With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Mr Zoat · Mar 4, 2020

moralrelativity said:
I understand that Sunset wants to ascend but what's she doing with the Guard?

Tune in tomorrow to find out!

Darko said:
So renegade is powerful enough to temporarily restrain a Chaos Lord?

He can temporarily block a teleport while in close proximity.

What is Discords anchor to the material universe?

I dunno, what is Discord's anchor to the material universe?

Sockmonkey · Mar 4, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
I dunno, what is Discord's anchor to the material universe?

Does that mean you haven't thought of it, or you have, and think we can figure it out with information in the story?

moralrelativity · Mar 4, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
Tune in tomorrow to find out!

Uh oh! Suddenly I feel Luna's up to no good.

moralrelativity · Mar 4, 2020

Sockmonkey said:
Does that mean you haven't thought of it, or you have, and think we can figure it out with information in the story?

Or it could be that Mr Zoat's just fucking with you.

Mr Zoat · Mar 4, 2020

Sockmonkey said:
Does that mean you haven't thought of it, or you have, and think we can figure it out with information in the story?

moralrelativity said:
Or it could be that Mr Zoat's just fucking with you.

Discord is irrelevant. I put him is because there's no way he wouldn't be interested in what's happening and I wanted a reason why he wasn't getting involved more.

TheMidnightRook · Mar 4, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
Certainly it should. It's the first word in a new sentence.

It's not a new sentence though, it's a continuation after an ellipsis.

Massgamer · Mar 4, 2020

I actually like Discord since he was reformed so sad was chased off.

Curious, why was Changing Man killed since out of all the Lords of Chaos he was pretty chill and good?

Gromweld · Mar 4, 2020

I've been looking forward to a Discord appearance/cameo this whole trip to Equestria... and this was quite the let-down. Especially given Grayven ostensibly just went through some major character growth focused on reigning in his assholish tendencies, but barely even two episode-parts later Grayven is immediately moving directly to threatening murder without even trying to ask for Discord to help/remove the local Chaos interference. Especially since the SI apparently knows that Discord can be redeemed/toned down already.

Grayven just went through a defining character moment about the power of friendship while at the same time removing the Anti-Life chunk in his soul, and then the first 'new' character interaction with someone he (meta) knows can be reasoned with is "I am going to murder you." This feels... bizarre, honestly. Why didn't Grayven just ask first?

Handlewithcare · Mar 4, 2020

If Sunset's magic works, what's to stop everyone from copying it and become Alicorns themselves?

(Big Mac would do it in a flash)

There is a great fanfic, The Great Alicorn Hunt, where that is basically the end goal. A sort of Transponiest Singularity, where everyone is immortal, extremely powerful and has access to all three pony magic types.

Mquz · Mar 4, 2020

My guess would be that Discord managed to tether his soul to Wilson. Though who knows. I know there's at least one fic where the pie family are all Discord worshipers.

Darko · Mar 4, 2020

The Changing Man may not have been as malicious as the other three Chaos Lords, but he was insane and dangerous, so reasoning with him may not have been possible.

Can't wait to see if renegades killing of all these Chaos Lords comes to bite him in the ass, like say other Chaos Lords sending someone to kill him and potentially destroying the Sword of the Fallen, seems a bit unfair that paragon lost his while renegade has only been getting more cool stuff.
I think Zoat said something about the renegade facing some problems from killing those Chaos Lords?

Chojin Patriarch · Mar 4, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
Morning
Equestria

You know, His timestamp seems to have become more of a celebration of being Anti-life free. Like... "Goooood Morning, Equestria!"

Sunset's acquired an unused room in the palace for checking her working. Well, checking her expectations concerning Equestria's magical constants. She looks focused but not flustered, which I assume means that everything is going more or less according to plan. Not sure where she found all this equipment-.

"Sunset, how did you get hold of all of this?"

Always pays to ask. After all, she might have gone on a Larfleeze-worthy kleptomaniac streak.

"Celestia put all my old stuff into storage. Twilight got a lot of it, but she said she was fine with me using it. Have you seen her?"

"Yes, and I apologised for my attitude. I believe that she's going to get some much needed sleep."

"Something about Pinkie Pie keeping her up all night."

Sunset nods, then looks over to where Luna is staring at her blackboard.

"Do you actually understand any of that?"

"Only a little. 'tis truly a marvel. We had not realised that the thaumatic sciences had advanced so far. Prithee, what doth this segment mean?"

Heheh. A good reminder that for all her youthful looks, she is an alicorn, and over a thousand years old. She is no mere conjurer or prestidigitator, she is an expert in Magic. God only knows what would happen of she became a Planeswalker and mastered another kind of Magic...

"They haven't. This is all Atlantean notation I learned on the other side of the mirror." She turns away from the machine she was studying. It looks a little like an oscilloscope, only the knobs are sparkling gemstones. "That segment describes the change in the subject's mana flows as they move from the start position to the… 'Unbinding' portion."

Luna glance back as Sunset approaches her. "You told Us that you were gone but a year."

She hasn't been lazing around on vacation. This was a working holiday.

Sunset face-shrugs. "Magic is my special talent. Usually I prefer a more hooves-on approach, but Atlantean notation just made everything make so much sense. This is the mathematical basis for everything I feel when I cast a spell."

She stands next to Luna as the alicorn stares at the equations.

She really feels strongly about this, doesn't she? Looks like Atlantis might have another export avenue...

"This is not the notation used in Equestria?"

"It will be now. I've written an introductory guide and I'm going to hand it over to the School for Gifted Unicorns."

And further lessons to be provided in person, until she gets a full curriculum going, eh? Imagine if some Unicorns agreed to be exchange students at Circe's school.

"Couldst We prevail upon thee to furnish Us with a copy?"

"Sure, no problem. The other side of the mirror has really cheap printing technology. The only reason I didn't run off a bunch was because I know how slowly things like that get accepted."

They might be adopted a bit quicker, if Twilight gets a look at the notation system. She'd be all "This is perfect! It makes it all so easy!"

"We have not yet fully brought Ourself up to date with modern thaumaturgy." She smiles at Sunset. "Perhaps in this instance We will be able to steal a march 'pon this nation's greatest experts."

"The ones who aren't me, anyway."

Looks like Luna wants a way to differentiate herself from her sister. This might be a good way to do it: focus on her magical talents.

"You are confident, then, that your technique will function as intended?"

"Mostly. There's just one magic form that I can't fully account for." She signs. "And I can't carry on with my ascension until I can isolate where all that chaos magic is coming from. I don't want to end up as a phelddagrif."

...It's like Lisa Frank threw up on a hippo... Oh, god, don't tell me there are sapient Hippos on Wilson...

"Chaos magic?"

Uh oh. After I stopped The Changing Man turning an entire town into copies of his ex-girlfriend by killing him, I let Sunset study his remains. Which means that she was pretty confident of her ability to prevent chaos magic from interfering in the process. But with Discord still around and probably not all that happy about the sudden proliferation of alicorns…

Better loosen up that Sword, Grayven. The old lizard is probably listening in as you speak.

"Could it be Discord that you are detecting?"

"Discord? That ugly statue-"

Oh, that is the perfect cue.

I brace for incoming draconequus.

"-out in the gardens?"

I hear a click, as if invisible fingers were clicking. I know he's supposed to be reformed now, but I can't quite suppress my desire to grab the Sword of the Fallen as there's a flash of white light which serves as the prelude to his appearance.

No thoughts of Star Trek, Grayven? That's a geek penalty! Or were you not a fan?

"Did I just hear my name? Hm?" He looks at me, blinks, and then there are two of him blinking at me as they float upside down in the air. Then they rotate their necks so they can look at one another.

"An alicorn stallion?"

For when you need a second pair of eyes on something, but don't trust anyone else...

"I didn't think they made those."

They blink at each other, then rotate so that their faces are level with mine. Their bodies are left floating up behind them in a way which –if they actually had hearts and blood- would swiftly leave them light-headed.

Bah, as if he followed simple laws of physics.

"How novel." / "How novel."

I smile faintly. "Discord, I presume. Planet Wilson's Lord of Chaos."

And that's new. I suppose it makes sense, though.

Another click and flash of white light and the two are one once more. "Well, I don't like to brag." His right forepaw covers the side of his mouth. "Actually, I do. I mean, 'Lord'? Really? Was that the best title you could come up with?"

"I met one of your colleagues. Klarion, the Witch Boy?"

Discord pulls back, amusement in his mismatched eyes. "Oh, that little scamp."

"He caused the death of a hundred thousand children as a distraction..."
"Yes, well, boys will be boys..."

"And Mordru, the Dark Prince."

Discord strokes his chin. "Haven't heard from him in a while. Hmm. Come to think of it, Klarion's been uncharacteristically quiet as well."

I do hope the implications are beginning to dawn on him...

"And Oggar, the Mightiest Immortal."

"Pff, mightiest."

"And not that immortal, either."

He rolls his eyes. He rolls them down his arms and then holds them out to me. I don't react.

"And The Changing Man."

Honestly, one of the least harmful Lords, from what I hear. Much like Constantine, more dangerous to those around him by neglectfulness than any maliciousness.

"Oh, he was always good for a laugh! Have to get back in touch." He clicks his right forepaw and a journal of some kind appears, floating in the air next to him. "Let's see... Huh." He pokes the journal a couple of times, then frowns. "Can't seem to locate them."

"No. Because, do you know what they have in common?"

Boy, is Discord gonna be surprised...

He pokes the journal again, not looking up. "Oh, do tell."

"They all met me."

"Oh, don't be absurd, it's probably just on the fritz." He frowns, and clicks his fingers. The journal disappears and is replaced by a nineteen twenties era telephone. "Hello, operator? I need the current listing for The Changing Man."

Ah, that 'A God Am I' arrogance. Not believing that a mortal could do him harm?

The part of the handset near his ear moves like lips, a nonsensical warbling sound emerging from it.

"Oh. Okay, do you have Oggar?" Another warble. "Ah. I see."

Admittedly, him believing that may well allow it to be true, in full cartoon logic. "What I don't know can't hurt me..." and all that.

I turn my neck, reach for my shoulder sheath and pull out the Sword of the Fallen.

"How about Klarion? … Or Mordru? … Huh. … How 'bout that."

But it's slowly sinking in... That just maybe...

As Discord looks up, I smile, making sure that he can get the best angle from which to appreciate the Sword. He looks at it, frowns slightly, then his eyes widen and his entire body turns into yellow custard. "I'vegottowashandhairmygo! Tata!"

Interesting Glyph. The local equivalent of Renegade, I take it, to go alongside the 'Paragon' symbol last episode.

Block Retreat.

He clicks his fingers and doesn't disappear. His eyes widen far beyond the borders of his face and he starts frantically clicking his fingers. On the fifth, I feel his magic overpowering my resistance and I let him go.

Message received, It seems. The only thing missing was a 'points to eyes, points to Discord' gesture.

I smile at Sunset.

"That fix it?"

Ah, Luna has no objection to the vague threat of violence against Discord's pers-... Oh, wait, she has less reason to like him than Grayven does...

She glances back at her equipment.

" Actually… Yes."

Very effective. Nothing like Fear as a motivator.

Luna watches cautiously as I stow the Sword. "What manner of blade is that?"

"What I'd have stabbed him with rather than taking a chance on Fluttershy. What me and mine have used to kill every Chaos Lord we've met to date. I believe in permanent solutions."

Which I suspect Luna is perfectly fine with...

She considers for a moment, then nods.

"We are not sad to see him go. Now, We believe that Our guards have had time to array themselves. Alas, we have other work which must occupy our time ere Sister returns, but we are certain that the Royal Guard will be able to assist you in full measure."

Oh, this is going to be good...

Sunset smiles. "Thank you, Princess. By the time we're done, the Guard will be unrecognisable."

Luna looks a little concerned at that, but nods anyway.

Thinks: "Oh dear, what have I gotten myself into?"

"We are pleased that despite your estrangement from Our sister thou art still devoted to the wellbeing of thine fellow ponies."

Sunset looks a little uncertain at that.

"Wellbeing. Yeah."

Sunset... Let's keep the magical experimentation ethical, please. Let's not give Celestia another reason to exile you again.

Welp, Discord appeared. I can see his fans are already a little put out by his reaction. The question is, can that little threat keep him from returning at the worst possible moment? Because you just know he'll do it, just to be an arse.

Oooh, Godspeech! <Snaps fingers>

Block Retreat.

He clicks his fingers and doesn't disappear. His eyes widen far beyond the borders of his face and he starts frantically clicking his fingers. On the fifth, I feel his magic overpowering my resistance and I let him go.

Stsword · Mar 4, 2020

Enochi said:
Huh I know DC Lords of Chaos are pretty insanely powerful but Honestly Discord is pretty top tier himself I wonder how you would rate each of the Lords of Chaos.

Mordru is generally presented as being up there with Time Trapper and Darkseid.

As for Shade the Changing Man, his feats don't matter because a Shade the Changing Man who is qualified to be a Lord of Chaos is verging on "In Name Only" characterization, since his powers don't come from knowing any magic whatsoever but from possessing the M-Vest.

Ganurath · Mar 4, 2020

Paragon's John Constantine: "Not every Chaos Lord."

Mr Zoat said:
Sure, but ranged rings don't do a lot of damage. Manually swapping them out would require me to go into the menu roughly once every three seconds, dozens of times every fight.

If you're invested in the Enchant skill enough to make Continuous Effect gear and use it as your primary mode of attack, you're invested enough to make some gear that can do a passable job of inflicting said attack. I personally prefer loading a low damage effect with a strong soul for a nice thick reserve to call on, and low down rapid fire for accelerated Enchant XP gain. Item activations are only worth 0.1 XP, while recharging an item or creating one is worth 5 each. Also, putting the Continuous Levitate enchantment on an Exquisite Amulet instead of an Exquisite Ring gets you just as much potency without the swap hazard.

Darko · Mar 4, 2020

Zoat already changed several characters powers and originsin this story:
-making Blackfire a more positive character that didn't betray her planet and torture her sister, but was captured because her brother joined a resistance
-making Captain Nazi like Uncle Sam, magic superhero representing his country< while in the comics he was created through science by his brother who was a scientist and not a sorcerer like in this story

So yeah him making Changing Man a Lord of Chaos isn't that odd.

In regards to who is the most powerful Chaos Lord it could depend on what ritual they used to ascend and how much chaos magic they took in to themselves, how skilled they are in wielding their powers, how much knowledge they have etc.
Mordru was probably the most powerful in this regard seeing as he came from a mystically advanced civilization while the others may have come from magical societies but probably not as advanced as Xerox.

Slayer Anderson · Mar 4, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
"Mostly. There's just one magic form that I can't fully account for." She signs. "And I can't carry on with my ascension until I can isolate where all that chaos magic is coming from. I don't want to end up as a phelddagrif."

I prefer this one, but I suppose that's just a matter of taste.

deccan2008 · Mar 4, 2020

Ponies can wield swords?

Hell's Razer · Mar 4, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
No.

Huh. Learn something new every day, I guess.

Senevri · Mar 4, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
We should like to talk to her Ourself. If only to discern what it was about her which so enraged Sister that she pronounced a sentence of banishment 'pon her.

Um. Did Sunset just, sort of assume she was banished? Because I find no reference to such in the wiki.

Senevri · Mar 4, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
What me and mine have used to kill every Chaos Lord we've met to date. I believe in permanent solutions.

Murderhobo. Who still doesn't know it just reincarnates them as mortals.

Mr Zoat said:
"Wellbeing. Yeah."

... Uh-oh. Aand now there's a sudden feeling of dread.

PrinceJonathan · Mar 4, 2020

Senevri said:
Um. Did Sunset just, sort of assume she was banished? Because I find no reference to such in the wiki.

I think she was banished only in the context of this story. In the show I think she just ran away.

moralrelativity · Mar 4, 2020

TheMidnightRook said:
It's not a new sentence though, it's a continuation after an ellipsis.

You're fighting a lost battle here. Mr Zoat has very consistently stuck to his style choice throughout the 3+ million words he's written. He's not going to change his mind now. Take it from me... I've tried at least twice.

BR549 · Mar 4, 2020

Stsword said:
As for Shade the Changing Man, his feats don't matter because a Shade the Changing Man who is qualified to be a Lord of Chaos is verging on "In Name Only" characterization, since his powers don't come from knowing any magic whatsoever but from possessing the M-Vest.

Darko said:
Zoat already changed several characters powers and originsin this story:
-making Blackfire a more positive character that didn't betray her planet and torture her sister, but was captured because her brother joined a resistance
-making Captain Nazi like Uncle Sam, magic superhero representing his country< while in the comics he was created through science by his brother who was a scientist and not a sorcerer like in this story

So yeah him making Changing Man a Lord of Chaos isn't that odd..

Also it's worth remembering that while it's not technically Earth-16 canon, one of the DC Nation shorts that aired alongside Young Justice was "Shade, The Changing Man"...who was presented as a Lord of Chaos, albiet a (mostly?) benevolent one.

Chaoswind · Mar 4, 2020

Senevri said:
Murderhobo. Who still doesn't know it just reincarnates them as mortals.

... Uh-oh. Aand now there's a sudden feeling of dread.

He already knows they come back without powers, when he learned the knife depowers and reincarnates instead of killing he informed Xerox that Mordru would come back without powers and that lady told him they noticed and had already dealt with him.

Grayven also found Klarion when he had no powers and is implied he killed him a second time without the sword.

In short, he isn't being completely honest with Luna (he is omitting information in regards to the capabilities of the sword), but he is being truthful that for the most part the lords of chaos he stabbed ARE dead, they just had to be killed twice.

Rafin · Mar 4, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
"And Oggar, the Mightiest Immortal."

When and how did he kill Oggar? And what gave him the cause?

Chaoswind · Mar 4, 2020

Rafin said:
When and how did he kill Oggar? And what gave him the cause?

He and Circe were plotting, but it wasn't mentioned they had killed him already... In short it happened off screen same as the changing man.

Aeess · Mar 4, 2020

Rafin said:
When and how did he kill Oggar? And what gave him the cause?

Renegade didnt exactly kill Oggar, but rather lend Adom the Sword of the Fallen so he and Circe could kill him.

Mr Zoat said:
"Adom. Is there a problem?"

"The auguries say that Oggar has taken note of Circe's restoration, and with Mordru dead there is nothing to prevent his return. Circe believes that we can lure him into a location of our choosing, but I no longer have the Wizard's support. I am not certain that I can defeat him alone."

"And with Circe?"

"She is eager to face him, but she has yet to regain her full strength. I am.. reluctant to risk her."

"Hmhnmhaha! Adom, I doubt that she'll let you stop her. But." I walk over to him and take the sheath containing the Sword of the Fallen off my harness. "You can borrow this. That should even things up a little." Empower the Champion!

He pulls the Sword a short way out of the scabbard, then nods at me. "Thank you. You do not intend to participate directly?"

I shrug. "I will if I need to. But… By Apokoliptian standards, this is a perfect date for you and Circe and I'd be a heel to involve myself."

Adom frowns faintly. "Da.. te..? I…"

"She wasn't exactly being subtle, Adom. Hunky super powered god-king like you seems to be just her type."

"That…" He steps back towards the boom tube. "I will.. consider your words."

He steps through, and the tube shuts down.

Chaoswind · Mar 4, 2020

Aeess said:
Renegade didnt exactly kill Oggar, but rather lend Adom the Sword of the Fallen so he and Circe could kill him.

I stand corrected.

Darko · Mar 4, 2020

Renegade had Klarion assimilated after discovering his mortal state and probably wanted to do something similar to Mordru but he was killed by his former victims.

WereDragon · Mar 4, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
Morning
Equestria

Seriously are there no clocks in Equestria? Sundials? Calendar monoliths?

phelddagrif

Well that is a new one.

"What I'd have stabbed him with rather than taking a chance on Fluttershy. What me and mine have used to kill every Chaos Lord we've met to date. I believe in permanent solutions."

And yet he keeps stabbing people who are invariably replaced, often by even more reprehensible reprobates.

Handlewithcare said:
If Sunset's magic works, what's to stop everyone from copying it and become Alicorns themselves?

Same thing that stops everyone from running a two-hour marathon, mastering the violin or comprehending the legal code. Most people simply aren't up to the task.

With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

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