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

CoffeeHorse · Nov 2, 2022

"Yes ma'am," Scarlet said and approached Splash Flaunt to secure her with the lasso, then he flapped his wings and rose up a bit so as to get tension on the rope and make sure he had a good grip. Scarlet then turned to the chasm, watching as Snowy pushed his glowing ball of light across the gap to illuminate the area.

"Nice," he commented, impressed by the Unicorns magic.

"Off we go."

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Maple sighed... which was a hard thing to do when you're also a pudgy panting pegasus who is trying to remain airborne.

"woo... Rhapsody just let me know the team was busy... she didn't say they weren't coming, but I guess the hostage situation is taking longer to wrap up then expected... I'm sure Misty helped with that storm that seems to have disappeared .... oh boy could I have use so more of those up drafts."

Maple's tongue lolls out of her mouth and she hovers a little closer to the ground as she follows Boss Vine and Second Ivory.

As the helicopter magnet pulled everypony towards it, Strolls Choice shouted upwards, "Silver Clouds, darling? These ponies are making it quite difficult to commit a robbery." "Alas, they don't make nets like they used to." A grey pegasus stallion with a curly mustache flew down towards the STOMP team. He wore a silver top hat and a headband with a large pouch on it. However, the apparent weight of the pouch made it sag! a bit so that it was like a pouch eyepatch. Silver Clouds flew over and addressed Amber Spark. "With such exemplary eyeware, it would be safe to assume you are the leader of this outfit, are you not? My darling wife and I have a wonderful Bonnet & Clydesdale moment that you and your band are ruining. I hereby cordially request that you desist such actions immediately, else I be forced to cause you and your lot grievous harm."

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Night Cap and First Ivory rushed in and stepped onto the black and white checkerboard tiles of the floor. An angry red light swept back and forth but once it passed over First Ivory, it changed into a pleasant light blue. "Whew, being a quadruplet comes in handy. Okay, take five steps forward, two to the right, three back, then walk to the left until youse reach the wall. Once youse reach the wall, walk up it onto the ceiling. My right and left will be reversed from your's. Ready?"

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Night Cap and First Ivory rushed in and stepped onto the black and white checkerboard tiles of the floor. An angry red light swept back and forth but once it passed over First Ivory, it changed into a pleasant light blue. "I think da former mayor did. Wanted to be able to protect all of his loot. Alright, youse see that white square that's kinda greyish over there? Jump onto it."

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Misty watches from the doorway.

"Whoa, that's pretty awesome!"

"Howw much further doo we need to gohh?" Maple asks... making a note to not keep so many snacks within reach while she sleeps. Feels like that couple stones of Cocorockas might just do her in... Maple couldn't help but chuckle briefly at the pun.

CoffeeHorse · Nov 7, 2022

"Youse say that but nopony liked..." As Night Cap landed on the wrong square, he and First Ivory were forcibly tossed out of the vault area and crashed into the wall. The crystal doors loudly slammed shut behind them. "Oof. Dat was unpleasant."

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"It's your magnet pulling us up," Static points out. "I'm on my last leg. I can take maybe a couple more punches and then I'm out. That'll leave her severely outnumber. Face it...you won."

"But we still have enough fight left in us to make you bleed for your victory. It's pointless! Please...give us our friend back and let's call it a day!"

"Well well. You want your friend and we want to leave. I feel that is a most agreeable exchange if all parties agree to it."

"Our friend back...and maybe drop us off a bit closer to the ground..."

Static gives Amber a look, trying to convey that this might the best deal they're going to get.

Upon landing on the grey square, Night Cap and First Ivory were sprung upwards and forwards until landing on...something. There was some sort of unseen platform they were standing on. "Dis is some sorta invisible maze. I can kinda see the walls but not well. Gotta find the exit to the next part."

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CoffeeHorse · Nov 7, 2022

A compliment on her eyewear from these ponies did not improve Amber's confidence, and correcting the happy couple to say that no, they'd already captured the leader, seemed tactically unsound. The magnet - and the airship itself - were rapidly approaching as she hung over the edge of her toolbox by her front hooves.

She locked eyes with Static as he discussed terms of surrender with Ms. Choice. Tempting, but....

"No," she said, focusing on a strut in the cabin above and trying to feel it in her hooves. With a snap and a flash, she felt the presently inconvenient pull of gravity again as she materialized just outside the cabin and scrambled for a hoof hold.

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Rolling Acrobatics:

Roll(1d20)+0: 10,+0 Total:10

After finding the path, Night Cap and First Ivory traveled along until they slid down a chute and landed in front of the vault door. There was a large dial embedded into the door. "I don't know the combination for dis but I know youse gotta enter it fast."

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After making sure everything was secure, Scarlet Spectrum cautiously flew Splash Flaunt over the chasm. After landing safely, she said. "Thank you. Things seem simple enough so far."

"Here." Grape Vine, Second Ivory, and Maplejack stopped outside of a building that, though it looked similar to most others, it had the telltale signs of being abandoned for a while. "Keep your wits about you. He may have left traps for us."

"Don't say that Ms. Flaunt," Scarlet said in a half-teasing tone of voice. "Thats like asking the world to throw you a curveball. Now if you'll wait here, i'll go and collect Snowy Skies."

So saying, Scarlet Spectrum lept back into the air, and headed across the chasm for the waiting Unicorn.

Spoiler

CoffeeHorse · Nov 7, 2022

Snowy lets himself be lifted into the air and beckons the powerball back to himself, carrying it until he's set down on solid ground again. "Forward?" He suggests as he looks down the hallway.

"Indeed. Let us proceed," Scarlet said, and gestured with a hoof for Snowy to take the lead again, since he was the one controlling the light ball.

There was a very specific mechanical click that was heard when Night Cap finished. With no explosions or trap doors or falling ceilings or random teleports or nets it seemed that Night Cap had managed to crack the combination. First Ivory slowly peeked around her hooves. "I uh, never doubted youse for a second. It has a safety so the door doesn't slam shut and reset everything so now we just gotta spin this to open it. Careful, it's kinda heavy." First Ivory waved for Misty Monsoon to come help.

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"If things go bad... I'll let my friends know where we are now... but it wont be quiet this time." Maple says. between gulps of air.

Snowy nods and puts the balls over his horn, where it won't blind him but still sheds light up ahead. He trots down the narrow tunnel, checking his speed just enough that he can spot things coming before he trips over them.

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Misty flies on over. "Oh, just need me to help give it a turn? No problem!"

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CoffeeHorse · Nov 9, 2022

Misty Monsoon, First Ivory, and Night Cap pulled with all of their might until the door of the vault. The ponies inside were wary, then relieved as it opened. Though one looked at First Ivory and pointed at the STOMP team. "Who are they?" "These ponies are from da Equestrian Expedition Keep." "Oooh. I guess it would make sense for a museum to be able to break into a vault with all of those ancient tombs and such they go into.

...

We're...going to have to ask Boss Vine about updating the lock, aren't we?"
"Probably."

Scarlet Spectrum, Snowy Skies, and Splash Flaunt continued walking for about an hour until reaching a small cavern. The majority of it was similar to the other parts of the cave but growing from the ceiling in the center of the room was an enormous glowing fern cage. Splash Flaunt pulled out a notepad and began taking notes. "Fascinating."

Stepping into Building X, all was quiet. Grape Vine, Second Ivory, and Maplejack cautiously stepped inside to see if there were any unwelcome surprises.

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Maple, just happy to not be flying for a moment-scans the room while standing on her hind legs and letting her stiff wings gingerly fold up into their resting positions along her torso. She was going to need a warm bath and a diet.

Scarlet stared at the strange glowing cage, then turned to Snowy Skies.

"Any ideas? Could the Wand of Imcomparable Green have any connection to this?"

"That's...roughly the same container that held the other two puzzle chests." Snowy replies. "It's bigger, though. And brighter, the others weren't glowing like that. Barometz took some form of credit for them, but the containers weren't especially secure. You could probably fly up there and just open it."

Rhapsody Continues singing her song as she recovers more to help the others. As she sees Amber teleport, the black pegasus zooms past Static and the new enemy. "Hang in their Static, I'll get you down!" She says as she reaches the cockpit in time to help Amber get her balance. "Okay, so I'm assuming you have a plan, love?"

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CoffeeHorse · Nov 9, 2022

Scarlet nodded and took to the air, approaching the cage cautiously to see if he could figure out why it might be glowing before trying to open it.

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Silver Clouds shook his head in disapproval. "So it's like that, is it? I simply insist you ponies take the deal. Darling?" "Yes?" "I believe it would be best if you give them their friend back." "What? Oh yes...but of course, darling." Strolls Choice let go of Flairvoyant, then flew off with Silver Clouds. The lone pony on the treadmill leaped off, leaving it up to the STOMP team to try to pilot the crazy contraption before it crashed!

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Maplejack could easily see a hallway in front of them with four doors on both sides of the hall. Behind the closest door to the right, she could hear a muffled noise that might be a voice.

Not wanting her two companions needlessly heading into danger, Maple holds out a hoof stopping Vine and Ivory from advancing... also she's far to tuckered to care if either of them see that there's a coin taped to her hoof anymore.

"careful I hear a what might be a voice behind that door. Please give me a second to try something." Maple moves to the side of the door, avoiding as best she could getting directly in front of any of the other doors...

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Zam

Her precarious landing gave Amber the chance to remember where she was and, more importantly, where the ground wasn't, neither of which was a pleasant reminder. But moments after she froze and moments before she could make a fatal slip, she felt Rhapsody's hoof on her shoulder. As the TAKE bosses and henchpony took their leave, she jumped onto the treadmill and began pacing as quickly as she could. "Plan, hmm, yes. Step one, get into the airship cabin. Step two, take control of the cabin." Amber's voice warbled as she ran, and she took a breath before continuing. "I honestly expected to have bit more time to consider step three. Do you have anything in mind? We have to do something about Static before we can land."

Shadewing:
"Hang in their Static, I'll get you down!"

"Much obliged!"

Static's eyes widen as he nears the magnet. One chance to not be completely useless in this battle. He reaches out to the side of the entrance to the aircraft to avoid the magnet

Spoiler

CoffeeHorse · Nov 9, 2022

Scarlet looked down from where he hovered and called out to his two companions.

"The cage is empty. No puzzle box. No nothing."

Looking back at the cage, Scarlet focused his mystical sense to see if there was any magucal reason for the cage to be glowing.

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Cautiously peeking around the corner, Maplejack spied a mare laying on the floor in a COIN uniform. However, she was frantically struggling from being tied up by...jump rope?

The bank pony looked a lot more worried. "Well then. Town hall has a bunker of sorts underneath it so that's a safe place that's close by. Boss Vine can make announcements from a few different parts of the city but town hall is one of those."

Spoiler

Her precarious landing gave Amber the chance to remember where she was and, more importantly, where the ground wasn't, neither of which was a pleasant reminder. But moments after she froze and moments before she could make a fatal slip, she felt Rhapsody's hoof on her shoulder. As the TAKE bosses and henchpony took their leave, she jumped onto the treadmill and began pacing as quickly as she could. "Plan, hmm, yes. Step one, get into the airship cabin. Step two, take control of the cabin." Amber's voice warbled as she ran, and she took a breath before continuing. "I honestly expected to have bit more time to consider step three. Do you have anything in mind? We have to do something about Static before we can land."

Rhapsody looks over the side, and sees Static falling. "Well... They tossed Flair over the side, and Static seems to have decided to leap to his doom... My suggestion is getting you off of here and getting us to safety. Back in Calubuston, I watched Black Night stop a criminal using a machine similar to this. She tried to take control of it, and ended up crashing it. I'm not sure either of us has the still to land this thing safely... so if its gonna crash either way, lets not have it crash with us ON IT."

"Static?!" said Amber. "Go help him, I'll be fine." She shook her head and kept running against the treadmill. "Now. Go!" Amber redoubled her haste in looking over the controls and assessing how the contraption might work.

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Looking around, Amber Spark found that there were levers nearby she could reach with her magic to steer the helicopter. It probably wouldn't be smooth but it could at least be directed to land in the street instead of crashing into a building. She might even be able to get it to gently land in place if she could get it to level off it's speed.

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As far as Scarlet Spectrum could tell, there was very little about the cage that was magical. The glowing seemed to be almost purely a natural phenomenon.

CoffeeHorse · Nov 9, 2022

Maple's eyes Narrowed as she focused... she reached out with her feelings and knew them to be true..

"The struggle is real with this one." The words were cool and dramatic as she spoke them in her mind... out in the real world...woo this was *yawn* too stealthy a mission for that much flair and gravitas... and she was seriously crashing from her late night binge.

"Single pony, bound with jump rope." Maple slowly tried to open the door, listening closely for any unwelcomed sounds as she attempted to open it.

Grape Vine and Second Ivory nodded and silently followed Maplejack. Nothing activated upon opening the door and they slowly untied the mare. Getting the jump rope from around her limbs and snout, she almost ran until pausing and saying, "Boss Vine? Whew, I'm glad to see you. I saw a pony in an outfit like this and I was about to report it but I got ambushed from behind and knocked out. Next thing I know, I'm dressed like them and getting pulled along...by magic I think...into this building. Then I was tied up."

Snowy rolls his eyes. Technically the hard part was still over, but it no longer felt like it. "Time to search the cavern, top to bottom." He calls back.

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"Do you know this pony Boss Vine?" Maple gives the pony a long look over as she waits for an answer... Maple wares a lot of tightly tailored outfits... and wonders if this really is some 'other' pony's uniform... an ill fitting cuff, a stretched seam... the typical differences between the tribes like an obvious horn or wing cover/hole ...
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Zam

"This thing mot magical either. Just natural bio-luminescence i guess. Either whatever was in here has already been taken. Or this could be a lure."

Hearing Snowys words, Scarlet nodded.

"Righty-oh," he said, and started a slow glide around the upper half of the cavern, looking for anything out the ordinary. An odd glitter, a hidden nook that might contain something. Perhaps some engraved symbols. Anything that might suggest what they could do next. Because whatever else this underground cave system might be. Scarlet was sure that things were not as calm nor as simple as they appeared.

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Zam

CoffeeHorse · Nov 9, 2022

Amber took stock of the controls and began hastily searching for a clear spot to land the vehicle. Keeping the vehicle stable while running the treadmill wasn't easy, even if she'd been more familiar with the contraption, but she tried to concentrate as she manipulated the controls with her magic.

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Dexterity: Roll(1d20)+10: 7,+10 Total:17

Spending my Magic Point for a total of 45.

The departure of Strolls Choice and Silver Clouds left an odd effect. After leaving, their actions were remembered but their appearance was a blur that was a strain to remember. Static Signal recognized this as the same effect from the pony controlling the cucarockas at the conservation meeting. However, he couldn't really dwell on this as he came crashing down from the daring aerial catch of the falling Flairvoyant. The couch in the waiting area of the bank lobby did a lot to cushion their fall but Static Signal was still knocked out cold from the fall. Meanwhile, Amber Spark set about the monumental task of trying to pilot the flying contraption to a safe landing. Pushing her muscles to the limit and wielding her unicorn magic, she managed to redirect it to land on the main street. The TAKE ponies who were previously unconscious stirred only long enough to be knocked out again as they broke free from the magnet's pull and crashed to the ground. Only one managed to land properly and they immediately attempted to run away.

While Snowy Skies couldn't find anything out of the ordinary, Scarlet Spectrum found the glint of something metallic embedded in the ceiling. Meanwhile, as Splash Flaunt looked over the fern cage, she remarked, "Whatever this is, it's growing out of the walls as well."

Grape Vine looked the mare over. "I don't recognize her but every citizen in the city knows who I am so that's not surprising." Maplejack saw that the outfit was tailored for an earth pony and the mare wearing it was an earth pony. However, the outfit was fit for somepony who was the pinnacle of physical shape while this captive probably had a few too many pastries this morning.

"It might be a good idea to take it off before you leave." Maple says, not wanting somepony accidentally getting confused for a coin agent if a fight were to happen.
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Zam

"You might get confused for one of them." She adds, taking a quick glance over her shoulder at the rest of the area...
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Zam

"I don't suppose you could tell us anything else that might be helpful?" Maple looked at the watch and told the rescued Pony what time it was, perhaps that would give them a timeline of events. ... rumps what else do ponies in detective books ask in these situations....?

"The door isn't guarded, if you're well enough to get to safety...Miss?"

Misty looked to Night Cap. "Should we take them to Town Hall? What about the others? It looked like there was a lot going on back there."

"Got it!" Misty nods in affirmation and flies back the way they came.

CoffeeHorse · Nov 9, 2022

As the mare struggled to get out of the COIN outfit, she told Maplejack, "There was another pony in one of these suits. A unicorn...though I couldn't get any details since she didn't say anything. Thank you for freeing me. I think I can get to safety."

Maple thanks the pony, and lets her leave ... scooping up the uniform she hides it in her mane.

"So a unicorn..." Maple wonders what their next move should be...

"I don't suppose you know the likeliest route to take?" Maple shrugs at Boss Vine...

Static flies through the air. He can see all of Caballuston as he soars through the clouds. There he could see the museum. There was his home. If he dived down here, he could pay Anchors a visit.

"Quite the sight, eh, son?"

"Dad? What are you doing here?"

"I'm not here...and neither are you. I...thought you were afraid of heights. Shouldn't that make this a nightmare?"

"I don't know...I think I could get used to this."

*twitch* "Ngh! That hurt! What was that?"

"Reality intruding in on a dream I'd imagine."

"What reality?"

Static feels himself falling. He sees Flairvoyant beneath him in free fall.

*twitch* "Fuuuuuu! I...how badly hurt am I?"

Static hits the ground. Everything is black.

"Wait a minute...something's weird here. I...I need to see something."

Static's dream rewinds. He floats back up to the aircraft and looks at the TAKE members faces.

"Why are they both blurry? I can't see what they look like. Just like...just like..."

The stallion trembled as Static Signal questioned him. "I was paid to try the harmonica out. Said he needed to test it before he bought more and told me to try it here. I figured that the mayor and everypony would run so as long as long as nopony made the the cucarockas mad, nopony would get hurt. The stallion looked like...looked like...ow. I've got a headache..." The stallion looked dizzy as he struggled to recall his employer's appearance.

"Pony feathers!"

"Language!"

"I can't remember their faces!"

"Remember what you can, son. This is your job now. What are their names?"

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"Blast! Confound it to Tartarus!"

"LANGUAGE!"

"I can't remember their names! I've got nothing, father. Nothing! I can't remember."

"You're my son. Yes...you...CAN!"

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"That's my boy! Remember when you wake up."

"If I wake up. I...took a pretty bad tumble, dad."

"You're still alive enough to dream. Don't give up now."

Zam
Spoiler

CoffeeHorse · Nov 9, 2022

Misty charges into the lobby, only to find Static Signal and Flairvoyant unconscious on the ground.

"Aaaaaaaa! Static! Flairvoyant!"

She flies up and lands next to the two. "Oh no... what do I do? What do I do??" She bends down and puts an ear to each of their chests, listening for a heartbeat.

Misty can faintly hear some muttering.

"Now I'm freeeeeee...free fallin!"

Panting heavily, Amber nonetheless managed a sharp giggle of relief at finding herself safely on the ground again. She looked up to see the one remaining TAKE henchpony bolting away. With a strained smile, she exerted her magic and lifted the pony off the ground, holding her as if dangling by her tail near the helicopter's cabin.

"Going somewhere? I believe the county jail is this way," she said. I think I'm finally beginning to get a handle on these witty comebacks!

Amber headed back to the bank, with the TAKE henchpony in tow.

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While Snowy Skies couldn't find anything out of the ordinary, Scarlet Spectrum found the glint of something metallic embedded in the ceiling. Meanwhile, as Splash Flaunt looked over the fern cage, she remarked, "Whatever this is, it's growing out of the walls as well."

Snowy pauses his search to reach out to the Wand of Incomparable Green. I'd always assumed Barometz made these cages. He mentioned something about being responsible for the chests being empty. Do you know what was in them?

As he moved, Scarlet kept one eyeon his two companions down below. Neither seemed to be having much luck. Although from Splash Flaunts words, the cage wasn't the only bit of odd growth in this place.

Then he saw something glitter above him.

"Hey, i've found something!"

Moving carefully towards the strange object, Scarlet tried to get it free of the ceiling.

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CoffeeHorse · Nov 21, 2022

Before Rhapsody can take any action, Amber already jumps to the controls and steers the ship down unable to react in time to either Static's fall or help her marefriend, she's pretty much deadlocked in her desires to keep her teammates safe. When the ships 'lands' it shakes her from her stupor as she exits the craft and looks around.

As the banker began to lead Night Cap out, they saw Misty Monsoon mourning over Static Signal and Flairvoyant. Meanwhile, Rhapsody spots Amber Spark carrying a TAKE pony whow was struggling to escape with no avail. Several citizens rushed outside but then...stopped. There was something akin to a collective sigh as they looked at the money that was scattered everywhere. They simply sat where they were.

Scarlet Spectrum knew to be extra delicate in chipping away the rock aound the shiny object. Expertly freeing it and clearing the debris, he discovered that it was a rose gold square with numerous intricate alabaster etchings in it. Splash Flaunt tilted her head. "That's odd. Why would something like that be in the ceiling?" Meanwhile, the Wand of Incomparable Green responded to Snowy Skies with,
"I know that my chest was placed in one of those plants when I was brought here but I don't know what was in any of the others."

Maplejack noticed that the room had at least one trap door that they narrowly missed on the way in. Otherwise, the room was quite sparse. Grape Vine remarked, "I'd guess that Casino would have went into the third door on the right or left. Both have trick trap doors that lead to the basement though they're difficult to activate without setting off the traps."

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Snowy's not certain if the wand can register it, but he nods at its response before examining the square. "It's like nothing I've ever seen before." He admits, soaking it in his magic.

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"What makes you think left? and What makes you think right? ... if we don't eliminate an option we're going to have to split up." Maple asks, Boss Vine knows this building... so there must be a reason why each of these doors is more of a possibility than the others.

"Static! You've got to wake up!"

*SQUIRT*

CoffeeHorse · Nov 21, 2022

Amber found her way to the couch to find Static and Flairvoyant in their compromising position. She nodded to Night Cap.

"I believe we stole a helicopter," said Amber. "Silver Clouds and -" Amber shook her head; she really had been getting better with ponies' names. How could she not remember the name of the pony who'd been responsible for this whole mess? "The bosses of this little operation escaped, but we've stopped the robbery, and I'm sure we'll learn something from the associates they so recklessly abandoned." Amber set down the TAKE henchpony she'd been carrying in front of Night Cap.

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"50! Seriously?" Scarlet was dumbfounded for a second. He looked up at where the square had been lodged in the ceiling, then back down at the rose gold piece itself.

"One buried in the ceiling of an inaccessible cave. Another just happens to be in the hooves of a nearby filly, and still more elsewhere. Thats either ridiculous, like you said Snowy. Or someone is trying very hard to scatter the pieces of something they don't want solved.

Maybe for a good reason. Maybe not."

Pausing for a few moments, Scarlet said.

"If thats all there is to find here, odd as it is. Shall we push on ahead?"

While he waited, Scarlet examined the etchings on the puzzle square to see if he recognised them from any of he previous escapades around Equestria. Or perhaps from a text on ancient writings and symbology. Maybe glean some clue as to what the puzzle squares were built for.

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Some of Misty Monsoon's water splashed Flairvoyant. She groggily began to stir, saying, "Ow. My head...w-what happened?" Meanwhile, First Ivory glared at the TAKE pony who was quivering in fear. "I'd talk if I were youse. Ponies in this town might get awfully unfriendly if you don't, see?" "W-what do you want to know?"

Grape Vine thought for a minute. "Then I'd guess the one to the left. It's more designed to work with unicorn magic and it was mentioned that there was a unicorn with him. Second Ivory, could you..." "Got it boss!" Walking back out to the hallway, Grape Vine and Maplejack waited near the door as Second Ivory leaned in with her horn. After a few seconds, a trap door opened in the floor, revealing a staircase.

Scarlet Spectrum looked over the intricate etchings but found they didn't match anything he had ever seen before. Except...it had some similarities with embroidery he had seen in an exhibit on the Castle of the Two Sisters.

"That does make a lot of sense." Maple smiled, these were smart fillies. Maple flies down through the trapdoor, down the stairway and scans the new area once the stairway ends.

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Maple waits for the others to arrive.

Maplejack found that it was even darker in the basement. The far wall connected to a long corridor that eventually made a sharp right turn. Grape Vine and Second Ivory followed down the steps and slowly proceeded along with Maplejack.

While the Darkness itself does little to daunt Maple... the blind corner does present a problem. Deciding to edge her back along the far (left) wall of the passage, Maple tries again to be sneaky ...

Spoiler
Zam

CoffeeHorse · Nov 21, 2022

"Omigosh! Flair, you're okay!" Misty exclaims. "I don't know exactly what happened... when I passed through here a while ago, everyone was floating in the air. Then when I came back after helping Night Cap, I found you and Static on the ground like this. I thought you might've taken a bad fall."

Maplejack bumped against the wall briefly but she slowly rounded the corner. Surely nopony heard her. Or so some might think, for she came face to face with the waiting Casino Soufflé! Grape Vine responded with burning anger in her eyes. "CASINO SOUFFLÉ! How DARE you betray me!" Casino Soufflé merely grinned. "Betraying you would imply I was on your side in the first place. You were nothing more than the stepping stone of my advancement. You remember Dazzling Midnight! , don't you? She sends her greetings." Grape Vine's eyes went wide in shock when Dazzling Midnight was mentioned.

"DOWN NOW!" Maple yells as her hooves move toward the floor..
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Scarlet huffed in disappointment as he realised that what little he could glean from the etchings, shed no real light on their meaning.

Ah well.
Better luck next time Son.

"Other than a vague connection to the Two Sisters, i know nothing of these puzzle squares. Although i wouldn't be aversed to helping figure them out," Scarlet said as he stowed the square away in his pack.

As Misty's spray hits Static, he slowly begins to stir. "Ugg! I feel like I'm having the worst hangover in my entire body!"
...
"Why am I wet?" He glances at Misty. "That explains it. Thanks!"

He looks over at Flairvoyant. "Good! Everypony's alive. Good good good."

A quiver goes up Static's spine. "Does anypony know where Maple is? I'm doing that thing again where I know she's in a fight. She may need some help.

Static tries to get up.

[Yeeeah, that's not happening!]

"She may need help from somepony who's not me."

CoffeeHorse · Nov 21, 2022

"Yay! Static's okay too!"Misty announces.

Static tries moving again...much to his regret. "Ngh! That depends on your definition."

"It was very brave of you to go after Ms. Voyant like that, Static," said Amber, with a proud smile.

Scarlet huffed in disappointment as he realised that what little he could glean from the etchings, shed no real light on their meaning.

Ah well.
Better luck next time Son.

"Other than a vague connection to the Two Sisters, i know nothing of these puzzle squares. Although i wouldn't be aversed to helping figure them out," Scarlet said as he stowed the square away in his pack.

"Talk to Amber Sparks when you get back." Snowy offers, purposefully adding the 's'. "She's the one responsible for the rest of the pieces. Now then, do we think there's anything else to find in here?"

Casino Soufflé wailed in pain and confusion when the combination of blinding flash and obscuring dark from Maplejack's coins hit him. Grape Vine knocked him over while Second Ivory rushed to flank the other side.

CoffeeHorse · Nov 21, 2022

Amber found her way to the couch to find Static and Flairvoyant in their compromising position. She nodded to Night Cap.

"I believe we stole a helicopter," said Amber. "Silver Clouds and -" Amber shook her head; she really had been getting better with ponies' names. How could she not remember the name of the pony who'd been responsible for this whole mess? "The bosses of this little operation escaped, but we've stopped the robbery, and I'm sure we'll learn something from the associates they so recklessly abandoned." Amber set down the TAKE henchpony she'd been carrying in front of Night Cap.

Spoiler

"Strolls Choice." Rhapsody replies as she walks up behind Amber. "I'm too stubborn for a memory spell like this, when a pony has my ire up so much."

As Misty's spray hits Static, he slowly begins to stir. "Ugg! I feel like I'm having the worst hangover in my entire body!"
...
"Why am I wet?" He glances at Misty. "That explains it. Thanks!"

He looks over at Flairvoyant. "Good! Everypony's alive. Good good good."

A quiver goes up Static's spine. "Does anypony know where Maple is? I'm doing that thing again where I know she's in a fight. She may need some help."

Static tries to get up.

[Yeeeah, that's not happening!]

"She may need help from somepony who's not me."

It was very brave of you to go after Ms. Voyant like that, Static," said Amber, with a proud smile.

"Brave, and very stupid." Rhapsody remarks honestly. "Maybe leave the aerial stunts to those of us with wings next time? It might do wonders for your mobility." She says in an attempt to be jovial. "As for Maple, she contacted me while Flair was being kidnapped. They found the location of Casion and wanted us to join them, but I had to refuse due to needing to stop half the team from getting carried away... literally..."

Spoiler

While her eyes were closed... being as close to the flash as she was, Maple still had a moment of refocusing while here eyes dilated in various directions (on account of the smoke too).
Still She wouldn't have wanted to trade spaces with Casino at that moment either.. fortunately her warning seemed to have given her companions enough time to avoid ill effects, and they'd moved in to make sure the advantage remained theirs while Maple's vision normalized.

Thanks to Boss Vine, the traitor was on his back... and that left him open to a maneuver Maple would have not had the height to properly lock in.

Spoiler

Reaching a hoof around Casino's throat Maple locked tight... and while she didn't have the leg length to wrap him up completely with a body scissor... leaving his back legs free to buck... the thrashing did manage to get him positioned completely above her. Casino's own weight was forcing the small of his back to bend over Maple's rear hooves... After a few kicks... Casino stopped... the tiny hoof prints on either side of his spine would be painful for a long while... and Maple had no intentions of letting off the pressure now that she'd locked in the dreaded Crossarm Chickenwing ... made infamous by the Griffin wrestler Beak Backlimb. Maple thought a moment about using this in the ring... with her size this could almost look like a surfboard as well... Surf Chicken it is then. Maple laughed, which as the smoke faded... did not seem to be the reaction any of the other ponies were expecting -given the looks on their faces. But you always roll with the audience, Maple could use it.

A smirk spread along Maple's face that wasn't from the babyface handbook. As close as they were she only needed to speak softly ...
"Mmm I bet that feels nice... Maple twists her rear right hoof slightly ...It doesn't feel nice.
...I suggest you spill the beans Soufflé, after a few hours of this...I don't know if I could fix your back." Maple wasn't sure she could hold this for hours, but he didn't need to know that.

Spoiler

Maple tensed her muscles... letting both him and her feel the strength in them, Maple felt full of energy all of a sudden, all that flying must have only used up the first cup of coffee.

*make a note in journal about potential opinion change on coffee. Maybe tell Mr. Signal.

Turning her eyes to the other two ponies, Maple's face changed back to as pleasant of a configuration as it had ever been. "If you want to get any information out of this mook now's the time."

Spoiler

Maple stares long and hard into Casino's eye... "We'll know if you aren't honest Casino... " Maple didn't twist her hoof again, but the implied threat of it was clear.

And then a horrible thought entered her mind. if Casino turns out to be under mind control too... you oh him one heck of a Chocolate Soufflé

CoffeeHorse · Nov 21, 2022

"I didn't see anything else up there. So unless either of you caught a glimpse of something. I guess we forge on," Scarlet said.

Grape Vine's eyes narrowed as she looked Casino Soufflé in the eye. "Why? What did you expect to gain from all of this?" Casino Soufflé chuckled. "You had things COIN wanted. Since you didn't want to cooperate the first time, we sought other means. Taking on this job moved me up the chain. I'll be glad to get out of this dump but my compliments to your cooks. They've got real talent. As far as your other staff..." He gazed into Second Ivory's eyes.

"Beautiful mare with poise and sway.
Your friends won't let me get away."

His deep voice practically purred with a sultry velvet like the most popular of romantic singers. Second Ivory's eyes glazed over vacantly as her horn began to glow with an erratic light. Lumbering towards Grape Vine and Maplejack, she uttered,

"Must...stop...youse..."

"Night night!" Maple Squeezed, and walked her feet up Casino's back... this was now a sleeper hold.

"Miss Ivory look at this!"
Spoiler

Maple's smirk is back... she hopes Casino's the egotistical type... because this might hurt worse than his Back.
"Miss Ivory, forget all about what Casino here just said to you. please and thank you."

Night Cap looks over the dismal scene and turns to the bankers.

"Change of plans. We need to get this team to a medic right away. Where can we find one in this city?"

"No need." Grape Vine punched Casino Soufflé in the jaw, knocking him out cold. Second Ivory wobbled dizzily, "Boss Vine, why does my heart feel all fluttery?" "I'll explain later. Right now we have a problem. We've caught Casino but we have no clue where his cohorts are. One is probably down here but the other likely made a break for it when they kidnapped that mare we found. We have to decide what to do from here."

One of the bankers replied to Night Cap with, "The main hospital is not far from here. My cousin works there so I'm sure you'll be cared for."

CoffeeHorse · Nov 21, 2022

Copper Bezel:
"It was very brave of you to go after Ms. Voyant like that, Static," said Amber, with a proud smile.

"Thanks, Amber. I'm just glad she's okay."

Shadewing:
"Brave, and very stupid."

"I have no good argument against that."

Fnu Aw:
Night Cap looks over the dismal scene and turns to the bankers.

"Change of plans. We need to get this team ! to a medic right away. Where can we find one in this city?"

"I'll be fine. Somepony needs to get to Maple. She..." Static's words drop as the sense of battle fades. "just proved to me yet again that she's one very tough cookie. Yeah, medic sounds good right about now."

"By the way, Strolls Choice and Silver Clouds...I can't remember their faces. At first I thought it was just the fall. But...the way it feels...the way I get a headache just trying to remember their faces...it's a lot like what I saw when Misty, Maple and I captured the stallion who brainwashed the cuckarockas. Whenever he tried to remember the face of the one who hired him, it caused him great pain to try and remember...so much so I was afraid he was going to faint." Static looked to Amber and Rhapsody. "Can either of you remember the faces of Strolls Choice or Silver Clouds. For that matter...how hard was it for you to remember their names? I think we just ran into the group that was behind the attack at the conservation speech."

"nice." Maple relaxed her limbs and let Casino fall to the floor.

"Do either of you know a way to keep him from talking if he wakes up?" Maple held out her hooves all she had with her was were the two coins taped them... and the coin uniform in her mane of course.

Spoiler

Misty attempts to pick up Static to carry him to the hospital, but does it very gingerly to avoid aggravating any of his injuries. Unfortunately, due to her excessive caution, she is not very successful at actually managing to lift him.

She looks to Night Cap and Rhapsody. "Umm... I think I might need some help..."

First Ivory lifted Static Signal with her magic. "I've got youse. Can somepony else get the other one?"

Second Ivory said to Maplejack, "I keep a tiny jar of peanut butter on me. Think dat will work if I stick some in his mouth?"

Static feels himself being lifted off the ground by First Ivory's magic. "I'm flying again."

Splash Flaunt looked around the cavern. "It doesn't seem like there's anywhere else to go unless it's well hidden. Snowy, was there anything else of interest in the swamp during the prior expedition?"

"I'd hate for you to waste good peanut butter on a bad pony... but I think all I've got is only good for tying him up so he doesn't get away."

CoffeeHorse · Nov 23, 2022

"Memory magic," spat Amber. "Even worse than illusions. That ugly old - or, ah, young? - oh!" Amber stamped one hoof hard on the tiled floor.

Amber nodded to First Ivory and lifted Flairvoyant with her magic.

"Does anyone know where Miss Jack is? She left with Ms. Vine, did she not?"

Spoiler

Static winced at Ambers words. He found it hard to argue. After all, he'd now been a victim of memory magic twice...and it's never a pleasant experience. In the hooves of the wrong ponies, memory and illusion magic can be rather nefarious. Still, he was an illusion user himself...not to mention..."Don't let Amber or Snowy hear you say that."

Static then turned his attention to Night Cap...the pony who'd saved his life...again. If not for Night Caps actions, Static wouldn't have lasted another moment in that fight.

And yet to do so, he probably put himself into a lot of hot water. Technically he did disobey a direct order from the one in command...twice. Static didn't like the fact that because of him, Night Cap could now be in some serious trouble. He wished there was some way to maybe soften the blow here. Then a grin crossed his lips.

"Hey, Night! I've twice flown today...even teleported once. Don't ever let anypony tell you it's impossible for an earthpony to do something...not even me!"

Splash Flaunt looked around the cavern. "It doesn't seem like there's anywhere else to go unless it's well hidden. Snowy, was there anything else of interest in the swamp during the prior expedition?"

"Hm..." Snowy muses. "I am very curious about how the waterways within this cave system connect to the swamp outside, but you're the only pony that's remotely equipped to investigate that, and we don't want you getting separated and stranded in the middle of the forest. I could lead you back to us, but the logistics are...complicated. Would you be up for some underwater exploration?"

Second Ivory leaned over to Maplejack as if she were whispering a secret. "Oh no, dis is the discount brand. I keep da real good stuff hidden where my sisters can't find it." Second Ivory pulled out a tiny jar and stuffed Casino Soufflé's mouth with peanut butter using her magic. Meanwhile, Grape Vine used the jump rope to tie up Casino Soufflé.

Splash Flaunt nodded to Snowy Skies. "While I have concerns about splitting up, I'm willing to make a dive. Is it safe to assume the water is in one of the other tunnels?"

Snowy nods. "The only other tunnel that's not caved in anymore. Current logistics: Scarlet and I will wait 15 minutes at the underground lake, in case you encounter something unexpected and need to resurface. After that, we'll leave the cave and wait by the entrance. At 30 minutes I will begin 'pinging' you once every five minutes. I need a little practice with volume--" He pauses for a moment as

"Hostages vault."

runs through his head, but he presses on. "--volume control, but you should be able to ignore it if you're still underwater. You'll know how far away we are and what direction to head to come back to us; thus we'll need to get above-ground so you I don't lead you over our heads. You should explore as much as you can, then surface and return. Is air supply a factor at all?"

...If that meant what he thought it did, 'vault hostages' would have been much more intuitive.

Spoiler

CoffeeHorse · Nov 23, 2022

Maple softly giggled at Second Ivory's comment. "It must be fun having sisters, Sometimes I wonder if I have any... and then other times I hope I don't have so many that my legs get tired from all the hugs I'd need to give -when I meet them all again." Maple paused for a second...

"Oh right... I forgot, I've only just met you nice ladies... I woke up with Amnesia one day a few years ago... so... don't mind me I ramble." Maple blushes as she turns back to Boss Vine,

"We still need to find this Unicorn he mentioned right? ... Will it be safe to leave him here, I haven't heard back from the rest of the group from the Keep yet... It might be best until we have this other pony cornered before I send out another signal... we wouldn't want to give away our location to friend and foe if we could avoid it."

Maple let a thread of worry wrinkle her brow ... I hope Rhapsody takes the others to the building in the middle of town -where I left those medkits... we're a tough bunch but somebody might be hurt really bad. Shaking the thought away as images of her friends hurt started forming in her minds eye... Maple waited to hear what their next move should be.

Scarlet nodded silently as Snowy spoke.

"While i'm not thrilled about splitting up. That does seem like a good plan Snowy."

"I can lead youse ponies to the hospital. Follow me."

"I know my air limits. Only worry after an hour." Scarlet Spectrum, Snowy Skies, and Splash Flaunt retraced their steps through the cavern until they arrived at the underground lake. Splash Flaunt reached out and touched the Wand of Incomparable Green. Soon, a seed sprang out of the ground and she tossed it into her pack before leaping into the water. Right before she dived, she said, "I have a way back if needed."

Spoiler

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

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.