darkSpyro

OOC: that is an interesting new character. Accepted, but hey, no going around making my ponies deaf.
Hellena with sharp teeth? Were did you get that idea? A certain red pony with a suiting name(Raptor). I'm curious, cause you haven't had her "smile" before.

"You are threatening me? You are threatening me!?" he reached into the other side of his coat quickly pulling out abject, too fast to see, and shoved it through the bars at Sicolus. It had three appendages, a quarter hoof thick each, about 1/5 apart. All enclosed tightly on the unicorns neck, locking in on each other in the back. Yanking the unicorn to the bars(they're not electrical(the weren't suppose to be in the first try either)), "Now listen you worthless punk, you are lucky I have a much better use for you than you precious color. I could have you cut into the tiniest pieces, mixed in a batch of acid, and produces in a house cleaning product, I could have your head split in half while you still breathe. I can test serums, tools, and use you as a training doll. You will not threaten me if I let you live this long. Those that think they are above me wanted you dead a long time ago, but I persuaded them to let you live for a better purpose." he released the handle, but it opened wide to keep Sicolus restrained to the bars. He backed up and looked to Steel, "Your friend is going to get himself into trouble he does not need."
--
Gift Wing walked up the set of stairs up into the first cell block. He spotted two familiar ponies a few cells down, on his right. Closing the door softly he started toward them, "Doctror Gulaven..." he paused seeing he wasn't facing his direction which must mean he doesn't want to be disturbed with his current conversation.

OOC: Bits and pieces, she has messed around with some pretty dark stuff throughout her life. That, and she can't pass up stupid dares.

Theta shut the door behind her, and settled at her desk, sliding the saddlebags off of her back with a wary sigh. Picking up a quill, she scribbled a few things down on a notepad.
"Ahhh... If only I was a unicorn. Magic would be fantastic..." she mused.

Sicolus still laughed seemingly oblivious to the immediate danger "ooh I love this game. How about baking me into a cupcake, instead with a cruel twist make it sugar free. Or how about we skin me alive and make my coat into a costume that we send to foal's parties and force me to watch as somepony else dances around in my skin. Or how about we force me to watch day time television, oh please not the last one, anything but day time TV." Sicolus laughed to a point where he couldn't hold himself up anymore.

OOC: Can someone sum up what happened, so I know what to do? :L

OOC: We basically just started: Hellena is being "investigated" by Factory guards outside Cloudsdale; Spark met one of my random Factory believers; Ballistic Beats has approached Spark after the pony told her to separate from him; Sicolus is currently faced with bars by Dr. Gulaven with Steel and Gift Wing who is keeping quiet while they "resolve" matters.


"Rule one, do not threaten your leader," he grasped the tool, holding Sicolus to the bars, and twisted the handle. It tightened a bit, and released itself from the bars where Gulaven pushed the unicorn back, "If a threat leaves a ponies mouth and is directed at the overseer, then it is punishable by any physical damage the threatened sees fit," he yanked the tool back toward him to slam Sicolus into the bars face first. On impact the object let the unicorn go. The tool closed up and folded into its small blocky form as Gulaven tucked it away into his coat.

Gulaven then quickly turned to Gift Wing, "Yes, can I help you?" he asked softly like the event didn't even happen.

Gift Wing was a bit startled by the scene, but refocused on his request, "Oh yes sir. I need to ask for permission to enter the lower labs to acquire a certain element I know is kept down there," he was a bit uneasy as Dr. Gulaven walked over slowly while he spoke.

Stopping two steps from Gift Wing to look over the white pegasus, "You've worked here long enough, I think you can be escorted to the desired room," he contemplated the thought.
--
Rainbow Dash walks in as calmly as she can into the control room of the extraction room. Seating herself next to a scientist pony wearing thick goggles and a standard lab coat. "Rough morning?" he asked as she just stared at the few controls needed for the machine.

Turning slowly to him, the cyan pegasus moved her magenta-red eyes over the now slightly scared pegasus scientist, "Yeah..." she started slowly turning back to the empty room on the other side of the glass, "Just a little." he eyes went to the controls where a speaker sat awaiting a call. Rainbow Dash touched the button next to it to activate speech, "Torch Light," she called.

A male replied with a voice that sounds like it belong to a playful adult, "Haha, yeah," he cleared his throat, "Sorry... What do you need Dash?"

"We need to bring the blue up today, so send us what you got," Rainbow Dash replied releasing the button afterward.
--
OOC2:(edit) sorry had to stop there in case my phone decided to shut off and lose all of that, ok... Back to hellena considering I missed it last time, sorry.

"Ooo sharp teeth and a threat of being scorched by a pyro, never got that one before... Well the teeth thing anyway," the guard leaned back a little, "Why are you really here?" he kept himself in a tall stature or pose. The other three guards looked at each other as they shrugged to one another.

Sicolus continued to chuckle as he lay on the ground a bit sore now. It wouldn't be long, he could feel it in the air, something was going to happen soon enough and thats when he could cause pain for others, but for now he only needed words.

Steel's metal hoof was reaching out in concern for the unicorn, but the pegasus neither moved or spoke otherwise. It was foolish to interrupt, and just plain stupid to attempt to stop it. His hoof fell to the floor with a clunk.

Echo trotted lightly toward something in the distance. Her tongue clicked against her teeth as she went, painting a sort of picture in her head as she listened. Multiple agitated voices were somewhere close, very close. Echo's ears swiveled like radars, picking up the angry tones dead ahead. The pegasus mare stopped and whistled loud, identifying a small group of...stallions? And also a mare, likely a unicorn.

"Look," Hellena cut across. "I don't have time for this. Whatever you may think of me, I don't care. The -cough-... No, I'm not saying that." she coughed, hesitating before talking again, a frown taking up her expression again. "I could even ask you who you're working for. My employer isn't above eliminating those more powerful than h-cough-er."

"Do you mock Doctor Gulaven?" his head turned with a curious eye, "Maybe he should have a look at that cough of yours," the guard added as he motioned to the fourth guard behind Hellena to come over, "I'm sure he will have something for such a nasty expulsion."

As the guard walked over he spotted a mare who was blindfolded, or was she really un able to see with it removed? Either way, she caught the guard's attention, and possible his heart. She stood alone, no friends, no family. Was she truly alone? Is she looking for somepony? Does she know where she is? Can she see who he is and what he works for? Thoughts boggled his mind as the seemingly leaderish guard tapped his helmet, "Hello? Over here," the guard snapped to the current event, "This pony needs to be observed by the Doctor," the fourth guard looks to Hellena.

"I don't know, she does look a little... beat up," he returned to Factory brute, "The scarf is burned, her teeth are of unusual shape, and she doesn't seem to eat well either," he glanced back to Echo, and his face was hidden from the other guards as he mouthed "Get out of here." He then looked past her to make it seem as if he was just surveying the area.
--
Gulaven looked back at the metal hoof clank behind him, but ignored it and turned back to Gift Wing, "Yes, I'll escort you below, to the Black Laboratories," he started for the door that would take them to the stair well, but stopped and looked back, "Uhh Steel," he called for attention.
--
Rainbow Dash sat back to the floor as the auto, metal door above the walk in door opened to bring in the mechanical arm holding a mid-night blue unicorn. Knowing the situation, it kicked frantically. Metal cuffs lapped over their hooves and held them still as the center bars removed themselves for the extraction. The process seemed to work best from the chest, evenly cleans the body of color and life. This was their newest model, it took the blood too which freed the need for red ponies. Any red ponies captured were either raised for breeding, labor, or even tests. The tests were usually with needles or serums that had to be mixed just before entering their bodies. There were pills and drinks, but the worst ones were the rays. Machines that would fire certain particals or waves into a pony's body to see the effects. It was by some magical accident that Rainbow Dash had pieced together the current devise used to take the color from living ponies. It only took from ponies, because of their ability to spread cheer and happiness... That and their body mass was accurate to house and feed, but mainly the fact that larger animals were to large for the devise to handle.

The extractor arm lowered in from the ceiling, facing its target being held head high off the floor. Positioning the large narrow tipped razor in front of the pony's chest, it lunged in. A yelp of pain, followed by a jolt of the pony's body, then a loud scream. The most painful part must have been feeling the color ripped from their pigments, and their effect on the pony's insides. Pain would soon seize as the blood was next; seven hoses lined the machines frame and head, one larger than the others where it was stands red on the inside. Bits of yellow and green would get through next to the main color because of their eyes and cutie marks. The devise leaves no pigment behind when it does its designed job. The machine could never get all the blood out though, so when the body drops to the floor, their is usually a splash. Excreting from the hole in the pony's chest or punctured area from a broken bone.

The now lifeless body dropped, from the releasing cuffs, to the floor with a crash. The head made a nice thud on the white floor, but going snout first had an awful effect. Blood from its head spurted from his nose, and the horn cracked and chipped several times. The machine, after the colors left the room through the tubes in the ceiling, retracted into the ceiling where the sliding door blocked the devises visual.

"Oh, I'm not allowed to have damaged lungs?" Hellena muttered sarcastically, cocking her head slightly. How much longer was this going to take? She had a colleague to find, probably rescue, and proceed to punch in the face. "Do go on about this 'Gulaven', then. I'm not one for idle threats, but I have ways to invoke fear in adversaries."

ooc: sorry for being gone for so long, i have my bored moments

spark fire sat on a cloud, letting everything she heard sink in. i need to know more, but.... she thought. she looked up when she heard ballistic speak to her. "well.... i guess you can say that the rainbows, arent that bright" spark answered.

Steel snapped to attention with practiced speed. "Umm...yes, sir?"

Echo carefully trotted closer to the group. "Please, there's no need to fight." She said quietly before clicking a few times. "It won't help either of you."

"Mm?" Hellena grunted, observing the newcomer without much interest. "I'm afraid that there's not much that can help in this life here. Better to speed up the descent into madness if there's nothing that can be done."

Sicolus laughed as the scream echoed through the halls. "Did you-" he could barely make out the words through his own laughter "-ever hear ahahaha, a grown stallion scream so loud" he finished with an excitement. He laughed so hard tears began to come to his eyes. He could not stand and was barely able to breath through his cackling.

Shade was patrolling around the cells, as usual. He ignored the shouts coming from the prisoners, which were probably ones to let them free.

I take a wrench from my belt and put it in my mouth before starting to twist bolts into place. I think about my friend, Rainbow Dash and wonder how she is doing. I wish I could see her but I know we both work different jobs. I think back to the time when we were foal napped by some ponies and brought here. How scared we were, not knowing where we were going or what was going to happen to us. I think of my father and smile. I wonder what he is doing at the moment and shrug before returning back to work.

"It's rather cold in here, have you finished with the air ducts?" Gulaven looked up to the vents high above them, "There is also a slight draft out in the third floor hall between my office and the rainbow room, could you look into that for me? Oh plus, when you see the boy, Starlight, have him help you in here." he turned to walk toward the door, but stopped as he opened it, "Actually, just go find the boy now, and let him deal with the draft, I'm sure he's done wherever he is."
--
The first guard looked at Echo, "There is no fight here, though our conversation is best left un-disturbed," he leaned his head forward at her before turning back to Hellena, "The Doctor is addressed as Dr. Gulaven or just Doctor. Dr. Gulaven is a brilliant Pegasus who runs the Rainbow Factory, making sure the clouds are not over or under produced, that the levels of color at equal with each new rainbow, maintaining the factory's enertior maintenance. He is the greatest pony alive." the guard finished turning back to Echo, "Had your fill of information mare, now leave us be or will be forced away from the area."

The Fourth guard bit his lip as he stepped over next to the first guard, "She's blind, she can't see who we are," he whispered as he walked by.
--
The pony's body was loaded up on the card while they awaited the next blue pony to arrive. It took only a minute for the door to open again bringing in a kicking mare. She was a lighter blue than the last one, and a regular earth pony. The same proccess took place, cuffed, separated from life itself in ememce pain, dropped and collected.

Quote: Stealthelfrocks

ooc: sorry for being gone for so long, i have my bored moments

spark fire sat on a cloud, letting everything she heard sink in. i need to know more, but.... she thought. to lighten herself up, she decided to spark things up a bit. she flew off from her cloud, then shot upwards at her, slowly reaching her top speed. as she did, sparks of fire could be seen trailing behind her, until they became full rings of fire. spark let herself forget about everything, escape the problems in her mind, but she knew that after her flight session, they will come back

OOC: Not meaning to rain on your joy flight, but Ballistic was trying to talk to Spark. Think ya missed it when you were off.

Hellena muttered something to herself bitterly, the only audible words being 'pathetic' and 'unnatural'.

ooc: sorry, let me edit a bit

"Right away, sir." Steel assured before cantering out the door. Starlight wasn't far, which would give him enough time to place some extreme rush orders for sheet metal and linoleum.

"I never heard anypony named 'Gulaven'. I just wanted to make sure everypony was okay. Weird stuff has been going on, and the rumors..." She shook her blue and yellow mane. "But I don't believe them. My husband used to work for Cloudsdale Weather, you know. Nothing unusual happens there."

Gulaven nodded as he motioned for Gift Wing to continue with him. Entering the stair well, the traveled the steps silently. Gulaven stopped at a dark green door with a sign reading "SL-3". Gulaven opened the door which showed a well lit hall way, with a few doors at either side and ended with a metallic blast door that was sealed shut with a key-card slot with a key pad and a retinal scanner. A large camera-looking figure hung from the ceiling close to the security panel, with an equal form of technology by the stair well. The door was white on this side, along with the hall itself. The cameras watched them both as they approached one of the hall doors on the left. The second of three doors, opened to a room that was wide enough that it held two other smaller boxes which were labs. One on the left, and on the right. The doors faced the front, toward Gulaven and his guest. The right one had symbols spelling "LL-42" and the left read "LR-26".

"I believe what you require is through door 26, I suggest you be swift," Gulaven said as he turned to the door to leave, "Keep in mind, your work determines how much I have to step in, I should not have to step in on my own time. I'll have you take clearance for this room alone, any further and you will be "escorted" out." he walked out.
--
The guards all looked at Echo, "Husband? Who might we ask is that?" the fourth Guard asked as another guard pulled his hoof away from Hellena.

The third quiet guard stepped around to Hellena's rear area as to keep her in place while they talked with the blind mare, "Stay where you are unicorn, we'll get back to you in a second."
--
Rainbow Dash waved a bit as the second pony dropped to the floor, leaving its own mark on the concrete floor around the drain in the middle. The scientist pony turned to the cyan pegasus, "Hey Dash, you feeling ok?"

"I wouldn't be so rude." Hellena voiced, a little too cheerfully, as she adjusted her scarf with a hoof. "Just a thing to note. A feral unicorn. Arsonist."

Sicolus spun around in a trance, staring up at the ceiling. He began to recall every piece of the factory he had ever seen. What stood out most in his memories was the blood, the blood and the pile of lifeless bodies. Sound of moving machinery and other ponies working. He began to feel like his body was pulling itself apart. Every movement seemed to ache with extreme pain and it felt like every breath he took he was breathing in acid. Every thing he saw became an eyesore and he felt a frustration he could not shake. His head began to ache and it felt like it was going to split in two. He quickly made his way over to the a wall and in his frustration slamming his head into it just under the horn. He did so until blood flowed down his snout and he could see it. At the sight of the red liquid he seemed to beat peace. He sat crosseyed staring at his own blood.

"I...I..." Echo trailed before composing herself. "I lost my husband, Steel, in an explosion in the Storm Generator facility. He was working on some sort of new power source, A reactor of sorts, when it overheated and..."
The cloth over her eyes grew visibly wet. She removed the strip, revealing a pair of pale silvery eyes, a trait synonymous with absolute blindness. They were currently filled with tears.
"I apologize." She said, wiping her eyes with a hoof. "I shouldn't break down in front of you."

The third guard glared at Hellena, "All the more reason to have the Doctor look you over," he reached up his left hoof to rub his right foreleg. His shoe tapped the bottom of his armor around his shoulder.
--
A pegasus with an artificial back right leg walked up to Sicolus's cell, "The Doctor has a chore for you," his shorter lab coat hung open under him. A pencil rested in his coat pocket, and the collar half popped upwith a pin on the underside of the upright side. The pin was of a rainbow with out the red, but it was another green. "We'll have to clean your face first," he pushed a pair of glasses back up his snout, "Torch Light," he turned away, and his single toned light red tail chimed the bars, "Open cell 6."
--
Rainbow Dash nodded slowly, "Didn't sleep well last night... Fogy memory of the night," she stood to walk into the corner of the room across from the entry door.

The scientist pony sat up away from his seat, "Nightmare or just un able to sleep?"

"Would you believe it is both?"

Name: Dusty Dark
Species: Earth pony
Gender: Male
Age: 38
Appearance: fairly built, taller than most other ponies. A Light black with tan speckles and a sand tan mane, also has scars that adds to the tan-black contrast. Green eyes. Dark brown Cowboy hat and simple blackish chest plate armor that has some wear(hence why its blackish). Cutie mark is a goldish circular shield with roman numerals going around it like to a clock.
Personality: is fairly kind until he feels he is disrespected, and thats when he loses patience. Prefers to use his brain over muscle but isn't afraid of brute force. Dedicated to his job. Thoughtful and occasionally wise. Does not shy away from the idea of death, whether it is his or others.
Location: worker, guard
Other: has seen action before the factory. Was a guard starting from a young age. Has worked at the factory for about 10 years now.
--------------------
Sicolus turned towards the pony and smiled. "What happened to your leg stumpy?" He laughed "had an accident".

"I have- don't need a doctor." Hellena snorted, turning her head away. "It's been taken care of. I'm perfectly fine."

She almost hid the waver in her voice. Almost.

---

"So, it's really that bad?" the scarred mare stood by an office doorway, staring at a similarly coloured stallion, though his sterile white coat was his natural one. Unlike the amber her's once was.
"Let's see; you're a pyromaniac, a sociopazh, a sadist. Need I say more?" he stated shortly, not turning away from his desk. A blow enveloped his horn a few moments, as he neatly jotted something down. Hellena couldn't see what.
"No. I get it."
"You really are lucky, 'Lena. Zhat Equestria hadn't recognized vhat you vere before you ran away."
"I know. Is it bad, is it weak to say, feel... that I'm still scared?"
There was hesitation before the white stallion responded, eyes unfocused as he stared down at his desk. At a file that lay open. What was the right thing to say to a scarred, unstable mare that, on the inside, was still just a frightened little filly?
"Med?"
"No. No, it's perfectly fine."

Echo's ears perked at the sound of the clinking armor. These were guards. And the slight quiver in the unicorn's voice...meant she was hiding something. Replacing the ribbon if fabric over her eyes, she chose not to point it out. She didn't know why, but she felt she shouldn't hinder the unicorn mare.

OOC: accepted, now get to work

The fourth guard thought for a second, Steel? The repair pony with the metalic parts? He's fixing the air ducts last I saw. Why does this mare not k ow he is alive? Maybe the Doctor has a reason, but it is still cruel. Cannot go against the Doctor though, never know where you'll end up.

"Alright, move along citizen," the third guard started to chuckle as he spoke, "Nothing to see here." he let out a short burst of laugher, bit low and deep, but not too low for anypony around to hear.

The first guard joins in with his own short laugh of the moment then slowed to look at Hellena, "We'll keep our eyes on you mare," he backed up waving for the others to follow.
--
The science pony held himself high, so his eyes looked slightly down on the dark unicorn, "I'm not one for stories," he said with no expression. The cell door opened with a slight creek as it slid info the cement wall it was attached to, "Now quit making a fool of yourself and come with me."

The gaunt mare stood still, ears folded back and eyes narrowed warily. Mare. What a demeaning title for one as great as herself. No, there was another word she prefered. Like a second name, even. She intended to leave as soon as possible. Leave the guards, leave the city where the sun princess was so close at hand.
"'Pyro' is fine." she stated shortly.

"ooh, touchy" Sicolus said with a smile as he turned and began to trot towards the cell doorway "Its ponies like you that cause all the sadness in the world. Always so uptight. you should lighten up. I swear to make ponies like you happy I'd have to hop around on one leg" and with that he let out a burst of laughter.
---
Dusty was making his rounds checking the cells and guard positions. A few of the guards had slacked off and he gave a stern lecturing, which was pretty relaxed of him considering he was a strong believer in corporal punishment(not to mention how Gulaven would have reacted), but all in all it had been a normal day. To him this was retirement, especially after the incident. After that he would have preferred to stay on guard duty the rest of his life than go home.

"Pyro?" Echo asked aloud. Her interest increased as she put two and two together. "Are you a fire unicorn?" Her tongue clicked a few times as she acertained Hellena's shape.

"Here," the science pony tossed a white pill back at Sicolis, "If you must calm yourself, a drug as simple as this will relax those nerves." he continued to the other side of the cell block, "Meds or not, you will follow me," he turned around while standing on a platform that was connected to the the wall by w chain supported lift built into the wall. A stand held a yellow rounded rectangular prism, with guard rails over the two buttons. A small green light was on above the buttons, informing the user it was ready for use.
--
"So, you were just killing anypony you saw in this... nightmare?" the science pony raised his goggles to show light blue eyes. His body was a light brown as well, and his mane seemed artificially colored though, a mild blue. His coat pocked had a thick pen in it, not to mention an odd two pieces of a goldish points stuck out from under his coat where his cutie mark would be.

Rainbow Dash bit her bottom lip, "Something like that," she answered a little weakly, "Good thing it was only a dream, so many ponies died at my hooves, and I couldn't stop it," she burried her fave into her hooves.
--
The second guard caught what Echo said, and the strange clicked she made, "What was that?" he stopped guard four.

"What?" Ballistic lowered the other side of her headphones, "Not a bright?" she giggles, "They look the same to me," she touched the little music player on her leg to pause her music, "Are you sure you're not the one feeling under the weather?" she smiled largely at the small pun.

OOC: I'm sorry about this hold up guys... Or Stealthelfrocks, got side tracked last I was on.

spark had to smile from the pun. it was about time something lightened her up. "whats your name anyway?" she asked. boy am i meeting many new ponies

Hellena's ears flicked in alarm. A pair of eagle-like eyes, a stallion who's horn flashed for no apparent reason... Different methods for the blind?
"I think the homicidal maniac is more important than the blind mare. Just a thought." she said quickly. "Unless you have a twisted sense on what priorities are. Go ahead, tell me."

Echo sat upon the cobblestones, clicking before a low whistle. "I've never met such a calm and collected homicidal maniac before." She combed her hooves through her blue and yellow mane. "Nor have I met one of the beautiful and regal fire unicorns either. All in all, an interesting day."

"Homicidal?" the first guard stopped and turned around, "In the name of the Doctor, I here by place you under Factory arest. You wil be taken in for scanning, processing, and analysis." the guard drew his weapon to hold it with his hoof, "Do not resist us or we will use force, and trust me, you do not want force."

The other three guards surrounded Hellena, "Do not resist authority."

A voice came into the commotion, "And what crimes has the mare committed to have you take her in on your own?" it was a light armored guard with five others behind him.

"This issue does not concern the royals. This is more than just thievery or assault, this is a matter for the factory alone," the first guard lowered his blade but held it pointed toward Hellena, "No bright armors are going to stop us from doing as we are told."

"By the order of the royals, you are comanded to let this unicorn go," the royal guard stepped forward.

The factory guard growled, and raised his sword hoof to the side of his helmet, "Bring in the carrier, we have a maniacal unicorn pyro with light and burned hair, dark mane and tail. Also, things are getting tight with the royals, send backup in case things get rough," the guard dropped his hoof, "I'd be on my way if I were you light metal."

The unicorn mare smiled innocently at the ensuring chaos around her. Maybe Equestria wasn't so different from the abandoned lands to the south. Perhaps it was just this group.
I'll deal with it myself if it gets out of hand, she told herself confidently, horn flickering as a particularly overdramatic fight scene played in her mind. Celestia and her guards are the complication here. I can't afford to be held accountable for any deaths here.
"I don't recall you being under actual authority."

Sicolus looked down at the pill and pondered. He did not want to calm down and he was not afraid of pain but if it provided a high perhaps it might be fun to take. He decided to save it for later and rolled into the corner and began to followed the doctor in a seemingly docile manner.
---
Dusty received the call and quickly took off with a couple of more guards and a sword he was sharpening while on break. Being an earth pony he could not fly or walk on clouds. Usually the flooring and walls of the factory kept him safe but he required help getting in and out of the factory, which he never really left so there was nothing to worry about. He rode in the back of a closed of container big enough to hold several which would soon include a factory prisoner.

When they landed he stepped out and looked around. It had been a long time since had seen the sun or any other form of nature, it was a nice reward. He then turned to where the problem was. He walked up to the group and looked the lead royal guard in the eye. "What's the problem here. This is a factory prisoner and you have no authority" he said clearly."arrest her and put her in the carrier" he commanded still keeping eye contact "Doctor Gulaven wants this mare for the factory and if you don't like it you can take that name to Celestia herself. If you try to stop us we will have to use force" his voice grew darker and more quite "and trust me the last thing either of us want right now is a bloodbath right here in front of all these happy citizens"

Hellena almost seemed to pale as she saw the backup show up, shrinking back warily.
"Bad idea." she whispered to herself, eyes narrowed, horn engulfed in a fiery corona of orange. "A mob of guards trying to attack me. The first thing he said I should avoid."

The first guard smiled, "Nice to know the Doctor still cares about rewarding his workers. Wonder when I'll get my pay," he raised his sword, "The royals are only royal pains."

The royal guard, shocked even from the fast long distance communication, "Prisoner? What exactly goes on up there in your hole in the sky then?"

"No pony outside those walls are to know. Company information is confidential," the guard replied.

The fourth guard was behind Hellena, "Were you expecting a fight? Like you were to get away?"

"You know what? Yes." Hellena replied, springing back as flames spurted from the ash-coloured unicorn's horn. "Yes I am." She grunted as she landed, cat-like eyes twitching.

"We keep ponies like you happy" Dusty answered the royal guards question. He then turned to Hellena "just shut up and get in the carrier already".

The pyro merely grinned, bringing the burn scars on her face into greater detail. An exhilerating feeling, it was, to feel the rush of the fight condense into the single point of the horn, materialized as the single most destructive thing that she knew. The thing that she had always known, always looked up to. Freedom from the darkness that was the world. Fire, the thing that had always shielded Hellena from fear.
It wouldn't fail her, wouldn't it?
"No." she replied, but whether she was replying to Dusty or to her own voice of reason/insanity was unknown.

"I don't like the idea of hitting a mare, but I will hurt you" Dusty said irritated. He was kind of hoping one of the other guards would step in soon, because if he wen over there he would probably kill her merely out of instinct. After fighting for so many years it was often hard to tell what less than lethal was. "If you decide to try anything funny I have no problem with sugically removing your horn on the spot with my sword".

"The most horrible thing that can happen to a unicorn is the removal of the horn. Something the harpy experienced. Maybe that's why she turned.... But it's a dangerous thing to do, did you know? All that pent up magic, uncontrollably released in a single slash... Imagine it."

"You know I'm not as young as I used to be and my leg is killing me, although this would not affect my fighting skills in any way it is agitating me. Besides I probably only got another good 10 years left in me, if I survive, so at this point I am done regretting. Don't try me" Dusty said.

"I don't think you understand. Or maybe you do. I'm not a back-alley ne'er-do-well, a simple palour magician. I know exactly how lethal my magic is. Used for me, used against me. I think your friends here would be fried by the time I feel it happen. Just a thought. Your choice, my dear friend." Hellena blinked in a mockingly flirtatious manner. "What would cost less to your precious Doctor?"