"That sounds like a horrible waste of bits." She shrugged. "I'm gonna go save Maya from my mom." Winter, meanwhile, had descended on the happy family and was cooing over the foal and offering the typical motherly advice, oblivious to whether or not it was wanted or welcome. Between reuniting with Nightshade and witnessing a new birth, her maternal instincts had been kicked into overdrive.
"Eh, just pick your battles. If it's not gonna hurt 'em and they're not gonna hurt it, sometimes it's best to just let 'em play with it until they get bored. If he's playing with other kids though, just make sure you teach him to share." Winter laughed. "Shady's 'mine' phase was terrible. Must be the dragon blood."
"Got an alicorn here," Raven said. "Might try the 'mine' games with a whole house if we don't watch him."
"Speaking of Alicorns," Nightshade interrupted, "How long you gonna keep the horn? I mean, no rush, but it does kinda turn you into an overpowered Mary Sue." She grinned. "And that's my gig."
"Sounds like permission to me. Godmod time!" Nightshade shifted to her Draconequus form and grabbed Maya's horn, pulling it cleanly off her forehead. No mark remained to show where it had been. Shifting back, she tossed the horn to Maya. "Here. Souvenir. Or alchemy ingredient, I guess. I know how powerful an ingredient Unicorn horns are. Can't even imagine what you can do with an Alicorn horn."
"Oh..." Maya caught and studied the horn. "I bet I could make the equivalent of a hydrogen bomb outta this."
"Indeed," Blackheart said. "To our partnership." His mind was racing at the possibilities presented by the alien technology. Once he and his scientists had unlocked its secrets, Black Forge stood to make a fortune. ********************************************************************************** Nightshade nodded. "Well, try not to set it off near me. I've been half-killed one too many times already." ********************************************************************************* Silver looked around the bar, puzzled by something he thought he sensed. "The Architect. Was he here?"
Azrael stroked his beard. "Indeed. But who in Equestria with such power would have brought him back?"
"Nor can I say he is not. But I'll maintain the opinion that he has remained dead until further notice."
Silver nodded. "I suppose you are right. Still, it is odd that... never mind. He is dead. It no longer matters."
