The first thing I noticed was the debris streaking across the sky, trailing smoke behind each individual piece. Some of the larger ones broke up after a bit into smaller pieces, but every single one was on a trajectory of 'away from Mt. Canterlot'. As the smoke faded, I could faintly see each one glimmering and shining in the sunlight.
The second thing I noticed was that I could feel each individual piece. They resonated with a power I was all too familiar with. A power akin to my own.
I 'looked' up towards the summit of the mountain, and then I was metaphorically crushed with the sensations of waves of power crashing into me. It overwhelmed my senses, and I was in the gardens!
This led to the third thing I noticed: I was suddenly at the summit, when a second ago, I was in the gardens.
Granted, I did want to investigate. But this was a bit quick, especially for me, as I am a huge set of armor. I don't tend to do 'fast'. 'Clomping' is about the limit of my unaugmented speed.
I immediately came to the conclusion that I was not to blame for my sudden space/time shift.
For hovering above what used to be the summit was a flickering image of a boulder with a single blue eye set into it.
I had encountered this particular wiseass before. Granted, in another dimension. But we'd met.
Ah, the Wise One. I do believe I gave you my opinion of you last time we met.
It blinked at me before replying. Indeed you did. But I came to the conclusion that I'm the Wise One and still have a duty to fulfill.
I growled at him. And this is part of it? Detonating a mountaintop is part of your duty?
There was an eerie laugh then. Oh not just that. You see, ever since you were whole, I could feel your presence across dimensions, moreso when you used Psynergy. Once you obtained a set of Stars, I was drawn to your presence because of my duty. I failed to protect one world from the threat of Alchemy, I will not fail again.
I sighed. There aren't even any Lighthouses to unleash the power of the Stars! Why would you come here?
It blinked at me again. The magic of this land is strange. Who is to say they will not find a way? I cannot take any risks. I will come here and take, then guard the Stars. And then I will ensure that nobody will take them from me.
I gripped my sword tightly as it started to twitch. And how would you do that, O Great and Powerful Wiseass?
Simple, I will task Dullahan with guarding them.
There was silence for a few seconds while I processed this. Um. Pretty sure that's me.
A mocking, echoing laugh resonated across the mountain. No, it is not. You are the flames, the spirit, the filling, the boy taken before his time and forced to play a role, and you do so masterfully. But the armor itself, it remembers what it means to be Dullahan. It remembers power, strength, duty. That is the part I will make guard the Stars, and you will merely be along for the ride.
As I took the information in and started to prepare my rebuttal, I felt something shift inside me again.
I bow not to you, Wise One. Nor will I ever. The boy has taught me much about right and wrong, when to stay my blade, and when to use my strength. The only reason we are not one is because he shies away from slaying his foes directly. He believes every life is precious and should be saved.
My sword was drawn and pointing at the boulder.
Whereas I do not. He will never use Charon, never use Condemnation. He will never call on anything to harm his foes directly, he prefers to force them into acting 'right' according to his moral code. Anything with more than instincts is worthy of saving, if at all possible. I would slay all that dared think themselves monsters, that dare make the boy angry.
I could feel the Fulminous Strike charging up.
You are one such thing.
The Wise One laughed again. This is but a projection, an extension of my true self and strength, and even if it were not so, you would be no match for me. I took the summit, transformed it into Psynergy Stone, and blasted them across the land, all without being there! With even more of a signature to lock on to, I will be THERE...SOON.
The Strike activated, shredding the projection into mere whisps of color and light, before that too vanished.
Let that be a lesson to you: YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE, YOU ARE NOT WANTED HERE!
As the projection vanished, I felt that something inside me shift again, and this time, I managed to get a lock on it. I immediately dubbed it 'The Switch' and filed the information away for later.
So...we good? I'm back in control this time?
There was silence for a moment before I got a response.
Indeed you are, boy. A question: would you mind terribly if I violated your code regarding the Wise One, should he ever actually manage to come here?
Mind? Hell, I'd aid in the charging up of Charon!
There was a deep, echoing sense of laughter in my mind. It is good to see you know when the line must be drawn, boy, and when it must be crossed.
So, uh, how do we make the distinction here? I'm pretty sure you know that almost literally everyone on this earth knows ME as Dullahan, when that's clearly you.
I 'felt' the sensation of a shrugging set of shoulders as the spirit in the very armor responded. I care not that you have used my name as yours. I will rarely take control anyways, save for those instances when I think things NEED to die.
I then sighed as I realized something. There's an answer to our Wise One dilemma, but I don't like it.
Oh?
Yeah. Remove the Stars from ourself. Hide them away. It's not perfect, but if we're touching them, he can lock onto us easier. The problem is, doing so would make us weaker, and if anyone else were to find them...
I could sense, again, somehow, the spirit that I shared my relative coordinates in space-time with shaking its metaphorical head. Being weaker, we could handle. The possibility of anyone else getting their mitts on the Stars is too great, though. We shouldn't even consider it.
This time, I shrugged. Any delay of the Wise One's plans, no matter the price, would be a boon, considering I don't know how much progress the royal winged unicorns are making in sealing this world off.
I just had to say that, didn't I? I just had to open my goddamn 'mouth' and mention the sisters.
"Not much, I'm afraid, Dullahan."
I groaned and turned around, facing the sisters as they walked over the edge of the blast crater that had once been the summit of Mt. Canterlot.
Celly, Lulu. How wonderful to see you. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you're gonna want to figure out a way to seal off this world from others VERY soon.
Celestia looked at the flames dancing out of my neck and cocked her head to one side in confusion. "And why is that?"
A pretty powerful entity from another world is on your doorstep, picking the lock. You do NOT want to let him in. He did THIS just to bash at the door. He'll do worse if he gets in, as he considers himself and his supposed mission above all other concerns.
The sisters exchanged a glance, and then Luna spoke up. "Tis mine magic and knowledge that are more suited to such a thing, Dullahan, but I have been out of touch with advances in magic for some time. I am getting caught up, but it would take years before I could come up with a spell that would seal us off."
I sighed. Far too much time. We need a shortcut, something that'll work sooner, and we need it yesterday.
Celly and Lulu gulped and exchanged a look before her royal sunness spoke up again. "I have had a thought, Dullahan, but I am uncertain as to if you would like it."
I waved a hand at her. Any thought is better than none. Hit me, Celly.
Lulu blinked at the turn of phrase while her sister plowed on. "I have tasked my student with studying about other worlds and how to access, then seal us off from them. However, our knowledge about them is limited. If you know more than us-"
All but guaranteed, I interjected.
"-Then I would ask you something. I would ask you to teach her what you know."
There was silence for a minute. No, literally. I counted.
Rage combated Duty inside my head. A want to see these placid, blind horses pay for what they'd done warred with protecting this world from the Wise One and his machinations.
Duty won. The last time the Wise One had followed his sense of duty, an entire world was put on the line, and children were forced to fight their own parents. We didn't need that here.
If. IF. I agree to do this. She cannot come to Newvale. And I cannot come to Ponyville. So we would need a neutral ground. As well, the knowledge is not to be undertaken lightly. It nearly broke ME when I discovered it. Is the world worth her sanity, Celestia?
She looked shocked for a moment, as though I'd struck her. "I...I love all my ponies, every life. If this entity is as powerful as you say, then we all need to be protected. Yet to possibly sacrifice Twilight's sanity...I...I cannot make that decision now, Dullahan. Nor do I think I ever could. The two weights are too great, they counter each other perfectly."
I scoffed and turned to Luna then. There was a phrase where I'm from. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one. I'd agonize over it too, make no mistake. But you do not want this guy getting in. Believe me. I'm not sure he can be bested. The only reason I know he's not a god is because he was made. Gods simply are. So yes, in theory, he can be bested in combat. I've yet to determine how that would work, though.
Celly shook her head again, and Luna held up a hoof. "Sister, in the meantime, I shall strive to teach her all I remember. Tis not much because of my exile..."
I would have tilted my head at that. Wait, exile? What happened? I thought you two were the best of sisters.
Luna looked askance for a moment. "Five hundred years after your imprisonment, I did desire to MAKE ponies enjoy the night, and refused to lower the moon. I transformed to Nightmare Moon, and it was only recently when I was released and redeemed, cleansed of the influence upon mine mind."
Influence? What could make you-
And then it clicked in my mind.
Oh no. You didn't. PLEASE tell me you didn't.
Luna merely nodded her head, and I brought my hand up for a facepalm before remembering there was no face to palm.
Lulu, you should have KNOWN better! Though it does explain a few things. Like how you know anything about alternate dimensions. Or why you weren't effected back when I broke free. When Dissy touched the darn thing, he became what he is today! I reserve touching ponies with the sword for they that deserve it!
Lulu nodded again. "I was not about to fall into madness a second time. The moment I saw your sword missing, I put a small barrier around myself to prevent direct physical contact with objects."
I actually nodded at her then. Good on you.
Then I turned to Sunbutt. Well. If you want to change your mind, you know where to send a message. I really wouldn't advise you or your closest servants to advertise their connection to you when they come over. There is no love for the thrones in Newvale.
I called for a Djinn, and a Jupiter one answered my summons. Tell mine to begin to evac. Ensure the Bearers are left alone, they're all this country has to defend itself, and we'd not take that from them. We're many things, but we're not animals. I will meet them back at Newvale.
As the Djinn nodded and flew back down the mountain, I charged up my Teleport and vanished.
-----
(A little while later)
I sat in my Penumbra Sanctum, thinking to myself.
It was mostly a large cave with a row of pillars set down the middle, one pair every ten feet, with them being set ten feet apart.. What with the whole thing being fifteen feet wide by eighty long and ten high, it was an impressive cave. A picture was carved into the middle of the floor to signify the elements and myself. Upon each pillar, a shelf jutted out, facing inwards. The Cloak stone rested on one of the shelves, as well as the few other unaligned psynergies I had time to imbue into stones. Behind my little stone seat rested the Tablets that I had imbued all those years ago, resting on the back wall.
I was not happy with my situation.
I had essentially told Celly that she needed to hurry up and lock the door.
Which would lock me in, regardless. Even if she could change my form back to normal, find the point in space/time in my own world where I came from. I would be locked in.
But the risk of the Wise One was too great.
The needs of the world outweighed the needs of myself.
I was in a decidedly sulky mood, with only the spirit of Dullahan to keep me company, when Silver Cross came in.
"Sire! There is news! The Crystal Empire has returned!"
Thoughts ran through my mind at blinding speeds before I came to a conclusion, one that both halves of me agreed on.
Saddle up! We're going to see about keeping the damn thing HERE this time!
Why didn't he consider Alice's card if push came to stove, or what she told him about Jack or P.H?
cool
...Oh, don't mind me: I'm just picturing Crystal Clear's O-Face at the thought of possibly going to the Crystal Empire.
I am currently struggling to contain my laughter.
Woah woah woah. Is this an update? Truly?
4075793
He's trying to seal off his world, so that the Wise One can't ever get in.
Summoning other guys is like punching a damn hole in the fabric of space-time.
4075816
Yup! I doubt I'll update tomorrow, but I'll try to update Saturday!
Sweet. And looks like this happened just as I thought. However, I never considered the wise one would be our main villain, mostly because he doesn't show up much at all. But yeah, he's really a problem if he's going to go all "I will destroy you to protect you from yourselves." And did it just unleash psyenergy crystals all over the land? What the hell is it thinking?
And so the true Dullahan isn't so much a bloodthirsty killer as he is a "I'm willing to smite evil permanently" kind of guy. Thank goodness that didn't turn out as bad as I thought. For future reference I will now refer to them as "Dully" and "Dullahan". I think this could be an interesting dynamic and, not to impose anything on you, but perhaps there could even be somewhat of a split between the Newvale dissenters with those like Silver Cross supporting Dullahan's "smite evil" preferences while Aboyami and those like her would encourage Dully's "punishment without true harm" method.
And now for a Sombra rematch! I hope old Dully doesn't suffer any ill effects from the Crystal Heart. Then again, I suppose if the wave of love magic didn't kill him he might be ok. Still, what exactly does he want with the Crystal Empire? Gems to infuse power with?
4075813 Oh boy, I'd love to see that!
4075865
In order!
Yup, he just unleashed a load of Psynergy Crystals across Equestria, in hopes of bringing even MORE Adepts into being. Because he can track this particular world when there's a lot of Psynergy usage.
Yeah, I started looking at them like that too, but a split in Newvale would be a bit too complex for me to keep track of all the time.
I doubt there'll be a proper rematch, depends on when Dully arrives. Not planning on him arriving in time.
The love magic will have an effect on Dully. Similar to the wave of love that blasted over him.
And there's a very good reason he wants to go back, not just for the crystals. T'was an idea given to me via PM.
We all know what happens with me and ideas...
4075865
why would it affect him, as far as we know those things affect evil, he is many things evil is not one of them
finally. *reads it* YEAH!
4075852 Aye', but sometimes you just need a big fuck-o-safecard :)
irregardless isn't a word, it's regardless
4075951
Huh, spellcheck didn't catch it.
(Does seem to think spellcheck isn't a word, though!)
Nonetheless, fixed.
4075897 Well, let's not forget the Elements of Harmony are pretty much pure goodness, but they've been constantly implied to be something that will take him down.
4075882 Just like with "The Betrayed" you always seem to take those ideas and turn them into something interesting. I continue to have high hopes.
4075978
Interesting.
Yeah, that's a word for it.
Lemme put it like this:
The Heart protects from true evil.
But the world is not black and white.
So many shades of gray that will need to be defended against.
4075852
4075943
Of course, if he fails to seal off the world before the Wise One enters, then it won't matter if Dullahan summons a bunch of allies to help him bring the ugly stone down.
Just saying.
4075813
Crystal? Crystal Clear? Are you okay? You've been staring at the same spot with your mouth hanging open for an hour now...
Gah, so many updates, I'm so lost...
... Welp, I give up.
*goes hollow*
4075988 I think the reason that the Elements of Harmony could harm Dully is because of the fact he's not in his natural body and is a spirit possessing a suit of armor therefore his harmony with the world is flawed.
As any kind of being existing after death is a violation of the harmony between life and death, thus I believe this is the reason the EoH pick up on when they try to 'Fix' Dully.
4075852 .....But....He gave others a way to summon him.......Won't that also make holes for this supposedly "Wise One" to come through?
4076083
You'd think that.
I have a plan for that, though.
Good of you to ask questions, though.
Keeps me on my toes.
Well, I think it's about time to work on a side chapter or two this weekend, most likely Sunday. Introduce Flicker, go into detail 'bout Pyre and Amber maybe. I'll see what I do.
4076015
No mommy, I don't want to go to the wharf..... So many hollows....... Clusterf&@# after clusterf&@# after clusterf&@# after clusterf&@# after clusterf&@# after clusterf&@# after clusterf&@# after clusterf&@# after clusterf&@# after clusterf&@# after clusterf&@# after clusterf&@# aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Dark Souls 2 is giving me a migraine.
4075976 yeah the spellcheck on here is weird, I don't trust it
4075852
4076097
Luckilly there are those that don't punch holes in the world, but tear it and then close it after them.
*5 minutes earlier*
Cross: *humming the Kirby stage complete theme, shifting through papers*
Kyubey: Cross! Cross!
Cross: Whot is it?
Kyubey: To the north… something has happened!
Cross: Whot, whot, whot? Is there a pie-eatin' competition? Spit it out, lad!
Kyubey: I… I was performing reconnaissance on Canterlot… and I heard a guard deliver a message…
Cross: Kinda whot ah assigned ya ta do…
Kyubey: The Crystal Empire…
Cross; Crystal meth?
Kyubey: *slaps Cross* The Crystal Empire has returned!
Cross: *Jaw opens* We gotta tell Dullahan!
4076313
World's closed for maintenance/repairs, try again Monday. If you need a world urgently, consider calling Earth in the Milky Way Galaxy.
4076560
You've obviously never met the people I'm talking about
4075882 So will the whole crew of us be attending the journey there?
4075852 I may not be familiar with your character's universe, but I imagine an immortal who was old AT the creation of his world and has razed said world at least once would at the very least cause a not-godly being to be a bit nervous.
That said, I have a new laptop and am proposing a Weapon of Madness chapter between Dulluhan and Jack as soon as I've done one with _Shade_.
Update.
I was half expecting the princesses to blame him for the crater no matter what he said and attack him or at least argue with him.
4076764
Y'know, so was I.
Guess Celly finally got the message.
4076602
Mnope. Got a very specific crew in mind.
4076699
Better hurry, that door is closing eventually!
Gods damn it, now I have to go replay all of the Golden Sun games. I hope you're happy!
Bloody incredible story so far, no real qualms with it, and I impatiently await the next chapter. <3
Constructive criticism!
Uh, I honestly have very little. In some capacity, I feel that there are more side-chapters than necessary, but they serve a definite purpose in helping define individual characters and help flesh out the universe, so I really can't complain; they will only help in the long run.
Uh...other than that, I honestly don't have shit. Keep up the good work.
All that aside, I am a little curious as to what role The Wise One will play in this. SPOILDER: -If I recall, his final motives in the second game were to ensure that the adepts were capable of handling such a large responsibility as the release of alchemy. He actually saved all of Vale if I recall correctly [the people of Vale, not the town] as well, so I find it odd that he would be solely malicious in intent.- END SPOILER
You can highlight the spoiler to read it if you would like, but it contains possible spoilers for the second game. ;O
4077273
The engineer knows he has achieved perfection in his designs, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
The writer knows he has achieved perfection in his designs not when there is a slew of constructive criticism, but when the criticism fades away.
You know, like Project: Sunflower taught us, there is a point when you must ask yourself if the 'greater good' is really worth it.
Much drama comes from when they don't realize the answer is 'no'.
Of course, with the given choices, it's much less ambiguous in this case...
4077273 That feels...needlessly complex lol. You know you're creation [the story, I am assuming] is good when you don't have to take anything away from it, and you know that the writing is perfect when there is no constructive criticism? I could be horribly misconstruing what you're trying to say.
4077339
When you can't take anything away from a device and it still performs its function, it is functionally perfect.
When others just can't find anything to criticize and still want more, then the chapters are perfect...enough.
4077339 OH MY GOSH!I LOVE YOUR PROFILE PICTURE!
4077509 Gamer Luna is best pony. ;)
4077519 agreed.(luna is best princess/pony)
4075793 Or Solaire for that matter.
I think I've found Dullahands Theme Song.
I like this. Newvale and Equestria are allies at the moment, and it doesn't seem like either side will be actively antagonizing the other any more. Good.
4077616
Oversight.
Furthermore, getting one, or both, involved for any length of time would require much collaboration with their respective authors.
Fun fun every chapter
Keep it up!
4077026 Pity, doubt my skills would be useful.
Seems like a perfect situation to bring in my second OC that I requested to be in the story... if you accepted it that is. Besides that, You keep on getting better with writing.
4078174 And Newvale didn't burn down! Looks like Snow Fluff managed to keep everything under control.
4078879
Mild crisis averted
....but much worse to come it seems for Lord Dully.
Oh man, this is getting intense.
4078976 He'll figure it out. He's got a hell of an army to help him!
4082038
Very true but still expecting a good few suprises out of this foe
4082043
We shall see my friend.
We shall see.