Ciraxis

"Hello Miss Fire. It's nice to meet you." Siwft said and bowed his head politely. "You are or were in REA aren't you? You walk and fly in such way..." he noticed. Then Swift turned his attention back to Dunder. "Dunder...you don't need to make excuses to me." male pegasi started to protest but unicorn rised his hoof "I did not said I don't belive you, acutally I do. But you on your own are responsible for your actions, I won't play chaperton." "But I can" said Oak Branch grinning under his moustache (and Squall facehoofed). "Anyway...I will go to my new home now. Renovation of the century awaits me. What about both of you? You can accompany me if you want and are into cleaning...But Dudner, it's getting late. If you don't fly now you will not get to Cloudsdale before dark.

Darn. I missed voting yesterday... Heal: Twilight +5 Hurt: Discord -1 Power up: Twilight X2

"Who is this mare Young Master?" asked Oak Branch as Dudner flew off a small distance. "I am as clueless as you Branch. Some acquaintance of Dunder apparently. Anyway..." Swift turned around now facing old pony. "You mentioned some problems at a new place... "Oh Young Master I wish not to break this moment." butler dissmised the question. Squall in return glared at him with obvious disapproval - clear as bell even trought his non-transparent sunglasses. Old servant sighted "Very well Master Swift...if you insist." and proceeded to list all the problems, among them clogged chimney, leaking roof, floor in main hall eaten by mould and broken windows. Oh and he needed to buy more furniture (the smallest of the worries actually). "That's all Branch? Or did hydra took nest in the garden? I ask for the sake of completion you know." "Well, no Young Master. But it looks like it didn't seen gardener in at last 20 years. Truly, fragment of Everfree in the backyard." "Great 10 km² of the jungle....I need to hire not one but platoon of gardeners then." he rubbed his temple with his hoof and adjusted his shades and duster. It's gona be a loooong weekend.

Course I do! It's means you stole my kill! No mercy! Hurt: Bon Bon -6 Power Up: Twilight x2

Another day (well...evening for me actually) another vote. Heal: Bon Bon +3 Hurt: Celestia -3 Power up: Twilight Hex: Celestia

Swift was left speechless. He not expected that Dudner would fly after him, much less apologize. Why - opposite - it was him who owned pegasus a one. "N-no...i-it's me who's sorry. I shouldn't overreact like that." he said struttering. "I know you was citating van Meer...it's just that when you said...that. It reminded me of someone who I despise and resurfaced something I am not proud off. Y-you couldn't know that and..." Squall took a deep breath "I apologize." "I assume it was the pony you spoke about Young Master?" Oak Branch broke the awkward silence and he did it with a smile. "Err... yes. Dunder this is my family butler - Oak Branch, Oak Branch this is Dunder Blust, we meet in train." "Good afternoon Mr. Dunder. I am glad that Count of Fillydelphia made acquaintance in the journey..." said old servant still smiling. "For Celestia sake, not so loud!" Swift yelped in panic. He then faced the pegasus. "I explain on the way. Here is just...too crowded to speak about it." said unicorn looking around in suspition. He breathed in relief. "About this and any other question you can have. I owe you at last that."

Swift listened politely as the pegasus spoke. And yes, Flos Duellatorum and it's famous 13 guards. "It's sounds like a boasting about his skills." he tought and immidietly wondered if he himself, while earlier speaking was the same. And then Dudner said something... Unicorn face shifted to anger when he remembered when was the last time he heard similar line..... ******* "This is wrong!" Squall protested speaking to mercenary leader. After all this months in the dark knowing that...knowing that... His boss wasn't particulary moved, he just lighted up his cigar -slooowly- and after taking first puff he ansewered. "Wrong? Come on lad, you to green on yar head to say what's good or wrong. Yes that are not medicine and stuff but who cares if it's arms or not?" "Who cares?! We are suppose to stop this kind of situations not..." "Wrong again, we are supposed to make a buck. Only naive, vulgar pony from masses think that we do it for giggles..." Squall was left speechless. He looked around the tent confused, with look of anguish on his face. And then he noticed 'Doing Things Done' badge on his jacket. With disgust he ripped it off and throwed it at Boss. "I think it means I must cut your share..." said older stallion after he took another poof. "I don't want any more of your money Grey Condottier....I quit!" said Swift and he stormed off the tent. ******* "Vulgar? Really?" Swift suddenly asked " Do you think you are high and mighty for possesing this particular skill? Think again... he speaked quietly yet clearly. Not rising his voice for even a moment. "If being vulgar means not being able to do something that means I am vulgar too and so are you.Can you know to make a sidewalk? Or farm carrots? Forge weapons your holding? Neither do I. And yet we using this things - every day. By doing so we are in dept of somepony. So, never again, call anypony vulgar because he or she is unable of doing something." he finished and suddenly the train stoped. It was Fillydelphia. Squall rised from his seat and grabbed his things, putting Yahom back to the scabbard. " About the last question. Every time I must draw sword to fight against my will...each second is too long." he said and hasted out of the cart in such hurry he did not notice that he dropped his new visiting card. "I blewed it again." Swift tought as he departed the train. ******* On the station his butler, Oak Branch was already waiting. "Welcome Young Master...was the trip enjoyable?" earth pony asked. "Yes. Mother is well and she said that so is Father, but he was away on business trip." "Even if you say so you look depressed Young Master. What happened?" old butler asked as they trotted off the station squeezing trought the crowd. "I...tried to befriend somepony. But...I screwed it up" Swift said lowering his head. "Oh...thats....unfortunate, I guess that you will not like what you will find at the mansion then..."

Or the most hialrious. <burts into mad laught.> Also... Hurt: Celestia -6 Hex: Celestia x2 It's obviously "Night of Living Pinkie"

Finaly some subject Swift felt sure to trot upon. "All of them." he said which gave him confused look from the pegasus. "I study all manuscript's I can find and absorb what is useful." Squall explained. "Each of them have something worthy. In battle one must be like water, taking the shape that is effective. So I taking all I consider efficent from the manuals and throw material arts in for a good mesure." he continued and paused dramaticly. "In short...my style is lack of style. Oh I see you not convinced." Swift said, seeing doubt on Dunder's face. "Alright then, listen." unicorn cleared his throat and proceded. "Sword are not a product of the ponykind. History shows that the one to invent them were griffons. They did it to compensate for the short reach of their claws. As a result the handle of bladed weapons are not adjusted to pony physiology and we are compeled to use them in our mouths, rarely tails and even more unusual in wings." Swift's short disquisition earned him nod from a Dunder. "I can use mouth and tail as fine as any other sworpony...but not counting flexibility my gratest adventage is being the unicorn" he said and lifted his weapon from the seat using magic. "Now don't be fooled. I feel full weight of my sword. The thing is it's distributed on my whole body rather then just jaw or tail. Even more important..." He lifted blade even higher and did a few professional swings. " With levitation I can use any technique that griffon,dragon or minotaur can and even some they can not..." he said and made Yahom spin at frantic speed "...because it would break their wrist!" he finished and lowered sword down.

CHEEESTO! Hurt: Celestia -6 Hex: Celestia x2

"Okay, thats new." Swift was very surprised. What give him away? He was sure that shades obscured his eyes completly. Either Squall made some mistake or this pegasus was exceptionally sharp. Newsagent made a nice distraction when suddenly Dudner shot with another question. "What kind of question that is? Can't he see.." he then realised indeed Blunder can't see as Squall was wearing the duster today. He moved tail of his cloathing revealing his own Cutie Mark. "I was six at the time. I slipped out from my room, I was supposed to do homework you see. I went to my grandfather room, he passed away before my birth and except mother no one was allowed in but I was just curious. I got the key week earlier. And then I opened the door and...it was amazing." Swift paused and smiled at the memory. "It was greatest colection of blades I ever saw. And later I made a glimpse of realy impressive armories. In room of my grandpa was everything. Shotels, falchions, katzbalgers, gunongs...you name it and it was there. There was also one weapon that was laying on the bed. It was...ordinary. At least compared to weapons on the walls. I knowed not why I picked it, I think it was my affinity toards longswords. It was too haevy but I happly leashed out at one of the traning dummies that was there.I lost the count of time and my parents realised my room was empty. I run to the kitchen and it was there when they finded me. I lied that I just wen't to make some sandwiches. To my surprise they didn't bought it. THIS give me away." he pointed at his flank and made a small laugh. He then pondered... "Why I told this to a stranger?"

Heal: Bon Bon +1 Hurt: Celestia -5 Power Up: Twilight Hex: Celestia

(OOC: Italic lines are actually Swift's toughts. I mention it to avoid confusion.) At first Swift barely noticed pegasus that took seat across him. That was until the moment when stallion took of his rapier. Squall's eyebrows rose up in surprise. Was that guy the knight or something? And what pegasus was doing in train anyway? Weird. Unlike you, isn't it?. asked tiny voice in his head in sarcastic tone. Unicorn noble, from the family of fencers. Never been in ballroom despite being ritch as hey. Spent more time in the road than in home cose you run away from it. One of few who been in Unyasi and can claim to know that land. Oh and you fight crime by your own choice. Nope, Swift Squall, you completly ordinary pony. voice mocked him mercilessly. Swift thinked so hard that sudden question took him completly off guard. "Did...did he asked me something?" he wondered in confusion. Squall looked straight at his fellow traveler. Yup, he was staring at him. He thanked Celestia for his non transparent shades. Suddenly he remembered. Pegasus asked his name - and even introduced himself. Dudner Blust... For a moment Swift was tempted to ignore the question...but... Ah,ah,ah, that won't do. No more icy pony, remember? his subconsciousness reminded. "I am... Swift Squall." he said trying to sound casualy. It didn't come out bad. Swift did not waited for reaction and proceded with his own question. " So...I wonder what a pegasus like do in the train to Fillydelphia? Isn't it...a waste of money for you? I mean, it's not my business, but... he asked aloud. At the same time Squall's eyes noticed Dunder's Cutie Mark. "A rapier and frying pan? He is talented at weapon using too?!" At the same time door to the car opened - it was train newsagent.

Pieces of the landscape flashed trought the windows as train from Manehattan moved towards Fillydelphia. Swift Squall was engulfed deep in his thoughts. Paying visit to Mother was nice, even if his father - sadly - was at the business trip at the Roam at the time. Home...actually it was his parents place, he himself didn't lived with them for many years. Yet even when he resided in Stalliograd he couldn't say that his apartament there felt like home. He hoped that it will be different with him moving to Fillydelphia - especially considering the connection his family had with the mansion he bought...or maybe it would be appropriate to say 'rebought'? [colour=green]"I can't count on hope alone.."[/colour] he said aloud. That was true...he must work harder to make the better results then in the Jewel of the North. The Army there was rather strict - harsh ponies from the harsh land...or maybe...it was him being the problem? Swift used to think that keeping the unemotinal attitude will make others more trusting. While he wasn't proved wrong that wasn't confirmed either. Trying other approch could't hurt, right? Squall sighted heavily - he was thinking too much. His horn flashed with emerald aura when he pulled his sword from his carry-on baggage. [colour=green]"What do you think Yaohm? Will we be more lucky there?"[/colour] stallion asked his blade. It was habit he developed in Unyasi. His horn lit up once more when conservation suite followed the weapon. He was so focused at polihing his blade that he did not notice when the train stopped.The sudden bump that run trought the machine brought him back to reality however. He quickly took glimpse at the outside. [colour=green]"Ah, they adding cars from Canterlot"[/colour]Swift muttered to himself and he realised that he was halfway there.

And today.....eerrr...I run out off attacks right now. Hurt: Celestia -6 Hex: Celestia x2

Hurt: Celestia -6 Hex: Celestia x2

Yep. Definitly best one. It's was a tear jerker for me.

Celestia struggle is intense one, isn't it? Hurt: Celestia -6 Hex: Celestia x2

Annnnd..... the vote before sleep. Hurt: Celestia - 6 Hex: Celestia x2

"You seem very eager to kill Zynk, how fitting for war machine. Even trought I have strenght and memory of Mountainbreaker I am not him. I am FRENZY! I wrestled hydras, dragon and other beasts both named and unnamed." said minotaur as he dodged and evaded oncoming projectiles. "You so proud of Ancients and where are they? Gone. Forgotten. You just an echo of conflict from ages past. It appears only a battle was left for ya." "Look who says this." Zynk shooted back. "Ha! My ancestors made things both I am proud of and opposite. But both they and achived this by our own work.Both of ya? Got everything granted, no work to achive this power. And thats the reson why my family wished for your return. You are ultimate challange!" he smiled and gazed straight upward. "It's enough for today. It appears that you want to prevail so badly that you want to use this. Have you forgotten where we are? Or you are willing to anihilate city of innocents for victory? Well, I am not. I have my honor" he said sheeting his axes and turned around. "Wait, thats it?" cried surprised Nemesis. " For today at last. We will meet again in this or other life. I hope that you will find what's honor is Zynk" He walked few steps and with sudden blow of dust he was gone.

I think I need Sun Crusher. Hurt: Princess Celestia -6 Hex: Princess Celestia x2

The minotaur crashed near them. Unexpectedly he stood up. Burt out coat in his shoulder, some whelms and spinning in his head was effects of Zynks assult. "Owww. That hurt a bit, I was careless I tell ya. The world is spinnig..." said the minotaur. Suddenly on his face appeared the expression of enlighment. "Wait...I remeber now." said Frenzy and he turned to metal ponies. " I rember you now Zynk, Executioner of Cities. Many milenia has passed from that time trought." This sentece was meet with the double "What?" from both artifical ponies - even if each of them had other things on mind. "Don't be so surprised Zynk! As I said power of all of my ancestrors flow trought me, and so is their memory. I am descendant of Kruzal Mountainbreaker! You remeber him well I belive?" bounty hunter smiled and pulled both of his axes from his back. "I must say you lost you punch Zynk. Does you battery runned dry? No meter, you are the worth foe still. And if this other metal pony is even half as strong as you are - even weakened - then I will not hold back! Prepare yourself!" At this words his right axe bursted with fire. It's heat, so strong that weapon glowed white. The second weapon was opposite, covered at rime at first and thick ice moments later. It was clear that both of them was magical as hell. Frenzy charged at them, with Nemesis flying to met him. What ensured afterwards was mealstorm of strikes and hits. Zynk could not risk shooting when they moved so close and so fast. They finaly jumped from each other. Frenzy looked quite staggered, with many more bruisers and goose eggs. Nemesis on the other hoof was standing, untouched. It looked like he wanted to say something when suddenly loud snap was heard. On the left side of Nemesis body appeared numerous craks. Worse yet, pices of his armor was falling of. Zynk realised what happened in the instant. By beaing repeatedly exposed on extreme hotness and cold bonds of molecules that maked Nemesis shell was broken. Even nanomachines was destroyed that way - at last the ones in close proximity of the cracks.

Frenzy sighted and shook his head. "Just my luck, ya know. It's always like this. I enter, say when what and why, somepony stands in defense of my target. Then big epic rumble ensues and of course I win. Now don't get me wrong, it's my job, can't complain - but I wish I have a little variation from time to time. Volleyball game for example. Or armwrestling. What do you say?" minotaur asked. He did not found understanding in angry faces of ponies however. "Errr, no? Can't blame me for trying. Looks like we have to do IT hard way." After this words he leaped forward. Zynk shooted and two beam waves hit the bounty hunter. To their shock it didn't even fazed him! Opposite, Frenzy brawled against light torrent and grabbed Nemesis. Metal pony was so surpraised that he hesitated for split second, long enough for minotaur to bend them upwards. The fire from Nemesis cannons hit the ceiling cousing the chandelier ahnging from it to fall straight at the Grey. Fortunately his avatar was already active and intercepted the projectile. Zynk tried to fire his Nazca cannon for the change but he was too slow. Frenzy turned on his hoof, and used Nemesis as the club. Ancient robot hit the wall causing it to crack in the web fasion. Second later Nemesis was hurled straight at him by the powerful throw, sending both of them into the kitchen. Grey Steel used the opening and sucessfuly takcled the bounty hunter. The robot jumped at the minotaur chest and one of the hooves splited open, reaveling the buzzsaw. The avatar proceded to slice the neck of his oponent but suddenly Frenzy catched dangerous leg with his hand. To Grey Matter horror, minotaur overpowered Steel and effortlessly ripped the limb of the robot body. With the swing of his horns Frenzy send the machine to the floor and got up. Grey Steel tried to do the same but the mighty stomp hurled him to the cellar. Minotaur looked stright to the Matter eyes. "Surprised? I posses strenght of all of my ancestors combined! Fighting me you fight the army!

Overhaul was not an option, becouse in the next moment front wall literaly blowed up! Flesh ponies was knocked down on the floor but fortunatly the metal ones protected them from brick fragments with their bodies. In the newly formed hole was standing big - no - HUGE bipedal silhouette obscured by the dust. "Architecture this days. Always too much dust I tell ya. Oh well." said the intruder, after which he took the deep breath. With might blow the air was cleared. Now the ponies could see him in all glory. It was minotaur but what one! His body looked llike made by the sculptor who wanted to capture some hero from the myths, for it appeared that he had more muscules then veins. His broad chest was proteced by plate made from the dark iron. Tribal amulets hanged from his neck and gargantuan battle axes - bigger then any pony in the room ever saw - rested on his back. "Now is it the right place?" minotaur scrached his head and pulled the photo from under his armor. He looked at it for the second then glared at the group. His face lited up with the smile after the moment. "Now look at that, I hit a jackpot." minotaur said hiding the picture one more. He was truely chuffed. "You there, the grey one. You coming with me choncho." said bounty hunter pointing at Grey.

Indeed worthy foe thou are. Shame that on the wrong side. Hurt: Mr. Cake -1 (no more distractions!) Celestia - 5 Hex: Celestia x 2