private Whisper: The City Of Darkness

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

After the stallion who was previously referred by as Albion had refused the health potion Zayoh took it back only to bring it over to the stallion with the dark bruise on his throat. The potion should be capable of assisting in healing the damaged muscle in his neck if he could manage to drink.

 

He knelt down in front of the injured guard and looked to him sincerely. "If you can manage to drink this I should help you..." He said before he heard the king refer to the group. "I suppose that's my queue."

 

The zebra stood up to walk closer to the king to listen to what he had to say as his gaze wander across the other group members.

[Chaton 3,765]

Scarlett saw Death

 

Albion was surrounded by a haze of orange magic and sent hurtling across the room. Moments later, all of the lights went out as the temperature of the room plummeted. Everything magic flickered and died, and there was chaos as complete darkness enveloped the room. Instinct, training, or perhaps both, drew Sharp forwards, stepping into the darkness towards where the king had been standing. A sharp pain lanced through his shoulder as something struck it hard, but he rolled with the blow and none of his bones broke.

 

There was the thudding of galloping hooves on the limestone floor, and moments later the lights flickered on again. Two guards that had been standing by one of the doors were lying on the ground; one was completely still with his head at an odd angle, the other was clutching his throat with an expression of pain and terror on his face. Albion lay on his side at the far end of the room, laboured breathing showing that he was at least still alive. The world lay on the floor, almost returned to normal; the sun was setting, the tear in the fabric of reality was gone, but the mare was missing.

 

Scarlett saw Death. It made sense however. Her past wasn't one filled with much life.

 

Scarlett hadn't spoken much, but a sudden tare in the fabric of reality nearby was enough for her to let out a word to herself. "Shrimp"

 

Suddenly within the room the lights were extinguished as if they had entered the void, a chaotic aura filled the space as several noises erupted around the table. The zebra reached for a small vial he kept tied around his neck in case of emergencies but then took his hoof away as he realized this potion would be futile in such darkness.

 

Instead Zayoh concentrated and begun attempting to calm the ripples and waves of chaotic force. He was making very little progress until he felt another force that begun working at quelling the storm. He looked over and saw crystal, a pony who seemed to avoid his presence was able to help quell the storm.

 

The lights soon returned to the room along with a sense of calm but it came with aftermath. Some of the ponies in the room were injured. Zayoh looked back to Crystal. "Can it be? Another with a spiritual connection similar to me?" He questioned to himself before removing himself from his seat.

 

The zebra walked over to albion and reached into his bag to pull out a health potion, he set it beside him and continued to the stallion's who laid on the floor to see if his potions might be of assistance, but there was nothing he could do if they had already passed on except assist in their spirits finding peace.

 

Oh great, another spiritually connected pony. How fun. 

 

The room erupted into chaos, but the king remained unperturbed -  a bastion of calm amidst the chaos, issuing curt commands punctuated with quick hoof gestures to his guards that sent them galloping off to carry out his will. A black unicorn with a hideously disfigured head blinked from the shadows to the king's side in a flash of magic, her eyes scanning the room and her horn glowing with readied magic.

 

Albion gave a smile of thanks to Zayoh but declined with a wave of his hoof. He seemed battered and bruised, but he pulled himself into a sitting  position with little more than a grimace, and he seemed to be moving freely enough. He beckoned Lavender, Scarlett and Bramble over, although when he saw that Wilhelm and Cura were helping the guard he let them be. 

"I still need to speak with you all, together" he said, "Your nascent powers are growing rapidly to meet the threat, whether you realise it or not, but it may not be fast enough - not without knowing what they are, and how you can work together. How you need to work together."

 

The wounded guard was another matter, however. He couldn't breathe, and it clearly terrified him. With Sharp's reassurance and Cura's prompting, though, he pulled his forehooves from his neck to reveal a dark bruise on his neck. It wasn't spreading though, and the guard hadn't gone into shock - not yet at any rate. 

 

 

Scarlett felt a feeling that she had not felt in a long time, but it had a twist. She snapped her head around to the now dead guard and saw that the guard was in fact dead. She had felt a large jolt go through her. And she knew what it meant. Maybe those tarot cards have some credibility after all

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

"I'm not so good in groups," she admitted, giving Bramble a grin mixed with nervousness and awkwardness, "My teachers always said so..."

 

 

"You seem to get on well enough with the voices in your head," Bramble retorted, a harsh edge to his voice, "sorry," he added a moment later, "but this is..." he trailed off, "... this will be a learning experience, one way or another," he concluded.

 

 

 

Oh great, another spiritually connected pony. How fun. 

 

 

 

Scarlett felt a feeling that she had not felt in a long time, but it had a twist. She snapped her head around to the now dead guard and saw that the guard was in fact dead. She had felt a large jolt go through her. And she knew what it meant. Maybe those tarot cards have some credibility after all

 

"I last saw that expression on the faces of a primitive earth pony tribe that had never seen magic before," Albion said to Scarlett, "We may be used to unicorn magic, but no-one is prepared for the unknown, no-one sane anyway." Beckoning her closer, he gestured to the corpse on the ground, "You felt that - I could tell, even without my magical abilities. I will be blunt - the power given to you by the Tarot is to draw power from the demise of others," he stared hard at Scarlett as he spoke, looking for a reaction. 

 

"Whenever a living being dies near you, you will become stronger, more alert, a quicker thinker; you become a better warrior, a better killer. On the field of battle, those the Tarot have blessed with these powers become nigh unstoppable killing machines. What makes them dangerous, though, is what happens afterwards - the effect does not last long, and feeling yourself become slower and stupider after the killing stops is very unpleasant. So much so that a pony 'blessed'," at this point Albion's inflection indicated that he viewed it as anything but a blessing, "can keep killing in an unstoppable frenzy - slaying friend, foe and innocent indiscriminately." Albion stopped again, his expression deadly serious.

 

"I think you have the control and discipline to restrain yourself, but I will warn you now - I, along with many others," here Albion's eyes flickered towards the black unicorn next to the king, "know that you have the powers of the tarot of death, and if you should abuse them then we will kill you. Two of my brothers are already hunting your friend Crystal Spark, and I doubt she will see nightfall," Albion seemed more sad and weary than boastful or threatening, and having spent the entire time studying Scarlett's reactions he seemed rather keen to avoid her gaze now.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

"You seem to get on well enough with the voices in your head," Bramble retorted, a harsh edge to his voice, "sorry," he added a moment later, "but this is..." he trailed off, "... this will be a learning experience, one way or another," he concluded.

"Hey, it's a charming voice," Lavender argued, nearly mumbling her words, then furrowed her brow as she glanced up toward her forehead, "When it feels like talking!"

 

She wasn't really paying attention to the conversation, thinking she didn't have anything to do with it at the moment. So, she started tapping her hoof and humming a little song to herself.

Edited February 6, 2016 by Unicorncob

[Chaton 3,765]

"I last saw that expression on the faces of a primitive earth pony tribe that had never seen magic before," Albion said to Scarlett, "We may be used to unicorn magic, but no-one is prepared for the unknown, no-one sane anyway." Beckoning her closer, he gestured to the corpse on the ground, "You felt that - I could tell, even without my magical abilities. I will be blunt - the power given to you by the Tarot is to draw power from the demise of others," he stared hard at Scarlett as he spoke, looking for a reaction. 

 

"Whenever a living being dies near you, you will become stronger, more alert, a quicker thinker; you become a better warrior, a better killer. On the field of battle, those the Tarot have blessed with these powers become nigh unstoppable killing machines. What makes them dangerous, though, is what happens afterwards - the effect does not last long, and feeling yourself become slower and stupider after the killing stops is very unpleasant. So much so that a pony 'blessed'," at this point Albion's inflection indicated that he viewed it as anything but a blessing, "can keep killing in an unstoppable frenzy - slaying friend, foe and innocent indiscriminately." Albion stopped again, his expression deadly serious.

 

"I think you have the control and discipline to restrain yourself, but I will warn you now - I, along with many others," here Albion's eyes flickered towards the black unicorn next to the king, "know that you have the powers of the tarot of death, and if you should abuse them then we will kill you. Two of my brothers are already hunting your friend Crystal Spark, and I doubt she will see nightfall," Albion seemed more sad and weary than boastful or threatening, and having spent the entire time studying Scarlett's reactions he seemed rather keen to avoid her gaze now.

 

 

Scarlett continued to gaze blankly at the king as he spoke. She was a tiny bit surprised by the whole situation, but if her past had taught her anything it was that you should plan for the worst, hope for the best, and always take the unexpected in to account. She wasn't a killer, nowhere near, but this new ability may override her desired. All the time she kept an unfaltering blank face, but then smirked and said "Can you kill the tarot of death?"

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Blacklight,@@Chip Circuit, @@Ethan Sawyer, @@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@ForthEorl.

 

 

"Can you kill the tarot of death?"

 

"When one blessed with tarot powers dies their powers are passed on to another - usually at or just after birth, although they only tend to manifest significant power during a crisis," Albion answered, avoiding both the question and Scarlett's stare.

 

 

"Hey, it's a charming voice," Lavender argued, nearly mumbling her words, then furrowed her brow as she glanced up toward her forehead, "When it feels like talking!"

 

Albion glanced over to the King, who was still directing his guards to and fro.

 

"He's probably not feeling too good at the moment. The power of the Fool waxes and wanes in line with the order and discipline around them - even amidst this apparent panic," Albion gestured to the various ponies milling around, "Everypony knows where they should be and what they should be doing. Order will prevail," he said those last three words in an odd tone, and with a grim smile on his face, "As for the powers of the fool... chaotic magic is the only constant, although Fools always seem to know things that they couldn't possibly know. But be aware that the Fool also treads a fine line - fall too far into chaos and it will consume you, too far into order and you will waste away and die.

 

Discord was the last fool, and he held held the mantle for many thousands of years. He fell to chaos very early on, and it was only the intervention of two other tarot - Celestia and Luna, the Sun and the Moon, that ended his reign of chaos. In the end though, it was his friends that killed him - he gave up his chaotic ways for them, even though he knew it would cost him his life," Albion looked Lavender up and down, "I know it is impolite to ask a lady's age, but I suspect you are little over twenty - if that. I don't know when Discord died, but I would guess it was around twenty years ago."

 

 

He knelt down in front of the injured guard and looked to him sincerely. "If you can manage to drink this I should help you..." He said before he heard the king refer to the group. "I suppose that's my queue."

 

"The Hermit, yes? I thought so," the king said, "Albion said there was one. I wish I had more time to discuss matters, but I must make preparations for the coming war. Still, before you go, have Albion show you the observatory - I think it will be of interest to you. Just don't do... that," a pony trotted past with a stack of papers held in a magical aura, which flickered for a moment as they passed Zayoh, sending the papers scattering across the room.

 

 

"Captain, I have the latest reports," an aide said, trotting up to Sharp, "The ... oh," he said as he saw the two guards lying on the floor.

 

"Fetch a medi-magic unicorn, as fast as you can," Cura said, not taking his eyes off the wounded guardpony, "I will try and stabilise him, but time is of the essence." A third guardpony nodded and galloped off.

 

"Shall I... would it..." the aid stammered, giving Sharp an embarrassed look. 

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh's ears perked as the king addressed him personally. "My tarot is that of the hermit? That is interesting to hear I will admit." He said before his gaze shifted back to the white stallion with idea of an observatory, curiosity had the zebra hooked as he had never seen one before.

 

As he was distracted by the idea of visiting this observatory, a unicorn passing by had their magic fizzle out on them causing a rain of loose papers to fall to the floor after their magic came within a short proximity of him. "I apologize for that if I was the cause, I am unsure if I can put such an ability on pause." He said regretfully before assisting in the clean up of the papers.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

"He's probably not feeling too good at the moment. The power of the Fool waxes and wanes in line with the order and discipline around them - even amidst this apparent panic," Albion gestured to the various ponies milling around, "Everypony knows where they should be and what they should be doing. Order will prevail," he said those last three words in an odd tone, and with a grim smile on his face, "As for the powers of the fool... chaotic magic is the only constant, although Fools always seem to know things that they couldn't possibly know. But be aware that the Fool also treads a fine line - fall too far into chaos and it will consume you, too far into order and you will waste away and die.

 

Lavender blinked as she zoned back into the conversation, somehow just in time to hear the part about her tarot. The Fool.

She was still a little miffed about the implications of that name.

 

"Organised chaos," she muttered, furrowing her brow, "Dunno how you can organise the unorganisable but I suppose some ponies have a way." She then shuddered. "I don't want chaos to consume me! I bet it has halitosis and I'll give it really bad indigestion..."

 

Though, the part of knowing what she shouldn't know... that made some sense. She knew nothing of chess but could make chess metaphors on the fly. How do you even.

 

 

Discord was the last fool, and he held held the mantle for many thousands of years. He fell to chaos very early on, and it was only the intervention of two other tarot - Celestia and Luna, the Sun and the Moon, that ended his reign of chaos. In the end though, it was his friends that killed him - he gave up his chaotic ways for them, even though he knew it would cost him his life," Albion looked Lavender up and down, "I know it is impolite to ask a lady's age, but I suspect you are little over twenty - if that. I don't know when Discord died, but I would guess it was around twenty years ago."

 

"I'm turning twenty soon, why?"

[Chaton 3,765]

"When one blessed with tarot powers dies their powers are passed on to another - usually at or just after birth, although they only tend to manifest significant power during a crisis," Albion answered, avoiding both the question and Scarlett's stare.

 

Scarlett noticed the obvious ignorance to her question, though she could see why. Why would anyone want to talk too much to a being that literally feeds off of the dead. Though the statement of when tarots are passed confused her. He did say usually, so maybe she was an exception.

[nolongerabout 403]

 

 

"Shall I... would it..." the aid stammered, giving Sharp an embarrassed look.

 

"No, no. Give me those reports, quickly."

 

He quickly scanned through them, confirming their worst fears. Not only was most of the population of Ponyville on the move, they were heading here, to Canterlot. Demons, the lot of them. And they had about four days to prepare, for not much would slow down a horde that big. He spoke quickly to the aide.

 

"Take this to the other captains, then hurry back here. Go on, move it!"

 

Sharp approached the king, his mind racing.

 

"My lord, it is as we feared. They are heading this way, and we have at most five days before they arrive. Are you sure it's best that I leave, sir? Canterlot will need every able pony in its defence."

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Blacklight,@@Chip Circuit, @@Ethan Sawyer, @@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@ForthEorl.

 

 

 

"I apologize for that if I was the cause, I am unsure if I can put such an ability on pause."

 

 

"We are undertaking delicate magical work in there. Just don't step too close to any of it," the King answered.

 

 

"My lord, it is as we feared. They are heading this way, and we have at most five days before they arrive. Are you sure it's best that I leave, sir? Canterlot will need every able pony in its defence."

 

 

"If your mission succeeds then we can end the war with a single decisive strike - they may not even reach Canterlot. And should you fail, we have a contingency plan. Silence please," the king said, addressing the command to the unicorn beside him who promptly erected a shimmering translucent barrier around the four of them. Sounds from the rest of the room died away, and the king continued.

 

"I don't know how much you've heard about 'Catalyst,' Sharp, but the short of it is that we have been developing a magical weapon to replace the elements of harmony. We have yet to refine its targeting capabilities though, and I was hoping that one of your group might have some insight into how to resolve that. Albion has most of the details and he can get you full access to the observatory, where it is being assembled, and you can ask the magi-tech staff anything you need to know," a quick gesture to the unicorn had them lower the shield, and he turned to an orderly patiently standing nearby, who proceeded to brief him on some logistical matter.

 

A soldier, airfleet rather than army by his uniform, trotted up to Scarlett. "We're loading the airship up now ma'am. We're kitting it out for combat, but is there anything else you might want? We've been ordered to supply you with anything you want from the royal armoury or stockyard, and we can probably find anything else your group might need."

 

Bramble, who had been speaking with Albion, looked up with perked ears and an expression of glee at that.

 

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Lavender blinked as the voice in her head spoke up again, and she tilted her head as she looked straight up.

"Wow, you remember all that?" She muttered, "That's a pretty precise date, too. I can respect that! What was your last host like?"

 

 

"If your mission succeeds then we can end the war with a single decisive strike - they may not even reach Canterlot. And should you fail, we have a contingency plan. Silence please," the king said, addressing the command to the unicorn beside him who promptly erected a shimmering translucent barrier around the four of them. Sounds from the rest of the room died away, and the king continued.

 

"I don't know how much you've heard about 'Catalyst,' Sharp, but the short of it is that we have been developing a magical weapon to replace the elements of harmony. We have yet to refine its targeting capabilities though, and I was hoping that one of your group might have some insight into how to resolve that. Albion has most of the details and he can get you full access to the observatory, where it is being assembled, and you can ask the magi-tech staff anything you need to know," a quick gesture to the unicorn had them lower the shield, and he turned to an orderly patiently standing nearby, who proceeded to brief him on some logistical matter.

 

A soldier, airfleet rather than army by his uniform, trotted up to Scarlett. "We're loading the airship up now ma'am. We're kitting it out for combat, but is there anything else you might want? We've been ordered to supply you with anything you want from the royal armoury or stockyard, and we can probably find anything else your group might need."

 

Bramble, who had been speaking with Albion, looked up with perked ears and an expression of glee at that.

 

She oooh'd as the barrier appeared, but nodded at the voice's next quip.

"Oh, yeah," she muttered beneath her breath, "My thoughts are getting claustrophobic with all the boring decor. Somepony open a window, huh?"

 

She overheard something about an airship, and she grinned ear to ear. "Oooh, we're goin' steampunk on this mother! Can I have one of those cool tophats with the little gears on it?"

[Blacklight 118]

@@Once In A Blue Moon,

The guard's injury had been for worst than Cura had initially anticipated. The guard's neck had suffered serve blunt force trauma, possibly crushing his airway and preventing him from breathing if his expression was anything indication. He could only have minutes to live, at most. Cura guessed as he tore though his saddlebags, looking for tools necessary to preform an emergency tracheotomy, the only operation he could think of that could save this guard's life. Pulling out a old lighter, a half-empty bottle of scotch, a straw, some masking tape, and quickly placing them next to him. Cura ran a mental checklist of what still needed, I still need something to make the incision as well as something to stop any possible bleeding. Scanning his surroundings, Cura felt time slow to a crawl, every little detail coming into focus greater than he thought previously possible, he searched for anything that could suit his needs. Locking on to the guard's spear only a few feet away, Cura swiftly reached out for it, pulling it alongside him. Now for the bandages, noticing the guard's cloak that was easy enough to acquire, using the spear to carefully cut the cloth into neat long strips.

 

Ready to begin the procedure, Cura called for one of the guards to send help as he unbottled the scotch and while holding it in one wing, poured it on the spear, making sure to partially coat the metal tip. Hastily checking that the shaft was still dry, Cura placed the bottle to the side and grabbed the lighter. With a spark, Cura lit the tip on fire and patiently waited for the alcohol to burn off. With the alcohol burned away, Cura glanced once again towards the guard, his condition of worsening at a frightening pace. Now for the tricky part, Grabbing with the spear with both wings and steadying both himself and his patient to the best of his ability, Cura, with the skill of a practiced surgeon, carefully made an incision into the guard's trachea under his previous injury. In the back of his mind, Cura realized that to anypony nearby, it would seem as if Cura was trying to kill the guard but he didn't care. With blinding speed, he threw the spear to the side and grabbing the straw, inserted in with the guard's airway, allowing the guard to finally breath once again as Cura used to both the makeshift bandages and tape to secure the straw and stem any bleeding. Giving one last check to ensure he had done everything correctly, Cura let out the breath he didn't know he was holding and fell to his haunches, relieved and exhausted. It was done.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Blacklight

[nolongerabout 403]

 

 

"If your mission succeeds then we can end the war with a single decisive strike - they may not even reach Canterlot. And should you fail, we have a contingency plan. Silence please," the king said, addressing the command to the unicorn beside him who promptly erected a shimmering translucent barrier around the four of them. Sounds from the rest of the room died away, and the king continued. "I don't know how much you've heard about 'Catalyst,' Sharp, but the short of it is that we have been developing a magical weapon to replace the elements of harmony. We have yet to refine its targeting capabilities though, and I was hoping that one of your group might have some insight into how to resolve that. Albion has most of the details and he can get you full access to the observatory, where it is being assembled, and you can ask the magi-tech staff anything you need to know,"

 

"Aye, sir. I've heard the odd whisper, but nothing substantial. Some sort of powerful magical weapon, sir? If what I've heard is right, then I damn well hope we don't have to use it."

As the barrier dropped, Sharp overheard talk of the airship. He had never been a big fan of them; he preferred to keep his hooves on the ground. Not being able to fly probably had a lot to do with it. But he'd bear it, as it was his duty.

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

 

 

A soldier, airfleet rather than army by his uniform, trotted up to Scarlett. "We're loading the airship up now ma'am. We're kitting it out for combat, but is there anything else you might want? We've been ordered to supply you with anything you want from the royal armoury or stockyard, and we can probably find anything else your group might need."

 

 

As Zayoh was assisting with the papers that he caused to fall to the floor his ears perked up at the mention of an airship. He looked up from the papers with a questionable look on his face, He had never heard of such a thing let alone seen one. 

 

"An airship?" He inquired at a near hush tone which could easily be missed by those in conversation. "I could only wonder if I should pass on such a trip." 

 

Being from a society with no fliers nor anyway for those who can't fly to fly Zayoh wasn't to keen on the idea of flying with no way to be sure he would be safe in case of emergency, while at the same time he was curious as to the idea of being able to be airborne that of which did not involve falling.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Blacklight,@@Chip Circuit, @@Ethan Sawyer, @@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@ForthEorl.

 

 

 

She oooh'd as the barrier appeared, but nodded at the voice's next quip. "Oh, yeah," she muttered beneath her breath, "My thoughts are getting claustrophobic with all the boring decor. Somepony open a window, huh?"   She overheard something about an airship, and she grinned ear to ear. "Oooh, we're goin' steampunk on this mother! Can I have one of those cool tophats with the little gears on it?"

 

 

The soldier's face adopted the pained expression of one who has strict instructions to follow another pony's commands, but has come to the conclusion that said pony is off their rocker.

 

"We can find an airfleet uniform for you, ma'am," he said, cautiously.

 

 

 

looking for tools necessary to preform an emergency tracheotomy, the only operation he could think of that could save this guard's life.

 

...

 

 

Giving one last check to ensure he had done everything correctly, Cura fell to his haunches, relieved and exhausted, letting out the breath he didn't he was holding. It was done. 

 

 

 

"It feels good, doesn't it?" Albion said from behind him, "Helping others, saving lives, putting the needs of others before yourself. The blessings of the tarot of Temperance grants focus and mental acuity when one puts others before oneself. Whilst most tarot powers manifest during a crisis to confront a threat, and have abilities to match," Albion looked pointedly over at Scarlett, "Those blessed by Temperance tend to be associated with the aftermath of a disaster - driven to help those who suffer. Not always willingly - the more they are exposed to suffering, the more it is pushed to the front of their mind, until seeking out those in need can become a magically-driven obsession, consuming every waking moment and driving them to sacrifice everything and ultimately costing them their life."

 

"Out of the way! Doctor coming through!" It was at this point that a pair of unicorns cantered in with a stretcher, the lead pony shouting at anypony that got in their way. Pushing past Cura, she examined the guard, who was now breathing again. "Did you...?" Dr Quick Stitch, as her name badge identified her as, said to Cura, "Good thinking. Nurse, casualty is stable, we need..." turning back to the guard, Dr Quick Stitch started issuing medical commands whilst her horn glared with magical light. The nurse gave Cura a quick nod and smile of thanks, but Dr Quick Stitch paid him no further heed.

 

 

The black unicorn bodyguard stepped away from the king as two more unicorns, one with a strangely twisted hind-leg and the other with a wall eye, took his place, and he walked over and had a quiet word with Albion, who nodded.

 

"Could you all come with me, please, the king has asked me to show you the observatory," Albion said, addressing the entire group. Once again without waiting to see if they followed, he walked out of one of the doors.

 

"You got Albion to string more than three words together, you must be something special," the black unicorn remarked.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Lavender was standing there, staring at nothing, as she listened to the story being told inside her head, answering her question.

 

"Wow, that's interesting," She muttered, then blinked as the gears in her head began turning, "Wait... he sounds familiar... I think I've heard of him!"

 

 

The soldier's face adopted the pained expression of one who has strict instructions to follow another pony's commands, but has come to the conclusion that said pony is off their rocker.

 

"We can find an airfleet uniform for you, ma'am," he said, cautiously.

 

She listened to the soldier's answer, and pattered her hooves with a toothy grin. "Sweeeeet~!"

 

 

The black unicorn bodyguard stepped away from the king as two more unicorns, one with a strangely twisted hind-leg and the other with a wall eye, took his place, and he walked over and had a quiet word with Albion, who nodded.

 

"Could you all come with me, please, the king has asked me to show you the observatory," Albion said, addressing the entire group. Once again without waiting to see if they followed, he walked out of one of the doors.

 

"You got Albion to string more than three words together, you must be something special," the black unicorn remarked.

 

 

"Oooh, we're gonna observe," she cooed, trotting with the others after Albion. She looked over to the black unicorn and tilted her head. "Can we get him to say he's a pretty boy?"

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh looked over toward Albion excitedly with the idea of being able to see this observatory which he had read about such structures. He begun following after the stallion catching up to lavender who then made a remark to one of the other guards as she passed by him. 

 

@Unicorncob

"A pretty boy?" Zayoh repeated in a hushed tone so only lavender heard him. "Do you have some affinity toward him you are hiding behind a ploy?"

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Blacklight,@@Chip Circuit, @@Ethan Sawyer, @@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@ForthEorl.

 

Albion led them back through the castle's passages and corridors. There were more guards around this time, and they all looked alert.

 

"The tarot power of the hanged mare is no blessing, at least not for the bearer," Albion was saying to Sharp, "Bad luck will dog you for as long as you live, but in so doing you will shield others from harm and avert disaster through your own misfortune. Those that survive the catastrophes they face, which is most, as their misfortune very rarely extends to their own demise, tend to either become utterly reckless thrill-seekers with no care for their own well-being or else seek seclusion and isolation from anything or anyone they could care about. I'm sorry," he concluded, once again giving Sharp an awkwardly apologetic look. 

 

"The magician, meanwhile," he continued, moving on rather quickly and this time addressing Wilhelm, "Is a student of magic and the arcane like no other. Not gifted with raw power so much as a deep and broad understanding of any field they care to learn, they can drive progress and development in their chosen subject at an almost unimaginable rate. The Equestria we see today, with magi-tech devices and crystal-stored spells, was brought about in part by a magician close to a century ago. Although Isambard Bridel never lived to see the implementation of his crystal-storage theory, its endorsement and promotion some ten years ago by Princess Twilight Sparkle led to uncountable new developments and discoveries. Not all of them good, but such is the way of progress."

 

"And then there is the hermit," Albion said, speaking to Zayoh, "Anathema to magic and all things magical, they are none-the-less able to control the flow of magic around themselves whilst remaining untouched by it. The mightiest sorcerer is powerless in their presence should they wish it, or the humblest of magicians can channel power that rivals an alicorn."
 

"Of course," he concluded, addressing the entire group as they entered the courtyard, "What I have described is what is known of those blessed by the tarot. Most remain quiet about the powers they have, attempting to blend in and live a normal life, and as no two of the same power are alive at the same time there isn't even a tradition carried on from bearer to bearer. My order has what is probably the most extensive archive of them and their deeds, but there is much that even we do not know. You will need to discover your abilities for yourself, although I, and my brothers and sisters, will help in any way we can. Now, on to the King's project. Behold Catalyst."

 

Pushing the observatory doors open, it was immediately apparent that the Observatory was an observatory in name only now. The inside of the tower had been gutted and all the instruments removed. In their place, arrays of white magical crystals were arranged in concentric spheres around a giant red crystal several times the size of a pony's head that hung suspended in the middle of the tower, the covered glass dome on the roof the only hint as to it heritage. Dozens of ponies were working on chalk boards, changing the alignment of crystals or using any number of mysterious instruments to measure or examine the device.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

"A pretty boy?" Zayoh repeated in a hushed tone so only lavender heard him. "Do you have some affinity toward him you are hiding behind a ploy?"

 

Lavender's face made a cute scowl when Zayoh, and the voice, snarked about her comment.

"What? Has nopony ever owned a parrot before?" She muttered.

 

 

Pushing the observatory doors open, it was immediately apparent that the Observatory was an observatory in name only now. The inside of the tower had been gutted and all the instruments removed. In their place, arrays of white magical crystals were arranged in concentric spheres around a giant red crystal several times the size of a pony's head that hung suspended in the middle of the tower, the covered glass dome on the roof the only hint as to it heritage. Dozens of ponies were working on chalk boards, changing the alignment of crystals or using any number of mysterious instruments to measure or examine the device.

 

She entered the room with the group, and bit her lip at what she saw inside. The large construct, decorated and seemingly powered by crystals, All of this science and technology, all blending together with magic.

 

It didn't sit well with her.

 

The voice seemed to agree with her.

 

"I don't have a good feeling about that big thing right there," she muttered, "I doubt it just stays here to look pretty..."

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh was following along behind Albion a short distance behind lavender since she seemed the friendliest of the group as well as the easiest to approach. His excitement to finally see an observatory, a structure devised of unicorns and those who wish to peer into the heavens, drowned out most of Albion's speech... until the zebra heard the term 'hermit' mentioned.

 

His attention centered back on Albion who explained what the hermit tarot could do. He thought back on what had happened during the fight between lavender and the demonically possessed Cadence, the tarot power explained what had happened to everypony's magic within proximity to him. He had merely thought he was calming the spiritual disturbance in the area not so much manipulating the flow of magic. 

 

As they continued toward their destination Zayoh could sense a steadily increasing amount of magical energy, it was immense and almost made him feel the want to turn away from it but he continued on with his group. 

 

@Once In A Blue Moon, 

 

Soon Zayoh found that the group arrived at two large doors, he could hardly control his excitement to see such a marvel. The doors swung open and the zebra's smile quickly faded from his face as he looked around the room, only to see it had been retrofitted for the construction of war weaponry. The magical energy flowing from the several crystals especially the red sphere in the center seemed to fog Zayoh's mind, he could hardly comprehend how much power was being stored here. 

 

The zebra felt no need to continue forward into the room feeling a overwhelming sense of magic bombarding him. "I-I dont' understand why... where has all the equipment gone that allows a pony to peer into the sky?" He questioned feeling disappointed he was able to see what he thought he'd be able to with this structure still being call an observatory.

[Dust and Memories 557]

 

@@Blacklight,@@Chip Circuit, @@Ethan Sawyer, @@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@ForthEorl.

 

Albion led them back through the castle's passages and corridors. There were more guards around this time, and they all looked alert.

 

"The tarot power of the hanged mare is no blessing, at least not for the bearer," Albion was saying to Sharp, "Bad luck will dog you for as long as you live, but in so doing you will shield others from harm and avert disaster through your own misfortune. Those that survive the catastrophes they face, which is most, as their misfortune very rarely extends to their own demise, tend to either become utterly reckless thrill-seekers with no care for their own well-being or else seek seclusion and isolation from anything or anyone they could care about. I'm sorry," he concluded, once again giving Sharp an awkwardly apologetic look. 

 

"The magician, meanwhile," he continued, moving on rather quickly and this time addressing Wilhelm, "Is a student of magic and the arcane like no other. Not gifted with raw power so much as a deep and broad understanding of any field they care to learn, they can drive progress and development in their chosen subject at an almost unimaginable rate. The Equestria we see today, with magi-tech devices and crystal-stored spells, was brought about in part by a magician close to a century ago. Although Isambard Bridel never lived to see the implementation of his crystal-storage theory, its endorsement and promotion some ten years ago by Princess Twilight Sparkle led to uncountable new developments and discoveries. Not all of them good, but such is the way of progress."

 

"And then there is the hermit," Albion said, speaking to Zayoh, "Anathema to magic and all things magical, they are none-the-less able to control the flow of magic around themselves whilst remaining untouched by it. The mightiest sorcerer is powerless in their presence should they wish it, or the humblest of magicians can channel power that rivals an alicorn."

 

"Of course," he concluded, addressing the entire group as they entered the courtyard, "What I have described is what is known of those blessed by the tarot. Most remain quiet about the powers they have, attempting to blend in and live a normal life, and as no two of the same power are alive at the same time there isn't even a tradition carried on from bearer to bearer. My order has what is probably the most extensive archive of them and their deeds, but there is much that even we do not know. You will need to discover your abilities for yourself, although I, and my brothers and sisters, will help in any way we can. Now, on to the King's project. Behold Catalyst."

 

Pushing the observatory doors open, it was immediately apparent that the Observatory was an observatory in name only now. The inside of the tower had been gutted and all the instruments removed. In their place, arrays of white magical crystals were arranged in concentric spheres around a giant red crystal several times the size of a pony's head that hung suspended in the middle of the tower, the covered glass dome on the roof the only hint as to it heritage. Dozens of ponies were working on chalk boards, changing the alignment of crystals or using any number of mysterious instruments to measure or examine the device.

 

 

Wilhelm's mouth dropped open as he stepped inside the structure. He soon recovered his composure, though it was clear he was suppressing a smile. "Ooh, this is interesting. A full crystalline array structure with multiple diversified outputs, providing upon activation an immense surge of mana from runically enchanted storage along what seeeeeems to be a metaphysical curve regulated by Goose Quill's tensor strength integral. But for what?" 

 

Wilhelm, at this point ignoring the rest of the group, flew up into the air and made several circuits around the crystalline structure, muttering a near-constant string of "Excuse me!"s. After a full six rounds of the object, he set down again near Albion with a quizzical expression. "It's amazing what you all have done here, but why the secrecy? And what is this even for? Why, if I didn't know better, I would say it was some sort of wea..."

 

Wilhelm's voice suddenly trailed off, and his face paled. "I mean, uh, what did you do to my observatory? Humor!"

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Blacklight,@@Chip Circuit, @@Ethan Sawyer, @@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@ForthEorl.

 

"Dr Dynamus, a moment of your time," Albion said, addressing on of the technicians, "Would you be able to..."

 

 

 

Ooh, this is interesting. A full crystalline array structure with multiple diversified outputs, providing upon activation an immense surge of mana from runically enchanted storage along what seeeeeems to be a metaphysical curve regulated by Goose Quill's tensor strength integral. But for what?"    Wilhelm, at this point ignoring the rest of the group, flew up into the air and made several circuits around the crystalline structure, muttering a near-constant string of "Excuse me!"s.

 

 

"... explain what your team are doing here," Albion finished, watching Wilhelm with a bemused expression. 

 

 

 

"I don't have a good feeling about that big thing right there," she muttered, "I doubt it just stays here to look pretty..."

 

 

 

 

"I-I dont' understand why... where has all the equipment gone that allows a pony to peer into the sky?"

 

"Catalyst was conceived in the aftermath of the Discord Crisis," Dr Dynamus started, launching into full lecture mode with obvious relish, "The core of the device is an immolation spell that draws magic from the environment to sustain itself..."

 

 

 

After a full six rounds of the object, he set down again near Albion with a quizzical expression. "It's amazing what you all have done here, but why the secrecy? And what is this even for? Why, if I didn't know better, I would say it was some sort of wea..."   Wilhelm's voice suddenly trailed off, and his face paled. "I mean, uh, what did you do to my observatory? Humor!"

 

 

"You are correct," Dynamus said, somewhat put out by the interruption, "Catalyst is a weapon. The observatory was ideally placed, as it has an excellent overview of the surrounding area as well as the space and privacy we needed to work. The optical devices proved unnecessary," Dynamus said, addressing Zayoh's question, "And I can reassure you, ma'am, that we are taking every precaution," he said to Lavender, "Although we have a small, but critical, problem."

 

Appearing more confident now that he was back on track, Dynamus continued his lecture, "The Catalyst spell ignites any source of magic it comes into contact with, propagating through the ambient magic in the environment. Left unchecked, this can devastate a vast area, the magical vacuum drawing more ambient magic towards the device and spreading the spell even further, creating a raging inferno. When all of the magic in the local environment is extinguished, the spell ends. Our main problem is that the spell is, by its very design, centred on the casting crystal - which right here in Canterlot. Any remote-cast spell is itself consumed, as are all containment spells - once cast, nothing can stop the Catalyst spell save cutting off all sources of magic," realising that he should put a more positive spin on the situation, Dynamus quickly added, "Of course, my team is working tirelessly to develop a solution, and we are confident that a solution will be found."

 

"Given the imminence of the threat we face, his majesty hoped that some of your specialist skills would be able to shed new light on the problem," Albion said, addressing the group, "Although obviously the mission to deal with the demons remains your highest priority. He wanted you to see this first though, as it is our... last resort, should the demon host overrun Canterlot."

Edited February 22, 2016 by Once In A Blue Moon

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh took another step back from inside the room and sat down on the floor. "In light of my ability, I believe it is best for everypony's sake I remain outside the facility." He said before removing his bag from his back and taking stock of what he had in his bag, unfortunately he has used a decent amount of potions without a chance to make many more.

[Dust and Memories 557]

@@Once In A Blue Moon

 

Wilhelm took off his glasses, polishing them as he considered the implications. "So, let me get this straight. You're setting off this... Catalyst Device... inside Canterlot." His eyes narrowed. "The city with the highest population of unicorns in the entirety of Equestria." 

He paused for a moment, then continued. "So what you need is a way to distinguish specific magics - like the ones that the daemons possess - from the magic of Equestrians. Theoretically, you could do this, but in practice it's very hard, especially if you consider the fifth-grade overarching differential equation which governs mana fields."

 

He flew up again, but instead of just staring at the crystal, he tapped it with a wing. As he did that, his whole body seemed to shiver with the magical output, and Wilhelm fluttered back down, slightly dazed. "This device consumes magic, and uses it to power a spell. I could theorize about the pony magics you could use to power this all day, but it feels..." Tirek. Consuming magic to power himself, though in the books, he never used it for any specific spell. "Eldritch. You're using daemon dark magic to kill daemons. Or, at least, it appears so." His expression turned into a sardonic smile.

 

"So not only are you making a weapon that consumes magic in the home of most of Equestria's magic users, but you're using daemon magic to kill daemons." Wilhelm sighed, then yanked a blackboard over, picking up a piece of chalk with one wing, and sticking another in his mouth. As he wrote a series of restriction equations across the board, he carried on an explanation of what, exactly, he was doing, however muffled by the chalk. Something about a compulsion to feed from carriers of a Mark, and various restriction methods which seemed... not precisely white magic, not dark magic, but something greyer than the norm.