Magicless Anon #16 - Prequel Edition

File: SXEHKPWNR2TRSWJPFU3EAVZKDSCWRJ7Z.jpg (192KB, 1000x404px) Image search: [Google]

192KB, 1000x404px

>>30462297
Good thing, was about to call (OP) a fag for using the other pic before you deleted

>>30462297
I don't see why anon doesn't use a rock since maud said rocks for some reason harbors magic if it's enchanted by a unicorn or natural or some shit, I don't see why he doesn't use this trick with Twilight then absorbs the magic in the rock.

>You quickly knock, then shove your hands back into your pockets.
>A minute passes, and you become impatient.
"Oh...right.”
>You ring the doorbell.
>Half a minute later you're greeted with a particular purple pony’s smile.
>”Good to see you, Anon.” Her smile fades as she reads your expression.
>Way to play it cool, jackass.
>“...Is there something you’re wanting to talk about?”
>You look to the side, rubbing the back of your neck.
“Yes, actually. You see…”
>”Well, please come on in.”
>You're led into a pretty comfy room with pretty fancy furnishings and other less noteworthy stuff.
>Twilight sits on one of the sofas in the middle of the room.
>You take a seat across from hers.
>”So, what’s up?”
“I was just thinking...I’ve been here in Ponyville for a while, haven’t really gotten around, done anything.”
>You hesitate a moment.
“Could I come along on an adventure sometime?”
>An awkward silence settles the air between you two as she finds a response.
>You can only muster a nervous smile.
>”You know I wouldn’t want you to get hurt. You also know my friends and I’s adventures many times can end up being very dangerous…So what if something bad were to happen, and we couldn’t protect you?”
“Well, I--”
>“What could you defend yourself with?”
>So THAT’S where it comes to, then.
“Heh--another question. So why couldn’t I just get some magic of my own?
>”We’ve been through this already.”
“But can’t it do anything?”
>She takes a deep breath. ”I know what this is about...look.”
>She rests a hoof on your shoulder, and gives you the best reassuring smile she can.
>”You don’t need magic to live a happy life. You already have a lot for yourself! You have your own home, you have friends who will be there for you. I couldn't say there's much else I’d ask for.”
>What a waste of time.
“You know what, you’re right, but I gotta get going. Thanks for the talk.”
>You both stand, and she hugs you.
>”Well, I hope to see you soon, then. Just glad I could help.”

>>30462882
>You reach under your bed, and pull out an old friend.
>Apparently you’re so goddamn insignificant to even tag along on one of those lame ass trips they’d call an adventure.
>Because you’re weak. Because you don’t have fucking magic like they do.
>Yeah, whatever.
>You pull the cork with your teeth. You close the blinds, then lock the door.
>Guess you’ll just stay cooped up in here for eternity.
>You sit down on your bed, and press the bottle to your lips.
>Boy, wouldn’t that piss her off if she found out you used some of the money she gave you to buy this.
>You take a swig, and are sent in a coughing fit.
>Some goes down the wrong hole, burning the fucking entirety of your insides.
>You unconsciously stand and drop the bottle, cracking it and spilling all over the floor.
>You’re eyes water so bad you can’t even tell if your crying or not.
”Cough...ergh…fuck...”
>What a waste.
>You recover, but not without lingering pain. You crash into bed, waiting for it to subside.
>You've no purpose. No legacy.
>At least here you’re literally one of a kind for two reasons. Try guessing which two they are.
>You lean over your bed and look at the mess you made.
>Brilliant.
>You force yourself to get up and clean it all.
>You reopen your curtains, the light temporarily blinding you.
>You look out, and watch the towns ponies go about their day.
>You're not getting anywhere being like this.
>You unlock your door and head outside, randomly choosing a direction and start walking.
>You’ve no idea where you're exactly going, you just try to get your mind off of things.
>You end up following the road until you can barely hear the bustle of the town.
>As you look back, you realize just how far out you’ve went.
>From here you can get the impression of just how big the town actually is.
>The sun shines brightly ahead, but you figure it won’t be too long before the moon takes her place.

>>30462888
>You find a nearby tree and lay against it.
>Soon you no longer notice the birds chirping, or the breeze that occasionally whistles by.
>Memories of your old life and the people you’ve met flood back to you.
>Past friends, relationships.
>Your family...Mostly your parents.
>You wonder how they’re doing.
>If they miss you.
>Sometimes you wonder if it’s possible that perhaps the 'you' of your old world never left, and he continued on with his life.
>But you know that you are /you/, and either way that ‘you’ isn’t you anymore.
>You’d only hoped that the memories would fade with time, but they just keep coming back.
>Might be better that way; lest you forget your origins, and in turn who you truly are.
>It’s only been perhaps a few months....And this may sound cliche, but it’s felt more like an entire year.
>What a nightmare you remember waking up to. And what a hell it was to accept.
>Regardless of whatever happened, your parents would have wanted for you to live a happy life.
>Have you even tried? If not for you, would you try for them?
>Certainly you could put out a little more effort.
>Everything could be worse...No doubt you’ve been thinking of it all wrong.
>Besides, would you be any happier if you could go back?
>Was life so great?
>You slowly stand and take a deep breath.
>You’ll make this work.
>You’ll give Twilight a visit tomorrow.


>”What’cha been up to?”
“Ehh, not very much. Just been doing those hobbies, y’know.”
>”Yeah, I hear ya. I’ve just been reading some comic books, hasn’t been much going on lately.”
“Tell me about it.”
>Spike leads you through the castle, and eventually to the library.
>One of its large doors is ajar, giving you a view of inside.
>Not far and Twilight sits at one of its many tables, a stack of books to her side.
>"Well, figure sorta maybe this is a tad personal, I’ll leave you to it.”
>You nod.
>”C’ya later, Anon.”
>You stand there as he leaves, and watch Twilight from behind the door.

>>30462896
>Her magical aura surrounds her horn and a quill as she writes rigorously, the quill periodically returning for ink.
>Another small purple cloud appears, turning the page of the book she reads from.
>Even from here, you take notice of its particular sparkle.
>You’ve noticed hers is very unlike the other unicorn’s you’ve seen in town.
>More tamed, you’d almost say.
>It’s before brought you this same wonderment.
>What allows one to tame such a force?
>You finally step inside, opening the door more to announce your presence as you do so.
“Hey, Twilight. Is this a bad time?”
>She looks up, surprised.
>“No-no. Of course not.” She rests the quill in its ink. “Come, sit with me.”
>So you do, and sit right by her side.
>Which almost feels somewhat awkward, maybe being just too close and personal.
>“What’s on your mind?”
“Well...These past few weeks have been pretty rough for me. I’ve become awfully depressed, not gotten out much or done anything”
>”Jeez Anon, why didn’t you say anything! I had no idea how you felt.”
“Wait, please let me finish. Yesterday, I realized something, and it changed my attitude and outlook at life completely. I’m sick of feeling worthless; I want to find my place in this world.”
>You take a deep breath.
“And I’m sorry for not saying anything…But I could really use your help."
>The mare shoots up, and immediately embraces you.
>”Anon, you should have asked me sooner. I’ll be glad to help."

>>30462907
Fuck, here's a pastebin. I figure ill be a regular around here.
https://pastebin.com/VUchjPsf

> You are Anonymous, and you are internally flipping the fuck out.
> Of course ol' Sunbutt would want to get rid of something as big as this. You should have put it together sooner.
> All this disdain for anything without magic had to come from somewhere, right?
> And if the "glorious, eternal ruler of the sun" disagreed with racism against magicless beings, wouldn't it make sense that "her little ponies" would cut it out?
> Obviously, Celestia is racist.
> You're definitely not just giving yourself a reason to keep the book, that would be silly.
> "Anon?"
> Oh shit, keep calm, any sign of weakness could be your undoing.
> It's like any time the police knock on the door and ask to come inside.
> Not that kind of "come inside".
> Just keep cool, quickly and inconspicuously hide the evidence, and BE COOL.
"Oh, yeah, uh, look like something might've been there at some point, yep."
> ...
> God fucking damn it.
> Why do you have to fucking flip out when you're under pressure? Why can't you have Death Note levels of coolness and manipulation?
> "Anon, are you feeling okay?"
> Your face hurts from how fast you turn and smile in a wide, fake way.
"Of cOurse I am!"
> "Did... Did your voice just crack?"
> ...
> Fuck it, I'm gonna go feed myself to a manticore.
> Your clear your throat roughly.
"My throat's just, uh, parched. Kinda thirsty."
> "Oh, I have some water. Have to be prepared in case I get horribly lost and am unable to find civilization for a long period of time, after all."
> This horse, man.
> You kinda were thirsty, but you figured the juice in the apples could fix that.
"Thanks, Twilight."
> You vaguely remembered you were supposed to be mad at her, but you can't really find the willpower to continue anymore.
> This is how it usually is with you; once you've had time to rationalize to yourself what you think the reasoning behind the other person (or pony)'s actions were, you usually get over it because there's a good reason.

1/6

>>30463058
Thanks for posting right after me, bud

>>30463058
> Of course, sometime's there's not a good reason.
> And that's when you stay mad.
> Swallowing the mouthful of cold water you sipped from Twilight's offered canteen, you hand said canteen back.
> "So, er, I'm guessing you've been staying here?"
"Yep."
> "Did you happen to notice anything strange in the time you were here?"
> Well, there was that etching of a dick in one of the rooms, but that could have been done by some juvenile delinquent recently.
> But for some reason, the thought of one of the princesses going around drawing dicks on their castle is amusing to you.
"Nope."
> "No strange sounds or sights?"
"A-nope."
> Twilight's brow furrows slightly.
> "Are you trying to be Big Mac?"
> You slowly turn to face Twilight with the straightest face you can muster.
> And you stare for a moment.
> Then you use your southern accent.
"Eeeeeee-YUP!"
> Twilight sighs and facehoofs, muttering about your shitty humor.
> You on the other hand revel in your terrible humor.
> "Seriously though, have you heard anything strange?"
"I have not. I'll tell you if I do notice any strange activity, though."
> Twilight blinked at that.
> "Bu- You mean you're still staying here?"
"Yep."
> Twilight's eyes began to get big and watery.
> Fuuuuuuck
> You can't give in, though.
> At this point, you'd risk being caught with the book, and that wouldn't be good.
"Well, Twilight, I'll leave you to trying to find that book."
> "... How'd you know it was a book?"
> Oh
> SHIT
"Err, well, this is a library, so uh..."
> "Ah. I suppose that makes sense."
> Whew, shit, that almost went bad.
> You skedaddle out of the library, grabbing your apples on the way out.
> Heading back to your chosen room, you set the apple sack down in the corner of the room, and plop down.
> The book, which is still inside your jacket, digs into your side a bit, so you shift around slightly.
> You want to start reading it again, but you don't want to risk Twilight barging in and seeing it.

2/6

>>30463131
> Ponies may not have much common sense, but you probably can't talk your way out of that.
> You instead content yourself with munching on apples.
> After nearly an hour of sitting around and eating apples to beat back your hunger, you decide to check the library again to see it Twilight left.
> Thankfully, she had, leaving you free to go back to your room and continue reading the book.
> The current chapter you're reading goes over some tips and tricks for making metal spellcircles and runes without needing a heat resistant material, a forge, and either magic or incredible skill.
> Of course, it requires runes.
> You spend around half an hour leaving the castle, getting some wood off a live tree, burning a bit of charcoal from a stick on the ground, and copying the spellcircle shown in the book.
> It used an imbue rune for the focus, and used a Water rune, a Travel rune, a Metal rune, and a Channel rune, with an Order rune for the modifyer.
> The circle itself is a Continuous circle.
> Now you need some kind of metal, preferably gold, and something the book mentions called "gem paper".
> Looking back to the book, it explains that it is made by using magic to force gemstone dust into a solid paperlike sheet.
> It gives a spellcircle that can help with that, also a Continuous circle, but you don't have anywhere near enough gems for that.
> You have A gem, singular.
> So you need metal, gems, and another piece of live wood to make the new spellcircle on, and then you'll be good to go.
> On earth, this would be practically impossible without being rich. Thankfully, on Equestria gold and jewels are fairly common.
> You figure you'll try to dig up some gems in the forest, and then quickly run back to Ponyville and go to your room in Twilight's castle, hopefully unnoticed, to grab the rest of your bits, which are mostly gold.
> You'll have to go to Ponyville first, actually, because you don't have a shovel.
3/6

>>30463138
> As you exit the forest and enter Ponyville, you notice it's past noon now.
> You walk the roads toward the giant eyesore known as Twilight's Castle, in all it's tree shaped, reflective crystalline glory.
> Crystalline...
> Maybe you could use that to make gem paper?
> No, Anon, don't vandalize.
> Just get in, grab your money and hopefully a shovel as well, and get out.
> And if there's not a shovel in a closet somewhere, you'll think of something.
> Approaching the door, you carefully try to hear inside to make sure nothing is waiting for you.
> Although if Pinkie is there, you're screwed no matter how much to try to make sure no one's there.
> You carefully open the door, wincing as it's quiet creaks echo throughout the crystal interior.
> You shut it behind you and walk briskly but carefully through the castle towards your room, doing your best to step as lightly as you can without being too slow.
> Finally, you reach the door to your room, and enter.
> Nothing seems to have changed, which is good, because that means you should be able to find your money with little problem.
> Grabbing the small coin pouch hidden inconspicuously underneath your mattress, you also grab a spare set of clothes from the closet.
> Before exiting your room, you listen through the door to make sure you don't bump into Starlight or Twilight upon exiting.
> When you believe the coast is clear, you exit the room and begin your journey to the door.
> Partway through, you hear two voices talking through a door in the hall.
> One in definitely Twilight, but the other sounds more... Regal.
> Letting curiosity get the best of you again, you carefully lean towards the door and listen.
> "You're sure you didn't find it?"
> "Yes, princess, the compartment was already open and empty when I got there."
> "Was there any dust inside?"
> "No, it looked like it had been sealed until recently."

4/6

>>30463063
This
but good to see you updating magus, gotta read both tomorrow

> "And you say that Anonymous has taken up residence in the castle recently, and has not seen or heard anything unusual since he had entered?"
> Uh oh.
> "That's right, Princess Celestia."
> "Twilight, I'm afraid it's possible that he found the book, and is hiding it."
> FUCK
> "W-what? Why would Anon do something like that if the book is so evil?"
> "Perhaps Anon wasn't quite so nice as we seemed."
> Oh
> Oh really
> You'll have her know you may be an asshole at times, but you're not some virgin-sacrificing religious zealot.
> Except for that one time, but we don't talk about that.
> You can't see anything through the closed door, but you've heard enough, so you should abscond while you can, and use this knowledge to circumvent getting busted with the book.
> It'd be nice if you had your own house with a hidden booze cellar that you could use.
> That'd be great.
> However, you'll have to make do with whatever is hidden in the old castle for now.
> Before you make it to the door, you remember you needed a shovel, and looked around for a closet, thankfully finding one.
> Looking inside it, you don't see a shovel at first, but then notice the small gardening shovel in the corner.
> Carefully getting it out, you close the door and continue leaving.
> Just as you open the door to leave the castle entirely, you hear a door open somewhere nearby in the house.
> You close the door quicker than you should have, and it makes a small bang as it closes.
> Well shit.
> You quickly get away from the castle's doors and out of sight, knowing that whoever came out of that door probably heard that, and you didn't want to hang around in case they got curious or had to leave themselves.
> Spending another half an hour getting back, you pick a good spot just outside the castle and begin to dig.
> And dig.
> And dig some more.
> After hours, and 3 fairly large holes dug, you sigh in frustration and throw the small shovel down at the bottow of your current hole.
> Clink
> Hold on...

5/6

>>30463172
> It could just be a rock, but...
> If it actually is gems, you don't want to leave them there so close to victory.
> You pick the shovel back up and remove some of the dirt where you threw it, revealing...
> A mother fucking diamond.
> Which is already cut, for some reason, just like all the gems in Equestria.
> You dig around some more, finding more gems.
> A lot more gems.
> You ended up having to quickly run back into the old castle to empty your apple sack onto your bed so you could fill it with gems.
> Eventually, you didn't find any more gems in the hole, so you filled all your holes as best as you could and carried everything back to your room in the old castle.
> You also grabbed a chunk of live wood again, for the new spellcircle.
> You may not know how to charge the gem paper yet, or know what kind of spell to make, but you'll get to that.
> For now, you're going to sort these gems by color.

6/6

>>30463176
It took me a lot longer than it should have to write this.
Updated Pastebin: https://pastebin.com/Y58jzFMj

Leave feedback and laugh at the fact I left out some information in the 2nd update but it's too late to go back and change it, meaning I have to find workarounds for the stuff I can't do now.
I love writing, don't you?

>>30463211
>>30462940
Its a Renaissance

>>30463154
How'd you manage that?
Figure you meant this:
>>30463068 ?
Which isn't mine, why Anon

>>30463211
4/10

>>30463666
Fuckin brutal, Satan

>>30463172
>> It'd be nice if you had your own house with a hidden booze cellar that you could use.
I love it when these stories reference each other, it gets a chuckle out of me

>>30462297
>paraplegic
>cant be wonderbolt
why? it should be "Pteroplegic", wick would mean wings dont work.

File: Celestia37.png (798KB, 1280x720px) Image search: [Google]

798KB, 1280x720px

REFORMATIVE SPANKINGS

File: Daymare Sun Strikes a Pose.png (2MB, 1920x1200px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 1920x1200px

>>30463211
pretty good. Here's the next part unless anon wises up:
>10 minutes into the sorting process, you heard footsteps up the hall
>you hurriedly hid the book in the first place you could think of, under the bed
>just in time, as Celestia Princess of the Sun entered your squatters den
>"Why hello Anonymous. I trust you are enjoying yourself in my former home."
"Uhhh...."
>she briefly takes stock of the items around the room
>"My my....living wood, a variety of gems, gold, charcoal, and are those spell circles? Anonymous you have been a naughty boy."
>do not want
>"Someone is going to need some reformative spankings."
>DO NOT WANT
Bad End

File: 1489890306183.jpg (53KB, 460x700px) Image search: [Google]

53KB, 460x700px

Why don't any anons try to use """evil""" magic for good, like for medical shit
Twiggles might be incapable of independent thought on any sunbutt enacted policy, but she'd be hard pressed to be against something that has verifiably saved lives
Can then use that foot in the door to offer more development of thaumic/runic technology to improve standard of living

File: 1497134574289.jpg (79KB, 1024x1182px) Image search: [Google]

79KB, 1024x1182px

>>30466589
> Twiggles might be incapable of independent thought on any sunbutt enacted policy, but she'd be hard pressed to be against something that has verifiably saved lives
Like, say... if anon used forbidden "evil" magic to singlehandedly defeat some huge monster rampaging unchecked through Ponyville, like, I don't know, a hydra or something? That does sound like a great idea; we need someone to write a story about anon doing that, and how Twilight and Celestia would react!

>>30466589
>>30466836
Kek

>>30466836
I maintain that if Anon got into the forest like he wanted to, he would have found some way to stay alive.

File: Celestia39.png (779KB, 1231x1020px) Image search: [Google]

779KB, 1231x1020px

>>30464813
perfect

>>30450471
>And just like that, you find yourself back at home with your trio of guests, with tea and tea accessories at the ready.
>You would really have preferred to be working on your magic kit, but this needed to be done.
>Finally seating yourself, you take stock of the expressions at the table.
>Razor, managing to restrain his own excitement pretty well.
>Sunburst, the picture of curiosity.
>Twilight, just as curious, but also equally concerned.
>Pretty much what you expected.
>Well.
>Might as well break the silence before things get awkwar--
>"Can I... just ask something, first?"
>Or she could beat you to it.
>That works, too.
"Uh, sure. What is it?"
>"I noticed that, well, Sunburst looked pretty familiar with that laboratory of yours. Is he...?"
>The look you give to the pony of the minute is one of `it's all yours`.
>He takes it on the nose, and responds in turn:
>"Y-yeah. I've been helping him."
>"For... for how long?"
>"Only a few weeks."
>"Only a few weeks? So, you didn't help him, well, build all that?"
>"No, it was pretty much like that when I started out."
>Her focus shifts to you.
>"So, uh, how long have you had that lab?"
"A couple of months or so? Kinda fuzzy. The days really bleed into each other, you know?"
>She pauses to rub her temples.
>"You didn't just learn all this by yourself. You had to have found a book on it."
"Yeah."
>"You got this book from those ruins, didn't you?"
"Yeah. Jacked it before those Invictus guys burned it."
>"So that passage...?"
>You nod.
>She pauses again, to calm herself down.
>Poor gal.

>>30467803
>"But none of us knew about Incognito back then. Did you still...?"
"Well, of course. I was curious."
>"So you made weapons back then?"
"Only after the not-weapons. And mostly because I was curious."
>"But... why?"
"You ever get chased around by manticores three times out of ten, down in the Everfree?"
>A shrug.
"It's not like I'd kill the things, anyways. But Fluttershy's talks with them never worked, and having something to warn them off sounded good to me."
>"You could have just stayed out of the Everfree."
"Sure, but that also would mean having to stop talking to Zecora as often."
>She gets that one, at least.
>The two of you are pretty close.
>Shit, she hooked you up with those iron supplements, after all.
>Hm, you might need to pop one after the last fight...
>Razor pipes up, once again:
>"Listen, I hate to sound like a dick, but this sounds like something you two need to one-on-one about.
>"Honestly, I'm more interested in finding out more about that little 'experiment' of his."
>Shit, right.
>You almost forgot about that.
>"S-sorry, sergeant. I kind of forgot."
>"I'm the one who oughta be apologizing here. But I have a really tight schedule for the next few days."
"Guess we should get on with it, then."
>Obligatory tea chug before proceeding.
"Alright, well, how much do you know about iron? And all those other anti-magic metals?"
>Twilight goes on to explain what she knows, with some key inputs from Sunburst along the way.
>About how there was a tiny 'field' that surrounds the particles that rejects magic.

>>30467808
>Well, it would work well enough to build off of, anyway.
"All right, well, after a bit of dicking around, I think I've figured out what the reason behind that rejection might be."
>"You have?"
"See, all those materials have one thing in common. Something that makes them very popular in industry back home."
>"Well, iron's a tough material, but I don't know about the others..."
"It's actually that they're all 'ferromagnetic' materials."
>Blank looks from the crowd, Sunburst included.
>Right. You didn't get to explain this to him.
"It's the property of being strongly attracted to magnetic fields, and even becoming magnets themselves."
>Some recognition colours Sunburst's expression, but the rest are all blank stares.
"Uh, Sunburst, you have a pretty good grasp on electricity, so why don't you explain that to them, first?"
>And explain he does, in surprisingly concise terms, about what you described before.
>You were counting on him relating some concepts to pony common knowledge, and sure enough, he does just that.
>After he finishes with right-hand rule, you pick things right back up:
"I'll admit, I don't know the exact details on how it all works, but the point is that electricity and magnetism are kinda inseperable."
>"So... was that the point of that experiment of yours?"
"Yeah, just recreating the force. Though, after seeing what it does, I can kinda see why you guys never really 'discovered' it."
>"What do you mean?"
>Sunburst picks up here:
>"When he did the initial experiment, I was there. I felt the effects.

>>30467818
>"When he connected those wires, it was like the tingle you feel when entering a weak magic-repelling field, only way worse, and stetching all the way down to the base of the horn."
>Twilight didn't do a good job of hiding her cringe.
>"After he, I guess, realized what he was doing, he formed it into a coil shape, which made it even worse.
>"I was almost halfway across the room from him, and I still had the feeling from there!
>"Hay, I could actually feel the magic of the devices near him waning from it!
>"But the worst part was when he wound it around that iron piece."
>A shake of his head.
>"Twilight, that field theory you had about denying magic's existence around the particles?
>"I swear, whatever he did just took that theory to an extreme I didn't even realize was possible!
>"Everything hurt, not just my horn. Like the world itself was trying to push me away.
>"But every magic device near him was completely neutralized.
>"The magic, simply pushed out. It just didn't exist in that space anymore!"
>"As if it's existence was denied."
>Twilight finished that train of thought, the monotone voice perfectly complementing her blown-away face.
>You recognize some of her tics.
>She's itching to write things down.
"Paper's in my office, bottom left desk drawer."
>Well, she didn't waste any time.
>A drawer was flung open, and paper and quill floated out at a very quick pace.
>And thus, the inner super-student was fully awakened in her.
>It's always fun, seeing her do that.
>What the French call, 'I don't fucking know what they call it'.

>>30467823
>As she writes, Sunburst gets some paper and quills of his own, and starts concurrently writing.
>The two were currently in full-blown study partner mode, and boy howdy were they masters at it.
>Like, they were wordlessly exchanging notes and making edits, juggling four and two quills, respectively.
>Man, you were too focused on Twilight to notice the same reaction in Sunburst.
>While those two wrote like they were possessed, Razor chimed in:
>"So, uh, that's new. A force that totally removes magic."
"It's pretty common back home."
>"Pff, figures the super-alien would use magic-destroying stuff every day."
"Don't know about the 'destroying' part."
>"Close enough to 'destroying' for me."
"It's the little details."
>"So, uh, what exactly do you use this 'force' for back home, anyways?"
"Pretty much everything. Motors, cooking, heavy lifting, data transmission; you name it, we've probably got electromagnetism all over it."
>"You know, for something that wrecks magic, that sounds pretty much like magic."
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
>"Not even gonna argue with that one."
"Good."
>In an amazing display of synchronicity, the two eggheads of the round table put down their notes, and slam down their hooves on the table.
>"What else can you tell us?!"
>"What else can you tell us?!"
>...
>Pffffff.
>Nope.
>Couldn't keep a straight face.
>Hah.
>Yep, you're losing your shit right now.
>And from the sniggering to your side, seems your spirit animal agrees.
>All it takes is a glance at him for you two to lose it.

>>30467831
>Holy fuck, it felt good to laugh it out like that.
>God, these fucking ponies are the best thing.
>You take a moment to calm yourself before looking up at them.
>Somewhere along the line, the two got embarrassed, and wait shyly for you two to finish.
>You finish first, just to be nice.
>But Razor doesn't.
>Nothing a smack upside the head doesn't cure.
>You tell them a little bit about the Earth's magnetic properties.
>Namely, how it acts as a deflector shield against solar radiation.
>Keeping some oxygen attracted to the planet helps, too.
>Twilight moves to write some more, totally captivated by this new discovery.
>But she stops short of actually doing it, giving you an apologetic look.
>"I... I'm sorry, Anon. I wanted to ask a lot more, but... I can't even begin to describe the importance of what you just told me!"
"Hey, one big discovery for another."
>"If... If you want to see it that way, I guess."
>She gives her head another shake.
>"Sorry, but my mind is totally elsewhere right now. Do you mind if I come back later, to ask you more?"
>Well... shit.
>You knew this would derail her, but not this badly.
"Uh... I mean, sure, if you want."
>Sunburst wasn't content being left out, either:
>"Anon, I know I said I'd help you today, but I also really need to explore this theory, too. I hope you're fine with that..."
"Brother, don't let me keep you from your nerd shit. You go right on doing that."
>"T-thanks, Anon!"
>"Sunburst, I really need your insight on this. Do you mind staying in Ponyville a day or two longer?"

>>30467835
>"S-stay longer? But, Princess Cadance, she--"
>"I can send some advance notice to her, tell her it's an important matter."
>"W-well, I... I guess so."
>"Great! Let's get going!"
>She's entirely too enthusiastic about this.
>But it's an adorable sight, all the same.
>Really warms those heart-cockles something fierce.
>"Sorry about the brief stay, Anon! I'll make it up to you, I promise!"
"It's all good."
>Sunburst only manages to wave his farewell, before he's float-dragged out of your house by Twilight, along with all that paper.
>...
>"Well. That happened."
"Sure did."
>"I mean, I knew the two were nerds, but that's like... super-nerd territory."
>You quickly check the window, seeing the time of day.
>It's only a little past noon?
>Holy fuck, that took like no time at all!
>Maybe...
>Yeah, you could totally make those keystones!
>Fuckin' A, you'd get some work done, after all!
>"What are you looking at?"
"Getting the time."
>"What, you can't feel it?"
"How the hell do you 'feel' the time?"
>"Well, you just... Oh. Yeah. Right. No magic. Whoops."
>There's no escaping the eyeroll, puny man-horse.
"Looks like I've got enough time to squeeze out some projects of mine before bedtime."
>"Freaky human magic projects?"
"Sure, that."
>"Hope you're planning on showing me."
"I thought you weren't a fan of super-nerd shit?"
>"Writing notes is super-nerd shit. Making artifacts is super-awesome shit. Big difference."
"Fair enough. It is pretty cool."
>"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
>Your descent back into the lab was not made alone, needless to say.
>...

>>30467841
>The next day rolls around, and you arise from your own bed, at long last.
>Feels like forever since you've been able to do that.
>You contemplate the previous day's events as you perform the usual routine.
>So.
>You'd gotten a fuckton of crafting done.
>The keystones took like ten straight minutes of infusion to create.
>For each stone.
>Watching Razor's face when he saw the infuser fire up was fucking amazing, though.
>Once they finished, you gave them a spin.
>The things float on their own power, but are really meant for dedicated stone gate structures.
>Worked well enough for testing, though.
>You actually needed to create matching 'key' pairs for them, that would slot into the things, and link them together.
>Seeing them fire up was awesome. They looked almost exactly like Diablo portals, only with a complex magic rock floating above them.
>Razor offered to test them first, and it worked perfectly.
>The real test was you going through.
>Which also worked perfectly.
>Long-distance travel, acquired.
>Fucking ace.
>Once that was done, you drew up some rough diagrams for some new enchanted gear.
>Fitting more than a deflector shield on a suit jacket was a tricky prospect, given the fucky nature of glyph enchanting.
>And that's not even counting the gloves.
>Really need to figure out how to amp up the TK powers on that.
>But the interference between them just wasn't conducive to power increases.
>You poring over these details stretched into a bit too much 'nerd-shit' for Razor, who promptly took his leave.
>Wonder what he's up to today?

>>30467843
>Well, he'll show up when he's ready.
>Meanwhile, now that you had a fresh outlook on things, you decided to head back down to the lab.
>See what the Lexica could tell you.
>Let's see...
>Advanced Theory was available now.
>And it had a preface, to boot!
>Well, you've got nothing better to do.
>Let's get reading!
>"You are to be given the highest commendations for making it this far. Not many possess the accumen and determination to wield the arcane as you do.
>"However, the test of a true master of the magical arts cannot be taught by any book, nor instilled by any teacher.
>"No, the true test is one of creation. Of forging your own magic. Creating your own arrays. Weaving your own destiny.
>"Even amongst the gifted, the creation of new magic is a rare act. To those who accomplish it, they are lauded as great revolutionaries, and rightly so.
>"While we, the Faber Mystico, cannot tell you how you must create your own spins on the arcane, we can gift you the knowledge to help you in this act.
>"Thus, this section deals entirely in arcane fundamentals: previously hidden and abstracted to you, but now laid bare.
>"These repositories of knowledge will be the most difficult thing for you to obtain access to, and understanding of, make no mistake.
>"But it is our hope - nay, our dream - that the lessons they teach will last you a lifetime.
>"That it will propel you to levels of enlightenment possessed by the wisest of sages, and grant you the might of the most powerful of war-wizards.
>"And perhaps, even install your place in the annals of history."

>>30467850
>...
>Uhh.
>Holy shit.
>So, this is it?
>Like, end-tier shit?
>Making your own spells?
>Well, fuck me with a sideways fireaxe, that sounded fucking amazing!
>God damn right you're looking into that!
>...
>Wow.
>Wow, wow, wow.
>They weren't kidding about fundamentals.
>This was like, extremely fine details.
>You were never gonna cover this in one sitting.
>This needed fucktons of notes.
>But one of these sections was on translating spells from other schools of magic!
>Converting them, in essence, to thaumic glyphs!
>Fuck, you'll come back for that one later, for sure!
>Flicking back to Advanced Constructs, you check what else is there for you.
>Hm...
>'Animus'?
>That's different.
>And it was somehow linked to enchantment.
>Definitely worth a look.
>...
>Holy shit.
>This was the next stage of enchanting!
>Okay, so.
>You literally took gems, melted them down, and infused the fuck out of them with more magic and gems.
>Basically creating magical ink gel.
>You used this to draw glyphs onto items, instead of directly etching magical glyphs with a focus.
>Wow, given how much it says you infuse?
>That would be an enormous jump!
>This is exactly what you needed!
>Oh yeah, now you--
>Wait.
>Why's this section... bordered funny?
>Within the Animus chapter, was a section of text, separated from the rest by a dark border.
>The pages beyond the border were tinged a shade of red.
>That's... ominous.
>Is there any particular reason for this distinction?
>Well, you're not gonna find this out by speculating.
>More reading is in order.

>>30467856
>"We have made every effort to remain as neutral as possible in our application of arcane knowledge within this tome.
>"However, neutrality is not guaranteed where power is concerned, leading us to this warning.
>"This section of paper you read now, is our way of distinguishing magic that could, by all standards available, be considered a dark art.
>"A dark art defined as utilizing the pain, the life, and even the very soul of another being as a source of power.
>"We cannot tell you what to do with the knowledge you have obtained thus far, but know that we would caution you away from such sources of power.
>"The Faber Mystico has never condoned the use of the dark arts, but we nevertheless study some elements of it, to gain further insight into the arcane.
>"Our insights are therefore purely academic in nature.
>"If you wish to reveal the darker aspects of your discoveries, you need only sign your name below, and it shall be made available to you, and only you."
>...
>Dark magic?
>Oh, God damn it.
>Well.
>This was definitely a bad idea.
>Especially hot off the heels of Twilight's concerns over you using evil magic.
>But if these guys really did only take the academic approach?
>Maybe this could give you another edge over Nito.
>And hell, you weren't going to actually make this shit.
>At least, you sure hope not.
>...
>Before you second-guess yourself, you pick up a quill and sign away.
>Turning away, you flick through the book a little more.
>And yeah.
>There were new, 'dark' segments all throughout your old discoveries.
>Fuck-a-doodle-do.

File: 1465166001073.jpg (66KB, 672x712px) Image search: [Google]

66KB, 672x712px

>>30467862
A nice update, for a nice crowd.
A nice Pastebin, for a nice, mostly-not-botted crowd: https://pastebin.com/kQCRMUTs
Now, if you all don't mind, I'm gonna go pass the fuck out now.
Catch you next time.

>>30467888
I'm still waiting for Anon to run into nito's base with a backpack full of electromagnets and a shotgun.

>>30467888
>Dark magic
Oh fuck, shit is going down

File: batkek.jpg (89KB, 262x245px) Image search: [Google]

89KB, 262x245px

>>30467841
>And then Twilight cucked Starlight.
>The End.

>>30467888
Anon making sapient life when

>>30467862
O H S H I T

>>30467976
Anon making a sexy atronach when?

>>30469315
A being comprised entirely of crotchtits, floating in an ethereal mist.

File: 1498997611661.jpg (384KB, 1448x2560px) Image search: [Google]

384KB, 1448x2560px

>>30467888
Oh yes

>>30467888
oh shit boy
also nice trips

File: 1495843414583.jpg (211KB, 748x600px) Image search: [Google]

211KB, 748x600px

>>30469315
>tfw you will never make love to a 1,100 °F flame atronach
why even live

File: 1474353093150.jpg (35KB, 500x667px) Image search: [Google]

35KB, 500x667px

>>30471062

File: 1492475856170.png (280KB, 600x450px) Image search: [Google]

280KB, 600x450px

>>30472254

File: IMG_0074.png (196KB, 961x679px) Image search: [Google]

196KB, 961x679px

>>30472974

>bump for the morningfags

>>30474258
Who is this pony I never seen her before can someone tell me.

File: 1469397989937.jpg (103KB, 750x750px) Image search: [Google]

103KB, 750x750px

>>30475784
>>30476398

>>30475320
A fat sack of lard from a terrible thread.

>>30467862
>Whatever plans you had for stomping out the 'Animus' research were totally thrown aside at this new discovery.
>Hell, the part where you first found that 'sign to get the dark side' option had changed over to a typical obscured page of knowledge.
>No take-backs for you, it seems.
>Fuck.
>Well, you had some serious reading to do.
>You pull up a chair in your lab, and flipped through your old discoveries.
>A good deal of them now had a 'dark' area in them, where there was just blank paper before.
>And indeed, you had some new discoveries to make under your theory sections, that were entirely 'dark'.
>Okay.
>Take it easy, Anon.
>The motherfuckers who wrote this book didn't like dark shit any more than you do.
>It's all for research purposes.
>Deep breath.
>And into the first basic 'dark' theory we go, 'Alternative Vis Sources':
>"Visnodes and leylines, as you well know, are the cornerstone of all magic distribution.
>"But, they are not the only method through which one may obtain vis.
>"A being with a previous connection to magic has potentially decades of vis stored within them.
>"And a prospective - or uncaring - practitioner of magic, may instead use this power, extracting it and bending it to their will.
>"But such a method is not without it's own set of challenges.
>"The vis you obtain through directly linking with the visnodes of the world is pure energy, without the need for 'filtration'.
>"By contrast, the vis from another being is 'tainted' with the essence of it's original owner, and does require such 'filtration'.

>>30477516
>"This by itself poses a significant barrier to any interested in quick grabs at power.
>"However, it also poses a problem to the question of accepting an ally's offering of their own vis, to help fuel your own constructs.
>"For indeed, an offer of magic from a comrade, particularly a gifted one, may be a legitimate use for such a 'filter'."
>Huh.
>Way to poison the well for the reader.
>Or...
>Is is technically 'cleaning' the well?
>Oh, fuck if you know.
>They're at least trying to put a positive spin on it.
>Still, that sounds useful.
>Could you imagine one of your spells, getting a power boost from Twilight?
>That might not be an unlikely scenario.
>Okay, definitely earmarking that for research later.
>Next is 'Tainted Vis'.
>Oh, that sounds fun.
>"The power of another being's vis, as discussed previously, is significant, but ultimately useless to a thaumaturge without 'filtration'.
>"However, thaumaturges are not the only ones who harness vis to their ends.
>"And it is these other practitioners of magic, those who use the full extent of another's power, 'taint' and all, that make this field a dubious one.
>"A user of these 'dark arts', will often directly use this impurity in the vis to amplify the power of their magic.
>"Through this section, you will learn what these 'impurities' consist of, and just how they are used by different sects of dark magic wielders.
>"And perhaps it will also serve as a cautionary tale, to show you just how far another being can fall, in the pursuit of vast, destructive power."

>>30477523
>Really laying the disdain on thick, aren't they?
>Hell, this is the only break in the overall neutral way the book presents it's knowledge to you.
>Well, you're not complaining.
>This segment looks important, too.
>If it can tell you a little bit about dark magic's inner workings, maybe you can figure out a way to... disrupt it?
>Maybe get a classification for just what exactly that Horus-looking motherfucker uses for his magic?
>Okay.
>One more thing, before you over-extend yourself here.
>You change gears to Intermediate Theory, and find 'Nature of the Soul'.
>Souls...
>Nito fucks around with them, right?
>Maybe you can do something about that.
>"The soul. A commonly misunderstood thing, particularly amongst the gifted.
>"But at the same time, it is the most powerful, readily-occurring source of vis available to a far-gone wielder of the dark arts.
>"It is the very core of magic in a gifted being, the thing responsible for tying them to the visnodes of the world.
>"And parting with it can only mean death to them.
>"The mundanes are distinct, in that they possess very limited souls, or even no souls at all.
>"Parting with their souls may only damage them partially, or ruin them as utterly as any gifted, depending on it's influence.
>"But no matter the race, the sheer power of an extracted soul is a boon that cannot be understated:
>"It provides both a powerful, self-recovering well of magic, and an empty vessel available to serve whatever ends the dark user wishes.
>"You will learn of the different aspects of a soul, and the applications of tampering with one."

>>30477529
>Ffffuck.
>Fucking fuck shit.
>Not a good subject to end on.
>Fuck, how do you even approach this?
>...
>Alright, you have an idea.
>Today will be a research day.
>You stand back up, and make your way to the makeshift writing desk, seating yourself.
>The first thing you do is pick up some paper, and take a page out of your bestie's book.
>Draw up a fucking list.
>You'll start with the dark topics, in the order you read about them.
>Since they're pretty basic compared to your current progress, it shouldn't be hard to crunch through them.
>And then, you'll dedicate your time, both today and tomorrow, to powering through the Animus research.
>Just like the infuser, it sounded like the next quantum leap in powering up your shit.
>Which puts it at a very high priority, indeed.
>But you'll save the best for last.
>After all, if there's one thing you know, it's that knowing your enemy is a very key step in taking them down.
>Or is that just what you keep telling yourself?
>You know, to avoid the gut-twisting feeling you're getting from even considering doing this?
>No.
>It's fine, Anon.
>You keep reassuring yourself that everything will be fine.
>After all, these authors haven't done you wrong yet.
>And if they really do hate this shit, which judging from the fucking opening lines of their research pages, they do...
>Then maybe it'll help keep you on the straight-and-narrow here.
>Really make it a 'purely academic' experience.
>God, you really hope so.
>The last thing you need, that your friends need, is for that abyss to gaze back into you.
>...

>>30477536
>"Get her on, quickly!"
>"O-of course, captain Ajay!"
>THUMP
>"Careful, you idiot! There's maybe a week's worth of damage here!"
>"I-I'm sorry, I--"
>"Don't be sorry, be useful! Get the medical kit!"
>rustle rustle
>"Good, now help me get her in position."
>rustle thump
>"We need her hydrated, first. Keep her head upright. And if she chokes on even a drop, I will end you, private!"
>"Y-y-yes, c-captain!"
>...
>Pain and exhaustion.
>An accurate statement on how you feel right now.
>Waves of hot, throbbing pain, extending from your left haunch.
>And too physically exhausted to even lift a hoof.
>All you can manage is to open your eyes.
>And listen.
>It's cloudy out.
>They're moving by really fast.
>Feels like the ground is shaking.
>You're on your side.
>A blanket covers you.
>A pillow under your head.
>What happened?
>Your fight at Canterlot remains burned in your memory.
>But everything after boarding the train is a blur.
>Why...
>Why can't you remember it?
>"Take the reins, private. I'm checking up on her."
>That voice.
>Is that...?
>The floor shakes a little bit more.
>A figure comes into your field of vision.
>It's him.
>Ajay immediately notices your eyes being open, which seems to surprise him.
>"Sweet mother of mercy, you're awake! Private, keep this damn thing steady!"
>"Y-yes sir!"
>Without wasting any time, he gets down to your level, looking you square in the eyes.
>"Don't you even think about talking right now, you hear?"
>You could almost taste the concern he gave off.
>It was... nice.
>Your vision fades again, and you hear your name called.
>...

>>30477541
>You wake up to pain and exhaustion.
>Again...
>Only, the ground wasn't shaking.
>And you were on your back.
>Lying on something nice and comfortable.
>Opening your eyes is about all you can do right now.
>You...
>You seem to be in some kind of tent.
>And there's a lot of empty gems lying around.
>Those are love gems, aren't they?
>Before you can get a look at anything else, you hear the flap opening.
>A fellow ling walks through, his back holding a basket loaded with full love gems.
>He sets them down on a small table, and levitates a few above him while he moves towards you.
>That's the second time somepony's looked shocked seeing you awake.
>Surprised chitters soon turn to excited ones.
>He's letting everyone know you're awake and okay.
>But...
>Why did he use those honorifics for you?
>You try to move your head, only to have the ling dart forward to stop you.
>He was very adamant that you stay right where you were.
>After adding the condition for you not to talk, he gave you the energy stored in the gems.
>More lings entered the tent, helping him do this.
>Huh.
>That's enough love stored in those gems to feed the whole colony.
>How are you just... consuming it all?
>Sure, you drained all those ponies at Canterlot, but...
>The amount you were taking in had to be easily double that!
>They ran out of gems fairly quickly, and you were...
>Kind of satisfied?
>What's going on with you?
>At least you could think straight, now!
>Wish this damn pain would go away, though!
>No, focus! Priorities!
>How did you end up like this?

>>30477550
>Okay, you had that fight at Canterlot.
>You were beaten by...
>Well, okay, the guards beat you, but Anonymous might as well have beaten you.
>That's the last time you underestimate him.
>Then, you left on the train.
>But even hurt as you were, you weren't totally immobile like that!
>Sure, it hurt a lot, having that bolt in your haunch, but it didn't outright cripple you!
>Hrm...
>You remember passing through Ponyville's station without incident.
>The train went on to Appleoosa, so you didn't need to leave.
>Then...
>After that, you just remember...
>Pain?
>No, wait, something else caused that.
>The...
>...
>>Pain lanced through your body as the magical wave collided with you.
>>You were blown through the train's wall.
>>You at least landed on your hooves.
>>Your attackers were royal guards. With some court mages.
>>The mages pummeled you with spell after spell.
>>The guards were too good at sword combat. You couldn't get close enough.
>>They wore you down until you simply had no love left.
>>More guards and mages appeared all around.
>>They wanted you alive.
>>You remember being so tired.
>>So...
>>Hungry.
>>The net came down over you.
>>Some kind of primal instinct came over you.
>>The next thing you know, you were poised over the lifeless body of a mage.
>>Not a drop of magic left in his body.
>>The area around you littered with the bodies of guard and mage alike.
>>The mages dead, and most of the guards barely alive.
>>Everything hurt.
>>You couldn't keep yourself upright anymore.
>>All you saw before you collapsed was a chariot flying in.

>>30477555
>The sound of the tent flap opening broke you from your recollection.
>A certain gryphon came through the tent.
>The other lings hissed at him for a moment, but abruptly stopped when they felt your relief by seeing him.
>Ajay was clearly confused, but didn't let it get to him for very long.
>He made to speak, but stopped at the last second.
>And instead spoke to a nearby ling.
>"How, uh... how is she doing?"
>"She cannot move or speak, and lies in constant pain. But she is recovering."
>It felt nice, having that kind of concern directed towards you.
>The others seemed to ease up once they felt it, too.
>Why were they all reacting so strongly to your own feelings?
>Ajay takes a few cautious looks to his sides, before moving up to your bedside.
>"You, uh, you all right?"
>The only thing you can do to respond is smile.
>"Can... can one of you tell me what happened with her?"
>"I think we'll find out soon enough."
>"How do you figure that?"
>The sound of heavy footsteps was all the response he needed.
>Footsteps.
>It's him.
>He's coming to see you!
>...
>Oh, no.
>He's coming to see you.
>And you failed.
>You couldn't bring Chrysalis back for him.
>The happiness you felt at him coming to see you was now replaced with dread.
>The other lings reacted in turn, many of them huddling close to your bed.
>The footsteps got closer and closer.
>They stopped for a brief moment.
>An uncovered, reddish hand grabbed the tent's door flap.
>Your blood turned to ice.
>After pulling it aside, the human stepped in.

>>30477561
>He...
>He wasn't wearing his armour?
>He was in some kind of robe, engraved with strange symbols that gave off lots of strange magic.
>He still wore his catalyst, though it looked really out of place.
>His eyes met yours.
>Your breath caught.
>His expression began as unreadable.
>But somehow, it began to soften.
>He...
>He wasn't mad at you?
>You only now just notice that the lings and Ajay had dropped into a bow.
>But the lings were trying very hard not to stand up and huddle around you.
>After what felt like an eternity, he spoke:
>"It is good to see that you are awake, Athalia. Captain, please rise."
>Ajay does so without hesitation.
>"Now, describe to me what you saw as you broke away from the rendezvous."
>The gryphon went on to explain what happened.
>They were waiting for you in the agreed-upon spot, but they noticed a lot of ponies gathering.
>Once they noticed some fighting, they crept forward to get a good look.
>That's when they noticed the fight between you and those guards.
>They threw a net over you, and...
>He hesitates for a brief moment, and you can feel the fear coming off of him.
>"Captain, what did she do?"
>"I... I don't know how to describe it. She... I don't know where she got the strength, but somehow, she bolted out and pinned down one of those unicorns.
>"Her eyes lit up a dark purple, and... she sucked out his magic. Flowed out of the mouth and eyes.
>"Some kind of... sphere came out of that pony, and the second it touched her, she lit up with power like I've never seen before."

>>30477569
>You...
>You don't remember any of that.
>Just the bodies.
>"She tore through their ranks like a daemon, my Lord. I've never seen anything like it, outside your own battle skills.
>"I don't know what magic she used on them, but it made my damn hide crawl from that far away.
>"Not a single pony was spared. And she drained each unicorn that was there, the same way.
>"We made it back to the chariot to get her, and the fight was over by the time we got there.
>"My Lord, she looked so... weak, when we found her. Nothing like the changeling we saw before."
>An audible 'hmm' comes from Incognito as he considers this.
>"Describe these 'spheres' to me, my child."
>"They... were like balls of white light, coated in--"
>"White and emerald flames?"
>"Y-yes, my Lord. Do you know what they are?"
>"Yes, I am well acquainted with them. And I now know enough to help her recover."
>Incognito made to walk over to your bedside, his catalyst dancing with magic.
>"My lord, what are you doing?"
>He doesn't offer a response, instead placing the index blade over your chest.
>"Child, this will hurt, but it must be done, if you ever wish to move under your own power again."
>What...
>What's he going to do?
>The lings became very agitated, but dared not move against him.
>The blade lit up a dark crimson colour.
>The tip touched your chitin.
>And the pain returned.
>Horrible pain seared across your whole body, drowning out almost all your senses.
>If you had the strength to scream, you would have done it.
>The agonizing feeling moved all across your body, never slowing pace.

>>30477574
>Somehow, throughout all of that, the pain began to lessen.
>And at the same time, you could feel your body's strength begin to return, as well.
>The only thing you had the presence of mind to use it for, was to thrash around in bed.
>Your voice managed to return, and that was when the screaming finally began.
>As the pain reduced to the feeling of tens of bolts impacting you, his blade finally moved, up to your throat.
>The screaming stopped, your airway blocked by something from within.
>Before you could begin choking, you felt something leaving up through your mouth.
>Dull gray orbs, with light flecks of white and emerald flame.
>The moment one left, the pain you felt dropped by an incredible amount.
>Before long, fifteen of those orbs left your body, and his blade lifted off of you.
>All you could do was cough, heave for air, and sob for many minutes.
>That was, without a doubt, the most painful thing you'd ever felt in your life.
>Once you had regained some of your senses, you turned to look up, where Incognito had been.
>Orbiting the bladed finger of his catalyst, were those orbs he had extracted from your body.
>The lings wasted no time in flocking to your side, trying to help you however they could.
>Ajay looked on in total shock.
>Incognito's face was neutral, and would be otherwise unreadable if his brow wasn't creased in concern.
>As if sensing your need to see the two of them, the lings kept your view of them clear.
>"Make sure she is well rested, my children. There is much we need to discuss."
>Another finger ignited with a sleep spell.
>...

>>30477580
>You woke up in a cold sweat, gasping for air.
>Instantly, your fellow changelings were on you, trying their best to calm you down.
>It only helped a little.
>But...
>Wait.
>You...
>You could move?
>And you didn't hurt anymore?
>No, not really. Your leg still stung from the bolt.
>But everything wasn't aching like before.
>Does that mean you can...?
>You try some experimental chitters, finding they come out just fine.
>The other lings respond with excitement!
>`You can speak again!`
>They still kept using those honorifics.
`What happened?`
>`Incognito used his magic, to remove something from your body! Your recovery was incredible after!`
>You know you could have spoken normal Common to them.
>It would have been a lot more concise.
>But the familiar chittering between hivemates was more comfortable for you.
>No, focus!
>You did remember that.
>How horrible it felt.
>Before you could think about what he removed from you, the tent flap opened again.
>Incognito had walked back through.
>His attire was much more casual; the same thing he wore around the mountain hive, when giving his speeches.
>Long-sleeved black clothes, with a collar near the neck.
>It looked a lot like the collars on pony shirts, except instead of a tie or bow, his had a strange white line of fabric through it.
>It always seemed to make him look so...
>Down-to-Equus?
>Oh, you don't know!
>"Good morning, children. Is Athalia well enough to speak?"
>"Y-yes, my Lord! She's recovered so quickly!"
>"I know. I must ask you to leave the two of us alone, however."

>>30477588
>Reluctantly, the lings filed out of the tent.
>He looked so much more... approachable, without his catalyst.
>But his unreadable expression contrasted it well enough.
>Once you were alone with him, he pulled a chair free, and placed it by the bedside, sitting soon afterwards.
>"It is good to see you moving again, my child."
>Oh, no.
>That's right.
>You...
>You failed him.
>He must think you--
>Your thoughts were interrupted by his hand clasped around your hoof.
>"Please, do not concern yourself with your mission. We shall discuss that later. For now, I'd like to hear how you are doing."
>His hold, combined with the softer expression, succeeded in calming you down.
"F... Fine."
>"I am pleased to hear that."
>And then, his expression reverts to serious.
>"Now, do you remember anything about this... fight you had?"
"N-no. One moment, there's a net, and the next, bodies..."
>"I see. Do you know what is is that you did there, my child?"
>You shake your head.
>He looks relieved to see that response.
>"So it was just an instinctual attack. Good. The damage won't be permanent, then."
>Wait, what?
>P-permanent damage?!
"D-damage...?!"
>"I suppose you deserve to know what happened, then.
>"Athalia, those orbs I removed were the remnants of fifteen pony souls."
>...
>"In whatever desperation you found yourself in, you had consumed the very souls of the unicorns to give yourself an enormous boost in power."
>T-t-that...
>"Quite frankly, you are fortunate to even still be alive right now, to say nothing of being left an emotionless husk for the rest of your life."

>>30477594
>You don't know how much time had passed since hearing that.
>But at some point, you must have started crying.
>At least, you can't think of any other reason why Incognito would he holding that handkerchief right now.
>"I realize that you must be... quite shocked by such a revelation."
>Shocked doesn't cover it.
>You...
>You feel sick.
>"But such... dark magics, are largely driven by intent. Were you consuming them while of sound mind, you would be beyond saving.
>"However, you had done so while being virtually unconscious. As such, the impact to your body and mind has been... largely transient.
>"In fact, I don't believe I have ever seen such a limited extent of damage from such an event."
>You're only half listening right now.
>The sick feeling was getting worse.
>Almost as if sensing your feelings, he procured a bucket from under the bed.
>He placed it into your hooves, letting go of you as he did so.
>The sick, nauseous feeling had gotten so much worse.
>You're really glad the bucket was there.
>Because it was at that point that you began to vomit.
>...
>"Easy, child. Such sickness is sadly par for the course, where dark magic is concerned."
>You were left heaving for air after what just happened.
>That wasn't normal vomiting.
>Normal vomiting doesn't go on for minutes.
>Nor does it come out as black!
>"I am afraid you will suffer this, and other effects, for several days. It is your body's method of eliminating the contagion of another's soul."
>Oh, that's just great.
>As if unknowingly performing evil magic wasn't bad enough.

>>30477601
"M-my Lord?"
>"What is it?"
"How... h-how do you d-deal with it?"
>"Deal with what? O-- Ahh, my own use of the dark arts?"
>A proud smile works his way onto his features.
>"You cannot poison a well that has never been dug, Athalia."
>You can't really work through the metaphor right now.
>Maybe later.
>"Now, the sickness you just felt comes in waves, roughly three hours apart. It shall decline as the days go on, thankfully.
>"But I would advise you keep your fellow changelings close, to help ease the recovery."
"I d-don't think I-I could k-keep them away, e-even if I t-tried..."
>"Yes, they do seem quite enamored with you, don't they?"
>His knowing smile was replaced with a more serious look, once again.
>"Now, I am afraid I must now ask about the mission you had."
>Oh.
>Now you felt a different kind of sick feeling.
>Damn it all.
>You somehow manage to explain to him what happened, leading up to getting to the prison blocks.
>But you break down right after getting to that part.
>"Child, what's the matter?"
>You're sure whatever you just said could be construed as 'I failed you'.
>His hand finds it's way to your withers this time.
>"Enough of that. The pair of us were enraged at the time. Good judgment was in short supply.
>"It was a mistake to send you alone, but you performed very well, getting that far by yourself."
>Well, if nothing else, you started to stop crying.
>Even after that, he still forgives you?
>He...
>He really is the best leader you've met...
>"You do not need to recount the prison. Just tell me about Chrysalis."

>>30477609
>With the go-ahead to skip past that part, you tell him about how you snuck into the vault, where she was kept.
>He seemed impressed by your ability to do that.
>It made you feel a lot better, seeing that reaction.
>Then you moved onto what Chrysalis told Twilight.
>All throughout, you notice his expression change.
>He's confused.
>"That can't be correct. I met that other human before. A loudmouthed, vulgar coward, he was."
"W-well, t-that's what she said."
>He shakes his head to clear it, and tells you to continue.
>Your own sadness returns when that Anonymous entered the vault.
>He caught you by surprise, and goaded you into attacking.
>Against all that self-control that you'd been taught, no less!
>You don't mention the things he said.
>Telling him about your defeat was humiliating enough.
>You work up the nerve to look at Incognito when you end at getting aboard the train.
>His confusion was even greater than before.
>Was...
>Was this really that far outside what he expected?
>He partly succeeds in forming his face into a serious look again.
>"Athalia, is everything you just told me accurate?"
"I-I'd never l-lie to you..."
>"I see. This is... very unexpected. I have much to prepare for."
>He takes his hand off you, and rises to his feet.
>"Please excuse me, I have much to investigate about this."
>It...
>It hurt a little, seeing him leave that abruptly.
>The changelings came back into the tent after he left.
>Despite their caring actions, the hurt feeling didn't leave.
>...

File: 1497653743564.png (615KB, 1200x1500px) Image search: [Google]

615KB, 1200x1500px

>>30477616
You have gained warp
I'm surprised I put out this much, this quickly.
Still, it was a fun write.

Pastebin is not a substitute for magical advice, sadly. But you're welcome to try.
https://pastebin.com/kQCRMUTs

>>30474258
her talent is getting hotgdogged

>>30477626
Just caught up.
Bretty good.

>>30477626
I enjoy this story very much.

>>30477588
Is that bastard a fucking priest?

>>30477626
I can't wait for anon to beat the smug off that stupid face

buuuump

>>30477626
Here's hoping the Lexica Thaumaturgia knows how to make Sanitizing Soap and Arcane Bath Salts.

>>30477626
Bretty gud mang
[spoler]Anon EMPing the fuck out of Incognito when[/spoiler]

Where the fuck is CyborgAnon? I wanna see CyperPonk.

>>30477626
>Warp
OH BOY HERE WE GO

>>30463211
Moar?

>>30462297

File: FANMADE_%5C-I_feel_the_warp_overtaking_me%5C-.jpg (11KB, 300x168px) Image search: [Google]

11KB, 300x168px

>>30477626
Warp, you say?

File: 1492546146056.gif (32KB, 274x293px) Image search: [Google]

32KB, 274x293px

>>30482109

File: twilight sparkle.gif (462KB, 225x150px) Image search: [Google]

462KB, 225x150px

>be HK-47
>write 41 lines of mini prequel before breaking into the usual autism of ">You are Anon"
>greentext with consistent grammar
>entire story all on one pastebin page
nice

>>30477626
>Be Anon
>Discover a perfect ace in the hole anti-magic that would make you literally unstoppable if weaponized
>Don't immediately make research and implementation of this anti-magic the fucking #1 priority
On top of this, he has no idea if or when Incog is coming after him. If he doesn't have countermeasures in place real fuckin' quick, he's fucked.

>>30483837
Look at it this way, anything with magic would potentially die if close enough from what we saw from his warning to Twilight.
You still think its a good thing to test it while living in a town full of magical talking horses?

File: imagegif_0.gif (734KB, 401x245px) Image search: [Google]

734KB, 401x245px

>>30483864
A necessary evil on the road to arcane godhood.

>>30483864
Won't they all die anyway if edgemaster nito shows up?

Got a new story for you.
It's a real mold-breaker, I think you'll like it.

>"Hi Anon."
"Hi Twilight."
>"So it looks like you can't use magic."
"That's where you're wrong, Twilight, because I have MELANIN."
>"Melanin? What's melanin?"
"Melanin is the magical chemical present in all humans of my race that grants us special powers."
>You materialise a slice of watermelon from thin air with a flick of your wrist and chew into it.
>"Anon that's incredible!"
"No Twilight."
>You smile.
"That's black magic."

The End
No no, don't thank me, I know it's unlike anything you've ever seen.

>>30484841
I see garbage every time I open the catalog.

File: blackmagic.gif (2MB, 350x196px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 350x196px

>>30484841

>>30482726
Aw, did I post a picture you didn't like?

>>30483864
Well he already did acknowledge that he would need to find a far-off place to test things. So then make THAT the first order of business

It just seems to me like allocating all his efforts to learning dubious dark arts and beefing up the equipment he already has after making such an important discovery is a massive waste of time at best, and a horrible mistake that will come back around to bite him in the ass at worst

>>30485515
Yes

Delet it

Im going to bed, keep this thread alive please.

>>30487874
No

>>30488790
Yes

>>30484927
Black magic sounds like a great idea for a green.

>>30490153
We've had tons of dark magic in different stories, and Basketball American mafic sounds.....cringy. like, as a short goof it works but as a real attempt at a narrative there are loads of problems

>>30485977
No.

page 9 bumperoo

>>30489189
I don't know.

>>30493240
Can you repeat the question?

>>30477626
So have the Windigos just fucked off? With all this war and fighting you'd think it'd be getting quite chilly.

Thaum Anon at full potential vs. Steel Sanctuary Anon when?

>>30495364
speaking of TiM, EMP GRENADE FUCKING WHEN

Good night HK-47
I will dream of updates

I just realized as a drifted to sleep in a half dream- that HK-47 made the magic lightning described as non electron interfering, so that In the final battle vs. Nito, Anon can't just zap his Iron armor into a giant magnet, disarming both of them, but trapping Nito in the beast of the machine.
I joined this thread, so fuck me if another Anon already pointed this out.

>>30493685
What's your plan?

>>30494303
Is winter coming?

>>30497324
Anon and Luna singing 'Let it Snow 'when?

>>30496713
To crash this thread.

>>30499644
With your dubs?

>>30463176
> DO NOT WANT
> BAD TOUCH
> OH GOD
> WH-
> Wait...
> Oh thank the lord, it was just a dream.
> A horrifying dream about Princess Celestia giving you "reformative spankings".
> Which is to say she slapped your ass in increasingly rapey ways.
> At least you woke up before anything that would give you PTSD happened.
> In case you haven't guessed yet, you are Anonymous.
> The only good thing about that dream that you can remember is that it brought forth a good point:
> You need a good place to hide this definitely illegal rune shit, because you're an obvious suspect.
> You can't use anything pre-existing, because chances are Celestia knows about it.
> You're going to have to make your own place to hide out and do magic shit.
> As much as you'd like to begin the process of making gem paper and metal glyph shaping right now, this is top priority.
> It can't be too close to Ponyville or the castle, because the closer to civilization they are, the greater chance they have of being discovered.
> But you ask yourself, do you really need magic?
> Sure you're tired of everyone thinking you're weak and pitiful for not having it, but you'll have your own house soon, so you can just shut yourself away except for when you go to collect food or something.
> Or you can man up and not let these small colorful horses successfully tease you.
> If you just got rid of the evidence and turned in the book, say you found it while exploring the nearby forest, say there was a partially eaten corpse nearby, you could probably put this all behind you.
> But something inside you just wants to do this.
> And you're kind of curious as to what you can do with this.
> So you decide to continue.
> No going back now.
> Once you start making new spells with this, you can't go back.
> So you decide to carry what you can and hide anything else that's incriminating before leaving to explore.

> You are suspicious of a certain human, so you're obviously Princess Celestia.

1/6

>>30500938
> You talked to your faithful student, whom is technically not your student anymore, Twilight Sparkle yesterday about the book.
> Needless to say, you were not at all pleased by the current turn of events, and were currently on your way to investigate Anon.
> Nopony ever expects the Solar Inquisition.
> Trotting through the Everfree towards your old home, you only have to blast one Timberwolf in the face before you reach said home.
> From how Twilight said he was still carrying a sack of apples when he found her in the library, you assume he chose to dorm somewhere nearby.
> If memory serves, there were a few quarters on both ends of that hallway, and a few past it.
> Heading to that hallway, you check every room, looking for signs of recent activity.
> Your search is eventually met with a room containing several piles of gems, sorted by color, and a mostly fixed up bed, complete with a blanket that you believe was from the visiting dignitary quarters.
> Piles of gems, assorted by color...
> On it's own, it would be easy to assume he was just collecting them, possibly to sell.
> However, if he did indeed have that rune book, it would be clear these gems were for a different purpose.
> You inspect the room closer, checking in corners, under pillows and covers, and even the mattress.
> All you find is a bunch of apples on the table, and a sheet of paper containing a few drawings and scribbles.
> The paper was probably just an attempt at amusement, considering most of it consists of exaggerated imagery of heads and faces made to look comical.
> Just as you were about to call it quits, you realized that some of those gem piles were big enough to hide something.
> You lift them up and carefully inspect each pile, finding only a few bits of dirt.
> Drat.
> Er, not that you WANTED the human to be practicing illegal magic, or anything.
> You place everything back to mostly the way you found it, and stepped out of the room.

2/6

>>30500947
> And bump into none other than Anon.
"Ah, good afternoon, Anonymous. I trust you are enjoying my old home?"
> "Oh, uh, sorry Princess, yeah, it's okay, I suppose. Or rather-"
> You giggle lightly at Anon's embarassment.
"It's fine, Anonymous, nopony has lived here for a thousand years, and I doubt many would want to. No offense, of course."
> "Ah, yeah, none taken. I just needed a place to go and clear my head for a few days, but it's been kinda fun exploring the place."
> At the very least, he doesn't seem like someone currently practicing forbidden magic. But you've seen some good actors over the course of your long life.
"I would assume so, considering the amount of traps and secret rooms hidden here. My sister and I were quite fond of pranks and such back then."
> "Yeah, I've almost fallen prey to some of those traps myself."
"And I saw you had marked a few of them."
> You could see him begin to grow tense. Perhaps those markers lead to some secret room he had discovered where he hid things?
> "Y-yeah, I kept forgetting where traps were and didn't see them when I wasn't paying close attention, so I decided to mark them and a path to and from here."
> He's been saying "yeah" at the beginning of his sentences an awful lot. Perhaps a nervous tick of his?
"Well, dear Anonymous, it has been a pleasant talk, however. Good day."
> As you begin to turn the corner, you hear him say something about "spankings".
> This obviously makes you turn around.
"I'm sorry, did you say something?"
> His face turned a shade of red greater than that of a tomato, and he began to stammer.
> "N-No, no, uh, I just said... SPARKLING! Yeah, talking about these gems here, hehe."
> Right, and you don't like cake.
> "I don't have weird sexual fantasies, I promise."
"... Right."
> With that, you decide to leave before he started making an even greater fool of himself.

> You just made a fool of yourself in front of Princess Celestia, so take a wild guess at who you are.

3/6

>>30500960
> Why did you even have to say anything about that weird dream?
> And why did you have to flip out like that?
> Well at the very least it might make her think you came out here for some weird sex fantasy instead of practice illegal magic.
> Better than getting jailed, unless she thinks your fetish is illegal.
> Like if she thought you were luring fillies and colts out here to give them some "reformative spankings".
> OH NO, STOP THAT TRAIN OF THOUGHT NOW.
> That's a dark road you do NOT want to travel.
> No >rapeing the small horses.
> You really just came back to get the rest of your gems and move them to the cave you found almost 30 minutes away from the castle.
> You thought about making some markings on the walls, but you decided against it now that you realize just how obvious they are.
> You'll have to either commit the path to memory or find a subtler way of marking paths.
> For now, you take as many gems as you can and head to the cave you found.
> There was a short encounter with a manticore along the way, but thankfully it decided to leave you alone.
> You're guessing Fluttershy is responsible, and you love that little buttery thing for it.
> Eventually you make it to the cave, and resort the gems you took with you into the new piles you made.
> The cave itself is lit up by some strange crystalline mineral that glows just enough to see inside.
> You would be worried about radioactivity, but you remember that radioactive materials only glow under ultraviolet light.
> Of course, it could still be radioactive, but still glowing because magic.
> But if you do get cancer from it, and you can't find a way to get rid of it through magic, it's a problem for Future Anon.
> ... It's going to give you cancer, isn't it?
> Regardless, after you sort the gems again, you begin finishing the spellcircle for making gem paper.
> It takes a bit because the lighting is so dim, but you get it done and begin crushing some gems with a diamond for dust.

4/6

>>30500970
> After a very long and tiring process, it gets done, and you activate the spell to begin shaping the dust into paper.
> Usefully, the spell links to you after you activate it, meaning you don't have to constantly hold the circle to use it. Instead, you just picture how you want it to move, and it shapes the dust while also imbuing it with magic to partially rebind it while also making it more paperlike.
> It takes a while, and you can tell the wood the spellcircle was on is now dead, but you finally have an average-sized sheet of paper that sparkles faintly when you move it in the light a certain way.
> You decide the first spell you should make is a more permanent gem paper making spell, so you gather a handfull of gold coins and fire up the other spellcircle.
> It's a bit wierder than the gem paper spell, because the gold coins literally liquify as you pick them up with the spell's magic.
> It's kinda trippy, really, and while you would normally spend several minutes playing around with it, you remember that your current circle doesn't have much life in it, so you hurry up with the circle making.
> It takes all of the circle's power and a few near failures, but you manage to finish making the spellcircle on the gem paper just as the wood dies completely, stopping the spell.
> You would have been done quicker, but because the spell was channeled with charcoal, it didn't move the gold very quickly.
> You would like to continue working some more, but it's probably late, so you put everything important, as well as a few gems, into the sack, which you brought with you, and then hid the sack behind some rocks in the cave.
> Satisfied that your stuff will hopefully not get stolen, you leave and head back to the castle quickly, because it was getting dark.
> And you didn't want to be wandering the Everfree in the dark, even if most of the normal dangers there didn't affect you because you had no magic.

5/6

>>30500979
> Upon getting back to your beloved hobo hole, you eat a few apples and then lie down to sleep.
> To be honest, you were kinda thirsty, but the apples helped.

6/6

Next update is here a lot sooner than it would have been if not for that anon that posted some reformative spankings.
Thanks for that.
Bin of Pasting: https://pastebin.com/Y58jzFMj
As I've said every time, tell me how good it is.

>>30501040
Thankyou based Pseudo Magus.

File: kekus.gif (2MB, 400x170px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 400x170px

>>30500938
>>A horrifying dream about Princess Celestia giving you "reformative spankings".
kek

>>30501040
I feel like someone else just did a story exactly like this.

>>30500650
No, with no magic!

File: FANMADE_Twilight_read_poster.png (190KB, 900x1260px) Image search: [Google]

190KB, 900x1260px

>>30501353
That's because the story so far is how most generals with a greentext prompt work. The logical conclusions set by the nature of the thread ends up forcing a common narrative, making beginnings often samey, with the differences coming later on. The reason most of them follow such similar narratives is because the prompt allows for a tree of decisions
A.Anon does something to get power
B. He rolls over and accepts it
B is boring af to read and likely to write, so it's almost always A.
A1 Anon gains power by Tech
A2.Anon gains power by magic in various means.
Because A1 has its own General (Technology is Magic) that route is avoided and make A2 railroaded, even more so by the fact most other writers of the general did it that way before.
Of course this is just my observation and there likely something else here that I'm missing, but being wrong on the internet usually gives you the information you need, albeit not likely pleasant.

>>30502252
I mean the finding magic powers for dummies, and instantly shuttering himself away and diving in full retard.

I see almost no difference between this and runeanon.

>>30502355
I think the difference is this anon seems not to be as angsty as Runeanon, at least not yet anyway.

File: 0493e3ae9d51502439445e4fab08f45cbef4aca3a982da95f05ccfe51d47a4c3.gif (2MB, 555x604px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 555x604px

>>30502154
Meme magic?

>>30502768
>>>/r/eddit
>>>/t/he_donald

>>30503053
Keep it up and I'll be tempted to start a Kek centered story that dies after a single update.

No ded

>>30505037
Unded

>>30503940
Didn't we have something like this, a few threads back?

>>30477616
>"Another glass, partner?"
"Just half, thanks."
>This fucking barkeep, man.
>How does one man-bull-pig remain so based?
>Must be a bartender thing.
>Three days after your little research spree, and here you are, sipping away on some whiskey.
>Your usual drinking pals of Dash and AJ in tow.
>Well, with the addition of Razor as the designated driver.
>Ish.
>Back at the castle, he just gave you the same booze that he had: yak gin.
>It was pretty god-awful, and obviously watered down.
>But hey, you wanted to be nice about it.
>Now that he's seeing you knock back two and a half glasses of straight minotaur whiskey?
>Well, shocked pony faces will never get old for you, let's put it that way.
>After receiving your drink, the apple-flavoured drinking buddy pipes up:
>"Just two n' a half?"
"I'd prefer not to pray for death in the morning, thanks."
>"Heh, ya' always know what to say, don'tcha?"
"Years of experience, 'Jackie. Years of experience."
>You take a small drink of said beverage.
>A few moments later, you feel it hit you.
>In that small, controlled dose, of course.
>You were serious about avoiding a hangover, though.
>You had too much work to do to fumblefuck around with that.
>Hm...
>Wonder if Sunburst got his gate stone set up by now?
>Okay, no, stop that immediately, Anon.
>You're here to get away from work, not drag it along with you.
>Being just partially loaded only did so much in that regard, sadly.
>But it's a lot better than entering hermit workaholic mode 24/7.
>Been there, done that.
>You'd rather not make them rectify that phase again.

>>30507667
>Ah, there we go.
>Dash got a bit too loaded, and is talking some real tough shit to Razor there.
>Seems she didn't forget the whole 'kept behind during the Canterlot shitstorm' thing.
>Razor, for his part, responds pretty well.
>Not his first rodeo with corralling drunks, it seems.
>AJ's totally transfixed on the scene.
>And while it's pretty entertaining, you're only really half-listening.
>"Nothing but work on the brain there, Anon?"
>Huh, didn't expect the barkeep to pipe up.
"You could say that."
>"Well, at least you're getting some downtime in. Had us all worried with that big hiatus of yours from before."
"Yeah, sorry about that."
>"Bah, don't worry about it. Still, seems like you've got an awful lot to handle lately."
"You don't know the half of it."
>"Do I want to know the half of it?"
"Heh, not really."
>God, that laugh is always a mood-booster.
>"Though if you don't mind my asking, what exactly's in your diet?"
>Wait, what?
"That's a bit random."
>"It got your mind off work, didn't it?"
"This is true."
>"So, what're you eating?"
"Pony stuff, sans the hay. Why?"
>"Wait, really? How do you even stay alive like that?"
"What do you mean?"
>"Those teeth of yours say it all, friend. You're only getting half the stuff you need. I can tell."
>Wait...
>Meat?
>Of all things he could've brought up, it's your no-meat streak?
"Uh, don't know if you noticed or not, but... the equine crowd here isn't really fond of that."
>"Bah, so what? Way I see it, they oughta change their attitude around you, not the other way around."

>>30507672
"Where's this even coming from, man?"
>"Look, I've seen gryphons try to go the no-meat path before. Ends up the same way, each time."
"And, this is...?"
>"Those fellas are made for hunting, and the meat's there to get those muscles fixed up and ready."
"What, the protein?"
>"Yeah, that! And since you eat the stuff, that means you're made for the job, too."
"And... what makes you think I'll need to start... hunting?"
>"Oh, you're not fixing to hunt, I know that already. But you are fixing for the next best thing: a good fight."
>...
"Fuck did you say?"
>"You hide it from them well, but I've seen you around long enough to see the difference.
>"All the little changes in how you hold yourself? Pretty obvious to me what you're after."
>He leans in a little closer.
>"I'm guessing that's what you're working on, isn't it? Stuff to fight with?"
>Jesus fuck.
>When did this guy become a fucking mind-reader?
>"Well, you're not gonna go far in a fight with scrawny little arms like that, friend.
>"And if gryphons are anything to go by, the plant 'alternatives' take way too damn long to work their magic.
>"You, my friend, need the real stuff. Give it a week or two, you're gonna see a real difference."
>There's an offer in that sentence.
>But hold up.
>You've been trying to get some semblance of muscle on you since that research crunchtime.
>But you always hurt like hell after, and take a whole fucking day to function right.
>Because you...
>Oh, for fuck's sake.
>First it's iron, now it's Real™ protein.
>There's no end to your fuck-ups, is there?

>>30507677
>Fuck, no wonder you went down in a few punches to Incognito.
>And no wonder you needed intense alchemy to recover from that!
>And from the Chrysalis fight!
>Obviously, he doesn't skimp out on his daily dose of animal flesh.
>...
>Fine.
>I'll bite, you fucking bull-man.
"I'm listening."
>"There's this gryphon place, up in Cloudsdale. Sells all kinds of stuff I'm sure you'd like."
"Not sure what there is. You know, alien and all."
>"And you can't get up there, either."
"That, too."
>"There's this one pony in town, Thunderlane? Makes a good business 'reselling' the stuff to others, all under-the-table."
"Sounds shady as hell."
>"Hey, how do you think your animal-loving friend gets the feed for some of those critters?"
>Sh--
>Oh.
>That, you didn't know.
>"It's totally legal, just frowned on. But you knew that part already."
"Right."
>"He shows up at the clocktower every Friday at ten, delivering for Ponyville. Catch him there, get the menu."
"I'll... keep that in mind."
>"That's all I ask. Neither of us wants to see you in a body cast, is all. Much less a grave."
>Ouch.
>Shit.
>That one hit home a bit.
>"Now, care for another half-glass?"
>Huh, guess you went through it pretty quick.
"Oh, why the hell not. But that's my limit for tonight."
>"I'll hold you to that."
"Has anyone ever told you you're the best barkeep ever?"
>"Has anyone ever told you I'm the only barkeep you've met here?"
>Now you're both laughing.
"Hey, you said 'anyone'."
>"What can I say, it grew on me."
>...

>>30507694
>Man, this is like the total inverse of a Series of Unfortunate Events™.
>First you finish cracking Animus, then you get set up for an early meat delivery?
>Like, two days later early?
>You admit, the first meeting sketched you out at first.
>And Fluttershy was shocked seeing you there.
>But that Thunderlane guy was actually pretty cool about it.
>Well, after replacing his up-front fee with some ear scratches, of course.
>Even gave you a third off his going rate if you doled some out every meeting.
>The skills still pay the bills.
>Hell, it's not been that bad, living off the big cache of savings.
>Too bad Equestria doesn't have interest rates, otherwise you'd basically be set for life.
>But hey.
>More time for magic is time well spent.
>And here you are, the day after the meeting, finishing up with making a meat fridge n' freezer for the cellar.
>You were suggested to keep the meats in separate fridges, and it's hard to disagree.
>'Twas a quick little craft anyways, only half an hour to make it.
>Now that that's done with, you pick up your two favourite staves, and start digging out the planned satellite lab.
>The Excavator got a nice upgrade, where it also compressed the shit out of the earth it digs up.
>Makes it super easy to float the stuff away with the TK.
>All right...
>You've gone a good distance now, just a little further.
>Once the rough shape of the lab is dug out, you'll return to actually making yourself some animus.
>Almost there...
>Aaaand...
>Done!
>You'll pile up the compressed shit in the middle here for now.

>>30507703
>Getting back to the book, you flip over to the Animus directions.
>Not a bad infusion by any stretch, but you got fairly little out of each operation.
>It was bad enough getting those matching gems, too.
>But you've got enough for a decent amount.
>Huh.
>That's right.
>There's a 'dark' section to this animus shit, isn't there?
>You'll read it later.
>You get to work setting the gems out in the right order on the pedestals.
>And then, you fire up the gem-melting setup.
>Hm...
>Dark sections.
>You know, you were honestly pretty surprised.
>The first two ones you looked into were actually really helpful.
>Probably wouldn't have guessed they were evil, honestly.
>Figuring out how to make one of those 'filters' was going to be pretty helpful.
>After all, who's gonna say no to a power-up from a friend?
>Although.
>Hmm...
>Could that same theory also double up as magic absorption?
>Yeah, you know what, let's write that down for later.
>Something might come of it.
>...
>All right, sweet.
>That's only the eighteenth 'good idea' on the bucket list here.
>But hey, better to have than have not, right?
>Anyway.
>'Tainted Vis' was extremely helpful as well, more than you were expecting.
>The magical 'taint' wasn't really so much 'taint', as it was 'ownership'.
>In other words, their soul kind of 'flavours' their mana.
>Making it essentially only work for them.
>But true to it's word, it also told you a little bit about dark magic users.
>There were all kinds in the book, and the descriptions were pretty barebones, more like an overview.

>>30507715
>One particular type of dark magic user, however, immediately caught your eye.
>That type having the name of "Bloodreaver".
>About as self-explanatory as it is edgy.
>Those guys use people's blood as a kind of liquid mana battery.
>That gets more powerful the more the 'donor' suffered at the time of extraction.
>And they used...
>Actually, hang on, where's that section?
>Ah, here it is:
>"...However, a Bloodreaver's most distinguishing feature is the peculiar arcane conduit they wield.
>"This conduit, referred to by them as a 'catalyst', is made for two purposes.
>"The first is using a complex array of gems and soulstones to form and channel the extracted vis, with almost as much finesse as a spellcaster from a gifted race; a feat that we have not been able to match at the time of writing.
>"But the second purpose, is to use it as a highly dangerous melee weapon.
>"Whether it be bladed or blunt, the melee portion is designed to absorb the blood and pain of their victims for additional strength.
>"This creates a synergy that makes Bloodreavers extremely dangerous: virtually all of them are skilled warriors, in addition to being powerful spellcasters.
>"Because of this, they often stay in peak physical condition, and carry additional weapons, in case their catalyst fails them.
>"Thus, any who must do battle with a Bloodreaver is advised to keep their distance.
>"For even stripped of their dark magics, they are still a considerable threat, due to their combat expertise."
>Yeah, if that sounds familiar, it's because it is.

>>30507723
>So, at least you knew what you were up against.
>It explains a whole lot about his fighting at Canterlot.
>And the whole blood-draining death table thing.
>And even though your wimpy bitch ass was half to blame for it, he still hospitalized you in just four punches.
>Fighting him was going to be super tricky.
>Having that super awesome magic countermeasure wasn't gonna cut it.
>Still need to work on better battery tech for that, too.
>Point is, even if you killed off his magic, which by itself could overpower your own natural resist, he'd still be dangerous then.
>He'd just pull that fancy-ass sword of his out, close the distance, and fucking murder you.
>And this guy had a serious lead on followers and developed magic.
>Soul-binding was kind of a given for that 'profession', but runesmithing sure wasn't.
>Who the fuck knew what else he had up his sleeves?
>God damn it.
>Why couldn't you just fight regular-ass Equestrian Bond villains, instead?
>Thinking this shit over was hard.
>Hm...
>Well, you've still got options.
>Avoiding the question of a close-quarters fight altogether was very possible.
>You'd been planning on making a better bow, anyways, but the design is still up in the air.
>Absolutely had to be powerful enough to punch holes in metal, though.
>And then, have some way to avoid his attacks?
>Work on some wearable things to speed up your movements?
>Yeah.
>Yeah, that could work.
>You're liking this train of thought already.
>See his 'warrior STR build', and raise him a 'ranger DEX faggot'.
>Hell, it works for Sonic.

>>30507732
>Oh yeah, and you also had...
>Wait, no.
>Not anymore, you didn't.
>Fuck, right.
>The fucking ladybug thing escaped.
>Was going to say you also had surprise on your side.
>Who knows what her fucking edgemaster husbando was planning now?
>...
>Wow, did you get distracted, or what?
>The gems have been melted for a while, now.
>Let's just... get that over to the infuser.
>Alright, let's kick it off.
>The core opens up at the bottom, taking the container with the liquid gems.
>Man, seeing this thing work is never gonna get old.
>The infusion doesn't take long, actually. Only like, three minutes?
>By the end of it all, your container is returned, with the liquid inside being a lot more glowy and iridescent.
>The iridescent part you recognize as the 'seeing-through-illusions' kind.
>With silence reigning again, you hear the sound of hoofsteps in place from right behind you.
>Turning your head greets you with the sight of a certain bat-horse captain.
>"You know, doesn't matter how many times I see that thing work, I'm never gonna get used to it."
"Geez, taking the whole 'being my shadow' thing pretty literally, aren't we?"
>"Hey, never know when things are gonna go south."
"Fair enough, but still, at least knock before coming in."
>"You don't have a door to knock on."
"It's the principle that matters."
>"Whatever you say."
>He's not here for just no reason.
>Seems like he wants to tell you something.
"So, uh, something up?"
>"Unfortunately."
"That doesn't fill me with confidence."
>"It's not supposed to."

>>30507740
"All right, what's the problem?"
>"Actually, I'm supposed to share the problem with you and the princess."
"It's a long walk back. Why not tell me now?"
>"Because I said so."
"Killjoy."
>"Only the best for my charge. Anyway, the princess is waiting up at your place. Better not keep her waiting."
"Wait, you brought her over already?"
>"Uh, yeah?"
"You know, if you wanted me to come with, you could've mentioned that earlier."
>Setting your things down, you follow him out of the lab.
>Coming out of the office, you see none other than Twilight, sitting at your table.
>Helping herself to your tea supply.
>Figures.
>She looked a little downcast, but perked right up when seeing you.
>"Anon!"
>Oookay, a bit more than usual.
>She usually doesn't come over for a hug right away.
>Not that you're complaining or anything, but yeah.
>You return it anyway.
>An event that doesn't last long, thanks to Razor's throat-clearing.
>"Sorry princess, but this is important information. You'll have to catch up with him after."
>Well, you can't say he doesn't take his job seriously.
>Reluctantly, Twilight lets go of you, and you all make it back to the table.
>Razor doesn't waste any time getting started:
>"So, Anon, you know that one changeling you fought back at the castle?"
"What, the ladybug?"
>"Sure, that. She apparently got out of the city by train, heading to Appleoosa."
"How'd you figure that out?"
>"Passengers were complaining about effects consistent with love drain.
>"A contingent of royal guard and court mages stopped the train halfway to Appleoosa."

>>30507748
"And... did they find her?"
>His expression sours.
>"Yeah. They did."
>Oh, shit.
>Did she beat them?
>"Of the sixty-six guards and fifteen court mages that went after her?
>"Fifty-six guards survived, and none of the mages did."
>...
>Whoa.
>Holy shit.
>Twilight's gasp there pretty much described your feelings.
>"That's not the worst part. The mages had all suffered extreme mana drain. Lost their cutie marks and all.
>"It wasn't until the head mages looked at their bodies, that they realized they had their souls ripped out of them."
>Wh--
>What?
>That bug stole their fucking souls?!
>Twilight's shock was bad enough that she had to stifle a wail.
>He let that hang in the air for a bit.
>But it was obvious from his expression that he was beyond pissed.
>Somehow, he kept going with the same tone as before:
>"She was gone by the time their backup got there. Everypony still alive needed hospitalization. Most were critical."
>He could have gone on, but he was getting visibly more angry.
>It didn't matter. He said everything he needed to.
>Just...
>Holy fuck.
>You didn't think that bug, of all things, could do something like that.
>Granted, you didn't know much of anything about her, besides being another one of Nito's dickriders.
>But still...
>Knowing what you do now about souls...
>Christ, you can't even imagine how painful that must have been.
>Turning to the side, you see Twilight in a far worse state than you.
>The girl's choking back sobs, but isn't succeeding in stopping the tears.
>The sight makes this whole thing worse.

>>30507754
>You rise up, making to move over to her.
>Unexpectedly, she rises up herself.
>"I-I need to be... I'm sorry, I-I'll come back later..."
>Before she breaks down completely, she teleports out of the room.
>God damn it.
>"I knew some of those guys."
>You turn back to Razor.
>His tone was more in line with his expression: somber and angry.
>"They were good ponies. One of those mages was always shit at poker, but kept playing anyways."
>Ah.
>You see now.
>This was more personal for him than you thought.
>"Anon? I need to ask you to do something for me."
"I'm not touching anything's soul, Razor. Out of the fucking question."
>"That's not what I wanted to ask."
>The whole time, he'd been looking off to the side.
>Now he was looking you dead in the eye.
>"When the time comes, when you actually manage to stand face-to-face with that human-shaped monster, and his little bucking sycophants...
>"I won't ask you to kill them. But... hurt 'em. Hurt them bad, as much as they deserve, and then some."
>You were afraid, for a moment, that he was gonna ask you to terminate them with extreme prejudice.
>And at this moment, you might very well have said yes.
>But this?
"Hurting them was always my plan. But I'll turn the dial up for them, let 'em know who it's for."
>This, you could do.
>"Thanks, Anon."
>Without a single regret.
>...

>>30507765
>"Damn it, can't you take it easy for even a second?"
"Not when our mission's on the line here."
>"But you just got out of the med tent, Athalia!"
"I was, and am, perfectly fine."
>You really were. With all the love you'd been getting fed, your recovery was extremely quick.
>The only reason you were kept there was because of the vomiting.
>It actually took a day longer than he prescribed for it to pass, but you're glad either way.
>Incognito said the black, oily stuff you'd been 'expelling' was a physical version of soul corruption, being flushed out.
>You're just glad it's finally out of your system.
>"You've been on the job non-stop for weeks now! You can't sustain this level of--"
"Ajay, listen. I appreciate that you're worried, I really do. But I'm fine."
>He stops following beside you, staying in place.
>It's enough for you to stop and look back at him.
>"Stubborn bug. You're never gonna listen."
>He sighs.
>"Just... don't go overboard, all right? I don't want to see you like that again."
>That...
>That gets you to pause.
>He'd been seeing you every day, since you came back to the forward base.
>His concern for your well-being sensed by everyling in the tent.
>He...
>He was really upset about this, even if he didn't show it.
>Damn it.
"Fine. I'll... I'll try not to overextend like that."
>He doesn't show it, but you can easily sense his relief at hearing that.
>And his fear.
>He's...
>He's afraid for you.
>...
>It's a nice feeling.
>"All right. You go... do whatever the boss has got lined up for you."
>It doesn't take an empath to see the reluctance in that sentence.

>>30507774
>You bid Ajay farewell, and proceed to where one of the witch-doctors had instructed you to go.
>A stone ziggurat, that the camp was built around.
>Apparently, it was a laboratory, built long ago to develop dark alchemy, where nozebra would interfere.
>It was well guarded with members of some tribe, the Wyse Kunstenaars.
>They stormed the place long ago, in an ancient quest to stop the dark arts.
>But that's about all you know about it.
>If Incognito wanted it, though...
>It must be very important to his plans.
>The Plaag tribe guards let you in without a second look.
>Guess they were told about you.
>That same witch-doctor from before was waiting for you, just past the entrance.
>"Perfect timing, chosen of Incognito. Come along."
>She leads you through a labyrinth of passageways, until you eventually emerge into a large chamber.
>It was strangely empty.
>But Incognito, the head witch-doctor Zamara, and the tribe leader Veldheer were all together in the room.
>You barely notice the guide bowing and excusing herself.
>You were more interested in their conversation.
>The emotions coming from Veldheer were not pleasant.
>Just so you don't interrupt, you wreath yourself in an invisibility spell.
>And then make your approach.
>"I have tolerated your use of my tribe's resources for a long time, now! And what has come of it, besides this piddling conquest?!"
>"I have been busy at work, good Veldheer, building the foundations for our road to victory."
>"Whose victory, outlander? Yours, or mine?!"
>"Our overall victories, of course."

>>30507782
>This reminded you so much of Incognito's spats with Chrysalis.
>That...
>That was still a sore spot for you.
>"Overall? Large picture? Macro-scale? All words you use constantly, yet not once have I seen evidence of it!"
>"Are you implying that I have not been working?"
>"What else am I to assume?"
>"Perhaps you should not assume to begin with."
>Veldheer's anger spiked dramatically.
>"The next time we speak, Incognito, you will have something we can use. Otherwise, me and my tribe shall be your enemies, from here on out."
>He was trying very hard to keep his bloodlust in check, as he stormed out of the chamber.
>Once he was out of earshot, Zamara began:
>"I apologize for my leader's behaviour, Lord Matthias."
>"Do not apologize for acts you did not commit, cunning Zamara."
>He smiles.
>"You can show yourself now, Athalia."
>Ack!
>Damn it, that's right!
>He can see through this!
>In the same motion you drop the invisibility, you bow before him.
"P-please forgive me, I didn't mean to--"
>Whatever else you had to say was interrupted by his laughter.
>"None of that now, child. It is your nature to be surreptitious, and you are remarkably good at it.
>"I would not dare chastise you for using your talents to their greatest effect."
>Oh, thank goodness!
>You pick yourself back up, looking at the two again.
>Incognito wore that robe from before, and had his catalyst.
>Zamara had a similar robe, except with full saddlebags instead of a catalyst.
>She still looked unsure about you, and her emotions bore her suspicions out.

>>30507788
>"This is the one you spoke of?"
>"Yes, indeed."
>"You were not wrong about her potential."
>"I make an active effort to not be wrong about the individuals in my plans."
>His smile fades somewhat.
>"Of course, some defy even my efforts."
>"Which is why you requested the first five?"
>"Yes. We were fortunate, in a way, to have her return as damaged as she was."
>Wait, what?
"M-my Lord?"
>"Oh, my apologies, Athalia. Do you remember those souls I had pulled from your body?"
"I don't think I could forget..."
>"It is unfortunate, the damage they left on you. But they also presented me with an early opportunity."
"An... opportunity?"
>"Zamara, if you could?"
>The zebra's hoof lights up with a strange, red-orange magic, which dissipates through the floor with a clop of said hood.
>Circular sections in the floor open up, and five large glass tubes full of orange fluid rise from them.
>The silhouettes of... something were inside them.
>It was giving you the shivers, just looking at them.
>"Do not be alarmed by the fear you feel, it is part of the design. Cast the dispel I taught you to be rid of it."
>The fear was getting worse, for no real reason.
>But you cast the spell anyways.
>Suddenly, it all vanishes.
>You're glad you remember this spell, from the training you had before!
>Now, what were these--
>>`de...h`
>Huh?
>Did you hear something?
>>`h...ts`
>Was...
>Was something whispering to you?
>>`you... m...er...`
>It sounded so close, like it was right in your ear.
>And yet, when you turn around, nothing was there.

>>30507799
>>`chose this...`
>The whispers got louder.
>No, they got closer.
>Like it was almost within your head.
>>`YOU PIERCED THEIR VEIL, TOOK THEIR LIFE FOR YOURSELF`
"Guh...!"
>The whispering got loud, all within your head!
>>`PIERCING THE WEAKNESS IS FAR FASTER THAN THE STRENGTH'
>What's going on?!
>S-stop it!
>Your vision blackens around the edges, and you can feel your heart racing.
>>`USE A MEDIUM FOR THEIR ESSENCE, NOT YOURSELF`
>You're brought to your knees, one hoof clutching your head as a headache splits through you.
>Stop!
>>`REND THEIR ALLIES asunder with the...r o... ...lies...`
>And after one last tooth-clenching experience, it leaves as suddenly as it arrived.
>Vision clear, head not hurting, and no more voices.
>What...
>What just happened?!
>"Athalia?"
>Quickly looking up reveals Incognito, concern written on his face.
>"Child, are you all right?"
"I... I think so."
>"Are you certain? I would not wish for you to unnecessarily push yourself."
"I'm fine, my Lord. Just... a little headache, is all."
>"Hmm... Perhaps you should practice more with that dispel. It is a common side-effect for those who infrequently purge a mental charm."
"Y-yes, my Lord."
>You don't think it was anything related to the mental dispel.
>You don't know why, but it just didn't feel related.
>And yet, you're relieved he wasn't pressing the issue anymore.
>Seriously, though.
>What the buck was that?
>And what was all this, about 'piercing their veil'?
>What on Equus does that mean?
>You'll...
>You'll figure it out later.
>A quick wipe of your forehead, and he has your full attention.

>>30507808
>"Now, the creations within these tubes are... an older version of my project for the good Veldheer."
>The fluid begins to drain from the tubes.
>Revealing...
>O--
>Ohh my gosh, what...?!
>"While older, they are still exceedingly dangerous, and will perform admirably in your mission."
>Wait, what?!
>He's sending you out with...
>With...
>What even are these?!
>Pale, hairless, covered in black symbols, and looking like some madpony stitched together the bottom of a pony with the top of a human!
>They were covered in stitches, their bodies seemingly held together by them!
>They had no eyes, a flat nose, and a maw of sharp teeth!
>And one eye-shaped group of more symbols were carved in the middle of the face, where the eyes should be!
>It was like something from out of a nightmare!
>They were working on these?!
>"They are crudely assembled, I will admit, but I assure you, the... stitching is not present in the final version.
>"Still... a magnificent sight, is it not? The runework alone, I am quite proud of."
>M-magnificent isn't the word you'd use!
>M-more like horrifying!
>And wait, those symbols were runes?
>As in, the ones he demonstrated before?!
>But...
>But wait, they glowed before.
>These ones were pitch black.
>"As you may have noticed, they are quite inactive right now. Little more than misshapen corpses.
>"They require... a source of power, before they become active, and ready to serve.
>"A source, quite thankfully, that you had unknowingly provided to us."
>What?
>What does he mean, you gave them a power source?
>Is--
>Oh.
>The souls.
>Wait, souls?!

>>30507815
>"We are woefully short on collected souls, only able to use them for testing.
>"But with the weak ones you have provided, they will suffice for animating these creatures."
>Up comes his catalyst, and the index blade glows red.
>From the palm, flew out a familiar set of fifteen gray orbs, flecked with white and emerald flames.
>With another wave, the orbs flew towards the creatures, divided into threes.
>They entered the 'eye', one by one.
>Suddenly, the runes lit up a deep, crimson red.
>And the creatures began to screech and thrash.
>It didn't last long, but...
>Were you ever going to have a nightmare-free sleep again?
>The creatures froze stock still, the moment they were impacted by a cord of red energy, flowing from the same index blade.
>"You shall not bring harm to the Elements of Harmony, nor the princesses of Equestria.
>"And as long as you do not defy those orders, you are to follow the directives of this one."
>His finger points to you, a small cord reaching out and tickling your horn.
>The tubes extended back into the ground, but left the creatures in place.
>The cords of energy disappeared, but the creatures remained still.
>"I call these creatures Homuncli. And they are incredibly powerful predators, indeed.
>"They will follow your commands without question. And you will need them for your mission."
>His gaze becomes hard.
>"I will not suffer rogue elements in my plans. And you still desire vengeance.
>"You will go to Ponyville. You will find the other human, Anonymous.
>"And you will bring me his head."
>...

File: 1473993291752.gif (1MB, 600x600px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 600x600px

>>30507822
This is what happens when you write a little every day.
Even with a pretty rough rewrite.
I actually filmed myself during the rewrite, for your viewing pleasure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v5CuyuS5wg

Now, once you're done realizing that game is almost a decade old, you can read my Pastebin.
https://pastebin.com/kQCRMUTs

File: b5daf69eec59110844078d11dde8657c3c88e78cd5789a8fcbf9d1480e4d8e99.png (806KB, 1001x823px) Image search: [Google]

806KB, 1001x823px

>>30507844
You just made my day, HK.

>>30507844
It's always a joy getting updates from you

>>30495364
Steel sanctuary anon, without question.
Dude transformed an entire star sistem into a deadly titan-trap

>>30507822
Punctuation is shit, sentences need work, and tone is abysmal. Good story, but work on your fundamentals.

>>30508971
>tone is abysmal

Elaborate. I haven't bothered reading his story so I'm clueless.

>>30507844
Thanks for the update fag.

>>30507844
Yes please daddy

>>30507844
Thankyou based HK-47
47 is my lucky number

File: 1459519289612.jpg (2MB, 2700x3600px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 2700x3600px

>>30507815
Hes going full scourge with these fleshwork abominations.

>>30507844
Did you misspell homunculi?

>>30507505
At least two actually

File: anon power.png (59KB, 540x378px) Image search: [Google]

59KB, 540x378px

>>30462712
Get your fake shit outta here. Obsessed Anon is a true man who just so happens to live off of purple energy he stole from a princess castle.

>>30509248
He's memeing, don't fall for the bait and give the story a read for yourself

>>30462712
I didn't know Obsessed Anon looked like Harry Potter and had Skillet runes on his body

>>30511811
Speaking of harmony crystals
SURELY Anon in HK-47's story saw the fuckhueg powers stream to the tree of harmony, he is right outside everfree.
Imagine the fucking power a stave made out of that stuff would be, or a foci.
Wait, use element's magic to make a foci to make his own element of harmony?
Sounds autistic, but wouldn't be far from the way magic sounds like it works in the story.

>>30514902
>creates a new element of harmony
>is granted princesshood because of his accomplishments
Fuck that is funny.

>>30516014
>realizes he can now used the soul bestowed upon him to make a better element, and there is no ethical of using your own soul.
>eventually just consolidates all the elements in one super-foci that requires a staff made of harmony tree
>TASTE THE RAINBOW MOTHERFUCKER'S Nito
Now that's princess worthy.

>anon lures nito into room by pelting him with ranged magic
>once inside room, flip switch and turn on nearby electromagnet
>run around pelting incognito with self made flintlock/bow and arrow

This is the best possible end fight.

>>30516547
No, make it a gauss gun instead.

>>30516616
>Gauss gun.
>Not 240mm howitzer.
It's almost like you WANT to be able to recognize a chunk of him.

>>30516742
That's big, bulky, hard to build, operate and carry around. A gauss gun can be very powerful while still being portable and isn't that complicated to build or operate provided you have some knowledge of electronics.

Plus with a gauss gun you don't need to set up the fight with a bulky stationary electromagnet beforehand; you can fight anywhere, and every shot you make will disrupt all magic around you as the high-power magnets pulse in quick sequence, while the magnetised bullets will be completely impossible to stop magically whether using shields, tk, or other methods, and can even "shoot down" spells.

File: 1357406546377.png (459KB, 840x772px) Image search: [Google]

459KB, 840x772px

>>30507844
Thanks for the green hk

>>30517225
I hope there's a spell for making high purity meals for something like that, it's not like he can just order it on Amazon.

>>30518295
>meals
Metals? There's almost definitely a magical way to come buy those. Also, with a gauss gun, you're just pushing a projectile along (and can probably even arrange the magnets such that there's some sort of magnetic rail effect), so the tolerances would probably be higher than those for conventional firearms (which must literally contain an explosion then convert its force into the bullet's motion in a very precise direction).

>>30518327
Just woke up, but you need pretty high quality and purity copper for the rails for rail types and it's the same for anything that would use a magnet, which you would not be able to get since magnetism kills everything.

>>30518344
Copper isn't ferromagnetic so should be just fine. Even iron has been shown to be sourceable though. Now I have no idea what high-quality high-capacity capacitors are made of but it still shouldn't be too hard to find the materials imo.
Worst case scenario I'm pretty sure there's SOME form of transmutation.

Also railguns are bad news because the exact same force propelling the bullets forward is also propelling the rails away from each other. Even with modern R&D and infrastructure we are having a lot of trouble building reliable railguns that don't fall apart after a couple of shots. And you can even use magic to reinforce them because it's still magnetic.
Meanwhile gauss weapons might not scale very well due to control circuit limitations (you need to pulse the magnets in a very fast sequence) but for medium-power infantry weaponry where you aren't able to manufacture a firearm to modern standards, it would be perfect. Somewhat more powerful than even an excellent bow, higher projectile velocity and lower projectile size making it much more accurate, can be made semi or full auto to fire at a much, much higher rate than a bow, and again magnetic pulse on firing + magnetised projectile mean bad, bad news for any kind of magic-based defense (or offense!).

>>30518760
Copper is used in rail and coil guns because when you feel a high energy current into it, it produces a magnetic field, highly impure copper does poorly, then he's going to need materials for capacitors and some way to generate or store very large amount of power.


All of this is far more complex and time-consuming than a match or flint lock rifle.

File: 1461039292256.png (117KB, 326x248px) Image search: [Google]

117KB, 326x248px

>>30518787
Gauss would be less prone to exploding though
And the whole point of going for the gauss rifle is the fact that it fires antimagic bullets while being a antimagic field itself
Nito may have soul-magic based energy shielding and could block traditional bullets
This would cripple both his gear and his forces, with nothing to stop it in return
Unless Nito has production of Kevlar in a backroom, he is kill

>>30517225
Building a gauss gun is almost impossible to do without anything to help build it unless you are extremely knowledgeable about it. A cannon is pretty basic and yes it is hard to operate, but good thing he only needs it to fire once.

>>30518916
>"A Coilgun or Gauss rifle is a type of projectile accelerator consisting of one or more coils used as electromagnets in the configuration of a linear motor that accelerate a ferromagnetic or conducting projectile to high velocity."

Do you even realize I've been talking about "Gauss rifles" the entire time?

The gauss, abbreviated as G or Gs, is the cgs unit of measurement of magnetic flux density (or "magnetic induction") (B). It is named after German mathematician and physicist Carl Friedrich Gauss. One gauss is defined as one maxwell per square centimeter.

>>30518950
>>30518947
>>30518916
>>30518787
>>30518760
>>30518344
>>30518327
>>30518295
>>30517225
>>30516742
>>30516616
You're all making this harder than need be. Just build a fucking RPG, if a sand nigger can do it you damn sure can.

>>30502355
Never go full retard.

What if it was that instead of humans not being magicless, it was that generally they have tiny pools of magic, but with the ability to link those pools of magic? Essentially magic by democracy?

>>30507844
Thank (You)

>>30520071
Sounds like some sort of soul link.
Something something sympathetic link, something something psychic powers.

Thread is dead
Writefags are kill
RIP

Bamp

>>30521916
Psionic anon when

>>30522302
We just have to bump for 5 days until HK updates again, dont worry.

>>30524568
Bump

>>30524568
>Years

File: 1492529358936.png (689KB, 4410x3000px) Image search: [Google]

689KB, 4410x3000px

>lure angstlord into magneto-zone
>empty field with a magnet array buried beneath it.
>activate magnets to kill magical defenses
>set off 10 tons of buried nitroglycerin under his feet
All in a days work

>>30526331
>Decades

>>30528227
>Centuries

>>30462297
Is there a green where Anon does simple magic tricks like a coin in the ear and the ponies including Twilight think it's evil magic?

>>30529757
There WAS, but I think he got kill.

File: 1486952660254.gif (2MB, 419x292px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 419x292px

>>30529757
>>30529813
Well, its still listed as 'in progress' in OP
"Cheap Tricks & Class Acts" - Houdini Anon: https://pastebin.com/qSWgt7LP

I enjoyed it until this Epialoser showed up. Ponies being mindblown by Anon performing magic without actually using magic is something I want to see.