TheBritishBrony

-[colour=#800080]Lavender Bloom[/colour], the frozen wastes, near royal changeling hive- A crow perched on a rock as it's breath curled into the icy air above, twitching it's head as the noise from down below met it's ears. It cawed, then took off as the evening sun disappeared behind a nearby mountain. Lavender raised her head from the scope on her sniper rifle, shuffling a bit as she watched the bird fly. The snow covered ground was cold, and it permeated through to her coat even with all the layers of clothing and armor she was wearing. She put her head down to her scope again to survey her immediate surroundings, it was her job to make sure the way was clear before the rest of her platoon could advance. Everything was clear, but deadly quiet. Even the birds had shut up for the occasion, as they sat and watched the Eternium Brigade like silent angels of death. Lavender shuffled again, kicking over a nearby helmet, hers in fact. She looked up at the disturbance, then slung her rifle on her back and walked over to put the helmet on. She hated wearing the **** thing, it made her feel claustrophobic. But regulations were firm, and she was lucky enough that nopony had spotted her yet. Sliding the armor over her head, she blinked as the HUD buzzed into life, highlighting how much ammo she had left and putting a small reticule in the center of her vision. She raised her hoof and clicked the communicator on the side of the helmet, speaking into the built in microphone blandly. "Second Lieutenant Lavender Bloom, Hades Core, reporting in. Terrain ahead clear, advise moving ahead on foot and setting up beacons for troop carriers to follow, blizzard 3 clicks north." Shaking her wings free of the snow and ice she was sat in, Lavender took off towards towards her next perch, keeping her eyes cautiously focused on the ground below her, trying to spot any hidden ambushes. The RLF and Equestria as a whole didn't have much info on this new threat, let alone militaristic behaviors. Judging from how quickly they managed to level the royal changeling hive and footage of the event, they fought with magic and sheer strength in numbers, along with monstrous dragons attacking from above. It was a huge risk sending anypony up here in the first place, let alone to face a threat like this. Shaking her head, the mare brought herself back from her daydreaming, as a shrill scream entered her helmet, followed by static. A distress beacon shot up and lit the darkness of the snow, blazing a bright red on her HUD. Landing cautiously, Lavender pulled a small SMG socket in the armor on her socket out and leveled it, scanning the area fro a threat. Inching closer to the beacon, she noticed a sound, almost like a moan. Her eyes widened as she broke into a run, desperate to find the source. She nearly tripped over something and stumbled as she turned around. "Oh gods......." She whispered as the lifeless torso of a fellow Eternium Brigade member met her view, having been sliced clean in half. The bloodshot eyes of the former pony peaked through the shattered visor of it's helmet, showing nothing but pure terror. Crunch. Lavender swirled and held out her SMG again, breathing rapidly, resisting the urge to just fire blindly into the darkness. Crunch. Closer this time. Lavender was trapped now, as blizzard was now on top of her, and made it impossible to see more than a couple of feet in front of her. Crunch. Lavender swirled as the crystal knight leaped at her, letting out an unholy scream. The mare yelled her own battle-cry as she opened fire on the hellish creature, the armor piercing rounds slicing through the creature's body. It didn't stop it's momentum though, and Lavender was thrown to the ground as it's spear entered her helmet and stopped mere centimeters away from her head. Her rapid breathing returning, she fumbled as she tore the spear out and threw the helmet to the ground, now useless. She put on a wireless earpiece, hearing more screaming and shouting. An explosion rang out nearby to her, and she was thrown to the ground by the shockwave. Her ears rang as she got up groggily, and she ran to a nearby ledge to get a better view of the situation, the blizzard now having calmed. Complete and utter chaos. "Celestia save us......." Lavender muttered. The Eternium Brigade was in disarray, wounded peppered the valley with small dots as the encroaching black sea that was the Crystal Empire's military inched ever closer. The noise from the communicator was deafening, so Lavender turned it off. Running up to a higher point on the ledge, she skidded and landed on her belly, un-slinging her sniper rifle and taking aim. Five shots rang out, five crystal knights dropped dead on the ground. Another two, two more dead. It did nothing though, as the tide of metal and death got closer and closer to Lavender's platoon. Rockets, bolts of magical energy and other projectiles began to fly across the scarred landscape, as the Eternium Brigade slowly began to reorganize itself and fight back against the foe. Lavender continued to fire, now beginning to recognize higher priority targets throughout the slowly approaching enemy force. She switched her attention from ground units to aerial dragon riders, sniping the beasts and then the riders with accuracy. But with every single dragon slain, every single knight mowed down by the torrent of gunfire streaming from the Eternium Brigade, more seemed to take it's place. Mortar cannons now began to fire down upon the Crystal Empire's forces, as catapults hurled fireballs towards the EB. Pegasus soldiers clashed in the skies above, Eternium Brigade sword bearers met the shields of the Crystal knights, it seemed the two forces were matched. Suddenly, two of the mortar cannons burst into balls of purple fire. The explosion bloomed and swallowed many of the soldiers, causing Lavender to look up from her scope. Another mortar cannon burst into flames, but Lavender noticed something the confused EB commanders didn't. Atop a pedestal in the middle of the Crystal Empire force, was what looked like something directly out of hell. A black armored alicorn sat atop the moving platform, purple lightning crackling and moving across the carapace looking stallion, looking like some sort of unholy sorcerer. Lavender focused her scope in on the alicorn, but it disappeared. She looked up for a second, but was then thrown backwards as a small explosion unfolded directly in front of her. In the crater stood the alicorn from earlier, who was looking mighty angry. Walking up to Lavender, he kicked her in the chest. She played dead, hoping to get him to let his guard down. "Your soul shall make a fine addition to king Pierrot's army. Maybe even a Chevalier." So that was what those things were called. Chevaliers. As the alicorn began to step away slowly, Lavender reached one hoof down to grasp her knife, the other her SMG. Getting up, she leaped at the Chevalier, stabbing him in the chest and pushing her SMG into his neck, squeezing the trigger as hard as she could. The monstrous stallion roared, and threw her off, clutching his wounds. They weren't invincible then. Shaking her head to clear her blurry vision, Lavender noticed her sniper rifle laying on the ground. She scrambled for it, grabbing it and then getting up clumsily. The Chevalier was now getting up himself, and his horn was starting to glow faintly, clearly trying to cast another spell. Lavender didn't give him the chance, as she charged him and tackled him to the ground. Standing atop him, she pointed the muzzle of her rifle at his chest and fired continuously, holding it in one hoof and sliding the bolt back and forth with the other. Letting out a final growl of pain, the crackling lightning across the Chevalier's armor disappeared, leaving nothing but a black carapace. Lavender looked back out across the battlefield as more explosions rang out, letting out a sigh of relief. The cavalry had arrived. RLF bomber jets flew across the night sky, delivering their payloads onto the Crystal Empire's forces. It was only a matter of time now. Lavender sat atop the ledge and watched as Pierrot's forces retreated, being pushed back by the hail of bullets from the RLF. She sighed, wiping a streak of blood from her face.

"So much has happened........... And I have the terrible feeling that only more can follow. With Equestria on the verge of war, and myself at the front line of the vanguard against the crystal armies............... All I can think about is the past. I have lost my home, my livelihood, my brother........... The last time I saw him before the revolution, five years before all this destruction, I still remember it vividly. The smile on his face, the smile on Luna's face...... Two things that I can now never see again. Two things I can never see thanks to one mare..... Twilight Sparkle. She started this, she put my brother in that prison for five years..... and it's thanks to her that I can NEVER see him again. She will pay. One way................ Or another. But revenge will have to wait, as now that the crystal empire has conquered the Changelings, a race who's queen managed to defeat Celestia herself, I fear for what will happen to not only myself as a soldier, but as ponykind as a whole. The Eternium Brigade, my last shot to take the fight to them like Free would have wanted, it was a brutal training to say the least. But now I feel like I can take on the world, and I fear that we may have to within the next couple of weeks. Speed and distance is the only thing that separates us from them now. We are heading north to the ruins of the Changeling hive, we need to know what happened. We are the RLF's very best, perhaps the best fighters in this land, side for Salus Umbra. The mysterious organization who trained us, gave us our armour, prepared us for the worst. I don't understand their motives, but I sense, or should I say hope, they are on our side. All I know is, this is either the beginning of something............ Or the end. -Lavender Bloom, 2nd lieutenant of Hades Core, Eternium Brigade.

This looks sweet, a bit like WoW or Guild Wars and the like. Count me in! Name: Red Herring Gender: Stallion Race: Unicorn Affiliation: Canterlot detective and part-time bounty hunter. Appearance: He is a tall and lightly built stallion, with a bland, grey coat and crimson red mane. He will normally be wearing a dark grey military style overcoat and black fedora. Personality: Red is a stallion of mixed personas, although his normal demeanor will be that of a charming, quick talking rogue who can talk his way out of most situations. While he is normally sober, he has been known to drink when he is sad, depressed, happy, or many other moods. This drinking problem will not cut from his razor sharp wit though, as although he will not seem like much, he hides a fierce intellect and is a nimble fighter when provoked. He is a resourceful and tactful stallion, who is not afraid to get his hooves dirty when he is needed to take action. Background (Bio): From the time when he was a foal, the world always presented Red Herring with more questions than answers. Always the smart-flank, his demeanor often got him into trouble, earning him the title of one of his town's most disliked young colts. Being an orphan though, there wasn't much more that he could do. He moved out of his orphanage and joined the equestrian military force as soon as he could, and for a while made a living as a sergeant who was hated by his men. One crucial mistake cost him his career though, as being drunk while manning a vital sentry post isn't the best of decisions, and was dishonourably discharged. Soon after though, he donned the iconic fedora and began his career as a succesful detective, solving case after case. While he was happy, he still missed the combat side of his military career, and added bounty hunting to his skills list. While he doesn't perticularly hate the existence of the guilds as much as many others affiliated with the principality do, he has had a few nasty run-ins with Guild Terdas thanks to their deeds in the past.

Valence liiiiiiiiiiiiives!!!! Welcome back, hope we can get the rp flowing again soon. Oh and as an idea to do that, maybe we could all do monologues like the one you done. It would make for a great catch-up for all the characters.

Truth be told, I think everyone, Val included, has gone on a bit of a hiatus. I would post, but I just haven't been able to drag up the inspiration recently. Hopefully Val will be back soon and we can get things rolling again.

Sorry I haven't been posting as of much lately, school's been hectic and i've had a bit of a writers block. I'll try to get back into posting soon

Sorry I haven't been posting as of much lately, school's been hectic and i've had a bit of a writers block. I'll try to get back into posting soon

Sorry I haven't been posting as of much lately, school's been hectic and i've had a bit of a writers block. I'll try to get back into posting soon

Red ignored the rest of his team's bickering, pulling out his sandvich and taking another bite. As long as the pyro and spy kept their hooves away from each other and pointed at the metal ponies, he wouldn't bang their heads together. He finished re-stocking his bandolier and picked up Natascha, slinging the weapon on his back and walking towards the door. He stopped, remembering he was in a team. [colour=#ff0000]"Come, we will locate good choke holds and holding points to prepare our defences." [/colour]He spoke in his usual gruff tone, the heavy could care less if they all wanted to stay and continue their child like arguing.

Champion Name: Forge, the Hammer of Canterlot. Champion Gender: Male Champion Race: Earth pony Champion Role: Fighter, Mage Champion Affiliation: Canterlot Champion Appearance: A slightly past his prime stallion, Forge is larger than most other stallions, with a dull copperish grey coat and, almost tribal like, braided orange mane and tail. He also has a braided beard, and wears bluish silver plate armour, which covers most of his body. On each of his shoulders is his personal symbol, a warhammer surrounded by flames. Champion Personality: Forge is generally quite a loudmouth, grumpy stallion, who only likes his own oppinions and generally doesn't get on with others. This can be reflected when he is in battle with his foes, as he will constantly taunt and try to anger his opponents into attacking him. However, when money is envolved, he will shut up a little. He has an obsession with the stuff, and will take any bet he can find, as long as he thinks the terms are fair and has a largely scottish accent. Champion Cutie Mark (If a Pony): The same as his own symbol, a silver warhammer surrounded by orange flames. He got it after forging his first weapon, something he still treasures to this day. Champion Weapon: His weapon is a huge, bulky and heavy warhammer he crafted himself, which he nicknamed 'fury' after his first fight with the weapon. Soon after, he paid a mage to enchant it with a rare gemstone he had found, a fire ruby. The ruby was embedded inside the hammer, giving it magical properties. When Forge hits somebody with it, it will most likely light the target on fire or scorch it. He sometimes even enjoys a good game of golf with it. Champion Toolkit: Champion Passive - Fire of the mountain: When near him and Fury, Forge's allies gain a variant of the same power he does, causing fire damage to occasionally be dealt along with normal attacks. Champion Skill 1 - (Active skill) Fooooooooooooor!: Forge swings his hammer and throws it at a single target, dealing large impact damage and stunning them for a short period. While retrieving the hammer from the target, he is disarmed, but has a small speed boost. Champion Skill 2 - (Passive skill) Desperate measures: When Forge is taking damage at low health, he enters a bloodlust and can deal twice as much damage output as before. However, This bloodlust lasts for a whole 2 minutes, and any allies caught within Forge's sight may also be attacked if they don't calm him down. Champion Skill 3 - (Active skill) Come get me ya bunch o' dumb gits!: Forge taunts the enemies near him, forcing them to attack him. Champion Ultimate - (Active skill) Jaws of the earth: Forge roars mightily and slams fury into the ground, causing a large crevice to split in a straight line for ten meters in front of him. Any enemies caught in the attack will take massive fire damage and will be stunned for a short period, having to climb out of the split in the battleground. Champion Goals/Motivations: Forge doesn't actually know, he has been fighting and blacksmithing for as long as he can remember. He guesses it's for the money, but he wouldn't give up the chance to fight for a life as a king. Champion History/Lore: (Coming soon, haven't got the inspiration atm, expect it up within the next couple of days, sowweh ) Hope 'tats good.

Hrmm, heard of LoL, never got into it though. Methinks i'll get an app up soon.

-[colour=#dda0dd]Decimus[/colour], within the Imperial Palace, Ashen Gate- Decimus moved about in a calm grace, a huge contrast to mostly everypony else in the palace. He was ticking off the final of the last-minute preperations for the prince's coronation, fetching an old nightingale named Silvertongue. He had met the stallion once or twice, but as it was with their trade, they never really talked much. Turning down another corridor, he ran headfirst into a servant rushing down the same corridor, knocking him over. The pony cringed, expecting a beating. [colour=#800000]"My most sincerest apologies sir." [/colour]The servant said, his voice cracking. Decimus sighed as he reached down and helped the servant up, pushing him onward in the direction he was going. He had no time for this rabble. Continuing onwards he stopped in front of the door to Silvertongue's personal quarters, making sure he looked presentable. As close to the empress as he was, Decimus still had to bow to rank. Opening the door slowly, he stepped inside and raised his eyebrow as he found the old nightingale to be talking with the same strange, bipedal stallion from before. The gardener cleared his throat as he spoke. [colour=#dda0dd]"Nightingale Silvertongue, the crowning of the Prince of Ravens has nearly begun, and the empress would request your presence." [/colour]As he spoke, he noticed that the stallion Silvertongue had been talking too was approaching the nightingale, looking a tad angry. It served only end his request with a questioning tone, as Decimus locked eyes with the stranger. -[colour=#0000ff]Moonfire Starborn[/colour], within the Diamond Halls, Ashen Gate- Moonfire fidgeted in her seat nervously, where was the prince? She noticed a mare giving a servant some commands next to the crystal throne. It must have been the princess. She growled to herself quietly, wishing Decimus hadn't left her here to sit and wait for something to happen. Something wasn't right, the fae could feel it. Getting up from her seat she made her way towards the exit, her intimidating armour helping to create a path as ponies stepped out of her way. Two guards were standing at the exit, turning her was as she approached and crossing their spears. [colour=#0000ff]"I need to find gardener Decimus." [/colour]She said, frowning as they didn't move their spears even an inch. [colour=#8b4513]"Sorry ma'am, can't let you leave. Orders from gardener Decimus himself." [/colour]Moon nodded calmly, furious on the inside. He made that order on purpose to keep her from causing mayhem. She growled to herself as she walked back into the crown and took her seat again. As she did, Moon reached into her pocket and brought our her Qai'Maga, the same small silver and saphire necklace it always had been. placing it over her neck, she looked up to the window. The moon was out in force tonight, as it always was during the festival. It was beautiful, probably one of the most beautiful moons she had seen. Sighing, she looked over to the crystal throne and began to daydream as she waited for the ceremony to begin.

-[colour=#0000ff]Moonfire Starborn[/colour], Ashen Gate, The Moon Tree, Inner sanctum- Moonfire awoke with a start as she heard a banging. It must have been time to get prepared for the prince's coronation. Grabbing her axe and trotting over to the door, she opened it to find a rather impatient Decimus outside tapping his paw on the wooden floorboards waitingly. [colour=#dda0dd]"The ceremony will be over by the time you get out of bed! Come, we need to go help with the preperations."[/colour] Moon rolled her eyes at him, closing and locking her door before following the veteran gardener closely. But strangely, instead of heading back out to the streets, the two descended further into the depths of the tree. Opening yet another door, Decimus proceeded to lead her into a small tunnel, only wide enough for one pony at a time. Moon found it hard to fit with her armour, but managed. [colour=#dda0dd]"This tunnel is mainly used as an escape route to get across between the Moon Tree and the palace, but it supplies a direct route there. We don't want your identity as a gardener to revealed to the general populace now that some may recognise you from earlier." [/colour]The fae nodded in assent, it made sense. The two had soon enough made it to the inside of the palace, having to get out in a very undignified way- coming up out of a broom closet. Making their way forwards, they made their first stop at the kitchen. A mouth melting aroma surrounded the room, some of Coltara's best chefs and bakers had been hired for the event, nothing but the best for royalty. The feast even included a whole adolescent dragon whelp roast for the Baraki gathered at the occasion who ate meat, Moonfire being included. She was about to try a tiny bite, but Decimus caught her. [colour=#0000ff]"Sorry, instincts got me." [/colour]She said with a cheesy smile. Decimus rolled his eyes at her and walked out of the kitchen, dragging a very reluctant Moon with her. Next was the guard on duty around the ceremony. Each a stalwart soldier from the Hikkari War, drilled and trained to 'the best a soldier can be', which basicly meant mindless loyalty to the empire. They had already began patrolling the premesis for Astral's sake. Of course no matter how many guards were there,when things came down to it it was Moonfire and Decimus who would be the deciding matter if anything bad would happen to the royals gathered. But that was what got her nervous. With half an hour to go, the throne room was a hive of activity. Servant rushed back and forth frantically, making sure everything sparkled, literally. Most objects in the area looked like a hall of mirrors right now. Decimus smiled, he hadn't seen the palace this good since the empress herself had been crowned. Moon's teacher took a full spin of the hall, before trotting over to Moon and placing his paw on her shoulder. [colour=#dda0dd]"I need make sure the rest of the preperations are ready. Wait here until the ceremony begins, ok?" [/colour]Moon nodded, replying in a nervous tone. [colour=#0000ff]"Yes sir. And Decimus," [/colour]She called to him as he began padding away. He looked back, raising his eyebrow. [colour=#0000ff]"What's he like? The prince I mean." [/colour]Decimus chuckled, taking a step backwards. [colour=#dda0dd]"You'll find out soon enough, you're his gardener now for Astral's sake." [/colour]Moon nodded, sighing and taking a seat among the crowd, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Meh, I might as well get a post up too.

-[colour=#800080]Lavender Bloom[/colour], Equinia, RLF sector- Lavender knocked on the door of Applejack's office nervously, she hadn't seen the mare since the fiasco at the secret bunker up north. So much had happened in the last month. She had joined the RLF fully, been shipped off to Salus Umbra to join the Eternium Brigade, she'd been present at Free's funeral........ Heck, she'd give it all up for a normal life if she had the chance. [colour=#800080]"Normal wasn't really you quota was it Free......" [/colour]She grumbled, it was him that threw her into this giant mess in the first place. Banging on the door again, the mare huffed as she pulled up the sniper rifle she carried on the sling attatched to her armour. The Eternium Brigade was brutal to say the least, in a month they had taught her more than any normal soldier would ever need on the battlefield. But if it meant she could fight in her brother's name......... She didn't have time to finish the thought as Applejack opened the door, a large grin on her face. The two mares embraced each other, Lavender had known her friend for most of her life, she served as her babysitter for Free. [colour=#ff8c00]"It's good to see 'ya sugarcube. How them Eternium Brigade ponies been treating you?" [/colour]Applejack said, withdrawing from the hug and ushering her inside the office. It was nice enough, RLF flags adorning the walls and a small miniature apple tree sat in the corner of the room. [colour=#800080]"It has been a crazy month." [/colour]Lavender said, taking a seat next to the general's desk. Applejack now ran the RLF along with Colonel Striker, a pony whom Lavender still didn't trust. After bantering for a bit, Applejack finally got down to business, putting on a more solemn expression. [colour=#ff8c00]"Now see Lavender, truth is all the brass has been in chaos since the attack on the changeling hive not so long ago." [/colour]The pegasus nodded, she had heard of what happened. It was supposedly the same perpetrator who had attacked Equinia, but nopony could be sure without some hard evidence. [colour=#ff8c00]"The problem is, without troops stationed up there, we can't know when this new threat will make another blow. Now, before you go head over heels and boot yourself all the way up north, i'm giving you a choice on this. Most of The Eternium Brigade are grizzled veterans from the RLF GEF war, you're just a newbie. War is a dangerous thing, and sending you straight into an enemy we have little to no intel on whatsoever may not be the best thing. I won't stop you, but please, just consider not getting yourself killed?"[/colour] Applejack finished in a cynical tone, a worried expression on her face. Losing Free must have been hard on her too, ironically she knew him better than his own sister. Applejack already knew the answer, Lavender was too stubborn to back down from a fight, another trait she inherited from her brother. Getting up from her chair slowly, Lavender walked to the door silently. She stopped as she turned the handle, facing Applejack with a smile. [colour=#800080]"You know what he would do." [/colour]Walking out from the door, she headed down to the mess hall, wanting to catch something to eat before she was shipped off to the arctic.

Well, here's Lavender's app for all those who don't quite understand her yet. Name: [colour=#800080]Lavender Bloom[/colour] Age: 17-18 Gender: Mare Race: Pegasus Faction: The RLF Sub-Faction: The Eternium Brigade Place of Birth/Starting Location: She was born in Canterlot, and lived there with her older brother Free, the deceased leader of the RLF, until the city was razed. She now resides in the RLF section of Equinia. Physical Appearance: She has a normal enough stature, not being exceptionally good at anything. Her coat is a deep purple, with a braided, pink and blue mane and tail. Cutie Mark (If available): Her cutie mark is a sniper rifle round, which surprises mostly everpony she meets. She got it while on a hunting trip with Free, scoring an exceptionally good shot at a rabbit. History (Back Story): Until recent events, Lavender lived as a student, as Free kept her identity a secret from the outside world for her own safety. This lasted for most of her life, until Free publicly revealed her as his sister before commiting suicide. She was taken in by Applejack after that, a close friend of Free before his untimely death. Shortly after his demise, Applejack was called to a secret RLF bunker by Colonel Striker. Little did she know, Lavender had snuck onboard the transport she was using to get there. After they arrived, Lavender explored the facility freely, most of the guards being in Equinia to help with the reconstruction effort. Unbeknowenst to her, Twilight had just been shot by a trigger happy guard, and was now in the med bay going under surgery to save her life. Lavender stumbled upon the operating theatre, dumbstruck by the scene. She believed it was Twilight who had caused Free to commit suicide, but she kept it to herself and watched quietly. She was eventually caught, and beaten by a friend of Free's, who was disgusted at the thought of someone supposedly faking being his old friends younger sister. Although she was quickly released, she has become a lot more withdrawn and quiet since then. Shorlty after Salus Umbra offered their services to the RLF, helping form the Eternium Brigade, Lavender volunteered for the project, believing it was her obligation to her deceased brother to fight for what he believed in, seeing the Eternium Brigade as her best hope of achieving that. She is now in training, being taught by Salus Umbra teachers sent to aid the RLF.

Phew, that's good then, wouldn't want any bad feelings..... -Puts away knife-

Reaching down into his saddlebag, Vasilli, or 'red' as most people called him, took a bite out of his sandvich. He had no idea how the people who had contracted him, mane-co he thought they were called, could possibly make something so delicious that was actually good for you. The cab he had been riding in stopped, and the driver looked back to him. "Here's your spot, Coal town." The stallion who had driven Red to his destination had been unnaturally quiet throughout the journey, but most ponies would be when you had a mercenary built like a brick wall with a minigun sat in your back seat. Red nodded greatfully, paid his fee, and got out of the cab, which not surprisingly drove away quickly. There was a sense of doom in the air, with a large machine sat upon the ridge. The heavy already knew what was going to come from that tank, pure hell itself. Red slung his minigun, Natascha, over his shoulder and began to trot down to the town itself. It was a shambled wreck, but he could care less about it. Walking up to the building he had been told to go to, he pulled out the identification card his employers had given him. There was a small slot to swipe it, which he did. The door slid open quickly, allowing the heavy to walk inside. Two of his comrades were already there. He grunted a greeting at the two, before taking a seat at the counter and setting Natascha down on it. He dropped his saddlebag and donned the uniform he had been given, which consisted of boots, trousers, a short sleeved top, bulletproof vest and a bandolier full of deadly looking minigun rounds. The stallion then proceeded to inspect Natascha, not saying another word to the two other ponies sat nearby him. Natascha was in good shape, so he took began taking the rounds off of his bandolier and replacing them with his own, custom bullets. In actual facts, it costed four hundred thousand bits to fire the weapon for just twelve seconds, but that cost was being handled by his employers. Taking a quick glance at the other two ponies in the room, he saw one of them was a medic. [colour=#ff0000]"I trust that you will be healing us on the battlefield doctor." [/colour]He said, his voice gruff and loud, a russian sounding accent accompanying it.

Awesome sauce. Pure, delectable awesome sauce. Count Lavender in, want me to write her another app as she is new Val?

-[colour=#0000ff]Moonfire Starborn[/colour], within the diamond halls- Decimus' jaw nearly fell limp as he heard the empress' commands. Gardener of the Prince of Ravens himself? The veteran gardener had assumed Moonfire would be assigned to one of the lower high blood, maybe an imperial commander. But no, the empress' word was final, and he didn't object. He looked to Moonfire with a concerned gaze, this must have been a lot for her. The fae's eyes were widened, her breathing rate had increased. All of that previous bravery had vanished as the empress spoke. Gulping, she looked over to the prince slowly, who got up and walked off, taking that strange pony with him. At least they didn't have to talk to each other for now. Looking back to the empress, Moonfire bowed. [colour=#0000ff]"Yes ma'am. I will not fail you." [/colour]With that, she got up and trotted back to Decimus slowly, who was still concerned about her. As the two began to leave Decimus spoke, thankfully in his normal, more casual tone. [colour=#ee82ee]"You ok lass? That must have been a bit......... Well......... Surprising to say the least. Gardener of the prince of Ravens! I would kill for a position like that, the empress must see something very special within you." [/colour]He said, stopping to drink a glass of wine on a table that had laid unclaimed. [colour=#0000ff]"Yeah, I guess............ When is his coronation ceremony?" [/colour]The fae asked, still a bit shocked. Decimus stopped drinking for a second, looking up to the moon through a window. [colour=#ee82ee]"When the moon is highest in the sky..........I'd say about two hours from now. That should give us enough time to get you your armour, and to take you someplace very important. Come."[/colour] Moon was surprised, she had thought that coronations were only meant to happen in the bright daylight. She guessed a prince of ravens was an exception. The two walked outside, where the festival was still in full swing. Decimus slowed his pace, allowing Moon to have some fun as well, it was everypony's festival. Soon enough though, the pair had reached their destination. [colour=#0000ff]"Where are we?" [/colour]Moon asked, she hadn't seen this part of the city before. [colour=#ee82ee]"Somewhere very important." [/colour]Decimus replied, a small grin appearing on his face. Moon didn't have to wait long to get her answer, as the majestic site came into view. [colour=#0000ff]"Is that.........." [/colour]Moon trailed off, she had dreamed of visiting this place since she was a mere pup. [colour=#dda0dd]"Yes," [/colour]Decimus chuckled. [colour=#ee82ee]"That is the Moon Tree." [/colour]Moonfire gazed in awe as they walked up the gargantuan silver bark tree, she had only heard stories about it until now. Baraki of all ages revelled and danced around it, many of them made their home here, and they too loved the festival of lights. Moon wished she could join them, but Decimus kept his pace up, and she was forced to follow. The inside of the tree was magnificent, treasures of all kind adorned it's walls. The fae even managed to get a glimpse of the legendary Likael'Maga that was kept here. She looked down at her own Qai'Maga, and wondered how her grandmother had gotten a hold of it before she gave it to her. Decimus stopped in front of an ancient looking door, arousing Moon from her thoughts. Decimus bowed, then proceeded to recite what his companion guessed was an oath of the gardeners. [colour=#ee82ee]"Silver as the moon we run. Quickly, silently, the never ending hunt has begun." [/colour]As he finished the oath, the door slid open with a loud creak, causing Moon to jump a little. The pair proceeded into the inner sanctum of the tree, Moon still awestruck. Decimus stopped in front of another door, beckoning her forwards into the room. Inside was a set of dark green and crimson armour, surrounded by weapons of all descriptions. [colour=#ee82ee]"Here is your armour. Now, you need to choose a weapon of choice. This weapon will be your protector, your altar and the excecutioner of those against the empire." [/colour]Taking a step back, Decimus sat on a bench in the corner of the room, watching Moon closely. The fae looked around the room slowly, not sure which one she would want. She hadn't used many of them before, but recognised a few. Walking up to a war axe, she weighed it in her paws. It was light, easy to swing, but also very familiar, undoubtably of Moonrise city craftsmenship, as she recognised the half moon style the blade was fashioned in. She swung the weapon a couple of times, and was surprisingly skilled at doing so, carving the air with ease. [colour=#0000ff]"I think i'll take this one." [/colour]She said, a small smile adorning her face. At that, Decimus got up from the bench, a smile on his face too. [colour=#ee82ee]"Then try on your armour and we can take it easy until the prince's coronation." [/colour]Moon nodded, picking up her set of armour. It was light, and fit her form well, still allowing her lots of movement, which was surprising considering how strong it felt. After a minute or two of learning how to move in the armour, Moon and Decimus left for the sleeping quarters. Most were, not surprisingly, empty, so it didn't take long to reach Moon's personal quarters. [colour=#ee82ee]"Get yourself acquainted with your room, i'll be back to fetch you for the ceremony in an hour." [/colour]The fae opened her door and was about to step inside, but Decimus called back to her. [colour=#ee82ee]"And Moon." [/colour]His smile returned again. [colour=#ee82ee]"High expectations." [/colour]With that, the veteran gardener left Moon to her own devices. Her room was not very large, but cozy all the same. She had bookshelfs, cupboards and wardrobes, even a small kitchen. A smal sack was laying on her bed, which she guessed contained her belongings from Moonrise city. Dumping the sack and her axe on the floor, Moon flopped down on her bed, taking in it's warmth. She decided she would have a quick nap before the prince's coronation began. She laughed, she hadn't even bothered to learn the prince's name before Decimus and her had left. Straining her memory, she finally remembered her grandmother talking about the prince once, remembering his name. [colour=#0000ff]"Rubyn........." [/colour]She said out loud, gazing blankly at the ceiling. With that last thought, she drifted off to sleep, still nervous about things to come.

-[colour=#0000ff]Moonfire Starborn[/colour], within the Diamond Halls with Tulipia, Black knight, Rubyn, Sub Zero and Decimus- Moonfire was surprised with the way the empress reacted, deeply surprised. She had assumed that the ruler of the land would be a cold and hard leader, but Empress Tulipia seemed......... Rather gentle. Moon looked up slowly, still nervous about the situation. Here was the choice that would determine the course of the rest of her life, whether she remained a boring politician, or lived life as a Gardener in service to the empire. [colour=#0000ff]"Yes, I am sure. My grandmother, Luna bless her, tried to keep me away from my full the world outside my city's walls, dangerous as it sometimes is. But no, I wish to become a Gardener and help the empire grow. Life only happens once, and I intend to live mine to the fullest." [/colour]A spark of determination gleamed in her eyes as the fae spoke, small, but very bright and clear. Decimus grinned once more as Moonfire pledged herself, he knew she would not decline. From what he had seen so far, here was a smart, proud young Baraki, who wanted nothing more than to show the world that fact. He himself had known Moonfire's mother, only briefly, but he could tell where the adolescent got her inner fire from. The captain was removed from his reminiscence of the past as a pony came up from behind him. It seemed to be the same pony from outside the gate. Perfect. Now this savage was going to cause a scene. The strange, bipedal pony was probably from up north in Icewalker's Dominion, Decimus could tell from his attire. He decided to ignore the strange stallion for now, tonight was about Moonfire and her acceptance into the gardeners. The fae smiled slightly, most of the previous nervousness had melted away by now. She saw movement in the corner of her eye, and glanced over to the source. It must have been the prince, she hadn't noticed him until now. She was a bit surprised though, the prince was indeed a unicorn. Moonfire had thought it only urban legend that the prince was a unicorn, but true it was, a prince of ravens sat in front of her. She looked away quickly, trying not to seem rude. Her smile increased slightly, but she couldn't really figure out why. [colour=#0000ff]"If I may your majesty, may I ask when........." [/colour]She gulped, she really hoped she wouldn't seem rude. [colour=#0000ff]"When I start?" [/colour]At this statement, Decimus burst out laughing, the situation was hilarious to him. She had more fire than he had previous thought.

-[colour=#0000ff]Moonfire Starborn[/colour], aboard the winter's edge, heading towards Ashen Gate- Moon grinned as the wind flowed and whipped through her white coat, the feeling was brilliant. Decimus had brought her onto his personal airship, the winter's edge, and the two were now bound for Ashen Gate. Moon wondered what it would be like there, she had never before set paw outside of Moonrise city, let alone traverse the sky on a towering airship. Although she couldn't wait for her new life to start, she couldn't help but begin to miss her old life. It was carefree and easy, only occasionally being tough. But now her entire existence would be dedicated to one pony, Empress Tulipia Dragoran herself. Moonfire decided it would be best to keep her opinons to herself for the moment, as she did not completely trust Decimus yet. [colour=#ee82ee]"I see you're enjoying the scenery eh lass?" [/colour]Decimus joked, finally coming out from his cabin, which Moon had been told was forbidden. Moon nodded, before replying to the armoured Gardener. [colour=#0000ff]"I've never been outside of Moonrise city's walls sir. The airship is......... well, enlightening, on what the land ouside looks like." [/colour]Decimus chuckled, walking up the the railing of the airship to stand next to her. [colour=#ee82ee]"Aye, I was only a wee pup when I had my first flight on the edge here. I never looked back. Now enough sight seeing, I think it's time for your first test. If you'd follow me below deck."[/colour] Decimus beckoned Moonfire forwards with his paw, opening the hatch and climbing down to the underneath of the airship. While the top of the ship was serene and calm, the sub levels were a jumbled mess. Pipes hissed and screamed, gears and gyros wizzed, and servants rushed about, intent on keeping the ship in working order. Decimus opened a door, leading to a large circular room, which Moonfire guessed the warrior used to train [colour=#ee82ee]"If you'd take off your armour and step into the ring lass, i'd like to test your skills in a fight." [/colour]Moon nodded, doing as she was told. Decimus dropped his armour and sword, the garments falling to the floor with a heavy clang. [colour=#ee82ee]"Alright then. Lesson one-" [/colour]Decimus charged and knocked Moon to the floor, standing tall over her. [colour=#ee82ee]"Always expect an attack to come from anywhere, at any time." [/colour]Moon got back up, the two seperating to the opposite sides of the ring. Decimus grinned, daring her to attack first. Moon took the bait, baring her fangs as she charged, faster than the Gardener had expected. She managed to land a good blow, catching Decimus in the side of his stomach. Decimus swirled and slammed down on Moon's back, flattening her to the floor. The fae rolled before he had a chance to pin her, jumping to the side and lunging back at him. Decimus simply stepped to the side, letting Moon fall flat on her face. Moon growled and lunged again, this time hoping he would dodge. Doing as she had predicted, she used her momentum to bounce off the wall, smashing into Decimus and sending him flying. Before he could get back up, Moon pinned him, grinning widely. [colour=#ee82ee]"That's what I call a fight lass! You learned from your mistakes, and corrected your style, a rare trait among newbloods. Now come, I believe we have arrived. You may want to put on something nice for tonight, as we will be meeting with someone very special tonight."[/colour] Decimus was indeed right, as the streets were packed with revelers and partygoers. Moon and him managed to get past the gate without a lot of fuss, only a stupid by-the-book guard who had to be convinced of Decimus' special errand, which he believed to be gathering a special brew of wine for the high blood party in the diamond hall. The pair moved through the crowd slowly, Moon constantly stopping and looking around, which Decimus thankfully didn't mind. Ashen Gate was a wonderous place to be in the Festival of Lights, and Moon wanted to absorb as much of it as she could while she still had the chance. Coming to a halt, Decimus smiled as he greeted a green coloured pegasus, presumably a fellow Nightinggale. [colour=#ee82ee]"If you would friend, please send word to you-know-who about our arrival." [/colour]The pegasus nodded, running off into the crowd in the direction of the palace. Moon gulped as she made a guess as to who the unknown character Decimus spoke of could be. Getting moving again, the two moon wolves started off in the same direction the green pegasus had three minutes earlier, the Crystal Palace. The gargantuan building was beautiful in a way Moon had only seen once, and that had been when she was a little cub. The very walls themselves gleamed in the sparkling moonlight, creating a dazzling aura around it and the streets beneath. Hundreds of revelers danced and enjoyed themselves around it, a large amount huddling around the entrance, desperate to have thair five minutes of fame and make it inside to see the throne room. Decimus would have none of it, and began to push his way through the gathered crowd, recieving angry looks and even the occasional drunken idiot swearing at him. Moon kept close to him, hoping not to be lost within the mob. They soon got to the entrance, but found a small commotion blocked the pair's way. A lone stallion, surprisingly stood on his hind legs, blocked the gate, drawing the attention of the local guards. The fae's eyes widened as he openly declined the captain's request, the stunned mare drawing her blade. At that point Decimus had seen enough, and moved around the idiotic stallion. Moon followed slowly, gazing in awe at the odd pony, tilting her head slightly. But soon enough, Decimus moved to grab her and pull her away from the gathering. Stopping outside the throne room doors, Decimus checked himself to make sure he looked presentable. [colour=#ee82ee]"Now lass, once we're through these doors, you remain silent unless spoken to. You do not talk to anypony, you do not look at anypony, you do not even breath on anypony. Understood?" [/colour]Decimus spoke in a cold, hard voice. Moon was surprised, it didn't fit him at all. [colour=#0000ff]"Y-yes sir." [/colour]She replied shakily, a tad nervous. Decimus grinned, placing his paw on the door and getting ready to move through to the throne room. [colour=#ee82ee]"Good. Now, follow me. Closely." [/colour] Decimus opened the door, drawing the attention of many of the high blood in the room. A few recognised him, but mst simply took him and Moon to be servants. Moon kept her head down, trying her very hardest not to make eye contact with any of the ponies in the room, scared like nothing else. There wasn't just one pony in this room who could make the rest of her life a living hell, there were hundreds. Thankfully, Decimus kept a quick pace and the two were soon enough near their destination. Moon's eyes widened again as she realised who they were going to speak to. The face of the Empress herself was clear now, and was as beautiful as a spring's morning. Stopping and taking a deep breath, Decimus cleared his throat before taking a large bow, readying himself to speak. [colour=#ee82ee]"My Empress, holy in spirit and form as you are, I have returned from my task. I have chosen to indoctrinate the Starborn clan fae into our ranks, and have brung her here to be judged by your great and powerful wisdom. She has proven to be a worthy fighter in the ring of honour, and has proven the claim of her grandmother, Viola Starborn, Alphess of the Starborn clan, that she is an adept user of the Baraki's natural magic. Moonfire, please step forward." [/colour]Moonfire stepped forward, her legs quivering with sheer terror, her eyes glued to the floor, not daring to even glance at the infinitely powerful pony before her.

Oh val, before I forget to ask, can you explain the network of teleportation stones and where they lead? Otherwise Moon and Decimus will be walking to Ashen Gate.

Hope things work out for you over there

Christ eclipse you ok? D: