/pone/ - My Little Pony

Classic gay literature such as "150 ways to suck dick," "how to be a huge faggot on an imageboard," and "is this a meme" written by OP

Spike's porn collection.

>>137877

we will never know, after all, the writers killed that place to shill the new castle.

>>137881

>>137879

he has his rarity plush, he's just waiting on the bad dragon to go with it

>>137877

How to be actually good at writing.

Destruction of the library was an inside job.

Does anyone know how long a thread lasts here? I want to write a greentext on this but I am not near my PC.

>>138305

Go to last page and check the last bump dates on threads.

>>138305

haven't looked, but I think the average is around three weeks I think.

Yeah, we need more users. It's the one thing half-chan has going for it.

>>138305

Will it involve a Myst crossover?

>>138305

There's at least one five+ month old thread floating around, you'll be fine.

>>138390

Myst is best pone

>>138313

>Yeah, we need more users. It's the one thing half-chan has going for it.

Eh. That's not a positive thing.

As much publicity as that place has had over the past few months, they have brought so many newfags to every board that actual topical discussions, arguments, and all out faggotry is drowned out by idiotic casuals

Here, we have rules, porn, and non-autisticuck mods, plus anons from the exodus'.

>>138786

>>138785

goddamnit, you know what this means?

every time I play now, my headcanon will be the Mysterious Stranger is Twilight

Actually, you know what? Fuck it. If there's no writefag on this shit by tomorrow, I'm going to try it myself.

But would it best involve Anon? And would Anon best know Twilight before the fic starts?

>>138821

okay, fuck. I have a vague idea gestating.

Never written anything along these lines, so this'll be interesting.

Watch this space, and don't expect it today.

>>138857

big issue is this isn't my home computer and I'll be damned if I try to write a proper story at work or at least start one

also means ID won't help, so I'll slap on a trip whenever I get a new one, for continuity's sake

>>138875

well, it's a night shift…

There's actually something I need to do tonight, but I know the sting of unfulfilled writefaggotry and this story's really itching at my brain, so I hope to get started on it in about an hour or so.

>>139087

And we're off!

>It’s a great day to go camping.

>You’ve got your car all packed, everything you need for a week out in the country, nothing to distract you.

>You lock your door and are just getting to your car when shitloads of clouds roll in.

>Fuck

>The rain starts hammering down.

>Wasn’t today supposed to be clear?

>Fuck it, this probably won’t last long, you might as well go get some coffee or something and wait it out.

>An hour later and you’re sitting under an awning out front of a fancy-ass bistro, and your coffee’s almost gone.

>Fuck this weather, this isn’t camping weather.

>You look across the street.

>There’s that used bookstore that’s all neat, they serve wine in there and shit.

>Fuck yes, that’s what this weather is meant for.

>You pull that sweet-ass jacket you got last Christmas closed as you jog across the street.

>Dat sweet old book smell, mang.

>Aw yiss.

>You wander back a ways, get yourself a merlot.

>This place is the shit, fuck camping. You should just live in here for a week.

>You grab a random book and leaf through it.

>Recipes. Neat.

>You put it back, and a beautiful leather-bound book catches your eye.

>There’s just some squiggles in gold for a title, it’s nothing you’ve ever seen before.

>You grab the book, take it to a couch.

>Fuck, this entire book is squiggles.

>Good thing you love yourself a mystery.

>It’s a beautiful book, and the script is charming, if unknown to you.

>You’re totally buying this.

>You give it one last flip-through before you take it to the counter.

>At the back cover, there’s a black panel. It looks shiny.

>You look closer, it looks like there’s something moving inside.

>No fucking way. Someone must have actually ‘’made’' one of those books from Myst!

>This is the coolest shit, you have no idea how they got a screen to fit in the cover so well.

>Just for fun, you put your hand on the panel and indulge a quick mental fantasy of going on adventures.

BWOOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

“Oh. Fuck.”

>>139132

I'll continue this presently, it looks to be a slow day here.

Feedback welcome.

>>139175

I won't get to it until later, but I'm playing me some Uru to remind myself what it feels like.

Gotta get in the spirit, man.

>>139331

I have Myst pretty much memorized, see, and Uru's more "free-form" and D'ni lore-heavy.

>The linking book Anon in D'ni found in the bookstore had the gateway image in the back cover, rather than the first page. Shouldn't it be the first one or two pages you turn to, or is it different in the later games?

They're usually in the front, but they can be anywhere. If I remember right, the original Myst "backstory" from that guide mentioned it was in the back of the book, but I might have got that wrong. after all, I forgot the park is in Neighbourhood, not Ae'gura, after all…

I gotta finish some work, and then I'll have some more on the way.

>As you climb the stairs, you notice a weird blue line race along the ground, like a laser scanner or something.

>You can't see a source.

>Fuck it, weird bookpeople tech does what it does.

>There wasn't a way to die in Myst, right?

>Right?

>Eh, this place seems safe enough.

>You come to a large circular room, with books on stands lining the walls.

>You wander to a random one, and note there's two books, one seems to be a translation of the original.

>King Me'erta

>You flip through the book, it's a summary of his reign.

>This guy was such a fuckup.

>You take a look at the original book, note the letters set above the plinth it was sitting on.

>You could probably figure this script out pretty easy.

>Oh well, if you're going to learn anything real, you better head for the library. That's where the real info will be.

>Didn't exactly see any ads for diners down here, though.

>That might become a problem.

>Fuck it, adventure waits for nothing.

>At the base of the stairs on the other side of the room, there's a balcony overlooking the bay.

>Fuck yeah photo op.

>As you're taking in the view, you hear something over the general susurration of the cavern.

>Some sort of snap!

>You look over where it came from, there's a large outcropping across from you, with a ruined bridge that looks like it meets up with your path.

>You check your map.

>That is the smallest concert hall you've ever seen.

>You see a faint purple glow emanating from it.

>You'd think it's more magical whatever-tech, but it's moving.

>You don't remember seeing anything else around here move, save for that blue line thing that pops by every minute or so.

>Spooky.

[Indiana intensifies]

>It's not a snake, you'll be fine.

>You jog down the hall cut into the rock until you hit the bridge intersection.

>There's a huge gap in the old bridge, and it looks like there was a rope and plank thing crossing it.

>Was.

>The gap looks to be about thirty feet or so, no way you can jump that.

>You try using your phone camera's zoom to see if you can spot the light source.

>Funny, you can't see anything now.

>You can hear something, though.

>It sounds like people walking, but with a much sharper sound.

>Is there a horse down here or something? It sounds like hooves.

Continued presently

and now we reach my greatest fear: trying to write decent dialogue

>Well, if whatever's out there isn't friendly, it's a ways off and you can run pretty fast.

>No point not saying something.

"HEY!"

>Your voice echoes pretty damn loud out here.

"Is there someone over there?"

>The noise paused at your voice, then sped up, whatever it is is coming full tilt.

>You hear a female voice:

>"Oh, thank goodness! I thought I wasn't going to ever find anyp-"

>Whoever it is chokes off her statement as she skids into view.

>She? It? What the fuck?

>You can't tell what you're looking at in the dim light, but it's not shaped anything like a human.

>Fuck it, this isn't really the weirdest part of your day.

>She-it stays silent a second so you break the ice.

>Since you're the smoothest motherfucker around.

"I, uh.. thought this place was empty! Do you know where we are?"

>"No! I was hoping you would, but… now I can't even guess at where I am."

>Well, the voice seems female…

>She steps further out on the bridge, close enough now that you can see her better.

>Short, lavender, and quadruped. Didn't you see something like that online once?

>Or all the goddamn time?

>"Who are you? I-if you don't mind me asking, of course!"

>You choke off your name before it escapes you. There is only one answer to this question.

I AM GROOT

"Just call me Anonymous. And you are?"

>Her ears flick back for a moment when you speak.

>"I'm Twilight Sparkle, from Equestria. Forgive me, but I've never seen anyone quite like you before. Where do you come from?"

"Well… Earth, I guess. I don't really know where Equestria would be from there… Or from here, for that matter. I don't suppose you have any idea where we are?"

>"No, I thought I was getting the picture, but with you here… I can't say I know anymore."

>She looked jammed halfway between frustrated and depressed.

"Based on this map I found, we can meet up if you swing around the other way. It had a library marked on it, I figure that's the best place to look for answers here."

>Her ears shot up and her eyes widened.

>"A library? Of course that's where we should be looking! This is perfect!"

"Okay, well, I'll tell you what, we can just meet back at the courtyard back thataway-"

>You gesture, and are about to continue when she cuts you off:

>"Oh, no need for that! Just stand back from the edge a bit."

>You comply. Maybe she can jump like a frog or-

ZA-POP

>A flash of purple leaves afterimages in your vision. When they start to clear up, you can see a purple unicorn standing decidedly on this side of the chasm.

>never mind, this might be the weirdest part of your day after all.

>"Now, you said you can find a library?"

>>139508

Choice advice from someone who doesn't know basic motherfucking grammar.

On another note; if anyone uses an extraordinarily rare word like susurration, it's going to be obvious to critical readers that it's just an insecure attempt at "thesaurus-bombing."

Everyone else (the less critical) will just respond with "… Who the fuck says that?".

You're basically asking most people to fire up a dictionary just so you can make a vain (but unfortunately transparent) attempt at trying to look like you've got a bigger vocabulary than you actually have.

But the problem is, people who have a bigger vocabulary than you would know never to use a word like that, because it's disruptive and unprofessional, and will always come off as trying too hard to look clever.

>>139527

I'd understand that if I was throwing obscure words in every few paragraphs, but it's a big language for a reason…

>>139527

You forgot the your

fuck I didn't catch that. Wasn't intentional, I know the difference between those words

>>139670

Perfect tiddies

>>139527

>using uncommon words is unprofessional

Ignorant people who feel intellectually threatened by any person with a respectable command of the English language would like to think so. Fuck them. The learned have no obligation to the lazy and the stupid to hold themselves back.

>>139670

You have very nice breasts ms. spakle

>>139526

>You blink yourself out of your reverie.

“Y-yeah… uh, the map said it’s just down this hall, shouldn’t be far.

>”Was it that map from the courtyard?”

“Yeah, you saw it too?”

>”I did, but I couldn’t read the labels… they’re in your language, then? Have you seen anything else you can read?”

>You both start walking down the hallway. You wish this place wasn’t so dusty, the tiles probably looked stunning when they were new.

“Yeah, someone’s been translating the books around here. I can’t read whatever the original stuff was, but all that new stuff I’m familiar with.”

>”So, is this some sort of archaeological expedition?”

“I… hell, I guess so. I’ve never heard of it before, though.”

>”Well, logically we can assume that, since someone who speaks your language has been here, but they aren’t now, there’s probably a way to travel between here and somewhere you’re familiar with.”

>Unless the archaeologists got eaten or sacrificed to Vishnu, sure.

“I guess so. Speaking of ‘logically,’ if you can’t read my language, how can we understand each other? I’m going to go out on a limb and say you’re not from anywhere close to Earth…”

>”I’m- well, I’m not sure, actually. I’ve heard of spells that can translate languages, but those all have to be carefully prepared.”

>Her eyes widen.

>”The implications of convergent linguistic development across dimensional boundaries which I’m assuming is what I’ve crossed could change everything we know about the nature of the multiverse! OR! Maybe this place has an inherent magic of its own that I’ve not yet deduced, and it provides the translation automatically! The possibilities-“

>She stops herself.

>Oh, hey, that fur doesn’t hide blushes.

>Adorable.

>”Sorry, I get carried away sometimes.”

“No worries here. I’ll just stay bemusedly silent for a while, what with the whole magic thing and all.”

>”You don’t have magic?”

“It’s not a real thing where I come from.”

>”NOT A REAL- I’m sorry, it’s just hard to imagine… life without any magic at all.”

>She shudders at the thought.

“Hey, we manage just fine. I have thumbs and enough brain to use them.”

>Neener-neener, ungulates.

>You whip out your phone and show it off.

“And we make up the difference with technology.”

>She’s so preoccupied with staring at the phone as you flick around different screens that she misses the start of the staircase.

>You made your perception check, however, and manage to throw an arm out to intercept her fall.

>Functional strength, brah.

>”Th-thanks. I need to pay more atten- OH! I know where the glow is coming from!”

“Really?”

>Best hope there’s no butterflies around here, she’ll follow one right off a cliff.

>”Look at the patterns, it’s coming from the water, not the ceiling! Bioluminescent algae, presumably. Maybe this entire cavern is artificial!”

“This kind of reminds me of…”

>Shit, saying it reminds you of a video game might sound retarded.

>”Of what?”

“O-of a legend. Of sorts. It’s been a while since I heard it last, but it was something about a race that could write worlds into being and then travel to them through books.”

>Damn, girl, can your eyes get any wider?

>>139719

oh hey there, new IP

my internet makes me cheat our UIP count, since it's so shitty

It'll be a bit before the next chapter say, a few hours maybe cause I want to play some more Uru.

>>139719

Dunno how the music in Uru is, but this should set the mood: https://youtube.com/watch?v=rMOSTOSyNz8

>>139736

Do you need online servers to play Uru? Fancy that.

>>139746

the online version, yeah, but that's where the fun is at

it's working now, thank god

I never played Myst before.

Is it good?

What it has in stored for me?

>>139828

it's great

I hope you like reading and pushing buttons, though

>>139837

Adventure?

My kind of stuff.

>>139841

it's the only game that could make fixing a broken boiler with no manual interesting, since that's what a lot of it feels like

>WHY DON'T THE D'NI LABEL ANYTHING?

>WHY IS THE OTHER LEVER FIVE MILES AWAY AND STEAM-POWERED?

>WHY IS THE BOOK TRYING TO KILL ME?

>>139911 (double checked)

Thanks

>Keep a stack of note cards and pencil handy

Is this game secretly trying to make me more like Twilight?

>>140089

the entire series is basically Twilight's wet dream

>>140278

it's heartbreaking that this'll never get updated

>>140350

N-never say never, Anon!

''EDIT: 1/17/2015

Store is temporarily closed for the next two weeks because I am starting a new job. All orders made before this date have been processed. I will open the store again soon. Thank you for your understanding.

All the best,

-Heather''

http://larkanimation.bigcartel.com/product/myst-the-book-of-atrus-a-graphic-novel-vol-1

>unofficial

>fan-animated

>self-published

Come on, Millers. Help a girl out.

>>140373

oh, shit!

FOR THE GREAT ZERO

Also, to the writefag

Don't forget to pastebin!

>>140408

I guess I can make one, I've been typing this all in a word document as I go, so it's convenient to pastebin it. new chapter soon.

>>139911

>wew, that's interesting. Where is Uru in the timeline, I wonder?

Uru, in the sense of when the DRC was exploring, took place in the early 21st century, with the last known event in the timeline appearing in 2007. The DRC lost funding and they stopped development, but there were still people interested, and they still seek another source of money.

>>140479

God, she's adorable. Good work so far. I like how Anon's keeping up, and helping to keep her hooves on the ground as well.

polite sage because offtopic. Maybe

I can't get to save.

Tried 2 ways but didn't help.

What did you guys used to play Myst in the new age?

OS Win7 64-bit

>>140654

I have no idea what your problem could be, man. It's been a long time since I played the original Myst, and I wasn't even on this computer back then.

>>140710

Oh well, I'll try other methods then.

>>140723

Now, do you have the original CD you're trying to play, or the Myst Masterpiece Edition from GOG?

>>140749

Myst Masterpiece Edition from the seven virtual seas of the internet

>>140769

Strange. I played it recently on my Win7 machine and it ran fine. Did you check the GOG or Steam forums?

>>140777

I did.

The thing is, whenever I save, it just quit.

I'm unsure it saved or not.

>>140783

Perhaps you got a corrupted package. Try redownloading it or grabbing it from GOG. They good folk, don't care much for their stance on Hatred.

I hope to get some more green out tonight, give me a couple hours.

>>140795

I think I might know what's the problem is since this is an old game.

Simple mistake can make it unplayable

>>140832

Take your time

>>140833

Downloaded the GOG version.

Looks like everything is running smoothly.

>>140852

yay!

>You look at the wall in the center of the room.

>Maybe what, 40 meters?

>Black metal, looks like, in a grid pattern, all set on a plinth with ladders leading up to it.

>You climb the laddah!

>The metal is shiny, almost oily in it's reflectiveness.

>You extend a hand to the wall, figuring if this is a reactor, the suit is meant to keep you safe.

>Reactor techs just touch fuel rods, right?

>Fuck it, you don't feel like you're getting baked in your cells.

>As your hand touches, the orb on the back of the glove lights up, a display projecting in a ring.

>All in bookspeak, natch.

>Maybe it's an environmental readout? Or a material analysis?

>You stroke the wall, but halfway through your hand freezes in place, like the wall is sticky or something.

>You struggle to release your hand, only succeeding after a few seconds of flailing.

>A few experimental strokes later show that whatever it is, it's in the glove, not the wall.

>You try putting pressure on it in different ways, soon finding that when you flex your hands like that they make the gloves hold to the wall.

>An idea comes over you.

>Yous tick your hands to the wall, and try placing a boot as well.

>After a moment, you figure out the flex to get that to work too.

>Spider-man ain't got nothing on you now.

>You drop off the wall and head to the outer wall of the room, directly under the window you last saw Twilight at.

>"Anonymous? I can't see you anymore, where did you go? Did you find a way out?"

>the gloves work on this wall too, maybe it's magnets?

>You climb the wall around and above the window to Twilight's control room.

>"Anonymous? Are you all right in there? Can you hear me?"

>You disengage the gloves and swing backwards by your boots, coming face-to-face with a startled Twilight.

"BOO!"

BONK

"FUCK!"

>Your helmet bounces off the window, and in the new position your boots lose their grip.

>You scramble to stick to the wall with your hands, barely catching the rim above the window.

>You meant to do that.

>Twilight looks shocked enough to have pissed herself, but it's quickly overcome by rage.

>You can't hear her too well through the window, but the dressing-down carries its message well wnough with body language alone.

>She is not apparently a fan of pranks.

>Eventually she gives up with a huff and levitates something in front of you.

>It's her Relto book.

>She makes some gestures and then touches the panel, vanishing before your eyes.

>You unhook a hand and feel yourself over.

>There at your hip, apparently in a special pocket, is your book.

>You don't even need to take it out to touch the panel.

>That is a very conveniently dextrous dressing machine.

>You touch the panel.

BWOOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

next chapter is delayed due to a surprise game of spades

Now you're making me think of him as Starlord

>>140907

Don't do it man.

Don't do it.

At least make him less of an asshole than Starlord.

Just like to prank bookhorse now and then

>>140908

relax, I'm not going to make him something he's not

our Anon is something of a loveable rogue, yes, but that's it

>When you regain your bearings, you find yourself on a tiny island.

>Well, sort of an island. Maybe it's a mountain peak.

>Because instead of water, there's a think layer of smooth cloud just past the edge, and past that seems to be endless empty air.

>Don't trip.

>You're standing in a flat-ish area that extends only about a dozen meters.

>Before you is a sharp spire of rock, into which is set a small hut, with Twilight in the door.

>She ushers you inside and closes a thin wooden door behind you.

>The hut is nearly featureless, with just two bookshelves full of books flanking a door that's open to a walk-in closet.

>Sitting on a shelf with the books is your clothes, neatly folded.

>"I found those in the machine after it finished whatever it was doing."

"Thanks for bringing them, I was worried I'd lost all my stuff."

>"No problem. Now, if you're quite finished fooling around, this place is absolutely full of books, and it looks like we can get to anywhere we've been previously."

>You look at the shelves. It's true, there's a couple dozen books here. Twilight seems to have been labeling them with single letters in Latin script.

>You can't quite figure out what methodology she used to choose the letters, but the one with R looks to be where you were before, and S is the city you were in.

"Okay, we've got all these options… but what are we actually going to do now?"

>"Well, I don't really know. I was thinking we could try to decipher the books we have, but we really need to think about finding a way home for at least one of us."

"Sounds like a bit more ambitious a goal than we should be looking at right now, doesn't it? First thing we need is food."

>"Well, I suppose you're right. But I can't imagine how we'll do that, if these places have all been abandoned for years."

>Do they not preserve food in Equestria?

>Then again, you haven't seen any pantries lying around.

>While considering options, you notice a switch on the wall.

>When you pull it, the shutters on the window open.

>Eh, fuck it.

>You go to close it but your magic gloves stick to it.

>You yank them away and the switch pulls out from the wall.

>There's a deep grinding noise from the floor beneath you.

>"What did you do?"

"It's not my fault!"

>They told you they fixed it!

>Twilight panics and jumps away from the center of the room as the floor starts moving out from under her.

>After a few seconds, the terror of the mountain collapsing with you on it is replaced with the knowledge that your new house has a badass hidden spiral staircase in the floor.

"There's your 'for science' right there."

>Pushing random buttons is the best idea you ever seem to get.

>You both head downstairs.

>It opens to a small, but surprisingly comfortable set of rooms resembling a decent apartment.

>There's what appears to be a bathroom off to the side, with a nice sitting room with several chairs and tables.

>A smaller room off to the side has a couple simple cots.

>And, holy of holies, there's a primitive kitchen with a stock of canned and dry goods, along with some simple utensils.

"Hey, looks like that's one problem down!"

>"What do these say?"

>Twilight is indicating some books stacked on one of the tables.

>They're all in English, notebooks with the DRC logo.

"Okay, the first one is: Introduction to the D'ni Restoration Council, second one is The Basics of D'ni, and the third one is a D'ni-English dictionary."

>Well, there goes that mystery…

>"This is great! Now we can finally get some answers!"

"Uh-huh, yeah. Tell you what, I'm gonna get out of my spiderman suit and make some dinner, reading goes better on a full stomach."

>Twilight makes an impatient huff and starts exploring the rest of the rooms.

>It takes you a decent amount of time to figure out how to properly take off the suit, it eventually appears that you need to twist one of the circles on your glove to unseal everything.

>Eventually, you're back in your regular clothes. You make sure the suit is stowed in the closet.

>You hear running water as you descend the stairs.

>"I think this place has a rainwater cistern; there's no reason they'd pump everything this high up, is there?"

"Do I look like an architect from a dead society?"

>"Where's your sense of investigative wonder, Anonymous?"

"Sleeping off a concussion."

>She winces.

>"I'm sorry, I never asked if you were alright. You didn't hit your head that hard, did you? I didn't mean to-"

"I'm fine, Twilight. The helmet works well, I was kidding."

>She still looks a bit chagrined.

"Is there any firewood down here?"

>"I haven't seen any, but that hole there looks like it could be a smoke hood. I'd start there."

>>140963

>You examine the… thing.

>There's a switch, a dial and a button.

>All unlabeled.

"Are you fucking kidding me."

>"What?"

"For a culture so obsessed with writing, they sure can't label anything they ever make."

>You fiddle with the controls for a second, but nothing happens.

>Is the power out?

>You see a crank on the wall next to a lever.

>The crank doesn't move at first, but once you move the lever and give it a few turns, it keeps spinning on its own.

>The dim confines of the rooms, previously only lit by faint light from the small windows, is brightened by lights embedded in the walls.

>You flip the switch and hear a faint hissing.

>A spin of the dial makes it louder.

"I think I've got it."

>Fiat Lux, motherfucker.

>You smack the button and the hissing turns to a faint growl, a flame appearing in the machine.

>It's a fucking gas stove.

>You are a man of many talents, and happily set to making dinner with canned corn and some chili.

>Twilight looks relieved that you're handling it, perhaps her bookishness hasn't extended to any cookbooks yet.

>Humming a happy tune to yourself, you putter away until you've prepared a veritable feast.

>With the table set and books readily at hand hand, you tuck in.

First time I've ever gone over the character limit with a single post before.

writefag achievement unlocked!

>While you set the table, Twilight moves her table setting from across the table where you placed it to right next to your seat.

>You didn't want to be too forward.

>"Now we can study properly! First thing we need to do is, I need to be able to read these notes if we want to make any progress at all."

"Okay, sure."

>As you both eat, you run through the alphabet with Twilight. It soon becomes apparent that you truly do speak the same language, since writing makes perfect sense to her.

>She readily picks up the idiosyncrasies of English and is soon reading as easily as if it were her native script.

>It's her turn to read to you, as she peruses the introduction to the DRC.

>"… And they were apparently continuing to explore just fine when this was written, but there's no mention of when they closed down."

"I'd guess they gave up for whatever reason shortly after those Relto books were found, since they were still there and ready for us."

>"I suppose…"

>She puts down the DRC book and looks at you inquisitively.

>You've been scanning over the D'ni introduction as you ate.

"So, the D'ni apparently came here thousands of years ago, and live hundreds of years. I don't know how long ponies live, but humans are lucky to see a hundred."

>But maybe that's because of all the Adventuring.

"Their society collapsed and vanished centuries ago, but apparently they're still out there somewhere. It mentions something about a guy named Atrus, apparently from a couple centuries ago, and I guess he led an exodus or something, but it's really vague."

>On the page is a sketch of some lumpy, misshapen biped.

>Twilight leans closer to get a better view.

>"Is that one of the D'ni?"

"No, they apparently looked mostly like humans do. The book says this is a Bahro. I guess they're even more ancient."

>Twilight makes an intrigued "ooh!"

"They can link to Ages at will, and they think the Bahro gave the D'ni their power. But there was a war, or something, and it sounds like some of the Bahro felt they were slaves and rebelled."

>"Was that what caused their society to collapse, then?"

"I don't think so, this makes it sound like it happened with Atrus, after their culture fell. I think this happened while the DRC was around."

>"But that means it happened just a few years ago, right? Does it say how it resolved?"

"No, it kind of just… stops. This was years ago that this was written, maybe the war wasn't over. Hell, maybe that's why nobody's here."

>Spooky shit, teleporting demons.

>Well, you hadn't been attacked by anything yet. This place seems pretty safe, anyway.

>You make some hot chocolate from the generous stocks, handing a mug to Twilight's magic as you return.

"I don't know about you, but it's been a long day and I don't feel like learning an entire language tonight."

>"Agreed, I think we can call this a productive day."

>You relocate to the couch across the room with the D'ni book, twilight settling onto the couch next to you.

"It says the D'ni had a guild system, kind of like castes, with writers being the effective ruling class. Clear writing was prized."

>Twilight makes an approving murmur over her mug.

"The Guild of Maintainers was responsible for checking new Ages for safety, fixing damaged ages, and keeping the peace."

>"That sounds like they were responsible for the facility we found your suit in, then."

"Yeah. They used those to make sure new Ages were safe. Apparently that room was a training facility of some sort. There's mention made here of games you can play, but they just say to check in the Ae'gura library for more."

>"Ae'gura?"

"That's the name of the city we met in. That reminds me, how did you get there?"

>"I was examining rare books in the Canterlot library when I found one written in D'ni. Since I'd never seen the language before, I was going to try to make sense of it, but the picture distracted me. I touched it and…"

"Yeah, about the same thing happened to me. Maybe both our worlds were written by the D'ni."

>"Written by?"

"It says that the first D'ni king wrote Earth, but it also says there was a massive theological divide between those who thought books created the Ages, and those who thought they merely connected to existing places."

>"I'm… not sure how I feel about that."

"Well, apparently they weren't either, since it sounds like a major issue for them."

>Twilight pensievely gazes into her mug, the hint of a troubled frown on her lips.

aight, I'm calling it a night with that

>>141001

fuckin bedroom eyes everywhere

this isn't even a clopfic but I won't pretend that I don't want to cuddle with twilight and read books until stuff happens

I'll write something soon, let me recover from the happening that was this episode

>>141539

Take your time.

Switching from one hectic mood to a inquisitive one is quite hard.

I love this. Keep going

>>141639

Wait, are you the writefag but changed ID?

>>141676

yeah, my ID is pretty fluid

>You wake up and check your phone on reflex.

>Dead.

>Huh. Did you forget to plug it in last night?

>Wait, shit. You're camping. Of course it's dead.

>You don't remember having a cot, though.

>Oh, right. We're in the magic land of Oz now, traipsing about with a purple unicorn uncovering mysteries.

>Your life could make a damn fine show.

>You look over at Twilight and find her still asleep.

>It looks like she couldn't resist temptation and spent the night reading in bed.

>You were always an early riser, anyway.

>There's light coming from the tiny slit of a window, but you have no idea how long the solar cycle is here anyway.

>You begin making something approaching a proper breakfast. There's a can of flour that escaped the assault of time, and you figure you can make some nice biscuits with a little effort.

>Feels good being all rugged and independent like this, this is even better than the vacation you had planned.

>Well, someone probably towed your car by now, so that sucks, but some things are worth it.

>Shortly, the aroma of the (actually pretty great-looking) biscuits and assorted other breakfast things has Twilight hauling the bags under her eyes out of bed.

"Morning, sunshine!"

>"Is it already? I-"

>She's interrupted by a yawn-

>"-I don't feel like I slept at all."

"Hazards of reading in bed, I'm sure."

>You plate out some sweet biscuits and canned fruit, figuring she wouldn't be fond of bacon.

>There's some sweetened condensed milk that adds just the right counterpart to it, you're rather proud of your ability to turn survival-level rations into gourmet fare.

>"Did you really manage all this with just this tiny kitchen? Anonymous, I'm impressed!"

"Thanks, Twilight. I always did enjoy cooking."

>You both tuck in to the meal as you discuss how to best approach the day.

>"I'm sure that, if we search in the city, we'll be able to find a way for you to get back home. The best information I have points to that being the first place the DRC found, so it must have some sort of link to where you want to go."

"And what about yourself?"

>"Well, I'm sure if there was a book to there from my home, there must be a way to get back as well. I'll just have to find it."

"What if we don't?"

>"If worst comes to worst, I can learn the Art. If they could do it, I can do it. I'll write Equestria if I have to."

"I'm sure it won't come to that."

>"Can I see the pictures you took yesterday?"

"No can do, my phone's battery died and I don't have a way to charge it out here."

>"It works on electricity, right? Come on Anonymous, I know magic. Give it here."

>You tentatively hand over your phone.

>Cue mysterious purple magic sparks for a few minutes.

>Whatever she did, when she hands it back over the battery reads 0% but the screen is bright.

>"Don't bother trying to charge it again, you don't need to."

>That might be the smuggest look you've ever seen on a face.

"Slow clap for the wizard, then."

>"Call it thanks for making breakfast."

"So, do we jump right back into the city?"

>"I don't see why not."

>You make your way upstairs and select the appropriate book.

BWOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

>>142181

So, the phone uses magic in the atmosphere?

>>142196

magical piezoelectrics

>>142203

>unicorn twi fic

>posts alicorn twi pics

Yakov is a good artist, no h8

>>142199

What I was thinking.

It's magic.

No need to explain shit even if it has infinity energy

>>142238

That's nice. Thanks.

Now'd probably be a good time to check out that 100th episode

>>142242

nigga get on that shit

I won't be done with the next chapter for a little while, anyway.

>>142243

Downloading from Dailymotion as we speak.

>You reappear in the square overlooking the water, Twilight by your side.

>Neither of you found any of the books you were looking for at the library last time, so by unanimous decision you head in the opposite direction, towards the museum.

>The "museum" turns out to be one small hallway, with a few books on display.

>They helpfully have explanations in English written in notebooks, but all the Ages here were apparently wildlife research ones.

>This place is useless. Time to try the library again.

>As you pass through the square, you hear a chittering noise come from somewhere uphill.

>You both look around, somewhat nervously.

"D'you think there's wild animals down here or something?"

>"Well, I haven't seen or heard anything before now… in fact, I haven't seen any signs of habitation. Usually, animals leave signs of their presence, but this place looks almost… preserved."

>Come to think of it, she's right. You haven't seen anything, not even plants or lots of dirt.

>For a lost city, this place is doing rather well.

>Well, you've managed to keep track of your pistol throughout your adventures, so you don't feel too worried…

>As you walk along the stairs right past where you met Twilight yesterday, you hear another warble, high in the rocks above you.

>You see nothing when you look up, the only sign of another presence being a fading skittering noise, perhaps an animal running away.

"Sounds almost like a fox or something. Foxes are-"

>"I know, we have them too… but I've never known them to act like that."

>Fucking creepy-ass city trying to spook you.

>You reach the library without further incident.

>Last time, you tried the lower doors since they were open, maybe there's something of value in the upper part of the building.

>You try the handle: it's not locked, but time has made it very stiff.

>After a few minutes of concerted effort between the two of you, you manage to force the door.

>Momentum from your last push sends you both tumbling inside.

>Here, at least, the time since the place was last visited seems more evident.

>A thick layer of dust sits over the room, the air is heavy with the scent of old books.

>Thankfully, you don't smell any rot. This place must be very tightly sealed to have kept out the moisture from the lake outside.

"No sign the DRC was ever here."

>"Odd, wouldn't you say?"

"Yeah, you'd think the library would have been one of their first choices. They certainly poked around downstairs enough…"

>"Well, if the work was interrupted, perhaps they had been busy cataloging the lower area and didn't want to expose this to the elements."

>A worried look comes over her face.

>"Oh no, what if we're going to ruin them by opening the door? There must be thousands of book in here, all that knowledge!"

"Twi! Chill! Just… I don't know. Can you enchant something to be a dehumidifier?"

>She looks at nothing in particular, brain clearly overclocking.

>"I think… yes!"

>Her face sets into a triumphantly determined smile.

>She's off to the races, using a small knife to etch something in a plank of wood dragged in from outside.

>While she does her wizard bit, you take a look through the room.

>No way are you going to be able to translate all these books, you have to find some sort of guide to the setup here.

>You wander to everywhere you could imagine finding a catalog in a normal earthly library.

>On a plinth by itself at the end of one of the bookcases lays a large book that has the look of a list.

>Above the book, the bookcase bears an engraving of the layout of the room, with numbers and letters marking various shelves.

>Now, to find a way to read it.

>Just in case, you take a picture of the map before you go back to Twilight.

>She's no longer working on the magic.

>Instead, she's staring out the door, squinting like she's trying to see through a thick fog.

"Twilight, what-"

>"Shush!"

>She holds out a foreleg to stop you passing her.

>Her voice is a whisper:

>"Can you see them?"

"Who?"

>"They're watching us. They've been watching us."

>>142270

>etching runes

Not that I heard of in the show, but maybe it exist.

>"They're watching us. They've been watching us."

Did we leave our suit?

>>142571

How dare you leave us with a suspense!

More time for me to complete Myst. If only I can get to solve this puzzle of gears in the clock tower

>>142593

Yeah, the suit's back in the Relto. Anon didn't figure he needed it for booklearning, and the air conditioning in that thing is shit.

I figured etching runes and shit would work better for a permanent dehydrator, since the spell needs to stick for a while.

Still doing work stuff, might have some time to write later on though.

>>142722

Still not as shitty as the Selenitic age, IMHO.

Green soon, fellow explorers

>>142724

Oh, that fucking mine cart adventure.

Get ready >>142593 its gonna be a slow ride

I never did pay attention to the sound cues. I just mapped out each passages, so I remember where the dead ends were, until I found the exit

>>142736

I can picture that best with the RDP version of Twilight.

for enhanced realism, here's the noise itself

http://www.angelfire.com/in/singingbird/images/linking.wav

now I'm off to bed, bwa-ha-ha and all that

>Victor turns and gazes out the window.

>No way you're calling this guy whatever the fuck it was he wanted to be called.

>Creepy fuck can't even be arsed to look at you while ranting.

>Throwing a meaningful glance at Twilight, you slip a hand into your jacket pocket and touch your Relto book.

>Nothing happens.

>You slip your hand back out before Victor turns around.

>"We must prepare. The city, as I'm sure you noticed, is in deplorable condition."

>He paces around the room as he talks.

>"Our work was so promising, so vital! They never should have left me. They never had the conviction required for our task."

>He stops in front of you, staring you down again.

>You haven't noticed him looking at Twilight at all, he seems to forget she's there.

>Fuck, you haven't been hallucinating, have you?

>It would explain a lot…

>"It falls to us. You, you have sought out the city, you have the will to do what must be done!"

>He's grabbed you by the shoulders, shaking you around a bit as he talks.

>Dude's stronger than he looks.

>His creepy-ass eyes don't seem to focus on you too well.

>"You must follow me."

>He strides to the back of the office and opens the door, leaving without looking back.

>You rush to catch up with him, Twilight lagging a few steps behind.

>She'll only slow you down.

>You catch up with Victor in a library; he's already seated at a writing desk.

>He's scribbling furiously. You catch a glimpse over his shoulder, it's all in D'ni.

>"There are many tasks you will need to accomplish for us to succeed."

>He hands you the paper, still wet with ink.

>"All this must be done immediately, the people have waited too long as it is."

"I- I can't read this…"

>His features darken.

>"Perhaps you lack true conviction after all."

>He freezes awkwardly, twitching slightly. After a moment, he breaks into his friendly grin again.

>"No matter! Everyone starts somewhere! There is a textbook in your chambers, you must simply add this to your tasks. Begin!"

>He turns and walks out of the room without sparing a glance at Twilight.

>She spent the entire exchange waiting near the door. With Victor gone, she trots over to you, face drawn tight with worry.

>"My book isn't working either. Anon, I don't trust him."

"That makes two of us. I'm… fuck."

>You shake your head, trying to clear it of its sudden fuzziness.

>"Are you alright?"

"I think so. I'm just disoriented, I guess. He kind of swept me up and I went along with it."

>Twilight takes the sheet with Victor's instructions and pockets it.

"We need to find a way out of here while he's gone. He feels dangerous."

>You take a peek out in the hall as Twilight searches the library.

>"I think he's sick, somehow. He… smells wrong. He needs help."

"What, I'm a doctor now?"

>"I know it can't be us to help him, but… I don't know."

>She stops and stares at the floor for a moment.

>Shit, she really looks like she feels for the guy.

"We can try to get him help when we get out of here. Is there a door in here?"

>"… No."

"Come on."

>You think he went back to his office, so you decide to try the other direction.

>As you sneak down the hall, you try your Relto again.

>No luck.

>You come to a beautiful atrium, with a high domed ceiling and doors leading off in cardinal directions.

>Everything is stereotypically D'ni, being covered in artsy patterns of tile and carving.

>There are beautiful portraits of some old fuckers between the doors.

>You hear the sound of a linking book in the middle distance, from the door to your left.

>You dart across the room, crossing to the door directly in front of you.

>A couple turns later and you have to admit you have no idea what you're doing.

>"Anonymous!"

>Twilight's voice is a panicky whisper.

>"I heard movement behind us."

>Okay, now it's pistol time, damn the consequences.

>You position yourself at the corner, as little of your face peering out as possible.

>In the dim light, you see a Bahro prowling down the hall you came from.

>Its movements are restrained, catlike.

>It's hunting you.

>You don't think it saw you yet, so you fall back around the corner a few feet and aim, ready for when it comes around.

>Twilight presses slightly into your leg. You can feel her shiver.

>Movement!

>But not enough movement.

>A hand, alien but recognizable, is all that shows around the corner.

>The fingers are held open, the hand making a waving motion.

"What the fuuuuuuuck…"

>Slowly, the rest of the body follows, and the Bahro stands, arms out to the sides.

>"Anonymous…"

"I know."

>"He's waiting for you to lower your weapon…"

"He can wait longer. Look behind us."

>She looks. Looks back. The Bahro remains still.

>"There's nothing. Anonymous, please-"

>You lower your pistol.

>The Bahro leaps at the both of you, crossing the distance before you can bring your arm to bear.

>You throw up your other arm, smacking into a dense, leathery limb.

"Fucker!"

>The Bahro's hand grips your shoulder and pulls you close, you see another dart for Twilight.

BWOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

>>143105

She's here as an explorer, yes. She's not used to the whole "fight monsters 9-5" deal yet.

more soon

http://pastebin.com/sj7QrZtP

temporary pastebin, I'll make a real one later

fuark, place is closing, no more internet for me

see you tomorrow with more green

I was gonna update tonight but actual real life bullshit just got heavy and I don't feel up to it.

I'll catch you tomorrow.

Or maybe tonight, I might just write to blow off steam since I gotta be up another three hours anyway.

>>143105

Did she start firing lazors before or after getting alicorned?

>>143541

>>143690

Getting real interesting now. Best wishes with whatever's going on.

>>143714

>Did she start firing lazors before or after getting alicorned?

before, like during the wedding

>Getting real interesting now. Best wishes with whatever's going on.

thanks, bro. writing helps a bit, but it takes a lot of brainpower to write dialogue-heavy bits like this without becoming boring

>"Look," Jean butts in, "it's not our fault he's nuts. We're just tryin' to help and the Bahro are really your only chance at this."

>Twilight speaks up: "How do you mean?"

>"They control the linking process. They shut down your books, and they can keep Vic out of here."

"How do they keep him out, if he's got Bahro too?"

>Rick answers: "He's got a handful of them. They're a splinter faction, trying to stir things up. Most Bahro are neutral to this whole thing, and those that actually care are mostly on our side."

"So, if he's so outnumbered, why is he a threat?"

>"Well, that's a bit trickier to explain. Come on, let's get indoors."

>They usher you both inside one of the small huts. The furniture here is spartan, with little more than some chairs and tables. Books and writing gear are scattered around.

"Okay, so, what do we do now? We weren't really planning on an extended stay here."

>"Sorry, man. It's the way it's gotta be. Vic's pretty unpredictable."

>They arrange a few chairs in a rough circle and you take seats. Twilight perches awkwardly on a chair somewhat too small for her.

"If the Bahro can go where they want, why not just send us home?"

>"Do you want a madman chasing you down at home?"

>Fuck.

>Twilight fills the silence: "Well, what should we do about him, then?"

>Rick looks at his hands.

>"Well, I don't really know. He wants to… 'rebuild' the D'ni, he refuses to accept that they've moved to Releeshahn. He wants them to return. Well, it's more like he expects it."

"The fuck is wrong with him?"

>Jean looks away from you as Rick continues:

>"Well, Vic was always a little odd. He was kind of a zealot about the whole restoration project. He really took it hard when we lost funding and had to leave."

>His voice becomes strained.

>"He kept going back, on his own dime, long after. Many of us did, if only for the nostalgia. But he was determined. He had reactivated an exploration pod and used it to scan new ages. Jean and I would help him with the data sometimes."

>Jean stands and walks out the door.

>"One day, the pod came back on auto, a feature the D'ni used in case the crew was incapacitated by something in a dangerous age. When we checked on him, he was unconscious, still sitting at the viewport."

>"From the best we could tell, the poor bastard was irradiated or something. He's damn near blind, he said he kept seeing 'stars' or 'static' everywhere. He started hallucinating pretty bad."

>Twilight breaks in- "It sounds like he has macular degeneration from the radiation, and likely severe brain-"

>She falls silent at Rick's look.

>Her ears fold back and she looks away. "I didn't mean…"

>Rick sighs.

>"It's okay. We had to make our peace with it a while back. Jean took it harder than I did, they were always close. Anyway, he got worse fast. His obsession became delusion."

"Shit, man. That's a raw deal. He went to the Bahro?"

>"Yeah, he did. He co-opted a faction of them and kept trying to build the culture again. We're really here to humor him, and try to keep him out of trouble."

"Jesus. This is way shittier than I expected."

>"Just… you can't really humor him, so we'll try to keep him off your back until we can figure a way to contain him."

>Now you feel all bad and shit…

"Fuck it, I'll help if I can."

>Twilight still looks hurt over her runaway tongue, but she nods support as well.

>Rick gives a halfhearted smile.

>"Tell you what. Maybe we can figure something out…"

>>143920

D'ni seems to have that habit of driving people insane…

I'll get to writing this evening

>>144043

supposedly you couldn't link into an age from the same age, which is why they had the Nexus

aaaaanyways, I'll update this more tomorrow whilst I wait for the ep

>>144252

>that gif

>that high five

Keep em coming after Princess Spike

>You check your watch.

>2000

>Fucking hell this is taking forever.

>Twilight pokes you to bring your focus back to the book.

>"Now, go over it one more time. The conjugation for 'kro' is?"

"Ugh…"

>She shoots you a disapproving glare.

"Kro, kroehm, kroehn, kroeht, krotee… fucksicles."

>"Kroeet…"

"-Kroeet, b'kro."

>"Better, but we still have a long ways to go."

"I'm not gonna pick up a language in an evening, Twilight."

>"Be that as it may, we need to do this."

"Fiiiiine."

>You turn your attention back to the book,

>Soon enough, Rick and Jean return. They're both toting canvas bags full of something.

>Glad for the distraction from the mess that is D'ni orthography, you get up and wander to the table they set their cargo on.

>Looks like dinner's coming.

"This is all fresh stuff. How'd you get it here?"

>Jean looks confused for a moment, responding: "Well, we've got books that link back to Earth."

>She picks up a roast chicken, still hot in its tray. "We just made a run to the market, like usual."

>But you're stuck here like a prisoner.

>Rick pipes up: "We've been working on ways to expand the network of books. If we could master it, travel could be revolutionized!"

>You all work at setting out the meal.

"What does Yohn eat?"

>Jean shrugs. "We don't really know. The Bahro are pretty private, they don't eat with us."

>Indeed, Yohnann already left the building.

>Oh well.

>The rain is still hammering down outside, so you all cluster close to the fire.

>Twilight hasn't been forgotten, they remembered to get a rather nice salad for her.

>The hot food is a welcome break from the studies.

"Hard to believe it's not even been three days since we got here, ain't it?"

>Twilight nods past a mouthful of greenery.

>"It's amazing how much we've already learned! This is going to change the world!"

"Worlds. This is maybe the single most significant discovery in history… which makes me wonder. Rick, Jean, why didn't anyone ever get word out about this?"

>Rick shrugs. "We tried, but everyone thought we were faking it. Remember, when we first started the excavation, media wasn't as widespread as it is now, and everyone we tried to get out here to see refused to come."

"That sounds more than a little suspicious to me."

>"Well, I dunno. Maybe there's someone in the government who's supressing it or something. Maybe we're all test subjects in Area 51."

>He shrugs again, with an extra dose of sarcasm.

>"Come on, if you hadn't touched the book yourself, would you have believed me?"

"Well…"

>"Exactly."

>Twilight still has her nose buried in the book, flicking an ear towards your conversation every so often.

>The rain stops.

>Huh.

>The fire goes out, like someone turned off a switch.

>Shit.

>You are suddenly aware of how dark it's gotten.

>Rick stands up, pulling a small flashlight from his pocket.

>You do the same.

>He motions you to the door.

>"Come on, let's go see what's gotten into the Bahro.

>You crack the door first, and your light's beam reflects off dozens of eyes peering through the night.

it's late as dicks, next chapter will have to wait till tomorrow

>One of the pairs of eyes closes in.

>A familiar, rounded body lopes into view.

>You can't really tell Bahro apart yet, but you'll take a guess:

"Yohn?"

>The Bahro extends a fist.

>Furthering your guesswork, you go for a fist bump.

>Respek nuckles active.

"It's Yohn, guys. Dude, what's going on out here?"

>Yohn makes a pushing gesture, urging you back inside the hut.

>You back through the door and the Bahro come piling in.

>The hut fills up fast.

>The last Bahro turns and makes an aggressive gesture into the darkness, accompanied by a harsh trill.

>You shine your light back outside.

>There's still a fuckload of eyes.

>Rick looks to one of the other Bahro in the hut.

>"What's going on?"

>This one apparently knows some sign language or something.

>A few seconds of rapid gestures leaves Rick's face ashen.

>"Anon. Close the door."

>You comply, not wanting to argue the point.

>Twilight looks to Rick: "Why are half the Bahro in here?"

>"This is all our Bahro."

"Oh shiiiiit."

>"Yeah."

>Twilight picks up on his meaning a moment after you do.

>"Were they fighting?"

>Rick shrugs again. Seems to be his favorite gesture.

>"I have no idea. Bahro do things differently. Maybe they were having a fight, maybe they were glaring at each other, I can't tell you."

"So, those are the ones with Victor out there, right?"

>"Yeah. I don't know what they want. Vaiho doesn't know too much English yet, I can't figure out what he's trying to get across."

>You peek through the shutter of one of the windows.

>It's still dark, but you can make out a crowd of Bahro standing and staring at the hut.

>You don't see any sign of Victor.

"So, what do we do? Just sit here and stare until fuck knows what happens?"

>"We run. Your Relto books are probably shut down from their influence, but Yohnann can get you out of here."

"Okaaaay…"

>Yohn is raring to go, he's already standing near Twilight and looking at you expectantly.

>Twilight makes a beckoning gesture with her head, eyes wide but not panicked.

>You quickly make your way over into Yohn's embrace.

BWOOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

>Before you even get your bearings, your first thought is how it was totally time to be asleep.

>Goddamnit.

>You look around.

>This is literally the mushroom kingdom.

"Yohn, if I see a plumber I'm kicking you."

>He just tightens his grip on your arm and you-

BWOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

"Yohn! What the fuck are we doing?"

>He lets go of your arm and raises a placating finger for a moment, before grabbing you again.

>You barely have a moment to see yourself surrounded by tall spires of wind-carved sandstone before-

BWOOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

BWOOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

BWOOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

>You're starting to feel dizzy…

>But it seems to have stopped now.

>You set your eyes on the horizon and settle your stomach.

>You're standing atop a large mountain, looking down over a tropical valley.

>The air where you are is cold, but the valley is half-covered with dense clouds and looks to drain into a warm beach at the mouth of the valley.

>The clouds are broken near the center of the valley by something vast. Something almost, but not quite treelike.

>You see no sign of civilization.

>Yohn is already tugging at your arm, urging you to move.

>The three of you move out at a speedy pace; Yohn seems to be hurrying to or from something.

>You look back, there's no sign of Rick or Jean, or any further Bahro for that matter.

>You want to ask Yohn what's going on, but that wouldn't be productive.

>You look at Twilight; her horn is glowing and she's writing down things in her notepad.

>Ever the scholar, it seems.

>You're not quite jogging, but the air up here is thinner than you've dealt with in a few years, so you're feeling a little lightheaded as you speedwalk down the mountain.

>Yohn is relentless, loping on without pause.

>Twilight, with four legs, seems to be having an easier time of it than you.

>Her face being buried in her notepad has caused her more than a few stumbles, however.

>Your legs are burning, your lungs are burning, and you've been scuttling down scree for more than an hour when Yohn finally pulls you into the shelter of some large boulders near the treeline.

>You quietly get your breath back, hands on knees.

>Twilight sits and stares at her notes, face curiously blank.

>Yohn has crawled up to look over the boulder, back up the hill.

>You've recovered enough to speak.

"Twi, what's up? You look troubled."

>She cocks an ear to your voice, flipping through her notes.

>"I don't understand what's going on in this age. I've been taking measurements since we got here, but they don't seem to add up.'

"Measurements? What kind of measurements can you do with a horn?"

>"The unicorn horn was originally developed as a sensory organ, Anonymous. I can sense my environment through it, particularly humidity and electromagnetic fields."

>She flares her horn, and you feel a tingle on your skin like static.

>"With magic, however, I can sense much more. It's not as sophisticated or reliable as proper equipment, but I can make guesses. But those guesses aren't adding up."

"How so?"

>"Does this place feel strange to you? Physically? Are you dizzy?"

"Yeah, a little, but we're on a mountain. I'm not used to this air pressure."

>"The air pressure hasn't changed, Anon. We've crossed more than enough distance for me to feel a change, but there wasn't one."

"Funny weather?"

>"That isn't all that-"

>She silences herself as Yohn drops back down between the two of you. He gestures towards the treeline, urging you on, but remains where he is.

"Not coming?"

>He shoos you away.

>Twilight is alrady moving.

>"Come on, Anon!"

>You book it down the slope and into the treeline.

>As you enter the surprisingly dense forest, a massive blast of wind blows the clouds that were in the valley up the slope, swamping you in a sudden fogbank.

>You hear a rumble of thunder closer than you feel comfortable with, and fat droplets of rain start spattering through the branches overhead.

>This place is pretty quiet. You can easily make a survival shelter here, especially since this far into the valley the weather is much warmer.

“How do you feel about stopping here for the night? Assuming there’s night here…”

>Twilight looks at the sky and the valley, seeming to measure something in her head.

>”I guess we won’t be reaching the structure anytime soon. Do you think we’ll be safe?”

“I haven’t seen much cover here, so this is probably the best we’ve got. We won’t freeze, at least, and when I make a shelter it’s not that easy to see.”

>Twilight nods assent and slumps next to a tree.

>Maybe she was more worn out than she was letting on.

>It doesn’t take you long to create a shelter big enough to cover the two of you.

>Not much more than that, though. Twilight better understand the necessity of the situation, or she can make her own bloody leaf tent.

>You look over to her, she’s fast asleep.

>D’aww.

>You try gently shaking her awake, but she’s far gone.

>Far gone and heavy, as you find out trying to drag her over.

>Ponies must be built of dense stuff.

>Halfway to the shelter you feel her stir.

>”Hmn- whu? Getoffm…”

>She tries shrugging off your arms without much success.

>You readjust and help her get her hooves under herself properly, and she manages to walk the rest of the way to the shelter.

>”This is… cozy.”

>This is how you keep warm.

“Well, it’s home for the night. Climb on in.”

>She gives you a dubious glance through sleep-blurred eyes, but crawls in.

>You slide in after her, filling most of the remaining space.

>Pulling up the “door” you made and covering it with leaves isn’t an easy task past her, but you manage eventually.

>The leaves also have the advantage of blocking out the sunlight.

>You set your phone to vibrate in about eight hours and try to make yourself comfortable.

>You can feel Twilight’s breathing, slow and steady; she’s already asleep again.

>You soon follow her example.

>You snap awake moments before your phone goes off.

>Is something out there?

>You listen for a moment, conscious of the soft hum of the phone but unwilling to disturb the leaves to silence it.

>vmmmmm

>Nothing…

>vmmmmm

>You must have woken naturally. Mental clock rolled a crit there.

>vmmmmm

>Twilight kicks her hind leg and catches you in the shin.

“Fuck-“

>You strangle your outburst.

>Twilight flicks an ear and rotates her head to eye you. Her voice is a cautious whisper:

>”Is something wrong?”

“Not that I can tell. Why’d you kick me?”

>”I did? I’m sorry, I must have been asleep. Something tickled me.”

>You slowly pull the phone out and disable the alarm.

“Hold still…”

>You shift onto your belly and peer through your leaf blanket.

>It’s dim in the forest, sunlight faintly leaking through thick clouds.

>You can’t see or hear anything you wouldn’t expect in a forest.

“Okay, let’s see how things are out here.”

>You climb out from your shelter and scan the area again.

>Still quiet.

>Twilight is staring at the sky.

>”The sun hasn’t moved.”

“This place is broken, they should send it back.”

>On the bright side, that makes navigation easier.

>Your somewhat empty stomach makes its presence known.

>You’ll need to deal with that eventually.

“Let’s keep moving.”

>You walk through the forest at a much slower pace than yesterday.

>At first you kept up a façade of stealth, but an hour of silent trees finds you both rather bored.

“So. Gravity, air pressure, the fucking sun, what else is broken here?”

>”I can only measure so much, Anon. I’m doing this by feel, that’s like you trying to tell me the humidity change from the mountain to here by how clammy your skin feels.”

“Point granted, but for real. Is anything else screwy?”

>”That’s not enough?”

>You give her an unamused glance.

>”If there’s anything else, I can’t tell what it would be.”

>You walk a while longer in silence.

>You cast around in your mind for something to say, but before you come up with anything you notice the sky darkening.

“Fuck me, another storm?”

>A distinct supercell is forming, centered above the Antree.

>”This could get nasty.”

>You look around for shelter, but the forest is unhelpful.

>”Anon! Look!”

>The dense center of the cloud blooms outward, seeming to swell through the cloud layer until it’s at least triple the previous thickness, leaving the sky a flat grey.

>It’s a lot darker now.

>Like, crescent-moon-in-the-country dark.

“This is gonna blooooooow…”

>Twilight has her horn’s glow focused into a beam and points a hoof towards a larger tree with a hollow in its trunk.

>You both hurry over and cram into the relative shelter and await the storm.

>And wait.

>And wait longer.

“Huh.”

>The wind hasn’t picked up.

>Doesn’t that mean tornados?

>Can tornados form with wonky gravity?

>”I don’t think this is a storm…”

“Enlighten me, then.”

>She peers out at the sky.

>”I think… this might be how they control the night cycle. Yohnann could control fire, remember. I think they control more than just that.”

“Fun. So, it’s night, and we can still sort of see. Want to keep-“

>Twilight looks up at you, curious as to why you trailed off.

>You’re staring at the Antree.

>It’s covered in lights, shinier than any holiday display you’ve ever seen.

“It’s a city.”

>>146028

Glad to hear it!

Next part will have to wait until later, got reports to make….

>You continue walking towards the Antree.

"I'm kind of worried that Yohn hasn't caught up with us yet."

>"Do you think we should try to go back?"

>This forest is far too featureless to backtrack.

>He was urging you to run pretty hard.

"I think he stayed behind for a reason. Either he's okay and can catch us later, or we'd probably be in danger if we looked for him."

>All the logic in the world can't stop you from feeling like a coward, though.

>Twilight looks like she feels much the same.

"I don't even know if we'd be able to find him again."

>Twilight stops walking and starts fiddling with something.

>What is she-?

>Oh. The Ki.

>You kind of forgot you were wearing one.

>She gives up with whatever she was trying and hangs her head.

>"I had hoped we could backtrack, but…"

"Backtrack?"

>"The DRC found the Ki network has a coordinate system, but it's not working here. Not that we even knew what coordinates we came in at anyway…"

>You look at your Ki:

CURRENT AGE: ???

>The coordinate system is empty.

>As you go to close the display, you notice an icon in the corner.

>Tapping it opens a chat function. You have a message waiting from Rick:

[DO NOT USE RELTO BOOKS AND AVOID]

>Candlejack?

>You angle the projection so Twilight can see.

>"Avoid. Oh boy."

"Yeah. I'm starting to feel like we're running out of friends pretty fast."

>"It's a good thing our Reltos don't work."

"You tried it already?"

>"When we were pausing last night."

"That would have been a mess…"

>You resume walking.

>Your destination never feels like it's getting closer, but that might be the sheer scale of it.

>The forest is noticeably more tropical down here, and you feel the humidity growing more intense.

>You notice the forest is still quieter than you would expect.

>The only real noise is the soft breeze through the leaves.

>You really hope this is just a normal thing for this age.

>Time passes.

>And more time.

>You check your phone: you've been walking for four hours now.

>You and Twilight both have slowed down significantly, thirst beginning to cloud your mind.

>Despite having kept your eyes out for anything like a bromeliad, you've seen nothing that you'd expect to hold much water.

"Twilight."

>"Huh?"

>Both your voices are rough and quiet, thirst has kept you silent for a while.

"Please tell me you can get water with magic."

>"I-"

>She pauses to clear her throat-

>"I've never tried. I'll need to derive it from first principles…"

"Can you?"

>"I can try."

>She stops and sits on a clear patch of ground and starts drawing in her notebook.

>You examine the nearby foliage more carefully, hoping against hope you can find something you missed.

>Ten minutes pass.

>Twilight's horn lit up once, but whatever she was doing hasn't quenched your thirst.

>You've established that these plants, though interesting, have no visible fruit.

>You take your knife and carve a test hole into a round-ish plant.

>You pull a plug of the bark out and find potato-like plant flesh behind.

>You sniff it, finding it odorless.

>A cautious tap with your tongue, however, is less promising.

>It's harshly bitter, likely highly alkaline.

>You'd just wind up puking it out.

>You spare another glance at Twilight.

>She's put down the notepad and is staring at nothing.

>She's not going to last long.

>How long can ponies go without water? Less time than humans? More?

>You look at the only other plant that looks promising.

>It reminds you of a palm tree, or maybe a pinecone, with interlocking plates.

>You thump it with a knuckle, it sounds hollow.

>You brace against the ground and kick, feeling your foot bash through the bark into the interior.

>Widening the hole a bit, you stick your head inside.

>There's small clusters of a fist-sized thing, appearing fruitlike.

>They don't really look ripe, but it's the best you have.

>You pick a few and test them much in the same way you did the other plant.

>They seem less harmful, at least, tasting vaguely like peas.

>Not much liquid, though.

>Still better than nothing.

>You want to test them more thoroughly, but there isn't much time.

>If this goes wrong, Twilight will know not to eat them.

>This is the right thing to do.

>You eat one.

>A few seconds pass and you're not dying, good sign.

>You better head to Twilight, time to snap her out of whatever daze she's in.

>Pulling yourself out of the hollow plant, you find her already walking over to you.

>"Open your mouth and look up."

"What?"

>"Open it!"

>Her words are accompanied by a jab of a hoof.

>You stare upwards, mouth agape.

>Drip

>Drip

>Dripdripdripdrip-

"Ughhhl?"

>You find your mouth filling with water from your own personal rainstorm.

>Kind of makes it hard to talk.

>"Sorry for how awkward this is, but we don't really have any cups."

>A few minutes later, your thirst is quenched.

>"I won't bore you with the details of how incredibly tricky it is to recreate weather magic from memory."

>You can tell she's trying really hard to be humble about this.

>Throat still recovering from its punishment, you opt to just hug her.

>She kind of freezes up for a second, then pats your back awkwardly.

>You break off and catch the edge of a blush on her cheeks.

>"So, why were you waist-deep in a plant?"

"I… might have found food?"

>"Might? Let me see, I might be able to test it for safety."

"You can do that?"

>"Well, it's not really what that spell would be designed for, but it's better than nothing…"

"Oh. Uh, cool. Here."

>As she takes the lumps of plant from you, she gives you a searching glance.

>"Anon? What are you not telling me?"

"We-ell, I kind of already tried one, so we'd know. Firsthand knowledge and all that."

>She gasps.

>"Why would you do that? Are you crazy? Do you know how much danger you put yourself in?"

>You raise your hands in a placating gesture.

"I didn't know you could test for poison! I was just trying to help!"

>She makes a frustrated huff and examines the "fruit" for a few minutes.

>"You might- might- be okay. I can't detect anything chemical that would harm you, but that won't tell me anything about biological defense mechanisms."

"So, you're saying we'd have had to try it to know, anyway?"

>"That is not what I-"

>She cuts herself off and glares at the fruit.

"Easy day, then. If I puke it up or die in the next hour, you just don't eat those."

>"You're still stupid…"

>She doesn't sound angry.

>Really, she sounds sad.

"Don't worry about me."

>You ruffle her hair in what you hope to be a comforting manner.

"If jalfrezi can't stop me, this legume-alike doesn't stand a chance."

>She avoids your eyes.

>You stand up. Might as well push on.

"Come on, Twi. No use moping around here while we wait for the results from my experiment."

>She doesn't say anything, but at least she follows as you start walking.

>You figure you'll drop the subject for a while. Not dying might get you back in her good graces.

>>146253

>>146254

>>146261

That was some panicky move.

Though, it is a hard time.

In an unknown place and thirst is killing you.

I might do the same.

Twilight is a cutie pie

>The Antree looms overhead.

>You must have been walking all day.

>Or night, you suppose.

>In fact, you feel like the clouds above are thinning.

>Twilight really isn’t looking too good.

>She hasn’t had much past that salad; she must be hungrier than you are.

>Fuck it, you don’t feel dead.

>You pull out the remaining few fruits.

“Hey. You’re dead on your feet.”

>Twilight looks up at you, bags under her eyes.

>She manages half a smile.

>”I guess you didn’t die, so I might as well…”

>You take a break while she eats the unappetizing lumps.

>You look up and note you are distinctly under the edge of the Antree by now.

>In fact, you have been for a while. It can’t be far until the “root” now.

>Twilight stands again, looking somewhat sated.

>You make your way forwards once more.

>You can now trace your progress by how near the nodes of the Antree overhead grow to you.

>It seems like the entire structure is colorfully painted stone, and from what you can see from here, it looks less like it was cut and built, and more like it was grown into this shape by whatever devices they may have here.

>You can see, not too far away, what looks to be the base.

>It’s small, just a trunk of material perhaps a couple hundred feet plunging unceremoniously into the dirt.

>It’s surreal, seeing something so uncomfortably huge being supported by something so worryingly small.

>You focus so much on the scale of the thing that you don’t notice the figures around the base at first.

>You nudge Twilight. She squints, then looks straight up.

>”Anooooon, they’re doing it again…”

>You follow her gaze.

>Goddamnit.

>The Antree’s nearest nodes are populated by a crowd of Bahro, staring down at you.

>No wonder she looked around, it’s becoming a reflex. Fucking Bahro love staring at you.

>You walk on in silence, suffering the silent gaze of a hundred eyes or more.

>You step into a clearing that surrounds the root.

>From among the Bahro, three are standing apart from the crowd.

>They stand near where you emerged, the one in the lead bearing small item in his hand.

>A Ki.

>>146607

I haven't played past Myst.

Does your average Bahro stares a lot?

>>146685

not as much as they have here, no, but these guys aren't the same Bahro from uru and EOA

>The Bahro with the key reaches a hand out in a supplicating motion.

>When you hesitate, he waves to your hand that bears your Ki.

"Oh!"

>You extend your hand.

>The Bahro gently takes hold of you and taps the activation button on your Ki.

>It seems to be studying the display.

>After a moment, it releases your hand and goes to enter something on it's own Ki.

>As you go to withdraw your hand, it grabs you again and holds your hand back in place.

"Okay, I get the message…"

>After it's done with whatever it was doing, it motions for you to check your Ki.

>There's a message waiting.

>Apparently the Bahro-listed in your Ki as Vaiho- has added him?self to your Ki.

[APOLOGY YOHNANN UNABLE TO DELIVER TO US YOUR SELVES REGRET UNABLE TO AID DOCTOR FRIENDS OFFER PARTAKE OF SHELTER SUGGESTION AID CAUSE OF THE PEOPLE]

"Thanks? I think? Is Yohnann okay?"

>Vaiho busies himself with his Ki again. Waiting around for him to finish typing gives you time to share a glance with Twilight.

>She looks to be about as inured to the weirdness level you've been suffering as you are by this point.

>Bip!

[WORRY REGRET YOHNANN UNFOUND MORE THE PEOPLE ATTEMPTED AID FOR YOHNANN BUT YOHNANN WE FEAR CAPTURED BY NOT OF THE PEOPLE]

>Twilight looks to have found the alien's Ki ID and is receiving these messages too, so at least you don't need to read them out loud every time you get one.

>She adds to your question: "You couldn't help Rick and Jean? Are they alright?"

>Waiting.

>Vaiho doesn't seem that good at typing, he seems to confer with another Bahro frequently.

>"I think he's the one who can type well, but the other one's the one who can really form the words."

>You shrug. Good a guess as any.

>Bip!

[CORRECT DOCTORS TAKEN BY NOT OF THE PEOPLE UNABLE TO TRACK REQUEST THE PEOPLE HAVE WANT OF YOUR AID FOR RESOLUTION]

"Sounds like a plan to me, I guess. Twi, what's your thoughts?"

>"This does seem to be the best option we have. The only one, to be honest."

"Okay, we'll try to help."

>Vaiho gestures you toward the Antree.

>As you approach, you're more than a little let down by how uninspiring the base it.

>It's colorfully painted, but the only real features seem to be small doors at five equal points around the base, assuming the pattern continues all around.

>When you step inside, however, you're greeted with something else.

>The interior shines, both from bright sunlight filtering through the nodes overhead, and from luminescent elements set in odd chevron-shaped patterns on the sweeping vault supports that arc across the space, seemingly at random.

>There aren't any concessions to walking inside, it seems.

>You see no stairs leading up, with the floor almost completely missing.

>There's a pentagonal set of walkways stretching between the doors and to the center of the structure where the vault buttresses meet, but the rest is a hole leading down.

>The hole draws your gaze even more than the architecture above, for it seems to be an exact mirror, like an hourglass.

>No, not a mirror.

>the struts have a different pattern, and there's no sunlight. Only the steady glow of the chevrons in the struts lights up that half.

>The lower half glows blue, instead of the rich golden light of the upper architecture.

>Twilight is similarly enthralled, turning small circles as she tries to take it all in.

>Your phone provides you a more economical option, you're absolutely taking videos of this shit.

>You wonder if Twilight can magically add wi-fi and more memory to this thing.

>Vaiho is standing nearby, waiting patiently.

>When you look to him, he approaches and flares out his wings.

>Oh, right, they have those.

"Twi, I think we're going for a ri-"

>"Yahh!"

>Too late.

>Twilight is already being hauled through the air as Vaiho approaches you.

>You keep a death grip on your phone.

>You didn't want to risk dropping it, but FUCK no you won't miss this chance for a video.

"FUCK YEAHHHHHH!"

>>146937

FUCK YEAHHHHHH!

I just downloaded Hotline: Miami and there's an episode out so expect a short delay

>>147224

Adorable, yes. Edible? Nah

But I will still eat her

>The world is a blur of columns of light.

>Vaiho seems to be giving you a show, weaving around the arcs of stone and spiraling upward through the cathedral-like space in the center.

>When you cross into that void, you feel physically lighter. Maybe the gravity cuts out in the middle.

>In fact, that might be how they can lift you in the first place.

>You wave to Twilight as her Bahro swoops past you.

>You hear something halfway between incoherent screaming and unstoppable laughter.

>Short minutes later, your flight comes to an end at the mouth of a hole in the wall.

>Vaiho releases you about five feet up, you tuck and roll and generally look a lot better on your landing than you would have guessed.

>That was over too soon.

>You turn your camera back towards the vault of light and catch a great view of Twilight's rapid landing.

>"AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

>She's not nearly as graceful in her landing, looking somewhat worse for wear when she picks herself up.

>You help pull her up and straighten her mane a touch.

>You both look down the hole you've been deposited at.

>Vaiho and the other Bahro are crouched down, waiting patiently.

>Behind them, the hole stretches out to branch off at several locations.

>This must be the inside of one of those branches that makes the tree structure. It's easily 60 feet wide, maybe more.

>Two strips of golden glowing chevrons run along the top of the branch, illuminating colorful patterns painted all down the walls.

>It's less clean and specific an aesthetic than the D'ni;it feels almost tribal.

>So these fuckers are responsible for all those tattoos!

>You snap a few pictures as Vaiho leads your small party down the branch.

>You hear something musical, somewhat like flutes or birdsong.

>After a few minutes it becomes apparent that Vaiho is leading you towards the sound.

>Several turns later, you step into a large chamber.

>The room is set up like an arena, or maybe an amphitheater.

>Most of the room is tiers filled with Bahro, their chittering the source of the sounds you've been following.

>The center is a small platform, unadorned save for a decorated pillar, about chest-height to you.

>Vaiho leads you up to the platform and begins some sort of speech to the Bahro, gesturing to you periodically.

>You share a glance with Twilight.

>Vaiho sets about typing on his Ki.

>A few minutes later-bip!

[OPPORTUNITY YOU CAN GO WHERE THE PEOPLE CANNOT CONFIDENCE THE PEOPLE HAVE LOCATED YOHNANN CAUTION HE IS IN DANGER]

"Can we help him, then?"

>Another few minutes.

>Bip!

[CONFIRMATION WARNING IT WILL BE DANGEROUS YOU MUST NOT TAKE BOOKS WARNING THE PEOPLE CAN ONLY TAKE YOU TO THE AGE ONCE YOU ARE THERE YOHNANN MUST BE HELPED BY YOU ALONE]

>"We'll do it. We've got to."

"Yeah, we'll figure it out. Do you know if Victor's with him? Or Rick and Jean?"

>"And can we please have something to eat?"

>Oh, right. You're hungry enough to be dizzy.

>Bip!

[UNKNOWING ONLY YOHNANN CAN BE FOUND RELIABLY ALL ELSE YOU MUST FIND FOR YOURSELF PROMISE THE PEOPLE CAN FEED AND SHELTER YOU BUT TIME IS SHORT THOSE NOT OF THE PEOPLE HAVE PLANS]

>Vaiho makes some sort of statement to the crowd and then leads the two of you through another maze of passages.

>You are shown to a large node, this one with windows cut into the rock showing a bright day outside.

>The place is furnished like an apartment, though the Bahro don't seem to use chairs.

>Still, everything else is relatively recognizable.

>There's a corner that looks like a kitchen, an alcove possibly for hygine, and a depression in the center of the floor.

>The depression is lined with cushions. Apparently the Bahro just curl up in these nests.

>It's really the only furnishing in the room other than the functional appliances and the bright paint everywhere.

>First things first, food.

I gotta change my sleep schedule sanic fast, so no update tonight. Sorry, folks.

>>148016

You're going to a significantly different time zone?

>>148018

nah, my schedule is just shit because I work shift and they keep moving me around for stuff

anyway, the thing got cancelled so I get to stay up for a while to reset, maybe I can hit like 22,000 words today

>After examination of the “kitchen,” your confidence that the Bahro know what food is has dropped somewhat.

>There’s nothing resembling a way to cook anything, and the only tool you find is a not-quite-knife that you figure is meant to peel something.

>There’s a net sack full of round things the size of your head, and you find a pot full of fruits tucked in a cupboard, so this’ll probably work out in the end.

>Twilight nudges you out of the way and grabs the peeler.

>”Gosh, Anon, you’re certainly taking your time!”

>Her first attempts at peeling the fruits don’t exactly look beautiful, but you’re starving and could care less about presentation.

>While she busily strips the egg-sized fruits, you pull one of the larger things out from the sack.

>You thought it was a melon, but something about it doesn’t feel quite right.

>Oh, well. You pull out your knife and crack open the rind.

>Instead of juicy innards, the shell is filled with something that reminds you vaguely of sunflower seeds or something.

>Whatever, you’re hungry.

>Twilight’s filled a couple of large bowls with the fruits by the time you’ve cracked another seed melon open.

>You ignore the lack of furniture and choose to lean back against the wall where it curves to meet the floor.

>The seeds turn out to be something more like a grain.

>Can you even digest this?

>Eh, you’re beyond really caring. The fruit’s nice, at least.

“You look like you’re enjoying yourself.”

>”Hm? Oh, yes, whatever this is is delicious, and I was starving…”

>She stares at you with some concern.

>”This isn’t really your type of food, is it?”

“I’ll be fine.”

>”Anonymous, you look like death warmed over.”

“I just need rest. We can’t linger here, Yohn’s in trouble.

>She looks down.

>”I know…”

“I wasn’t saying you didn’t. I just don’t feel hungry when I’m worried.”

>This shit is getting too awkward for you.

>You exaggerate a yawn.

“I think I’ll just find some sleep.”

>You set an alarm for about six hours out and curl up in the cushioned center of the room.

>Apparently you managed to eat enough, since your stomach doesn’t trouble you and you fall asleep far easier than you’re used to back home.

>You ready yourself for another Bahro interdimensional bro-hug.

>Vaiho busies himself with his Ki.

>Fucking smartphones, ruining interspecies social interaction.

>Bip!

[EXPLANATION THE PEOPLE WILL PROVIDE DISTRACTION CAVEAT YOU MUST TRAVEL BY OTHER]

>"Other? Do you mean a book?"

"The only book we have is the Relto, what good would that do?"

>Twilight huffs.

>"Well, I don't know any other way out. I haven't exactly had time to work out a spell for this…"

>Vaiho manages to look rather harried for a beastie with no facial expression, tapping away on his Ki.

>Bip!

[EXPLANATION TRAVEL REQUIRES NOT FROM YOU THE PEOPLE PROVIDE]

>Well, soyuz your nerushimy, whatever you say, chief.

"Okay, sure. Just point us in the right direction…"

>More typing. Fucking hell.

>Bip!

[THE PEOPLE CAN NOT AID YOU THE PEOPLE WILL DISTRACT NOT OF THE PEOPLE YOHNANN UNKNOWN YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS]

>Vaiho gestures to the large drill.

>A Bahro turns it on and it immediately bites into the stone with a tremendous grinding noise.

>The wall is apparently rather thin, as it audibly breaks through within a matter of seconds. You and Twilight climb toward the hole.

"Oh my god. It's full of stars!"

>"This is… new? I guess we should trust them."

"No point waiting around! Who dares, wins!"

>You use your grip on the edge to propel yourself into the glimmering void.

"TALLY HO!"

>You see a brief glimpse of infinite space before-

BWOOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

>-You smack face-first into a bush.

>This helmet just paid for itself.

BWOOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

>You whip around in time to somewhat break the fall of the purple equine missile with your chest.

>Fucking good thing she tucked to roll, that horn wouldn't have felt good.

>You push her off and come up to a crouch, trying to gain your bearings.

>You're in a thick temperate forest, dark clouds swirling overhead.

>You're in dense undergrowth, but not far off you can see a clearing with low buildings.

>Twilight's zeroed in on them as well.

>Her voice is a careful whisper, seemingly amplified by your helmet:

>"They're too angular to be Bahro. This must be D'ni."

>You check around, nothing else around is moving.

"You think this is the place?"

>"I'll trust Vai- careful!"

>She points a hoof toward the compound as she crouches lower.

>You see a number of Bahro gallop out from the buildings and rush off into the forest, thankfully headed somewhere other than your hiding spot.

>Twilight's ears twitch around.

>"Can you hear that?"

"No, I… maybe."

>Just barely, on the edge of hearing, you think you detect the sounds of several Links being made.

>"That's our distraction, come on!"

>Damn, way to step up.

>You creep through the bushes together until you're at the edge of the clearing.

>From here, with a better view, you can see there's five single-story buildings around a two-story thing, all harsh angles that flare at the base and roof like an obese hourglass.

"Okay, outbuildings left to right, then the central one. Okay?"

>"Let's do it."

>The first two buildings are not only empty, they're single rooms with no internal walls. Easy check.

>The central short building has walls, you'll have to go back for it. You check to make sure the other side's buildings are empty.

"We're clear over here."

>Twilight is creeping for the center's door when you wave her back.

>You draw your pistol and slip in first.

>The doorways are all empty stone portals, making it easy to sneak in.

>The dim interior is automatically brightened by some helpful function of your helmet.

>A mere moment of searching shows this building is mostly empty as well.

>Except for the stairs down.

>You motion Twilight back into the front of the building, away from the stairs at the back.

"Okay, this is fucking bad. Knowing the D'ni, this place could be huge down there. Let's check the other building first."

>"I'll follow your lead."

"I don't suppose you have any spells that-"

CRACK-BOOM

>Lightning!

>"That was close!"

>The flash was bright enough for the strike to have been within half a mile.

"Fuck, maybe that's how Bahro fight."

>Twilight's ears fold back.

>Yeah, you're not too excited about facing that either.

>"I don't."

"Huh?"

>"Have any spells for this."

"Right."

>Shit.

>Suddenly going outside even to cross into the other building seems like a not-so-great idea.

>But Twilight's already moving.

>You hurry to follow her across the clearing.

>>148569

Bahros confirmed for Magicka wizards

>Crossing fuckfuckfuckfuck-

>Well, that was uneventful.

>Whatever's going on is happening a ways off, you guess.

>This building has more furnishings, a bit more like a house.

>You find a bedroom.

>"Anon. There's a book."

>You check the book on the (rather nicely carved wooden) desk.

Property of Dr. Thomas

"Thaaaaaat name sounds familiar…"

>"Shit."

>Aw, she learned a new word!

>You're so proud!

>You open it and quickly scan to the last written page.

>Scribbly, messy D'ni.

"Got space left in your pack?"

>"Just enough."

>She tucks the book away.

>"He'll notice this is gone pretty fast."

"Well, I'm betting we'll be seeing him before we're out of here anyway. Balls to it."

[Nervous whinny]

>You head to the stairs tucked away on the other side of the house.

>You stop with just your eyes above the top step.

>Much of the top floor seems to be a workshop, or perhaps a laboratory.

>There's a few room along the back, and something resembling a balcony that you missed from the ground.

>And yep, there's good old Victor, busily doing… something.

>You duck again and give a somber nod to Twilight.

>She gulps and tightens her expression, nodding back.

>You kind of want to operate this shit, but fuck.

>He's just a crazy old guy, right?

"Twi, I really don't wanna beat him up or anything. Please tell me you have some wizard shit you can do here."

>"Actually, this I do have a spell for. Watch my back."

>She slips up the stairs to get a clear view of him.

BZAP

>Thud.

>That can't have been good for his head, but whatever.

>You both sneak into the room.

>Was he alone?

>"UP!"

>A Bahro tries his best ninja moves on you, he was apparently clinging to a fixture on the ceiling.

>Fuck that shit.

>You try to aim in on him, but the bastard has you cold.

>He drops on you.

>You instinctively roll back and fling him off you.

>Turns out flying creatures don't have the kind of weight you need to wrestle with humanity.

>The Bahro smacks into a table and seems stunned.

>Before you've even regained your feet, Twilight's delivered a kick to his head.

>BOP

>He sure isn't getting back up anytime soon.

>You give a quick scan of the room again, no further ninja aliens offer themselves up.

"You, uh… wow."

>"It w-was a reflex!"

>She looks scared, or… nervous or something.

"First time kicking someone?"

>"I don't really go around fighting ponies…"

>You crouch and give her your very most reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Tell you the truth, I don't either. You did fine."

>She doesn't look to thrilled about her newfound talent, but you have bigger fish to fry.

"Okay, we shouldn't leave him here. You think we can get him underground fast? Can you levitate him?"

>She gives him a calculating look.

>"Not for long. Levitation isn't the same as carrying things physically, but it still takes effort for weight."

"Can you take him straight down from the balcony?"

>She trots over to the edge and looks down.

>"You should be down there to catch him. I think I can get him on your back, can you carry him?"

"Yeah."

>You sprint downstairs and get into position.

>You notice a rapid streak of lightning bolts rain down in the forest nearby.

>A graph in your helmet helpfully informs you of high atmospheric trioxygen.

>There's already a large cloud of smoke rising.

>Hell of a distraction. You go, guys.

>"Ready?"

"Ready!"

>You watch a magic-ensconced Victor swing off the platform and droop down towards you.

>You grab him in a solid fireman carry.

>He's really light, has he been starving himself?

"Got him! Come on!"

>Thanks to your superior /fit/ skills, you make it to the stairs in the outbuilding without even sweating.

>Twilight gallops in behind you.

"Take the lead, would you? I don't want to get jumped carrying this guy."

>You're pretty strong, but carrying even a light guy gets old fast.

>Twilight carefully clips and clops down the stairs, nearing a switchback landing that reveals a steady glow from the floor beneath.

>As carefully as she can, she peers around the corner…

Okay, I'm off for the night.

>>148605

You're doing gods work anon. Also,

>[Nervous whinny]

Excellent, more of this.

>>148605

>"Shit."

>Aw, she learned a new word!

>You're so proud!

Kek

>”Looks clear.”

>You haul Victor down the stairs and gently prop him against the wall.

>That settled, you pop your head around the corner as well.

>The first room seems to be some sort of locker room, cabinets all around the walls with benches before them.

>There’s a couple of doors leading further into the compound, but you see no activity in the rooms beyond.

>You scamper down the steps to make sure there’s nothing hiding out of sight in the blind corners of the room, finding them similarly deserted.

>Twilight picks up the slack, levitating Victor the rest of the way down the stairs and leaning him against a locker in the corner.

“Okay, this place looks pretty big. I don’t think we can just go in a circuit like we did up there. Do you have any-“

>”Yes, I have a spell for this. I can mark where we’ve been and keep track of it.”

“Cool.”

>”How about while we have a spare second, you try those controls on your suit and see if it does anything? It might be useful down here.”

“Right.”

>You’d kind of forgotten there were controls.

>You feel the outside of your helmet.

>There’s a knob on one side.

>Click!

>Everything gets a lot brighter.

>Click!

>The fuck is this, thermal?

>Click!

>Uh. Fuck.

“I think I can see through walls.”

>“What? Really?”

“Well, I can… it’s like looking through jello with fruit in it, kinda. I can see where walls are, but they’re really not there.”

>”Can you see anything else? Anyone else?”

“I think so. There’s a lot of stuff highlighted in different colors, but it’s all hazy and hard to see.”

>You carefully walk toward the right-hand door.

>There’s lots of colorful highlights everywhere, but Twilight shows up blue and this path is the only other one with anything that looks blue down it.

“Okay, I’m guessing that whoever’s down here is about three rooms this way.”

>”Lead on.”

>This shit is distracting.

>You try to memorize where the blobs are before turning your visor back to normal.

>You creep through the first doorway, again drawing your pistol.

>There were at least two blobs, and you doubt they’re Rick and Jean.

>The first room is really more of an exaggerated hallway, leading further into the complex.

>You reach the edge of the room you guess the blobs are in and press yourself against the wall, listening.

>You hear an alien purring that you can now recognize as an agitated Bahro.

>Okay, it's now or never.

>You whip around the corner and raise your pistol.

"FREEZE!"

>There's actually 3 Bahro.

>Two of them look like they were cornering the third one, who's huddled in what you presume to be a fearful ball.

>The one closest to you reacts first, whipping around and bracing for a leap.

>Not this time, punk.

BANG

>Fortunately enough, bullets work really well against alien ninja turtles.

>The second Bahro seems unwilling to try his luck, arms extended outward in surrender.

>You motion with the pistol and he backs away, cowering in the corner.

>You look to the third alien.

>He extends a fist towards you.

>Brofist.

>Yeah, it's totally Yohn.

"What up, Yohn."

>Twilight peers around the corner, eyes wide.

>"What was that?"

>Her eyes linger on the probably-dead Bahro.

"Had to solve a problem. Yohn's good, by the way."

>She aims a distracted nod of greeting at Yohn, still not quite able to look away.

"Don't overthink it, Twi. We still have a job to do. Yohn, do you know where Rick and Jean are?"

>Yohn makes excited bobbing motions and runs toward the back door.

>As you go to leave, you look back toward the other Bahro.

"Uh, Twilight, can you be a dear and keep him out of trouble for a while?"

>She shakes her head clear and fires a purple blast at the Bahro, who slumps into a heap.

>You don't want to leave Victor for long, but Rick and Jean come first in your book.

>And in everyone else's, apparently, as both Twilight and Yohnann are already on the move.

>Three rooms further and you're starting to worry about Victor.

>If something happened at the entrance, you don't think you'd hear it from here.

>You finally reach a room full of large "cages" like you'd find in a warehouse, you suppose.

>It's the only place you've seen in here that looks like the doors can be locked.

>The room is long, and dimly lit. Yohn rushes to the back, with you and Twilight hot on his heels.

>Yohn comes to a halt in front of the last cage and lets out a jubilant trill.

>As you arrive, you see jean rushing to the grate that separates her from your group.

>"Yohnann! Rick, get ovah here!"

>Rick turns from some task he was doing, crouched over in a corner, and jogs over.

>"Oh man, you have no idea how good it is to see you guys. Can you get through this door?"

>Twilight's horn lights up: "Stand back."

CRACK

>The lock is now a soot-edged hole, the door swinging freely.

>Rick and Jean rush to Yohn.

>"Okay, man, get us out of here."

>Yohn stretches an arm toward you, which you bat away.

"No, we're not done here. Follow me, quickly."

>They exchange confused looks, but they don't argue.

>As you jog back toward the entrance, you flick your helmet to the wall-penetrating mode.

>Okay, Victor still seems to be there, and you don't see anything else.

>You flick your visor back to normal as you enter the first room.

>Rick and Jean spot him, Jean rushing to kneel over him.

"He's asleep, come on. We gotta go now.

>Your helmet lights up with several warnings.

>The language is esoteric, but you piece out that it's trying to tell you there's a fuckhuge fire nearby.

>Bahro are some manic cunts, you'll give them that.

>One quick Group-Hug of Friendship and Dimensional Travel later, and-

BWOOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

>>150145

thanks, bro!

Writefag is bust celebrating shitloads of freedom and is unlikely to writefag today.

We the Ponies, niggas

>Okay, now where are you?

>Oh, looks like your Relto.

"Hey, I thought it wasn't safe to be here?"

>Rick looks at Yohn, who nods in an encouraging manner.

>"Yohnann is confident he can secure it. We needed somewhere with a measure of protection, and Reltos are pretty safe."

>Okay, whatever.

>Twilight and Jean are examining Victor. The equine's horn is glowing, with a matching aura flitting wraith-like across Victor's skull.

>While they keep busy, you go inside the hut.

>Yohn trails you as you hit the stairs switch.

"Glad you're back, buddy. I guess we kinda won that one."

>You descend to find the lower chambers have been torn apart.

>What the hell did they even expect to find? This place doesn't have many places to hide.

>On closer examination, you notice scorch marks and broken items in odd places.

>There's a dark smear of some dried liquid on the wall.

"Hot damn, did you guys fight a war in here?"

>That reminds you:

"Hey, Yohn. Are your guys back there gonna be okay? They were lighting shit up pretty hardcore when we linked out."

>Yohn shrugs and glances downward.

"Not sure, huh?"

>You give him a pat on the head as you climb the stairs again.

"Vai's a cool customer, I'm sure they'll be fine."

>Up top, Rick and Jean are sitting back against some rocks in conversation with Twilight, who looks your way as you exit.

>"Good news, Anon! Victor didn't get injured during our escape, he's as healthy as he could be!"

"So, I guess we're calling today an unqualified success. Where do we stand now?"

>Rick shrugs: "Well, it's hard to say. We've got Vic back, and we really mixed them up. Maybe this'll end the whole deal."

"That sounds like a lot more maybe than I was expecting. What's up?"

>Rick gestures to Victor. "Without Vic, the rogue Bahro are missing a lot of their insight into what we do, but there's no telling if they'll actually be discouraged."

>Twilight cocks her head in confusion: "I thought Victor was their leader? If we have him, won't they give up?"

>"Well, it's not really like that. Vic is a fanatic, yeah, but the Bahro were using him more than he was using them. I'm sorry you're behind, Vaiho filled us in on a lot while we were on the run."

"Filled you in on what?"

>"This was all a Bahro political deal from the start. Vic just got caught up in it because of some mudslinging idea on one side."

>Twilight doesn't seem to be getting any more of this than you are: "Political? How do Bahro politics even work?"

>"Well, there's a divide among them about humans, the D'ni, everything to do with the city and such. A faction of them really don't like us, and it's a group of those that started this whole thing."

"So, like an immigration debate?"

>"I guess you could call it that. You probably know how hard it can be to puzzle out what Vaiho means, but the way he explained it, Vic was there to 'discredit' our movement with his crazy colonizing plan."

>"A false flag?" You wouldn't have bet pony politics extended that far.

>Maybe horseland isn't the cuddly place you thought it was supposed to be.

>"Yeah, that's about it. Don't ask me how the Bahro working with him swung that, because I don't know."

"Well, given what that place looked like when we left, I feel like Vaiho and the gang decided to solve things directly."

>"That was just a diversionary attack."

>Those are the first words Jean's spoken since you got back.

>She hasn't taken her eyes off Victor, she sounds like she's talking to herself.

>"When they fight, really fight, it'll be a lot harsher than that. They just haven't been able to catch them in one place."

"Holy shit, setting an entire forest on fire with lightning is softball for these guys?"

>"They're on a different level. But we can't solve this with fighting."

>Rick speaks up again: "She's right. The anti-DRC faction is too good at hiding. The only way we can fix this is finding a peaceful solution to get them to back down."

"Great start on that, with the forest fire."

“You know what, let me try something.”

>You open your Ki and try sending a message to Vaiho:

[We’re safe. Are you?]

“Okay, we’ll see how that goes. Anyway, I haven’t had real food in a while and I think I can wash the blood off the cans downstairs. Who’s up for dinner?”

>Jean groans as she gets to her feet.

>”I’ll help you with that. Rick can’t be trusted with anything that doesn’t come with microwaving instructions.”

>The two of you head downstairs and survey the damage.

>Whatever the Bahro did, they blew a hole through the wall in the kitchen.

>The table was smashed but there’s more than enough counter space. Most of the food itself was untouched.

>You set yourself making some simple biscuits while Jean heats up a huge pot of soup.

“So, what happened after we split up?”

>”Ugh. Well, we grabbed a Bahro and ran for one of our camps in the Ae’gura tunnel. We were gonna try luring them in somehow, I forget how Rick said it was supposed to work. Either way, we got swarmed inside of five minutes.”

“Shit. And then?”

>”They dragged us to the manor. Vic made another spiel and when we tried talking him down, they threw us in the cage.”

>Bip!

>Oh shit, it’s your Ki!

[JOY THE PEOPLE ARE PLEASED AT YOUR SAFETY HOPE THE PEOPLE PRESUME THE OTHER HAS COMPLETED THE TASK RELIEF THE PEOPLE PERFORMED WELL THE PEOPLE REST SAFELY]

>You tap out your response:

[We got Yohnann and all three Doctors. What’s the plan from here?]

>You can hear a trill from Yohnann even down here. Twilight presumably filled him in.

>You give the good word to Jean as you put the biscuits over the heat.

>It’ll be a while before all this is ready.

“Hey, what say we move Victor down to a cot?”

>Jean nods and you both climb the tight spiral.

>Emerging from the hut, you can see not much has changed, save for Twilight having brought out a book to pore over.

“Hey, Twilight. I’m gonna move Victor to a cot; can I ask for a little magical assistance on the stairs?”

>”Certainly!” She packs away the book as Rick takes his feet.

>Rick provides welcome assistance getting Victor on your back.

>The stairs, narrow as they are, would have been impassible without Twilight there to gently lower him to you.

>As you gently lay him on your cot, you can smell the biscuits browning.

“Seems like dinner is up. I’m afraid, given the deplorable state in which you find our humble abode, I’ll have to ask you to join me outside.”

>Rick grabs some utensils and Jean grabs the biscuits.

>Twilight floats the large pot of soup up the stairs, preventing that potential spectacle.

>Dinner is served!

>Soup is an odd choice for a picnic, but it works out well enough.

>The party manages to find various forms of not-much-at-all to talk about until dinner is long finished and the dishes dealt with.

>The Relto seems to be in perpetual starry twilight, and the long day has worn you all down.

"So, what's the sleeping situation like? Are we planning on finding comfortable patches of dirt or something?"

>Rick looks like the bags under his eyes could haul a week's groceries.

>"Well, if we haven't been hit yet I imagine our Relto's safe for the night. They stripped our Kis, but if you could call Vaiho to back us up, we should be good."

>You fire off a message to Vaiho about it and go downstairs to pull a spare blanket from the stores.

>Yohnann is sitting silent vigil over Victor and shows no sign of moving.

>You don't want to move Victor again, and those cots are way too small for two. Someone's sleeping on the floor tonight.

>Your Ki beeps while you scout for comfy places for tonight.

>Before you can read the message you hear Twilight call downstairs to Rick: "Vaiho's already at your Relto! He's wondering why you haven't arrived yet!"

>Rick shouts back up the stairs: "Tell him we don't have our books, he needs to collect us!"

>"Will do!"

>There isn't anywhere worth sleeping in here, but the temperature is pretty steady outside. Maybe another blanket would give you the camping experience you were expecting to be enjoying right now.

>It's been what, 3 days? 4?

>By the time you've dragged another blanket out and hauled them upstairs, Vaiho's come and gone, leaving you with Twilight.

"Tell you what, you take the other cot. I already scouted a place for tonight and all…"

>Twilight cock her head: "That's gracious of you, but I can sleep fine on the ground. You don't look as 'built' for it as I am."

>Well, you consider your generosity quota filled for the day, so she'll hear no argument from you.

>You almost regret not sleeping under the stars, though.

>Almost.

>Fuck, it's actually been a really long day.

"G'night, Twilight."

>"Sleep well, Anon!"

>At least someone's perky.

>As you start down the steps you glance back and see her already leaning over a book.

>Half a genuine smile drifts across your face as you slump onto the free cot.

>Yohnann is still as a statue.

"Night, buddy."

>He waves over his shoulder.

>You set an arbitrary alarm on your phone and fall asleep blissfully quick.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

>Once again, you wake before your alarm. Your sleep was peaceful and a hell of a lot better than you expected from a cot.

>It's gonna be a good day!

>Yohnann seems to have not moved.

>Is he asleep?

>Does he sleep?

>Feeling far more lively than anyone has any right to so early in the day, you pop out for a breath of fresh air.

>Even though you don't think the temperature changed since last night, the air just feels like morning.

>Twilight is asleep, forehead resting in the book she was engrossed in.

>You notice her notepad next to her, top pages fluttering in the light breeze.

>Probably stayed up all night, the silly.

>You saunter down to the kitchen and decide today needs a huge vat of oatmeal and raisins.

>It takes breakfast quite a while to heat up, while you prep some water for tea.

>You look over the wreckage as you wait.

>You hoped to be able to fix a table, but everything's pretty well trashed.

>Ah, well.

>You improvise a serving tray from a large fragment of the table and plate out a fairly respectable breakfast to it.

>After carefully negotiating the stairs, you settle down next to Twilight and brew your tea.

>The reliable aroma of Earl Grey seems to be the way to wake a scholarly equine.

>Twilight flicks an ear and grumbles quietly.

>"Nnn-did I miss class? I gotta…"

>She pulls her head up and looks around through squinting eyes, finally settling her gaze first on breakfast and then on you.

>"… Oh, right. Morning, Anon, did I sleep in?"

"Not too long, no. You like tea?"

>She nods, lips curving into a somewhat more agreeable state as she picks out a bag for her cup.

>"I think I can read D'ni now." She looks around, "Have you seen my notes?"

>Oh.

>You carefully lift the makeshift tray and slide her notes out from under it.

>"Thank you. I tried making it through the start of Victor's journal, but I don't think he really knows D'ni very well. It was all jumbled up."

"D'you routinely translate the journals of crazy people as a sleep aid?"

>She giggles to herself and floats over a bowl of oatmeal.

>"I guess I got caught up in the mystery. Wouldn't be the first time it's happened…"

"Trust me, I know the feeling."

>The peace of breakfast eventually devolves into the routine of scrubbing everything down, and you presently find yourself sitting with a book that you’re not really reading, wondering what to actually do with yourself.

>Twilight is again engrossed in a book, she seems rather determined to pick up D’ni overnight.

>You sigh, close the book, and check on Victor for the third time.

“Is he supposed to be asleep still?”

>Twilight actually looks away from her book for once. “No, not really, but he was in a delicate state. Yohnann’s keeping his fluids up, and that’s the best we can do for the moment.”

“Yeah, I guess we’ll wait for the others to get back with us; no idea how long that’ll take, though.

>You return to your book.

>It feels like hours have passed, but when you check the time you find it to only be mid-morning.

>Finally, your Ki beeps.

[Hey folks, Rick here. Got a new Ki. Vaiho’s got some sort of plan for Vic that he couldn’t explain to me. Ask Yohnann to bring everyone to the Home. He’ll know where you mean.]

>At least you have something to do now.

>Twilight reluctantly returns her book to her bag as you deliver the message to Yohnann.

>You pick up Victor so he doesn’t fall when you link. It’s a familiar drill by now.

BWOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

>You’re greeted by the sight of the Antree towering above you, Yohnann having delivered you directly to the clearing at the base this time.

>Jean comes jogging out to meet you, helping take the load of Victor off your back.

>”Rick’s inside trying to figure out what Vaiho’s got planned. Here, I’ll help-“

>You hear a low groan from your back.

>”Anon! Hold still!” Twilight’s voice is accompanied by the ticklish feel of her magic as it lifts Victor off your shoulders and lowers him to the ground.

>The three of you crowd around him, Jean pulling a penlight from a pocket and checking his pupils.

>”I think he’s good, his eyes are still… well, as good as they’ll get. Vic, honey, can you hear me?”

>He doesn’t respond directly, though he raises an arm in an attempt to shield his face.

>Twilight looks to the Antree and back, her voice sharp: “Rick’s waving us over. Whatever we’re going to do, I feel we need to do it fast.”

>Yohnann joins you in carrying Victor to where Rick and Vaiho wait.

>Rick comes out to meet you a few meters away from the door and walks you inside, his words coming quickly.

>”Okay, I’ve been trying to get what they’re saying for an hour now, and I think they say they can heal him or something. They can’t translate whatever they plan on doing, but I trust them when they say they won’t harm him. We gotta get him underground and they said only you can safely do this, something about the suit.”

>Oh, right. You forgot you were wearing it.

>The helmet’s still strapped to your belt, you’re already so used to the thing you can ignore how annoying it is.

>”They said something about stars, but I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean. I think they were talking about his eyes or-“

“No, I know what they mean. I got it from here.”

>Twilight looks up to you as you approach the drop to the underside of the Antree.

>The Negatree.

>She looks like she has something to say, but an expression of confusion comes across her features and she drops her gaze again.

“Forward-ho, Twilight.”

>She gives you an encouraging smile as she helps Yohnann lift Victor off your shoulders.

>Rick’s still at your elbow, and you notice Vaiho has approached to stand right behind you.

>”Vaiho said there’s no time to bring us along. Good luck, whatever you’re doing.”

>You slip on your helmet and seal the suit.

“See you on the other side.”

>Yohnann launches with Victor into the chasm, and you feel the sharp tug of Vaiho dragging you right behind.

I was gonna go for more updates tonight but I've got several other writing projects that I haven't even touched since I started this, and I wanna work on them. See you tomorrow!

>>151667

>>152018

>>152019

Not to worry, man. Just take your time but don't forget it, eh.

Work?

>>152110

actually, work is when I'm most productive since due to reasons there's nothing to do right now, so I spend long shifts listening to soundtracks on youtube and making sure nothing goes missing from the office, so I have plenty of time to write

I'll get to it tonight, in fact

>Now that you know what's coming, the drop into the weightless abyss is a hell of a rush.

>You reach a support beam and effortlessly stick to it with your gloves.

>You're getting pretty good at this.

>You see Yohnann struggling with Victor, who's weakly flailing about.

>Wings don't work to well in microgravity.

>You push off the beam and drift past them, snagging Victor and pulling him to the far wall.

"Just show me where to go."

>After a short fight against the uncooperative air, Yohnann reaches a solid surface and flings himself down.

>He doesn't seem to be headed for any of the passages that lead to lobes.

>Instead, he's heading where, were you topside, there would only be a sunny void leading to the sky.

>The blue lighting on the struts ruins your night vision, turning whatever's down there into a featureless black hole.

>You follow the pair of aliens in silence for several minutes, hopping from strut to strut.

>The supports are thinning out now, you seem to be reaching the end of… whatever this is.

>You see the Bahro paused on a strut ahead. No further lights appear beyond them.

>You reach the strut and gently lean Victor against it, looking to Vaiho.

>He's already awkwardly typing on his Ki, trying and failing to float in place.

>Bip!

>As you go to read, you see Yohnann taking a small pouch of something and rubbing it on Victor.

>It's a bright blue paste. You periodically reach out and pull him closer to keep him from floating away.

[WARNING CARE NOW VITAL THIS RESORT IS DIRE ONCE VICTOR IS PREPARED YOU MUST ENTER THE EXPANSE]

"Okay, jump into space, cool. Do I get a rope, or is this another 'hope for the best' kind of thing?"

>He's already typing again.

[CLARIFICATION EXPANSE IS NOT LIKE NORMAL VOID BAHRO KNOWLEDGE INCOMPLETE VAIHO HAS FAITH YOUR SASH WILL PROVIDE ANCHOR FOR JOURNEY]

"My sash? Dude, I don't know what the fuck- I thought this was a decoration, not a whatever-the-fuck; how am I even supposed to use it?"

[PLACE HAND ON HAND AND FOCUS ON THE JOURNEY YOUR LINK WILL COME]

"Not exactly an operator's manual, man."

>But they both seem to have little else to say. Yohnann nods and urges you onward.

>Victor's started coughing violently.

[TIME IS SHORT VICTOR NEEDS AID]

>Fuck it.

>You grab Victor under one arm, spiderman your way to the far side of the strut, and jump out into fuck-knows-what.

>Now that you're beyond the lights, you see a vast expanse of stars swirling around you.

>Belatedly, you think to get out your phone and grab a video.

>You look back at the Negatree and see only a blue hole.

>There are no stars in that direction.

>You focus on Victor. He seems to have stopped coughing.

>And breathing.

>Fuck.

>You can't detect any sign of life in him.

>He looks oddly peaceful, with that glowing blue goo slathered all over his face and chest.

>You're not sure what to do from here.

>How long are you supposed to drift?

>Where are you supposed to go?

>You figure you might as well float along in space for a few more minutes while you think it over.

>Not like Victor's going anywhere, after all.

>It's pretty peaceful out here.

>You're not sure the stars are supposed to be passing you, though.

>Generally speaking, stars are rather large and far apart.

>But here you are, drifting through a literal cloud of them.

>They're getting denser, you seem to be coming to a cluster of them.

>One comes close enough to touch, so naturally your dumbass adventurous self reaches out and brushes your glove against it.

>There's a sharp flash and a swirl of blue light, and you can feel heat through your glove.

>You really hope you didn't just give yourself cancer.

>The suit's supposed to protect you, right?

>It better, because ahead you can tell it'll be like a blizzard of them soon.

>You drift into the stars and feel your suit warm.

>It's just a gentle heat, and you were rather cold before, so you trust you're not in danger.

>Suddenly you feel Victor twitch.

>You look back to him, thankfully avoiding shitting yourself over the revelation that you're hugging a zombie.

>The paste Yohnann rubbed on him is now glowing like it did speedballs at a rave.

>You see a "star" splash into it, resulting in a yet brighter glow.

>You can see the glow penetrating under Victor's skin; the vein at his temple is burning brightly.

>Bringing your immense amounts of completely nonexistent medical expertise to bear, you angle him so the paste is in the line of as many stars as possible.

>Even from behind, you can see the glow by now.

>You can pick out the outline of his skeleton, his entire torso and head are now suffused with a steady glow.

>After a few more moments, you feel him convulse.

>You take a guess that this is the max dosage of magic space-powered goop he's supposed to have and look at your bandolier.

>The hand design…

>You lay your hand over it and think really fucking hard about being back at clearing at the base of the Antree.

>After a panic-inducing second of nothing, the pattern glows a cold green.

>Your free arm pulls Victor back, ready to shield him if you have a rough landing.

BWOOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

>The landing is as bad as you expected.

>You smash into the ground and feel your back spasm.

>But Victor escaped the hit, merely smashing into you from above.

>As you fight down the instinctual panic at being unable to breathe, you try to get your bearings.

>The Antree is overhead, at least that seems to have worked.

>You try to get up, but you're still pretty fucked up.

You figure the helmet probably saved you from one hell of a concussion just now.

>You can feel Victor twitching next to you.

>Get the fuck up.

>Help him!

>You force yourself to focus on him, to push the pain to the back of your mind.

>You push yourself up and look at him.

>His eyes are open, and they're glowing like one of those "stars" got stuck in each.

>He's still not breathing, you think, but he sure as hell doesn't look dead.

>You're dimly aware of figures approaching, but the helmet makes it hard to focus right now.

>You pull it off and toss it to the side.

>You put your exposed ear to Victor's face, then his chest.

>You still can't hear anything.

>Would rescue breathing help?

>You listen harder, suddenly feeling a wet sensation on your ear.

>Shit, you got the goop on your head.

>You suddenly feel really, really dizzy.

>And really, really sleepy.

>You can see Twilight and the rest running for you now.

>They can handle it.

>You'll just….

Hasbro is soulless and condescending

>>152539

agreed, but what?

also, have some trippy dreams for our unconscious? Anon, since I'm done writing for the night

>>152541

Oh, I guess it's not much of a secret

>You really feel good.

>It’s that feeling when you’ve slept for just the right amount of time.

>Today’s gonna be great, no matter what.

>Top of the world.

>You pop your eyes open.

>Okay, stone ceiling.

>You know what stones are!

>And ceilings!

>You’re already on top of things!

>You sit up.

>You’re naked!

>Yay!

>Why is that weird?

>What’s your name?

>Yay! You know this is fucked up!

>It’s gonna be a good day!

>You hop off the bed you were on.

>The walls are painted!

>Sweet!

>You hum a merry tune and walk to the open window.

>It’s a cloudy day!

>Hell yeah, you won’t get sunburned!

>There’s even trees!

>You saunter out the door and notice something purple following you.

>Do you have a dog?

>No, the purple thing said words.

>Even better, you have a fan! Yay!

>You skip down the hall.

>Oh man, your house is huge!

>You must be rich!

>You see a huge space ahead, it seems-

~~~~~~

>Your head hurts.

>You force your eyes open.

>You’re in a hall in the Antree.

>You remember doing something important…

>Did you finish it?

“Imn… I needtad… Fuckn’…”

>”Hold still!”

>The voice is familiar.

>Fuck, are you drunk?

>You shake your head and try to focus.

“Mkaaay.”

>You try to sit still as you gather your thoughts.

>Victor.

>Yeah, that was what you were doing.

>He’s okay, right?

>You remember the stars.

>Lots of glowing.

>You made it back, you know that much.

>You… passed out. After trying to help.

>Twilight.

>You can hear Twilight, you can remember Twilight.

>What’s she saying?

>”-ound of my voice! Anon!”

“What.”

>You force all your will into focusing on the purple blob in your vision.

>”Stop moving!”

>You obediently still yourself like a chastised child.

>”You’ve been out of your mind for a day now! If I hadn’t knocked you out, you’d have walked straight over that edge!”

>Edge?

>You’re not edgy.

>You’re a nice guy.

>Shit, Twilight was saying something.

>Now she’s just sighing, all pissed-off like it’s your fault.

>Now you’re moving.

>Is someone pulling you somewhere?

>You might as well sleep again…

And with that I leave for the weekend, I gotta fuck up Sevilla.

See you monday, folks.

>>153007

>>153011 (checked)

>Edge?

>You’re not edgy.

>You’re a nice guy.

Kek

Have fun.

You've been keeping me at the edge with your story

Sevilla was tight.

Turned down a hooker, woke up in a skate park miles away from where I remembered last being.

Gonna write some more tonight.

>>154116

actually, tomorrow

too much to catch up on

>Fuck.

>You’re never drinking again.

>You don’t remember what the fuck you did last night, and you don’t know where you’re gonna be when you wake up, but it doesn’t feel like your bed.

>Half your head is on fire.

>You crack an eye open, squinting against the needle of pain the light forces into your skull.

>After your eye adapts to the light, you see a stone wall.

>And the cushiony bowl in which you’re curled up.

>And a purple unicorn snoozing on the edge of it, looking like she fell asleep while watching over you.

>Right.

>You shut your eye again.

>You really want to fall back asleep, but you feel like you’ve been out for days on end already.

>Taking a deep breath, you sit up and open both eyes.

>Searing pain shoots through your head and bright stars swim across your view.

>You damn near can’t stick with it, but after a few moments the pain lessens.

>You take a deep breath and slowly get to your feet.

>You feel unsteady, like your legs don’t remember how to stand.

>You carefully take a seat on the edge of the bed-bowl.

>You look down and notice you’re naked.

>Uh.

>You look around for your clothes and find them folded on a table.

>This time, you feel more capable when you take your feet.

>Your movements arthritically slow and forced, you force yourself to get dressed.

>You’re an ungodly level of thirsty.

>You find a faucet near the fruit, but nothing to store water in.

>No matter. You drink straight from the tap.

>You hear Twilight get to her feet- well, her hooves- as you drink.

>”Anonymous!”

>Fuck, does she sound pissed off or something?

>You reach a hand back without looking and hold up your index finger while you finish drinking.

>Finally, your thirst feels somewhat sated.

>You turn around to see her staring at you, her expression more worried than irate.

>”Anonymous! Sit down.”

>You sit cross-legged on the floor, eyes wide in exaggerated surprise.

“You alright?”

>”That’s what I’m trying to find out about you. Hold still for a moment.”

>Her bags are sitting against the table’s leg; she withdraws from them a small, brown leather case, about the right size for a pair of glasses or something.

>As she opens the case, she leans in close, until her muzzle is within an inch of yours. Her eye stares into yours as you feel what must be her magic aura shooting through your skull.

>She’s retrieved a few small strips of paper from the case, as well as a pair of small bottles.

>”Open your mouth.”

“Uh?”

>”Not ‘uh,’ Anon, give me an ‘aah’.”

“Ahhhhhghlk…”

>She swiped one of the papers through your mouth.

>Another quickly darts into and out of your nose; another into your right ear.

>You flinch at the rather invasive care.

“What are you doing?”

>She unscrews the bottles and withdraws droppers from within, carefully adding a single drop of each to opposing sides of the papers.

>”We still haven’t figured out what the Bahro had you do, and they say they have no idea what it does to healthy humans. Or unhealthy ones, it seems.”

“What?”

>”When we pressed Vaiho for answers while you were out, he admitted they don’t really know what this does to humans. It was a last resort.”

>She holds the papers up to the light.

>”This test is the best thing we could figure out. Victor’s fine, at least. Better than fine, to be honest.”

“So it worked?”

>She sets the litmus equipment on the table.

>”Well… yes. We think. We can’t know for sure yet, since he’s still weak and hasn’t been able to stay awake for very long at a time, but he seems more ‘together’ than he was.”

“No more evil antics, huh?”

>”Apparently not. And the rogue Bahro haven’t made an appearance since the raid. Vaiho thinks we’ve scared them off for a long time.”

“How long was I out? I feel like it’s been a week or something.”

>”Actually, you were only out for about a day. Of course, you spent the first few hours raving and wandering towards holes…”

“Fuck it. I’m starving, though. And I’m not fucking with those fruits this time.”

>”Hang on a moment, I’ll let Rick know you’re awake.”

>She busies herself with her Ki and you stand and stretch.

>”He says Jean’s already got something ready, come on.”

>You join her as she heads down the corridor.

Probably the last update tonight. gotta be up early tomorrow.

"So, what happened since I passed out?"

>Twilight lets out a huff; you can't tell whether in amusement or frustration.

>"You started shaking after you got that blue stuff on your face, and then both of you passed out for a while."

>You take a turn into another branch of the antree.

>"Victor stayed asleep for a while, but you got up a few times and wandered around ranting. I spent the night trying to keep you from hitting your head on anything."

"And falling off ledges, right?"

>"Yes, I had to knock you out when you tried to walk into the central area. After that you were more manageable."

"Is that why my head hurts?"

>She gives you a sidelong glance.

>"I'm nicer than that, Anon. I caught you before you hit."

"Aww, that's nice of you."

>You managed to work a blush out of her.

>Your head's actually feeling pretty good now.

>You kind of hope the magic goop is going to give you magic powers or something.

>You concentrate on Twilight's bags, trying to levitate something out of them.

>After a few paces, she looks up at you.

>You glance away quickly enough to preserve your spaghetti stores.

>Hmm…

>You stare at the back of her head, hoping to deduce her thoughts, or at least implant thoughts of elephants.

>You could get behind being Professor X.

>Professor A?

>You belatedly notice she's been staring at you for a few paces.

>"Is there… something wrong?"

>You can feel your cheeks redden.

"Uh, noooo… I was just thinking about… stuff."

>"Stuff? Like…?"

"Y'know, magic stuff. And things."

>She seems to be hiding a smirk as she looks back to the front.

>"I guess that, having never experienced magic before, this must have been an interesting few days."

"Yeah, someday I should learn how that all works…"

>There's a bit more of a spring to her step now.

>You round another corner and the hall shortly opens into a much larger chamber, one that gives you a feel of a cafe or a dining hall.

>Aside from a handful of Bahro scattered around doing Bahro things, you find the rest of your crew sitting at a table, with a deck-chair propping a snoozing Victor up.

>As you enter, Jean speeds her way over and ambushes you with a hug.

>"Thank you! You don't understand- just… thank you."

>She looks transformed, her gaunt, strung-out appearance from before replaced by someone who looks a good decade younger.

"I'm glad everything's working out. He woken up recently?"

>She turns to pull you toward the table, which you notice bears a shitload of food.

>"You just missed him. We got some food in him, and he's starting to get over the Bahreltan thing. I don't know what you did, but he's acting like a real person again. He was completely demented before."

>You take a seat at the table and say Hi to Rick and the Bahro Buddies as Jean serves you a giant bowl of stew.

>>155429

>You concentrate on Twilight's bags, trying to levitate something out of them.

Kek

"And you don't need to comb the library just yet."

>Twilight cocks her head. "Do you mean you already found a book?"

"Not really… that bandolier thing the Bahro have me, it's how I got back from the star chasm with Victor."

>Everyone exchanges looks; maybe the Bahro forgot to mention this.

>Rick says: "We, uh- we kinda assumed you just got punted back from how the void worked. I guess in hindsight it's pretty obvious they had to have something else in mind."

"Yeah, I think I can use it to link without a book."

>Twilight's ears swivel forward. "To anywhere?"

"I spent the last day passed out; I haven't really had time to try it out…"

>"Ri-ight…"

"Where is my suit, anyway? I wasn't wearing it- or anything else, point of fact- when I woke up."

>Twilight makes something like an embarrassed half-smile paired to a shrug: "I needed to make sure you were alright, and I could see you glowing under the neckline…"

"Did anybody take a picture of me while I was glowing?"

"No?"

>They all shake their heads.

"Damnit."

>"I was busy worrying about you, you know!"

"Yeah, worrying about getting my pants off…"

>Her expression is blankly confused.

"Never mind. Still, where is it?"

>"Over in the corner. Rick took it with him while I watched over you."

>You go over and check out your gear. The entire chest and mask of the suit has been dyed a variegated pattern of blues.

>The bandolier is spattered with some blue as well, but that clearly didn't stop it from working.

"Looks like I have the new fall fashion line locked down. I guess this shit doesn't wash out?"

>Rick's walked up behind you, examining the gear with a bemused expression.

>"If I were you, I'd just be glad my face wasn't dyed blue as well. That part went away with the glowing."

"I grab a jar of that shit and I could be running the Miami drug scene inside of a week."

>Twilight's joined you.

>"Do humans often take drugs that require irradiation to metabolize?"

"Nah, that's the hot new selling point. I bet I could make a nuke pun for the street name."

>Rick's brow shiggys some diggys at you.

>"You are kidding, right?"

>No, you are the Danger.

"… Yeah."

>Twilight's examining the bandolier.

>It's pretty simple, just a couple of leather thongs to hold the thick cloth with the symbol at your shoulder.

>She's still taking notes.

"How have you not run out of paper yet?"

>She only glances back for a second. "I write small."

"I guess… just, uh- tell me when you're ready to go."

>There's still a part of you that feels like you're going to wake up and it'll all be a dream.

>You give Twilight an absent-minded scratch behind the ears, probably more for your comfort than hers.

>She glances up at you before going back to her notes.

>Well, before looking at the bandolier, at least.

>She's not really taking notes anymore. Just… staring.

"Over too soon, huh?"

>"Yeah."

>Aw fuck, you stepped in some feels.

>You kneel down and give Twilight a hug.

"Don't forget to come root around the library sometime."

>Life goal complete: got hugged by a unicorn.

>"Let's go."

>You slip the bandolier on and think really hard about what little you remember from the show.

>Fuck, you really hope this doesn't break anything.

>Twilight's horn lights up. You trust whatever she's doing can't hurt, since you're completely in the dark anyway.

>Your hand goes to the symbol, which responds with a reassuring glow.

BWOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

>You look around.

>Ivory and gold towers. Nighttime.

"Is this home?"

>Twilight spins a small circle.

>"Yes… Do you really need to go now?"

>You hang your head.

"I have stuff to get back to. I'll see you again, soon, okay? Promise."

>She gives you a final hug and watches as your hand goes back to the device.

BWOOOOM VZH Vzh vzh!

I've got an epilogue mostly done, but I'm holding off on it for a bit.

I'll get a pastebin up sometime this week.