Ciraxis

BushidōSwift nodded when Henka said the consulting with her kin will not be necessary.

"<And I assume it's a trust well earned. I will do all I can to live up to yours, just as you did to one placed on you by your clan.>" noblepony said respectfully.

When Yūrei asked what kind of 'ink' would be preferable Squall shook his head.

"<It's something I leave up to you. I did it to show, that I am willing to spill blood for my new friends and allies...my own included.>" Squall explained symbolism of his act.  "<I will understand your hesitance to do the same. Your homeland never gave you benefit of doubt....forgetting that there are other expressions of one's honour then the Code of Bushidō.>" Swift mused.

"<Well, barbs towards our homelands aside.....before you sign, do you have any other special wishes or terms you want to add to this...contract? No, it's not word befitting it anymore...a pact is what it is.>

Squallcoast asked while setting before Henka an inkwell, quill....and a knife.

Swift waited expectedly.....

"Take your time."

3 hours ago, PyroBlaze said:

That reminds me, I don’t really know what happened in the one for Yurei anymore. I feel like we didn’t finish, but I dunno. 

I made my post mate. You didn't.

That aside, Squall wouldn't mind having more then one ninja clan under his employment.

Certain business-stallion is looking for shinobi interested in long-term contracts...on very attractive terms.

"Well if there is no curing then is has to be cu...." Ossia started but shut her mouth....."...Errr we will worry when we get there..." she dropped the subject.

Her eyebrows rose up started to apprise the ARM. Not that anypony could open the box beside him but....

"......You certainly became more prudential since we met. I like it." alicorn said with a purr before blinking in surprise. Did her heart rate just got up?

Alright it wasn't hard to piece together. Her student was simply handsome, and through mentoring the capabilities of his brain cells has steadily gone up. It simply was natural that Ossia got to enjoy the fruits of her endeavors...right?

"It does look good on you. Not surprising seeing it's where it belongs at last." pink mare complimented the royal pony. "I would be careful when it comes to using it in open too often though. Your other...self still has your true colors. And since Andomalius can only be used by Platinum bloodline, it wouldn't be hard for Sunlight to add two to two." Nerezza warned Blueblood.

"Well not something we have to trouble ourselves with today! Now, what would be best gate to use for our purposes?" Ossia wondered aloud "The ones in Canterlot Castle and Castle of Sisters in Everfree are either heavily guarded, under watchful eye or...." alicorn stopped, realizing what nonsense she was saying "...or doesn't exist in this reality."  she finished with pouting expression.

"It still slips my mind how different your reality is from most Blueblood." she addressed the prince again "In yours your aunts are...well...aliens...but in most others they are ponies of this planet, just like you and me. Not only that, but after defeating Discord they took reins of leadership establishing diarchy. Well...monarchy in practice, since in majority of those Nightmare Night banishing still happened...although in few the roles were reversed....." Ossia kept explaining, but cut herself short, before she starts to ramble too much.

"What I am TRYING to say, it's that I so used to seeing some landmarks, it's off putting to me when they are not there...." she confessed.

"Now back to a picking the right location. It should be one with very little populated, and far enough from eyes of that glorified parking maid that your auntie calls students....." she pondered while tapping her chin.

"Hmmm perhaps, perhaps not. Being over millennia old doesn't mean she's bottomless well of knowledge - even if she likes to make other think she is. It's a habit of hers, isn't it? Half-truths, omissions, vagueness. Foolish is a teacher that pretends to be all-knowing. I am even more ancient, and have benefit of many different perspectives, but I would never lie to You that I am onnisciente."

Ossia didn't misses the opportunity to strike iron while it was hot. The flames of resentment burned in Blueblood splendidly, and what's more wonderful - they were deserved.

"In time I will lay bare all of her secrets and failures, so you can properly grade her. It would be fair for Celestia to being one evaluated for once, seeing that she did the same to, oh so many others." pink mare added. "Don't you agree Prince?"

"Weeeeeeell....kind of....." Nerezza started, preparing to give Blueblood rundown on what Andromalius was was capable of. "It can help in a way that it 'brushes aside barriers'. So with enough mastery it will make any hindrances between You and what You seek....insignificant." alicorn said. Upon seeing royal pony blink in surprise Ossia felt that clarification is in order.

"Doors will open, fortress walls crumble, magical barriers will get holes poked in them....perhaps even boundary between life and death can be bypassed....?" Ossia pondered. Andomalius was one of the relics she studied least, and as such she had little idea of it's limit's.

"Be wary however there is a difference between 'barrier' and 'resistance'. I doubt Andromalius would be a direct help if somepony would try to directly punch you in the face." she quickly added. This hopefully should prevent Blueblood from using relic in situations poor suited for it...at least until he gets creative with it's usage.

"....Now that I think about it, it can help us with my worries. See Prince I was thinking about your aunt's...and some of their students. Or rather what countermeasures can be done to deal with them. Materials for those that I came up with are unfortunately are not of this world. But with Andromalius...." winged mare gazed at the boxed artifact and then the royal stallion.

"Or Goldgrasp if you prefer...seeing it was in your family for so long, it should respond to both names when you invoke them. Actually it can work to your advantage - using newer one when you want less power, and more ancient for opposite. But I digress Blueblood. Open the box and take the glove. Claim your legacy....." Ossia encouraged her student while standing up from her couch. Such moment deserved proper gravitas.

Well I completely changed what kind of character I want to make (Spoilers: It's a bad, BAD mare).

But so it also happens, my week is absolutely packed till Friday-Saturday - which will be days when I can sit down and work on this app.

"The city-state of unicorns is different in many words Prince..." Ossia confirmed. "Although what I noticed. is that they have similar with frost wyrms, is their fondness of complotting. For icy lizards, arming their less cunning brethren was only a mean to an end. Kastrotians too do many things that have hidden objectives. But unlike the frosty reptiles, they become slick enough to avoid their schemes from blowing up in their faces." Ossia explained.

"Be wary when dealing with denizens of that lands. Assume every gift from them as one with a hidden back, often hiding poison." pink mare warned her student.

Di Nerezza was pleased with how inquiring Bloodblood was. This meant that he wasn't satisfied with a simple answers - this trait will certainly serve him well in his studies. Especially when it will be paired with healthy doze of caution - something that Ossia was set to nurture in him.

"Hmmmm..." alicorn pondered, while taking another sip of her wine. "....This was something that I assumed you will know better then me. But I see you auntie dearest do her best to keep you as oblivious towards your legacy as she can." winged mare said. "You must understand - while I obviously studied some of the ARMS, once I got to know that those specific three were unusable by myself, I didn't bothered much on learning about them afterward. That I both met one of few ponies capable of using them, and that we got one of the three in the same day, is very wild coincidence."  Ossia explained "...Although on some level, I think that Andromalius wanted to be found by you." alicorn toyed with the possibility.

"With that in mind, keep what I will say now as a speculation. A highly probable one, but speculation still." pink mare said, being honest with the royal pony.

"The three relics in question are probably more familiar to you under different names: Goldgrasp, Blackblade and Cold Mirror. As you certainly know, one of your ancestors, King Adamatias was the one one who first got his hooves on those relics, but it wasn't unlit his son Platinum Gleam that they saw usage...." Ossia said.

All of this was common knowledge. King Adamnatias was killed during Saddle Arabian surprise invasion on his kingdom - which spanned modern Itaily and Germaney. Young Prince however fled from the rout at the capital, starting a resistance that fought for years and gathered allies in Unyasi and Maretonia, eventually regaining his crown. The three magical items served the valiant Gleam well in his adventures during this endeavour.

"But I don't think it was Gleam that bound those three to your family. Rather I would point at his granddaughter...." Nerezza continued.

Alluvia Palladias was known as a wise queen, but was even more famous as powerful sorceress - being the most skilled in the art of arcane among her family - and for her short temper. She was credited as creator of many spells that were used to this day. If anypony could permanently seize control of such items - it was her.

"If I have to guess, Palladias probably assumed that her grandfather relics were too useful to fall away from family hooves. She certainly was using Cold Mirror at least, being aware how much advantages possession of such items brought. Did she was aware of their origin? I doubt it, after all you have to posses more then mortal pony lifetime to uncover such knowledge. Regardless I think it was her that bound those three to your 'Bloodline'. As such only ponies that can prove that they are Platinum descendants, are able to use them." Ossia revealed.

"As of why they were lost...I don't think they are." Blueblood teacher said. "Remember you ain't the only pony that can claim such ancestry. After all Platinas married into other nobles.....and one of their sons and daughters probably took other two relics with them, as dowry. So they aren't lost - merely hidden. As of Goldgrasp...or rather, Andomalius..." Ossia gaze drifted to the ornamented box one again.

"We would have to access museum secret documentation to confirm anything. But I suspect Celestia was involved with that one as well. If it would be donated by your family to museum, I think it would be clearly on display, not in some dark storage. I believe the institution was only 'safekeeping' it. I guess Andomalius was with your family all the way till your parents, and only after Sunlight became your legal guardian..." the last word was spoken as venomously as possible "...that she thought you are not suited for it's ownership. Not the first time she judged poorly."

Squall nodded when Applejack spoke.

"As I said, enjoying home-made food is rare occurrence to me. Unless I am visiting my parents. Neither myself, my butler Oak Branch or Fire are familiar with...well...and kind of cooking. And I keep having problems when it comes to hire house staff due to silly superstitions. Yes, I have a ghost in my manor but he's really sweet and chill guy..." Swift said, his tongue taking him farther then it should. "...I-I mean not that this should concern you." noblepony quickly backpedaled.

"You were...still are weary as well. Not that I did you any favors but...." Squall quickly glanced to the side "....I assumed that will expect amount similiar to one that I gave for those apples of yours, earlier today." unicorn explained his reasoning. "After all this time I still tend to forget that this is a matter of perspective. Take a word of a stallion who both earned and was born into money Miss Applejack - bits can solve many problems, but you can't  buy happiness. If I never met Fire I would probably be sitting in Squallcoast Manor by now - brooding and becoming more embittered year after year." Swift surmised.

Miss Applejack was already rearing to throw herself into even more work. Count appropriated the enthusiasm, but....

"Now, now Miss Applejack. I will be lying if I said I didn't wish you to start as soon as possible -  but we both know you have obligations here, on the orchard that you can't just drop overnight, even if all those ponies will be filling out for you..." Squall paused, noticing earth pony eyebrows raised in confusion "....Oh, I didn't mentioned that, did I? During your absences I will dispatch a dozen of earth ponies to help on your estate. They will of course will be financially compensated by me as well. I also will make sure that those ponies are from rural background." noblepony assured the orange mare.

"But back on track - I assume that you also want to first get yourself familiar with the environment of your new workplace? Since this will be a...tour of sort, I see no reason why you shouldn't bring more of your family with you - if you so desire." business stallion said "...Again, the sooner the better. It would be perfect if you would be well adjusted to Garden's inner workings by the time construction is completed." unicorn muttered before gazing outside.

"...This is violent even for the Everfree neighborhood. I remember storm similar to that - when I was hired to hunt a pair of thunderbirds that got too accustomed to zebra flesh - in Unyasi." Swift reminisced.

"Not unlike Kastrotians as they are now, isn't it?" Ossia agreed with Blueblood impression of icy lizards.

"They were too clever by half my Student. They set up a scheme, but weren't able to anticipate all of it's outcomes. Or perhaps they weren't flexible enough to deal with those they couldn't foresee?" she briefly pondered.

"Whatever it was, it ended even poorer for them then for those they tried to trick. They died in that battle Blue, but it was a death that lasted for a millennia. Slowly diminishing, they limped through centuries, until the last whisper of their past disappeared from pages of history, at first rays of Equestria's dawn...." alicorn revelation of frost wyrm's fate was perhaps too much poetic, but one had to indulge themselves once in a while.

"Learn from their failure Blue. Those who gamble everything on one hoof, may find themselves with no chips to play further...." pink mare warned her pupil before flashing the noblepony another - warmer - smile. "So don't be a player. Be a croupier."

Prince's question made di Nerezza blink a few times...before she bursted into sparkling laughter. After the last giggles starting to die down, the mare managed to answer.

"Blueblood think from their perspective. Would You secure a crossbow you have on display...so a rat wouldn't shoot you? Ponies back then didn't knew what a wheel was! The only equines that had any civilization were abadas, but this is a can of worms we should leave for later. Frost wyrms simply couldn't fathom that ponies would - in the future - develop magic that would allow them to hijack their work!"

"....Uuuuuhhhh, yeah..." Swift answered, still embarrassed about his earlier outburst. But not enough to stop the next question.

"Did you.....toyed with similar idea Sparkle? I mean...you an Aunt already....correct? Surely that had to make you ponder...." unicorn started but soon shook his head. "Sorry....I guess it's too ponysonal to ask such things."

What Twilight said would explain this rooms purpose...well a part of it's purpose. But still something didn't added up....

"Alright, but Why?!" Squall asked a question that certainly bothered both of them. "You don't have to be an unicorn to practice alchemy. Just....just to see if he could? Science I guess, but from practical standpoint this is nonsense. Even if you alter earth pony signature to such way that would allow them to use sorcery, their output would never match natural born unicorn doing the same. It's like using chocolate hammer, the results - or the math in this case - just doesn't add up. If this is what Mycus was doing, then this room alone is an overkill. At least security wise..."

Swift watched as mini-Sparkle tried to ineffectually reach the alchemy table. And failed. Squall was thankful that his helm was masking his face completely - that way he didn't had to explain his amused expression.

"Suuure. Of us, I am the one equiped to handle any unpleasant vapors....." noblepony mused while following alicorn's instructions.

"So be it. May as well get comfortable, yes." Ossia nodded seeing that Prince got himself a drink. In response, pink alicorn summoned full blown fainting couch with a flash of her horn.

After climbing it (and getting sure she made pose that was alluring enough ) Nerezza continued with her tale.

"As you can guess by the name, Dragon Wars was the time when reptiles got at each other throats. Why did thy did so? This is something that even I wasn't able to confirm. I uncovered few trails, that supported few theories, each as likely as the other. Regardless, whatever was the case, dragons were at high of their civilization - And yes, that includes ancestors of those brutes that now roam the Badlands." Ossia revealed, before pausing, to play with a lock of her mane for a moment.

"So as it comes, dragons of west and east came into conflict. But there also a third kind, one that stood to the side. I have yet to find any record of theirs that would mention term that they used to refer about themselves but let's call them...frost wyrms...." Nerezza's gaze - that for now lazily scanned the room - landed on Blueblood directly.

"As the term suggest, they were fond of ice weather, unlike their other scaly brethren. Arctic tundras, glaciers, or places high enough that they were frigid were their preferred homes. But it's not their residential preferences that made them...interesting. No, it's the unique properties of their breath that makes those long-gone lizards worthy of attention. You see Handsome Prince, frost wyrms were...unicorns among the dragons if we can say that. Besides being more icy then factory supply of mint drops, they were capable of something called  'cold-forging'. Frost Wyrms could  forge a piece of metal into any object or item they desire, and at the same time enchant it. The more dragons involved in the procedure, the more powerful/versatile relic in making became. And frost wyrms used that skill of theirs to make many, many powerful artifacts...and to supply them to both long, and dragons of west. They called the, 'ARMS Goetia - and one of them is laying on table before you." pink mare said, while summoning the glass of Chianti into her hoof. That was a lot to digest to be sure.

"Why that did so? Perhaps they were counting on making each side of the war bleeding out the other, and to swoop in and elevate themselves on the top. Whatever the reason, the plan backfired. During the final battle of those few hundred years war most of the relics were gathered in the final showdown. The result was...devastation of the world, that those in the know call 'Dragons Folly'. Among things that were result of it was exchanging the place of our planet and the sun in our star system, upheaval or sinking of major landmasses, and creation of many foul beasts that to this day plague the land. Western dragons and long were reduced to fraction of their number. Which - following their already heavy losses in the war - collapsed their civilization. If you could pear below the glaciers surrounding the Crystal Empire, you would witness fields littered with dragon bones...."  Ossia paused to make a sip of her wine and preen few unruly feathers in her wing.

"Of course those ARMS were not forgotten. They tend to pop up across history time and time again since the fall of the lizards, sporting many different names. Mostly anyone can use them, since they can change size to suite the wielder. But three that I know of were 'Bound' to a certain bloodline..."

The pink mare stopped, flashing most smug smile Blueblood seen yet. "...the blood of Platinas. That right, yours, handsome Prince."

"Heh...." Ossia smirked when Blueblood mentioned how tight lipped Dragons were when talking about their past stunts.

"You too would be hush after b r e a k i n g the w o r l d....." pink mare dropped the bombshell right of the bat. "...or at least being descendants of those who did." she quickly added. She couldn't help but feel some satisfaction from Blueblood's astonishment.

"The world as you know it looks like this...." alicorn projected the map of globe in the air before stallion's eyes. "But before the Dragon Wars, it was vastly different." the second map came into existence, and although one could point similarities, the disparities were that much prominent because of this. Enormous sea bay in place of the Painted Pinto Desert, Whisescar so much larger and fused to Equestrian continent, a great peninsula protruding from Aquelian near the Coil...

As royal pony eyes glided at the image of long-lost world more changes became apparent at other continents. Long Guo, arid despite Lake Haohuo being so large that it was practically inland sea in itself, along with another now no-existent peninsula south-west of it. Neighpon, sporting half dozen more large islands. Polyneighsia, replaced with Mustangia sized island in the shape of teardrop. Unyasi 2/3 larger then it presently was, shallow tropical sea with many islands where Saddle Arabia Great Desert now was......

"Shocking I know. I've yet to find a world that have gone through Dragon Wars, and preserved complete record of the event. But in various timelines, different pieces of that tale survived. And being a being that can walk through them, I managed to glue mostly complete story...." Nerezza said in ominous tone.

"You see, five million years ago.....reptiles ruled the world. Sea serpents in the sea, and three kinds of dragons on the land....." the winged mare started her tale but paused upon reflecting.

"...You know, this might take a while. You want a full version, or abridged one?" she asked.

On 11/18/2019 at 4:56 AM, SteelEagle said:

 "Yeah, I guess we were just too tuckered out. My bad, I should have set a better alarm," he said as he looked around. "Wait. Why are two Princesses here?"

"Don't you know kid? That's because Sweet Apple Arces cinder is Equestra wide famous." Swift popped up behind two students. After hauling his rump through whole orchard noblepony managed to get to the sales area.

"Aaaaand they ran out. No wonder, with those things eating so much of their crop. Also technical difficulties." unicorn mused, noticing that one of the treadmills was broken, before moving forward.

While he would normally make beeline to Miss Applejack, the familiar face in the crowd. As such, he diverted his part for some small talk. With the cinder reserves exhaused for a day, there was no need to hurry.

"Hello Blue. We keep meeting in strangest of circumstances." Squallcoast greet his....friend? Well at that point, there was no other word that would describe their relationship - not after knowing each other for so long. They both just had to mature enough for it.

This certainly was an example of an odd friendship. Even through they were both nobles, and even shared the same ancestry, they couldn't be more different. Standing side by side only seemed to accentuate it. With Bluebelle being all fresh, clean and fabulous  as befitting high ranking noble and Squall's large ripped physique ,equipment and unshaved visage giving him look o sellsword after a though job. Which - at last for today - wasn't that far from truth.

"Spending much more in Ponyville I see...." Squall said in that very deep baritone of his. "...and embracing local traditions." he added.

"I see you got around yourself quite a company. Care to introduce me...?" noblepony asked, but tilted his head seeing Miss Applejack efforts.

"....Before we move to assist our host that is."

"Oh, splendid...." astral Ossia thought to herself upon hearing Dust's onboard computer's warning. This was something that she needed to pass to her others selves.

"....Soooo girls...the cyborg's AI want's to blow her up." alicorn warned her other consciousnesses.

"Wait, what?" 'said the baffled 'Doctor' Ossia.....

"WHAT?!" with the 'Outside' Nerezza being just perplexed by the development. "....Any way to postpone this?"

"Well am about to start hacking it, so it will have to wrestle with me. Can't damage it too much though, the goal is to make it subservient to Dust. She mentioned some 'Code'. I believe she means the one that will override the AI's control over her body." astral Ossia mused.

".....I think I can buy some time by blocking the inputs from the CPU to the generator. There are also some nanomachines in her bloodstream. If you get the AI busy, it will be so much easier to hijack them, in turn  making my work smoother." said the 'Doctor'.

"Then I...wait as second, something's amiss...." 'Outside' Ossia said.

Where was the SPLASH? There was supposed to be dullahan sized SPLASH!

The physical for of the alicorn turned around. The Hexxer was indeed there, but on land, and not wet at all. Her half-alive rump was quickly receding from the view. Seems that morbid mare wisely decided to bail out of here.

And in her place.....

"I traded gan ceann for this?!" Nerezza sized up horned Whitescar hobo cow that sat before her. One that was seemingly part light-bulb. Or irradiated. Not that it mattered.

"You may, or many not noticed, that I am a bit busy right now. So get yourself a newspaper and wait your turn. I have to prevent this mare, and everything in vicinity of three city district from disappearing in aeather balefire."  irritated Ossia said to this new arrival while dropping a good ol' 'Forcecage' around her for good measure. This should prevent the caribou from interfering too much.

While this was going, the astral part of the alicorn was diving down to the cyberspace/mindscape part of the Dust. It was interesting that AI described the self-destruct procedure as 'scuttling' Did they even remembered what sea was in their world to use the nautical term?

"Yes Sweetie I can hear you. From all sides actually. By the way, are there any hormonal glands you want to regrow back? Whoever robocized you, they cut unnecessary amount of them." astral mare answered to cyborgs question, just as she touched down to the cyberspace.

"Don't worry, I will just smash through some firewalls* and get to this Code in no time fla....."

Just as he said this, Ossia was hot by tackled by something that resembled the mix of locomotive, tree harvester and octopus.

"Ohhh the big bad AI itself!" she commented while grappling with four of CPU avatar's arms, while using her magic to keep the saw blades at bay. "Time to put you in your place. Befitting any other calculator." she mocked, not intimidated at all by  the 'mechanical' monstrosity

"Well, would you look at that..." Ossia said upon seeing the item he produced. The pink mare grabbed box to get the closer look.

"These aren't common....in about 97% of the worlds. Mostly because how challenging it is to make them, much less one that won't break after more then four users." Nerezza commented, giving Blueblood some more trivia.

"You took my talk about opportunism to the heart. I am very happy that you did. See this little trinket will save us a lot of work now and in the future." alicorn mused while lighting her horn.

"Such teachable student deserves the proper reward....this evening."

Soon, the  the box adorned with very familiar sigil - the very same they squired the day they met - came into view, flying from one of the deeper rooms.

"So Prince, two questions." Ossia said, while placing the case on the table. "What do you know about Dragon Wars, and do you know why it's so important it's You who managed to get his hooves on Andromalius?" Prince's mentor asked.

From the side of the Everfree, a figure of stallion approached. His appearance was.....quite mismatched on this almost idyllic scenery.

For Squall it was a great relief after camping in the unpredictable forest for so many days. His mane was disheveled, he didn't shaved for so long that he grew full blown beard, and he really, really could use a shower, Mostly to wash off all those creatures fluids. His equipment, stains on both his two swords and metal and leather armor, and the filled brown sack hanging from his flank suggested that his task in the ancient woods was rather...grim.

"Finally, something else then more then grass and roots." he mused in relief in that warm voice of his upon catching Sweet Apple Arces over-hill. Good thing too. The problem he embarked to solve in Everfree was the one that made all agriculturalists in Ponyville loose their sleep. And since he was very fond of Miss Applejack, Squall concluded that she deserved to hear the news first.

"Fortune, fortune for something to drink." noblepony said, as he entered orchards grounds. "....In the meantime, could use some cleaning cloth and oil..."

Ossia turned her gaze from unicorn's image and turned her gaze on the tomes she scoured and notes she made. Not good. Not good at all. Not enough of it here. And what supply was present, it undoubtedly resided very in heavily guarded locations....Already in forms of swords, shields or whatever.

Seeing how much trouble she got getting her by herself, to secure more they would need to find a gateway. Thankfully they had Andromalius. The question that remained - which one would be most suitable to use....?

Thus, in her pensiveness, di Nerezza didn't registered the elevator moving, nor it's door opening, and certainly not Blueblood hoovesteps.

So when Prince spoke to the alicorn....

"Porca troia!" pink mare jumped in surprise, her wings unfurling  and knocking few pages and books she gathered around herself.

The image of Battlemage dispersed, fading into smoke-like strands of aether.

Ossia whipped around, opening her mouth to scold the royal pony.....but those kinds of words never came, instead replaced with embarrassed flush.

"I guess I deserved that one...." she muttered before recalling what Blueblood said to her. Sitting in Prince's basement made her feel too safe, too indolent. So she earned that scare.

"A more enjoyable one I assume, Handsome." she said while picking up her notes and tomes of the stone floor. "To be honest, I have one for you too. But go first, please." she encouraged the stallion with a wave of her feathery appendages.

"Hello? Helooooo?" Homura called among the school's corridors. Great, of all times she had to step in, it was during actual teaching period. Searching for someone from staff it's going to take forever....unless she ask that janitor or someone. But at the same time it was strange that no one answered her, indicated that no one heard her. The longma glued to he didn't count. The notion that she was to attend the same school was annoying

enough.

"Jeeez...who runs this place....?" quilin filly sighted. Maybe she should search for Principal office. Ask why no staff was sent for her. At least he or she shouldn't be tied with lessons.....right? No way to know with this place.

As she walked along the corridors, Esaka kept deciphering the labels on the doors. Her spoken Equestrian was fine, but she got a little rusty when it came to reading it. It will come back. Not like she got choice

"G-u-i-d-a-n-c-e C-o-u-n-s-e-l-o-r...?" she read aloud in confusion. Never heard of such position in any of Neighponeese schools she attended. At least in that age bracket.

Wasn't that something set up for students...that were a wee bit older then the kids like her?

"<This place is strange. Next thing I hear is no-one wears uniforms.>" Homura muttered under her breath.

The nausea that Swift felt diminished for a moment. Long enough that he felt like someone tried to body search him using arcane. Instinctively, noblepony pushed those attempts away, with magic of his own.

"That's...it's...." Squall mumbled, once again stubbornly trying to raise onto his legs. "Not friend...she...she's everything...." stallion half-succeeded, getting himself on the knees, trying to process what the yokai was speaking to him. He tried to say, how dear his Moto was to him, but nagging at the back of his hurting head, was a voice that told him there was something more important he should pass to him.

"Three....three chests. Close by. With emblem.....'TEMPEST' logo...the 'T'. You need to find....green one." unicorn instructed, putting great effort into the words.

Suddenly Nensho could feel something small squeezing into his paw. A key?

"Need this....turn...four times right....one...left....two...two times right....inside...Inside..." noblepony took a deep breath Not good. This really was a concussion. He needed for this yokai-wolf to find him cure, and fast.

"...inside...elixir...r-red and..s...silver waves. Will...fix...m-me...." Squall mumbled...his speech getting more broken as he kept going. But as yokai darted to search for the healing concoctions, he could feel yanking on his tail. Swordpony wasn't finished yet.

"W-wait. The...lid....Open...fo....frrom..b-behind. Not. Front. N-n-n-ooot sides. B-B......back. T-t.....trap...."

With those final directives, Count's eyes rolled upwards and he feel on his side, unconscious.

Funny. Few years ago slight that Empire's Princess did to him would make him boil in anger in an instant. First her husband speaks about lack of funds, and then Cadence gives noblepony a cold shoulder when he offered to help in that regard?

Not that didn't angered him, Swift was quite peeved actually. But countless business meetings he had to suffer through since he returned from his staged 'demise' tough him bottle up his anger. Well, that and Fire's disproving looks. As such, he only turned away from the pretty pink princess, focusing on his juice instead.

Yes there were other difficulties if Crystal Empire was to acquire suitable port, but it was not his job doing that. That's was for it it's rulers to seek solution from this dilemma. He could only help by providing tools to assist with that. While Squall could understand Mi Amore desire to relax from strain of leadership, he couldn't help but question if her time wasn't spent similarly in Empire. Gushing over kids, exchanging marriage gossips and caring for her own child.

"....I can see why it had to be Twilight then....." he mused before taking another sip of his drink. After all Sparkle understood that you can't take vacation from the crown.

.

Perhaps he was too hard? After all, Cadence was Princess of Love, and Swift had yet to experience whats it was to be a parent. Judgung withiout taking that into consideration wasn't exactly fair.

He should be more optimistic and nice, like his Sweetheart was, trying to lift Princess spirits.

They all knew that what she said wasn't true. After all, they all been there at Crystal Heart, and Squall himself slew three viking in first few seconds of the battle - but it was intent that mattered. Which Squall approved by sending his mare a warm smile.

"Yeah...." Swift agreed when Fire said how their wedding preparations were going. "We really should sit down and deal with them. We can't really afford to wait till the last minute. We need to have to get all of this sorted. And then make backup preparations. And then backup backup preparations." swordpony explained.

"I take that bet Miss Applejack...." Swift answered with a friendly smirk and hoof pointing. "...although I doubt I will have an actual castle at our disposal....hmmm...but maybe in Trotscania.....I am yet to acquire a big estate in Itaily...." Swift mused.

All this talk, and the musical situation didn't improved in the slightest. Who could have guessed? But one had to give it to the Count Squallcoast, he waited patiently until the band on stage finished scrapping the fiddle and and left behind the curitains.

"....Well you know what they say. if you want something to be done right, you have to do that yourself." Swift said as he put his glass and juice bottle on the table. Just as Fire was opening her mouth to protest - no doubt worried that her coltfriend was about to do something stupid - he preventively silenced her with a smooch.

"Trust me. Just this once, alright Moto? We only live once. As you said, ponies came here to relax, and this stiffness in the air has to be axed." unicorn announced - after which, he picked up his suitcases and made his way through the crowd - straight towards the stage.

He quickly was barred entry by the security.

"I am sorry but this place is for performers only. if you not one of the...."

"My grandfather owns this hotel. And besides, performers aren't using it, don't they? Think about that as pro bono performance...." noblepony said with a shrug before jumping on stage.

As soon as he did that, his cases opened revealing....axes....well, two of them. Along with the keyboard and drums. All magically shrunk until now.

Before anypony could say anything, Squall has already grabbed the mic and addressed the - undoubtedly confused audience. Security ponies too were astonished, unsure if they should intervene or not. After all Celestia was known to pull pranks like that, even if she wasn't present. Latest Grand Galloping Galas came to mind. And if grandfather of this crazy stallion really was the owner......

"Fillies and gentlecolts. Once again thank you for your presence! For every one of you!"

Swift effortlessly slid into showpony persona. His gaze glided along gathered soldiers and their extras, as if he dared anypony to join him in what he was planning.

"Because of this year record attendance, here's special - out of schedule - performance...."

Count announced while taking all the instruments into his magical grasp.

"With the first song dedicated to YOU! Brave mares and stallions diligently serving Equestria year after year. I hope you will enjoy yourself!"

With that said, the instruments spoke instead, with first notes and words of familiar song heard from the speakers across the room.

It been few weeks since Ossia di Nerezza took her place as Prince Blueblood sexy and hyper-competent secretary, 'Misty Note'. His guests could notice that stallion's surroundings became much more organized, efficient etc.

But that that was on the surface....beneath the surface - of the Blueblood's Manor that is - intensive works were happening day and night.

The small cave that Prince initially possessed was expanded into full blown dungeon complex. Ossia just kept adding room after room, digging through the rock with her raw strengths and magic.

That said, after each new chamber became sculpted in stone, the alicorn shown that she's knowledgeable in carpentry and decorations as well. Somehow she managed to smuggle all kinds of furniture, equipment and Saddle Arabian carpets to make them more cozy, but how exactly Ossia did that was a mystery.

Still, right now she happened to be in the main room, staring at magical image of known heroine - Battlemage. Prince has left a few hours ago, but all she managed to do in the meantime was getting herself frustrated. Volumes of open books were laid on the tables and shelves, and many pieces of paper were scribbled with notes and calculations. All to no avail....

"Twilight...." she muttered to herself, massaging her temple while staring at magical visage of the robed mare. It was clear that some kind of dilemma was giving di Nerezza a headache.

@PyroBlaze

<"Rocks aren't known for giving warnings.">. Esaka pointed out when the longma filly protested in a way befitting spoiled, rich filly. She hoped she didn't had to put up with her in the future....but seeing that Ponyville wasn't big town....well...tough luck.

<"There isn't much to judge."> Homura answered when Hinode kept ranting, making another jab at her thin figure.

@Ashton

Just as she was about to leave, Homura made one last look at the trembling look. Her scowling expression softened - if even so slightly - upon seeing that.

<"Must be careful what I use as a punching bag in the future. Should put it in more sunny spot too."> Esaka mumbled under her breath. She never thought she would feel bad for a rock of all things.....but then again, Equestria was strange. She just hoped that strangeness wasn't contagious.

@PyroBlaze

Esaka kept walking forward, and finally her search - and some quick asking - has bore some fruit. She now saw the roof of the School she was to attend - starting today. She hoped that at least for now she wouldn't have to share the room with anypony. Right now, all she wanted was to sprawl on the bed and think about nothing.

But of course Homura didn't had the luxury to do that. While she haven't turned around at any point, the reflections in windows and shop displays revealed that this irritating longma ojou kept trailing her. Great, just great.

So they kept walking, the longma filly and the quilin one - the later of the two even more grumpy then earlier - until they finally reached the School of Friendship.
Homura had to admit, it was impressive. Back in Neighpon land was expensive, so only the most ancient of educational centers had the luxury to be sprawling. And this one was large enough to be build into the small mountain!

As such, Esaka hesitated for a moment, while standing before a front door. What was he anxious for? She beaten up creeps in Polohoma alleys all the time, and this was getting her to freeze up of all things?

With those kind of defiant thoughts, Homura put on an adamant face and walked inside. Maybe she will finally met somepony from the faculty?

The town denizens were all staring at Homura as she passed them one by one. Was it the way she dressed? One would think that Equestria was a bit more 'progressive' from what she heard about it. You would think those ponies didn't saw a quilin bef....Ooooooohhhhh....right.

As such she pulled her hat down somewhat more. Can't hide her horns this way, but at least she wouldn't have to see their stares, Esaka had enough on her plate as it is.

Just then, the sound of the familiar language made Homura glower at the scene ahead. The large rock, the longma filly sprawled on the ground next to it, and a book laying on the ground as well. It wouldn't be hard to get a picture what happened, even if the other filly didn't spoke once more....

On 11/1/2019 at 12:37 AM, PyroBlaze said:

“<Really, you’d think they’d want to keep the roads clear.>” She continued, pausing as she spotted Esaka and gave a small wave, not sure how much she had seen.

"<You would also think that you don't walk and read at the same time, unless you wish to eat dirt all the time..>" she said in abrasive tone as she glared upward at Hinode face. She may been built like a stick, but she was tall for the Neighponeese. Not much of a muscle on her despite that. She also wore that snotty face of typical ojou. Great, first Neighpon denizen she met here, and it's the type that goes watakushi all the time.

"<If you have a problem with something, fix it yourself instead of complaining."> Homura added as she put down her duffel bag, before moving to punt the rock of the road. But as she winded up her leg for a kick the rock...trembled...? Slightly, but Esaka was sure it did.

"<Jeeeez...even rocks are weird here.>" she muttered under her breath, and instead lifted the stone and put it off the road. It was surprisingly soft, which only added to this realms oddness. What's next, dry water?

Regardless, the rock shouldn't bother anyone on that lawn here...unless it's decides to move on it's own. Wouldn't surprise her at that point.

With that done, quilin picked up her bag and departed with flippant wave of her own. "<Later, noodle-legs.>"

Name: Hou Shuren. Also known as Blight of Huangjing, Great Divider, Empire Feller, Hou the Soul Eater, Sorceress Eternal.....being over thousand years old, she collected lot of titles.

Sex: Female

Age: Extremely ancient, being older then alicorn-ruled Equestria. Biologically she's a young mare, keeping herself 'fresh' due to her soul-stealing MO.

Species: Unicorn

Eye colour: Orchid

Character Colour: White

Mane/Tail/Other: Midnight black and kept long. Shuren takes great care to grooming and keeping them clean. She also incorporates golden jewellery that she embrangles into her hair.

Physique: Lean but athletic. At the same time Hou appears almost ephemeral, moving with almost nonchalant grace.

Residence: Wūyún Island - which is known to move along the seas surrounding Neighpon and Long Guo.

Occupation: Ex-Fenghuang Monk, alchemist and evil sorceress.

Cutie Mark: Black and gold cobra, sitting in the shadow of mercury symbol.

Unique Traits:

Dark Magic: Hou is known master of forbidden arts of arcane and is counted among the 'Seven Shadows', a known practitioners of foul sorcery. While she is known to posses considerable skill in blood magic and necromancy, her true speciality is soul stealing and manipulating wizardry. By ripping out the souls of others, she's able to halt or even reverse her ageing, which is how she keeps her youthful appearance. The stolen souls can be also used to cast other spells, like the one that made Wūyún Island mobile, or the other that made it impossible to be set hoof on it by the unwelcome.

Each stolen soul also empowers Shuren a little. Seeing that she consumed well beyond thousands of them over her unnaturally long life, her raw arcane powers rival that Sunset Shimmer or Starlight Glimmer, while being far more versatile then either.

The capabilities of the individual reflects on the quality of the soul in question. While the sorceress isn't above gorging herself on the large amounts of them when giving the chance (She really likes old battlefields to give an example), these days she's valuing quality over quantity. When not enjoying herself on her island or plotting another scheme, she often goes on the trips, searching for exceptional individuals to add to her collection.

Shuren is also well versed in curses - placing, creating and dispelling them. From time to time she offers her services in the later...at a price.

On top of that, Hou is very skilled in illusion magic - being one of the world's finest - using it to mess with ponies heads, often in very nightmarish ways. When her dark arts aren't fit for the job, illusions are what she falls back to, alongside with flame magic.

Stylish Clothing: The sorceress goes a great lengths in keeping her appearance respectable. As such she takes care in what she wears. She's equally comfortable when sporting garbs from both west and east. Hou especially prides herself in possessing leather longcoat made from the hide of long (rumours being that it comes from great grandmother of current  His Most Heavenly Serpent King).

Martial Arts Mastery: As a former monk from Fenghuang Monastery,  Shuren is extremely well versed when it comes to martial arts and weaponry used in Long Guo. Unlike most monks however, she had many, many lifetimes to practice her craft, which makes her deadly adversary at all rages and able to engage even multiply opponents with ease. Also, she actively enhances her fighting skills with her soul magic, allowing her to hit faster and harder then expected from an unicorn and inflicting rather unpleasant effects on her opponents.

Because of her longevity, it's very possible that she added other skills to her martial repertoire, however her secretive nature and tendency to avoid direct confrontations makes it hard to confirm this.

Information Network: Hou Shuren has numerous agents planted around the globe at her disposal, some of them aware of their role, and some not. Shuren has gone extra mile and played eugenics, to create whole bloodlines of oblivious sleeper agents, before planting them all over the world. Neighpon Corporations? Manehattan Police Department? Imperial Watchers? She has moles in them all and many, many others.

Alchemy: Shuren is also a incredibly skilled alchemist, which is actually her special talent. Seeing that she had access to both wealth and basically eternal life anyway, her studies brought her to find more...practical uses for this craft. Having all the time she needs, and lacking any moral qualms when it comes to experiments, allowed her to be far ahead in the field before anypony else. Hou also studied how to incorporate her dark magic to enhance her creations, making weapons, tools and poisons that are so much harder to deal with, because neutralizing them requires extensive knowledge in both arts.

History: Like most of vile sorcerers, Hou Shuren didn't start as evil incarnate. Born during the the tail end of Long Dynasty, young Hou was one of many children orphaned by the droughts brought by Emperor's hubris. At first she resorted to mendicancy - but only ones who could help were Imperial Officials - and they turned the deaf ears on the plight of the population. Young Shuren however, was a survivor, and smarter then most kids her age. The crafty filly quickly moved from countryside to the capital city itself. Realizing that you can't ask for things - you have to take them for yourself - turned her towards thievery. Hou she became pickpocket, and very good one at that. However one day she tried to steal from quilin she shouldn't. The stallion in question caught her in an attempt with ease - for he was at the time, current abbot of Fenghuang Monastery - Li Jing, visiting Huangjing to try mending the conflict between the Emperor and the Longri La. While obviously displeased with what she has tried to do, Li recognized filly raw talent.. After prodding her about her life story, Jing realized that circumstances that tuned her to such life were beyond her control - or so he thought. Li took Hou to Fenghuang Valley, and made her another of his students. Because the monks refused to obey Imperial decree of withholding from contacting Longri La - their valley was spared from famine that plagued the rest of the Empire - and as such number of aspiring monks was higher then ever. Young Hou was grateful for this decision, and so dedicated her effort into the best warrior monk she could be. As years passed, it became clear that Shuren was a prodigy, more gifted in magic and intelligence the her peers. However her efforts to please her benefactor with her progress were taken as sign of ambition, a trait frowned upon in the monastery. Hou was often lectured about virtues of patience, that she was progressing too fast. Those talks left Shuren confused, and sometimes a little bitter - after all Li Jing was gaining on years. How else she could make him proud, then succeeding him when his age forces him to step down form his role as Abbot of Fenghuang Monastery?

Desperate to prove herself before her teacher, Hou pushed herself to her limits in both mind and body - rigorously tempering her martial arts skills during the day, and studying the ancient scrolls during the long evenings. Hou appetite for knowledge was insatiable, but it wasn't enough. The only thing that could put her ahead of her fellow students were the contents of the Forbidden Chamber. The lessons form her early life still resounded strongly in her heart - if you denied something, you have to take it yourself. As such the unicorn began to visit the Chamber in secret.

At first nothing seemed amiss. The elder monks soon noticed how wiser Shuren became in short order, and that her diligence was finally been tempered by patience -  which only became more obvious by her fresh Cutie Mark - a cobra, which was interpreted as a symbol of grace, wisdom and protectiveness within Hou. And so she soon became full fledged warrior monk.

In truth however, the dark tomes and scrolls in the Forbidden Chamber slowly started to poison young mare's mind. The writings left by such 'superstars' of evil like as King Direstius, Grogar and most important of all Tyrant King Faba soon changed Shuren's perception of her superiors. She realized that they both feared and envied her capabilities, her boldness towards reaching what they themselves wouldn't dare touch. It was in this private Sanctuary of hers that Huo first started to practice the vile magic she will in future be famous for....

Not only that, she started in secret turning the other young monks towards her way of thinking. The elder monks were obvious to this, blaming the unrest among their students on the situation in the Empire - which was truthfully not great. And so Hou gathered her future followers unopposed, still being viewed as a paragon of Harmonious Path - after all, former thief had to be a good actor.

When Imperial Army came to the borders of the valley, to deliver retribution on the Monastery for it's contact with the dragons, this act sparked uprising in whole Empire. Most of the older monks left to protect border of the valley, along with the teachers of Tai Shi Academy, leaving only one fifth of their numbers among them the abbot Li Jiang. With only skeleton crew to oppose them, Hou decided to reveal herself, emerging from the Forbidden Chamber at dusk. Her Cutie Mark was now changed - the serpent on her flank becoming black and gold, and behind it alchemical symbol of mercury - another art frowned upon in the monastery. Renouncing publicly the Harmonious Path, Hou sicked her followers on their former superiors - with her ponysonaly confronting her teacher in a mortal combat. The old abbot fought valiantly, but was no match for his student's youth, raw talent and dark arts she came to wield. In the end Hou Shuren killed the stallion she owed everything - by ripping his soul from his chest - her teacher becoming her first victim.

Hou's first order of business after her victory was leaving now desolated monastery, taking all contents of the Forbidden Chamber with her.

Shuren and her followers were free to roam Long Guo, now plunged into bitter civil war. Fallen Monks took advantage of the many battlefields that ensued in the struggle, visiting one after another and collecting still lingering souls of the slain soldiers, while conscripting many bandits into their ranks. They even desecrated the tomb of King Shelong's grandmother.

Their strength finally grew to the point that Shuren and her followers could attack the capital city itself. Her dark magic felled the city walls, and soon Hou added the soul of last Emperor of Long dynasty to her collection.

Her triumph didn't lasted long however. The very same day the rebel forces lead by Leader Ye, aided by Serpent King Ao Shenlong and monks of Harmonious Path appeared. In ensuing battle Hou was forced to defend herself from the great dragon, set on inflicting punishment on Shuren for her vile deeds. Unable to focus on battle, Hou couldn't directly lead her followers, and soon Fallen Monks were forced to retreat from the capital. The battle was indecisive.

Ye and Seprent King pursued the evil sorceress, eventually cornering her on Wūyún Peninsula. Aware that her soldiers are tired, and not numerous enough to break the envelopment, and that Shelong will soon receive reinforcements from the Longri La, Hou performed one of the most impressive feats of dark magic in recorded history.

Using large part of souls collected in course of the war as a fuel, Shuren waved the spell the broke the Wūyún from the continent, turning it into wandering isle. The fountains of molten rock and aether from depths of the world shielded sorceress from further pursuit. Using spirits gathered from this engagement Hou cast another spell - one the made her undisputed ruler of Wūyún until both sun and the moon will fall from the sky, preventing undesirables from setting hoof, or even seeing the islands.

Her deeds so terrible, King Ao and Ye - now Emperor - and new abbot of Monastery agreed that any records of Hou's schism and rampage had to be erased from history. to limit possibility of anypony else from following her hoovesteps.

Shuren however - while not present in any of Empire's history texts - was constantly reminding others about her existance. Soon seas around Long Gou and Neighpon became almost completely devoid of any piracy. Any aspiring corsair had to be aware that he and his crew soon can become victims of the wandering island and it's inhabitants.

But unicorn sorceress wasn't idle on dry land either. Seeing that now she all the time that she needed, Shuren started to build network of agents across the continent. One that steadily grew and is active to this day.

Some centuries after her rampage, sorceress attention turned to the west. For years she ignored this landmass - the prospect of contesting it with it's chaotic overlord wasn't exactly encouraging.

That is until it came to her ears that two sisters - one's who were a ponies unlike those seen before - stood against him. Seeing an opportunity to play something for herself, Hou traveled to Equestria, attempting to ally with those strange new ponies.

Her hopes were soon dashed, for two mares turned out to be pillars of moral character. After a short confrontation Shuren was forced to flee - for despite holding her ground, she underestimated the strength of the siblings.

The sorceress didn't however returned to her island just yet. Feeling that Discord's reign was soon at it's end, she recruited agents that would serve as her eyes and ears in the nation that will come after.

Next, she traveled north, to the realm she knew was ruled by the other practitioner of the dark arts, King Sombra. Although wary of each other - and not without reason - the visit turned to be quite cordial, exchanging some knowledge about the arcane, and Hou even warning the king about Celestia and Luna.

Hou was also somewhat involved in crisis presented by Tirek. Since evil centaur absorbing all magic would be more then inconvenient for her, this time she sided with the Royal Sisters. While Shuren didn't participated directly, she gave some precious advice about how to deal with some of Tirek's abilities.

Since then news of Hou's activities only came periodically - she remained in shadows, steadily increasing her wealth, influence and power - only appearing to test both Long Guo and Equestria whenever it suited her - mostly to clash with Celestia for her own amusement. With the Royals Sisters gone leaving the Celestia's student in charge, and new Empress siting on the Dragon's Throne, the Great Divider plans to test the mettle of both young sovereigns....

Character Personality: Hou is often likened to a snake - slithering, scheming, ambitious and traitorous. But also having magnetic, almost hypnotizing presence, charmingly intelligent, and witty in the conversation. Cunning by nature, this mare is known for spinning intricate webs to ensure she gets what she wants. Learning long ago that direct confrontation - or even control - often result in opposite of what she aimed for, she prefers to be an invisible hoof that controls all sides. Hou also came to value patience and diligence, never taking more then she can get away with at a time - this trait allowed her to survive many meetings with Long Guo heroes, and even Princess Celestia herself.

Shuren's experiences also made her more....pragmatic. Combined with her longevity, this made unicorn graduate from puppy-kicking evil long ago. Mind you, she will still strangle the foal in it's cradle - but ONLY if this serves some purpose.

While not coward by any means, unicorn's calculating nature makes her rarely resort to direct confrontation, unless she's sure the odds are stacked in her favor. In combat or an stand-off the sorceress will pull every dirty trick at her disposal to get on top. Honour for her, is only something that she can exploit in others.

Surprisingly for a former street urchin, Shuren is infallibly 'polite', possibly her only remaining trait as former student of Master Li Jing. The sorceress wouldn't be caught dead with profanity on her lips. However this image of affability serves to make her that much more creepy, and this doesn't save one from her sarcastic remarks.

To go with  picture of a cultured mare, she always makes sure to look presentable and chic. She would rather drink a vial of mercury then get herself seen in rags - especially since she knows all too well how it is to wear some, back from her childhood days.

Hou isn't above working with others to reach what she desires, as long as the proposed goals aren't mutually exclusive. Even then, her untrustworthy nature makes her unfit for long term alliances. One should be even more wary when she's the originator of the possible team-up - Shuren will throw her 'partners' under the bus without the second thought, if it's pragmatic enough to gain some advantage by doing so.

Character Summary: The vile Long Guo sorceress aiming to dominate the world as the shadowy puppeteer. Possesses incredible skill in arcane, martial arts, practically unreachable base of operations and many servants around the world.

This certainly wasn't the best engagement Squall made. Just as he charged forward, another wave of dizziness passed over him, that allowed both alert beasts to dodge him easily.

Swift gait was shakily for a moment, but he managed to hold himself upright, even pulling out second spellsaber and igniting it as well. Even then, when he turned around to face both wolves, it was clear that his body wasn't really keeping up with his will. Sight that somehow was both unfocused and piercing, his lurched stance, and tattered 'cloak' and and mane strands billowing on the arctic wind - all of this made Squall look scary and unsettling, like some vengeful wraith, even if logic told that this was just a pony in the very poor shape.

Noblpony just.....stood there, for a few seconds, as if trying to comprehend what happened. His haze seemed fixed on both Toboe's and Nensho's glowing manes and hitodamas.

"You...not...worg. Yokai....here?" Swift muttered, a flash of understanding and puzzlement going through his jade eyes. Although it was hard to tell if he heard Toboe question at all.

However the seconds later, those eyes widened like a saucers when another voice, one coming from behind one of nearby, larger pieces of airship debris. It was as if he was tuned with his whole being to pick up that voice.

"Moto...." Swift said, before repeating as loud as he can "Moto I...I coming..." he announced before moving totteringly towards the source of his beloved's voice. He completely ignored both Toboe and Nensho, although as if by instinct moved closer to the heat emitting weapon of the later, as he passed him. Noblepony apparently wasn't able o perceive both yokai anymore, laser-focused on getting to his fiancee.

It was so hard to move. If he only had his travel bag. Some of the elixirs in there would put him...them...right back to shape.

"I will...I will...." he muttered before stumbling and face-planting into the snow. But Swift was stubborn pony and immediately after, tried to pull himself upright again.

"I...I wooon't...."