Heart of War: Thread 16.5- Landfall

I blame myself for the premature death of the old thread, I really dropped the ball when it comes to updating. From here on, I'll make sure to get back to the thousand words a day standard.
>>30536593
>…
“Let me go!”
>”Check that out Corporal!”
>As the soldiers drag you away, they stop to look to the air.
>Pegasi are making a run to window on the second floor.
>Further into the crowd of soldiers, you hear a voice yell out:
>”Advance and keep the pressure on!”
>You need to get in there.
>Jerking your right shoulder free, you then push off the pony holding your left.
>Rushing forward, you try to get through the soldiers as they move up.
>Behind you, you hear a pony yell:
“Hey! Stop!”
>You then feel a hoof grab your shoulder and start to pull you around.
>As the armored pony comes into view, the next thing you see is a hoof approaching your face.
>When the sucker punch connects, it sends you to the ground, and your head connects with pavement.
>You think you heard a:
>”Come on Private, leave him there.”
>Before you blacked out.

>>30542281
>…
>Getting to the stairwell, you dodge to the side of the doorframe as a creature comes charging out.
>As it passes, you swing your sword down to hit the back of its rear left knee.
>The attack slows the creature down, giving the pegasi behind you an opening.
>While they finish it off, you look into the stairwell.
>Down at the bottom floor, you can see a spear wall advancing to pin a creature that’s stuck between the wall and the weapons.
>Scanning the rest of the staircases, you can’t see any more of the creatures still standing.
“Fan out and secure the area!”
>Stretching out your wings, you fly over the soldiers to get down to the first floor.
>On the first floor, you continue flying through the halls.
>Because in addition to the soldiers, the ground is clogged by bodies.
>Both of the creatures, soldiers, and civilians.
>Assuming another pit doesn’t pop up, you’ll tell the nearest officers to keep the city on high alert, then head for the train yard.
>And this time, you think you’ll take that private train.
>Just an engine will do, because you need to get to Canterlot as soon as possible.

>>30542286
>…
>Pretty much the entire train ride here, you’ve been simmering.
>When you reach the meeting room doors, you push them open with a great deal of force.
>”Princess!”
>”Your highness!”
>”Where were you!”
>”Is that blood?”
>From Lancer, Brairheart, Offense, and Wave respectively.
“Alright listen up! Full mobilization is back on, I want recruitment to skyrocket, garrisons present in every town, and I mean EVERY town. Existing garrisons need to be expanded threefold at the very latest, and to supplement them, I want every able-bodied stallion drilling for at least an hour a day to form reserve militias. We need fully armed patrols scouring each inch of our territory, and I want dedicated quick response divisions made up of unicorns atop pegasi sky chariots.”
>Lancer and Brairheart look confused, Wave keeps his somber demeanor, and you see Offense scowl.
>And now the room is completely quiet.
>The silence is palpable.
>”Well…”
>Lancer begins.
>”If no pony else will speak, what happened?”
>What happened?
“Oh I’ll tell you what happened. I went up to the Crystal Empire to question the parasite inside of my mother. On the bright side, I don’t think it’s behind the minotaur thing. So I took one measly day to relax, because in a very short span of time I killed the parasite in my own head, had to play kingmaker in the minotaur political sphere, saw the start of their apocalypse legend, dealt with the pit that spewed their ‘demons’ straight from their hell, and took a forced march back to Equestria. Then, not even a day after I decide to unwind for a bit, not one, but TWO pits from Tartarus pop up right as I was getting on the train to come back. And yes, a small horde of the creatures rampaged through the city before I could contain them. Now please excuse me for being just a tad angry right now, because those fucking things just attacked my FUCKING HOME!”

>>30542290
>As you catch your breath, the generals look pretty shocked.
>You don’t swear often, and never of that caliber.
>But damn if you aren’t fed up with all of this.
>You never wanted to rule.
>But here you are.
>Collecting yourself, you continue
“So, in summary: we need to get the entire country ready for this fight. Because right about now, I think the minotaurs aren’t too wrong in calling it an apocalypse.”
>With that, you walk over to one of the open seats around the table.
“And while we’re at it, I think we should get some of the Old Guard out of the palace and back in the field. We’d do better to have more of our elite veterans in the field rather than cooped up here. Speaking of which, we should also start patrolling the old mines below Canterlot. If a pit forms here, they’d have to get through the mines first, and I’d rather catch them down there than in the streets. One of you can deal with the mines, but have Thunder start with the Old Guard as soon as possible.”
>”About that…”
>Lancer starts.
“What?”
>”Thunder turned in a letter of resignation the other day, and we haven’t seen him in the city since.”
“What!”
>Brairheart then takes over.
>”We should probably fill everypony in on recent events. On the last mission, Thunder encountered a…”
>You start listening to the Admiral’s account.

>>30542281
The "Hey! Stop!" should be green, that's fixed for pastebin.
>>30542301
>…
>So he wasn’t high when he was wandering through the streets.
>Either way, it looks like Thunder is out.
>A shame, he’s been here since this all started back in Appleoosa.
>It’s hard to believe that so much has happened this year.
“Well, have you picked a replacement yet?”
>Lancer takes over:
>”We’ve been throwing some names around, but selection will probably take a little while longer. Likely we’ll probably bring Colonel Arrow in, but personally I’d rather have him in the field. Especially given recent events.”
“I suppose it’s my turn now. In the Crystal Empire, I’m not sure what their goal was. At first a single pit appeared, and as the troops were circling in on it another came up. I think it was possibly a diversion, but nowhere near as many of the creatures came through the tunnel as did over with the minotaurs. Maybe they were just testing defenses, or hopefully their numbers have been drained. But I think it’s safe to say that either the creatures themselves, or whatever’s creating the tunnels, is far more intelligent that we should assume.”
>”Or both are.”
>Wave adds.

>>30542314
“Which I don’t like. But as Offense should have already mentioned: we need to get unicorns spread out among the troops. I’m not sure if they’ll adapt, but right now magic looks like the easiest way to incapacitate them.”
>Brairheart then speaks:
>”How do we want to deal with this in terms of news? Tell the full story, or quarantine information?”
>Lancer responds:
>”If the attack on the Crystal Empire was as large as I assume, we won’t be able to keep the story under wraps.”
“I think we should be honest with the people. They need to start preparing for the Tartarus pits and whatever might come out. Because as nasty as these creatures are, there’s a lot worse that could get to the surface.”
>Offense then adds:
>”Personally I think we should take a force over to the main entrance and see what’s going on down there.”
>To which Brairheart retorts:
>”The caves and tunnels go on for miles and miles. Even if we could reliably get troops past Cerberus, there’s no way proper supply lines could move.”
>”So you just want to let these things pop up indefinitely?”
“What if we flood it? I mean if we get a concentrated effort from Cloudsdale the next time one comes up, and pour all the water they have down the tunnel, we might be able to drown them out.”
>Offense is the one to respond:
>”That would be an utterly massive undertaking.”
>And Lancer continues:
>”But, if we can pull it off, we might be able to take out the lion’s share of their numbers. The only problem would be containing a breech long enough for Cloudsdale to get everything into position. Pretty much the entire city would have to move above it.”
“I think it’s worth a shot at the very least. Because right now, I don’t see many options.”

I'll try to get more out in a few hours, but I hope this small dump is suitable compensation for the severe content drought the past few days.
>>30542323
>…
>Gah, your head.
>Again.
>Where are you?
>Indoors.
>Somewhere.
>A hallway.
>On a bench.
>Ponies are rushing around.
>As you get to your hooves, you realize that you’re in the hospital.
>Nurses and doctors are really moving quickly.
“Hello?”
>Nopony pays you any mind.
“Hey, nurse!”
>You grab the attention of one of the staff.
>”Sorry, we’re really busy- oh wait, it’s you.”
>She stops in her tracks.
>”You have a minor concussion, but we’re really stressed for space right now.”
>As she speaks you see a patient being wheeled on a stretcher.
>He’s missing a leg.
>Make that two.
>”Head to the desk over there and get some aspirin, we’ll properly look at you when we can.”
“Wait!”
>”What is it? I have to get to a surgery!”
“Winter. Winter Gem, is she here?”
>”Winter? Yeah, she just got out of surgery.”
“Good, then she’s safe.”
>”No, she just got OUT of surgery.”
>You feel your heart skip a beat.
>Or two.
>Or ten.
>”Room 515, now I really have to go!”
>She got out of surgery.
>That means she’s okay…
>Right.
>Right?

>>30542336
You better not do what I think you're going to do.

>>30542336
>…
>Harvey’s been quiet for a few days now.
>It’s probably for the best, but honestly you miss the company a bit.
>Discord is an annoying little cuss, but the part of him that’s in your head isn’t too bad.
>Except when he is…
>Your mind has wandered a little bit.
“Sorry, lost my train of thought.”
>Tiara reminds you:
>”You were talking about the first and second Coastal Wars.”
“Coastal Wars?”
>”Yes, doesn’t everypony call them that?”
“No! They’re the Wars of the Saddle Arabian Coast. Or Saddle Arabian Coast Wars. Or Arabian Coast Wars. Or just the Coast Wars. But never the CoastAL Wars.”
>”Oh come on.”
“The Coastal Wars just sound silly.”
>”Yeah, yeah. As you were saying?”
“Right, so it all boils down to ideological fanaticism. In the first it was about having a clear showing of force, whereas in the second pretty much every major population center had to be occupied. Rather obvious stuff considering the huge anti-Equestrian sentiment that followed their loss the first time around, but you’d be surprised how many people forget just how much spite can inspire a population.”
>”I suppose you army types do have an entirely different view of things. From my point of view, it has to do with leadership. The military and political leaders from the first war were a lot weaker than the batch that took over in the second.”
“Right, you should know that the Saddle Arabian king that started the first war was actually replaced by a changeling.”
>”What!”
“No, it’s true. I always assumed it was a ploy to get soldiers thinking about their families back home. Lots of romanticized views of love on each side to feed off of, given that in their down time an almost universal factor of soldiers is their love for their homes.”
>”So the king that lived in exile was a changeling?”
“No, he was the real king. I killed the pretender, but Celestia wanted the pretense to remain.”
>”That’s…”

>>30543122
“The rest of High Command was there, and they can attest to it if you don’t believe me.”
>”Well so far the rumors about you look to be true, so I’ll take your word on it for now.”
>Tiara alters the course a few degrees to the south.
>”You know Anon, these past few days I’ve almost been able to tolerate your presence.”
“Almost?”
>”You’re still a bit chauvinistic, but it’s not nearly as pronounced. And given your… personal situation, I’ll let myself forget it.”
“Well that’s good to hear. I don’t think I’m that chauvinistic, but it’s an improvement.”
>”Of course YOU wouldn’t think that.”
“Also, I should be honest. Once you do get back, I do think you’ll get along nicely enough with the rest of High Command. Particularly with Admiral Brairheart and General Wave to a lesser extent. Lancer might be iffy, but I think the only one you’ll clash with is Offense. He can be rather impulsive, but it works well to counteract the more conservative voices.”
>”Again, I’ll take you word for it. But I will reserve judgment for when I actually meet them.”
“I should alter that. Either you’ll get along great with Lancer, or you’ll utterly hate them. I’ve noticed that you can alternate between more cautious decisions and more out-of-the-box methods. Lancer is similar, but if you end up thinking one way while he opts for another…”
>”I see your point… And actually I’m looking forward to being home again.”
“Why? And I mean that in that the reasons for wanting to be home vary wildly between each individual.”
>”Long ago I realized, thanks to some very good ponies that I consider my greatest friends, that my purpose is to manage others- to keep others on task… I think your little batch of generals need a voice of proper reason.”
“Oh I think you’ll fit in just fine.”
>”Thank you.”
“At least until I get back, that is.”

>>30543123
>”Oh don’t worry. Obviously by that time I’ll have replaced you. This was just one big ploy for power. If you ever do return it will be nothing but Queen Diamond Tiara.”
“Heh.”
>”Actually, I think Empress would work better.”
“Maybe ‘Grand Duchess’ after all, Empress is just a title for one’s own ego.”
>”You know, I really like the sound of that.”
“And you said I had the big head…”
>”I never said that mine WASN’T big. It’s just by comparison that you’re is the really big one.”
“Really though, because my signature ordered it, Lancer should accept you pretty quickly. Wave will hold off on passing judgment until he can see your actual decisions, and he probably won’t have any issues. Offense will be against you until he can see how you are while drunk. Share a bottle of your favorite gin with him, and he should come around. Oh and Brairheart shouldn’t have any problems at all due to similarities.”
>”Actually I think I’ve met him once or twice. He was at some captain’s meetings before the air fleet split off from the Royal Navy.”
“What did you think?”
>”Very by the book. Good for subordinates, but leaders do need to be a bit more elastic.”
“Yeah, I think what you’ll find with more interaction is that he is very by the book when it comes to strategies, but when it comes to tactics he can be rather out-of-the-box.”
>”And I can see the benefits of that type of thinking. Much better than the inverse.”
“And for the most part I would agree with that, but on the strategic level you do need to be able to modify plans very quickly to react to changing conditions.”
>”Oh, absolutely.”
“Well look at that. We just completely agreed on something.”
>”We did, didn’t we?”
>Before you can respond, you’re cut off by a voice.
>It’s Three-Leg from the crow’s nest.
>”LAND HO!”

>>30543127
>…
>This is…
>You just can’t.
>The past few days have bled together.
>You’ve just been sitting here.
>By her bedside.
>You haven’t eaten, and you’ve barely drank anything.
>Because you just don’t have the stomach for it.
>Winter…
>Your wife.
>The mare you decided you want to spend your life with.
>Your rock.
>No matter whatever conflict came up, she was supposed to be the constant.
>And when the crystal did it’s number on you, she was the only pony that could ground you.
>But now…
>You can barely even think about it.
>Her back right leg has been torn off from the knee down.
>And her lower spine was fractured in three different spots.
>The nurses said that she went to get more patients up to safety, even when the others said it was too dangerous.
>They say she saved at least a dozen lives that day.
>But that doesn’t matter.
>You just want your wife.
>The mare you love.
>The doctors are saying that she’ll never walk again.
>And that’s if she actually does wake up.
>They said that at this point she’s more or less brain dead.
>Too much trauma to the spine.
>Her parents have been in every day.
>They tried to comfort you, but everypony has been drowned out…
>But that’s not even the worst part.
>Your son.
>Or your daughter.
>Your child.
>The beast tore her, and…
>It’s just gone.
>You felt it when you touched the crystal.
>For just a moment you could feel your child developing.
>Every potential that he or she could have realized.
>And now…
>That life has been silenced.
>You
>Just
>Can’t

>>30543127
>”I never said that mine WASN’T big. It’s just by comparison that you’re is the really big one.”
Should be
>”I never said that mine WASN’T big. It’s just by comparison that *YOURS is the really big one.”
my bad
>>30543135
>Resting your head on your wife’s motionless shoulder, you let yourself internalize the beeping of the machines that are hooked up to her.
>You would try to sleep.
>But every time you close your eyes, you can only imagine your life.
>In another world.
>Another time.
>When you teach your child how to speak.
>How to read.
>About the world.
>When you see them go off to school for the first time.
>When they find out their purpose in life and get their cutie mark.
>When they graduate.
>When they meet the love of their life, and bring them home for the first time.
>When they get married.
>When they bring grandchildren into the world.
>And when they comfort you and Winter as you age and eventually pass from the world.
>And how that’s all been taken from you.
>All of it.

Alright, this is it for the night. I'll be back tomorrow. (I'll probably lurk for an hour or so if anyone has questions)

Again, I hope tonight's stuff makes up for the slow week.
>>30542290
From a writing perspective, I would like to bring up that this is the first time a variation of the word 'fuck' has been uttered in speech. (If you've been paying VERY close attention, Anon did use 'fucking' as an internal thought once).

In a very recent post from the other thread, Flurry also used 'shit'. And I specifically chose her to use harsh language (whereas preciously she seldom swore) as a sort of indicator of both subconscious stress levels increasing (something she wouldn't bring up form her PoV because it's not on her mind) and as a sort of 'thrust into maturity' byproduct.
>>30542717
Thunder. Must. Suffer.

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>>30543135
>>30543144
>tfw I actually called it without believing it would happen

JUST
U
S
T

>>30543189
I didn't want to say anything, but yeah. Good guess. I think that given how long it took me to get the bits out, it was probably easier to assume that, but still.

>>30542259
Fuck off with your shitty general

>>>/trash/

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>>30543424
>guaranteed (You's)
I hope your mum kicks you out, fucking NEET shithead.

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Goddess Dammit Rager, why you gotta pick on thunder...WHY?

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>>30544292
i really need to lable my gifs. Thats not the twiggles i was looking for.

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>>30543144
God damn mate i cant even

And I never bumped the previous thread so now I feel twice as bad

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>>30543144
I WAS NOT READY FOR THIS.

>>30542323
>trying to drown an aquatic creature
ruh roh

>>30543189
>implying pencils didn't accidentally tell us this would happen multiple times
Do you even remember Thunder's introduction and thingfag's little blurb about when bad things are gonna happen?
Are you reading the same story I am if you're surprised by this?

>>30544292
>Rager
Wrong thread buddy. Good taste though in stories, though.

>>30545821
They don't know this. Only anon does.

>>30546757
Oops, shit. I should not post first Thing in the morning.

>>30545821
Those Doom creatures are aquatic?

>>30548013
Yeah, theyre the same ones that attacked the boat and got commandoed by anon

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>Killing off love of life and unborn foal.
What a way to start off the new thread.
Fantastic! Rise Thunder and avenge your family. Let hate flow through you and answer the call for vengeance! Or will you grovel in your own despair?
>>30529454
>"We've been conducting several tests on the creatures."
>He takes an uncomfortable looking fold out chair and sits down.
>"Like yourself, they can change into any creature or anything they know or see. However, there's so much more in there. Through our experiments, we saw incredible things."
>He gestures his hoof in amazement as if seeing it for the first time.
>"To put it simply, in it's brain are various stimulants. When it get's a signal to release said stimulants it can become transparent, incredibly strong, or even produce magic powerful enough to rival a unicorn. Part changeling. Part monster. All beast."
>Taking a hoof he rubs his eyes again and gives out a sigh.
>"If I were a unicorn I'd be able to demonstrate it all."
"No need for a demonstration, all of this is quite enlightening."
>Well looks like you found your secret hive.
>It also seems Gencer has been kept out of the loop since the MID already knew about this place.
>Not like they were wrong to distrust him.
>But that brings another problem.
>If the MID have this place on the books, then now so does the military.
>And like all the other outposts, this one will be on the list for raids.
>"There is one more thing."
>He steps up from his chair.
>"Take another look."
>Peering back into the folds you see the mound of pink flesh.
>"Notice anything particular?"
"It's...smaller?"
>"Precisely, although we have no data on them being awoken, we are confident that they are missing the frontal lobe."
"But that would mean no individuality, no knowledge. They are as dumb as any other animal."
>"An interesting thought, but take another look. Focus. I'll give you a hint, the stem."

>>30548829
>You try and scan the area for where the brain stem connects, but with all the tissue and flesh it's hard to-
>There!
>That's astonishing!
>Instead of there being a separate brain stem and brain.
>It looks as if the brain seamlessly sprouts from the brain stem itself.
>"That goes all the way down its spine to where the sail is."
"What does that mean?"
>"After dissecting previous subjects we have discovered there are no vocal cords. This is their only means of communication with others."
>He puts a hoof on its spine.
>"This sail is like an antenna. It can receive orders instantaneously from whoever or whatever that has the power and right signal. With their individuality stripped, they make for a perfect auto-piloted drone. All they need are an order set. Go to (x,y). Attack. Defend. Raid. Return. Hibernate."
>He sits down with a self-satisfied look on his face.
>"Simple. All we need to do is figure out how to wake them."
>Instant transmissions. Faster than any flyer or runner can deliver messages.
>Camouflage.
>Strength enhancing capabilities.
>Hardened exoskeleton.
>A body made for the sole purpose of battle.
>"Why with enough power I bet they can even be personally controlled."
>And all conveniently available with the option of autopilot or remote control.
>Just what Maverick wants.
"You've done several experiments right? What exactly is the total number of these...things?"
>"A wonderful question I can easily answer through that corridor."
>He walks over beside the entrance with a hoof motioning you to enter.
>"After you."
>Going through the hallway, you notice no candles are hanging on the walls.
>Then it hits you.
>An intense wave of green blinds your eyes.
>As they slowly adjust to the extreme light, you find you have walked into an immense cavern lined to the brim with cocoons.

>>30548846
>Each one holding one of those monsters.
>You can see in a row where several have been taken out for their experiments.
>Those few aren't even a fraction of how many are left.
>Myriads upon myriads all crammed side by side. Top to bottom.
>It's as if the entire mesa has been hollowed out in order to provide these beasts their shelter.
>If that's true, that means this might be the most structurally sound rock formation.
>With enough force, you might be able to bring this entire place down.
>But how?
>You need to get a better view.
>A walkway made out of a blackish-green sludge, most likely a product of whatever secreted the cocoons, leads to the other side of the cavern.
>In the center is a pool of the slime.
>Somehow the entire structure suspends in mid-air.
>Dipping a hoof into the ooze, it wraps around it with ease.
>You put some pressure and it holds.
>So it's safe to walk then.
>It didn't feel sticky or wet, it just had a presence.
>Like a jello wall except retaining some firmness.
>You take another step and you feel your hoof sink into the sludge.
>It envelops it.
>You can feel it move through the holes in your hooves and connect making one solid mass again.
>Trying to lift it out, you are met with hard resistance.
>This is bad.
>You try to turn back, but now you feel your back hooves slowly sinking into the sludge as well.
>"Interesting."
"Hey, can you give me a hoof?"
>Looking behind you you see him staring at you with hungry bloodshot eyes.
"What in the name of-"
>Before you can finish your sentence the ooze shoots up grabbing your chest.
>It moves across your body rapidly and clings to it like glue.
>Just before it covers your face, you catch one last glimpse of the pegasus staring at you anxiously.
>Then you feel yourself thrust downward.

>>30548854
>The floor is eating me!
>NOOOOoooo...

>>30543144
>…
“Well… It’s just a guess but I’m willing to say that we’re here.”
>The shore fills the entire horizon.
>As you inspect it with a spyglass, you realize that ‘shore’ isn’t the appropriate word.
>Jagged rocks and cliffs form an endless wall between the ocean and land.
>It’s hard to judge from this distance, but you’d guess that they go up two hundred feet or so at the highest peaks.
“It’s a good thing we have pegasi, because I’d rather not have to climb that.”
>”Anon?”
“I wonder how far it goes for?”
>”Anon!”
>You turn to look at Tiara.
>Who is facing the opposite direction.
>Looking off the stern of the ship, you see it too.
“Another one?”
>Dark storm clouds stretch across the horizon.
>You think you can see some lightning brewing in the clouds.
>And it’ll be dark soon.
>The only question is if that darkness comes from the sun setting below the storm, or the storm overtaking the ship.
>”It looks as bad as the last one.”
“Well the timing is impeccable.”
>Between the wind and waves, you don’t doubt that the ship will be tossed into the cliffs.
“Think the anchor could hold?”
>Commander Port speaks up as he holds the wheel.
>”Possible, but unlikely.”
“How unlikely?”
>”Very.”
“Why did I know you were going to say that?”
>Turning to look back to the cliffs, you start scanning with the spyglass.
>You need a cave, or something.
>Just enough coverage to break a bit of the storm.
>You catch a little bit of brown and white that stands out among the dark grey rock.
>You think it’s a broken mast from a ship.
>Well great.

>>30549581
>As you continue to scan, you hear Tiara speak:
>”Port, your thoughts?”
>”The wind is coming from the north by a few degrees. If we head west now, and try to go south, we might avoid impact.”
>”Maybe, but if the storm lasts even half as long as the previous one did, how far west we are won’t matter.”
>Moving north, you can see a very large mountain sticking into the air.
>It’s at least fifty feet higher than the rest of the cliffs.
>Tiara continues:
>”I… we might have to abandon ship.”
>”We would be trapped.”
>”I know that!”
>That’s no mountain…
“Go north.”
>”What?”
>”What?”
>You offer the spyglass to Tiara, and point to the spot.
“Take a look.”
>As she pulls it up to her eye and focuses it, she speaks:
>”And?”
“What does that look like to you?”
>”A jagged coast.”
“But that point, above the rest.”
>”What about it?”
“It’s crumbling, but look at the right side of it.”
>”That looks smooth.”
“Too smooth.”
>”It… If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it almost looks like the base of a lighthouse.”
“Maybe you don’t know any better.”
>”Commander.”
>She looks up from the spyglass.
>”Set course… forty degrees starboard.”
>You won’t particularly have the wind going with you, so this will be pretty close.
>If you’re wrong the entire ship is going down.
>But it might be the best chance you’ve got.
“Hey Tiara. Do we have a volleyball on board?”
>”What? Why?”
“Wilson.”
>”What?”
“Because it’s… just- never mind.”
>Harvey would have liked the joke.

>>30549590
I'll be back to write more tonight.

But hey, we're finally there. The East.
And it only took eleven acts. (left at the end of IV, now arriving at the end of XV)

>>30549615
>eleven acts
https://m.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/rime-ancient-mariner
Only seven
i memorized a good bit of this in 6th grade. I can still quote some of it.

>>30549590
Wait hang on, what is it then? Is there something I'm missing?

>>30549952
You'll just have to wait and sea.

Holy shit, please tell me the Discord personality split happened before Discordant Harmony was released, cause if so that just means Thing is actually a prophet

>>30545866
I chose not to read any of that. I was scared of spoilers.

Also
>pencils

>>30549878
oh cool, that's where 'water, water everywhere nor not a drop to drink' is from
>>30549952
basically what trips said>>30550444 but to summarize: Anon reaches east, the coast is jagged cliff side and a storm is closing in that would push the ship into the rocks, he spots something that looks unnatural and has the ship go towards it. I picked a shitty spot to stop, my bad, it'll be properly explained in the next post.
>>30550637
Harvey has been around for about 10 months or so, hinted at for another month, and planned a another month before that.(I've only seen season 7 up to honest apple, been meaning to catch up one of these nights).

The actual inspiration came from the TV series Farscape (an obscure scifi show), where the villain placed a neural clone into the protagonist's brain, which let the actor get more screen tine and partake in dream-like fantasies: sometimes helping the main character, and sometimes hurting him.
>>30550860
good man.(The spoiler just said that ;one of the main characters will suffer' or sometime along those lines, when I do legit spoiler it's still very vague.)
>>30545866
>Thunder's introduction.
Honestly I'm not sure what you're referring to. He was introduced back in the prologue where he was drinking and playing cards while off duty in the Appleoosa saloon. I can't remember his first PoV post, so I assume you're talking about that.

>>30549590
>As the ship draws closer to the cliffs, and the storm draws closer to the ship, you start to get a better look at the strange outcropping.
>It looks to be made of the same rock as the cliff is, but it is definitely manmade.
>Well, not MAN made, but made by somebody.
>The rock has crumbled, but in a couple of places you can see that the structure seemed to be round.
>And made of actual bricks.
>At a guess, you’d say that it’s some ancient lighthouse.
>Weathered by who knows how many centuries.
>You think that Harvey said something about ruins of long dead civilizations, so this might be one of them.
>But you do hope that the civilization is in fact ‘long dead.’
>Else you’ll have to engage in some gunboat diplomacy.
>Although the proper storm is still far away, the waters are getting rough.
>And the not-so-tiny ship is being tossed by the waves.
>But this is no Minnow, and it won’t be lost if you have anything to say about it.
“Tiara, let me see that spyglass.”
>When she gives you the small telescope, you extend it and start looking towards the cliff below the lighthouse.
“Haha!”
>You say with a grin.
>”What is it?”
“Don’t quote me yet, but I think there’s a bay up ahead.”
>…
>Come on, this is it.
>You’re definitely approaching an inlet of some sort, and the entire crew is hushed as they wait to see what’s around the cliff.
>Even if it’s just a river, you can head in a bit and drop anchor away from the jagged rocks that line the coast.
>Anything so that the ship can still sail in the morning.
>And here it is.
>When the ship starts to come around the bend below the ruined lighthouse, you see the crewmen towards the bow of the ship start looking around.
>Whatever it is, it must…
>Be…
>Holy…
>What is this?

>>30551111
>You were right, the lighthouse does indicate a bay.
>A decently narrow passage into the harbor, but it’s pretty open after that.
>The bay is roughly circular, and the cliffs continue to line it.
>But the entire bay is surrounded by buildings.
>Stone buildings atop mesas carved into the cliffs.
>The city is massive.
>At least as large as Canterlot is, all atop plateaus that overlook this little patch of water.
>To the north east, you see a waterfall that drops off into the bay.
>A river of some sort.
>But the buildings themselves are large.
>You don’t see anything that’s shorter than three stories.
>Much of the stone that the buildings are made of is weathered, and at least half of it is covered in ivy or other plant life.
>Due to the damage, it’s hard to pick out a architectural style, but at a glance you’d say that it looks rather Hellenic, with maybe a bit of Incan influence in the mesa design.
>It all seems rather familiar.
“Tiara?”
>”Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“It looks a bit like the carvings from the island where the Valiant was shipwrecked on.”
>The source of the Fog that slowed your voyage.
>”Yeah…”
>Port then speaks up:
>”Ma’am, we should drop anchor over there, so that the cliff is directly between us and the storm.”
>Tiara doesn’t respond as she looks through the abandoned buildings.
“Make it so.”
>The city is in shambles, but you can still tell that it was massive in its day.
>But if the same people made this as did the Fog island, then they were minotaurs.
>Or they at least were the source of the old minotaur languages.
>If they were minotaurs, what were they doing out here in so great numbers so long ago?
>”I don’t like this.”
>Tiara says to you.
“What’s the saying? Any port in a storm?”

>>30549878
if you're like me and can't grasp poetry when it's not read aloud, here's an Ian McKellen reading of it if you're interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1raSUYAr0s0
>>30551114
>…
>”I’m telling you Anon, I have a really bad feeling about this!”
>Tiara has to yell over the winds as the crew battens down the hatches.
“I know! I’m getting that vibe too. Not sure if it’s an actual gut feeling or about the east in general, but that’s why-”
>You stop yourself as a few ones walk between your conversation.
“That’s why I’m staying up here alone!”
>”You’re what!”
“I’m going to stay up here alone!”
>”Why!”
“It’s safer that way! The ship is nice and secure, but we have no idea what could be lurking in the bay or city!”
>”Then we should keep a full complement on deck!”
“I am a full complement! Also, you should head below with everyone else instead of staying in your cabin!”
>”Why should I!”
“Because if something breaks through your windows, I won’t be able to hear it over the storm!”
>”I don’t need you to worry about my safety!”
“Well too damn bad!”
>”Anon!”
“Tiara!”
>”Anon…”
“Let me get one last bit of chauvinism in, will you?”
>You hear her laugh.
>”Alright… but you don’t have to prove anything this time, if you need help, just ask for it!”
“Deal, now get down there!”

This is probably it for the night
>>30551402
>…
>And then there was one.
>You’re out here alone.
>Just you and the storm.
>But, you’re not really alone…
“Alright Harv, talk to me.”
>-
>In the white expanse of your mind, you see Discord standing in front of you in his usual human form.
>”Well well, we’re actually here.”
“What is this place?”
>”A city.”
“I know that already.”
>”Can I be honest?”
“I expect you to.”
>”I’ve got a bit of a gap in my memory here.”
“What!”
>”I remember something about ancient minotaurs before they fled across the sea.”
“They did what?”
>”Well minotaurs are not native to their lands that border Equestria. Five thousand or so year ago they migrated from here for some reason or other. That’s all I can remember.”
“Weren’t you actually there?”
>”A: It was Discord that was around back then, not Harvey. And B: Around that time I was generally more concerned with seeing what would happen if I made dogs intelligent… I think.”
“You think!”
>”You know how strange you feel and act after I’ve been influencing your mind? I’m constantly going through that. And I’ve only got about half of Discord in here, there are a few gaps.”
“Well thanks for nothing!”
>He waves his right arm in front of his waist as he bows.
>”As always, monsieur.”
>-
>Well, you’re out here on your own.
>As you feel the first drops of rain start to hit you, you decide to remove your shirt.
>If you have to fight, you’d rather not do it in a soaked top.
>Also it’s rather hot.
>But something is out there…
>Why?
>Because something is always out there.
>Always.

This is it for the night. needed to end on more of a cliffhanger
>>30551405
>…
>As you stand ready atop the ship’s upper deck, the storm rages around you.
>Warm rain coats your body as thunder rages out and lighting illuminates the empty ship and the desolate city.
>From the entrance of the bay, waves enter and rock the ship.
>The ship moves back and forth with the tide, but remains staunchly docked among the ruins of this ancient ruin.
>The weight of your sword remains on your hip, your left hand resting on the pommel.
>Something is coming… you can feel it in your bones.
>And all that you can do is wait and stand vigilant.
>Whatever may dwell in this bay, no matter how long it has resided here will be aware of ythe ship’s presence.
>And as not only the reports, but also Harvey’s summaries of this land, indicates that behind every stone in this wilderness lies a deadly creature or two.
>While decades of forays and treks into the Everfree might have left the local fauna with the instinctual fear or caution upon discovering your scent, you have no such boon here.
>Each step of the way you will encounter beasts that see you as nothing more than prey.
>Despite the damage to your knees, and your overall weakness as you’ve past your prime, you cannot let that stop you.
>Everything between you and your target is merely a distraction.
>A continent wide distraction, but a distraction none the less.
>After this night, you’ll be on your own.
>And that’s good.
>The only person you’ll have to worry about is yourself.
>And you-
>Your train of thought ends as you feel a small yet sharp set of claws embed themselves into your back.

>>30551111
>gunboat diplomacy
Knock knock it's Equestria.
Open the country.
Time to trade.
Also nice quads.
>Gil Isl reference
Maryanne was best stranded grill.
Too bad no pone version.

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>>30551498
>Your train of thought ends as you feel a small yet sharp set of claws embed themselves into your back.

Oh shit

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>>30551498

>page 9

Couple of midday updates for y'all
>>30552237
>Mary Ann
good taste
>>30551498
>Lighting strikes, lighting up the ship for a moment.
>You reach behind your back and grab at a leathery limb.
>Your back feels a bit slimy.
>Pulling at the thin arm or leg, you toss the creature off.
>The light has ended from the strike, and you can only see a dark figure scramble away before jumping up on one of the masts.
>The silhouette was pretty small, maybe three feet high.
>Four legs, a tail.
>A bit of a hunch in its upper spine.
>And it moved quickly.
>You then hear a high pitched growling screech from above.
>It manages to carry over the wind and thunder quite easily.
>Drawing your sword, you start watching the masts and rigging.
>Where are you?
>Glancing behind you, you check to make sure another one isn’t going for the same trick.
>”Anon, do you want-“
“Not now Harv!’
>The sky lights up again, and you see the animal jump onto the next mast.
>Again, you didn’t get a good look at it.
>”Anon!”
“What!”
>-
>In your frozen time land, you look at Harvey impatiently.
>”You’ve been poisoned.”
“What! How?”
>”Some of the creature’s secretions got into your wounds.”
“Disgusting.”
>”If you had just worn a shirt…”
“Well then it would have just ruined it, and I only have a couple with me. So what’s the damage?”
>”It’s working as a paralyzing agent. Chemically it’s not too dissimilar to manticore venom.”
“Good.”
>”What? How is this good!”
“Because I’ve gained a bit of a tolerance to manticore venom.”
>”That’s not how… well maybe.”
“It’s the difference between being a bit sluggish and frozen on the ground.”

I'll be back later.
>>30555512
>”Well it still looks pretty quick…”
>It.
“You don’t know what it is, do you.”
>”Do you know every species of animal found on Earth?”
“Alright, point taken. Now send me back before the venom starts kicking in.”
>-
>Back on the ship, you scan the rigging.
>Where are you…
>It expect prey to be paralyzed!
>Dropping your sword to the deck, you then fall onto your right knee.
>That hurts.
>Bracing yourself you place your right hand onto the ground next to it.
>”Anon…”
“Shut up, it’s a plan.”
>You don’t need a backseat driver right now.
>Seeing a shadow drop onto the deck, you lose sight of it due to the guard rail.
>Wait for it.
>Wait for it…
>A silhouette jumps up onto the guard rail next to the wheel, perching onto it for a moment.
>You clench your right hand into a fist.
>And then it leaps out towards you.
>While it jumps through the air, you shift your weight to deliver an uppercut into its jaw or neck.
>Knocking it back, it quickly finds its footing once more.
>Then lightning flashes and you get a clear look at the creature.

Fucking cliffhanger, hanging from a cliff, that's why they call me cliffhanger bump.

Power out due to storm, I'll update in the morning unless lights come on soon

>>30542259
Has this ended yet?

>>30558097
>thinking this ride will ever end

>>30558180
Trust me, it will end.

It's 3 in the morning and i still dont have power, so I'm officially calling it quits tonight. I'll be back tomorrow

Bumperino

>>30550860
>pencils
Yeah sorry I was drunk at the time and posting in both threads, I meant what I said though.

>>30558758

Sorry about the power outage last night.
>>30555522
>What the hell is that?
>The creature is covered in leathery skin , more grey on its face and the underbelly, but getting brownish towards it’s back.
>The hide is fairly rough, but it has a shiny sheen to it.
>Both due to the rain, and the oily slime that Harv said it secreted.
>Not a lot of meat on its bones- you can see the ribs clearly pressed against the skin.
>The limbs lack meat as well, but you can see a fair amount of muscle, and veins across the front shoulders.
>It is hunched over on all limbs, but the front legs are much shorter.
>You’d guess that it can move both on two or four legs.
>The front legs/arms are much thinner than the back, but the strange thing you notice is the fingers.
>There are only two of them with a fair amount of space between them.
>The claws that they end with look sharp, and maybe two-three inches long.
>On the back legs, you notice three joints.
>Well not exactly, it looks almost like how dogs have the joint between their back paws a bit up on their leg.
>Three toes evenly spaced, with similar claws are on the hands, however a bit shorter and thicker.
>The tail is bony and goes on a foot or two.
>What’s strange is the small bushel of spikes coming out of the hunch of its back.
>The tallest ones go up about a six inches, maybe a defensive feature for use against larger predators.
>Its neck isn’t that long, but then there’s the head.
>Fairly round, the back half is covered in brown leathery skin.
>However the front half is a bit larger, as it looks like the cheek bones jut out a bit.
>The grey parts of its skin make its face look almost like the bone is visible.
>No ears or a real nose, but you think you can see some tiny holes in the appropriate spots.
>Then there’s the mouth.

>>30561842
>No lips, instead the gums and teeth are exposed.
>Not a lot of teeth, but what’s there is long and sharp.
>With a larger set of fangs each side of the jaw.
>The cheek themselves are very gaunt, making a rough angle as they reach out to the cheekbones.
>Finally there are the eyes.
>Depressed circles of blood red that shine in the light of the storm.
>Reaching down to grip your sword, you lunge to your feet and try to slash at it.
>But the creature is easily able to scurry forward to dodge the strike.
>As you get your footing more stable, you’re starting to feel the effects of the poison.
>Many of your muscles are starting to contract, and you feel a lot more sluggish.
>The creature starts circling around to your left, and you step forward to swing down at its back.
>Yeah, that’s really starting to hit you.
>Your sword doesn’t feel like the extension of your body that it should be.
>The weight is really annoying actually.
>And the animal managed to clear the strike by a few seconds, rather than a fraction of one.
>Thunder roars and you hear a high pitched screech over the noise.
>Releasing the grip on your sword, you drop it to the deck as it will only slow you down.
>Turning on your right heel, you spin in a one eighty and hold your right arm out in front of your chest.
>The creature was in the air jumping towards you, and each of its two-fingered hands wrap around your arm.

>>30561853
>You feel it’s feet impact your stomach as the grip on your arm tightens.
>The creature then lunges it’s head forward to bite at one of your shoulders, but you jab your left hand forward to grab its neck.
>As you tighten your grip on its neck, it tightens its grip on your arm and tries to claw at your torso with its legs.
>You’d guess that its legs weren’t really made for offensive use, because the cuts feel superficial.
>And it’s really troubling that you can tell the difference between a superficial cut so quickly.
>The little bastard might be quick, but it still doesn’t have the strength for this.
>Even with the poison doing its job.
>And it realizes that, as it releases the grip on your arm.
>Before it can claw at you with its hands, you reach down with your now free hand to grab at its right thigh.
>The debilitation from the venom makes the next move difficult as you lift the creature and slam it down onto the ground.
>You don’t want to let it get back on its feet and you no longer have a grip on it, so you stomp your right boot onto its neck.
>Multiple times.
>And one more for good measure.
>The exertion just makes your heart pump faster, allowing more of the venom to spread through your body at a quicker pace.
>Kneeling over the body, you pull the dagger out of your sheathe and slide it up into the belly of the creature.
>No movement, it’s dead.

I'll be back later today
>>30561861
>Taking the knife out, you drop it to the side and fall back from the kneeling position.
>Similar to manticore venom, but your blood isn’t burning in your veins.
>You think you’ll just sit here a moment as the storm rages on.
“Hey Harv.”
>”Yes?”
>His disembodied voice is easily heard over the storm.
“What is it?”
>”Dead.”
“I know that…”
>”I don’t know, never seen one before.”
“Huh.”
>”If you discovered it, that means you get to name it.”
“I’m not good with that, I’m still calling those tartarus animals that swam up ‘creatures.’”
>”But I told you, those are called-“
“We’re not calling them that!”
>”So this will be just ‘creature 2’ will it?”
“Well, it looks vaguely dog like… kind of. Harv, that right there is obviously a chupacabra.”
>”Wow that’s soooo original.”
“Better than whatever you’d call it.”
>You start to inspect the damage on your right arm when the next bit of lightning hits.
>Probably be a bit of bruising, the cuts look like they avoided any veins or arteries.
>The damage was mainly on the top of it.
>It’s fingers managed to wrap entirely around where they latched onto.
>That one further up your arm might leave a light scar.
>At least the rain will help clean out the wounds.
“Harv?”
>”Hmm?”
“Do me a favor, and pay extra attention to my senses. I need to sit here a while.”
>”If it’s any consolation, I’m trying to get your body to filter your blood more efficiently.”
“How does that- I’m not going to ask.”
>”You’re welcome.”
>You sigh.
“Thank you Harvey.”

>>30561866
Harvey is a fucking bro

Sitting back down to write, updates within a few hours
>>30562941
I'm glad that the execution of his aspect went as well as it did. I feel that it would have been an easy aspect of the story to fuck up as I'm juggling so many characters and plot lines

>>30561866
>…
>You inhale the salty air of the sea around you.
>Why isn’t it raining?
>It was just a second ago…
>Right?
>You open your eyes to the dark night.
>The moon is out, and it looks like the storm has subsided.
>How?
>It feels like just a moment ago that you sat down here.
>The bright moon illuminates the body of the creature that’s still in front of you.
>As you start to stand up, you still feel a bit slow from the venom.
>Not very, though you can definitely still feel some effect.
>First, you reach down to grab your dagger.
>As you sheathe it, you note that the rain has washed away any blood that might have been on it.
>Next is your sword.
>There it is.
>Picking it up, you slide the tip into the sheathe and let gravity and a small flick of the wrist do the rest.
>Alright.
>The moon is really damn bright actually.
>Making your way onto the main deck, you walk over to the nearest hatch to below.
>You stomp on it three times, then wait for a crew member to open it.
“Get a doubled watch up here and be careful. I got attacked by a quick little bugger. And someone wake the doctor, I need him to take a look at my back.”
>”Yes Sir.”
>”Is that? Move.”
>Tiara then comes into sight at the bottom of the stairs.
>”What happened to you?”
“Chupacabra.”
>With that, you start descending the stairs.
>As you reach the bottom, you look over to her.
“You can go back to your cabin now if you’d like.”
>And then you start walking towards the room that the doctor has turned into a medical station.

>>30564693
>…
>”Listen, you should probably rest for a few days at least.”
“I’m fine.”
>”You have four five inch holes in your back, and multiple lacerations.”
“I’ve had worse.”
>”You’re my patient, and I’m saying-“
“Pour some rubbing alcohol on it and patch it up.”
>”I don’t care who you are out of this room.”
>You glare over to the doctor.
>”I’m in… charge… here… alright, just stay still a moment.”
>He goes over to get an antiseptic of some type.
>”This is going to hurt. Do you want-“
“Just do it.”
>He pours a liquid onto your back that’s somewhat irritating.
>You don’t even flinch.
>Then you hear him speak to himself:
>”Is this the right? Yeah.”
“Like I said Doc: I’ve had worse.”
>Also Harv is probably doing something about the pain.
>”Now the arm.”
>You offer your wounded arm to get doused.
>”Are you always this bad of a patient?”
>The doctor says as he goes to get some bandages.
“Only when on duty.”
>”I’ve heard that answer too many times.”
“Have you?”
>”Been stationed at a few bases. Ponies on the lower end of the ranking order are terrible, but officers on the upper end are even worse.”
“Your bedside manner could use some work.”
>”And your bedridden manner could use some work.”
“Heh. Fair enough.”

>>30564700
>…
>After getting bandaged up, you made a pit stop down to your things.
>Now, you stand on the deck and knock at Tiara’s door.
>”What!”
>Her muffled voice yells.
>You decide just to enter, holding a hand behind your back.
>”Oh, it’s you.”
>She says while looking at some maps over her lantern lit center table.
>”You put a shirt on too.”
>You actually got into a dry set of clothes.
“Well I was getting tired of dripping rainwater.”
>”That thing you killed was disgusting.”
“I have a feeling that a lot of things over here are.”
>”Shouldn’t you be resting?”
“Shouldn’t you?”
>”I have to chart a path back home, you have to head out tomorrow.”
“Well, I made an promise, and don’t want to forget it.”
>You move your hand into her view.
>A vial of dark green liquid.
>”What is it?”
“Manticore venom.”
>She sits back in her seat and sighs.
>”Really?”
“Just one drop.”
>”I’ll get the glasses.”

>>30564705
This will end Act 15, I'm going to update the pastebin right now.

I want to think a little bit on how to start the 16th act, so I think this'll be all for the night. I'll be back tomorrow.

>>30564715
Holy crap, it's been 15 acts already? Damn, congrats thing

Bumperino

>>30550637
>Yaks caught in avalanche
>Next episode has Discord personality swap

What the fuck?

>>30565071
>ThingFag is a prophet confirmed.
Praise be!

>>30565960
What will he predict next?

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>>30567937
The lottery numbers hopefully.

>>30568719
I predict he's predicting what happen's next in the story. Then he's going to write about it.

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From the heights of Mt. Everhoof,
To the shores of Dragon's Lair;
We fight our nation's battles;
On land, in sea, or air;
First to fight for right and honor
And to keep our country free;
We are proud to claim the title
Of Equestrian Marines.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
All day to early morn.
We have fought in every clime and place
Where our foes always leave scorned;
In the snow of far-off YakYakistan
And in Arabic desert scenes,
You will find us always on the job
The Equestrian Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Canterlot's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By Equestrian Marines.

Happy Weekend everybody!
I tried making it Old Guard, but it just broke the flow of the song.

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>>30569815
Awesome! Happy weekend Luke. Raise one to uncle Stan!

>>30569941
Nothing hard for me tonight. Have to get up early tomorrow.
>>30548854
>You can't see.
>Everything seems so dark.
>You can feel the sludge slowly move across your body.
>It will solidify around you making a perfect mold, then liquefy and return to its normal form.
>With each passing second you can feel it constrict more and more around your body.
>You try to take a breath, but the sludge quickly forces it's way down your throat.
>Gagging off of it, you can feel the cool slime wiggle through your insides.
>Surprisingly you still are able to breath.
>You take a breath and refresh the oxygen in your blood.
>A sudden warmth surrounds you.
>You feel at peace.
>Like something just wiped away all your troubles.
>No more pain.
>No more death.
>No need to worry or doubt.
>Just peace.
>As you drift through blackness, you see a light in the distance.
>Not really a light.
>Glowing.
>A light-blue glow.
>Something is rattling.
>You feel something tighten around your hooves.
>It doesn't hurt, but that incessant rattling leaves a ringing in your ears.
>Yak script?
>Before you can get your bearings you feel yourself thrust into the open world.
>It's bright.
>Oh so bright.
>You try to raise a hoof to cover your eyes.
>That's strange.
>You try again and still nothing happens.
>Instead however you feel yourself sit upright.
>Between you and him are metal bars.
>Are you in a jail?
>You try to look around.
>As you try you get a horrible sting in your neck.
>Suddenly your head jerks left and right.
>It's not a jail.
>A cage.
>A small one.

>>30570173
>For a brief second, you see in this room are several other cages.
>All are empty, but the one to your far left and one directly across.
>In your field of view between you and the other cage, you see the pegasus pacing back and forth excitedly.
>He's mumbling to himself.
>"Something new. Something finally new!"
>He grabs hold of something just out of view.
>At the angle you are at, you can barely make out it's another pony.
>Must be grabbing his collar, can't see.
>"Can you believe it Haze! It's been months since we've had a breakthrough!"
>You can't see the entire body of the other pony, but you can see their front hooves and underbelly.
>And their spear planted in the ground.
>"Soon we can all return to Canterlot as heroes! I can see it now. Sky Star and team unlock the ultimate weapon and save Equestria from foreign tyranny! With this everlasting peace, Celestia will see it is good and return to her former gracefulness! No more enemies for pointless wars! No more enemies means no more military! Just peace! Peace and security for all and the ones who enforce it!"
>The other pony says nothing in response.
>You just see him slowly sway back and forth.
>"Of course 'some' ponies will find fault with loosing their positions of power, but it will be for the best!"
>Almost as if he's struggling to stay standing.
>"Oh how I longed for this day to come. Things will finally return to how it was when I was just a little colt."
>The other pony leans against some cages and his spear falls to the ground.
>The point of it pointing directly at your cage.
>"Yes. Yes. You're right! Celebrations are for later. Now there's work to be done."
>"Let me help you with that. Perfect."
>You see him help the other pony return to his normal stance and the spear plants itself back in its respectful spot.
>He drops in front of your cage.
>His face inches from the bars.
>"Lot's of work indeed."
>In a flash, Sky storms out of sight leaving you alone with the others.

>>30570173
Don't worry, I'll drink for both of us tonight.

Updates coming in a few hours

>>30564705
>…
>”Princess, word is there’s a griffon diplomat that wants to speak with you. He said that he’s carrying a letter from their king.”
>Lancer speaks as you sit in the throne.
>Remobilization has been going quickly so far.
>In a month, the military will have doubled in size by all projections.
>And by the time winter comes around, you’ll be back to having a million man army.
>You don’t care how many tunnels the creatures have to breed in, there’s no way they can keep up if it comes down to attrition.
>This is the first thing that’s come up that hasn’t been related to that effort.
“Send him in, I could use a break.”
>…
>Lancer escorts the brown and grey griffon into the throne room.
>His head is rather round for a griffon.
>But he isn’t particularly overweight, so it looks more comical than strange.
>As they walk closer, you can see the diplomat visibly shaking.
>When they arrive at the bottom of the stairs to the throne, the griffon speaks.
>And he can barely bring his eyes up halfway.
>”Princess Heart, it is an honor to-“
“Speak normally.”
>”I, uhh. To be present in your most serene-“
“You’re new, aren’t you?”
>He looks even deeper onto the ground.
>”Yes.”
“Well, why are you here?”
>”I bring a letter directly from King Grover the fourth, an ever merciful and just ruler who-“
“Just give it here.”

>>30571362

>He reaches into his satchel and gives the letter to Lancer who walks it up to you.
>As you go to open it, the diplomat speaks:
>”Please don’t hurt me.”
“Why would I-“
>You glance at the page.
>In a very crude writing, you see the following:
>[Princess Flurrie Haert:]
>[Give Vanhoover and]
>(The following word is crossed out and then spelled correctly)
>[surrounding land.]
>[or else.]
>[-King Grover 4]
>He was like what, ten?
>Atrocious grammar for a kid of his age.
>Still, so much for the peace treaty…
“Somepony go get Admiral Brairheart.”
>Lancer then asks you:
>”What is it?”
“The usual griffon demands, but much less eloquently stated.”
>Might as well have some fun.
>Leaning forward, you furrow your brow as you look at the diplomat.
>His feathers might as well get a shade or two more pale.
“So that’s what he wants, is it?”
>”Please, I’m just the messenger.”
“Oh I’m not going to hurt you.”
>You see Brairheart step in from the hallway.
>He was dealing with some supply line problem with lower officers in the hall.
“Admiral! You’re going to be escorting our guest here back to Griffonstone. Take that airship you like so much. Also when you get there take a shot at one of the mountains with the main gun.”
>You then look back at the diplomat.

More tomorrow
>>30571368
“Alright, listen up. Celestia might have put up with all of this nonsense, but I won’t. The next time your people attack us, I want you to use your imagination as to what will happen. Maybe I’ll just annex everything, maybe I’ll completely destroy Griffonstone and salt the ground for good measure. I’ve offered to let bygones be bygones, but if you guys insist on being enemies, I’d be more than happy to oblige. So, I suggest that your child king takes a good long look at the peace treaty we both signed a few months ago, and asks himself if it’s really worth it.”
>You then glance back to the admiral.
“And Brairheart, make sure that everypony in the capitol knows my terms. And add that if their king won’t keep them safe, they should replace him with somepony who will.”
>Finally you look back to the diplomat.
“And don’t forget to remind your king that I have more soldiers than he has people. If he’s been treating his math lessons with as much attention as he gives writing, he probably never realized it.”
>”Y-yes your highness!”
“Now get out of my palace.”
>As Brairheart escorts the poor griffon out of the throne room, Lancer speaks to you.
>”That was… severe.”
“The griffons have no excuse for all the wars. It’s in the yak and minotaur cultures, and after the changeling stuff the Saddle Arabians really hated us. But the griffons just had no proper reason for any of their wars other than greed.”
>”Still, is it really wise to provoke the kid king?”
“Somepony has to be strict with him, and apparently none of his countrymen are. And for the record, I’m serious. If they declare war, the very best that they’re getting is full annexation.”
>Lancer remains silent after the statement.
>And you have nothing more to add, so the throne room gets real quiet really fast.

is Griffinstone North Korea?

>>30571738
Nah, it more like a feudal country with a 15 or younger king in the line of succession, and no regency.
Think less NK, more King Tut.

>>30571368
>Give Vanhoover
>checks map of Equestria
He really is dumb, why would he want a city on the complete other side of the country. It would be isolated.

>>30572207
>holds outpost city on other side of continent.
>in order to maintain stability needs to heavily import from mainland.
>import and export company both owned and controlled by King and constituents
>profit
Remember Griffins are the Jews of Equestria

>>30572207
I played fast and loose with the map. In story griffonstone is to vanhoover what Vancouver is to Seattle

Griffons to the northwest, yaks far to the north, minotaurs to the northeast. Bison to the west, dogs to the south, Saddle Arabians to the southeast.And of course ocean to the east.
>>30571738
>>30572045
yeah, it's just a spoiled brat took over as king

Who wants to bet that Anon is going to defeat the big evil and save the day at the exact same time that Flurry is knee deep in shit, thus saving her life as well because these demons or whatever they are will suddenly stop dead in their tracks?

>>30573642
What if anon beats the big bad, gets back to equestria and realises he was too late and Flurry died?

>>30573705
What if Anon was the big bad all along, so he has to kill himself in order to make it stop?

>>30557759

File: 1498019383641.png (248KB, 540x415px) Image search: [Google]

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So when Anon finds said big bad thing, does he plan on solely beating it to death or does he have a solid approach planned out?

File: 1444871262133.jpg (18KB, 400x537px) Image search: [Google]

18KB, 400x537px

>>30577027
cover himself in cuts and dive into the black goo

Firstly- updates coming in a few hours
Secondly- the matrix is a great movie to watch while drunk
Thirdly->>30577027 yes
Fourthly- I've been getting into Football manager '17. I know at least one brit lurks here, but any non-american Anon can recommend me their favorite or local club to play as (I have no real connection to soccer teams). Please nothing in the top league of your county though, I'm still a scrub.
Fifthly- I'm probably far to drunk to be posting write now, so be patient

>>30577266
fuck, I'm on the limit of blacking out and puking in the toilet/nearest trashcan. But fuck if that wont stop me

My liver could probably use a break... due to summer it's been having to work overtime

>>30577578
and trust me, I know my fucking limit.
>>30568719
I swear to fucking god that if I win the lottery, I'd become a professional writefag/drunk on /mlp/

(Also, i'm sorry for drunk posting, I really let myself go tonight. I have had about a full fifth of combinded liquor in the past few hors. And have let myself go fathter than I have for at least a year (than god for Microsoft word's autocorrect when updates come out). Also I really miss my ex'es tits. She was dumb as a fucking sack of hammers, but damn I loved sucking on them.)

I should really try to sober up for a day at least (message to probbaly hungover me when I read this in mornng)

>>30571372
>…
>As you finish latching your breastplate to your torso, you reach over to your cot and grab your backpack.
>Slinging it over your shoulders, you check to make sure everything is packed.
>You only brought the front of your armor, and that’s set.
>Dagger and other knives all on.
>Sword, as always.
>The machete is snug between your backpack and your back, but it’s accessible.
>Kukri below the backpack.
>Everything is in the backpack already.
>That… thing is already in your breast pocket under your armor.
>There’s something you’re missing though.
>You’re sure of it.
“Harv, what am I forgetting.”
>”The gun.”
“Right…”
>You packed the bullets, but almost forgot the gun…
>Thankfully, you had Gunny make a sling for it.
>Reaching over to the four bore, you toss the heavy shotgun over your right shoulder.
>That’s heavy.
>You just had to have him make an elephant gun, didn’t you?”
>Between the gun itself and all the cartridges, you’re basically adding thirty-odd pounds to your gear.
>That could have been halved if you had a twelve or even ten gauge made instead.
>The things you do for (ludicrous) stopping power.
>But you’ll probably need it here.
>All this stuff is actually slightly heavy.
>A few years ago, you wouldn’t have even noticed…
>Well on the bright side, your gear will only get lighter.
>Taking one last look at the improvised room you have down in the lower reaches of the ship, you turn and head for the deck.

>>30577761
>…
>”Anon?”
>As you step out onto the deck, Tiara calls over to you.
“Yes?”
>She’s standing just outside her cabin.
>”Can I speak to you before you leave?”
“Sure.”
>She nods back towards the door before turning to head inside.
>You follow, and enter through the door she leaves open behind her.
>”So this is it.”
>She says as you close the door.
“The end of the beginning has finished, and now the beginning of the end can… begin.”
>Not your greatest word play, but you tired.
“So, yeah. This is it.”
>”You’re not coming back, are you?”
“Well seeing as you guys are heading home, and there’s no plan for another ship to pick me up…”
>”That’s…”
>She doesn’t finish the statement.
“I’m here for one thing, and one thing only. But hey, if all goes well, I‘ll find a way back.”
>”Sorry, but I find that unlikely.”
“I’ve tamed a manticore before. Trust me- it’s not THAT unlikely.”
>”What I mean is…”
“Yes?”
>”Oh, it’s not important.”
“Isn’t it?”
>”No, I mean…”
“Spit it out.”
>”Don’t you have anypony back home waiting for you?”
>Oh.
>Oh…
>Well this is awkward.
“Look, I’ve got a… promise that I intend to fulfill.”
>Honestly you’ve never really thought of that…
>”Oh.”
>But…
“What I mean is, maybe. But don’t wait up, you know?”
>God, this is awkward.

(small post cause of character limits to the previous and next updates)
>>30577768
>”Right… so. What I meant to say is good luck. You know, there’s a lot ahead, and you’ll need it… and all of that…”
“That’s funny. Back before I got to this world, I didn’t believe in luck. But when you’re in enough trenches and on enough frontlines, that changes.”
>“Well fate is what fate will.”
“I don’t believe in fate.”
>”But you just said-“
“There’s a difference between luck and fate. Some people have it good, some bad. But everyone is in charge of their own destiny. All that matters is how they react to their situation and luck. Everyone gets dealt a hand, and no matter how good or how bad it is, it’s up to them to decide how to play it.”
>”That’s one way to look at it.”
“What do you think?”
>”Well…”
“What?”
>”Oh, it’s silly.”
“What is it?”
>”I think that everypony has their destiny, and the only factor is that whether they live up to it or not.”
“I think that’s a fair way to see things…”

This is it for the night, see you next hangover. (sorry for the drunk posting tonight.)
>>30577774
>…
>Well, here you are.
>On the deck, walking to the longboat.
>They’ll take you to the nearest land, and get going.
>Due to all the gear you have, a pair of pegasi would have problems trying to carry you.
>So you’re doing it the old fashioned way.
>Stepping over onto the boat, you then turn around to face the crew.
>You see Commander Port at the front of the crowd.
“Commander, It’s been an honor. You’re a good officer, and I hope your career lasts much longer.”
>”Thank you Sit.”
>Honestly, you’ll miss hearing his baritone voice daily.
“To the rest of you, it’s obvious that you’re the pride of the Royal Navy. I wish you the best of luck in getting home.”
>”Hey!”
>You hear a familiar voice yell.
>Sounds like…
>The pegasi pushes his way through the crowd.
>It’s Three-Leg.
“Don’t you have a crow’s nest to be in.”
>”There ain’t no horizon to watch. Here.”
>He offers you a flask.
>That’s his flask.
>Like HIS flask, his flask.
>He must notice your apprehension at taking the offer.
>”Go on, I’ve got another… and you’ll probably need it.”
“Ha!... Three-Leg, it’s been an honor, you damn alcoholic.”
>”Alcoholics have problems, I’m a drunk- thank you very much.”
“Of course, sorry about that.”
>”Ah, not a problem, you just make sure to return it once this is all over.”
“Sure thing.”
>You then hear another voice yell out.
>It’s Tiara.
>”Anon!”

>>30577578
>>30577634
You make me kek when you're fucked. Sleep tight, faggot.

Nothing better than drunk posting.

>>30578025
>>30578406
This, tis quite amusing.
plz dont die though

>>30578558
8 no h8

>>30579322

Updates coming later tonight
>>30578558
I'm fine. A bit pissed on how much jager I wasted instead of hitting the vodka, but fine.
>>30578406
>>30578025
Honestly I'm not sure how I was able to write so cohesively last night.

>>30583427
fuck, I'm sorry people. I've been pretty out of it all day, and I'm making no real progress writing. Let me rest up and I'll be back tomorrow.

>>30584211
Fine with me. Don't want you to rush and give us shit. Rest well.

>>30580828

>>30584211
JUST END THE DAMN STORY ALREADY. Also are different interpretations allowed or are we all gathered around one story?

File: 1485574054690.gif (2MB, 400x395px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 400x395px

>>30584899
Speak for yourself. This is the best damn ride on this board.

>>30585418
This. I'll be happy and sad once this finishes.

>>30586533
Once it's done I plan to do the spin off "Heart of peace" ft evil Flurry "Fury Heart"

Writing now, updates soon
>>30584899
>Anon trips and falls off the boat into the water, couldn't shed gear and drowns.
>Thunder commits suicide.
>Flurry works herself too hard and dies of a heart attack from the stress.

Happy?
>>30587577
Do what ever you guys want to, it's a free thread.
>>30585418
>>30586533
Anons, I...

On the topic of the end, there are a couple of one-offs I'd like to write in the setting. For example, take this scene from Thunder and Call about the second coast war:

“Who’d you serve under?”
>”Wave.”
“Those were some tough campaigns.”
>”Kicking ‘em out of the south, was nothing compared to the first invasion. I was one of the first on the beaches.”
“Those were bloodbaths.”
>”Only one of my entire company to survive the invasion.”
“Really?”
>”Luck alone kept me alive.”

Call would be PoV as he gets stuck in a battle of the bulge situation (trapped and surrounded by the enemy until help arrives) and watches everyone around him die

>>30577780
“Lady Tiara.”
>You say as the crewmen clear way for her.
>You did kind of leave her in her cabin…
>Given that you’re on the longboat, when she gets to the railing you’re virtually eye-to-eye.
“Can I help you?”
>”Good luck.”
>She says before leaning forward to kiss you on the cheek.
>The reaction from the crew is… notable.
“Good luck yourself. It’ll be a long road.”
>”It’s already been a long road.”
“When you get back, I want you to tell Lancer and the others that it’s been a honor.”
>”Here.”
>She offers you a small round object.
>Solid silver looks like.
>You open it up, and see that it’s a compass.
>”My father gave that to me when I got my first command.”
>On the interior of the lid, there is a sentence carved in to the silver.
>In an ornate cursive, it reads:
>[So you can always find your way home]
“I can’t take this from you.”
>”I expect you to return it.”
“Of course you do.”
>”Now get off my ship, we need to make good time today.”
>You look over to the ponies holding the rope that will lower the longboat.
“You heard the lady!”
>Placing the compass into your pocket, you sit down on the boat and let the rowers do their job.
>As the boat hits the water, you look up to the deck.
“See you around, Tirra.”
>”Don’t call me that!”

>>30588077
>…
>”Come on Son.”
>A hoof is placed on your shoulder.
>You look up from Winter as she lays there, still unresponsive.
>It’s Morning Brew, her father.
>He’s about your size but with wider shoulders, has a lighter brown coat with a darker mane that’s greying a fair bit.
>And his jaw is rather pronounced.
>”Let’s take a walk.”
“I should stay.”
>”You need the air.”
“I-“
>”Come on. I need to show you something.”
>…
>You mind has been focused on one thing, and one thing only.
>It feels like no time has passed by the time you get halfway across the city.
“Where are we?”
>The nearby houses are in ruin, and workers are sorting through everything.
>”This is where the first of those tunnels popped up.”
“Why are we here?”
>”Just stopping on the way, come on.”
>…
>Your mind wanders again.
>To memories.
>When Winter had you paint the baby’s room to be pink because she knew it would be a filly.
>When you first learned she was pregnant.
>All of those talks you had when she came to check on the Marshal while he was in the coma.
>Your wedding…
>It’s all gone.
>Brew has been leading you north.
>You think.
>Wait.
“What’s this?”
>You’re in a cemetery, over a freshly made grave.

More coming later
>>30588093
>”My daughter.”
>The grave reads: [Amber Dawn]
>”Some ponies would call me the unluckiest stallion in the Crystal Empire. Those tunnels came up under each of my children’s homes. Amber was at home when it hit...”
“What? I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.”
>”But I don’t believe in luck. This was fate… fate telling me that I need to get back out there and help stop this from happening to any other parent. That’s what I believe… if only to have the strength to get up in the morning.”
“What?”
>”All across Equestria, recruitment is back up. They’re saying they need everypony that will step up. I might be old, but I still have a bit of fight in me.”
“But why did you bring me here?”
>”Because you need to wake up. I know you’re in a bad place, but you’re wasting away in there. You haven’t eaten, you’ve barely drank anything… it’s not what she would have wanted.”
“I know… But I just can’t… Apparently you’re a much stronger pony than I am.”
>He places a hoof on your shoulder.
>”You don’t know how wrong you are.”
“I… need to get back to her.”

>>30588103
Strength of body is nothing without strength of mind.

>>30584890

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>>30587782
Man, you have no idea how well your story can pull anyone reading into it. The wording is solid, the characters are well established to the point of being hammered into stone and the world you built is heavily believable. It's godly good shit my man.

Mcdonalds is best drunk food. I'll regret it when I step on the scale in the morning, but right now I'm cool. Updates coming in a couple hours
>>30590569
I don't mean to /hugbox/ but thanks m8, that means a lot. When I write the only thing I am for is keeping the readers engaged and enjoying the story. I try mt best.

Also it's good that even though about half of the story was written while (at least) moderately under the influence, I manage to keep quality up even when shitfaced.

>>30590911
That takes skill

>>30588103
>…
>The rowers bring you up to the remains of an old stone dock.
>Half of it has crumbled into the sea, but the other half is still standing.
>When you reach it, you rise and make the step onto it.
>Turning back, you face the two still on the boat.
“Alright boys, this is it. Good luck out there.”
>”And you Sir.”
>As they push off from the dock and start rowing back to the ship, you decide to wait until the Avalon has left the harbor.
>…
>As the ship slowly exits your view, you realize something.
>You’re here.
>You’re really actually here.
>Finally.
“Harv!”
>”Hello Anon.”
>You look over to your right to see him standing next to you.
“Ready to get this buddy cop flick underway.”
>”As I’ll ever be.”
“Which way first?”
>”East.”
“Damn, should have put money on that.”
>You turn to see the large cityscape before you.
>Harvey is already jogging to the end of the dock.
>”Come on then, allons y!”
>You start pacing after him.
“You know, in another life I could have spent years looking through these ruins.”

>>30591331
>”It does look like it would have been something in its heyday.”
“I wonder how any real civilization could have formed over here.”
>”Yeah, part of that was my fault… not all, but part.”
“Of course it was.”
>”It’s not even chaotic though… just wild. That’s a shame.”
>You walk across and old cobbled road.
>Blades of grass stick up in the gaps between the stone, many of them can reach your waist.
>You are amazed that the city hasn’t been completely overgrown.
>There’s a long way ahead…
“It’s a long way to Tipperary, it’s a long way to go… it’s a long way to Tipperary, to the sweetest girl I know… Goodbye, Piccadilly. Farewell, Leicester Square… it’s a long long way to Tipperrary, but my heart’s right there.”
>No…
“That doesn’t work…”
>How about…
“When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah, Hurrah! Wee’ll give him a hearty welcome then, Hurrah, Hurrah!”
>No…
“I don’t like that either.”
>Got it!
>You hum the first verse.
“Wir sind des Geyers Schwarze Haufen, Heia oho! und wollen mit Tyrrannen raufen, Heia hoho!”
>Harvey adds some drums and strings.
“Speiẞ voran, drauf und dran, setz aufs Klosterdach den roten Hahn! Speiẞ voran, drauf und dran, setz aufs Klosterdach den roten Hahn!”
>Harv then simulates a record scratching off as he cuts the music when you round the corner.
>You’re in what looks to have been a town square.
“Hello there.”
>Across the square itself and nearby roofs, you count a dozen or so chupacabras.
>Maybe Harv was right, that does sound a bit silly.
>And they’re all staring at you.

More tomorrow.
>>30591333
>”Umm… Anon, is this a problem.”
>You remove the shotgun from your back and set it onto the ground.
“Not at all.”
>”You had a problem with one of them…”
>Then you slide your backpack off and set it down.
“Yeah, but now I can see and hear just fine.”
>The creatures all let out high pitched screeches.
>Cracking your knuckles, you speak to Harv one last time.
“Keep playing that song.”
>A couple of the creatures jump off of the roofs they were on and head into the square.
>You start walking forward at a steady pace.
>Sword?
>No, you need speed.
>Kukri?
>Overkill.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0p-egT5vek
>Reaching into your back pockets, you grasp your brass knuckles.
“And Harv, this time no help… None.”
>”If you insist.”
>You see a creature dart wide to each of your flanks, moving to circle you.
>Alright…
>You adopt a fighting stance, placing your left arm in front and leaving your right ready to strike.
>Let’s hit the ground running.

>>30589835

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>>30591335

>>30591335
>And keep checking your corners.
>Last time it went to hit your back.
>You glance slowly to your right, then over to the left.
“Go ahead… make my day.”
>Movement, eight o’clock high.
>Striking your left elbow at the incoming creature’s nose, you break the leap and rotate your body to put momentum into an uppercut with your right fist.
>The creature falls back, and lunges up again for a final try.
>Delivering a swift kick to its jaw with your right boot, you pivot on your left heel.
>Bringing your right foot forward you see another leap towards you, claws outstretched.
>Another is preparing to jump to your left.
>With your left leg, you deliver a roundhouse kick to the first attacker’s head.
>It knocks the creature off to the side, and as your left foot returns to the ground, you aim for the second.
>Your right fist makes straight-on contact with its upper jaw.
>Sever of its teeth get broken off as the creature falls to the ground.
>To the right, another scrambles across the ground to attack your legs.
>So you bring your left fist down into its upper spine.
>The blow makes the creature fall flat on the ground, its limbs out to the side.
>And with that, you see the remaining ones start to scurry away.
>The first one to attack, and the one you roundhouse kicked scamper away as well.
>The other three lay on the ground.

More tonight
>>30594638
>And that’s what you like about animals.
>Instinct can kick in pretty quickly.
>This pack will either be back in greater numbers, or just leave you alone for a while at the least.
“Speiẞ voran, drauf und dran, setz aufs Klosterdach den roten Hahn!”
>You let the music fade to its ending as you go to retrieve your gear.
>As you grab your things, you look at the square.
>In the center you can see an overgrown fountain, the centerpiece has collapsed though.
>To the north, south, and west there are three story buildings overlooking the square.
>Several have balconies that used to overlook it.
>Many of them have collapsed onto the ground.
>You count six streets that go off into the city.
>But to the east, you see a large staircase that goes up to the top of this crater-like harbor.
>At the top, you see what you would guess to be an arch.
>But only the supports remain standing, overgrown with ivy.
>Good a place as any to look for the way out.
“Alright Harv, I think that’s the way forward.”
>”Safe bet.”
“Hey, I’ve got a question.”
>You start making your way to the stairs.
>”Just one?”
“Well, two. Be honest with me… are there any dinosaurs over here, and if so: can I tame them?”
>”No dinosaurs.”
“Damnit!”

>>30587782
These would be good, I'd like to see more Frederick? Tho

>>30594875
A story of how Anon tames Frederick!

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>>30594875
>>30594903
this!

>>30594875
>>30594903
>>30594940
I get it, I miss him too.

Also, fuck me. I just spent the last two and a half hours making the military organization of Equestria's army at it's height in story(2nd coast war). Why? For no apparent reason.

>>30595587
For us.
You did it for us.

>>30595587
The thing can you give me a rough drawing of what you think the world of Equestria looks like? It'd be helpful

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657KB, 6230x4320px

>>30596753
Rough estimate, sizes/distances may vary.

C- canterlot
P-ponyville
M- manehattan
Mane- Manechester
Trot- trottingham
B- Baltimare
F- fillydephpia
V- vanhoover
Gry- griffons.
Mino- minotaurs
Yak- yak
Las peg- las pegasus
C- clodsdale location at start of story
Change bad- changeling badlands (where hive used to be before anon)\
Bison- plains
Dog- dogs
Kebab- Saddle Arabia
J- Jun Hisan (Mushir city)

Brown is mountains, green is everfree, blue is water

Pls no laugh at MS paint skills

>>30596955
bugger me, 'Cloud' is clousdale at start

>>30596955
And appleoosa should be fiurther west, and baltimare further east

more soon. It's funny how you can feel completely sober until you stand up...
>>30594642
>…
>Thankfully for your knees, you soon reached the top.
>As you step over the rubble of the collapsed arch, you get quite the view.
>Sparse woodlands as far as the eye can see.
>And because you’re elevated above most of nearby terrain, it goes on for quite a while.
>From here, it almost looks peaceful.
>A bit overgrown, but no different from the Equestrian countryside.
“You sure we’re in the right place Harv?”
>”At a guess, we came into a decent area. Further to the south and there would have been tropical swamps, but any more north and the elevation increases dramatically into a more alpine or even tundra type environment.”
“Aren’t I lucky?”
>”Well I’m sure the woods are just as dangerous as the alternatives, but it’ll at least be more comfortable to walk through.”
“How far is it I’ve got to go?”
>”Well over a thousand miles.”
“Well isn’t that just dandy…”
>”Think of it as a bonding exercise.”
“With over a thousand miles to go, I think I’ll get all the exercise I need.”
>”Look Anon, everything that the light touches is our kingdom.”
“No.”
>”But think about it! With your brawn and my brain, the world is our oyster!”
“You do know we’re here for a purpose, right?”
>”Right!”
“So… east?”
>”Keep heading that way until we hit a big river. Then we can find the first of my fun stashes.”
“Never call them that again.”
>”Oh just wait till you see it!”

>>30596145
hope y'all ready for logistical exposition that normally would have been skipped, cause I sure am!
>>30597249
>…
>”And so you can see, if we want to get to the levels we’ve hit in the Second Coast War, we’ll need approximately one million and two hundred thousand men in the army alone.”
“That’s… a lot.”
>Lancer continues.
>”Well the second, third, fourth, and fifth armies were dissolved, and half of the divisions in the first army were disbanded.”
“If I remember what Anon told me, it’s ten ponies to a squad, five squads in a platoon, 4 platoons to a company, each battalion then has 3 companies, five battalions makes a regiment, five regiments makes a division, every four divisions makes a corps, and three corps are in every army.”
>”Then each army has six support divisions bringing the manpower of the individual army to two hundred thousand men, plus another fifteen thousand pony garrison for dedicated entrenchment and occupation. Then there are the training and reserve divisions as well.”
“And how are we now?”
>”The 1st Army… well, the only Army right now. Has just over two thirds of its potential. The Ist and IInd corps are at full compliment. As are its support divisions. There’s the first through eighth infantry divisions, as well as the 10th Recon Division, the 14th Garrison Division, 15th Engineer Division, 16th Logistics Division, the 18th Artillery Division, 42nd Arcane Division, and the 101st Airborne Division.”
>Anon made sure to make the 101st a pegasi division when he reorganized the army.
>After the Screaming Eagles.

>>30597396
>”Set aside, we have the ninety-fifth through one hundredth reserve divisions, and the 102nd Reserve. The Ist Training Division is full as well. Brining our total manpower to two hundred sixty thousand men in the army… Of course that doesn’t include the Old Guard.”
“At least a lot of the veterans will be able to skip training, or get a basic crash course to get back into the system.”
>”Worst case, we fill up to the 2nd Army by the end of the year. Best case, we get partially thought 4th or even into the 5th.”
“Also, I said to get pegasi pulling unicorn chariots into the military. I think they’d best fit in under Brairheart and the Air Fleet. He doesn’t have much of a fleet to command, so that’ll help take logistics away from the army.”
>”More than fair. Which leads us to the question of… well, leadership. Traditionally: Anon led the 1st Army, I commanded the 2nd, Wave had the 3rd ‘Shock’ Army, Offense’s predecessor commanded the 4th, and nominally Anon commanded the 5th, which was relegated as a dedicated home front army to dissuade other nations from taking advantage of the Arabian war.”
“We can keep the roles, I’ll fill in for Anon with the 1st. The 5th is fine being relegated to the higher officers on a more local basis to cover the gaps that the proper armies leave.”
>”I’d recommend filling the reserve divisions first, that way they can serve as proper militias around the population centers. It sounds like this… apocalypse will be more about reaction versus action.”
“Agreed.”

More tomorrow.

Also, it's defcon 2: Out of vodka, but still have other alcohol.
Thanks to a bit of statistics, I realized that on a per year basis, I drink almost nine times as much as the average american, and over five times as much as the average russian. If I ever stop posting, it's because of liver failure. I'd never abandon you without owning up to 'i need to take a break' (Not that I ever would take a break more than day or two)
>>30597398
>”Now, I was planning on having Colonel Arrow take over the Old Guard, but given the situation I’d rather have him overseeing the training divisions. Back in the Second Coast War, a colonel would oversee and entire corps- sixty thousand men. I see it as a complete waste to have a pony of his rank leading such a small group.”
“Sounds good.”
>”The Guard’s lower officers can deal just fine. And once training gets under way and the ranks start filling out Arrow can be put to command a proper corps, or we could promote him and place him in charge of the 5th Army once it gets populated.”
“So how do you rate our odds?”
>”We’ve never faced anything like this before.”
“Rough estimate.”
>”Well… it’s like us against the minotaurs. Even if every minotaur is worth ten or even twenty ponies, we still have one to two hundred more soldiers than they have. Our odds? Fair. The costs though…”
>The costs…
>You’ve been Princess for a few months, and awake for less than half of that time.
>And now you’re facing something that has the potential to be worse than anything that Celestia did while under the parasite’s influence.
>Sure there were work camps and a secret police.
>But as oppressed as they were, the people still were able to live…

>>30587782
It would start something like this:

The following is a ‘Heart of War’ canonical piece set in the backstory of the main storyline

Reader discretion: relatively minor character revelations relating to Corporal Call may be slightly spoiled

Heart of War- Beachhead

>”We stand upon the precipice of destruction! For the second time in a generation, the Saddle Arabians want to try their hoof at supremacy. Now tell me, who stands in their way?”
>As muffled cannons blast out in the distance, you yell out with the other soldiers:
“Easy Company!”
>Lieutenant Surefoot reiterates himself:
>”What was that!”
“EASY COMPANY!”
>The ship lurches as it hits the ground.
>”AND WHAT’S OUR MOTTO!”
“NOPONY LEFT BEHIND!”
>”We’re first on the beaches, let’s make it count boys!”
>The sound of steel being unsheathed rings through the troop transport.
>You get your own short sword ready for the charge.
>The ramp at the bow of the ship begins descending, and the sunlight is pretty blinding.
>You were just in a completely enclosed area, after all.
>When your eyes adjust, you see the field in front of you.
>A hundred yards of beach, all inclining steadily up to the walls.
>Walls that continually sound out with cannon fire aimed at the invasion force.
>Your Lieutenant yells one last thing:
>”Welcome to Alsulb! Now MOVE MOVE MOVE!”
>You press your wings tight against your armor.
>And as the troops infront of you start charging, you follow suit.

>>30597477
>Your hooves trample in the wet sand after you get off of the oaken ramp.
>This beach is the only way into the city.
>And it’s your job to take it.
>This is the first foray onto their territory, and you feel bloody privileged to take part in the assault.
>Across the beach, you can see dozens of other transport barges offloading their stallions.
>Arrows and crossbow bolts start soaring through the air among the cannon fire.
>But this is finally it…
>The day you can finally make those bastards pay.
>As other soldiers start letting out battle cries, you do as well.
“RAAAAHHHHHH!”
>You’re then shot off to the side as a cannonball impacts relatively close to you.
>Everything rings in your ears, and the world starts to blur.
>A sky blue earth pony with an indigo mane then comes into view.
>He’s mouthing something.
>What is it?
>”Private! CALL! On your Hooves soldier!”
“Corporal Blues?”
>How did you even get here…
>…
>A horn starts blaring out.
>”ON YOUR HOOVES RECRUITS!”
>You start scrambling out of your (very firm) bed to stand at attention.
>”ALRIGHT MAGGOTS. I am Sergeant Stern. But for the next few weeks, you might as well call me ‘Sir’ because I doubt any of you mouth-breathers could even remember my rank, let alone my name.”
>It’s still dark outside…
>Bloody boot camp.

>>30597479
That's just a teaser.

I may work on it in downtime, but I wont let anything get in the way of the main story. I doubt I'll post anything till the story proper is done.

>>30596955
I play a lot of EU4 so maps are my fetish.

9/10 not enough water but would still fap once or twice again.

I don't mean to be a Debbie-downer, but I'm curious about something. Thing, do you have a contingency plan in place? If say, you die of alcohol poisoning or get hit by a truck, Is there someone out there that can take up the mantle and finish this masterpiece, or will we just be left hanging?

>>30596955
I can work with this, thanks

>>30597579
the entire lower half of the right side is really basic. Eventually there'd be another sea and shit.
I haven't played EU4 for at least a year
>>30597979
Oh don't worry, there is absolutely no contingency. I'm not going anywhere though.

>>30600059
sorry, fuck me. The bottom half of the LEFT side

>>30600070
Any plans to finish the story soon? You've already wrote a longer story than past sins.

>>30600208
See? I'm not the only one, and it's obvious it's wearing you out Thingy

>>30600223

He's been doing this all for fun though, how can something fun wear you out?

>>30600208
>>30600223
Definitely closer to the end than the beginning, but it doesn't make sense from a writing perspective to have the East arc a tenth of the size of the boat ride to the east parts of the story.

At a guess, 5-6 acts plus epilogue
>>30600256
When I look at the early acts, there's a notable drop in overall writing quality.

More coming later tonight.
>>30597403
>…
>As you continue to trudge through the uneven forest floor, you decide to stop a moment.
>The weight of all your gear is starting to get to your back, and your knees aren’t much better.
>Panting a few times, you look around.
>The woods aren’t that dense, but each of the trees you can see look ancient.
>On the smallest oaks, the trunk is still wider than your body.
>Much of the ground is covered with flowering bushes, making your view a rather colorful spectrum of bright yellows and shades of purple.
>Where grass does cover the ground, the blades reach up to your thighs.
>You’ve seen birds fly among the trees, and can hear bugs chirping in the bushes.
>But since you’ve left the city a few hours ago, there’s nothing to really indicate that the area is particularly dangerous.
>Hold on…
>You can hear water flowing.
>Not a lot, but it’s there.
>To your… right.
>Working your way through a bush, you brush past the stalks of small lavender flowers and duck under a low-lying branch from a tree.
>You continue to move in that direction for a few paces.
>As you walk between a couple of bushes, you stop yourself immediately.
>Another inch and you would have taken a tumble down a few feet.
>The ground cuts off sharply to a small creek that’s flowing to the west.
>It’s barely three feet wide and the water flows around dozens of rocks that are covered in moss above the waterline.
>Shallow and clear…
>You see a tiny fish swim downriver.
“You said we were looking for a river?”
>”A large river Anon…”
“I know, but the water’s flowing from somewhere.”
>You step back from the drop a bit to avoid the brush that’s on the banks of the stream.
>Alright… now where will this lead you?

>>30596955
So is the east just another continent? And is everything to the west just untamed land?

Bump of despair (and slacking on reading)

>>30600708
If I remember correctly, it was said this planet is smaller, so Anon may just be so far west that going east was faster. Without anyone knowing.
Hell, he may just get back on land because he could walk there.

>>30600708
The west is just more or less unmapped by Equestria, though they know it eventually hits another ocean.
>>30602185
Don't particularly recall making that statement, but I'll take your word for it.

But yes, the 'East' is its own continent separate from equestira

>>30600498
>…
>You kept following the creek until you found a clearing in the brush.
>While the creek continues, you found a lake that it feeds into off to the left.
>Decently large.
>Two fifty, maybe three hundred feet across.
>While the ground sharply declines to the banks of the stream, it’s more gradual as it goes down into the lake’s inlet.
>While the lake’s shore looks rather overgrown on the other sides, where it feeds into the stream, there is a flat beach.
>No grass or other plant life on your end, because the ground looks to be made of a gravely bed of stones.
>Close to the water’s edge, the pebbles are rather damp.
>But there’s a lot of area where it’s dry.
>Looking to the sky, you note that it is getting decently late.
“We should camp soon.”
>”Need I remind you that the last time you camped anywhere close to a lake, you ended up being gored by a boar?”
>On the Siren’s island.
“This time I have actual weapons.”
>”Look, if you really want to keep going, then I’m sure I could-“
“You’re not drugging me.”
>”Alright, alright.”
“I think I saw a small clearing a while back, seems as good a place as any to rest at.”

>>30603414
>…
>You sit next to the small fire you’ve built.
>Eating from a can of beans that you’ve warmed over the flames.
>Need to get rid of the food you have that isn’t efficient for weight.
>Harvey is sitting on the opposite side of the fire, watching you.
“Do you have to do that?”
>”Do what?”
“Stare at me.”
>He sighs before disappearing.
>And you take another spoonful of food.
>When you swallow, you think of something.
“Hey Harv?”
>”Hmm?”
“You can hear stuff that happens while I’m asleep, right?”
>”Oh don’t worry, I’m way ahead of you. If I get even the slightest inkling that something is amiss, I’ll wake you. And before you say anything, yes I know that you’re already a light sleeper and could probably do the same on your own.”
“Thanks.”
>With that you continue to eat.
>Hold on…
>You stop chewing.
>Now that’s something you wouldn’t have expected.
>It’s quiet.
>Not dead silent or anything like that.
>You can still pick out the odd bug chirping in the evening, but comparatively it’s a lot less than during the day.
>From your experience it’s usually the opposite.
>You set your spoon into the can, and reach over to your dagger.
>It’s currently out of its sheath, so you pull it a bit closer to a position where it’d be easier to grab at a moment’s notice.
>Then you go back to eating.

>>30603720
>…
>Your eyes shoot open as you hear an ear-piercing screech carry through the woods.
>Tightening the grip you have on your dagger, you lean away from against the tree you were sleeping against.
>You’ve had to sleep with a hand on a weapon for too much of your life…
>You don’t catch any movement, but a moment later you hear a deeper roar.
>A roar that you recognize as a bear’s.
>Grizzly maybe.
>Rising up from the ground, you look around.
>Even though the noises are from decently far away, something is clearly happening.
>Sliding your dagger into its sheathe, you grab the four bore you had leaning on the same tree you were resting against.
>You place your thumb on the right barrel’s hammer, and prepare to cock it back.
>You then hear the screech and roars a few more times.
>Whispering, you get Harvey’s attention.
“One’s a bear, you got any guesses on the other?”
>”I’m the spirit of chaos, not a zoologist.”
>Just when you start to think he’s useful, he manages to let you down.
>It’s dark out, but seeing as your fire has long since died, your eyes are well enough adjusted.
>It’s really dark out.
>Must be just before dawn.
>You wait for the noises to continue, but ultimately nothing else sounds out.
>Literally nothing.
>No early birds.
>Not even a cricket…

>>30603722
“Hehehe.”
>”What is it?”
“This place… It’s like a whole new world.”
>”What do you mean?”
“Back over the sea, it was always so soft. Even in the harshest of times, everything managed to be upbeat. The only time it changed was in the worst of battles… even in the heart of the Everfree, nothing felt that dangerous, not really. But here, a screech in the dark and a roar in the night… it’s so much more… real… palpable… deadly.”
>”That’s certainly… one way to look at it.”
“But it scares me, you see.”
>”I suppose that’s fair, but given your record it shouldn’t be that much of an issue.”
“No, what scares me is that I’m enjoying the feeling.”
>”I…”
>Harvey doesn’t say anything else.
>You set down your gun as you start to gather your things.
>There’ll be light soon, and you want an early start.
>After all, you have a lot of ground to cover.

More tomorrow
>>30603724
>…
>Coming back onto the gravely beach, you see something new.
>A large brown carcass on the bank of the stream that feeds the lake.
>There’s your grizzly.
>With the early morning’s light, you go to inspect the body.
>The animal is torn and laying on its side.
>Dead.
>”That looks bad.”
>Some blood is dripping into the water, the bear died just on the edge of the inlet.
>Deep lacerations across the sides and back.
>But not the belly.
>You kneel down to inspect the front claws.
>Then look over to its mouth.
>”Anon?”
“Not now.”
>It’s big too.
>You’ve seen bears around this size, but it’s definitely one of the larger ones.
“Whatever it was that attacked it easily outclassed Smokey here.”
>”Why do you say that?”
“No blood on the teeth or claws, but there are at least seven different angles that claws tore into the bear.”
>”Maybe there were more of the other animals.”
“No, we only heard one set of screeches. In an open power display more of them would have gotten their voice in.”
>”What makes you think it’s a power display?”
“The fight was territorial. They only roared at each other for a short time before the fight. Afterwards, there’s no meat eaten off the corpse. And because there’s no blood on the bear’s claws, it indicates that the other animal didn’t just limp of somewhere to lick it’s wounds.”
>You stand back up.
“No, this was a fight over who’s the predator in these parts… That, or the attacker is fond of killing for fun.”
>”Great.”
“Or both.”

>>30601621

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>>30603731
>or both

More later
>>30603731
>Taking one last look at the shredded bear, you decide to get moving again.
>You have to jump over the bit of the stream that’s feeding into and out of the lake, but it’s not that far of a distance.
>Heading into the woods to follow the stream, you leave the body behind.
>Because even if the bear’s attacker wasn’t interested in a meal, there’ll be scavengers looking for one.
>Continuing through the light forest, you stay on your toes in case anything-
>A bush to your left starts shaking, prompting you to draw your sword.
>Adopting a fighting stance, you watch as the bush violently convulses.
>A brown rabbit then works its way free of the bush, having been stuck among the branches.
>That…
>That rabbit has antlers.
>You slide the tip of your sword back into its sheathe and toss it down.
“Jackalopes, what’s next… fur-bearing trout?”
>The animal glances at you before running off into the woods.
>And just when everything is all solemn and spirit is low, you see something like that.
>Then the bush begins rattling again.
>Another?
>A black spider jumps out of the bush, right where the jackalope jumped out of before scurrying away.
>A red spot in the shape of an hourglass is on its back.
>But it’s body is the size of a Terrier’s.
>Son of a bitch.
>As the arachnid looks over towards you, you draw your sword and get ready to swing.
>Just try it.
>It then scurries off after the jackalope.
>If you were smaller, it may have well tried to attack you.
>You should be a bit more cautious when you have to walk through the brush…

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>>30605562
>A black widow the size of a terrier

>>30602296
I think I'm assuming the lower gravity of the planet being because the planet is smaller, but it could be less dense. I remember you mentioning the gravity being lower when Anon was talking about his knees around the dragon fight. (The teen one)

>>30606000
right, that. Gravity is based off of mass, not size. I said that gravity in equestria was only slightly less (90-95% of earths). as for planet size I'd imagine very similar, maybe a bit smaller.

I'll be back later tonight.
>>30605562
“If there is one thing I don’t need in my life, it’s spiders the size of dogs.”
>”Pansy.”
“It’s all large bugs really. The way they crack and ooze their innards. I’d take a clean cut through actual flesh any day.”
>Bugs…
“Harv, white room.”
>-
>”Hello Anon.”
“Those parasites that the entity piggybacked on are from over here. Any chance of reinfection?”
>”I’d say it’s almost a certainty.”
“You’d be aware if one works its way into my brain, right?”
>”Of course Anon, it’s rather empty in here and I’d be aware if I suddenly get a roommate.”
“What can be done about it?”
>”Much the same as last time. It can’t directly interface with your brain, so by using the bug as an intermediary that gives us a bit of a leg up. However, I’m no longer connected to my other half, so I can’t help as much. I’m hoping that the interactions we’ve had recently will help to have trained your mind to resist other influences.”
“What do you mean?”
>Harv looks at you for a moment before you start falling.
>Your back then impacts into an open dumpster.
>First you make the dumpster disappear and put yourself in a standing position again.
>Then you get rid of the rotten banana peel on your shoulder.
“What the hell!”
>You yell up to Harvey, who is standing thirty or so feet above you in the void.
>”Previously you would have had to have your mental manifestation of your physical body actually climb out of the dumpster.”
>You raise yourself up to his level.
>”You’re learning the most important rule in here.”
“And what would that be?”
>”There is no spoon.”
“I hate it when you quote movies.”

>>30606374
I believe in Anon. He is the one.

>10

>>30606374
>…
>”I still remember the words that started all of this.”
>Somehow Lancer got onto reminiscing…
>”Once decision that defined everything that came after it.”
“What does this have to do with taxes?”
>”It was at Manechester, during the Yak Invasion. They outnumbered us over ten to one. We fought valiantly, but when we met them at the outskirts of the city, they forced us back. Then we met them in the streets, and they forced us back. Then we met them in the city square, and they forced us back. The officers were planning to abandon the city and regroup further to the south.”
“Are you even listening to me?”
>”Anonymous was a lieutenant, one of the lowest ranked officers in the meeting, and they told him to go spread word while they got out before everypony else. So, first he came to me, I was a sergeant at the time. And he told me what happened in the meeting.”
“General? Lancer? You okay?”
>”So we went to find the main group of soldiers, they were tired and waiting for the yaks to make the final push. Anon went and stood on a box and addressed them.”
“Alright, get it out of your system.”
>”We made too many compromises already, too many retreats. They invade our land, and we let them. They pillage entire towns, and we let them. Not again! The line must be drawn HERE, this far and no further!”
“Yeah, that sounds like him alright.”
>”Then with all of the useless officers fleeing the field and Anon as the highest ranked soldier in the city, he managed to turn the tide and push them out before nightfall. Maverick decisions like that ensued until the day he became the head of the entire military. They were never able to court martial him because each time he ignored superiors, he did more in one day than they accomplished in their lifetimes.”

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>>30608209
Anon rallied the troops by quoting Captain Picard. I like it.

More tomorrow.
>>30608313
Lancer recalls Anon quoting from movies immediately after Anon tells Harvey that he doesn't like it when HE quotes movies.
>>30608209
“And this is relevant because? Not that I don’t enjoy a war story.”
>”I’ve only gotten ten hours of sleep in the past week.”
“Ah. So the line must be drawn here?”
>”Look, since we took over, it’s only been three and a half ponies doing the work of dozens.”
“A half?”
>”That would be Offense.”
>”I’m sitting right here!”
>On the other side of the table, Offense and Wave have silently been doing paperwork.
>Lancer retorts:
>”I know…”
>”Well it’s not my fault that you’re getting tired in your old age.”
>”Wave is older than me, and you don’t see him complaining.”
>”That’s because he doesn’t even sleep.”
>Wave continues writing as he speaks:
>”Don’t bring me into this.”
>Offense then continues:
>”And as a matter of fact, I have done tons of paperwork.
>Wave then brings himself into it:
>”You’ve just been scribbling on a blank sheet of paper for the last hour.”
>”That’s because… I like to internalize the work I’m about to do before I actually do it. Now I know exactly what I’ll have to do for the next three hours.”
>Lancer then comments:
>”Still a bad liar.”
“Alright boys, that’s enough. Lancer, go ahead and turn in early. I should be fine covering the rest for this afternoon.”

>>30608345
Sorry, meant more tonight, not tomorrow. it's a force of habit

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>>30608345
i keep waiting on Harvey to quote Q, and then Anon calls him out for quoting himself, also, a 'Mon Capitan' opportunity was missed with Tiara

>>30608521
never mind on the secound one, I just remember she was an Admiral

>>30608521
>>30608535
taken from awhile ago:

>”Most of the time I watch television.”
“Any favorites?”
>”I’ve recently binged all of Star Trek.”
“How’d you like Q?”
>”An insufferable, arrogant, over the top man-child with a god complex.”
“Really?”
>You reply flatly.
>”And his voice is just so annoying.”
“You should look in a mirror sometime.”
>”What do you mean by that?”
>He asks in a completely puzzled tone.

(Deleted fist post of this cause I fucked up the '>' on the last line)
>>30608345
>…
>It’s getting late.
>And you’re getting tired.
“Harvey.”
>”Hmm.”
>You pause yourself as you hear a shrill screech in the distance.
“Same one as yesterday…”
>”Dangerous enough for you?”
“Harv, if you hear even the slightest noise in the night, wake me up. I need you on overtime.”
>”Will do.”
“Thanks.”
>”Don’t worry Anon, we’re on the same side.”
>Stepping into a small clearing, you start to take off your equipment.
“Harv, look, I’m going to be honest with you. I don’t like Discord. And while you retain some of his… negative qualities, overall you’ve been growing on me. Just a bit.”
>”Really?”
“When you’re not being an utter pain in my ass, you’re actually not that bad to have around. You’ve been a decent help so far, and I don’t have to worry about you falling behind.”
>”I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“All I’m saying is that you’re a net positive. Keep doing what’s possible as long as you check it with me first.”
>”Don’t worry, I have plenty of motivation for our mission to succeed.”
“I know you’re generally the more sane half of Discord, but still. I need you to really focus from here on.”
>“Oh we’ll have an absolutely swell time.”

>>30609630
>…
>”Ma’am, you’re late.”
>Captain Crop says as he enters the meeting room.
>You arranged a speech, seeing as the news from the Crystal Empire has spread pretty widely and rumors are circling about the minotaurs.
>…
>Alright, huge crowd of reporters, soldiers, veterans, and civilians
>Come on Flurry, everything you’ve trained for has led up to this.
>No matter what happens, this will be the moment you’re remembered for.
>One speech with all of the nation to hear.
>Your defining moment.
>Your crucible.
>You’ve got to harness everything that your uncle has ever taught you.
>Everything he had to teach.
>Stepping up to the microphone, you look to the large crowd.
“By now the reports should be circulating quite extensively from both the Minotaurs and the Crystal Empire alike. So allow me to alleviate all uncertainty… Yes, tunnels to Tartarus have formed in both of our nations. And yes, according to Minotaur legend, this is their ‘apocalypse’ situation. They view this as the final test of civilization, where creatures from the deepest bowels of Tartarus come to the surface to serve as the ultimate crucible for their people. And while I cannot give much stock to myth and legend without evidence, events from the north have proven that- apocalypse or no- the threat is real.”

>>30609957
>Start heavy.
“We stand upon the precipice, against an enemy completely foreign to our doctrines. It must be remembered that we are in the preliminary stage of one of the greatest battles in history. I will say to the people: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I will say: it is to wage war. By sea, land, and air. With all our might, and with all the strength that Equestria can give us. To wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalog of conflict.”
>Keep it a bit dark, with just a hint of light.
“That is our policy, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory. Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, however long and hard the road may be. For without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realized; no survival for the Equestrian Nation, no survival for all that the Equestrian Nation has stood for. But at this time, I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, ‘come then, let us go forward together with our united strength, ’ for I take up my task with buoyancy and hope.”

>>30609964
>A bit of a mod change now.
“I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our home. To ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny. If necessary for years… If necessary alone. At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the will of the people and the nation. The Equestrian Nation and the Minotaur Tribes, liked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.”
>And the defiant statement:
“We shall go on to the end. We shall fight with the minotaurs, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our home, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight at the pits, we shall fight in the staging grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!”

More tomorrow
>>30609970
>But now, for hope.
“Because upon this battle lies the survival of Equestrian civilization. Upon it depends our own Equestrian life and the long continuity of our institutions and our people. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. They will have to break us or lose the war. If we can stand up to them, all the world may be safe and the life of the world may move forward. But if we fail, then the whole world will sink into the abyss of a dark age. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty. So bear ourselves that if the Equestrian Nation and its people last for another thousand years, ponies will still say: THIS was their finest hour.”
>And what may be…
“If we stood firm, if we stood greatly, it will be a matter of honor for generations for generations to come. I could not ask to live in any other moment of history than this! Because never has Equestria, never has pony civilization been confronted with such possibilities, with such choices. Of disaster, or of greater heights and greater glories. My friends, do live in that sense that you are Equestrian. That you have come from people who have faced tremendous odds, again and again. That much is against you, but you’ve got within you that will, that spirit above all, that faith and that belief! Which will lead the generations to come! To look back at you, in the pages of history, with the proud words: to Equestira! They were true.”
>And the final statement.
“And now, at long last, our men of the war, of all our wars. The grim ranks of our ex-servicemen, they join hooves with the new youth! The new generation! Which remembers the mighty past, we say that Equestira is not dead! We say, and I ask you to say with us, lift up your voices in this great meeting in the heart of Equestria, send to all the world a message! Equestria Lives! And marches on!”

>>30609976
Also, fuck. It takes me half a fifth of (80 proof) vodka to get a heavy buzz/decent drunk.

I hate my tolerance to it... at least it's cheap.

>>30609112
I completely forgot about that

>>30588077
OKay but did they fuck?

>>30609980
Wait til you have to have a full bottle just to get a little buzz on, then another to actually get drunk.

>>30611415

>>30612611

>>30613399
Dubs hidden bump

Sitting down to write now.

>>30609976
>…
>Your eyes shoot open as you hear the screech.
>Damnit, you’ve only been asleep a couple hours.
“Harv!”
>”What?”
“Where’d that come from? The north?”
>”Roughly.”
>You start to stand up.
>”Anon?”
>Cracking your neck, you slide the dagger you hold while sleeping back into its sheathe.
>Then reach over to pick up your four bore.
>”What are you doing?”
>You turn to face the north.
>Unlatching your gun, you double check to make sure it’s loaded.
>It is.
“I’m trying to sleep here, Harv.”
>”What does that-“
“RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”
>Your scream echoes a bit.
>”WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING!”
“A bit of night fishing.”
>You’re on top of this food chain now.
>And you’re going to prove it.
>”Anon, what are you doing?”
“You really are slow, aren’t you? I’m going to kill it.”
>”Are you sure that’s wise?”
“When previous expeditions would journey through these lands, they would go out of their way to avoid conflict and trouble. And each previous expedition failed. I won’t make that same mistake.”

>>30617108
>…
>”Thunder, I’m sorry…”
>You sit across from Winter’s doctor as she continues to speak after taking you to her office.
>”Winter was a dear friend to everypony here. But I’m telling you, she’s not going to wake up.”
“You don’t know that.”
>”I’ve been in contact with some of the best neurosurgeons in the country. And all of their preliminary reports say that she’s too far gone.”
“Preliminary reports. That doesn’t mean that it won’t change.”
>”Thunder, none of them would even consider that there might be even the slightest chance of recovery… she’s gone.”
“No! She’s laying right in there, and you aren’t doing anything!”
>”There’s nothing that can be done.”
“You’re a doctor, it’s your duty to do something!”
>”And as her husband, it’s your duty to let her go. You have to pull the plug.”
>You slam your hooves down on her desk.
“NO!”
>”Sir, you need to calm down.”
“I need to calm down? You need to calm down!”
>”I realize that you’re in a fragile state right now, but that doesn’t even make sense.”
“I’m NOT giving up on her.”
>The doctor sighs and pauses for a moment.
>”There won’t be any visiting hours the next few days.”
“No, you’ll just pull the plug the second I leave!”
>”I would NEVER go against familial wishes! But, seeing as you’re at immense health risks due to sitting in there without eating all day, you need to have some time to clear your head.”
“You can’t do that.”
>”Sir, if you don’t leave I will have orderlies remove you from this building, and sedate you if necessary.”
“… I’ll see myself out.”
>You get up from the chair, and push against her table as you rise.
“I though you said that you were her friend…”
>…
>You can’t believe it.
>She actually had the staff throw you out…
>Now you’re laying against the pavement outside of the hospital.
>You feel so weak…
>And your stomach is killing you.

>>30617111
>…
>Alright, come on out.
>You’ve issued your challenge, now all you have to do is wait.
>To help your eyes better adjust to the night, you’ve doused what remained of your fire.
>So you’ve been standing in the clearing with the left barrel of your gun cocked and ready to go.
>You’re confident that the animal will track you down.
>If the fight it had with the grizzly was anything to go off of, it’ll be territorial.
>Even if its most recent screech wasn’t a challenge, it should come to test the new voice that it heard in the night.
>All you have to do is-
>You turn slightly to the left to face a rustling noise you hear in the brush.
>As you listen to the night, you hear the thudding of steps approaching you.
>Four legs by the pacing you can hear.
>You place your finger into the trigger guard of your weapon.
>A figure comes charging into view, and as it reaches the clearing you’ve camped out in, you can get a decent look at it from the moonlight.
>As the creature stops to screech loudly towards you, a sound that is almost ear-piercing, you see that it’s very similar to the ‘chupacabras’ you fought in the city.
>But larger.
>A lot larger.
>On all four limbs, it stands about seven to eight feet tall.
>Could be a related species, or maybe there’s some sexual dimorphism and this the opposite gender from the ones you already fought.

More tomorrow
>>30611743
What you're describing is hell.
>>30611737
>smuganimeface.jpg
>>30617117
>Either way it’s angry you’re in its territory.
>But no matter.
>You brace the stock against your shoulder and take aim for the center of mass.
>You pull the trigger.
>And it’s screech is met with an even louder boom as an absurd amount of gunpowder sends a quarter pound of lead into the animal at supersonic speeds.
>The animal stands still for a moment before slumping over to the side.
>Taking a few steps towards the body, you cock the other barrel.
>This time you line up the shot to the head.
>And fire.
>Yeah… your shoulder will feel that tomorrow.
>Unlatching the break to the gun, you toss out the spent brass.
>Heading over to your pack, you start rummaging to get a couple more cartridges.
>Twenty-four.
>That’s how many bullets you have left.
>You probably wasted the second shot.
>But it’s simpler this way.
>And you can get back to sleep without overexerting yourself.
“Alright Harv, you know the drill. Wake me when you, et cetera.”

>>30617130
I can't wait til' something comes along that won't be killed by the shotty in one go. Just that 'Oh shit' factor when it happens will be great.

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>>30617379

>>30617635
There has to be an evil rabbit in here somewhere now.

>>30617635
>>30618669
>Anon gets tired of eating baked beans out of cans and wants something fresh.
>Feels like hunting.
>Suddenly Jackalope appears out of bush a good 100 yards away
>Why hello there little fella.
>Anon gets into a sneaky stealthy stance.
>Jackalope doesn't even flinch at his presence.
>Curiously Anon stands up and walks over to it.
>It takes one of its little paws and scratches behind his antler
>Not bothering to bend over with the dagger Anon takes out his sword.
>Jack alopecia still sits idly.
>"Anon, we should leave this one alone, I distinctly remember making some of these more dangrouse than the others cause i thought it would be funny."
"Harv, it's a rabbit with antlers, it can't be that dangerous."
>Taking his sword he swings at the fur ball.
>With a turn of its head, the Jackalope catches the sword with his antlers.
>Then it gives a low grogally growl.
"Harv, how dangerous did you make these?"
>"Very."

Any of you Anons like Avenged Sevenfold?

>>30617130
"There's some big as fuck thing here that kills large prey for fun. I'm gonna level it." - Anon