Snow Mark

Completed Request #2 digitized: http://i.imgur.com/wmk3eCx.jpg traditional: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nv575dje2edz5wn/20141023_195214.jpg?dl=0 (much prefer the traditional one tbh) Now onto @@Pripyat Pony 's request

Before what deadline? And why would I do something I already said I can't do at the moment as all the slots are taken?

Sorry, but again, all slots are taken and I'm not taking more requests until I complete this entire round.

Sorry but requests are closed at the moment as all slots are filled. (I can barely make myself have time to do 5 at all.) Please hold until this round of requests is done. If you'ld like for me to reserve you a spot for the next round, I'ld be glad to.

Alright. And still just a bust, correct?

"They're already at the Labyrinth door" one of the Observers said to the other "That was quick...Did you forget to put back the hallway's cover panel from last time?" "I guess so. Shall we send them through?" "No...It would lead to the experiment ending too quick. You know what happens to ponies when they enter there." "Good point...How about the Trails?" "Oh yes, good idea, let them see the results of those that took too long?" "Exactly. And a few obstacles here and there." "Perfect, I'll open up the panel." ****************** Directly behind the group, a panel in the wall suddenly shot up into the ceiling, revealing a long, dark hallway with a bright light at the end, concealing what was behind it. It looked like a way out and it was the only way forward avaliable to the group, as just when that happened, the entrance to the hallway they entered slammed closed with another white concrete panel. That's when a ball of yarn fell from the ceiling from what seemed to be a small air duct (far too small for a pony to fit through), and one it was a label that said, "Have a clue, I hope you use it well. -Z"

Sure! What is it?

Just completed request #1: @@Pat.Rio.T., You're up. Sorry about the wait guys, between work and school, I forget to do these

The Project Director looked at the banks of monitors as nine Observers watched either a particular pony or the entire group. On screen, each pony was marked by age, gender, breed, and their test number, along with vital signs. Looks like things were off to a smooth start, "Every time, they all react the same, I find that quite an interesting result, don't you think?" the Project Director asked his Observers. "Very interesting sir, shows how average ponies have similar physiology under unusual circumstances." One replied, "However, if this group react like the others, the friendliness and confusion that we see now will fade quickly to hostility. If this group follows that trend, I believe we could call that conclusion confirmed." The Project Director nodded, "Good, keep an eye on them. Remember, you guys' shift ends in five hours, then it's the employee party! Feel sorry for the poor fellows stuck with watching these ponies during it..." "Agreed sir." The Project Director then gave his Observers a farewell and walked out of the dim observation room and into the sterile, hospital like halls of the building. ********* "Great...Another load of innocents just got dropped in..." a pony said to themselves as they sat in a very confined space, "I wonder if they'll find my clue this time..." the pony continued as he watched the flickering screen, "Well...not much use to them unless they find the entrance to the Labyrinth...Hopefully they'll do better at that than the last group..."

"That's great and wonderful crazy stallion, but could you please not be so dramatic?" Heculius asked sarcastically, "All that happened was a simple summoning spell and you ended up landing on your head." he cleared his throat, "Anyways, I think it might be smart if we held off for just a bit, just in case one final Champion appears, as it seemed we are one or two short. In the meantime, could one of you fill him in?" ****** The Bearers of Harmony trudged through the muddy train track, the sheer amount of rain had eroded away the tracks, making it impassible for trains, "Come on girls! We gotta...Get to Storm Kingdom before it's too late!" Twilight Sparkle yelled over the wind, grunting with effort as they tried to keep going, Rarity having long since given up complaining about her ruined mane. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was still occasionally twitching from the lightning strike the day before, Applejack was silently sloshing her way through the mud, and Pinkie somehow managed to remain chirpy as always, simply bouncing on the surface of the mud like it was a trampoline, much to the digress of the others as it lead to constant splashes of mud on them.

OOC Link "Everything ready?" "Yes sir, subjects are entering the final stages of the sleep cycle." "Good. I want them starting to wake up before we turn the lights on." "Yes sir." "How are their vitals?" "Pristine and stable." "Good, no marks from the "recruiting"?" "No sir, we have made sure that the only thing not white in that room is their eyes." "Excellent. Prepare the Labyrinth, after all, got to make sure they think they've found the way out." "Right sir." "Maybe this batch will do better than the last. Pitiful performance." "Do you really think it was smart leaving them in the Course, sir?" "Of course, gives the new subjects a little extra challenge, plus finding passed on former subjects will no doubt shatter their resolve." "Or strengthen." "It doesn't matter how strong their resolve is, they will never get out." "I wouldn't be so confident sir, remember batch 2-A? Subject 12 nearly made it to the exit of the Labyrinth." "Yes, one of over 200 subjects. It was sheer luck he made it so far. I doubt nopony else will make it past him though, been keeping him purposely strong." "Good point sir...Sir, the subjects are awaking!" "Good, turn the lights on. Commencing experimentation of Batch 10-S, start observations in 3...2...1."

@@HunterTSN, @@Loud Opinion "I don't know." Tremalion responded simply, "Only the Elements know to whom they will go to." he then took a breath, "I don't want any of you to hurt my sister though. As much pain as she's caused...She's still our sister. She just needs...correction. That is something we failed to see last time, and it is why we lost. This time, we are going to take her and Luna, give them a fair trail, remove the alicorn from them, and hopefully restore good in her. Who knows, maybe her heart has softened in the last 1,000 years..." He was then caught off guard by a random pony who slammed into the rock floor at high speed randomly, recoiling slightly in response, "What in the name of Equuinus!" he exclaimed, "What just happened?? Can somepony please make sure they're alright?" Snow nodded, her eyes turning purple before she looked at the new arrival, seeing a soft blue glow radiating off the pony, focusing around his face, a sight that no pony in the room could see, "Yea, he's fine, looks like he'll be up soon." Heculius raised an eyebrow at Snow, "An essence magic user? I thought Celestia killed or banished them all after our defeat..." he muttered ******** "Princess Celestia!" Dark Light yelled as she ran into the castle area where the two Princesses were, "I just...Got back...from an expedition beyond the cloud.." she gasped out, trying to catch her breath, before taking a moment to breath deeply in and out. "What's the matter?" Luna asked, "Something that troubles you? Please, inform us of your finds."' Dark closed her eyes before looking squarely at the two Princesses, "There's an invasion coming. Massive army is preparing to gather up, from what I saw, it had to be 2, maybe 3 times the size of our entire military. Wasn't able to get a good look at the army itself so can't tell what troops are in it." Celestia's face suddenly became deeply saddened, "What are our chances of standing up in a fight?" she asked solemnly "Well, if they remain concentrated...Our only hope is that they don't have too many magic users. I don't even know if the Elements of Harmony could fix this. Heck, the Changelings were only defeated because Princess Cadence restored Captain Armor's shield." "We need to get them back here regardless. Light, as Master Protector, I am given you the job of trying to slow down the army enough for us to prepare the defenses." "Princess...Why don't we withdraw to Freedom Hills? It'll be much more easily defended!" "I know that Light, but I won't stand to see the lands of Equestria occupied under a foreign power. We must stop them at all costs." Celestia replied. "Princess, they're coming from the south, the only place we could reach in time to defend besides here is Ponyville! How would the Bearers of Harmony react to their home being rendered a battlefield!" "It is a necessary evil.." Celestia replied simply, "Go, you must evacute the civilians there." Light nodded slowly, knowing that she had to find Snow, if Snow was killed in the coming battle, it would be more than just the last member of her family besides her dying, it would take the heart out of half of Equestria's economy and the leading innovator of the entire nation.

Snow looked at Zephyr suddenly, "Wait, you think I'M a working class pony? That's a first that I've heard that. Would've thought you'ld have known..." Tremalion ignored Snow before going to answer Zephyr's questions, "One; the Champions of the Ancients are you, because the Elements of Ancients decided to choose you. The Elements are Divine Right, Power, Justice, Light, Speech, and Luck. Each one is a part of what a good ruler or leader is. What you're supposed to do with them? Well, that's up to you, but don't go thinking you can blow us up, because you can't, as we made them. And on your cutie mark..." Tremalion chuckled, "The way I see it, a tattoo on your flank shouldn't determine what you do with your life. You make your own destiny. And what magic wall thing? Referring to the memory? You shouldn't be seeing that bright light anymore." he told Zephyr. ******* Dark Light watched as the clouds slowly ended and her group passed over them. Exhausted and short of breath, they dropped down to more manageable altitude and started gliding in the thicker air. That's when Dark noticed the massive war camp being assembled, "Oh dear Celestia..." she muttered, judging by the area being enclosed by the palisades, the camp would hold an army of up to 500,000 soldiers, 4 times the size of the Equestrian military. "We need to get back to Canterlot, ASAP!" she yelled before rocketing off back towards Equestria over the storm clouds.

Tremalion simply chuckled, "Let me tell you something about our past. Our father was Tarcarius, he was an earth pony with an unicorn mistress. Our sister found out how to turn regular ponies into something new, alicorns, tried to use her position as president to take control, and more. If you don't believe me, then I will take you to where we were banished, and there you shall see." Suddenly there was another bright flash and the group found themselves in the ruins of what looked like a grand ampitheather, with rows and rows of overgrown mossy stone seats, with another smaller raised section of raised steps that where surrounded by the larger rows. "Well to the Council Chamber." Tremalion said as the storm directly above instantly cleared, "This is where democracy in Equestria was born, and where it died." Heculius and Tremalion then took up positions on the center stage, in defensive combative poses before suddenly a ghostly reality came into being around the group of regular ponies. The room rebuilt itself, with the stone rows replaced by desks and chairs, though they were all overturned and ponies where hiding behind them, ready to defend the room the death. "Get ready!" Tremalion's voice boomed in an echo-y, distant way. Snow looked around confused before her eyes turned purple as she tried to confirm what she was seeing. Suddenly, there was the sound of an explosion at the front of the room and two grand doors soared over head, slamming into the wall being Tremalion and Heculius, who were now somehow completely dressed in ancient armor now, who ducked before glaring at the front. There was a blinding light emitting from where the door used to be, and the soldiers inside the room instantly began firing arrows at the hole, and the sounds of arrows slamming into ponies and the sounds of wounded eminated from the hole. Then however, Celestia and Luna stepped forward in armor similar to Tremalion and Heculius', but with Luna's armor obviously looking just like Nightmare Moon's. "It's over, Tremalion! Surrender now and the only one who will have to suffer in this room!" Celestia yelled at him. "Never, we are the defenders of freedom! Democracy shall never surrender!" Tremalion instantly responded. Celestia chuckled, "How misguided of you. Fine. We challenge you to a hero duel." Tremalion glared, "No. We shall fight together, every pony in this room would rather die fighting together than to live under your yoke!" "You call yourself a Princess, all we see is a flimsy excuse for a tyrant!" Heculius added. "You're Elements have been defeated, give it up, please, there has been enough bloodshed." Luna pleaded. "Sister! why do you support this! You know what she's doing is wrong! All is not lost yet!" Heculius tried to appeal to her, which drew nothing but silence. "You know what? I've had enough of this! I'm ending this!" Celestia yelled before levitating out three stones, three of the 6 stones of the Elements of Harmony. Luna sighed and hesitantly followed suit, and the fear could instantly be seen in the eyes of Tremalion and Heculius before they hardened their gaze. "Sisters, please, think about what you're doing." Tremalion managed to get out, "This will only end with one of us dead.." "Then it might as well be you." Celestia replied bluntly. The brothers sighed as they noticed the two start to charge up the Elements of Harmony, while the horns of the brothers lit up, they knew they were going to lose. Then, a bright white beam from the two brothers slammed into a rainbow beam from the Elements of Harmony. The brothers seemed to be winning for a few seconds before suddenly the rainbow beam overtook their own and slammed into the brothers. Within a second, the beam dissapaited, revealing that the brothers had disappeared, all that was left was shadows burnt into the wall where the brothers were. Then, the memory ended, revealing the two brothers looking sorrowfully at the hole blasted at the front of the room, the same exact one from the memory. "Do you believe us now?" Heculius asked

"It doesn't matter." Tremalion replied, "The Elements evolved, simple as that." Before looking overing over the ponies who had been summoned, "Any questions?" ****** Dark looked out the window of the castle just as the shield protecting the city from the storm shattered and rain came pouring down once more. Whipping her head around, she could see her Shield Captain, Shining Armor, sitting on the floor, grunting as he held his head. "Captain Armor! Where is the shield??" She demanded. "Sorry ma'am...I'm not fully recovered quite yet from the Changeling attack...And the lightning..It's extremely powerful." he replied weakly. Groaning, Light rolled her eyes before ordering, "Okay Sun, Vanish; Get Armor to rest ASAP, E.G. pegasi, on me! Everypony else, go out into the city and make sure you get any civilians to safety! And make sure the Castle has a garrison at all times!" She barked. That order finally gave the Guards direction and they immediately set about their given duties. Once the Elite Guard pegasi had gathered around Dark, she looked around before saying, "Okay, we are going for quite a flight, if you don't think you can do it, you're welcome to step out. I won't blame you. But we need to find the origin of this storm, it isn't natural, I can tell you that. It's got to end somewhere, and we are going to find out. And to do that, we'll have to fly all the way out of Equestria, above the cloud cover." Nopony backed out, "Good. Now lets go."

Snow nodded as she stared in fright at the now half-burnt cart right by them, "Yea, good idea, lets go." That's when all of a sudden there was another bright flash of light, only this time it was silent. When it faded, the world seemed completely black as her eyes adjusted, she could definitely feel she was on stone, and the sound of the rain and lightning was gone. Finally, the world finally faded into view, and looking around, Snow seemed to be in a circular stone room with 4 other ponies that she could see, all in various states of confusion and lost. In the middle of the room, there was a small circular wall emitting a beam of magical energy that paused halfway up the room, holding aloft 6 artifacts of various items, one looked like a sword, another a torch, and yet another seemed to be a simple band crown made to look like laurel leaves, there was a necklace with a horseshoe and four-leaf clover, and two others she couldn't see. Looking to her immediate left, Snow could see Zephyr. Just when things couldn't get any weirder, two alicorns stepped out from behind the beam into view, and the larger one who looked like a storm had given birth to an alicorn cleared his throat, "Welcome Champions of the Ancients!" He boomed, though it seemed as though this was his "quiet speech" setting, "A very important thing is about to happen in the fair land of Equestria, and justice for a crime that has gone unpunished for over 1,000 years is about to finally be meted. I am Tremalion, Lord of Storms, Brother of Celestia and Luna, and this is my brother Heculius, Knight of Calm Days. And you, are our version of the Bearers of Harmony, the Champions of the Ancients, defenders of the Elements of the Ancients. However, we will give you a choice, once you leave here, to support us or to support our traitorous sister. However, I do ask one thing of you before I give you the explanation of the Ancients. I would like you to listen to the true story of Equestria's earliest history." The blue one, Heculius cleared his throat to interrupt, "Uhm, don't mind his jumping straight to the point, he's always been like that, and well, his dream for Equestria to be restored to what it once was is so close it is well, making him anxious." "It is not, brother." Tremalion shot back in a flat, but at the same time strangely "annoyed brother" tone. Heculius simply rolled his eyes before trotting before the group, "Look, we are deeply apologetic for this random meeting that all of you are likely extraordinarily confused about right now, and for the storm that has covered Equestria. My brother was wanting to send a message to our sisters, that he is coming for them, that their crimes have not been forgotten. And I'm sure you are wondering what those cri-" "Overthrowing a peacefully elected democratic government that she helped design, though made deliberately weak, declaring herself ruler of Equestria, plunging a peaceful young nation into a massive civil war that killed a quarter the population and lead to the exile of another third." Tremalion listed off, "Just to name a few." "...Annnnyways, yes, she did all that in order to rule Equestria with an iron fist. I know it may seem silly that we are still wanting to punish her for doing such a thing when she has "run Equestria so well". Yes, because 1,000 years of near stagnation is sooo great. Ever asked your grandfathers on how Equestria compared then versus now? They'll say Equestria has grown more in the last 8 years than in the past 100! Either way, a crime is a crime, and punishment MUST be metted out. Not by us, we are simply the arbitrators. The police to haul her in for trail, oh, and turn her and Luna back into unicorns like they were when they were Sol Celestial and Selena." Heculius then fell silent then narrowed his eyes, "Wait a minute...There's supposed to be 10."

Snow nodded, "Nice to meet you, though I doubt we've met, I'm always working." she replied, "You know what? If you're willing to walk a bit farther, we can take refugee at my house, got plenty of extra rooms you could stay in until the storm breaks." she asked, "And don't worry about me keeping the spell up, I can keep it up as long as I want." She then looked up, "You know, I don't somepony is going to get fired. Something about this storm...seems primeval. This is a sort of storm Equestria hasn't seen in centuries..." ******** "Shall we, brother?" The larger alicorn, now out of the cloak as he and the other stood in a circular room with what appeared to be a pit with a wall built up around it. His coat was the color of storm clouds, with eyes that seemed to have irises of pure lightning, and a mane that was a dark blue, like rain. "I don't know...remember what happened to the previous Champions...We don't even know if these Champions will support us!" the smaller one, whose coat was the color of a perfect clear day sky and eyes of the same color, and a fluffy mane of a very light grey. "That's the beauty of our Champions versus the Bearers of Harmony. Ours have freedom of choice, while the Bearers. whether they realize it or not, have to do Celestia's will as long as they wear the Elements of Harmony. It will only serve to strengthen our cause to return democracy to Equestria." the larger replied, to which the smaller sighed. "Alright fine, I'll believe you, but I hope we aren't making a grave mistake." "Don't worry, as long as the Champions aren't unified against us, we will be fine. Besides, we are just going in, removing Celestia and Luna and implanting the true government of Equestria, then leaving once order has been restored." the smaller sighed once more before both lowered their heads to point their horns at each other before casting powerful magical beams at each other, which slammed into the other right above the middle of the well sort of pit then split into two, sending one beam into the sky and one into the bowels of the pit. They then ended the beams, but the vertical shaft of magic persisted as magical energy seemed to spew forth from the pit and into the sky. ********* Celestia looked sadly back at Twilight and her friends as they ran into the room near the rear of the castle, a place never tread beyond Celestia and Luna. "We came as fast as we could Princess!" Twilight exclaimed, "The storm slowed our progress though, and Rainbow Dash hasn't been feeling too good since she got struck by that lightning trying to clear the skies over Ponyville." Celestia turned to face them, her eyes widening at the sight of the lightning shaped burns across Rainbow's fur, "Oh my...It is worse than I thought..." she muttered. "What's wrong, Princess?" Applejack asked, instantly concerned by Celestia's sudden expression change from sadness to shock and fear. "..." Celestia sighed, "I haven't...exactly told you, or Equestria, of the dangers that face Equestria." She stumbled a bit over the words, obviously trying to find the right words, but not quite so obviously thinking of a good lie to hide the truth even now, "You see...A long time ago, just after Equestria was founded, before even Discord, a serious challenge arose to face the nation. Known simply as the King of Storms, he invaded Equestria trying to install a brutal dictatorship over the kind, innocent ponies of Equestria. Only Luna and I combined with the help of the Elements of Harmony was strong enough to throw him back, and we exiled him from Equestria forever. However, the strength of the Elements of Harmony has fallen as they changed from being controlled by me to controlled by you, the new Bearers. That is what this storm is, it's his precursor to invasion. And once in power, Equestria will be a land of permanent storm. You must stop him!" "Yes princess! We will get right on it!"

Snow nodded to the pony who had approached her, expanding her magical sheild to cover the mare. "Quite the storm!" Snow almost yelled in order to be heard over the downpour, "Weather bulletin said tomorrow was supposed to be the rain day, but this...I have no idea!" Looking around, "I'm Snow, uhh...Shall we try to find a restaurant to get in to get dry?" ******** In the Canterlot throne room, it was pure choas as ponies tried to figure where in Equestria this storm came from, with the,only light coming from the flashes of lightning and candles. Celestia and Luna, on the other hood, had a sneaky suspicion, but kept calm and did not voice their concerns for fear of making the situation worse when they had no idea what was actually going on. Dark Light, the Master Protector of the Capital Region and the top authority of the military short of Celestia and Luna,trotted up to them with a worried look on her face, "Your highnesses, as far as my scouts, well, the ones that made it back without getting struck, report that this storm seems to cover virtually all of Equestria and the immediately surrounding lands. Efforts by weather pegasi everywhere have been fruitless, and Cloudsdale was even forced to raise its altitude significantly in order to escape the storm." She reported, "Do you have any idea what is going on?" Celestia shook her head, "No, we are just as lost as you are, Protector Light. Now, if you'll excuse us, my sister and I would like some time, alone. In the meantime, could you restore order?" "Yes ma'am!" Light quickly saluted and ran towards the guards and messengers running around, in and out to try to get them to calm down while Luna and Celestia quietly slipped out. "Could it be sister? That...they have finally returned?" Luna asked Celestia with concern. "I don't know, and I hope not. Even though the Elements of Harmony do have their Bringers, they aren't as powerful as they were connected to us." Celestia replied, "If they do come...We would likely not be able to resist for long." "I know...But I'm sure we will find a way. We have Equestria behind us after all sister." "Yes...But will we still have their support when our brothers tell the truth?" "Then we should tell them ourselves!" "No...It would likely only make things worse. Lets wait and be patient. Maybe he has simply made this storm to put us on edge and remind us he is sill out there." "I hope you're right sister...I really do. I do not want a repeat of the War in our lands..." "Neither to I, Luna.."

Banned for not knowing

Somewhere outside Equestria to the south. "It's finally happening, brother." A cloaked figure said to a smaller one next to him in a deep booming voice that was barely being kept at conversational levels. "What is?" The smaller asked in a much more pleasant, smooth voice. "The "Harmony" barriers that have kept us in exile for over 1,000 years are falling. Our return is only a matter of time, then we can bring our sister to justice for her sins." the larger responded, "And Equestria can return to how it once was; where everypony was equal., and everypony will see the truth of our sister." "Do you really think so?" "I know so. Prepare the army, I want a swift attack at Canterlot itself. The more we can keep collateral damage to a minimum the better." The larger then placed a hoof seemingly on a spot in midair and pushed and a faint rainbow colored field revealed itself, pushing against his hoof, but a mere push put the hoof right through, "Hmph. And a thousand years ago I couldn't get within a hundred miles of the barrier. Our sister has grown weaker, and the Elements of Harmony are no longer hers." He noted before turning, "Come brother, we have much to do and not much time to do it. Every second that passes is another second our sister goes without paying for what she did to Equestria." The smaller simply nodded and trotted after the larger figure before they both vanished in a flash of lightning. Soon, a thick, dark, ominous cloud layer covered Equestria swiftly afterwards, one that even the best weather ponies found themselves unable to deal with. ************* Snow looked up as the sun suddenly disappeared behind a blanket of what looked like storm clouds as she reached the Ponyville market area, "Huh...I thought it wasn't supposed to rain until Wednesday?" she asked aloud. She quickly trotted over to the town bulletin at the weather schedule posted by the weather pegasi, "Nope...Today's Monday, supposed to be a clear day.." She said to herself as a crowd of ponies crowded around the bulletin. Then, there was a crack of thunder and the skies let loose, releasing a massive torrential rain. Yelping at the sudden freezing cold downpour, Snow cast a small shield spell that acted as an umbrella for her as ponies galloped for cover. Shivering as she looked up into the sky, she could just barely make out a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane flying overhead trying to clear the clouds when a lightning strike struck her and sent her plummeting to the ground. "That was no ordinary lightning..." Snow muttered in all, voice drowned out by the sound of the rain as the pegasus mare recovered just in time to avoid slamming into the ground. She looked positively singed with a strange pattern of burn marks all over her fur, hardly able to fly. Running for cover after seeing that, Snow sat in shock for a small time before she remembered reading a book back in her youth, the same one that she discovered the existence of Essence Magic in, how it said that storms in Equestria were much more...powerful and wild before ponies arrived. She quickly came to a shocking conclusion at that memory, this wasn't just any storm, it was somehow a storm from Equestria's earliest days before the weather was conquered. Little did she know however, this storm was happening across all of Equestria.

You got it man

Okay, I will get to work on the first request today or tomorrow

Nope, not human, anthro. Guess it's hard to tell since I forgot the tail xD Last one until I finish up these requests and feel like opening them up again! And thank you :3 (Though I'm probably only going to go 2-4 rounds of requests before moving into commissions)

Alright, I'll do it, just remember you are the last one in my current slots so it might be awhile before I get around to yours. So, requests are now closed for the time being, thanks everyone!

Well, I could do anthro, humans are a different beast when it comes to drawing, but I'll still try for human first. And alllriighty then