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

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
"Hmm. You have to admit tyough, if anyponies have the power to deal with this and potentially complete its original purpose. It would be the combined magic of the Princessess.

Still dangerous though."

Scarlet thought for a moment.

"Snowy, didn't you say the the puzzle cubes you found like these, were, or could be, a map to Manorspace?"


"I don't feel anyone but the princesses have 'rightful claim' to the box and its pieces. If I bought you a jigsaw puzzle, and one piece happened to fall out, some pony finding it doesn't mean its is theirs. They can't claim the Juvenal belief of 'finders keepers' it was never there's in the first place."


"Snowy, didn't you say that the puzzle cubes you found like these, were, or could be, a map to Manorspace?
Snowy grimaces. "It's...complicated. Inside each puzzle cube was a third of a three-tiered map of the manor. But it was a blueprint for an actual manor, not the anti-gravity funhouse Desert Rose was pulled into. She said the manor matched the blueprints, if you stretched things out like they were taffy. I'm hoping that they're just blueprints, and don't have any magical significance."


Static just rolled his eyes. He could see both sides. There were reasons why both Luna and Night Cap should have a claim. But of course Rhapsody would only ever see one side of any argument, and he was tired of wasting his breath.

"Guess we'll just have to see how the conversation between Night, Ms. Iron and the princesses goes. Like I said, glad it's a decision I've got nothing to do with."


Snowy's hair rustles for a moment as he thinks. He absently hums the song. "...Not exactly. He said he wanted it to be a garden, at first. I think when he decided to make a whole world he started with a house. It's not hard. Just a couple of rooms, maybe a bedroom with good lighting and a sitting room with a comfy sofa, then you put it in white stucco walls and put that on a cliff overlooking an ocean, and the cliff faces west so you can watch the sundown every evening..." He shakes his head, trying to leave his own thoughts behind. "What I mean is you start with a house, and you expand from there. I think he designed the house as an anchor, a doorway between worlds, and then something went wrong."


Wingston Blues replied with, "Chamomile is a flower used in some teas. It has a calming effect so some drink it before they go to sleep."

Spoiler


"Oh. I've never tried that. Maybe I should?" Misty walks a little ways away from Wingston. She shakes her whole body, head to tail, like a dog that's just come inside from the rain. Bits of slush fly in every direction.

After a moment she stops and looks back to Wingston. "If I had, maybe I wouldn't have had a nightmare like that."

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
"I don't know, that didn't seem like a normal nightmare. Hmm. Perhaps you should speak with the Chief Director. From the meeting with the department heads, I know that some employees do some sort of dream stuff. Perhaps you should speak with one of them."


"Ownership of the puzzle piece can be determined after the princesses arrive. For the moment, we need to get Moonbeam to the hospital."

The Keep employees swiftly transported Moonbeam Writ to the hospital and placed him under Nurse Nighth! eart's care. No sooner than they returned to the museum, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna winked onto the lawn. Brisk Iron immediately bowed and addressed them, explaining everything that had transpired. Celestia nodded, then said, "I will go to the hospital to see Moonbeam. Luna will stay here and look over the puzzle so we can make a proper decision."


[Luna's here! It's Luna..the Luna...again! This makes the second time we've met the Luna because of our job here. I love my job! The...Luna!]

[Settle down. Her name is Luna...not 'the' Luna.]

[C'mon! This is soooo cool!]

[Down boy! She's here on business...business that doesn't have anything to do with us. Keep an eye on anything Rhapsody or Night Cap does.]

[And Scarlet...]

[And Scarlet...but mostly Rhapsody and Night.]

[We're in the presence of Luna...again. So awesome!]

[We're going to need a tranquilizer.]

[...]

[What?]

[I'm still just trying to figure out precisely just how many voices I have in here.]


"Yeah... I know it wasn't a normal nightmare. To be honest, it was terrifying. But, just when I thought I wasn't going to make it... I thought about somepony very special, and how sad she would be if she couldn't have fun with me anymore. That's when I knew I had to make it."

"And next thing I knew, you were there waking me up!"
Misty adds, now sounding more like her usual peppy self. "Thanks for that, by the way. Guess I should go see the Chief Director now, huh?"


Snowy successfully ignores Static vibrating next to him. Still bowing, he looks up. "Your majesty, may I accompany you to the hospital? I'd like to check in on Moonbeam Writ."


Upon seeing (out of the corner of his eye) Static literally buzzing with excitement, and without the addition of strong coffee, at the sight of Princess Luna, Scarlet lowered his head a little bit further, so nopony could see his expression falter. He would loved to simply fanboy out himdelf because hey, its the Princessess too. I mean, how often in a ponys life will that ever happen.

Except that he's already rigid with worry about the fact that the reasons the Princessess are here, is because he screwed up and nearly caused Really Bad Stuff to Happen.

So he stood, and waited, and hoped somepony else would speak first.

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
"While it depends, I remember her saying she would be working late. So she should be at the museum."


Princess Celestia nodded. "Yes, you may. Hold still..." She briefly touched her horn to Snowy Skies' and in a blink of the eye, they were in front of the hospital.

Meanwhile, Princess Luna's gaze turned to Scarlet Spectrum.
"I believe you are the one currently in possession of the puzzle pieces, correct?"


"Oh, really? Thanks. I'll head over there right away!" She takes off and heads towards the Keep.

She gets a few blocks away from the frozen rooftop before feelings of weakness start to catch up with her. "C'mon, wings. It's not that far..."


Snowy shakes his head. "I think that's actually worse than getting transported by the Wand of Incomparable Green." He comments, momentarily forgetting who brought him here. "We took him to Nurse Nightheart. She should be this way, Majesty." He takes a step, then stops. "If you'd like to avoid a scene, I can...disguise you." He suggests. "It might mean less attention on Moonbeam Writ, which most people on bed rest appreciate."


Suppressing his nerves, Scarlet slid the wrapped stack of puzzle squares from his back, and placed them on yhe ground in front of him.

"I am, Your Majesty. After completing my assembly of these squares which...lead to current events. I felt it best to keep them near to hoof."

He hesitated then, not syre what to add nor how to add it.


[Oh, that'll be quite enough of your self flagellation,] Static decides.

"Yeah, we've had ponies trying to figure out how to get Moonbeam out of Manor Space for months. Scarlet does it by accident in a matter of a couple days!" he chirps in.

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Rhapsody, much like Static had been in stunned silence to be in Luna's presence once again. She looks over as Static speaks up and tries to dumb down Scarlet's actions. "In the most reckless way possible." Rhapsody reminds, though her tone seems much less accusatory of the other pegasus then it did earlier. Maybe due to being in the presence of a Princess, or maybe her creative outlet allowed her to let off steam; it was hard to tell.


Misty comes in for a landing near the Keep's employee entrance, but her legs aren't quite up to the challenge today, and she tumbles head over hooves all the way up to the doorstep.

"Owowow..." She lifts a hoof and taps on the door, then calls out. "Hello... Dusty? Zig Zag? Chief Director? Anypony?"


Princess Celestia smiled. "The offer of disguise is appreciated but not needed. I'm sure Nightheart will know what to do." Upon entering the hospital, the ponies in the lobby bowed. One little filly walked up to Princess Celestia with tears in her eyes. "Do you know if my mommy will be okay?" "I can only assume so, the doctors and nurses here are among the best in Equestria. What I want to know is if you will be okay. Your mommy will need for you to be strong for her." "Yes ma'am. After giving the filly a hug, Princess Celestia approached the desk and spoke with Nurse Nightheart in private. Upon being escorted to a side room, Princess Celestia explained that she was here with Snowy Skies to see Moonbeam Writ. Nurse Nightheart slid aside a wall panel to reveal a hidden hallway that she led them down.


"I'd be hesitant to assign blame considering some of my own actions that lacked discretion." Princess Luna said as she arranged pieces wth her hoof, being careful not to have any touch. "Celestia knew Moonbeam better than I did but still, thank you all for saving him. While the magic might not have worked as he intended, there's no denying the skilled craftwork and it would be a shame to lose that forever. Concentrating on the matter at hand is difficult since there's something my sister and I have been dealing with. We can't shake the feeling that there's something wrong with the world but it alludes us to what it could be. We were discussing that when the telegram came through."


Snowy tried to act as inconspicuously as possible, casually keeping Celestia's large frame between him and as many ponies as possible. This did little to hide the fact that a)he was not bowing, and b)he was hiding a tiny smile. Once they got through the crowd, his smile broke out in force. "Is he doing all right?"


"Yes, he recovering remarkably well. Quite similar to Desert Rose in fact." Nurse Nightheart said as they walked down the secret hallway.

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
[Night Cap]​
"I was really hoping you could tell me that the slowly assembling puzzle was what was making the world feel all wrong."


Princess Luna sighed, "If only it were that simple. While the feeling is lingering in the back of the mind, it something not to ignore. I think it's been slowly building for quite some time."


As a tired and weary Misty Monsoon waited by the back entrance, she felt a pair of hooves gently lift her into the air. Wingston Blues had followed her out of concern and upon a quick aerial survey, decided to carry her to the front where the others were.


"Hard to ignore, even harder to prepare when we don't know what we're preparing for. I mean, what do we do while we wait for whatever this wrongness to show...it...self...

Static's words drifted off as he turned a suspicious eye to the sky. "Misty? Why does Misty need to be carried? His suspicion turns to horror as the pegasi land. "Misty? Misty! Sweet merciful...

[She's standing right behind you!]

"Night Cap!" Static moves away to give Nigh Cap space to go to work.


"Yes, he recovering remarkably well. Quite similar to Desert Rose in fact." Nurse Nightheart said as they walked down the secret hallway.

"Reality's good for the soul, I guess. Did he have any of Desert Rose's lung problems?"


Misty feels herself lift into the air. "Oh, thanks Wingston. I got all the way here and, wouldn't you know it, my legs decided to stop working... and my wings too." Her voice sounds groggy and weak again.

Coming into view of the Keep's front lawn, Misty is surprised to see so many others present. "Wow... what's going on? I hope nopony else had a bad nightmare. Is that why Luna's here? She is here, right? Or am I dreaming again...?"


Static patted Misty on the shoulder. "No, she's real. Don't try to talk. Just let Night Cap do his thing. You can tell us about this dream later once you've regained your strength."

Static steps away to give Night Cap space. He walks over to Luna. "Your Majesty? I can only guess, but it looks like whatever happened in her dream happened to her physically. Have you heard of this happening before? Who could do this?"

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Scarlet turned as Wingston carried Misty in.

"Yikes, Misty! A dream did that!"

Breaking off, Scarlet thought for second, recalling Snowys tale about his 'dream' and Night Cap.

"By the looks of things, that's no ordinary dream attack. Could something have been after her, like with Snowys nightmare?"


Misty smiles bravely for Night Cap."It's not too bad... just a bit of a chill. Heh, I hope I'm not your first patient... that would be so embarrassing..."


"Night Cap, Don't worry so much. You were here to help with Moonbeam, and you can still help Misty. That's just as important. Keep that in mind."


We should get her to the hospital as soon as possible. Here, let me try something. Static takes out a lot of materials from seemingly nowhere and, in a flurry of action, starts constructing something. The others can only see a yellow blurr zipping here and there as they see some machine appear before them. In less than a minute, a vehicle sat on the lawn with a drivers area, a container big enough to fit Misty that said "HEATING UNIT" in big red letters and enough seats for the others. Static loads Misty into the heating unit. "This should warm you up along the way." He sits in the drivers seat and looks to the others. "All aboard who's coming with!"

Spoiler



Static takes out his morse code transmitter.

KEEP TO HOSPITAL: PREPARE FOR ANOTHER PATIENT. HYPOTHERMIA FOR CERTAIN. UNCERTAIN OF OTHER POSSIBLE INJURIES. PATIENT NAME, MISTY.
"Message is sent. Get well soon, Misty. Do you want us to see if we can get word to Maple?"

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
"I do have something I want to tell everypony... because you all could be in danger too." She looks grave. "It was the Snow Shark. It came after me in my dream. I had to make it here to warn you..." She coughs a couple times before finishing. "Don't let it catch you too..."


Static pales a few shades, his eyes open wide and his ears pin back.

[Snow Shark? He knows about us now! Oh crap! Oh crap oh crap oh crap!]

[Misty's still right there. Brave face! BRAVE FACE!]


He does his best to put a smile on for Misty. Thanks for the heads up. Rest now. Ms. Iron will know what to do from here.


Princess Luna frowned. "That's a problem. I've been looking for the Snow Shark since I last spoke with Amaroq and not only has it been avoiding me, it's been sending me on the wrong trail when I try to track it."

"At the moment, Static, we should focus on making sure Misty is stable. We can alert others afterwords. Though this news of the Snow Shark may have me adjusting plans..."


"No, he didn't have those lung problems. Somewhat surprising in that regard. Though he will need proper nourishment and exercise. Here we are." Nurse Nightheart slid open a wall panel and they were at one of the normal hallways. She then opened the door to Moonbeam Writ's room. He struggled to try to get up upon seeing Princess Celestia but was too weak to. "Please, rest. No need to get up on my regard. Just glad that you've returned to us."

Snowy waves. "Hello again." If they wanted a private conversation, he was going to make them be direct about it.


"Yes, absolutely ma'am. My thoughts exactly. We need to get Misty to the hospital. In fact.

Static brings out a bunch of materials and in a blur of motion. Less than a minute later, a vehicle stands before them. There was seating for all. One one sectioned of spot was a chamber specially sized for Misty with the words "Heating Chamber" written in red.

"This should warm her up some on the way to the hospital," he says, placing Misty in the chamber. He then takes a seat in the drivers seat. "All aboard who's coming!"


[spoilers]You invent a small container about six inches in diameter. The opening to the container can stretch to be 5 feet in diameter. You can store up to two thousand cubic feet of objects in this container. You can withdraw an object from this container as easily as if it was in your pocket. In addition, you gain the Create Crazy Contraption ability.

Create Crazy Contraption (3) – Magic
Preparation Time: 12 Seconds
Create a Crazy Contraption, such as an improvised bicycle-powered flying machine. Crazy Contraptions cannot have combat applications and can only perform physical tasks, a ‘disenchantment contraption’ or, ‘mind-controlling contraption’ could not be built. No materials need be on hand to craft a Crazy Contraption and the process of crafting one after the preparation time takes less than ten seconds. Crazy contraptions cannot be longer than 20 feet on any given side. Other than that, feel free to use this ability to shatter the boundaries of common-sense. The contraption disappears after 10 minutes and has no monetary value.[/spoiler]

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
"Snow Shark? That sounds...ominous. A beast that can hunt you no matter where you are, is not .a good thing

I'll certainly come along," Scarlet said. Intrigued and concerned, he wanted to know more. Although, he would not press for any info, until Misty was recovered enough to talk.


Spoiler

Once everypony who wanted to ride with Misty were all seated and belted up, Static cranked the engine, which let out a giant hiss of steam as the pistons started to pump. "Sorry for the crudity of it all. But you know me, functionality over being pretty."

The cart started off towards the hospital. The steam pistons put out a respectable amount of speed. The downhills helped. The up hills...not so much. But within a matter of minutes, they pulled up at the hospital. Static directed the nurses to the Heating Chamber where they took Misty out and put her on a stretcher.

Once everypony was clear of the vehicle, it began to fold in on itself until it was just a bunch of pieces on the ground which Static picked up and put back into his bag of holding.


Before being taken inside, Misty calls out to Static. "Please, make sure Maple is safe... and tell her I'll be okay."


"I'll find her as soon as possible. I'll tell her. You just focus on getting better, okay?"


Princess Luna turned to Brisk Iron. "I will keep the twelve pieces that make up the bottom while your museum will keep the rest safe and secure. I'll also be quietly watching your employees' dreams to see if the Snow Shark returns."


Meanwhile, the nurses rushed Misty Monsoon into a room where she could be monitored for the night. Some of the nurses acknowledged Night Cap's greeting but otherwise kept busy.


As the nurses rushed Misty inside, Static looked around at the others. "Umm...somehow I don't think I thought this through. I was hoping we'd be more useful." Static scratches his head and looks around again. With their vehicle all in pieces and back in his bag of holding, it would take them quite a bit longer to get back to the museum than it took them to get here. "Now what?"


Static sighed. "Yeah, sorry, Night! I can only use it once. It's a one-off." Static holds up the empty steam cartridge and tosses it to Night Cap.


"Princess, I failed you." "Things might not have gone as planned but Luna is safe and happy. That doesn't sound like failure. Many thing have changed since you were away but I'm sure the museum ponies will help you get acclimated in time. Snowy, was there anything you had to say before we let him rest?"

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Static wasn't sure if it would be quicker to walk back to the Keep or wait for Celestia and Snowy to come out and take whatever transport they were going to use. Since Night Cap seemed to have already resigned himself to waiting, he figured he might as well wait it out with him. This was overtime anyways.

"Work was the normal mix of projector booth time and tech training. All and all, I'd have to say pretty good...except for frying a weeks worth of work when Snowy called. How've you been doing?"


"Princess, I failed you." "Things might not have gone as planned but Luna is safe and happy. That doesn't sound like failure. Many thing have changed since you were away but I'm sure the museum ponies will help you get acclimated in time. Snowy, was there anything you had to say before we let him rest?"

"Just one thing, Majesty." Snowy lightly bows to Moonbeam Writ. "Could you see out into the real world at all? How did ponies get pulled in?"


Moonbeam Writ shook his head. "No, I could never see out. I could sometimes sense that somepony was nearby and those times were right before when your friends entered."


Scarlet winced slightly at the repeated use of 'replacement' in connection to Amber Spark, though he tried to hide it. Statics words had the unfortunate effect of reinforcing the idea that this was part of why Rhapsody had issues with him. Still, those thoughts were for another time.

"Light Fantastic, the dancer? She was on the team for a while." Scraps of conversation from the night at Ocean Dives bubbled up to the surface of his mind and poked him. With a sharp intake of breath, certain details clicked. "Is she the mare Snowy was talking about at Oceans? The one who...walked, out, on him?"


Static winced. "I'm not sure how many ponies know about that. Be careful about just shouting that out. But yeah, her and Amber were both kind of a 'one day they're here the next they're gone' kinda situation."

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Moonbeam Writ shook his head. "No, I could never see out. I could sometimes sense that somepony was nearby and those times were right before when your friends entered."

Snowy nods. "I see. Please, get some rest."

Out in the hallway, he turns to Celestia. "Were you two close, back then?"


Scarlet dropped his voice.

"Ponyfeathers! You're right, sorry. I just kinda made the connection in my head cause of how Snowy was acting at the bar when he was talking about 'her'.

And Rhapsody, yeah i can tell she is taking Ambers departure hard. Mostly because it seems like she holds me responsible for it. I get the gist yhat because of my arriving hot on the heels of Amber, and taking over her research into the puzzle squares, that i specifically replaced her. Un;ole you two, who are gaining new skills and job types, but not actively walking into others pomies shoes as it were.

Or i may be getting a bit melodramatic there," he said with a grin.

"So anyway, tell about you and Ms. Anchors Away, Static?"



"I don't think Rhapsody knows about me and my tech training yet, Static said. Then he looked down at his bag of holding that he just put his recently created vehicle in. "At least she probably didn't know before half an hour ago.

"As for me and Anchors...where do I start? When we first met, we just kinda ran into each other. As I was helping her pick up her papers, I just had this feeling that... I don't know...it was just...you know? Of course then some unicorn I didn't recognize asked if we were having a moment. I freaked out and bolted out of there. Wish I knew who that unicorn was, but you know, not the most social of ponies back then. Chances are I see him all the time now and would never know.

"Anyway...Anchors...met her again later that same night and...well...I was love struck and she didn't write me off as some creepy spaz. Aaaaand...yeah, now we're a couple!"


Static hesitated. "I'm sure we all want to know how things are going...but...Misty was seriously hurt. Night Cap was able to stabilize her...but..." Static takes a deep breath, "it was Snow Shark. It entered her dreams."


That fit in perfectly with Snowy's understanding of the situation. Moonbeam Writ had said that the puzzle box was commissioned, but treated Celestia like a friend, or perhaps a close mentor. Such people usually do not 'commission' works of art; they request, or inspire. But this, it seemed, was the unfortunate reality of a private relationship with Princess Celestia: you felt deep affection and closeness to her, but she had no such feelings for you. At least there wasn't anything sinister to it. It was simply the reality of dealing with beings who were over one thousand years old.

This mare was perhaps the most fascinating pony Snowy had ever had the pleasure of meeting. The effect she had on other ponies was simply shocking.The hospital patients, Moonbeam Writ...It was one thing to hear about the Eternal Sun, and another to see it. It felt like he could shadow her for a hundred years and never understand what she was doing. Not that that was an option, but he could dream.

Static's words penetrated his reverie. "There's a pony named Snowy Shark? They sound mean."


"No...not a pony. It's some sort of monster that's been terrorizing a northern place called Warning Sound. I haven't had a chance to edit everything together yet, but if this thing's menacing members of our team, I think it would be a good idea if everypony saw the raw footage of the interview I had with Amaroq."

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Spoiler

"Ah. So she's the pomy who pulled you out of the projection booth," Scarlet said with a chuckle. Adding in a lower voice. "Inspiration and affection can be pretty potent things, eh Static? From projectionist, to adventurer tech pony."

Listening to the others as Princess Celestia and Snowy walked up, Scarlet nodded in agreement.

"Shortly after you left, Misty Mansoon was brought over having suffered a very potent dream attack by this Snow Shark creature. Night Cap and i came along with Static when he was able to create some transportation to get Misty here. Although there isn't as much for us to do as we might have anticipated.

How is Moonbeam Writ doing, Your Majesty?"

Scarlet managed to add the 'Your Majesty' with barely a hint of hesitation. Being allowed to be less formal than most around his superiors did, sometimes, cause him to lose sight of the fact yhat not everypony would be so tolerant. Slipping in front of the Princess could have been very bad.


"The last stop before the top of the world..."

Princess Celestia quietly mused to herself. "My sister would be better equipped to tackle this since she's mentioned the Snow Shark. However, I can see about assigning a few of the royal guard to assist the town.

Moonbeam needs time to recover, though I trust the medical staff. It might help if you knew of something that could remind him of home while he's unable to travel."



"Princess Luna did say something about having having been looking for Snow Shark since talking to Amaroq, your majesty. I'm afraid there's still a bit we don't know about it. As for Moonbeam...I know he likes a piece of music called "The Abduction" by Marezart. It was part of how we were able to get him back. I'm not sure whatever happened to the journal. Is that still with Ms. Iron?" he asks to anyone who wants to answer.


"Yes, the Chief has it with her back at the Keep," Scarlet said. Then cocked his head as Night Cap spoke.

Is he trying to get himself 'hired' to track this Snow Shark? As a dreamwalker, i can see why he would make such an offer but... Is he expecting to get paid by the Princessess to do it?

... 'sigh'

I am so cynical sometimes.



Static winced at Night Caps words. "There's so many unknowns. But I would be wary of sending any one pony out to track this thing. Even someone as tall as Amaroq couldn't get rid of it. She made it sound like this thing was a big reason why the entire region of Warning Sound is so isolated. This thing sounds dangerous...like...Baromets on steroids kind of dangerous. I'd surely like to know more about it before we start sending ponies out to hunt it."

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Snowy sighs. "I have been left out of the loop again. Who is Amaroq?"


Static gives Snowy an inquisitive before it dawned on him. "That's riiiight! You weren't there. Right before our bowling night the Keep had a visitor from Warning Sound, an area far to the north. I guess it's also called the last stop before the top of the world? Amaroq's a wolf...about two stories tall. She was actually quite nice to get to know. I sincerely would love to see her again. Course, that probably means going to an extremely cold environment," Static said with a visible shudder. "Still, if it helps keep in contact with friends...right?"


Rhapsody had stayed behind because she didn't think she'd have much use there, not that she ever liked Hospitals much in the first place. Of course, that fact that Princess Luna stayed behind as well, well that also helped in her decision to not accompany the three stooges in their claptrap vehicle; though that ability of Static's could come in handy later... She had been wanting to find someone that could help design better equipment for her... extra-curricular activities. That's a thought for later though, more important was that she was in the Presence of Princess Luna, in an almost private setting... well as likely Private as she'll ever get; it took all her will power to not just be grinning a grin that could give Maple a run for her candy. She had really wished the Princess could be here under much better circumstances though.

Rhapsody looks over to the Night Princess. She should probably say something... but curse it all nothing really comes to mind. The current situation had been handled, and it feels like other topics would be inappropriate considering the events tonight, especially with the mention of this Snow Shark. Still She wants to say something, wants to have a real conversation with the her... Did anypony ever really try to talk to her on terms other then a princess, other then when things were starting to go bad or nightmares were involved?

"Its a wonderful night you've brought us, Princess..." She finally says, looking up to the sky and taking a deep breath, she always feels much more comfortable when the moon's up.


While Princess Luna's expression had mostly been stoic throughout most of the night, she smiled softly at Rhapsody's compliment. "Thank you. I'm glad that ponies these days admire the night. Or perhaps more of them are vocal about it."


"I agree with Static's warning of caution but I'd hate to restrict a pony from their talent. However, Night Cap, your time is not mine to take. You should speak with Brisk about this. Speaking of which, it seems we should be heading back."

Snowy Skies, Static Signal, Night Cap, and Scarlet Spectrum could feel themselves being lifted off the ground by Princess Celestia's magic as she took to the sky and started flying back towards the Keep.


Static was getting ready to fight his fear reflex before he realized that he wasn't exactly scared. He looked down at the ground far below him with a sense of awe.

"That's...odd! I used to be afraid of heights. Unintended exposure therapy I suppose? Heh! Wonder when that happened!"

Maybe during the training mission with Rhapsody? The time at Petrichor Falls? Heck! He almost died once. What else was there to fear?

Static noticed a bit of a thrill of the wind flowing through his mane and being able to see the world below. He very briefly thought of saying 'weeee' for a moment. But being in the presence of Princess Celestia...and Snowy...he thought better of it.

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Scarlet can only gaze from the Princess to the land below them as her magic lifts him and the others into the air. It is one of the most unique experiences he's ever had. Its not often a pegasus gets to fly while not under their own power.

Opening his wings, Scarlet simply enjoys the feeling of the wind rushing through his feathers.


"It's hard to believe we're still looking at Caballuston. I mean, looking down at the roof tops as apposed to looking at buildings one at a time from ground level...it's like it's two completely different cities!"


"eh he...hehehe...hehe...hehe...heh...

"Baby steps, Night Cap. Baby steps."


"It's definitely better than teleportation." Snowy agrees, floating leisurely along.


"They both have their perks. Flying is a completely different perspective that I've never even seen before. It's something...I don't think you could ever talk to an earthpony or unicorn about who's never done...well...this! Even an aircraft isn't quite the same. The wind blowing through the mane, the fresh air above the city streets.

"Of course teleportation's kind of a thing in itself. The crackle of electricity, the feeling of space and distance being torn, ripped and bent all around you, the rush of instantly being ripped from one place and deposited in another. It's harsh, it's sudden, it's violent, it's...exhilarating!"



"The word you were looking for was nauseating." Snowy comments drily.

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
"Nah! I'm pretty sure I meant exhilarating," Static says with a grin. "But to each their own!"


"The rush of adrenaline as you swoop and dive. All your senses sharpened, all your nerves tingling. There's nothing like it in the world!"


Static cringed. "There is falling....from a really, reeeeally long hight. Been there. Done that. Did not get the tee-shirt!"


Scarlet turned his head to look at Static.

"Didn't you, uh, deliberately jump when experiencing your not fatal falling incident. Jump in order to save Flairvoyant?"


"The process still included falling from a really reeeeally long height."

...

"What? I never said it was fatal!"


"All and all there's something to be said for new experiences. And for a sense of wonder. Actually, all of you are reminding me of something I need to say..."

Princess Celestia landed and set everypony down. Then she walked over to Brisk Iron and very briefly bowed. "Through all of this, you and your employees have done a fine job honoring your father's legacy." "T-thank you, ma'am." "Luna?" "I've made arrangements for the puzzle pieces. I will keep some and the museum will guard the rest." "Very well. I know Moonbeam will be in good hooves so we must be going. Luna has her duties, I need my rest, and we need to return before the guard finds out we're gone. Until we..." "Wait. There was to be a documentary made in the future. With all the things going on, I don't know how soon I'll be available for interview so I'm allowing two quick questions before we leave."

Spoiler


[Now? Only two questions? Oh crap!]

[Relax, you can do this. Set up the camera, quick.]

[Write everything down just in case.]


Static sets up the camera and stars rolling. He has worries as he did it in a hurry and the lighting isn't great. So he took out a note pad just to be safe.

[Two questions, two question, two questions...]

"Well, let's see. I actually had quite a few questions written down, but since time's short I'll try and have do the two most pertinent ones.

Static takes a deep breath. This was not the question he wanted to lead with. But if he only has two questions

"I was hoping to be more tactful with this by leading into it with a few softer questions. But time is short and this is the question that is at the center of...well...everything. You are the hero that fought alongside your sister to bring down the likes of Discord, Sombra and Tirek. I can't imagine someone with your heroism could become Nightmare Moon so easily. What would you say were some of the more pivotal moments that led to that moment? I'm sorry to just come out with it like this. I promise my next question will be...easier.

Spoiler

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
"Like many things, time is the answer. They say it can heal all wounds but in some situations it can allow them to fester. The things that led to Nightmare Moon didn't happen overnight. It was something that quietly grew unchecked until it was too late.

For the next question, this is a group effort, correct? I was wondering if another had questions. If not, feel free to continue."



Static nods. "That sounds fair. I did just want to make clear that I only plan to make that a very small part of this...not the focus. Ponies already know about that part of the story. What came before and after would be far more important. Static then gave a glance to Rhapsody and Night Cap and stepped aside so one of them (hopefully Rhapsody) could ask their question.


Rhapsody does step up. "I guess this is something I've been wondering for a time; its sorta related to the Documentary but also a bit of a personal curiosity. The Document department found some records of your Captain at the time, and I was wondering what you could tell us about him? It could be insightful and might help us find information form outside sources... ones that might be less biased." Of course for Rhapsody, she also wanted to know, since even in her family there were a lot of stories and rumors about Black Night and how close he was to the Princess.


"He was caring and dedicated, the type of pony you could depend on and arguably the type who would be right at home here if he wasn't a guard. I don't know what I could have done without him and I trusted his judgement on many things. I have a few suspicions but I'd rather not spread rumors in a piece that's about clearing them up.

For now, we must go but once again, thank you all."
With that, the princesses flew into the sky and upon reaching a certain altitude, they disappeared in a wink of the eye.


Static was grinning ear to ear as the princesses flew up into the sky. He could feel the energy vibrating inside him, though he tried to hide it. Knowing past incidents, he was sure he wasn't hiding it very well.

He turned to Brisk Iron and tried to put on the most even, professional voice he could, though he certainly squeaked at least a couple times. "Ma'am? Permission to throw away all sense of dignity and squee and gush like a star-struck foal?"



Brisk Iron exhaled almost as if she were holding her breath and smiled at Static Signal.
"Of course. There's days I'm surprised I keep my own composure."

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Static stops fighting the energy building up. He explodes in a stream of incoherent Oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh-we-all-just-met-Luna...FOR-THE-SECOND-TIME-we-all-met-Luna-how-lucky-does-one-have-to-be-to-meet-the-Luna-twice-in-a-life-time-and-HOLY-COW-RHAPSODY-we-actually-interviewed-her-you-and-I-actually-interviewed-the-Princess-Luna-and-how-do-you-top-that-you-can't-top-that-it's-totally-untoppable-speaking-one-on-one-with-Princess-Luna-I-can't-breath-I-can't-breath-SQUEEEEEEEEE!


Upom landing back at the Keep, Scarlet had settled into the background and simply watched as Static and Rhapsody spoke with Luna, about her fall, and things before that. He couldn't deny that he, like pretty much every other pony, wanted yo know the answers to those questions. It was history. Great history.

Then Static practically exploded with fanboy excitement and he couldn't keep from laughing. Were he involved with this documentary thing, would he be any different. Well, that and Static obviously adored Luna in particular.

Scarlet had to admit, he was tempted to ask if there was anything he could do to help. Then he realized that asking to help Rhapsody with something like this, especially considering recent events and revelations, would likely be received badly. So he held back, and hoped that he would get yhe chance to clear the air between them eventually.


SQUEEEEEEEEE!

Though Snowy had been off his game recently, this was telegraphed, and quite easy to scale down to reasonable volume. "Are you glad I called you here yet?"


Without even breaking stride, Static tackles Snowy to the ground with a hug. Loosing a weeks worth of work? Worth it!


Scarlet cracked up completely at the hug tackle.

"I'd say that translates to 'YES!' Don't you Snowy?"


"Grerf." Is all Snowy can reply from underneath Static. Curse it all, this stallion was heavy.

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Static regains his composure and helps Snowy up. "Ahem! Sorry about that! Got slightly carried away." He turns a sheepish smile to Scarlet. "Quite!"



Static stops fighting the energy building up. He explodes in a stream of incoherent Oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh-oh-my-gosh-we-all-just-met-Luna...FOR-THE-SECOND-TIME-we-all-met-Luna-how-lucky-does-one-have-to-be-to-meet-the-Luna-twice-in-a-life-time-and-HOLY-COW-RHAPSODY-we-actually-interviewed-her-you-and-I-actually-interviewed-the-Princess-Luna-and-how-do-you-top-that-you-can't-top-that-it's-totally-untoppable-speaking-one-on-one-with-Princess-Luna-I-can't-breath-I-can't-breath-SQUEEEEEEEEE!

Basically, if Static's team-mates thought they'd seen him geeking out before...they had no idea. Now they do.


Rhapsody watches as Static has a mental break down over meeting Luna again. She huffs and shakes her head a bit with a fair smile. She was similarly elated as well, but like Brisk was better at keeping her composure in front on the others, Static was celebrating enough for the both of them.



Oh, are we doing that now?

Night Cap calmly walks over to Rhapsody and gives her a hug.

"One warning, Night Cap. I am not a hugger." She states bluntly to the brown earth pony.


"You should listen to that." Snowy advises Night Cap. "I've not known her to give two warnings."


After hearing Night Cap, and seeing what he was about to do. Scarlet carefully edged sway from them.

After hearing Snowy, he not pnly edged further, but faster too.

"So," he said to the slightly less hyperactive yellow blur. "You're a real Lunaphile eh?"


Static winced as he saw Night Cap hugging Rhapsody. His eyes widened and his ears pinned back as Raphsody issued her warning.

[Please not in front of the chief! Please not in front of the chief! Please not in front of the chief!]

He didn't even peel his eyes away from the potential powder keg as he nervously answers Scarlet. "What gave it away?"



"Just a lucky guess," Scarlet said with a chuckle.


 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Static lets go of the breath he's been holding. "You did it right," he answers. "You just did it to the wrong pony. There's some ponies that don't like to be hugged. Then there's some ponies that reeeeeally don't like to be hugged." Static walks over and gives the poor guy a hug. "I'm one of the former."


Brisk Iron cleared her throat to get everypony's attention. "I'll make sure everything is in order inside but otherwise everypony get some rest, it's been a long day. Scarlet, we'll talk in the morning."


"Not sure how I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. I'm still buzzing with energy here." Static sighed, trying to shake it off. "Guess I should at least give it a try. Good night everypony. See you tomorrow."



Static went home and looked at the fried transmitter still sitting on his work bench. He sighed as he turned it this way and that. He shrugged as he set it back down. "Worth it!" He walked down the hallway and into his bedroom. "May be able to salvage some of it...maybe." He plopped into bed and was asleep before his head hit the pillow.


"Yes Chief. See you tomorrow."

With a mischeveous grin, he approached.

"Going to see Ocean tonight, or heading home? If yes to the former, then remember i live next door."


"I'm sure she'll knock you out Night Cap. Just like she did last time."

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Brisk Iron cleared her throat to get everypony's attention. "I'll make sure everything is in order inside but otherwise everypony get some rest, it's been a long day. Scarlet, we'll talk in the morning."
"Quite."


"Not sure how I'm going to be able to sleep tonight. I'm still buzzing with energy here."
"Double Quite."

Snowy returns home, but finds that his brain is far too full for sleep. Some malevolent presence trapped Moonbeam Writ, among others, inside that dimension. Whatever it was, it was probably still at large. It had done a perfectly fine job of wreaking havoc before Scarlet assembled the puzzle, deconstruction wasn't going to do anything to it. The only good news was that it wasn't Moonbeam's fault that he had almost been torn to shreds by Barometz, so he could drop that grudge. Meanwhile, a monster of mythic proportions was apparently dream-walking, and might have it out for members of STOMP. He would have to talk to Misty tomorrow and investigate that. The whole team was due for another round of infighting, and it looked nigh on the horizon. And even if none of that mattered to him, he still couldn't get that blasted song out of his head!

With a frustrated grunt, he shoved a pile of neatly sliced chilies, the fruits of absent-minded labor, into a small container and sealed it up for later. If he had to sit around waiting for anything to cook, he might actually fall asleep, but then his apartment would burn down. Instead, he tossed the peppers back into the fridge and headed for the door. He would have to walk everything off.


"Uh...'cough'," Scarlet mumbled. That wasn't quite what he'd had in mind as he was still mentally waffling about running into Oasis again. Then again, maybe a small drink might calm his still jangling nerves too.

"Ok. Lets go then."

Scarlet lead the Earth Pony off in search of Oceans bar, following the route Static had taken. Berore long, they were at the front entrance.

"After you?" Scarlet backed up so the Night Cap could go first, as he was now beset by a different set of nerves.

"So much for calming down," he whispered to himself.


Rhapsody headed home as the others started to leave, her thoughts being a mix of meeting Luna again and how elated that made her, but also there was the darker thoughts of reality that occasionally worked their ways past that, things like whatever Attacked Misty, and that reoccurring Phrase, 'Something is wrong with the world' that seemed like something outta a comic or radio show to remind its audience that a big epic plot is coming... She had kinda hopened that the box was the answer to that, but now it no longer seemed to be the case... There was plenty to keep her mind occupied, which means sleep was gonna be difficult...


In the time after work, Maplejack had been helping Saccharine Sweet make a few delicious deliveries for various customer orders. However, this last delivery was special. These were music themed cookies to be delivered to Snowy Skies for his opinion and it was enough to sit down and share. Maplejack just managed to arrive at Snowy Skies' door.

Spoiler


*KNOCK*
*knock*
*KNOCK*
*knock*

"Hello, Mr. Skies. Special Delivery from Saccharine Sweet's Shop of Sweet and Scrumptious Sugary Snacks!"

Maple sits down facing the door.

 

CoffeeHorse

Exhausted, but still standing.
Staff member
Council of Elders
Citizen
Snowy freezes, his hand over the doorknob. That was...unexpected. He opens the door. "...Maple?"


Spoiler

"Hello! I need to be Professional Mr. Skies, so please no hugs..." Maple's face contorts, in order to get the words out in that order.

"Miss Sweet has asked me to do some deliveries today, sorry it took so long to get these to you... she's ramped up her local marketing so there were a lot of ponies to talk to today."

Maple hands over the box and then sits back down on the doorstep, her hooves happy for the rest.


Snowy looks utterly nonplussed. If anyone else had been at the door, he would have been suspicious. With Maple...he didn't know what to think. "...I didn't order anything."


"Oh right, there was something else." ... Maple stands as tall as she can and passes Snowy a note written by Miss Sweet.

Spoiler

When Snowy looks up he sees Maple's mouth flapping along as if she was reading the words too...

"Don't worry Snowy, I didn't eat any of them... she's made these ones special. Each Crystal Candy contains a tiny bit of music. I heard Miss Sweet while she was making these, and she sings really pretty... but she said making candies was her life even way back in the old days... so she doesn't know much about popular music. So here I am, to get an expert's opinion."


Snowy had no words for the situation at hand. After a solid minute of mutely reading and rereading the note, he manages to get out, "I don't think I have the energy for this right now."


"Oh, I'm sorry. it is late in the day isn't it?" Maple sighed, she had wondered if she should have come to Snowy's sooner... but some of the other deliveries were softer chocolates that might have melted.

"I'm sure you had a busy day at work, I'll let Miss Sweet know that you have them. If you could just get around to it whenever you find the time, I'm sure she'd rather you listen to them after a good rest -rather than if you're exhausted."

Maple smiled... unsure what to do now.


GM POST

 


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