ToE Chapter IV-4

>Not ten minutes later, you arrive on a small, tree-covered knoll on the edge of the lake.

>The massive lake is surrounded by tall mountains, with snow-covered peaks. You see the flood gates Mayor mentioned, on the other side of the lake. There are three in total, all of which are closed almost completely. A small stream of water trickles from each. By the looks of things, the lake's water level has also dropped by at least a few feet.

>Reaching from one side of the lake to the other, is a narrow but sturdy looking stone bridge. In the center of the bridge, you can make out a short, cloaked figure...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ieCXCZIGsg

 

>To the right, on a sizeable, uneven patch of land with a few trees, and boulders, is a log cabin, and a water tower.

>Scattered around the cabin, are a dozen or so of those hooded creatures.

>"There they are..."

>The first thing you notice about the creatures, is that they're bipedal like you. Each wears a dull green, hooded cloak.

>Except for two glowing white eyes, their faces are obscured in darkness. They're also carrying weapons. One, who is standing on the cabin's roof, is carrying a bow, as is one on top of the water tower. The others are either carrying flails, or double-edged axes.

>You assume they're watching out for more meddlers, like yourself, but they're not doing such a great job... Most of them are just walking about aimlessly, talking to each other. You can't hear what they're saying from over here.

"So, any idea what they are, Miss Twilight?"

>"...No, sorry. They don't remind me of any of the creatures I've read about..."

>"Ah don't like the looks of them..."

"Nor do I."

 

>"...Should we try talking to them?"

>"Ah don't know, Twah. Ah doubt they'd be keen on listenin'."

"You're probably right, Miss Applejack. But, maybe we should try getting one by himself, so we can at least try to reason with him..."

>"So, yah wanna rustle one of 'em?"

"...Yes."

>"Hmhm. Okay, you two wait here. Ah'll be right back."

"Be careful, now, Miss Applejack."

>"Ah know, Ah know..."

>You watch Applejack sneak over towards the cabin, using the trees, bushes, and rocks as cover.

>Twilight and yourself are keeping an eye on Applejack, and the creatures, from behind a bush.

"...Miss Twilight, what's the accuracy like on those beams you can shoot from your horn?"

>"Uh, perfect. Why?"

"Because, if those things see Miss Applejack, you might have to take them out from over here. Can you do that?"

>Twilight nods.

>Some distance behind the cabin, one of the creatures is standing by himself, with an axe in his hand. He's hidden from the others by an incline in the land.

>Some twenty feet away from him, Applejack hides behind a tree.

>With a forehoof, she reaches out from behind the tree, and picks up a small rock off the ground.

 

>Applejack quickly pops out from behind the tree, and pelts the rock at the unaware creature.

>It hits the creature's head with a soft *thunk*, instantly knocking him unconscious. He slumps to the ground, dropping his axe.

>As soon as the little guy hits the floor, Applejack sneaks over to him. She nudges him. He doesn't move.

>With her mouth, she grabs him by the neck of his cloak, and begins carrying him back to you and Twilight, careful not to let the other creatures see her.

>About two minutes later, Applejack returns, with the unconscious creature. She gently places him on the ground in front of you.

>"There yah go."

"Good work. Now, we should tie him up before he comes around."

>Not a minute later, you all stand watching the creature, who is now tied to a tree. Applejack made sure to tie that rope good and tight, so you know he won't be getting free.

>Looking at him, he's like nothing you've ever seen. His hood is occupied by a shadowy... Nothingness. What are these things?

>He hasn't yet regained consciousness.

>"We should wake him up, now."

"Okay. I'll do it."

>You take a quick look around, and find a stick a couple of feet away from you. You go and pick it up.

>It's about two feet long, and quite sharp at one end.

>You walk back over to the creature, and lightly jab him once in the chest. With the sharp end.

>Nothing.

"Hey..."

>You poke it a few more times, applying more pressure with each jab.

"Hey, wake up."

>"Ah must've hit him too hard..."

 

>"Hm, let me try..."

>Twilight's horn glows. A small cloud of mist forms over the creature. Over the next few seconds, it grows thicker and thicker, soon becoming a floating ball of water.

"...Might I ask what you're doing, Miss Twilight?"

>"I'm forming a water ball, using the vapour in the air around us."

"That's quite something..."

>"Hmhm, not really."

"Yes, really. Where I come from, there are machines which do that. Only, they'd take hours to collect as much water as you did in seconds..."

>"Oh... They musn't be very efficient..."

>Once the ball is about the size of basketball, it stops growing.

>"Do you want to pop it, Anon?"

"Sure."

>You take your stick, and jab the water ball. As soon as the point breaches the surface of the water, it pops like a balloon, and drenches the creature, causing him to jolt awake.

>"Eek!"

>His eyes light up, and frantically look around for a moment, before turning to Twilight, then Applejack, then settling on you.

>You see in his eyes an almost animalistic look of hostility.