//------------------------------// // The Long Road Ahead // Story: A Wish That Could Be // by Faithful Brony //------------------------------// "It is clear that we are just an advanced breed of primates on a minor planet orbiting around a very average star, in the outer suburb of one among a hundred billion galaxies. BUT, ever since the dawn of civilization people have craved for an understanding of the underlying order of the world. There ought to be something very special about the boundary conditions of the universe. And what can be more special than that there is no boundary? And there should be no boundary to human endeavor. We are all different. However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. While there is life, there is hope." Stephen Hawkings The next couple of months was a struggle for the two shamans and human. They were hard at work attempting to solve an almost unsolvable problem. the trio tried countless different variations trying to make the right potion but with no success. There were many problems that needed to be solved and they were not giving up the answers easily. After the third month they were still no closer to finding the solution. It was getting pretty discouraging since there had been virtually no progress made. It was becoming more difficult to continue trying and frustration was rising. Russel was looking at some books on transformation and transfiguration one morning when something shot to the forefront of his thoughts. "I think i figured out something important," Russel stated in excitement which got Zecora and Arishazi's attention. what have you found, shows us it now," Arishazi asked waiting for his thoughts to be made known? "What if we're going about it all wrong? Instead of trying to find a potion alone, lets try to create a mix of both magic and alchemy. Hand me the enchanting gem on that shelf over there," Russel asked Zecora who hoofed it over? Russel searched through spell books and the vast repository of knowledge made available with the help of the magical AI. After a few hours he found the spell he was looking for and showed it to the two shamans. "I understand what the spell will do, but I fail to see how this will help us and you. Please explain," Zecora asked indicating for him to continue? "We attach the spell to a gem then create a potion designed to change my appearance using the dragon blood as the base. The potion will start the change then we use the spell to fuse the change and make it permanent. I will take care of the enchanting and you get can get started on the potion. Lets get to work," Russel said as he immediately went to work channeling magic into the gem. Zecora and Arishazi got back to figuring out the modifications to the potion. It took them a few more tries but they were eventually able to find the right mixture and began making the brew. When they finished mixing it, Zecora filled a potion vial and hoofed it over to Russel who was just finishing up the enchantment on the gem. "Alright stand back, I don't know what is going to happen. No matter what happens, do not try to help. I don't want you two getting hurt in the process," Russel said as the shamans backed up a good distance. Russel drank the potion and instantly started feeling pain radiating in his stomach. He threw the empty vial against the wall then grabbed the gem and slapped it to his chest. The spell burst out of the gem and flew at him with enough force to knock him down. He got back up only to fall to his knees in immense pain clutching his gut. Russel started screaming as the pain now radiated throughout his whole body. Zecora and Arishazi took a few steps towards him only for him to wave them away. Russel began to light up with a slight glow that got brighter by the second. It build up to almost blinding brightness as his body continued its change. Russel grew exponentially and his body features changed slowly. The nails on his fingers and toes grew and became pointed at the end with sharp edges. His eyes became a deep sapphire blue with slits instead of the round pupils they use to be. Russel grew far taller than his original size and with much bigger muscle mass. His skin gained a pearl like sheen to it like when you hold one up in the sunlight. His spinal bones grew out of his skin and became more like dragon spines. It finished with a pair of large wings that grew out from his shoulder blades. The entire time Russel screamed in pure agony and when it finally end he fell to the ground. Zecora and Arishazi couldn't take any more waiting and so they ran over to check on him. When they looked at him he laid there sprawled out, unconsciousness, and clothes torn apart. The two shamans attempted to lift him but he was to heavy so they went and got Rakharr and Saheirs. When they returned, the two dragons immediately picked Russel up and brought him over to his bed roll to lay him down. "So I take it the operation was successful," Saheir asked pointing out the obvious? "Yes, this is in fact true, but we do not know the extent of the change he has gone through. There will need to be tests run. Soon we will know exactly what it has done," Arishazi stated while she cleaned up the mess that was made around the lab area. "The potion caused him much pain. He passed out cause he could not handle the physical strain," Zecora explained while she grabbed a steamed towel and laid it on his head. "The difference is drastic to say the least. Its strange seeing such a change but it is what he wanted. I will notify the elders immediately," Rakharr said right before he flew off to notify the elders of shojima's success. "One thing is certain, he's definitely going to need some new clothes. His old ones are completely destroyed," Saheir stated as she burned what was left of his shredded clothing. "I don't understand it fully but I know there will be no more need to worry. The changes are done," Arishazi said as she went about checking Russel's vitals signs and other health statuses. Even though some drastic physical alterations happen, most of his facial structure remained the same. The majority of his teeth remained however some took on a more jagged and pointy shape. His ears had taken on a more arrow shaped form like the dragons. His hair deepened to a pitch black color that was dark enough to hold its shade even in the light. That was the extent of the changes to his face, however he was still recognizable even with the new look. "Well, I don't think Shojima would want to be sleeping at a time like this. We should wake him up," Saheir said as she walked over to his sleeping form and shook him several time. It didn't seem to have any effect so she backhand him across the face. Russel didn't flinch or even react to the obviously painful hit. Saheir was shocked but didn't show it as she turned to Arishazi. "I know not how he failed to wake from his slumber after such a hit. It is indeed strange to see him still sleep but I think there is more to it," Zecora said unmoved by the unforeseen complication. "Can you make something to lift him from this state he is in," Saheir asked hopeful it wasn't permanent? "I think all he needs is a bit of rest, the change was drastic so this may be for the best. If by the end of the day he has not awoken than we'll try to break him from the slumber he is caught in. For now lets leave him be," Zecora finished as she waited for them to exit the cave with her. They left the room but Saheir lingered for a bit longer before leaving as well. She felt bad about slapping him but she knew that he had to wake up eventually so she would apologize then. They tried to keep themselves busy for the next few hours by doing their own things. Arishazi and Zecora went about seeing the different structure of the dragon city. Rakharr did his usual business and trained the younger dragons while Saheir simply left the mountain for a little while to fly around. Back In The Den Russel felt nothing at first, it was like he was drifting in darkness. Slowly consciousness started to take hold and with it, a lot of pain. He felt like he did after the battle with Rakharr only the pain was all over his body. It was also much more intense but he did not expect to make it at all so that was a plus. Feeling returned as well along with control of his body so he decided to test it. Russel got up but had a little trouble at first due to his rapid size change. The pain was more intense for a moment, but that soon subsided as his body adapted to the new changes and additions to him. Russel stretch his wings and the rest of his body but soon folded them back up due to being cold. Soon aware of his apparent lack of clothing, he used magic to lift the bed roll and cast a spell. The bed roll turned into a large black roll of cloth. Using another spell, he turned the newly made clothe into a long enough tunic that would suffice for its purpose. Russel puts the new clothing on immediately then fits it out quickly. Once done he went down to the forge with one intent; to design and construct a suit of armor made for him. After figuring in the dimensions and making the molds, he wanted to test a theory he had since he woke up. Russel took in a deep breath and felt the infernal fire ignite within him. He let it build up for a few seconds and then opened his mouth exhaling it all. The fire blasted at the furnace heating the forge up to a higher temperature. Heating it up for the molding process was going to be a difficult task as it needed a lot of heat. He did this several more times before he felt the furnace had reached the necessary level of heat. He continued to fan the furnace while taking the the block of star metal and placing it the decent sized crucible. After an hour the now molten metal was ready. Russel transferred the metal using a thick large ladle and poured the rudimentary mold. He let it mold for ten minutes before pulling out the first piece of semi solid metal; a chest plate. He took it over to the anvil and began beating it into the design he wanted. It took him a few time going back and forth with the whole process. After another two hours the whole chest piece was done. He followed the same routine with the rest of his armor and finished it in another four hours. The last piece to be finished was the helmet. It took some fine work to get the right look, but it came out as a good piece of headgear. After it was done he took a minute to admire his work. The armors color was a match to his hair color and had many customization's on it. The Gauntlets had small shaped slots on them with claws and the end of the fingers. The Vambrace had long folded points extending past the elbow. It had spikes spaced out on it and a slot in the middle. The Spaulders came down to almost mid bicep with three individually layers; each attached over the other. They were decent size and they too had empty slots on them. The boots were pointed at the toe area and came up a little pass the ankle. The Greaves were plated as well with thick and large arrow shaped knee guards. The Cuisses was two pieces of metal that folded from the front to the back in a half square. Each one went on its own thigh and a full pelvic guard was between them. The Cuirass was a front and a back plate attached together by chains on the sides. A sigil of a blue moon with a shining star in front of it sat on the front chest plate. Another empty slot was in the middle of the star. The helm had a samurai look with wings going up from the top of it. The eye slits glowed white and the mouth piece was shaped just like the front of a boat turned upside down. It had thin slits to speak through and a slot on the forehead area. A metal ridge rose up and went all the way down the back of the helm. It was missing something to be complete six somethings to be exact. Six magic gems to fill each slot on his armor. Russel went over to a chest near the armor rack and opened it. Sifting through the contents of it and pulled out a large uncut gem. He placed it in the center of the room and stepped back a distance before picking it up with his magic. Using another spell, he shot a precision laser at the gem and watched as it started to glow. After half a minute the gem exploded into six smaller pieces which he shaped further by cutting with the laser spell again. With the now finely shaped gems, Russel placed them into each slot on the armor and stood back. He drew an alchemy circle into the ground and drew a similar one on his armor. He proceeded to recite some of the dragon language. "kuz suleyk nol naan luhaal tholaar ni meyar fod unadaan." When Russel finished, the symbol on both the ground and the armor glowed at the same time. They got brighter then the gems began to glow. After a few seconds the light flashed intensely then winked out. When light level returned to normal the gems gave off a very faint glow as if on standby. He quickly dawned the armor and tested its weight which surprisingly was not as heavy as he thought it would be. He however took the recent change that he went through into account and realized his error when judging the weight. The armor fit perfectly when he fastened it on himself and maneuvered with little resistance. After the tests were done, he got to work making his weapons to go with the armor. He chose to make two katana's, one with a black wood handle and white leather wrapping braided down it. The sword was roughly six feet from the pommel to the end of the sheath and had a black blade. The second sword had an opposite look with a white wood handle and black leather wrapping braided on it. The sword was five feet from the pommel to end of the sheath and had a shining white edge. Russel tied the swords to the suits waist belt, then headed to his den to wait for his guests to return. When the group of four met up again, Zecora and Arishazi had seen much of the dragon society and its inner working. Rakharr and Saheir had just been wondering about their comrade mostly. It took a few minutes for them to reach their destination and that is when they saw the enormous amount of light coming from inside. They ran to the door and looked inside only to be shocked by what they saw. Inside was a bunch of light glowing lights hovering in the air in a still position. The one they knew as Shojima was standing near the center in front of a table looking at something on it. He turned towards them and they got a good look at Russel's new look. They looked in awe at the armor he now wore and its incredible detail. "Awesome armor, it seems you posses some skills in metal work," Saheir said being the first to break out of the shock. "I did work with metal on my home world for over a year and a half. So yeah, I learned some pretty useful skills then but I continue to learn new things as I go. this is my best work so far," Russel said as he took his helmet off. they were now able to see his eyes which glowed a deep saphire blue. "What are you looking at, is it something interesting," Rakharr asked inquiring about what he was looking at? "Its the next phase in my plan to help you regain your honor and help this world. Their are many things I have to offer and I want to get started on improving this nation. Take a look at them for yourself, their is much work to be done and a lot to explain. The worlds going to change and will learn much in a short time," Russel said as they gathered to look at the stuff on the table. Many schematics to different technologies and plans for projects were all across the table. It all looked very awe striking and they all said the same things. "Where do we start?"