Fallout: Beyond Equestria, 58: Northern Blues (Conclusion)

[2013-10-23 13:33:23] <Kkat> 3http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtHJ8lFUrWI
[2013-10-23 13:33:52] <Kkat> 3The sniper takes aim...
[2013-10-23 13:34:02] <Kkat> 3The horde from the west draws closer, a stampede of thunder!
[2013-10-23 13:34:09] <Kkat> 3Bookwright flies as fast as fast can for the firewagon. As soon as he gets there, he hooks up to the firewagon and hauls it westward, to the limit of its connection to the hydrant.
[2013-10-23 13:34:19] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore's voice once again booms: "TARGETING READY!  PLEASE PLACE THE HEART!  NOW!"
[2013-10-23 13:34:38] <Kkat> 3Noble_heart rushes to the pedestal, quickly pulling the large crystaline heart from her pack and carefully floating it out into the center of the receptical with her magic. "We hope this works. And is fast!" Looking back towards the ensuing chaos.
[2013-10-23 13:34:44] <Kkat> 3The sniper adjusts her shot, aiming for the Crystal Heart.
[2013-10-23 13:34:49] <Kkat> 3>>BLAM<<
[2013-10-23 13:34:55] <Kkat> 3The Crystal Heart settles into place, the sniper's bullet whizzing by, reflected briefly in its surface before the heart glows...
[2013-10-23 13:35:03] <Kkat> 3The crystal ponies begin to light up, one-by-one, and then in twos, threes, scores!
[2013-10-23 13:35:08] <Kkat> 3The cracked crystal streets are enveloped in a brilliant glow that shifts from cerulean to pink.
[2013-10-23 13:35:15] <Kkat> 3Before the sniper can fire again, blare of horns goes off as Pink-E shouts "SURPRISE ATTACK PARY!"  The two sprite-bot friends zip up above the sniper, Sweet-E unleashing a blast of magical lightning that finishes what Kid's stun-grenades started.
[2013-10-23 13:35:23] <Kkat> 3The Crystal Heart bursts with brilliance, a dazzling light filling the Crystal Empire, a spiraling beam of prismatic energy shooting upwards, only to rain back down, striking at the site of the Solaris factory and sweeping eastwards until the entire empire is bathed in the energy.
[2013-10-23 13:35:29] <Kkat> 3As the energy fades, all the Crystal Ponies blink, shake themselves, wake up as if from a long slumber filled with unpleasant dreams.
[2013-10-23 13:35:35] <Kkat> 3The throng of Heartless breaks apart, stumbling about, looking dazed, confused, aghast.
[2013-10-23 13:35:40] <Kkat> 3And the party... two crystal alicorns, a crystal unicorn, two crystal earth ponies and a crystal griffin... all look to each other.
[2013-10-23 13:36:48] <Kkat> 3Fallout: Beyond Equestria, Session Fifty-Eight: Northern Blues (Conclusion) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH01FhqMdc8
[2013-10-23 13:37:02] <Kkat> 3Bookwright releases himself from the wagon and flies determinedly over the throng of ponies around the castle, searching for a certain young colt the description of which is burned into his memory...
[2013-10-23 13:37:09] <Kkat> 3Shatara is...crystal-y o.o
[2013-10-23 13:37:22] <Kkat> 3Kid breathes hard, and then feeling all the adrenaline in her muscles drain away into a dull ache, she collapses on the ground. She was around the bullet when it was sent along it's path. If it had been going where it was supposed to go, she would've been in front of it.
[2013-10-23 13:37:38] <Kkat> 3She had never put much stock in prayer, at best to her, it just served to make you look foolish in front of folks. But when the light finally went up, the magic finally cured the population, she felt as if a prayer she never had the courage to pray for became reality. And that between her friends is all that she could ask for.
[2013-10-23 13:40:09] * CopyCat goes wide eyed as she inspects her own wing. "Ooo, shiny."
[2013-10-23 13:41:53] * Noble_Heart stood in the center of the area around the pedestal. Her mane sparkling beneath the dim lights of the after-spell magics. The crystalized alicorn looking outwards towards the many crystal ponies. "We hope this has worked..."
[2013-10-23 13:42:02] * Get_Lost stares at herself andsmiles "hey! i'm pretty! i like it!"
[2013-10-23 13:43:53] <Kkat> 3The mass of ponies are beginning to react to their situation.  Gasps, wide-eyed expressions, cries.  Some shed tears of happiness and relief.  Some collapse, staring at the wreckage of their once-beautiful homeland.  Some turn to each other and hug.
[2013-10-23 13:45:45] * Kid hobbles her way through the crowd, not that she was injured, really. It's just that after that feeling of invincibility fades after a fight, you just start losing track of the location of your legs. She looks around for the rest of the caravan ponies, while using the crowd there to avoid the limelight. She didn't know how they would react. She didn't want either outcome on her mind to happen.
[2013-10-23 13:46:38] * Noble_Heart trotted out towards the crowd, looking down at them expectantly, or perhaps worriedly, or at least curiously. Well, she was looking at them, anyway.
[2013-10-23 13:46:39] * CopyCat joins Noble_Heart in the centre by the podium. "I think we did it. I think they're free at last."
[2013-10-23 13:46:52] * Noble_Heart nods her head to CopyCat. "Indeed. It would seem We have succeeded!"
[2013-10-23 13:48:18] * Get_Lost starts tinkering again with the robot she used to reprogram all the others under the tower "alright, pink-e! i need you to relay these orders...."
[2013-10-23 13:48:32] * Bookwright is still searching for the child of Sparkle Shine.
[2013-10-23 13:50:03] <Kkat> 3Eventually, Bookwright spots the small child, a colt lost in the crowd, calling out, "Mommy?  Daddy?"
[2013-10-23 13:52:39] * Bookwright swoops down. His eyes are tearful. "Your father sent me to find you. He's living pretty far from here, and he wanted us to come get you when the spell was finally cast. I'm here to reunite you with him."
[2013-10-23 13:53:57] * Shatara tries to pick out a few ex-heartless to try to gauge their reaction to these developments
[2013-10-23 13:55:43] <Kkat> 3More of the crowd converge of Noble_Heart and CopyCat.  Some asking questions: "Who are you?"  "What happened to our Crystal Empire?  What happened to our homes?"  "Did the zebras attack?"  "Is the war over now?"  Others, however, simply thank the crystal alicorns standing near the Heart, seeming to innately understand that they have been saved.
[2013-10-23 13:56:35] <Kkat> 3And older mare trots forward and gives Noble_Heart a hug.
[2013-10-23 13:56:59] <Kkat> 3A young stallion follows suit, hugging CopyCat.
[2013-10-23 13:57:09] * Get_Lost starts trotting around, looking for wounded ponies and trying to not raise panic
[2013-10-23 13:57:58] <Kkat> 3Get_Lost finds herself in the embrace of two small fillies as their parents look on, tears in their eyes.  The mother whispers, "Thank you."
[2013-10-23 13:58:04] * Noble_Heart stands upright, announcing as best she can over the crowd. "We have worked hard and carefully to return you to health! Know that your Princess still watches over you all. She loves you, and has spent two hundred years doing all she could to protect you!" She smiles at the mare who gives her a hug, offering a winged hug in return. "Though the world you knew has suffered
[2013-10-23 13:58:05] * Noble_Heart greatly, now is your chance to rebuild, to do something better. To forgive, and to put behind you the mistakes of the past. Lest those who come in the future suffer for Our mistakes."
[2013-10-23 13:59:18] * CopyCat answers questions as best she can. "Princess Luna. I dont know, maybe some cowboys. They need redecoration. Yes. And, yes."
[2013-10-23 13:59:31] <Kkat> 3The former Heartless are reacting with mixtures of confusion and horror.  They too have been saved, but unlike the others, they know what they had become, and what they did.  It was not their fault, but they will have to live with it.  For some, it seems too much to bear.
[2013-10-23 13:59:47] * CopyCat smiles and hugs the crystal ponies back.
[2013-10-23 13:59:50] * Get_Lost smiles a bit awkwardly "ah... really, i did nothing... you should thanks the two alicorns next to the heart... ah... have you seen somepony in need of medical care?"
[2013-10-23 14:01:39] <Kkat> 3The colt looks at Bookwright, his eyes widening at the unicorn's beautiful wings.  "Are you an angel?"  The question is quickly followed by, "Why did daddy leave?  Where's mommy?"
[2013-10-23 14:02:13] * Kid just tipped her hat and started looking very, very uncomfortable.
[2013-10-23 14:03:11] * Bookwright "I'm not an angel, no. Daddy woke up earlier, but he couldn't take you with him because you were still sleeping. Your daddy can tell you where your mommy is."
[2013-10-23 14:05:10] * Kid just tried to wander up to the front. Her expression, emotion was hard to read. She tilted her head to the side sharply.
[2013-10-23 14:05:19] <Kkat> 3There is a crackle from the arched ceiling high above the Crystal Heart.  A soft light shines downward, and the image of Cadance appears within it, looking tired and deeply sad.  "My crystal ponies... It fills my heart with unspeakable joy to see you well again.  So much has happened since you gathered here to help save the world.  I'm so... so sorry..."
[2013-10-23 14:07:15] <Kkat> 3"... This is not the world you expected to awaken to.  Or that you deserved to.  I cannot change what has happened, as much as I wish I could.  But you must work together to rebuild your homes and to live again."
[2013-10-23 14:08:21] <Kkat> 3"I will give you all the help I can... if you will still have me.  Or I will trouble you no longer.  For I have done a grave and unforgivable disservice to you."
[2013-10-23 14:10:51] <Kkat> 3"Please, for now, turned to your friends, your loved ones, and rejoice in being together.  Some of the crystal ponies woke up early, and were very deeply sick -- a sickness of the heart.  They have been cured, but there is much damage to heal, and they desperately need your help and your compassion and your love.
[2013-10-23 14:11:41] <Kkat> 3Seek them out, and let them in."
[2013-10-23 14:13:23] * Get_Lost while checking for injured ponies, pass next to bookie and whispers "ah... what about the giant sentilen robots, the mutant ewes and the other killer applications sparsed around the empire? i don't think it  is a good idea to let the crystal ponies go around exploring freely, at the moment"
[2013-10-23 14:13:57] * CopyCat looks out over the crowd, listening with her mind more than her ears.
[2013-10-23 14:14:08] <Kkat> 3Sweet-E flies up to Get_Lost, looking towards one of the Brainbots.  The robot is rolling about, asking in its strange filly voice, "Won't someone play with me?"
[2013-10-23 14:14:13] * Bookwright "They never bothered the heartless before, why would they bother the crystal ponies now? They look exactly the same."
[2013-10-23 14:15:12] <Kkat> 3Sweet-E suggests, "um, maybe we should just shut those all off now?"  The brainbot seems safe for now, but that could easily change.
[2013-10-23 14:16:59] * Get_Lost frowns "shutting them down, you say? it could.... ah.... be irreversible"
[2013-10-23 14:17:37] * Noble_Heart looks up as Doctor Amore appears. She smiles at the message. "We agree. There is much healing which must yet be done. And much repairs which will be needed. But the Empire is alive again, and the ponies who live within it are safe for now."
[2013-10-23 14:18:45] * Kid is just kind of at the front, jerking her neck off to the east. She seemed to be very uneasy.
[2013-10-23 14:21:25] <Kkat> 3Sweet-E bloops sadly.
[2013-10-23 14:23:20] * Get_Lost hesitates, but then sighs "you are right... it just... doesn't seem right" watches one of the robots "they only did their job how they were told to... this is unfair"
[2013-10-23 14:24:39] <Kkat> 3Sweet-E noddles.  "They're like pets who have gotten sick."
[2013-10-23 14:25:17] * Get_Lost coughs for a moment "pink-e, relay another message please..." lowers her head "you did a good job, good robot, now you can rest... others will take it from here. thank you. execute command line zero zero two. shut down all systems"
[2013-10-23 14:25:26] <Kkat> 3Sweet-E adds, "We would just be... putting them to sleep."
[2013-10-23 14:26:45] * Get_Lost mutters "who's a good puppy? you are"
[2013-10-23 14:27:32] * Noble_Heart bows her head to the crowd. "We know it will be hard for those who have suffered these past two centuries. Who have memories of doing horrible things. Of not being themselves. We have suffered as well. We know what it is to lose yourself, to do things without your consent, or worse to do things which are horrible which at the time you agreed with. But We will tell you, it
[2013-10-23 14:27:33] * Noble_Heart gets better. And the only thing you can do is to try to be better for it. To remember what you did, and why you should never do those things again."
[2013-10-23 14:27:38] <Kkat> 3Pink-E awws.  The little pink spritebot sniffs as it sends out the command.  And then makes crying noises as, one by one, the brainbots announce "Aw, but I don't wanna go to bed!..." and then shut off, the brains swiftly dying.
[2013-10-23 14:29:28] <Kkat> 3The colt nods to Bookwright and waits to be taken to his daddy.
[2013-10-23 14:30:09] * Get_Lost cringes heraring the chorus of robots and without raising her head goes sitting somewhere on her own
[2013-10-23 14:31:33] * Shatara frowns...
[2013-10-23 14:31:51] * Bookwright looks around. "Right, umm... Okay! Get ready, we're gonna fly!" He wraps the kid in a telekinetic field, and takes off, winging his way towards Sparkle Shine's domicile.
[2013-10-23 14:35:12] <Kkat> 3The ghostly form of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well lands next to Get_Lost.  She seems to understand the hard and painful decision the cyberpony made.  She reaches out and gives a hug, although a sadly intangible one.
[2013-10-23 14:38:07] * Get_Lost sighs deeply... there is a lot of words she could tell, but she decides to say nothing. not having eyes doesn't mean you can't cry
[2013-10-23 14:40:04] * Shatara follows after Get_Lost.
[2013-10-23 14:40:14] <Kkat> 3A few minutes later, Bookwright finds himself flying over rubble -- destroyed homes and streets in the space between the military base and the Solaris factory.  The colt holds it together better than could be expected... until the flight passes by the wreckage of an ice-cream shop, the carcass of a crystal battle ewe sprawled through the broken display case.
[2013-10-23 14:41:09] * CopyCat lands beside Get_Lost, also oblivious to Mare-Do-Well when she can't borrow Kid's mental image. "They served for much longer than they were ever meant to and you helped them to find peaceful rest at last." The crystal Luna-corn hugs Get_Lost with a wing. "But it's okay to be sad."
[2013-10-23 14:41:12] <Kkat> 3The colt begins to bawl, unable to process the stress and strangeness, horror and loss.
[2013-10-23 14:42:53] <Kkat> 3One of the crystal ponies, a young mare of about the same age, stops and looks at Kid.  "Hey... aren't you one of the ones who saved us?"
[2013-10-23 14:43:08] * Bookwright "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... We're very near. Shhh, don't cry. We're almost there."
[2013-10-23 14:43:13] * Get_Lost "i could have reprogrammed them anew... gave them a new purpose... only... what if they went mad? what if th thing went solaris? still... i didn't even try... i just kileld them, the easy way... the safe one. what's wrong with me?"
[2013-10-23 14:44:14] <Kkat> 3Bookwright spots the cellar doors he is looking for.  They are cast wide open, and smoke curls out from inside.
[2013-10-23 14:44:37] * Shatara quietly perches next to Get_Lost.
[2013-10-23 14:44:58] * Kid lowers the rim of her hat more. "Ah-ah guess, I dunno. A-ah wouldn't say ah saved you or anythin'." And then panic started to rise in her bones.
[2013-10-23 14:46:06] <Kkat> 3A little ways away, Bookwright spots Sparkle Shine, hunched over against a broken wall, beating a hoof against it, wracked with sobs.
[2013-10-23 14:46:54] <Kkat> 3The mare reaches out and puts a hoof on Kid.  "Thank you... thank you so..."
[2013-10-23 14:47:12] * Bookwright gulps. Setting down carefully, he walks slowly up to Sparkle Shine. "Mister Shine? I've brought somepony you may want to meet."
[2013-10-23 14:47:27] <Kkat> 3Seeming unable to help herself, the mare steps closer, pushes Kid's hat away, and kisses him.
[2013-10-23 14:47:33] * CopyCat raises her voice in an attempt to lighten the mood. "Kid, you don't have to panic! If you like her just kiss her!"
[2013-10-23 14:47:48] * Noble_Heart continues to do her best to console and encourage the ponies around the pedestal. And perhaps bask in their admiration. She looks down to Kid with a grin. "Nonsense. We could not have succeeded without your expertise and quick thinking!"
[2013-10-23 14:49:55] <Kkat> 3Sparkle Shine turns away, mumbling something about not being Sparkle Shine.  But at the little cry of "Daddy?", he turns.  His tear-stained face is filled with horror and pain... and for a moment he hesistates... but when he runs, it is forward rather than away, scooping his son close to his breast and hugging him fiercely.
[2013-10-23 14:54:15] * Bookwright is quiet. "I wish you the very best, Sparkle Shine. And I want to apologize for what I did to you earlier. It was wrong of me." He turns away, and takes off into the sky, headed back towards the tower.
[2013-10-23 14:54:33] * Get_Lost smiles weakly to CopyCat "you knw what could really fix everything for the next 2 minutes?"
[2013-10-23 14:58:11] * CopyCat nods. "Yes Get, but I don't think we have that much cotton candy... oh, or we could have an impromptu musical number!"
[2013-10-23 14:58:30] * Shatara blinkblinks.
[2013-10-23 14:59:03] * Kid feels her legs shaking, and then a surprisingly intricate Goldbergian reaction ,mixed with whatever adrenaline she had left over, happened in her head. No. Nonono. Nononono. Don't look at me like that. I didn't- oh noshe'skissingme-shootnorunrunrunrun. Like a bolt of olive green lightning, she bolted to the nearest entrance to the castle to get out of sight of the crowd. It was blind...
[2013-10-23 14:59:06] * Kid ...running, not really caring where she's going or when she's gonna stop.
[2013-10-23 15:01:22] * Get_Lost "i guess it will work all the same...." takes a look around "no fiddle, i guess we will do it the pony way, acappella? alright the-" is interrupted by a running kid "HEY! where's our soprano running=?"
[2013-10-23 15:03:22] * CopyCat tilts her head. "Away, it seems. Very very fast."
[2013-10-23 15:03:25] * Noble_Heart blinks in surprise as Kid rushes off, frowning. "We did not think that such a strong reaction would be had..."
[2013-10-23 15:05:36] * Get_Lost frowns "let's go get her before she runs in a sentinel tank"
[2013-10-23 15:07:18] * Bookwright returns to the tower, feeling a little somber. He flies towards the firewagon, and undoes the hoses. Strapping himself in (boy, what a weird feeling) he flies it back to the group.
[2013-10-23 15:07:49] * Get_Lost tries running after kig "HEY! IT'S DANGEROUS GO OUT THERE ALONE!"
[2013-10-23 15:07:54] <Get_Lost> *kid
[2013-10-23 15:08:10] * Shatara takes off after kid with the others.
[2013-10-23 15:08:44] * Noble_Heart sighs quietly as her companions rush off. She turned to follow at a less desperate pace. The palace had, thus far, proven relatively safe. Relatively, considering Mitzi's claims fo giant rainbow spiders.
[2013-10-23 15:13:03] * Kid just blindly sprints until what had just happened dawned slowly upon her. By the time her head caught up with her legs, she had no idea where she even was. And she didn't even know what she freaked about, it was a gesture of some sort, a kiss on the cheek with everypony in the kingdom watching, but she just had no idea why she felt so afraid just then. She stopped, sat against the wall,...
[2013-10-23 15:13:03] * Kid ...pulled off her shotgun and placed it within quick reaching distance, and then proceeded to bury her head in her hooves.
[2013-10-23 15:17:56] * Get_Lost loses kid almost immediately, being mostly as fast as a pregnant mare... maybe less "alright... you find her... i'll come, okay?"
[2013-10-23 15:18:31] * Noble_Heart frowns, moving through the halls in search of Kid. "Kid? Are you alright?" Concern was clear and obvious in her voice.
[2013-10-23 15:23:55] * CopyCat stays outside talking with crystal ponies and offering words of support. Also hugs. She had a feeling that Kid didn't want to be talking with a telepath at this moment.
[2013-10-23 15:24:28] <Kkat> 3Pink-E chirps.  "We'll find her!"
[2013-10-23 15:25:13] <Kkat> 3Sweet-E seconds the whistle, flying upwards, "Sprite-Bot Crusaders Filly Hero Finders are go!"
[2013-10-23 15:25:34] * Bookwright has absolutely no idea what's going on. And he's not sure he wants to find out.
[2013-10-23 15:34:22] * CopyCat cheers on Sweet-E and Pink-E as they set off to search for Kid. She excuses herself from the crystal ponies and approaches Bookwright. "You did a good a thing."
[2013-10-23 15:34:45] <Kkat> 3Pink-E announces spotting Kid with trumpet fanfare.
[2013-10-23 15:35:09] * Noble_Heart continues her walk through the castle, sticking her head into each room, checking for Kid. "Kid! Where are you!? We are worried!" The sound of Pink-E's fanfare draws her attention as she heads in that direction with all due haste.
[2013-10-23 15:35:34] * Kid sighs. She tried to dig into why she ran, and came up with nothing other than she panicked at the attention. But why the hell does she feel like that? She earned some respect for what she did. What was she even going to say to cover this up? "Yeah, yeah, I'm here." She sounded defeated.
[2013-10-23 15:35:36] * Bookwright shies. "I... I did what was right. I think that kid is going to redeem Sparkle Shine. I really do."
[2013-10-23 15:38:34] * Noble_Heart trots up towards Kid. "We were worried about you. Are you alright?"
[2013-10-23 15:39:22] * Bookwright "Uh, CopyCat? What's going on with Noble Heart? And Where's Kid?"
[2013-10-23 15:39:58] * Shatara sighs and flaps off somewhere to clean his rifle, his usefulness having ended with the firefight.
[2013-10-23 15:43:44] * CopyCat gives Bookwright a hug. "I feel proud to be your friend. To be friends with all of you." She notices the question. "Oh, Kid was kissed by a mare in the crowd and she ran away very quickly. Noble and the others went to find her."
[2013-10-23 15:43:57] <Bookwright> ...Ah. Okay then.
[2013-10-23 15:46:20] <Kkat> 3The ghost of Mare-Do-Well watches Shatara separate himself from the others.  She wants to say something to him, but is neither seen nor heard.
[2013-10-23 15:48:32] <Kkat> 3She continues to watch him sadly for a few minutes.  Then Mare-Do-Well flies upwards through the floors of the Crystal Tower, searching for where Kid had been found.
[2013-10-23 15:54:52] * Kid removed her hooves from her eyes when ponies started to arrive. She looked at Noble, opened up her mouth, as if to try to dispel some myth that she put up about her. 'This is normal of someone of your stature. We forgive you of your outbreak, just try to contain yourself next your in public again. It is embarrassing to Us.' She threw that thought right out of her head, it wasn't the way to...
[2013-10-23 15:54:54] * Kid ...think about a pony, no matter how convincing it seemed. So the reply got trapped in her throat, swallowed down, and then came back up as a much more bitter-tasting. "I'm sorry fer makin' you worry."
[2013-10-23 15:56:38] * Noble_Heart trots forwards and shakes her head. "There is no need for sorrow. We are merely releaved that you are not hurt." She sits down beside Kid, gently extending a wing around her. "Do you wish to talk about what is bothering you? It seems strange that you would not be happy to see so many ponies cured and well once more."
[2013-10-23 16:01:11] * Kid tries to find words, but fails. "I..." She exhaled. "I dunno why I did that. It just kinda happened, an'..." Some hero you are to those ponies, running away from being called it. She ruminated on that thought for a while. "I guess I jus' get all kinds of uncomfortable bein' called a hero. Just don't seem right on me somehow."
[2013-10-23 16:01:18] <Kkat> 3After a few minutes, Shatara hears voices approaching.  "I think I saw the griffin come this way," one voice says to the other.
[2013-10-23 16:02:49] <Kkat> 3Mare-Do-Well flies up through the floor and then settles back down on it in front of Kid.  "Hey, Kid... are you okay?"
[2013-10-23 16:02:56] * Noble_Heart smiles to Kid. "It is alright. We understand. We cannot imagine it has happened often to you before, after all." She chuckles a few moments. "But, We forgive your ease of disruption. Though the locals may feel a touch put out by your sudden disappearance! After all, you were just approached by a mare out of thanks when you bolted." She smiled. "Still, it is good that you
[2013-10-23 16:02:57] * Noble_Heart seem alright."
[2013-10-23 16:03:54] * Shatara 's feathers twitch a little at the approaching voices. He pushes the bolt back into the rifle and locks it open, though doesn't load it. Probably just some curious crystal ponies, but...
[2013-10-23 16:04:18] <Kkat> 3A moment later, a crystal pony stallion pokes his head into the room where Shatara is cleaning his gun.  "Hey.  There you are."  The stallion turns back.  "I found him."
[2013-10-23 16:05:41] <Kkat> 3A trio of crystal ponies, including the stallion, enter the room.  The stallion states the obvious, "You're not from around here, right?"
[2013-10-23 16:07:10] <Kkat> 3A cream-colored crystal mare steps forward, "Look, we need to know what's out there, and we're hoping you can tell us."
[2013-10-23 16:08:46] * Shatara blinks abit. "Out there? Planning on leaving?"
[2013-10-23 16:09:03] * Kid is pulled right on back to a very familiar emotion when Noble opens up. Hi, anger! Come right on in, seat isn't even cold from the last time you visited! "Yeah, yeah, that's just me, ah guess. Too fuckin' tempermental fer m' own fuckin' good." She looked away from her, obviously a little offput by what she said.
[2013-10-23 16:10:34] * Noble_Heart sighs quietly. "We did not mean to insult you. You must have had a reason for feeling that way. Guilt, fear, self-loathing. We cannot guess what it was. Only that it seems to be enough to cause you great distress."
[2013-10-23 16:10:54] * Bookwright can see he is not required to help solve Kid's issues. "Copycat? Um... Why am I see-through?"
[2013-10-23 16:15:02] * CopyCat tilts her head. "Most ponies are, in my experience."
[2013-10-23 16:15:59] * Bookwright "...? What? No, I mean, most of the time I'm opaque. As are you. But now I'm like a living breathing Visible Equine. What gives?"
[2013-10-23 16:16:26] * Kid tries to articulate. Finally, she could put a thought together. "I... I don't really like bein' a hero. Or at least bein' called it. It's just th' wrong way fer people that y' wanna talk to t' think of y' that way. An', well. I met heroes, an' they tend t' get real bitter an hate themselves, an' I don't want any of that. Y'gettin' me?"
[2013-10-23 16:17:58] * CopyCat nods with sudden understanding. "Oh, that. That's magic from the crystal heart going off, isn't it?"
[2013-10-23 16:18:27] * Noble_Heart frowns a few moments. "Heroes only hate themselves when they allow themselves to believe they are undeserving of it." She gently pats Kid with a wing. "All ponies have done things they regret. Things that they wish they could have done different. Those who come to be jaded and self-loathing cannot forgive themselves their sins, nor see beyond those sins to the good that
[2013-10-23 16:18:28] * Noble_Heart they have created. It is difficult, when living in such a shadow, to see what positive impact any action you might take has. But today -is- a day worth celebrating."
[2013-10-23 16:20:24] * Bookwright "...Oh. Okay, I guess that makes sense. I hope it's not permanent though. I feel weirdly naked."
[2013-10-23 16:22:02] * CopyCat "You could always try borrowing something to wear. I'm sure you would look good in a tuxedo."
[2013-10-23 16:22:03] * Kid sighs. She hated when she was right. "... Yeah, I guess yer right. But I don't feel like I've done anything wrong. I just don't think I want ponies t' treat me like a hero." She notably didn't say anything about the first part. It was only around now that she realized that she was sparkly. "Uh. When's this wear off?"
[2013-10-23 16:23:53] * Noble_Heart shakes her head. "No idea. The records in the Ministry of Peace indicated it was a likely side-effect of the megaspell nature of the Crystal Heart's usage. But We have no way of knowing how long it will last."
[2013-10-23 16:24:13] * CopyCat smiles at Bookwright. "I think it might be a good idea to talk with Amore again. We should see if there's anything we can do to help makes things safe for the crystal ponies, or to reunite her with Professor Paladin."
[2013-10-23 16:24:20] <Kkat> 3The cream-colored crystal mare nods to Shatara.  "My shop is gone."  She pauses, adding "So is my house."  She then swiftly clarifies,  "My refrigerator.  There are a lot of ponies that are going to need food, and it doesn't look like there is much to be found.  We need to know if it is safe to travel, and where we can hope to get trade."
[2013-10-23 16:25:06] <Kkat> 3"Or charity," the other mare says sadly. "If there is anyone out there left who can help."
[2013-10-23 16:26:41] <Kkat> 3The stallion shakes his head.  "There has to be.  The strangers looked fed.  They had equipment.  The griffin has armor and a gun.  There has to be someone out there who makes things.  Who buys and sells."
[2013-10-23 16:27:45] <Kkat> 3The cream-colored mare winces a little, and asks Shatara, "What is your name?  I'm Fair Trade."
[2013-10-23 16:28:46] * Kid huhs. "Well, ain't that worryin'." She sighed, looked down, and then got back up. "... We still got some work t' do. I still owe Mare-Do-Well th' way outta here. And that means we hit up th' Solaris Factory." She looked around. "And we gotta get Louie. And go see Butterfly."
[2013-10-23 16:30:39] * Noble_Heart nods her head. "And help Professor Paladin and Doctor Amore as best We can. And ensure that the zebras are alright and can become part of the Crystal Empire proper somehow. And perhaps even ensure that they are aware of whatever brought the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well to their home."
[2013-10-23 16:34:13] * CopyCat winks at Bookwright. "You might find it more comfortable than that stuffy winter gear."
[2013-10-23 16:35:36] * Shatara nods quietly, putting his rifle aside. "I'm uh...Shatara..." He begins to work his pipbuck,bringing up the map. "It can be pretty dangerous out there, the armor and weapons aren't for show, after all..."
[2013-10-23 16:38:07] * Kid frowns. She hasn't noticed Mare-Do-Well, if she's even around. "Hell, /I/ don't even know what brought her to their home, other than she's just a good pony. Ah don't think she's comfortable sayin', but that's alright. When she's comfortable, she'll say it." And then she had a pang of guilt. "... Um. Guys?"
[2013-10-23 16:47:38] * Bookwright shrugs. "I'm fine. Honest. Now... Let's go speak to Amore."
[2013-10-23 16:47:40] * Kid lets her leg dangle for a little bit and looks away. "... Gold."
[2013-10-23 16:49:14] <Kkat> 3Fair Trade nods.  "I was afraid of that.  The war isn't over yet, is it?"
[2013-10-23 16:52:39] * Noble_Heart tilts her head a bit. "Gold?" Looking down to Kid curiously.
[2013-10-23 16:55:01] <Kkat> 3The ghostly Mare-Do-Well trots up next to Kid.
[2013-10-23 16:56:47] * Kid thought back at all the times in which they could've let her die, and didn't. Of the scrabble in Darkness Falls, of when she got her new eye. Of when she got blown up in the first place, and of the purifying of the Crystal Kingdom. And she blushed, and was embarrassed that she didn't trust them enough before. "M' name. It's Gold. Golden Dream. Folks used t' call me Goldy or Dream." She looks...
[2013-10-23 16:56:47] * Kid ...up at Mare-Do-Well, feeling bashful and unburdened... And for the first time in a long time, happy.
[2013-10-23 16:57:27] <Kkat> 3Mare-Do-Well speaks up, "Give it a few hours.  Enjoy being shiny and see-through while it lasts, if that's your sort of thing."  Mare-Do-Well's voice betrays a slight envy at the temporary-ness of see-through-ability.
[2013-10-23 16:59:35] * Shatara sits silently a moment. "I suppose not. It's a different kind of war, though. Not so much 'us' and 'them'...It's...complicated. I'm still pretty new to it myself, a result of generations living in a hole in the ground..." He fiddles with his Pipbuck meaningfully. "There's a town a few days to the south, though it's rough travel to get there, and you'd best be prepared...
[2013-10-23 16:59:36] * Shatara "
[2013-10-23 16:59:38] * CopyCat nods, a sudden smile lighting up her face. "Yes. I think we should go up and see her, Bookie."
[2013-10-23 16:59:55] * Bookwright leads the way!
[2013-10-23 17:00:09] * Noble_Heart offers a forehoof to Golden Dream. "A pleasure to meet you, Dream. I'm sure you'll fit right in." She giggles a little bit at that prospect. "To be honest, my name wasn't always Noble Heart either. But We would prefer not to talk about that right now." She stands. "Are you ready to face your adoring public again?"
[2013-10-23 17:02:02] <Kkat> 3The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well stops for a moment, then flaps her wings and hovers.  "The alicorn is right.  We should be having a totally kick-ass celebration.  Not every day you save a whole kingdom.  Trust me."
[2013-10-23 17:02:29] * Golden_Dream smiles, and almost elbows Mare-Do-Well. "What, and miss out on bein' cool like you?" She didn't realize until after she said it that Noble would latch onto it. Eh. Let it apply to her, too. She smiled, and then looked at herself. "... Y'no, if I knew I was gonna be all sparkly in front of a bunch of ponies, I really wish I had some time t' clean up, and I really wish that I had a dress t' put on."
[2013-10-23 17:03:23] <Kkat> 3Fair Trade nods to Shatara.  "Tell us about it.  We're going to need to know as much as we can if we're going to go out there and get help."
[2013-10-23 17:04:31] <Kkat> 3The stallion ponders a moment.  "A few days south?  How close is it to The Roost?"
[2013-10-23 17:05:40] * Noble_Heart contemplates that. "Didn't you pick up a dress a while back? We seem to remember it. But then, We can't be certain." She begins heading towards the door. "Though We admit to sharing your consternation. Though the change has done marvels for Our mane!"
[2013-10-23 17:10:40] <Kkat> 3Bookwright leads the way to the Throne Room.  As he enters, the hologram of Princess Cadance flickers to life.  "Thank you, my heroic ponies.  For all of the Crystal Empire: thank you."
[2013-10-23 17:12:10] * Golden_Dream blinks and tries to think back. Oh, yeah! That happened! She dug into her saddlebag to find her delicately folded dress to put on. It was a little worn, but it was the best she could do. "Yeah, why'd you go and cut it? Copycat's mane is all long and flowy, why's yours short?" She asked while wriggling out of her old rabbit-hide armor. Then, she thought of something odd. "Mare-Do-Well? I...
[2013-10-23 17:12:12] * Golden_Dream ...promise not t' follow this up if y' don't want me to, but how come it ain't weird t' you with alercorns bein' around?"
[2013-10-23 17:12:30] * Bookwright "Er, yeah. Um. Have you spoken to Professor Paladin?"
[2013-10-23 17:13:13] * Shatara nods to the stallion. "That's the one. They call it 'Darkness Falls' now, though. There's a lot of gryphons and ponies that live there for trading with." He turns towards Fair Trade. "Well, uh..." He kind of blanks a bit, pondering their past adventures.
[2013-10-23 17:14:15] * CopyCat grins at holo-Cadence. "We wanted to know if we could help you at all. By arranging a holo-date, perhaps?"
[2013-10-23 17:14:36] * Noble_Heart tilts her head slightly at Golden_Dream's question. "Well. We found that long manes did not infact help much in battle. Though We suppose it is as much a matter of simplicity as anything else."
[2013-10-23 17:15:31] <Kkat> 3The other mare frowns.  "Darkness Falls?  That's ominous."
[2013-10-23 17:16:02] <Kkat> 3The stallion frowns a little but chuckles.  "Well, it is in a cave behind a waterfall.  Or, at least, The Roost was."
[2013-10-23 17:19:04] <Kkat> 3Mare-Do-Well cocks her head.  "Well... mainly because it's not weird to /you/.  I figure, if you're cool with it, then it's cool."  She pauses, then asks, "I mean, Twilight was working on making more alicorns.  So... I figure she succeeded?"
[2013-10-23 17:19:53] * Shatara chuckles softly. "Welcome to the new world..." He continues pondering. "Well, we ran into timber wolves in the wilderness, there's one thing to worry about...I think the Enclave...that is, the old air force gone rogue...might be operating in this area, they've still got a lot of bite to them... There's the usual assortment of raiders and bandits that just want what others
[2013-10-23 17:19:54] * Shatara have..."
[2013-10-23 17:24:00] * Golden_Dream feels her cheer ground itself somewhat with that implication. "Um. She sorta did." Now it was her turn to be infuriatingly evasive!
[2013-10-23 17:25:43] * Noble_Heart pauses, curious now. "Who did what?"
[2013-10-23 17:28:31] * Golden_Dream frowns when looking at Noble. "Uh. Mare-Do-Well's sayin' that Twilight was workin' on makin' more alicorns, and she musta succeeded." She hoped she would catch the hint.
[2013-10-23 17:32:31] * Noble_Heart eartwitches slightly, then eye-twitches briefly after that. "Yes. We should say we succeeded." She turns. "We would also say that she failed. Or perhaps fate intervened. The Wasteland has a way of making everyone pay for their best intentions." She turned back towards the door. "Shall We face the public?"
[2013-10-23 17:35:35] <Kkat> 3Fair Trade and her companions sit and listen to all Shatara has to share, occasionally asking questions.  "But there are towns, right?  Civilization?  Does Equestria still exist?"
[2013-10-23 17:36:45] <Kkat> 3The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well freezes at that, wide-eyed.  "Wait!  What does that mean?"
[2013-10-23 17:37:45] <Kkat> 3Holographic Cadance blushes and shakes her head.  "Not... yet."  She looks down.  "To be honest, I'm a little afraid to."
[2013-10-23 17:38:38] * Golden_Dream just puts on a forced smile and, feeling that her face just wasn't cut out for faking emotions, looked honestly like she was going to dread answering that. "Promise not t' run off?"
[2013-10-23 17:39:53] * Bookwright "You really ought to. I mean, we went and got the Crystal Heart back for you! The least you can do is talk to the guy."
[2013-10-23 17:40:32] * Noble_Heart pauses again, looking back to Golden Dream and turning to face her, waiting to hear her explanation.
[2013-10-23 17:43:03] * Shatara sits, scrolling his map around. "As a nation...no.But there are those who seek to build anew. Like the NCR. They've government set up and stuff, and are working to secure their trade routes from the worst of the wastelands. And the followers fo the Apocolypse, they try to help ponies whenever they can. The Steel Rangers are still around, though they've not the best history,
[2013-10-23 17:43:03] * Shatara have been trying to use their technology to help things out..."
[2013-10-23 17:45:49] <Kkat> 3The other crystal mare asks Shatara, "NCR?"
[2013-10-23 17:45:56] * CopyCat nods her head. "Okay Amore, I guess you're feeling nervous after not speaking for so long... so, how about some practice? It might help you feel better."
[2013-10-23 17:46:20] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore nods to CopyCat.  "Y-yes please."
[2013-10-23 17:47:38] * Shatara pauses. "Uuuh...New Canterlot Republic. They set up from the old Shattered Hoof Prison, I guess, using it as a secure seat of government for the surrounding towns."
[2013-10-23 17:48:07] * Bookwright is wondering exactly what CopyCat means by "practice", but he's not going to speak up. This is interesting.
[2013-10-23 17:52:09] * CopyCat turns to Bookwright with a mischievous grin. "Are you ready Bookie?" Without waiting for an answer, she casts a spell on the unicorn stallion, and suddenly he resembles somepony that Cadence is all too familiar with.
[2013-10-23 17:52:43] * Bookwright is too shocked to speak immediately.
[2013-10-23 17:53:04] * CopyCat nods. "Now you can practice on Bookie."
[2013-10-23 17:54:02] <Kkat> 3Holographic Cadance eeps and jumps back... the hologram dissolving.
[2013-10-23 17:54:21] <Kkat> 3Doctor Amore reappears a moment later, looking sheepish.
[2013-10-23 17:54:33] * Pseudo-Shining_Armor "Erm. Ahem. Uh. Hi."
[2013-10-23 17:55:44] <Kkat> 3Holographic Cadance responds, "...oh...uh... Hello."
[2013-10-23 17:56:33] <Kkat> 3Mare-Do-Well ponders a half-second, then nods to Kid.
[2013-10-23 17:59:22] * Pseudo-Shining_Armor "How... Uh. How has your day been...?
[2013-10-23 18:02:14] * Golden_Dream sighs. "Alright. Remember how I said that she only sorta succeeded?"
[2013-10-23 18:07:33] <Kkat> 3Mare-Do-Well nods, still wide-eyed.
[2013-10-23 18:11:29] * Pseudo-Shining_Armor "I've been, er. Fine. Y'know. Feeding my crystal battle ewes and, uh. Talking on the PA system a lot." He remembers the bit about dinner. "Do you... maybe wanna have dinner?"
[2013-10-23 18:13:27] * Golden_Dream continues. "So, um. We call th' stuff she worked on 'taint'. She was workin' on it, and it worked, but the alercorns it made didn't have anythin' in th' old noggin. So, she brings in a couple've ponies t' help out, and then th' bombs hit, and they all fell int' th' taint together and just kinda... Mushed together. An' this made alercorns have, like, this mind thing where one of th' folks, I...
[2013-10-23 18:13:27] * Golden_Dream ...don't think Twilight, in th' mushup turned crazy and took control an' made alercorns do bad things. But then th' mushup got blown up, and th' alercorns kinda still kept walkin'." She rubbed the back of her neck. This was depressing as hell. She had to end it on a hopeful note. "But, uh. There's this rumor I heard from a guy back home and in some history books that she survived,  though....
[2013-10-23 18:13:28] * Golden_Dream ...When th' explosion happened, there was this huge alercorn that helped th' mare that blew it up out and then ran off." Then again, she heard this from the same guy that believed in a planet full of monkeys and that his hooves were picking up signals from the moon.
[2013-10-23 18:13:36] * CopyCat smiles. "There you go, it's not that hard is it? Soon you'll be chatting away like old times!"
[2013-10-23 18:19:07] * CopyCat nods. "Alright, I'll leave you to it. I can think of somepony else who might need similar practice. If you need me, think really really loudly."
[2013-10-23 18:24:25] <Kkat> 3Mare-Do-Well blinkblinks.  Turns to Noble_Heart (despite the alicorn not being able to sense her) with a, "What?"
[2013-10-23 18:24:52] <Kkat> 3--- End of Session ---