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Previous Session: http://mlpg.coluna_quest/644184.html
Luna Quest /qt/ Thread: http://mlpg.co/qt/res/217221.html
>With Tiamat closing in on the portal, you attempt to think up a way to halt her breaking out of Tartarus
>The solution you go with is to destroy the portal to Tartarus that would act as her entrance into Equestria
>"Tartarus works in a manner of pocket dimensions," he explains. "Tartarus itself is linked only to this one and any other pockets placed within. These, more or less, are the actual cells where we place our prisoners. Should she escape her pocket and invade another, we might have a crisis of multiple enemies on our hooves and hands. Still a risk, but not as great as resurrecting Glaurumat."
>Star Swirl tells you that you should be able to handle most of the enemies in Tartarus. but Luna and Celestia still look worried
>Once the portal is destroyed, you make a perspective check of the room for any missed changes
>You feel a looming, but non-threatening presence nearby
>To prevent Tiamat's escape further, you ask Star Swirl about other portals into Tartarus
>The closest is at Star Swirl's manor
>You ask Luna about if anything else could have gotten out of Tartarus, but she denies it
>You check on the now blind Lucent, joking a bit to lift her spirits, and leave her in Baron's care
>Before they leave, Lucent places a kiss on your cheek and thanks you for saving her
>The presence grows but Lucent doesn't feel it
>Checking your compass, the Elements of Harmony, and Starswirl does nothing to locate the presence and Star Swirl denies feeling one
>You attempt to use your magic to locate the presence more directly, but you fail
>Star Swirl tells you not to worry about it unless it begins to make a threat on your life and you depart for the manor
>Your plan to lock down the portal at Star Swirl's manor is shut down by Star Swirl himself as he continues to elaborate on the workings of Tartarus
>"I don't know if you misheard me, but I destroyed that portal for a reason," Starswirl explains. "Tiamat is strong enough that she can break the locks and exit the gate whenever she pleases. I have to power to restrain the gate for a few brief moments with my own power, but without the Elements of Harmony, it's just another piece of paper for Tiamat to rip through."
>"The maze was meant as a way to buy us time until we could forge the chains because it wouldn't take her long to break through the gate should she find it," he continues. "Destroying the other gate won't lock her in Tartarus permanently, in fact the exact opposite. As a failsafe, should that happen, anything or anyone inside would be release before the dimension collapsed upon itself. It was the princesses idea. Unlike myself, they are not willing to murder for the greater good, and seeing as how I need them to use the Elements of Harmony, I can not oppose their wishes."
>You say that the ponies are a bit too idealistic for their own good
>"I don't disagree with you," he smiles, "but it is those ideals that have held this world in such a delicate balance of order and chaos. Never before have I seen a place capable of such peace."
Luna Quest /qt/ Thread: http://mlpg.co/qt/res/217221.html
>With Tiamat closing in on the portal, you attempt to think up a way to halt her breaking out of Tartarus
>The solution you go with is to destroy the portal to Tartarus that would act as her entrance into Equestria
>"Tartarus works in a manner of pocket dimensions," he explains. "Tartarus itself is linked only to this one and any other pockets placed within. These, more or less, are the actual cells where we place our prisoners. Should she escape her pocket and invade another, we might have a crisis of multiple enemies on our hooves and hands. Still a risk, but not as great as resurrecting Glaurumat."
>Star Swirl tells you that you should be able to handle most of the enemies in Tartarus. but Luna and Celestia still look worried
>Once the portal is destroyed, you make a perspective check of the room for any missed changes
>You feel a looming, but non-threatening presence nearby
>To prevent Tiamat's escape further, you ask Star Swirl about other portals into Tartarus
>The closest is at Star Swirl's manor
>You ask Luna about if anything else could have gotten out of Tartarus, but she denies it
>You check on the now blind Lucent, joking a bit to lift her spirits, and leave her in Baron's care
>Before they leave, Lucent places a kiss on your cheek and thanks you for saving her
>The presence grows but Lucent doesn't feel it
>Checking your compass, the Elements of Harmony, and Starswirl does nothing to locate the presence and Star Swirl denies feeling one
>You attempt to use your magic to locate the presence more directly, but you fail
>Star Swirl tells you not to worry about it unless it begins to make a threat on your life and you depart for the manor
>Your plan to lock down the portal at Star Swirl's manor is shut down by Star Swirl himself as he continues to elaborate on the workings of Tartarus
>"I don't know if you misheard me, but I destroyed that portal for a reason," Starswirl explains. "Tiamat is strong enough that she can break the locks and exit the gate whenever she pleases. I have to power to restrain the gate for a few brief moments with my own power, but without the Elements of Harmony, it's just another piece of paper for Tiamat to rip through."
>"The maze was meant as a way to buy us time until we could forge the chains because it wouldn't take her long to break through the gate should she find it," he continues. "Destroying the other gate won't lock her in Tartarus permanently, in fact the exact opposite. As a failsafe, should that happen, anything or anyone inside would be release before the dimension collapsed upon itself. It was the princesses idea. Unlike myself, they are not willing to murder for the greater good, and seeing as how I need them to use the Elements of Harmony, I can not oppose their wishes."
>You say that the ponies are a bit too idealistic for their own good
>"I don't disagree with you," he smiles, "but it is those ideals that have held this world in such a delicate balance of order and chaos. Never before have I seen a place capable of such peace."
>>647443
>Starswirl's gaze seems to wander off into an unknown distance as he continues through the manor. He opens a door revealing an incredibly bright white room with nothing but walls before you. Above the walls in the distance is a black diamond darting through the air with blinding speed.
>"Once I start moving things around she'll know I'm here," he says.
>The black diamond that is supposed to represent Tiamat confuses you as Star Swirl had said he would have no way to track Tiamat should she escape
>"You misunderstood," Starswirl says as he walks away. "Should the escape to another pocket of Tartarus using the emergency exit, I wouldn't be able to track her. If she escapes at all. I must keep her here for as long as possible."
>Star Swirl makes a portal to Taloran for you to use should you choose to and gets to work
>You step through and find yourself back in Glaurumat's skull
>The room is practically empty of all guardsmen and only those necessary to the forging have remained
>The presence is immediately felt again, though it's faint
>When you ask one of the remaining guards where Lucent went, the presence grows slightly.
>As you leave, the presence fades the further up you go until you can no longer feel it
>As you ride back down on the carriage, the presence is stronger than when you left. There's a feeling of agitated calm welling up inside you, but you don't understand why. All you know is that it isn't your own and it doesn't seem to be affecting your current mood aside from the fact that it's there. When you enter Glaurumat's skull again, however, the presence fades until it becomes faint again.
>You attempt to communicate with the presence and end up contacting Luna
>You tell Luna that you are searching for the presence and that you were unaware of telepathy between yourself and Luna being possible outside of your dreams
>"Should you learn the proper spell for it," Luna explains, "it will become available for you to cast at any time. I do not remember creating a sustainable link between us, however. I find it strange you were able to connect to me now."
>"In any other circumstance, a spell is cast to create a temporary bond," Luna says, "although the use of such a spell has not always been effective and tends to bring about undesired results. Having complete control over your thoughts during the connection is a bit much to ask from most ponies. Problems like this have been bypassed by recasting the spell as needed, however, this can prove taxing on the caster."
>You ask Luna if she can hear more than just what you're thinking to her
>"No," Luna answers, "although that is what makes the spell so problematic. If a pony is not focused on transferring only the thoughts they wish to be heard, everything else pours out."
>When asked if you could convey feelings: "Feelings are not thoughts," Luna explains. "A telepathic link does tend to increase the intensity of mutual feelings, which can be quite dangerous if both parties have a strong feeling of the same negative emotions."
>Starswirl's gaze seems to wander off into an unknown distance as he continues through the manor. He opens a door revealing an incredibly bright white room with nothing but walls before you. Above the walls in the distance is a black diamond darting through the air with blinding speed.
>"Once I start moving things around she'll know I'm here," he says.
>The black diamond that is supposed to represent Tiamat confuses you as Star Swirl had said he would have no way to track Tiamat should she escape
>"You misunderstood," Starswirl says as he walks away. "Should the escape to another pocket of Tartarus using the emergency exit, I wouldn't be able to track her. If she escapes at all. I must keep her here for as long as possible."
>Star Swirl makes a portal to Taloran for you to use should you choose to and gets to work
>You step through and find yourself back in Glaurumat's skull
>The room is practically empty of all guardsmen and only those necessary to the forging have remained
>The presence is immediately felt again, though it's faint
>When you ask one of the remaining guards where Lucent went, the presence grows slightly.
>As you leave, the presence fades the further up you go until you can no longer feel it
>As you ride back down on the carriage, the presence is stronger than when you left. There's a feeling of agitated calm welling up inside you, but you don't understand why. All you know is that it isn't your own and it doesn't seem to be affecting your current mood aside from the fact that it's there. When you enter Glaurumat's skull again, however, the presence fades until it becomes faint again.
>You attempt to communicate with the presence and end up contacting Luna
>You tell Luna that you are searching for the presence and that you were unaware of telepathy between yourself and Luna being possible outside of your dreams
>"Should you learn the proper spell for it," Luna explains, "it will become available for you to cast at any time. I do not remember creating a sustainable link between us, however. I find it strange you were able to connect to me now."
>"In any other circumstance, a spell is cast to create a temporary bond," Luna says, "although the use of such a spell has not always been effective and tends to bring about undesired results. Having complete control over your thoughts during the connection is a bit much to ask from most ponies. Problems like this have been bypassed by recasting the spell as needed, however, this can prove taxing on the caster."
>You ask Luna if she can hear more than just what you're thinking to her
>"No," Luna answers, "although that is what makes the spell so problematic. If a pony is not focused on transferring only the thoughts they wish to be heard, everything else pours out."
>When asked if you could convey feelings: "Feelings are not thoughts," Luna explains. "A telepathic link does tend to increase the intensity of mutual feelings, which can be quite dangerous if both parties have a strong feeling of the same negative emotions."
>>647444
>If the feeling was faint you think it might be possible, however, Luna says that if it really was faint, then it wouldn't transfer at all and the feeling would once again have to be mutual.
>Luna laughs and suggests that she can search for the presence herself if you need her too
>This contradicts what happened earlier with Star Swirl, but Luna just calls him lazy and probably didn't even cast the spell to look
>Luna didn't feel it before because she didn't look herself, either
>A magic pulse of energy goes through the room and she tells you she can feel the presence
>"It does not seem to be doing anything," Luna says, "but if something does occur, I shall keep track of it and eliminate it should it become a problem. Please, do not worry yourself over it any longer."
>You ask if there's anything you can help her with
>"There is nothing that comes to mind," she says. "I would not object to your company if you have nothing else to do."
>You tell Luna you're going to visit Lucent
>As the presence starts to grow again, you can feel it struggling against something
>Luna asks that you wish Lucent well for her and that she'll see you later tonight
>Wondering if Luna felt the presence grow, she confirms and says not to worry and that she has it under control
>"It is difficult to do while maintaining the forging," Luna says, "but I will deal with it full well when I am finished. Restraining it is the most I can do for now. Please, go and see Lucent."
>You take the carriage up to the throne room where you are greeted by Emperor Halberd
>You look around and see an ancient dragon perched on the throne with an air of royalty so overwhelming that you struggle not to fall to one knee and bow before him. Tattered rags of flowing violet fabric cover the millions of broken, faded, and multicolored scales across his body. The horns on his head and the wings spread out at his side were long and cracked. Smaller horns rounded out his broad face, extending to a powerful, square jaw. A grin on the old dragon's face revealed dark, golden fangs.
>The two of you discuss the current state of affairs between dragons and ponies, Tiamat, Pierce, and whatever else comes to Halberd's mind as he does most of the talking
> "That wretched abomination we call 'Mother' was more monster than dragon. A heart as black as her scales, if she even has one. But, sometimes, we find the answers we seek in the darkest part of ourselves. Tiamat's answer was rage, destruction, and posession. She has all the power she needs to conquer this world and many others should she wish. Not like you. You think more like a King than an Emperor. This is fine and well, relying on the strength of your kin to guide you in the right direction while using your own strength to forge a path and claim your desires. As emperor, I have no need of the other dragons."
>He casually waves a claw, brushing something out of the air.
>" I too have enough power that I can impose my will over any who would challenge it and come away unscathed, but the people do not fear me. They love me, as distant as I am from them, and not because they fear me. They love me because it is through my hard work and bloodshed that they are able to live the lives they lead. That they can continue to fight for the lives they want, win or lose. The thing about dragons is that they give their all for something, no matter what."
>If the feeling was faint you think it might be possible, however, Luna says that if it really was faint, then it wouldn't transfer at all and the feeling would once again have to be mutual.
>Luna laughs and suggests that she can search for the presence herself if you need her too
>This contradicts what happened earlier with Star Swirl, but Luna just calls him lazy and probably didn't even cast the spell to look
>Luna didn't feel it before because she didn't look herself, either
>A magic pulse of energy goes through the room and she tells you she can feel the presence
>"It does not seem to be doing anything," Luna says, "but if something does occur, I shall keep track of it and eliminate it should it become a problem. Please, do not worry yourself over it any longer."
>You ask if there's anything you can help her with
>"There is nothing that comes to mind," she says. "I would not object to your company if you have nothing else to do."
>You tell Luna you're going to visit Lucent
>As the presence starts to grow again, you can feel it struggling against something
>Luna asks that you wish Lucent well for her and that she'll see you later tonight
>Wondering if Luna felt the presence grow, she confirms and says not to worry and that she has it under control
>"It is difficult to do while maintaining the forging," Luna says, "but I will deal with it full well when I am finished. Restraining it is the most I can do for now. Please, go and see Lucent."
>You take the carriage up to the throne room where you are greeted by Emperor Halberd
>You look around and see an ancient dragon perched on the throne with an air of royalty so overwhelming that you struggle not to fall to one knee and bow before him. Tattered rags of flowing violet fabric cover the millions of broken, faded, and multicolored scales across his body. The horns on his head and the wings spread out at his side were long and cracked. Smaller horns rounded out his broad face, extending to a powerful, square jaw. A grin on the old dragon's face revealed dark, golden fangs.
>The two of you discuss the current state of affairs between dragons and ponies, Tiamat, Pierce, and whatever else comes to Halberd's mind as he does most of the talking
> "That wretched abomination we call 'Mother' was more monster than dragon. A heart as black as her scales, if she even has one. But, sometimes, we find the answers we seek in the darkest part of ourselves. Tiamat's answer was rage, destruction, and posession. She has all the power she needs to conquer this world and many others should she wish. Not like you. You think more like a King than an Emperor. This is fine and well, relying on the strength of your kin to guide you in the right direction while using your own strength to forge a path and claim your desires. As emperor, I have no need of the other dragons."
>He casually waves a claw, brushing something out of the air.
>" I too have enough power that I can impose my will over any who would challenge it and come away unscathed, but the people do not fear me. They love me, as distant as I am from them, and not because they fear me. They love me because it is through my hard work and bloodshed that they are able to live the lives they lead. That they can continue to fight for the lives they want, win or lose. The thing about dragons is that they give their all for something, no matter what."
>>647445
>Emperor Halberd leans forward and points a claw to his chest.
"Because in our hearts," he says, "we know that a life you didn't fight for isn't a life worth living. So, the question I pose to you, is what do you think Tiamat fights for and why do you think she fights alone?"
>You say that avarice was your first guess, but now you believe that fear is also a contributing factor.
>"All of which is true," Emperor Halberd nods, placing a claw to his chin again. "But now that you know she is afraid, what will she do next? If we are to defeat this enemy, we must do our best to anticipate their next move. Pierce has spoken to me of your plan to fool her as long as possible by pretending to be Glaurumat. Knowing what we do about Tiamat, her fear and avarice, how can we use what we know to expose her and destroy her once and for all? You can not combat with her physically, so it has always been my intention to attack Tiamat emotionally. I have been unable to so quite as effectively as you have, and thus, require your aid in the matter. Even an emperor such as myself must admit these things in a time when his empire is threatened."
>His claw clenches into a fist and he pounds it into his throne with a mighty roar.
>"That foul beast has left me powerless and wanting," he growls.
>You ask if he wishes to go against the princesses plan to re-shackle Tiamat again.
>"To imprison an enemy's body is one thing," Emperor Halberd says, unclenching his claw and resting it on the throne. "To break their spirit is another."
>"Ridding a dragon of their will to fight is to rid them of their will to live," he says. "I have no doubt you've come to understand this during your short time here as I'd heard you competed in our Colosseum. I wish as much to Tiamat."
>You know you have the fear part down by acting as Glaurumat, and contemplate how defeating her and revealing you were only human the whole time would wound her pride…or further enrage her.
>Emperor Halberd informs you that is why Pierce was sent along
>Gathering as much information about Tiamat is necessary to carry out this plan, but unfortunately, the one who knew her best was Glaurumat
>You leave the throne room and continue towards Lucent's room
>Seeing Baron there, oyu stop him to ask how she's doing
>"She's kinda spooked," Baron says, taking off his helmet and scratching his head. "Tiamat did a real number on her down there and to be honest, I'm not too comfortable leaving her alone right now." "Look," he says, "she's trying to be strong and get some sleep on her own, but I know her. She's probably gonna be bored out of her mind because of the blindness and I don't want her waking up in the middle of the night screaming or anything." "Just keep an eye on her for me, will ya?" he says. "She won't let me do it."
>Emperor Halberd leans forward and points a claw to his chest.
"Because in our hearts," he says, "we know that a life you didn't fight for isn't a life worth living. So, the question I pose to you, is what do you think Tiamat fights for and why do you think she fights alone?"
>You say that avarice was your first guess, but now you believe that fear is also a contributing factor.
>"All of which is true," Emperor Halberd nods, placing a claw to his chin again. "But now that you know she is afraid, what will she do next? If we are to defeat this enemy, we must do our best to anticipate their next move. Pierce has spoken to me of your plan to fool her as long as possible by pretending to be Glaurumat. Knowing what we do about Tiamat, her fear and avarice, how can we use what we know to expose her and destroy her once and for all? You can not combat with her physically, so it has always been my intention to attack Tiamat emotionally. I have been unable to so quite as effectively as you have, and thus, require your aid in the matter. Even an emperor such as myself must admit these things in a time when his empire is threatened."
>His claw clenches into a fist and he pounds it into his throne with a mighty roar.
>"That foul beast has left me powerless and wanting," he growls.
>You ask if he wishes to go against the princesses plan to re-shackle Tiamat again.
>"To imprison an enemy's body is one thing," Emperor Halberd says, unclenching his claw and resting it on the throne. "To break their spirit is another."
>"Ridding a dragon of their will to fight is to rid them of their will to live," he says. "I have no doubt you've come to understand this during your short time here as I'd heard you competed in our Colosseum. I wish as much to Tiamat."
>You know you have the fear part down by acting as Glaurumat, and contemplate how defeating her and revealing you were only human the whole time would wound her pride…or further enrage her.
>Emperor Halberd informs you that is why Pierce was sent along
>Gathering as much information about Tiamat is necessary to carry out this plan, but unfortunately, the one who knew her best was Glaurumat
>You leave the throne room and continue towards Lucent's room
>Seeing Baron there, oyu stop him to ask how she's doing
>"She's kinda spooked," Baron says, taking off his helmet and scratching his head. "Tiamat did a real number on her down there and to be honest, I'm not too comfortable leaving her alone right now." "Look," he says, "she's trying to be strong and get some sleep on her own, but I know her. She's probably gonna be bored out of her mind because of the blindness and I don't want her waking up in the middle of the night screaming or anything." "Just keep an eye on her for me, will ya?" he says. "She won't let me do it."
>>647446
>Baron tells you he'll be back once he's gotten some sleep
>You knock on Lucent's door after Baron leaves and she invites you inside
As you enter the room, you notice it's much smaller than your room and not quite as comfortable. A bed is tucked into the corner of the room next to a long table where Lucent's armor and equipment are lying haphazardly across its surface. A vase of white lilies is set by a balcony that overlooks one of the palace courtyards. Lucent is standing there, feeling the passing breeze on her face as it tosses her mane about.
"I gotta say it sucks not being able to fly right now," she says with a smile. "As much as I'd love natural sonar, ponies just weren't made with it."
>Baron tells you he'll be back once he's gotten some sleep
>You knock on Lucent's door after Baron leaves and she invites you inside
As you enter the room, you notice it's much smaller than your room and not quite as comfortable. A bed is tucked into the corner of the room next to a long table where Lucent's armor and equipment are lying haphazardly across its surface. A vase of white lilies is set by a balcony that overlooks one of the palace courtyards. Lucent is standing there, feeling the passing breeze on her face as it tosses her mane about.
"I gotta say it sucks not being able to fly right now," she says with a smile. "As much as I'd love natural sonar, ponies just weren't made with it."
>>647448
"I can only imagine, stumbling around in the dark must be rather unpleasant."
"You should know," she says, placing a hoof against the wall. "You were there too."
Lucent guides herself along using the wall as support until she reaches her bed. She hops on top of the covers and leans back against the wall with a frown.
"Not much else I can do now except wait for this to go away," she says. "What about you? Now that you've bought some time by destroying the portal, shouldn't you be out planning your next move?"
"I can only imagine, stumbling around in the dark must be rather unpleasant."
"You should know," she says, placing a hoof against the wall. "You were there too."
Lucent guides herself along using the wall as support until she reaches her bed. She hops on top of the covers and leans back against the wall with a frown.
"Not much else I can do now except wait for this to go away," she says. "What about you? Now that you've bought some time by destroying the portal, shouldn't you be out planning your next move?"
>>647449
"Well, first of all I wanted to come here to check on you and bring you Princess Luna's best wishes.
Without you we would all be lost. If you hadn't shoved me to the side Tiamat would have grabbed me and dragged me down into Tartarus. And Luna would have most likely followed her, abandoning the ritual for the chains."
"Well, first of all I wanted to come here to check on you and bring you Princess Luna's best wishes.
Without you we would all be lost. If you hadn't shoved me to the side Tiamat would have grabbed me and dragged me down into Tartarus. And Luna would have most likely followed her, abandoning the ritual for the chains."
>>647450
"Well, first of all I wanted to come here to check on you and bring you Princess Luna's best wishes. Without you we would all be lost. If you hadn't shoved me to the side Tiamat would have grabbed me and dragged me down into Tartarus. And Luna would have most likely followed her, abandoning the ritual for the chains."
A faint blush spreads over Lucent's face before she shakes her head and laughs.
"I'm no hero," she says. "I just did what I was trained to do in that situation. You could have just left me there and it wouldn't have changed much though. Baron would have been sad, but if it comes to saving Equestria, I was prepared to give up my life when I signed up for the royal guard."
"Well, first of all I wanted to come here to check on you and bring you Princess Luna's best wishes. Without you we would all be lost. If you hadn't shoved me to the side Tiamat would have grabbed me and dragged me down into Tartarus. And Luna would have most likely followed her, abandoning the ritual for the chains."
A faint blush spreads over Lucent's face before she shakes her head and laughs.
"I'm no hero," she says. "I just did what I was trained to do in that situation. You could have just left me there and it wouldn't have changed much though. Baron would have been sad, but if it comes to saving Equestria, I was prepared to give up my life when I signed up for the royal guard."
>>647451
"Don't say that. Who knows, maybe it will be you who lands the final blow on Tiamat. And either way, I couldn't just have a friend of mine be forced to spend eternity with that insufferable hag."
"Don't say that. Who knows, maybe it will be you who lands the final blow on Tiamat. And either way, I couldn't just have a friend of mine be forced to spend eternity with that insufferable hag."
>>647452
"Don't say that. Who knows, maybe it will be you who lands the final blow on Tiamat. And either way, I couldn't just have a friend of mine be forced to spend eternity with that insufferable hag."
Lucent smiles and covers herself up with her wings.
"I can't see you so I don't think it's fair you get to see me be a mess, right now," she says. "I'm happy you're here and that you came to visit me. Going from 'near-death' to caring friends in a matter of hours is just a bit much."
"Don't say that. Who knows, maybe it will be you who lands the final blow on Tiamat. And either way, I couldn't just have a friend of mine be forced to spend eternity with that insufferable hag."
Lucent smiles and covers herself up with her wings.
"I can't see you so I don't think it's fair you get to see me be a mess, right now," she says. "I'm happy you're here and that you came to visit me. Going from 'near-death' to caring friends in a matter of hours is just a bit much."
>>647453
Sit down on her bed
"I'm afraid I also have some less pleasant things to talk about.
I met Halberd on my way here and he told me that rather than just imprisoning Tiamat again, he wants to also break her spirit to make sure that she is never a threat again, because she lost her will to be one.
During your time in Tartarus, did Tiamat say anything to you that could give us a hint how to do that?"
Sit down on her bed
"I'm afraid I also have some less pleasant things to talk about.
I met Halberd on my way here and he told me that rather than just imprisoning Tiamat again, he wants to also break her spirit to make sure that she is never a threat again, because she lost her will to be one.
During your time in Tartarus, did Tiamat say anything to you that could give us a hint how to do that?"
>>647454
You sit down next to her on the bed. It's just big enough for the two of you to fit, but there's barely a centimeter of space between you.
"I'm afraid I also have some less pleasant things to talk about.
"I met Halberd on my way here and he told me that rather than just imprisoning Tiamat again, he wants to also break her spirit to make sure that she is never a threat again, because she lost her will to be one."
"I don't know how he plans to do that," Lucent says. "She's pretty determined."
"During your time in Tartarus, did Tiamat say anything to you that could give us a hint how to do that?"
Lucent remains silent and statuesque from beneath her wings. You can hear her breathing hitch and then a more audible sniffle.
"She just tortured me for answers I didn't have," Lucent's says, her voice cracking. "Mostly about Glaurumat and you and the chains. Forcing answers out of me physically would have killed me, and when she couldn't enter my mind, she made me see and hear things. It all felt so real."
You sit down next to her on the bed. It's just big enough for the two of you to fit, but there's barely a centimeter of space between you.
"I'm afraid I also have some less pleasant things to talk about.
"I met Halberd on my way here and he told me that rather than just imprisoning Tiamat again, he wants to also break her spirit to make sure that she is never a threat again, because she lost her will to be one."
"I don't know how he plans to do that," Lucent says. "She's pretty determined."
"During your time in Tartarus, did Tiamat say anything to you that could give us a hint how to do that?"
Lucent remains silent and statuesque from beneath her wings. You can hear her breathing hitch and then a more audible sniffle.
"She just tortured me for answers I didn't have," Lucent's says, her voice cracking. "Mostly about Glaurumat and you and the chains. Forcing answers out of me physically would have killed me, and when she couldn't enter my mind, she made me see and hear things. It all felt so real."
>>647455
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to"
Should we hug her?
I also do hope that she tells us some of those questions, especially the ones after Glauramat and us could probably give us some good hints.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to"
Should we hug her?
I also do hope that she tells us some of those questions, especially the ones after Glauramat and us could probably give us some good hints.
>>647456
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to"
"It's not that I don't want to talk about it," she says. "But I don't really have anything to tell you."
Lucent folds back her wings and raises her head. Here eyes are a little red from crying, but she seems no worse than that.
"Tiamat asked me how you had been resurected and why you hadn't 'killed them all' by now?" Lucent says. "Ever since Glaurumat showed up she's been confused. She assumes that Glaurumat would have broken her out by now, which doesn't make any sense to me because Tiamat was the one who killed her. Why would she be waiting for him to break her out?"
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to"
"It's not that I don't want to talk about it," she says. "But I don't really have anything to tell you."
Lucent folds back her wings and raises her head. Here eyes are a little red from crying, but she seems no worse than that.
"Tiamat asked me how you had been resurected and why you hadn't 'killed them all' by now?" Lucent says. "Ever since Glaurumat showed up she's been confused. She assumes that Glaurumat would have broken her out by now, which doesn't make any sense to me because Tiamat was the one who killed her. Why would she be waiting for him to break her out?"
>>647459
"That is actually a very good question. Especially since she tried to kill me twice already since I tricked her into believing I am Glauramat. I will have to ask Pierce or the Princesses later on why she could possibly think that Glauramat is on her side."
"At least we now know that really resurrecting him like Star Swirl suggested would be a bad idea."
"That is actually a very good question. Especially since she tried to kill me twice already since I tricked her into believing I am Glauramat. I will have to ask Pierce or the Princesses later on why she could possibly think that Glauramat is on her side."
"At least we now know that really resurrecting him like Star Swirl suggested would be a bad idea."
>>647460
"That is actually a very good question. Especially since she tried to kill me twice already since I tricked her into believing I am Glauramat. I will have to ask Pierce or the Princesses later on why she could possibly think that Glauramat is on her side."
"At least we now know that really resurrecting him like Star Swirl suggested would be a bad idea."
"Do you think there might be a way to turn Glaurumat good?" Lucent said. "Or even Tiamat? If Tiamat thinks that Glaurumat might be good now, then there has to be chance it's possible. I don't know why she'd doubt it otherwise."
"That is actually a very good question. Especially since she tried to kill me twice already since I tricked her into believing I am Glauramat. I will have to ask Pierce or the Princesses later on why she could possibly think that Glauramat is on her side."
"At least we now know that really resurrecting him like Star Swirl suggested would be a bad idea."
"Do you think there might be a way to turn Glaurumat good?" Lucent said. "Or even Tiamat? If Tiamat thinks that Glaurumat might be good now, then there has to be chance it's possible. I don't know why she'd doubt it otherwise."
>>647461
"I'm not sure - she seems to be egoism incarnate, so pretty much the opposite of altruism. If you wanted to turn her into a less intolerable person, you would have to convince her that it is in her own self-interest - apart from not risking being chained up in Tartarus again, if she cared about that one she wouldn't have announced her arrival the way she did."
"I'm not sure - she seems to be egoism incarnate, so pretty much the opposite of altruism. If you wanted to turn her into a less intolerable person, you would have to convince her that it is in her own self-interest - apart from not risking being chained up in Tartarus again, if she cared about that one she wouldn't have announced her arrival the way she did."
>>647462
"I'm not sure - she seems to be egoism incarnate, so pretty much the opposite of altruism. If you wanted to turn her into a less intolerable person, you would have to convince her that it is in her own self-interest - apart from not risking being chained up in Tartarus again, if she cared about that one she wouldn't have announced her arrival the way she did."
"If anything I would say staying chained up in Tartarus while Glaurumat was around would be in her best interest," Lucent says, nodding her head. "But she's curious too. She wants to know what's going on out here as much as we want to know how to take her down."
"I'm not sure - she seems to be egoism incarnate, so pretty much the opposite of altruism. If you wanted to turn her into a less intolerable person, you would have to convince her that it is in her own self-interest - apart from not risking being chained up in Tartarus again, if she cared about that one she wouldn't have announced her arrival the way she did."
"If anything I would say staying chained up in Tartarus while Glaurumat was around would be in her best interest," Lucent says, nodding her head. "But she's curious too. She wants to know what's going on out here as much as we want to know how to take her down."
>>647463
"The Princesses was it them? said that they expect Tiamat to have her spies all over Equestria. If she just wanted to know what is going on, she could have done that in a less aggressive way.
Did she say anything else regarding Glauramat or me?"
"The Princesses was it them? said that they expect Tiamat to have her spies all over Equestria. If she just wanted to know what is going on, she could have done that in a less aggressive way.
Did she say anything else regarding Glauramat or me?"
>>647464
The Princesses said that they expect Tiamat to have her spies all over Equestria. If she just wanted to know what is going on, she could have done that in a less aggressive way. Did she say anything else regarding Glauramat or me?"
"No," Lucent says, shaking her head. "Aside from questioning me a total of one time, she just left me there to deal with her illusions."
Lucent feels out for you with her hoof and it bumps into your arm. She lets her head rest against your shoulder and closes her eyes.
"She'll be back in chains soon enough," Lucent says. "You've made sure that they at least get forged. We just need to survive facing her head on."
The Princesses said that they expect Tiamat to have her spies all over Equestria. If she just wanted to know what is going on, she could have done that in a less aggressive way. Did she say anything else regarding Glauramat or me?"
"No," Lucent says, shaking her head. "Aside from questioning me a total of one time, she just left me there to deal with her illusions."
Lucent feels out for you with her hoof and it bumps into your arm. She lets her head rest against your shoulder and closes her eyes.
"She'll be back in chains soon enough," Lucent says. "You've made sure that they at least get forged. We just need to survive facing her head on."
>>647465
Stroke her mane
"Maybe we don't even have to face her head on. Whatever it is she expects of Glauramat, it completely blinds her to the truth. She should have realized I am not him by now, yet she is still believing it. Maybe we can use that to trick her."
Stroke her mane
"Maybe we don't even have to face her head on. Whatever it is she expects of Glauramat, it completely blinds her to the truth. She should have realized I am not him by now, yet she is still believing it. Maybe we can use that to trick her."
>>647466
>>647467
Running your hand over her mane, you tell her, "Maybe we don't even have to face her head on. Whatever it is she expects of Glauramat, it completely blinds her to the truth. She should have realized I am not him by now, yet she is still believing it. Maybe we can use that to trick her."
"You are already, aren't you?" she asks. "The problem is that you haven't had much of a chance to interact with her aside from when you would pop in and runaway. If she doesn't think Glaurumat's just toying with her, she'll figure out your game soon enough."
>>647467
Running your hand over her mane, you tell her, "Maybe we don't even have to face her head on. Whatever it is she expects of Glauramat, it completely blinds her to the truth. She should have realized I am not him by now, yet she is still believing it. Maybe we can use that to trick her."
"You are already, aren't you?" she asks. "The problem is that you haven't had much of a chance to interact with her aside from when you would pop in and runaway. If she doesn't think Glaurumat's just toying with her, she'll figure out your game soon enough."
>>647468
That's a good point. We'll have to sell that we're toying with her if we want this charade to continue. If anything, that'll help buy time for the chains to finish and get her tied up again.
That's a good point. We'll have to sell that we're toying with her if we want this charade to continue. If anything, that'll help buy time for the chains to finish and get her tied up again.
>>647468
"I'm afraid the only way how I can use my disguise is to lure her into a trap. She just instantly attacks me every time she sees me, so talking to her is out of question for now."
"I'm afraid the only way how I can use my disguise is to lure her into a trap. She just instantly attacks me every time she sees me, so talking to her is out of question for now."
>>647470
"I'm afraid the only way how I can use my disguise is to lure her into a trap. She just instantly attacks me every time she sees me, so talking to her is out of question for now."
"I know you'll figure it out," Lucent smiles and pats your hand with her hoof. "We'll stop Tiamat no matter what."
Lucent tucks herself against your side and wraps you up in the biggest hug she can give you.
"I'm afraid the only way how I can use my disguise is to lure her into a trap. She just instantly attacks me every time she sees me, so talking to her is out of question for now."
"I know you'll figure it out," Lucent smiles and pats your hand with her hoof. "We'll stop Tiamat no matter what."
Lucent tucks herself against your side and wraps you up in the biggest hug she can give you.
>>647474
"Do you want me to ask Luna to guard your dreams during the next days?"
Lucent shakes her head.
"If I really need Princess Luna," she says as she pulls away from you. "I know she'll be there. She's good like that."
Lucent raises a hoof along your arm, gliding it up to your neck until it rests against your face. She plants a kiss on your cheek and lets her lips linger there.
"You are too," she says, resting back against the wall.
"Do you want me to ask Luna to guard your dreams during the next days?"
Lucent shakes her head.
"If I really need Princess Luna," she says as she pulls away from you. "I know she'll be there. She's good like that."
Lucent raises a hoof along your arm, gliding it up to your neck until it rests against your face. She plants a kiss on your cheek and lets her lips linger there.
"You are too," she says, resting back against the wall.
>>647476
"Do you want me to stay for a little longer?"
I don't really know what to say or ask her anymore, from this point on chances are good that it will get awkward
"Do you want me to stay for a little longer?"
I don't really know what to say or ask her anymore, from this point on chances are good that it will get awkward
>>647477
"Do you want me to stay for a little longer?"
"If you're asking for an invitation," she says as her blush returns, "I kind of just gave you one."
She can't stop the broad grin from taking over her face. Blind as she is, she can't seem to face you right now and turns towards the other wall.
"Do you want me to stay for a little longer?"
"If you're asking for an invitation," she says as her blush returns, "I kind of just gave you one."
She can't stop the broad grin from taking over her face. Blind as she is, she can't seem to face you right now and turns towards the other wall.
>>647480
"You are talking to the wall, Lucent," you say as you ruffle her man. "Will you be alright if I leave and try to find out why Tiamat thinks Glauramat is her ally?"
Lucent's grin fades a bit as you ruffle her mane, but she's still smiling when she follows your hand back to face you.
"I'll be good," she says. "If anything comes up I'll let you know. And before you go, I just want to tell you…"
Lucent pauses to take a deep breath and straighten her back. She's not looking at you, but her stare is direct and focused.
"I love you," she says with a smile. "Tiamat really scared me down there and I didn't know if I was ever gonna make it out."
Lucent's head falls forward and she waves her hooves about as she proceeds to explain herself.
"I know that you love Luna," she says. "And I know I told you that I wasn't going to stop fighting for you and I meant that. So I just wanted to say that before I never got the chance to because I'm not really sure if I'd said it before now."
She takes another deep breath to calm herself.
"I love you," she says again. "So please be careful, okay?"
"You are talking to the wall, Lucent," you say as you ruffle her man. "Will you be alright if I leave and try to find out why Tiamat thinks Glauramat is her ally?"
Lucent's grin fades a bit as you ruffle her mane, but she's still smiling when she follows your hand back to face you.
"I'll be good," she says. "If anything comes up I'll let you know. And before you go, I just want to tell you…"
Lucent pauses to take a deep breath and straighten her back. She's not looking at you, but her stare is direct and focused.
"I love you," she says with a smile. "Tiamat really scared me down there and I didn't know if I was ever gonna make it out."
Lucent's head falls forward and she waves her hooves about as she proceeds to explain herself.
"I know that you love Luna," she says. "And I know I told you that I wasn't going to stop fighting for you and I meant that. So I just wanted to say that before I never got the chance to because I'm not really sure if I'd said it before now."
She takes another deep breath to calm herself.
"I love you," she says again. "So please be careful, okay?"
>>647481
>"So please be careful, okay?"
"Same goes for you. No more jumping into the dragon's maw for now."
>"So please be careful, okay?"
"Same goes for you. No more jumping into the dragon's maw for now."
>>647483
"Same goes for you. No more jumping into the dragon's maw for now."
"Well," she folds her hooves across her chest. "Then don't be mad when I'm the one who has to save you when it happens to you, ya big goof. As long as we both stay out of trouble then we don't have to keep saving each other."
"Same goes for you. No more jumping into the dragon's maw for now."
"Well," she folds her hooves across her chest. "Then don't be mad when I'm the one who has to save you when it happens to you, ya big goof. As long as we both stay out of trouble then we don't have to keep saving each other."
>>647484
"I'll give my best, I promise.
Try to get some rest, Lucent."
Then leave the room I guess. We should also find someone who can stand guard in front of the door - Baron will already be mad that we didn't wait for him to return anyway
"I'll give my best, I promise.
Try to get some rest, Lucent."
Then leave the room I guess. We should also find someone who can stand guard in front of the door - Baron will already be mad that we didn't wait for him to return anyway
>We turned down Lucent who was practically begging for it
I don't know how to feel about this.
I don't know how to feel about this.
>>647491
Now that you say it, we keep unlocking things all over the place. Mostly doors and portals though
Now that you say it, we keep unlocking things all over the place. Mostly doors and portals though
>>647492
And, you know.
The entire reason we're on the quest was that Tiamet was able to break her chains.
And, you know.
The entire reason we're on the quest was that Tiamet was able to break her chains.
File: 1445811919812.gif (2.92 MB, 500x333, 0d41808f60af8871fa122b3b0f….gif) ImgOps Google
>>647493
You might argue that it could also be due to the stars lusting after that moon butt
Because that's the sole reason quest anon even exists
You might argue that it could also be due to the stars lusting after that moon butt
Because that's the sole reason quest anon even exists
>Current Inventory:
- A strange key
- A proper sword
- Harmonyllium Compass
- 10,300 bits
- Large backpack
- Medical Kit
>Physical Ability
- +10 to all combat rolls, and preception rolls while in combat
>Magical Ability
- Current spells: Light, Shield (Average), Double (Poor), Disguise (Poor)
>Current Affection Levels:
Luna - Lovers[LOCKED]
Lucent - Best Friends[LOCKED]
Gold Heart - Close Friends [LOCKED]
Celestia - Good Friends
- A strange key
- A proper sword
- Harmonyllium Compass
- 10,300 bits
- Large backpack
- Medical Kit
>Physical Ability
- +10 to all combat rolls, and preception rolls while in combat
>Magical Ability
- Current spells: Light, Shield (Average), Double (Poor), Disguise (Poor)
>Current Affection Levels:
Luna - Lovers[LOCKED]
Lucent - Best Friends[LOCKED]
Gold Heart - Close Friends [LOCKED]
Celestia - Good Friends
You leave the room despite Lucent wanting you to stay and search for a guard to stand by her room.Baron won't be very happy that you've left before he's returned, but it's starting to get into the evening and Luna should be coming back from the forging any moment now. You've had quite the eventful day and some time to relax with Luna would be nice. As you walk through the halls of the palace, thoughts of your conversation with Emperor Halberd play back in your mind. There has to be some way you can fight Tiamat in a way that defeats her spirit, breaks her mind, or any other way that's physical. Not to mention the fact that you need to actually show something that proves your Glaurumat aside from a weak appearance. Your magic's not that strong yet and you need to get stronger fast. If Starswirl was more of a help to you it would make things a little easier, but if he does know something he's hiding it for some reason or another. With every advance there seems to be another obstacle blocking your path.
As you enter the throne room, the ponies representing the Elements of Harmony pass you and inform you that the princesses are both still in Glaurumat's Skull. When you left there weren't that many guards, but since you destroyed the portal to Tartarus there doesn't really need to be anymore. At the very least you'll have some privacy.
You enter the Skull and see Luna and Celestia standing in the center beneath the mind having a discussion about where to go from here. You can't hear much of it under their hushed tones, but you weren't really focusing on the conversation anyway. Luna's hairband is still securing the ponytail from her mane which instantly brings a smile to your face. The onyx set into it gleams from the light of harmony coming off the mind.
"Good evening," Celestia greets you as you approach.
"Is everything alright with Lucent?" Luna says.
As you enter the throne room, the ponies representing the Elements of Harmony pass you and inform you that the princesses are both still in Glaurumat's Skull. When you left there weren't that many guards, but since you destroyed the portal to Tartarus there doesn't really need to be anymore. At the very least you'll have some privacy.
You enter the Skull and see Luna and Celestia standing in the center beneath the mind having a discussion about where to go from here. You can't hear much of it under their hushed tones, but you weren't really focusing on the conversation anyway. Luna's hairband is still securing the ponytail from her mane which instantly brings a smile to your face. The onyx set into it gleams from the light of harmony coming off the mind.
"Good evening," Celestia greets you as you approach.
"Is everything alright with Lucent?" Luna says.
>>649821
"She seems to be doing fine, given the circumstances. Still, I wouldn't want her to be completely alone, could you tell one of your guards to stay close to her room for the night?"
"She seems to be doing fine, given the circumstances. Still, I wouldn't want her to be completely alone, could you tell one of your guards to stay close to her room for the night?"
>>649822
"She seems to be doing fine, given the circumstances. Still, I wouldn't want her to be completely alone, could you tell one of your guards to stay close to her room for the night?"
"Was Baron not available?" she says, turning away from Celestia. "The pair appear to be very close friends or am I mistaken about the status of their relationship?"
"Don't worry," Celestia smile as she leaves the skull. "I'll take care of it after my dinner with Emperor Halberd."
"She seems to be doing fine, given the circumstances. Still, I wouldn't want her to be completely alone, could you tell one of your guards to stay close to her room for the night?"
"Was Baron not available?" she says, turning away from Celestia. "The pair appear to be very close friends or am I mistaken about the status of their relationship?"
"Don't worry," Celestia smile as she leaves the skull. "I'll take care of it after my dinner with Emperor Halberd."
>>649823
"They are close, Baron just took a break when I showed up - he will probably quarter me when he finds out that I didn't wait for him to come back before I left."
"They are close, Baron just took a break when I showed up - he will probably quarter me when he finds out that I didn't wait for him to come back before I left."
>>649824
"They are close, Baron just took a break when I showed up - he will probably quarter me when he finds out that I didn't wait for him to come back before I left."
"It is fortunate for you that he is no longer allowed," Luna smiles. "The act of drawing and quartering as a form of punishment was outlawed many hundreds of years ago."
Luna giggles for a moment and nuzzles into your chest. She lets out a heavy sigh before she kisses your hand.
"Finally we have some time to be together again," she says. "As soon as I raise the moon, of course."
"They are close, Baron just took a break when I showed up - he will probably quarter me when he finds out that I didn't wait for him to come back before I left."
"It is fortunate for you that he is no longer allowed," Luna smiles. "The act of drawing and quartering as a form of punishment was outlawed many hundreds of years ago."
Luna giggles for a moment and nuzzles into your chest. She lets out a heavy sigh before she kisses your hand.
"Finally we have some time to be together again," she says. "As soon as I raise the moon, of course."
>>649825
Run a hand through her mane.
"Lucent mentioned something weird when I visited her. She said that Tiamat was really confused why Glauramat hadn't freed her from Tartarus as soon as he was resurrected. Or well, at least as soon as he had killed us all.
Does that make any sense to you? From her reaction towards me whenever I showed up as Glauramat I would have assumed the exact opposite."
Run a hand through her mane.
"Lucent mentioned something weird when I visited her. She said that Tiamat was really confused why Glauramat hadn't freed her from Tartarus as soon as he was resurrected. Or well, at least as soon as he had killed us all.
Does that make any sense to you? From her reaction towards me whenever I showed up as Glauramat I would have assumed the exact opposite."
>>649826
"Lucent mentioned something weird when I visited her. She said that Tiamat was really confused why Glauramat hadn't freed her from Tartarus as soon as he was resurrected. Or well, at least as soon as he had killed us all," you tell her, running your hand through her mane. "Does that make any sense to you? From her reaction towards me whenever I showed up as Glauramat I would have assumed the exact opposite."
"I can not begin to fathom the type of relationship they had," Luna answers, pushing her head into your hand and kissing it again. "By my troth, the ignorant musings of fools would hold more interest."
Luna pushes past you and heads for the door out of the Skull. Her horn glows with magic, tugging at your hand to follow her.
"I assume that they loved each other as much as they hated each other," she says, "but the times when they emotionally aligned were far and few between."
"Lucent mentioned something weird when I visited her. She said that Tiamat was really confused why Glauramat hadn't freed her from Tartarus as soon as he was resurrected. Or well, at least as soon as he had killed us all," you tell her, running your hand through her mane. "Does that make any sense to you? From her reaction towards me whenever I showed up as Glauramat I would have assumed the exact opposite."
"I can not begin to fathom the type of relationship they had," Luna answers, pushing her head into your hand and kissing it again. "By my troth, the ignorant musings of fools would hold more interest."
Luna pushes past you and heads for the door out of the Skull. Her horn glows with magic, tugging at your hand to follow her.
"I assume that they loved each other as much as they hated each other," she says, "but the times when they emotionally aligned were far and few between."
>>649828
"We should definitely keep it in mind though. If she expects Glauramat to free her then maybe her aggression towards me stems from me not doing what she would expect me to do.
We could use that to distract her at the right moment and make it easier to chain her up again."
We can also use it to break her will but I'm not sure if Halberd wants to keep that plan a secret for now
"I have another question I must ask you.. the presence that was observing us. You did not seem to worry about it too much, which gave of the impression that you know what it is." Lets see if she tells us on her own or if we have to ask if it's NMM
"We should definitely keep it in mind though. If she expects Glauramat to free her then maybe her aggression towards me stems from me not doing what she would expect me to do.
We could use that to distract her at the right moment and make it easier to chain her up again."
We can also use it to break her will but I'm not sure if Halberd wants to keep that plan a secret for now
"I have another question I must ask you.. the presence that was observing us. You did not seem to worry about it too much, which gave of the impression that you know what it is." Lets see if she tells us on her own or if we have to ask if it's NMM
>>649829
"We should definitely keep it in mind though. If she expects Glauramat to free her then maybe her aggression towards me stems from me not doing what she would expect me to do.
We could use that to distract her at the right moment and make it easier to chain her up again."
"That would involve being around her long enough to risk our lives," Luna says, taking a seat in the carriage, "and should a conversation with her lead anywhere you can not follow, we will need a plan to cover our escape, or invent a believable lie."
Luna guides you to the opposite side of the cart and you seat yourself. As the carriage begins it's slow ascent towards the throne room, Luna releases your hand from her magic.
"I have another question I must ask you.. the presence that was observing us. You did not seem to worry about it too much, which gave of the impression that you know what it is."
"I do not see how you could have come to this conclusion," she says. "My meaning was meant to inform you that the presence is not above my power, but you would be correct. I do know what the presence is and withheld such information so as not to worry you. I beseech your forgiveness."
Luna lowers her head and awaits your response.
"We should definitely keep it in mind though. If she expects Glauramat to free her then maybe her aggression towards me stems from me not doing what she would expect me to do.
We could use that to distract her at the right moment and make it easier to chain her up again."
"That would involve being around her long enough to risk our lives," Luna says, taking a seat in the carriage, "and should a conversation with her lead anywhere you can not follow, we will need a plan to cover our escape, or invent a believable lie."
Luna guides you to the opposite side of the cart and you seat yourself. As the carriage begins it's slow ascent towards the throne room, Luna releases your hand from her magic.
"I have another question I must ask you.. the presence that was observing us. You did not seem to worry about it too much, which gave of the impression that you know what it is."
"I do not see how you could have come to this conclusion," she says. "My meaning was meant to inform you that the presence is not above my power, but you would be correct. I do know what the presence is and withheld such information so as not to worry you. I beseech your forgiveness."
Luna lowers her head and awaits your response.
>>649830
"There is nothing that needs to be forgiven, I am sure you had your reasons to keep it a secret.
But you don't need to keep things hidden from me. Especially if it is what I assume."
"There is nothing that needs to be forgiven, I am sure you had your reasons to keep it a secret.
But you don't need to keep things hidden from me. Especially if it is what I assume."
>>649831
"There is nothing that needs to be forgiven, I am sure you had your reasons to keep it a secret.
But you don't need to keep things hidden from me. Especially if it is what I assume."
Luna takes a deep breath, raises her head, and tells you "Nightmare Moon has returned. I have done my best to keep her power restrained but she struggles the most when you are farthest from me. I can feel her this very moment, longing for release, but I do not understand why she has returned. I harbor no ill will towards my sister or any of the ponies or dragons. I seek nothing more than peace for myself and for Equestria. Why does she surface to torment me now, when I am at my happiest?"
Tears are beginning to form in her eyes and a scowl is set on her face.
"I do not wish to hide anything from you," she continues, "but for the safety of others, I believe some secrets must be kept. Would you not hide something dangerous from me if you believed just the knowledge of it was enough to cause harm?"
"There is nothing that needs to be forgiven, I am sure you had your reasons to keep it a secret.
But you don't need to keep things hidden from me. Especially if it is what I assume."
Luna takes a deep breath, raises her head, and tells you "Nightmare Moon has returned. I have done my best to keep her power restrained but she struggles the most when you are farthest from me. I can feel her this very moment, longing for release, but I do not understand why she has returned. I harbor no ill will towards my sister or any of the ponies or dragons. I seek nothing more than peace for myself and for Equestria. Why does she surface to torment me now, when I am at my happiest?"
Tears are beginning to form in her eyes and a scowl is set on her face.
"I do not wish to hide anything from you," she continues, "but for the safety of others, I believe some secrets must be kept. Would you not hide something dangerous from me if you believed just the knowledge of it was enough to cause harm?"
>>649832
Aww… hug the princess.
"What exactly is Nightmare Moon anyway? Is she a part of you? Or some external being that seeks to control you?
Maybe if we find out why she is suddenly struggling to gain control we can find a way to solve this."
Aww… hug the princess.
"What exactly is Nightmare Moon anyway? Is she a part of you? Or some external being that seeks to control you?
Maybe if we find out why she is suddenly struggling to gain control we can find a way to solve this."
>>649833
You move yourself over to Princess Luna and hug her tight. The two of you embrace for a moment and Luna wipes her tears.
"Thank you," she says.
"What exactly is Nightmare Moon anyway? Is she a part of you? Or some external being that seeks to control you?
Maybe if we find out why she is suddenly struggling to gain control we can find a way to solve this."
"We are one in the same," Luna explains. "However, Nightmare Moon is a manifestation of all my darkest desires and emotions that overtakes my mind and body should she grow too strong. I had thought that with the Elements of Harmony I had been freed from her influence, yet it appears I made a grave mistake in thinking this way."
Luna places a hoof on your cheek and smiles.
"More than her longing for freedom," she continues, "my feelings for you also seem to grow stronger when she is present, not with love or devotion, but with desire. The feeling of wanting you, needing you near me is almost unbearable with Nightmare Moon. Do you feel her reaching out to you as well?"
You move yourself over to Princess Luna and hug her tight. The two of you embrace for a moment and Luna wipes her tears.
"Thank you," she says.
"What exactly is Nightmare Moon anyway? Is she a part of you? Or some external being that seeks to control you?
Maybe if we find out why she is suddenly struggling to gain control we can find a way to solve this."
"We are one in the same," Luna explains. "However, Nightmare Moon is a manifestation of all my darkest desires and emotions that overtakes my mind and body should she grow too strong. I had thought that with the Elements of Harmony I had been freed from her influence, yet it appears I made a grave mistake in thinking this way."
Luna places a hoof on your cheek and smiles.
"More than her longing for freedom," she continues, "my feelings for you also seem to grow stronger when she is present, not with love or devotion, but with desire. The feeling of wanting you, needing you near me is almost unbearable with Nightmare Moon. Do you feel her reaching out to you as well?"
>>649837
You feel something aside from Luna when she touches you, but it's incredibly faint. There's no emotion behind it, just the feeling that there's something else there again. The moment she moves her hoof away, the feeling fades. She's waiting for your answer.
You don't see any harm in telling her the truth. Letting her know that you felt something would probably put her mind at ease about Nightmare Moon being there, but it would also mean she doesn't have as much control over Nightmare Moon as she thought if you can feel her too.
Lying to her would probably lift her spirits up a bit too. Knowing that she's suppressed Nightmare Moon so much would probably comfort her in a different way. If Nightmare Moon ever gained more control however, she might be discouraged and confused as to what caused her to fail.
You feel something aside from Luna when she touches you, but it's incredibly faint. There's no emotion behind it, just the feeling that there's something else there again. The moment she moves her hoof away, the feeling fades. She's waiting for your answer.
You don't see any harm in telling her the truth. Letting her know that you felt something would probably put her mind at ease about Nightmare Moon being there, but it would also mean she doesn't have as much control over Nightmare Moon as she thought if you can feel her too.
Lying to her would probably lift her spirits up a bit too. Knowing that she's suppressed Nightmare Moon so much would probably comfort her in a different way. If Nightmare Moon ever gained more control however, she might be discouraged and confused as to what caused her to fail.
>>649839
I don't think lying is a good idea in this case. She might get overconfident and drop her guard at the wrong moment.
"I did feel her, but barely."
"You say that you are one in the same, yet you seem to behave like two different beings.
What exactly happened when you became Nightmare Mon? What when you defeated her for the first time?"
I feel like Luna might have split of parts of her personality she didn't like into some kind of second personality and the more she fights it the stronger it gets, like some kind of intrusive thought.
I don't think lying is a good idea in this case. She might get overconfident and drop her guard at the wrong moment.
"I did feel her, but barely."
"You say that you are one in the same, yet you seem to behave like two different beings.
What exactly happened when you became Nightmare Mon? What when you defeated her for the first time?"
I feel like Luna might have split of parts of her personality she didn't like into some kind of second personality and the more she fights it the stronger it gets, like some kind of intrusive thought.
>>649840
"I did feel her, but barely."
Luna beams.
"Thank you for your honesty," she says. "I know it was difficult for you to tell me that she was there, but I truly believe I have more control when you are with me. Whether Nightmare Moon feels the same does not matter to me."
"You say that you are one in the same, yet you seem to behave like two different beings.
What exactly happened when you became Nightmare Mon? What when you defeated her for the first time?"
"When I became Nightmare Moon," she explains, "my feelings of envy and anger towards my sister consumed me completely, and with those feelings came the transformation into Nightmare Moon. This is one of the things that confuses me about her now. As I said, I have no such negative feelings at the moment and therefore there should be no reason for her return."
Luna leans back against her seat and stares up at the ceiling. The ponytail in her mane falls over her shoulder and tickles your hand.
"When Nightmare Moon was defeated," she continues, "there was an overwhelming sense of relief, gratitude, and peace. I felt pure and good again. So much so that I came back in yet another form and it took some time before I manged to become my true self once again."
"I did feel her, but barely."
Luna beams.
"Thank you for your honesty," she says. "I know it was difficult for you to tell me that she was there, but I truly believe I have more control when you are with me. Whether Nightmare Moon feels the same does not matter to me."
"You say that you are one in the same, yet you seem to behave like two different beings.
What exactly happened when you became Nightmare Mon? What when you defeated her for the first time?"
"When I became Nightmare Moon," she explains, "my feelings of envy and anger towards my sister consumed me completely, and with those feelings came the transformation into Nightmare Moon. This is one of the things that confuses me about her now. As I said, I have no such negative feelings at the moment and therefore there should be no reason for her return."
Luna leans back against her seat and stares up at the ceiling. The ponytail in her mane falls over her shoulder and tickles your hand.
"When Nightmare Moon was defeated," she continues, "there was an overwhelming sense of relief, gratitude, and peace. I felt pure and good again. So much so that I came back in yet another form and it took some time before I manged to become my true self once again."
>>649841
"Do you ever feel anger and envy now, without them coming from Nightmare Moon stirring within you?"
"Do you ever feel anger and envy now, without them coming from Nightmare Moon stirring within you?"
>>649842
"Do you ever feel anger and envy now, without them coming from Nightmare Moon stirring within you?"
"Of course," Luna admits, "but I've matured as a pony and no longer allow my emotions to control me as they had before."
"Do you ever feel anger and envy now, without them coming from Nightmare Moon stirring within you?"
"Of course," Luna admits, "but I've matured as a pony and no longer allow my emotions to control me as they had before."
>>649843
"Do you think it is possible that you split of parts of your personality you saw as undesirable into Nightmare Moon? Your anger, envy and so on?
Maybe she is getting stronger again because you are suppressing those feelings, bottling them up inside of you and feeding Nightmare Moon."
"Do you think it is possible that you split of parts of your personality you saw as undesirable into Nightmare Moon? Your anger, envy and so on?
Maybe she is getting stronger again because you are suppressing those feelings, bottling them up inside of you and feeding Nightmare Moon."
>>649844
"Do you think it is possible that you split of parts of your personality you saw as undesirable into Nightmare Moon? Your anger, envy and so on?
Maybe she is getting stronger again because you are suppressing those feelings, bottling them up inside of you and feeding Nightmare Moon."
"While I still feel those emotions," she says, "if I act upon them, would that not be feeding Nightmare Moon, as you say? And even if that were true, he feelings are not those of anger or envy, but of longing and desire for freedom and you. One I can give her, the other I can not."
"Do you think it is possible that you split of parts of your personality you saw as undesirable into Nightmare Moon? Your anger, envy and so on?
Maybe she is getting stronger again because you are suppressing those feelings, bottling them up inside of you and feeding Nightmare Moon."
"While I still feel those emotions," she says, "if I act upon them, would that not be feeding Nightmare Moon, as you say? And even if that were true, he feelings are not those of anger or envy, but of longing and desire for freedom and you. One I can give her, the other I can not."
>>649845
"I thought that the problem might be use repressing those emotions, which are represented through Nightmare Moon, which only makes them become stronger over time. Then the solution might have been to accept that they are a part of you and become one with her again.
But if that is not the case, then I am left without any idea how to solve this problem."
"I thought that the problem might be use repressing those emotions, which are represented through Nightmare Moon, which only makes them become stronger over time. Then the solution might have been to accept that they are a part of you and become one with her again.
But if that is not the case, then I am left without any idea how to solve this problem."
>>649846
"I thought that the problem might be use repressing those emotions, which are represented through Nightmare Moon, which only makes them become stronger over time. Then the solution might have been to accept that they are a part of you and become one with her again.
But if that is not the case, then I am left without any idea how to solve this problem."
"The same thoughts mystify me as well," Luna says, placing both hooves over your hand. "I have accepted those emotions as part of me and yet Nightmare Moon still exists. She should not be here, yet she is."
The carriage comes to a stop at the Throne Room. The two of you depart and see Emperor Halberd sitting back on his throne.
"Time for the evening hours, eh, princess?" Halberd says with a smile, his gold fangs glittering in the sunlight.
"Yes," she nods. "I will be raising the moon shortly."
Luna turns to you.
"Will you wait for me here, or would you like to accompany me?"
"I thought that the problem might be use repressing those emotions, which are represented through Nightmare Moon, which only makes them become stronger over time. Then the solution might have been to accept that they are a part of you and become one with her again.
But if that is not the case, then I am left without any idea how to solve this problem."
"The same thoughts mystify me as well," Luna says, placing both hooves over your hand. "I have accepted those emotions as part of me and yet Nightmare Moon still exists. She should not be here, yet she is."
The carriage comes to a stop at the Throne Room. The two of you depart and see Emperor Halberd sitting back on his throne.
"Time for the evening hours, eh, princess?" Halberd says with a smile, his gold fangs glittering in the sunlight.
"Yes," she nods. "I will be raising the moon shortly."
Luna turns to you.
"Will you wait for me here, or would you like to accompany me?"
Not sure, should we stay with Luna and watch her raise the moon, or use the chance to tell Halberd that Tiamat seems to see Glauramat as some kind of ally?
>>649849
You follow Luna outside to the front of the palace. Magic envelops her horn and she ascends to the sky to raise the moon. Further up in another window of the palace, you can the the light of magic from Celestia's horn as well. The sun moves aside and beneath the horizon as the moon moves to take it's place. Taloran itself lights up as bright as the stars around it and Luna lands down next to you.
"We have already discussed what should happen if Nightmare Moon returns," Luna reminds you. "I trust you as a friend and partner to do what is best for myself and Equestria, but more importantly…"
Luna hops up a bit using her wings to fly before you. She leans in to give you lingering kiss, then backs away.
"I love you enough to never let it come to that. I won't let anything happen to you."
You follow Luna outside to the front of the palace. Magic envelops her horn and she ascends to the sky to raise the moon. Further up in another window of the palace, you can the the light of magic from Celestia's horn as well. The sun moves aside and beneath the horizon as the moon moves to take it's place. Taloran itself lights up as bright as the stars around it and Luna lands down next to you.
"We have already discussed what should happen if Nightmare Moon returns," Luna reminds you. "I trust you as a friend and partner to do what is best for myself and Equestria, but more importantly…"
Luna hops up a bit using her wings to fly before you. She leans in to give you lingering kiss, then backs away.
"I love you enough to never let it come to that. I won't let anything happen to you."
>>649850
"And neither will I.
Though we do have to find a way to deal with this. I don't want you to constantly have to struggle with her for control."
"And neither will I.
Though we do have to find a way to deal with this. I don't want you to constantly have to struggle with her for control."
>>649851
"And neither will I.
Though we do have to find a way to deal with this. I don't want you to constantly have to struggle with her for control."
"It is not a concern at the moment," Luna assures you as she lands again. "The chains are coming along and it may be some time before we face off against Tiamat again. The Elements of Harmony are always there to bring me back should Nightmare Moon take over. I feel that the important thing to do is enjoy myself while I manage over Nightmare Moon."
Luna heads back into the palace.
"Should we join Celestia and Halberd for dinner?" Luna suggests. "I am famished but if you would prefer a more private dining arrangement, something can be arranged."
"And neither will I.
Though we do have to find a way to deal with this. I don't want you to constantly have to struggle with her for control."
"It is not a concern at the moment," Luna assures you as she lands again. "The chains are coming along and it may be some time before we face off against Tiamat again. The Elements of Harmony are always there to bring me back should Nightmare Moon take over. I feel that the important thing to do is enjoy myself while I manage over Nightmare Moon."
Luna heads back into the palace.
"Should we join Celestia and Halberd for dinner?" Luna suggests. "I am famished but if you would prefer a more private dining arrangement, something can be arranged."
>>649852
"I would prefer a more private dinner, but for now there are too many important things to discuss for such luxury."
"I would prefer a more private dinner, but for now there are too many important things to discuss for such luxury."
>>649854
Alright, thanks for the session AJ!
Anon did a good job at figuring out what the presence was, it would have taken me a lot longer.
Alright, thanks for the session AJ!
Anon did a good job at figuring out what the presence was, it would have taken me a lot longer.