#prompt 255

[notyouraveragewritingprompts]

Prompt #255

You just summoned a demon and tricked them into making a deal with you. You decide the terms and conditions, but more importantly you're the one writing the fine print. There will be no collecting of your soul and the demon has to do your bidding for eternity.

[wonderful-prompts]

Prompt #255

In which our hero is good at literally nothing. Except being evil.

[thirtyminuteponies]

Prompt #255 compilation: "Love Conquers All" (Theme Week, Day Two)

The Prompt: It all makes sense now. Love is the only thing that can save us.

Special Rule: The love must be out of the ordinary. Push your horizons and try something new. There are so many ways love can exist and thrive that we’re barely scratching the surface.

Have some stories about extraordinary love!

“Move the Clouds” by Versulia

“Being Pinkie Pie” by Midnight Herald

“What We Needed,” by rwlart

"Love Thyself" by Stagmanparty

“Devil You Know” by TheLastBrunnenG

“An Enemy’s Love” by Rawtooth

“To Serve”, by Tlantzn

“When We Fall” by Silvernis

[thirtyminuteponies]

Prompt #255: "To Serve", by Tlantzn

“We have screwed up.”

Lightning Dust turned her head to regard the ceruelean alicorn pacing nearby.  They stood outside her temporary camp, surrounded by the tents of ponies on the move. 

Her jaw dropped sharply, and her expression fell.  She responded blankly.  “What?”

Luna doesn’t say that.  Luna can’t say that.  She’s the rock I lean on, the pony we all lean on.  She can’t fail.

Luna strode past her, raised a sheaf of papers with her horn and began writing on one, leafing through the rest, hung three different maps on a nearby tent and scrawled indecipherable figures, notations, lines and twirls on all of them. 

That’s Luna for you. Sometimes, I wonder if it even makes sense to her.

“Sombra caught our flanking motion in the east.  Our main force could not join them in time.  We tried to pull them out, but it was too late.”

Dust’s throat caught.  “How bad was it, Luna?”

Luna paced, stared at the maps.  Scribbled out figures and didn’t reply.  Kept muttering the name “Celly”.

Insistent, her lieutenant pressed the issue.  “Luna.”

“Three divisions were burned alive.  Two.. their status is unknown.”

The alicorn turned to face her companion.  She seemed frenetic, her tone quick and clipped – but that was just the effect of war, Lightning Dust supposed.  It wasn’t even right to say it changed the princess – after all, with her age, she’d obviously been in that state many times before. 

“We need to go there, now.  We may not be back for.. some time.  But you will need to stay here.  He will move on Twilight’s force with haste.” 

Lightning Dust shrugged.  “No offense, but at this point, that would be a mercy.  We can’t keep coddling her; she’s cost us enough.”

No reference to Luna’s mistake.  What could she say?  “I could do better?”  She snorted at the thought.  Sombra’s mind was as brilliant as his ego, and he humbled all of them again and again with troop movements and tactical triumphs of every kind.

Luna was better.   But just as fallible as any other pony? 

Lightning Dust did not want to think that.  If it was true, it hung over them like an inevitable doom about to curse them all.  Besides, she was Luna.  Her genius in combat was baffling. 

Words jerked her mind back to the present.  Luna was no longer looking at the maps, was talking again.  Something about her sister.  Something about love. 

“Twilight is going to go out to meet Sombra in the field.” 

Lightning Dust snorted.  “I’m sure you’ve informed her, exactly what a splendid plan that would be.  She needs to make a full retreat.” 

Luna shook her head.  “Her mind is made up.  With her magic, she has had no small success.  She believes she can defeat him.”

The aqua mare’s eyes bulged.  “She’s insane.  She has to kno-”

Luna cut her off sharply.  “It doesn’t matter.  One of us must go; it shall be you, because I have the power to move across great distances and I am needed elsewhere.  But you?  Do you love me?  Take everything, save her.  No matter what the cost.” 

Baffled, Lightning Dust demanded answer.   “Why?  After all this time, if she still hasn’t figured it out, why would I everything for her?  If we lose this, Equestria is doomed.  Luna, why?” 

“Thou shouldst realize that love chains you to a course of action from which you cannot break.  Know, Twilight will go to fight Sombra, and you know as well as we the consequence.  When the sword hangs at her neck, Celly will come to be her savior.” 

Lightning Dust blinked.

Luna laughed, low and bitter.  “We do not have the power she once did.  Not since the return of the elements.  If she goes, thus, she will not return.  We have lost her for a time, before.  We will not lose her again.  Not for eternity, for whatever else be saved would only be left empty and cold.   So you will go, though you hate and despise her, because you are bound to me as I am bound to my sister – by love, and even now I pull the chain.  Do you feel it?” 

Lightning Dust smiled.  Stepped forward.

“I have one question.  Why are you telling me this?” 

The alicorn nodded.  “It is a fair entreaty.  We tell you what we are doing to you so you may break the chains, if you choose.  But you know the cost.” 

Lightning Dust held a hoof to her chin as if to mock considering it.  Grinned. 

“I’ll go.  And I’ll make you proud.  Love conquers all, does it not?” 

Luna was gone. 

---

BSB Comments:

Luna and Lightning Dust, that's something you don't see very often. It's interesting how powerful Sombra seems to be at this point in time and how defenseless the rest of them seem to be against him. Hopefully Twilight and Lightning Dust can stop him before he does any more irreparable damage. Good job.

[thirtyminuteponies]

Prompt #255: “An Enemy's Love” by Rawtooth

You thought you killed me.  You thought that with all of your magic, the most potent seen in a unicorn since ages past, that you could kill me.  You thought that with all of your friendship, a bond more strongly and quickly forged than many beings dream to experience in their lifetimes, that you could kill me.  You thought those things.

Foolish mortal.

It was a good try, I'll grant you that.  Better than that bitch Celestia and her pathetic efforts to be sure.  But I am the Nightmare, endless and deathless, and I will not perish so easily.  I did not die that night, nor will I die any night, not until the last living soul has drawn their last breath and this world is as still as a tomb.  Then, and only then, can I die.

So do not think this is meant as some grand sacrifice, a heroic redemption on the part of your greatest enemy, just to save your pathetic lives.  No, that is a childish notion, best suited to books that are cast aside as one matures.  I will not die doing this.

I will suffer though, oh yes, will I suffer.  It will be long ages before I can arise again and trouble this world.  And, even with my help, even with all of my terrible might, you might still die.  Oh, to be certain, you will die someday, but you must ask yourself, is today that day?

You and I both know the battle turns against you, against your friends, against all of creation.  The mauve tide of corruption that washes across Equestria, that oozes and seeps in a mindless haze of destruction, is not to be trifled with.  It has been a threat to the world once before and was barely turned back then.  Will my aid be enough?

The answer, naturally, is yes, of course.  While I may mock you and yours, you are a hardy species, which is why I delight in tormenting you so.  But even if you were the lowliest of the low, the most wretched things to have ever crawled across the surface of this world, I promise you, you would still be saved.  For while Celestia and Luna may claim you as their own, I am the one who truly leaves her mark upon you.  I am there in every half-remembered night terror and in every panic-stricken moment in the brightest sun.  I am there at the first cry of a newborn and the final death rattle of the elderly.  No matter what sense with which you perceive the world, I am there, a constant companion throughout life.

Time is running short young unicorn and my words must be brief.  I will grant you one final boon, a parting gift of knowledge from the darkness.  I will warn you, it is a question that will torment you till the end of your days ... but I think you will enjoy it, the seeker of knowledge that you are.  So then Twilight Sparkle, here is the Nightmare's final riddle ...

Why did I save you?

---

BSB Comments:

How interesting. The thought that the essence that possessed Luna would turn around and save Twilight and all of Equestria is a fascinating one, and ending it with that question was a good suspenseful decision to leave the reader filled with questions and dread. Good job!

[thirtyminuteponies]

Prompt #255: “Devil You Know” by TheLastBrunnenG

“You were always an ignorant fool, Celestia. I walked into your lives unsuspected and untouched and nearly deposed the goddesses of sun and moon.” Chrysalis’ forked tongue flicked out and tasted the glowing bars of her cage as she sneered. “And now finally you realize that containing all the horrors of Tartarus behind a gate and a dog may not have been the best idea?”

Celestia’s jaw clenched and she inhaled sharply. “Hindsight is perfect, as they say. What matters now is that there is a demon loose and rampaging across Equestria. It has already laid waste to everything between Hoofington and the Deer Dominions.” Beside her, Twilight Sparkle lay a wing across Celestia’s own and fixed a hard gaze on the great caged insect.

The changeling queen snorted and leaned against her cage, hooves crossed. “It sounds like we are all doomed, then. Would your time not be better spent in Canterlot, mourning for the imminent loss of your empire?”

“There is still time to save Equestria, and your nation as well,.” hissed the snow-white alicorn.”You are still Queen, I presume?”

“So that’s your offer, is it?” Chrysalis raised an eyebrow and glanced back and forth between the two crowned ponies. “Restore my throne and my subjects in exchange for my assistance?”

The Solar Princess’ mouth opened and closed slowly but no words came out. Twilight lifted her head, cleared her throat, and said, “Yes. We’ll set you free and assist you in locating your subjects. They’re scattered across Equestria but we have leads on most of the survivors.”

Chrysalis cocked her head and drew back visibly. “How - ”

Twilight silenced her with a raised and golden-shod hoof. “My changeling detection spell. Researched it the minute you were expelled from Canterlot and taught it to every unicorn in the Equestrian Armed Forces. As I was saying, we will also cede to you all the land between the Sierra Neighvada mountains and the Rio Caballo river. Enough to make a homeland for yourselves, now and for years to come.”

Chrysalis’ antennae quavered and her muzzle twitched. “And you would swear to such a deal? You must be more desperate than I thought.”

Celestia nodded, her head held low. “The combined armies of Equestria, the Griffon Kingdoms, and the Deer Dominion plus token forces from all the minor kingdoms have barely been able to slow it down.” Swallowing deeply, she added, “Losses have been… staggering.”

“But my research points to a weakness in the demon, this ‘Ithaqua’,” Twilight said, “the so-called Wendigo King. Three alicorns attacking simultaneously can combine their power and banish it forever.”

“And I suppose I count as one, hm? Wait - if you two are here,” said Chrysalis, black lips drawn back to reveal glistening fangs, “then something must have happened to your precious Moon Princess, and that abominable wretch Cadenza as well.”

“The demon approached the Crystal Kingdom far faster than we anticipated. Luna and Cadance spent themselves defending the Crystal ponies. They managed to turn the demon away with minimal losses, though they…” Celestia paused as a shudder ran up her spine, her wings fluttering involuntarily. “They will recover, in time.”

Mad cackling erupted from the glowing cage. “Oh, this is delicious! My defeated foe and the pony instrumental in my banishment come groveling to me when all hope is lost. Brilliant, Celestia, truly.”

Celestia bared her teeth and spat, “I knew this was a waste of time. Twilight, come on, we’ll – ”

“I accept your terms.” Straightening her neck and standing to her full height, Chrysalis buzzed her translucent wings. “Without you, my species will die, either of privation or at the hands of this demon. Without me, you have no chance against it. We need each other, and so I accept your terms as offered. But I had been living in the wastelands until you apprehended me, which means I am in no shape to assist you.” Her onyx-black muzzle broke into a wide grin. “So first, you must feed me.”

Celestia turned to the smaller mare and sighed. “You know what she needs, right, Twilight?”

“Yes, I know. Celestia,” Twilight stammered through watering eyes, “you know what I feel for you. You’ve always known, even if I never said it. I thought about writing a letter, but I couldn’t make myself put it writing, and I… I…”

“Could never say it out loud. Neither could I, Twilight.” Celestia wrapped vast alabaster wings around the pony before her and continued through welling tears, “I think we owe each other this much, Twilight.” Behind her the changeling queen’s horn flared green and her eyes grew wide as she shuddered in anticipation.

Twilight leaned into the embrace and buried her face in a billowing aurora mane. “Celestia,” she whispered, “I love you… Mom.”

---

BSB Comments:

I liked the logic of why Celestia and Twilight were going to Chrysalis for help, and the fact that Luna and Candance were taken out of commission fighting it themselves to defend the Crystal Kingdom was an interesting little detail. Chrysalis as a ruler who cares for her subjects and makes the deal so that she can have her brood rounded back up with space to live in was also nice to read. Good job.

[thirtyminuteponies]

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BSB Comments (spoilers):

I liked the angle of the love needing to be aimed at themselves before it could be spread to the rest of the world. A curse of frustration is an interesting idea as well, and it was lucky that Twilight could rip a self-aware Daring out of her book to help. Well done!

[thirtyminuteponies]

Prompt # 255: "Being Pinkie Pie" by Midnight Herald

Rainbow Dash and Rarity had been fighting again. That much was easy to see from how they entered Sugarcube. The guilty glances to each other, the little cringes, and the slumps to their normally proud backs and necks also meant that Twilght had found out they were fighting. Pinkie sighed softly and kicked the counter ever-so-gently, the most frustration she could show at this latest development. After helping Dashie and Rarity to sort this out, she would have to spend her afternoon at the library, making sure Twilight knew that it wasn’t sharing her that was the problem, it was just that her lovers didn’t really understand each other as well as they could, if they gave each other the chance. Everyone else had been surprised when it came to be. Twilight Sparkle, the reclusive, studious librarian, hooking up with not one but two of the town’s most outgoing, outspoken mares? No one else had seen it coming. But then again, no one else was Pinkie Pie. Being Pinkie Pie meant knowing the little things about all your friends. Birthdays and favorite colors and food allergies were easy. Anypony could do that. But being Pinkie Pie meant that you knew how Twilight was drawn to the confidence and charisma that Rarity and Rainbow had in spades. Being Pinkie Pie meant knowing that Twilight needed somepony (or in this case someponies) with patience and loyalty and kindness and generosity enough to forgive her little blunders and neuroses, to draw her out of her shell and introduce her slowly to the intricacies of love and lust.

Being Pinkie Pie meant knowing how much Rarity and Dashie needed to be needed, to be anchored down, to think of somepony else first, to temper their impulsive and occasionally thoughtless decisions through acts of selflessness and a thought of lovely purple eyes shining in shame. So when things finally fell into being, when the half-thought gestures and intricate courtships came through to make the most talked-about relationship in all of Ponyville, Pinkie was not surprised. She had the decorations loaded into the cannons a week before her friends even knew what was happening.

And being Pinkie Pie meant being there for the worst times along with the best. Being Pinkie Pie meant offering advice at any time, at any place, to any pony that asked for it. Being Pinkie Pie meant bringing ice cream and tissues to the Boutique at four in the morning and reminding Rarity that she was just as important to Twilight as Rainbow was. Being Pinkie Pie meant going toe to toe with Dashie when the stress got to be too much and Applejack was too busy to help her blow off some steam. Being Pinkie Pie meant covering up the bruises the day after and bouncing extra super-duper high to make sure Dashie didn’t feel so bad about it. Being Pinkie Pie meant accepting the four or five apologies that would come anyways with the same enthusiasm and reassurances that everything was fine.

Sometimes other ponies would wonder why she did so much for them. And she’d just laugh and laugh, because it was always easy for her to see. Everything was easy for her to see, when it came to ponies. That was part of being Pinkie Pie. They were her friends, and not just talk-in-the-street friends. They were her very bestest save-the-world-together, Run-around-together, Forgive-and-forget-together friends. They were some of the five most important ponies in her life. And taking care of them was important. It was part of being Pinkie Pie.

It also helped that she didn’t have any special someponies to distract her from helping. She didn’t really need them, after all. Kisses and snuggles weren’t part of being Pinkie Pie. That was something else that confused a bunch of ponies. Ponies like Mrs. Cake and Rarity would ask her if she loved somepony, or if she was looking for somepony special in her life. But the truth was that she loved everypony, even the ones she hadn’t met yet. And everypony was special to her. She couldn’t choose somepony to be even more extra special to her, because that wouldn’t be fair to all the other ponies who were just as special to her, really. And that was part of being Pinkie Pie. She’d heard, most vocally from Dashie, that kisses were really nice. And she knew from experience that hugs were pretty awesome. But really, all she ever needed was to see her friends smile. And that was part of being Pinkie Pie.

And part of being Pinkie Pie was smiling at her two friends as they sat down in the corner with their shamed frowns and sad eyes. And part of being Pinkie Pie was finding Mr. Cake in the back and getting him to take over at the counter for an hour, and promising to make it up to him by filling out the three big orders he would be working on later tonight. Sometimes being Pinkie Pie meant not getting much sleep, but it was never a big problem. That’s what coffee was for. And part of being Pinkie Pie was grabbing a croissant and an espresso shot for Rarity and a lemon poppyseed muffin and a strawberry smoothie for Dashie and prancing over to their table, armed with a dozen song-seeds and her biggest, warmest Pinkie Pie smile.

TIME LIMIT-------------------

And part of being Pinkie Pie was giving the two of them the tightest, snuggliest, Pinkie Pie hug she could and a huge, silly wink. “You two look like you’re having a rough day. Why don’t you eat your snacks and tell your Auntie Pinkie Pie all about it?”

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BSB Comments:

 I like the idea of an aromantic Pinkie Pie, and it's pretty great that she wants to help her friends be happy. It doesn't quite seem like Rainbow Dash and Rarity are really the type of ponies who can last in a polyamorous relationship from the description of what's happening, and Pinkie Pie can only play mediator for so long before that has to be addressed, which is kind of sad. Nice work this week!