Amused myself writing a short piece last night. It occurs to me I haven't written a fanfic in decades, but here you go. And what do I write? A MLP:FiM / Cthulhu Mythos cross over. Following on from the Boast Busters episode.

It's more an opening chapter than a complete fic, but I'm quite pleased with it. Feel free to suggest directions it can go from here - 'Herald''s meetings with the Princesses and the Mane Six are going to be interesting...

This is freaky. I just bought a copy of the Necronomcon from Goodwill today...Not that I practice Necromancy by any means, it was just on sale.

Anyway, this story shows to have a lot of promise, especially as the Necronomcon is in the hooves of somepony as conceited and selfish as Trixie. What does Harold want to do, destroy the universe as we know it? Let's just hope she doesn't summon Grogar from the fiery pits of Tartarus, or else a Faustian pact might be made.    

*grins* Well, destruction of everything the ponies know will be the end result, unless they can find a way to stop him.  

Which edition of the Necronomicon, btw? Simon, Chaosium, or Giger?  >>841708841708

>>843590843590

Simon, I think. And I just had a thought. If Trixie ever summons Cthulhu to Equestria, his chaotic presence would most likely awaken Discord again.....I've just had a mental image of Discord annoying Cthulhu by braiding his tentacles....

Heh - various fan art to the contrary, I don't think even Pinkamena or Fluttershy are equipped to deal with the High Priest of the Star Spawn >>844017844017

Interesting...Though I was kind of hoping for Trixie to figure out what she was getting into before she went mad, and spend the rest of the story trying to rid herself of the evil she has come to possess. But this looks like it could be just as good, as sooner or later she's going to go too far and summon something that she can't deal with.  

>>874657874657

Trixie was in over her head from the moment she started - but I hope you find where the story goes from here intriguing :) Needless to say, things are going to get much, much worse.

I'm kind of worried about Trixie at this point, mostly because this might happen to her. Though I wouldn't mind it happening to Herald, as he is probably an Eldrich abomination in pony form, and he is responsible for this, not to mention what he's going to do with the CMC.

>>894702894702  You're right to be worried.

A Vermicious Knid that only knows scram? Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, right?

Anyway, it looks like things are getting worse, as Trixie has apparently summoned evil ents to destroy Ponyville. You know, I'm surprised they didn't think to set them on fire, especially since they have a baby dragon with them.  

>>901597901597  Yup, Roald dahl alright :). re: fire - the flesh of the Dark Young is rubbery, not woody, plus the ponies are innocent enough that killing the things didn't even occur to them.

Methinks Mr. Herald won't be around too much longer once Rarity and Applejack find out what he's doing to the CMC. If Rarity was ready to take on several juvenile dragons to defend Spike, imagine what she'd do to protect her sister.

On a completely unrelated note, part of me wants to see Treebeard and his Ents take on the demonically possessed trees.   

>>931097931097 Indeed, they're going to be a bit upset *evil grin*

Oh no...Trixie's already crazy? I was hoping she'd somehow redeem herself...Now I really hate Herald for what he's done.

Again, part of me is hoping that the princesses will unleash Discord upon the monsters...You know, fight Eldrich Abomination with Eldrich Abomination...Or even Grogar, from G1, who was a Giant Goat Necromancer (As well as being unspeakably badass).

And her real name is Beatrice? Wow...Beatrice...

>>935750935750 *grins* well, he's the best at what he does. re: Grogar - never actually seen any G1 stuff, although I have been amused by the various Smooze stories. 'For i Am A Jelly God' for example.

And Beatrice/Beatrix - either is the full version of Trixie :)

>>937500937500

Ah. I'm actually writing something about Grogar right now, which is why I ask about him. Also, interesting thought about her full name being Beatrice. I always wondered if it was Patricia.  

The way you wrote the last sentence made think that Trixie was Luna's daughter, is she?

Good story, by the way. Can't wait for more CMC destroying "everything they know and love."

>>938515938515  No, but I can see why the phrasing would make you think so. Alas, I don't think you're going to like how Herald intends to use the CMC - the story is labelled dark for a reason, and Herald is not a nice pony...

>>938307938307  Patricia could also have worked :)

You know, I wonder if Herald ever wondered about his 'Apprentice' turning on him at any point...Alas, that is the downfall of so many villains...

>>940962940962  I'd considered the possibility - Herald has of course included the possibility in his plans.

You know, I've been wondering this whole time why Herald can't use the book himself.

Other than that, I'm hoping that he gets a beating from Tartarus for everything he's done.  

Kudos on not just using Shub-Niggurath, but getting her invocation right. I'm guessing that you've read The Moon-Lens by Campbell?

>>976391976391  You'll find out :)

>>976566976566  Indeed :) Although the bit quoted was used here as part of a lesser invocation :)

Ivory Tower? I'm guessing that he calls himself Herald now...

He must be pretty old for Luna to remember him. But of course, whatever drove him mad must be keeping him alive somehow. Or half alive, perhaps...

>>10505741050574 Interesting guess :)

Good chapter!

I hope your next update will be sooner. I can't wait to know what will happen!

I like the way you changed the name of the author of the book, it not only being a ponyfied version of the original. There is still an Arabian feel to it and I can't stop thinking about the tower of babel.

Also I really like this part:

"'And fret not about the eclipse. My sister and I will make sure this celebration will be remembered for another thousand years,"

It will be remembered but not for the reason they think!

>>10528101052810  *nods* I'm having great fun thinking up double meanings of dialogue, especially Herald's.

Sorry about the delay in updates, been a bit busy over here.

Wow, two chapters while I was gone... And both of them are awesome. You know, when Herald mentioned endless parties and song and dance, I was immediately drawn to remember that Eldritch is an old word meaning Elvish, as the Fairy folk often hold parties deep in their sacred groves. (Woe to mortals who crashed these parties, as they would return home to find a hundred years gone by.) Therefore, I was also drawn to remember that the rough equivalent for Equestria's Fairy folk are Changelings, which in turn lead me to think that they may be more powerful than we realize...

Oh, and I hope Trixie comes in and beats the cosmological snot out of Herald, shouting something along these lines:

"YOU PROMISED TRIXIE FAME! NOW SHE'S BEING CHASED BY AN ANGRY MOB AND A BUNCH OF ARBOREAL FREAKS!"    

>>11078801107880

Well,  if you think about it, she is famous if she's being chased by an angry mob.  Just not the kind of fame she wanted.

>>11078801107880  *grins* Whilst I'd certainly considered the Changelings fae, I had the Court of Azathoth in mind - the endless insane dancing and monotonous flutes of the Lesser Outer Gods as they whirl around the Deamon Sultan Azathoth.

>>11079491107949  heehee

Oh...Oh dear... I am now forced to conclude that Herald will inevitably face the combined powers of all of Twilight's friends, who will unleash a monster-mamajam upon him. But no, seriously. They should break off his horn and use it to banish him.

And I know this is a horrible joke, but wasn't the thing that howled in Twilight a Werewolf who fought with a sparkling vampire?      

Dash, I hope you were not innocently involved in the murder of three young fillies that died before getting their cutie marks..

>>11220201122020  Actually, it's a nod to the Lovecraft fragment "The Thing In Moonlight". And Herald doesn't have a horn

>>11238481123848 Well, you'll just have to wait until the next installment

August 20... I see what you did there.

I just wanted to say I'm thoroughly enjoying this story; I definitely look forward to each new chapter. I particularly like your portrayal of Nyarlathotep so far, and all the various nods and references to the mythos (the Azathoth's court ones with Pinkie Pie were really good, I got a laugh out of them, haha). I'm also really impressed with your ability to write the MLP cast. Everyone feels very in character, I can easily imagine their voices to the dialogue, especially Twilight and Pinkie.

If I can offer a tiny bit of criticism, some of Luna's old english-y speak seems a little off, I think you might be overusing 'thou' a bit, some of them could be replaced with 'thy' and her words would flow better. I think there's probably guides somewhere to help writing characters who speak like that. Also I've noticed a few spelling/grammar/left out word errors, so maybe go over things more carefully or have someone beta? That's not really a big deal though, just a tiny nitpick, haha. It's not enough that it's taking me out of the story or anything.

But yes, I'm very much enjoying this fic, it's really interesting, and a very well integrated crossover. I'm looking forward to seeing where else you'll go with it, and how the characters will interact, etc. I've actually been tempted to do some fanart. <:

>>11262371126237  Fan art? Please do!

Re: Luna's dialogue, thanks for the input there, it's been bugging me a bit too.

re: typos etc : yes, when i go back over it after writing it up, I do find lots of errors. Probably because I'm writing it on my PDA when I have a free moment at work, then posting it as soon as I've got a first draft ready. (oh, and predictive text is driving me up the bucking wall) Silly of me, I know, Do you know anybody that would like to beta it? I've sent it around to various friends for that purpose, but they don't editorialise, alas.

Thanks re: the rest of the dialogue, and Mythos kudos - I'm having a ball writing it :)

>>11262231126223  I did something? What did I do?

>>11278791127879

August 20 is H.P. Lovecraft birthday.

>>11278741127874

I've actually beta'd/edited for people before, so I could help, if you want. c:

>>11282051128205  ah, thought that was it - but pure coincidence that I got a chapter out then

>>11290631129063 sweet! I'll email you the next chapter when it's ready to go then?

>>11311851131185

Sure, my email is just kirokokori@live.com. < :

>>11312071131207  right, mail sent - also note - d'oh

Thanks to kirokokori for beta'ing this chapter :)

I am sad for everypony...Even Trixie...

HERALD MUST DIE!

>>11509461150946  Good :) It would appear my story is working then :)

To be honest - i don't feel sorry for Trixie in the slightest.

She's made her deal with the devil - and now the bill is gonna be due.

Frankly - I'm with Applejack. Time to put on some iron shoes and and show Trixie how bucked she *really* is...

>>11509461150946  Good :) It would appear my story is working then :)>>11533731153373  We'll see if you're still of the same opinion in a few chapters :)

HERALD IS THE CRAWLING CHAOS!!!!!!!!! HOLY FLAMING GALLOPING HONEY-GLAZED PILES OF BACON!!!!!

>>11690001169000   Now that is a gratifying reaction

From reading the TV tropes article I will now speculate the the events here.

1) The CMC will die!

2) In response to the above Rarity, Applejack and especially Rainbow Dash will be in denial still thinking to themselves that the fillies are still in a coma.

3) Herald will win or summon Cthulhu and the other Lovecraftian horrors and Equestria will be in a worst state then when Discord was in charge

4) Celestia will pull a semi-literal Deus ex Machina and stop Herald but at a deep and personal cost.

Well time to skim through the madness.

EDIT:

5) The CMC will die and become possessed by more Eldritch horror and maybe become like slender man

6) Speaking of slender man (or pony in this case) I believe that Herald would probably be like him or Cthulhu (And wearing Rorschach's mask)

Likely Prediction: The CMC will die or become exactly like herald If they're not like him already (nothing personal) It would shake up the story quite nicely and give the Mane 6 and princesses more of a reason to stop Herald.

EDIT 2:

Likely Predictions: Lets see with Twilight having to "go to sleep" so often she'd be useless. Witch covers the mental side, on the emotional side half the mane 6 are in turmoil. So the Elements are Harmony are out. No one knows that Herald is manipulating every thing and with the eclipse coming soon chances are that Herald will win.

Best case Scenario: The ponies die. And if they're lucky The mane 6 will live and try to set things right (this may or may not involve a Doctor Who crossover)

Worst Case Scenario: The Old Ones will change all of pony kind into them! (May not had started with the CMC)

Another Possibility: Discord will break free form his stone statue and just to spite Herald and Trixie make Twilight sane again (but maybe uncooperate with the others). Discord being already insane, may be immune to Herald's face.

On a side note: KILL Herald. NOW!!

>>11772541177254  which TVTropes page is that? And re: your theories - I refuse to comment :)

>>11803231180323 This One and I understand that you don't don't want to comment on whether or not those theories are true. You would probably write the story first

>>11806881180688  TOTALLY GOBSMACKED

>>11807351180735 By the way how soon can you post the next chapters?

Herald is such slime...Literally, I guess. I hate how he's taking advantage of Trixie's madness and tricking her into doing his bidding, as he is only ensuring she will be blamed for his actions.

Personally I'd like to see him get eaten by this fellow, Rawhead Rex, the creation of another great horror writer, Clive Barker. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because it would be fitting for Herald, being a master manipulator with a complex plan, to be taken out by a savage and unpredictable god-beast.    

>>11806881180688  TOTALLY GOBSMACKED >>11808971180897   Next chapter is a big one, but I should have it finished today or tomorrow.

>>11825181182518  *chuckles* No, no other crossovers in this fic :)

Yeah, her face is on posters all the way to Manehatten.

Wanted posters.

>>11886621188662  Exactly :)

read chapter before this comment please

"Good morning, Fluttershy." said Herald. "It's time you and I had a little chat."

also first

>>11916471191647 indeed - the idea for this cliffhanger came to me last night, and I laughed with evil glee.

>>11917741191774

what kind of evil laugh like nostalgia critic's good son evil laugh or pennywise from IT evil laugh

>>11917821191782 a MOO HOO HA HAHA  laugh :)

Herald will burn, in one way or another... A list is needed.

1. Breaking Twilight's sanity

2. Tricking Rainbow Dash into almost killing the CMC

3. Leading Trixie to get nearly beaten to death.

Hopefully he will be rendered harmless by Fluttershy's Stare...Or he will receive an ungodly beating from Flutterrage. Hopefully both.

>>11926591192659 I refer you my previous MOO HOO HA HAHA

>>11919861191986

okay

Though it's hard to believe how dense Trixie is.

>>11928961192896

Herald drove her insane earlier, so she's not really seeing things as they really are.

>>11928961192896  well, she did lose about 20 points of Sanity when she summoned those Dark Young. Her ego and delusions are about the only things keeping her functional, now. Well, functional right up until Applejack started line-dancing on her head.

Well we know who's gonna need a wheelchair, hope she's gonna be okay.

Image: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/shrug_Derpy_Hooves.png

>>11929901192990  The red sign isn't a summoning sigil, it's an offensive spell that hits the fear and pain centers of anybody that looks at it. I based it loosely on the Red Sign of Shudde-M'ell

>>11956271195627 Huh an offensive spell huh. That would explain why Applejack felt she had to look away from it. How soon is the next page/chapter/update?

>>11956731195673 maybe a day or two? I've a fairly busy weekend ahead and the Fluttershy chapter has to be carefully written

>>11958991195899 I see. It would take a lot to reduce Fluttershy into an psychotic wreck. (Unless animals that won't listen to her are involved)

>>11965701196570 Again, I MOO HOO HA HAHA

Nyarlathotep? Figures. wait You said the red sign was not a summoning spell!

>>11994491199449

It wasn't, Nyarlathotep's been there the whole time as Herald. <: (unless I'm misunderstanding what you're implying)

--

Also, I'm really glad you (Drhoz) liked my picture enough to make it the cover art for the story, haha. Here's the sketch version and some other doodles, for anyone interested: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/Koonies/lovecraftponies.png

And again, this newest chapter was really great. The whole scene between Fluttershy and Herald/Nyarlathotep was well done especially and I enjoyed reading it. UuU

>>11999421199942 Oh I see. So now that the jig is up for Herald. (Or so it appears...) Do you think He'll return twilight to normal? (Unlikely but with Trixie caught he could use this as a sort of means to an escape and maybe gain a new pawn along the way.)

>>11999421199942  Thanks :) And thanks for doing the art for it, too :)

>>12002931200293  *grins* I ain't saying :)

So, Herald's true identity is revealed. I shall still call him Herald, however, as I have trouble remembering and spelling his name correctly.

But because he personally attacked Fluttershy with cruel remarks, I am certain he's going to get his shape-shifting, otherworldly ass handed to him.

I wonder how humiliating it would be for him, a god, to be brought down by an enraged army of angry equestrian mobs?  

>>12019611201961 I think you're going to be unpleasantly surprised.

>>12014801201480

No problem at all, I'm thinking of maybe doing some more too, haha. c:

>>12024961202496 Sweet!

Oh shit Looks like the old ones are coning back! On the flip side at least Twilight getting better.

I'm surprised this story hasn't gotten more attention. Good read.

Hmm...I wonder why the Princesses don't try and use Herald's psychological warfare against him. I mean, sure, he was defeated at a great cost, but he was defeated--and with his ego, I imagine that being reminded of that might annoy him a little as it proves he is fallible.

And I wonder if he, in addition to his cronies, are susceptible to the ancient power of Voodoo. Now I want to see a showdown between Herald and Baron Samedi.    

>>12114651211465  Indeed - I'm very pleased with the number of Oh Crap moments I'm working into the plot :)

>>12117341211734 Nobody has submitted it to EqD, I suppose

>>12118751211875 Would you really want to annoy the Soul of the Outer Gods? Besides, the Baron may very well be one of Nyarlathotep's many masks.

I now have a new theory about how this will end:

The CMC will still die, but only because Herald kept their souls separated from the bodies too long. Knowing this The mane 6 will try to use the Elements of Harmony on him knowing full well that he will follow on his promise to kill them. They succeed in banishing him but at the cost of their own souls. Herald/Nyarlarthotep will return in a few centuries or so, but this time He will corrupt the souls of the mane 6 and the CMC of have the elder gods do so to serve as apprentices to Herald. Celestia and Luna will carry this loss on their shoulder and try to protect what's left of the ponies from future harm losing themselves in the process. Oh and Herald will take the jewellery associated with the Elements for corruption as well. This is just speculation but i feel that Herald would do something like that.

On a side note: when's the next update?

>>12189481218948  as soon as I've finished writing it :) It's another fairly involved chapter.

For all his talk, Herald just revealed the one thing he and his ilk can't seem to comprehend. They lack compassion because they can't understand the little things the universe has to offer such as happiness and joy, and only seem to focus on how useless everything is in the end. Yes, to them mortals may seem pathetic and small, but in our short duration of life we can experience happiness and live in the moment as opposed to looking at how insignificant our lives are.

On another note, he seems to be indulging in the age-old tradition of the villainous monologue.

And yet on another note, just because I have this on the mind, I wonder if Herald can be tempted into trying to overthrow his superiors. I'm sure with his ego, it has probably crossed his mind before. All we need are the right people to trick him....Cooger and Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show, perhaps?

Because Eldrich Abominations Vs. Autumn People would be awesome...    

>>12236921223692  "villainous monologue"? You really think that's what he's doing? *grins evilly*

Signed up just to give some support to "Herald", think he's epic. Boo on the princesses for not educating the ponies properly about the truth of things :) Also can't wait for the next episode!