//------------------------------// // Changes, part 4 [29] // Story: Stories in Stone, Lost Empire // by TDR //------------------------------// Stories in Stone Lost Empire By TDR Changes Part 4 The mare woke with a scream, sitting up suddenly and violently, and just as quickly blacking out and collapsing back into the bed. A grayish blue stallion with a long beard wearing a multicolored scarf that nearly wrapped around his head and torso, jumps awake with a start his wings fanning to keep himself in the chair as the mare screams. “By the stars mare, don't do that, I'm not sure if I can be killed by a heart attack and I don't want to find out!” Starswirl grumbles. The stallion shakes his head as the dark alicorn before him stirs again. “Starswirl? What happened?” the mare mutters. “Far more than I like Crystal. Try to relax I have a lot to explain. I thought I would have a long while to go before I needed to explain this. I was going to write notes and everything before I told any pony. So much for that.” “What's going on? What happened at the battle? Where's....” Crystal starts demanding “Mare I do not say this lightly, but shut up, and let me talk. I am quite angry at the moment and a small part of that is directed at you when I know very well that it should not be. Part of the reason I am try and distance myself from emotions like this they are far too confusing. I am well aware that you never asked for this and while my mind acknowledges it my feelings do not. All I see when I look at you is that you should be some one else. Now that that has been explained and you have a reason why I might come off as snippy I can start explaining and we can get out of here and do what else needs to be done.” Starswirl rubs his head with a hoof. “ Now first off you have only been asleep for a little over two days. Rather a short time for a forced transfer like what was done.” Crystal winces as he explains, slowly sitting up and looking down at the holes in her hooves before turning her gaze to the room she was in. She noted it was one of the hospital rooms, though it was completely empty save her bed in the very middle of the room with a light and a chair for Starswirl. “Are we in a dream?”Crystal asks. “No. Sorry I yelled. It is rather rude for me to pop into a dream without permission, and at this point I wasn't sure what the effect would be. I've only seen this happen from the other side so I don't know what a dream walk might screw with. Now then what I have to say does not leave this room. The only one you will ever tell this too will be the one who replaces me or the one you choose to replace you. Hopefully though I will be around to do that myself. And I will have notes made.” “What?” “You are an alicorn now Crystal. A god of pony kind. And a rather strange one at that given you are not quite a pony any more. Your body is made up of the three pony races, as well as what you were changed into. While that itself is not a race per say you did managed to.. eject a good bit of fluid while you were asleep that has the same properties as the contents of the eggs. And no that is not normal for an alicorn, though I have collected some of it and I think I can replicate it for something. I'll explain that later.”Starswirl comments noticing Crystal's stare. “Your well of magic, your stamina, strength and the power you can channel have all been increased. Not sure if you can still change into other forms , but I would assume that it is to be the case. Becoming a god usually adds to your abilities. Your primary power is the ability to peer, manipulate, and even enter others daydreams. It's a counter to my ability to walk through the dreams of those slumbering.... I do not, in fact, have narcolepsy, despite the rumors. You could fly before but I'm sure your ability has improved and will be even better with practice. For all purposes you are also now immortal. You are not invincible however. Other gods can kill you as if you were a mortal, though the same is true of them. That itself keeps the peace better than anything else. No god wants to anger another god that they are not sure they cannot beat in a fight. Powerful magics can also do you harm and kill you, though the power level required to do so would be enough that it would likely have to come from a god. Still it was very specifically explained to me as a separate thing, so I am passing that on to you. Also I theorized that the metal Hammer worked with could kill a god...... unfortunately now I have proof.” “How am I a god? I was just a unicorn, then a whatever I was.” Crystal questions. “There are three types of god in this world. Natural born gods who are born with their power. Artificial gods, who achieved the power utilizing dark magics and then there are the few like us. Gods who have the power passed onto us by the previous god.” “What? Wait..... Mobius...”Crystal mutters.” What did he do?” “What he did was realize he was dying. He passed his power onto you for some reason to prevent it from going with him into death. I am not sure what happens when a pony god dies with their power. Perhaps a foal will be born as a god some time later, but it's not something i wish to test. There are only two pony gods, perhaps in the past there were more and they died taking their power into the afterlife with them. This should be kept silent as I do not want other ponies to know that the power of a god can be passed onto any one. That would make some things difficult with numerous ponies looking to bribe threaten or simply take the power. It is also one reasons we do not reveal ourselves. There are others but I will get into that later.” Crystal flinches at the bite in Starswirl's voice though she knew now why he was mad. The stallions expression softens. “Again, sorry. I should not be mad at you. You did not kill my friend and according to Slate you were the one who finally stopped Scorpan long enough for Hammer to finish him. I should be thanking you and we should be celebrating the defeat of one monster and planning the death of the next. But there are several issues to address. “ “Do I want to know?” Crystal mutters shifting a little as she looks back at her feathered wing spreading from her back with no small bit of awe and worry. “Mobius, Finnah and at least seven others of the strike team are dead. The rest suffered some sort of injury or at the very least some mental trauma. Slate has a cracked rib and Ghost has sprained both her wings, not to mention the loss of both their parents at once. Hammer should not be walking around , let alone trying to work, but he's stubborn. Luckily Cloud Dust keeps him from doing anything too strenuous.” “What about Sunray ? Crystal asks. “Also where are Ginger and Greenwich, I figured they both would be here.” “Sunray was poisoned by Scorpan's stinger. I expected the damage to be worse, though the poison is a strange thing. It bears similarities to the effects of a blue plant that grows in the forests of the south, north of the Zebra's lands. Generally the effects are harmless and somewhat silly from what few cases of it I've seen, though I doubt Sunray thinks the poison's a joke. She'll be fine though, I don't know how long she will be like she is however. We don't even have a name for the plant let alone a cure. As for Ginger and Greenwich..... perhaps it would be best that I show you.” ================================================== Crystal sat down hard looking at the ruins of the empty room. The stone walls ceiling, floor and beds were covered in crystalline growths around rents and damage to the walls. Starswirl said it was where the magic bolts had struck. A few small dragon flies flitted about the room, though even more of them had landed and turned to stone around the central pillar in the room. Crystal stared at it blinking slowly as Starswirl explained, the vague shape of a pony was visible in the middle of the pillar, though it was much larger than the pony that it had once been. Even though the main crystal seemed to be growing, it was doing so around the dragonflies as not to cover them up or absorb them. . A green one in particular had caught Crystal's eyes and she focused on it and what looked like a bit of a mares muzzle it was resting on. “............We have already written the hospital off as lost and moved the other ponies to a new area. The crystal has grown through two of the three floors already and is spreading out on each. It doesn't seem to be going past the building however.” “It won't …....” “What?” Starswirl asks. “ What do you mean?” If Ginger did this she wouldn't try to hurt any one. Not sure why it's spreading around the building, but it's not covering the dragon flies so it wont hurt anything living. Likely the grass walkway will stop it from expanding.” Crystal sighs.” Also Greenwich and the others say it's okay......” “Fascinating,”Starswirl mutters flicking the trailing end of his scarf over his shoulder with a huff. “I can't detect anything, but you might be tapping into the dreams of the Dragonflies. I theorized they might be awake in this state, but I never could test it and Mobius didn't care. Hmm perhaps Ginger will hatch into something like they will.” “No. She's gone....... yet I can still feel something from all this crystal that she became. Oh, so that's what it is.” Crystal slowly smiles. “What what is? Don't be cryptic I hate that.” Starswirl grumbles. “ No sense making up a riddle when a proper answer will do just as well with less time.” “Huh, oh sorry. Ginger is dead, I..... I can feel that. But at the same time she's not gone... she's well ,every where.” “The crystal?” “I think so. I don't know why it's growing, but the feeling that it's giving off is the same as she did. A strange mix of things, though Greenwich and the other dragon flies all feel the same and it's just …...”Crystal chuckles her ears still drooped as she looks back at the crystal taking up most of the room. “Such a delicious thing.....” “What is? “Love.” ******************************************************** The story stops abruptly as Discord and Pinkie burst through the page. “BABY DON'T HURT ME , DON'T HURT ME, NO MORE!!” the pair sing loudly and off key as a baseline plays in the background. A dark gray rabbit quickly grabs the two by the tail, dragging the pair of head bobbers away so the story can resume. ***************************************************** Crystal blinks as a tiny figure flits around her head, cussing and carrying on as she vents. “Bucking useless, that's what I was and then this shit happens, if I would have known this was the result I would have stayed here and freaking stopped that tripod from doing.. well whatever the heck she did!” Sunray rants in a surprisingly squeaky voice. She was also barely an apple tall now. “If you weren't so angry, you'd be adorable. Granted you still sort of are...” Crystal giggles getting a tiny hoof kick to the nose for her amusement. “Ow, okay less cute now. Calm down.” “A lot of shits gone down and I lost a number of friends in the past to the war, now, I lost another one. I am NOT calming down. I need this poisonous joke or whatever to be removed and we need to go destroy Tirek before he gets to us.”Sunray hollers. “It's not that easy. Starswirl mutters.”I've deduced that Scorpan's death is what caused the feed back that stopped the hearts of the comatose ponies. Tirek evidently has a higher body count and his death would cause far more ponies to die. There are a number of hidden settlements and ponies in hiding that are trying to tend the comatose ponies they have. There are already far more deaths than we can take. We might no longer be a species if all the ponies die.... I'm not sure what happens to gods without subjects.... ” “So what are we going to do then?” Crystal asks. “What we are going to do is make sure Sunray stays in bed. That gash one her side from the stinger is not even close to being healed. Also you seem to have opened it again. ” Starswirl glares at the tiny bug pony, who glares back and simply becomes more adorable from the effort. “You are hard enough to work on in your current state without you making the wound worse, so sit down.” “Do you have a plan? Because I doubt the same trick would work on Tirek that worked on Scorpan even if we did want to kill him.” Crystal admits. “I might have something. Mobius and I discussed it before he... died... and it may be the best plan left. Although it seems something has changed.” Starswirl ponders as Sunray lands back on her bed. “ Crystal since you have been here who have you met and associated with? Aside from Ginger and Sunray I mean.” “Not sure what that matters.” the dark alicorn mutters. “Humor me Crystal.” Starswirl comments. “It matters more than you might realize.” “You're talking about those things aren't you.” Sunray chimes in. “ I was under the impression that Ginger and I were part of that. You act as if I am not now?” “I can't directly tell, but there is no longer the connection there once was, I wasn't as good as Mobius at detecting the relationship, but I can feel this change. It may have something to do with Ginger's death or the fact you are racist against unicorns and only Ginger kept you in check enough to start to like Crystal.” “I'm working on that.” Sunray mutters. “And recent events have brought it back to light. Your friend died and a unicorn is indirectly responsible.” Starswirl sighs. “I know you are not like you were at first, but evidently the anger you feel is enough to remove you from the link.” “I have no idea what either of you are talking about.” Crystal glares. “ It's of little consequence right now, though we can discuss it at length if my hunch is correct after we are finished with this.”Starswirl waves a hoof. “ Now who else have you associated closely with in your time here?” “Slate Quake, Ghost Dancer, and I worked together quite a bit on combat training with my new body, I've been at the forge with Hammer and Cloud Dust quite a bit they were telling me about the Greenwich and the Crystal Dragon flies. Greenwich of course. “Crystal ponders. “That's five....... Not counting Greenwich due to his current state.” Starswirl mutters. “ Was there anyone else?” “Not that I can think of.” Crystal admits. “Storm Front was always hanging around as well.” Sunray calls out. “Yeah I suppose he was. I think he was around more than any one else.” Crystal admits. “Ugh... I bet he's gonna hit on me even more now.” “You don't like him?” Starswirl asks. “No, that's not it. He's fine most of the time, it just annoying when he gets flirty, I'm not interested in Griffons.” Crystal sighs. “He's been helpful and he's nice enough when he's focused on something else.....” “That may change in time. You will likely have a lot of that..... “ Starswirl snorts. “Come on I need to check on something and you need to talk to Slate and Ghost Dancer.” “I … I would rather not...... “ Crystal's ears flatten. “ If I had been quicker their father and mother might still be alive.....” “I want the full story on what went down after I hit the tree and was knocked the buck out. Like why Crystal looks like she does now.” Sunray rants. “Not coming with me?” Crystal smirks sheepishly. “No, Starswirl is correct in that I shouldn't have got out of bed. Now that the rush of adrenaline is over, I hurt big time.”Sunray grumbles. “My wings not even fully healed yet.” “Do you need me to get a doctor?” Crystal asks. “No I'm fine in that, it all just hurts.” Sunray sighs rubbing what appeared to be a band aid on her side that likely was the bandage covering all her stitches. “Nothing broke open just seeping wound.....Anyway, go see the dragons. I doubt they will blame you for anything.” Crystal nods though she could feel something from Sunray, not spicy, but burnt, a charcoal taste that she could feel the power from, though the flavor was horrid. ================================================================= Crystal blinks looking between Ghost Dancer and Slate Quake. Slate was angry, though it wasn't directed at her for the most part, the faint lingering taste of burnt something hung around him. Identifying it as anger made her worry more about Sunray. The half dragon stallion's expression was a slightly harder version of his usual look, though unless you had been looking longingly at him for as long as Crystal had it wasn't noticeable. There was also a lemony flavor that clung to him that should couldn't identify. It was weak, though plentiful. Those two flavors masked a thicker flavor that clung around everyone she had seen on the way here, though the siblings had the odd cross between nutmeg and sour milk around them in spades. Sadness? Ghost Dancer was harder to read. Crystal could feel the mare's emotions, though they were a jumbled unpalatable mix. The sour sadness, the burnt taste of anger, the sweet berry taste of love, a crisp leafy flavor of what could be relief given it hit the moment she walked in the door, and a number of other emotions that Crystal had no idea where to begin in deciphering. There was one flavor that seemed strongest when Ghost looked at her, it was like grapes, delicious, and empowering, but not very filling. Starswirl stood nearby and oddly the taste he was putting out was also a mix. There was the faint sweetness of love though something akin to an orange or some citrus fruit. Another oddity that she couldn't identify. His love also had a odd flavor too it, a lingering taste of strawberries. “I'm sorry. I should have acted sooner. I didn't mean for this to happen like it did....” Crystal began. “Don't.” Slate states flatly cutting her off. “We know you didn't mean for this to happen, we were there when he did it. You saved more lives than we lost in that fight. If you hadn't changed, none of us would have gotten out of there alive. You used a distraction to take advantage of the beasts weakness and crippled him long enough for Hammer to finish the job. There is no fault in this of yours. We also know what happened to Ginger. I am sorry to hear about that, but it was a noble sacrifice. Many will live who otherwise wouldn't have because of her actions. Not terribly different from what you did, although you fortunately survived.” “Besides. He left us a note.” Ghost Dancer mutters. “ The jackass.” “What?” Crystal asks. “It was part of his will. Not like he had anything to give any one, granted his wife's horde was included. Mobius knew he was going to die when he faced Scorpan. He knew about it well before the fact it seems. His death was part of what he was told by Dublin a month ago. I was told to create the three of you and he was told that he would survive long enough in the battle to pass his power onto you.” Starswirl explains. “He was told Finnah was going to die as well and he did his best to stop her from going. I recall a number of arguments between the two about it while we were preparing. I cannot recall the pair of them ever arguing.” “Of course mom refused. Repeatedly. So he gave up and tried to make their last few weeks the best he could.” Slate adds. “ I should have noticed something when he spent so much time with me while I was training. I shouldn't have blown him off to prepare.” “He knew then why didn't he do something about it, why did he go at all?” Crystal asks. “Dad was a big believer in fate and what the Dragon flies could predict. He claimed it was how he found mom, founded this village, and saved a number of ponies in the past. Dublin has been a friend of his as long as I can recall.”Ghost Dancer answers. “That dragonfly has been around since as long as I can recall.” Starswirl snorts. “ There are tales matching his description from before even I ascended. Makes one wonder how long they really can live some times.” “I was told that they could see a bit into the future before. Does that mean history yet to come is already set in stone?” Crystal asks.” Not sure I like the idea that what I choose to do was already predetermined.” “Yes and no. Mobius was more interested in this than I am, but I did study it before I got bored with the lack of results.” Starswirl ponders “The future is not set in stone, but certain events in history both past and future , MUST happen. They may deviate a little here or there, but the end result is the same. For example if a foal had the choice of helping their mother in the kitchen or helping their father in the field. It may be required that the foal be out in the field, a sibling might become ill and have to stay inside to help their mother or their father might need extra help with something. All the actions that would result in the foal going out into the field to see some magic in the sky that gains them their cutiemark, something that would not have happened had they remained indoors. Granted even this is not unavoidable, ponies with enough power or force of will might very well change the very course of reality and carve out their own future as a parallel world to ours. There are set points in time, but ponies assume it's a strict progression of cause and effect, but actually from a non-linar, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more of a big ball of wibbly wobbly...timey whimey..... stuff.” “Timey whimey?” All of them ask staring at the bearded alicorn, who hunches down in his over sized scarf a bit more wishing he had a hat to pull over his face. “Oh shush, there's not a better description for it time is complicated, some one from the future might show up and tell you what happens and it only happens because they told you it did. What has and has not yet happened has already happened ,yet at the same time it has not, and can and cannot be changed at the same time. Big events have to happen, one way or another, smaller ones might be changed completely, but they still happen in some how.” Starswirl grumbles. ”You can divert the course of a trickle of water easily enough but the bigger it gets the harder it is to change.” Slate points out getting a look from Ghost Dancer. “ What? I listened when dad talked.” “In any event and I hate to put it like this, but we have more important things to do than have a intelligent discussion on this. “Starswirl interrupts. “Question for you both, how close are you to Hammer, Storm Front, Cloud Dust, and Crystal?” “Most I talked to Storm Front was about the training book I wrote. He was friendly enough. Helped me add a few things about Griffon training into the mix. I've already talked to you and dad about Crystal, I still find it odd.” Ghost Dancer responds. “And you have to ask about Cloud and Hammer? Cloud wants me to help plan the wedding.” “Yeah I don't see that happening unless Hammer can stop being terrified he'll hurt her.” Slate mutters. “ I like Cloud Dust well enough and Hammer and I have been friends since he showed up here. I'm leery of Storm Front, but he has done what he can to help for no other reason than it's the right thing to do. I can respect that. As for Crystal I like her well enough....” Crystal felt her heart skip a little at that as she fought to keep her face from turning red, though her whole body turned white briefly in response. Slate blinks at that though ignores it other wise, though Ghost gets a small grin and seems to put on a scheming face. “Like the others she's proven her skill and we would all be dead without her aid.” Slate finishes. “I see.” Starswirl mutters narrowing his eyes at the pair of them. Slate blinks returning the stare. “This is about them isn't it? You really think it's the six of us?” “So far that is what I'm feeling. Tirek is still out there and we cannot use the same tactics as we did for Scorpan. So if possible we will be using plan B.” “Really? I know we're friendly, but is it enough?” Ghost Dancer asks. “I don't know, I can only tell there is a connection, not the strength of it. Granted I can only feel it primarily from Crystal and I can tell she has a connection to you two. Particularly you Slate.“Starswirl adds not noticing Crystal turn silver this time trying to hide the blush, though Ghost noticed that as well. “Okay shut up now, about that. Mind telling me what's going on if you are talking about me?” Crystal snorts fanning her wings in annoyance, managing to flap herself off the chair with a crash. “Sonofa crap that's gonna take some getting used to.” ========================================== “He's a warrior, I can respect that, his sister is quite brilliant as well with what she is writing. That will be of great use to future generations, I admire that.” Storm Front comments his head feathers fluffed up a bit as he keeps glancing between Crystal and Starswirl, answering the latters questions about Slate and Ghost, his curiosity at the line of questioning peaked. Crystal shifts uncomfortably every time the griffon's attentions turn to her. The spicy taste from before was nearly overpowering with every glance. It didn't take some one who fed on emotions to realize that was pure lust. The emotion was filling, but Crystal didn't think she could stand it for long, nor did she think the energy from it would last as long as other emotions. “And Hammer and Cloud Dust?” Starswirl muses. “The former is a skilled warrior and smith. I would have liked to see him on the field when Scorpan was defeated. As for Cloud Dust... I can tolerate her, her antics can be amusing, but also can wear rather quickly. Still she has on more than one occasion attempted to negotiate some sort of treaty with the Griffons. She was rebuked by the majority, but that she is stubborn and brave enough to keep trying speaks volumes for her character. She is also head or was of the only Harpy roost that the Griffons tolerated on their lands.” “And Crystal?” “That is not a talk for polite conversation.” Storm Front admits with a small smirk and another glance towards the mare. “Told you.” Crystal mutters to Starswirl who rolled his eyes. ================================================== “Hammer like little pony. Though she is slightly bigger pony now. Greenwich choose her that was more than enough for Hammer. Yet still she manages to impress Hammer by nearly killing monster even after so many others fail.” Hammer states. “ She and Slate will make fine foals.” Crystal blushes gold at the matter of fact tone Hammer shows. Starswirl rolls his eyes again, this whole venture giving them a work out. Could Dust just giggles and continues to try and braid Starswirl's beard without him noticing. Hammer and Crystal had both noticed and both were trying to keep Starswirl distracted with questions or slow comments the moment that he even slightly started to look down. “Yes well we know your connection to both Slate and Ghost, as well as Dust, what do you think of Storm Front.” “Hammer has not had any real contact with him. Hammer thinks he is brave enough and has seen his plans and fighting well enough in training. Hammer also know he wished to go fight and you stopped him. He does not mind Cloud Dust so Hammer has no issue with him.” Hammer states simply. “Right then, Cloud Dust... STOP THAT!” Starswirl snaps yanking his partially braided beard away pulling out a multitude of bows that the Harpy had some how put in it. The group laughs lightly at that much to Starswirl's annoyance. “Bah, Dust same questions. What do you think about Crystal?” “I like her.” “Storm Front?” “I like him.” “Slate? “I like him?” “Ghost Dancer?” “I like her.” “Hammer?” “I really like him.” Starswirl sighs rubbing his forehead blinking as he noticed that the Harpy had some how braided his mane as well. “She is a quick one.” Crystal chuckles. “Cloud Dust could you elaborate a bit more than that?” Starswirl grumbles. The harpy points a wing at the bandaged minotaur. “I really, REALLY like him.” Cloud Dust whispers. =============================================== [Three days later.] Crystal sighs rubbing the base of her horn with a hoof trying to alleviate the headache she had. Below her were the rolling plains that early explorers had called the 'Unicorn Range'. Ensuring here was no doubt as to which tribe had discovered it first. A weight on her back drew a small smirk from her, she didn't need to look to know it was Cloud Dust. “How is he?” Crystal asks. “Cranky. Hammer claims he's not used to walking this far, but he's still just hurting. What about you? You've barely said any thing since Swirly sent us south.” Cloud Dust comments. “Too much is happened for me to really feel anything myself.” Crystal sighs slowly sitting up and gazing south at the massive expanse of forest they were to enter. “ I saw a god and a dragon die, I became a god myself, and lost my first non unicorn friend........” “And then everything else you knew when Unicornia fell.” Cloud Dust finishes. “I can't say I know any of the first parts aside from missing Ginger, but I know the last far too well.” “Grey Gem?” “Yes. The only Harpy settlement to have any sort of peace with the Griffons.” Dust sighs. “That's gonna set Harpy Griffon relations back centuries too. Both races are far too territorial for our own good and we both like the same sort of places to roost. Makes it hard to look on the bright side of life when everyone you know is dead.” “Yet you still do.” Crystal smiles a expression mirrored by the fox faced harpy. “Of course. Some one has to. You're all so mopey, that won't do at all. I mean sure 'you' can be motivated and cheered up by looking at Slate's flank, just as Storm Front can be cheered up by looking at yours but not all of us are interested in equines.” Crystal snorts. “No you just have to look at hammers butt and you're chipper again.” “Look at? Oh heck no, I grab that thing, like two furry steel bread loaves those are, but just squishy enough for a good grip.” “I didn't need that much information Dust.” Crystal shakes her head. “You think this will work?” “The Elements of Harmony?” Dust ponders. “Swirly did say he could feel a connection between us all. And he did spend a great deal of his power teleporting us down this way yesterday so we could find these Elk. I expect we'll know more once we get there. The only thing that worries me is that Swirly is gonna direct Tirek towards us as well.” “If Starswirl is correct we will need Tirek here so we can use the Elements of Harmony on him. Starswirl considered it may be the only way to save the ones Tirek has under his spell.” Slate adds in trotting up the hill to stand next to Crystal as he looked out over the forest. “Killing him is a last resort, we have lost far too many already.” “There is a back up plan that we have implemented and it unnerves me.” Crystal admits. “You mean that green goop you spit up while you were knocked out?” Cloud Dust asks. “Err yes. Starswirl said that the 'goop' has the same properties as the stuff he soaked us in, though the process of it wouldn't take nearly as long using what I can produce.” Crystal mutters.”He had started treating the comatose ponies before we left as sort of a buffer in case Tirek needed to be killed.” “Does that have anything to do with your screaming fit a few hours ago?” Slate asks. “ What made us camp early and why you've been avoiding everyone since?” “........ yes though given as you and Dust are here , I'm not avoiding any one. At least a dozen ponies have been changed into what I am. I can hear them too, and if I focus, I can see what they do, hear what they hear and order them to do things, even this far away. They are not truly awake though. I can access their memories and see what sort of ponies they were , but there is nothing in them that makes them what they were. No spark of life or emotion.” “Suddenly getting the memories of a dozen ponies dumped in your head. Yeah I'd be screaming too.” Cloud Dust admits.” So you can hear them? Sorta a hive mind? Neat.” “You can make others like you then. “Slate nods running a hoof along the ruby wine colored beard he sported. Dust pouted claiming the half dragon only kept it short so she couldn't get to it with bows. “Useful in terms of military strength. I doubt the ponies who have changed will be happy to have their memories known by others.” “Probably not, but they will be alive and if they do not like how they look they can change themselves to something else. “ “They changed in only two days though.... That's rather frighting.” Slate adds. Crystal blinks noting the brief sliver of that strange grape flavor coming from Slate. She had an idea of what it was now, but she still wasn't sure. “Not becoming afraid of me are you?” Crystal asks closing her eyes as the emotion vanished, replaced by another lemony one she had come to associate as relief, or worry. “No, I am worried however. Everything you can do has the potential for great disaster if used improperly.” “Well then you all just need to keep me grounded then. Make sure I don't do anything like that.” Crystal smirks. “ Especially you.” she mutters the last, though Cloud Dust titters, clearly having heard it. “Not sure there is much I can do against a god.” Slate states.”The same can be said of Starswirl. Some of his studies I find very questionable.” “Hmm... Cloud Dust go check up on Hammer for me would you?” Crystal comments sitting down atop the grassy hill. Starswirl would be mad about this , but she wanted Slate to trust her. “Oooh want some time alone? Oooh I get it I get it, off I go, Don't do anything I wouldn't do.... and there's not much I wouldn't do... swim maybe, I sink like a rock.” Dust yammers fluttering off back towards the camp at the base of the hill. Crystal glances back at the harpy as she flutters off before looking at Slate. “ You still have the sword Hammer made correct?” “Yes despite what Starswirl wants I still have all of the armor and weapons Hammer made stored away. I can't keep them in the forge or the armory due to the way the metal warps magic around it. Why? Don't tell me you wish me to destroy them as well?” “No. There's a reason he wants those items destroyed. I want the opposite. I want them saved. If I ever get out of hoof, or Starswirl does or my Changelings do, use that against us. The metal screws with my abilities and I'm sure it will with the Changelings. Starswirl has already said it's likely that the metal can be used to kill gods.” “That explains much.” Slate ponders looking out over the forest before them. Crystal shivers a little at the rather dashing pose the half dragon made like that and had to fight to keep herself from changing colors in embarrassment, though one of the drones far away suddenly turned a bright lobster red. “Though this seems like something you should keep to yourself. Why tell me?” “Because I trust you not to use it against me without a cause. You don't seem to like the amount of power I've displayed and it worries you. I'm giving you a counter for us if you ever need one. I would also suggest you and Hammer keep looking for more of that ore. It worked well enough against Scorpan in the end.” Crystal comments. “And against my father.” Slate growls as Crystal flinches. “That too. At least we know it works against gods.” “Indeed.” =========================================================== Tirek frowns, looking at the creature splattered on the ground before him. He reaches down picking up the shatter remains of a mostly intact limb , noting the black carapace and holes near the hoof. He had no idea what it was supposed to be. It looked like a bug of some kind but the size and shape of a pony. It bled green and was surprisingly fast and agile. He had been swarmed by nearly a dozen of the creatures earlier in the day and had been harassed by them his entire time in this little forest. He had been trying to save his magic for the confrontation in the north with the pony gods, but finally lost his cool with trying to swat the bother some creatures when one of them managed to stab his eye. The wound healed almost as soon as it was made, though he lashed out with magic instantly. He had injured several though only killed this one, the others fled back into the forest. The rest some how managed to vanish from his magical senses as quickly as they appeared. He wanted to destroy them all , but to use that much magic to destroy a forest of this size would drain him more than he liked, there were pony gods that needed killing. Then again. Maybe these things were what had killed Scorpan? He wasn't sure how. He didn't feel any different from their attacks save his anger had cooled a little, likely by the strangeness of the new creatures more than anything else. His head snapped up hearing a rustle in the bushes and he caught a glimpse of a brown creature with a white tail and odd horns, bounding off into the brush away from him. His stolen memories identified the creature, as well as where it was from. An Elk? This far north? Was it responsible for the bug things? Was there was a connection here to his brothers death? Perhaps this was not the work of rumored Pony gods but something else. The great beast pondered briefly wondering what was going on. His brother was attacked and killed and now he was attacked randomly as well. It could be a diversion, but at the same time it seemed to him more like they were testing his strength. Had his anger not been eased he would have likely raged right into a trap, one that might be more than he could handle if it was the same that killed Scorpan. Perhaps a little back tracking was in order. He could find and torture some elk for information. The cutiemarkless beasts were barely worth his time, but now. Now he wanted to know why one was here at the edge of the pony lands and this close to the former unicorn capitol as well as what their connection to the bug things was. =================================================== “The scouts have reported Tirek is going south again sir.” one of the strange bug ponies mono-toned to Starswirl. The alicorn offered a small grin that his plan had worked. He wasn't fond of the idea that if the others failed he had targeted the Elk for Tirek, but it was a risk that had to be taken. Moonshine had known the risks when he agreed to watch over the Element's of Harmony so many years ago. Starswirl smirked in remembering his friend. The elk had died a long long time ago, but it was hard to forget a friend so Generous that he was able to wield a Element of Harmony. The Elements had been in Whitetail Woods since that time, a location that kept Cocotte from gaining access to them when she turned on the rest. Starswirl frowns remembering how all that turned out in the end. He still felt bad that Greenway's Loyalty to them all had been what cost the poor Diamond Dog his life. He had not been willing to believe that Cocotte could be responsible for what was going on at the time. Who would have expected the former bearer of Compassion to attempt such dark harmful magics? She had pulled the wool over all their eyes. Endwise the Yak and Baker the Earth Pony had found the same end from the pegicorn mare. Laughter and Honesty fallen to a former friend just as Loyalty had.. By the time Starswirl had gone to deal with her, she had vanished without a trace leaving only a new race of mismatched creatures in her wake that called themselves Draconequus. Shortly afterward Mobius and a alicorn calling himself the Third showed up and offered Starswirl godhood. He still wasn't sure why he accepted. He hand nothing to live for with all his friends dead and his former lover missing. He supposed he simply agreed to have time to figure out the Draconequus and how they were created, along with what had happened to Cocotte. Still he was certain he would screw up and they would take the godhood away before long. “Nice to see I wasn't the only one worried about becoming a god.” Crystal states wandering into his daydream of his memories.”This explains why you are so focused on your experiments and not your relationships with others.” “Crystal” Starswirl growls.”It's rude to step into others dreams without permission! I know I said that!” “I had permission, you told me to check in after the Changelings finished diverting Tirek.” Crystal grumbles. “So I am. It's not my fault you were day dreaming about something you didn't care to share.” “By the stars what happened to the quiet respectful mare I rescued from death?” Starswirl grumbles. “She lost some friends, fought in a war, killed a god slayer, became a god, had her home town and family wiped off the map, and was then sent off with the few friends she had left to recover artifacts that might work all while having another god slayer sent after her and her friends as if it was already guaranteed to work, which it is not. Let's not forget I'm the progenitor of a new race now and have the collective minds of the lot of them bouncing around in my head.” Crystal grumbles. “Tirek is in motion to where we are going, if we are not actually accepted by the Elements of Harmony we are all going to die, Starswirl. Tirek cannot drain any of us so he is going to start with the killing instead of trying to capture. So excuse me if I'm a little snappy with all that's happened in a month and with my life on the line, AGAIN.” “Here I thought I was the one who was supposed to be angry having lost my companion of longer than some mountain ranges have been around. Excuse me if I request a little respect for my position, my age, and everything I've been through in my life from some one who owes me their life.” “Oh I respect you, like Ghost respects her brother.” Crystal growls. “What? Ghost thinks Slate is a idiot.......... oh clever girl.”Starswirl glares at the image of the dark mare. “Thank you.. 'brother'...” Crystal grins. “ And don't write off my age Starswirl. I might be young, but I've got a collective of nearly three thousand years worth of memories from the ponies you converted to Changelings. I recall things from their foal hood with perfect clarity that even they forgot. I know how to bake , kung fu, and the proper stitches to put in a wedding gown versus the grooms suit. A few of them knew of you and their opinions are not high, you're an angry wanna be hermit. Now is there anything else you want to add? We're about to head into the forest.” “No. That should be it. I'll know if you get the Elements. “ Starswirl notes a small smirk crossing his muzzle. “I never expected you to be this annoyingly head strong and sarcastic. I think Mobius chose the wrong mare.” “That we agree on.” Crystal replies stepping out of the dream. =================================================== The Elk had met and surrounded the six of them the moment they set hoof in the woods. Crystal found that one of her Changelings could understand the language, and an adjustment of her own vocal cords allowed Crystal to speak with them as well. The Elk were of course wary of them, though at the mention of Mobius and the Element's of Harmony they were escorted to the village to meet the Elder by the name of Redwall. Redwall barely said anything and simply listened to the quick recount of all that had happened. After a time the old doe rose and hobbled along a path behind her tree Speaking with a few of the Elk along the path sending them bounding off into the forest and becoming the six to follow her. After a short walk, that took a bit longer due to keeping up with the old doe's hobbling pace, the group of them arrived at a clearing within the roots of a great oak tree. In the shade of the old oak grew a marvelous sight. In the middle of the clearing a crystalline tree rose from the soft grass between the larger tree's roots. The nearly pure white structure rose from the forest floor with crystal roots outstretched into the ground. The trunk was as big around as Hammer though five branches radiated of a central point of the trunk like an open fan. Sunlight that filtered through the oak's branches occasionally struck the crystalline tree sending rivulets of prismatic light dancing across the clearing as the breeze shifted the leaves in the tree above it making the whole tree seem to pulse and dance with light. The branches of the crystal structure all bore odd lumps evenly spaced apart on all the branches with another one in the middle of the tree where the branches spread from the trunk. Two of the lumps were dim as if there was something missing from them. The central one was dark as well, though the other three flickered with their own life and energy. Each of the marks had a strange glyph or shape seemingly growing out of it. Crystal and the others recognized the central mark as matching the odd swirl of Starswirl's cutiemark. The others were unrecognizable however. Redwall hobbles up to the tree patting it on the side, the crystalline tree hums softly at the doe's touch. [“ This is the Tree of Harmony. It has rested in this grove since before the time of my fathers, fathers, father, and so on. The Elk guard this place and keep it hidden. It has been passed down that the alicorns Mobius or Starswirl would eventually send some one here one day to reclaim what slumbers here.”] Redwall explains, giving pause to allow Crystal to translate to the others. [“ The tree will decide if you are worthy of wielding what it holds. Be warned however, in my great grandfathers time three of the lights went dim. No one knows why, but nothing has changed since then, I do not know if it was something that was supposed to happen, or something that will cause you issue in your quest. I cannot be of any other aid as I know not what to do. In any case I will leave you to it. I have an evacuation to the lower caverns to start. If this Tirek comes here, you will be on your own. My first task is the safety of the Elk first and agreements my ancestors made far down the list.”] [“Thank you for even this much.”] Crystal bows a little, something mimicked by the others. [“Good luck young ones.”] Redwall nods before hobbling off leaving them alone in the clearing. “So what now? “Storm Front asks walking up to the tree, looking it over. The others move closer as well pacing around the tree, examining it from all angles. “Hammer thinks perhaps we should try and pick the odd things? Maybe like a fruit?” Hammer ponders looking at the odd spots on the branches with symbols.” Though they seem in the branches not like any real fruit....” “Oh I got it!” Cloud Dust states flying off Hammer's shoulder and grabbing at one of the odd bulges with her claw. Hammer shouts out, making a grab at her and both of them touch the tree and vanish. The Minotaur's massive ax falling to the ground with a thud. The other four leap back away from the tree in a panic. “What the heck just happened?” Ghost Dancer yells. “They vanished? Or were they disintegrated?” Crystal hisses. Storm Front stares at the tree curiously moving back closer to it. ”That was no disintegration spell. Nor was it any sort of teleport, The electrical energy around the tree just went up a little though.. Crystal can you find them by their dreams?” Crystal pauses, closing her eyes though she opens them a moment later. “No, but I can sense them. I just can't pop into their day dreams. It doesn't feel like they are focused or asleep, it feels more like I am being blocked by something.” Crystal mummers. “This might be the test?” Slate considers. “It did nothing when Redwall touched it.” “She wasn't being tested.” Ghost Dancer responds. “That is my belief. I doubt the Elk were lying. “ Storm Front nods scratching the underside of his beak with a talon. “I expect we are all supposed to touch it and deal with the test proper.” “Well it beats standing around here waiting for Tirek to show up.” Ghost grumbles moving closer along with the others. “Let's do this then.” Crystal states as the four of them reach up and touch the tree. ============================================================== Crystal's eyes snap open to view nothing. No that wasn't quite right, looking around she was on a field of black with nothing around her. She could see her own legs and form if she looked back. Her body had a soft green glow around it. The glow didn't come from her , but rather it seemed to be a light that remained behind her lighting up her silhouette no matter how she looked at herself. “ Ah there you are Chrysalis.. or is it still Crystal? We have been expecting you for some time, or would we have been expecting you for no time at all? Does waiting backwards count? Well in my case I've been curious about this point in time for a while when I was still alive so I guess I have been waiting. I never did hear the story myself first hoof.” comments a calm female voice. Crystal turns back from looking at herself and was greeted by the sight of a lavender unicorn mare with dark purple hair sporting a strip of mauve in it. The mare had a cutie mark of a six pointed star surrounded by a number of other small stars making the total count of points on her mark forty two. Crystal found the mare odd as she could feel no emotion from her. “Who are you?”Crystal asks. “ The Guardian of the Element's of Harmony?” “Me? Well, I've been called that by some, but no. I'm just a pony who has used the Element of Magic on several occasions over the course of my life. More than any one else here I think, but that's it. Seems I am some what of a legend in some of their eyes. Well the ones that came after me any way. Okay so then we have a bit of a issue, she's not responding to any of us. I don't recall this ever happening, but since you're here at this point in time, that must mean you fix it, otherwise nothing that hasn't happened yet will. Granted I'm still here so clearly it happened. Or will.” “Err that doesn't tell me who you are. And what do you mean we? Also fix what?” Crystal snorts looking down at the mare. “Oh right sorry I got a bit ahead of myself. My name is ….. hmm that 'could' cause problems given I'm from the future, just call me Sparkle. Was so used to that being the only part of my name ponies said while I was Princess any way.” Crystal blinks trying to take all of this in. “As for the we.... well..... “ Sparkle begins. The darkness around Crystal suddenly ignites up with unfathomable points of light all shining a differing coloration's and filling the darkness like the stars in the night sky. There were a number of alicorns, countless ponies and other creatures including a few that Crystal couldn't even understand what they were or if they were even creatures at all. She swore one of them looked like a tree and another a boulder. Like the purple mare she felt no emotions from any of them. The closest ones to her were a white earth pony mare with a pink mane and tail, whose cutie mark was a burning tree. If looks could kill Crystal would likely be dead. Crystal didn't need to be able to feel the mares emotions to recognize anger and hatred. Next to her was a platinum blue maned pegasus with some odd twin bladed sword on her grayish blue flank that was curved into a crescent. She had a soft smile, and green eyes that danced with untold mischief. Hiding behind the pegasus mare's legs was a small zebra filly with a red stripes and a short crystal horn. The filly couldn't have been more than six at best and she clung to the pegasus like the mare was her mother. Next to them was a familiar looking dark green pegasus and a long bearded gray unicorn. “Mobius? Starswirl? What what is going on here? What are you doing here?” Crystal stammers looking at Mobius. “You died....” “Well I'm still alive at this point in time I hope.” Starswirl mutters. “I don't recall dying against Tirek, as I recall I died in bed surrounded by my foals and grand foals.” “Some mare finally couldn't resist the beard and wouldn't take no for an answer hmm?” Mobius chuckles. “Stuff it you.” “Let me make this as clear as I can. All of us were bearers of the Element of Magic. All the points of light behind us and around you were all Bearers that came before and after you throughout all time since their creation and what lies beyond the end of everything. All of us here have lived our lives and died, how you see us now is how we were when we first wielded the Element of Magic. Our actual selves have gone on to our afterlife, but these echos exist here within the Element itself due simply to how much of ourselves we put into the Element's use. Until you arrived, the you that was from when you first used the Element was here as well. Of course we only have the knowledge we had when we used the element's last so having used it the most I have the greatest store of history and knowledge of the past.... also I get bored easily and try to learn everything from the ones who came after me.” Sparkle rambles. The group that is closest to you the six of us are the ones who wielded Magic the closest to your time with the Element. The exception to this is the one before Mobius and after you that gave into darkness.” “Gave in and were not redeemed.” The pegasus mare states. “Some of us fell, but fought to bring our selves back to the light. Remember that, and that we said you were here before you arrived.” “So why am I here? What am I supposed to fix?” Crystal asks. “Bonnie. Or Harmony, or what ever you want to call her.” Mobius sighs, pointing with a wing to a spot behind Crystal. Crystal looks back blinking at a spot of darkness in the otherwise illuminated night sky surrounding her. In the middle of the darkness a form lay huddled, a small black alicorn, her wings wrapped around herself quietly sobbing. “Who's that?” Crystal questions. “As I said that's Bonnie. Currently two of her friends have vanished and she is having a hard time dealing with it. She's a bit of a emotional wreck right now. Until she's at least functioning the Element's cannot be used at all.” Sparkle states. Mobius and Starswirl glare at her though she waves them off. “ Logic and my history point to you being the one to snap her out of this. None of us have had any success with it, so go do your thing.” “You shouldn't tell her everything Sparkle.” Mobius grumbles. “That sort of information could cause problems. Self fulfilling prophecy and all that.” “AJ told me what I tell her. This part might not have happened yet for you, but it's already the far past for me. I have a few things to tell her before I'm done, because I already did tell her.” “Timey whimy stuff.” Starswirl chuckles as Mobius rolls his eyes. “Where are the others that touched the tree?” Crystal asks. “Right now all your friends, with the exception of Slate Quake and Ghost Dancer, are talking to the Elements of Harmony that correspond to their Elements, much like you are with us......... wait who's taken over for Loyalty?” Sparkle questions. “You need to ask?” the pegasus mare chuckles, resulting in Sparkle slapping her own face with her hoof. “Was there no one else but Kaisur?” Sparkle groans. “Well do you really think your bearer would have worked? She likely would have challenged him to a race to prove his worth.” The dark pegasus mare chuckles. “My Bearer of Kindness is also speaking with Ghost Dancer. Yours was terrified of her because she was a half dragon.” “Do not worry Sparkle, mine are keeping tabs on my sister's Bearers..... both sets of her bearers. I do not trust Imbrium with Rarity.” the white earth pony states getting another chuckle from the pegasus. “But that Minotaur would look so pretty. “ the pegasus chuckles. Thank you Tia......and she's already gone... oh this should be good. I've always wondered how she snapped Bonnie out of her fugue state.” Sparkle smiles watching Crystal storm over to the balled up alicorn. A resounding slap echos through the air as Crystal smacks the crap out of Bonnie with a hoof leaving the entire collection of Bearer's of Magic with their jaws dropped. A second slap sounds and is followed by a great deal of yelling. “Did we forget to tell her who Bonnie was?” the white mare asks. “Intentionally I would assume.” Starswirl sighs. “Keep in mind I had to put up with her for the next several thousands of years. This is pretty much how Crystal works. For what she is and what she became she rather dislikes subtlety and tact.” ============================================= Crystal looks down at the mare with the shocked look on her face. Honestly Crystal should have been the one shocked, slapping this mare felt like belting a stone wall. Chrysalis curses lightly shaking her hoof trying to get some feeling back into it as she grabs the mare with her magic yanking her up to her hooves. “Listen here, I don't care who or what you are, but if you need to snap out of this for the Element's to work in taking out Tirek then so help me I will keep hitting you until you do.” Crystal grumbles. “I'm not usually this pissy, but we are running out of time. I've had a really bad week and I've got the memories of some earth pony named Dan in my head, wanting me to swear revenge on everything, so I am NOT in a good mood. Now what is your issue!?” “They're gone...” Bonnie mutters. “Who's gone?” Crystal demands. “Troph.... Grace.... I can't hear them any more, they were pulled away by something Zachle and what he made before..... I... I can't ….The five of them are all I have and now...... now two are gone..” “Pulled away? They're dead?” Crystal blinks, her voice softening a bit. “Zachle can't kill them, just as we can't kill him but....” Bonnie's whine was cut off by another smack to the face by a hoof, a curse from Crystal and a collective wince from the other gathered Magic Bearers. “THEY'RE LOST AND NOT DEAD? For bucks sake mare I've had my friends DIE in front of me or around me and I couldn't do a damn thing. My whole family was wiped out when that son of a bitch, no offense...” Crystal comments to a Bearer of magic nearby who was a Diamond Dog. The dog shrugs and Crystal continues. “When that son of a bitch destroyed Unicornia. Beardy mac log up his ass over there said that likely half the population of Equss has been killed. Entire races have been wiped out in barely a month. Civilization is crumbling, Tirek is coming here and will kill me and the last few friends I have left, unless we get the Element's of Harmony working. That one over there told me I need to snap you out of this so that that can happen. So do forgive me if I put trying to save EVERYTHING above your two MISSING and NOT DEAD friends!” Crystal rants shouting in the other alicorn mares face. “If I have to keep slapping the crap out of you to get this thing to work to protect the only ones I have left I've got four legs and I'm more than content to keep going!” “Beardy mac log up his ass?” Starswirl snorts trying to ignore Mobius's cackling form rolling on the ground next to him. “Crystal that's enough. You have her attention, now maybe she'll listen. “ Sparkle trots over lifting a hoof up to stop the Changeling mare from striking at the other alicorn. “Harmony the monster plaguing the world now was created by an ally of your brother. Ponies and others that you all swore to protect are suffering and dying because of this monster. Do you really think that Troph and Grace, Loyalty and Compassion, would want you to sulk needlessly when you could be helping protect those who cannot do it for themselves? I promise you, you will meet them again.” “Or is your friendship with them so weak that you don't trust them enough to be on their own for a bit?” Crystal snaps getting a glare from Sparkle. “ Not everything needs to revolve around just what you and they do together.” “I...... you are right....... even without them the Elements still function, but.....” The alicorn lifts her head as if seeing the gathered horde of Magic Bearer's for the first time. “ You all should not be here.....” “When the guardian of life, death, and magic goes missing a number of bad things happen.” Sparkle comments with a smirk. “ You have a lot to clean up before I talk to you again, and even more to do before I talk to you for the last time.” “Time should not be this disjointed, all of you should not be here at this time, even in this place. Some of you are new souls, you should not even exist yet... How?” Bonnie blinks looking around. “I called in a favor I was owed and we figured out how to get everyone here. Seems it's much easier to move through time in the starry void than in real space.” “Who would be able to do that?” Crystal asks. “Exactly. Twelve of him to be exact, I couldn't get the current one though, he isn't dead yet.” Starswirl smirks and Bonnie blinks nodding lightly as Crystal simply looks confused. “I need you all to go back then, echos or no you should not be here all at once.” Bonnie states, then looks at Crystal. “ And then I need to help this mare it seems.” “It's covered but I need to talk to her for a moment first while everyone else goes back.” Sparkle comments. “Spoilers Sparkle!” Mobius shouts. “She already did this and this meeting is the only way she could have known to do it.” Sparkle yells back. “Umm okay.” Crystal mutters looking down at the lavender unicorn. “Crystal, there will come a time in your life when you are at your lowest, you will have been betrayed by one you trust and everything you love will seem to vanish in front of you. When that time comes, at the moment of your defeat you need to pass along the power of a god that you got from Mobius.” “That is not very reassuring, or clear.” “It's not supposed to be..... though I have to admit being cryptic like this is rather fun. I'm not even sure if you will remember everything I'm saying. I suppose not, but you need to remember this. When you finally fall, you will see that mare over there.” Sparkle points to the white earth pony mare that had been called Tia. “ She is the one who needs to inherent the power, she will eventually exact the revenge on your betrayer that you could not. But to do this she needs to be passed the power you have.” “You are not making me look forward to my future Sparkle.” Crystal grumbles. “You have over fifteen thousand years ahead of you Crystal before that happens. Plenty of time to do what you want and be happy. Now then I think the others are done as well. You have a world to save right?” Sparkle chuckles. “Oh and if you happen remember me next time we meet, know I won't remember you and it's best not to bring it up until the last time we meet.” “This time stuff is annoying.” Crystal grumbles. “It can be, though it can be fun too. Good luck.” Sparkle chuckles. ========================================================= Crystal blinks as her eyes adjust to the sudden light . She was standing back before the Tree of harmony, though the glowing crystal tree was dulled now. Her gaze shifted around hearing some muffled grumbles and low voice chiding some one. Glancing to either side of her she smiled softly seeing Storm Front and Slate to her left and Ghost, Dust, and Hammer to her right, the latter fussing softly at the Harpy who at least had the decency to look a bit embarrassed. “I do not wish to go through that again.” Slate mutters shuddering. “Those ponies were insane. One kept wanting race me and the other just kept yelling at me like he was a mentally unstable trainer of soldiers.” “I had a picnic with the ones I met, then we spent the rest of the time playing pranks on each other.” Cloud Dust giggles.” The pink one and the weird looking guy were really good at that. Though the big griffon was really, REALLY good.” “One of Hammer's kept trying to give Hammer advice on picking up mares while the other offered Hammer clothing advice.....” Hammer rumbles scratching his head with his hand. “ The big sea pony just flirted with Hammer and the quiet one with the moon on her rear kept helping the others in what they were doing.” “At least you had some of them talk to you. I spent the whole time talking to a zebra mare who rhymed everything, and a dark blue pegasus mare who spent the whole time trying to get some pink and yellow pegasus to stop hiding behind her. Soon as I showed up the pegasus screamed and hid behind the others.” Ghost Dancer sighs. “The ones I met all looked as if they wished to kill me for some reason. When I questioned why they all told me they were not allowed to say. “ Storm Front snorts. “The Diamond Dog that was supposed to be the guardian however simply looked at me like he was disappointed in me.... it was very disturbing.” “Don't let it bother you Storm Front. I expect you are not the only one who is going to to have issues in the future. There's little sense on dwelling on that now.” Crystal explains lifting her right leg up and looking down at the ornate gold bracelet that covered her limb from her hoof up to her second joint. A single green gem shaped like the gem of her cutiemark glowed in the center of it. “It seems no matter what the future holds we were accepted.” The others look down as well. The half dragons bracelets were the same as Crystal's though they were silver. Slate's had what looked to be a simple blue rock in the center of it as the gem. Ghost's had a pair of hearts with wings in a soft pink. Storm Front's was a copper coloration and some what less ornate than the others. It ran from his wrist joint to elbow. A yellow lightning bolt was the gem centerpiece. Cloud Dust's bracer was on her rear leg as it would have caused issue with her wings if it was on any other limb. Her's seemed to be made of wood with a ornate spirals and carvings like the others though crystal was certain that she spotted laughing faces in the pattern on the bracer. The gem was a purple that matched Hammer's fur and seemed to be a banana at first until one looked close to see it was a Cheshire like grin. Hammer's bracer covered from his wrist to his elbow and seemed to be made of a black stone. There was a small white gem in it that was in the shape of a feather. The big Minotaur seemed some what embarrassed by this, particularly with the harpy clinging to him. “Well now that we all have something pretty. How do they work?” Ghost Dancer asks. The crash of a tree behind them caused them all to whirl, Hammer and Slate snatching up their weapons from where they fell. A towering red and black form that seemed to be a Minotaur's upper body fused onto a ponies body were it's head should be, stormed into the clearing giving the tree and those gathered the once over. “What an odd little group. Two dragon cross breeds, a Minotaur, a Harpy, a Griffon god … and what ever you are. “ Tirek snorts looking at Crystal. “I suppose you are responsible for those bother some gnats earlier. Seems this was not a wild goose chase after all.” “Tirek.” Crystal hisses as the others start to spread out to flank the great beast. Something he seemed unconcerned with. “You know who I am clearly, something I am a bit proud of I must say. I do recognize the others. Storm Front, a few ponies I claimed from your former aerie say hello, or they would..... Ghost Dancer,The traders to that small little town of yours seemed rather obsessed with you. I suppose I can see why. Slate Quake, the same traders were rather fearful of you. Hammer, poor little discolored beast evicted from his home. And Cloud Dust one of the less screechy harpies some ponies have known. You lot have made quite the impression on a number of ponies I have claimed in my travels. But you mare, I am curious as to what you are. None I have taken have ever seen anything like you before. What are you?” “Changelings. My kind are called Changelings.......” Crystal growls, using what Ginger had called her. She glanced down as her bracer started to glow the rest on her friends limbs following suit. “ As to who I am. My name is Crystal, and we are your end, monster.” ==================================================== The echoing cry of defiance the monster made finally finished it's reverberations off the stone around them. The glow around them faded slowly as well, slowly lowering the group back to the ground. Crystal and Storm Front staggered, barely keeping their hoofs and paws, though both were panting heavily. Hammer sat down hard, catching Cloud Dust and cradling the unconscious Harpy in his lap. Slate and Ghost collapsed as well, though both remained awake. The Elements on their limbs hummed softly for a few moments more before growing silent, their glows fading. Crystal lifted her head before sitting down, looking over their surroundings. The forest itself was in ruins, the crystal tree demolished into little more than shards, a testament to the power that Tirek had unleashed. The gaping crater that was deeper than many mountains Crystal knew of, was a testament to the power of the Element's of Harmony, as was the massive tree that rose from the center of the crater, branches extended towards the sun. It showed no sign of the evil that it had swallowed in it's rapid growth from a single shard of the Tree of Harmony. “How was this even possible? A crater this deep and the only damage to the forest was done by Tirek? Even the river is still flowing.” Storm Front gapes looking around in awe. “Tirek needed to be contained, but a tree the size of what he became would be noticed easily and investigated and possibly damaged. The element's simply pushed the ground down so the tree would seem no taller than any others in the forest. It knew about the Elk in the caves below and simply pushed them down too.....” Ghost Dancer mummers. “If it kept pushing down does that mean there's a new mountain on the other side of the world?” Cloud Dust questions, stirring a little in Hammer's arms. “Possibly a string of them. If there's water we might have made a new island chain in the far east. Something to check on later maybe.” Storm Front groans finally sitting down as well noticing a few Elk tentatively emerging from around the trees, having come up from the caverns the moment everything went silent. “What about the ponies who fell?” Hammer asks. “ Is it over?” Crystal closes her eyes searching and smiles softly. There were many voices now. Some angry, others scared. Some of them knowing what had happened others without a clue as to why they were changed. Crystal and Starswirl were going to have a lot of explaining to do. “They're fine. So, yes Hammer... it's over.” Crystal sighs in relief.