//------------------------------// // Chapter 29: Nightmare in Twilight's Castle (Part 2) // Story: Vocaloid in Equestria: beta session // by DerpyStarlet //------------------------------// I grip my side, that's not going away anytime soon. Len isn't in a better state, dare I say he's worse off than me. He was stabbed directly, meaning his vital organs are in jeopardy. I was sliced, meaning the cut is deep, but I shouldn't be too badly hurt. I was tempted to kill Kamui, or jeff. I might have if I weren't in such a bad state. The unfortunate truth is that he got the jump on me, and therefore he had the tactical advantage. But that still leaves the matter of what to do with Len, he could bleed out if I don't help him. Of course Discord would put a known killer in our group, he wants to create entropy within our circle of trust. And there must be a real danger, what's the chance of us having healing powers? But, the void. The void doesn't exist along a spatial or chronal plane, meaning time doesn't exist. One of the main aspects in recovery is time. Could I...? No, time and space are too enveloped in everything. With that sort of thinking I could do almost anything, and I am not a mary sue. Looks like we're on our own, and that means I need to help Len. I should really hurry up, he's in bad condition. With this in mind, I tie a cloth around his side tightly and dash from the room. I'm on my way to Twilight when I find Jeff, he's searching for her. Unfortunately, he see's me. I'm in no condition to fight, I'm in no condition to run... looks like I'll be hiding. I focus on the void and not being found, I watch Jeff's terrible smile turn to confusion. It looks like it worked, now I just have to sneak by him. I'm careful not to alert him, and he continues to look around wildly. I keep my invisibility up all the way to Twilights room. I watch her look to the door in confusion as it opens and closes from ke stepping in, she just can't see me. I let my hiding spot down and she jumps in surprise. "Luka! Since when can you turn invisible?!" She exclaims. "Shh! No time, we have a big problem. Where are Spike and Nyx?" I ask. "I think they're in the dining room eating breakfast," I freeze, that was the direction Kamui was pointed. "Why? What's wrong?" Twilight asks worriedly. "We have a killer on our hands." I tell her. ~ Nyx hums to herself happily as she scoops another spoonful of cereal into her mouth. She looks over at Spike who is also shoveling through his breakfast with surprising speed. It made sense, Twilight got this new dessert and she said they could have one after breakfast. Experience told Nyx that the faster she ate the hungrier she would feel afterwards, and that meant the longer she could enjoy the treat. Until tummy ache set in from eating too much, but that's future Nyx's problem. Besides, word on the street says that this new dessert is phenomenal. They're called Phe-Nom-Nom-enons, and Pinkie recommended them. Nyx was just finishing up when one of the humans walked in, except it wasn't one she remembered. She was about to greet him when she noticed something. There was something in his smile that set her off, it felt bad. Could there even be a bad smile? Nyx feels uneasiness set in as the figure saunters towards them, but Spike doesn't seem to notice. "Oh, you must be new. I'm Spike, and his is Nyx! Nice to meet you!" Spike greets, the new humans grin widens. Nyx knows this uneasiness Isn't the same as just social awkwardness, this is her gut telling her somethings wrong. Nyx gets up and elbows Spike, he turns to her. "Get behind me," she whispers. "What, why?" Spike asks in confusion. "Something's not right," Spike zees the fear etched upon her features and complies. The human chuckles driely. "It's ok, little ones. I just want to play," the way he says play sends shivers up Nyx's spine. Spike doesn't seem perturbed, until the human pulls out a knife. "but you must be tired, so I'll just ask you to..." he pauses and rushes up to them. Quick as a bullet he's next to Nyx in an instant. He brings the knife up and shows Nyx her frightened reflection in it, "go to sleep..." he finishes quietly. Nyx throws up a shield, but he bursts through it. "I think they're in here!" Nyx stops as she hears her mother's voice. That hesitation costs her as she notices too late the next attack. She attempts to leap out of the way, but she feels as the blade cuts into her flank. Twilight bursts into the room at that exact moment and time seems to slow to a stop. ~ "A killer?" That certainly got Twilights attention. "Yes, we need to make sure everyponies safe. Starting with Nyx and Spike. Then we need to get Len medical attention. Then we can focus on subduing Jeff." Twilight nods shakily and hops to her hooves. "Twilight! There's a killer and... and... I'm sure Luka already told you everything..." Rin says dejectedly. "You all really need to get better at navigating this castle." I comment. "If this is really as dire as you say it is, we don't have time to dawdle!" Twilight exclaims. "Let's go!" Kaito runs out before running back in sheepishly. "Uh, where are we going?" He asks. "Come on!" Twilight yells. Everyone else runs after her, except for me. I try to move and am immediately struck with searing pain and vertigo. Nausea sets in and my head starts to spin, I stumble and fall to my hands and knees. I clutch my side and start to hack violently, I look at the liquid from my coughing. It's blood. My vision starts to go dark, but I slam my fist down. I can't be done now, I have to help them. I try to force myself up, but I'm disoriented and collapse once more. I flip over to my back and look up at the spinning ceiling, until it stops. I get up and feel fine, I start to question it until I decide there are more pressing matters. ~ "Nyx!" I look at my daughter in terror, she has a long gash across her flank. A maelstrom of emotions crosses my visage. Panic. Fear. Sadness. Anger. Resolution. I feel my energy flaring up, alongside my mane. The walls begin to take on a bright reddish yellow glow, but I ignore them. I have one focus and one focus only. Saving my daughter. I see the assailants smile drop and actually look a little afraid, good. "You monster. You. Hurt. Nyx!" I punctuate every pause with a blast of magic. Each blast he dodges, but it leaves a scorch mark where it lands. The room seems to be getting brighter with each word, I wonder why? I don't have time to worry about that as my vision locks onto the killer. I let loose blast upon blast of magical energy. I want him dead! He tried to hurt Nyx! He has no right to hurt her! And... I have no right to end him... what am I doing? The glow in the room subsides as I realize something, if I end him than that makes me no better than him. There is a just way, but this is not it. What type of example would that set for Nyx, seeing me kill. In this moment however, I realize my one flaw. "You hesitated," I hear in my ear, I turn in time to see him lunging with a knife towards me. I close my eyes tightly and await the pain of a knife passing through my epidermal layer and seeking deep into my muscle tissue. Possibly damaging several internal organs and severing multiple arteries in the process, but it never comes. I look to find the knife stopped about a foot from me, the killer is looking at it in confusion. I take the chance presented to me. "You hesitated," I say before my magic envelops him in a sleep spell. He slumps to the floor drowsily and I make sure he's asleep. I turn to find Nyx, I rush over to her. "Nyx!" I look her over. I take care with her injured flank and look it over, I let out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding in. "It's just a scratch... thank Celestia it was just a scratch..." I let the tears form in my eyes as I hold her. "Mom! What about Luka?!" Nyx asks, I look around. Where is Luka? Oh, she said something about Len needing medical attention, she must have stayed behind to help him. I use my magic to mend her cut and help her to her hooves. I look back and find Kaito and Rin looking over the killer. Now that I take a better look, I don't recognize him. "Kaito, can you look over our hostage, Nyx, and Spike? Rin, can you lead me to Len?" They both nod and I reluctantly leave my daughter in the no doubt capable hooves- no, hands -of Kaito. Rin heads out the door and I follow her to their room. I enter and find Len propped up against a bed with a bloodied cloth around his chest. I remove it and look at his wound. It looks bad, but not something magic can't fix. "Hey Twilight, nice to see ya." Len says dryly, I flare up my spell and the wound mends itself. I look at my work in satisfaction before taking in my surroundings. Where's Luka? "Len? Where's Luka? Did she go looking for us again?" I ask. "Again? She never came back after the first time. You patched her up too, right?" He replies, my blood goes cold. "Patch her up?" I ask shakily. "Yeah, Jeff cut her up good. She had this deep jagged scar down her side, it was bleeding like crazy. Wait... you didn't, did you?" Len asks in concern, I just shake my head. I was so shocked by her news I must not have noticed the scar. Only question is, where is she? "Twilight!" Rainbow Dash bursts in the door. "Thank Celestia I found you, we have a situation!" I look over to her in horror. "I'm sorry Rainbow, I don't have ti-" I try to tell her. "You don't understand! We have a terrible problem and we need you asap!" I look at her and see fear in her eyes. Tears are threatening to brim so I let her speak. "It's Luka! There's lots of blood and... and... she's not breathing!" The room goes silent as all the warmth is sucked out. ~ The first thing I notice is silence. I'm not sure why I notice this, or why it's important. But I have more important things to worry about, like the killer. I notice a glow from under the door Twilight said hey should be behind. The dining room. I open it and I find what looks like a warzone. The walls are scorched and glowing brightly from the light of Twilight. Which is to say, Twilight's mane and tail are on fire. She's launching ball after ball of magical energy, her eyes are filled with rage. I watch as that anger flickers and somewhat subsides, a dire mistake in battle. I run up to her just in time to jump between her and Jeff as he lunges. "You hesitated..." he says before his knife lodges itself in my stomach, sending crippling pain through my body, but I stopped it. Jeff is looking at his knife curiously and Twilight's eyes are closed in fear, she opens them slowly. She looks at me in wonder, then she flares up her horn. "You hesitated," Twilight hits him with some sort of spell and I stagger back. The knife falls out and I clutch my stomach. The pain is already subsiding as I stagger over to Nyx. Twilight makes it over first and I pull myself to the side. I pull my hand away and my stomach feels fine, there isn't even any blood. "Mom! What about Luka?!" I hear Nyx cry out, I look over and want to tell her I'm fine. I almost do that, until I'm stopped by Twilights action. She looks around and takes account of Kaito and Rin, she sees Spike and Jeff, but her eyes pass over me without the slightest bit of recognition. I hang back and she doesn't make any moves to hint at noticing me. I look at everyone else and find the same unknowing looks, except for Nyx. Twilight and Rin leaves and Kaito is sitting by Jeff, Spike walks over to Kaito hesitantly. I make my way over to Nyx and she tracks my every move, we don't say anything for a while. Nyx finally speaks up. "Are you okay?" She searches my body for any scars and upon finding none looks me dead in the eyes. "I think so, I'm not hurt at all. At least, I don't feel hurt..." I give myself a look over and find nothing wrong. "Why didn't mommy see you?" Nyx asks. "It wasn't just Twilight... no one noticed me. I guess the better question is why can you see me?" I ask. "I don't know... sometimes I can make ponies ignore me by thinking about it, but I have never been able to make ponies ignore somepony else." I pause at that. "You make ponies... just ignore you?" I ask in interest. "Yeah, sometimes if I believe hard enough then I'm really good at hide and go seek," Nyx nods happily. "Really?" I say in interest. That sounds a lot like my power, but how can I be sure she's also a void aspect? "Uh-huh! Wait... can you do that too?" Nyx asks. "Well, yes, but I'm not doing it right now..." I try to think of what it could be. "Let's see, fast healing, no one notices me, no music... no music! There's always music!" I exclaim, I listen to he deafening near silence. If the steady beat and quiet melody is gone, it can't be good. "Music? Wait, you can hear it too?" Nyx asks excitedly. I look at her in shock, she has to be a void being just like me. But... how? She uses magic that's naturally harmonic and was born from magic. It's an impossible outcome, she's the daughter of he fetting element of magic for crying out loud. To be surrounded by harmony but remain neutral... how? "Well, normally. But not anymore... doesn't it get annoying?" I ask her. "Not really, I only really hear it if I'm bored. And even then, it's nice to listen to." I stare at this filly in shock. It's obvious she's at least a little more knowledgeable about this if she knows how to stop the music that has been bugging me from day one. "Well, let's go see if Twilight knows anything about what's happened to me." I tell her. "But Kaito will try and stop me, mom told him to keep an eye on me," Nyx says. "Well then, let's just hope he ignores you," I say with a wink. It takes a second, but eventually she makes an 'oh...' face and starts to concentrate. Eventually she nods and follows me out of the room and towards Lens room. We arrive to find Twilight dashing down the hall and away from us, where is she going in a hurry? We follow after and end up in the library I initially found Twilight in we walk in and find all of the mane six and Rin and Len in a circle around something. I motion for Nyx to hold up and move over to see what they're looking at. I look down and find myself, dead on the floor. True to form Nyx appears beside me a moment later, completely disobeying me. The room is filled with the shrieks of a distressed filly. "Nyx?!" Twilight exclaims, she rushes over and holds her filly tightly. "Luka! What happened?" Nyx asks, trying to squirm out of her mother's grasp. "Shh... it's ok, you're safe..." Twilight soothes. "I... I don't know..." I admit. "What happened?" Len asks Twilight softly. "She came bursting in here saying we had to look out, told me there was a killer on the loose. She was in such a rush to help save Nyx and Spike that I didn't notice her gash. And she was right, if we had been even a minute later... I might not have been able to save them. I almost wasn't anyways, but... he hesitated." Twilight says sadly. "She was always the selfless type... she really did sacrifice her life to save somepony else's" Applejack said, her hat just barely covering her face. You can tell she's fighting back tears even if you can't see it. "We didn't even get to throw her a proper welcoming party..." Pinkies mane and tail are straight as curtains. "This is the... worst... possible... thing..." Rarity is unusually subdued for the town drama queen, making the comment that much more sincere. Fluttershy is just weeping uncontrollably into said fashionista's coat, but Rarity isn't complaining as she holds onto Fluttershy just as tightly. Rainbow Dash is clearly fighting back tears of her own, she's losing. "But Luka, you're not dead! Can't you get up?" Nyx asks, still struggling in her mothers arms. "Nyx... I know this is hard, but she's gone..." Twilight says softly, choking back sobs. "I don't know Nyx..." I reach out to my body and feel the cool skin. I try to reach back in and feel myself ejected back, I fall through a trembling Fluttershy and she shivers. "No, you just can't see her!" Nyx insists. "Are you saying, like a spirit?" Len asks. "But Luka's not actually... Luka. Her spirit wouldn't be a her," Rin points out. I think on this and realize she's right, I can't be a spirit. So, what is this? If I'm not a spirit, I'm not dead... per se. But then, where am I? "Nyx? Can you really see Luka?" Twilight asks cautiously. "Yes, she's behind Fluttershy!" Fluttershy looks behind her warily and right through me. I walk past her and over to my body, there has to be a way back in. "Twilight, can't you do anything?" Nyx pleads. "No, necromancy is dark and forbidden magic I don't have access to." Twilight replies sadly. "Can you at least heal her wounds?" Twilight looks at Nyx and relents. I feel her magic mending my wounds, but then I feel it seeping into my body. That can't be good, that magic is harmony. I push her influence out and she jumps a little as her magic cuts off. Thankfully, she opened something up and I force myself inside. I feel searing pain and suck in air hurriedly. There are gasps around me, but I ignore them as I curl up into the not fully healed wound. I can still feel the effects of blood-loss and if I don't get medical attention soon, I will die again. I feel Twilight's magic grasping for me, but I make myself invisible to its influence. I'm getting quite good at these powers of void. Unfortunately, life brings back that dreaded music. I can hear what sounds like a song from the show, except in G minor. Oddly fitting for the occasion. Twilights magic is still reaching out for me, so I flip over and look her in the eyes. "No magic yet... need bandages..." I don't know what the magic will do to me just yet, but I have a bad enough headache without the effects of magic adding to it. Thankfully, Rainbow dash was steps ahead and she hoofs twilight some bandages. I uncurl and let Twilight wrap me up, I cough up some more blood. I feel a small form embracing my arm and I look down to find Nyx nuzzled into my hand. "Yeah, apparently I'm not getting out of this experiment that easily..." I cough. "I was so scared for you!" Nyx sobbed, I sigh and use my other hand to run my fingers through her mane gently. "I know, thanks Nyx." I tell her gently. "Thanks? I didn't do anything..." Nyx sniffles, looking up at me expectantly. "You were there," I tell her. She thinks on this and ends up nuzzling into my arm again, I just sigh and look at the ponies around me. "Geez, you all look like someone died," I comment, receiving me a light slug to the shoulder. "Don't try and be a martyr again you knucklehead!" Applejack said wiping her eyes and chuckling. "You died! Who does that to their friends?" Rainbow says trying to pretend like she wasn't crying. "First off, I didn't plan on collapsing from blood loss with no one to help me. Second, I didn't do that to you girls, I did it for you- wait... friends? Are we friends?" I ask in confusion. "I'll be darned if we aren't, you work hard and I think you're a very honest mare... er, girl... female?" Applejack says. "You stayed by your friends sides through thick and thin," Dash agrees. "You've been nothing but kind... er, except when you weren't really entirely you... but I think that counts as an exception," Fluttershy says, trying to control her shaking and wiping her eyes. She tries to smile, but It's clear she's still distraught. "You gave your life to help, if that doesn't make you generous then I don't know what does." Rarity adds. "You know enough about magic, I'm sure you know that those are attributes to a good friend. You must feel the magic of friendship," Twilight insists. I think on it and while I didn't feel anything inherently magical, I know friends when I see them. "Yeah, maybe," I nod my head and let a small smile grace my lips. We all turn at the slam of a door opening up. "Hey, Kamui is up and Jeff is gone. He's wondering what happened." Kaito says, dragging in the tied up form of Kamui. "Ok, what did I do to deserve this. The rope is chafing me," he declares bitterly. "Why is Kamui tied up? What did you do with the killer?" Twilight asks. "It turns out the killer was Kamui! He changed back after a while. But... Kamui doesn't remember it," Spike says, entering the room behind Kaito. "Wait, Kamui was the killer?" Twilight asks in shock. "Well, almost killer. He never actually killed anyone, can we call him a killer for just intent?" Kaito says tapping his chin thoughtfully. "But he did kill someone! He killed Luka!" Nyx exclaims, all eyes turn to me. "Ah, it was just a flesh wound," I say with a wave. "You weren't breathing!" Nyx exclaims. "I've had worse," Nyx stops at this. "You have?" Applejack asks. "Well... no, but still. It wasn't all that bad." I concede. "Luka, you died. It was pretty bad." Rainbow Dash says. "But I'm alive now, what does it matter?" I ask, Twilight opens her mouth to answer. She pauses a second and then just shakes her head, she close her mouth and turns to Kaito. "Kamui was the killer?" She asks skeptically. "Well, yes and no. Jeff was the killer, but he used Kamui as a host body," Kaito explains. "This is too much..." Twilight grumbles. "I'm going." I declare, wincing and clutching my side lightly as I stand up. "Where are you going?" Fluttershy asks. "Somewhere that isn't here. Probably my room," I tell them. "But your wounds, being alone isn't safe. What if something happens?" Twilight asks. "I'll go with her!" Nyx declares. Twilight looks hesitant, but she eventually accepts. "Ok, but be careful," Nyx nods hurriedly and we leave. One things for sure, that room is about to get really complicated and I don't wanna be a part of that. Apparently someone else feels that too, because Applejack comes out a second later. "Hey, Luka, and Nyx. Mind if I join you gals?" I think it over and relent. "Why not," I reply and Applejack smiles, but then her smile drops. "Luka, I know you had good intentions... but, please don't die again." I sigh at this. "I'll try AJ," I offer her a smile and she sniffs and wipes her eyes. "It's just... I like ya Luka, and I don't like seeing ya hurt." Applejacks eyes widen at what she says and she looks at me expectantly. "Thanks, I like you to AJ, you're a good friend." I tell her. "Uh, Luka. I don't quite know how to say this... so, I'll start rambling and hope I end up where I want to. You came here and I wasn't quite sure what to think about you, I was wary of you because you were different. Now I see you're a great mare, er... female. You're a bit distant, but I look past that calm demeanor and I see a very colorful soul. I saw you beating yourself up literally and figuratively because of the poison joke, and it hurt me a little inside. It hurt because I looked at you and I didn't see a friend in need, I saw something else. I thought I saw family, but I was wrong. I saw you lying there, dead... I cracked. Something inside me clicked and I realized what you are to me Luka," Applejack is shaking now, but I don't dare move. "Applejack, are you saying...?" I hold my breath as I wait for an answer. "I care for you Luka. Not like a friend, or family, but like a significant other. I didn't want to let myself believe it because we're so different... being different species and all, but I do. I love ya, and I can't lie to myself anymore about my feelings." Applejack is looking at me, shaking in fear. Fear of rejection most likely. "Applejack... I had no idea you felt this way," I tell her, trying to sort through my emotions. Being asexual, I don't know what I should feel. I never felt attraction towards people, or ponies. But, looking at AJ I feel an unfamiliar fuzziness in my chest and that same feeling of happiness I get from doing something nice for someone. I look at Applejack and realize that, yes, I can and do love her back. "I guess the only question is whether you like me back," Applejack says. A brilliant idea comes to mind and I smile playfully. "I'm sorry Applejack... but you'll have to repeat your question. I was too distracted by your charm," Applejack looks confused for a second. Realization dawns on her face as her cheeks turn a rosy red. "Wait, does that mean...?" Applejack asks hopefully. "Yeah, I think I'd love to be your special somepony," I tell her, scooping her into an embrace. She hugs me tightly and I wince at the still tender wound on my side. "Careful, I'm fragile," her grip releases a little and she pulls her head back to look me in the eyes. I rest my nose against the tip of her muzzle and turn my head. She leans in and we kiss. "Aww..." Nyx coos beside us. I hear a door open. "Oh, you girls are... right... here... oh..." I break off the kiss and look to the side to find Rainbow Dash standing a little to the side staring at us with wide eyes. Applejack looks at her sheepishly and we both blush. "Wow, I really think you broke her." Nyx says, tapping the side of Rainbows head with a hoof. "Twilight... kiss... what...?" Rainbow Dash finally asks. "I think Twilight wants us, why don't we see what it is?" Applejack suggests, I nod and let her go. ~ "I think I'll head out too," Applejack excuses herself and nopony objects. We all turn our attention to Kamui, who is still lying in the middle of the room. Tied up and confused, but mostly confused. Though, he is very tied up, make no mistake about that. I sigh and try to gather my thoughts. Applejack is out of the room, as well as Luka and Nyx. All the humans and ponies that have any business being in the castle are accounted for. Oh, and Spike. "Ok, so. Let me get this straight. Some entity has possessed Kamui and goes around attempting to kill all manner of living beings. Does this entity have a name?" I ask. "Jeff the killer." Rin speaks up. "Jeff, right. I think I remember hearing that." I nod as I think on this. "And it's not really an entity... I think it's more of an alternate personality." Kaito says. "Really? Argh! This is... this is... I don't know!" I say in frustration. "Are you guys saying I have a murderous alternate personality that attempted to kill you all?" Kamui asks incredulously. "Hmm... yeah, essentially." Kaito says thoughtfully. "Oh... sorry." Kamui apologizes. "It's alright, we're fine." Kaito says. "We're not fine! Luka died!" Rainbows wings flare to accompany her exclamation. "It's all in the past," Kaito waves it off. "It was literally three minutes ago," I deadpan. "That's a matter of opinion." Kaito counters. "No it's not." I stamp my hoof to emphasize. "We've got bigger problems. Like, if this is an alternate personality, it might come out again. I don't want to punish Kamui because he's technically innocent. But I can't do nothing, because we're in real danger here." I tell them. "Well then what do we do?" Rarity asks. "I don't know... maybe we should bring in Luka, she was the most affected by all this." I suggest. "On it!" Rainbow Dash salutes and leaves. A couple minutes later and Applejack, Nyx, and Luka come back in. "Where's Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asks. "She's a little caught up," Applejack chuckles. "We're y'all looking for us, Twi?" Applejack asks. I'm about to answer as I notice AJ's hoof over Lukas hand, I ignore the gesture. "Well, Luka specifically. I was wondering what you think we should do with Kamui," I tell her. "Can you remove Jeff?" She asks. "If it were an entity and not a split personality," I say sadly. "An entity? Such as an M.I.?" She asks, I look at her in shock. "What's an M.I.?" Pinkie asks in confusion. "Magical Intelligence. The magical breakthrough of last decade, outlawed now." I explain. "And yes," I tell Luka. "Why were they outlawed?" Rarity asks. "We don't have the knowledge to create entire personalities yet, but we can copy them. These M.I.'s were based on a base personality from a pony and caused duress in that ponies life. The M.I.'s would suffer and went mad, it often caused much heartbreak and confusion. The ethics community must have shut it down as cruel and unusual. The M.I.'s were considered living as well, and experimenting on living intelligence is unlawful in itself. M.I.'s are also extremely dangerous and powerful if not contained..." I look at Luka in shock. How could she possibly know all that? The reports I read we're vague, only mentioning a couple rogue M.I.'s. "Oh, that's terrible..." Fluttershy says. "However... it might help us... Twilight, do you have any extraction or separation spells?" Luka asks. "Hmm... I have a spell for sorting. And as for the extraction... I think I have a studying spell, like extracting knowledge. Why?" I ask. "No... that's more like copying... do you think you can tweak a teleportation spell to be metaphysical?" Luka asks. "Metaphysical? There's a theoretical variant that supposedly can move one mind to another... there's a piece missing though, it's unfinished." I tell her. "Why is it unfinished?" Luka asks. "The creator accidentally performed the spell without a second host, leaving him in a comatose state for three weeks. The spell eventually wore off and he went mad when he came to." I tell her. She thinks on this. "Do you think you can create a M.I.?" She asks. "What? Are you crazy?! That's illegal and very dangerous!" I exclaim. "Hear me out. If you can alter that sorting spell to divide Kamui from Jeff, and then in turn teleport Jeff out and contain him somehow, you can turn him into an M.I.!" She explains. "What, and give him more power? As an M.I. he's even more dangerous!" I say incredulously. "Only if we're not prepared. If he's contained, we can quickly destroy him like any M.I." I pause at this. "That's... brilliant! It might work! I'll have to... and then... yes, I'll get it figured out!" I rush to get the spells all figured out. "That's great!" Applejack exclaims. "How do y'all know so much about magic, Sugar?" Applejack asks Luka, I pause once more. Sugar, not Sugarcube. "I read a lot," Luka replies. "Watch out, you just might become Twilight," Applejack chuckles, I watch her intently. Her cheeks have a strange reddish tinge to them. Is she sick? "Does that mean you don't want to hear my explanation on the Thaumic Circuit?" Luka chuckles. Thaumic Circuit? What's that? "You explain whatever you want, I'd love to listen. Maybe I'll even learn something, if I can keep up that is..." Applejack leans into Luka. There's something off about it all, something different. I just can't put my hoof on it. "What's the Thaumic Circuit?" I ask. "You don't know? It might be called something else. It's the basic structure for a self-functioning spell made of a group of enchanted crystals. All it requires is an activation and it should be able to run on it's own, long as it has contact with an external magical power source." My jaw drops, noponies been able to create a self-functioning spell yet. "Tell me!" I say excitedly, she looks a little perturbed. She relents. "The form is based on the elements of harmony, since they are the first self-functioning spell." I stop at this. "They're not self functioning, the bearers make them function." I counter. "You activate them. The Elements take care of everything else, as long as they maintain that activation. Anyways... I'll refer to each mechanic by its corresponding element, starting with Laughter. Laughter generates the power needed, primes it. Yes, you need activation energy, and sometimes an external battery works as this if there is no internal energy. Generally, the energy is generated and primed automatically by taking the energy in the air surrounding it and priming it. Next is Magic, which handles the intent of the spell. Loyalty holds the spell together, it keeps all the parts together. Generosity distributes all the energy throughout the structure from Laughter, giving power to the other functions. Kindness stabilizes the spell and gives it precision, because if the spell destroys itself from the inside it's no good. Honesty preps all the other functions and makes sure the energy is able to enter. It also preps the environment around the spell to be able to handle excess magic runoff from the spell, and other such things. That's the basic functions summed up, there's a little more to it if you go deeper..." Luka shrugs and I jot down notes in fascination. "I hate to interrupt, but we still have a killer alternate personality to get rid of," Rarity says. "This could revolutionize the science of magic!" I exclaim. "Magic is a science? Huh, who'da thought..." Kaito says simply. "That's wonderful, darling... but, perhaps you're exciting breakthroughs in magic can happen after we deal with the problem at hoof?" I blush a little at Rarity's comment. "Right... prioritize. But, would you be willing to help me with the... what did you call it?" I ask. "Thaumic Circuit?" Luka suggests. "Right! The Thaumic Circuit..." I say, writing the name at the top of my notes. "And maybe some other things..." I finish. "Yeah, sure. I guess I could help some," Luka says. "Great! I just gotta-" I'm cut off by Rainbow Dash barging in the room. "What?!" She exclaims hysterically. "Uh, hey Dash..." Applejack smiles nervously. "My heavens, what's gotten into you?" Rarity asks. "Th-these two!" She points at Luka and Applejack. "What about them?" I ask curiously. "They were kissing!" Rainbow Dash exclaims, I smack myself for my own stupidity. That's why Applejack seemed different, she's in love. Fluttershy gasps and hides her eyes with a squeak. "You two are together? Good for you darling! I know I myself prefer stallions, but I respect your choice Applejack. Besides, Luka is a fine lady. I thought I saw something to be honest, but I wasn't sure... so, I decided to keep my mouth shut." Rarity nods to herself happily. "Oh, oh! I can throw a `brand new couple!` party now! As well as a `welcome to ponyville!` and a `congratulations on not dying` party! At this rate I can add `congratulations on revolutionizing the scientific community!' To the list! But for now I'll have to settle on a `tremendously terrific trifecta party!` also known as the T-cubed Party! It's a Pinkie Pie exclusive offer! All the fun of three parties in one!" Pinkie says excitedly. "Thank you, Pinkie Pie," Luka says. "You two are an item? Uh, wow..." Rin says. "Yeah, I'm sure we can work past the problems of an interspecies relationship though," I tell her. "You all aren't shocked by this?!" Rainbow asks. "We're shocked, believe me darling... but maybe not as much as you, heavens... you look like you've gotten yourself into a tizzy fit over the whole ordeal." Rarity says, Rainbow Dash turns to her confusedly. "Tizzy fit?" She asks. "Remember when Twilight lost that thousand page tome and tore up the library looking for it?" Rarity says, Rainbow makes an `oh.` face. "I didn't think branches could be mended back, much less ripped in the first place..." Fluttershy shudders at the thought. "Th-this is different!" Rainbow Dash argues. "Really? Wow, you coulda fooled me!" Pinkie Pie giggles happily as Rainbow Dash groans. "Right... well, good for you two. I'm off to go set up an intricate and illegal spell," I tell them. "Have fun!" Rin calls after me. I shake my head as I leave, today has been a crazy day. Scratch that, every day since those humans got here has been crazy.