My Little Pony: The Elements of RP
Main => Canterlot => Topic started by: Nivalia on October 08, 2015, 05:52:12 pm
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The late afternoon sky hovers above Canterlot, the blue sky now starting to turn purple and orange as the sun begins its descent into the horizon. As the trek continues, less of the hustle and bustle is noticed, eventually they are the only ones wandering the paths to the desolate monuments that lay ahead of them. Nivalia, leading from the front, remains silent for most of the trip. After some time, the group finally reaches The Greystone Memorial Cemetery. Opening the large steel gates, she looks around to find the graves cleaned and well maintained. Several trees dot the property, adding atmosphere to the area. Freshly covered graves can also be found throughout the grounds; headed by blank or worn down tombstones. Entering, she walks the others to the center monument. "Here's the place. We made it in time too. Fox wouldn't risk coming out in broad daylight for something like this."
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Tinder stays a few feet off to the side the whole time while they are walking, not wanting to be stuck in the middle of the many guards near her. She's been nothing but scared since she woke up this morning, scared that something bad has happened to Foxtrot, scared that she'll end up getting arrested again while she's around all these guards and a princess. As they make it to the cemetery she speeds up a tiny bit, wanting to see if he's there. She stops when Nivilia stops and listens to her, nodding when she finishes, "So we just wait here for him?"
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Ebony follows close behind, "Yea let's keep an eye out for him. Once we find him we head straight back to the castle and sort this mess out. Hopefully that guy we arrested is awake and conscious enough to give us some answers." He looks over to Nivalia, "It's been some time since I've seen Fox, last time was in Detrot I think."
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Looking around the cemetery, he gives a visual shudder "Never really liked going to cemeteries, it just really puts me off." He says, not to anyone in particular "Hopefully that pony will give us something helpful, but considering he's in custody an unable to move, I doubt he has much of a choice." He says to Ebony. "Why doesFoxtrot come here? Does this place mean anything significant to him?" He asks.
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"I'm there with you Broadshield. This place is a bit creepy." Cadance shivered. "Yeah, why the cemetery?"
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Tinder nods and sits down where she's standing. She looks over at Nivilia, waiting for her to answer their question.
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Nivalia looks over to the others, "It has some personal significance to it. Plus it is more isolated, less attention from prying eyes." She looks up at the sky, noting the stars starting to appear in the sky. "He should be around here, I'll look on the other side of the monument, maybe he's coming from another entrance." The changeling walks around the base of the statue. Keeping an eye out for any newcomers. "Hey! Over there!" She calls out, pointing over to a hooded figure entering the cemetery.
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Ebony reaches for his dagger as he heads over to Nivalia, giving a quick glance to the others. "Everyone stay close together by the monument." He approaches the changeling and eyes the newcomer, noting the antkh around his neck. "That's not him." Resting his hoof on the handle of his weapon, he calls out to the arrival. "Lunar Guard. Identify yourself."
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The stallion stops in place and sits down, raising his front hooves to remove any trace of resistance. "I'm just here to see someone. Someone who died long ago, or so I thought. Turns out this ghost isn't as spectral as I remembered him to be. Rather he's still alive and causing more trouble than before. But I digress..." The pegasus slowly pulls down his hood, "Samiel Sirocco. And when I see this ghost again, I'll make sure he stays that way."
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When he sees the newcomer, he immediately draws his wakizashi, with his two lieutenants following suit. But after seeing he doesn't mean to attack, he lowers his weapon, but still holding it just in case. When Samiel finishes saying what he has to say he says "'This Ghost'? Who exactly are you talking about here?"
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Tinder stays quite close to the group as someone new shows up, getting her dagger out from her bag with her magic and holding it close just in case. She continues to keep looking around for Foxtrot while the group is distracted with this person, not wanting to miss him if he shows up.
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"Okay Mr. Sirocco lets just stay calm for now. Like Broad asked let's just find out who you are talking about here..." Cadance calmly asked. She sensed a bit of dishonestly but didn't call him out on it.
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"I'm looking for Foxtrot." Samiel plainly answers. "The Reaper of Calais, Ser Beef Wellington. The pony's gone through several names but all the one in the same. He's done a lot of damage to my homeland, and they officially want him back to face trial. Granted their obviously looking for a scapegoat to calm the rioting masses; still, many innocents were killed due to his actions. I personally suffered loss by his hoof as well; if it were my choice I'd kill him now, but it's not and I need him alive." He returns his hooves to the ground. "Unlike that idiot that attacked the changeling, I prefer to resolve this without unnecessary violence."
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Nivalia looks over to Samiel with some confusion. "How did you know about that. That just ha-" She pauses, putting the pieces together, "You were spying on us. You'd know where we were going..." The changeling looks over to the captain, "Ebony, this..."
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"Is a set-up." Ebony replies right after, clenching his jaw. "This is a bucking trap." Samiel's grin grows slightly, confirming the noctral's suspicion. "Look Samiel, we don't know we're he is, or if he'll even show up here. Why pull this crap now?"
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Samiel adjusts his glasses, "Because when he shows up he won't go willingly. Consider this as an incentive for his cooperation." He glances over to the entire group, "Let me put this in perspective for you all. You're surrounded and outnumbered 4 to 1 right now. As I said before I wish this to go peacefully, but if any of you interfere, I'll sound the order for them to kill you all." The pegasus then looks over to Nivalia, "And I know he'll show up for sure, in fact..." Tilting his ears he picks up the feint sound of galloping footsteps coming in the direction of the entrance the group arrived at. "I'm sure he'll be with us shortly."
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The second he says its a trap, he immediately puts his guard up and surveys the surrounding area for any new threats. "We're both looking for the same pony, how about we work together, that way, we can stop war between our two nations." He offers, while looking around in case anything attacks.
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The Princess of Love was slightly afraid of the threat but she was fully capable of protecting the group need be. "Samiel realize what you are doing. You wouldn't kill us. I don't think you realize how many high officials you are dealing with right now." Cadance took a step forward. "Killing one of us would start more unnecessary conflict. So lets just calm down and as Broadshield said, maybe find a way to work together on this."
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Tinder looks around to try to find some way out of this situation, watching how each of the group responds to the threat. She backs up a tiny bit as she realizes that out of the whole group, she would be worth the least. Not knowing what she should do in this situation, she simply watches and hopes that they'll know what to do better then she does.
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As Tinder looks around at the others, a hoof falls onto her shoulder. "Hey Tinder, sorry I'm late; it's been one heck of a day." Foxtrot looks over to the group, noting a few familiar faces. The unicorn himself looks like hell; ruffled mane, jacket stained and torn, fur matted in some areas, and several cuts and bruises around his body. He sees Samiel, his warn smile diminishing, "Samiel, I'm guessing your horde isn't far away right now."
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"Your assumption is correct Mr. Trot." Samiel replies, looking towards the group. "Your comrades seem very reasonable. I hope for your sake and theirs, you are as well." The pegasus looks over to the battered unicorn, "You know the position Saddle Arabia is in. You know the position I am in. My options are very limited."
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"But there are options Samiel." Foxtrot replies, reaching into his bag, pulling out a lightly tattered binder. "Listen, that whole war... the one you funded, the one I ended..." The unicorn slowly walks over to Samiel, nodding to the group as he passes by. "You and I were played. The 26, the group I worked for, you may know them as the Hidden Daggers, exploited the state of the nation and started a war for profit." He offers the binder to him, "Its all in here, read it." Samiel pauses but takes the binder and begins reading it, occasionally looking at the group. Foxtrot looks over to Nivalia and Ebony, who nod to him in return.
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"How hasn't any of this reached my attention...." Cadance asked worriedly. "I mean, I know we are far North, but... things like this affect everpony in the nation."
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Tinder jumps slightly as her shoulder is touched, quickly looking back to see who it was. As soon as she sees that it's Foxtrot a wide smile crosses her face, so glad that he safe and alive. She waits for him to finish talking before walking over to be near him, looking at the state he's in and frowning a little bit, "You're hurt, do you want something for the pain?"
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Seeing Foxtrot appear behind him startled him, but what shocked him was how he looked like he was dragged through the firey depths of Tartarus and it spat him back out. After he finished talking and gave Samiel the binder his mind started going into high gear. "The 26? Who are they exactly? I've only heard of a group called the Hidden Daggers, there were multiple reports about their involvement of some kind with the whole war in Saddle Arabia, but I didn't know that they started the war for profit" he says.
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Foxtrot looks over to Tinder, a semblance of a grin appearing back on his face. "Sure, two of your best meds. But after this though." He turns to Broadshield to answer his question, "The 26 is a small band of agents that work with high risk intelligence operations. Consisting of 26 agents it allows for extreme flexibility and secrecy." The unicorn glances over to Cadence, "Nations are at risk of collapsing every day, and they don't even realize it. The 26 performs these jobs because no one else can." His ears fold back, his smile fading again, "But I've found out there's things the directors, the guys in charge, have been planning for profit, and even worse." Foxtrot finally addresses Samiel, "They went under the guise of the Hidden Daggers, infiltrated positions of power, and used the civil unrest in their favor. This is the evidence that links the Directors as the source of it all. Transfer of funds, propaganda dispersal, third party mercenaries. All there is to bring them to justice, but I need your help to get back to Saddle Arabia. You know the right individuals to contact."
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Samiel remains silent as he listens to Foxtrot explain. The files in the binder are indeed legitimate, further confirming the story. The pegasus closes the binder, pushing his glasses back up slightly. "This evidence can work for now, but it won't resolve the issue. After I give them this, they'll still want those responsible; whether it's you or them." A light chuckle takes hold of him, "So it'll have to be you. Unless you plan on taking all 5 Directors at once." Foxtrot's expression remains blank, a clear determination in his eye. "Ah, so you're serious then?"
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"That could actually work." Nivalia adds. "If you get the Directors, Fox wouldn't have to go to Saddle Arabia, and you complete your objective. Then you never have to see his face again, just have him banished!" Foxtrot looks over Nivalia and facehoofs.
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Ebony looks over to the binder, "With that kind of evidence we have warrant for their arrest." He looks over to the group, "We apprehend them, transfer custody to Saddle Arabia, and they can put them on trial." He looks over to Samiel, "Foxtrot will stay under the responsibility and custody of the Royal Crown. Nivalia is right, he won't be stepping hoof in your nation ever again."
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I know ponies from Saddle Arabia... I met with some of their politicians a month ago as we shook hooves and what not in front of the media." Cadance tilted her head. "How exactly do we find these directors? I would be happy to help with finding them if you need it. Taking them down will be possible as long as we are sure these guys are bad news. My advisors still wont be happy, neither will be Shining Armor..."
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"I have forces in Saddle Arabia, they could help us get safe passage in and out of Saddle Arabia should we need to go there." he says to the group. "Foxtrot, if you really are serious about taking down this 26, where are you going to look? These guys could be working from anywhere in Equestria, Saddle Arabia, or anywhere else. Do you have any leads on where they could be?" he asks Foxtrot
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Tinder stands close to Foxtrot as she listens to everyone say how they could help with this plan, taking this minute to grab the same bottle of pills as before and laying it in front of Foxtrot for when he wants them. She thinks for a second before speaking, making sure that what she's about to say is a good idea. "I'll help too. I know I don't have many skills or contacts like everyone else, but I'll help the best I can."
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Foxtrot nods, "Thanks everyone for the assistance, but we don't need to travel out of the country. They're having their quarterly meetings; financials, contracts, all white collar things that they need to do. It's going to be starting tomorrow, and it's happening in Manehatten." He looks over to Samiel, "We can go there; bag em and tag em. But you need to make sure that information doesn't fall into any other hooves besides your nation's leaders. The last thing I want to do is keep the evidence with me and bring it right back to them. So Samiel, do we have a resolution for you?"
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Samiel looks down at the binder, giving the pages one last flip before snapping it shut. "Yes you do Mr. Trot. You have them arrested and transferred over to us, I'll make sure to use this evidence to the best of my abilities... And I won't have you incarcerated for your crimes. Should you fail though..." He looks over to the unicorn, then scans the group, "Well... let's just say one of these two countries may not be around long after." He takes a deep breath and turns around, "I should get going, time is of the essence. I wish you all luck, especially you Foxtrot; if I find that you used this to throw me off, just remember..." The pegasus lets out a loud whistle; suddenly all of the fresh graves burst open, camouflaged hunters appearing with weapons drawn at them. The group itself is vastly outnumbered, "I will find you, and I will kill you. Everyone, move out! We have a country to stabilize." The hunters lower their weapons and follow Samiel out of the cemetery, a few of them Tinder would recognize from the train station not too long ago.
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Nivalia tenses up when she finds themselves surrounded, only relaxing when they start to make their departure. "Well that's sorted out, now we just need to take the Directors down. Should be an easy enough task, right Fox?" She looks over to the unicorn, finding a concerned expression on his face. "There's... something else going on, is there?" Foxtrot glances over to the others, then returns to Nivalia with a nod.
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Ebony finally drops his hoof from his weapon when he know for a fact that the last hunter has left. "Alright, before we talk about any more important matters, let's get to the castle. I'd feel much more secure dealing with such things there." He looks over Foxtrot, noting his battered look, "Besides, I'm sure you could use a hot meal." Foxtrot lightly chuckles and nods, the sound of his growling stomach confirming the captain's suspicions. "I'll take point. Tinder and Nivalia, stay next to the V.I.P. Equinox, watch our six, make sure nopony is following us. Cadence, keep an eye out for anything suspicious." As Ebony begins to head out of the cemetery, Foxtrot retrieves the pills Tinder gave him and eats them, giving her a nod and a grin.
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Tinder smiles back at Foxtrot when he takes the pills, glad she could be of some help to him. She listens to Ebony and nods, moving in a bit closer to Fox. While they walk she keeps a constant eye out for anything coming near, taking this time to cover her bag with a fine layer of ice again as well. Now that they aren't looking for someone the chances of her getting arrested for her stolen property and illegally gotten pill has gone up again. They don't need her help for anything now so she worries that if they see the contents of her bag she'll end up in quite a bit of trouble.
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Watching as Samiel and his entourage leave he turns to the group as he listens to the plan. "I'll get the help of the Equinox Manehatten Division on this operation, considering that we're going to take on this '26' head on. Me and my lieutenants will be sure to get you all out of here safely. Let's get going to the castle and get ready to move to Manehatten" he says before the team sheathe their weapons and take up the rear of the group, waiting to head off.
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"Sounds like a plan." Cadance took off in a low hover. "Shining and my advisors probably wont be happy that I am putting myself at risk, but hey, I survived getting my butt kicked and kidnapped by a hive of changelings, held a shield up to protect an entire city, and getting thrown off a roof by my husband. I think I'll be alright."
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With everyone set to go Ebony leads the group back to the castle. The night sky takes hold above as the stars illuminate the way for them, the crescent moon being center stage of it all. More Lunar Guards are seen around the castle as they take their posts, saluting the captain and others as they enter the citadel. "We'll use a more isolated room to discuss things. If anyone needs to use the restroom, eat or drink anything, do it now."
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"Oh! Can I have a half coffee, half hot cocoa?" Nivalia asks. A nearby staff worker nods and heads off to the kitchen, within moments they return with her beverage. "Ooooh, fancy!" She levitates the cup and takes a sip, "Bloody delicious!" The group finds their way down a couple of halls, ending up in front of large double doors. Ebony opens them, leading to a large room with a fireplace found by the wall. Several pieces of lavish furniture and decor fill the area as the moonlight enters from the ceiling high windows lined along one wall. Nivalia walk in and finds a comfy sofa to rest on. "So Fox, what's the big deal? What's going on that you couldn't tell us outside?"
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Tinder takes this second to ask for a coffee and a muffin, not having eaten or drank anything in a long time. She smiles at the staff member when they bring it to her and thanks them repeatedly before following everyone into the room. She goes over to a wall and sits down against it on the floor, not wanting to sit on the couches for fear of being near all the guards again. She grabs the extra bottle of pills she had taken with her and takes a couple of them before putting them back in her bag and listening to all those talking. While they talk she freezes her coffee into it's usual icy slush and sips on it slowly as she nibbles on her muffin.
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Foxtrot enters the room and finds a small table; trotting over to it he slings off his guitar and backpack. "You know the war we've been talking about? The one The 26 started for profit? There's more to it than that, more than I feel comfortable telling Samiel; he was told what he needed to know." Unzipping his backpack, he pulls out a black binder; in white the words 'Phantom Initiative' is seen. "There's a program, the Phantom Initiative, that was designed to create the most effective and deadly agents in the world. They would have no morals, no defiance to orders, and would act as sleeper agents to be activated when the time was right. And when it's all over, they physically wouldn't be able to remember what happened, what they did or what they're capable of." The unicorn pulls out a tape recorder and places it on the table. "They tested this during the conflict, see what they could get away with. I don't know how many field agents are affected, but they need to know what's going on; what the Directors are doing to them. I recovered this tape recording of one of their sessions but haven't had time to play it yet. Hopefully it can shed light on what's going on. Perhaps give us an advantage."
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Upon reaching the castle he turns to his lieutenants and says to them "Go back to base and bring me any information that we may have on the 26, the Hidden Daggers and any other names they may have, and any information on them, their organization, any associates, contacts, and any communications and transactions made by them or anyone associated with them" he says, before the give him a salute, which in turn he salutes back and the gallop off. Turning to one of the staff he asks "Could you please bring one or two cinnamon apple muffins and a glass if water to the room?" before the staff member nods and goes off. Soon after they enter the room a maid brings over his meal and he starts eating, making sure to thank the maid before she leaves. He continues to eat while listening to Foxtrot. Upon Foxtrot saying what he needs to say, he then asks "You say that this 'Phantom Initiative' was designed to make sleeper agents and have them be deadly killers, with no morals or emotions, and will follow any order given without question. From the basic information I have gotten, there are about 14 field agents. In the end when they are ready to use it, would they use this program on their own agents, or hired mercenaries or something else?"
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Tinder sits off to the side and listens to them discuss this. In her opinion being part of this phantom initiative wouldn't be so bad, as long as you couldn't remember doing it after and as long as you got paid, it seems like a pretty good gig to her. Still nervous about the items in her bag she starts doing things to try to distract herself and to hide the nervousness from her face, she slowly starts making a tiny model of the room with ice with her magic. The room being a bit to warm for the icy pony she uses a bit of magic to chill the air in the room, so she can be more comfy.
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"It's not just them..." Foxtrot replies to the commander's question. "They've been picking people form the streets. Criminals, average citizens, hell anyone for that matter; they would get paid for a few tests and evaluations and that's all it takes." The unicorn flips the papers onto the table by hoof. He pushes out a few more papers, charts and graphs along with records and medical files stretch along the length of the surface. "But from what I've seen so far, the agents are given the more intense treatment, exposed to theoretical practices; it becomes damn near indoctrination. When you're activated, you become someone else who has different views, beliefs, and mentality." The unicorn pauses, taking a deep breath as well, "It doesn't require magic, torture, or any amulet to activate it. Just a sensory trigger and it flips the switch." He looks over to the portable tape recorder, "Let's see what we can find out with this..." Reaching over, Foxtrot scoops up the recorder and presses play, laying it back down on the table as static fills the room.
After a moment it clears up, the voice of an unknown mare begins to speak; she first records the date of the recording, 9 months prior to the current date. "This examination is under way; Oscar should be here shortly so let's continue to the subject. Agent 04 has undergone extensive psychological and physical treatment following the event we previously recorded 3 months back. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has interfered with reaction triggers, the damage to the horn following extreme use of magic has prevented implementation via the horn. Thankfully with physical conditioning and mental adaptation through the Phantom Initiative, Agent 04 has been able to channel magic through other outlets made of the same material as the horn. Training in the past few weeks have been surprisin-"
"Lima, you talking to yourself again?" another voice chimes in of an older stallion, a small laugh following afterward. "Sorry I'm late, traffic was killing me. So where are you at right now?"
"Just starting the test sir. I even got the trigger ready for implementation." Lima replies. "It's that song you don't like."
"Ah dang it Lima, I told you to get something more subtle. Not this new age stuff you guys are listening to." Oscar complains, the sound of a swivel chair echoing in the background.
"Hey I had dibs on the trigger, so it's gonna be that. Besides the only words it ever has are the orders we're testing out with 04. Plus it'll sound badass when they're executing said order." Lima interjects. "Hopefully this crazy idea about hoofs finally pays off. I've seen improvements but it'll take a few months to be fully developed."
"The benefits of the Initiative." Oscar adds, taking a sip of his beverage. "Our usual triggers will keep him on track with his training. In less than a year he'll be fully combat ready; besides, he's creative enough to come up with something. Where is he anyway?"
"Agent 04 is down by the testing grounds right now. Should I get things ready for the first test?" a pause of silence passes. "Alright, preparing first test, hold on I gotta turn over the tape, this side's almost full." Seconds later the recording stops, the tape itself automatically popping out, waiting to be flipped over.
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Nivalia remains silent as she listens to the recording, ears folding back as she takes a sip of her beverage. When the tape pops out, she gets up and approaches him, placing her hoof on his shoulder. "Fox, we don't need to continue. We have enough here to go after them."
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Ebony trots over to the window, not wanting to look at the table or the recorder. He occasionally glances over his shoulder at the mention of the conditioning Agent 04 has undergone. Once the tape pops out, the captain simple remains silent.
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Cadance remains silent as she processes what she had just heard.
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After processing the information from that side of the tape, he shudders at the thought. "Jeez, that's terrifying. I know many of you don't want to continue, but I feel so that we know fully what the 'Phantom Initiative' is, I say we flip the tape over and listen to what else was recorded. That's why you got this tape right? So you can get some information?" He says before looking at the tape while facing opposite Nivalia and Foxtrot
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Tinder stands up again as she feels the tension raise in the room, dropping what she's doing and wandering over to Foxtrot. She continues to cool the air with her spell and sits down quite close to Foxtrot, much like a dog when they sense their owner is distraught, she moves in close to him and looks over at him. "You don't have to do it Fox, no one is going to force you to do it if it's too hard."
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"Look man, I'm not going to force you to listen to the other side of that tape if you don't want to. But I genuinely believe we might learn something if we do continue to listen to that tape. Whatever you choose to do, its your decision." He says to Foxtrot in response to Nivalia and Tinder. While he is waiting for Foxtrot to decide, he moves the files around, eventually coming across Agent 04. Everything you need to know about the agent and what the results of the Phantom Initiative were on him was all there. He began to absentmindedly flip through the file to see if there was anything useful, even though he believed that whatever was on the other side of that tape was worth listening to.
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Foxtrot remains silent, looking at the tape before taking a deep breath. "Broadshield has a point. I don't play this, I'm gonna keep asking the same questions. Besides..." The unicorn reaches over the table, flipping a photo over to reveal a snapshot of himself. "I want to know what the he'll they mean about this hoof theory." Foxtrot pulls out the tape by hoof and flips it over, reinserting it into the player and pressing play. He steps away from the table and walks over to Ebony, standing next to him and looking out the window.
The room is silent as the tape begins; Lima's voice is heard going over the date once more. When she's done Oscar begins speaking, "Agent, as you can see there are several targets around you, both stationary and mobile. Those are your main focus when this exercise begins. Any questions?"
Foxtrot's voice could be faintly heard in the background, "No sir, all set to go."
"Excellent." Oscar says. "Lima, begin the trigger."
"Yes sir." Lima replies, the sound of a button being pressed going off right after.
As the instrumentals of the song begin to play, Foxtrot becomes deathly still, ear twitching as Oscar speaks in the recording. "Agent, begin activation and rerouting of magic to secondary channels." The unicorn's hoof faintly glows before fading away; all four of his hoofs though begin to glow as well, becoming noticeably brighter to everyone except himself. "Good, transfer of energy is complete. Now agent, you only have one task whilst this song is playing, when it stops you are to stop and await further orders. But for now you have one objective..."
The instrumentals of the song suddenly stop, an electronic sounding voice giving clear orders on what to do to the targets around Foxtrot. "Slay it!" (https://youtu.be/9lM07iiGKoo)
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Ebony looks over to the unicorn as the music begins, an uneasiness holding him as he sees Foxtrot's hooves glow. Once the order is given, he looks directly at the noctral, the irises of his eyes glowing white. "Everyone ge-" Before the captain can get another word out, Foxtrot jabs him right in the jaw, following up by reaching over and unsheathing one of Ebony's daggers and swinging it right into his side. Ebony tries to take a step back to counter but the unicorn then stands up on his back two hooves, both glowing brighter than his front ones. Foxtrot clenches his right hoof over Ebony's neck and jumps upwards, his hind hoofs blasting them both into the air before teleporting out with a loud pop. A second passes before the two appear from the ceiling, dropping down to a nearby coffee table with a crash, breaking it in the process. Ebony lays there, out cold from the sudden attack.
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Nivalia remains shocked at what she just sees before her; instead of trying to reason with her brother, she attempts to apprehend him, charging up her horn to blast him off of Ebony. As soon as she fires, Foxtrot lifts up a hoof, a shield surrounding him and Ebony appears, deflecting the blast and sending it to a lamp, causing it to shatter. The unicorn looks over to the sofa she got off of and points to it, the furniture glowing in magic and flying towards the changeling, knocking her over and pinning her underneath it. The sofa then lifts back up and flies over to Cadence as Foxtrot raises his hind hoof and points it to Broadshield, sending a blast of energy his way at the same time.
As the chaos ensues, the recorder still plays, Lima and Oscar, although observing the test months prior to this moment, now sound like commentators to the current events. "Oh damn!" Lima exclaims, "Did you see that? Firing from his back hoof? I didn't know he could do that!"
"Two targets down in less than a minute." Oscar continues, "This whole thing will be over before the song even ends."
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"Somepony turn off the-..." It was too late. Cadance began to panic, her horn charges up as she sees Fox attacking the ponies. "Somepony turn that tape off!!" She galloped towards it herself to attempt to press the stop button.
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Tinder quickly stands again as she see's things starting to go all wrong here, she looks at the tape as she realizes that that is the cause for it. Seeing that Fox seems to be too busy attacking everyone else to attack her she sprints for it, hoping he won't notice what she's doing until it's done. As she runs she makes a quick shield of ice and holds it up with her magic to try to protect herself from any future attacks.
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Listening to the tape, Broadshield for some reason didn't feel well. When the instrumentals of the song began playing, his gut dropped when he looked over to Foxtrot who was practically a statue. The second he attacked Ebony and knocked him down on the table he reeled back "Oh ****!". Broadshield barely dodged the blast of energy before impacting the wall, violently shaking the room. As if on que, his lieutenants returned to the room with a few folders. Realizing what was going on, the rushed over to the Commander's side, ready to defend him with their life. "Everyone, go for the tape! We'll subdue him!" He called over to the group. The three then charge Foxtrot, one of the lieutenants attempting to throw a punch at Foxtrot.
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Foxtrot raises his hoofs in a defensive posture, using his right to parry the punch; his left glows bright and impacts the first guard. The two teleport out of the scene; a bright light flashes next to the two remaining lieutenants. In the same pose and position in the melee, the hoof that teleported the guard radiates with magic. With a push, Foxtrot blasts the lieutenant into the other two guards; he turns to see the others rushing for the tape, surprisingly not paying attention to them. Instead, his entire left foreleg begins to glow with his magic; he turns around and swings directly into the wall. At first it breaks apart before a sizable chunk of it pops out of existence, revealing the other room next to them. The wall pops up right in front of those who are running towards the tape, falling over half of the room around the table where the recorder rests.
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Tinder jumps back as a wall is quite literally teleported in front of her, she looks around to try to figure out what to do in this situation because she has no clue how to stop Foxtrot now. She drops her ice shield and stops her spell that was chilling the room, deciding instead to focus her magic on one spell that she thinks might help. She runs out of the way of the fighting and focuses her magic on Foxtrot, trying to cover him with ice in a way that will immobilize him but not hurt him.
-
Cadance skidded to a halt before reaching hitting the wall nearly face planting into it.
"Fox listen to me! You got to calm down!" She pleaded. "I can try a love spell but I don't know how affective it will be!"
Her horn charged up and shot a whole through the wall appearing around the recording as she quickly pressed stop.
-
Watching one of his best lieutenants get not only teleported off for a second but then blasted into them was suprising to say the least. Not having enough time to dodge, Broadshield braces himself for the impact. The three topple onto a pile, Broadshield looks down at his lieutenants, both of them out cold. Watching as Foxtrot sends a wall falling down on the others shocked him. "Screw this, enough is enough!" he exclaims as he charges towards Foxtrot with the intent on tackling him to the ground and subduing him using CQC.
-
Even with the recorder off, Foxtrot still remains hostile; focusing on the charging Broadshield. Tinder's ice magic does take hold on him, slowing his movements. A fraction of ice does track on one of his goods. As he stands back to strike the guard, the added weight causes him to lose his balance.
-
Nivalia begins to wake up, her vision blurry, the sounds of fighting heard all around her. She sees Ebony, still on the ground motionless, some blood pouring from his wound. His breathing is still regular, a sign he's still alive. Nivalia's attention is then drawn to Foxtrot, the look in his eyes showing something familiar. Something she can't quite put her hoof on. Shaking her head, she tries to get up, legs trembling from the excitement.
-
Tinder grins slightly as she sees him loose his balance, now focusing even more of her magic on immobilizing him. At this point she's so focused on her magic and the spell that she would never be able to dodge an attack, right now she's basically a sitting duck. Completely unable to protect herself since she doesn't want to use magic on making a shield, or loose her focus on her magic in case something bad happens.
-
Tackling Foxtrot to the ground, Broadshield wasted no time in putting Foxtrot into a headlock in an effort to subdue him and get him to stop. 'I can't believe that worked.' he thought to himself as he continued to have Foxtrot in a chokehold. "Come on Fox, that's enough, just don't move." he says to Foxtrot to try and get him knocked out.
-
THe princess loosened up as she saw Broadshield had Fox in a headlock. She let out a sigh of relief but kept her horn glowing.
-
Foxtrot struggles to break free from the grip, his back hooves glowing bright. The two pop in out around the room before finally coming to a stop, the unicorn's physical and magical reserves drained. His legs go limp, body relaxing from exhaustion; surprisingly he stays conscious, although he ceases to resist apprehension.
-
With her balance stable, Nivalia looks over to see Foxtrot still under control of the recording. Reaching into his backpack, she pulls out some rope and ties them around his hooves and muzzle. "This should hold him; lay him on his back, make sure none of those hooves touch a single surface." Going through her own satchel, she pulls out some bandages and heads over to Ebony. Pulling out the dagger, she immediately applies the wraps, sealing the wound and ceasing the bleeding.
-
Tinder finally stops her spell as sees that Foxtrot has been apprehended, sitting down in her spot and taking a few deep breaths to try to regain the energy she just used. She grabs her pill bottle and takes a couple more before putting the bottle back and looking at them all, mostly at Foxtrot as she worries quite a bit about him. She sighs a tiny bit as she thinks about the fact that she couldn't even help them with this, how is she gonna be able to help them take down the directors. And if they realize she's not gonna be much help, how quick will it be before she ends up arrested or something. She finally speaks after a while of thinking,"Does anyone know how to snap him out of it? And can I help?"
-
Ebony begins to stir as his wound is treated. Two other Lunar Guards enter the room soon after. The younger one approaching them as the second one tends to the lieutenants still on the floor. "Private Mazur, is the captain alright? We were working in the office when all of a sudden he and some unicorn pop out of nowhere and begin flying across the room before zapping out of thin air." Nivalia looks over to the guard and nods. Ebony coughs a few times before opening his eyes, "Ugh, sh!t that was rough. Thanks Niv. Mazur, I gotta know one thing..." The noctral lays his head back down, looking toward the ceiling. "My coffee mug, the big one I use..."
"The big one that says 'A giant cup of shut the f@$& up'?" the private asks. "Its shattered sir, I'm sorry. We were able to find your replacement, 'A giant cup of I don't give a sh!t'."
"Oh thank the moon and stars." Ebony exclaims.
-
Having Foxtrot ceasing his struggle to break free, he's relieved. He can finally put him down. He helps Nivalia tie Fox up. When they're finished he turns to Fox lying down on the floor unable to move. "Sorry Fox, but you aren't going anywhere for now." he says to Fox in a stern tone. He then makes his way to his lieutenants, motioning the Lunar Guard to move so he can get to them. Surveying both of them. Both of them were still alive and breathing which was a relief. The lieutenant that got blasted by Fox had a large black explosion mark on her armour, the armour thankfully saving her from a much more serious injury. Soon, the lieutenant slowly starts to regain consciousness, Broadshield turns to her. "Ivory, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine commander, just a large bruise thats all. I'm sorry commander, I couldn't stop him. I don't deserve to serve under you." the female lieutenant, almost in tears.
"Don't give me that bull**** Ivory, your CQC was impressive regarding the circumstances. You did well today, just get some rest." he assures her. With that, the lieutenant falls asleep again, exhaustion taking over. After he and the Lunar Guard have done preliminary checks to make sure that they were both fine, a few more Equinox soldiers make their way in, and put them on stretchers. "Take care of them both, alright soldier?" he tells them as they leave. He looks around the room, Fox's power thanks to the Phantom Initiative on full display. He then turns to Tinder. "I'm not sure. I've never seen anything like this. Besides, Fox was the one who knew about this in the first place. Maybe there's something in the folder?" he says. With that, he then looks around the room to find any of the documents that was lost in the fight.
-
Nivalia looks over to Cadence, more notably, the tape recorder. Stepping away from Ebony she approaches the princess, "Your highness, we may need to play that recording. There's something we're missing and it may be on that tape."
-
"Sure..." Cadance hesitated but pressed the play button on the recorder.
-
As the tape plays back up, Foxtrot tenses up, his breathing strained and heavy. The sound of combat is heard in the background until the music concludes. Oscar's voice speaks up again, "Oh hell yea! Record time! Alright agent stand down." Fighting still goes on in the background, Oscar's voice becoming more stern, "Agent 04, your objective is complete. Stand! Down!" An explosion erupts from the tape, a slur of obscenities coming from Lima. Oscar's voice becomes frantic, "Damn it! Lima, activate the kill switch! NOW!"
A loud whistle goes off, ceasing the hostilities on the tape. Foxtrot himself loses consciousness and falls over onto his side. Lima sighs, "What the hell happened!? He outright attacked us! That never happens!"
"It looks like he still needs more conditioning." Oscar says. "Yankee is going to be pissed. Still, the magic transfer was successful so this wasn't a complete waste."
"Are you sure sir?" Lima asks, her tone full if concern. "He's suffered enough emotional trauma; he's completely unstable. Maybe he should be taken out of the program."
Oscar's voice becomes stern, "You're input is appreciated agent but it is not your call to make. I certainly wouldn't bring that up around Yankee, unless you want him to show you what happened to Victor and Sierra." The mention of those two names perks Nivalia's ears up, the changeling rushing over to the tape. "We've had enough opposition to the program from our previous Director and we don't need anymore."
There's a pause in the tape, Lima sounding stunned at the news. "B-but why Sierra? She's not even an agent."
"Victor already leaked the information to her, she was a risk." Oscar answers. "Hell, Foxtrot and that bug would've been on that list if she told them about it. So for your well being Lima, keep this confidential." The sound of a swivel chair goes off before Oscar concludes his session. "Finish up the report, drop off Foxtrot at the point, and report back for further orders. And Lima?"
"Yes sir?" Lima asks, her voice now timid and soft.
"You're Agent 04's Handler." Oscar states. "You are responsible for his physical and emotional wellbeing. Anything out of the ordinary you are to report it. Keep your personal and professional lives separate." The sound of a door opening and closing resonates from the tape. A moment of silence passes before it ends, leaving a silence in the room.
-
Tinder watches Foxtrot as the tape plays on, figuring that it's safer for her and for Fox for her to stay exactly where she is, plus she was still trying to regain her energy from the spell. She scowls as she listens to the tape, though she still thinks it would be a good gig for someone like her, she's angry at these unknown ponies for doing it to Fox and making this happen to him. She fiddles a little with her bag to make sure it was still covering her burns and looks at Niv when she's done, "Do you think it's safe for us to untie him now?"
-
Nivalia remains silent, still looking at the tape recorder after it stops playing. The other two names mentioned rings in her mind before she snaps back into reality. "Oh... Yea he should be set Tinder. Let him loose." Lifting up her hoof, she reminds the tape and plays it back to the part where Victor and Sierra are mentioned, stopping right after the mentioning of what happened to them. "Those bastards..."
-
Overhearing that they'll play the tape again, Broadshield goes over to Foxtrot and holds him down, just in case he starts again. The second they play the tape again, he has to hold Foxtrot down, and stop him from moving. "Dammit Fox, calm down!". His eyes widening and mouth opening as more is revealed on the tape. When the tape is over, he steps away from Foxtrot. "Wait. Did you hear what they said? 'You are Agent 04's handler', he's one of them, he's one of those agents, he's one of the 26. I can't believe it, he's part of the very organisation that he wants to take down. Even worse he's been subject to the Phantom Initiative." He looks over to Nivalia after she listens to the tape. "Nivalia, who are those two ponies, Victor and Sierra? I know that they have to be involved with the 26, but do you know them?" he asks.
-
Tinder nods and quickly undoes the rope that is tied around Fox with her magic, knowing that the danger is now past. She gets up and makes her way over to Fox, sitting next to him so she can be there when he wakes up again. She decides that it's probably best for her to stay quiet and let these people talk amongst themselves.
-
"I had no idea these kind of things went on.... wow." Cadance had a determined look. "Whoever is behind all of this is going to get what's coming to him. This kind of practice is unacceptable."
-
Nivalia glances over her shoulder to Broadshield, "Victor and Sierra..." She takes a deep breath, wiping her eye as well, "Victor and Sierra were two amazing ponies. Kind, brave, they saved my life when I was young. Raised me like I was their own." The changeling looks over to Foxtrot, now starting to shift around in place. "Introduced me to my little brother." She sits down, "They were our parents. And now that I've heard this... it makes more sense. Yankee told us that Victor was killed during an assignment. Sierra passed from what I thought was an illness but..." Nivalia tries to fight back some tears; Ebony walks over to her and gives her a hug. "I don't know how I can tell him that. He's been through enough, and now this..."
-
"I wouldn't tell him at all." Ebony replies as he lets go of Nivalia. "Right now Foxtrot has undergone a ton of stress both emotionally and mentally. Telling him something like this could set him off. If he finds out they were responsible for their deaths, he'll kill them all; then we won't have anyone to turn over to Samiel and all of this would be for nothing." He turns around and heads over to the unconscious unicorn, still limping from his injuries. "Let him rest for now; tell him after we hand them over, after this issue is resolved." The captain looks over to the others, "I'm too injured to assist in taking down the Directors. I'll have to sit this one out but I'll get all the paper work done here so the transfer is instant. Cadence, I'll need your help with this process as well; your current authority can expedite the process. In the meantime, the others will have to take the next overnight train to Manehattan, it should arrive tomorrow morning."
-
"Right. I don't think anypony will be happy at all if I'm fighting these ponies." Cadance stands beside Ebony. "I wish you all good luck. You are all so very talented."
-
Hearing Nivalia's past and her relationship with these two ponies that he never met was shocking, and kinda depressing. But then hearing that two ponies wouldn't be joining them wasn't exactly what he wanted to hear. "Alright then, that only makes 4 of us on this. If needed, we should make a stop at the Equinox Manehatten base so we can come up with a plan there, and I can probably get help from soldiers stationed there. What do you guys think?" he asks.
-
Tinder watches Ebony walk, a tiny grin crossing her face as she hears that he and Cadance won't be joining them, giving her two less people to worry about. As soon as she realizes though that she'll have to be on a train with Broadshield she once again becomes visibly more nervous, he was the one she was most nervous about and thinking about being on a train with him and going to his groups headquarters was creating knots in her stomach. She just nods quickly in response to his question, figuring that it's best she doesn't speak.
-
"That may be the best course of action for now." Ebony says to Broadshield. He looks over to the Lunar Guards in the room and motions them out. "Time is of the essence. I'll take my leave now to get things started." Foxtrot begins to shuffle around again, returning back to consciousness. The captain doesn't wait though, and makes his way out of the room. "Good luck to you all. May the moon and stars watch your path."
-
Foxtrot slowly picks up his head and opens his eyes, blinking at the light entering his vision. "Wha... what happened?" He looks over to find a familiar unicorn by his side, "Tinder? What..." Foxtrot looks around, noting the destruction of the room. "Ah sh!t, I did a thing didn't I? Was anyone hurt?"
-
Nivalia approaches her brother and lifts him to his hooves, "Well you kicked the crap out of Coldsteel and a few guards, but everyone is in one piece." Her ears fold back slightly, recalling the news she just heard, she wants to tell him, but declines. "We have to get going to Manehattan. Ebony and Cadence are gonna sit this one out but they'll deal with the necessary paperwork. But we have enough evidence to take down the Directors, all of them." Her horn glows as Foxtrot's gear levitates over to him. "Are you ready to head out and take them down?" Foxtrot takes a deep breath and his things, nodding once everything is secure. "Alright, let's get going. Your highness, it was a pleasure meeting you." With that said, Nivalia begins to make her exit, Foxtrot giving a casual salute to the Princess of Love and following her out as well.
-
Tinder slowly stands up as everyone around her leaves. She takes a second to make sure her own gear is secure and perfectly in place before heading out as well. She nods at the Princess as she passes her, happy to be away from her. She questions if going here is the best ideas she's ever had, but ignores the sinking feeling in her stomach and continues on. She usually only goes to Manehattan once a year and that usually ends with nothing good happening, so she hopes that this trip to Manehattan will be a bit better then all the rest.
-
Getting all of his stuff ready, Broadshield makes his way to the door and gives a salute to Ebony and Cadence. "We're off, wish us luck." He says to the two before heading off. 'Time to take them down' he says to himself.