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Post by crystallance on Dec 12, 2011 2:07:05 GMT -5
Crystal listened to all her apprentice had to say, from observing his shadow puppets to listening to the colt’s story of his past. In the end however, she had still been entirely lost as to how to even understand the way one pony might “melt” into his or her own shadow. Every single form of magic she had thus known with had some sort of natural basis as to how it was performed. Even in her own study of her crystallization magic, the military mare had to first develop a deep understanding of the properties of minerals just in order to properly manipulate the contents of one with her magic.
From all that she knew, a pony’s shadow was primarily controlled by the power of Celestia’s sun alone and if not, by a lesser source of light. Still entirely clueless as to the answers, the military mare could not help but take a short gaze off into Celestia’s setting sun… And it was then that it had finally hit her! Crystal took a look at her own shadow… then her apprentice’s shadow… and then finally the pitched-black silhouette projected by the colt’s magical aura. The shadow of StarShade’s aura had been faced in the total opposite direction of the two unicorns’ natural shadows. The somber lighting of Celestia’s evening sunset could not have made it more obvious.
“StarShade… Perhaps you might possess an incorrect understanding of what exactly controls the form of your aura’s shadow,” Crystal began to speak to her apprentice once again. “If my observations have been correct… The direction of Celestia’s sun should have no control whatsoever over the shape of its form or the direction in which it faces… I’m afraid the only unicorn with that power, StarShade, is you.”
From the mountainous terrain, the mare levitated from the ground a medium sized rock. Casting several spells on it, the rock quickly began to crystalize, altering its form into something much more elegant. She had now attained somewhat of a basic understanding over the true nature of the colt’s shadow magic. Now, she would use her own element of magic in example and guidance.
“You see, if shadow is nothing but an absence of light, you would possess no power whatsoever over any natural shadow. Simply put, you would never be able to manipulate anypony’s natural shadow unless your special talent was a control over light…” Crystal continued to lecture on. “But if I'm correct, the shadow your magical aura projects is not the absence of a light… but rather a presence of a pure darkness.” She molded and stretched the crystallized rock into larger and smaller shapes as she continued on.
“I want you bend and alter the shape of your magic’s darkness just as I’m bending this crystal, StarShade…” the mare instructed her apprentice. “Simply focus upon the darkness as I do the crystal. Then, push and pull the shadow of your aura to manipulate the directions in which your darkness moves. I'm really going to need you to attain a good control over your shadows, is that clear?”
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Post by starshade on Dec 13, 2011 8:13:15 GMT -5
StarShade listened to Crystal Lance's every word intently, trying his best to absorb the information which the army mage is imparting to him. Fortunately for the colt his mind was well-trained to handle complex understandings. With this he saluted his mentor and obeyed her request.
"I will do my best, milady."
He then sat down upon the ground and turned his gaze towards the shadow of his magic aura. Frowning, the black unicorn focused all his mind power into the wiggling shadow. Focus... push... pull... he recited in his mind. Using his imagination and mental power, he visualized the shadow as an extension of himself, like another limb. As he did, the shadow's eratic movements slowed down before reaching an abrupt halt, though it was still shaped like a black tentacle, or the tail of a black serpent. StarShade then tried to go to the next step, to 'push' the shadow. But... how do you 'push' a shadow. While he was pondering this, he didn't realize that the magical aura from his horn had changed shape into something more spherical, but its shadow still remained in its motionless tentacle form. Unbeknownst to StarShade, he is, at that very moment, actually manipulating the shadow itself. But for the moment he is totally focused on trying to move his shadow.
Almost 4 minutes later, a sweating StarShade with saucer-sized eyeballs covered in red nerves was still tryng with all his might to move the shadow. He finally paused to rest, panting heavily as his magic aura dispersed and its shadow disappeared. He took the time off his training to ponder why his efforts haven't had any effects. It then dawn to him that even with all the effort and focus he had put in, he had forgotten to use the same principle he used when casting his magic missile. He needed to visualize a target or purpose for doing the spell in the first place. But what purpose would that be? His eyes caught a glimpse of Crystal Lance for a mere seconds, and it dawned to him. What other purpose was he here for? To be beside his idol, and to become somepony useful to the society of Equestria. That is his purpose. That is his target.
"I understand..."
The black unicorn suddenly stood up and began summoning his magic at the tip of his horn. The aura once again took the form of a pulsating sphere of dark grey energy, casting its own shadow upon the ground. Focus. This time, a look of great determination was clearly seen on the colt's face as he stared at the circular shadow on the ground. Push. Suddenly, the unnatural shadow began to expand until it completely covered the area underneath his legs and hooves as a large black circle.
"And... now!"
Then, right before Crystal Lance's very eyes, StarShade literally sank into the circular shadow beneath him! It was as though he had fallen into a pool of black liquid, but without the splash, the sound or the rippling effects on the surface. He had done it!
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Post by crystallance on Dec 13, 2011 14:47:31 GMT -5
In an instant, her apprentice had sunk underneath his aura’s pitched-black shadow. It appeared her theories had been correct. She had honestly felt somewhat surprised that her theories on his shadows had been so accurate. She had been even more proud in StarShade’s ability to competently control the shadows. Crystal stepped forth in front of StarShade’s pool of black liquid so that he could hear her.
“StarShade?! StarShade, can you hear me?!” Crystal Lance cried out, somewhat worryingly, to her apprentice. Though things had been successful so far, the military mare still felt the need to check to see if everything had still been going alright. “Is everything alright down there, StarShade?! I'm commanding you to respond to me with an answer immediately!”
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Post by starshade on Dec 14, 2011 4:10:25 GMT -5
There was only silence at first, and no reply to Crystal Lance's calls. The black circle of a shadow lay motionless and silent on the ground like a large, black hole. It was quite an eerie sight. A large shadow was clearly visible on the ground, yet there was absolutely no physical form present which would have created such a shadow.
Suddenly...
"GASP~!" cried StarShade as he suddenly poked his head out of the darkness on the ground, flailing his forelegs about towards the army mage. "Pull me out! Pull me out!"
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Post by crystallance on Dec 14, 2011 13:32:02 GMT -5
“I’m coming!” Crystal Lance shouted out toward her apprentice, her voice filled with desperation. As she stepped forth in front of the dark pool of shadow, she casted a spell. From the hard mountain terrain rose up hard crystals surrounding her back hooves. Clasping around her hooves tightly and securely, the mare had all the support she would need in pulling her apprentice back up to safety.
With haste, the mare extended her forelegs out towards those of her apprentice. Pushing her body deeper and deeper into the pitched-black hole, the Crystal’s hooves eventually met in proximity with StarShade’s, allowing her to pull the colt in towards her. Physical strength may not have exactly been the mare’s strong point, but she was certain her crystals would provide her with ample support.
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Post by apporta on Dec 14, 2011 18:33:01 GMT -5
(OOC: Doh! Tired and posting is not a good combination.)
Apporta was busy practicing what she had learned, unaware of the conversation between Crystal Lance and StarShade. It really wasn't any of her business as it was between the two, so she kept her distance. As Apporta teplported to a point near where Crystal and StarShade stood, she gasped at the strange sight.
There, on the ground, was what looked like a black puddle. But this wasn't the strangest part. Sticking out of the puddle was StarShade's head and Crystal Lance'd body was partially submerged with crystals encircling her back legs as if she was trying to pull the colt out.
Quickly Apporta teleported to the two. She had to think quickly or risk losing them both. "StarShade, I'm going to try and get you out of there. Crystal, if you can hear me, can you form some crystals around me so I don't fall into the pool? Then i can help you get StarShade out."
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Post by starshade on Dec 14, 2011 23:19:40 GMT -5
StarShade was reeling in mixed emotions. Panic for what was happening and what would be happening to him, and humiliation from failing his mentor a second time. Struggling hard to hold back his tears, he looked up at Crystal Lance's and Apporta's terrified faces as his fellow apprentice suggested her rescue plan while his mentor tried to pull him out.
"Pull..." the black unicorn suddenly spoke, "Pull! That's it!"
The colt began summoning his magic once more, gathering magic at the tip of his horn. He became still and rigid as he had stopped faliling and concentrated. Pull. Then, though very slowly, the rest of his body began to surface, rising out of the dark circle as though someone, or something, was pushing him upwards from underneath. After a few minutes, Starshade's entire form was back out of the dark 'puddle', which now seemed to have solidified. His forelegs still holding on to his mentor's while his back legs were back firm above the 'surface' of his unnaturally-made shadow.
"Time... to... PULL... this thing back..."
The circle of shadow at first started to lose its circular shape before gradually shrinking in size. All seems to be working right, until... the magic on StarShade's horn suddenly dispersed, and the black unicorn eyes began staring into blank space before his eyelids closed shut, followed by his body falling down. At his companions' horror, StarShade had just lost consciousness from all the strain and stress, dangling from Crystal Lance's forelegs while the lower part of his body, below the waist, began to once again sink into the circle of shadow which was now growing smaller and smaller. If Crystal Lance and Apporta don't do something fast enough, StarShade might have half of his body literally SEVERED!
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Post by crystallance on Dec 15, 2011 0:51:06 GMT -5
“UGH!” Crystal shrieked as StarShade’s body suddenly sank into the pool of darkness. A few moments ago, the colt had appeared to be handling the situation pretty well by himself. Now all of a sudden, he was out of it. It was unfortunate that the mare’s strength had been far from considerable. If it weren’t for the crystals she already had attached to her back legs, she would have been devoured into the pool of darkness along with him. Still, her head had been totally submerged in the darkness. All the words Apporta had been speaking to her were totally muffled in the shadow’s obscuring abyss.
Very luckily however, Crystal’s forelegs had still been kept tightly grasped upon the forelegs of her apprentice. For a mare of her strength, StarShade’s body certainly felt heavy… but it did not mean she would quit. In time, Crystal had managed to lift herself up above the surface, StarShade’s forelegs just barely rising out from the darkness. The mare finally became aware of Apporta’s presence.
“Apporta?! What the HAY are you doing just standing around there? Assist me in lifting him up!” Crystal commanded her filly apprentice. Casting a quick spell upon her horn, the mare secured Apporta’s back hooves as well with the support of some crystals. Immediately, she gripped the colt’s left hoof with both of her forelegs, hoping for Apporta to be quick and grab his right. “Quick! I need you to grab hold of his right hoof! It looks as if the shadow's closing in!”
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Post by apporta on Dec 15, 2011 12:06:32 GMT -5
"Got it," Apporta said as she felt the added strength of crystals forming around her legs. She saw the black pool rapidally closing and if she didn't help Crystal Lance and StarShade, there may be only two halves of those ponies.
She quickly reached into the pool. It was a strange feeling when she reached the pool, and it gave her chills. After a few seconds of searching, she found StarShade's hoof and immediately grabbed hold. She began to feel her own body being pulled into the pool as if it was quicksand, causing her to worry along with the fact of the closing pool. Nevertheless she calmed herself and set forth to the task. "Alright. I got your hoof Starshade. Let's pull him out on three. One Two Three!"
(OOC: StarShade, I'll let you give the results.)
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Post by starshade on Dec 16, 2011 7:04:13 GMT -5
Strange images flashed in StarShade's subconscious mind... A dark room... Skeletons... Kneeling... A throne... Someone... Something... On the throne... Black as darkness... Eyes glowing like flames made from emeralds...
At Apporta's count of "three", StarShade's immobile form was suddenly thrown out towards Crystal Lance and Apporta. It was as though the shrinking circle of darkness had literally spat out the black unicorn just before it shrunk out of sight, sending the colt flying into his mentor and fellow apprentice.
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Post by crystallance on Dec 16, 2011 11:50:06 GMT -5
The military mare caught her apprentice effortlessly using her telekinesis as his immobile body flew forth. Setting StarShade down gently right by his fellow apprentice Apporta, Crystal eyed the both of them with a very stern look.
“StarShade… Let Princess Luna show you mercy on the day that battle arrives… Because with the way things are looking today, it’s GUARANTEED that you’ll screw things up for Equestria FAR more than our enemies ever will!” Crystal lashed out, her voice gradually progressing in frustration.
“Day one of training is now officially over! I want you both out here before dusk arrives—But StarShade, that does NOT mean I plan on leaving you off the hook! Until the day we meet again, you will be placed on strict punishment!” Crystal threatened, her eyes sliding over towards Apporta’s. “Since you are clearly not capable of placing your own magic on a leash, my only option is to assign to you somepony who can do it for you… Apporta, I’m assigning you to keep StarShade under tight supervision. Keep an eye on him at all times, and make sure he stays out of trouble. Are we understood?”
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Post by apporta on Dec 16, 2011 12:35:26 GMT -5
Apporta was sudedenly jerked backwards as it seemed the pool tossed out StarShade. Luckily the crystals around her back legs were enough to prevent her from falling to the ground. Whatever that pool was, it sent chills down her spine. Apporta never experienced that type of magic in her life, nor did she want that to happen to her again.
It was then that Apporta got a surprise of Crystal Lance ordering her to watch StarShade. Apparantly the army mage saw what Apporta did. Obviously the event seemed to have upset the mage enough to warrant her to have a pony watching StarShade on a continual basis. But Apporta knew not to question this order, and maybe in watching StarShade she can get to know her fellow apprentice. "Understood Crystal Lance. I will watch StarShade and make sure he is ok and does not get into trouble."
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Post by starshade on Dec 17, 2011 14:03:32 GMT -5
StarShade was actually still out cold since he lost consciousness after exhausting himself trying to undo his "melting-into-shadow" spell. Because of that, he had absolutely no recollection as to what happened after that, including the part where the 'shadow circle' literally spat him back out. He also has no idea as to how extremly cross Crystal Lance is with him right now. But considering the circumstances, can anypony blame him? Even much earlier before, the poor colt had taken a painful injury from one of the army mage's crystal attacks and had lost a large amount of blood. Add that to the strain and pressure from holding up the 4 shards and then causing a large pool made entirely of shadow to materialize beneath him before swallowing him in. The last bit of strain came from trying to reverse his spell, which promptly knocked him out. And it was in his subconscoius state of mind that he was flooded with glimpses of dark and very sinister-looking images.
However, millitary training is harsh, even if it wasn't being instructed by a strict battle magic master like Crystal Lance. All StarShade could do after all this is blame himself for not being strong enough to make his idol proud, something that would hurt his own heart immensely. But for now, the black unicorn won't be waking up till an hour later.
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Post by crystallance on Dec 17, 2011 14:49:55 GMT -5
“Ugh… He’s not even awake, is he?” Crystal Lance muttered to herself, glancing over the body of the unresponsive colt. She shifted her attention towards Apporta. “He's not… Apporta, it looks like I’m going to have to ask you to take him in with you. Bring him over to where you’re staying and let him get some rest. Get some rest yourself as well. I’m sure it’s been a very difficult day of training…”
She did not ask if she had been understood. She did not ask if everything was clear. All the mare could do was turn away. The colt had seriously been out-of-it this time. Had her training methods been too harsh? It was in moments like these that Crystal Lance always began to doubt herself. In the end, all she really wanted to do was create the most perfect army of mages possible for Equestria… but in reality, it was not a perfect world. With her body still turned from Apporta, the mare remained silent, continuing to brood over the subject.
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Post by apporta on Dec 19, 2011 7:54:38 GMT -5
Apporta didn't realize that StarShade was still unconscious until Crystal Lane brought it up. It was no wonder though. The unicorn was exhausted from her training, especially after having to rescue the black colt from whatever that pool was. Her mind was in a daze, yet she was still forced herself to focus on her teacher. There would be rest, but not until later.
It seemed she had one more task left to do. Apporta was instructed to get the unconscious StarShade back to where she was staying. This was not going to be easy as Apporta wasn't the physically strongest pony. Teleporting would work, but she was nervous transporting other ponies that way, especially ones that were unconscious and unable to use their own magic should anything go wrong.
Then something strange she noticed. Crystal Lance didn't ask her if she understood as she normally did. Instead she simply turned as if deep in thought about something. Apporta guessed that it had something to do with this training, but what exactly about the training she didn't know nor did she want to ask. It seemed that Crystal wanted to be left alone to think.
Apporta couldn't however just leave without acknowledging her though. "Don't worry," Apporta said as she moved next to the unconscious StarShade, ready to teleport him, "I'll make sure to get him to where I'm staying." She was about to leave it at that when she felt the need to add one more thing. "Before I go, I just wanted to say thank you for this training. You are helping me to become a better pony, and not just magically. I look forward to the next training day."
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