It crystallized in my mind a moment later exactly what I'd done.
I, or rather, Amber, had just lit the equivalent of Venus Lighthouse in Equestria.
If the Wise One couldn't feel that across dimensions, I'd eat my sword.
Plus who knows what the effect of the Venus Light would have on the Crystal Ponies. Most likely, they'd gain phenomenal cosmic power Psynergy, but it could take time. As in, generations of time and being exposed to its light.
Being exposed to its light...
The thought bounced around in my head, and then my slight funk dissipated.
Now that was a plan. But first, I had a Diamond Dog to care for.
Not wanting to waste my strength, I swapped to Venus and prepared to heal Amber, only to realize something.
Over the years I could always...sorta feel the extent of my powers. And they were always further than I was willing to go. Morality and all that.
But now, I could feel naught of Venus save for Move, Growth, Cure, and Quake.
After another second to puzzle this one out, I came to a conclusion.
It wasn't that the Star had contained my strength in Venus, because that would be silly.
It was that my strength in Venus had been devoured to ignite the beacon. And then I realized why that was.
I had been the closest to the palace when the Light had ignited, and we didn't have a proper Lighthouse for it. I mean, technically, the entire bloody palace could count, but nobody had built it with this in mind, had they?
And then I realized something shocking.
If I hadn't given over my strength, it would have gone after Amber's.
I slowly poured streams of Cure into Amber as the ponies reconvened around me. I held up my other hand in their direction as I finished attempting to heal Amber's weariness. She was whispering to me as I kept healing her. "It spoke to me...as I channeled it. Something about...having overcome my trials...already. And that others...will need to do so as well..."
I think I have some explaining to do, I said to the ponies.
-----
"So these Elemental Stars...they contain the essence of the elements that you draw on?"
Correct.
The pink alicorn nodded and looked up, where we could still see the faint glow of the light of Venus. "And this is what they are meant to do?"
I shifted a bit. Well...
The eyes of everyone in the room narrowed as they realized I may have been keeping information from them. "You said you would explain, Dullahan."
I sighed and rolled the three remaining spheres around in my right hand. They were not crafted with this in mind, per se, but this is what they are used for. In places of great elemental strength, the Star unleashes the Light of its alignment. Without a Lighthouse, though, it drains power from those nearby during the ignition sequence.
The alicorn's gaze let up a fraction. "What were they crafted for, then?"
I 'stared' at her, which ended up awkward for all parties. Terra, Dracen, Puck, Newton. The first four Djinn I found. They crafted these Stars for me, that I might have a proper focus for my strength. Over the years, the Stars influenced ponies, most especially, those closest to them, in Canterlot.
Silver Cross interjected then. "M'lord, ye said the Light drains power from those of us nearby? I don't feel any different."
Nor will you.
It took a moment for that to sink in, but when it did, I almost heard their worldviews breaking as they realized what had happened. Before they could uselessly object, I raised my hand to stop them.
Yes, it drained me, because I was the strongest, closest one nearby. And I would have it no other way. To protect you all as much as possible, I would sacrifice as much of my power as needed.
At this, Shining and Cadenza looked shocked. Possibly because they realized just how much of a heart I had. Cadenza raised a hoof and cleared her throat. "Anything else you feel like telling us, Dullahan?"
I mulled it over before deciding she'd been nicer to me than her aunts and could probably be trusted with the information. Yeah, when I touched the Heart, I learned where all the other...hmm, let's call them Elemental Locations, are.
Cadenza pulled out a map and nodded at me. "Proceed."
A mountain that was used during the Great Dragon Migration with a fiery heart. Cloudsdale's Weather Factory. And the Badlands.
She had marked the empire and the other two on the map, but when we got to the third one, she dropped the quill in shock. Hell, everyone in the room was shocked at the last statement.
"Her land?"
I turned to Shining. I assume you mean the Changelings. Yes, apparently they're sitting on the Mercury Location. Fitting, really. They can change their form, and they are to be the wardens of the power with nearly as many forms. The mountain is to be home to Mars, and Cloudsdale, naturally, is to be home to Jupiter.
As Cadenza continued to make notes, I turned to face the ones I had brought with me. There is another stipulation. Each element has a 'champion', one meant to bring it out. Amber was the champion of Venus. Shiver and Silver are champions as well, for their elements.
Shining's face drew into a scowl. "And what pony is the champion of Mercury? Who will you drag into the Badlands, Dullahan?"
I turned to face him and would have given him a mischevious smirk. Oh Shiny, I don't have to drag anyone into the Badlands. And even if I did, I think you'd let me drag her there. As it stands, she's already there. It's only the convincing that'll take some time.
Everyone's jaw dropped, again, as they realized what I was implying.
Chrysalis, Changeling Queen, was to be the champion of Mercury.
Cadenza found her voice first. "Why would you do any of this, let alone anything involving her?"
I sighed again, realizing I would have had to tell someone sooner or later. A massively powerful entity, known only as the Wise One, is coming. He is to me like your aunts are to unicorns. The only time I can think of anyone actually standing up to him, even for a second, and succeeding, is when all four beacons were lit in another land and time, and then...a miracle happened.
I turned to 'face' upwards, staring at the Venus Light. The light from all four beacons merged in the center of the land, causing the Golden Sun to shine down on the one standing there. His power was increased tenfold, and he achieved...not immortality, but longevity. For the Wise One foresaw this, and secreted away a portion of one Star's power. The Sun was incomplete.
I turned back to face the alicorn in the throne. Even still, with as little comparative power as he got, he actually stood up to the Wise One. These Stars are uninfluenced. This Sun will be complete. I will not permit him to threaten this land. If that means giving up my strength, my foci, so be it.
-----
We were, of course, rapidly escorted from the Crystal Empire. Save for Crystal Clear. I still managed to make a good case for her to stay and study the place.
This was, predictably, my plan. Having someone who could report back to me the changes the Crystal Ponies would undergo would help us deal with the effects from the other Lights.
Naturally, Cadenza probably saw right though me, but played along anyways. She was most likely worried about the empire as well, along with any effects the Light might have on the subjects. Having someone versed in the strange and unusual power that had lit the beacon would serve her well.
Which led me and those that had followed me being snuck off the train a mile before Ponyville so we could make our way, in secret, back to Newvale.
It wasn't easy. Oh, not the sneaking. Convincing the train operators to let us off early. Cross eventually threatened to set them on fire and take over, and that got through to them.
No matter what, I did not want to end up in Ponyville. It would probably not end well, even though the Princesses and I weren't trading blows anymore. Didn't mean the ponies outside of Newvale knew about me. Or would accept me. Or not run screaming at the sight of me.
I sat in my chair in my Penumbra Sanctum, thinking out loud to Silver Cross and ShiverSpine about what I had deduced from our time in the Empire.
The problem is the Light requires more than just the Star and the Location to activate. It should really have a Lighthouse, but we can't build those in time. So it'll devour nearby sources of aligned strength to start itself. Ideally, I would light all four, but I can't exactly walk on clouds...
ShiverSpine nodded. "Which means my Light will be the most dangerous, at least to me."
I 'nodded' at him. Correct, but there may be a workaround. If you were to gather as many Jupiter Djinn as possible, your strength would be amplified. True, it would still hurt, but at least you would still have strength to return to. Seven should do. Probably. For Mars and Mercury, I can be present, and so shall endeavor to be. Yours should be peaceful enough, and you will require time to gather the requisite Djinn, so you should go last. Silver shall go before you, and I shall, soon enough, go to Chrysalis and attempt to light Mercury.
Silver nodded. "Aye, it makes sense to go deal with the bug while you still have most of yer strength."
I then 'looked' in the direction of the courthouse. Say, whatever happened to that noble Inferno Blaze took back with him?
Shiver scratched at the back of his head as he tried to recall. "Hmm. Sky blue pegasus, right? I think...oh yeah, he had a beef with the Sun Princesses' nephew. Last I heard, Inferno was slowly burning off portions of the stuck-up's mane to try and get all the names of his slavery ring out while he still had a tongue to use."
Silver nodded. "Aye, and that Fulminata mare, she had her own prisoners and was lookin' fer you to place a curse on 'em. Said something about retribution."
Shiver perked up a bit as he recalled something. "Oh, yeah! A unicorn and a sheep came in today after word of us got around to them. And two changelings are seeking asylum from the Royal Guard here. Caught 'em with a Reveal at the gates. What do you want to do?"
I sighed a bit. Administrative duties still fell to me, it would seem. I'll go looking for Fulmy then, and don't harm the changelings. As long as they don't harm anyone, I don't see any reason we shouldn't return the courtesy. Afterwards, I have a changeling queen to go deal with.
I paused before leaving fully. While I am gone, though. It would be prudent for you to figure out how to best work past your issues. You will need to do so before you can use the Stars.
The two sputtered as they realized the enormity of the task before them. Before they could object, I added on one final sentence. It'll be hard enough for me to work out what Chryssy's issues even ARE, much less how she can work past them, I'd rather not have to do it twice more!
And thus I began my next adventure, one to a cracked and barren land.
...Funny thing is, I just realized that all the chapter titles are head jokes... I really need to stop waking up so early to study.
Also a nice chapter, if a bit short but hey, at least you're updating.
DAMN YOU, YOU AMAZING BASTARD. It's 1:22 A.M and I was about to sleep...but then you posted a new chapter :'(
...If you wanted to make chryssie listen,Having something that ignores armor would probably be a godsend,Because that exoskeleton and cheeselegs probably indicate a lack of a Internal bone structure....Or,You know,Fix the whole 'Constantly having to deceive for food' thing
Not a head joke, here's how you can edit it:
Oh god, it really is her. So when this is all done, he's only going to have Jupiter left? How they hell are they going to deal with the Wise One seeing as the sisters can barely handle Dully? And who's going to get the Golden Sun? I have feeling this is approaching the endgame.
So, how do you intend Shiverspine and Silver Cross to overcome their issues? Are you going to write that yourself, or will it be done offscreen and be left to our own discretion?
And it looks like those last few changelings are showing up! Hooray! The list is complete!
Time for a raid. ATTACK THE HIVE!
Thank you, I shall look forward to seeing what you do with him.
Hmm, something tells me Dully is going to be the one to get zapped with foci beams after he sacrifices his strength, thus returning it to save the day :D
4099797
I think that's the point. The land still needs to be changed or altered in order to house the star, this can only be done AFTER Chrysalis listens to him.
That could also be part of Chrysalis' issues, if he can calm her down and help her see a peaceful solution for the 'food' problem, she may see things in a better light. No pun intended.
4100148
Yeah, I'ed hate to see the main character die saving the day. It would make sense if Celly were to say that "No mortal will ever stand the test of time, and keep their sanity intact." meaning that only Dully can truly handle that kind of power long term, seeing as he already has longevity. More or less.
Fulminata, Not Fulimanata...
By the way, this is Aes, Owner of Fulminata
4099811 they are fan written stories for their OC's they have
4100557
4100766 some fans know how to continue on with the theme of the chapter titles
4100766 That isn't even a side chapter, and only one of the side chapters have a head pun. Heck, the original title of my chapter with Fluffy was 'A Day in the Life of a Manticore' so not every side chapter has to follow the head pun thread. Heck, some of em really can't easily- best to deal with it.
Also, a present tense chapter name like that would really annoy some people.
I'll get my industrial strength canister.
Bring plenty of water for desert travel
Excited to see how this will turn out.
4100157
Dullahan, some assembly required. Small parts, not for children under the age of three.
CALL IN MY FOUR! They'll get her to listen to Dully.
Maybe you should have told Celestia about Blublood's involvement. She'd see how truly blind she was then.
4163403 nope she knows it's just that there is no evidence
4099797 Simple... Start a chain of changeling brothels. I don't know why no one's ever thought of this...
"I'll be whatever you want me to be, baby..."
It'll be like Burger King... Have it your way.
5321618
Those jokes were physically painful. I think I love you now.
Seems someone's part of Legion... Not the Legion of the Damned, but a different Legion and NOT! A 40K one either.
5757038 Mass Effect? (The way you worded it 'Part of Leigon' suggests Leigon is a person :D)
He's playing himself off as the selfless, sacrificing hero in all this. Oh, let the Stars drain me for their activation, blah blah blah. If he was really that self-sacrificing, he should have just surrendered to the Wise One so that it would leave Equestria alone, and not tie Equestria's life force to Alchemy, which clearly went over great in the Golden Sun series.
5321618 I think I'm in love(with the cocoa)
... I Just had the mental image of him approaching Chryssie for a fight and then whapping her repeatedly on the nose with a flyswatter.
7698607
Two years late i realize but it's even better if its a News Paper
oh, that reminds me of a silly fan-comic where Starlight Glimmer was trying to mail-order a case of bug-spray after Chrysalis swore revenge...
7698607
reminds me of a scene in "shifting melodies" (also by thadius0) where an older changeling spanked Chrysalis with a rolled-up newspaper AND a flyswatter!