RENS Hornblower (French pre-Dreadnought Jaureguiberry)
RENS Neptune (HMS Victoria and Albert I)
RENS Jack Sparrow (IJN Izanami class destroyer)
Equestrian Dockyards…
Alternia could not help but frown slightly as columns of changelings marched down the gangplank to the RENS Neptune, her diplomatic craft. Moored beside it was the battleship the RENS Hornblower and the destroyer the RENS Jack Sparrow.
“Are you need to bring all of these changeling on this trip, Chrysalis? They are two hundred of your best changeling soldiers and chevalliers?” she asked, turning to her sister.
Chrysalis shot Alternia a flat stare. “The Empress has pulled under entire ships, Alternia. And your Mirror Guard is only sixty strong.”
Alternia grimaced. “You’re right. I’m just…”— she turned away— “worried that you are putting too many of your changelings at risk for me.”
A warm hoof wrapped over Alternia’s back, and she looked back into Chrysalis’s smile. “For my little sister, I’d do anything. Let’s get on board and under way.”
Two days into Voyage aboard the RENS Neptune…
Being the Royal Diplomatic Yacht, the RENS Neptune had a number of facilities and equipment for the relaxation and enjoyment of those aboard, and they were not exclusive to the diplomats either. When Princess Alternia, then acting as Celestia, had commissioned the ship, she had insisted upon equipment that could bring all members of opposing delegations together.
It led, in Cyndra’s opinion, to one of the greatest things on the ship, a really really nice mess hall normally for the guards of any delegations, and now used by the changelings and ponies aboard the Neptune.
Why was it so great? Well the mess hall served delicious food, had basically unlimited ice cream, a stage for performances, and a bar. There was also food infused with love from both Chrysalis and Alternia and it had the effect of making every changeling very happy.
Cyndra was one of those, and she now sat down in the corner of the mess hall with some of her closest colleagues.
“So, Harlequin, have you had any progress trying to confess your feelings to Princess Alternia?” Buzz asked, a wide grin on his face.
Wait. Harlequin and my aunt? thought Cyndra.
Her eyes wide, Cyndra stared at Harlequin, who buried his head in the table and covered his ears with his hooves. “Nope, I’m not saying anything.”
Diamondshell had been watching the pair with a bored look, but at Harlequin’s response the edge of her mouth twitched in a ghost of a smile. “So some progress has been made, captain?”
“Wait, what’s this about Harlequin and my aunt?” Cyndra demanded as her brain recovered from its temporary shutdown.
Looking up from her notebook, Raven pushed her glasses up just a bit with her magic and chuckled. “Don’t you know, Cyndra? It’s the worst kept secret in the Mirror Guard and the castle that Captain Harlequin has a hopeless crush on Princess Alternia.”
Cyndra’s eyes narrowed on Harlequin. “You do?”
Harlequin swallowed and nodded. For a moment, the smaller female changeling looked as if she was channelling the stature and imperiousness of her mother.
“Alright, why do you like her, Harlequin?” Cyndra asked.
“That’s a rather obvious question, don’t you think, Cyndra?” asked Buzz.
Diamondshell finished the last of her ice cream and pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Well now that I think about it though, we’ve never heard about why Harlequin likes her highness.” She nudged Harlequin with a hoof. “Come on, Harlequin, you know Buzz is just being Buzz. I’m pretty sure he’s jealous.”
Harlequin raised his head, smiling tentatively as Buzz glared at Diamondshell.
“I am not!”
“You totally are.”
Buzz opened his mouth to retort and shut it. “Okay maybe a bit, but I don’t dig for her highness as hard as Harlequin does…” A sly look came over Buzz’s features. “Or you for that matter.”
If changelings could blush, and they couldn’t, Diamondshell would be red as a tomato.
“You take that back, Buzz, I’m warning you!”
Seeing the fury and embarrassment on Diamondshell’s face, and sensing her emotions, Buzz quickly backtracked.
“Sorry! That came out wrong. I well…” Buzz frowned and Cyndra could sense genuine curiosity from him. “I was just wondering how you went from hating her highness to being ready to bow to her.”
Diamondshell didn’t meet Buzz’s gaze. Instead her eyes shot to her mug of hot tea, which she took a slow sip out of.
“She gave me a chance to prove myself,” said Diamonshell simply.
Everypony and changeling present understood however. Cyndra had to chuckle. Only her aunt could de-fang the prickly chevalier with such a simple gesture.
Taking another sip, Diamondshell glanced at Harlequin. “I believe you were supposed to explain to us why you fell in love with her highness, Harlequin.”
The head captain was a little annoyed that he hadn’t escaped scrutiny, but he didn’t hesitate in answering.
“Her compassion, Diamondshell. I fell in love with her because of how she treats all of us, and her ponies, with such compassion.” Harlequin’s smiled as his eyes glazed over slightly. “I love her smile, how she tries to make every pony and changeling comfortable. I love that she is so strong, unyielding in the face of doubt, though willing to admit her own mistakes.”
Cyndra could sense something else was making Harlequin particularly happy about her aunt. There had been a slight spring in his steps since the link a few days ago. The captain was incredibly tight-lipped around it and whenever she had asked him about it, he very neatly side-stepped her inquiries.
“Well, my aunt tends to have that effect on ponies,” said Cyndra.
Raven nodded. “Indeed, which is why we are following her into seas ruled by a monstrous, battleship killing, changeling munching, super-kelpie.”
Buzz gritted his teeth. “Fighting that won’t be easy. You got a plan, Captain?”
Harlequin nodded, his eyes narrowed. “I have discussed it with her highness, and she will be covering it in the briefing with us tomorrow. Basically, should such an engagement occur, we are to provide support by magical and ranged means, as well as make sure that other kelpies cannot interfere. Her highness would act as vanguard against the monster, as only someone of her power can hope to engage the Empress directly and survive.”
“Essentially, we are keeping her back clear and doing whatever we can to land hits. That’s not a bad plan. What if her highness is incapacitated?” asked Diamondshell.
“We get her out of there and withdraw while using suppressive fire tactics. If we are near enough to Venecia we fly her there. We have no way of engaging such a threat on our own.”
“Fair enough,” said Buzz. He pursed his lips. “What about engagements versus kelpies?”
“Unfortunately, we’re on a boat and while we do know that they’re capable of manipulating water and are great in melee, that’s it. And considering our confined position, we will likely end up engaging them in melee. Use the tight corridors, and create crossfires and choke points when possible in the larger rooms. Keep an open mind, trust your instincts, but don’t act rashly would be my advice.”
Cyndra frowned. “What if their Empress grabs the ship and starts dragging it down?”
“We get her out of the ship under escort of the entire Mirror Guard. To do that we leave a pair of changelings behind to block the corridor every time we see a kelpie to buy the main group time to find an exit. Once we finally get out, we regroup midair to assess the situation. Be aware that the kelpie Empress might have powers atypical of kelpies, which means she might have stronger and better control over arcane magic. I trust you have memorized the ship layout by now?”
Buzz and Diamondshell nodded grimly, as did Cyndra and Raven. It had been one of the first things Harlequin had told them to do when they got on board.
“You know, considering what we can do, or the lack of what we can do against the kelpies, I think it is quite clear some of us are not coming back,” said Raven quite suddenly.
Diamondshell sighed. “I think we all know that, but if there is a chance of finding out anything more about the kelpies, it will be worth it.” She glanced at Raven. “I find it quite impressive that you decided to join us, Raven. You have very little combat experience after all.”
Raven chuckled. “Just as her highness needs you to protect her, she will need me to help her with writing up the plans for whatever measures Equestria will be taking during this crisis. I could not abandon her side in this moment, not when she so needs it.”
Cyndra finished the last of her chocolate and wiped her lips. “Not to mention, if my aunt can really pull off making a treaty with the kelpies that will hold and end this crisis, I would gladly follow her to whatever end,”
“Hear,” said Raven, Buzz, Diamondshell and Harlequin at the same time.
And for a while the five sat in a companionable silence, sipping their drinks and enjoying the chatter of guards and changelings around them.
“For what it's worth, this was fun. We should do it again if we have the chance. Tomorrow?” asked Harlequin.
Buzz nodded and grinned. “Tomorrow.”
Alternia’s stateroom…
Alternia was loath to spend taxpayer dollars on extravagant accommodations, but as the stateroom of her ship often became the private meeting chamber between herself and other diplomats for “unofficial” discussions, she invested accordingly to impress. The stateroom decor was therefore understated, but rich. Mahogany and oak panelled frames carved with images of ponies, of events from Equestrian history, partitioned the expansive stateroom chamber into private sleeping area, lounging room, game room, and bathroom. The furnishings, though bolted down for safety’s sake, were made from polished, rustic cedar woods from Zebrica and the west coast of Equestria.
It was in the lounge room, on the large central table, which could also be transformed into a pool table, that Alternia, Chrysalis and Retariusil now poured over a map of the approach to Venecia.
“Sister, do you have a plan for getting us to Venecia safely, and for attracting the kelpie Empress’s attention?” asked Chrysalis.
Alternia grimaced. “Getting there is easy. We’re following an old sailing trade route that appears to be, according to the data we have collected, the only safe route to the waters near Venecia. No ships that have followed this route or been on it have been attacked. What is more difficult is attracting the Empress’s attention, but for now, I’d like to avoid that. Our chances of even attempting to make a diplomatic agreement without that book are slim.”
Chrysalis nodded. “Right, we need to try to get the book. It opens our options and depending on what we could find, solving the crisis might depend on it. We are going to have to move off the trade route to get to Venecia however…”
Alternia sighed. “That is true. But at least most of our approach should be safe. Retariusil, what do you think?”
Alternia didn’t hold up much hope for a particularly eloquent answer, however. Retariusil had pretty much given only nods, and jotted down notes on her parchment as Alternia and Chrysalis explained the situation that Equestria and the changelings were in.
So it was a bit surprising when Retariusil’s features scrunched up in consternation and she frowned.
“I don’t know. There is a good chance the book might not tell us anything. Mom seemed quite enthused about it. However, I can’t guarantee that the information we find will give us any edge over the kelpies, considering their strengths over water. Moreover, we know we are now fighting the seaponies as well from what Celestia just told us.” Retariusil’s head drooped to the table as she groaned. “There is really going to be no way I can ever avenge my mother is there? Our enemy is just too strong.”
Alternia and Chrysalis couldn’t help but exchange sidelong glances.
Alternia, isn’t this the time you say something infuriatingly enlightening? thought Chrysalis to Alternia.
The thought Alternia sent back to Chrysalis was tinged with exasperation. Considering that I honestly wanted to kill you at one point, I don’t think I am best changeling to give advice on how to handle vengeful feelings.
Chrysalis didn’t even bother hiding the glare she sent at Alternia as she thought. Well I killed our mother unintentionally! I can hardly say anything in regards to getting over vengeful feelings! Besides, you forgave me didn’t you?
Alternia nodded, but her mouth tightened. Yes, but we can hardly ask Retariusil to forgive a kelpie empress who likely ate her mother alive.
Alternia, I’m just saying we should—
“I know the two of you are talking in each other’s heads!”
Alternia and Chrysalis turned back to Retariusil, who was now glaring at them.
Chrysalis sighed. “Retariusil, we’re sorry, we just want to—”
“I don’t need comforting!” snapped Retariusil. Chrysalis frowned and opened her mouth, but Alternia nudged her sister’s shoulder.
Wait.
And so the sisters waited as Retariusil continued to rage.
“I am the daughter of Queen Murmillar, her heir. The blood of the Great Hive Mothers flow through me! I am not scared of a stupid brute kelpie empress who knows nothing of subtlety and…”
Retariusil blinked back her tears and swallowed as Alternia and Chrysalis simply stood, not judging her, just waiting.
“Who… who took my mother away from me… whom I will never see again.” Sniffling, Retariusil wiped her eyes and sat down. “Who left me in charge of her hive… which I never wanted.”
Chrysalis nodded. “I know the feeling.” Retariusil frowned, as Chrysalis sat down beside her. “When my mother died to save Alternia from my anger. I realized… how foolish I had been. I had rulership of her hive, the remnants of it anyway, but she was gone. I killed my sister.” Chuckling dryly to herself, Chrysalis shook her head. “There were moments when I thought about ending myself, but one thought kept me going… the fact that my mother also lived on in me. That I had to live on, to rule, to preserve the legacy of my mother.” Chrysalis smiled. “Your mother lives in you, Retariusil, by your actions, you keep her memory, her legacy alive.”
Swallowing, Retariusil shut her moist eyes and sat there, sniffling as Chrysalis and Alternia watched.
“Thank you, Queen Chrysalis,” managed Retariusil after a long while.
Chrysalis stood back up and helped Retariusil up. “You’re welcome, Retariusil.”
“And if you need to talk to us, our doors will always be open,” said Alternia kindly.
Venecia…
Sunset Shimmer and most of the crew had thrown themselves on dry land the first thing. Some had torn right down the makeshift pier set up after the tsunami and kissed the ground fervently.
Celestia hadn’t done so, but Sunset could tell her friend’s shoulders relaxed as she stepped onto dry land and greeted the Dogess and her contingent of guards.
“Princess Celestia, welcome to Venecia,” said Dogess Sebastiana, bowing. She was a younger earth pony with strawberry blond hair and a peach coat covered by her worn white-red robes of office. Her eyes however, were hardened by tragedy and disaster through the past few months.
Celestia nodded. “Thank you, Dogess Sebastiana for receiving us.” She winced. “I’m sorry we were not able to save some of your sailors.”
Sebastiana sighed. “You did what you could. I’m sorry they put you in mortal danger of that… monster. My engineers will start repairs to your ships immediately.”
“About that, Sebastiana, with the list of problems my officers radioed ahead, how long would these repairs take?” asked Celestia.
Sebastiana frowned and gestured to the Venecian docks. Most of the piers and drydocks had been rebuilt, but they were all mostly empty of ships. “If we worked around the clock, about a week. There is a lot of reconstruction going on, but we have quite a few idle hooves when it comes to dockworkers. They haven’t had a thing to do considering we are being blockaded.”
“Blockaded… an apt term. Hast thou received the news from Princess Alternia about the presence of a safe trade route?” Celestia asked.
“Yes…” Sebastiana blinked. “Your highness, where are you going with this? Why would that trade route matter at this point?”
Celestia shuffled closer to the Dogess, her voice hushed.
“I intend to have the fleet leave Venecia immediately, once the repairs are completed.”
Sunset, who was near enough to hear, bit her lip, but didn’t say a word, lest she cause a panic among the crewmembers who were on shore. Similarly, the Dogess managed to swallow her own shock down and respond in a similarly suppressed tone, though hers was far more indignant.
“Your highness, you are risking your fleet and your life if you try for that trade route!”
Celestia nodded. “I am aware, but Venecia has food enough for two weeks?”
Sebastiana grimaced. “Three with careful rationing, which we are quite used to by this point. Your sister has set up an air supply route, which probably will extend that to about a month and a half. She apparently has also begun talks with the Griffon Kingdom about ways they can supply us by air.”
Biting her lip briefly, Celestia leaned in closer to Sebastiana. “Still, my crew and this fleet is thus an unnecessary drain on your already limited resources. Our ships cannot help with your defense, considering how useless they are at sea warfare and I’m worried our military presence here might simply escalate the Kelpie Empress’s measures to starve us out. We need to leave, and with the hope of this safe route, we might be able to do so safely.”
“But have you figured out why the kelpies aren’t attacking any ships along that route?” asked Sebastiana.
Grimacing, Celestia shook her head. “Unfortunately no, but what choice do we have at this point? If we stay, we starve. If we go out as soon as possible, we at least have a chance to escape the deadlock.”
Sebastiana pursed her lips, but nodded. “Understood. I’ll have the repairs started. By your leave, your highness.” Celestia nodded and Sebastiana galloped off to shout orders.
“Enjoy this respite while you can, Sunset,” said Celestia, turning to her friend.
Sunset nodded numbly. “I will try.”
“Your mother lives in you, Retariusil, by your actions, you keep her memory, her legacy alive.”
She also lives in the Kelpie Empress. Well, "lives" is kinda subjective here.
Oh shit.
That sums up everything in this chapter.
Also, I have to ask: Is Buzz trying to flirt with/aggravate every female changeling? First Alternia, now Diamondshell? *shakes head* That would make a good ship though. Diamondshell and Buzz.
6754167 He's like the Johnny Bravo of this story.
If the kelpies want a fight, then they shall get one! brothers,TO WAR!
6754177
I don't see him shouting "lets dance!"
6754259 "Whoa, Mama!" X) But personally, not my type of cartoon.
Poor Harlequin being teased.
I'm wondering if will we see more of the Mane6 in the story...
And I hope that we see a RENS Thunderchild at the climax.
I still find it odd that neither Celestia nor Alternia have any idea why that safe corridor exists. I hope to see some light shed on this in the coming chapters.
Missing a "sure".
Needs more Airships.
Hmm. That "safe" trade route is screaming trap to me.
A small respite only serves to highlight how little anypony/ling here knows what actually awaits.
Good thing Venecia doesn't have a male Doge, or we'd get even more confused.
This comment section has a severe lack of doge memes.
What the heck is a "dollar"? Taxpayers pay bits.
Talk about testing the waters. Here's to hoping no hitches will come up!
Keep going! ;)
The Jaureguiberry pic isn't showing for me.
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Jaureguiberry_Marius_Bar.jpg
Really... they could use some air support. Srsly. I cannot stress enough how useful it would be.
6754142 And then Rafiki shows up and points to her mother's reflection in that one pond.
And then we finally get a look at the kelpie leader:
ibdp.huluim.com/video/60651611?size=960x540
He mocks the ponies and blathers on about being from the source of life and rightfully ruling everything and blah blah blah blah... until, a bald man suddenly appears.
jurnalotaku.kilatstorage.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/JOI-one-punch-man-BD-dvd-deep-sea-king-lord-boros-1.jpg
It's over... in one punch.
6754925 I think it's missing a bit more than that...
6756455 Quick Alondro! (which actually sounds like a horse name. <-< Hi Ho Alondro.. Away!) No but seriously. FIND THE NAKED PONY!
No no, not that kind. I mean .. THE NAKED pony! With the cape!
6756381 It's that one.
6756455 hahaha oh look its calliou!
I wonder what Twilight's doing in the background...somehow I suspect within a few weeks she'll have devised a magical contraption to detect the Kelpies before they attack. Or something useful, in any case
6755618 Wow. Much confusion. So awkward. Nice doge.
6760315 That'd be a fantastically lazy piece of writing wouldn't it? Sudden deus ex machina out of nowhere from a character that's had no first hand experience with kelpies so she'd be inventing a spell based on very little secondhand information.
6760605 So pretty much like the first two Equestria Girls movies
6760696 Try all three. Seriously, noone decide to call off the obstacle course after a bunch of fucking tentacle monsters invade through magical portals. They proceed to attack everyone equally and what does the visiting principal think? Not "oh shit creatures from another world are invading! Call the army!". but "Hey, these assholes are cheating using magic! I've never seen it before and will not follow any logical chain of thought other than magic and the other school, must be cheating!"
6761074 I was thinking more along the lines that Princess Twilight is actually in the first two movies, (yes, she appears in FG too but not for much) and while she in particular doesn't do anything totally plot-contrived, the whole sequence of her being in the exact same location as the mirror portal on the exact same night it was open while she had her Element of Magic with her and Sunset knowing exactly where her room was is contrived.
But Rainbow Rocks is where it hits orbital status of Deus Ex Machina as not only does Twilight happen to get Princess Celestia's half of the two journals at the exact time Sunset writes in it, but she also builds a new portal that relies on the book to travel through.
6761106 Then you got shit like Pinkie from the first and the third movie who infodumps everything that's going on with the character in question that noone could possibly know because she's the "lol, quiiiirky!" one.
Are you sure you
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Indent.
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With all of their technology in their war ships, you'd think they'd invest in sonar or a long range fish finder. It'd make detecting schools of murderous sea cannibals easier.
6769106
It's been said time and time again, sonar hasn't even been invented yet. They'v never needed it before. Even then you've got to manufacture and equip it to the ships which is impossible at the moment as they are all out at sea.
6773707
You need to learn to read. No offense.
.
They have the technological and magical level to create sonar. Or the magical equivalent.
They have the basics of technology and magic as they have it now to develop it.
Their enemy lives under water where there eyes can't see [similar to how scrying and search spells find things the eyes can't see. Or life detect finds hidden life].
Thus. Investing in sonar or the equivalent. Would be nice. That and it's not been said in the A/N were it could be read by those who don't read through the comment sections. Nonetheless, it's possible for them to make, either with tech, magic, or magitech. They just haven't done it yet.
6774583
Except the level of naval advancement so far is pre WW1, and ASDISC, sonar's predecessor wasn't a thing until mid-war.
No, they don't have the basics of technology now as I previously stated and it's been said before Equestrian oceanic magic is a really under utilized field. You are
They actually don't have either because they haven't needed it before.
6777319
You're wrong in the highest of orders.
Look at the ship names that the ships in the story are made after. Since we are told what the ships look like and are modeled after.
RENS Jack Sparrow was modeled after IJN Ikazuchi. Who's first campaign was the Battle of Hong Kong which was WW2.
HMS Victoria and Albert 1 served as a depot ship in WW2 in 1935. Even though it was finished being built in 1901. Which means you are partially correct in pre-WW1 in this. Except that it saw action and was used in WW2.
French pre-Dreadnought Jaureguiberry. Was used extensively in WW1 to act as a convoy for troops.
Now prior to this chapter we aren't told what ships are moddled after what. But the ship in Chapter 7 was in color, and modern era looking [albeit when I say modern I mean 1990's +].
So that's 1 WW1 ship, and 2 that saw action in WW2.
Sonar's history goes back to 1415 by Leonardo da Vinci. But using it to locate things was created in 1913. A time when all of these ships were in action. At one point or another.
Then you have the bigger points where you are wrong.
They have access to magic! Not the asspull, hand waving, makes no sense, dues ex machina bull shit. Definition of magic.
Neigh. They have Scrying, We've been shown they can do spells that emit a feild of magic capable of targeting X, and only only effecting that type of entity [Canterlot wedding], as well as holding all physical objects frozen without targeting a specific type of entity [Twilight's freeze everything spell she's used twice], detection spells are a thing in this series as well as the show.
Those right there. They are the basics of sonar and radar [made in 1886. When all these ships saw service as well], and things shown in cannon.
2. Their tech level in the show flips between the late 1800's mixed smoothely with things from the late 1990's. They are highly anachronistic. But they do have the technological know-how to make a simple sonar. Since they have Oscillators, which is a fact that you can't deny since they have techno / electronica music and the WUBS.
So yes. They have the magical and technological capabilities of Sonar.
Edit:
Even then. Modern Sonar wasn't made because of war but because of the tragedy of the Titanic necessitated the development of seeing under water to prevent said tragedy from occuring again. In this timeline we have an underwater threat that can cause super storms capable of destroying island nations.
So with ships that saw action in WW1 and / or WW2. With their magical knowhow that outstrips their technological development, and with the ability to make magitech.
They have the capabilities of making Sonar. Either with technology. Magic. Or Magitech [hybrid of magic and technology].
6777746 Wow you call me wrong and yet you don't do research. There's two ships by the name IJN Ikazuchi, the type ship of a group of destroyers from 1899, and the IJN Ikazuchi, a Fubuki class destroyer. The latter is the one you're thinking of, the former, the one that has it's picture at the top, is from the time period I've been talking about. That or you did know that and ignored it because it's convenient for your head canon.
Also, that ship from Ch7? Launched in 1900. Not modern in the slightest, it's just been well maintained as a museum ship.
Actually that is exactly asspull magic. Scrying for an entire army you know nothing of in a very large area underwater in the freaking ocean. If that was possible with scrying, most of the first story wouldn't have happened. Alternia would have scryed all of Chrysalis's infiltrators and later all of the Equestrian First sleeper agents. Holding all those items in place also required intense concentration, being near them and was only held for a short time. And yet they're supposed to whip up functional sonar with a program they've only needed recently, manufactured, and equipped magically to ships that are out in the middle of the fucking ocean.
6778036
You are the one who didn't do his research. Like at all. Here let me show you. So you can get some education.
The picture showed for Ikazuchi was the one lifted from Wiki. That was Sazanami [1921]. Which was commissioned in 1923. Of course the ship itself was labled as IJN Ikazuchi which for being utterly ignorant. Was the name for an actual ship called IJN Ikazuchi which was a Japanese destroyer which sailed in 1931.
In both cases you are wrong. Both with the image that this ship was lifted from and what it was named after.
Even ignoring that. Where you are wrong in thinking class of ship. Rather than the ship named that. 4 out of 6 that didn't get grounded early after sailing. Saw war time in WW2.
The IJN Ikazuchi Which yes was a Fubiki class ship # 23 [not only two were made. Derps.]
So I was right.
Then you have the other ships I told you about. Good way to not only get your facts wrong. But ignore when I was right.
________________________________________
As for you attacking the magic portion.
Good job again on trying to pick apart an debate by focusing on only one thing and get even that wrong.
__________________________________
Scrying shows that they are able to send non-visible, non-physical emanations. As well as long range communication, as well as sight. It does need a foci to connect to. But still has ground work basics for what can be used. But you ignore the following:
The pulse wave used to get rid of Lings in Canterlot Wedding: Shows that they can send a pulse of magic that can wrap around and touch things, while not effecting solid structures.
Twilight's Freeze Everything Spell: Shows also ground work basics for sending pulses of magic that can target and feel the surroundings of objects.
Detection Spells: Are a thing as well. It's not that hard to make a life detect spell. Sonar isn't infinite in range either. It has a limit.
And it doesn't need to be pure tech. Which you are utterly ignoring. Pure magic is something they are able to do.
Also.
___________________
You are totally ignorant to what a SONAR is.
Sonar is something that makes an echo, When the wave [sound] hits an object that echo gets sent back to what sent the wave [sound]. It's not that advanced, but is something that they've shown using magic to do things that aren't to far off.
That and SONAR existed in the time period you're being anal over. Not to mention that you were wrong in your ship time period [seeing as how they were active in WW1 and WW2 with most of the ships shown.]
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As for technology wise. Using pure tech.
cdn.phys.org/newman/gfx/news/hires/2014/dolphinsonar1.jpg
Those are things you'd find in Vinyl's musical creation / playing repetoire. Minus the PC. Which is for more modern stuff, but still things that are possibly available. Even though we've never seen computers in the show, we've seen Arcade devices which are similar.
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So yeah. Magic spell is something that can be whipped up in CSFGU, and her school full of brilliant mages. MagiTech is something available. Seeing as how as shown the tech. that makes a SONAR is there, and the magical framework and barebone basics exists readily.
_________________________
So again, you are wrong.
It may not exist now. But is something that can readily and easily be created. Especially if we take into account that the best minds with Gryphons, and Equines can be brought together. Especially since tragedy and war gives huge and fast boosts to technology. It's a fact of war.
6778274 Um, Eater. Put it this way, while I don't doubt in the later future perhaps Sonar Might be considered... theres no way someone is going to just pull the development out in a month or even a week, especially since ASDIC aka early Sonar, was not invented for detecting ships until 1915, WW1 basically. Also, they have no idea of the invention at all as of this point in time, so how can they invest in developing something that they don't know even exists.
There were two groups of Ikazuchi class destroyers that were produced one prior to WW2, but the one in the image is the built PRIOR TO WW1... in 1899. I would know, I decided on that image on purpose.
Two, I don't quite agree with the magic interpretation you have. I don't see the Freeze Everything, Canterlot Wedding as examples for... pulse magic? I mean Canterlot wedding was a fluke. The only kind of detection spell of any great effect shown is Rarity's detection spell... and well those are metals/gems she's detecting.
The only example of Magitech we've seen is from Flim Flam brothers... and that was a monotonous assembly line of a process without any adaptation. Quite different from something that might give you an actual readout.
Regarding Vinyl's equipment... i dunno... problem is MLP is an anachronism stew and I wrote and planned my story before I saw 100.... trying to nail down a tech level was difficult enough and frankly if I get slight odd anachronisms here and there, I'm just going to stick to my plan
There's also a final reason regarding underwater weapons develoopment... its more moralistic and I can go into detail personally once the next chapter is out...
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By pulse I meant that a pulse / wave of magic is sent out. It effects things caught in the blast.
And yeah I know that it's not something that can come out in a month, or even a week.
I was simply stating that in their anachronism stew, and with the magic they have, Sonar is something that exists within their tech level. And was originally a joke at a comment made that Twilight couldn't make something of that nature.
As for the magic bit. I was talking more along the lines of:
Magic starts at a source.
Bursts from the source. [There are many examples throughout the show].
Effects targets within said blast. [even Twilight's healing earth wave counts as this.].
[And detection spell. While we do see Rares use it in the show. With how many Special Talents there are, and the fact that Rare's ability is simply a spell that she has a natural aptitude for. Since it is a spell though. Other types of detection are possible. Even if it does need something to be fine tuned.].
Still while I agree that it's something they don't have at the moment, since they didn't need it in this AU [no Titanic]. Before I was getting defensive. I was making a point that it's something that can be created, and a variety of ways. Eventually should the story need it. And there is ground work in the show for its creation. Sure we only see Flim Flam use MagiTech. But it stands to reason that others have merged magic and tech together. So another venue for it to be made, or slowly created.].
Nonetheless. Good story.
This story is great! XD
Down with the kelpies!
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img05.deviantart.net/0d2d/i/2015/350/d/2/one_punch_pony_by_beyond_theboundary-d9kc12p.png
What era of ships are here? I see imperual ships from earlier ww2 and some older 1910s vessels.
Pretty dark chapters ahead... I wonder... Dont they have recordings of any kind about any trading routes in Seaequestrias Empire negotiations. 1000 Years is a long time but maybe search the Everfree Castle for any hints?