//------------------------------// // Act III, Scene 7: Discussion // Story: Summer Sun, Dawning Chaos // by CTVulpin //------------------------------// A question for you, Captain Shining Armor: Who do you value more, your Love or your Sun? -- Meis Thamule A couple days passed and the Equestrian exiles were gradually becoming acclimated to their new home. The group continued to live in the Traveler’s House and a few of them – namely Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Carmilla – had either found or were seeking out employment around Overlook. Rainbow Dash found herself frustrated by her lack of wings and the revelation that Valden’s weather was entirely wild and unmanaged. Pinkie Pie was functional, but her characteristic joy had yet to return and she still shied away from certain topics with her friends. Ray and Rachelle did their best to help her by using a spirit magic technique that attempted to bring calm to troubled minds, but they both declared it would accomplish little until Pinkie let the others in on the problem. Despite having returned to everyone’s good graces, Ash often went off by himself for hours on end, only occasionally to be seen at the Traveler’s House or the small school-cum-pub for the town’s few magic users, where Twilight spent most of her time. It was late in the afternoon when Twilight, feeling frustrated after a fruitless magic lesson, went for a walk to clear her head and came upon Ash sitting near the edge of the black glass crater outside of town. He seemed to be staring into space as his left hand idly traced invisible shapes in the air, his fingers wiggling in a complicated-looking dance. Twilight approached quietly, not wishing to disturb him but curious at the same time, and was startled when his hand suddenly clenched into a fist and dropped into his lap and he asked, “Can I help you Twilight?” without even looking her way. “Maybe,” Twilight said, taking a seat next to him, “what are you doing out here?” “Thinking,” Ash said simply, “reevaluating my life again now that the stage has changed.” Twilight nodded in understanding, and then winced a headache made itself known above her eyes. Ash noticed and commented, “Magic potential overload again? Is your study of Valden magic still not going well?” “I just can’t understand where they’re coming from,” Twilight grumbled, bring her knees up to her chest so she could rest her head on them, “That is, academically it makes a kind of sense, but I can’t even form a connection to the wands they’re having me use.” “Maybe if you held it up to your head and pretended it was a horn,” Ash said, placing the back of his hand against his forehead and bringing his fingers together into a blunt point. Twilight gave him a dubious look, and then snorted in laughter at the mock-serious expression on his face. “Ok, jokes aside, try this,” Ash said, placing one finger on the ground between him and Twilight, “copy what I do and say and picture the power flowing out of you.” He drew a triangle in the dirt, reciting, “Fire, Air, and Light.” “Fire, Air, and Light,” Twilight repeated, drawing a triangle of her own. “Water, Earth, and Dark,” Ash said, drawing a second triangle over the first, but pointing in the opposite direction. Twilight emulated him, and then he made a dot in the middle of the overlapping triangles and said, “Aether to link, and release.” He tapped the dot and the sigil glowed orange for a few seconds. “Aether to link, and release,” Twilight echoed, drawing and tapping her own dot. She felt a tingle run along her skin from her head, down her arm, and through her finger as the six-sided star she’d drawn glowed magenta and the headache faded away. “Looks like you could have been a Weave Mage like me,” Ash said with approval, “Tell me, what do you see?” He began to slowly wave his hand in front of him, his fingers resuming the curious dance from before. Twilight watched for a few moments, and then shrugged with a confused look on her face. “Nothing?” Ash asked, “No glows, no lines, no odd sounds or scents without a source?” “Nothing like that,” Twilight answered. “You lack the Mage Sight then,” Ash said nonchalant, “That’s fine. I wasn’t really expecting you to have it, since it’s unnecessary for Unicorn magic.” “Oh,” Twilight said in disappointment, “For a moment there I was hoping you could teach me. Heh, it’s funny how the tables are turned now; you’re the magical master and I can barely make things glow.” “Not so much,” Ash said, raising an eyebrow, “You were my better in Equestria simply because in spite of all my knowledge of magic, you and every other pony with a horn on their head were hogging all the energy.” “Excuse me?” Twilight said, not sure if she was being insulted or something. “You heard me,” Ash said with a smirk, “Out of everything Discord’s done, I do have to thank him for leading me to that little revelation.” “What did he say?” Twilight asked, suspicious. “Nothing,” Ash said, “He offered to help me get around my magical handicaps but I turned him down. Instead, to try and tempt me, he lifted whatever veil was preventing me from seeing the threads of elemental energy flowing through Equestria. Those threads, also known as streams, ley lines, and a myriad other things, are the source of all magical power. As a Weave Mage, my magic comes from redirecting and weaving those threads together; it’s the most elemental and potentially powerful kind of magic I know of, especially in my hands. The thing is, however, all magic affects the threads in some way or another and when a spell is active, all the threads connected to it become highly resistant to use by another mage in the vicinity.” “What does that have to do with unicorns?” Twilight asked, “It’s not like we’re constantly casting spells, and I somehow doubt that levitating things can lock up that much power for you.” “True on both counts,” Ash said, “however, you don’t cast spells by manipulating the threads around you. You do it by channeling energy inside of you and imposing it on other things. That energy can’t come from your life force, or you’d starve to death after a big spell or a long session of even simple levitation. No, that power comes from somewhere else, and once I could see the threads the answer was obvious: just by existing you draw the threads near you into yourself and store up the potential energy for later use. Now, just one unicorn or even a small town’s worth wouldn’t be enough to make my Weaving noticeably difficult, but when there are entire cities with significant unicorn populations all across Equestria, and you take into account the Princesses who have enough power stored up to keep the cycle of day and night going constantly…” “I think I understand,” Twilight said, nodding, “But then, what about Thamule? He was very powerful, and I don’t recall seeing him wear that magic enhancing necklace of yours.” “Discord,” Ash said, “You know what he’s capable of; bending the rules of magic for one of his creations would be child’s play even if he is still mostly sealed up.” “Do you think he still is?” Twilight asked, looking up toward where she thought the portal was. “I sure hope so,” Ash replied soberly, “Although, if Celestia and the others are still holding out hope for your return – you and the other Elements of course – it may take Discord breaking completely free to convince them to seek out new Bearers. And with unbridled and twice-bitten Chaos covering Equestria, that won’t be a fun hunt.” Twilight frowned deeply as she continued to stare into the sky. “Ash,” she said at last, “are you absolutely certain there’s no chance we can get back to Equestria?” “Magic can do very impressive things Twilight,” Ash answered, “but you know as well as I do that even it has limits. If conditions were different, if there wasn’t at least a mile of empty air between the portal and hard, black ground, I’d do my best to send you girls home.” “There has to be some way,” Twilight said with stubbornness, “maybe if we worked together. One of us levitates everyone and the other handles the portal.” “And how long would it take you to get to the point that you could move all that mass to such a height?” Ash asked, “Might as well build a staircase up to it; it would take just as long, be just as dangerous, use up too many resources, and by then who knows what kind of Equestria we’d find waiting for us?” He stood up and turned, stretching an arm out to point toward the south. “A far better use of our time might be to find the portal between Valden and… What in the world?” Just over the horizon was a dark speck flying through the air, growing gradually larger as Ash and Twilight watched it. “What is it?” Twilight asked. “I don’t know,” Ash said, “but it’s getting closer and I’m pretty sure it’s much bigger than the average bird. Come on, we better alert the town. Better over-prepared for nothing than unprepared for danger.” “Shining, let me come with you. What if he comes after me because of your choice?” “I’m not leaving you unprotected my love. You’ll have the guards and all of Ponyville with you. The royal family shouldn’t all be in one place anyway; do you want Blueblood becoming regent pro tempore if something happens?” “Very well then. Be safe my dear Shining Armor, and let my love be your strength.” Overlook was on alert as the mysterious flying object continued to approach. Most of the townsfolk were indoors, ready to throw up barricades if necessary, while the town militia and other brave souls took up watching positions on the rooftops. The Order-naries were set up on top of the Traveler’s House, accompanied by Rainbow Dash, who was armed with a crossbow she’d somehow gotten her hands on, and Twilight. “Does anyone remember whether Valden has dragons or not?” Ray asked. “That’s no dragon Soul,” Rainbow Dash replied, gesturing with the crossbow, “We should be seeing its wing-beats by now.” “Be careful with that!” Carmilla snapped, grabbing the crossbow and forcing it to point down at the roof, “Never point a loaded weapon like this at anything unless you intend to shoot it.” “Sorry,” Rainbow groused, rolling her eyes. Carmilla narrowed her eyes and checked the safety before wresting the weapon from the rainbow-haired girl’s hands. “Whoever let you have this is an idiot,” Carmilla said angrily. “Fine, then, I’ll just sit here and keep being useless,” Rainbow muttered darkly, “I want my wings back.” “Enough you two,” Ash said, “Can PC get a reading on it yet?” Carmilla cast one last warning glance at Rainbow before turning her attention, and PC’s scanner, in the direction of the UFO. “Just barely,” she said, “he’s repeating the scan cycle until he gets something definite. Looks like… it’s metal? Yep, definitely metal.” “Huh,” Ash said, confused, “That’s a bit beyond the local tech…” “More than ‘a bit’ Ash,” Carmilla said, “PC’s calculating this thing’s moving at something close to jetliner speeds.” “What’s a jetliner?” Rainbow asked. “Something that might be able to match your average airspeed,” Ray said flippantly, and then blanched and quickly added, “Er, I mean… Rachelle, why haven’t you smacked me yet?” “You’re doing fine on your own,” his sister said teasingly. “Don’t worry,” Rainbow said glumly, “It’s not like it’s your fault anyway. What’s so odd about that thing flying so fast?” “Because it’s not a creature,” Carmilla said. “And nothing in Valden could’ve built something that flies, period,” Ash added. “Even a hot air balloon?” Twilight asked, “I only ask because one of those could probably get us-” “Up to the portal,” Ash finished for her, smiling broadly, “Yes, that should be feasible. Still, that thing out there is way beyond the local tech…” “Then where could it have come from?” Rachelle wondered. “Well, when it gets closer enough to make out details, we should be…” Carmilla trailed off and read the display on PC’s eyepiece again, slack-jawed. “Ash,” she said, taking the computer off her head and handing it to the mage, “You might want to take a look at this. He’s already found a configuration match.” Ash raised an eyebrow and looked at the UFO, which was now close enough to make out as shaped vaguely like a wedge or an arrowhead and was definitely headed in the direction of Overlook. “Alright PC,” he said as he set the computer on his head and adjusted everything to fit, “Give it to me straight and simple, for once.” He rolled his eyes as PC retorted in typical fashion through the earpiece, and then read the displayed text and stiffened. “You’re sure?” he asked. PC replied in the affirmative. “That’s… worrisome.” “What?” Ray asked, squinting at the distant object, “Wait… it’s starting to look familiar.” “Its configuration is a close match to the Shadowstar scout and transport class of spacecraft,” Ash said. “You mean, the Lirin?” Rachelle asked, incredulous. “No,” Ash said with a shake of his head, “It’s not an exact match. PC can’t identify it; it’s strikingly similar to the Lirin, but the exact configuration isn’t in his database.” “Hey,” Rainbow Dash cut in, “mind clueing me in? Do you know what it is or not?” “Possibly,” Ash said, keeping his eyes on the aircraft, “When I fled from the Shadowstar Empire, I did so in a long-range transport ship known as the Lirin. When I reached Taryn, the ship acted as my home, headquarters, and primary transportation for my mercenary work. The one approaching us now is the same kind of ship, but PC doesn’t recognize it. The Lirin was unique on Taryn, so right now I can only assume it’s a new model from Shadowstar.” “But if it’s here,” Carmilla said, fear starting to fill her face, “then, doesn’t that mean Taryn…?” “They’d have to have moved impossibly fast to have reached and conquered Taryn,” Ash said, heading to the hatch leading down inside the Traveler’s House, “Unless we’ve been gone from there a lot longer than we’ve thought. More likely it’s part of a group dispatched to locate me, and luck decided to… well, to say ‘smile on them’ seems woefully inadequate. Luck didn’t just smile on or favor this craft, it took it by the hand and drew it a skvetchte map!” He laughed sardonically and opened the hatch. “At any rate,” he said as he climbed in, “Even one scout ship’s worth of Shadowstar soldiers will be too much for Overlook’s militia. I’ll head them off; I’m too high-profile a fugitive to pass by. Anyone who wants to be certain I won’t die or be captured is welcome to join me.” “Well, this is a change Ash,” Carmilla said, “not just accepting of your fate for once?” “Madam deGrange,” Ash said, sticking his head back up out of the hatch to give her a confident smile, “it is long past time I started living up to my dream of fighting against the Shadowstar. Are you with me?” Carmilla smiled and hefted the crossbow. “You have my bolts,” she said. “And our Soul Magic,” Ray said, clapping his sister on the shoulder, “but only if you don’t dispute that it is magic.” Rachelle rolled her eyes and gave Ray an affectionate smack upside the head. The Order-naries, accompanied by Applejack, Twilight, and Rainbow, made it about half a mile outside of town before the spaceship drew too close for comfort and had entered a descending path. It was shaped somewhat like a brick with rounded-off corners, a wedge-shaped front end, and with wide wings near the back. The hull was an odd, seemingly patternless mixture of off-white, black, and dull metal grey in color. “No external weapons,” Ash noted with interest, “That’s appropriate for a transport craft, but you’d think this would be a scout…” “I’ll take yer word for it,’ Applejack said dryly, watching as the ship neared and seemed likely to pass far overhead, “and I hope ya have a plan fer gettin’ its attention.” “Of course,” Ash said. He flicked his wrist and a large card appeared in his hand. Gripping it between two fingers, he pointed toward the ship and focused his magic, causing the card to start glowing. After a moment of charging, he wound up and threw the card, which took off like a rocket and expanded into a ball of yellow energy. It struck and splashed across the bottom of the ship, jolting it upward and sending it into an unsteady wobble until its pilot regained control. Ash summoned up another card as the ship seemed to hesitate for a second and then accelerated away before banking into a wide turn. “Perfect,” Ash said, smiling. “That was impressive,” Twilight said. “Pre-woven spell cards,” Ash explained, holding the card out so Twilight could see the complex sigil drawn on it, “they let me bypass a lot of the preparation time for combat spells I tend to use a lot, and almost anyone who can focus magic energy can use them. Here.” He summoned up another card and handed it to Twilight. “That one’s similar to your stun and anti-Changeling blast,” he said, “just point it and focus and it’ll do the rest.” Twilight nodded and pointed the card straight ahead. The card glowed as she concentrated and then knocked her back as a barrage of orange energy blasts shot out. “It’s… normally only supposed to shoot one at a time,” Ash said, a bit awestruck. Twilight chuckled in embarrassment as she stood up and everyone turned their attention back to the ship, which was approaching for a landing. It slowed to a hover several yards in front of the group, turned so that the entry hatch on its port side was facing them, and then extended four landing struts and settled to the ground. The Order-naries tensed, readying to attack as the hatch slid out and lowered down into a ramp, and the former ponies dropped into something approaching fighting stances of their own. After a moment, a figure walked into view from inside the ship and stepped out onto the ramp, a balding male human with an eye-patch and a prominent scar on his face, dressed in sturdy jeans, long-sleeved shirt, and shoes, and holding his strong work-callused hands up and palms outward. “Easy there kids,” he said with a trace of amusement, “I come in peace.”