7 Nothing is Perfect
Twilight stood upon the menacing tower of books, her muzzle buried in a book she held in her magic. Nodding in understanding, she snapped it closed, admiring the depiction of a soaring bird on the cover. The magic spells it contained were unlike any she had come across. And she knew what needed to be done using them.
"Sorry this took so long, Cadance," said Twilight to the levitating form of Cadance within the square structure before her. "Restoration was at the bottom of my to do list, unfortunately."
It was unfortunate that Cadance had to stay here with her in Apocrypha, but Hermaeus Mora was right, she was safe here. But she wished she could have healed her sooner, she had just succeeded her restoration training today. She hoped this worked, the force field Hermaeus Mora put Cadance in to protect her also halted her bodies healing.
She focused her magic through her horn, which she aimed at Cadance's body. The spell she was weaving felt so strange and different, having never used its like before. And that could be said for a lot of the things Twilight had been dealing with as of late.
The spell burst into existence at the end of her horn, but rather then her usual purple aura, a bright gold star formed at the tip, it's light washing over Cadance's bruised coat. As the spell produced a tinkling sound, Twilight watched as Cadance's injuries faded, her coat returning to the perfect sheen Twilight always remembered in a matter of seconds.
"Much better," said Twilight, ending the spell. "After all, a bride needs to look her best at her wedding."
Smiling at seeing her old foalsitters restored to prime condition, Twilight looked up, taking in the sight of the sky above
She had been busting her rump for who knew how long, having lost track of time what felt like eons ago, and since the sky in Apocrypha never changed, it did nothing to try using it to tell time. But she had studied hard under Hermaeus Mora, and as a result, she had attained magical prowess she could never have imagined before. And she knew that the time was approaching when she would use it.
"Yes," Twilight said sternly, her face getting a serious look. "I am ready, it is time."
Looking back to Cadance, Twilight made a silent promise that she would be home soon, then took off at a run, vanishing in a flash of purple just before reaching the wall that surrounded the perimeter of the tower of books roof.
---
"Are you certain you are ready, child?" Said the wiggling mass of tentacles above Twilight. "There is still much more you can learn."
"I am aware of that, Lord Hermaeus," Twilight said, bowing low.
Having spent so much time here, Twilight had gained a new understanding of Hermaeus Mora, and the kind of being he is, and it was good idea to show respect.
"But Equestria cannot be held still in time forever, " said Twilight, her resolve to defend those whom she loves still burning strong within her.
"Very well," said Hermaeus Mora. "Though if you study longer, you may even gain the potential to bend the world to your will."
"No thanks," Twilight said with a shutter. " That would make me too much like Discord."
"True," said Hermaeus Mora plainly, a tendril extending from one of his portals to drop a Black Book at Twilight's hooves. "The way is open to you, my champion."
Twilight looked down to the book with trepidation. This was it, she was finally going to confront the one responsible for all her heartache. Doubt briefly gripped her, for she had spent so long preparing for this moment. But she had to do this, for everypony she cared about.
Taking a deep breath, Twilight sat down and scooped up the book in her magic.
"But remember our agreement," Hermaeus Mora said, his tone somewhat stern.
Twilight shivered as she recalled what he was talking about, but she nodded, opening the Black Book and being dragged into the ground by a black tendril.
---
Twilight reappeared before the book stand from ealier, blinking as she saw a still frozen splash in the pool of ink situated under it. She had never one hundred percent believed until now, but it looked like Hermaeus Mora was telling the truth. Even though she had spent so long in Apocrypha, not even a moment had passed here in Equestria.
'Splash'
Twilight started as the small wave of ink fell back into the pool, turning and rippling normally.
"I guess it's finally undone," Twilight said seriously, watching the ink settle. "Which means that I haven't missed the wedding."
But before proceeding, Twilight had a few things left to do.
"I hope I'm right," she whispered sadly, a Black Book appearing before her as she summoned it, placing it on the empty book stand.
Next she summoned another object to her, and in a flash an ornate gold chain appear around her neck, a pendant of a crystal ball hanging from it. Hermaeus Mora had given it to her, but it was no gift. It had more strings attached then a fishing net.
Twilight was a little weirded out when she remembered when she received it.
---
"What does it do?" Asked Twilight, watching as a black substance turned within the crystal ball on the chain she held.
"When you confront the imposter, put it on," explained Hermaeus Mora, his form before her. "A piece of my essence is contained within, and once you cross back over to your realm, it will allow me to see with much more clarity then my books can provide."
"For what purpose?" Asked Twilight, not liking the idea of carrying around a piece of Hermaeus Mora around with her.
"The confrontation between you and the false bride is surely to be intriguing," explained Hermaeus Mora, intrest in his voice. "I shall observe through that amulet, and add your conflict to my library."
"Is that realy necessary?" Asked Twilight.
She always knew this would lead to fight, but she didn't want it recorded down like some grand moment.
"It will be the first time one of my champions does battle in your realm," said Hermaeus Mora. "The tale will be the first of its kind."
Twilight wanted to argue, but Hermaeus Mora was giving her the means to protect her home, she figured this would be a small price to pay
---
"I hope you're watching, " said Twilight to the small orb around her neck.
Then she turned to the tunnel behind her and started forward.
---
The fake Cadance brushed her mane in front of a mirror in her room, a smug grin upon her lips.
It had been so easy to orchestrate everything in her favor, starting with setting up this wedding. Everypony was too distracted with the preparation's to notice what was really happening, just as she planned. It was also very easy to divide the Elements of Harmony.
Even she had not expected the ponies responsible for defeating Nightmare Moon and Discord to crumble so easily, but when push came to shove, the rest chose a wedding rather than one of their own.
"Today is going to be perfect, the kind of day of which I've dreamed since I was small!" she sang, levitating a rose from the bouquet on her vanity in her magic.
"Everypony will gather 'round, say I look lovely in my gown," she walked with a smug gait, making the ponyquuins bow to her. "What they don't know is that I have fooled them all!"
---
"She thinks her plan is so perfect, that her intelligence lifts her above us all," Twilight sang, the magic of Equestria linking her to another song elsewhere.
"But she underestimated me, a mistake she will see, " Twilight turned a corner, her eyes a cold glare. "Has brought about her fall. "
---
"I could care less about the dress, I won't partake in any cake," sang the false Cadance, kicking over a table with a basket of apples upon it. "Vows? I'll be lying when I say."
"That through any kind of weather I'll want us to be together," her verse echoed while she sang, a top hat disintegrating in her magic. "The truth is, I don't care for him at all."
"No I do not love the groom, In my heart there is no room! But I still want him to be all miiiiiine!"
---
"This is a chance I must not waste, I must get there with all haste," sang Twilight as she followed a trail of glowing blue smoke that she projected with her horn. "To do so would mean annihilation for us allllll."
"I know that I stand alone, but Equestria is still my home," tears flew from her eyes as she ran.
"And to protect it I will put my life on the liiiine."
---
"Finally, the moment has arrived," sang the fake Cadance, walking up to the large double doors. "For me to be one lucky bride!"
---
"I must get there on time, to halt this terrible crime!" sang Twilight. "Or my brother will be...."
---
"Mine, all mine! Ahahahahahaha!"
---
Twilight dove behind the cavern wall when she spotted pony figures up a head, the trail of mist fading away.
"I knew she did something with them," said Twilight, looking around to spot Cadance's bridesmaids that her friends replaced.
Minuet, Twinkleshine, and Lyra were all guarding under the hole in the cave ceiling that her clairvoyance spell had led her to, their eyes glistening with green magic. She knew mind control when she saw it, despite what other people might think, and it was more than likely the imposter put them here to keep her prisoners from escaping. Twilight knew things were going to get ugly, but she didn't want it to involve innocent ponies.
"Wait," said Twilight, smirking as an idea formed in her mind.
Taking a deep breath, Twilight built up some of her new knowledge, and when she opened her mouth, she expelled a cloud of white mist:
'ZUL MEY GUT'
"HEY, UGLY," echoed through out the chamber.
" What was that? " droned all three ponies, walking off to see where the voice was coming from.
Twilight smirked, her learnings were already coming in handy. And this was just a lesser spell, shouts is what Hermaeus Mora said they were called. But before she could feel anymore pride, them brainwashed bouquet chasers came back to their post.
Cursing herself, she tried again:
'ZUL MEY GUT'
"HEY, CHEESE BRAIN."
"HUH?" the three droned, but this time they just looked around in random directions.
Twilight bit back a growl of frustration:
'ZUL MEY GUT'
"HEY, MELON NOSE."
This time they did go to investigate, except Lyra, who was rubbing her muzzle.
"Its not that big, is it? " she droned, before two hooves grabbed her shoulders and yanked her away.
Twilight smiled, and left her hiding place, making her way under the hole....
Only to barely avoid a magic beam that flew past her head.
"You're not going anywhere," droned the three bridesmaids as they approached, Lyra's horn still smoking.
Twilight was not sure what to do. She had not wanted to hurt them but what else could she do? She saw a bouquet lying on the ground near her(how had that gotten there)and came up with something, but they were brainwashed, they would not fall for that.
Wait, brainwash, that wasn't a bad idea, actually .
"Sorry about this," said Twilight before she opened her mouth :
'GOL HAH DOV'
A wave of multiple colored mist washed over the trio of bridesmaids. The green light in ther eyes shattered, their pupils becoming dilated. They walked up to Twilight and bowed.
"We are at your comand," they said together.
Twilight smiled. She felt guilty for doing this, but she had to. It was not just so they would not attack her, she had an idea they would be crucial for.
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first
9436317
Don't you mean marker?
You'd think she'd use a spell, something like invisibility or teleportation, instead of just shouting at them. The Pony is a dragon now~
Also, halfway through when Hermaeus speaks one "ad" should be "add".
This is still great, though I hope she gets some powers that we don't see directly in Skyrim.
9436377
Why didn't i think of that?!
*insert annoyed face*
9436495
It is a crossover so expect somethings from Skyrim
9436696
Of course! I'm not saying that I don't love all the Skyrim abilities. But, I mean... Hermaeus Mora is in charge of all the knowledge left over from the creation of Mundus. All the rejects that never made it into the "real world." A few spells and abilities unique to him might be a neat addition to the standard Skyrim fare.
9436703
have any suggestions, I know a fare bit about Hermaeus Mora's birth thanks to wiki, but have only played Skirim and Oblivion, and lets face it, his appearance in Oblivion was pathetic, so I have been going on things solely on Skyrim
9436824
I'd of course do some spells/abilities that have something to do with tentacles or ink. And some of the less common spells from Skyrim, like the ability to sacrifice some of your health for magical power.
Some spells from the Mysticism branch of magic would also be nice (as they were absent from Skyrim, despite the books mentioning it.) Things like spell reflection.
Also, if we are going with the "rejects from creation" route, you could totally look up skyrim modded spell packs for ideas. Or look up the spells in the game that can't be accessed without console commands. Just a thought.
Very nice. I like how she learned some shouts. Though when you get to the point of her explaining or having a flashback, you should make the distinction that, while she knows about the dragonborn, she is not one and learned the shouts like anyone else, though much faster due to her passive ability.
I call it Knowledge Hoarder/Collector - You learn skills %100 faster than normal.
(I say that in jest, she wouldn't explain her ability like that)
Here's a question, does she have some kind of immortality now? Or was hermamora keeping her alive/stopping her clock inside Apocrypha?
9436824
Do you think hermaeous would know the spells/powerful magic the psijics use? She could probably handle that level of magic, or maybe that's the magic he was referring to before she left.
Liked the story so far, but the shouts ruined it for me. Couldn't you just have thought up some other power? Shouts are special and immensely powerful, and I highly doubt that Hermaeus Mora would just give them to Twilight, who is not a Dragonborn. The learning process would also surely be far more arduous than the instantaneous learning we see in the Dragonborn DLC of Skyrim since Twilight does not have the gift of the voice. All knowledge that he gives you also comes with a price, and learning a single shout, as we see the Dragonborn do in the DLC, comes at a presumably immense cost. Learning multiple shouts without giving something in return would be like condemning yourself to Hermaeus Mora's will for all eternity, and it would most likely not be worth it. Also, Hermaeus Mora simply provides the knowledge. He does not teach.
Also, Shouts take many, many, many years to learn. Look at the greybeards, for instance, who spend their entire lives meditating and learning how to harness their Thu'um, but can barely utter a single word of power of the easiest shouts. There's no way that Twilight would have spent eighty years in Apocrypha when she wanted to get back to Equestria as soon as possible.
9436871
Miraaks sword and staff shot tendrils
9436894
Be patient, I know about all this and the grey beards aren't dragon born and they can shout. The time in Equestria was froze for the twilight.
9436880
Miraaks was still alive within Apocrypha, despite centuries passing.
Don't know much about psijics
So... Twilight managed to resist the temptation of reading books for centuries...
9436918
The Greybeards can't really "shout", per se, at least not like the Dragonborn can. They can barely utter a single word of power with great effort (Shouts are a projection of soul energy, the more powerful a soul, the easier it is to use shouts, Dragons have the strongest souls, and therefore can shout with great ease and frequency) after spending the vast majority of their lives learning the ways of their Thu'um! Not to mention that Twilight isn't Dragonborn either, and most likely did not have the will or time to spend day after day, for more than a century learning it to reach Dragonborn level shout proficiency. Also, time in Equestria wasn't frozen. Time in Apocrypha was simply slowed down, you said it yourself, and Hermaeus doesn't have control over other realms.
9436917
Yep - something like that is a good start (though I'd stray away from it being an artifact - a pure spell might be better.)
9436969
Well ponies don't have fingers, and if she held in her telekinetic spell it would only leave her vulnerable
WOW thats one BIG book
halted
remove
you're
too
brought
false
Minuette, Twinkleshine
to
their
knew
random
barely
9436949
Maybe she did? Time stopped, so she totally could have.
9436953
not true, they can use clear skies.
and Wuld Na Kest
they are not constrained by single words of power, otherwise they would not be able to convey ro and da and their understanding of it.
They don't speak because it causes cataclysms
pay attention to what whats his face says about how the other greybeards don't speak.
9436921
don't worry, I see it like this, Apocrypha is not constrained by the time in equestria, in accordance to his whim, no time can pass or a thousand years can pass, timey wimey has nothing to do with it.
Thanks man, now I want to play Skyrim again...
Another 100h of my life lost playing this game...
9437506
Thanks, plus what else is there to do that would not be cosidered a waste, going out to pick up trash under a bridge, solve the mysteryies of life, not everything should be an all important task
9436953
um in Skyrim the Greybeards can"t talk because their Thum is so strong that "their Voices are too powerful, even a whisper could kill you" and they were fluent in Dovasol. also Twilight raised a dragon whats to say their magic didn't semi-cross in this AU and if not then Hemmy Mora did give Mirak near immortality so he could better serve, he could give that blessing to Twilight . Hermaeus Mora has already said in the story that the payment of Twilight learning is him learning and gaining more influence in Equestria a new unexplored realm. in sky rim learning form Hermaeus Mora is at the cost of getting knowledge from the Skal that Hemmy Mora has been unable to get for millennia. Hermaeus is more of a learner than a trickster.
9437734
Sources, please. If they were fluent in Dovazhul, why didn’t they just teach the Dragonborn everything they knew right then and there? From what we know, they are not fluent, it just takes far too long for them to learn shouts. Remember, the reason shouts from the dragonpriests and miraak were able to split an island from slyrim is because they were dragonborn. The greybeards are not. The power of a shout is determined by how many words one can shout in quick succession. In skyrim, the greybeards force you to learn the individual words of power from different members of the group. Why? It’s because they literally can’t speak the entire shout themselves! There’s a good reason why they live on that mountain, and it’s not because they can kind of use shouts. It’s because of paarthurnax.
Also, the dragons in skyrim don’t reproduce. There are no eggs or anything of the sort. They are physical fragments of a god’s soul, and have existed before the world was created. Spike obviously is not one of those dragons, and he would have absolutely no idea what shouts are.
Everything you write turns to gold, thank you for this chapter.
Yay!
She really should have just cast dispel magic. I'm not sure if the author played Morrowind, but Skyrim had a terribly short list of magic compared to the previous games.
Liking the story so far though.
9585522
I don't think Dispel was in Skyrim, where the Author probably based his magical research from.
9592302
Pacify would have worked, though. At least long enough to get by.
9585522
That sounds like something from NeverWinter/Baldur’s Gate/IceWind Dale (and yes, those three are in the same continuity with each other) than Skyrim. Than again, never played Skyrim for myself, so what do I know.
9437788
Hey I know you made this comment quite a while ago, but your attitude and level of confidence made me upset and I wanted to write all this down.
It’s sort of like you invented your own lore for The Elder Scrolls, your facts are so far off. It is stated multiple times in-game that the greybeards’ voices are so powerful that they could kill people just by speaking to them. It’s also pretty obvious that they can use full shouts because, when attacked, they use full shouts. And they are obviously fluent in Dovahzul because there is a scene where they literally gather around you and chant in Dovahzul, and afterwards, through some dialogue choices, Arngeir will literally say this: “Ah. I sometimes forget you are not versed in the dragon tongue as we are.” Also, we don’t actually know where the dragons come from, since it is only ever stated that they are thought to be the children of Akatosh.
Also, I know it’s not relevant but Arngeir is the highest leveled npc in the entire game, matched only by Miraak at very high levels.How.. how long was she in there? Most mortals spend their entire lives just learning one word of a single shout, yet twilight not only knows a full shout, but two. The only ones that learn that quickly are Dragonborn, and I’m not sure that’s possible. I’ll suspend my disbelief because this brings a whole new level of playing field to what twilight can accomplish :)
10870061
Duh. Twilight is a dragon born.
"Restoration is a perfectly valid school of magic. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!"
Ah. I cannot wait for when Chrysalis gets dismembered.
11637868
Keep reading, thanks for the glowing reviews
I would say next Twilight would ask to teach how... She is sucker to take notes and us presented with an arcane GoPro wearable