Fallout: Beyond Equestria 28: Northern Blues (part 12)

[2013-03-20 13:43:22] <Kkat> 3As the ponies and griffin enter, a light begins to glow overhead, emanating crystal chandelier of peculiar arcanotech design.  A spotlight forms, aimed at the center of the floor, and a illusion of small, pink alicorn -- Princess Cadence -- appears in the light, standing on the rotted carpet.
[2013-03-20 13:43:35] <Kkat> 3CopyCat bends down and leans forward. "Oh, hello. Are you the Princess who lives here?"
[2013-03-20 13:44:09] <Kkat> 3Before abandoning his spell, Bookwright becomes aware of a few magazines tucked under a rotting cushion in one of the vestibule couches, and the glow of a significant amount of records beyond a door on the far side of the throne room, opposite the vestibule.
[2013-03-20 13:44:15] <Kkat> 3Bookwright abandons his spell. Not important right now.
[2013-03-20 13:44:23] <Kkat> 3Shatara jumps a bit, directing his rifle toward the sudden apparation, before slowly lowering it. "Eruhm...hi?"
[2013-03-20 13:45:07] <Kkat> 3Bookwright quietly mumbles, "Put the rifle down, feathers."
[2013-03-20 13:45:16] <Kkat> 3The pink alicorn turns to face the entering party, her multicolored mane done up fancy and filled with pretty jewels.  "Oh, there you are!  I was worried you didn't get my invite."  She smiles.  "Or that one of the homocidal robots got you."
[2013-03-20 13:45:24] <Kkat> 3CopyCat bows, it seemed the proper thing to do. "Yes, we came as soon as we could. We wanted to meet you."
[2013-03-20 13:45:29] <Kkat> 3Shatara glances around a bit, relaxing to his haunches and leaning on his stock.
[2013-03-20 13:45:36] <Kkat> 3Bookwright "You must be Amore. How's life?"
[2013-03-20 13:45:45] <Kkat> 3The hologram of Cadence smiles.  "Yes, I am Doctor Amore!  Sadly, life in the Crystal Empire is not good.  Instead of flourishing, life here is stagnate."  She frowns, almost growling.  "Trapped in limbo while the dastardly, villainous Professor Paladin prevents us from moving forward."
[2013-03-20 13:45:53] <Kkat> 3Bookwright "And how does he do that, if I may ask?"
[2013-03-20 13:46:18] <Kkat> 3Holo-Cadence glares towards the northeast.  "By constantly fighting me.  Locking me in this eternal stalemate.  Preventing me form drawing the power and concentration I need to finally end this and set my ponies free!"  She sighs.  "My poor little ponies.  They've waited so long.  So long that many have gone mad."
[2013-03-20 13:46:27] <Kkat> 3She looks to her visitors.  "How much longer must they wait?"
[2013-03-20 13:46:34] <Kkat> 3CopyCat tilts her head, curious. "What are they waiting for, Princess?"
[2013-03-20 13:46:40] <Kkat> 3The holo-princess smiles sadly.  "To save everybody."
[2013-03-20 13:47:13] <Kkat> 3Fallout: Beyond Equestria, Session Twenty-Eight: Northern Blues (Part Twelve)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KIsa8-aXpk
[2013-03-20 13:47:20] <Kkat> 3--- Session Begins ---
[2013-03-20 13:51:41] * Mitzi is disappointed by the lack of food in the kitchen, and instead begins looking for a way back up
[2013-03-20 13:52:25] * Noble_Heart frowns, spreading her wings and circling the tower, searching for another way in. As much as she would like to take the upper route, it didn't seem practical now.
[2013-03-20 13:52:26] * CopyCat nods. "We would love to meet you in person Doctor Amore. We might be able to find a way to help." She glances upwards for a moment, then back to the holo-princess. "And some of our friends are upstairs having problems with a door. Is it possible to let them in please?"
[2013-03-20 13:56:24] * Mitzi steps back to the broken window and lets out a howl to get the attention of anyone still outside, then looks around
[2013-03-20 14:01:32] <Kkat> 3The hologram of Princess Cadence smiles helpfully.  "Oh, of course."
[2013-03-20 14:01:57] <Kkat> 3On the rotunda, Kid and Noble_Heart hear a click from the door.  The door swings open slowly.
[2013-03-20 14:03:22] * Kid blinks. "Hey! You hear that clicking sound comin' from up there?" She notes as they circle around. "Think they got th' door open?"
[2013-03-20 14:04:17] * Noble_Heart blinks, turning back and landing on the roof. "Perhaps. We shall see." She descended to the hatch and slowly proceeded inside.
[2013-03-20 14:04:27] <Kkat> 3Mitzi stands next to a row of old, well-preserved sinks.  Islands for food preparation are strewn with spiderwebs, as are pots and pans of tarnished copper and cast metal.  Cupboards lay bare, their contents having disolved with time.
[2013-03-20 14:05:33] * Kid coughs and starts descending. The others must've found some magic remote access or something.
[2013-03-20 14:06:56] <Kkat> 3Noble_Heart finds herself before a crystal staircase, spiraling downward.  Rubble, broken bits from walls and ceiling, mars the crystal and makes for somewhat treacherous walking.
[2013-03-20 14:07:30] * Noble_Heart frowns, beginning the long walk down the spiral staircase. She was an endurant pony, and not the type to be disuaded by a little difficulty.
[2013-03-20 14:08:04] * Mitzi gain looks for a way up after not getting a response
[2013-03-20 14:08:07] <Mitzi> 3 again
[2013-03-20 14:08:28] * CopyCat smiles. "Thank you Doctor!" Then, telepathically, she brushes up against Kid and Noble_Heart's minds. <We are in the throne room, talking to a projection of Amore. Come and say hello.>
[2013-03-20 14:09:03] * Bookwright isn't sure how to put this delicately, so he tries the "concerned" tack: "Erm... I was under the impression that alicorns such as the princesses and your intmitable self had extra-ordinary longevity, and yet you show us only an arcane illusion of yourself. Are you injured? We have medical expertise at our disposal..."
[2013-03-20 14:11:53] <Bookwright> inimitable*
[2013-03-20 14:12:08] * Noble_Heart twitches one of her ears and sighs quietly, continuing to move down the staircase, trying to keep her mind from darker places. "We shall be there soon, sister."
[2013-03-20 14:12:19] * Kid creeps down, eyes dashing from side to side, careful to get a good hoofhold as she goes down the spiral staircase. Slow and- ASDF! She jumps slightly. Telepathy. <Hey! Tell her I'ma comin' t' get some answers for all them poor folks down there all frozen in one place, alright? And maybe a lil' recompense fer' blarin' out those damn messages.>
[2013-03-20 14:14:13] * CopyCat 's smile becomes a little strained. "Err, our friends from upstairs are excited to meet you..."
[2013-03-20 14:15:27] * Mitzi is very tempted to start climbing the walls and punching her way through successive floors if she can't find/be directed to a staircase soon
[2013-03-20 14:15:55] * Mitzi already knew abotu the food at the end of last session, and is looking for a way up
[2013-03-20 14:16:04] <Kkat> 3Kid and Noble_Heart work their way down the stairs, navigating past the rubble.  Including, at one point, an alicorn-sized chunk of ceiling -- indications that whatever attacks had so damaged the castle's exterior had also harmed the interior structure.
[2013-03-20 14:17:49] * Noble_Heart frowns as she climbed her way down the stairs. "We do not like this. No one has repaired this palace, despite this place's relative state of peace. We do not believe the Zebras were responsible..." She shook her head and continued on.
[2013-03-20 14:17:50] <Kkat> 3In the throne room, Doctor Amore waves a hoof.  "No need to concern yourselves.  I am fine.  I just do not leave my private chambers these days.  Not until my ponies can be free again."
[2013-03-20 14:19:09] * Kid frowns. "Shit don't look too stable. What coulda done this sorta damage?" She mumbled to herself as she carefully dropped down off of the alicorn-sized fragment.
[2013-03-20 14:21:52] <Kkat> 3There are several doors leading out of the kitchen, one considerably larger than the others with a vaulted frame.
[2013-03-20 14:21:59] * Bookwright "I... See. Alright, so then... Why is Professor Paladin fighting you? Even dastardly villainous mad scientists have reasons for the things that they do, what's his?"
[2013-03-20 14:22:47] * Mitzi 's mind connects that big door means important. Also it was the only one she could fit through without having to duck the frame. She checks it first
[2013-03-20 14:23:24] <Kkat> 3Likewise, there is one very small door, set mid-high on a wall.  A door the size for someone small, like Mitzi's father.
[2013-03-20 14:24:33] * CopyCat steps toward the alicorn-image, her concern plain to see. "By yourself for all this time? No visitors at all? You must have gotten lonely."
[2013-03-20 14:27:37] <Kkat> 3Mitzi pushes the door open.  it is unlocked, but the hinges have grown resistant with age.  Or perhaps it is the mess of spider webs that it has to push through on the other side.  Mitzi does not notice that something falls from within the webs.  At least, not until it scurries over and bites her on the foot.
[2013-03-20 14:29:08] * Mitzi doesn't notice at all. Her hide is too thick
[2013-03-20 14:29:29] * Mitzi brings up a claw and rakes it through the spider webs to clear them
[2013-03-20 14:31:54] <Kkat> 3Mitzi finds herself in a castle hallway.  There is light coming through windows near a stairwell to her left.  To her right, the hallway continues several yards before making a left turn.  There is another door  there.  And a rippling glow of soft, prismatic light coming from somewhere down the hallway beyond the turn.
[2013-03-20 14:33:46] * Mitzi decides to follow the light. Light meant there was someone there to be using it. For reading or something. Obviously.
[2013-03-20 14:36:42] * Mitzi is heading for the prismatic light inside. Windows meant outside, but she just came form there
[2013-03-20 14:37:30] * Noble_Heart continues down the spiral staircase. "How many stairs are there? This seems to go on forever."
[2013-03-20 14:39:07] <Kkat> 3The spider webs grow increasingly thicker.  As Mitzi turns the corner, she sees where a section of ceiling has collapsed.  There are pieces of crystal chandelier and rubble scattered across the floor.  Beneath the collapsed section had been a pair of Sparkle~Cola vending machines, now crushed almost beyond recognition...
[2013-03-20 14:40:27] * Mitzi blinks, "Dis place falleen apart." She frowns, "Probably means dere's no Princess tu look after eet." She continues to carve her way through the spiderwebs, her tainted claws and brute strength making their clearing trivial.
[2013-03-20 14:40:30] * Kid is getting rather tired as well. But hell if she's going to show it. "Hey, jus' think of it this way. Down there, there's gotta be one a sundae with some o' them crystal berries in it."
[2013-03-20 14:40:50] <Kkat> 3The light is coming from a shimmering, zap-apple-colored pool that fills much of the hall.  And from the carapace of the single giant spider standing within it.  And from the hundreds of teeny-tiny spiders that cover the webbing in this hallway like glistening morning dew.
[2013-03-20 14:41:30] * Mitzi blinks at the liquid pool, "How... how dey get da colours not to run like dat?"
[2013-03-20 14:42:55] * Noble_Heart frowns and looks down to Kid. Before smiling a little with a quiet chuckle. "We shall see." Continuing on the way downwards.
[2013-03-20 14:43:05] <Kkat> 3The giant spider begins to lift itself and languidly turn towards Mitzi.  The swarm of baby spiders is *much* faster.
[2013-03-20 14:43:43] * Mitzi blinks at the giant rainbow spider, "Oh, trust me, yu not want tu get in Ur way."
[2013-03-20 14:47:27] <Kkat> 3Meanwhile, Doctor Amore answers Bookwright, "I am blessed with the magic of love.  I bring out the love in others, stoke even the most dying ember of love into a bonfire.  But alas, I cannot help those who have become totally dead to love... those for whom even the last meager sparks of it have gone out."
[2013-03-20 14:48:27] <Kkat> 3The pink alicorn with the gem-filled hair frowns. "Such is the case with Professor Paladin.  He has no love in his heart anymore.  Only hate.  He attacks me because he hates love."
[2013-03-20 14:49:57] * Bookwright "That's the strangest reason I've ever heard for aggression. Surely he wasn't always like this?"
[2013-03-20 14:50:54] * CopyCat tilts her head. "No love in his heart anymore? What happened?"
[2013-03-20 14:52:36] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore looks sad.  "I wish I knew.  I simply do not understand it."
[2013-03-20 14:53:01] * Mitzi cricks her knuckles and neck at the Spider, then makes herself as big as possible, "Yu wanna try eet?" she snarls.
[2013-03-20 14:55:58] <Kkat> 3The giant spider looks like it indeed wants to try it.  It starts forward, the swarm shooting ahead of it.
[2013-03-20 14:58:59] * Mitzi girds herself. The little ones were probably as insignificant as the first one, and would likely scatter if she took down the leader
[2013-03-20 15:03:36] <Kkat> 3The giant spider creeps forward more swiftly than expected, closing half the distance as it sprays shimmering webs at Mitzi.
[2013-03-20 15:06:10] * Mitzi isn't surprised all that much by a bulky creature being swift. She was.
[2013-03-20 15:07:00] <Kkat> 3The tiny spiders wash over Mitzi like a glowing swarm, engulfing her.
[2013-03-20 15:10:24] * Mitzi gives a push of strength to break the webs over her, then uses her freed claw to savagely gore the big spider that had conveniently moved itself closer.
[2013-03-20 15:10:41] <Mitzi> [Hold off on that a sec]
[2013-03-20 15:17:05] * Mitzi ignores the little spiders and their puny little bites as she shreds the webs enwrapping her and reaches otu to gore the big one.
[2013-03-20 15:18:46] <Kkat> 3Mitzi tears great rends into the giant spider's carapace and soft flesh underneath, causing it to bleed glowing ichor.
[2013-03-20 15:19:13] <Kkat> 3The spider attacks back.
[2013-03-20 15:19:15] * Mitzi smirks, "Yu big, but still squishy. Go now buhfore Uh du dat again."
[2013-03-20 15:21:06] <Kkat> 3The giant spider spits webbing again, missing Mitzi then closes fully to nom uselessly against the hellhound's armor.
[2013-03-20 15:25:45] <Kkat> 3The swarm continues its little biting spree.
[2013-03-20 15:26:36] * Mitzi is immune
[2013-03-20 15:28:03] * Mitzi frowns at the sipder, "Uh warned yu, Now yu got no right to complain when Uh do dis!" She gores it savagely
[2013-03-20 15:30:27] <Kkat> 3Mitzi proceeds to rend the giant spider apart.  Then continue to tear apart the pieces until there is only a glowing ichor memory of a spider that once was.
[2013-03-20 15:31:35] * Mitzi begins to flick off the little ones if they haven't already scattered. "Eef yu not smart enuff to run und not tuff enuff to survive, den yu dun belong here."
[2013-03-20 15:31:45] <Kkat> 3The swarm responds by glowing brightly, then dispersing, swarming back down the hallway.
[2013-03-20 15:34:31] * Mitzi itches her nose a little, not really phased that much
[2013-03-20 15:37:00] * Mitzi takes a closer look at where the Spider was previously standing for anything important or shiny looking
[2013-03-20 15:37:53] * Kid , on the other side of the building, is still descending. "This damn tower, holy shit! Does it have a friggin' bottom?" She shuffles through her things and attempts to toss a cap down the depths.
[2013-03-20 15:37:58] <Kkat> 3Noble_Heart and Kid find themselves exiting the stairwell in a large, ornate hallway.  Fallen chandeliers, rotted carpet and shattered windows with tattered drapes bear witness to the effects of time and attacks, as do scorch marks on crystal.
[2013-03-20 15:38:03] <Kkat> 3The hallway is lined on one end by gaping windows and shattered glass.  On the other by a wall of paintings, many damaged beyond repair.
[2013-03-20 15:39:01] * Noble_Heart frowns, glancing up and down the hallway a few moments. She moved towards the paintings out of curiosity more than anything else. "This place has been ravaged. Not just by time but by attack."
[2013-03-20 15:39:03] * Kid is now in the ornate hallway. She frowns, shuffling along as she takes in the surroundings. "Ah'm sure that this was fancy." About two hundred years ago.
[2013-03-20 15:39:46] * Kid looks at the scorch marks. "Yeah. What th' hell kinda fightin' went down here?"
[2013-03-20 15:41:21] <Kkat> 3Noble_Heart spots drifts of colorful crystal dust amongst the broken glass.  And in a far corner is a bulky pile of crystal shards.
[2013-03-20 15:42:49] * Noble_Heart frowns, turning in the direction of the pile of shards and slowly approaching it. She paused curiously to take in the surroundings of it. "We wonder what this might have been..." Looking for any indication. "It might be more of the dead. But We have seen little indication of such large remains here in the palace."
[2013-03-20 15:44:25] <Kkat> 3The pile appears to have once been a creature with a crystaline structure much like those of the crystal ponies.  The creature was larger though, the size of a full alicorn.  And more rotund.
[2013-03-20 15:46:07] <Kkat> 3As she approaches, Noble_Heart's ears catch the sound of her companions' voices just beyond the large door at the end of the hall.
[2013-03-20 15:46:33] * Kid was busy looking at the scorch marks to notice at first, looking back to spot Noble off poking around some crystals. She looked rather disgusted, trying to run the scenario of what must have happened. "... This is fucked."
[2013-03-20 15:46:55] * Noble_Heart frowns, glancing around the room again, before looking back down at the shards. She took some moments to carefully look around for any signs of actual identification. The sound of friends voices was enough to draw her attention awa for the moment. "Our companions are nearby." She points towards the door.
[2013-03-20 15:47:53] * Kid 's ear perks. "... I'm gon' get some fuckin' answers." She snarled, whipping out her new shotgun and puffing a bit of air through her nose.
[2013-03-20 15:48:04] * Kid follows Noble_Heart.
[2013-03-20 15:51:24] * Noble_Heart was still staying closer to the pile of dust. SHe had a suspicion as to what it was. And didn't particularly want to touch it right now. But she was still curious about it. She frowned and slowly moved away from the pile towards the doors.
[2013-03-20 15:52:42] * CopyCat smiles nervously as Kid and Noble_Heart approach. She gestures wildly with her hooves to try and get Kid to lower her weapon... or maybe she was trying to fly without using her wings, who knows?
[2013-03-20 15:55:09] * Shatara resists a chuckle as CopyCat's hoof-flapping catches his eye, squawking softly towards a shotgun-brandishing Kid.
[2013-03-20 15:58:11] <Kkat> 3The large doors at the front of the throne room open, revealing Noble_Heart and Kid outside.  In the throne room, the two can see the rest of their companions, save for Mitzi, conversing with a hologram of a pretty pink alicorn... a dead ringer for the pictures of Princess Cadence.
[2013-03-20 15:59:05] * Noble_Heart paused near the door with a frown, glancing back towards the pile of crystals, then towards the apparent princess. She sighed quietly and moved to gather with her companions, listening for a few moments to see if there was already a conversation going on.
[2013-03-20 16:00:04] * Kid didn't much care about much other than a kind of burning, angry sort of curiosity, so much so that she seemed blinded to everything else. "So! I think it's jus' about time we learn a thing or two, huh? Startin' with all them ponies outside, you ear-piercing loud sunuva..." She paused mid-sentence as she was struck with a sense of familiarity, one that cooled her head maybe a little. Oh crap,...
[2013-03-20 16:00:06] * Kid ...I've seen her before. She stopped to gawk before she took out the history textbook and flipped to the last few pages.
[2013-03-20 16:01:17] * Bookwright notices the huge gaping hole that is Kid's mouth. "I'll save you the trouble. This is indeed Princess Amore Cadenza."
[2013-03-20 16:05:23] * Noble_Heart tilts her head to one side, looking the illusion over. "Are you certain? We have found a pile of shards which is of the right size for her. And We know well the potency of illusions in the hooves of one who is skilled." She keeps a wary eye on the projected Cadence.
[2013-03-20 16:05:49] * Kid blushes heavily, thoroughly served a slice of humble pie. "... Well, shit. Sorry." She mumbled. That's not fair! She was supposed to be a big evil bad mare with an evil agenda and a big mouth like hers! She wasn't supposed to be the paragon of looooo- waitaminute. She seemed to regain her resolute nature, but not her anger. "Hey. Explain some things t' me. What about them ponies outside...
[2013-03-20 16:05:51] * Kid ...lookin' up here? What about that pony jus' outside lookin' a lot like somethin' yer size? What about all them robots that seem t' have young'uns strapped int' th' controls? What's gone down here?"
[2013-03-20 16:06:38] * Bookwright "She claims to be well, but prefers to stay in her chambers...what do you mean by 'a pile of shards' that's her size? What are you suggesting...?"
[2013-03-20 16:07:34] * Kid shakes her head. "I ain't suggestin' nothin', and I ain't gon' assume nothin'. I jus' want t' know a few things here."
[2013-03-20 16:07:49] * CopyCat suddenly looks horrified. "You... you don't mean that Amore is-?!"
[2013-03-20 16:08:17] * Bookwright "I... I have to know now. Show me this pile."
[2013-03-20 16:09:04] * Kid gives CopyCat a sharp look. "You stop thinkin' like that, alright? There's gon' be a real good explanation here." She hoped.
[2013-03-20 16:09:49] * Noble_Heart nods her head to Bookwright, leading him back into the other room where the pile was. "This was what We found when We came down from the roof."
[2013-03-20 16:11:49] <Kkat> 3The image of Doctor Amore responds, "No no, don't fret.  That wasn't a pony.  That was one of Professor Paladin's giant crystal battle ewes."  She adds, explaining, "Which really are giant compared to his normal battle ewes.  Which are quite small."
[2013-03-20 16:12:53] * Bookwright halts awkwardly at Amore's words, and returns to the room, visibly calmer.
[2013-03-20 16:13:08] * Shatara blinks. "Giant...Crystal...Battle...ewes...?" He was certain there was some mistake the first time there was a mention of such, peeking into the room.
[2013-03-20 16:13:22] * Kid keeps her expression even and her tone, if not subdued, then at least less fiery. "I gotta thank ya'll fer th' eye. But please, answer m' questions, if you would."
[2013-03-20 16:14:20] * Noble_Heart frowns a few moments as she looks down to the crystals, tilting her head to one side and slowly sifting through them with her magic for any sign of what might have been there, before sighing and shaking her head, returning to the others. "We are not certain We believe you. But We have no way to know if it is true." She bowed her head slightly to the image.
[2013-03-20 16:14:53] * CopyCat breathes a sigh of relief and kneels down beside the Cadence hologram. "Can you tell us what happened here? Why have ponies been made into robots?"
[2013-03-20 16:15:36] <Kkat> 3The image of Princess Cadenza nods to Shatara.  "They are very dangerous opponents.  They are big, and they pounce.  And their stares are full of hatred."  She adds, "Also, incinerating bioplasma."
[2013-03-20 16:16:43] * Bookwright "Are they cute too?"
[2013-03-20 16:16:52] <Kkat> 3"Very."
[2013-03-20 16:18:03] * Bookwright shakes his head sadly, "Then it's worse than I feared."
[2013-03-20 16:18:12] * CopyCat quickly looks over her shoulder, just in case.
[2013-03-20 16:18:34] * Kid half-lids her eyes. "At least while we get shot at by horrible death stuff, we get t' know that we died due t' somethin' adorable." Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. "So, what about them ponies outside, huh? You see them lately?"
[2013-03-20 16:18:42] * Noble_Heart frowns and sighs quietly, looking at the surroundings. "We have a question. Where has the crystal heart gone?"
[2013-03-20 16:19:11] <Kkat> 3She looks to CopyCat.  "None of my ponies were harmed to create those robots," she insists.  "Nor the zebras," she clarifies.   "Those robots use brains that were made by Equestrian Robotics.  They were not taken from any living being."
[2013-03-20 16:20:00] <Kkat> 3The pink alicorn admits, "I do not know why they behave like children."
[2013-03-20 16:20:42] * Bookwright talks as he walks over to a vestibule and pulls some magazines out from under a rotted cushion, "I suppose you would like us to go to Professor Paladin's suspiciously permeable 'impenetrable' dome and attempt to reason with and/or stop him?"
[2013-03-20 16:23:12] <Kkat> 3The image of Princess Cadence smiles brightly at Bookwright's question.  "Would you?  Thank you so much!  On behalf of myself and all the crystal ponies.  Not to mention Equestria.  And the zebras too."
[2013-03-20 16:24:02] * Kid frowns. "You aware what went down in Equestria fer th' last two hundred twenty-somethin' years?"
[2013-03-20 16:28:27] <Kkat> 3As Bookwright pulls up a few worn magazines -- including a copy of Security Essentials and a Rarity's Secret ordering catalogue -- Doctor Amore tells Kid, "I am all too aware of what my crystal ponies are enduring.  I have done all I can to protect them until Professor Paladin can be defeated.  But unless he is defeated soon, I fear many more will be lost."
[2013-03-20 16:31:02] * Kid isn't terribly convinced. "... What happened t' the Crystal Kingdom? What went down durin' the war? Ferget here, you even know what happened outside o' this..." She was about to say trap, but she managed to catch herself. Her ego seems to be recovering, at least.
[2013-03-20 16:31:18] * Noble_Heart looks out towards the windows then back to the illusionary princess. "For what reason has the barrier around this place been made? It traps beings, even souls, within! Yet it does nothing to keep the horrors of the wasteland out."
[2013-03-20 16:39:37] * CopyCat tilts her head. "Then, was it you who inspired the love I felt from the crystal ponies below us?"
[2013-03-20 16:44:09] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore nods to CopyCat.  "I do my best to keep their love alive, as do they.  Even after all this time.  I am so proud of them... more than words can say.  There are some... some who we have lost.  But most of them still hold to that love and happiness in their hearts."
[2013-03-20 16:46:07] <Kkat> 3She turns to Noble_Heart.  "I have concealed the Crystal Kingdom, putting my poor ponies in such limbo like Sombra once before," she sounds disgusted at even mouthing that name, "But I did so for their protection."
[2013-03-20 16:47:32] <Kkat> 3She glowers.  "Professor Paladin is responsible for the energy barrier that kills anypony who tries to leave.  He does not want me sending for help.  And his barrier drains precious resources needed to return this place to the rest of the world and allow my ponies to again be free."
[2013-03-20 16:48:09] * Noble_Heart frowned briefly before breathing a sigh. "We understand. We shall try to help ease their pain." She bowed her head again. "We would like to meet you, directly, someday. It is rare to get such a chance in these dark days, and it would do much to set Our mid at ease. We have spent many, many years beneath the hoof of one who proclaimed a desire to save the wasteland, manipulated
[2013-03-20 16:48:10] * Noble_Heart others and hid behind illusions and control over the thoughts and feelings of others." She straightened up again with another quiet sigh.
[2013-03-20 16:50:48] * Kid grumps slightly. "Ya'll ain't gon' be too 'specially happy with what happened out there, I bet." She shook her head. "So, ya'll ain't used t' company like us, then?" She nods her head towards the two alicorns in the room.
[2013-03-20 16:54:06] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore smiles.  "I would like that too.  After the threat of Professor Paladin is over, and my ponies are free, of course."
[2013-03-20 16:55:24] <Kkat> 3She shakes her head sadly to Kid.
[2013-03-20 16:55:42] * Bookwright indicates the door on the other side of the room that he saw the glow of records emanate from earlier, "What's in there? Is that a library?"
[2013-03-20 16:56:22] <Kkat> 3The image of Cadence frowns.  "That is my private chambers.  I'm afraid I cannot allow you in there.  At least, not yet."
[2013-03-20 16:58:21] * Bookwright is visibly crestfallen. "Alright then, maybe later. I have an interest in preserving history, and the opportunity to study and duplicate your records would be invaluable to us and future generations."
[2013-03-20 16:58:41] * Kid can't help but get the feeling that there's something up here. "Why not? Guessin' it's a trust issue or a safety one."
[2013-03-20 16:58:43] * CopyCat perks up, immediately curious. "Your chambers? Oh, they must be lovely!"
[2013-03-20 16:59:53] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore nods to Bookwright, Kid and CopyCat in turn.
[2013-03-20 17:00:39] * Kid blinks. "Well, which one? Trust, 'r safety?"
[2013-03-20 17:01:44] * Bookwright smirks, "In the words of my old Follower's camp leader, "Yes".
[2013-03-20 17:03:05] * CopyCat 's horn glows gently.
[2013-03-20 17:06:00] <Kkat> 3She admits, "Both are factors.  I wish it were otherwise."
[2013-03-20 17:07:31] * Kid stands up straight. Best give her a reason to trust, then. "Then trust me when I say this. You ain't gon' get much help out of here. Things out there just got better than in here a couple of years ago, and th' only reason we're here is 'cause we're the only ones crazy enough t' be on our way t' go to th' zebra lands. Celestia ain't gon' help y', Luna ain't gon' help y, and th' only folk left fer you t' trust right now is us."
[2013-03-20 17:10:31] * Noble_Heart frowns as she looks down to Kid. "The Followers will help her. Of that We are certain, if her goals are as she says."
[2013-03-20 17:12:01] * Kid quickly gets onto Noble_Heart's point. "Th' Followers is stretched as is tryin' t' put out all th' fires back home, what do you think they c'n spare for somethin' this far away?"
[2013-03-20 17:13:03] * Kid flops her hooves to her sides. "Hell, all they sent t' go what we're gonna do is... You. An' maybe Bookie, I 'unno."
[2013-03-20 17:13:07] * CopyCat is a little confused by what she sensed but turns to the others. "I would like to help her. I think we can do it."
[2013-03-20 17:13:53] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore nods.  "Once my ponies are free, they will be able to protect themselves.  Still, it would be nice to have others to help.  The Heartless are a scourge my ponies are not really prepared to face.  And I hate having to rely on those robots to protect them."
[2013-03-20 17:14:06] * Bookwright nods in agreement with Kid, "That is true, the Followers do have their hooves full. But as you have just observed Noble Heart and I are representatives of the Followers, and we promise we will help."
[2013-03-20 17:14:15] * Noble_Heart frowns and shakes her head. "If what We have seen in the archives is true? A flight of Our sisters and at least a few Followers." She nods her head in agreement to CopyCat, straightening up. "We shall do what we can to help."
[2013-03-20 17:17:41] * Kid sighs. "A few of yer kind and a couple'o egg heads against a ton of them death-shootin' adoramonsters. An' some o' them ghoul'd folk. Not odds I'd put in our favor."
[2013-03-20 17:19:18] * Bookwright nods again, "Clearly we need to use our advantages fully. I wasn't proposing an all out assault upon the dome, but we need to start thinking of some way to get in there, or to get the ewes to ignore us."
[2013-03-20 17:21:53] * Kid huffs. "Screw ignorin'. We need t' figure out how to get 'em all dead in a hurry. Shut down. Whatever. We need t' make sure we're safe, and whoever th' hell's nice enough t' go through th' same hell we did has a slightly more pleasant trip here."
[2013-03-20 17:23:58] * Bookwright turns to Cadenza, "I don't suppose you have a suggestion for dealing with these 'Battle Ewes'? You've been fighting them for centuries, surely you have some idea of what their weaknesses are."
[2013-03-20 17:25:12] <Kkat> 3The hologram princess offers, "Explosions work quite well.  As does hitting them with things hard and repeatedly."
[2013-03-20 17:26:00] * Noble_Heart chuckles. "We have become quite skilled at the latter of those. It is Our duty to protect Our companions, after all."
[2013-03-20 17:29:36] * CopyCat nods. "It's true, our friends are very proficient at such activities."
[2013-03-20 17:31:12] * Bookwright shakes his head, "I just don't think that charging in literally guns blazing is the right way to go about it."
[2013-03-20 17:31:59] * Kid frowns. "Guess I better get better at things that go boom, then." She rubbed her eyes. This was getting worse by the moment. Not only do we have to get the shield down, now we have to make sure to kill everything behind us? When did a simple caravan delivery become this? "What resources do ya'll have t' get us on this? Do you have an armory in th' castle? A bunch of robots on our side? Do ya'll have a way t' get inside th' shield?"
[2013-03-20 17:33:08] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore raises an eyebrow.  "A secret passage?"
[2013-03-20 17:33:41] * Kid clops her hooves together. "Do ya'll have one of those?" She seems excited! Something might be easier!
[2013-03-20 17:34:16] <Kkat> 3She blinks.  "If there is one, Professor Paladin has been keeping it secret from me.  I would not put it past him."
[2013-03-20 17:35:47] * Get_Lost "maybe we should simply.... go there and see if we can speak with him?" offers an otherwise quiet doctor
[2013-03-20 17:36:04] <Kkat> 3She frowns.  "As for robots... I'm afraid I am not very good with them.  I have been able to make the robots protect my crystal ponies from the Heartless and the battle ewes... but they attack anypony who moves."
[2013-03-20 17:36:12] * Kid slumps her shoulders. "Don' get m' hopes up like that, Prof." She blinks. "Princess? Who are you again?"
[2013-03-20 17:37:59] <Kkat> 3She blinks, confused.  "I am Doctor Amore."
[2013-03-20 17:38:16] * Bookwright "Well, I suppose we could fly there. Assuming we weren't shot out of the sky by anything.
[2013-03-20 17:39:42] * Kid scratches her mane. "So, wait, yer Doc Amore. And yer' also Princess Cadence. Right?"
[2013-03-20 17:40:53] * Noble_Heart taps her chin thoughtfully, tilting her head to one side. "If the shield is like that of an Alicorn, We might be able to teleport through it. Though doing so would be exhausting if We were to carry Our allies as well..."
[2013-03-20 17:41:37] <Kkat> 3Her ears flick.  "I... believe that was my name... once."
[2013-03-20 17:42:13] * CopyCat seems to catch Kid's train of thought. "Earlier you spoke about Professor Paladin like you knew him in the past. Who was he? If you can tell us anything about him it would be a great help."
[2013-03-20 17:42:23] * Kid furrowed her brow. Okay, this is now going into weird territory. "What happened between then and now?"
[2013-03-20 17:43:47] * Kid follows up on that, realizing that it's probably a bit too broad. "I mean, you were a Princess. Why stop bein' that t' be a Doctor? Why change yer name?"
[2013-03-20 17:51:50] * Bookwright "I admit some curiosity about that myself."
[2013-03-20 17:52:01] <Kkat> 3The pink alicorn seems deeply disturbed and saddened.  "Please, can we not talk about this.  It is painful."
[2013-03-20 17:52:42] * Noble_Heart frowns a few moments and nods her head, gently reaching down to pat Kid on the head. "Perhaps some other time?"
[2013-03-20 17:52:57] * Shatara holds up a talon. "My drill sergant said pain is weakness leaving the body..."
[2013-03-20 17:55:12] * Kid seems rather disappointed, and emotionally feels like she was flying free and quick to somewhere she wanted to go, and then hit an oncoming brick wall. "Fine, fine. Do ya'll remember a white stallion? I saw 'em in a slide back at th' hospital right by y'."
[2013-03-20 17:56:23] * Bookwright "I understand. Do you have... Are there any supplies in this castle that you can spare us? I have the feeling we're going to need to be well prepared for this."
[2013-03-20 17:58:04] * Get_Lost "well, truth is that it's not easy to have faith in somepony that doesn't want to talk about her past... still, i guess that it's not impossible..." mutters for a moment and adds "my faily seems to have had the same issue in the past..."
[2013-03-20 18:00:25] * CopyCat scuffs at the floor with a hoof. "Sorry Doctor Amore, we did not mean to upset you."
[2013-03-20 18:04:41] <Kkat> 3The image of Princess Cadence hands her head, eyes closed, a sad expression on her face.  "Yes.  Take whatever you need from the tower.  Just... be careful of the spiders."
[2013-03-20 18:05:34] * Bookwright "...Spiders?"
[2013-03-20 18:06:03] <Kkat> 3--- End of Session ---