//------------------------------// // Chapter 37: Preparations // Story: Chaotic Harmony // by shirotora //------------------------------// June 14, 1005, “Wha... ho... huh?” I said oh so eloquently, “Whaddya mean agent? When the hell did you become an agent?” “About seven years ago. I was assigned to keep an eye on the Element Bearers when Nightmare Moon returned. I'm the reason Celestia always knows what's going on with them.” Now that I thought about it, she was almost always nearby. Even in the show she was in most of the episodes somewhere. Here, I see her somewhere about every day, that includes on new years in Canterlot, and in Cloudsdale for the Best Young Fliers competition. She's always around. Clever Tia. “I ask again. What do you know about the Heralds of the Shadows?” she asked. “I think I've heard the name before, but other than that I got nothin'” I answered. “They're a cult.” she clarified, “While cults have been a major problem in Equestria for a long time, most are delusional, and rather harmless. Like the one that tried resurrecting Nightmare Moon using her armor and a drop of Twilight's blood. This one, however, is a real threat. They have come across a specific ritual that could potentially open the gates of Tartarus. The ponies that tried foalnapping Midnight were a part of this cult. “Midnight is descended from the tribe of druid ponies that aided Gaea in forming Tartarus. They mean to use him as a sacrifice on the stroke of midnight on the day of the Summer Sun Celebration. If they succeed Equestria will be doomed.” “Midnight's a druid? As in an earth pony that can actively shape nature to his whim? Are you sure? I thought they died off.” I said recalling the lesson from Daring's class, “The last confirmed druid was here before Ponyville was founded. She created the tree-house that the library is in.” that's also the reason Celestia gave the land to the apple family. The soil was steeped in magic which is why Sweet Apple Acres apples are the best and why zap apples grow here. The more you know. Derpy smiled at me, “I see higher education isn't wasted on you. That's correct, and we're positive. They're all meeting at the same place for the ritual. Meaning you have a week to prepare.” “Prepare for what?” I asked. She sighed, “Their compound is divided into circular segments, each able to be cut off from the one just outside of it. An assault would result in them just barring themselves inside. That's where you come in. “You're far more stealthy than anypony I've ever seen, that includes Pinkie. I've watched you hunt. Once you spot your quarry you practically vanish. That's why you're going to sneak into the inner sanctum and from there eliminate all cultists.” she finished. “What do you mean eliminate?” I knew what she meant, I just needed to be sure. “Everypony there will be murderers or accessories to.” she explained, “That being said, you are to carry out their sentence of death. Is that OK with you? You can deny this if you want, but if you do Midnight will never be safe. Their plans will only be delayed until next year.” I had to think for a moment. I never wanted to kill ponies. When I killed those others last week I was being influenced by the Beast. I was still upset about it, but they were murderers... and so were their fellow cultists. “I'll do it. Give me the details.” We went over the location, terrain, defenses, everything. I was impressed with the efficiency of the EIA (Equestrian Intelligence Agency if you're wondering). After relaying her information she got back into character and flew out the door waving goodbye. “See ya Derpy” I shouted to the shrinking figure of the “clumsy mailmare”. “What was that about?” Jynx asked. “A message from Celestia.” I said, “We need to talk.” --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- “NO!” Jynx said. I told her Derpy took me to Celestia, who was waiting in the garage. She didn't take to the news o f the assignment well. “You have a family to think about! You have a son, soon it'll be two!” she said. “And one of them is being hunted. They want to kill him, Jynx.” I argued, “I won't let them hurt him.” “I'm sure one of Luna's agents could sneak in just as easily as you.” Jynx argued back. “Then what?” I asked, “Her agents are trained for stealth and evasion, not full-on combat.” “There could be hundreds of them in there, and you're going to fight them yourself? What if you cant win?” she asked. “If I can't win I'll at least cripple them. If I get overwhelmed I’ll run. I'm not going to die out there if I can help it.” I assured her. “Give me your bracelets.” she said. She had improved on the light sword glove she made me two years ago. Instead of a large bulky gauntlet, I had a pair of bracelets. One generated the sword the other the shield. I handed them over curious as to what she was going to do with them. Instead of telling me she went strait to the lift to the basement. I needed to make other preparations. There were tools I would need to ensure I would remain undetected and alive. My first stop Steel's forge. “Long time no see my friend.” said the smith as I walked in, “This a social call, or just business?” “Business I'm afraid.” I replied, “Sorry I haven't been able to hang out.” “It's fine.” He said, “Ya got a kid now, and school on top of that. What can I do ya for?” “Little miss sunshine gave me a little job.” I told him, “I need weapons. Things that are light and stealthy. Things I can use from a distance.” He raised an eyebrow at me, “I take it its more than just wild animals.” “Sorry I can't say.” I said. “I'll see what I can come up with for ya.” he said. “Thanks man. I'll treat ya to some shots at the Barn Door some time.” I said and headed back to town. I needed something to help he hide, I needed camouflage, and who better for that than Ponyville's premiere fashionista. I walked in through the front door of the Carousel Boutique. A bell rang and Rarity's familiar greeting came from the back room in a sing-song voice. “Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where everything, oh Shiro. What a pleasant surprise. You never visit anymore.” she said with a fake pout, “So, to what do I owe this honor. Surely you're not here for clothes.” “Actually that's exactly what I’m here for.” she gave me the same expression I got not twenty minutes before, “And here's the kicker. In stead of standing out I need to blend in.” I quickly explained about the mission I was given. Being an Element barer she was allowed the information. When I finished she had a sly grin on her face. “It sounds like a challenge.” she said, “to make an suit that allows you to move as if you had nothing on, yet allows you to blend in to your surroundings.” she shot me a full grin, “Challenge accepted.” “Thanks Rare. I owe ya.” I said. “Well I do love the opportunity, and the princess is going to be paying.” she said, “Oh my, I just had the most marvelous idea. Now shoo, I must create and you will merely be a distraction.” “Talk to ya later, Marshmallow.” I called behind me. The next stop was Twilight's to see if she had any helpful magical aide to lend. I got to the familiar tree-house and just walked in (it is a public library after all). “Hello, any purple alicorn ponies of the chicken wing variety here?” I called. “Only the one that will turn you pink if you call her chicken wing again. There not that small. I should be able to fly in about a year.” said the book lover from her room, “I was about to come over with some interesting information for you.” “Oh really?” I asked, “and what would that be?” “First you need to apologize for calling me Chicken Wing.” she said. “Fine.” I said, “I'm sorry I made fun of your comically undersized wings.” “uhg, I suppose that's as serious an apology as I'll get.” Twilight deadpanned, “OK. I found out what your amulet is. It's called the Amulet of Soul Fire. Guess what it does.” “Hmm let me think,” I played along with the obvious joke, “It dispels magic.” “Wrong.” she said grinning that 'I know something you don't' smile, “It absorbs magic.” That caught me by surprise. Magic is performed by gathering magical energy into one spot and altering it. How it's altered differs with the kind of magic used. Dispelling a spell simply disperses the magic energy back into nature. Absorbing it stores it in one place as pure energy. It shouldn't have been possible for an artifact to do that because it takes constant focus and artifacts don't focus. “How, and for what purpose?” I asked. “Simple, Gaea made it and it serves as a kind of battery for those who don't have much magic.” she said. It took a moment for the implications of what she said sunk in, “Wait so it stores it so it can be pulled out later and used for spells. I could use it to power my spells.” I was excited by the prospect of being able to actually use my magic again for more than simple tricks. “Yes but it can only put out a rather small amount at a time.” Twilight said, “so if you want to do anything big you're going to have to spend some time pulling the energy out of the amulet first.” “How small is small?” I asked. “Only about 250 kul.” she answered. “Well considering I’m only putting out 367 it'll nearly double my output.” I replied. Kul is the unit of measurement for magical output. 1 kul is needed to lift one pound with a simple levitation spell. Rarity's output is 592 kul while Twilight's is 1,213,754 kul. Yeah, Rarity has more magic than me, but then again she's a bit above average, being an element bearer and all. “You have a point there.” she said. “Oh yeah, before I forget...” I proceeded to tell her about the mission, “So you got anything you might be able to help me out with? A spell or something.” “I think I can help you with something.” she said, “I've been studying a sustenance spell that will make it so you don't have to eat, drink, or sleep for three days. That way you won't have to carry rations with you.” “That's good. I’ll be back before I leave to say bye.” I said, “I've gotta go see Zecora. Get some potions made.” “Alright, come over at about three.” she said, “We're having a little get together. Not really a party, just hanging out.” “Sounds fun. See ya then.” I called on my way out the door. The edge of the Everfree forest was as safe as White Tail woods now. Probably because a strong, vicious, devilishly handsome, super predator was claiming it as his own territory. So Zecora had been getting more business than before. I've even seen ponies picnicking just inside. I arrived at the little hut quickly and gave a knock. Not surprisingly Applebloom answered the door. “Oh, hi Shiro what cha doin here?” asked the yellow filly. “I just came by to get a few potions.” I said. “If potions are what you need, than I am the one to see.” said Zecora. I gave a brief run down of what I could. “You seek aide in your fight, to ensure you emerge alright.” said the similarly patterned equine. “Oh” Applebloom suddenly perked up, “Ah know jus what ya need!” She went over to the shelf and pulled a book. She set it down on the counter and flipped through to the page she was looking for. The yellow farm filly cleared her throat, “The elixir of the tiger. Ain't that jus the perfect name too!” “Perfect.” I said, “What's it do?” “That may be just what you need,”Zecora answered, “It gives a boost to strength and speed.” “Oh, oh can Ah make it Zecora.” asked Applebloom. “It's complex, with herbs hard to find, but I'll allow it if Shiro doesn't mind.” said Zecora. “You know her better than I do, so I guess I’ll leave that up to you. Dang Z, you're rubbing off on me.” I said before I realized that rhymed too, “I'll talk to you two later.” I went back home to get Jynx so we could meet the others. She locked the elevator so I used the comm system. It was just a tube that goes under the floor, but I liked calling it the comm (It sounds cooler). After she came back up me, her and the kids headed to the library. We were the first to arrive shortly followed by AJ and Big Mac. After about half an hour Pinkie, Phoenix, Rarity, Dash and Waya were all in the big tree, whle Midnight and Spike were playing outside. We were just chatting and snacking on cake's Pinkie brought, waiting for the last member of our little group. Just as Dash was about to go look for her, Fluttershy walked in the door with a rather surprised look on her face. “Um, Shiro.” said the timid veterinarian, “This is rather strange but... My grandmother wishes to speak with you.” This interesting news brought about a round of gasps from the other five elements. None of them had ever met Laalia. She was a very elusive dragon. I could only think of one reason a dragon seer would ask for some one specifically. She's had a vision, and it has to do with me.