//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Gods' Plan, gone awry // Story: Harry Potter & the Ponies of Atlantis // by ColtKit Productions //------------------------------// The Ether ponies were complete. They looked much like an Alpha Kirin. They had a Kirin's cloven hooves, bushy lion-like manes and tails, dragon-esque scales on their muzzles and backs, and a curved horn capable of casting magic. However, they also had dragon wings, a tall slender body, a little less then a foot taller then Celestia. With their mane/tail made of colorful flowing energy. Like a mix of a shadow pony, and a mature Alicorn. Their sheer power was on par with the Draconequus , although not Discord himself. It was easy to changed their biology... their minds were another matter. That would take time... time she didn't have. At first Sunset thought, it was because the Ether ponies were now too powerful, but she soon realized... this wasn't coming from them... There was some kind of... shield. A shield in their minds, specifically attuned to her own magic. Her own mental magics, and her's alone, couldn't work on these ponies. Thankfully she was able to install the loyalty into them, as that was a biological need, and not true brainwashing. A genetic instinct to remain loyal to the Kage. It was part of their DNA, not a mental illusion... but even that twisted beyond her control... They were now attracted to an alpha, the most powerful magic user of their species. That might, currently, be herself, but who can say when she takes off the crown. Now that she was an Ether pony, it was unlikely she could be replaced. Her own power went up by a factor of 500. Where Draconequus were creatures of Chaos, Ether ponies were creatures of the more neutral force of magic, itself. Sunset tried to break through, to twist their minds to her will, but something was stopping her. Could it be the Ether ponies themselves?... no... this wasn't coming from them... Turning her head, she felt the surge of magic, as something broke all of her brainwashing spells. It didn't take much to guess what could cause this. "Discord-" She growled out as the Ether ponies started looking around, confused and groaning. Just before they disappeared, along with Sunset, herself. ### • Sunset groaned, rubbing her eyes, as she got out of bed. Freezing as she heard someone else groan. Looking back at her bed, she saw Flash, snuggled up in her covers... still wearing his "Uniform"... and sleeping soundly. That's when it hit her, the full extent of everything she had done. Sinking to the floor, she began to sob. She remembered everything. Everything Discord wanted her to remember, and much of what he didn't. In this reality, Sunset had been alive 1200 years, as the first of the Ether Ponies. Taken on as an apprentice to Celestia... although on the insistence of Star Swirl the bearded. Sunset had been watching over the Yggdrasil Orchard, ever since She ran away from Celestia... some 800 years ago. Said Orchard was the only thing under the surface of the Earth's oceans. Each tree leading to a different pocket dimension. With the "Estates" turned into proper villages and cities, within their own Star Cluster sized continent for each species. Each separated by a vast ocean. Atlantis had been cut up, and divided into their appropriate environment tree. With each of its own species, being given one of these continents, fused into their own country. Each of the cities, were connected by a faster then light train network. With these trains even traveling between continents. Each clan, within every estate, of every city state, had their own green houses, similar to the ones Sunset designed. However, gold, with magical residue from being grown, could not, legally, be used to make currency. These bars were used for building material, or decoration, and were of much less value then mined gold. ### • Each City State, was ruled over by a Prince or Princess. Where the continent itself, was ruled over by a King or Queen. Then the Tree's dimension, was ruled over by a Kage. Each with a council, to keep them in check, made up of both Elected officials, and nobles. Most of whom were the same as Sunset established, in her Illusion, but not all of them. As power level was no longer relevant to position. Although it played a role, more often then not. There was a capital city, in the middle of the center continent, where the ruler of that tree lived and governed. With the Yggdrasil Orchard, itself, being the capital of all Atlantis, and center of trade. Where global laws were discussed. With each city, of every species, having their own voice on the council, along with the Kings or Queens, and the Kages. While Sunset ruled over them all, as Kami. ### • Power Levels, from lowest to highest, were as follows: D Rank, C Rank, B Rank, A Rank, S Rank, Kage Rank, Kami Rank, and finally Deity Rank. An S Rank could destroy a Moon, to a planet. Where a Kage could destroy a Solar system, to a Star Cluster. A Kami could destroy a Galaxy, to all galaxies. Where a Deity could destroy a universe, to potentially thousands of universes. Most S Rank individuals, operated as champions of their species. With the majority living quiet lives. Answering the call when needed, then going back to their humble homes. On their own, each of the Element Bearers were enhanced to S Rank. Then bumped up to Kami level, while wielding their elements together. Usually a Kage Rank individual, ruled over their creatures' continent, though not always. Same with Kami rank, ruling over all of their Harmony Tree. A Yokai's magic is directly connected to their physical power. Potentially that means their physical and magical limits, are capable of endlessly growing. There are many Yokai ranked at 'S' level. Such as the leaders of each clan... Which makes them as powerful as a fledgling Alicorn. Or a Draconequus Lord. Those at Kami Level, would match thousand year old Alicorns. Whom were in their Prime, such as Princess Luna. Or King Sombra, blessed by the gods of Justice, into a spirit of Vengeance. The only thing more powerful then a Kami, is a true god. Such as Discord, and the other deities that gained physical form, due to Discord tampering with reality. Yokai might be powerful but they don't have the reality bending magics of unicorns. However, they can use hand-signs to channel their own internal magics, in quite destructive ways. As well as superior healing techniques. ### • The Orchard was now refered to as "Atlantis", while the giant tree in the center is still called "Yggdrasil". The subponies had always lived in their appropriate tree, having successfully used them to flee from the Crystal Ponies. But for the past 1000 years, they had lived in blissful ignorance of their former oppressors. Beyond those, rather large changes, the dimensions were still as Sunset designed. At the heart of each center continent, within each dimension, there was a Crystal Harmony Tree. Constantly dropping cherry blossoms, that dissolved into fog. However each of these trees also grew their own version of "The Elements of Harmony". With each jewel representing different Cosmic Laws, powering their own Cosmic Force. ### • ● Cosmic Forces: and the Cosmic Laws that Power them. There are 42 of these Forces, but they won't all come into play. These are just some examples. • Harmony: Friendship / Magic, Laughter, Loyalty, Honesty, Generosity, and Kindness. • Chaos: Luck / Magic, Choice, Fun, Creation, Destruction, and Change. • Life: Mind / Magic, Time, Space, Energy, Matter, and Physics. • Love: Restoration / Magic, Parenthood, Childhood, Marriage, Creativity, and Kindness • Nature: Electromagnetism / Magic, Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Darkness. • Peace: Forgiveness / Magic, Justice, Law Enforcement, Change, Free Will, and Fate. ### • Each of these Crystal Trees, stored not only their elements, but a portal, in their trunk, leading to the Atlantis Orchard. Within each pocket dimension, a cosmic entity manifested. Representing the Cosmic Force of the Tree. Although the Entities are more then capable of leaving the tree that birthed them. While the horse statue, on the surface, still leads to the mirror portal. It is now kept in the vaults of Yggdrasil, itself. ### • "You don't have a right to cry," Discord glared, suddenly standing over Sunset. "I..." Sunset gasped, "I remember everything!" Discord sighed, "As does Harry, and myself, and Sombra, and about a few dozen other people, in a population of a billion, but no one else. Not even your Flash." "Why?" Sunset begged. Discord shrugged, "Your magicks are too powerful, your protections too great. I could influence the reality around them, but the minds of Kage power levels, and higher, couldn't be affected. I'm visiting them all, right now, to make sure they don't do anything stupid. "I may have taken the element from you. But you used its to permanently boost your power level, and those that deeply wanted it, as well. I was able to alter your history, but not your Awareness that it was altered. "Unfortunately, I couldn't repair the mental trauma, without destroying more of their lives. So I rewrote reality instead. Everything you wanted are within these connected dimensions..." Sunset sobbed, unable to comprehend how that power boost could compromise her morals so entirely. Discord sighed, "I'm not a monster. So I'll give you a gift." He snapped his fingers, and Flash suddenly sat up in a... well, in a flash. Before the Stallion could even register What's happening, Discord disappeared, in his own flash. This one of light. ### • Flash gulped, hesitantly looking at Sunset... who felt her heart yearn for him. ... Flash... her Flash... in this reality, Flash had been a gift, from the Crystal Ponies. Sunset never met him before that. He had forgotten all their history, no, it never happened to begin with... having him with her, like this, was some kind of Divine punishment. Flash looked at her, with a surprising amount of comprehension in his eyes. A familiarity, this version of him, hadn't earned. Taking another gulp, Flash spoke. "I... I remember..." and those words somehow made it both better and worse. ### • • Meanwhile, within the private Wing of Yggdrasil, for the Forest Tree: This "Celestia" was easily as tall as a half giant, while in her human form. Though most ponies seemed to be average human height, while in such a form. The very fact they had a human form, was what made the Wizards more accepting of these creatures. It's not like there wasn't a precedent of Wizards giving beings, with human forms, full rights as wizards. Such as the Veela. These ponies were just as beautiful, with magics that were well respected by all beings of Atlantis. This woman, had once been Kami Level, in her "Youth". However, her power had greatly waned, in the thousand years since her prime. But She retained her position as "Kage" over the Forest Tree. Albus had requested this meeting with her, in an attempt to get her approval, of allowing the Wizards to move into one of the uninhabited continents, of her tree. It was of great fortune, that beings of Atlantis, were having a Summit, to discuss global matters. The Wizards had discovered a portal, hidden in a statue, after the destruction of the City of Konoha. Soon after, they had gotten into talks with the residents of Atlantis, for near a week now... with fear gripping their hearts, as salvation was in sight. Albus smiled, his grandfatherly smile, at the tall woman, getting one such smile in return. She was just as skilled with words as himself... perhaps better, given she had thousands of years of experience. ### • Albus lost his smile, and choked on his tea in shock. "You can WHAT!?" Celestia, however, continued to smile, "All creatures of Atlantis have a higher understanding of magical genes. Through our treatment of the fallen child," Speaking of the wizarding child that first stumbled into their world... Harry Potter, as far as Wizards knew, had appeared to make one last act of Sacrifice. Accidentally getting in touch with the beings of Atlantis.... which led to muggles growing fearful, and killing the child, when the Atlanteans returned him. Which led to King Sombra, annihilating the entire city. Harry... simultaneously revealed the Wizarding World, and brought them a true escape from Muggles. These beings were near desperate to save wizards, as the wizards desired to be saved... although there were complications... That the residents of Atlantis were equally desperate to solve. Celestia continued, "We learned of Wizards affliction with a recessive gene. My ponies can turn it into a more dominant trait through magical gene therapy. We can do the same for all 'Squibs' and their 'muggle' descendants. This will make it far less likely, a child will be born without magic. And if one is, we have treatments for such afflictions." Yes... wizards would bow before what this woman could promise them. It was far more tempting then even what the Dark Lord promised. Both Light and Dark wizards would lose all resolve at such an offer. Albus just hoped the price wasn't too high. "What would you like in return?" Albus asked, warily... while knowing if she asked for his soul he would gladly surrender it. "You are the... 'Supreme Mugwump' of this 'International Confederation of Wizards'. You are the leader of all the wizarding nations, correct?" She smiled at him as she drank her tea, oddly holding the cup in her magic with far more grace then fingers. Albus admitted, "I am more along the lines of a chairman. I act as a guiding voice for order, but can't really dictate the votes." "Still you hold influence over the Confederation?" Celestia asked. "A good deal, I will admit." Albus confessed. "Then I would like you to put that to work," Celestia shrugged. Somehow even making that look graceful. "I am having a bit of trouble, convincing your nations to allow us to bring them down here. Many of them refuse to give up their power over the other surface creatures. They want to join us, but don't want to allow the others to leave your rule. I would ask you to make them... reconsider." "And if they relent? If we agree to bow down to your Summit?-" "I think you misunderstand the Summit. We are much like your Confederation. We are a union of nations. While we have agreed upon laws, we are largely independent creatures. What we want is all the creatures, you recognize as beings, to be allowed to return to their racial counterparts governments. If you hoofed over these creatures, we would be most grateful" Albus nodded, then finished his sentence. "You will put an end to children being born without magic if we relent?" "We can't fix everything. Deformities in the magical pathways are still near impossible to treat, but making a single gene more active? That is well within our knowledge. It's a good deal trickier with 3rd chromosome chains, but your genetics aren't nearly so complex. Equestria would be willing to activate the gene, across your entire species, after bringing you here. Then, you can rule over your nation as you see fit." "We are a cast based society-" "Which is exactly why the Summit is so adamant, you agree to let the other creatures return, where they actually belong, before we admit you into our domain." "What I mean is, we would have to completely rethink our government," Albus sighed. "This would be worth the trouble, but it would be madness to set up. "While most would merely struggle to maintain power, others might try to elevate themselves. This will cause massive in fighting, when we need to be prompt in evacuating before the muggles find the rest of us. Not to mention we would have to think what to do with the House Elves. Quite frankly, they don't WANT to have their own government apart from wizards." Celestia smiled, "I understand that you originally built this system to protect yourselves, from the non-magicals, but in our world, such a goal is obsolete. The Summit would be willing to help you, and all creatures that part from your rule. That includes making a smooth transition as separate societies." Albus sighed, "Why are you so adamant that we cannot just continue as we are?" "Because most of those creatures you rule over, have powerful governments down here. And those governments want their surface counterparts back. It's about reuniting civilizations, not tearing yours apart." Celestia insisted. ### • • Over the next 6 Months. The Wizards finally agreed to the terms, and almost immediately, did the real work begin. The various races of Atlantis gathered their surface counterparts. Placing runes around the surfacers' territories. So that Elder Dragons, and other Kage Class beings, could fuel the magic, and teleport them down in their own countries, in newly spliced together city states. A new city state, representing each country. Given how small the populations were, it was easy enough to settle them. The Wizards had more complete maps of the entire surface world... places the Atlanteans just missed when they first left the surface. Magical environments that the Wizards had forced creatures into, for their own protection from the muggles. Ancient runes could move cities, even entire forest... new ones can transport entire family lines, if need be. Starswirl made them, in case they ever had to evacuate to another dimension... This spell had helped the Atlanteans worked to bring all species to their own private continent, within the Crystal Trees. Then, they placed runes around all the towns, shopping areas, neighborhoods, farms, and lone buildings that belonged to them. That way The Kage Level ponies, could splice them together into cities, separating them by country. The Wizards were the most work... and the ones to complain the most. On their insistence, separate cities were built for the Squibs of each nation, as well as the muggle descendants of each nation. Despite them now having magic. However, the Wizards were forced to acknowledged these as proper city states, with governments that could vote on Wizarding Law. Afterwards the various Element Bearers, for each tree, cast a calming spell on the citizens, and used some mental magics to explain what is going on. It didn't hurt that the Atlanteans offered to build their dream businesses, complete with a fully stocked inventory and House Elves to work them. Later, they had healers come into the cities to treat the Wizard's dormant and recessive genes. They also upgraded their digestive system, and better balanced their magical genes... the Anthropologist were not particularly happy when they learned about that. It wasn't as if they wanted humans to suffer through gross stuff coming out their butts. But They wanted to spend the next few millenniums studying the natural evolution of magic. However, the residents of the Forests Tree (Where the humans moved to) felt it better not to use the magical humans as guinea pigs. Regardless, the Wizards, and their muggle descendants, were soon flourishing. As were the other races. They were able to adjust well, into the paradise that was Atlantis. The ponies were particularly helpful, setting up a new government for the humans, similar to their own. One with nobles on a council 'advising' the elected official of each city state. Then the officials ruling on a Senate of advisors to their Supreme Mugwump, elected by the nobles. While all the creatures the wizards once ruled over, reunited under their Atlantean counterparts. Yes, Evolution had altered the tribes a bit, but they were all welcome and met with open arms... It was a shock, that house elves insisted on staying with the wizards, instead of returning to their fellow mer... strange little things but it is not polite to judge another's culture. The surface Goblins have been creating House Elves, based on some secret Cauldron Brew. Well the ponies may not approve, all other creatures have indulged in their purchase. The wizards insist the use of House Elves allows their creatures to devote themselves to the study of higher things, such as art and magical pursuits... It would be worrisome, if one never spoke to a House Elf. The very notion Celestia wanted to take them away from their wizards frightened them to their core... Unfortunately, while Atlantis entered a new golden age, human muggles did not react well at the disappearances of so many environments and homes... especially since such complex teleportation magics leave craters behind. It was likely the attacks on the Wizarding families weren't done by any government, but rather a Rogue terrorist faction... The muggle governments decided to go to war. Nukes were not launched, thankfully, but other bombs were used, which destroyed every major city on the planet... and even a good few smaller towns near military outpost. The humans now live purely in unorganized, warring, city states. As they compete for resources... all the governments of the surface were lost. ### • • Within the Ether: "DISCORD!!!" a majestic unicorn raged, as she fired magical blast at the Draconequus god. Discord yelped, as he was repeatedly hit by spells powerful enough to destroy solar systems. Yet to him they felt more like a childish Stinging hex. "OW!!! Destiny!!! Really!!! Control yourself!!!" Discord yiped, as he attempted to dodge the spells... Every one that missed him, ended up causing a star in the Andromeda galaxy, to go Supernova. However pissed Destiny was, she was making sure not to fire, if Discord got to close to an inhabited system. Noticing this, Discord hid behind a planet she particularly liked. "COWARD!!!" Destiny raged, her horn glowing. "I really don't see what you're so mad about." Discord waved his lion paw. "You caused World War Three 167 years before it was supposed to happen!!!" Destiny roared, "You have any idea how many fates I crafted that will simply NEVER come true now. You're worse then CHOICE!!! At least when he messes with my things it isn't on a global scale!" Discord rolled his eyes, just as a snake slithered between them. "I wouldn't go that far." smirk the Snake, "What about that Hitler fellow. Didn't you want him to be a famous painter? I thought I did some pretty impressive work with him." smiled the spirit of free will. Destiny screamed. "Look it wasn't me!" Discord swore. "I have been trying to limit my collateral damage!" Choice rolled his eyes, "You used to be fun, man." before slithering to the far side of the realm. That way Destiny couldn't see him give an evil dictator the opportunity to repent... he probably wouldn't take it but the option was there... and if he did something so unexpected, Destiny would be all kinds of pissed. Nothing made Choice happier then outwitting the goddess of fate. "If it wasn't you then WHO!?" Destiny demanded, not noticing Choice slither off. That bastard was too sneaky for her. "Why don't you ask Lady Luck over there!" Discord glared at a spot that suddenly flashed white. There now stood an albatross, goddess of luck. An entity just as unpredictable as Discord and Choice. "Fortuna!!!" Destiny glared. The albatross waved a wing dismissively. "Collateral damage, I assure you. There is a child with legitimately endlessly good luck!!!" Destiny rolled her eyes, "What's that got to do with anything." "Well, after he had an abomination sucked out of his head. Which remind me to tell Grim." The god of death. "He'll be thrilled to learn where that wretch that cheated him got to." Fate was most certainly NOT going to remind her, because Voldemort was part of her design... Grim wouldn't be too happy with her, if he learned she deliberately created a mortal to 'cheat' him. Voldemort was supposed to cause another wizarding war, which would have led to wizards being discovered by muggles, which in turn would have led to a utopian paradise. With Harry Potter leading over a golden age, as Sorcerer Supreme of the world. Harry was suppose to be this generations Merlin, doing what Dumbledore failed, and paving the way for a better future for the entire planet. World War 3 was SUPPOSED to be about things falling to shite, after Harry died of old age. Only for another savior to appear a few decades later. It was an important and meticulous cycle that Choice kept interfering with!!! "Anyway," Fortuna waved off her thoughts of Grim. "I had a lot more free range with the boy. Been having fun with that. Led the wizards to stumble on the portal and then brought them down to Atlantis. This way they have a few years to learn true magical theory, so they can teach Harry more advanced spells, in an easier to understand way. One could claim it was all extremely lucky." "What about the billions that died!?" Destiny raged. "I had such PLANS for them. Plans millions of years in the making!!! With Trillions of possible paths for each, and let's not forget their descendants that will now never be born!!!" Discord frowned, "Maybe I should see if Grim needs any help. I imagine he is rather busy." before disappearing in a flash of light. "Look," Fortuna tried. "All I did is help Harry. It's hardly my fault if the muggles overreacted and chose to-" "CHOICE!!!" Fate raged and disappeared in a flash of her own, looking for Choice. Fortuna sighed. "Technically, it was all three of your faults." Fortuna stiffened and looked behind her. The white Alicorn of Fausticorn was suddenly standing behind her. "They did seem a bit... unlucky." Fortuna smirked but, seeing The spirit of Harmony's disapproving face, she switched gears. "Look, you're the one that is always talking about 'cosmic balance'. That's all I was doing. With all the fortune that hit the magicals, someone had to be... unfortunate. But it was their leaders choices if and where the bombs dropped... and if Discord hadn't been grooming that Potter boy against his destiny-" "As I said, all of your faults." Fausticorn shook her head. Then with a sigh, "Sometimes I feel like the mother of the gods." Fortuna smiled, "Well it is your job to show us 'balance'. Sounds like an apt title for you." "And is that what you think you did by killing all those people? By bringing the wizards to Atlantis. By destroying Destiny's tabistry for the next 200 years?" Fausticorn eyed, much the image of a disappointed mother. Fortuna muttered, with a smirk, "More like the next 5 billion." But seeing Fausticorn's added displeasure, the goddess of luck sighed. "Perhaps we did go a little Overboard..." she admitted, "But it was just the one planet!" She defended, "There are trillions more!!!" Fausticorn gave her... THE LOOK!!! Fortuna crumbled, "I'll help Destiny set up a new 'cosmic plan', even push things in her favor." 'So long as it doesn't involve Harry Potter... that boy is MINE' She thought with a huff. Discord and Destiny kept trying to claim him, but the boy was literally marked by luck... it wasn't like it was uncommon, for gods to fight over champions. "You also realize, that Naruto boy, wasn't suppose to achieve magical Awareness until his 42nd reincarnation." Fausticorn didn't really ask. Fortuna held up her wings as if they were hands, "Now that was all Choice!!! He's the one that gave Sunset the idea to go all psycho and bring back the Yokai." Fausticorn smiled, "You sure you want to give your brother 100% credit for creating us by way of Paradox?" "...Well maybe me and Discord helped to... YOU KNOW DESTINY WANTED TO HAVE TWILIGHT FOLLOW SUNSET TO THE PORTAL!!! That would have ruined EVERYTHING!!! We would have lost our bodies!!!" "She just believes it would be more difficult for you, to interfere with her designs, if you couldn't physically interact with the mortal plane... and she has a point. Though I am grateful, these forms offer a lot of temptation. Try to be more understanding, instead of proving her right, by breaking her toys." Fortuna groaned, "Yes Ma'am" "Now go get Order, and help Destiny reestablish some kind of balance for Earth." Fortuna groaned more. Then said, with equal parts sarcasm and endearment, "Yes Mum." While contemplating what a kill joy Order was.