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"I had wondered why she thought she could get cookies after bonking her head on the furniture for so long!" Mo shook his head and laughed. "I'm glad you finally cleared that up with me!"

It wasn't long after the notice for an "army" was posted up by the Chief and Mo had thought it a fine time to talk to Shining about any positions he might be interested in. If anything, he could talk to Rais later about the possibility of adding Shining to the ranks. He did have past experience as a Royal Guard for the Princesses back where they were from. It only seemed reasonable.

He'd figured the four of them - Shining, Cadence, Luna and himself - had spent so little time with each other lately, what better way to get together and talk about such things than with a little tea and snacks.

"I'm glad I could be of help!" Shining then laughed, following Mo from his working quarters back to his and Luna's personal quarters. Shining had left the girls to chat alone for a bit to go and fetch Mo. He had been running fashionably late - likely he just lost track of time - so it proved a grand opportunity for the girls to mingle a bit.

Their laughter was short lived, however. Mo froze and held up a hand in front of Shining's chest.

"Wait..." he half whispered. His eyes narrowing as a few seconds of rising fear and confusion wafted over him. 'Danger!'

Pain, blinding light and excruciating pain washed over him simultaneously, burning him at his very core. He collapsed, hands clasping over his ears a moment until the debri slowed to a stop. Ashe began to fog his lungs and he coughed, staggering himself to his feet. He looked around. "Shining?"

He spotted the white Stallion nearby, rising to his own feet slowly. "Shining! You ok?" he half yelled, finding it hard to hear over the high pitched ringing in his ears. The ringing, at least, was slowly subsiding.

Shining coughed, but nodded.

"Go back for the girls! Make sure their safe! I must tend to the tree!" And like that, he turned, urging those who were able to help others who weren't. "Get that girl to a healer! Now!" he cried, moving to another faun struggling to stand. He helped them to their hooves and over to another able and eager to help faun. He did this as he slowly picked his way towards the main site. His eyes wide at the charred edges of his now beloved home.

A shudder under his hooves made his gold eyes snap to the Chief at its center. A rally. Call for war. Was war really necessary?Well, yeah. It kinda was.... But! They needed to collect themselves. Survey the damages and retaliate accordingly!

"Rais!" he called out and rushed to the Chief's side. He coughed as more smoke threatened to taint his lungs. "We shouldn't go half armored!" he started with somewhat of a metaphor. He looked out of the gaping hole. "Send a small party first. A scout. Don't send all our able bodied out at once." he half pleaded. "There are too many injured here to send them all out. We need some protection here!"





Shining made his way back towards the living quarters, already finding Luna and Cadence shaken from the event. "You two alright?" he asked in a half yell, rushing to help Cadence to her feet then offering Luna a hand as well.

The Chieftain seemed to be paying little mind to those who answered his call at first, his gaze fixed on a point outside the gaping hole on the horizon. He couldn't look at the damage done, the fires burning, the fallen Faun; every time he did, he felt the rage building to near uncontrollable levels. He could still hear Laisidhiel screaming in pain in his mind, despite the best efforts of the Shaper. At the rate he was going, he couldn't keep that work up long.

Only when the voice of his Second-in-Command broke through his thoughts did he turn, eyes ablaze. He seemed ready to snap...then paused, biting down whatever retort had been on his lips. "I don't plan to march on an unknown foe while our people suffer!" he shot back. "But they won't expect us to respond so quickly. This is our only chance to catch whoever did this before they escape. I just need a few swift trackers with good eyes," he assured. He could easily handle the rest.



Having waved down some help for the fallen pegasi he'd found, Ranuin directed healers towards the earth-toned alicorn and the dark female with the twins. Only after being assured that the healers would take good care of them all, he allowed himself to keep moving. About that time, he felt the call, reaching deep within, past the raw pain, and calling him forward to serve his brethren.

Without further thought, he raced ahead, paws carrying him over and around debris towards the gathering at the new opening. He gaped for a moment at the horror of it, some areas still burning. How...how could this happen? Who would do such a thing?!? He neared the gathering Faun in time to hear the Chief saying something about needing swift trackers. Before he could say anything, however, Moonlight's mother entered the scene, visibly and understandably distraught. Ranuin hesitated only a moment, then reached out to touch her shoulder to get her attention. "...Ma'am?" He'd never been sure how to address her directly. "Moonlight's upstairs in the infirmary. Safe in bed," he offered in what he hoped was a reassuring tone. Of course, he could offer no other information on her siblings, but he hoped that might help calm her somewhat.

He backed away, taking a step aside after that, in case she decided to head up to the infirmary herself. Instead, he moved forwards, attempting to clear his throat, as the dust was making his voice rough. "Sir? I'm not much help to the healers here, but I'm pretty good at tracking." Of course, he didn't mention that he normally needed some sort of guidance or direction if he depended on his feral form. It was somewhat embarrassing to explain and if he'd really thought it might be an issue, he'd have had to say something. However, given the current situation, he was sure that his feral form's instincts would be enough to guide him in what to do.

Rais turned towards the new voice, listening with interest, then a single nod. "Then, we'll use you, boy." Back to Mo, he said, "This isn't a full charge. That's why I need you to stay here, Brother, and lead in my place. Coordinate everyone into tasks. Primary duties need to be helping the healers get the injured to safety, and help the Shaper get those fires out. He's not going to last long with his current efforts to help Laisidhiel, not on his own. His efforts will help us all, but only if he doesn't kill himself in the process." Clasping Mo's shoulder firmly, he finished, "Take care of things here; we'll be back soon."

Turning now towards the volunteers that had stepped forwards, he looked them over. Hunters and rangers, the wolf boy, a teal pegasus...wait, was that a pegasus...riding a bear?

Was this really any more unbelievable than the horrible scene that lay before them? He wasn't asking questions right now.

"I don't want anyone going out alone! At least go in pairs, if not small groups, no more than three or four. We need speed first, but I don't want anyone alone if they run into some unknown foe. Look for any signs of who could have done this, any suspicious individuals or sights. Spread out, but keep within calling distance of another group. Anyone finds anything, report back to me directly! Any questions? If not, pair up and let's go!"

Sweetie Belle stood close to Twinkle, not liking the way she swayed and knowing they all needed to be looked over by healers. That had to wait; they needed to know who this newcomer was and what he wanted with them. He kept saying he was faun, but he didn't look like any faun Sweetie Belle had ever seen. And yet...his wings did resemble leaves, and his ears were faun. Strange...what was he?

And then Twinkle ran off in search of her parents. Not that she could blame her. She glanced at Wild Moon, worrying that she was holding him back from doing the same. She knew he was worried about them, and well he should be. She was lucky most of her family was living on the orchard Big Mac had built. It was then that her love changed his shape again and took her hand. She nodded, squeezing his hand.

She looked up sharply when Enki called a name she recognized. Zecora? She hadn't seen the zebra fauny since the big move. "Wait, you know Zecora?" As a child she'd thought awful things about Zecora, but over time, and with help from Rarity and the others, she (and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders) learned that Zecora wasn't all that bad after all. She trusted that the other fauny wouldn't associate with anyone who posed a danger to their new lives. "I trust him, Wild Moon," she said and nodded her agreement to getting to a healer. With a glance back at Enki, she took off after Wild Moon, ignoring the ache in her bones.

Nothing made sense, the world didn't make sense. All he could feel was pain searing from within and out. He could start to see paws? His vision was starting to get some color and shape to it besides the blinding white. While he wasn't able hear the other, at the moment his head felt like it was swimming in cotton, at least could see something.

Going stock still he tried to get out something. No sense of volume control he asked with great urgency, "TwilighShy? FlutterLight? Celuna?" Words jumbled though seemed right to him. There were those he was deeply worried about above himself.

The calls and voices around him muddled into incoherency on their level. That was almost enough to panic the stallion. Panic didn't set in until he tried to stand on his own power and fell immediately over. Landing on the already abused arm just caused more pain. Gritting his teeth he at least was able to sit. One wing wrapped protectively around his right side as the left one hung limply to his left.

Looking around again, he didn't see what he thought he had seen before. Not mattering at the moment he told or asked, wasn't clear by his muffled tone, "Need to help." What ever happened, it wasn't him that was attacked. He had to get to action but how and in what direction he couldn't fathom. Even in his state he was trying to move, trying to respond to the call to help. He had to be sure they were okay, who he was looking for was a blurred image in his mind. Wings and horns purples from light to dark, white and pale pink.

Vine was safe, she had been high enough playing around that she didn't get hurt at all. That didn't mean she wasn't panicking. The monkey screeched joining in the cacophony of the panicked tree. In all the noise and action she wasn't able to see her winged one. This didn't help matters at all. Racing down to the tree level the monkey ran around everyone screeching without concern for them. She made it out of the tree but now where did she go?

Up a less burning tree the creature shook and clung to the branches for dear life.

Upon seeing the first thing with wings, it wasn't her winged thing, hers was deep green and this one was yellow. With a flying leap the monkey tried to scale Fluttershy looking for the safety and familiarity she associated with the winged things.

Although initially concerned about the chief's well-being, Kilot was reassured by Rais' firm, rational orders. The Faun's leader was still in charge, and despite everything that had just happened, and the anger upon his countenance, he was acting in the best interests of the Faun- and not out of revenge.

Vengeance- that was something Kilot himself might have pursued. Even now the fur on the back of his neck bristled and his blood ran hot. A sentiment shared by many, no doubt, but the orders he'd been given helped calm him somewhat; he had an objective, a job to do. It was something to take his mind off the fury building inside him. They had to find the foul ones responsible for this atrocity, and not only bring them to justice, but interrogate them and find out their motives. If they survived the blast, they would likely at least have an agent somewhere on hand to evaluate the success of their attack. Whether that was a faun turncoat or an outsider remained to be seen, and found. Most of the wood debris had been blown into the tree, suggesting that whatever had caused the explosion had been outside, and whoever had caused the explosion could have run into the forest, if they hadn't flown away. That suggested a good deal of tracking could be involved.

And speaking of tracking, one of the younger adults had fronted up amongst the warriors and hunters, the curious shapeshifter Runny-or-whatever-his-name-was. With his rather canine alter-ego, he could be invaluable in chasing down the perpetrator. Perhaps...

Kilot was about to gather his team of hunters when he realized that, as ready as they were for the task ahead, they didn't all need to go forth as a large group. If their quarry was indeed still nearby (and especially so if they were winged), the hunters would enjoy more success by scouting, and ambushing them rather than setting off in a large band and spooking them before they could get close. He informed a couple of the other hunters to follow him, but at a distance so as not to be seen.

Then he grabbed the pawed one by the shoulder and said gruffly, "Chief's busy. You're coming with me, boy."

Gulliver had been preparing to leave the tree on a recon mission, as much as he was waiting for their informant's return from his mission he couldn't just stand around and wait for it. He was just shouldering his bow when the explosion rocked the tree. Pain swept through his chest as he was thrown towards the door of the room. It took Gulliver many minutes to get back on his feet as he knelt on the floor, he raised himself up from the floor motioning other staggering rangers with him to rush out into the main area to find out what happened. The huge hole in the far side of the tree was horrific and Gulliver knew Laisidheil was in pain. He got close enough to hear the chieftain's words and soon he too sent out a few small parties of his own joining one of them himself.




The fauny felt the pain, he saw the smoke, coughing he stumbled into the crowd of faun forming in the tree some seeking medical help others seemingly scared or angry. He decided to stay to help the young faun and fauny as their parents hurry to seek out the blood pae.



<< will finish this tomorrow i'm starting to pass out lol >>

Deciding that enough of a crowd was gathering with offers to track down the one (or ones) responsible, Rais waved a hand to signal time to move out. "The rest of you, get those fires out, and get the wounded to the infirmary! Those who are with me, move out!"

Normally quite a sturdy Faun himself, Ranuin was surprised by the force of the clap on the shoulder from the older male. While he didn't quite stumble, he was clearly not unmoved by the gesture either. He turned towards the reddish colored Faun with a puzzled blink. "Me, sir?" Well, of course you, you dolt, he thought belatedly. Who else would he be talking to? "Err, right." He glanced over at the Chief, leading the way towards the outside. They had been told to partner up...apparently his partner had chosen him. He was still wary on how best to help, but he needed to offer what skills he had. And most of those skills were best at use when he was on four legs, not two.

Faun didn't normally take well to his feral form, however, especially not in tight, enclosed spaces where many were already panicking. Nodding to the male hunter a bit more assuredly this time, he said, "Alright, let's go." With some direction in mind now, he turned and bounded over a bit of debris, still smoking, and lightly towards the opening. Fresh air lay beyond, which was a welcome change, making him all the more eager to get outside.

Hunters and pegasi seemed to be pairing up outside and heading off in differing directions. Ranuin was trying to think like a different kind of hunter now, pausing before going too far from the Tree or the blast site. If there were any scents to pick up, they'd most likely be here...right?

When the older faun joined him outside, he'd paused not far from the opening. Realizing he didn't know the other's name...though he could have sworn he'd seen him around fairly often with the other hunters...he held out his hand. "Ranuin, sir. Not the time for pleasantries, I know. Just...I'm a better tracker if I shift and well...my name's a good way to get my attention if you need to. Uh...and don't be alarmed..." he chuckled sheepishly, then took a few steps back before starting to shift. His limbs lengthened, as did his spine, soon dropping the lupine to all fours. A lean muzzle stretched from his face, filling with sharp teeth. By the time he was done, an enormous hulking wolf stood before the hunter, eyes narrowed at the scene before them.

Fire. Smoke. Blood. The scents were strong, nearly overwhelming, mixing and filling the air. He could sense the pain and the fear from the Faun within...his family, afraid, angry, dying... Rage...

Growling, he started to circle the area, homing in on...something. Something didn't belong here. Something that wasn't one of the earlier scents, not his family, not his home...something foreign. He paused, nose snuffling the ground near the Tree, then he lifted his head, turning towards the distance. There...that way...it went that way! He took off, pausing to sniff the ground from time to time, zig-zagging a bit to keep the scent, but the trail lead on, away from the Tree.

Only vaguely Takis heard Rais shouting orders. He didn't pay any attention. He knew what his purpose was. He gasped when cool water slapped against the Tree--and him--and the fiery wounds began to smoulder. This would certainly make the process easier, but his fur was already striped with burns. His hands bore the worst of it, but his chest and arms were in rough shape also. Still, Takis never quit. He would give his life for Laisidhiel if he needed to.

Now that he had some helpers, and he could think through the haze of pain, he wondered where Vanya was. He'd had a hard time keeping track of her whereabouts lately. Had she been in her sanctuary? In their quarters?

Takis stopped dead. Their quarters. He looked up into the gaping hole in the side of the Tree. Nothing remained of their little apartment. It was completely gone. "No," he whispered. There was so much...so much he hadn't said. His stomach lurched and threatened to empty its contents. As much as he wanted to scour the Tree for Vanya, he knew he absolutely could not stop what he was doing here.

He resumed his work, throwing every ounce of his energy into his power and his connection with the Tree. He wept as he did, and even as the tears blurred his vision and dropped down his cheeks, he felt the rage creep in. Whoever did this would pay, even if that meant he had to stick a dagger in their throat himself.