//------------------------------// // 2 // Story: An ANGERY Journey to become King (Title WIP) // by Nightmare723764 //------------------------------// <<>> “Lulu? Why do you have this young colt in the infirmary?” Celestia asked with her usual serene voice, “I can’t detect any Chaos magic or anything dangerous… or perhaps you’ve decided to groom him?” She added teasingly with a faint giggle. Luna blushed a bit before giving her sister a deadpan look. “Please, don’t make such crass comments. I get them enough from Nightmare.” Luna said dryly before returning her attention to setting up something, an affinity ritual. “And… why are you about to use an affinity ritual on the colt?” Celestia asked, “Other than extra legs and being a bit burly can’t you just wait for him to find his cutie mark?” “Tia, he has a Plane. Other than myself, you, and our niece I’ve yet to meet that isn’t normal.” Luna said, giving her sister a half-lidded look. That caught Celestia off guard and she understood why Luna was preparing the ritual. Planes themselves weren’t rare or anything, Celestia could think of a couple of students of her academy that developed them. Vinyl Scratch, Lyra Heartstrings, Sunset Shimmer, and Twilight Sparkle being chiefly amongst them. Granted Sunset and Twilight she had personally taught but they still went to the academy as she couldn’t spend all her time teaching. “Okay, that’s not too unusual. But given his apparent age I can see why you’re doing this.” Celestia said, “Need a helping hoof?” “Please.” Luna said, “I’m still rusty on my ritual work.” Celestia smiled and helped her sister, “Rusty? Ha! You’re still the superior Ritualist between us Lulu.” An hour passed in relative silence, bar the occasional Ursa Minor-esque snore from the colt, and eventually the ritual was complete. Though Celestia noticed a few adjustments which made her curious but opted not to question Luna about them. She probably had a reason to test for multiple affinities. “Probably Nightmare talked her into doing it.” Celestia figured as she stood back as Luna fed some mana into the ritual. War (Primary Affinity) Destruction (Secondary Affinity) Darkness, Shadow, Blood, Sound and Gravity (Tertiary Affinities) “What?” While Celestia wasn’t connected to the Ritual as the caster she was still able to perceive the result. “How can an Earth pony colt have so many affinities? And I thought Twilight’s Magic affinity was impressive…” “Then obviously the colt is anything but a simple creature, my Weaker half.”  Celestia acknowledged her tyrannical brutal other half but otherwise didn’t comment, instead watching as Luna methodically went through each affinity. Nightmare no doubt was excited due to the Shadow and Darkness affinities. She herself was rather concerned over War being the primary affinity. Affinities, especially those strong enough to form Planes, always affect their holders in both good and bad ways. Twilight’s affinity made her a scholar and researcher that Celestia had no problem with likening to Starswirl, but it also made her somewhat sedentary though thankfully her own neurosis refused to allow her to be anything but healthy. Vinyl Scratch, with her affinity of Sound, became a savant and lover of music. However her interest in other forms of magic and study waned as she focused exclusively on Sound magic and music. War as a primary affinity… it could affect the colt in a countless number of ways. Almost certainly he’d be more prone to violence and an intuitive grasp on combat and tactics. However any more possible effects Celestia could only speculate over. “Hmm, other than Shadow and Darkness I’ll have to find other tutors.” Celestia rose a brow at that, Luna almost sounded like a parent. “Hmm so the Dark sister has a maternal streak… not surprising.” Again Celestia ignored Daybreaker but couldn’t help but acknowledge her other half’s point. “Tutors? Are you planning on adopting the burly colt?” Luna blinked as if surprised, “What? You’re talking about tutors, you’re either going to adopt him or take him as a student.” “We…-” Ah so Nightmare was involved, “-I… don’t know.” Celestia tilted her head slightly and waited for Luna to continue with patience she had honed over a thousand years dealing with conseteted nobles, boorish Minatours, aggressive Griffins, and apathetic Dragons. “He’s alone.” Luna said, “I… visited his Plane, he was sedated by the guard. He said he doesn’t have any family and he doesn’t know where he is or what was happening. He was running on pure instinct, said instinct being heavily influenced by War and Destruction. I can’t in good conscience allow him to just… wander freely. He needs training so he isn’t ruled by his instincts.” “Those sound like excuses. Oh.” The realization struck Celestia, “Oh Lulu I am so sorry… I never even considered…” Despite Luna’s stern nature it’s easy to forget that the younger mare (only by a century) is extremely maternal, though it’s only natural seeing as she is a Defender of Dreams. In fact comparison Celestia was barely motherly, though over the centuries she sort of grew into the role. And being cut off from the Dream and only having her darker (and more aggressive) half as company during her banishment must’ve been terribly lonely. And all the distrust and wariness ponies give her is probably like a knife to the heart for the younger mare. So her spontaneously adopting a colt that needs help wasn’t all that strange. “I understand Lulu.” Celestia said, deciding to let her keep her excuses. “Thank you Tia.” Luna said with a sigh. Celestia just smiled and restrained herself from giggling when Luna started brushing the colts limp mane. From her understanding the colt’s hair flickered like fire earlier but now was laying limp and looked stark white and while. “I’ll make the arrangements.” Celestia said, “And I’m sure Twilight won’t mind tutoring. But we’ll have to have Cadence tutor him regarding Hematurgy.” That caught Luna by surprise, “Cadence uses blood magic?” “Yes.” Celestia said, “With Love as a secondary affinity. However given the bad reputation Hematurgy gets we simply agreed that the public should know her as a Love goddess instead of Blood.” “While that’s interesting I think I’ll go into his Plane and help him wake up.” Luna said, making Celestia smile as that maternal tone slipped into her voice. “You do realize she could still groom him as an ideal mate, yes?” Daybreaker said dryly. Luckily, Luna was already entering the colt's Plane and couldn’t hear Celestia’s perverse giggles. <<>> I looked around my Plane thoughtfully, “So, is this like… an Unlimited Bladeworks knockoff or something?” Though if it was supposed to be one it was kinda lacking honestly, though I suppose giant gears could be hiding in the ever-shifting and roiling clouds of smog. But I’m pretty sure the UBW didn’t have ancient desiccated remains of warriors. I spotted the remains of a knight, viking, samurai, and I’m pretty sure there was a paladin at least. Did the remains come to life and march to war at my command? Sorta like that other Reality Marble? I think Alexander used it in Fate/Stay Night. “So… does this respond to my will? What can I do with this…” War is a affinity that is connected to various forms of magic. While I possessed no active knowledge regarding it, instinctively I had a good idea what I could do. Tilting my head I focused and throughout the desolate battlefield the ancient remains of dead warriors stirred. “... Where is that music coming from?” Granted it’s fitting but still… and why does spontaneous music sound so familiar? Actually why did Luna look familiar? What about this entire situation seems so familiar?? “War Planes are always difficult to enter…” A rather annoyed Luna muttered when she materialized. “Huh? Oh… uh? Sorry?” I said, not entirely sure what to say about that. “Tis fine. It’s certainly not your fault.” Luna said, putting me at ease “That’s just the nature of War. The only thing more frustrating is Chaos.” I just nodded in… again instinctive understanding. After all Chaos is a part of War. “I see you’re discovered an Aspect of War as well as your Sound affinity.” Luna said with a bemused smile, though her eye did twitch when she saw ancient dead warriors and soldiers marching. “So… I guess it’s time to wake up?” I asked getting a nod, “Fine. But first can you tell me what the hell is going on?” Luna nodded and started to explain everything. Apparently I was abducted by The Cult of the Black Wood, an eldritch Fertility/Pleasure cult that Luna had thought was destroyed long ago, and I was going to be sacrificed to their God due to my abnormal features as well as unusually dense mana. “Go figure.” I said dryly with a sigh, “Okay well what now?” “Well, my sister is making the arrangements. But… if you wish I would like to become your Guardian and take you on as my student.” I just looked at her for a few moments, “Why? You just met me and I’m pretty sure I accidentally crippled some of your grunts…” “While regrettable, and you will be making amends for that regardless of your frantic state, it’s nothing some Healing magic and some rest won’t fix.” Luna said. “Well, I don’t really have any other choice.” I said after some thought, “I don’t have anywhere else to go honestly. Though I’ll have you know I refuse to be something I’m not. I refuse to act like a perfect anything.” “Very well. Besides one Twilight Sparkle is enough.” Luna said with a chuckle. I… just blinked. That name… Twilight Sparkle… Twilight… Sparkle… “... Oh fucking hell…” I was in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic that’s already so far off the rails… well at least I won’t be bored. Besides I can learn fucking magic! That’s a fair deal in my opinion!