Pandora's Box
Celly and I speak seldom of our brother, tis painful. Morning Star was born to be perfection and beauty. He was so wonderful, glorious, perfect, you would find it hard not to fall down and worship him in his true form.
We loved him dearly, which made it more painful when he became what he is. He was always a little full of himself, but we were never too worried. We should have seen the warning signs earlier. I remember our last chat before his first trot towards Tartarus.
"Sisters, I have been thinking. I should take a more active and direct part in the universe's affairs."
"Morning, we already do," Cadenza assured him. "We are everywhere if mortals see us or not."
Yes, Applejack. Before she was born here and split into Cadence and Chrysalis, she was like Celly and I. She is the Concept of Harmony and Music. While she loved our brother, she frequently found herself trying to dissuade him from his aim to silence mortal will.
Why did I not know of Chrysalis? I...well... was in my crib before the universe started.
"Not enough. I try bringing perfection to mortals, and they never come close. I cannot understand why Our Parents allowed them to be so flawed."
"It's the nature of free will. They must have the capacity to fail and make the wrong choices," Cadenza tried to explain.
"Well, Sister, I must disagree."
"I fail to see why thou dost insist on obsessing over this frivolous endeavor." I rolled my eyes, having little interest in anything that wasn't my night.
"They're imperfect creatures, and need to be made perfect."
"So, they're imperfect, what does it matter? In the end, they amount to billions of insignificant microbes running their futile errands until their inevitable end. They live their brief lives, another generation replaces them, and the cycle repeats ad infinitum. An ant, whether it has the purest and most righteous spirit or the most inept and corrupt mind, is still only an ant. Why dost thou care for their decisions?"
"That is the question I have asked Our Parents repeatedly. If They'd only remove that flaw from mortals, I could shape them into true magnificence."
"Free will is essential to life, Morning Star!" Cadenza replied forcefully. "Mother and Father will never let you remove it. Even the Draconequi and their Parents won't forcibly change it."
"I know, those lunatics would rather let all fall into chaos than do anything useful. One day, whether deliberately or by their own incompetence, those fools will do something that will turn the mortals' so-called free will into their ruin. Mark my words, I know that then Mother and Father will wish they had listened to me and let me fix the problem with them."
"...You believe you know better than Our Parents?" Cadenza asked. She knew where that path lead.
"Well, there is no point in thinking like that." I scoffed. "Until some disaster doth occur, I doubt Mother and Father will send thee to 'fix' a thing. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a meteor shower to plan."
I wonder to this day if it might have turned out differently had I not been so careless. I had unknowingly planted an idea in my brother that would shake of this world's foundation.
I discovered soon enough that Morning Star ventured to the Draconequi's realm not long after our chat.
No, he didn't visit Discord. Morning Star hates chaos as much as free will. His eye was on one of Discord's sisters.
"Oh, hi! Wow, it's been a while the last time we had an Alicorn visit!" Her name is Pandora, Concept of Imagination.
"Maybe that should change. Maintaining the universe is our shared responsibility. Our families should not be so distant because yours is Nature's Wrath and mine is Nature's Law."
"That would be nice." Pandora smiled pleasantly. "Venus and I write each other all the time, but having actual visits is better. How is she, by the way?"
"Venus? Oh, she's doing well. She's with foal. She's thinking of naming it Cupid."
"Oooh! I love babies! All those potential stories and possibilities beginning! Eeee! I can't wait to see her and meet the little tike!"
"Yes, it's wonderful, isn't it? Speaking of new creations, I was interested in learning more of your family's work, and why not start with the boundless gift of imagination?"
"Oh! We-well, sure! I'll show you my studio!"
She led him to her domain where she works to create inspiration for all creation and keeps her vast collection of ideas. All the stories that have or will ever be told come from bottles and boxes filled with abstract thoughts and feelings that Pandora works with.
"This is the Case of Eros that Venus gave me. I've already used it for hundreds of love stories! Ooh, and this is the Flask of Rebellion that Anarchy gave me."
"Oh my, what is this one?" He pointed to a dark metal box, covered in unholy sigils.
"Ooh, that one's from my cousin, Nyarlathotrot! It's called dark magic. It's something that's supposed to be introduced to the mortals when 'they're ready', whatever that means. He said it would come in handy when I make up villains!"
"Fascinating! Villains, eh? And heroes?"
"They can be made from almost anything, that's one of the best bits about them."
"Have you made a perfect hero?"
"Perfect hero?"
"Yes, one who is all mortals should strive to be and more! One who is loved and adored by all and deservedly so! Without flaws or failures or any of the mortal deficiencies!"
"...I dunno, that might be boring, but there's never been a story like that before so I guess I'll have to try. There's this Sue girl I could inspire to do a test run."
"Is this guy bothering you, Sis?"
Pandora and Morning Star turned to see her oldest brother. "Hey, D___t! He's but visiting. I was showing him my inspiration room."
Don't be alarmed Applejack. The reason D___t's name cannot be spoken is because he and his concept no longer exist. Discord's eldest brother thought the only way for mortals to have true freedom was to destroy all nature's law in creation, in other words, exterminate my family. His Mother . . . made sure he did not.
"Wow, one of the great Alicorns descended to visit?" D___t was never fond of our family. He and Morning Star were...opposite extremes.
"I was interested in dear Pandora's work," Morning Star explained reasonably. "She does so many amazements, she deserves recognition."
"Uh huh, I bet. Watch your step, Mr. Perfect."
"Wanna stick around? I was going to show off new story ideas!" Pandora suggested.
"Sorry, but Destruction is going to make a couple supernovas and, well-"
"Yes, someone should go with 'em. Make sure he doesn't blow up a galaxy again." Pandora nodded.
"Maybe we'll stop by later." D___t grinned at his sister, and gave a warning glare to Morning Star. "You could use some decent company."
The oldest son of Fear and Nothing departed, leaving Perfection and Imagination alone. "Don't pay him attention, he's...well, being a big brother."
"I suppose." Morning Star shrugged. "I'd do the same. It lets you know he cares."
"Well, yeah, that's what family does."
"True. What would we be without family? Well, best leave that to imagination...which would be you."
"Hahaha! I guess it would."
"I know you'd be up to that task. You have the ability to take all these possibilities out of thin air and create stories. You make whole universes all on your own."
"Oh, well...thank you." Pandora blushed.
"It baffles me how you manage here."
"Well, everyone has bad days, but I muddle through."
"You've managed to rise so above your limitations."
"Thank-Wait, what?"
"I mean to be constantly surrounded by such childish beings and create such beauty."
"'Childish beings'? Do you mean my family?"
"Well, your family certainly isn't conductive to creating, even their Concepts go against it."
"Wha-No they aren't!"
"You must see it; they create disorder, chaos, and ruin, where you try to create and add to the universe. Given your talents compared to theirs, I wonder if there was a mix up and you were adopted by Havoc and Entropy and they changed you into a Draconeq-"
"Shut up!" Pandora roared. "How dare you talk about my brothers and sister like that! How dare you insinuate my Parents aren't my Parents! And how dare you look down on them for what they- what WE give the universe!"
"You would have made a wonderful Alicorn. Compared to such base, vulgar deities, you almost are one."
"Don't you dare try to sweet talk out of this! Don't you dare try to spin this into something besides the fact you think you're better than me and my family!"
"Well, I AM Perfection," Morning Star sneered.
"Oh wow." Pandora laughed ruefully. "It must have killed you to say 'we can get along despite being Nature's Law and Nature's Fury.' All right, if you're perfection, then how about you make a PERFECT exit, and don't come back!"
"Farewell." Morning Star bowed and left with a glare.
Pandora did not discover until much later that Morning Star had taken a souvenir with him; the box of dark magic.
In the Imperial Palace, Tirek had just returned after his six months amongst commoners, and went looking for his brother. He first checked the wine cellar, but found him in the stables.
"Hello, Scorpan."
"Tirek!" The gargoyle leapt and hugged his brother. "Glad you're in one piece. With that killer on the loose, we've been worried for you."
"You have so little faith in me that some random fool could kill me? I'm hurt." Tirek smirked.
"Well, it's nice to have you back," Scorpan went back to the stall and sat beside a dark blue Pegasus.
"Yes, well, I need to speak with...you...about...are you brushing a pony's hair?"
"What? Lightning Strike here's my new warhorse; I need to keep him groomed."
"With a bright pink brush covered in hearts?"
"I couldn't find his regular brushes, it's one of the mares'. A brush is a brush, right boy?" Scorpan said as he scratched behind Lightning Strike's ear.
"Never mind. Come, we must speak to Father."
"About what?" Scorpan asked as he followed.
"That blasted elf! I should have foreseen this! Letting that dragon go all those years ago was only the beginning! And while I was away, Father has implemented changes thought up by that meddler!"
"Well-" Scorpan tried to interject, but his brother was on a roll.
"At this rate, he'll convince Father to abandon conquest all together and have us all become like those spineless, soft headed elves, living in trees and singing dreary songs to animals!"
"I don't think it would go that far. Father wouldn't do anything that wasn't for the Empire's good."
"Even Father can make mistakes, and this is a big one!"
The princes burst into their father's study, where Chiron and the Moochick were going over more new laws.
"Father, we must have words," Tirek glowered at the older men.
"Tirek, I am so glad to see you home! Please, let me finish here and-"
"Father, I've seen these new laws you've decreed. What are you thinking? How is the next generation going to grow strong if you let the state coddle them?"
"The new laws do not coddle any, it's allowing changes that will help the Empire ultimately," Chiron responded. "And the people support the changes."
"Who cares what the shopkeepers and stable boys think? We have power, not them!"
Chiron sighed defeated. Clearly, living among the commoners had not worked as hoped.
"Can we PLEASE enjoy having you back tonight, Tirek?" Scorpan asked, getting between his sibling and father. "We can talk about the new laws tomorrow and-"
What Scorpan would have said was cut off by the ground shaking. At first a slight tremor, but growing until it knocked over statues and furniture.
"What's happening?!" Tirek cried as he braced himself against a column.
"My goodness! Look!" The Moochick pointed out the window into the night sky.
They all stared in awe as what seemed to be a shooting star flew overhead. Except it was no shooting star, the trail of smoke and fire behind it made clear that it was within the atmosphere. The sonic boom as it flew past shattered every piece of glass for miles around.
"What in Helios' name is that?!" Scorpan shouted as he covered his ears.
"I honestly don't know!" Chiron shouted back, staring as the fire ball passed the city.
-
"It was Pandora's Box of dark magic. My brother had sent it through the veil to create the problem that only he could solve."
"But, he musta figured he'd be in trouble! Your Folks musta known he caused the mess to fix it! Why would anypony be crazy enough to make a problem...to...solve it...Oh, no. Oh, mah stars!"
"Yes. The incident with Twilight and that Smarty Pants doll brought anything but good memories for my sister."
-
The box fell through the atmosphere with unimaginable speed. Orionopolis' inhabitants were lucky, if it had struck there, only a crater would remain. Instead, it headed several hundred miles to the west, towards a valley miles outside the Empire's edge. When it did land, the sound could be heard for miles, the impact tremor felt even farther. The great impact awoke a long dormant volcano and shattered an entire mountain range, tripling the valley's size. The smoke and dust was also seen for miles. The landing opened the box, allowing the magic within to begin seeping out and saturating the land. The valley became infamous as a source of dark magic for generations afterwards.
The worst was to come. Power ultimately attracts attention of those who want to use and misuse it. One such being found the valley the day after the impact and began experimenting with that power, worsening an already volatile situation. The dark magic became more aggravated, causing more mutations and the new stimulation caused a magical blight to spread beyond the valley. The more aggressive creatures slowly succumbed to the magic and were corrupted by it, mentally and physically. The plant life died off or mutated. Within days, the valley and surrounding area had become a dark wasteland.
The morning after the box flew over Orionopolis, Emperor Chiron met with his generals, officials, his family, and the Moochick. He ultimately decided they needed more information, and ordered a squad of their best air-charioteers to reconnoiter.
Only one returned. He reported that they only made it twenty miles out of the border city of Bacchans before being attacked. He spoke of monsters and a dark sickness growing across the land before succumbing to his wounds. There was little doubt that this sudden attack soon after the falling star was a not coincidence, something deadly had come.
"Father, I ask to lead this expedition. If the Empire needs protecting, it should look to me sooner than later."
"Granted. You and Scorpan will lead."
"Your Highness? I'd like to request to be sent on this mission as well." The Moochick raised his walking stick.
"Thank you, Moochick, but I doubt you'll be able to make friends with a fallen star the way you did with that dragon." Tirek gave a condescending smile to the elf.
"Actually, Your Highness, I was thinking I might be able to help if magic is behind this."
"Verily, Moochick Randall will accompany Tirek and Scorpan." The Emperor nodded. "The expedition will begin at dawn."
The meeting let out and the younger royals went off together.
"Scorpan, Tirek!" They started as Scorpan's mother, Lady Arachne ran down the hall and hugged the princes. "I just heard that you are going off in the morning! Be careful, you hear me! Don't you dare do anything stupid!"
"Mother...not in front of our cousins," Scorpan groaned, as Nessus and Pholus chuckled.
"You watch it, Scorpy. You're not too big to put across my knee, you know," Arachne jokingly scolded.
"Relax, Mother. We'll be fine."
"Yeah." Nessus added as he leaned in his cane. "Scor-Board and Tirry here will beat whatever's out there and be back for a bacchanal."
"Sorry we can't come with you on this one," Pholus added. "But we have duties here."
"Of course, leave us with all the hard work." Tirek scoffed sarcastically.
"Don't be like that, Cousin!" Nessus gave him a slap on the back. "You know we keep you around for a reason!"
"Indeed, too bad you can't come with us. If you were at our side, whatever enemy we might face wouldn't have a leg to stand on." Tirek smiled.
Nessus' smile drooped slightly at the choice of words, and the pain in his foreleg.
"Tirek!" Arachne admonished her stepson.
"Sorry, poor choice of words." Tirek smiled sheepishly.
"It's fine, Cuz." Nessus waved away.
"Eh, it's too bad. After all our sparring, I'd hoped we'd see battle together." Tirek sighed. "I wish I had gotten my hands on that assassin before he robbed you of the warrior's right to face enemies on the field."
"So do I. Damn that satyr coward." Nessus seethed. "I wish I could raise the dead, so I could kill him myself."
"Don't waste time thinking about that goat-legged fife-blower." Pholus patted his shoulder. "Limp or no, you can carve up a body as easily as any."
"True." Nessus smirked.
"Well, we better get ready for tomorrow. See you all later, Scorpan, Nessus, Pholus, Mother Arachne. I have to go do something." Tirek turned and walked off alone.
"Wait, his room's on the palace's other side. Where's he going?" Nessus asked.
Scorpan knew his brother well enough to know where he would go alone at this time of night. "He's going to visit his mother's grave."
"Poor boy." Arachne sighed, hugging Scorpan closer.
The next day, the princes and the assembled legion stood before the Emperor for the traditional send off. Thousands of centaurs stood at attention at the city's entrance, ready to be sent off to find the danger's source.
Alongside them were another thousand non-combatant centaurs serving as medics, thousands of ponies pulling chariots and supply wagons, a full set of dragon defense ballistae, and one elf wearing armor that looked made for a child.
They marched west, until they reached the Empire's border. The last stop near the border was the city of Bacchans, where they planned to stop before they ventured into the wilderness.
"Whoa there, Lightning Strike!" Scorpan ordered as his Pegasus slowed to a trot. "What do you wanna do once at Bacchans, Tirry?"
"Get supplies and get out before the smell becomes too much."
"Oh, come on, Tirek, it's Bacchans for crying out loud! Gambling, feasts, the best wine for miles and don't even get me started on the ladies!"
"Does nothing matter to you besides wine and women?"
"Song?"
"Ugh, forgive me if I don't find much enjoyment in such distractions."
"I know we're on a mission, but there is such a thing as being too serious. You need to start having some fun once in a while."
"I plan to have fun when we are hip deep in monsters, swords swinging into anything that moves." Tirek smiled serenely.
"All right, that is exhilarating, but seriously, you need to unwind before we...Uh, Tirek? I think we have a problem!"
"What? ...Oh!"
Bacchans stood not half a mile before them, but there was no sign of life and any buildings still standing were in purple tinted ruins.
"Good heavens!" The Moochick gulped in horror.
"We'll investigate. Salvage any provisions," Tirek ordered.
Their investigation made clear the city died violently. The streets were littered with junk and dead bodies. A few seemed as if they but dropped dead, but most obviously met gruesome ends, and more than a few were in pieces. An attack, a riot, either looked likely. Worse, it was clear they had been dead for over a week.
The soldiers searched through the wreckage for anything worth salvaging, but bizarrely, everything was covered by strange purple ooze. It seemed to have grown over anything left open to the elements; furniture, buildings, food, tools and the myriad of bodies. Many of the slime covered corpses looked horribly deformed. Several centaurs were found with swollen body parts, or even extra parts.
For generations, the Great Centaur Empire had been called impregnable, the definition of strength and power. Now, thousands of Empire's citzens lay dead at their hooves. Everyone was on edge at the sight. Almost everyone. Tirek merely surveyed the ruins without a hint of horror or grief.
After hours of searching, a scream rang through the empty city. One of the centaurs littering the ground had not been dead. The centaur writhed in agony, scratching at his skin covered in the purple muck.
"HOLD HIM DOWN!" The Moochick ordered as he charged forward.
The centaurs held the screaming figure as the elf ran forward and whipped his hat off his head. He pulled out his mortar and pestle and began frantically mixing medicines. He tried to force the every remedy and tonic he knew down the plague ridden centaur's throat, but to no effect.
"This should be working! The only reason it wouldn't is...Oh no. There's no other way. Hold him tight, this is going to be difficult!"
"What are you going to do?" Tirek demanded.
The Moochick closed his eyes and concentrated. Within seconds, a small golden light appeared over his head, and when he opened his eyes, they were glowing gold. The centaurs flinched in surprise as the elf held the sides of the victim's head and both of their mouths opened. A surge of black energy billowed from the centaur's mouth into the Moochick's. As the energy drained, the purple slime slowly dried up and turned brown. The centaur went limp, as the dried remains of the plague fell away.
"Is...is he all right?" Scorpan asked.
"Probably not, but we need to try." The Moochick sadly tilted a flask to the victim's lips.
"Ooooh, it's coming." The half dead centaur moaned.
"That's rarely a good sentence to hear. What's coming?" The Moochick asked as he prepared more medicine.
"The darkness!" He shrieked. "The darkness from the depths of chaos! The dark lady spreads her shadows and makes horrors in the gloom! It will never stop...All will die...All is lost...All...is-" The centaur gasped his last.
The Moochick sighed. "I'm sorry. I had hoped that would work."
"What did you do?" Tirek demanded.
"It's called Mana Transfer." The Moochick bowed to the dead centaur with his hat in his hands.
"Manna?" Scorpan was flabbergasted. "Um, Moochick, I've eaten manna, and that wasn't what I saw."
"No, no, no, mana in this case is the elf term for raw magical energy. Whenever magic is used, it's this energy being manipulated. It's everywhere, and in everything to one degree or another. It sustains life, keeps the world moving, and some have even theorized it keeps the soul in place until death."
"Wait, you sucked out his soul?!" Demanded one of the soldiers.
"No! I would never do something so unnaturally despicable! The spell allows me to transfer an amount of that magic from one source to another, or disperse it into the ether. The energy I pulled out was in the purple goop on him. It's like no magic I've known before. It's powerful, but it's also...for lack of a better word, dark. It's filled with bad feelings. It's soaked in aggression, fear, and hatred and I think it passed those feelings onto those it touched."
"The whole city is infested with it." Tirek looked around at how much of the area was covered, intrigued by the idea of this plague. "It drove these people mad, like this man."
"But where did it-" The Moochick stopped as he remembered. "Wait, I recognize this. This is smoss; a fungus that grows in dark and dank areas. I've seen it plenty of times in forests. It grows so fast that, if left unchecked, it can choke out all other plants in an area and take over large sections of forests or swamps. And if this new magic has infected it..."
"How far can it spread?" Scorpan asked in dawning horror.
"Miles and miles from wherever it started. And fast! It could spread across miles in a matter of weeks or days…Oh no."
"The fallen star," Tirek observed.
"We have to find that 'star' as soon as possible!" The Moochick gulped. "Or it could spread until it devours all the lands."
"We need to stymie the spread." Tirek turned to the captain. "Burn the city."
"What?!" The Moochick gasped. "Your Highness, don't you think that's a little excessive?"
"The magic in this fungus or algae or whatever brought this city to its knees, we can't allow it to spread further! We need to sterilize the area!" He turned back to the captain. "Burn the buildings, the plants, the animals, the bodies, everything! Burn it down and salt the earth!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Well, I suppose. It's too bad there aren't any Flutterpony colonies around here."
"Flutter...ponies?" Tirek raised an eyebrow.
"They're a very reclusive type of pony my people discovered. Similar to pegasi, but their wings are instead akin to butterflies."
Scorpan stared. "Butterflies."
"Yes, and amazingly, when they beat their wings together, producing smoss killing antibodies whenever it invades their territory...did I missed a joke?"
Tirek, Scorpan and the surrounding centaurs shared a laugh at the Moochick's description of the Flutterponies.
"Ponies with butterfly wings, like little fairies!" Tirek chuckled.
"That's too silly even for a child's toy!" Scorpan snickered.
The soldiers did as Tirek commanded. That night they camped in the light of Bacchens burning.
"Such a waste." Scorpan muttered watching a burning temple collapse.
"Oh, don't get upset, Scorpan." Tirek sighed. "I'm sure you can find another place to debauch when we return."
"I meant the loss of people." Scorpan growled.
"If you say so."
"Tirek, I'm serious! This...this is bad. Even at the war's worst, we never saw anything like this."
"It's the way things are, Scorpan, and it's how it'll be until we change them."
"What?"
"Scorpan, walk with me." Tirek motioned for his brother and began walking away from the camp.
My night was bright with a full moon and array of stars. In the desert, there are few distractions and much untouched land to reflect the light, I am particularly beautiful.
"Beautiful night." Tirek appreciated me immensely.
"Tirry, what did you mean that things will be this way until we change them?"
"Brother, do you know what I learned among commoners?" Tirek droned as he stared up at my stars.
"I don't know. Um...that we're not so different from them? That they need help?"
"No, I learned that the great and invincible empire that we were raised to believe in does not exist."
"...What?!"
"It's a fantasy, Scorpan, made by centuries of misinformation and weakness."
"Hoo boy." Scorpan sighed. "Tirry, I know that time must have been hard, but you're probably overreacting-"
"I am not overreacting!" Tirek growled "And my name is Tirek, Scorpan! We may be brothers, but I've had it with that infantile nickname!"
"Whoa, all right, sorry, don't get upset." Scorpan raised his talons to calm the situation.
"I already am, brother. I doubt you've seen what I have. I went to see what my subjects would be like, and what did I find? A population of whiners, slackers, traitors, drunks, sluts, morons, thieves, weaklings, and mindless sheep!"
"It...it can't be that bad."
"I saw it, Scorpan. I saw so many of them, talked with them, and even tried to connect with them. It always ended with an endless stream of petty yammering. They had no regard, no concept of being warriors, or the pride that comes with being a citizen of the Empire. Want to know truly why Bacchens' people died? They died because they weren't strong enough to fight what descended on them."
"Maybe they could have been more vigilant, but they were citizens of the Empire. They were our people, even if they didn't fully appreciate what an honor that is."
"And now, they're dead. Don't fool yourself, Scorpan. Intentions do not change outcomes, morals do not keep anyone alive, and honor will never bring back the dead."
"Tirek, just because some don't spend every day training for battle doesn't mean they're weak. Nessus and Pholus and I have fun all the time, but we know there's a time and place for it."
"I would agree if the lower classes at least gave that much attention to their duties. They've grown lazy and passive, and as we've seen, an emergency occurred and they were easily crushed. And don't even get me started on how they disrespected us and our family."
"Wait, what?"
"Oh, they loved to talk about how Father was a fool and I was a worthy successor because I was more a fool. And you...oh, I almost killed so many of them for what they said about you."
"W-what did they say?"
Tirek looked right in Scorpan's eyes, his face a mask of rage and shame. "They had the gall to say that you weren't truly my brother. That you could never be our father's son because you're a gargoyle."
"Now, wait a minute! I accepted a long time ago that the Great CENTAUR Empire had to be run by a centaur, but I'll be damned to Tartarus before I let anyone tell me my family isn't my family!"
"I had the same reaction, and I may have been in a couple brawls with the ones who pressed the matter."
"Oh, I wish I had been there with you! We'd have shown them!"
"We WILL show them. When I ascend to the throne, you and I will make sure no one ever questions the lineage or right to rule of a prince of the Empire ever again!"
"Oh gracious, where is that blasted thing?" The princes jumped at the voice and found the Moochick wandering away from the camp. "It must be around here someplace! It didn't get up and walk away! ...Unless I dropped it in that hexed smoss and it gained the ability to walk. Can it do that? I sure hope not."
"Moochick, what are you doing?" Tirek rolled his eyes.
"Oh, I've misplaced my watch."
"Watching who?"
"My watch. It's my own invention. It's a small clock that I keep in my pocket on a chain."
"Oh, is THAT what this is?" Scorpan pulled out a small golden disk on a chain. "Found it near the mess at dinner."
"Oh, that's it! Thank you, Your Highness!"
"Any time."
"Well, better get back. Need sort out my mushrooms."
"Preparing a spell?"
"No, I'm thinking of remodeling my house. Right now I have a Chanterelle house, but I'm thinking of changing it, maybe making it a nice little Portobello. Well, good night, Your Highnesses."
"Uh, yeah, good night." Scorpan chuckled as the elf walked off. "How can he be so clever and so loopy?"
"I wonder if it's all an act to lull us into a false sense of security before he supplants Father."
"Nah, I don't think he's that devious."
"Appearances can be deceiving. And when the time comes, and it will, choose carefully whose side you want to be on; the loopy elf, or your brother who defended you." Tirek gave his brother a pointed look. "Well, you better head off and get some rest."
"Aren't you going to turn in too?"
"No, I think I'll watch the moon for a little while longer."
"Hey, sure." Scorpan smirked. "I'll, uh, give you and Lady Selene some private time."
"Shut up." Tirek gave his brother a halfhearted shove.
Scorpan returned to camp, casting a few glances back at Tirek, who stood and stared up at my night sky. He happened to walk by the Moochick, sitting near the horses and going through his case of mushrooms as he said.
"Hello, Prince Scorpan." The Moochick smiled.
"Hey there. Find the right house model yet?"
"Mmm, to tell the truth, now I'm thinking of keeping my house as is. My sister always tells me that I need to trust my gut. She's right, naturally, since it's usually so loud, especially near suppertime."
"You have a sister?"
"Oh yes, my older sister, Bonnie! She's always looked out for me, even after we grew up."
"What's she like?"
"Oh, a bit too serious, a bit too confident, and we've had our share of fights, but at heart, I know she and I will always be there for each other."
"I feel the same way with my brother." Scorpan smiled at that.
"Yes, but at least you have military training for when you two disagree. I end up in an arm lock or with my face in the dirt whenever my sister thinks I'm getting too big for my britches."
"Wait, your...your sister beats you up?"
"No! She only reminds me that she COULD beat me up if she wanted to. She's the one with the army training."
"What? So, your people already let women in your army? Your sister is a soldier?!"
"She's captain of the King and Queen's personal guard."
Scorpan could have been knocked over by a falling leaf. "...I...You...What?!"
"Oh yes, she's the best they've had for years." The Moochick chuckled proudly.
"A...a WOMAN was tough enough to be c-captain of your royal guard?!"
"Oh yes!"
"But...how could...how strong could she be?!"
"If she wanted to, she could probably take down six of your men by herself, unarmed." The Moochick smiled nostalgically. "And watch out if she ever did get her hands on a weapon! Ooh, she can cut through boulders like butter!"
"You're joking, right?"
"Oh dear, no. Though, now that you mention it, one of your men told me a rather good joke about a gnome, a satyr and a dryad who walk into a tavern." The Moochick's train of thought was brought to a halt by a loud neighing. "Oh my, what a noisy fellow!"
"Lightning Strike! Settle down!" Scorpan called to his Pegasus, who stamped and neighed restlessly.
"Oh my, he must be hungry." The Moochick reached into his hat and pulled out a bag of apples. "Here, let him have one of these. They'll cheer him right up."
Scorpan gave the apples to his pony, who nuzzled him affectionately in return.
"That's a good boy." Scorpan patted his steed on the muzzle.
"You have a fine Pegasus there, Your Highness." The Moochick smiled. "Though, I do wonder why you'd need a pegasus when you have your wings of your own."
"Why do you need an earth pony when you have legs?" Scorpan smirked in reply.
"Hehehe. Got me there!" The Moochick chuckled. "Still, he is a very nice specimen."
"Lightning Strike's got plenty of spirit. He fears nothing. But he's not stupid. And quite the stud." Scorpan patted his pony on the side.
The Moochick smiled. He turned to the camp's outskirts and saw Tirek out in the dark, watching my night. "Hmmm. If you'll excuse me, Prince Scorpan, I think I'll go see your brother."
"Uh...you might want to wait until later."
"Why?"
"He's enjoying the night. He HATES being interrupted when he's enjoying the night."
"Well, I enjoy the night myself, he might like having someone to enjoy it with."
"Your funeral." Scorpan chuckled.
The Moochick strolled to where Tirek stood, mesmerized by the stars overhead.
"Prince Tirek?" The elf barely got the words out before he found a sword aimed right between his eyes.
"Oh, it's you." Tirek sighed as he returned his sword to its sheath. "What do you want?"
"Your Highness, I was hoping we could talk." The Moochick smiled, as if he HADN'T had a sword shoved in his face by a centaur three times his size.
"I'd rather watch the stars in peace, thank you."
"Which are your favorite? I'm partial to the Great and Little Bear, myself."
"...You know the Ursa Major and Minor?" Tirek stared in mild surprise.
"Of course, I love astronomy." The Moochick smiled. "And, as I understand it, you are fond of nighttime."
"Fond? No, I'm not FOND of the night. tis LOVE." Tirek uttered seriously, his eyes never leaving my stars. "I always have. It's cool, enticing, and...mysterious."
"Why, Your Highness, you DO sound like you're in love. You may as well have described a LADY." The Moochick smiled.
"Not any lady, MY Lady. Night Goddess, Lady Selene. Oh, if she were here in the flesh, I would pledge the whole Empire to her if she would be mine."
"That's interesting. I thought your people put your faith in the male deities."
"I would, if the other gods were of any use to me. Helios and his sweltering sun, Poseidon and his empty seas, Bacchus and his wasteful merriment, Venus and her weak sentimentality; I find nothing in them worthy of praise."
"But, I have seen you with your family in the temples plenty of times."
"Keeping up appearances. It's expected for the royal family to follow the gods' will. Once I'm crowned Emperor, I'll be free of that."
"I see."
"What? You aren't going to tell me that I'll incur the gods' wrath? That I'm a blasphemer who will rot in Tartarus?"
"Who am I to judge your religious beliefs?"
"That didn't stop you from trying to change my people's way of life."
"...Prince Tirek, are you so upset with me for advising your father?" The Moochick asked concernedly.
"Yes! Do you think I can't see what you're doing?"
"I think you must be seeing something I'm not, because I don't know your meaning."
"You're trying to change our society and make us weaklings like your kind!"
If the Moochick was offended by the implication of his people being weaklings, he didn't show it. "That's not so, Your Highness. I'm trying to help you and your people prepare."
That got the prince's attention. "Prepare for what?"
"Despite what you may have heard, my people aren't so connected to nature that we get notes from the powers that be telling us everything. But, for a few years now, I've had this...this feeling, call it what you will, instinct, prophecy, whatever...that SOMETHING is coming."
"What is coming?"
"Change."
Tirek scoffed. "Change? All you have is some vague idea that things will change?"
"No, not change as in my milk will be delivered on different days. This is change as in...well, as in the dragons uniting under their parent gods."
Tirek stared, intrigued.
"Before you ask, Prince Tirek, no, I did not know that was going to happen. Something will cause a change, not only for your people and mine, but possibly for the entire world. I've been trying to help your people prepare for that change, because I believe your people, and you especially, Prince Tirek, will play a large part in it."
"Then...then, why these new laws that encourage weakness?"
"It's not meant to create weakness; it's to make your people stronger and more unified. I am not trying to turn you into a copy of my people. I know we are very different cultures, and the world needs those differences, as it needs BOTH lions and lambs. And, as much as I know you and your people value strength and power, there's something that I fear you've overlooked."
"And what, pray tell, is that?"
"Strength and intelligence, while important, will only take you so far. What truly decides survival is how one adapts to change. And I want you to survive."
-
"So, the Moochick wanted ta help the centaurs 'cause he thought they were gettin' outdated?"
"Not only outdated, Applejack, but unprepared for what awaited. The Moochick was correct that a great change was coming; I know because my family was planning the change."
"So, what was gonna happen?"
"We'll get to that."
-
Tirek realized that the Moochick genuinely cared, which meant that he had a way to manipulate him.
"Moochick, would you mind explaining that spell you used on that madman in Bacchans?"
"Oh, Mana Transfer?"
"Yes, how were you able to draw that power out of him?"
"It's a medical spell. The caster can transfer mana from some surrounding sources into a dying creature. It can bring them back to health, even if they're on the brink of death."
"But, you didn't draw magic from another source, you sucked it out of him."
"Yes, I...I've never had to do it that way before. I assumed that if the spell could transfer good magic, I might be able to draw the dark magic away like poison from a wound."
"Moochick, this...power, threat, or whatever we are about to face will likely have much more of that 'dark magic'. We need to be able to combat it, so I want you to teach me this spell."
"Oh, oh my. I suppose I could teach you, but it's a daunting, powerful spell and it can be a disaster if not used correctly."
"Then I had best learn to use it correctly then."
The legion went west with the dawn. For three days, they marched and found more of the fungus, spreading until it covered miles worth of fields. They burned and salted the earth as they went to try and contain it, but that would only last so long. To stop it completely, they needed to cut off the source of its power.
At Tirek's request, the Moochick did begin training him to use the Mana Transfer spell. They spent several nights going over it. The Moochick set a magic glowing crystal before Tirek as his test subject. As the nights wore on, he was able to pull more energy out of the crystal each time.
"Focus the energy in your body above your head. Make it the center of your being. Then...inhale."
Tirek did, and the glow inside the crystal slowly faded. A stream of energy flew through the air into Tirek's mouth.
"And, release."
Tirek sighed and expelled the magic back into the crystal.
"Very good! Yes, you've gotten the hang of this."
"Of course. I love the power running through my veins."
"Well, yes, it can be energizing, but it's best to release the power."
"It's a potent spell."
"Oh yes! In fact, that spell was what put me on my path to become a Moochick. When I was young, I went out fishing in a brook outside my village, and on the way home, I found a wounded rabbit dying on the ground. I was able to use the mana transfer to gather strength from the grass, the trees, the water, the sunlight, and even the animals. With all of it giving a tiny bit, it was enough to revive the poor thing."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why waste magic on some animal that would probably end up as some wolf's supper anyway?"
"...Oh Tirek. If you have to ask that, I'm not sure I could explain it to you. And funny, because a wolf did showed up after I revived her."
"Did it attack you?" Tirek didn't even try to hide his amusement.
"No, I tossed it the fish I caught and that seemed to satisfy it."
"Hmm, I half expected you to say you turned it into a fuzzy-wuzzy puppy that poops flowers and rainbows."
"Hohohahaha! Oh dear me! What a sight that would be! No, I went my way with the rabbit and the wolf went his after finishing his meal."
"And gone off to kill more rabbits."
"Reasonably."
"You're being casual. I thought you were all for respect for life and living in 'peace and harmony' with nature."
"Oh, I am!"
"Yet, you don't seem to mind letting a creature that kills others live. Why didn't you destroy this threat to the precious life you treasure so much?"
"A wolf is what it is and a rabbit is what it is. There isn't any malice or evil intent in its actions, it needs to do what it needs to do to survive."
"Then why save the rabbit?"
"Because it needed help."
"And the thousands of rabbits or deer or any other creature that died since that occurred? You can't save them all, so how can you possibly make a difference?"
The Moochick gazed defiantly at the prince. "That rabbit lived a full life and passed on surrounded by generations of her children. It made a difference to that one."
Tirek rolled his eyes. He still didn't understand, and he was quickly losing patience with the subject.
"Moochik, what would happen if you kept taken mana?"
"What?"
"Well, what if say, you drew mana from that tree, absorbed it and didn't release it again?"
"Well...I suppose it would add to my own personal mana, and increase my magical abilities."
"And how much could you draw?"
"It's best not to think of such thing, but, I supposed one could only draw a small amount, to be sure."
"Why only small amounts?"
"Because when you take mana from a living thing, it saps them of its life. If you take too much at once, they might die, or worse!"
"What could be worse than-"
"TIREK!"
They whirled around and saw Scorpan streaking down from the sky on Lightning Strike. He pulled the pegasus to a halt, but stayed on his mount. The young gargoyle was sweating bullets, and not from heat.
"Tirek, get your chariot! I went to scout ahead and I found something you need to see!"
"We'll continue this, later, Moochick." Tirek dismissed the elf and ran off to his pegasus drawn chariot.
Within seconds, both princes were flying in the darkness over the camp. Tirek followed Scorpan higher and higher, until Scorpan called for them to stop.
"There!" Scorpan pointed off in the distance.
Tirek saw it and his eyes widened in shock. Only a few miles away stood the valley in all its horrific glory. A massive cloud cover hovered unmoving above the valley, pulsing with near constant lightning strikes. In the brief flashes of lightning, the prince could see the mountain stained purple with the mutated smoss.
"Congratulations, Scorpan, you've found our destination." Tirek smiled.
"You sure that scary place isn't a decoy, and the smoss' real source isn't near a nice beach somewhere?" Scorpan half-joked.
"I doubt it."
"Well, can't blame a gargoyle for hoping."
"We'll begin approach in the morning."
The approach to the valley was an uncomfortable experience for the entire legion. The charioteers flew over the trails and spread oil to burn away the smoss so the grounded could march in. When they reached the mountains' peak, they could see the whole valley. A dark forest filled most of the valley, but near the other end of the basin was a massive crater. 'Smoke' plumed up from the crater's center and into the constant storm. Lightning struck around crater's radius at least once a minute, except it was striking upwards from the ground and into the clouds instead of vice versa.
"I think we've found the magic's source." Tirek squinted determinedly at the view.
"Your Highness." The Moochick gulped. "Be on your guard. The dark magic I felt in Bacchans was a shadow compared to what I feel is down there."
They marched down into the valley. A few of them noticed a strange human woman stalking up the trail a few miles away, but they paid her no mind. They assumed she was some random human who happened on the purple plague and was driven mad by it. The Moochick wished to help her but was overruled. Had they known who she was and confronted her, the course of history would have been very different.
They made their way through the forest, but it was narrow and difficult to move that many and equipment through. The trees were black and misshapen, and seemed half rotted. They tried to stop by a stream for fresh water, but the water was filled with smoss. The clouds overhead stayed in their tight formation over the valley, keeping my sister out as the magic fed it more and more. Even the Everfree's darkest corners would be a sunny dale compared to that evil place.
After the sun set, it was darker a night any of them had ever known. No moon or stars could shine through the clouds, and without the sun the gloom became pitch darkness. They camped in the woods, but none slept well in this place.
Except Tirek. He loved the moon and stars, but he also found that utter darkness as pleasing. I sometimes wonder if the cloud cover helped inspire him with the idea of magically blocking out the sun.
The following day, they made it to the forest's edge, and things got even worse.
Once beyond the trees, they saw the crater. From their vantage, they could see the box. Dimensions in the eternal world are not the same in the mortal realm. For Pandora and Morning Star it was barely bigger than a shoebox. Here, it stood 15 feet tall. Clouds of dark magic gushed from an open lid on the box's top, and Tirek noticed that the smoss was growing on the box's side seemingly feeding on or coming from magic escaping the opening.
"All right, get ready. Moochick, can you find a way to seal that thing?" Tirek, asked.
"It will be hard, but I hope-I believe I can." The Moochick gulped.
"Then let's get to it. MOVE OUT!" Scorpan called to the troops.
The first hundred soldiers barely made it out of the forest before the screaming started.
"WHAT'S GOING ON?!" Tirek bellowed.
"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" The nearest man yelled back, raising his bow.
The troops' movement had finally attracted the valley's inhabitants' attention. Vicious beasts rampaged through the legion, maiming all in their way. Today, we know them commonly as manticores and chimeras, but these were their kind's genesis, created using the magic of Pandora's box, and every last one was covered by the smoss.
"Archers, fire!" A soldier ordered, and the arrows flew into one of the manticores. It went down, but three more took its place.
"We can't fight in the woods! The monsters know it too well!" The Moochick gasped as he raised his walking stick and a light shown through the forest. "FOLLOW THE LIGHT! GET OUT OF THE FOREST!"
The archers covered the rest of the legion as they moved towards the open field. They ran, swinging their swords and spears as they went. The monsters became more aggressive as they neared forest's edge. Then, a massive stampede of the creatures flanked the soldiers as they got to the clearing.
The chimeras took down the ponies pulling the dragon fighting weapons and the manticores leapt onto the weapons themselves and began ripping them apart.
"Why are they attacking the weapons?" Yelled a soldier.
"This isn't some animal attack. They're trying to stop us from reaching the box." The Moochick gulped as he motioned for more of them to follow.
A manticore roared and lunged at the Moochick. "No, no, no!"
The elf whacked the creature in the face with his walking stick. The creature fell to the ground with a thud. A few centaurs froze in astonishment at the sight.
"You...you killed it?!" One gasped.
"No, of course not! Only a sleeping charm. He'll be up and around tomorrow." The Moochick replied, blasting another manticore to sleep.
"Charioteers, let's give them more cover!" Scorpan ordered.
Scorpan rode Lightning Strike into the air, leading the few centaur charioteers whose pegasi hadn't been maimed by the monsters. They began raining arrows into the trees at the chimeras and manticores. Soon, the rest of the legion was out of the forest, but more of the monsters started coming.
"Scorpan, you and your men keep the creatures pinned while we take care of their power source!" Tirek ordered.
"You can count on it, Tirek!" Scorpan yelled back. "Come on, men, let 'em fly!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" The men replied as they sent another volley of arrows into the forest.
"Forward!" Tirek commanded his regiment.
The centaurs charged down the crater's edge as the sky rumbled overhead.
"Faster!" Tirek yelled.
"Oh dear! Oh dear!" The Moochick muttered as he fell behind the centaurs' pace.
They had made it half way to the box when the thunder itself was drowned out by a rapid, deep rumbling. The centaurs prepared for a stampede of some kind, but were met with the arrival of only one horrific creature rising out of the forest at the crater's other side.
The creature towered over them on eight hairy legs and gazed down at them with one wide, blood red eye. Her name was Lahb. The first and most vicious of the Polyphemus Gargantula, or as they were more commonly known, the Giant Cyclops Spiders. At her full height, she stood forty feet tall. She stalked down the crater and squatted over the box as if it were her own egg sack, daring them to come and take it from her.
"Gracious!" The Moochick gawked. "I've seen a few strange creatures before, but that...that's new."
"No matter how big, it's only a spider." Tirek sneered. "And we'll crush it like all the rest. Archers!"
A volley of arrows flew at Lahb, but she reared back and spat a wave of venom into the air. The arrows were melted before they ever reached her. She roared and charged at the centaurs. They scrambled to avoid her tree-trunk sized legs, but several were crushed beneath her. They shot arrows upwards into the spider's torso, attacked her legs with swords and spears, but she hardly noticed. She lunged downwards, impaling many centaurs with her venomous fangs, or swallowing them whole.
"Your Highness, we're getting, slaughtered! We need to retreat!" One commander cried.
"Agreed!" Tirek replied. "Moochick, do you have anything that might hurt this thing?"
"Well, there might be one thing, but it's dangerous!" The elf replied, trying not to be stepped on by the spider OR his centaur allies.
"Try it!" Tirek shouted as he thrust his sword into the arachnid's leg.
"Alright!"
The Moochick raised his walking stick, which glowed a bright blue. For an instant, the valley grew silent, and...BOOM! The blast of magic that erupted from his cane sent the spider flying hundreds of feet into the air. Lahb sailed past Tirek's contingent, past Scorpan's troops, before crashing into the forest, leveling dozens of trees and scattering the other monsters in panic.
The centaurs gaped in awe. Tirek was the first to turn back to the Moochick, who stared after the spider. "We better hurry. It's stunned, but it will be back and angry! We need to get to that box!"
The charge towards the crater's center resumed. The troops surrounded the box and formed ranks to fend off any attack while they tried to close it. The Moochick ran to the box's edge examining it.
"These symbols...I don't recognize them, but they're powerful. The magic's radiating off the box like heat! It's going to take a fair bit of magic to close it. Don't try to push it closed on it'll burn your hands off."
The Moochick waved his walking stick and teleported to the box's top. He touched his cane to the surface and closed his eyes. He focused all his magic into reaching out to the box with his mind, the opening began to inch shut.
A loud crashing caught all's attention as Lahb rose, snapping trees as she climbed to her long legs. She roared and charged towards Scorpan's ranks.
"Ground forces, retreat to Tirek's position! Charioteers, ascend and fire!" Scorpan ordered.
The charioteers flew higher above the spider and began raining arrows down on her.
"We can't penetrate its hide!" A charioteer yelled.
"Go for the eye, blind it!" Scorpan yelled back.
They regrouped ahead of Lahb and shot volley after volley towards her face. Unfortunately, that only enraged the spider more. She leapt into the air and tried swatting at charioteers. She caught one in her jaws on her first lunge.
"Retreat! Retreat! Fall back to Tirek's position and-"
Scorpan's order was cut short by Lahb coming right at him and Lightning Strike. He pulled the reigns to fly away, but the spider was quicker. Lightning Strike neighed in anguish as the spider's fangs impaled him right above his forleg and where his wing met his back. Scorpan was thrown off the pegasus' back at the impact and watched in horror as his beloved steed writhed in agony before the spider tossed it aside and went for the rest of the charioteers.
"LIGHTNING STRIKE!" Scorpan flew after the pegasus.
He flew as fast as he could, but he was only quick enough to see the pony crash into the ground. He landed next to Lightning Strike and inspected him. The bite wounds were deep and already swelling with venom, and the fall had broken his remaining wing and two more of his legs. The poor creature thrashed and neighed in absolute pain. He ran his claws down the pony's head to try and offer some small comfort.
"Lightning Strike, you were a magnificent steed, and a loyal friend. I'd hoped we'd have more adventures together, but it seems that won't work out." He unsheathed his sword. "Don't worry, boy. It won't hurt much longer."
He raised his sword above his head and aimed at the poor Pegasus's neck. And Lightning Strike's pain ended.
-
Applejack bowed her head, pulling her hat to cover her face.
"I know hearing of a pony being killed is hard to hear. If it helps, it was over in a second. Please don't judge Scorpan too harshly. He loved Lightning Strike as much as any true friend, and doing so hurt him much. It would have taken so long for him to succumb to his injuries or the spider bite, and in pain the whole time. He only-"
"-wanted to spare the poor creature the pain." Applejack looked at me, and I could see the haunted understanding in her eyes that only comes from those who've seen such things first-hoof. "Ah've worked a farm all mah life. Ah've raised loads of critters, even the ones who can't talk or think like we can. And Ah know how hard it is when the time comes to put 'em down. Pigs that get bought by griffins for meat, or chickens that get hurt by foxes. Heck, Granny told me her folks had a dog that went rabid and she had to put him out of his misery. Ah don't blame what that Scorpan fella did, Ah wish he didn't have to go through the pain of givin' out THAT kinda mercy."
I stood and wrapped her in my wings, hoping to help share her burden. I stayed that way for several minutes before resuming the tale.
-
Scorpan shuddered as he turned from the body of his faithful friend. The spider was still rampaging through his troops towards the box. He raised his sword and flew into the air with a snarl. Avoiding the barrage of arrows from his comrades, he dived beneath the spider and thrust his sword up into its abdomen as he flew. He cut down the beast's center, but not deep enough to do damage, only enough to anger it more.
Lahb roared and Scorpan but roared back. "COME ON, YOU OVERGROWN GARDEN PEST! SEE WHAT A PRINCE OF THE EMPIRE IS MADE OF!"
Scorpan flew past her biting mouth and swung his sword into her nearest leg. He landed on her back and began stabbing downwards into her carapace. She shrieked, but couldn't reach her attacker. She made to jump again, but Scorpan took a running leap right over her head. With a warcry, he jumped right past her face and brought his sword down towards her chelicera. Lahb roared in pain as the blade shattered her left fang.
"SCORPAN GET OUT OF THERE!" Tirek yelled, alarmed at how close he was to the spider's open mouth.
"DON'T WORRY, TIREK! I'LL BE FI-" His cry came too soon, unfortunately. In her blind pain, Lahb swung forward and Scorpan was hit full force. He was sent hurtling into the ground at such speed and force, his back, wings and half of his ribs shattered on impact.
"SCORPAN!" Tirek cried. He surged forward to get through the crowd of soldiers to get to his brother.
The nearby centaurs ran to check on their prince, but Lahb swept them away with her legs. She glared at the broken gargoyle. Scorpan was barely conscious, and had lost most of the feeling below his neck. He was helpless and Lahb knew it.
She lunged at him, forgetting the rest of her enemies in the face of revenge on the one who took her fang. Tirek watched in horror as the giant black form obscured his brother from view. The air was filled with terrible crunching sounds. When she stood, her mouth was dripping red, and all that remained on the ground was a pool of blood and fur.
"No. No! NO! FIRE AT WILL!" Tirek howled in a rage that scared even his own men.
He turned and ran back to the box where the Moochick still worked to close the box.
"Only...a few...more...feet!" The Moochick grunted.
"MOOCHICK!" Tirek yelled as he came to the box. He grabbed a spear and used it to pole-vault up to the box's top. "Did you see that?"
"Did I see what?" The Moochick had been too engrossed to notice anything besides trying to shut the box.
Tirek grabbed the elf by the collar of his shirt and lifted him to his eye level. "MY BROTHER'S DEATH! OR WAS THAT NOT IMPORTANT TO YOU?!"
"What?!" The Moochick gasped and looked back at the spider. He saw the fresh blood on its face. "Oh no...oh no! Oh, I'm so sorry, Your High-"
"I don't want you to say 'sorry!' I want you to fix it!" Tirek growled.
"What?" The Moochick asked confused.
"I said, 'fix it!' Bring him back!" Tirek yelled, growing angrier by the second.
"Prince Tirek, I...I can't!"
Tirek slammed the Moochick down on the box.
"Don't give me that! You were powerful enough to send that creature flying, you have enough power to bring him back! I am the Prince of the Centaur Empire and I command you to bring my brother back!"
"I can't, Your Highness!"
"LIAR!" Tirek pulled out his sword and put it to the Moochick's neck.
"I swear, I can't! My magic's powerful, but I'm not a god. Even the greatest spells I know of can't bring back the dead!"
Loss of family is terrible for any, but can be much worse when that family member was all one had. Tirek had his father and stepmothers, but you can plainly see he cared for them little. Scorpan was the only other being Tirek valued. It was a manipulative, dishonest, self-serving relationship, but in his own way, he loved his brother. He had been on the edge of insanity for so long, I honestly believe Scorpan's love and friendship was the only thing that had kept him relatively whole.
Then Scorpan died in his full view, and whatever hopes there were for Tirek died with him.
Tirek stared at the Moochick in disbelief, until a crash turned his attention back to the arachnid abomination. His men still tried to battle Lahb, but they still had little effect. Then he stared at the box's opening, still billowing magic into the air.
"Then, I shall have my revenge!" He threw the Moochick aside and strode to the opening.
"Prince Tirek, what are you doing?!" The elf cried in a panic.
"That beasts of this valley are fed by this power," Tirek grinned as the spider charged. "Well, now I shall have a taste!"
"Tirek, NO!"
He stooped over the opening and began the mana drain spell, gulping the magic down like a pony dying of thirst finding a stream. The Moochick backed away from the prince in alarm as Tirek's body grew a few inches and his coat became darker. The prince stood, his eyes glowing with the dark magic he'd taken. I imagine he found the rush of power intoxicating. Tirek roared as it built inside him.
Lahb stared at the roar that could be heard even over the din of battle. Tirek grinned maniacally back at her, and even in her twisted mind, she felt a twinge of fear at the sight of him.
"OH YES! OH, NOW YOU WILL TASTE MY WRAAAAAAAAAAAAAATH!"
He roared and blasted Lahb with every ounce of magic he took from the box. The spider never had a chance. Her entire left side was blasted away, leaving the remaining half a smoking husk. The Moochick watched in horror as the creature toppled to the ground with a horrid squishing crunch.
And Tirek laughed. He laughed loud and long as he stared at the corpse of the monster that killed his brother. Everyone within range felt a chill at the sound. It was a mirthless savage, triumphant cackle that sounded was eerily similar to a roar. He shook so hard from the laughter that he fell off the box and landed hard in the dirt, and his laughter never faltered or stopped for a moment.
The Moochick turned back to the opening, still spouting magic. He resumed his task of closing it up before any other creatures came to defend it from them. But there was a deeper fear growing in his mind; Tirek had tasted the dark magic. Stricken with grief as he was, he was still able to use it to destroy a nearly indestructible enemy. It would be best to seal that power away before it could be used by anyone else.
Once it had closed, the cloud cover seemed to disperse a little, and even began to let some sunlight in. He saw that the smoss began to lose its purple color and dried into dust, ending that threat. He then turned his mind back to Tirek. He ran to the box's edge, and saw Tirek had begun to move. His laughter continued, but it began devolving into a pained moan as he crawled across the ground towards the red stain of blood that remained of Scorpan.
"Your Highness!"
"Let us help!"
The centaurs moved towards their prince, but he shoved them away. He slowly picked up a piece of debris and gazed at it, his laughter now reduced a mix of frantic giggling and sobbing. It was Scorpan's royal amulet. He sat there, gazing at the only piece of evidence his brother was ever there, falling silent.
After the rest of the soldiers recovered from the battle, the captain came up to check on the prince. The Moochick ran up as well, to try and keep things calm if Tirek became violent in his grief.
"I'm so sorry for the loss of Prince Scorpan, Your Highness."
Tirek looked up and both the captain and the Moochick backed away a step at the sight of him. His face was blank, his eyes vacant, as if all life inside had vanished. But they both saw a rage burning in the void behind those eyes that they had never seen even in the prince's worst furies.
When Tirek spoke, his voice could have frozen a dragon's fire. "I have no use for your condolences. Gather all the able-bodied men and set them to work. We need to build a wagon. Make it twice as big and twice as strong."
"But, Your Highness, the wagons we have are more than capable of carrying the wounded home."
"The new wagon isn't to carry the wounded home." Tirek pointed to the now silent cube in the devastation's center. "It's to carry that box home."
The Captain was stunned. "What? But, Your Highness, it's evil! It's what caused all this havoc!"
"Yes it did. It caused a plague that destroyed one of our cities, it created monsters as fierce as dragons, and you saw what I did to that spider with its power. It was the strongest abomination in this valley, and I killed it." He gave a smile that made the captain and the Moochick gulp. "With that power, the entire world will bow to the Emperor's strength. And I shall see it done."
The Moochick gasped at the implications of what Tirek wanted. "Prince Tirek, please, I beg you-"
"Silence." The Moochick froze at Tirek's glare. "You're my father's adviser, but he is NOT here. We're here to serve the Empire, and here and now, as Prince, I'M the Empire. Prepare to move spoils of war."
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5550728
Huh?
5550806
So how was it?
Ah, yes, the pony equivalent of The Fallen from Transformers, once a great good, but fell. And considering he was perfection and beauty, things all mortals covet, it's only normal that one would want to worship his true form by that logic.
Hm, considering he was perfection and beauty, I think being a bit full of himself is excusable.
You already kinda do.
This, sounds, weird, shouldn't it be WHETHER mortals see us or not?
Silence mortal will, dark.
Fair enough.
Because, since we are flawed, it allows us to make mistakes, so that later on we can analyse them, see where we went wrong, and avoid making those mistakes again leading us closer to perfection.
See?
Well at least he's civil about it, that's useful. You know, his fall reminds me of the story of Lucifer, once a high ranking angel, here an alicorn, who rebelled against God, His Parents, because he thought he could do better and got cast into Hell/Tartarus for his sins and would be accepted back in a heartbeat if he would only acknowledge his sins, the fact that he screwed up badly, and that he was in the wrong. I think.
So you were a teeanger at the time.
Yes, but wouldn't it be better to let THEM manage to become perfect on their own, with only you guiding them instead of you making them so?
She, has a point.
Free will is an essential part of life and you know it, besides, I don't think they can, I don't think the Draconequui and THEIR Parents can. I think.
See what I mean?
Possibly, but it would also lead to something greater, ever thought of that?
That's, a dangerous road to go on, the Parents are about as close to omniscient and omnipotent as you can get, both the Parents of the Alicorns and the Draconequui.
Again, so much like a teenager. Not that that's a bad thing.
Who knows?
Oh? This should be good.
I'm not surprised, perfection would involve order, the opposite of chaos.
She's pretty nice, a bit weird, but, she is a draconequus, Blue and Orange Morality and all that.
Perhaps.
Love and Imagination, well, I can see how they would get along.
I'd say I'm surprised, but not even the most gullible of ponies would believe me. Also, even though your last fic wasn't in Pony POV, it did involve Cupid, so, was that a clever little reference to it? If so, hats off, otherwise I'm just taking things way too seriously.
It's weird seeing a multimillenium old Concept squeeing over a baby. Oh well, it does very much enter her domain.
You interested in the work of Imagination? Wonder why?
You'll regret that soon. Also, I just had the most amusing mental image of Pandora in a french beret looking like a stereotypical "starving artist"
Only with the Draconequui would this ever make sense.
Flask of Rebellion. I'd make a Star Wars joke, but it's too obvious.
Bad news.
Nyarlathotrot. I'm not even going to make a joke about that. Also dark magic, this won't end well.
I suppose.
You mean a Mary Sue/Gary Stu. Pinkie, mind if I borrow your anti Sue bazooka?
Should have expected that at some point, and she has a point, everyone is flawed, it what makes a character interesting, if someone has to flaws, their journey is complete, they've gotten over their imperfections, so, why would they need to go on an adventure?
Ah yes, the Concept Who No Longer Is.
One I have to get up to date on at some point.
So, he was Imperfection in a sense?
Pity you're probably just buttering her up. Also, is it wrong that I imagine Morning Star as an alicorn Blueblood with a way golden mane and tail?
I get the feeling that's sincere advice.
Yeah, someone needs to make sure he doesn't blow up too much stuff.
Yeah. Wait, he did WHAT?!
Shouldn't be be Fear and Nothingness more then Nothing? And yes, he is.
Fair enough.
Very clever.
Not make a whole universe, but perhaps plant the seeds of a new universe?
Well.
Oh boy...
You're going to be eating your words in a minute.
Sadly, yes.
He, does have a point, but chaos is part of life meaning that without chaos indirectly, there can be not creation.
Quick, take that back, take that back! For your own good Take it back and he's not going to is he?
Yeesh, Pandora may be pretty nice but man is she scary when she's mad.
You're a Moron Morning Star. Scratch that, from now on I'm calling your Moron Star!
He does embody Perfection, but that's no reason to be a prick.
Good Lord this guy's ego is even bigger then Perfect Cell! Another idiotic being who claimed to be Perfect.
Ouch...
Oh crap baskets.
Oh yeah, almost forgot about that, I hope that did him some good and managed to cool his head and regulate his ego.
Hah, like a random guy could kill Tirek.
See?
I am NOT making a Scorpan is a Brony joke.
Fair enough.
No comment.
And here we go again.
You're exagerating.
Scorpan's right Tirek.
Remind me again, whose been ruling the Empire and has been alive for far longer then you have? Oh yeah, that's right, the same Father whom you think is screwing up.
Oh dear.
You forget Tirek, this is a new civilized age, not one of war and death.
That isn't the problem Chiron, the problem is that your son doesn't understand the bigger picture.
Need I remind you that you were one of those commoners not so long ago?
Alas.
Thank you Scorpan.
Oh dear, my experience with Pokemon has taught me that Earthquake=bad news.
I don't know.
In the immortal words of Mr Joshscorcher the Fiery Joker "KA-BOOOOM!"
Nor do I. I suspect that the Sonic Boom also shattered a few eardrums as well.
That, is the most idiotic, brain dead, imbecilic-oh god it's Lesson Zero all over again!
Ironic considering you're in the presence of
BatmanPrincess Luna who IS the Night, including the Stars.I was afraid of that.
Reminds me of the concept of a Dark Side Nexus from Star Wars.
It became the Everfree Forest, didn't it?
That won't end well.
Hm, a meteor striking a planet hard, spreading darkness that kills and mutates and it's described as a dark sickness. Dark Magic is the pony equivalent of Phazon from the Metroid Prime series, oh god... Also, you mean was not a coincidence, not was a not coincidence.
He, does make a good point.
Smart move, they are Bash Brothers.
While rude, he makes a point, however Moochick knows more about magic then you do.
Perhaps.
*chuckles*
My Beloved Smother. Not as extreme as other cases, but still a light case.
Heh.
I sincerely doubt it.
Of course.
Fair enough.
I'm sure you do.
Very poor choice of words.
At least he doesn't take it too badly.
Such a Klingon.
Hm.
Aye.
To look at the night?
Oh.
Yep.
Which won't end well.
Useful to have not just warriors, as for the armor, it probably WAS made for a child.
You don't seem like a very fun person.
Such a Klingon.
You are forgiven.
He has a point, you know what they say about all work and no play and I'm talking in rhyme. Fantastic.
You sound like you'd enjoy that a bit too much my dear centaur.
Oh pants. Hm, Bacchans, Bacchanalia, BACCHUS! The Roman god of wine and festivity, of course! How didn't I pick that up before?
I doubt there will be any.
That, is disturbing, not helped I'm sure by the almost unnatural silence that probably permeates the air.
Raw dark magic is so much like Phazon it's not even funny, corrupting, dark, purple, dangerous, described as a sickness, mutates living things and kills others, and toying with it never ends well.
I think he's merely containing it all, he's stoic, but not emotionless.
One still lives, I hope they can heal him...
Dark magic is nothing you've ever encountered before Moochick, especially raw dark magic like this.
Moochick at the magic, that might explain how Tirek managed to do so, he learned from Moochick.
Doubt it.
...
That's never good.
We're about to find out.
Like I said, this is so much like Phazon from Metroid.
It's OK, you tried.
Huh, so that's what it's called.
Not the same.
So it's the Force.
What? No! He's never do that!
It's like a cross between Phazon and a Hate Plague.
Eeyup.
That sums it up pretty well. This really is horrific.
Yep.
That would be bad.
WHAT?! No seriously, what?! I get that he wants to prevent the infection from spreading but WHAT THE HELL?!
Very excessive.
Sadly, he make a valid point.
What do they have to do with anything?
Not really, Tirek and co just think you can't be serious because that sounds so pansyish. And it's HAVE I missed a joke, or did I miss a joke.
That beat an Eldritch Abomination that literally punched out the very thing that will kill you, albeit not permanently, and that was the equivalent of the Elements of Harmony at the time. Besides, Fairies can be badass, just look at Pokemon, a good fairy type can decimate any dragon type team.
You enjoyed writing that, didn't you?
Yep.
True as that may be I doubt that was what he meant.
See?
The hell do you mean "If you say so."? This isn't Dragonball Z where death is cheaper then a pencil!
He's right.
What are you on about?
It's easy to forget that Luna IS the Night instead of simply ruling over it.
At least someone did, no offense, Princess...
Not sure, but we're about to find out.
Unfortunatly not.
Oh my god, this again, Tirek?
He probably is.
Yeesh, someone's got a temper.
It's not your fault, your bother's just tense, that's all.
Oh my god, you forget that they weren't all raised by royalty expecting to rule a nation, besides, they can only do so much.
I'm sure it's not.
A sickness borne of magic, there was little they could do about it, you can only fight someone if they have a form you can beat up.
He's right.
Yes, but it won't hurt you either, will it?
Thank you Voice of Reason, I mean Scorpan.
Wait, what?
You mean, more OF a fool. Also, were they racist? Because if so, then you'd have been in the right.
Imma kill the f
ckers.
YEAH! Also, your turn of phrase is interesting considering the fate Tirek suffered, sent to Tartarus.
For once, I agree.
Provided you don't let the power get to your head, by all means.
I'm, not sure it can do that. That's more Draconequus magic or a come to life spell then dark magic.
Ah.
Huh, so he invented the watch, nice.
This is nice. It really is, just nice simple moments like this.
*blinks* He lived in a mushroom in G1 didn't he?
Two words Scorpan. Pinkie Pie.
Nah. He may be able to help, but he doesn't have the presence needed to rule an Empire, besides, he's more of a Merlin then a King Arthur.
Probably not.
Hm, but yes, you all need to rest.
Eventually.
*Chuckles* So they knew Luna by one of her middle names, nice.
I love this guy's snark.
Aparently.
Sounds like Tirek.
Figured as uch.
Precisely.
Apparently, yes.
You're not kidding are you?
Treat animals well and they'll treat you well as well. Quid pro quo I believe it's called.
He has a point, he can fly, but if he can conserve his energy, it's probably for the best, but how would a centaur ride a pony, they're already half equine.
So a male Rainbow Dash?
Hopefully not literally.
Gotta admire the guy's steel. Moochick that is, sword to the face and he doesn't even flinch.
Fair enough.
You probably wouldn't be as partial to them if you got attacked by either.
That's one way of putting it.
I'm wondering if Luna was flattered or rolling her eyes if she heard which she likely did.
Usually.
Venus is Love, you are IN love, care to rephrase? Also, nice merging Greek and Roman mythos.
I see.
You will end up in Tartarus eventually yes, but not due to that.
Yes. Just yes.
Yes, he thinks you're making him and the Empire pansies.
See?
FOR THE DEATH OF THE KING! Sorry, had to make a Lion King joke.
Change eh?
Not change, Change.
That might end badly...
How so? Also, "You are a Prince, you'll play your part." (I regret nothing)
Not weakness, he's trying to help you become a bit more civilized instead of simply warriors.
(I've run out of space, so I'm going to have to continue this in another play by play comment.)
5555947
Don't be alarmed Applejack. The reason D___t's name cannot be spoken is because he and his concept no longer exist. Discord's eldest brother thought the only way for mortals to have true freedom was to destroy all nature's law in creation, in other words, exterminate my family. His Mother . . . made sure he did not.
5556045
Ah. That makes sense, the Mother of the Draconequui may not be a very nice being, but she does understand that for something to End, it has to begin. And she IS the End Of All Things after all.
Survival is important. But like Moochick said, you must learn to adapt, if you cannot adapt, you will not survive.
In a nutshell, yes.
I see...
Ooh, please do.
Oh boy...
Called it.
So, it's like a cross between a Senzu Bean and the Spirit Bomb?
He's right.
That's, pretty clever.
It will prove useful.
Then I guess it's best he learn it well.
Indeed.
Yeah, it can only hold off the
PhazonDark Magic for so long.Nice work.
And for the unprepared, almost addictive I'll bet, it really does put Tirek in Twi's K in a different light, more then a conqueror, he's a drug addict that has been away from his drug for too long and has finally found a huge source of it and when he's about to finally gain control over it, it gets taken away along with his high. It's probably not like that, but it is an interesting alternative character interpretation.
Again, so much like the Spirit Bomb. But it doesn't obliterate humanoid abominations, it heals.
Because he's an altruist.
That works.
That is pretty funny.
I was about to say that, but I see it's already there. Nice work.
Fair enough.
Fair enough.
So Tirek could have KILLED some ponies in Season 4's finale? Dark. But I like it, it explains why they looked so weak and with the glassy eyes.
Oh dear...
I got a bad feeling about this...
That, sounds like one heck of an Eldritch Location, my guess the sheer amount of dark magic saturating the area must make it feel fundamentally wrong.
No, but a beach can be creepy, look no further then the Dark ocean from Digimon Adventure 02.
That sounds creepy.
Oh goody.
Since it's the source of all dark magic in the universe, I'm not surprised.
Of course.
Wonder how the dark magic specter Sombra would react around so much dark magic? Other then probably being ubercharged.
Probably.
That, is pretty scary. I imagine the dark magic box for whatever reason looking like a black and dark grey version of the Rainbow Power box for whatever reason.
Good luck, you'll need it.
Oh dear...
Good idea.
They're trying to prevent them from reaching the Dark Magic box...
Correct.
It'll have to do.
I think they've realized it'll be easier to kill you then simply disable you.
Oh crapbaskets.
Tirek, you're going to have to retreat, you're getting slaughtered!
Preferably kill it.
Whoah, impressive. Did, Moochick just pull a Kiai or a Kamehameha?
And seal it shut.
Oh dear...
Goddamnit, does that thing not die?
Smart move.
Rest In Peace Lightning Strike, you were a brave pony.
"I know hearing of a pony being killed is hard to hear. If it helps, it was over in a second. Please don't judge Scorpan too harshly. He loved Lightning Strike as much as any true friend, and doing so hurt him much. It would have taken so long for him to succumb to his injuries or the spider bite, and in pain the whole time. He only-"
"-wanted to spare the poor creature the pain." Applejack looked at me, and I could see the haunted understanding in her eyes that only comes from those who've seen such things first-hoof. "Ah've worked a farm all mah life. Ah've raised loads of critters, even the ones who can't talk or think like we can. And Ah know how hard it is when the time comes to put 'em down. Pigs that get bought by griffins for meat, or chickens that get hurt by foxes. Heck, Granny told me her folks had a dog that went rabid and she had to put him out of his misery. Ah don't blame what that Scorpan fella did, Ah wish he didn't have to go through the pain of givin' out THAT kinda mercy."
Honesty can be cruel sometimes, but if the poor animal is suffering, then it's simply best to Mercy Kill it. I wouldn't be surprised if Fluttershy's had to do such things as well. I'd imagine it never gets any easier, but it probably consoles her slightly that she knows it's for the best and that it's better then letting the poor animal suffer.
This is nice, Luna may be a bit socially awkward, but boy did Applejack need it.
Flesh and blood like everything I'd imagine, but I know what you mean. And, you mean, but Scorpan roared back, not and Scorpan but roared back.
Nice work!
Ooh, Tirek is about to be pissed now...
Come on, come on...
It was, he's just trying to cut off the source of dark magic that mutated the mosnter that nearly killed your brother.
It's not that easy, even with Mana Drain, the magic in the surrounding area is corrupt, it might go wrong.
He's not Shenron.
Oh dear...
Oh double crapbaskets...
Phew.
I suspect that absorbing that much dark magic shook his sanity...
In my eyes, Tranquil Fury is even worse then Unstoppable Rage, because when they're Hulk angry, they tend to lose control and it's scary yes, but there is something I find far more unsettling about Tranquil Fury, that noone that mad should be so icy calm...
Oh pants, this is not going to end well, is it?
5555947 Thanks for the play by play!
5559235
Not a problem.
5559248
Well, he will become the concept of evil after all.
Well, yeah. AlexWarlorn pretty much said he’s supposed to be Lucifer. Heck, his name “Morning Star” is a name for the Devil.
And a Goth, of course.
Wasn’t meant to be, but it fits, so why not. Also, you do know I’m the one writing this story, right?
Yep. Turns out the Mary Sue/Gary Stu was in fact the work of the Devil.
Oh, you say that too?
Well, seeing as he turned into a serial killer, that whole thing probably didn’t stick.
Exactly!
Not a bad guess.
Were they, really? Or did they have the results they were chosen for?
Actually I did mean it to be Tirek or Scorpan’s training armor from when they were kids.
Yep! Good eye!
Probably, since the only other option would be he’s a totally heartless bastard.
I’ve actually never played Metroid, so it’s just a happy coincidence.
Tirek doesn’t half-ass things.
Oh, maliciously!
Tirek isn’t all that big about the sanctity of life thing.
Just as planned.
Thanks!
Yes he did.
Maybe, but try arguing with a paranoid psychopath.
Well, they wouldn’t, but they use them to pull wagons and chariots. Also, the Moochick isn’t half equine.
Thanks!
Damn right.
I honestly hoped someone would make that joke.
Kind of, yeah.
Excellent point.
Oooooh yeah.
Yeah, hopefully his line will continue after him.
Yeah, it’s not like he answers to Mister Popo.
Yeah, it’s terrifying. At least when a guy’s yelling and screaming, you know what to expect, but when he’s furious but dead calm, it’s even more unnerving.
Glad you enjoyed it!
5559253
True.
Yes, I gathered as much. Normally I'm a bit weary of religious references but, eh, it's well done, it doesn't hurt anyone, who am I to complain?
Yes I do, I just noticed, that's all.
Mary Sue is the work of the Devil. I think I enjoy the sound of that far too much. Though you know what'd probably sound even more satisfying? Using the Anti-Sue Bazooka to blow it up.
I do indeed.
Probably not, no.
I was afraid of that, no wonder Celestia looked particularly mad at Twilight during the climax of that episode.
Probably not the right one, but, I can live with that.
... Yes.
That works.
Eh, I read a lot, comes form not having a social life. But thanks.
He will be one eventually, but not at the moment,
Look it up: Phazon
I can tell.
No surprise there.
I gathered.
What can I say? Tirek may be a jerk, but he is a Badass.
Like I said, I love a good adventure, but sometimes it's fun to simply unwind reading small relaxing things like that.
Figures.
I wouldn't go with Psycopath yet, but, yeah, paranoid sounds good.
Fair enough.
/)
Considering it sounds like you were all but setting up for one, that makes sense.
Works for me. Moochick=Goku. Someone do fanart of that.
Thank you. Like I said, it's fun to think about stuff like that from another point of view.
I was afraid of that.
If Lightning Strike is an ancestor of Rainbow Dash, I wouldn't be surprised. Seriously, their personalities are very similar, he may not be sentient, or at least not entirely, but still.
True, though seriously, what the hell IS Mr Popo? I know the majority of the sources say he's a Genie, but the closest thing we've seen to him being one is his Magic Carpet and I think Magic Materialization at some point.
Yep, since you're not sure if he's till got the adrenaline boost, but has the clarity of mind to use it wisely.
I did, a lot.
5559302
DBZ Abridged has completely mangled him. And Shenron does not report to Mr. Popo.
5559302
And now that DB GT timeline has been averted, I'd say the whole 'time to destroy them' thing has gone down the tube. In particular I doubt the god of destruction would care for someone cutting in on his authority without his orders.
5559462
He does in DBZ Abridged, but yes, I'm aware that he doesn't report to him in the normal Dragon Ball Z.
5559463
I don't know if GT has been averted, but I don't think Team Four Star will be abridging it. And I personally think, no offense, that you're taking it a bit too seriously.
5555947
Except he's got it written on his birth certificate right next to Beauty.
5559475
True. And he's not a vaguely insectoid bipedal being that can blow up a planet with little trouble that got beaten by a kid. Morning Star that is. Question, isn't Morning Star also a type of weapon?
5597610
It's hinted several times that yes, Discord DID.
5597847
Doesn't seem in character for Pinkie Pie IMHO for her to be into orgies.
WOW. Great job Morning Star. Master of Manipulation my arse.
5763389
He got EXACTLY what he wanted. Pandora was so revved up she didn't even notice it was missing.
5763503
He got part of what he wanted. He can improvise, I'll give him that. But had he shown more patience, he could have not only gained a useful asset in the goddess of imagination, but she would have given him the box WILLINGLY, meaning it won't be reported stolen. I don't believe him pissing Pandora off was EVER in his game plan. That was him rolling a 1 on his Diplomacy check. He just happened to be cunning enough to make a Sleight of Hand check anyway once the Diplomacy roll failed.
5763790
Whose to say he didn't fudge it intentionally and the theft wasn't the entire point of the visit?
5764261 Because if his plan was honestly "I want to steal something from Pandora, so I'm going to make her really mad at me and draw as much attention to myself as possible!" He would have been too moronic for words. I believe he made a mistake. I don't think he's THAT stupid.
5764409
It worked.
5764411
True. But there were at least ten other ways that would have worked just as well and would not carry the same risk. If my plan to assassinate President Obama is to go sky diving in the vicinity of Washington D.C without a parachute and HOPE that I land on him, sure the plan might work, but would that make it a good plan? Not only is Morning Star not that stupid, he's also not that reckless.
5764425
Agreed. Whatever the result of the plan, Fauna and her husband will find out and want to have a few words with Mister Perfection.
5772087
Which is why I see it as Morning Star covering for a mistake rather than "This was his plan all along". Morning Star is the classic Smug Snake who THINKS he's a Magnificent Bastard.
If you think about it though, that's actually really clever. Back in the middle ages, The Devil was written as an extremely incompetent villain. Basically the equivalent of Team Rocket. This is because God was written as the worlds biggest Mary Sue at the time and so any character that was his enemy had to be portrayed as a complete joke. Someone who THOUGHT he was God's equal, but was no where close.
It's only recently that writers have started to portray Lucifer as a cunning master manipulator.
Now the reason this is clever is because one could say that this change happened IN UNIVERSE. Morning Star (Our little Lucifer analogy) was a Smug Snake back in the day, but learnt from his mistakes and became the Magnificent Bastard he's remembered as.
Uhh.... Says who? All the concepts are driving forces, they give the Mortals motivation. Fear, Love, Anarcy, Mother Nature. They are all used by/for Mortals to do something. And seeking perfection, is another motivation. But if they hit it.... then what? It creats another Third World that had to be deleted and rewriten. To be perfect is to never make mistakes. They are always right. If they say something is blue, that object would turn blue. Because they are perfect, and thus couldn't mistakenly got it wrong. Such as that Fear-Dream-Garysue Deer guy from a bit ago. And that's just 1 guy. imagine a world full of him! He was the closest to Perfection a mortal got.
5821804
The Third World was stocked full of contradictions that only kept growing as time went on, the Wish Spell wasn't as perfect as ponies tough, and thus neither was the world born from it. (And this is NOT saying Morning Star was right.)
5822628 Well that's what I mean. If everypony was 'Perfect' They could never be wrong. And thus like the Wishes, they would make contridictions that wouldn't make sense. Such as someone wanting to invent something.... Like say.... A god killing weapon.... They actually WOULD. Because they were perfect and can not actually fail. That would be very very BAD. Also they would stagnate, and wouldn't grow or evolve, they wouldn't even be able to. Like the Third World, they would just continue on, perfect forever.
Genial integration of cannon there Sir.
So this how that despicable "nameless" came into existence. Man, I really hated that character.
Lightning Strike...for an animal, I got pretty teary when it died....
ooo...
....Scorpan...jeez, that is one hell of a way to go.
well....this explains where Tirek got his color and magic. I'm not gonna like where this is going. And I wonder who that human was they saw on the way in. One of the witches?
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That was First Witch Lilith. She appeared in the Smooze's pony pov origin story.