Fourth Duel

[misplacedxsheath]

*Adding to the mass of serious faces on the scroll is Margulis, somehow looking even more serious than normal. There's a commanding air about him, as if he's stepped into a role that's first nature to him.*

I'm certain many of you have speculations, plans or information to share regarding yesterday's incident. While it's important to do so, you might have noticed that the Pale Pony made an appearance on the scrolls as well. As such, we should assume that she's capable of intercepting our communications via magic. I urge those of you who have things you wish to share to make use of the recently established information hub.

Those willing to take part in active discussion or offer their direct assistance in this matter should report to the Otsuki tea shop once we've all returned to Ponyville. Nakagawa and I have prior experience in a similar situation and will be lending our assistance in whatever ways we can.

For those I haven't met yet, my name is Margulis. I'm the former commander of U-TIC's fleet and have extensive experience with shadow wars and confronting overwhelming odds. I don't expect you to defer to me, but I hope you recognize the value of my input.

And to those of you who are afraid...it's perfectly understandable. What we face is a being we scarcely even comprehend and it's in the nature of intelligent beings to fear things beyond our understanding. If you're unwilling or unable to offer assistance, don't force yourself. Even the ordinary, daily tasks we often regard as insignificant have their purpose. Preserving a sense of stability is far more important than many give it credit for.

On a related note, I'm aware that we lost one of our number during the Pale Pony's appearance. I'm sure this is a troubling event, particularly for those who were personally familiar with the fallen. However, remember that withdrawing in despair will give our adversary the cowed masses that would ensure her victory. Recoiling in fear of following a similar fate would have the same result. I know all of us are subject to the same emotional responses as any human or pony, but the strength of men lies not in a lack of feeling, but rather in our ability to turn pain into motivation.

For the sake of those who have been lost to the Pale Pony, the worlds she has robbed and seeks to devour and even for ourselves, we must stand tall in whatever way we can. Even simple acts of defiance such as refusing to back down under her glare or singing inspiration can have immeasurable worth. I don't know all of your or your abilities, though I hope to remedy that for those of you willing to stand and fight in your own ways, but I hope to see all of you honoring those who have and continue to suffer as a result of this being by continuing to live as you have. I speak with certainty when I say that only the most selfish of them would wish for us to surrender our wills due to their loss.

Comments

[misplacedxsheath]

Hmm...you maybe the first I've encountered in my interdimensional travel that's from a world that doesn't regard travel between stars as an impossibility.

[sumofallreds]

There's plenty here. You just gotta know how to look. Though most of them are just on the cusp, like the Earth in my world. They can get out there, but not very far without help.

[misplacedxsheath]

That's been the general gist of my experience. The last version of Earth I encountered was capable of travel to the moon at the primary point in its history I was there for, but nothing beyond. And most of the interdimensonal visitors found even quick travel there to be novel.

[sumofallreds]

It's a surprise with mine though: considering the sheer amount of contacts they've had. Dozens of species from all over the galaxy. Though, a good deal of them were hostile.

[misplacedxsheath]

Even in that case, you would expect them to have reverse engineered the remains of hostile ships. It sounds as if they might be complacent about the idea, satisfied to rely upon others for transportation.

[sumofallreds]

Well...considering I know most of the people who fought back against them...

[Truth sttreeetttchhhhhh....]

...I think there wasn't enough left TO reverse engineer. At least I know WE never left much other than burning rubble.

[misplacedxsheath]

Then I take it precision wasn't exactly one of your strong suits.

[sumofallreds]

It's more that said precision was massive. We kinda like our overkill. It's flashier that way.

[misplacedxsheath]

*He chuckles quietly.*

Trust me, it's quite possible to be flashy without utterly destroying your target beyond recognition.

[sumofallreds]

It's less fun that way though. Especially when you have a grudge against your opponent.

[misplacedxsheath]

That I wouldn't know about, since the only opponent I've ever faced where it was that personal...well, overkill wasn't precisely an option.

Although it was entertaining watching the look on that old fool Sergius' face when I finally put my plan in motion to see him destroyed by his own hubris.

[sumofallreds]

Well...try to imagine an enemy that attacked your home, killed a lot of people you knew and loved, left you stranded in space for a couple of decades, and continued to do so to half the galaxy. Then, you might understand.

Oh those ones are ALWAYS fun, no matter the size of the explosion.

[misplacedxsheath]

I don't need to imagine...but it's difficult to face an entire galaxy-wide federation in combat. Though I can't speak for if I had the personal chance to make either the leaders of the Galaxy Federation or the United Earth pay for their greed.

[sumofallreds]

You should try it when you only have 6 people then. Its fun. Especially when you get to make the Emperor's son look like a jackass every other day.

[Not that the situation wasn't hard...]

[misplacedxsheath]

I found my share of fun with the worthy opponents I encountered, rare as they were. Even if the one I was most eager to fight was disappointingly out of practice at first.