Previous Thread:
>>25704026
Previously:
>Your name is Aurora Flare
>You are an apprentice of King Sombra
>You are among the very few who serve King Sombra willingly
>You were tasked with finding a way to destroy the Crystal Heart with generous seven days to spend
>You are in a possession of a powerful, dark artifact named The Crystal Note. Gift from Sombra.
>You have attempted to bargain a “Life Tap” spell from it but in the end, the deal was refused.
>You are currently observing “arena” participation by two prisoners of the Crystal Empire.
>Your old student, filly named Nifty Ribbon, has left the observing crowd despite Sombra’s presence and is currently trying to strike a conversation with you.
Days Left:7/7
Inventory:
>Crystal Berries [Handful]
>The Crystal Note
> [Brightness Unfold]”Dez Via No Reo. Shine!”
> [Telekinesis] “Ev Lea Kru Ve. Ascend!”
"You probably heard…” you begin, lowering yourself enough to stare Nifty straight in the eyes, “but I have joined His Majesty’s side.”
“B-but, he’s-!” She begins and is quickly silence by your hoof before she can say anything unnecessary.
“He’s our king. Me and others… chose to do something a lot of Crystal Ponies, including your mother, don’t agree with.”
“Miss Aurora…” You notice tears beginning to appear under her eyes, forcing you to bite your lip in hesitation.
“Listen, Nifty. I am no longer your music teacher. I haven’t even played a musical instruments in Tartarus only knows what time. I’m not “Miss Aurora” anymore.”
“No!” She shouts, forcing into your muzzle, “That can’t be so! Is it because I didn’t attend your lessons? I’m sorry, I am! I practiced every day, I could only play with sticks and rocks but I’m getting better! Please, miss Aurora, I’m sure if you listen you’ll decided to teach again… Not because I’m good, but because…”
“Listen, Nifty…” This was too painful. Honestly, you barely remembered having any joy in music. It was lost.
“Listen, Nifty…” You repeat, trying to keep your gaze set on hers, “There’s no way of going back. I’m doing my best to make the best of the situation.” Cursed tautology.
“…What’s “the best situation”, Miss Aurora?” Her lips tremble, “How long will I have to… move crystals without a break? A day? My mother says it’s not going to stop, the only thing we have is hope… What is it you hope for, Miss Aurora?”
>Enter input
>>25723713
What in the fuck?
God Dammit, forgot tripcode. I'm so useless.
>>25723727
Oh, it's you. Good to see you.
Hug the little mare. Try to discreetly tell her that she needs to obey orders until "circumstances will change, and they will one day". Just to give her more hope, and she might spread it, thus helping us with overthrowing Sombraand taking his place.Don't worry, I forget my name often too.
>>25723720
It's lots of harsh and dangerous work for all of us now, even us, but once the war is won it'll all be better. And that's really the best thing to hope for now, and end to the war regardless of which side wins (But implied better if under Sombra for now), then give her a light hug and tell her she's doing a great job so far dealing with all this.
>>25723803
Yeah, that's definitely a better suggestion than mine. Go with it.
>>25723720
What? What just happened?
Do you think a hopeful and innocent fily could destroy the heart if we trick her into doing it?
>>25723824
She'd accidentally wind up going super saiyan with our luck, don't let her near it unless last resort.
“Trust me, Nifty. None of us, not even Wax Candle are having it easy. Not even I. It’s just because of the war, you know about the war happening right now, yes?”
She nodded to you silently, still hiding her muzzle in your coat.
You smile barely, though not surprisingly honestly.
“Mother told me about it, and So… His Majesty is talking about it often.”
“When it’s won, it’s all going to be easier. No more resources to spend, no more reasons for all those Crystal Ponies to be fighting with other ponies.”
“But if King Sombra wins…”
“Trust me…”
Trust me what I don’t even believe myself. Does anyone?
“Trust me, once Equestria belongs to His Majesty, it’s not going to be any worse. I’ll even teach you al fillies again! No more skipping classes, promise?”
She nods awkwardly, a bit silly and clearly taken aback, “Of course, Miss Aurora.”
“STOP THE FIGHT!” You can hear the trembling shout of Sombra himself, the shadow energies visibly covering the only light spot you had.
>How to react?
>>25723893
Return to your default position at once.
>>25723893
Return to where you were and see what happened, no doubt something horrific to both fighters
>>25723893
Keep calm and stop fighting ?
There was a fight?
>>25723930
Previous thread is still up. Get back there.
>>25723930
DYERTCYOA?
>>25723893
Excuse yourself and see what happened
>>25724006
This.
>>25724006
Thanks
You gently push the filly towards the crowd of the Crystal Ponies standing and observing something that was completely blocking your view. With an understanding nod you give her a farewell and assuring at the same time wink and try to return to your position as soon as possible.
To your surprise, Candle Wax didn’t even look at you. It seems you got lucky.
You notice the green earth pony standing, starting straight at King Sombra. The king was staring back at her, his black mane wavering in the air, puffs and clouds of dark magic appearing behind him like a silhouette of some magical Tartarus beast doomed to be banished for all eternity. Angry.
“What ha-“
Oh no, it slipped.
“What happened? Weren’t you here?” Wax Candle smirks at you, a grin wider than anything you could force soon appearing on his face. As he quickly wraps his hoof around your neck, you stumble. The Overseer forces some of his body mass on you before turning towards the arena, same as you.
You notice King Sombra rising, crystal purer than darkness appearing underneath him with every step, construction some sort of makeshift ladder from his throne towards the arena. Surprisingly, Gliding Wind was standing still, doing absolutely nothing. The earth pony was observing him, clearly tired but prepared…
To fight him herself? That was absolutely insane!
“I’m all for the slaves, especially the annoying ones, getting some interaction, Royal Aurora.”
His grip tightens on your neck, his voice turned into a whisper. He was clearly not that interested in what was happening down the hexagon platform as you. You gulped.
“But when I say that I missed some proper conversations and wish to talk with you, I –mean– it.”
>You should probably kick him off?Couldn't get the proportions right.
>>25724152
Don't cause a scene unless necessary.
Just whisper for him to get off of us right now or we'll show him the extent of the powers Sombra gave us.
>>25724152
kick him slightly off but inform him we were planning on talking to him at a later time when there is less going on
>>25724152
Get him off us. He didn't earned
Use dark force if kick him off fail.
Just make sure everyone see it.
>>25724218
>Interrupting the Master making an example out of criminals.
Nope, awful idea.
>>25724226
>Letting lesser beast take advantage of the situation.
If Master cares about Aurora, master will help Aurora.
>>25724253
You move your hoof towards his, attempting to grip it and push it off with as little force as possible. In retort, his hoof slides down your entire neck and then Overseer takes a step back, looking as smug as always. Either he was mad or he was enjoying the chaos around him… You inclined to the first.
“We’ll talk later, Royal Overseer.” You address to him properly, moving your neck to get rid of the heavy feeling of his hoof.
“I told you, we are friends,” He noticed optimistically, “You can call me Wax Candle.”
“We are in front of the King, Royal Overseer. Let’s watch the… show he presented us.” You fake coldly.
“Of course, it’s probably over though. Interesting conclusion, sad you missed it.”
“Pfe…” You snide, “Just remember… I’m apprentice of the king. I know how to… turn you into ash.”
“Now, who goes turning friends into ash?”
~~~~~
“I see what’s going on here~” Hissed Sombra, stopping right in front of the poor mare. His horn was vividly burning with purple, dark energy as his eyes glowed with bright, green light. With a laughter, His Majesty pointed his hoof towards the earth pony, his armor clanging loudly.
Every observer and slave looked shocked and clearly lost, not even they knew what was going on or how they were supposed to react. Laugh? Boo? Cheer? They simple stood… Fearing making a wrong step.
“What…?” The pony finally asked, her light blue eyes burning with determination.
“Do you think I’m deaf~?” He hisses, dark energy beginning to swirl and twist around her.
“I do not understand! You are mad!”
“You are an element initiate, are you not?”
She stopped, her pupils fading and narrowing, “I…What do you mean?”
“Do not lie to me! I know what Celestia is planning!” His figure twisted, his shadow dancing in all directions.
>Observe or ask Wax Candle questions? Or something else?
>>25724152
Considering his position right now, it should be an easy acheivement to have a back hoof perform a curve trajectory at high velocity toward the guy's genitals
>>25724259
Observe, if things are going from bad to stupid, interfere but always try to keep calm
You continue silently observing the strange interaction between this “initiate” and the King. As you gulp down, so does the mare. All of the attention, from the Crystal Ponies and Royalty alike, is upon her.
“Let’s test~ this.” He finally hisses, his entire shadow resemblance slowly taking his normal, proper pony form. The king grins at the confused, trembling mare and shouts as loud as possible, some of the slaves falling on their knees from the piercing noise. Wax Candle reacts immediately.
“Royal Overseer…” Despite the loudness and the ringing, his voice was still calm and mellow, which was impossible to explain but only possible to perceive.
“Your highness,” He shouted back, standing full attention and bowing. You didn’t waste any time and bowed before the King’s glare just as well. He continued, giving you not a single thing to react.
“Send this Pegasus to the Dragon’s Blood hollow.”
You could see his face twisting from the smirk, clearly him knowing something most of the ponies didn’t. What they did know, though, is that mining Dragon’s Blood was something saved for the strongest and most resilient Crystal Ponies, or the most punished ones. Nobody knew what Dragon’s Blood was used for, but everyone knew mining it was impossibly hard.
But you were once told by the slaves of it, and how it hardens the skin and even the lungs and blood of the Crystal Ponies when touched… You thought of it as horrible, but if a normal pony was to…
Oh no, they would surely die.
Wax Candle knew that as well, but he didn’t bother to question or argue with the King. Why would he?
“Yes, your highness.”
>>25724386
That's that, then.
>>25724386
Dragon blood? Why?
Also king sombra wasting time in the arena instead of conquering equestrian.
>>25724386
>But you were once told by the slaves of it, and how it hardens the skin and even the lungs and blood of the Crystal Ponies when touched…
>it hardens the skin and even the lungs and blood of the Crystal Ponies when touched…
>it hardens the skin when touched
>>25724453
It's probably a moniker for an ore or something.
“Wait, Wax Candle …” You begin, clearly knowing this is wrong.
“Shh, Royal Aurora. They are enemies of the Empire, you forgot?” He winks at you one last time before rushing down the steep crystal towards the arena, all the slaves splitting among the crowd to let him pass.
“Wait,” The green pony panicked, “You said you’ll send her to the front lines if she wins!”
“Yes, I did.” Said Sombra half heartedly, looking at her amusingly, “Your point?”
“She didn’t lose!”
“As~ A King, I decide the victor. Congratulations, you can leave.” He smirked at her as Wax Candle finally climbed upon the spire, his whip ready.
“Royal Overseer, if you will…”
Wax Candle barely managed to dodge, the earth pony smashing her head straight. With a swing, the leathered whip made a loud crack, forcing almost every crystal pony to shudder from the “Command”.
His Majesty was looking at the whole scene, half of his body moving shadow.
“You can leave,” He said calmly, a grin like no other. The pony stopped dead, looking at him.
“What?”
“Since she lost~ you won. You can leave.”
“No! Let her go!” She whined, running towards the king. She was refusing such a generous gift! Literally gift! You could not imagine somebody doing that… But you saw something that made you gasp. Her Cutie Mark, unable to be seen from this angle, glowed.
“Miss Aurora!” Nifty Ribbon cried, clearly climbing to you as soon as the Overseer was gone. She was pulling your hoof, scared, “Miss Aurora. Y-you can stop him, yes?!”
>>25724543
Say nothing and shake our head.
>>25724543
Wax candle is creepy as fuck, try to stop him would be nice.
Perhaps that would help to see what power purple have.
>>25724622
What do you want to try exactly?
>>25724657
Go down and quietly ask Sombra what is going on so none of the slaves hear and we don't make a scene. We have to little information to do anything other than watch.
>>25724657
Use Telekinesis to paralyze him or throw a rock really fast at his head from behind.
His whip can be used to strangle him or it can be throw really far away.
Also crush his balls and twist his tongue. Just for fun.
>>25724704
No.
>>25724707
Why not?
>>25724723
Because edge for the sake of edge is retarded.
>>25724761
No it's fun, like cute for the sake of cute, or lewd for the sake of lewd, or...
>>25724768
lewd for the sake of lewd is just as stupid.
You only manage to shake your head, your eyes narrowing at the power and fear Wax Candle had over the poor slaves. No way could you be friends with somebody like him. A nuisance like no other, you thanked the Skies that he was mostly busy down in the mines.
“Sorry, Nifty. His word is law.”
“B-but you are his apprentice, he’ll listen!” she scowls at you.
You shake your head once again. Even if you could do something with the help of the Crystal Note and even if the spell worked as perfect as you wanted to, your pathetic levitation or blight candlelight would only entertain the Shadow King.
Neither did you disagree with situation. Both of them could leave alive properly. One back to Celestia’s forces, other as a serving slave of the Empire. It was sad, but maybe you could discuss all of this later and talk her out of the death sentence.
But none of this was needed.
The earth pony was standing in front of still Gliding Wind, the eye sockets in her helmet black. When Wax Candle tried to settle her down and force her off, she simply bucked him and continued standing in front of her friends.
“Royal Overseer…” Sombra said with annoyance, “I’m waiting.”
Wax Candle spit some saliva and removed his whip further, “What are you doing? She tried to kill you.”
“She’s brainwashed. I’m not going to leave my friend because you use her.”
“Oh?” Sombra asked, his purple tentacles going towards the frightened mare.
She trembled, but continued talking. What was this madness?
“Let her go and I’ll… I’ll go instead of her! Change our positions!” She yelled, her teeth grinding yet voice loud. The entire Crystal Empire was looking at this act of… selfishness.
King Sombra began to laugh, loud and obnoxious. Piercing and thing. Noisy and shattering. His laugh could almost stop time, end hope, and turn you to madness.
[1/2]
>>25724794
“I knew~ it” He finally hissed, motioning for Wax Candle to back away. A bit insulted, he scowled and appeared with a fake smile, “Of course, your Majesty.”
“You are one of those… Elements Initiates, say it.”
“I’m…”
“Say it.”
“Yes!” She shouted, her hoof stomped as she stood like a wall before the power that was Sombra. Then all turned dark, nothing but the pure black void around you. He didn’t want anyone to see this, you presume. All you managed to do was grabbing Nifty by her hoof and hear a loud ruckus, slight panic.
>This might be a problem… Who knows what those slaves will try while Sombra is busy?
[2/2]
>>25724768
Thank you Anon
>>25724773
Are you saying that it can't be edgy, stupid and lewl at the same time?
>>25724811
I'm more saying I don't want to read pointless torture porn in a CYOA.
As edgy as I wanna be
>>25724807
Try and take Nifty to a safer place if we can then try to get to where Sombra is.
>>25724902
This
Tfw when >>25724890
You push Nifty against your side and tell her to be silent and close as possible. With a simple, silent “Alright” she follows your hoof steps. As you look around the darkness, you barely manage to make up the edges of the cliff you were supposed to climb down. Taking a deep breath, you begin to slowly make your way.
You can feel rumble of hooves, hear panicked yells and confused moaning. You didn’t really want to meet any of the slaves right now, not all of them were lost and depressed, some, if only a few, had a spark of “hope” and mad idea that they could still escape the shackles.
Those were the ponies you did not want to meet. But now you had a new orienteer, and it was the cracking of Wax Candle’s whip. Unlike you, he was really trying to make every pony angry, even in this situation. He wasn’t afraid to get hurt by any of them, or he thought he was invincible.
“Stay down, stay down all of you! I see you there. Yes, you!” He shouted loudly, his whip almost breaking through the shadow. Ponies tried to run and hide from him, some of them passing by you but not hitting by a short merit. It was really hard to move in this… Cloak of Sombra.
>>25724982
Kay.
>>25724982
Is this a prompt or...?
>>25725099
>>25725145It is yeah, sorry. A bit tired.
>Everything is dark, you can only walk by feelings the surface with your hooves. In the distance you can hear Wax Candle's whip and voice. Lots of Crystal Ponies running through the shadow mist near you, almost hitting you accidentally. Are you going to carry on trying to reach a safe space or Sombra?
>>25725166
Get the kid safe, get to Sombra. Plan still hasn't changed.
>>25725189
But where is safe?
>>25725196
The character should know, but fuck if I do.
>>25725196
Somewhere away from ponies. Tell her to stay down until the darkness has lifted and go to Sombra.
If there’s one thing you knew perfectly well, it was that staying away from Wax Candle, in this situation, was the safest decision to make. With your small posture and very silent crawl you managed to move far enough that the shadow was only barely clouding the area around you.
“Miss Aurora?” Nifty whispers to you, after she makes sure everything is safe.
“Yes?” You breathe out, weakness and pain in your knees.
“What’s going on?”
If only you know. You were supposed to be the closest person to Sombra if your position and ranking was something to go by, but you failed to know any more than a slave. You only managed to give Nifty an uncertain nod and a weak smile before saying, “Wait until its safe and then find your mother, okay?”
Once you made sure she was completely hidden beneath some crystals, you rushed back into the shadows, this time intending to go as deep possible because, logically speaking, that’s where the hexagon area and the source, that is, the King, would be. You still had your Crystal Note but it was rather obvious that doing anything, especially bright calling, would do more harm than good.
You had no idea what Sombra was planning or even doing, nobody but him had. He clearly didn’t care about his “reputation” or his “subjects” as all of this show went completely astray.
As you hit your head upon a stone monument, you stumble back. There it was. Annoyingly, you begin to run around the tall hexagon platform trying to find the ladder used by the Overseer and the prisoners to get up there, but you find the platform being bigger than you expected. Soon you are lost and can only hear some muffed whispers and hisses on top of the platform. Too low to understand.
>Maybe if you use the brightness spell now… Or you were inside Sombra’s energy after all; maybe he’ll be able to hear you from here? Perhaps just hoping that you’ll be able to stumble upon the staircase by yourself was a good way to go as well.
>>25725390
Since we can't see lets try listening. We were a music teacher after all so we should have good hearing.
>>25725490
You wager that you might as well try to find the better place to eavesdrop on their conversation; after all, they hopefully were closer to one side of the edge over the others. If not, you’d at least be able to stumble upon the climbing cliff and go up there yourself but until that moment… what was the plan again?
You sigh, perking your depressed ears for the first time in forever. Long have you missed the joys of music and bird singing, all you knew now is the hissing of King’s voice, the burning pyres of dark crystals and occasionally some trembling voice of a citizen. You really lost the colors and majesty that the world could bring, and you lived with that guilt and emptiness ever since.
“Join me~ and I promise to let her go. Do not, and she shall suffer the short life she’ll have.”
“I, no… Don’t hurt her.”
“Swear your loyalty~ to me” He said in a strong, rather cold but still evil to the core voice.
“How do you know you are not lying?”
“Why would you keep your deal if I don’t? Kings don’t make promises very often…”
“King Sombra, you are the enemy of Equestria.”
“It’s not about Equestria, filly. It’s about your friend. You can save her.”
“But…”
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few~ I understand.”
“Don’t touch her!”
It seems you found the perfect spot; it was clear as a day… Sombra was attempting to blackmail her.
>>25725716
Since we can hear the conversation so clearly we should be able to get closer.
>>25725716
Walk out of the darkness alongside Sombra and implore her to join us. Make sure to put on a strong face. Sombra will surely be pleased and it will be the best for everyone involved.
>>25725767
You could, yes. But it's still all dark. What do you want to do once you get closer?
>>25725780
Not >>25725767 but >>25725777 is my course of action.
>>25725777
This.
>>25725777
This.
“What is it going to be…? Initiate of Loyalty? Loyalty to your friend or loyalty to your princess?”
“I…I don’t know! Just let her go and send me to the hollow instead. I already agreed to that!” The pony whined.
“That wasn’t my deal, little filly.”
You take a deep breath and unravel the shadow before yourself and the earth mare with your hoof, surprisingly, Sombra’s dark magic allowing you to do so quite easily, as if he was expecting this.
“You do understand that he could simply lock both of you in there if he wished to, do you?” You ask, trying to appear as cold, concentrated and presentable as possible, your voice ringing.
“Who the- You!” Her gaze quickly turns towards you. The only thing that illuminates you both being the purple haze of Sombra’s dark magic.
“Apprentice …” He whispers with a strange mix of both interest and insult.
“The traitor, tells me to betray? What a surprise.” The earth pony snarled at you. You gawked.
“Don’t you understand? I was given the same choice as you, once. I joined because I believe in what I’m doing is right.”
“Well, I do not! I’m loyal to Equestria, I’m loyal to the teachings of Harmony!”
The worst, those ponies are absolutely the worst. Now you have Sombra on your tail as well… You really have to convince this mare for her and your, most important, your case.
>>25725955
>What would you say or topics you'd touch?
>>25725955
If her loyalty truly belongs to Equestria then she should just leave her friend to her fate.
>>25725955
Ask her how the elements have helped her, or her friend in this whole situation.
>>25725955
Initiate of Loyalty?
“Elements of Harmony is just an old mare’s tale.” You turn your nose away, looking at her with one of your eyes narrowed. You finally notice her cutie mark, a stone wall with black shadow of a pony standing in front of it, as If obstructing it from something.
“They are not…” The mare says, glaring daggers at you, “And they…”
“They shall be used to finally defeat me, Apprentice. It’s all true.” Sombra says lazily, already being deep in his suddenly raised Crystal throne. He was never afraid of a potential attack or backstab, he was simply that powerful. Looking at the two of you arguing, he could only smile and comment.
What does he mean elements of Harmony are truth?
“What is this… initiate, anyway?” You ask, curiously.
“It’s not your business, ferret.”
Did she just call you ferret? A ferret!? Why were you even trying to help her keep her life?
You puff with your nostrils and make a rather aggravated and hostile step towards the mare, her already preparing for another dodge or, perhaps, an attack.
“If you have already decided with where your loyalties lie, then I do not see why you are still arguing,” You say once again, trying to sound as cold and distant, and wicked, as possible, “I’m sure the elements will save her… someday.”
The king could only grin in pleasure at that remark, both of the practices of dark art laughing at this pathetic excuse of a soldier. You could get used to this feeling… Yet she stayed silent.
“What it’s going to be?” The king finally asked her again, he really had the patience of a maniac.
“What…What will I have to do?”
“Be my personal guard.”
“Be your what?!” She shouted, her hooves smacked against the cold, crystal surface of the platform.
[1/2]
>>25726186
… His Majesty really had a wicked sense of humor, allowing the spy and infiltrator to be one step away from his neck, like a never ending taunt. It seems the mare was completely lost in the idea.
“What do you think, maybe there’s a better position for your new~ loyalty, Apprentice?” You feel the sudden chill of Sombra’s glare and you cannot help but gulp and shudder.
[2/2]
>>25726194
>“What do you think, maybe there’s a better position for your new~ loyalty, Apprentice?”
What does he mean by that?
>>25726222*our
That's what he means...
>>25726222
Perhaps a position that instills loyalty towards Sombra in others.
>>25726222
I figure he's asking us or giving her to us.
>>25726277
>>25726271
>>25726222Asking Aurora of her opinion about Green Mare's future position, as in, if she thinks that there's a better place than Sombra's personal guard.
>>25726194
I believe that she would make a fine guard, master.
>>25726296
Well an element of loyalty initiate protecting the dark king would be pretty demoralizing for equestrian troops.
>>25726194
I believe that's a perfect position for her, your highness.
Loyalties can change, and I think she'll find just much more purpose being loyal to the empire's flag.
>>25726329
Eliminate the just*
“I think that would be a perfect position for your new subject, your Highness.”
“Hey, I didn’t say I agree!” She shouted, clearly irritated, “…I won’t swear my loyalty to you, tyran.”
“Well. It is your choice,” Sombra hisses with a relaxed smile, the tentacles of dark magic tightly envelop the still standing figure of Gliding Wind. The green mare yelped:
“But I’m willing to join your army and be your personal guard… Sombra. As long as you let her go safely, I’ll be in your service.”
Shadow King’s fangs showed and then, the entire veil of darkness lifted. Every single Crystal Pony gasped and froze, afraid to fall under Sombra’s command. Wax Candle looked a bit tired and injured, but he still had an easy going and commanding presence surrounding him.
Everyone stared at the hexagon once again; they really did not know what to think anymore.
Neither could they bother to ask as the entire platform rose from the ground, the black crystals forming around the wall into a dome before it vanished in the underground.
“…What?” The mare asked, glaring at Sombra anticipating his next move.
“Apprentice…” You could feel Sombra breathing down your neck, his eyes peered upon your body, “How is your task going along?”
“Hey, I’m talking to you!” Shouted the loyalty mare, but neither you or Sombra responded.
>>25726399
I have yet to make any progress, master.
>>25726399
Ask him some questions about the crystal note.
>>25726399
We're considering the possibility of draining it until it's just a powerless hunk of stone.
“I have yet to make any progress, my master. Perhaps you can give me guidance… Your Majesty.”
You bow as low as possible, touching the floor with your forehead.
“The Crystal Note holds most of the answers, but I’m unwilling to tell you more because…” He looks at the green mare; you follow his gaze and answer with a nod. It’s not really smart to mention the Crystal Heart in here.
“Prove yourself to me, Apprentice. And I shall reward you with power or knowledge. Fail me… You have six more days.”
“O-of course, your majesty.” You can only manage to say in response, breathing nothing but forceful, crushed ice.
“H-hey, you two…” The confused mare acclaimed, her hoof pointed towards you, “…I want to make sure that Gliding Wind is safe and sound.”
“As my promise. Follow me… Apprentice?”
“Y-yes, master?” Just go away already, Sombra!
“While the Royal Centurion is leading the Manehattan attack, our new Royal Guard is going to be holding his position. I hope~ you can help her at first.”
“…Of course, your majesty.”
If you ever going to get that Life Tap spell, you’ll be sure to use it on her first! Ferret…That's all for today, man I'm happy the "flavor text" part is over.
>>25726593
Give the Crystal Note a sacrificethe green mare
>>25726660
Screw giving it a sacrifice, Sombra got his power from it and he isn't the type who would allow for such crummy deals and crappy spells. We have to beat it into submission.
>>25726736
I wonder how he beat it.
>>25726775
Can we not ask him for advice? We are his apprentice.
>>25726953
Well he might in private, away from the crowd.
>>25726593
>I'm happy the "flavor text" part is over.
What?
>>25727406
I should expand. Never put anything in a story that isn't important in some way. If you see something as useless "flavor text," then you've missed the point.
>>25726660
She could be a valuable asset and I'd rather not risk accidentally killing her and pissing Sombra off. As terrible as it is, I'd rather go to wax candle and find his worst slave to sacrifice.
>>25727457
too bad no one ever told tolkien
>>25730167
Or Lovecraft.
But that's not what I meant. What was I trying to say the part, the battle, got a bit long and we couldn't have much input in that from what I realized, and this is, after all, is a CYOA so yeah.
Crystal Note did nothing wrong.
>>25730846
Crystal Note is shit
SHIT
H
I
T
>>25724807
There was a possibility of finally inciting a revolt.
And I was too drunk to be here and use it. Life is suffering.
Also, I do not know if you guys realized it but you are able to "recollect" and "remember" parts of Aurora's biography, just if you wanted to know more about some specific events.
>>25731842
Yes please, give us more of Aurora
>>25731885
Just give me a prompt of what y'all want to remember when the session is going, mind you, it'll be more effective when she isn't in a middle of a battle or something.
>>25731842
>>25731901
If for any reason you are unable to run in a day, please give us a paragraph or two to mull over in those breaks. For now, some info can go a long way, can we get info about any spectacular or stand out former students?
>>25731901
Could it be Shellshock ?.
Remember her childhood, parents/legal tutors. Brothers and sisters if she had.
Why sombra like her, perhaps they were friends.
>>25731913
I think I'll be able to run today, but I can leave info on the students after the session.
>>25731939
Nah, Sombra offered his apprenticeship to the crowd. Aurora was the first and only one to accept. Full backstory will take a very long time and is not that interesting, some having it with short intervals should be better.
I'll bump, fine.
I hope this thread survives until the next session.
Dude where are you?
>>25734136
Super bump calling for Vincent gang bang
>>25734136
He did say he "thinks" he'll be able to. Maybe he though wrong?
I like Aurora because she's a very ordinary pony put in an extraordinary place.
Ekhem. Yeah...
Right, guys. I'm truly sorry but I'm postponing the session until tomorrow, starting time from 4 until 6 pm GMTChaps. I'd rather not run it while ill or tired as it'll only make it unfun for everyone. Thanks for understanding.
Some info about the student, as per promise.
Vintage Glass was a small filly with big future. Her mother was an important and respectable pony and she her child to have as happy of a life as hers. Her body had a swamp-green hue while her mane was as blue as clear sky on sunny day. Her mane was laid put into one of those “respectable” hairstyles while her tail was put into one big bun.
Vintage Glass had big surprise there, a vintage crystal glass as her cutie mark. During one of your lessons she found the time to explain it to you. Apparently, she received it when she accidently dropped a very expensive glass cup into a crate of cheap lookalikes and managed to find the right one, having the eye for recognizing and hooves for dealing with antiques it was then, when she discovered her destiny.
She was always happy to attend your classes, was very talented with the guitar and was always ready to burst into a song. Her voice could rival some of the most famous singers in the Crystal Empire.
You haven’t seen her since your initiation.
Get up.
>>25734745
bemp
I have a feeling this won't be the last time we see a delay like this in this CYOA series. So lets go into a simulation; if we got to get away with one spell that we could obtain without consequence, what would it be within reason aside from the ones already mentioned?
>>25740525
Fireball. It's always a fireball and I think we could use a quick offensive spell, life drain might be too slow.
>>25740699
Can we summons demon's? Like find a way to bring back old devils.
Open the door :^)
>>25740818
I doubt bringing even more evil beings that are way above our power level into this darkness party would benefit us in any way.
>>25740818
>Seige
>>25740929
We could take advantage of the situation. Also in return we could gain the trust of the umbrum kind and respect from sombra.
>>25742006
Give me an hour.
Just like that, you are left alone. King Sombra strolled into the further side of the hexagon forcing the nervous and still hostile mare to follow him. His Majesty has left you feeling nothing but uncertainty. Your hooves were trembling at the simple though of what was going to happen once week was finished. You had six more days to find a way to do the impossible and doom the Crystal Empire of its last shred of hope and serenity.
No pressure Aurora. When have you ever failed at something?
Taking a deep sigh, you took the Crystal Note from your backpack and forced the book wide open. The fluttering of the notes for just a moment reminded you of the demon inside and your last encounter with it, but there was no other way to find your way out of here. King Sombra probably did not care how you were going to leave, or he knowingly wanted you to use the Crystal Note, as much as you hated that.
“Dez Via No Reo. Shine!” you shout, the ink glowing with the force of thousand suns before igniting the entire area around you in cold yet bright light, blinding you in the process once again. With a painful shake of your head, you begin to slowly stumble into the only visible figure resembling a door frame. With an assault of your shoulder you slowly open the creaking, wooden door and slip inside.
This room was as dark as the room before it. Was it that hard for Sombra to ignite a few more candles? You make another step forward and… a crunch is heard. With your yelp, you take a step back and another crunch follows, clearly not an echo.
“Who is there?” old, raspy voice questions you.
>What to do?
>>25742513
Where the fuck we are?
>>25742579
This is actually a very good question.
>>25742579
No idea. I'm pretty confused
>>25742579
>>25742591
>>25742608Under the hexagon platform, but that's a legit question for Aurora to ask.
>>25742513
Dispite probably being pretty spooked try to sound tough and declare you are the royal apprentice to his Majesty king Sombra.
You take a few steps back from the sudden voice and break even more things under your hooves. As much as the sound and frailness were concerned, you could assume those were some kind of crystals. Now, what were crystals doing here, lying on the floor randomly, was another question.
“Where am I?” you ask, the figure flinching in response.
You stay under its silent, judgmental glare for what feels an eternity before a small crystal sizzles near him, the strange magic inside of it turning the crystal into a makeshift lantern. Unlike the majority of “crystal lanterns” around the Crystal Empire, this one was did not have a trace of Sombra’s dark magic. Streaming with all the shades of color blue, it slightly illuminated the room.
It was enough for the both of you to see each other.
“You are a rude one, are you not?” The stallion says. He had a spiked, grayed mane and a very pale, orange coat. A tall, wizard robe was decorating his shoulders and body, its hood dangling from the neck without being placed over his head. You could see his glare hardening.
“I’m King Sombra’s personal apprentice!” you say.
“Is the King asking for me again?” he said. “First time he’s noth coming personally.”
>>25742868
Oh shit. Is this some real fucking wizard adviser or something?
>>25742868
N-no? I'm just... Looking for a way out of here.
“N-no, I’m just looking for a way out of here,” you say.
“You don’th just stumble in here,” he said, his glare turning away towards the crystal lantern.
“I didn’t. I was assisting His Majesty when he had to leave without showing me the way out,” you quickly fix your mistake, “He had to leave because of very important business.”
“Of course. I believe you,” said the pony, “The exit is-“
You noticed him glaring around the room, his hooves touching the ground as he climbed off some sort of chair and moved past a heavy, wooden table. With a tired sigh he rubbed his hoof against the surface of the blue crystal making it shine even brighter. You could now see almost all of the room and what a room it was! You heard of alchemy before but you never saw a true, what they call it, laboratory. Hundred of tubes and plates filled with mined, melted or grinded crystals. There was also a giant mixing cauldron in the deep, bottomless pit brewing under some sort of greenish fire, probably being raised and lowered by a metal chain on it.
“I forgoth. I haven’t left this place since so long.”
>>25743055
Ask what he does here.
>>25743241
>>25743055
This, we might to know him better. What he does here? How long he lived in this place? Can he say something about Sombra visits?
“Can’t you justh return the way you came?” He says with bored expression.
“I told you, I do not know how King Sombra got in here.”
“I believe you, “he said.
The old pony looked around his room, as in search of something. His hooves passed by the many shelves and supply boxes, some of them named very disturbing and impossible things such as alicorn horn or chimera blood. As you grew more and more interested in your surroundings, exploring every inch of the strange room you never knew existed, the old interrupted you with a fake cough.
“You are goingh to help me or what?”
“Oh, I… Sorry,” you said, making him frown and shake his head. “Can I ask you: what are you doing here?”
“Right now or?” He stops, narrowing his eyes at one of the many bookshelves before smiling, nodding and trotting towards it, “Here, here’s yourh exit.”
“But you said you didn’t leave for a long time.”
“I didn’th,” he said, “But not because I couldn’t. I just have too much things to take care ofh.”
“Such as?” you ask.
You see him glaring daggers at you before he lifts one of the books and a loud, grinding sound is heard. Soon, the bookshelf rises into the ceiling and a small, arising staircase can be seen in the blue glow of the crystal lanterns. The pony tilts his head, “Come, apprentice. I’ll walkh you.”
“Can you at least tell me your name?”
“Ginger Spice,” He forces you into the staircase with his hooves, “I’m the royalh enchanter.”
>>25743627
I am Aurora. You asked earlier and... anyways, so what do you do? Or what does the king have you do?
>>25743627
Don't let him close the door until we'll get our answers dammit.
>>25743627
We might be dead in a week, certainly there is no harm in telling us about himself.
“I’m Aurora, but anyway-,” with a sudden thrust you push Ginger Spice back inside the laboratory
You and him both stumble on the floor and barely managed to hold down to the nearby crater, a strange hiss coming from the inside. He looks at you, looking very disappointed and tired. You push your hooves off the alchemist and force an innocent smile at him.
“So what do you do?” you ask.
Ginger Spice rises from the table silently. He claps his hooves against his robes to get rid of the dust and dirt and then, with a sluggish pace, approaches the bookshelf once again. You can see Ginger’s hoof pointing towards the staircase, his gaze bleak and bored, “Outh.”
“It’s not like I’m an invader,” you shout, “I’m a crystal pony just like you. And Sombra’s “royalty” as well.”
“All of those are veryh interesting facts,” he says, “But you need to go.”
“Am I interrupting something important?” you say.
“…Dangerous,” he says bluntly, his glare thrown towards a red crystal with visible, smoke energy inside it, “That’s noth to mention the Fidelity dust I have to grind for tomorrow. I do noth think you understood any of that...
>>25743816
You were doing such dangerous work in the dark?
>>25743816
Let's just leave.
>>25743978
This. No need to be too pushy.
“Is it dangerous because you are doing it in the dark?” you ask.
“No… It’s dangerous because it can explode.”
“…Explode? Wait, so you are making a bomb?”
Ginger Spice sighed and tiredly rubbed his face, his mane dirty and sweaty, “Listen Amora-“
“It’s Aurora,” you fix his mistake with an innocent smile, still being as far from the staircase as possible.
“Aurora,” he says, “I am very busy here, you seeh? King Sombra wants me to complete some of those inventions and experimentations by the end of the week, and I do noth think I have time to waste.”
You nod. You certainly were able to understand that part. Besides the bomb part, that was still something that you had to think over. With a silent trot you close the gap between the two of you and look at him again. The grayed, old stallion certainly was more interested in his own research than in a once in a lifetime visitor. You step in inside the staircase but, as soon as you do that, Ginger Spice grabs you by your hoof and forces you into some wooden, barely functional chair near the “bookcase-door”.
“W-wha-“
“Waith,” he begins but his loud cough soon interrupts him. “Do youh know if they mined into the “Dread Layer” yeth?”
>You didn't, is that something in the Crystal Mines?
>>25744175
We know who we can ask about that.
>>25744175
Maybe it would have paid to have paid attention to Candle. Tell he we don't know but we can try to see for him.
“Dread Layer?”
“Yes, the ‘Dread Layer’! You knowh, the thing they have been tryingh to mine in for weeks now.”
Wax Candle would know something about this; he was the Crystal Mines overseer after all. Perhaps he’ll be happy to have a talk with you about all of this, though you’ll have to answer his bothersome questions and you really didn’t feel like doing that. Still, this laboratory looked interesting.
“Oh, that ‘Dread Layer’!” you say, raising your hooves in a clap, “I’ve heard of it. I can find out if you want.”
He grumbled, “That’ll beh very helpful. If they did, try to get some of the rumored “remains”, alright?”
“I’ll do what I can!” you smile wildly at him.
“Yes-yes. You’ll have to pass the Dragon’s Blood Hollow but you willh manage.”
“Wait, I have to do wh-“
You didn’t react fast enough; Ginger Spice quickly turned your chair in a half circle on the chairs’ hinge legs and forced you into the bookshelf exit, lowering the book that acted as a lever with a swing. The heavy bookshelf above you creaked and then smashed right near your nose.
“Good lu-“
And then, all was silent. You sighed with defeat: it’s not like you made a life blood deal with him to help him. If the situation gets too dangerous you could simply leave, you had your own troubles to worry about. With that though, you began to slowly ascend up the tall staircase. Soon, you stood before an arch doorway. With a series of heavy pushes you made the lock clang and then the hinges slowly turn.
As you entered the spacious room, you looked around. You were inside the throne room once again, the blazing bonfires near the throne giving it away immediately. Sombra was not here, thankfully.
>What do?
>>25744706
We need to speak with him about the crystal note, but if we can't find him we should do some more research.
>>25744706
Wasn't Dragon Blood that shit able to kill non-crystal ponies? That thing hardening, skin, blood and whatnot?
>>25744982
It was, yep.
>>25745047
We're in some neck-deep shit, then.
All in favor of doing more research, then?
>>25745333
Yep, plus making a side plan for tomorrow wouldn't hurt, if we can help him with his task of the week, he can help us, plus we can talk to Wax candle about a few things to get more info we can't with study alone
>>25745333
Aye
You silently leave the throne room as fast as you can, only gifting a glare towards the Crystal Heart. It was still hidden beneath the veil but most entrapped and protected by Sombra’s magic. You force the grand, disobedient gates to shut behind you and look inside the window to at least get some measurement of time. His Majesty clearly told you that you have only six days left, and he meant it.
It was the early morning of the new day.
Your rub your neck, look outside the window once again to see if there’s any sight of Wax Candle or Sombra and, when you made sure that no, there isn’t, you trot towards the library wing. You suddenly have a strange sense of doing this exact same routine once but… trying makes perfect.
You pass the rubble and ruins of the old library and then swiftly turn towards the “forbidden” corner, where you had already placed several of the books you were searching for. One of those books was the “Spells You Forgot.” What is there to do now, give another book a chance or look for some other specific spells in the “Spells You Forgot” tome? It’s not like you could “learn” them anyway until you had a deal with the Crystal Note.
Books:
>”History of the Crystal Empire.”
>”Known Magical Artifacts of North Equestria.”
>”The Beasts of Olden Tale.”
>”Spells You Forgot”
>>25745547
Lets go for the history book, perhaps knowing how the crystal heart was formed will help
>>25745547
Known Magical Artifacts sounds promising.
>>25745547
>”The Beasts of Olden Tale.”
Huh, if there ARE any dragons around, offering the heart as a delicacy to it may solve the issue. But then, that's something that would probably be outdated in terms of one's current location.
>>25745547
HOW LONG DID THE CRYSTAL NOTE HOLD US CAPTIVE!!
>>25745547
Known Magical Artifacts of North Equestria. Might have some info on the heart or Crystal Note.
>>25745639
>inb4 it's Saturday morning.
>>25745661It was the sunset when the arena battle happened.
You quickly glance through the “History of the Crystal Empire” title but you find nothing of interest. Majority of the things which are described in the book are things that you had already known. The only interesting bit, about His Majesty’s sudden rise to power and former Prince’s inability to protect the Crystal Empire from the Wendigos, you remembered clearly yourself. That was the time when Sombra took over the Crystal Empire for the first time and both him and the Empire were banished.
“Thanks a lot with that,” you say, moving your hooves towards the, “Known Magical Artifacts of North Equestria.” A much more interesting and informative read.
You list through many mentions of simple and practically useless items, such as a flower that surrounds itself with warmness and love, making the snow around it melt and the grass grow. Of course, that sounded unique and amazing but it was barely “artifact” worthy.
However, some of those mentioned objects managed to perk your interest, despite the very short information provided with them. All three of them had something powerful about them, something that an ordinary pony was not supposed to even dare of wielding.
Of course, most of them were old mare’s tale just as well.
[1/2]
>>25746112
>The Ring Of Destiny
Forged by the lonely hermit who made his home in the Northern Mountains and infused by the magic of the Polar Lights, it is said that this ring gives the wearer the ability to change his Cutie Mark. The hermit was known for making powerful weapons that could manage to strike down dragons and mountains alike. Some say that his legacy as the most famous smith comes from his ability to change his special talent, forging things alone that would usually request the help of several ponies.
>The Horseshoe Of Tartarus
It is said that the horseshoe was the only thing that stayed in Equestria after a powerful, dark wizard was defeated by Celestia and Luna. Nobody knows for sure to what exact creature this horseshoe belonged, but they say that those who wield it are able to destroy every nonliving thing it touches. Metal turns to rust; stone mountains turn into pebbles and trees weather out and die.
>The Chronicles of White Ink
Lost to the history, White Ink was a powerful vizier of the Crystal Empire. It is unknown of what exact crime he was punished for but he found himself being banished into his own diary and forever left forgotten. Some say that he was attempting to become a powerful alicorn.
[2/2]
>>25746122
Seems like we should go after the horseshoe
>>25746122
Horseshoe of tartarus sounds like it's the tool we need, but without any hint to it's current location it's a huge risk to spend time looking for it. Does it give the last known location?
>>25746122
Lets read the last book. Is it possible to communicate with the crystal tome without getting mind raped?
>>25746122
the ring of destiny sounds good but it would be no use for us if we can't wear it
>the horseshoe it's just stupid.
If we touch the crystal heart will the crystal ponies die?
>the chronicles of white ink
the vizier may know the answer. It would be wise to seek this item.
>>25746192
That's all the information provided in the book.
>>25746212
The last book? Also, there might be a way to do that but so far Aurora haven't discovered it.
>>25746243
Then go back to the library and look up more about this horseshoe
>>25746243
The Beasts of Olden Tale.
>>25746256
If we can't find any other books about that specific item, I say we move on to the beast book, and if THAT should fail us then we start asking around about any local dragons hungry for a huge gem
Your curiosity was heated by the mention of something that can destroy –anything- with a simple touch of a hoof; but no matter where you looked or what books you quickly leafed through you were unable to find any additional information about the Tartarus Horseshoe. Somebody had to write this book, and perhaps this somebody was a big liar. You turn the book to quickly reveal the author but the first word of the name is all smudged. All it says is Written By ****** Truth.
“Now that’s helpful,” you sigh and then yawn from all your effort. If some students could pull an all-nighter then surely you were better than them and could list through the books until the sunrise.
With that in mind, you moved a very graphical looking book towards you. It had a distinctly red cover and burned engraved title of “Beasts of the Olden Tale”. It was also provided with a glittering, velvet bookmark. It was in top condition, considering the amount of time it was abandoned in here or through what the library wing went through in the last thousand years.
As you look through the book you follow very small texts of information together with some gorgeous, beautiful drawings of chimeras, bugbears, centaurs, Cyclops and alike. The ones most usually mentioned to inhabit the North Ridge of the Crystal Empire were the Snowborn Tigers, Yetis and, of course, Windigos.
But something else caught your attention, a mention of a Blue dragon living in the cave above the Northern Ridge. It was said that the dragon terrorized and even ate some of the Crystal Ponies because of them resembling gems and he was truly defeated only when the Windigos attacked the Crystal Empire, being one of their “better” causalities.
>>25746454
So the local dragon is dead from windegos? Damn.
>>25746454
Try to look more on the vizier in the diary.
>>25746454
Look for more information about the ring.
>>25746846I'll be ending here, but keep the suggestions coming for the tomorrow post.
Here's some cute drawing I did about Aurora Flare's previous life.
>>25746888
Oh, such a cute little class.
Shame that now we are a sorcerer and traitor and all of our students are working their asses off in the mines.
>>25746454
Keep the bookmark. Should we see if Sombra is back yet?
>>25746221
Requesting source for the webm here.
>>25746454
Try to find more information about this Truth pony; surely another book was written by them. Also consider the blue dragon's hoard for relics.
>>25749739
I remember it's from some french show, but not much else. A trip to the dragons hoard might yield some good results though...
>>25751353
Oh gee, and we still have a whole day ahead. Are we going to destroy the CH after all?
>>25746454
Search forEquestrian Psycho
>>25752210
If the QM ever comes back, maybe
>>25754371
I'm currently at work but I'll be back in a few hours to start.
>>25754709
Okay, in the mean time do you have time at work for quick info on any adult ponies we knew before sombra's reign?
>>25754709
OK we wait
>>25754722
Adult Ponies? Well, let me think...
Mom and Dad.
You left your mother and father to pursue your destiny and career as a musical teacher. They were quite the old, senile ponies and lived on the outskirt of the Crystal Empire. Your mother died peacefully of old age and did not live to see Sombra's Reich. You visited your father from time to time but he usually just spend his free time with his hobby, his special talent being diving for pearls under the ice. He was forced to join Sombra's army and the last you heard of him, he was on the frontlines of Manehattan battle.
Some of the other ponies in your life were algebra teacher Multiplication Table (Colt), geography teacher Boiling River (Mare) and Principal Oak Table (Colt) with whom you had a short romance with, but it didn't work out.
>>25754874
*Oak Desk
Let's go with that, too many tables.
>>25754874
>Boiling River
Sounds metal.
Alright, I'm here. Give me time to write a post.
You decide to keep the beautiful and expensive bookmark: it would be a waste to leave something like this forgotten in an old library. You were a mare, after all, and you had your own appreciation of beauty even in such dark and grim times. Carefully, you put the bookmark into one of the smaller pockets in your bag to keep it safe and away from the wrong glares.
Now, you had to decide on what to look far and what object to pursue to help you in your task. First, you try to search for more useful books, diaries and encyclopedias in the forbidden corner of the library but just like last time, you are unable to find anything interesting or readable from sage and neglect besides the books you already had. With a sigh, you turn back towards the main hall of the Library Wing.
You look for more information on the ring and the vizier but either those books are placed in the shelves they are not, logically, supposed to be placed in or, you are just a bad librarian. You then look around for more books written by the mysterious “Truth” author and actually managed to find… all three of them.
[1/2]
>>25757014
First was a Crystals Encyclopedia written by a pony named Honest Truth. Second was a Mushroom Encyclopedia written by a pony named Painful Truth. The last one was an old news sheet canvas clearly left in here for history purpose by a pony named Ancient Truth. It made sense so many ponies with the name “Truth” had their destiny in sharing useful information or real gossip with other ponies.
You are not sure which one exactly, if any of them, put his hoof on the “”Known Magical Artifacts of North Equestria” book though, and there wasn’t really any way to find out. You decide to look into the map achieve for any mention of the blue, pony eating dragon and his previous whereabouts.
Surprisingly, the specific achieve section had a collection of dozens and dozens of maps, from the obvious Crystal Empire, to the Forgotten West to whole of Equestria and beyond. Of course, many of them were very ancient and wrong, not to mentioned, dulled by their age but, you manage to find the perfect fit for your request: The map of Northern Ridge. And just like you hoped, it had the “Dragon Spire” mentioned on it.
[2/2]
>>25757025
Go for it, Aurora. Take some food, a blanket if it's more than half a day journey, maybe some weapon other than this fucking Note and JUST DO IT.
>>25757025
How far away is it?
>>25757277
There are no units of measurement but comparing the size of the Crystal Empire on the map to the distance Aurora can assume it's three days distance, if there are no problems on the way.
>>25757334
Oh shit, that's a long way to go. And we aren't sure if the dragon is there or not, it is written that he was a 'casualty'.
But we have to do something, Jesus fuck.
>>25757355
We should speak with Sombra. If we have a decent idea he might give us an extension.He most likely won't, but I see no harm in checking.
Why are we looking for a dragon again?
>>25757372
We are risking harm every single time we are near Sombra. But we can try this.
Before doing anything reckless you decide that you should check with His Majesty. Since Sombra himself wishes to have the Crystal Heart destroyed, you wager that he’s unable to do it with all his powers and will be happy to give you a helping hoof; you turn towards the exit and leave the Library Wing with a trot.
You did not manage go far, as you notice a very familiar and quite displeased green pony standing near the massive doors into the Throne room. It was apparent she was already doing her so-called duty as she was wearing a kind of chainmail armor and a spiked spear. Attempting to ignore her, you put your hoof on the door to push it wide open but she forcefully moves your leg down and shortens the distance, making you feel her breath.
“What do you want?” she asks, clearly having some kind of personal problem with you.
>What to do?
>>25757493
An apprentice doesn't have the right to seek an audience with her master now?
>>25757493
I wonder. Can't we run away from Sombra and hide somewhere in the North? Live a hermit life and all that?
“An apprentice doesn't have the right to seek an audience with her master now?” you say.
The grumpy earth ferret grunts in your response and begins to slowly walk around you. You feel as if her eyes begin to drill a hole in you, a feeling you did not take pleasure in. Who does she think she is? Well, you can’t be angry, she behaved this way with His Majesty as well, and she just had to be reminded of her new place and position in the Crystal Empire.
“Give me entrance, now!” you raise your voice, your gaze meeting hers.
“He told you are supposed to show me around,” she says.
“Later. This is more important.”
“If I’m going to be a “Royal Guard” of the worst pony in existence, I-“
“- better start with not referring to His Majesty in that way,” you finish her sentence with a smirk.
“I was forced to do this, unlike you and that slaver,” she says.
“We had our reasons, have no right to judge,” you tell her coldly, your nose wrinkled in annoyance. “Open the door, now.”
She looks at you one more time, her front leg visibly trembling on her spear as she either attempts to hold down her emotions or startle you. None of it works as you simply push her aside and open the door yourself, smashing it behind you with an echoing crash, barely able to hear her insults.
“Master?” you call forward, attempting to find your way in the darkness.
“Speak, apprentice,” he answers, his voice as distant as ever.
>>25757796
We were searching in the library and found information on some possible artifacts that could be useful in destroying the heart as well as a spell that might be able to drain the heart of it's power and turn it into a useless stone. Also we should talk with him about the Crystal Tome.
“I’ve been searching through the library-“
“-And?” he says, making you shut up as soon as he started talking.
Your hooves and knees begin to tremble under Sombra’s piercing gaze, feeling as if the entire room was shrinking around you. With a shaking motion of your head you turn towards the presumable whereabouts of His Majesty and then you begin to whisper through gritted teeth, “And I found mention of some artifacts that can help me destroy the Crystal Heart.”
“Where are they?” he hisses, as if awaiting an immediate answer.
“W-what?” you say, “I-I don’t have them yet. I only just read about them”
“Then why are you wasting time? My time,” he says.
“I also found a spell but the Crystal Not-“
You suddenly feel the dark magic feeling your body, like smoke, before it pulls off your bag and forces the Crystal Note within from it. With a silent, breezing levitation, King Sombra moves the Crystal Note towards himself and looks through it with a quick, bored glance.
“What about… the Crystal Note?”
>>25758170
The Crystal Note mentioned that Sombra had gotten his powers from it and we were wondering how he was able to "convince" it to give him spells that weren't fundamentally broken.
“The Spirit, the spirit inside the book refused to let me use the spell, Your Highness!” you say.
The Shadow King looks at you with nothing but disappointment and annoyance in his eyes. With a twist of the note, he glances through the pages one more time before a whirl of purple energy surrounds the book and, with a hissing, obnoxious sound forces it open. The strange noise resembles a painful cry.
You loudly clean your throat and take a step forward, continuing, “The Crystal Note has mentioned that Your Highness got his powers from it.”
“Did it now?” he says, the hissing slowly becoming louder and louder.
“When I tried to use the spells you gave me, they always have some sort of problem and-“
“So this is what it’s all about,” he whispers very slowly, standing up from his throne as the crystal braziers flare up for a brief moment. With his fangs exposed, the Shadow King sluggishly makes his way towards you before he suddenly stops and raises the Crystal Note before you.
“Listen to me, and listen carefully, Apprentice,” he says, “The Crystal Note owns me more than you can imagine. I did not give you it so that you would leisurely use its powers, my powers. You need to earn them. As my apprentice you should know, learn or crawl a way for it. Are you not- up to it? Didn’t you want to be me apprentice?”
“I…I…!” you voice begins to tremble as you slowly lose your voice.
“I’ll give you a hint,” a grin spread across his face, “When the magic is released from the note, it’s no longer the master of it. You are. If you are hurt by your own magic… You are hopeless.”
“My King, I-“
“You’ve said enough; and I answered. Be gone!”
>>25758614
Bow and leave.
>>25758668
What would you like to do after that?
>>25758717
There was apparently an order to give the new pony a tour.
>>25758717
Wink/make funny faces at him from behind a window
>>25758795
Hell no.
You catch the Crystal Note with your mouth as soon as the King throws it back towards you and without wasting another precious moment you leave the throne room and shut the door behind you as loudly as you entered. As you catch your breath, you notice the green mare looking at you with a surprised and somehow disgusted face, a strange mix of emotions. You quickly slide the Crystal Note into your backpack, still warm from the Dark Magic’s hold, as her glare follows it.
You then look at the mare, “What?” you ask.
“Nothing, I was just hoping he was killing you there,” she says, her eyes shifting from side to side inside the kingdom’s corridor, “But I guess that would be too smart for him.”
“Right,” you mutter, slowly walking away from any additional problems.
“Show me around,” she orders, the end part of her spear loudly hitting the floor to grab your attention.
You stop, you sigh, and you turn and look at her as hateful as possible hoping she’d leave you alone:
“Let’s do it later, I have-“
“-At least show me my new room.”
“Your new room?” you ask, confused.
“Sombra said I was supposed to replace the “previous” guard. Guess his room is mine.”
She was supposed to replace Golden Shield? Take over his room, sleep on his bed? Was she going to train with his glaives, wear his replacement armour and be the new Centurion? Cursed Tartarus no...
>>25758975
That deserves at least one tear. He was the closest thing to a friend we had in this place.
>>25758898
Oh hell yes. DO IT
>>25758975
Last we heard was that the king wanted him. Poor bastard...
>>25758975
Nigh tearfully lead her to the room.
You close your eyes, trying not to cry about the complete disrespect Sombra was showing towards his most loyal Centurion but, a lonely tear still rolls down your cheek. You look at the earth mare with a glare that could possibly manage to melt mountains and point your hoof towards the door on the other side of the corridor, “His room is there, you can’t miss it,” you shout at her before turning away.
You flip your tale as forcefully as possible towards the throne room. You hear echoing rubble behind the heavy doors but you are giving that no attention. Despite what His Majesty believed or though, you were sure that Golden Shield was going to return from the Manehattan battle safe and sound, probably as a hero, and show this ferret mare her rightful place.
You take a silent stroll through the empty halls before stopping near one of the windows, the sun finally appearing on the gloomy, smog filled horizon. You had just realized that you had no proper sleep in quite a while, the strange fever dream that was the Crystal Note conversation leaving you more tired than rested. You look towards the Crystal Mines, then towards the Crystal Mountains. You wonder if all of this is worth it… If Sombra would not just give you another impossible task after you complete this.
>>25759355
Maybe he's trying to push us to be something more than some little toy.
>>25759355
Get some sleep, then check out the mines. We agreed to get this shit for Enchanter, we need to see if it is even obtainable.
>>25759577
This.
>>25759914
Oh yeah, let's put on some robes or shit before going into the mines. Or maybe read up on what exactly all it does and how it affects.
>>25759924
You had to keep at least some resemblance of hope. When you willingly joined the Shadow King, you knew perfectly well that this is not going to be easy, but you also knew that no correct decision comes easily. Sombra might not strife for a peaceful and harmonious world, but in a world where he rules with iron hoof those who earn his respect more likely than not will be allowed to have some kind of privilege or freedom. You can use this freedom to help, support and even change the Crystal Empire with.
When Golden Shield is going to return he’ll be rewarded. Just like you, after you complete your task. There was no doubt about it; His Majesty was very pleased with good results and those who brought them to him. You close the draperies from the annoyingly bright sunrise and as soon as you did that, a loud and tired yawn escapes your mouth. You rub your heavy eyes, closing them for just a moment.
You made a promise and you were supposed to keep it, even if it was a promise to some elder mad pony in a basement that’ll probably never see you again unless you go there yourself. A promise was a promise, and if you were honest to yourself, you were curious of what kind of Alchemy Ginger Spice was performing, not to mention the story behind this “Dread Layer” and secrets it held.
>>25759992
You could not think clearly but your hooves knew the Crystal Castle far and wide, quickly making the turns through the hallways and staircases until you stood in front of a very unremarkable cloth. With a strong push you take off the dusty piece and throw it away, carefully climbing under the broken doorframe into your “room”.
It was a small, claustrophobic room with barely anything in it. The only thing you were happy and pleased about was the soft, hay bed with a heavy, cotton blanket. You had a cheap, wooden table that you always accidently hit with your knees because of its small size and a stool with a missing leg. Two out of three wasn’t that bad. You also had a heavy cabinet with nothing but a dusty robe inside of it.
Besides that, there was some sort of rug and lots and lots of useless objects from stones, to shells to door handles you used in your experiments with the Crystal Note. You cleaned the frog remains, thankfully. You had some flint and tinder but the last unused candle was already soiled.
You wish you could simply shut yourself in this room again and not be bothered by the imperfect life outside but that was not going to happen. You had to do so many things now, all by yourself.
Useless…
Mindless…
Worthless…
Z-z-z-z-z
I'm taking a break here and I won't be able to run a proper session until thursday. If you guys are alright with it I'd be able to make at least one post per day tomorrow and the day after but that's about it. Got some normie thing to take care of.
Thanks for understanding and I'm hoping you are having fun so far. I'd really like to hear some critique. I read through some in CYOA general and I have been trying to improve.
>>25760028
yes, the dragon stuff was really bad, please release the umbrums.
also can we have aurora make funny faces when king sombra is not looking?.
>>25760028
i enjoy it I know that
>>25762605
C'mon thread don't give up now that I'm drunk enough to make porn with aurora flare involved
>>25763459
Bummp
![King+sombra+all+credits+of+this+picture+goes+to+http+mickeymonsterdeviantartcom+will_16565c_4368910[1].png](https://i.imgur.com/QuU0Kbr.jpg "King+sombra+all+credits+of+this+picture+goes+to+http+mickeymonsterdeviantartcom+will_16565c_4368910[1].png")
>>25760109
Sombra's always looking.
>>25760028
Besides occasional typos, everyone can have them every now and then, I can't see problems.
But I sure as hell ain't a critic.
JUST
Ayy would you look at that
>>25763782
>>25765708
Boiling hot.
>>25765708
nice
Save.
>>25768151
Bump: feminist edition
You wake up with a grating, chewing pain in your stomach. With a harsh turn you slip on the stone floor and grab your bag from underneath the bed, taking the handful of crystal berries you were saving up for an occasion like this one. It was of no concern that they were salty and sour; for you, there was no delicacy tastier.
But it was simply not enough. You needed at least some kind of meal before your long, insane and boring voyage for the fate of all of Equestria. It sounded just a bit better brighter when you put it like that. Groaning, you manage to push your bag back on yourself and then crawl your way towards the exit, feeling just barely rested.
You look around and realize that it was hardly pass the sunrise. His Majesty had requested for his food to be prepared and served as soon as he opened his eyes and visited the dining area but… if you knew King Sombra’s schedule, and you did, that was not going to happen until two or three more hours. You had the choice of either: going into the empty, dark kitchen and preparing something for yourself, or visiting the slave’s compound and requesting a portion fit for royalty there. You were not sure of how the slaves will react or if there’s even any meal serving at this hour. When do the slaves catch a break, anyway?
>What’s the plan?This is my lonely post for today, as I said before. Cheerios.
>>25770179
What's that hideous creature!!?
Look for food.
>>25770179
We don't eat with slaves, to the kitchen.
>>25763866
Damn, Sombra confirmed for most brutal villain.
bamp
You got saved.
>>25770179
Aurora the Rarest Pepe
>>25774426
You didn’t have to deal or be near the unpredictable slaves more than you had to. The royal kitchen was treasuring hundreds and hundreds of food components. The King would not mind and the court cook would not dare to raise her complaint against you. You hoped. With a silent trot you quickly reach the spacious dining area and then dart into the enormous basement that was used as the kitchen.
You stop, suddenly, your ears twitching as you recognize a quiet noise.. You lean against the tall, wooden container and silence your breath as the noise stops, the potential culprit being as sensitive to its surroundings as you. After a heavy and long pause the culprit carries on, silent zings escaping from the opening shelves and cupboards. It was acting as careful as possible.
You raise your head and then you take a peek. Completely clothed and hooded figure was rummaging through all the shelves it could get its hooves on, apparently looking for something specific. Near him or her was an enormous cotton bag, already full of all kinds of vegetables, fruits and preserves.
It was obviously a theft.
>What to do?
>>25774741
Call whomever it is out, the judge the situation from there. If it's a slave filly, scold them on how dangerous this is but let them leave with some food, otherwise if it's someone who isn't a slave or in dire need of the food, stomp their shit in.
'LET MY PEOPLE GO' Aurora when?
>>25775169
Probably never at the rate this is going
