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Post by Wavelength on Dec 3, 2017 3:30:22 GMT
The water quickly became murky with dead skin as Candycane scrubbed. Sheesh, being turned to stone for a thousand years was bad for your skin... Good thing it was just the top layer. She reached a hoof she'd been scrubbing out of the water, and its pretty cream-tan pigment glowed nicely in the light. Her light purple mane, currently looking a bit too dark, would also need some work. She listened to and pondered Sandstone's explanation while she worked. "So the power can be shared between ponies... Wait, several of those names you mentioned earlier don't fit into unicorn culture... These elements don't need casters to function? Just any pony who figures out how? I must be missing part of it..."
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Post by Moonbacon on Dec 3, 2017 3:56:27 GMT
"Uh... Just call me Moonlight." Moonlight then smiled at Cadence, she felt a little nervous at what she's getting herself into but perhaps it's for the best."And that's good, I don't really remember much on how to fight." Moonlight joked "but... What would I even do first? Go find an artifact or something?" Moonlight asked afterwards.
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Post by wanderingmagus on Dec 3, 2017 4:14:50 GMT
The water quickly became murky with dead skin as Candycane scrubbed. Sheesh, being turned to stone for a thousand years was bad for your skin... Good thing it was just the top layer. She reached a hoof she'd been scrubbing out of the water, and its pretty cream-tan pigment glowed nicely in the light. Her light purple mane, currently looking a bit too dark, would also need some work. She listened to and pondered Sandstone's explanation while she worked. "So the power can be shared between ponies... Wait, several of those names you mentioned earlier don't fit into unicorn culture... These elements don't need casters to function? Just any pony who figures out how? I must be missing part of it..." Sandstone smiled. "The Magic o' Friendship is somethin' that lives in all of us, Candycane. It ain't Pegasus weather magic or Unicorn sparkly magic or Earth pony growin' magic, or any o' them other magics. It's been 'round since forever, even Guru Fido says so, an' he got them vision thingies, so he knows. Any pony can have Kindness in their hearts, be Honest in what they say, be Generous to others, be Loyal to their friends, Laugh in the face o' danger, an' be great Friends. Pinkie Pie an' Applejack were Earth ponies. Rainbow Dash an' Fluttershy were pegasi. Only Rarity an' Twilight Sparkle were unicorns. An' none o' them besides Twilight Sparkle were book learnin' ponies neither."
"Uh... Just call me Moonlight." Moonlight then smiled at Cadence, she felt a little nervous at what she's getting herself into but perhaps it's for the best."And that's good, I don't really remember much on how to fight." Moonlight joked "but... What would I even do first? Go find an artifact or something?" Moonlight asked afterwards. Queen Cadence smiled, looking out beyond the borders of Her land. " I foresee that another will be joining us soon, Moonlight. Your path will be clear to you. All you need to do is to follow your destiny, and it will guide you to your goal." With that cryptic message, the alicorn gestured towards the city below. " But for now, please, come. We already have dwellings prepared for you, and I'm sure you are both hungry and tired from your centuries of travel. There is much time to discuss whatever you wish."
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Post by Moonbacon on Dec 3, 2017 4:42:05 GMT
"Thank you so much Cadence." She bowed her head. "I'm curious though, how come Celestia didn't know that simply encasing Discord in stone wouldn't keep him away permanently? Shouldn't there be something that could have been to prevent this? Maybe they should have asked the rulers of Heisan for help, I've only been there once when I was still uh... A different pony and it looked and felt really similar to Equestria." Moonlight couldn't say the same about Fluycia, the mixing of predators and prey in the land gave it a rather tense aura but her batpony side had parents who came from there so maybe it's not that bad.
(Skip to somewhere maybe?)
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Post by Wavelength on Dec 3, 2017 4:47:03 GMT
Candycane gave Sandstone a puzzled look as she scrubbed more refuse out of her mane. "So anypony with the right character traits... Without any training, even? There's a lot of ponies in the world to pick from, aren't there? I'm surprised it hasn't already been done," she mused, looking down and grimacing at how muddy the water was starting to look. She didn't want to be wasteful of the water and just refill the tub, and this was still technically making her cleaner. "Unless the, uh... tools are missing... Are there even tools, or are the elements quite literally a set of character traits that become weaponized of their own accord when the right ponies join hooves or something?"
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Post by wanderingmagus on Dec 3, 2017 17:04:42 GMT
"Thank you so much Cadence." She bowed her head. "I'm curious though, how come Celestia didn't know that simply encasing Discord in stone wouldn't keep him away permanently? Shouldn't there be something that could have been to prevent this? Maybe they should have asked the rulers of Heisan for help, I've only been there once when I was still uh... A different pony and it looked and felt really similar to Equestria." Moonlight couldn't say the same about Fluycia, the mixing of predators and prey in the land gave it a rather tense aura but her batpony side had parents who came from there so maybe it's not that bad. (Skip to somewhere maybe?) Queen Cadence was silent for a bit as they walked along the path. " Heisan and Equestria were not the best of allies in that time, and at any rate, they had their own literal demons to deal with. The Yama Kings of Diyu do not maintain their own wards, you understand. Although by now, the whole matter is a moot point, at the time it was yet another apocalypse waiting to happen." She turned and looked at Moonlight with eyes that saw the first raindrop, the first mote of land rising from eternal waters. " But even so, there are some cages which are easier to defy than others. There are some Beings against Whom merely physical wards cannot suffice. Their confinement must be tailored to fit. Discord is a creature of elemental chaos; He draws upon chaos for His power, and He resonates with it where it emerges in His environment. A single note of disharmony can draw Him out of dormancy, as it did on that fateful day. A locked and trapped safe in any form would not have sufficed. Stone erodes. Iron rusts. Enchantments fade. Entropy and change invariably set in; the fundamental discord of order unraveling. Chaos would build over time. But a garden..." The alicorn smiled, thinking back to that ancient time. “ A garden, where nature is kept in order, where green and growing things are constantly cultivated and kept in order? A garden where ponies gather in peace and friendship and foster harmony? A garden in Celestia's Equestria?” She chuckled. " It kept Him contained for over a thousand years. Not a bad record, I think.”
Candycane gave Sandstone a puzzled look as she scrubbed more refuse out of her mane. "So anypony with the right character traits... Without any training, even? There's a lot of ponies in the world to pick from, aren't there? I'm surprised it hasn't already been done," she mused, looking down and grimacing at how muddy the water was starting to look. She didn't want to be wasteful of the water and just refill the tub, and this was still technically making her cleaner. "Unless the, uh... tools are missing... Are there even tools, or are the elements quite literally a set of character traits that become weaponized of their own accord when the right ponies join hooves or something?" Sandstone shook her head. "We all know where th' ACTUAL Elements, them gemstone-like things, still are. They USED ta be jes' pretty jewelry, like necklaces an' crown thingies, but sometime 'round th' first hundred years Big Banana Discord ripped open th' Bearers' chests an' shoved their corrupted Elements in where their heart used t' be. It's why they're still alive after a thousand years, without aging or anythin'. But y'know, Guru Fido always said, th' Elements ain't jes' some trinket, they're fundamental forces o' nature an' magic. They turn up where ya least expect 'em. Them li'l gemstones, they ain't Elements o' Harmony no more, they're Elements o' Chaos. Pretty dang strong, but ain't nothin' compared to real Harmony!" She chuckled. "But Harmony an' its Elements can't jes' come t' ANY pony. It has t' come to those worthy o' representin' 'em. A mare so Loyal, she'd walk quadrillions an' quadrillions o' miles jes' t' rescue her daughter; a filly willin' t' Laugh even when everythin' she loved an' knew is taken from her; a dragon so Loyal he'd suffer fer a thousand years jes' t' be there fer his best friend when she woke up again; a broken mare tired o' lies dedicated t' Honest truth; a mare so Kind she'd keep right on helpin' th' broken an' helpless even when Construction Boss Discord all but owns her soul; an' a mare so full o' Magic an' tired o' tragedy she'd keep all her Friendships an' give mercy even t' Big Banana Discord Himself! That's th' kind o' Bearers ya need. They don't need no trainin'; in fact, Ah think tranin'd jes' make 'em worse instead o' better, if ya know what Ah mean." The filly didn't even notice her voice resonate, ever so slightly, as if her words were not merely her own, but a prophecy, woven by Fate Herself. The echo of those words seemed to ripple through the room and beyond, far beyond to places Candycane couldn't see and could never imagine, and in the Hidden Land of Avalon, Queen Cadence smiled.
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Post by Moonbacon on Dec 3, 2017 17:22:09 GMT
Moonlight nodded, at least it kept Discord imprisoned for a thousand years though a thousand years probably seemed like a blink in the eyes of Cadence and Discord but to a mere mortal like Moonlight, a thousand years is a very long time. Heisan and Equestria's relationship was definitely not the best, unlike Queen Feronia, Empress Fei Lu had zero relation with the princesses and likely zero interest in dealing with Discord as well unless Celestia was to offer something in return.
"How come you're still free from Discord? Queen Feronia was in her domain far away and yet Discord still got her." Moonlight asked carefully.
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Post by Wavelength on Dec 3, 2017 17:40:13 GMT
Concluding that she was about as clean as she could get for the time being, Candycane pulled the tub's plug and stood up, letting the water run down off her coat. "You say that so specifically," she blinked, "almost like the prophecy already wrote down the future in detail." Having been warmed by the bath, Candycane stroked a hoof through her mane to see if it could channel her magic yet. The water soaked up by her mane poured out where her hoof touched, and she smiled. "Good, I think my whole body's back in working order. That could've been..." She trailed off, looking Sandstone in the eyes as her own started to tear up. What was that expression? Apologetic... and thankful? "For a thousand years? It should have been so much worse...," she sniffled. "A thousand years would destroy any statue... Y-you saved me... You and your family have spent the last th-thousand years... saving me..." If she wasn't standing in a tub dripping wet, she'd hug Sandstone right now.
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Post by wanderingmagus on Dec 3, 2017 19:35:02 GMT
Moonlight nodded, at least it kept Discord imprisoned for a thousand years though a thousand years probably seemed like a blink in the eyes of Cadence and Discord but to a mere mortal like Moonlight, a thousand years is a very long time. Heisan and Equestria's relationship was definitely not the best, unlike Queen Feronia, Empress Fei Lu had zero relation with the princesses and likely zero interest in dealing with Discord as well unless Celestia was to offer something in return. "How come you're still free from Discord? Queen Feronia was in her domain far away and yet Discord still got her." Moonlight asked carefully. The pair reached the gates of the city, and numerous kids, foals, fawns and pups passed by on the way to school, some pausing to look curiously at the newcomer. A large stag leaned casually against a wall chatting with what looked like a diamond dog made entirely out of crystal, and over in a corner Moonlight could see a hippogriff dancing to music while a band of zebra-unicorn hybrids played a tune similar to what she was used to but different enough to be noticeable. Each of the citizens bowed or otherwise showed respect to the Queen as she passed by, especially some very strange-looking changelings with rainbow carapaces and no holes in any of their limbs. The alicorn nodded to them in response, but continued Her conversation with Her guest. " My existence has as much to do with luck and Fate Herself as any skill of My own," admitted the Queen. " Everfree still contains within it the eternal Power of the Breezies of Flutter Valley in the First Age, as well as the will of My Parents. It is untouchable, sacred, guarded against the warping power of Chaos. Harmony, on the other hand, does not warp and bend nature to its will, but works in symbiosis with it, and so Avalon is permitted here. It was also fate which allowed Me to acquire the Crystal Heart from the Empire of the North in a hit-and-run during the first years when Discord was still consolidating His power base, allowing Me to successfully ward Avalon from His sight even to this day. Fate it was that granted Me strength of magic and the true memories of Who I am and defeat Chrysalis in single combat. But Fate is always changing, and perhaps Avalon, too, shall soon fall. But if it falls, and I perish with it, I perish knowing that I held against the might of Chaos for a thousand years, and that, I think, is something worthy of pride." They came to a home not too unlike what Moonlight's two halves were used to, albeit built with more crystals than usual, and some sort of organic substance. The layout was familiar, as were the facilities, like bathrooms and the kitchen, which was no small feat in this world. " Are there any other questions you might have, or anything you would like to discuss? When the others come, I will notify you personally."
Concluding that she was about as clean as she could get for the time being, Candycane pulled the tub's plug and stood up, letting the water run down off her coat. "You say that so specifically," she blinked, "almost like the prophecy already wrote down the future in detail." Having been warmed by the bath, Candycane stroked a hoof through her mane to see if it could channel her magic yet. The water soaked up by her mane poured out where her hoof touched, and she smiled. "Good, I think my whole body's back in working order. That could've been..." She trailed off, looking Sandstone in the eyes as her own started to tear up. What was that expression? Apologetic... and thankful? "For a thousand years? It should have been so much worse...," she sniffled. "A thousand years would destroy any statue... Y-you saved me... You and your family have spent the last th-thousand years... saving me..." If she wasn't standing in a tub dripping wet, she'd hug Sandstone right now. Sandstone had no such inhibitions, leaning over and hugging the mare. "Shh. Yer in good hooves now. If you want, we could even be family. You'll never have to be afraid o' bein' alone. We'll do everythin' we can t' keep ya safe. If you ever need help, we've got yer back!" She grinned. "You've got this, Candycane. Ah believe in you!"
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Post by Moonbacon on Dec 3, 2017 19:52:20 GMT
Moonlight looked at the citizens of Avalon curiously, a lot of them were unique and different from any of the races her two halves grew up with, the once horrid and feared changelings have all but changed, unicorns were now striped zebra hybrids and griffons have become hippogriffs and they were all happily frolicking amongst each other in peace, likely blissfully unaware of what's truly outside of Avalon.
Moonlight looked up at Cadence. "Well, I don't really have anymore important questions for now so I'll simply wait for the others, thank you for your time Queen Cadence and I look forward to doing whatever I can to try and keep Avalon safe."
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Post by Wavelength on Dec 3, 2017 20:57:48 GMT
Candycane leaned into the hug and couldn't help but smile. "Wh-what is it I've got?" she giggled a little. "Did you know I was about to ask if there was any way I could help?" Breaking the hug, she wiped off her tears and gave Sandstone the most reassuring smile she could manage, trying to look strong enough to get out there and make a difference. "I'm not much to look at... Just a candy shop owner from Las Pegasus... but anything I can do, I will. I owe you all that much!" She hurriedly began drying herself off.
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Post by wanderingmagus on Dec 3, 2017 21:29:44 GMT
Moonlight looked at the citizens of Avalon curiously, a lot of them were unique and different from any of the races her two halves grew up with, the once horrid and feared changelings have all but changed, unicorns were now striped zebra hybrids and griffons have become hippogriffs and they were all happily frolicking amongst each other in peace, likely blissfully unaware of what's truly outside of Avalon. Moonlight looked up at Cadence. "Well, I don't really have anymore important questions for now so I'll simply wait for the others, thank you for your time Queen Cadence and I look forward to doing whatever I can to try and keep Avalon safe." The Queen bowed. " It was an honor, Moonlight. I shall see you soon." With that, She spread Her wings and flew off into the distance, in the direction of the Castle of the Two Sisters.
Candycane leaned into the hug and couldn't help but smile. "Wh-what is it I've got?" she giggled a little. "Did you know I was about to ask if there was any way I could help?" Breaking the hug, she wiped off her tears and gave Sandstone the most reassuring smile she could manage, trying to look strong enough to get out there and make a difference. "I'm not much to look at... Just a candy shop owner from Las Pegasus... but anything I can do, I will. I owe you all that much!" She hurriedly began drying herself off. Sandstone grinned. "That's th' spirit, pardner." She grabbed a towel from a rack, giving it to the mare. "Y'know, Ah was gonna git one o' the others t' help you git to Avalon, but now that Ah thinks of it, Ah'm itchin' to do somethin' about this here world mahself. Ah knows Apple Pie an' Minty an' a whole bunch o' others are too, that's why they're somewhere out in th' Capitol right now, doin' Harmony's work. Ah reckon if even somepony as silly as Apple Pie kin git in on th' action, Ah kin do mah part." The filly nodded to herself. "That's it, anytime ya want, Ah'm ready t' git you to Avalon! That's where Queen Cadence lives, an' SHE knows more than anyone how t' end all this once an' fer all!"
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Post by Wavelength on Dec 4, 2017 0:30:12 GMT
Candycane's ears perked up. "Wow, you're so young but already seem to have all the answers! Whatever terrible things happened to this world, they seem to have improved our culture." She finished drying off with the towel and climbed out of the tub. "I suppose I should meet and thank everypony for doing all this for me before we just run off, though. Maybe I can help cook up some pastries for everypony!" she suggested, not comprehending how big this operation was... or their lack of ingredients.
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Post by wanderingmagus on Dec 4, 2017 1:06:00 GMT
Candycane's ears perked up. "Wow, you're so young but already seem to habe all the answers! Whatever terrible things happened to this world, they seem to have improved our culture." She finished drying off with the towel and climbed out of the tub. "I suppose I should meet and thank everypony for doing all this for me before we just run off, though. Maybe I can help cook up some pastries for everypony!" she suggested, not comprehending how big this operation was... or their lack of ingredients. Sandstone grinned wryly. "That might be a mite harder than ya think." With that said, she hopped to her hooves, leading the mare back up the hallway to a large central area. The middle looked like it was once the farmhouse proper, and had been greatly expanded, much of it underground for obvious reasons. A very large number of fillies, colts, crystalline diamond dog pups, hippogriff chicks, goat kids, deer fawns, and some creatures and strange combination of creatures she couldn't even name were all gathered under a giant banner reading "WELCOME, CANDYCANE!" The biggest surprise, however, was the food... it was rocks. Actual rocks. Strangely tasty-smelling rocks. If she thought about it for a moment, knowing what she did about the whole chaos thing, it did make a bit of sense, but...
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Post by Wavelength on Dec 4, 2017 2:28:07 GMT
"I don't think you know just how good I am at cooking," Candycane giggled with a proud smirk...which turned into a very puzzled, cheerful, and overall flustered smile when she realized she was walking in on a party. With her name on the banner? "Th-this is... well, you did say I could be part of the family..," she said, starting to tear up a little. "This is just like... what my family used to do for birthdays," she giggled, managing to put off the thought that everypony she knew was gone. "Thank you all so much!" She'd managed to keep that tragic reality off her mind so far, but if she kept holding off on it, it might come back to emotionally slam into her at a bad time. Candycane laughed as she looked over the table laid out with tasty rocks. "You kiddos must really like rock candy! Have you ever tried doughnuts?"
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