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

Ganurath · Mar 13, 2020

jaelin910 said:
'Soulless monster' freaks them out or 'he's just that weird' freaks them out?

He keeps the forces of Chaos close to him and the source of his power in a way that not even their immortal queen, Ariel, had been able to endure. Said immortal queen is an avatar of an elven goddess. Also, the greatest Archmage in elven history made a prophecy of how the elves go extinct, and Paol and his plans wouldn't have any part of it. So, his existence casts doubt on that Archmage. Who also made the magic working that's beyond the skill of any living mage that's keeping reality from collapsing. So, he inflicts existential... I don't know how to pluralize crisis, but that's why he freaks the Asrai out.

Mastigos2 · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
Time to contribute. "From Cancellarius, meaning a court usher or guard."

odd comment considering he's dealing with translated languages he doesn't actually know the history of. Or rather, an easy mistake to make given his ring's translator, but one that should get him side-eyed for how much it doesn't make sense once tanslated

Sceptic · Mar 13, 2020

Ganurath said:
I don't know how to pluralize crisis

Crises. A word you should probably get used to...

The Chosen One · Mar 13, 2020

Mastigos2 said:
odd comment considering he's dealing with translated languages he doesn't actually know the history of. Or rather, an easy mistake to make given his ring's translator, but one that should get him side-eyed for how much it doesn't make sense once tanslated

Obviously, glow-based translation is so advanced that it replaced the etymology with the local equivalent to form a complete, sensible statement with the same pedantic connotations.

It's like when Har-Zod referred to Kal-El's pod as a "Moses basket"; the Kryptonian phrase he actually used referenced an entirely different cultural history, but the intent came through clearly.

Mr Zoat · Mar 13, 2020

Ponyland
Afternoon

Buckface regards us with a look of profound disinterest. It's obvious where his name comes from. His muzzle is… Offset, twisted slightly to the left. Deformity, or the result of an injury? Not sure. Sunset's eyes switch rapidly between him and the load he was pulling, trying to estimate the weight that he was just pulling and perhaps comparing it to what his muscles should allow. Now that I get a closer look at him I can see the slightly uneven pattern of his fur in some places, where old scars and burns have prevented it from growing.

"Weyt yeh wint?"

Lightning Dust is looking at Buckface too, but I think she's just checking him out.

Scrivener frowns at him. "Come on, now. You kin speak their language jes' as weyl and I kin."

"What af it?"

"Hi." Sunset smiles. "I'm Sunset Shimmer. I'm from Equestria, the country on the far side of the pole." No obvious reaction. "To the north. Past the yaks."

"Oh, aye?"

"Yes! And we don't have anyone who knows earth pony magic. And you -apparently- do."

His cutie mark is a log-. No. A caber.

"Oh. Aye."

"So I was hoping you'd come back with us, and teach other-"

"No."

"-pon-." She frowns. "What? Why not?"

"Masters teach. I in't a master yet."

"Oh… Kay..? And how do you become a master?"

He looks at her. Then he looks pointedly at his load. Then he looks back at her.

"O-. Is that all?" She looks at me. "Grayven, we can get some weights, right?"

"Yes, I think we can manage some training weights. But Equestrian earth ponies drag trains for training. It saves on coal."

"Trains?"

I wouldn't say that Buckface-.

"Is Buckface your actual name, or is it more of a nickname? I can't believe that your parents actually-."

"This snoot not gi' yeh a clue, jimmeh?"

Lightning Dust sniffs. "If you're so tough, how come your muzzle got broken?"

"Dragon."

"How big a d-?"

"An' a moontain."

Lightning Dust looks thoughtful for a moment, then smiles. "This I gotta hear."

"Fought a dragon. He wus losin', 'til he got a hold a' me and slammed me int' a granite cliff. I thank it wus three ower four times. Then he flew owf."

"So are we talking a baby dragon, or..?"

"A mite bigger than that. An' yu." He looks at me. "Ma an' Pa named me Hearthguard. But 'til I get that dragon back but gud, it's 'Buckface'. Now wa's this aboot 'trains'?"

"They're giant metal carts that run all over the country. Also worth pointing out that there aren't any masters of earth pony magic in Equestria."

"Eh?"

"None. It's a forgotten art. There might be one or two who intuit parts from first principles if they're got the right cutie mark, but that's it. No teachers. No masters."

"How do they gat anythin' dun?"

Sunsets eyes narrow. "And what do you mean by that?"

"How d' they fight chaos beasties or move stuff? Nah wee pegapodes or unicorns kin dew at."

"Oh, can't we?"

"Ah han'na see it."

She smiles. "Unhitch yourself for a moment."

"Tchhaa! Twig a' a thang like yerself?" He jerks himself free of the hitch and steps aside. "Ha' a go iffin yah like, filly."

"And if I move it, you'll come back to Equestria with us?"

"Werl, I hafta finish moving it furst. But wance the deal's done with, aye." He nods.

"Grayven, open a boom tube to…" She frowns. "Where are you going with this?"

"West aways, teh the river."

Ring…

Location confirmed.

Boom!

A tube aperture large enough for the giant cart appears next to a rather stunned shipwright.

"Hm." Sunset nods and then returns her full attention to the cart. Her horn glows and the cart glows in sympathy. "You know, a year ago I'd have tried lifting this with pure force. Now?"

There's a small flash, and the cart… Floats a little way off the ground, no longer affected by gravity. Sunset walks around to the back of it, makes eye contact with Buckface, and then rears up on her hind legs and gives it a gentle shove. It drifts forwards, wobbling left and right as the rollers catch on the ground.

"See, while we don't know anything about earth pony magic, unicorn magic? We're kinda good at that."

"Aye. So ah see." He watches as the cart drifts through and Sunset cancels her spell. "Werl, I'll nah go back on mah wurd. Let's tek a luuk at these 'train' thangs, then."

I smile. "Scrivener, I imagine that an actual ambassador from Equestria will be along presently. In the mean time, a little something to remember us by."

I take a Wilsonian world map out of subspace and hand it over to her. Her horn glows as she opens it and looks it over, then cuts out as she gapes in shock.

The boom tube booms shut, then a new one opens back to Canterlot. A palace balcony with a good view of the whole of the city. Lightning Dust flaps through a moment later and does a quick loop over the city. Buckface steps through next, the aperture wobbling slightly as he passes through. He frowns as he looks around at the city, far larger than anything that my drones found in Ponyland. Sunset brings up the rear, and I close the tube behind her.

Buckface frowns as he walks to the edge of the balcony and looks out across the city. Canterlot is only mildly industrialised. The country's main industrial centre is Detrot, located near their largest coal deposits, and while Canterlot does have industry it also has harsh clean air laws passed by the landed gentry who have no interest in breathing smog. Magic pollution filters are available, but they do make it inefficient to do anything too heavy.

"Well?" Sunset smiles as she walks over to him. "What do you think?"

He looks at her in bewilderment.

"What nincomninny built a city hangin' off a mountain? One gud stomp an' it'll awl tumble down!"

Sunset blinks.

"Then.. please don't stomp?"

He snorts and goes back to taking in the sights.

Okay, got the one for each breed.

"Sunset, I think it's time to do your demonstration. Let's go and round up the survivors of Miss Dust's lesson."

Alasnuyo · Mar 13, 2020

So, master lacertomagi can go hoof to toe with the likes of Superman if I'm reading the implications correctly?

Mquz · Mar 13, 2020

I imagine it's a magical city or something? Or it's on a plateau? Heck, that's like asking what kind of idiot built a magical floating city with stone and metal arches and everything when it's exposed to the wind and only Pegasi can stand on it.

Chojin Patriarch · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
Ponyland
Afternoon

Buckface regards us with a look of profound disinterest. It's obvious where his name comes from. His muzzle is… Offset, twisted slightly to the left. Deformity, or the result of an injury? Not sure. Sunset's eyes switch rapidly between him and the load he was pulling, trying to estimate the weight that he was just pulling and perhaps comparing it to what his muscles should allow. Now that I get a closer look at him I can see the slightly uneven patter of his fur in some places, where old scars and burns have prevented it from growing.

Okay, not Arseface level, but still... Ow.

"Weyt yeh wint?"

Lightning Dust is looking at Buckface too, but I think she's just checking him out.

Oh-ho, eating the eye candy, is she? Wait until she sees the big lads...

Scrivener frowns at him. "Come on, now. You kin speak their language jes' as weyl and I kin."

"What af it?"

And well-read too? (So to speak.) Quite the full package.

"Hi." Sunset smiles. "I'm Sunset Shimmer. I'm from Equestria, the country on the far side of the pole." No obvious reaction. "To the north. Past the yaks."

"Oh, aye?"

I don't think he's impressed. Presumably not taking in the sheer distances involved. Or caring.

"Yes! And we don't have anyone who knows earth pony magic. And you -apparently- do."

His cutie mark is a log-. No. A caber.

Och, aye? How appropriate.

"Oh. Aye."

"So I was hoping you'd come back with us, and teach other-"

"No."

Of course not, he's still only a student himself.

"-pon-." She frowns. "What? Why not?"

"Masters teach. I in't a master yet."

Like I said yesterday, probably better off looking for the local cities for masters...

"Oh… Kay..? And how do you become a master?"

He looks at her. Then he looks pointedly at his load. Then he looks back at her.

I'm picturing him thinking "Is this bint barmy or summat?"

"O-. Is that all?" She looks at me. "Grayven, we can get some weights, right?"

"Yes, I think we can manage some training weights. But Equestrian earth ponies drag trains for training. It saves on coal."

"Trains?"

Oh-ho, he's interested now.

I wouldn't say that Buckface-.

"Is Buckface your actual name, or is it more of a nickname? I can't believe that your parents actually-."

Grayven, blunt and rude as ever.

"This snoot not gi' yeh a clue, jimmeh?"

Lightning Dust sniffs. "If you're so tough, how come your muzzle got broken."

Don't turn your nose up, girl, not until you've heard why and how.

"Dragon."

"How big a d-?"

"An' a moontain."

...Was there throwing of said mountain involved, or...?

Lightning Dust looks thoughtful for a moment, then smiles. "This I gotta hear."

"Fought a dragon. He wus losin', 'til he got a hold a' me and slammed me int' a granite cliff. I thank it wus three ower four times. Then he flew owf."

Okay, add 'nigh-invulnerability' to a Lacertomancer's skill-set...

"So are we talking a baby dragon, or..?"

"A mite bigger than that. An' yu." He looks at me. "Ma an' Pa named me Hearthguard. But 'til I get that dragon back but gud, it's 'Buckface'. Now wa's this aboot 'trains'?"

Ah, it's a point of honour. Understandable. And that's why he's training up, isn't he?

"They're giant metal carts that run all over the country. Also worth pointing out that there aren't any masters of earth pony magic in Equestria."

"Eh?"

Non-sequiteur much? Then again, telling him he'd be the first Lacertomancer of any kind in the country...

"None. It's a forgotten art. There might be one or two who intuit parts from first principles if they're got the right cutie mark, but that's it. No teachers. No masters."

"How do they gat anythin' dun?"

HA. He's got a low opinion of the other breeds, doesn't he?

Sunsets eyes narrow. "And what do you mean by that?"

"How d' they fight chaos beasties or move stuff? Nah wee pesagapods or unicorns kin dew at."

Oh, is he in for a surprise...

"Oh, can't we?"

"Ah han'na see it."

She smiles. "Unhitch yourself for a moment."

Ah, time to show off what she's learned, eh?

"Tchhaa! Twig a' a thang like yerself?" He jerks himself free of the hitch and steps aside. "Ha' a go iffin yah like, filly."

"And if I move it, you'll come back to Equestria with us?"

Appealing to his honour, eh. Or his Ego. Much the same with some folks.

"Werl, I hafta finish moving it furst. But wance the deal's done with, aye." He nods.

"Grayven, open a boom tube to…" She frowns. "Where are you going with this?"

"West aways, teh the river."

Not far, eh, just a hundred miles or so?

Ring…

Location confirmed.

Boom!

Typical Renegade, taking the shortcuts...

A tube aperture large enough for the giant cart appears next to a rather stunned shipwright.

"Hm." Sunset nods and then returns her full attention to the cart. Her horn glows and the cart glows in sympathy. "You know, a year ago I'd try lifting this with pure force. Now?"

She knows better than that. Sneakiness beats muscle.

There's a small flash, and the cart… Floats a little way off the ground, no longer affected by gravity. Sunset walks around to the back of it, makes eye contact with Buckface, and then rears up on her hind legs and gives it a gentle shove. It drifts forwards, wobbling left and right as the rollers catch on the ground.

"See, while we don't know anything about earth pony magic, unicorn magic? We're kinda good at that."

Heh. This will be very interesting...

"Aye. So ah see." He watches as the cart drifts through and Sunset cancels her spell. "Werl, I'll nah go back on mah wurd. Let's tek a luuk at these 'train' thangs, then."

Bet's a bet, eh? I suppose he's looking forwards to a little break.

I smile. "Scrivener, I image that actual ambassador from Equestria will be along presently. In the mean time, a little something to remember us by."

I take a Wilsonian world map out of subspace and hand it over to her. Her horns glows as she opens it and looks it over, then cuts out as she gapes in shock.

World's a lot bigger than she thought, eh? Kind of humbling to see how small the part you know is.

The boom tube booms shut, then a new one opens back to Canterlot. A palace balcony with a good view of the whole of the city. Lightning Dust flaps through a moment later and does a quick loop over the city. Buckface steps through next, the aperture wobbling slightly as he passes through. He frowns as he looks around at the city, far larger than anything that my drones found in Ponyland. Sunset brings up the rear, and I close the tube behind her.

Wait, Boom Tubes usually don't wobble... Something hinky about his mass?

Buckface frowns as he walks to the edge of the balcony and looks out across the city. Canterlot is only mildly industrialised. The country's main industrial centre is Detrot, located near their largest coal deposits, and while Canterlot does have industry it also has harsh clean air laws passed by the landed gentry who have no interest in breathing smog. Magic pollution filters are available, but they do make it inefficient to do anything too heavy.

Ah, some good reasoning as to why the local towns seem so medieval...

"Well?" Sunset smiles as she walks over to him. "What do you think?"

He looks at her in bewilderment.

"What nincomninny built a city hangin' off a mountain? One gud stomp an' it'll awl tumble down!"

Someone else had that thought in-universe! It's amazing!

Sunset blinks.

"Then.. please don't stomp?"

He snorts and goes back to taking in the sights.

That's like asking him to not breathe...

Okay, got the one for each breed.

"Sunset, I think it's time to do your demonstration. Let's go and round up the survivors of Miss Dust's lesson."

Demonstration... Her ritual, or her lecture? So many threads to keep track of...

Still surprised they didn't get an actual master of the art, but this is just early days. If Buckface demonstrates his powers, I'm sure Earth Ponies will be clamouring to learn... Once they sort out reliable travel between the regions. Too bad Renegade hasn't researched Dolmen Gates yet... I think.

moralrelativity · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
image that actual

imagine that an actual

Mr Zoat said:
His cutie mark is a log-. No. A caber.

Brilliantly appropriate! Maybe caber should be linked to save people googling.

Translation, just in case:

Mr Zoat said:
"Weyt yeh wint?"

What do you want?

Mr Zoat said:
You kin speak their language jes' as weyl and I kin.

You can speak their language just as well as I can.

Mr Zoat said:
"What af it?"

What of it?

Mr Zoat said:
"This snoot not gi' yeh a clue, jimmeh?"

This snout not giving you a clue, mate?

Mr Zoat said:
"Ah han'na see it."

I haven't seen it.

Mr Zoat said:
"Tchhaa! Twig a' a thang like yerself?" He jerks himself free of the hitch and steps aside. "Ha' a go iffin yah like, filly."

Tsk, a little thing like you? Have a go if you like, girl.

Mr Zoat said:
"Werl, I hafta finish moving it furst. But wance the deal's done with, aye."

Well, I have to finish moving it first. But once the deals done"

Mr Zoat said:
"Aye. So ah see."

Yes, so I see.

Mr Zoat said:
"Werl, I'll nah go back on mah wurd. Let's tek a luuk at these 'train' thangs, then."

Well, I'll not go back on my word. Let's take a look at these 'train' things then."

Mr Zoat said:
"What nincomninny built a city hangin' off a mountain? One gud stomp an' it'll awl tumble down!"

What idiot built a city hanging off a mountain? One good stomp and it'll all tumble down!

Mr Zoat · Mar 13, 2020

moralrelativity said:
imagine that an actual

Thank you, corrected

Sockmonkey · Mar 13, 2020

Darko said:
Things like the history of the Crystal Empire, what Sombra actually was(not a unicorn actually), how magic works etc.

Geomancy would explain how the Crystal Empire could be a thing without unicorns. They just grew the city like a giant geode.

Mr Zoat said:
The country's main industrial centre is Detrot,

Someone is going to pun hell.

Mquz said:
I imagine it's a magical city or something? Or it's on a plateau? Heck, that's like asking what kind of idiot built a magical floating city with stone and metal arches and everything when it's exposed to the wind and only Pegasi can stand on it.

Canterlot is built into the side of a mountain and the palace just out from the side in a way that would make civil engineers cry.

Chojin Patriarch said:
HA. He's got a low opinion of the other breeds, doesn't he?

All the unicorns and pegasi left during the exodus, so the only ones there nowadays would have been born from earth ponies that have some pegasus or unicorn ancestry. That means there wouldn't have been anyone to teach them how to use their inherent magics either.

Handlewithcare · Mar 13, 2020

This will probably uoset the balance of power in Equestria like nothing else did.

Like it or not, Unicorns were, until now, clearly the superior species and their presence all over in government clearly showed that rascist attitude.

But with pegasus combat magic and now focused earth pony magic...well, the unicorns will not be happy.

Ace Dreamer · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
Ponyland
Afternoon
...
slightly uneven patter of his fur

'pattern'?

Pity they're back in Canterlot so quickly, I was hoping they'd meet a pony called 'Jimmy'.

I'm wondering what Celestia will say when she comes back and sees what's going on...

Senevri · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
Orrr... One character expression an ill-informed opinion is not Word of Zoat?

I rather thought that after it turned out that Twilight hadn't killed dozens of Pinkie clones, people would have learned not to assume that the Renegade is right about everything.

Eh. It varies.... In how much a character's opinion is taken as WoZ and in how much a reply is directed at the character, not the author.

Gantradies · Mar 13, 2020

Oh boy! You mean they're a race of natural muscle Wizards?

Mr Zoat · Mar 13, 2020

Ace Dreamer said:
'pattern'?

Thank you, corrected.

Senevri said:
Eh. It varies.... In how much a character's opinion is taken as WoZ and in how much a reply is directed at the character, not the author.

And because no one reads the FAQ.

Sceptic · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
And because no one reads the FAQ.

#1 question frequently asked: "There's an FAQ?!?" And that's just me.

Belenus · Mar 13, 2020

Handlewithcare said:
This will probably uoset the balance of power in Equestria like nothing else did.

Like it or not, Unicorns were, until now, clearly the superior species and their presence all over in government clearly showed that rascist attitude.

But with pegasus combat magic and now focused earth pony magic...well, the unicorns will not be happy.

Fuck 'em. But not literally, cause this isn't a clop-fic.

Yet.

topin89 · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
And because no one reads the FAQ.

It's quite easy to miss it to be fair. There is no direct mention of the FAQ in your signature, as well as no mention in the first post on SB nor in the first post of the story only thread.
I guess you should mention about the FAQ in (Fourteen) link.

WereDragon · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
"Masters teach. I in't a master yet."

"Oh… Kay..? And how do you become a master?"

Is she really that dense? If someone says they are not a master you ask where to find one, not how to 'upgrade' them to the rank.

"What nincomninny built a city hangin' off a mountain? One gud stomp an' it'll awl tumble down!"

Given it wouldn't even support its own weight without magical reinforcement I really doubt it is even remotely as fragile as it looks.

Although I am curious as to what he would think of Cloudsdale.

Handlewithcare said:
This will probably uoset the balance of power in Equestria like nothing else did.

Like it or not, Unicorns were, until now, clearly the superior species and their presence all over in government clearly showed that rascist attitude.

But with pegasus combat magic and now focused earth pony magic...well, the unicorns will not be happy.

1) The 'balance of power' in Equestria is: Alicorns > rich people > poor people.
2) From the legends the Earth Ponies were the oppressed underclass back in the time of three tribes. This tells you a lot about how super strength compares to weather control and free-casting magic.

TheMidnightRook · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
I smile. "Scrivener, I image that

moralrelativity said:
imagine that an actual

Mr Zoat said:
Thank you, corrected

Uhh... did you maybe neglect to save the edit? Because it's been about six hours since you claim to have fixed it, but I'm still seeing "image that" instead of "imagine that"

Mr Zoat · Mar 13, 2020

TheMidnightRook said:
Uhh... did you maybe neglect to save the edit? Because it's been about six hours since you claim to have fixed it, but I'm still seeing "image that" instead of "imagine that"

Huh. Sorry, not sure what happened there. Try now.

TheMidnightRook · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
Huh. Sorry, not sure what happened there. Try now.

It's fixed now

Siskulous · Mar 13, 2020

Belenus said:
Fuck 'em. But not literally, cause this isn't a clop-fic.

*cough*GravenxLuna*cough*

Pinklestia · Mar 13, 2020

Grayven didn't offer to fix his face? I guess he just wasn't interested.

Doccer · Mar 13, 2020

Chaoswind said:
To be fair these aren't equivalent physical processes, pulling something isn't the same as lifting it (the cake may be inside the area of the instinctual spell and thus would also be affected by the magic) and there may be a mental/instinctual component at work in here as well, but the point is very fair at least from the eyes of someone with no knowledge of the setting beyond the odd YouTube thumbnail when the MLP craze was on its height.

Don't remember those episodes but could be more he was they to keep balance so that multitiered cake doesn't topple?

Aeess · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
And because no one reads the FAQ.

People try, but its hard to get past rule 2 when it pretty much tells you not to read it. And I am already breaking rule 1 by mentioning it.

Coda · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
pesagapods

Now you're just taking the piss.

Mr Zoat said:
Her horns glows

Does she have more than one horn, or is she a standard-pattern unicorn? Either "horns glow" or "horn glows" depending.

Chojin Patriarch said:
HA. He's got a low opinion of the other breeds, doesn't he?

I read it more as him being dismissive of a society that's lacking a physical labor force.

Sockmonkey said:
Someone is going to pun hell.

I think that one might actually be canon?

Belenus said:
Fuck 'em. But not literally, cause this isn't a clop-fic.

I mean, we are on QQ now.

Pinklestia said:
Grayven didn't offer to fix his face? I guess he just wasn't interested.

I think Grayven didn't want to impugn the guy's honor. It is, after all, a well-deserved battle scar, representative of a promise to finish what he started.

Mr Zoat · Mar 13, 2020

Coda said:
Now you're just taking the piss.
Does she have more than one horn, or is she a standard-pattern unicorn? Either "horns glow" or "horn glows" depending.

Thank you, corrected.

Coda · Mar 13, 2020

Mr Zoat said:
Thank you, corrected.

Oh, that wasn't intentional? *checks edit* ... *snrk* Yep, still taking the piss. XD

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

Apologizes For Nothing

Versed in the lewd.

Critical Irrationalist

Making the rounds.

Dedicated ragequitter

I am always here

Versed in the lewd.

Veteran Lurker

Recovering pendant.

Dedicated ragequitter

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Versed in the lewd.

Questioning The Nature of our Realities

Not too sore, are you?

Not too sore, are you?

Dedicated ragequitter

Critical Irrationalist

Versed in the lewd.

Virgin Centrist

Bookwyrm

Well worn.

Dedicated ragequitter

Well worn.

Know what you're doing yet?

Well worn.

Versed in the lewd.

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Versed in the lewd.

Dedicated ragequitter

Versed in the lewd.

Users who are viewing this thread