Fallout Beyond Equestria 198: Black Rose (16: Conclusion 2)

[2016-10-12 13:23:02] <Kkat> 3Previously...
[2016-10-12 13:25:55] <Kkat> 3Noble_Heart shakes her head. "We cannot win this conflict with threats or megaspells. We must tell the zebras of Roam the truth. Show them what has happened to them. Ensure that we are always, always seen as the morally superior. That we are those asking for peace and not war. That we are those who are reasonable. Weapons, bombs, guns and threats?..."
[2016-10-12 13:26:01] <Kkat> 3"...They cannot slay a nation. Only its people can slay a nation."
[2016-10-12 13:26:02] <Kkat> 3...
[2016-10-12 13:26:22] <Kkat> 3The shaman steps through.  "Step forward," he calls to CopyCat in Jadi.  "We shall see if the shadows hide in you."
[2016-10-12 13:26:27] <Kkat> 3CopyCat pulls off her helmet, letting her aquamarine mane cascade down her shoulders and neck. "Ahh, that did it!" She aims a Winning™ smile at the guards... then at the shaman. "Oh-kay!" She steps forward.
[2016-10-12 13:26:32] <Kkat> 3The zebra shaman opens a bag and dips a hoof in it.  When it withdraws it, his hoof is covered in a thick yellow oil.  He reaches up and smears the oil across CopyCat's face.
[2016-10-12 13:26:38] <Kkat> 3CopyCat begins to glow.  The other zebras gasp.  The shaman steps back, looking grim.  "They are like the others," he says.  "They are not of the Empress, nor of Her Shadow Pony ally.  They are... displaced."
[2016-10-12 13:26:40] <Kkat> 3...
[2016-10-12 13:27:08] <Kkat> 3Cottonseed speaks to someone off-mic, then says, "We do have something I can offer, if you have a way of making use of it."
[2016-10-12 13:27:13] <Kkat> 3CopyCat pipes up, "Some members of our crew may have alchemy knowledge."
[2016-10-12 13:27:20] <Kkat> 3Cottonseed explains, "There is an old zebra recipe for a magical body paint.  When painted on a person, the oil will reveal if they are a changeling in disguise."  He adds, "It is how we caught the changeling who intended to replace Fluttershy."
[2016-10-12 13:27:32] <Kkat> 3"We could try to fly some samples to you, but that would take several days.  And the flight through Shattered Hoof Ridge is a hazardous one.  We wouldn't want to lose griffins in the attempt.  It would be easier if we could just send you the recipe and you had someone who could make it on-site."
[2016-10-12 13:27:41] <Kkat> 3Noble_Heart lets out a quiet 'hrm'. "We will see what can be arranged. We have had contact with some of the Zebras beyond the border. WIth luck we may be able to get their help producing some. Thank you."
[2016-10-12 13:27:44] <Kkat> 3...
[2016-10-12 13:29:09] <Kkat> 3Get_Lost once distant enough, lowers her voice and explains to batbirb and historian pone "she will possess me and operate the ship. she is the damn ministry and a pegasus and she is element of loyalty: she will decide where to take the ship and what to do with it."
[2016-10-12 13:29:32] <Kkat> 3"i trust her judgement more than anypony else. these are her ponies, she should know what is better for them."
[2016-10-12 13:30:15] <Kkat> 3...
[2016-10-12 13:30:50] <Kkat> 3Wind Weaver sighs and stands up.  "There will never be peace if you keep threatening us, Mitzi.  You have to decide what you want, and what you will guide your people towards.  Justice, or peace?  Because you can't have both."
[2016-10-12 13:30:57] <Kkat> 3Turning away, she huffs, "The Generals have a right to protect us from you, especially since you keep making it clear that you will rip us to shreds the first chance you get."
[2016-10-12 13:31:07] <Kkat> 3Her breath hitches.  "What they did to you was WRONG.  But your... your attitude is not helping."
[2016-10-12 13:31:37] <Kkat> 3Wind Weaver spreads her wings and flies off across the Soko.  Mitzi's keen ears can hear a sob.
[2016-10-12 13:31:45] <Kkat> 3Mitzi sighs and shakes her head. "Uh have made no threats tu yu. Uh am only speakeen uv wut ur kind believes. Yur kind walls demselves off und makes defenses against threats dat dey invent in dere heads, und den by makeen dose threats real by-" she frowns as the pegasus flies off.
[2016-10-12 13:32:14] <Kkat> 3...
[2016-10-12 13:32:25] <Kkat> 3Bookwright says "I... I want them to be able to fly the ship. Eventually. I guess if Ar-Bee-Dee is the pilot and we can convince her to conspire with us to disable the ship after moving it to a place more suitable for living... But not permanently disable. I could get behind that kind of plan."
[2016-10-12 13:32:33] <Kkat> 3Get_Lost "okay bookie. we land it and turn engines off and weapons on, but we try not to break anything. if you approve, then we ask RD her help"
[2016-10-12 13:32:44] <Kkat> 3Bookwright agrees, "That's acceptable."
[2016-10-12 13:32:47] <Kkat> 3...
[2016-10-12 13:33:16] <Kkat> 3CopyCat sends a quick mental message to Noble_Heart and Golden_Dream. ['There's activity on the radio. Doctor Amore is looking to speak with us.']
[2016-10-12 13:33:29] <Kkat> 3CopyCat smiles at the radio equipment as she replies, "We are all doing fine, thank you asking. Pink-E brought Mitzi back to us, and Mitzi has managed to negotiate with the Enclave high council to get the hellhounds in captivity released! We're all very proud of her... and I'm more than a little in awe."
[2016-10-12 13:33:34] <Kkat> 3CopyCat nods to her two friends as they rejoin her in the station. "Golden_Dream and Noble_Heart are here too."
[2016-10-12 13:34:21] <Kkat> 3"That's great to hear!  My subjects really miss Pink-E here.  Especially Sweet-E.  And I'll bet Mitzi's dogs miss her too.  I'm happy you are all safe.  You should really visit again sometime.  We owe you... everything."  After a pause, Doctor Amore asks, "So, you really went to the zebra lands and back?  How was it?  Tell me everything!"
[2016-10-12 13:34:23] <Kkat> 3...
[2016-10-12 13:34:59] <Kkat> 3Fallout: Beyond Equestria, Session One Hundred and Ninety-Eight: Black Rose (Part 16 - Conclusion, part 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fus5O8SxUoo
[2016-10-12 13:35:08] <Kkat> 3--- Session Begins ---
[2016-10-12 13:35:27] <Kkat> 3One day ago...
[2016-10-12 13:35:42] <Kkat> 3Final Echo communications center...
[2016-10-12 13:35:55] <Kkat> 3"That's great to hear!  My subjects really miss Pink-E here.  Especially Sweet-E.  And I'll bet Mitzi's dogs miss her too.  I'm happy you are all safe.  You should really visit again sometime.  We owe you... everything."  After a pause, Doctor Amore asks, "So, you really went to the zebra lands and back?  How was it?  Tell me everything!"
[2016-10-12 13:43:27] * CopyCat begins chattering at once, giving an (abbreviated) account of their journey into the zebra lands, her story growing in detail relating to their recent Daring Doo adventures in thwarting the return of the Empress and recovering the Griffin's Goblet.
[2016-10-12 13:46:21] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore is entranced by the story, rarely interrupting for more details, and regularly remarking "oooh!" and "wow!"  and "really?"
[2016-10-12 13:46:32] * Noble_Heart listens thoughtfully to CopyCat's recounting. Adding her own information now and then, to ensure CopyCat's responses were actually accurate and not TOO over-embelished.
[2016-10-12 13:47:33] <Kkat> 3At the end, Professor Paladin's voice joins the conversation, stating, "You and your friends are true heroes."
[2016-10-12 13:50:05] * CopyCat speaks in broad strokes about the zebra pirates and defeating a Leviathan, only growing more detailed for the part where Mitzi and Pink-E joined them again. CopyCat pauses in her story here, looking to Golden_Dream and Noble_Heart, wondering if she should continue the story with their visit to LIV, and to the past.
[2016-10-12 13:52:38] * Noble_Heart frowns slightly at CopyCat's look. She beat her wings in a sortof shrugging motion. She had no idea how anyone else would respond to the idea they'd travelled through time. The Enclave certainly didn't believe it, after all.
[2016-10-12 13:58:57] * CopyCat nods to Noble_Heart, but she does interrupt her story to reply to the other voice on the radio. "It's good to hear from you too, Professor Paladin! How have you two been getting on? Have you gone anywhere nice on your dates?"
[2016-10-12 14:04:11] * CopyCat enjoys the teasing small talk until there is a lull in the conversation. From there she continues her account of their adventures into LIV and the past, and then briefly of their interaction with the Enclave thus far. She doesn't mention the repairing of the grounded Thunderhead just yet, but she does ask about how the Enclave found the Crystal Empire, and how relations were established.
[2016-10-12 14:04:29] <Kkat> 3You can almost hear the blushing over the radio.
[2016-10-12 14:06:58] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore and Professor Paladin sound clearly relieved when the topic moves away from their romantic lives.   Although mention of the Enclave does reveal some strain.  "Oh, diplomatic relations between us and Lunar Rising have been... fine.  They're going fine."
[2016-10-12 14:08:00] * Noble_Heart steps forwards. "We had heard they contacted you, there are some crystal ponies here as well. We believe We spotted some briefly around the local area." She paused briefly to ask something else. "Were you aware that there was a Crystal Pony in the employ of the Dragon Lord?"
[2016-10-12 14:09:01] <Kkat> 3"We need them," Doctor Amore states, "And they need us."  Under her breath, Doctor Amore mumbles something about the pegasi having the greater need.  But Professor Paladin adds, "We have a lot to rebuild after all."
[2016-10-12 14:10:11] <Kkat> 3At Noble_Heart's comments, Professor Paladin expresses surprise.  "A crystal pony?  With the dragons?  Really?"  Then, "Is the pony okay?"
[2016-10-12 14:10:58] * Noble_Heart chuckles quietly. "Oh, yes. She's quite alright. She is currently traveling with us to assist in setting up communication between the dragon lands and Equestria. It is how We came to be here to speak to you, actually."
[2016-10-12 14:13:53] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore says, "Yes.  We have sent a delegation to trade with the ponies of Lunar Rising.  We want to be seen there.  Hopefully, they can be convinced that trade with us can be beneficial.  Enough to do so on a large scale, not just a few traders and some seed purchases."
[2016-10-12 14:16:25] <Kkat> 3"The pegasi are a proud nation," Professor Paladin interjects.  "And reluctant to open themselves to others."
[2016-10-12 14:17:47] <Kkat> 3"The Enclave, cuddlebrain.  There are plenty of pegasi who aren't E.L.R., remember?"
[2016-10-12 14:17:53] <Kkat> 3"Yes, yes.  True."
[2016-10-12 14:19:37] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore changes the subject.  "It is wonderful to hear that the crystal pony is doing well.  Please extend to her our offer that she come and visit the Crystal Empire.  We would love to meet her!"
[2016-10-12 14:19:45] * CopyCat grins at Noble_Heart and Golden_Dream. "Cuddlebrain!" she very affectionately squees.
[2016-10-12 14:20:48] * Noble_Heart coughs briefly and responds. "We will let her know. She may wish to see it as well. Though when it will be convenient to do so We are uncertain."
[2016-10-12 14:29:25] * CopyCat waits until the talks seem to have finished, before saying, "Thank you so much for getting in contact with us again. We're so glad things are going well. We will keep you in our thoughts and in our hearts."
[2016-10-12 14:30:41] <Kkat> 3After a little more conversation, Doctor Amore comments, "The situation you are going into... we've dealt with changelings before.  Well, not *us*, but Cadence and Shining Armor.  Is there anything we can offer to help?"
[2016-10-12 14:36:27] * Noble_Heart sighs quietly. "We are uncertain. Right now We aren't even sure what the precise situation is. Or how We will resolve it. War seems the poorest choice. But to show the truth to the Zebras will not be easy."
[2016-10-12 14:37:23] * Bookwright "We haven't exactly been doing the easy thing this whole time though. I'd say we're well practiced."
[2016-10-12 14:39:45] * CopyCat thinks for a few moments, before asking, "Do you know of any means to reveal changelings en masse? Like a spell or potion... or something about their physiology that requires them to change back?"
[2016-10-12 14:40:21] <Kkat> 3There are polite and knowing chuckles from the other end of the line.  Doctor Amore thinks a bit, then offers, "We have the Crystal Heart.  And you have the support of the crystal ponies.  We might be able to send them a pulse of pure love."  She asks, "Is there any way that could help?"
[2016-10-12 14:40:51] <Kkat> 3Professor Paladin offers, "I could send you a battalion of crystal battle ewes!"
[2016-10-12 14:41:32] * Noble_Heart rubs her chin with a forehoof thoughtfully. "We are uncertain how that might aid right now. But it is possible it might be useful." She sighs quietly. "Sadly We believe that battle ewes might only make things worse. As of right now, We are afraid that any attempt at martial conflict will merely galvanize the Zebras more strongly behind their leaders. Empowering the Changelings
[2016-10-12 14:41:33] * Noble_Heart more as their devotion to their nation increases."
[2016-10-12 14:45:06] <Kkat> 3"Yes," says Doctor Amore.  "Plus, if they now feed on nationalism, we can only guess if they can still be nourished by true love."  She adds, "But we will stand by on this line.  If you do need us, don't hesitate to call."
[2016-10-12 14:45:36] <Kkat> 3Professor Paladin grouses, "The answer's never crystal battle ewes."
[2016-10-12 14:49:30] * CopyCat ponders, "A pulse of pure love may help. I imagine it would at least be confusing for the changelings. We understand that they may feed on nationalism, now. It's possible that such a concentration of love may reawaken old hungers. Hungers which a war time society would be unable to fulfil." CopyCat then 'eh-hm's to clear her throat. "Regardless, thank you for your offer of support. The Crystal Ponies may have an important
[2016-10-12 14:49:31] * CopyCat part to play in avoiding war and restoring love to the world."
[2016-10-12 14:50:14] <Kkat> 3"We hope so."
[2016-10-12 14:50:32] <Kkat> 3"Be safe."
[2016-10-12 14:50:35] <Kkat> 3...
[2016-10-12 14:50:43] <Kkat> 3Today...
[2016-10-12 14:51:23] <Kkat> 3Klaxons are sounding throughout the city of Lunar Rising.
[2016-10-12 14:53:30] <Kkat> 3Everywhere, pegasi are rushing about.  Some are hurriedly packing everything that they can into the storage units.  Others are securing anything that cannot be stored.  Still others are moving about the halls like they are late for an appointment, searching for friends or loved ones.
[2016-10-12 14:54:50] <Kkat> 3In the hall outside what has been the Crimson's Caravan groups home for much of the last week, one of them watches as the storage door is sealed, the "apartment" inside once again full of crates.
[2016-10-12 14:56:40] <Kkat> 3A voice comes over the internal speakers.  "Thirty-nine minutes to attempted lift-off.  Thirty-nine minutes and counting!  All elderly must report to the Memorium immediately."
[2016-10-12 14:58:36] <Kkat> 3Outside, pegasi are dismantling bridges and other architectural extensions, the remainder of which are made of ice or clouds.
[2016-10-12 14:59:52] <Kkat> 3Critical equipment and structures, already disassembled, are being locked in the mostly-empty southern hanger.
[2016-10-12 15:00:07] <Kkat> 3Only the radio tower will remain behind intact.
[2016-10-12 15:00:21] * Get_Lost frowns "attempted! ah! as if we had a second chance for this! there is not attempt! there is doing it, or going ker-splat and kaboom! so, they should call it liftoff, not 'attempt'!"
[2016-10-12 15:02:56] <Kkat> 3In the control center, General Typhoon is personally making a final inspection of the work Get_Lost, Shatara and Bookwright have done, along with the engineering team.  "It doesn't sit right with me that it will not be an Enclave pegasus flying the Thunderhead.  I would rather that I pilot Her."
[2016-10-12 15:04:20] * CopyCat cheers for Get_Lost. "Yeah! Our pilot has totally got this! We believe in the Her that believes in Herself!"
[2016-10-12 15:06:26] <Kkat> 3On the ground level, those who will not be making the trip are exiting the city.  Lemon Quartz hauls the Crystal Goods merchant wagon, surrounded by the other ponies from the Crystal Empire's trade delegation.
[2016-10-12 15:07:04] <Get_Lost> 
ACTION asks aloud "did they plan the storage positioning carefully? i don't want this juggernaut to tip over as soon as we hit a breeze!" then to the general "oh, don't worry! thisis just temporary! we are still working on the overall operativity, but we need a better pace to test everything. also, we don't know how the systems will respond and the programs we installed to mitigate the absence of two pilots and a maneframe c
[2016-10-12 15:08:10] <Get_Lost>  we don't know how the systems will respond and the programs we installed to mitigate the absence of two pilots and a maneframe could fail. this needs a pony with a computer in her brin to fly the thing as a failsafe. once we see that everything is fine, we will finish the last fixes and give the whole thing as new back to you"
[2016-10-12 15:09:03] * Golden_Dream rubs her mane. "I highly suspect a pegasus is gonna pilot this thing." She remarks quietly.
[2016-10-12 15:09:11] <Kkat> 3Not all who are leaving are doing so under their own power.  From opposite ends of a frozen clearing, Mitzi and Doctor Sonica observe as dozens of cages holding captive hellhounds are hauled into a circular formation, the cage doors facing inward.
[2016-10-12 15:11:19] <Kkat> 3General Typhoon frowns but nods.  "I understand.  Better to have a cyberpony with all your fancy headgear running calculations on our first rise.  But it still sits uneasy with me."
[2016-10-12 15:12:44] * Get_Lost "that's legit, general. i'd like to have dibs on the first ride on the new toy too, but consider this a test flight, not the real one. you'll get it when it is ready and shiny. no bad blood?"
[2016-10-12 15:13:26] * Get_Lost "that is, if the reactor holds, the engine don't explode and we don't die horribly, obviously"
[2016-10-12 15:13:52] * Bookwright "And the whole thing doesn't just fall apart under the strain of lifting up. Gently, okay?"
[2016-10-12 15:14:43] * Get_Lost "yeah sure, i'0m not givine more than 9.8G acceleration."
[2016-10-12 15:16:11] * Get_Lost laughs "just kidding, i'm taking place and beginning connection with the whole thing. checking all systems will take time"
[2016-10-12 15:19:54] <Kkat> 3Over the loudspeaker, "Thirty-five minutes to attempted lift-off.  Thirty-five minutes and counting!  All elderly must report to the Memorium immediately.  All lose cargo and personal items must be secured.  The Soko is locking down in five minutes!"
[2016-10-12 15:20:34] * CopyCat half-covers her mouth with the back of her hoof and 'Ohhohoho-laughs' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW1QY76d-40 "Oh I'm sure everything will be fine. Get_Lost is a mechanical genius and her two fabulous assistants aren't too shabby either. You are about to witness a near-miraculous flight, like a phoenix rising from its ashes, a feat that could only be accomplished by pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies working together!
[2016-10-12 15:20:35] * CopyCat With the help of their griffin friends."
[2016-10-12 15:22:51] * Get_Lost "oooor a fusion core meltdown and the rise of a new star"
[2016-10-12 15:26:21] <Kkat> 3"Filling me with confidence there, Get_Lost Solaris."
[2016-10-12 15:28:08] * Bookwright laughs. "Don't worry. She's always like this. It'll work fine. Probably."
[2016-10-12 15:28:33] * Golden_Dream cringes. "Copycat, I'd expect Noble to laugh like that, and I would hate her for it." It was like it scraped the top part of her brain, not enough to damage, but just enough to make everything raw and unpleasant feeling. Like a paper cut.
[2016-10-12 15:29:46] * Get_Lost smiles "if you wish, i can tell you that everything is going to be okay! or at least if something goes wrong in the tech compartment, i will know what to do to avoid a disaster... just see it like this: would you have me driving this thing, or rainbow dash?"
[2016-10-12 15:30:26] <Kkat> 3General Typhoon looks to Shatara and Bookwright.  "Fill me with confidence."
[2016-10-12 15:30:28] * Noble_Heart pats Golden_Dream with a wing. "Not even We would be so cruel as that." She looked up as things were moved about and made ready for takeoff. "We are confident that Our friends can create a better flying device than the ruins of the Leviathan, at the least. And that flew."
[2016-10-12 15:31:17] * Shatara fidgets awkwardly. He didn't have much confidence to share. "Uhm...it probably wont explode? We hope?"
[2016-10-12 15:31:25] * CopyCat looks at Get_Lost and laughs a little more nervously. "Ohoho...ho..." she then stops and glances at Golden_Dream. "Oh, um, it was supposed to inspire a feeling of refinement and mirth, as if this situation was not simply mundane but trivial, too. Thus inspiring confidence in our assured success!..." she tilts her head. "Maybe I need to work on it more."
[2016-10-12 15:31:30] * Mitzi frowns at her companion as she watches the transportation of her kin. "Where did Wind Weaver go yesterday?"
[2016-10-12 15:32:01] * Bookwright "The Typhoon will fly. Perhaps a bit ungainly, but she will fly."
[2016-10-12 15:32:06] <Kkat> 3Get_Lost hears a little, ghostly whisper.   ~~ "Okay... ready when you are..." ~~
[2016-10-12 15:33:30] * Get_Lost grabs a jack and announces "we are making brain contact when the system startup begins" then to the general "don't worry: she will fly, and it will be awesome!"
[2016-10-12 15:34:12] * Mare-Do-Well 3notes (her barely-audible ghostly whisper full of bravado), ~~ "...I've never done a cyberpony... but don't worry... I've gotten really good at possession... there's almost no chance this will make you explode..." ~~
[2016-10-12 15:37:18] * Mitzi hadn't filed her claws down that day, more concerned now about how her kin saw her once they were released by the Pegasi. She looks disappointed to have not seen her friend, and really didn't want those to be the words they parted on after the pony, unquestionably, saved her.
[2016-10-12 15:39:10] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Outside, the last of the hellhound cages are put into place.  Doctor Sonica gives Mitzi a sad and somewhat disgruntled look.  Calling to her across the field, "That will be it then.  The signal will be sent once we clear line of sight.  They'll.... they will be able to claw their way out once they can act freely.  No need for keys."
[2016-10-12 15:40:06] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Doctor Sonica gives the cages a long look.  Sniffs heavily.  "Goodbye, my dear children."
[2016-10-12 15:40:42] * Mitzi frowns. "Uh still tink yur Alphas eez makeen several mistakes een how dey eez dismisseen us. Yu eez makeen Ur job -very- difficult. Und being here wit yu eez not makeen tings better, Despised One."
[2016-10-12 15:40:43] * Get_Lost nods to RD words and whispers "let's do this"
[2016-10-12 15:42:09] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The pegasus who had once lead the E.L.R.'s science division turns and walks slowly back towards the open hanger of the Lunar Rising.  "I know you do.  One day, after being on your own doesn't work out so well, I hope you'll understand."
[2016-10-12 15:45:46] * Mitzi cracks her knuckles anxiously. "Eef yu wud see tu duin me un last favur, Uh wud like tu see Wind Weaver befur yu depart. Uh need to apologize tu her." She had already made a point of finding the pony in charge of their weapons the day before to apologize for the theft when she escaped previously.
[2016-10-12 15:46:29] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Loudspeakers: "Thirty minutes to attempted lift-off.  The Soko is now locked down.  All civilian citizens to their personal quarters.  All civilian citizens with public quarters must report immediately to their assigned safe room.  All Enclave active personnel must report to their stations immediately.  Thirty minutes!"
[2016-10-12 15:47:16] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Doctor Sonica looks sadly at Mitzi.  Then nods.  "I'll see what I can do."
[2016-10-12 15:49:54] <Mare-Do-Well> 3As Get_Lost enters the control pod, the ghost of Rainbow Dash enters Get_Lost.
[2016-10-12 15:50:32] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The control pod's top slides down, sealing the two of them inside.
[2016-10-12 15:50:42] * Mitzi doesn't look at the Despised One as she watches the cages now, waiting.
[2016-10-12 15:51:51] * Get_Lost relaxes nd lets it flow
[2016-10-12 15:52:26] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Star Dust flies up to Noble_Heart, CopyCat and Golden_Dream.  "Follow me.  We've got a place on Forward Observation for you."
[2016-10-12 15:52:53] * Mitzi talks to herself a bit as she waits. "We won't be on our own if I have things my way. We will free, but we will have friends."
[2016-10-12 15:53:20] * Noble_Heart nods her head, turning to follow the pegasus. She was curious to see how things would work out. Despite confidence in her friends' abilities, this would be an exciting day.
[2016-10-12 15:54:22] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Lemon Quartz unhitches his wagon and trots up to Mitzi.  "Hey, ex-neighbor.  If you got a spare minute, I have a couple questions."
[2016-10-12 15:54:52] * CopyCat nods at Star Dust, then says to Bookwright and Shatara (who were presumably remaining here to monitor things and assist Get_Lost) "We will keep in touch." Then, she follows Star Dust and Noble_Heart.
[2016-10-12 15:54:57] * Golden_Dream looks at Star Dust and smiles. "Right. See you around, General Typhoon! If we don't die. We prolly won't die. Prolly." She goes up with Star Dust. Right as soon as the General was out of earshot, she grins. "Don't worry. We're actually pretty damn safe. Get isn't the one doin' the piloting."
[2016-10-12 15:55:19] * Mitzi blinks and looks towards the crystal pony. "Ex-neighbor?"
[2016-10-12 15:55:21] <Mare-Do-Well> 3In the central control room, most of the other engineers clear out.
[2016-10-12 15:57:30] <Mare-Do-Well> 3"Well yeah, since you and your friends were assigned the storage unit next to..."  The yellow crystal pony stops and chuckles.  "Nevermind that.  I just wanted to make sure... given that your kin are likely to be pretty angry when they get free... is it safe for my group to still be in the area?  Or do we need to get a move on fast?"
[2016-10-12 15:58:35] <Mare-Do-Well> 3"Also, if your friends are on the Thunderhead, and you're down here, how are you getting back to them?  Or is that not the plan?"
[2016-10-12 15:59:10] * Mitzi ponders that. "Ur kind duz travel underground, but which direction eez yu headeen? We can feel tings through the earth when we beneath, und eet eez possible to dig up fast eef sumting eez above, but Uh'm hopeen to convince Ur kin tu head straight tu Poneeville wit no delays."
[2016-10-12 15:59:46] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Lemon Quartz looks nervous at that.  "We're headed back to the Crystal Empire."
[2016-10-12 16:01:04] * Mitzi nods. "We will be headeen south, Un way Ur another. As fur Ur friends..." she looks at the cages. "Dis eez more eemportant. Wut Uh du here tuday cud prevent war. Uh want eet tu, so very much."
[2016-10-12 16:03:29] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Star Dust leads Golden_Dream and the alicorns to a large observation deck.  A crescent moon of tilted windows gives a panoramic view of one side of the valley, particularly the frozen ground below.  Through the windows they can see where Mitzi and Lemon Quartz are talking not far from the circle of hellhound cages.
[2016-10-12 16:03:58] * Bookwright suddenly wishes he had some kind of recording equipment so he could record Mitzi's conversation.
[2016-10-12 16:04:14] * Bookwright thinks it will be a shame to let such a historical moment go unrecorded.
[2016-10-12 16:04:33] <Mare-Do-Well> 3They can see last two pegasi left working outside as the duo pack up their things and fly back towards the Thunderhead.  They can see one pegasus flying out towards the cages.
[2016-10-12 16:06:00] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Loudspeaker: "Twenty minutes until attempted lift-off.  Everyone should be in their assigned places.  The south hanger doors will now be closing.  Non-essential systems will shut down in five minutes.  Repeat: twenty minutes!"
[2016-10-12 16:06:40] * Golden_Dream smiles. "You could see her, couldn't you? The ghosty pegasus? She's the one doin' the flyin'. Get's just sorta riding shotgun."
[2016-10-12 16:09:10] <Mare-Do-Well> 3From behind Mitzi and Lemon Quartz, Wind Weaver offers, "I could fly with your wagon.  That way, you can travel faster.  But... we'd have to hurry."
[2016-10-12 16:10:17] <Mare-Do-Well> 3In Forward Observation, Star Dust meekly helps Golden_Dream and the alicorns with their safety straps.  "oh my.... they really didn't make these with alicorns in mind."
[2016-10-12 16:10:28] * Mitzi looks as she hears Wind Weaver's voice. She looks at the pegasus, then hangs her head as she steps up to her, folding her paws behind her back. "Uh have shame," she says, addressing the pegasus she hoped would still be her friend.
[2016-10-12 16:11:56] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Wind Weaver looks down.  Then turns her head away, looking at the ground. But her wings hold her in the air near Mitzi.
[2016-10-12 16:12:31] * CopyCat wriggles perhaps more than necessary as Star Dust helps to strap her in. There's some whining and 'Oh! Not so tight!' thrown in for good measure.
[2016-10-12 16:12:46] * Golden_Dream straps in. "Don't worry, they got bubbles. They're used to th' royal flanks not quite fitting into stuff."
[2016-10-12 16:13:50] * Mitzi sighs. "Uh have let ur fear lead me tu say tings. Tings dat were threateneen, tings Uh feared might come to pass. Uh have always wanted Ur kind to realzie dat we need friendship wit uthers tu survive, but after experienceen wut wuz dun, und seein' how Ur kind wuz treated... Ur fear led me tu be tinkeen like a warrior still."
[2016-10-12 16:15:00] <Mare-Do-Well> 3In the control center, General Typhoon exits, moving to an overmare station where she can keep an eye on all the systems.  Pocket Wrench looks to Shatara and Bookwright.  "Best get yourselves strapped in.  You know, just in case this gets bumpy."
[2016-10-12 16:16:46] * Bookwright has full faith in the repairs he and the others have effected. However, prudence costs nothing. He straps himself in.
[2016-10-12 16:17:02] * Golden_Dream briefly wonders what it would be like to be an alicorn. Not in the 'magic and wings would be awesome' way, although she was tired of jumping to reach the top shelf of things. She wondered about the little problems being so huge would make.
[2016-10-12 16:17:12] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Pocket Wrench moves to one of the four stations safety booths in the control center and begins to strap himself in snugly.  "It's possible we might encounter turbulence."  He chuckles.  Then says, "That's a fancy pegasus word for 'oops'."
[2016-10-12 16:19:45] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Wind Weaver nods quietly.  Then, speaking hesitantly and still not looking at Mitzi, she admits, "The sonic wall was my idea."
[2016-10-12 16:20:37] * Mitzi blinks and looks to Wind Weaver. "Yu? Why eez yu wanteen tu cut yurself off?"
[2016-10-12 16:22:15] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Wind Weaver finally looks up.  There are tears frozen on her face.  "Doctor Sonica was convincing them there was no safe way to let your kin go.  She said, if we let them go, they would hunt us down and slaughter us while we slept.  They said we would move; she said they would find us."
[2016-10-12 16:23:44] * Noble_Heart frowns to Star Dust. "Our experience has been that very little of this world is built to suit Us. We cannot imagine how frustrating that was for Celestia and Luna."
[2016-10-12 16:24:21] * Mitzi looks sad. "Uh have a fear uv dat... Uh want so much tu convince dem tu choose peace... but Uh have been afraid since eet wuz first put forward, dat dere wud be those whu wud not listen. Eet eez why Uh though, Eef Uh cud du un at a time, Uh cud use da successful uns to help convince dose less willeen."
[2016-10-12 16:25:10] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Wind Weaver says, "The generals said you wouldn't know where we had gone.  Doctor Sonica said you are excellent and smart trackers.  It would take you longer, but that just meant our guard would be down when you came to murder us.  The Generals said we could use the implants to stop them.  She said there are hellhounds out there without them..."
[2016-10-12 16:26:30] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Wind Weaver looks into Mitzi's eyes.  "She... she said exactly what you said.  Almost word for word."  Wind Weaver looks away.  "Doctor Sonica almost convinced them to just put you all down.  It was *me* who suggested the sonic wall.  It was the only thing I could think of."
[2016-10-12 16:27:20] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Wind Weaver whispers, "I'm sorry."
[2016-10-12 16:27:50] * Mitzi nods. "Da Despised Un... her fear und mine, cud make all uv dis dat Uh wanted so hard tu avoid, come tu pass." She meets Wind Weaver's gaze. "Uh'm sorree Uh said dose tings. Uh wuz tinkeen da way Ur kind tinks... but right now Ur kind tinks like warriors. Eet's how Ur fathur thinks. Uh tink Uh furgot, after wut happened, dat -dat- eez exactly why Uh wanted tu take his place as Alpha."
[2016-10-12 16:28:49] * Golden_Dream imagines trying to keep a good figure if she /weren't/ super good at getting food together. That would be a nightmare. She somewhat wonders how she hadn't run into any really skinny alicorns before. And if she did have a good figure, how the hell would Mwana ever... You know...
[2016-10-12 16:31:06] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Wind Weaver nods.  Then, in a swift move, gives Mitzi a little kiss on the ruffle of her left cheek.  She turns away swiftly, swooping back to Lemon Quartz's wagon, and begins strapping herself in.
[2016-10-12 16:32:54] * Mitzi turns and follows Wind Weaver for a moment. "Uh am sorree, dat yu had tu go through dat, und Uh'm sorree dat Uh let Ur wrong tinkeen make yu upset." She gently places a paw on her chest. "Uh wud still have yu fur a member uv Ur litter, eef yu want eet. Und Uh will who all uv dem dat da fears uv da Despised Un eez wrong."
[2016-10-12 16:34:15] * Golden_Dream briefly steals a look at Noble, before staring straight forward. She suddenly makes sense.
[2016-10-12 16:34:55] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Inside the Thunderhead Lunar Rising, the voice on the loudspeaker begins to speak again.  "Ten minutes until lift-off!  We are..."  The sound is drowned out by several rapid-succession cracks of thunder just outside the haul from the Thunderhead's thunderclouds.  Those in Forward Observation can hear the city's navigation engines roaring to life.
[2016-10-12 16:35:59] * Get_Lost is stealing scootaloo's dream of a life: being with RD like two peas in a pod. like, literally
[2016-10-12 16:36:37] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Star Dust's ears perk.  She smiles.  "Based on the New Cumulus, those are good sounds."  She winces a little.  "Really, really loud though."
[2016-10-12 16:37:14] * Noble_Heart flattens her ears slightly. Hopeful that this would work. And not break up upon launch.
[2016-10-12 16:37:33] * Bookwright grins. "So that's why they call it a thunderhead. Heh."
[2016-10-12 16:38:33] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Wind Weaver looks up at Mitzi one more time.  There is some lingering sadness in her expression, but she smiles.  "I... would like that.  Thank you."
[2016-10-12 16:39:17] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Wind Weaver says, "I don't really have a family to offer you in return.  My only family is the Enclave.  And you don't want that one."
[2016-10-12 16:40:43] * Mitzi smiles softly. "Unce Ur kind have friendship wit ponies, perhaps tru dem we can meet again. Eef not, Ponyville Sanctuary eez where Ur home eez. Uh tink yu cud find eet, eef yu wanted tu."
[2016-10-12 16:40:57] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Wind begins to pick up, blasting outwards from around the Thunderhead.  Snow is rolls away from the frozen ground beneath in waves.  The air is filled with a horizontal blizzard.
[2016-10-12 16:41:58] * Golden_Dream feels the fur on the back of her neck stand up on end, instinct telling her to get out. Fucking hell, no wonder most of the engineering staff are mares if everything is supposed to rattle and vibrate like this.
[2016-10-12 16:42:19] <Mare-Do-Well> 3There is no more time for goodbyes.  While it is still possible to fly, Wind Weaver flaps her wings and lifts off, carrying the small but heavily-laden cart behind her.  The crystal pony delegation begins to run.
[2016-10-12 16:43:10] * Golden_Dream looks up at Noble. She definitely wasn't feeling anxious and was thinking of anything that came to mind to distract herself. That definitely wasn't happening. "Hey, Noble. Are doors ever a problem for y'?"
[2016-10-12 16:43:12] <Mare-Do-Well> 3With a heart-stopping groan and a shudder, one side of the Thunderhead lifts an inch off the ground before settling back down.
[2016-10-12 16:44:39] * Golden_Dream sucks on her teeth and hyperventilates a bit. "I MEAN, um. I mean, I figure your horn would get caught in the threshold, wouldn't it?"
[2016-10-12 16:45:01] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Outside the windows of Forward Observation, flashes of lightning from the thunderclouds illuminate the horizontal blizzard in flashes that remind Noble_Heart of a convergence of paparazzi.
[2016-10-12 16:45:54] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The city lifts just slightly, one side tilting almost imperceptibly, then sets down again.
[2016-10-12 16:46:13] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The thunderclouds rumble angrily.
[2016-10-12 16:46:14] * Noble_Heart looks down towards Golden_Dream, "We have had to learn to duck on more than a few occasions, yes. And sometimes even squeeze. It can be quite frustrating at times."
[2016-10-12 16:47:22] * CopyCat chuckles at Golden_Dream's question, though only the mental part of her mirth can be felt through the loud rumbling thunder.
[2016-10-12 16:48:55] * Golden_Dream shudders a bit, ducking her head a bit. She hoped the fliers of the group would get why flying sometimes made her terrified, if it was like this.
[2016-10-12 16:49:30] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The city of Lunar Rising lifts again, several inches this time.  The city shifts, turning clockwise slightly.  The south side dips a could inches.  Then slightly overcorrects, dipping towards the north.
[2016-10-12 16:50:43] * Golden_Dream chuckles mentally. [And, um. Copycat, you, um. Ever have problems with size differences in terms of... Um. You know. Private time?]
[2016-10-12 16:53:40] <Mare-Do-Well> 3(( scene music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH8Kb8bRzBI ))
[2016-10-12 16:53:43] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The Thunderbird's internal structure protests, metal crying out.  But the city rights itself.  And lifts several inches higher.  Then a foot.
[2016-10-12 16:55:27] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The thunderclouds crack the air with a percussion of thunder.  Lightning leaps from the clouds to the ground.  Several bolts leap to nearby metal structures -- rods driven into the ground in what was once the fence.
[2016-10-12 16:55:53] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Lunar's Rising lifts.  Another foot.  A yard.  Several.
[2016-10-12 16:56:27] <Mare-Do-Well> 3In the control center, lights are flashing.  But no alarms sound.
[2016-10-12 16:56:31] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The city rises.
[2016-10-12 16:56:39] * Shatara lifts his talons and gives his best mad engineer cackle. "IT'S ALIIIIVE!"
[2016-10-12 16:57:14] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Through the observation windows, the ground falls away.
[2016-10-12 16:57:52] * CopyCat finds herself blushing. [P-perhaps we can talk about it later, Goldie.]
[2016-10-12 16:59:57] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Mitzi sees the black form of the Thunderhead rising above her, higher and higher.  The shadow it casts on the valley slowly by steadily shrinks.
[2016-10-12 17:00:01] * Golden_Dream sharply inhales and reflexively clenches every muscle she had, and some that she didn't even know she had. Did you know there was a muscle for making sure that your forelegs can rotate? Goldy does now.
[2016-10-12 17:00:57] * Noble_Heart shivers slightly at the lurching of the ship. Having to fight the instinctive response to balance herself in the air. She was already strapped down, after all. And right now being airborn would be FAR more dangerous as the room around her was in motion.
[2016-10-12 17:06:05] * Mitzi watches her friends depart, hoping she would see them again soon. But now, her duty was to her people. She walks back up to the cages and waits.
[2016-10-12 17:07:42] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The city occasionally shudders, but keeps level, and rises steadily now.  Through the observation windows, the sides of the mountains surrounding the valley slide steadily downward.
[2016-10-12 17:08:42] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Brilliant sunlight pours in through the windows as Thunderhead Lunar Rising crests the peaks of the Top of the World.
[2016-10-12 17:11:36] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The sound of the thunderclouds has softened to a steady, drumming rumble.  A percussion accompaniment to the sound of the maneuvering engines, several of which rev louder as the city starts to slowly turn counter-clockwise.  The view of the Frozen North, seen from above, rotates... a majestic, peaceful, snow-covered world.
[2016-10-12 17:12:16] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The pegasi in Forward Observation cheer.
[2016-10-12 17:13:20] * CopyCat also cheers, buzzing with the excitement in the room.
[2016-10-12 17:13:26] * Golden_Dream feels her face contort to the sudden forces involved in this. Oh Celestia. Oh Luna why. [You sure? I can think of several reasons we might wanna talk about /literally anything else other than what is happening/!]
[2016-10-12 17:14:04] * Mitzi looks at the cages once more, then takes a place above them. She looks around quickly to find the best vantage point. She had to make sure every word she was about to say was heard, understood, and ingrained in those she was about to speak to.
[2016-10-12 17:14:36] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Loudspeaker: "Attention everypony.  Lift-off has been successful.  You may now release your restraints and move freely about the city.  The Memorium and Soko are no longer under lockdown.  However, the General's Council reminds you: please do not access stored or secured items until the city has made its first landfall."
[2016-10-12 17:15:22] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The voice of the pony speaking is so filled with joy that it was clearly a colossal effort not to just start cheering into her microphone.
[2016-10-12 17:19:26] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The roar of the engines rises.  There is a shift, a hard *drop* of several inches.  Ponies yelp.  A few scream.  The metal of the Thunderhead screams.
[2016-10-12 17:19:53] <Mare-Do-Well> 3The city seems to wobble slightly in the air...
[2016-10-12 17:21:29] * Golden_Dream forms a little pony-shaped ball in the place she's strapped in. NOTHING IS GOING WRONG EVERYTHING IS FINE RAINBOW GOT THIS AHAHA THAT WOBBLE WAS NOTHING.
[2016-10-12 17:22:10] <Mare-Do-Well> 3...then begins to move again.  This time, moving horizontally.  Not merely levitating anymore, Thunderhead Lunar Rising /flies/ for the first time in over a generation.
[2016-10-12 17:22:43] * Bookwright unstraps. "Well, this is... this is exhilarating! I have to write!"
[2016-10-12 17:22:56] * Noble_Heart flinches at the sudden drop, wings and coat bristling at the horrible sensation of dropping. Thankfully not for very long. She carefully unhooks herself and slowly stands up. "Well. This has been a momentous day."
[2016-10-12 17:23:34] * CopyCat unstraps as soon as she is able, squeezing out of the chair and approaching Golden_Dream, only to have the sky-city lurch under her for a moment and leave her unsteady on her hooves. Her wings reflexively spread to keep her balance.
[2016-10-12 17:25:10] * Bookwright flips open his journal and begins to write furiously. "We've done it. We've done it! The Thunderhead flies again, however briefly. Get Lost, Shatara, and I finished repairs earlier today and this monstrosity of a flying city is actually flying again! It's such a shame she has to land again soon, but I suppose it's for the greater good. Not looking forward to the general's reaction though."
[2016-10-12 17:26:41] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Down below, the crystal ponies stop running, catching their breath as they near the abandoned Enclave site around the Warm Welcomes Hostel.  They turn and watch as Lunar's Rising moves through the sky with an almost aching slowness.
[2016-10-12 17:29:51] * CopyCat looks around at the pegasi in Forward Observation as the Thunderhead *flies*. The screaming stops, and CopyCat breathes a sigh of relief, before turning once again to the young-pony-shaped-ball that is Golden_Dream. "You are right, Goldie. I will be happy to distract you with talks of bedrooms and the smooshing of faces into curvaceous thighs."
[2016-10-12 17:33:12] * CopyCat adds, helpfully, "In my experience, whether one way or another, a difference of size does not need to interfere with a partner's pleasure."
[2016-10-12 17:33:14] * Golden_Dream blinks and gives Copycat the most embarrassed, indignant expression, waving her hooves up defensively. "Y' DON'T HAVE TO GET ALL DESCRIPTIVE ON-" Oh. Oooooh. Clever. "... Sometimes, yer' too dang smart fer' yer' own good."
[2016-10-12 17:34:05] * Noble_Heart chuckles slightly and stands up proper, moving to look out of the front windows. "We have been flying for quite a long time. But somehow, the Thunderhead still feels more magnificent than We expected."
[2016-10-12 17:38:30] <Mare-Do-Well> 3Just before the last of the Thunderhead disappears from sight over the peaks of the Top of the World, Mitzi hears the surprised stirrings of the hellhounds in the cages.
[2016-10-12 17:39:41] * Mitzi looks at the cages from her vantage point. Before they can start a mad rush she arches her back and looks up at the sky. She howls at the top of her lungs.
[2016-10-12 17:41:37] <Mare-Do-Well> 3One, then another, then a third, then all... the hellhounds join the howl, their voices echoing off the mountainsides in a chorus.
[2016-10-12 17:41:44] <Mare-Do-Well> 3--- End of Session ---
[2016-10-12 17:42:14] <Mare-Do-Well> 3XP: +5000