The Uprising (PG-13)

[midnightroses]

Silver Heart climbed out off the carriage, now freezing cold. The weather had turned so suddenly. It was the late afternoon. The skies were dark grey and it looked like they were about to have a storm of some kind. Thank goodness, she'd be in the palace for several hours. Getting home again though would be difficult. As the carriage service closed in freak weather! *I hope someone will kind enough to take me home or give me a bed at the palace for a night. Just the idea of sleeping in the palace is thrilling. I'll have to see what everybody else is doing and go with the flow.* she thought excitedly.

The palace was huge. The original pink walls had been painted white-gold and the blue roof had been painted silver. The draw-bridge was very old and brown. Silver helped Jasmine out. Seeing the look on Jasmine's face, Silver tried to calm her.

"It can be overwhealming at first. But it gets better." she said.
"Better? Lady, it gets much worse when we step through those gates." Jasmine, bitterly said.
"Oh you are silly. I..we've been invited and no one ever turns down an invitation." replied Silver Heart, shaking her head.
"Why?" asked Jasmine, curiously
"I suppose..." Silver started and then drifted off the subject.

Jasmine took her cue and shut up. *Perhaps I went too far.* she thought. Silver Heart gathered up her skirts and walked across the path, towards the open drawbridge. She gestured Jasmine to walk beside her rather than behind her. They both stopped at the top of the steps. Lady Silver Heart reached out to hold the door knocker and stopped.

"Jasmine, you're here tonight because I believe you have potential. I've always had to attend these parties alone. From a young age, my mother told me to always keep a piece of home with you, where ever you may go. For your safety and good relations. Always treat slaves equally, she said. They maybe good housekeeps, but they make better friends. No matter what they are or who they are or what they do." Silver told her.

Jasmine was touched deeply by this. Her expression shone through her eyes.

"I want you to have fun tonight but also work hard. Stay by my side unless I send you on an errand. Tonight, you'll be my handmaiden. If you do a good job, tomorrow I'll officially promote you." continued Silver, warmly.

Still touched but clueless about what a handmaiden was, Jasmine decided to tell her about her magically born self. She opened her mouth just as Lady Silver knocked on the door. A squeak came out of her mouth when the door opened and shut her mouth quickly as they were escourted inside and to the lounge, where piano music was being played.

[sunstar]

His mother and sister had been too upset to attend the party. Zero didn't have a choice since he was on duty. Star stood quietly beside him. He knew that he would have to break the news of Lody's death soon. He watched as Archduke Wrenwood took the stage.
"I have terrible news. Bass was hurt killing a strong magic user today. It was Lord Lody." the Archduke announced as gasps rang through the room, "Bass will live, but he was hurt pretty badly. I have stationed Enchantment Finders among us so we are safe here. According to Bass, Lord Lody went crazy and attacked his daughter, Ciel, his son, Zero, and his wife, Lady Sweets. Bass responded and protected them, but he had to kill Lody because Lody was too dangerous to be captured."
Zero felt rage stir within him, "Lies!"
"What?" the Archduke turned to him as he climbed up on to the stage.
"Those are lies! Bass attacked my family on a claim of magic! my father died protecting Ceil, mother, and Star! he's lucky I let him crawl back to you!" Zero's eyes flashed with anger.
"How dare you accuse me of lying!" Wrenwood gasped, "I speak the truth! you lie!"
"I speak the truth! Bass is a murderer! That's right, the archduke and duchess employ a murderer to protect you! Who is going to be next? Who else will Bass kill on the claim of magic? do you trust them now?" Zero asked the crowd.
More gasps rang out.
"That can't be true!" someone cried out, "I owe my life to Bass!"
"You got lucky! tonight when you sleep, you sleep with a ruthless killer on the hunt because the archduke and duchess allow it!" Zero spat.
"Guards! seize him! I want him in jail!" Wrenwood bellowed as guards desended on Zero. He fought, and made it to a window, "Star! let's go!"
Star raced to him and jumped, crashing through the window as Zero lept onto her back. they hit the moat and swam to the far side quickly. Zero urged Star into a hand galloup, racing her toward the outskirts of town. He didn't care that he and Star were bleeding from several cuts.

[NumiTuziNeru]

It would have been quite unfortunate if the mare had collided with Hermes.

Luckily, she didn't.

"Ay!" Zvarta cried, taken aback by this sudden miss.
"What's with you, man? Watch where you're going!"

They just kept running, of course.
But who was Zvarta to stay behind?
Neutrality didn't forbid her from curiosity.

[sunstar]

Zero kept going, knowing the guards would be close behind. Star swerved to avoid another horse and rider. the town edge flashed by and Zero knew he'd be safe for a little bit. the Guards weren't stupid, but they did believe in the rumers of strong magic users living outside town. Zero just didn't care, and refused to belive in the stories Bass had told of the horrors outside town. Star slowed, coming up to a freshly dug mound which Zero dismounted and dug up his beloved sword, and his pouch containing supplies for three days. The sword was unusual as it's blade was emerald green instead of being silver. the only other sword he knew of that was different belonged to Bass and had a black blade. He and Star then stole off the main road and into hiding.

[NumiTuziNeru]

Zvarta rolled her eyes.

"Here we go...I come into a town for two seconds and then I'm out again..."
You say that like it's a bad thing.

They ran after the strange gentleman and his horse.

"Hey!" Zvarta called out. "Listen when people are talking to you!"
I don't think he really cares, Zvarta.
"Yes, I know that. But neither do I."

They kept on following him, secretly glad to be free of that ugly town.

[sunstar]

Zero hid in the bushes, watching as the guards flew by him. It was then he noticed the lone mare riding a pony coming toward him. She didn't look like an enchantmeny finder, nor one of the guards. glancing back, he saw the guards returning, with Bass in the front, looking murderous. thinking quickly, Zero shot out of his hiding place and shot in front of the guards, distracting Bass enough that Star was able to sneak out and guide the pony and rider into the bushes. Zero rejoined them seconds later.
"That was close. Good work, Star." he gave Star a quick hug, "I may no longer be welcome in town, but I will have to go back for mom and Ciel. first things first." Zero turned to the strange mare he rescued, "My name is Zero, and I used to be an Enchantment finder living in the town. Who are you? This is Electra Star, but we all call her Star."

[NumiTuziNeru]

"Many thanks," Zvarta said blandly. "I am Zvarta Ironya. I am nobody - or at least, nobody of significance."
She lightly tapped the side of her glasses.
"I travel around the place, as befits a nobody - for nobodies have no reason to stay anywhere."
Hermes whickered slightly.
Greetings, Zero of where the sun sets. I am Hermes of where the sun hangs at midnight.
"Ignore this rude beast...thank the Goddess my other mode of transport is far more polite...."
I knew you'd say that.

[midnightroses]

Back at the mansion things were quiet. A little too quiet. Most of the servants had gone home, yet a few remained. They cleaned the house until it was spotless. Every now and again they heard something. But ignored it, thinking it was the wind. Soon enough they started to leave. Gemstone emerged from inside the wall. This terrified the maids! They screamed and screamed. A few maids made it out.

"Go! Quick! Hurry!" shouted an old woman, giving them horses.
"Red Sun, go to the castle and sound the alarm! We need an Enchantment finder! The best in the business! This creature is very clever with scary powers. Tell them, this creature lives inside the walls. Now go hurry!" ordered the head maid of the manor.
"Lavender, tell Lady Silver Heart to stay with friends tonight." she added.

Both riders ran off into the night that was drawing in. Gemstone had had a lovely meal. Dining in a mansion was lovely treat. But her favourite part of today was scaring the servants. Knowing now that she was about to be tracked by an enchantment finder, she left the house. But not before locating the family safe and stealing the jewels.

She ran swiftly across North Orb and through East Angel. Surprised gypsies and fortune tellers watched the green unicorn with gold necklaces around her neck, jewelled tassles in her hair and diamond shaped jewels on her back; speeding through the streets. Unknowingly leaving a bejewelled trail, behind her.

Gemstone galloped off the main road and stopped suddenly. She heard a rustle in the bushes. She peered through the gaps and caught the sight of an emerald sword. She licked her lips, her eyes sparkled fixed on it. She was about to dive her head through the gap, when a voice called her from behind.

"You, Envy! Stop! Get inside we must!" the voice warned.

Out the shadows stepped an old grey stallion. He had long messy white hair that fell over his face. His right eye was covered with a black eye patch. He wore a brown leather belt around his waist with fiece looking swords hanging from it. A black cloak hid his scars and wounds. Lastly on his head was a black bandana, patterned with skulls and crossbones.

Gemstone turned her gaze off the sword. She sighed and snapped her head to face him.

"My, my, my. You got lucky tonight, Envy my love." exclaimed the pirate.
"North Orb has many fortunes." said Gemstone, grinning.
"Ah ha ha, aye. So that's where you've been all this time. Got some for me?" he asked.
"Aye. Why the rush to leave? Enchantment finders on the move? What's the big deal? We can take them." exclaimed Gemstone, hoping for a fight.
"Normally I'd agree with you but not tonight. Apparently Bass is here! He's got hunger in those eyes. As cold as ice crystals and yet as hot as a bonfire. He's after something or someone...He's not taking any prisoners and he'll kill all who oppose him! Bad night for thieves. Better to wait until light." explained the stallion, who kept looking over his shoulder.
"Very well then." replied Gemstone, reluctantly.
"Aye, come on Envy. We'll deal with them tomorrow. Mark my words. North Orb will suffer, how we suffered tonight. Aye, sweet revenge." he whispered in Gemstone's ear as she drew close to him.
They both looked back at the bush and then carefully slipped into the shadows.

[sunstar]

Bass was angry. He forced himself not to give in to his anger although it was making his horn and eyes gleam a dull red color, and making a few of the enchntment finders nervous.
"Zero escaped the town, sir." an old pegasus stallion reported. his body was pale blue but his wings were bright red.
"Watch all roads leading out tonight. our prey will return for his mother and sister, and i'll be waiting." Bass grinned, revealing sharp teeth.
"sir, there are reports of a magic user in North Orb. they say it can go through walls. they are asking for you specifically." another soldier, this time a mare with furry feet, reported.
"I'll look into it as I am heading there." Bass nodded and urged his mount into a hand galloup. He first went to the place were the magic user was reported to have been seen and felt around for any traces of magic. He also noticed the jewel trail.
"They've made it easy on me." Bass followed the trail after asuring the servents that everything was going to be fine.

[midnightroses]

OOC: This is the most gripping roleplay game I have created. Just re-read it. And if it's alright with you Sunstar? I'm going to continue where we left off.
_____________________________________________________

"Come Envy! Come! This way, hurry up!" urged Steel as he ran swiftly through the streets into the market square.

The market square was busy as always despite of the weather. Business was running normally as usual. Stall Keepers were selling items from clothing materials to food. Customers were buying stuff or haggling down the prices. Con artists who dressed like wannabe magic users were luring ponies in and then ripping them off. It was fairly normal if not for the gales of wind blowing things over.

The stall keepers carried on with their business as Steel ran past. One or two looked up briefly but Steel was there and gone so quickly. All they saw was a grey blur or the tail end of black bandana waving in the wind, if they were lucky. What caught everyone's attention was a green unicorn dressed in riches running down through the square at an incredible speed. She jumped over everything that was in her way. Every time she did this a tassle would fall off and she didn't seem o notice. Behind her was a long trail of jewels. As soon as the unicorn had left the square, the stall keepers stared greedily at the trail of riches. They crept out from behind their stalls and swept up the bejewelled trail for their own uses. Most likely to sell in-exchange for money. Just when the market square had started to relax again, they heard a sound of charging hooves approaching. They had no time to hide their new life insurance so they took off in different directions. Leaving the customers bewildered, some of them calling the stall keepers thieves.

Gemstone and Steel slowed down as they reached South Hex. Onlookers nodded respectively to Steel as they walked past.

South Hex was quite a fair way out. Whilst North Orb was in suburbia, South Hex was at the edge of the city right next to the end of the river which flowed out into the ocean. flame torches were hung at every door of every house and tavern to make the area feel welcoming. It was also done because it got quite dark there at night, making it difficult to see.

The North Orbians rarely travelled over there, a fellow but famous thief had spread a few rumours about the place being haunted. Although he was put to death for his lies, the Orbian ponies were still very superstitious about South Hex, so by law only the guards were allowed to travel into the cursed land.

[sunstar]

(OCC: I'd love to continue!)

Zero held his blade close, his eyes on the mare foolish enough to try to take it. He didn't bother with a warning. One touch of the blade would be enough of a warning. The sword was enchanted by an old friend of his, who remained in hiding. His friend was the most wanted stallion around. He was also the last of his kind. Zero couldn't help but smile. X was smart.

Bass followed the trail until it stopped at the market place.
"Where did they go?" He roared, eyes scanning the market place.
"Oh good sir!" a high pitched voice called out. Bass looked around before looking down to see a small blue colt with three legs and a broken horn. He tensed, and dismounted his unicorn.
"Where did they go?" Bass asked again.
"Them stall keepers! they stole your trail!" the colt replied, sparks flying from his horn, "Sorry, good sir! When they broked mah horn, they didn't do it right!"
Bass sensed a surge of magic coming from the colt in front of him. It was strangely familiar. He drew out his sword and flipped the colt to his back with a fendish grin.
"Wait good sir! you don't wanna keel me, a halpless weetle colt wif a bad lot in life in front of awl these people do ya? Wat weel dey tink?" the colt asked, laying on the acent thickly.
Bass stopped. The kid had a point. he didn't need to add kid killer to the list of things he was called as it was. Also, the surge was gone. It could not have come from the colt. The kids horn erupted with more sparks. Bass sighed and let the colt go. He mounted his unicorn again and took off in the direction the colt pointed in.

Once Bass had gone, the colt slipped away into an alley where he swiftly dropped his disguize. Rising to his full height, X opened his three pairs of wings and took flight. He lit his three horns, and let his magic spread around him. Below, the populace scattered in pure terror. He landed, waggling his wings at several mares, one who promptly fainted. Pretty soon, a full squadron of Enchantment Finders filled the market place. X waggled his wings at them, lighting one of his horns and swinging it at them. They charged, only to stop in confusion as X vanished. Somebody pointed at the sky. They all dove to the ground as X passed inches above their heads.

Zero watched as X kept the Enchantment Finders busy. He rolled out of the bush and rose as Bass charged toward him. Bass growled, flying off his unicorn to meet Zero in battle. Their swords glowed in the night, one emerald green, the other ruby red, as they clashed. Star stayed in the bush.