Chapter 32
Scootaloo took a deep breath, turning the situation over in her mind as she tried to figure out how best she could explain to her sweet, lovable, idiotic fiance exactly how bad an idea it was to go around Ponyville challenging the senior citizens to sword fights as a way to find the blade master without giving away the fact that the blade master he was searching for was right up in the house. It wasn't her place to say that anyway. If Granny wanted to give that information, that was up to her.
"What's all that racket?" Granny suddenly called out, stumping up to the group. She then snorted at the sight of Bluebottle. "Who's the colt?" she demanded of Apple Bloom. "How come he's wearin' one a yer capes?"
"This is Bluebottle," Scootaloo spoke up to introduce him. "My...fiance." She saw Granny's eyes flicker in recognition. "He's our first Canterlot member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders...though he's gotten his Cutie Mark now."
Granny nodded firmly. "Magic swords, eh?" she asked as she let her eyes rove over Bluebottle's Cutie Mark and the magic swords he was projecting.
"Verily!" Bluebottle proclaimed dramatically. "And on my elder brother's advice, I am in search of a legendary blade master here in town...and will challenge anyone who might be them to a sword duel, that the one who can defeat me needs must be the master!" Turning to Granny, he dispelled most of the magic swords, leaving only one exceptionally well defined one between himself and the old mare. "And I shall begin with you, if I may! Do you take up my-"
Before anyone could react, Granny lashed out with the tip of her cane, striking the magic sword right at the crosspiece and twisting. The magic weave flexed and unraveled, causing Bluebottle to wince in pain as the spell fed back through his own horn due to the twist Granny had forced into it. "Cutie Mark spells are double edged swords," Granny explained flatly as she once more set her cane on the ground. "Ya get more power in the spell cause ya can put more of yerself into it...but th' feedback of a broken spell shoots straight ta yer core as a result. If'n ya don't learn control and ways ta deal, ya make yerself more vulnerable with every cast."
Bluebottle dispelled the broken weave before taking a few breaths as the fillies watched in awe. Focusing, he once more shaped the magic sword, though it didn't have as much energy in it as before. He was plainly trying to not put as much magic into it as last time. He slowly focused until the sword gave every appearance of solidity, despite being pure magic.
"How come ya gave it a hilt?" Granny asked flatly.
"Swords have hilts!" Bluebottle stated firmly.
"Why?" Granny coached.
"To...give a place to hold it without cutting yourself-"
"Ya gonna hold that sword in yer hoof ta fight me?" Granny asked derisively with a bark of laughter.
Bluebottle blinked in surprise...and then grinned. The sword faded almost completely out of existence, and a seeming flash of light lashed towards Granny.
Granny Smith dismissively blocked the thrust with her hoof, no mark appearing there. "Thrust with a cutlass, yer askin' fer a whuppin'. Good thinkin' with only makin' the cuttin' edge to conserve magic and hide the strike."
Bluebottle stared in shock. "But...the blade-"
"Cutlass' got a curved blade cause it's made for slashin' strikes," Granny stated flatly. "Rapier's got a point cause it's made ta thrust. Epee's wiggle cause they're made to slip past defendin' blades. Broadsword's heavy ta cleave through armor. Every type a sword is purpose made for a specific type o' fightin' style. Use the wrong sword fer the wrong strike, ya leave yerself open." To prove her point, she lashed out and jabbed Bluebottle on the inside of one knee with the tip of her cane, making him briefly fold to the ground. "Ya got magic swords. Magic follows thought. So think."
Bluebottle slowly got to his feet, taking a few breaths to steady himself. He then grinned widely as his horn glowed.
Granny's cane spun in a blur, deflecting a series of slashing cuts before shifting to catch a dozen thrusts with the head. Granny then spun as epee strikes tried to find holes in her defense before hurling her cane. It corkscrewed through the air to strike Bluebottle right at the base of his horn, sending him to the ground as the cane flipped through the air back into Granny's grip. "Swords aren't just fer attackin'," she explained as she watched Bluebottle shake his head, trying to clear it of the daze of the impact. "If ya put everythang into attackin', ya leave yerself wide open for a counter attack. Yer about a century too early fer me ta accept yer challenge..." She glanced at Scootaloo as the pegasus rushed to her fiance's side in concern. "But yer gonna get involved in her business no matter what she says, so it's better ya know what yer doin'. Yer brother comin' ta yer Cute Cenera?"
Bluebottle nodded quickly, though he clutched at the base of his horn as he did so. "Yes! He said he wouldn't miss it for the world, no matter where it is!"
"Then he can talk ta me there about mah fee fer your lessons," Granny stated firmly. "Fer now, ah got an old 'friend' ta meet up with in town." With that, she turned and hobbled off towards town.
As Scootaloo helped Bluebottle recover his senses, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Sweetie Belle turned towards Apple Bloom. "Your Granny is so cool!" Diamond squeed out, her sentiment echoed by the other two.
"Ah know, right?" Apple Bloom squealed right back. "Where did she learn ta do all that?"
Scootaloo decided not to say anything. If Granny wanted to tell those stories - unlikely - that was up to her.
It didn't take long for Granny to reach the only bar in Ponyville. It was close to the edge of town that bumped up against the Acres, and it always kept a table open for her and anyone she wanted to drink with. She was served a bottle of her farm's own cider while she waited calmly for the one she knew would be here before too long. There was a certain 'understanding' between them.
As she expected, before long the doors swung open to admit a rather unassuming looking stallion. Green coat, yellow-green eyes, neatly combed dark brown mane and tail, rectangular glasses, broken hourglass Cutie Mark, and a sharp suit. He made his way calmly over to Granny's table and sat opposite her.
"Here fer another scar, 'Suit'?" Granny asked flatly, her hoof on the dark tip of her cane.
"Heavens, no," William responded calmly. "I took your point quite well last time. We can collect you when you're good and ready to be collected, and not a second before."
Granny nodded firmly. "Good. Yer a nice enough fella, and ah don't like scarrin' the nice ones. So what brings ya, then? Felt ya enter an' take shape."
William smiled faintly. "Your title is well earned," he murmured idly. He nervously pushed his glasses up his muzzle. "I understand one of my subordinates caused trouble for you and yours recently. I'm here to tender a formal apology over the matter, on behalf of myself, my organization, and my subordinate."
"Why ain't he here himself?" Granny demanded angrily.
William flushed slightly. "We are...still attempting to extract his wings and scythe," he allowed delicately. "The one called Sebastian was...quite thorough. It's difficult to remove that particular scythe while it's running without killing him."
"Why not just kill him, then?" Granny asked coldly. "Ain't he done enough ta deserve that?"
"The organization considers it more of a punishment under the circumstances to keep him alive," William answered with a faint smile. "Besides...the record of the 'battle' and the conversation beforehand raised...a possible explanation for Grell's...instability. Once Grell is healthy and intact, we wish to explore that possibility and see if that might...correct some of the issues."
Granny raised an eyebrow. "And ya came ta me with this why?"
"We were...hoping you'd be willing to act as a go between for us and the Diarchs on this matter," William explained delicately. "They are...unfond of our organization, and...are unlikely to accept a direct request from us for this. But if you were to raise the matter-"
"Or ya could just let Grell get in line," Granny interrupted. "Diarchs don't care who and what ya are if'n yer goin' for reassignment fer psychological reasons. They'll help him become her if he asks politely. What they do wit' her after is a different story, but that'll be her problem."
William considered this for a time, then nodded. "I shall present your suggestion to my superiors. Thank you for your time."
"Like ah said, yer a nice fella," Granny replied airily.
"And you are a fascinating mare," William murmured appreciatively. He sighed softly. "Another hour was provided in my schedule for this meeting. If I'd been assigned your case just a few decades ago..."
Granny smiled widely...and began to change. Her saggy skin slowly became taut. Her musculature filled out a bit as her rickety bones became stronger and more solid. Her white hair unraveled from its tight bun as it slowly turned blonde before weaving itself into twin braids. She smiled with real teeth as - before William's very eyes - she suddenly looked no older than 30(1). "How many decades?" she purred softly.
William stared, his jaw hanging.
"You said you have another hour," Granny purred softly, fluttering her long eyelashes his way. "I can keep this up for two before I'll need to rest. And there's a spare room upstairs here..."
William swallowed convulsively.
(1) This is based off Master Genkai's ability to do similar in the anime Yu Yu Hakusho by temporarily supercharging the cells of her body with her stored reiki, allowing her to look and function as though she were several decades younger for short periods of time. Similar thing here, but with magic.
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[Well, someone's got a crush on Granny.
Well, that was unexpected...and amusing.
Bravo!
Ahh Granny, using your age old trick for this is cheeky.
bones
So she like the granny from Yu-Yu hukashow? (Know I miss spelled it but...)
Granny is an excellent teacher, Bluebottle learned a lot from each of her comments and adapted quickly, he's definitely got promise.
BOW CHIKA BOW WOW!!!! Granny got game! I bet William staggers back home exhausted and with a giant grin on his face.
I'm eager to see how Grell might adapt to being female, but I'm pretty sure that if Rarity got her hooves on a mare with that fire red mane she'd make some gorgeous outfits.
...Sebastian is somehow going to notice....
look between them, and go "well, there are worse reapers out there i suppose"
IS Granny going to ask him to heal Mr Rich?
8261413
... I have no counter puns. I'm pretty boned...
8261541
She already knows he can't. Reapers have no power of Life, only Death.
Kek XD
8261545
darn. Rich doesn't deserve that. nor does DT
8261549
Filthy's not dead. Just a coma.
And if his desire to live is strong enough, it'll override the death magic and he'll recover. It's only a matter of time.
I feel like Granny is unbelievably overpowered right now, but that's just my opinion.
8261583
Could be worse.
My headcanon is that she's the Highlander of Equestria.
If you hadn't put that explanation for how Granny could do that, I'd seriously have asked 'damnit Genkai just how
ing old are you!?'
I wonder whether Applejack has a blood of non-pony or not.
Oi don't go mocking the hilt's Granny for attached to the hilt is the one true way to end your opponents rightly.
THE POMMEL!!!!
8261611
I think it would be likely the pony genome itself has a good bit of non equine in it. Having stuff like hypoogriffs, griffons, Kirin, Kelpies and Shape shifters in your family tree is probably common in equestria. Some fics suggest Alicorns are the ancestors of all ponies and themselves come from the steed of Odin(I can't spell the name) meaning ponies descend from Loki.
8261588
You should do a story around this idea when you have the time. It would be very interesting I bet!
8261691
It's a magical construct, though. You can't unscrew it.
8261691
You also need the hilt and guard for a proper murder-stroke.
~Crystalline Electrostatic~
11:18_6/28/2017
8261828
The sword is a floating magical construct shaped by his mind. He can reconfigure it however he wants with just a thought; if he wants better armor penetration, he can turn the whole thing into a heavier weapon. In mid-swing, if needed.
8261588
Uh, can you provide a definition of highlander please?
Also, comment downvoted. What asshole did that?
8261971
Yes, but that will come with training. He is just starting out. So he needs time. Time to learn and time to practice.
8261734
Sleipnir.
8262160
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highlander_(franchise)
Granny is the best. It would be hilarious to have seen her at the royal wedding
8262235
So, an immortal?
8261413
That was weak, I know you can do better sans.
8262395
I don't think they could come up with any other cutting edge punishment if they tried.
8262574 That sebastian. Always makes sure that the point gets driven home. Even if the weapon behind it belongs to someone else. Talk about shoving the lesson down your throat.
8261971
You don't know what a murder-stroke is do you? It's where you grasp the sword by the blade then swing it so the guard/hilt slam into your opponent. If you watched Skallagrim you would know that.
~Crystalline Electrostatic~
0:22_6/29/2017
*speechless from the scene* .......You....
The different parts of the hilt have different purposes. The grip is for holding the weapon, sure, but the pommel provides a counterbalance to the weight of the blade (modifying the weapon's center of gravity and changing how you can swing it), the sword knot prevents you from losing your weapon if dropped, and the guard prevents an opponent from deliberately sliding their weapon down the length of yours.
A conjured blade like this one doesn't need a sword knot and a blade meant to be used by a unicorn doesn't need a grip, but if it has mass, a pommel can still be useful, and a guard could help prevent an opponent from circumventing a parry.
8263100
If I remember right it is used to damage heavy/solid pieces of armor and to crush helmets.
8263381
So, the only part that a conjured blade of magic needs is the guard...and that only if fighting someone at close range. Otherwise, it gets in the way of sliding the magic sword past the opponent's blade.
8263385
The mordschlag is essentially a technique to use a sword as a mace, and maces are superior to most swords against plate armor. Of course, heavy swords serve a similar purpose, and lighter swords aren't going to be very effective to use mordschlag with. It also kind of requires armored gauntlets, which fell out of favor (which also led to the development of stronger crossguards).
8263392
Well, it seems to me that the blade had some kind of mass, or else granny's comment about broadswords doesn't make sense. And if it has mass, then a pommel is also useful.
Unless unicorn telekinesis gets to ignore inertia, in which case unicorns with weapons seems silly. Just toss your opponent a mile in the sky, or drop a building on them.
8263410
Granny was talking about swords in general, not swords shaped out of magic. After all, a blade shaped out of magic could conceivably change shape mid swing to change the nature of the strike. Her words were specifically meant to break Bluebottle of the mindset "I am using magic to make a sword" and make him realize "I am making a sword out of magic".
8262383
A rather specific type of immortal. Technically those types CAN age, only after they've killed Every Single One of the others like them. That would give Granny one hell of a body count. And a level of power and skill that's absolutely insane. Every immortal kill makes them faster, stronger, and gives them the skills of the one they killed.
8263100
I thought that was partially to take advantage of the relatively heavier hilt, though. I do watch Skallagrim, but mostly just his "exotic weapon review" type videos.
8263419
like the golem guy from soulcal. 2 (the one with the orb)
8266422
Yes, like him.
8262574
Better but I thought you would make one about what Rarity will do to Blueblood when they meet up at Bluebottle's cute cenera.
8268244
Now that would be some food for thought. Not sure what will exactly happen but let's see if Rarity will think that last incident was really a lie.
this also happens to the ninja Naruto calls "Granny" as well.
Oh my~
8276994
Welp your about to have a very unsuspected, yet by no means bad time!