//------------------------------// // Episode 3 - Official Hoofypony // Story: My Little Pony Realization // by Slendy //------------------------------// Act I - New Game [White-Tail Woods | Silver Fields] "Watch out!" A pale-grey unicorn cried to his partner as they were struck aside by a Dire Wolf. He had a young face, rather timid too, and was thin with pale-light brown hair and hazel eyes, the bangs covering his left eye. His partner, another unicorn, had a baby-blue coat and short, white hair, the bangs braided to either side of her face. She and the boy wore the basic equipment from the start of MLPR but she opted for a white cloak The girl stumbled to her hooves again, raising her dagger in an aura of sky-blue as she gasped at the sight of three more wolves fanned out to the leader's flanks. She was cornered and her friend was trembling, unable to budge as he watched from afar. The wolves pounced and the girl shut her eyes at the scream of metal shaving her ears. Fearfully, the girl cracked an eye open to find the wolves all split in two mid-pounce, a single, light blue arc shearing the pack to shards before her sparkling eyes. "K-Kyo!" The boy ran over to her, and she collapsed to her haunches with a gracious sigh. "I-I'm sorry I--" "It's fine, I'm... yeah, that wasn't fun," Kyo smiled weakly as the pony above them glared down dully. Kyo smiled toward the girl. "Thank you." Artorias took a long breath before swinging her blade back into its scabbard. "Congrats, you guys would be dead, or atleast one of you without me." Her words stung, but neither had a right to complain. "Taking on monsters three levels higher than you, hmph, you got guts, most of which would be outside your body right around now." "We'll pick our battles next time, but thank you for saving her," The boy, 'Sora', thanked her happily while Artorias shrugged and took off for the forest dungeon ahead, both watching her as she casually trotted away. Biting his cheek, Sora stood up. "Hey, wait, um..." Artorias stopped, sighing as she shook her head, murmuring under her breath. "You're one of the top players right now, yeah?" "No, I'm just bored," Was her deadpanned reply. He then realized this might not have been the best person to ask, but now he had both hers and Kyo's attention. "Kid, I've got possibly a million better things to do, spit it out." He tried not to look irked by that or her irate expression. "Look, I... I want to help people through this game," "I want to make it up to Kyo, for dragging her into this." "But I can't if I'm not stronger than everything I come across, in battles I... I just freeze, and I nearly put Kyo in danger because of it." "It's not your fault," She nudged his side, smiling. "And yes, I will keep telling you that until you stop complaining about it." Artorias felt there was more to the 'freezing' thing but lacked the ability to care for strangers right now. She had requests to fill in and playing babysitter was not one of them. "Judging by their equipment they haven't made that much bank, so they came out here hoping to accelerate the process, smart but the execution is dumb." "Fine," She withdrew her Silver Grove sword, "Want a tip from a veteran gamer, here's one." She side-stepped as the duo yelped from the sudden attack of a large Dire Wolf, the canine snarling while it circled Artorias, but then Sora spotted it, the girl's name and her level, and his eyes only broadened from there. "S-she's nearly level ten!" "No way..." Kyo breathed as Artorias casually evaded the wolf's attacks, eyes to her students "Want to be the best, stop using sword skills like some kind of get-out-of-jail-free card, sure, that's how you do the most damage but if you don't keep tabs on cooldowns and SP you'll be caught with your pants down," She ducked and instructed at the same time. "However, maximizing a skill is paramount, for example, Horizontal Arc is a two-hit skill, so here's one way to use it properly." She spun her blade to rest the edge against her thigh, the ting of the skill and hum of sky blue grew to encompass the blade. With a single lunge, she slid to the wolf's right side, slicing the complete length of its fur. Twisting her body back she dived over its claws, spinning once to divide the monster straight down the middle, the body bursting into shards. "Woah!" Both admired her skill while she slapped the sword back into its sheath "I still landed two horizontal strikes but I used both my own momentum and the pull of the skill to evade any attacks it could get in before it perished," Artorias then teetered her hoof. "Longer and larger skills are more tricky to nail down but practice and all that. Then you'll see a difference between people like you and people like me." "I see," Sora smiled, drawing his sword high for a few swings. "Use my momentum and the skill as a simultaneous attack and defense," What started out as an uncertain feeling in his chest was now a rising hope for improvement, to further himself to becoming stronger "I suggest getting a buckler if you're gonna move like me, larger shields weight ya down," With her exclusive tip handed out, free of charge might she point out, Artorias continued on her merry way, waving lazily. "If you got any requests for a price let me know, peace." "We will, thanks again!" Kyo waved back as their saviour's scarlet attire vanished into the treeline [White-Tail Village | Afternoon] "There sure are a few players gathering..." Artorias was no slouch to news due to her already numerous connections thanks in part to her aid in helping lower players level since the one's at her skill range were hoarding all the goods for themselves, she didn't need loot, she needed competence among idiots Passing by a few buildings and heading down a small dirt road she came to the Amphitheater. Old ruins left behind with a stone stage and curved seating around the right-hand side, pillars dotting the outer ring, the archway she passed through only gave her a view of one pony who was pressed in deep thought over his menu. A player with a steel chestplate, shoulders, arms, and shins, similar to Artorias. A longsword on his left waist, and a kite shield on his back. He had blue hair with long bangs and silver eyes, the tunic under his armor also blue. "A fated clash of red and blue," Artorias announced jokingly, and the guy looked up and smiled cheerily "So you decided to heed the call! I'm glad to see you wish to hear about our assault on the Region Boss!" His optimistic nature wasn't what Artorias intended to see, but her resting frown remained. The news of the Region Boss' discovery spread like wildfire, after just over a month in this hell they had a lead, not even those in Canterlot had any such luck, whatever Malware did when he reset the game, it clearly tampered with the locations of the Bosses other than the Vaults "I never agreed to anything, honestly, I'm here only to ensure the top players don't set us back by another month given some of their... debatable personalities," Idiots is what she meant. To her surprise, the guy hadn't lost his grin, in fact, he relaxed his smile "Is that so? I'll say, I'm actually relieved," He put a hoof to his chest while noting her uncertain expression. "You wanted to hear me out before you made any concrete decision, right? That shows you're serious about this." Finally, after so many weeks, Artorias chuckled with her forehooves wide. "And there is a God! 'Course I'm taking this seriously, its a Region Boss," She rolled her eyes. "In early Beta, we had like... two, available?" He nodded, "And the only one beaten was Canterlot's, God knows what White-Tail's looks like, the attack patterns, weapons, skills, hell, elemental damage," She shook her head, chuffing at the amusing memory. "Took us a week-and-a-half to clear Canterlot's, and that was by throwing bodies at the boss." "I see, so you're a beta tester from that 'Raid'," He hummed, then cleared his throat with a hoof out. "Sorry, I should have started with this, my name is Gwyn, a Knight of this world." Another laugh escaped Artorias. "Pfft, well then, 'Sir Knight', call me Artorias, although my left arm isn't broken." He laughed right back as they shook hooves. "I see you are a man of culture as well." She got his reference loud and clear "Always a classic fight," Gwyn chuckled, the two let go while he crossed motioned to the redhead. "I've heard of you, lots of players keep spreading some rumors about a player in red helping others level faster by completing requests for them," Gwyn gave her a respectful look. "Some are joining us because of your aid." "Strength can't make all miracles," Artorias replied, a smug smile crossing her lips at her growing renown, a little fame never hurt, and she certainly could take advantage of it later down the line "Back on topic, you are right, we can't rush into this, but waiting around isn't an option," He regained a sense of fortitude as he spoke. "When we march on that temple, we're doing it to show the players, not just in White-Tail, but across this world that this game CAN be beaten, together!" Artorias was silent but broke with a smile, shaking her head humorously. "Sorry, were you practicing your speech on me? If so, good execution, maybe lay off the friendship thing, but you certainly fit the bill of a classic 'Knight in Shining Armor'," Then her eyes narrowed, hoof to her chin. "But knights whose armor shines has never truly been tested, so I wonder, has your metal been tested?" Gwyn was a good sport about her quick jabs, chuckling alongside her, something she only ever saw Skye or Riot ever do. "A person with a sense of humor is paramount in this world, so thanks, I needed that." Clearing his throat an idea sparked in his eyes, and he put a hoof on the pommel of his blade. "Look, I've done my best to rally players for the meeting, but some are still leveling and gathering Bits before coming here, so our manpower is somewhat limited in terms of setting up a route toward the temple." She could recall the map location of the Region Boss being rather close to the edge of White-Tail, "This place is a trek, takes about two-to-three hours to travel here on foot," Artorias agreed, brow raised inquisitively. "What about it?" "While the rest of us max out our equipment and skills for the fight ahead, setting out on foot can be time-consuming, so I wanted to put in a request with you," He brought up his menu. "Think you could link up the Teleport Runes both here and by the Temple entrance? It'll save us both time and energy for when it really counts." "Eh, you're payin', so why not?" A tab appeared before her eyes and a 'wealthy' reward in the description. "Damn..." [Request Accepted!] |Teleport Gates| [ ] Activate White-Tail Village Rune [ ] Activate Temple of the Fang Rune [Rewards] 1000 Bits X5 Pure Stone "Well then, I'm off," Artorias waved, now with the proper motivation. Though a thought occurred. "Why didn't he activate the Rune here? A thought occurs, why didn't I before or anyone else?" That was then dashed aside with a toothy grin and smug mindset. "I'm being paid for it, no skin off my nose!" Across the slope leading down toward a large open expanse of white trees, Artorais flew over the lip of the hillside, the twilight closing in as several Kobalt Henchmen stormed after her, swinging their weapons wildly while she faceplanted the grass, rolling with inaudible curses and grunts as the mini Kobalts chased her. "Ow-!" Thud. "Ow-!" Thud. "Ow-!" Thud. "Ow-!" She made it to the bottom. Murmuring sweet curses into the dirt she pried her face from and turned to see the Kobalts raising their weapons. "Can't I catch a break?" Twisting her sword she nonchalantly swung with sweeping the Kobalts from the air while allowing the momentum to toss her back onto her hooves for her to swing her sword like a nine-iron, putting the Kobalts across the glade Across the fields and forests, the large spire of grey brick jutting just above the treeline above. Compared to the Vault entrances, it was tiny, but just the broken spire left an ominous impression over her. Artorias lifted her hoof to that twilight world above, above her, an artificial sky would soon fill with a universe unlike her own. It was a wave of excitement and sheer anxiety given her lack of knowledge on just how large Equestria was given Malware pulled them out of the restrictions set in Beta, some bugs were bound to rear their ugly heads sooner or later. "Alright," Bringing her leg down she strolled across the path leading to a small camp just outside the boundaries of the forest, and the Rune awaiting activation. "Let's get paid." There was a thin, grey obelisk bobbing in the air, dormant until Artorias placed her hoof on the white rune inscribed across the four faces. With a twinkle, the faces split slightly, revealing the funnel of sky blue light within. Unlike the Teleport Gates, these floating, light-grey obelisks acted as teleports between areas across their respective Regions, so it was understandable to activate them so everyone could move about without having to waste time in the fields. Unlike the show, this world was massive in scale, from White-Tail to Ponyville it was a day's travel without teleportation. And to Canterlot... roughly several days, two at the least if you kept sprinting and chugging stamina potions. When the prompt came up to warp, Artorias went ahead and teleported back to town to collect her reward, her other requests all awaiting delivery. She had amassed a fortune with this request service of hers, of course, those that would, ahem, 'request' not-so-subtle advances were met with the business end of a longsword, frightening them away. "Even in this world, you can't escape perverts with no real social lives." Later that night... "This is great! Here!" The static player handed her the reward as they closed off the transaction. "Um... say, do you maybe want to catch a drink later, just to say thanks, not... you know, what some other players do?" Artorias considered it a moment but shook her head. "The offer of booze is a tempting one but I've got requests still pending, no rest for the wicked, chief." He smiled warily, nodding. "Hey, worth a shot right?" "Twas an attempt." With a wave they parted ways as players continued to flood into the town, having gathered supplies for the meeting tomorrow to discuss the strategy behind defeating the Region Boss Through the parties, sitting by the large tree in the center of the town Artorias spotted Gwyn alone as he greeted any that came up to meet him. If Artorias didn't know better she'd say it was like nothing changed, no Death Game, just... players having fun, it'd be grand if they would keep it that way longer at times. All the doom and gloom can be taxing. Upon her approach Gwyn smiled, patting her shoulder. "Thanks, with those two Runes active we've got players surging into town, and a quick and easy method to arrive at full strength." "Piece of cake," She kept a cool manner while discussing the request. "So, the reward?" "Here, as promised," In only a few clicks the transaction was complete, and Artorias was left satisfied with her work for the day. "We should have everyone here in the morning. They're a fiery bunch, but everyone's willing and ready for this fight." "I see..." She murmured, then his hoof waved to the crowds here-and-there "I've got people sacrificing their time to collecting Bits and earning levels to work on the frontlines, I'm taking no risks even if we come out of the fight with an easy win, it's best to be fully prepared." His level of forward-thinking was exactly what Artorias liked seeing, players willing and ready to push themselves but not to the point they forfeit awareness Though Gwyn's trust is... concerning. "You put alot of faith in them, sure they won't just up and run?" With a sharp eye, Gwyn sighed with his back to the tree, nodding "I understand, but they'll pull through, I've worked with them on the frontlines plenty of times, gave them the ropes, we're in this together after all," Gwyn replied confidently and without a second to consider any thought of those that would turn tail The two sat there, silent as conversations filled the night air, laughter and trades between levels of varying heights, even some players Artorias helped out were here, now geared up, standing with allies. There was that girl from the fields earlier today too, siting with the boy as they ate by a bench, keeping to themselves. "You don't trust easily," Gwyn broke the silence. "Some know you're a hardcore, solo beta tester, the title has been... testy for some that joined only the final day of the game's... 'release', they're people here that hate them, blaming them for the deaths that continue to fall by our laps, and some rumors are true, I can't say I don't understand the hatred." He lifted his eyes to the night. "Knowledge prior to the reset is invaluable to the newer players, people like you know things they don't, and some hate that." "Oh yes, that much is crystal when they whine to the nearest info broker," She scoffed. "Let them think what they want, complaining won't solve anything, and threatening us is only gonna make rumors turn to facts if pushed too far." A hard reality that Artorias knew, Skye kept quiet about it too, less trouble "You still won't be joining us? Your knowledge would be instrumental to our goals." Gwyn requested, but there was no price that would sway Artorias "No dice," She turned to him, eyes rigid. "Climb to fame and glory, I'll catch up, but the people in these backwater towns need to know that even a scumbag like me has the decency to teach them a thing or two before passing along, if they squander my generosity, then screw 'em, if they end up becoming a Boss clearing master, so be it." "Besides, it's easy money." He broke into a small chuckle. "And here I thought you were just out for yourself, guess that's another rumor I can cross off the list!" That made her eye twitch, but Gwyn remained as charismatic as ever. "You're a good person, I hope we'll fight alongside one another on the frontlines," He put his hoof forward after the two stood up She slapped his hoof for a solid shake, clicking her tongue. "Sure-sure, seeya around, chief." Slipping away through the crowds, the night had grown too long anyhow, and she had work to do, however. "Oi!" Gwyn stopped to look back at Artorias, her hoof waved back to him once with a cunning smirk. "Kick that boss' teeth in for me, Sir Knight!" As the flicker of lanterns shrouded Artorias in a blanket of shadows, Gwyn and herself departed with understanding and modest respect from one beta tester to another [Ponyville| Teleport Plaza] It had been two days, Artorias wandered through town with her appraised equipment. Things were looking up for the Blackjack-esque earth pony. Along her merry way, she felt her eyes glance to the ominous Barracks that served as Ponyville's miniature 'Crypt' for player usernames, or atleast the ones that remained; Players coming and going. She snorted, "The assault team should be fighting the boss by now?" Curious to know if they succeeded, she made her way over to the barracks, stepping inside the cool interior as names crossed the walls around her by the thousands, and to her dismay, more were crossed off. "Over three-thousand-five-hundred people... Christ alive." All of a sudden, a gong-like bell rattled the air, reminding everyone of the day this game began, only it was to make an announcement, about one of the few things to remind them all they were in a game. ~At 13:07, White-Tail Region Boss has been cleared~ Artorias let a small smile through for a moment as the first few players outside cheered, much as she would refuse to say it, Gwyn was right about one thing, it finally gave these players something to smile about if they lacked the capability to try it for themselves. Honestly, yeah, sucks were stuck in here but wallowing in grief isn't going to make it better. "What the...?" Another name was struck off without her knowledge, a few minutes prior to the Region's completion. Stepping closer to inspect the reflective stone, she ran her hoof down the list, passing by many names with derivative creativity. Then, her limb stopped and slight snag in her throat as all cries of jubilation were muffled out. "..." "You're a good person, I hope we'll fight alongside one another on the frontlines," "Kick that boss' teeth in for me, Sir Knight!" Past all the names, unknown, meaning little to her, she froze at the one crossed out before her. She stepped back, eyes hidden by her bangs as she stared back at the letters, reading them over-and-over as the hollow feeling grew. It wasn't much, but... she'd be lying if she said she didn't feel something. She bore her teeth, grinding them down. "God... dammit." Gwyn - Lv. 9 To Be Continued...