Anon Quest: 5.3 Melting a Frozen Heart

>As evening approached, Anon and the pitiable remains of his party finally approached the Crystal Empire.
>The party started this quest very strong, but their heavy reliance on MP use eventually got the better of them.
>After a series of 7 battles, Pinkie and Anon are completely depleted, the wagon’s been destroyed after three ambushes, and every item they started with has been used.
>Rarity limps with a fractured left hind leg, thanks to a Mimic that copied Fluttershy’s Megaton Strike.
>Pinkie’s near dead from blood loss, and is being carried by Junebug.
>Anon’s  literally deteriorating, having given most of his health to help prolong Pinkie’s life. Every step he takes is a struggle, yet in his arms you see Applejack: the very heavy, and very lifeless guardian of the group.
>He’s refused to let her out of his arms ever since the caravan broke down, and that was 2100 steps ago.
>At least they’re safe for now.
>In need of immediate help. Twilight guides the party to the nearest rest spot: Sunshine Neighbors Inn, and for 70 bits each, the party rest and recover 40 HP and their 30 MP.


Mission #5.3 Melting a Frozen Heart

STAT BOARD
[Red Anon (Undead); HP: 68/100. MP: 30/80. DEF: +15. ABILITY: +3. Primary weapon: Rusted gauntlets.
Twilight (Corruptionist); HP: 73/90. MP: 55/100. ATTACK: +5 ABILITY: +3. Weapon: Cursed horse-shoes.
Fluttershy (Beastmaster); HP: 76/100. MP 45/110. ATTACK: +5. ABILITY: +4 Special Item: "White Rabbit Hood" (Ice/Cold related damage/effects are negated).
Apple Jack (Guardian); HP: 40/100. MP 80/80. DEFENSE: +15. ABILITY: +2 Weapon: Iron horse-shoes.
Rainbow Dash (Thief); HP: 83/90. MP 55/60. ABILITY: +3 Weapon: Traditional dagger.
Rarity (Floratic); HP: 79/80. MP 80/100. DEFENSE +10 ABILITY: +3. Weapon: None.
Pinkie Pie (Bard); HP: 42/80. MP 30/80. DEFENSE +10 Weapon: Mayhem accordion.]

>With head bandages, a couple of low-grade healing potions, and a warm bed to sleep in, Applejack has somehow made a full recovery from death.
>The powerful scent of cinnamon apple porridge fills her nose, as her eyes slowly open to the sight of Anon, standing over her bed, watching her rest.
>“FUAH-Oh, it’s just you Anon.”
I am happy that you are okay Applejack.
>Applejack stretches out in the covers, as she notices the evening sky outside her window.
>“Crickets’ll be out any minute. How long was I out? Four hours?
Twenty-Nine.
>“...Hmm.”
Come downstairs. The others are eating dinner.
>“Sounds good.”
>It’s a bit of a struggle for her to get out of bed, but her starved belly eventually forces her to her hooves.
>Together they walk through the hall, and downstairs to the mess-deck.
>There they find the gang, enjoying a sub-par meal of porridge, bread, cheese, and wine.
>First to notice, Pinkie’s eyes light up as she screams to the others, “APPLEJACK’S BACK!”
>Dash, who’s sitting on the opposite end, turns in disbelief.
>“What?” she says with a mouth half full of pudding. “She’s been dead waaay to long for-”
>Pinkie leaps over the table, wrapping her hooves around Applejack’s neck as she begins one of her signature speed babbles.
>“Holy calzoni it’s about time you woke up AJ! You had Fluttershy worried TO DEATH after that fight with the chimera, because she was all like, “Oh no! We’ve lost Apple Jack,” and I was all like, “Pssaw, AJ just needs a nap and she’ll be fine,” AND I WAS RIGHT! You should’ve seen Fluttershy; she was crying like a BABY when Anon was carrying you to the caravan.”
Pinkie. Applejack needs to eat.
>“Oh, uh right.”
>Twilight calls to the inn’s cook, an apricot crystal mare are in the kitchen.
>“Could we please get a serving for Applejack Sweet Stuff?”
>“I’ll be a minute Ma’am,” she responds in her soft tone.

---

>As Applejack reluctantly digs into her porridge that she claimed was made with, “sub-par apples,” Pinkie continues to pester her about her trauma.
>“So what was it like huh! Did you see the other side? My Granny Pie said that when heroes aren’t quite dead they have to wait in a limbo like place where-they-learn-about-the-world-with-the DIMENSION MAESTRO! What’d ya see?!”
>“I uhh...Well-”
>“Come now,” says Rarity to Pinkie. “I doubt Applejack wants to discuss such a dreadful experience. You should just leave her be, to drown her emotions in wine; like all our other missions.”
>Rarity takes a sip from her crystal cup.
>“Ta be honest I think I do remember something similar to what Pinkie said, but I don’t recall that much. It had something to do with “running out of time,” and some kind of board game. Weird with a capital ‘wa’ if ya ask me.”
>“Speaking of time,” says Twilight, “Now that you’re awake we can finally take care of that creature in the crystal caverns. My brother and sister are counting on us.”
>Fluttershy suggests, “We should leave first thing in the morning...i-if that’s okay of course.”
Bounty said mysterious mare leaves at late night. We leave now, and foals are safe.
>“Are you nuts!” protests Rainbow Dash, “AJ just got up, we’re not even close to full strength, and you want us to go fight some monster?!”
...Yes.
>“Absolutely not!”
>“Hey now,” says Applejack. “Don’t think just cause’ I took a bump to the head that I ain’t ready for a hoedown. These legs are always ready for buckin’.”
Also, we can’t afford to stay another night. We only have five bits left.
>Dash is hard headed, but logical. She comprehends the danger and ponders whether or not they should actually continue.
>“You suuure about this AJ?”
>“What’s wrong? Chicken?” she says with a cheeky grin on her face.
>Pinkie instigates, giving a loud,”OoooOOOH!” while whooping her right hoof in the air.
>“Me, chicken?! Pfft, yeah right! I just wanted to make sure you don’t DRAG US DOWN.”
Then it’s settled. You all finish eating food, and get ready.
>Anon, only needing the life force of those he defeats as sustenance, gets up from the table and tells them,
I will wait outside.
>“I might be a bit,” says Applejack, “After what I’ve been through, I’d kill for a warm bath.”
I cleaned you a few hours ago. You’ll be fine.
>Anon exits the mess-deck, through the lobby, and outside, leaving the others to finish their meal without him.
>Pinkie says to Applejack, “Pretty swell guy. Amiright or what?”
>“Yyyeah. So-uh, just wondering; how long has Anon been in my room since the whole, “me dying” thing?”
>They have to think about that one for a second, but Fluttershy soon answers with, “I checked in on you a few times, and I don’t think he ever moved from where I saw him. He just kept staring, waiting for you to wake up.”
>“Well, that’s...awfully considerate of him,” says Applejack trying to sound as humbled as possible.
>“Super considerate,” says Pinkie.
>Things go pretty silent for the rest of their meal.

---

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kANuMcOAsKg
>Aware that the team needed more HP, Anon asked Pinkie to use 25 of her MP to perform the ‘Song of Blossoming’ before they leave. Though a bit more somber than usual, it does it’s job healing herself, Applejack and Anon by +15 HP. [Pinkie now stands at 57/80, Applejack at 55/100, and Anon at 83/100.] With 5 MP left however, she’ll no longer be able to utilize her abilities for their final battle.
>Anon and friends leave the comfort of Sunshine Neighbors, untie Spike’s leash from it’s tree branch, and depart into the Kingdom’s woods towards the caverns...after a quick detour to the up-class Ruby Royals Inn, to force Junebug to tag along.
>As they exit into the forest, Junebug continues her protest of the situation.
>“I’ve payed a good chunk of my pay on that inn you know! I spend an entire day pulling you through tartarus, and I can’t even get the night to myself? Hmph! I could be snuggling a goose pillow right now,” she bitterly snips.
You seem um...‘louder’, than usual.
>Junebug sighs, aware than Anon doesn’t quite get her.
>“I’m sorry. I just get a little cranky having to stick my neck into danger all the time. I don’t get how you ponies can deal with all the violence.”
>Twilight tells her, “You’d be surprised how easy it gets over time.”
>The others nod and murmur in agreement, making Junebug all the more uncomfortable.
>“Are you guys even ready for this?” Junebug adds, taking note of the splint around Rarity’s leg, the bandages hidden under Pinkie’s lederhosen, and AJ’s head wraps. “A mare in my Inn’s bathhouse mentioned this mare you seven are after, and she doesn’t sound pretty.”
Brief us.
>“Okay. So apparently, this mare has a beautiful voice; I mean drop dead gorgeous. Nopony knows why, but every few nights, she wanders into town wearing a silk blue robe to hide her appearance. She’ll start singing some weird chant as she walks through the streets, and even though it’s harmless to most, it’s practically irresistible to naughty foals that are up past their bedtime. By the time the sun rises, there’s always somepony missing.”
>Rarity tells her, “That sounds more like an old mare’s tale if anything.”
>“Well it’s the truth! That’s how that lady lost her daughter, Finish Line.”
Anything else?
>“Not really. Rumor has it that she’s really shiny, even for a crystal pony, and uuuh...something about ice.”
>As the words escape her mouth, the party takes notice to a sudden drop in temperature in their path. The tuft around Rarity’s neck rise in response.
>Spike, being cold blooded, shivers on the back of Twilight asking the party, “Did anypony else feel that?”
>Fluttershy is quick to note her equipment.
>“And you all thought it was crazy to wear my bunny hood in the middle of summer.”
>Dash tells her, “It /is/ crazy Fluttershy. Just because Angle got eaten doesn’t mean-”
“WHAT’S THAT AHEAD,” yells Anon changing subjects.
>There’s a strange formation obscured by a tree.
It looks like a giant stalagmite made of ice.
>Rainbow soars ahead to get a good look as the others leisurely walk behind. Their pace picks up however when Dash yells out, “Guys! You gotta see this!”
>There’s a crystal guard, trapped inside with an upright pose. He’s blue from death, with several red accents of his frozen blood decorating the interior of the ice; especially from the mouth, as his armor plate seems crushed at the torso.
>A sight this close is almost enough for Junebug to gack in her mouth, but she stops herself, realising she’s seen worse.
>A thought then comes to her mind. “Am I being conditioned to this kind of stuff?” The concept alone is disturbing.
>Pinkie announces, “I found another one over here!” as she points to another frozen guard at their far left.”
Interesting.
>As they continue down the trail, they begin to notice more and more dead soldiers along the way. There’s at least seven they’ve seen already, and it’s starting to take a toll on their moral. No wonder Cadence called for outside help.
>After an uncomfortably long walk, they soon find the entrance to Crystal Caves but a couple dozen feet away.
Junebug, wait with Spike. If ten minutes pass, we are dead.
>“Yes sir,” she says trying to sound optimistic.
>Twilight pulls Spike off of her back bringing him to the ground.
>“A-a-are you s-sure I can’t teh-tag along?” he says clutching his sides.
>“Don’t worry Spike,” Twilight says. “I promise I’ll return for you. Try to stay warm.”
Okay party, we have little time to waste. Let’s go.
>Spike and Junebug wave them off as they move forward into the cave.
>Almost too dark to see, Twilight and Rarity to use their horns and illuminate the path. It creates a stunning reflective sight as they bounce off of the many crystals embedded on the ground and walls.
>“Pretty!” yells Pinkie before being hushed by Anon.
We must stay quiet.
>They continue through this cave for around three and a half minutes, before they’re finally come across light. Embedded on the stone walls are several lit torches, allowing Twilight and Rarity to cease their magic. It’s a good sign that they’re close to their target.
>They continue down the cavern’s straightforward path until it eventually opens into a much larger cave, with puddles, pillars and jagged formations about.
>No more than a stone’s throw in front of them, they see a unicorn mare with an obscuringly long and curly brown mane, and a light blue robe as described by Junebug. She’s sitting on a rock, using a large crystal as a mirror, as a pink crystal unicorn filly; visibly malnourished, brushes her mane.
>This foal is one of many that litter the ground of the cave; poorly cared for, and mentally compromised.
>Under her breath, Fluttershy says to herself, “Oh dear,” immediately grabbing the attention of a nearby brown colt who springs up from the ground screaming “Miss Pó-Serève! Bad ponies are here again!”
>He tries to run for her, only to collapse a few steps in.
>All of the foals then turn to the party; eyes widely starring, as this ‘Pó-Serève’ mare tries to comfort them.
>Her voice is as sweet as milk and as smooth as silk, as she tells the scared little foals, “It’s okay my children.”
>Pó turns from her rock, revealing herself to the party. Her skin, though crystal as expected, is a sickly gray, and her eyes glimmer unnaturally, resembling that of octagonal diamonds.
>“How rude invading a lady’s home while she’s grooming herself.”
>The brushing mare tells her, “Mama, please don’t fight them.”
>“I will be fine, my sweetie.”
>Pó rises to her hooves, displaying her six feet worth of height and announces to the party, “These children are here of their own will. Surrender now, or suffer the fate of my magic.”
>Dash tells her, “Not our style!” before jetting forward at ludicrous speed.
>Before she can even react, Dash’s hoof is on the back of Pó’s skull, and she feels her Attack Buff being violently torn from her soul with ‘Offense Leech’.
>Pó wails as she loses her +10 buff, and Dash escapes after a few swats from the brush horse.
>Twilight then cast ‘Defense Minus’, firing a jagged beam of dark magic at Pó as Fluttershy charges in to lay a ‘Megaton Strike’.
>Fearing what Twilight’s spell may bring, Pó quickly throws her robe off with her magic, revealing a set of wings, then takes to the air, avoiding Twilight’s attack.
>Fluttershy screeches to a halt having not expected her to be an alicorn, and spots her near the stalactites, about to use her spell, “Frozen Heart”.
>“Oh dear!”.
>With a +20 attack that debuffs it’s target, you fire the spell at Applejack, aware that she ties Anon for the highest buff: +15 defense.
>The air begins to freeze around Pó’s icy blast as it comes rocketing to Applejack.
>Not having time to dodge, she closes her eyes out of reflex, and braces for impact. To her surprise however, she’s not hit by the attack.
>Applejack opens her eyes to see Fluttershy completely taking the blast in her place, diffusing her magic as it tries to overcome her warmth.
>“Fluttershy?!”
>“Stay behind me!” she says still taking the hit.
>Pó tries to break through Fluttershy’s enchanted hood, but her play fails as Rarity begins firing magic from the cover of a crystal formation. Pó shrieks once more as she’s hit by several blast, and begins flying away.
>Safe, Applejack asks Fluttershy, “How did you block that?!” aware that shes the only one who can ‘cover’ for a party member.
>“Have you ever heard of a Mimic?” says Fluttershy casually.
>“Yeah?”
>Fluttershy turns to Applejack, revealing her face which has become uncannily similar to hers.
>“We found one yesterday...partner.”
>Seeing as Anon got her that hood for this playthrough, you should’ve anticipated Fluttershy choosing Cover as her Mimic. Luckily, you may have a way to work around this.
>Your alicorn, frustrated as can be, curves the cover Rarity has and fires a blast of magic towards her.
>Rarity counters with ‘Mirage’, switching with Anon who was under his own cover as well.
>Anon doesn’t soak the damage as expected though, taking 13 points of damage after a high role to counter his defense.
>In the midst of her attack, Fluttershy soars in for a surprise attack.
>Furry and mole faced, her grotesque claws drive into Pó’s neck, sending her soaring to the ground in a powerful 38 damage spike.
>The foals able enough scream out for her, begging her to get to her hooves. She almost does, but Applejack then headbuts her torso, causing her to role back to the ground.
>With an opening, Pinkie tries to unleash a sound wave from her weak little accordion, but a emerald green colt leaps onto her back, prompting her to go into defense to try and remove him.
>“LET GO OF HER!” yells Pó, fearing the foals may be harmed.
>Anon then exits his cover to her right side, and unleashes a strong uppercut bringing her mind back to the battle.
>She retreats to the air and out of the cave’s exit.
After her!
>Dash, being the fastest, chases her down following the faint glow of her guiding horn, as the others tail behind.
>With that stolen knife of hers, she almost stabs Pó-Serève’s right lung, but Pó manages to dodge the attack, and break away between a large crystal.
>Quickly, she makes her escape from the cave to the woods, prompting Spike and Junebug to run for cover as the others exit as well.
>With a safe distance from her precious children, Pó grows comfortable of her destructive power.
>You cast “Song of False Harmony”.
>Popularly called “The Debuff Song” your girl begins a loud and entrancing chant that removes her currently nonexistent buff, plus any additional abilities for two of her turns, in order to reduce EVERYONE ELSES defense by 40 for that duration.
>Pó’s chant does as expected, relaxing everyone else despite their efforts to resist.
“Twilight,” Anon says feeling more vulnerable, “do something.”
>Having already casted her defense spell, and unable to reduce Pó-Serève’s already reduced attack, Twilight casts “Speed Minus” lowering your priority roles by 30 for the next eight turns to help keep you from attacking. This reflects itself in Pó’s wings, as they begin to lose strength, forcing her back to the ground.
>From there, Fluttershy; now a victim of the -20 attack drop in a Megaton Strike, goes defensive as Rarity fires a large blast of her magic at Pó’s face.
>She sucks up the damage the best she can, and continues her chanting before Anon wraps his filthy hands around her neck, and uses his ability Whither n’ Drain.
>He steals a whole 9 points worth of damage before Pó’s able to break free and avoid Pinkie’s soundwave once again.
>Finally you’re able to roll priority, and as Applejack charges in to attack, Pó-Serève darts towards Fluttershy, leaving AJ with quite the choice.
>Fluttershy’s at -40 defense, but with 76 HP, she’ll survive anything you can roll. AJ’s however is only at -25 defense, but with 55 HP, the chance of death is very likely if you can get a good role...on the other hand, guaranteeing Fluttershy’s safety means you’ll have to waste a turn that could be spent using an ice type ability to fight her conventionally, because Applejack knows that you know that Fluttershy will cover someone if you use an ice move. But how would Applejack even be sure that your third move /is/ ice related? She doesn’t, that would just be a guess. It’d be a solid guess considering the whole...icey theme but...you’re putting too much thought into this.
>What’s important is that Applejack covers for Fluttershy. She rolls a 57 downgraded to 17, and you roll a 79 blowing her out for the second time this quest.
>Pó-Serève slams her hoof into Applejack’s musically dazed skull, shattering her never fully healed skull, and re-killing her barely an hour after her waking up.
>Six to go.
>With another phase underway, Rainbow flies in wildly, landing a rage induced tackle of 26 damage that sends Pó rolling back through the dirt, causing her chanting to stop. The effects of course still persist until she attacks however.
>Twilight and Rarity begin double teaming her, firing round after round of their magic blast to silence her; but with nine turns having passed since Twilight’s spell, you take comfort in the fact that your priority has returned.
>Pó-Serève spreads her wings gloriously and takes to the air, freeing herself before flying into the coverage of the woods.
>Dash yells for her to, “Stop hiding like a coward!” and flies after her, but with the shroud of the night’s darkness, Pó slips her attention, landing a surprise blast on Fluttershy for 46 points of damage sending.
>She tumbles through the grass with 30/100 HP.
>From there, the powers of her Song of False Harmony ware off, recovering the party’s defenses.
>Anon almost considers a Soul Split for Fluttershy, but aware that he’s the team’s defense right now, he reluctantly backs out of that option, and goes for a direct attack.
>You have Pó take to the air however dodging the attack.
>You then roll priority once again, and with this, you use the best ability you have left: “Glimmering Cannon Fire” a NON-Ice attack.
>This move gives you +30 attack against any three targets of your choice. So naturally, you choose the three with the lowest defense: Fluttershy, Dash, and Pinkie.
>From her horn, Pó begins to form a shining orb of pure magic that gives a light as glorious as the stars themselves. It’s enough to grab Dash’s attention, who at the time was searching a bush still looking for her.
>Dash bolts into the air towards Pó-Serève to give her a much deserved clobbering, but it’s far too late by the time that closes in.
>The orb separates into three, and rockets into your selected targets, including Dash who’s only a few feet away.
>With an 82 roll turned 112, the others roll desperately to save themselves.
>Fluttershy does well with a 79 defense, but it’s just short of the 83 she needs to survice.
>Dash rolls a 23 upgraded to 33, leading to a capped 70 points of damage.
>Lastly, Pinie rolls a 49 upgraded to 59, leading to 51 points of damage.
>The results aren’t pretty as Dash literally flies into the...wait

---

Guys, it’s 10.
>Red Anon’s party mumbles amongst themselves as they look at the clock confirming it has in fact just reached 10 pm.
>Blue Anon asks, so who won?
Well, I said whoever had the most HP by the end. Spike, what are the stats for everyone right now because I’m at 223 outta 400?
>“Let’s see,” says Spike. “Red’s at 79 out of 100,  Twilight’s at 73 out of 90, Fluttershy’s at 0, Applejack’s at 0, Rainbow’s at 13 out of 90, Rarity’s at 79 out of 80, and Pinkie Pie’s at 6.
>Twilight is quick to announce, “That’s an exact 250! Does this mean we won?!”
Well...I guess so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAhkjDSg0fs
>Anon’s team begins cheering and patting themselves on the back, but not Anon. He sits there silently looking back at you, with a very unpleased expression.
>He feels cheated out of a proper win, but neither of you bring it up.

>So ends another adventure. The party’s really seems to have grown since their first journey. It kinda makes you feel a little prideful having them climbed the way they have...you should do something special for their next quest.