Moonflower: "... Good luck, Blazer!"
You thank Moonflower, and begin to walk along the crimson runner. Not a single snowflake seems to have moved since you last visited this frozen dream. You stop in front of the dais, and look up to the throne, where you begin to perceive the ghostly figure once more — like a scorch mark upon the fabric of reality.
As it appears, you feel the same sensation as before: a wordless yet inquisitive greeting, as though concerned by a choice you are yet unaware you could make. Suddenly, you remember what you learned last time: that somehow, the ghost was called here because of you. But how could that be, you wonder?
To your surprise, you feel a response to your question. You feel... guilt. But not your own; the ghost blames itself for being here. Why is that? And where is here, exactly? Are you not in a dream? And whose dream could this be? Already, countless more questions begin to form in your mind, until they all fade into a cloud of frustration.
If only you could better understand what the ghost is trying to tell you, you lament. At least, you can feel it agreeing with you on that. Your words, or at least your thoughts, seem to reach it just fine, so what could you be missing? Perhaps... some kind of spell?
For a moment, you are met with silence. Then, you feel... observed. Studied, intently. And finally, after a moment's hesitation, you feel... affirmation? But you realize that the ghost is trying to tell you something. It looked at you, in a manner of speaking... to make sure that you had a horn? No... a horn and wings. Yes, that's it: what you need is alicorn magic!
A final affirmation makes you feel like you're finally making progress! But then, you bitterly recall Twilight Sparkle telling you that there is no such magic to be learned in Equestria. Another affirmation, this one with a poorly concealed hint of amusement, adds some thunder to the rain on your parade.
It seems that for the time being, if you wish to learn anything from the ghost, then you will have to limit yourself to yes or no questions.
Enter a comment
Let's confirm some assumptions...
- So... you're definitely King Empyrius? We felt as much already... (2023-09-11)
- So you do know why you're trapped here, then? Even if you can't tell us exactly...
- So... you can hear my thoughts? But only what I'm thinking of now? Or everything?
- So we called you here... we can't say we understand how that works, or why it had to be us. The Equestrian princesses are alicorns too. Could they help you? Could Discord help you?
Exploring more...
- What do you want? Do you want to be free? Do you want vengeance against somepony? Do you want... to just not exist anymore, or to return to the stars?
- Do you actually know where to learn alicorn magic? If not in Equestria... Ask all the places we know! Or do we have to make it ourselves?
- Did you leave anything in the waking world that could help us? Or help us help you?
I don't really have much analysis for this one. I find it hard to predict where this is going. Honestly, I wasn't even sure what questions to ask. How will these dreams ever impact the waking world, unless we happen upon Alicorn magic? Or Empyrius gives us a (fetch, or other type of) quest in the waking world. Or we actually get possessed. And how do we decide whether to free him, should we ever have that power? He seemed a bit evil previously; I'm not sure how much we can get to know him until we can communicate better.
Maybe we should report to Princess Luna on what's happening here somehow (can we even send her letters?). Or has our trusty bat pony companion been doing that?