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// Chapter 24: Prep For The Duel And A Challenger. 
// Story: When Runes Come 
// by deathisupon 
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After the declaration of the challenge I went to my room to think about how best to go at Luna. You see Luna's Mystic Arts and Magic are equal in what her specialty is. since she's the more 'Combat' specialty of magic then she is more capable to land heavy and fast blows. Also her greatest Mystic Art/Magic element is 'Shadow' class meaning her spells will allow her a lot of mobility. And with how much she has used the other elements of Magic she will be able to use the other Mystic Arts too. But I have been working on another way to 'level' the Playing field.

You see there is only one thing I noticed while teaching her to fight. She uses her wings way too much. And that is the weakness I'm going to take advantage of. so once I packed everything I need to prep the environment I went off into the Everfree. Once there on the edge of the castle I got to work writing specific runes around the arena. One thing me and Luna share is our maneuverability. That said it's a lot more 'essential' for Luna's style of combat. 

While maneuverability is essential to any Key Bearer they also realize that flaw early on and come up with a backup. that is where the differing styles of Keyblades come into play. like for staying agile but not wanting to stay close is the 'blaster' variant for the run and gun type people. There is the 'defense' variant and the chakrams do the whole 'defense is the best offense' deal.  There's the 'offense' variant which is the spear. I think the defense variant is what I'm gonna go with, or I'll switch in the round to throw Luna through the loops.

I finished setting up the runes and notice the sun is setting so I decided to head to one of the old bedchambers  to get some sleep. When I step in to the throne room I feel a presence behind me and turn seeing this miasma creeping into the room. "Look what we have here. A little plaything that wishes to stay. how sweet, not." They said before lunging to attack. I dodge to the left and brought out my keyblade the Miasma is slowly forming into a alicorn, one that seems familiar. Then I remember the dream when I first arrive

"So what are you doing here nightmare?" I ask while dodging a attack. 'The more I dodge the more aggressive she's getting, I might have to parry some attacks now' I note in my head. "I'm here to... 'liven' the place up. But I can't do anything till I get rid of the new 'Protector' of Equis."  She says and goes for three more strikes. I parry her attack causing her to stumble then I struck her legs causing her to fall. I had to back up the as her mane tried to grab me. As she is recovering I noticed one of the keychains glowing. 'I'm about %90 sure that it wants me to use their form, that or they are weakening her.' I thought to myself and decided to switch to the keyblade. 

Once I grabbed the keychain a explosion of light happened and blinded both of us as I heard whispering. "Let us aid you against the corrupted." another voice whispered "With us you shall never be alone.". Before I knew it I was float in the air as seven more keychains appeared but that wasn't what surprised me. what surprised me was the keychain connecting to it. I reached for the keychain and put it on making a brand new Keyblade. I've decided on harmonious spirit to be the name and something weirder happened. 

I felt a sensation from the blade and then when the glow dimmed I saw the avatar of the goddess of harmony standing before me looking intrigued. "Hello?" I ask her and she seemed startled that I was able to talk to her. "Are you talking to me?" She asked curiously. "As far as I know you're the only rainbow crystal pony in front of me." I responded which led to her being in a deep shock. "I didn't know that the ponies took crazy ponies as their protectors." Nightmare said tauntingly trying to provoke me to attack. 

"I didn't know nightmares found a weakling like you to be strong." I taunted back while looking at the nightmare. the look of rage was hilarious. I started laughing which got her more angry and lunged at me. I ducked under her lunge and heard a large crash as she went through the wall.

"You are too easy to play with moony." I taunted again as she looked back in unadulterated rage and hatred. she teleported behind me and kicked me causing me to fly forward. I stopped my unwanted  but well deserved flight and when I saw her fire a magic blast I countered with Reflectga which shot it back at moony who barely ducked in time to dodge. I decided that I need to finish this if I want the duel to be fair tomorrow. so I cast light cage on moony.

"What type of sorcery is this!?" I heard for moony as I walked through the door while also seeing the avatar laughing. "Man is this great. Hey Harmony or whatever you want me to call you, can you put a spell on her cage? I'd like to rest before the duel for tomorrow and this spell is one of the few I have that needs constant mana feeding into it." i asked as she calmed down enough which got a startled look. "I still gotta get used to this whole being able to talk with someone. but sure in fact it's already done. also you can call me Harmony." she said and lit her horn and floated rocks making them shoot towards moony who cowered in fear at the rainbow aura of magic coming from the rocks. "Wait you mean to tell me you can see the gods!?" nightmare asked shocked and scared for life. "not the first time I've seen gods." I replied.

I turned to Harmony and ask her "Is there somewhere in this castle to sleep?  I don't remember the layout and don't want to wander all night. Plus I will need to forge something while I'm asleep.". "Right this way. Also think we can talk for a bit? It's just been too long since I've talked to anyone." She asked "I will after tomorrow if I win. There will be a duel between me and Luna tomorrow at noon. Plus I'd like to think on something for a bit before." I replied

As we're walking through the castle I have some thoughts to process like how to do a certain spell. there are also borders to the area still. as well as a secret project of mine. I'll just have to try and limit the spell power cause there is no way I'm casting it at max level. As much as it would weaken her I don't want to traumatize her. Then it hit me and I started cackling while entering the room after saying my thanks.