One thing I forgot to ask... · 8:15am Jan 2nd, 2014
In Chapter 10, Twilight and Luna share this exchange:
“Oh!” Twilight exclaimed, brightening up considerably. “That actually sounds useful. Have you ever tried making your whole body like that? Or a suit of armor?”
“In times of war, yes.” Luna said, her expression darkening as less pleasant memories surfaced. “Never make of thyself a weapon, however.”
“Why not?” Twilight asked with an innocence that Luna envied.
Luna’s hoof found its way to Twilight’s shoulders. “Having your light inside of a pony when theirs leaves is something I hope you never have to experience, Twilight.”
“O-oh,” Twilight stuttered. “I’ll, um, remember that.”
And I just want to know... did I steal borrow this from somewhere? I have the strongest sense of déjà vu about the concept, but can't imagine where it might have come from. It could be one of those things I decided on long ago and completely forgot about, but if so, I've truly buried the memory 
Does anyone know? 
It somewhat reminds me of the concept in the book series Eragon and how he could take the energy from plants and animals around him if he entered their minds during his training in the elf lands. The author talks about how Eragon felt each death of the things he took too much energy from as though it was his own.
Somewhat similar concept, but your wording is much, much different from Christopher Polini's wording.
Not to my own knowledge, merely the aspect of what death in a firsthand secondhand nature.
It felt familiar when I read it, but not too sure where I'd have read such an idea before. I'm sure I have... just not where. Ah, well, doesn't worry me too much... though I hope you do use it, otherwise, why bother mentioning it? Unless you're a glutton for World Building... I shouldn't be one to talk though. Half of what I put in my stories is solely for World Building.
Gah! Sorry for the double-post! *glares at old, faulty mouse* >.<'''
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I have read Eragon and Eldest, but I'm pretty sure that isn't it, since the energy drain aspect gives it a different sort of feel. Anyway, I stopped after Eldest because I wasn't fond of the direction it went with taking the magic system to its logical extreme.
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Lets just say it will... be relevant, though not in the way described
also it kind of reminds me of something from
powers of harmony by cyborg samurai
I've really liked the little foreshadowing, also as an avid pony-reader I can only say I can't remember it being done this way or said this way already, I may be mistaken though.
also, I'm now unable to look at a volcano without trying to guess where the shape of the underlying dragon is
It faintly reminds me of Eragon, specifically the part where a mage in dire need (or if they're particularly evil) can abuse their connection to living beings close by and "leech" on their life force to regain strength. Eragon's teacher mentions that if the creature dies in the process, the mage feels it perish and that it's supposedly one of the worst things a person can ever experience.
I would have to say it resembles Twilight's Torc from 'Rites of Ascension', but only in that it creates armor around the user, not the alicorn them-self manifesting with armorized skin/fur/whatever.
Maybe from the Dresden Files, where there is a law against killing others directly with magic, and in which the hero carries a gun for delivering killing blows.
I thought the same thing, but now I can't think of where it might be from
Might it have been similar to an idea from the Wheel of Time? Perhaps Rand's intentions for the Asha'man and the whole "we are men, not weapons" thing? I think that's what it reminded me of 
It could have been something else from the series, though. I'm sure there was something that was said to be the worst thing one can experience or something of that nature.
Idk
Terminator 2? I dunno, the core concept seems too widespread to point out any particular source.
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Yeah I don't know if it's anywhere else but the only thing it even remotely reminds me of is the Inheritance Cycle.
May I ask what you mean about not liking the magic system taken to the logical extreme? I'm not sure exactly what you mean by it being taken to its extreme.
Also even though commenting on the story itself this would be more on topic since I'm here, let me say I loved this chapter a lot!
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I prefer not to harp on things that I dislike, but basically... In the first book, you have a system of magic where anything that can be said can be done, and any magic takes the amount of energy that it would take to do it physically. It's pretty original and interesting, as far as magical systems go, but the consequences were maybe not too well thought out.
In the second book, the main character learns the words for various tiny parts of the brain, which allows him (and apparently all other properly trained mages) to kill entire armies with zero real effort as long as they aren't protected by another mage. To me, that just killed the 'magic' of the magic. There's just nothing interesting or unique about "kill general -> army falls over dead."
The book as a whole certainly didn't lack drama or anything, I was just disappointed that the magic turned out to be—to quote a certain video game reviewer—"shallower than advertised."
Anyway, commenting either here or on the story is fine. The only real consequence is that by now, I'm probably the only person who will see your comment here
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Thanks. Yeah I don't like to either, but I like that series and was curious to see what your thoughts were. Interesting point that I never really thought too much on.