Heart of War: Thread 13- By Land, Air, and Sea

>>29579820
>The Mushir pauses to inspect the gallows, as an executioner tests the hatches that will drop the prisoners.
>He then turns to Brairheart.
>”I must take my leave, there is still much to do. However tonight there will be a celebration of our victory, my men deserve the rest. Your men are welcomed to come down and join, should they wish.”
>He then offers a hoof to Brairheart, who grasps it with his own.
>As they shake hooves, Brairheart responds:
>”Good luck with the rest of your campaign. If you need any more supplies, I’m sure we can arrange the convoys.”
>The Mushir gives a solemn nod to the Admiral before taking his leave.
>As he walks away, he moves towards the gallows and begins yelling to the executioner in their language.
>When he’s out of earshot, you turn to the Admiral.
“Sir?”
>”Yes Major?”
“I still don’t agree with this. When we took the airships, we promised that the prisoners wouldn’t be harmed.”
>”And while they were under our jurisdiction, they weren’t.”
“If we released them into certain death, it’s no better than executing them ourselves.”
>”Your complaint has been noted. But that’s just how things are; you don’t have to like it. Compromises and sacrifices have to be made when you’re making any decision, doubly so for high level decisions.”
“Understood.”
>Looking back to the gallows, you see the first group of prisoners being led to their execution.
>You don’t recognize any of them.
>Some of them look like they’ve accepted their fate, others are nervously shaking, and one is even pleading for his life.
>As the nooses are placed around their necks, hoods aren’t even placed over their heads.
>Everypony will see their faces as it happens.

>>29586529
>The Mushir then begins to give a speech in Arabian.
>He’s speaking to the prisoners about to die, and the ones brought out to watch.
>Commander Skies then adds in a comment:
>”The rope is too short.”
“What?”
>”They’re not trying to snap the prisoner’s necks. The rope would need to be longer for that to happen.”
“So they’re-“
>The Mushir yells something, and the executioner pulls the lever.
>The prisoners that are now dangling by their necks, bodies shaking as they suffocate; the life slowly draining out of them.
>”It’s time we return to the ship.”
>You hear Brairheart say.
>Taking one last look at the gallows, you then turn to follow the Admiral.

I'll be back tomorrow
>>29586535
>…
“So, General?”
>You’re sitting in a private compartment with Offense.
>He’s been filling in more details from when you were… indisposed.
>”Hmm?”
“Discord can’t be dead, right?”
>”Well, look at it like this. Starlight Glimmer, one of the strongest known unicorns, hit him at full power. That blast was then amplified through some of the largest focusing crystals ever developed.”
“But it’s Discord.”
>”Before that incident, he was causing trouble across Equestria. After Starlight hit him, we haven’t heard a single peep about his status.”
“But he’s immortal. Or at least effectively immortal.”
>”Well, and this is with all due respect, nopony has ever just tried to kill him before. He was previously dealt with by the Elements of Harmony, which just turned him to stone. We’re just not sure if anypony, say Celestia, would have been able to kill him with magic. It was always an attempt to trap or otherwise incapacitate him, so we’re not sure how much lethal force would have been needed.”
>Maybe he really is dead.
>Maybe.
“And Offense?”
>”Yes, Princess?”
“What about Anon? Are you sure there’s no way to get word to him?”
>”Maybe if you had woken up within a few days of his departure, but it’s been too long now.”
>He’s going to the far side of the world on a false pretense.
>The only real reason why he decided to go was to save you.
>If anything happens to him while he’s gone, then it’s on your head.
>”He’s more than capable of dealing with whatever he might encounter over there. He’ll be back, don’t worry.”

fug
we forgot to bump old thread.

>>29586535
Doesn't short drop hanging constrict the carotid artery and make you pass out in like 10 seconds? Or do you have to tie the noose a certain way?

>Bumps thread for 5 days.
>"Thanks for bumping thread, now to write again regularly."
>Let's thread die.
Do you people want green or do you just like bumping?

>>29587358
We are bump addicts. We have a problem. We're trying to do better...

bump

>>29586797
I think it does depend on how tight the noose is and how it's tied, but I would assume it's just a regular noose. It should constrict the trachea, causing air hunger and immense pain. Things would only get worse when the person is struggling, but if the noose puts pressure at the side of the neck, it would close the carotid and stop blood and oxygen getting to the brain, causing you to pass out in 5-10 seconds.
Bump

>>29588106
bump

>>29588631
>>29588631
bump

>>29590039
I really would write for this thread if I had the time.

>>29590039

>>29586541
“I’m not worrying!”
>You said that a bit louder than you would have liked.
>”Of course you aren’t…”
>Offense shifts his haze to the window.
>The countryside is still rolling past, but now there is a distinct orange tint that indicates that the sun will be put down soon.
>”You’ll just need to stay out of view for a little while longer. But it has been a long day, and we’ll be on the march tomorrow, so you might want to get some rest.”
>Get some rest.
>That’s what the parasite kept telling you to do…
>You are in the real world, right?
>”Ma’am?”
>Right?
“What? Yes, I think I will get some rest.”
>If you recall correctly, the parasite had trouble impersonating more than a few ponies at a time.
>You’ve seen plenty of crowds since you’ve killed it.
>This has to be real.
>You’re probably just a bit tired in a completely non-parasite related way.
“As soon as Starlight puts the sun down, I’ll be turning in.”
>Taking a look through the window, you’d guess that it’ll be any minute now.
“You know, if there’s one thing I like about this set up, it’s that I don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn anymore. I don’t know how Celestia managed to do it every day for a thousand years.”

>>29592619
>…
>Watching the men patrolling the main deck, you breathe in the cool night’s air.
>You’re currently leaning on the upper deck’s railing facing the bow of the ship.
>And leaning is pretty uncomfortable, considering that the railing was made for ponies.
>You’ve got to lunge forward slightly, lean your torso in, and place your arms almost straight down to even reach the railing.
>So you decide to stand upright instead.
>You then start making your way to the starboard side of the ship.
>When you reach the edge of the ship, you fold your arms and look to the horizon.
>The sun’s been down for a while, but unfortunately there is a thick overcast.
>Tonight there’s no moon or stars to light up the night.
>Visibility is low, and you don’t like that.
>Especially when something could pop out of the water at any moment.
>If something is hunting you, then you won’t know until they spring the attack.
>You only have two things going for you right now.
>One, if they attacked the whale in the day, they might not be nocturnal predators.
>Two, there was still a lot of meat left on the whale’s carcass, so they might have eaten their full for now.
>But both of those points assume that the whale killers are the only sea creatures nearby…
>You hear a set of hooves start to climb the stairs up to the poop deck, so you glance down them to see who’s coming up.
“Lady Tiara.”
>”What are you still doing up?”
>She bluntly asks.

I'll be back tomorrow
>>29593069
“Keeping watch.”
>Tiara finishes climbing the stairs, and approaches you.
>”You do know that I tripled the men on duty in the night, right?”
“But today we got the first sign of proof that something is in these waters. If I wanted to attack the ship, I’d wait until it slows down at night.”
>”Well we’re lucky that you’re not a sea monster.”
“What are you even doing up at this hour?”
>”I… needed some air.”
“Can’t sleep?”
>”… Yeah.”
>You could be supportive.
>Could.
“Did you forget your warm milk and bedtime story?”
>”Oh abso-lutely, it’s just SO hard to sleep without being tucked in. And my lantern is out of oil, and I need my night light.”
“Do you need an adult to check under your bed and in your closet for monsters?”
>”Would you? Really?”
>She asks in the tone of a wide-eyed child.
>You then hear Discord’s voice speak to you:
>”You people make me want to gag.”
“I will, but only if you finished cleaning your room and made sure to brush your teeth tonight.”
>She then responds:
>”Of course I did!”
>She then cocks her head to the side and flutters her eyes.
>”I am a good girl after all.”
“Oh are you now?
>You reply dryly.
>Unable to keep up the straight face, she then lets out a bit of hushed laughter.
>And you let out a chuckle or two.

>>29591551
If you hypotheticaly had the time what would be your story?

>>29593079
I sense lewdness.

>>29593782
Well, one of my first ideas was roughly this.
>anon goes to equestria
>confused at first, but enjoys the fact he's in another universe
>Realizes there's no way back, leaving his family fatherless
>suffers a mental breakdown/psychotic break due to it all, kind of how Joker did
>wreaks havoc everywhere and ends up getting imprisoned for his crimes, life sentence.
>equestria gets attacked and war breaks out
>slowly running out of options, they turn to anon, since he has a general idea of how wars work and ponies dont.
>anon now has to help the ponies on missions, whilst suffering with his psychosis, which gains him an evil reputation.

After that I dont know since I never really thought it out in depth, plus I feel it would be hard to write it without being edgy.

>9

>>29595305

File: the_changeling_warrior_by_titanosaur-d5fegg1.jpg (80KB, 832x961px) Image search: [Google]

80KB, 832x961px

>>29547842
>After about thirty minutes, you decide it's best to try and move on.
>However the small ache at the back of your skull progressed into a full migraine.
>Your head throbs with every sway and step.
>Through the pain you hear a voice.
>It sounds distant.
>As if it's echoing through the entire forest.
>But instead of being distorted you can hear it clearly like they were right next to you.
>"You are weak, worm."
>You brace yourself against a tree to try and keep yourself from falling over.
>"Do you think this little facade will last?"
"Shut-up."
>"Whatever curse those Yaks put on me is coming to a close. With every passing second, I can feel you loosing your hold."
>Looking around the forest, dark figures pop out from the corner of your eyes.
>"You are even worse than a parasite, at least parasites have a place in this world. You're just a conjured up being that doesn't belong anywhere."
>As you try to concentrate on them they disappear only to reappear back in your peripheral.
>"You are only prolonging the inevitable by resisting."
>You feel your eyelids become heavy.
>Why is it getting hard to breathe?
"Shut. Up."
>"No matter what you do. No matter where you go. No matter what you try. I. Am. Coming.
>While the acid in your muscles begin to burn, a blur of blackness rushes toward you.
>Before you can react it stops inches in front of you.
>A gnarled up wreck of a changelings face is staring right into your eyes.
>"I WILL have my body back! And there is NOTHING you can do to stop me!"
>His broken jaw lazily moves with little motion while his words continue to come out perfectly.
>"Take a good look, because this is nothing compared to what I have planned for you."
>You squeeze your eyes shut not wanting to look at the disfigured monster.
>"Or the ponies of this land."
"I SAID SHUT-UP!"
>As you open your eyes, the mutilated deformity is gone.
>All the fatigue you were feeling is gone as well.

>>29597850
That image. Thanks for the nightmares I'm going to have tonight Luke.

>>29598153
Good to know I'm doing my job right.
>>29597850
>As you get your bearing, you can see the trees are beginning to thin out.
>It's the end of the forest!
>Have you been walking the entire time while in your inebriated state?
>As you step from the treeline, you find yourself atop a hill.
>In the distance you see the last marker of civilization before you can enter the badlands.
>Dodge Junction.
>It used to be just a small town.
>More of an outpost than an actual city.
>But after the destruction of Baltimare, many citizens fled here causing a boom in the population.
>A shift from a meager population of barely one-thousand to now over tens of thousands changes a place really fast.
>With the end of the war and reconstruction in progress, many ponies decided life in the middle of nowhere wasn't for them and moved back to help rebuild.
>However a great deal of ponies are still living in the refugee like camps surrounding the town.
>It will take too long to try and circumnavigate the city.
>There's probably a small garrison or town watch keeping order.
>Patrols will most likely think a pony sneaking around the outskirts would be suspicious.
>Can't fly over, be seen instantly.
>Maybe sneak through?
>A possibility.
>With so many ponies you can easily blend in.
>Can't stay disguised too long so you'd have to be fast.
>You're not sure if you using your powers are correlated with you loosing grasp, but you don't want to risk it.
>Faster you get through this the better.
>No need to cause a panic.
>As you trot down the hill, you see your shadow enlarge.
>Looking up to the sky the orange rays of light are beginning to die.
>Night is coming.
>Perfect.
>It will be easier to slip through the shadows undetected.

>>29599376

>>29593079
>”Really now, Anon.”
>Discord’s voice begins to ring out.
>”If I had a stomach right now, I’d be throwing up.”
>Good, let him suffer a bit.
>”Anon…”
>Tiara begins.
>But Discord then yells out, overshadowing other noise.
>”ANON, LISTEN!”
“Shhh!”
>You cut off both of them.
>Tiara looks completely shocked by the abrupt order of silence.
>Focusing on sound, you hear the quiet waves that slightly rock the ship.
>Hoofsteps of men on patrol.
>Your heartbeat,
>That’s all you can…
>No, there’s something else.
>To the right, a soft thump against wood.
>A distinct noise, different than a hoof.
>And it’s coming from the side of the ship.
>Devoting more focus to your ears, you hold your breath.
>You can hear Tiara’s breath as she softly inhale and exhale.
>But there is another source of breath.
>Something deeper, more guttural.
>It only continues for a moment before stopping abruptly.
>Just like you stopped your own breath.
>It knows.

Sorry it's a bit sparse tonight, had another long day. I'll be back tomorrow
>>29600483
>And now, after the few seconds that have passed since you’ve hushed Tiara, you act.
>You start by reaching out your left arm and pushing Tiara away from the side of the ship, placing yourself between her and whatever is on the side of the ship.
>As you push her, you turn back towards the railing, drawing your sword as you do.
>The sound of unsheathing steel rings through the cool night’s air.
>Not even a moment later, you hear a heavy splash into the water.
>”What are you- what was that?”
>Tiara starts demanding before processing the splash, as you tightly grip your sword and look over the edge.
>Empty, it’s gone.
>Gave up without a fight…
“A scout.”
>Turning your head towards the bow of the ship, you use your free hand’s finger and thumb to whistle loudly at the guards on duty.
“Check the ship’s hull!”
>As you go to check the other two sides of poop deck, Tiara speaks:
>”What was that?”
“Well I don’t know, it jumped off.”
>The stern of the ship is clear.
>”I know that! I mean what do you think it was!”
“Then why didn’t you just ask that?”
>And the port side of the ship is clear.
>”Ugh! You are impossible!”
“Yes, I’m the impossible one… Sorry, did I say that out loud?”

>9

>>29602182

>>29603844

Been drinking, pretty tired. I'll be writing tomorrow

>>29605320

Anyone else in the strongest Anon thread?

>>29607847
Why yes. Yes I am.

Kinda hoping Jedi Anon would just force choke King, but meh whatever.

>>29607992
BBQ chicken and beer bump

File: 1488665598912-671320785.jpg (3MB, 4128x2322px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 4128x2322px

>>29608775
This Anon knows what's up.

>>29609022
High Life! That used to be my beer, when i drank beer

>>29609263
Wat happen? U No drink no more?

File: 1488669906021.png (245KB, 546x574px) Image search: [Google]

245KB, 546x574px

Our first piece of art made in the brawl thread.

>>29609765
Just missing the beard and manticore.

>>29609736
Wild Turkey for me sempi.

Beer gives me headaches from hell. Too much sugar with your alcohol causes hangovers.

Straight whiskey or scotch, ice made from filtered water.
I haven't had a hangover in 8 years and saved money too. Liqueur is more expensive but i don't have to drink near as much to get a good buzz.

>>29609785
Ay I understand but I never got a hangover. Yet.
Coors banquet temps me too much.

Yaked up my guts for an hour before but never felt shit in the morning. Hopefully tomorrow I will experience the beauty of Headache Hell after tonight. At least once.

>>29606284

>>29610508
If you can drink all that beer without suffering the consequences then go for it. One day you'll be old like your uncle Stan here and you'll understand. Enjoy your night Luke...drink one for me!

>>29609774
I think that was supposed to be King Anon, not this Anon.

We still have no art...

(small post because of character limit) After this one, I'll be back in an hour or two
>>29611272
>no art
such is heart of war
>>29610508
cheers m8
>>29600489
>…
“Call.”
>His head remains on the bar.
“Call, get up you filthy drunk.”
>You start shaking his shoulder, and he springs into sitting upright.
>”Wha- wha da ya want?”
“How drunk are you?”
>”Me?”
>He hiccups.
>”I’m not drunk. I’m perfectly coess… cohess… hesive…”
“Cohesive?”
>”Sober, I am completely sober.”
“Do you even know what day it is?”
>”The one after yesterday.”
“Come on man, get a grip.”
>The Corporal scoffs, and turns to the Saddle Arabian sitting in the stool next to him.
>A mare…

>>29611406
>“Oi luv, my friend says I should get a grip. I know somepony I’d like to get a grip on right now, if ya know what I mean.”
>The mare has a visible look of disgust on her face.
>She picks up her drink, something clear in a martini glass, and throws the contents into Call’s face.
>And then she promptly stands from the stool and takes her leave of the bar.
>Call then licks his lips.
>”Good gin.”
>Unfortunately, there is another mare in the next stool over, and Call’s attention is still in that direction.
>”You.”
>She cocks her head to look at your drunken friend.
>”Your eyes are beautiful. Big and brown, just like…”
>He pauses to think of something to say.
>”Like a little patch of mud.”
>The second mare then rolls her eyes and rises from her stool.
>As she walks away, Call continues to speak to her.
>”But not like bad mud! The good mud, like after a nice rain shower when everything smells nice!”
>He then turns his head back to you.
>”You are a terribly wingman.”
“Look, I was going to ask for your help, but you’re clearly too far gone.”
>”I… am…”
>His head sinks back onto the bar, as he goes unconscious.
>Probably for the best, at least he won’t be able to hurt himself.
>You look to the barkeep.
“Do you, you know, understand my language?”
>He gives a nod towards you.
“Can you just make sure he doesn’t get hurt, I’ll be back to get him in a bit.”
>And the barkeep nods again.
“Thanks.”

>>29611421
>>29611406
>>29611421
I pictured Call's voice as Capt. jack Sparrow in this scene. Especially with the mud.

>>29611679
Thanks for sharing :)

>>29611679
Well that image won't be leaving my mind anytime soon. I hope you're proud of yourself Anon
>>29611421
>Stepping out of the bar and into the street, you see the immense festivities.
>Saddle Arabian soldiers and civilians are out in the streets, drinking and relaxing after the battle.
>Groups of troops are singing war songs with their comrades.
>On a street corner, you can see somepony juggling knives.
>As you walk through the streets, you pass vendors selling snacks and treats.
>Even though it’s past midnight, children are out and playing.
>It’s probably the first time for a while they’ve been able to be in the streets without fear of the enemy army.
>Occasionally the night’s sky lights up, as fireworks are set off.
>You’re sure that the Mushir wouldn’t see them as a proper use of gunpowder given the situation.
>Although maybe he thinks morale needs the boost.
>On the ground, it looks like the people think they just won the war, even though they’ve still only got one city against the rest of the country.
>Men on the roofs are waving banners.
>On them, over a white field lies a dark golden round shield with a pair of bright gold crossed scimitars pointing skyward resting over the shield.
>The Mushir’s banner, one that might become the Saddle Arabian national banner.
>As you step into a small square, you find many soldiers celebrating.
>Some of them are wearing full armor, but most have shed portions of it.
>In the crowd, you bump shoulders with one.

I'll be back in the morning
>>29612265

>The Saddle Arabian turns to face you, a bottle in his hoof, and a large open grin on his face.
>He speaks, and you’re unsure if it’s something in his language, or just a noise.
>”Ehey!”
>He then places his arms around you and grips you in a hug, his bottle pressing into your side.
“Umm… thank you?”
>The soldier then retracts from the hug, and yells something to the surrounding men.
>Many faces turn to you, and begin to cheer, as they raise bottles and mugs in the air.
>The one who hugged you, and still has an arm over your shoulders, offers you his bottle.
>Well, a sip couldn’t hurt, and you do need to get past this crowd.
>Taking the bottle, you bring it up and take a quick drink.
>As the incredibly coarse liquid goes down your throat, you start to cough heavily.
>Prompting the crowd to begin laughing as you give the bottle back.
>That’s a strong moonshine.
“Strong.”
>You say to your new friend, who roughly tries to copy the word.
>”Stroung!”
“Yeah, thanks buddy.”
>You begin motioning your hoof towards one of the streets off of the square.
“Go. I need to go now.”
>The man seems to understand, as he retracts his arm from your shoulder and nods to you.
>Leaving you to get back to your previous path.
>As you continue to move through the streets, you make sure to give a wide berth to the locals.
>This is something you’d rather get done quickly, while everypony else is busy celebrating.

>>29612265
>New flags.
Raise the banners high and press on!

>>29612270
>>The man seems to understand, as he retracts his arm from your shoulder and nods to you.
>THE MAN
you had ONE JOB!

>9

>>29614671

>>29609765
That's King Anon. It was drawn years ago for Sea Urchin's story in /war/ about a Anon, king of the humans.

Bumperino

>>29615342

I'll be writing for the next couple hours, updates soon

>>29612270
>…
>There isn’t really anypony out celebrating in this section of the city.
>You’re a few blocks over from any big groups of Saddle Arabians, but the festive sound still are heard in the air.
>And the sky periodically lights up with fireworks.
>Walking through a narrow alley, you see a couple rats run alongside the buildings.
>You’ve dropped your armor and weapons back off at the ship, so you’ll make as little noise as possible.
>This is a terrible idea.
>If even one thing goes south…
>Approaching the end of the alleyway, you see a large three story building set aside from the others.
>The doors will be locked or guarded.
>But you do see an open window on the second level.
>Last chance to turn back.
>Well you’ve come this far already…
>After checking to make sure that the street was clear of any Saddle Arabians, you stretch out your wings and fly up to the window.
>Peering into the room it looks to be empty, so you make your way into it.
>As you set down, you heart skips a beat as you hear a loud snore.
>Immediately to your right, in a dimly lit corner, an armored guard is sleeping in a chair.
>He’s curled up with a mostly empty bottle in his hooves.
>A particularly loud firework goes off relatively close by, and he doesn’t even stir at the sound.
>You should be safe.
>Looking around the room, to your left you see a round table with a neat stack of cards placed atop it.
>On the far side of the room from the window are some weapon racks filled with swords, spears, and shields.
>There’s only one door, and there’s a coat hook on the wall next to it with a brown cloak resting on it.
>You go to grab the cloak, making sure not to wake the guard as you walk across the stone floor.
>After draping it around your body, and more importantly your wings, you pull the cloak’s hood over your head.
>As long as you aren’t in a very well lit area, you should be able to pass as a Saddle Arabian.
>If you knew how to speak their language that is…

>>29619002
>You should finish the ensemble.
>Approaching the weapon rack, you pick out a scimitar that’s sheathed, and start to equip it on your side.
>Then you take a shield and sling it over your shoulder so that it rests atop the sword’s sheathe.
>With your disguise as good as it’ll get, you make your way to the door.
>Thankfully, the hinges are well oiled, and it opens without making much noise.
>After closing the door gently behind you, you turn back to the hallway you’ve entered.
>No Saddle Arabians, so at least you have that.
>The hallway looks to be thirty or so feet long, the walls are all solid stone.
>Ten feet from the door you just came through, metal bars form a wall preventing you from going any further.
>And ten feet past the first one, there is a second wall.
>Both of the metal barricades have large doors to allow entry, but you doubt that they’re unlocked.
>Thankfully, on the wall to your left is a large key ring with a couple dozen iron keys.
>Hopefully one of those will unlock the gates.
>After taking it, you then begin the trial an error of checking keys.
>No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
>There it goes!
>The key fully turns, allowing you to push the door open.
>The hinges on this one are considerably louder than the wooden door you encountered earlier.
>As you walk down the hallway and get to the next gate, you find that it is slightly ajar, letting you push it open immediately.
>Now that’s just sloppy work on the guard’s part.
>As you reach the end of the hallway and pass through the wooden door, you guess that you’ve reached the corner of the building.
>You’re at a stairwell.
>You could go down, up, or stay on this level by going through the door on your left.
>Alright, it’s a big prison, you’re looking for one pony in particular, and you have no idea how many guards are on duty tonight.
>No time to waste.

>>29619004
>…
>As the men on deck begin to call out ‘all clear,’ you sheathe your sword.
>Tiara seems to object.
>”What are you doing? It could be back any second!”
“There’s two possibilities right now, either it was scouting or hunting.”
>”And why does that even matter?”
“If it was scouting, then it got caught and has to report back to the others. Clearly they’re pack animals, assuming that whatever just jumped off the ship was one of the same things that killed the whale. One on its own won’t be effective, so it needs to get the others.”
>”And if it was hunting?”
“Have you ever hunted?”
>”What? No, of course not.”
“Hunting is all about stalking your prey and finding the opportune moment to strike. When I drew my sword, its opportunity passed. If it was hunting on its own, then it needs to wait for another opening. Either way, the outcome is the same.”
>”What do you mean?”
“If it was a scout, we have time while the pack prepares. If it was hunting, then we have time while it prepares on its own.”
>”But if you know for a fact that it or they will be back, why are you standing down?”
“Because I’ve also been prey before. If you’re visibly ready to respond to an attack, it only makes the predator come at you strong after carefully planning. But if you let your guard appear to be down, they’ll come at you much less organized and with much less fervor.”
>There is a third possibility though.
“Of course, if you look too strong the predator might just choose different prey. But seeing as they took out a whale with ease and that they’ve possibly attacked other ships in these waters, I’d doubt that we could get our defenses to look strong enough to dissuade them from the hunt.”

>>29586524
Autism General

More tomorrow
>>29613929
'man' as in a soldier, or a male of a non-specific species. (I swapped it to 'saddle arabian' for the pastebin.

I could have sworn that somewhere I wrote that the words 'man' and 'men' have become common in the military because of Anon, so that for paperwork, logistical, or just plain ease, the military could refer to soldiers of any species by the same phrase.

(So that for example: A force of 100 ponies and 20 donkeys could be referred to as 120 men instead of 100 stallions+20 jacks, or that a force of 100 yaks 50 minotaurs and 100 Saddle Arabians as 250 men rather than 100 yaks+50 bulls+ 100 stallions)

>>29619004
Prison Rescue?

>>29619004
Down the stairwell.

The important ponies are always kept in the most safe place.

>9

>>29621116
bump

>>29598207
>All seem to be going well as you pass the first group of tents.
>Taking a closer look, the ponies in this section seemed to almost be enjoying themselves.
>Trinkets from home and clotheslines holding fine silk and linens are strung about in their respectable areas.
>This is probably where many of the more 'better off' ponies are staying.
>For them this is more like an extended camping trip rather than being driven from their homes.
>While a certain few ponies stayed out, many are already in their tents getting ready for sleep.
>Only one old stallion nodded your direction, he sat in a rocking chair enjoying the night air .
>The other few who were still out didn't even acknowledge your existence.
>Not that you were complaining.
>Attention is the last thing you need right now.
>The sun was completely past the horizon by now, but the faint glow from its rays still peaked over giving some visibility.
>Two soldiers slowly patrolled the perimeter.
>One of them was a unicorn.
>Using his horn as a flashlight, he makes careful attention not to shine it towards any tents for fear of getting a scolding from whomever is trying to sleep.
>The illuminated glow from him made them easy to spot and avoid.
>Boredom is plainly seen on their faces.
>Can't blame them.
>It's not like walking around for a couple of hours surrounded by pompous ponies can be any fun.
>Ducking behind a tent you wait patiently as they lazily stroll along.

>>29622444
>Making it into the next section you can immediately tell these are no upper class ponies.
>While many were respectable of their neighbors, many groups of stallions can be seen lounging around barrel fires.
>Gambling, drinking, or whatever other kind of trouble being made, the whooping and hollering from some of the groups brought attention to the guards.
>"There is a curfew in effect. For your safety, please return to your-"
>That's all you need to hear to know it's time to leave.
>As the party gets shut down, two figures wearing cloaks scamper past you.
>One thunders past you while the other is more or less tugged along.
>"Out of the way!"
>He extends his hoof to knock you aside, but you jump back just in time.
>You catch a quick glimpse of his arm.
>It's covered in tattoos.
>He turns to look back, but you can't distinguish anything due to the hood.
>Out of curiosity, you follow them.
>Something just didn't feel right.
>They make their way down aisles of tents darting back and forth between them.
>Sure are in a hurry to get somewhere.
>As they duck into a tent, the hood of the one being dragged along gets caught on the entrance flap.
>It gets yanked down revealing the figure is a mare.
>The light from the tent showered onto her face.
>Her eyes seemed glazed over and her mane limply hangs down covering some of her features.
>A shout comes from inside the tent and a hoof reaches out and forcefully pulls her inside.
>For a brief moment, you spy a familiar burn mark on her right cheek.
"Was that..."
>You thoughts are interrupted by a shout from behind.
>"Hey!"
>Two tough looking Earth stallions are standing right behind you.
>"Curiosity kills friend."

>>29622129

Lost power due to a storm. I'll be writing on my laptop for a bit, but the updates will come tomorrow morning when the power is hopefully back on

>>29624726

>>29625572

>>29625191
here's last night's updates, I'll be back later today
>>29619142
>…
>You press yourself into an alcove as you see a pair of guards cross at the end of the hallway you’re in.
>Peeking out, it looks like they’re standing in the intersection of two hallways.
>They’re facing each other, possibly talking.
>You’ve had to have at least spent an hour in this damn place.
>And you’re no closer to finding him.
>You hope he wasn’t executed already…
>Glancing back at the guards in the distance, you see them walk down the other hallway.
>But the hallway you’re looking at seems awfully familiar.
>Ideally, it just looks familiar because it’s a prison cellblock, the halls should all look similar.
>With the coast clear for now, you continue to walk through the hallway, scanning the cells on what should be the north wall if your sense of direction is still right.
>It looks like most of the prisoners are either in their own cells, or only share them with one other.
>To the untrained eye, such as your own, Saddle Arabians often look pretty similar.
>Mainly because their coats are often only a shade of brown, black, grey, white, or beige.
>Thankfully the one you’re looking for had a greying mane.
>Almost entirely grey if you recall correctly.
>The contrast with the few remaining strands of hair that are still brown should help you pick him out.
>You continue to walk down the long cell block, looking through each set of metal bars you pass.
>Each of the cells has three walls made from stone, with a small barred window to the outside.
>The window looks to be just too high for most ponies to look out of from the cell.
>And the walls make it so the prisoners can’t see one another.
>Against one wall there is a small wooden bench, and across from the bench you can see a hole in the ground.
>That’s probably for sewage purposes.
>You hope.

>>29626888
nice trips
>>29626900
>As you reach the final cell in this hallway, you find a Saddle Arabian asleep, curled up on the hard floor.
>He has a lot of grey in his mane.
>But you’re right next to the intersection you saw the guards walk through.
>Sticking your head out into the crossroads, on your right you see a closed door.
>That should be one of the corner stairwells.
>To the right, the guards are gone from the hall.
>If they’re circling the floor, that would mean they’ll be back.
“Psst.”
>You try to get the prisoner’s attention.
>But he’s still asleep.
“Psst!”
>You say at the loudest volume you’re comfortable with.
>”Hmm?”
>He says in a groggy tone as he puts his head up.
>That’s him!
>You reach a hoof up, and throw back your robe’s hood.
>He seems to remember you, and he speaks as he begins to stand.
>”What are yo-“
“Shh.”
>He immediately nods, picking up that there needs to be silence.
>As you put the hood back up, you glance back down the hallways to make sure they’re still clear.
>You hope the key ring has this cell’s key.
>This time, luck is on your side as the third key you try unlocks the cell.
>As you reach to pull open the cell’s door, the hinges creak a bit more than you’d like.
>When it’s open wide enough for a pony to fit through, you beckon your hoof to instruct the prisoner to leave.
>As he passes through the door, you then push it shut.
>And the sound of the lock catching is much louder than you’d like.
“Shh.”
>You tell the Saddle Arabian, as you listen to your surroundings.
>You can hear a pair of voices speaking from the hallway the guards went down.
>The prisoner can hear them too, as he nods his head towards a wooden door opposite from his cell.
>He leads you into the room, which you find to be a dimly lit broom closet.
>After you enter, you take care to close the door as gently as you can.

>>29626909
>Listening to the door, you hear the voices outside accompanied by two sets of hoofsteps.
>The steps stop as they pause in the intersection to continue speaking.
>You wait for at least five minutes before the hoofsteps start again.
>This time they pass right outside the door you’re listening to.
>After giving them a minute to pass, you let out a large exhale.
>And then turn to the prisoner, speaking in a hushed tone:
“You, you’re the first mate of the ship.”
>He responds in an equally as hushed tone:
>”Yes.”
“Your name was… kamid?”
>”Qadim.”
“Qadim, right.”
>”What are your doing here?”
>Your.
>At least he has some grasp of your language.
“Look, I gave you my word that your people wouldn’t be harmed if they surrender. It wasn’t my decision to transfer you. You do know that the Mushir is going to have you all hanged, right?”
>”Yes, word has spread.”
“I made a promise, but I can’t just break everypony out. What I can do is make sure that you and your grandsons get out.”
>The older pony places a hoof on your shoulder.
>”Thank you.”
“The name’s Thunder. Now look, I’m going to be honest with you. If we get caught, then I’m going to make up a story about how I was looking for higher ranked prisoners, because they might have valuable intelligence for the Mushir.”
>”Then we must not be seen, Thunder.”
“Right. Now, do you know where your grandsons were taken?”
>”They were with my group when we were given to Mushir. The guards split us, I hear them speak of taking the others to the.”
>He pauses to think of the right word.
>”This is first floor, next is second, then is threed?”
“Third.”
>”Third. They were taken to the third floor.”

>>29626912
I can only imagine the flames of hate the Mushir will have if he finds out about this.

>9

>>29628526

>>29627175
Then he mustn't find out then.

>>29629383
>Inb4 the Mushir becomes a tyrant and Equestria has to go in and overthrow him and set up a puppet.
Again.

>>29629943
>Inb4 a radical group calling themselves the United Desert Arabian State UDAS grows to power conquering enough land to rival the puppet state.

>>29630155
>and then anon finally removes kebab with his scorched equestria strategy

>>29630975
And so the desert takes back what was put upon it.
Leaving nothing where great structures once stood.

>>29631713

>>29632917

Been a long time since I've been able to access the internet. Two things. First, I'm impressed thingfag is still at it and second, has Flurry been properly rutted yet?

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>>29634358
WHAT THE FUUUUUUCK!!!!!?????

Is....is it really you?

>>29634358
Could it be? Has our hero returned?

>>29634516
>>29634754
Yes. I had some...legal issues that kept me away for awhile. No internet and all. Now I have to catch up. Many months of pone porn! Oh, and to encourage an amazing story.

>>29635269
Do those legal issues involve sexual activity with animals of any kind?

>>29635480
No comment....

Nah, sold some all natural substance to someone I shouldn't have.

Bumperino

>>29634358
Rutposter... Damn I've missed you.

To answer the question:
Not yet

I've promised to do a rut epilogue that could be taken as canon if the reader wants, but as you can see the story got extended. When/if it finishes, I promise that it'll be worth the wait. It's something I've had in mind for a long time, and I've put a lot of thought into how it would serve as a potential ending to the journey we're on.

The story's at over 270,000 words, and I think that it's roughly 50-60% done at this point. I've got everything planned out, but there's a (shit)ton of stuff to get through.

I know I've said that we're X% done before. It's went from single post, to prologue+2 acts+ epilogue, to 3 acts, to 5 acts, and now we're almost done with 11 acts. But, I've got something really big in mind to act as a proper climax to this huge world that's been built.

I'm glad you're back. I hope you've enjoyed (or are enjoying) getting caught up Anon is still on the damn boat (he left in act 4, now it's almost act 12)

(to the above spoiler, Jesus fuck this story is huge. I think I'll set aside tomorrow to read through it all)

>>29626912
>…
>As you blink, you view shifts from the ship’s deck on a dark and cloudy night, to a springtime meadow full of blooming flowers and frolicking bunnies.
“Damnit Harv, tell me before you do that.”
>”Oh I’m SO sorry.”
>Discord says as he appears before you.
“Don’t lie to me.”
>”I never lie to you, I just withhold certain truths.”
“You once told me you could get me back to Earth.”
>”No, I said I could get you back to your dimension – I never specified where or when you’d arrive though.”
>This doesn’t matter right now.
“Alright Harvey, what do you want?”
>”I’ve got good news and bad news.”
“Good first.”
>”Well, upon further inspection, it looks like your brain isn’t as underdeveloped as I first though. If I’m very careful with how much I interact with you, I think our time together can be doubled.”
“Great, I’ve got two years with you instead of one.”
>You say in an incredibly sarcastic tone.
>”Well, twenty to twenty-two months. My, isn’t that a tongue twister?”
“And the bad news?”
>”Well it looks like these little talks we’re having inside of your mind might be slightly damaging your nervous system. Before you start yelling, it’s nothing serious, and nothing that doesn’t heal itself quickly. If we limit out time in here to roughly an hour per day, you’ll be fine.”
“How much damage are we talking about here?”
>”Virtually none. If you spend more than an hour in here at a time, you might get a headache for a while. Permanent damage wouldn’t occur unless you decided to spend days in here. In here, as you look around and smell the flowers, your mind goes through minutes worth of sensory input in a fraction of a second in the real world.”

More tomorrow
>>29636106
“And my mind isn’t meant to get that much information so quickly.”
>”You’re not entirely hopeless after all.”
“Alright, less than an hour a day. Doesn’t seem like that big of an issue.”
>”Good. An while I have you…”
>There’s always something else, isn’t there?
>You fold your arms.
“Go on.”
>”Now, this could take time, but I think that I can help.”
“What do you mean?”
>”I mean that I’m riding shotgun as you like to call it, but I can press a few nerves and send signals in your noggin.”
“Don’t you ever utter the word noggin again.”
>”Listen to me you Neanderthal!”
“What?”
>”It took weeks, but I was able to figure out how to bring you conscious into your subconscious. Imagine what else I could do by triggering chemical signals in your brain.”
“I’d rather you not poke around my brain. Hate to have you stop my heart… again.”
>”If you insist…”
>As he pauses, you look around the sunny meadow.
“Harv, what’s with the flowers?”
>”I thought you could use a change of scenery. That pile of wood you call a ship is awfully dreary.”
>He picks up a dandelion and blows the puffy seeds at you.
>”Oh, and one more thing.”
“What.”
>You say as you wipe the seeds off of your shirt.
>”I’ve been very active these past couple of days. Your brain needs a bit of rest, so I’ll be laying low for a day or two. But don’t worry, if you need me I’m always with you… watching.”
“Don’t remind me.”
>”I’m serious. If you need me, just click your heels three times and I’ll whisk you off to Neverland.”

>9

>>29634358
The Prophet returns!
>>29636100
>not yet
Is our little soldier getting a suitor?
ROYAL WEDDING!

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>>29637568
>ROYAL WEDDING
Get /HYPE/ boyz!

mfw flurryfags experience the same cuckdom us candyfags have been dealing with for years

>>29636869

>>29638761

>>29637568
>>29638197
>Royal Wedding
Honeymoon story with cuddles and belly rubs is needed badly. Pleeeeaaase?

>>29639354

Bumperino

>>29639388
And rutting. Lots of rutting.

>>29641446
You're never gonna get it.

Eastern Invasion guy here, I am almost sated.

Bumperino

>>29643829

>>29644519

>>29636109
I'm sure this is a ways off but even if they're dead I hope we find out what happened to twilight and shining.

5am just getting home. Got drunk with friends, had to sober up to drive. Writing tomorrow
>>29637568
>>29638197
>>29639388
reread the post. if/when rutting comes, it will be as an epilogue that you can decide is canon or not in relation to the rest of the story.
>>29642130
it might be in 200,000+ words, but it will come

EAST will come, and you will be sated

>>29647584
a long ways off, but that hasn't been forgotten

>>29642130
>>29648149
clarification
>it might be in 200,000+words
was meant for the
>You're never gonna get it.

and
>EAST will come
was meant for
>I am almost sated

sorry, tired and still heavily buzzed

>9

>>29649307

Bumperino

>>29652666
SATANIC BUMP

>>29650142

>>29652666
hail satan
>>29636109
>…
>On the third floor of the prison, you turn round the next corner to check the cells.
>And there are two guards on patrol.
>Walking right towards you.
>This is very…
>You’re a fool.
>Qadim whispers to you:
>”Keep walking, after I next speak, punch me and drag me further. Send me to first open cell.”
>As he continues to walk to your left, he begins to stumble on his legs slightly.
>Bumping into you a fair deal.
>This better work.
>The guards quickened their pace, and look confused.
>As then get into earshot, Qadim starts speaking in Arabian.
>You don’t know what he’s saying, but his speech is pretty slurred.
>He’s feigning being drunk.
>As he speaks rather loudly, he eventually starts speaking much slower, and he rests a hoof on the shield slung over the left side of your torso.
“Ugh.”
>You raise your right hoof and give him a swift hook to the jaw.
>As he falls to the ground, you hear one of the guards start laughing hysterically.
>You nod your head at Qadim, indicating that he should get up.
>He doesn’t, so you let out a heavy sigh as you reach your left hoof down to his shoulder and pick him up.
>You then shove him further down the hallway.
>As the laughing guard passes, he pats you on the shoulder.
>And the other guard, who has a visible look of disgust on his face, spits in Qadim’s face as he passes.
>The guards continue on their patrol, and you continue ‘escorting’ your prisoner.
>Thankfully all of the cells in this hall are taken, so you don’t have to shove Qadim into one.
>He continues mumbling incoherently as he stumbles down the hallway.
>And as you stop hearing the guard’s hoofsteps, you glance over your shoulder.
>They’ve gone down another hall.

>>29653599
“What did you say?”
>You whisper.
>”The prisoners here are not all soldiers. So I said that it is a celebration, and there is nothing wrong with being intimate with a dog.”
“So that’s why he spat on you.”
>”Did you have to hit me so hard?”
“I wanted it to look convincing.”
>Woken by the noise, a Saddle Arabian looks through his cell.
>”Jidd Qadim.”
>”Hafid.”
>Qadim rushes to the Saddle Arabian.
>“This is my grandson, Siad.”
“Then who’s Hafid?”
>”That is the word for grandson. Jidd is grandfather.”
“Ah.”
>Siad then speaks to his grandfather:
>”Why are you speaking Equestrian?”
>He can’t be more than fifteen.
>You pull back your hood slightly.
“Shh. We’re getting you out of here kid.”
>Qadim then speaks again as you start trying keys.
>”Where is Muheem? Was he taken?”
>”No, I do not think. I believe he was taken that way.”
>He points towards the way you just came from.
>The way the guards went.
>Siad has a better grip of your language than his grandfather, but the accent is still pretty heavy.
“Qadim, go check the hallway. I don’t want to run into those guards again.”
>He nods before going to scout.
>As you continue to try the keys, Siad speaks to you:
>”You were the commander that attacked our ship.”
“Yes I was.”
>”Why are you breaking us out.”
“Because I promised that the prisoners wouldn’t be harmed. I didn’t make the decision to give you to the Mushir, but I’m not breaking my word… at least with your family.”

More tomorrow
>>29653606
>”Hmmph.”
>He grunts.
“Something wrong?”
>”I will believe it when I can see it.”
“Well aren’t you just a shining beacon of positivity.”
>The key clinks as the lock is opened.
>Opening the cell door, which is much smoother than Qadim’s door was, you let Siad out.
>After shutting it behind him, you look down the hallway, where you can see Qadim becoming you over.
>Must be clear.
>Moving past the cells containing sleeping prisoners, you reach Qadim.
>”They are gone, but I do not know for how long.”
“Let’s work quickly.”
>You let Qadim lead as he looks into the occupied cells.
>It’s probably around two or three in the morning, so the prisoners are all fast asleep.
>After you pass three or four cells, Qadim stops to inspect a sleeping Saddle Arabian.
>”Muheem.”
>He whispers.
>As the prisoner raises his head, he speaks quietly in Arabian.
>Siad then leans in to tell you:
>”He does not know your language.”
>Great.
>After speaking in Arabian to the prisoner, Qadim glances back at you.
>”Unlock the door, I will go keep watch.”
>As you move forward to start trying keys, Muheem approaches the door.
>You’d guess that he’s a few years older than his brother.
>He speaks, and Siad translates.
>”He wants to know if you really are Equestrian.”
>You pull the hood back slightly to show you face.
>He does not speak after that.
>After a few keys, the door is unlocked.
>Opening it, as Muheem exits the cell, he stands tall in front of you.
>He better not hit you.
>Because that’s what it looks like he’ll do.
>He reaches forwards an grabs you in a tight hug.
>Okay, reasonable.
>He did expect to be hanged at some point.
>But he’s not letting go.
“Okay, you can stop now.”
>No change.
“Really, that’s enough hugging.”
>You pry his limbs off of you.
“We still have to get out of here buddy.”
>He just nods his head, not understanding what you just said.

>>29653609
And here I am waiting for the shit to hit the fan.

>>29654217
You and me both, shit's going down, I know it.

>10

>>29655148

>>29655823

>>29656531

>>29657126

Food poisoning is a bitch bump.

>>29658318
What did you eat? I once ate undercooked, pretty much raw chicken and was perfectly fine. Friends weren't though, and this was at a spanish place we were eating.

>>29658368
I've been eating nothing but chicken and various vegetables for the past week.

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>>29658400
Ah right. Do you cook it or does someone else? If you cook it always check it's white all the way through, bad chicken can really fuck you up. I know some people have died from it.
Hope you feel better though, looking forward to more stuff to read.

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>>29658511
I cooked my own chicken and also eat chicken at work.
>Hope you feel better.
Thanks Anon. Your dubs are a welcomed portent of good health.

>>29658605
Get well soon Luke! Please don't die


I'm reading the horror thread to fuel my nightmares tonight

only got 4 hours of sleep last night, I'll be back with updates tomorrow

>>29659441
>4 hours
By Celestia that sounds horrible. Get some sleep man!

>>29658605
What the fuck is your obsession with chicken?
>>29659441
Sleep tight Thing.

>>29660269
I run on 3 hours a day m8, its grim

>>29653244

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>>29658605
>I've been eating nothing but chicken and various vegetables for the past week.
you trying to hop on the /fit/ train bro?

>>29661720
I just like the taste of chicken.
>>29622449
>As one tries to take a swing, you quickly jab a hoof into his chest.
>It makes him grunt, but he still delivers knocking you back.
>The other dives forward trying to tackle you.
>Easily you sidestep him and give a hard hoof to his friends face.
"Gaaahhh! What is your head made out of? Stone or bone?!"
>You can feel your hoof begin to bruise up.
>The stallion's only response is a low groaning from the ground.
>You might have broke his snout.
>While you look over the downed pony, something hard slams into your side knocking the wind out of you.
>"Filthy little snoop!"
>Right.
>The other stallion.
>Broken wood and random clothes are scattered all around you.
>It must've been someponies luggage.
>"Come here you rat."
>He reaches down and pins you to the ground.
>His heavy weight crushing your ribs as he digs his hooves into your skin.
>You reach for a somewhat large piece of wood, but it's just out of reach.
>As he puts more of his weight atop of you, suddenly he frees you.
>Opening your eyes, you can see them both running away in different directions.
"Yeah, you better run."
>The words wheezily come out so only you can hear them.
>Your lungs still burned from the lack of oxygen.
>What scared them away?
>As you get up from the pile of splinters and cloth, the lantern of a soldier shines bright atop the tents.
>If he sees you like this, he would most likely think you were robbing somepony of their undergarments.
>Before the guard turns the corner, you dash towards the tent the mare was dragged into.

>>29662756
>Before barging your way into somepony's tent you stop to contemplate.
>You only got a glimpse for a mere second.
>The lighting wasn't too bright.
>Could be a trick of the mind.
>But the scar across that cheek...
>It couldn't be her.
>It's a one in a million chance.
>One in a billion!
>Curiosity boiled itself into your brain.
>Might as well just go for it.
>Before you can enter though, one of the previous stallions from before tackles you through the flap.
>He pins you on the ground while the other makes his way inside.
>Looking around, you're shocked to see your suspicions were correct.
>On the bed lay the Madam herself.
"ROXELANA!"
>Beside her stood the stallion that tried to knock you away.
>His muscles stretches out the ink so you can see they form sentences.
>Foreign, but you've recognized the structure.
>Gypsies.
>Creatures of no nation who live off the scraps of society.
>This war and the many before it just makes the land a feast for their kind.
>Taking advantage of the lost and confused.
>The burly stallion with the tattoos turns around to face you.
>The light from his lamp shown he's Saddle Arabian!
>"Who are you orange one?"
>His voice is clear and fluent.
>There's not even a hint of an accent.
"What are you doing with Madam Roxelana!?"
>"Roxelana? You are mistaken, her name is Quadhith."
"What are you doing with her?"
>"Is a stallion not allowed to be in the company of his wife?"
>Wife?
"What do you mean wife?"
>"Yes wife. Me and my brothers found her bloody and abandoned. I nursed her back to health. As payment for my actions I made her my wife."
"I bet she was just thrilled."
>"A little persuasion was in order,"
>He motions a hoof to a little sparkly bottle.
>"-but in the end they always say yes."
"You hypnotized her!"
>"Aren't wives supposed to be submissive to their husbands? She had her qualms, but now look at her. A perfect mare."
>She just lays their with glossy dead eyes.
>Strands of hair fall across her face which he wipes away.

File: 1421859686692.jpg (36KB, 604x397px) Image search: [Google]

36KB, 604x397px

>>29661720
>tfw /fit/ and ripped
>tfw have an 8/10 gf
>tfw still unfulfilled and no idea why

>>29663043
>"Perfect. No talking back, no more running away. She just needs to sit their, and look pretty for me."
>A wicked grin goes across his face.
>He walks towards a small chest and pulls out a crooked dagger.
>"So tell me friend."
>The pony who tackled you lifts you up so your chest is exposed.
>"Who are you?"
>He puts the dagger to your chest and moves it up and down.
>"I make it a pattern to get to know those I meet, no matter how short the meeting is."
>You say nothing.
>Your blood is boiling with anger.
>Gypsies.
>Your mind burns at the thought of somepony like her being forced to sleep with a plump 'hoof merchant' like him.
>Filthy.
>Disgusting.
>Toss-Pot using
>Goat-Fondling Wanderers
"I..."
>"What was that?"
>He uses the dagger to lift your head.
"I am..."
>"Speak up some."
>A wave of red rushes over your eyes.
>In a gravely voice you hear yourself respond.
>"Maverick."
>You feel yourself morph into your changling form.
>The sudden change shocks the pony into dropping his grip on you.
>Foolish.
>You buck him off your back and charge at the stallion in front of you.
>A look of horror is on his face as he raises the dagger in an attempt to keep you at bay.
>You easily knock it out of his shaking hoof and dig it deep into his gut.
>As it lodges itself, you drag him by it using your wings as extra propulsion.
>On the floor he screams out in pain as the dagger tears upward through his intestines.
>Pulling harder the dagger tears its way from his gut to his chest leaving a bloody opening.
>Ripping it from him, the blade is covered in a crimson shield.
>He flails his hooves and gags on the floor, each one more frantic than his last.
>The other two stare frozen in fear by the flap of the tent seeing their older brother slain.
>The one who had you pinned charges forward trying to avenge the eldest.
"This is where the fun begins."
>You throw the dagger down and let your wings rest you on the ground.
>As he closes in, you duck down give a hoof to his underjaw.

>>29663325
>He reels backwards and land on his back.
>You hop atop him and put a hoof to his throat.
>The other you use to smack his face.
>Again and again.
>Over and over.
>With each hit, his face becomes less and less recognizable.
>All the while you feel your face is plastered with a half crazed smile.
>You feel your arm is getting tired, but you don't let up.
>The only thing that stops you from continuing your barrage is a high pitched wail coming from the tent flap.
>It's the last brother.
>Frozen in fear with tears streaming down his cheeks.
>There's a small puddle underneath him.
>You stare into his eyes.
>His fear makes you feel good inside.
>But his sight isn't on you, it's to the disfigured pony below you.
>Looking back down you gaze upon your handiwork.
>And then you immediately vomit from revulsion.
>You hop off of him landing on your flank and vomit again.
>The wave of red is gone.
>All that's left is you to see what you have done.
>The muzzle looked to be completely pushed in along with the rest of his facial features.
>What was once a pony's head is now a bowl of blood and bone.
"I-I didn't mean to..."
>I couldn't have done this!
>I was just...
>A wave of pain strikes your head.
>It's unbearable and you cry out in pain.
>You try to raise your hooves to your temples until a glimmer makes you stop.
>You look at your hoof in shock.
>Bits of bone are stuck in the front and a good portion of it is pure red.
>"Monster! Evil monster!"
>The stallion in the hallway darts out the tent.
>"HELP! SOMEPONY HELP MY BROTHERS HAVE BEEN SLAIN! HELP!!!"
>The sounds of waking ponies stirs outside.
>Then you hear the ever too familiar sound of stomping hooves and the clang of armor.

>9

>>29659441
>>29660454
I'm back (and managed to get 5 hours of sleep last night instead of 4). Updates coming soon.
>>29660269
>>29660628
I usually average 5-6 hours during the week due to packed schedules.
>>29661720
>>29663248
I'm actually trying to get /fit/

Lost 8 pounds in two weeks
Feels good man

>>29663248
>normies
>>>/out/

>>29664098

Hit hard by writers bloc tonight (unsure exactly how to end the act), I'll be back tomorrow.
>>29653609
>…
>Come on, come on.
>You’re back on the second floor.
>No way you’re getting out of the front door.
>So you’re back at the stairwell you first encountered.
>The room you entered from is only one hallway away.
>There are two doors.
>One, directly ahead of you, is the one you came from, leading to the hallway to the armory.
>But the other leads to another hall filled with cells.
>And that door is open.
>And a pair of guards are standing just outside it.
>It’s a miracle they didn’t hear your hoofsteps as you came down the stairs.
>Now you’re here.
>Pressed against a wall next to three escaped prisoners, while two guards are just around the corner.
>They’re not looking your way, but they’re just standing there in silence.
>And if anypony decides to use this stairwell…
>How’d you even get into this situation?
>What are you doing Thunder?
>You’re a soldier, or at least you’re supposed to be one.
>You take orders, and carry them out.
>The reason you’re even in this country, is to play nice so that there can finally be peace between Saddle Arabia and Equestria.
>If you get caught that all goes south.
>Not only will relations boil down, but it will be a complete disservice to every single Equestrian that fought or died in the battle.
>No, you’re her and you’ll have to deal with it.
>It’s too far along to turn back.
>You’re here and… waiting.
>Completely silent, and focusing intently on controlling your breath, not wanting anything to give away your position.
>You just have to stand here but…
>Your nose really itches right now.
>Come on guards, go patrol.
>Do your job.

Bumperino

Is thunder really doing all of this just for his own personal pride? Really? It seems really extreme

>>29666071
>What is compassion?

>>29666071
He's doing it because he doesn't have a heart of stone.

>>29663248
This pic reminds me of the old /r9k/ Frog and Feels Tavern threads. Ah, good times

>10

Back and writing, I think the act will be finished tonight. (1-2k more words left)
>>29666071
That particular post was supposed to come across more as him running through the worst case scenario in case SHTF and somewhat panicking, as he's a mere hallway away from getting out. I'm making sure to somewhat clarify that in the next post. Thanks for bringing it up.

>>29665703
>Really though, if they turn around…
>Calm down Thunder, this is just nerves.
>You’re blowing things way out of proportion.
>Qadim and his family were just soldiers doing their jobs.
>They could have chosen to go down swinging, taking with them as many of your men as they could.
>But they didn’t.
>When given the choice, they chose to stop fighting.
>They made the conscious decision to respect life, and you owe them the same respect.
>If you get caught, and if Brairheart or the Mushir have anything to say about it, then you’ll take whatever punishment they deem fit.
>It was orders that put the prisoners in this position.
>But just because it’s an order, doesn’t make it right.
>’Just following orders’ is no excuse.
>There are bad orders, and there are wrong orders.
>Bad orders are stupid decisions that get soldiers killed needlessly, but that wasn’t the original motive.
>Wrong orders are the decisions that kill, possibly indiscriminately, and were given solely for that purpose.
>Every military, even Equestria’s, has its bad apples.
>Those few who join because they revel in the conflict; those who enjoy giving or carrying out wrong orders.
>You know that Brairheart isn’t one of those soldiers, and you’d like to hope that the Mushir isn’t either.
>But these were wrong orders.
>The Mushir decided that because the soldiers just happened to find themselves on the wrong side of the civil war, they should be killed in a protracted and cruel manner, and to put them through the mental torture of how they will all eventually go to die in that way.
>And Brairheart allowed prisoners of war to be sent to their inevitable deaths.
>The brutality of an enemy doesn’t justify your own brutality.
>That might seem naïvely idealistic, but without ideals what separates you from the enemy?

>>29671272
>”Thunder.”
>Qadim whispers as he taps your shoulder.
>What is he doing!
>As you glance through the doorway, you see that the guards have left.
>You didn’t even notice.
“Just… making sure to give it some time.”
>You take the final steps down, and peek around the doorframe.
>Hallway’s clear.
>Staying silent, you nod to your group.
>You lead them through the closed door, after checking to make sure that hallway was clear
>As they filter into the hall, you close the door behind you before looking to the pair of iron gates in this room.
>Both of them are open, just as you left them.
>Before continuing, you speak to the prisoners.
“Now stay quiet, in the room ahead, there was a sleeping guard. I’ll enter first to make sure he’s still out, then I’ll help you to the ground from an open window.”
>Siad speaks in Arabian to Muheem, presumably translating what you just said.
>You need to leave everything as you found it, so after you all pass through the first set of iron bars, you leave the door slightly ajar.
>The other one you close behind you.
>And then you place the key ring back onto the empty hook on the wall.
>This is it.
>You reach to the door’s handle, remembering that the hinges were well oiled.
>If the guard’s still asleep, then it shouldn’t wake him.
>You’re met with a slight gust of wind as you open the door.
>That means the window is still open.
>As you enter the room, you walk casually but quietly.
>So that if the guard is awake, you might pass as another guard for a few moments.
>But if he isn’t, you won’t wake him.
>Thankfully, he’s still curled up with his near empty bottle of alcohol.
>Somepony’s going to have a hangover tomorrow morning.
>You wave for the others to enter.
>As Qadim comes through the doorway, you put your mouth close to his ear to whisper:
“Check the street below, make sure it’s still empty.”

>>29671278
>He nods before going to inspect the area.
>And you begin to remove the gear you took.
>As you do that, the brothers move close to the guard, presumably ready to react if he wakes up.
>When the shield, sword, and cloak are all back where they belong, you head over to Qadim.
>He brings his head close to your ear to whisper back.
>”The street is empty, as are other windows that I can see across it.”
>You nod before putting a hoof on his shoulder and lightly pushing it, indicating that you need out it first.
>It feels good to stretch out your wings after having them under the cloak for so long.
>As you climb through the window, and then start flapping to hover outside it, you notice something.
>There are almost no fireworks anymore.
>The celebrations are dying down.
>As you turn to face the window, you offer your front hooves out.
>Qadim nods for one of the others to come first, and Siad approaches the window.
>As you grab onto his front hooves, you ease him out, and when he gets his back legs onto the windowsill, you pull and use your wings to ease him down to the ground.
>You then repeat the process with Muheem, who was considerably heavier than his brother.
>And then you do the same for Qadim.
>When he touches down onto the ground, you land as well, leading them quickly into the nearest alley.
>As you lead them through the narrow paths sprinkled with trash and the occasional rat, you go for at least a dozen blocks before anypony said even a single word.

>>29671286
>Siad breaks the silence.
>”No alarms are sounding, and we are not being followed.”
“I don’t want to jinx anything, but I think we made it.”
>”Indeed.”
>Qadim says solemnly.
>The four of you stop, and turn to face one another.
>After exchanging a few glares, you all begin to laugh simultaneously.
>You actually did it.
“You know, I never expected anything like that when I signed up.”
>The others then share a brief back and forth in Arabian.
>You step to the side slightly as the family embraces each other.
>The generation between Qadim and his grandsons was entirely lost due to the wars.
>These three are all that’s left of the family.
>And now they have a second chance.
>When there’s a lull in the conversation, you speak:
“I think now is when I have to go my own way.”
>Qadim nods, understanding that you can’t be seen together.
>Especially while still this close to the prison.
>Siad then walks over towards you.
>He offers his hoof, which you take.
>As you shake hooves, he speaks:
>”It seems I was wrong. Maybe there is at least one decent Equestrian.”
“Likewise, kid.”
>After retracting his hoof, he then nods before turning back and going back to the others.
>In his place, Muheem approaches and-
“You don’t have to-“
>He’s hugging you again.
>Alright then…
>You reach up a hoof and pat his back as he begins speaking in Arabian.
>Qadim approaches and translates:
>”He is thanking you for protecting his little brother when he was unable to. And that he is fully in debt to you.”
“Tell him it wasn’t a problem, he doesn’t owe me anything.”
>After Qadim speaks, Muheem soon breaks the hug and nods deeply to you.
>”Thank… you.”
>He says in an incredibly accented tone.
>You nod back to him.
“You’re welcome.”
>As Muheem goes over to his brother, Qadim speaks:
>”Walk with me.”
>You begin to follow him.

>>29671292
>“Muheem was always very protective of his brother. Even in my language I could not describe how he thinks of you for saving Siad.”
“That explains a lot. I hope he manages to keep him out of trouble.”
>Qadim laughs a bit.
>As you walk a bit further down the alley, he speaks again.
>”Thunder, my family owes you everything. I owe you everything.”
“You don’t owe me anything. I just kept my end of the deal.”
>”No, I cannot speak for any other, but when we were given to the Mushir, I held nothing against you. I knew that the decision was not yours, you are a good man- a man of your word.”
“Well what are we if our word means nothing?”
>”When the battle was to be over- before your people arrived- when my ship landed, I had planned to take my family and…”
>He pauses to think of the word.
>”How you say, to leave the military without permission?”
“Desert.”
>”Yes. Desert. I wanted to get my family far away from the fighting. And I no longer cared if they would let us leave.”
“They would have followed you.”
>”Yes, they would take all of us to fight in the next war, and the next, and the next, until we had all died. They did not care that I am old and my grandsons are barely more than children.”
“I don’t blame you for that sentiment.”
>”Thunder.”
>Qadim stops, and you turn to face him.
>”Now my family, my grandchildren, have a chance to know something other than war. That is something I would have gladly given my life a hundred times for.”
“You’re good people, you didn’t deserve what was planned for you.”

>>29671302
>Qadim places a hoof on your shoulder.
>”You have gone much farther than was necessary. You could have just let us alone, but you didn’t. You risked everything to save my family. And you are a complete stranger, an enemy we fought only days ago.”
“I-“
>”Do you have family waiting for you?”
>He cuts you off.
“A wife. She’s pregnant with our first.”
>”I wish for you to return safely to them as soon as you can. You will be a good father. It is hard, but the greatest thing a man may aspire to be.”
“Thank you.”
>”I have lost all of my children, and would not wish that upon my greatest enemy. All I have are those two boys.”
>You look over to his grandsons.
“I know what it’s like to lose a father from war. They need you as much as you need them.”
>”Yes, they do. But while I have lost my sons from war, today I have gained a new one. I do not know when we will ever meet again, or if we ever will. But everything and anything I have to offer is yours. Whatever you might request of me, I will give without question.”
>With a tear in his eye, Qadim pulls you into a hug.
>As you return the hug, you speak:
“Stay together and keep safe. I’m sorry I don’t have anything to help you on your way.”
>He pulls back and looks into your eyes.
>”You have already given more than could ever be asked.”
>As he pats your shoulder, he speaks again:
>”But now we must go our different ways. Thank you.”
>You just give a nod, Qadim understanding that words aren’t needed.
>He then turns back to his family and begins walking to them.
“And Qadim.”
>He glances his head back to you.
“Good luck.”
>”And to you.”

>>29671308
End Act XI

>>29671317
Good shit.
Real good shit.

>>29671308
>>”Do you have family waiting for you?”
>>He cuts you off.
>“A wife. She’s pregnant with our first.”
Right in the feels, I hope he manages to make it back to them someday. God damn, I think I'm more attached to Thunder now than the canon characters.

As always, gr8 ending to the act TF; nicely done m8!

>>29671308
Are we following the Mushirs progression now or are they leaving to find the hidden Spook?

>9

>>29672447

>>29671308
Wait...where exactly are they going to go?
Alarms didn't go off, but come morning they'll realize the three are gone.
The kids might be able to blend into the crowd, but Qadim was placed in the bottom, so he's been noted.

Bumperino

>>29674776

>>29675649

Had a really long day, nothing tonight.
>>29673780
Those are questions Thunder hasn't thought of yet, and doesn't have an answer to. (spoiler is implicit information the reader may have gathered, and will be explicitly stated relatively soon) The Mushir is busy fighting a war against a country when he only has a single city. He doesn't have the manpower to properly staff the prison, three prisoners gone out of a prison that holds hundreds won't quickly be noticed. It's a civil war, and the bureaucracy is suffering. The family's only hope is that their records got lost in the paperwork (if they even bothered to file the paperwork for the PoWs)

Bump'd

>>29677817
>paperwork
How horrifying

>>29677817
I know for a fact I wound not do the paperwork.

>>29678616

>>29680531

Bumperino

>>29683691

>>29684444
Nice digits

Bumperino

>>29686547

bump10

>>29688411
bump7

File: winged_hussar_pony_by_zryu-d5vjk74.jpg (226KB, 900x642px) Image search: [Google]

226KB, 900x642px

I hope everyone is staying safe tonight.

>>29690945
Why would they need wings if ponies already have wings?

Really makes you think.

>>29691399
Winged Hussars wore wings because they would whistle in the wind to intimidate the enemy. Metal wings would clang together to simulate hoof beats, making the cavalry charge seem larger than it was.

>>29691633
Thats actually pretty badass.

Checked.

>>29691399
But Anon, that pony doesn't have wings.

File: Screen Shot 2017-03-19 at 12.54.40 AM.png (152KB, 948x694px) Image search: [Google]

152KB, 948x694px

>>29693132
What if you just cant see them?

>>29693132
>>29693298
What are you? Blind?
The wings are right there. How can you not see those giant metal things?

Gotta head out for a few hours, I'll be writing when I'm back
>>29693609
I think he meant pegasus wings, I think that's an earth pony in the picture

File: sleepin.png (250KB, 995x994px) Image search: [Google]

250KB, 995x994px

fapperday bump

>10

>>29695807

>>29696547

>>29697147
bumpagan

bump'd

>>29693298
That would look like something an MID agent would wear as an armband or badge or something.

>>29698909
I always envisioned the MID as more NKVD than Gestapo, but I agree
>>29671308
>…
>You shoot up from the firm bed as you gasp for breath.
>You can feel your heart pounding and you’re sweating a good deal.
>As you raise your hooves to rub your eyes, you see how much they’re shaking.
>Bad dream.
>Bad, bad dream.
>It’s already getting hazy, but you can still remember a bit of it.
>You were in Canterlot.
>The sky was orange from sunset.
>You were sitting in the throne, listening to day to day admin issues.
>Then there were screams.
>Really far off in the distance, in the city.
>But everypony in the throne room just kept acting normally.
>You included.
>As you kept on talking about the budget, or something, the screams got closer and louder.
>They were screams of terror, not anger.
>Through the windows you could see storm clouds forming, as the roar of thunder became constant and lighting strikes started to constantly hit.
>But it was business as usual in the throne room.
>You couldn’t make out if people didn’t realize what was happening, or they just didn’t care.
>Dreams can be funny that way.
>One time when you were young, you dreamt that Anon was telling you about the French Revolution.
>But he was juggling the entire time, with no explanation given, and you didn’t think twice about it.
>In this dream, the screams, thunder, and lighting just kept getting louder.
>Then all of the windows in the throne room shattered.
>That’s when you realized something was going on.

>>29699182
>As you got out of the throne, the other ponies kept talking without skipping a beat.
>You walked over to the broken window, wind blowing heavily into the throne room, and looked past the shattered glass.
>That’s when you saw it.
>From your coma, the parasite.
>The great mass of black liquid, but it was more than that.
>As you looked at it, the liquid would appear more than solid black.
>It seemed to swirl around in an almost hypnotic manner.
>It looked both opaque and transparent at any given moment.
>You watch as it flooded through the city.
>Ponies on the street would be engulfed by it, swallowed whole.
>And as it coated the streets, you could see some civilians hiding on roofs.
>Only for the creature, if you can call it a creature, would reach out and crush the building with a wave of its mass.
>The sky had been completely overcast, but from the constant lighting, there was always visibility.
>You turned back to the room, and asked if anypony was seeing it.
>But the speaker continued talking about finances, not even stopping as you spoke.
>Then through the windows on the far side of the hall, the liquid started to flow and bubble into the room.
>It would overtake guards and advisors while they wouldn’t even acknowledge it.
>They would just continue to stand there as the liquid would begin to coat their bodies, turning them into silhouettes until the liquid would rise high enough to completely submerge them.
>And when they were fully overtaken, you’d guess that they just kept on standing there.

>>29699186
>With the liquid overtaking the room, you realized that you needed to get out.
>For some reason, you completely forgot that you had wings.
>Dreams can be like that.
>Anyway, you began to run through the hallways.
>Bit the liquid would still keep on oozing through broken windows and from underneath closed doors.
>When you reached a spiral staircase, you sprinted up the stairs, and the liquid was rising through the stairwell.
>As it rose, it was always on you heels.
>You’re pretty sure that you spent a lot of time running through the palace, but it’s all bleeding together now.
>Eventually you got to the top of the highest tower in the palace.
>When you got there, you could see the entire city.
>Each and every building was entirely coated by the liquid.
>But at the palace, it was building up to the tower, forming a mountain with you at the peak.
>Lighting went off across the sky, forming what looked like an enormous spider web of light.
>The thunder reached its loudest.
>But every scream was silenced.
>Then a large wave of the liquid reached up, going up at least twice as high as your tower.
>And it came crashing down.
>Just before it impacted you, you woke up.
>Now that your heartbeat has gone back down, you get out of the bed and head to the window.
>The train is still moving quickly through a lightly wooded area.
>But it’s really dark, probably just before dawn.
>You have a long day ahead, and some night of sleep you got…
>As you let out a deep sigh, the question of the hour rears into your head.
>Are you really sure that you actually got out of that cell?

I'll be back tomorrow
>>29699190
>…
>The alarm clock harshly blares into your ear.
>As you reach over to shut it off, you see that you got a grand total of three hours of sleep.
>Between the battle and the prison break, you needed more.
>A lot more.
>You could probably sleep for a solid twenty hours or so…
“Ugh.”
>A knock can be heard on your door.
>Looks like no sleeping in.
>Lurching out of the bed, which is surprisingly soft for a military bed, you make your way to the door.
>It’s one of Brairheart’s runners.
>”The Admiral would like to see you right away.”
“Understood.”
>As he turns and leaves, you close the door and head over to a mirror.
>Fixing your mane from the way you start to worry a bit.
>Brairheart wants to see you, first thing in the morning.
>Hours after you just released a trio of prisoners from an ally’s prison.
>But, you don’t know that he knows.
>It could be anything he needs from you.
>Just keep cool, and wait to see how things develop.
>Well, not that you’re semi-presentable you shouldn’t keep the Admiral waiting.
>Exiting the room, you start to move through the hallways.
>The special VIP room you were assigned to is pretty close to the forward observation room, so there aren’t many turns you need to take.
>Pretty soon you’re at the door that’s surrounded by a few runners.
>Here goes nothing.

>>29699195
Thunder bout to get a book thrown at him.

>>29700992

>>29586524

>>29702138

>>29663562
>In a rush you turn back to the tiny bed.
>She's just laying there.
>Her chest rises and falls with little breaths while her eyes stare off into space.
"Come on we have to go."
>She turns her head slightly to face you.
>"I'm...good."
>What?
"Roxelana we don't have time for this, guards will be here any-"
>"I'm...good. Make...feel...good."
>Oh Celestia.
>She is completely out of it.
>There has to be a way to help get her head clear.
>A groan comes from behind.
>It's her 'husband'.
>He's still alive!
>Barely.
>His severed gut leaks out intestines spilling them onto the floor beside him.
>"Beautiful, isn't it?"
>That dreadful whisper inside your head makes himself present.
>"It felt good to breathe air again. To feel the flesh under MY skin, the pumping of blood through MY veins."
"Stop it."
>"Then to tear the flesh off somepony else and to watch the blood flow like a river. Even if it was just for a moment, makes me feel so alive!"
>You put a couple hooves to your ears trying to silence the ringing words, but it's no use.
>"Tick-tock you leach. Your time is almost up, and I can't wait to be back."
>While the words echo back to silence, the pony on the floor gasps his final breaths,
>A tear streams down his cheek.
>His hoof rests against an old trunk lying next to the bed.
>The little sparkling bottle he held rested against it.
>Taking it curiously you stare at the liquid.
>A circular rainbow mixes and morphs itself at the surface while the main part of it remains transparent.
>Placing it aside you throw open the chest.
>There has to be something inside that can help.

>>29704667
>Old pictures, clothes, another curvy sword, and a container filled with bottles with the same liquid.
>Angry screaming comes outside along with the continuous wails from the youngest pony.
>Okay no time to be frugal.
>You take some of the clothes and wrap up the bottles making a little pouch.
>Throwing them over your shoulder, you take the short sword in your mouth and then slam the trunk shut.
>Hurriedly you try and carry Roxelana on your back along with the pouch, but end up dropping the sword.
>She slumps sideways and hurls a little bit.
>The shouting outside calms down, but is still very audible.
>It appears the guards outside aren't taking the stallion outside seriously.
>"I am getting sick and tired of getting called to you ponies. Every other day it seems you three are causing trouble!"
>"P-please. Please just go inside! My brothers are dead!"
>"Yeah if only, if all three of you would just go that would take loads off my-"
>A middle-aged stallion pokes his head into the tent.
>"-plate..."
>His eyes go as wide as dinner plates seeing the gory mess.
>Then his eyes fixate on you.
>"Ch-changeling."
>Quickly, without thinking you take the sword and throw it as hard as you are able at him.
>He ducks back out just in time as the blade just misses his head.
"Uh-oh."
>Taking the bloody dagger you tear a hole in the side of the tent and make a mad dash out of the area.
>By now alarm bells are going off all over the camp.
>More and more soldiers pour out into the alleyways.
>All searching for you.
>You don't know where to go, every direction can lead to certain capture and death.
>With each stride, the clanking of the bottles followed suit.
>Thankfully night is still on your side.
>And many of the soldiers being woke are still drowsy from being woken so suddenly.
>The tents begin to thin a little and you find yourself at the edge of town.

>>29704675
>A group of three stallions storm along the border.
>They scan the perimeter searching for anything out of place.
>Two go on right, but one just stands there.
>A thought crosses your mind.
>You can get the jump on him.
>It would be so easy then be home free.
>You set down the pouch and lay Roxelana in a somewhat comfortable looking position.
>Peaking up, there are two more walking towards him, but are still a ways off.
>They are beginning to lock down the town.
>This has to be now or never.
>Taking your forehooves, you bring them down atop his head.
>A light cymbal sound resonates from his helmet as he crumples to the floor.
>What's done is done.
>He'll be alright.
>Probably.
>You speedily go back and place Roxelana again on your back and take the pouch in your mouth.
>Before the two see the unconscious pony, you make a mad dash towards the sandy hills.
>Hopefully there's a stream or something to help wake her up.

Nice Luke, putting in work tonight!

>>29699195
>…
>Just listen to that.
>Silence.
>No Discord offering commentary.
>It’s beautiful.
>You’re currently sitting on your cot after waking from a quick nap.
>You took the risk, assuming that whatever’s stalking the ship quit for the night.
>The ship hasn’t sank yet, and there aren’t any screams, so you’d guess that you were correct.
>Now you’re using your dagger to clean out the dirt from under your fingernails.
>Without Discord here to butt in, it’s actually very calm.
>You’d guess that his presence has actually been the most stressful part of this entire little voyage of yours.
>If you had a book, you’d curl up with it and take a day off.
>But the ship is currently being hunted.
>And Equestrian literature never really appealed to you.
>They write characters too one-dimensional.
>And friendship is always the solution to the conflict.
>Always.
>Well, aside from the occasional love story.
>Things have gotten more varied in the recent decades though.
>”Anon.”
>You don’t flinch the knife under your nail as you hear a female voice call out.
“Yes, Lady Tiara?”
>You glance up to find her standing in your doorway.
>Well, it would be a doorway if you had a door.
>Or walls that weren’t just stacked crates.
>”What are you doing?”
“Cleaning my nails.”
>”I know that-“
>She starts to say defensively before going back into a less harsh tone.
>”I just meant that you looked… thoughtful… calm almost.”
>Is your happiness over Discord’s silence that obvious?
“Just thinking about literature.”
>”From your world?”
“Yours actually.”

>>29705891
>Her eye sparks with enthusiasm.
>”Have you ever read True Love?”
>You remember that name…
>You begin to chuckle.
“No, romance is clichéd and overly contrived.”
>”But you do know her?”
“Let’s just say I wouldn’t expect any more books from her.”
>From her facial expression, you can see a bit of her heart shatter.
>”What?”
“Her husband was involved in an assassination plot, I was the target. Long story short, I made a deal to give his family new identities in exchange for information about the people behind the plot.”
>”So she’s…”
“Can’t write anymore, it would defeat the purpose of witness protection.”
>”But her last book ended on a cliffhanger!”
“Sorry.”
>You’re not sorry in the slightest.
>”Autumn’s childhood sweetheart just came back from the war after ten years! How am I supposed to find out if she stays with the stallion she finally found peace with after thinking her true love was killed!”
“I think this is the angriest you’ve ever been with me.”
>”Because I am angry with you! Now you’re ruining my personal life too!”
>You’ll try not to acknowledge that statement.
“You know, I never pegged you as a hopeless romantic.”
>”SHUT UP!”
>Okay.
>”Why aren’t you talking!”
>Women…
“Why are you even down here?”
>”I don’t even remember now!”
“Why are you still yelling!”
>You match her tone.
>”I don’t know! Gah, you are utterly insufferable.”
>Is this how Discord feels when talking to you?
>”Now you’re being thoughtful again!”
“Well forgive me for thinking. Sorry, did I say that out loud?”
>”You are…”
>She pauses for a moment to compose herself.

>>29705895
>”What were you even thinking about?”
“Sorry?”
>”I’m trying to get back on my train of thought, what do you read?”
“Have you ever read any of the old Minotaur Sagas?”
>”What?”
“I don’t blame you, they were never translated into Equestrian.”
>”What are they?”
“They’re a collection of semi-mythic stories that follow six minotaurs over four generations as they struggle to found and define minotaur society.”
>”That sounds incredibly… dull.”
“You’d be surprised how much you can learn about a people from their myths and literature.”
>”And how long were they?”
“The text itself is only two thousand pages or so, but over the generations there’s at least thirty or so thousand pages of commentary.”
>”You read thirty thousand pages of… that?”
“For they who knows no patience will know no glory. The maw of the basest beast knows of waiting, yet ye fools speak of pressing the immediate. The battle today knows only utter failure, but the battle tomorrow, though not a total end to our struggle, sows the seeds of victory.”
>”What?”
“It’s about patience. As the first minotaur attempted to unite the tribes, he was greatly outnumbered by an army led by his brother. He was challenged by his brother, to meet on the field, army to army, and settle who would unite their people. The tribes allied with him wanted to fight and die in the glory of battle, even though they knew they would all die. But he knew that his brother’s crops had failed, so if he delayed until after the coming winter, his forces would be half starved. In the end, half of his brother’s men had switched sides so they wouldn’t starve, as the winter was harsher than anything they expected.”
>”I see.”
“The knowledge of who you’re up against and the patience to wait for the proper opportunity far outweighs whatever apparent strength the foe has.

>>29705901
I hate to pause while the scene is still ongoing, but it's 4:30 in the morning, and I need to be up in three hours. I'll be back in the afternoon

>>29705903
no worries, we'll keep the thread bumped. speaking of which, bump from 8

>>29706246

Bumperino

>>29709563

>>29710935

Rewrote this post five times tonight, just didn't find a way that I really liked it, but I suppose this will do. I'll be back tomorrow
>>29705901
>She doesn’t respond after that.
“So, care to tell me why you’re down here?”
>”I don’t-“
>You cut her off.
“And don’t keep playing coy, it’s insulting. You’re not here to talk about book, and I know that you wouldn’t just forget the reason you went so far out of your way to speak to me.”
>For a moment she looks completely furious.
>But, she quickly reigns herself in.
>”Your thoughts on diverting course to the south?”
“Stay the course.”
>”What?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
>”We’re being hunted, you said it yourself. Why shouldn’t we leave?”
“What magical land do you live in where taking a turn stops you from being pursued?”
>”We might lose them in the shallow water.”
“And it would take what, two or three days to reach said water? But fine, let’s assume that they don’t attack until then. Now you have to deal with an attack, and having to navigate the shallows. I don’t know about you, but personally I wouldn’t want to focus on steering the ship away from a cliff while fighting off an attack.”
>”Point made.”
>She says through clenched teeth before turning to leave.
>But she stops herself.
>”Excuse me for trying to TALK to you.”
>With that she takes her leave.
>As she leaves your sight, you give it a fifty-fifty chance that she’ll turn around and give you another piece of her mind.
>But as you wait for that possibility, you find that it doesn’t come.

Bumperino

>>29712713
>Shelikeshim.jpg

>early morning bump

>>29713631

>>29712713
I want to rut Diamond Tiara while she calls me a stupid blank flank.

Bumperino

>>29712713
>Rewriting
I understand the pain.

The little tension of the control over power between Anon and DT flows so well.

>>29704726
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkM0uvlK3E0 [Embed]
>After escaping Dodge City you managed to hike over the Macintosh Hills.
>You think back to after the battle of Baltimare, how she saved your life and carried you for miles in hopes of escaping.
>Now you are carrying her over the same hills she did you.
>Only this time, she'll be making the trip alone after she gets better.
>She wouldn't want to spend her days with a monster.
>A freak who lives off of other ponies emotions.
>Besides.
>There's business to be had here.
>Standing at the peak of one of those mini mountains, the sun barely begins to peak over the horizon.
>Watching the sun slowly coat the valley in light is rather beautiful.
>The mesas stand tall like lone skyscrapers in an ocean of rocks and sand.
>Braving the harsh winds and blazing heat for centuries and centuries to come.
>Shadows stretching for hundreds of yards shielding certain areas from the warmth of sunlight.
>A groan comes from your back.
>You set down the pouch of strange liquid and carefully pull her aside.
>As she lays on her back, her chest rises and falls to a slow steady beat.
>Bending low, you try and check her pupils.
>Opening each eyelid you can see they are still glossy.
>A sigh escapes your mouth and it blows some strands of mane down the side of her cheek.
"Rest up, you'll get through this. I know you will."
>Her mane is a mess and her coat is filthy.
>It's as if she hasn't washed in weeks.
>She probably hasn't.
>Gypsies don't even know what soap is let alone bathe.
>Disgusting, conniving, thieves.
>Exploiting the helpless.
>I'd love to watch every one of them get ripped to shreds.
>Slowly.
>Make sure they suffer.

>>29716488
>Just like Gencer.
>He deserved to get blasted to oblivion.
>All the torture he did.
>All the pain he caused.
>You feel your blood begin to boil.
>Just at the mere thought of ponies or any creature like them makes you feel a burning rage.
>You clench your jaw and feel the fangs slide down your mouth.
>Then a pain comes from the back of your head.
>It creeps its way from through each lobe.
>With every sulcus passed it feels like a hammer being smashed precisely on that crevice.
>You put your hooves to your temples, but that just makes it even worse.
>It stews about your skull like warm jelly over wrinkled toast.
>You let out a howl of pain as it encompasses your entire brain.
>A little bit of blood drips from your nose.
"Is...this it?"
>Your back hooves fall to their knees and you spit out venom forming from your gut.
>Just before the pain overtakes you, a call comes from beside you.
>"...ash?"
>The pain subsides a bit as your brain processes the words.
>"...lash?"
>Quickly you fight through the twinge and sit beside her.
>Surprisingly it seems to be going away.
>She lifts her head, but rests it back on the ground.
"Roxelana. It's me! Are you alright?"
>"F-flash?"
"Yes. Yes it's me!"
>"Y-you came back."
"I'm here. I'm here."
>"Y-you...came..."
>Her head falls to the ground saying nothing more.
>Her chest slowly rises and falls again letting little gasps escape.
>The toxic is still flowing through her body.
>Water.
>You need water to flush it all out.
>Carefully you cradle her onto your back, and begin to hike down into the desert.
>As you traversed steep drops and boulders from the landscape, you notice your hoofs are still hole ridden and black.
>A thought crosses your mind.
>How did she recognize it was you if you were still in your changeling form?

>9

>>29717131

>>29716488
Tiara/Anon interactions ever flow completely naturally with virtually no changes necessary, or it takes hours to get something worthy of posting on the page. There is no middle ground.
>>29712713
>…
>Alright, nopony else is in the room.
>You’ve closed the door behind you.
>Brairheart is sitting in his table.
>”Sit.”
>That was pretty harsh.
>It’s hard to tell with a single word.
>Maybe he just hasn’t had his coffee…
>As you sit down, he looks at you for a moment.
>”Have fun last night?”
“Could have been better.”
>”You certainly look exhausted.”
>Is this a trap?
“It’s been a long couple of days.”
>”That it has.”
>The door opens behind you, and you hear a set of hoofsteps entering the room.
>You don’t want to turn around.
>”Ah, quicker than I expected.”
>A pegasi approaches the table, holding a platter.
>Atop it is a pot of coffee.
>The Admiral speaks to you as the pony pours him a cup.
>”Care for a cup? It’s pure Arabian.”
“Sure.”
>The server sets down another mug and fills it.
>Brairheart then speaks to him.
>”Thank you, leave the pot.”
>After the pony sets down the coffee pot and leaves the room, The Admiral speaks to you again.
>”You look like you really need that.”
>In reference to your coffee.
>Is this all just one big set up?
>Getting you into a casual mood just to come in for the kill…
>You’re overthinking things.
“Yeah.”
>You reach forward and take a sip of the drink.
>Strong.
>But good.
>”Once trade opens up after this war, they’ll be able to rebuild their nation three times over solely from coffee taxes.”
>You should get to the point.
“You wanted to see me Sir?”
>”Yes. You see, this morning I received some very… unexpected news.”
>Okay…
>”When the messenger came running to me, straight from the source, I could hardly believe it.”
>He knows, doesn’t he?

>>29718965
*either flow...

Back tomorrow
>>29718965
>You prepare to defend your position.
>”The Princess has woken up.”
>”Look, I- wait, what?”
>”I hardly believed it myself, but the flier came in from Canterlot just an hour ago. He flew straight from the capitol without any stops, he almost collapsed as he gave me the letter.”
>Looks like you’re off the hook.
>For now…
“But the Field Marshal couldn’t have finished his mission so soon.”
>”Of course not. They’re saying that it had to do with being born as an alicorn. That magically she was able to eventually overcome the parasite.”
“So… does that mean that the Marshal is going across the world for no reason?”
>”Well not entirely. The other princesses are still indisposed, and if this… thing is as powerful as it’s made out to be, it is a real threat.”
“But there’s still no way to get word to him.”
>”Good.”
“Sir?”
>”The Princess is the only family he has. That might not be the deciding factor about the mission’s success, but it may well be the deciding factor of whether or not he returns from the mission.”
“What do you mean?”
>”When it sent a parasite to infect him, the issue would have been dropped after the parasite was driven out from his body. But sending a parasite to infect Flurry Heart? Whatever this creature is, it signed it’s death sentence with that action.”
>You take a drink from your mug.
>”And with Flurry as the target, it will only make sure that he gets back posthaste: if only to tell her the story of how he saved the day.”

>>29718965
>coffee
Liquid gold that makes mornings blissful.

>9

File: 1484526858663.jpg (276KB, 560x560px) Image search: [Google]

276KB, 560x560px

>Come back to /mlp/ after literal months away
>This shit is still going
Time to take it from the top, boys!

>>29722332
We welcome you back with open arms and swords stained with the blood of Equestrian foes.

>>29721691

>>29723550

>>29722332
what was the last bit you remember before the break?
>>29720591
Tea ruined coffee for me

>>29725034
Tea is the best m8, cant go wrong with a coffee every now and again

Settling in with a cup of Darjeeling, updates coming in a bit.
>>29725055
I prefer to take tea black (cutting out sugary drinks and all that). Never really acquired the taste for straight coffee, always have to put in absurd amounts of cream/sugar.

>>29719177
>…
>Starting back on the way to your room, you breathe a sigh of relief.
>You’re off the hook, at least for now.
>But you’re not sure what to make of the Princess.
>It’s good that she’s up, but the magic behind it is lost upon you.
>You don’t understand the technical aspects involved with it.
>Personally you don’t know if she’s really beaten the parasite, but if that’s what the more magic-minded ponies are saying, you’ll take their word for it.
>It’ll be interesting to see how things develop now that-
>”Oi!”
>Call yells from behind you.
“Yes?”
>You ask as you turn to face him.
>”What happened mate!”
“Sorry?”
>”Damn right you should be. I woke up sleeping next to a dirty toilet in a bar. The barkeep said that a friend was supposed to come get me, but you never came back!”
>Right…
“How bad was the toilet.”
>”The toilet was fine, barely even used. Drunk Saddle Arabians aren’t the best at aim.”
>Ouch.
“I hope you didn’t sleep face down.”
>”What happened!”
>He didn’t answer that question…
“Look, it was a really long night.”
>”Well I hope you enjoyed it…”
“I think I enjoyed mine more than you did.”
>”Shove off.”
>As you start to turn, he stops you.
>”Really thought, what’d you do? Meet any lady friends, if you know what I mean.”
“NO! I’m married. Last night, I explored the city a bit, listened to the fireworks, and made some friends.”
>Not a technical lie.
>”Sure forgot about one friend.”
“Oh shut up. You’re a big boy, you can deal with waking up in a puddle of urine.”
>”Haha, come here mate.”
>He offers a hug, which you cautiously allow.
>What’s that smell?
>You then here him whisper:
>”Didn’t shower yet… you might want to wash off too now.”