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Post by wanderingmagus on Dec 7, 2017 2:46:59 GMT
Candycane leaned into the two embraces, forcing her feelings and doubts to settle down and rest on this family that had lost so much, but kept on giving. She slowly opened her teary eyes, looking into Grandpa's. "W-well, you already saw part of... my vision from last night," she swallowed. She looked down at Sandstone and gave her another squeeze. "You're right... It's terrifying and it's horrible, but we can only make it stop if we're able to move past it... I'm so weak compared to everypony else here, but I don't want to drag you down. I want to fight it... I want to take back the world we lost!" She smiled a little as she once again looked at Gramps. "And today,I think we've already taken our first step." She gestured to Apple Pie. "Did she tell you how she made it back alive?" Grandpa shook his head. " Didn't talk much when she got back, an' we didn't want t' rush her. From Sandstone's prophecy, Ah'd guess it had somethin' t' do with Laughter?" Sandstone sat up straighter at this, wiping the tears from her eyes and perking her ears. Here was something solid, something they could use against Discord, against that monster that brought this world into existence. Maybe, just maybe, this "first step" could lead to salvation. |
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Post by Wavelength on Dec 7, 2017 2:56:11 GMT
"She was really hurt. Way worse than that scar on her forehead, she really must have fought until she couldn't anymore. Discord's servants were about to... Y'know..., finish it," Candycane explained, still uncomfortable talking about murder, "and she spent what would have been her final breath... with a laugh." She looked at the ground and shook her head. "The part that confused me most is that Discord spared her for it... Healed her, even."
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Post by wanderingmagus on Dec 7, 2017 21:33:56 GMT
"She was really hurt. Way worse than that scar on her forehead, she really must have fought until she couldn't anymore. Discord's servants were about to... Y'know..., finish it," Candycane explained, still uncomfortable talking about murder, "and she spent what would have been her final breath... with a laugh." She looked at the ground and shook her head. "The part that confused me most is that Discord spared her for it... Healed her, even." Grandpa shook his head. " Th' Big Banana's a Spirit o' Chaos. He does things without rhyme or reason, at least, that's how it usually goes. Laughter, eh? Just as th' prophecy said..." He got up, squinting over at Apple Pie with a thoughtful expression. " Let's test somethin'." He walked quietly over to the filly, whispering in her ear. After a few moments, the filly nodded excitedly, a big smile coming to her face as she turned around and pulled up on her mane. There, on the back of her neck, was the glowing outline of an Apple slice and Orange slice together, the color was that of the blue element of laughter. |
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Post by Wavelength on Dec 7, 2017 21:44:53 GMT
Candycane did a double take. "What in Equestria is that?" she asked Sandstone. "Is it related to the... element? Isn't that supposed to be internal? I know it's not a cutiemark..." Not to say she wasn't grateful for something so visually obvious; if the elements could be seen, then it was that much more certain that they were making measurable progress.
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Post by wanderingmagus on Dec 7, 2017 22:33:25 GMT
Candycane did a double take. "What in Equestria is that?" she asked Sandstone. "Is it related to the... element? Isn't that supposed to be internal? I know it's not a cutiemark..." Not to say she wasn't grateful for something so visually obvious; if the elements could be seen, then it was that much more certain that they were making measurable progress. The filly smiled. "Remember what Grandpa an' Ah said 'bout Elements? Elements ain't jes' trinkets, they're livin' aspects o' Harmony itself. An' that right there? That there symbol is THE Element o' Laughter itself." |
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Post by Wavelength on Dec 7, 2017 22:47:39 GMT
"Amazing," Candycane breathed. "I just... didn't expect it to be visible like that; like you said, magic inside. This will make it a lot easier to tell when we have an element, though... We can really do it..." She looked at the bodies and winced, but slowly stood and began walking over to join Gramps and Apple Pie. "We can really... put an end to all this..." She sniffled at the sight, but she didn't look away. "I can't let this disable me. I need to make evil like this... the driving reason for me to act..." She uncertainly put a hoof on the corner of one of the sheets and gripped it tight, as though holding somepony's hoof. "I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I was about to give up when I saw you like this... Then you would have died for nothing..." She opened her eyes and looked at Gramps with a determined fire in her eyes. "You lose some, you take some back. Let's take the world from Discord."
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Post by wanderingmagus on Dec 7, 2017 23:58:35 GMT
"Amazing," Candycane breathed. "I just... didn't expect it to be visible like that; like you said, magic inside. This will make it a lot easier to tell when we have an element, though... We can really do it..." She looked at the bodies and winced, but slowly stood and began walking over to join Gramps and Apple Pie. "We can really... put an end to all this..." She sniffled at the sight, but she didn't look away. "I can't let this disable me. I need to make evil like this... the driving reason for me to act..." She uncertainly put a hoof on the corner of one of the sheets and gripped it tight, as though holding somepony's hoof. "I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I was about to give up when I saw you like this... Then you would have died for nothing..." She opened her eyes and looked at Gramps with a determined fire in her eyes. "You lose some, you take some back. Let's take the world from Discord." He grinned fiercely. " Knew ya had it in ya." Sandstone hugged Apple Pie tightly, then let go and turned to the mare. "Apple, this is Candycane, our newest sister. She's here t' help, an' maybe save th' world. Candycane, this is Apple Pie, mah sister, an' th' new Element o' Laughter!" The filly simply laughed with joy. " Howdy, Miss Candycane! Ah'm Apple Pie! Pleased t' meetcha! Even when it feels like everythin's gone, new friends an' family show up, an' there's cause fer celebration!" She grinned and stuck out a hoof. " Element o' Laughter? Ah guess Ah am! But Ah don't think that's all such a big thing at all. Even in th' worst o' times, ya gotta find somethin' t' laugh about! So we kin be sad, an' still be happy! It's a paradox," she giggled, " jes' like most things in this world. We kin be sad all these friends an' family are gone, but happy we had them, an' got t' spend time with them!" Sad, yet happy. Weak, yet strong. If there was ever a pony suited for helping to finally defeat this world of paradoxes, it was this precious little bundle of paradox right here. |
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Post by Wavelength on Dec 8, 2017 4:44:50 GMT
"I can't tell you how happy I am to meet you," Candycane said, giving Apple Pie a hug. "You're the best news I've had since I got here. I'm ready to help you make a difference! I don't want anypony else to die if we can help it." She looked between the fillies and Gramps. "What preparations do we need to make? Is there anything that needs packing?"
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Post by Moonbacon on Dec 8, 2017 8:42:21 GMT
Moonlight was finally able to lay down and sleep in a comfortable room after a thousand years of wandering and being lost but she wouldn't be sleeping well, she rolled around, whimpered and thrashed in her sleep, trying to wake up from a seemingly bad dream and once she finally did wake up she found herself on the floor.
She clinched her head with her hooves, head throbbing in pain and she was shaking and absolutely covered in sweat. As she slowly stood up, it slowly dawned on her that was not an ordinary dream, why in the world would she dream of the Discord and the element bearers? This must mean something... Something very, very important.
"Queen Cadence!" Moonlight exclaimed as she rushed out of her quarters.
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Post by wanderingmagus on Dec 9, 2017 0:00:19 GMT
"I can't tell you how happy I am to meet you," Candycane said, giving Apple Pie a hug. "You're the best news I've had since I got here. I'm ready to help you make a difference! I don't want anypony else to die if we can help it." She looked between the fillies and Gramps. "What preparations do we need to make? Is there anything that needs packing?" The statue smiled, turning as an elderly diamond dog walked up. " Whadd'ya think, Guru Fido?" The crystalline being stroked his chin with a smile. " Destiny is with you, Lady Candycane. It has brought us Apple Pie, and now you. The journey will be long, yet I foresee that you will need little, for friends shall aid you, and what battles may come shall be of the mind more than of might or magic. Her Majesty the Queen Mi Amore Cadenza is already expecting you in the Hidden Land of Avalon, and it is thence we are called to bring you. Do not worry! Our travels shall not be overland, but under it, and Cadence willing, His eye shall not set upon us." Amazing. She'd heard of diamond dogs before, but the one standing before her was obviously the exact opposite of what the stories said. In an upside-down world like this, where lemons were deadly and rocks were food, perhaps it was only reasonable to assume that even entire races would be altogether changed, but this really was quite shocking. No smelly, dirty, cowardly thief, this one, nor stupid. Perhaps not ALL the changes of the world were bad. " How 'bout me, Guru Fido?" asked Apple Pie, tilting her head. The diamond dog smiled and knelt down to her height. " Not yet, I'm afraid. There is something very important that you must do here, and I cannot say just what at the moment. Only be true to yourself, and remember, Friendship is Magic." The filly grinned. " All right! Ah don't quite understand at all, but Ah'll do mah best!" Sandstone smiled, then sighed as a few of the little ones came up to her with teary eyes. " D'ya really hafta go?" " Avalon's really far away!" "Ah knows. But Ah have t' do somethin'. This here prophecy, Miss Candycane, Apple gettin' th' Element o' Laughter, all this happenin' at once ain't no coincidence. If there's ANY hope o' changin' things, Ah wanna do mah part." She smiled and hugged a particularly teary-eyed zebra-unicorn. "Ah'll tell ya all 'bout Avalon when Ah git back, okay? Jes' keep safe here while I'm gone. Don't let Cream or Apple trick you into goin' on some adventure! Jes' do what Grandpa says." The foal sniffled, then nodded, giving one last squeeze before letting go and stepping away. The diamond dog smiled, then looked at Candycane. " Is there anything you wish to take with you? There are ample materials in Avalon, and the gems of the Diamond Kingdom are always at your disposal."
Moonlight was finally able to lay down and sleep in a comfortable room after a thousand years of wandering and being lost but she wouldn't be sleeping well, she rolled around, whimpered and thrashed in her sleep, trying to wake up from a seemingly bad dream and once she finally did wake up she found herself on the floor. She clinched her head with her hooves, head throbbing in pain and she was shaking and absolutely covered in sweat. As she slowly stood up, it slowly dawned on her that was not an ordinary dream, why in the world would she dream of the Discord and the element bearers? This must mean something... Something very, very important. "Queen Cadence!" Moonlight exclaimed as she rushed out of her quarters. A few citizens dodged to the side as she rushed out onto the crystal-paved streets of Avalon, and a few Changeling guards perked up at the mention of their Queen's name. A beautiful rainbow beacon was shining from the direction of the restored Castle of the Two Sisters, coming out of what looked like a new, semi-organic crystal extension that was likely the Queen's living quarters. In any other moment, the guard in her would have admired how the blending both allowed the ancient castle to retain its original function and preserved the place as a monument of the past for future generations to witness at the same time, but now was not the moment for such thoughts. |
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Post by Wavelength on Dec 9, 2017 0:32:22 GMT
Candycane smiled up at the impressive monument to shattered stereotypes as it addressed her. "Delighted to meet you, sir! If the journey won't take very long, I suppose we won't be needing to pack food, will we? I have no belongings here..." She looked to the side and smirked, grabbing Sandstone and hugging her close. "I presume it's dangerous to go alone, though. Can I take this?" she giggled.
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Post by wanderingmagus on Dec 9, 2017 0:44:54 GMT
Candycane smiled up at the impressive monument to shattered stereotypes as it addressed her. "Delighted to meet you, sir! If the journey won't take very long, I suppose we won't be needing to pack food, will we? I have no belongings here..." She looked to the side and smirked, grabbing Sandstone and hugging her close. "I presume it's dangerous to go alone, though. Can I take this?" she giggled. The diamond dog grinned as Sandstone rolled her eyes and Grandpa just shook his head. " Y'all jes' keep safe out there, y'hear? An'... thanks again, Guru Fido. Fer everythin'." The diamond dog bowed. " Peace and Harmony, old friend." " Peace and Harmony t' you too. Tell th' Queen Ah said hi." The crystalline being nodded, then turned and knelt down so that his back was at a level the two ponies could easily step onto. " Climb up and grab on, little ponies. I shall bear you safely through the earth." The other diamond dogs had been hard at work all the while, gently laying a few of the bodies into the crystal coffins they'd brought with them while leaving the rest for the Family to take care of on their own time. These were now strapped snugly to their lumbering forms, and they nodded to the Guru before diving into the hole in the ground before them, vanishing with only a quiet rumble. |
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Post by Wavelength on Dec 9, 2017 0:57:05 GMT
"Oh, you'll carry us there? I didn't expect any of this at all! Thank you for your generosity, sir!" Candycane let go of Sandstone so she could get into position, and grabbed on tight herself. "Oh dear, this is gonna get dark, isn't it...," she said with a swallow, looking at the hole in the ground.
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Post by wanderingmagus on Dec 9, 2017 2:29:22 GMT
"Oh, you'll carry us there? I didn't expect any of this at all! Thank you for your generosity, sir!" Candycane let go of Sandstone so she could get into position, and grapped on tight herself. "Oh dear, this is gonna get dark, isn't it...," she said with a swallow, looking at the hole in the ground. Guru Fido chuckled, as his body began emitting a soft glow. " Perhaps not so dark as you think." As soon as both ponies had a firm grip, he dove straight into the ground, and they were whipping through solid, purple-checkered bedrock as though it were water. His powerful diamond arms seemed to always leave just enough room so that the ponies were safe from flying gravel and pebbles, and his legs recreated the rock almost perfectly behind them, leaving no trace. They might have realized that he was literally swimming through solid rock, not just compacting loose earth to the sides. The sound was indescribable, such a complex symphony of diamond and stone striking at precise angles and reconstituting, and the crystalline-organic sounds of the Diamond Dog's heartbeat and breathing, it was beautiful and almost terrifying at the same time, yet they felt safe, safer than almost anywhere else, like being tucked into bed while hearing a storm outside but somehow knowing for absolute certain that everything was going to be fine. The soft glow of his crystalline body illuminated the flying gravel with an effect not unlike the ripples of a stream, as though billions of stars were streaking by and passing on to worlds unknown. Up close, Candycane could see how intricate the diamond dog's crystal form was; each part of his body functioned, almost all of them in ways that should have been impossible, but did so anyways through whatever passed as "physics" in this upside-down world. Looking to her side, she could see Sandstone, looking around in wonder, not the least bit frightened by the experience, though she clung tight to the mighty body of the Guru. In a few heartbeats, she felt as though they were passing some sort of barrier, and the purple stone turned into "normal" grey and brown. This must be the Everfree, untouched by Chaos, just as described. |
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Post by Wavelength on Dec 9, 2017 4:09:30 GMT
Candycane made a mental note to ask how a forest could defend itself from that terrifying power once they arrived at their destination. Meanwhile, the amazing way this diamond dog passed through the earth made her wonder how envious it would make a farmpony who worked the earth every day. They would think they were true masters of the soil, but if they saw this... Candycane felt a little flustered herself at the concept, even though her profession was in candy crafting. It felt like they were going faster than she could sprint on the surface. She started to daydream about digging like this herself, staring off into nothingness as she was lost in the mesmerizing sight...
...She redoubled her grip as she felt a slip. In her distraction, she nearly let go! Come on, focus... This is diamond dog stuff. I don't have claws. Gotta get my head out of the, erm... "clouds..."
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