicles slowly formed on the ceiling and the vines already started to buckle from the added weight of the ice on them. With the temperature difference outside, cracks began to form. Suddenly, the vines covering the cave entry exploded outward in a shower of frozen shards. Barometz redirected his attention with an annoyed frown, only to be hit by Night Cap's attack. Barometz grimaced at the black searing mark on his chest, then scowled at Night Cap.
"That actually stung. So you are the most dangerous one here. And it seems the small one is trying to make her location known. You are proving to be most annoying."

Meanwhile, Static Signal received another Morse code reply:

PLEASE RESPOND.

Spoiler

Static growled at the morse code response. What part of "Engaged with powerful and hostel intelligence" did they not understand? Put simply..."I'M A LITTLE BUCKING BUSY AT THE BUCKING MOMENT YOU BUCKING FEATHERBRAINS!"

Which he didn't say out loud of course. But dang! Bucking morons! "Such capacity is typically fictional." For bucks sake! Tell that to the bucking Wonderbolts. Airstrike! That means grab some bucking unicorns with some bucking magic lazers coming out of their heads, mount them on some bucking pegasi and get them the buck out here!!!!

What did he even have this bucking morse code dohickey for? It only ever seemed to give them information. How often has it ever helped the bucking STOMP team?

Buck it! He didn't have time for this. It looked like Barometz gave them a short pause. That gave him a choice...

Respond to the Morse Code? Bucking morons don't even know how to muster an air strike. And given the shape the team was in, they wouldn't last long enough for the strike to get here, even if they could muster one up.

They could fire him for not responding if they wanted. After igniting this fiasco, he was likely going to get fired anyway.

Maple called to him. He could send up a beacon. But the poor thing had no business being in a battle field! What does she know about fighting? She already proved that this was no place for her. She'd only get killed.

On the other hand...if Barometz really cared for her...

Static sent up a signal with Maple's cutiemark into the sky. He then turned to Barometz.

"We stung you. You also seemed to be concerned about a part of your mind. I don't know what that's about, but I can only assume it has to do with our friends. You hurt us, we hurt you."

Static sighed, catching his breath. "This is totally unnecessary. That signal I sent earlier, they replied. They're too incompetent to even know what an airstrike is. Nopony's coming...except Maple."

"You...actually care about her. You protected her. Then let's stop this fight! Let's...let's just go with the idea we were working on before. We film your warning, declare this area forbidden, we go home alive and you can forget that we even exist!"

As the refrigerated air dissipates upon coming into contact with the outside, Misty catches sight of the immense plant-beast. She turns back to Rhapsody. "Think the wand's got something to do with that?"

CoffeeHorse · Mar 28, 2022

There it was. Maple took to the sky putting everything she had into her wings she needed to get back to the others

Spoiler
Zam

Snowy looks at his moderately bruised teammates. "This thing trying to kill us?" He asks innocently, opening his lute case and drawing out the instrument.

"Uhh, yeah, but I think this may be one seriously bucked up mis-communication!"

Static looked back up to Barometz. "Do we have a cease-fire here?"

"If I'm gonna lead this team, I need to know what in Equestria is going on here. " Barometz seemed confused by Anchors Away's statement.
"You are the leader? You? The disparity in power is...curious...among this group."

"Leadership is best determined by common sense, not strength." Snowy offers, tuning the odd string.

"Which, as you can tell, means I'm certainly not the leader. But she's quite a bit smarter than I am. Maybe you two can come to a mutually beneficial agreement?

"Me...I think I just need to take a moment to throw up."

"Ms. Away, good to see you're okay."

He hated to be so formal with her. But if she's being presented as the leader of the group, as indeed she was, best he looked subservient.

"Hmph. That doesn't sound like a way to cultivate respect born of fear. The fish is quite weak while the musician has come into contact with great power. Why should you, any of you, listen to her? However, my mind has returned and I see the comment on 'sense' come into play. The small one is odd compared to the rest of you while 'Miss Sparks' is among those lacking sense."

As the refrigerated air dissipates upon coming into contact with the outside, Misty catches sight of the immense plant-beast. She turns back to Rhapsody. "Think the wand's got something to do with that?"

Rhapsody looks to Misty. "Oh yes, I wouldn't be surprised it that IS the wand... well it and its avatar..." She says quietly to Misty. She didn't particularly like the idea that the wand maybe has turned a pony into this. "And oh goodie, it already wants to kill us..." She mutters hearing the others speak, and how its the result of some miscommunication. She looks to Static as he speaks up about finding something.

"We found /nothing/." Is what she says out loud, but Static, Amber, Light, and Night Cap hear a bit more, as if she was whispering directly into their ears. "We found a scroll, about a sister to the Wand of the North. No wand. This wand controls plants. And you're facing off against a large Ram that seems to be made of them..."

"If today has taught me anything, it's that sometimes it's better to have sense than power. I've been in many a fight in my life time. I've won against some odds that I shouldn't have won against. But as today shows, I have little sense."

"The little one, Maple...I don't think she'd know what to do if she ever got into a real fight. But she had the sense to calm you down."

"I nearly got all of my friends killed. She would've saved us all."

"Between the two of us, who would you say is the better 'leader'...the one with 'power' or the one with 'sense'?"

He looks to Anchors. "Could you maybe listen to her?"

Amber smiled as Rhapsody reappeared with Misty and the others.

"It is, in fact, Spark, singular," said Amber, "but I won't accuse you of a lack of sense or hardness of hearing given your having misplaced your mind at the time. If your mind has returned and you're quite finished acting like a raging brute, I suggest you speak with our expedition lead about your objections to our presence here. If not, the rest of us may continue our negotiations with you, certainly now that our musicians have returned."

Amber was thinking fast - if the second Wand had been any kind of magical mechanism, she could have sniffed it out immediately, and perhaps even wink it away into Anchors' care. She wouldn't have the same affinity with a purely magical object. The Wand of the North Wind had used sacrificial magic, its curious composition imbued directly with the magical talents of unicorns and pegasi. The power to command living shrubbery seemed more likely to draw from the subtle magics of earth ponies.

Unable to fully concentrate without letting loose of the two spheres still orbiting her, Amber reached out with her magic, attempting to sense anything that felt like a concentration of pony magic, thinking of strength of limb and the slow growth of green things. She couldn't help thinking that it must be like groping around in the darkness to a more magically inclined pony like Mr. Skies, but she could still make her own attempt.

Spoiler

CoffeeHorse · Apr 4, 2022

Light Fantastic sighed in annoyance.

"Every time, every time, we go somewhere, we always get into a fight," she muttered.

"Are we sure attacking this thing is the best idea we have?" she asked.

Amber Spark attempted to sense out a large quantity of magic and indeed found what she was seeking. There was a very large concentration in the chest of Barometz. It was also quite visible that the scorch marks were slowly going away. He chuckled upon hearing the various comments.
"Of course nothing was found. I only left an empty box. As far as the musicians Spark mentions, only one is of concern and that just means I should stop toying with you. Perhaps the most humorous thing is that the one stallion brings up sense and power when he lacks power and thus is a poor leader regardless. Still, what does your lauded leader choose to say?"
Anchors Away made a few wobbly steps forward past a few red flowers and looked up at Barometz. "We are part of the Equestrian Expedition Keep. We seek the exploration and documentation of the world around us. We're here in this area merely to observe, not to cause you any harm. Those under my command may have used ill chosen words to offend you but I assure you that their folly will be dealt with. If you clearly have more power than us, there's no need for us to fight you, is there? Perhaps we could offer you something as a better showing of peace?" Anchors Away tried to hide that she was desperately looking around for somepony in the STOMP team to help her out.

Static tried to think of something to help Anchors out. But what did this thing want. At first it seemed like it only wanted to be left alone. But every offer of leaving it alone it seemed to laugh at.

Static took a few steps away from Barometz.

"What is it you want? When this started, it seemed liked all you wanted was to be left alone and all we wanted was to have our friends back."

"Well...we have our friends back. So...if we just leave and never return...would that be satisfactory? We could just leave right now and everyone will be happy...right?"

"Static, we do not have the authority to promise him that. We have a job to complete here."

Rhapsody flies over to static pulling him aside, and gives him a stern look. "Send a message; While we try to keep him occupied and us not dead. 'Found wand of Incomparable green. In hooves of potentially hostile creature. May be too late for us." She whispers to him, she was completely on edge here and didn't like how things were playing out.

"Amber, love... Do not antagonize creatures with complete mastery over one of the fundamental parts of nature." She says turning her attention to the beige unicorn now, as she turned over possibilities in her head of what could be done. All she could think of was to try and appeal to whoever was inside of this creature, but she wasn't really sure how to do that when she knew nothing about them. It was one thing to do it for Willow, when she was just starting to be controlled... but who knows how long this has persisted or if that is anything left of the original form...

Static nodded and set to work.

FOUND WAND OF INCOMPARABLE GREEN. IN HOOVES OF IMMENSELY POWERFUL AND HOSTILE CREATURE. FUTURE CONTACT WITH STOMP TEAM IMPROBABLE. SURVIVAL OF STOMP TEAM IMPROBABLE. QUARANTINE AREA. DO NOT APPROACH!

"Hope they understand that much!" Static thought to himself sourly.

Having counted Rhapsody as one of the "musicians" whose performance could be trusted to take the unruly ram out to the woodshed if necessary, she looked appropriately chastened. "My apologies, my love," she said. "But this beast is in possession of - or very likely under the possession of - an artifact that belongs in the care of the Equestrian Expedition Keep, and we are still in Equestria. If he wishes to curtail our safe passage into the caves or will not be parted with the wand, we simply do not have the authority to permit him. He may be better suited taking his complaint up with the Princess. I don't believe it's our place to hedge any of that."

Amber regretted that she, unlike Rhapsody, couldn't communicate anything to the others without Barometz hearing her. The situation was gradually coming together - Rhapsody had been right about the wand, and Amber could sense it right there in the big old buck's chest. While they were all standing around ruminating, the wand was busy tending its tenebrous topiary and returning him to full strength.

CoffeeHorse · Apr 4, 2022

"We don't have all our friends back. Maple's still out there somewhere."

"I've sent up a beacon," Static said, pointing up. "I'd like to think I didn't just lure her into a death trap," he said, looking to Barometz. "Please, please, please...PLEASE! You hold all the cards. You have all the power. I'm begging you...I'm...begging...you...! Let us go. Let us leave."

"Static, please. There is no reason we cannot all remain calm and reasonable here. I wouldn't wish to need to beg you to stop making suggestions." Amber drew out her notebook and began taking down some specifics of Barometz' composition and apparent abilities.

Having counted Rhapsody as one of the "musicians" whose performance could be trusted to take the unruly ram out to the woodshed if necessary, she looked appropriately chastened. "My apologies, my love," she said. "But this beast is in possession of - or very likely under the possession of - an artifact that belongs in the care of the Equestrian Expedition Keep, and we are still in Equestria. If he wishes to curtail our safe passage into the caves or will not be parted with the wand, we simply do not have the authority to permit him. He may be better suited taking his complaint up with the Princess. I don't believe it's our place to hedge any of that."

Amber regretted that she, unlike Rhapsody, couldn't communicate anything to the others without Barometz hearing her. The situation was gradually coming together - Rhapsody had been right about the wand, and Amber could sense it right there in the big old buck's chest. While they were all standing around ruminating, the wand was busy tending its tenebrous topiary and returning him to full strength.

Rhapsody didn't need to be told the best had it, it flat out told us it 'left only an empty chest'. "We must be careful to pick our battles. Right now, we are very likely out classed. Regardless what he has, its better that we preserve in this case, rather then risk and lose everything for an artifact." Rhapsody wasn't against fighting, but something like this needed to be handled smarter then their last few battles.

Static shoots Amber a dirty look. There was such a thing as playing to the things ego!

He certainly wasn't pleading for his own life. He knew he was fired the moment Ms. Iron heard about how he ignited the first battle with this thing. He had nothing more to go back to in Caballuston.

He wasn't begging for his own life here...he was begging for theirs!

"Ah, the delectable sound of groveling in terror. I haven't heard that in quite some time."

Flying in at top speed ... Maple winds up he foreleg like a windmill.
"SO HAPPY TO DELIGHT YOUR SENSES... SO HERE'S SOMETHING FOR YOU TO LOOK AT!"
Spoiler
Zam

The Unexpected hoof to the eye, does little damage, but gives the tiny pony enough time to spring back and land with her team mates. Taking quick note of the changes to the area since she was here last, Maple notes the still semi-frozen chunks of vine that use to block the overhang.

"It's a big Plant... does anyone have more of whatever it was that froze those vines?"

"So the show of kindness was all but a lie."
Anchors Away started shaking, almost as if she were trembling, until... "Maplejack, what is wrong with you? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!? You'd rather show off than help the team?!? I don't want to deal with another team with a member who'd rather do something for her own benefit and risk the team's safety! If we ever get out of thiii..." Wobbling dizzily, Anchors Away fainted.

CoffeeHorse · Apr 4, 2022

*violence*

"I...but...why...I thought that...why would you...what the..."

"So the show of kindness was all but a lie."

"I don't understand why she...what's going...why would you...MAPLE! WHAT THE BUCK!?"

Anchors Away started shaking, almost as if she were trembling, until... "Maplejack, what is wrong with you? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!? You'd rather show off than help the team?!? I don't want to deal with another team with a member who'd rather do something for her own benefit and risk the team's safety! If we ever get out of thiii..." Wobbling dizzily, Anchors Away fainted.

"ANCHORS! Luna darn it to Tartarus, Maple! What the buck? I swear, Barometz, I don't know why she did that. I don't...BUCK!"

Static runs over to Anchors. "Buck! C'mon, Anchors! We can't do this without you!"

Rhapsody facehoofed at Maple's arrival, and Anchors falling over. Yes, this was going wonderfully... "Static, go make sure Anchor's isn't dead. Amber... just... don't antagonize him anymore... Maple... WHAT THE BUCK do you think you are doing?" She huffs and looks around. "We are not a team, we are so far from being a team that is is bucking ridiculous. Everypony here is out for themselves and no other. IF we survive this, which I really bucking doubt we are... We are gonna need some SERIOUS team building exercises before we do anything else." She says and turns to face Bartometz.

"You. I don't know who you are, I don't really care at this point. I don't even give the slightest buck about that damned wand you have. Others do though. Its part of a set." That was complete guessing on her part, but she already knew of the Wand of the North and the similar writing connecting them, so obviously they were a matched set, or there was more of them. "Ponies are going to come, and they are gonna try to complete that set; and they aren't to be as nice or friendly as we have been about it." She says and glances to her team, knowing they've not exactly been the most friendly already. "Regardless what mistakes the others have made, we're not here to antagonize you. Others will, others will likely be ready. They were when we encountered them on previous expeditions. They will be ruthless, and they won't be willing to talk. Neither of us want them to get their hooves on your wand, you because I suspect its giving you all your powers, and us because I'd rather you have it if you're willing to be at peace in solitude here. We've stopped them and dealt with them in the past, we could share our knowledge of them with you so that they won't take you by surprise. Surely knowledge of a greater threat then this lot of miserable ponies that can barely work together, is more useful to you then our deaths?" She asks, she was sort of running off at the mouth, but she had very few options if they were to fight.

"We were only out here because the princesses specifically requested that we explore the caves. We've done that. We have a set time to return, if we don't there is gonna be even more ponies looking to see what happened to us, possibly even those appointed specifically by the princesses. You will likely never have peace again if we were to just disappear completely, while if we do leave you won't have to deal with any royals, and will have important fore-knowledge of the next likely group to come through here and some idea of what to be prepared for, even with all your power, surely you see the tactical advantage of knowing what to expect?"

"Yes, Static, do collect the fi -" Amber shook her head - "Ms. Away and set up camp back at that cave." Amber frowned, and her horn began to electrify again. "Rhapsody, Mr. Skies, let's make certain they aren't followed."

Amber nodded as Rhapsody spoke. "Yes, Static, do collect the fi -" Amber shook her head - "Ms. Away and set up camp back at that cave." Amber frowned, and her horn began to electrify again. "Rhapsody, Mr. Skies, let's make certain they aren't followed."

"No, there wasn't a lie in anything I said before... but we have moved passed that now, you could have just let us all go.. you didn't. Sure, mistakes were made on our part... but I will stand with my friends."

Maple sighed as Miss Away fainted, seeing Mr. Signal fall apart now made her question why he'd been so eager for a fight before. And now Night Cap and Rhapsody were yelling at her.

"Out for myself... I was out, I came back to help!" Maple grunted ... a twitch setting into her eye

CoffeeHorse · Apr 4, 2022

Rhapsody glares at Amber. "LUNA DAMNIT! STAND THE BUCK DOWN!" She turns to Maple. "You returned, and PUNCHED HIM IN THE FACE! That is not helping. You do NOT punch god-like creatures in the bucking face. Now you've undone whatever goodwill you had built up with it!" Rhapsody was seething at this point. No one listens to Anchors, no one was listen to her, everyone had their own plans on how to deal with this, and it was gonna get them all killed.

Static, already looking over Anchors, checked for a pulse. Buck! He wasn't a medic. He knew some really basic first aid stuff, and he had a first aid kit. But this wasn't exactly a "put a band-aid over it and kiss the hurt away" situation!

"C'mon, Anchors! Give me a sign."

He wasn't sure if he'd be interrupted by an attack...but he had to try something to get Anchors to come around.

Spoiler

Not sure if he'd done any good, still he heard Ambers order. He wasn't sure what good it would do to put their backs to the wall. The cave would offer them no escape...very likely no shelter since Barometz was literally right on top of it. But she was the only official team leader that seemed to be giving any orders. So...Static picked up Anchors with a cringing "YES MA'AM!" and retreated back to the cave.

Maple looked up at the creature and turned all this new frustration into a heated stare.

"When you sent me away, I had hoped I wasn't the only one... I called Mr. Signal and asked him to send up a signal to let me know where he was, hoping to find you'd sent us all away to different locations as a benevolent act to not only show us your great power, but also prove that you could forgive us of our simple fear fueled Transgression. Instead I find everyone still here ... and I remembered why."

Turning back to Rhapsody ... Maple's look softened slightly, but she didn't appreciate the Mare's tone.

"Have you seen into this thing's mind... because I have, Despite EVERY EFFORT to convince it otherwise ... this thing HATES us. Whatever it's protecting... that isn't the only thing motivating it. It Hated us before Mister Signal and Miss Spark threatened it... it Hated us Before Miss Monsoon fell into the cave... So if you want to run back into that cave it doesn't want us in.. that's fine. But I'd like to not loose the sky as an advantage."

Maple stands her ground.

Static sets Anchors down just outside the cave. He didn't want to get stuck in there.

He starts to run through his options. He'd given her as much medical aid as he could. The conversation was deteriorating...but what the buck was he supposed to do about it? He had nothing more to say. Everything he tried to say, everything he tried...[in the past. Think about what you can do now]

Illusion? Of what. Barometz would not be fooled.

Morse code? To who? No one was going to respond. No one could respond.

Buck! Static tried to still his mind. There was only one thing he could do. He wasn't sure what good it would do. But...maybe if Barometz wasn't the one in control of this wand...maybe...maybe he could find the one who was!

[broken spoiler tag]heater Check (Detect Minds) (3) – 3/Day
Preparation Time: 10 seconds [GM Adjusted]
You detect intelligent beings within 120 feet and gain a rough idea of where they are.[/broken spoiler tag]

"Can everyone just PLEASE stop, and focus." She says and looks to Maple, she's calmed down some, but not completely. "Maple, this mission is already complete. The mission was to explore the caves. We did that. Our mission is NOT getting the wand. Our mission is NOT letting our team leader, or any pony else die. Explore the caves, return with our findings and that is what I am trying to accomplish." She says before shaking her head. "I've not looked into his mind, but I don't need to. He may hate us, he may hate everything that isn't plants, but he's sentient and he can be reasoned with, as long as you offer the right things.You apparently did a good enough job that he didn't want to hurt you, so already that shows there is at least some compassion in him. Everypony else that wasn't you or stuck in a cave, managed to piss him off. So of course he's not gonna play nice with them." She says and then looks to everypony in the team "So please, everypony. Lets just see if I my offer can get us anywhere before we do ANYTHING else?"

Misty watches the scene unfold with an unperturbed expression. She's not quite sure what to do here, but it doesn't seem like anypony else knows what to do either. Her tail twitches slightly.

CoffeeHorse · Apr 4, 2022

From years of theater work, Static Signal had become acclimated to figuring out where others were, even if he didn't see them. All of the STOMP team were where he expected but where Barometz was, it was as if there were two in the place of one. Meanwhile, the sogginess of the ground slightly receded as a large leaf splashed Anchors Away with water and she awoke with a gasp. Barometz adjusted to something similar to a seated stance.
"I don't think all of the wands were created together but I know others exist. I know some of! you have encountered one. Such is information I can use. Yes, I hate all of you. I hate you since I know you'll only respect and fear me if I have power and some of you don't even seem to respect your own lives. I refuse to be preyed upon by such opportunists. I don't want others to gain that information, that power. Thus you can not leave. Yet, some of you almost seem worthy of information."

Snowy understood the situation relatively well. Talking to it was stupid, but fighting it was (apparently) worse, and running was impossible, which meant talking was the only option. He could feel an exceptional talent for pissing ponies off rising within him, so instead of participating he stepped back, taking in the conversation very carefully. He understood the situation, what he didn't understand was the creature before him. This was a being of nature come to life, and it claimed to hate the natural order? It was like it viewed the world from a completely different angle...Snowy looked down at his hooves, contemplating the grass and the unsettling blue and red flowers below him. Did it feel him through that? Through the pressure he exerted on the ground below? It certainly hadn't predicted Maple's entrance, so it didn't seem to sense things in the sky...Imagine living in every tree and every flower. Feeling every insect nibbling at you, personally. Coming to recognize the shifting of a branch as an owl alights on it, insect tumbling down its throat. Feeling the spring of a bobcat as 4-pointed *thump* to your chest, and a second one as it landed, Owl clasped in its jaws, crushing the odd flower on its way down. This...pony...beast...or whatever it stood for, had been at the bottom of the food chain for a very long time. He could understand why it might not like the realities of life.

Snowy had purposely forgotten a great many things that would undoubtedly come in handy right now, to save his own life a long time ago. But while he couldn't remember them, he remembered their outline, and he could hazard a guess at what this creature knew of the world. Seasonal growth, Chlorophyll concentrations...did it revere the sun? Did it love or fear it's lifegiver? This was getting far too deep into the creature's head. Snowy looks up at the creature with respectful eyes. "Is the information your whereabouts, or presence of other wands? And what does it take to be worthy?"

Light Fantastic just stared incredulously as Maple attacked the... thing.

"Oh for the love of," she muttered, "That was the last thing we needed. I just wish I knew what this thing wanted."

Upon seeing Anchors collapse, she groaned.

"As if we needed anything else to go wrong?"

She hurried to Anchors's side.

"Let's see what we can find," she said to herself, powering up her magic.

Spoiler

Watching Light Fantastic tend to Anchors Away, something akin to sympathy crept across Barometz's face. Turning back to Rhapsody, he spoke in a less aggressive tone.
"You misunderstand my intentions. I have no need to kill you. I sought to strike fear in your hearts and separate you so that the terror would deter others. Knowledge is power but so is also limiting that knowledge. The lot of you confuse me. For the longest time, my existence alone was enough to deter invaders, even if I never revealed myself directly. Yet, you arrive in a large group as if you knew all of my secrets. I could not make requests without knowing how much you knew and whether or not you were lying. Despite being outmatched, some of you attacked without fear. And yet you claim others will be coming soon. Who are these others? What do you know of the other wands?"

Spoiler

CoffeeHorse · Apr 4, 2022

Spoiler

Misty decides at that moment to step forward.

"Um, sir? My name is Misty Monsoon and... well, I want to say I'm sorry that this all got so messy. I think everypony kind of lost their heads a bit, but to be fair, you are kind of big and scary looking.

Like Rhapsody said, we're on an expedition to explore these caves. We work for a museum, you see. A museum is a great place where ponies can come from all over to learn about stuff. It's really great! So we wanted to come here and find out everything we could about this cave, then take what we found back to the museum so everypony in Equestria can learn about the stuff we found.

I only got to look at the caves a little bit, but I thought they were really cool and I'd like to explore them even more. I'm a little sad that you don't seem to want us to do that. I think we should talk things over. I don't want to make you mad, but I don't want our team to be disappointed either. If we could come to an agreement that made everypony happy, wouldn't that be great?"

Rhapsody smiles to the creatures, it was a genuine, if a bit nervous smile. "The thing about terror is, that it will only work for so long.Eventually, as you see by our presence, there will be those that come to learn about the mystery of such a place. Not everypony is going to be easily scared, and more and more those that venture this deep are going to be less afraid of the 'rumor' of you or your influence. This confrontation, wither with us or somepony else, was inevitable. I feel that it is good that it was a group like us that are more altruistic in our desires. As such I had figured you didn't need to kill us, that is why I though an exchange of knowledge would save us." She says as she walks closer to the creature.

"All I truly know of the wands is that there is at least two, but I have a strong suspicion there are more after learning of the wand that you are using, unless I am speaking to the wand itself." She says adding that last bit realizing the wand itself could be in control. "As you mentioned, several of us have dealt with one previously. The wand of the North, I know that it has a will of its own and it can control others that are weaker willed then itself. We currently have it in a secure location after the 'others' tried to take it resulting in it nearly causing a killer snow storm that could have frozen the entire continent if not more if left unchecked. It is from that encounter that I had an idea of what we were potentially dealing with.. once I knew there was a wand here." She says and takes a deep breath before continuing. "Beyond that, we know very little of the wands themselves."

"We had no idea at all you were here. We were tasked to come explore the caves here, because they are very similar to ones under Canterlot. If we were to have found something of value, we would have taken it back for preservation. Seeing as it is another wand, we would have made sure that it wasn't around for less... virtuous ponies to get their hooves on. Your being here, potentially changes a lot. As I said, I am not interested in challenging you for the wand, so long as you have no ill intent for ponies that aren't directly threatening you and you leave the rest alone. The team attacked you because four of us were missing in the caves, two of those four being romantically linked with two on the outside. I am pretty sure that there is a pony inside you as you admitted to taking the wand from the chest, so you may have an idea how much love can lead to sometimes rash decisions and casting aside notions of fear for a greater good."

Rhapsody slowly seems more calm as she speaks to the creature. "As for the others I keep mentioning, there is a criminal organization we have dealt with several times known as COIN. They tried to get the wand of the north, and in doing so managed to piss it off. We battled them and retrieved it, one member that isn't part of this current team has able to wield it and with its help we were able to win and settle things. They've also assault our museum directly looking for other artifacts. Some of them have very dangerous weapons, weapons that shoot of rockets that burst with fire, and potentially others we've not seen yet. But even those could be bad around here." She states before moving on. "Beyond them, as I mentioned were we to not return, there would likely be a search and rescue party sent to find out what happened to us, and as we got this assignment directly from the princesses, that could entell actual royal guards at the very minimum, something happened to them would probably make it necessary for a princess to investigate herself. I have a feeling that's not really an outcome you would desire."

"If we leave here with the knowledge we have gained we can protect you, and through you the wand, better. We could never prevent COIN from trying something, but if our organization is allowed to work with you, we can do all in our power to deter their efforts and make protecting this swamp and what you deem valuable easier for you without having to rely solely on fear."

Static nods to Light Fantastic. "Thanks for checking on her."

He wasn't sure what to say to Anchors, though. How he bucked up, how he was the one that lit the fuse on an explosive situation, how he was the one who nearly got the entire team killed.

The situation was just too enormous for him at the moment. So he took the only small slice he could think of. "I guess I better report in...let them know we're alive."

NOT SURE HOW WHEN OR WHY, BUT HOSTILITIES HAVE CEASED. STOMP TEAM NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF DIPLOMATIC DISCUSSIONS. WILL UPDATE WHEN ANY OF IT MAKES ANY LUNA BLESSED SENSE!

He stopped tapping out the message and leaned back against the cave entrance, rubbing his temples with his hooves. He shook his head wearily and looked back to Anchors. "Feeling better?"

Light smiled at Static.

"What are friends for, right?" she said.

CoffeeHorse · Apr 4, 2022

"My deman...my requests are that you do not spread word of the wand's existence, merely that a creature roams the swamp, and that you return with any new information you obtain about the other wands. In exchange, I will allow you to explore the caves and will grant safe passage to your exit of the swamp."
Anchors Away sat up and looked at Barometz. "We'll need to tell our Chief Director so nopony else is sent out here but otherwise that seems pretty fair. Does anypony have any objections?"

Spoiler

Sighing deeply Maple flopped back on her haunches and just shook her head. It was done.

"I wanted to grow one of your trees back at the Keep as a way to remember my first Expedition with my frien ...with this team..." Maple took the sapling out of her bag and unwrapped it setting it back on the ground.

"If you wouldn't mind putting it back somewhere appropriate... I think it should stay here. If we're going to be telling ponies not to come here I don't want to show them how beautiful it is." Maple closed up he pouch and moved to the back of the group a little ways away from everypony else.

Rhapsody glares at Amber. "LUNA DAMNIT! STAND THE BUCK DOWN!"

Amber stood stock still, as if somepony had simply pulled her watch crown.

"Yes but."

"You misunderstand my intentions."

"But."

"If we could come to an agreement that made everypony happy, wouldn't that be great?"

"But."

"If we leave here with the knowledge we have gained we can protect you, and through you the wand, better. We could never prevent COIN from trying something, but if our organization is allowed to work with you, we can do all in our power to deter their efforts and make protecting this swamp and what you deem valuable easier for you without having to rely solely on fear."

"But."

"In exchange, I will allow you to explore the caves and will grant safe passage to your exit of the swamp."

"But."

"If you wouldn't mind putting it back somewhere appropriate... I think it should stay here. If we're going to be telling ponies not to come here I don't want to show them how beautiful it is."

"But."

It's ... evil. We are reasoning with a puppet of an immensely powerful, enraged, animate magical weapon made by forces unknown out of the corrupted magical special talents of an unknown horde of long-dead ponies.

And it seems to be working.

"Ahm. Well," said Amber. "Always very lovely to make a new friend. Shall we be off?"

Hatred can be ameliorated without anyone dying. Where was this information half a decade ago?

Snowy nods. "I'll return in person." He felt oddly like he might want to see the big threatening beast again. Maybe to see how it would grow...

Static cringes.

"Uh...when I messaged in to make sure nopony else would bother you...I kinda let slip about the wand. I'm sorry. I was trying to think and act fast. It was part of what I was using to make sure you wouldn't be bothered again. But only the pony directly receiving the message should know about it...I hope"

CoffeeHorse · Apr 4, 2022

Light Fantastic sighed in relief.

"I have no objections," she said.

She turned back to Anchors.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Do I object to everyone getting everything they wanted? Oh yeah! Major objection right here!" Static thinks to himself, but decides sarcasm is not the way to go.

"No objections here."

"I'm so glad we worked things out," Misty says with a smile. She looks up at Barometz. "You know... maybe we could do something to give our story some extra oomph. Static could get some blurry footage on his camera... eh? Or would that just make more ponies want to come out here... hmm... yeah, on second thought, scratch that idea."

Static facehoofed at Misty's idea.

As far as she could tell, no pony noticed Maple digging a small hole... she doubted mean greens wasn't watching everything, but she didn't care anymore. Taking something dark out of her pack Maple tossed it in the hole before covering it over with some of the moist soil and moss.

Anchors Away took a few slow, even breaths. "I'll be fine. We'll probably need a breather before we go back in the caves. Barometz, I have a request to add to the agreement. I would like to bring the chest with us. If you seek to not have others discover the wand, leaving it here would be evidence if another found it in the future. We can hide it and possibly store other wands in it."
"This seems agreeable. To seal the agreement on both sides..."
A glowing blue acorn of roughly the size of a pony rose out of the ground. Barometz touched a "hoof" to one side.

Spoiler

Rhapsody really just wanted this whole expedition over, she didn't want to go back into the caves, she didn't want to stay in this stupid swamp, and mostly she just wants to go home and sleep for a week. She trots up and places her hoof on the glowing acorn, anything to get this over with sooner.

Life long oath to a mind-numbingly powerful swamp plant that has told us in no uncertain terms that he hates us...an oath with cosmically disastrous retribution for bucking up?

[I should've stayed in Manehatten!]
...
...
[What? No other imaginary head voice going to argue the point?]
...
...
[Anchors Away?]

[Knew you'd think of something!]

Static goes up and touches the acorn.

Misty, not seeing any problems with this deal, touches her hoof to the acorn.

Snowy silently steps towards the acorn and puts a hoof to it.

Amber hesitated. The acorn, the magic oath - it didn't seem familiar to her. As she stepped forward, inspecting the acorn with a tilt of her head, she thought fast. Magic of binding - what other examples could she think of? How was such a spell evaded or broken?

Spoiler

From Amber Spark's studies, she had found that oath based bounds were generally broken by both sides choosing to peacefully dissolve the agreement due to a change in the situation. Other options existed but they were long lost to the sands of time. Meanwhile, Anchors Away placed her hoof on the acorn.

Amber sighed and reluctantly touched the acorn.

Light Fantastic sighed. She was doing so far too much for her liking.

"Finally," she thought, "Maybe this'll be over now."

After making sure Anchors was okay, she touched her hoof to the acorn.

Maple stood up slowly still facing away from the group. Every fiber of her being did not want to do this, not because she wanted to fight any more... but because all of this didn't have to have happened in the first place.

"Oh Sorry." Maple rounded quickly. Nothing but eyes and teeth -the biggest possible smile. "Everybody's friends!"

Maple puts her hoof on the nut, then walks back to the corner ... smile fading with every step.

The moment Maplejack touched the acorn, there was a bright flash of light and it disappeared. Barometz nodded and then sank into the ground, soon leaving no trace. Anchors Away gave a weary sigh. "I...I think we should stop and eat. We'll need our strength before we go exploring the caves more heavily."

CoffeeHorse · Apr 4, 2022

"I do hate to admit that that comes as something of a relief. Thank you, ma'am," said Amber. She was looking rather strangely at her hoof as if expecting to see something of the acorn clinging to it. She held it out and shook it for a moment.

"Rhapsody, dear, might I speak with you for a moment?", she asked, nodding her head to one side.

"Eat something? I'm trying my best not to just throw up!" Static thinks to himself. "Sounds good to me. Could use a rest."

"Alright, I know we've got the basic dried vegetables and oat bars as regular rations but I also requested a skillet be added and...oh. Looking through our stuff, I've got good news and bad news. The good news is that they packed a second Morse code transmitter so we can communicate among the team when split. The bad news is that the box was labeled as 'cooking supplies' so we're stuck with basic rations instead of being able to do anything more fancy. *sigh* Well, at least we got a good meal at Nightmare Heights."

Static sighed. Of course he was fine with basic rations. More or less, it was very much like what he was used to anyway.

Still, he doubted the others would be thrilled. And since the space for better food was giving up to make room for something mostly directed at him...he was anticipating some nasty glares.

Still it made him curious. He set down his Morse code transmitter and took a look. Sure enough, there was a toggle switch between 'HQ' and 'Short Range'. Funny he hadn't seen it before.

He sighed again as he walked over and took a couple ration packs. He walked over to MJ who had secluded herself into a corner. He nudged her a bit with the ration pack.

"Hey, MJ. I'm not exactly hungry after that whole ordeal either, but we really should keep our strength up."

Snowy was worried about Maple (that smile was downright creepy), but left the conversation to Static. Instead, he settled down next to Light Fantastic. "You seem peeved." he comments. "What happened out here?"

Using her wing Maple took the offered pack from Static... whether that was his intent -or if he was merely using it as a prod to motivate her to get up and get her own from the supplies... she wasn't sure.
"Thank you Mr. Signal, not just for this - but for helping me find my way back, I was so scared... but maybe things would be better if I stayed away."
Maple handed the ration pack back to him... "I don't think I could eat right now anyway."

*growling stomach noises*

"Don't get too down on yourself, MJ. There's several of us that bucked it up pretty badly out there today...me most of all." Static sat down next to Maple. "That's when you have to survive the consequences and keep moving. If you're breathing, you're learning." He handed the pack back over to her. "Keep a hold of this in any case. I've never been on a prolonged expedition like this before, but it's hard telling when we'll get another chance to eat."

He opens his own pack and begins to eat. He makes a sour face, but proceeds to eat. "Dang! And I thought the oat bars I got were tasteless! Still, I guess no taste is better than bad taste. Still..." Static takes out one of Maples candies, pops it in his mouth and lets out a heart felt sigh, "glad you came along."

CoffeeHorse · Apr 6, 2022

Maple smiled a tiny little up tilt to the corners of a frown really .. but it was a start.
"Thank you for saying that Mr. Signal."

Static give Maple a hug. Uncharacteristic, he knew. But hug if she didn't look like she needed it right now. "Wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."

"I was just hoping that, for once, we wouldn't have to worry about fighting some pony or something," she said.

She popped a few of the nuts into her mouth.

"That's not too much to ask for, is it?"

She levitated the pack of nuts to Snowy.

"Want some?" she asked.

[Night Cap is too ~~lazy~~ battle weary to get up and can't reach his ration pack from where he lies, so he attempts telekinesis again.]

Static sighs as he stands up. "Scuse me for a minute, MJ. Night Cap's doing that thing again."

Static goes back over to the stash of ration packs, picks one up, walks over to Night Cap and hands it to him. He waves MJ over, remembering that she seems to have gotten to like him as well.

"So...that was impressive. You were the only one out there that made Barometz flinch. Glad you're on our side."

Rhapsody shrugged softly, she was tired and not in the best of mods but trotted along after Amber.

Light Fantastic sighed as she pulled out one of her packs of nuts.

"I was just hoping that, for once, we wouldn't have to worry about fighting some pony or something," she said.

She popped a few of the nuts into her mouth.

"That's not too much to ask for, is it?"

She levitated the pack of nuts to Snowy.

"Want some?" she asked.

"Only if you take some of mine too; We should probably keep to the rationed amounts." Snowy says with a small smile, picking out a cashew and moving his own pack towards her. Cashews did not taste as good as he remembered, but maybe that had to do with the 'trail ration' detail. He thinks for a few moments while doggedly chewing the unappetizing nut. "I don't think we can ever not worry about that. If someone left an artifact dangerous enough that we needed to retrieve it and didn't protect it from the greedy, I'd be even more worried."

Maple put the rations away in her pack, plenty of room now that the sapling was gone. Then went to see what Mr. Night Cap was doing.

"Camera? I'm on my lunch break!"

"You know...I'm half convinced Barometz could have taken a combined shot from all four princesses along with every unicorn in Equestria and still come away from it saying little more than 'ouch, that stung'. Don't fret. You did good."

Amber lofted a pair of the ration packs in their direction and opened one, passing the other to Rhapsody, as they walked away from the group. "I'm - you know that I'm not very well suited to - well, I suppose I should say that I'm somewhat out of practice with - hmm, ah, understanding other ponies, and I suppose it's well understood that an important step in the process is, well, to ask them how they're feeling, and ...." Amber shook her head. "You've been upset since we left Caballuston. I didn't ask you why. I'm sorry for that," Amber said. "I know you were concerned about that package you intercepted, but I don't believe that's the only thing on your mind. What's wrong, Rhapsody?"

Rhapsody huffs softly, not really upset or annoyed its just feels like its been days already. She takes the offered ration pack, but currently wasn't all that hungry so only idly nibbles on the bar. "Originally, it was mostly that. Got rudely awakened by that, had an argument with the pair till I realized what they were doing and ended up putting the brains of the two into restraint while I questioned her. Which lead to the warehouse lead, which wasn't much... maybe because I had been rudely awakened and not at my full senses I couldn't find anyway in on my own, had to... resort to... 'persuading' some of the local dockhoovess to help get me in." She says, deciding not to get into the chaos magic filled musical number, that would likely raise more questions then she was ready to answer currently.

"Of course the commotion is what likely ran them off, and all I found were some business cards and... files..." she blinks realizing that with all that has happened she forgot about the files. "Files... I forgot about them. Need to look them over at some point..." She muses softly before shaking her head and continuing. "Had been kinda worried that those movers or whoever they are working for might try something since they know where my house is, and hoping that Tyberious got the note to the police before anyone else could take the catapult."

"And then there was the flight... yeah... less said about that the better I think..." She huffs and takes a seat for a moment. "Went out for a flight to try and clear my head, Maple ended up finding me. She helped me feel somewhat better. And honestly this day has been a complete disaster as well." She says and shakes her head getting back up. "Honestly, I think I'm probably gonna quit STOMP when we get back. I just don't see this as working out."

Night Cap enjoys his rations pack. It's not the greatest meal by any means. But after so many nights at the inn, it's divine.

CoffeeHorse · Apr 6, 2022

"If you insist," said Light Fantastic, giving Snowy a slight grin.

She took a small bit of the offered rations.

"Oh, today certainly was a disaster," said Amber. "I wouldn't dream of disagreeing. Awful enough to be forced to make such an agreement - never mind being forced to uphold it, and it's quite likely to our best that we're left unable to report the incident to Ms. Iron. But ...." Amber paused. "The flight," Amber repeated. "Rhapsody, do you remember how you felt when you thought Willow Wisp wasn't going to give me a chance? And she was right, you know - I wasn't ready for all of this...."

Snowy continues to chew his nuts until a thought occurs to him. "Barometz meets that requirement for this area, though. If there's anything else down here, I can't imagine there's something else guarding it. So maybe there's still a chance for a nonviolent discovery."

"I don't think any of us are." Rhapsody says with a sigh. "That's part of why I am thinking of quitting. This is a team in only the loosest definition of the word. We are a group of mostly strangers or acquaintances and co-workers. We are lead by someone that doesn't know us, and expects us to be more then we are... and seems to express that constantly." She says and huffs before going though each member in her mind. "Maple's pretty much a kid, and doesn't know better. I like her spirit, but I feel she's in over her head. Misty... I'm not even sure she knows what all is going on half the time... Light seems to keep her distance from most of us, and I don't think she really wants to be here. Static has a lot of issues that I think he needs to work out before he should be in the field. Snowy... I'm not sure what he's all about... Though oddly he's probably the closest thing I'd call a friend on this team, other then you. Night cap is... well... Night Cap and again I don't think we need to go into that... That just leaves us. You're probably the smartest pony on this team, but you have your wobbles, and I try to hard to be protective making me bossy and judgmental. It also means no one seems to like me. Personally, I think you should leave with me, as this 'team' is eventually gonna get itself killed, and I'd rather you not be on it when that happens."

Misty takes her apportioned oat bar and sets it aside, then curls up on the soft grass for a quick catnap. Weathercrafting was hard work, after all.

Amber hesitated. "I don't want you to leave, Rhapsody," she said. "This ... this assignment has not been at all what I expected, but it is still an opportunity I can't afford to lose. With Ms. Flint, and the additional information we're permitted as members of STOMP ... And I was terrified at first, when I realized just what the Keep was asking of us, but ... when you're with me, Rhapsody, I feel invincible. I feel like I can fly," said Amber, breaking into a lopsided grin for a moment. "I want you here with me, love," she said. Frightened at the thought of Rhapsody leaving, Amber nonetheless felt a tickle of excitement, looking up to lock eyes with Rhapsody in an adoring gaze. "Surely the Keep will recognize the mistakes of this expedition - those that we are permitted to tell them about - and assign someone more qualified as team lead in our next assignment," Amber said, stepping in front of Rhapsody and raising a hoof to Rhapsody's chin, grinning at her mischievously.

Static looked around. Snowy was off with Light Fantastic. Amber was off with Rhapsody.

Static sighed. He really wanted to take this opportunity to be with Anchors. But then...she was busy hoofing out rations and he was busy trying to cheer up his two friends. Both very important work.

On the other hoof, the two seemed to be in better spirits anyways. He'd gotten Maple out of her corner. In fact, it seemed to him that it would do Night Cap more good to work on friendships outside him and Snowy. And in a strange way, it seemed to him that getting to know Night Cap and his unique view of the world would do Maple some good as well.

"Well...there's something I've been meaning to do. I trust you two will be okay here?"

He walks over to Anchors. "Hey there, beautiful!" Please don't chew me out. Please don't chew me out. Please don't chew me out.

Light popped a few more nuts into her mouth.

"I really hope so," she said.

"Mr. Signal is a bit odd isn't he Mr. Night Cap... but I think that may be what the keep looks for when building these teams." Maple said to Night Cap, after Static was out of ear shot.

"Mr. Signal is a bit odd isn't he Mr. Night Cap... but I think that may be what the keep looks for when building these teams." Maple said to Night Cap, after Static was out of ear shot.

"He's doing as well as could be expected. This is just what happens when untrained civvies get sent into these situations. It's rough out here. The Keep really ought to look into some kind of training program. It turns out I've been hauling around an extra receiver for Static's machine all day. I don't even know how to use the thing."

CoffeeHorse · Apr 6, 2022

Rhapsody looks to Amber with a soft smile. "Probably, but I doubt it would be me, as I think you are implying. Maybe put Night Cap in charge, everyone seems to like him anyway." She huffs.

"Mr. Cap is eccentric and difficult to predict, but very friendly. I don't think it's surprising for a harmless and inoffensive little stallion like him to be well liked," said Amber. "That ghastly creature with the wand seemed to confuse respect with fear. I don't think we would do well to confuse respect with being well-liked. An expedition of this nature requires a leader with some strength, Rhapsody. Someone with some determination." Amber began to nuzzle her head against Rhapsody's neck.

"Maybe they think we'll learn under pressure."

"I don't want to talk about what all Barometz can and can't withstand while we're still out here in the swamp. Sorry I haven't said much, just trying to get my head together. As much as I'd like to split up so we can explore the caves faster, I feel like we should all stick together. Besides, we're filming stuff and only have one camera. I sorta want to apologize for how poorly everything has gone so far but hopefully the worst is behind us. We...we need to work as a team. I know we're rough around the edges and there's some tension between a few of you have some tensions between you but I think we can still pull this off. Put it like this, for as powerful as Barometz is, we're still standing. We can do this. So um...group hug?"

Anchors Away chuckled a little at Static Signal's comment but sounded a little weary. "Hey. How are you holding up?"

"Hurtin' plenty, but like I told Maple, if you're breathin' you're learnin'," Static nuzzled her a tad. "I...I don't know what to say, honestly. Between Static and Anchors, I'd like to forget about this day and maybe reminisce about some of our moments back at the keep...you know, non-embarrassing moments like...when we first met!"

"Thing is...between team member and team leader, I feel I owe you an explanation of what happened out there."

"maybe don' tell Mr. Static that... he seems to worry about you jumping off a cliff trying to fly." [/COLOR]Maple grinned... picturing the look on everypony's face when he actually figured it out.

Maple shrugged. "You'll have to ask Miss Monsoon or Miss Rhapsody, I don't remember."

Anchors Away sat up a little more professionally than her previous casual posture. "Just what happened out here?"

"Ponyfeathers!" Static Mumbled. "I was kinda hoping you choose reminiscing." Static took a deep breath, stood up and put a professional amount of distance between himself and Anchors.

"Well, it all started when I cut some vine samples for Maple...I didn't know it was sentient at this point. Well, it showed itself and demanded we leave by the count of three...implication being that something not nice would happen to us if we were still here after that.

"It stopped before it hit one for some reason. Maple seemed the least surprised of us...so...I'm assuming...but maybe ask her what happened with that? In any case, Maple and I were able to talk to it. We tried to reason with him. We proposed that if he just let everyone inside the cave go, I would film a warning from him that no pony should ever set hoof here again."

"We were in a stale mate. No matter what we offered, he wasn't about to let any of you go. You...you understand that right? We were trying to be reasonable. We were trying to come up with something mutually beneficial. Just...we wanted him to let you go and we'd all leave him alone."

"But he simply wasn't agreeing. He was dead set against letting any of you go."

"So...so I tried to force his hand. I tried to threaten him to either except our mutually beneficial offer...or I would call in an air-strike."

"I didn't think I was bluffing. For a museum that has its own weather team, it's own exploration team that 'doesn't exist'...I'd have thought...well...never mind what I thought. Obviously, under pressure, thinking isn't my strong suit. The point is...needless to say...Barometz wasn't impressed."

"It took one hit from him before all of us knew we were in trouble. Night Cap actually managed to hurt it. He stung Barometz long enough for me to apologize...profusely. That seemed to settle him down, leaving us at square one. That's when you all escaped from the caves and you know the rest."

"So basically...I bucked up. I let my fear get to me. I...I was afraid I was going to lose you and there was nothing I could do and I...I bucked up. And I nearly got all of us killed in the process."

CoffeeHorse · Apr 6, 2022

Static couldn't look Anchors in the eyes any more. She hated him. After all this, she had to hate him. He choked on a lump in his throat, but refused to let it show. He just stood there, waiting for her to rip into him.

"Mr. Cap is eccentric and difficult to predict, but very friendly. I don't think it's surprising for a harmless and inoffensive little stallion like him to be well liked," said Amber. "That ghastly creature with the wand seemed to confuse respect with fear. I don't think we would do well to confuse respect with being well-liked. An expedition of this nature requires a leader with some strength, Rhapsody. Someone with some determination." Amber began to nuzzle her head against Rhapsody's neck.

Rhapsody huffs softly as Amber comments on why ponies would like Night Cap, its obvious she's still not fond of him. but she doesn't say anything. "He's a plant, pretty much bottom of the food chain, and now he's a plant with power. Of course he's gonna consider power and intimidation to be enough, because that's what it lacked previously. Ponies aren't scared or cautious about plants unless they are hostile creatures like Timber Wolves, or can have some kind of effect on us like Poison Joke. Even if it has a host in there, the wand is likely the controlling influence in there. We could have lost Willow to the Wand of the North Wind if I hadn't reacted as quick as I did, so I'm willing to take a creature seriously if they are in possession of one, and I knew as soon as I seen him that was the case when we didn't find the wand in the chest next to its scroll." She states and shakes her head realizing she's getting off topic.

"I'm not even sure they even respect me, and a team will always be more willing to follow a leader they like." She comments and nuzzles back softly. "We will see how things go, personally I'm not sure exploring these caves are even worth it at this point. There better be something damn good down there, for all that this team just went through." Even if she didn't know the full story, she'd seen the state of the others and could guess that things had been pretty heavy before she and the others arrived.

Anchors Away sat quietly and thought. After about a minute of silence, she gently placed a hoof on Static Signal's chest. "I don't like what you did...but I get why you did it. I think this team was made a team too soon. Everypony seems to have potential that they haven't quite hit yet. Brisk Iron wouldn't have put the team together if she didn't think we could do it, which is kind of a weird compliment when you think about it. I know Steel Flint and the Chief Director have sometimes disagreed on when somepony is ready. There's also the problem that keeping things secret tends to throw off expectations. I...I think I may need to bring the whole group into this discussion. Mind if I do that?"

Static was taken aback. Why was she not yelling at him? Her touch...so gentle. But...after how badly he screwed up...how could she possibly...?

Static nodded at her question.

Yeah...yeah sure. You want me to go get Rhapsody and Amber? I...kinda feel like there's something I should say to Rhapsody too. She...really saved us there. Barometz really listened to her when he wouldn't listen to anyone else. I guess...given our argument on the ride here...I'd kinda like to be the one to tell her how much I appreciate that she was there.

"Yes, I agree, it's impossible to know if the wand's user had any unpleasant intentions at all after what Ms. Wisp experienced," said Amber. "The Wand of the North Wind was only frightened. Barometz was ... is ... a very serious threat."

She turned away for a moment. "I only hope that the rest of the expedition goes smoothly. Information about the caves will be valuable, and we will still be able to report that there is a threat in this region to be avoided. I suppose that's what Barometz wants," Amber added with a scowl.

"Rhapsody - I do think the others will turn around with time, if you can show them just a little trust. Just like Ms. Wisp did with me," said Amber. "I know that you don't trust Mr. Cap - I'm not sure that I do either, but - we must work as a team." Amber rested her head against Rhapsody's shoulder. "Your team," she added quietly.

CoffeeHorse · Apr 6, 2022

"Do you feel okay Mr. Night Cap, even before I got sent away I wasn't really paying attention to what happened once Mr. Signal and Miss Spark took over negotiations... you look a little ... um ..." Maple didn't know a lot of bad words, and none of the once she'd heard since joining the team -Mostly from Mr. Signal ... seemed all that appropriate for what she wanted to express. Maybe Mr. Night Cap would understand without her having to cuss...

Anchors Away nodded in response to Static Signal's comment, waving him on to go speak with Rhapsody and Amber Spark.

Static nodded and walked over to where he saw Amber and Rhapsody walk away. It didn't take long for him to find him.

"Hey, guys. Sorry to interrupt a moment, but Anchors is calling a meeting."

Static hesitated before continuing.

"Umm...Rhapsody? I...I know we don't always see eye to eye on everything...vehemently...don't see eye to eye."

"I just...I wanted you to know that...today...I bucked up. I...I really bucked up. You were right. I let my emotions get the better of me...again. And a lot of those ponies I call my friends nearly died because of it...because of me."

"But you...you were so calm and collected through out the whole thing. You knew exactly what to do. Buck! Barometz actually listended to you. When he wouldn't listen to any of the rest of us, he listened to you."

"You...you saved us all. Thanks."

Static glanced to Amber and then back to Rhapsody. He snorted derisively at himself

"Buck! You know, I used to wonder what she saw in you? I...I think I understand now."

Static let out a long weary sigh.

"Anyway...Anchors is waiting."

Rhapsody nods some and adds "The Wand of the North Wind, frightened or not, was still a very serious threat as well. But that is sort of the point, there is a level of understanding with these items. The Wand of Incomparible Green might not be frightened, but it also doesn't seem to want to actively hurt anyone. Even if it hates all non-plantlife, Barometz is content to remain here, alone and mythical. It's not just gonna attack without reason."

"Killing us, or any pony, would be a short term solution to a long term problem. Somepony goes missing, and its gonna raise some kind of awareness but probably no pony would investigate to deeply unless it was somepony of real importance... but enough people go missing, important or not, and ponies are going to start actively investigating as its harder to brush off. Which means more coming to the swamp, killing those would only send a message that SOMETHING is here, but that just means future investigations would be more heavily armed and it becomes a war of escalation, eventually it would reach a point he wouldn't be able to control. I think on some level... Barometz knows this. That is why it doesn't want to kill, and is more content to try and scare ponies away through various means. Different set of ideas and rumors start there, and if maybe the rare pony goes missing at the very least it wouldn't raise the same kind of attention. So we get what we want with exploring the caves, and it gets what it wants by spreading knowledge that something is out here, and that it wants to be left alone. Of course having to report back on any other wands, could be the biggest drawback to the whole deal..."

She smiles softly to Amber. "I'll tell you what I told Static, I don't have to like somepony to do my job. Even if I hate them, even if they are the enemy; I don't want to see ponies dying if I can help it. That wouldn't change if I were to be leader, I am sure he can be useful... somehow... Maybe find away to put it ability to run from everything to good use..."

It was about this time that Static approached them. She huffs as she looks to him sternly. "Its not so easy is it? I've spent years trying to temper my emotions, to focus them when they can be used for good and not act on things. I'm not perfect on that, and I don't expect any pony to be. You've only recently found something, somepony, to live for. You've got a lot to work on and sort out. I am sure you will get better in time, I just hope this team has that much time to give." That last bit wasn't a comment against Static, but her view of the team as a whole. The team was very like to collapse under its own weight, and that could get somepony killed if things didn't improve for team relations.

Before Static can walk off, Rhapsody speaks up again. "But you are wrong about one thing, I wasn't calm. If I appeared calm and collected, its only because I needed to put on a strong front for dealing with Barometz. I was nervous and frustrated. I yelled at most of you to try and keep you all from making matters worse. Tensions were high, and it probably could have been handled better. The main reason I was able to find some kind of common ground with it is I just tend to be VERY good when it comes to perception..." She says and then pauses before adding "It also helps that I have some experience with the previous wand... if I didn't know Barometz was a wand user, things might have been different. I knew there was potential for communication... it hadn't killed you guys, and it didn't immediately attack us when we exited the cave. Also there was the comments about Maple being sent away for showing kindness. It was a matter of noticing what fragments where there and assembling them into something workable. I honestly didn't know if it would work, and I had been running through potential backup plans if that failed... I'm just glad I didn't have to use any of them, as I was even less sure of any of them working."

"Anyways, I suppose we should go see what Anchors wants. Lets go, Amber."

CoffeeHorse · Apr 6, 2022

The matter of being bound to return to Barometz to share Keep secrets did indeed seem to be the biggest "drawback" - they'd all joined in, what was Static's word for it, double agency today whether they liked it or not - but Amber said nothing and nodded as Rhapsody spoke, heartened by her determination even if her methods were not quite what Amber might have preferred. As Static approached, Amber smiled, first at Static, then at Rhapsody with a slight suggestive cock of the head, see, I told you, and listened as Rhapsody explained her decision. She smiled as Rhapsody called her along.

"Yes, ma'am," she said, and followed the two of them back to Anchors.

As the others returned, Anchors Away cleared her throat to make an announcement. "Alright...I think earlier we might have gotten off on the wrong hoof. I see potential in the group but we might have been put together too soon. But...we were put together. Brisk Iron sees something in us, even if we don't. I...I think we can still do the rest of the exploration. Think of this--nopony could have predicted Barometz, we weren't put together with that in mind, and yet we're still standing. Most ponies couldn't say that."

"I think the argument on the air ferry might turn out to be a good thing. Airing some of the tension lets us know there's stuff that needs to be fixed so we can improve. I mean, I now know I need to speak up if I'm supposed to be team leader. With that, I'm making a decision. Misty, you and Rhapsody are to switch places and Rhapsody is to lead that team. Rhapsody and Static may have butted heads earlier but they've worked together before. Likewise, I've known Misty for a while. This shouldn't be an issue with how Brisk Iron split the teams since it's still swapping a pegasus for a pegasus. I also want us to try to avoid splitting up while we're in the cave. It allows us to watch each other's backs and besides, we've only got one camera. Anypony have any questions or suggestions?"

Spoiler

"Yeah, the team you're on isn't changing. Amber is still the team lead."

"If we are making changes, shouldn't Maple and Light be exchanged? That way Amber's team has a pegasus and we have a magic user so the teams are a bit more balanced? I've no real problem with the who's on which team, but the doubling up seems odd when we've more or less got an even split between the tribes."

"I've been wondering about that the whole way here. It's really not how Brisk Iron sets teams up. I guess it makes sense. Alright, here's the new teams. Team 1 is me, Snowy, and Misty. Team 2 is Rhapsody, Light, and Static. Team 3 Amber, Night, and Maple."

Maple helps Night Cap stand up... and listens to Anchor's words again in her head as she starts walking toward the cave.

"Good, so we can finish the bucking mission now?" Maple said, not so much asking any pony in particular...

Stepping up to Maple's side, Amber half-frowned. "The enthusiasm is appreciated, Ms. Jack, but do maintain some professionalism. It isn't becoming to resort to such language."

Maple looked across her snout at Amber... without turning her head to fully acknowledge the unicorn.
"I thought about using Mr. Static's ponyfeathers but.. Maple buzzed her wings a little ... that seems a little racist, and a bit silly for me to say."

"Yes, quite."

Static's eyes widened in horror hearing that word come from Maples mouth.

"Rumps!" he muttered. "Umm, MJ...just a thought...I may not be the kind of pony you want to emulate."

Static rubbed his temples wearily. "And maybe we should get a bu...a swear jar."

"Sweet merciful Luna, can't I just keep one bad habit? Just...just one?"

"Or a cuss can... two bits a buck." Maple mumbled.

"This expedition's going to give me an aneurysm." Static takes out one of the candies Maple had given to him earlier and force feeds it to her. "No more swearing. If you want to see me as some sort of role-model, your bu...you're crazy! Even I don't want to be like me!"

Static sighs as he gets his equipment back on his back and starts looks ready to move out. "Shall we? We probably lost enough time as it is dealing with Barometz and the wasps."

Misty noms her oat bar and ponders the new team arrangement. She's slightly disappointed that she doesn't get to be on the same team as Maplejack anymore, but on the bright side, she does get to be on a team with Anchors and Snowy. And anyways, that was only if they had to split the party, which might not happen. Everything was all good.

She swallows the last bit of oat bar. "I'm ready, let's go!"

"Simply capital!" said Amber, smiling. "Well, Mr. Cap, Miss Jack. Shall we?"

Light Fantastic finished off her pack of nuts and stood up.

"I'm ready as well," she said.

Spitting out a mouthful of hoof dirt, Maple manages to keep the candy from flying out her lips.
"You don't have to be rude Static." Maple nods at each of the ponies who acknowledged their readiness.
"After you Amber." Maple used her wings to tighten the straps on her pack.

Maple had bad moods. You learn something new every day.

Snowy nods, standing up little straighter. "Forward." He says simply.

With everypony geared up and ready, the STOMP team all entered the cave. Navigating the descending tunnel, they eventually arrived at the three split tunnels and Anchors Away waved for everypony to head right. Soon they came to the cavern with the large lake and the cage-like formation of ferns. "We were down here before but we didn't get a chance to really take notes. With everypony down here, I want to research as much as we can. Misty, you and I will check the lake to see if there's any underwater passages."

Static started to take footage of the area. He lowered his camera before getting to the fern cages, though.

"Hey, Anchors. Should I take footage of that? It seems to be a bit of evidence of us being here...possibly even of Barometz's existence. Average viewer probably wouldn't know what it is if they saw it, but still."

"Alright!" Misty gives Anchors a determined salute and plunges into the water like a diving seabird.

"Film the room but don't don't put the chest in any of the shots. Should be easy since the chest will be with us instead of up in that cage thing."

"Simple enough!"

Static continues filming.

Anchors Away dived in after Misty Monsoon and they began exploring the underground lake.

Spoiler

CoffeeHorse · Apr 11, 2022

Misty swims around underwater, checking out anything that might look unusual. It's not easy to see in the cave's low-light conditions, but she does her best.

Spoiler

Static films the cavern. When he first heard they'd be exploring caves, he wasn't sure what he'd be doing. After all, weren't all caves mostly just stone...maybe some crystal here and there? How could anypony actually make a decent documentary about something like that?

Still, drawing upon the training the Keep had given him, and given the very nature of this particular cave, he hoped to be pleasantly surprised.

Spoiler

Amber cast a light from her horn and began focusing it along the walls, looking for anything out of the ordinary - or at least, what seemed likely to be ordinary for a crystal cave. She gradually dimmed the light away so as not to jar anyone with sudden flicking on and off, then lifted her notebook to record some rough shapes of what she was seeing.

Spoiler

Much like Night Cap, Rhapsody had little interest in these caves now and especially this one... She idly looks around, not really looking for anything in particular.

Spoiler

Maple might have not been in the best of moods but she wasn't down here to half rump the mission. Having watched the plant live change on their way down... she found a few things growing here that were to be expected - And...

Spoiler

Just as she thought... algae. Growing on the the edges of damp crystals... Taking a small chunk of crystal up off of the ground Maple put it in a jar ...

"Amber, could I borrow that horn of yours.... just to test a theory before we go any further." Maple thought it odd that the algae was only growing on the crystals and not the more rocky portions of the cave...
"Could you Zap this crystal with that light spell you were just using... this might be Bio-luminous algae all over these crystals... needless to say if we can light this place up a little it would make exploring much easier."

Light Fantastic whipped out her camera and began to take pictures of anything that looked interesting.

"Cameras need good lighting, right?" Snowy says, while Static erects his projector. He focuses, and the light on the tip of his horn grows brighter, and then slowly detaches from the horn, floating between him and Static. He looks up at the powerball, experimentally trying to reflect and focus it's light in one direction or another.

Spoiler

"Oh Mr. Skies that's wonderful... I don't suppose I could maybe use that instead of having Amber do a similar spell." Maple moves over to where the male unicorn is standing... "if these crystals are the 'food' source for the algae, proximity to the spell should be enough to show a reaction."

Spoiler
Zam

The various attempts to light the cavern were filtering through the lake and reflecting off the numerous underwater crystals. The caustics gently illuminated the water, allowing Misty Monsoon to discover an underwater tunnel. The tunnel was under the shore where the rest of the team was so it wouldn't have been seen from the land. Swimming through this tunnel, Anchors Away and Misty Monsoon found an air pocket that formed a small room. Numerous crystals jutted out of the walls and the area was lit by a similar glowing fern as the other room. However, this one didn't form any sort of specific shape.

Meanwhile, various members of the STOMP team collaborated with assisting with filming the other cavern. Static Signal saw how the crystals were amplifying the light. It wasn't the same occurrence as the films of the crystal caves beneath Canterlot. At least part of this variance was due to the algae Maplejack discovered. It seemed to eagerly glow in response to the light of the unicorn magic.

Spoiler

CoffeeHorse · Apr 11, 2022

"My apologies, Miss Jack, I was distracted," said Amber. She trotted up to Maple's side. "Bioluminescence is such a curious phenomenon, isn't it?" she said, projecting a beam of light from her horn onto the patch of algae.

"that's okay Amber." Maple said. As she trotted over to Static.
"Here you go Static, this should help with filming." she says as she puts the glowing jar on the equipment

Light Fantastic cheerfully took Static's suggestions to heart. Admittedly, she was more skilled in dancing than in photography.

Unsatisfied with the shots he's getting, Static backs away from the camera, trying to get a bit more distance between him and the area. "That's another thing, Light. Take a step back every once in a while. It's easy to get caught up in right's in front of you that you fail to see the bigger canvas you're working with. For instance..." Static adjusts his camera and continues filming.

Spoiler

Misty pops her head above the water's surface and takes a deep breath. She looks all around at the room they'd just found.

Spoiler

Now that he was getting the hang of controlling the powerball, Snowy didn't have to look at it all the time, so he could inspect the areas he was illuminating.

Spoiler

Smiling at the jar and Maple's ingenuity, Amber took another look at a nearby wall. "Hmm. I suppose we should collect a sample of the crystal for analysis as well, don't you? I'm sure that Ms. Sard would be interested to give it a look. Does anypony have a chipping tool of some kind? Most of what I have with me is intended for metalworking, and these crystals could be quite resilient," said Amber.

"Well, I should hope we have something. We were told everything we needed should be packed.

"By the way, does it strike anypony else as odd that we're supposed to keep others away...meanwhile here I am shooting a documentary trying to make this look like a perfect vacation spot?"

"That's on you, Static." Snowy says, dimming his lighting considerably. "You've got to tell me if you want this place to look like a miserable hell-swamp."

"Just make it look like a cave then." "You could always edit one version for the public and another for the keep archive." Maple said over her shoulder on her way back from Static to Amber.

"The piece I found was on the ground, but I did pack a combination shovel/pickaxe...there are usually stubborn rocks that need taken out of any garden." Maple reached into her pack and handed out to Amber the tool she'd need, perhaps she wanted to get a particular sized piece to study.

"It would be easier if the Keep had told us what they were expecting. 'Go film a cave.' No mention of what we were looking for or..."

Static sighs deeply. "Just...I guess keep it lit as well as you can. I can add filters in the editing process to make it look as dreary or as chipper as the situation warrants."

"Just...I guess I understand still wanting to take plant and mineral samples of the area for scientific purposes. But I don't know what they expect me to make a documentary of if our whole aim is to not rouse interest."

"Yeah, just keep it lit as well as you can. I'll have to decide the mood during editing and add filters accordingly."

Static continues to film. But if the shiny luster of field work had been tarnished before with the wasps and Barometz, it was competely gone now with the realization that all his camera work may have to go for naught.

"We're here investigating something nopony has seen before... how would they know what to tell you to look for?"

Maple rolled her eyes... and wondered if she should go return the favor and stick her hoof in Static's mouth to prevent him from saying any more silly things.

Static sighed and put the camera nudged the camera more over to Night Cap's view. He'd already gotten what he needed...or at least as much as he figured he could get of this particular room. "Look through here to frame your shot. Press this button to record. Press it again to stop. This lever here, push it to the left to zoom in, right to zoom out. The further you push it, the faster it goes. So easy does it. Slow movements."

Static took a few steps away and sat down exhausted. Let Night Cap have his fun. Static still had plenty of film to shoot the rest of the nothing they were sure to find.

Buttons and levers! My hard work in the department has paid off."Sweet. I'll try to make the department proud."Night Cap gives the camera a try. Surprisingly, he seems to know exactly what he's doing.

Spoiler

The more Maple thought about it, she wondered if a mouth full of algae covered hoof would even slow Static's complaining down.

"Honestly, I feel the same way as Static on this. I really don't see the point in exploring these caves now, and we probably should have gotten out when he had the chance to."

Well that did it... Equestria had turned upside down. Rhapsody wanting to run away and Mr. Night Cap scoring the only major blow in a fight.

"I need to wash off this goop, I volunteer to go check on Anchors and Miss Monsoon." Maple dove into the water, not nearly as gracefully as the to previous ponies... but at least the water muffled the moaning.

[IC] Equestrian Radio Show's Adventure Variety Hour: Explorers of STOMP

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

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Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

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Exhausted, but still standing.