[FO:E] The Southern Wasteland of Equestria 1

[Drowlord]

New Appleoosa

Elestre stood up, smiled faintly at his cousin, then bowed to the alicorn deeply.

"I killed not one pony. I think the only one of us that killed was Ebon. Still, I can't deny I'm guilty. I... Tried. I failed. I'm not worthy of your mercy. But I'll repent as I can."

He then turned to the mayor, his bloody frame shaking slightly. He seemed ready to go unconscious, but he was holding himself up by sheer willpower.

"You did the right thing, too. We endanger the town of New Appleoosa, one of the only spots of light in the darkness of the wasteland. You should get rid of us, it's your duty. Consider it done that if I meet you in time of trouble again, I'll not be selfish."

Then, knife! His eyes widen as he sees it, then he sighs. Not for him. Darn.

Mirelurk Battle

Sparky is hit by the claws! His power armor stands up to it, but it might still hurt him later. He tries to yank his sword out, and, upon discovering he can't easily do that, sends electricity zapping down the blade's length, hoping it will be enough to shock the creature. Elestre! No stealing the spotlight here!

[Rebonack]

[New Appleloosa]

CHOO CHOO!

All aboard the terrible plan train! Or maybe that actual train pulling up to the village with more than a few slavers on board. As it grinds to a halt at least a dozen ponies are disembarking with weapons drawn and bomb-collars at the ready.

Also?

The alicorn seems even more enraged than she was previously.

"YOU DARE MOCK US? YOU DARE BELITTLE OUR INTELLIGENCE WITH SUCH A TRANSPARENT RUSE? YOU TAKE US FOR A FOAL? YOUR DEATH WILL SERVE AS A REMINDER THAT NOPONY TESTS THE GODDESS' MERCY AND LIVES!"

Once more Blackheart's horn flares as she aims to enshroud Night Jewel in her magic even as a shimmering blue shield flashes around the alicorn. The monster's plan? To lift Night Jewel bodily into the air and-

"WE CONDEMN YOU TO THE TORMENTS OF TARTAURUS!"

-tries to bodily rip the unicorn apart with overwhelming telekinetic might. Oof... Not a clean way to go.

The slavers halt their advance at the sight. One leans over to another and whispers, "Bucking hell... Remind me not to piss off Blackheart."

[PurityIcekiller]

[Slavery Dispute]

Night Jewel reacted quickly. "Oh no you don't!" She retrieved her acceleration powder and dusted herself, then used her enhanced speed to slip free of the field and take off deep into the wastes.

[Benson]

Lucky smiles slyly. "Now, is it really flattery if you're just being honest?" he playfully asks, before giving a wave of his hoof. "Yer welcome, Miss Gwendolyn. And yeah, no more whiskey binges. Maybe vodka. Perhaps moonshine. But not whiskey," he says with a shake of his head.

The pegasus sighs, and lays down in the dirt to try and relax a bit. "You feelin' up for moving? Or do you need some time to rest? Since I don't hear shotgun blasts and screams, I'm assuming Bright and Flim-Flam have managed to avoid getting in trouble. I personally wouldn't mind a few minutes to rest. Head still hurts like you wouldn't believe," he grunts. "I should really invest in a helmet. My hat doesn't seem to offer much protection, despite it being undeniably sexy..." he quips humorously.

"Heh....just a moment....I need to get up...at least, at least my wings are still good. Anyways...I need to put my chest armor on....if you could help...but without any funny business," She warned, wagging a talon at him. "We have to be...professional."

-------------------------

Mirelurk Battle

Elestre Sparky is hit by the claws! His power armor stands up to it, but it might still hurt him later. He tries to yank his sword out, and, upon discovering he can't easily do that, sends electricity zapping down the blade's length, hoping it will be enough to shock the creature.

[You got your own character's name wrong I fix! ;P]


Southern Outskirts of New Appleloosa

Sizzle Fizzle! It made a shrilly gurgly sound but just before it fell dead, it made made sure to have one blow against 'Sparky'. The mirelurk headbutted him and then died.

[Drowlord]

[Oops! Bad Elestre, trying to steal the spotlight!]

Southern Outskirts of New Appleoosa

Stormy Skies is headbutted by the mirelurk, which is full of static electricity! This results in his mane standing straight on end and his eyes bulging for a few seconds, but his eyes return to normal soon. His mane does not, remaining comically straight out and odd. With a grotesque squelch, he rips his sword, covered in roasted crab meat, out of the body.

"Whew! That thing's hide is tough! What's it called?"

The smell of cooked mirelurk entered the air.

"Also, it smells absolutely delicious."

[Lycan 01]

Desert Adventures

Lucky smiles, and gingerly staggers to his hooves. "Yeah sure, I'll help ya. And don't worry. Since yer my friend, and since you'd throw me again, I promise I'll do no funny business."

And Lucky keeps his word. He helps Gwendolyn get her armor back on without any jokes, remarks, or funny looks. Strictly professional.

Amazing.

He then kicks at the sniper rifle laying in the dirt. "Oh hey, new gun!" he beams.



On the other side of the hill...


Flim and Flam nervously exchange glances after Bright Eyes' thinly veiled insults, extortion attempt, and threat. "Um... You're right," Flim nods.

"We wouldn't want any trouble," Flam mutters, looking slightly unsettled.

"So, here," Flim's horn glows, and a small bag of bottle caps wiggles out of one of his many pockets. "For your troubles."

"There's also a shotgun and a few other weapons downhill," Flam shrugs, taking a few steps back. "I'm sure these ponies could put them to better use then us."

"We'll go fetch them," Flim says, taking several steps back as well.

And thus the two traders backpedal over the ridge, never turning their backs on Bright Eyes. Once they crest the hill, they turn and briskly trot back down towards Lucky and Gwendolyn.


"So, um, Miss Bright Eyes found some hostages!" Flim observes as he approaches the two mercenaries.

"And we explained to her that somebody should escort them back to New Appleloosa," Flam explains. "But we can't, since we're already running late, and we don't have the supplies."

"Plus, Tennpony wouldn't allow them."

"And we suggested she accompany them."

"And, um," Flim looks around nervously.

"She kinda... extorted us..." Flam mutters.

"Threats and stuff..." Flim murmurs uncomfortably.

"Made us pay her extra for her trouble."

"Didn't want to argue with her... or her gun..."



Lucky blinks a few times. "Dowut?"

[MCerberus]

Ponyville

Intimidation. One way to get through these beast-ponies. As for the death from above plan, also interesting. Not a lot of infrastructure to worry about too. Razoreye looks at Pineapple before giving a little shrug/nod. He's a big griffin so no worries about him being unable to fly carrying a pony.

New Appleoosa

"Just go along with it for now. If anypony knows how to get out of these it's me," Finder states to the rest of the group still here. Risky, but it should save the town. Science + focus spell + surprise. Might be a good shot.

[Luka]

New Appleoosa

"Just go along with it for now. If anypony knows how to get out of these it's me," Finder states to the rest of the group still here. Risky, but it should save the town. Science + focus spell + surprise. Might be a good shot.

"Right...."
The stable colt just whispers, still just standing in front of Elestre.

[Benson]

Southern Outskirts of New Appleloosa- Murky Sewers


Steel Creel let out a sigh of relief as the Mirelurk was felled. "Them nasty critters are called Mirelurks, tough to deal with but I guess you showed it, haha...you were cool with your sword all zappity!" He then picked the flashlight from the muck scooping it up with a hoof and wiped it off on his jacket. He then casually held the flashlight in his mouth. "Thatsh meatsh pertysh goodht..speciallysh spihcied."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miles North of New Appleloosa


"I...what? You know.....I think we should just head on over to see this situation for ourselves," The griffon replied. "You two, Flim, Flam, stay here, we'll check this out."

[Tychris1]

Southwestern Equestria- Pricklytown Afternoon 3:07 PM

Maul looks down at the young buck, lost for words as he tries to grasp what to say "D-d-don't worry. We won't let them do that." He hugs the buck close and closes his eyes.

[TAG Benson]

[Benson]

Southwestern Equestria- Pricklytown Afternoon 3:07 PM

Maul looks down at the young buck, lost for words as he tries to grasp what to say "D-d-don't worry. We won't let them do that." He hugs the buck close and closes his eyes.

[TAG Benson]

Southwestern Equestria- Pricklytown Afternoon 3:08 PM


This got him macho points whether or not he was genuine here. Tough Stomp blinked in confusion as he watched the scene in front of him.

"One question....just how are we going to do that?" He asked.

"I don't know...I mean...if I'm correct, they perform these sacrifices to ensue their land is still blessed right? Has it ever failed to do so before?" Foxfire asked petting the little colt who was being hugged by Maul Steel.

"Yea...four months ago...the waters did not come from the ground so a second was sacrificed and then the waters returned....and then after that the waters would return with just one sacrifice."

"When..did these waters first come...or start appearing?"

"A year ago when from the ground came the tulip."

[Tychris1]

Southwesrern Equestria- Pricklytown 3:09 PM

Maul rubbed his chin, musing for a bit as he got stuck in contemplation. His eyes derped as usual but snapped into focus a bit afterwards "So.... These sacrifices are based on the flow of water correct?.... Well then, who here wants to do an act of Celestia?" a malicious grin grows across his face as he continues his plan "All we gotta do, is fake the water coming so that your brother doesn't have to die.... Tell me, where does the water flow from?"

[TAG Benson]

[Benson]

Southwesrern Equestria- Pricklytown 3:09 PM

Maul rubbed his chin, musing for a bit as he got stuck in contemplation. His eyes derped as usual but snapped into focus a bit afterwards "So.... These sacrifices are based on the flow of water correct?.... Well then, who here wants to do an act of Celestia?" a malicious grin grows across his face as he continues his plan "All we gotta do, is fake the water coming so that your brother doesn't have to die.... Tell me, where does the water flow from?"[TAG Benson]

Southwesrern Equestria- Pricklytown 3:09 PM
"It just appears in the ground well behind the platform...its in front of the Chief's home, I don't know where it comes from, the grown ups just tell me from the gods. We still have some water left right now but not a lot...but the grown ups say that with the sacrifices it refills up so that we are never too low....like...that time before when it didn't come and refresh..." The little colt sniffled and wiped at his eyes.



<Its a well that would look like this but without all the green or that much water, like a little bit>

[Tychris1]

Pricklytown- 3:10 PM

Maul Steel begins to pace a bit, finally stopping to say "Alright, i'm going in," he looks towards the center of the town "There is no way the well works on crazy mumbo jumbo. There's magic and then there's made up babble. I'm going in there and figuring out what causes the well to flow." he turns to Tough Stonp, his face growing softer "You got my back Stomp?...."

[TAG Benson]

[BladeofObliviom]

[Hippocampus Energy Plant]

Ebon chuckles a bit.

"...Did I say that? I'm fairly sure I didn't. I insulted by comparing her unfavorably to what more or less is the baseline level for complete madness."

Well, that's nice. His eyes remain fixed on Burnshine, despite the fact that he's currently speaking to the other Steel Rangers.

"...For context, she was planning on killing both of you and foalnapping me."

Meanwhile, he's backing up a bit, slowly. Mostly because of Burnshine, though the only one of the group he trusts at all is Ray.



[Ponyville]

Well, Pineapple's a heavy pony carrying a heavy weapon. But if Razoreye thinks he can do it, no problem!

...Actually, she might normally object on these grounds, but Lamianos is already off on a rampage. Her aim will probably be all screwed up considering that she's completely terrified of even the idea of flying, and the fact that aiming while moving is fairly difficult.

The good news is that Lamianos scares her more and she's not about to disobey him over something with only mild levels of endangerment. She just readies her weapon, and moves over toward Razoreye.

"Erm, okay. I'm as ready for this as I'm going to be..."

[Benson]

Pricklytown- 3:10 PM

Maul Steel begins to pace a bit, finally stopping to say "Alright, i'm going in," he looks towards the center of the town "There is no way the well works on crazy mumbo jumbo. There's magic and then there's made up babble. I'm going in there and figuring out what causes the well to flow." he turns to Tough Stonp, his face growing softer "You got my back Stomp?...."

[TAG Benson]

Southwestern Equestria- Pricklytown 3:10 PM



"Yea...of course S-Steel," Tough Stomp said nervously, uncertain of all this but he was in this with Maul Steel. "S-so what's the plan?"

The little colt smiled and not even one of those weird happy smiles of the townsfolk, but one of relief. "Thank you so very much....No one else but here sees the wrongness 'cuz I guess they're like....I dunno just really think this as how it should be....Worse was my brother was so happy he was chosen I just can't think why *sniffle*.....Anyways...my name is Half pint....I don't think I ever told you my name." Relieved sniffle.

[MCerberus]

Ponyville

And so the two would take off to the skies, safe and sound above all the mean raiders. And each little colt or filly, if they've been bad or terrible (raiders, remember) would receive the gift of explosions to the face.

It's like murder Santa.

[Rebonack]

[New Appleloosa]

Night Jewel ninjas away to parts unknown!

Blackheart isn't altogether sure that reaction to her magic is even possible. After bouncing the memory around in Unity for a few moments none of them can really come up with anything that even approaches a rational explanation. The closest would be Twilight's knowledge of Pinkie doing Pinkie related activities. But that hardly counts as a rational explanation.

MOVING ON!

"Bind them," the alicorn says coolly as the Slavers move in to apply bomb collars to our heroes. Once everypony is secure they'll be lead to the train and loaded onto an old stock-car.

Yippy skippy!

Time for a train ride!

[Tychris1]

Southwestern Equestria- Pricklytown 3:11 PM

Maul smiles "Thank you Half pint. The plane simple, I drop down into the hole and look about to see what's controlling the water. You two try to distract people away from watching me go in, and Stomp i'm going to need you to pick me up out of the hole. Hopefully I can figure it out quickly, otherwise I guess there really are gods."

[TAG Benson]

[Benson]

Southwestern Equestria- Pricklytown 3:11 PM

Maul smiles "Thank you Half pint. The plan simple, I drop down into the hole and look about to see what's controlling the water. You two try to distract people away from watching me go in, and Stomp I'm going to need you to pick me up out of the hole. Hopefully I can figure it out quickly, otherwise I guess there really are gods."

Southwestern Equestria- Pricklytown 3:12 PM


"Oh...I think I have an idea of what to use to distract them," Foxfire smiled like a mischievous fox...whatever those creatures were. Half Pint looked at her and made an 'O' face.

Tough Stomp nodded. "Right and I'll make sure that those not distracted by whatever Foxfire pulls stay away from the well."

[Tag TyChris1]

[Lycan 01]

Desert Madness

Lucky shakes his head. "Yeah, this ain't good. Flim, Flim, what's she say exactly?"

"Like I said, we suggested she maybe escort the prisoners back to New Appleloosa," Flim shrugs.

"And she accused us of dumping work on her, and said she wanted extra pay," Flam grumbled.

"And then she said we wouldn't want to get ponies mad at us while we're weak," Flim scowls.

"And it's very hazardous to your health to ignore a threat some somepony with a magical energy weapon," Flam sighs.

"Especially when you're unarmed," Flim mutters.

"We also said we'd give her the shotgun and other raider weapons," Flam explains.

"Like Tartarus you will," Lucky frowns. He bends down and picks up the sniper rifle, putting the carrying strap around his neck and slinging the weapon back over his shoulder. "This little baby is mine," he says with a cocky grin. "As for the shotgun, eh, let 'er have it. Toss it over here, please, and we'll go have a chat with our little bandito companion."

Flim and Flam nod. They telekinetically toss the raiders' shotgun and pistol over to Lucky and Gwendolyn, and then trot over to their traumatized brahmin and try to calm them down.


Lucky then turns to Gwendolyn and sighs. "Okay, let's go have a chat with Bright Eyes. Sounds like her takin' those folks back to New Appleloosa ain't such a bad idea..." he mutters.

And with that, he hops up and begins to hover his way up the hill, to go bug Bright Eyes.


[Tag: Benson, Bright Eyes]

[Benson]

Miles of North of New Appleloosa


At the moment, Gwendolyn couldn't focus her mind on the squabble-like shenanigans, that would be dealt with then, her concerns fell more upon the mentioned ponyfolk. It wasn't until she flew over that hill did she see the full details of what was going on.

"Oh dear..."

[MCerberus]

New Appleoosa - Slaver Train

One would have expected immediate savage beatings, since Finder might be the only one present with confirmed kills during the battle. Hey, no complaining though. Just need to lay low for a bit.

[Dark Elf Bard]

New Appleloosa- Slaver Train

Eleyew steps back and hugs Elestre around the neck.

*reads OOC* Oh, he's a year older than her.

What do we do?

[Luka]

[Hippocampus Energy Plant]

Ebon chuckles a bit.

"...Did I say that? I'm fairly sure I didn't. I insulted by comparing her unfavorably to what more or less is the baseline level for complete madness."

Well, that's nice. His eyes remain fixed on Burnshine, despite the fact that he's currently speaking to the other Steel Rangers.

"...For context, she was planning on killing both of you and foalnapping me."

Meanwhile, he's backing up a bit, slowly. Mostly because of Burnshine, though the only one of the group he trusts at all is Ray.

"Wait what?"
"What else would you go that way for?" she then turns to face the others
"Will you two just let him go? he's the one who caused the alicorns to go crazy! He could be a great tool for control over the wasteland and technology!"
"He's not a weapon"
"YES, HE IS!"
"No, he isn't, he's just got skills"

Burnshine and Ray keep fighting discussing with each other, Blaster just cleans his visor with a hoof, then slightly approaches Ebon
"Uh.... Where are you going then?" He more or less kind of murmurs, a bit awkwardly, possibly by the Knight vs Knave thing going on behind

----------------------------------------------
[New Appleloosa]

The stable colt just trusts Finder, at least hoping he's not a stealth slaver that could just do it to get them into worse trouble and make escaping harder

He wouldn't seem to put up much against the slavers, possibly being tied up... again; bomb collars don't seem comfortable though.

They may also notice Elestre and him are colts, but they may just go normally?

[Rebonack]

[New Appleloosa]

"Be careful with the colt and filly," one slaver says to another as they not so gently apply bomb collars and start shoving our heroes towards the box car. "You know how Red Eye gets about younglings."

Well.

That's a little bit of hope at least, right?

More shoving!

Onto the train everypony!

"Stay quiet and don't cause any trouble," another slaver pipes up, a bright orange earth pony mare with a blue mane. "We don't want to have to blow anypony up. We've already lost enough ponies the past few days."

As for Blackheart she simply watches the goings on impassively.

[Drowlord]

Slaver Train

Elestre quickly imbues his splint with a moderate-effort strength spell and telepathically loosens its bonds.

"Finder's going to get us out of there by busting the bomb collars. Or not. I don't really know if we can defeat these slavers unarmed with them having really good weapons. I have two plans, both of which are pretty bad."

He stumbles, apparently listless, to the boxcar.

Outskirts of New Appleoosa

Sparky chops into the corpse, carving a square in its armor plating. "We can pick it up and get it to town as soon as we're done destroying this radroach lair."

[Benson]

Outskirts of New Appleoosa

Sparky chops into the corpse, carving a square in its armor plating. "We can pick it up and get it to town as soon as we're done destroying this radroach lair."

"Justsh dun'sh lueavesh itsh inh tha' muckh," Steel Creel said with a flashlight in his mouth.

[MCerberus]

Slaver Train

For now, Finder begins digging through his memories for the correct knowledge to get everypony out of this mess. [science]Those collars are sort of tamper-resistant. In fact you don't even mess with the locking mechanism because... there we go.... hopefully that's correct information.

Hopefully nopony will ask where he learned this.

[Luka]

[New Appleloosa]

"Be careful with the colt and filly," one slaver says to another as they not so gently apply bomb collars and start shoving our heroes towards the box car. "You know how Red Eye gets about younglings."

Well.

That's a little bit of hope at least, right?

More shoving!

Onto the train everypony!

"Stay quiet and don't cause any trouble," another slaver pipes up, a bright orange earth pony mare with a blue mane. "We don't want to have to blow anypony up. We've already lost enough ponies the past few days."

As for Blackheart she simply watches the goings on impassively.

The stable colt just gets collared and eughbug!, it's not really that nice; then shoved into the train.

When they're already inside, he starts trying to examine stuff

[Science] He helps Finder find a way to deactivate the collars, maybe they have to find a way to cut some part of it, or alter the explosive's components so it doesn't work, oooor screw the failsafes in some way s so it could be disarmed without risk