Vivere grimaced, grinding his teeth as he tried to push back against Jim. It was really difficult, he was getting pushed back with such ease despite his metal bracers, but the worst part was that he felt Jim wasn't even going at his full strength.
"Time to end this." His sword glowed and he brought it down. Vivere pushed up and tried to deflect it with both bracers, but when the sword drove into them it went through his hands, the area erased and even worse, like his own power, space was destroyed and his blood started to seep through into the void on his wrists. Vivere screamed, but didn't give up, and uncaptchalogued his weaponized boots, and started a riot with his legs, but they always missed or got parried. His moves were fast and furious but Jim didn't seem to have a problem with this at all. Jim smiled, as though trying to make it look like he was going to lose, but brought the sword around and chopped off one of Vivere's legs. Vivere swore and fell. Jim's sword glowed red as he came over to Vivere to finish the job, intending to destroy his time. And that was when something smashed against him. He hadn't even seen it coming. In fact, it was almost like it hadn't even been there. He screamed as the potent acid ripped into his flesh. Zecora threw another, her entire body surrounded by void except for her piercing white eyes. She threw another and Jim was having a hard time deflecting them. Zecora felt anger rise up - more and more - more than the fear that had started this, and the void wrapped around Jim, cutting him off from the game. Jim started to panic, his sword glowing dark blue as he tried to destroy the void, but he was having difficulty because there wasn't much light in this part of the Everfree Forest. It was almost like void was naturally drawn to here. Jim had to take a chance and barreled his way through the void, his powers of flight taking hold as he tried to escape and get back to the games' reaches. Zecora's power didn't leave until she felt Vivere and her were both safe, and then she passed out. Vivere swore a colorful arrangement and tried to get back into the hut with Zecora. This was going to put a damper on the game's timing.
---
Machine was good with computers, robots, and other technological stuff. He carried most of his important belongings on him at all times. Most of his time was spent inside working on the technology he had, occasionally coming up with new ideas. One of his ideas had been due to the story he'd heard about the other players fighting two time players and how they had destroyed and stolen time. He'd heard about the frozen flame stasis sword which had helped trap the power of doom and keep it from influencing things, and in order to make sure there would be a way to save someone should their time be destroyed or taken, with Ying's help and Jordan's help as well, he came up with his newest, and probably best invention. He'd required Jordan and Ying, order to have someone who was knowledgeable about time and life. And his prototype Timeless Core had been created. It had helped that he'd had the game equipment available to him earlier, especially in the city, Ying and Jordan helping immensely. Typo was understandably impressed by Machine Whisperer's living quarters. He was a like a genius in all ways technological, and his room showed it. The only light came from the screens.
A slam was heard at the front, and Typo turned to look down the stairs. He jumped and dived, flying over the stairs and landing on his feet at the bottom. He looked to the right and saw Kaotic with a devilish look in his eyes. He brought his weapon up and shot it at Typo who was a little startled. He brought his hand up, trying to absorb it, but it went right through and then through his chest. He fell backwards, stumbling, the area around it cauterized. "I think it's about time this game was ended for good, don't you?" He smiled, kneeling down next to Typo and pulling his time away from his mind and heart. The mage of blood galluped downstairs.
"STOP THIEF!"
The changeling felt threatened, and he felt mad. His could feel that his bond with Typo was about to break, as though it had already broken. The changeling screamed and felt power rise through him, and charged at Kaotic in an attempt to thrust his horn into his chest. It was futile. And Kaotic knew it. He just kicked the changeling to the side and knelt down at him. But then the changeling smiled, Typo getting off the floor and pulling out his pinwheel, not quite sure why his body was moving considering he was near to being unconscious. He threw the pinwheel and Kaotic looked behind him, the pinwheel coming for his neck. What the hell had happened? He'd taken pretty much all of Typo's time - he should be dead! And then he looked to the changeling, who felt like, despite being unable to feel love, like he knew bonds both inside and out. They were so much like computers. The logical data. He may not know what love was, but he knew what data was. Kaotic threw himself back, nearly getting decapitated. The pinwheel stuck into the far wall but it started moving again. Kaotic wasn't sure what was happening, but was going to get out of there. And he did, using his time powers to go back in time with the time he'd stolen, and quietly sneaking out. And when Kaotic saw his double coming out of the house, he figured his mission had been successful.
Machine ran over to Typo who had fallen, and lifted his head up, knowing only one thing to do. He was about to cry, but he needed to work before it was too late. He could tell Typo was already getting cold, and due to his time being taken, he probably wouldn't be getting up from this one.
Machine levitated Typo's body with him as he ran up the stairs, his telekinesis faltering a few times, but catching him quick. He set Typo on the ground, surprised he hadn't been told to enter yet, and started doing a little last minute work on his latest invention. He wasn't sure how he was going to connect it, but didn't let that stop him. He knew a little bit about their anatomy, having gone over a book at the city; although MANY pages had been missing, and destroyed the cauterization that had been done, and trying to use his telekinesis and a small rod to burn some of the nerves that were almost impossible for him to see to the core. The light emitted from it looked like frozen or freezing air. The artificial life and time powers expanded throughout his body, ending at the heart and the brain. Typo was having a difficult time thinking as he woke up, trying to gasp, but realizing he didn't seem to need to breathe anymore. His body felt cold as ice. The prototype had worked, even if there were a bunch of problems. Machine Whisperer was relieved, and started questioning Typo who seemed to have very little idea of what was going on himself. He sat down for awhile as Machine Whisperer went to go collect the pinwheel.
---
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MIGAxXEMm_4
Vinyl was revving it up. She was slowly warming up and she was getting closer, some of those from Lyra's area losing their trance and starting to dance with her music, feeling more upbeat and hopeful. Occasionally Vinyl Scratch would spare a confused glance Lyra's way as she continued to play, her eyes seeming empty. She was really disturbed by her behavior and her music. She knew it wasn't good, but she couldn't understand it like the others. And those that came over to her side didn't have time to tell her what was going on. So she played, and she would continue playing until Lyra stopped, even if it took all day. Something was just not right about this situation, and unknown to her, things like this were happening all over Equestria.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=j5JOXl2hK8o
Lyra felt empty, and she felt like something was trying to take her over and use her for its own agenda. It wasn't entirely unpleasant, but she felt fear from it and fought back, trying to fight back with her will. The fear was starting to overwhelm her and she was having a hard time standing up and fighting, so to speak. And the music that played in her head just didn't feel right in the slightest. She couldn't tell what was going on outside of her, but she knew it would have to end sooner or later, right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jWeGCRp1E4Y
Vinyl was getting tired, but her music seemed to give her strength. So did those who cheered her on and seemed to throw their hearts out to her. She smiled, feeling strength like she had never felt before spread throughout her body. An aura of light was given off by her body as she played, which contrasted significantly from the aura of darkness and emptiness around Lyra. Vinyl kept going, and wouldn't give up as long as darkness stood ready to hurt others. Her music reflected that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VudBpizRQnQ
Lyra was coming to her closing, and felt like she had done something good. But that goodness was corrupted. She could tell, but she wanted to deny it. She didn't want to know what damage she must have cost, and would, later that night, cry herself to sleep. She felt so tired after all of that, and somehow she felt like she wouldn't be given rest until she either died or was done with her purpose that had been forced on her, and not chosen by her.
Vinyl learned, after all was said and done, that the songs tended to have an overarching theme. The music was always good and just seemed to seep into the soul, like it was meant to be there; although many fought against it as well, but many more turned to it - and there would have been more had Vinyl not stepped up her game and gotten serious and helped out that day. Vinyl was extremely perturbed after having been told what the lyrics had been about. It had been about chaos and destruction, and a never-ending pain. It had been about either submitting or forfeiting your life to a greater being than you. It had been about obeying and destroying those who refused to conform. And when Vinyl had played, those who had been listening told her that her music gave them hope, love, and strength as well as courage to stand and reject the other life, even if it meant they had to die. They told her that the music had developed lyrics of their own that helped enforce loyalty to one who would not hurt them no matter what, and would entertain for free if it was to make someone else happy. Vinyl was seen that day as a pony who wouldn't fail to help others and welcome others with open hooves. And Vinyl felt like she wasn't done yet.
Zecora was quick to contact Twilight, telling her what had happened to Vivere, telling her that he had bled out despite her medicine and had revived, her suggestion being that he hadn't had his time stolen or destroyed like the others. Then Machine Whisperer let Twilight know what was happening. With Phy's help, she started a small memo, telling everyone what had happened and that something was going on on Equestria. She also informed them that she'd been sent reports that other strange things were going on even as they continued to enter the session. Twilight stated with full confidence that they needed to get into the game now.
Zecora contacted Machine Whisperer and asked for his help with getting into the session now that he wasn't having any problems. Machine was quick to comply and deployed all the necessary objects in her house, putting a thing or two into the tree after revising slightly. Vivere helped her get where she needed to go, occasionally doing the leg work for her. She prototyped a pile of her masks that had been taken off the wall. Masksprite was born and every time its mood seemed to change, so did the mask. Zecora loved her new sprite and knew what she was going to prototype it with next.
As she made her entry item her thoughts settled on what had been said between everyone, about her most likely controlling void. She felt weird about this because of the spiral sun she had on her flank. But then she thought, that even if one was within the void, your heart and light could still come out to help others. And void was just another way of helping, through keeping her allies mysterious and hidden, much like an assassin. This way her mysteriousness could be used for good. Especially if it could help with not just physical aspects, but mental aspects as well, helping the others to meditate and find the answers hidden in the void like she had often done to build up her wisdom, letting her mind wander in a directed way.
Zecora smiled when her entry item was revealed. She could see something inside of it, something that looked important to a younger version of herself. It was hidden in cloudy liquid. She knew immediately what to do, smashing it. The whole room became filled with green smoke and she tried not to cough, instead focusing inward on her subconscious reaching out with her other senses to master living in the smoke - knowing the truth was there. When she felt what she was going for she thrust her hoof up and hit what she needed to. As the smoke exited the window, she walked over to where it had crashed, a slight buzzing coming from the dented gold machination. She knew it wasn't like the real ones that were often used to help others, but she picked this up anyway, saving it for later, and as she touched it, her world went white.
The Land of Snow and Brew.
The most interesting facet of her world, that Vivere was quick to find out, leaning against the door frame, was that the snow had black grass growing out of it in some areas that seemed to affect the snow around it. These two forces did not live in harmony with one another, much like light and void were near opposites. Her land was filled with a bunches of creatures that looked like parasprite consorts but had lighted rear ends, who were occasionally feeding off of the brews within the dozens if not hundreds of pots scattered around as though they were flowers with nectar - like they were small volcanoes of different chemicals. Zecora looked out and was surprised at this, before hurrying out to tell Twilight and Machine Whisperer that they'd made it in. She also recognized some areas that were snow caves.
Zecora had lived most of her life in the desert and occasionally within small wooded areas, but having lived near Ponyville for so long, she knew snow when she saw it.