Seventh Starfall: Beyond the Pale [Visual, postdated for after the Closing Ceremonies]

[stormbroken]

[It's about two hours after the appearance of the Pale Pony, and everything that came with it. You might think that things would calm down again, but no.

This time, Flare Star fires up a scroll that she basically pulled straight away from Dust and starts talking, about as seriously as many ponies have ever heard out of her - the exceptions being Queen Chrysalis (who got to hear the tone when she was attacking the pegasus) and Zecora (whom she helped during Nightmare Night).]

The cards've been played. I don't know what kind of feeling that was that I felt back there, but I know it is evil. No more playing around, no more wasting time trying to understand.

I'm not saying that we don't still need to research this nag, far from it. In fact, we need to centralize our research, so that everypony has the same access to it. It's only right in times of war to allow your soldiers to know of the enemy they fight.

She pulls us all in at random, focusing on those with powers, and then every month, she culls. A few more get drawn into her, possibly for keeps. By standing before us today, by proving that she exists, she has declared war. Not on Equestria, but on every last one of our worlds.

Buck compassion, and buck caring for a pony so far gone that she'll steal souls for her own gain.

She needs to die.

Who's with me?

Comments

[visual]

[thedoctorsmate]

Nobody is killing anybody.

[Donna's glare is hard.]

Gathering up intel to stop that thing, sure, but we are not going to stoop to that. This isn't war, it's one horrible person. And we are not soldiers.

[visual]

[misplacedxsheath]

Hmph, speak for yourself.

*Given the scars and the three blades he's carrying, this guy is obviously a fighter.*

[visual]

[thedoctorsmate]

[And Donna is obviously not impressed.]

Shove off, Scarface. Rambo's taping down the block if that's what you like.

[visual]

[misplacedxsheath]

*Just have a scowl in return.*

You think I take enjoyment in this? The fact of the matter is, the Pale Pony is a threat to us and our worlds. While in an ideal reality, such situations would never come to the necessity of death, the truth is that some are too depraved to reason with and too dangerous to be allowed to continue to exist. If you have reason to believe that a civil solution is possible in this circumstance, feel free to share. But as it is, I see no indication that there's any outcome that doesn't end with it victorious or dead.

[visual]

[thedoctorsmate]

[A scowl-off has begun. You're going against London's reigning champ, Margulis.]

We don't even know what the Pale Pony is. Not really. It's a completely new and foreign entity that's got more power in its eyes than the majority of the people who have been brought here have got in their whole bodies. I haven't got a solution yet, but 'kill it' isn't one I'm willing to entertain.

[visual]

[stormbroken]

Of course we aren't.

We're just a whole bunch of cupcakes, lined up in a row for the picking.

[visual] wow I misread your tag at midnight...

[thedoctorsmate]

And you think 'kill it with fire' is going to fix that, do you? Considering we've been here this long and it hasn't just eaten all of us, there might just be a reason for that, yeah? Think maybe we could figure that out and stop that instead of worrying about how to murder a god?

[visual]

[stormbroken]

It's already eaten one universe. For all we know, the only reason it hasn't gone full-bore on this Equestria is because it's digesting.

[visual]

[thedoctorsmate]

So let's confirm that and figure out a way to give them indigestion so it doesn't feel like eating a universe ever again.

[visual]

[caneattheseapples]

You're right.

I hate the damn thing, but trying to kill it might end up killing who knows how many lives it has inside of it.

We've got to find some other way to confront it.

[She's only capable of saying this after a day of calming down. She was fully prepared to stupidly charge it back at the games.]

[visual]

[thedoctorsmate]

[Donna nods sharply, glad to have some backup.]

You saw what was inside of it first hand. There were ponies and people inside defying it, right? It's not unstoppable, just strong. It made a mistake bringing all of us here. Whatever theories it's trying to confirm, I say we flip them on their heads!

Re: [visual]

[caneattheseapples]

I'm with you there. I've never been much of a science girl so theories? Flog 'em.

[visual]

[thedoctorsmate]

Hah! [Donna grins, ears forward and hooves firm.] They're not even using the word right, are they? Reckon they've just got a lot of hypotheses. Can't even get their own language down. Sounds like we've gotta whip the Pale Pony into shape, too!

[visual]

[robotfightclub]

Speaking as a soldier, you are absolutely right.

[visual]

[thedoctorsmate]

[She's seen Arcee's conversation with Flare by now and is happy for the cat to be the voice of reason.]

I think a good leader would have a better strategy than what's been proposed. Because it would be a strategy. Are you sure you aren't qualified, Arcee?

[visual]

[robotfightclub]

[Oh, well, erm, that startles her just a little.]

...Positive. I have a bad habit of jumping the gun.

[Really the reason she was so upset at Flare's speech to begin with was because that's exactly how she'd talk a long time ago. Revenge is something, let her tell ya.]

[visual]

[thedoctorsmate]

I'd say the Doctor, but I dunno how he'd manage everyone here. He's good at smaller groups... [And she doesn't actually know this Doctor as well.] It's got to be someone level-headed and used to managing a lot of people.

Which really only leaves the princesses, but they've got their own problems. [She sighs, annoyed as she tries to pick through the potentials. There are a lot of 'heroes' in Equestria, and even 'leaders,' but they're the leaders of their own worlds and times and from what she's seen, they'll ham it up or won't be able to put their egos in check.]

Maybe some sort of joint thing would be better until someone else comes along.

[visual]

[trustme]

[The Doctor is quiet on his end, looking at her with an expression that shows some age in his eyes, and he slowly smiles. That's the Donna he knows.]

You're absolutely right.

[visual]

[thedoctorsmate]

[And there's the Doctor, her Doctor with eyes like Grandad's when he gets to talking about his own wars. Human. Insignificant by comparison, but old soldiers are all the same, aren't they? The good ones don't want to see others go to war again.]

What d'we know about it, Doctor? Were you able to get any readings on it with your screwdriver?

[visual]

[bluesuit_hoofy]

...I started a scan when it first appeared. [And then failed his concentration check was overcome by that gaze. He doesn't know how they can possibly stop this thing, and though he won't admit it the thought of trying somehow to kill it did cross his mind. He's scared and he doesn't know what they should do, and both those things are utterly wrong. He swallows and does his best to look hardened and determined. For once, teamwork is on the menu.]

Doctor, if you got anything we should compare the scans and try to get a more complete picture.

[visual]

[like_a_dragon]

[She's not saying anything either. But... there's something in those words that makes her pause and think.]

[And maybe watch these conversations a bit more carefully.]

[visual]

[thedoctorsmate]

[Donna's firmly convinced that there will always be another way apart from killing. The Doctor has taught her that dozens of times over and being here in Equestria has, as well.]

[like_a_dragon]

[Chie's a fighter... but when the moment came when she had the choice to kill the person that caused that much misery, she balked. It wasn't right. But she struggled with the question of whether leaving him around wouldn't endanger people too.]

[But Donna's question makes her wonder what they should do about this.]

I wish...

[And she's quiet.]

[visual]

[needsteaplz]

I'm afraid if push comes to shove we might have to. I hate to sound cheesy saying this but it might the case where the needs of the many outweighs the few. However, it's too early to know for sure.

It's not right for everyone to take up arms of they don't want to and I don't want anyone to feel pressured to do so. We just can't everyone simply ignore this though. Everyone can help in some way.

[visual]

[thedoctorsmate]

Never said for anyone to ignore it, did I? [You've caught Donna in a huff, Saori. Sorry about that.] People keep acting like there's no between. I don't care if you hit the bloody thing over the back of the head. Serves 'em right. Just don't kill it. There is always another way.

[She blows out a frustrated sigh.] God, now I sound like that skinny streak of nothing. Bottom line: I'm happy to help s'long as we're not running about starting some sort of overpowered, blood-thirsty mob.