Tai Falkenburg

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Charter just sat there confused and sad, hardly listening to their words. A part of him was angry at himself for letting Vast go alone. But then he remembered his sister telling him at their last meeting: "I'm not a filly anymore, I can watch my own back these days." She chuckled, then smiled. Her grey eyes looking at his own. "I know you care for me. But life is about living. I intend to experience it for all its worth, and we should never regret our decisions made…"

He closed his eyes and nodded at the words of Grimwing and Deckhoof. Vast was gone, that Charter knew for sure.

Looking up, the unicorn noted a tall minotaur, looking a bit exhausted, staring at him. What did the crewponies say, something about their Captain flooding the town? , thought Charter. Minotaurs don't control the water, at least not to my knowledge. Perhaps it was a bit of maritime superstition: Their captain had done something to anger the Ocean, and in revenge the Ocean flooded the port. He heard similar tales in his previous stays at -

Then Charter remembered something - Star Harbor! These poor sailors probably got caught in the tidal wave and ended off course. And the Courier! In his mind he imagined Vast saying to him "Stop moping around you fool - serious matters are a hoof!" . Yes, Vast would want me to make sure innocents were safe. He had to warn these sailors about their situation.

In his excitement Charter jumped up, still unaware of the ropes or ring. "My goodness, I almost forgot! I don't know if you know this, but you're in the Moon and Stars. You have to get out of here before the courier gets word about this place."

---

Early Morning

"Did you really have to do that?" said Scroll. Sliver had finally taken to the air after ten minutes of running on the ground and making sure there was no pursuit from Northgate. They were now flying north again, Scroll clad only in the sheets that previously bounded him. His Cloak was left at the Palace, and he simply felt nude without it.

"Well, I had to get through that gate somehow - I can't teleport or become incorporeal like my other kin," replied Sweeper. "And I have to say, I must have made good time casting my cutting spell - probably set a new record."

"I meant breaking into a bakery! All you had to do was to wait outside the Visitor Center, and we could have left without anypony noticing!"

Her face and bald scalp began to turn red. "Well… I got hungry. I didn't have any breakfast, and I wanted some cake and tea." She sounded like a little filly being scolded by her father.

Scroll resisted placing a hoof on his face. It was typical of Sweeper to do something so random during a tense moment. I swear I'll need a leash for her.

"We would have gotten out of there without a word had you not startled me," said Sweeper.

After attaining a map from the Center, Scroll couldn't find his Lady. He began to search the streets. He soon walked past a bakery window. He then trotted backwards when he realized that there was an Alicorn eating in the window, eating the cakes on display. Immediately, Scroll entered the store and whispered "Sweeper!" In shock, the Alicorn feel backwards, that (long story short) caused a chain reaction that left the bakery and two other stores a wreck.

"Never mind - let's.. let's just try to figure out where to go." He was about to take out the map from his makeshift cloak, only to stop. "We don't have a compass."

"So? I know where North is…"

"That's not enough - we need one to help know which exact direction to go. We can't keep on searching such a large area in a general direction. We could very well miss the town and won't know it until we hit the Canterlotians."

"So what do we do? I don't think entering Northgate is an option anymore… sorry."

"Just don't do it again." Scroll looked down and saw a well tended road. He remembered from the map - the old Trottingham Highway, well used by Traders. "Follow the road below," he said, eyes glittering with inspiration.

"Why?"

"Because if we're lucky, we'll find what we need down there."

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Dawnscroll said
Righty-o. Arcon is now on the hunt for his siblings! And more stuffs has been unfolded! Muahahahaha!

I enjoyed the entry. In fact, I was pretty shocked to read about

My Spoiler

Greenfields - in my mind, I thought the Ten Scholars really bit the dust.

I didn't expect that detail to be followed up. Nice surprise there :)

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Star Dancer never did get use the the sight of war. Being a courier for the Scholarship, she wasn't unfamiliar with it - the whole of Equestria was in a state of conflict. The political situation seemed to change with the weather, and there was the ever constant threats of the Laughing Cult, madmares, or worse. As such, death was a common occurrence.

But Dancer was always sickened by the smell of the dead.

She had recently arrived some days ago in Earthborn with Scroll's reports and Sliver's letter. After being cleared by Customs, she went to the Dodge Junction Technical College. Dean Spoke took the pegasus to his office, were the stallion told her the news - An Alicorn was seen in Applelossa!

It was a great luck, for Dancer had no idea where this Torrential Waters could have been. Sweeper made a guess based on the unusual rainfall in Earthborn when Dancer mentioned the oddity. "Sounds like Rain is doing his job," Sliver said. "I wonder, is he going to turn the desert into a garden?" But now that there was confirmation, Dancer had a place to start.

The Dean had several assistants trying to locate the Torrential, and wanted the pegasus to help. "My duties here prevent me from leaving. However, with your speed and knowledge of meteorology, you can help in the Search. And my dear, you've meet the Lady as well, and this Water may be more likely to talk to a friend of his kin." Like many pegasi, Dancer took Meterology as a minor degree.

So off she went, first going to Applelossa to find clues. From there, her search took her to the countryside. There she heard tales of a strange pony, always walking, wearing a cloak and hat. And storms were nearby were they normally wouldn't be.

Speeding away from the gory sight, Dancer nodded. "If this isn't a sign I'm on the right track, then I don't know what is."

---

Several nights earlier…

Northgate was quiet in the early morning. The moon was low in the sky, and the stars began to fade in the twilight, though it was still rather dark. Fog began to form outside the town. The walled town seemed to be the one peaceful place on Stormwing ground.

Then suddenly there was a loud crash of glass shattering, the sound of whistles been blown, and then the loud ringing of an alarm bell. Soon the lights of the city began to turn on in rapid succession, as various citizens awoke from the racket. Bored guards were shocked out of their ennui, while others were stirred from bed and began to prepare for battle.

The guards of the eastern gate expected the fight to come from the outside. What they didn't expect was for an alicorn to burst through the once sturdy door from behind them. Several, who were standing before the outer gate, were knocked aside by the charging mare. They were dumbfounded as the bald alicorn, with an Earthpony on her back, trotted into the foggy darkness. They were even more confused at the ruined gate - the strong oak and steel was cut so cleanly into smaller pieces. How it was done was not known - for the defense was whole only a few moments prior to it's destruction.

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Bright_Ops said
And thus Star Dancer joins the pursuit of Torrential proper. Feel free to play as her since I'm not really sure what her deal is; She doesn't seem to be military through and there are limited ways that civilians would deal with the sights and smells of rotting pony meat.

You were right on with Star Dancer, good job :)

Like Scroll, Dancer was a student at the University of Canterlot studying Astronomy and Meteorology (which was at the time the study of how to control the weather effectively), and being quite bright entered at a young age. Though having witnessed the sack of the University, she never has ever gotten used to the carnage of the world around her. So yeah, it's a typical reaction for her.

I'll post something up later, I work soon. Good job everyone :)

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Charter recalled his sister, standing in the underground library with her green yellow fur and bright red hair. They were together at the Lakesville Vault two months ago, and there they meet the Lady Sliver Sweeper. They were awed and confused - she was the first Alicorn they ever seen in their lives, but expected more.

"What's with her mane?", Vast told him afterwards. "I thought she'd look more… regal?"

He nodded in agreement. "Don't know, but I'm sure we'll get a chance to ask later - she mentioned tea time. It's amazing those spells of hers!" They saw firsthoof the powerful restorative and protective magics Sliver welded.

"Well, I doubt you and I can put them to much use. We might be able to use some of them, but the more powerful ones only master magicians could weld. And even then probably not as well as the Lady"

He chuckled. "After I'm done with my studies, I can probably be as good as our Master. Then we can be of some real use!"

She smiled. "I doubt the Scholarship will ever need Master Painters, unless it's to whitewash the Vaults again."

"Ha ha. But seriously, once we're done with our grad studies, I'm sure they'll let us do more than just acting as aides. Art and surveying are important fields."

"You mean Surveying is important, I doubt any pony will pay much for my work." There was a roar behind both of them, and they looked back. A sudden wave hit Charter in the face.

He awoke coughing and spitting water out. He was laying down, facing the bright blue sky and Celestia's sun. Seagulls floated in the air, and the breeze brought a salty coldness. He felt the hard deck bellow, and the sand that stay on his wet body. There was a voice: "Well then mate, what bring's ya in th' company of such 'umble folk as ourselves?"

Charter lay there motionless for a few moments, confused. He soon remembered - the night run, the flooded city, the dead corpses, Vast- Vast was gone. Light green fur, her crimson mane, her smile, all taken by the heartless sea. Never again to paint the landscapes she crafted so well.

The Scholar eyes began to fill with tears, closing them and curling up into a ball. He sobbed uncontrollably, heaving air and moaning. His body shook as he came to grips with the realization. He didn't know how long he lay there. But after a while he finally got control over himself. Wiping the tears with his cloak, he looked at his surroundings. He was on a ship, with a pegasus and an earth pony waiting nearby. From their looks, the duo were sailors.

Charter didn't know who they were, or why they came to the port. But they were the only ponies that could do anything for him. He took a deep breath. "My name is Charter… I came to find my sister-". His voice broke at those words, but he got control of himself. "My sister, she was in the city. Searched, searched, nothing but water. The only life I saw is on this beach."

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

The Griffins are certainly making things interesting :D

Also, note to self - character needs to carry a compass or map next time ;p

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

"You should have asked them for the map," said Scroll.

Sweeper was standing on a cloud, trying to figure out where to go next. In her haste she had went in the general direction of Feathersky indicated. Of course, pointing generally northeast was not detailed directions, so shortly they had no idea where to go. The moon was still in the sky, not quite the twilight of the dawn. The night still dominated the sky, but the sun was coming in an hour or so.

"In retrospect, dear Paladin, that would have been a good idea," muttered the alicorn. She was rather irked at the inconvenience. Had any of my sisters been here, they would have certainly scolded me for not thinking things through.

When did I become a Paladin?, thought Scroll. It was like she make these titles up as she goes. He understood the High Priest title - the local priest had been using it to refer to his position. He still remember that day months ago.

"I'm flattered, Cleric Alabaster, but I'm not a member of the Clergy. My knowledge in the divinity is alright, but you would be far more suited to that position." Scroll was sitting in the tent that served as Ivory Shore's temple and hospital. The Clerics in town were on a mission to provide whatever aid, spiritual, physical, or mental, they could.

"And you attend services every week," said the Cleric. "I don't doubt your loyalty to the Sisters at all." Scroll eyes widened - he was worried that Alabaster was thinking Scroll was trying to set up a false cult. Somehow, someway the Cleric had a means to look into the hearts of others.

"Then why-"

"Because in a sense, you are that Alicorn's High Priest. When the Sisters came to power, they selected those who were probably very much like you. They certainly had little of the knowledge that we do now. And they probably doubted their roles to play, unsure of what they're getting themselves into or worried of what other ponies will think.

"But they formed the basis of the Orders that serve the Sisters, even after their disappearance. You too were ordained by the Chambermaid - I have no doubt she is of akin to Celesita and Luna, if of a lesser order. She called you, and you answered."

Scroll sighed and sat on a log that served as a pew. "It's a bit much. I wish I had the wisdom and education of the Clerics to guide me."

"I know you know enough to get by well - your mission is quite a different matter from mine, though they have the same goal in the end. Have some hope, that Alicorn wouldn't have selected you without a reason."

Alabaster's words gave some comfort to the Scholar. Even as he lay strapped like a filly to his mother, he couldn't help but wonder why Sweeper choose him. Maybe because I was the first pony to meet her, he thought. But his mind told him to be quiet and take the Clerical words to heart.

"I see a cloud city in the distance," said Sweeper, her eyes narrowed to the north. "Should we go there to ask for directions?"

Scroll pondered for a few moments, envisioning a map of Equestria in his mind. "If we're heading from the South… just north of Northgate… That would be Cloudsdale!" He shuddered. "That's the capital of Stormwing! It's so highly guarded, we probably wouldn't be able to get in. Or worse, they may just attempt to detain us."

"That's not a problem for me."

"No, but it could take up precious time."

"Then what?"

Scroll thought a few more moments. "Let's try Northgate - it's a bit South of here, but it's probably won't hinder our efforts as much. And it's probably closer."

Sweeper nodded. She didn't want to deviate from their course, as she was uncertain of her kin's fate. But at the same time, they couldn't waste time wandering. "Very well," she said, and headed south towards the ground settlement.

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Well, I didn't think that meeting with AJ and Torrential was going to go like that 0_0

Though now rumors of an alicorn is about in Earthborn, I'm sure the Scholarship is going to send someone to make contact.

EldritchOne said
I made a pone, guess who this smarmy bastard is.

Cool :) For some reason, i kept on thinking of a pony version of Jeffery Coomb's Dr. Herbert West when reading the description.

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Charter had ran through the night and into the early morning, finally reaching the high ground overlooking Star Harbor. The rays of Celestia's sun began to peak over the horizon of the ocean. Water still filled the streets of the wasted city. Nearly half of the buildings had been destroyed, though a good many older ones - those made of stone - managed to withstand the wave.

The Scholar continued his trot, though he was far slower. He had not the endurance of an Earth Pony, nor the speed of a pegasus. But what he did have was a strong love driving him.

He entered the water logged streets, the sea water reaching up to his knees. Bodies of unicorns and unfortunate slaves floated in the salt water. Seagulls were pecking at the garbage of an overturned dumpster. Yet despite the carnage, the water looked blue and fresh as if it were still part of the ocean. The sun was shining brightly - as if the town was still alive.

Charter headed down the Main Road, risking the deeper waters and exhaustion to get to the studio his sister was staying at. He looked around, seeing if there were any survivors. But all he saw were corpses. He took a left were the Road meet up with the harbor district. The water was lower here, but the Scholar was soaked to his bones. He did not care though. Only one thing mattered at that point.

Hope rose at the sight of the residence of Mrs. Shore Gem, a tall, three story stone building that withstood the force of the wave. Charter ran to the door and opened it. Much to his horror, sea water began to rush out of the building.

He entered and saw the body of Mrs. Gem and her daughter. His heart shook, for he and his sister used to spend their nights with them, drinking tea, and talking about life. Charter stood there for moments, in complete silence, closing his eyes. There was a sheet of linen laying in the water. Charter couldn't leave the two like this, so he took the cloth and placed it over the bodies. He said a prayer for them, and went up the stairs.

He entered the studio, but found only the washed up paint bottles and wet canvases. The shuttered window was blown opened, though the door to the studio managed to stay shut. Charter looked frantically, but found not his sister. He yelled and called, but no pony replied.

He ran out to the street and and ran down the roads yelling and calling her name. "Vista! Vista!" echoes though the dead city. He did this for hours.

Exhaustion began to kick in, as he stood on the road his sister was just on hours ago. Looking out to the ocean, he saw some ships moored on the beaches. And Ponies on watch. Charter walked through the wet streets, through remains of the harbor, and onto he beach were the Leviathan fleet waited. On the sands, soaking and barely coherent, the Scholar collapsed.

Equestria Divided: In Nominé - MLP RP

Sliver is still en route, though stopped by some guards for trespassing. But at least she knows where to look for now.