Forumite Romance XII: A Crackship. Shaken, Not Stirred.

[Varkarrus]

holy crap I'm fighting a dragon

[typoAdventure]

Oh, cool. Mood pieces. Yessssssssssssssss Good work, CH. I am *still* on the edge of my seat.
Glitch, thanks for clearing that up, I was confused.
And now I wish I could just sit here and draw all day, but noooooooooooooooo
off to the work i've been shirking
PCHOOOOO

[CranialHeartache]

A shadow passed through the group on the boat. It only missed Rarity because she was hanging low, napping. It was visible for a second and tangible like a dark shadow, like something that wasn't really there, but still seemed to move faster than light. A second later a whirlwind whipped up in front of them and came through, blowing them all off the boat. Rarity was surprised and came out from the water coughing and sputtering while the others tried to get back to the surface which was hard because the water was moving turbulently by the wind.

"What the-!? MY BEAUTIFUL HAIR!" Rarity screamed, the sound knocking and echoing in the cave, especially because of the darkness, causing everyone to hold their ears from the loud shriek. The water was cold, and Jordan was the second to surface, noticing the weapon that had past by them getting caught by a shadowy figure across from them. The weapon was a pinwheel. It had silver blades running around it and a sparkling onyx jewel in the center that had a transparent outside, showing a dark wind swirling about it on the inside. Jordan uncaptchalogued his sword as the boat overturned, Applejack coming up underneath it and wondering where the light went.

Jordan brought back his light, which seemed to be absorbed by the shadows. He tried to cling to the boat and get his bearings as the shadow past over them again. Ying came up a second later, carrying an unconscious Rainbow Dash. He, himself, was dazed.

"What's going on!?"

Jordan responded first. "I don't know! Someone's attacking us I think. They're - cough cough - using a pinwheel." The water was hard to stay floating on, as it seemed to be granted a life of its own - the motion never ceasing. Typo threw up into the water, a bunch of apple chunks swimming about.

Typo groaned. "Oh that's pleasant," he said sarcastically, coughing up a little water. He tried to close his eyes but the movement was still making him sick and distracting him. His diamonds flashed and he disappeared into a shadow. He started to fly and went at the shadow but past right through it. Void versus void, under the right circumstances, will always be a stalemate. Typo gave up, needing to get out of the water as he was starting to dry heave up what little hydration was in his system. He swam away.

The shadow past by again, the pinwheel crossing through. Jordan tried to summon some plants from the bottom of the water to catch the pinwheel, but it was going too fast, and even then, it had no way to grasp a hold on it, as there was no hole.

Ying continued holding onto Rainbow Dash, trying to keep her afloat, glad that she was unconscious so she wouldn't struggle. But then had the shock of his life when his head came off. It was so fast, his face was twitching as blood flowed into the water. Ying looked shocked as his body sunk into the water. Rainbow Dash started to sink too, but Jordan caught her, using his life sense and the light and heat from his hand to try and look around. Jordan kept his head close to the water, almost going underneath, watching the shadow pass by again and again, the pinwheel whipping up the water.

Jordan covered Rainbow Dash's mouth and nose and dragged her under the water with him, and swam so he was underneath the boat. Applejack, having heard what was going on outside, had chosen to stay under the boat; although it had taken her a little while, and a little water dipping, to realize where she was, especially considering all of the darkness. When Jordan came up underneath she nearly screamed but recognized him right away. Jordan seemed distraught and gave Rainbow Dash to Applejack, who brought her up and made her float on the water with her face up. Jordan gave a thumbs up to Applejack as his hand glowed and went back under the water. He had a plan. A second later, horn alight, Rarity came up under the boat and gasped for air, coughing a little more and shivering.

((Sorry about the cliffhanger, but I thought you all might like a lot of tension.))

((Edit: Also, thanks to my friend Theresa for helping me come up with the pinwheel idea; although I was the one who decided the onyx should be infused with something.))

[Varkarrus]

THERE IS NO MORE EDGE FOR ME TO SIT UPON.

[CranialHeartache]

Phynicxs closed in on the figure getting up off the ground, and noticed it was furry, and somewhat small - but not too small. One of his eyebrows raised as the dragon roared, electricity crackling in its mouth. It sweeped its tail around which caused spines to be released from it, which went down and cut straight through some trees. Phynicxs saw this and dived down at the bard, covering its body as he felt the spine strike him in the spine, almost cutting through, had it not been for him hardening his blood much like hardening a bond. He cried out in pain, and felt the strength and feeling leave his legs.

The dragon seemed to laugh at this as Smeareyes came closer, somewhat confused as to why the dragon wasn't going for him, as though something were negating his powers.

The bard peeked out from beneath Phynicxs who was crying a little bit at the loss of his legs, a little scared that this would end up never healing due to his heroics and having taken action. The thunder was crackling and it was about to be released, but the bard of cute stepped out, took a deep breath, and shouted "FUS!" which came out kind of squeaky, especially considering it was part hamster. The wave of pink splashed across the dragon's face and it caused him to be taken aback, one eye going wide and shot it off to the side. The dragon looked confused for a bit, the red light in his other eye dimming momentarily before sparking up again. The dragon roared and flew while holding its head, as though it had a mind splitting migraine. The bard of cute started to dance in front of the dragon, singing the lyrics to Lucky Twice, occasionally looking toward Phynicxs with worry, who was starting to raise up in the air to fly, but it was obvious how hard this was for him, his lower half hanging on by a thread, or, rather, the skin that attached to his front side.

Smeareyes watched the dragon and had a revelation.

((Brb.))

[CranialHeartache]

Jordan paid attention to the shadow from beneath the water, sensing the life above him as he felt its signature reappear, as though it had stopped being no more than a shade.

"Pity that you all died so easily. I was expecting a much bigger challenge."

Jordan's eyebrows furrowed. He was angry, especially at the idea that Ying might be gone for good. He pulled up his sword, focused on it and surging a little life into it, and swiped it at the figure above the water which held the pinwheel as though he was telekinetic. Looking down, the figure saw the wave and was too surprised as it cut through him. It went right through! But there was no damage.

[CranialHeartache]

The bard of cute was small. Extremely small. But her cuteness was great. It was expansive. It was unstoppable. And Smeareyes understood this after seeing the hamster's power the first time. He hurried through to them, bounding through to get to them as quickly as possible.

The bard of cute screamed a word from the song as the thunder was about to be unleashed by the dragon, but it was pushed to the side by the bard of cute's power being focused through his dance. This one didn't seem to affect the dragon, as though this one was just a guarding move.

Smeareyes came over quickly and whispered in the bard of cute's ear, and she smiled up to him and gave him an okay. Smeareyes pulled out another shuriken and focused as the dragon swung its tail around - the spines being pushed to the side by more of the bard of cute's moves.

[Varkarrus]

I'M A DANCE FIGHTER
HAHA YESSS

[CranialHeartache]

Jordan watched the beam go through him and smiled. There had been a little hazy shadow released when the cut hit. He started to power forward with his feet, giving him a little extra boost with his ability to fly. When he came up from the water he noted that the person in front of him was confused and kept putting his hands out, as though to release something. Jordan ran the sword clean through the player's clothing and stomach. He was finished. Jordan realized what he was doing at the last second, but couldn't stop it, feeling extremely guilty as he remembered Auryie's words to him. The doom spread throughout the player's blood vessels with darkness pushing the skin up as he bled. The player's eyes started to go dark as he whispered, "mother..." His eyes glazed over as he felt sweet release.

Jordan quickly pulled the blade out, which caused blood to splash onto his clothing and face. He looked down at where Ying's body had been and dived under the water, as the figure fell, the pinwheel getting submerged. He brought Ying's body up to the surface, and went under the boat, the shivering ponies inside helping him to right the boat and putting Ying on top of it, the darkness dissipating and the torches flaring to life. Jordan went to get Ying's head, almost crying because he had to do a burial. He used both hands to generate heat, trying to dry and warm all who were on the boat. He looked at the dead body, and then looked away.

The ponies, who had been avoiding the body and pretty much crying (Rainbow Dash in particular vomitting into the blood soaked water) gasped.

[CranialHeartache]

The dragon's one glowing red eye started to turn into a pinker shade, something appearing in the pupil, before the dragon smiled and started to charge electricity in its mouth. In a second or two, as the bard of cute was about to launch Smeareyes into the air, who put his hand out to disrupt the spine that was about to hit him, the dragon had swung its tail. The bard of cute was thrown off guard, having to immediately defend after launching Smeareyes - which had propelled him much quicker than if he had flown (and flying would have been dangerous), and kicked a few spines out; although one got through and chopped through Phynicxs upper right half. His mind stopped immediately. The bard of cute screamed and was about to be hit by lightning.

Smeareyes threw the shuriken at the other dragon's remaining eye which immediately dimmed. The dragon started to flail about as Smeareyes did a flip and landed on it, thrusting his palms onto the dragon's scales and flowing an absurd amount of rage into the dragon's brain, knowing full well what he was doing. The dragon's mouth opened, gaping, its blind eyes widening before screaming. It was cut short as the dragon lost consciousness and started to fall to the ground.

The bard of cute was amazed, but quickly turned her attention to the fallen warrior. Smeareyes was crying, which messed up some of his eyeliner while he floated above the dragon's unconscious body.

[CranialHeartache]

I'm going to make you guys wait maybe 10 minutes, for those who are reading it as I post it, before I work on the next piece.

Starting soon. Also, do you guys think the fight between the void player and Jordan should have been longer?

[typoAdventure]

oh nooo we have to wait while yiingbro's dead
/sarcasm
but seriously! this is great! i can't even leave for two hours without missing something

[CranialHeartache]

The ponies behind Jordan started calling out and screaming and asking what was going on. Jordan turned around to see what was getting their attention so much as the water started to settle.

There was a rainbow flashing light coming off of Ying as his head reconnected to his body with a few snaps and crackles. Almost immediately after, Ying gasped, trying to take in the air he was unable to when he was decapitated. He sat up quickly, breathing heavily, scaring the ponies and causing them to back off slightly. Rarity was very distressed, holding a hoof in the air and turning away. She looked like she was about to deem what happened as gross, but thought better of it. The ponies hugged Ying, who were all soaked in some blood. Rarity's immediate reaction right after relief was a whine about the blood in her coat and how hard, if not nearly impossible, it was going to be to get out. She stomped her little hoofsies very ladylike against the boat and started turning and trotting in place, as though she could shake off the blood. Applejack told her to can it, while Rainbow Dash thought what just happened was pretty cool, she started to wonder where Typo was, and voiced her concern. Jordan told her he had apparently swam away, because he could sense his life signature further on in the cave. Something occured to Jordan as Ying checked his body - not used to resurrecting - and dived into the water again, coming back up holding the pinwheel.

"I thought it might be useful." Jordan stated, setting it off to the side. "I can't use it, but I have a hunch Typo might be able to."

[Varkarrus]

Rainbow Dash: "BLEERRGGGHHHHarrrbllergghblbh.... oh hey that was cool!"

[CranialHeartache]

Lol. That was so funny. I guess it was pretty whiplash huh? Thanks Vark, that made me laugh.

Also, I'm just figuring out where I'm going to go from here. I have an idea of it, but I'm not 100% there yet. Especially because part of me doesn't want this to end.

[JordanTH]

What I want to know is how this epic tale isn't in the best of thread yet.

[CranialHeartache]

I have something planned for the mane six too. I think I know what I'm going to do next.

Edit: By the way, what exactly is the best of thread? Is that the thing on the first page?

[JordanTH]

Eeeyup. Although perhaps we should wait until it's complete before we nominate it properly. But once it's done you'll have my vote for sure.

You need 4 votes, so with me, Typo, Vark, and Ying, among others... yeah.

[CranialHeartache]

Smeareyes was relieved when he saw the glowing light given off by Phynicxs who quickly rose and pumped a fist into the air at the fact that he could walk again, but then had a sinking feeling that something worse was going to happen later; although he didn't feel personal attachment to the eerie feeling.

The seer of rage flew up to Phynicxs and wrapped him in a big, tight hug. Much tighter than one might've expected. Phynicxs wheezed and motioned for Smeareyes to put him down, which he did after a few seconds.

The bard of cute watched the reuinion with a tear in her eye, and squeaked when she heard something behind her, jumping and turning.

"Hiya there what's your name!?" Pinkie Pie was hopping in place.

"When did you get here and who are you!?" The bard squeaked, looking angry at being surprised.

"I'm Pinkie Pie, and I love meeting new friends, so what's your name?" She leaned forward, getting into the bard of cute's personal space.

"Varkarrus, but call me Vark." Vark looked extremely uneasy about this pony, and thought something might be wrong with her.

Twilight sighed in relief as she and Fluttershy came cantering up to the group. "There you are Pinkie, how did you disappear like that?"

"PlacestogopeopletomeetyouknowhowitisTwilightafter allyouhaveaverybusylifealthoughreallyyoudospendmor etimein-" Twilight cut Pinkie off.

"That's okay, I get it Pinkie."

"OOH! And this is Vark - Vark, these are my friends, Phynicxs, Smeareyes, Twilight Sparkle, and Fluttershy."

Fluttershy meeped and hid behind her mane. "Nice to meet you..." She trailed off.

Vark smiled and rustled Fluttershy's jimmies-Imean mane and looked her in the eyes, which seemed to calm her down. "You're so sweet and cute." Fluttershy picked Vark up and started tossing her into the air, which Vark just sort of dealt with, having enjoyed this in the past before making godtier.

Smeareyes was quick to befriend Vark, despite the fact that she had almost cost him his best friend's life. "What's your story?"

Vark was finally put down and she sighed, as though explaining it had been a common occurrence. She said how basically, long story short, she had been involved with exiling her groups' carpacians and ended up exiling herself as well by mistake. She sighed and looked away, before looking back and smiling and explaining how that doesn't matter anymore because she's found companions!

Phynicxs was the first to ask about the symbol on Varkarrus, and she responded by saying it stood for, "cute." That she was the Bard of Cute. This kind of threw Phynicxs for a loop, but knew how the game had made exceptions at times firsthand.

Twilight spoke up. "What's all this blood?" She seemed confused.

Vark was the one who responded, telling it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Someone died there, story over, now let's talk about that dragon." Twilight looked up, curious, but Fluttershy squealed and hid behind Smeareyes once she finally saw the dragon. Twilight and Pinkie Pie kept away, letting the three players go up to it.

Smeareyes mentioned how someone had been controlling the dragon's heart/soul, which was weird because normally heart magic wasn't as forceful as this. Smeareyes took the shuriken out of the dragon's eyes and let Phynicxs stop the bleeding. "I didn't make them go in deep so his eyes should be fine. When I saw how the dragon reacted to Vark's ability I put two and two together, especially after my own shuriken had hit. I used the second shuriken to do what I had unintentionally done the first time, severing a piece of the connection between the dragon and whoever was controlling it. I then used my power to overflow the link and sever it completely.

Phynicxs, already used to Smeareye's cunning, smiled while Vark was stunned. The three ponies looked to each other momentarily before Twilight continued to examine the blood, seemingly very confused about this, as the blood that had soaked into Phynicxs clothes was hard to see, due to its color.

[CranialHeartache]

Yo, is anyone here good at characterizing and able to type in character for Aranea?

[CranialHeartache]

Jordan helped dry and warm the party as they made their way forward in the boat. When they finally reached some land, they found Typo sitting in a corner, brooding.

Jordan, feeling forgiving and still guilty, made his way to him while Rainbow Dash sort of sneered. Ying brought the ship out of the water and placed it in the water across so that they can continue on. Rainbow Dash and Rarity started gossiping and Applejack told them to knock it off and hoofed them both in the noggin.

"What's up Typo?" Jordan said sincerely, trying to put a smile on his face as he hunkered down by Typo.

"I'm so sorry." He closed his eyes tightly, as though he had been crying. "Again. I was no use in a battle again." Typo hiccuped. He seemed far away, as though he were dwelling on the past.

"Hey, we can't all help all the time, sometimes we just get in the way. You have to use strategy in battles like that."

"People could have DIED!" Typo shouted enough for the ponies to hear. Everyone just glanced over sympathetically.

"People can die every day, sometimes you can't do anything about it. I've accepted this and I try to help as many as I can to make up for it."

"But it was all my fault." He started to cry harder. "My whole session. If I had paid attention, I would have known that he couldn't be trusted."

Jordan thought back to what he knew of Typo and nodded understandingly. "Maybe you just wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt?"

"But because of him and my naivette everybody's dead!"

"And you learned from that. You can't go beating yourself up for it forever. Besides, you should focus on what you can do NOW."

"But... But I've been following him for so long, and I can't beat anyone with their own aspect. He's destroyed so many worlds." Typo sobbed, and suddenly it clicked for Jordan, who put a hand on his shoulder and hugged him.

"I have something that might help you, Typo." He pulled out the pinwheel from his captchalogue deck and laid it in front of Typo. "I imagine you can make better use of this than I can." Typo noticed fleetingly that the onyx was imbued with the power of breath, and that whoever had been using it had been taking advantage of that while using their own aspect. Now Typo put two and two together, realizing that the player Jordan had fought was a void player and he had been using the breath to enhance his skills. Typo felt strength returning and he placed a hand on the weapon, his hiccuping starting to dwindle.

[CranialHeartache]

The dragon's head lifted slightly and looked around, his eyes no longer glowing. He stared at Smeareyes.

"I'M SO SORRY." His voice was deep and a little rattly.

Smeareyes smiled and waved his arm. "Think nothing of it, I'm just glad no one was hurt."

The dragon smiled at the contradiction in the statement, but didn't bring it up, understanding to some degree what he meant.

"Why and who was controlling you?" Phynicxs asked.

"SOME HUMAN IN MAROON CLOTHING." This caused Smeareyes and Phynicxs to share a glance, both understanding the situation almost immediately.

"Where is he?"

"HE? OH, YOU MEAN THE HUMAN. IT IS A HER. SHE IS LIVING WITH THE CHANGELINGS AND HAS BECOME THEIR LEADER. SHE USURPED THE PREVIOUS RULER AND HAS BEEN KEEPING HER LOCKED UP, STARVING HER SLOWLY TO TORTURE HER."

Phynicxs motioned for Vark and Smeareyes to huddle and they did. The dragon didn't seem to mind, and acted very patient, probably thankful.

"A her? Well, that makes our job harder because she probably knows we're coming." Smeareyes deduced.

Phynicxs nodded and said, "well, we may have to sneak in. I don't really want a confrontation with a heart player that's strong enough to force her soul on others - especially a dragon."

Vark nodded, looking between them, feeling a little left out.

"Well, we have to get in somehow," Smeareyes stated.

Vark perked up, "I'm going with you! It sounds fun. Also, maybe the dragon can take us close to there so we don't have to walk all the way?" Phynicxs and Smeareyes nodded in unison, and Phynicxs motioned for Smeareyes to be the one to ask.

"Grand dragon, we are on our way to that same location. We have business there, and would appreciate it if you could help us."

"I WILL ON ONE CONDITION," he paused, "I WOULD WISH TO HELP YOU IN ANY BATTLE YOU MAY FACE AGAINST THEM, AND I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD AT LEAST TAKE AWAY THAT STRANGE HUMAN'S POWER OVER OTHERS. OTHER THAN THAT, I WILL DO ANYTHING TO ATONE FOR WHAT I HAVE DONE, AND I WILL ESPECIALLY HELP THE ONE WHO CUT THE CONTROL SHE HAD ON ME."

Phynicxs looked to the others and nodded, causing Smeareyes to smile. "It's a deal. But we need to try and sneak in quietly, and if things go sour, you may aid us. Is that fine with you?"

The dragon appeared contemplative, but then nodded, smiling. "I CAN WORK WITH THAT. I VALUE DISCRETION."

The three players nodded to each other and motioned for the ponies to come up, having heard all of it. Twilight dragged Fluttershy, not wanting to put up with it; although she seemed a little calmer knowing that the dragon was friendly.

((I got to get to work. I'll try to post more soon whenever I take a break.))

[Chirijiradin]

...Stopping by to cast my vote for nominating Ying for New OP (aye), and to say sorry for dropping off the face of the Shipping Thread :/

Also, wow. Huge fic. I'm going to try and pull something off, don't know what yet...

I'm a Knight of Doom, if you want to include me in the fic.

[The Illusive Man]

More Content: TheIllusiveMan Does More SpriteSmith Shenanigans While CranialHeartache Continues Her Awesome Draconic Story

All 24 trollsprites were finally finished, after what seemed like days. TheIllusiveMan had been passing the time by playing on the Pokemon simulator PokemonShowdown!, trying to spam as much Dusknoir usage in the UU tier's games as humanly possible. He had to restock his Burger King, and thankfully made sure all the trollsprites thereafter got some to devour as part of the SpriteSmith ritual procedure. It was either that, or sacrificing random coworkers' items. And the Anthro Cannon had already been delivered to the Eridansprite thusly.

Upon understanding Meenahquest, TIM changed his modus operandi and saved the Damarasprite for dead last. Finally, a character who was worse than Cronus! Although, the Cronussprite was surprisingly not as bad as some of the other sprites. Namely, the Kankrisprite was also worse, if not because he wouldn't shut up about inane things.

Now that all 24 trollsprites were crafted, he had to find a proper hiding place for them. The Forumite Romance Offices surprisingly had less coworkers these last few shifts. Something must've happened while TIM was occupied, but he did not want to investigate. Reality Glitch, though, was present.

"Hey," Reality Glitch greeted TIM, "Have you seen Phynicxs or any of the others?"

TIM shrugged, "Mostly been here making trollsprites. I have to beta test the SpriteSmith machine for Hussie's Sburb game."

Reality Glitch nodded hesitantly as he saw the sprites, "Uh, 'kay. I think Ying still has his car."

TIM raised a brow, "Well, yeah. He parks in the 'Reserved for HR' spot over on the top right corner of the parking lot." He knew it was the top right corner on the grounds of having seen it as such on a map.

Reality Glitch shrugged, "I'm recommending it. Make it a surprise for him or something."

TIM paused for a moment, then decided to follow the recommendation. He never backed down from a bad idea, being of the Hope aspect. Whether or not he was a Knight or Prince of Hope, however, was unknown even to him. However, he had both Knight and Prince tendencies, and if the survey he took was of any indication, his leanings were more toward Prince level. While he might have wanted to destroy using Doom or Bel-Air, he instead considered destroying using Hope to be a still kickass-pect. Especially since he shared the Sburb title of Eridan Ampora, who was just as kickass being a Hero of Hope was in general.

TIM rallied the Trollsprites, escorted them to Ying's car, and jammed them in the backseat of said car upon opening it with Hope-powered blasts at the front windows. TIM made a note to himself he owed Ying some money for the repairs to fix this damage, but also noted that he would more-than-likely enjoy the Trollsprite surprise that had been a long time coming. After all, TIM was in Diamonds with Ying, and Diamonds are Forever if the song of James Bond fame was of any indication.

After stuffing the trollsprites in the car, he trapped them using haphazard repairs to the window using Hope to destroy the destroying, a de facto method of repairing TIM had learned from various stable time loops. Now that they were all there, Ying would get them for whatever use he desired.

TIM went back to his Forumite Romance Offices to see what else he could do with the SpriteSmith machine while Phynicxs and company were absent. Hopefully, they would return, but TIM felt envious of them. He assumed they were on some epic adventure and probably getting all the epic booty.




EDIT: I vote Ying for OP of the next thread, if this Trollsprite chapter is of any indication.

[CranialHeartache]

I have so much knight and so much doom right now but I'll see what I can do. I've done tougher things.

Also, I'm a guy. My ectochild is a girl.