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

[CoffeeHorse]

Spoiler

"Just go to the side and push it open... I'll make a kick motion with my hoof... the only way they'd know you were involved at all is if you tell them."

---

"Yeeeeah, maybe I didn't make myself clear. I have faced a squad of COIN members. I have faced down Dazzling Midnight...TWICE! I have faced an ancient Anugypt princess that possessed an entire ballet company and its audience. I've faced that which we can not speak its name. I have face a horde of cuckarockas..."

"I am not...am...NOT...risking a face off with a grumpy, pre-morning coffee Rhapsody! Kick the door down if you will. I'll be over here."

---

<_< "My hero."

Maple set the items back down and went back to her room to wait out the five minutes. .. Not sure what the Brave Stallion was planning to do then that he obviously wasn't willing to do now.

---

As time ticked on, Static huffed. They did have a job to do, after all. He waved Maple into the hall way with a slightly annoyed, yet still grinning look on his face.

"I'M SORRY MAPLE," he yelled at the top of his lungs. "IT WAS SOME REALLY GREAT COFFEE, BUT IT WAS GOING COLD. I DIDN'T THINK YOU'D WANT ANY, SO NIGHT CAP AND I PRETTY MUCH HAD TO DRINK THE REST OF IT JUST SO IT WOULDN'T GO TO WASTE. SUCH A SHAME RHAPSODY AND AMBER DIDN'T GET ANY. IT REALLY WAS GREAT COFFEE!!!!"

He lowered his voice to a whisper as he turned back to Maple. "If she kills me, I'm blaming you."

---

It was pretty much true, Rhapsody wasn't a morning mare. She usually had an alarm clock or a persistent bat to get her out of bed. Not even Celestia's sun could be of help with the closed heavy curtains keeping the room as dark as possible, such like how the night mare prefers it. Its only at the yelling and commotion that her ears perk up a bit. with a Woosh the doors burst open. "I heard something about coffee."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Maple envisioned herself pounding a hole in the wall with her face... like a wood pecker. She thought there had to be a lama fraternity out there somewhere that was using Static as a Mascot... that was a thing right... Drama Lama Lambda.

"You just could have opened the door... whatever happens is on you, I'm having no part of any blame." Maple said.

"Good Morning Rhapsody." Maple added pointing a hoof toward the cart with the waiting coffee and oatmeal

---

"You just could have opened the door... whatever happens is on you, I'm having no part of any blame."

Static stuck his tongue out at Maple. Maybe not very professional, but Maple seemed to have that affect on him some times.

It was pretty much true, Rhapsody wasn't a morning mare. She usually had an alarm clock or a persistent bat to get her out of bed. Not even Celestia's sun could be of help with the closed heavy curtains keeping the room as dark as possible, such like how the night mare p! refers it. Its only at the yelling and commotion that her ears perk up a bit. with a Woosh the doors burst open. "I heard something about coffee."

Static handed Rhapsody a cup of coffee. "There's also some oatmeal if you want it.

---

"Static was worried about being smashed like a boulder... and then the dust being Zapped by Miss Spark... or maybe zapped then turned to gravel ... either way, Miss Rhapsody...Maybe you'd best see if Amber wants Breakfast right now."

Maple said... as she ignored Static's juvenile taunt.

---

"You used to be fun," Static said with a pout at Maples berating.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"It...can...be? Maybe?"

"Usually it's when you expect things to be that simple that you need to be even more ready for a nasty surprise."

---

Rhapsody narrows her eyes at both Static and Maple. "Act your ages, and cut the juvenile treatment to each other." She states bitterly. "This is not the time nor place to be acting like little foals." She still didn't trust any of this, and these two showing a lack of professionalism when they were very much behind enemy lines wasn't doing them any favors.

As Amber arrives and speaks up Rhapsody smiles faintly. "No Love, It is never that simple. Especially for us." She states as she gets her coffee.

---

Static snaps to attention. "Yes ma'am! Sorry ma'am! Too much coffee ma'am!" He leaned over to Maple in a whisper. "Told ya so."

---

Deeming it safe to rejoin the conversation, Misty pipes up. "I dunno... everything's been going pretty good since we got here, it doesn't feel like anything bad's gonna happen?"

---

"Ready Quill tends to keep things tidy so space should still be available. However, I will be sleeping on a cloud so that's at least some space that won't be taken up." Brisk Iron said to Snowy Skies.

As time passed, the members of the STOMP team at Nightmare Heights ate and then went to bed. When morning came, Brisk Iron promptly woke them up with a warm breakfast and a not quite as warm expression. "You have ten minutes."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"We could be held captive to another Grape Vine lecture," said Amber. "I do think I'd rather prefer a firefight at this juncture."

---

"Let's see, our first expedition had us dealing with pretty much a living blizzard, after that a simple night at the opera ended up with us fighting an undead queen... Oh, and how about that simple trip to the swamp? That went great, remember?" Rhapsody states with false cheer before sipping her coffee. "Least they actually know how to make it here." She muses mostly to herself. "Don't let looks fool you, just becuase it seems simple, seems nice... because we are involved... something is likely to happen."

---

"Don't let my sunny disposition and kind words fool you, Static said in a whisper lest anypony might be listening. "I have the same suspicions you do. But that's probably all the more reason to play it nice...so we can learn as much about them as they learn about us before the fireworks start."

---

The scent of breakfast reached Scarlets nose as he slept on his own cloud, alerting his brain to the presence of food. Opening his eyes, Scarlet looked around blearily and stretched.

You have ten minutes.

Scarlet jerked in surprise, lost his balance, and toppled backwards off the cloud. His wings flared out to slow his descent and allow him too... Slam face first into the ground with only mild force.

"Good. Morning," his muffled voice called as he waved a hoof in the general direction of the others.

---

"If the second group is acting as a cover for the first... if they succeed in getting away with anything it will make it hard to figure out what Casino's group took." Maple pipes up from the back.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Good. Morning," his muffled voice called as he waved a hoof in the general direction of the others.

"Good morning to you, too!" Snowy says, trotting out of Town Hall. He was chewing on a few pieces of dried fruit. He felt great. The fizzing was gone, his muscles weren't sore, and everything was so, so...brightly colored!

---

Pulling himself together, Scarlet got back to his feet. Shaking his head, he walked over to Snowy Skies, giving him a searching look.

"Yesterday you were dead on your hooves. This morning you're not just back to full strength. You are literally buzzing. You recover fast Snowy Skies."

Collecting his ow breakfast, Scarlet settled down to eat.

"So, what can we expect inside this cave system in the swamp Mr. Skies?"

---

Static looked to Rhapsody and Flairvoyent. "Two groups of robbers...Ms. Iron prepared to have us split into two groups. Plans?"

---

"We might split but we need to be careful not to spread ourselves too thin, especially if this other group is rather large." "First Ivory, you and the Keep ponies continue to the bank. I'll head to the city gates and shut down the city." Grape Vine leaped out of the carriage and raced off as the ponies pulling the carriage started back up with renewed urgency. Flairvoyant was suddenly attentive as her ears twitched. "Listen, does anypony else hear that? It almost sounds like a train...but it's coming from the wrong direction." "What I wanna know which clowns are slacking off. There's dark clouds in da sky but Boss Vine didn't order any rain today."

---

"Yesterday you were dead on your hooves. This morning you're not just back to full strength. You are literally buzzing. You recover fast Snowy Skies."

Snowy shrugs. He had not been questioning his good fortune. "I can't say this wasn't the first time I tried a stunt like that, but it's not an altogether unique experience. Your body gets used to it."w

"Indeed, Mr. Skies. More information should help things go much smoother.", Splash Flaunt said as she stood there with a small pack, ready to go.

Some part of his brain nattered about the indignity of having to answer the same question two days in a row, but he ignored it. "Without Barometz, it's a pretty normal cave system. Like the caves beneath Caballuston, parts of it are submerged; I think it's linked to the lake in the swamp. There are three branching paths. One leads to the flooded portion. One leads to a chasm with some reflective stone, but the entrance across the chasm is caved in now. I've never been down the third path, but I'm hoping to find a particular puzzle chest. It's about yeigh big, it's covered in symbols, and it has two metal bands encircling the middle. We found one in each of the other pathways, and they combine to form an incomplete diagram." Was there anything else to add? "...I can provide light, but torches are probably a good idea in case we get separated. Some of the walls have fluorescent plants growing on them, so that should help."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Understood. I have reasonable enough night vision but I always keep a glowing shell in my equipment just in case. Pending on situation it may be best for Mr. Spectrum to use it instead of I."

---

"One of us should keep an Eye on Boss Vine... this could all be a distraction to orchestrate a take-over." Maple offered, seeing that she was quickly going to be out of sight.

---

First Ivory scowled at Rhapsody. "I'd pipe down I were youse. Boss Vine gives youse museum ponies all of this stuff only to try to say she's guilty?"

---

"Well... I'll be right back... you all figure out who's guilty of what whenever... but she's moving fast..."

Maple took to the air ... hopefully without objection to her volunteering.

Spoiler

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"Yeah, doesn't make sense. If she didn't want to turn it over to us, why make the promise in the first place?"

Static shook his head. "Besides, if she meant to spring a trap on us, she could've done it last night in so many ways."

[Also not a good idea to besmirch a major benefactor right in front of her mooks!]

Static shook his head again. "I'm sorry, Rhapsody. I'm not saying I haven't had alarms going off in my head ever since we got here...but there's too many pieces missing to accuse anypony at the moment."

"And it doesn't matter right now anyway. Right now we have a robbery in progress. I vote we fight now and blame later."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Grape Vine briefly glanced over her shoulder at Maplejack but didn't slow her stride at all. "What are you doing? Shouldn't you be with your friends?"

---

"They've saved the day without me before... besides, It's Dangerous to go alone." Maple yelled.

---

"Well, if you're coming with me you better keep up."

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---

Spoiler

Needing to do just that, Maple thought about all she'd learned about flying since she got transferred. Images of all her training flashed in her minds eye... but oddly what struck her most profoundly was the memory of that brief flight with Static...

I hovered there with a fully grown Pony in my arms, I'm like a little bit strong I guess.
Spoiler
With a few quick flicks of her wingtips on the rear most arc of her flapping- Maple loosened her Saddle bag. Fortunately the incoming storm was creating warm updrafts as it rolled in on the town... using this to her advantage maple climbed up... and at the apex of her rise... unfastened her pack. as it fell Maple spun up and tucked her wings going into a deep fast dive.

With her eyes on Boss Vine Maple fell like a rocket powered stone ... running headfirst into her Saddle bag ..it quickly absorbed into her hair.

the regained mass added to the new velocity... If the wind hadn't already pushed her lips back off of her teeth ..Maple guessed she'd have been smiling.

---

"If we adjust the frequency, we should be able to reach the Caballuston police station."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static huffs. "We really should be getting to the bank. There's a robbery in progress!"

Defeated, he gets his transmitter out and finds the frequency dial. "Okay, well...for one thing, what's the frequency? For another...what's the message? We're kinda far from home to hope for backup!"

---

"Listen, does anypony else hear that? It almost sounds like a train...but it's coming from the wrong direction." "What I wanna know which clowns are slacking off. There's dark clouds in da sky but Boss Vine didn't order any rain today."

Sounds like a train?

Dark clouds in the sky?

Hmmm.

Sounds like a train... dark clouds in the sky...

Dark clouds in the sky... sounds like a train...

Not good!

"Aaaaaaaaaah!" Misty suddenly makes a flying exit from the carriage and immediately scans the sky, looking for ominous weather formations.

Spoiler

---

It took a while to focus but Misty Monsoon saw that far off to the west of city limits was an out of control tornado that was rapidly approaching Petrichor Falls!

---

Misty makes a beeline for the tornado, moving as quick as she can.

"Wait! I need to tell the others!" she thinks out loud. Stopping very briefly, she frantically searches her saddlebag for Snowy's magic snack. Once found, she takes off again, speaking her two-word message into the bugle as she goes. "Tornado coming!" *crunch crunch* "Mmmm..."

Spoiler

---

Static nods.

STATIC FROM THE KEEPS EXPEDITION TEAM REPORTING FROM PETRICHOR FALLS. TEAM OF BANK ROBBERS ON RUN FROM PETRICHOR FALLS. POSSIBLY TARGETING KEEP. BE ON ALERT. TEAM MAY BE DELAYED RETURNING.​

"Well, the message is sent. Now lets get our plots in gear and get to the bank so we can help stop..."

"Tornado coming!"

"...pony feathers!"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Amber hated to admit it to herself, but while Rhapsody was right, Static was right, too; they'd simply have to fight to the bottom of this. She winced at the message.

"That won't be a coincidence, either," she said. "Let's get going!" she shouted, making eye contact with Night Cap and Rhapsody and taking a few galloping strides down the street, before looking around to see if anypony looked like they had some idea of where the bank might be.

---

The STOMP team soon arrived at the bank to see a few purple suited ponies unconscious outside. Meanwhile, Maplejack kept close distance as Grape Vine reached the city gates. "Close the gates immediately and lock down the city. Nopony pulls off a heist in my town." A klaxon sounded as Grape Vine made an announcement that was broadcast through intercoms around the city. "This is Boss Vine speaking with an urgent message to all citizens of Petrichor Falls. Several suspects are attempting to rob our bank and escape. It is your duty to report all suspicious ponies. I repeat, report all suspicious ponies." Grape Vine then dashed off in the direction of her house.

---

Spoiler

As Scarlet listened to Snowy Skies description of the caves, he raised a hoof to his chin.

"Hm. It looks like our main job should be to head down the third, unexplored part of the cave system and see if we can find this puzzle box you mentioned. Hopefully, the the effects of the cave-in caused by the death of Barometz havebeen restricted to the other tunnel, but tread lightly all the same. As for splitting up, we definitely won't be doing that unless there is no other option."

Turning to Splash Flaunt he nooded his thanks.

"Although you'd be surprised at how often i end up in dark places, the loan of your shell would be much appreciated Ms. Flaunt, thanks."

Finishing the last few mouthfuls of his breakfast, Scarlet took a last swig of juice, then checked his own saddlebags. Admittedly, he hadn't anticipated being sent off on any kind of mission. Still, he did carry a few tools that may come in handy.

---

As they enter the bank, Static crouches down, ready to fight.

"Okay, which of you law breaking mules is going to be the first to make my day?"

---

Static sighed as he stood up straighter, wiped his mane and turned to Night Cap. "Didn't your mother ever teach you to cover your muzzle when you sneeze?"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

As Scarlet Spectrum, Snowy Skies, and Splash Flaunt set out for their expedition, they retrieved the Wand of Incomparable Green.

"I can make travel faster but it may be briefly discomforting."​

Misty Monsoon saw that a few purple suited pegasi were also flying towards the tornado. They seemed to be shouting orders among themselves but were otherwise disorganized on their approach.


Most of the robbers cowered upon hearing Rhapsody's command but a female voice cynically purred, "Such language" in a thick Mid-Equestrian accent in response to Static Signal. A pale blue pegagus mare with a most fancy hat covered in many flowers and fruits slung a bag over her shoulder and smugly smirked at Rhapsody. "There's no need to fight, darling. The Triumphant Association of Knavish Equine shall be taking its leave now."

Spoiler

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"Ah yes, so you're the second rate COIN that's running around being a pain." Rhapsody replies with a shake of her head. "And really, that hat is SO last season. So I guess you're a second-rate fashionista as well. I can't blame you for stealing, I suppose. It's the only way you'll ever be able to get anything really nice to wear, isn't it?" Rhapsody huffs and flicks her mane. "Maybe if your lucky, you might be able to afford the cast off of some down on her luck Manehatten designer..."

---

She laughed at Rhapsody's comment. "Now why in Equestria would I be taking fashion advice from somepony with such disgustingly gaudy socks? No no, I'll do fine with what I have, darling. As for COIN, they and we have fairly different goals. It's just that as fate would have it, goals aligned...so we collaborated. They didn't want any of the money and we were all too willing to relieve the bank of it."

---

Amber's eyes narrowed as the pegasus mare mentioned COIN, and shook her head as the mare finished. "Why in Equestria would we do that?" she asked, seeming genuinely surprised at the suggestion, as a stray arc of current crackled along her horn.

---

Misty decides to fly up next to one of the purple-suited pegasi. "Hi there! I'm from the Equestrian Expedition Keep's weather team and I couldn't help but notice there's a tornado heading towards your town. I'd like to help out with that? If you don't mind."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"You have four eyes so perhaps you should look around. Do you see any bankers? We locked them all in the vault. This one of the hardest vaults in the world to break into. Would you really rather leave them in there while dealing with us?"

---

"Any innocent civilians all locked up safe in a safe while we're able to cut loose? Uh...yeah, I kinda like those odds. Why are we still talking?"

---

She laughed at Rhapsody's comment. "Now why in Equestria would I be taking fashion advice from somepony with such disgustingly gaudy socks? No no, I'll do fine with what I have, darling. As for COIN, they and we have fairly different goals. It's just that as fate would have it, goals aligned...so we collaborated. They didn't want any of the money and we were all too willing to relieve the bank of it. So if you would please step aside, we'll be on our way."

Rhapsody huffs. "Yes, becuase I'm gonna wear the expensive stuff to a job where its going to get ruined, you continue to show little concern for fashion, if you're gonna wear it to a bank heist."

The mare looked at Amber Spark. "You have four eyes so perhaps you should look around. Do you see any bankers? We locked them all in the vault. This one of the hardest vaults in the world to break into. Would you really rather leave them in there while dealing with us?"

Rhapsody looks to Night Cap. "Is that vault gonna be a problem for you? You tend to be good at getting in where you're not wanted." She asks, maybe it was her distrust of him, or maybe she was just willing to give him a chance... but Rhapsody felt that if any pony could break into a vault, it would be Night Cap. "Amber, darling. Fire a warning shot, I don't want any of them thinking they can run. Also if you take out that atrocious hat while you're at it I'll reward you later." She grins. "See, you're just managed to piss me off. If any pony in that vault dies, You're going to wish your fashion sense was the only thing dead today." She says and looks to Static. "Because we shouldn't just rush into things blindly. Send a message to Maple, inform her of the hostages. She's in the best position to use that info." Rhapsody turns back to the lead mare. "One chance. If you release the hostages now, then as an honorable mare, I'll let you go. Refuse, and learn just WHY I don't wear the good stuff for day to day events."

---

Misty smiles. "Great! I've never actually stopped a tornado before, but I think I know how! It would take a team effort, we'd need half of this group to hit it with winds that go against the rotation, while another group draws out the heat and moisture inside the funnel. Do that, and it should wear itself out pretty quick. Sound good?"

Spoiler

---

As Scarlet Spectrum, Snowy Skies, and Splash Flaunt set out for their expedition, they retrieved the Wand of Incomparable Green.

"I can make travel faster but it may be briefly discomforting."​

​

I can't imagine it's any worse than anything that occurred yesterday, and the others probably won't mind. Go ahead. Snowy releases some sound over their heads in an even, monotone voice. "Please keep all hooves, horns, and wings inside the plant for the duration of the flight. Thank you, and have a nice day."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Scarlet Spectrum, Snowy Skies, and Splash Flaunt felt several thick vines coil around them, then drag them underground. After several minutes, they emerged from large flowers outside of the cave entrance. Splash Flaunt stumbled, clearly disoriented. "I'm grateful for the ride but all the same, I think I'd rather trek back on hoof when we're done."


"Funny little thing about opening the vault. I can't open it. The only reason we got in was because Casino Soufflé let us in. Otherwise we would have never even attempted this heist. So time not spent getting them out is on you, darling. Concentrate on that and we all might have a net gain." As soon as she said 'net', several of the TAKE ponies tossed nets, those most wily of weapons, at the team!

Spoiler


The purple suited pony nodded to Misty Monsoon. "You heard the mare. Everypony get in position. Just hold on, we'll hopefully have help coming soon."

Spoiler

---

Rhapsody darts out of the way of the net, just barely and heads right towards the hatted mare and slams her hoof into her. "Hard way it is then; You and your stupid hat are mine! I gave you fair chance, but we've taken down armies before and now we don't have to worry about civilians getting hurt. This isn't gonna take us long at all. Night Cap, you're up. break the the vault. Static, feel free to let loose. Try not to let them get to Night Cap. Amber, bring the lightning down on them."

Spoiler

---

Spoiler

Static gets tangled up in the net. He shoots a nasty look at the one who threw the net and another at Rhapsody. "Let loose. Right!" He looks around seeing if he had anything to help him get out. Scissors...anything.

"I wish...I wish...I wish..." the trinket around Static's neck starts to glow. Electricity starts to crackle all around Static. In a flash, he's outside of the net and right beside Rhapsody.

[Wha...how...wha?]

[No time to piece it together now. Let's fight!]

Spoiler

---

Misty gets ready to do her thing. Working with this group, she wants to make a good impression for Caballuston's sake.

"Okay tornado, time to go!"

Spoiler

---

As Grape Vine galloped rapidly with Maplejack following, a voice shouted from a building they were passing. "Boss Vine, in here! I heard the alarm so I figured I'd meet you halfway. I brought it with me." "Thank you Second Ivory. Maple, wait here just one moment. I need to get something."


Following Misty Monsoon's directions, the Petrichor Falls weather team flew into position. So far, thing were going smoothly.

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Misty flexes her muscles as a bit of a warm-up before she assists the first team in summoning the counter-spin wind. She watches the other team take positions to the sides of the tornado and begin their task. So far, so good.
She lifts a hoof to signal the rest of the team, and... whoosh!

---

"Sorry Boss, but I didn't come all this way keeping an eye on your rump just to let you go in there alone... one of your employees has already gone Rogue- er... with all do respect Ma'am."

As Maple hovered there looking at the 'Mayor' waiting for a response. she put her fore-hooves up into her mane and pretended to scratch her head.

Spoiler
zam

---

"Wait, so you aren't here to help me? Then...why should I trust you to follow me any further?"

---

"Wait, no... I'm just pointing out that it, ... Maple scratches her head for real.... I came with you to help keep you safe... not because I suspect you're involved."

---

Spoiler

Amber was entirely too busy staring down the pegasus mob boss to notice the nets closing in and was quickly taken to the floor. And we even trained for nets. Embarrassing.

Amber nodded as Rhapsody gave her command. "Right." In a flash and pop, she freed herself to stand on Rhapsody's opposite side from where Static had materialized.

Spoiler


Amber closed her eyes for an instant and reminded herself to see the field. Can't respond in the present if you can't predict what's going to happen next. There were quite a lot of enemies to keep track of, quite a lot of potential tennis balls. Her horn glowed softly as she felt around herself.

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Scarlet had been just onthe verge of figuring out how to get down to the swamp and caves when the Wand spoke and the vines rose. Feeling as if the world had flipped slightly, he realised they were now at the cave entrance.

"Well now. You don't see that everyday," he said wity a chuckle. Turning, he reached out to steady Splash Flaunt, then looked to Snowy Skies.

"Chirpy and comical Mr. Skies. You really are full of life today." Getting serious again he added. "Lets see how we are when we come back out of the caves before we plan the slow route back through the swamp. Barometz may be gone and the Wand providing aid, but who knows what else may be down there."

Stepping forward, he beckoned the other two with a wing.

"Shall we?"

---

Snowy nods and trots into the cave at the head of the group, conjuring a powerball as the light fades. "We want this path." He says, morphing the power ball into a glowing arrow that points towards the third tunnel.

---

Grape Vine paused to look Maplejack over until saying, "I'll trust you to follow if you promise not to spill what you're about to see." After Maplejack agreed, they stepped into the building. After a minute, they stepped out and raced towards the center of town.


As Scarlet Spectrum, Snowy Skies, and Splash Flaunt traveled down the tunnel, there was a distinctly calm quiet. The light from the group dazzled against many minute rocks and crystals in the walls.


First Ivory grumbled as a net fell on her while Flairvoyant cleanly dodged out of the way. The mare chuckled at Rhapsody and said, "You seem quite self assured for a mare whose choice of hosiery indicates she woke up with a severe case of blindness. You're right that this won't take long...but not the way you think." The mare briefly clapped her forehooves together, producing a metallic 'clink' from her horseshoes. She then struck Rhapsody and Static Signal each in the chest. It didn't hurt, simply tingling a little, but it left a faintly glowing mark. What did hurt was several of her flunkies converging on Static Signal and Rhapsody in a flurry of blows. One attempted to toss out a blinding flash but Flairvoyant bent the light back into the robber's face.

Spoiler

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If only I had a mirror -now would be a great time to see if I could make myself forget something ... no I swore I'd never do that again. Again!?!... Maple pushed the thoughts aside to deal with later. While Inside she'd managed okay on her two back legs.... now that Boss Vine was running again Maple had to take to the sky once more... lest she set off her flash and smoke coins accidentally.

fortunately at least she'd managed to get a look at which coin was taped to which hoof.

---

Rhapsody huffs seeign Night Cap being the only one to get netted... of course he is; well one of those mauve morons too, but they mattered even less then Night Cap to her. "Somepony help Night Cap, and make sure he doesn't trip over his own hooves to the safe if you have too..." She states wondering is putting any sort of faith into the brown earth pony was a mistake; the distraction allowing for the mare to strike her and then her flunkies to gang up on her and Static. She huffs and strikes the first pony the assaults Static, before taking to the air as she seems to surge with energy and dive-bombs the lea! d mare. "A pony that willingly wears a hat that ugly, shouldn't be calling others blind."

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Amber leaped backward, shocked, as the mob swarmed over Static and Rhapsody. For some reason, they didn't seem to be paying her any attention at all. She wasn't enthusiastic to change that, but she focused on the boss. She reared, her horn flaring, and called out wordlessly as a bolt of lightning struck down toward the boss and bloomed into a crackling bubble around her, side strikes casting out from the sphere like a plasma globe.

Spoiler


Amber bolted toward Night Cap to set about, as quickly as possible, untangling the poor thing from the devious net.

Spoiler

---

Static tumbles down under the barrage of the ponies. As he stands up and charges back into the fray, he tries to whip the net off of Night Cap.

Spoiler


The net slid through his hoofs. He was going to go back for him when he saw the lead mare in front of him.

"Oh...you again! I'm reeeeally not liking you."

Static headbutts her repeatedly.

Spoiler

---

Static was about to move to Night Cap when he sees Amber already with the net off of him. Good! One disctraction down. He focuses his attention on the lead.

"Five against one, coward? That...HURT!"

Static headbutts her repeatedly.

Spoiler

---

Maplejack followed Grape Vine as she ran to the city's central building and into a back office with nothing but a single microphone standing in the center of the room...


The Petrichor Falls weather team was doing a great job following Misty Monsoon instructions to keep the tornado contained. It had slowed down greatly and was only causing minimal damage near the city's boarder. And now, Misty Monsoon could see that many more suited pegasi were flying in to assist. They just might have the tornado beat!

Spoiler



Flairvoyant knocked out the robber who previously failed to blind the group. Meanwhile, Static Signal felt a brief pulse at the glowing mark and then several sharp pains as if he was being hit with the same attack he just used! As the TAKE flunkies continued to pile on, the mare sauntered about without directly attacking. Her ears twitched as a whistling sound could be heard outside like something was falling from a great height. "They took their sweet time getting here but it sounds like our ride has finally arrived. In mere moments you will bear witness as I, Strolls Choice, make a clean getaway."

Spoiler

---

"Night Cap! Vault! NOW!" Rhapsody states very bluntly to her teammate, as she deals with another round of attacks. She huffs and bucks hitting one of the ponies targeting Static. She once more takes to the skies and looks around, breathing heavily from the second round of attacks. "Amber, covering fire! Try and keep the mooks off me and Static!" She commands as she takes a moment to steady herself concentrating and focusing her mind, as she considers her options and what to do next and then grins as the sound of the Tornado inspires her.

She starts flying around and picking up speed, and as she flies she starts to sing a battle ballad that she felt was most fitting.

"On wings of glory we will carry on
Far across Equstrian lands towards the distant sun

And in the darkness shining far beyond the starlight
Lightning is striking from the dark dawning shadows

And in the kingdom of the everlasting sun
When the glory of the princess's time has come

Into the fires of forever we will fly through the Heavens
With the power of the universe we stand strong together

Through the force in our power we will soon reach the hour
For victory we fly, fury of the storm!"

Rhapsody flies down doing a hit on run on Strolls, striking her a total of five times in rapid succession. "We'll see how 'clean' you are once I'm done with you." Rhapsody states with a grin despite how bad she's looking at the moment.

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"What's the plan Boss?" Maple asks... coming to a hovering stop.

---

As Scarlet Spectrum, Snowy Skies, and Splash Flaunt traveled down the tunnel, there was a distinctly calm quiet. The light from the group dazzled against many minute rocks and crystals in the walls.

As the walk down the hallway, Snowy hears a voice in his head, and his mouth tastes slightly salty.

"Tornado coming!"

His head whips to the side, looking for both Misty and this impossible underground tornado before he remembers the enchanted bugles. "A tornado?" He mutters to himself, surprised. Of all the things he had expected Petrichor Falls to throw at them, a tornado was at the bottom of the list. He'd have to get the full story from the others when they got back.

They were probably fine, right?

---

Even the henchponies weren't going to give up from a light sting, and they were giving Static and Rhapsody a pounding. They still seemed to be ignoring Amber herself, and Amber wasn't sure whether to feel lucky or insulted. Amber listened to Rhapsody's order. "Yes, ma'am!", she said, and headed in Rhapsody's direction.

"I do hate to interrupt, but if I might have your attention, hoodlums," Amber said. She let loose a bolt of electricity that struck one of the ponies attacking Rhapsody, then discharged from him to a second and arced to a third.

Spoiler

---

Even though Scarlet marvelled at the sparkling underground lightshow, a part of his mind noted the strange calmness. Then he saw Snoy twitch.

"Snowy, what is it?"

---

Static stumbled back under the blows that were redirected back at him. "Oh sweet Luna, I'm gonna die! He forces himself back up to his hooves.

[Okay, I know that move. I used to do it myself. So...best not to attack the leader until I can shake out of it.]

Static focused his attention on one of the nooks. Pony 5 specifically.

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Grape Vine replied to Maplejack with, "I'm...sending a message of sorts. Casino will be found and dealt with soon enough."

---

Misty is putting her back into this. No way this tornado is going to wreck up this town on her watch!

"Keephggghhh... going!"

Spoiler

---

"I hope Miss Needelle is somewhere safe." And not involved, she was nice. Maple says the first to Boss Vine and only thinks the second to herself.

---

Second Ivory shouted from the hallway, "Boss Vine, youse in there? We found Casino! Somepony spotted him and those two mares sneaking into Building X!" "I contemplated the options. Casino was a fiendish and dirty snake but he was a serpent who knew how to hide in the best mud. With this on my mind, I knew...erm, sorry. Bad habit." Grape Vine turned to Maplejack. "Building X is the city code for that building I talked about over dinner. The one where I instituted my challenge when I arrived in the Falls. There's a few tunnels below the basement. While the basement door is locked, those tunnels lead outside the city and in different directions so we can't let him get too far. You wanted to know how you could help? If you've got a way of contacting your friends that won't let Casino know we're on to him, I'd really appreciate it. Building X is in the south of the city. Otherwise, follow me. I'm heading there right now." Grape Vine and Second Ivory then dashed out of the building.


The tornado wobbled and began to lose shape as more pegasi flew in to assist. It soon buckled and burst, partially clearing the sky. Many of the Petrichor Falls weather team cheered in celebration while others swiftly flew back towards the city, practically disappearing as fast as they arrived.


Many of the TAKE ponies were knocked out from the redirected assault, though one managed to get another hit on Rhapsody. Two of the Mauvenine Four rushed into the bank and helped First Ivory out of the net she was trapped in. Flairvoyant tossed a table with her magic at Strolls Choice and firmly declared, "Give up, you're outnumbered now." Just then, there was a loud crash and the roof collapsed! Some of the debris knocked out Flairvoyant but following that the STOMP team heard a warbling pulse and metal objects began to rise into the air. It grew strong enough that the TAKE ponies were pulled upwards by their money laden saddlebags. Looking up, the STOMP team could see the magnet was part of some sort of cobalt blue airborne vehicle that had a propeller like a helicopter but was powered by dual treadmills. Strolls Choice flew over and grabbed Flairvoyant before being pulled into the air. "Better than expected but you're still outclassed, darlings. Ciao!"

Spoiler

---

Spoiler

Even though Scarlet marvelled at the sparkling underground lightshow, a part of his mind noted the strange calmness. Then he saw Snowy Skies twitch.

"Snowy, what is it?"

Snowy blinks, pulled back to reality. "Nothing to worry about." He says with a grin. "We're going to want to read the mission reports from the rest of the team when we get back. They're having an interesting time of it."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static feels the pull of the magnet on his equipment and reflexively grabs a hold of one of the nets weighted to the ground.

Spoiler


He holds on when he sees Strolls Choice grabbing onto Flairvoyant.
[Have to protect Flairvoyant]
[Have to make them pay!]
[I hurt. Bruised...bleeding...just this side of death]

Static lets go and pushes off to be lifted off by the magnet.

[Not letting her face this alone.]
[Not letting them get away with this]
[Not a good idea!]

"I'm coming for you," he growles through clinched teeth.

---

"YEAH!! We did it!" Misty shouts triumphantly, pumping a hoof in the air.

She turns to the purple-suited pegasi that were left. "Um, sorry to take off so soon, but I need to go find my friends... I heard they're dealing with a hostages vault."

---

As Scarlet Spectrum, Snowy Skies, and Splash Flaunt descended deeper into the cave, they soon came to a deep cavern. While it wasn't as long as the one in the other tunnel, it was still equally deep.

---

Maple looked at Boss Vine and 2nd Ivory leave .. she only has a moment or two to figure out how to do this.

Pulling her pack out of her mane, Maple grabbed one of the magic snacks and angled it into her mouth as best she could with her hooftips. Not wanting to accidentally loosen her emergency coins from their tape.

"Wumps! Thoo Worbs wunh beh emumf!" Maple said around the food in her mouth... if she didn't hurry and catch up to boss vine she wouldn't know where Building X was.. so just staying here and waiting for her friends to show up.... no that wasn't an option... she'd have to do both.


<_<
Spoiler
Zam, Shadewing

---

Misty looks around the town. Where would a hostages vault be? She sees a lot of same-looking blue buildings... oh, and a large blue flying contraption. Wait, what?

This required further investigation.

Misty heads straight towards the flying machine, which seems to be making some kind of noisy commotion. As she gets closer, she can see that it had smashed a hole in the roof of the building below... wait, that brown thing there... could it be? Was it...?

It was!

"Oh my gosh! Night Cap, you DID IT! YOU'RE FLYING!!"

"Oh, and Static too... and some other ponies... um... what's going on?"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Hostages in the bank vault," Static calls out to Misty. "Night Cap can break the safe. Get him down there and protect him!"

---

The witty comeback Amber might have attempted at Ms. Choice's words was reduced to an "Eep" as she scrambled at her suddenly animate glasses and toolbox.

Spoiler

---

"So that's what he meant... Okay, got it!"

Misty grabs onto the airborne Night Cap and does her best to pull him away from the magnet's pull. It's not easy.

Spoiler

---

Resisting his sudden, and very unprofessional desire to yell 'ECHO' at the top of his lungs just to hear he many echoes he could get. Scarlet instead unfurled his wings and turned to the others while unravelling the lasso he always carried.

"Looks like i'm flying you over this. Who wants to go first?"

While waiting for an answer, Scarlet scanned the cavern, trying to see what was on the other side. Another single entrance, or a split route?

Spoiler

---

Misty Monsoon flapped her mighty wings, pulling with all her might, until Night Cap was safely grounded and out of reach of the magnet's pull. First Ivory rushed over to them and asked "Youse okay? I sure didn't expect all this when I woke up this morning."


As Scarlet Spectrum gazed across the cavern he saw that there was a single tunnel. There was just enough reflecting light that he could tell that it also continued to descend. Splash Flaunt stepped forward. "I'll go first."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Me neither! ...Um, is this the way to the vault that has the hostages in it? Night Cap needs to bust them out."

---

First Ivory led Night Cap and Misty Monsoon behind the counters and into the back. Upon entering a large room, they saw a metal vault door on the other end of the room but immediately blocking them was a thick crystal wall with large doubled doors. "Usually Second Ivory does da banking stuff but I'll try to help as best as I can. Can youse pick a lock?"

---

"This door is first, then there's supposed to be some sort of light that inspects da two ponies that step forward."

Spoiler

---

Resisting his sudden, and very unprofessional desire to yell 'ECHO' at the top of his lungs just to hear he many echoes he could get. Scarlet instead unfurled his wings and turned to the others while unravelling the lasso he always carried.

"Looks like i'm flying you over this. Who wants to go first?"

Snowy sighs lightly. He had really been hoping that there wouldn't be any more chasms. "Here." He bats at his powerball, sending the glowing orb halfway across the cavern and punching the brightness up a notch so that it decently illuminated things. He sighs again, more appreciative this time, as the colorful patterns dance across the walls, just as they had in the other cavern. He'd forgotten about that.

---

Rhapsody watches as Misty carries Night Cap off to the safe, maybe now he'll actually be bothered to actually rescue them. At Maple's voice, Rhapsody pulls out her bugle. "Team Busy." she whispers into it, and eats it before taking to the sky after Static, Amber, and Flair. Huffing heavily she closes her eyes, in pain and close to collapsing she pushes herself to continue on and begins to sing something to try to keep her spirits up.


This ain't a song for the broken-hearted
No silent prayer for faith-departed
I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud

It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life.


Spoiler

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