The Scroll of Exalted Ponies

Having just returned from a couple of weeks worth of frantic travels, with Calibration barely a week and half away, the circle had been looking forward to at least a day or so of rest and relaxation before the Seventh Legion sallied forth into the underworld.

Upon their return, however, they were met by Heath Rose – their Sidereal acquaintance – and she looked… miffed. She also looked remarkably bald, and dressed like an immaculate monk.

“What are you looking so saddle-sore about? Someone nick your mane?” Cash casually quipped, his jovial tone betraying how mentally exhausted he was after maintaining advanced riding charms on Nah for a couple of weeks.

Gesturing angrily towards the sky, Heath Rose glared furiously at the whole circle: “The moon, three days ago… it turned green! – and Luna missed a turn in the games of divinity! Now she’s back and all bubbly and bouncing off the walls! Explain!?”

“Hey now – the moon turned back to normal once Gaia left” Shimmer protested.

The circle settled into the tea-lounge and Sullen Hoof whipped up some soothing tea – and a few hours of debriefing later, with Cash showing footage from his recorder of everlasting glories, resulted in Heath Rose sitting very still, either because she was at a loss for words or due to momentary catatonic terror.

“Come on – just because we found a way to summon Gaia back to Creation doesn’t mean that we did something bad!? She made the Bodhisattva a new body!”

“Yes… a body from outside fate. Anything he does now to alter Creation and causality will be as destructive as if a changeling was running around eating the souls of random mortal ponies” Heath Rose groaned, nursing her tea-cup. The look on her face spoke of the maddening paperwork that no doubt awaited her back in Yu-Shan to document and explain what the circle had done.

On the plus side Heath Rose readily agreed that if the Bodhisattva could wrap up his redemption quest, then it would no doubt be a great boon to fixing things in general – but Gaia’s presence and the fact that she might be called again, well maybe – the issue there was apparently rather complicated: “A lot of gods still have built-in allegiance to the primordials. If wanted to, she could roll in and basically take over much of the heavenly bureaucracy.,. no I don’t expect that she wants to, but considering how things have gotten since last she was in Yu-Shan she might well just do it anyway – and we’re in no condition to pull another primordial war to win back Creation and Yu-Shan right now”

Worries of well-intended primordial take-overs of heaven aside, then Heath Rose was in Lookshy to coordinate the immaculate contingent that had arrived a few days ago. Apparently the immaculate leadership back on the Blessed Isle had opted to save face by swapping out most realm-born immaculate in Lookshy due to the whole coup thing. Heath Rose had been made part of the Immaculate Convention, giving her power and influence over the immaculate order – officially she was posing as the secretary of the new immaculate abbot of Lookshy, unofficially she was making the final ‘tweaks’ to the new immaculate monks and priests, optimizing them for the campaign into the underworld and for social interaction with the locals.

“Speaking of which, the legion has made a few scouting sorties into the underworld while you were gone. They’ve confirmed that a large array of some sort has been built over the center of the pit of that manse you found. The legion is ready to set out in three days – that’ll give us four days until the start of calibration” Heath Rose noted, retrieving a few scrolls from a pocket inside her monks robes – even though the scrolls were far too big to have possibly fit into such pockets.

The scrolls contained sketches and drawings of Deep Rot, evidently made by observers and scouts from the scouting missions. Speaker recognized much of it – but the array… that was new, though how it looked was eerily familiar: “That’s an End Time Relay alright... Any idea how close it is to completion?”

“Not very much anymore – there have been Sidereal sorties to the manse as well, probing their defenses. We damaged the array quite a lot, but they have a legion of zombies restoring it. It will likely be operational in time to let Tien Yu’s prophecy come true – so the legion is heading out in three days. Incidentally: I need to whip all of you into shape for that” Heath Rose explained, giving each of the circle an appraising look.
Accepting Heath Rose’s tutelage, a swift lesson plan was very quickly laid out – though not everyone needed much if anything: Shimmer was let off immediately, as was Sullen Hoof, both on grounds of being more than capable of handling themselves in fights against other exalted. Cash had to demonstrate the potency of his defensive charms before Heath Rose, which ultimately satisfied her, though she was not particularly impressed with his combat proves against an exalted opponent – but as he himself noted: “I’m a lover not a fighter, but I’ll bend the ear and mind of any abyssal who comes near me”.

For Speaker Heath Rose expressed tentative curiosity at Homage – mainly because of the unholy chaos that opening the Primal Forge had caused, but also in how Shimmer told of Speaker’s exaltation having been somehow temporarily ‘disconnected’ in order to somehow let Speaker make the device impossibly quickly. For combat proves, Heath Rose found Speaker’s skills just barely adequate, though she found his defensive charms just plain insufficient: “You will be going up against foes with soulsteel daiklaives and powers akin to dawn caste Solars – your shield charms might work well against elementals and mortals, but against an exalt those shields will be cut like thin skin”

“Any suggestions on how I can improve myself in three days?”

Heath Rose nodded and led Speaker out into the garden behind the town house.

In the morning a messenger arrived with an update from the martial staff: The Seventh Legion was ready to set out in two days, and Sullen Hoof was requested by the Stores Directorate to advice on perishable supplies for the campaign.

Sending the messenger away along with Sully, Shimmer sauntered through the house to the garden out back, the messenger’s scroll floating beside her in a bluish silvery glow: “Hey you two, the legion says they’re sailing out in two days”

“Great… two more days of torment” Speaker groaned, forcing himself up on his hooves.

His old uniform in tatters, with Heath Rose standing beside him wielding a beautiful staff wrought of black wood, yet it glimmered like stars in the morning sunlight as if set with a thousand tiny gems, Speaker was covered in welts and bruises to an extent that not even his anesthetic charm could mask all of the pain.

“It doesn’t have to last that long – if only you learn your lesson” Heath Rose admonished, whacking Speaker hard over his forelegs.

Too tired and too bruised already to respond to the hit, Speaker simply exhaled deeply in resigned frustration. Shimmer found the display a bit unnerving, but Heath Rose had explained the process to her in private while still ‘teaching’ Speaker – having appeared in two places at once somehow – and it was supposed to have worked already.

“I never pegged you as being this stubborn. I have struck you in every chakra, every primary and secondary acupuncture nerve point – this is a lesson in getting hurt and defending against it, not a lesson in learned helplessness!” Heath Rose reprimanded, striking the ground hard to vent her own frustration. The stone cobble cracked.

Oh how Speaker had learned about getting hurt alright. Indeed there was not a part of him that had not been struck – not even the parts one usually ensured never got struck – but that staff… it was made with starmetal somehow, he was sure of it: It would strike him as if guided by fate to never miss. What kind of lesson could possibly be learned from such senseless yet methodical torment? Using even his most advanced shield charms were apparently useless – for Heath Rose were able to strike so hard that they were useless…

“…and that’s the lesson dumbass! Don’t sheathe yourself in shielding essence; become one with that protective essence – even if just for a moment! You’re supposed to keep trying, not give up” the Sidereal scolded, twirling the staff in a distinctly frustrated manner that clearly signaled a desire to hit Speaker some more, but at the same time she showed enough restraint to not do so, as it would clearly be useless.

Stepping up behind Speaker, Shimmer spoke plainly: “…then let me suffer the consequences of his failure – if he won’t learn, let me be struck instead. As his Lunar mate, I’m supposed to help ease his burdens”

Feeling very much so that this was incredibly much not the time for Shimmer to pull some stupid Lunar stunt and disrupt his ‘training’, Speaker raised a shaky hoof to object, but Shimmer was already in position behind him.

“You do realize that with a new punching bag I won’t hold back anymore, right?” Heath Rose said with a cruel smile to the Lunar before her, speaking like the cruel and calculating teacher that she was.

Shimmer laughed and sat down with her back turned to Speaker, facing Heath Rose: “I have survived ten thousands changelings ripping at my seams, a thousand unicorns turning the elements against me, and at least half a dozen angry gods smiting me when I liberated their slaves and captives – you want to hit me with a stick? Give me your best shot”

“It’s made with starmetal – hits quite hard” the monk-dressed Sidereal warned, twirling the staff into a striking position.

Hearing that Heath Rose had held back made Speaker feel even more miserable – but not Shimmer was playing this madness? She was simply laughing off Heath Rose’s warnings.

“Suit yourself – this one’s going to hit you so hard it’ll make your next seven incarnations feel the pain” Heath Rose calmly stated, the staff erupting in a bright green prismatic light as was swung.

In the first age this would have been so easy to defend against. He remembered the charm just fine – and he had done the right essence sigils and weaves all night, but it just hadn’t stuck! …and now Speaker could clearly see the staff trailing the strands of fate leading straight to Shimmer’s head and future beyond that – this really was a blow that would strike more than once!

The next thing Speaker knew Shimmer was congratulating him, and Heath Rose was looking quite pleased just the same. Taking stock of the situation, Speaker found himself standing up, his right forehoof raised and having caught the staff – not in any way that would have parried and pushed the blow aside, but having simply let it impact him straight on… and yet he was not any more worse for wear.

“Told you the direct method wouldn’t work – he’s not like Sully or Cash. Speaker always works best when he’s trying to protect or help someone else. I win the bet” Shimmer beamed, looking exceedingly pleased with herself.

Looking at his hoof, Speaker could clearly see the fading essence trails of the charm he had clearly just used – had that truly been all it took to activate it properly? Protecting someone else? Looking at Shimmer quizzically, then at Heath Rose, Speaker found himself yawning.

“Get him something to eat, then some rest, then fill smartypants here in on exactly what he did – I have things to do. See you in the underworld” Heath Rose quickly stated, bowing as she backed into the house and disappeared.

Speaker found the idea of food and sleep exceedingly appealing, so before he knew it the sun was low on the horizon and it seemed to be afternoon – but he felt delightfully well rested and pain-free.

“Alright – talk to me, what the hell was that stunt you pulled this morning, and why didn’t you do it earlier?” Speaker quizzed Shimmer. The Lunar looked pleased as punch that Speaker hadn’t been able to figure this out on his own.

Holding out Speaker’s right forehoof, Shimmer stroked it gently as she told of great Lunar warriors with hearts of gold who’s greatest defensive charms only really worked when they fought to defend others: “Sure, many others find different means to trigger their most potent defenses – a cause, a calling, honor – For you, they need heart”

Nodding, Speaker nodded slowly: “Ok… but what if I’m fighting on my own?”

“Do you need to be right next to someone to defend it? You love life, you want to save and protect Creation – maybe we could get Cash to work you over?” Shimmer mused, holding Speaker’s hoof and looking particularly… scheming.

Speaker wasn’t sure if liked the idea of having Cash mess with his head – but as Shimmer explained, then Cash would simply use his charms to very quickly talk Speaker into caring for a few more things, so he could use his new charm more readily.

To Shimmer’s surprise Speaker found this rather amusing.

As they headed out to find Cash, Shimmer inquired into this.

Speaker explained as they passed by random ponies on the street: “I recall a set of Solar meditative charms that let you dedicate yourself quite fanatically to a cause… they were popular in parts of the primordial war, for they made it impossible to trick a Solar warlord into betraying or abandoning that cause – and many primordials were apt at warping the minds of their foes”

“Neat – I know there are Lunar charms like that, but my elders warned me against dabbling in them – makes you too predictable for wyld hunts” Shimmer noted, sniffing in the direction of a flower vendor.

Taking a deep breath and shaking head ever so slightly, as he enjoyed the calm walk: “Makes sense. I recall a number of Solars who used those charms too much, turning them into zealous champions for almost anything at the drop of a hat – it made a lot things needlessly complicated and far more bloody than was really necessary”

Finding Cash in his business office in the Market District, Speaker found what Shimmer had planned for him to be far less intrusive than he had feared: All Cash really did was ask him a few questions, like: “So… you want to end the suffering and imprisonment of the captive souls in Deep Rot?” Who could say no to that?

“And you want to protect Creation from the End Time Relay?” was another no-brainer. There were a few others, but it was mostly just chit-chat and having a laugh about Speaker’s last day of merciless ‘training’.

Leaving a few minutes later, Speaker didn’t feel any different – but noted that now more than ever did he want to put an end to the Bodhisattva’s schemes: “I won’t leave the underworld until I’ve utterly destroyed the Barbate Arbiter – he’s a ghost, and I’ve got just the spirit-killing charm for that”

Shimmer expressed that she found this quite agreeable…. And secretly hoped that Cash would be able to de-program Speaker once this was all done, because right now Speaker looked like a possessed mad-pony with murder in his eyes.

Packing up medical supplies, food and bottling water in the black and blue-jade treated bamboo water-bottles that the Seventh Legion used, the circle prepared for battle and stuffed Shimmer’s elsewhere-den full of useful things and whatnot. When the time came, they mustered at the aviary in the old city.

Arriving there, they were met by hundreds of pony legionnaires marching into the aviary to be sent up and loaded into their skyship transports. This was one of the key strategems of Lookshy which had allowed it to be the dominant power of the east for almost a thousand years: Its ability to fly troops around quickly and utterly out-maneuver their foes – or just rain down arrows and other things on ponies they didn’t like.

Getting closer, it sounded as if a unicorn officer was briefing a batch of legionnaires on some of their supplies – mainly due to the essence-enhanced reverb in the charm being used to boost her voice: “…so keep your equipment under guard and remember to resupply your salt constantly. There will be stores of salt issued to every wing for distribution”

Speaker and Shimmer walked up to the briefing, figuring that once the briefing was over they could ask for directions on where they were supposed to go. Speaker looked quite gung-ho, nodding along to the unicorn officer’s briefing:

“In addition to your usual equipment and the salt, you have all been issued five alchemically infused nuts. They are color coded for easy use” the unicorn mare barked, reciting what was clearly a well-rehearsed well-repeated briefing for the umpteenth time that day while floating out three small colored nuts: “The green ones, of which you should all have received three, are to be bitten down on, at which point they will foam up in your mouth. It will taste bad. Spit the foam on open wounds to clean those wounds instantly – remember: Assume that every blade you face in the underworld has been rubbed on a rotting zombie. You do not want that wound to fester!”

Shimmer wondered if this was Sullen Hoof’s doing, all the while the officer mare continued: “Next up you have all been issued a single yellow nut: Eating it will make your temporarily fearless – this is to be used when ordered to only, NOT if you happen to get scared! Do I make myself clear?”

One of the legionaires, a rugged looking mare in armor identical to what everyone else was wearing, had raised a hoof to ask a question: “Will these nuts become part of our regular kit? They sound real handy”

“That’s the plan soldier – they have been field tested already, but this is the first time they’re used on a large scale. Now, lastly there is the last nut – the red nut. This nut is poisonous and will kill you” the officer stated, finishing her sentence with a furious glare.

Another legionnaire gestured to ask. The officer nodded, prompting the young stallion to speak: “Maam, I thought suicide pills was against legion regulations?”

“They are – but this is a special exception: The poison is slow and will take a couple of weeks to kill you – and we have a cure waiting for you here. However, the nut has a side-effect: If you die from the poison, or before getting the anti-dote, then you are guaranteed to not rise as a ghost. Remember your earlier briefing on how the underworld works: If you die there, you will become a ghost no matter what. This is to prevent that. So consider yourselves under orders to eat your red nut the moment you cross over into the underworld!” the mare barked, looking over the troops before her for any sign of reluctance or doubt. She found none, smiled and nodded in respect.

At this point Speaker was quite convinced that this was something that Sully had cooked up.

“Dismissed – get to your skyreme!” the unicorn mare commanded.

Stepping up to the unicorn mare, Speaker saluted the mare.

“This area is off limits to civilians for the time being – please leave” the mare barked, giving Shimmer and Speaker a stern look.

Two caste-mark briefly flared later, and the unicorn looked positively terrified: “I… I’m sorry your lordships – I didn’t mean to offend”

“That’s ok – you didn’t know. Now, where should we report?” Speaker said in an ever-so-slightly bemused tone.

The mare took a deep breath and steeled herself, then directed Speaker and Shimmer to the skyreme ‘The Soaring Leaf’. This skyreme turned out to be a spectacular relic of the first age, a skyship with a large keel of blue jadesteel, and unmistakable leaf-motifs on its sails.

On board Speaker and Shimmer was greeted by the very Taimyo Karal Linseed: “Ah, there you are. Cash and Sully has been waiting for you – we’re taking off within the hour”

To Speaker’s surprise then the Taimyo wasn’t flying in the skyfleet’s flagship, the Skywolf – it apparently had priority as troop transport at the moment.

Joining up with the rest of the circle below deck, Speaker and Shimmer greeted Cash and Sully: “Alright guys – everyone clear on the battle plan?”

“Indeed, and I have a larder filled with honey of distilled sorrows ready to wish any ghost we find on their way to sweet oblivion” Sullen Hoof noted with supreme confidence. Where he had gotten honey made of sadness, nobody dared to ask.

Joining the circle, or rather joining Speaker, was the team of special ops rangers which would be accompanying the Solar on his underground infiltration into the manse. Indeed, Speaker’s task in the coming battle was quite simple but also fraught with danger: Using his singing staff and the powers of the earth aspected unicorns in his team he would tunnel into the manse, disable any shields and anti-air defences and then destroy the whole place. The rangers were bringing all kinds of essence-disrupting weapons, each clad in the same kind of armor worn by the rangers that had tried to kidnap and kill Speaker previously…

For Shimmer, Sully and Cash their roles were more straight-forward – but none the less dangerous as well: They were to fight on the frontline, defending the artillery positions that the first field force would deploy on the ground to pummel the manse from the outside – ideally to damage it at range if possible, or just to draw the forces garrisoned there out to let Speaker and his team do their work.

As they had heard no word from Sunrise, they had to assume that she would be too late to the party to participate.

“Hey, at least she’ll be here to give a nice eulogy if we don’t make it back” Cash joked half-heartedly.

Speaker was more sad that the Bodhisattva hadn’t shown up as the Soaring Leaf energized its blue jade flight core and led the way for the rest of the skyfleet south by south-west to the shadowland known as the Mourning Fields.

How the Seventh Legion had figured out how to cross into the underworld during the day was a mystery to Speaker, but it wasn’t anything he bothered asking into – as the sight of the underworld from up high was quite breathtaking, especially to the north, where the ghostly visage of old Deheleshen still stood like a city-tomb for an old memory.

As almost two hundred skyships, only a third of which were combat vessels, the rest just lightly armed troop transports, soared east towards Deep Rot, Speaker found the Taimyo up on deck scouting for something. Apparently she was looking for sign from a team of rangers already on the ground, sent weeks in advance to scout out the manse for a good spot to land essence artillery.

Calling on Sullen Hoof to join with his charms to see further and clearer, the team was quickly spotted a few miles from the manse – they were surrounded by a legion of ghosts. Lovely. Wait… the ghosts were set up in a defensive formation around the rangers – and the rangers weren’t in chains or anything.

Shimmer suggested that she, Cash and Speaker go down and have a look real quick, while the fleet held back.

Cash, riding on Shimmer in her warform, and Speaker using his essence-spun wings emitted from his golden pinions, flew down to assess the situation.

Outside the dug-in fortification, the trio was held up at spear-point by a patrol of ghostly ponies at arm. Cash spoke softly and carried big charms, getting the three taken to the ghost legion’s commander.

In a large tent made from the worn hides of flayed underworld monsters, the three exalts were greeted by the commander of the Lookshyan rangers sent to scout the area, as well as a ghost clad in ancient armor who looked even older, and a much younger ghost, that of a unicorn, which surprised Speaker greatly.

“Ruby?”