Ciraxis

"I did, but not as much as pony with my resources should....." Squall said. "And even that came at the expense of my friends and teammates. How can I claim that I helped the Equestria if I can't aid them?" unicon asked. ".....Perhaps I should enroll that school your boss moonlights as a Principal off." he whispered. "....I wouldn't count on either of those possibilities. And even if they did, there is still a matter of answering for their prior deeds." Squall pointed out. He remembered very well what was on the hooves of WRAITH members, an being nowhere as forgiving as Fire was, Swift was driven to bring just retribution to them. "And calling anything they did a mischief is vastly underplaying their crimes. While I agree that spawning more than a few avenger's is more then likely...if we couldn't root them out, what hope a lone vindicator has? Besides, by now I believe we would find at least two or three bodies if that was a case." he lampshaded, perhaps a wee bit too cynically Squall nodded when Fire mentioned a poor timing for this gathering. "Indeed. This way I could find out who still care enough. To coma at such unusual time and place would...." he explained, ending his statement with meaningful pause. The stallion was so self-absorbed in his brooding that he barely registered the new arrival. "We are older then you." he reminded the brown pegasus. "Also, what Fire said. Not for the lack of trying mind you. I am looking forward towards four or mo-....PATHFINDER?!" noblepony literally fell from the bench when the realization who he was talking to finally kicked in. "...Errr....I-I mean l-long time no see." he said, trying to salvage his image while he was gathering himself from the floor. "Say hi to Snowfall from me when you get back alright? Also, ask about that new shipyard she's building, if you can." When Fire mentioned a lack of potential hit ponies lately, Swift bumbling despite himself.... "Two...." he spke under his breath. When the two mare looked at him he added, almost apologetically. "It was a slow week, okay? And one wasn't even 'magical', just from Neighpon" Fire also mentioned the recent lack of magic. Squall nodded in agreement, even if he couldn't comment on this from experience.... "It was just like Tirek rampage from what I heard. Although what he did had to be local. I was in Saddle Arabia when he did that, and I didn't noticed anything odd. This one on the other hoof....I literally slept through it." swordpony admitted with a shrug. Feeling that most of the awkwardness was dispelled, Swift refocused his attention on Pathfinder. Her presence was...a start. Not the first pony he would pick, but a start nonetheless. And if there was one thing Swift was good at, it was being prepared. He slowly reached into his duster pockets to produce the package. "Here." he said said to hyperactive pegasus while levitating the gift. "Just don't ask me how I got it month earlier. I have connections, and I am ugly rich." Swift mumbled, while doing everything to avoid eye contact with the brown mare. He really owned Foxglove for this one. The shape, the smell of the ink and fresh paper......could it be? Well, of course it was. Count Squallcoast knew from experience that some addictions could not be cured - only fed.

Not to be a boor or anything but I believe it's Pretzy turn in this topic.... This was rebooted once and I feel Dusty would rather not do this again.

"This is what I am talking about." Squall answered, tapping with his hoof the recognizable, stylized 'E' brooch attached to collar of his duster. "....I....Alright, let's." noblepony agreed. They sat on the bench for a minute in silence before Swift gathered his thoughts enough to open up. "......Moto, I know you been part of this only for the short time. But we both know what EPIC is all about...what it's supposed to be about. And how much effort and pain we endured to make it work. And....and I guess how important it is for me to be part of something that leaves an impact." he admitted. "When it started we had to be apart for so long that.....I just don' all of this to be for nothing. And if things will continue as they are, they apparently will." unicorn mused pessimistically. He just sat there, quite for a few seconds with downcast head. But suddenly the unicorn stood up, and Fire could see a spark in his eyes. "I refuse to lay down and let it happen. When we gathered for the first time in Saraneighvo, all of us did so with a sense of duty and honest wish to make a world a little better place to be. And we didn't finished. WRAITH may be laying low, but they are still out there. I don't know if others thought it was over, got dejected or forgot, but I care. And I will remind every other pony and nopony who swore that oath why they should care too. Personally if I have to." Swift said before pausing. "I am not blind or stupid thought. There are problems and issues that got in the way, both on personal and wider level. Problems and issues that need to be addressed." swordstallion pointed out. before he begun recalling the few problems he mentioned. "Spring's trying to get herself together after falling out with Cedar. Night Watcher has self confidence issues. Pathfinder is still immature and rash as ever. Ice holed herself in Las Pegasus and barely leaves. Rose has trouble with expressing herself, Deadalus keeps making himself as untrustworthy as possible and Dunder....Dunnie....she still refuses to her own mistakes. And I......I...." Fire could see Squall's shoulder slump upon terrible self-realization. ".....I could help them....any of them but didn't. Because 'duty' or 'obligations' done in the name of greater good...." unicorn whispered as he sat back on the bench. "......I said I called a meeting but I am not sure if anypony will come. And who came blame them? They are busy with enough with their problems" he added, completely dejected.

"It's metaphor Platinum." Ossia explained patiently. "One coming from the old Maretonian fable. The short version is as this: ' There was a dog lying in a manger who did not eat the grain, but who nevertheless prevented the ox from being able to eat anything either.' " she said. "Mind you, I have nothing against the idea. It's just that exclusivity bit that I find repulsive. Love it's something that should be shared, not hoarded." Nerezza expressed, with conviction for her own words strong enough that Platinum could see a glow surrounding the pink alicorn for a brief moment. "......Although....perhaps we could get you a choker...." Ossia added mischievously with half-lidded gaze. Uh-oh......it seems that Platinum got too full of herself. Better to nip this one in the bud, before the royal pony will do something stupid in the future. "No, you wont. Eventually - yes. But not now." Ossia bluntly told Blue off. She had yet to meet this worlds Shining Armor - but many ponies were much mightier in this dimension. If she had so scale this 'White Knight' to any of his counterparts....well.... "Experience, skill, training.....those aren't the things you can simply engraft unto yourself using some relict. But we will work on that." she added somewhat reassuringly. Pink alicorn shook her head when repeated after her. Oh how dorky of him...her...Uhhh this was still troubling to wrap head around. "You don't have to pretend you know...." she said teasingly. "I won't think less, just because you ignorant of some matters, va bene tesoro?" Ossia added with genuinely warm smile. "You need to know about this if you are going to use it, but we better save history lessons for later." she mused this is before picking the emblem adorned box....along with few other ones....and Platinum Gem herself. Before the royal pony could even protest there was a bright flash of crimson light and..... And they were outside, standing on middle of the museum steps. Ossia surprised blink however revealed that this wasn't exactly where she intended them to be. ".....This isn't nowhere near as far as we supposed to be." she said. "Correct." said a male voice to the side, which caused the alicorn to snap her head to that direction. What was next to them was a misfit group of five. An unicorn sorcerer with a goatee and emerald cape, an minotaur looking android with waaay too much cannons attached to himself, some quilin mare levitating through the air and wearing very skimpy outfit, a knight wannabe in gaudy black and gold armor, and pegasus mare in domino mask that kept bouncing in material arts stance. "........Alright. You got my attention." Ossia mumbled while setting crates and Platinum on the stairs. "Gem enlighten me. Who....these bunch of rejects are exactly?" pink alicorn inquired. But for her this wasn't the important question...... "Also, what's with the mullet's? The gaudy clothing I can get but those hairdo's? Even robot has a mullet! Why?! That makes no sense!" she pointed out at the android.

"Ahhhh marriage. A convenient excuse to be a dog in the manger...." Ossia commented when Blue mentioned Cadence marital status. "So this Cadence got herself into this bind as well...hmmmm...." black clad alicorn muttered to herself absentmindedly...or perhaps not carrying if Gem heard her or not. "Oh I wouldn't be so sure about that...." Nerezza spoke reassuringly when Blue confessed her...his...?...Supposed inferiority. "You far more more interesting then Shining Armor." pink alicorn said enigmatically. "Then we better strike while the iron is hot." pink alicorn mused when Platinum explained how short they were on time. She hovered through the air alongside golden maned mare. "Hmmm? So all of this was a gamble? At least it appears we won." she said with a giggle, amusing herself in how much she stretched the metaphor. "Oh? Did you forgot with who you are with?" Ossia asked while almost unconsciously levitating all other boxes out of the way. She wasn't even really looking into same direction as Platinum was, instead studying the storeroom and planning.... "Hmmm yes, yes we do. Seeing that they don't weight much might take those as well...." she pointed out, gesturing at the crates in her telekinetic grasp. "You know, why don't we do them even bigger favor? Since we can't take it all...." Nerezza said while conjuring amaranth flames around her front hooves. "Why don't we reprieve the museum from having to store all of this and worry about it being stolen?" pink alicorn asked, her intentions clear. Waiting fro an answer she turned in midair to look at Platinum. Her gaze however rested at the box that scion of Platinas led both of them to. Or rather the seal that was adorning the box. The reaction was imminent. The crimson flames died out, snuffed like a candle. Her eyes have widened in surprise, and mare's focus was shaken enough that she actually dropped some of the boxes. "This...? How...?" she mumbled clearly confused and at loss for words. However her utter disbelief soon made a way for a wide, overjoyed grin. Ossia looked like a filly who found a few dozens of presents under her Heartwarming Tree. "Andromalius...."

It's been a while since Swift Squall was in the Castle of Friendship. Various commitment and obligations always got in the way fro another visit, preventing Squall from dropping to say 'Hi' to his Sweetheart or asking the Princess Sparkle for opinion on some important matters. Unfortunately, his presence here this evening was once again dictated by duty. There was something made Swift spent his nights sleepless lately, and for the welfare of Equestria and beyond it had to be addressed.... "Sorry to drop by so unexpectedly Dear....." Swift apologized to his fiancee while they stood in the Castle's main hall - now illuminated by the pale light of the moon. Princess Sparkle was away right now. For how long? Who knows? It didn't wasn't really relevant right now - especially seeing that he had to exchange words with her as well, regarding the same issue. "I just felt.....that this place is more secure then most. And Saraneighvo....Well, Saraneighvo isn't really an option, is it?" he said, almost sounding apologetic to the crimson pegasus. "......I am not sure who else will come. I tried to reach out to however many I could yet....." he paused for a moment, before taking a deep breath. Noblepony turned around and gazed at the Fire. "....You agree with me, do you? At least on the part that the current course can't continue?" he asked, almost hesitant.

"Ufufufu...." Ossia giggled at Bluebelle's relief. "Would it be so horrible if I would be her? We both know you not really related." she pointed out as they were descending the stairs. "For all we know Celestia may pick up yet another orphan next week and slap niece/nephew label on her or him. Truly another 'success' of hers as cavalla di famiglia." pink alicorn threw some shade towards Sunlight Sentinel to lighten the mood. "You can think me and Candace.....as two side of the same coin, for lack of better term. We both alicorns of love....but I am nowhere near as judgmental when it comes to it. See?" she explained with a shrug. The truth was much more complicated then that, but she was saving it until Blue was hopelessly wrapped around her tail. "Besides...." she stared again with a wide grin. "Don't you tell me you didn't had a dream or two about her..." Nerezza added teasingly. As Platinum lighted the vault, so did Ossia, revealing her own amaranth magical aura. This however didn't helped much, with only few crates becoming visible, along the wall and stairway they came from. They couldn't even see the ceiling! "Guess I have to do better." she mused, using her horn to make blindingly bright ball of light, and hurling it up and away. With this substitute sun now hanging above the duo could finally bask in the true size of the room, now basked in the rose light..... "......Please tell me you have plan of action Gem." di Nerezza groaned, realizing that they going to spent forever in here if it wasn't a case.

Ossia stopped in her track when the Blueblood mentioned his cousin. "She's a wonderful mare isn't she? She's magnificent! Beautiful, strong, clever...." the pink alicorn said in strange voice while staring into space. It seems that the mention of her doppelganger turned Nerezza brain off for a moment. She didn't move from the spot until Blue turned her head around. "..... Ahimè ... she still have some gaps that prevent her from being...perfect." the Nerezza mused while flipping her mane. Ossia was taken aback by Blue's terrified tone. Why would....Oh...Oh no! That won't do! She should build up Blue's confidence, not shatter it! "Did I find...?! Oh no ,no ,no ,no....." she quickly said before hovering towards Platinum and taking her face in-between her front hooves. "This is a question that I should be asking. After are You are in charge. Non è ovvio? After all it's the least I could do for being so kind to me earlier...." she whispered before allowing half of her visage be overlaid with that of gray pegasus for a split second....pegasus the was becoming very familiar with Prince Blueblood since this morning. "My. Fair. Prince." she said with feeling. "Well then, shall we?"

While His....or rather Her Royal Highness has slipped away from the Ossia's sight, the unicorn royal left a distinct fragrance behind herself. "Smell of the sea. How....nostalgic." alicorn mare thought while trailing Blueblood. While following this scent, the disguised alicorn couldn't help but notice.....Was that...house-staff? As in, maids? And in great numbers too. Ossia couldn't help but ponder...was Blue's boastful announcement earlier was a reverse-bluff? This day indeed was cornucopia of surprises. Regardless, the invisibility was in order - the more pair of eyes meant she could be easly discovered otherwise. She contain barely contain a giggle when she saw museum guards beaten senseless by the house-help. Oh so there was a plan after all! Ossia could only wonder what Blueblood had in store for the museum. Hmmmm...calling him that in this form just didn't sounded right, even if it was just in her mind. After all what was standing before her was a very definition of femininity....second only to Ossia's own of course. Blue, Blue...Hmmm...Bluebelle had a nice ring to it. And made things less confusing. Regardless it was time to reveal herself! "Oh you go for a shopping and you don't invite the Me along?" she said in hurt tone while allowing the magical camouflage to slip and trotting towards Bluebelle. "This is very, very rude of you. But I don't mind. After all you seem so stressed Miss Platinum♥" she added. While she didn't even hint at Platinum's Gem true identity, the bemused look she gave and the cocky grin were telling enough. "Why don't you make up for it with girls day-and-night-out hmmm?" she asked while planting a smooch on unicorns cheek. "Ufufu I trust you have no complains?" Ossia asked while walking towards the large steel door. Undoubtedly a museum vault of some sort... "Then let's start by seeing what's behind curtain number one ♥!" the winged mare announced before rearing up. Second later Blue could see her hooves piercing through the metal and tearing troublesome gate from it's foundations, throwing it aside like a piece of cardboard. "After you pretty thing." she said with inviting wave of the hoof.

Squall didn't even managed to prepare after saying his piece before Applejack grabbed him by the collar of his duster and pulled into very, very aggressive smooch. No what he was expecting.... "....So...." he started after the deed, wiping his mouth the same as she did. "Should I feel for your wife or is it today's frustrations getting into you Miss Applejack?" he asked, lampshading mares lack of delicacy. Noblepony nodded when the farm-mare admitted her curiosity. "Indeed. You don't build a billions worth fortune without understanding what ponies want. Although I admit, you are much harder nut to crack when it comes to that then the most." he admitted honestly while giving earth pony a kind of roundabout compliment. "Sounds promising..." he mused when Applejack extended the offer of talk over the meal. "County cuisine is not the one I am accustomed to. Should be nice, new experience." Squall pondered before giving Applejack confident smile. "Surprise me Miss Applejack. Because I guarantee you, I do much to do the same as well." he added before turning around, picking the bushel with his magic and giving a salute with his hoof. "Till later then Miss Applejack. Be sure I will be prompt in my appearance." Swift announced before making his way to do things that Swift Squall did. He disappeared behind the corner, but earth mare could still hear the sound of bitten apple and the comment coming from the full mout. "Hoooh....They arth ghooofd!"

Soooo is Gate Kicker still a thing? Because so far it was really fun.

I regret missing out most of it's due to fue/work hours combo, but the bit I participated in was still fun nonetheless. Thanks guys!

And here she was. The wirebrain pest that she was hunting was now right below her. But the otherworld pegasus was not alone. It seems that the other mare - one who was calling the cyborg to meet her at the park - wasn't making an empty threat. How inconvenient... "Oh how rosy...." Ossia muttered to herself, her words dripping with sarcasm while she gazed at situation below. "I was expecting just a junkbox, but I just had to bump into half-corpse as well." But perhaps it could work for her advantage. Why throw herself into a fight, when she can instead wait for those two to duke it out, before squashing the exhausted winner? Unless something goes horribly wrong of course. Ossia knew better then to rule out such possibility. "<Sigh> Spectator mode then it is." she murmured while descending down, still clad in illusions and invisibility spells. "Fino all'ultima condizione strana...." But of course she couldn't have even a five minutes for herself before another detached voice could be heard. A male voice. Well at least he heard about volume control, unlike the gan ceann over there. What's worse, he seamed to have gained insight over her true nature if not appearance. Otherwise he would be much more confused in his tone. While she couldn't exactly pinpoint from where it was coming from, perhaps she could do something about it... "Oh how perceptive of you! What a twist, really, my mind is blown!" Ossia answered Masquerade voice in a tone that instantly dispelled any notion about her being a 'superhero'.....all the while she was discretely spilling her love magic over the area. "Do you want a medal for any of those observations? Or for getting a peek? Talk about low ambitions..." she continued with the mocking. "Or maybe your were hoping for something else, pervertito. A kiss maybe?" her voice turned both more seductive and venomous. "Didn't your mother taught you...TO NOT PEEP ON GIRLS?!" she shouted while suddenly turning the intensity of the spell up, bombarding the Mythos with cravings and desires for the illusion-clad alicorn. Hopefully the illusions that dampened the sound, as well as the magic being tuned for males will help with all of this getting unnoticed. That and the fact that the other two mares were right now aiming to bash the other one's skull in.

".......I suppose this can be irritating. Ohhhh, look at that titled oaf! Thinking he's so enigmatic and all!" he said in self-mocking voice before giving a heavy sigh and taking off his shades. "If we have a thing in common it is being hopelessly stubborn Miss Applejack. And I too know the burden of overstretched schedule. I wouldn't bother you if it was something I could deal with by doing it myself or by throwing money at it." he mused before adding.... "Not that I am disrespecting the work or assistance of others...But there is always certain satisfaction and source of pride when doing things yourself. A sentiment - I believe - you agree with." Swift pointed out with a wave of the hoof. "At the same time however..." noblepony started again. ".... I can't really spill all the details, right in the middle of the public street. The project I am involved with is supposed to maintain a certain level of secrecy until a right moment. You would be surprised at the length some ponies go to upstage others...or out of pure spite. I hope you understand." Squall said. "Still....giving you a bit's of information isn't exactly 'All' is it?" businesspony added, lampshading a loop in his words. "First of all it's a completely philanthropic endeavor on my part. No profits involved.....at least in coin. The pro's that will come with this project are much more important then that. Second I am doing this for Fillydelphia, so yes, some travel will be required, perhaps multiple times as well. And third...." Squall smiled out of sudden. "I see no reason why you shouldn't bring your child with you Miss Applejack. You can even bring all your whole intermediate family if you wish. I am more then capable at accommodating a great amount of Apples." unicorn assured the farm-mare before picking one of the fruits from the bushel and throwing it high into the air before catching it. "But if you want further details then I afraid it will have to wait until the evening, as I mentioned earlier. After that you can give me your decision. I don't expect you to make it without all information" Squall said in reasonable and understanding voice. "Oh really? A fireproof package deal? Then I guess I have to tell Discord to bring that Smooze associate of his, for him to buy bushel or two." Swift said with mischievous spark in his eyes. "Heh,I am joking Miss Applejack. Do as you will." he said while preparing for the unavoidable

"Somehow, I am not surprised." Ossia mused after hearing from Blublood's own mouth about how much of a joke of family mare Celestia was. Which was not different at all from her other selves across different dimensions, but it was nice to receive direct confirmation. It appears that her being an utter failure of a sister and aunt was universal constant. Well perhaps half a failure in the later case. "But she does have enough time for you cousin, does she? An obvious and blatant case of favoritism. I am mean does she deserve to be called your aunt at this point?" she said, adding yet another brick towards Prince's resentment at the white alicorn. "Almost all things have a place in this world Your Highness. It's nice seeing that you add more elegance and class to it." Ossia complimented Blueblood after he mentioned his seafaring escapades. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ossia didn't even had a time to ridicule the brute of the dragon, she found herself being 'saved' by Prince's quick reaction. All her durability did nothing to the fact that this took her by surprise. Too bad that one of the balcony's that were hanging in the alley was damaged in the attack. CRASH! Obviously it failed to do any damage to her, but the rubble pinned her in such a way it might take her a minute or two to get herself out. All the strength in the world matters little if you can't contract most of your muscles. "Well....despite the result's, I guess I have to give him a points for romantic gesture." she mused. Wait, speaking of 'Him'....where's Blueblood? The answer to that question wasn't really clear due to all this dust blocking alicorn's vision. Luckily her 'magic muscle' was not compromised. A short incantation was enough to see through the aura vision. And she saw Blueblood alright...! Just as he put two relicts around his neck. ........What. T-That's, the core of his being remained the same, but out of sudden Prince shifted from being male to...well...female! For all of her travels across countless worlds it was the first time she witnessed such change to happen...happen so...so quick! "This world...this world is even more amazing then I thought." alicorn whispered to herself. And this Blueblood...he had so much more spunk then any other version of him that he saw. Well not literally, seeing the form Blueblood now took, but it was spirit that counted. To so loudly announce a robbery attempt? Bold. Utterly stupid, but bold. "Have to follow...." Ossia growled as she pushed the rubble out of herself using her magic. Now, where his...or right now Her Highness has gone?

Ossia was on her way to the Manehattan Park when an unexpected event drew her attention. Normally a parked ambulance in the city as big as this wouldn't be enough for her to stop. This time however she could sense a of aeather. A foreign aeather. "Not even a hour in and it's marking the place like a stray dog." alicorn mare said sarcastically before going down to take a closer look. There were a few paramedics on the scene, as well as police officers. But it was the one pony in the force's uniform, a stallion shuddering while laying on the stretcher that drew her attention. It seemed like he really wanted to curl into fetal position, but the belts that were strapping him were preventing him from that - something horrible obviously happened to him. It was this unlucky pony from which she felt other-world influence. "Miss, we are undergoing an investigation right here." one of the police ponies approached the disguised alicorn "I have to ask you to move immi....gghuuu!" the stallion grunted as he was swept of his hooves and pinned to the ground with ntense magical force...along with every other officer medic and civilian in vicinity! "Were those sounds coming from your mouth a words? Even if they are I am too busy to make time for a peon like you." Ossia dismissed the officer before approaching the LDEL6370's victim. The way he tried to get away as she got closer was telling enough. "Uhh straightforward without any consideration like some brute. No subtlety at all." he mused in disgust. Luckily for stallion, Ossia had more...genial means of extracting information. "There...there nice and easy." she said as her magic took a root in stallions mind. Most of this memories were distorted due to sheer horror he was subjected to, but few details were retained. Greenish-blue. Mare.. Cyborg. Descriptive enough...Oh? What's this a pure remnant of the alien magic! Which just a little taste Ossia will know... .... ....... ............. "For #@^&% sake!!!" alicorn yelled in frustration while punching the sidewalk hard enough to mess already broken concrete even more, make the nearby fire hydrant's pop of it's outlet and shattering all windows in eyesight. "Of all possible, freaking dimensions those parasites just had to....!" Ossia ranted before stopping herself. It wasn't like her to loose her cool like that! Since her arrival she chose to lay low, searching for suitable layline nexus. Thus her opportunities to unwind were somewhat limited which put her...on edge. "Alright, nothing to be worried about just yet. Just finding the scout before she establishes a gateway and smashing her like a cockroach will make things juuuuust fine." she reassured herself while giving an audacious grin. "Also, I need to put obliterating this dimension from which she comes from, higher on my to do list." she added to herself in her head, making a mental note. Ossia spread her wings, ready to take of but....something - maybe and instinct, maybe a simple whim - made her to stay just for a moment longer....and dig deeper into unfortunate cop's mind. He was a father and husband. A very loving father and husband. Ossia's frowning expression softened at that revelation. With a gentle nudge into his thoughts, she made his mind focus on his family instead of terrible experience he gone through today. He should recover much faster, to keep adding more love to the world. "That should do it. Sleep." disguised alicorn commanded, and officer fell into a slumber- but now with a much more serene expression on his face. "....Now to find and crush a PEST." Ossia growled while taking off at supersonic speed, and dropping all the ponies she held off back to the ground.

Uhhh I sitting out Stage Three. A really bad cold decided to turn up and as a result head is blank right now. I focus on my half finished post's in my other RP's while waiting for Stage Four