Mister Crowley

Mr. CrowleyBy: Die Philosophen- -“Attention, your ship and crew havebeen charged with piracy, equineicide, and conspiracy against the empire. Surrender now or face immediate retaliation.”Royal Equestrian Navy, Naval Destroyer 'Archer', Skirmish against Pirate Dogs- -

        Sibeki and Argamak were unique pieces of landscape in comparison with the mountainous regions surrounding Ponyville and other districts. Sibeki was situated in the more ridge-like sections of the Everfree Forest, isolated from any notable landmarks beyond Argamak. Sibeki was an ancient township surrounding the mesa, the entire township wrapping around it like a inner ring, with the old unmistakable brick and mortar wall that formed something of an outer ring. Sibeki's ruins were mostly left alone, nature strangely refusing to take over or grow on the land, which left the some odd eighty residents of Argamak to build their own hovels within the gutted ruins. What remained of the roadways were cracked, with some turning to gravel. The once uniform and clean cobblestone filled with dust, erosion, and decay.

        In the past, it may have been that Argamak had once held elevated tiers of the building, a theory suggested by a architectural-minded student when they studied the crumbled and decaying ruins at the base of the mesa. However, the grand carved staircase leading up into the mesa, which was a twist from a T-section to a Y-section, could easily confuse anyone walking up it’s steps. Measured by a few scientists who had been given access to the mesa, they recorded with pedometers that it would take over two hundred steps and fifteen minutes to make it to the gates that led to the ancient manor of Argamak. The intricate marble staircase was obviously very durable, only losing it’s luster to the tests of time while the rest of it had shown little damage. Sir Demirci had noticed that there was also a secondary exit, but wasn't designed for people, instead for vehicles.

        The manor took up three acres, well-worn but durable walls covering most of the land. Within the enclosed gates was a grand lawn leading up to the old manor, which was, to be honest, more capable of housing native creatures than the house of Sir Demirci. It was a distinct Victorian Anne design, with three floors and a towering spiral, a sun porch wrapping around it, various detachments seen beyond the manor; what was suspected to be a detached garage in the pathway, a branching pathway leading to the far side of the lawn; a small warehouse could be seen from the far side; and  secure land occupied by farmers, ranging from apple orchards to vineyards.

        Beyond the walls was the untamed and unknown. Julius refused to expand, citing the fact that they had enough land to survive for now. It was a paradise, albeit heavily decayed.

- -

        “Why did we even volunteer for this again?” Rainbow Dash questioned her friends once again, orbiting her friends as they passed through the security checkpoint erected at the entrance to Sibeki. It had been almost two entire weeks since the Human-Equine Convention, the settlement was faring with support, the pathway between itself and Ponyville was secure as any could get, thanks to the military.

        Twilight was vexed as she once again explained, “We're here at the behest of Sir Demirci, he requested that a group of ponies come help the people of Sibeki. Luna as well wanted us to help warm relations between both of our races.”

        “But why drag me into this? I got better things to do than help out some weirdo humans.” Rainbow replied, prompting a sigh of exasperation and annoyance from the rest of the party.

        “Is there anythin' that yer not busy with, like napping through an entire movie because it was borin'?” Applejack flatly stated to her friend, the cyan pegasus giving her a scoff.

        “That movie was terrible! You said there was action, but all I saw was some dumb love story.”

        Just as Applejack was about to respond, they were interrupted by a whistle, all six of them alerted to the familiar sight of Sir Demirci, minus the fact that he wasn't exactly dressed formally. The human was in dress pants and jackboots, but little else. His entire upper body was a chrome black metal devoid of many features and designed akin to platemail, the byproduct of being fully augmented. The ponies watched in awe as the man walked towards them, lifting multiple propane cylinders with a steel pipe over his back, balanced by one hand while the other kept around the handle of an independent cylinder. “Ah, the Elements of Harmony. Welcome!” He said with a thunderous laugh.

        “Uhh...Hello, Sir Demirci, we're here to help at the behest of the Princesses.” The rather eccentric leader gave another laugh and nodded towards Twilight.

        “My people have been expecting a few ponies to help around. I can only generalize that since Koga decided to slack off, the mason is looking for hands or hooves to help him. He's not hard to miss. Augmented right arm.” Sir Demirci tapped his right arm before picking up his cylinder again, “and is normally covered in powder.”

        “Sounds like mah neck of the woods! Later, sugarcubes!” Departing, Applejack was stopped by Sir Demirci temporarily as he pointed eastwards.

        “His workshop has a bunch of stone slabs outside, ain't hard to miss.” She thanked Demirci, and wandered off  in the direction he pointed to. Making sure to keep her eye out for anything dangerous. Sir Demirci then turned to the others and noted Twilight and Rarity.

        “Uh, Sir Demirci, is there a assignment that doesn't put in such...ah...physical labour?” Rarity asked with a grimace as she watched a group of human women, all dressed in work clothes and various aprons, their hands and faces covered in grey molding clay.

        Sir Demirci nodded and pointed down the main road, which led to the steps to Argamak, “You're in luck, Miss Rarity. I recall your profession, and we have all the proper tools for clothing production. Hope you don't mind, but we're just looking for basic clothing, nothing too fancy. The workshop comes with everything you'd ever need.”

        Rarity tried at first to walk to the workshop elegantly and ladylike, but almost instantly bolted toward it, finding the workshop and ducking inside, shocking the guard sitting in a portable chair to the point where he tipped over. “Well...that's a refreshing sight of enthusiasm.” Uttered Demirci with a smirk.

        Pinkie Pie was next, almost eager for any job he had in store, “Will do anything sir, lickety split, just give me a bunch of jobs, all done in SECONDS!” She shouted, prompting the surprised leader to quickly point towards a nearby cart.

        “Quickly then, Pinkie Pie! Deliver all of the items here to the garrison at the apartment complexes!”

        “Okie dokie lokie, sir, Mr.Bossman, sir!” With the swiftness of a pegerine falcon, Pinkie Pie harnessed herself to the wagon and haphazardly charged down the street, her thundering hooves alerting those wary to move out of the way. An unlucky few were either knocked away or launched into the air. Sir Demirci watched in amazement, “She's going the wrong way....but anyhow...”  he said, turning to the remaining three.

        “Fluttershy, we have a resident pet, a German Shepherd we've called Caesar. He's been rather...bad to be honest. Could you work your magic?” He asked the her politely, receiving a snort from Rainbow Dash and a  polite nod of affirmation by Fluttershy.

        “So, lemme guess, you want me to help make the day all sunny or something?” Rainbow Dash in half-irritation, half-boredom. What she didn't catch was Sir Demirci's smirk.

        “No, I need you specifically, Rainbow Dash, to help me get these propane cylinders to the garage.” The pegasus raised an eyebrow at the job order, as did Twilight. Both looked at each other and then back towards Sir Demirci, who lifted his cylinder again and looked at them. “Twilight, I'd appreciate your magic here as well.. Now let’s go!”

- -

        Following the augmented leader through the town, Twilight kept her balance as her telekinetic field lifted a pallet of twelve cylinders, Rainbow Dash struggling with the four in her hooves as she flapped her wings furiously. “I...didn't....think...they...were so...HEAVY.” Rainbow Dash whined as Sir Demirci simply laughed.

        “It's just in here, my dear pegasus. You’ll get a rest soon enough.” Said Demirci, passing over a bridge leading up into the mesa's wall, the far end leading into a garage door. Pausing momentarily, Rainbow Dash and Twilight watched as he stared blankly at the door, his pupils shrinking and enlarging before the door shifted upwards. “There we go.”

        “How...How in the name of Celestia did you do that!? You don’t even have a horn!” Twilight shouted, both of them agape as the shutters lifted into the ceiling and lock in place.

        Sir Demirci simply looked towards the unicorn and pointed to his eyes, “Augmentations. They're wonders for us. Now, let us enter the rabbit hole.”

        Within the supposed garage, the three were met by the sight of active Christmas lights bathing them in a multi-spectrum of colors. Stopping at a T-section, Sir Demirci directed them towards the left and into an expansive parking lot. CLANG! Rainbow Dash dropped her cylinders, Twilight simply gaping in amazement as she looked at the sight.

        The garage housed a variety of vehicles, from muscle cars to massive utility trucks, each kept uniform, well-maintained, and organized by their design. Striped, intricate decals, and special designs adorned each hull. There were almost a hundred independent vehicles, and a crew of five human mechanics were admist repairing a sports utility vehicle, which was propped up onto a stand as two scurried of them about the underside, the rest either bringing over supplies or working on the upper side of the vehicle.

        “What...is all of this!?” Rainbow Dash shouted, obnoxiously, in amazement as Twilight looked on with wonder, the mechanics looking their way with mild irritation before taking one look at Sir Demirci and returning to work.

        The leader simply laughed as he patted the hood of a particularly well-designed muscle car, “Welcome to Argamak's vehicle storage. From our beginnings to this very day, these excellent ladies and gentlemen have worked day and night to ensure each vehicle is kept in tip-top shape, modified to fit out new consumption of energy, and ensured they looked proper for public display.” This caused some hooting from the mechanics. “Without these vehicles, none of us would've been able to transport everyone away from the badlands. You are the second group of Equestrians to gaze upon our grand collection of vehicles. Now come, the propane storage is over here.

        Following, the two ponies stared around at the various designs and sizes, some reaching higher than Princess Celestia, one or two even larger than her.

        Setting down the cylinders within a small off-side storage closet, Sir Demirci nodded at them and smiled broadly, “Very well then, let us return to Sibeki, I'm sure we have MUCH more work ahead.”