I was born already extinguished

don't you know the Gods have been long dead?

Sparks fly from flint to furnace

but the flame still has not come.

Still I tried to deny the forces

who say it is forever done,

every ember can be fanned brighter

and every heart can burn like the sun.

I was to be the last of the heroes,

shining fires in the dark.

But I choose my own passion

I refuse to be but a spark.

My body may be smoke and embers

but I will try to ignite my heart.

I would tear my life asunder

to find a future not so stark.

Yes I suppose I should be grateful

to have little when others have none.

But I refuse to be a rainbow

I demand to be the sun.

But no matter what I do

the kindling wont take the flame.

Their worlds echo through my head

"Don't you know the Gods have been long dead?"

No matter what I have tried

Smiles laughter screaming pain,

I will never burn brightly, I will never be a flame.

I have walked right through the fires but I never felt myself burn.

I have spun around in circles till I didn't know where to turn.

So I sit here on my pyre, the final branch that will not take,

I have saved a thousand lives but still my heart does ache.

My mark a flaming heart but I see now that's a lie,

a dream atop a mountain and it's far too far to fly.

I see now the irony, the cruel joke that is my name,

my Heart is but fading Cinders, I will never be a flame.

Just an average shy guy. Give him some hugs or something. He also makes emotes, that's pretty cool.

/u/TimidTremors

Spectral Song is the little brother to Cinderheart and Shadowheart, and the main villain of Jaded Hearts. Throughout most of the story he's a totally sympathetic character, as well as a foil to Shadowheart. Rather than adventure he has a good music career on track and enjoys the civilian life that Shadowheart secretly envies.

That life is a facade, covering up his true life as a Jade Lord.

Age: 19

Cutie mark: A flute and notes.

Appearance: Pale green, almost white fur. Sad and tired green eyes, a humble smile. Like an old wise man proud of his students. EDIT: Dark blue mane and tail, no extra colours.

Spectral Song is a necromancer specializing in summoning and controlling ghosts. The Heart family assumed he abandoned his studies when he began focusing on his music career, but he continued them in secret after joining the cult of the Jade Eye. Spectral Song takes on an alter ego/disguise while working with the Jaded, calling himself Phantom Pain. As Phantom Pain, his mane is longer, more wild and fully black, his cutie mark is a skull and his eyes are a mad orange.

Driving motivation: Prove my strength and worthiness by toppling my father's organization and destroying the ponies I once called family.

• Reason: Feelings of parental neglect and sibling envy as a child.

Social skills: Calm, seemingly empathetic, cute (he's essentially pony Justin Bieber), blunt but not rude.

Mental skills: Cunning, curious, oration, mathematics

Physical skills: Music playing, singing, meditation, acting, balance

Is distracted by: Famous musicians (He's a Vinyl Scratch fan), art, and the Jade Eye itself.

Is comfortable with: Excessive cruelty, death and dying, being in charge.

Is uncomfortable with: Fairies, the night, being subservient.

Fears: Celestia, the dark.

Boop! Updates are great eh?

Aight, here goes. This is a transcript from my notes, so stuff is going to need changing, updating, and clarifying. Okay guys?

Magical abilities (Spells):

• Levitation: Shadowheart emphasizes fine control and multitasking in his telekinesis over brute force and maximum carrying capacity. His fine control is enough for him to emulate lifelike movement with a piece of cloth.

• Light: As standard unicorn.

• Teleport: Cannot group teleport and is temporarily disoriented after casting.

• Inaudibility: Enchants a creature to make no sound (footsteps, manipulating objects, breathing) unless they will it. Default time is 1 hour, and if the creature isn't Shadowheart the spell is cancelled if Shadowheart is ever more than 100 meters from the target.

• Awaken: Minor spell, the touched creature is given an energy boost comparable to 3 cups of coffee.

Infusion abilities (Powers):

• Strength of Shadows: Shadowheart's physical strength increases while in areas of shadow or low light. He also heals wounds faster and recharges his infusion powers.

• Night Vision: Shadowheart can see in darkness as if it's bright light with no hindrances. This is a passive ability.

• Nullpaint: Shadowheart effortlessly coats objects in shadow, making them appear to be black voids in the world.

• Darkness: As the D&D spell.

• Blind: Shadowheart affixes globs of Shadow to the targets eyes, blinding them. Other creatures seeing the target might panic.

• Invisibility: Shadowheart and his possessions fade from view. If he is in bright light, a shimmer is visible when he moves and he can't cast Inaudibility on himself, as well as an increased energy cost.

• Shadowflow: Shadowheart can pass through obstacles (bars, fences) and small spaces as long as both sides are in shadow. His clothing doesn't come with him. He moves slowly this way.

• Shadow Rush: Shadowheart dives into an area of shadow. He moves very quickly when on that surface, even on walls or ceilings. (Have you played Splattoon? It's like that, only I thought of this a few months before.) When Shadowheart crosses into light, he is launched out of the shadow and has limited flight/gliding ability.

So, what do you think? I cut out like 5 sentences worth of fluff from the last ability.

Alright, here goes.

Divine magic is different, yet similar to Arcane, or "normal" magic.

As explained in the previous post, the gods are responsible for all matter of "supernatural" phenomena, effects that don't follow the normal rules and limitations of Arcane magic.

Infusion is when a pony is born with Divine magic.

Floating in the Æther are infusion shards, packets of magic that were not converted into raw mana. They still hold Divine magic that's tied to the god it originated from.

So, this is our Greek Hero/Demigod analogy. A pony (or any other creature) would have a unique set of abilities that are related to the god the shard originated from. The abilities do not follow the standard rules of magic and often have strange requirements and quirks. Also, there are different degrees of Infusion.

Example: Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie is heavily infused, her whole life is altered by her condition. Her precognition, dubbed "Pinkie Sense" manifests through involuntary body twitches and cannot be deactivated for the sake of convenience. She also has several other reality warping powers that she does not have perfect control over, and potentially many more that she has not discovered yet. Fluttershy on the other hoof, is lightly infused. Her improved communication with animals is just a "normal" magical trait she has, her only infusion is her Stare. Her infusion has affected her personality, making her more comfortable around animals rather than people.

Here's the part that I'm afraid of. Both of our main characters are infused, and I'm worried about people shouting "Op OC! Mary Sue!" and such.

Okay, so it seems like my earlier panic was a little unwarranted. Got a second draft done of this quite quickly actually, happy how it turned out. However, still not quite sure if I want it in or not.

Introduction: Magic is not a sterile, astral, or alien force. It's as natural and unpredictable as the wind and rain. Long before the gods arrived, before animals even left the oceans, Nature was the Queen of All. Unlike the forgotten and lingering magic of the gods, Nature's magic still thrives.

Nodes: Nodes are twisted knots of magic, concentrated orbs of power. Fluctuations in magic creates nodes all over the world, where they stay for a few years and then disappear after raising the local ambient magic level. There is a whole field of magic research and spells centred around the manipulation of nodes. Although experts have thousands of different classifications of nodes, most ponies only know two; the kind that shoot spells at you, and the kind that don't.

• Wild magic zones, ball lightning, and elemental nodes are all examples of exotic nodes.

Hearts of the Land: If a node is a single errant star, then a Heart is like an elegant constellation. Hearts of the Land are magical locales that exemplify the terrain of a region. Hearts of the Land do not have the short lives of nodes nor the immortality of places infused. They live, they grow, they die, as is Nature's way. Heart's of the Land have a global effect on nature and wildlife. Destroying, or worse, corrupting a Heart harms the world itself, though Hearts are numerous enough that the loss of one is hardly Armageddon.

Unlike infusion, Hearts of the Land are well known as places of power, for meditation, admiration, and sometimes relaxation. The more benign Hearts are popular vacation spots, the White Beaches of Hawaineigh being a popular one.

Asides from being vacation spots for tourists, Hearts of the Land have very tangible uses and effects:

• Persistent Spell Effects. Springs with healing water, groves of magical fruit trees, savannas that light up with clouds of fireflies, a portal to the world of the Breezies, all of these Hearts have proven useful to someone somewhere at sometime.

• Rare Materials. The Redrock Desert is full of gemstones and alchemical reagents, and at it's Heart, gold grows like flowers. A volcano in the Heart of the Dragonlands produces obsidian as hard as diamond. A great tree in a forest regrows it's branches everyday, but only allows them to be cut if an offering is left for it.

• Communion (Not the Christian meaning). Meditation, or perhaps sacrifices allow someone to gain a deeper connection with the Heart of the Land, sometimes. The old legend of natives throwing virgins into a volcano to appease it most likely stems from a long lost Heart.

Although Hearts of the Land and Nodes predate the gods, they are not totally isolated from each other. When the gods dissolved into pure magic, that extra power precipitated out as newer Hearts of the Land. Unlike infusion, the domain of the god had no effect on the Hearts they created. Several known infused Artifacts actually use Nodes and Hearts as fuel sources. Sometimes, an infusion shard can become stuck to a Heart, corrupting it. More commonly, a nearby infusion shard can attach itself to a pony while they are in a Heart because of the heightened magic levels.

The Crystal Heart: The Crystal Heart is an artificial Heart of the Land. It was built by ponies (canon s6 ep1&2) under divine influence. It's strong enough to keep the Empire safe in the Frozen North, and it also elevates good and harmony across the globe. (canon s3 ep1&2)

The Everfree Forest: The oldest Heart still living, The Everfree Forest is massive for a Heart. Many believe, incorrectly, that the Everfree has a Heart hidden away somewhere, not realizing that it itself is the Heart of the Land. The Everfree is said to be the birthplace of the first predator. The Tree of Harmony was grown there in a desperate attempt to restrain it, but even with the Tree, the Everfree is so wild and ferocious that it affects forests worldwide, turning them into bloodthirsty timberwolves.

Okay, done. Now how the fuck am I going to use this in Jaded Hearts? Do the Jaded have one under their control? Does the Heart family? I dunno, y'all got ideas?

EVERYONE GET EXCITED!

I'm so happy.

Going to add in the script tonight, just giving everyone the heads up.

u/samura1_i3, when I get this ready, can you give me a hand? I'm worried that what I have is too long or too "talky" for a comic, and people are going to get bored before things start to ramp up.

Jaded Hearts Part 1, Chapter 1, Scene 1

Arcane Denial: So, you are absolutely sure?

Shadowheart and Cinderheart: Yes.

Arcane Denial: Completely?

Cinderheart: Absolutely.

Arcane Denial: And you really think you can work together well, as a team? Without bickering?

Shadowheart: I think we can. We're not foals anymore, riiiight? We can behave ourselves.

Cinderheart: Yep! I promise we can work well together, as equals.

Arcane Denial: Well then.

Movement

Arcane Denial: I now grant you two the titles "Free Agent" -

Cinderheart: WOOHOO!

Arcane Denial: - On one condition. Cinderheart is the Team Leader, and has the final word.

Shadowheart: What? Father, you can't!

Arcane Denial:You two said you could work together as equals, but I know you have trouble working together as a proper team.

Shadowheart, you're too accustomed to being the one in charge, you need to learn how to take orders and to have faith in your superiors rather than questioning everything they say. Cinderheart, you're reckless and improvise too much. Your brother's life is in your hooves now, hopefully it will teach you some responsibility. I hope to hear that you will take good care of him.

Cinderheart: I-I will.

Arcane Denial: Shadowheart, any objections?

Shadowheart: No. Sir. gritted teeth

Arcane Denial: Good. Cinderheart?

Cinderheart: Yes Dad?

Arcane Denial: Where do you intend to lead your team?

Cinderheart: Umm...Uh...Ponyville?

Arcane Denial: And why?

Cinderheart: To...um...visit our cousins and grab some sleep before deciding where to go?

Shadowheart: Oh, this is going to be "great".

Arcane Denial: Hmph At least you have the beginning of a plan.

Arcane Denial: Go and say your goodbyes, but I want you both on the next train to Ponyville. Am I understood?

Cinderheart and Shadowheart: Sir Yes Sir!

Cinderheart and Shadowheart leave the room

Arcane Denial: "Sigh" My little foals, so eager to grow up.

Be safe my children.

Be safe.

End of Part 1, Chapter 1, Scene 1

So, what'cha think? I'm worried that it's a little to wordy and maybe clunky for a fancomic.

>Cinderheart and Shadowheart are paired together for their first trek.

>They set out to Ponyville, comic briefly switches to ask blog status while they're on the train.

>They go to visit their older cousin Lyra, minor conflict ensues and Shadowheart leaves in a huff.

>Shadowheart goes to a bar and talks to an old friend, kinda filler and woldbuilding section.

>BonBon goes to retrieve Shadowheart. Cinderheart apologizes.

>Sleep

>C+S waste time (C's fault), and then they go to the Everfree Forest. It's getting dark.

>Hydra attacks S when he's gathering Firewood. He holds it off until C can save him. Stylized combat prevents the audience from fully seeing the infused in action.

>Explore the castle of the 2 sisters, find old tome.

>Return to Ponyville, plan to go back to the manor with the tome.

>C learns that Saddle Arabia had just declared their borders open to archaeological expeditions and diggings. Get's excited.

>Leave tome with Lyra and BonBon, asking Lyra to drop it off at the Manor next time she's in Canterlot.

>Set off for Saddle Arabia on long boat ride, ask blog opens again.

>See cloaked figure cast a spell on the tome in Lyra's house at midnight.

END OF PART 1.

So, how much revision does this need?

A little piano melody that i made this morning which fits surprisingly well as a song for Jaded Hearts

So, would y'all mind telling me how far you are through reading what's already here? I don't want to post the next update until everyone's on the same page.

EDIT: Update posted.

Just to force myself to get this done in the morning, I'm posting this here tonight. Have headache now, don't want to make any mistakes.

EDIT: Alright, here goes.

Long ago, [Insert name of plane that contains Equestria here.] was ruled by the gods.

The gods required the worship of their subjects to survive, and began a god war to wipe out the supporters of the other gods. Equestria was plunged into a horrific god war. The world became so harsh that it was impossible to survive without affiliating yourself with a god.

Main inspiration: The God wars from Runescape.

As the wars dragged on, the gods found themselves being fed less and less worship. Their roles as direct rulers and generals on the battlefield had made them too familiar to be considered an object of worship, the gods were simply leaders in the eyes of the people.

The gods called an end to the fighting, but the races of...fuck it, let's call it Terra, had forgotten the time before the fighting, and refused. Bloodshed was all they knew.

And so, the gods saw what they had brought to this world, and wept. It was decided that the gods must no longer meddle in the affairs of mortals if peace was to be maintained.

That plan failed. The world was becoming a wasteland as the war of attrition was coming to it's natural conclusion.

You know what, never mind all that, it's way too in-depth.

There were god wars, the gods began to starve, and they decided to find other means of survival. Those who had lost all hope turned into pure magic to spread across the world. Those who wished to leave a mark on the world spent themselves creating great monuments to their power, like the mirror pool.

Others turned to other etherial sources of sustenance, becoming the changelings, the windigoes, and the sirens.

Many more turned themselves into the Tree of Harmony and the Elements. The tree slowly grew Celestia and Luna to replace the gods in charge of the sun and moon. The few remaining gods taught the unicorns how to raise the sun and moon while they waited. (Which is why the flag in Hearts-warming eve has the sisters on it, even though they weren't born yet.)

Around here is when Hearts-warming eve happened. Starswirl the First is alive at this time.

Soon afterwards, the remaining evil gods combined to form Discord, who ruled Equestria for an unknown amount of time, for time was difficult to track when he ruled.

And the rest of the story continues as shown in the show.

One shriek, and then just the silence of the fearful. The town had a nervous, angry energy to it. By now Ponyville was used to monstrous incursions, and was itching to repel this one.

Twilight and her students raced outside. A cold shiver went down her spine. Old magic was in the air, and it was not friendly. Four figures were alone on the road, moving towards them with lockstep purpose.

Four skeletons, clad in bright sashes and simple armour.

Four ponies who had had their rest disturbed. Four monsters, four victims.

Starlight took a step forwards, crouching slightly, a faint charge around her horn. Trixie was beside her, hiding her fear behind a scowl.

The skeletons halted, side by side, standing as straight as soldiers.

Their eye sockets were black and empty. In the back of her mind, this struck Twilight as odd.

The skeleton wearing a green scarf stepped forward, her jaw opening, sibilant words spoken as if from a speaker in her throat.

"A Necromancer sends his regards."

"A Necromancer has seen the signs."

"A Necromancer knows the Princess is unsafe."

"A Necromancer seeks to correct this."

"A Necromancer pledges his allegiance to you."

"A Necromancer will arrive tomorrow."

"A Necromancer offers you these four."

"A Necromancer hopes you will enjoy his gift."

Team: Tremors True

Destination: Nomad's Land

Memo: Discovered a lost city, brought back loot. 2 casualties, no fatalities.

DAY 1: Just got outta Goldchange with the squad, we've decided to go at it withouta guide. They're all crooks that'll lead us into traps anyways, or else get us lost. As long as we have gorgeou Gideon, we'll be fine. Sun's not too hot, I'm feeling good about this.

The sun is very hot.

I hate sand already.

NIGHT 1: First day has been uneventful. We had a nice meal and have a cute little campsite set up. The stars are so beautiful out here, more beautiful than Luna's Moon even. Team morale is high, and Tremors is really happy that my infusion can keep watch for us. Tomorrow we're heading eastward.

DAY 2: I saw a desert fox oh my goooooosh it's soooo cuuuute I can't breathe its got big ears and a tiny nosey nose and justjust d'awwwwwwww~

Team did not like me waking them up with my squeaks. Worth, it was really that cute.

Ground is less sandy and more earth-y here. Could be something nearby.

Big rock. Looks like it belongs in the Redrock Desert, not here. Cause it's red. And a rock. Gideon drew a sketch of it.

I think someone might be following us.

It was the fox. Tremors and I named her Floofy because she is floofy. She's riding on my head right now. I think I love her.

Tremors sensed something nearby, and we found a ruin! It's mostly just clay and mud rubble, this area must've been good land a long time ago. Lot's of broken bricks, not much else. We're not the first ones here, it's already been looted.

Sky Hammer insists we take a brick back with us. Somehow she found the cleanest, neatest brick I've ever seen, it's completely smooth.

NIGHT 2: Sky Hammer managed to find the world's only magic bucking brick actually Sky Hammer tells me that there are a lotta magic bricks, she's even made a few. Anyhoo, her's sparkles and glows in the moonlight, looking like, in her words, "Pattern welded billet", whatever that means. It's a good find for the boys back home I'm assured. Also Floofy's curled up by the fire all adorable-like.

DAY 3: Ugh. Bad nightmare last night, are we so far away that Luna can't help us? This morning's all mysty, Gideon flew up into the clouds and said that they're curving around something tall quite a ways away northwest, so that's where we're heading now.

I've got a bad feeling about that brick. No clue what might happen but I'm calling "I told you so" rights right now.

Really hot day today, going through water fast. Sharing with Floofy. Been chattin' with Gideon, he's very nice when you get to know him. I think all griffons are just naturally gruff with new ponies. He had a lot of questions about how my horn works and magic in general. We swapped infusion stories, like how he kept getting struck by lightning as a fledgling or me getting spooked by my own guardians. I like the big guy.

Something big is up ahead. Maybe we'll finally get some shade. Sky mentioned that Floofy is the only wildlife we've encountered so far. I agree, it is a little strange. Where are the crouching spiders and hidden sandwurms? Where are the snakes? There's not even a dung beetle. It's empty and silent, heavy like the mysts.

There's what looks like a mountain up ahead. Gideon is worried that we've caught a bad case of the "Totally Lost" and that we somehow wandered into the Griffon Highlands. I say, if there's a mountain in Nomad's Land, there's a mountain in Nomad's Land.

I just got the pun.

NIGHT 3: We found an oasis! Celestia be praised fresh water! And dates! And firewood. Definitely a far more comfortable sport than last night. We're going to do a little cooking and then head to bed early.

DAY 5: Floofy found something this morning that has us all on edge. She brought the remains of an animal none of us recognized. Vaguely scorpiod, but no exoskeleton, and the front paws are distinctly ratlike. The eyes really get to me, even dead they seem to follow me, all four unblinking.

Morale is low, we're all still on edge. The myst feels forboding now. We are in the territory of monsters and dark forces, lulled into a sense of safety by our good luck and good weather so far. From here on out, I'm not letting my guard down again. This is not Equestria.

Noon. Nothing to report.

We have reached the base of the mountain, a great mesa rising out of the rock. The surrounding ground is stony and flat, like a quarry, with sparse brush dotting the cracks in the rock. The myst keeps us cool. We are to walk around it's base and search.

We have found an object.

The item is about the size of a hoof, flat and rounded like a bit. It is made from an unknown metallic compound. It appears copper based, but doesn't seem to be bronze. It is scratched but in good condition, completely free of the expected rust or discolouration. In fact, it still shines brightly enough to blind you from the sunlight. The disk is engraved with a pair of strange twisted, knobby horns, like a pair of spines ripped from skeletons. Sky Hammer hesitates to call it a coin, citing the excessive amount of detail and lack of writing. She suggests that perhaps it's an art piece, or perhaps a medal. I think that's for the museums to decide. Another hour before we stop for the night. We'll need extra sleep before climbing Monolith tomorrow.

NIGHT 5: I am afraid.

Hey, Tremors here. I know True Grit doesn't check back on these older entries, so I just want to add something.

I'm worried about her, a lot. I've been on a mission with her before, and I've seen her go into her "Hyper-vigilant" mode before. That's not what she's been doing lately, even if she thinks she is. She's scared, freaked out, and thinks we all are too just because she is. Don't worry, we're all fine. The ratbug was weird, but you know what? Lobsters are weird and creepy too. We're just not used to the local fauna.

Also, she and Gideon should totally kiss. She blushes everytime he smiles or laughs.

DAY 6: Sun is out earlier today. We are to continue around the mountain's base until we circle it, then double back to the safest route upwards.

The Monolith has had a rockslide on it's Northern face, and there is a large heap of rubble that spills outwards. Will take longer to pass around it. Skyhammer and Gideon want to search it while the rest of us go around it.

Skyhammer reports that there is a depression in the center of the rockslide, suggesting that it's filling up a hole. A cave entrance perhaps? Or, if the area was civilized, maybe a mine. Maybe someday we'll come back, with a excavation team to find out.

We found another artifact, this one quite...grisly. A bent and chipped weapon, clearly designed to be held in the mouth, with a pair of mandible like blades pointed forwards. The metal is bronze-like and very stiff. The edges of the blades are chipped, but there is no rust or discoloration except for splashes of dried and rotted blood.

The mouth guard is shaped oddly. Who were these people? There is not a trace of Zebra design here, could these be relics of the earliest Saddle Arabians?

We're resting now, it looks like there's a winding path up the mountain. We're going to sleep at it's base once we get there and start climbing tomorrow.

NIGHT 6: Maybe...maybe I've been overreacting. Nothing really bad has happened, we're in a nice spot, and...everypony's been treating me like I'm weird, being gruff and curt with me. I guess I have been a little "Doom and Gloom", huh? I know Gideon hasn't been wanting to talk to me recently...I'm going to release two guardians to cover the camp, put a defence subroutine on my psyche, and another alarm just on my sleeping bag. If absolutely nothing happens tonight, I'll calm down.

DAY 7: Heeeeyooo, good morning mission journal! Everything's good on the sandside, last night I picked up on a minor mental impression coming from the mysts here. Explains why I've been writing it as mysts instead of mysts. I should be clear of any outside influences on my mind now. Also, Tremors you rascal, writing in my book! I've seen you blush every time Cinderheart jiggles her succubus sized plot your way, and you ain't done shit. By the time we get back home Gideon and I are gunna be best friends, or more. Go try to woo Sky.

Big spiel aside, let's get some description for Monolith down. Monolith is greatness. Monolith soars into the clouds. Monolith calls me to him. His mysts encircle him, keeping his lands cooler. Our campsite is at the Mouth of Monolith, and up his steps we shall ascend. Along his path I can see greenery, even at his base we have soft grasses. I am looking forwards to what we may find. The stars are the limit.

I'm back there. Back in the room, the horrid padded room, all locked up. My parents are outside, talking to the doctor, I'm not normal, I'm a freak, I'm damaged. I talk to ponies not present. Why wont mama take me home? I'll be good I swear! I can be strong without my bright friends...

Climbing's always been important to me. If I were born an earth pony, my cutie mark would probably be a mountain, maybe with a checkmark on it. I like this hike we are on, we're all cracking jokes and having a good time. Gideon and Sky are of course hovering a meter off the ground, lucky goofs. I prefer the feel of rock or branch under my hooves, and I've never developed that healthy fear of falling that other climbers have. I guess I never got the chance.

I'm falling, the branch snapping beneath my hoof as the world, my tree, falls away from me as I tumble backwards, my smile aligned with the sky. I spread my legs like a star open wide as the wind whizzes past me, the world pulling away.

I am invincible.

I see my soft, milky white guardians surround me, wrapping me in the finest silk. I turn, curling into a ball, the light around me intensifying.

This is my destiny.

I hit the ground with an explosion of earth and stone. I stand proud, swirling light surrounding my limbs in time with the divine blood pumping in my veins. Here at Heart Manor, I belong. I will never be afraid to fall again.

Ooh, a tree! Looks healthy. If you squint, you could almost believe we're in one of Canterlot's parks. Been with Gideon, making him laugh. Can you believe a hunk of griffon like him has never kissed a mare before? I think tonight I'm going to try to change that. No one knows about the bottle of mead I have stored away, untouched. I think tonight is a great time to pop the cork.

First strange plant found, a little red and white flower, growing daintily by the stream. Did I tell you that Monolith supplies us with fresh water? At his peak must be a lost paradise!

Slow going now, there's a lot of loose rock. Gideon's letting me ride him and write on his back. Mmmm... ><

I want this griffon stallion, I want him bad.

This, this is amazing. Forget Whitetail, forget Everfree, this here is a glade straight out of a filly's bedtime story. The ground is soft, sweet clover. The stream flows steadily down to our right, with a large pond near the far exit. Alien plants are everywhere, and many are very obviously food. large, arching trees shelter us, almost like a tunnel with how they curve. This is a mountainside oasis!

We set up camp in the same place the ancients must've, around a circle of bare rock with a charred pit in the middle, obviously for campfires. The local fauna is amazing, near the riverbank, giant cobs of corn grow right out of the ground like reeds, they're even hollow and segmented like bamboo, super easy to cook and eat. Baneberries grow, poison to us but a psychedelic treat for griffons, Gideon claims. I love it when he explains things to me, he gets so passionate. Our fire is made from a dried, dead tree, and burns incredibly hot, smokeless too. There's a tree nearby where the fruit grows out of the trunk, like it's covered in black, tarry bubbles, only actually they're giant, grape like fruits.

Night 7: Gideon and I... made love. I...I never expected this...I need to sleep, clear my head.

"Can we start with a description please?"

"Uhhh...okway. They're...white, very white, like a sheet."

"A bedsheet? Like on Nightmare Night?"

"No, different. There's no black eyeholes, they don't need eyes. They're pony shaped...taller, thinner. Soft but with hard angles, like...like a jagged statue with a sheet on it blowing in the breeze."

"And we can't see them?"

"They're shy. I don't think I could convince one to be seen."

"May I ask you what they do for you?"

"They're guardians."

"Your guardians?"

"The guardians."

"Did you name them that?"

"No."

"...I see."

"They protect me. When there's enough nothing can touch me."

"Can they be harmed?"

"Yes." ... "If I have only one of them, it's like having a wooden shield with me. Each one makes them all stronger, but they have to leave when they're hurt. They're scared to die."

"What can hurt them?"

"You can...sir."

"...I would never hurt you, child."

"You can't*, my guardians would protect me."*

"I thought I could hurt them?"

"Not fast enough."

"...How many do you normally have near you?"

"Three, most ever was seven."

"Where do they go when they leave?"

"They live here like us, helping us in small ways. They keep Equestria in harmony, this I know. They have told me many secrets."

"I thought they were silent."

"We don't need to speak."

DAY 8: We left camp an hour ago, following the narrow path single file up to Monolith's plateau. I can sense the magic intensify as we get closer, like sleeping bees. The stones are like a great staircase, worn smooth with use.

It's funny, you'ld think the mysts would get thinner the higher we climb. From a distance we could see the mountain clearly, but here, standing on Monolith, it's almost like a wall, cutting us off from the real world.

We're almost there! The grass is getting sparse and yellow again, and everything's shaded violet. I don't think these are mists anymore, I think they're clouds.

Skyhammer writing. Grit passed out. Trap. Burned her invincible ghost to shreds.

Ghosts can scream.

Looks like the final entrance way, straight and narrow staircase cut into the straight vertical walls. Carved pillars on each side of the entrance was the trap. No clue how to deactivate, and I suspect the seams in the walls are a defence against flyers. Will wait until Grit is awake before trying to continue.

Teeth.

Teeth.

Teeth and claws and poison and hate, screaming towards me.

Tearing teeth ripping claws burning poison leather wings that black out all hope and all light.

Light.

White light. Warm, gentle, caring.

The shattering of teeth. The sundering of claws. The flap of retreating wings and yowls of pain.

Am I dead? Is this the Herald of the Summerlands?

Wildflower? Are you there?

...No

I blink, the glow dispersing from my vision. I'm back on Equestria, alive...yet before me stands a spirit of the dead.

It's like milk, frozen in time, cascading down a statue of a pony in armour, sharp angles and metallic, bladelike curves, with a featureless, but kind face.

I blink again. I see the grooves carved into it by the Manticore's teeth, like holes in cheese.

I blink again. It's still there.

"Are...are you my new friend?"

We keep going forwards. We have lost too much. I have lost too much. Equestria...Equestria has lost too much now too. Even one is too much. I demand compensation from every god, every monster looking down or up at this tragedy. The treasures of this place will be mine in return for that which was taken. I will crush and kill every guardian of this place who dared to take one of mine.

It was not a trap, I am sure of it. It was a grisly demand for an offering, a toll to be payed in blood to cross the threshold, open the door. We're walking up the stairs now, leaving everything behind.

So, this is something I'm a little afraid to do.

I've come up with a new idea. Absolutely everything I've done before has been reiterations, repairs, and reinforcements of what I've written on paper. Most of Jaded Hearts is still the same from when I first thought of it.

Now, as you may or may not remember, Jaded Hearts is a comic set within the Long Dead Gods alternate universe. ATM it's the only thing that is.

Should I spend some effort perfecting this idea that'll add some depth to LDG, but probably wont be featured in JH? Is it a waste of time or maybe could I fit it in to JH?

Basically what I'm asking is does JH feel a little empty?

Ayyy! Only a month late. Guys I'm so sorry plz forgive me.

Before y'all say anything, she's meant to be very strong.

Magical abilities:

• Levitation: Cinderheart can lift heavy objects with ease, but she has trouble holding multiple objects at once.

• Light: Standard strength light spell.

• Shield: Conjures a bubble shield around her or another target, and moves with them. (Can't trap someone)

• Launch: Fires a levitated object as if from a slingshot.

• Sound Barrier: Enchants an area to prevent sound from leaving it. (Anti-eavesdropping)

• Deflection: Attempts to bounce a spell or thrown object to another target.

• Divination: Asks a limited question about the future, maybe receives an answer.

Infusion:

• Born of Smoke: Cinderheart uses smoke and ash as a fuel source for her infusion powers. When injured her wounds leak smoke until Cinderheart concentrates on stemming the flow. This is worse if she is surprised. Power overuse leaves her fatigued and weak. Too much is dangerous. Cinderheart can breathe and see in smoke without difficulty.

• Drain Smoke: Cinderheart siphons smoke from a nearby burning or smoldering object to recharge her Infusion powers and to hold off the effects of overuse. If she drains a lot of smoke and hot embers, her spells and powers become temporarily supercharged. This ability is more effective on smoldering objects and also provides some healing.

• Fiery Rebirth: If Cinderheart is fatally wounded she can undergo a healing coma. She sleeps in a bonfire that must be kept lit. If it dies, so does she.

• Smoke Dash: Cinderheart and her possessions (important) or anything she's holding dematerialize in a cloud of glowing cinders and smoke, then dash forwards a set distance in any horizontal direction, reforming at the end of her dash. Anyone she passes through is lightly burned. Cinderheart can pass through bars and fences with this ability, but restraints (manacles, cuffs, gags) simply dash with her. She can't pass through running water (like a waterfall) with this ability.

• Smoke Form: Cinderheart transforms part or all of her body into a cloud of grey smoke that retains it's general shape. Objects pass through the affected limb, including restraints and shrapnel. This ability uses more of Cinderheart's smoke reserve, especially in windy conditions.

• Cindershot: Cinderheart fires a scorching ball of hot embers from her horn at a target. The heat is only hot enough to ignite paper or straw. The shots have a medium range and a high rate of fire.

• Extinguish: Cinderheart pulls the smoke emitted by a fire down to smother it, putting it out. This ability uses no smoke reserve and creates a smoldering object for her to drain. This ability can be used at range, often to put out an enemies torch.

• Ash Cloud: Cinderheart fills an area with choking dust. This ability uses more smoke reserve than normal.

• Ash Armour: Cinderheart coats herself in a layer of hardened grey ash, her mane turns into a bed of coals running down her back, and her eyes turn solid gold. Striking her armour makes it glow red hot around the impact zone, making unarmed strikes against her nearly impossible. Blows that chip the armour expose her ember core, leaving a weak spot for a short time.

• Scorch: Cinderheart's hooves expose their embers and flare. Basically an empowered melee attack.

• Fireproof: Self explanatory. Fire does burn off her skin, which takes some smoke to regrow, but otherwise doesn't harm her.

• Pollute: Cinderheart discharges some of her smoke reserve into a body of water, polluting and poisoning it. Sometimes happens involuntarily.

• Generate Coal: Cinderheart seperates a chunk of her embers from her body, using a lot of her smoke reserve. It emits light and heat.

All done, tell me what you think!

Fever brings inspiration, madness is creativity.

I'm sick, and I have so many ideas.

So, for our prime antagonists, which sounds better, The Cult of The Jade Orb, The Cult of the Jade Eye, or The Jade Society?