FoE PNP Group 9 Session 25

[17:07] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  *** PnP Group Number Nine: Session 25***
[17:13] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Murder! Suspense! Intrigue! Snowponies? Last time, our group was faced with all of these, and much more! Right now, we find them in the thick of investigating the mysterious abandonment of the Gullywash Military Base. They were standing outside of the Hazardous Waste Disposal Unit, ready to see whatever was inside. Spoiler alert: hazardous waste.
[17:15] * Challenger trots up to the Hazmat building. "Why in the hell would they bring the backup generators here though..."
[17:15] * Desert_Eagle adjusts his Aviators, frowning. "Hey Chal, yah sure we should be goin' 'n there without any protective gear?"
[17:15] <Challenger> "No, but we don't have alot of choice."
[17:15] * Strifer shrugs. "Fuck if I know, hell, can we even get them started again?"
[17:15] * Desert_Eagle nods. "Figured as much."
[17:15] <Challenger> "If the armory was still intact, I could piece together an armor set."
[17:16] * Lollygag looks around nervously. That screaming pony is really starting to get to her, "H-hey..."
[17:17] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The screaming pony is -still- screaming. Very loudly.
[17:17] <Challenger> "Yes, Lolly?"
[17:18] * Wraith is riding around on somepony's back
[17:19] * Wraith also has her good hoof stuck in her remaining ear
[17:19] * Lollygag shakes herself and turns around, "I... I'm gonna stay up here..."
[17:19] * Strifer has turret!wraith on her back. She's trotting at teh back of the pack.
[17:20] * Strifer snerks and raises an eyebrow at Lollygag." Why.. you scared?"
[17:20] * Challenger shrugs. "Alright. I say we see if the armory is still accessable first. There should be spare Ranger armor sets in it."
[17:20] * Cloudy_Breeze is not liking the screaming. She ruffles her wings and glances back. "Can we hurry? This ain't a happy place."
[17:20] <Wraith> "Anything in a size tiny?"
[17:21] <Challenger> "Scribe robes maybe. We didn't make power armor for fillies and colts."
[17:21] <Wraith> "I'm neither a filly nor a colt."
[17:21] * Wraith sticks her tongue out at Challenger
[17:21] * Lollygag looks over at Strifer and gives her best smile, "Of course I'm scared. But... I also want to check on that poor pony..."
[17:22] * Challenger starts off in the direction of the armory. "You can always go wait in the van."
[17:22] * Desert_Eagle chuckles, trotting after Challenger.
[17:22] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Challenger would know that the Armory wasn't far from the Tech Vault. It's right next door, in fact.
[17:22] * Strifer rolls her eyes. "Suuure, because going -towards- the screams, all alone, is always a fucking brilliant idea." She starts to head off after Challenger.
[17:22] * Challenger goes next door. Such a long journey.
[17:23] <Challenger> "Just an option."
[17:23] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Right next door to the Tech Vault, not the HWDU.
[17:23] <Wraith> "I'd offer going with her, but that means someone else would have to come too just to carry me."
[17:23] * Challenger goes anyway. It's still an epic journey that began with a single hoof fall.
[17:24] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  It's actually is a journey across camp (again). Since it's right next to the Tech Vault, anypony who gave it a slight glance could tell that it was open.
[17:24] * Strifer can't read, otherwise she'd totaly enter that Tech Vault.
[17:24] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  -that "is."
[17:24] * Lollygag pulls out her mesmetron, propping it up with a hoof, "I'll be fine... you guys just figure out what's going on..." She bites down on the handle and pick the gun up, making her way back to the HQ.
[17:24] <Challenger> "I'm betting it's been looted..." He goes inside, expecting to find nothing but empty lockers and dead bodies.
[17:26] * Strifer glances back at Lollygag as she leaves. Snorting.. "Alright, whatever..." Trotting after Challenger she adds. "So.. Once we've done whatever the fuck you wanted to do, we're going to that vault, alright?"
[17:26] <Challenger> "Need power to get to vault. Need hazmat protection to get to power."
[17:27] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Challenger doesn't even find the bodies. The armory has been completely gutted. The door was off it's hinges and all the windows were open, again against regulation. As Lollygag approaches the HQ, she can still hear the buck screaming and wailing.
[17:27] * Challenger searches thoroughly for anything... even a basic hazmat suit.
[17:28] <Wraith> "Welp."
[17:28] * Strifer leans at the doorframe. "This.. Is taking to loooong~"
[17:28] * Cloudy_Breeze already knew the tech vault was open, since she'd gotten the teapot from there. And mentioned this before.
[17:29] * Fridge ([email protected]) has joined #fruityrumpusassholefactory
[17:29] * Strifer honestly coulnt remember that.
[17:29] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  There is a sole hazmat suit. It's full of holes that look suspiciously like bullet holes.
[17:29] * Desert_Eagle frowns. "Well, this was a bust."
[17:29] <Challenger> "Useless..."
[17:30] * Lollygag trots quickly into the HQ.
[17:30] * Challenger doesn't remember most of what Breezy says... must be that whole chronic lying thing she does sometimes.
[17:31] * Cloudy_Breeze hasn't ever been asked anything worth lying about. She's been surprisingly free of lies for the entirety of the time she's known everypony here.
[17:31] * Strifer just dosnt remember cause she never listens.
[17:32] * Challenger comes back out of the library. "Well, that was expected... So, who's ready to be irradiated to get a door open?"
[17:32] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  It's noticably less cold in the command building than it had been. Upstairs, Lollygag finds the pony who's been doing all the hollaring: An older stallion in nice looking robes. Well... they probably were nice. Now, they're soaked in blood, blood that is tricklign out of where there once was a horn on his head. "Sweeeet Celestia! Help me!" He cries, stumblign out of his chair towards Lollygag.
[17:32] * Strifer lifts a hoof and waves. "Oh.. oh! pick me, pick me!"
[17:32] <Wraith> "I'm already missing large chunks of my coat. What's losing a little more?"
[17:33] * Cloudy_Breeze shakes her head. "Y'all can go ahead."
[17:33] <Strifer> "Hey! We can go together! We'll be glowing together once we're done Im sure!"
[17:33] * Challenger facehoofs. "That was rhetorical, Strifer."
[17:34] * Lollygag drops her gun and races to try and catch the stallion, "H-hold on!"
[17:34] <Strifer> "It.. Was..?" She snorts. "I knew that!"
[17:35] <Challenger> "Do you even know what Rhetorifcal means?
[17:35] <Challenger> "
[17:35] <Challenger> [-f]
[17:35] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The robed stallion is pretty heavy, but Lollygag catches him before he can fall right down the stairs. "H-Help!" is all he can manage to say.
[17:35] <Wraith> "Means doesn't require an answer.
[17:35] * Desert_Eagle facehoofs.
[17:35] * Strifer waves a hoof again. "Well of course I fuck- yeah, that! What tinything said!"
[17:36] * Cloudy_Breeze rolls her eyes. "Y'all can go irradiate yerselves, ah'll just be over here when ya'll are done." She trots over through the /open/ door of the tech vault.
[17:36] * Challenger wonders how she did that when it's beneath the building.
[17:37] * Challenger blinks. "Ya coulda said so..." he follows her inside.
[17:38] * Cloudy_Breeze snorts and lets out a laugh. "Ah /did/ say so."
[17:38] * Challenger won't debate the issue.
[17:38] * Wraith rests her chin on top of Strifer's head
[17:39] * Strifer follows Challenger. Glancing up at Wraith. "It totaly is that, right?"
[17:39] <Wraith> "Yup."
[17:39] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Tech Vault is just as Cloudy_Breeze left it: Totally empty. It's worth noting that this building does have power. The entire space is bathed in yellow light.
[17:39] * Lollygag groans from the effort of keeping the stallion supported long enough to slide him safely to the floor. Tears are streaking down her face as she hurriedly pulls open her saddle bags, her heart sinking at the single potion inside. She pulls it out though, and pops the lid, pressing it to the stallion's mouth to try and get him to drink.
[17:41] <Challenger> "Well fuckberries... Let's find the server room."
[17:41] * Cloudy_Breeze gives a dramatic hoof-wave. "Ta-da, like ah said, completely empty! All that was here was that damn teapot."
[17:41] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The stallion greedily sucks down the potion. It stops the bleeding and calms him down a little, but he's still shaking. "Wh-Where is..."
[17:42] * Grim ([email protected]) has joined #fruityrumpusassholefactory
[17:42] <Challenger> "Try being a little more smug, Breezy. It's really helping the situation."
[17:43] * Strifer frowns, looking around the vault. She scratches a forehoof with a spiked ponyshoe, flicking her tail. Her frown growing into a slight glare. "Hey! I told you to shut the fuck up! I'm looking alright?!" She paces the vault for anything of use. "What the hell are we looking for anyway?!"
[17:44] <Wraith> "Useful things."
[17:44] * Lollygag smiles softly as the bleeding stops, setting the empty potion bottle down, "Please, just try to calm down right now. That was the only potion I had, so you have to try and stay calm so you don't aggrivate your condition."
[17:44] <Challenger> "Big, tall, computer looking thing. Has a monitor built in... probably without power which is WHY we need the generators."
[17:45] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  He's breathing hard, but eventually nods. "R-Right... forgive me..."
[17:46] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Strifer spots a small panel loose in the ceiling, like it had been moved and replaced at some point.
[17:47] * Strifer noses her way up to the panel. "Yes you dickwad I can fucking see it!" She looks up at the panel and frowns.
[17:47] * Wraith hm?'s from Strifer's back "Whuzzat?"
[17:47] * Desert_Eagle looks up at the panel too.
[17:48] * Lollygag gives her best, comforting smile, "It's okay. Just try to rest a little. I'll answer anything I can later."
[17:48] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Now that's she's closer to the panel, all three of the ponies looking at it can see somthing glint in the light of the emergency power lighting.
[17:48] * Challenger looks at Strifer. "Ok, number one, who're you calling a dickwad?"
[17:49] * Desert_Eagle flies up to the panel. "Hmmm."
[17:49] * Cloudy_Breeze looks up as well, eyeing the panel Desert_Eagle is now fiddling with
[17:50] * Challenger looks at the three (maybe four) ponies who're all staring at the same spot. "I take it you all found it."
[17:50] <Strifer> "Oh shut up you fucking sperm stain! I found it, now what the fuck do I do?"
[17:50] <Wraith> "Found something."
[17:51] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Desert_Eagle can make out the words "Oak Tree" on whatever it is. He knows that Oak Tree are one of the world's best manufacturer of sunglasses.
[17:51] <Strifer> "DOES IT FUCKING LOOK LIKE I CAN REACH THAT?!" She glances behind her to Wraith, then jerks her head towards the panel." Open it up." Her  voice grimmer then usual.
[17:52] * Challenger trots over. "Want the key? It's likely locked."
[17:52] * Wraith pushes the panel out of the way with Telekinesis
[17:52] <Desert_Eagle> "Oi!"
[17:52] <Desert_Eagle> "Ah'm right fuckin' 'ere, 'n case yah didn't notice!"
[17:53] <Wraith> "Hi. I noticed. You're also slow."
[17:53] <Strifer> "Just stand the fuck back turkey."
[17:53] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The box appears to have been resting on the panel, and falls out of the hole in the ceiling, clattering to the floor.
[17:53] <Strifer> "MINE!"
[17:53] * Strifer launches herself at the box.
[17:53] * Desert_Eagle facehoofs.
[17:53] * Wraith eeps and graps on to Strifer
[17:53] <Desert_Eagle> "Y'all are a bunch o' idiots."
[17:54] * Strifer clutches the box in her hooves, looking around herself at her companions with a snarl on her face.
[17:54] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  It's a very nice box. It's got a pretty engraving of an Oak Tree on the front, and a small latch to open it.
[17:55] * Desert_Eagle lands nearby. "Well, go ahead an' open it."
[17:55] * Strifer glances at everypony oncemore before grinning wide and throwing the box open!
[17:56] * Cloudy_Breeze rolls her eyes. This was just getting weirder.
[17:56] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Inside are a pair of pristine Oak Tree Aviator Sunglasses. They are so damn snazzy, it would be hard to resist wearing them.
[17:56] * Strifer blinks.
[17:56] * Challenger facehoofs. "Well that's not a server."
[17:56] <Desert_Eagle> "Hot damn!"
[17:57] * Strifer blinks again.
[17:57] * Wraith starts humming a tune
[17:57] <Strifer> "... ALL THAT YELLING FOR THIS?!"
[17:58] * Strifer closes the box with more force the necessary before stomping out, grumbling. "I fucking hate this place fucking bitches yelling in my head im going too---"
[17:59] * Desert_Eagle rolls his eyes, trotting over and picking up the box for himself.
[17:59] * Wraith patpats Strifer's head
[17:59] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The buck slowly gets to his hooves, panting the whole time. "Th-Thank you... Ms... But... I think... I need a doctor..." He says, teetering on his hooves.
[18:00] <Challenger> "Can we get back to the task at hoof please?"
[18:01] * Desert_Eagle nods, stowing the box in his bags. "Ayep."
[18:01] * Challenger eyes Strifer, concerned.
[18:01] * Lollygag nods slowly, "Lollygag. And I came here with a doctor, but they're in a different part of the base. Do you think you can make it down the stairs safely? I can help you get to them."
[18:01] * Strifer stomps her way outside.  She flicks her ears at the patting. "I just wanted a cool new weapon or something you know, not some pancy ass glasses I wont even fucking use.. I mean fuck, I dont think Ive ever seen the sun."
[18:02] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Stallion, Elder Piston, nods slowly. "How... did you get past the... guards at the gate?
[18:02] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  "
[18:03] * Challenger follows her outside, tossing the keys to Deagle. "Keep looking. Whoever emptied the place can't have taken the servers too. They're too big to get out the door."
[18:03] <Wraith> "I know the feeling sweetie.:"
[18:03] <Wraith> -:*
[18:04] * Desert_Eagle nods, catching the keys in his muzzle and trotting after Challenger.
[18:05] * Lollygag leans up against the stallion, trying her best to help support him, "I'm sorry... but when we got here, the base was deserted."
[18:05] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  He graciously accepts Lollygag's help, too. Together, they make it down the stairs and outside. "Wha... the Scribes..." he says, looking at the flowers scattered about the room. "Deserted... impossible..."
[18:05] * Cloudy_Breeze sighs, and follows. "So what now?"
[18:06] <Challenger> "Strifer, wait up."
[18:06] * Strifer still frowning;"So, when we get to the griffins. We gonna put you in a-" She glances back at Challenger;" Yeah? Whatsup?"
[18:06] * Lollygag only pauses for a second to pick her gun back up on the way down, "Like I said, I'm sorry..." She looks around, and lifts a hoof the direction she'd come, "They were over that way before we split up."
[18:07] * Desert_Eagle looks over at Cloudy_Breeze and shrugs. "Find th' backup generators an' restore power."
[18:08] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Elder Piston looks up at Lolly, bloodied and defeated. "Were... any of my Rangers... with you?"
[18:08] <Strifer> "Oh just shut up!"
[18:08] * Cloudy_Breeze frowns. "And what good does that do? There ain't nothin' here!"
[18:08] <Strifer> "Cunt!"
[18:09] * Strifer stomps a hoof for emphasis on the word.
[18:09] * Wraith tilts her head "Put me in a what now?"
[18:09] * Challenger stops next to her. "I'm sorry we didn't find anything in there. But that's no reason to lose your shit."
[18:09] * Cloudy_Breeze eyes Strifer. She's been a little... grumpy today.
[18:09] * Desert_Eagle groans. "Well, that's why we need the servers, to find out what happened.
[18:10] <Desert_Eagle> "*
[18:11] * Strifer sighs.. Then looks up at Challenger with a slight grin. "In case you didnt notice, I've already lost my shit. And from all that fucking yelling that bitch was doing I expected you know, something really huge. not just some pansy glasses."
[18:11] <Wraith> "I think that's more becuase somepony broke off a carrot horn. If those were actual ponies which I think we've already decided
[18:11] * Lollygag nods a little, "Yes, at least he used to be, I think. A stallion named Challenger... he was... really worried when he found this place deserted."
[18:12] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder blanches. "Mother of Luna... he's... still alive?"
[18:12] <Strifer> "What? No, no that fucker.. In fact, that screaming has gone re ally quiet.."
[18:12] <Strifer> not*
[18:13] <Challenger> "Regardless, those voices in your head don't control you. Don't listen to them."
[18:13] <Wraith> "Didn't Lolly go that way? I hope she's alright."
[18:14] * Challenger looks in that direction. "Yeah, she did..."
[18:14] * Strifer shrugs a little. "Sometimes they do, sometimes they dont.. This fucker was just loud. Not like.. That other one, where I aparantly jumped out of the car and.. Yeah." She scratches a foreleg again.
[18:14] * Lollygag nods a little more, "Yeah, he is. H-hey, are you alright? Maybe you should rest a few minutes before we keep going..."
[18:14] * Desert_Eagle frowns. "Want me t' go check on 'er?"
[18:15] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  He shakes his head hard. "N-No... I'm fine. I want to see him... face to face."
[18:16] * Challenger nods at Deagle. "Just remember, they're not you."
[18:17] * Strifer chews her lower lip. "Yeah.."
[18:17] <Strifer> "Ill try."
[18:17] * Desert_Eagle nods slowly before taking off, back towards the HQ building, looking for Lolly.
[18:18] * Challenger pats Strifer on the head gently. "All I can ask for. Well, that search seems a bust..."
[18:18] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Desert_Eagle, with his amazing eyes, spots Lollygag carrying an injured Stallion down the main path through the center of camp. They haven't made it too far from the command center.
[18:18] * Challenger looks around as he says the last part.
[18:19] * Lollygag nods a little, "Alright." She very carefully supports the Elder and starts leading him through the camp again.
[18:19] * Strifer lowers her head down at the pattings. Growling quietly.
[18:20] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  "M-Medical tent... to the left..." He rasps.
[18:20] * Desert_Eagle spirals down to them "Oi! Miss Lollygag!" He says as he lands.
[18:21] * Lollygag was about to turn towards the medical tent, "Oh, Desert! I need you to go get Wraith and Challenger, immediately."
[18:23] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Piston doesn't look so great, even though the bleeding from his horn has stopped.
[18:23] * Cloudy_Breeze takes to the air to see where Desert_Eagle flew off too.
[18:23] * Desert_Eagle takes one good look at the injured Elder before nodding. "On it!" He launches back into the air and tore back to the others. "Chal! Wraith! This way!" He yells down to them.
[18:24] <Wraith> "Whut?"
[18:24] * Challenger looks up at Deagle. "What? Lolly hurt?"
[18:24] * Wraith taps Strifer and points "That way, I guess?"
[18:24] * Challenger starts running as he asks.
[18:24] * Lollygag smiles and begins slowly making her way to the medical tent with the Elder.
[18:24] * Strifer eyerolls and snorts. Prancing over like a good pony.
[18:25] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  As soon as Challenger gets close to Lollygag and Elder Piston, there's a low rumbling sound, and in flash of blinding light, Elder Piston turns into a snowpony. Amazing.
[18:26] * Desert_Eagle flies back towards Lollygag, pulling up sharply at the sight. "What th' fuck!?"
[18:26] * Challenger spots the snowpony and Lolly. "What the... how'd you get him out here??"
[18:26] * Lollygag blinks hard, stopping in her tracks and starting to shake immediately from the cold, "Wh-what..."
[18:26] * Strifer gets there a few moments later.. "Is this some sort of joke? Cause it aint funny."
[18:27] * Desert_Eagle lands, thuroughly confused. "But, h-he wasn't a snowpony just 10 seconds ago!" He stomps a hoof in frustration.
[18:27] <Challenger> "Lolly, mind explaining how and why you brought him out here?"
[18:28] * Cloudy_Breeze follows from the air, eyeing them curiously.
[18:28] * Strifer glances between Deagle and Lollygag. "Are you two on the dash or something, shit, thats a snowpony." She points a hoof at the snow.
[18:28] * Lollygag tries her best to very carefully slide the snowpony off her, "H-he was real! A-and b-bleeding! He w-wanted to talk to you, Ch-chal."
[18:29] * Challenger blinks. "He was... what??"
[18:30] <Wraith> "Someone mind fetching that Carrot from wherever they put it?"
[18:30] <Strifer> "Uh..."
[18:30] * Strifer looks around at her belly.
[18:31] * Lollygag is shivering as she finally gets free, "Y-yes! When I w-went back in he was at the top of the s-stairs, bleeding from h-his head!"
[18:32] * Strifer moves up to the snowpony and gives it a poke.
[18:32] <Strifer> "Dosnt look very alive too me."
[18:33] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  It's snow. The crunchy, cold type of snow.
[18:33] * Challenger tilts his head, confused. "If that's true, why is he a snowpony now? I'm not saying I don't believe you Lolly. I'm just saying I don't get it."
[18:34] <Wraith> "Someone was screaming."
[18:35] <Wraith> "Why not a snowpony who isn't a snowpony that had his Horn torn off."
[18:35] * Wraith wiggles and looks at Strifer, her head upside down.
[18:35] <Challenger> "Strifer, you had that carrot right? Go find the bit you spit out, would you?"
[18:36] * Strifer smirks. "Yeah.. Sure!" She glances back at Wraith. "Hold on tinystuff!" She gallops madly towards the HQ.
[18:36] * Lollygag sighs and collapses to the ground, "I don't know... All I know is he needed help... I thought bringing him here would help..."
[18:36] * Wraith eeps again and holds on
[18:36] * Cloudy_Breeze lands next to all the ponies. "What's the holdup? Dunno 'bout y'all, but ah'm gettin' /real/ sick of this place."
[18:37] <Challenger> "Breezy, you still got that teapot you found, right?"
[18:38] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Strifer arrives at the HQ, and notices something that Loly didn't: the corpses of five Steel Ranger Scribes, scattered around the room.
[18:38] * Strifer stops abruptly at the dead rangers, raising a hoof. "Ooookay, what the acctuall fuck?"
[18:38] <Wraith> "Huh."
[18:38] <Wraith> "Those were snowponies before, right?"
[18:39] * Strifer shrugs and trotts up to nose through the closest one.
[18:39] <Wraith> "Well Lolly's story is more cemented now."
[18:40] * Desert_Eagle grumbles and sits down. "This whole place's one big clusterfuck..." He mutters. He pulls out the box with the sunglasses, flicking it open and pulling the pristine Oak Tree Aviators.
[18:40] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Strifer finds a note tucked in the Scribe's pocket. It says "Transfer Orders", not that Strifer could tell.
[18:41] * Desert_Eagle gives a low whistle, before switching his own Aviators out for them.
[18:41] * Strifer frowns as she looks at the note.. "Uh.. Found this paper and shit, here!" She takes it in her mouth and reaches around to give it too Wraith.
[18:41] * Cloudy_Breeze shakes her head. "Wraith took it."
[18:41] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Oak Tree Aviators are sooooo nice. High Quality, too.
[18:41] * Wraith takes the paper in her telekinesis and looks it over "These are transfer orders."
[18:41] <Challenger> "Alright. I'm sure it's part of whatever this is."
[18:42] * Desert_Eagle frowns. "That can't be right..." He takes them off again.
[18:43] <Challenger> "Why not?"
[18:43] <Challenger> "Also, what can't be right?"
[18:44] * Desert_Eagle holds out the Aviators to Challenger. "Put 'em on an' see fer yerself."
[18:44] * Challenger takes them and puts them on, then looks around.
[18:44] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Wraith, who can totally read, can see that the note is addressed to "T" and says, "Moving most of the stuff to Bandari Hazuni. Sent a courier and two paladins with him. ~P"
[18:45] * Strifer has started her way towards the quest for the chewed carrot.
[18:45] <Wraith> "What is with ponies and abbreviating entire names to a single letter?"
[18:45] <Wraith> "And what the fuck is Bandary Hazuni?"
[18:45] <Strifer> "I dont fucking know.."
[18:45] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The carrot is on the floor, near the desk. It's still wet, too. Which is kind of gross.
[18:46] * Challenger looks over at Deagle thru the glasses. "What the..." Instinctively he looks at snowpony Piston.
[18:46] * Cloudy_Breeze is completely confused. "Mind tellin' me what's goin' on?"
[18:47] * Challenger takes the glasses off. "Well that's damn strange..."
[18:47] * Desert_Eagle nods. "Ayep."
[18:48] * Wraith picks up the carrot "Whatever. Lets just get back to the others. Maybe Chal can make sense of this."
[18:48] * Strifer reaches forward to nibble at the carrot.
[18:49] * Wraith smacks Strifer's ear lightly "No."
[18:49] * Strifer 's ear flops and stays that way. "Ow, hey!" She groans. "Fine.." Leaving the HQ and trotting out to the others again.
[18:50] * Lollygag just sighs and looks at the snowpony.
[18:50] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The group is reunited outside the medical tent. The snowpony is as how it was when Strifer and Wraith left, and now Challenger and Desert_Eagle must look pretty silly messing with the sunglasses.
[18:51] * Wraith is looking at the carrot as they reunite. The base seems fine, only the tip was bitten off. "Hm. Anypony got some glue?"
[18:51] * Challenger looks over at Wraith/Strifer. "It's snow. Should just fit right back where it was."
[18:52] * Desert_Eagle puts the Aviators back in the box, stowing it away and slipping his own back on.
[18:52] * Wraith shrugs "Alright if His horn falls off if he changes back then it's not my fault. Nor is it my fault if The horn is jabbed into his brain."
[18:53] * Wraith motions strifer to take her closer to the snowpony
[18:53] <Challenger> "Don't know, Breezy... Don't know.
[18:53] <Challenger> "
[18:53] * Strifer trotts forward to the snowpony.
[18:54] * Wraith carefully reinserts the carrot back where it came from, digging it in just slightly to compensate for the healing done by the potion.
[18:54] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The snowpony looks much more presentable now. Other than that, nothing of note happens.
[18:55] <Strifer> "... should we build a snow fort whiles we are at it?"
[18:55] <Wraith> "What, out of the living snowpony?"
[18:55] * Cloudy_Breeze sighs and flies up to have a look around while nothing is happening.
[18:56] * Challenger ignores the jibe. "Wraith, bring out that teapot and open it. Hopefully something will happen... Deagle, gimme those glasses again please."
[18:56] * Wraith tilts her head and shrugs, taking the teapot out and floating it down to the ground
[18:56] * Desert_Eagle nods, pulling them back out and hoofing them to Challenger.
[18:57] * Challenger puts them on and watches both the snowpony and the teapot.
[18:58] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  As soon as the teapot touches the ground, it billows out that thick cloud of fog again. The glasses do their thing, and nothing of note happens to the snowpony.
[18:58] * Challenger takes off the glasses and rubs his eyes. "Well fuck... I'm out of ideas."
[18:59] * Challenger then perks. "You say he was a flesh n blood pony before I showed up Lolly?"
[18:59] * Strifer takes a few steps away from the smoke.. "Well.. That did fuckall."
[19:01] * Desert_Eagle frowns. "Yeah, he was..."
[19:01] * Lollygag nods a little from where she's lying, "Yeah... he was fine until you guys got here... except Desert..."
[19:02] * Wraith picks up the teapot. Her teapot. Pretty teapot.
[19:03] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The teapot stops spewing smoke. It -is- a very pretty teapot.
[19:03] * Challenger nods. "I'm going back to the vault with these glasses. If he becomes real again, tell him what's going on and see if you can find out what happened."
[19:03] * Desert_Eagle nods. "Sure thing Chal."
[19:04] * Challenger trots off to the vault, the glasses on his nose.
[19:05] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  As soon as Challenger leaves sight, there's another, bright flash of light and rumbling noise. As the light subsides, a living, flesh and blood Elder Piston is sitting prone on the ground. "G-Gah! Oh... Sweet Luna... where did all these ponies come from?" He asks, looking between all of them.
[19:05] * Wraith gets ready, holding the carrot in place with telekinesis. Can never be too careful.
[19:06] * Strifer blinks. "What the.. He is real! Wow.. Now Ive seen everything." She grins and waves a hoof. "Hi!"
[19:06] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  He looks up at his horn. "Oh my... It's back! Wonderous!" He looks at Strifer curiously. "Hello..."
[19:07] <Wraith> "Hey it worked!"
[19:07] <Wraith> "Sorry about...well, you know. The tip of your horn."
[19:08] * Lollygag smiles gently, "I'm glad you're back, sir. These are the friends I came here with."
[19:08] * Desert_Eagle nods to the Elder. "Howdy."
[19:08] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The elder shakes his head and nods. "Excellent... but where is Paladin Challenger? I thought you said he was with all of you."
[19:09] * Desert_Eagle scratches the back of his head. "He is, except, we've run int'a a slight complication..."
[19:10] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Complication... how? And how did the Caldera Teapot get here?" He asks, pointing to the teapot.
[19:11] <Wraith> "What, this? We found it in one of the rooms."
[19:11] <Desert_Eagle> "As 'n, y'all turn int' a snow pony when he comes over 'ere."
[19:11] * Cloudy_Breeze makes her way back to the ground once she notices that the pony is no longer a snowpony. "Finally! Somethin' happens."
[19:12] * Strifer scratches at the ground and lets the smart ponies do the talking.
[19:12] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder looks very confused. "In one of the rooms? Preposterous. It's locked away in the Tech Vault, and... I turn into a snowpony. Of course. Silly me."
[19:12] * Wraith shrugs "Probably were it was from. And yes. You turn into a snowpony. Your horn became a carrot. A bite was taken from it. Any questions?"
[19:13] * Lollygag nods a little, "It's true, sir..."
[19:14] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Several... But... that's simply... Simply... within reason... given the nature of our research lately. Where are my Rangers? Sleeping?"
[19:14] * Desert_Eagle raises an eyebrow. "Uhh, no. They're dead." He says bluntly.
[19:14] <Wraith> "Well when me and Strifer went back to your little command center, to retrieve your horn. all we found were corpses."
[19:15] <Wraith> "They /had/ been snowponies like you I believe."
[19:15] * Cloudy_Breeze shakes her head. "Ain't nopony here. At all."
[19:15] <Wraith> "Expect dead."
[19:15] <Wraith> "Also the armory was apparently shot up."
[19:15] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder blinks. "Dead? All of them? Except Challenger?"
[19:16] <Wraith> "He wasn't here, so I can only assume that here is where it happened. Therefore no he is not dead."
[19:17] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  He looks at Wraith inquisitively, and slowly rises to his hooves. "I'm sure nothing is capable of dispatching my entire chapter." He says with a chuckle.
[19:17] <Desert_Eagle> "Ah would beg t' differ. Most o' 'em, all tha's left 'r ghostings."
[19:18] <Strifer> "Well.. There where more snowponies too..Right?"
[19:18] * Challenger is wandering around the vault, looking to see if something pops up thru the glasses.
[19:18] * Lollygag shakes her head slowly, "You saw as we were coming here, sir... There isn't anypony else around..."
[19:19] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Challenger finds nothing of interest in the Tech Vault. The elder furrows his brow. "What of Corsair and Reich? Are they here?"
[19:20] * Challenger moves on to the Armory, seeking more or same results.
[19:20] <Desert_Eagle> "Ain't nopony 'ere but us."
[19:20] * Cloudy_Breeze snorts. "An attitude like that is the reason they're dead, then. Nothin' is impossible, or invincible."
[19:21] <Wraith> "Dead and dead. Goddess you're dense."
[19:21] <Wraith> "Everypony that was here, is likely dead."
[19:21] <Desert_Eagle> "Ayep."
[19:21] * Desert_Eagle adds under his breath. "Pro'lly d'served it too."
[19:22] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  Again, nothing of note in the armory. The Elder glares at Cloudy_Breeze and Wraith. "Goddess, you're a rude bunch. It's a little disorienting that a bunch of outsiders are telling you that everypony you ever cared for is dead."
[19:23] * Challenger sighs and heads back to the vault to sit and wait for news of anything, keeping the glasses on the whole time.
[19:23] * Lollygag sighs softly, muttering to herself about 'Celestia's Charm School'.
[19:23] <Wraith> "Want proof?" She takes out the transfer orders "Found these on the corpse of one of the ponies in the command center. And I'm sorry for your loss, but yes. Probably everyone in this chapter is dead. Except Challenger. But think of it this way. If Chal's alive, then maybe there are some stragglers alive too. a patrol or two perhaps."
[19:24] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder scans the note and rolls his eyes. "Very reassuring... but this note is all I have to go by. Corsair and Reich were the two I sent with this courier... so they may be alive... Are you certain that Challenger is the reason I... turn... into a snowpony?"
[19:25] * Desert_Eagle nods. "Yup."
[19:25] <Wraith> "Well we found a pair of sunglasses and he has them."
[19:25] <Wraith> "I've seen weirder magic."
[19:26] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Sunglasses... where were those?"
[19:26] <Wraith> "Behind a panel in the ceiling of the armory."
[19:27] <Desert_Eagle> "Pretty damn fine Aviators too, if ah do say so muhself."
[19:27] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  He nods slowly. "The Caldera Glasses... yes... that doesn't... make any sense."
[19:27] <Wraith> "Caldera Glasses, Caldera Teapot. What's so special about Caldera?"
[19:28] <Desert_Eagle> "Hell, we've been there, place is jus' as deserted an' jus' as creepy as this..."
[19:29] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder frowns slightly. "I wish I knew. Our Scribes were making great progress towards figuring out what it was... but... now... It looks like they won't get the chance to finish. They are pre-war artifacts that our Patrols recovered from a Bunker near Caldera. There was... a pair of sunglasses, a tea pot, a camera and... some other things... I can't seem to remember..."
[19:30] <Wraith> "Well all I know about Caldera was some fillies who said there were ghosts there."
[19:31] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Fillies?"
[19:31] <Wraith> "Fillies."
[19:31] <Desert_Eagle> "An' wasn't Cauldera th' site fer megaspell testin' too?"
[19:32] <Strifer> "...and there was a not a single fucking bar within a few miles."
[19:33] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder nods at Desert_Eagle. "We think so, yes. Though... we can't say for sure... because... there's no signs of a megaspell detonation."
[19:34] <Wraith> "Well there's no signs of it here."
[19:34] <Wraith> "And yet there are vaporization outlines and a bunch of ponies who are fucking snowponies."
[19:34] <Wraith> "Well, were."
[19:34] <Wraith> "Apparently not, now."
[19:35] * Desert_Eagle nods. "Ayep, an' ah'm thinkin' now th' two might be related somehow..."
[19:35] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder considers this for a moment. "It is possible..."
[19:36] * Cloudy_Breeze taps her hoof for a moment. "There was a camp on one of the buildings. Ah found this there." She turns to the side and indicates the assault carbine on one side of her saddle. "Dunno if ya know who might have set up the camp."
[19:36] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder shakes his head. "A squatter... or just a raider... it could be anything..."
[19:37] * Lollygag is just staring down at the floor, trying to figure out what to do. She finally looks up, "H-hey... if Caldera is what's causing the problems... do... do you think something from there might let you two talk to eachother? I... I found some potions..."
[19:40] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder looks blankly at Lollygag. "I... don't... think so..."
[19:42] * Lollygag sighs again and slumps back down, "Yeah... I didn't think so either..."
[19:44] * Challenger sits and waits...
[19:47] * Desert_Eagle grumbles. "Well, ah'm stumped. Ya'll want me t' go get Chal?"
[19:48] <Strifer> "And watch mister horn head here get turned into slush?"
[19:49] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder frowns slightly at that. He's wracking his brain on this one too, but his memory is... dodgey at best.
[19:51] * Challenger feels a lightbulb go off. He quickly heads back to the C&C, avoiding the area he left the Elder in.
[19:52] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The HQ is just as it was when Strifer and Wraith were there, complete with the fresh corpses of five Scribes.
[19:53] * Challenger goes to the desk, glasses still on, and searches it again.
[19:53] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  It's empty, because Challenger took everything that was inside it.
[19:54] <Wraith> "Where's the armory at in relation to the command post?"
[19:54] * Strifer looks around, flicking her tail. "I have no idea.."
[19:55] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder points. "That way."
[19:56] * Strifer follows the point with her gaze. "Soo... We go?"
[19:57] <Wraith> "No, above, below, what?"
[19:57] <Wraith> "how close is the armory to the command post is what I'm asking."
[19:58] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  He shrugs. "Not far... 100 yards."
[19:58] * Challenger blinks... another lightbulb goes off and he pulls out the snowglobe to examine it closer.
[19:59] <Wraith> "How far would you say Chal was when The elder here turned into Frosty, Lollygag?"
[19:59] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  It's a snow globe. It says "Welcome to Caldera" and shows a small little panorama of the town inside. There's also a little figurine of a small pegasus mare floating around inside.
[20:00] * Challenger puts it down on the desk again. He looks at it for a moment longer, then heads back outside insearch of the group.
[20:01] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The group hasn't moved since Challenger left. As he arrives, there is no snowpony-fictation.
[20:01] * Lollygag shakes her head a little, "I don't know... sorry..."
[20:01] * Challenger says to himself as he runs out, "Fucking thing was enchanted, I bet..."
[20:01] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  No blinding light, no rumbling.
[20:01] * Challenger spots the group. "Elder Piston!"
[20:02] * Strifer waves at Challenger, totaly confused now. Brain is kinda spinning a little. Stupid voices, shhh..
[20:02] <Wraith> "Well there goes that theory."
[20:02] <Desert_Eagle> "Ayep."
[20:02] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder whirls around to see Challenger and blanches again. "You're back. What a... pleasant surprise. I wish we could have met under... better circumstances."
[20:02] * Challenger gallops to the group. "It was the damn snowglobe!"
[20:03] <Wraith> "Snowglobe?"
[20:03] <Wraith> "Snowglobe. Hah! Snowglobe. Wait, what?"
[20:03] * Strifer 's ear flops.. "Uh.. Thats fucking great?"
[20:03] <Challenger> "From his desk! It was enchanted or cursed or something. When I took it with me and we left is when the screams first started, then when I came back and saw the Elder each time, it pop him into snow."
[20:04] <Challenger> [popped*]
[20:05] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder blinks hard. "Son of a... I can't believe I didn't remember the Snowglobe..."
[20:05] <Wraith> "Makes sense."
[20:05] <Wraith> "Snowglobe. Snowpony."
[20:05] * Lollygag sighs softly and gives a weak smile, "Well... that's great. Now you can have your talk."
[20:05] <Challenger> "I didn't either, untill just a few minutes ago. It was from Caldera, if that matters at all."
[20:06] <Challenger> "But what I don't get is why it only affected you, Elder."
[20:06] * Strifer sits down, hard."I.. Dont.. " Eyetwitching. "What?"
[20:06] * Challenger puts a foreleg around Strifer. "Worry not, the mystery is solved... sort of."
[20:07] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder nods. "It matters quite a bit, if our research is correct." He looks to Challenger. "Well... I can't say either. Each of the items we recovered from Caldera had... some strange properties... but we had never figured out what the Snow Globe did... until now."
[20:07] * Cloudy_Breeze taps her hoof. "Great, happy ending. Can we grab what we came for and go now?"
[20:08] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  He looks over at Cloudy_Breeze. "Oh? What did you come for?"
[20:08] <Wraith> "Goddes you're impatient, mare. go sit in the van and twiddle your hooves or clop or whatever the hell it is you do."
[20:08] * Challenger looks at Breezy. "In case you didn't notice, there's nothing left here /to/ grab. Unless you spotted a machine gun where I didn't."
[20:08] <Wraith> Goddess*
[20:08] * Challenger looks at Breezy. "In case you didn't notice, there's nothing left here /to/ grab. Unless you spotted a machine gun where I didn't."
[20:08] * Desert_Eagle chuckles at Wraith.
[20:08] * Challenger thinks to himself "Highly likely considering..."
[20:09] * Strifer looks between the elder, challenger, and wraith. "Okay..."
[20:10] * Cloudy_Breeze gives a sigh and takes to the air. Maybe a quick fly will help calm her nerves.
[20:10] * Challenger looks back at the Elder. "About when did you find the snowglobe? In relation to my... well, my discharge, that is."
[20:11] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder frowns at Cloudy_Breeze. He had always known pegasi were rude, but sheesh. "We found it shortly after you left. Easy Company was on patrol in the area... figured they'd do a little scavenging."
[20:11] <Challenger> "And how long after that was it brought here?"
[20:11] * Cloudy_Breeze could say the same about Rangers, funnily enough.
[20:12] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  "A day or two. Why? What are you getting at?"
[20:12] * Challenger stands and faces the Elder. "Sir, you've missed five years of time."
[20:14] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The buck doesn't take that news to well, and slumps down to the ground. "Five... years..."
[20:14] * Strifer takes a few steps away from the elder and Challenger.
[20:14] * Challenger nods. "Yes, sir."
[20:14] * Wraith blinks
[20:14] * Wraith lets out a whistle
[20:15] <Desert_Eagle> "Damn."
[20:16] <Strifer> "That.. Kinda sucks."
[20:17] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  "Do me a favor... Challenger... Destroy the Snowglobe... and leave. You know you're not supposed to be here." He says, trotting up to Challenger. They're about the same height, oddly enough. "Take this." He whispers, slipping Challenger the note Wraith had given him. "And find out what happened to them. I understand that they were your friends..."
[20:18] * Challenger takes the note and reads it. "Yes, sir. I have to ask: How are you planning to proceed from here?"
[20:18] * Strifer whispers to Wraith. "This is some deep shit going on right here.."
[20:18] <Wraith> "Eh."
[20:19] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  He slumps a little. "I don't know... Perhaps somepony out there can find a use for an old terminal technician..." He says, lowering his head slightly.
[20:23] <Challenger> "May I suggest Pier 37, sir? There's an entire community below it dedicated to technology and mechanics. So long as you keep your Ranger status quiet, you should be fine."
[20:24] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder looks at Challenger with the eyes of a pony who would be happy to keep such a thing quiet. "We'll see."
[20:25] <Challenger> "Just a suggestion, sir. From one who has always held you in the highest respect."
[20:26] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder trots off in to the medical tent. "Goodbye, Challenger."
[20:26] * Challenger salutes. "One last thing, sir."
[20:27] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  He nods, dismissing him. "What is it?"
[20:29] <Challenger> "The note you gave me is from a P to a T. You said I'm to find them. That they were friends of mine. Who are they?"
[20:31] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  "I sent Corsair and Reich with that courier. P is myself and... T is... I... Can't remember for the life of me who T is..."
[20:32] * Challenger nods in understanding. "I see. Good luck, sir."
[20:33] <Wraith> "We'll just have to add that to the evergrowing list of things we need to get around to." She sighs
[20:33] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  The Elder waves and trots into the medical tent, closing the door behind him. He's likely going to do something about getting his horn fixed.
[20:42] * Cloudy_Breeze is still flying wide circles above the town. It feels good to stretch her wings as much as she can.
[21:10] * Challenger turns away from the elder and starts heading back to the van. "Come on, everypony. Let's go."
[21:11] * Desert_Eagle trots after him.
[21:11] <Desert_Eagle> "So... what abouth that machine gun?"
[21:11] <~SpencerDespenser|GM>  *** Session 25 Ends ***