Tai Falkenburg

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

"Thank you… ma'am… for pulling over," said the exhausted Pegasus guard. She was breathing hard, as were her other companion. The two not only had to catch up with Sliver Sweeper, but also maintain her speed.

I've never seen anypony go that fast, say maybe the Wing Commanders and the Supreme Commander herself, thought the other guard. They were all resting on a small lone cloud. The moon was lower in the sky now, many hours had passed.

"No problem," said Sweeper. "Now may I ask were we are?"

Feathersky finally regained her strength, and looked at the silly alicorn. Well, she's certainly like the one that help us recently, save for the baldness. But what do I do if another divinity passes through our land? There's no standing orders on this.

"Well, you're in Stormwing air space ma'am. Usually you have to have… er… permission to enter. We typically detain trespassers. But since you're new here to his land, we'll let it pass this time."

"Oh thank you young one. I am Sliver Sweeper, Chambermaid of the Third Verse, and this here on my back is my High Priest Scroll." The Scholar began to turn red again, considering how he looked like a swaddled filly right then. "Hello," he muttered.

Why is there a High Priest strapped to her back?, thought Light Wind, the other guard.

Chambermaid? Was she here to clean after Commander Armifera?, thought Feathersky. "Well what brings you here, if I may ask, oh High One."

"The light to the northeast," said Sweeper in a much serious tone. "I don't know where it is exactly, but perhaps you can help?"

Both Guards eye's widened at the mention of the Light. They too saw it in the distance, and were almost blown down by the mightily thunderclap that followed. "We saw the Light as well… we're waiting for orders, but until then we have to patrol the border."

"Can you tell me were it occurred?"

Feathersky nodded, and took out a map. Laying it on the cloud (the map was designed to float on it, as with many Pegasi works), she began to point to certain spots. "We're about here, near the border by this refugee camp south of Northgate." She then pointed to a red mark made earlier. "A courier from Northgate contacted us an hour later afterwards, reporting that the a one of our listening posts also saw the light as well. And very likely so did the Moon and Stars. We triangulated, and the calculated the light would have landed here."

"No pony went to investigate the light?"

"The courier avoided it, not sure what was going on. We have to wait for word from the Command."

"So were is the location of the light?"

"Near Old Hoof. Which is odd, I didn't think anypony lived there anymore." The pegasus had automatically pointed in the direction of the town.

"Yeah, the last census said the place was abandoned. No reason why any pony would go there," said Wind.

"There is now," said Sweeper, opening her wings. "You may join me if you wish."

"I apologize ma'am, we have to maintain our vigil."

"Then thank you for your aid." Sweeper then left and rapidly went on her way.

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

It makes sense though - they got a beach-head, but lack sufficient numbers for a prolonged war on land. The best they can do is raid, and they must move fast for that.

Speaking of which, how long will it take for Crashing's flotilla to make it to their destination?

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

grimdarkenigma said
And I have successfully posted.

Nice entry :) I'm rather surprised Crashing is moving so fast after the events that just occurred. Risky, but if the rest of the Moon and Stars are still unprepared, then it's a huge advantage.

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

It is the middle of the week - I imagine people are busy.

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Charter ran, risking the night, the possible highwayman, and even the lurking cultist. He didn't care - he had to get to Star Harbor.

Night had fallen, and he stayed at the Halfway-Halfway Inn, which was between Halfway and Star Harbor. It was unadvisable to travel in the woods once the sun was down. Even in the Sun and Stars, a unicorn must be cautious on the road.

Charter was exhausted, and not by traveling on hoof. The lost of the Greenfield's Library was a terrible blow to the Scholarship here in Twilight's realm. The three surviving assistants he had to help aid getting them out of the land into Whitegold. And then he had to search any hidden caches. He found none - only compounding the lost.

"All that work gone," he thought sadly. "And future generations will pay for it."

The light green stallion lay in a bed, trying to sleep. But then there was a commotion in the bar downstairs. He was about to finally sleep when he heard muffled words about Star Harbor. Tired, the unicorn exited the room.

When Charter entered the bar, an exhausted Unicorn was breathing heavily, slumped on the bar. His coat was drenched in sweat, and leafs stuck in his hair. A courier perhaps from the looks of it. The barmaid telekinetically grabbed a mug of water for the traveler.

After drinking, the courier continued his story: "It's gone! The city was hit by a tidal wave!"

Charter ran up to the courier, grabbed his shoulders. "What do you mean it's gone?"

"I was on a hill overlooking the city… battle going on, was preparing to leave for the local hall." He took another deep breath. "A wave like I've ever seen came and flooded the whole town, the water was deep! I went togged help-."

Charter heard enough, his eyes began to quiver in fear. He rushed to his room, gathered his pack, and dropped his keys at the bar.

"Leaving so soon?", asked the barmaid.

"I have to get to Star Harbor right away. Any other charges?", he asked.

"No, you already paid for the night. But sir, it's dark and-"

"I'll risk it," Charter said. He rushed out the door and left at a high trot.

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Vast Vista came to the town of Star Harbor for two reasons. One was to find a place with beautiful scenes to paint, and the town was a perfect place to do so. It's ships were majestic and the city had a great view of the ocean. The second was to continue to work of the Scholars there, by gathering information and making contacts with the smugglers. Her brother was going to join her, but the Order had more work for him.

"Gotta go down to Greenfields with Professor Sweet," Charter had said a month ago. "Once that's done, I'll come straight here." The two unicorns were close, ever since their father was killed helping the order protect it's Knowledge.

Vista was sleeping when she awoke to the sounds of cannon fire. She opened her windows, and was amazed that in the moonlight stood a armada of ships, and two Sun and Moon Idols in battle. Beams of light seared pony and deck, ponies drowning in the harbor, the air filled with blasts. A stray cannonball hit a warehouse that was on the docks, shattering it's walls.

"I have to get out of here," Vista said, closing the shutters. She grabbed a cloak and a satchel - she learned early that she needed to be prepared for any rapid escape. As she left, Vista passed the paints and canvas that was working on. They depicted the sunrises and nightscapes of the city, all done in bright lovely oils.

She exited the apartment she was renting, and went down the hall and the stairs in rapid speed. She had an escape route prepared, and decided to get out of town. Whoever was trying to invade, she didn't want to stay to know their intentions. Vista got to the street, and trotted at full speed down the road. It went past a small beach, when she turned her head and looked.

She gasped. The ocean had receded from the harbor.

Shocked, she snapped herself out of the daze and continued her run. But then she soon heard a roar from the beach. A monstrous, terrible sound that was rushing at high speed. Vista turned her head, only seconds as the tidal wave hit her.

---

In his dreams, Scroll remembered the last moments before going to sleep. He was admiring his impeccable penmanship on fine parchment, but frowned at the contents of the letter. After dinner, Sweeper wanted one dictated to her brother Torrential Waters, which she referred to as "Rain". The letter was very wordy, almost going onto four pages. And almost all of it was random musings but little substance. The whole of the work could have been summed up thusly:

Hi Rain, I'm doing good, CAKE!, My underling too scared to ask a date, Do you have a camera? Take pictures! Also, do you have an interest in scholarly studies? Have a have good day!

At least she remembered to ask about the disappearances, thought Scroll. "Star Dancer is going to Earthborn territory tomorrow - overtly as a courier for Dean Iron Spoke from the farming colleges in Whitegold. But it may take time for the letter to get to your kin - we don't know his exact location, save for the tales we heard."

"Well, I've been meaning to write to him, he seems so lonely," said Sweeper.

He couldn't quite remember the rest, say going to the pile of sheets that served as his bed. But now something seemed odd - what was a breezeless night now was howling wind. In fact, he felt the cool air brush over his whole body. Did I forget to close the window? , he thought. He was about it get up, when he realized he couldn't move his legs.

Scroll opened his eyes and saw the stars and vast night above. He looked to his side and saw one of Sweeper's wings and the fast moving landscape many meters below.

"What in Celestia's name is going on!", he screamed.

"Oh, morning Scroll," said Sweeper, turning her head briefly to him. She was going as fast as she could, passing over the forests and plains of Equestria. He looked at his body - it was wrapped in sheets, and he was tied down to the alicorn's back.

"Morning! Well it's one discord of a morning!", he replied. "What am I doing here flying!"

"Well, I decided to check out a strange light I noticed in the north, maybe Northeast. I felt something in that direction during dinner."

"Was it really necessary to drag me out of bed? And why didn't you wake me up?!"

"It was only after you went to your slumber that I realized that it could be one of my kin in trouble. That was no ordinary light, that much I am sure. And you were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to bother you. So I swaddled you in some blankets, and tied you down to my back."

Scroll sighed, and then began to blush. He was like a child being carried by his parent, one who didn't want their filly to have a nasty fall. "How far do you think we have to go?"

"Who knows?", replied the Alicorn. "But even at this top speed, we may not arrive near the spot were the Light landed until sunrise. But I don't know the exact location."

"Then how will we know we're in the right place?"

"I suspect were there's nothing but a vast waste," said Sweeper.

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Considering her position, it probably take several hours at least for Sweeper to get to Thea's position by flight. The Huntress would probably be gone by the time Sliver got there.

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Nice entries everyone! I never thought I could be so invested in a mad doctor, and I was rather shocked at what happened with Crashing's story 0_0

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Sweeper being the nicknamer she is does have a few for her kin - since she perfers short or cutesy sounding names. Rain for Torrential Waters, Ami for Armifera Imperatrix, Wavy for Crashing Wave, and Arc for Arcon. Thea doesn't get one because her name already sounds cute to Sweeper.

Of course, her kin may or may not like the friendly names Sweeper gives to her kin.

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Sweeper's ears perked as she faintly felt Thea's magic. Of course, being one of the less powerful alicorns, she could not tell what it was, never the less who it was. She knew of the general direction, to the north. She had though she seen, faintly, a haze of bright light in that distance shortly before, followed by the faint sound of thunder.

"Whatever it was, it was powerful", thought Sweeper. She had no powers of telepathy or the ability to sense her kin from a distance. Yet whatever magic occurred, even that she felt.

"My Lady, what's the matter?", asked Gildenstride. They were seated at the table on top of the flat rooftop of the Palace. The stars shone brightly, and the moon lit the world in a glow. In the presence of the alicorn, the sight was even more breathtaking.

"Hmmm, oh something in the air," Sweeper said. Her thoughts rapidly went back to Scroll. "But back to the topic - you want to know about my kin?"

"Well, yes, in regards to the events I mentioned before," said Scroll. He had explained the situation to her as they went up the stairs.

"Hmmmm, I don't really know the plans of my brothers and sisters. They came to this mortal realm for their own causes, which they didn't tell me. Though I could guess at what they want."

Sweeper lay her head on the table and closed her eyes. Moonlight reflected off her denuded scalp, and had any pony noticed, so did her Cutie Mark of four-interconnected rings. Star Dancer smiled at the sight, noting how peaceful the alicorn looked.

What are my kin doing?, Sweeper thought to herself. Scroll brought me plenty of tales, but little evidence. And I had not meet up with any of them. Was that light-?

Sweeper suddenly opened her eyes and lifted her head. Her advisers looked at the alicorn, whose eyes were filled with inspiration. At last, she's come up with something , thought Scroll.

"So Scroll, did you pick up any girlfriends at the Baths today?", Sweeper asked.

Gildenstride laughed, and Dancer was so shocked she had dropped the tea she was holding. Scroll blushed so much his coat seemed to turn red. Before the tea could land on the table, the Alicorn repelled the spray and it disappeared into the air.

"That… that… not what we're here to talk about, Sweeper!", sputtered the Scholar.

"But you could at least ask them for a date after you're ogling them," said the Lady of Tidiness.

"Oh, Wow. Not even 35 and you're already acting like an old lecher," said Dancer.

"I was… um… just pondering why so many decide to follow the Lady's… style!", said Scroll. "Quite a few have taken to the bald look. In fact, a recent letter was sent by one cult having a dispute over it. One said everyone who follows the Lady must be shorn, others disagree."

Sweeper resumed resting her head on the table, but took interest in the change of topic. Fortunately , thought Scroll.

"Well, I don't really mind if they have manes or not. Hair is beautiful and can be kept clean, but so can having no mane as well," said the Alicorn. "But mostly, it depends on if they look adorable or not."

"If I may ask," Dancer spoke ", why do you have no mane? I mean, as a divine being, shouldn't your hair just as wonderful as the other Alicorns are rumored to be?"

Sweeper tilt her head to one side. "Well Danny, every time I wake up, my mane was always such a mess. Tangled and unkempt, plus it took time to maintain. Time better spent on my mission. I just got fed up with it and decided it was easier without the mane."

Scroll wondered how an Alicorn would have mane problems, but he decided he needed to press on with more important matters.

"My Lady, do you know if any of your kin would be interested in academic matters?", he asked.

Her mind rapidly thought back to the question. Well, Wavy wouldn't be interested in scholarship, unless it had to do something with the sea. And that probably be charts and navigation at most. Thea… does the Huntress even read anything? Need to ask sometime, oh must bring her some cake! Rain, is alone by himself a lot, so maybe he likes some companionship. If he didn't move so much, I'd send him letters. Ami did love to study, but it was mostly warfare and martial skills - if anything she would have taken someone from a dojo or a military academy. And Arc… of course!

She smiled. "Now I've got it! It's Arc! I remember him mentioning books as gates sometimes. He would be the one gathering academics, if only to help him."

"Help him with what?"

"I have no idea… I just thought Arc came to make sure ponies had better doors or something."

Scroll wanted to fall to the ground at that. "Well, at least you have an idea were to start," said Gildenstride. "Now all the lady has to do is use her powers to sense him…"

"Um what?", asked Sweeper.

"Don't you have the power to sense the other alicorns?"

Sweeper shook her head. "Well, no. In fact, I don't think many of my kin do, just a few."

"Hmmm, I guess the old legends were a bit off," Dancer said.

"Well, if we don't know where this Ark is, where do we begin?"

Sweeper then had another inspiration. "I have an idea, but it'll require another journey to follow up."

"Speaking of which, my Lady, but I'd like to assign a bodyguard to you," said the Town Watchpony. "Scroll has told me of his adventures… and they sound very dangerous."

"No problem, I'm sure Scroll will love the company," said Sweeper.

"Alas, I can not go myself," said Gildenstride with sadness. For the first time in decades he was serving an alicorn again, yet the Town had to be his first duty.

"You have a job to do, and a very important one at that. I thank you for it." Sweeper's words brightened the Guard.

Scroll sighed at the words "another journey". Yet again being tossed into the fire.