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As the full extent of Applebloom's problem becomes apparent in my Equestria dreamscape http://www.furaffinity.net/view/8072602/ the more important it becomes to find a treatment for her. The next day Zecora returned with the little filly to Ponyville Hospital for a series of follow up examinations. While the doctor felt the physical injuries to her were healing well he had no solution for the more serious issue that was weighing on everyone's mind.
Zecora called Twilight, the hospital staff, and the Apple Family together and presented her findings. It goes without saying that her findings caused much consternation for all gathered. Now question came to what were they dealing with and what could be done about it. There were three major theories proposed to explain what was occurring:
1. Applebloom was possessed by some phantasmic being while she was in the Kingdom of Shadows and this entity escaped destruction by hitching a ride out when the Kingdom was destroyed. Twilight felt pretty certain that they were not dealing with the Lord of Shadows, but how powerful the being might be inhabiting Applebloom was subject to debate. Also had this been planned as part of her abduction from the beginning or was the little filly a victim of an unfortunate encounter?
2. That this was not actually Applebloom and that they were dealing with a doppelganger of some sort that had taken on the little filly's form and most of her memories then succeeded in making through to Equestria. Whether as an act of self-preservation by the doppelganger, or once again as some larger scheme that the Lord of Shadows had made plans was up to debate. If this was the case then Applebloom did not make it back and she perished in the destruction of the Kingdom of Shadows.
3. That the act of Applebloom being pulled into the Kingdom of Shadows had physically altered her into some being from that realm. In much the same way Paynes Grey had been turned into a being from their before being banished to limbo by the Lord of Shadows. This created a particularly sticky situation since it was unknown whether the process could be safely reversed. The only pony that had experienced that had not last long after returning. Although the fact that he was over a thousand years old then probably had a major impact on his survival. The argument against this was that only Applebloom seemed to be suffering this fate and none of other farmponies who had also been abducted at the time seemed to be affected.
Of course none of these theories were very comforting to the Apple family who were already feeling the strain of this dilemma. The next question was what to do with the filly while solution was found. True their had been the violent episode while under the effects of the truth potion http://www.furaffinity.net/view/8000735/ , but she had not done anything yet to warrant permanent incarceration. Although she needed to be kept under observation as much as possible. Arguments were made for keeping her indefinitely at the hospital, but it was decided in the end that her home environment might be more therapeutic for the little filly. However it was decided that she would not continuing attending classes at the Cheerilee's school. Instead after discussing her condition with Cheerilee the decision was made that she would study from home and her teacher would drop by and give her assignments, pick up finished homework, and give her any tutoring she needed. Also her doctor advised against any heavy, strenuous exercise or labor for at least the next month. Then he wanted her to return to run some more tests.
Through all this Twilight had been keeping the royal sister abreast of what was happening to the little filly. Although both of them desired to be more directly involved in solving Applebloom's problem, a series of political events, or as Luna sarcastically called in one letter as "the crisis du jour" was keeping the two sisters very busy in the north. The exact nature of the problem was not made clear in their letters but rumors in the newspaper hinted at the possibility of a sudden escalation of tensions between Equestria and the Council of Dragons over border issues in the northern lands. These rumors were reinforced by supposedly increased sightings of dragons up north and the movement and redeployment of pegasus squadrons from south to the north. Also one day a train passed through Ponyville heading north that was carrying both field artillery and heavy guns intended for fortification emplacements on flat cars. They were under heavy canvas tarps but their silhouettes were unmistakable. The train did not stop at the Ponyville station and all of the passenger cars were filled with earth ponies in uniforms apparently assigned to the artillery batteries. Also the train had several airborne pegasus who were effectively providing MiGCAP for the train. Additional pegasus were resting on a semi-open top car awaiting to rotate in and replace tired pegasus.
Zecora asked if she could send several letters to zebra scholars/ historians/ shamans in her homeland to quiz them for ideas and solutions for Applebloom's plight. She was not certain but there were aspects of Applebloom's abduction that sounded like things that may have happened in zebra culture several hundred years before. Twilight not only agreed but she was able to get the letters sent, with help from the sisters, via a regular diplomatic pegasus courier which greatly sped up their arrival to the far south. Also Zecora agreed to make regular visits to Sweet Apple Acres to check on the little filly since for some reason Zecora was the only pony that Applebloom had recently shown any interest in talking to.
So Applebloom went back home to Sweet Apple Acres. The uncertainty of Applebloom's continuing condition created a somewhat awkward environment, but the family appreciated not having to make a trip into town every day just to visit her. Also with the winter snows coming soon the roads would get harder to use as the year drew to a close. Cheerilee was not fully aware of Applebloom's problem, but she was more than willing to come out a couple times a week to help the little filly with her study. At first she was concerned that with Applebloom not attending daily classes that she would have trouble keeping up with the rest of her class. That worry was unfounded as the little filly easily finished her projects ahead of schedule. In fact her academic performance continues to improve much to the amazement of all. Applebloom has always been a good student, but hardly one of the consistent high scorers in her grade. On top of her school work she had not abated in her reading and was tearing her way through the Ponyville Library at rate that even Twilight found impressive. Almost as fast was her consumption of ink, pen points, pencils and paper. The walls of her room were soon festooned with odd cryptic diagrams, runes and symbols mingled amongst mathematical equations held up on the walls with a random selection of push pins, nails, tape and paste. Apparently with no concern to what it was doing to the paint or canvas on the walls.
Applejack was more than a bit bothered by her little sister turning into some creepy egghead but on the few occasions she had asked Applebloom about what it all this writing meant she either got an evasive answer, or in a couple cases Applebloom had launched into a long lecture-like explanation that had left her more befuddled than before. Finally one day while little filly was out and in town with Big Mac, Applejack arranged for Twilight, Zecora and myself to come into her room and look at the work on the wall. Most of it was completely alien to us but we made sketches for later investigation. A few of the runes were close to ones Zecora had seen and she decided to send examples of them south with her next letter. Some of the mathematical equations were familiar to Twilight and seem to explain why Applebloom had borrowed several books related to calculus, physics and astronomy. Also it appeared that the little filly had been staying up late at night making surprisingly detailed maps of the night sky. The maps were covered in strange glyphs that were mysterious to us, but one map in particular caught my attention because of hastily note scribbled in one corner.
It was a map that showed what Twilight recognized as particularly fascinating nebula called The Griffin's Claw. Amongst some painfully dense math was written in hasty fashion. "Great vortex of heaven. Black throne of unstoppable night. Perfect darkness, defeater of the brightest light! Destroyer of kingdoms. Ender of worlds. Beautiful destruction. Madness that consumes all". I asked Twilight to jot down the math associated with this quote, also I asked her if we could later talk about the state of pony astronomy and what they did and did not know.
Of course Applebloom's closest friends Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell soon heard of her return to Sweet Apple Acres and really wanted to speak with her and make certain she was okay. I think they have taken Applebloom's change in personality the hardest. They can not understand why someone who has been so close to them would suddenly decide to have nothing to do with them. Especially since they have helped each other through the trials and tribulations of youth so far. Now whenever they attempted to visit and cheer up their best friend they get the cold shoulder. Finally one afternoon it came to a head.
Applebloom was out finishing some chores when the other members of the Cutie Marks Crusaders found her out by one of the woodsheds. Scootlaoo had decided earlier in the day that she was going to get an explanation out of Applebloom one way or another. After all both her and Sweetie Bell were Applebloom's best friends and they only wanted to help her with her problem. Unfortunately for Scootaloo Applebloom was not interested in talking today with them and was heading back to the barn/ farmhouse while ignoring their calls. That was it. Scootaloo couldn't stand this anymore! The orange pegasus filly galloped ahead and block her path. "You're going nowhere until you tell us what is wrong with you!" Yelled the pegasus filly. Something changed that moment in Applebloom and she launched herself at Scootaloo and knocking the pegasus filly on her back. With both of her hooves on her Scootaloo's throat she pinned her to the ground. "HOW DARE YOU TELL US ANYTHING!" Screamed Applebloom. Then for just an instant the white of her eyes went pitch black as she continued yelling at her friend. "LEAVE US ALONE! WE DON'T NEED YOU!" She was in the middle of her next sentence when suddenly the whites returned to her eyes. "WE DON'T!…ah, um." It was if she suddenly had no idea of what she was going to say or how she had ended up on top of her friend. Slowly she released her hooves from Scootaloo's neck and started wandering back to the house. "just leave us alone." was all she said in parting.
For several seconds Scootaloo just laid there in the dirt. Her heart was hammering in her chest. She had never had someone get that angry with her before. Oh sure, her and Applebloom had had their share of scuffles and arguments in the past, but this felt different in ways that she could not explain but it had left her terrified like never before. Not scared in the way that carnival ride or a good ghost will leave you, but something more primal and final in nature. And had she imagined that friends eyes had just changed color like that? She needed to tell someone but was afraid that telling Applejack would get Applebloom in trouble. After all you didn't snitch on a friend that way. With Rainbow Dash off in Cloudsdale she headed to the Ponyville library with Sweetie Bell in tow. Twilight was in the middle of a magic lesson with Petina when the two showed up. Twilight knew that the two fillies have had scuffles in the past, but Scootaloo's description of Applebloom's reaction and brief change in eye color bothered the unicorn librarian. The pegasus filly was shaking now from retelling of her experience. She asked Twilight what this feeling she was having when Petina spoke up. "What you just felt dear is somepony walking over your grave. The realization that you could've died there and you'd never see another day." She came over and rested a front hoof on the little filly. "It is okay to be scared of that. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sorry you had to experience at something like this at such young age but it sounds like you just had a close call." At that point Scootaloo started crying and Petina gently wrapped her front legs around her and held her quietly. Twilight stared horrified at Petina for several seconds. Before she could ask the question on her mind Petina looked her in the eye and in a deadpan tone said. "Yes, I have felt it myself in the past." To be continued.
Zecora called Twilight, the hospital staff, and the Apple Family together and presented her findings. It goes without saying that her findings caused much consternation for all gathered. Now question came to what were they dealing with and what could be done about it. There were three major theories proposed to explain what was occurring:
1. Applebloom was possessed by some phantasmic being while she was in the Kingdom of Shadows and this entity escaped destruction by hitching a ride out when the Kingdom was destroyed. Twilight felt pretty certain that they were not dealing with the Lord of Shadows, but how powerful the being might be inhabiting Applebloom was subject to debate. Also had this been planned as part of her abduction from the beginning or was the little filly a victim of an unfortunate encounter?
2. That this was not actually Applebloom and that they were dealing with a doppelganger of some sort that had taken on the little filly's form and most of her memories then succeeded in making through to Equestria. Whether as an act of self-preservation by the doppelganger, or once again as some larger scheme that the Lord of Shadows had made plans was up to debate. If this was the case then Applebloom did not make it back and she perished in the destruction of the Kingdom of Shadows.
3. That the act of Applebloom being pulled into the Kingdom of Shadows had physically altered her into some being from that realm. In much the same way Paynes Grey had been turned into a being from their before being banished to limbo by the Lord of Shadows. This created a particularly sticky situation since it was unknown whether the process could be safely reversed. The only pony that had experienced that had not last long after returning. Although the fact that he was over a thousand years old then probably had a major impact on his survival. The argument against this was that only Applebloom seemed to be suffering this fate and none of other farmponies who had also been abducted at the time seemed to be affected.
Of course none of these theories were very comforting to the Apple family who were already feeling the strain of this dilemma. The next question was what to do with the filly while solution was found. True their had been the violent episode while under the effects of the truth potion http://www.furaffinity.net/view/8000735/ , but she had not done anything yet to warrant permanent incarceration. Although she needed to be kept under observation as much as possible. Arguments were made for keeping her indefinitely at the hospital, but it was decided in the end that her home environment might be more therapeutic for the little filly. However it was decided that she would not continuing attending classes at the Cheerilee's school. Instead after discussing her condition with Cheerilee the decision was made that she would study from home and her teacher would drop by and give her assignments, pick up finished homework, and give her any tutoring she needed. Also her doctor advised against any heavy, strenuous exercise or labor for at least the next month. Then he wanted her to return to run some more tests.
Through all this Twilight had been keeping the royal sister abreast of what was happening to the little filly. Although both of them desired to be more directly involved in solving Applebloom's problem, a series of political events, or as Luna sarcastically called in one letter as "the crisis du jour" was keeping the two sisters very busy in the north. The exact nature of the problem was not made clear in their letters but rumors in the newspaper hinted at the possibility of a sudden escalation of tensions between Equestria and the Council of Dragons over border issues in the northern lands. These rumors were reinforced by supposedly increased sightings of dragons up north and the movement and redeployment of pegasus squadrons from south to the north. Also one day a train passed through Ponyville heading north that was carrying both field artillery and heavy guns intended for fortification emplacements on flat cars. They were under heavy canvas tarps but their silhouettes were unmistakable. The train did not stop at the Ponyville station and all of the passenger cars were filled with earth ponies in uniforms apparently assigned to the artillery batteries. Also the train had several airborne pegasus who were effectively providing MiGCAP for the train. Additional pegasus were resting on a semi-open top car awaiting to rotate in and replace tired pegasus.
Zecora asked if she could send several letters to zebra scholars/ historians/ shamans in her homeland to quiz them for ideas and solutions for Applebloom's plight. She was not certain but there were aspects of Applebloom's abduction that sounded like things that may have happened in zebra culture several hundred years before. Twilight not only agreed but she was able to get the letters sent, with help from the sisters, via a regular diplomatic pegasus courier which greatly sped up their arrival to the far south. Also Zecora agreed to make regular visits to Sweet Apple Acres to check on the little filly since for some reason Zecora was the only pony that Applebloom had recently shown any interest in talking to.
So Applebloom went back home to Sweet Apple Acres. The uncertainty of Applebloom's continuing condition created a somewhat awkward environment, but the family appreciated not having to make a trip into town every day just to visit her. Also with the winter snows coming soon the roads would get harder to use as the year drew to a close. Cheerilee was not fully aware of Applebloom's problem, but she was more than willing to come out a couple times a week to help the little filly with her study. At first she was concerned that with Applebloom not attending daily classes that she would have trouble keeping up with the rest of her class. That worry was unfounded as the little filly easily finished her projects ahead of schedule. In fact her academic performance continues to improve much to the amazement of all. Applebloom has always been a good student, but hardly one of the consistent high scorers in her grade. On top of her school work she had not abated in her reading and was tearing her way through the Ponyville Library at rate that even Twilight found impressive. Almost as fast was her consumption of ink, pen points, pencils and paper. The walls of her room were soon festooned with odd cryptic diagrams, runes and symbols mingled amongst mathematical equations held up on the walls with a random selection of push pins, nails, tape and paste. Apparently with no concern to what it was doing to the paint or canvas on the walls.
Applejack was more than a bit bothered by her little sister turning into some creepy egghead but on the few occasions she had asked Applebloom about what it all this writing meant she either got an evasive answer, or in a couple cases Applebloom had launched into a long lecture-like explanation that had left her more befuddled than before. Finally one day while little filly was out and in town with Big Mac, Applejack arranged for Twilight, Zecora and myself to come into her room and look at the work on the wall. Most of it was completely alien to us but we made sketches for later investigation. A few of the runes were close to ones Zecora had seen and she decided to send examples of them south with her next letter. Some of the mathematical equations were familiar to Twilight and seem to explain why Applebloom had borrowed several books related to calculus, physics and astronomy. Also it appeared that the little filly had been staying up late at night making surprisingly detailed maps of the night sky. The maps were covered in strange glyphs that were mysterious to us, but one map in particular caught my attention because of hastily note scribbled in one corner.
It was a map that showed what Twilight recognized as particularly fascinating nebula called The Griffin's Claw. Amongst some painfully dense math was written in hasty fashion. "Great vortex of heaven. Black throne of unstoppable night. Perfect darkness, defeater of the brightest light! Destroyer of kingdoms. Ender of worlds. Beautiful destruction. Madness that consumes all". I asked Twilight to jot down the math associated with this quote, also I asked her if we could later talk about the state of pony astronomy and what they did and did not know.
Of course Applebloom's closest friends Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell soon heard of her return to Sweet Apple Acres and really wanted to speak with her and make certain she was okay. I think they have taken Applebloom's change in personality the hardest. They can not understand why someone who has been so close to them would suddenly decide to have nothing to do with them. Especially since they have helped each other through the trials and tribulations of youth so far. Now whenever they attempted to visit and cheer up their best friend they get the cold shoulder. Finally one afternoon it came to a head.
Applebloom was out finishing some chores when the other members of the Cutie Marks Crusaders found her out by one of the woodsheds. Scootlaoo had decided earlier in the day that she was going to get an explanation out of Applebloom one way or another. After all both her and Sweetie Bell were Applebloom's best friends and they only wanted to help her with her problem. Unfortunately for Scootaloo Applebloom was not interested in talking today with them and was heading back to the barn/ farmhouse while ignoring their calls. That was it. Scootaloo couldn't stand this anymore! The orange pegasus filly galloped ahead and block her path. "You're going nowhere until you tell us what is wrong with you!" Yelled the pegasus filly. Something changed that moment in Applebloom and she launched herself at Scootaloo and knocking the pegasus filly on her back. With both of her hooves on her Scootaloo's throat she pinned her to the ground. "HOW DARE YOU TELL US ANYTHING!" Screamed Applebloom. Then for just an instant the white of her eyes went pitch black as she continued yelling at her friend. "LEAVE US ALONE! WE DON'T NEED YOU!" She was in the middle of her next sentence when suddenly the whites returned to her eyes. "WE DON'T!…ah, um." It was if she suddenly had no idea of what she was going to say or how she had ended up on top of her friend. Slowly she released her hooves from Scootaloo's neck and started wandering back to the house. "just leave us alone." was all she said in parting.
For several seconds Scootaloo just laid there in the dirt. Her heart was hammering in her chest. She had never had someone get that angry with her before. Oh sure, her and Applebloom had had their share of scuffles and arguments in the past, but this felt different in ways that she could not explain but it had left her terrified like never before. Not scared in the way that carnival ride or a good ghost will leave you, but something more primal and final in nature. And had she imagined that friends eyes had just changed color like that? She needed to tell someone but was afraid that telling Applejack would get Applebloom in trouble. After all you didn't snitch on a friend that way. With Rainbow Dash off in Cloudsdale she headed to the Ponyville library with Sweetie Bell in tow. Twilight was in the middle of a magic lesson with Petina when the two showed up. Twilight knew that the two fillies have had scuffles in the past, but Scootaloo's description of Applebloom's reaction and brief change in eye color bothered the unicorn librarian. The pegasus filly was shaking now from retelling of her experience. She asked Twilight what this feeling she was having when Petina spoke up. "What you just felt dear is somepony walking over your grave. The realization that you could've died there and you'd never see another day." She came over and rested a front hoof on the little filly. "It is okay to be scared of that. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I'm sorry you had to experience at something like this at such young age but it sounds like you just had a close call." At that point Scootaloo started crying and Petina gently wrapped her front legs around her and held her quietly. Twilight stared horrified at Petina for several seconds. Before she could ask the question on her mind Petina looked her in the eye and in a deadpan tone said. "Yes, I have felt it myself in the past." To be continued.
Category All / All
Species Horse
Size 595 x 1280px
File Size 101.6 kB
Are you kidding? Pinkie Pie would have a Slime Cannon, that also doubles as a Party Cannon. And the slime is actually just uncooked cake batter and frosting. And I won't get into the confetti either....
Damnit that sounds really awesome now that I think about what I just said.
Damnit that sounds really awesome now that I think about what I just said.
...doppelganger... If this was the case then Applebloom did not make it back and she perished in the destruction of the Kingdom of Shadows.
Not definitively, but a prolonged stay in the Shadows (or wherever she ended up if she departed that) would not bode well for the real Applebloom.
The only pony that had experienced that had not last long after returning. Although the fact that he was over a thousand years old then probably had a major impact on his survival. The argument against this was that only Applebloom seemed to be suffering this fate and none of other farmponies who had also been abducted at the time seemed to be affected.
Except that she was the youngest pony abducted, which might have made her more vulnerable or perhaps the first target to such a conversion.
MiGCAP - This was specific to opposing MiGs. The generic term/acronym is CAP. Maybe a PCAP (Pegasi Combat Air Patrol)?
On top of her school work she had not abated in her reading and was tearing her way through the Ponyville Library at rate that even Twilight found impressive. Almost as fast was her consumption of ink, pen points, pencils and paper. The walls of her room were soon festooned with odd cryptic diagrams, runes and symbols mingled amongst mathematical equations held up on the walls with a random selection of push pins, nails, tape and paste.
The internal is looking for a way to progress? I'd have to wonder if she'll retain any of this education when (if) she's freed of its influence.
"Great vortex of heaven. Black throne of unstoppable night. Perfect darkness, defeater of the brightest light! Destroyer of kingdoms. Ender of worlds. Beautiful destruction. Madness that consumes all". I asked Twilight to jot down the math associated with this quote, also I asked her if we could later talk about the state of pony astronomy and what they did and did not know.
You suspect a black hole.
I'm not too surprised that Petina's had such experiences before. (After all, if she started in one of your K&A dreamscapes...) I'm gratified to learn she can be comforting about it to someone who was going through it for the first time.
Not definitively, but a prolonged stay in the Shadows (or wherever she ended up if she departed that) would not bode well for the real Applebloom.
The only pony that had experienced that had not last long after returning. Although the fact that he was over a thousand years old then probably had a major impact on his survival. The argument against this was that only Applebloom seemed to be suffering this fate and none of other farmponies who had also been abducted at the time seemed to be affected.
Except that she was the youngest pony abducted, which might have made her more vulnerable or perhaps the first target to such a conversion.
MiGCAP - This was specific to opposing MiGs. The generic term/acronym is CAP. Maybe a PCAP (Pegasi Combat Air Patrol)?
On top of her school work she had not abated in her reading and was tearing her way through the Ponyville Library at rate that even Twilight found impressive. Almost as fast was her consumption of ink, pen points, pencils and paper. The walls of her room were soon festooned with odd cryptic diagrams, runes and symbols mingled amongst mathematical equations held up on the walls with a random selection of push pins, nails, tape and paste.
The internal is looking for a way to progress? I'd have to wonder if she'll retain any of this education when (if) she's freed of its influence.
"Great vortex of heaven. Black throne of unstoppable night. Perfect darkness, defeater of the brightest light! Destroyer of kingdoms. Ender of worlds. Beautiful destruction. Madness that consumes all". I asked Twilight to jot down the math associated with this quote, also I asked her if we could later talk about the state of pony astronomy and what they did and did not know.
You suspect a black hole.
I'm not too surprised that Petina's had such experiences before. (After all, if she started in one of your K&A dreamscapes...) I'm gratified to learn she can be comforting about it to someone who was going through it for the first time.
MiGCAP - This was specific to opposing MiGs. The generic term/acronym is CAP. Maybe a PCAP (Pegasi Combat Air Patrol)?
Not necessarily. MiGCAP has been used as a slang term for any CAP that its primary focus is the engage enemy air assets. CAP maybe more accurate but I figured more readers might recognize what MiGCAP was immediately without needing to provide an explanation.
"Great vortex of heaven. Black throne of unstoppable night. Perfect darkness, defeater of the brightest light! Destroyer of kingdoms. Ender of worlds. Beautiful destruction. Madness that consumes all". I asked Twilight to jot down the math associated with this quote, also I asked her if we could later talk about the state of pony astronomy and what they did and did not know.
You suspect a black hole.
It sounds like a non-scientific description of one and was written on a piece of paper referring to a nebula.
I'm not too surprised that Petina's had such experiences before. (After all, if she started in one of your K&A dreamscapes...) I'm gratified to learn she can be comforting about it to someone who was going through it for the first time.
Yes Petina has had some rough moments in her life. In particular she had a very traumatic event occur when she was little mouse girl that has left her with a strong dislike and fear of owls. Something that make studying at the Ponyville library difficult at times.
Not necessarily. MiGCAP has been used as a slang term for any CAP that its primary focus is the engage enemy air assets. CAP maybe more accurate but I figured more readers might recognize what MiGCAP was immediately without needing to provide an explanation.
"Great vortex of heaven. Black throne of unstoppable night. Perfect darkness, defeater of the brightest light! Destroyer of kingdoms. Ender of worlds. Beautiful destruction. Madness that consumes all". I asked Twilight to jot down the math associated with this quote, also I asked her if we could later talk about the state of pony astronomy and what they did and did not know.
You suspect a black hole.
It sounds like a non-scientific description of one and was written on a piece of paper referring to a nebula.
I'm not too surprised that Petina's had such experiences before. (After all, if she started in one of your K&A dreamscapes...) I'm gratified to learn she can be comforting about it to someone who was going through it for the first time.
Yes Petina has had some rough moments in her life. In particular she had a very traumatic event occur when she was little mouse girl that has left her with a strong dislike and fear of owls. Something that make studying at the Ponyville library difficult at times.
Not necessarily. MiGCAP has been used as a slang term for any CAP that its primary focus is the engage enemy air assets. CAP maybe more accurate but I figured more readers might recognize what MiGCAP was immediately without needing to provide an explanation.
Conceded, although I've never heard of it called anything but CAP before reading the Wikipedia page. (Maybe this was was called a D-CAP for "(Anti-)Dragon Combat Air Patrol.")
In particular [Petina] had a very traumatic event occur when she was little mouse girl that has left her with a strong dislike and fear of owls. Something that make studying at the Ponyville library difficult at times.
Owloysius bothers her? As badly as spiders? Well, both are smaller than her, so it's at least a precedent.
Conceded, although I've never heard of it called anything but CAP before reading the Wikipedia page. (Maybe this was was called a D-CAP for "(Anti-)Dragon Combat Air Patrol.")
In particular [Petina] had a very traumatic event occur when she was little mouse girl that has left her with a strong dislike and fear of owls. Something that make studying at the Ponyville library difficult at times.
Owloysius bothers her? As badly as spiders? Well, both are smaller than her, so it's at least a precedent.
Owloysius bothers her? As badly as spiders? Well, both are smaller than her, so it's at least a precedent.
Actually it is worse in some ways. When she was little schoolgirl she was walking home one night with a classmate when an owl swooped down and carried off Petina's classmate in it's claws. The police found what was left of her body a few days later. What made the case more complicated is that involved an avian that who was technically sentient but was completely feral and had severe mental issues, so then became a question of whether it was liable for its actions or not. At some point in the future I need to post some info concerning the state of avians in my none Equestrian dreamscapes since their plight is a complicated and in many cases a very tragic one.
Actually it is worse in some ways. When she was little schoolgirl she was walking home one night with a classmate when an owl swooped down and carried off Petina's classmate in it's claws. The police found what was left of her body a few days later. What made the case more complicated is that involved an avian that who was technically sentient but was completely feral and had severe mental issues, so then became a question of whether it was liable for its actions or not. At some point in the future I need to post some info concerning the state of avians in my none Equestrian dreamscapes since their plight is a complicated and in many cases a very tragic one.
Also one day a train passed through Ponyville heading north that was carrying both field artillery and heavy guns intended for fortification emplacements on flat cars. They were under heavy canvas tarps but their silhouettes were unmistakable. The train did not stop at the Ponyville station and all of the passenger cars were filled with earth ponies in uniforms apparently assigned to the artillery batteries. Also the train had several airborne pegasus who were effectively providing MiGCAP for the train. Additional pegasus were resting on a semi-open top car awaiting to rotate in and replace tired pegasus.
In spite of the fact that it's been obvious for a while that your Equestria isn't as peaceable as the one in the show, I'm still surprised to find out that they have (or need) field artillery. I kind of wonder what use it would be against flyers like the dragons, couldn't they simply dodge the shells?
I also wonder if the whatever-it-is inside of 'Bloom was waiting for a time like this to manifest, when it could be sure that the Princesses wouldn't be available to interfere.
And the scientific angle of it all reminds me of Lovecraft's works in which esoteric sciences were just as liable to lay bare mind-shattering horrors as the occult arts.
In spite of the fact that it's been obvious for a while that your Equestria isn't as peaceable as the one in the show, I'm still surprised to find out that they have (or need) field artillery. I kind of wonder what use it would be against flyers like the dragons, couldn't they simply dodge the shells?
I also wonder if the whatever-it-is inside of 'Bloom was waiting for a time like this to manifest, when it could be sure that the Princesses wouldn't be available to interfere.
And the scientific angle of it all reminds me of Lovecraft's works in which esoteric sciences were just as liable to lay bare mind-shattering horrors as the occult arts.
n spite of the fact that it's been obvious for a while that your Equestria isn't as peaceable as the one in the show, I'm still surprised to find out that they have (or need) field artillery. I kind of wonder what use it would be against flyers like the dragons, couldn't they simply dodge the shells?
Oh but canister can be a bitch. Also you sometimes have to land to carry out certain actions. Also in my version there are the ground bound brethren allies of the dragons, the wyrms, and they definitely fair game for field guns.
Oh but canister can be a bitch. Also you sometimes have to land to carry out certain actions. Also in my version there are the ground bound brethren allies of the dragons, the wyrms, and they definitely fair game for field guns.
Anti-Aircraft Artillary (AAA, or "Triple-A", for short) has been in use ever since someone pointed a cannon skyward to try and take down an airplane or balloon. Heavily used in WWII in both Europe and the Pacific, as well as in Vietnam, and still used by some countries even today, even if their tracking solutions are just barely up to catching the Goodyear blimp. With jets in use, most air defenses use Surface-to-Air Missles (SAM's), with radar or IR guidance.
Bear in mind that, depending on the gun, artillary shells can fly as fast as rifle bullets, if not faster. Exploding fragmentary shells with (magical) proximity fuses can be bad news for an airborne dragon.
Bear in mind that, depending on the gun, artillary shells can fly as fast as rifle bullets, if not faster. Exploding fragmentary shells with (magical) proximity fuses can be bad news for an airborne dragon.
sounds like lovecraftian horrors trying to make their way in. Suspect that Zecora's far off elders would recognize the writing on sight, and put the kabosh on the possessing beastie right then and there. Sounds like a Messiah pony needs to wander by and say Come out! Come Out!
I think you'd cause a great stir if you used Dogbert's casting out of stupidity to do it.
I think you'd cause a great stir if you used Dogbert's casting out of stupidity to do it.
Scootaloo mentions one at the beginning of the episode "The Cutie Mark Chronicles"
Sweetie Belle: Plan B?
Scootaloo: Yeah. You know where we can find a cannon at this hour? It's no use! No matter what we try, we always end up without our cutie marks. And, surprisingly often, covered in tree sap.
Sweetie Belle: Plan B?
Scootaloo: Yeah. You know where we can find a cannon at this hour? It's no use! No matter what we try, we always end up without our cutie marks. And, surprisingly often, covered in tree sap.
*does the wobbly-hand motion* eh... given everything in the rest of the show, I'm thinking they might be going more for a circus cannon than a military artillery piece.
Frankly, I think there's far more reasons that ponies WOULD'T have offensive cannons & guns, given everything we've seen & heard.
Frankly, I think there's far more reasons that ponies WOULD'T have offensive cannons & guns, given everything we've seen & heard.
Oh, i imagine Equestria is very peaceful place in comparison to 19th Europe or United States. If nothing else the Two Sisters are not into the Nationalistic/ Manifest Destiny thing. They much prefer to resolve things via diplomacy and understanding. However the kingdom is not completely without military capability. In fact I was left with the impression that part of the reason the redeployment of forces made the papers was because it represented such a major part of Equestria's overall military capability. Even though it amounted to a handful of squadrons.
Best Pet Win: Dash said that "She's looking for a pet that is as fast as a BULLET". She gives her pet tortoise the name TANK.
Sweet and Elite: Pinkie has a Cannon that fires confetti.
It's About Time: Twilight asks if Future Twilight came from a WAR that took place in the Future.
Canterlot Wedding Pt2: Pinkie blasts a Changeling with her Party Cannon.
The ponies are NOT living in a perfect World if they're clearly mentioning military-related stuff.
Sweet and Elite: Pinkie has a Cannon that fires confetti.
It's About Time: Twilight asks if Future Twilight came from a WAR that took place in the Future.
Canterlot Wedding Pt2: Pinkie blasts a Changeling with her Party Cannon.
The ponies are NOT living in a perfect World if they're clearly mentioning military-related stuff.
I've never said they live in a perfect world. The DO live in a land has been exceedingly peaceful for that past 1000 years. The closest thing we've see or heard of to a military unit is the royal guard, who even when actively defending the castle, USE SPEARS. Given their past history, including the lack of any real army-to-army fighting for at least the past 1000 years, not to mention the presense of MAGIC as a force-multiplier on the battlefield, there's no reason for black-powder weapons to have been developed, or if they have been developed, for them to be more than a rare curiosity. Even with the threats we know they HAVE faced,have been better dealt with by super-weapons like the Elements of Harmony, or the Princess (God-Empress) herself, rather than guns and armies.
Fire arms developed through the arms race that came for Europe basically being in a constant state of war for nearly 600 years. This never happened in Equestria, AND THEY HAVE MAGIC.
Best Pet Win: Guns are not the first or only weapons to fire projectiles called 'bullets'. In point of fact, a sling could be used much easier by a race with no fingers. As for the 'tank' comment... it's a stretch, but that could simply be the name for an armored chariot (possibly use the carry Unicorn 'artillery' around the battlefield.
Sweet and Elite: As I said in a comment bellow, Pinky's cannon is likely powered by either air, magic, or the script. Pinkie Pie also has a pony-powered Gyro-copter, and has been seen to run faster than Rainbow Dash can fly without breaking a sweat. As a general rule, Pinkie exists to be the exception to logical reasoning, not a proof for it.
It's about time: War, eye patches, and torn bodysuits do NOT require guns.
Canterlot Wedding: Again, Pinky doesn't count. As for Pinky using Twilight like a gatling-gun... again, Pinky doesn't count.
Fire arms developed through the arms race that came for Europe basically being in a constant state of war for nearly 600 years. This never happened in Equestria, AND THEY HAVE MAGIC.
Best Pet Win: Guns are not the first or only weapons to fire projectiles called 'bullets'. In point of fact, a sling could be used much easier by a race with no fingers. As for the 'tank' comment... it's a stretch, but that could simply be the name for an armored chariot (possibly use the carry Unicorn 'artillery' around the battlefield.
Sweet and Elite: As I said in a comment bellow, Pinky's cannon is likely powered by either air, magic, or the script. Pinkie Pie also has a pony-powered Gyro-copter, and has been seen to run faster than Rainbow Dash can fly without breaking a sweat. As a general rule, Pinkie exists to be the exception to logical reasoning, not a proof for it.
It's about time: War, eye patches, and torn bodysuits do NOT require guns.
Canterlot Wedding: Again, Pinky doesn't count. As for Pinky using Twilight like a gatling-gun... again, Pinky doesn't count.
I believe the reason for the existence and general use of conventional weaponry in Baroncoon's version of Equestria is that the ratio of Unicorns in the Equestrian Military is very low since a lot of training and moral responsibility is required to become a proficient magic-user.
After all, Magic is not a force that should be used frivolously for any reason at all.
An example would be Final Fantasy 6 where the world had been previously devastated by a war of magic users.
The second reason is the cold truth of reality, just like in our own world.
Love, hope, and friendship will not solve every problem.
So the way I see it, the conventionally-equipped army of Pegasi and Earth Ponies are the first line of defense while the Unicorns and Elements of Harmony are the last resort.
After all, Magic is not a force that should be used frivolously for any reason at all.
An example would be Final Fantasy 6 where the world had been previously devastated by a war of magic users.
The second reason is the cold truth of reality, just like in our own world.
Love, hope, and friendship will not solve every problem.
So the way I see it, the conventionally-equipped army of Pegasi and Earth Ponies are the first line of defense while the Unicorns and Elements of Harmony are the last resort.
Spears, shields, and slings are also ~conventional~ weapons. The only thing I'm arguing about is the wide-spread development of black powder into a widely used offensive weapon. It was only developed to that extent in Europe as a response to hundreds of years of warfare and armor getting heavier and thicker.
I'm not arguing against Earth & Pegasi ponies being the bulk of whatever 'army' may exist, I'm saying Unicorns are the artillery.
WAR is not something that should be resorted to frivolously; that doesn't stop magic from being a huge force-multiplier.
Love, hope and friendship cannot solve everything, no. But slinging pies during a 'violent' land dispute with natives (which is actually a bit of Fridge Brilliance that I'm not going to tangent off to here) was treated as serious business.
To be clear, I'm not saying that Faust-verse is without violence or the need for a dedicated, if small, core of troops. All I'm saying is that they wouldn't be making large use of gun powder weaponry.
I'm not arguing against Earth & Pegasi ponies being the bulk of whatever 'army' may exist, I'm saying Unicorns are the artillery.
WAR is not something that should be resorted to frivolously; that doesn't stop magic from being a huge force-multiplier.
Love, hope and friendship cannot solve everything, no. But slinging pies during a 'violent' land dispute with natives (which is actually a bit of Fridge Brilliance that I'm not going to tangent off to here) was treated as serious business.
To be clear, I'm not saying that Faust-verse is without violence or the need for a dedicated, if small, core of troops. All I'm saying is that they wouldn't be making large use of gun powder weaponry.
Applebloom is the last pony I would expect to be involved in some sort of end of the world plot. The motivations of this symbiote or whatever it is mystifies me at the moment. Why would Applebloom be going along with it? Is she enslaved somehow? Does she feel betrayed for some reason. Dammit!! This is all to weird. Also. Ponies have guns???
By chance, have they considered NOT yanking out her new magic powers by force?
One thing they don't seem to have considdered is a 4th option: That Applebloom has simply grown in terms of mental capacity and magical ability. Kinda like what might happen if you plugged some kind of scifi IQ-booster chip into someone's brain. A common side effect is to make someone knurd*, which would certainly explain how she's acting. (If this is what's happened, the new part of her mind cannot be removed, and they shouldn't try! ) A little questionable beliefs are to be expected with this kind of thing.
*Polar oposite of drunk. Sudden and unexpected removal of the white lies we use to protect ourselves from reality. Often traumatic. Ironically a component of lovecraftian insanity theory.
One thing they don't seem to have considdered is a 4th option: That Applebloom has simply grown in terms of mental capacity and magical ability. Kinda like what might happen if you plugged some kind of scifi IQ-booster chip into someone's brain. A common side effect is to make someone knurd*, which would certainly explain how she's acting. (If this is what's happened, the new part of her mind cannot be removed, and they shouldn't try! ) A little questionable beliefs are to be expected with this kind of thing.
*Polar oposite of drunk. Sudden and unexpected removal of the white lies we use to protect ourselves from reality. Often traumatic. Ironically a component of lovecraftian insanity theory.
I love keeping up with this, the story is so intricate, and it's very compelling to read.
Interesting that Equestria is apparently far more technologically advanced in terms of warmaking than I might have realized. Though, I suppose it makes sense that the Royal Sisters wouldn't rely on just magic and promises to keep the big bad world at bay. Sometimes, utopias need people at the walls with guns, and apparently Equestria is no exception.
Definitely looking forward to see how this turns out. Your expressions and characterization continue to amaze me. :)
Interesting that Equestria is apparently far more technologically advanced in terms of warmaking than I might have realized. Though, I suppose it makes sense that the Royal Sisters wouldn't rely on just magic and promises to keep the big bad world at bay. Sometimes, utopias need people at the walls with guns, and apparently Equestria is no exception.
Definitely looking forward to see how this turns out. Your expressions and characterization continue to amaze me. :)
I didn't know ponies had guns and artillery... have your dreams shown you how an earth pony would wield, say, a rifle?
I haven't seen any pony wield a personal firearm like a rifle, pistol, shotgun etc., but I have heard rumors of them. As far as cannons go they are canon, pun intended, to the show since even Pinkie Pie has her novelty party cannon.
I haven't seen any pony wield a personal firearm like a rifle, pistol, shotgun etc., but I have heard rumors of them. As far as cannons go they are canon, pun intended, to the show since even Pinkie Pie has her novelty party cannon.
What was that one line from Men in Black? "She's eight years old. Those books are way too advanced for her."
Your subconscious and my muse seemed to have drawn from the same well in regards to the dragons and Equestria's northern frontier. Except for the political union of the dragons, it's actually almost identical. At least now we know what has been keeping the Princesses so occupied. I knew that they wouldn't be away unless it was very, very important, and attempting to avert conflict with a bunch of dragons certainly qualifies!
I also have to ask, what era does Equestrian artillery resemble? Given the more or less Enlightenment era setting, I'm guessing Equestrian artillery is more like those of Earth in the 1860s to 1880s, as opposed to something more from the early 20th century.
I wonder if asking Princess Luna to throw the celestial bodies into a completely random state would mess with this shadow entity's plans. Clearly it's counting on some kind of grand celestial alignment.
Your subconscious and my muse seemed to have drawn from the same well in regards to the dragons and Equestria's northern frontier. Except for the political union of the dragons, it's actually almost identical. At least now we know what has been keeping the Princesses so occupied. I knew that they wouldn't be away unless it was very, very important, and attempting to avert conflict with a bunch of dragons certainly qualifies!
I also have to ask, what era does Equestrian artillery resemble? Given the more or less Enlightenment era setting, I'm guessing Equestrian artillery is more like those of Earth in the 1860s to 1880s, as opposed to something more from the early 20th century.
I wonder if asking Princess Luna to throw the celestial bodies into a completely random state would mess with this shadow entity's plans. Clearly it's counting on some kind of grand celestial alignment.
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