Chapter Thirteen
Weaponized Virtue
The great villains are remarkable for their laughter,
the heroes for their grim countenance.
Yet a pony's cutie mark urges her to do what she loves.
May 6th, 1014, Afternoon
On the rim of the Wheel of the World
I'm not a good fighter. I just don't have the temperament for it. That may sound strange, coming from a pony who owns a suit of armor that's worth more than a Manehattan penthouse, but it's true. I'm often very effective in combat, due to the combination of my magic, earth pony strength, tactical ability, and improvisational skill, but I never want to hurt anypony. Not really. Even in dire circumstances, I subconsciously hold back.
Except when I lose my temper.
I'm sure my friends understand that about me. That's why Applejack's hind hooves smashed into the shield I popped up an instant after I flipped the Amulet's chain over my head and the Nightmare's magic flooded into me. She probably thought I would be slow to defend myself, as I had been so many times before. She bucked twice again, trying to penetrate the shield, no doubt hoping to "save" me by applying some blunt force trauma to my head. Applejack is nothing if not direct.
"Stop that, AJ," I said calmly. "You'll hurt yourself."
I felt good. All the pain and bone-deep exhaustion had vanished. Without my own magic at full strength as a balance, the Nightmare's own certainly had an effect on my… outlook, but I was sure I could compensate for that.
I turned to my friends, who were all eyeing me warily. All but one. I glanced up to where Rainbow Dash had turned at the apex of her climb and was starting her high-powered dive. I dropped my shield, canceled her inertia, and teleported her so that she was eye-level with me, with the end of her muzzle lightly touching my own. "Boo!"
Dash gasped and I let go of her. The look on her face was so funny that I had to laugh. The girls backed off and held a hurried, hushed conversation, probably along the lines of, "What're we gonna do?" and "How should I know?"
"It's all right!" I called out to them. "I'm fine. You ought to know that I would never deliberately hurt any of you no matter what happens!"
"So, y'ain't gone all Nightmare Moon, then? 'Cause it kinda looks like you have."
I laughed again. It was so good to feel powerful and unconstrained again. I made a dismissive gesture with one wing. "Oh, maybe just a teensy-weensy bit, but it doesn't matter! You're my friends and I love you! I'm going to save you!" The black tips of my wings were only a minor side effect, nothing to be concerned about.
"That's… good?" Rainbow Dash said.
"And our crew?" Rarity asked.
"Oh, yes, yes, them too, of course!" I paused. "Well, I'm going to save them from the zebras, at least."
The girls traded glances.
"There's Crazy Good and Crazy Bad, Twilight," Pinkie said, narrowing her eyes at me. "Which one are you going for here?"
"Why crazy at all? Why can't it be determination and vision?" I flared my wings, beginning to feel a little bit irritated.
"Vision?" Pinkie tilted her head. "Are you seeing things, Twilight? Because along with maniacal laughter, that's one of the warning signs of…"
"Oh, don't be like that, Pinkie Pie! I don't have time to explain it all. In fact…"
"Twilight, you've got to stop and think!" Rarity interrupted. "You can't just…"
"Don't tell me what I can't do!" I snapped. "You wouldn't believe what I can do! In fact… just… go to sleep!"
My friends all slumped to the floor. I relaxed and smiled. Time to get to work.
First came the important part: The real reason I had been seeking out the crystal engine for so long. I had planned on explaining it to them. I didn't see how they could possibly refuse, but it had been important to me that they be given full knowledge of my plan, and each agree to it of their own free will. Had been important… for some reason.
I laughed once more, banishing my doubts. How incredibly naïve of me! They'd be falling over themselves to thank me when they learned what I'd done to them!
Celestia's masterpiece stood before me, the knife in the back of her merciless mother's plan for the whole universe. It did something no other magical construct was capable of. All the others used active magic to bypass the natural laws in various ways, but this could change those natural laws.
From all that I had been able to discover, the engine had been integral to Celestia's plan after the overthrow of the Red Queen. Once that had been accomplished, she had tried to change the world so that virtuous ponies were rewarded for being good as part of the basic way that things worked. When they saw that there were direct rewards for virtue, everypony would want to be good. It made perfect sense. But Celestia hadn't been entirely successful because natural laws are an intricate web, and changing one can have unintended effects on a host of others. She had done her best, and then shut down the great crystal mechanism and hidden it away.
It had taken me years to puzzle it all out. A crystal engine took consummate skill and magical strength to construct. They weren't just giant-sized versions of common amulets, because the power requirements went up exponentially as they got larger, and even one designed with a single, simple purpose involved nightmarishly complex spell-coordination requirements.
I had foolishly been awed by the dark crystal engine beneath the Crook-Tail Canyon ruins in the Badlands when I'd first laid eyes on it. It wasn't long before I knew it for the brute-force piece of hackwork that it truly was.
The Crystal Empire was a different and more subtle approach, and I was fairly certain Celestia had created it well after she had shut down the one beneath the labyrinth. It was an engine that comprised an entire city and gently drew its power from the emotional emanations of its inhabitants; a remarkable feat of magical engineering, indeed. It served its purpose well; happy ponies were good ponies.[1] It wasn't perfect, of course. There was the unintentional side effect of the crystallization of living beings surrounding and within it, that slowly became permanent over the generations. But as they took no apparent harm, that was a minor concern.
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[1] Apparently, a positive influence that was "reflected" in the attitude of the Equestrian ponies, was a bit of mind magic that Celestia had designed as a slight adjustment in her long-term plan for Equestria.
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That the Imperial City was also susceptible to corruption and misuse was a much bigger problem. An engine that broadcast happiness and contentment could just as easily transmit negative emotions when powered by dark magic. But that wasn't a failing so much as something inherent in any tool: If a thing can be used, it can be misused.
A lesser-known danger was that sometimes the great engines decided to use themselves. The changes that Celestia had made to the world had unintentionally led to the growth of the Tree of Harmony, and by extension, my castle and the map table at its heart. The Rainbow Power was a gift from a construct that somehow thought, and more importantly, judged. When Luna had rebelled and Celestia had sealed her within the moon, the Tree had severed their connections to the Elements, despite the fact that Celestia had created the definitions of good and evil that it operated on.
The Tree of Harmony's power was limited. It needed ponies to act as its agents and it wanted them to be good ponies. My friends and I had received the Elements only when I realized and accepted the goodness in them and the value of their friendship. I don't know why the Tree had decided to test us a second time, but we passed reevaluation as well. We had each made a friend of someone who we could just as easily have dismissed as an enemy.
What is the phrase? "Third time's the charm," isn't it?
We six had done great good in the world. We continued to do great good in the world. I was determined that we would always do good despite the whims of a semi-sapient mass of rock. But it was only possible because of the special bond we had. I had seen what the world could have become without our friendship, and I never wanted to see something like that again.
And that's why I had to do what I did.
I touched the engine with my magic and set it to producing the artifacts that I needed. I wove the matching patterns between the engine and the resultant gems. I tuned the spells and components with subtle adjustments of the golden knobs and levers on the obsidian slab until everything was just right.
I had the impulse to double-check all the structures, but banished it from my mind with a sneer. That was old Twilight's timidity and uncertainty trying to creep back in. I knew how brilliant I was, and I knew that there was no need for hesitation.
I started with Applejack, pulling her sleeping body to me. I smiled down at her, admiring her wonderful strength and beauty while I used my magic to shape a bit of crystal into a razor-sharp blade. Then I brushed her mane away from the base of her skull, and began to cut through her soft golden coat.
= = =
All my life, I had disdained superstition and any reactive behavior tied to it. And that is probably why I cleared my throat and said in a clear, distinct voice, "What could possibly go wrong?" before I touched the golden lever that activated the spells.
The unconscious bodies of my friends twitched a bit when the crystal engine made contact with the tiny gems I'd implanted near the posterior edge of their foramina magna. Everything was going as expected, and I was pleasantly surprised by the speed and efficiency of the spellwork.
In only a few minutes, the integration was complete.
I thought about waking them one at a time, but I was under a little bit of time pressure. Going over what had happened five separate times also seemed like it would be unutterably boring, so I just threw the lever that connected the engine directly to the power of the main World Wheel.
If the self-powered engine had been impressive in its ability to create and power the magical gems, when tapped into the magic that kept the world turning, it was overwhelming. The flood of energy was even more intense than I'd expected, and I was more experienced in channeling magic than nearly any pony alive.
It staggered me, and it woke the girls right up.
There were several seconds of confused exclamations, and then one clear voice from the crowd.
"Oh, good heavens! What's happened to us?" Rarity gasped, turning her head over her back so that she could stare at her wings.
"It won't last," I said. "It'll wear off in a fairly short while, like our crystal bodies did back when the Empire returned. I'd advise against trying to fly until you've got some room."
"Are we, like, princesses now?" Rainbow Dash asked, going somewhat cross-eyed trying to get a good look at her horn.
"No, Dash. You've just got a supercharged injection of magic from all three tribes, and that manifests itself through wings and horns. Hooves, too by the way, so try not to stamp too hard. You'll break things."
"What about you, darling?"
I frowned. "What about me?" I looked down at myself. "Oh."
It was a long way to the floor, and my coat had become jet black. I stretched out a wing and examined it. The primaries were sharply pointed and threw deep purple highlights as I wiggled them. I ran my tongue over my teeth and discovered that they were pointed.
"Y'all figurin' on doing the 'Eternal Night' thing? 'Cause, if'n you are, we're gonna have a discussion, Twilight Sparkle."
I laughed long and hard then, and not just because Applejack's hat looked ridiculous hanging crookedly from the tip of her horn. She didn't seem to be reassured, so I added, "I don't like astronomy that much!"
Nopony laughed.
"It was a joke! Why can't you believe I haven't become some kind of evil monster?"
"Maybe because right now you make Nightmare Moon look like a grumpy puppy?" Rainbow Dash said.
"What? It's not that bad, is it?"
Rarity sadly shook her head. "Of all the times to be caught without a mirror!"
"Really, Twilight!" Pinkie Pie chirped. "You are so super scary! Isn't she scary, Fluttershy? Fluttershy?"
Fluttershy had fainted.
"Huh." I thought for a moment. "Actually, this is probably a good thing! I was going to mess around with the nature of causality a bit[2] to let us escape from the zebras, but now I think I'll just deal with the situation directly."
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[2] Just a teeny bit. Nothing drastic or really dangerous. Honest.
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I trotted over to the base of the big crystalline stairway that led up into the labyrinth. "Do you girls want to help out, or are you just going to watch?" I called back over my shoulder.
"What are you going to do?" Applejack asked, as she and Pinkie Pie helped Fluttershy to her hooves.
"Improvise," I replied, shrugging. "If I'm that scary, I can probably frighten them away! What do you think?" I reared up and flung my wings wide, using the Royal Voice to amplify a throaty growl into a roar that echoed through the cavern.
The girls all flinched and their eyes went wide. Except for Fluttershy. Fluttershy fainted again.
"Oh, yeah! I can work with this!"
"Uh-huh, and that is what worries me," Applejack grumbled as she trotted over to my side.
"Trust me!" I said, grabbing her hat with my magic and forcing it down so that her horn pierced it and it slid down to its proper place.
"Alright, Twi. I'm gonna trust you for now. But I'm gonna keep a real close eye on you, y'hear?"
I wanted to tell her right then. I knew, if I explained why I'd spent so much time and effort finding the engine, that she'd see that I had the purest of motives. But there wasn't any time. It would have to wait.
I reached out with my magic and adjusted the staircase runes to set the mandala to transport us to the top of the labyrinth. "C'mon, girls! Let's go have some fun!"
It was a shame I didn't notice the binding sigils changing on the face of the engine, but they had been set up specifically to be unnoticed. Clever old mare, indeed.
= = =
=
I know this isn't strictly a cliffhanger but I SERIOUSLY want to know what the heck Twi did to her friends!
The whole chapter was building up to the reveal to what Twilight did, and then the cliffhanger isn't even about that. You pulled a double cliffhanger here.
Stop being so good at this.
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They never asked for any of this...
6780333
No.
.
.
.
Oh.
Oh, dear.
Oh, Twilight, what have you done?
oh dear faust above you gave pinkie access to uincorn magic ARE YOU NUTS!!!!!! TWILIGHT
6780533 ... Never thought I'd say this, but it just got boring. I mean next chapter were flipping to the past(ignore) Chapter after that is going to be Twi getting through to the top with her friends Questioning her along the way, then when they ge to the top the scene switches to why the runes on the mechanism changing is so bad. It's just slowed down to the point where I can literally skip a full three hundred words and still know where I am. I guess what I'm trying to say is This chapter was just a bit disappointing, just enough to entice me, but not enough that I really would trust the next chapter to add anything important.
Let the power flow?
I'm going to go and say 'Let the power flow.'
And things were going so well too. Stupid Twilight. Stupid stupid stupid rrgh.
But of course she tries to do that thing because she thinks it'll end up with this instead of how it's really going.
Also Celestia's going to show up soon, probably. Because there's no way she's silly enough to leave a giant super-tool of world-altering power just lying about the place without sticking a big ol' alarm or two on it.
Am I the only one who wants Twilight to stay Nightmare mode? True, her morals are kind of skewed right now but the ties she has with the girls keep her grounded. The worst thing now would be for Twilight to be left alone...
Since when does Twilight have the skills necessary to perform an operation on all races, huh?
So uh, involuntary brain surgery. That's... I'm starting to think that Twilight is the villain of this piece. The prophecy from the last story seems suddenly relevant again as well.
...Well. :D
Well, uhm...
...eep?
Twilight, your Evil Overlord is showing.
Something tells me that Twilight has gone full-out Lesson Zero here. This is basically what tends to happen when she's tired, stressed and has more magic available to her than she has sanity and time to consider the consequences of her actions and any 'shortcuts' that she decides to use.
Fortunately, Celestia seems to have anticipated this outcome. We'll see just what countermeasures that she's put in place in a couple of chapters' time.
you evil , cruel , VILE! person... why are you such a good tease
So, uh, does anyone know if Twilight's illusions are still active? Because if they're trying to hide full on nightmare alicorn of doom wings, methinks there might be a Stay-Pufft Marshmallow Mare incident shortly...
6780704
That chapter has already been written, and you'll probably be relieved to know it doesn't resemble what you've described at all.
6781278
And is that a bad thing?
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6781525 Thank you for the update on the matter.
Oh Twi...
They say you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
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Sweet!
Pretty sure stuff like this is what got Celestia kicked out of the Element Bearer's club. Twilight, proceed with extreme caution.
There is no way in hell this can end well. Calling it now, something is gonna go wrong at the last minute.
That has to be the most singularly disturbing sentence I've read in a long time.
*Fervently hopes for happy ending*
Just a thing from a radiologist: if its under their mane, she would have implanted them at the posterior aspect of the foramen magnum as the anterior aspect is accessed by going through the throat under the jaw.
Incidentally I'd love a picture of nightmare twilight. Has anyone done one that is close to how you pictured her, iisaw?
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Oops! you're absolutely right. I'll fix that.
There are a couple pics that are close. I don't have them handy at the moment, though. I really should do one myself... hmn.
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Also thinking about it a bit... The plural of foramen magnum should probably be foramina magna?
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Mn... yeah, I'll go for that. The alternative is a clumsy construction like, "each of their foramen magnum."
*sigh* If I ever get a time machine, the first thing I'm going to do is go back to early Rome and teach them all Esperanto at gunpoint.
....
Hoboy. Twilight's really stuck her hooves straight into the middle of the mess this time.
You magnificent bastard, I step away for a few weeks and return to Twilight killing pirates and baking her friends immortal via unlicensed surgery. And there's three more chapters already. Onward!
Well, time to see how fucked up Twi's going to make the world trying to 'fix' it. And, that title, well that is a good way to describe the Elements, but I'm guessing this is going to be taking a darker approach to that idea... so yeah, this is really going to be something......
Well then, this is the first one of these that actually has me intrigued to find out just what it means, and, where this is going cuase well I could see some ideas but, it could be many, still, this is going to be very interesting.
Wait, on the rim.... so, the Labyrinth moved them to there? Is this like and actual place on Equiss, or a kind of, pocket dimension in between it and the Wheel, or, did this happen when Twilight tapped into the power?
Can't argue with that. She's got a lot of power and can hold her own, but not really a mindset to take advantage of it right. Or to handle it for long.
Also this, tending to be very defensive and pulling her punches..... normally, but ummm, Twi we just saw that is not the case all the time.
Ah there it is, and yes you are terrifying when that happens, and it's happening easier and easier all the time.
Okay, and this is going.. where....
And she's already off the deep end. At least she's taking them going agsint her well, just seeing them as misguided rather then enemies. For now. And they have every right to want to buck you upside the head for this, and to want to kick themselves for not seeing this coming earlier.
Okay.. that explains the previous thing, it was a case of her just being weak enough to let the Nightmare's influence take over.
Riiiiiight, yeah keep telling yourself that.... how much longer till she hits rock bottom and has to confront what an egotistical idiot she's been the last few years?
Well, this could be going worse at least.... still, I wold hardly call this 'good' by any stretch.
So, this going to come back to bite her when she loses so much of herself she does just that, or it going to be a case of her 'protecting them' going to major extremes that she realizes is worse then anything that she is 'protecting' them from.
Oh that's not creepy as fuck at all.
And that is even worse....... just what the buck is she planning.
Because you just donned a magical artifact of dark power to tap into an even more powerful Crystal Engine, and have been mentally unbalanced and on edge for years now and desperately need some perspective? Also because you are acting crazy.
And yup, the phrase at the core of all this more or less.
Yes Twilight, that is perfectly sane and not the least bit evil. (And yes I can see her logic here and it is fascinating, just eager to see her start to come around and what causes her to realize she's going to far, but guessing that won't be for awhile.
Just like you couldn't see how anypony could refuse your ideas to better Equestria's government?
Ohhhh boy, you are doing a great job of holding back the Nightmare's influence Twi. And yes, guessing the drive to make sure any idea she has to improve be logical enough for Celestia to agree to too has gone out the window.
Done TO them!? Oh..... fuck.....
hence the on the edge of the Wheel of The World... it's a way of rewriting that Wheel and controlling it.. likely part of the trap built for The Red Queen, and to undo some of the more nasty things she's done, but.... wow, this is not going to be good in the least....
A noble goal, but she had seen the limitations there, had seen that she could only push things so far. Knew when things were as 'right' as she could make them without going to far.
Huh that is.... that is one hell of a good backstory for it and, it does rather make sense.
Wait, what? Okay that is slipping a bit closer to, ummm Celestia what are you doing, territory. And not sure I 100% understand what Twi is meaning here.
Like the one you are about to use...........
Okay, nope. First of all, already went over from last chapter how that just, both makes little sense and also is, just way WAY to harsh on Celestia, and for no good reason. Second, that goes against what was explicitly said in the show. That it was the Mane 6 taking up the Elements that led to the Sister's losing their link to it. And the timing DOES matter, because that is what then led to the release of Discord. So no not buying that. Plus, it really would be far more powerful and just, hit all the harder if it was Celestia herself that judged herself unworthy.
Huh.. you know..... as long as you look at it broad enough that.... that does kind of make sense and fit. Seems a stretch in some cases but, well, Twilight isn't exactly firing on all mental cylinders right now.
I don't think this is quite the same thing Twilight.
Ah, starting to see where she's going with this. can't have that thing telling her she's not doing good when she just knows she is.......
Ohhh that's going to come back to bite her in the ass. Especially given how full of herself she's been, she won't even stop to consider mistakes she's made in the very design of things.
Yup.....
And going for full, surgical implantation!> Okay, Twi, yeah this is going RIGHT off the deep end, I could see up till now but, HOLY FUCK! Ohhh this is going to be one hell of a "What have I DONE!?" when it finally hits.
At least she has a reason, and well, we already KNOW how bad it will go.... and yet, story.. thank you.... really needed the little chuckle right now.
..... oh.... fuck.....
Twilight did... did you......... Twilight..... you did not just ascend the rest of the Mane 6 did you!? That is both.... so epically awesome and yet, knowing the context behind it and your state of mind, extremely freaking creepy and wrong, not to mention... YOU JUST MADE PINKIE PIE AN ALICORN! You have doomed us all!
Wait, ti's only temporary? What the buck... how... why.. what!?
Ooookay, the next question is 'why' and what this has to do with what you are planning.
Bucking damnit Twilight!
Well, let see, where should we start? The looks, the constant laughing, the knocking them out, the surgery on them, the altering their bodies without their permission, gee I don't know why they'd think that.
I need a stronger image.
Oh this is not going to be good.. at all.. good luck keeping your cover after that one.
You are not alone in that.
Twi, ti's not your overall motives that are in question, it is... every single other damned things about this.
And of course Celestia has a backup plan for something like this.. very VERY clever old mare. Also way to go Celestia, now, to see just what her little trick is going to do.
Well, that was... unexpected, kind of disappointed she didn't out right ascend the other Mane 6, as plans go that one is rather epic. But still whatever she DID do, yeah..... damnit Twilight why was there not time to explain!?
And yes I can see the logic here, pushed along by The Nightmare driving her to be more ruthless and direct. I'd wnt to see the full scope of her idea before really saying TO much but, just.. welll. HOLY SHIT!
One, I really love how you're incorporating new canon into this series.
Two, once again there's that feeling where so much, almost too much stuff is happening. So many cliffhangers, I just want to know everything!
Too slow, AJ.
Uhh...
Umm...
So, cutie mark magic? Or is that just a tip of the effect, or something else entirely?
Great big magical artifacts with opinions, that probably never goes well. Especially if they were made by flawed individuals who might unintentionally pass said flaws on to the artifacts.
(Ought to be :applejackreallyunsure:, but we don't have an emote for that.)
Huh. You know, you really should probably obtain consent for that sort of conversion. I mean, I can see why Twilight just did this to her friends given what happened in the last downtime chapter, but still.
Oh, so it's temporary? Good, though I can't imagine what all of what Twi just did is, otherwise what's the point?
Err... Maybe she's still in control? Assuming that control is a concept that even regular Twilight still operates under.
Ehh, figures.
So. What could go wrong next?
DAMN YOU IISAW, people need to sleep, you know that?
7649843 No. They do not.
That's already how it works in the real world, but we've all been taught to disbelieve it.
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Uh... no its not? I'm sorry, but I can be virtuous and a relatively nice dude all I want to be, and that wont get me anything but a score of people seeking to take advantage of the fact that I'm too nice for my own good. In the world that exists today, you really don't get rewarded for being virtuous. By anyone or anything. All you get are those who simply wish to abuse you for everything you can possibly offer them before leaving you high and dry and with nothing to your name.
Sorry for replying to an old comment, but that statement you made really irked me the wrong way.
Twilight's self justifications remind me of Taylor from Worm in an odd way.
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I hadn't heard of Worm; I'll have to check it out!
Yeah... justification like that is always logical and reasonable at each tiny step forward... until you end up where they take you.
I'd really like to use some of those unsavory words Twilight mentioned in the last chapter.
Yeah scary.
If she wanted to make sure that they always were around to do good. Why is the Effect Temporary?
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No. You are wrong. Not completely wrong, but mostly wrong.
Good people do suffer just as jerks and evil people. The world really doesn't have a preference.
However, people don't like suffering and the only thing they hate more is people that make them suffer. Do you really think that significant others are not rewarded for selfless love at times?
Do you really think that being a controlling ass hole doesn't attract trouble and distaine? Friends learn they can rely on you and in return they can help you in a pinch.
I have friends that would take a bullet for me, because they know I would do the same for them. I earned that not through selfish control and bribes. I spent years caring and spending time with them.
Have you learned nothing of the magic of friendship? Yeah sure, they could and do take advantage sometimes, but that is what forgiveness is for. That's life.
Finally, getting back to this after a month. Here's hoping things are a bit less intense than last time!
Okay this was pretty funny. I could see something like this happening in the show.
Oh dear, yup she's letting the Nightmare take hold a bit.
Uhm
UHM
This is some serious religious allegory here. I kind of like it, since I always liked the idea of Celestia and Luna being goddesses.
This sounds suspiciously like a lack of free will. It's a bit unnerving.
This is making me several kinds of uncomfortable. At least it's the Nightmare doing it, and not fully Twilight, but it's still controlling her, which is still pretty scary.
At least they became alicorns and not... something else. It should be obvious in hindsight that's what was going to happen, but I honestly was expecting something more... horrific. To be honest I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen next, but it's in a way that makes me somewhat uneasy.
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I have to admit, that your "Uhm," followed by your "UHM" made me laugh out loud. That was pretty much the reaction I was going for!
And completely supported in show cannon. Dunno if it's an abrogation of free will, or a magical version of Brave New World's soma drug, but either way...
As should anything done to/for you by a powerful authority without your permission, particularly when done "for your own good."
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I assume you're referring to FRIENDSHIP RAINBOW LASER BEAMS that redeem people? An interesting way to look at it.
I'm more unnerved by the fact that it's Twilight doing this, and less-so the act itself. I'm probably going to let this chapter settle and resume reading tomorrow. (Have to get ready for some dinner plans shortly anyway)
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No, I'm referring to the crystal heart, and what Celestia told Twilight about it. I don't have the episode handy to give you a direct quote, but it was essentially that the crystal heart took in the happiness of the crystal ponies, broadcast "happiness waves" all over Equestria, and made those ponies happy.
Yeah.
But it's not. The amulet contains not just the magical strength, but also the persona of the Nightmare, and Twilight is injured and magically exhausted, which means she doesn't have the strength to resist the... impulses she's receiving.
Hope you have a nice dinner!