The Intermediary [Hou/Twilight/Rose]

[Aisede]

Rose growls, narrowing her eyes on the object before her. Using some manuals she'd filched from libraries across the world, and a couple interviews with particular ponies, she'd decided to undertake sculpting. With her vast powers and intellect, it should have been a sinch, but- grr- these scales! 

 

*Scratch!*

 

How do they do it!? 

 

Levitating in the air was a small artists chisel, whittling away at a slab of stone still belonging more to Chaos than Harmony. Maybe Rose just didn't have an affinity for skultping, but by the sea she was going to make this thing a masterpiece if it took her a hundred years!

 

As she passed the time, she kept a watch for Hou. She'd invited her to this place- in particular- for vague reasons at best. After speaking with Twilight just a week or so before, she decided now was as good a time as any to introduce the two in a calm, controlled setting, with herself as an Intermediary. There was some miscommunication here- there had to be- and she would see that whatever misperceptions the two had of each other were dispelled on this day.

 

Of course, she'd call Twilight in whenever the time was right. She had a simulacrum with her, idly chatting, playing blackjack.

[Ciraxis]

Rose didn't need to wait that long for Sorceresses appearance. No more then ten minutes later Shuren's characteristic dark 'Pathway' cut it's way between the space.

 

"This method clearly just isn't for you. You simply don't feel it." white mares voice could be heard even before she stepped in. "Watersculpting Rose. Given time, a stream can smooth even the roughest of stone. Apply but a bit more then standard water pressure to speed it up and...." sorceress advised before she finally appeared.

 

 

Apparently Compass caught her in mid of her own crafting session as well. No stylish leather coat. No silks. What Hou wore could only be called 'oriental welding/smithing gear'.

But even if it was mostly for utility, Rose could see it was elaborately crafted. Smithing apron depicted many oni who instead of characteristic slaughter they were known for, instead toiled over forges and anvils. Likewise the welding mask Shuren wore was made from mixture of gold and ruby coloured metals, it's surface depicting various spirits of earth and fire.

But neither of those could steal for long attention from absolutely ginnormous hammer the ancient mare brought along. Part weapon, part tool and and as a whole work of art.

Unlike apron or mask, it's ornamentation was more abstract depiction of forces of nature, even if still very Long Guo in style. On hammers flat surfaces a tiny sparks of lighting and small embers danced along.

 

"....well, I am sure you could grasp there rest." Hou said as she dropped the hammer, down, which cracked the floor. Second later she raised the mask up, showing her somewhat sooty face. Despite that, her mane was still styled, with jewellery entwined in it. Some things never change.

 

"Remote workshop?" Hou asked as she quickly looked around, the feel of magic of the place confirming it wasn't nowhere near Ponyville. Marais again? So very Rose. She tried to experiment with sculpting, but still wanted large enough body of water at hoof. What many didn't know, is that northern part of the swamp coast contained very old, and very sturdy volcanicn stone, buried under the mud. In a way, Compass got best of both worlds.

"Good call. Some crafting tools - alchemy or not - should be......nowhere near your spawn." sorceress judged.

"But don't tell me you plan to make it a club? I am not paying for membership." white mare snarked, but the glint in her lavender eyes told Compass that Hou wasn't all that bothered being called away from whatever she was doing.

[Aisede]

Water pressure! Now why didn't Rose think of that?

 

"Glad you could make it," She nods with a smile, noting her getup. " I like your mane, and general aesthetic. I wish I could get over how reminescent it is of Queen Storge's aesthetic."

 

She frowns there at the end, then tosses her chisel aside with stark indifference. A moment later, her form blazes into the body of a long purple & orange serpent, with a nozzle-like face. A jet of water shoots from said nozzle, striking against the stone with a grinding sound.

 

In no time at all, a... Decent scale is carved from the stone, but it's obvious that this just isn't her art.

 

She groans as she returns to her original shape, contemplating the stone slab with palpable frustration.

 

"Not a club. I just wanted to make a tribute, a monument to our meeting and subsequent friendship."

 

A squirter just didn't cut it, and neither a chisel. Should she commission some tool?

 

[Ciraxis]

Hou waved her hoof dismissively upon comment about her mane. "This 'do was my thing for far longer then hers. She's gone now, swallowed by sands of time and remembered only by you and hooveful of others - while I endure." unicorn said with emphasis.

 

As Rose attempted to turn Shuren's advice into deed, the white mare hoof ran along the wall of the now not-so-derelict ruin.

"Used to frequent here myself. Before I unlocked the secret of Dark Pathways." she mused.

 

Compass wanting to make monument? That's new.

"For one thing, I believe that it's bit early for that - since neither you or me suffer from sclerosis, such reminder is not exactly needed. Second, if it's for others to see, a middle of swamp is poor place for such thing. And finally, if it was to be worthy representation of the event, it should be at least of half li high." Shuren explained. With those words (and a flash of horn), a magic circle appeared over Hou's head before moving down. as it passed sorceress body, she undergone instant clothing change, into combination of shimmering viridian silks, as well as collection of emerald jewellery (which one could only assume were really soulgems). On her neck rested all too familiar Remembrance Stone. From her earlier garb, only massive hammer remained, and Hou didn't appeared to be in hurry to dismiss it.

"Should we search of your earliest memories then? Or perhaps...you desire something else? You impressed me Compass, and I assure you, it's not an easy feat." unicorn mare praised the changeling queen. Shuren hooves left the floor in a display of self levitation. It wasn't exactly a new or secret skill - many unicorns dedicated enough could do this, but Hou refined it during centuries to the point she could do it effortlessly and (more importantly) substantially.

"And for those that impresses her, Sorceress Eternal is Hou,Bearer of Gifts. Ask and - as long as it is not against my nature - you should receive. But choose wisely."

white unicorn said, as she extended her hoof downwards towards Rose.

[Aisede]

"It is... Not for others to see, per se," she said slowly, eyeing up the slab of stone. "Perhaps my children will see it, or we will return to this place at some point in the future, reminiscing. For now, it is simply a work of mine- one of many. One with purpose."

 

Almost as an afterthought, the changeling queen enchanted the stone. She could still work it as any other stone, but now it would be resistant to both time and decay- suspended in this moment, immune to entropy. 

 

Nice costume change, she thought as Hou changed her appearance. Green was a fitting color, a distinctly mystical one. Rose most certainly approved.

 

"I brought you here not to ask of you something material, but closer to your heart," she said, opting not to take her hoof. Distantly, she checked on her simulacrum, although she didn't really need too. She can perceive all of them simultaneously. The mind of a queen. "I must ask for your trust, friend Hou. There is a friend of mine I would dearly like for you to meet and converse with, and who, after some negotiation, has agreed to meet with you under cordial terms."

 

"She does not understand you, I fear. But I also feel as though your mistrust is misplaced. For this meeting, I will be an Intermediary. Trust in me, Hou."

[Ciraxis]

"Nonsense. You will change the world, and - with time - my own efforts shall be laid bare for it to see as well. Showing others to what heights they can aspire...isn't that a great purpose in itself?" sorceress said.

 

But then topic move to something else entirely. Alarm bells rang inside Hou's mind. What was Rose playing? With who Rose was playing? Shuren could name a few individuals that had distorted opinion about her...but which one Compass wanted to bring along?

 

"........" unicorn gazed at Rose, weighted her options. She already invested so much into Compass. Should he fold. Now?

"Trust is no currency earned easily Rose. Not from somepony who lived for so long." sorceress said.

 

 

 

"Make sure you don't waste it." Hou said, as she twisted around in the air, away from Rose and the corner they were in. Now she could see rest of the room, where 'she' was bound to appear.

"Bring her in." Shuren asked, as she started piling defensive spells upon herself in quick succession, her coat and mane flaring behind her. Whoever the other guest was, she would find Hou unmovable like a fortress of pure steel.

[Aisede]

Well... That was as good as she was going to get, she supposed. 

 

Nodding, slowly, she called her in, sitting down to wait. And to watch. 

[SteelEagle]

 

In her earlier years Twilight would have been somewhat impatient as she waited for the meeting to happen. Now she knew better than to think that she could hurry things up, as the appointed time cared not for her own desires. Nor did she perceive time the same way. Seconds, minutes, hours were throw-away concepts. The moment and the century, these were real time units to concern herself with. So she played the game of blackjack with Rose's doppleganger and waited for her cue, aware of the past, present, and future, but caring only for the moment. She liked hanging out with those she cared for, and she liked Rose.

 

Enough to have this meeting. She knew who Hou was. She knew what Hou could do and had done. In the fabric of reality she had seen what would be, somewhere. It was hard knowing this and giving the mare a fair shake when her history told a certain, very distasteful story. A mare with all that power who had committed such evils may claim many things in the name of the greater good, but the pantheon of time and space told such tales often with the same conclusion and cause. Still, there were infinite possibilities and Twilight was naturally an optimist. There was no such thing as a lost cause in the infinite fabric of the omniverse.

 

It wasn't long before she was given the signal that it was time to come. She put her cards down and took a deep breath, rubbing her temples in anticipation. with a flash of her horn she then entered through a portal where the other mares were meeting. She wore nothing, not even her crown, nor did she cast any spells or prepare herself in any way. She wasn't coming for a fight or a threat, not that those existed, and she didn't come here to dominate. She came to talk, and talking did not require preparation. "Hello, Rose," she said with a broad smile, reaching in for a half-hug. She liked Rose. Complicated creature, but complicated did not distract from good. After that, she turned to Hou Shuren, Hou the Soul Eater. "Miss Shuren," she said politely as she sat down.

[Ciraxis]

Hou felt her before she managed to saw her. Ah! Now it suddenly made sense - the vision she witnessed so many years ago. From what shattered fragments she saw, this meeting could have gone better. Her mistake, and yet not her mistake. White mare's eyes scrunched with resolve.

 

 

Hou remained in the air, but her posture became somewhat more....relaxed? No, dignified. Dignified would be a better word for it, yes.

 

"Twilight Sparkle. The Successor. The Chained Princess. This meeting was bound to happen, and I was looking forward to it. To see for myself, how you measure against Her." she said before she...flashed a smile. "How amusing. Your eyes......the colour from my beginnings." sorceress said, noticing that yes - they had the same eye colour.....at least once. Shuren's own pupils darkened since then.

"Yet, I guess this is where similarities end. I choose where I stand. But you Princess Sparkle....you were given no choice at all...." the white mare mused, with hint of something that sounded like....pity?

[Aisede]

Rose graciously accepted the hug, then stepped in between the two ponies. She looked... Uncertain. Perhaps even a bit nervous. But she swallowed it down.

 

"I see you're both already aquatinted," she said in an even tone. "Good! Good. Er..." Friendship. Friendship. That's what this needs right now, but how the hell does that even work under these circumstances? "I know there's some... Bad blood in the water here, but we can all be cordial here, right? Why don't we start with shaking hooves?"

 

Perking up, she smiled, focusing on Hou this time. "Yeah! Let's shake hooves. No need to stand so far away, right? She's not going to hurt you, and you're not going to hurt her."

 

With a flourish, she gestured towards Twilight. 

[SteelEagle]

Freedom was truth and freedom was an illusion. These things were both equally true. Hou Shuren believed she was free, when she had constructed a prison for herself and limited her view of the world through its bars. Twilight was the product of a plan that was hatched long before her birth, the continuation of a cycle that had turned itself over long before Hou Shuren or any other creature could comprehend. They were both captives to forces beyond their own understanding. Hou Shuren to herself, Twilight to the universe. Yet it had been Hou Shuren's own choice to chain herself to the capriciousness and vileness of her worst aspects, just as Twilight had eagerly participated and sought out the pieces to her own puzzle. They both made their choices. Either could have opted out of what was in store for them. Who was the chained one and who was the free one? Did such concepts even hold meaning to them? Not to Twilight, at least. She saw beyond it.

 

"I wouldn't necessarily call it bad blood, Rose. Just a bit of feeling out," Twilight responded casually. "After all, this is the first time Hou has met me. Coming to grips with one another can take some time, I suppose," she said with a smile. She was at ease herself, not giving off an air of somepony who looked at this any different from meeting any other new pony. She looked at Hou, shrugging off the attempted slings and arrows. For her part, she was more than willing to see this friendly meeting go off well. She offered her hoof for a hoof-shake. "A good meeting place, Rose. Is this where you two defeated the Fire Hydra? I know what your interest in it was, Rose. Hou, what was your interest in it?" She asked as she got comfortable. Wasn't hard- the jungle was always a great place to relax and unwind. Severe lack of big cats at the moment, however.

[Ciraxis]

Oh Rose, you never case to be either interesting or amusing. At the moment her awkwardness gave both, so Hou couldn't help but close her eyes and scoff.

"Compass, you so bad at this that I can't help but be disarmed by it. Thank you." sorceress said with brutal honesty and gratitude. "If not for you it would be....less manageable. As for hoofshake..." Shuren eyed Twilight's extended limb....and ignored it. "...those are usually saved for after the talk. When....No, IF agreement is reached." unicorn pointed out.

 

"And being 'acquainted' .....It's about same as how I was acquainted to you Rose, via knowledge about your 'Template'. Although in this case...." Hou grinned "...my knowledge about Sovereign Sparkle was much more...excessive. You have no idea how tempted I was to intervene during that long, oblivious journey towards the throne. Visit to her parents perhaps, so see what a little...push in one direction would do.....Of course in the end, I held back towards almost the very end. I was simply curious what Her endgame was......and ultimately, as with many things, it only met with disappointment. Not necessarily by the replacement, that is still up in the air...." Shuren waved at Twilight, before tilting her head. "Don't tell me Sparkle that you believe it was some vague cosmic force that placed you where you are? It wasn't some non-existent Fate, Will of the Magic, or even Friendship itself. No, it was by actions of one mare only that you came to wear the crown." white mare summed up.

 

"As for the time Compass and I met.....she did all the work herself. I wouldn't call it 'defeat' either, this implies overcoming some odds, and she was not in any disadvantage at any point. It was more of a...butchering." Hou recalled fondly "Naturally I was curious who would possess enough finesse to down the beast without damaging the most crucial alchemical...components from it. I give Rose A- for that performance, although that minus shouldn't be held that much against her. After all, she was still unfamiliar with lay of the land back then." sorceress finished while flashing inscrutable smile.

[Aisede]

Maybe Rose was slow to catch up, but it only then occured to her that Hou may have something of an ego. A very large ego at that.

 

She stared as the sorceress explained... What? That she's responsible for where Twilight is? What Is this, a game of cat and mouse? Hou has been holding her tail the entire time and was just toying with her? 

 

She just shook her head... Then piped up at that comment there at the end.

 

"A minus? I killed that thing using the terrain." Chuckling, she turned back to Twilight. "I had a simulacrum out here, hunting down ingredients for my regeneration potion. I managed to lure it into a geyser- and UP it went! Then it fell into a broken tree stump, impaling itself." She shook her head, tisking. "Dead on impact. Hou showed up to collect not soon after, and we had a posturing contest. First thing she tried to do was depower me.

 

Who would have thought we'd go from excessive threats to helping me in some of the most intimate ways possible... "

 

Looking between the two, she not-so-subtly nudged them just a smidge closer with her magic. 

[SteelEagle]

 

 

As expected, Hou didn't take the offered hoof. Her arrogance and belief that she needed to maintain an imagined form of superiority. There was the part of her that wanted to react. Not only to the decline of her hoofshake, but the other attempts to get Twilight's blood rising. A younger Twilight would certainly have been perturbed by the needling involving her parents, or the implication that a being such as Hou could have had any impact on Twilight whatsoever. It would be no problem to dismantle the magic she had cast. Easier than breathing. Reduce her to her basic magical properties, separate them into a pocket reality, then erase magic in that reality, then rearrange her in this material universe to anything she willed. That would be fitting, but it wouldn't be right, and so any purchase such dreadful emotions could hope to make against Twilight was dashed upon the rock of her infinite will. She was under no threat here and would therefore not respond to such base attempts.

 

"Hmm. You may believe so, Hou. You have always had a peculiar fascination with what is being taken and given. What is being asked for, and what is being demanded," Twilight responded before  shrugging. "Your past is open to me, as are fragments of mine to you. If you wish to continue discussing the past, I believe you will find it a wasteful pursuit. I came here on behalf and for Rose, with an understanding that this is a process she wishes to see take place. To make this clear, Hou, I am willing to speak with you and believe in the goodness of your soul, underneath all the cruelty and malice you have used to obscure it. I am willing to give you a chance, and I am willing to feel some hope for you," Twilight finished before turning to Rose.

 

"Speaking of your simulacrums, you're getting much better with them. The one I was playing cards with started to show some excitement you don't normally share, so that was refreshing," she started with a smile. "Very excited about getting two pairs. Also too excited too early and we had to keep on reshuffling because she would tell me what she had, but nocreature's perfect," Twilight said as she allowed herself to be nudged by magic.

[Ciraxis]

"Yes you did. Which is why you are getting an A. The minus is because you took your sweet time. That and left plenty of evidence. if anypony cared enough to investigate. The true predator has to be cunning, decisive and subtle." Shuren said with emphasis. "Also yes, yes, that's enough. I know where's you coming from, and I know since I was deeper in you they your wife ever was." she quickly added with mock dismissal.

 

Sorceress amusement quickly turned into more troubled thoughts when Sparkle kept talking. Her refusing to take the bait was one thing....

"You speak as if you know me....'Always' you say - as if you were a mere extension of your mentor - instead of being your own mare..."

 

Something didn't quite add up. Despite their constant clashes, Celestia was never able to uncover anything more then her being once part of Fenghuang monastery. All Imperial records were destroyed - by themselves, willingly at that. Longri-La was not talking either - not even to Sun Princess. So how....?

That couldn't be necromancy, or spirit summoning. Any names she could uncover that was in the know was already assimilated by Hou herself. And she doubted that Sparkle would be willing to cross such line, limited by her own morals.

Refrain potion could help, but Sparkle didn't when know where to look - either in years or in vicinity. After all, Long-Guo was wast. Far larger then Equestria was. And she was busy running the country after all.

 

"...And so quick to dismiss the days gone by too.... did nopony tough you that those ignorant of mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them Sparkle?"

 

That and how composed she was. Actually she was far more composed then most reports fro  her agents. When she turns to Rose, she matched the descriptions she saw and read, but as soon as she spokes to her, Twilight appears to put tight lid on herself. She really keeps herself in check....

 

Keep herself...in check....

Could it be? It was too soon wasn't it? Not enough years has gone by.....

And yet, there was precedent. The moment where she wielded that bequeathed power and duelled that foolish, short-sighted centaur. That would be enough to spur her own magic to bloom early and more greatly....

 

Hou took a big whiff of the air.....Yeeeees. It was indeed leaking, no matter how much she tried to lid it.

Sorceress masked frown quickly turned into outright grin...

 

"Still...lack of though pattern flexibility and being judgmental aside....congratulations are in order." Shuren said as she leaned back in air and proceeded to hoofclap.

"Through your phenomenal cosmic power, you got to know all that you want about yours truly. Meanwhile I had to rely on 'gossip' and print...." Hou proceeded to conjure copy of Friendship Journal that she allowed to fell on the floor. "Quite enjoyable read actually. You were the one who wrote commentary, didn't you? A little dry about situations you weren't involved in ponysonaly, and most ponies would need a thesaurus to get quarter of it, but good page turner nonetheless." sorceress nodded while closing eyes for a moment.

"So, once again. Congratulations! You had figured me out!" Hou spread her forelegs theatrically, allowing herself to be nudged by the changeling queen, as if she crept closer to the alicorn.

"But...." unicorn's eyes opened slightly, making them squinted. Waiting. Like a snake.

"Which 'Me' exactly? And which 'You' did it?"

 

 

"Also, Rose. As impressive as it is, you might consider cutting down your simalucrum usage."

[Aisede]

Rose was tempted to peer into Hou's mind to get a read on just what she was up to. The sorceress probably forgot what Rose was, but the queen certainly didn't miss just how puzzled the mare was... or how smug. The emotion made Rose a little anxious. Was this a mistake, bringing the two together? Could they ever cooperate? Or just get along?

 

"Thank you!" She said, beaming at Twilight and her compliment, although some of that good humor evaporated when Hou spoke up. She waved a hoof dismissively, then promptly duplicated herself on the spot. "Nonsense," she said, hoofbumping her double. "I use the optimal number of simulacrums I can sustain efficiently, and like all muscles, the more I use my magic, the stronger I get."

 

Her double giggled into a hoof, then sauntered over to Hou. She gave her a quizzical look.

"Now, what do you mean-"

 

"-Which you?" The real Rose finished, sidling up next to Twilight. 

[SteelEagle]

 

Twilight couldn't help but smile at Rose's antics. She agreed wholeheartedly- it was important to flex that magical muscle. Like anything, practice makes perfect. "That is good, Rose. Always work on it. I think you're going to do something wonderful with it," she said proudly. She was sure of it. Rose wasn't going to sulk off the stage of world affairs, she was going to make a wondrous and joyful contribution.

 

She wasn't sure the same could or would ever be said about Hou Shuren, but she was willing to give it a try. Her eyes traced her theatrics, including dropping a conjured version of the Friendship Journal. Twilight conjured up her  own copy and gave a small laugh as she flipped through it. "Hehe, well, nocreature ever accused me of being very colorful. I'm glad you found it an interesting page turner, in any case. Looking back, it would have been best to have an editor. I think many of the problems we had accurately conveying the intended message came down to the haphazard way we presented it. Still, it remains a hot seller and over time we have received a lot of great feedback from ponies who found the lessons useful. I am just happy we could help those in need," she said with a satisfied smile. She didn't need Hou's review of the book to know its worth, though it wasn't as full of invectiveness as she was expecting.

 

On the topic of her other entrances into the conversation, Twilight had to pause and at least ease her mind. Somewhat. "Oh, I don't know everything about you, Hou. There is a fallacy common in this train of thought that seeing the timeline in all of its variability and outcomes gives you a perfect understanding of everything in it, which I do not yet have. While certainly it would be accurate to claim that I have a much greater understanding of you than you had intended anypony to know, and I do to a level you will not yet know, I do not have an accurate understanding per se of every momentary decision you make. Certainly I have seen this meeting play out in my mind innumerable times and with impossible variations, but with every word we utter we create an infinity of new possibilities heading into the outcomes. I might have an understanding- might, mind you- of the outcomes, but how we reach them?" She shook her head, though a smile betrayed a sincere level of comfort with the revelation. "Well, I have seen many of them. That does not mean I cannot be surprised. Nor does it mean you are doomed to it. That is why hope lives upon our very breath here," she said as several drinks were summoned. She started sipping from hers- a strawberry smoothie. 

 

She leaned back as the two came to an end. She turned her head to face Rose as she spoke. "I think she is referring to a potential infohazard that can impact beings with a multiversal understanding. After all, I am aware and have granular knowledge of the omniverse, and the untold variations of Hou Shuren and Princess Twilight Sparkle that exist therein. Because of the grand multiplicity of it all, the details vary greatly, meaning that any single variation of Hou Shuren and any single variation of Twilight Sparkle are not necessarily informative of-" she pointed to Hou, "-that Hou Shuren and-" she pointed to herself, "-this Twilight Sparkle. Of course, there are numerous problems with this theory, but that relies on knowledge and understanding that she does not have," She said as she took a long drink, and then gently laid the cup down.

"And it is also materially unimportant to this meeting. Which she also knows, so I suppose I will start. I came here to request that you cease and desist from soul stealing."

[Ciraxis]

"Do as you wish then." Hou said, after Rose rebuffed her. "Just be warned, there are risks in having your mind in too many places at once." Hou gave Sparkle a very telling look. "That, and it might considered impolite." Shuren said. After Compass gave her confused glance sorceress sighted and elaborated. "Never though about this, did you Rose? consider this scenario. Assume you meeting with somepony both important, and knowledgable enough that they dealing with your aetheric facsimile? Well, they might be offended. It doesn't matter how good the copy is - the very fact that you sent one, can be take as the fact that you didn't consider the meeting or being in question important enough to appear in person. 'Sorry, my schedule is very busy, here is my copy though - we have constant link, I swear!'. How would you thing if you been in such situation Rose?" Hou asked the changeling queen.

 

Twilight provided to be more chatty about the Journal then Hou have expected. Still, there was no reason to not to pursue this topic. Or being slightly more civil.

"I doubt you ever be novelist, but this very good writing style for more....academic title. Wasn't...a more scholarship career, combined with perhaps publishing a title or dozen was what you envisioned for yourself. Before...this?" Hou gestured at her own head, or to be more precise, the part of head where usually regalia rested.

When Sparkle brought up the issue of Journal itself needing some more work Hou blinked. Then blinked again.

"I fail to see what stops you from hiring editor for second edition. Of for potential Volume II for that matter. Surely you do not believe that well has dried up yet?" unicorn mare inquired.

 

Princess mentioned about limits of her clairvoyance Hou snorted.

"Well of course you wouldn't. Although assuming that you ever will without becoming conceptual being is kinda arrogant." Hou mused closing here eyes in the moment. When she opened them she was in full 'academic mode'. "Even if we skip such things or places that are simply unscryable - by making 'Oath to the World' or other means - there are simply too many risks involved. Even exceptional or enhanced mind - like yours or mine - can only process or retain so much. Sure, you might skip the limitations by linking yours and your alternative selves into gestalt consciousness and thus forming some....'Ultima Twilight'. Of course that in itself comes with it's own list of dangers. Not only either Arcane or Information singularity becomes a very real concern, there is nothing really that you could do either join or rather expand the collective. Voluntarily or not. After all....." Hou paused and smirked.

"Just like there are versions of me, that are more close to you...there are versions of you Sparkle that are closer to me personality wise then to your current self. Possibility of any personality bleed-over.... well I am sure it's something that Princess wouldn't want to risk...." Hou shrugged. "One shouldn't forget about possible loss of perspective and ability to empathise. When you seen billion upon billion variations of the same timeline, it's easy to see any one of them as....expandable. You can see the forest, but stop being able to distinguish the trees." sorceress shook her head.

"And as you yourself said using different words - if you seen it all, you might as well seen nothing at all. The only thing that is thus produced is boredom." Shuren summed up before giving a heavy sight and turning towards Rose.

"In short, as I said to you before Rose, one should top wondering 'What If?' and live a little. You can peer into 'Possibility', but there are diminishing returns the more you do it." Hou said. "That said.....I certainly became aware of something. Not from scrying but from discussion itself." Shuren refocused on Sparkle again, and her smug expression returned with vengeance.

"You doubt yourself Your Highness." Shurned said.

 

When Twiligh expressed her wish white mare scoffed. She conjured a Long-guo fan and proceeded to wave it at herself.

"Such boldness Miss Twilight. You making me blush. Shouldn't you buy me a dinner first at last?" Hou asked. "....And did you really considered why I still resort to such method for eternal life after all those years?" foregin mare asked.

[Aisede]

Rose listened to what Twilight had to say, and to be honest, it wasn't all that difficult to follow. 

 

Rose herself wasn't a multiversal being, and she didn't intend to become one either. She already knew her original had done enough to spread herself across time and space, so she may as well be one by default. 

 

"I can see the practical applications of such an ability, but will what happened in other instances affect this one?" She quirked a brow, then turned her attention back to the conversation at hand.

 

Hou sure did love talking. It made her wonder, idly, what would happen if she just lost her mouth somehow. She'd probably made a potion that does something similar, or a potion of silence. The kirins had some interesting lore up in their mountains. An interesting river, too.

 

Smirking to herself, she projected a mental image to Twilight of Hou getting dunked in the Stream of Silence, then getting angry because she couldn't monologue. 

 

You can't say it wouldn't be at least a little humorous ~

 

"I see... Well, I shall keep that in mind. Although I find it doubtful that many creatures not worth meeting 'in pony' will be able to perceive my simulacrums as a fabrication."

 

 

[SteelEagle]

 

Hou's grasp of the understanding of multiverse theory was certainly not poor for a mare of her knowledge and skill. Many of her concerns were those same concerns she once had, and indeed were commonly debated among the most knowledgeable in their fields. And certainly there were certain risks inherent in any number of creatures attempting to peer into the endless reality. Twilight understood and experienced these things differently, however. Many of the same problems that may plague others in such theoretical circumstances did not impact her. That, and there were multiple inaccuracies, of which Hou could be aware of none of them. Personality bleed over was not possible in the way she could mean because the ability to merge consciousness was as equally useless for Twilight as it was impossible for her. Each variant of her was possessed of the same knowledge and had far fewer variations themselves to speak of. Hundreds and dropping, as opposed to the trillions of Hou, and growing.

 

Then she was buffeted by an image sent by Rose, a frustrated Hou unable to monologue due to the stream of silence. A better use for a terrible thing, I have yet to find.

 

As she spoke mentally, she decided to answer her question. "That greatly depends on how you define instance and influence. The short answer is, not at all. The longer answer is, not at all unless you bend the definitions, and then perhaps it is possible. The main takeaway is that you are not influenced, nudged, or destined by the choices you have made in other realities. Much can be said but I wouldn't really concern yourself with it. You can drive yourself mad trying to delve deep into the subject without anything to show for it," Twilight said as she sent another image back to Rose, of a Hou Shren having to desperately write her monologues on some parchment before the carriage arrived. She needed somepony to know her monologuing abilities!

 

But that was neither here nor there. She wasn't all that engaged in a debate about the sins of multiversal knowledge with a being that could not experience it the way she could or come to an understanding the way she did. Nor did she find it relevant. She was more engaged in the discussion of the book! She smiled. "I hope to hire Page Proof to do the editing. I think his editing style would bring a lot to the material without it doing much to the core message. His work on the Codes of Conduct series, especially the hard Maretonian arguments, was fantastic. He should be available after he finishes some of his latest work," she said as she looked away briefly, wondering just how much his involvement would be worth. To the public, maybe not much. But his reputation was such among the educated elite that they would be more than forced to take it even more seriously than they did now.

 

As she contemplated that rosy future, she considered what was supposed to be a revelation of sorts coming from Hou. Was it supposed to be? Her eyebrow arched up and she smirked. "Of course I do. I think anycreature involved in anything of import should always be asking herself if what she is doing is right, and concern herself with how she could do better. Failure is woven into the fabric of over-confidence, the ultimate fashion of the disappointing," she said as she allowed the smirk to fade. "Perhaps I do know. Enlighten me, if you would, regarding what you to believe the current necessity behind these crimes."

[Ciraxis]

"Right they don't...." Hou agreed with Sparkle "Unless one actually observes those choices...or rather their results - which, in turn can potentially affect target of observation in question. I believe High Oracle Blackruby the Perceptive described this as 'quantum scrying' , when simple act of observation created yet another timeline...." Shuren mused. "Well, perhaps we should pick up this topic some other time Your Highness. You clearly not in the mood...." sorceress said with dismissive hoof-wave. Sparkle displayed the same, insufferable 'know-better-the-thou' attitude that Celestia did in her younger years.

 

Twilight mentioned an editor....and Hou actually had to spend few moments to recall who the blazes was she talking about.

"Page Proof, Page Proof.....ahhh I remember now. Very faithful to source material yes. Very professional. It's certain he won't alter the work in any means to push forward any of his opinions, yes." unicorn mare approved.

"You know, I actually ponysonally knew his great-grandfather. Very ponysonally." Hou said, while making a genuine smile, while her gaze towards the wall as she reminisced.

"Of course this was before he met his wife...but I later still accompanied him during his travel to Unyasi, in purely platonic sense this time. I even helped write first movement of his 'Great World Symphony' . It actually supposed to have four movements but after he died in house-fire...." sorceress sighted "And the last one....the 'fragment' I read....magnificent."

 

When Sparkle confirmed that her thoughts indeed wandered towards motivations of Hou and other beings that 'opposed' her....in her own way.

 

"Do you hear it to Rose?" Shuren scoffed. "She's over forty times our younger, but that big princess brain of hers can't help but be patronizing and judgmental towards her elders." white mare mused before she turned back towards Twilight.

"Ponies values change over time Your Highness. In a hundred years you will see what is controversial now, became a norm....and what is norm today, become a taboo. So perhaps you should leave your ' moral standards' you came with on the rack, for the length of this discussion. After all, you will outlive society that gave birth to them." Hou chided the young princess.

 

"Now...as for actually answering your question....I won't call my existence 'necessity' , more like insurance. An 'Ark' of sorts....." Hou started.

"I won't lie....if you presented me a risk free, no drawbacks other means to enteral life, I would take it. That said I wouldn't stop my 'soul hunting'.....but I would perhaps limit it to top of the crop, the most talented, most exceptional individuals, by visiting them at their deathbed." Shuren admitted.

"Of course it did not start this way. When I was young I saw it merely as a way to a means to extend my capabilities. I was angry, lashing out at what displeased me, and perhaps too easily influenced. The wisdom came later, when I actually had to...negotiate with souls I took into myself...." sorceress paused and rubbed her chin.

"I integrated millions upon millions of them into myself. And as a world foremost expert on soul magic I can tell you this Princess - doing that much, by force, without loosing yourself in the process is impossible. So I had to reason. I have to convince. I have understand. And by understanding I realized that all of those...persons, are not just bits of life-force, talents, capabilities...each of them is a is a greatest story never told, a part of a whole. Within myself Sparkle, I house parts of the nations and cultures that no longer exists. So as I said - not necessity but insurance for either one of such dead ends you and I so desperately wish to avoid...or for a moment when Celestia's little pet project reaches it's ultimate triumph. What I take, one day I will give back, one day or another....Shuren Samsara..."

 

Hou allowed what she said to sink in, before speaking again.

"Now...as for your...'request'....I must remind you, that we are not in your country. Furthermore, since your took the throne, you Your Highness can only speak for Equestria. And I doubt the other nations would be very enthusiastic about you playing 'World Policemare' without their consent." Hou grinned as atmosphere tensed.

 

"That said......" Shuren picked up. "I actually might be wiling to stop from pursuing and taking souls of all individuals within border of Equestria entirely.....But under two conditions." Hou said while pointing her hoof upwards.

"First.....I long suspected existence of of extremely ancient ruins beneath Crystal Empire, ones that are perhaps preceding even mysterious Age of Reptiles.

I want to confirm and - if they prove to still be there - explore and research those ruins. I even willing to have somepony 'escort me' during this.....whatever that would be you You Highness, your brother or anypony else doesn't matter for me. I just have to see them." Hou said with determination.

 

"My second condition is for you to defeat me....!" Hou flourished her robes, and opened her front legs as she shifted into dramatic pose.

"In a song off!"

[Aisede]

Rose had to agree with Twilight. She wasn't influenced by her predecessor, at least not in the ways Hou was describing. 

 

She shuddered to imagine what would happen if she reached out to any of her alternate selves. How many of them fell as her original did? How many are out there, raving mad, grasping for something eternally out of reach? How many are violating the laws of the universe in a crude display of infantile rage?

 

She shook herself out of her musings, returning to the discussion at hoof.

 

She was only dimly aware of the topic of... Some book colt. Back to her famous book, eh? On friendship. Like the School of Friendship. 

 

Hmm... She should connect with the Mayor again sometime. All of this talking has got her thinking.

 

... And speaking of thinking, it seems Hou was doing that for both of them now. Rose would point out that this 'young' mare possessed the ability to perceive things beyond either of their understanding, and has helped her quite a bit. Clearly age was not equivalent to experience.

 

"You know," she said at last, when Hou finally stopped talking, "I am the lead researcher and developer of life elongating remedies. If you find me a Flower of Forever, I can easily brew you up a potion that will let you live forever- as well as enhance your physical, mental, and magical abilities."

 

She cocked a brow. "... You did think about me, right? My speciality? In immortality?"

 

She rolled her eyes with a huff.

 

"As for your 'insurance', if you ever need vessels to contain these souls of yours, I also specialize in fabricating those. Specifically meant to house souls, in fact."

 

She wasn't even going to acknowledge the sing off thing. Well... Other than an utterly baffled look.

 

Who was this mare and what has she done with Hou Shuren?

 

[SteelEagle]

 

\

 

Quantum Scrying was a theory that Twilight now knew as myth. It was of course devised as a purely theoretical concept, a thought experiment because the ability to perceive alternate realities and timelines was one that ponies simply lacked. Twilight, however, did not lack the ability, nor did she suffer from the same cognition of others. It was not the fault of anycreature, however, especially not Oracle. The theory itself was sound, as it was only logical to assume that your own decisions would be forever influenced by your observations, and therefore that would affect change. The issue being that the timeline and reality where your decision was altered by your knowledge already existed, and Twilight would see them all in perfect clarity in time. Just because she did not yet see it, does not mean it does not exist.

 

When it came to moral standards, she found Hou's arrogance misplaced. Despite her misgivings about the nature of other beings, history showed that the core moralistic fragments of Equestrian society had remained firm over time. Moral standards did not decrease over time. This was a common misconception used by the elderly to demonize the youth, but truth was that only superficial elements changed, expressions of long-held ideals. Deeper morals were embedded into the fabric of Equestria. When challenged, it was only briefly troubled. It would not change in this manner. You could put Applejack in a dress but it would still be Applejack, despite Applejack's very own complaints. Of course, somecreature that spent their life feeding on others would by necessity have a grave misunderstanding of what made society function.

 

Eternal life made Twilight's head hurt. It wasn't possible, and certainly not in a replicatable potion like Rose was suggesting. They had been over this before, so Twilight had to wonder what she was getting at. They'd also have to discuss soul-holding. That was illegal, not to mention immoral. Twilight knew they would both die. The methods they used, the practices undertaken? It would be all for naught except to thin out their souls and extinguish what came after for them. Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Discord, Cosmos- with strange aeons they would all pass. Twilight could not see her end but assumed when the turning of the wheel came upon the next One True Alicorn Ruler, then she too would begin the long, slow canter to the verdant fields of oblivion. Knowledge bred frustration as a result.

 

There was also the idea of cultures and nations no longer existing. She seemed to see herself as an expression of those she had taken into herself. It was hard for anycreature to give allowance to themselves in regards to crimes they were committing, not least of all would be the mass murder that in some ways she was guilty of. And so she believed one day she would give back everything she had taken. Charming. Twilight didn't believe that would happen. Hou Shuren was, inherently, a creature of unabashed selfishness. The fact she believed that such souls could be convinced was an expression of that- the parts one takes in during such soul magics would become invariably tainted in the process. A real 'Reins and Stirrups Syndrome', for the soul. The parts of a creature's soul that remained and went on to what followed? Twilight could see them. Know them. Knew how incomplete they were, and the horror of being struck in twain.

 

That was why she wanted this to end. Hou Shuren's crimes extended past what she could know, and what she could know was already horrifying.
"Other nations may be more willing to give me lease in regards to you than you may think, Hou Shuren. I could always ask them for confirmation, if that would please you," she said with a small smile before she continued. "In any case, no, we are not in Equestria. This is true. We are a meeting at a place of Rose's choosing, and I trust her when it comes to such decisions. But do not fool yourself into thinking that this would somehow prevent me in any way from acting as I see fit. My power does not begin in Equestria and it does not end in Equestria, and likewise neither do my responsibilities. My desire is that you agree to change out of your own free will, and in the name of harmony we can begin the healing process. However, Hou Shuren?" Her eyes narrowed, "I do not require your agreement to these terms to enforce them, nor your consent to protect and safeguard the lives and souls of Equestrians. This meeting is a courtesy extended to you by me," her eyes returned to normal, "so if you want to have a sing-off you're going to need to offer something more than that! Especially because I haven't sung in a while! Feel free to start if you feel you have something to offer. I've always wondered how you rocked out," She ended with a laugh. As she did so, the area around them started to warp and change with a growing number of instruments in play.

"As for those ruins, that can be arranged. They are very interesting."

[Ciraxis]

"My....you are terrifying when you get serious Miss Sparkle." said the sorceress, while giving an audacious smile. "I don't doubt that you don't need any kind of permissions to be judge, jury and executioner - opinions of others irrelevant. If that came up to pure contest of arcane might, you you almost certainly best me. The question is - are you willing become closer to being like Me, to bring me in? And are you willing to accept the collateral? The path to Nightmarehood is paved with good intentions. And I also believe we both had a look at that 'Path not Taken'.....and neither of us liked what we saw. I hope it will never be realized." Hou mused, at last leaving her enmity behind and getting more contemplative, as she stopped levitating herself.

 

"I actually see a lot of myself in you Twilight Sparkle - us starting from opposite points on this 'boardgame' of life and magic notwithstanding. I can see that we are both arrogant, prideful and it's so easy for us to dismiss others. I have to keep reminding myself that you're not some yet another Watcher and that you can actually comprehend what am I saying. It's kinda refreshing really, if also unusual. Actually...." Hou squinted her eyes and considered Twilight. Carefully considered. For a moment, her thoughts drifted to a knife under her robes, a blade useful for certain blood magic spells that Hei gifted to her. It would be so easy to confirm.....

 

.....No. It would be better if she didn't know. Sometimes knowledge could be nothing but burden and torment.

Nowt hen.......Uhhhh? Where was she going with this, actually?

 

Thankfully it was a moment that Rose chose to interfere.

'Social awkwardness aside,  could kiss that changeling at times. I have to settle for being second best aunt figure for that grub of hers.'

 

"Rose did you consider....sense of accomplishment? I know that if our situations were reversed, and I would asked to you the same question you would answer 'Yes  please!', but most ponies don't think like that. For example...." Hou turned to Twilight again "If Her Highnesses friend, Rainbow Dash were to find a lamp with genie inside it, and that hypothetical genie would offer to make her the fastest thing alive....Well, I am sure that Miss Dash would cast the lamp in question into deepest ocean abyss she can find, and never look back." sorceress shifted back to insectoid-equinoid.

 

"I don't actually agree with your philosophy of hoofing off freebies, but believe me....ponies would value them a lot more if they felt they had to work for them - ironically enough."

 

When Hou felt that Sparkle started to change the surroundings she wasn't really paying her full attention. She was so focused of her own gauntlet throw, and the perspective of having some fun competition, that she acted without thinking - she simply reached out with her own magic and squashed that reality warp in a bud....

 

At least that was what she expected to happen. While yes, Shuren managed to stop the reality shift, it took way more effort then she anticipated. She used all her acting talent - refined by years of experience - to not have it show on her. Despite this, sorceress was convinced that Twilight noticed anyway.

.......Sparkle was indeed scary. Avoiding direct confrontation was indeed the correct choice, which only reinforced Hou's belief for the massage she revived those few years ago.

 

"If my choice of meals offend you so much, then I don't mind playing things your way Miss Sparkle. I have stockpiled enough to not notice century or four of dieting. We can see in the meantime who will be right. Who knows? Perhaps you might send up one of your friends or two and end up'Discording' me? We shall see. However, I will have this. And I have this the right way." Hou shook her head before giving a heavy sight "I swear, both of you are from the same cloth when it comes to this. Newspaper is just out of reach? Why get up when I have Magic? My tea got cold since I was spaz and didn't paid attention, so magic. I forgot my umbrellas, but who cares? After all, I have magic. Tell me, what actually warrants an effort to move your body? Celestia and Luna know answer to this, so why don't you?" sorceress said irritated, before poking Sparkle lightly in the chest. Apparently, her annoyance over not gibing arcane the proper respect and gravitas made Shuren more bold as well.

"The contests is something that requires audience, jury and effort. An actual effort. So....No. Magic. We doing this properly. With multiply songs per each of us, jury - and you are the first member of it Rose, no complains. Four months from now. And by Seven Sages of Qing, Manheattan in October is dead season when it comes to cultural evens anyway." Shuren finished with a huff.

[Aisede]

Rose got the distinct impression that Hou was not quite comprehending the severity of Twilight's accusations, or the implications that she could- and possibly would- take action against her.  Rose had intended this meeting to be someplace they could all become friends and get to know one another. She supposed she succeeded by some degree- Hou was actively engaging her sworn nemesis in what amounted to polite conversation for her, and was even making jokes!

 

Er... Or she hoped that was a joke, surely she's not serious about-

 

"I beg your pardon?"

 

Did You just drag her into her convoluted scheme to produce a musical number out of the three of them? The best Rose could even recall were some sea shanties and lullabies that would make Equestrian foals squeal in terror. 

 

"I regret to inform you that my singing experience is rather limited. And on the note of magic, you're not the only 'sorceress' present."

 

Sidling up next to Twilight, she threw a protective hoof over her shoulder, glaring down Hou. Somewhat dramatically.

 

Better yet, let's just hug the princess to her! And become a giant crab while she's at it!

 

Haha, yes! 

 

Incase you forgot, she also happens to be an avatar of magic itself in this world.