570 - Best Laid Plans
“I can’t believe Princess Luna wants to wait to remove her curse!”
Pausing in the tour of Ponyville she’d been giving Starlight – having teleported the two of them there just a few minutes ago – on the way back to her castle, Twilight shook her head. “She’s not waiting, Starlight. She and Princess Celestia are taking the next train to the Crystal Empire.”
“But she said no when Princess Celestia asked you to teleport us all straight there!” Glancing around idly as they passed through the plaza at the center of town, Starlight gave a huff. “I don’t know what sort of horrible curse Lex had in mind for me, but I do know that whatever it was, I’d want it removed as soon as possible. But Princess Luna wants to take the train because ‘it’s about the process’?” Scowling as if she found the princess’s reasoning offensive, Starlight shook her head. “What does that even mean?”
In contrast to her pupil, Twilight’s expression was one of concern rather than scorn. “I’m guessing it means that even if we did teleport there right away, Cadance would still need time to get everything ready. Remember, all of the crystal ponies need to come out and pour their love into the Crystal Heart at once. That level of coordination isn’t something you can set up with just a few moments, which I suppose is why they made the Crystal Fair a national holiday, since it’s traditional for everypony to empower the Heart at the end of the festivities.” Finishing her lecture, Twilight let out a sigh. “But I don’t think that was Luna’s real reason for not wanting to rush.”
That was enough to pique Starlight’s interest, glancing over at Twilight. “What do you mean?”
The question made Twilight look down, her ears folding back. “I don’t have the same relationship with Princess Luna that I do with Princess Celestia, but I like to think I’ve gotten to know her pretty well since she came back from the moon. And the way she’s acting now…it’s like she’s afraid of getting her hopes up if the Crystal Heart doesn’t work.”
“Oh.” Digesting that for a moment, Starlight joined her new mentor in looking dejected. “I didn’t even think of that. So much for learning about friendship, huh?”
The recrimination in Starlight’s voice immediately snapped Twilight out of her funk. “Starlight, it’s barely been two days since I took you on as a student, and you haven’t even had your first friendship lesson yet. You can’t expect to just pick up everything right away.”
Despite nodding, Starlight’s expression didn’t change. “I know, but it’s just…I was right there with Luna, and I couldn’t tell how she really felt. Maybe that means I’m just not cut out for friendship…”
Smiling, Twilight put a wing around the other mare, giving her a quick hug. “I don’t think that’s true. Somepony who couldn’t make friends wouldn’t be so worried about how they left things with the ponies in their village. Not to mention that you had a really close childhood friend, too. You said his name was Sunburst, right?”
Smiling in spite of herself, Starlight looked up. “Yeah, although I haven’t seen him in years.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s not a friendship worth cherishing,” counseled Twilight as the two of them approached her castle at last. “In fact, since I’m not joining Celestia and Luna until their train’s stopover in Ponyville tomorrow morning, I’ll have time to write some letters and see if I can find out where Sunburst is now.”
Starlight’s eyes widened. “You’d do that for me?”
“Of course!” Pleased at the thought of being able to help rekindle a long-lost friendship, Twilight smiled. “Once we know where he’s living now, meeting him will be your first friendship lesson. Until then, you can get settled in and explore Ponyville until I get back from the Crystal Empire.”
Stopping just in front of the doors to the castle, Starlight turned to face Twilight directly. “About that…I was actually wondering if I could go to the Crystal Empire with you.”
Her brow furrowing, Twilight tilted her head. “Why? I mean, I’d love to have you, but I thought that after everything you’ve been through in the last few days, you’d want a little peace and quiet.”
“Are you kidding?” asked Starlight, giving an exaggerated snort. “I can’t wait to see Lex’s evil magic come undone!” Her smile took on a sharper edge as she imagined the event. “I hope there’s some sort of feedback on his end, something to let him know that he’s been thwarted.” Her features softened then, and she gave Twilight a wry look. “Besides, somepony’s going to need to run defense for you and Princess Cadance if your new suitor happens to show up.”
Twilight grimaced. Her student’s antipathy toward Lex was understandable, but to Twilight it was a worrying reminder of how few ponies shared her opinion that he wasn’t all bad. And with her attempt to force Lex to the negotiating table via their duel – which in hindsight seemed like a terrible idea, now that she knew Starlight was the one the map had sent her there to find – having failed, resulting in Lex’s ascension to royalty, those opinions would only harden.
But Twilight knew that it was still too soon to even broach the subject of Lex with Starlight, so instead she focused on the other issue that her student had raised. “That reminds me,” she murmured, “I need to let Cadance and Shining Armor know what happened in case Blueblood turns up on their doorstep, asking if he can get in on their marriage.”
“Your parents live in Canterlot, right?” added Starlight. “You might want to give them a heads-up too, just in case. Blueblood seems like the sort of guy who’d make a big deal about getting your dad’s permission to seek your hoof in matrimony, or something like that.”
Twilight bit her lip as she telekinetically opened the doors, knowing Starlight was right. “I’ll send them a quick word of warning right now,” she groaned as she walked inside. “Spike! SPIKE! I need to send some letters!”
But after several seconds passed in silence, it became clear there wasn’t going to be any response from the little dragon.
“Maybe he’s out with Soft Mane,” offered Starlight. “Princess Celestia said she left Canterlot yesterday, after that pony she healed was released from the hospital, right? We didn’t eat anything before you teleported us off the train, so I bet they went somewhere for breakfast.”
“I don’t know.” Walking over to the kitchen, Twilight frowned as she looked at the sink and spied a distinct lack of dirty dishes. “Spike usually likes to show off his cooking skills.”
“Well, then maybe they’re in his room celebrating having some alone time together,” smirked Starlight. “They are boyfriend and girlfriend, after all.”
The comment earned her a dirty look from Twilight. “Grass Patch, Soft Mane’s mother, is staying here too, and she makes it her job to chaperone them.” Looking for a reason to change the subject, she turned around and started toward the stairs. “I’m sure they’ll be back later. In the meantime, we can start getting your room set up.”
“You really don’t have to go that far,” insisted Starlight, taking in the sight of her new residence as she trotted after Twilight. “You’re already letting me live here, I should at least take care of settling in myself…or at least that’s what I would say, if my horn wasn’t still damaged.”
“It’s still not fully healed?” asked Twilight, glancing back in mild concern.
Reaching one hoof up to rub it gingerly, Starlight grimaced. “I think I might be able to use a little magic now, but I’ll admit I was hoping to have Soft Mane do her thing and-…did you hear something?”
Twilight stopped, perking her ears up. “I don’t think so. Did you?”
“I thought I did. It almost sounded like a voice…” Glancing around, her eyes settled on the door to her immediate left. Looking at it for a moment, she smirked, then stepped closer to Twilight. “What’s that room?” she whispered.
Confused at the sudden reduction in volume on Starlight’s part, Twilight reluctantly did the same. “The linen closet. Why?”
“Well,” drawled Starlight quietly. “If I wanted to avoid my parents while spending some quality time with my boyfriend, I know where I’d hide.”
“That’s ridiculous,” snapped Twilight at her normal volume. Her face twisting as the subject of Spike – who was like a little brother to her – having an intimate encounter was once again thrust into her consciousness, Twilight shook her head as she walked over to the closet door. “The only thing in here are sheets, which now that I think about it, you’ll be needing for your roo-”
Then pandemonium descended.
A heavy thump, followed by a muffled groan of pain, came from inside the closet. But there was no time for either mare to react before the door suddenly flew open, Spike hurtling out to collide bodily with Twilight, knocking them both to the floor. Nor was he alone, as Soft Mane stumbled out of the open entranceway a moment later, tripping over the other two and fall onto all fours.
Watching the three of them collapse, Starlight blinked once, then giggled at the sight. “Wow, you guys…”
But the joke she was about to make died on her lips as a third individual exited the linen closet.
An earth stallion, his body was a study in contrasts. His coat was pitch black, while his mane and tail were pure white. His cutie mark was a similar snowy, showing the featureless outline of a pony standing in profile. The only color to be found on his body was in his eyes, and even then, it was only in how bloodshot his sclera were, his irises black enough that they were indistinguishable from his pupils.
His lips curled back in a silent snarl, revealing unblemished teeth that seemed to shine against the darkness of his coat, the unknown pony was already moving as he rushed into the hallway. Leaping over the fallen trio, he spared Starlight only the briefest of glances as he whirled around and galloped down the hallway. In a second he’d turned a corner and vanished from sight.
“Silhouette!” coughed Twilight, struggling to extricate herself from underneath the other two. “That was Silhouette! What-”
“Stop him!” yelled Spike, sitting up abruptly. “Quick! He’s heading for the portal!”
Starlight frowned in confusion. “The mirror to that human world? Twilight said it was smashed!”
“Not that one,” coughed Soft Mane, having caught a hoof to the stomach during their fall. “The other portal! The one that needs blood to be activated!” Stretching an arm out, she pointed down the hall where Silhouette had gone. “He’s trying to get to Everglow!”
That was all Starlight needed to hear. “I’ll stop him!”
“Starlight, wait!” But Twilight’s warning went unheeded as her student took off down the hallway, disappearing around the same corner that Silhouette had a few seconds prior.
Worry for her new friend warred with concern for her old ones as Twilight got to her hooves, the latter barely edging out the former as she looked Spike and Soft Mane over. “Are you two okay?! Where’s Grass Patch?!”
“She’s alright,” wheezed Soft Mane, one hand on her aching middle. “He knocked her out, but she’ll be okay.”
“Don’t worry about us,” added Spike, moving to help Soft Mane stand. “Go help Starlight!”
Taking a half-second to confirm that they’d be alright without her, Twilight nodded, then turned and flew down the hallway, wings flapping hard as she chased after Starlight and Silhouette. She didn’t dare teleport to the room in question; even if the portal was normally quiescent without a drop of blood to activate it, using trans-spatial magic in its vicinity was just asking for trouble. But so was someone activating it blindly! I should have dismantled that thing as soon as I came back to Equestria! Twilight berated herself as she flew faster, trying to erase Silhouette’s head start. I know the spell to move between planes now, so there’s no reason to let that-
“Don’t move!”
The sound of Starlight’s voice raised in anger made Twilight fly faster. Hurrying around the same corner as the other two, she barreled down the connecting hallway. Just one more turn, and the portal room would be the third door on the right. Almost there!
“I said don’t move!”
Reaching the destination corridor at last, Twilight saw that the door to the portal room was thrown open, Starlight’s voice emanating from within. Flying as fast as she could, Twilight rushed for the door, not able to see what was happening inside…
And then a bright flash of magic filled the hall.
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Should've could've but you didn't. Too late for regrets there Twilight.
At least we know that Silhouette wants to get the means to face against Lex in the Everglow...at least that's what I think his plan is. Granted, he is mentally unsound so for all I know he could be trying to assassinate the Night Mare or turn her against Lex though given how much the goddess stands to gain...
Of course, if Starlight somehow stops him here then it wouldn't matter though the fact that her horn isn't fully healed and she just used magic...it's a good thing Softmane is here at least though given how active Silhouette is here, he might have forced her to cast healing magic on him though I do wonder if it would actually help him or not.
To be honest, if this chapter hadn't happened, I wondered if Lex's curse might have lashed violently out when the Crystal Heart is used and breaks it(or at least damage it), causing a similar situation in canon to occur. While the situation would be resolved, Luna would likely develop self-loathing for being the cause of it. Not sure if it'll turn out this way but it was an entertaining thought while it lasted.
I wanna know how and why mr shadow suddenly appeared in a clothing closet
Guess the idea for the letter will be sent onto a to do list
I'm back baby, so what did I miss? Blueblood is a whine... Check.
They are all sadz and angry... Check.
Silhouette has gone to everglow, quite interesting development, I just hope it won't turn into an overly long side story about him cause I honestly don't care about the guy that much.
Can the heart remove the curse? Maybe if it is an artifact powerful enough. Good job BTW.
I honestly hope that finding himself in a world that's a lot harsher than Equestria, Silhouette gets himself horribly killed and that'll be the end of him. But no, more likely he'll come back as an Inquisitor or Blackguard or something ready to wreck Lex and everyone else's day.
Thanks again for unleashing this nutjob, Luna.
Silluette is trying to get to Everglow to become connected to an Actual deity to crush the upstart pretender, and Lex?
How long does it usually take, for a psycho to get that much power they burn out in minutes or even seconds because they havent had the years of training to handle the forces? Or theyre just useful as a realm access by the deity involved?
10695611 Twilight not taking proper precautions where potentially dangerous magic is concerned is kind of an issue for her; remember how careless she was with those magic items at her school during season eight? The ones Cozy Glow used to try and drain all of the magic from Equestria? You can say that Twilight couldn't have anticipated them being used that way, but it was still incredibly lax of her. Same issue here, even if the overall consequence is likely going to be smaller.
As for Starlight, remember that we just saw a flash of magic at the end of the chapter. We don't know if it was Starlight casting a spell or the portal activating. Or both, I suppose. Ideally, she'd have gotten a spell off and stopped Silhouette in his tracks. Much worse is the possibility that both of them were flung into that other world. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
I'm a little curious why your last paragraph was phrased in the past-tense, however. Surely everything you outlined there could potentially still happen? Nothing here seems to have ruled it out that I can see.
10695679 Hopefully we'll find out in short order what happened with Silhouette being in Twilight's castle, though at this point it seems pretty clear why he was headed to Ponyville to begin with.
10695840 I'm glad you're still enjoying the story! Quite a few plot-threads are advancing over the last few chapters, especially between what happened with Adagio and now with Silhouette. It seems like Everglow is playing a more prominent role in the story...
10695844 Well, the fact that he's keen on getting to that other world suggests that he's realized that there's power to be gained there. Though actually being able to gain it is another story. But if he does manage to survive, it's entirely possible that he could come back as a legitimate threat...
10695852 You've alluded to the question of how long it takes to gain levels, which is a bit of a sticky wicket where the d20 System is concerned. The rules posit that the starting age for characters is a particular year, modified by a die roll depending on the class you've picked at 1st level. For instance, a human character's starting age is 15, and if they want to be a wizard they roll 2d6 and add that to the total. So if they roll an 8, their adventuring career starts at age 23 as a 1st-level wizard.
The problem with this is that, after 1st level (and everyone starts out at 1st level; there are no "0-level characters," with even younger adventurers simply having become adventurers earlier), there's no inherent guideline on how fast you can level up. In fact, some people noted that since the rules presume that a standard four-person party can handle approximately four encounters (where the enemy's Challenge Rating equals their level) per day, and that you gain a level after every 13.33 encounters, that means you can gain an average of two levels per week if you adventured daily. So you can graduate from wizard school at the beginning of summer, and come back in the fall as a 20th-level arch-wizard.
Obviously, that presents problems (and is why AD&D 1st Edition mandated training times, measured in weeks and with attendant gold costs, when you earned enough XP to gain a level), and so most people ignore it. But that's kind of hard to do when a lot of adventures are "epic quests" that expect the characters to grow in power to meet the escalating series of challenges. Going from "zero to hero" is one thing, especially in a matter of weeks, but zero to world-scale mover and shaker in that time tends to require some narrative justification. Otherwise, the world is regularly being subjected to a new group of super-powered teenagers every few months.
All of which is to say that that's something I'm keeping in mind if Silhouette does make it to Everglow and tries to power-up while he's there.
10696065
The past tense was due to my brain thinking that it actually happened since I thought about the scenario at the time. Just a slight oopsie in the ol' noggin.
As for it actually happening, it would help keep some form of continuity due to what happened to Cadence during the Elemental Bleed crisis though regardless of the outcome, Luna would undoubtedly blame herself in that scenario but if all goes well then great...except for the part where Sunburst remains in obscurity...I think I'll stop this trail of thought before I end up on the What If station.
yep
yes.
10696796 Well, presumably we'll find out next chapter!
you know, when I first got here, i thought that the story had quite a few tropes. in order to better explain, i shall use a metaphor.
I am almost certain that the stories start in a sphere of tropes and clichés, where similar stories dip into the same sphere of tropes. A story that works outside this sphere of similar tropes enters a larger sphere with a strategy of sorts. this strategy relies on ensuring that a story branches out too far to be constrained into the smaller tropes sphere. as it increases its genre to include other concepts, for example, a story originally about an adventure branches out rapidly into a story about intrigue, fantasy, city management etcetera.
This story has left the troposphere and entered the
Stratosphere you probably realised it before this time but yeah
10696923 *slow clap* Love the wordplay there. You're going to be hard-pressed to top yourself after that!
10696958
Yeah, thought I probably should have kept it for the next chapter blueblood shows up, could you do me a favour and pretend it wasn’t there?
Starlight was embarrassed to speak to Sunburst due to her life going nowhere and running an cult and imagining he was a big important wizard. This fact seems to have been forgotten here.
10698483 It wasn't forgotten, it simply didn't have a chance to be addressed. The subject of finding Sunburst was raised by Twilight out of nowhere, with Starlight surprised that Twilight would do that for her, and before she had a chance to fully process what that would mean the subject changed, with Twilight mentioning that she was going to go to the Crystal Empire and Starlight rushing to get in on her trip. There's no time for her to react to the idea of meeting Sunburst again, and no real sense of immediacy to push her insecurities to the fore (since at this pointing finding him, let alone meeting him, is still purely hypothetical in terms of actually happening).
After what Starlight said about Lex, it's clear to me that Starlight hasn't learned jack shit about respecting Lex. He should kill the fucking cunt, purge her sorry ass.
10744239 Well, from her point of view Lex is the pony who stomped all over her dreams and reveled in her misery, rather than reaching a hoof out to try and help her the way Twilight did. Of course, that's not exactly a fair characterization considering how low she'd sunk, but Starlight has always been mercurial by nature. Fortunately for her, she's out of Lex's reach for the moment; he wouldn't kill her, but he has plenty of ways to make her life extremely miserable.