Ooooooh damn, Bllackjack being drafted, hooooobooy, what a chapter! Loved it, loved the fights, and the anarchy!
Hahahahah! Nice job, nice job1
Psychoshy... hmm...

Nice job!

six-pack of Buckweiser

The puns never cease to amuse me, that's a new one.

I get that bucket reference. Old but gold right there.

So Blackjack finally realized there's something worth fighting for, good for her.

Hell of a night indeed.

“Is there an age limit on this thing?” I asked with a rueful smile.

Charity, Rarity? Hmmm. I can't remember which ponies Pip was able to draw together though. She was the spark, Velvet Remedy was kindness, Calamity was loyalty, stallion at Tenpony was possibly magic. Derpy was laughter.

LittlePip and the mysterious Stable Dweller.

Blackjack you dummy.

Have really great make up sex with Glory…

Apparently this is a great motivator.

“Landsakes. In my day it was ponies versus buffalo. I was always the buffalo…” he mused.

I was always the cook...

I don’t know who she is, and if Fluttershy did what she said she did, I doubt her real momma knows she even is a mother.

Blackjack has to be dumber than a rock if she can't figure out she is related to Tarot. The name is on her freaking gun. Even a rock knows its origins.

I might want to, but I’d never be able to throw away a life that was the product of those extraordinary circumstances.

I want to believe Blackjack knows Tarot is her ancestor, but she is so freaking dumb I can't be sure.

“Hey Security! What’s soaking wet and clueless?” a mare called out above me. I looked up in time to get a bucket of water, bucket included, dumped on my head. “Your face!”

History repeats itself.

“Oh, that’s where you went. I was worried.” Then a pause. “Are you drunk?”

"Why yes, yes I am good sir. But you see, when tomorrow I wake, I shall be sober, and you, shall still be a dragon."

He could read Zebra and speak Dragon.

He had a lot of one night stands. (let me know if you get the reference )

Hoo boy... Psychoshy's gonna be a doozy.

Butterflies with razorblade wings... that was a new cutie mark.
Then she was smashing her hooves against me again and again as more Reapers showed up. “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” she shrieked with glee. “Don’t you just love me?”
“Psychoshy!” snapped a familiar voice from the end of the aisle. I groaned as I sat back up again. Rampage slowly approached with a solemn look on her face. “That’s enough.”
“She’s weak! She’s useless!” the yellow pegasus said in disgust as she landed beside my friend. “We should just take back her head.”
“She’s fine. You just caught her at a bad time,” Rampage said softly as she knelt and looked me in the eye with a sad smile. “Hey, Blackjack. Everyone’s okay. Nervous, but okay. I’m really glad you made it back all right.”
I lay back, my head spinning after Psychoshy’s beating. “Rampage, what’s going on?”
She sighed softly. “Bad news. We’re at war, and you’ve been drafted,” she said as she looked down at me. “Welcome to the Reapers, Blackjack.”

WOOT!

Psychoshy. PSYCHOSHY? Psychoshy??? Psych I was warned, and the people who warned me were right. D: WTF.

Ugh. My warm fuzzies are cooling. This wasn't quite chapter 25 of FoE, but I'm feeling that familiar downward slide on the ol' enjoy-o-meter. Far too much in the way of show quoting and memes, primarily. Stuff with Spike dragged on a fair bit. On the upside, the historical stuff is getting way better. I mean, those must have been Marigold's remains she found last time. And Tarot was her ancestor, so she's not actually descended from Trick. And if I'm right about who Tarot's mother was, then Blackjack is actually related to Big Mac.

...Fuck, that means she's distant cousins with Littlepip. <.< Somber, are you pulling my leg here or what. But no, if she's related to Applejack, then she can use EC-1101, and there's no reason for this not to be the case. >.>

I did at least enjoy the scenes with the Enclave ponies. Nice to get that little explanation about what makes Thunderhead so different, and even nicer to see ponies overcome their fears and demonstrate their kind inner natures. That's what makes them ponies, after all. Not sure if we'll see her again (I was hoping for a new party member, but I'm not surprised she's not), but I wouldn't mind it. :)

Also, for the record, when she found "porcelain heaven" or whatever, I thought she meant a toilet. The following scene was thus extremely disturbing. D:

6782024 I think I might have been one of those people, but don't remember exactly where on the oblique/specific axis I fell. The next chapter will, I think, have at least one major segment that you'll probably find pretty heavy on the memes and quotations, but I believe that aspect will thereafter decline for quite a while as the most show-related characters (Spike and Psychoshy) are no longer at the forefront, maybe not even present much at all.

I like Twister, and really that whole Enclave trio, and it's fun to have them around. But I don't know how well it would have gone to have another member of the main cast; the party was already pretty big, and attention probably would have had to give somewhere to accommodate the addition. On the upside, it would have been an interesting situation for Glory, to be in so close prolonged contact with a non-Thunderhead member of the Enclave. And it would be a learning experience for Twister as well, on that front in addition to the more general surface-side of things.

Re your interpretation of porcelain heaven: pfffthahaha! That was great.

6782205
You absolutely were one of those people. Possibly the only one. <.<

And yeah, I was very interested to find out how Glory might react to Twister. I mean, I can all but guarantee Twister would start shooting at her, she's got at least two reasons to do so. :B

Holy hell psychoshy...You know what? I think I like you.

You know, for a long time, I wasn't sure how I felt about Goldenblood, he seemed to me a scapegoat on which to pile the blame of the war But this chapter changed a lot of that for me. He tried to stop the war, repeatedly, and nearly died doing so. I'm still not fond of him, but it's no longer in the "I don't like the idea of him" way but in the "He's a despicable pony" way.

I like to imagine her as some big, tough, take-no-shit kind of mare. Sorta like… did you know Big Macintosh? You knew Applejack, so you must have…

Big and tough and strong and doesn’t let anything cross her. She probably dual wields miniguns with missile launchers strapped to them.

She’s probably got some kind of power armor too. Like magical super heavy plate that blasts lightning from her horn. And flies!

Spike be like

Blackjack the Reaper. that just sounds out right terrifying to be honest.

I liked how this chapter completely justified and explained away the incongruities with Fallout: Equestria regarding the Enclave's interaction with the surface. For awhile it seemed like that was just something that would have to be accepted, but now it all makes sense!

“Hey Security! What’s soaking wet and clueless?” a mare called out above me. I looked up in time to get a bucket of water, bucket included, dumped on my head. “Your face!” she snickered, then hit me so hard that I was knocked bouncing across the floor again.

HAHAHA i remember that episode. Wonder what happens when she meets actually fluttershy.

LittlePip and the mysterious Stable Dweller.

Dang, these Reapers seem like the real deal.
And to think that BJ is still a match for them, even when emotionally challenged...that HAS to be an acheivment.

But hey, at least we finally get to meet Psychoshy.

Honestly expecting a psycho version of Flutterhy, but I guess this Pegasus pretty much fits the bill, eh?
I can even imagine a deeper version of her voice to match her nice, sweet, loving power boots to the face.

Oh. And BJ is finally a certified Reaper.
Yay.

And the other projects: Eternity, Redoubt, Partypooper, Starfall, and Horizons. All created by Goldenblood on some level, all sealed by EC-1101.

i keep wondering if Rampage is connected to project Eternity...
oh, and considering that the name of this story IS Project Horizons, Blackjack WILL want to unlock it...

Right, no touchie.

Ha! Reminds me of the Emperor's New Groove and Kuzco.

So, Goldenblood stepped in and help work things out.

and helped work things out. Riiiight?

“It’d just a lot easier if I were… well… more like Twilight.”

It'd just be a lot easier if

I asked as I pulled the two guns apart and started pick out the better parts.

and started to pick out the better parts.

I knocked one gem and it fell against the next, which fell against the next, and then whole pile was tumbling over.

next, and then the whole pile was tumbling over.

“Till command asks why we used up a missile!”

“Till Command asks why we used up a missile!”

I nearly tripped in astonishment; one of the bulbous, armored Vertibucks has hanging directly overhead;

one of the bulbous, armored Vertibucks was hanging directly overhead;

“Unca Hoss! Hat Unca Hoss! Hat! Pleeeeeze!” a filly squeeled.

a filly squealed.

Oh, so that's how the dragon claw was lost. Burnt to pieces by laser.

I am seriously regretting time management and taking it on myself to re-read for errors, when I should not have speed read in the first place. The length of chapters is killing me here. I need a break to plan this out. It's daunting to think how I'll get through the rest of the big five stories. Two of them that I haven't read at all, yet. This chapter; done. More to go where I missed it.

Yet instead of the usual depression creeping in, I remembered that it could be better. Because of Twilight Sparkle. And Spike. LittlePip and the mysterious Stable Dweller.

This is going to be so much fun later.

I was stoked that Blackjack was cool with being given a scalpel as a weapon. The confidence in that fight was pretty boss.

Psychoshy kinda dulled the flames of awesomeness somehow or other. Maybe it just hairpinned from epic badassery to campy references too fast.

“Oh, that’s where you went. I was worried.” Then a pause. “Are you drunk?”

“No. That is incorrect. I am drinking. More accurately, I am approaching the state of being that is drunk.” I scowled at the half empty bottle. “A journey that is taking me somewhat longer than I anticipated. It’d only take me a quarter bottle of whiskey to get this buzzed.” I raised the bottle to the bot. “I drink to your good health, good sir dragon.”

There was no answer for a bit, and then he simply replied, “Blackjack, you are so random.”

This is probably my favorite quote out of the whole chapter.

“She’s probably got some kind of power armor too. Like magical super heavy plate that blasts lightning from her horn. And flies!” There was a prolonged silence from the little machine. “Spike?” I frowned. From somewhere deep inside the mountain, I thought I heard laughter echoing down the halls.

well... That got me to spit soup all over myself

10048537
Your profile pic is exactly what I imagined Blackjack's face looked like!

What was surprising were the high shelves packed with books that covered most of the walls.

Of course, there are books. Afterall, he was Purple Smart's No. 1 assistant.

“Take that armor off. Go back to Chapel. Let everypony know you’re done with wandering the Wasteland and helping out Hoofington. Why don’t you do that? Seems a bit saner than killing yourself.”

Ironically that’s probably the most sensible thing Blackjack could do. Being Security is going to kill her sooner or later. Either one of her enemies gets lucky and takes her out or she kills herself after one to many breakdowns.

Every now and then, I might find one… but then they die, or they lose themselves to the Wasteland, or just never meet any others. I try to encourage the Elements and foster them wherever I can...

Thanks to Season 8, we know that the Bearers don't have to be ponies. Maybe Spike could’ve already found Bearers from all six Elements if he had been looking among non-pony species. Of course, that thought probably didn’t even cross his mind since he's - ironically - thinking like a pony.

“So, Ministry of Awesome. Where your job is to be awesome? Make awesome? Sell only awesome of the highest quality?” he asked with a ghost of a smile.
“It was all I could come up with,” she replied with a grumble.

Yeah, that’s exactly how I imagine Rainbow Dash would react, after being told that she's suddenly in charge of her own ministry. Another reason why making the Mane Six the leaders of these ministries wasn’t such a good idea.

I was also going to point out how Dash wouldn’t be okay wit “cheating” even in the war. But then I remembered Fall Weather Friends[.

The spritebot found me lying back in the tub with a bottle floating above me as I hummed a song of inebriation to myself. Two empty bottles joined me on a sea voyage as the little robot looked down at me. “Oh, that’s where you went. I was worried.” Then a pause. “Are you drunk?”

Blackjack is a simple mare. She likes sex, drinking and taking a nice bath. Preferably all three things at the same time.

Well, there’s Velvet Remedy. She’s the closest thing to a real pacifist I’ve ever seen in the Wasteland. Thank goodness she’s got her friends to keep her safe.

Good thing she’s not a PH character. Otherwise she would’ve been forced to kill somepony every five or ten chapters, suffer a mental breakdown and turn into a bitter, cynical pony.

Because if there’s one thing PH is really good at, it’s tormenting the main characters.

And the supporting characters.

And the villains.

And the characters we barley even know.

I like to imagine her as some big, tough, take-no-shit kind of mare. Sorta like… did you know Big Macintosh? You knew Applejack, so you must have…”

As seen earlier with the "Barpony" Blackjack can be really bad at realizing the most obvious things.

However, while Blackjack not realizing Littlepip and the Stable Dweller being one and the same pony is just a running gag, I can’t help but look for a deeper meaning. Because I tend to overanalyze stuff.

When Pon3 talks about the Stable Dweller or Security you can’t help but think about them as larger-than-life ponies. She doesn’t talk about Littlepip or Blackjack the ponies. She talks about the badass Stable Dweller and Security who go around kicking asses and taking names.

Ponies listing to these broadcasts probably can’t help but imagine them as some sort of wandering super heroes protecting the innocent and slaying evil. It’s not far from the truth but your own imagination still makes it ten times more awesome. Especially in a crappy place like the Wasteland. If your life is shit and you don’t know if you will survive the next few weeks or get killed by radiation, raiders or monsters you need something that gives you hope. So the thought that there are ponies out there trying to making things less crappy, is very comforting. In dire times people need heroes.

Blackjack falls into the same “trap”. She hears about the mysterious Stable Dweller and imagine her as the perfect hero. Everything Blackjack wants to be. The Pony who actually succeeds in doing better. So of course, she has to be a power armor wearing, minigun wielding badass. She can’t be Littlepip because Littlepip is too normal. And heroes aren’t normal, they are larger than life. Like Security.

“Did you know that, throughout the whole war, the O.I.A. kept back channels with the Zebras trying to negotiate peace? Or that he ran constant interference to protect non-ponies too? He’d work for hours, sometimes days on end before he’d collapse. Then he’d crawl back and work some more. He kept saying that he was trying to save Equestria. Not win the war. Not even end the war. It was always to save Equestria.”

Alright, let’s talk about Goldenblood. I’ve read some very negative comments about this character, which may have made me biased against him. I tried to form my own opinion about him without getting influenced too much by the negative comments, but after reading what I wrote I’m not sure if I 'm not biased.

The initially introduction was well-down. Showing him not as the smart pony who knows everything, but as victim of Blueblood’s abuse. Personality wise, he also impressed me. I was expecting a more clear-cut bad guy who kills ponies without a second thought for the greater good. Instead we got a character who manipulates ponies and is involved in questionable experiments, yet also hates himself for what he’s doing and tries to actually do some good (maybe to balance out his sins). A very intriguing character.

Sadly, that’s the only positive things I can say about him. Everything else about him, makes him look like a character that is slowly turning into a Mary Sue. He’s this mysterious character who’s involved in literally EVERYTHING that happened during the war. He was the one who suggested to Luna to form the ministries and put the Mane Six in charge. He was the one who told Pinkie that she should take drugs to increase her psychic powers. He was the one who advised Rainbow Dash that her ministry should be responsible for Covert Ops. Twilight only began her researches into creating Alicorns because of Goldenblood’s projects. He was involved in creating the Garden of Equestria. He’s behind every single Project in this story. Him being involved in a few of these events? Sure, I can buy that. But right now it looks everything that happened during the war was either because of him or a direct result of his actions. Wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if he also was somehow involved in Big Mac’s assassination.

Worse, he’s best buddy with every canon character and the love interest of one of the Mane Six. Even Spike, who has ambiguous feelings about him, doesn’t really dislike him. Instead he praises him, is okay with him erasing Twilight’s memories – the pony who’s basically his sister/mother/closest friend - and even goes so far as calling Goldenblood the father he never had.

He also runs the O.I.A., which is a ministry in anything but name, and does plenty of secret and shady dealings behind everypony’s back. Like running twenty secret project, some of which involving unethical experiments on sentient beings, fooling the Mane Six, Luna and the public. And yet despite being the one who came up with the ministries in the first place, he always was against the war and is really sad about it. Tirelessly working behind the scene to establish a peace.

There isn’t really a clear definition what makes a character a Mary Sue and everyone has his own definition about what makes a character a Mary Sue. Personally I don’t consider a character a Mary Sue just because he’s able to manipulate everyone or because he’s unbeatable in combat. For me a character becomes a Mary Sue if he’s the only one allowed to do anything of importance and everyone else is overshadowed by his presence. Alice from the Resident Evil movies, is a perfect example of such a character. Goldenblood does the same thing for the Pre-War characters, every time he shows up. It’s no longer about what Luna or the Mane Six or Spike did during the war. It’s about how Goldenblood set everything up and how everypony followed his suggestions.

That said, we haven’t even reached the halfway point of the story yet. So there’s still some hope that other characters beside Goldenblood are allowed to do something useful.

Yet instead of the usual depression creeping in, I remembered that it could be better. Because of Twilight Sparkle. And Spike. LittlePip and the mysterious Stable Dweller.

i.ibb.co/pZ4ndgT/neverending-circle-1.png

“Uh… why is she laughing?” the stallion beside her asked. “Is she… drunk, Twister?”

I levitated out my last bottle of Buckweiser and popped the cap with my magic, tucking it in my pocket as I stared right at the pair. “Yup,” I said as I took a swig off the bottle and pulled out my shotgun.

This is your last chance to run! If she starts singing you’re already death!

“You’ll be the third male I’ve gelded if you don’t shoot the flier with a missile right now!”
Boomer froze. “Ah… ah…” I wiggled the tip. “Aw, shit… Ah’m sorry, Sunset!”

Most ponies would tell her to fuck off and refuse shooting their own comrade. He’s either thrusting her armor, doesn’t like her or both.

What took Spike all of two minutes took Twister almost an hour.

Blackjack hijacked an Enclave Trooper and forced her to fly her back all the way to Hoofington. That’s a new level of awesome.

I laughed. “Wait, you tried to take something from a dragon’s lair?” Even I wasn’t that stupid.

Says the pony who jumped into the eye socket of a radioactive, mutated dragon to shoot it's brain.

But she was looking at me funny. Like she wasn’t sure if I were crazy, something else, or both. “Can you buy me time?”
“Possibly. For what?"
“Let me get some scrap metal, and my armor will make repairs. I’ll need a few minutes, though,” she said as she opened up a panel on her forehoof similar to a PipBuck.

Not counting Glory, she’s the first Enclave member who’s actually a decent pony. Even Whatshername, who wasn’t part of Lightninghooves schemes was still an ass (even if she did save Blackjack from the Raider virus).

I want to get back, I’ll need something that’ll put me through decon rather than put a bullet through my brain. I got to take you back with me.

I know the Enclave is pretty evil, but killing their own troops out of a vague fear that they may be contaminated is stupid and a great way to piss of all your loyal soldiers who risking their on missions in the Wasteland every day.

But the thing is, they don’t just help the rest of us. Heck no. They’ll trade talismans for favors. Extra food for favors. Technical assistance for favors. All them favors add up to a right comfy lifestyle for them and a downright shitty deal for the rest of us.

So they did to the rest of the Enclave what the Enclave did the Non-Pegasi. Oh the sweet irony!

She arched a brow skeptically. “Uh… you don’t owe me anything. Quit being so damn stubborn and git! I’ll fly circles around these buzzards.” Before they shoot you out of the sky, I added for her.

I like Twister. I like her a lot. I wonder how long until she’s gets killed, so that Blackjack can blame herself for another death.

“Landsakes. In my day it was ponies versus buffalo. I was always the buffalo…” he mused.

I’m pretty sure that’s considered politically incorrect nowadays Hoss.

I’d never kill myself now. I might want to, but I’d never be able to throw away a life that was the product of those extraordinary circumstances. The odds were nothing less than miraculous. And I’d almost thrown it all away. I might have thrown away my friends in that moment of horrible weakness.

Looks like surviving against all odds does run in the family.

“Nothin’, Boomer. Nothin’.” She looked at me then smiled. “Well. You take care o’ yerself, Blackjack. Got to say this has been a hell of a night.”
From the slightly less dark and gloomy east, I could tell it was nearly morning. “Yeah. For me as well.”

Title drop!

I also was honestly expecting Twister to die! She felt like the next Rose/Thorn. Spared by Blackjack only to get killed by the Wasteland

This scenes did a great job at “humanizing” the Enclave. Showing that they aren’t just goons in power armors.

A scalpel floated into my line of vision.
“Thanks,” I said as my magic gripped the tiny blade. I slowly trotted down the aisle towards the three.

She’s outnumbered and underequipped. But she’s also Blackjack. That means there’s a pretty good chance that she can win this fight.

My horn flashed, trying to twist it out of the Reaper’s mouth. To my shock, she grit her teeth and fought me.
And that hesitation gave Hammermare the opening she needed. The mallet slammed into my side, and I felt several ribs snap as I once more slid all the way to Bonesaw’s clinic. I opened my mouth and gasped, then coughed a mouthful of blood over the floor. The old stallion stared as he backed away, not getting involved in this fight. I couldn’t blame him.

This fight does a good job at establishing the Reapers as credible threat who’ve earned their fearsome reputation. Blackjack is a beast in combat. Usually her opponents outnumber her at least 3 to 1, yet Blackjack is still able to walk away victorious.

By now the average Raider, Slaver or Bounty Hunter would be death. Killed by her own fire axe. These three, however, are able to give Blackjack serious trouble. The number of ponies who managed to do that can be counted on one hand. This really says a lot about how good the Reapers are.

“Psychoshy!” snapped a familiar voice from the end of the aisle. I groaned as I sat back up again. Rampage slowly approached with a solemn look on her face. “That’s enough.”

Really? An edgy Fluttershy clone with an edgy Cutie Mark? Is there also a Reaper who calls herself Princess Molestia? I would say she’s the worst character so far, but then there’s also Goldenblood.

She sighed softly. “Bad news. We’re at war, and you’ve been drafted,” she said as she looked down at me. “Welcome to the Reapers, Blackjack.”

In hindsight dropping the grenades on the bridge and starting a war between the Rangers and the Reapers was a pretty bad idea.

Blackjack’s On-screen Body Count: 142

10482312
So, if you get to the END of Horizons, I would be very interested if you still think Goldenblood is a Mary Sue or not.

Thanks for the review. I love reading these so much, you can't even imagine!

“Almost,” he replied. “I’ve modified their memories. They’ll remember working on Stable 93, when a gas leak knocked them all out and the stable had to be evacuated.” He gave a horrid raspy little chuckle. “Close enough to the truth for your ends, I think.”

Oh... so that's how they all died... that's mean 😢

She sighed softly. “Bad news. We’re at war, and you’ve been drafted,” she said as she looked down at me. “Welcome to the Reapers, Blackjack.”

If they'd said that sooner the fight wouldn't happen

10482382
Oh, Golden blood is ABSOLUTELY a Mary sue. He's also one of the best characters. So, you know, it balances out

The old stallion chuckled softly. “Here you go, Tarot.”

Holy shit. I got that the plot was slowly hinting at the foal that got given away eventually gave way to blackjack, and that the foal was probably maripony's, but I just realized what that means. holy shit

War against the Steelrangers? I can't think of anyone else.

Then there was another wheezing gasp, coughing and wet. It sounded like he was drowning. “Your Majesty. I know you wish to rule, and to see this war to victory. I beg you to reconsider. We have an opportunity to create a new future for Equestria. A new society. No good can come from perpetuating this conflict. Sue for peace. Let the ponies of Equestria find another path. Live a life away from power.”

Luna sighed. “I can’t. Goldenblood, you know I can’t. They took Littlehorn from me. Please. Help me make this new government a reality.”

A long pause. A soft, resigned sigh. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

One of the greatest, and most tragic of turning points in Equestrian history. It reminds me strongly of a passage from The Silmarillion

After a time a great concourse gathered about the Ring of Doom; and the Valar sat in shadow, for it was night. But the stars of Varda now glimmered overhead, and the air was clear; for the winds of Manwe had driven away the vapours of death and rolled back the shadows of the sea. Then Yavanna arose and stood upon Ezellohar, the Green Mound, but it was bare now and black; and she laid her hands upon the Trees, but they were dead and dark, and each branch that she touched broke and fell lifeless at her feet. Then many voices were lifted in lamentation; and it seemed to those that mourned that they had drained to the dregs the cup of woe that Melkor had filled for them. But it was not so.

Yavanna spoke before the Valar, saying: ‘The Light of the Trees has passed away, and lives now only in the Silmarils of Feanor. Foresighted was he! Even for those who are mightiest under Iluvatar there is some work that they may accomplish once, and once only. The Light of the Trees I brought into being, and within Ea I can do so never again. Yet had I but a little of that light I could recall life to the Trees, ere their roots decay; and then our hurt should be healed, and the malice of Melkor be confounded.’

Then Manwe spoke and said: ‘Hearest thou, Feanor son of Finwe, the words of Yavanna? Wilt thou grant what she would ask?’

There was long silence, but Feanor answered no word. Then Tulkas cried: ‘Speak, O Noldo, yea or nay! But who shall deny Yavanna? And did not the light of the Silmarils come from her work in the beginning?’

But Aule the Maker said: ‘Be not hasty! We ask a greater thing than thou knowest. Let him have peace yet awhile.’

But Feanor spoke then, and cried bitterly: ‘For the less even as for the greater there is some deed that he may accomplish but once only; and in that deed his heart shall rest. It may be that I can unlock my jewels, but never again shall I make their like; and if I must break them, I shall break my heart, and I shall be slain; first of all the Eldar in Aman.’

‘Not the first,’ said Mandos, but they did not understand his word; and again there was silence, while Feanor brooded in the dark. It seemed to him that he was beset in a ring of enemies, and the words of Melkor returned to him, saying that the Silmarils were not safe, if the Valar would possess them. ‘And is he not Vala as are they,’ said his thought, ‘and does he not understand their hearts? Yea, a thief shall reveal thieves!’ Then he cried aloud: ‘This thing I will not do of free will. But if the Valar will constrain me, then shall I know indeed that Melkor is of their kindred.’

Then Mandos said: Thou hast spoken.’ And Nienna arose and went up onto Ezellohar, and cast back her grey hood, and with her tears washed away the defilements of Ungoliant; and she sang in mourning for the bitterness of the world and the Marring of Arda.

But even as Nienna mourned, there came messengers from Formenos, and they were Noldor and bore new tidings of evil. For they told how a blind Darkness came northward, and in the midst walked some power for which there was no name, and the Darkness issued from it. But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Feanor, and there he slew Finwe King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwe alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark. And they told that Melkor had broken the stronghold of Formenos, and taken all the jewels of the Noldor that were hoarded in that place; and the Silmarils were gone.

Then Feanor rose, and lifting up his hand before Manwe he cursed Melkor, naming him Morgoth, the Black Foe of the World; and by that name only was he known to the Eldar ever after. And he cursed also the summons of Manwe and the hour in which he came to Taniquetil, thinking in the madness of his rage and grief that had he been at Formenos his strength would have availed more than to be slain also, as Melkor had purposed. Then Feanor ran from the Ring of Doom, and fled into the night; for his father was dearer to him than the Fight of Valinor or the peerless works of his hands; and who among sons, of Elves or of Men, have held their fathers of greater worth?

Many there grieved for the anguish of Feanor, but his loss was not his alone; and Yavanna wept by the mound, in fear that the Darkness should swallow the last rays of the Fight of Valinor for ever. For though the Valar did not yet understand fully what had befallen, they perceived that Melkor had called upon some aid that came from beyond Arda. The Silmarils had passed away, and all one it may seem whether Feanor had said yea or nay to Yavanna; yet had he said yea at the first, before the tidings came from Formenos, it may be that his after deeds would have been other than they were.

We know of course, that any attempts at peace by that point were probably doomed to failure due to the Zebras’ belief that Princess Luna was just Nightmare Moon in disguise. But one has to wonder, like Feanor, if Luna had chosen differently, might things have turned out better?

Butterflies with razorblade wings... that was a new cutie mark.

Butterflies with razorblade wings! Her cutie mark is literally edgy!

That said, unlike some others, I don’t dislike Psychoshy. In fact, I think I’m in love with her. She is exactly the kind of shameless campiness that I adore, at least in a side character that is most likely of peripheral importance to the main plot. In that respect she stands in sharp contrast to somepony like say….Rampage. A character who is in the main party, is definitely important to the plot, and whom we are definitely supposed to take seriously. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike Rampage, but I do find myself rolling my eyes at some of her more try hard edginess.

this chapter was ballin