Pony Central

Post: #901

Riley leapt away from the table as it dematerialized. He grabbed for his bow out of instinct, only to remember, to his chagrin, that it was broken. "Oh." He normally only used one dagger, but he kept a second one on him just in case of a situation like this. He drew both of them, and then looked up and saw Bracer's transformation take place. "What?" He watched as his form became that of a skeleton, and how effortlessly he cut down Jaelhart. "NO! Dammit Bracer, what are you doing?" It was just him, Tamika, Trixe, and Terri now. Between Discord, and now Bracer, the odds were not in their favor, and fighting was, at this point inevitable.

Nevertheless, Riley didn't want to shed blood unless it was completely necessary, and diplomacy may have still been an option. "Bracer, I know you're in there somewhere. I know you've had a troubled past, and that it has haunted you to this day. I can't begin to imagine how many you may have killed, but it doesn't have to continue. This isn't you, Bracer!"

Post: #902

((Oh.... Sh))

Terri observed the whole situation with an blank expression. "Bracer.... we will bring the one we know back, whether by force, or by death." she then takes stance for evasion if he chose to striker her.

Post: #903

Shard, after much indecision, calms herself and enters the room.

Post: #904

(13th May 2013 08:42 PM)Thropian Wrote:  "What happened?" Tamika asked as she threw her tea at Death and flew away from the table. "I zoned out for a bit there. Where did everyone go?"

Death/Bracer didn't react to the tea that stained his black cloak. He slowly turned around. The tip of his scythe drew a half-circle on the floor around him as he dragged it with him, still lowered after it has taken a life.

"The pain I have caused...the horror of every life this instrument of brutality has sundered...I did it all in the name of justice. Justice for the death of my family...my friends...my love...but no matter how many I felled...no matter how tall a castle I toppled...in the end..."

"...I couldn't bring them back..."

(14th May 2013 01:26 AM)Dom Colt Wrote:  He watched as his form became that of a skeleton, and how effortlessly he cut down Jaelhart. "NO! Dammit Bracer, what are you doing?" It was just him, Tamika, Trixe, and Terri now. Between Discord, and now Bracer, the odds were not in their favor, and fighting was, at this point inevitable.

(17th May 2013 04:30 AM)Skyru Stallion Wrote:  Shard, after much indecision, calms herself and enters the room.

Shard entered the throne room, and to her confusion was met with the sight of the crying reaper. She was shocked when she realized his identity through Riley's words:

(14th May 2013 01:26 AM)Dom Colt Wrote:  Nevertheless, Riley didn't want to shed blood unless it was completely necessary, and diplomacy may have still been an option. "Bracer, I know you're in there somewhere. I know you've had a troubled past, and that it has haunted you to this day. I can't begin to imagine how many you may have killed, but it doesn't have to continue. This isn't you, Bracer!"

Roll: 7

-Darkened Soul -2
-Despair -3
-Corrupted -1
-IKYITS +2
-The Longest Journey +2
-Sympathy +1

Result: 6

Though Riley's words had power in them, they failed to sway the broken pony before him.

"I am not like this...the very words I uttered to myself the day I was cast out. I wanted to believe I was a different pony, one that saved lives...one that could have hope. But with foolishness I was stricken twice, for despite relinquishing my scythe, still I drew death, and still my hooves were bloodied by others."

(14th May 2013 02:51 AM)Terox3 Wrote:  Terri observed the whole situation with an blank expression. "Bracer.... we will bring the one we know back, whether by force, or by death." she then takes stance for evasion if he chose to striker her.

Death/Bracer continued his woeful tale.

"I couldn't escape my fate, no matter what I would do...and even then, when I wanted to breath the winds of change to my existence...secretly, in my heart...I delighted in every death, and in every pair of eyes that dimmed."

(13th May 2013 08:51 PM)Mr.Fox Wrote:  Trixe stood up fast and back's slowly from Bracer
"Why? Bracer..why?.....this isn't you!"
She starts doing her Fear Spell
"I don't what to do this to you....you can still come back...just fight Discord's power, fight him harder...you are much stronger then this!"

She was ready to put her Fear Spell on him if he attacks her

Roll for affecting Death/Bracer with words: 9

-Insanity (Minor Action) -2
-Darkened Soul -2
-Despair -3
-Corrupted -1
-The Longest Journey +2
-Words of Hope +2

Result: 7

Trixe struggled with her insanity, but managed to cry out her words to Death/Bracer. He stopped his slow walk, and looked at the unicorn in sorrow.

"Trixe...the path of darkness is familiar to you. You have also seen the horrors of this world, and all that has passed...yet you remain, and believe in me. Do you not see but a petty murderer, fated to kill, and to destroy?"

He now raised his ethereal scythe in the air, ready to strike down upon all.

"What do you see?"

Post: #905

(17th May 2013 01:19 PM)Scoot Wrote:  "The pain I have caused...the horror of every life this instrument of brutality has sundered...I did it all in the name of justice. Justice for the death of my family...my friends...my love...but no matter how many I felled...no matter how tall a castle I toppled...in the end..."

"...I couldn't bring them back..."

"I am not like this...the very words I uttered to myself the day I was cast out. I wanted to believe I was a different pony, one that saved lives...one that could have hope. But with foolishness I was stricken twice, for despite relinquishing my scythe, still I drew death, and still my hooves were bloodied by others."

"I couldn't escape my fate, no matter what I would do...and even then, when I wanted to breath the winds of change to my existence...secretly, in my heart...I delighted in every death, and in every pair of eyes that dimmed."

"Trixe...the path of darkness is familiar to you. You have also seen the horrors of this world, and all that has passed...yet you remain, and believe in me. Do you not see but a petty murderer, fated to kill, and to destroy?"

He now raised his ethereal scythe in the air, ready to strike down upon all.

"What do you see?"

"Bracer?" Tamika said with a bit of horror. "Bracer, I see somepony who has always done things with the best of intentions. You always hoped to bring good to the world. I don't know what happened in the last minute or two to change that, but you don't seem like you think this is a good idea."

Tamika looked across the table around the room for anything that could be used defensively, just in case this didn't work.

Post: #906

(17th May 2013 01:19 PM)Scoot Wrote:  "Trixe...the path of darkness is familiar to you. You have also seen the horrors of this world, and all that has passed...yet you remain, and believe in me. Do you not see but a petty murderer, fated to kill, and to destroy?"

He now raised his ethereal scythe in the air, ready to strike down upon all.

"What do you see?"

Trixe stop's doing her Fear spell and looked at Bracer

"Bracer...look at me....."
She stops little bit then she continue
"yes, the path of darkness is familiar to me and I have seen the horrors of this world........
and I have made some horrors too....and........killed........everypony has done some mistakes in the pass that they are not proud of....."
She stops and look's up to the sky
"There is Discord...fighting the princesses....as you know..Discord only like making chaos...
and you are one of his minion's...creating chaos with him and do you like making more?
The Bracer I know, Don't like that....and I'm sorry for your family and you friends and your love but what do you think that if they know what you are doing......right now...you are trying to stop peace to finally come to this land...a peace that many ponies have being waiting for to long....and it is not to late for you to stop and help that peace to come and when this is over..you can enjoy your peace....and what do I see?...I see a earth pony and his name is Bracer and he is my friend.....or was..."
"I hope that you choose the right choice..."
Then she was ready to Dodge his attack

Post: #907

Shard was no longer calm after seeing what Bracer had become. In fact, she no longer cared for being calm. She flared her wings out and prepared to charge... And then she noticed JaelHeart motionless on the floor, not wounded, but not moving either.
The boiling rage she felt immediately evaporated into fear.
Her once flared wings suddenly trembled and clamped to her sides. She took a few steps back, trying to crouch down and make herself smaller as she did.

Post: #908

(17th May 2013 04:39 PM)Thropian Wrote:  "Bracer?" Tamika said with a bit of horror. "Bracer, I see somepony who has always done things with the best of intentions. You always hoped to bring good to the world. I don't know what happened in the last minute or two to change that, but you don't seem like you think this is a good idea."

Roll: 7

-Darkened Soul -2
-Despair -3
-Corrupted -1
-The Longest Journey +2

Result: 3


"The path of virtue has forever been denied from me," Death/Bracer said, his scythe raised to reap the crops of mortal life. "I sought to forget my darkness, but my memories would not be vanquished, not by sword, nor by magic, for my fate is to cause grief unto others...and most of all, to myself."

(17th May 2013 04:39 PM)Thropian Wrote:  Tamika looked across the table around the room for anything that could be used defensively, just in case this didn't work.

Tamika saw that there were thin pillars near the flanks of the throne room, two for each wall. They had enough width to hide her behind them.

(18th May 2013 01:49 AM)Mr.Fox Wrote:  Trixe stop's doing her Fear spell and looked at Bracer

"Bracer...look at me....."
She stops little bit then she continue
"yes, the path of darkness is familiar to me and I have seen the horrors of this world........
and I have made some horrors too....and........killed........everypony has done some mistakes in the pass that they are not proud of....."
She stops and look's up to the sky
"There is Discord...fighting the princesses....as you know..Discord only like making chaos...
and you are one of his minion's...creating chaos with him and do you like making more?
The Bracer I know, Don't like that....and I'm sorry for your family and you friends and your love but what do you think that if they know what you are doing......right now...you are trying to stop peace to finally come to this land...a peace that many ponies have being waiting for to long....and it is not to late for you to stop and help that peace to come and when this is over..you can enjoy your peace....and what do I see?...I see a earth pony and his name is Bracer and he is my friend.....or was..."
"I hope that you choose the right choice..."
Then she was ready to Dodge his attack

Roll: 8

-Insanity (Minor Action) -2
-Darkened Soul -2
-Despair -3
-Corrupted -1
-The Longest Journey +2
-Words of Hope +2
-What Would They Say +2
-Act of Trust +2
-Friendship +4

Result: 12

A moment of silence was brought upon the ponies, until a loud clang was heard on the floor.

Death/Bracer stood still. He looked down on the scythe that has fallen from the grasp of his teeth, seemingly bewildered by what he witnessed. Another moment passed, until he said:

"...I have a choice. No matter what the world may take from me...it can't take my choice.
I have choice to redeem myself, to finish what I have started, and to overthrow the madness that has seated high upon my actions.
Discord may have power over me, but his will won't poison my thought any longer. His might stands no more in the face of my destiny. As I stand here as a friend, so shall the ponies of Equestria stand together as friends, and in a union of harmony repel any evil."

"I can still make a choice, and it is thus: I choose a revolution of friendship!"

It was then that light burst from the ruby on his armlet, encasing him. Corruption escaped from his coat as he stepped back as a new pony; his cloak flowed gray in the wind, and his eyes shone with a new fire.

He touched the cruel scythe on the floor, and it's form changed from a sinister appearance to what it has always been: a regular farmer's tool.

"I have been in a restless dream my entire life...but now, I have finally awoken."

---

The ponies saw that the fight between Discord and the Princesses was coming to an end.

Discord landed on the very top of the castle, and made a dramatic pose as the Princesses circled him, and cast an immensely powerful spell upon him. He was turned to stone even as he gloated:

"You have not seen the last of me, little ponies! I'll be back, and when I do...EQUESTRIA WILL BE MINE! HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

Thus he was turned to stone by the Princesses. But though the Princesses were wrong when they assumed their spell would bind him for eternity, he would not be released until thousands of years later.

The Princesses were tired, and almost fell when they descended down to the throne room, Discord's statue levitating behind them. But through their weariness a great joy shined.

"We have done it, sister! We have defeated Discord!"

"Indeed we have. Equestria is now forever free from his chaos."

"But now is not the time for celebration; we must make peace on Canterlot, and seal the gate that Discord has opened."

Bracer knelt before the Princesses.

"Your Majesties, I have sinned against you, and brought death and devastation upon this land. I ask only of forgiveness, so that I may repent, and one day redeem myself of my deeds."

The Princesses were silent, until Celestia proclaimed:

"Though you had your own part in the evils you have committed, their root lies in the malice of Discord. Your oath of vengeance was sworn hastily in times of chaos, and Discord's hand led you to what you have committed."

"As Princess of Equestria and Alicorn of the Shining Sun, I thus sentence you to service in the restoration of Equestria, until you deem yourself redeemed of your crimes. We have spoken."

"Thank you, Your Majesty,-" Bracer said in tears. "Your forgiveness I shall praise until my last breath."

Post: #909

Riley let out a sigh and brought his daggers back to their sheathes. I guess I was wrong, he thought, going back to what he thought just after Bracer had turned. He looked towards Jaelhart and bowed his head for a moment. His gaze shifted between the others, then up to the sky, just in time to see Discord get encased in stone.

"Is it... Is this real?" Riley couldn't believe it. Their journey may have finally come to an end. No more discord, no more chaos, no more death and war and cruelty. Riley opened his mouth to say something. The words came out quietly, but they were there. ""

Post: #910

Trixe run's to Bracer and hug's him
"Bracer, I knew it that Discord didn't Corrupt everything...He never could"
"So...what now?"

Post: #911

The Princesses cast a teleportation spell on the ponies. They were consumed by light once again as they travelled through space, and landed on a green field at a considerable distance from Canterlot, where they would be safe to spectate.

The ponies now witnessed from afar the labours of the Princesses, which would pass down in songs and legends amongst the Equestrian people.

First the Princesses descended down upon the city of Canterlot. Sparkles of silver and golden flashed as they rescued ponies from every street and house. In mere hours the city was emptied of Equestrians and their allies, and only the foul summoned beasts of Discord were left to roam, denied of the hunt.

---

What followed was to be remembered as the legendary event known as the Starfall: Princess Celestia activated the Elements of Harmony, and removed the spell of levitation that Discord has cast upon his castle.

The castle plummeted from the heavens, enveloped in the golden hue of Celestia's magic, and crashed down upon the side of the mountain, on the city of Canterlot. The entire city was decimated, and only a few of the monstrous creatures survived, escaping far away to the dark places of the world.
Thus Celestia made a heavy choice, and sacrificed the proud capital. From that day forth she made an oath that it would be rebuilt one day in its full glory.

---

As Celestia performed her astounding feat, Princess Luna travelled deep into the Everfree Forest, and attempted to seal the gate to Tartaros hidden within. It is told in stories many years later, that while Luna was not successful, she was determined that no creature or spirit would pass through it to Equestria ever again.

She called the three-headed monster that she has tamed while she rescued the ponies of Canterlot, named Cerberus, and commanded the beast to forever guard the gate of Tartaros.
To this day Cerberus, obedient to his mistress, is enchanted to forever guard the gate, and to repel any force that would seek to invade through it.
She herself deemed it best to stay and keep a watchful eye over the gate, and thus laid the foundations for a new castle, where she could live with her sister, and from where they could govern over the land.

It would shine for only a short time in the ages, soon to be forgotten by all, but would forever mark the dedication Luna had for the safety of Equestria.

---

The ponies were now witnesses to the Starfall, and they could only watch in a mix of fear and awe of the power of the Princesses. They were joined by the ponies of Canterlot; there were freedom fighters and former members of the Chaos Legion who shared hugs and hoof bumps, there were regular citizens who were glad to have survived, and even some minotaurs and griffins that were evacuated among the ponies.

They all watched together the destruction of Canterlot, and forever learned to heed the word of Alicorns, either in reverence or in fear, for theirs were eternally the right to the royal throne.

Post: #912

Tamika watched in awe at the castle crashing into the mountain. After a moment she turned to the others and saluted. "It has been an honor working with you all, and maybe we will meet again someday, but I promised to help the fire elementals and I have to find them again to do this."

She the took flight and waved her farewells.

Post: #913

Despite Discord's defeat and the victory over chaos, Shard couldn't bring herself to truly feel that she had helped accomplish anything. Part of it could've been how she slowly became more and more idle over the course of the journey, and part of it could've been due to her still troubled and self-conflicting mind from the events of the Room of Memories...
Either way, she remained silent throughout the entire event.

Post: #914

With the moments that flashed on by, terri accidently went into a dream and, when she came to sences again, everything was over. a frown came by her face that she didnt do anything. seeing over to bracer and seeing that he's alright, slowly walking over to em and raises up a hoof awaiting for a brohoof.


"what are you going to do now? as for me i am gonna go back to her. but i might wanna be in needing of a travel buddy for a minute, if your up for it."

Post: #915

Zenith arrived to the scene, and Bracer greeted him. They shared a brotherly hug, and he told what he saw once he entered the city during it's bloodiest moments. Zenith purposefully skipped over certain parts, but it was only lightly easier to hear.

"And what happened to Nebula...Well, let' just say he fought valiantly to the very end and leave it at that. But hey, we have won! Equestria is free from Discord!"

(20th May 2013 02:58 PM)Thropian Wrote:  Tamika watched in awe at the castle crashing into the mountain. After a moment she turned to the others and saluted. "It has been an honor working with you all, and maybe we will meet again someday, but I promised to help the fire elementals and I have to find them again to do this."

She the took flight and waved her farewells.

Tamika almost fled, but was quickly scooped up in Zenith's hooves.

"Where do you think you're going, kid?" He said with a wide smile. "We are going to celebrate this victory with a feast! I'm sure you don't want to miss that, do you?"

(20th May 2013 11:37 PM)Terox3 Wrote:  seeing over to bracer and seeing that he's alright, slowly walking over to em and raises up a hoof awaiting for a brohoof.

"what are you going to do now? as for me i am gonna go back to her. but i might wanna be in needing of a travel buddy for a minute, if your up for it."

Bracer responded with a smile. His eyes were full of new light and purpose; it was like he turned decades younger.

"I must serve the Princesses for now, until my heart has deemed my past actions forgiven. But grieve not, for we can always share the roads another time."

---

Weeks and months passed as Equestria was stepping out of the shadow of Discord's reign, and took it's first steps towards a a better future for all.

The Princesses removed all of the corrupted magic Discord has used to warp Equestria, and established new laws of equality and justice. The Royal Guard was assembled, not to wage war, but to act as the protectors of the weak, and to preserve peace within the realm, and to act as the Princesses's voices when they could not be heard.

Thus a new age has begun, and to celebrate it Princess Celestia held a grand ceremony in the city of Stalliongrad, where this story has begun.

The building where the ceremony was kept was large and tall, soaring to the clouds. It was like a church, but was committed to the worship of harmony and friendship.

Many ponies attended this event, new friends and old faces alike. Even Nitrate was present, held aloft on a soft throne by the strong arms of minotaurs.

The Guards blared their horns, and the doors were opened to welcome the ponies that have aided the Princesses in the defeat of Discord, each of their names called out by a choir of angel-voiced pegasi as they walked down the red carpet:

"Please welcome the heroes and heroines of Equestria:

Riley Topalev!

Trixe Spark!

Tamika of Stalliongrad!

Silver Shard!

And finally, Terri Kazama!"

The ponies took their positions before the Princesses, and were seen by all. They knelt down as Princess Celestia touched their shoulders with her horn, and thus knighted them.

Then Princess Celestia proclaimed in a benevolent voice:

"We are gathered here today to honor the heroism of these brave ponies who stood up to the villain Discord and saved Equestria from eternal chaos. You have fought against all odds, and aided us when we defeated Discord."

"We are thankful, and thus we offer you this reward:

You may ask for a single wish, and if we have the power to grant it, we shall do so."

Princess Luna nodded in agreement.

"Think wisely, and when you are ready, speak out your dreams. And know that dreams can become true when you believe in them."

Post: #916

(21st May 2013 07:45 PM)Scoot Wrote:  Tamika of Stalliongrad!

((Who needs a last name?))

Tamika thought for a moment. "All I could ask for now, is that my family be informed that I am safe and will find them once I've fulfilled my promise to the flames." She then bowed before the princesses. "But if I could save that wish for a rainy day, that'd be nice." She smiled slightly, still within her bow.

Post: #917

Trixe wasn't sure what she should say
"I..I..ask....for...have...no...I ask if you can make me stop being insane and Corrupted...please tell me that you can do that?"

Post: #918

Riley watched as the floating palace was brought down onto the city of Canterlot. He reflected on the various lives that were undoubtedly lost in the fray, including the two deaths from their own team. He looked down and saw that his bow had been transported along with him. He took out an arrow and split it at the nock, then jammed it into the ground. He used his magic to split the arrow such that it would be able to balance the bow, then set his bow onto the arrow. He used what was left of the string to secure it, then stripped a piece of bark from a nearby tree. He then used his dagger to cut the following inscription into it.

"Dedicated to Jaelhart, a brave warrior of the Equestria Freedom Movement, and to Cara, the last Confessor. They fought bravely to the end. They are gone, but never will they be forgotten."

Riley bowed his head for a moment, then looked towards Shard, who seemed as distant as she was beautiful. He wondered if he was right in being so blunt with her before the battle had started. He knew exactly how he felt towards her, but he doubted whether she felt the same way. He decided it may be best left that way.

---

(Months later)

Riley unbowed his head and said to the princesses. "Мая свободу остаются о стране сей." (May freedom remain for this land.) Riley turned back to the gathering of ponies and said no more.

Post: #919

"My wish..." after a moment of thought she made up her mind. "Princesses, If it is possible, can you heal my love Nitrate back to how she was before? She has done things to help out equestria more then i have in my time of traveling with the group. I will understand if the wish is not possible. many hardships will await us, and i don't think there's a ship we cant overcome."