Somber #7

[18:12:42]	Somber	Wanderlust and Shimmershy had both had a long night. They're reunited together in the parlor of the manor. Sweet Tea has teas and cakes ready and says quite cheerfully, "Is anypony famished? I know I am!" She says as she munched quite happily on a cake. The other unicorns eat silently, all of them looking nervous and doing their best to cover it up.
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[18:15:07]	Shimmershy	smiled in the early morning air. "no thank you. I'm fine." She shook her head. "I'm hoping we'll be able to get back on the road sooner, rather than later. Though I would very much like some of the leaves you use to make your tea. I have some friends who do so adore tea. And it's so hard to find in the wastes!"
[18:16:34]	Wanderlust	is feeling rather hungry, but isn't about to trust any of the food or drink after what he's been through. "Thank you, but if Shimmershy wants to get back on the road soon it would be poor form for me to keep her from her plans. Perhaps another time."
[18:17:28]	Somber	"Well, it's a very special blend and my own secret recipe. Why, I don't think there's a pony in the wasteland who knows exactly how to make it. But thank you for asking," she said genially. Her smile doesn't waver in the slightest. "Oh, well I'm sorry to hear that, Wanderlust. But I'm sure that you'll be wanting to come back any day, now that you've had
[18:18:13]	a taste of a real unicorn society." The green unicorn who looked particularly tough coughed once and glanced at Shimmershy, as if trying to remind her of something.
[18:23:22]	Shimmershy	tapped her chin and smiled. "Well, yes. And that's what makes it valuable! Why, just think, you'd be the only purveyor of your particular kind of tea in the entire wastes. Everypony who wanted it would beat a path to your door. And I bet they'd give almost anything to have more of it, at that." She giggled a moment, tapping her chin. "Oh, there was a little something else.
[18:23:23]	You see, the reason I came here in the first place was that I had heard you grew Sacraflax. Which some ponies I know believe they can use in a remedy to help victims of the madwood. Now, I know you here at New Unicornia would never turn down the chance to help your fellows, even if they aren't beneath your own roof, so I'm certain you can understand the value of such a thing. Both
	in the good will it would generate, and more importantly in the chance for gems and caps!" She smiled happily to Sweet Tea.
[18:25:17]	Wanderlust	stands by and observes the room, trying to seem more relaxed than he was.
[18:28:24]	Somber	"Hmmmm..." she cupped her hoof under her chin in thought. "Well, normally I'd cut you a discount, but unfortunately rules are rules and Sancraflax is a pretty pricy item. Takes two years for the plant to get fully established, but it's just the thing for folks suffering from psychological ailments. I can sell you some for.... mmmm... five hundred caps."
[18:29:04]	She gives shimmer a sweet smile. "Of course, I'd never charge a full pledged member of the society a single cap if they really needed it."
[18:32:58]	Shimmershy	frowned slightly and tilted her head to one side. "Oh dear. But if I pledge myself to this place and staying here with you, I could hardly leave to espouse the virtues of the New Unicornia way, now could I?" She taps her chin. "I can give you two hundred fifty, and the rest when I return with the profits."
[18:35:20]	Somber	But Sweet Tea just sighs and shakes her head sadly. "Sorry. No can do, sugar cube. But the offer stands open, if you're ever interested in joinin us." She gave a smirk at Wanderlust. "I just bet we're gonna be seeing you soon, honeybun. Sure hope so. And I'll give Rawhide yer regards."
[18:37:44]	Shimmershy	frowns, contemplating that a few moments. "I see. That's most saddening. Well, I suppose I may as well ask. Just what would pledging our allegiance to New Unicornia involve? After all, I can hardly in good conscience agree to something without knowing what it will do!"
[18:39:20]	Somber	"Ya just have to sign a piece of paper pledging to follow the rules. I bake a cake. There's punch. It's a huge party. Everypony has fun. Right?" She asked the others, and they enthusiastically nod.
[18:43:32]	Shimmershy	contemplates a few moments, making a show of it before finally shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I just can't. As much as I would love to stay in your wonderful little slice of wasteland, a proper trader can't be biased towards just one group, after all!" She sighs and shakes her head. "Thank you anyway. I'm sure we'll be back someday, maybe then you'll share some of your
[18:43:33]	special tea blend and Sacraflax with us." She waves a forehoof. "For now we should be off, though."
[18:45:25]	Somber	Sweet tea looks a little bit irked, but covers it up. "I'm sure you will. Sooner than you think. Let me show you to the door." She said as she rose and escorted them to the entrance, returning their weapons to them and opening the door with a pleased smile.
[18:46:22]	Shimmershy	smiles back to Sweet Tea, "Thank you very much. We'll be back someday soon, I'm sure." She heads out through the doorway and down the path until they were far enough that those at the walls couldn't see the pair any more.
[18:46:30]	Wanderlust	gives a stiff bow to Sweet Tea and follows Shimmershy out the door without another word.
[18:49:38]	Shimmershy	turned to wanderlust once they were far enough away, frowning slightly. "Did you drink the tea..? It's... It's kindof important to know..." Rubbing one foreleg against the other nervously.
[18:52:34]	Wanderlust	nods. "I drank some water that was laced with something. I didn't have much choice, considering that I spent the better part of yesterday baking alive in a metal box.I think I'm okay though." He looks at her. "/you/ didn't drink anything did you?"
[18:54:20]	Shimmershy	frowns and shakes her head. "N-no... And... And you won't feel it for now either... Not until tomorrow, I think. Th-that's the way it works. When you don't get the antidote or keep getting the drug, y-you'll lose the ability to use magic and end up paralyzed o-or dead in just a few days... W-we need to get back to Headless, then on to Olives as soon as we can..."
[18:56:12]	Wanderlust	flinches. "I hope I'm right then. I'm not about to let whatever that was get the better of me that easy."
[18:56:51]	Somber	The two return swiftly to Headless, ariving in the late morning. They manage to put their pumpkins on before the headless horse appeared. When they arrived, Night Wind and Edna were in the kitchen with granny. Apparently the Bell Weed had done Rowan some good. She was no longer trying to fellate every stallion around her, but the tan mare was very
[18:57:31]	confused, slipping into fugues and forgetting who they were, or who she was.
[19:05:18]	Wanderlust	walks into the kitchen looking more than a little down. He looks up at Rowan and is happy to see that she seems better, or at least no longer inclined to have sex with him. He gives a halfhearted smile to Night Wind and Edna. "It looks like you found what you were looking for, nice job..."
[19:05:51]	Edna_Stonetalon	"Any luck on your end Wander? You look like shit"
[19:06:33]	Somber	Rowan blinked at him. "I was looking for something? Wait... do I know you? You seem kinda familiar... I usually remember hot stallions... I think..." she blinked at Edna. "Who's Wander?"
[19:08:03]	Shimmershy	shook her head, lowering her head worriedly. shuffling a forehoof. "W-we didn't get anything... Sh-she wanted five hundred caps. But... But I'm more worried about Wanderlust..." She sighs quietly and bites her lower lip. "I... Um... W-we need to get to Olives, quickly. I don't... I don't think anyone else is likely to know how to help. Unless granny does, by some small
	miracle..."
[19:08:22]	Night_Wind	turns to Rowan and explains, "Wander is a friend of ours. He was with us on the expedition, remember?"
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[19:18:59]	Wanderlust	blushes at the compliment but reminds himself it's probably just the conditioning talking.
[19:25:00]	Edna_Stonetalon	"Oh yeah Wander. Found a raider with some 5.56mm on em. Your gun takes these right?" offering him said rounds
[19:28:43]	Wanderlust	nods. "Oh, thanks, I was starting to get worried I'd run out." He opens his saddlebag to store them away and finds a small bottle with... "Tea?" He pulls it out as he puts the bullets away. "Not sure how that got in there but that makes our lives a lot easier."
[19:29:52]	Edna_Stonetalon	"Whats that about tea?"
[19:29:53]	Night_Wind	brightens at the sight of the tea. "Oh, with a proper lab, we could analyze that. Olives! They're scientists, so they must have labs!"
[19:30:31]	Shimmershy	nods her head to Wanderlust. "M-maybe one of the local ponies was trying to help you..?" She sighs quietly and looks up to Edna. "Um... Th-the pony who rules New Unicornia, Sweet Tea, sh-she uses tea to prevent her 'followers' from dieing. Sh-she poisons them, then puts an antidote in the tea, I think..."
[19:31:50]	Edna_Stonetalon	facetalons hard "I need a notebook so I can write down all the reasons why I hate this fucking place"
[19:32:33]	Wanderlust	keeps his expression even. "Well, at least we can do something about this part of it."
[19:37:46]	Somber	After numerous talks, Granny admits she doesn't have one fangled idea about poisons and cures and that junk. So the decision is made to go to Olives. Vine offers them a box. "Got one of Granny's pies in there. It might help you get in if Corkscrew is being onery. Olives... well... they're kinda stuck up in their own way. Not much fer outsiders.
[19:38:03]	But I reckon they're decent nuff ponies in their own way."
[19:38:44]	Shimmershy	nods her head and smiles. "Th-thank you very much. I hope we can find some help there..."
[19:41:07]	Somber	On their way out, they spot the headless horse, jet black in the distance, watching them with its missing head. It then screams and races off to the north. A little ways to the south they come across an old road that seems fairly well traveled.
[19:41:23]	At this rate, they should make excellent time...
[19:42:23]	Night_Wind	flutters along, a few feet off the ground. She's less clumsy in the air after all.
[19:44:59]	Somber	They make good time. Here and there they come across actual life; copses of thorny trees and bushes. Patches of tough grass. All of it risky to eat of course...
[19:48:53]	Edna_Stonetalon	hears a distant 'boom' coming from the tower, followed shortly by a dark cloud coming towards the group "Well that looks good. I think we got incoming!" pointing to the approaching cloud
[19:49:48]	Wanderlust	follows the others silently and staring at the ground. His mind on New Unicornia and those ponies stuck in what he could only think of as hell. And then there was that colt... He's shaken from his brooding by a quiet boom coming from the tower. He looks up to see the same dark cloud Edna had just mentioned. "We can't catch a break can we?" He mumbles, pulling his rifle
[19:49:49]	out though he doesn't know what good it would do.
[19:49:52]	Somber	Indeed. The cloud undulated in waves, stretching out like fingers in their general direction. In a few minutes, they were going to be in the middle of a blight once again.
[19:51:09]	Edna_Stonetalon	facetalons "Have I mentioned I hate this place? Night Wind Shields up this is gunna suck!"
[19:51:32]	Night_Wind	gasps and looks up as Eddie points and her pupils shrink. "Everyone, gather around me!"
[19:51:36]	Shimmershy	looks up towards that big cloud moving their way, shuffling a forehoof against her foreleg. "W-we should get close to the shield and keep moving as fast as we can... Before the rain, and blight, grows..."
[19:52:27]	Wanderlust	moves close to Night Wind and grumbles about the whole world going mad.
[19:52:50]	Edna_Stonetalon	runs over to Fumbles
[19:54:39]	Night_Wind	waits until the others are close to her then concentrates and pops her shield into place around them. Without having to shield a wagon, it's easier than when they came to Appleanta, but still... "We should get moving now! We don't know what type of blight that will be and my magic may not stop it fully."
[19:55:57]	Edna_Stonetalon	"Lets get moving! If I didn't know better I would say this was aimed at us"
[19:56:00]	Somber	Five minutes later, it begins to rain... but this rain isn't black like ink. It's white like milk. It streaks along the shield and disappears into the ground and instantly grass begins to sprout. And trees. And flowers. It was impossible to move forward and not be trotting in the strange, luminesent fluid. They'd have to wait for the rain to stop.
[19:57:59]	Night_Wind	glances at the others as she comes to a stop in the pooling rain. "I'm not sure we should risk touching that, but...how long do you think this rain will last?"
[19:58:06]	Shimmershy	bites her lower lip, looking around them. "Um... H-how long do you think you can keep your shield up..?"
[19:59:02]	Somber	All around them a pale immitation of life was springing up, cutting off their line of sight. But even odder... the road they were trotting on was.... mending. The cracks and breaks closed into a smooth surface. They saw a crumbled foundation slowly build up from the ground, as if the building were sprouting just like the trees!
[20:01:29]	Wanderlust	lets his jaw drop a little as he watches the buildings rebuild themselves. "How...?" Is all he can manage to say.
[20:01:58]	Edna_Stonetalon	"And then the building tried to eat Fumbles head"
[20:03:42]	Somber	The rain continued on for half an hour, tiny luminesent drops pouring down. They heard a shriek of laughter as two young mares and a colt raced by for the crumbled house. One of the glowing mares looked at the four and waved her hoof. "Hey ya'll! Git outta the middle o the street! Didn't yer momma teach ya a lick o sense?"
[20:04:42]	Shimmershy	blinks as the group rushes past, fidgeting nervously. "D-do you suppose the rain brought htem to life too..?"
[20:05:35]	Edna_Stonetalon	facetalon yet again "Oh fuck this place! Ghost!? I'm startin to think it ain't worth the bother"
[20:05:48]	Wanderlust	frowns. "If it did it's nothing more than a cruel joke,the growth didn't last before nad I doubt it'll last now..."
[20:05:55]	Wanderlust	*and
[20:07:11]	Somber	The rain slackened off and ended completely. They now found themselves standing in the midst of an immense glowing apple orchard. The milky puddles soaked into the ground within minutes. The colt poked his head out and pouted, "Awww... it stopped. I hoped it was gonna rain some more." The filly giggled and shoved him. "Yer an idjit. I think yer the
[20:07:54]	only pony without wings that likes the rain." The ground inside the shield was still broken and cracked, but everything else looked... whole.
[20:08:40]	Edna_Stonetalon	calls out to the strange glowing ponies "You lot know what just happened?"
[20:10:13]	Somber	The fillies looked at her a moment, then at each other, then at her again. "Uh... it rained? It does that from time t'time."
[20:10:54]	Edna_Stonetalon	"Yeah I get that. But that building weren't there when it started to rain"
[20:11:32]	Shimmershy	frowns, shaking her head. Speaking up a little. "Um... Wh-where are you two from..?"
[20:13:14]	Somber	They look at each other again. "Um... are you feelin okay? There's a Quik-kure right down the street ifin ya'll bumped yer noggin good er somethin." They looked at Shimmershy and looked just as concerned, "Uh... Appleanta?" One filly giggled. "Actually, I'm from Canterlot." And the colt piped up, "And I'm from... um... um.... Canterlot!" He grinned.
[20:13:26]	Night_Wind	just stares blankly at the seemingly impossible glimpse into the past. "This is it. This was what this part of Appleanta must have looked like. What kind of thing is this phage if it can do this even temporarily?" She glances down at her hooves noting the cracked ground. "We need to be careful. I don't know if this is even slightly real or a dangerous illusion."
[20:14:23]	Shimmershy	swallows nervously and looks at the ground, shuffling a forehoof. "O-oh... W-we should keep moving as soon as we can..."
[20:14:50]	Edna_Stonetalon	"Wander don't eat anything"
[20:15:00]	Somber	The first filly frowned. "Are ya'll okay? We can go get help if ya'll need it." Then she looked at Nightwind and her luminous eyes widened in amazement. "Oh... wow! It's... wait... is it Luna? It can't be princess Luna... can it?"
[20:16:25]	The colt poked his head inside and shouted, "Momma! Poppa! It's princess Luna!" A few seconds later, a mare and stallion emerged. "Applepatch, what are you carryin on..." the stallion began, but then froze in shock as he stared at the four. "Well... wallop my withers..."
[20:16:45]	Night_Wind	feels a surge of emotion within her - several actually - but quickly shakes her head. "Ah, no, no...not the Princess. I'm...well, I'm working with the Ministries of Peace and Arcane Science after a fashion."
[20:17:34]	Shimmershy	bites her lower lip, hanging her head. "W-we should really go.. B-before it's too late..."
[20:18:36]	Edna_Stonetalon	nods "Good idea Shimmer. Lets go before it wears off. Should stick to the road too"
[20:19:32]	Somber	the earth pony rubbed his mane in bafflement. "Wow... I didn't think the Onion would be right, but they really are making Alicorns, ain't they?" He looked at Edna with a concerned frown. "Well, I reckon ya'll got business goin on that's more important than us folk. I'd happily invite you to a slice of apple dumplins tho. Be a tale to tell, for certain."
[20:20:00]	Night_Wind	nods to the earth pony. "Yes, sir. It is
[20:22:05]	nods to the earth pony. "Yes, sir. It is Twilight's hope to create enough of my kind to protect Equestria if the worst should happen. Unfortunately, the process is not yet perfected." She turns to her companions and nods. "That is the advice we were given. If what we saw soaked into the ground...well, the pavement should be safest."
[20:23:38]	Wanderlust	gives the family a forlorn look. "Yeah, I dont want to see what happens when it wear off. Let's hurry."
[20:24:58]	Somber	The journey wasn't difficult at all. They trotted along easily enough. The glowing road sounded oddly hollow under their hooves, but it certainly wasn't difficult. The three ponies laughed as they trotted along beside the three, asking if they could become alicorns too... "well, only if I could be a boy alicorn..." the colt offered. A little further along
[20:27:05]	was an interchange with a mana station and a sky wagon. A radio played Sweetie Belle; the melody strange and wistful. Ponies chatted with each other as they went about their business, though the young ponies raced ahead and told every one to make way for Twilight Sparkle's special alicorn! There was quite a stir as the glowing ponies looked on at the four.
[20:27:37]	Edna too got quite a bit of looks. "She must be the purple one's body guard," some of them said.
[20:28:10]	Edna_Stonetalon	smiles awkwardly and waves as they walk on by
[20:28:31]	Wanderlust	stares intently at the ground.
[20:29:04]	Night_Wind	smiles at the colt trotting alongside them. "That's one of the small problems that hasn't yet been worked out. I used to be a stallion. It was...a bit of a shock. Still, many have sacrificed far more for Equestria." She turns and smiles at her small griffon friend. "Edna Stonetalon is a dear friend, you've no need to fear about that."
[20:30:23]	Somber	They look a little dubious, but are pleasant enough. The colt now is firmly against the idea. Being an alicorn? Awesome. Being a girl? Ewwwww!
[20:32:00]	The sharp eyed ones spot a pony who wasn't all glowing white. It was a dirty mare in wasteland garb who was staring at everything with a broken hearted look.
[20:32:45]	Shimmershy	bites her lower lip nervously, continuing onwards and doing her best to avoid looking at any of the ponies.
[20:33:02]	Edna_Stonetalon	"Hey Shimmer looks like thers a local in the crowd"
[20:33:15]	Wanderlust	notes the ragged pony. "Only thing real about any of this." He mutters under his breath, feeling increasingly depressed.
[20:33:16]	Night_Wind	brushes a wing against Eddie in a very pegasus sign of affection. "It has its good points. There are very smart people looking into the problem, make no mistake."
[20:34:11]	Shimmershy	looks up slowly, whimpering a little. "O-oh..." Trying to find the face in the crowd, but it seemed to just be getting more painful as she looked at the glowing poines. "I... I don't like it here..."
[20:35:28]	Edna_Stonetalon	blushes a bit and motions to the wasteland pony to come over to there group
[20:36:03]	Shimmershy	fidgets more, biting her lip and looking at the ground, face going more than a little scrunchy as she does.
[20:36:07]	Somber	A glowing white tractor pulling two trailers full of luminesent apples puffs on by. The wastelander doesn't acknowledge the gesture... either she didn't see it or she can't bear to go.
[20:37:01]	Edna_Stonetalon	"Hey! You mite want to stick to the road, you can travel with us if you want"
[20:37:13]	Night_Wind	hmms? and looks around for the odd pony out, her greater height giving her an advantage once she knows what to look for. "Oh, there she is. "Excuse me!" she calls out and waves a large wing at the mare.
[20:38:01]	Shimmershy	closes her eyes. "C-can we please go..."
[20:38:35]	Somber	Two glowing ponies noticed the ragged mare and immediately trotted over to help her. One offered her the nice hat she was wearing. The other asked if she needed something to eat. The wastelander bowed her head and started to weep.
[20:39:26]	Edna_Stonetalon	sighs "C'mon lets go get her. Can't leave em here"
[20:40:31]	Wanderlust	nods in agreement. "I'm with Shimmershy. Lets get her quick and get out of here. This isn't real, as much as we all wish it was."
[20:40:36]	Somber	A stallion trots up towards them. "Excuse me. I'm with Image. Is it true that you're with the M.A.S.? I didn't hear anything about... well... you! I thought there was a blackout on all M.A.S. news." He said as she looked at Night Wind and the others. The wastelander turned and started to walk slowly away.
[20:42:14]	Shimmershy	whimpers. "Can we please, please, please leave..." She shuffles her forehooves nervously, eyes still shut tight.
[20:43:21]	Night_Wind	tsks. "Oh dear, let me get her." She reaches out to carefully levitate the mare up over to them then turns to the stallion with a small smile. "You wouldn't. The project was very hush-hush and I wouldn't even be here if I didn't have important business with O-, ah, the university. We really must be on our way."
[20:47:28]	Somber	The stallion looks extremely skeptical and trots away towards a phone at the refueling station. When she levitates the mare, she doesn't struggle. She just says 'Leave me to die with them... I want to die with good ponies." The luminesent ponies look very worried about her now. "Wartime Fatigue" they start to murmur.
[20:48:12]	Shimmershy	looks up towards the wasteland pony being levitated over, nervously shuffling a forehoof against her other foreleg.
[20:48:30]	Edna_Stonetalon	"We should go in case who he's calling actually answers."
[20:49:42]	Shimmershy	swallows nervously. "W-why..? What happened..?" She looks up at the wasteland pony sadly, then down the road. "Please... Please we should go..."
[20:50:17]	Night_Wind	nods to the glowy ponies. "As I said, I'm working with the Ministry of Peace. I'll see she gets treatment." She turns to her friends. "Yes, let's go. The university awaits."
[20:50:25]	Wanderlust	scoffs at Edna's comment irritably. "This all existed hundreds of years ago, who could possibly respond to a phone call to someone who's probably been dead for centuries?"
[20:51:11]	Somber	"The University is that way." One offered helpfully, then offered an apple from the wagon.
[20:51:16]	Edna_Stonetalon	deadpans at Wander "Someone close by"
[20:51:51]	Wanderlust	just rolls his eyes and stops talking, deciding to stare at the road some more.
[20:51:53]	Shimmershy	bit her lower lip then thought of something. "Um... D-do any of you know about that... Correctional facility up the road a little ways..?" She waves a hoof off in the direction of New Unicornia.
[20:52:50]	Somber	"The MoM's agricultural reformation center?" a Stallion says. "Round here, folks just call it 'Pinkie's Farm.'
[20:54:19]	Shimmershy	shuffles her hoof a little more. "O-oh... Um.. I guess you don't really know much about it, then?" She sighed quietly. "Th-thanks anyway.
[20:55:06]	Edna_Stonetalon	laughs a little "It's not like he they would know a secret way inside it or something"
[20:55:23]	Somber	"I might know a bit. My brother's a guard there. Why?" The stallion asked with a concerned look. "You know someone that's been sent there? Don't worry. It's not nearly as bad as the Shattered Hoof Correctional or Hightower.
[20:56:19]	Shimmershy	sighs quietly and hangs her head a little. "W-well I was wondering if you knew anything about the ponies who run the place, really. S-some pony has to overlook all the crops, right..?"
[20:57:43]	Somber	He snorts at Edna. "I don't know about secret, but there's an underground access fer bringin in supplies and new prisoners. Most folks miss it. It's a ways to the east." Then he looks at Shimmer. "Well, if you mean old Tar Leaf, he's the warden there."
[20:58:50]	Edna_Stonetalon	blink blinks "Underground access? Just how far to the East?"
[20:58:55]	Shimmershy	"W-well... I meant more botanists. Somepony's got to decide what they grow, right?" She sighed quietly. "Nevermind. I doubt it'd matter anyway. Don't suppose you've ever heard of a pony named Sweet Tea, have you..?" She gave a nervous smile then glanced at the road onwards towards the college worriedly.
[21:00:04]	Somber	"Couple hundred yards. It's guarded, in case ya'll got funny ideas or some such." He said to Edna, then looked at Shimmer. "I don't think so. Plenty of farm ponies, sure. That sounds more like something at the college. And nope, fraid not."
[21:00:18]	Night_Wind	shivers at mention of Shattered Hoof but doesn't venture to comment. Instead she just floats to earth pony mare along with her as she begins to trot. "We do have a deadline to keep."
[21:01:48]	Shimmershy	sighs quietly and nods her head. "Th-thanks anyway." Standing up to begin moving down the path again whether or not the others were following.
[21:02:00]	Edna_Stonetalon	nods "Yes... the deadline. Lets get moving"
[21:02:51]	Somber	"Leave me..." the wastelander sobs. "Please, leave me with them. I don't want to go back any more. I want to stay here."
[21:03:21]	Edna_Stonetalon	"I have a feeling you're not going to like it when this wears off"
[21:04:00]	Somber	They leave the cross roads behind, making good time along the street. The wastelander shakes her head. "It doesn't wear off. It ends. And I want to stay here when it does."
[21:04:27]	Edna_Stonetalon	"There's a difference?"
[21:04:32]	Shimmershy	bites her lower lip and looks up at the wastelander nervously. "W-what happened to you..?" She whimpers a little bit at the idea of it just ending. "B-but... But they'll all go away... Are you hoping you'll go with them..?"
[21:05:17]	Night_Wind	shakes her head at the mare. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that. There are still plenty of good ponies worth living for, and if you need help finding them, we'll bring you to them."
[21:05:23]	Somber	She just shook her head, desolate.
[21:06:55]	Edna_Stonetalon	"Were you out side when it was "raining"?"
[21:07:48]	Somber	Ahead, in the distance, they could see the barest hint of brown. Then there was a woosh and a sky carriage flew over head, landing in the road in front of them. The white carriage began to play bright and cheery music with trumpets and tubas as the back opened and a half dozen glowing white ponies ran out dancing and skipping and flipping! "Hurray! Yip
[21:08:52]	yip yippie!" A stallion... or was it a mare... cheered as he flipped right in front of them. "Hey! I've got extra super special news for you five! Guess what!? You're gonna get... wait for it... a PARTY!"
[21:09:26]	Edna_Stonetalon	"Night shield now!"
[21:10:10]	Night_Wind	nods to Edna. "She's an earth pony and you saw there wasn't much cover available before. I just hope she can survive..." She blinks at the sky wagon. "Oh dear," she murmurs and pops her shield just as Eddie speaks. "Hello. I'm guessing you're from the Ministry of Morale, yes?"
[21:10:16]	Shimmershy	blinks and shuffles a forehoof against her foreleg. "Um... W-why?" She swallowed quietly. "W-we're fine. We just want to be on our way, that's all..."
[21:11:36]	Wanderlust	pulls his rifle free and aims it not quite at the pony's head. "I'm done with this insanity. I just want to get to Olives. Every minute we waste with this real ponies are in trouble and possibly dying."
[21:11:44]	Edna_Stonetalon	looks at Wanderlust with a smug smile "What did I say before?"
[21:12:00]	Somber	He... or she... grins ear to ear at Night Wind. "Yup yup yup! And Pinkie Pie thinks you're so super special that she wants to give you a special party just for you! So if you could please step inside, we'll be on our way for fun fun fun!" She... or he... says as they piroette and giggles. "You don't want to be a party pooper, do you?"
[21:12:35]	And then wanderlust pulls his rifle and the mare...er... stallion... blinks and then grins. "Oh... naughty ponies..."
[21:12:41]	Edna_Stonetalon	raises a talon "I want to be a party pooper!"
[21:12:42]	Wanderlust	gives Edna a quick, very unhappy look. "Chastise me later when lives aren't on the line."
[21:13:21]	Edna_Stonetalon	and then pulls out her rifle
[21:14:16]	Shimmershy	squeaks in surprise as weapons are drawn, backing away nervously.
[21:14:50]	Night_Wind	tsks but doesn't stop trotting, moving around the MoM pony. "Wander, Eddie, please don't be rude. I'm sorry, but please convey a message directly to Pinkie Pie that this relates to her burning hoof and must not be interrupted. She will know...well, she'll know enough."
[21:22:06]	Somber	Unfortunately, weapons were drawn and in a snap, five of the ponies were in motion, flipping and spinning and raining down kicks. Hoof buzzers on the end of their hooves sparked and snapped with every kick and punch as they pummled Edna and Wanderlust. The leader backflipped in front of Night_Wind. "Miss Pretty Pinkie Pie is right in the middle of a big
[21:22:36]	raid in Manehatten as we speak. But I'll relay your message... after our party."
[21:26:42]	Night_Wind	lets out a horrified, "Gah!" and setting the earth mare down, quickly levitates four of the assailants high into the air. "Stop this at once! You may escort us to the college, but this mission is not to be interfered with! Shimmer, please make sure the poor stressed mare doesn't wander off."
[21:28:56]	Shimmershy	squeaks. "I... I... I..." She stammers in surprise a few moments, the sudden bout of violence apparently leaving her speechless.
[21:31:00]	Somber	"Oooooh! PLAY TIME!" He... she... Squeels and her hooves crackle and it suddenly unleashes a hopping, flipping deluge of attacks on her shield.
[21:35:05]	Three of its blows hit with crackling, arcing lightning... but the last had her landing on her head. balanced on her noggin, her horn in the road, she pointed a crackling hoofbuzzer at Nightwind. "Somepony is cheating! Call the referee!"
[21:37:30]	Night_Wind	squeals in pain at the barrage of blows penetrating her shield. "Stop this at once! Ahhh! Quickly, Shimmer, get those power hooves off her!"
[21:37:55]	Shimmershy	blinks. "M-me!?"
[21:41:15]	Night_Wind	corrects herself. "Er, off him! And yes! It's too dangerous to approach those flailing hooves, and...oh dear..." She hears shots ring out from Eddie's gun.
[21:42:27]	Somber	The strange leotard he... she... it wore stopped some of the damage, but the bullets tore glowing bloody holes in her hide.
[21:43:25]	Edna_Stonetalon	fired three shots before that happened "I"M REALLY SICK AND FUCKING TIRED OF THIS SHIT!"
[21:43:59]	Somber	"Blood... is that... blood?" The leader blinks and then he hops to her hooves. "Grrrr.... I.... hate....hate...HATE... HATEHATEHATEHATEHATEHATEHATEHATEHATEHATEHATEHATEHATEHATE HATE YOU!!!"
[21:46:48]	Wanderlust	levels his rifle at the leader, spitting blood from his mouth and firing repeatedly. He was with Edna, fuck this.
[21:49:17]	Somber	The bullet... did a bit less then Edna's. "Ow... you shot me!" She said as she touched the wound and pouted. "That really hurt."
[21:50:37]	Shimmershy	squeaks. "I... I can't get them off!" She looks towards the edge of the area then back towards the wastelander behind her. "C-come on. We should run! Like right now! Really fast!" She whimpers and takes off running towards the edge of the grassy area.
[21:54:57]	Somber	"You don't shoot the Pinkies!" The minion shouted as she flipped and kicked like a crazied lightning hooved clown.
[21:55:32]	Night_Wind	continues to hold the other ponies aloft and begins to gallop along the road. "Oh dear. I...this is awful. Fluttershy will not be pleased. I'm sorry!" With that she hurls the levitated ponies at the two who aren't and races away, lifting her friends and the earth pony mare instead.
[22:02:46]	Somber	They fly quickly for the edge of the blight. Then from behind them they hear music playing as the sky wagon follows in persuit. The leader perches on the top, shrieking, "You're going to come to my party! I swear it! And I'm gonna play with you forever, miss chicky!" Then they shot out of the edge of the blight. The sky wagon came after them... and
[22:03:17]	then collapsed into a cloud of white shimmers that disappeared.
[22:04:34]	From their spot, they can see a cluster of large buildings on the edge of the blight. It seems to be where the road is leading to.
[22:05:50]	Night_Wind	sets down with a flutter of wings, her shield collapsing as well. "Oh my, that was...that was less pleasant than I had hoped. I'm afraid my skills at hedging the truth aren't up to par. Is everyone okay?"
[22:06:11]	Wanderlust	glares at Night Wind and thrashes in her telekinesis as he sees the wagon and its occupants vanish. "What did you do that for?! We had them!" He growls.
[22:07:26]	Somber	They can see the glittery white blight stretching off to the north east. Then the shimmery sky wagon appears above the trees, dives back at them, and disappears in another shower of dust motes. The mare sobs. "Please. I need to go back. I don't want to miss it."
[22:08:02]	Edna_Stonetalon	catches up with Fumbles very angry "FUCK THIS NIGHTMARE FUCKING PLACE! We just had 200 year /DEAD/ Ministry of FUCKING Moral assassin clowns try and drag us off!"
[22:08:14]	Edna_Stonetalon	"I am not getting paid enough for this shit!!!"
[22:08:51]	Edna_Stonetalon	sits down in a huff
[22:09:36]	Night_Wind	shakes her head as she sets Wander, Shimmer, and the mare down. "They're phantoms of the past. Shooting them was a waste of ammo, and that wasn't an assassin. Probably a high level enforcer though."
[22:10:12]	Edna_Stonetalon	"Well fuck shadows hit pretty fuck hard!"
[22:12:05]	Wanderlust	just sulks and glowers at the ground.
[22:12:15]	Night_Wind	nodnods and reaches out a hoof to gently smooth down some of Edna's ruffled feathers. "I know...first hoof in fact. That was...very distrubing."
[22:12:50]	Edna_Stonetalon	holds up a talon and makes a rude gesture at the skywagon, and just holds it there as she talks
[22:13:39]	Somber	The sky wagon hovers there, then returns to pick up the tossed agents.
[22:14:01]	Edna_Stonetalon	keeps the rude gesture up
[22:14:51]	Wanderlust	reloads his weapon while watching the sky wagon, wishing they could come down and try to finish what they started.
[22:15:33]	Edna_Stonetalon	re-loads and stow her weapon with one talon as she continues to give the sky wagon a rude gesture
[22:18:46]	Shimmershy	squeaks and wiggles her hooves in surprise as she gets carried along. Breathing a sigh of relief as she finally was let down again, wobbling on her hooves. "I... Um... W-we should keep moving, quickly. I... If we can..."
[22:19:25]	Edna_Stonetalon	notices another group of wastelanders going into the ghostwoods off in the distance "HEY!! There's another group over there going in"
[22:20:44]	Night_Wind	frowns at Wander. "They were only doing what they believed to be right. That Ministry of Image pony must have felt we were a potential threat and called in the Ministry of Morale to bring us in. The Manehattan raid though...that means this is the day the bombs go off. Yes, we should definitely move. Best not to be near if this ends with the phantom town being annihilated
[22:20:45]	by a phantom balefire bomb."
[22:22:29]	Somber	The wastelander sobs. "Damn it. Why'd you have to take me from there? I wanted a chance to die with the good ponies!"
[22:22:32]	Wanderlust	shrugs. "I dont care what they were doing. They're all long dead and we have living ponies to worry about."
[22:24:27]	Edna_Stonetalon	composes herself again and clears her throat "Have I mentioned I don't like this place?" and turning to the mare "Is this some sort of suicide or religious thing?"
[22:24:33]	Night_Wind	glances around, not seeing what Edna is talking about until its pointed out to her. "Oh dear, and they're off the road. That's not good...but they could also be raiders. Edna, you fly faster and better than me. Perhaps you should be the one to warn them, but be careful! I don't want you getting hurt if they're raiders."
[22:28:35]	Shimmershy	bites her lower lip. "I don't... I don't think anyone around here would go into somewhere like this without knowing what it was." She looked to her hooves, then up towards the wastelander. "Why... Would you want to die?"
[22:28:37]	Somber	"You said it yourself! This fucking place sucks. Everything hurts. Everyone is diseased and dying. So I want to end it with an instant flash dying with ponies who were good!" The wastelander counters. "I'm sick of it all... I just want to die with ponies who are actually decent..."
[22:30:24]	Edna_Stonetalon	says to the mare "Hold that thought" and spreads her wings "Fumbles I'll be right back" and takes to the air to go investigate this group
[22:33:05]	Night_Wind	nods to Eddie then turns to the mare, sitting on her haunches and pulling her into a hug. "I'm really sorry you believe that. There are good ponies outside Appleanta, and they're growing food and slowly making things better. We just need to somehow fix whatever went wrong here, and you'll be able to see that there is still good in this world."
[22:34:51]	Somber	"There isn't," she sobs. "And the blights are gonna cross the mountains some day, and somepony's gonna take the phage out with them and spread it so the whole world is dying and rotting."
[22:34:52]	Wanderlust	grumbles under his breath. "We can start by getting more of this antidote made and then filling that bitch Sweet Tea with bullets. Instead we're sitting here and wasting time."
[22:38:50]	Night_Wind	shakes her head. "The tea is a temporary cure as I recall, right Shimmer? We have to do this right or else there will be many deaths." She continues to hug the mare, waiting for Eddie to return.
[22:38:54]	Shimmershy	frowns and shakes her head. "I... Um... I don't think that's true." She looks up towards the SPP tower, pointing a hoof towards it. "Because I think that's where the phage and the blights come from... I don't... I don't think they can be taken out of here." She bites her lower lip. "Or else... Or else somepony would have. Long ago." She looks towards the college. "B-but...
[22:38:55]	But there's ponies here, who are nice, and care, and are trying to build what they can. Just... Just giving up means nothing will ever get better, for anyone."
[22:43:36]	Wanderlust	groans and lies down, feeling miserable and clutching at his stomach. "Edna was right. Those ghosts hit awfully hard..." he mutters.
[22:46:19]	Edna_Stonetalon	returns "Well that was interesting. We should go back to where that house and gas station were once the hole thing goes up. Those ponies had a good idea"
[22:47:35]	Night_Wind	nodnods. "Yes, at least we got some useful information from them. Pity it ended the way it did."
[22:48:33]	facehoofs. "Wait, you weren't referring to what the phantoms said, were you? What did the wastelanders have to say?"
[22:49:44]	Somber	She just curls up, clearly broken by the wasteland.
[22:49:50]	Edna_Stonetalon	"Yea they said they go in and look around and talk with the ghost. Asking about safes and the like then leave before it all goes boom. Then come back and dig out the safes. It's a good idea when you sit down and think about it"
[22:50:37]	"I see our friend is still a little distraught about us stopping herself from killing herself"
[22:51:53]	Shimmershy	sighs quietly and hangs her head. "I'm sorry. THere really are lots of nice ponies even here... I've met some. The ponies at Headless. And the ones at Spark Town. They're all good ponies, trying to get by and being as good as they can be!" She looks down and scuffs a forehoof on the ground.
[22:52:04]	Night_Wind	nods a bit thoughtfully. "Well, hopefully we haven't messed things up for next time we have to pass through. If I'm not mistaken, they probably won't remember us afterwards, but we should be careful all the same." She gives the earth pony mare a final hug then sets her on her back.