"You know how powerful one blade is," Silver explained. "But together, they are something even more." He laid the blades out in a row on the table. "Each blade is one-sixth of a superweapon called the Deus Interfector-- the God-Killer. Originally theorized by Star Swirl the Bearded, it creates a powerful draining field that not even a true deity can escape. I studied the theory behind it for many years, and with the help of a brilliant enchanter, developed a working weapon." He sighed. "But it was too powerful to trust to any one pony, even myself. That is why we built in a fail safe. Each blade is bound to a different trait, and only a being that bears that trait can wield the blade." "The Blade of Light. Its wielder must be pure of heart, and revel in the joys of the day. The Blade of Darkness. The weapon of a darkened soul, who clings to the comfort of night. The Blade of Harmony. For someone who strives for peace. The Blade of Chaos. To be held by one who thrives in disorder. The Blade of Life. For the one who gives life..." He held up his own sword. "And the Blade of Death, for the one who takes life. No one pony can possess all six traits, so no one pony can use the weapon at full power. My intention is to eventually deliver the other blades to the four princesses and Discord, thus ensuring they are only used in a time of true need." He sighed. "But, I suppose this is a moment of true need as well. If one of the blades will accept you, you may use it as you will." (Sorry this got so wordy. I've had these blades in mind for several months.)
Azrael nodded. "I might need a rope. Though I can jump that high, I'd have a hard time doing it from the water. And with no newly dead things around, I can't teleport."
Quite intriguing. I have some questions, if I may, what would killing a deity accomplish? Wouldn't that destroy balance?
Silver shook his head. "I cannot say. But I have seen things in recent months that led me to believe that Equestria must be prepared for any attack." Specifically, he was referring to the Architect and the Council. He had suspected foul intentions from Arch at first, and had built the weapon as a defense against him specifically. His suspicion of the Architect had proven to be mostly unfounded, but the idea of such powerful beings existing out in the cosmos unnerved him. The next one might not be so benign. ********************************************************************************** Gaston laughed, pulling a lever. A door rigged over the hole in the cavern ceiling opened, and a platform large enough for three ponies and a diamond dog lowered down. For all his flaws, Gaston was a brilliant engineer.
"Why did we not come down on that?" Navaja asked. Azrael trotted over to the platform, responding, "Leaping down is more entertaining."
"True," Nightshade agreed, "Now let's get going. It's colder than Chrysalis's heart up there." They ascended on the platform and starting heading for the ship, when Olga suddenly let out a growl. "There. By the ship. Who is this?" A pair of ponies, both pure white of mane and coat, were attempting to force the side hatch open.
The ponies whirled around at the sound of his voice and rushed to attack. As they drew closer, it became clear that they weren't ponies at all. They were completely furless, their flesh cold and translucent like living ice. What had looked like manes and tails were actually sharp, frozen spines. Beneath the icy flesh, bones and organs were vaguely visible, giving the creatures the disturbing appearance of skinned ponies. Most disturbing of all, however, were their mouths. As the creatures drew near, they unhinged their jaws and howled, revealing several rows of long, sharp teeth.
Azrael growled, reaching out to stop the ice ponies with his hooves and grab them by the throats. "Comrades, these ponies are not ponies! Use caution!"
Two more questions, if I may be so presumptuous as to ask. One, what will you do once the consequences of said deity's death occur? And two, one of the more important questions, how would you keep this "true" (making quote marks) deity from seeing the attack being prepared? If it is a "true" deity, wouldn't it be able to avoid the area completely, right?
Silver chuckled. "Consequences? This weapon can destroy a god. Who would dare attempt retribution?" ****************************************************************************** Nightshade's wingtips glowed as the creatures drew near. "Rosie, Olga, make a run for the ship. We'll deal with these things." The creatures reached Nightshade and Azrael in a storm of snapping jaws and stinging spines.
Say, a "deity" controlled an aspect of Reality itself and keeps it from running amok, ok. Then you kill said "deity". The aspect runs wild and destroys your entire concept of Reality as a result, right? That's what I mean by consequences, you kill an entity that contains an aspect, and the aspect goes insane. I'm just speaking hypothetically here, but that is a possibility.
"Such a being would have no reason to attack Equestria," Silver replied with certainty. "But there are lesser gods. Gods of evil, and destruction, and death. Beings that have ravaged worlds, laid waste to entire universes. I suspected, for a time, that the Architect might be one. That is why the Deus Interfector exists."
I understand, but still, be sure of an entity's true intentions and purpose, and the consequences of what would happen if said entity died, before you use it, ok? Anyways, let's see if any of the swords will allow me to use them.
My previous actions seemingly ignored, I'm deciding that Azrael grabbed ahold of one and chokeslammed it so hard it died.
My last post having been made while trying to do other stuff at the same time, let's just go with that. ************************************************************************************ The creature that Az killed broke as it hit the ground, its icy flesh shattered like glass. Nightshade neatly decapitated the other with a slash of her wings. "What. The Hell. Were those?" *********************************************** Silver nodded. "Fair enough. Make your choice." (I don't know enough about Rep to know which blade fits him.)
"Ice wraiths." Azrael stomped the ice, shattering it further. "Once ponies, now beasts of wrath, despisal. I thought these were myths... Any we see, we kill. No chances."
Nightshade nodded. "I'm okay with that. Seriously, those friggin' teeth, dude. Those things looked like what'd you'd get if Asmo frigged the ice machine."
"Knowing him? He probably did. Come on. We should make sure none got into the ship, and get what we need."
"One got in," Olga called out, tossing the mangled body of a wraith through the hatch. "Is gone now. Shields stopped the rest." "Good," Nightshade said. "Now that they're recognized as a threat, the shields should keep any more from getting in." As they entered the ship, she glanced at Olga's arm. Several wraith spines were sticking out of it. "You're hurt." Olga shrugged. "Is nothing. I have had worse."
