I tried to remember where my old cave was while trudging through the Whitetail Woods. I was going through one glade that looked like most of the rest when I was assaulted by the Royal Canterlot Caps Lock.
"DULLAHAN, CEASE AND DESIST!"
I merely sighed and raised my sword. Guard! Element swap, Jupiter! Ward!
Protected from physical and magical assault, at least for a time, I looked at the ponies coming to surround me.
Once again, Luna and Celestia were in my way. Luna to the west, Celestia to the east.
To the north there was a purple unicorn, and to the south was an alabaster one. North-east was a blue pegasus with hair every color of the rainbow, and north-west was an orange earth pony with a cowboy hat.
South-east was a pink earth pony who couldn't seem to stand still, and south-west was a yellow pegasus who seemed like she was trying to hide behind her own shadow.
The fact that there were six ponies besides the princesses did not escape me.
The Bearers, I presume? You're really trying this. You're actually going to try the Elements of Harmony on me.
Celestia nodded and procured a chest from...somewhere. "We are. Dullahan, for your crimes against Equestria-"
Which ones?
The question threw the Princess for a loop. "Um...all of them? Every act against one of my ponies? You've done quite a few."
At that, I twitched.
I used to have a tic. One where if I was feeling indescribable anger, my right eyelid would spasm.
When I became what I am, said tic transferred to my right hand.
My sword twitched violently.
You...dare. You dare to lay all that blame at my feet.
She who would hold the shadow accountable should face that which lurks in the darkness of her country!
My sword twitched even more.
Let me regale you with the most memorable encounter I had with a pony then, Celly.
-----
(Dullahan POV - 1,503 years ago)
The stallion woke up, and was terrified.
This wasn't where he'd gone to bed in, after all. This was my home. My cave.
Hello there, pony.
I paused for a moment, and then continued.
Oh, my mistake. You aren't a pony at all.
I began circling him, beginning my rant. It'd taken Puck a few days to ferret out all of this filth's secrets, and I decided this one required a personal touch.
I'd let the djinn find secrets out about the ponies, seeing as how the ponies couldn't seem to see them, and then once they consulted with me, I told them the best course of action to ensure retribution to they that thought they could do wrong and get away with it.
Kept the mischevious spirits occupied, did some good, everyone wins.
But then there were cases like these.
See, ponies believe in friendship. In sticking together. In acting in everyone's best interest. And you didn't do that, did you?
The sound of metal shifting but no sight of the one wearing it because of the darkness was clearly freaking the stallion out as he shifted and turned, hoping to catch a glimmer of light, or anything.
Good, I wanted him scared.
You certainly don't believe in kindness, the way you stalked that mare. You certainly don't believe in loyalty, the way you abandoned her afterwards, especially when she said she was pregnant with your foal. You certainly don't believe in generosity, else you would have given her some of your pay. Laughter isn't meant to be cruel or mean in the face of one who needs you, and all the lies you fed her tells me what you think of honesty.
The stallion was now paralyzed in fear, as he realized I knew all about his sins.
No, you're no pony. You're a monster. Fortunately...
And here I allowed my presence in my armor to 'flare up' and illuminate the cave.
So am I.
The look on his face was worth it, as were the screams.
I could only take so much, though.
BE SILENT!
He shut up, instantly.
Good. Now, what would be the best punishment for you, I wonder?...Oh wait, I already know.
I drew my sword and pointed it at him, and the stallion trembled.
For your crimes against pony-kind, you are hereby Cursed.
A violet, screaming skull appeared over the stallion's head, vanishing after letting out a short shriek.
The terms of your curse are these: should you ever so much as think, let alone act in a manner to lay with another mare under false pretenses, then you will experience a pain unique to mares, especially mothers, for no less than three hours. This will only be broken on one of two conditions: you take responsibility for your foal, or you die.
The stallion's jaw dropped, and I would have smiled. Now...Element swap, Jupiter! Sleep!
-----
(Dullahan POV - Current day)
I've dealt with hundreds of ponies in a similar fashion, if not for similar crimes against decency. Each time I was the bogeyman scaring them into realizing an important truth, one they really needed to learn, Celly. The rules and laws of your society weren't bars holding them back from doing what they wanted. They were bars protecting them from me. So long as they were good little ponies, I never paid them a visit in the night.
Celestia had the good grace to look gobsmacked. "You...that was what you did?"
My sword twitched again. You never asked them what they had done to bring me down on their heads, did you?
Celestia looked aside for a moment, and in that moment...
She who blinds herself with her sun should experience true darkness!
I snapped.
My presence inside my armor flared, and I swore I could see jets of blue flames through joints in the armor.
You comforted your ponies, rather than ask them what they did?! You picked hundreds of them, over me?! All because they were ponies, and I was not?! You never thought that perhaps there was a common element to my 'crimes'?! Each one was justified! Each one was a cold, calculated move to scare a pony into behaving! I only acted against those that I would be loathe to call people, those that I thought you would be loathe to call ponies, or yours! Unlike those that I came across, there was a line in the sand that I refused to cross - no physical harm to they that do not deserve it. Before Sombra, I'd never physically harmed any pony! Not even you! You and your sister panicked when I first activated my Fulminous Strike, it never touched you!
I pointed my sword at her, and all the ponies gasped.
But no. Believe the ponies over the giant metal toy. He couldn't possibly be right. Or intelligent. Hell, I bet you didn't even think I was sapient until near the end of our final dance! When I begged you not to take my shield, rather than my sword!
Celestia merely nodded once. "We...I...I always thought you were a wicked spirit, a failed project, a necromancer's toy run amok..."
That explains why you banned Necromancy...So rather than try and discard your theories to suit truth, you twisted truth to suit your worldview! There was a word for people like that where I came from, Celly! Politicians!
At this, Luna snorted for a moment.
I was a living soul before I took up this sword, Celly! And knowing then what I know now, I probably wouldn't have picked it up! I probably would have cast it aside! That being said, I am used to its burden by now, and I fulfill it willingly.
Celly looked to me, and I could see in her eyes that she was probably going to try something to get me to put it down. Probably by appealing to my emotions.
"Please, Dullahan, for what it is worth, I have done wrong by you. Let me make it up to you. Sheathe your blade."
Those words echoed inside my mind, and then...
Fifteen hundred years of imprisonment cannot be atoned for! Work in the dark cannot be interrupted, and this nag did exactly that!
I growled.
Unless time flows differently between this world and my own, Celly, then no, you cannot make it up to me. Fifteen hundred years ago, maybe. When I wanted to be returned. When I could have been returned. But by now, my family, my friends are all dead, except for the one that you have imprisoned in stone again. I think something snapped inside me while in that prison, Celly.
"Please, you can be helped! Let us help! Let us exorcise you from the armor, free you!"
I snarled at her then.
You would try that again?! I do not desire to be freed! I am no mere spirit!
I lifted my sword, pointing it straight up, and activated my Fulminous Strike. Instantly, the sky was filled with lightning.
I am DULLAHAN! I am he who walks the darkness, and rights the wrongs in this world that you cannot seem to see!
I lowered the sword once the lightning was done. Unbeknownst to the ponies, this was a signal me and one of my djinn had agreed on, if I felt like I needed to run.
And it would seem there is one more wrong to be set right in this world.
At this, a Jupiter Djinn alighted on my right shoulder. I am prepared to generate a large cloud of smoke to speed you from this encounter, sir.
She should taste the heat, the flames, the Storm of your anger!
I glanced around at the other ponies and prepared to use an ability that I'd never had cause to use before. Mainly because it was meant to be used on those that would use the power of djinn against me. Then again, there was no cause that this shouldn't work...
And that wrong is you, and how you run this empire of yours. Djinn Storm!
Circles of light erupted under every pony and exploded up in a kaleidoscope of color. After a second, around me, a cloud of smoke appeared, and I quickly ran off towards where I thought my hideaway was. If this attack did to ponies what it did to djinn, I wouldn't have to worry about pursuit for a little while. And even if it didn't, it would prove to be decently distracting...
-----
(3rd POV - Celestia and the ponies)
Celestia staggered a bit as the wave of light erupted around her.
The attack Dullahan had used had sapped even her considerable magic reserves.
Perhaps, if she did nothing else with her magic today, she would be able to lower the sun.
Looking around showed her that the Bearers and her sister were in similar straights, all of them panting at the sudden weakness forced on them. Dullahan had managed to incapacitate them all while doing no physical injury to them. Even now, he restrained himself.
Rainbow Dash flapped her wings a few times. On the third try, she managed to get airborne and clear the smoke out of the clearing, revealing that Dullahan had well and truly fled from them. Again.
"What...what attack was that, Princess?"
Celestia slowly made her way over to her student and sighed. "One he has never used before. It would seem he still has surprises to spring on us..."
Everypony caught on that Celestia was sad about something, especially when they saw she was staring at the spot where Dullahan used to be. Twilight decided to confront the issue.
"Princess? Did we do something wrong by trying to use the Elements on Dullahan? By trying to exorcise him?"
Celestia shook her head as she recalled what Dullahan had said.
"No. The fault is mine, and mine alone."
Luna spoke up then. "Nay, sister. We too are guilty, for we did hunt him with you all those years ago."
Celestia held up a hoof. "I was the one who ignored the facts presented to me. I was the one who kept pushing for us to keep hunting him. I was the one who only saw good in my ponies. The faults lie with me, and I destroyed any chance for us to befriend him. And now, it seems he is truly angry with me..."
Celestia sighed and lowered her head. "What have I done..."
Nopony caught Twilight muttering to herself about the creature on Dullahan's shoulder...
-----
(Dullahan POV - About five hours later)
I arrived in my cave, none the worse for wear, but satisfied.
I'd mentioned that I was from another world to Celly, so that was that obligation out of the way.
Still. She'd probably keep hunting me. Her or her Bearers.
If I was going to stand against them, then djinn army or no djinn army, I would need more than just me. I would need...
I turned towards my djinn, who had found me and followed me on my way to the cave. Have any ponies been capable of seeing you in this past century?
More and more so, sir. Mostly close to Canterlot, but we do get a few in the outlying towns.
Must have something to do with the stars' influence. Alright, each and every one of you! Go forth! Bring unto me an army that can see you! Bring unto me an army that can use Psynergy! Bring unto me an army that dislikes the mighty sun princess even a tenth as much as I do! Whether we shall build our own town, or take one over, I have yet to decide.
this needs more whatchamacallit
flawed celestia is best celestia
3980278
. . . That certainly isn't vague. lol
If you are looking for OCs, should I PM you or post it in the comments?
...Would support building a town regardless. Conquering a town would be making innocent ponies homeless, which just doesn't seem like something Dullahan would do from how you've characterized him.
I... could come up with another OC from scratch, or I could just copy-pasta one I used a while back. Well, some edits would be needed, because this isn't for a battle royale, but still... easier than making a new one. Do you care?
So, when's he going to fulfill the part about saving Equestria? Or does he plan to do that himself after he builds his army and takes down the sisters?
Also, never paid much attention to the small voices until Twilight mentioned the thing in his shoulder. Could be a Djinn, but I dunno.
3980320
Commenting about it would mean it'd probably end up buried.
Messaging me about it would probably be the better choice if you want me to notice it.
I have no particular preference which.
3980334
Fair enough points, all.
In fact, you've given me ideaaaaaas again!
Whichever you choose should be fine.
3980354
Technically, as far as he's concerned, he already has. He mentioned he was from another world in his rant, and knowing Twi and Celly, they'll look into it sooner or later.
He'll probably only really care about it if, for example, he starts seeing some foes from one of the Golden Sun games show up...
Hopefully you'll be able to see the profile without having to log in ( in case you don't have an account there):
http://ponysquare.com/FurBall/
Here's hoping you can work with it
3980358 What kind of OC's? Ponies? Gryphons? Minotaurs? Naga? Catizens (cat people) Dragons?
3980442
Preferably ponies, seeing as how the stars were stored in Canterlot for 1,500 years unknowingly. Which is going to be my in-universe reason for any pony being able to see djinn or use psynergy.
Though I may take one or two outliers...
Looking ahead, I wonder how you'll keep this story interesting.
How such an idea entered your head, I won't know, but it's a simple idea with a twist.
I'll stick this in my read later and head on out of here for now, but I may read this later.
Just don't lose your head worrying about it. I probably will.
Yes, this entire comment was a horrible attempt at making head puns.
I'll give this a read later, though.
3980361 So does he plan on making a town of Celestia haters and just have it sit there like a militia? A sort of "leave us alone, sunbutt" town, or is this going to be a full scale invasion?
3980358
Huzzah for ideas! I PM'd you the character sheet, because it was a bit too large to try shoving into the comments section.
3980496
We've yet to seeeee.
But I promise it'll be interesting.
It'll probably start with them making some sort of rudimentary fortress, so that they have a place to train, and the facilities to do so.
Afterwards, though, will be a surprise!
3980450
* If you need any OCs take a look through my blog I got a large number of em that can fulfill multiple purposes (Trust me you would find quite a good number of character to your liking).
* Are you going to have him collect those known that are castaways (Trixie, Gilda, Chrysalis [Changelings in a lot of fanfics are living in horrible conditions], and ECT...)?
* If he and Solaire are to be working together to protect Equestria and the rest of that world you should add a few other interesting characters (even if it is people that were wearing costumes before being into what they wore) from various other games (Thirteen extremely unique Characters have always played in making major battles more exciting in that you can bring in more dangerous enemies for them to fight alongside their armies).
* Instead of taking over a village use the sorta irony of converting the old Castle in the Everfree (his temporary prison) into his major stronghold in this world (I mean all he has to do is have it repaired and majorly modified with the know how of everyone that is on his side).
* I will stop commenting for now but if you would like to hear any other ideas that I have I will gladly post em up to ya.
3980450 Good, because I despise writing Ponies, too sugary for me.
Take her down!
3980450
In that case, do you mean just Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth ponies? or does this include Changelings and Crystal ponies? cause I see a cool side story you could do where Lings learn thy can feed off Psynergy with no ill effect or drain.
3980450 what about others in his said predicament, People who picked up a sword or staff an where transported to equestria? We already know the princesses are not very understanding of those types.
3980613
WHAT have I said about ideas and giving them to me?
(Keep it up)
But yeah, I am accepting ALL OC's.
Though if it's not a pony, there better be an interesting story regarding their reactions to seeing djinn!
3980617
This particular story is set in its own 'universe' as compared to the others in the LoHAV-stories.
The only reason Solaire showed up is cause we thought it'd be fun.
I may allow Dully to show up in other universes later on, and Solaire may show up one or two more times.
But beyond that, nah, no more humans here.
3980621
Should I think of the reaction she as, or should I leave it up to you?
3980643
The less I have to think of, the better.
Frankly keeping all these OC's in line is going to be hard enough as-is.
Hey feel free to my changeling oc she was trained in assassination and is unhappy with her current ruler also she is kinda a smartass 9gets ehr into alot of trouble) name is secret shadows by the by
OC. The background is just so you can understand his personality, you don't need to write any of it in if you don't want to. I hope you at least give using him a thought.
Name: Flame Streak
Race: Unicorn
Appearance: Charcoal coat, Pale blue eyes, Mane and tail are sapphire blue, and pale blue magic.
Cutie Mark: Sword coated in Ethereal blue Fire.
Background: Flame was only ever able to learn two spells, telekinesis, and a fire spell unique to him. He got in trouble as a kid because of his tendency to stand up to bullies with violence, which continued into his adult years when he was kicked out of the royal guard for killing a criminal that was assaulting an innocent. Since then he's just been wandering around equestria and spots one of the Djinn just outside of Appleoosa. He gladly takes up Dullahan's offer and pledges his sword to him. Saying that there needs to be a change in government.
Fighting Style: Unlike most unicorns he does not hold the sword with his magic, instead he stands on his hind legs like a human (which took years to learn) holds the sword in his hooves and uses his magic to ignite it in (you guessed it) blue fire. Despite his aggressiveness outside of combat, he fights with a calm fury and stays on the defensive until the enemy leaves themselves open.
Shadow Knight - Dark Purple Unicorn, Blue Mane and tail. Four Pointed star Cutiemark...
3980716
The only things missing are a more detailed description/backstory, and an elemental affinity.
Plus if you could write up how she'd react to seeing a djinn, that'd be a help.
3980735
Backstory, affinity? How Knight reacts to seeing a djinn?
3980733
Gonna guess he's aligned with Mars, then...
3980744 I'm gonna put everything I just commented into a blog if you wanna check it later
3980744
Shadow Knight -
Dark Purple Unicorn
Blue Mane and tail
Four Pointed star Cutiemark
Shadow Night was once a well respected Unicorn until a little before Twilight had entered ponyville. He lived in canterlot as a Night Guard a rare site but his liking of the night sky and his powers relating to the energy the stars give off allowed him to be a better night guard then a day guard. Thus Celestia allowed him to protect the artifacts of the forbidden wing.
Though over time he made some friends that did not like him. And in the end they had set him up in trap. One that would cause him to have to run. His supposed friends had stolen an item from the arcives and hide it within his home. And then they told the Princess about this... They had found the artifacts within his home and thus he was to be one of of the first to be sent to the Dungions in over a thousand years.
The Princess never lissioned to his pleas and truthful words believing them lies. As they neared his Cell he managed his excape. They unlocked his shakles before letting him enter. He casted a blinding spell before shoving the unexpecting guards into the cell he was to be placed within. With that he made a brake for it. Since then he had been hiding deep within the Everfree trying to think of a way to gain back his freedom and Honor!
Not really sure about the Djinn thing... He has been living in the Everfree for a long while now... Probley would not supprise him all that much...
3980782
Backstory is pretty nice. I can maybe wing his reactions.
But if you don't pick an affinity, I'll have to.
3980790 you mean that Planet thing right? Let me think on it for a moment....
Well let me see... He has like a Star thing going... Light is in starlight...
Dude, this is AWESOME!!! :D
And by OC do you mean our LoHAV OC's or our OC's from My Little Pony?
Because, since Solaire gave you that soap thing, you can call on him too, don't forget.
3980790 Not intirely sure what Affinity means LOL
3980822
OC's from/for MLP, if you'd kindly.
3980823
Affinities are one of four:
Venus/Earth, Mars/Fire, Jupiter/Wind, and Mercury/Water.
Eh, I vote for calming down, living in Ponyville for a bit, all the while doing his thing, getting ponies together and building a new village of Psynergy and magic on the side, this story is great, but everything is happening so fast, not a lot of time to enjoy it, very un-Golden Sun-ish... After all, the best kind of revenge is proving yourself to be better than your enemy, in the ways that matter, anyway.., so proving that he's a better leader than the two sisters combined, *rubs hands maliciously* oh, goody-goody, what fun that would be....
Oh, yeah, ease up on the hatred thing a little for the citizens' part... Rather, make the village a good place for ponies and other beings/creatures who have had very tough luck, and want a new start and a second chance... Ooh, ooh, got an idea.... How about Trixie and Ditzy Doo a.k.a Derpy? They'd be a good start...
3980834
I got three, one of each race, take your pick or all three if you want.
Furthermore, do you want a backstory/personality or something or just how they look?
3980836
STOP STEALING IDEAS FROM MY HEAD!
You'll RUIN the surprises!
3980840
All three are accepted, and all three attributes are helpful.
Along with their affinities and reactions to seeing a djinn.
3980834 You know... I'm going to do something I've not done before... Lets go with Water...
Or do you think he would be better as Marz? He could could be good at casting light spells but not really fire? And fire could produice light right? So obsorbing light from the stars in his thing and then using it... you'er thoughts?
if at possible, please try not to burn/destroy Hollow Shades. My fav oc lives there along with ash and another oc. I dont want them to be homeless even if its another reality.
3980846
Wait, what do you by attributes?
I can understand about their reactions and back story but their Djinn tributes thingies?
Can you please explain?
Furthermore, would you like this info as a response or a PM?
3980841 Oops, sorry it wasn't intentional, I just thought they were actually my ideas and I was helping you with your story... Wait a minute, did I just do a internet mind-read ability? Holy crap, the GameMaster was right...
Ooh, got another one, is this one yours too? Zecora, as another apprentice?
Oh, yeah, and don't burn the Everfree... Too many animals need that place to live.... maybe just a lightning bolt, a lightning storm, or a sonicboom? *shrugs*
3980857
Either or.
I was talking about the bits you'd already written, the backstory and so on.
And the affinities are easy enough to mention. I'll even stick it in the A/N.
Venus/Earth, Mars/Fire, Jupiter/Wind, and Mercury/Water.
Venus Adepts tens to hit a few targets, and hit them hard. They can also cure wounds, but they can only focus on one at a time. They're also slow, but sturdy and strong.
Mars Adepts are good for causing lots of damage, quickly, to multiple targets. They can also cause a few status effects. But they're horribly vulnerable to magical attacks.
Jupiter Adepts are ace at causing status effects, and all their attacks are multi-target and flashy. They're quick as the breeze as well. But physically, they tend to be vulnerable.
Mercury Adepts are the healers. Multi-target or single, and they can cure all status afflictions. They have access to very few damaging abilities, though. Those they do have tend to depend more on the adept than their affinity for ice and water. They also don't tend to have too many physical attacks.
Good enough for ya?
Noo, not the goddamn OCs. Please do not ruin your own story!
Well. Easy enough: LINK: Sixpence, description and look
I'll just copy-paste the backstory with a few tweaks:
His name is Sixpence. It is the name of that peculiar hat he's wearing, and it's also one of the things I never leave home without. He's the owner an proprietor of the Silver Chisel inn, which lies just outside Ponyville. It's a newly started inn, and he tries to make it one of the new gathering spots for those who want to leave the hustle and bustle of normal life behind for an afternoon or weekend. Being located so close to Whitetail woods, he hopes that the inn will be noticed in the annual running of the leaves, where he and (hopefully) his staff will be serving refreshments near the goal.
He's originally from Trottingham, having left only after loosing his job as an architect after he got a bit too creative with a design, and it partially collapsed when Princess Celestia cut the red ribbon in front of the entrance to signify it's opening. How could he have known that the ribbon was load bearing... Anyhow, he's designed and built the inn himself, staying his creative urges for once, making it a rustic and old fashioned lofted building of two stories. Here he hopes to sell the pies that he learnt to make from his grandfather, as well as various types of cider and juice. Once the deal with the local Apple family is set in stone, he's hoping to be able to serve his grandfathers famous apple pie.
Wrote that ages ago, never ended up using him for anything useful. Maybe he'll be useful to you.
3980899
Not EVERY OC is crap.
As evidenced by the fact that I'm considering at least half of them.
Plus the dark/gore tag can always be added.
3980904
Can I have an affiliation for an element, and a reaction to seeing a djinn?
3980736 okay well she was raised from birth to be a living weapon. She was deemed a failure because she became a smartass to help cope with all the shit she deals with. She is the same size as a drone but she has a horn and mane of queen crysalis. As for her ability to see the djinn i leave to you as i i am unfamilir with the mythos of golden sun. Her main abilities are an optical illusion on her carapce witch renders her inviable to the naked eye but she can barely move and maintain it. the other is an uncanny knack for hoof to hoof combat. magic wise is dependent on her love reserves. Also can you please haver say somebuggy instead of someling (note this isnt anything big but i would appreceate it). Also feel free to add anything you need or really want to for this character i only have a incomplete idea on her character