Fandom My Little Pony Frontier

[Shadow Dancer]

Indicus woke up to the light of the sun and remembered this was supposed to be the day of the festival so he put his armor on and strapped his sword belt to his side. As he did so he remmebered what the spirit said to him as if she was still there speaking the words herself, 'Your past is one of tragedy.. But tragedy is the crucible that forges strong hearts. You will need this strength of heart to face the conflict ahead of you.


For it will fall to you to protect one of the elements of redemption.


Should you falter the Flutter pony will suffer' The meaning was half lost on him but he had to figure it out so he could be ready when the time came.


Indicus shook his head pushing the thought back into his mind for later. "Well I better get to the shore and see where the hell the Mayor wants me." With those words Indicus did as he said.

 

[KageYuuki]

Stepping out of the chapel, crimson hues scanned the small town. It seemed no pony was up yet. Strange considering there should have been arrivals soon. Fang knew she would have to keep a close eye on the Mayor whenever he showed up. He was still hiding a lot from her, he was a fool to think he could keep things hidden from her forever. Not to mention the fact he thought everypony was dumb enough not to catch the strange being that seemed to inhabit this place.


She left town, heading out towards the shore. A bright flash caught her eye, a pony in armor was also headed towards the shore. So there are guards here . . . Er, one anyway.


@Shadow Dancer

 

[Shandragontear]

(Why won't my daughter go to bed and let me post? T.T)


Shina's scaled cheeks flushed at Steelheart's observation, that soft smile still hanging on her lips. "Actually... I just met him earlier... He seems very nice though. I don't normally make many friends in my travels but, it looks like I might be staying a few days." The young kirin was a bit relieved to realize the flutterpony hadn't quite heard the whole story. In Shina's mind it was probably best that as few ponies as possible knew she was carrying the ashes of a very dangerous phoenix with her. Konton had been imprisoned in the vial hanging from her neck for about four years now, what were the odds he'd escape anytime soon. Surely there was no harm in staying in this small settlement for just three days, no need to worry the other ponies here by letting them know.


As the first beams of sunlight broke the horizon her pearl like scales nearly sparkled in how they reflected the light. Had gotten no sleep Shina squinted wearily in the bright morning light glancing toward the horizon finding it hard to believe it was morning already. She gave a light shake of her head as if to shake off the tired sleepless feeling, it wasn't the first time she'd gone a night with out sleeping. "Looks like it's morning already. If you'd like I can stay by you today, guide you through whatever your usual routine is?"

 

[viska]

Steelheart blinked in disbelief asking " It's morning? already?" A quiet yawn punctuating her question.


Without concern for personal space, she proceeded to lean on Shina mumbling to herself. " so-o war-r-m" as she dozed off for a moment.


Popping her eyes open abruptly, she she shook her body and stamped her hoofs shouting " No No Steely wake up, wake up!"


Stopping herself, she realized how silly she must look jumping around like a filly.


"I um.. Sorry. " she said with another soft yawn.


With a tired face and a sweet smile she said -" It's very nice that you'll be staying. I'm sure that will make the show pony very happy. He has a big show to put on today."


Her eyes widened as she became exited- " I know, we should go see it together! It'll be in the square. I need to go there at noon anyway."


Feeling some loose hair tickle her nose she let out a tiny sneeze and asked- " But first.. would you mind helping me with my mane?.. I can't really use a mirror too well. "


Meanwhile at the docks what seemed like a fleet of ships began to appear over the horizon.


From his balcony window Mayor Catchpenny counted them in his ledger- "the Starlight, the Golden Sun, the Pale Moon, oh my yes, they're all coming right on time, just the way I like it. . "


Aboard the distant ships, all the captains blew their horns in celebration of a new day.


A new chapter.

 

[Shadow Dancer]

Indicus watched the ships approach the docks, "The job has officially begun." Indicus could not help but too feel his gut churn some and not just because of the holier than thou nobles, but a feeling that in the near future something was going to go wrong. The poem echoed once more in his head, "Something is going to go wrong and if the poem fortune is anything to go by I'll be one of a few that will be in the middle of it." Indicus muttered. "I wish I could look up some information on whatever the elements of redemption are about." Indicus muttered once more with a sigh

 

[Shandragontear]

Shina giggled laughed at Steelheart's antics. For a moment the young kirin was curious as to how long the flutterpony had been blind, but thought it rude to ask. At first she gave a light nod in respons before realizing she'd have to be more vocal then normal, despite her accent. "I'd love to see the show." She said with an almost giddy smile. Though she hadn't looked in a mirror for probably a few days Shina figured her mane probably wasn't in very good shape either. "I think we could both use a bit of freshening up. Come on." Shina said brightly, guiding Steelheart back inside. "Any preference to how your mane is styled?"

 

[viska]

Steelheart thought about Shina's question for a moment; no one had ever asked her who she wanted to look.


With a slight tilt of the head she asked- " Well, how do you style yours?"


Blowing a few more hairs out of her face she explained- " I've never really seen a mane style. I usually just keep it in a very tight braid."


Again getting exited she began to trot in place as she exclaimed " I know! could you make mine look like yours?"


With a koi wink she added " Maybe then I could meet a nice colt of my own."


The waves began to crash fiercely against the rocks as the ships drew closer.


As Indicus stood watch over the approaching fleet the Mayor approached from the docks road shouting to him- "Magnificent, aren't they! "


With the second blast of the ships horns Firecracker popped up from a pile of books, and broken parts.


"The ships are already that close!? " He shouted to himself in a panic.


scooping up what usable parts he had left from his old experiments he started towards the door.


just as he was about to pass the frame, he was stopped by a note he had pinned above his door.


It was only a crude drawing of a Phoenix.


He starred at it for a moment before giving a determined nod and heading to the square.

 

[KageYuuki]

The sound of the loud horns made it easy for Fang to draw close to the two ponies by the docks without being heard. "Arriving already I see," She kept her usual low voice as she stood next to the mayor. Without her hood, her eyes squinted slightly in the already bright light. Having such keen eyes always made daytime a major nuisance for bat ponies. Not that they should have been up in the first place.

 

[Shadow Dancer]

"It seems so." I turned towards the unfamiliar voice that I responded to and asked, "Don't think we've met, what's your name?" @KageYuuki

 

[Shandragontear]

The scale's on Shina's cheeks flushed in embarrassment when Steelheart asked to have her mane done like Shina's. In truth Shina rarely ever took the time to do her mane. "Um... Well honestly... My mane's usually a hot mess... Literally." Shifting nervously in place she hesitated before explaining further. "See sometimes when I get mad or upset... My mane and tail sort of... turn in to fire... Makes it hard to keep hair pins in..." Fearing how Steelheart might react to such news Shina was quick to change the subject. "But I do know a few styles. My mother is one of the emperors finest shipony (get it, shinobi? >.>) and a master of disguise. She taught me all sorts of hairstyles." She said proudly with a bright smile.

 

[viska]

-At the Docks-


With a slight Cringe the mayor also turned to face Shadow Fang.


With a quiet groan he said " It's you again. well, I guess you really are interested in the job"


With a slightly rude point, Mayor Catchpenny announced " she will be acting as your deputy for this event. "


-At the estate house-


Steelheart raised a hoof to her mouth in surprise when she heard of Shina's mane catching fire.


But when she started talking about new mane styles, Steelheart couldn't contain her excitement.


Her reservations seemed to brake down around mares her age.


perhaps it was a lack of social interaction, or the fact that she had never had a make over.


Whatever the reason, she began to prance like a young filly.


-Somewhere over looking the town-


Anda looked down at the massive ships beginning to dock with a disapproving scowl .


A slight lip twitch marring her almost perfect composer.


" So.. It begins. We shall see if these pony are redeemable . "

 

[KageYuuki]

@Shadow Dancer


Fang turned towards Indicus and gave a slight bow of her head. "Shadow Fang, at your service." A frown tugged at her lips at the mayor's remark. "Talk about a change of heart considering you were begging me to stay and help last night." Giving a slight snort, she moved around to the soldier's side.

 

[viska]

For some reason the mayor only replied with a grin saying -" oh please don't misunderstand, I still Very much need the extra security."


It would seem he was getting back into his professional, or perhaps just more public persona.


Turning to Indicus the mayor stated- "we have a lot of pony coming here today and I can't afford anything to go wrong. The VIP and her sister will be your top priority.


You already met the sister yesterday.


Speaking of which, where IS Steelheart?"

 

[Shadow Dancer]

Indicus copied Shadow Fang's motion and introduced himself, "Indicus." He then turned to the mayor and shrugged . "Steelheart is probably back at our sleeping quarters why you'll have to ask her."

 

[KageYuuki]

Fang fought to not shake her head at the mayor's response. Honestly, how ponies like him got in charge she'll never know. Crimson hues shifted to the soldier who introduced himself. "I have a feeling we'll work well together, Indicus."

 

[Shandragontear]

Shina could only smile at Steelheart's excitement. It was strangely refreshing, interacting with someone so light hearted after avoiding others for so long. "Well then, let's get started." She said brightly, moving to press her warm scaled side against Steelheart's to guide the blind flutterpony back inside to begin styling her mane.


Though her own mane was usually very simple she had been taught a few ornate styles. However it seemed a bit obvious the kirin didn't practice the art often as there was much pulling, product, and working out a few knots she'd managed to create in Steelheart's mane. "Sorry!" Shina said having gotten the come stuck again. Once final finished Shina have an exhaust sigh. "Done." She said proudly. She's given Stealheart a traditional Neighppon mura-mage style.


Taking a moment to inspect hey own mane Shina frowned a bit at her wild red locks. Levitating a brush she detangled it a bit before twisting it up the back and adding a simple clip to hold it in place there hair sticking out the top of the trust spreading out in a fountain of hair hanging in wild shaggy layers. "I don't think anyone'll really see my mane under the cloak anyhow." She thought aloud. "Well, we should get going." She said turning back to Stealheart.


(Been trying to post off and on, breaks at work but the drafts wouldn't load up! T.T finally had a draft to finish off of on my lunch.)

 

[viska]

(i know that feeling. I lost two drafts yesterday)


Steelheart wimpered and grunted at the knots being pulled, but tried not to complain. Once her styling was done she let out an exited "thank you so much"


She gave a slight frown hearing that Shina was going to ware a cloak over her mane, but felt it was her decision .


As the two headed out the door Steelheart couldn't help but ask-"Miss Shine, what dose a firework look like?. I can hear them, and I know they make people happy. But that's all I know."


Seeming slightly disappointed she explained- "Mr. Firecracker is scheduled to do a show today, but all I'll get is a concert."


-In the square -


Firecracker struggled against his sleepiness and stress to work on getting his pyrotechnics ready.


He knew all too well what a miscalculation could mean .


He could here the the boats in the distance giving out disembarking orders which only tightened his schedule.


But he was a professional, and he gave a slight smirk at the thought of getting back to his old trade.

 

[Shadow Dancer]

"I'm sure we will work very well together Shadow Fang, we just have to get over the Mayor's mood swings, and the incoming nobles." Indicus said the second part so the Mayor could not hear. He then looked out and saw the ships get even closer and that bit of dread grow.

 

[KageYuuki]

"Always fun to deal with, aren't they?" The bat pony kept her voice low, crimson eyes watching the incoming boats. It was easy for her to tell Indicus was rather experienced, which would make things a little easier. Though it wouldn't completely cover the lack of other guards.

 

[Shandragontear]

Shina used her magic to levate hey cloak on not bothering with the hood for the moment, no need to hide herself from a blind pony. As they walked Shina couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the blind flutterpony. She couldn't begin to imagine what it must be like to never see. For a moment she was silent in thought trying to think of how to explain fireworks. "Well... They're like brilliant bursts of light and color..." Her ears drooped a little, feeling almost ashamed she couldn't describe then better. "If you don't mind me asking, were you born blind?" As they drew closer to the gathering crowd Shina made sure to lift the hood of her cloak over her head to keep her odd features hidden from other ponies.

 

[viska]

Steelheart leaned her head in to try and hear every word, eager to learn what a firework was like.


Captivated in childlike wonder she let out a pining sigh, as she could only imagine the beauty other pony take for granted.


With a slight melancholy she explained- " They sound wonderful.. Like small bursts of joy made manifest in all the brilliant colors of creation.


Just like you and I are different, but all equally beautiful.


With a serene smile she added- " At least that's how I always imagined them.


When she heard Shina ask "If you don't mind me asking, were you born blind?"


she held a hoof to her chin to think, and replied- " Now that you mention it, I guess I was. I can't remember ever having eye sight. But I'll tell you a secret. "


Leaning in close she whispered in a confident tone of voice " Sometimes being blind lets me 'see' better then most pony who can."


-In the square-


With one final turn of a screw driver Firecracker's latest rocket set up was ready to go.


Wiping his brow he took a step back to proudly look over his creation.


Seeing his shadow beginning to shorten, he knew it wasn't too much longer now.


-At the docks.-


Still with that fake smile the mayor turned to both of them and said- " yes, well.. Just make sure you keep the very important pony safe.


She's a Flutter pony named Lavender Moon, and she is very high ranking among the grove that owned this land. "

 

[Shandragontear]

A genuine smile lingered on Shina's lips as Steelheart spoke, her head lifting to bring those fuchsia eyes to look toward the blind flutter pony, even if Steelheart couldn't see Shina looking at her. "I agree... Most ponies get so caught up in appearances that they are blind to what lies beyond the masks we wear..." Hearing it aloud Shina realized it probably sounded a lot more mysterious then she'd meant but figured it was too late to change that now. Trying to keep the conversation light hearted she gave a light chuckle in spite of her self. "Sorry, guess that sounds a little weird..."


Her gaze turned to look at the dock as it came in to view, recognizing the mayor and batpony from last night. "We're here." She said turning her attention back to Steelheart. "Anypony in particular you'd like to go stand by?"

 

[viska]

In reaction to arriving Steelheart replied with a disappointed "awwe, I was having fun walking with you."


She had a strange dichotomy of character.


At times she seemed wise and gentle beyond her years, like an aged mother.


And at other times she seemed like a naive filly, even to the point of being ditsy.


With a short sigh she decided- " Maybe it would be better if I sit somewhere in the open so that my sister can see me.


She's coming from our new grove in the south.


With hop and a giggle she added "Besides, I wouldn't want to cramp your style should your colt-friend show up"


Within the slowly massing crowds A Pegasus seemed to stand out from the rest.


Anda slowly marched along with the other pony, her eyes fixed forward in a sinister leer.


The time for her to pass judgement was racing forward.


Like the unstoppable sands of time drifting through an hourglass, she would see if there was any good left in these lands..


or destroy it completely.

 

[Shandragontear]

Shina offerd a friendly smile, even if Steelheart couldn't see it. "I'm sure he's busy setting up the fireworks display. Besides, I'd hate for you to stand alone..." Her voice trailed off for a second. Normally Shina felt most ponies were safer away from her, but an odd feeling was settling in, one she didn't fully understand her self. She was wise enough to know that most ponies with handicaps such as Steelheart's learned to adapt, but not being able to see still made her vulnerable. Shina just want sure what the flutterpony could possibly be vulnerable to at an event like this.


Maybe she just felt drawn to Steelheart's playful filly like behavior. The events of her own past had forced Shina to grow up very quickly and leave her childhood behind. Yet she still couldn't shake the of feeling that something was about to happen, she just didn't know what.


Trying to shake off the feeling she gave another bright smile, adding cheerfully. "I can tell you what colors the fireworks are." She knew it was stupid as soon as she said it. If Steelheart had never been about to see, she probably didn't really even know what colors were, only that they existed.

 

[Shadow Dancer]

Indicus saw Steelheart walk up to the group alongside another pony wearing a cloak. Upon seeing Steelheart Indicus walked up to her, "Morning Steelheart, The mayor appointed me and another guard named Shadow Fang to guard you and your sister, I can take you closer to the docks so you can see her if you want."