//------------------------------// // Unexpected Consequences // Story: The Wielder of the Orb // by TheMajorTechie //------------------------------//         “...Well that worked.”         Lightning’s eyes darted about the spinning room, his mane still mildly singed from the shockwave of magic that had coursed through his body moments prior.         “Get up, lazybones,” joked Nightshade as she held out a hoof, “your experiment worked. And coming from a mare who believes that you’re a nutcase, that’s definitely saying something.”         As Lightning pulled himself back up, he couldn’t help but notice the strange feeling circulating about his body.         “So... Shady,” He began, “Do all unicorns feel like their insides have turned into a magical pinball game?”         Nightshade sighed in annoyance at the mentioning of her nickname. “No, at least, not that I know of. Maybe it’s just because we’re used to it or something.” she pointed a hoof at Lightning’s forehead as she continued. “And besides, how are you going to channel and use your new power without a horn?”         Lightning waved away her hoof. “Ok then.” He finally got back onto his hooves, though still a bit woozy from the potion’s after-effects. “So first of all, you’re saying that I’ll just get used to this feeling. And second of all,” he pointed at a nearby shelf with various prototypes, “I’ve already got that handled. Ok?”         Nightshade nodded. “Fine, fine. Do whatever it is you’re gonna do. I’m outta here.”         Though the potion’s effects were directly tied to Lightning Rod, as Nightshade left for, she couldn’t help but notice a light tingling sensation on her horn. It felt just the same as it did in her dreams, but this time, she knew that it was real.         That night, as she lay in bed, she tried hard to push the tingling into the back of her mind. Unfortunately, that wasn’t what happened. It was as if her thoughts had taken hold of the sensation, and amplified it, filling her mind with so much commotion that it was becoming near impossible for her to not scream out in pain. She took hold of her pillow, slamming herself into it multiple times to subdue the pinging, and yet, it only grew worse. At times, it felt as if something had began dissolving her horn, gnawing through the nerves relentlessly, and at other times, it would die down to a dull hum in the back of her mind. Through the sheer power of exhaustion, Nightshade finally fell asleep. ~~~{}~~~         Nightshade…         Nightshade’s eyes darted about the room. It was the same dream again. The dream that’d been playing each night for nearly a full month now. The same old mansion, the eerie glow of the ‘Orb’, it was all there.         The only thing is, this time, upon magically pinching herself, she actually felt it.         This wasn’t a dream, it was real.         Nightshade, speak to me…         Gasping, Nightshade flinched back in terror. “W-who is that?” She stammered.         It is I, the bearer of the Orb.         “Wait… what?”         Allow me to introduce myself… I am Anicetus, or at least, what’s left of his uncorrupted soul. The Orb is in great danger, and through years of searching, I have come to believe that you may be one of the best choices…         Nightshade continued glancing around the room. “Um… Anicetus, could you like, come out, so that this doesn’t seem as awkward?”         Indeed I will, as you please.         A looming shadow began forming behind the orb, slowly materializing as Anicetus’ very soul came into the physical plain. He was biped, with arms and hands much like a minotaur’s, and yet, he looked… different. He appeared to be wearing retro-futuristic clothes, from what Nightshade could tell, and his short ‘mane’ barely grew past his ears.         “So… this is you?”         Yes, it is me. This is what I looked like, before the corrupting powers of greed befell upon me. I am what is left of Anicetus’ soul, and it will take the last of my power to grant you the power over the multiverse, through the Orb.         The floating figure of Anicetus gently grasped the Orb in both hands, lifting it from it’s pedestal.         I shall grant you your power over the Orb, in the same manner as the Wielders before me have done so. In this symbolic act, I shall transfer the possession and therefore, the power of the Orb through the many realms of the multiverse, to you. When I return you to your proper realm, you shall find the Orb in it’s basic physical form nearby. Take haste, for these may be my final moments among the livi--         The image of Anicetus began disintegrating, starting at his feet.         Quick! Catch the Orb!         The ‘Symbolic Orb’ flew gracefully through the air landing gently in Nightshade’s hooves. The image, however, was already gone, and the mansion around Nightshade immediately began to crumble. ~~~{}~~~ Nightshade woke up with a jolt. Was that all real? A cool, smooth object shifted under her covers. In mild annoyance, Nightshade took hold of it in her telekinesis, and pulled it out.         “Huh, it was real.”         Then, she remembered the night before, and quickly hopped from bed.         She raced along the sidewalk towards Lightning’s house, and knocked furiously on the door.         Lightning opened the door. “Hey, Nightshade, what’s that in your saddlebag?”         “Notimetoexplainjustlemmein,” rattled Nightshade, “Look... just let me inside, and I’ll explain.”         Lightning shrugged as he opened the door wider. “Sure thing.” ~~~{About an hour later...}~~~         “...and so, now I’m apparently the Wielder.”         Lightning nodded blankly, his fragile mind already blown out several minutes prior due to Nightshade’s description of the Orb’s supposed link to the Multiverse.