2nd Sun: "Grocery Shopping"

[pirateponyprincess]

This forest seems to be a lot darker than I remember it. Perhaps there was a reason why the client was willing to pay so much.

[The scroll shows Captain Celestia wandering about the Everfree Forest. Indeed, the interior seems a lot more dark an sinister than it usually is, though those who have seen the forest since the mirror incident are probably aware of this already.]

Nonetheless, I shall be here for the next several hours to gather herbs and other useful materials. While I am here, shall anypony else require anything from the forest? As I am already being paid to be here, we may be able to work out a fine deal. I must make a living too, after all.

[Suddenly, a distant noise could be heard, which catches Celestia's attention for a moment. A pair of weapons are produced from somewhere off-screen in response.]

Leave a message, and I shall get back to you once I have added a pelt to my spoils.

[The feed cuts from there, but not before a shadow could be seen moving through the trees.]

Comments

[Visual]

[shy_kindness]

A pelt...?

[Visual]

[kind_to_all]

Princess? ... Wh-what are you doing?

[Visual]

[pirateponyprincess]

[...]

[Oh no.]

[Celestia really should have seen this coming. There were even three of them, weren't there?]

[She responds in voice only, as she is in the middle of a fight and showing her stabbing the creature wouldn't go over well.]

Trying not to die, for one.

[Visual]

[shy_kindness]

Um. Can't you just ask it nicely to leave you alone?

[Visual]

[kind_to_all]

Princess, please, we can -- we can help, there's three of us - four if you count this world's Fluttershy, five if - [ Oops. ]

We can come find you...

[Audio]

[pirateponyprincess]

This forest has become a dangerous place, far more than -ngh- usual. Both its flora and fauna have become corrupted, it seems. Not something that can be reasoned with.

Regardless, I believe this thing is a plant of some sort, not an animal.

[Voice]

[shy_kindness]

Are you sure there's nothing we can do...?

[Voice]

[kind_to_all]

M-more than one pony at a time could help, couldn't it? Besides, we've all faced manticores, hydra, dr- um... [ Gulp. ] Dragons...

[blamemysister]

Tia.

Whomping critters is my thing.

Mayhap you take up a less whompy task? Quilting perhaps? Joining the Apple Family Get Togethers? We hear the Equestria Games is holding a try out for sharpshooting arrows.

[pirateponyprincess]

[It's a few minutes before Celestia responds.]

It is much too late for that. The creature is already done for.

Not to mention that I've been fighting for some time now. I believe I am qualified enough to do some whomping on my own.

[blamemysister]

But Tiiiaaaaaaaa! [Oh look it's the Royal Whine.] Whomping is our thing!

[pirateponyprincess]

You can share, dear sister.

[blamemysister]

Mmmrrrgh... but but...! We barely get a chance to whomp in this place...! Fine... I'll share.

[Less of a all powerful alicorn goddess than a ten year old unwilling to share her toys eh Celestia?]

[pirateponyprincess]

I have a feeling opportunities will arise in the near future.

[This forest is starting to give even her the creeps.]

[blamemysister]

We suppose you are right.

[She doesn't like having to share this time but she'll cope.]

[pirateponyprincess]

Perhaps we may do something together in the near future?

Visual

[superstylishsquid]

Looks like somepony's having fun.

*Don't mind the batpony sitting in a room made of dark cloud lit an ominous and flickering purple...*

I was going to send one of my bloodgoyles to scout out the changes to the forest, but I guess that works too.

Visual

[pirateponyprincess]

[There's a few minutes before a response comes. Celestia has to deal with a timber wolf first.]

If I wanted to simply scout the forest, there are safer ways to do it.

Visual

[superstylishsquid]

Hence why I was going to send a construct, I didn't have much reason to go in there myself. After all, it'd hardly be fair for somepony like me to look for fights in there.

Re: Visual

[pirateponyprincess]

Confident in your abilities, are you?

Visual

[superstylishsquid]

But of course. But then, given that I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting this particular version of you yet, I can forgive you for not being aware.

I am Blademaster Alastor, sometimes also known as the spirit of lightning. I'm one of the local demons...and none of us are pushovers.

Visual

[pirateponyprincess]

[Celestia isn't surprised that there are demons about. There always seems to be at least one. Plus, she's already met Dante.]

You may cal me Captain Celestia. I shall leave the title of "Princess" to the one acting as such.

Visual

[superstylishsquid]

*Dante is everywhere, it seems.*

Captain it is. Just call me Alastor, I'm not one for stuffy formalities.

Visual

[stalksindarkness]

...I've heard that sound before. At night.

What is it?

Visual

[pirateponyprincess]

[A few minutes later...]

It turned out to be a timber wolf. Nothing I couldn't handle.