//------------------------------// // Chapter 10. Negotiations. // Story: The Zerging of Equestria // by Runa //------------------------------// NOTE: The following has crossover content that could be considered as spoilers, that is, if you are not up to date on The Lost Chronicles of Auric Fulcrum. I had just got back to the base, when I heard a trumpet outside. I had to order my swarm to not attack, so that their flesh would not be rent by fangs, claws, ect. I moved outside so that I could speak with the intruder. I was glad that they had to announce themselves because of the barrier. I saw that it was a unicorn that had five guards, one of which carried a flag with Equestria’s symbol on it. Three carriages sat behind them waiting for them to depart. “Ahem,” huffed the unicorn, “Equestria wishes to set up an embassy within your borders, so negotiation may be performed with more ease. If you accept, we will let you set up an embassy within our borders as well.” He looked like a noble, but not a particularly bad or high ranking one. I replied, “Of course I will let you set such a building up, I just wonder where you will get your materials from?” “We are just the ambassador, we do not know where the builders get things such as that. And now, adieu. “ The unicorn waved to his nervous guard pony’s to follow, and they walked back to the carriages. I watched as they flew away. And as I was turning to go back to base, a coin dropped on my head. I snapped my attention upwards, but I didn’t see where it came from. “Prime Directive?” I said in my mind. “Yes?” Prime directive had been uncooperative since the battle, and had not put in any unsolicited advice as well. “Where did this coin come from?” “From above you.” “I meant, do you think that it’s special?” Just then, a faint whisper could be heard, like another voice on the wind. Auric...light, the candle...wielder of Alchemy… and then it faded. We were stunned into silence for a minute, then I thought, “It’s from the same individual that sent that message! Do you remember?” “Of course.” “Should we try to use it to gain entrance to his dimension?” “It will probably work. However, contact is advised before travel.” “Mm, how do you suppose we do that?” “We could still use the multi network to analyze it, that will probably give us the answer.” “Lets go then.” So we walked back into the cave, and to the multi network. I put the coin into one of the slots that would allow for analysis. “Scanning... The multi network says that this coin will start a process once it is viewed in a reflective surface.” “What kind of process?” “Unspecified.” “I guess that we will have to just do it then.” “I suggest that we do not, it might be a trap.” “I will take that chance.” I felt Prime Directive begin to sulk again. At times, it felt like a teenager. We didn’t have any reflective surfaces to hand, but I could send a nydus worm to a nearby lake. I sent the mental command and waited. But when it arrived, I jumped in and started going at incredible speeds. And, when I arrived, I saw the lush forests around it. It was a pity that I was here for business purposes. I held the coin over the lake so that I could see the reflection, and the lake shimmered and shone once, brightly, before settling and reflecting something not of this world. On the other side was an entirely black room and a human! Haven’t seen one for ages! Clad in orange and yellow clothes, with a sword on his hip and an eclipse as his symbol. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Can I help you?” I smiled cockily and raised the coin. “No, see that’s what I was about to ask you.” He blinked at that and looked at the coin, then at me. “Ah. Interesting. Another worthy holder...well, introduce yourself.” “I am Dahaka, leader of the Zerg, I heard your call recently, and well, let’s just say that I’m not the typical ‘assimilate everything’ leader.” He raised his other eyebrow at that one. “And if I recall what little Starcraft I played so long ago correctly...there’s another side of you I should be talking to. Hive Mind or somesuch. What does it have to say?” “Its name is Prime Directive, and if it were in charge, I would be trying to side with Teridax instead.” At this, he sighed and nodded. “Yeah, figured as such. But there’s one thing your little hive mind doesn’t quite understand. Care to take a guess what it is?” “Hm, I don’t have any guesses that are probable.” Here, Auric gained a shark-like grin. “There are...let’s call them Administrators of the Multiverse. They that are meant to keep it in line and such. And he’s been pissing one of them off. Whereas I’ve been making friends with ‘im.” “That’s very interesting, but why isn’t Teridax dead, then?” Auric blinked at that before gesturing to his clothes. “Um, hello? Slightly more noble than him? I mean, yeah, Umbra’s offered, multiple times, to reclassify Teridax as a blight on the Multiverse and just wipe him out, but if he’s gonna die, then since he’s put so much effort into antagonizing me, the least I can do is give him a clean, fair fight.” “Heh, I may not have the normal zerg ideals, but I would not be too noble to not take such an easy way out. You have gained my respect.” Auric smiled at that. “Not sure if compliment...anyways. And since Umbra’s an Admin, he’s providing me and him with a staging ground for our little bout to come.” “What are you implying?” Here his smile turned downright mischievous. “Well, while Teridax and I will have to go to this neutral ground, this new planet, along with all our allies...nobody said they all had to come back…” I stared at him for a moment, then a broad grin split my face. “So, if I ally myself with you, I get a whole planet to infest?” Here Auric’s grin dropped and his face turned serious as he laid out the ‘guidelines.’ “I’d wait to do any serious infesting until after the fight is over, and at least make a show of pulling out when the others do. There are indigenous life-forms on it, but nothing with any true sapience...as far as I know, anyways. Plus, if you piss off Umbra, that’s on you. I’d suggest that if he catches you and makes a big deal out of it, you should just ask rather than cling to his world.” My smile evaporated as well. “Fine, could I ask Umbra ahead of time if I can have the leftovers? Because that solves a lot of problems beforehand.” Auric smiled again. “At least you’re understanding enough to not rail against what I’ve said. And hey, if he says that you can’t have his planet, it ought to be not a total loss: he’s an Admin, I heard it from him that he found a dead Universe and reprogrammed it to be alive again. He could probably code up a new one for you. And if he refuses, I’ll try to bribe him. Somehow.” My smile, while not as big as before, returned. “As long as I can get something that big for something as small as some military support, I will be very happy.” Auric’s smile faded slightly, but he nodded again. “And even, on the slight chance that he says no, I have a back-up plan. Tell me, what do you remember of the Golden Sun games?” “I actually never played them. They were one of the games that I couldn’t fit into my schedule.” Auric’s smile vanished completely. “Do you know what I mean by the words Elemental Stars, at least?” “Not a clue, sorry.” He sighed and closed his eyes as he began to recite something that seemed...ingrained to him. “Venus, earth. Mars, fire. Mercury, water. Jupiter, wind. These four elements are the building blocks of Weyard.” His eyes snapped open. “I brought them with me to my Equestria, and after...extensive study, I’ve found the way to fabricate Elemental Stars, objects of great energy that can...influence beings into being able to wield such power. I recently made a set and can’t do so again for about...a hundred years, but time is subjective between worlds. If I end up owing you a set, I’ll make sure it’s sent to you in time. Fair?” “One question, how will I be able to use this magic? I mean, even when we assimilated unicorns, we could barely make a pebble float.” Auric waved a hand at that. “It’s a study I’ll probably get into at some point in time, but my theory is that exposure to the energy of the Stars over time influences the brains or capabilities of organic beings nearby. In the last century, a whole lot of ponies in Canterlot could use it. And I don’t know when it started, but the upper limit is somewhere around...no, wait...huh. Maybe it could happen in a human lifetime. It’ll just be real weak as compared to born and bred Adepts.” “Hm, a long term investment. I accept this offer, this back-up plan, as well. I just hope it can be mass produced in time.” Auric smiled at that as well. “Try finding areas that the Stars respond to, areas of great elemental energy, and you’ll cause a Light to occur. Almost all beings born around or near a light end up being Adepts of that particular element. Y’know, if you need immediate results.” “I like the sound of that, all I will need to do is make some hatcheries at those areas. Thanks for the tip.” Auric nodded a final time. “Well, if we’ve established our relations, then I should bid the Zerg farewell. I have...training to do. And allies to contact. I’ll make sure that when the time comes, Umbra’ll not forget you.” I nodded back. “Well, goodbye now, Auric. Contact me with a item from the place that the battle will take place, when you need me.” And with that, the lake flashed a few times, and was still, reflecting the sky once more. "Well, that was interesting." Prime Directive stayed silent. Then one of my scouts spied a Slitherer raiding party coming onto land. "For the love of!" And I was off.