Now, without further adieu, I present,
“A Crafter’s Dream”
To say Steve was irritated would be an understatement. To say he currently wanted the punch this land’s ruler in the face, multiple times, would be more of a correct statement.
Steve ducked his head behind a trash can as a nearby pegasus guard flew overhead. Groaning in frustration, he swiftly climbed up the side of a nearby house. Getting to the roof, he leapt across the gap onto the adjacent roof. Landing in a roll, he swiftly moved trying to stay unnoticed.
“There it is. B Squad, pursue!” A shout came from behind him, making him whirl around. To his chagrin, a group of three, gold armored pegasi were speeding at him. Yelping in surprise, Steve leapt off the building, hitting the ground in a roll. Taking off, he could hear their shouting at him to “Halt!” which he had now intention of doing. Seriously, what did they expect him to do, just lay down and take it? No! If he’d ever done that, he’d have been killed a long time ago.
“Squad E, be ready, he’s heading towards you!” Steve heard one of his pursuers yell. Eyes widening, he immediately veered to the right. He didn’t know what guards were in Squad E, but he was in no hurry to face two squads of guards as once. Especially if they were unicorns.
They were the reason he was in this predicament. He’d been making his way to his usual spot, the town hall, when one of the guards, a unicorn, had sent out a large wave of energy. It hadn’t harmed Steve, but it had all but destroyed the Invisibility effect he’d had. For a moment he hadn’t even noticed, before he saw the group of guards staring at him while he was standing on the roof of someone’s house. There was a few moments where the group just stared at Steve, and him at them, before he took off, the squad following close behind.
He’d lost them for a moment, but it was hard to stay undercover, since they apparently had a counter to his invisibility now, and the fricking flyers weren’t helping. While they patrolled the air, the regular ones and the unicorns could follow him on the ground. As seen by his current situation.
A bolt of magic flew over his head, making him yelp in shock. Glancing back, he saw a squad of three earth ponies and two unicorns following just under the pegasi, slowly gaining. The unicorns horn’s glowed, preparing for a spell.
Circle: Dodge
Steve rolled to the right just as a beam of white magic flew by. Back on his feet in an instant, Steve sped down the road, the eager guards following close behind.
“Bright! Use your telekinesis and hold it still!” One of the guards yelled from behind him.
“I can’t Sarge! It’s moving around too much for me to get a hold on it. If someone can get it to stop moving, then I can!”
“Roger that. Swift, you and Dream try and get ahead it! Slow it down!” The Sergeant ordered.
Pulling out an Ender Pearl, Steve immediately threw it to his left, sending flying through the air, out of sight. Continuing to run, Steve only made it a few more feet before he felt something slam into his back and grab on. Whoever it was immediately took Steve up, leaving him dangling in the air.
Square: Punch
Bringing his arm around, Steve smacked the muzzle of his captor, freeing himself. As Steve fell, he felt the familiar pulling sensation as the Ender Pearl did it’s work, landing him on the roof of some residents house. Before he could move, the thatched roof collapsed beneath him, sending him plummeting into the darkness below.
* * * * *
Falling, Steve crashed into the floor, making a heavy thud sound.
Damage Received - 2 damage. 18 health remaining
Groaning, Steve got to his feet, looking around the room he fell into. It was dark, with the exception of the new light he’d made. Old boxes and crates littered the room, along with random stuff. It looked like a very poorly organized storage room. Gazing around the room in confusion, Steve’s stomach dropped when he heard the sound of a door opening somewhere behind him. Acting fast, Steve dove for cover behind a particularly large box.
“Hello! Is anypony there!?” A voice called out, followed by the owner of said voice appearing. She was a gray-furred pegasus, with a bright, blonde mane. Her golden eyes were, oddly enough, looking in two different directions as she looked around the room.
L1 (Hold): Potion Select: Invisibility Potion.
Pulling out his last potion of Invisibility, he quietly gulped it down, feeling the effect wash over his body. Poking his head out, he watched as she carefully walked through the room, looking all around. Her eyes passed over him for a moment, but she swiftly turned her head, continuing to search for the cause of the hole in the roof.
Sneaking past her, Steve snuck silently, careful not to attract her attention. Walking backwards, he kept his gaze on her as he crept, eventually making his way to the door. Stopping just before the threshold, he turned and stepped forward.
Only to give a yelp as he was forced to hurriedly step over a small unicorn filly that had just magically appeared. Accidently misstepping, he gave a yell of surprise, tumbling over the small pony as she too let out a shriek, sending him crashing down the stairs. Thudding face-first on the floor, Steve let out a groan.
Damage Received - 2 damage. 16 health remaining.
Rolling over onto his back, he sighed and propped himself up on his elbows, taking a look up the stairwell. The pegasus, who, if Steve’s memory was correct, was named Derpy, or something like that, was holding the small unicorn filly against her body protectively. Steve assumed this must’ve her daughter. Both ponies stared at where he lay, unable to see him, but able to see where he landed.
“Sorry.” Steve muttered quietly as he got to his feet, before making his way to where he assumed the front of the house was. Walking through the kitchen, he arrived in what he would call a front room, with two couches, a small table and a record player in the back. Walking to the front door, he peeked out. Looking around, he saw a squad of guards slowly making their way down the street. Usually, he would just try to sneak away, but with their counter to his Invisibility, he had to wait till they were gone.
Sighing, he smacked his back into the door, slowly sliding to the floor, facepalming.
“Excuse me?” a voice asked. Looking up, Steve saw that Derpy was standing a few feet away, looking at him with a curious and nervous expression. Her daughter stood just behind her, with a similar expression.
“What?” Steve said gruffly, narrowing his gaze at the two ponies. At his tone, she tensed and almost took a step back. However, she steeled herself and moved forward a step.
“What are you, exactly?” At her question, Steve’s eyebrow raised. Why did she care?
“My name is Steve. Why do you care? Shouldn’t you be calling the guards, or trying to beat the ever-loving crap out of me?” Steve questioned. That’s what every pony that’d laid eyes on him had done. Why would she be different? At his question, her eye’s widened in shock.
“What? No! Why would anypony ever do that?” She asked, seemingly upset. Steve let out a humorless chuckle,
“Every one of you ponies that has ever laid eyes on me had done exactly that. In fact, this is probably the longest conversation I’ve had with a pony that isn’t related to fighting.” At this, her misaligned eyes narrowed, somehow.
“You’re the creature that causing all the guards so much trouble.” she accused.
“They want to capture me and imprison me for something I didn’t do. Of course I’m gonna cause them trouble.” Steve argued, looking out the door. Road seemed clear. Steve had his chance.
“See ya.” he said quietly, opening the door and walking out. Stopping just past the threshold, he turned back to the occupants of the house. “Thanks. For, not attacking me.” Turning back, he sighed, then started walking again.
“Wait!” came a voice from behind him. Stopping, Steve turned his head to find Derpy coming up to him. When she came up to him, she reached a hoof. Upon it sat a delicious-looking blueberry muffin.
“Maybe you aren’t as bad as they say. So here’s a muffin. I hope you like it.” She stated simply with a smile present on her muzzle. Hesitating, Steve slowly reached out and took hold of the muffin with an invisible hand.
“Thanks, miss.” Shoving the baked good in his inventory, he started to walk away, when something came to his attention.
“Wait a minute, how did you see me? I’m invisible!” he said to her retreating form. Turning her head to glance at him, she smiled.
“You leave a little shimmering effect when you move. It’s easy to see if you know what to look for.” With that, she walked into her home and closed the door behind her. Steve looked at her front door for a few moments, before walking away, thinking about what he’d just experienced.
“She didn’t try to fight me, even though she could see where I was. She even gave me a muffin. Although I’ll have to make sure she didn’t poison it or something. But that doesn’t explain why she did it, unless she did poison it. *Sigh* I just don’t know.”
Suddenly, Steve felt a bad feeling rise in his gut. Looking around, he saw a trio of guards coming down the way. A unicorn, a regular, and a pegasus. Luckily, they didn’t seem to know he was nearby, though the regular pony had his eye’s closed for some reason. Steve had just begun to sneak off again, when the group stopped for some reason.
Quirking an eyebrow, Steve took another step, when the regular pony said something that made his heart skip a beat.
“In front of us, 37 feet. Two feet to the right.” This caused the two other guards to shoot their gaze in Steve’s direction. Almost exactly where he was.
Glaring at the earth pony, which still had his eye’s closed, Steve realized something. That pony knew exactly where he was. Taking another, quiet step, he watched it’s ear flick ever-so-slightly.
“It’s moving. Bright, cast your dispel.” Just as he said, the unicorn’s horn glowed, and Steve felt the same wae of energy pass through him, causing his Invisibility to drain away. The pegasus and unicorns eye’s widened when they saw Steve appear out of thin air. As soon as Steve saw that he had been found, he immediately turned and ran.
“Halt, creature! In the name of Princess Celestia!” One of them called from behind him.
“Tell me!” Steve yelled behind him. “How many have ever actually listened to that?!” Glancing behind him, he saw they were quickly catching up. Taking a quick look through his inventory, he saw he had no potions of Swiftness, or Invisibility, only some options of Healing and Strength.
L1 (Hold): Potion Select: Strength Potion.
Taking out the bottle, he quickly drained the contents. Feeling newfound strength surge into his body, he whirled around, ready to fight.
X (Hold): Power Jump
Triangle (Hold): Roundhouse Kick
Jumping high, he sent a devastating roundhouse kick into the off-guard pegasus, his potion enhanced strength sending the guard slamming into the floor.
Circle: Dodge
Landing in a crouch, Steve rolled to the side to avoid a magic blast. Comin up to his feet. He stood facing the two guards, their friend having been knocked unconscious.
Square: Punch
Square (Hold): Uppercut
Triangle: Kick
Dashing forward, Steve laid a haymaker into the unicorns muzzle. Bringing back his fist, his sent it flying forward, knocking the unicorn hard in the chin with an uppercut. Sending the pony airborne, Steve swung a kick into his barrel, knocking the guard into a nearby wall. The pony slammed hard into the structure, before sliding down, knocked out.
Suddenly, Steve felt something slam into his back, sending him careening through the air, landing on his back.
Damage Received - 5 damage. 11 health remaining.
Groaning, Steve got back to his feet, facing his last opponent. It was the earth pony, still with his eye’s closed. He wielded a long wooden staff, instead of the spear Steve had seen many of the guards armed with.
“Why are your eye’s closed? You’d probably fight better with them open.” Steve questioned, getting into a fighting stance.
“Whether my eyes are open or not, creature, I would fight no different.” This made Steve raise an eyebrow, not yet understanding, before finally realizing.
“Oh! You’re blind, that’s why it wouldn't matter. You must be a badass if you’re blind, and still managed to become a guard.”
“Thank you, creature.”, he said. Steve couldn’t tell if the pony was being sarcastic or not.
“Regardless, I don’t think we should fight. At least not today.” Steve said.
“And why is that?” the pony muttered, eyebrow raised.
“Because if we fight and I win, all three of you will be unable to find medical attention, and I’m fairly certain that Bright has a severe concussion after what he went through.”
“But if you lose, I can still take them to the hospital, and you get your punishment.” the guard stated, lips drawn in a small smile.
“Maybe, but are you willing to take the chance of losing, of putting your comrade’s lives on the line?” This question caused the smile to fade. The two beings stood facing each other for a few minutes, silence reigning. Finally, the pony spoke.
“No, I’m not.” he said, sheathing his staff. Steve let out a sigh of relief. The pony moved to collect his fallen teammates, as Steve began to walk away.
“Know this creature. You got off easy this time, but when next we meet, you will fall before me.”
“I’ll keep it in mind, dirt-bag.” Steve responded, before running off towards home.
Racism at its finest.
Is there ever going to be a peaceful pony interaction?
Maybe some letter sending to Celestia is what Steve should do, I dunno. I cant see this going any farther until something massive like a deus ex machina to give the ponies a kind eye for Steve
9471433
If saving two foals from an Ursa wasn't enough to get the ponies in charge to act rationally and at least consider trying non-hostile interaction, I doubt anything Steve can do will be sufficient to make peace. Even personally defeating a seasons ending villain like Discord or Chrysalis and publicly saving all Equestria would probably just be dismissed as pure self-interest now that they've made up their minds he's an enemy.
9471444
Yeah. Liking the story though.
Twilight hasn't put the label 'monster' on Steve yet, so she, derpy, fluttershy, and pinkie might help the rest of Equestria see him different.
9471424
NOOOO!!! MUA HAH HAH HAH!!1!
9471531
Well, remember Twilight's conversation with Dash? I don't think she'll be all that willing to listen considering she doesn't have all the facts and Steve has "attacked" Rainbow Dash twice.
9471534
True, but at the same time dash never said that she attacked him first, just for being different than a pony. Bet she also attacked zecora the same way. Would explain a few things of how the entirety of ponyville isolates themselves, leaving outsiders like twilight out of the loop.
9471534
It'll be interesting to see what happens to that particular friendship if the truth ever comes out. Lying to friends and authorities to cause harm to an innocent victim is pretty much the opposite of Loyalty - betraying the trust of friends, betraying the law, betraying the principles of Harmony...
It'd be a laugh if they try to use the Elements on Discord, and fail because Loyalty is annoyed with its Bearer. Bonus points for humor if Discord then plays back the events between Dash and Steve as they really happened for the other bearers, to show just why they failed.
I am waiting for this all to blow up in Rainbow Crashes face, all this is her fault and I hope Twilight figures it out before something really bad happens.
What the count on Criminal Charges so far? I have:
-Two counts of assault.
-One count of Lying to the Authorities.
-Two(?) counts of lying to a ruling power.
Anyone else have any to add?
9471597
Lightning against a non-pegasus? It could be argued that that second count of assault was closer to attempted murder, though in fairness that doesn't seem to have been Crash's intention.
9471615
In this case? Intent doesn't matter as she used a deadly weapon against a sentient, thinking being. It would be like her using it against a Zebra or Griffion.
So we can add:
-Assault with a deadly weapon (deadly weather?)
-involuntary attempted manslaughter (or the equivalent term in pony society)
Her being a Element of Harmony and a national hero ain't gonna save her at this rate! Hell at this rate, even the most Racist (speciest?) of Nobles wouldn't blame him for pressing charges against her once this misunderstanding is over!
9471652
Given the investment of time and resources apparently put into hunting Steve, it'd be an appropriate punishment to bill Dash for the whole of the unnecessary costs to the crown, in addition to any other legal penalties for her actions. Even just the guard's wages for those involved in guarding Ponyville and the rest of the hunt ought to be a reasonable chunk of pocket change, enough to make it clear that she's being punished for false charges and wasting the time of those with responsibilities elsewhere.
My guess. It will be Derpy, Luna, and possibly Celestia that put an end to the stupidity.
Derpy obviously because she is the first pony to not fly off the handle at Steve. As for Luna, well Steve might understand her reaction to being called "Nightmare Moon" once he gets a bit more of the background. After all he would likely be pissed to high heaven too if someone called him "Herobrine" because he looks similar. On top of that Luna seems to have at least some doubts about the whole situation - enough to at least not keep pursuing Steve via dreams. Celestia? Well so far we only see how the guards reacted and those guards are likely getting a very biased set of information from Twilight who Celestia apparently trusted (wrongly) to keep a level head and an open mind. Maybe if some pony who doesn't have their head stuck up their own plot gave her a full account she can correct said situation directly. Oh and beat into her guards the concept of "if something seems off about a situation, you do NOT listen to the purple OCD hoof licker over using your own judgement."
First though I hope the Elements of Idiocy, Bigotry, & Jumping to Conclusions piss off the resident Crafter enough that he undermines the entire town, fills the tunnels with TNT, and gives them 10 minutes to evacuate before the boom. Or maybe builds the mother of all lava & water contraptions to encase the entire town in obsidian.
Rule #1 of interacting with an unknown species; do NOT piss them off until you know exactly what they are capable of. And any Minecrafter with time on their hands and access to redstone or its equivalent is capable of a level of destruction only exceeded by atomic weaponry.
9471691
He say's Pocket change, HA! We are looking at the pay for EACH Guard deployed, plus Hazard pay, Medical Bills, Deployment costs, Equipment repair and supply and Logistics fees. Also now looking at Property damage and repair costs.
I would put the amount of Bits at between 50,000 to 150,000, not counting what she would have to pay Steve in reparations! She would have to sell EVERYTHING she owns and even THEN I don't think she would even have 1/3rd of that.
Even IF she some how pay's it, I would be surprised and some what disappointed if she doesn't at least face a few months in a MinSec Prison. As it is, half the crimes she has committed would see her stripped of all titles, lands and money at minimum and Banishment at worst. I also wouldn't be surprised if this entire ordeal sees her stripped of her Element, Luna forbid they try and use the EOH on him! I would laugh if the Elements abandon their current barres and go to Steve!
I don't think I've ever seen another author generate so much hate for a character/characters. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love you guys, and the comments you all leave, but geez. Don't misunderstand, when the time comes, Dash will get what she deserves, but man, some of to you don't pull any punches.
9471807
"Pocket change" was humorous understatement. Even billing for just the wages alone, as you laying them out shows, would be setting a clear example to the entire nation that laying false charges against an innocent victim has consequences and that nobody is beyond the law.
And that's leaving out the legal penalties for her physical actions which should be in addition to the financial penalties for false accusations and wasting the time and resources of the authorities. The lightning blast incident should also include reckless endangerment charges for your tally too, I think.
9471817
Dash's lies, though not her crimes, come a little close to personal experience. It's hard for me not to dislike her. Dash however looks set to actually face consequences for her crimes instead of walking away smirking, which is what happened in the case I was connected to.
9473304
I know, to say she is up shit creak without a Paddle is being nice. I was being nice with how I layed it out, I could have wen't full math mode and gave you estiments on each cost
What I hope happens is that she is barred from the Wonderbolts (or ANY guard position period) for life, Fired from her Job as a weather mare, Fined HEAVILY, forced to be grounded for up-to One Year and Forced to pay Reparations to Steve and/or be indentured to him for up to One Year.
9471817
What Paulon said, I have been in Steves shoes when it comes to False accusation. Not only that but in Canon she has gotten away with some serious shit, shit that could have KILLED. Beyond that she is cocky, arrogant, full of herself and thinks she can get away with things that are borderline Criminal.
Derpy, at least makes the ponies somewhat redeemable. RD should still pay for her massive dumbassery.
9471817
Nope. Not one bit *adjusts the brass knuckles*
Watching someone dig themselves deeper and deeper into trouble all the while you know that when the truth eventually does come to light its going to be a bloodbath is very entertaining. Especially when it involves 'holier-than-thou' attitudes dragged through the mud called 'unpleasant truths about yourself that you can't ignore'.
In this context it's hear them shouting at him to stop.
he does have a point
In the terrifying land of Equestria, the citizens live in fear of becoming sick or hurt, lest they be forced to fight off the efforts of the mortal enemies of all life: doctors, the wretched beasts who stalk the land in search weakened prey. With a wide array of deadly tools and a truly terrifying amount of poisonous medicines, these twisted creatures strike fear into even the most robust of Equestria's royal guard.
9493077
This is the best way to do editing - with speculative fiction.
9498994
Keep in mind, he was attacked for no reason, several times. And now the guards have a way of tracking him through his invisibility. I'd be pretty pissed too in that situation.
9473550
Amen to that
9476826
To halt and to stop mean same thing, but here is either `to` or quotation, can't be both
Aww, Ditzy is so adorable!
I love how much of the story speaks for itself.
There isn’t much to add, because the story says it all for you.
Noice
Okay. This
DerpyDitzy is scary. Everything from every story I've ever read is screaming Deadly Master of Doom in disguise at me.sending it flying
wave
eyes (seven instances of this throughout the chapter)
Oh Derpy, you precious muffin.
Of an L, on
9471444 Honestly, at thsi point I'm just reading to see how the authour is going to screw over Steve next, since it's clear he's writing the pomnies with no shred of empathy or common sense. Except Derpy.
Though Trixie never got any credit for trying to protect Snips and Snails, and trying to fight the Ursa Minor, despite having her home and livelihood destroyed in the process. So it is at least reasonable that Steve gets no credit either.
Got to say, in this chapter Steve is pretty pathetic, I think the author was so worried about making an OP MC that he made him too weak instead. This is the same guy that was a seasoned warrior that destroyed waves of mobs and surely defeated things like the Wither and Ender Dragon. Why is he having his ass handed to him by a pony with a staff?
If he had something going on with him, like not being acquainted with fighting such enemies or even an internal struggle that is making him weaker, like Darth Vader in ROTJ, that's one thing. Another thing, I understand Steve has infinite stamina, but he still has to eat to keep it, and what about the ponies? They don't seem to ever get tired. Although it is understandable for the ones in the military to be capable of traveling good distances at a rapid pace without getting out of breath, however, in this case, they are literally fighting, which can get a normal human tired in seconds, especially ponies which can't sweat and thus are forced by nature to stand still and do nothing when they are too hot (Endurance Hunting).
Anyway, ignore my blabbering, I just sometimes get too frustrated when a story loses its common sense.
Damn, the story seems alright but the constant reading pace throtling I recive due to controllers present really throws me off, its like if you are plaing a game for the first time and you are "in the zone" immersed and all of a sudden your sibling tosses a ball at your face and keeps doing it every 10 to 30 seconds... thats what those controller sentences do, this stupid "stunn effect" I get making me forget what I was reading so I hace to re read the last 1 or 2 sentences before the button commands EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Its exhausting, I like the story but I already got head pain over it so I will stop for now.