11352598 I like this. At some point Folklore is going to have to basically tell Beatrix about the Gallic-Shiba War. (I can give you a rundown, I have a whole story I have to write for that one. Basically, he joined to leave Equestria, and also because the initial trauma of witnessing Gentile Eye's death (His legitimate Spiritual Medium Earth Pony Mother.) caused his grades to slip enough that his scholarship in Athena University was gone so he needed the money as working for his mentor Pai Mei in his pawn shop/mystical dealership wasn't going to cut it. So he joined The Gallic Foreign Legion to get as much physical space between him and Equestria possible. As a result, he fought in the Gallic-Sheba War from 982 till 987 CR.)
And also while the word "angel" doesn't exist exactly in his world. Yahweh is basically a inaccurate perception and a misunderstood identity of Yog-Sothoth. There is no heaven, and the "angels" are all minor avatars of Yog, not known as angels but as malakh (Hebrew for messenger) And they are all of the "Biblically Accurate" variety. And Folklore knows and has read about King Solomon.
I bring this up because if you read The Dunwitch Horror, you realize the similarities between it and the virgin conception of Jesus. And that Yog is in a way what the Judeo-Christian God would seem like to people that are not either Christian or Jewish but would see an omnipresent entity as real and they would scream in terror.
11352684 Interesting you bring up this parallel, since when Zeloph (the angel character) first appeared in our lore during Fire and Shadow, he was infected by the Necronomicon's darkness after being trapped inside it and had an eldritch abomination appearance. He still has elements of that, with multiple eyes on his wings.
11352684 Ahh, I see! It’ll make for some very interesting interactions should he meet Zeloph and Julianne (who are of the seraphic variations of BAA’s)
I can give you the important details about that war.
He was initially in the front and he killed his first Equine with a shovel splitting his head open. And once he ran out of rifle ammo and he ran out of melee weapons he was forced to torch Zebra Soldiers alive with pyrokinesis. The thing he didn't mention in the recruitment office got out.
He was forced at gunpoint to use his knowledge of Magic to fight when they discovered he was a life long Magician. His solution was Black Breath, a chemical-magick weapon that is a gas that melts flesh off of bones, they forced him to give them the formula and was shocked that the Gallic Army was able to so quickly manufacture and have the stuff ready in mortar shells and smoke grenades. He was forced to watch as an entire civilian zebra town was wiped out with the stuff. (The technology and tactics where WWI Era at the time.)
He was returned to the front and was sent in time and time again in suicidal operations to get rid of him. Until he got captured behind enemy lines and was tortured for a week, physically, psychologically, sexually.
He escaped, and killed over one hundred Zebra Troops, and officers on his way out of the ruins of the ancient city of Urrasan, and he returned to the nearest base where the officer that sent him on that suicide mission was at. Folklore had been in the Legion a good part of five years by that point, and had risen to the rank of Lieutenant. (In the French Military that is closer to sergeant, as Lieutenants are the ones in charge of squads, not the sergeants.)
He had inadvertently lead a horde of Zombies created by Zebra Shamans as a result of the Gallic Army's increased use of Black Breath against civilian targets.
The Fort was under siege by the undead for months, until Folklore usurped his CO and had him chained in a pole in the middle of the main courtyard. The stallions where hungry, desperate, and plenty had already died one way or another so they where happy to do it, or at least simply didn't give a damn enough to stop the usurpation.
They opened the main gate and let the undead flood in to feast upon their Commanding Officer and they used this chance to scape and wander into the treacherous Sahara.
Folklore had all but only ten stallions left under his command. They trekked the unforgiving desert while being hunted down by a Shiba Warrior-Shaman, a mare you know as Zecora.
Eventually Folklore managed to save three as they managed to be lost to her. But him and her then wandered the desert once more fighting, loosing each other, and fighting again.
Eventually Both him and Zecora wound themselves in a cave during a sandstorm, too tired, too hungry, and too close to death to even contemplate continuing. They where alone, near death, and by all standards probably believed dead by their superiors. The night came and they made peace huddled together waiting to die, as there wasn't even any wood to make a fire in the cold, and neither of them had the strength, magic, or focus to make a floating flame.
Then they wake up near the Zebrican coast in the Savannah, next to the hut of the Great Witchdoctor Mohlomi believed dead for more than one-hundred and fifty years, and the mentor to Zecora.
They talk and recover under his care, but also he explains the many things that the spirits have been saying and telling Mohlomi.
He tell Folklore that the sea calls to him, and Folklore being Magician, and the son of a medium and a magician/druid wasn't going to doubt a legend of mysticism like Mohlomi.
He places his ear to the waves, and to his amazement Mohlomi was right as the ocean LITERALLY called out Folklore's name. Followed by a wave that crashed into the rocky coast carrying Folklore into the ocean as Mohlomi and Zecora watched.
There Folklore drifted for an unknown amount of time until unconsciousness, and was rescued by Mermaids, that left him half-dead in the southern coast of Gaul near a town half-dead washed up on a rocky beach. One of the Mermaids did kiss him to wake him up before she swam off and he was left coughing out water and alone.
He then managed is way back to civilization. But was captured and placed under Gallic Foreign Legion custody. But thanks to the stallions he managed to save he was given honorable discharge and placed on an Airship back to Manehattan, Equestria. Of course, with his salary.
The PTSD and guilt over the creation of chemical weapons had him living as Bum for months afterwards.
11353083 1. That's my idea, although its tricky to convey and left somewhat ambiguous.
4. Equinox is pretty Amazon-like!
6. Basically Shining Armor is a hyper-stallion that never fully awakened thanks to sexual relations early on with Cadance, while Midnight's were teased out to nearly full potential by the possessed twins in the manor arc.
7. Beatrix is probably aware but doesn't realize the extent of the bond.
8. His sons would likely have repressed hyper-stallion sides, as one's genes becoming active upon mutation are rare. Maybe slight increased strength/stamina/lust at best.
10. Probably a typo, not sure of the scene? Fiery is definitely a pegasus here.
13. I believe anyone can get an Onoma if they have sufficient magic potential.
16. An anomaly due to Beatrix's meddling. Basically parts of potential timelines have merged and overwritten portions, damaging reality's fabric.
11353128 (1) Yep, I understood that. (4) Agreed. (6) Damn, so he's an Awakened Hyper Stallion then. (7) yeah probably. She wasn't really there. But she is aware the Necronomicon tainted her. (8) Ah, well at least they won't have issues like Midnight and Shining. Unless someone forces them to awaken it. (10) Ah alright. Yeah I was confused and thought maybe the timeline distorted again. (13) Does Midnight have enough magic potential though in this AU? Probably not because he's not a pure pegasus? (16) Yeah. Well at least Lightning is definitely older!
11353133 (22) I know but in terms of Onomas (if his were to be based on his Awakened Hyper Stallion) then it would be Zeus? But what do you think about Lightning's?
(23) Yeah, but it's sad knowing that before he probably could've resisted but now he's falling.
11353083 3) A lot of fuckery, I can tell you that 4) Equinox is probably the tallest mare character, not counting Tatyana, who amplified her height by magic. 5) As you'll soon learn, not all the changelings here behave the same. 8) If he ever conceives children, it is very likely they'll inherit some of the genetics. It's a subconscious reason why Cerise doesn't want her husband to knock her up yet. 13) Iclyn's is the only known hereditary Onoma, given it's named after the Goddess of Agriculture. Also, training only applies after knowing what your Onoma is. It's been observed before in earlier stories that unlocking one's arcane signature requires a complete sense of self and spiritual awareness. Midnight would be unable to unlock his own due to his hyper stallionism. 17) Onoma's are exclusively my context, and I'd rather you not apply it to stories outside anything written by my hand. And for the record, no, it wouldn't be Zeus despite how well it fits. 19) Not really. It was just really good smut. 21) They both have Darwinist mindsets, but Equinox is much more selfish while Fiery wants the best out of Equestria to overcome the resurgence. 22) As Sharaz said, it's lustful mania. Realistically, he wouldn't breed Beatrix, Oona, and Shadow Scythe because a) they can avoid it, and b) he would be dead when Dion and/or Zeloph find out. That wouldn't stop him from trying, though, once pure instinct takes over.
11353173 (3) Oof. (4) Even including the Alicorns? (5) Ah, interesting. Different hives? (8) Oh, so a bit of hesitancy because of that hm? But with how much of his own soul he's using, it may be difficult for him to live soon. (13) So it's pure coincidence that Thunder, Snowy, and Lightning have Onomas?
Oh so its only when you already showed signs of an Onoma?
A normal Midnight who did achieve that self awareness and spiritual self would've been able to unlock it though right?
(17) Yeah I won't use it. Plus I already have the explanation behind their abilities for my side of stories, which is just their cutie marks or tribe magic being trained. Think Midnight's Lightning Magic from Deepest Penetrating Sword or his duel with Kali from Riding In Zebrica. It's his Pegasus magic being pushed to the max.
(19) Hmhmm.
(21) Yeah, I imagine Thunder Storm instilled him that everything must be done for the interest of Equestria.
(22) I guess a lot of people were right when they said his other side isn't very bright, or at least short sighted. Most of them are powerhouses or are close to powerhouses.
(1) Nice dialogue between Iclyn and Beatrix, as well as more insight into Iclyn's past in general. Sad how Iclyn and Oona drifted apart due to the Windigos, and how Iclyn's insecurity costed them the ability to reconnect.
Beatrix's eyes turned to saucers when the deighdyr leaned in and met her lips. Frozen by her kiss, by the time Iclyn withdrew a fine miasma escaped their mouths.
“Huh,” she murmured. “So that’s what whore tastes like.”
(2) Yeah Equinox isn't the best of friends, but she's cool to read in the story! (Please don't use Lightning as live bait XD) *few seconds later* oh dear.
(3) And this is where the two stories connected. Chisana getting exchanged for Kitsune! Unfortunately before any 'scene' can happen, we're interrupted by Lightning and Equinox getting chased by the changeling.
(4) Oh shoot the changeling got Lightning Spark. You shouldn't have used her as bait Equinox!
(5) Midnight's going to get a surprise soon! And not the good type. But yeah, he should've remained collected, maybe he could've helped save Lightning, though its no guarantee. I'm 'surprised' Fiery covered for Midnight, but we all know why. And now that he finally realized what happened he's in pain.
(6) Oh dear, Web Spinner was an imposter!
(7) The mystery of the second anomaly has been proposed!
(8) Oh, so estrus caused the Amazons to kill each other? Oof.
(9) Honestly had it been Shining Force Shining Armor, Fiery wouldn't be in a position to want to overthrow Shining, but yeah, his lack of action is causing so much problems. And apparently the force that was sent to find the hive all perished. Oh dear.
Yeah reading four chapters back to back tired me out. But I found this chapter to be very exciting. But oh dear, Lightning has been captured! Hopefully Midnight and the rest will save her. The idea of there being more than one anomaly though as well as the other's dimensional hopping affecting the universe didn't click until now.
Kind of rooting for Fiery to take control. This Shining Armor isn't as good as the one Beatrix has. He isn't as bad as Fall of Equestria Shining Armor, but he's clearly a candle to Shining Force, and even that Shining had his own issues, but it was mostly that his wives as all died, not his battle or decision making. That Shining Armor died a hero. This one? Eh...
11353582 8. Yep, on the extreme end of untended estrus, madness ensues. I was inspired by Dionysus, the Furies, etc., as Amazons are already fierce and violent here.
9. Fiery is a fascist fanatic, but he is decisive compared to the sulky, wishy-washy Shining here. Hard to say who's better to lead.
11360943 He probably has the potential to going to the absolute extreme if it meant 'protecting Equestria'. Like, he is trying to take advantage of Midnight's uncontrollable Hyper side. And he probably was the one who passed the foal conscription act, pushing the nation to have child soldiers.
11360943 Indeed, Fiery will push for more militarization to prevent potential tragedies like this, likely becoming a ruthless dictatorship if left unchecked.
11360951 Yep, while Shining Armor dislikes the child conscription idea, he relented when Fiery pressed for it, aware he would risk splintering the commanders further. The power structure is in a constant, delicate balance that threatens to tip in Fiery's favor.
Arcanum Folklore himself often behaves like a mix between MccReady and The Question most of the time so he is capable of being ruthless, but is incapable of viewing a life without agency as anything worth living.
Yes he would also use words like "brobdingnagian" to make his point as thorough as possible. Massive just doesn't cut it for some motherfuckers.
He is more likely to detonate a Nuclear device in the middle of a populated city to stop The Flesh that Hates and then hide for the rest of his life as either a hermit or wandering as a vagabond, than to believe he should be in charge of the whole world.
If he were to become a Tyrant it would be all part of an insane self sacrificing plan to permanently fix a society dependent on charismatic leaders. Much like Leto the II from Dune or Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass, he would manipulate civilization into being capable of continuing on and being rid of it's most self-destructive tendencies, while concentrating as much hate to himself as possible as to when he is eventually killed (probably arranged by his own hands) people will NEVER forget the terror of a Charismatic Leader, and as such defanging would be future tyrants for as long as the written word exists.
11360959 We do know however from Shining Force that child soldiers were a thing that Shining Armor accepted (but still regretted) doing. He did not like it but he had the guts to do it.
This Shining Armor is letting people like Equinox dominate him while letting others like Fiery plan their way to overthrow him. If he gets overthrown or worse, killed, it's all on Shining Armor for not controlling things.
Shining Force vs PoW Shining Armor is basically buff doge vs crying cheems meme
11361195 When Shining Force Shining Armor died, he died as a hero. A warrior. A true paladin defending his homeland.
When this Shining Armor dies though... eh... yeah not many good things to say for him.
I wonder if Midnight would accepted or try to kill Fiery if he ends up killing Shining Armor. I know that rn Midnight is under Fiery's control, but if he wasn't, what he'd do? While he is Shining's son, that father didn't show that for so many years, trying to 'find the right time'.
Both SF and PoW Shinings 'abandoned' their children, I say it in quotations because SF needed to continue his crusade and it was Trixie who decided to stay back, wanting to give Beatrix a childhood free from war for as long as possible. I think the epilogue even has Redheart saying that if Trixie wanted Shining would provide for them but Trixie chose to separate herself, for Beatrix.
This Shining Armor though literally has Midnight living near him and he didn't even try to tell him. Instead he made Moonlight keep this a secret. You know how much it would've helped Midnight if he knew? I bet you that within his new memories some very dark thoughts were creeping inside of Midnight's mind because he had no family. Sure, Moonlight cared for him but Midnight felt alone inside. And he probably blames Shining for not showing him any love.
I know it wouldn't be hard to manipulate a lust driven Midnight, but if it had been a more controlled Midnight, perhaps Fiery could point out the flaws Shining had. How his father would've been Thunder Storm, a stallion who not only made Fiery his second in command and successor but instilled him the belief that "sacrifices must be made for the greater good". Sure, Fiery takes this to an extreme, but Thunder Storm was the one who started it all. Started an army behind Celestia's back that would eventually become the Peacekeepers. Gave his life so that Equestria had fighting chance and honestly, everyone accepts him as a good guy. Shining has just been screwing everything up, and Fiery is giving him the punishment he deserves.
Of course, killing someone is wrong, but perhaps an alternative route that Fiery could've done to sway Midnight to his side (if his lust wasn't something he could exploit) was use that anger that Midnight had against Shining. How the stallion stole him everything from him. How Shining Armor not only fucked Snowy (Fiery could lie a bit saying that Shining forced Snowy and took advantage, really his current lifestyle would make it hard to disprove it), but lusted for Moonlight and even Lightning! Rile Midnight's emotions, emotions that have been heating up thanks to his new memories.
Sure, I like Fiery manipulating Midnight due to his lust, but this was just another way he could've done it had his lust not been something he could've exploited.
If Shining Armor gets killed by Fiery, it's pretty much on him. And I feel Fiery has more pros than cons. He is doing this for Equestria, even if his methods are a bit extreme.
I'd vote Fiery any day. And no, it's not because he's my OC (XD) it's just that this Shining Armor pales compared to his Shining Force counterpart.
11361228 I figure Fiery is partially manipulating Midnight through his anger, as he's aware there's a rift between him and Shining, even if he doesn't understand all the reasons. Basically, the honey trap was more stacking the deck.
11361234 Like, I'd like Midnight to be freed, as the more his hyper side is used the faster he'll die, but at the same time, I'd like to see Fiery take over the nation.
Shouldn't Beatrix be in the cover art, then?
11352577
Why? She's not the sole focus.
11352598
I like this. At some point Folklore is going to have to basically tell Beatrix about the Gallic-Shiba War. (I can give you a rundown, I have a whole story I have to write for that one. Basically, he joined to leave Equestria, and also because the initial trauma of witnessing Gentile Eye's death (His legitimate Spiritual Medium Earth Pony Mother.) caused his grades to slip enough that his scholarship in Athena University was gone so he needed the money as working for his mentor Pai Mei in his pawn shop/mystical dealership wasn't going to cut it. So he joined The Gallic Foreign Legion to get as much physical space between him and Equestria possible. As a result, he fought in the Gallic-Sheba War from 982 till 987 CR.)
And also while the word "angel" doesn't exist exactly in his world. Yahweh is basically a inaccurate perception and a misunderstood identity of Yog-Sothoth. There is no heaven, and the "angels" are all minor avatars of Yog, not known as angels but as malakh (Hebrew for messenger) And they are all of the "Biblically Accurate" variety. And Folklore knows and has read about King Solomon.
I bring this up because if you read The Dunwitch Horror, you realize the similarities between it and the virgin conception of Jesus. And that Yog is in a way what the Judeo-Christian God would seem like to people that are not either Christian or Jewish but would see an omnipresent entity as real and they would scream in terror.
11352684
Interesting you bring up this parallel, since when Zeloph (the angel character) first appeared in our lore during Fire and Shadow, he was infected by the Necronomicon's darkness after being trapped inside it and had an eldritch abomination appearance. He still has elements of that, with multiple eyes on his wings.
11352684
Ahh, I see! It’ll make for some very interesting interactions should he meet Zeloph and Julianne (who are of the seraphic variations of BAA’s)
11352695
I see. Need to read that one.
I can give you the important details about that war.
He was initially in the front and he killed his first Equine with a shovel splitting his head open. And once he ran out of rifle ammo and he ran out of melee weapons he was forced to torch Zebra Soldiers alive with pyrokinesis. The thing he didn't mention in the recruitment office got out.
He was forced at gunpoint to use his knowledge of Magic to fight when they discovered he was a life long Magician. His solution was Black Breath, a chemical-magick weapon that is a gas that melts flesh off of bones, they forced him to give them the formula and was shocked that the Gallic Army was able to so quickly manufacture and have the stuff ready in mortar shells and smoke grenades. He was forced to watch as an entire civilian zebra town was wiped out with the stuff. (The technology and tactics where WWI Era at the time.)
He was returned to the front and was sent in time and time again in suicidal operations to get rid of him. Until he got captured behind enemy lines and was tortured for a week, physically, psychologically, sexually.
He escaped, and killed over one hundred Zebra Troops, and officers on his way out of the ruins of the ancient city of Urrasan, and he returned to the nearest base where the officer that sent him on that suicide mission was at. Folklore had been in the Legion a good part of five years by that point, and had risen to the rank of Lieutenant. (In the French Military that is closer to sergeant, as Lieutenants are the ones in charge of squads, not the sergeants.)
He had inadvertently lead a horde of Zombies created by Zebra Shamans as a result of the Gallic Army's increased use of Black Breath against civilian targets.
The Fort was under siege by the undead for months, until Folklore usurped his CO and had him chained in a pole in the middle of the main courtyard. The stallions where hungry, desperate, and plenty had already died one way or another so they where happy to do it, or at least simply didn't give a damn enough to stop the usurpation.
They opened the main gate and let the undead flood in to feast upon their Commanding Officer and they used this chance to scape and wander into the treacherous Sahara.
Folklore had all but only ten stallions left under his command. They trekked the unforgiving desert while being hunted down by a Shiba Warrior-Shaman, a mare you know as Zecora.
Eventually Folklore managed to save three as they managed to be lost to her. But him and her then wandered the desert once more fighting, loosing each other, and fighting again.
Eventually Both him and Zecora wound themselves in a cave during a sandstorm, too tired, too hungry, and too close to death to even contemplate continuing. They where alone, near death, and by all standards probably believed dead by their superiors. The night came and they made peace huddled together waiting to die, as there wasn't even any wood to make a fire in the cold, and neither of them had the strength, magic, or focus to make a floating flame.
Then they wake up near the Zebrican coast in the Savannah, next to the hut of the Great Witchdoctor Mohlomi believed dead for more than one-hundred and fifty years, and the mentor to Zecora.
They talk and recover under his care, but also he explains the many things that the spirits have been saying and telling Mohlomi.
He tell Folklore that the sea calls to him, and Folklore being Magician, and the son of a medium and a magician/druid wasn't going to doubt a legend of mysticism like Mohlomi.
He places his ear to the waves, and to his amazement Mohlomi was right as the ocean LITERALLY called out Folklore's name. Followed by a wave that crashed into the rocky coast carrying Folklore into the ocean as Mohlomi and Zecora watched.
There Folklore drifted for an unknown amount of time until unconsciousness, and was rescued by Mermaids, that left him half-dead in the southern coast of Gaul near a town half-dead washed up on a rocky beach. One of the Mermaids did kiss him to wake him up before she swam off and he was left coughing out water and alone.
He then managed is way back to civilization. But was captured and placed under Gallic Foreign Legion custody. But thanks to the stallions he managed to save he was given honorable discharge and placed on an Airship back to Manehattan, Equestria. Of course, with his salary.
The PTSD and guilt over the creation of chemical weapons had him living as Bum for months afterwards.
Equnox sounds like she takes duty too seriously.
And now that you hinted what changelings do...thanks, you woke my fear in regards to candy again
11352933
Equinox does what she wants, but it could come to bite her in the ass!
11352991
Yep.
And what I mean with candy, considering she was orginally a sex slave and I tried to save her from that fate...legit with the changelings here
11353083
1. That's my idea, although its tricky to convey and left somewhat ambiguous.
4. Equinox is pretty Amazon-like!
6. Basically Shining Armor is a hyper-stallion that never fully awakened thanks to sexual relations early on with Cadance, while Midnight's were teased out to nearly full potential by the possessed twins in the manor arc.
7. Beatrix is probably aware but doesn't realize the extent of the bond.
8. His sons would likely have repressed hyper-stallion sides, as one's genes becoming active upon mutation are rare. Maybe slight increased strength/stamina/lust at best.
10. Probably a typo, not sure of the scene? Fiery is definitely a pegasus here.
13. I believe anyone can get an Onoma if they have sufficient magic potential.
16. An anomaly due to Beatrix's meddling. Basically parts of potential timelines have merged and overwritten portions, damaging reality's fabric.
11353126
1. Lust induced mania by his hyper-stallion side which wants to pass on his seed.
2. Basically he's losing out to hyper-stallion instincts, which sense he'll perish soon if he keeps pushing himself.
11353128
(1) Yep, I understood that.
(4) Agreed.
(6) Damn, so he's an Awakened Hyper Stallion then.
(7) yeah probably. She wasn't really there. But she is aware the Necronomicon tainted her.
(8) Ah, well at least they won't have issues like Midnight and Shining. Unless someone forces them to awaken it.
(10) Ah alright. Yeah I was confused and thought maybe the timeline distorted again.
(13) Does Midnight have enough magic potential though in this AU? Probably not because he's not a pure pegasus?
(16) Yeah. Well at least Lightning is definitely older!
11353133
(22) I know but in terms of Onomas (if his were to be based on his Awakened Hyper Stallion) then it would be Zeus? But what do you think about Lightning's?
(23) Yeah, but it's sad knowing that before he probably could've resisted but now he's falling.
11353143
Not sure, Onoma is Notaponyperson's creation.
11353083
3) A lot of fuckery, I can tell you that
4) Equinox is probably the tallest mare character, not counting Tatyana, who amplified her height by magic.
5) As you'll soon learn, not all the changelings here behave the same.
8) If he ever conceives children, it is very likely they'll inherit some of the genetics. It's a subconscious reason why Cerise doesn't want her husband to knock her up yet.
13) Iclyn's is the only known hereditary Onoma, given it's named after the Goddess of Agriculture.
Also, training only applies after knowing what your Onoma is. It's been observed before in earlier stories that unlocking one's arcane signature requires a complete sense of self and spiritual awareness. Midnight would be unable to unlock his own due to his hyper stallionism.
17) Onoma's are exclusively my context, and I'd rather you not apply it to stories outside anything written by my hand. And for the record, no, it wouldn't be Zeus despite how well it fits.
19) Not really. It was just really good smut.
21) They both have Darwinist mindsets, but Equinox is much more selfish while Fiery wants the best out of Equestria to overcome the resurgence.
22) As Sharaz said, it's lustful mania. Realistically, he wouldn't breed Beatrix, Oona, and Shadow Scythe because a) they can avoid it, and b) he would be dead when Dion and/or Zeloph find out. That wouldn't stop him from trying, though, once pure instinct takes over.
11353173
(3) Oof.
(4) Even including the Alicorns?
(5) Ah, interesting. Different hives?
(8) Oh, so a bit of hesitancy because of that hm? But with how much of his own soul he's using, it may be difficult for him to live soon.
(13) So it's pure coincidence that Thunder, Snowy, and Lightning have Onomas?
Oh so its only when you already showed signs of an Onoma?
A normal Midnight who did achieve that self awareness and spiritual self would've been able to unlock it though right?
(17) Yeah I won't use it. Plus I already have the explanation behind their abilities for my side of stories, which is just their cutie marks or tribe magic being trained. Think Midnight's Lightning Magic from Deepest Penetrating Sword or his duel with Kali from Riding In Zebrica. It's his Pegasus magic being pushed to the max.
(19) Hmhmm.
(21) Yeah, I imagine Thunder Storm instilled him that everything must be done for the interest of Equestria.
(22) I guess a lot of people were right when they said his other side isn't very bright, or at least short sighted. Most of them are powerhouses or are close to powerhouses.
(1) Nice dialogue between Iclyn and Beatrix, as well as more insight into Iclyn's past in general. Sad how Iclyn and Oona drifted apart due to the Windigos, and how Iclyn's insecurity costed them the ability to reconnect.
Lol XD
(2) Yeah Equinox isn't the best of friends, but she's cool to read in the story! (Please don't use Lightning as live bait XD) *few seconds later* oh dear.
(3) And this is where the two stories connected. Chisana getting exchanged for Kitsune! Unfortunately before any 'scene' can happen, we're interrupted by Lightning and Equinox getting chased by the changeling.
(4) Oh shoot the changeling got Lightning Spark. You shouldn't have used her as bait Equinox!
(5) Midnight's going to get a surprise soon! And not the good type. But yeah, he should've remained collected, maybe he could've helped save Lightning, though its no guarantee. I'm 'surprised' Fiery covered for Midnight, but we all know why. And now that he finally realized what happened he's in pain.
(6) Oh dear, Web Spinner was an imposter!
(7) The mystery of the second anomaly has been proposed!
(8) Oh, so estrus caused the Amazons to kill each other? Oof.
(9) Honestly had it been Shining Force Shining Armor, Fiery wouldn't be in a position to want to overthrow Shining, but yeah, his lack of action is causing so much problems. And apparently the force that was sent to find the hive all perished. Oh dear.
Yeah reading four chapters back to back tired me out. But I found this chapter to be very exciting. But oh dear, Lightning has been captured! Hopefully Midnight and the rest will save her. The idea of there being more than one anomaly though as well as the other's dimensional hopping affecting the universe didn't click until now.
Kind of rooting for Fiery to take control. This Shining Armor isn't as good as the one Beatrix has. He isn't as bad as Fall of Equestria Shining Armor, but he's clearly a candle to Shining Force, and even that Shining had his own issues, but it was mostly that his wives as all died, not his battle or decision making. That Shining Armor died a hero. This one? Eh...
He has a lot to prove now.
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8. Yep, on the extreme end of untended estrus, madness ensues. I was inspired by Dionysus, the Furies, etc., as Amazons are already fierce and violent here.
9. Fiery is a fascist fanatic, but he is decisive compared to the sulky, wishy-washy Shining here. Hard to say who's better to lead.
Sorry it tired you out, but hopefully it was fun!
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I'll vote Fiery. while I don't know who you'll choose, perhaps we can talk about it to see who should stay?
This assumes Midnight's world would continue to live instead of dying or maybe reverting to an earlier iteration, if not getting another reset.
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Let's just say Beatrix, Midnight, and Cerise will forever be changed by story's end...
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Interesting...
Yeah you know what? Fiery. Make Fiery leader. Unless Fiery ends up dying early, he's probably going to stay leader.
The only thing that could bite him is when they figure out he's manipulating Midnight's lust. But even so, Fiery being leader sounds very cool.
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Support has definitely slid in Fiery's favor! We'll see how it pans out!
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Hmhmm. Having Fiery instead of Shining would make things interesting. He's basically run a lot of things.
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Fiery is a good Military leader, but I think his facist leanings are going to be a real threat in of itself if victory is ever achieved.
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He probably has the potential to going to the absolute extreme if it meant 'protecting Equestria'.
Like, he is trying to take advantage of Midnight's uncontrollable Hyper side. And he probably was the one who passed the foal conscription act, pushing the nation to have child soldiers.
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Indeed, Fiery will push for more militarization to prevent potential tragedies like this, likely becoming a ruthless dictatorship if left unchecked.
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Yep, while Shining Armor dislikes the child conscription idea, he relented when Fiery pressed for it, aware he would risk splintering the commanders further. The power structure is in a constant, delicate balance that threatens to tip in Fiery's favor.
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Arcanum Folklore himself often behaves like a mix between MccReady and The Question most of the time so he is capable of being ruthless, but is incapable of viewing a life without agency as anything worth living.
Yes he would also use words like "brobdingnagian" to make his point as thorough as possible. Massive just doesn't cut it for some motherfuckers.
He is more likely to detonate a Nuclear device in the middle of a populated city to stop The Flesh that Hates and then hide for the rest of his life as either a hermit or wandering as a vagabond, than to believe he should be in charge of the whole world.
If he were to become a Tyrant it would be all part of an insane self sacrificing plan to permanently fix a society dependent on charismatic leaders. Much like Leto the II from Dune or Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass, he would manipulate civilization into being capable of continuing on and being rid of it's most self-destructive tendencies, while concentrating as much hate to himself as possible as to when he is eventually killed (probably arranged by his own hands) people will NEVER forget the terror of a Charismatic Leader, and as such defanging would be future tyrants for as long as the written word exists.
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Can't wait until I have a chance to expand the story more!
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Potentially.
"For the greater good of Equestria, Sacrifices must be made."
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We do know however from Shining Force that child soldiers were a thing that Shining Armor accepted (but still regretted) doing. He did not like it but he had the guts to do it.
This Shining Armor is letting people like Equinox dominate him while letting others like Fiery plan their way to overthrow him. If he gets overthrown or worse, killed, it's all on Shining Armor for not controlling things.
Shining Force vs PoW Shining Armor is basically buff doge vs crying cheems meme
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Lol! Yeah, this Shining is still physically tough but spiritually weak.
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When Shining Force Shining Armor died, he died as a hero. A warrior. A true paladin defending his homeland.
When this Shining Armor dies though... eh... yeah not many good things to say for him.
I wonder if Midnight would accepted or try to kill Fiery if he ends up killing Shining Armor. I know that rn Midnight is under Fiery's control, but if he wasn't, what he'd do? While he is Shining's son, that father didn't show that for so many years, trying to 'find the right time'.
Both SF and PoW Shinings 'abandoned' their children, I say it in quotations because SF needed to continue his crusade and it was Trixie who decided to stay back, wanting to give Beatrix a childhood free from war for as long as possible. I think the epilogue even has Redheart saying that if Trixie wanted Shining would provide for them but Trixie chose to separate herself, for Beatrix.
This Shining Armor though literally has Midnight living near him and he didn't even try to tell him. Instead he made Moonlight keep this a secret. You know how much it would've helped Midnight if he knew? I bet you that within his new memories some very dark thoughts were creeping inside of Midnight's mind because he had no family. Sure, Moonlight cared for him but Midnight felt alone inside. And he probably blames Shining for not showing him any love.
I know it wouldn't be hard to manipulate a lust driven Midnight, but if it had been a more controlled Midnight, perhaps Fiery could point out the flaws Shining had. How his father would've been Thunder Storm, a stallion who not only made Fiery his second in command and successor but instilled him the belief that "sacrifices must be made for the greater good". Sure, Fiery takes this to an extreme, but Thunder Storm was the one who started it all. Started an army behind Celestia's back that would eventually become the Peacekeepers. Gave his life so that Equestria had fighting chance and honestly, everyone accepts him as a good guy. Shining has just been screwing everything up, and Fiery is giving him the punishment he deserves.
Of course, killing someone is wrong, but perhaps an alternative route that Fiery could've done to sway Midnight to his side (if his lust wasn't something he could exploit) was use that anger that Midnight had against Shining. How the stallion stole him everything from him. How Shining Armor not only fucked Snowy (Fiery could lie a bit saying that Shining forced Snowy and took advantage, really his current lifestyle would make it hard to disprove it), but lusted for Moonlight and even Lightning! Rile Midnight's emotions, emotions that have been heating up thanks to his new memories.
Sure, I like Fiery manipulating Midnight due to his lust, but this was just another way he could've done it had his lust not been something he could've exploited.
If Shining Armor gets killed by Fiery, it's pretty much on him. And I feel Fiery has more pros than cons. He is doing this for Equestria, even if his methods are a bit extreme.
I'd vote Fiery any day. And no, it's not because he's my OC (XD) it's just that this Shining Armor pales compared to his Shining Force counterpart.
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I figure Fiery is partially manipulating Midnight through his anger, as he's aware there's a rift between him and Shining, even if he doesn't understand all the reasons. Basically, the honey trap was more stacking the deck.
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Like, I'd like Midnight to be freed, as the more his hyper side is used the faster he'll die, but at the same time, I'd like to see Fiery take over the nation.
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I think you'll like a twist we have planned for later in the story!
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Can't wait to see it then!