(From the desk of Twilight Sparkle)
Dear Princess Celestia:
When you first sent me to Ponyville, I didn't know anything about friendship. After meeting Princess Luna back in Canterlot, I was able to see that she had the same problem. Thanks to her, I learned that the best thing you can do with friendship is give it to others, and help them find it themselves!
The celebration was very briefly interrupted by Typhon, who had another human accompanying him. This other human was even larger than Typhon, with an intimidating visage and booming voice. His name is 'Gilgamesh', possibly a parallel with the Sumareian king of old, and I will make sure to send pictures. We all learned that, even if somepony seems a little intimidating, even scary, when you offer them your friendship, you'll discover a whole new pony underneath. Despite his boisterous persona and peculiar magical abilities of great potency, his behavior kept alternating between that of a proud warrior, an overdramatic actor, and a foal in an adult's body.
He was almost as popular with the children as Princess Luna herself. He seemed to admire her, too, given his shows of respect and formality towards her. He even expressed the same opinion I had, about there being many ponies just waiting to meet her to become friends, she just had to go out and meet them very much the same way I had to stop pushing others away from me.
The Green King Verre appeared and made another interruption. Both new arrivals were very eager to start a fight, but Typhon directed them to the park to have more breathing room. I admit to having gotten nervous, and I asked for their reasons to fight in an effort to get them to stop. Verre told us that her group was brought together by a shared wish to face and defeat strong opponents, which seems to have made an impact in Rainbow Dash, who often said how much she hated to lose and how she loved winning more than 'flying fast'; Gilgamesh was more complex in his motivations, as he has a strong sense of justice but a love for battle, although he explained that it was used simply as a means of testing oneself and their opponent, their mutual convictions, and a way of knowing somepony's true disposition - Shining Armor told me something similar once; Typhon himself simply stated that he fought to help his friends, which meant sending the 'Phantoms' back the way they came from, even if Prosperity commented that he also likes a good spar - making the distinction between a battle for fun and/or self-improvement and a battle out of necessity.
She had strange magic as well, first employing what appeared to be a heavily-modified nature-based stress-relief spell of some kind to improve her concentration and thus her accuracy; Princess Luna has speculated that the blue aura around Typhon signals a similar state with the added benefits of his sensing abilities. Then, Verre used a form of dark magic mixed with martial arts that would have disastrous effects upon the victim. It was scary, but not as much as I thought - there was something about it, and, noticing my confusion, Princess Luna has agreed on instructing me on the mysteries - and, of course, dangers - of the arts.
Curiously, facing possible death just made Gilgamesh happy. He transformed, turning into a greater and more formidable form, with more weapons and more arms to wield them. Before that, he had displayed great speed and considerable strength, to the point Typhon admitted that his own physical prowess was overshadowed in such a way that a fight between the two would require him to not hold anything back, causing the destruction of the surrounding area through their combined powers. After the change? Gilgamesh dominated, displaying frightening power, and allowing Typhon to keep his abilities secret from his opponent; he only engaged in a brief bout of hoo hand-to-hand combat, created a sword out of a patch of grass, and landed the finishing blow.
Prosperity helped Gilgamesh with some magical object, Typhon left only to come back with a small injury, and Gilgamesh made a spectacle of himself by challenging Pipsqueak and the Cutie Mark Crusaders to a mock fight. He also put on a show with music he provided - through an enchanment, apparently. Even if my Starswirl the Bearded costume didn't go over, and despite the interruptions, it was still the best Nightmare Night I ever had.
I was told that the Ribbon would protect me from most of Verre's magic, and many others, so I'm going to always have it near or on me in case of any emergencies. I know that you said to be careful when around Typhon, but I simply cannot stay idle when something important is happening right under my muzzle. I simply cannot stay ignorant of the dangers threatening my friends.
I would never be able to forgive myself if one of them got hurt just because I stood in the sidelines instead of work to prevent it.
Your Faithful student
Twilight Sparkle.
P.S.: If Cadence or my mother ask, Shining is most definitelly not in Ponyville, and certainly under no guise whatsoever. It took me a while to notice, but he still sighs like a lovesick fool when he smells Cadence's favorite anything in the market.
*****
(Shining Armor's observations, diary log entries, reports, and orders)
This is more complicated that I thought.
Now that I could get to see him in a relaxed environment, as well as during a threat to his life, I have come to the conclusion that I simply cannot stay content with mere surveillance. I need to know how deep this goes; I have established clear links between Typhon and two recent additions to the town - a mare and a stallion going by pseudonyms - and... several other ponies, who gladly answered questions when asked.
There is a reason the Wind family is so close to one another, even when the blood-relation is thin and the distances large. He's the link between them. It's him.
Given their contributions to society, it's clear that Typhon does not hold any ill-will towards ponies, and acts much like a proud grandfather if the stories are any indication. He is, in fact, doing his best to keep Equestria in good health.
Save for the parts when the opposite is needed, as it was him who trained the mare involved in the infamous 'Bubble-stream incident', which ended with an overly-aggressive bodyguard twice (perhaps thrice) her size in traction. I need to know how she did that with just a pair of bowls of punch, how could she have commanded her magic with such ease, precision, and alacrity; it's been eating at me ever since I read the report, and the horrid, obvious pun rubs me the wrong way.
The more I learn, which is already at an impossible rate, the more confused I am. I'm trying to keep an open mind, but it's hard. It's hard, being caught up in all of this. It's hard, and nopony understands.
Well, with all the times I have been told 'you just had to ask' and 'why didn't you ask?' I am certain that somepony out there is saying exactly that, and they might understand better than I thought.
-----
He has not displayed most of the abilities the princesses reported he possessed. No production or manipulation of fire, minimal use of manipulation of weather, minimal use of air manipulation, no use of familiars, no rocket-based transportation devices, minimal evident use of magic, and discrete-if-still-impressive feats of physical prowess.
-----
The abilities he has displayed are much more subtle. He treads very lightly, specially when in the presence of hostile intent; his every move is subtly controlled and minimalized, likely due to self-awareness born of training and experience. When calm, his movements are loose but gentle; he is in complete control of his physical strength.
-----
The ability to summon other humans is worrying, more so since it seemed like he didn't know much about this new one.
He has regular contact with other worlds, or at least, is aware of them and the situations happening in them. It could possibly explain certain oddities that would otherwise be inconsistencies.
-----
The orders are to remain largely unchanged. Civilian safety first; at any sign of danger, prioritize evacuation and protection of other ponies. In case of anomalous weather of larger scale than what is available to a regular pony, investigate source, abstaining from involvement should that source be Typhon. Do not engage; he is hiding the full extent of his capabilities, and just one of the reported powers he possesses are beyond the scale of most ponies, more so all of them at once. He is noticeably non-aggressive, but is willing to defend himself and his friends; any conflict that arises is to be resolved as pacifically as possible - his friends, most of which we know nothing about, are also willing to defend him if his daughter is to be believed. Discourage would-be hunters hoping for a reward - there is none, and the 'Phantoms' are fixated on him, so any hunters will get caught in the crossfire. Should another being, particularly humans, be around him, proceed with caution and determine intent, acting accordingly.
Treat the dragon with caution. She is, technically, covered by the treaty - regardless of her particular family situation - and a civilian. Movements similar to those of Typhon in parts, confirmed to be because of combat training. Proficient in the use of a sword, likely magical in addition of being magically assisted. Capable of enchantment and spellwork, likely through similar means to Typhon.
-----
His daughter is not worried about the guard, citing that, if the guards from three centuries ago did not concern her, the current generation wouldn't, either. A harsh blow to our pride, but sadly quite accurate; I'm trying really hard to change the current... "policies" and make them train more and polish less. Night Guards have the right mentality and better combat training than Day Guards, but I have the feeling that nocturnal combat makes no difference to them.
-----
Must remember parade-grade armor polish. Cadence likes it when she can see herself in my armor.
-----
Prosperity, Typhon's adoptive daughter, can cast spells and enchant items. Hoards knowledge and friendship - somehow - and has done so with the works of preeminent ponies through history, casters most likely included. A complex spell was performed to reduce her size and shift her appearance; assume, as is SOP, that it can be broken at will and thus release a full-size adult dragon in the middle of a situation. Willing to use her mind and hone her skills for the sake of self-improvement and defense of her hoard; shows a degree of contempt or antipathy towards dragons that just grow fat atop their hoards. Abilities largely unknown, but clearly above those of 'regular' dragons, if our own encounter with dragons is anything to go by.
Also, she bucking knows who I am. It took me several hours to notice. She made comments about how delicious certain earrings looked, but also how perfect for a wedding proposal they were - the Bearer of Generosity mentioned that they were 'simply divine' on certain colors of coat, including pink. She keeps making subtle jabs at me like that, just like Typhon announced how I chickened out postponed proposing to the four winds.
Note: Find out if Typhon can send messages through the wind.
Though nopony else seems to have noticed, save Typhon. I just hope Twilight doesn't know, and she doesn't tell the Princess Celestia about it.
SO many laughs from this chapter
Good summery
First Good laugh, also I think you forgot a word here
The comments of shiny are a riot, he knows he's so far out of his league (which is surprising) and he can't compete with even the low lvls, that it's so sad it's funny.
kinky
needing more please
Herp a derp, I'm a secret agent! But nobody KNOWS! Except my surveillance target. See me watch everyone of interest, follow them around, and interrogate people about them. I am so stealthy. I hope no ne will read my SECRET DIAR-Ahem I mean journal. Yes. Secret JOURNAL. Which is full of secrets. Which I have gathered secretly. I AM A PONY NINJA IN DISGUISE! WATCH ME BE STEALHY EVERYONE!
Yeah, Shining Armor is James Bond.
4699311 After reading your comment, I could only visualize Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail with all the parts being filled by Shiny
Can't wait till Shining armor and Twilight get those cards.
Admittedly, I am uncertain whether that includes access to the game, or merely captchalogue cards.
Something about seeing Gilgamesh as part of a friendship report warms my heart. I guess his "intimidating but really a nice guy" theme really does fit with the theme of Luna Ecplised and I'm glad to see he only adde to the lesson instead of taking away from.
And Shining Amror, dear lord, please just stop being an idiot. Your really embarrassing yourself.
4699311
As it has been repeatedly noted, it's not interrogation if you just ask cordially. Besides, Typhon's Ascendance was seen by far too many, even if no-one but a small portion know what that actually was about - given everything that happened in such short notice, right in front of him to boot, it'd be more suspicious if he stayed quiet.
Example:
Shining Armor/Silver Shine: "Wow. that was neat swordplay."
Ditzy Doo: "Oh, I know! Her dad would feel anxious if she didn't know how to protect herself. Other dragons can be a rowdy sort."
SA/SS: "Dad? You mean Typhon? Do you know him?"
DD: "Sure! Ever since I was a filly. He showed me neat stuff!"
SA/SS: "Like what?"
'Small talk' ensues.
His habits - and love-sickness - gave him away to his sister. Y'know, the mare he allowed to give him a silly nickname and call him that in public.
He also likely encoding his writings, like, I dunno, any other reader would just think it's a traveling journal. It's something that can be done.
4699306
Oh, he's higher level than most (come on, encasing a whole city in a bubble shield while his mind is being actively sabotaged must count for something), but it's the other side the one that has the neat toys and the special training exercises. Besides, it's obvious he's very young even if he is highly accomplished.
And I'm kind of sick of the Shiny's that can't seem to accept that they are trying to punch above their weight. He's a Captain, for God's sake; he should be able to perform a basic tactical analysis and use brains where brawn can't win.
4699568
I think he's actually doing a good job, it's just that the other side plays better.
As for the Friendship Lesson... well, it felt like something "Twilight" to do.
I seem to pay more attention to certain details about a character than others ignore. I mean, I'm really confused by how some themes are so prevalent in the fandom - for example, ever since her failed attack on the dragon, Dash seems to think out her actions a lot more, and knows when she's outmatched in Over A Barrel - what with all the buffalo she perceived as a danger - and knows it's better to split than fight.
I understand when she's being brave/bursting into action along her friends, but I think she knows when she's in over her head. Plus, she knows Twilight is the brainy type, so she usually leaves the plans to the smart gal of the ensemble.
Just for example.
4699656
In this paragraph, "princess" is used before a name, so it should be capitalized.
If only he knew.
Still haven't started that re-read, I should really get on that.
4699656
Oh I understood that. It was just funny to me to see just how badly he was failing at stealth vs. the people he was actually trying to hide from. I know it's (mostly) not due to his clumsiness. They're just that good. It reminded me of how James Bond's foes always seem to know he's there instantly no matter how stealthy he is. No wonder he didn't bother in some movies.
Dat
DiaryJournal.4727485
Read the Sonic the Hedgehog series and you get a pretty darn good idea, even if is just chipping the surface.
I played a game once.......
......
......
..honk :o)
33.media.tumblr.com/876fc52f46428ae5184e493029d27ac1/tumblr_mk5eam0ba31rjvi2io1_500.gif
mmmhhhhmm...wu?
Ummmmm
........
.......wrong time?