88 - Back to the Future
Extended Holiday
Ch 88: Back to the Future
Act 11
Year 6 Week 47 Day 1
Hammer Strike dragged his hooves ever onward as he pulled the next set of logs behind him towards the house. He didn’t need them, but the habit had formed over the years, and he couldn’t stop himself. He felt empty. With the three kits around he almost always had something new to work on, something different to teach, to learn, to show. But now there was just him and his thoughts, and admittedly they weren’t the best.
Once a month, go collect firewood, chop it. Mine for resources. He would help Gakushu in smithing, Haku in magic, and Kurama in fighting. Yet now his days were empty. He finished the house, he dug out too many resources, and he never needed to return for more. He had his equipment, he had everything he could need, but it was still a hollow victory.
Somewhere off in the distance a strange gasping, grinding sound echoed through the forest.
Hammer Strike’s ears twitched at the noise, but other than that he continued to chop wood at the side of his home, his mind distracted and idle.
“We’re definitely here this time,” The Doctor said triumphantly as he pulled the brake and the TARDIS materialized fully. Behind him Grif, Rarity, and Vital Spark looked very un-amused while Derpy bit into another muffin. As for Pensword, he had the glint of excitement in his eyes, not even caring if the TARDIS was in the right place or not. Balancing on a hoof was the concentration crystal from a Dalek eye stalk.
The entire group, with the exception of Vital Spark, was covered with singed fur and feathers and several larger, more serious burn marks. Grif and Pensword both had several new scars from stab wounds. The group had literally been all across time and space, and had been forced to face Sontarans, Daleks, Cyber Ponies, Slitheens, and the Nimon. They had been stabbed, shot, tortured, and many other unpleasant things they preferred not to think of.
Grif made his way to the door. “Alright, Doctor, I’m going to open the door. If, for some reason, an alien is on the other side of the door, you’re going to need another regeneration. And I really don’t care if that breaks time.”
“I’m positive there is nothing beyond that door!” The Doctor gulped. “I hope.”
“Well if there is, we can handle it.” Pensword was smiling of all things. “After this, I am sadly going to be commanding desks, so I am so ready.”
“As long as you don’t lock me up again. Seriously, guys, I could’ve helped. Clover’s started teaching us combat magic,” Vital complained.
“Believe me,” Grif said as he ran a claw across a new scar near his left shoulder. “It wasn’t enough.” With a sigh he drew a scissor grenade he had stolen off a Sontaran and threw open the door. The cold air hit him full in the face as he looked out into the heavily wooded area. “Well at least we’re not being attacked yet.”
“Could be like Tans Five,” Pensword muttered.
A distant whinny sounded on the winds.
“That’s a Windigo!” Pensword shouted in shock and horror.
“What makes you think that, dear?” Rarity asked with a raised brow.
“Because, Time Machine, problems when we show up, cold blast hitting Grif, and whinny. The natural assumption is we are facing a Windigo.”
“Always threats with you military types.” The Doctor sighed. “Well come along, Derpy, we have someone to find.”
“Coming, Doctor,” Derpy cheered as the group slowly filed through the exit.
Vital looked pointedly at the ship’s control console. “Now will you let me out?”
Pensword paused at the doorway. “Just try walking out. The worst that always happens is you hit an invisible wall.”
Vital Spark sighed. “I guess I can’t grudge her that. And at least she landed me someplace soft when she threw me back last time.” He took a deep breath. “Alright, I’m coming through.” He placed a tentative hoof in front and cautiously made his way to the door. At last he made his way outside and turned to face the console once more. “Finally! Thank you,” he said.
“Okay, I guess we split up into groups of–” Grif started.
“Or we can just follow the tracks leading to those big, glowing orbs of pure sunlight over there,” Vital Spark said.
“...Fine,” Grif sighed. The group headed off in the direction of the lights. Eventually a building took shape in the distance. It was a large two story high log cabin complete with windows, a chimney, a porch, a side shed, a cellar entrance, and a path leading to a nearby mountain cave. While taking in the view they heard the steady thunk of wood being chopped.
Grif drew a sword as they approached, not prepared to take any more chances. As the group rounded the corner they stopped. Grif and Pensword both took a full minute to recognize the Pony chopping wood in front of them between the full beard, the thicker fur, and the lack of an overcoat.
“Grif, did ... did we finally actually find him?” Pensword asked.
“What happened to him?” Grif asked back
“So, who’s here this time? Puddinghead? No, too quiet. Hurricane?” Hammer Strike never turned towards them, instead continuing his work. He didn’t hear their voices, obviously. “I already told you I can’t keep showing you flaws in your armor. You need to figure it out yourself.”
“Hammer Strike?” Grif said, approaching him slowly as he sheathed his blade.
Hammer Strike turned around, his eyes focusing on the Gryphon. “Have we… met…?” Hammer Strike blinked a few times. “Grif?”
“It’s me.” Grif nodded. “Are you okay, Hammer Strike?”
Hammer Strike looked Grif over a few times, eventually changing to look behind him. “It’s ... really you? I’ve not gone mad?”
“Hammer Strike?” Rarity approached, doing her best not to recoil from the unkempt condition of the Earth Pony’s beard and mane. “It’s us. We’re really here, darling.”
“I-I’ve been here, waiting for you all. I was wondering if rescue was coming or not,” Hammer Strike said, looking them over again.
“We were … sidetracked.” Grif sent a glare in The Doctor's direction before turning back to Hammer Strike. “But I did enjoy it, I got to learn more military training, and we do have a few unofficial treaties from a space race in two thousand years.” Pensword spoke.
Grif glared Pensword into silence before returning to Hammer Strike. “How long have you been waiting?”
“It’s been nearly seven years, Grif,” Hammer Strike replied, looking around himself at the house, path, barrier, even the cave. “I’ve been trying to remain… occupied while I waited.”
“Seven years? Seven years of being in a timeline with your other self?” The Doctor’s eyes bulged. “We need to get him out of here as soon as possible,” he insisted.
“My other self? There’s another me here?”
“Shawn, four words. Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey. Now how about we get you back home before the doctor suffers a heart attack in both his hearts, or worse, we start an accidental paradox,” Vital Spark said as he approached and laid a supportive hoof on his friend’s shoulder. “We’ve been trying to reach you for a long time.”
Hammer Strike looked to the house. “I need to grab a few things first,” he said, standing up. “Come inside.”
“You know, for a winter deathtrap, this place is actually kind of mild,” Vital pointed out.
“The orbs keep the area warmer. Leave the perimeter and then the cold will set in,” Hammer commented as he moved towards the door.
“So you’ve been living here for seven years. That cannot be good for the mind,” Grif said.
“I had company, but they moved on with the rescue team a year ago.” Hammer Strike opened the door, leading the group inside.
“Rescue…” Pensword paused. “Let me guess, Kitsunes? It Makes sense. We just had them visiting right before this happened.” He sighed and shook his head. “Still, when are we? Pre-unification I want to guess with all the snowstorms.”
“Correct.”
“You look like you could use some cheering up,” Derpy said as she hovered over to Hammer Strike. “Here. Have a muffin.”
Hammer Strike blinked a few times before grabbing the muffin. After a moment he gave a small grin. “Thank you, Derpy. I guess I did need a little something.” He headed towards some of the back rooms. “Go ahead and take a seat in the living room. I’ll be back in a moment.” Hammer Strike left into the back rooms.
“So … he seems to be doing okay at least,” Grif noted as they sat down. “Better than last time we got separated through time.”
“I know. But he looks sad. I think he enjoyed the company, which means ... when are we going to visit the Kitsune kingdom?” Pensword asked
“It means he’s going to have to mourn losing two of those friends, Pensword,” Vital said. “That’s not going to be easy.”
“Right, but he has ... right. I shall try and not to set anything off,” Pensword muttered
“Oh, poor Hammer Strike,” Rarity said. Tears stood in her eyes as she thought of just how hard such a situation must be to bear.
“One step at a time, I guess. No one do anything shocking, okay?” Grif said.
Hammer Strike walked back into the room with a grin on his face. He was wearing his overcoat and usual attire underneath. “Rarity, I’ve been waiting to ask this question for a while now, and I need to ask it before something happens again,” he said as he stood in front of the mare.
Rarity’s eyes widened. “S-something to say? To me?” She began to fiddle nervously with her hooves as a heavy blush filled her cheeks. Hammer Strike drew closer.
Hammer Strike reached into his coat and pulled out a small overdesigned wooden box carved with the symbol of Rarity’s gems crossed by a broadsword. After a second he opened the box to reveal a golden ring with an intricately carved garnet on top. A delicate spiral of gold that condensed itself together to reattach to the base held the large garnet in place. On either side of the garnet, two carved sapphires winked in the firelight. “Rarity, will you marry me?”
Rarity’s eyes swam with tears, her lips wobbled, and she struggled to maintain her breath. “I’m not gonna cry, I’m not going to cry, I am not … going ... to …” And then she cried, racing to embrace Hammer Strike around the neck as she buried her muzzle into his shoulder.
Hammer Strike returned the embrace. “So I’ll take that as a yes?” He finished with a grin.
“Yes!” Rarity wept between gasps for breath as she continued to cling to her coltfriend turned fiancé.
“Uh … Rarity?” Vital Spark asked, concerned. Then he stopped. Hammer Strike was holding up a hoof and gently shaking his head before he ran it down Rarity’s mane and placed the ring on her horn. “Congratulations then, I guess …” Vital said uncertainly.
“Let them enjoy this,” Grif told Vital, pulling him out of the room.
Pensword looked at the console and around the control room. “So, Doctor, can we try to land in the same week?”
“Pensword, I’m pretty sure the TARDIS will drop us at the same time we left. After all, we do have a lot of planning to do for the trip to Napon, and the Grand Galloping Galla, and now two more weddings to top it all off,” Vital Spark said.
“Planning? By the sounds of it, the only thing Rarity doesn’t already have down is who Hammer Strike’s best person is.” Grif smirked.
“Let’s not breach that particular topic till after we’re home, okay?” Vital asked.
“You guys can fight over it.” Grif shrugged. “I’ve got my hands full with other things.”
“What makes you think we’d fight?” Vital asked. “It’s his choice.”
“Fighting? Why would we be fighting?” Pensword agreed. “Also, planning, it will happen. They need to make it their ceremony, not one or the other’s.” He frowned. “And I need to talk to Lunar Fang about holding off on Fox Feather’s ceremony. I am not going to be taking any spotlight from Shawn’s event. So, yeah…. But I do have this question. Who is going to perform the ceremony? I mean Luna and Celestia see him as a father figure, so that would be a little awkward, wouldn’t it?”
“Can’t be cadence either, really. That would be even more awkward,” Grif noted.
“How come?” Vital asked.
“We met her when she was a child,” Grif pointed out. “It’s still awkward.”
“Would it be for Hammer Strike, though? He seems pretty chill most of the time.”
“Well, he did work on saving her Empire,” Pensword began, “And from what I have seen, when it comes to this level of nobility, it would be a scandal not to be married by a…” he paused before facehoofing. “Princess Twilight. A princess marries this high level, and the only one that is available is Princess Twilight Sparkle.” He looked up. “Anypony else suddenly very worried?” he paused again at Grif’s look. “Anyone?”
“She’s going to be off the walls,” Grif sighed.
“Which means the library is going to be a mess.” Pensword sighed. “Poor Spike.”
“We’ll keep her in check. Besides, if she really feels antsy, we can ask her to talk with Celestia. After all, Celestia is the one who performed the ceremony for Shining and Cadence, right?” Vital said with a shrug.
“What makes you think that will help?” Grif asked with a raised brow. “That will just make her more antsy.”
“I agree. Have you not seen how she acts around Celestia?” Pensword responded. “She holds herself to too high a standard for her own good, but I am not going to tell her that. It needs to be done in stages.”
“So who’s best for the job, then?”
“Darlings, darlings, please. Just leave it all to moi,” Rarity said with a stylish flick of her mane. The lights from the console caught the engagement band, refracting tiny blue and purple lights into the round things circling the room.
“Are you really planning on renting out the palace for the ceremony?” Grif asked.
“Why, Grif, I’m shocked. Didn’t you know it’s bad luck to reveal the wedding plans before they’ve been set in motion?” Rarity gasped.
“You're marrying a nigh indestructible stallion with solar fire, near infinite wealth, and his own private army. Luck really doesn’t seem to be something you're lacking here,” Grif noted.
“Don’t mock lady luck in weddings,” Pensword spoke from his place on the floor. “I assure you, things will work out, just leave it alone.”
“Why not mock lady luck? We mock Death all the time,” Hammer Strike commented as he walked into the room. His once overgrown coat had been cut down, his mane cleaned up, and his beard trimmed neatly.
Rarity was immediately hanging from his neck again. “Oh, Hammer Strike, you look wonderful.” She nuzzled him playfully.
“It feels good to not worry about the amount of hair,” Hammer Strike chuckled.
“And your mane feels good, too,” she gushed, even as she ran a hoof through it.
Vital chuckled. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but why don’t you two just get a room already?”
“Later I’m sure we will,” Hammer Strike said.
Pensword paused and looked at Vital. “That would be hypocritical of me to say at the moment, considering how much I miss my wife.” He tried to keep a flat expression before he began to chuckle.
Grif proceeded to burst out laughing.
“Okay, I’m outta here,” Vital said as he quickly rushed into one of the side halls, blushing heavily. “If you guys need me, I’ll be in the hot tub next to the pool.”
“So this is what emotion feels like,” Hammer Strike chuckled to himself.
“It’s so weird seeing you react so much,” Grif noted.
“Consider this a … special occasion. One that might last a long while.”
Hammer Strike’s office hadn’t changed in the time the group had been gone. Indeed, there was no time for it to change as the desk sat stalwartly and waited for its owner to return. Eventually the air began to stir, and the dust sifted as the wind generated by nothing blew papers off the desk and swirled them around in a vortex. Then came the sound, grating and whining in a continuous whirr until blue began to faze in and out to reveal a great police box. At last, with a loud thunk, the box fully materialized and the doors creaked open.
Hammer Strike stepped out of the TARDIS first. After a moment of looking around, he finally said something. “Well, I don’t know if I’m happy to see my office with all the paperwork, or upset that I feel seven years behind on work and it hasn’t been that long…”
“Right. If you’ll excuse me, I need to face the music, or stop the message being delivered,” Pensword said quickly as he raced out the door.
“And I need to look after some … stuff. I’ll be in my office, but if anyone needs me, knock first,” Grif said as he made for the door.
As they left, Hammer Strike hummed to himself. “Now that I think about it, I need to re-remember the layout of Unity once again…”
“And I have a wedding to plan.” Rarity grinned. “By the way, darling, I was thinking of blue and white for the colors. What do you think?”
“I think that would work.”
Vital Spark stepped out and shook his coat again. “I really need to talk with Clover about learning a drying spell for my fur,” he grumbled as he left. Then the TARDIS’ doors shut and the phone booth disappeared, leaving as if it had never been in the first place.
Pensword flew fast down the hallways, racing for the stairs to get up to his suite. Turning a corner, he crashed into Lightning Dust, causing them both to crash into a wall before tumbling to the ground. Pensword shook his head, first to clear it, and second to silence Matthew’s comments on how durable Ponies were.
“Sir?” Lightning Dust spoke, saluting but with confusion in her eyes. “I just talked to you three seconds ago.”
“Right, well, classified information, but I will say this. You do not have to report the message. Consider the mission finished, and the job well done. Report to the Barracks.” He pulled out a parchment and started to write something on it. “Consider a reward of a new uniform as a gift from the commander for a job well done.”
Lightning Dust paused as she had the parchment pushed into her wings. “Uh, under Military code Volume two, section ten, paragraph three, this is illegal.”
Pensword paused, started at her, and closed his eyes slowly. “Not when I served. It was a sign of respect.” He smirked as she took a nervous step back. “Which means I get to redo the entire code of conduct and rules and regulations. Thank you again, Lightning Dust. Please keep that as a souvenir, as it is a prime example of military conduct from a thousand years ago.” He turned around and laughed. “Also, the unit still will get you a new uniform. You are serving in an out of time unit.” He started to walk away. “Oh, and do not try and quote the regulations to me. I wrote the foundations of today’s regulations, and I am definitely going to rewrite them for the future Equestrian Military.”
She just saluted before taking off towards the barracks. He nodded before heading up the stairs, only to stop when he saw the imposing form of Lunar Fang standing at the top, a small grin on her muzzle. “Hello, my love,” he spoke as he finished ascending the stairs.
“I heard your little exchange with Lightning Dust. What happened?” Lunar Fang asked with a flat expression that still couldn’t hide the glint in her eyes.
“Hammer Strike was taken back to the windigo time period. We had to race to make sure another didn’t get the tech, and, frankly stuff dealing the TARDIS and The Doctor.”
Lunar Fang made a face.
“That was my reaction as well. But still, I did get you a trophy for you, my dear.” He pulled out a large blue crystal. “A piece from an enemy that Matthew does not ever want to face, and a gift to you. Still, I am fully prepared to spend time with my daughter, or, if need be, on the couch.”
“How can I punish you to spend time with your daughter? Are you just trying to get into trouble on purpose now?” She huffed. “No, I think a better thing is for you to let the officers handle it on their own. You, sir, are going to spend time with all the family. So go get Fox Feather for me. We’re going to have a nice breakfast. And don’t even think about sneaking into your office. You can work on revising the codes of conduct tomorrow.”
“Right, oh, before I go, I have some news. Shawn and Rarity are going to be married soon.”
“Finally.” Lunar Fang chuckled.
Grif locked his office door and stowed the only key in his pack before throwing the deadbolt and activating the sound dampening crystal he had gotten from Twilight. Next he pulled a thick black curtain across the window, making sure the two opposing ends overlapped each other by a full two feet to keep the entirety of the room hidden. Finally assured that the room was secured, he moved to the desk and tapped the blue crystal, raising the crystal lenses. Four of these made a static sound as they currently lacked someone on the other end, but the other four came into focus to reveal silhouettes.
“The Ace has been dealt. Are all the cards on the table?” Grif spoke slowly, unsure of the limitations in the crystal technology at this time.
“The King has been dealt,” the figure to his farthest left spoke.
“The Queen is on the table,” the next one confirmed.
“The Jack is in play,” the third added.
“And the Ten makes flush,” the final silhouette added. Alongside the images, each voice was warped on the very slight chance someone had infiltrated the network. Grif was likewise assured his own voice and image were equally muffled.
“My friends,” Grif began, “this momentous occasion marks the beginning of our trial run. I know some of you are nervous about what we are attempting, and I thank you for the faith you have put in me to go this far in this venture.” Grif’s eyes fell on Queen and Ten’s crystals specifically. “As you know, Equestria has seen more conflict in the past three years than it has in the last century. Aside from the more notable disasters, there have been surges in kidnappings, organized crime, monster attacks, and, yes, the use of dark magic. The aim of this project is to provide Equestria with the means and resources to act in the shadows when necessary. Now before we make this offical, I offer the council a chance to voice concerns or questions.”
“I still feel we should have brought this idea before pr– er Starfire before we went through with it,” Ten spoke up. “Shouldn’t Veil Walker have been informed as well?”
“Your concern has been noted, Ten, but the purpose of this trial run is to ascertain the effectiveness of this project before bringing in more figures to this trust. Are there any other concerns?”
“Let us vote on it already,” the Jack said. “We can work out the trivialities later.”
“Very well,” Grif responded, smirking to himself. “Dealer calls. What is our hand?”
“The King is in hand.” The response was as instant as Grif would expect. The king had the most to gain from this project; however, Grif’s expression turned terse when he looked to the Queen. The Queen’s support so far had been surprising, but now the moment of truth had appeared, and would she be able to set aside her feelings about the King?
“The Queen … makes her presence known,” the response came after a tense second.
“The Jack joins the party.” The response was once again instant, and Grif was thankful for that.
“While the Ten has reservations, it will stand beside the rest,” the final voice agreed.
“Then Ace makes royal flush, and the house wins,” Grif responded. “Until next time, my friends, look out for your call signs, and expect updates as soon as they are available.” There was no response as the other crystals went blank. Grif chuckled to himself as he swapped the blue lenses for the green ones. This would be the fun part.
In Trottingham’s rundown district, Commander Sisko and Lieutenant Commander Defenbacker where sipping tea in the commander's office while Changelings scurried left and right working to make sure every inch of the base was supplied and running.
In Las Pegasus, Commander Bond looked over at Lieutenant Commander Moneypenny suspiciously over a deck of cards as he fiddled with a bit in his hooves, trying to find some sort of tell for why the anti had just been risen while weapons were checked and double checked, armor was polished, and several groups of Changelings received a wide variety of weapons training.
And in Whinnypeg, Commander Poindexter clinked his beer with Lieutenant Commander Egghead as changelings around them checked and double checked emergency supplies, aid kits, and other necessary resources.
As the green lenses came online all six changelings instantly stopped what they had been doing and sat up ramrod straight, their eyes glowing a faint green color as their hivemind link was temporarily focused on the crystals.
Grif cleared his throat and sat back with his talons in front of him. “Good evening, commanders.” He stopped to bite back a laugh at having said the line before continuing. “The council has agreed that it is time to activate the Homeland Espionage Assassination and Response Tactical Hierarchy. As you know, the HEARTH project has been set aside to make use of your species’ talents for the betterment of Equestrian society, whether it be through the gathering of information, the anonymous aid after disasters, or, should the need arise, the silencing of the dissident and criminal elements within this kingdom. To accomplish these ends you have been granted special permissions and resources. Measures have been taken to assure you will have the opportunities needed to succeed. As you are aware, each of you serves as branches for the many smaller cells of your individual organizations spread throughout Equestria. But remember that, as with any hive, each of you works towards serving a greater whole for the accomplishing of a greater dream. The tasks may be dangerous, but each of you has been brought into this fold for your exceptional skills. While it is true you were bred for these roles, the choice to pursue them is still yours.”
He turned towards the first lens. “Sisko and Defanbacker, you are hereby given official command of the Reconnaissance Espionage and Acquisition Changeling Hierarchy. As leaders of the REACH project, it is your duty to gather intel from Equestria’s criminal underground. Should the need arise, you are authorized in the use of force so long as you do not reveal yourselves. You are also permitted to capture and interrogate key suspects with means you consider necessary.”
His attention diverted to the lens that stood in the middle. “Sometimes a dagger in the ribs is worth a hundred swords on a battlefield, and you, Commander Bond and Lieutenant Commander Monneypenny, are hereby authorized to use the resources of the Tactical Elimination and Assassination Response project. Should project REACH find individuals of unnecessary risk, it will be the responsibility of project TEAR to track down and silence these voices. Trust your brothers, and do not falter in your duty. The life you take may end up saving hundreds more tomorrow.”
Then with a slightly cheerier tone, he turned to the last lens. “And you, Commander's Poindexter and Egghead. Disasters both natural and artificial, and monster attacks continue to plague our fair kingdom. It seems aid is only offered when it is to the advantage of those with the money to afford it. That ends today. The General Response Aid and Support Protocol will dispense medical aid, emergency food, and other necessities to sites affected by disasters. You will not reveal your Changeling forms, and you will continue to mislead all media outlets in order to remain anonymous. It is the hope of the council that your actions will inspire such generosity in others.”
Grif repositioned his head so as to appear to be staring at each lens, and yet none specifically. “You have been given your orders, commanders. The council expects the first reports within the next forty eight hours. And remember, we are always watching. Over and out.”
Grif tapped the green crystal again and the lenses vanished, leaving the desk top clear. He leaned back and grinned to himself, knowing the Changeling commanders were already giving out their first orders. It was official now. He had pushed the stone down the hill. He could only wonder what would happen when it reached the bottom.
A gentle knock sounded at Clover’s door as she levitated various spell books and other advanced magical reference guides. She smiled as her cross referencing spell levitated the corresponding historical passages with details behind the theoreticians and mages who had crafted such wonders.
“Good afternoon, Vital Spark,” she said without even looking up.
“Hello, Clover.” The voice was somewhat timid, but Clover’s ears perked regardless. Something had changed.
“Usually my students cherish the hours we are apart,” she noted. “What can I do for you?” She continued to scan over the scrolls and books. A thousand years of hibernation can really put a mage behind.
“I wanted to tell you I’ve made my decision.”
“Oh?” she raised an eyebrow as she looked up at him for the first time.
He took a deep breath. “Like it or not, this magic is a part of me now. If I don’t learn how to use it properly, I’m just going to hurt more than I can help. It’s taken me a while to accept the fact that magic and I are a thing now; even more so for me to reconcile the differences between this world, where it’s a neutral force to be used as a tool, and mine, where it’s usually viewed as an evil thing.” He sighed. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’ve been fighting myself, and it’s been limiting what I can and can’t do. I can’t allow myself to do that anymore, especially after the things that have happened with The Doctor recently. I’m … well, I’m ready to really use magic instead of letting it use me.”
“Good.” She smirked as she levitated a massive tome over to the Unicorn and dropped it in front of him with a loud smack. “Then we can finally get serious.” The title read A Beginner's Guide to Magical Theory by Tybalt the Tremendous.
“I thought we were still going to use Starswirl’s book.”
“My mentor was a genius, but that was the problem. He was born a genius, and thus he died a genius, and believed that everypony he worked with was likewise a genius. My proximity to Platinum made sure I had no such illusions. Tybalt is a much easier to understand starting point. He was born in a small village, and had trouble with magic initially.”
“So this tome Star Swirl’s lab threw at me when I was at the Crystal Empire won’t be a proper starting place?” Vital asked as he levitated said volume over for Clover’s inspection.
“How much of it have you read?” she asked
“Just the bare theory on crafting incantations, a muffling spell, a cross reference on basic magical transference, and a perception filtration spell that I’m guessing was inspired by The Doctor’s technology.”
“And how many times have you come across terms you don’t know with no reference to their actual meaning? How many times have you found yourself staring at equations that need to be comprehended on a dimension you're not yet aware of?” She chuckled to herself. “The old codger had spells in there that could be fatal if cast wrong.”
Vital gulped. “Guess I’m lucky I didn’t get that far yet. You were saying about this basic manual?”
“Tybalt wrote this for Unicorns from humbler backgrounds who desired to be great mages and scholars. It is not as light reading as Star Swirl's book, but it provides glossaries, definitions, and charts regarding important facets of magic.”
“In other words, it’s a college textbook,” Vital Spark said as a grin spread over his face. “That is something I’m very familiar with.”
“You're going to memorize the first five chapters over the next two days. When you do, then we will get to work on refining your technique with what you’ve learned and move on from there.”
Vital Spark winced. “Five chapters in two days? Word for word?”
“General understanding of the material.” Clover rolled her eyes. “Magic is about self expression as much as comprehension. I don’t want you to be Tybalt, just to use his example.”
Vital’s expression brightened. “That I can do.” His magic wrapped around the considerably larger tome and easily hefted it in the air next to him. “Acceptance does wonders for endurance, doesn’t it?” He laughed.
“We shall see, Vital Spark. I don’t tutor mediocre pupils.” She smirked. “So you're going to have to impress me.”
“Then this will either be the shortest learning experience of my life or it will change my life forever. Possibly both, and not necessarily in that order. I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will. You’re not the type to go into anything half baked.”
Vital Spark burst out laughing and shook his head as he wiped the mirthful tears away with a hoof. “If only you’d known me as a kid.” With that he walked back to the door, textbooks in tow. He turned one last time to look back at Clover. “But seriously, thank you, Clover. I want to be able to help more in the time I’ve got left, even if it’s just a little.” With that said, he bowed slightly and made his way out the room and down the hall.
“If only you knew.” She spoke softly enough that he never caught it as she returned to her reading, chuckling to herself.
Pensword smiled as he looked about the room. Dinner was about to be served. Fox Feather and Lunar Fang sat to either side of him while Moon River played in her highchair. Now it was simply a matter of waiting for his friends to join for the meal. He was looking over a list he got from Twilight that codified and alphabetized each item he wanted to bring back from Earth. “Lunar Fang, I know I really enjoy Captain Bunny, but I am not missing this chance to bring back my original stuffed animal.” He frowned. “But what to bring to my family for gifts?” He chuckled as one idea popped up. “A flight book might be good for my Grand Uncle’s family. With a translation sheet, of course.” He was amazed at how well he could talk around holding a pencil in his mouth.
“Have you found a way back then?” she asked curiously.
“According to what I have been hearing between Omni and hints from Discord, yes. So I am going to err on the side of hope, and finalize the notes and lists. And while you are not a thing,” he put down the pencil and looked lovingly at her. “You are number one on my list. I am going to bring you with me.” He frowned. “I cannot Bring Fox Feather, and I am sorry about that, but someone has to stay to run the military and my house while we are gone.” He perked up. “But I shall bring you a world map, and a book that gives an overview of all the nations.”
“I can understand that,” Fox Feather replied with a slight hurt look in her eyes. “But I get to go on the second or third outing.”
“Come again?” Pensword asked with a turn of his head.
“I know you,” she answered with a ghost of a smile. “You have the chance to see a mother and father. You’re not going to just pop over there, say hi and bye, and leave it at that. You are going to go back again.” She looked at the table. “Your eyes still hold the hurt from so long ago.”
Pensword moved to speak, but stopped. “You are right. I will be returning often, but still…” he looked to Lunar Fang. “Contact Luna. There is something I need to make sure of before I leave. This is Matthew’s family, but it is also mine in a way.” He put a hoof to his head. “We need to make sure they are protected. I will not lose another family.”
“I’ll get to it immediately after dinner,” Lunar Fang promised.
“Thank you.” Pensword smiled as he looked over at his daughter. “Maybe when she is older we can have her meet her cousins.” He chuckled as he watched her antics, pushing one of her smaller stuff animals, a giant mouse, around on the tray in front of her.
“I wonder what Fizzpot and Preston have cooking. I’m honestly surprised they wanted to treat us tonight. I did not even know they could cook.”
Vital Spark grinned as his hooves flew across the strings. It took some time to adjust to playing a violin properly in this form, and he still had yet to even comprehend the physics that made it physically possible for a pony with one solid hoof to play multiple notes so effortlessly, but in the famous words of many a brony, and of Taze, he chose to make the wise decision and simply not question it. The orchestra had been playing a stirring rendition of the overture from La Bovem, a famous Minotaur opera commissioned to portray the tragic story of a great Minotaur warrior returning from battle to find a mate, and the actions that led to the ultimate murder of his seducer and his own dishonorable beheading. As the final movement died down, the conductor grinned at the orchestra, giving a stirring speech about the up-and-coming concert before dismissing the assembled Ponies to return to their homes.
“So how did we sound?” Vital Spark asked as he approached his violin case and removed his shoulder rest.
“We’re still lacking a bit near the second stanza,” Octavia noted, “but overall I think the piece is coming along rather well.”
“La Bovem is one of my favorite pieces. The way the orchestra plays together, not to mention the fun melodies we get to work with, just leaves me wanting to go back and play again.”
“Minotaurs may not be much for art and literature, but their music is always very stirring,” Octavia agreed.
“Say, Ocatvia? I’ve always wondered. What started you on your path to the cello and the orchestra anyways?” Vital asked as he lowered his violin into the hollow and secured the velcro ties over the top to hold it in place. Then he began to loosen his bow.
“My mother was an accomplished violinist,” she explained. “She always inspired me with how well she could control her instrument, and my father was a sergeant in the local barracks. He could wield a blade with amazing finesse. I suppose the cello spoke to me for the fact that it is like a violin, but large and heavy, requiring strength to play it properly. With this instrument I can strive to show I am strong, but also command the control my parents could with their arts.”
“And the music itself?”
“That's just a bonus,” she chuckled. “What about you?”
Vital Spark laughed. “Mine’s a little more cheesy. I didn’t have parents who were gifted with instruments. Well, my mother was okay with the piano. My father didn’t do much music wise. My mother did sing, though. I like to think I got my musical ear and good singing voice from her. Anyways, what happened is that one day, my mother was playing some music in our house. Not on the piano, but an actual soundtrack, like Vinyl uses from time to time. The piece playing featured a violin soloist, a real virtuoso. That music stopped me cold, and the moment I learned what it was, I knew I wanted to learn how to play it. Now, over fifteen years later, I’ve gotten pretty good. I’ll never be the best, and I certainly won’t make a career out of it, but I’ll always love playing for fun.”
“Then it’s already worth it,” Octavia told him. “The point is that you find joy in it.”
“Yeah. Thanks, Octavia.” Vital Spark smiled as he placed the bow where it belonged and shut the case.
“Please, Vital, call me Tavi,” Octavia said.
Vital Spark chuckled. “Tavi, huh? That’s going to take some getting used to.”
A heavy thumping resounded through Fluttershy’s cottage as Rarity slammed the door with her hooves. Inside the house, a certain white bunny’s ears twitched annoyingly as he stirred restlessly in his bed. The knocking continued.
“Fluttershy! Fluttershy! I have the most wonderful news!” Rarity called.
Angel Bunny’s eyes popped open, bloodshot and twitching. He burst out from his bed, tossing covers and pillow across the livingroom floor as he angrily, but cutely, hopped to the front door and glared at the offending sound. Whoever was on the other side of that door was about to face a living tartarus. He was about to jump up and pull the door open with murderous thoughts of much pouncing and biting when a blue magical aura surrounded the door in question and it flung open, taking the small lapine with it. The door slammed open with a resounding crash against the wall. Angel Bunny’s paw barely stuck out from the door, twitching in shock as Rarity charged in, heedless of the creature’s plight.
“Oh dear. Rarity, what’s the matter?” Fluttershy asked in shock as she walked worriedly down the cottage stairs. She grew even more so when she saw Rarity’s face. “Did I miss one of our spa appointments?”
“Fluttershy, dear, do you really think I’d come bursting into your home for something as simple as that? Well, I would come to check on you, of course, but I certainly wouldn’t have been so excited.” She grinned. “Notice anything different about me?”
“Well you do have a nice new horn ring,” Fluttershy meekly complimented as she pawed the ground nervously. “Where did you get it?”
“Fluttershy, I do appreciate you trying to be a little more open and sociable, but this is serious.” She let loose a squee of excitement, biting the edge of a trembling lower lip. Then, when she couldn’t seem to take any more, she threw her hooves wide and yelled at the top of her lungs. “Hammer Strike proposed!”
“Oh my!” Fluttershy replied, jumping a little at the loud yell. That was before the words actually ran from her ears to her brain. “Oh wow. Oh goodness.” She squeed at the news, smile and all. “That’s such wonderful news. I was worried it might not happen with how many trips Hammer Strike keeps taking.” She paused. “Have you two set up a date yet? Do you need my bird choir to help? Maybe I can have Angel Bunny help, too.” Angel finally managed to slide free of the door, his little cotton ball tail askew and his fur in shambles. “Oh isn’t this wonderful, Angel? Rarity is getting married!”
Angel Bunny huffed angrily, glared at Rarity, then promptly dove back onto his bed, snatching his covers and pulling them over again.
“Don’t mind him too much. He just had a late night last night, so he’s just a little cranky today,” Fluttershy apologized.
“Darling, I wouldn’t care if an oversized dragon came and stole my rarest gem. I’m going to marry Hammer Strike!”
With that, the pair proceeded to discuss wedding plans while Rarity began to draw up letters to invite the others to hear the news. Fluttershy happily called a few of her bird friends to deliver the mail. After about ten minutes of patiently waiting on the sill, Rarity handed each bird an envelope, and the birds winged out of sight.
“Are you sure about this? It’s just going to be me unable to hurt you, and you unable to hit me again,” Grif said as he stretched from his place on the other side of the sparring arena.
“Don’t worry. I have something a little different for this match. I picked it up during that seven year gap,” Hammer Strike replied with a grin. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy this match a little more than usual.”
“So how do you want to do this?” Grif asked as he readied his blades.
“First to three hits.”
“If it was anyone else, I’d point out that's insane. What's your angle?” Grif smirked. “Meh. I’ll probably find out in the next minute anyhow.”
“Demo, time down five seconds.”
“Five,” Demolition Grenado started. “Four, three, two, one!”
The moment Demolition Granado called out the start, Hammer Strike vanished.
“What the–?” Grif started as he felt a presence behind him and turned around just in time for the flat of Hammer Strike’s blade to send him to the ground.
Grif coughed and spluttered, but was surprised to find no serious injuries from the blow. As his head cleared, he tried to think of what happened. “You did something,” he coughed. “A trade off of some kind, right?”
“Temporary empowerment. It won’t last forever.”
“Well,” Grif caught his breath and got to his feet. “You can run, but can you react?” He slid into bullet time as he moved behind Hammer Strike, driving the pommel of Vigilance into his side before striking his shoulder with Vengeance. “Didn’t think so.”
“At least I chose this over another. Otherwise it wouldn’t be a fair match at all.” Hammer Strike gave a smile.
“It still isn’t,” Grif jabbed as he charged again. This time Hammer Strike responded in kind, and blades clashed and clashed again at speeds so fast the observer only saw momentary flashes of sparks with no sound. After a while Grif noticed something else. Hammer Strike wasn’t exhaling, and he was pretty sure he knew why. Moving at such high speeds would normally make the air around you either too sparse from being unable to fill the void as you moved fast enough, or in some places leaving dense pockets of displaced air. This fact generally led to havoc being wrought on the lungs. Grif was protected by a mix of resistance born from the same natural magic that allowed Gryphons to stand on clouds, and aid given by his wind aspect. It seemed Hammer Strike was not receiving such protection from those methods, and while the Earth Pony could hold his breath for a long time, Grif could already see the signs of strain.
As their blades clashed, Hammer Strike landed a second glancing blow of Grif’s shoulder. The sharpened blade bit in slightly, but the wound was entirely too minor to garner Grif’s attention as he ducked low, and then swung upwards, grabbing Hammer Strike’s body. All momentum between the two stopped as, for the first time in Grif’s memory, he held Hammer Strike with Vigilance less than a hairsbreadth from his throat. “Yield?” Grif asked, panting slightly.
“Yeah, sounds good.” Hammer Strike took a few breaths.
“You did good, all things considered, but speed’s not really your thing. Unless you want to keep an oxygen mask on you at all times. And we really don’t need you going vader on us.” Grif stepped back, sheathing his swords.
Hammer Strike chuckled. “I thought you’d like the trick, but it isn’t limited to just my speed. It’s limited to me only being able to add one extra aspect at a time, and only temporarily.”
“I take it this is something I won’t read about for several chapters?”
“Far into the book, near the end. Only reason I messed with it is because of the object that I grabbed.”
“You get all the fun toys first.” Grif chuckled before wincing as he looked to his shoulder. “You got a good hit there.”
“Sorry. Light taps at that speed aren’t exactly light taps.”
“Hey, we use sharp blades for a reason,” Grif said. “Don’t worry about this. Winds know we’ve both had worse.”
“Yeah,” Hammer Strike replied. “Perhaps next time I could show you another aspect. Perhaps time,” he finished with a chuckle.
“Maybe.” Grif laughed. “Not like you have a lot of sparring partners who can take such punishment.”
“A shame really.”
“So then, big plans for the wedding?”
“Rarity has access to my bank account, and I told her to go wild.”
“Lets hope she is successful in her mission.” Grif chuckled. “Funny how that one worked out”
Hammer Strike hummed questioningly.
“You humored her back in the empire, remember? Look how that turned out.”
“Hard to remember, honestly. It’s been years for me since that day.”
“Which makes it one of the longest courtships I’ve ever heard of.” Grif chuckled. “What is it, one thousand forty seven years now?”
“Might as well have been.” Then Hammer Strike laughed.
Lily, Daisy, and Rose Valley were busy working on their greatest masterpiece to date, a flower-studded statue in dedication to the four princesses. Daisy was just finishing the last touches of lavender sprigs for Twilight’s wings while Rose and Lily worked to get Luna’s hooves just right.
“Can you believe that the princesses actually commissioned us to make the displays for the gala?” Rose asked excitedly for what had to be the tenth time at least, not that the others really cared. They were still giddy over the news, even as they worked.
“I know! I still can’t believe I managed not to faint after Princess Celestia and Princess Luna both walked into our shop!” Lily gushed as she passed another bucket of morning glories to help flesh out Luna’s eyes around the sapphires that had been mounted surrounding a black pearl.
Daisy laughed. “And all that money really saved us for this quarter. Not to mention all the publicity we’re going to get from now on. I mean, once you’re booked by royalty, the nobles go crazy for you.” She chuckled. “I’m just glad it’s not a tuesday. Could you imagine what would happen if the whole thing just fell apart?”
Just then a blue aura surrounded their door, flinging it open with such force as to cause many a vase to fall and shatter. The floor was suddenly littered with water and broken flower stems. If that weren’t bad enough, the sign that had been hanging on said door, which clearly read CLOSED, flew end over end until it sheared off the heads of both Princess Twilight and Princess Cadence. The sign then embedded itself into the wall, wobbling and striking the lower ends of the wooden shelf. An old oil lamp slowly wobbled its way off the shelf, jumping in time to the vibration before teetering over the edge and suddenly expiring in an exquisite show of color. The oil sparkled like rainbows in the light before seeping all over the display.
Shortly afterwards, one of the shelf’s supports failed, causing it to slant as a heavy magnifying glass dropped into a potted plant filled with fresh soil and seedlings. Unfortunately, the pot had been positioned before an open window to provide the sprouts the maximum exposure and nutrition. The sun’s rays concentrated on the glass, which in turn concentrated the light into a powerful beam aimed directly at the Celestia model’s hooves. Before even so much as a scream could be uttered, the damage was done. A tiny wisp of smoke arose. Then came the flames. Celestia was reduced to ash and charred metal in a matter of seconds. The other princesses soon followed.
Rarity laughed awkwardly as the three flower sisters glared at her. Her horn glowed as a large raincloud was pulled in through the open window and squeezed, putting the fire out. She then promptly shoved it back out of the shop for a pegasus to pick up before clearing her throat. “Don’t worry, girls, I can pay for that, I promise, and in bits. I was just so excited, why, I didn’t notice the sign. I’m so terribly sorry.” She hastily fired her horn and raised the magnifying glass out of the seedling pot, laying it on a table far in the back of the room where it could do no harm.
“Well, seeing as we aren't busy at the moment, thanks to somepony,” Rose said, unamused. “What can we do for you, Rarity?”
“I really am sorry. I know I’m the element of generosity and all, but I simply had to see you three. It’s urgent!” Rarity’s smile turned into a grin as she lowered her head to the three. “I just got engaged!”
“Rarity, we’ve had an updated plan for your wedding flowers on file SINCE SECOND GRADE!” Lily growled. “We’ll get them ready, but what's so important you need to interrupt–”
“I’m going to marry Hammer Strike!” Rarity blurted.
The three mares stopped dead in their tracks and gaped.
“I’m sorry, I think the flames must have messed with my hearing,” Daisy said. “You’re what now?”
Rarity took a moment to compose herself, doing a quick brush of her mane. “I said I’m going to marry Hammer Strike, darling. You know, the lord just a ways down the road?”
“Rarity, I’m not sure we can do a floral arrangement for a royal wedding just like that,” Lily stated.
“Oh, I’m not asking for a rush job. This is my wedding we’re talking about after all, but I simply had to have your expertise. Everypony knows your arrangements are the best in Ponyville. And I’ve been to Canterlot and back, darlings. Trust me; you three can do far better than any of those kiss-ups at the market place. Who do you think recommended you to the royal sisters in the first place?”
“I don’t know,” Rose said. “That’s a lot of flowers, and seeing as we’ll be spending most of our profit margin rebuilding that floral statue, I’m not sure we can afford the flowers we’ll need in time.”
“Oh, Darlings, you must not have heard me.” Rarity picked up a sack and opened it to reveal a mountain of bits. “I said I’m engaged to Hammer Strike.” She smirked. “That means I can pay you triple, and then some.”
The three mares’ eyes widened. Rarity was almost sure she saw bits instead of their pupils.
“Cha-ching!” All eyes turned to the cash register that had mysteriously fallen over.
“We’ll invoice you for the rest,” Rose said as she took the sack.
“Just send us a list of everything you want.” Lily nodded, suddenly very energetic and very happy.
“Oh, and send us a list of your bride’s mares as soon as you can,” Daisy added. “We’ll need to take coat coloration and dress fabrics into account.”
“I’ll have them to you by the end of the month. First you three need to take care of that commission for the galla, and I need to take care of my dress for the event.” She grinned. “I can’t wait to rub this in Blueblood’s face.” She finished by dropping a smaller purse by the cash register and righting it with a quick flick of her head as her magic took effect. “And those gems should cover the cost of the damages. I’ll see you girls later. And thanks again! Stop by my botique some time for your measurements. After all, I’ve got three of my bride’s mares waiting right here.”
With that said, Rarity quickly made her way out the store, shutting the door far more gently behind her as she skipped her way through town. The three flower sisters rushed to window to watch her go, then back to the register to account for the massive profit they’d just made, and finally to the platform to analyze the damage before their little pony hearts just couldn’t take the strain anymore, and they promptly passed out.
Grif smiled as he stitched the cut on his shoulder. He wasn’t really good at things like stitches, but he’d managed to keep himself from getting infected before, and the cut was shallow, so he was sure he could make do without troubling anybody. He never heard the footsteps entering the room as he worked.
“Grif?” The old voice was soft, and unusually gentle.
“Kalima?” Grif turned his head in surprise. “One day you're going to have to show me how you sneak up on people like that.”
Kalima held something in her talons, its chain glinting in the afternoon light. Her eyes seemed troubled.
“What is that?” Grif asked curiously.
“Something I never thought to lay eyes on again.” She unclasped her talons to reveal the shining gold taloned figurine embossed with silver. On closer inspection, it seemed to be clutching an emerald.
“Did you misplace it?” Grif asked. “Or was it lost in a battle?”
“It was lost to the ritual, Griff. You know which one I mean. I … I never thought I’d see it again. I found it … in Thalia’s room.” She practically cradled the piece of jewelry as tears misted her eyes.
“Should I get Thalia so you can ask her about it?” he asked.
Kalima nodded. “That might be for the best. I never got to finish telling you about my husband before. Perhaps now is the time.”
Grif nodded as he cut the stitches, he could start again later if need be. It would take more than this to bleed to death anyway. He left the room, returning fifteen minutes later with Thalia by his side.
“Mother, is everything alright? What’s this all about?” Then her eyes fell on the golden talon. “Where did you get that?”
“I was about to ask you the same question, daugter.”
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Looks like Grif took inspiration from X-COM.
I wonder what Combat Ratio the TARDIS is running at, with taking a given class of combat group though various settings when they just wanted to do what shouldve been a simple pickup. At least they collected Hammerstrike, but the three Leaders all know where the house is and theres supplies in there and Windigo Orbs, so how is that Mountain and House no longer known to History? Is it where they set off from, or where they eventually arrived at? Where abouts is the Other Hammerstrike, given the Doc said he was living Double Time, but the Three Leaders havent mmentioned anything about him, and the Kitsunes have only been back home, or in transport with the rescue party for a year?
Next will be seeing how they play their cards with HEARTH, GRASP, TEAR and REACH, one trick Im wondering theyll use is the disaster supplies to even out economies over multi year cycles in buying up at steady rates when economies are doing well, and supplies are cheap, keeping income up, and then feeding the stuff back into the market during downturns to keep prices down.
I wonder which of Pensword or Griff, or collaboration between them, ended up with at least one Dalek getting torn apart, given Daleks OP requirements for devastation, without letting them have to ttotal walkover of their enemies that such capabilities truely mean. Lets give the kiddie an energy focusing crystal? Things are going to be fun in the nursery.
I really hope Vital Spark doesnt swing hard in the opposite direction that magic is evil, as an ultra pure Palladin in themselves would be extremely intolerant of none such, and so could be as brutally effectively evil also, depending on viewpoint?
With Grif and Vital working on various Magics to bring them up to more equality with Hammerstrike, Ive forgotton if Pensword is just relying on his tactical abilities now or if his ansestor assitance can help close the gap. Or is he gaining extra abilities also?
Just a thought, will HEARTH have to be activated, just to prevent economic collapse through Rarity going on her unlimited spending spree? FlimFlam and even worse company are going to be oozing out of the brickwork with that much cash being flash, which would rapidly progress to associated companies, for their, protection. And keeping them quiet by keeping things in the Family?
Which bit of New Unity is getting expanded next? the Hive is doing well, mining etc?
Xcom: enemy unknown is an amazing game!
7321515
7325298 can't give them all the credit, took some inspiration from dragonage 3 too
Entertaining, and enjoyable. Nice that Hammer is back where he belongs :)
Griff has gone all assets1.ignimgs.com/2015/10/19/smokingmanxfilesjpg-b6a91b_1280w.jpg on us... in the best of ways. All he needs is a cigar when he does those meetings to make it perfect. Would add an extra layer of 'smokescreen' since he doesn't actually smoke! :)
With all these things in motion we just need Vital and Tavi to work with Vinyl Scratch to put out something like this...
music starts at appx 40 seconds and 'gets real' at 1:35 :) Could happen when Tavi asks about music from his world... and just goes from there. Just a thought :)
In any event, was fun. Can't wait for the next installment!
ABOUT FREAKIN TIME! Seriously, Hammer Strike and Rarity...
[squeeing intensifies]
The scene with Grif in his office, and all that secret agent stuff... That was rather out of the blue, and kinda confusing because of it.
7328018
That's because Grif is doing this without royal approval for now. It's all been hush hush. Also, this actualy is a continuation from a previous scene in which the desk was delivered by the hive to his office for use in establishing these various organizations.
7328254 ah... And do Hammer and Pensword know?
7327229
Yes, and Grif is very proud of being able to do this.
As for the music and Vital? Yes, I really do want to see this happening, however Vital plays the Violin, not a cello.
7328261
I cannot answer that question on if Pensword knows or not. As that is classified information.
What i can tell you, is that these items have been planned for a couple months now.
7328278 I'm not surprised that these things have been planned out. When it comes to military and national security matters, these hairless minotaurs turned ponies/griffin do not mess around. They be...
1- I second Lunar Fang. FINALLY
2- Hehehe from the second grade huh?
3- Aww poor HammerStrike! I am sad he's been alone but I love that he was showing so much emotion! <3
4-NEVER mock the fates ladies.
5- aww hehe Vital X tavi? ;)
6- I have a feeling that the two worlds will not allow so much cross over.. hm.
Anyway, over all very very good boys! I enjoyed it and thanks for the much needed laughs.
I see Xcom reference.