Well that was rather intresting, now it's time for me to pretend to have deep analitical skills so here we go!

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First off, Shade, seems like he eeds to be kept on a tight leash. I know that Tick Tock has a way with ponies a bit of charisma if you will however I'm not sure how well it works on shade. Sure he listens for now but Shade strikes me a oddly reminisent of a slasher film villian and given his line of work that's only good if he can keep his head in the game something I'm not entirely sure he'll be able to do at all times.

Next we have some more development of Tick Tock's cell as a whole. It's intresting to think of Dagger as the type to go shopping with Snowball. Granted she could b going for essentals so she doesn't end up without proper attire as seen in Winterlot but the tone her conversation with Snowball implied that this was ment to be something of a pleasure trip not a supply run.

What i find most intresting here though is that Tick Tock made his first real mistake that we've seen. I'm not saying that he's perfect but I just can't see him as the type to make mistake like that often. Though it did provide for a bit of insight as to how he views mistake and more of his geniral philosiphy on life given the lesson that Dagger gives up. It really is one of the oldest and seemingly most simple lessons to impart to another, however it is often the hardest to accept. For many people it's hard enough to admit that they made a mistake and harder yet to learn from it. Here we are given a chance for the student to learn the lesson by applying it and for her teacher to help enforce it by admitting that he too struggles with the meaning of what this lesson entails.

Now what I wonder is so important about those small stones that was able to temporarly distract Tick Tock? All we can say for now is that they are quite dence and very durrible given both the forces they withstood falling to Earth (for lack of a better term) and how Dagger notes that they feel heavier then they should be given how small they are said to be. The question still remains what they will be used for though. Are they to be forged into equipment, sold for revinew to finace the group at large or something else entirerly? Only time will tell, and frankly I intend to stick around and find out.

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One wall of speculative rambling as promised and here have a free track on the story because I'm having a lot of fun with this little tail of yours.

>>152586152586 My own wall of text . I'm so Happy .

I like how you thought of Shade. I no pun intended, want to give my characters various shades to them. I realized whilst reading the fine details of the battle at New Mareland that Tick Tock and Dagger could not be directly involved in the fighting. Because Peppy had a 4 square mile area flattened by the Moon. So I had the two bare witness to the biggest events, noting little things like the tremors or falling Pegasus Ponies. I didn't want to kill off anypony because we've barely gotten to know them and it would seem like a relatively pointless death, with character development needing to occur in flashbacks.

I shot down that idea and decided to press on. I will do a flashback chapter eventually but it'll be important things like how Crow and Tick Tock met, or what Dagger's first week of training was like, and how it made her feel devoted to Tick Tock, granted saving her from rape made her grateful, but her devotion i'll go into when I do that flashback chapter.

Also glad I have you speculating on Tick Tock, as I said I'm going to give him shades and depth, for instance why tie up Lord Rust? Is he a gift for Shade to 'play' with or is he a part of an elaborate plan of Tick Tocks? And I figured having Tick Tocks take the rocks would leave you guessing. It will be something good I promise.

Tonto, You know me, I latch onto details seemingly at random then overanalize them for fun. I've thought about reviewing books proffeisnaly before but I'm not sure if I'm all that good at spotting symbalisem and the like yet so commenting on these stories is abit of training you could say. Though I stil feel that I tend to focus too closely on the wrong detales at times I swaer that forest for the tree line is far too accuret when I get into speculation mode.

>>152724152724 That's why I love your comments Janus, they're like little jolts of energy, that give me the drive to keep writing. I'm going to start work on chapter 5 now and see if I can get it up today. Yep two new chapters to this story in less than 24 hours, also prepare to be awe'd by how ballsy Tick Tock can be .

Hmm, I get the feeling that come next chapter my wall of text will have bit extra juice in it because of Tick Tock desiding to be more brash then he's shown so far. Yay even more of an escuess to read even more into the story then before!

I've decided to be a monster and foist my OC onto you, since Peppy hasn't killed him yet! Bwahaha-

~

Pain. Pain, hard and ragged shot through his body as his lags were crushed, even from this distance. Eventually, the pressure relieved itself as the moon went back up. Considering himself lucky that it was only his hind legs that got horribly maimed, and not his whole body, he pulled himself up, and took a look around.

The entire landscape around the castle seemed... flatter. And covered in corpses, the vast majority of which were also flattened, too. "Shit." he whispered to himself. Hopefully the commander had gotten out in time, he wouldn't be able to live with himself if the last thing he cared for was taken because of this battle...

But he couldn't just sit here, he had to get back to the castle, and see if anyone else had survived. Judging from the complete numbness in his hind legs, walking wasn't an option, and the static pain from his wings told him that they were dislocated, at the very least. With a heavy sigh, he began to drag himself forward, towards the castle.

He hadn't gotten far when he saw a flash of fire from the side of the castle. Thinking quickly, he slumped over and fumbled around in the pouch around his waist. Within seconds, he pulled out what he had been looking for: a flare, primed with a no-light starter. He looked back up, but saw that the fire was already out.

Minutes passed, and he strained his eyes looking for any sign of life. Just as he was giving up hope, he saw two shadows passing around the castle. Hoping for the best, Pyretread struck the flare and stuck it out....

~

Because nothing screams assassin like the hind legless pony who makes bombs.

Edit: totally not stalking you. I don't at all have at least 3 subplots cooked up. at all.

>>152586152586 Dark Matter. Nuff said.

>>153141153141 Loved the new update. I'm curious what they'll do with the chunks of stars that Nightmare summoned. Also, silly Tick-tock. Sneaking up on Nightmare (albeit unintentionally) while Twi is emotionally distraught and clinging to the mare for acceptance is a great way to be Silent Brook'd. Oh well, at least he's still a ninja!

>>157350157350 Y'know I can work your character into my story. Gimmie a bit of time I'll have Tick Tock deliver him to a doctor. Not Doctor Cox though, He doesn't have the right sort of... ethics for what I have in mind. And since his hind legs are ruined I can assure you Tick Tock will want him, he see's potential where other could only see a cripple. Besides Tick Tock could use a bombs expert. Just be prepared for some body Horror , and an introduction in chapter 6.

  >>158280158280 Wait until Chapter 5... You'll see just how good Tick Tock really is

>>158280158280

I was thinking it would be star metal. Like the stuff from Moon Beams sarcophagus.

>>158290158290

This is starting to remind me of the third Sly Cooper game. Now we have an explosives expert.

>>158290158290 hurray, body horror! (tbh, I wasn't fazed by cupcakes. do your worst)

Lurking ftw!

>>158309158309 What does star metal come from other than stars?

>>158549158549

Well, they were meteorites. In other words, falling stars.

Peppy, Dark matter's an intresting idea, Though really if it's either dark matter or star metal they'd best be carefull how they use it it wouldn't be well known to the geniral public and could serve as an uninteded calling card if they don't have a mteleurgist to work it for them in secret.

>>158637158637 Oh I have someone in mind as a skilled metallurgist/smith. I was just going to make it Star metal, but the Dark matter Idea has potential, Dark matter is all that black in space if I'm not mistaken. Since these rocks are from space, they contain trace amounts of the sky, ergo they have Dark Matter. So I think I can work that into an interesting part of the story.

Around chapter 6 - 7 I think. It takes time to find that sort of expert that can work on material that fell from the Sky/Stars.

Hello sir I'm here to deliver one Wall of Text please sign here... Thank you!

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Hmm, call me a Harry Potter fanboy but I smell polyjuice potion at work here. granted that's a pretty basic type of magic that shows up in fantasy all the time but well Harry Potter is still freash in the colloctive popcultarle mindset. Still this is a rather intresting plan Tick Tock has more Moxie then most supermarkets to try and pull something like this off.

Hmm some R&R for the majority of the cell, this is a good idea let's us see more of how they act outside of work as it were. I liked the little friendly compitition that Snowball and Dagger had going. Also the childlike glee of shade as he worked on his little project for Lord Rust, something tells me that his "Clubhouse" would feel right athome in a horror flick.

The bits in ponyvil were nice as well Seeing Shade's alwardness around the CMCs was fun. The spa trip was an intresting little tidbit as well, though for future refernce Suanas, mudbathes, and hottubs also seem to be popular features of such places. Heh I wonder who was more embarrised about the little misshapp with dagger her or the spa worker?

Lady C seems to be very intresting as well. I can tell that there is quite a bit of story around her. not just because of her willingness to work with Tick Tock and his group but also because of the way that Crow reacted upon hearing that she would be around and involved with this newest plan of Tick Tock's. Speaking of Crow though I liked the little intrests you gave to him they seem to mesh well with how he's acted so far and to expand upon his personality nicely.

Finaly what I'm most curious about though is what Tick Tock is up to right now. I know with him that nothing is ever straight forword but I have a feeling that there is more going on here then we know about at the moment I can't wait to find out all about it thought.

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There's your Wall Of Text sir, I hope it meets your expectations, we here at JH construction prideourselves on customer satisfaction.

>>161721161721 I thought polyjuice as well janus. As for Lady C.? Totally Tick-tock cross dressing. If you recall, he didn't mind being a filly after the poison joke mishap so I could definitely see that as being him. I'd assume Crow's reaction to Lady C. stemmed from (as my speculations are pointing out) him not enjoying Tick-tock's 'hobby'. I could very well be wrong, but tick-tock is a master assassin and I can assume he'd be quite skilled at changing his appearance. I bet Dagger was totally embarrassed more. Closet fillyfooler right there.

Peppy. I can see that as a possiblity, it would also explain were he got off to, however I'm not going to bet on that just yet, sometimes the simplest solution is the best. Though given this is a fantays setting magicaly induces genderswapp could be simpler then one might assume.

>>161721161721 Without spoiling too much I will confirm a few things.

1.The girls did more than just massages at the Spa, the massage was the second last thing they did before leaving. I will go into it more in Chapter 6 (Because I loye you guys )

2.Lady.C does have a interesting story

3.Crow does have a few character quirks you all might have noticed, like taking an occasional drink. (He has alcohol hidden in hidey holes all over the house) Crow also had a very, interesting Cooking instructor who I'll go into in flashbacks.

4.Tick Tock's plan will be revealed in the next chapter

5.I love leaving you all wondering what crazy thing will happen next. (I HAVE SOMETHING VERY BIG PLANNED)

Tonto, Well Crow's habbit seems to be under his controll but then again we haven't seen him under very high stress as of yet. Also thanks for the nod to Green, though really unless the two have something against tabloid I don't know why they'd be after him at this point. His last article was a toxic and vile as it was because he's fully expecting to bite the big one after giving his view on Twilight and Nightmare, so he just went all in and voiced his disgust of magic and Unicorns in genrial as well. Though I'm probibly reading to far into this. They are most likely keeping an eye n him because of who's background he's going to be digging up.

>>161877161877

Crow doesn't have an Alcohol problem, but sometimes he needs a stiff drink. Especially anything involving Lady.C. As for Green Ink, I was planning on just having him followed so our team of Assassin's knows where he is. Also I don't expect Green Ink to make it easy to find him or kill him. What we say on Paper can be very different to what we think in real life. And I imagine Green Ink isn't going to just stand still and take a knife to the throat.

Though considering his article will offend Every member of the Assassin's. He'll be lucky if he gets a quick and painless death.

Also what did you all think of me making Dinky a Crusader? I was going to include Pip but events of the main story made me reconsider.

Tonto, Eh I never got the big deal about Ditsy/Derpy so it doesn't really bother me though I will admit that Derpy's depiction from the episode Last Roundup annoyed me a lot. Besides this universe devates from cannon alot so I don't see an issue with it. Hell to be honest I was kinda worred about my own side story not fitting into Peppy's work as even though his world is darker then cannon people like Green still seem out of place.

I can see needing a stiff drink given his line of work I was probibly just overthingking that, after all having a drinking problem could be outright deadly for an assassin. So me being the oddly overanalitical type I am I jumped at a potentail fatal flaw for a character I liked because I thought it added something more intresting to him.

As for Green he's not outdoor's stalion but he can run for a while for all the good it would do him.I ever desided but I always pictured him living in either manehatten or Canterlot after graduating highschool. So basicaly he's relying on Everfree's reputation to keep him safe. Most ponies seem to avoid it like the plauge after all. However he basicaly sees his choices as either get caught and killed by Nightmare's guard, or wonder around Everfree untill something in the forst gets to him.

>>161999161999 I did consider giving Crow a drinking problem but re-considered considering how much responsibility Tick Tock places on him. And felt it wouldn't match up to his depictions in earlier chapters as being trustworthy and responsible enough to operate alone. After all how can you trust someone to have your back, when he's proven to be unreliable, and a drinker.

Crow is a character I'm working to flesh out. He'll have his moment in the sun in the next chapter.

True, can't really stay on task if you're dealing with the DTs the whole time.

Shade's a lot smaller then I thought he was.

>>164896164896 I blame Zoi's pony editor It kept downloading images in the wrong format and then I had to dick around in paint.net to get the image I wanted without a white background.

Someone definitely needs to make a Pony editor V2. Complete with group shot function and Zecora's hood.

I'd kill for some artwork, for my story. I wonder who did Peppy's?

>>164971164971

Did you like chapter 3?

Made Shade a lil' creepier and some other stuff.

>>164983164983 Yeah I enjoyed the edits, I gave it a read before posting. Because I like double checking my work and smiling at all the little changes. Also Shade will be creepy again about Ch.7, everyone will have to settle for crazy awesome in the next chapter.

Edit:Changed the cover image a little, looks better now I think.

Ah, I hope you won't mind if this wall of text is abit short but well, I must admit I spent alot of energy on my own work tonight.

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Ok I'll admit Tick Tock took the CMC's being around better then I thought he would. While I figured he wouldn't mind shade making friends I didn't think that he would be happy with them knowing about the mannor. Granted for all they know he's nothing but an older stallion with an odd verble tick but still can't let the civies know where he hides for his own safety and all. Also I knew that bit about rides from strangers was comming as soon as I saw the word cady.

Pyretread lives! He is also working for Tick tock but still he lives. Though I can only wonder if he'll be getting anything resembling sound sleep anytime soon. Dr. Feelgood sounds like he enjoys his work far too much then is healthy. Hmm I wonder if the good doctor is in hiding or not? Er anyway Pyretread I hope you can get your head on straight soon something tells me that between dealing with your new self and finding out about the numous personality tick amungst this group that you'll need to do so rather quick.

Poor Dagger, having to deal with those kind of issues that can't be easy under normal circemstances much less when learning to become a living shadow that kills in the night. Still atleast Snowball is there to lend an ear. Also I will admit her little daydreams about Nightmare and Twilight were kinda funny.

Do, I even want to know what Shade ment by game master or is that best left up to my own twisted imagination? Ah well atleast we got to see that he's willing to tolerate Twilight and Fancy Pants.

I figured that Lady c was her own pony, still though that doesn't answer much about her. Really it just leaves more questions to be answered in upcomming chapters. Like why does she work with Tick Tock, where does she come from, and what skills does she have aside from the gift of gabb?

Crow, seems to be the main workhores of this group, atleast as far as magic is concerened. Granted while the group is growing and at a fairly fast rate as of late, he still seems to be thier goto pony for heay duty magic, maybe he'll get lucky and Tick Tock will find another talented unicorn to join up soon.

Speaking of the ring leader, I'll admit he's got more Moxie then i ever thought possible to not nly dream up this plan of his he set into motion tonight but be able to not only pull it off but walk away with a new cohort at that. Something tells me that i wouldn't want to play either  real or metaphorical game of chess agenst him.

The wheel of fate are turning and Tick Tock seems to be one of the pivital spokes at the moment. Between him and Nightmare's own growing inner circle I think that Equestria will come out of this mess on top. It won't be easy but they'll come out on top none the less.

Also nice lead into the attack by the griffon assassin there Tonto it really meshes well into Peppy's story.

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>>171351171351

First off, Tick Tock doesn't have to worry about the CMC's. Snowball worked a simple spell on herself, Dagger and Shade last time they were in Ponyville together. Tick Tock knows Shade is fairly responsible, but he did have some concerns regarding the Crusaders. Still they're fillies and he personally knows that the adults don't normally listen to the Foals in great detail. It's part of his childhood, I'll bring it up in the much promised Flashback chapter I will eventually make.

I'm glad you liked the little Daydreams, they were brought into my head when I recalled what it's like trying to stop a persistent train of thought. Your mind just jumps to the next relevant topic, despite how much you don't want it to. As for Game Masters, Shade is referring to someone like himself who creates the games and ensures they are run properly. Like when he drove the Mare towards the Clock tower in Chapter 3, and made sure she reached the room at the top.

Also I know I make Crow do a lot of the work, but he's always got some help when it comes to clean up. It'll be a bit like Twilight and Brook this time. They'll simply incinerate the bodies after taking their gear, and re-assemble the shed Tick Tock broke when killing Ripper. Also I know I didn't do much with Pyretread, but he'll have his own section in the next chapter. After all haven't you wondered what gems taste like or Carrots , well Pyretread can tell you next chapter, along with other hijinks.

Lastly I left that one Griffin because I know one tried to Kill NMM and they seemed to be staking out the castle for awhile. I thought I'd give the Griffin assassin a bit more of a motivation to kill Queen Moon since he assumed she just had his whole team killed which is a bit of a blow to his pride. I also hope Peppy doesn't mind my description of Griffin culture, I felt that Griffins had to get exiled once in a while and such individuals are useful for less than honourable tasks such as Assassination or running criminal activities, unless they get accepted into another Clan.

Also yes Tick Tock has got serious Moxie, the only surface long enough to write out all the ways he's awesome and things he's done is his own dick . Seriously though Tick Tock is a clever Pony. He see's opportunities others would easily overlook, and always takes advantage of them when he can.

Who's the one you call? (Dr. Feelgood!) Who's the who makes you feel alright? (Dr. Feelgood!)

*tears of joy* Oh good Queen, so much better than I expected! A medical monstrosity, and he gets food!

I do wonder how everypony will react to him.

Mayhaps our griffon friend will feel less alone with him nearby?

Although, it just looks like she was looking for acceptance, and I can't fault her for that.

There goes Tick Tock, being a a clever pony again, seeing potential and whatnot.

It goes without saying, but, VENGEANCE in the form of a feathered friend...

Poor little Dagger, so conflicted.

I rather think I would like to know how they did that to the griffon. accursed morbid curiosity.

All in all, I rather enjoyed this chapter. Well done, Sir! *tips hat*

Tonto, you you like Sci Fi Debries too I take it?

Eh I recalled the spell but still they have a geniral idea of where the group lives and that seemed like a bit too much of a risk for me. Admittled I'm not a fully trained assassin with years of exprence so what do I know?

Oh don't I know that I usaly get hit with those kinda of train of thought at night while I'm trying to fall alseep. Yeah like that'll happen when world building and character ideas just won't bugger off.

Well, just because he does alot of work doesn't mean he goes un appreacated after all. Plus there is the possibility of tick Tock finding another unicorn to help him with his workload.

Heh I can see, that at first it was just a task that might get him back in the good graces of his people. Then it became personal when his team was cut down so he breaks out the secret weapon to make sure that his vengence is complete.

>>172434172434 I'm glad you like what I did with Pyretread. Wait until you see what he can do, that new body has some sweet abilities.

>>172520172520 Yeah I love SF Debris. His review  style is funny, his running gags are great. Especially his Janeway & Archer are Psychopath jokes and Sisko is a badass jokes.

I also loved his review of Dear Doctor, his theory on the Origins of The Breen and the fate of the Menk is both entirely possible and hilarious at the implications that Archer created two hostile races. A dumb group of pirates and a Confederacy of Federation hating aliens

Also I know what you mean about the Assassin's hideout, but again what's so suspicious about a family that lives out in the countryside? It just seems like Shade and his Dad are living out in the countryside in their own little manor. Of course now Shade wants to interact with kids his own age which will cause some unforeseen frustration for Tick Tock in later chapters.

It just hit me: A heavily modified crossbow named Bianca? You wouldn't be playing Dragon Age 2 now, would you?

Tonto, Yeah SF Debris is great I really enjoy his work I know it isn't as comedic as some of his other stuff but I love his Mass Effect 2 Review, also I get a real kick out of his FiM review. My favorets though would have to be the two where he tears palaski a new one.

As for Shade's new friends I wonder if they'll try and drag him along on a crusade or two? heh it'd be interest to see how the voices in his ead deal with that one. Also thanks for the clairification on the game master bit. I don't see Twilight as the type to play with her food though, efficency seems to be a priority with her, really Blueblood was just lucky that he was in a public setting else he might have got more of a beating from her then he did.

>>172591172591 I was waiting for someone to pick up that sneaky reference Yeah I played DA2 earlier this year. And realised whilst writing this, that weapons are sometimes named, especially if they're important to someone.

And I love Varric so what better way to pay homage than by including his favourite Weapon. Plus You use Crossbows in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood I think so it's also a bit of a tribute to the Assassin's Creed series

and looking through recently listened to music, I think it's fair to say this is Pyretread waking up. Fun indeed!

>>173416173416 Oh definitely. Now go read chapter 7

Ah, so now we see what the rest of the group did while Tick Tock was having his fun BlackBird, and we get to see your Original OC! So much fun!

By and far a pretty light chapter, even if there was a slaughter in the beginning.

Oh good Queen he went upstairs! He was explicitly told NOT to go up there. He's in for it now.

Thoroughly enjoy this story more and more. well done!

Fiviteen Birds, in five fur trees!

What funny little birds they have no wings!

Oh what should we do, with the funny little things!

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Well this was good a bit of development for Pyretread. One can only imagin how this mess will sort itself out. Not only did he botch the task given to him, he also managed to cause a ruckus with Dagger and Snowball while at the same time blunder his way upstairs. I do't know what'll be more fun seeing this mess baloon out of controll or finding out just how badly things will end up once the dust settles.

Shade having some fun in his own way always good for a bit of mischiff. I also got to love the fact that he can split his attention to the point where is diffrent personalities can help him out like that. It's both a usefull skill to have yet also shows how out of his gord he is.

A small teaser at to why lady C. and Crow don't seem to get along at al though still the full story is held back to keep us in suspence for the time being. Speaking of her i like the way her fight was chiorographed I really can see her making excilent use of her apprent poise and grace like that dance battlers can be really fun.

Speaking of fun Big dave makes me think of some odd mishmash of Hagrid and Scotty, That's really unfair of me as I haven't read the story he originates in but his manneriems and accent just put the image in my head. While Big dave seems friendly enough I don't want to test the ire of a pony who seems to work on the gentel giant principel. It's never wise to cross anyone who falls into that catigory.

Now as for Tick Tock, i wonder did he fix that clock just as a kindness to his old friend, or did he do it because it would have driven him batty to leave it in the state he found it in? Either way it provides a bit of insight into him and I'm always up to learning more about Tick Tock.

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Well that's all i can think of at the moment.

>>173839173839

>>174543174543

This was a lighter chapter, detailed but light. The 8000 word chapter I did before this one took a hell of a long time to write and there are still things I want to do with this story. So I'm thinking of aiming around 4-6000 words for my next chapter. That should be long enough to resolve a few little side-stories that are playing out.

I'm glad you both like what I'm doing with Pyretread, I promise I won't torment him much longer. Also being upstairs is bad for all three of our Assassin's you'll all see in the next chapter.

Very observant on my portrayal of Crow and Lady.C, they do have some history and animosity towards one another. Needless to say they do have a strained working relationship. Crow tolerates her, but avoids her as much as possible, Crows very much on the side of there's a problem, and I don't care or want to talk about it when dealing with Lady.C. Also Lady.C does fight with poise like a fencer but she's also fairly good at deception but her real strength is the illusion of power, she and all Nobles have. Hence why Tick Tock had to get her to appear as a supporter for NMM.

Also I'm glad you liked Big Dave, he is indeed partly based on Hagrid, His accent is loosely based of my own and Scotty, as well as a few other badasses. I'll name them in the next chapter comments when I get around to it. Big Dave will be awesome in the next chapter but to an insane degree. Also as for the clock and Tick Tock I'll leave you hanging

Darksiders ref, Yes I am an advid gamer.

Moral of the story: If you ever come across a quarry, don't crap in it. Nice awesome moment of awesome fro Big Dave there.

A nice little insight on the mind of Shade there. What a fun little colt! Of course, in a few years, when he becomes this, all will be lost.

We also get a warm moment with Blackbird and Tick Tock, as well as more of his brand of awesome. I mean, Alicorn wings? The stallion is a madpony and a gentlepony, to be sure.

And of course, more fun with Pyretread. Natural chameleon is awesome, even if he can't quite catch a break. You even brought back the voices in his head! you cleverbeast, you.

Dagger, your fears are well founded.

and now, of course, I'll have to wonder where I heard Ironwood from.

Eagerly awaiting the next chapter! (who knew somepony could eagerly expect death and violence? What are you doing to me??!!)

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When done well multiple perspectives on the same sxene can be very entertaining and give alot more information. I'm glad to say that you didn't dissapoint here Tonto, though really i doubt that will be an issue at all. Here we get to see not only abit more of development through action for Pyretread, Dagger, and Snowball but we also get to see abit more about how Tick Tock works as we see his idea of home security would fit right in with temple security in a Zelda game. Granted Tick Tock wouldn't be as forgiving as such but well the relics within Zelda temples are ment to be removed by the worthy Tick Tock's tyraps are ment soly to protect him and his.

Back to pyretread for a moment i wonder how he was able to pull that little trick of his off? I myself intend to make use of a unicorn with invisiblity as a talent but I'm sure method and use will be diffrent enough so an issue won't riase up.

We get abit more development for Shade here as well. I really like the way you have been developing him. it's intresting how not only the way his mind works but also how he perseives it. The parts that caught my eye the most were the devision of his mind between the blackness and the feild where the fortress lies and the mention that there are other presonalities around that he hasn't met for reasons of thier choosing. Then we come to room 101 here i was expecting a shoutout to 1984 but you took it in a rather diffrent direction finding out the entirty of that memory and how it shaped Shade into who he is will be worth the weight.

The section with dave was intresting as well we get to see more of how he acts and inneracts with both friends and family. We also get a few teases about Tick tock's commissioned projects and we learn why sometimes it's good to have someone who is an outsider to a craft make suggestions as thier questions can lead to inspreation that has the rest stumped. Also thank you for the bit with the griffons a bit of venting was nice given what we learned from peppy's newest chapter. Griffon down Pillows, quilts and jackest all around!

Ah an angry mob, I wonder how this came to be? So many possiblities loyalest of Celestia, someone from Tick Tock's past finding out where he lives, Ponyvil finding out the truth behind the dissaprence of "Jill." Or it could be any number of other groups only time will tell though, as I'm not sure how many if any Tick Tock and company will leave alive.

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>>180188180188 Yes I am a big fan of Darksiders. And Big Dave and Ulthane already have similar Scottish accents. Now here are the links to the badasses that inspired Big Dave.

Ulthane

Hagird

Big Innis

The Scotsman

>>180225180225 First off, Shade isn't going to become some angst filled Teen that dies his hair white (Besides his mane is white already... I see what you did there Reb .)

I'm glad you enjoyed what I did with Pyretread, I assure you, he will be getting his moment of awesome soon. The Ironwood is yet another Dragon Age reference, and yes it has the same qualities as it does in game. But it can also endure forging processes, like metals. Kinda like those weird Pokeballs in Pokemon like the Heavy ball for capturing heavy Pokemon, that thing was red hot when it was made .

And lastly Pyretreads chameleon ability will come in handy assuming, he can learn to control it. But that level of body control will take time and he still hasn't got his Fire breathing abilities in check (He didn't start the house fire.)

>>180248180248 I'm glad you like how I constructed Shade's mind. I took inspiration from a few other fictions when building it but gave it a bit of a harsher more militarized landscape and a nicer more fragile inside. The Darkness behind the wall represents many things, none of them good for Shade, let's hope the dark stays behind the wall.

Also glad you like Tick Tock's security system. I was inspired by a number of cliches and gags regarding security systems. I was tempted to make a system that Forced Pyretread, Snowball and Dagger to work for their freedom. But that idea would have taken too long and it didn't quite match up with the events I have planned in Chapter 9.

Also when I finally reveal the full details surrounding the attack, your minds will be blown. The attack will be a Multi-POV fight and since there are loads of characters to play around with, I think you will all really like it. And The Griffon scene was made purely for venting and awesome, it was originally going to be Dave vs Royal Guard remnants that I hinted at in the previous chapter. Instead I decided to just leave all the Guards as dead in the attack and Dave was unaware they had all died.

Tonto, I'm going to trust you because while I can enjoy multiple P.O.V. it makes me kinda nervous too. The reason for that is "It" is the one and only Steven King novel I got through and he kinda ruined multiple P.O.V. stuff for me with how much he hopped around not just between characters but through points on a timeline as well. Still I don't see you being as relient on it as King seemed to be in the novels of his i tried to get through after "It."

>>181128181128 Don't worry I'm only gonna do it for this fight. Since everyone will be together again afterwards there won't be any confusing time skipping which if I have inflicted that upon you I apologize. Still at least I didn't skip whole Months or anything. I won't be relying on it because once you rely on something too much it becomes a crutch and a weakness. And that can really mess up a good story, and I like this story too much to mess it up . Besides I have an editor who will help me fix it if it comes to doing a re-write.

Glad, to hear it. Like i said I don't think you would pull some of Kings moe annoying tricks but well hopping around between atleast 10 diffrent characters along with some of said characters flashing back to events about 27 years ago made "It" one hell of a chore to read.

Still I'm looking forword to having you blow my mind with the next chapter. On an unrelated note Samuria Jack? I really wish that it would have gotten a proper ending stupid Cartoon Network!

>>181212181212 Yeah, Kings stories do tend to jump around a lot especially in his books that aren't more character focused. The Dark Tower did it, but it did it far less frequently than other stories like Needful things or Under the Dome.

Besides if I do any flashbacks it'll be one big flashback chapter. For all the characters probably one or two chapters from now. I'll see where the story leads me and decide.

I'm really looking forword to that chapter so much juicy character development.

that....was....BUCKING AWESOME!!

>>182224182224 And that's why it's great we have groups now!

Indeed, groups seem like a better idea then a brand new tag.

this is brilliant! looking forward to the next chapter

I'm thinking this needs a comedy, adventure and romance tag, Tonto.

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Oh wow, just wow where to even begin? Meh I guess the begining s the best place to start but there's no fun in that. Well anyway this was quite the chapter you posted today i think you kept your promis about blowing our minds Tonto because I know i needed to use a one up mushroom to recover from this(that was my last one by the way.)

So here we get a taste of what is going to be happening in the main fic soon enough. Though really it's the little details that make this fight so worth while. It seems that not only was this attack semi orginized it was also something or a mob as well. though really what I find most intresting is that we see griffons, zebras, mules, and ponies all working together here. Ad in that some bore naught but thier weapons others had poor arourm and others still had top of the line gear and we get to see that whoever set this indevore up either had quite a budget to blow, or made use of what they had by use of a good mix of high cost and low rent mercs.

We get to learn quite abit about the group here through how they handle this situation. Granted I'm abit depressed that we didn't get to see dagger in action once more but I feel that Snowball's last strike and Pyretread's epic brutality made up for it. Blackbird made excilent use of her skill with a crossbow and Shade as always never fails to impress with his creative use of cruelty, hack the legs off and finishem later that just fits him so very well. Tick Tock also seemed to be off his form some granted he's flat out exhuasted and incredibly sore from all that he's been doing over the day so that makes sense though what I find most intresting is that even though he was still being effective he was also being cruel in a pleasently sublte way choaking on your own blood yum.

The aftermath off all of this is just as intresting as well. Not only do we learn that Pyretread has the bad luck of still being unfamilar with his new body for the most part he is also apprently Blackbirds prefered teasing target at the moment. Add in the enlighting tale that Tick Tock shares with him and the finishing blow of being crow's apprentice in the culinary arts and well today just isn't his day now is it.

As intresting as Tick Tock's story is I must say I'm both surprised and ot surprised by it. I guess i'm shocked that he apprently gave birth while in his poisoned joked state but also I somehow can see him undergoing that whole ordeal either for some purpous down the line or out of simpel curousity.

Shade as always prooved to be amusing as well the way he addressed Pyretread while in combat and how well he took his project going up in flames seems kinda odd for him. Though i guess sense Lord rust is dead in part by his own hoof and Pyretread has volinteered to help him set up his next little playroom for such guests i can see him finding a silver lining to this cloud.

Snowball much like rarity shows us that just because one acts like a refined lady of high esteem does not mean they are to be crossed or treated lightly. Not only have we seen her be quite capible and cunning in the past. We also get to see just what happens when she is pushed past her limets. I can see her reacting the same way if it had been Crow, Shade, or Tick Tock in Dagger's place. I'm also sure that given time she'd have the same kind of reaction to this befalling Pyretread or Blackbird as well.

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well I've run out of steam for the moment but with any luck the next part of sounding in the dark will be up either tomorrow or Wensday.

>>193936193936 Yeah I think I'll add those tonight Jekyll.

>>194051194051 First of all, Another Wall-O-Text

I'm glad you paid attention and didn't let the mindless violence distract you from so many important details. The mix of attackers is important, their were Unicorns, Zebras, Donkeys, Diamond Dogs, Earth Ponies and all with a variety of training, armour and weaponry.  Also sorry I kept Dagger out of the fighting, but I have some good reasons all will be revealed next chapter, and then the promised flashback chapter. (Please don't hate me )

I do seem to give Pyretread a lot of bad luck, but he's a beast in battle. So I guess that evens it out a little. Plus I gave Snowball a moment of badass awesomeness with that finale to the fight. I had a few ideas how to go about it, but hacking them down to the last man standing when they've spent the better part of the day travelling cross country seemed too unbelievable even for my characters who feel a little overpowered already.

Also Tick Tock said first time giving birth (Yes he did have more children that way ) and even if he had wanted to change back halfway through he could not. Poison Joke plays jokes, and there's nothing funny about killing a child in the womb, it's not killing joke from Fallout: Equestria after all . Tick Tock has to make modified variants of Poison Joke formula, for his capsules so he can cause desired transformations. Also yes Tick Tock was pissed about his home burning down, he really liked that house. Hence why he was a little crueller. Wait until you see what I have him do when he's really mad.

Basically what I will say about this chapter is it's important in the grand scheme of the story. It sets up numerous little plot lines. And I will tie up a few others soon enough. And no Tick Tock won't be getting any more Assassin's for a while. He's got two to train, two who will be recuperating and three he'll be training specifically in aerial combat. That's all I will reveal for now.

Tonto, I still don't see why the ramblings of a hyper imaginitive nerd are so well received but at least i can give back the entertainment the story provides me this way so it's a win win situation I guess.

I'm sure you'll have something really impressive in mind for the next few chapters. I'm most intrested in the upcoming flashback chapter. Though I'll admit the identity of the pony or whoever was behind tis attack is a very close second.

Ah, the wonders of technology. Thank you Apple, for allowing me to read this fine chapter!  Alas, low battery, so I'll be back and edit this with my response!

Come oooooooon DaggerBall! *hopes and prays for some hot mare on mare shipping* Woo! But ya. Awesome stuff there. (seriously though. DaggerxSnowball) I quite enjoyed the little light thing that Blackbird was messing with on Pyretread. That made me giggle to no end. And the way Snowball dispatched the crowd? Was totally expecting her to go medieval on em but that is definitely cooler.

>>194668194668 - Oh Janus, don't sell yourself short. Sometimes your ramblings give me better ideas or elements I can use in future chapters.

>>194943194943

Image: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v382/Psychocountessa/Gifs/MY%20LITTLE%20PONY%20YAY/Twilight-clap.gif

I look forward to it Rebel.

>>199179199179 Yeah I'm thinking a kinda a brother sister thing with Pyre and Blackbird and Snowball bringing down the finishing move felt dramatic and cinematic. Like an in-game FMV.

>>194341194341Also this is not what happened in regards to Tick Tock's pregnancies... but it would've been funny if it had been

Image: http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/234/407/bfb.png

>>199640199640 That's definitely what I could expect from this. That'd be so damn funny. Their faces when that bunny came.

Tonto, Thanks I guess I'm just over critical of myself at times but I'll admit I have my moments now and then.

On the note of Tick Tock's kids, do I dare ask who the father was or no?

>>199822199822 perhaps it's better you don't know... for now. But It'll come up soon enough.

Tonto, Heh curousity killed the cat, satisfaction brought it back.

>>199666199666 hehe, "The bunny came". I'm so dirty.

Ah, this was much more fun than cannibalism. We got some awesome fun time with Pyretread and Shade (as well as with Blackbird, but that's not the kind of fun Shade was thinking of, I should think.) And, he's a lamp now, too! Can't get much better than that!

Tick Tock has just achieved a whole new level of "I don't even". And now I wish to meet his offspring. ("Daddy, why are you making pills again?" "They aren't pills, sweetie, they're capsules. There's a difference, you know.")

Far surpassing my expectations this chapter was Snowball, unleashing The Anger quite spectacularly, and she doesn't even have voices in her head!

Poor Dagger, fated to be out of commission for this dreadful battle. Hopefully she didn't sustain any lasting injuries.... Although I'm more than sure a certain Doctor would be delighted to see her...

This story reminds me of this song, moreso if they break into song anytime soon.

Last but not least, I believe that Pyretread will be a much better cook than little Reb, especially now that he has Crow as a mentor. ("If you truly wish to be a cook, you must be devoted to your cooking! There can be no distractions! And stop putting those damn gems into the food. I know you like it, but we're all tired of chipping our teeth every time we eat.")

>>202126202126 I personally think the Nurse was f***ing with them when she brought out the bunny. Fluttershy was there when everyone was looking at the newborns, maybe the hospital doubles as a vet and she brought a pregnant Rabbit? Then the nurse was like, it's too good an opportunity, they already have three foals XD.

Also glad you liked the story so far, I'm glad it exceeds your expectations.

Ah, tasty tasty backstory. Great chapter as always I hold of on the wall untill it's finished though.

Shade was smiling, and not in a(sadistacally evil way due to untold emotional trauma that made him into an extremely efficient killer) and that's what my head said. Words said something else.

The shear quality of the minerals within - Did you mean sheer?

Pegasi patrol the borders and their are unicorns adept at picking up strong surges of magic, like teleportation spells. - there

After casting a silencing spell on the room to make it soundproof, Crow unfolding a scroll which bore the image of a Celestial Guard stallion, his face was young and his fur was white and, like most of Celestia's Royal Guards, was a pegasus. - I think it should be unfolded right? Also if I'm right, the last part is missing a he.

I hope that these corrections are correct, since English is my second language and sometimes I don't know whether something is really wrong or it's just my knowledge of that something being wrong.

>>841389841389 thanks, been awhile since I updated my ATFN story, been busy with ROWT which is coming along at a snails pace just now.

Nooooooo! Y u kill princess?!?!?!