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 Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:16 pm
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:17 pm
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:18 pm
Ursula drummed her hooves idly on the shell and bone throne in her lair. Her most trusted adviser had had it made for her once they had found their new home. He alone had remained faithful to her in her downfall, her great tragic defeat. But here she was rebuilding her empire and this time, she would keep it.
Right now, it was bare bones. There was hardly anything to it, a quiet out of the way place where once there had been a city of creatures. It had once been a nice place, beautiful and luxurious once. Kings and Queens of the ocean had ruled her, lived here, and died here. The place was a mighty ruin that she planned to raise up to glory.
The bones of her throne were made of the last weak creatures who lived here—a mer and a seapony. With her deft hooves, she fashioned her crown out of the leftover pieces of a seapony. She would wear it instead of her gold crown—the gold for her reign, the bones for the conquering. She had promised not to wear it until she had dominion again.
“My Queen,” Caius bright eyes were looking up at her. His devotion to her was complete, she knew that. He had proved himself over and over again to that. It was he, who had come to her, in her downfall and nursed her back to health when all else had abandoned her.
All in all her plans had been just as slow as her healing. Her wounds took forever to heal and the magic returned so slowly. Even now, she was still less than what she was. The deaths of the merpony and seapony had helped her finally get enough power back to do fundamental magic. But it was not enough, it would not be enough unless she could gain more.
It meant more deaths, more potions, more minions. All those poor unfortunate souls…that’s the only that would help.
“Caius,” she breathed deep. “I need…” She searched her mind trying to figure out what what she needed exactly. “Can you find another seapony? Bring the body to me, no need for it to be alive as long as it’s freshly dead.”
If it had a strong enough life force then she could siphon it into her magic. If it didn’t have enough life force then it’s life was pretty much pointless.
She watched silently as he left knowing that he would not fail. But there was much work to be done and there wasn’t much time. She had to be very quiet about this or else they would realize she was still alive and that could not be done. If they knew…if they found out she was alive they could overthrow her more easily than she wanted to admit.
Keep the low profile, keep absolutely quiet while she built her empire at this old place. OUt of the way, no one would think of her. No one would see her coming.
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:20 pm
The sea cauldron glowed blue then a bright red. Ursula hovered over it a moment before she peered in. She was searching in the cauldron for something that would help her. Her eyes flickered over the small mer child emblazoned on the surface of the liquid in the cauldron.
Purple and red, the girl was though when she reached for the girl’s name she found she couldn’t identify it. It could be perhaps she’d not been born yet or that her powers weren’t strong enough to work such magic. She reached forward and touched the surface liquid of the caulron and watched the image shatter like glass before the dull blue glow started again.
She made her way to her bedroom alcove. Caius was fast asleep when she laid down beside him. He had come to her so long ago, wishing for an end to his sickness. Years of servitude just so that in the end he could be well. He had been bent to do her will, and when time was up she released him. She had hated watching him leave.
When those cursed events happened and she was near to death, it was Caius who had come to her unbound from her will. He came out of…regard for her? Loyalty? Caring? She did not know, she did not understand not really. But he was there when all others fled.
He was sleeping peacefully beside her, the cuts and wounds on his body bound with bandages after his delivering up more bones for her power. He hadn’t failed her yet. Though she expected it of others, she never even thought it of him.
Caius.
She stretched out her long tentacles in the bed, wondering about the vision of the little girl. It would be difficult to find her at best. But well, she must have her. The problem was she didn’t know what about her she needed. Did she need to make a deal with her? Use her bones? Or was she more than that? Was she someone that would become like Caius? Or…Or or or.
There were too many possibilities to entertain, far too many really. She would learn in due time.
“You’ll find her,” his voice broke through her thoughts like a clam opening to reveal a pearl.
“I know,” she replied back huskily.
“Then you’ll rule the seas, you’ll be all powerful, my queen.” He kissed her hoof and her skin tingled where his lips touched.
“And what will you do while I rule?” she questioned him, her heart pounding in her chest.
“I will serve, I will protect you, my queen,” came the unfailing answer.
“And that is all you expect?” She asked a bit more urgently.
“Yes,” his voice was neat, clean.
“But that is not all you want,” she whispered.
His eyes flashed bright with something akin to pain. “I wish to serve you, I wish…wishing doesn’t not matter nor wanting. I will live to serve you, to do as you command.”
But she knew that wasn’t all he wanted.
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:20 pm
His lips soothed her savage soul, and he remained with her in bed sleeping long after. She thought of him of what he wanted, of what he had half whispered despite himself.
Love.
She felt as though it was a foolish notion. She had ponies sell their soul for love only for it to fade away or fall apart. In love, forever never meant forever…it meant a thousand other things, but never that.
She searched what she supposed would be considered her heart, though she didn’t believe in that—she believe that soul-searching was really mind searching. So she searched her mind for her feelings for Caius.
She did care for him in a fashion. She was fond of him and his lips. His caresses. His…oh a thousand things. Certainly, she wanted him in the most savage and basic feelings as old as time. Want, that she knew of—impulses driven by an inexplicable…need.
But she did not love him. No foolish notions for her. But she respected him, begrudgingly she. She would perhaps, defend him if need be. She would care of him. He was loyal and trustworthy. She could depend on him.
Being able to rely on someone was a miracle in itself. She would rule the seven seas with his help, she knew that now. She would raise him up to a chief guard eventually when she had an army. She would give him all the rewards he deserved. Anything he desired…almost.
She rose from their shared bed and went out to look amongst the fields of anemones that grew outside their cave. They swayed around like flowers in the wind and she remembered a time when those sea anemones were actually souls she had captured and kept in subservience. Those were the glory days.
But as she looked past it to what would be her kingdom, she imagined the ruins of those steps below them being built up. This one cave would be but one amongst hundreds of alcoves in the rock that would be surrounded by a fortress.
All of this, as far as she could see would be her domain. She let out a laugh, long and sultry if anyone was listening. This was her new home.
And this was just the beginning of her reign.
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:21 pm
Caius dreamed of a throne made entirely of bones and she was sitting a top of it, his queen. There was a hint of a smile at the corner of her lips as she gave down conviction after conviction. It was justice to see her doing that.
And he would carry out that conviction however his Queen desired. This kingdom he had built for her, bone by bone. The whole castle was made of it. Here and there some of the bones were splintered, in other places the bones were charred black.
Bones. Everywhere bones and he had given them all to her as presents. And she had reveled in every one as though it meant everything.
He rose up out of his dreams as though he was breaking the surface of water. His eyes flickered open and noticed the empty spot on the bed where Ursula usually slept. The place was still warm, but he left her to her musings for now. He knew that she wouldn’t want to be disturbed—that she would need this time alone.
He thought of her out there wearing her crown of bones and remembered the dream he had and the world he had raised up for her. It would take years for the dream to become reality.
She would rule it alone and he would protect her. He would keep her happy.
***
She told him about the vision, about the little mer girl that she needed. He watched her do spells with more bones and with her blood. She was exhausted and he hated to leave her like this—weak and alone. But she had commanded him to go out and find the little one and he hadn’t been able to resist her command.
She had determined where he should look, somewhere far to the north. So he left her begrudgingly alone so that he could look for the little mare.
He covered miles in short days until he came to the great shores. There had been a time when he’d lived in one of these small coves—a time filled with sickness and pain. There has been family there too—he remembered that distantly. But now they were memories.
He followed the shore line until he could find the specified cove and water way to the fresh water off shoots. Those were the paths that would get him close to her though he didn’t know which one.
But now he had a name, Mary. Mary Celeste.
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:22 pm
She watched him go. Her head felt heavy and her whole body felt like dead weight pulling her down into the depths. She closed her eyes and threw herself into the bed. He would be gone for a long time. Gone to find what could be their great hope if they could figure out how to wield her.
Was her powers meant to be consumed? Was she meant to be used as weapon? Was she to come to their cause willingly?
The girl had a dark heart, she could feel it and she could almost see it. Mary Celeste. The name came forth almost with her consent from her lips. Mary Celeste—that was her name. A strange name to be sure—a ship or rather a famous shipwreck.
Caius would bring her back no matter what. There was comfort in that. But her whole body ached and she couldn’t think of that anymore.
Her weariness was bone deep. She tossed in her bed, hating the absence of heat around her. Restless, her body finally relaxed until she felt like she was falling down a deep, dark black hole.
The world of bones that he had promised her loomed up in her mind. The streets were paved with them. They crunched as you walked or glided along them. There were street lamps made of bones and the houses were made of the ribcages of larger creatures. The inbetween was filled with more bones.
Everywhere was bones.
And it was glorious, better than she could have imagined.
She walked the streets and reveled in the ornate amazingness of the bones. When the currents went by the bones rattled like they someone was shaking them. She wondered idly if that’s how their bodies sounded as they were dying.
Her Caius had done all this for her. He had slayed the world and built her a city of bones. And he was beside her, wielding a blade of bone stained with red.
When she awoke, she was sad that it was not real.
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:23 pm
There was a small island a few miles swim from their haven. Ursula kept to the shadows under the rock. No one could see her where she was at. The girl she had asked to come would be there soon.
Ursula had come hours ahead of time to scout the area. The coast was thin and rocky and it could be barely called an island at all. The girl had the gift of Midus but refined. All she did turned to platinum. With her help, she could make bone armor and fortify it so that it would not rend or break.
The girl came on wings of gold like Icarus falling from the sky. She folded her feathers against her side and looked about with cool eyes waiting.
Ursula waited another moment before she appeared to the girl. “’Iolani,” she spoke in her husky voice. “It’s my pleasure to meet someone so esteemed.”
‘Iolani’s cool eyes rove over her as though in judgement, the rims of her eyes etched around with gold. “It’s my pleasure to meet you, Ursula.” She smiled fiendishly.
Ursula smiled back at her. She had been right, the girl had figured it out ahead of time. “Well, we should get down to business then since we both know each other.” She paused as she flipped some water up on her chest, “I am interested in using your talents as a form of fortification for my….home.” She smiled wickedly at the girl, who responded in an equally wicked smile.
“And what do I get out of it?” ‘Iolani stuck a foot in the water. “Why should I be willing to join you? To show my hand?”
“To rule. You would be given a portion of the spoils. As an ally, you would get dominion over these small islands and small portions of the sea. The more we expand, the more land you will acquire. I have no use for lands. But together, well you can help me hold my kingdom and I will help you hold yours.”
‘Iolani looked to the sun, her wings shone like bright gold. “Will I have to wear a crown of bones?” She smirked.
“No, you can wear whatever crown you want or non at all.”
“Hardly worth it if I can’t have a crown,” ‘Iolani laughed. “I’m in.”
“Good,” Ursula pulled out the coral crown that had been made for ‘Iolani and tossed it at her feet. “Now show me.”
Carefully, ‘Iolani touched the crown and from it spread out platinum metal till it was encased. Daintily, she placed the crown on her head.
“Now, tell me about this…conquering.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:25 pm
Caius had been gone weeks by the time he found the first clue to where she was. And it had been a solid month by the time he found the little filly.
Her body was a deep violet purple and her hair was the colour of blood in the water. On her head, she wore a tiny crown of shells and on her side was emblazoned a ship. Her fins were two tone.
He had to wait a long time until she was alone and then finally he approached her. He expected her to run, but she didn’t. “Who are you?” Her voice was cold and hard.
“Someone sent to find you,” he said honestly. “I was told of a powerful merpony, a beautiful little filly who could do something no one else could.”
“Who told you?” Her voice was even colder.
“A vision, my queen,” he answered.
“Give me your greave,” she demanded. He complied with her wish. She focused on the item as he watched her. There was a faint ripple around it, and then it was gone.
“Can you bring it back?”
“If I wanted to, but things are better off banished.”
“You have a remarkable power,” he began again.
“So you’ve said,” She was a teen, not as young as he first thought. “What do you want of me?”
“You should meet my Queen. You could help her bring the seas under her power, she could rule the world with your help.”
“Why would I want to share?”
“Because you can’t do it alone,” he countered. “She could teach you. She’ll give you some of the ocean—it’s big enough. But together, your powers would be upstoppable.” He felts stupid talking to a child, but her eyes were far from childlike.
“Okay then,” she glanced around her. “I will come, but not now. In a few months I’ll be older, I’ll be grown. Then meet me out in the bay. I will come and so will my friend, Nicodemus. It’s both of us or neither.”
“Fine,” Caius said. It had gone easier than expected.
“Six months from now at the full moon, don’t be late.”
“I won’t.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:29 pm
Ursula reclined on the beach as she spoke with ‘Iolani. The girl had a good head for schematics and maps. They planned the rebuilding, and ‘Iolani promised her bodies—slaves to do their bidding—slaves who would fight when it was time.
While Caius was away they began to build the kingdom of bones. First they made the outer walls, killing anyone who came too near that could not be enslaved. It was most important to be protected. There was a graveyard miles away and it took hours to bring the bones over into piles.
When Caius returned after two months, the perimter’s foundations were laid but they were not very tall. Here the water was deep, and the bones would have to go up until they broke the surface of the water. Then they would build a kingdom above where they could surface and where ‘Iolani’s alliance would be.
It would be slow, but she had waited this long, she could wait longer. She was patient, very patient. “Are you pleased with the progress?” She asked him in front of the thralls.
“Yes,” he smiled bowing his head. But she knew the double meaning. He had secured her.
“She will come, five months hence. So will the others, as you commanded me my Queen.”
All the pieces were falling together perfectly. Soon. Very soon she’d have them all here. She surveyed the area. The kingdom would not yet be done. It would take a year to finish the walls and most below the surface not including the time spent above.
“We need more slaves,” she sighed. “Tell ‘Iolani what we require and to bring them. This place must look presentable for Mary Celested.” She paused again, “Tell me of her power,” she whispered.
Caius’ eyes lit up and he began to whisper.
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:30 pm
‘Iolani was in charge of securing the slaves. It took time and consideration to pick out the ones that would do. There were several that were willing to come over to their cause, who would remain loyal to her and others she had bought or threatened to turn them to platinum. They were hers now, hers and Ursula’s.
The ranks swelled as she brought more and more back. The city swelled with it. A month passed and the walls finally broke the surface, but still they climbed up. Another fifty feet, and then they could focus on the inner buildings. So far, her room was the closest thing to completion above the water.
She made her bed of platinum and sat in the window. Her room had no stairs up to it yet, but they were coming closer every day. With the amount of slaves and loyals she’d found they would be done building within two more months. The kingdom would be beautiful and it would shine in the sun and blind their enemies.
She pursed her lips. Soon, she would have to leave for more negotiations to secure more strong members. She hated to leave her new home—it was the first place that ever felt like home to her. She sighed darkly, knowing that she’d need all her strength later which was why she needed to go now.
***
Caius floated within the walls making armor of bones. His hooves were nimble as he pieced them together here and there. Every day, he would make a few pieces of armor himself and check the work of the others. Then he would take them all to ‘Iolani to touch and turn. Then back to the depths to be kept safe until it was time.
She had gone and returned from her meetings, and she had promised that others were showing her allegiance. Everything was coming together, it was almost time.
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Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 5:31 pm
Today was the day, Ursula sat her crown of bones upon her head and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked regal and lovely. Her hair was done perfectly, and beside her Caius was waiting.
With him, she made her way to the surface where ‘Iolani was standing. All of the thralls were in the water within the walls as ‘Iolani came down from her tower. Her wings glinted bright gold and for a moment, it was so brilliant Ursula turned away.
‘Iolani breathed deeply, “No one touch the walls,” she warned. Her hoof touched the ground and she closed her eyes. She could feel her power flowing out of her and into the kingdom of bones. It ran like leaking ink and flowed through the bones making them shine brightly. She could feel part of it moving up above the water, and more going down beneath it. Her body began to sweat and her head throbbed as she pushed her power out harder and harder.
Blood dripped from her nose, but she endured it until she felt as though she would pass out. Finally, she collapsed to her knees—done.
She opened her weary eyes and saw the kingdom made of platinum bones. Someone helped her to her room, and she gave in to sleep.
Caius stood inside the opened gate and waited. His hair moved in the ocean currents as he watched. He had sent someone to retrieve Mary Celeste and her friend Nicodemus. They would soon be here.
A bright spot of purple and another of red appeared far out, and grew closer and closer. She was grown now, he could see that as she drew nearer, and her friend was large—fiersome with chain mail around his eyes.
He bowed his head before her, “Welcome home, Mary Celeste.”
And she smiled, a wicked smile.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 4:53 am
In We Are The Next Generation, Neviah hints that Azrael and Aeronwen told her to meet Tasma and that Mikuko got a potion for someone for bringing Nameera to Fanta.
This potion could be "what will help her keep the thing she wants most" and she thinks it'll be her baby daddy Lexar but instead it's for a wounded Indomerun.
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Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 11:48 pm
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Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 12:04 am
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