The sun was still high in the sky as Spike found himself back on the main streets of Ponyville. A few hours had passed and he'd gotten a lot done in that time, but there was still plenty on his plate... At this rate today would be the busiest he'd been in months, and that was including a very hectic Winter Wrap Up. He'd gotten years of experience with checklists in that single week, that was for sure... Speaking of lists, it wouldn't be the worst idea to double-check his lists.
Chores
> Sort new book shipment (boxes 1-4 in the foyer)
> Serve overdue fines (see List F7)
Food
> Lunch (Hayburg's Hayburgers or Sugar Cube Corner)
> Dinner (wherever I didn't have lunch, I guess)
> Snacks (for Me and Twilight)
Game
> Look at Ponies (titles? levels?)
Free Time
> Visit Rarity (<3)
> Visit Cheerilee + CMC (before class lets out)
> Visit Other Ponies (as needed)
> Hit the Arcade, Look at RPGs (research!)
So out of 19 subquests, Spike had knocked out 9 in the first few hours of his day... mostly the smaller ones. He was nearly done with the "Game" section, which left him hopeful that he'd get a significant reward for doing that whole bundle. As for how to do it, that was another question: He was looking at every pony that passed already, so that one? He'd just have to accept on faith that it would complete eventually. The others he'd already figured out more or less. At this point it was more of a waiting game than something he needed to put more thought into, making it a far cry from his new handful of skills. And speaking of his skills...
There was a pattern to the 'Dragon's' skills, one he had suspected from the first and then all but confirmed with the newest ones. One keyed off of Dexterity, one from Vitality, one from Intelligence. If the pattern held then there were also skills for Strength, Wisdom, and Luck... Plus maybe one or two more overarching it all, come to think of it: A lot of games had bonuses for completing "sets" of items or skills. That would hold up so long as he didn’t get a pattern-breaking skill that wasn’t associated with a statistic or the overall set. At that point? All bets would be off.
So far he had the Claws, the Heart, and the Mind. If he thought about what "normal" dragons had that made them, well, dragons... Scales, definitely. And fire breath: He hadn't even used his today, so that could easily be a skill waiting to happen: It seemed like he only got skills upon using them enough, even if he had a lot of prior practice before this morning. Tail could be another option. Wings maybe, and a weak maybe at that: Even during the 'incident' with his growth spurts he didn't get wings... But he did have a hoard. That made thematic sense for Luck actually, especially if it affected item drops or bit-finding, things that wouldn’t normally exist in real life but fit perfectly to the game logic of his power.
So that would leave Strength and Wisdom... Wisdom made sense for fire breath if you squinted a little... At least for Spike specifically: His breath involved communication. And Strength could be wings, tail, scales, or something else entirely. Bones? He'd heard some chatter about dragon bones being powerful in terms of magic, but they were so rare as to make the conversation moot.
Also they were kind of inside him, which didn't help.
So was his heart though, so that didn't rule bones out as being the skill... But he wasn't exactly excited about what getting that skill would involve. All of those Strength options aside, there was a 0% chance that his breath wasn't going to yield a skill somehow, whether it was part of the cycle or just... Wait. What would it even do?
"Eh, only one way to find out, and I've been meaning to do this anyways."
Halfway between Sugar Cube Corner and his next destination for collecting fines (which was, according to his map, the house of D. Whooves and D. Hooves), Spike took a quick detour and planted himself beneath a sizable tree. Nestling into the shade, he silently withdrew a quill, ink, and some loose parchment from his Inventory and began to draw up a letter to Princess Celestia.
Dear Princess Celestia,
I'm going to skip the usual opening today, since this is kind of a special occasion. I've been experiencing some very strange phenom... things since this morning, and while Twilight was not able to give it any attention (apparently she had business in Canterlot?), it's pretty serious. I can tell you more about it later, but for now I had three questions:
- Can I send you a few random letters and objects from now on? I want to test how this 'thing' is messing with my fire, if it is at all.
- Have you ever seen or heard of a dragon developing a strange power when they got older? It's my pet theory as to 'why this' and 'why now'.
- Do the words 'The Gamer' mean anything to you?
Thank you again!
Ever your faithful subject,
Spike T. Dragon
He ended his half-joking signature with a little caricature of his face with its tongue stuck out, just for emphasis. As far as anypony who actually knew him was concerned, he was just Spike, and that was good enough for him. It was only when official documents and boring medical papers had to get filled out that they ever added anything else, and even then it was usually just "Dragon" as a last name. Having his middle name be "The" was a running joke between him, the Sparkle family, and Celestia after a royal announcer introduced him when he stumbled into the Day Court after a nap. It wasn't like most ponies even used family names like that, but there were expectations when you came from Canterlot or had a reputation: The Sparkles, the Belles, the Pies, the Apples, etc.
After puffing a wave of fire across the letter, Spike kicked back and settled in against the tree... quickly lamenting how it wasn't as comfortable as Pinkie. Still, it was nice to take a break while he waited on a reply. He could relax in the shade, feel the cool spring air, finish off that (fantastic) muffin... Belch up a little green fire and have Celestia's letter already? Yeah, that seemed reasonable. Well no it didn't, but it was what was actually happening. As he spit out the flaming scroll, he felt a thrill up his spine and heard the faint ding of success, but reading the reply was more important than checking the skill.
Dear Spike,
I will dispense with formality myself, although I do hope you are well. Your situation, if I grasp it well enough from what little I could infer, is indeed unique and strange. Twilight is coming soon, so I will speak to her then, but in the meantime here are your answers:
~ Yes, go ahead. I will arrange my reception magic so that everything you send me is set aside until I can view it properly, or dismiss and return it if it seems to be arbitrary practice material.
~ I have indeed noticed that some dragons, maybe even most, come into a unique power as they age. The common theory had been that they were passed down lineally by some rite or ritual, but if you are correct and it is biological, that alone would be a breakthrough.
~ Unless we are referring to my sister by way of her latest obsession-level hobby, I am afraid not.
I wish you the best of luck, Spike, although I must go now. Business awaits, and so I shall get busy.
Your (Princess-Mother-Egg guard-Friend-Confidant-Etc.),
Princess Celestia Invictus
"Yes!"
Spike was excited on a few different levels. Celestia had heard of dragons with weird powers, so that was a point in favor of his idea. She didn't know about The Gamer, which was a shame in one way, but at the same time it meant he was probably truly unique. And... back up. 'Twilight is coming soon', she said. That definitely implied that Twilight was going to Celestia's today, but Twilight herself hadn't said anything about it. Weird weird weird... Oh well, he could bring it up when she got home later. And now, with Celestia's permission, he could practice this.
A skill has been created through a special action! Through exuding the flames of dragon-kind, a skill to communicate your heritage, [Dragon's Breath], has been created!
[Dragon's Breath] (Active and Passive) Lv 1 EXP: 0.00% MP: Varies
The breath from a dragon's maw is infused with their magical nature, and this manifests as flame. The color and power of the flame varies from dragon to dragon, but it is said that those who dare can learn to harness colors beyond their nature. Dragonfire of any color represents solutions spoken and answers enacted: It is the embodiment of wise decision-making.
Allows the user to breathe fire. Damage, range, spread, and duration vary based on MP spent.
Allows the user to expose themselves to certain conditions in order to learn new colors of flame.
Allows the user to breathe 'things that are not fire' based on their elemental affinities.
This skill will grow with WIS and skill levels, gaining new features over time.
Known Colors: Pure Orange Flame, Green Sending-Fire
[Green Sending-Fire] (Subskill) Lv 1 EXP: 0.00% MP: Varies
The fire associated with the ancient elder Vorvadoss, lord and master of dimensional spaces. This flame "sends" away that which it burns, acting as everything from communication to transportation to an incredible defense. To those with an innate tie to the Green, their fire may even act as an exit portal for items sent by other kinds of magic.
Items burnt by your green fire may be sent to any destination within 100 yards.
Items burnt by your green fire may be sent to any registered target. (Current Max: 1)
Those who know the proper spells or abilities can attempt to send green fire to you in return.
You may access the MAIL subsystem to deliver, receive, and manage letters and packages.
Woo, good job Spike! He's gone and added another ability to his repertoire. It was also pretty neat that Celestia had heard of dragon's getting odd magical powers, and it was even better that she was as playful as she was in the letter. It was nice to see that in her title she sees herself as his mother... Considering that between Twilight, Twilight's mother, and Celestia he has three pseudo moms who all care for him? That's good for him, and sweet that Celestia counts him as being that close.
Welp, Now that Dragon's Breath has been unlocked, the Spyro Path opened to him. Master all the elements, and become
the Avatarthe Purple DragonThe Gamer !Sorry, had to do a Spyro joke.
Still, the more he get his "Dragon" Type Skills, the more he get ways to be truly fearsome. Like, if he get the full set before Twi gets back, i bet that the mere presence of theses skills would cause something that give Twi no choice e to accept that yes, your purple baby dragon went full Video Game Character. X)
For the ticket that Spike got on a previous chapter... i thought about was outrageously Broken stuff could be done with it... and my answer is the Skill "Perfect Disassembly". Like, i've seen this skill in an isekai i've read, and fuck if this skill is powerful. The MC of the isekai in question went from "no Stats above 10" (except INT) to "force of nature", because this Skill and another actor not that important right now. So this Skill is basically... if you defeat a monster in a game, the drop table rolls to get your loot, right ? Well Perfect disassembly is just : Well screw you i'm just gonna loot the WHOLE LOOT TABLE. And more. The looting is so complete that there's lootable :
- All the dropable items
- All of the monster's Stats can be snatche up to ad to their own.
- All of it's life is contained into a Lore Book
- All of it's skills are given onto a Cards form.
Like i said, this thing is absolutely capital B Broken.
Oh, that's handy!
I wonder what Spike will do to test out his LUK attribute. Maybe this is how he picks up O&O, heh.
9911666
If you look back to the first chapter, Spike was dreaming about events in an O&O campaign with a party Cleric that had a yellow-green magic color. He also compared the Gamer's stats to O+O's. So he already has experience with, and knowledge of, the game. The question is in the details. :3
9911658
Cellymom is best Mom.
Currently Spike can send things up to 100 yards. So to train this he can start with a rock and keep sending it ahead of him as he walks, until he gets the level up where he can send two rocks, which will level up twice as fast at half the rate, so the same time till he gets 4 rocks, continue?
Over the weekend I managed to read the first two books of Slime/Gamer, and realised. Between Dragon, Breath Mail, Analysis etc, Spike can easily have the slimes ability, Predator, which includes Hoard Inventory Storage, Absorb, Dissasembly, Copy etc?
As for colours of flame, shouldnt Time Turner be able to give him the guide to chemical flames, which would skill up his Analysis to lead to Dissasembly etc? Then he can eventually train up in Ground Diving in the Quarry to eat rocks and refine the ores, seperating out what he wants and needs? If you have aluminosilicates, like clays, then it seperates to pure quartz and gems. Which apparently eating ramps up his stats and recovers the MP he used to create them?
Get enough levels and he could just walk into a junkyard and walk out of a bank?
9911777
As far as flame colors go, give it time and you'll find out. Slime stuff, unlikely. But it's funny you should mention the Good Doctor. <.<
Just realized I javen't commented on this wonderful story yet. I've been really excited for every update since I found it. It's exactly the type of story I was hungry for
Mmm gimme that sweet sweet Mom-lestia
Time to mail Luna some deets.
Whenever cheap teleportation comes along I keep thinking about perpetual motion machines.
>Slaps on them shipping goggles over my 3 other shipping goggles
9911662
The name of said isekai would be appreciated…
Great analytic skills, Spike. Given how dynamic this game is, I hope that pays off with some additional skill or quest reward.
Very nice chapter, I like how you have Spike's and Tia's relationship.
Though I noticed that you forgot to write in that spike actually sends the letter, right now he just doodles his face and waits.
I wonder what kind of shenanigans spike will get into with his teleportation breath. Can he use it on himself? And does momentum continue through the flames?
I'm excited for the next chapter!
Great story love it so far.
A bit of a bit pick but shouldn't spike have at least medium experience in sending letters by fire since he has done it to celestia so often. Also canterlot would be like more than 100 yards away maybe 100 miles.
9913280
The first one of those will come up in the FAQ, but the short version is 'Abilities don't get codified by The Gamer until he uses them as The Gamer'. So his prior experience doesn't apply to the level for Dragon's Breath, the same as it didn't for Cooking this morning. As for the distance limit, the skill can send to a 'registered target' regardless of distance: The 100 yards is just for him to arbitrarily flame objects into nearby space.
9912596
Huh yeah, it looks like the GDocs Importer ate a line. I'll go re-add that right now: Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I wish this was longer
"Latest"
I feel attacked.
9911777 I was thinking more elemental flames. Sit in a freezer or eat shaved ice cones to learn Cold breath (Blue). Or eat a dozen batteries (he's a dragon, it won't hurt him) to learn both Electricity and Acid breath (yellow and green or black). Maybe even gulp down some Zebrican healing potions to get healing effects (white flame).
Is no one going to comment about the possible innuendo regarding Twilight in Celestia`s return letter to spike?
Kinda expected a epic tail from Celestia Anyway this will help quite well in his development and Equestrias understanding of Dragons.
*Just finished googling Vorvadoss*
Sooo... does this mean Spike's one-part Eldritch?
10613935
Points at eldritch memory skill as my answer
10653570
Pretty sure it was Eidetic Memory, not Eldritch.
10653570
Eidetic Memory, not Eldritch.
Eidetic Memory is 'perfect' memory, basically an inability to forget things. It allows one to remember events as though they had been recorded by a video camera.
Eldritch Memory is the ability to remember things that haven't happened yet, never did happen, or could not have possibly been experienced.
Awesome, he can weird other elements besides fire? CI can think of the following as possible elements, Ice, Water, Lightning, Earth, Light, Darkness/Shadow, Poison, Maybe a Healing breath? And finally Aether.
Perhaps a welding skill? Flames can open or seal iron/steel etc.
... not sure if intentional or not, but... she did get busy, didn't she? :D
I guess Spike can't just Dragon-fire-mail villains to Tarterus...
Dragon fire mail alone could male him bloody important and rich. For instance with all known Nation leaders.
I wonder what limit to Dragon flame Posting exists.
Can we for instance transport all the snow surrounding the Crystal Empire to the Badlands?
Great way to bring like back to there wasteland...