//------------------------------// // Mine, Smelt, Forge, Sharpen. Part 1 [12] // Story: Stories in Stone, Luna's Royal Guard. // by TDR //------------------------------// Stories in Stone Luna's Royal Guard By TDR Mine, Smelt, Forge, Sharpen. Part 1 “Can you at least let me cast the spell before you cancel it?!” Twilight grumbles. “Oh, I'm sorry Twilight, but you made this face.......” Fluttershy mutters. “That's concentration Fluttershy....” Twilight rolls her eyes. “Oh, um, sorry.” Twilight was not a happy pony. It had been six hours since everyone was supposed to gather so she could explain how the counter spell worked. Rainbow Dash was of course late, and then when she did get there everyone spent a few hours doing nothing but talking about what was going on in town and Twilight's up coming birthday. Once they all calmed down she then had to explain several times how the gem on the table before them was supposed break her out of the spell. Then simplify it. Then simplify it further and try very hard not to wonder why Pinkie understood on the first go Her friends were not dumb ponies, but even Rarity did not have the magical training to completely grasp all of it, and she had a hard time not explaining with nuanced magical tech jargon. Thankfully Spike had opted to help translate to the others, he had a way with simplifying what she said for the others to understand. She could tell he was still not happy that she was not willing to cease her studies fully, but at least he understood why now, she hoped. She would have been content just to let him be the one to watch over her, but the others had insisted that they be shown as well, even Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash was slightly less enthused about agreeing to help out when she saw the size of the book that Twilight wanted her to read so she could catch up to where Twilight and Spike were in the story. Still it was a surprise when dash came to the meeting and had already caught up. Evidently she had thought it was neat to read about some pony else who could preform the Sonic Rainboom. She even claimed to have been inspired to practice a few new tricks. The conversation touched on a few various parts of the story once directed that way, though most of it was focused on side things and not the actual conflict. At one point they had listened to the copy of Platinum's song that Vinyl had sent. What was dodged around was the conflicts and the sword itself, despite the weapon being on display on the table. All in all perhaps the past few hours of conversation with her friends was not really a waste after all. It had been fun, but she was ready to get back into it the story, particularly with the cliff hanger she had been left with before. “OK, let's try that again.”Twilight sighs softly. She started to cast the spell again, hearing sudden movement behind caused her to let the spell fade out before she even felt the slight tug of the cancellation spell. She kept her eyes closed a moment trying not to grind her teeth before she opened them to look back. “Wait a minute Twilight.” Rainbow Dash states floating over her. “Urrrgah..... yes Rainbow what is it?” Twilight rolls her eyes. “So are we just supposed to sit here the whole time watching your flank?” “Err, I guess.” “Boring... so we don't even get to see whats going on then? How lame is that? “ Dash grumbles. “Ooh, IDEAAA! Twilight darling is there any way you can make it so perhaps all of us can see what you are seeing? Perhaps in one of those magic mirror things I’ve heard about. That way we can see whats going on with the spell and keep an eye on you at the same time?” Rarity chimes in. “Umm, I guess it would be possible, though I don't want to mess with the Princess' spell anymore than I have to.” Twilight ponders. “Yeah, we have had enough of that. We could ask the Princess later though in her next letter, keeping an eye on what you are seeing could help stop any more problems. Look if you guys want to head out already I can watch Twilight this time. No sense in being here if you don't have to be. Pinkie pie already left about an hour ago any way.” Spike points out offering the group a tray of tea. “Really? Ay thought it got a bit quieter. Is there something wrong with her lately? Ay've not seen much of her at all, an usually she's all up in every pony's business.” Applejack comments. “Last I heard she was watching over something for some pony. She was rather vague.” Dash explains. “Ooh is it some ones pet?” Fluttershy asks. “I doubt it darling every pony knows your the one to watch any animals that need tending. She has been rather subdued lately though, so it must be important.”Rarity comments. “Well that's something to look inta later, most likely it's just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. Some pony prolly made her Pinkie Pie swear something and she's gone all serious about it. Right now we got Twilight tah worry about. Yah sure you can handle this Spike? Ay hate ta leave yah, but there’s always something tah do on the farm and a little more sleep is never a bad thing.” Applejack shrugs. “I do have a bit of work I should be doing to prepare for my Canterlot visit, but I would think this is important. I do not wish to impose on you to do it yourself Spikey.”Rarity smiles. “Its not a bother Rarity, besides I doubt all of you could come every time any way, and Twilight is likely to go into fits if she has to wait for every pony to show up.” Spike explains. “I am right here still Spike.”Twilight deadpans. “If you don't mind Spike, I will stay. I made sure all the animals were fed and watered before I came over tonight, so I am in no rush for once.” Fluttershy nods. “Yeah well I've got better things to do than sitting around watching Twilight space out. Let me know if you get that mirror thing, that might be cool to watch. Give a yell if there's another problem though.”Rainbow Dash floats up into the air gliding towards the door. Twilight sighs, offering goodbyes and a bit of small talk again to her leaving friends wondering if she was ever going to get back to the story. As Rarity finally heads out after another good ten minutes of gossip talk she closes the door with a last wave. She looks over at Fluttershy sitting calmly on the couch sipping some of the tea she had made earlier. Spike wandered over hopping onto the couch next to her. “Well that was a waste of time.”Twilight sighs. “Not really Twilight. You got to hang out with your friends for a good while. Its something we never can do enough, but it does not seem to happen as often as it used to. Some pony is always too busy to be around with the rest of us. Lately I know it has been Pinkie and I, but still.” Fluttershy smiles. “This is true, it was fun. You seem rather quiet tonight Spike what's wrong with you?”Twilight smiles. “Nothing, I'm still not happy with letting you mess with that thing. It's gonna take a while before I get past that. I know you're trying to help out Princess Luna, but something about that sword bothers me, even more now that all this has happened. I've also read what you wrote and I am wanting to leave you alone even less. You could have told me what you were doing instead of leaving me at your parents while you went off to the garden.” Spike rants “That's what all this is about?”Twilight sighs. “No, I just found out about that after reading the book. That just adds to how annoyed I am at you. You've taken a great deal of pointless risks lately just to sate your own curiosity. What would have happened if the Princess had decided to put you in the garden? What if Luna had decided to react badly to your intrusion into her past? Did you think of any of this?” Spike fusses. “Well nothing bad really happened.”Twilight comments. “Arrgh this is the sorta thing I expect from Rainbow Dash, not you, when did you become so reckless? You used to think everything through and have lists in triplicate!” “Spike, Twilight pushing past the bounds of common sense in a effort to do things has manged to save quite a few ponies. If she had not persisted in the study of Nightmare Moon we would not have met and she would not have figured out about the Elements of Harmony in the first place. We would not have beaten Discord, and even recently if not for her rather off the wall idea to teach Rainbow Dash a lesson quite a few Ponies might have been hurt of killed when the dam burst. She is not being any more reckless than she always is. Aside from the problems with a few of her spells and that issue with her break down and now recently this whole personality split. OK I can see why you are worried, but the good she has done still outweighs any ill.” Fluttershy explains. “I understand the good that’s been done from all that Fluttershy, but it does not make me feel any more comfortable.”Spike fusses “Seriously is this talk about me like I am not even here day, today?” Twilight pouts. “Oh sorry Twilight. I really wanted to stay to try and get Spike to accept that you wish to continue your studies... I sort of forgot you had not started yet, I’m sorry.”Fluttershy apologizes. “Its alright, starting finally does seem like a good idea. Spike remind me when I send the Princesses their letters to ask about Rarity's idea.” Twilight comments. “Will do.” Spike agrees “Alright here we go, at least let me cast it first this time?” Twilight pleads. “Of course.”Fluttershy nods. “I will be watching Twilight.” Spike growls. “Do you have to sound so creepy Spike?” Twilight sighs as she starts casting the spell. Fluttershy said something behind her but the mares soft voice seemed to stretch away and grow distant as the spell took hold. The pull of magic suddenly halts, leaving her floating before what looked like six jagged and cracked mirrors. Looking around the first thing Twilight notices is her hooves and legs , looking back at the rest of her body she saw she was semi transparent reddish purple, the same color as her magic with bits of light floating though her form. She giggled a little thinking she looked like a constellation as they showed in most boots, the image overlay-ed over the stars to show what it was meant to be. This felt odd, being an ethereal spirit was rather neat and very calming, she could clearly feel how to escape back to her own body so there was no sense of panic despite the change. She shifted her gaze again away from the mirrors looking around the rest of the odd void she was in. It was quite similar to the shared void that she and some other unicorns shared during her early classes at Princess Celestia's school. It was supposed to be a way to boost power, though Twilight had never really gotten the hang of it and had only glimpsed this place. All around here was a hazy gray mist and beyond was only blackness dotted with stars. She could feel a slight chill though it felt as if it ran through her and wasn't from any outside source. The stars in the void beyond were everywhere either far apart or in clusters there didn't seem to be any pattern to them and some of them were moving. A few of the closer brighter ones seemed to be moving away from her while others followed their own paths in the distance. There were two far away that seemed so much brighter than the others, a pure white one, and a smaller dark blue one still much larger than all the other points of light. She knew instantly those were the Princesses, which meant that all the other lights were all the other ponies.... no... not all the ponies, there were too few for that. Unicorns? Maybe, but that did not feel right. There was a light clinking sound in the air as if a number of crystals, or shards of glass were lightly clicking together. It was almost musical, and it seemed to be coming from the odd mirrors. Looking at them she blinks a little in surprise that her own image didn't reflect back, but the glass was filled with the image of cutiemarks, and one patch of blue scales. A silver kite shield with a black chess knight in the middle, three crossed silver cupids arrows with the hearts pointing down, a star with a rainbow trail behind it, A pair of winged snakes twining around a pole, a crescent moon on a field of black and a patch of blue scales. It didn't take Twilight long at all to figure out what this meant. These windows must be the pieces of the blade. In some of the smaller fragments she could see the tank and the area around where the others were fighting. “JER'RAHD!!” “BOSS!!” “JER!!” The great creature lifted its head up from the ground showing the crater it's maw had made in the ground and the bite taken out of the ground where Jer'rahd had been. The kitten like mewing from the creature suddenly cut off as the creatures eyes bugged wide in a panic. It opens it mouth as if trying to cough or breath and fails to do either. The beast grows more frantic, ignoring the other ponies around as it claws at the earth, thrashing around throwing great gout’s of dirt and rock about. It brings its clawed flippers up trying to clutch at its throat to force out the clog, the great claws tearing easily into its own armored neck flinging the citrus smelling blood across the landscape as it struggles, thrashing bout in an effort to draw breath. The group of them could only watch in shock as the beast finally rips a hole in its throat after tearing out most of it's own neck, managing a last piteous blood filled breath before collapsing with a crash that shook the earth. “What the hay?” Starfall asks. “That was profoundly disturbing.” Rhede admits. “BOSS!!” Bleu shouts. The group rushes over to the creature approaching cautiously to the still twitching form as the bright green blood filled the air with a cloyingly sweet citrus smell as it gushed from the creatures rent throat. A faint shimmer of green could be seen through the hole for a moment before the glow winked out of existence and the flesh around the hole shifted. After the light fades there was a good bit of thrashing and movement in the flesh of the creatures neck. Gluts of the sticky blood flood from the icorus mess that was left. Luna's magic flares up tearing rents out of the ripped flesh pulling the hole wider until a form bursts from the neon green mess gasping for air as it scrambles out of the remains of the creatures neck. The figure trips over some ripped scales crushing to the dirt before coughing up a lung full of the green icor, his whole frame soaked in it. “Bucking hay boss, when you wanna kill something you don't buck around.” Bleu snarks. “I am never, *cough*, eating another orange as long as I live... apples all the way ….*cough*.” Jer'rahd curses. “I am truly impressed you managed to kill it General.... well to make it kill itself any way.” Luna smirks a little, though she takes a few steps back to avoid the mess he was wringing out of his mane. “Please stop being impressed Princess and help me find a rag or a lake or something.” Jer'rahd mutters. “Sorry Jer. I've not seen any water any where around here yet.” Rhede sighs. “Not even a puddle.” “While I regret your covered in Skuzz, does any one else hear a buzz?” Velkorn asks “Now that you mention it? “Starfall comments as her ears perk a look of horror crossing her face. “What is that?... GAHH!!!!!!” Starfall takes off into fast enough to leave a mini rain boom in her wake. The rest of the group looks confused, save Jer'rahd who was still trying to get the gunk from the tank from his eyes. A swarm of bright balls with wings flutter through the air and descend on the body of the tank in a veritable tornado of cooing fluff. The air is filled with the slurp and crunch of flesh being devoured as the swarm covers the body of the tank skinning the massive creature down to the bone in moments Jer'rahd finally manages to get the green, orange smelling icor from his eyes in time to look up as the swarm drops onto him as well. “GAHHH GET THEM OFF,!!GODDESS, THIS TICKLES HELP, GAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!” Jer'rahd gallops around in a wide circle flailing as his body is covered with the little fluff balls before he crashes into the side of the tank stripped shell collapsing to the ground with a low groan. The swarm lifts off him a moment later, barfing out little brown things that turn into more paraspites and join the swarm as it flies off on it's merry way. The others stare in shock that all of that happened in less than a minute. Bleu was the first to say anything as she moved to check on Jer'rahd again who was rolling on the ground clutching his nose where he plowed into the side of the tank. “Umm Boss are you OK......pfffffffffftHAHAHHAHAHHA!!!” Bleu starts to laugh before falling onto her flank cackling. “Bleu what is so funny........ oh wow Jer...” Rhede asks before starting to laugh himself. “Hmm, I think I might know a spell to fix this.” Luna states trying not to laugh with the others. Jer'rahd sits up and looks down at himself, seeing that his armor, gear, mane, tail and even his fur had been devoured by the paraspites leaving him a very bald and very angry pony. “This has not been my day, not my day at all at all, I liked that armor.” Jer'rahd huffs ignoring that he was naked. “Where did Starfall go?” “She took off at the sight of the Sprites, never have I seen some one in such a fright.” Velkorn states staring at the sky intentionally not looking at Jer'rahd. “We should wait here for her return. Let me try this spell Jer'rahd. Please hold still.” Luna comments. “Sure why not. Bleu if you can see fit to stop laughing help me find whats left of my grandfather's sword.” Jer'rahd sighs picking up the grip of the weapon looking at the tiny bit of the fractured blade that was still attached. Princess Luna's horn glows brightly, the magic collecting around Jer'rahd and then flaring up suddenly exploding in a dark blue light blinding the group a moment. When the light clears Jer'rahd stands there with his mane and tail grown back, also grown long enough to leave him buried to his neck in his own mane and tail hair. Bleu barely recovered from the first bout of laughter loses it again and falls over in a fit. “Oh no, I am sorry General this place makes fine tuning magic a bit difficult.” Luna explains trying not to smirk at the fluffy sheepdog look that Jer'rahd had developed. “That’s fine Princess, at least you are trying to help, unlike my assistant over there. Just some one get me a knife I will do my own hair cut..... If I ever meet Discord I am going knock the stupid out of him.” “Before we were attacked by that hive, I was going to ask how you survived?” Velkorn asks. “Panic reflex. I've gotten so used to throwing a shield up when attacked. Went a little bigger than I thought it would, Seems my magic is affected as well. I guess I got stuck in the things throat.” Jer'rahd shrugs taking one of Rhede's daggers and hacking away at his hair. “I would say that is an understatement it ripped its own throat out to get you out.” Velkorn nods. “Not my intent, but whatever works. If any of you feel like telling this little tale when we get back I would ask you to leave out the swarm. I think we might as well set up camp here. Use the shell as shelter. If that is alright with you Princess, without my gear I’m a bit of a liability here.” Jer'rahd admits. “It is, I did not expect to run into one of Discord's creations this soon, and definitely nothing that powerful.” Luna sighs. Jer'rahd finally stands up out of the pile of hair offering Rhede back his dagger. “More gray in that then I like....” Jer'rahd mutters looking at the pile of amber hair. “Getting old Jer. “ Rhede grins “You're only two years younger than me Pelt, so you're next .” Jer'rahd snaps “Ahh but I don't stress as much as you do.” Rhede chuckles “All that aside, I am not liking my chances with out some sort of armor and weapon out here.” Rhede mutters. “ First encounter and I’m already taken out.” “Not sure I can help on that Jer, you choice in weapons tend to be heavier than what the rest of us carry? Didn’t think to carry a spare?” Rhede mutters. “The parasprites ate the ax I had, had as well as the bow.” Jer'rahd grumbles. “ Along with my food supply and camping gear.” “It may be that we need to go back then. You will not be much use to us with out some form of protection and armor.” Luna agrees. Starfall eventually returned and joined Luna atop the tank's shell to keep watch, explaining she had a phobia of the creatures since incident as a foal. Jer'rahd and Bleu move about picking up sword shards as Velkorn and Rhede start setting up a camp in the hollow shell of tank. Eventually Luna and Starfall fly down from atop the shell. Jer'rahd and Bleu give a last look around as Bleu tucks the fragments one of her pouches along with the broken hilt for safekeeping before the two of them join the other two in front of the shell. “So what now Boss?”Bleu mutters “You all press on. I will make my way back to the wall try to get resupplied and wait for you there.” Jer'rahd states “I do not believe that will be possible General. Please inform him of what you told me Air Commander.” Luna interrupts. “Well as a little filly I was swarmed by a bunch of them and since I have had this fear...” Starfall begins. “Not that.”Luna sighs. “Oh right. You cannot see the wall any more from the air. I am not sure which way I ran, but when I came back I was almost straight above the shell. I didn’t see the wall or anything else familiar for leagues.”Starfall points out “So what your saying is we are unable to return and I need to make do. How were we going to get back when we find the book?” Jer'rahd grumbles. “That seems the case, although I believe I can help so you do not just have to make do. Once we retrieve the book there is a room of calm in the castle that we used before when we defeated Discord. I can safely teleport from that spot, just not to it.” Luna admits. “Help how?”Jer'rahd asks a little skeptically as he watches Luna. “Provided the Princesses magic can be kept under control we might be able to rig something for you from the bones of this thing.” Starfall comments. “Considering how tough this thing was before, I got lucky Starfall, and if it works, it would be better than what I had. It will not replace the sword. unless you actually do that too Princess?” “No, Your Grandfathers blade was forged in a certain way that I can not duplicate with my magic. Those blades were only made by one blacksmith during the Dragon war. Armor and another weapon should not be a problem though. I might need more effort and energy to shape it here than I would normally. Though if I cast before I sleep, I should be fine come the morning. We need all the aid we can get here, having a useless member of the party to watch over would hinder us.” Luna admits “Owch. I might be disarmed and dearmored....” Jer'rahd begins. “And detailed.” Bleu adds. “Shush Bleu, but I am far from useless Princess.” Jer'rahd mutters. “I apologize, that was not the term I was meaning General.” Luna sighs. “Enough with the General and Sky Commander stuff as well. We are out here in the Darklands, just us you can be less formal, I think everyone else has already adopted that idea save you Princess.” Jer'rahd comments “You ask me to be less formal, yet you still call me Princess?” Luna questions with a raised eyebrow. “She's got you there Jer'rahd.” Starfall snarks. “Alright Princess... what would you like us to call you then?” Jer'rahd asks. “Luna would be fine.... Jer'rahd.” Luna comments “Alright, Luna......hmm? Starfall, Bleu what are you two looking at?” The unicorn looks over at the other two noting the pair staring at him and Luna for some reason. “Nothing Jer'rahd.” Starfall states. “Not a thing boss.”Bleu comments looking away “Why do I not believe that. Any how Pri.... Luna what do you plan to do? I get that you plan to make armor and maybe a sword from this, but can magic alone handle it ?” Jer'rahd asks gesturing to the pile of bones. “Perhaps, though it will likely be simple armor. I am not a armor smith, nor a weapon smith.” Luna admits. “Nearly anything is better than nothing, What ever you can manage without pushing yourself.” Jer'rahd nods. “It will take a good more than trying to put together some armor, for a Goddess to push herself Jer'rahd.” Luna snorts. “Right sorry, no offense. “Jer'rahd corrects looking over to see Bleu, and Starfall whispering to each other. “None taken.” Luna admits. He shook his head lightly as the Princess rose. She moved around the camp looking over certain bones here and there having him pick up a few and carry them. Before long she clearly thought she had enough and went back to a spot near the massive skull. “Luna do you think these are too much just the skull should be enough to armor 4 or five ponies Jer's size.” Rhede comments having popped out of the shell to watch. “Yes, but this is the first time I have done something like this so I expect to make a few mistakes.” Luna admits. “Rhede. Have you been keeping up with your forestry survival skills?” Jer'rahd asks. “Of course Jer, you would be amazed how many mares are attracted to stallions who live off the land.” Rhede grins. “I can see how they might Sugar. Everyone girl loves a Stallion who knows how to take care of himself.“ Bleu comments batting her eyes. “Umm any way why do you ask Jer, you need something?” Rhede mutters “Something to use in place of leather straps. A solid mass of bone is not going to really work.” Luna speaks up. “Might be something, though with this place its hard to tell. I might get something that normally would be perfect and find out its this places version of poison joke.” Rhede sighs. “Well lets get something, the less time I am naked in the place the better I will feel.” Jer'rahd mutters. Rhede and Jer'rahd wander off to the edge of the camp site making sure to stay within sight of the shell as they scrounge. Bleu's gaze shifts over the Princess picking through the bones and Starfall resting atop the shell watching the others, as over watch. She sighed sitting back on a bone claw not really feeling the humor of this place like she should. Sure it was dangerous, deadly, but it was also ridiculously funny in a deranged sort of way. There was a humor she should have been enjoying and that amusement just wasn't there. Every time she distracted herself and started feel better, some pony brought up Dullahan, or Platinum and the depression set in once more. She sighs once more, not too sure of what she was going to do, the panic that she might have lost Jer'rahd when he was eaten having passed, but it still kept her thoughts darker than they should be. Her eyes widen as her tail was grabbed and she was yanked backwards into the shell. She squirms, fangs about to sink into the offending gag to get free when she notes who it is. [“None of that now Bleu.”] Velkorn states letting go of the dragons mouth. [“Velkorn ?!What the heck are you doing?”]Bleu grumbles. [“I should be the one asking that. I thought you were going to help me, not hit on him yourself.”] Velkorn snorts. [“Oh that's what this is about. Have you seen how he reacts to me hitting on him? He ran off with the boss this time, though most of the time he hides behind you, Starfall, or the Princess. The latter two tend to take to the air randomly so sooner or later he will be staying closer to you.”] Bleu smirks. [“How is that even a plan? How is any of that going to get him to even notice me as more than a shield?”] Velkorn curses. [“Relax I have this all covered. Not the first time I have done this sort of thing.... hoping for a better end this time though....”] Bleu mutters. [“I still worry you are seeking him for yourself.”] Velkorn admits. [“Velkorn do you know how old I actually am?”] [“ I know dragons have a odd age rate though I am not sure when they reach maturity, Why?”] [“Platinum was a little older than most ponies allowed to take Celestia's test. By dragon terms I am still a baby, and by pony terms I’ve not even hit my teens yet. Far too young to be doing anything with a stallion if I even caught one.”] “But your jokes and your manner, the more adult humor has been your banner.” Velkorn comments switching to her rhyming speech quickly enough that Bleu had to pause and mentally reset. “Dragons just mature faster if hatched by magic... I guess. I've not met any others so I am not really sure for certain, but its what I have been told. Well I have yet to meet any others I didn't help to kill, so I cannot really ask them. Any way while I might play and tease my goal is still the same. Besides it's absolutely hilarious watching him get all flustered.” “Thank you Bleu , I am sorry I doubted you.” “S'fine. I've not really been myself much lately any way.” Bleu sighs.”Though I let Starfall in on the plan and we might have a second set of targets too.....” ==================================================== Rhede and Jer'rahd returned having found some vines that looked and felt remarkably like strips of cloth. Luna had sorted the bones that had been gathered and as soon as she selected a few segments of the vine she began to cast a spell. “All of you please step back, except you Jer'rahd , please stand still.” Luna orders. The others backed away and Jer'rahd watched as the bones were gathered in Luna's magic rising into the air . Her horn starts to glow brighter as the bones seem to melt and form into a large sphere that floats above the Princesses head. The vine and a few more bones were pulled into the growing pale ball. The smell of oranges filled the air as well as the odd smell of chocolate that was the scent of the vines. The ball whirled and swirled in the air gripped in Luna's magic. The princess winces a little as the ball swirls faster. Jer'rahd looks to the others who were watching the ball and the Princess with interest, all save Starfall who had placed herself on watch atop of the shell. She was clearly annoyed by her panic earlier even if no one else was faulting her for it. He would need to speak with her later about that. His attention was pulled off the pegasus as the ball of bone was suddenly flung at him. He winced as the mass hit and passed over him like a wave of warm water, well warm orange juice. He blinks glancing behind him after it passed not really feeling anything, but noting the ball was smaller. His brain clicked that he was heavier as well. “Holy crap Luna.” Rhede whistles “Nice look boss.” Bleu comments. “Though we all know his level, to all other ponies he will look like a devil.” Velkorn admits. “Impressive work Princess.” Starfall calls down from the top of shell. Jer'rahd took stock as Luna lowered her head exhaling deeply, the remaining ball of bone falling to the ground with a thud behind him. She clearly had over extended herself more than. The coloration was primarily the same black and purple like his old armor, though that's where the similarities ended. The helm resembled some sort of predatory draconic animal skull, though without a lower jaw, it's fangs hung down in front of his muzzle a bit though his lower jaw and mouth were uncovered and the fangs were not long enough to interfere with his holding a weapon. His eyes fit where the skulls eyes were and had some sort of shielding over them though it didn't interfere with his vision the faint red and green glow of his eyes seemed amplified while in the armor. His horn war partially hidden in the row of bone spines that emerged from between the eyes and ran back over his head and neck, getting shorter the nearer they got to his tail along his back. Like his vision the encasing of his horn didn't affect anything with his magic. A pair of horns curled up and back over his head hiding and protecting his ears. Interlocking plates ran from the helmet down the back of his neck and throat acting more like scales than plate mail. The shoulder guards were spiked as well giving the impression of small bone wings. The rest of the outfit was covered with sweeping spikes and the occasional highlight done in silver, though the outfit was primarily in black and purple save the helmet which remained the faded white of the bone save a few highlights around the spines. His hooves were well guarded as well, the shin guards and hoof protection thick enough to be boots and spiked in such a way to make them look like claws. While his mane was hidden under the helm his tail was free and due to the ragged hair cut he had given himself earlier, it looked to be something attached still to a long dead creature. Aside from his tail and lower jaw the heavy plate covered every bit of his skin. “He needed armor Luna, not something to scare anything else we meet to death.” Rhede grumbles. “I rather like the gothic style of design thank you very much Rhede.” Luna pouts. “I though t you said you were not a armorer?” Jer'rahd asks moving around in the armor finding the thickness of it barely limited his movement at all. “I am the Goddess of War Jer'rahd. In the centuries I have been alive I have studied a great many things. Most I simply have no use for. I do profess to enjoy employing my own artistic flare in things when I can. How is the fit?” Luna asks. “A little tight in some areas and loose in others, but not enough to cause any sort of problem for me. Amazing given how short of time that took. And something this complex as well. I do have to ask, how do I remove it ?” Jer'rahd comments. “Take off the helm and the armor will remove as well. Put on the helmet and the armor will return.” Luna explains “So much for simple bit of protection then hmm?” Bleu asks. “I might have gotten carried away.” Luna admits “Just a bit. Not that I mind.” Jer'rahd chuckles. He pulled the helm off his head expecting the armor to maybe get magically stored some where like in some of the fantasy hero novels. It was therefore a surprise when the armor just fell off of him and clattered to the ground with only the helmet still in his grasp. They all look at it curiously including Luna. He places the helm back on his head and the armor jumps up covering him again. “Hmm, was not expecting that.” Jer'rahd comments “I suppose I either over did myself or missed something in the casting, it is not supposed to just fall off.” Luna sighs. “It works, so nothing to worry about. Are you up to try for a sword? The armor is perfect for protecting me , but not for protecting others.” Jer'rahd states. “ If you are not I can rig something up from the rest of the bones without issue.” “I'm fine Jer'rahd, this should not take a moment more.” Luna admits. Luna nods selecting one of the Tank's claws trying to ignore Jer'rahd as he bounced about like a lunatic trying cartwheels and the like in the armor. A few crashes into the shell, the ground, a couple of trees, and then a pile of bones, had him at least sated that he could move and the armor worked rather well. Bleu lands on his back kicking and scratching at the armor curiously though she falls off with out anything to grip on his back. As Jer'rahd laughs at Bleu and gets tail slapped into the side of the tank shell again Luna looks over the bone she selected. She knew she had over exerted herself making the armor but making the sword would still leave her more than enough power. Still perhaps a bit of a white lie was in order. She was still being treated like a Princess by them and that wouldn't do, they needed to see she had her own faults and weaknesses, something that they could relate to. The Princess of the Night's horn glows once more, the claw stretching and warping floating into the air before her. It begins taking shape slowly forming a jagged double bladed sword before the magic flickers around the blade and it melts into a pile of slag as she cries out. “Princess!” Jer'rahd gasps, “Are you alright Luna?”. Jer'rahd ignored the malformed blade, darting over it to stand blinking at Luna, the others ran up just quickly pulling to a stop next to the Princess as well. She seemed to have shrunk, where she once was Rhede's height, if not a bit taller, she was now a little shorter than Jer'rahd and barely larger than Starfall. Her mane and tail had also ceased blowing as if in a divine wind and were little more than a normal, if still a pretty, grayish blue. “Yes.. I am fine just, well, that took more effort than I thought it would.“ Luna sighs “You did not need to make it so detailed a simple sharp edge on a handle would have worked for me.” Jer'rahd mutters. “But then it would not have matched the armor.” Luna chuckles. “Eerrrrr. I have no idea how to respond to that.” Jer'rahd admits. “Well now that is a sight, Luna went from being one of the hottest mares in Equestria to one of the cutest.” Rhede grins looking down at the smaller mare Starfall swats Rhede in the back of the head distracting him from the death glare Velkorn was giving him. Jer'rahd smirks, shaking his head a bit, stopping himself from nodding in agreement with Rhede. “You need any help Luna, or are you alright to make it inside?” Jer'rahd asks. “I should be fine.” Luna comments and slowly rises if a bit shakily. Perhaps she wouldn't need to fake much, this was draining. The Princess manages a few steps before stumbling. She nearly falls before she finds herself bouncing against the armored Side of Jer'rahd as he helps her stay upright. “So much for that. Bleu help me get the Princess to her bedroll. I'll take her watch tonight. Least I can do for hooking me up with the gear Luna. Get some sleep we most likely need what ever power you can muster tomorrow.” “I shall be fine General.” Luna snaps pulling quickly away from him. “Right you can barely walk right now.” Jer'rahd snarks getting the small dragon to help guide her into the cavernous tank shell. Velkorn and Rhede had done a decent job at making the giant beasts shell into a excellent camp site. If they were given more time they might have been able to make it into something that could be a permanent residence. Five bedrolls were laid out and a pile of gathered straw and leaves substituted for Jer'rahds bed. A small fire rested in the middle burning merrily with a pot of warm oats hanging from a spit over it, the food steaming lightly. Jer'rahd and Bleu guided the Princess to her bed roll. Letting her down gently, she protested the whole time and was ignored by both of them. “OK, Rhede, Starfall standard watch from training, Starfall you take first along with Velkorn. Wake Rhede and Bleu for their watch at the usual time. I'll take last watch myself.” “ Jer'rahd orders. “Umm Jer, can we switch the watch around a bit to put me with some one other than Bleu?” Rhede asks. “Problem with me Rhede?” Bleu snorts. “Not per-say ….” Rhede admits. “No deal Rhede, you and Starfall have the experience with this sort of thing, and Starfall and Bleu are our fliers, one flier per watch, one experienced, per watch. You know the deal.” Jer'rahd points out. “Ugh, yes.” Rhede grumbles. “Gee make me feel unloved why don't you.” Bleu pouts. “Nothing personal Bleu. You are simply much more forward with your attentions than I am comfortable with. Particularly as I prefer not to associate on the intimate level with some one without fur or a mane.” Rhede admits. “Well I suppose I need to work on changing that opinion don't I?” Bleu grins. “Buck me....” Rhede groans. “That's the plan...” Bleu chuckles. “You're on watch Bleu, keep your eyes out for trouble, not for Rhede's flank.” Jer'rahd fusses. “ And before you ask no no part of him is named trouble.” “Awwww, your no fun Boss.” Bleu pouts. “I will join you on your watch Jer'rahd as you have no flier.” Luna states “Best you don't Pr..... Luna, I will get that right one day, you are the strongest spell caster we have, Bleu is alright with what she knows, and Velkorn has her ….. well what ever sort of magic she does with the medical stuff. “ Jer'rahd comments getting an eye roll from the zebra. “You are the most powerful caster we have and the one with the most offensive spells as well I gather. Given I’m the second strongest caster, we might as well not count as having any other magic. We need you well rested after what you burned through today. I mean your hair changed color and you shrunk. Errr. Not a bad look, but clearly something amiss.” “And if we have to deal with something that needs copious amounts of violence applied to it,and you are tired due to trying to take up the slack you are giving to me for no real reason, what are we to do?” Luna asks. “She has a point boss, you are the get in there and break it type. You're are really good at killing things that need to be killed. Kinda like a tank.... and now you have the armor of a Tank as well.”Bleu chuckles. “ So you're a tank tank...” “Would it be to much to ask for me to win just one argument in my life?” Jer'rahd sighs. “What was that General, thinking to argue with a superior officer... again?” Starfall calls out from outside. “ Nothing, no, no…. Fine. I do have a question though, with you not at the palace Luna, who raises the moon?” Jer'rahd questions. “Tia does.... she has the power to raise both herself, as do I if need be. To be honest I think she prefers not to do it if she can out of laziness, or simply perhaps to give me something to do.” Luna admits. “Well so long as everything is in order. Best every one eat and then try to get some sleep we should head out at dawn or as close to it as we can.” Jer'rahd nods. “Since when do you give the orders boss?” Bleu pouts “Says the dragon calling me boss.” Jer'rahd sighs. ============================================== The night passed uneventfully, with the notable exception of Rhede spending most of the night avoiding Bleu,with mixed results. Jer'rahd gets woken by Bleu and heads to the pile of bones, redoning the armor. He smiled rather impressed with the ease of putting it on and off, the Princess had outdone herself. He glanced to the sleeping Luna, her hair back to its glowing form and her size returned to normal as well. Interesting to note that little tidbit of information. Did she change her size to appear older or was it an effect of her magic. With her blue gray hair she barely looked older that her late teens at best. As she usually was she seemed closer to his age or much older. If the goddess could move the moon what sort of effort did she put into his new gear. He shook his head a moment considering letting her continue to sleep, before sighing and nudging her shoulder with his magic staying on the other side of the shell camp just in case she was not a morning pony. She simply opened her eyes lifting her head to look at him. “I was wondering if you were going to wake me at all.” Luna comments. “Already up then?” Jer'rahd smirks. “I am the Goddess of night Jer'rahd. It is a bit harder for me to get used to the day.” Luna admits. “Maybe we should shift our own schedules to be awake at night then for this trip if we are supposed to be your personal guard.” Jer'rahd ponders. He moved outside glancing down at the mangled blade, he would need to figure something else out. Moving over to the bone pile he pulled out a long section of bone that he could use as a club. It was a fair size so he wasn't sure it he could hold it in his mouth. Still if he wanted to use a shield as well he needed to at least try. Might as well get in a bit of practice now, so at the very least he could see if he could carry the blasted thing. Luna steps out of the camp, stretching and taking flight, gliding up to the top of the shell, landing lightly to look around, her attention turning back to Jer'rahd as he swings a length of bone around twice as long as he was with his magic. She blinks surprised as he takes the smaller end in his mouth, winces, and spits it out onto the ground almost instantly almost sounding like he was gagging. “Whats wrong?” Luna asks. “Gahh, even the bone tastes like oranges.” Jer'rahd gripes. Luna chuckles softly which brings an odd look from Jer'rahd at the laugh, having never heard her do that before. He smiles shaking his head. “Sure laugh, but if you nearly drowned in citrus, you would have a different opinion.” “I am sure I would. So what does one normally do on watch ?” “Keep an eye and a ear out for danger, if anything happens wake every pony up. “ Jer'rahd comments. “I mean to pass the time.” Luna corrects. “Oh depends really. Used to play cards on some watches, chess, or dice. Once combat started, talking was about all that was left to be allowed. Kinda in a dangerous place here so that's about all that should be done if that. Besides even if I packed a chess set it would have been eaten by the bugs.” “Chess hmm? Tia did mention you were rather good at that.” Luna comments looking up to the night sky with a frown as the moon leered back with a grumpy looking cat face painted on it. “I don't think I'm bad, but I could tell at the end when I played her, she was just letting me win.” Jer'rahd sighs. “No, more likely she was playing fair at first.” Luna chuckles. “What?” “If you do not watch her,Tia cheats like it was going out of style.” Luna comments. “WHAT!?” Jer'rahd shouts.