Chapter 181: Obscure
Ranger
Chapter 181: Obscure
By Wanderer D
The trio walked into the main hall of the mansion, alight with golden lights, glinting merrily against the white and gold of the marble floor and columns. It was lavish to the point of being offensive to the senses. Several objects of different shapes and forms and levels of technology were scattered around the large room, giving it almost the air of a museum.
There were many artifacts attributed to the Elders. One glass case contained a metallic box of alien design. It was open and a weirdly shaped, cracked crystal of some sort lay inside. A small, metallic plaque proclaimed the item had been granted to them in the year 1843, which would put it almost a century ahead of the FBI file's point of contact.
Another exhibit, of unknown origin or date was an unnerving jade figurine of some sort of demonic gargoyle or sphinx. It was also battered and one of the wings had been broken clean off.
But it was one of the bigger displays that drew Sunset's attention. Her eyes widened and she walked up to it. It was almost comically friendly-looking, surrounded by all the other dark and foreboding artifacts that emanated unsettling psychic waves of dubious Elder origin.
This one was different. It didn't whisper promises of dark power or threats. It had a resilient presence of sorts. Not quite psychic, but it seemed to emanate a statement. "I'm here." against all the darkness around it.
What remained of it, like a miniature ship, about the size of a car, of light blue and white, faded and battered. It was badly damaged, with the contents completely fried. A large piece of blackened crystal could be seen jutting from the side of it. The plaque under it mentioned that it had been recovered during the Elder's ascension and seemed to be part of some unknown culture that had dared stand in their way, but no other information was provided.
"What is it, Su—Eli?" Bradford asked, shifting uncomfortably.
"Nothing… this thing, it just… that symbol? If it wasn't so bent out of shape, I'd say it looks like the number six in Equestrian."
Elena snorted. "Nonsense, we know there was no science crossing between worlds," she shrugged. "It's a coincidence."
"Yeah," Sunset sighed, glancing around. "Yeah, you're right. What isn't a coincidence is why we're here," she hissed, "look at all of these Elder supporters… dining and celebrating while Earth is slowly consumed."
"One thing at a time, Eli." Bradford said on a normal tone of voice. "Let's enjoy ourselves, after all, it would be rude to leave early without at least meeting with our host."
Sunset smiled demurely. "Yes father."
Her eyes studied the mass of murderers and betrayers. The ADVENT soldiers and mutons. Blood flowed all around her. She could feel the hearts, hear the rush of it in their veins. Yes. She didn't have time for old artifacts.
She looked around, practically prowling, when something caught her attention. Something else was here, something… or someone dangerous.
Sunset's eyes studied the figure, taller than a human or any ADVENT soldier, easily the size of one of their MECs. It studied a far wall, away from the party, keeping its distance.
She glanced behind her, noticing that Bradford and Elena were mingling, as planned. It was time to do her duty. She smirked, navigating between the guests as she approached the doors guarded by a Muton and an ADVENT officer.
Their positioning was clear. No one was attempting to enter the small hallway that led into that room. Sunset smirked, allowing her control of blood to touch their vascular systems. She didn't need to make them faint, but lower their blood pressure enough and…
The moment the aliens groaned and touched their foreheads, Sunset dashed in between them, quickly forgetting about them, as she followed the dark hallway to a pair of double doors.
She finally hesitated. Should she go in?
"I know you're out there," a voice, strong and deep emanated from within. "Why don't you join me?"
The Warlock sat in the study, his thoughts on the old times, when he and several others had gathered in this very library to delve into the unknown; studying ancient artifacts that defied explanation. Feeling the sheer power emanating from each and everyone of them.
Back then, they had thought they had power. That their names would live on forever, alongside themselves, as their power overwhelmed every nation of earth. Such promise. Such prominent names.
The purest of ancient blood.
Hailing from Egypt to Greece to Babylon to the deepest of Africa and the farthest, highest mountains of Tibet.
They were rich, possessing forbidden knowledge and the will to use it. Their ancestors had collected much and when the Elders had approached Earth, many of their gifts had returned to power, allowed them to speak to the Elders and gather forces for them.
They were going to be exalted beyond the human limits.
He grinned, looking down at the gem that had put him even further beyond the grasp of the Elders. He had their power now… but also power ancient and unknown, ripped from the claws of another powerful being.
A pulse made him frown. He glanced at his gem, which trickled with its mysterious power, reacting to something… something powerful, much like himself.
He turned towards the door. Now that his attention was to the party, he could feel it coming closer until it stood just outside the library. Hesitating.
The Warlock stood, facing the door, a feral smile crossing his face. Who was it? Sona-The Hunter? No… the power was similar, but not quite hers. No… this was new. A new Chosen.
"I know you're out there," he finally spoke, straightening and crossing his arms across his chest. "Why don't you join me?"
He could feel whatever or whoever was outside pause to consider his words, then the door handle twisted and a young woman, beautiful by human standards walked in. Her hair was pitch black, and she wore a single piece dress that would have been scandalous twenty years prior.
She walked in, confident, but cautious. A warrior then.
Clearly not one of the usual guests, as no one would have dared get past the guards at the hall entrance. She closed the door behind her, and slowly circled the room, until they both faced each other with the entrance to his right.
He studied the intruder. There was an unsettling, familiar aura around her. He grinned, his fingers caressing his gem as the simple act created a sympathetic effect of some sort. Just above the young woman's breasts, the skin seemed to ripple, and a gem emerged, red, solid, and emanating entropic energies.
So familiar and promising.
"Well, well, well…" the Warlock's grin turned into a chuckle. "I thought there were only three of you… what do you want, little siren?"
o.0.o End Chapter 181 o.0.o
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oh boy.. this may gose south really fast!
Well, a Siren is indeed a kind of snek pone. I wonder though, is it Tirek or Sombra?
So, that was probably a remnant of the Equestria on that side of the mirror, and the Elders are from close by. 6 elements of harmony... Very mysterious.
Edit: Or obscure, of course.
Pre-reading comment: I'm going to wind up ending this chapter with a "SUNSET NOOOOOO" again, aren't I?
Post-reading comment: Not quite yet; I'm surprised. Docking points for continued exploitation of blood magic though. You should know better, Sunny!
EDIT: Also, on a hunch I dug back through my favorite fic of the past year, and you sly dog is that the Angel 6 interuniversal probe on display!?
9249494
I pick C: Grogar.
If this turns out to be StarSwirl I am going to giggle...
"had a resilient presence of sort."
"had a resilient presence of sorts."?
"control of blood to touch the vascular systems"
"control of blood to touch their vascular systems"?
"others had gathered on this very library"
"others had gathered in this very library"?
9249522
Judging by the relationship between the human Chrysalis, Celestia, and Luna, I'd say that Starswirl is the Councilman.
Was that thing saying "I'm Here" Angel 6, from a neighboring universe? If so, I'm glad the Elders didn't bother to track it back to its home dimension...
9249522
Are you gonna giggle evilly?
Ps: English is my second language so could you please tell me if I spelled something wrong.
Ok the only way Sunset is gonna win is by tapping into her siren gem and overwhelm him with her magic training and blood magic.
Also, the Warlock has Adagio's gem. That is bad.
PS: did I spell something wrong? Please tell me if I did.
6...6...Equestrian 6..Angel 6 from csp/Maretian! You sly dog
9248202
Huh. Sounds like my bedroom.
9249595
I don't know. Psionics tends to do pretty fireworks when it enters in contact with magic. Going to a place so permeated in magic could be akin to take a stroll in underwear on Venus. Hilarious, at least if you have a very dark sense of humor.
Well, the timetable certainly shifted. Cue Wheatley: "surprise! We're doing it now!"
enter the small hallway that lead into that room
1. Led.
Woah there Sunny, sure this is a gem of an opportunity but this kind of meeting could go six ways till Sunday if you're not careful. I know you're high on your new magic and all but surely this has to set off a few sirens at least right?
9249620
Thank you I also figured that out lol
Oh. I hope cherry trees are all right.
Is this the art of cliff-hangers? Already beyond 100+ chapters and its still not boring!
9249552 9249687 Fixed! Thank you!
Might as well send this mission completely off the rails right up front.
Well, on the other hand, maybe he won't identify her as Sunset until the stealth part of the operation is over.
The wording on this chapter makes me suspect that the Warlock is Tirek. And not just because he has a sweeping white mane of hair just like the Warlock.
This guy, at least, believes that Sunset has become a Siren. Sonata implied that was the expected end result of her blood magic use. Also he's able to call her gem out from its hiding place, by using "his" gem (presumably stolen from Adagio). I wonder what Bradford and Elena will think when they see it?
I'm curious, though, about the unnaturally tall guy at the party. Who's that? As tall as a MEC... not ringing any bells immediately, but I daresay we'll be seeing him again.
9249516
I... that would be to much out of the left field.
While the description can work, it wouldn't offer much for the story and it seems too much of a focus for something like that.
Then again...
I see what you did there.
I'm curious if there's more doing.
Heh. Lovely little stealth crossover. Though the ESP won't be too helpful for this sort of scenario. (Mind you, the CSP might. Just promise whoever brings back the most Sectoid heads an extra hour in the Fun Chamber.)
In any case, it will be very interesting to see how this meeting plays out. The Warlock's operating on some false assumptions and incomplete data, but Sunset's increasingly consumed by bloodlust in every sense of the word. Still, whatever happens next should definitely liven up the party.
Still hasn't gone as bad as Liru's Arma 3 Xcom mission.
Yet.
9249516
Goddamn WANDERERD YOU MAGNIFICENT BASTARD!!!
Don't tell me that's Equestrian.
I sense the plot thickening! So, I guess there most likely was an alternate Equestria on this side of the mirror, too, but it was sadly destroyed by the Elders. And judging by the lack of brainwashed enemy pony soldiers and the plaque underneath the artifact, it was utterly destroyed.
Anyway, the alternate Equestria might become a plot point in the future, so I wonder what exposition there'll be.
Edit: I've just come across another interesting theory: one that states that the artifact is the Angel 6 inter-universal probe from The Maretian. Quite an interesting thought, though it contradicts the plaque's description, but then again, ADVENT has lied before. (Or rather, lies most of the time.)
9249748
Wait, is that a The Maretian reference?
...
Groot?
"I'm here." sounds more like the Hub to me, though.
9249616
Well, if Sunset taps into her gem, I see the corruption accelerating significantly, and that's quite a problem.
P.S. "overwhelm" should be "overwhelming". Also, I recommend that you add a comma after "Ok". Oh, and no need for a colon after "PS", and the first letter after PS should be capitalized.
P.P.S. English not your first language?
P.P.P.S You might notice that I add a period between my "PS"s, but not adding them is perfectly fine. In fact, it's actually more recommended since PS stands for "postscript", and "postscript" is one word. I add a period only because it looks better to me. Trivia: For the same reason, multiple PSs should have one more Ps than the one before, not S, since "P" stands for "post-" and "S" stands for "script".
9249834
You're welcome!
So we see the Warlock. This is gonna be good. And may go south fast
Okay. Now there two ways things will go next chapter.
Either it goes all smooth talk and both parties goes back with interesting information or it goes straight to bloody hell.
9250191
But right now it's corruption or death. You can get uncorrupted but you can't get undeathed.
So the Warlock either believes that Sunset has become a Siren or she actually has become one allready, but due to the way earth works, she has not yet become a corrupted one.
Also, Sunset better hope that no one at the party hears what the Warlock says, especially Sunsets team/friends. But for some reason I get the feeling that the Warlock is more interested in talking than fighting. Like he has some plan and is willing to wait for it. Ge certainly does not seem like one who just kills what is in his way.
I don't know guys, but that Jade statue of gargoyle/sphinx raises most of mine red flags.
9250188
Cave was translating "I'm here" to Dragonfly. Sunset, being creature filled with dark sorcery, might can listen intent of artifacts too.
9250535
You have a point.
Still, "lesser of two evils" situations are better off not existing.
9251374
Ah, of course, I forgot about the Salvation Cave. How forgetful of me.
Yup, that sounds like the Cave alright. The Hub was more like "I'll protect you".
vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/masseffect/images/4/47/Paragon_Lost_Kodiak.png/revision/latest?cb=20130320152306
And now this all comes full circle and we find out exactly how Sunset wound up in the wrong galaxy calling herself “Ryder.”
9251526
Yeah. You wrote "Hat" and I assumed that you meant "rock layer above a vein" hat.
9251655
Wait, I wrote 'Hat'?
P.S. Does hat actually mean that?
9251706
Are you doubting in the power of Google?
9251831
Well, I can't find anything... *shrugs*
9249516
Oh! That's the Angel 6 probe from The Maretian? How intuitive of you! A most interesting though indeed.
Only problem is that it contradicts the plaque's description, although ADVENT
has lied beforelies most of the time. Still, it would also be interesting if we saw the X-COM world's version of Equestria, or what was once Equestria.9251548
Another reference to another fanfic.
Wow, this chapter and its comment section is loaded with references.
9251875
Unfortunatly, Angel Six not only shifted in dimention, but also shifted in time.
Fortunatly, Angel Six still has mana battery (which is depleted) and Sparkle Drive. With some tweaks (or even without them) Sunset can use Angel Six to escape from Area of Operation.
9251940
And promptly start a massive crossover between Ranger and The Maretian.
Effects:
X-COM now has the support of an unconquered Earth and a whole other Equestria.
Results:
Chaos *insert random Discord line*
9251523
Yes I know that and I wish she wouldn't have to make this choice but it's a kill or be killed situation and I see no other way out of this.