You're in a tavern. Suddenly, the door bursts open and everyone is frozen in place. Everything goes silent. The air is stagnant and your food is rotten. An old stallion tells you years have past, and you've been brought back from stone to fight the medusa that caused this mess.
Previously on Mazes and Medusas,
>You blew up some trees and got paid on your way to Canterlot
>You jojo posed for a medusa
>You returned to the tavern where it all began
Last we left off, you were having a chat with the medusa that freed you from stone.
>Archive
http://anonpone.pineapplecomputing.com/mazes
>>25926881
"Here specifically? To free some extra adventurers. Here in Canterlot? You know exactly why."
He only continues to glare at you, petrifying gaze off. After a moment, he snorts, as if there was nothing to worry about.
His reaction is odd, but so is the fact that he just tried to petrify you.
"I'd actually like to have a chat with you, if you're feeling so civil."
He takes a seat at the edge of the bed and leans back nonchalantly.
>"I don't mind talking. Besides, I have little choice in the matter. You're blocking the only exit to this room."
"And I'll keep blocking it until I get some answers. I know you tried to turn me to stone just now. I want to know why you would bother freeing me at all in the first place if you were just going to petrify me now that I'm here."
He answers readily, as if the information has no real bearing on him or anyone.
>"I needed you then. Now I don't."
You quirk an eyebrow.
"Care to elaborate?"
>"We needed someone to take care of that monster in the castle."
"The medusa?"
He chuckles.
>"The mishmash of beasts that was the last being standing in our way."
"What are you talking about? We didn't even beat him. He teleported us out as soon as he saw us."
>"He did, didn't he?" The creature in front of you raises a scaled hoof in front of him, inspecting it idly. "My reasoning for freeing you remains true. You looked among the most capable. Although your encounter with that monster was brief, it was enough of a distraction to interrupt his efforts and eliminate him."
>"Wait... what? What did you do? Where is he now?"
He wipes his hoof against his chest and blows on it.
>"He's gone now. Turned to stone and dumped with the rest of them."
>>25926884
"Dumped where?"
He sneers at you.
>"Wouldn't you like to know?"
Gisela points your crossbow at him.
>"Tell us where they are!"
>"In the castle storeroom would be my guess. I didn't move him," he answers, seemingly unfazed.
Eve pushes in beside you.
>"It took you guys twenty years to get rid of Discord?"
>"Is that its name? He actually appeared fairly recently before I freed you. Canterlot was well under our control when suddenly it comes in from nowhere wearing a gaudy shirt, sunglasses, and flowers around its neck. I don't think we the welcome party it was expecting. It managed to retake a good portion of the castle by itself and was just about to confront Mother before you stepped in."
Eve's visibly shaking. It can't sit well with her knowing what she was an aid in, what she stopped.
Still, she restrains herself from doing anything drastic.
"What are you still doing here then? Your job is done and you got what you wanted. Why haven't you left yet?"
He looks at you curiously, like he doesn't understand the question.
>"I live here now. There are few pleasures in life greater than basking in the defeat and destruction of your enemies. Other creatures have come out to claim lesser pony settlements. I'll revel in the capital. I see little reason to leave."
"One last thing. Tell me everything you know about the Grand Medusa."
>"You must be talking about Mother. She's perfect. Whatever petrification cure you're under right now to withstand my gaze is nothing compared to Mother's strength. Even if you kill me right here, I find comfort in knowing that you'll never defeat her."
>>25926901
Like before, my vote's on killing. A dozen more cures means we can free more of the ponies down in the tavern to help us.
>>25926901
Thanks for freeing us so we can destroy your "Mother"
>>25926901nothing personnel
>>25927074Except it is
>>25927074
It's a little bit personal
>we still don't know what happened to the elements
[panicking internally]
>>25927156
Probably Stoned in Ponyville.
>>25927188
Stonyville
>>25926981
>>25927031
>>25927036
>>25927173
With a hopefully threatening twirl, you draw your glaive and point it at him.
"Your confidence will be your undoing."
Like an angry dog, his muzzle scrunches up in a snarl before settling into a more smug, contemptuous look.
>"My undoing? You may have me cornered, but you overestimate your own abilities, ponies." He spits the last word. "I need not remind you that our kind destroyed your capital. We defeated the monster you call Discord. If you couldn't even touch him your first time around, you stand no chance whatsoever against Mother."
>"Shut up!" Eve stomps her hoof against the floor boards. Righteous fury wells in her moist eyes. "We're going to beat her! We're going to beat the medusa and save Canterlot!"
It looks like he's about to make some snarky remark, but you cut him off.
"Thanks for freeing us."
The tip of your glaive impales itself through the medusa's body as you lunge forward.
Hot blood gushes out as you deliver the coup d'etat, the thick liquid burning holes through the sheets.
Light fades from the monster's eyes, and though the hateful glare never leaves, you finally see a hint of uncertainty as its final breath leaves its body.
You pull your blade from its body and flick the blood off onto the floor.
Your party doesn't say anything.
"Softshell, start making more cures," you order.
He gets to work and you leave the oppressive room, the others following behind.
With that over with, you want to bring your attention to other matters.
As you walk down the steps into the main tavern room, your gaze sweeps across the frozen adventurers you left behind.
There's that wizard hat maybe-changeling. There's that gambler. There's that diamond dog stuck playing that giant horn. There's muscle unicorn. There's that thief pegasus. And the bartender too, you guess.
>>25927396
S E C O N D
E
C
O
N
D
P A R T Y
A
R
T
Y
>>25927396
DIAMOND DOG
Shit I completely forgot about gigacorn.
>>25927396
Hey look, that sounds like enough for everyone to have a cure and a buff.
Assuming Softshell won't be fighting the Medusa, the six of us should be able to buff ourselves and have six leftover for the final encounter.
>>25927396
Look at the top floor and see if there are any adventurers we missed.
>>25927396
Deffo the bartender.
Blitz and Gisela need him.
>>25927396
I want to have Eve, Jet, and us stand next to the changeling as we free him/her. Less chance of it running away immediately due to the insane amounts of love.
>>25927555
That's pretty racist anon.
>>25927493
>>25927423
>>25927531
>>25927555
A thought crosses your mind.
"What if there are more adventurers in the rooms upstairs?"
>"I'll go check!"
With that, Eve turns around and you can hear her light hoofsteps as she makes her way down the upstairs hall.
You don't recall seeing any other adventurers upstairs, but then again, you don't recall even checking. You did spend a night in a room Gisela bought long ago.
For whatever reason it didn't cross your mind at the time to take separate rooms.
A door slams shut above you and a stiff set of legs walks further along the hall.
Again, you hear another door close promptly and with purpose before Eve comes back, her face and ear tips beat red.
She also pointedly looking away from you.
>"N-no adventurers upstairs," she stutters out. "J-just..."
She coughs.
"What? What's up there? Is it dangerous?"
>"No! It's just... ponies enjoying themselves."
Oh.
Ohhh...
>"Let's just go ahead and get to saving these ponies!" Eve says maybe a little too loudly, eager to change the subject.
As you walk through the statues, you ponder which to free first.
The bartender is a must at some point. The maybe-changeling could be fun. You kinda forgot about gigacorn.
But that dog in the corner...
You uncork one of the cures as you make your way to it.
Here's hoping it works.
You drizzle the contents of the vial over the stony visage and like magic, the rock melts away to short and thick sable and white fur.
Once completely free from the curse, the dog plays the last jaunty note from her horn before letting out a gasp, its cool blue eyes focusing on you.
>"Hi!"
It comes out as a happy and excited bark, and her curled tail wags frantically behind the her.
Her perky ears stand at attention as she waits for your next move.
>>25927901Pet her
>>25927901
Hey.
So, long story...
>>25927901
Would you like to help us kill some snakes?
>>25927901
Hello, I'm Blitz, and this is Jet, Eve, Gisela Flashbang, Carver, and Softshell.
A medusa attacked Canterlot during Harmony week and turned everyone to stone. We're trying to save it.
>>25927901
You wanna help save equestria?
>>25927901
I like your music.
Itrocks
i wonder if anyone will recognize us from the bar before the attack and notice our new equipment.
>>25927901
Politely introduce everyone. Second chance at the qt, yes!
>>25927901
Give her the short version of the story, ask her to join the party.
Next up I'd like to free the buff muscle-corn.
>>25927945
>>25928022
>>25927966
>>25927927
You take in the diamond dog.
Her coat is a dark sable, almost gray, that tapers off into white towards her underbelly, paws, and snout.
She has perky ears, joyful blue eyes, and a long, narrow muzzle tipped with a cute black nose.
There's a studded leather collar around her neck and a plain, dark gray vest.
Her tail curls upward, still wagging at your presence.
She's also quite tall. On their hind legs, she's about the same size as Gisela.
You don't know a whole lot about diamond dogs, but her voice sounded young.
She's a big pup.
The bone horn she's holding upright is massive. It's a simple curved war horn, but the instrument stands to match her height.
"Hi," you finally answer, smiling at her gently. "My name's Blitz."
>"My name is Cookie!" she proudly announces, even bouncing on her toes just a bit.
Gods that's cute.
You just... you have to.
She's too tall to pet her head and even though you could fly, that doesn't seem entirely appropriate.
So instead, you extend a hoof, lightly brushing her soft belly fur.
She whines blissfully with the belly rub, and her tail is wagging hard enough to rock her body.
You catch yourself and clear your throat.
"Hello, Cookie." You turn around to introduce the others. "That's Eve, that's Jet, Gisela, she's Carver, and she's Flashbang."
Flashbang is staring at her with wide eyes, the kind that clearly says she wants to give the pup a huge hug.
But when you turn back to Cookie, her ears are folded back and her tail is drooping low.
>"Wh-what happened to everyone?" she whimpers.
Right. She wouldn't know. But she only just noticed?
"A medusa attacked Canterlot during Harmony Week and turned everyone to stone," you explain.
She lets out another sad whine.
>"Oh no..."
"We're trying to save everyone. Would you like to help us?"
Her ears perk back up as soon as she hears the word 'help' and immediately her tail is wagging again as she nods frantically.
>"I wanna help! What do I do?"
>>25928717
Right now we're just trying to get a handle on everything. Do you know anything about fighting Medusas?
>>25928717
That depends. What can you do?
Can you fight or help us hen we're fighting?
>>25928717
You can help us kill the big one that rules them all.
>>25928717
Beat stuff up
>>25928717
"We're going to be going after the mother of all the medusas soon, if you want to help us defeat it, just come with us. You might want to find some armor and a weapon and maybe something reflective to use to safely view the monster."
Buff-corn next?
>>25929686
Bartender
>>25928742
>>25928743
>>25929197
>>25929287
"Well, what can you do? Can you fight? Or at least help us when we're fighting?"
>"Uh huh! Uh huh!"
To prove it, her bulky forearms firmly grasp the narrow end of her horn, hefting up the massive instrument.
The claws at the end of her toes scratch against the wooden floor, searching for purchase as she twists her body to swing the weapon.
You hop backwards and duck your head to dodge the giant swing.
You avoid it easily, but the wind from the swing brushes your mane back, and you can feel little bits of ancient dust kick up against your face.
Even Cookie herself doesn't seem to be able to fully wield the massive bone. Unable to stop the attack cleanly, she lets the momentum carry through and spin her around until she's done a complete 360.
When it comes to a stop, she lets the thick end of the horn drop to the floor with a heavy thud. Part of you wonders if just setting it down like that damaged the flooring.
"That... that was the fastest slow swing I've ever seen."
>"Thanks!" she barks, her tail wagging happily at the compliment. She gasps, as if suddenly remembering something. "Oh yeah! I can play music too. My packmates always told me it made them feel better whenever I played."
Jet scratches his chin.
>"Did they? Let's hear something then."
>"Hmmm..." Her claws scritch against her instrument as she tries to think up a song to play. "Oh! I know my packmates used to really like this one."
She readjusts herself and blows into her horn, tapping against the wall of it for percussion effects as necessary.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCmXGaKBPoQ
[cont]
>>25930411
As she plays, you can feel excitement and energy well up in your body, searching for some sort of outlet.
It makes you feel stronger, faster. It makes your senses feel sharper. It makes you feel in charge of yourself.
The others look restless too; they're either rustling their wings or shuffling their hooves.
Cookie completes her song and looks to all of you nervously.
"That's... that's pretty good," you pant.
Carver buzzes her wings.
>"That was really good! I feel so pumped!"
Gisela releases a deep breath. Her eyes look sharp, and it reminds you of when you first met her.
>"I'll say. It reminds me of the hunt. Makes me want to get back out there."
Flashbang adjusts her glasses shakily and Jet takes deep breaths through his nose as he suckles on a lollipop.
Even Eve looks a bit more feral, but she's clearly trying to fight whatever urges the song awoke.
>"Calm down, everyone." She takes a deep breath and addresses Cookie, who's smiling appreciatively from the reactions of the others. "That was... a rousing tune. Do you know any others?"
>"Mhmm! I play all sorts of songs! Sometimes it's to cheer someone on, or cheer someone up if they're having a bad day. Wanna hear?"
>"No, no, that's fine." Cookie's tail slows down and Eve rushes to correct herself. "I mean, I would love to hear! Just not now. We still have business to do."
>"Okay. That's fine too," she says sweetly.
"Yeah, it would be great to have you along."
Your body tingling with pent up energy, you consider who to free next.
>>25930418
Alright, we've got a bard who can totally play our theme song, let's get the changeling next.
Save bartender for last, we can all have a drink or something before we head out.
>>25930418
Changeling.
>>25930418
Changeling, Hero-sama-senpai
>>25930418
Consensus seems to say Changeling. I vote buff-nicorn after that, though.
>>25930432
drinks from where? all his booze are spoiled.
>>25930667
Almost all hard liquor will last indefinitely if unopened.
Fine wine gets better with age.
>>25930687
>Fine wine gets better with age.
Not really. Wine typically only gets better if you can see the pricetag before drinking it. 'Fine wine' is a placebo effect.
>>25930782
Point taken, however, the wine still probably will not have gone bad if he's stored it right.
>>25930418
BARTENDER
>>25930432
>waiting for booze
The sooner he is up he sooner we can party.
>>25930418
Nothing goes better with music than drinks!
Unpetrify the barman.
>>25930418
Luv
Bug
>>25930418
Give dem crazy drnks
>>25930432
>>25930465
>>25930471
>>25931553
>>25930616
Freeing the bartender is all sorts of tempting, but you have to fight the urge.
The earth pony behind the counter is on your list of ponies to free here, but he can wait just a little longer.
Your top priority right now is to get more adventurers, not drinks. You've got no qualms about drinking, but you're no alcoholic.
As much of a silly pony or dumb horse as you are (and you're not, by the way, and anyone who says otherwise is a bully), you know better than to get drunk in a danger zone.
So with that, you step towards the maybe possibly changeling wearing the dumb pointy wizard hat in the middle of doing some parlor trick for civilians.
With a pop, you uncork another anti-petrification vial and pour it over the pony.
Like with Cookie, the stone melts away, bringing life back to the creature trapped within.
The first thing to turn is the hat, which goes from stone gray to dark blue with white stars and moons sewn into it.
Coltish, cobalt blue bangs peek out from under the hat, framing the unicorn horn and pupil-less, solid teal eyes.
The potion continues to work its way down the somewhat feminine body, revealing baby blue fur until it frees the medium length, hole-punched, cobalt blue tail.
With a voice you can only describe as androgynous, the pony speaks.
>"--and just like that, it's gone!" The silence catches up to the pony and he-- she?-- it looks up to find half the tavern frozen in stone. In it's stupor, a bit clatters onto the table from under its hoof. "Uhh... y-yeah, that's a pretty good trick too, guys. You got me there."
>>25932493
Medusas stoned everyone, city of statues, trying to take it back. Willing to help?
>>25932493
Hey kid, wanna be a hero?
>>25932493
Give it the short version, introduce Cookie as another recent awaken-ee, point out yourself, Jet and Eve as having been there that fateful night also. Ask the changeling if he wants to assist in de-Medusifying Canterlot with us.
>>25932529
>point out yourself, Jet and Eve
And Gisela, dude. Don't forget best catbird.
Also I'm getting the feeling that we should keep 6 cures for later use.
>>25932571
We're keeping spares already, but we can make cures out of the big bad if need be.
>>25932493
Wake the bartender
>>25932493
Hey, we're Blitz, Jet, Eve, Gis, Flashbang, Carver, and Cookie. A medusa took over Canterlot and turned everyone to stone. Wanna help us save the world?
>>25932493
This ain't a trick friendo. Some bad shit has gone down.
>We run out of potions
>''Oh no! What are we going to do now?''''TIME TO LEAVE THEM ALL BEHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIND''
Bop
remember that each person we cure is going to need a second potion to confer resistance once we actually fight the medusa.
>>25934969
Yup. Which is fine.
We have two dozen cures, and I think we're freeing six.
Twelve for freedom+buff. Six to buff us just in case, and six left over.
bop
Don't the others need supplies too? Like sleeping bags and shitUnless they already have those
>>25936498
All adventurers come with basic supplies like bedrolls, bags, and water pouches, even if they appear totally naked.
>>25936498
Even so, I doubt we'll be together for long. We probably won't be leaving Canterlot, and I'm pretty sure the Grand Medusa's the final boss.
>>25936971
>It's ending so quickly
Feels like we spent the entire quest building up characters and no time to enjoy them:(
>>25932493
RELEASE
THE
ROIDED
UNICORN
>>25936995
I think that's what that Starch downtime was for.
What did you want to see, anon?
>>25937079
More Captain Gisela and first mate Blitz shenanigans.
>>25936995
>no time to enjoy them
I thought we did. It's less true for Flashbang, but we spent a lot of time with our party.
We had as many threads as Heat and only a few less words (230k so far vs. 259k) , and to me the quality was somewhat similar. I think we had plenty of interactions with everyoneexcept Flashbang.
If anything, we can still get the quest going with secondary quests, or ask for a few epilogues :^)
>>25937149
But can we have an epilogue to the epilogue? Or maybe an epilogue that retells the whole story before going onto more epilogues. And then we can ask for a scene where Carver beats us in the arena and rapes us :^)
>>25936971
>>25936995
Hero joins the navy on febuary 8th and will be gone, so yes it's 100% ending soon.
>>25937110
Remember when we totally ignored Gis?
Remember when she got mad at us for calling her Gis?
And now she's basically the best friend.
>>25937201
Yup, we got quite a bit out of this adventure.
We got a marefriend, a coltfriend, a drinking buddy, taught an explosives expert how to not be a total coward, and meta piece of shit
>>25937201
I honestly could see Blitz and Gis adventuring around Equestria after we save Canterlot.
>>25937321
Maybe Blitz will finally learn how to use his damn Crossbow better.
>>25937288
Carver really is the odd one out.
I'm kinda surprised she stayed with us.
>>25937417
She's kind of like a background pony. Fits her element,honestly
>>25932493
Ask if he's a Changling. He did have a hole in his tail.
>>25937917
Wow, okay. You can't just go around asking people what they are because part of them looks different.
>>25937917
Plus the solid teal eyes.
Gotta be at least half changeling.
>>25932511
>>25932521
>>25932529
>>25932925
>>25937917
"This isn't a trick."
>"Right, of course, it's real magic."
She says it with no amount of sarcasm, like convincing himself that dad tricks were real, supernatural magics.
Except in this case, the medusa powers are real, supernatural magics.
"Well, yeah, actually. Listen, some real bad stuff went down. Medusas attacked Canterlot and you've been stuck in stone for nearly 20 years."
>"Uh huh, uh huh."
He nods as if waiting for a punch line, or for some grand trick to finally happen.
"No, really!"
>"I didn't say anything. I'm listening."
You're still not sure if she's taking it seriously, but you continue.
"Anyway, I'm Blitz, that's Jet, Gisela, and Eve. We were here when everything turned to stone. Carver and Flashbang there joined us on our journey, and Cookie was brought back from stone just a few minutes ago. Would you like to help us save the world?"
>"Save the world? Such a thing would be a simple feat for a unicorn of my stature! For I am the Great Houdini! Master magician!"
"Unicorn? Kid, aren't you a changeling?"
>"Wha-- I-- You-- Abbuh-- Guh! What makes you say that?! I am not a child! Is it the hair?"
Green flames erupt from the tip of its bangs, elongating them into something more wild and beastly.
>"There, how's that?"
"I... I meant that your eyes and tail make me think you're a changeling."
The hair burns away back to its previous tomboyish look.
>"Oh. W-well, I can assure you that I am not a changeling! Those are simply the effects of my masterful illusion magic! That you thought for a moment that I was a changeling is proof of my prowess."
>>25938107
Right. Now that you've escaped from your stone prison,Houdini, what other tricks can you do?
Can you fight?
>>25938107
Boop the nose, "yeah, sure".
Let's ask him what he's good at, what he likes to do, and if he'd like to join us saving Equestria.
>>25938107
Free the bartender!
>>25938107
Right, well as long as your "magics" can come in handy then your hired.
>>25938148
>>25938168
>>25938241
You boop his nose. It feels... tougher, more solid than a typical pony snoot.
"Yeah, sure. So you've escaped your stone prison, what other tricks do you have up your hat, Houdini? Can you fight?"
>"I wouldn't be here with the rest of you if I couldn't take care of myself."
"So what is it you're good at?"
>"I am a master spellcaster." He leaves the table to step through the front door of the tavern. "Watch and be amazed."
His horn lights green and a huge burst of flame erupts from the tip of it, reaching as high as the roofs of nearby buildings.
Oddly enough though, you don't feel any radiant heat, and the flames don't seem to cast shadows anywhere.
>"But wait, there's more!" Houdini announces.
He shoots a bolt of magic up, and from nothing, dozens of spearlike icicles rain down onto the street before shattering.
>"And for the grand finale! You might want to step back for this one."
He rolls his shoulders and hops in place, as if psyching himself up. Or maybe hyping up his audience.
A bright light appears at the tip of his horn, slowly and steadily growing larger and brighter.
You can make out arcs of electricity around his horn, but with this much energy being put into this, it seems odd that your fur isn't standing on end at all.
Finally, he tosses his head upward and a magnificent bolt of lightning shoots forth like a massive, laser.
It's nearly blinding, and when your sight recovers, you see him facing you with a smug posture and look on his face.
>"No need for applause. It was nothing. Such a feat just comes natural to me."
>"Whoa..." Carver breathes. "I think this lady really could save Equestria on her own! That was amazing!"
>"If you really need me, I suppose I could lend you my amazing talents."
"Amazing talents? I don't think--"
He stops you with a boop to your own snoot.
>"With the world at stake, you mustn't concern yourself with whether or not a fight would be fair. With me on your side, it certainly isn't fair!"
>>25938753
I agree. With illusion magic like that, you could certainly give us some very, very convincing distractions against the Medusa.
It's tough to ignore a wall of death approaching you, whether or not it's real.
Welcome aboard, Houdini.
>>25938753
Literally the first one to abandon us if his arrogance doesn't get him killed first.
>>25938753
Okay, Bye.
>>25938753
Those were some might impressive illusions. To bad we don't need any more unicorns. If only you were, say, a changeling ... or something ...
>>25939024
yeah affirmative action says we can't hire too many unicorns, sorry.
>>25938784
>>25938993
>>25939024
>>25939193
"Hold on. I'm not agreeing to have him on the team just yet."
Houdini chuckles.
>"If you're worried about me stealing your limelight, you needn't worry. If you wish, I can tone down the power of my spells to give everyone on the field more of a chance."
"Oh, I'm not worried about you making everyone else look bad. I'm sure you could make anyone or anything you wanted look good with that level of illusion magic."
Flashbang gasps.
>"Blitz! You can't just say something like that! Unicorns have to work very hard to get good at their kind of magic. It's an insult to call their magic fake!"
You give her a deadpan stare.
"Even if his kind of magic is illusion magic, and illusion magic is by definition fake?"
>"W-well..."
>"Thank you for coming to my aid, miss," Houdini interrupts, "but it was hardly needed. I've had my fair share of ponies like him who can't stand the idea of not being the best. They cope by claiming my talents false."
This guy...
"Why don't you go ahead and cast one of your mighty spells on me then, huh?"
>"I'm sorry, but I do not entertain martyrs. You would be reduced to nothing under my might."
"Might or not, I still say you're not allowed on the team."
Eve tilts her head at you.
>"What? Why not? Even if his illusions aren't real, they're still terrifying."
"Well... B-because we have too many unicorns as is! Now, if he were a changeling..."
Jet nudges your side.
>"Didn't you want that buff unicorn? Are you saying we can't have him either?"
A look of understanding crosses Houdini's face.
>"Ohhh, is that what this is about? Listen, this is a secret very dear to me, and I would hate for it to come out, but if it's what it takes for you to accept me..."
Green flames wrap around his horn, and when they dissipate, you see that his horn is gone as well.
>"I am secretly an earth pony who has mastered the art of magic. I get enough flak as it is being such a gifted unicorn, imagine if ponies knew I was an earth pony!"
>>25939503
WEW
EW
W
>>25939503
Well, it's true we only have the one earth pony so far.
Okay, now can you put those earth muscles to use and drag that giant unicorn statue over here? Its too heavy for us more delicate ponies to move.
>>25939503
Hey, that's pretty neat, never heard of an earth pony who could do that.
Do you think you could show me what you'd look like if you happened to be a changeling next?
>>25939503
Can we go back to unpetrifying ponies now?
Go for the bartender next.
>>25939583
>>25939592
"Amazing."
">"Isn't it? Now you see why I keep the guise of unicorn."
"How about you use those earth pony muscles of yours and drag that giant unicorn statue out here? It's far too heavy for us more delicate ponies to move."
He looks inside at gigacorn before turning back to you.
>"I am a master spellcaster. Asking me to move a rock is an insult to my abilities. I believe I have already proven myself to you and I will not stoop to such lows. If what you say is true, then you should simply free him and move him of his own accord that way."
You stomp your hoof.
"Maybe I will. But first, oh so Great Houdini, could you show me one more trick?"
He smiles.
>"I would be happy to. Does this one have a request?"
"Could you show me what you would look like if you were a changeling?"
Houdini takes pause at this request but quickly recovers.
>"Please, is that all? That's elementary, but if that is your request..."
Green flames envelope the earth pony, and when they die down, you're treated to the sight of a petite changeling, markedly more slender and feminine in shape.
A smooth, pointed, curved horn sticks out from its head. Frilled ears stick out the side of its head and a fin pokes out from under the wizard hat. The bright teal eyes remain unchanged but a pair of admittedly cute fangs poke out from its mouth.
The baby blue fur becomes black chitin, and it's back carapace thing takes the cobalt blue of its mane and tail, both of which are now a dark gray.
Other than the color, the tail remains unchanged, but holes have appeared throughout its limbs.
It's shocking to hear a definitive female voice come out from her? lips.
>"How's this? Not actually being a changeling myself and having no knowledge of what changelings really look like whatsoever, I hope this suffices."
Before you can answer, flames wrap around her and she-- he's back to that unicorn look.
>"Now go on and continue your business here. I can wait."
You all go back into the tavern.
Who's next?
>>25940344
You make a cute changeling.
On to the bartender.
>>25940344
>this nigger
GAMBLER TIME
>>25940344
You look adorable as a changeling, you should consider using that one more often.
Gambler next.
>>25940344
BARTENDER
>>25940344
The tender of bars.
>>25940344
Giga corn.
>>25940344
Barkeeper
In all honesty, I'm disappointed we didn't pick Cookie in the beginning.
Bartender
>>25941710
I wouldn't change the original crew for anyone.
>>25940344
Nice fangsbut Eve's are better.
>>25941710
Yeah we should have taken her instead ofJet
>>25942857
Triggered
>>25941710
>>25942857
heresy
>>25942857
Res pls.
>>25940410
>>25940453
>>25941390
>>25942855
Houdini takes a seat at one of the unoccupied tables and watches quietly.
"You know, you make a cute changeling."
>"A pony with my unparalleled prowess can make anything look 'cute'. Still, I thank you for the compliment."
"No, really. You looked adorable as a changeling. You should consider using that one more often."
Houdini's eyes widen and he brings the edge of his hat lower in a vain attempt to hide his faint blush.
>"And go around as a decrepit and disgusting bug? I think not. If I'm to use any disguise at all, I'm sticking as this unicorn." Almost as an afterthought, he adds, "And yes, I admit this form is a disguise. For my earth pony base form. I am not a changeling."
"Uh huh..."
After your interaction with this Houdini character, you think it's about time for a stiff drink.
But when you turn around, you catch Eve and Jet giving you teasing looks.
>"Cute, huh?"
>"Adorable?"
[cont]
>>25943317
"What, I can't compliment someone? Besides," you move in close to the both of them, "you're cuter, and I wouldn't trade you for anyone."
Eve puts on a smile that shows off her own cute fangs and Jet wears a squiggly, abashed smile.
Out of the corner of your eye, you see Houdini lick and smack his lips, taking a gulp of something. He's trying not to stare, but you catch him glance in your direction before quickly averting his gaze.
Ignoring it for now, you make your way to the counter for your next target. Seeing your intentions, Gisela takes a seat on the stool beside you as you uncork a third vial.
It occurs to you that you never even looked at this guy during your first trip when you were choosing who to revive.
He wasn't a unicorn and he didn't look particularly strong even for an earth pony. He sort of fell into that 'other' category.
In any case, the petrified bartender returns to life as the liquid pours over him.
His maroon mane is short and simple, slightly longer on top than the sides and back. The stone melts away to reveal tan eyes and darker brown fur. His tail matches his mane in both color and style, and you see that his cutie mark is a molotov cocktail.
Once free, he glances around the room, first at you and Gisela, then at the stoned bodies.
With a tired sigh and shake of his head, he reaches below the counter and retrieves a pair of glasses and what appears to be a fresh bottle of Dragon's Breath Ale.
After uncorking it, he fills the two glasses and without a word, starts drinking straight from the bottle.
You're actually not sure what you were expecting. For some reason, you almost expected an unhinged, mad bomber kind of pony.
Then again, just like with everyone else, you had minimal interaction with him and wouldn't know better.
Gisela looks at you, unsure of what to do.
>>25943321
Tell him what happened and introduce everyone.And grab one of the glasses.
>>25943321
Could I get a glass of that?
>>25943321
What's the deal big guy, not the first time this has happened on ya?
>>25943321
I... am not sure you should drink something that's 20 years old.
>>25943391
But anon-kun, the alcohols surely last forever.
>>25943404
Oh right Dragon Breath is alcohol.
...bartenders aren't supposed to drink alcohol though. And we probably don't want to drink any either, not right now at least.
>>25943418
Everything is kinda fucked. I don't think anyone is going to worry about rules saying he's not allowed to drink.
>>25943418
I think given the circumstances he's entitled to a drink.
Besides, one won't hurt. Trust me, I'm an alcoholic!
>>25943418
It's not like he's busy
>>25943418
We have had magic booze.
We should be fine with one drink.
>>25943321
One single drink shouldn't hurt, right?
>>25940344
Welp, I'm satisfied
>>25941710
I second that motion, though I'm happy with how this turned out.
>>25943360
This seems like the best ice breaker ever.
>>25943321
Go full Jack Bauer mode and convince him that we must stop the medusa
>>25943321
>His cutie mark is a Molotov cocktail
oh yes we can have some fun with this guy.
ten
I'm glad no one's messed with our hair.
>>25945965
There was that one lady back at the circus whose name I forgot.
>>25945985
And she should stay forgotten.
>>25946058
Mantle.
Unfortunately, she didn't die. Just got fucked up by Jet.
>>25946087
Mantle more like .... Dismantled!!
>>25946756
She was all cloak and no dagger!
>>25946756
>>25946792
Jesus Christ
>>25947918The only thing holey here is Mantle.
Still not 2016 bump
>>25947918
Gisela pls
beep
back up
>>25949063
now it is
2016 bump
Still not 2017 bump
wew
>>25955658
ewe
meh
Well, I wonder how bat's act in New Year's EVE
>>25959104
BLITZ
>>25943358
>>25943360
>>25943364
>>25944155
You've never actually heard of Dragon's Breath Ale before. It sounds real enough, though the label on the bottle is shoddy at best.
The barkeep finally pauses in his drinking, exhaling a long, hot breath through his nose and looking at the two of you expectantly.
Shrugging, Gisela reaches for a glass.
The barkeep makes no move to stop her, so you reach for the other one.
You mean, it's right there. He drank some, and Gisela's about to have some too. He's clearly enough offering it to you.
And after having magic booze that sent you on a trip, how bad could this possibly be?
>"Cheers."
"Cheers."
Gisela clinks her glass against yours and you both tilt your heads back to swallow the shot.
As soon as it gets pass your throat, you break into a fit of coughs, the intense heat far stronger than you've expected, far stronger than you've ever personally experienced.
Aptly named you figure, the burning drink already sets your cheeks aflame and your vision swimming.
Beside you, even Gisela is struggling to keep her composure, blinking hard and balling her fists.
Through blurred vision, you can't read the barkeep's expression. All you know is that he's sitting still, staying quiet, and that none of your other party members seem incredibly panicked.
You cough a final time and exhale, your own breath incredibly hot on your tongue.
With a fairly deep, slow, yet patient tone, he speaks, answering your unspoken question.
>"I've met a lot of ponies in my time. I've got my own countless stories about the different shenanigans the adventurers get into. Everyone turned to stone? That's a new one, I'll admit, and I certainly didn't see it coming. Am I surprised? Mildly. But mostly it's just another day for me."
You voice scratches as you try to speak.
"My name's Blitz. The griffon beside me is Gisela." You introduce everyone else.
Nonchalantly, he takes both glasses and begins cleaning them off.
>"Just call me Barkeep."
>>25959389
So Barkeep, would you be interested in saving Equestria with us, or would you rather stay here?
>>25959389
Well, we are going into battle
and we want your strongest alcohol to stop the medusa
>>25959389
Yeah well ours is one hell of a story.
>>25959510
>>25959530
>>25959552
"Well, Barkeep, we've got a hell of a story."
He offers you a token glance, still cleaning off the glasses.
>"I'm sure you do."
"A medusa took over Canterlot, and we've been on this journey all over Equestria after 20 years of being stuck in stone. And now we're back here to put an end to things."
He nods.
>"Not bad. What little you've told me leaves a lot to be desired, but you do get bonus points for your adventure spanning over the course of 20 years."
"I... I guess. So, uhh... Barkeep, would you be interested in saving Equestria with us, or would you rather just stay here?"
He looks out to his petrified patrons.
>"I appreciate the offer, son, but I'm no adventurer. Not anymore. These days I take care of adventurers. Course, I can't really drum up any sort of business with everyone turned to stone, and I don't know what's changed in the past 20 years I've apparently missed. But I can't see myself going out with the rest of you."
"Why not?"
>"Old wounds, kid. I've had my fun, and now I'm done with it."
"O-oh. Well, is there any other way you could help then? I mean, we're going into battle. How about your strongest alcohol to stop the medusa?"
He actually chuckles at that one.
>"Sounds like you're trying to pull a fast one on me at this point, kid. Trying to get some free booze to help fight a monster."
"W-well..."
>"I think I do have what you want. I'm not entirely sure what you meant by using alcohol to fight something, but it's not a foreign concept to me."
He sets down a glass and takes another swig of his bottle.
This time, a flame bellows forth as he exhales from his mouth.
>"If you kids can't handle even this stuff, I'm not passing along my stronger stuff."
>>25960073
It's simple
We molotov
>>25960073
There's a molotov cocktail on your flank, course we don't want to drink it.
Hey Flash, you ever think of using alcohol in your bombs?
>>25960150
>>25960361
"Drink? No, we didn't want to drink it. Your cutie mark is a molotov cocktail, we wanted to do that."
Barkeep looks down at the mark on his flank.
>"I didn't get this mark for making or tossing the things..." He pauses, as if remembering the story of how he really did get it then. Given his earlier show of breathing flame with a swig, it probably has to do with that. But instead of telling you his story, he continues, "But if that's all you want, that can be arranged. That said, I'm still not putting up the really strong stuff."
"Wait, what? Why not? I already said we're not going to drink it."
>"You can say whatever you want. I have no guarantee you're not going to try. I can issue out all the warnings I want, but in the end, I can't trust you to obey them."
"Oh, come on, we're not stupid. If the stuff really is as bad as you make it out to be, then fine. That stuff's not going anywhere near our mouths."
>"Sorry, but those are my rules. I'm not handing those out."
You slump back into your seat but catch yourself when you remember you're just sitting on a stool.
>"If you're willing to pay," he says, "I could probably part with some of my lighter brews. You handled this bottle of Dragon's Breath well enough, even if it is just the whelp version. If you want, I could set you up with some bottles."
"Hmm... Hey Flashbang, you ever use alcohol in your bombs?"
She shakes her head.
>"Showtime never let me near alcohol. So no, I've never used it before."
You turn back to Barkeep.
"How much?"
>"50 bits a bottle."
Between the quest reward and the money from the cave chest, you're at 425 bits.
>>25960784
Making up for 20 years profits huh?
Blitz is a silly horse
>>25960784
If we win, we'd probably be rewarded.
If we fail, we're probably gonna be dead.
So go for it.
>>25960826
>>25961116
Well, succeed or fail against the medusa, either way this booze and that money is going to a good place. It's either gonna help or not matter.
Still, 50 bits for the baby version of his real drink? The guy's extorting you.
Grumbling, you fish out a bag of bits and drop it on the counter.
"There's your 50 bits."
>"Just one?"
"Just one for now. I might pick more up before we head out."
>"Whatever you say, boss."
Barkeep takes the bag and replaces it with a full bottle of Dragon's Breath Ale - Whelp.
Once the trade is done, he leans back and grabs another drink.
Hmm.
Part of you wonders if you could convince him to come along with you and help for real. And failing that, part of you wonders if there's another way to get your hooves on his stronger stuff.
Either way, you wonder what to do next.
Deal with him some more? Free someone else?
>>25961353
offer him a cure for the stronger stuff, maybe he has family in the city.
>>25961353
Gambler
>>25961353
Gambler
>>25960784
So you know adventurers, who do you think is worth depetrifying in here?
>>25961353
Free the buff-corn.
>>25961373
>>25961907
>>25961449
>>25961440
"Hey, Barkeep."
He stops drinking to give you his attention, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.
"You have family somewhere in the city? Maybe I can offer you a petrification cure for access to your stronger stuff?"
He sighs deeply.
>"I appreciate the gesture, kid, but no. I don't have anyone to call my own. The only family I have are the adventurers that come in and out of this here tavern, and even then I use the term family very loosely. Not to sound patronizing, but I can't help but feel like the dad who spends every day seeing his kids leave home. And never come back."
His eyes close, and he takes another heavy drink.
You wait a moment, feeling it inappropriate to say anything more.
He finishes his swig and you can hear the liquor swish around in his bottle. The air wavers in front of him with heat as he breathes out.
>"Sorry about that, kid."
"It's fine... Sorry if I touched a nerve."
>"Don't worry about it."
"A-Anyway, since you know adventurers, is there anyone in here you think is worth depetrifying?"
He looks around.
>"Not a whole lot left. The standouts are that huge earth pony," he points to gigacorn, "that mare at the gambling table, and that roguish pegasus in the corner."
So really just the last ones you had on your own list.
You thank Barkeep and make your way to the gambler next.
You uncork another vial and drip it over the petrified unicorn.
Her clover green mane is long and wavy and hides one of her deeper green eyes.
The rest of her stone prison melts away to free her curvy, well-endowed body covered in golden fur.
Her curly tail matches her mane.
Once fully awake, her eyes widen in shock at the stony face she must have been studying during her game.
With a svelte voice, she speaks.
>"I've heard of stone-faced but this is a bit silly."
Noticing you, her eyes take on a lidded, more sultry look as she takes in your handsome appearance.
>"Oh hello there, cutie. My name's Double Down. Would you like to play?"
>>25962808
Better idea. You play my game, and we save Equestria. Sound good?
>>25962808time to expand the harem
>>25962808
>>"I've heard of stone-faced but this is a bit silly."
Maybe we've finally found someone who can appreciate our humor.
>>25962808
No thank you Gambling's never been a strong suit.
Give our copypaste intro and explanation.
>>25962808
Sorry Double, I'll have to say no. At the moment my finances are a little... rocky.
>>25962808
"Ah, heh heh, I appreciate the offer but I'm already holding a full house." gesture to cover Eve and Jet. "A medusa attacked, twenty years have passed. We, like you, were freed, so that we can kill the medusa and save Canterlot. You in?"
The memes
>>25963846
>>25963756
>>25963112
>>25962875
>>25962930
You chuckle nervously, bringing a hoof to the back of your head.
"I appreciate the offer, Double Down, but I'm already holding a full house." You gesture to both Eve and Jet.
Her mouth forms an O as she takes in your partners, understanding dawning on her. But then she brings a hoof over her mouth as she quietly giggles.
>"Cute, funny, and able to hold together a herd? You're just the dream stallion, aren't you?"
Your cheeks and ear tips begin to heat up.
It must just be the alcohol from earlier.
You clear your throat.
"A-anyway, my name is Blitz."
>"That's a nice name, Blitz," she says, tasting the name for herself.
"Y-you too. I mean, that's Eve, Jet, and Gisela."
You introduce the rest of them and explain the situation to her. She listens with rapt attention. Or maybe she just likes the sound of your voice.
"So, would you like to join us in saving Canterlot?"
She rests her head on her hoof.
>"Hmm... How about a little wager?"
"Sorry, but gambling's not my strong suit. Not to mention my finances are a little rocky."
She giggles again.
>"Stop it, you! But no, it doesn't have to be poker or blackjack or anything, and money wasn't what I had in mind anyway. The game could be something much more simple and straightforward, and we could wager something else."
"What did you have in mind then?"
>"We could play a game of rock, paper, scissors. Best of one. If you win, I'll come along and help you on your quest. If I win..." Her gaze lingers on Jet and Eve. "You have to give me a peck on the cheek. No funny business, I promise. Just a quick peck."
"And if we tie?"
>"Then either we both lose, or we both win. So how about it?"
>>25965650
How do we even play rock, paper, scissors with hooves?
>>25965650
Glance back at Jet and Eve, see if they give you the nod. I bet they would, a peck on the cheek isn't THAT big a deal after all. Especially considering we might win another soldier in the upcoming frackar. If we tie on rock paper scissors, just re-play until there's a winner.
>>25965650
oookay?
>>25965703
A question for the ages
>>25965703
Shhhhh, it's magic nigga.
>>25965650
Simple, roll for boner
Also, If we loose, just keep playing, drink some of that Dragon's Breath Ale, and give her the D if you must
It's like you people don't even care. Save.
>>25967404
pls no
>>25965650
>gambling against a pro gambler at their own game.
we are gonna lose
>>25966052
This.
>>25965703
>"So, uh, what did you throw?"
"I threw paper"
>"Scissors"
"How the hell is that scissors?"
>"This is what it looks like when you hold scissors."
"It's totally rock."
>>25965650
If Eve and Jet are okay with that, let's go.
Let's say a tie is both win, and announce we're going to choose rock. Say something like "I need to fully trust my team members", and actually play rock.
Ultimately, the choice is hers, anyway.I think Jet would like her.
>>25970572
>>25966079
>>25966052
You glance back at Eve and Jet.
If the stakes involve giving someone outside of your herd a kiss, even one just on the cheek, you at least want to get their permission.
They nod and shrug, agreeing that a kiss on the cheek isn't really that big of a deal.
"Alright then, Double Down, you got yourself a bet."
>"Remember, best of one."
"And I'm gonna say that if we tie, we both win."
She smiles.
>"Sounds good to me. Ready?"
You nod.
"Uh huh. I'm going to choose rock," you announce.
A lot of ponies would argue that rock, paper, scissors is a game of luck. But you know that there's a whole level of strategy in these games.
And you're sure she's also aware of the game's deeper levels. She chose the game on purpose. A gambler like her must know the true nuances of the game, and probably offers the game to less knowledgeable ponies who think it is entirely a game of luck.
The entire game is a battle of wits, and hopefully by announcing a pick, you'll throw her off guard enough for you to win.
For a master can predict a master, but the novice is unpredictable.
She gives you another surprised look, a pleased grin slowly growing on her face.
>"It's just one thing after another with you, isn't it, Blitz? I'm so glad I got to meet you. Rock, huh? Then I'll pick rock too. Ready?"
She's announcing too huh? Your mind races, trying to figure out her game, her final play. There are all sorts of plays she could make, but in the end, you just have to stick to your basics.
"Ready."
>"On shoot."
You both throw your hooves.
"Rock"
>"Paper"
"Scissors."
And together,
>"Shoot!"
Your hooves meet in the middle.
You both threw rock.
Double Down breaks the tense silence with a demure giggle.
>"Looks like it's a tie. You're good, Blitz. But we both won, so onto the prizes."
She leans her cheek out for you and you plant a quick peck on the side of her face.
>"It was a pleasure playing with you. True to my word, I'll come along with you. Now what's your next move?"
>>25971585
Gotta wake up thebig guy
>>25971585
>>25971631Crashing this reign
>>25971631
"Well, now I gotta wake up the big guy over there."
She winks and blows you a kiss.
>"Go ahead, I'll wait for you, cutie~"
With rigid hooves and burning ears, you scurry over to the huge unicorn.
After letting yourself calm down, you uncork the last of your spare vials.
Each member of your party is still carrying one, including yourself and Softshell upstairs. With the five spares, you've freed Cookie, Houdini, Barkeep, Double Down, and now gigacorn here.
Either you're spending one of your personal ones on that rogue pegasus, waiting for Softshell to make more, or maybe you might leave him.
But that's a question for later. For now, you pour the vial's contents over the bulky unicorn.
Starting from the top, his magnificent, glossy black pompadour is the first to be freed, and jutting from his forehead into the beautiful mane is the base of his stubby horn.
The rest of his face melts away to reveal dark brown eyes and a chiseled, masculine jaw.
Beige fur covers his coat, rippling with his huge muscles.
His flexing hoof cutie mark is next to be freed, followed by his short, well-groomed tail.
Apparently he was in the middle of a conversation when he was frozen, continuing with his smooth, manly voice.
>"--AH HAHAHA! That's a good one, brother!" When he's met with relative silence, he looks around, spotting the stoned civilians before settling on you. "Hmm? What's going on, little man?"
You're about to give your standard introduction and explanation, but you're pushed aside as Carver makes her way towards him.
>"H-hey there, handsome. How are you?"
Recovering far too quickly or not particularly caring about what did happen, he answers her smoothly.
>"Even better now that you're around, baby."
Carver giggles like a crushing school filly.
>>25972128
You good at hurting things?
>>25972128
Carver is into big guys.
>>25972128
Carver, you got this one?
>>25972128
>GOOD ONE BROTHER
Is this Hulk Hogan Unicorn?
>>25972128
coughcoughsunshinecough
>>25972128
Was getting stoned part of your plan?
>>25972183
Waiting for comments about TWELVE INCH PYTHONS.
On the downside, he said brother, not brotha. When white guys says brother we sound like white supremacists.
>>25972128
Carver seems like she has this.
>>25972128
Since the Elements seem to make us immune, I don't think we really need the extras for ourselves. The new additions however should have them unless we come up with a better plan.
>>25972152
>>25972154
>>25972167
>>25972221
>>25972419
"Carver? Carver, you got this?"
She continues to stare into his eyes, only letting out another fillyish giggle to let you know she heard you.
>"Uh huh, yeah. Everything's fine," she says dreamily.
"Carver, for real. You got this?"
She twists her body side to side like crushing filly, seemingly not having even heard you this time.
You clear your throat again and cough louder this time.
"Hey Carver, what about Sunshine?"
The comment doesn't seem to get through to Carver, but the unicorn's interest is piqued.
>"Sunshine? Baby, do you have a fillyfriend you're not telling me about? Because if that's the case, I would love to hear more about her. I think we can get something going between the three of us."
Carver snaps out of it.
>"What? No, Sunshine's a stallion I met some time ago. Don't worry about him though. He was a total loser anyway, and you're so much better than he ever was."
Damn, Carver. That's cold.
>"That's too bad, Sweetcakes. I was ready to get my excitement on. And by that I mean I got excited. That's not to say you don't get me excited, Cherry Pie."
>"Heeeeeee~!"
Alright, Carver clearly doesn't have this.
"Hey, big guy. Can you fight?"
>"What's that, little man? Are you seriously asking me if I can fight? Have you seen these cannons?"
He flexes and poses, showing off his glorious muscles. Gah, even his pose work is top tier!
>"Name's Cannon! Point me at something and I'll totally get my fight on! And by that I mean yes, I can fight."
"So anyway Cannon, my name's Bli--"
>"I don't need to know your name, little man. And while it's certainly not groovy to find everyone stuck in stone like this, I'm going to assume there's a thing going on that you need my help with."
"So... will you?"
>"I dunno, little man. I don't want you cramping my style."
W-what?! This punk is gonna mock your style?!
>"Please?" Carver asks sweetly. "I'll be there."
>"Yeah, Sweet Cheeks? Alright, fine. For you, baby."
>>25972813
Right... does that pegasus have anything interesting about them?
>>25972813
We should try to convince the Bartender to come with Us. What is he gonna do when we leave the Inn? stay there by himself doing nothing?
If we lose he is never gonna get anymore customers anyway.
>>25972813
Pshh, whatever. We got an exploding halberd.
>>25972924
Dude, he already said no.
>>25972924
Nah, it's fine.
>>25972924
He can either try to leave Canterlot and face monsters alone on the way or Save Canterlot and face monsters with a bunch of adventurers.
He is going to end up having to fight what ever he chooses.
>>25972949
>>25961353
>Part of you wonders if you could convince him to come along with you and help for real
If that aint a hint that we can still convince him I dunno what is.
>>25972949
>>25972998
>lets just leave him in a city filled with monsters.
>>25973069
It worked out well for the guy who freed us :^)
>>25973092
Yeah. Because he was a Medusa.
Have you been reading the last few threads?
>>25973069
Hey, if he doesn't wanna come that's his business, not ours.
>>25973136
>implying them wanting to leave is gonna stop us.
If we did we wouldn't have Captain Gisela with us right now.
>>25973136
Blitz must acquire all followers.
>>25972924
>>25973045
>>25973198
>>25973216
You leave Carver and Cannon to stare into each others eyes and silently gush about each other. Well, in Cannon's case, he might be gushing about her gushing about him. Gushing about himself.
The roguish pegasus is the last one to be unpetrified. He's wearing a coat and deerstalker hat. The magnifying glass on his table was nothing but a plastic toy, and bulging from his coat pockets were what you guessed were bits and pieces of jewelry.
Despite the pegasus being the last to be relieved of the stone curse, your current priorities are elsewhere.
He said he didn't want to come with, but you feel so certain that it's a possibility. And if you made Gisela stay with you despite saying otherwise, you can make him join you too.
You hope.
You find Barkeep behind the counter, looking at some photo as he nurses his drink.
He doesn't notice you right away, his attention focused on the picture in his hoof, and you manage to get close enough to make out a few details.
You see a blotch of maroon and dark brown out in what appears to be a grassy field, and you realize it must have been Barkeep when he was younger.
Beside him are two or three other ponies, but before you can get a better look at them, Barkeep catches you approaching and hides the photo.
>"Yeah, kid? Did you want anything?"
>>25973672
So whats your plan?
You just going to stay here and watch statues while we Save Canterlot?
>>25973672
Equestria has Changed a lot in 20 years.
You are gonna have a hard time finding anything alone.
Not to mention how dangerous Everything has become.
>>25973672
Who were the other ponies in the picture?
>>25973672
You know you don't have to fight if you come with us. I'm sure your old adventure experience will help us out greatly and it sure as hell beats moping around with a bunch of frozen ponies.
>>25973672
So, ask Barkeep for tips on a plan of action.
Now, 1. Can we teach Cookie a song to prevent petrification or 2. can Houidi make us look like we were turned to stone?
>>25973761
>>25973824
>>25973000
>>25973907
>>25974064
"I wanted to ask you again if you'd like to join us."
>"Kid, I already told you--"
"I know. But what are you going to do otherwise? What's your plan? Were you just going sit here and watch statues all day? Were you planning on leaving out on your own? Equestria has changed a lot in twenty years. There are monsters all over the place. You can either try to leave Canterlot and fight things on your own, or you can help save Canterlot with the rest of us. No matter what, you'll end up having to fight, so why not fight along our side?"
He sets his now empty bottle down on the counter.
>"I'm not worried about fighting. Even now I'd like to think I can hold my own in a fight."
"Then why not?" When he doesn't answer. you continue. "Who were the other ponies in the picture?"
He still doesn't answer, though he does fidget with the photo.
"You said you had some stories of your own to share. I wanna hear something."
You float over and take a seat across from him, and he looks up at you warily.
Finally, he answers.
>"They... were good friends of mine. We went on plenty of adventures together. We don't anymore."
It seems inappropriate to ask what happened. You could probably guess.
"So is that why you don't want to come along? You don't have to fight if you come with us. I'm sure having your experience will be plenty of help."
>"Like I said earlier, kid, I can still fight. I don't need a bunch of youngbloods taking care of me. I just... Adventuring is something you have to do with those you can trust, who you have a strong bond with." He looks out at all the unfrozen adventurers with you. "Even now, you have a stronger bond with some more than with others. It could very well work out with them, but I don't think I can do it. I'm not a party with strangers kind of guy, and the party I did have is gone now."
>>25974595
Shit I dunno
How much do you guys care about getting Barkeep on the team? If no one can think of anything, I guess we just leave him here?
I dunno. Something something, join us anyway, try again? Turn strangers into new friends?
Someone word it better for me.
>>25974595
I'm not asking you to go on a grand, epic adventure with us. We're not looking for a confidant or a new bestie. We're just after the big guy, we're just about to take down the mother of all monsters. That's what I'm asking for. After that, you never have to see us again.
>>25974595
Still didn't answer what is is going to do now that he is free.
Once you are done moping here what are you gonna do?
Canterlot Is overrun with statues and monsters you don't know the towns anymore.
Seems to me that you aren't thinking ahead.
>>25974595
This isnt about replacing your old party its about saving Canterlot. Its only one quest and then you can go on your separate way.
>>25974595
Getting drunk alone at a bar is pretty much the saddest thing I can imagine, don't be that guy.
>>25976092
>>25976288
>>25976339
>>25975688
"You still didn't answer my first question. What are you gonna do now that you're free? Canterlot is nothing but statues, there are monsters everywhere, and other towns have completely changed. It just sounds like you're not thinking ahead."
>"You wanna know what my plan was, kid? I was just gonna drink my ass off until either I get taken or you guys free everyone."
That... That's it?!
"Look, I'm not asking you to go on a grand, epic adventure with us. We're not looking for a confidant or a new bestie. We're just after the big guy. That's what I'm asking for. After that, you never have to see us again. This isn't about replacing your old party. This is about saving Canterlot."
He lets out a long, drawn out sigh as he stares at his photo again. You can't see it from this angle.
You can just picture him having a conversation in his head with those ponies in the photo.
>"Fine," he finally says.
"Hmm?"
>"I'll go. You're right. This isn't about replacing my old party and I don't know what I was thinking imagining otherwise. I don't plan on going out during the big fight, but if I do, well, at least I'll go out with a bang."
He produces a saddlepack from beneath the counter and stows away the photo in it, along with several bottles of booze.
You can make out some of the labels. Whelp's Breath, Drake's Flame, Wyvern's Fire, Elder Dragon's Core.
Jeez.
But as you watch him pack, you can't help but think to yourself.
His plan was to get drunk alone in a bar filled with statues until something happened one way or the other.
He doesn't seem willing to talk. Maybe in another world, another timeline, had you picked him you would know his story.
The same is true for everyone else, you suppose.
But you made your calls and had your adventure. Only way to go is forward.
The only one left is the pegasus and you're out of spare vials.
You have the personal ones, and Softshell is making more. Do you still even want him?
>>25976550
Yeah, we want him. He might be a crusty crab, but we invested in him, he's a weapons master of some kind, and there's still time to get to know him more or less as we move in on the medusa. And, provided we survive the ordeal, where are we going to end up after? Here! With our old party, our new party, and him! There should be plenty of time for bullshitting about the past, then.
I enjoy how pretty much everyone here is more agreeable than Gis was.
>>25977576
One of my favorite things about Gis is how much our relationship with her has changed since the beginning.
>>25976550
We can't just leave one person. We can just wait another hour for Softshell to finish up.
>>25976550
We check with Softshell on how many new cures we'll have before we spend one on the pegasus.
>>25977576
You expect a griffon not to be grumpy?
>>25977628
We can spend this time working on our strategy. Eve knows the castle layout well enough.
I say we infiltrate secretly, free Discord, then move on from there. He should be a little more civil since the medusas defeated him once, and accept our help.
>>25977576
Yeah remember when she accidentally shot Eve and we gave her shit for it and she got all pissed off?
Good times, Good times.
>>25977642
We'll never forget, and neither will she.
We'll make sure of it.
>>25977642
The misadventures of Blitz and Gisela have probably been my favorite parts of this quest.
>>25977642
I also remember that she called Eve a bitch when Eve called her out on the shot.
>>25977753
The thing I remember is her about to shoot our gut for calling her Gis instead of Gisela.
>>25977628
>>25977630
You're not leaving anyone behind.
Well, you're not leaving any of the primary adventurers behind. The civilians are going to have to wait for after the battle.
But yeah, no. You're saving this guy too, shady as he seems.
While you could just use your personal vial, you figure you might as well check in on Softshell and wait for him to finish up with the other cures.
You climb the stairs and enter the room where Softshell set up.
Paperwork-- The medusa's body is virtually gone, its only traces left being the blood stains on the sheets and floor.
It seems Softshell's harvested the body or otherwise found some way to dispose of it.
Either way, you find Softshell at work in front of his portable alchemy station, all sorts of colorful vials and beakers boiling and mixing.
The creak of the door and the sounds of your hoofsteps alert Softshell to your presence and he turns around to greet you.
>"Hey, hey there, Blitz? How are things? What's going on?"
"We've actually been freeing some of the adventurers downstairs, getting to know them a bit, getting them to support our cause."
>"Yeah, yeah? Sounds great!"
"They're really cool, I think. They're gonna be a great help, I know it. Anyway, I just wanted to check in with you. Except for the one each of us are carrying, I'm out of spares and there's one more guy I wanted to free."
>"Alright, alright. Actually, I'm just about done here! Just a few final touches, some cleanup, and I'll have another batch ready to go. A baker's dozen this time, even!"
So twelve to go around after freeing the last one?
"Nice! Thanks a bunch, Softshell! You have no idea how amazing this is for us!"
>"No problem, no problem! I'm glad to help, really! Now come on, I'm just about done here. We can head back done in just a moment."
Softshell bottles some liquid and begins cleaning up shop. He hands you thirteen more depetrification vials and together you head back downstairs.
[cont]
>>25978009
Gisela seems to be chatting up Barkeep, Carver and Cannon look like they're still flirting with each other, Flashbang is cuddling up with Cookie, Double Down seems to be playing some game with Jet, and Houdini is showing off some minor tricks to Eve.
It's really nice to see everyone socializing with each other a bit.
It reminds you of how rocky your bonds were with everyone in your own party when you first met them.
You leave them all be for now and make your way towards the last adventurer.
Uncorking the odd vial, you pour it over the detective-looking pony.
His light gray deerstalker hat is the first to reveal itself, quickly followed by his short, curly, dark brown mane poking out from underneath it.
His fur is navy blue and his eyes are a bluish purple.
His wings poke out from his dark gray coat, but his open padlock cutie mark is still visible.
He takes in his first breath in twenty years and with his head held low, he peaks up at the rest of room, blinking when he sees that the civilians have turned into stone.
Seeing you eyeing him, he immediately squawks out,
>"I didn't do it! They were always like that! I came in with this stuff!"
>>25978017
Dude shush before my girlfriend hears you.
>>25978017
Of course you didn't, of course they were, and of course you did.
We have bigger problems anyway. Medusa problems, to be precise.
>>25978017
"I know. You've been a stone statue for twenty years. Most of us here have. I just cured you with a potion. We're preparing to set forth to slay the beast that did this and save all of Equestria from being overrun with monsters, and we need all the help we can get, which is why I just freed you. Are you in?"
