Anon Quest: Journey of the Golden Dice pt.3

>The Monopoly go-karts are great and all, but you’re beginning to have doubts that using novelty vehicles was the best choice for a three day trip. It’s gotten kinda dark, and these things have no floodlights, leading to the occasional bump or rough patch of land that you aren’t prepared for. At least the mileage is decent. Battery power; it’s the way of the future.
>The tough road is all worth it though, as 8:23 comes, and your party finally drives into the third most rootenist place this side of Equestria,
DODGE CITY!
>The others give a small cheer, encouraging your enthusiasm.
>Finally at your destination, you slow down to a leisurely pace as you travel through the streets, The others slow to accordingly match
Okay, everyone. I’m really proud of you gals, and Spike, for going through with all this.
>You’re still driving in no general direction.
I know we had a few rough spots here and there, but we finally made it, and that’s all that matters.
>Twilight mentions from the back car, “So, where are we heading to now?”
>Rarity adds from the thimble, “I know a lovely little inn a couple blocks from here. I suggest we take refuge there.”
At an inn?
>You can’t help but laugh a little at the statement.
Just because we’re in town, doesn’t mean we’re staying at an inn. We’re just getting some dinner, then we're passing through to go CAMPING.
>“But we’re already here,” she notes in a whinish tone as they pass the festively designed ‘Gingerbread Inn’.
>Pinkie tells her from the Tuk Tuk, “Look on the bright side. ♪ I’ll be making s’mo-ooores ♫”
Yeah, Rarity. Stop being such a Debbie Downer…jeez.

Anon Quest: Journey of the Golden Dice, Part 3: Teamwork

3:23 PM

>Deep in the White Tail Woods, the noble Assassin Anon waits for his newly appointed pupils to arrive at his base. Passing the time, he’s carving daggers out of the dense bones of a long dead monster he found in a field of white flowers. Something about chipping away at things with a knife just feels so southing to him, though, it’s probably closer to his love of sharp objects.
>From the relative silence of the forest, the sound of the trio’s monk, Sweetie Belle can be heard in the distance.
>“Are you sure this is where we went last time?”
>“Don’t worry Sweetie Belle,” says the Alchemist Scootaloo, “I never forget where I’ve been before. We’re close. I can feel it.”
It took a bit longer than Anon expected, but sure enough, the three fillies do relocate the base.
>“See?” Says Scootaloo with her head up, proudly. “I told you I could find him.”
>Sweetie and Apple ignore her boasting as they run to Anon, who places what’s now his fifth bone dagger into his side pouch.
Good evening girls.
>The two greet Anon excitedly, as Scootaloo catches up to the scene to join them.
I trust you three are ready to train.
>“Yes, sir!” says Sweetie with a salute.
>“Let’s do it.” Says Scootaloo.
>The Elementalist hushens at the statement.
Apple child? Are you ready?
>She seems visibly worried. Not very surprising, considering her embarrassing performance yesterday. Staying as strong as she can, she tells Anon, “I’ll do my best.”
Good to hear.
>Anon rises from his log, and tells the fillies,
You’re going to begin actual combat, far into the darkness of the woods.
(Like with the others, you’re going to use your normal green dice, while they’ll be using the pinks. You’re also giving each enemy a permanent defense, to help with their decision making.)
Death is very much a possibility, so thread carefully.

---

You worry too much. Hayseed Swamps is gonna be a breeze, even without the cars.
>Despite the word of confidence, Twilight still seems unconvinced of her foggy, damp surroundings.
>“What about the peridot road we’re supposed to follow?”
Well…yeah, the road did get destroyed by nature, and it is a little hard to see in the fog, but don’t worry! We’ll get back on track, before you know it. You just need a little faith.
>“I’ve told you time and time again, you can’t just go with your gut when it comes to crucial decisions. If we go any further, I guarantee we’re going to get lost.
…Rarity, you’ve officially lost the title of our team’s Debbie Downer.
>You hide the slight scowl Twilight’s causing you to develop, as you tell the party,
Come on guys, let’s not waste time.
>With that, you begin walking through the dense fog of the swamps, as the others follow behind; some more reluctantly than others. It’s awkwardly silent, as you eight walk through the sloshy soil, only being broken by Rarity’s mention of, “It’s a good thing I brought my boots.”
>The party continues for nearly seven minutes, with no sign of road ahead. You’re still faithful as ever, but the point eventually comes where Twilight feels the need to state, “I feel like we may be lost.”
Nonsense. Does anybody want some trail mix?
>Spike; who’s on Twilight’s back; raises his claw, but Twilight cuts the advance.
>“Don’t try and change the subject, Anon. I recognize that puddle. We already went here.”
>Apple Jack tells her, “I thought we were going straight.”
We ARE going straight. Twilight’s just doubting my hunches.
>“Because a hunch is a glorified guess! Even the Pinkie sense was tested true, but hunches, faith, luck and all that nonsense; it has nothing to support it.”
Don’t say stuff like that!
>Fluttershy tells you two, “Let’s not raise our voices. Who knows what might hear us.”
Ever since we started this quest, you’ve been undermining our entire endeavor! It’s like you don’t even want a counter for Anon’s lucky dice.
>“Anon, I support you, because you’re my friend, but I’ve told you time and time again that I DON’T think his dice are lucky. What makes them lucky?! Give me indisputable evidence that his dice have any kind of special quality.”
They were given to him by the leader of the party that won our world’s Thirteenth Annual Hero’s Tale Regional Tournament, after he retired.
>“Meaningless.”
The origin of these dice date back to over 80 years’ worth of successful dice players, and the material it’s made out of remains unknown.
>“Probably lead.”
It remains unknown! These are not ordinary dice. The luck they produce is too consistent to be a coincidence. My brother said they’re so powerful, the weak willed can’t use it without being corrupted.
>“That still doesn’t prove anything! Are you trying to tell me that the dice are magic?”
That’s exactly what I’m telling you, pony whose special talent is magic! Those dice warp reality in his favor, so we need a pair of dice just as good to beat it.
>Apple Jack intervenes.
>“Anon. I’m not saying I don’t believe you, but if those dice were really magic, don’t you think Anon would be using them on something more important than a children’s board game?”
…No.
>Suddenly, a loud swooce passes our left.
>“What was that?” says Spike as he clings to Twilight’s neck.
>A slight hiss can be heard, as a pair of large, yellow eyes piece through the distant fog.

---

>Hidden amongst the trees and bushes, we see three Apple Goblins sleeping nearby. A male in the grass, another on a tree, and a young girl, resting in his lap with a half-eaten apple in her stubby green claws.
Those three will be your first targets.
>Sweetie Belle speaks. “Are you sure we should attack them? It’s not like they did anything wrong.”
Sweetie, they’re Apple Goblins. They deserve to be attacked by the basis of existing. Besides, they’re getting too close to my base for comfort. Now, how will you three attack?
>Scootaloo tells him, “Three of them, three of us. A strong attack from each of us should take them down easily.”
>Apple Bloom disagrees.
>“That’s too risky. I could weaken all three of them with an elemental attack.”
>“If it hits.”
>“It will hit!”
[These things have a capped defense of 10, it’d be impossible not to hit]
>The slight outburst causes a grumble from the goblin in the grass, as he slowly begins to turn to the noise.
Best act quickly.
(You honestly prefer Apple Bloom’s idea, but Scootaloo announces, “I’ll use a mini-bomb.” Before she can say anything. One of her five items is used, giving a +20 attack to a roll of 58.)
>Before Apple Bloom can even pull out her rod, Scootaloo throws a bomb with her wing that explodes against the stomach of the dumb creature.
>“Whaaah!” he yells as he rolls back, in the fetal position.
>Good strike, but with a defense cap of 10, he only takes 68 points of damage; not enough to break his 75 HP.
>The other goblins quickly spring awake, with the young girl yelling, “What’s going on?” as she sees her friend curled up in pain.
>She tries to run before getting a face full of lightning at the hooves of Apple Bloom.
(You’re not gonna use an ability?
>“Well…one of them’s already pretty low, so I might as well save my mana for when it seems more important.
>Her confidence is shot.
How many battles are we doing anyways?”
Just enough for someone to possibly lose.)
The last goblin takes to his feet as Sweetie Belle charges to ram him with her horn. He however, pulls out a staff, and slams her across the face, taking away 21 or 100 HP.
>“Ouch! You big JERK!”
>Sweetie punctuates the comment with a disappointing jab to the stomach. The fem goblin then tackles Sweetie Belle, removing another 10 HP as she falls to the ground.
>Scootaloo tries to go in and help, but the goblin she attacked grabs at her leg, for a whole 3 points of damage.
>“Back off!”
>Scootaloo gives the monster a K.O. stomp to the face, before the scrappy goblin girl runs in and drop kicks her to the ground.
(Sweetie Belle. You’ve taken quite a bit of damage. I recommend you use “Expert Guard”.
>“But I’ve got a +10 attack. I think Apple Bloom should guard since she’s the weakest. I’ll attack from there.”
…Very well.)
>Despite the suggestion of her superior, Sweetie Bell strikes the male goblin, giving a fair 31 point of damage, before getting another staff to the face for 14.
>She’s now chipped a tooth.
>The blow knocks Sweetie to the ground, and with a new phase beginning she gets a crude kick to the stomach for 9 damage. It’s then that Sweetie gives out a sharp, “HELP” clutching at her mouth as her body curls defensively.
>Apple Bloom yells out for her friend, and in a slight panic, goes back on what she said of conserving her mana.
>“Please let this work” she thinks to herself as she raises her rod to the air, and it begins forming a dense ball of fire.
>The result is almost immediate as she casts the previously failed move, ‘Crackling Flame’. The ball quickly explodes into a dense, burning mist that maxes damage for both targets at 40, and inflicts +3 burning for the next 7 turns. The latter isn’t needed however, as the remaining goblins quickly suffocate in their burning surroundings, and they collapse in the now darkened grass; singed from the inside out.
>As the mist begins to clear, the two fillies see their disgruntled Elementalist, huffing through her nostrils at the immediate forced action.
>“Whoa,” says Scootaloo as she tosses the extra crispy female off of her. “I didn’t know you could do THAT.”
>“Well I WOULD’VE if you didn’t rush in!”
>Scootaloo waves the notion off, casually telling her, “Whatever. We won and that’s what matters. Right Sweetie Belle?”
>Sweetie Belle staggers quite a bit, as she works herself to her hooves.
>“I-I don’t feel too good. Scootaloo, do you have any apples?”
>“Yyyeah.” She turns her head away as she mentions, “But I was kinda saving that to use as a weapon. Don’t worry though. You’ll be fine, and I’ll give you the apple when you /really/ need it.”
>“Oh…okay.”
>With the three foes defeated, Anon walks into the scene, and announces to the party,
Well, for your first battle, that, was…terrible.

Current standings:
Apple Bloom: 80/80 HP, 45/60 MP
Scootaloo: 76/90 HP, 90/100 MP, 4 Remaining Items
Sweetie Belle: 46/100 HP, 30/30 MP

---

>From the darkness, a needlessly muscular red dragon walks into the scene; at least 8 feet tall, with wild and jagged red spikes that sort of look like a pompadour.
>“You!” he says with a point.
What, me?
>“Not you! The kid on the alicorn.”
>Spike begins to stiffen for…some reason.
>“Whadda you think your doin’ with these pony folks?”
>“Uh. I-I’m, well, uh.”
>Pinkie defensively takes front as she tells the dragon, “We’re his friends, /buddy/!”
>“No ponies allowed near the badlands. No SISSY traitor dragons either.”
Now when you say “no ponies” are there any acceptations to that? Because we’re actually looking for a horse that-
>A stream of fire suddenly erupts from the dragon’s mouth near your shoes, causing you to jump back with a yelp.
>“You’ve got ten seconds to get ya little friends out of here, or things are gonna get ugly.”
>Fluttershy’s voice gets terribly harsh as she practically snarls out the phrase, “Don’t bully our little Anon, you meany!” but Dash reacts much more aggressively than you’d have wished, flying straight to his chin, and delivering a buck. The blow causes him to stumble back into a few trees, but it’s by no means a knockout.
>“Somepony get Anon cover!” she yells back as the dragon rubs his chin with a smirk.
>“Oi, oi,” he says rising to his feet. “You’re tough.”
>The dragon then takes to the air with his massive wings, and announces, “But you’ll have to train anotha 100 years if you want to beat me!”
>He then begins spouting more flames that Dash evasively flies around, and sure enough, they begin dogfighting in the sky. I’m almost in aww of them before Rarity grabs my attention.
>“Come on Darling. Let’s hide you somewhere safe.”
Wait.
>You pull out your katana.
I wanna help.
>“Darling, please. You’re just a child.”
I’M A PRETEEN!
>Spike runs over and announces, “I’m coming too!” as he covers his head from a fireball that nearly hits.
>“Me and other dragons don’t get along too well.”
>Magically, Rarity begins dragging you two across the muck, much to your pleas and protest,
Let me go! I’m a serious swordfighter. I can do this!
She soon takes you to a large boulder by a few trees for you three, and places you in the dirt.
>“Don’t worry,” says Rarity, “I’m certain the others can handle this just fine without you.”
>You begin peering over the rock, and you see Rainbow Dash in a headlock, getting noogied as fire rains down against a shield Twilight made. Fluttershy…well, they’re a bit too far in the air to properly hear, but she’s trying to talk him down like she did with the Owlbear, while also not getting burnt.
>Something about the way that guy noogies seems so reminiscent of your brother. If only you invited him along. An archer could really help get him down.

---

>With the ability ‘Chimerical Union’, Scootaloo uses both her Zap Petal and last mini-bomb, to produce an unnatural charged explosive that she launches at the dwarf scout with her wing.
>“Catch!”
>Bopping him right on the forehead, the two weapons combine into a +35 attack of 107 that explodes into an all-consuming thunderbolt that nearly causes your creature’s heart to stop.
>With little life left in him, the poor guy collapses to the ground, letting out a garglish shriek before losing consciousness.
>With the second scout handled, Scootaloo declares, “Great job everypony!”

Current standings:
Apple Bloom: 52/80 HP, 15/60 MP
Scootaloo: 76/90 HP, 70/100 MP, 1 Remaining Item
Sweetie Belle: 22/100 HP, 30/30 MP

>Sweetie Belle gives a weak, “Yaaay” as she lays in the grass, having taken a nasty sledgehammer to the spine.
(>“Anon,” says Apple Bloom with an upset scowl, “how come you keep attacking my character, but not Scootaloo? That’s not fair.”
Sorry Sweetie, but you’re currently the most important filly to take down. Don’t worry though. There’s only one enemy left, and I’m certain the ‘leader’ will know what to do, to keep everyone safe.
>“R-right,” says Sweetie Belle with a nod.
>“Naturally,” adds Scootaloo.
Now then…)
>It seemed like the ponies would have a moment to catch their breaths, but little did they realize that the cry of that scout was a call for help. With his experience, Anon assumed this would happen well in advance, but he remains silent; hidden in the trees and bushes as he hears the audible stomps of a figure approaching from the distance.
>Apple Bloom turns to the sound and announces, “What the hay was that?” as the others quickly pick up on what she’s hearing. Suddenly, the culprit burst forth from the bushes; Dojo: The Paradoxical Giant Dwarf.
>Standing at a colossal five and a half feet, 250 pounds of mostly fat with muscular forearms, and a thick plate of armor, this pudgy pounder is a defensive nightmare with a club as powerful as his appetite.
HP: 70, DEF: 65 capped
>“WHO HARMED MY BROTHERS!” yells the beast as saliva flies out from his mouth.
>“She did it!” yells Apple Bloom, pointing at Scootaloo.
>“Apple Bloom?!”
>The beast howls out as he rushes at Scootaloo, who clumsily pulls an apple out of her giant satchel with her teeth to attack, but she’s not fast enough to prepare herself.
>Luckily, Anon’s an assassin class.
>A sudden explosion of smoke blinds the dwarf and three fillies, before Anon swoops in at unprecedented speed, scooping Scootaloo under his arm. In a matter of seconds, he’s already grabbed Sweetie by the back of her pants, and Apple Bloom by her hood, and before the dwarf can even comprehend what’s in front of him, Anon’s already left the scene.
>The three are amazed by how fast Anon is, as he sprints away to a nearby river, and drops the three to the grass.
This seems safe.
>Apple Bloom asks as she rises to her hooves, “What’d you just do?”
I gave you a ‘Preemptive Strike’ for free. Now listen. That dwarf had a solid armor plating. You need to bring your best if you even want to faze him. Think while you have the chance.
>“WHERE ARE YOU,” announces the beast as tries to track their location.
>Sweetie Belle says with a plea, “Scootaloo, I need your apple.”
>“B-but we have a preemptive strike! This apple could make a good weapon.”
>“But I’m really hurt! I don’t think I can take another hit.”
>Apple Bloom’s been pretty passive for a lot of this quest, but she finally intervenes and tells Scootaloo, “Sweetie Belle’s right. Give her the apple.”
>“But then how will /I/ fight?”
>“This isn’t about you! You’ve got plenty of health, so you’ll have way more chances to attack than Sweetie. Sweetie, I need you to use ‘Expert Guard’.”
>“Shouldn’t I Concentrate first?”
>“It’s too risky! Just trust me!”
>The bickering ponies give away their location, as the dwarf breaks through a series of branches and foliage, before appearing on the scene.
>“There you are, my little ponies.”
>“Trust me,” says Apple Bloom to Scootaloo before pulling out her rod.
>There’s a bit of a huff from Scootaloo, but she agrees with a, “Fine!” before tossing the apple from her teeth to Sweetie. The desperate mare devours it within a few seconds, bringing her health to 47/100.
>Not sure why they aren’t running, the dwarf rises his weapon and announces, “Get ready for a world of hurt!”
>As the dwarf charges in, Sweetie Belle listens to Apple Bloom and uses ‘Expert Guard’; an ability that gives her +30 defense until the end of her third move.
>“TAKE, THIS!”
>Seeming the most injured, the dwarf brings down his mighty club with unprecedented force for Sweetie Belle. To his surprise however, she manages to sidestep the attack. He then gives a sweeping motion across her side, but she leaps over it gracefully.
>Dojo’s then fired in the back with an icy blast from Apple Bloom, but the attack doesn’t faze his armor.
>Scootaloo tells her, “Why didn’t you use an ability?!”
>“I only have one left. I need to make it count.”
>Scootaloo doesn’t get the fleeting nature of her 6 turn effects, but she doesn’t dwell on it as she runs in and gives the beast a stern kick for a whole 4 points of damage.
>“Man he’s tough!” exclaims Scootaloo, as the second phase starts.
>With Sweetie protected, you roll to attack Apple Bloom, who’s currently the biggest threat.
(Hoping for dat crit!)
>You blow the dice, and shake them vigorously before releasing them to the table. You don’t get the crit you were hoping for, but with a roll of 61 versus a rolls a 27, you do knock her down to a dangerous state of 18 HP.
>Apple Bloom is body slammed under the massive weight of a Dojo’s stomach, before being thrown by the tail, into the river.
>“Apple Bloom!” yells Scootaloo.
>The creature begins to laugh at Scootaloo’s pitiful cry, which fills her heart with an unprecedented rage that none had seen from her before.
>Scootaloo runs in like a mad mare, and begins swinging as hard as her little hooves can at the dwarf, but it only chips away at his health until he’s down by another 8 points.
>The entire time, he laughs heartily at her efforts, reveling in his powerful defense.
>“I think I’ll go back to your little monk fri-“
>The sentence is cut off as the dwarf is soon hits with a powerful jolt of lightening that glimmers a beautiful silver across the field, from the river.
>It’s such an amazing sight, that it actually grinds Sweetie Belle to a halt, who was just about to run in and attack.
>The dwarf is stunned in literally shock, having taken 12 points of damage, and lost 10 defense, bringing him down to a new cap of 55.
>The others then look to the river, as they see Apple Bloom shamble her way out of the water. Rather than strike, the two mares run to their friend, giving her cold, damp body a warming hug.
>Sweetie Belle announces, “I can’t believe you’re okay!” with a punctuating crack of her voice.
>“Yeah, I’m fine. Sweetie Belle, Concentrate before attacking. That’s why ah’ wanted your defense up.”
>“Oooh. That makes sense.”
>She accordingly does so, as her horn begins to gather mana.
>With a new phase starting, the still jittery Dojo angrily stomps to the three mares and proclaims to Apple Bloom, “You’re stronger than you look, BUT I’M STILL STRONGEST!”
>Aiming to rid both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo before her meditation can pay off, you use ‘Whirlwind Strike’; a move that can attack an enemy and two adjacent enemies at once.
>With a baseball-like stance, your dwarf readies his club, before beginning to spin in a cartoonishly fast fashion towards the three with an attack of 72.
>“WATCH OUT!” yells Scootaloo, and though Apple Bloom simply out-rolled you, for the sake of drama in narrative, Scootaloo pushes the injured Apple Bloom out of the way, and takes the impact head on with a surprisingly low roll of 21. Her health takes a staggering drop to 22, as she’s blasted past the river, into a tree. Sweetie’s roll is hardly better at 24, but with her +30 boost to her defense, she manages to hold on with a whole 4 points of health, though she now has a cracked rib, and half a face covered in dirt.
>Dojo gives a frustrated wail having not ended a single pony, as Scootaloo recomposes herself, and runs in for a head-butt. Despite the drop, the attack fails, and the dwarf takes a comical leap out of the way, rolling away from her, and giving further distance from Sweetie Belle.
>“Now!” yells Scootaloo. “Attack.”
>Now, you’d think Sweetie Belle would do the obvious thing and attack, but to your surprise, she begins meditating EVEN MORE to stack her attack to +50.
>Apple Bloom yells out as the dwarf rises and the new phase starts, “What are ya doing?!”
>“PLAYING A RISKY GAME!” she says as her horn grows to the size of a great sword, and her defensive buff ends.
(You’ve got guts Sweetie Belle. If you can beat out my roll for initiative, then your plus will more than cancel by defense. If not…well, let’s hope you can beat out my attack.
>Apple Bloom tells her, “If you mess up this roll, I’m gonna be sooo mad!”
>“Don’t worry,” she says as you begin eying her. “I-I, won’t”
Okay then. Rolling to attack first.
>You give the dice a hardy shake, with both hands, and rather than roll, you slam your palm to the table, revealing the results.
Sixty-three?! I was hoping for at least an 81.
>As Sweetie Belle looks at your green dice, and back to the pink dice you gave them, she lets out an audible breath, as her hoof begins to tremble against the table.
Well, Sweetie Belle?
>You take a bite of an apple cookie as she hesitates, but eventually she goes, “Aw the hay with it,” and tosses the dice with what weak magic her horn can produce. The roll seems to dance across the table for an especially long time, but eventually they get their number.
>“EIGHTY-FOUR!” she says as her voice cracks, “I GOT AN EIGHTY-FOUR!”
Dang.)
>Dojo leaps to the air with his club to clobber the barely abled Sweetie Belle, and announces, “I won’t fail!”
>He then pulls the most powerful swing he can muster, sending it directly to her skull. It seemed like it would end her, but to his amazement, the weapon shatters into bits of wood as the base breaks against her mana-enriched horn.
>“NO!”
>Shocked, he begins to back away, as the filly’s horn grows further, surpassing him in height before she responds,
>“YES!”
>In a swift motion, Sweetie Belle charges forward like a freight train, crashing herself directly into his chest plate. The struggle seems nearly nonexistent, as the plating breaks apart on contact, and she passes through into his soft belly.
>The air quickly leaves his chest, as she begins jetting forward, and it all ends with a push of the head that send him airborne.
>“THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!” he yells as he’s launched into the sky and over the trees. “NOOOOooo-”
>A loud crash is heard far off, sending the birds from nearby trees to scatter through the sky. Their master Anon waits a moment for some kind of action to occur, but eventually, he comes to the conclusion,
Dojo, the Paradoxical, has been defeated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mudEn-dRGg

---
>The three fillies jump with well-deserved joy and comfort at their victory, cheering their hearts out at the incredibly clutch 94 point attack Sweetie Belle rolled. Sure, the damage cap is at 70, but it’s still more than enough to take Dojo down.
Alright, alright girls. Calm down already.
>It’s not immediate, but the three do eventually calm themselves.
Well, I’ve got to admit, I didn’t think you three could do it, but you all made it through without dying. This is usually the part where I give some kind of cute epilogue before ending the game, but this wasn’t an official quest, so you won’t get one until then. Now, how about those evaluations.
>The three nod and agree upon wanting to hear your feedback.
So, let’s start with Sweetie Belle, since she’s the one that won the day for you three.
>Her smile is as radiant as her sparkling eyes, and the flattered blush of her cheeks only highlights her snow white fur. Darn it this is a cute mare.
I’ve got to admit, you’ve got one heck of a good roll. You’re easily the best roller of your group, and you can take pride in having that to rub in your sister’s face.
>“Yes!” she says to herself, with a hoof-pump.
I gave you the monk to test your initiative as the team’s go to attacker, and I must say, you satisfied, but you failed to truly utilize the idea of your own defense.
>“…Oh.”
>Her expression drops a little.
>If you weren’t flat-out told to defend, I doubt you three would’ve won. Scootaloo,
>Her ears rise, slightly alert.
Your rush in, beat down attitude isn’t necessarily bad. Depending on the enemy, it can save a lot of trouble and a lot of potential damage. Your problem however, is that you mistake brute force as strategy, and you were more interested in the short term success of your items, as opposed to the benefits they could give in the long term. I made you an Alchemist to see how you’d play with a wide range of options, and you fell into the exact same problems I had expected. Apple Bloom.
>She backs away slightly, anticipating the dig.
I’m not going to lie. You’re not very good at rolling, and your attacks often came out weak, if they’d come out at all.
>“Ah’m sorry Anon.”
You’re also too passive with your team. Even if you didn’t care about being a leader, you still need to stick by your suggestions if you’re positive it’ll work.
>“I agree,” she passively says.
As a player, I’m a little skeptical on you’re performance. But what you lack in luck, you make up in class knowledge, and strategy. I wouldn’t want you as a partner, but I don’t think I’d mind having you as a leader.
>“…Wait.”
>Her eyes open slightly, as a small grin begins to form on your face.
>“Does that mean…”
Congratulation’s Apple Bloom. You’re the official leader for The Cutie Mark Crusaders.

---

>As Twilight magically ties Applejack’s lasso around a tree branch, the dragon begins to flail about in the air to break his foot free, as Fluttershy pries Dash free of his grip. The moment the two escape, he’s blasted in the face out of nowhere, by an explosion of confetti.
>You remember Pinkie mentioning once that she brings that cannon of hers everywhere, but you can’t possibly comprehend where she’s been keeping that this whole time.
>“Oi! You think confetti’s gonna hurt me?!”
>“No,” she says from the ground with a sincere smile. “It’s supposed to cheer you up.”
>Another blast comes to his face, only serving to aggravate him.
>“Ya crazy dame!”
>Rather than focus on the others, pompadour dragon takes from the air to Pinkie, breaking the rope, crashing his foot onto the cannon, and causing it to explode into a blinding field of balloons, confetti. Pinkie’s knock hard from the explosion, and the decorative smoke takes the view of nearly everyone fighting.
Now’s my chance!
>Against Rarity’s wishes, you run from the cover of the boulder, wielding your katana as you enter the smoke.
>As you run, with only the vague idea where he was as guidance, you try to remember everything you were taught when you first trained for the shogun cosplay. Your words of honor; your teachings of euphoria; everything you’ve gained put into this one swift motion of my EdgeMaster’s Katana.
I shall slay you foul dragon!
>You swing your sword as hard as your arms can muster, and you feel the blade drive deep into the dragon’s body.
>He gives a nearly earsplitting wail as the motion is completed, but you don’t cover your ears. You need to stay in your cool guy pose, or this whole thing would’ve been pointless.
“Tch, too easy,” you say, remembering what your teacher taught you.
>The smoke begins to slowly clear, and only then are you able to see your handiwork.
>At the head of your enemy, you’ve cut clean through his pompadour.
>“My ‘do’!” he says clutching at his broken spikes. “Oh no. I can’t be caught looking like THIS!”
>He gives a sharp growl for you, before taking off into the air. “Y-you’ll pay for this little man! Once I file my spikes into a new ‘do’, YOU’LL PAY!”
>He leaves in pure humiliation, as you sheath your sword and announce to the others,
Did I look cool?!
>Rarity announces from the rock, “Very!” as the others gather back together.
>Apple Jack tells you, “Great job handlin’ that, Anon. That varmint broke my favorite rope.”
>“At least you didn’t get noogied,” responds Dash as she slowly walks over. “UGH, my head feels like a drum in a marching band!”
Ooh! I’ve got just the thing!
>You reach into your backpack, and after a little bit of rummaging, pull out that golden pear the Owlbear gave you.
Tada! He said it cures any injury, so it’s gotta do something for headaches. You and Pinkie can split it.
>You would’ve cut it yourself, but Twilight magically breaks it down the middle, sending one half to Dash, and the other to the confetti encrusted floor-Pie.
>In such a state Twilight can’t help but asks, “Are you going to be okay Pinkie?” and though it’s delayed, Pinkie eventually gives it.
>With a joyful giggle, she tells to Twilight in a fake whisper, “I still have a spare Party Cannon,” and begins munching on her pear, still slumped on her back.
>It takes a bit for everyone to get back in shape, but sure enough, the journey continues until…
Peridot.
>Twilight’s shocked. She certainly sees it, but,
>“I don’t believe it.”
The Peridot road! I knew we’d find it again! In your FACE Twilight Sparkle!
>You begin sprinting ahead, despite not knowing how far you still have to go. Rarity pleads for you to slow down, but you can’t help it. You’re too excited!
>After a couple of minutes, you see it.
>Hidden in the distance of fog, you see a crude little home of stone, unimpressive in design and weathered with age.
>Dash asks from your side, in an almost unconvinced matter, “Is this it?”
>With its cracked windows, and poor demeanor, you’d almost assumed it was abandoned, but there seems to be a source of light inside.
Only one way to find out.
>Hoping for the best, you knock on the wooden door and announce to the inside.
Hello. Is anypony home? Preferably one that can make dice?
>The other side is silent for a concerningly long time, before you all receive a response, from a dry, middle aged colts voice.
>“Ye be dragons?”
…No?
>From the other side, we can hear several locks being undone, before the door slowly opens, revealing a graying colt, with a short mane and wild beard of brown, and a mustard fur tone.
>“Come in.”