Synthesis of the Atheist

by BlackRoseRaven

Valkyrie Soul And Demon's Heart

Chapter Fifty Two: Valkyrie Soul And Demon's Heart
~BlackRoseRaven

The process took almost ten days and nights of work, during which Scrivener and Twilight mostly watched with something like awe: Luna worked tirelessly at the forge, and Byzantine, robes and all, leaned calmly against the wall and watched with interest the entire time. Neither intense heat nor the sheer monotony of the task seemed to bother him... any more than it bothered Luna, although within ten minutes of just setting up, she was already sweating.

She worked in a private room: it was cubical, metallic, and much more shaped and synthetic than the forge area outside. It amplified the painful heat even further, that vomited out of the enormous, barrel-shaped forge. Enormous pipes fed both up from the floor into this, while others led out and up through the ceiling: these latter tended to glow when the heat grew too high, making Luna wonder just how hot the large forge actually got.

The slake tub was divided into three large vats: one section was filled with cold water, one was filled with oil, and one Byzantine had filled with plant matter and soil. It was a strange instruction from Luna, but the Mastersmith didn't question it, any more than he questioned or showed anything apart from curiosity when Scrivener turned the organic matter into liquid corruption before dragging himself back across to the far corner of the room, slumping down in the heat and wheezing loudly as he watched Luna continue to work.

Byzantine had also provided a tall supply of sheets of gianttooth alloy: Luna would often go through most of these sheets during a single session of work at the forge, but when they next returned here, Byzantine always had it replenished. Just like all the tools in the rack on the wall were always clean and polished and in their proper place by the time they got back, even though Luna always just left them sitting on the anvil or the table after she used them, as the dwarf had oddly-enough requested.

Scrivener had lost count of both the hours of work and even the process Luna was following to make what he thought was a simple pole of metal by the time Luna was finally finished. All he knew was that it had seemed to involve a lot of hammering, heating, dunking in different substances, adding powder made from soulstone and blood and other substances, and detail work that Luna insisted on using her old horn for, and not using telekinesis but her own hooves to guide it even as it glowed so brightly with energy it threatened to burn her own hooves. It had scared him a little, to be entirely honest, how very close to obsessed she became over the process. And it had scared Twilight a bit too, he thought... although all the same, they had both helped more than willingly every step of the way.

But now, the spear was ready, and Luna was putting the final finishing touch on it, completing the weapon she had more than once referred to as her soul given form with a piece of herself: with her own horn of alicorn. She anchored the horn into the base with some strange substance the Mastersmith shared with her, then secured it further with with several rings of gianttooth she had designed herself: they were thin as paper, yet when Scrivener had tried to crush one of the rings out of shape, he'd barely been able to make it bend even using all his strength.

Luna smiled as she finished securing her horn in place, and then slowly stroked a hoof over her horn before sliding it silently past the four shaped hooks around the end of the spear, and down its long, nine foot pole. A pattern of runes spiraled down the entire silver-black length, pulsing with a radiance all their own, and they seemed to glow brighter when the sapphire mare's hoof passed over them, as if responding to her.

She held the weapon in her front hooves, then breathed slowly before tossing it above her head, closing her eyes, as Scrivener and Twilight watched from the back of the room, and Byzantine gazed on as if enraptured. Luna's old horn, now the tip of this new weapon, glowed brightly as the runes along its length pulsed, and the spear spun violently on its own in the air, crackling with power that was amplified by the thin core of soulstone that had been treated with the same mire concoction as had further empowered Luna's own horn.

Luna tilted her head back, and she grinned, her eyes gleaming, her soulstone horn pulsing with radiance... and yet Scrivener and Twilight could both see that she wasn't concentrating any kind of telekinesis on the spear above. It wasn't psychic power or simple unicorn magic that was moving the spear: the spear was forged with their blood, with Luna's own horn, with the rarest of metals imbued with all the magical energies that a Valkyrie reborn could pour into the material.

The sapphire mare closed her eyes slowly, looking almost blissful as the spear above thrummed with power, then suddenly crackled with electricity, Twilight and Scrivener both rearing back in surprise as the alicorn speartip unleashed short arcs of lightning in all directions. But Luna only laughed, her eyes still closed, her mane and tail swirling around her as the constellations trapped in her locks pulsed with her excitement. “Yes! 'Tis all so easy... I feel it, from tip to base, horn and spear are as one, and are as one with me!”

The weapon spun violently around Luna as she arched her back, laughing loudly, her soulstone horn glowing brightly with radiance that was somehow as dark as it was alluring, her ephemeral locks taking on the same sensual black light. They pulsed and swirled upwards as her spear windmilled around and around her body, and yet somehow they never tangled, they never caught. Spear and mane flowed, in perfect harmony; and then Luna flung herself suddenly upwards, spreading her forelegs wide, and spear twisted around her body and limbs as gracefully as water. Never hindering, never impeding, moving in effortless tandem.

Luna Brynhild's body flipped, then slammed down on all four hooves, and her spear was there above her in a ready position, sparking with electricity as the runes over its body pulsed. She breathed hard in and out, a wide grin on her features, her body shivering slightly with excitement as Scrivener and Twilight could only stare, before both ponies looked up dumbly as Byzantine calmly began to clap.

After a moment, the starry-maned winged unicorn laughed again, turning an amused look on Byzantine, but the Mastersmith only bowed his head politely towards her before saying in an almost-admiring voice: “A fantastic piece of work, Valkyrie Brynhild. And a... suitable use for our short supply of gianttooth, I will admit. Not as a weapon... but as an extension of self.”

The sapphire mare only smiled amusedly at this, shaking her head and replying easily: “Mastersmith, I have great respect for thee, but normally I would still find thee exasperating and would desire to pummel thee for thy condescension. But not today: at this moment in time, I am... I am happy.” She stopped, then her smile toned down, but became more honest joy and not just adrenaline-charged pleasure, as she murmured in an almost-surprised voice: “Yes... yes, I am... happy. I feel like I have... I have rebuilt part of myself that was once lost. I feel as if the old Brynhild has further stirred and awakened... and I feel ready now, to rejoin the world. To stand tall once more, as Luna Brynhild... I have my horn. I am complete.”

Luna glanced towards her spear, then nodded firmly once before the rune over the weapon glowed brightly, and it spun upwards before her soulstone horn lit up, and the spear itself took on a bright shimmer. Luna bit her lip, visibly concentrating a little harder as both horns shone brighter... and then a moment later, the spear spun upwards as it became a line of blue flames and glowing motes that spun rapidly before coalescing into a much-smaller shape that dropped into place behind one of Luna's ears.

Twilight stared in shock at this: the spear had just transformed into a fountain pen, and the fact that Twilight had been here for the entire process, watching over the ten days that had passed, made the feat somehow all the more incredible and unbelievable. But then the sapphire mare grinned over at the Lich, gazing at her with entertainment before she chastised playfully: “Twilight Sparkle, does thou underestimate me, or forget the most basic lessons I have taught thee? I am capable of transforming any part of my body as I so please with my magic... and this iron forged in blood may not be something I was born with, but rest assured, 'tis indeed as much a part of me as my... my hooves, my wings, or my new horn. It is part of me now, and shall always continue to be.”

Twilight and Scrivener both softened and rose their eyes to the horn of soulstone standing from Luna's forehead, but the sapphire mare quickly shook herself before raising her head proudly. “Aye, whether it be for the short or long term, this is my horn, and I bear it with pride. With as much pride as I shall wield my new spear... but now, now she must be named. And a name that suits me is the name she deserves.”

Luna paused at this, then she looked thoughtful as Scrivener and Twilight traded looks, before the stallion said mildly: “There are a lot of names that suit you I would not want your weapon to be called, Luna. And you probably shouldn't want to be called yourself.”

“Shut up, Scrivy. Accursed, vexing beetle. When we finally forge a proper weapon suiting to thy sordid self I shall ensure 'twill roundly serve the purpose of warning all who hear its name that the bite of thy blade is far preferable to thy barking.” Luna replied with an entertained look over at the stallion, and then she shook her head quickly before bowing once to the Nibelung, adding quietly: “Thou hast my deepest gratitude, Architect Byzantine. I shall not forget this.”

“It was an interesting diversion, Valkyrie Brynhild. When you need repairs, you are welcome at my forge.” Byzantine replied calmly, gesturing with one hand, and the starry-maned winged unicorn smiled and nodded before she turned and easily motioned with her head to Luna and Scrivener.

The two ponies were glad to follow her out of the sweltering heat: even the main forge chamber felt cool compared to the special high-intensity forge they had just left, and Scrivener sighed in relief as Twilight studied Luna's back, then smiled a little when the mare grinned over her shoulder, asking easily: “Art thou leering over my backside, Twilight Sparkle? Well, fear not, thou can do more than look at it once we are in more private quarters.”

“I'm really happy to see you're feeling so much better, Luna. I was worried.” Twilight Sparkle said softly, and Luna blushed a little and looked quickly back forwards down the stone tunnel, the Lich smiling a little as Scrivener nodded in agreement.

For the last ten days, Luna had worked feverishly, but she had almost shunned contact with everyone apart from Scrivener and Luna. Even her own children hadn't been able to get her to stay in one place for very long, Scarlet Sage barely getting a moment to express her worries over her mother's condition and Antares... well... Antares was avoiding them almost as much as Luna had been avoiding everyone else, and they hadn't seen him for days now.

That was part of why Scrivener and Twilight had been so glad to help Luna with her project, and had encouraged her even in spite of how obsessed she had become over making the weapon, and making it perfect. But now that it was complete, she seemed like a brand new pony: she held her head up proudly, no longer trying to hide the prosthetic horn standing out of her skull, and strength and even happiness seemed to pulse through her veins, like she had remembered all the reasons she had to live, to fight, and to be proud of who she was.

When they finally reached the halls of the Thorn Palace above, Sleipnir and Celestia were both waiting for Luna with warm looks to their sister and their own weapons proudly displayed. Scrivener and Twilight both halted and watched as Luna approached her siblings, and they bowed deeply to each other before Celestia flicked her horn upwards, raising Tyrfing high in the air, and it was joined by three golden swords that formed in bursts of radiant flame.

Sleipnir rose the enormous, wide kite shield strapped over one foreleg high: it was made from ironwood, with a thick layer of hide across its face stitched with the image of Yggdrasil, and fortified by a border of silvered steel. He grinned widely as he rose his head proudly, and Celestia burned with the same pride, her eyes almost glowing as her siblings gazed down on Luna warmly.

Then the sapphire mare snapped her own head upwards, tossing the fountain pen free from her head and sending it spinning high into the air, before it turned into a streak of blue flames that formed quickly back into her spear, swinging forwards as Sleipnir and Celestia thrusted sword and shield upwards at the same time. Tyrfing, spear, and shield all crashed together with a tremendous bang, and then all three siblings threw their heads back and roared: “Heill dagr! Heilir dags synir! Heil nótt ok nift! Óreiðum augum lítið okkr þinig ok gefið sitjöndum sigr! Heilir Æsir! Heilar Vána! Heil sjá in fjölnýta fold! Mál ok mannvit gefið okkr mærum tveim ok læknishendr, meðan lifum!”

The weapons and shield thundered together again, and then all three siblings simply leaned forwards and roared, grins over their features, eyes almost glowing, Luna and Celestia's manes both sparking with energy as Sleipnir's own locks of ivy twisted with his excitement. Then weapons snapped suddenly backwards as the three ponies each swung a free hoof out, striking firmly together as they traded confident looks.

Scrivener and Twilight only stared on in amazement: at the majesty, the power, the union of these three siblings, all of them glowing like the divinities they had once been. And then Luna threw her head back and laughed, before squeaking when Sleipnir leapt forward and swept her up in a fierce hug, as the immense earth pony cried jovially: “Welcome back, my beloved little sister!”

Luna wheezed loudly, then grinned lamely when Celestia reached up and touched her sister's shoulder, adding with a warm smile: “You've done a wonderful job... to be honest, even better than I expected. Congratulations, Luna. I'm truly proud of you.”

“Bah, there was never any reason to doubt in our sister's worth and strength!” Sleipnir declared cheerfully, and then he wrapped a foreleg around Celestia's neck and yanked her into the hug, almost throttling her as he squeezed both his siblings fiercely up against his body, Luna's eyes bulging and Celestia gagging as her swords fell out of the air behind her. “Are we not the most blessed of family? Have we not found the greatest happiness together? We are invincible, I say, invincible! Brother, sister, join me in this great embrace!”

Scrivener and Twilight only responded with lame grins at Sleipnir, both already feeling the crushing strength of the stallion as he continued to squeeze Luna a little too hard with his childish smile on his features... and then he winced when the butt of Luna's spear poked into his head several times, Luna wheezing: “Damnation, Sleipnir, mind thy... accursed... stupid... ridiculous strength...”

The butt of the spear firmly bopped Sleipnir on the nose, and he wrinkled up his muzzle, blinking a few times before sneezing once, then he finally dropped both his sisters and reached up to cover his nose with a sulky look down at Luna. Luna only glared balefully in return, as Celestia gasped for breath, her rainbow mane more than a little frazzled as she shook herself out.

A moment later, Luna's horn glowed as she concentrated and glanced up at her floating spear, and it transformed back into a fountain pen that glided quickly back into place behind one of her ears. Sleipnir smiled as his hooves dropped away from his features as Celestia's smaller swords vanished, while Tyrfing dropped into place over her back, as the enormous stallion remarked: “Little sister is becoming as apt as thou art with thine own war-magic, Celestia. Truly, though, 'tis good to see her back on her hooves...”

Celestia nodded in agreement, rubbing slowly at her throat as Luna smiled a little at this, her crankiness vanishing as she said softly: “Well, I have spent enough time moping and pouting, that is all. Besides 'tis a poet's work, not a Valkyrie's. Valkyries must be proud, and strong, and meet adversity with pride and even joy... is this not so, sister?”

“It is.” Celestia smiled after a moment, and Sleipnir chuckled as he loosened the straps over his shield, then slipped it all the way up so it rested easily over one shoulder. “But we're in a lull right now, Luna, and instead of focusing on war, we should focus on you. I know it's not going to be easy to get used to this new horn...”

“I don't know about that, Celestia. 'Tis... 'tis not as bad as thou might expect.” Luna said after a moment, nodding slowly and smiling a little as she looked thoughtfully up at the horn of soulstone, before she softened and added: “And besides... I feel as if I shall have my true horn with me all the same, now. Aye, 'tis now an extension of myself and not just mine own self, but... still, Celestia. I have my horn, and I have my horn.”

“And I understand how important that is.” Celestia said softly, before she gave a quietly-amused look to Sleipnir, who gazed back warmly. “I'm a little jealous of our brother here sometimes though, or yourself, Scrivener Blooms... both of you are perfectly happy without horns.”

“Well, you know. Slave hoofs don't need horns anyway.” Scrivener replied with a slight smile and a shrug as he and the Lich approached, and Sleipnir chuckled and stomped a hoof in agreement with a grin, before the charcoal stallion added: “Besides, I might get a little envious of you and Twilight and Luna, but then I think of all the crap I'd probably get into if I had a horn of my own, and that makes it a lot easier to deal with.”

Celestia only shook her head with a soft laugh, and there was quiet for a moment before Luna looked up and asked hesitantly: “Can thou call my family together? Important as it has been to be here to recuperate, and to... complete this work... I believe that my family and I should return to our home, and to Ponyville. Aye, I know, I know, I must also practice with my horn, but that can be done anywhere, can it not?”

Luna absently reached up and rubbed slowly at the black pearl in her collar, in an old, almost-nervous gesture, and Celestia softened at this before she nodded once. “Of course. I'll make the announcement, Luna... but Twilight Sparkle, before we leave, would you mind if Selene and I take a look at you, ensure that you and your baby are both alright?”

Twilight blushed a little, rubbing slowly at her stomach, and Scrivener turned his eyes to that small bulge as his features softened. The Lich opened her mouth, but when Luna added her own almost-pleading look, the violet mare sighed a little before nodding hesitantly once... then adding impulsively: “But I want Luna and Scrivy there, too. That... that's really important to me.”

“Alright Twilight. That's more than fair. Why don't we do it now, then?” Celestia asked softly, and the violet mare smiled and nodded after a moment before the ivory winged unicorn turned her eyes towards Sleipnir. “Would you mind gathering the others, telling them that Luna's back on her hooves, and that we're going to begin making preparations to head back to Ponyville?”

“Aye, but we do not need to head back all at once, Celestia. I am anxious to leave, but...” Luna smiled after a moment, turning her eyes towards the Lich and softening visibly. “But I do not desire to put the health of those important to me at risk, and nor am I unwilling to wait until others are ready. I am simply eager.”

“Then I shall tell our family thou art eager to see them, first and foremost.” Sleipnir said kindly, and Luna smiled warmly and nodded in agreement before the enormous earth pony turned with a warm laugh. “Aye, let us tarry here a day or two longer... 'twill make the heart grow even fonder of beautiful little Ponyville, and the return all the sweeter!”

Luna only shook her head with a laugh, and Celestia watched Sleipnir leave with warmth in her eyes before she gestured to the others to follow, saying softly: “Come, Twilight Sparkle. We should still take a quick look at you, either way. Just to be safe.”

“Okay.” Twilight nodded, looking trustingly up at Celestia, and the ivory mare was visibly all the more uplifted by this, nodding back before turning to lead them onwards. Luna and Scrivener both smiled at the reaction: Celestia had never forgotten the harm she'd done, but what had stayed with her even more was how much it had hurt to have Twilight turn away from her. It had led to something that still amazed Luna at times, though: how happy the simplest acknowledgment from Twilight Sparkle could make the former ruler of an entire nation.

Selene was waiting for them at her reflecting pool, only needing to bow her head to show her respect to Luna and Scrivener before she turned her eyes to Twilight Sparkle as the Lich hesitantly approached. She sat at the edge of the pool, and Selene strode calmly forwards, the Nephilim's galactic eyes drawing slowly up over Twilight's frame to meet her gaze for the few moments that the Lich could bear to sustain it, before the violet mare looked away with a blush.

The Nephilim gave a quiet laugh, and then she said softly, as her eyes roved down to Twilight's stomach: “I'm sure you must feel it, Dawn Bringer... her body is reacting in a very strange way to the pregnancy. She is filled with life... life that is growing, changing, evolving. Life that was born from death, and poison, and unnatural powers...”

Twilight shifted uncomfortably, and Celestia frowned slightly... but it was the disapproving look from Luna that seemed to make Selene relent, the Nephilim bowing her head as she said softly: “I do not mean to offend. I will choose my words better... besides, I do not fear this child that will be born. Yes, this is a rare event. This is exceptional and strange... but glorious.”

Selene smiled softly, and she drew back slightly before asking gently: “May I try to converse with your child? No, not with words... and it is little more than... a pulsing life-shape at this moment, without true form, without a mind... but that will come. It will grow strong...”

Twilight shifted uneasily, looking at Luna and Scrivener, and the two traded a look, emotions swirling between them before they automatically turned their eyes to Celestia. The ivory mare gave a slow nod, then turned her eyes to Selene, instructing quietly: “But you must be gentle. And only listen to it, nothing further.”

“Of course.” Selene turned her galactic sight to Twilight, and the Lich shivered as she met that gaze again for a moment, felt the dark, infinite universe in the Nephilim's eyes boring into her mind before Selene drew her eyes downwards as she reached her hooves forwards to carefully place them against Twilight's stomach.

The violet mare had to fight every instinct to pull away, closing her eyes and sitting back, and the only thing that made it easier was the feeling of Scrivener and Luna on either side of her. They wouldn't ever let anything happen to her, and she breathed uneasily as she tilted her head back, feeling a strange pulse of warmth flood through her system, followed by a tickling and burning that crawled through her stomach and made something inside her... twist.

She swallowed a little, and Scrivener gently took one of her hooves in his own, squeezing her a little closer, and the Lich smiled faintly. She closed her eyes, relaxing slowly as one of Luna's hooves massaged soothingly up and down along her spine, and she tried to force herself to calm before the Nephilim said softly: “She will be beautiful.”

“She?” Twilight looked down in surprise, and Luna growled in irritation as Scrivener simply looked dumbly at the Nephilim, but Selene only looked up with a calm smile.

“You were curious, were you not? Yes. It will be a daughter. I cannot see what she will be, but no matter her shape, she will be beautiful. And powerful. And you need not fear, Twilight Sparkle... she will also be very much alive.” she said softly, her hooves drawing away from Twilight's stomach before she smiled in her strange, distant way and bowed her head politely towards Luna. “I apologize, Mother. I was excited and forgot myself. But it is very good news, is it not?”

“It... it is. A daughter...” Luna closed her eyes, then she smiled faintly and added after a moment, glancing towards Twilight Sparkle: “As long as thou art not frustrated... I shan't be too angry with the accursed Nephilim either. Still, though, thou should have been able to tell thyself whether it would be colt or filly, Twilight Sparkle. Thy maternal instincts should have told thee by now.”

The Lich only laughed at this, blushing and looking down as she quietly hugged her stomach, and then she closed her eyes and murmured: “I don't know about that, Luna. I just... I'm so glad that... thank you. Thank you all for being here and... I'm so relieved to hear that my baby... my little girl... she's okay.”

Twilight tasted the words, then laughed and gazed almost disbelievingly down at her stomach. Somehow, knowing that it was a filly growing inside her... it made everything so much more real. It made everything hit so much harder, and she trembled a little before turning towards Scrivener and burying her face against him. He hugged her tightly, closing his eyes and looking almost embarrassedly at Luna, but the sapphire mare only smiled softly, her eyes honestly happy as she reached out and rested her front hooves against Twilight's back, leaning soothingly against her as she murmured: “We will always be here for thee, Twilight... and that includes thy daughter, too. We will always be together, and we shall always take care of one-another, for we are family.”

“Yes. We are.” Selene said softly, and when Luna glowered up at the Nephilim, the creature only smiled calmly and bowed her head. “I will always live to serve you, Mother and Father. For that is my purpose, why I was born... to serve those above.

“But my first mother left me, and I fell. I fell, into a place so deep and dark I thought I was being taken down to my father's realm... and I slept, until you gave me purpose again, Mother. Until I found new parents to serve.” Selene smiled kindly. “And it is nice to have a Father whom I can love. In the brief time I knew my first-mother, she spoke little to me of my first-father. But I learned enough to know that there was no love between them.

“This is better.” Selene finished, and Twilight stirred uneasily before Selene cocked her head curiously. “Have I made you uncomfortable? What do I feel from you... is it empathy, Mistress Twilight? There is no need for either. I have no problem with my state of being, and I have found my place in the world, where I am pleased and happy.”

“Perhaps... now is not the proper time to discuss this.” Celestia said carefully, and the Nephilim smiled and nodded calmly as her galactic eyes drew towards the ivory mare, who managed to hold the gaze for a few moments before she turned her amethyst irises towards Twilight, asking quietly: “How is your body itself feeling, Twilight Sparkle?”

Twilight shook her head a little, clearing her thoughts away before she gave a small smile, reaching up and silently touching the Y-shaped stitching over her breast. “I haven't even had to do any grafts... and this grew back really fast.” She reached up, flicking her tall, pointed horn lightly. “I don't know what it is, but... my body feels like it's drawing on more energy than usual. I'm a little worried I'm going to burn out or something, but... right now I feel really strong. Really... good.”

She nodded after a moment, and Selene laughed quietly. “You are a Lich: sustained by magic, in a shell of flesh kept alive by the force of your spirit. Your spirit has recognized the necessity of maintaining this body, and fused tighter into your form... and the love, the emotion, the strength provided to you from Luna Brynhild and Scrivener Blooms will only further fuel your body's need to protect itself at this point. You will be more sensitive to pain, and your ability to exert your magic and will may suffer... but your body will be strong, until you give birth.”

Celestia looked uneasily at Selene even as Twilight smiled warmly, but then the Lich frowned a little as the rainbow-maned mare asked quietly: “And what about after Twilight gives birth? What do you think will happen then, Selene?”

Selene didn't reply, only smiled knowingly towards Celestia, and the ivory mare nodded hesitantly before she sighed a little and murmured: “Well, we have plenty of time until then...” She stopped, hesitated for a moment at the looks she was receiving from the other ponies... but then the promise she had made to be honest overwhelmed her logical mind, and she said softly: “It's likely after Twilight gives birth... the process will cause her body to burn out. Possibly it will drain her spirit as well, and force her to retreat to her phylactery.”

“Yes, well, damnable Twilight will not have to suffer the pains I did in childbirth. Although I wish not to sound like Pinkamena, she can simply be cut open from groin to girdle and the baby unwrapped from her innards like the most beautiful bloody gift thou ever did receive.” Luna remarked, and when Twilight and Celestia both glared at her, the sapphire mare winced a bit and shrank her head back a little. “'Tis a fair point!”

Celestia sighed tiredly and shook her head, and Twilight grumbled under her breath before touching her stomach, hesitating before murmuring: “I think that I want to give birth as... as naturally as I can. I want to go through that process, I don't want to just... get chopped in half and have the baby lifted out that way, not unless it's necessary. Does that... does that make sense?”

“No.” Luna and Scrivener both said at the same time, and Twilight sighed tiredly and whacked a hoof against Scrivener's chest as she sat up, while Celestia only shook her head in exasperation. But then the Lich closed her eyes and gave a small smile as she heard one of Scrivener's hooves click apart into a claw before it reached up and combed slowly through her mane.

She closed her eyes, then mumbled after a moment, as Luna gently grasped her shoulder and leaned in towards her with a smile: “Stop that. I'm mad at both of you.”

“None can stay mad at me for long, Twilight Sparkle. I am far too cute and charming.” Luna replied with a wink, and the Lich smiled despite herself even as she turned her head away. The Lich felt her... well, not her heart with her lack of one, but her emotions flutter, and that sense of sanctuary they always gave her surrounded her.

Luna stroked a hoof gently along Twilight's back, then she glanced up curiously before smiling at the sight of Scarlet Sage hurrying up on top of the pyramid, before she smiled in relief at the sight of her parents. She ran forwards, trading quick, tight hugs with each of the three in turn before sitting back and turning her eyes back to Luna. “I'm so glad to see you're okay, Mom, I... I was really worried about you, especially with how you were acting. But you... you look...”

“Good? I hope so. And since I know thou knows mares well, I shall take it as an even greater compliment.” Luna grinned at her daughter, and Scarlet Sage laughed and gazed with relief at her mother, whatever lingering worries she might have had soothed. Then Luna glanced up curiously before smiling wider as she saw Pinkamena and Aphrodisia, the younger demon scrambling towards her aunt, and Luna swept up her niece in a hug like she was a foal instead of a fully grown mare. “Oh, 'tis so good to see all of thee!”

“Well, you would have seen us sooner if you didn't lock yourself away with all the metalheads.” Pinkamena said dryly, and then she winced when Luna put down Aphrodisia and approached, holding up her front hooves moodily. “Hug me and I'm going to punch you in the face, Nightmare Moon.”

Luna huffed, then swung a hoof out, and Pinkamena quickly punched her own forwards, the two mares testing each other's strength as they both leaned forwards aggessively before the demon suddenly grinned and let her front leg fall back, Luna smiling confidently in return. “Well, what the hell do you know? Here I thought you might just be trying to avoid Princess Sunshine kicking your flank, but I guess you're doing okay after all. Even with that shiny piece of gemstone sticking out of your face.”

“I like it.” Aphrodisia said positively, smiling warmly, and Luna gazed affectionately over her shoulder at the Dominia before she added: “And you look just as strong as ever, Aunt Brynhild!”

The sapphire mare seemed touched by this... and she continued to revel in the support of friends and family she received as others joined them atop the pyramid. Scrivener and Twilight were both more relieved than they could say by it, feeling the way Luna's emotions grew warmer and steadier... and more importantly, how the confidence she was displaying was becoming more and more honest as her worries that her friends or family were going to look down on her, or treat her differently steadily faded.

But one thing was missing, and it grew all too apparent after Sleipnir returned, Luna looking back and forth through the crowd of ponies until she finally couldn't stop herself from asking: “Where... where is Antares Mīrus?”

Scarlet Sage sighed a little, but she stepped forwards when no one else did, answering: “Ponyville. He was really upset when... you locked yourself away, Mom, with how you would pretty much... eat a little, sleep for a few hours, then go back and work all day and night... so about a week ago he went back to Ponyville to keep an eye on things there.”

Luna quieted at this, glancing silently to the side before she sighed a little and nodded, murmuring: “Then... aye, that is understandable. No, no, all his friends are there, and I am sure it has been a strain on him... we shall... I shall talk to him when I return to Ponyville in a few days, that is all.” The sapphire mare halted, then shook her head before asking: “Then is Ponyville safe? I see some of its mightiest protectors here, after all.”

“Things have been quiet, thankfully. Besides, Antares might be a bit of an idiot about some stuff but he and Cowlick can definitely take care of Ponyville between themselves.” Scarlet replied, and Aphrodisia grumbled moodily to herself but nodded after a moment in agreement.

Morning Glory, meanwhile, was studying Luna and pointedly ignoring Burning Desire, who was sitting in firebird form atop her head. “You shouldn't be worried about Ponyville. The attack that took place caused damage to the village, but it's clear that Thesis is interested in you, and only you. These ponies we've 'saved' in other layers were not victims by design, only collateral damage and lives taken for Thesis' machinations... which again, revolve around you.”

“Aye, true. I do not like that.” Luna muttered, looking down meditatively as Scrivener grimaced a little. Twilight rubbed slowly at her stomach, shifting apprehensively, and then the sapphire mare sighed a bit as her eyes drew towards the Lich, lingering on her. “And we must be careful, especially now of all times... I do not like the timing of all this. I still do not even know how we can fight such a foe as Thesis is...”

Morning Glory snorted, but Scrivener Blooms missed her reply when a hoof tapped him on the shoulder, drawing his attention. And he blinked in surprise when he looked over his shoulder and saw Ersatz Major, the mare dressed in a silk shawl... but for a change, that was her only clothing, and she smiled hesitantly at him before quietly gesturing to him.

The stallion hesitated, then nodded. He kissed Twilight's cheek, and the violet mare smiled at him encouragingly before he felt Luna's eyes draw to him, felt her silent agreement that he go ahead. They couldn't be very far apart, but they should be able to bear being far enough away to let Ersatz say whatever she had to say in privacy, while Luna discussed the threat of Thesis with the others.

Then Scrivener glanced up moodily as something landed on his head, and Burning Desire fluttered his wings and winked down at him even as Ersatz sighed, and remarked in a quiet voice as she led her cousin away: “This is a private matter, Burning Desire. And much as I appreciate you giving me room and board at your beautiful palace, and the matter of... your assistance with Hell-related affairs... I do desire a little privacy.”

“Oh, you can have all the privacy with me you like, darling.” Burning Desire quipped, and Ersatz sighed tiredly again, before looking in exasperation over her shoulder as the Passion continued teasingly: “And well, Scrivener Blooms isn't quite as handsome as I am with all those nasty scars, but I've never been one to say no to even the strangest requests of such a beautiful mare as yourself... although I may make a pun or two about 'kissing cousins' and you-”

Scrivener flicked his head firmly, and the firebird was launched into the air with a huff, flapping his wings hurriedly before he transformed in a burst of flames back into a stallion, and Scrivener winced as the demon half-landed on top of him. He glared over his shoulder, but Burning Desire only smiled cheerfully, one elbow resting on the charcoal earth pony's lower back and propping his head up as his eyes looked coyly at Scrivener Blooms. “Hi. Come here often?”

“I don't know what I'm going to kick you in the crotch for. Using a line that awful, or you being... you. But I am going to kick you right in the stallion parts if you don't get off me, and it won't even be my fault because that's basically the only part of you in easy kicking range.” Scrivener said sourly, and Burning Desire huffed before springing forwards, sprawling on his back over Scrivener Blooms' own and propping himself up him with a wide grin, the backs of their skulls pressing together as Burning tilted his head high with a wink.

“Now come now, we're both large gentlecolts endowed with great knowledge, yes?” asked the fiery stallion cheerfully, as his burning mane tickled along the charcoal earth pony's body, and Scrivener glared... then glanced forwards in surprise as Ersatz giggled a little, but then quickly covered her muzzle. Still, the smile on her face was visible as she leaned almost shyly in the doorway...

Scrivener dropped his head moodily forwards, and Burning Desire chuckled before easily rolling over and sitting up on Scrivener's broad back: he was surprisingly light, for such a large unicorn... but that probably has to do with the fact he's partly made of fire. And full of hot air. Like a big, egotistical balloon. “How are you so likeable in spite of being such an... idiot?”

“Allow me to answer that question with another question, Scrivener Blooms. How can you not like someone who makes you laugh and feel smarter than they are at the same time?” Burning Desire asked cheerfully, and Scrivener looked up thoughtfully as he strode into the empty corridor. And with a flick of his horn over his shoulder, Burning Desire closed both doors before hopping off the charcoal stallion and saying in a softer voice: “This is private enough, Ersatz Major.”

Ersatz favored the demon an expression that clearly asked whether or not he saw the irony in that statement, but the Passion only gave her a pointed look in return, and after a moment the unicorn mare shook her head slowly before turning her eyes to Scrivener. Scrivener gazed back at her, and the cousins studied each other as they both blocked out the presence of the demon. It was easier done than either thought it would be, too: Burning had gone from loud and cheery to respectful and quiet, and when Ersatz looked at the demon again, it clearly wasn't to tell him to go away... instead, it was like she drew strength from the Passion being there, and she nodded a little before turning her eyes to meet Scrivener Blooms'.

“We... no. I was wrong. I know that and I accept that...” Ersatz looked down, rubbing slowly at her face before she glanced up with a faint smile. “But I still think that you need to apologize to Aunt Belle. No, I think we both should, but I... I know now that if she saw you, Scrivener... she'd be proud of you. She'd be happy for you... glad for the way that you have turned out, cousin. You take care of those around you, and you are... a good stallion, for all your strangeness, for all the things I disagree with.”

Scrivener lowered his head with a faint smile, closing his eyes before he murmured: “I don't know about that, Ersatz. To be honest, I mean... look at me. I'm... I'm kind of a monster.”

“No, you're not.” Ersatz said softly, and coming from her, it made Scrivener smile as he looked up at her silently. “I have... I have only had a brief experience in Helheim... but I have seen monsters. You are not a monster.”

She stopped, then hesitated and looked down. “If you will have me, Scrivener Blooms... I would like to be your friend. I have no plans to return to my old life... in fact, I cannot. Not just because Canterlot knows that I died and a funeral was held for me, but because even though I resemble my old mortal self... I am slowly becoming a demon.” Ersatz silently looked down at one of her hooves, studying it before she rose her runed horn, giving a faint smile. “Burning Desire says... those who die, and those who fall into Helheim... they can't be saved from that state. That angels can fall to mortality, that mortals often trip and land in Helheim... but that demons can only become dust.”

“It's a sad truth. What goes up, must come down.” Scrivener replied quietly, and then he smiled a little. “But you know the old unicorn fairy tales, don't you, Ersatz? They say the Goldenhorn became a mortal unicorn again and a second chance to live his life, after performing a thousand years of good deeds even though he'd been tricked into becoming a demon.”

“I am not the Goldenhorn, Scrivener Blooms. As it is, I find it very difficult not to already give in to the urge to... play my old role. I could easily go up to Canterlot, after all... start a new life by saying all the right things in all the right places...” Ersatz stopped, then softened and turned her eyes towards Burning Desire, who gazed back at her with a gentle smile. “But I have found something... strange and funny and exciting here. Something that makes this adventure worthwhile.”

The mare stopped, then she asked quietly: “Would you be adverse to walking with me to a little cemetery in Canterlot? I used to visit there often... there are nameless graves there I used to use to talk to my father and Tia Belle. I would direly like to apologize to her myself, for all the things I have said and done over the years, to you and... in the abuse of her memory.”

“You sound so much different from the Ersatz Major who came after me.” Scrivener said softly, and Ersatz smiled faintly, glancing away, before bowing her head in gratitude when Burning Desire strode over to her and gazed down at her softly.

“When you awaken in Helheim, you wake up with a crystal clear memory of your life, and of your death. It's both a blessing, and the greatest, cruelest torture that you could ever imagine, Scrivener Blooms: every memory, good and ill, is there in your mind as easy to see as the world around you.” Burning Desire explained quietly, and then he smiled faintly over at Scrivener Blooms. “And within a day, whether you like it or not, you'll see all those memories beginning to connect and show you precisely why you fell to Helheim, no matter how hard you try and tell yourself otherwise.”

“Besides, Scrivener. Don't think that you were the only crime I committed in my life... seeking revenge against you is far from the worst of my sins.” Ersatz Major added softly, and Scrivener smiled a little at this and shrugged easily. The mare hesitated, then she stepped towards him and asked: “Will you... help me? Whether we are friends or not...”

“We can be friends, Ersatz. And we are family... and you were... you were right in some ways, too. Not about what you were doing, maybe, but... there were things I could have and should have done.” Scrivener hesitated, and then he looked up at her and said finally: “I've never told anyone but Luna this... but on the bad days back when I was just... young and stupid and trying to shove my way into a new world where earth ponies actually had rights... I sometimes wanted to give up. I sometimes even thought about just going home and giving in. I mean, if I was too big for the kennel, Bramblethorn couldn't shove me in there anymore, right?”

Scrivener laughed a little, and Ersatz gave him a soft look as Burning Desire remarked wryly: “I can really see some days why violet is so attracted to you. You and your tragic, terrible past that you laugh at all the time. Remind me to embellish the part about how much my father hated me the next time I'm telling a mare my life story, I'm sure that'll be great for peeling off a mare's tack.”

“I always figured you were more into putting tack on.” Scrivener replied mildly, and Burning Desire huffed as Ersatz sighed and turned her eyes pointedly towards the charcoal stallion, and he smiled a little and nodded. “Anyway, what I'm saying is... there was always part of me that felt I'd left something... at home. That always made me think of the North as home in spite of how... bad... everything up there was. And when I... became...”

Scrivener hesitated for a few long moments, looking down as he silently touched his chest, and Ersatz tilted her head and Burning Desire softened. Scrivener cleared his throat loudly, and then he looked up and said finally: “When I was... when I woke up to what I was, a Clockwork Pony, one of the images I saw was my mother, cradling me when I was just a baby. Tia Belle named me... Bramblethorn was the one who would never have anything to do with me, and... it was Tia Belle who hugged me.”

He quieted, looking down and biting his lip, and Ersatz softened before she strode forwards and gently touched under his chin, guiding his head up so their eyes locked. “Tia Belle loved you. She wanted you to live, I believe that, Scrivener Blooms. The only thing that has changed is my belief that I am some righteous avenger, going to right all the wrongs and it will... somehow bring back my father if I make everything right.”

She stopped, then looked up and continued in a soft voice: “If Tia Belle loved you, then I know that she would not desire to see you being forced to endure pain, and torture, and struggle. She would want only the best for you... she would want you to find happiness you earned the moment you escaped the north. I understand that now. Just like I understand I finally have ponies that I can trust. Ponies who didn't turn me away, in spite of all the awful things I did... and a demon who put himself through agony for a stranger that did nothing but cause his friends pain.”

Ersatz Major smiled faintly over at Burning Desire, who only shrugged and smiled amiably, saying softly: “Believe me, there's no better pain than the pain suffered to help a pretty mare.”

The mare laughed quietly at this, turning her head away with a slight blush, and Burning smiled warmly over at her, studying her as she looked up almost shyly at him beneath her coiffed mane. Scrivener looked curiously between the two, and then he smiled after a moment and cleared his throat, striding quickly towards the doors, saying mildly: “I'm just going to go back to Luna now. You uh. Come out when you're ready, and we'll... figure things out when you're done.”

Ersatz looked up curiously, but Scrivener was already through the doors, closing them carefully behind himself. She began to turn, and then reared back slightly as she found Burning Desire standing right next to her now, the stallion grinning widely as he leaned towards her and complimented: “Your mane is gorgeous, you know. And I think your coat is almost a perfect match for my bedsheets, but we should really have you lay down in my bed so I can make sure.”

The mare gazed up at him with soft entertainment, and then Burning smiled, asking wryly: “No shock value left anymore? That's a shame, usually I can get weeks of laughter out of my wit and charm before the mares start to hate me. Or do I just have to step up my game?”

“Go ahead. I enjoy your attempts to charm me.” Ersatz invited, and Burning looked surprised, but then only grinned slightly as he leaned forwards.

“Now that's very nearly as dangerous as telling me I can let my hooves wander wherever they please.” Burning Desire remarked mildly, and then he leaned down into Ersatz's face and winked. “I'd like you to know that you're the inspiration for a story I'm writing: it's because you provide such a wonderful plot.”

Ersatz looked up at Burning Desire for a few moments, and then she leaned forwards and gently kissed his cheek, and Burning Desire's mane and tail both flared up as he turned beet-red instead of his usual mix of magmatic color, before the mare said softly: “You're very cute.”

The fiery stallion clearly didn't know how to respond, mouthing wordlessly a few times before Ersatz tilted her head towards him and said in a kind voice: “I'm also curious, I must admit: in the original deal you penned for me, the cost to have my horn back was a little different than what I have paid you. And of course, I mean 'pay' in only a metaphorical sense of the term, as you were so kind to suffer for me what you did. I feel that's unfair, though, and I don't wish to further stack any sins on those I'm already guilty of, so... I suppose what I'm asking, Burning Desire, is whether or not you would like to go to dinner with me?”

“I... uh... well, I uh... I mean... I...” Burning Desire stammered out, the demon still glowing red before he looked wildly back and forth, then returned his eyes with a lame, child-like grin at Ersatz Major. “S-Seriously?”

“I would like to better get to know you, and dinner seems appropriate. As I believe 'one date' was also the original term on that old contract... I think it's more than fair to me.” Ersatz said pleasantly, bowing her head towards Burning Desire, and her mix of cordial politeness and forwardness threw him off-guard just as he thought he was getting his balance back, made him stare at her before she stepped forwards and touched gently under his chin, tilting his head up so their eyes met.

She favored him with a soft smile, then she said quietly: “And I know that I've said it before, Burning Desire... but thank you. You've treated me wonderfully. You're a better person than I've deserved... maybe the best person that I've ever met, in spite of being a demon and how you act like a little colt. But I like that about you. You're silly and strange and very... direct... but you never once made me feel uncomfortable.”

Burning Desire only looked dumbly back at her, and then Ersatz leaned in and kissed his cheek gently. “I would like it very much if you would wear a tie, choose the restaurant, and order for me like a gentlecolt. Some old traditions deserve to be enjoyed, I think, and I've always liked the softer parts of our unicorn heritage. Don't you agree?”

“Uh... huh?” Burning Desire responded dumbly, and then he gave a lame grin to her, still blushing brightly. “D-Dinner... dinner would be great, super-great, great indeed! I know just the place and... we'll... I'll even pay for dessert!”

“Now Burning, I hope you don't have to pay anyone for that. I'm sure you can treat me to a fine time yourself.” Ersatz replied calmly, and Burning Desire stared at her, then giggled dumbly again before Ersatz smiled at him kindly, then turned towards the doors. “Excuse me. I'm going to see what little I can do to help these ponies who have all treated me so generously. I'll meet you tonight, back at your mansion... we can decide where we're going from there.”

With that, Ersatz pushed the doors open, then glanced up with surprise at Morning Glory: she and the behemoth met one-another's eyes, and then the Wrath demon simply grunted and gestured at her with her head, and Ersatz bowed politely before striding past her and back towards the top of the pyramid. Burning Desire was still only staring, barely even seeing the Destroyer as he gazed raptly after this odd mare that had come into his life and made him feel so... silly.

Then Morning Glory stepped forwards and she looked moodily down at her brother, who shook his head hurriedly and looked lamely back up at her. They studied each other for a moment before the Destroyer rolled her eyes and muttered: “You're an idiot.”

“Jealous?” Burning Desire asked before he could stop himself, giving a wide grin up at his sister, and she looked down at him for a moment before firmly punching him in one of his shoulders, making him yelp and grab at the wounded area.

Then the Destroyer hesitated, glancing back and forth before sighing tiredly and saying in almost a murmur: “Just... don't get hurt, Ardent.”

“Was... was that actually compassion, Morning Glory? For me, of all ponies?” Burning Desire asked almost incredulously, and the Destroyer glared at him before she punched him hard enough to knock the fiery stallion flopping onto his back with a squawk of pain, grabbing with a wince at his aching chest. “Oh hell!”

“You make it very tempting for me to send you back there. You're as sick and twisted as ever still, Ardent, a little tiny unicorn runt who can't take care of himself and allows himself to be led around by his stallion parts.” Morning Glory muttered irritably, and then she sighed after a moment as Burning Desire only stared up at her lamely, before the mare shook her head slowly and muttered: “But I suppose... there are worse things than you in this world, too. And I don't want to see my little brother making another stupid mistake over a stupid mare.”

“Well, we aren't all Wrath demons married to the battlefield, dearest sister.” Burning said ironically, but when the Destroyer glared down at him, he whimpered and curled up in a tiny ball. “Please don't stomp me.”

Morning Glory only snorted in disgust in response, and then she sighed tiredly after a moment before shaking her head slowly and saying finally: “I suppose that... now that we are, where we are... I no longer want to see you hurt. If the floozy can forget her revenge against Scrivener Blooms, I can push through the last of my hatred for what you did.”

“She's not a floozy.” Burning Desire huffed, rolling up to his hooves before he glared up at his sister, and she only favored him with a dry look even as he poked her steel chest several times with one hoof. “Now you listen to me, little sister. I might have done a lot of awful things, and I hurt you badly, but that doesn't give you the right to be mean to ponies who... who are actually rather similar to you. Although that's not what attracts me to her. That would be awkward.”

Morning Glory slowly rose a hoof, then slapped Burning Desire's front leg away from her chest, and he whimpered and hurriedly withdrew the offended limb against his own body. “You disgust me still, I want you to know that. And I hope that you also know what you're getting into, since like you, she seems to have a fetish for family members. Although unlike you, it's at least cousins and not her own mother.”

“Hurtful. Hurtful.” Burning Desire said huffily, and then he hesitated before smiling a little and looking up at his much-larger little sister. “Morning, I... I do appreciate your kindness. But I finally feel... as if somehow, I've found someone who I never, ever should have been able to so much as make roll her eyes, and yet she seems to actually like me for some godforsaken reason. I'm going to take that as far as I can go. Will it lead to heartbreak? Probably, us Lust types might get much more interaction than you Wrath types, but we're much worse at maintaining relationships for the long term.”

“I suppose that's because we Wrath types simply kill everyone we don't see ourselves spending a long time around.” Morning Glory replied dryly, and then she sighed and nodded once. “Fine, Ardent. I'll let you play out your little homemaker fantasy. Just be aware that as she becomes a demon... she may change. Not everyone is as strong as... as you.”

There was silence for a few moments as the Destroyer looked awkwardly away, and then Burning Desire gave a warm, wide smile before he strode forwards and reached up to hug his sister-

Morning Glory grabbed Ardent by the head and slammed him face-first down into the ground, the stallion groaning in pain and twitching a few times before she stomped on him once, making him yelp. “I've told you before, Ardent. Keep your hooves off me. I don't do hugs.”

“Oh, it's just like the old days.” Burning Desire mumbled into the ground, and then he peeled himself off the floor and looked up with a small smile despite himself, watching as Morning Glory walked back across the bridge as a flutter of happiness tickled through his system in spite of the agony pulsing through his mind. It was just a feeling... but he thought that everything was going to be fine.

Comments

[BlackRoseRaven]

2431932

This is a modification of stanzas two and three of the Sigrdrifumal, or part of the Poetic Edda detailing the meeting of Brynhild with Sigfried. It's seen as a kind of prayer. The meaning is approximately uh...

"Hail day! Hail sons of day! And night and her daughter now! Look on us here with loving eyes, that waiting we victory win. Hail Aesir, hail Vanir, and all the generous earth, give to us wisdom and goodly speech, and healing-hands life long."

The original text invokes the Aesir in more a generic sense as 'gods', and not the Vanir but instead goddesses in general, so I rearranged it a little to better suit the Aesir/Vanir relationship with Freya. It seemed a little more appropriate.
And yes, I did, thank you. I knew it was the horse's name in one of the games but had no idea which one precisely. Plus the only Zelda games I ever played were Twilight Princess and uh... that one everyone's played, for the SNES.

[BlackRoseRaven]

2429169

There's a few... interesting things that'll be happening shortly, good and bad. After all, one of the consistent themes of my stories seems to be 'nothing without cost.'
And yeah, precisely. Twilight is getting a lot of extra care because of her whole... state she's in right now, yes. As for dumping Luna into the Pool too, it would help, but where she is right now is irradiated with a lot of the same helpful energies and she can just lay back and rest without worrying about falling asleep and dunking under the water or something. Plus there's the whole... hole. Getting stuff right into your skull is not usually recommended.

[BlackRoseRaven]

2432095

I use a whole bunch of stuff. Viking Age reenactment groups, translations of the Poetic and Prose Eddas, a few mythology websites like Godchecker.com, and some other language texts. And then I tend to just write whatever the hell sounds right at the time anyway, nullifying most of that research work.

[Skydrake]

I guess Scrivy won't be coming out of this with a horn of his own after all - i was wondering whether they would fuse Luna's old horn with him, but I guess it serving as a speartip of Luna's new weapon works as well. Especially if she can channel magic through it as well - I imagine stabbing in to someone and then having the spear unleash a blast of telekinesis straight in to the target's insides could have some pretty nasty effects. Though I wonder - wouldn't it be possible for them to make a similar artificial horn for Scrivy as well? He has the base in his skull after all and is technically a unicorn, so couldn't they make another one an attach it to his head instead? Figures that Valthrundir would get a clearer connection to Luna though once all is said and done, I guess that's what you get from using base materials of his design. I guess this will make it easier for the dragon to annoy her on consistent basis. Still, new weapon and horn or not, this won't make much of a difference against Thesis ... they need a way to disrupt his teleportation at the very least.

So now we know the gender of Twilight's child, and it's a girl. I had a feeling that would be the case - have to have some variety in the family after all. And needless to say I am excited about further developments on this front - like I said before, given all the oddities involved, her pregnancy makes for a pretty fascinating subject. And I imagine having it confirmed that it won't be a baby Lich or other (un)death entity will go a long way towards quelling some of their anxieties. Though there is the issue of Twilight apparently needing an immediate body switch after it's done (Why though? I mean, childbirth isn't exactly the worst Twilight has suffered through and kept going, especially if willpower plays in to the equation as well - I imagine her drive to be there to hold her child after it's born and look over it would be pretty darn high) ... though I guess it isn't 'that' bad if they have a new 'body' prepared for her to take over.

If memory serves, it took about half an hour for her to complete the transfer process, even if it takes far longer to regenerate her horn and wings - though I imagine lacking the later two won't exactly be keeping her away this time. I guess Subterra would be the best place for her to give birth (easy immediate access to Pool of Tears won't hurt either, so she can soak there when Luna and Scrivy look after the kid), and I imagine having Selene there to monitor the process can't hurt either as a precaution. Speaking of which, given how nervous Twilight was before being checked upon by Selene, I was imagining the process would be more embarrassing or uncomfortable. Given that all it takes if for Selene to place a hoof on her and look at her though, I would have almost expected for Twilight to run daily checkups given how uncertain everything surrounding her pregnancy is.

On a side note, the notion that they can just cut Twilight open and be done with the birth that way was pretty hilarious in a morbid kind of way. Especially since it's the truth, especially if she has to immediately switch bodies afterwards anyway ... though I imagine that's not a childbirth story anyone would want to tell the foal later once she grows heh. Speaking of the foal though, I wonder what Selene meant by saying she can't say what exactly she will be be. Did she mean in terms of being unable to tell if it will be an unicorn or a pegasus? Or was it an implication that she was going to be more than just a 'regular' pony with quirks even Selene can't divine at this point?

[AXl711]

2432056 I was wondering what they had said. Thank you for the translation.

[DuskDew]

For the last ten days, Luna had worked feverishly, but she had almost shunned contact with everyone apart from Scrivener and Luna.

Assuming you meant Scrivener and Twilight?