//------------------------------// // A Stranger Arrives // Story: The Signal: Deal with the Devil // by Moonreaper666 //------------------------------// The stranger arrives at the town and sees the dissonance. After all, a sorcerer, a trickster of the shadow must learn to see beyond what is around him. “Ah, here is where the six targets reside,” said the Sorcerer as he enters the town The Space Marine could see the beautiful and vibrant scenery, the architecture of the houses seem whimsical and flimsy. The colorful style of the city seems out of a child’s playbook. However, the natives live their lives like a dark shadow is above their heads. The ponies go along with their lives, whispering like a dark secret has been cast upon the town. Observing the town act out its depressing nature, the Sorcerer ignores a young filly coming up to him “What are you?” the yellow creature said to the Sorcerer To the Sorcerer, it was a common question he received. Fully armored, his bluish armor with yellow trims seemed alien to most of the natives he met in his journeys. Furthermore, beneath his helmet, the native could his eyes, bright as a fire. “I am… a mystic, navigating the lands and experiencing the local civilization,” the Sorcerer bows in respect “You’re not like anypony I’ve seen,” “Indeed, there are many diverse creatures in this world. One should be aware of that,” As he continue to converse with the youngling, more and more of the natives flock to him. “Um… excuse me,” a native said “I am Twilight Sparkle…” “Yes, I know you, all of you,” the Sorcerer waves his staff around The Mane six are surprised by his knowledge of them. “In fact, you six are the reason I’ve come to this place,” “What is it with your weird getup?” “Dash!” said Twilight “You friend is right, one should not talk rudely about her betters,” said the Sorcerer/Mystic which insulted RD “Oh yeah, I’m Rainbow Dash….” RD walks closer to the mystic “The fast flyer in…” THUMP, the Sorcerer taps his staff on the ground, causing RD and all sorts of things to levitate in the air. As soon as it starts the Pegasus and everything else fell to the ground, not with a thump but with a smooth motion “I sense a disturbance in the air; clearly something has happened here within a week, a dear friend suddenly went…. insane” He said much to the Mane sixes surprise “How did you…” “I have my ways, though could you please tell me the events that led to her insanity?” “It all started several weeks ago; we unicorns suddenly experienced ringing in our heads. We named the experience the ‘Signal.’ It never happened again; so we ignored it and continue with our lives. That was until…” “Your friend Lyra suddenly went insane and goes in a killing spree. Worst of all, she knew what she was doing and couldn’t control it,” “I do know of a way to… prevent such further tragedy,” “Wait, you do?” asked Twilight The mystic nodded “Using my arcane arts, I can bestow a special inscription upon one’s forehead, a mark you see,” from the mystic’s left hand, blue fire appeared out of nowhere forming into a crest The Mane Six look at one another, unsure if they should take the offer. “I see that you all hesitate. I do not lie when I say the mark will prevent such unfortunate circumstances from happening all again from all of you. As the disease would affect all of you regardless if you are unicorn…” “Pegasi…” “Earth Pony…” “Or even an Alicorn…” Eyes popped…. Not literally. “Yes look to your friends… remember their faces, the good old memories. Tell me, are the marks so bad, you’ve rather see yourself or your friends rather going insane, to be consume by unending and irrational anger, to lash out and KILL friends and family and knowing that it was all you, YOU ONLY NEEDED THE MARK TO PREVENT SUCH A NIGHTMARE BUT STILL REFUSE!!!” The Sorcerer bellows out. The Mane Six shudder in fear. “Fine then, there is another way to prevent the madness from afflicting you,” The six ponies look up with hope… “Something about removing a certain appendage or something,” The other solution proved to be too much for the natives. Fluttershy and Rarity fainted. Pinkie Pie started crying with Rainbow Dash trying to comfort her. Applejack could only look onto Twilight for guidance. “Oh I remember; to stop the ‘Signal’ one would have to remove the EARS of the afflicted!” “ENOUGH! …we accept your proposition,” shouted Twilight “Fine, come over here,” Putting the tip of his staff at close proximity to the native’s head, sparks ignite a mystical blue fire which inscribed the mark upon the native. Minutes turn to hours which resulted in the entire afternoon spent inscribing marks upon the susceptible inhabitants of the town. By the time the deed is done, every single pony in the town has the blue mark upon their foreheads. “The deed is done; obviously there is one glaring problem with this solution. I wonder if you six are bright enough to see it?” said the Sorcerer “What could be so bad! It didn’t even hurt a little…” said Rainbow Dash before she was interrupted “What this fellow meant that it took so long to fix this darn problem,” said Applejack “Exactly, it would take several weeks to get everyone these marks!” Rarity said in frustration “Fear not child, there is a way,” the Sorcerer puts out his hands “Take my hand, six younglings,” The six natives’ experiences a flash of power, the marks upon their forehead glow brightly “The six of you can give these marks to others. I have already given the marks to the city of Manehatten; you can start focusing at the other places. Focus on the big cities first, then work your way to the smallest town,” The Sorcerer walks away, but not before turning back and giving them one last advice. “It would be better if you all split up! Time is of the essence!” The Sorcerer walks out into the night, carrying a sinister smile underneath his helmet. Everything is set, time for the final act!